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 Pilgrimage of the Life of Man |  |
‘Yiff thow lyst the trouthë se,
Kom on a-noon, and folwe me,
And thow shalt (yiff thow kanst espye)
Herë me ful lowdë crye;
ffor I shall sen, duryng my lyff,
The vale off sorwen and off stryff,
The woful Interieccïoun
Most ful off lamentacïoun.’
Pilgrim:
Avarice:
Pilgrim:
“I may nat levyn (fer nor ner)
Thow sholdest han so gret power,
Wych that art so poryly
“Arrayed, and so dysguesyly;
Halt and lame, (as semeth me)
Brokë-bakkyd, and foul to se.
And with al thys (I the ensure),
A verray monstre in nature,
(Who lyst looke, he shal yt fynde,)
And engendryd a-geyn kynde.
How sholdystow, with al thys thynges,
Ouer erlys, dukys, kynges,
Have power or domynacïon
To brynge hem in subieccïon,
Sythen they, by gret noblesse,
Haven off kyndë swych fayrnesse,
And brouht forth by engendrure,
Kyndëly, as by nature?”
Avarice:
Pilgrim:
“Declarë to me (in substaunce,)
Wher-off serueth thy balaunche.
I trowe thow wylt ther-in ryht sone
Peysë ther-in bothe sonne and mone,
The sterrys ek, or thow ha do,
And the zodyak also.”
Avarice:
Pilgrim:
Than, quod I anon, “lat se
Touchyng that I shal axen the;
I wolde ther-on have thy devys:
Her ys a woode off lytel prys,
Wych a woodeman selleth me;
And in the salë, thus seyth he,
‘ffor .xxx.ty shyllyng I wyl yt selle,
So that a-noon (as I shal telle)
That thow to me, (lych myn entent,)
Makë to me thys payëment
With-outen any mor delay.
But yiff I graunte a lenger day,
As thus, tabyde a yerys space,
Thanne I wyl (withoutë grace)
Have fourty shyllyng (by iuste reknyng)
By-cause off myn ábydyng:’
Vp-on thys caas I woldë se
Whér lyk (as yt semeth the)
The sellere off the wych I telle,
Outher peysseth or doth selle
The tyme, outher the zodyak,
Off the wyche to-forn we spak.”
Avarice:
pilgrim:
“Tell on, I pray, let me se
in what wysë may this be;
thow callyst thy tonge ‘forswerynge,’
and thyn haunche also ‘lyenge,’
whiche is so halt and corbyd doun);
tell me here-on some reson.”
Avarice:
The Pylgryme:
And whilë sche gan me assayle
fful cruelly, as by batayle,
Alle sodeynely I dydë sen,
How that ȝouthë wente atwen,
Bytwyxen Avarise and me,
Cryed trewys, and bad let be.
Than ȝouthe spak:
‘Do to hym no vyolence,
ffor I am komen in his diffence,
Ageynse the to make hym stronge.
Thow schalt to hym do now no wronge,
(Thow thow be cruel off entent,)
While that I am here present.’
Auaryce:
The Pylgryme:
The Messangere:
The pylgryme:
“Certis me semyth it were ffolye
To komë there, or go fforby,
But ȝeue I knewë (in sentence)
What doctryne or what science,
To hir scolers sche dothe teche.
Thereffore, opunly in thy speche,
Declarë what it schuldë be,
Or ellys I wole not go with the.”
The Messangere:
The Pylgryme:
“Certeynely that is not so;
Though sche and I (bothë two)
“Hadde I-ffere longe dalyaunce,
Sche made no maner off rémembraunce
Off this scole, in no degre,
Off whiche thow spekist off to me.”
The messangere:
The pylgryme:
The Messangere:
‘I Dar afferme (with-outë slouthe)
In party that thow haste seyde trouthe,
Excepte oonly (it is no nay)
In many thynges they helpë may,
A man greetly to magnyffye,
Encresse also, and multeplye,
Whanne they be cónstreyned to do so,
And haue no power to go ther-ffro,
Comaunded to swyche óbseruaunce
By hym that hathe the gouernaunce
I mene the kyng, to whom, eche weye,
Mawgre ther myght, they muste obeye.’
The Pylgryme:
“I conceyue, and se wel here,
Thow art the kyngës messangere,
By the armes that thow dost were,
And by the sygnes I se the bere;
But makë demonstracyoun
To me off thi comyssyoun,
By what power or by what peyne
Thát thow mayste hem so constreyne.”
The Messangere:
‘Commyssyoun I haue neuere on;
And trewely I dar axë non;
And though I dyde (as thow schalt se)
He woldë grauntë noon to me.’
The Pylgryme:
“Thanne wote I wel, (ȝeue it be sought,)
ffor the, that they wole do ryght nought.”
The Messangere:
‘Here vp-on, what so ȝe seye,
Wotë wel they wole obeye
Pleynely vnto my byddynge;
ffor they wene that, off the kynge
I haddë fful auctorite,
Commyssyoun and fful pouste,
To maken them, lyche myn entent,
To óbeye my comaundëment
By vertu off myn orysoun,
Karectys and coniurysoun;
ffor drede off whiche, (be wel certeyn,)
I knowe they dar me not with-seyn.’
The Pilgryme:
The Messangere:
The Pylgryme:
The Messangere:
The Pylgryme:
Heresye:
‘For but thow leyë here adoun,
I schal, to thi conffusyoun,
Schape thi skryppe off newe array,
ffor it is not to my pay;
‘I schal it kutte in other wyse,
Lyche as my-syluen lyste devyse.’
The Pylgryme:
“Thow ooldë vekke, as semeth me,
That thow mayste not clerely se;
Wherffore me lyste, by thi byddynge,
ffor to do no maner thyng,
But ȝeue to-fforne I knowe and se
Thy powere and thyn autorite;
Thy worke also, and thyne office,
I wole ffirste knowe in myn avyce.”
Heresie:
The Pylgryme:
The Pylgryme:
“Hvntë,” quod I, “telle me now,
What maner officere arthow,
Whiche [thus] lyggeste on the way,
Vnlaweffully to cacchë pray,
Thus to makë thyne arestis,
Namely on the kyngës beestis?
I trowe thow haueste no lycence
ffor to don so greet offence;
I dar afferme (eerly and late),
Swyche hunters, the kyng doth hate;
“And it semyth, by thi manere,
Off his, thow art noon officere.”
The hunte:
Qvod he, ‘what makystetow swyche stryff?
Thow art wonder Inquysytyff,
Besy also, by argument,
To hoolde with me a parlement,
By langáge, and longe pletyng;
ffor, though I longe not to the kyng,
(And thow conceyue aryght I-wys,)
Som tyme I was oon off his;
And though I hauë no congé
Off hym, to hunte in this contré,
He suffryth me here, in this place,
At his beestis ffor to chace,
And assaute on hem to make.
And whanne that I by fforce hem take,
Be it by day, be it by nyght,
I cleyme hem to ben myn off ryght.’
The Pylgryme:
The Hunte:
‘I do fful wel,’ quod he, ‘espye
Where-on thow castyste so thyne eye.
ffor alle thy wylës and thi Iape,
Thow schalt not so ffro me eskape;
I schal the cacchë by som crook;
I haue leyde ffor the, las and hook,
As thow mayste thy-syluen se:
Thow schalt not skapen by this see.’
The Pylgryme:
“Telle me anoon, and lyë nought,
As it lythe, ryght in thy thought,
These pylgrymes allë that I se,
Who hathe thus putte hem in thys see?”
The hunte:
The Pylgryme:
The Pylgryme answerth to Satan:
ffortune:
The Pylgrym:
“Touchyng thy staff, tel on, lat se
What maner tookne yt may be,
That yt corbyd lych and Crook,
And mad in maner off an hook.”
Dame Fortune:
‘With thys Crook, by gret vengaunce,
ffolk, that to soon I dyde avaunce,
Thorgh my transmutacïoun,
Al sodeynly I rende hem doun,
That sat in chayerys hih aloffte;
To whom ther fal ys no thyng soffte.
Reyse vp ageyn al sodeynly
Other that be nothyng worthy,
And cause ek sommë (Est and west)
ffor to bylde fful hih ther nest
And ther habytcïoun;
Somtyme, off wyl, nat off resoun,
I take noon hed off no degre,
But only off my volunte.’
The Pylgryme:
“fful ffayn I wolde ek vnderstonde
The menyng also off the hond,
At the hoolë hyh aloffte,
That reyseth vp his crook so offte,
The nestys for to rende a-doun:
Tel me thexposicïoun.”
Dame Fortune:
Fortune is walkyd.
the translator:
Kom on a-noon, and folwe me,
And thow shalt (yiff thow kanst espye)
Herë me ful lowdë crye;
ffor I shall sen, duryng my lyff,
The vale off sorwen and off stryff,
The woful Interieccïoun
Most ful off lamentacïoun.’
Pilgrim:
463
And trewëly (I took good kep,)
She wente vp to a fosse kaue dep;
And ther she bad me lokë doun;
Wher I hadde inspeccïoun
Off an abbey, wych euerydel
(As I beheld the maner wel)
Was foundyd besyden a cheker,
Squar as ys a Tabler.
And I beheld also with-al,
Ther wer esches, bothe gret and smal,
fful wel ywrouht in allë thynges.
She wente vp to a fosse kaue dep;
And ther she bad me lokë doun;
Wher I hadde inspeccïoun
Off an abbey, wych euerydel
(As I beheld the maner wel)
Was foundyd besyden a cheker,
Squar as ys a Tabler.
And I beheld also with-al,
Ther wer esches, bothe gret and smal,
fful wel ywrouht in allë thynges.
Ther sawh I rookys and ek kynges,
And knyhtys (ek in verray soth)
Drawen, as a ffers y-doth
In travers wysë, by bataylle,
Euerych other gan assaylle
Wyth sharpë swerdys, thus thauhtë me,
A dysguysë thyng to se;
ffor at the ches, in al my lyff,
Sawh I neuere swych a stryff,
Nor so fers A contenaunce;
ffor everyche gan hym sylff avaunce,
Whan ther bataylle was ado,
To make hem redy for to go
To that abbay ther besyde,
And, be surquedye and pryde,
Ther to forreye, what they may,
Robbe and spoylle, and ber a-way,
And revë hem off ther rychesse,
And brouhten hem in swych dystresse,
That no thyng leffte to ther refut,
But made al bare and destytut.
And knyhtys (ek in verray soth)
Drawen, as a ffers y-doth
In travers wysë, by bataylle,
Euerych other gan assaylle
Wyth sharpë swerdys, thus thauhtë me,
A dysguysë thyng to se;
ffor at the ches, in al my lyff,
Sawh I neuere swych a stryff,
Nor so fers A contenaunce;
ffor everyche gan hym sylff avaunce,
Whan ther bataylle was ado,
To make hem redy for to go
To that abbay ther besyde,
And, be surquedye and pryde,
Ther to forreye, what they may,
Robbe and spoylle, and ber a-way,
And revë hem off ther rychesse,
And brouhten hem in swych dystresse,
That no thyng leffte to ther refut,
But made al bare and destytut.
Whan I hadde al thys yseyn,
How al was makyd wast and pleyn,
Quod I, “what thyng meneth thys,
That thys cherche destroyed ys?
Thys ys (to myn oppynyoun)
The woful Interieccïoun,
Wher-off pleynly (me semeth so)
Euerych wyse man sholde ha wo,
And compleyne (I the ensure)
Thys vnhappy áventure.”
How al was makyd wast and pleyn,
Quod I, “what thyng meneth thys,
That thys cherche destroyed ys?
Thys ys (to myn oppynyoun)
The woful Interieccïoun,
Wher-off pleynly (me semeth so)
464
And compleyne (I the ensure)
Thys vnhappy áventure.”
Avarice:
‘Wher thow be wel or evele apayd,
Lo her ys al that I ha sayd.
Thys mescheff (yiff thow kanst yt se)
Ys ydon and wrouht by me,
And acomplysshed vp in dede,
Al-thogh that yt be no nede;
Wher-off, in hys prophesye,
The nobyle prophete Ieremye
(As he that lyst no thyng to feyne)
Weptë sore, and gan compleyne:
‘Allas!’ quod he, ‘how the pryncesse,
Off folkys allë cheff maystresse,
Ys trybutarye, and bor doun,
And brouhte in-to subieccïoun!’
Lo her ys al that I ha sayd.
Thys mescheff (yiff thow kanst yt se)
Ys ydon and wrouht by me,
And acomplysshed vp in dede,
Al-thogh that yt be no nede;
Wher-off, in hys prophesye,
The nobyle prophete Ieremye
(As he that lyst no thyng to feyne)
Weptë sore, and gan compleyne:
‘Allas!’ quod he, ‘how the pryncesse,
Off folkys allë cheff maystresse,
Ys trybutarye, and bor doun,
And brouhte in-to subieccïoun!’
‘The prophete wyste aforn ryht wel,
That I sholde causen euerydel
Thys gretë desolacïon
And thys habomynacïon.
I and myne (yiff yt be souht)
Have thys gretë mescheff wrouht.
That I sholde causen euerydel
Thys gretë desolacïon
And thys habomynacïon.
I and myne (yiff yt be souht)
Have thys gretë mescheff wrouht.
‘Thys the custom (in substaunce),
Holy the maner and vsaunce,
Off al that to my scolë go,
By my doctrynë to do so,
And so to werke, by my techyng;
ffor ther ys nouther rook nor kyng,
But ech off hem (for ther part)
Sorë studyen in that art,
Euerych off hem to fynde a waye,
How they may to me obeye.
Thow mayst me leve in sykernesse;
Ther ownë werkys ber wytnesse.’
Holy the maner and vsaunce,
Off al that to my scolë go,
By my doctrynë to do so,
And so to werke, by my techyng;
ffor ther ys nouther rook nor kyng,
But ech off hem (for ther part)
Sorë studyen in that art,
Euerych off hem to fynde a waye,
How they may to me obeye.
Thow mayst me leve in sykernesse;
Ther ownë werkys ber wytnesse.’
Pilgrim:
“I may nat levyn (fer nor ner)
Thow sholdest han so gret power,
Wych that art so poryly
465
Halt and lame, (as semeth me)
Brokë-bakkyd, and foul to se.
And with al thys (I the ensure),
A verray monstre in nature,
(Who lyst looke, he shal yt fynde,)
And engendryd a-geyn kynde.
How sholdystow, with al thys thynges,
Ouer erlys, dukys, kynges,
Have power or domynacïon
To brynge hem in subieccïon,
Sythen they, by gret noblesse,
Haven off kyndë swych fayrnesse,
And brouht forth by engendrure,
Kyndëly, as by nature?”
Avarice:
‘Yiff thow wylt a whylë dwelle,
A good exaumple I shal the telle,
Reporte me wel in euery thyng:
A good exaumple I shal the telle,
Reporte me wel in euery thyng:
‘Ther was onys a myghty kyng,
Wych that hadde, to hys plesaunce,
A lady in hys governaunce,
Whom that he louede paramour,
And took to hyre al hys tresour,
Good and Iowelles euerydel,
Be-cause that he louede hyr so wel.
And shortly, thus with hym stood,
She gouérnede al hys good,
Whos name was Lyberalyte:
She was benygnë, large and fre,
Wych, in euery regïoun,
Hadde gret fame and gret Renoun.
And she dyde euere hyr labour,
So to dyspendyn hys tresour,
That hys worshepe on euery syde
Gan encrece and spredë wyde;
Gat hym honour and gret ffame,
And with al thys, a ryht good name.
Wych that hadde, to hys plesaunce,
A lady in hys governaunce,
Whom that he louede paramour,
And took to hyre al hys tresour,
Good and Iowelles euerydel,
Be-cause that he louede hyr so wel.
And shortly, thus with hym stood,
She gouérnede al hys good,
Whos name was Lyberalyte:
She was benygnë, large and fre,
Wych, in euery regïoun,
Hadde gret fame and gret Renoun.
And she dyde euere hyr labour,
So to dyspendyn hys tresour,
That hys worshepe on euery syde
Gan encrece and spredë wyde;
Gat hym honour and gret ffame,
And with al thys, a ryht good name.
‘The story doth also specefye,
She made hys goodys multeplye,
‘And causede also, how that he
Was wel belovyd in hys contre;
ffor love excellyth in worthynesse
Euery tresour and rychesse.
She made hys goodys multeplye,
466
Was wel belovyd in hys contre;
ffor love excellyth in worthynesse
Euery tresour and rychesse.
‘But whan that I thys dyde espye,
I hadde ther-off ful gret envye,
And caste to fynde occasïoun
ffor to tourne al vp-so-doun.
I gan taproche the court ful ner,
A-queyntede me with the porter
And with thoffycerys euerychon;
And in-to chaumbre I kam a-noon,
Wher as the kyng a beddë lay.
Whyl he slepte, I stal away
(Throgh my sleyhte in prevyte,)
Hys paramour Lyberalyte;
And or the kyng yt koude espye,
Benchauntëment And sorcerye
I gan at hyrë so enchace,
That she was voyded fro that place;
And, by fals collusïoun,
I shet hyre in a strong prysoun,
Wher I ha cast, (shortly to telle,)
Whyl that I lyve, she shal ther dwelle;
And in hyr stedë (off entente,)
To bedde vn-to the kyng I wente,
Whyl that he sleptë vnwarly.
I hadde ther-off ful gret envye,
And caste to fynde occasïoun
ffor to tourne al vp-so-doun.
I gan taproche the court ful ner,
A-queyntede me with the porter
And with thoffycerys euerychon;
And in-to chaumbre I kam a-noon,
Wher as the kyng a beddë lay.
Whyl he slepte, I stal away
(Throgh my sleyhte in prevyte,)
Hys paramour Lyberalyte;
And or the kyng yt koude espye,
Benchauntëment And sorcerye
I gan at hyrë so enchace,
That she was voyded fro that place;
And, by fals collusïoun,
I shet hyre in a strong prysoun,
Wher I ha cast, (shortly to telle,)
Whyl that I lyve, she shal ther dwelle;
And in hyr stedë (off entente,)
To bedde vn-to the kyng I wente,
Whyl that he sleptë vnwarly.
‘And whan he wook al sodeynly,
In stede off Lyberalyte,
In hys Armys he took me;
At wych tyme, by sorcerye,
I blentë so the kyngës Eye,
That I be-kam hys paramour,
And hadde in guarde al hys tresour.
Wherso that he wook or slep,
Off hys worshepe I took no kep;
Hys honour, gold, hys goodë fame,
Al I tournede yt to shame;
ffor he ne myghte (who-so me knewe)
ffynde noon offycere mor vntrewe.
In stede off Lyberalyte,
In hys Armys he took me;
At wych tyme, by sorcerye,
I blentë so the kyngës Eye,
That I be-kam hys paramour,
And hadde in guarde al hys tresour.
Wherso that he wook or slep,
Off hys worshepe I took no kep;
Hys honour, gold, hys goodë fame,
Al I tournede yt to shame;
ffor he ne myghte (who-so me knewe)
ffynde noon offycere mor vntrewe.
467
‘I am the samë (thys the cas,)
Off whom that whylom wrot Esdras,
Apemenen, wych, hyr sylff al sool,
Made the kyng so gret a fool:
Whan she was hevy, he was sad;
Whan she lowh, than he was glad;
She took hys crowne, and leyd yt doun,
And he, by lowh subieccïoun,
Al hyr lustys dyde obeye,
ffor he durste hyr nat with-seye:
Thus yt stood, and thus yt was,
As thow shalt fynden in Esdras.
Off whom that whylom wrot Esdras,
Apemenen, wych, hyr sylff al sool,
Made the kyng so gret a fool:
Whan she was hevy, he was sad;
Whan she lowh, than he was glad;
She took hys crowne, and leyd yt doun,
And he, by lowh subieccïoun,
Al hyr lustys dyde obeye,
ffor he durste hyr nat with-seye:
Thus yt stood, and thus yt was,
As thow shalt fynden in Esdras.
‘By wych exaumple, thow mayst se
That yt fareth thus by me;
ffor I kan, by my werkynges,
Deceyuë prynces and ek kynges;
And al the meyne off the cheker,
I kan make off herte enter,
To robben abbeys euerychon,
And to dyspoylle hem, on by on,
With-outen any compassïoun.
That yt fareth thus by me;
ffor I kan, by my werkynges,
Deceyuë prynces and ek kynges;
And al the meyne off the cheker,
I kan make off herte enter,
To robben abbeys euerychon,
And to dyspoylle hem, on by on,
With-outen any compassïoun.
‘And touchyng ek my nacïoun,
And my name (yiff I shal telle,)
I was engendryd fyrst in helle;
And ther the pryncë Sathanas
(Yiff thow wylt wyte,) my fader was;
And in that Valey Infernal
I was begete: lo her ys al.
And my name (yiff I shal telle,)
I was engendryd fyrst in helle;
And ther the pryncë Sathanas
(Yiff thow wylt wyte,) my fader was;
And in that Valey Infernal
I was begete: lo her ys al.
‘And my name ek to devyse,
I am callyd Covetyse
(Off verray ryht, and nat off wrong,)
And Avaryce, somwhyle Among;
But Coveytysë, men calle me
Off verray ryht and equyte,
Whan I am mevyd in my blood
To coueyte other mennys good.
And Avarycë men me calle,
Whan that I fro folkys alle
Kepe al that euere I getë kan,
And wyl departë with no man,
‘Wher they be wel or evele apayed.
I am callyd Covetyse
(Off verray ryht, and nat off wrong,)
And Avaryce, somwhyle Among;
But Coveytysë, men calle me
Off verray ryht and equyte,
Whan I am mevyd in my blood
To coueyte other mennys good.
And Avarycë men me calle,
Whan that I fro folkys alle
Kepe al that euere I getë kan,
And wyl departë with no man,
468
‘And that I am thus evele arrayed,
I do yt only off entent
That my gold ne be nat spent,
On clothys wastyd, nor my good.
And levere me were, bothe gowne and hood
Wer with wermys day be day
Conswmyd, and yffret a-way,
Than porë folk (so god me spede,)
Sholdë were hem in ther nede;
ffor I caste me nat at al,
Neuere for to be lyberal
Whyl I may walken on the ground;
ffor I resemble vn-to that hound
Wych lyggeth in a stak off hay,
Groynynge al the longë day,
Wyl suffre no beste ther-to to gon,
And yet hym sylff wyl etë noon.
I do yt only off entent
That my gold ne be nat spent,
On clothys wastyd, nor my good.
And levere me were, bothe gowne and hood
Wer with wermys day be day
Conswmyd, and yffret a-way,
Than porë folk (so god me spede,)
Sholdë were hem in ther nede;
ffor I caste me nat at al,
Neuere for to be lyberal
Whyl I may walken on the ground;
ffor I resemble vn-to that hound
Wych lyggeth in a stak off hay,
Groynynge al the longë day,
Wyl suffre no beste ther-to to gon,
And yet hym sylff wyl etë noon.
‘Myn handys off merveyllous fasoun,
Lyk the pawmys off a gryffoun,
Be mad (wher-so I slepe or wake,)
Nat to yive, but for to take.
To axe me good, wer gret foly;
ffor thys my purpos, (fynaly,
And as me semeth for the beste)
To shette my gold vp in my cheste:
Thys al myn hool entencïon,
Offys and occupacïon.
Al good, wher yt be grene or rype,
I kan wel glenyn, I kan wel grype,
Bothe to-forn and at the bak:
What I may gete, goth in-to sak,
Off entent (be wel certeyn)
Neuere to taken yt out ageyn.
Lyk the pawmys off a gryffoun,
Be mad (wher-so I slepe or wake,)
Nat to yive, but for to take.
To axe me good, wer gret foly;
ffor thys my purpos, (fynaly,
And as me semeth for the beste)
To shette my gold vp in my cheste:
Thys al myn hool entencïon,
Offys and occupacïon.
Al good, wher yt be grene or rype,
I kan wel glenyn, I kan wel grype,
Bothe to-forn and at the bak:
What I may gete, goth in-to sak,
Off entent (be wel certeyn)
Neuere to taken yt out ageyn.
‘My wyl ys euere vnstaunchable,
And my desyr in-sacyable;
My thouht nor myn affeccïoun
Ha neuere ful replecïoun.
I am the swolwh (who lyst to se)
Wych that in the saltë see,
‘Al that euere goth forth by,
He devoureth yt Outterly,
And neuere ne sent no thyng ageyn.
Tawayte ther affter wer but veyn,
ffor shortly, he devoureth al,
Coper, yren, and metal;
Al that peyseth or yiveth soun,
To the botmë yt goth doun,
To gretter wrak than on a rok.
And my desyr in-sacyable;
My thouht nor myn affeccïoun
Ha neuere ful replecïoun.
I am the swolwh (who lyst to se)
Wych that in the saltë see,
469
He devoureth yt Outterly,
And neuere ne sent no thyng ageyn.
Tawayte ther affter wer but veyn,
ffor shortly, he devoureth al,
Coper, yren, and metal;
Al that peyseth or yiveth soun,
To the botmë yt goth doun,
To gretter wrak than on a rok.
‘And as an Ape vn-to a blok
Or to a clog, tyed with a cheyne,
Ryht so I do my bysy peyne;
I teye my sylff (by gret dystresso)
And byndë me to my rychesse;
I bynde yt nat; yt byndeth me,
That I am bonde, and nothyng fre,
ffor to have theroff plesaunce.
ffor lak only off suffysaunce,
I am so teyd (I may nat skape,)
With a clog, ryht as an Ape,
Wych in soth so letteth me,
That I ha no lyberte
To gon at largë hih nor lowe.
Or to a clog, tyed with a cheyne,
Ryht so I do my bysy peyne;
I teye my sylff (by gret dystresso)
And byndë me to my rychesse;
I bynde yt nat; yt byndeth me,
That I am bonde, and nothyng fre,
ffor to have theroff plesaunce.
ffor lak only off suffysaunce,
I am so teyd (I may nat skape,)
With a clog, ryht as an Ape,
Wych in soth so letteth me,
That I ha no lyberte
To gon at largë hih nor lowe.
‘And yiff thow lyst also to knowe
What my vj handys be,
I shal declare a-noon to the,
And make a demonstracïon:
I Gryppe and streyne lyk a Gryffoun,
And faste I holdë ther-with-al
Coper, yren, and ech metal;
Streyhtly kepe yt in myn hond,
Bothe in water and on lond.
And thow aforn dyst neuere se
So cursyd handys as they be;
Enarmyd abouten Envyroun
With the pawmys off a Gryffoun.
What my vj handys be,
I shal declare a-noon to the,
And make a demonstracïon:
I Gryppe and streyne lyk a Gryffoun,
And faste I holdë ther-with-al
Coper, yren, and ech metal;
Streyhtly kepe yt in myn hond,
Bothe in water and on lond.
And thow aforn dyst neuere se
So cursyd handys as they be;
Enarmyd abouten Envyroun
With the pawmys off a Gryffoun.
‘The fyrstë hand (for to dyffyne)
By ryht ycallyd ys ‘Ravyne,’
That sheweth Gentyl outward alway,
Tyl that he may cachche hys pray;
‘Dyspoylleth pylgrymes est and west,
Bothe in woode and in fforest,
With-outen any excepcïon:
Thys ys my condycïon,
To robbe and reue with al my myght.
By ryht ycallyd ys ‘Ravyne,’
That sheweth Gentyl outward alway,
Tyl that he may cachche hys pray;
470
Bothe in woode and in fforest,
With-outen any excepcïon:
Thys ys my condycïon,
To robbe and reue with al my myght.
‘I cleymë al thyng myn off ryht;
Myn hand ys lyk vnto a kyte:
I takë chykenys that be lyte;
Wher I ham fyndë, fer or ner,
I ber hem hoom to my dyner.
Gret robbery, on folk I make;
Hors and cartë, bothe I take,
With porvyaunce and wyth vytaylle.
And off malys I wyl nat faylle:
Yiff a pore man haue a kowh,
Oxe or mare that draweth hys plowh,
I make hem selle hem by duresse,
ffor to staunche my gredynesse,
Wher any swych I kan espye.
And as an yreyne sowketh the flye,
And hyr entroyllës draweth oute,
Evene lyk I renne aboute,
And cesse nat, whan I ha be-gonne,
Tyl that I my pray ha wonne.
Myn hand ys lyk vnto a kyte:
I takë chykenys that be lyte;
Wher I ham fyndë, fer or ner,
I ber hem hoom to my dyner.
Gret robbery, on folk I make;
Hors and cartë, bothe I take,
With porvyaunce and wyth vytaylle.
And off malys I wyl nat faylle:
Yiff a pore man haue a kowh,
Oxe or mare that draweth hys plowh,
I make hem selle hem by duresse,
ffor to staunche my gredynesse,
Wher any swych I kan espye.
And as an yreyne sowketh the flye,
And hyr entroyllës draweth oute,
Evene lyk I renne aboute,
And cesse nat, whan I ha be-gonne,
Tyl that I my pray ha wonne.
‘The tother hand, to do gret wrak,
Ys set behynden at the bak,
That no man ne sholde espye
The maner off my roberye.
So secretly I kan yt vse,
Outward my falsnesse to exeuse.
Thys hand ful hih vp-on A tre
Maketh many on enhangyd be;
And with hys ffeet (wych ys nat fayr,)
ffor to waggen in the hayr
fful hih a-loffte, yt ys no dred.
Ys set behynden at the bak,
That no man ne sholde espye
The maner off my roberye.
So secretly I kan yt vse,
Outward my falsnesse to exeuse.
Thys hand ful hih vp-on A tre
Maketh many on enhangyd be;
And with hys ffeet (wych ys nat fayr,)
ffor to waggen in the hayr
fful hih a-loffte, yt ys no dred.
‘Thys hand, fro many manhys hed,
Causeth the Erys be kut away;
And thys hand, fro day to day,
Ys the hand off gret dyffame,
Callyd Cuttëpurs by name,
‘Wych hath a knyff ful sharp of egge,
And yet he dar no glovys begge;
ffor, to vse hys robbery
Off the glovere openly,
He kepeth hym cloos, al out off syht,
And vseth for to walke a nyht
In narwe lanys, vp and doun.
Whan that the monë ys go doun,
Than he maketh hys ordynaunce
(By gret mescheff and gret meschaunce)
ffor to vse ther brybery,
And for to havnte ther robbery:
On no thyng ellys they sette her thouht,
ffor off hyr owne they ha ryht nouht.
Causeth the Erys be kut away;
And thys hand, fro day to day,
Ys the hand off gret dyffame,
Callyd Cuttëpurs by name,
471
And yet he dar no glovys begge;
ffor, to vse hys robbery
Off the glovere openly,
He kepeth hym cloos, al out off syht,
And vseth for to walke a nyht
In narwe lanys, vp and doun.
Whan that the monë ys go doun,
Than he maketh hys ordynaunce
(By gret mescheff and gret meschaunce)
ffor to vse ther brybery,
And for to havnte ther robbery:
On no thyng ellys they sette her thouht,
ffor off hyr owne they ha ryht nouht.
‘Thys hand, by force, ageyn al ryht,
Breketh vp howsys toward nyht,
Bothe in bowrys and in hallys,
And maketh hoolys thorgh the wallys.
Breketh vp howsys toward nyht,
Bothe in bowrys and in hallys,
And maketh hoolys thorgh the wallys.
‘Thys hand kan dygge and makë mynys;
Thys hand kan Royne also florynes;
Thys hand ful selde hath any reste;
Thys hand kan brake Cofer and cheste;
Thys hand, (in cold and ek in hete,)
Kan falsly selys counterfete,
And the prent ther-off y-graue;
And thys hand wyl also haue
(By som Engyn, or sleyhtë weye)
Vn-to euery look a keye.
Thys hand kan Royne also florynes;
Thys hand ful selde hath any reste;
Thys hand kan brake Cofer and cheste;
Thys hand, (in cold and ek in hete,)
Kan falsly selys counterfete,
And the prent ther-off y-graue;
And thys hand wyl also haue
(By som Engyn, or sleyhtë weye)
Vn-to euery look a keye.
‘Thys hand kan forge (I vndertake)
ffals monye, and the prent make.
Thys hand in frenshe (I dar expresse)
Ys callyd ‘Poitevyneresse,’
ffor yt forgeth (thys the ffyn)
A monye callyd Poytevyn,
Wych ys in valu (by a-countyng)
fful skarsly worth halff a fferthyng.
ffals monye, and the prent make.
Thys hand in frenshe (I dar expresse)
Ys callyd ‘Poitevyneresse,’
ffor yt forgeth (thys the ffyn)
A monye callyd Poytevyn,
Wych ys in valu (by a-countyng)
fful skarsly worth halff a fferthyng.
‘Thys hand ek falsly beyth and sylleth;
‘And in reknynge, thys hand mystelleth.
Thys hand also (yt ys no drede)
Kan spoyllë folk whan they be dede.
Thys hand kan al the nyht wachche,
And ful streythly glene and kachche,
And rendyn vp (yt ys no nay,)
Al that euere lyth in hys way.
472
Thys hand also (yt ys no drede)
Kan spoyllë folk whan they be dede.
Thys hand kan al the nyht wachche,
And ful streythly glene and kachche,
And rendyn vp (yt ys no nay,)
Al that euere lyth in hys way.
‘Thys hand, thogh men haddë sworn,
Kan robbe and bern away the corn
Out off bernys and garnerys;
Thys hand kan ferette in konnyngherys
Be nyhtë tymë, whan men slepe;
Thys hand, by holys kan in crepe,
And bern a-way what he may fynde,
And lyst to leue nothyng behynde;
Thys hand maketh ydel offycerys
And many falsë labourerys.
Thys hand (ageyns al resoun)
Doth many gret extorsïoun
In euery lond and ech contre,
Worthy enhangyd for to be,
Yiff the falsnesse wer yknowe
That he doth, bothe hyh and lowe;
ffor thys hand wyl neuere spare
Porë folk, to make hem bare
And nakyd (off entencïon)
ffrom al ther pocessïoun.
Kan robbe and bern away the corn
Out off bernys and garnerys;
Thys hand kan ferette in konnyngherys
Be nyhtë tymë, whan men slepe;
Thys hand, by holys kan in crepe,
And bern a-way what he may fynde,
And lyst to leue nothyng behynde;
Thys hand maketh ydel offycerys
And many falsë labourerys.
Thys hand (ageyns al resoun)
Doth many gret extorsïoun
In euery lond and ech contre,
Worthy enhangyd for to be,
Yiff the falsnesse wer yknowe
That he doth, bothe hyh and lowe;
ffor thys hand wyl neuere spare
Porë folk, to make hem bare
And nakyd (off entencïon)
ffrom al ther pocessïoun.
‘My thryddë hand, mad by gret wyle
With the wych I ber the ffyle,
I shal, as kometh to remembraunce,
Declarë to the (in substaunce)
What thyng yt doth specefye.
And the trouthe doth sygnefye,
Thys hand ys wrouht ageyn nature,
Wych euere doth hys besy cure
Alway (off entent vntrewe)
To forgë money newe and newe,
Other folkys gold dystresse,
And hys ownë to encresse,
By som fals collusïoun.
‘And euere in hys entencïoun
He ffynt out weyës sotylly
ffor tencresse hym-sylff ther-by;
By maner off enchauntement
He ffyndeth out (in hys entent)
To tournë, by hys sotylte,
A Tourneys to A parysee;
By hys engyn, wyl vndertake,
Off fyyë, syxë for to make.
With the wych I ber the ffyle,
I shal, as kometh to remembraunce,
Declarë to the (in substaunce)
What thyng yt doth specefye.
And the trouthe doth sygnefye,
Thys hand ys wrouht ageyn nature,
Wych euere doth hys besy cure
Alway (off entent vntrewe)
To forgë money newe and newe,
Other folkys gold dystresse,
And hys ownë to encresse,
By som fals collusïoun.
473
He ffynt out weyës sotylly
ffor tencresse hym-sylff ther-by;
By maner off enchauntement
He ffyndeth out (in hys entent)
To tournë, by hys sotylte,
A Tourneys to A parysee;
By hys engyn, wyl vndertake,
Off fyyë, syxë for to make.
‘Thys hand kan also (in certeyn)
In gernerys shette vp hys greyn,
Abydynge (with an hevy chere)
Tyl ther kome A derë yere,
At avauntage yt to selle,
And the pans ful streyhtly telle,
Vsynge ther-in ful many a whyle.
In gernerys shette vp hys greyn,
Abydynge (with an hevy chere)
Tyl ther kome A derë yere,
At avauntage yt to selle,
And the pans ful streyhtly telle,
Vsynge ther-in ful many a whyle.
‘And thys hand that halt the ffyle,
Wasteth bothë gret and smal,
Consumeth and devoureth al,
Off porë folkys, the substaunce:
I pray god yive hym evele chaunce;
ffor nothyng may thys fyle endure.
Wasteth bothë gret and smal,
Consumeth and devoureth al,
Off porë folkys, the substaunce:
I pray god yive hym evele chaunce;
ffor nothyng may thys fyle endure.
‘Thys hand ycallyd ys ‘Vsure,’
Vsyd in ful many place,
Wych ys to god a gret trespace,
Bothe at marketys and at ffayres.
And also provostys and ek mayres
In tounës, borwys and cytes—
ffolk off hyh and lowh degres—
Echon they may nat hem excuse
But that somme off hem yt vse.’
Vsyd in ful many place,
Wych ys to god a gret trespace,
Bothe at marketys and at ffayres.
And also provostys and ek mayres
In tounës, borwys and cytes—
ffolk off hyh and lowh degres—
Echon they may nat hem excuse
But that somme off hem yt vse.’
Pilgrim:
“Declarë to me (in substaunce,)
Wher-off serueth thy balaunche.
I trowe thow wylt ther-in ryht sone
Peysë ther-in bothe sonne and mone,
The sterrys ek, or thow ha do,
And the zodyak also.”
Avarice:
‘Lerne, and vnderstond me wel,
‘And I shal telle the euerydel:
Gracë dieu, ful yore agon,
Among the planetys euerychon,
(As clerkys wel rehersë konne,)
In the zodyak sette a sonne,
ffor to shede hys bemys bryht,
And to mynystre hys cler lyht
Indyfferently (I the ensure)
Vn-to euery crëature,
And to be comoun, ther-with-al,
To al the world in general;
To make the Erthe with frut habounde,
That ther wer no dyffautë founde.
474
Gracë dieu, ful yore agon,
Among the planetys euerychon,
(As clerkys wel rehersë konne,)
In the zodyak sette a sonne,
ffor to shede hys bemys bryht,
And to mynystre hys cler lyht
Indyfferently (I the ensure)
Vn-to euery crëature,
And to be comoun, ther-with-al,
To al the world in general;
To make the Erthe with frut habounde,
That ther wer no dyffautë founde.
‘Whér-off (yiff I shal nat lye)
I hadde in herte ful gret envye;
ffor, yt wente nat as I wolde;
ffor, my wyl were, that yt sholde
Vn-to my lust appropryd be,
By exaumple as thow shalt se.
I hadde in herte ful gret envye;
ffor, yt wente nat as I wolde;
ffor, my wyl were, that yt sholde
Vn-to my lust appropryd be,
By exaumple as thow shalt se.
‘ffyrst, ageyn[e]s al resoun,
I wolde, by vsurpacïoun,
ffro poynt to poynt in ech degre,
The zodyak sholde obeyë me,
Sonne and mone (ageyns alle skyll),
Wynd and wether were at my wyll;
Al put in my governaunce,
Yt to weye in my ballaunce.
I wolde, by vsurpacïoun,
ffro poynt to poynt in ech degre,
The zodyak sholde obeyë me,
Sonne and mone (ageyns alle skyll),
Wynd and wether were at my wyll;
Al put in my governaunce,
Yt to weye in my ballaunce.
‘Al thys thyng (as thow shalt se)
I vsurpe yt vp-on me:
The yer, I weye yt in ballaunce,
And selle [yt] ek at my plesaunce;
I selle the wyke, I selle the day,
(To wych no man dar seyë nay)
Somtyme by twelue and by thryttene,
By twenty ek, and by nyntene;
And in a yer (who kan yt telle)
The pound for xxty pans I selle;
The moneth also, by reknyng,
I selle for ix. or .x. shyllyng;
The wyke also for vj. or fyve,
‘At a-counte that we nat stryve
Affter the somme, whan al ys do,
That my loonë kometh to;
And lyk as euery man doth take,
Ther-on my reknyng I do make.’
I vsurpe yt vp-on me:
The yer, I weye yt in ballaunce,
And selle [yt] ek at my plesaunce;
I selle the wyke, I selle the day,
(To wych no man dar seyë nay)
Somtyme by twelue and by thryttene,
By twenty ek, and by nyntene;
And in a yer (who kan yt telle)
The pound for xxty pans I selle;
The moneth also, by reknyng,
I selle for ix. or .x. shyllyng;
The wyke also for vj. or fyve,
475
Affter the somme, whan al ys do,
That my loonë kometh to;
And lyk as euery man doth take,
Ther-on my reknyng I do make.’
Pilgrim:
Than, quod I anon, “lat se
Touchyng that I shal axen the;
I wolde ther-on have thy devys:
Her ys a woode off lytel prys,
Wych a woodeman selleth me;
And in the salë, thus seyth he,
‘ffor .xxx.ty shyllyng I wyl yt selle,
So that a-noon (as I shal telle)
That thow to me, (lych myn entent,)
Makë to me thys payëment
With-outen any mor delay.
But yiff I graunte a lenger day,
As thus, tabyde a yerys space,
Thanne I wyl (withoutë grace)
Have fourty shyllyng (by iuste reknyng)
By-cause off myn ábydyng:’
Vp-on thys caas I woldë se
Whér lyk (as yt semeth the)
The sellere off the wych I telle,
Outher peysseth or doth selle
The tyme, outher the zodyak,
Off the wyche to-forn we spak.”
Avarice:
‘Touchyng thys thyng, now herkne me,
And I shal answerren vn-to the:
Thys cas (yiff thow lyst to lere,)
Ys vnderstonde in twey manere:
Par cas som man, (as thow shalt se,)
Off nede and off necessyte,
Hys woode, that were by good reknyng
Worth off valu syxty shyllyng,
ffor verray nede and indygence,
Off bothe to makë recompense,
ffor fourty shyllyng doth yt selle;
The causë pleynly for to telle,
He muste haue redy payëment.
Thys marchaunt (to my Iugëment,
Who-so off resoun lookë wel)
The tymë selleth neueradel;
And I shal answerren vn-to the:
Thys cas (yiff thow lyst to lere,)
Ys vnderstonde in twey manere:
Par cas som man, (as thow shalt se,)
Off nede and off necessyte,
Hys woode, that were by good reknyng
Worth off valu syxty shyllyng,
ffor verray nede and indygence,
Off bothe to makë recompense,
ffor fourty shyllyng doth yt selle;
476
He muste haue redy payëment.
Thys marchaunt (to my Iugëment,
Who-so off resoun lookë wel)
The tymë selleth neueradel;
‘But that marchaunt (with-outë wher,)
That abydeth al a yer,
Off hym the cas stant other wyse,
As I shal to the devyse:
By Oldë tymë (lyst my tale,)
Chapmen that made off woodë sale,
They made her sale (who taketh hede)
By A mesour off lengthe and brede;
And to the byggere they wolde seyn:
‘Yiff thow wylt my woddë beyn,
At O word, (so god me saue!)
At swych a prys thow shalt yt haue,
So that my payement be leyd doun
With-outen mor dylacïon.
And yiff thow byde a yerys day
Off my payment by dillay,
I shal the telle by short avys,
I wyl yt sette at hiher prys;
ffor yiff that I A yer abyde,
My wodë shal on euery syde
Wexe and encresse (I the ensure),
And multeplyen off nature.’
That abydeth al a yer,
Off hym the cas stant other wyse,
As I shal to the devyse:
By Oldë tymë (lyst my tale,)
Chapmen that made off woodë sale,
They made her sale (who taketh hede)
By A mesour off lengthe and brede;
And to the byggere they wolde seyn:
‘Yiff thow wylt my woddë beyn,
At O word, (so god me saue!)
At swych a prys thow shalt yt haue,
So that my payement be leyd doun
With-outen mor dylacïon.
And yiff thow byde a yerys day
Off my payment by dillay,
I shal the telle by short avys,
I wyl yt sette at hiher prys;
ffor yiff that I A yer abyde,
My wodë shal on euery syde
Wexe and encresse (I the ensure),
And multeplyen off nature.’
‘And yiff the marchaunt, in bargeynyng,
Telle hym thus in hys sellyng,
To-forn, or that the wode be bouht,
The tyme in soth he selleth nouht,
Nouther weyeth yt in ballaunce;
But yiff the wode (par cas or chaunce)
Wer yhewe, or feld a-doun
Tó-for ther convencïon,
Wych affterward (wo kan espye)
May nat encresse nor multeplye;
Yiff he sette the sale vp sore,
As thus to sellyn yt for more,
By cause off bydyng off A yer,—
‘Than I suppose (with-outë wer,)
He peyseth (as I rehersë shal,)
Hys long abydyng tyme and al.
Telle hym thus in hys sellyng,
To-forn, or that the wode be bouht,
The tyme in soth he selleth nouht,
Nouther weyeth yt in ballaunce;
But yiff the wode (par cas or chaunce)
Wer yhewe, or feld a-doun
Tó-for ther convencïon,
Wych affterward (wo kan espye)
May nat encresse nor multeplye;
Yiff he sette the sale vp sore,
As thus to sellyn yt for more,
By cause off bydyng off A yer,—
477
He peyseth (as I rehersë shal,)
Hys long abydyng tyme and al.
‘But whan the wode may multeplye,
Wexe and encressen at the Eye,
Than thencres and wexyng al
Ys mesuryd in espécyal,
And yweyed in ballaunce,
Who loketh euery cyrcumstaunce.
Wexe and encressen at the Eye,
Than thencres and wexyng al
Ys mesuryd in espécyal,
And yweyed in ballaunce,
Who loketh euery cyrcumstaunce.
‘Now shal I make descrypcïon,
And a cler declaracïon
(Yiff thow kanst wel vnderstond):
Thys dyssh that I holde in myn hond,
(In ffrenche callyd ‘Coquynerye’
And in ynglyssh ‘Trwandrye,’)
Thys hand I vse in bryberye,
In beggyng and in lasyngrye.
At euery dore I axe and craue,
My sustenauncë for to haue,
And offtë sythe (yt ys no dred)
I put vp many a lompe off bred
In-to my sak, (so mot I the,)
And kepe yt tyl yt mowlyd be,
That yt may nothyng avaylle.
And a cler declaracïon
(Yiff thow kanst wel vnderstond):
Thys dyssh that I holde in myn hond,
(In ffrenche callyd ‘Coquynerye’
And in ynglyssh ‘Trwandrye,’)
Thys hand I vse in bryberye,
In beggyng and in lasyngrye.
At euery dore I axe and craue,
My sustenauncë for to haue,
And offtë sythe (yt ys no dred)
I put vp many a lompe off bred
In-to my sak, (so mot I the,)
And kepe yt tyl yt mowlyd be,
That yt may nothyng avaylle.
‘And euery man I kan asaylle
With myn Importáble cry,
I sparë noon that goth forby;
And thus I axë my purchace.
And I wyl payen in no place,
What vytaylle euere that I spende;
And to nothyng I do entende,
But for to axen and to crye;
And al labour I do defye;
I wyl nat travaylle in no wyse;
I kan my sylff so wel desguyse
With my mantel al-to-rent,
That the peple ys verray blent
With my fals illusïoun
And feyned symulacïoun.
With myn Importáble cry,
I sparë noon that goth forby;
And thus I axë my purchace.
And I wyl payen in no place,
What vytaylle euere that I spende;
And to nothyng I do entende,
But for to axen and to crye;
And al labour I do defye;
I wyl nat travaylle in no wyse;
I kan my sylff so wel desguyse
With my mantel al-to-rent,
That the peple ys verray blent
With my fals illusïoun
And feyned symulacïoun.
‘I crye and coniure al the day
‘On pylgrymes that passe by the way,
As I wer fallyn in A rage;
And wer that folk ha most passage,
Ther I kan sytte in gret dystresse,
And crye on hem for ther almesse
With a pytous feyned face.
And, in hem to fyndë grace,
I feyne ful many a mallady,
As I wer in A dropësy,
Or sodeynly podagre falle;
And alway, affter good I calle;
I feyne me blynd, I feyne me lame;
And for to lye, I ha no shame;
I crye with bak ycorbyd doun,
And makë many a pytous soun.
And thogh I fele no maner peyne,
I kan ful wel a causë feyne,
That I am falle in indygence,
ffor to beggyn my dyspence.
478
As I wer fallyn in A rage;
And wer that folk ha most passage,
Ther I kan sytte in gret dystresse,
And crye on hem for ther almesse
With a pytous feyned face.
And, in hem to fyndë grace,
I feyne ful many a mallady,
As I wer in A dropësy,
Or sodeynly podagre falle;
And alway, affter good I calle;
I feyne me blynd, I feyne me lame;
And for to lye, I ha no shame;
I crye with bak ycorbyd doun,
And makë many a pytous soun.
And thogh I fele no maner peyne,
I kan ful wel a causë feyne,
That I am falle in indygence,
ffor to beggyn my dyspence.
‘And yiff that folk ne yiff me nouht,
Than with a gruchchynge hevy thouht
I curse hem in-to hellë pet.
Myn herte on malys ys so set,
On all I wolde avengyd be,
That wyl no pyte han off me.
Than with a gruchchynge hevy thouht
I curse hem in-to hellë pet.
Myn herte on malys ys so set,
On all I wolde avengyd be,
That wyl no pyte han off me.
‘Thys ys the hand off faussemblaunce;
And with thys hand, I kan avaunce
Alle thys trwauntys euerychon
Wych that on my dauncë gon,
That, by her offyce and her name,
ffor to axë, haue no shame:
Brybours that gon vp and doun,
Devoyde off occupacïoun,
And lyst hem sylff nothyng avaunce,
To travaylle for ther sustenaunce,
As thow mayst sen ful many On
That aboute the world so gon.
And with thys hand, I kan avaunce
Alle thys trwauntys euerychon
Wych that on my dauncë gon,
That, by her offyce and her name,
ffor to axë, haue no shame:
Brybours that gon vp and doun,
Devoyde off occupacïoun,
And lyst hem sylff nothyng avaunce,
To travaylle for ther sustenaunce,
As thow mayst sen ful many On
That aboute the world so gon.
‘Somme axë bred, somme axë chese;
And for that they wer loth to lese,
Somme axe clothys and cootys olde;
‘And some off hem arn ek ful bolde,
Off dyvers housys to axe a rente,
Wych on the byldyng neuere spente,
As menstrallys and Tregetours,
And other feyned sowdyours,
That with patentys aboutë gon;
And among hem euerychon,
I holde thys falsë pardownerys.
I will nat spekyn of no ffrerys,
whiche, in every regïon,
ar bound by theyr professyon
vnto wilfull poverte.
wherfore they haven lyberte
to beggen, as them selff affyrm,
and on this text they them confyrm:
Christ axyd, when he was her[e] man,
water of the Samaritan—
I mene, the woman at the well—
in erthë, when he dyd her[e] dwell;
wherfore, befull [it] is to frerys,
sythe they be no processionerys,
to get theyr lyvelode wher they may.
And for that they wer loth to lese,
Somme axe clothys and cootys olde;
479
Off dyvers housys to axe a rente,
Wych on the byldyng neuere spente,
As menstrallys and Tregetours,
And other feyned sowdyours,
That with patentys aboutë gon;
And among hem euerychon,
I holde thys falsë pardownerys.
I will nat spekyn of no ffrerys,
whiche, in every regïon,
ar bound by theyr professyon
vnto wilfull poverte.
wherfore they haven lyberte
to beggen, as them selff affyrm,
and on this text they them confyrm:
Christ axyd, when he was her[e] man,
water of the Samaritan—
I mene, the woman at the well—
in erthë, when he dyd her[e] dwell;
wherfore, befull [it] is to frerys,
sythe they be no processionerys,
to get theyr lyvelode wher they may.
‘To ther beggyng I say nat nay,
so that they fayn[ë] not in dede
to axë nat, but for veray nede,
thayr trewë sustentacïon,
without all symulatïon,
that wilfully men to them profrys;
nat to shit vp gold in coffers,
nor to setten ther labowr
to gathar and hepe gret tresure.
so that they fayn[ë] not in dede
to axë nat, but for veray nede,
thayr trewë sustentacïon,
without all symulatïon,
that wilfully men to them profrys;
nat to shit vp gold in coffers,
nor to setten ther labowr
to gathar and hepe gret tresure.
‘as to myn opynyon,
I hold it no perfectïon,
thowghe that my dyshe & my sachell
can techen them the craft [ful] well;
for bothë two (in sothfastnes)
be gret[ë] tookens of falsnes;
and who that evar dothe them vse,
I ne can them nat excuse,
bothe of hyghe and low degre,
‘but they be servants vnto me.
I hold it no perfectïon,
thowghe that my dyshe & my sachell
can techen them the craft [ful] well;
for bothë two (in sothfastnes)
be gret[ë] tookens of falsnes;
and who that evar dothe them vse,
I ne can them nat excuse,
bothe of hyghe and low degre,
480
‘And also, yf thow lyst to loke,
touchynge myn hand eke with the crooke,
I will the tell, or I ha do,
in what wyse I cam therto:
thou shalt know[ë] certaynly,
that Symon Magus and Gyosy,
bothë twayn, in theyr entent,
made ther-of to me present.
but the crooke, by óblacion,
was gyven tó me of Symon.
touchynge myn hand eke with the crooke,
I will the tell, or I ha do,
in what wyse I cam therto:
thou shalt know[ë] certaynly,
that Symon Magus and Gyosy,
bothë twayn, in theyr entent,
made ther-of to me present.
but the crooke, by óblacion,
was gyven tó me of Symon.
‘and yf I shall the truthe atame,
the fryst[ë] letter of his name
is an .s. (who takythe hede,)
of shape y-krokyd in the hed;
and of his name (be well certeyn)
it is chefe capytall & cheftayn.
thow wost full well thy selfe, ywys,
that every .s. y-crokyd is,
lyche a crose highe in the top,
lyche the staffe of a byshope,
or of an abot, wher it be,
thow mayst example ther-of se.
the fryst[ë] letter of his name
is an .s. (who takythe hede,)
of shape y-krokyd in the hed;
and of his name (be well certeyn)
it is chefe capytall & cheftayn.
thow wost full well thy selfe, ywys,
that every .s. y-crokyd is,
lyche a crose highe in the top,
lyche the staffe of a byshope,
or of an abot, wher it be,
thow mayst example ther-of se.
‘and of an abbey, in sothnesse,
I am callyd an abbesse.
whiche abbey, by gret vyllenye,
ys [y]callyd symonye.
and as myn hand her with this hook,
of the .s. his nam[ë] tooke,
ryght so, in conclusïon,
symonye cam of symon.
I am callyd an abbesse.
whiche abbey, by gret vyllenye,
ys [y]callyd symonye.
and as myn hand her with this hook,
of the .s. his nam[ë] tooke,
ryght so, in conclusïon,
symonye cam of symon.
‘and fyrst thow shalt well vnderstond,
that by falsnes of this hond,
most horryble and odyous,
was brought fyrst in-to christis hous
the falsë vyce of symonye.
and by his feyned trecherye,
by his sleyhte, and by his gyn,
at the dore he cam not in;
but at some travas, lych a theffe,
‘wher he dothe full gret myschefe;
for wher so evar he dothe aproche,
with this staffe he can a-croche
the herts of folks by covetyse,
and ordeynythe in full cursyd wyse
sheppards to kepë christis shepe,
whiche of theyr offyse toke no kepe.
that by falsnes of this hond,
most horryble and odyous,
was brought fyrst in-to christis hous
the falsë vyce of symonye.
and by his feyned trecherye,
by his sleyhte, and by his gyn,
at the dore he cam not in;
but at some travas, lych a theffe,
481
for wher so evar he dothe aproche,
with this staffe he can a-croche
the herts of folks by covetyse,
and ordeynythe in full cursyd wyse
sheppards to kepë christis shepe,
whiche of theyr offyse toke no kepe.
‘an herd man is [y]sayd, in dede,
only, for he shuld[ë] fede
his shepe with spyrituall doctryn;
but they draw by an othar lyn:
they may be callyd, for ther werkynge,
pastours only of fedynge.
they fede them selff with háboundaunce,
and let ther shepe go to myschaunce;
I trow it is full well ysene,
them selfe be fatt, ther shepe be lene.
I trow, the most[ë] part of all,
men shuld them rather wolv[ë]s call
than trwë herd[ë]s; yong and old,
they come to robb[ë] christis fold;
they shuld ther shepe from wolv[ë]s were;
the wool, the mylke, a-way they bere.
I can not se wher-of they serue,
that lat ther shepe at meschefe starue,
and put them selffe in gret defame.
only, for he shuld[ë] fede
his shepe with spyrituall doctryn;
but they draw by an othar lyn:
they may be callyd, for ther werkynge,
pastours only of fedynge.
they fede them selff with háboundaunce,
and let ther shepe go to myschaunce;
I trow it is full well ysene,
them selfe be fatt, ther shepe be lene.
I trow, the most[ë] part of all,
men shuld them rather wolv[ë]s call
than trwë herd[ë]s; yong and old,
they come to robb[ë] christis fold;
they shuld ther shepe from wolv[ë]s were;
the wool, the mylke, a-way they bere.
I can not se wher-of they serue,
that lat ther shepe at meschefe starue,
and put them selffe in gret defame.
‘and they would ekë makë lame
gracë dieu of cursydnesse,
lyke as I shall a-non exprese,
ffrom the trone of hir mageste,
by gyfte of temporalite:
his fals office I can well tell;
he can now byen, he can now sell,
by bound[ë]s of collusyon;
and all comythe in by syr symon.
gracë dieu of cursydnesse,
lyke as I shall a-non exprese,
ffrom the trone of hir mageste,
by gyfte of temporalite:
his fals office I can well tell;
he can now byen, he can now sell,
by bound[ë]s of collusyon;
and all comythe in by syr symon.
‘yet at the last it shall be found
that gracë dïeu is nat bound,
nor, hathe not lost hir fraunchise
by none suche fals[ë] marchandyse,
as comythe in by symony,
‘nor couetyse of Gyësy.
that gracë dïeu is nat bound,
nor, hathe not lost hir fraunchise
by none suche fals[ë] marchandyse,
as comythe in by symony,
482
‘this hand also with his crochet,
in swyche a maner is yset
to sell and byen this gret vertwe
whiche is callyd gracë dieu;
but, kyndly to specify,
the byggyng is callyd symony,
and the sellyng in certeyn,
(for to speke in wordës pleyn,)
they that it sell, for gret or lyt,
bene y-callyd Gyësite;
but symony, (who can entend,)
dothe bothe nam[ë]s comprehend;
and all that woldë thus enchace
gracë dieu out of hir place,
to sellen hir for gold & good,
they be mad, or el[le]s wood;
and resemblen (in swiche cas,
I dare affirm,) vnto Iudas,
that ihesu christ for mony sold
full fallsly, and the panns he told.
in swyche a maner is yset
to sell and byen this gret vertwe
whiche is callyd gracë dieu;
but, kyndly to specify,
the byggyng is callyd symony,
and the sellyng in certeyn,
(for to speke in wordës pleyn,)
they that it sell, for gret or lyt,
bene y-callyd Gyësite;
but symony, (who can entend,)
dothe bothe nam[ë]s comprehend;
and all that woldë thus enchace
gracë dieu out of hir place,
to sellen hir for gold & good,
they be mad, or el[le]s wood;
and resemblen (in swiche cas,
I dare affirm,) vnto Iudas,
that ihesu christ for mony sold
full fallsly, and the panns he told.
‘and suche folke (as thynkythe me)
wers than iudas, yet thay be;
for the pennis that iudas toke,
aftarward he it forsoke,
and restoryd it agayn;
but this folke, be well certeyn,
will for no predicatïon
nevar make restitucïon,
and cawsë why, (who lokythe well,)
is only this, for the sachell
whiche hangythe fro my nekë doune,
of nature and condicïoun:
wers than iudas, yet thay be;
for the pennis that iudas toke,
aftarward he it forsoke,
and restoryd it agayn;
but this folke, be well certeyn,
will for no predicatïon
nevar make restitucïon,
and cawsë why, (who lokythe well,)
is only this, for the sachell
whiche hangythe fro my nekë doune,
of nature and condicïoun:
‘what-evar into my sake ther gothe,
(who that evar be lesse or lothe,)
it will nevar ysswe out ageyn;
the entre is bothe large and pleyne,
and the mouthe to gon in by
is evar open at the entry.
but to comyn out, that wyll nat be
‘by no maner of sotelte;
the way is narow & streyght certeyn,
for to comyn out ageyn,
lyke a wyle in a ryver,
to cache the fysche bothe fer and nere;
the entre large the comynge out
is so strayt, it stant in dout.
(who that evar be lesse or lothe,)
it will nevar ysswe out ageyn;
the entre is bothe large and pleyne,
and the mouthe to gon in by
is evar open at the entry.
but to comyn out, that wyll nat be
483
the way is narow & streyght certeyn,
for to comyn out ageyn,
lyke a wyle in a ryver,
to cache the fysche bothe fer and nere;
the entre large the comynge out
is so strayt, it stant in dout.
‘A-nothar hand I have also,
with whiche I werkë mychë wo
by a maner of roberye:
and it is callyd ‘trecherye,’
withe the whiche, (who can conceyve,)
full many folk[ës] I deceve.
vndar colour of ryghtwysnes,
I do to folke full gret falsnes,
that be symple and inocent.
withe my frawd they be so blent
in marchandysë that I vse,
I can my selffe nat well excuse.
with whiche I werkë mychë wo
by a maner of roberye:
and it is callyd ‘trecherye,’
withe the whiche, (who can conceyve,)
full many folk[ës] I deceve.
vndar colour of ryghtwysnes,
I do to folke full gret falsnes,
that be symple and inocent.
withe my frawd they be so blent
in marchandysë that I vse,
I can my selffe nat well excuse.
‘in deceyt stant my labowr,
by fals weyght and fals mesure:
by largë mesure I can byen,
and streight mesure I sell ageyn;
in byggyng I wyll ha trwe wayt,
but in my salle I do gret slayt,
bothe in peys and in balance.
by fals weyght and fals mesure:
by largë mesure I can byen,
and streight mesure I sell ageyn;
in byggyng I wyll ha trwe wayt,
but in my salle I do gret slayt,
bothe in peys and in balance.
‘with sobar cher and countenance
my chaffér I can well sell,
and to symple folke I tell
that it is bettar than it is,
and wittyngly I do a-mys
touchynge the pris, how that it gothe,
and falsly swere many an othe,
sober all-way, and sad of chere.
my chaffér I can well sell,
and to symple folke I tell
that it is bettar than it is,
and wittyngly I do a-mys
touchynge the pris, how that it gothe,
and falsly swere many an othe,
sober all-way, and sad of chere.
‘and whan that I am a drapere,
I hange out courteyns in the lyght,
for to blyndë folkës syght,
that men may not sen at ye full
nothar the colowr nor the wull;
set it at hyghë pris therto,
and swere I myght ha sold it so
the last[ë] day, to a chapman:
thus I begyll many a man
I hange out courteyns in the lyght,
for to blyndë folkës syght,
that men may not sen at ye full
nothar the colowr nor the wull;
set it at hyghë pris therto,
484
the last[ë] day, to a chapman:
thus I begyll many a man
withe this hand of whiche I tell,
bothë when I by and sell.
bothë when I by and sell.
‘this hand myght nat well be worse:
some tyme ther-with I can sell horse,
and lyke a falce coursar, I can
with othis deceyue many a man.
some tyme ther-with I can sell horse,
and lyke a falce coursar, I can
with othis deceyue many a man.
‘som tyme by borows and by towns
I walke about[en] with pardons,
with reliks, and dedë bones,
closyd vndar glase and stons:
I shew them vndar sell and bull,
and thus the pore people I pull,
of ther sylvar I make them quite,
in falsnes I ha so gret delyght.
I walke about[en] with pardons,
with reliks, and dedë bones,
closyd vndar glase and stons:
I shew them vndar sell and bull,
and thus the pore people I pull,
of ther sylvar I make them quite,
in falsnes I ha so gret delyght.
‘to abbeys eke I can wel gon,
stell ymagis of tre and stone,
thowghe they ben old, & paynt them newe,
and make them semë freshe of hewe,
with colours bothë whit and redd;
and at theyr brestis and at ther hedd
I set berryls and crystall;
vndar, I make an hole full smale;
I put in oylë, wyne, and blood,
and melke also, to get[ten] good;
make the lycour round about,
at small holes to rennyn out,
as it were done by myracle,
that ther nis balme nor triacle
in this world, so ryche of prys,
of foltyshe people that ben nat wys.
stell ymagis of tre and stone,
thowghe they ben old, & paynt them newe,
and make them semë freshe of hewe,
with colours bothë whit and redd;
and at theyr brestis and at ther hedd
I set berryls and crystall;
vndar, I make an hole full smale;
I put in oylë, wyne, and blood,
and melke also, to get[ten] good;
make the lycour round about,
at small holes to rennyn out,
as it were done by myracle,
that ther nis balme nor triacle
in this world, so ryche of prys,
of foltyshe people that ben nat wys.
‘I set eke out swyche ymagis,
in stret[i]s and at hermytagis,
and in subbarbys at many a towne,
with bullis fret full of pardon;
byshops seles be nat behynd:
and thus I makë folk[ë]s blynd,
by my sleyght and by my guyle.
in stret[i]s and at hermytagis,
and in subbarbys at many a towne,
with bullis fret full of pardon;
byshops seles be nat behynd:
and thus I makë folk[ë]s blynd,
by my sleyght and by my guyle.
485
‘and yet I vse a-nothar whyle:
I go to faytours of entent,
and make them eke of myn assent,
and, by fals colusyon,
and cursyd dissymulatïon,
I menë suche as ha no shame,
to fayne them selffe bothe blynd and lame,
crokyd, halt, and dome with all,
on euery leg a gret mormall,
full of plastars old and new,
to make the people on them rew.
I go to faytours of entent,
and make them eke of myn assent,
and, by fals colusyon,
and cursyd dissymulatïon,
I menë suche as ha no shame,
to fayne them selffe bothe blynd and lame,
crokyd, halt, and dome with all,
on euery leg a gret mormall,
full of plastars old and new,
to make the people on them rew.
‘and, for more decepcïon,
I make them to be leyd a-doun,
I make them to be leyd a-doun,
to-forn the ymagys down to ly,
and for helthë lowd[ë] cry,
ther to have amendëment.
and they and I of one assent,
I lyft them vp my selfe anon,
and make them on ther fet to gon
with-outen eny more obstácle,
as all wér wrowght by myrácle.
and for helthë lowd[ë] cry,
ther to have amendëment.
and they and I of one assent,
I lyft them vp my selfe anon,
and make them on ther fet to gon
with-outen eny more obstácle,
as all wér wrowght by myrácle.
‘the people, takynge none hede therto,
supposythe pleynly that it wer so;
with offerynge and with pilgrimágis
come full oft to suche ymágis,
for to done ther óbservaunce:
and thus I can my selffe avaunce
as othár loséngars can,
with good that is full falsly won,
whiche that the people obeyethe full sore.
but of this thynge, as now no more
I wyll nat makë réhersall.
supposythe pleynly that it wer so;
with offerynge and with pilgrimágis
come full oft to suche ymágis,
for to done ther óbservaunce:
and thus I can my selffe avaunce
as othár loséngars can,
with good that is full falsly won,
whiche that the people obeyethe full sore.
but of this thynge, as now no more
I wyll nat makë réhersall.
‘& for this hand may myche avayle
to profet me bothe day and nyght,
I take none hede of wronge or ryght,
thowghe it to folks do gret domage,
whill I ther-in fynd ádvauntage.
it hathe of falshed many a braunche,
and why? I put it to my haunche,
and to my tonge reyse it agayne:
‘the cawse I woll vnto thè sayne:
myn haunchë is callyd lesynge,
and my tongë forswerynge;
and, to this twayn, trechery
is famylyar, and of aly,
and to them bothe, of kyndly lawe,
of custome she will evar drawe.
wher they ben old or yong of age,
they be echon of o lynage,
and, by hyrë, fyrst, certeyne,
myne haunchë cawhtë this spaven.
to profet me bothe day and nyght,
I take none hede of wronge or ryght,
thowghe it to folks do gret domage,
whill I ther-in fynd ádvauntage.
it hathe of falshed many a braunche,
and why? I put it to my haunche,
and to my tonge reyse it agayne:
486
myn haunchë is callyd lesynge,
and my tongë forswerynge;
and, to this twayn, trechery
is famylyar, and of aly,
and to them bothe, of kyndly lawe,
of custome she will evar drawe.
wher they ben old or yong of age,
they be echon of o lynage,
and, by hyrë, fyrst, certeyne,
myne haunchë cawhtë this spaven.
‘she made my tongë fyrst taplye
to fynd out lesynge, and to ly;
and of lyenge I made to-forne,
was forswerynge fyrst yborn;
for wher that evar forsweryng be,
lesynge is nyhe, as men may se;
and wher-so-evar that they go,
barret is nat fer them fro;
all thre bene of on accord,
with truthe evar-more at dyscord.’
to fynd out lesynge, and to ly;
and of lyenge I made to-forne,
was forswerynge fyrst yborn;
for wher that evar forsweryng be,
lesynge is nyhe, as men may se;
and wher-so-evar that they go,
barret is nat fer them fro;
all thre bene of on accord,
with truthe evar-more at dyscord.’
pilgrim:
“Tell on, I pray, let me se
in what wysë may this be;
thow callyst thy tonge ‘forswerynge,’
and thyn haunche also ‘lyenge,’
whiche is so halt and corbyd doun);
tell me here-on some reson.”
Avarice:
quod avaricë, ‘lay to ere,
and anon thow shalt well here,
how that I this othar day
mett with truthe vp-on the way;
withe her was also equite,
and bothë tweyn, I dyd se.
of them, as I tokë hede,
how they begged bothe ther bred;
they were so poorë bothë two,
for theyr frynd[ë]s wer all go.
and yf I shall the truthë showe,
‘this day they ha but frynd[ë]s fewe,
ne non) ne shal, yf that I may.
and anon thow shalt well here,
how that I this othar day
mett with truthe vp-on the way;
withe her was also equite,
and bothë tweyn, I dyd se.
of them, as I tokë hede,
how they begged bothe ther bred;
they were so poorë bothë two,
for theyr frynd[ë]s wer all go.
and yf I shall the truthë showe,
487
ne non) ne shal, yf that I may.
‘and when I met them on the way,
I gan to turne the bake full sone;
with them I had no thynge to done;
for me sempte, to my plesaunce,
they myght me no thynge avaunce,
nor no profit done to me.
therfore from them I gan to fle
over the feld[ë]s as they lay,
and I ne cept none hyghë way,
but forthe, lyke myn opinïon.
as I rann, I fell doune;
and with that fall ther was no gayne,
but that I cawht a great spavayne
vpon my lege, whiche madë me
for to halt, as thow mayst se;
and sothly yet, (who lokë well,)
to halt, I hate it nevar a dell.
for when with haltynge I am dull,
it makythe my sake to be more full;
haltynge dothe me more avaunce;
therby I makë chevysaunce,
for in haltynge is no synne;
who dothe vpryght, may nothynge wynn;
haltynge me wynnythe many a grote,
it maketh me hatter than my cote,
that I must my tunge in sothe
cast out as a doggë dothe.
I gan to turne the bake full sone;
with them I had no thynge to done;
for me sempte, to my plesaunce,
they myght me no thynge avaunce,
nor no profit done to me.
therfore from them I gan to fle
over the feld[ë]s as they lay,
and I ne cept none hyghë way,
but forthe, lyke myn opinïon.
as I rann, I fell doune;
and with that fall ther was no gayne,
but that I cawht a great spavayne
vpon my lege, whiche madë me
for to halt, as thow mayst se;
and sothly yet, (who lokë well,)
to halt, I hate it nevar a dell.
for when with haltynge I am dull,
it makythe my sake to be more full;
haltynge dothe me more avaunce;
therby I makë chevysaunce,
for in haltynge is no synne;
who dothe vpryght, may nothynge wynn;
haltynge me wynnythe many a grote,
it maketh me hatter than my cote,
that I must my tunge in sothe
cast out as a doggë dothe.
‘and than full offe it falleth so,
that to the kyng[ë]s court I goo,
and am ther, of no man afferyd.
and whan I have the lawës leryd,
and am come to hyghe estat,
than I become an advocat,
and makë folk[ë]s to me drawe,
swyche as hav to don with lawe.
that to the kyng[ë]s court I goo,
and am ther, of no man afferyd.
and whan I have the lawës leryd,
and am come to hyghe estat,
than I become an advocat,
and makë folk[ë]s to me drawe,
swyche as hav to don with lawe.
‘but first I swere, with-out[en] doute,
my tunge I shall nat puten oute,
for ryght ne wronge, ne for no thynge,
‘but wher I se ryght gret wynnynge.
my tunge I shall nat puten oute,
for ryght ne wronge, ne for no thynge,
488
‘on that party evar I hold,
lyche a balaunce of whiche y told,
whose tungë draweth to that cost,
wher the weyht gothe dounë most:
to that party he wyll nat fyne
the balauncë to enclyne.
and so fare I when I begyne,
to holden ther I may most wyne.
lyche a balaunce of whiche y told,
whose tungë draweth to that cost,
wher the weyht gothe dounë most:
to that party he wyll nat fyne
the balauncë to enclyne.
and so fare I when I begyne,
to holden ther I may most wyne.
‘whan folke me pray with all ther myght
for to help them in theyr ryght,
wher the cawse be grene or rype,
a-non as I the money grype,
than I dare swaryn, by bone & blood,
that theyr cawse is trwe and good,
thoughe I know the contrary.
and than anon I wyll not tary,
for gold and sylvar evar amonge,
to makë ryght, thowghe it be wronge;
for I can make, vnto hir syght,
ryght of wronge, and wrong of ryght;
tourne the matere vp se doune,
and preue it out by good reson,
that in the case there is no lake:
and all I do, to fyll my sake
withe gold and othar men[në]s good,
how evar aforne the casë stode.
for to help them in theyr ryght,
wher the cawse be grene or rype,
a-non as I the money grype,
than I dare swaryn, by bone & blood,
that theyr cawse is trwe and good,
thoughe I know the contrary.
and than anon I wyll not tary,
for gold and sylvar evar amonge,
to makë ryght, thowghe it be wronge;
for I can make, vnto hir syght,
ryght of wronge, and wrong of ryght;
tourne the matere vp se doune,
and preue it out by good reson,
that in the case there is no lake:
and all I do, to fyll my sake
withe gold and othar men[në]s good,
how evar aforne the casë stode.
‘thus haue I told the by resonne,
and mad a demonstracïon,
why that my tonge (by dyscryvynge)
is [y]callyd ‘forswerynge.’
and withe lesyngs, (who lyst know,)
vp and downe it is y-sowe;
to falshed I do most avauntage,
and to truthë gretyst damage.
and in this plyht, as I the told,
ever my purpos I shall hold,
that yf the lawe ne chaungë nought,
I will be fals of word and thought,
in every place, wher evar I be,
‘that no man shall levë me:
now I ha told the of my sake.
and mad a demonstracïon,
why that my tonge (by dyscryvynge)
is [y]callyd ‘forswerynge.’
and withe lesyngs, (who lyst know,)
vp and downe it is y-sowe;
to falshed I do most avauntage,
and to truthë gretyst damage.
and in this plyht, as I the told,
ever my purpos I shall hold,
that yf the lawe ne chaungë nought,
I will be fals of word and thought,
in every place, wher evar I be,
489
now I ha told the of my sake.
‘touchinge the bonche vpon my bake,
I wyll to the now specifye
what thynge it dothe signefye.
this is the boch gret and hydous,
with whiche this folke relygïous
bene ybonchyd, full many on;—
som, I say, nat everychon,
suche as by transgressyon
kepe not theyr professyon,
as they be bound by theyr degre.
I wyll to the now specifye
what thynge it dothe signefye.
this is the boch gret and hydous,
with whiche this folke relygïous
bene ybonchyd, full many on;—
som, I say, nat everychon,
suche as by transgressyon
kepe not theyr professyon,
as they be bound by theyr degre.
‘and by example, (as thow mayst se,)
so as a boche or a fellon
ar cawsyd of corruptïon
of wyckyd humours & corrupt blood,
of colore adust, fervent and wood,
and othar suparfluyte;
ryght so, ryches and gret plente
ar cawsë that a rychë man,
as the gospell rehers[ë] can,
May in-to heven have none entre,
But euen lyke as ye may se,
A camell may hym-silffe applye
To passen thorugh a nedelyes eye,
Whiche is a thyng not credible,
But a maner impossible,
Thys beste is so encomerous,
Off bak corbyd and tortuous,
And so to passë, no thyng able.
so as a boche or a fellon
ar cawsyd of corruptïon
of wyckyd humours & corrupt blood,
of colore adust, fervent and wood,
and othar suparfluyte;
ryght so, ryches and gret plente
ar cawsë that a rychë man,
as the gospell rehers[ë] can,
May in-to heven have none entre,
But euen lyke as ye may se,
A camell may hym-silffe applye
To passen thorugh a nedelyes eye,
Whiche is a thyng not credible,
But a maner impossible,
Thys beste is so encomerous,
Off bak corbyd and tortuous,
And so to passë, no thyng able.
‘And euene lyk in caas sembláble,
ffolkis off relygyoun,
Bounde by ther professyoun
ffor to lyue in pouerte
Off ther ownë volunte,
And to pouert hem silffe proffesse,
Ȝeue they be bocchyd with richesse,
To gadre vp good in ther bandoun,
Tresoure, and greet pocescyoun;
‘ffor hard it is ffor hem to trace,
Or by so smal an hoole to passe
Vp to that heuenly mansyoun,
To cleyme there habytacyoun.
ffolkis off relygyoun,
Bounde by ther professyoun
ffor to lyue in pouerte
Off ther ownë volunte,
And to pouert hem silffe proffesse,
Ȝeue they be bocchyd with richesse,
To gadre vp good in ther bandoun,
Tresoure, and greet pocescyoun;
490
Or by so smal an hoole to passe
Vp to that heuenly mansyoun,
To cleyme there habytacyoun.
This lytle hoolë (who kan se,)
Bytokeneth willefful pouerte,
Receyued with-outen eny stryffe;
ffor, pore we kam in-to this lyffe,
And nakyd, (who taketh heede ther-to,)
Out off this lyffe we schal eke go.
Bytokeneth willefful pouerte,
Receyued with-outen eny stryffe;
ffor, pore we kam in-to this lyffe,
And nakyd, (who taketh heede ther-to,)
Out off this lyffe we schal eke go.
‘Wherffore late ffolkis good heede take,
(Swyche as han this world fforsake,)
Hem to preserue by holynesse
ffrom the bocche off ffalse richesse,
Whiche is a thyng (who kan discerne)
That wyl closë the posterne
Of Paradys and the entre,
And stope the hole off pouerte,
Whiche is, to parffyte ffolke, the gate
To lete hem in, erly and late,
Alle that ben ffounden vertuous
In ffolkis eke relygyous.
(Swyche as han this world fforsake,)
Hem to preserue by holynesse
ffrom the bocche off ffalse richesse,
Whiche is a thyng (who kan discerne)
That wyl closë the posterne
Of Paradys and the entre,
And stope the hole off pouerte,
Whiche is, to parffyte ffolke, the gate
To lete hem in, erly and late,
Alle that ben ffounden vertuous
In ffolkis eke relygyous.
Properte.
‘This bocche is callyd ‘Properte,’
Whiche is afferd off Pouerte;
ffor pouerte (as clerkys teche)
Is bothë medicyne and leche
To launche the bocche off Properte,
And voyde alle superfluyte,
And the bollynge in echë syde.
Whiche is afferd off Pouerte;
ffor pouerte (as clerkys teche)
Is bothë medicyne and leche
To launche the bocche off Properte,
And voyde alle superfluyte,
And the bollynge in echë syde.
‘But Properte dar not Abyde
To suffre Pouerte hym to kerue,
Leste off the wounde he schulyë sterue
Leuere he hathe, in peyne tendure,
Than pouerte schulde his bocche recure;
ffor he is dredefful, and eke arwh,
To passe an hole that is so narwh
As hym semyth in his devys,
Outher to heven or paradys:
His herte is no thyng ther-on set.
‘Now wole I speke off my mawmet.
To suffre Pouerte hym to kerue,
Leste off the wounde he schulyë sterue
Leuere he hathe, in peyne tendure,
Than pouerte schulde his bocche recure;
ffor he is dredefful, and eke arwh,
To passe an hole that is so narwh
As hym semyth in his devys,
Outher to heven or paradys:
His herte is no thyng ther-on set.
491
The Mawmet:
‘And off myn ydol that is so oold,
Made off siluer and off gold,
In the whiche (I the ensure)
Is the ymage and the ffygure
And the prynte (as thou mayste see)
Off the lord off the contre.
This is the god whiche, by depos,
Loueth to be schutte in hucches clos.
Made off siluer and off gold,
In the whiche (I the ensure)
Is the ymage and the ffygure
And the prynte (as thou mayste see)
Off the lord off the contre.
This is the god whiche, by depos,
Loueth to be schutte in hucches clos.
Somwhyle, that men may hym not knowe,
He wole hym hyde in erthë lowe.
He wole hym hyde in erthë lowe.
‘This god kan makë ffolkys blynde,
That to his óbseruaunce hem bynde;
And causith hem, ageyn resoun,
To caste her lokës lowë down
In-to the erthe, ageyne nature,
Hem-silffe so mykel they assure
In eerthely tresoure, whiche at o day
Schal vnwarely passe away;
ffor lawe in erthe, on euery syde,
Lyche a mollë they abyde;
In erthe is hoolly ther labour;
In erthe ys also ther tresour;
Erthe is ther Ioye and ther plesaunce;
No thyng but erthe may hem avaunce;
Gold and seluer makyth hem nygh wood;
Gold is ther god, gold is ther good;
I worschipe gold and my tresour
As ffor my god and savyour;
Saue gold, noon other god I haue.
That to his óbseruaunce hem bynde;
And causith hem, ageyn resoun,
To caste her lokës lowë down
In-to the erthe, ageyne nature,
Hem-silffe so mykel they assure
In eerthely tresoure, whiche at o day
Schal vnwarely passe away;
ffor lawe in erthe, on euery syde,
Lyche a mollë they abyde;
In erthe is hoolly ther labour;
In erthe ys also ther tresour;
Erthe is ther Ioye and ther plesaunce;
No thyng but erthe may hem avaunce;
Gold and seluer makyth hem nygh wood;
Gold is ther god, gold is ther good;
I worschipe gold and my tresour
As ffor my god and savyour;
Saue gold, noon other god I haue.
‘I thenke not how I schal be grave
In eerthë lowe, ther to be ffreete,
Corupcyoun and wormës mete,
Hydous, stynkynge, and horryble,
And to loke vp-on, odyble:
What may my gold thanne me avayle,
Whanne wormes han with me batayle?
But here, while I haue lyberte,
‘This thyng to-fforne I kan no se,
ffor in no thyng I kan affye,
But gold and good to multeplye.
Gold is my god and my Mawmet;
In eerthë lowe, ther to be ffreete,
Corupcyoun and wormës mete,
Hydous, stynkynge, and horryble,
And to loke vp-on, odyble:
What may my gold thanne me avayle,
Whanne wormes han with me batayle?
But here, while I haue lyberte,
492
ffor in no thyng I kan affye,
But gold and good to multeplye.
Gold is my god and my Mawmet;
And al on gold myne herte is sette;
ffor golde, I dyde fful greet offence,
In colys to rostë seynt Laurence.
For he, off pite (thus it stood)
Ȝaue the tresoure and the good
Off holy churchë ffor almesse,
To pore ffolkis he ffonde in distresse.
ffor golde, I dyde fful greet offence,
In colys to rostë seynt Laurence.
For he, off pite (thus it stood)
Ȝaue the tresoure and the good
Off holy churchë ffor almesse,
To pore ffolkis he ffonde in distresse.
‘But I, in myne oppynyoun,
am not off that condicioun:
To getë good is my laboure,
And to awmentë my tresoure,
And (as it is to ffolke fful kouthe,)
More in agë thanne in ȝouthe,
Som tyme with lesynges and with ffablys,
Som tyme at chesse, som tyme at tablys,
At merels and the botevaunt,
At hasard and at [the] devaunt,
And at these pleyës euerychon,
My mawmet I worschipe euere in oon.
am not off that condicioun:
To getë good is my laboure,
And to awmentë my tresoure,
And (as it is to ffolke fful kouthe,)
More in agë thanne in ȝouthe,
Som tyme with lesynges and with ffablys,
Som tyme at chesse, som tyme at tablys,
At merels and the botevaunt,
At hasard and at [the] devaunt,
And at these pleyës euerychon,
My mawmet I worschipe euere in oon.
ffor, wher-so it be vyce or synne,
I do no thyng but ffor to wynne;
To good is al-way my repayre.
I do no thyng but ffor to wynne;
To good is al-way my repayre.
‘And, ffor my Mawmet is so ffayre,
And ffulffylled off alle plesaunce,
Do ther-to som óbseruaunce,
And knele anoon vpon thy kne,
Lowely to his dëyte.
ffor, but thow do with-out[ë] more,
Thow schalt abyggen it fful sore;
And I schal ellys verrey the;
Thow geteste no lenger trewys off me.’
And ffulffylled off alle plesaunce,
Do ther-to som óbseruaunce,
And knele anoon vpon thy kne,
Lowely to his dëyte.
ffor, but thow do with-out[ë] more,
Thow schalt abyggen it fful sore;
And I schal ellys verrey the;
Thow geteste no lenger trewys off me.’
The Pylgryme:
And whilë sche gan me assayle
fful cruelly, as by batayle,
Alle sodeynely I dydë sen,
493
Bytwyxen Avarise and me,
Cryed trewys, and bad let be.
Than ȝouthe spak:
‘Do to hym no vyolence,
ffor I am komen in his diffence,
Ageynse the to make hym stronge.
Thow schalt to hym do now no wronge,
(Thow thow be cruel off entent,)
While that I am here present.’
Auaryce:
‘Ȝeue thow ne were not ffastë by,
Thow myghtteste trustë ffynaly,
That I ffor no thyng woldë lette,
But that I schulde vp-on hym sette.
Thow myghtteste trustë ffynaly,
That I ffor no thyng woldë lette,
But that I schulde vp-on hym sette.
Thy komynge is not to my pay;
Thow haste me lettyd off my pray;
ffor the whiche, I am fful wo;
But now to hym I may nat do,
ffor to ffulffillë my talent,
While thow art with hym present.
But go thi way, and late hym be,
And anoon thow schalt wel se,
I schal hem cacchen in a trappe,
And aresten by the lappe,
That he schal not skape away
ffro my daungere, ȝeue I may.’
Thow haste me lettyd off my pray;
ffor the whiche, I am fful wo;
But now to hym I may nat do,
ffor to ffulffillë my talent,
While thow art with hym present.
But go thi way, and late hym be,
And anoon thow schalt wel se,
I schal hem cacchen in a trappe,
And aresten by the lappe,
That he schal not skape away
ffro my daungere, ȝeue I may.’
The Pylgryme:
And whanne that I was at my large,
And thought I woldë me discharge,
ffrom allë daunger to go ffre,
ffrom Auaryce at lyberte,
Thorough helpe and ffavour (in this cas)
Off ȝouthë that my guydë was,
I wolde, as tho, no lenger byde,
But in-tawodë there bysyde
I entryd, whiche stood ffastë by.
And as I wente, alle sodeynely
I herde oon wonder lowdë crye,
And afftir me gan ffaste hym hye,
As he hádde ben in a rage.
And so straunge was his langage,
That I ne vnderstood hym nought;
ffor I conceyued in my thought,
How he that affter me gan gon:
ffrenche nor Latyn he spak noon.
And in his hand (I was wel war,)
A nakyd swerde how that he bar,
fful scharpë growndë ffor to byte,
And redy as he woldë smyte,
And bade, I schulde me ffastë dresse,
Kome to speke with his Maystresse.
And thought I woldë me discharge,
ffrom allë daunger to go ffre,
ffrom Auaryce at lyberte,
Thorough helpe and ffavour (in this cas)
Off ȝouthë that my guydë was,
I wolde, as tho, no lenger byde,
But in-tawodë there bysyde
I entryd, whiche stood ffastë by.
And as I wente, alle sodeynely
I herde oon wonder lowdë crye,
494
As he hádde ben in a rage.
And so straunge was his langage,
That I ne vnderstood hym nought;
ffor I conceyued in my thought,
How he that affter me gan gon:
ffrenche nor Latyn he spak noon.
And in his hand (I was wel war,)
A nakyd swerde how that he bar,
fful scharpë growndë ffor to byte,
And redy as he woldë smyte,
And bade, I schulde me ffastë dresse,
Kome to speke with his Maystresse.
Amydde the way, vpon a lond,
With-in a cercle I hym ffond,
With-in a cercle I hym ffond,
With-in whiche (so god me save,)
I sawgh fful many a ffygure grave,
fful meruelous, as in workynge;
And he bare armys off A kynge,
A Boxë, lyche a Messangere.
And trewely, as I neyghed nere,
By sygnës that I dydë se,
I wendë so that he hadde be,
Hopynge the bette, at lyberte,
ffrom al daunger to skapë ffre:
I sawgh fful many a ffygure grave,
fful meruelous, as in workynge;
And he bare armys off A kynge,
A Boxë, lyche a Messangere.
And trewely, as I neyghed nere,
By sygnës that I dydë se,
I wendë so that he hadde be,
Hopynge the bette, at lyberte,
ffrom al daunger to skapë ffre:
To whom I spake fful boldëly,
And seyde, “I merveyl ryght greetly
That thow byddeste me ffaste dresse
ffor to kome to thi maystresse;
And by no tokene that I kan se,
I wote not what sche schuldë be;
ffor whiche, I preye the not to spare,
Off hir the maner to declare.”
And seyde, “I merveyl ryght greetly
That thow byddeste me ffaste dresse
ffor to kome to thi maystresse;
And by no tokene that I kan se,
I wote not what sche schuldë be;
ffor whiche, I preye the not to spare,
Off hir the maner to declare.”
And he to me in wordës ffewe,
With his ffynger gan me schewe
fful ffastë by, a mansyoun),
Ryght vp, lyche a pávyloun;
And on the pomel (who lyste knowe)
Wonder hygh ther sate a krowe,
His whynges splayynge to and ffro;
And with the noyse he madë tho,
The messangere gan newe abreyde,
And vn-to me ryght thus he seyde:
With his ffynger gan me schewe
fful ffastë by, a mansyoun),
Ryght vp, lyche a pávyloun;
And on the pomel (who lyste knowe)
Wonder hygh ther sate a krowe,
495
And with the noyse he madë tho,
The messangere gan newe abreyde,
And vn-to me ryght thus he seyde:
The Messangere:
‘Byhoolde ȝone habytacyoun
And the hyghë pávylloun:
In that place (I dar expresse)
There abydith my maystresse,
Whiche cessith, nowther nyght nor day,
To teche hir scolers what sche may,
fful many wonderfful lessouns,
And many dyuerse cónclusyouns.
And the hyghë pávylloun:
In that place (I dar expresse)
There abydith my maystresse,
Whiche cessith, nowther nyght nor day,
To teche hir scolers what sche may,
fful many wonderfful lessouns,
And many dyuerse cónclusyouns.
‘And, therffore, I callyd the,
That thow scholdeste the maner se
Off hir scole, and knowe it offte.
And ffor this skele, the crowe aloffte
Is sette, (ȝeue thow kanste espye,)
Afftir hir scolerys ffor to crye;
That fforby passe, bothe este and west;
Thereffore sche hath made there hir nest.’
That thow scholdeste the maner se
Off hir scole, and knowe it offte.
And ffor this skele, the crowe aloffte
Is sette, (ȝeue thow kanste espye,)
Afftir hir scolerys ffor to crye;
That fforby passe, bothe este and west;
Thereffore sche hath made there hir nest.’
The pylgryme:
“Certis me semyth it were ffolye
To komë there, or go fforby,
But ȝeue I knewë (in sentence)
What doctryne or what science,
To hir scolers sche dothe teche.
Thereffore, opunly in thy speche,
Declarë what it schuldë be,
Or ellys I wole not go with the.”
The Messangere:
‘A yerë,’ quod he, ‘and no mo,
ther I had to scolë go;
ther I had to scolë go;
Couetysë, off entente,
To that scolë sche me sente;
And sothely, as it semyth me,
So I trowe sche dydë the.’
To that scolë sche me sente;
And sothely, as it semyth me,
So I trowe sche dydë the.’
The Pylgryme:
“Certeynely that is not so;
Though sche and I (bothë two)
496
Sche made no maner off rémembraunce
Off this scole, in no degre,
Off whiche thow spekist off to me.”
The messangere:
‘Than I dar seyn (as thow schalt ffynde)
That it was, out off hyre mynde;
ffor at this scole ther comyth no wyght
ffor to leernë, day nor nyght,
But ȝeue that he, ffirste, (off entent,)
Be ffro covetyse I-sent.
That it was, out off hyre mynde;
ffor at this scole ther comyth no wyght
ffor to leernë, day nor nyght,
But ȝeue that he, ffirste, (off entent,)
Be ffro covetyse I-sent.
‘Ȝit off this scole, (ȝeue thow wylte dwelle,)
The maner, I schal the telle:
The maner, I schal the telle:
ffirste, whanne I was heder sent,
I wolde, by som experiment,
Or by som schorte conclusyoun,
Haue preued out my lessoun;
ffor speculatyff and the practyk
Off this scolë be not lyk;
ffor speculátyff (in sentence)
With-outen good experience,
Avaylith lytle or ellis nought,
How longe euere that it be sought.
I wolde, by som experiment,
Or by som schorte conclusyoun,
Haue preued out my lessoun;
ffor speculatyff and the practyk
Off this scolë be not lyk;
ffor speculátyff (in sentence)
With-outen good experience,
Avaylith lytle or ellis nought,
How longe euere that it be sought.
Now take heede, and thow schalt se
I wolde hauë dygnyte,
Or som other greet tresour,
And ther-on settë my labour;
And woldë knowe, to this estat
Wher I schal be ffortunat.
I wolde hauë dygnyte,
Or som other greet tresour,
And ther-on settë my labour;
And woldë knowe, to this estat
Wher I schal be ffortunat.
ffirste, with my swerd, vp-on the ground
I make a cercle large and round,
With karectis and with ffygures,
And knowë not the áventures,
Nor the dirkenesse hydde with-Inne,
Off the karectis, whanne I gynne
To emprynte: al they be sene,
I wotë neuere what they mene;
I make a cercle large and round,
With karectis and with ffygures,
And knowë not the áventures,
Nor the dirkenesse hydde with-Inne,
Off the karectis, whanne I gynne
To emprynte: al they be sene,
I wotë neuere what they mene;
Saue I conyecte yt may so be,
That spiritis scholde obeye to me,
‘By my invocacyouns
To answere to my questyouns,
Swyche sperytis as I kalle;
And ȝit I knowe noon off hem alle,
Saue off entente, as thow mayste se,
That they schuldë grauntë me
Som maner gyffte, or som gerdoun,
Concernynge myn oppynyoun,
By vertu off the cercle round,
And Carectis graven in the ground,
By schewynge or by ápparence,
Affter that I ȝeue credence.’
That spiritis scholde obeye to me,
497
To answere to my questyouns,
Swyche sperytis as I kalle;
And ȝit I knowe noon off hem alle,
Saue off entente, as thow mayste se,
That they schuldë grauntë me
Som maner gyffte, or som gerdoun,
Concernynge myn oppynyoun,
By vertu off the cercle round,
And Carectis graven in the ground,
By schewynge or by ápparence,
Affter that I ȝeue credence.’
The pylgryme:
“Alle that thow doste specyffye,
Is but ffalsehed and ffantesye
And cursyd ymagynacyoun,
Brouth in ffirste by Illusïoun.
Is but ffalsehed and ffantesye
And cursyd ymagynacyoun,
Brouth in ffirste by Illusïoun.
“This scole is nought, in sotheffastenesse,
Whos doctryne is but cursydnesse.
The scolers there-off, I holde hem wood;
Swyche spiritis may don to the no good;
And ȝeue thow koudeste the trouthe entende,
Harme they may, but not amende:
They wole wyrke in thi damáge,
But no thyng to thyne ávauntage,
Who that kan lokë wel aboute.
Whos doctryne is but cursydnesse.
The scolers there-off, I holde hem wood;
Swyche spiritis may don to the no good;
And ȝeue thow koudeste the trouthe entende,
Harme they may, but not amende:
They wole wyrke in thi damáge,
But no thyng to thyne ávauntage,
Who that kan lokë wel aboute.
“Also thi siluen stante in doute
Where-off thi cercle scholdë serue;
And thyngës that thow doste obserue,
Alle is but ffoly and mysbyleve,
Towchynge the spiritis, thow mayste wel leve;
ffor the they wyl no thynge do wel,
ffor they the louen neuere a del.”
Where-off thi cercle scholdë serue;
And thyngës that thow doste obserue,
Alle is but ffoly and mysbyleve,
Towchynge the spiritis, thow mayste wel leve;
ffor the they wyl no thynge do wel,
ffor they the louen neuere a del.”
The Messangere:
‘I Dar afferme (with-outë slouthe)
In party that thow haste seyde trouthe,
Excepte oonly (it is no nay)
In many thynges they helpë may,
A man greetly to magnyffye,
Encresse also, and multeplye,
498
And haue no power to go ther-ffro,
Comaunded to swyche óbseruaunce
By hym that hathe the gouernaunce
I mene the kyng, to whom, eche weye,
Mawgre ther myght, they muste obeye.’
The Pylgryme:
“I conceyue, and se wel here,
Thow art the kyngës messangere,
By the armes that thow dost were,
And by the sygnes I se the bere;
But makë demonstracyoun
To me off thi comyssyoun,
By what power or by what peyne
Thát thow mayste hem so constreyne.”
The Messangere:
‘Commyssyoun I haue neuere on;
And trewely I dar axë non;
And though I dyde (as thow schalt se)
He woldë grauntë noon to me.’
The Pylgryme:
“Thanne wote I wel, (ȝeue it be sought,)
ffor the, that they wole do ryght nought.”
The Messangere:
‘Here vp-on, what so ȝe seye,
Wotë wel they wole obeye
Pleynely vnto my byddynge;
ffor they wene that, off the kynge
I haddë fful auctorite,
Commyssyoun and fful pouste,
To maken them, lyche myn entent,
To óbeye my comaundëment
By vertu off myn orysoun,
Karectys and coniurysoun;
ffor drede off whiche, (be wel certeyn,)
I knowe they dar me not with-seyn.’
The Pilgryme:
“Wher thow be wel or yuel apayd,
Take good heed what thow haste sayd:
Thow haste ben ffalse in thi workyng,
“And wrongely don vn-to thi kyng;
Wher-ffore thow shalt I-ponysshed be
ffor thi greet Inequyte,
To make spiritys the to obeye,
And swychë charges on hem leye
By disseyte and ffalse tresoun,
And, haste no commyssïoun
ffor the to schewe on see nor lond,
And haste I-made eke, with thyn hand,
Karectis and cercle round,
And compassid it vp-on the ground;
And art so blynd, thow kanste not seen,
On no party, what they mene.
Take good heed what thow haste sayd:
Thow haste ben ffalse in thi workyng,
499
Wher-ffore thow shalt I-ponysshed be
ffor thi greet Inequyte,
To make spiritys the to obeye,
And swychë charges on hem leye
By disseyte and ffalse tresoun,
And, haste no commyssïoun
ffor the to schewe on see nor lond,
And haste I-made eke, with thyn hand,
Karectis and cercle round,
And compassid it vp-on the ground;
And art so blynd, thow kanste not seen,
On no party, what they mene.
“And swyche karectis (I dar wel telle)
Be markis off the deuel off helle,
ffirste ordeyned (who kan conceyue)
Innocentis to disceyue.
And thow mayste also (trustë me)
There-with thow schalt dysseyued be;
ffor this selis, thow schalt ffynde,
Constreynë the, and sorë bynde
By a maner állyaunce
To do the deuel swyche óbseruaunce
Made to thi conffusïoun,
As bonde or oblygacyoun;
By whiche he wole (off verrey myght)
Cleymë the his man off ryght;
By swyche a tytle, make hym stronge.
Be markis off the deuel off helle,
ffirste ordeyned (who kan conceyue)
Innocentis to disceyue.
And thow mayste also (trustë me)
There-with thow schalt dysseyued be;
ffor this selis, thow schalt ffynde,
Constreynë the, and sorë bynde
By a maner állyaunce
To do the deuel swyche óbseruaunce
Made to thi conffusïoun,
As bonde or oblygacyoun;
By whiche he wole (off verrey myght)
Cleymë the his man off ryght;
By swyche a tytle, make hym stronge.
“And to spiritis thow doste greet wronge,
Hem to constreyne in thi workynge
To brynge thé other mennës thynge,
(Be it by day, be it by nyght,)
Vn-to whiche thow haste no ryght;
Where-in thow art greetly to blame,
To bydde hem in the kyngës name
Or constreyne hem, ageyne resoun,
By karecte or by comyssyoun,
To robbe or steele, to thi ffavour,
Off other ffolkës ther tresour,
By verrey fforce, ageynë ryght.
Hem to constreyne in thi workynge
To brynge thé other mennës thynge,
(Be it by day, be it by nyght,)
Vn-to whiche thow haste no ryght;
Where-in thow art greetly to blame,
To bydde hem in the kyngës name
Or constreyne hem, ageyne resoun,
By karecte or by comyssyoun,
To robbe or steele, to thi ffavour,
Off other ffolkës ther tresour,
By verrey fforce, ageynë ryght.
500
“And ȝeue thow loke aboutë ryght,
To the kyng, vsynge this vice,
Thow doste fful greet preivdice
Ageyne his lawefful ordynaunce,
Where it is boden (in substaunce)
And dyffendid, (who kan espye,)
Alle maner theffte and robrye,
In peyne off deth: take heede her-to,
And with-drawe thyne hand ther-ffro
With al thi myght and al thy peyne.
Thow standeste in daunger atwene tweyne;
Outher off God or off Sathan
Thow art off the leegë man;
And therffore, ffor to lyue in reste,
Leeue the worste, and cheese the beste;
ffor (schortly I schal devyse,)
Thow schalt be quytte lyke thi servyse,
In hellë with dampnacyoun,
Or heuene, to thi savacïoun.”
To the kyng, vsynge this vice,
Thow doste fful greet preivdice
Ageyne his lawefful ordynaunce,
Where it is boden (in substaunce)
And dyffendid, (who kan espye,)
Alle maner theffte and robrye,
In peyne off deth: take heede her-to,
And with-drawe thyne hand ther-ffro
With al thi myght and al thy peyne.
Thow standeste in daunger atwene tweyne;
Outher off God or off Sathan
Thow art off the leegë man;
And therffore, ffor to lyue in reste,
Leeue the worste, and cheese the beste;
ffor (schortly I schal devyse,)
Thow schalt be quytte lyke thi servyse,
In hellë with dampnacyoun,
Or heuene, to thi savacïoun.”
The Messangere:
‘Of thy wordës I take hede,
They puttë me in fful greet drede:
But, o thyng comfforteth me,
Whanne that I considere and se
There is so greet a companye,
Me to susteyne in my ffolye,
Off ffolkis that to-fforne haue be
Off wonder greet autoryte,
As whylom was kyng Salamoun,
And Virgyle, off greet renoun,
Cypryan and Albalart,
And many an-other in this art,
Maystres by experyence,
And hadde also ther-to lycence
(With-outen eny noyse or stryffe,)
ffor to vse it al her lyffe.
They puttë me in fful greet drede:
But, o thyng comfforteth me,
Whanne that I considere and se
There is so greet a companye,
Me to susteyne in my ffolye,
Off ffolkis that to-fforne haue be
Off wonder greet autoryte,
As whylom was kyng Salamoun,
And Virgyle, off greet renoun,
Cypryan and Albalart,
And many an-other in this art,
Maystres by experyence,
And hadde also ther-to lycence
(With-outen eny noyse or stryffe,)
ffor to vse it al her lyffe.
‘And this ilkë craffte also
(Who that takyth heed ther-to,)
Is not in rewarde so perillous,
Dredefful, nor superstycïous,
‘As som crafftis that haue be do
With sacriffyce, and eke also
With óbseruáunces, vpon mownteynes,
In desérte, and eke in pleynes,
And in placis fful savage,
Solytarye, and fful off rage,
That, alle the maner ffor to noumbre,
It wolde a man greetly encombre,
As thow schalt se and knowe anon
Ȝeue thow lyste with me to gon;
And ffynally, thi pas to dresse
To hir that is the cheff maystresse
Off alle this thyng that I haue tolde,
That, ȝeue thow be hardy and bolde
ffor to proche to hir presence,
Thow schalt haue fful experyence.’
(Who that takyth heed ther-to,)
Is not in rewarde so perillous,
Dredefful, nor superstycïous,
501
With sacriffyce, and eke also
With óbseruáunces, vpon mownteynes,
In desérte, and eke in pleynes,
And in placis fful savage,
Solytarye, and fful off rage,
That, alle the maner ffor to noumbre,
It wolde a man greetly encombre,
As thow schalt se and knowe anon
Ȝeue thow lyste with me to gon;
And ffynally, thi pas to dresse
To hir that is the cheff maystresse
Off alle this thyng that I haue tolde,
That, ȝeue thow be hardy and bolde
ffor to proche to hir presence,
Thow schalt haue fful experyence.’
The Pylgryme:
“That euere I schuldë this thyng se,
God, off his grace, dyffendë me;
And he be my proteccyoun
Fro thylkë habytacyoun!
ffor, by opene evidence,
And by recorde off thi sentence,
Thilkë place, with-outë wene,
To good it doth no-thyng partene;
ffor, by the crowe that sytte aloffte,
Makyth noyse and cryeth offte,
It schewith wel how thylkë place
Is devoyde, and ffer ffro grace,
And longeth (as I rehersë kan)
To the Deuel and to Sathan;
ffor, save the Deuel, noon other wyght
Hathe power there, off verray ryght.
Therffore I wole me holden heere,
And to that placë kome noon nere;
And trewëly, (to my devys,)
Thi-silff also (ȝeue thow be wys,)
Thow schalt wysely with-drawë the,
And abydë here with me
ffor thyne ownë ávauntage,
“Leste it turne to thi damage;
ffor, who gothe to that mancyoun,
Gothe streytte to his destruccyoun,
As ther haue do fful many oon,
Whiche here-to-fforne haue theder gon,
Resemblynge (as I kan devyse)
To hym that was the Duke of Fryse,
Whiche, whanne he shuld ha be baptisyd,
(In storye as it ys devysed,
And as bokës kan wel telle,)
His o ffoot was putte in the welle,
To haue receyved cristis lawe,
But he in haste gan it with-drawe;
God, off his grace, dyffendë me;
And he be my proteccyoun
Fro thylkë habytacyoun!
ffor, by opene evidence,
And by recorde off thi sentence,
Thilkë place, with-outë wene,
To good it doth no-thyng partene;
ffor, by the crowe that sytte aloffte,
Makyth noyse and cryeth offte,
It schewith wel how thylkë place
Is devoyde, and ffer ffro grace,
And longeth (as I rehersë kan)
To the Deuel and to Sathan;
ffor, save the Deuel, noon other wyght
Hathe power there, off verray ryght.
Therffore I wole me holden heere,
And to that placë kome noon nere;
And trewëly, (to my devys,)
Thi-silff also (ȝeue thow be wys,)
Thow schalt wysely with-drawë the,
And abydë here with me
ffor thyne ownë ávauntage,
502
ffor, who gothe to that mancyoun,
Gothe streytte to his destruccyoun,
As ther haue do fful many oon,
Whiche here-to-fforne haue theder gon,
Resemblynge (as I kan devyse)
To hym that was the Duke of Fryse,
Whiche, whanne he shuld ha be baptisyd,
(In storye as it ys devysed,
And as bokës kan wel telle,)
His o ffoot was putte in the welle,
To haue receyved cristis lawe,
But he in haste gan it with-drawe;
For hym thought he herde a cry,
That affermed certeynely,
ffor synne and ffor Inyquyte,
How mo ffolke schuldë dampned be
At the day off Iugëment,
Gon to helle, there to be brent,
Ȝe mo (as in comparisoun)
Thanne ffolk ffor ther savacyoun
Scholde that day receyued be,
To dwelle in heuene, that ffayre cyte.
That affermed certeynely,
ffor synne and ffor Inyquyte,
How mo ffolke schuldë dampned be
At the day off Iugëment,
Gon to helle, there to be brent,
Ȝe mo (as in comparisoun)
Thanne ffolk ffor ther savacyoun
Scholde that day receyued be,
To dwelle in heuene, that ffayre cyte.
But this duke, hym-silff to encombre,
Seyde with the gretteste nowmbre,
And woldë go, thorough his ffolye,
And with hem holdë companye,
There-with affermynge, in his thought,
That, off baptysme, he sette nought.
ffor whiche, me semeth it were ffolye,
The to halden companye
With swyche ffolke in thyn entent,
Off whiche affter thow schalt repente.
Seyde with the gretteste nowmbre,
And woldë go, thorough his ffolye,
And with hem holdë companye,
There-with affermynge, in his thought,
That, off baptysme, he sette nought.
ffor whiche, me semeth it were ffolye,
The to halden companye
With swyche ffolke in thyn entent,
Off whiche affter thow schalt repente.
“ffor I suppose that Salamoun
(Off whom thow madest mencyoun)
Wher in-ffectte, or hadde his parte,
In his dayës, off swyche arte,
As som ffolk seyne, (who kan entende,)
That hym-silffe he dyde amende
“Off that and many another thyng,
To-ffore the hour off his deiyng,
And resceyued was to grace,
And hath in heuene a dwellynge place.
(Off whom thow madest mencyoun)
Wher in-ffectte, or hadde his parte,
In his dayës, off swyche arte,
As som ffolk seyne, (who kan entende,)
That hym-silffe he dyde amende
503
To-ffore the hour off his deiyng,
And resceyued was to grace,
And hath in heuene a dwellynge place.
And semblabely, the tother man,
The gretë clerke callyd Cypryan,
To-fforne his deth, lyste to fforsake
This craffte, and ffor Crystis sake,
Suffred (as made is mencyoun)
Martirdam and passyoun,
And is in heuene stelleffyed,
And with seyntis gloreffyed.
The gretë clerke callyd Cypryan,
To-fforne his deth, lyste to fforsake
This craffte, and ffor Crystis sake,
Suffred (as made is mencyoun)
Martirdam and passyoun,
And is in heuene stelleffyed,
And with seyntis gloreffyed.
Take heede to hem, by reed off me,
And not to hem that dampned be.
Thenke on hem that ben in blysse;
And where as thow haste don amysse,
With-drawe thy ffoot, and do penaunce,
And haue in hertë répentaunce.”
And not to hem that dampned be.
Thenke on hem that ben in blysse;
And where as thow haste don amysse,
With-drawe thy ffoot, and do penaunce,
And haue in hertë répentaunce.”
The Messangere:
‘Certys,’ quod he (‘ȝeue thow lyste se,)
That thow seyste, ne may not be.
Though thyne argumente be stronge,
At that scole I haue ben longe,
And fful wel lernëd my lessoun;
And by sodeyne departysoun,
(Who takyth heede, it is no nay,)
So sone I may not part away,
As I kan not (in myne entente)
ffynde in myne hertë to repente,
Nor to departe vp-on no syde;
I am with-hoolde; I muste abyde,
With other scolers mo than oon,
Whiche that there to scolë goon,
As ffolke may sen ther, gret ffoysoun.
That thow seyste, ne may not be.
Though thyne argumente be stronge,
At that scole I haue ben longe,
And fful wel lernëd my lessoun;
And by sodeyne departysoun,
(Who takyth heede, it is no nay,)
So sone I may not part away,
As I kan not (in myne entente)
ffynde in myne hertë to repente,
Nor to departe vp-on no syde;
I am with-hoolde; I muste abyde,
With other scolers mo than oon,
Whiche that there to scolë goon,
As ffolke may sen ther, gret ffoysoun.
‘And eke my skrippe and my bordoun
Ben I-leffte in that hostage,
And lyne in maner off morgage;
And I ne may not hem recure;
And also (as I the ensure)
I gyue no forcë, in certeyn,
‘Though I neuere hem haue ageyn.’
Ben I-leffte in that hostage,
And lyne in maner off morgage;
And I ne may not hem recure;
And also (as I the ensure)
I gyue no forcë, in certeyn,
504
The Pylgryme:
And whanne that I these wordës herde,
In maner trewëly I fferde
As though I hadde astonyed be;
And, as it semed vn-to me,
I stood in a perélous cas.
And therffore I abasched was,
And sawe no bette reffute to me,
But ffro that placë ffor to ffle;
ffor he (schortely, in sentence)
To whome I neuere dyde offence,
Me to bryngen in-to distresse,
Gan to callen his maystresse
To kome vpon me in greet rape,
That I schulde hir not escape.
In maner trewëly I fferde
As though I hadde astonyed be;
And, as it semed vn-to me,
I stood in a perélous cas.
And therffore I abasched was,
And sawe no bette reffute to me,
But ffro that placë ffor to ffle;
ffor he (schortely, in sentence)
To whome I neuere dyde offence,
Me to bryngen in-to distresse,
Gan to callen his maystresse
To kome vpon me in greet rape,
That I schulde hir not escape.
And sche, off ffalse entencyoun,
Kam out off hir pávilloun
Affter me, that I wente abak,
Hydous off look, oolde and blak,
Off whom I greetly was afferd.
Kam out off hir pávilloun
Affter me, that I wente abak,
Hydous off look, oolde and blak,
Off whom I greetly was afferd.
In the mydde off a book, sche heelde a swerd;
Other scawberk hadde sche noon;
And, as I byhelde anoon,
Sche hadde (in sothe, as thoughtë me)
Largë whyngës ffor to ffle.
Other scawberk hadde sche noon;
And, as I byhelde anoon,
Sche hadde (in sothe, as thoughtë me)
Largë whyngës ffor to ffle.
And, by a maner ffelonye,
Sche gan loudë ffor to crye;
And, me manasynge off pryde,
Bad me that I schulde abyde;
And ellis, mawgrey al my myght,
I schulde not skape out off hir syght
Til I haddë in partye
Somwhat seyne off hir maystrye.
Sche gan loudë ffor to crye;
And, me manasynge off pryde,
Bad me that I schulde abyde;
And ellis, mawgrey al my myght,
I schulde not skape out off hir syght
Til I haddë in partye
Somwhat seyne off hir maystrye.
And towarde me hir look sche caste,
And gan to come vp-on fful ffaste;
But as sche kam, it semptë me,
That sche sate hygh vp-on a tre,
And pleynely gan to speceffye,
Hir namë was ‘Nygrómauncye,’
And gan to come vp-on fful ffaste;
But as sche kam, it semptë me,
That sche sate hygh vp-on a tre,
And pleynely gan to speceffye,
Hir namë was ‘Nygrómauncye,’
505
Whiche, by my craffte (in substaunce)
Kan ffolke encresse, and wel avaunce,
That ben in my subieccyoun
And lyste to leernë my lessoun.
This ilkë book that thou wolte se,
Is I-callyd Mors Anime,
Whiche is in englysche (ffor to seyn,)
‘Dethe off the sowlë,’ in certeyn.
Kan ffolke encresse, and wel avaunce,
That ben in my subieccyoun
And lyste to leernë my lessoun.
This ilkë book that thou wolte se,
Is I-callyd Mors Anime,
Whiche is in englysche (ffor to seyn,)
‘Dethe off the sowlë,’ in certeyn.
And this nakyd swerd whiche I hoolde,
(As thow mayste thi silffe byholde,)
There-with (ffor schorte conclusyoun,)
Whanne thow haste herdë my lessoun,
There-with thow schalt yslaynë be.
(As thow mayste thi silffe byholde,)
There-with (ffor schorte conclusyoun,)
Whanne thow haste herdë my lessoun,
There-with thow schalt yslaynë be.
And thus sche gan manassë me,
Where-off I stood in fful greet drede;
But off grace, (as I toke hede)
A whitë dowuë I dyde se
ffleen sodeynely towardës me;
But with me, where as I stood,
Sche ne made no lenger abood.
And I ne made no greet delay,
But wentë fforthe vp-on my way;
And I mette (or I was war)
An oolde oon, whiche that ffagot bar
Vpon hir bak, and eke therto,
In hir hand sche heelde also
A peyrë cysours scharpe I-grownde.
And, to me-ward as sche was bounde,
Sche bad (ffor schorte conclusyoun)
ffor to leye my skryppe adoun;
And gan vp-on me ffor to ffrowne,
Lowdë cryed, hir lyste not rowne:
Where-off I stood in fful greet drede;
But off grace, (as I toke hede)
A whitë dowuë I dyde se
ffleen sodeynely towardës me;
But with me, where as I stood,
Sche ne made no lenger abood.
And I ne made no greet delay,
But wentë fforthe vp-on my way;
And I mette (or I was war)
An oolde oon, whiche that ffagot bar
Vpon hir bak, and eke therto,
In hir hand sche heelde also
A peyrë cysours scharpe I-grownde.
And, to me-ward as sche was bounde,
Sche bad (ffor schorte conclusyoun)
ffor to leye my skryppe adoun;
And gan vp-on me ffor to ffrowne,
Lowdë cryed, hir lyste not rowne:
Heresye:
‘For but thow leyë here adoun,
I schal, to thi conffusyoun,
Schape thi skryppe off newe array,
ffor it is not to my pay;
506
Lyche as my-syluen lyste devyse.’
The Pylgryme:
“Thow ooldë vekke, as semeth me,
That thow mayste not clerely se;
Wherffore me lyste, by thi byddynge,
ffor to do no maner thyng,
But ȝeue to-fforne I knowe and se
Thy powere and thyn autorite;
Thy worke also, and thyne office,
I wole ffirste knowe in myn avyce.”
Heresie:
‘For pleynëly, off lasse and more,
Evene afftir my ffadris lore,
I wole (off bothë ffalse and trewe,)
The skrippës kutte and schapë newe,
Off pylgrymës greet and smale,
Kutte hem alle on pecys smale;
ffor it was I, my-silffe allon,
That schope the skryppës ȝore agon;
ffirste, off this Pellagyens,
And also off these Arryens,
And off other sectys newe,
ffoundë ffalsë, and vntrewe,
As ooldë bokës speciffye;
ffor I am callyd ‘Heresye,’
The whiche do alwey my labour
To bryngë ffolke in greet errour,
That ffolwe my condissiouns;
Only by ffalse oppynyouns,
Make her hertis to declyne
ffro the trouthe off Iuste doctryne,
And cause hem ffor to don ther cure,
And amys to expowne hooly scripture.
Evene afftir my ffadris lore,
I wole (off bothë ffalse and trewe,)
The skrippës kutte and schapë newe,
Off pylgrymës greet and smale,
Kutte hem alle on pecys smale;
ffor it was I, my-silffe allon,
That schope the skryppës ȝore agon;
ffirste, off this Pellagyens,
And also off these Arryens,
And off other sectys newe,
ffoundë ffalsë, and vntrewe,
As ooldë bokës speciffye;
ffor I am callyd ‘Heresye,’
The whiche do alwey my labour
To bryngë ffolke in greet errour,
That ffolwe my condissiouns;
Only by ffalse oppynyouns,
Make her hertis to declyne
ffro the trouthe off Iuste doctryne,
And cause hem ffor to don ther cure,
And amys to expowne hooly scripture.
‘And, trewëly, naddë bene
The greetë counceyle at Nycene,
Ordeyned by greet Constantyn,
And nadde ben also Augustyn
‘And many other greet doctours
ffor to anullë myn errours,
The skryppes off holy churche echon,
I hadde ffor-don (fful ȝore agoon,)
Off pylgrymes that passe by the way,
Sythen goon fful many a day.
The greetë counceyle at Nycene,
Ordeyned by greet Constantyn,
And nadde ben also Augustyn
507
ffor to anullë myn errours,
The skryppes off holy churche echon,
I hadde ffor-don (fful ȝore agoon,)
Off pylgrymes that passe by the way,
Sythen goon fful many a day.
‘And ȝit I schal, what so byffalle,
Assaylë thé amonge hem alle,
And myn ooldë purpos holde,
In ffyre, though that I brennë schulde,
I wole my wyttës alle applye,
Hardyd with obstýnacye,
Contynue til the ffyre be hoot;
Therffore I berë this ffagot.
Assaylë thé amonge hem alle,
And myn ooldë purpos holde,
In ffyre, though that I brennë schulde,
I wole my wyttës alle applye,
Hardyd with obstýnacye,
Contynue til the ffyre be hoot;
Therffore I berë this ffagot.
‘And ffirste, thow schalt me not escape,
But newe I wole thy skryppës schape,
Or ellis I dar vndirtake
Thát thow schalt it here fforsake,
And leve it with me vtterly:
My ffader is here ffastë by,
Whiche hathe power (as thow mayste se)
And bothë vp-on londe and see,
Thow schalt not skape hym (in certeyne,)
But with daunger and greet peyne.’
But newe I wole thy skryppës schape,
Or ellis I dar vndirtake
Thát thow schalt it here fforsake,
And leve it with me vtterly:
My ffader is here ffastë by,
Whiche hathe power (as thow mayste se)
And bothë vp-on londe and see,
Thow schalt not skape hym (in certeyne,)
But with daunger and greet peyne.’
The Pylgryme:
Myne eyen tho I gan vnffolde,
And anoon I gan byholde
In the weyë me byfforne,
An huntë stoodë with his horne,
Off chere and lookë ryght pervers.
And the passage, in travers,
With cordes he gan it ouere-leyne,
ffrette with nettys alle the pleyne.
And anoon I gan byholde
In the weyë me byfforne,
An huntë stoodë with his horne,
Off chere and lookë ryght pervers.
And the passage, in travers,
With cordes he gan it ouere-leyne,
ffrette with nettys alle the pleyne.
And he brought in his companye
The ffalsë vekkë Heresye.
And, that men schulde hym wel knowe,
His horne he gan fful lowdë blowe;
As it were to catche his pray,
Ryght so he blewë on the way,
Bad his doughter Heresye,
The passage so to kepe and guye,
That I scholde not, in no syde,
ffrom ther damage my sylffe provyde.
And trewëly (as I haue sayd)
The nettys were so narewe layd,
On lond, on water, and in the hayr,
That I myght haue no repayr
To passë ffreely that passáge.
It was so fful off mortal rage,
Off daunger and adversite,
That, but yiff I amydde the see
Durstë swymme, ther was no way
ffor me to passë, nyght nor day.
The ffalsë vekkë Heresye.
And, that men schulde hym wel knowe,
His horne he gan fful lowdë blowe;
As it were to catche his pray,
Ryght so he blewë on the way,
508
The passage so to kepe and guye,
That I scholde not, in no syde,
ffrom ther damage my sylffe provyde.
And trewëly (as I haue sayd)
The nettys were so narewe layd,
On lond, on water, and in the hayr,
That I myght haue no repayr
To passë ffreely that passáge.
It was so fful off mortal rage,
Off daunger and adversite,
That, but yiff I amydde the see
Durstë swymme, ther was no way
ffor me to passë, nyght nor day.
And there he dyde also malygne
To leyne out nettys, and assigne,
There to stoppen my passáge;
So that I ffonde noon ávauntage,
ffrom his dawngere to declyne;
ffor many an hook and many a lyne
Were caste in-to that peryllous se,
Off entente to letten me;
To leyne out nettys, and assigne,
There to stoppen my passáge;
So that I ffonde noon ávauntage,
ffrom his dawngere to declyne;
ffor many an hook and many a lyne
Were caste in-to that peryllous se,
Off entente to letten me;
That, mawgre alle my fforce and myght,
But ȝeue I kowdë swymme aryght
Amonge the wawys ffeerse and ffelle,
I muste vndir his dawnger dwelle.
But ȝeue I kowdë swymme aryght
Amonge the wawys ffeerse and ffelle,
I muste vndir his dawnger dwelle.
But ffirste, while he his trappys leyde,
Vnto the huntë thus I sayde:
Vnto the huntë thus I sayde:
The Pylgryme:
“Hvntë,” quod I, “telle me now,
What maner officere arthow,
Whiche [thus] lyggeste on the way,
Vnlaweffully to cacchë pray,
Thus to makë thyne arestis,
Namely on the kyngës beestis?
I trowe thow haueste no lycence
ffor to don so greet offence;
I dar afferme (eerly and late),
Swyche hunters, the kyng doth hate;
509
Off his, thow art noon officere.”
The hunte:
Qvod he, ‘what makystetow swyche stryff?
Thow art wonder Inquysytyff,
Besy also, by argument,
To hoolde with me a parlement,
By langáge, and longe pletyng;
ffor, though I longe not to the kyng,
(And thow conceyue aryght I-wys,)
Som tyme I was oon off his;
And though I hauë no congé
Off hym, to hunte in this contré,
He suffryth me here, in this place,
At his beestis ffor to chace,
And assaute on hem to make.
And whanne that I by fforce hem take,
Be it by day, be it by nyght,
I cleyme hem to ben myn off ryght.’
The Pylgryme:
And while I herde alle his resouns
And ffrowarde oppynyouns,
Myne herte abaschyd, gan to colde,
Namely whanne I gan byholde
Pylgrymes, by greet aduersite,
fful many oon swymme in the see;
And they were clothyd euerychon.
And som off hem, I sawe anoon,
Ther ffeet reversed vp so doun;
And som (in myn inspeccyoun)
Swommë fforth fful euene and ryght;
And som hadde whyngës ffor the fflyght,
That afforcyd hem silff fful offte
For to fflowe fful hygh alloffte.
And though ther purpos was so sette,
The see hath hem fful offtë lette;
And ffrowarde oppynyouns,
Myne herte abaschyd, gan to colde,
Namely whanne I gan byholde
Pylgrymes, by greet aduersite,
fful many oon swymme in the see;
And they were clothyd euerychon.
And som off hem, I sawe anoon,
Ther ffeet reversed vp so doun;
And som (in myn inspeccyoun)
Swommë fforth fful euene and ryght;
And som hadde whyngës ffor the fflyght,
That afforcyd hem silff fful offte
For to fflowe fful hygh alloffte.
And though ther purpos was so sette,
The see hath hem fful offtë lette;
Somme, by the ffeet were boundë stronge
With knottys, off herbis longe;
And somme, with wawës wood and rage,
Were ysmytt in ther vysage,
That they losten look and syght,
And ffeble were off fforce and myght:
And, by dyuerse ápparaylle,
The ragë so gan hem assayle,
In many another dyuerse wyse,
Mo than I may as now devyse.
With knottys, off herbis longe;
And somme, with wawës wood and rage,
510
That they losten look and syght,
And ffeble were off fforce and myght:
And, by dyuerse ápparaylle,
The ragë so gan hem assayle,
In many another dyuerse wyse,
Mo than I may as now devyse.
The Hunte:
‘I do fful wel,’ quod he, ‘espye
Where-on thow castyste so thyne eye.
ffor alle thy wylës and thi Iape,
Thow schalt not so ffro me eskape;
I schal the cacchë by som crook;
I haue leyde ffor the, las and hook,
As thow mayste thy-syluen se:
Thow schalt not skapen by this see.’
The Pylgryme:
“Telle me anoon, and lyë nought,
As it lythe, ryght in thy thought,
These pylgrymes allë that I se,
Who hathe thus putte hem in thys see?”
The hunte:
‘Is not this,’ quod he anoon,
‘An hyghë way ffor ffolke to goon
Therby, alle day in ther vyage,
Swyche as goon on pilgrymage?
I hadde not ellis (as I haue seyde)
Myne hookys and my nettys leyde,
To cacchen allë in this place
ffolke that fforby here do pace;
ffor this greetë largë see
Whichë that thow here doste se,
It is the world, ay fful off trowble,
fful off many wawys dowble,
And fful off woo and greet torment,
In whiche fful many a man is schent,
With bellewys blowe on euery syde,
Which that myne ownë douhter, Pryde,
Is wontë, with hir ffor to bere,
Good pylgrymës ffor to dere.
‘An hyghë way ffor ffolke to goon
Therby, alle day in ther vyage,
Swyche as goon on pilgrymage?
I hadde not ellis (as I haue seyde)
Myne hookys and my nettys leyde,
To cacchen allë in this place
ffolke that fforby here do pace;
ffor this greetë largë see
Whichë that thow here doste se,
It is the world, ay fful off trowble,
fful off many wawys dowble,
And fful off woo and greet torment,
In whiche fful many a man is schent,
With bellewys blowe on euery syde,
Which that myne ownë douhter, Pryde,
Is wontë, with hir ffor to bere,
Good pylgrymës ffor to dere.
511
‘And many a pylgryme thow mayste se
Swymme in this perélous see:
Sómme off hem, (whiche is not ffeyre,)
Ther ffeet han vpwarde in the ayre;
And allë swyche (ȝeue thow lyste se)
Ben thylkë ffolke that charged be
With the sak off couetyse,
And ouere-lade in many wyse,
That they, to swymmë be not able,
Ther burthen is so Importáble;
Whiche, by ffalse affeccyoun,
Ploungith her heedës low a-down
Vnder the wawys off this world here,
That they may not (in no manere)
Swymmë, ffor the hevynesse
That they bere, off greet rychesse.
Swymme in this perélous see:
Sómme off hem, (whiche is not ffeyre,)
Ther ffeet han vpwarde in the ayre;
And allë swyche (ȝeue thow lyste se)
Ben thylkë ffolke that charged be
With the sak off couetyse,
And ouere-lade in many wyse,
That they, to swymmë be not able,
Ther burthen is so Importáble;
Whiche, by ffalse affeccyoun,
Ploungith her heedës low a-down
Vnder the wawys off this world here,
That they may not (in no manere)
Swymmë, ffor the hevynesse
That they bere, off greet rychesse.
Other ther ben that swymmen ryght,
And haue eke wyngës ffor the fflyght;
And tho ben ffolkis whiche, in this lyffe,
In hertë ben contemplatyffe,
In wordely thyng haue no plesaunce,
Save in ther barë sustenaunce:
In this world, ther Ioye is nought;
ffor alle ther herte and alle ther thought,
And ffynal truste off ther workynge,
Is sette vp-on the heuenly kynge.
And haue eke wyngës ffor the fflyght;
And tho ben ffolkis whiche, in this lyffe,
In hertë ben contemplatyffe,
In wordely thyng haue no plesaunce,
Save in ther barë sustenaunce:
In this world, ther Ioye is nought;
ffor alle ther herte and alle ther thought,
And ffynal truste off ther workynge,
Is sette vp-on the heuenly kynge.
‘But ffor alle that, (I the assure,)
In this see they muste endure
Bodily, by greet penaunce,
In hevene hem sylffë to avaunce.
And, ffor the love off crist ihesu,
They make hem whyngës off vertu,
To ffleen (by clene affeccyoun)
To the heuenly mansyoun;
Whiche greetly displesith me,
Theder whanne I se hem ffle.
In this see they muste endure
Bodily, by greet penaunce,
In hevene hem sylffë to avaunce.
And, ffor the love off crist ihesu,
They make hem whyngës off vertu,
To ffleen (by clene affeccyoun)
To the heuenly mansyoun;
Whiche greetly displesith me,
Theder whanne I se hem ffle.
Swychë ffolke resemblen alle
Vn-to a bryd that clerkes calle
Ortigometra in ther bokys;
And this bryd caste his lokys
‘To-fforne hym prudently, to se
Whanne he schal swymmë in the see:
This ffoul hath whyngës ffor the fflyght,
Be he anoon off kyndely ryght.
Whanne he is wery off travayle,
And that his ffederes do hym ffayle,
Anoon (off his condiscyoun)
In-to the water he fallith doun,
And thanne to swymmë wole not ffayle:
Off his o whynge, he makith a ssayle,
Amonge the sturdy wawys alle
To kepe hym silffe, that he not ffalle,
Til he resume ageyne his myght,
Off acustom, to take his fflyght.
Thus stoundëmel ȝe may hym se,
Som tymë swymme, som tymë fflee,
In bokys as it is I-ffounde.
Vn-to a bryd that clerkes calle
Ortigometra in ther bokys;
And this bryd caste his lokys
512
Whanne he schal swymmë in the see:
This ffoul hath whyngës ffor the fflyght,
Be he anoon off kyndely ryght.
Whanne he is wery off travayle,
And that his ffederes do hym ffayle,
Anoon (off his condiscyoun)
In-to the water he fallith doun,
And thanne to swymmë wole not ffayle:
Off his o whynge, he makith a ssayle,
Amonge the sturdy wawys alle
To kepe hym silffe, that he not ffalle,
Til he resume ageyne his myght,
Off acustom, to take his fflyght.
Thus stoundëmel ȝe may hym se,
Som tymë swymme, som tymë fflee,
In bokys as it is I-ffounde.
‘But they that hauë ffeet I-bounde
With herbës and with wedës greene,
That they may not aryght sustene,
Nowther to swymmë nor to fflee,
They be so bounden in the see
Off wordely delectacyoun
In ther inwarde affeccyoun;
ffor alle ther hool ffelicyte
Is sette in veyne prosperite
Off the world, and in rychesse,
fful off chaunge and dowblenesse,
With whiche they be so sorë bounde,
That her soulis yt wole conffounde;
ffor they haue power none, nor myght,
Nowther to swymme nor ffleen aryght;
So sore the world doth hem constreyne,
That it were to hem greet peyne,
Her hertis ffro the world to vnbynde.
With herbës and with wedës greene,
That they may not aryght sustene,
Nowther to swymmë nor to fflee,
They be so bounden in the see
Off wordely delectacyoun
In ther inwarde affeccyoun;
ffor alle ther hool ffelicyte
Is sette in veyne prosperite
Off the world, and in rychesse,
fful off chaunge and dowblenesse,
With whiche they be so sorë bounde,
That her soulis yt wole conffounde;
ffor they haue power none, nor myght,
Nowther to swymme nor ffleen aryght;
So sore the world doth hem constreyne,
That it were to hem greet peyne,
Her hertis ffro the world to vnbynde.
‘And som also be makyd blynde,
Ther eyen cloos, they may not se,
ffor to considere the vanyte
Off this worldis ffalse veyneglorye,
Euere vnsure and transitorye,
‘And fful off mvtabylyte,
Whiche schewith to hem fful greet bewete
By a maner off ápparence,
But it is ffalse in éxistence;
That is fful ffoule, dothe schewë ffayre,
Lyche a ffloure that dothe vnapayre
Whanne it is plukkyd and leyde lowe,
Or with som sodeyne wynde I-blowe.
Whiche bewete (as wryte Salamoun)
Is but a ffalse decepcyoun;
And ffolkis that beth there-with blente,
Or they be war, beth offtë schente,
ffor lak ther eyen be not clere.
Ther eyen cloos, they may not se,
ffor to considere the vanyte
Off this worldis ffalse veyneglorye,
Euere vnsure and transitorye,
513
Whiche schewith to hem fful greet bewete
By a maner off ápparence,
But it is ffalse in éxistence;
That is fful ffoule, dothe schewë ffayre,
Lyche a ffloure that dothe vnapayre
Whanne it is plukkyd and leyde lowe,
Or with som sodeyne wynde I-blowe.
Whiche bewete (as wryte Salamoun)
Is but a ffalse decepcyoun;
And ffolkis that beth there-with blente,
Or they be war, beth offtë schente,
ffor lak ther eyen be not clere.
‘Eke som ther swymmes (as ȝe may leere)
With hand and armys strecchyd out;
Swyche as parte her good aboute
To porë ffolkis that haue neede;
And swyche vnbynde her ffeet, in deede,
ffrom wordely delectacyoun,
And off devoute entencyoun,
By councel off her cónffessour,
Vnbynde her ffeet, by greet labour,
ffor to goon in there vyáges,
Barffote, to sekë pilgrymáges;
Off ther synnës to haue pardoun,
fforȝeuenesse and remyssyoun,
Whanne ther menynge trewëly
Is voyde ffrom al ypocrysy.
With hand and armys strecchyd out;
Swyche as parte her good aboute
To porë ffolkis that haue neede;
And swyche vnbynde her ffeet, in deede,
ffrom wordely delectacyoun,
And off devoute entencyoun,
By councel off her cónffessour,
Vnbynde her ffeet, by greet labour,
ffor to goon in there vyáges,
Barffote, to sekë pilgrymáges;
Off ther synnës to haue pardoun,
fforȝeuenesse and remyssyoun,
Whanne ther menynge trewëly
Is voyde ffrom al ypocrysy.
And thus as now (withoutë slouthe)
To the I hauë tolde the trouthe.
To the I hauë tolde the trouthe.
‘And trewely ȝit, ouere alle thyng,
I hatë trowthe in my workyng;
And off malys, bothe day and nyght,
Werrey trouthe with al my myght.
I hatë trowthe in my workyng;
And off malys, bothe day and nyght,
Werrey trouthe with al my myght.
‘By namë, callyd I am Sathan;
The whiche, as ffer as euere I kan,
I worke, in myne entencyoun,
ffor to cacche, in my bandoun,
Alle pylgrymes (as thow mayst se,)
That swymmen in the wawy see
‘Off this world, fful off disseyte.
The whiche, as ffer as euere I kan,
I worke, in myne entencyoun,
ffor to cacche, in my bandoun,
Alle pylgrymes (as thow mayst se,)
That swymmen in the wawy see
514
‘And euere I lye in greet awayte,
And no moment I ne ffyne
ffor to leyne out hook and lyne.
And no moment I ne ffyne
ffor to leyne out hook and lyne.
‘My lyne (by demonstracyoun)
I-callyd is Temptacyoun;
And whanne that ffolke (in ther entente)
Off herte and wylle ther-to concente,
Thanne on myn hook (by ffalse awayte,)
They ben I-cacchyd with the bayte;
And thannë, by fful mortal lawe,
Tó my bandoun, I hem drawe.
I-callyd is Temptacyoun;
And whanne that ffolke (in ther entente)
Off herte and wylle ther-to concente,
Thanne on myn hook (by ffalse awayte,)
They ben I-cacchyd with the bayte;
And thannë, by fful mortal lawe,
Tó my bandoun, I hem drawe.
‘I leye out nettës nyght and day,
In water and lond, to cacche my pray.
In water and lond, to cacche my pray.
‘With nettys, I haue eke my repayre
ffor bryddes that ffleen eke in the hayre,
ffor to make hem ffalle adown
ffrom ther contemplacyown.
And, thus ffolkys to bygyle,
I am a ffoulere eke som whyle;
ffor alle that hygh or lowë goon,
I makë nettis ffor euerychoon,
(In myne entente, it is no drede),
To cacche hem, outher by ffoot or hede,
As an vreyne wewyth a calle,
To makë fflyes there-in to ffalle.
ffor bryddes that ffleen eke in the hayre,
ffor to make hem ffalle adown
ffrom ther contemplacyown.
And, thus ffolkys to bygyle,
I am a ffoulere eke som whyle;
ffor alle that hygh or lowë goon,
I makë nettis ffor euerychoon,
(In myne entente, it is no drede),
To cacche hem, outher by ffoot or hede,
As an vreyne wewyth a calle,
To makë fflyes there-in to ffalle.
‘But I ne may not do no wronge
To ffolke that ben in vertu stronge.
I venquysche (nouther nygh nor fferre)
No man that halte ageyne me werre;
And ffeble is my vyolence,
Whanne ther is manly résystence.
To ffolke that ben in vertu stronge.
I venquysche (nouther nygh nor fferre)
No man that halte ageyne me werre;
And ffeble is my vyolence,
Whanne ther is manly résystence.
And ȝit I haue a thowsande treynes,
And as many laas and cheynes,
With whiche I compasse, day by day,
To lettë pylgrymes on ther way;
ffor I, by ffalse illusyoun
And by dyssumylacyoun,
Kan me transfformë (anoon ryght,)
To lykenesse off an aungel bryght;
‘Take off hym the résemblaunce,
The vesage and the contenaunce,
So to disseyuen, in couert;
And to an heremyte in desert;
I dyde oonës so appere,
fful off ffetheres bryght and clere,
And toke on me the message
Off an aungel, by my vysage,
And bad vn-to that hooly man
To kepe hym warly ffrom Sathan,
ffor he was schapen, by batayle,
The nexte morewe, hym to assayle;
And tolde hym also, (ffynally,
ffor to disceyve hym sotylly,)
He woldë takë, (in sothenesse,)
Off hys ffader the lyknesse,
Bothe vesage and contenaunce,
The maner and the résemblaunce.
And as many laas and cheynes,
With whiche I compasse, day by day,
To lettë pylgrymes on ther way;
ffor I, by ffalse illusyoun
And by dyssumylacyoun,
Kan me transfformë (anoon ryght,)
To lykenesse off an aungel bryght;
515
The vesage and the contenaunce,
So to disseyuen, in couert;
And to an heremyte in desert;
I dyde oonës so appere,
fful off ffetheres bryght and clere,
And toke on me the message
Off an aungel, by my vysage,
And bad vn-to that hooly man
To kepe hym warly ffrom Sathan,
ffor he was schapen, by batayle,
The nexte morewe, hym to assayle;
And tolde hym also, (ffynally,
ffor to disceyve hym sotylly,)
He woldë takë, (in sothenesse,)
Off hys ffader the lyknesse,
Bothe vesage and contenaunce,
The maner and the résemblaunce.
‘And bad the heremyte anoon ryght
To fforce hym, at the ffirstë syght,
To smyte hym ffirste, with knyffe or swerde,
And no thyng to ben afferde
With al his myghtty vyolence,
Whanne he cam ffirste to his presence.
To fforce hym, at the ffirstë syght,
To smyte hym ffirste, with knyffe or swerde,
And no thyng to ben afferde
With al his myghtty vyolence,
Whanne he cam ffirste to his presence.
And so, vpon the nextë morewe,
ffor to encresse his dool and sorewe,
I made his ffader hym vesyte;
And anoon, this seyde heremyte,
This Innocent, thys cely man,
Wenynge hit haddë be Sathan,
Vp sterte anoon, and toke a knyff,
And raffte his ffader off his lyff,
That he to groundë ffel downe deed.
ffor to encresse his dool and sorewe,
I made his ffader hym vesyte;
And anoon, this seyde heremyte,
This Innocent, thys cely man,
Wenynge hit haddë be Sathan,
Vp sterte anoon, and toke a knyff,
And raffte his ffader off his lyff,
That he to groundë ffel downe deed.
‘And thus I kan (who takyth heed)
A thousande weyës, ffolke dysceyue,
Or they my treynës kan conceyue.
And therffore, be wel war off me,
ffor I caste eke dysseyuë the;
Ȝeue I at largë may the ffynde,
‘In my laas I schal the bynde;
A thousande weyës, ffolke dysceyue,
Or they my treynës kan conceyue.
And therffore, be wel war off me,
ffor I caste eke dysseyuë the;
Ȝeue I at largë may the ffynde,
516
ffor, as seynt Petre lyste endyte,
And in his pystelys ffor to wryte,
I go and serchë, day and nyght,
With alle my fforce, with al my myght,
Lyche a ravenous lyoun,
ffor to devoure, vp and doun,
Allë ffolkys, ȝonge and oolde,
That lambre be off cristis ffoolde.
I haue off hem, fful ȝore agoon,
Off hem devoured many oon;
Strangelyd mo than I kan telle;
And that were to longe to dwelle,
ffor to rekene hem alle in nowmbre,
Thousandis mo than I kan nowmbre;
And trewely, in two hundred ȝer,
I koude not tellë the maner
Off alle my treynës by and by.
And in his pystelys ffor to wryte,
I go and serchë, day and nyght,
With alle my fforce, with al my myght,
Lyche a ravenous lyoun,
ffor to devoure, vp and doun,
Allë ffolkys, ȝonge and oolde,
That lambre be off cristis ffoolde.
I haue off hem, fful ȝore agoon,
Off hem devoured many oon;
Strangelyd mo than I kan telle;
And that were to longe to dwelle,
ffor to rekene hem alle in nowmbre,
Thousandis mo than I kan nowmbre;
And trewely, in two hundred ȝer,
I koude not tellë the maner
Off alle my treynës by and by.
‘And I warne the outerly,
Thow schalt not lyghttely (ȝeue I may,)
ffro my daunger skape away.’
Thow schalt not lyghttely (ȝeue I may,)
ffro my daunger skape away.’
The Pylgryme:
“Wher thow be wel or yuel apayd
In the wordes that thow haste sayd,
I haue ffounden a greet dyffence,
To make ageyne thé, résistence,
And conceyued it in my thought.
Blowe thyne horne, and sparë nought,
ffor thow schalt ffayle (ȝeue that I may)
To make off me schortely thi pray.”
In the wordes that thow haste sayd,
I haue ffounden a greet dyffence,
To make ageyne thé, résistence,
And conceyued it in my thought.
Blowe thyne horne, and sparë nought,
ffor thow schalt ffayle (ȝeue that I may)
To make off me schortely thi pray.”
And to be more stronge in vertu,
With the crosse off crist ihesu,
And off his gracë moste benygne,
I gan me crossen, and eke sygne,
ffor to assurë my passage
Ageyne his laas so fful off rage.
With the crosse off crist ihesu,
And off his gracë moste benygne,
I gan me crossen, and eke sygne,
ffor to assurë my passage
Ageyne his laas so fful off rage.
And by my crossynge, I anoon
Gan to passe hem euerichoon;
They hadde no power ffor to laste;
ffor, by the vertu, they to-braste;
And I anoon gan ffastë fflee,
And wolde haue taken anoon the see;
But, longe or I entter myght,
Whan Sathan off me hadde a syght,
He gan to crye (so stood the cas)
‘Out and harow! allas, allas!’
Gan to passe hem euerichoon;
They hadde no power ffor to laste;
ffor, by the vertu, they to-braste;
517
And wolde haue taken anoon the see;
But, longe or I entter myght,
Whan Sathan off me hadde a syght,
He gan to crye (so stood the cas)
‘Out and harow! allas, allas!’
Sathan the hunte weymentith
And tormentyth with hym silffe.
‘Vnhappy, and fful off meschaunce
I was, whanne I dyde me avaunce
In any wysë ffor to teche
Vertu, or trowthë ffor to preche;
ffor, it longeth not to me
To techë trouthe in no degre;
But, off ffortune it happë so,
That I be cónstreynëd ther-to,
By vertu off som orysoun
Or by som conyurisoun,
That greetë clerkës me compelle,
The verrey trowthë ffor to telle,
Mawgrey my wylle, off many a thyng,
By vertu off the greetë kyng.
ffor ellys (who that kan espye)
My purpos is, euere ffor to lye,
And haue disseyued fful many a man,
Ryght as dydë Iulyan.
I was, whanne I dyde me avaunce
In any wysë ffor to teche
Vertu, or trowthë ffor to preche;
ffor, it longeth not to me
To techë trouthe in no degre;
But, off ffortune it happë so,
That I be cónstreynëd ther-to,
By vertu off som orysoun
Or by som conyurisoun,
That greetë clerkës me compelle,
The verrey trowthë ffor to telle,
Mawgrey my wylle, off many a thyng,
By vertu off the greetë kyng.
ffor ellys (who that kan espye)
My purpos is, euere ffor to lye,
And haue disseyued fful many a man,
Ryght as dydë Iulyan.
‘Though I were by hym constreyned,
And by his charmës greetly peyned,
Ȝit at the laste, whanne I abrayde,
I lyëd, alle that euere I sayde.
And now I oughte a-cursyd be,
Whanne that I gan medle me
To seyne a trouthe agaynës kynde,
Sethen men, in me may noon ffynde;
There-off I répente me fful sore,
With trowthë, medle I wole no more.’
And by his charmës greetly peyned,
Ȝit at the laste, whanne I abrayde,
I lyëd, alle that euere I sayde.
And now I oughte a-cursyd be,
Whanne that I gan medle me
To seyne a trouthe agaynës kynde,
Sethen men, in me may noon ffynde;
There-off I répente me fful sore,
With trowthë, medle I wole no more.’
The Pylgryme answerth to Satan:
“O Sathan, thi displesaunce
Was to me fful greet plesaunce,
“Releuynge me off my distresse.”
I took there-off greet hardynesse,
Made as tho no lenger lette,
I spared nowther hook nor nette,
But, trustynge (in conclusyoun)
Vp-on my skrippe and my burdoun,
And there-vp-on I bylened me
Whanne I entryd in-to the see;
And, in swymmynge to be more stable,
Me thought my skryppë proffitable
To kepe me sure in herte and thought,
In my way, that I errëd nought.
Was to me fful greet plesaunce,
518
I took there-off greet hardynesse,
Made as tho no lenger lette,
I spared nowther hook nor nette,
But, trustynge (in conclusyoun)
Vp-on my skrippe and my burdoun,
And there-vp-on I bylened me
Whanne I entryd in-to the see;
And, in swymmynge to be more stable,
Me thought my skryppë proffitable
To kepe me sure in herte and thought,
In my way, that I errëd nought.
Trewely, in this dredefful see,
Is greet myscheeff and aduersyte:
Many a perel (I ȝou ensure,)
And many a straungë áventure
I ffeltë tho in my passage,
Off wawys and off rokkis rage,
And many a tempeste (in certeyn)
Off thondrynge, lyghtnynge, and off reyn,
And other perels that be-ffelle,
That, ȝeue I schulde hem allë telle,
Or the myschévës alle endyte,
They were to longë for to wryte.
Is greet myscheeff and aduersyte:
Many a perel (I ȝou ensure,)
And many a straungë áventure
I ffeltë tho in my passage,
Off wawys and off rokkis rage,
And many a tempeste (in certeyn)
Off thondrynge, lyghtnynge, and off reyn,
And other perels that be-ffelle,
That, ȝeue I schulde hem allë telle,
Or the myschévës alle endyte,
They were to longë for to wryte.
But while that I, in my passáge,
Byheelde the see, sterne and saváge,
Me thought I sawe bysydë me,
That there stood a greenë tre;
And I was glad alle thilkë while,
Wenynge there hadde ben an yle,
In hopë that I schuldë londe,
Hastely, vp at som stronde,
Whiche was to me fful greet plesaunce.
Byheelde the see, sterne and saváge,
Me thought I sawe bysydë me,
That there stood a greenë tre;
And I was glad alle thilkë while,
Wenynge there hadde ben an yle,
In hopë that I schuldë londe,
Hastely, vp at som stronde,
Whiche was to me fful greet plesaunce.
And as I gan my silffe avaunce,
And thederward gan ffastë hye,
Anoon my sylffe I dyde aspye
(Whanne that I gan lokë wel)
That I was caste vp-on a whel,
Off whiche to-fforne I sawgh no thynge;
ffor the ffloodes, in ther fflowynge,
Hadde with his wawës euerydel
Ouere-fflowyd so that whel,
That I toke no heede there-at,
Tyl sodeynely there-on I sat.
And wyldëly the wawys smette
Vp-on this whel, ay as they mette;
And thederward gan ffastë hye,
Anoon my sylffe I dyde aspye
(Whanne that I gan lokë wel)
That I was caste vp-on a whel,
Off whiche to-fforne I sawgh no thynge;
519
Hadde with his wawës euerydel
Ouere-fflowyd so that whel,
That I toke no heede there-at,
Tyl sodeynely there-on I sat.
And wyldëly the wawys smette
Vp-on this whel, ay as they mette;
And euere round, (as thoughtë me,)
This whel wente aboute the tre,
Where-off, I astonyed was,
Whanne I sawe this sodeyne caas.
Vp on whichë tre anoon,
I sawgh nestys fful many oon;
And bryddës (that I koudë knowe,)
Sommë hyh, and sommë lowe,
Ther nestis made (I toke good hede)
Grete and smale (it is no drede).
This whel wente aboute the tre,
Where-off, I astonyed was,
Whanne I sawe this sodeyne caas.
Vp on whichë tre anoon,
I sawgh nestys fful many oon;
And bryddës (that I koudë knowe,)
Sommë hyh, and sommë lowe,
Ther nestis made (I toke good hede)
Grete and smale (it is no drede).
And I demëd, in certeyne,
That this tre haddë hoolys tweyne;
And on the hygher hoole aloffte,
I sawe an hand putte out fful offte.
And this hand (as to my look)
To the nestis put up an hook,
And (as to myne inspeccyoun)
Was besy to pulle the nestis doun.
That this tre haddë hoolys tweyne;
And on the hygher hoole aloffte,
I sawe an hand putte out fful offte.
And this hand (as to my look)
To the nestis put up an hook,
And (as to myne inspeccyoun)
Was besy to pulle the nestis doun.
And as I stode a lytel throwe
At the hoole that stood moste lowe,
I sawgh heedës lokynge oute
Towarde the braunches rounde aboute,
In purpos (ȝeue it myght haue be)
To clymbe vp hyghë on that tre:
They wolde haue take it ffayne in honde.
At the hoole that stood moste lowe,
I sawgh heedës lokynge oute
Towarde the braunches rounde aboute,
In purpos (ȝeue it myght haue be)
To clymbe vp hyghë on that tre:
They wolde haue take it ffayne in honde.
And there I sawe a lady stonde
Amonge the wyldë wawys trowble,
Vp-on a whel dyuerse and dowble.
Departyd was her garnemente,
Halffe hool, and haluendel was rente;
The to party, as snow was white
To loke vp-on, off greet delyte;
The tother party (ás thought me)
Was ffoule and owgely on to se.
Amonge the wyldë wawys trowble,
Vp-on a whel dyuerse and dowble.
Departyd was her garnemente,
Halffe hool, and haluendel was rente;
The to party, as snow was white
To loke vp-on, off greet delyte;
The tother party (ás thought me)
520
And hir vysage eke also
Was departyd euene a two;
The to party was amyable,
And to byholdë délytable,
Bothe off porte and off manere,
Glad and lawynge off hir chere;
Was departyd euene a two;
The to party was amyable,
And to byholdë délytable,
Bothe off porte and off manere,
Glad and lawynge off hir chere;
The tother syde, hydous and old,
Whiche was ryuelyd many ffold;
And on hir schuldres rownd and square,
A crokyd staffe in sothe sche bare.
Whiche was ryuelyd many ffold;
And on hir schuldres rownd and square,
A crokyd staffe in sothe sche bare.
And whanne I gan al this aduerte,
Dyscomffórtyd in myn herte
Dyscomffórtyd in myn herte
Thanne was I, greetly agaste;
And my burdoun I heelde ryghte ffaste,
And dyde also greetly my peyne
To grype it with myne handës tweyne;
And seyde, (off sodeyne moscyoun,)
“Bordoun,” quod I, “bordoun, bordoun!
But thow me helpë in this caas,
I may wepe and seyne ‘allas,’
My peynës ben so scharpe and kene.
And but thow helpë to sustene
Myne nownpowere and inpotence,
That I may stonden at dyffence
Vp-on my ffeet, and that anoon,
ffare-wel! my Ioye is alle agoon!”
And my burdoun I heelde ryghte ffaste,
And dyde also greetly my peyne
To grype it with myne handës tweyne;
And seyde, (off sodeyne moscyoun,)
“Bordoun,” quod I, “bordoun, bordoun!
But thow me helpë in this caas,
I may wepe and seyne ‘allas,’
My peynës ben so scharpe and kene.
And but thow helpë to sustene
Myne nownpowere and inpotence,
That I may stonden at dyffence
Vp-on my ffeet, and that anoon,
ffare-wel! my Ioye is alle agoon!”
But tho, thorough helpe off my bordoun,
I roos vp as a champyoun.
I roos vp as a champyoun.
But whanne this lady dyde espye
That I was vp, sche gan to hye
ffor to haue putte me doun ageyn;
And I trowe ryght wel certeyn,
That, but I haddë spoken ffayre,
And off my porte be debonayre,
I hadde ben to ffeble off myght,
Vp-on my ffeet to stonde vp ryght.
That I was vp, sche gan to hye
ffor to haue putte me doun ageyn;
And I trowe ryght wel certeyn,
That, but I haddë spoken ffayre,
And off my porte be debonayre,
I hadde ben to ffeble off myght,
Vp-on my ffeet to stonde vp ryght.
Bvt I abrayde, and bade in deede
that sche scholdë taken heede
To thilkë party that was ffayre
Off hir, and putte me ffro dispayre,
And schewë, lyke hir contenaunce,
Som counfforte or som plesaunce;
And that sche wolde expownë me
What lady that sche schuldë be,
Hir name, hir power, euerydel,
Bothe off hir and off hir whel,
And off the tre, and off the croppe,
And off the nestis in the coppe,
And do to me som ávauntage,
To ffurthre me in my vyage.
that sche scholdë taken heede
521
Off hir, and putte me ffro dispayre,
And schewë, lyke hir contenaunce,
Som counfforte or som plesaunce;
And that sche wolde expownë me
What lady that sche schuldë be,
Hir name, hir power, euerydel,
Bothe off hir and off hir whel,
And off the tre, and off the croppe,
And off the nestis in the coppe,
And do to me som ávauntage,
To ffurthre me in my vyage.
ffortune:
‘In me (schortely to expresse)
There is no maner stablenesse;
ffor, (be hereoff ryght wel certeyn,)
Alle that I worke, is vncerteyn;
Lyke my dowble contenaunce,
I am so fful off variaunce.
Therffore, to axe how I me guye,
It is no wysdam, but ffolye;
I worke no thyng in certeynte,
But fful off greet duplycyte.
I am what-euere I do provyde;
ffor I lawe on the ryghtë syde,
And schewe a cher off greet delyte
On the party that I am white.
Thanne men me callë ‘glad ffortune’;
But, no while I do contune;
ffor, longe or ffolke may aparceyue,
I kan hem sodeynely disseyue,
And make her Ioyë go to wrak
Wyth ffroward mowhës at the bak.
There is no maner stablenesse;
ffor, (be hereoff ryght wel certeyn,)
Alle that I worke, is vncerteyn;
Lyke my dowble contenaunce,
I am so fful off variaunce.
Therffore, to axe how I me guye,
It is no wysdam, but ffolye;
I worke no thyng in certeynte,
But fful off greet duplycyte.
I am what-euere I do provyde;
ffor I lawe on the ryghtë syde,
And schewe a cher off greet delyte
On the party that I am white.
Thanne men me callë ‘glad ffortune’;
But, no while I do contune;
ffor, longe or ffolke may aparceyue,
I kan hem sodeynely disseyue,
And make her Ioyë go to wrak
Wyth ffroward mowhës at the bak.
‘Than y, lykned to the moone,
ffolk wyl chaunge my namë sone;
And fro my whel whan they are falle,
“Infortunë’ they me calle.
To ffolk vnworthy, and nat dygne,
I am somwhylë most benygne,
Lyggynge awayt in euery cost,
Off ffolk whom that I cherysshe most.
And who that on me set hys lust,
I kan deceyve hym off hys trust.
Tak hed pleynly, and thow shalt se
A pleyn exaumple off thys tre,
How thys tre (at O word)
May be resemblyd to the world.
ffolk wyl chaunge my namë sone;
And fro my whel whan they are falle,
522
To ffolk vnworthy, and nat dygne,
I am somwhylë most benygne,
Lyggynge awayt in euery cost,
Off ffolk whom that I cherysshe most.
And who that on me set hys lust,
I kan deceyve hym off hys trust.
Tak hed pleynly, and thow shalt se
A pleyn exaumple off thys tre,
How thys tre (at O word)
May be resemblyd to the world.
‘ffyrst, in thys world be grete estatys,
Off kyngës, prynces, and off prelátys,
Wych in thys erthë chaungen offte.
And the nestys hyh aloffte
Ben degrëes off lordshepe,
That so offte on heihtë lepe,
Bothe off hyh and lowh degre.
Off kyngës, prynces, and off prelátys,
Wych in thys erthë chaungen offte.
And the nestys hyh aloffte
Ben degrëes off lordshepe,
That so offte on heihtë lepe,
Bothe off hyh and lowh degre.
‘And they that al by-nethë be,
Loke vp-ward, and al day gaze,
As yt wer vp-on A maze:
Tho be they, that so offte
Desyre for to clymbe aloffte
To hih estat and hih degre,
ffrom ther estaat off pouerte.
Loke vp-ward, and al day gaze,
As yt wer vp-on A maze:
Tho be they, that so offte
Desyre for to clymbe aloffte
To hih estat and hih degre,
ffrom ther estaat off pouerte.
‘Somme off hem may longe abyde,
ffor I sette hem offte asyde;
Wych thyng to hym ys no thyng soote,
Whan they be longe pút vnder ffoote
Thorgh my double varyaunce.
And sommë kan han suffysaunce,
And ben ryht glad in ther entent
Off the lytel that god hath sent;
They ha no care for ther dyspence.
And somme haue euere Indygence,
And kan with no thyng be content,
With coveytyse they be so blent,
Wych, for ther ounë wrechchydnesse,
Lyve euere in pouert and dystresse.
ffor I sette hem offte asyde;
Wych thyng to hym ys no thyng soote,
Whan they be longe pút vnder ffoote
Thorgh my double varyaunce.
And sommë kan han suffysaunce,
And ben ryht glad in ther entent
Off the lytel that god hath sent;
They ha no care for ther dyspence.
And somme haue euere Indygence,
And kan with no thyng be content,
With coveytyse they be so blent,
Wych, for ther ounë wrechchydnesse,
Lyve euere in pouert and dystresse.
‘Touchyng my whel (yt ys no doute,)
‘Wych tourneth euere round aboute,
Ther may no man aloffte Abyde
But yiff so be I be hys guyde.
Yt turneth euere to and ffro;
The pley ther-off ys meynt with wo;
The wychë whel (who that kan se,)
Ys a pereyl off the se,
On, the grettest off echon,
ffor to rekne hem on by on;
And, thys phylisoffres alle,
‘Karybdis’ lyst yt for to calle,
Yt devoureth so many A man,
Ye, mo than I rehersë kan.’
523
Ther may no man aloffte Abyde
But yiff so be I be hys guyde.
Yt turneth euere to and ffro;
The pley ther-off ys meynt with wo;
The wychë whel (who that kan se,)
Ys a pereyl off the se,
On, the grettest off echon,
ffor to rekne hem on by on;
And, thys phylisoffres alle,
‘Karybdis’ lyst yt for to calle,
Yt devoureth so many A man,
Ye, mo than I rehersë kan.’
The Pylgrym:
“Touchyng thy staff, tel on, lat se
What maner tookne yt may be,
That yt corbyd lych and Crook,
And mad in maner off an hook.”
Dame Fortune:
‘With thys Crook, by gret vengaunce,
ffolk, that to soon I dyde avaunce,
Thorgh my transmutacïoun,
Al sodeynly I rende hem doun,
That sat in chayerys hih aloffte;
To whom ther fal ys no thyng soffte.
Reyse vp ageyn al sodeynly
Other that be nothyng worthy,
And cause ek sommë (Est and west)
ffor to bylde fful hih ther nest
And ther habytcïoun;
Somtyme, off wyl, nat off resoun,
I take noon hed off no degre,
But only off my volunte.’
The Pylgryme:
“fful ffayn I wolde ek vnderstonde
The menyng also off the hond,
At the hoolë hyh aloffte,
That reyseth vp his crook so offte,
The nestys for to rende a-doun:
Tel me thexposicïoun.”
524
‘The nestys hih vp-on the tre,
That ben hyest off degre,
Ben they off ryht and good resoun
That entre by successïoun,
As kynges, by iust enherytaunce,
Whom that trouthë lyst avaunce
Only by lyneal dyscent,
Hys lyges echon off assent;
Or, for lak off successïoun,
Swyche as by elleccïoun
Ben reysed vp to hih degre,
As many princes and lordys be.
That ben hyest off degre,
Ben they off ryht and good resoun
That entre by successïoun,
As kynges, by iust enherytaunce,
Whom that trouthë lyst avaunce
Only by lyneal dyscent,
Hys lyges echon off assent;
Or, for lak off successïoun,
Swyche as by elleccïoun
Ben reysed vp to hih degre,
As many princes and lordys be.
‘Thogh I to hem have envye,
To reve hem off ther Regalye,
Yet, thogh I ther-to haue no myght
ffor to robbe hem off ther ryht,
Yet (who lyst looke with Eyen cler)
They be ful offte in my daunger;
ffor they may nat assuryd be
Ageyn my mutabylyte,
Nor ageyn my mortal stryff;
ffor offtë sythe they lese her lyff
By compassyng off ffals Tresoun,
By mordre also, and poysoun.
And trewly, al thys frowardnesse
Ys tookned by the crookydnesse
Off my staff and off my crok,
Wrong at the ende, as ys an hook.
To reve hem off ther Regalye,
Yet, thogh I ther-to haue no myght
ffor to robbe hem off ther ryht,
Yet (who lyst looke with Eyen cler)
They be ful offte in my daunger;
ffor they may nat assuryd be
Ageyn my mutabylyte,
Nor ageyn my mortal stryff;
ffor offtë sythe they lese her lyff
By compassyng off ffals Tresoun,
By mordre also, and poysoun.
And trewly, al thys frowardnesse
Ys tookned by the crookydnesse
Off my staff and off my crok,
Wrong at the ende, as ys an hook.
‘And whan I loke with Eyen cler,
Lawhe on ffolk, and make hem cher,
Thanne lygge I rathest in a-wayt,
ffor to don hem som deceyt.
Lawhe on ffolk, and make hem cher,
Thanne lygge I rathest in a-wayt,
ffor to don hem som deceyt.
‘Lo, her ys al; go forth thy way;
And trustë wel, yiff that I may,
What weye euere that thow go,
Or thy pylgrymage be do,—
Tourne yt to sour, outher to swete,—
Onys I shal yet with the mete.’
And trustë wel, yiff that I may,
What weye euere that thow go,
Or thy pylgrymage be do,—
Tourne yt to sour, outher to swete,—
Onys I shal yet with the mete.’
Fortune is walkyd.
525
And ffortune wente her way A-noon.
And also sone as she was gon,
I stood in dred and in gret doute
Vp-on hyr whel turnynge aboute,
Tyl that, by reuolucïoun,
I was cast fful lowe A-doun,
By power off that double quene;
ffor, I myghte me nat sustene,
In iupartye and in gret dred,
Wysshynge that I hadde be ded.
I stood in dred and in gret doute
Vp-on hyr whel turnynge aboute,
Tyl that, by reuolucïoun,
I was cast fful lowe A-doun,
By power off that double quene;
ffor, I myghte me nat sustene,
In iupartye and in gret dred,
Wysshynge that I hadde be ded.
And in trouble and gret peyne,
Thanne I gan my sylff compleyne,
Dysconsolaat off al vertu,
Only for lak off Gracë Dieu,
That was whylom to me ffrendly,
Whom I ha lost thorgh my foly,
Wher-off I felte ful gret offence,
That I forsook so penytence,
Only (allas!) for lak off grace,
By hyr sharpë heggh to passe,
Wher I myhte have had socours,
And medycyne to myn Errours,
By hyr spyrytual doctryne
ffro the wyche I dyde enclyne.
Allas, my woful aventure,
That I lefftë myn Armure
Behyndë me, allas, in veyn!
Thanne I gan my sylff compleyne,
Dysconsolaat off al vertu,
Only for lak off Gracë Dieu,
That was whylom to me ffrendly,
Whom I ha lost thorgh my foly,
Wher-off I felte ful gret offence,
That I forsook so penytence,
Only (allas!) for lak off grace,
By hyr sharpë heggh to passe,
Wher I myhte have had socours,
And medycyne to myn Errours,
By hyr spyrytual doctryne
ffro the wyche I dyde enclyne.
Allas, my woful aventure,
That I lefftë myn Armure
Behyndë me, allas, in veyn!
But yiff I myhte hem gete ageyn,
I sholdë lyue bettre in pes,
And nó mor ben so rekëles;
But, allas my woful ffaate!
I make my cómpleynt al to late;
ffor I stonde in Iupartye
Only off deth, thorgh my ffolye.
Allas! what may I now best werche?
O sacramentys off the cherche,
I hope by gracë wel certeyn,
I receyvede yow nat in veyn;
But now, allas, that I am falle,
I ha lost yow, on and alle,
And ha no sustentacïoun
In my skryppe nor my bordoun,
Wher-on that I may lenë me,
Toward Ierusalem the cyte.
I sholdë lyue bettre in pes,
And nó mor ben so rekëles;
But, allas my woful ffaate!
I make my cómpleynt al to late;
ffor I stonde in Iupartye
Only off deth, thorgh my ffolye.
Allas! what may I now best werche?
O sacramentys off the cherche,
I hope by gracë wel certeyn,
I receyvede yow nat in veyn;
But now, allas, that I am falle,
I ha lost yow, on and alle,
526
In my skryppe nor my bordoun,
Wher-on that I may lenë me,
Toward Ierusalem the cyte.
And thogh al day I studye and muse,
How shal I my sylff excuse,
Or what answere shal I make,
Off al that I ha vndertake,
And behihte in my corage,
To fulfyllë my vyage,
What fyrst I hadde inspeccïoun
Off that noble Royal toun,
Wyth-Inne A merour, shene and bryht,
Wych gaff to me so cler a lyht,
That ther-wyth-al I was a-noon
Ravysshëd, thyder for to gon;
But I may syngë ‘weyllaway’;
I am arestyd on the way,
And dystourblyd her, wepynge.
How shal I my sylff excuse,
Or what answere shal I make,
Off al that I ha vndertake,
And behihte in my corage,
To fulfyllë my vyage,
What fyrst I hadde inspeccïoun
Off that noble Royal toun,
Wyth-Inne A merour, shene and bryht,
Wych gaff to me so cler a lyht,
That ther-wyth-al I was a-noon
Ravysshëd, thyder for to gon;
But I may syngë ‘weyllaway’;
I am arestyd on the way,
And dystourblyd her, wepynge.
And whyl I lay thus cómpleynynge,
And knewh non helpë nor respyt,
A-noon ther kam A dowë whyht
Towardys me, by goddys wylle,
And brouhtë me a lytel bylle,
And vndyde yt in my syht;
And affter that she took hyr flyht,
And, fro me gan passe away.
And knewh non helpë nor respyt,
A-noon ther kam A dowë whyht
Towardys me, by goddys wylle,
And brouhtë me a lytel bylle,
And vndyde yt in my syht;
And affter that she took hyr flyht,
And, fro me gan passe away.
And I, with-outë mor delay,
Gan the byllë to vnfolde;
And ther-in I gan beholde,
How Gracë dieu, to myn avayl,
In that bylle gaff me counsayl,
‘That I sholde, ful humblëly
Knelynge on my knes, deuoutly
Saluë, with fful good avys,
The blyssede quen off paradys,
Wych bar, for Our savacïon,
The ffrut off Our redempcïon.
And the ffourme off thys prayere
Ys ywrete, as ye shal here,
In Ordre pleynly (who kan se)
By maner off An .A. b. c.;
And ye may knowe yt sone, and rede,
And seyn yt whan that ye ha nede.
Gan the byllë to vnfolde;
And ther-in I gan beholde,
How Gracë dieu, to myn avayl,
In that bylle gaff me counsayl,
‘That I sholde, ful humblëly
Knelynge on my knes, deuoutly
Saluë, with fful good avys,
The blyssede quen off paradys,
Wych bar, for Our savacïon,
527
And the ffourme off thys prayere
Ys ywrete, as ye shal here,
In Ordre pleynly (who kan se)
By maner off An .A. b. c.;
And ye may knowe yt sone, and rede,
And seyn yt whan that ye ha nede.
the translator:
And touchynge the translacioun
Off thys noble Orysoun,
Whylom (yiff I shal nat feyne)
The noble poete off Breteyne,
My mayster Chaucer, in hys tyme,
Affter the Frenche he dyde yt ryme,
Word by word, as in substaunce,
Ryght as yt ys ymad in Fraunce,
fful devoutly, in sentence,
In worshepe, and in reuerence
Off that noble hevenly quene,
Bothe moder and a maydë clene.
Off thys noble Orysoun,
Whylom (yiff I shal nat feyne)
The noble poete off Breteyne,
My mayster Chaucer, in hys tyme,
Affter the Frenche he dyde yt ryme,
Word by word, as in substaunce,
Ryght as yt ys ymad in Fraunce,
fful devoutly, in sentence,
In worshepe, and in reuerence
Off that noble hevenly quene,
Bothe moder and a maydë clene.
And sythe, he dyde yt vndertake,
ffor to translate yt ffor hyr sake,
I pray thys [Quene] that ys the beste,
ffor to brynge hys soule at reste,
That he may, thorgh hir prayere,
Aboue the sterrys bryht and clere,
Off hyr mercy and hyr grace
Apere afforn hyr sonys fface,
Wyth seyntys euere, for A memórye,
Eternally to regne in glorye.
ffor to translate yt ffor hyr sake,
I pray thys [Quene] that ys the beste,
ffor to brynge hys soule at reste,
That he may, thorgh hir prayere,
Aboue the sterrys bryht and clere,
Off hyr mercy and hyr grace
Apere afforn hyr sonys fface,
Wyth seyntys euere, for A memórye,
Eternally to regne in glorye.
And ffor memoyre off that poete,
Wyth al hys rethorykës swete,
That was the ffyrste in any age
That amendede our langage;
Therfore, as I am bounde off dette,
In thys book I wyl hym sette,
And ympen thys Oryson̄
Affter hys translacïon,
My purpós to détermyne,
That yt shal énlwmyne
Thys lytyl book, Rud off makyng,
Wyth som clause off hys wrytyng.
Wyth al hys rethorykës swete,
That was the ffyrste in any age
That amendede our langage;
Therfore, as I am bounde off dette,
In thys book I wyl hym sette,
And ympen thys Oryson̄
Affter hys translacïon,
My purpós to détermyne,
That yt shal énlwmyne
528
Wyth som clause off hys wrytyng.
And as he made thys Orysoun
Off ful devout entencïoun,
And by maner off a prayere,
Ryht so I wyl yt settyn here,
That men may knowe and pleynly se
Off Our lady the .A. b. c.
Off ful devout entencïoun,
And by maner off a prayere,
Ryht so I wyl yt settyn here,
That men may knowe and pleynly se
Off Our lady the .A. b. c.
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