The Vision of William concerning Piers Plowman together with Vita de Dowel, Dobet, et Dobest, Secundum Wit et Resoun, By William Langland (About 1362-1380 A.D.): Edited from Numerous Manuscripts, with Prefaces, Notes and a Glossary, By the Rev. Walter W. Skeat |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. | PASSUS V.
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| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
 | The Vision of William concerning Piers Plowman |  |
52
PASSUS V.
[Passus quintus de visione.]
Þe kyng and his knihtes to þe Churche wenten
To heere Matyns and Masse and to þe Mete aftur.
Þenne Wakede I of my wink me was wo with alle
Þat I nedde sadloker I-slept and I-seȝe more.
Er I a Furlong hedde I-fare A Feyntise me hente,
Þat Forþer mihti not a-fote for defaute of Sleep.
I sat Softeliche a-doun and seide my beo-leeue,
And so I blaberde on my Beodes þat brouhte me a-Slepe.
Þen sauh I muche more þen I beofore tolde,
For I sauh þe Feld ful of Folk þat ich of bi-fore schewede,
And Concience with a Crois com for to preche.
To heere Matyns and Masse and to þe Mete aftur.
Þenne Wakede I of my wink me was wo with alle
Þat I nedde sadloker I-slept and I-seȝe more.
Er I a Furlong hedde I-fare A Feyntise me hente,
Þat Forþer mihti not a-fote for defaute of Sleep.
I sat Softeliche a-doun and seide my beo-leeue,
And so I blaberde on my Beodes þat brouhte me a-Slepe.
Þen sauh I muche more þen I beofore tolde,
For I sauh þe Feld ful of Folk þat ich of bi-fore schewede,
And Concience with a Crois com for to preche.
He preide þe peple haue pite of hem-selue,
And preuede þat þis pestilences weore for puire synne,
And þis souþ-Westerne wynt on a Seterday at euen
Was a-perteliche for pruide and for no poynt elles.
And preuede þat þis pestilences weore for puire synne,
And þis souþ-Westerne wynt on a Seterday at euen
53
Piries and Plomtres weore passchet to þe grounde,
In ensaumple to Men þat we scholde do þe bettre.
Beches and brode okes weore blowen to þe eorþe,
And turned vpward þe tayl In toknyng of drede
Þat dedly Synne or domesday schulde fordon hem alle.
In ensaumple to Men þat we scholde do þe bettre.
Beches and brode okes weore blowen to þe eorþe,
And turned vpward þe tayl In toknyng of drede
Þat dedly Synne or domesday schulde fordon hem alle.
Of þis Matere I mihte Momele ful longe,
Bote I sigge as I sauh (so me god helpe)!
How Concience with a Cros Comsede to preche.
Bote I sigge as I sauh (so me god helpe)!
How Concience with a Cros Comsede to preche.
He bad wastors go worche what þei best couþe,
And wynne þat þei wasteden with sum maner craft.
And wynne þat þei wasteden with sum maner craft.
He preiȝede Pernel hire Porfil to leue,
And kepen hit in hire Cofre for Catel at neode.
Thomas he tauȝte to take twey [staues],
And fette hom Felice From wyuene pyne.
And kepen hit in hire Cofre for Catel at neode.
Thomas he tauȝte to take twey [staues],
And fette hom Felice From wyuene pyne.
He warnede watte his wyf was to blame,
Þat hire hed was worþ a Mark and his hod worþ A Grote.
Þat hire hed was worþ a Mark and his hod worþ A Grote.
He chargede Chapmen to Chasten heore children;
Let hem wonte non eiȝe while þat þei ben ȝonge.
Let hem wonte non eiȝe while þat þei ben ȝonge.
54
He preyede Preestes and Prelates to-gedere,
Þat þei prechen þe peple to preuen hit in hem-seluen—
“And libben as ȝe lereþ vs we wolen loue ow þe betere.”
Þat þei prechen þe peple to preuen hit in hem-seluen—
“And libben as ȝe lereþ vs we wolen loue ow þe betere.”
And Seþþe he Radde Religioun þe Rule for to holde—
“Leste þe kyng and his Counseil ȝor Comunes apeire,
And beo stiward in oure stude til ȝe be stouwet betere.
“Leste þe kyng and his Counseil ȝor Comunes apeire,
And beo stiward in oure stude til ȝe be stouwet betere.
And ȝe þat secheþ seynt Iame
and seintes at Roome,
Secheþ Seint Treuþe for he may sauen ow alle;
Qui cum patre et filio feire mote you falle.”
Secheþ Seint Treuþe for he may sauen ow alle;
Qui cum patre et filio feire mote you falle.”
Þenne Ron Repentaunce and Rehersed þis teeme,
And made William to weope watur with his eȝen.
Pernel proud-herte platte hire to grounde,
And lay longe ar heo lokede and to vr ladi criede,
And beo-hiȝte to him þat vs alle maade,
Heo wolde vn-souwen hire smok and setten þer an here
Forte fayten hire Flesch þat Frele was to synne:
“Schal neuer liht herte me hente bote holde me lowe,
And suffre to beo mis-seid— and so dude I neuere.
And nou I con wel meke me and Merci be-seche
Of al þat Ichaue I-had envye in myn herte.”
And made William to weope watur with his eȝen.
Pernel proud-herte platte hire to grounde,
And lay longe ar heo lokede and to vr ladi criede,
And beo-hiȝte to him þat vs alle maade,
Heo wolde vn-souwen hire smok and setten þer an here
Forte fayten hire Flesch þat Frele was to synne:
“Schal neuer liht herte me hente bote holde me lowe,
And suffre to beo mis-seid— and so dude I neuere.
And nou I con wel meke me and Merci be-seche
Of al þat Ichaue I-had envye in myn herte.”
55
Lechour seide “Allas!” and to vr ladi criede
To maken him han Merci for his misdede,
Bitwene god almihti and his pore soule,
Wiþ-þat he schulde þe seterday seuen ȝer after
Drinken bote with þe Doke and [dynen] but ones.
To maken him han Merci for his misdede,
Bitwene god almihti and his pore soule,
Wiþ-þat he schulde þe seterday seuen ȝer after
Drinken bote with þe Doke and [dynen] but ones.
Envye wiþ heui herte asket aftur schrift,
And gretliche his gultus bi-ginneþ to schewe.
As pale as a pelet In a palesye he seemede,
I-cloþed in A Caurimauri I couþe him not discreue;
[A kertil & a courtepy a knyf be his side;
Of a Freris frokke were þe fore sleuys].
As a leek þat hedde I-leiȝen longe In þe sonne,
So loked he with lene chekes; lourede he foule.
His Bodi was Bolled for wraþþe he bot his lippes,
Wroþliche he wrong his fust he þouȝte him a-wreke
Wiþ werkes or with Wordes whon he seiȝ his tyme.
“Venim or vernisch or vinegre, I trouwe,
Walleþ in my wombe or waxeþ, ich wene.
I ne mihte mony day don as a mon ouhte,
Such wynt in my wombe waxeþ, er I dy[n]e.
And gretliche his gultus bi-ginneþ to schewe.
As pale as a pelet In a palesye he seemede,
I-cloþed in A Caurimauri I couþe him not discreue;
[A kertil & a courtepy a knyf be his side;
Of a Freris frokke were þe fore sleuys].
As a leek þat hedde I-leiȝen longe In þe sonne,
So loked he with lene chekes; lourede he foule.
His Bodi was Bolled for wraþþe he bot his lippes,
Wroþliche he wrong his fust he þouȝte him a-wreke
Wiþ werkes or with Wordes whon he seiȝ his tyme.
“Venim or vernisch or vinegre, I trouwe,
Walleþ in my wombe or waxeþ, ich wene.
I ne mihte mony day don as a mon ouhte,
56
Ichaue a neihȝebor me neih I haue anuyȝed him ofte,
Ablamed him be-hynde his bak to bringe him in disclaundre,
And peired him bi my pouwer I-punissched him ful ofte,
Bi-lowen him to lordes to make him leose Seluer,
I-don his Frendes ben his fon with my false tonge;
His grase and his good hap greueþ me ful sore.
Ablamed him be-hynde his bak to bringe him in disclaundre,
And peired him bi my pouwer I-punissched him ful ofte,
Bi-lowen him to lordes to make him leose Seluer,
I-don his Frendes ben his fon with my false tonge;
His grase and his good hap greueþ me ful sore.
Bitwene him and his Meyne Ichaue I-Mad wraþþe,
Boþe his lyf and his leome was lost þorw my tonge.
Whon I mette him in þe Market þat I most hate,
Ich heilede him as hendely [as I his frend] weore.
He is douȝtiore þen I i dar non harm don him.
Bote hedde I maystrie and miht I Morþerde him for euere!
Boþe his lyf and his leome was lost þorw my tonge.
Whon I mette him in þe Market þat I most hate,
Ich heilede him as hendely [as I his frend] weore.
He is douȝtiore þen I i dar non harm don him.
Bote hedde I maystrie and miht I Morþerde him for euere!
Whon I come to þe churche
and knele bi-fore þe Roode,
And scholde preiȝe for þe peple as þe prest vs techeþ,
Þenne I crie vppon my knes þat crist ȝiue hem serwe
Þat haþ I-bore a-wei my Bolle and my brode schete.
And scholde preiȝe for þe peple as þe prest vs techeþ,
Þenne I crie vppon my knes þat crist ȝiue hem serwe
57
From the Auter I turne myn eiȝe, and bi-holde
Hou heyne haþ a newe Cote and his wyf anoþer;
Hou heyne haþ a newe Cote and his wyf anoþer;
Þenne I wussche hit weore myn and al þe web aftur.
Of his leosinge I lauhwe hit likeþ me in myn herte;
Ac for his wynnynge I wepe and weile þe tyme.
Of his leosinge I lauhwe hit likeþ me in myn herte;
Ac for his wynnynge I wepe and weile þe tyme.
I deme men þat don ille and ȝit I do wel worse,
For I wolde þat vch a wiht in þis world were mi knaue,
[And who-so haþ more þanne I þat angriþ myn herte].
For I wolde þat vch a wiht in þis world were mi knaue,
[And who-so haþ more þanne I þat angriþ myn herte].
Þus I liue loueles lyk A luþer dogge,
Þat al my breste Bolleþ for bitter of my galle;
May no Suger so swete a-swagen hit vnneþe,
Ne no Diopendion dryue hit from myn herte;
Ȝif schri[f]t schulde hit þenne swopen out a gret wonder hit were.”
Þat al my breste Bolleþ for bitter of my galle;
May no Suger so swete a-swagen hit vnneþe,
Ne no Diopendion dryue hit from myn herte;
Ȝif schri[f]t schulde hit þenne swopen out a gret wonder hit were.”
“Ȝus, rediliche,” quod Repentaunce and Radde him to goode,
“Serw for heore sunnes saueþ men ful Monye.”
“Serw for heore sunnes saueþ men ful Monye.”
58
“Icham sori,” quod Envye “I ne am but seldene oþer,
And þat Makeþ me so mad for I ne may me venge.”
And þat Makeþ me so mad for I ne may me venge.”
Þenne com Couetyse I couþe him not discreue,
So hungri and so holewe sire herui him loked.
He was bitel-brouwed with twei blered eiȝen,
And lyk a leþerne pors lullede his chekes;
So hungri and so holewe sire herui him loked.
He was bitel-brouwed with twei blered eiȝen,
And lyk a leþerne pors lullede his chekes;
In A toren Tabart of twelue Wynter Age;
But ȝif a lous couþe lepe I con hit not I-leue
Heo scholde wandre on þat walk hit was so þred-bare.
But ȝif a lous couþe lepe I con hit not I-leue
Heo scholde wandre on þat walk hit was so þred-bare.
“Ichaue ben Couetous,” quod þis Caityf “I beknowe hit heere;
For sum tyme I Seruede Simme atte noke,
And was his pliht prentys his profyt to loke.
For sum tyme I Seruede Simme atte noke,
And was his pliht prentys his profyt to loke.
Furst I leornede to Lyȝe A lessun or tweyne,
And wikkedliche for to weie was myn oþer lessun.
And wikkedliche for to weie was myn oþer lessun.
To Winchestre and to Wych Ich wente to þe Feire
With mony maner marchaundise as my mayster hihte;
Bote nedde þe grace of gyle I-gon a-mong my ware,
Hit hedde ben vn-sold þis seuen ȝer so me god helpe!
With mony maner marchaundise as my mayster hihte;
Bote nedde þe grace of gyle I-gon a-mong my ware,
Hit hedde ben vn-sold þis seuen ȝer so me god helpe!
59
Þenne I drouȝ me a-mong þis drapers my Donet to leorne,
To drawe þe lyste wel along þe lengore hit semede;
Among þis Riche Rayes lernde I a Lessun,
Brochede hem with a pak-neelde and pletede hem togedere,
Putte hem in a pressour and pinnede hem þer-Inne
Til ten ȝerdes oþer twelue tolden out þrettene.
To drawe þe lyste wel along þe lengore hit semede;
Among þis Riche Rayes lernde I a Lessun,
Brochede hem with a pak-neelde and pletede hem togedere,
Putte hem in a pressour and pinnede hem þer-Inne
Til ten ȝerdes oþer twelue tolden out þrettene.
And my Wyfat Westmunstre þat Wollene cloþ made,
Spak to þe spinsters for to spinne hit softe.
Þe pound þat heo peysede [by] peisede a quartrun more
Þen myn Auncel dude whon I weyede treuþe.
Spak to þe spinsters for to spinne hit softe.
Þe pound þat heo peysede [by] peisede a quartrun more
Þen myn Auncel dude whon I weyede treuþe.
I Bouhte hire Barly heo breuh hit to sulle;
Peni Ale and piriwhit heo pourede to-gedere
For laborers and louh folk þat liuen be hem-seluen.
Peni Ale and piriwhit heo pourede to-gedere
For laborers and louh folk þat liuen be hem-seluen.
Þe Beste in þe Bed-chaumbre lay bi þe wowe,
Hose Bummede þerof Bouȝte hit þer-after,
A Galoun for a Grote God wot, no lasse,
Whon hit com in Cuppemel; such craftes me vsede.
Hose Bummede þerof Bouȝte hit þer-after,
A Galoun for a Grote God wot, no lasse,
Whon hit com in Cuppemel; such craftes me vsede.
Rose þe Regratour Is hire rihte name;
Heo haþ holden hoxterye þis Elleuene wynter.
Heo haþ holden hoxterye þis Elleuene wynter.
Bote I swere nou [soþely] þat sunne wol I lete,
And neuere wikkedliche weye ne fals chaffare vsen,
Bote weende to Walsyngham and my wyf alse,
And bidde þe Rode of Bromholm bringe me out of dette.”
60
Bote weende to Walsyngham and my wyf alse,
And bidde þe Rode of Bromholm bringe me out of dette.”
Nou ginneþ þe Gloton for to go to schrifte,
And carieþ him to chircheward his schrift forte telle.
Þenne Betun þe Breustere bad him gode morwe,
And seþþen heo asked of him “Whoder þat he wolde?”
And carieþ him to chircheward his schrift forte telle.
Þenne Betun þe Breustere bad him gode morwe,
And seþþen heo asked of him “Whoder þat he wolde?”
“To holi chirche,” quod he “for to here Masse
And seþþen I-chule ben I-schriuen and sunge no more.”
And seþþen I-chule ben I-schriuen and sunge no more.”
“Ichaue good ale, gossib,” quod heo “gloten, woltou asaye?”
“Hastou ouȝt I þi pors,” quod he “eny hote spices?”
“Ȝe, glotun, gossip,” quod heo “god wot, ful goode;
I haue peper and piane and a pound of garlek,
A Ferþing-worþ of Fenel-seed for þis Fastyng dayes.”
“Hastou ouȝt I þi pors,” quod he “eny hote spices?”
“Ȝe, glotun, gossip,” quod heo “god wot, ful goode;
I haue peper and piane and a pound of garlek,
A Ferþing-worþ of Fenel-seed for þis Fastyng dayes.”
Þene geþ Gloton in and grete oþus after;
Sesse þe souters wyf sat on þe Benche,
Watte þe warinar and his wyf boþe,
Tomkyn þe Tinkere and tweyne of his knaues,
Hikke þe hakeney mon and hogge þe neldere,
Clarisse of Cokkes lone and þe Clerk of þe churche,
Sire Pers of pridye and pernel of Flaundres,
Dauwe þe disschere and a doseyn oþere.
[A] Ribibor, [a] Ratoner a Rakere of chepe,
A Ropere, a Redyng-kyng and Rose þe disschere,
Godfrei of Garlesschire and Griffin þe walsche,
And of vp-holders an hep erly bi þe morwe
Ȝiue þe gloton with good wille good ale to honsel.
Sesse þe souters wyf sat on þe Benche,
Watte þe warinar and his wyf boþe,
Tomkyn þe Tinkere and tweyne of his knaues,
61
Clarisse of Cokkes lone and þe Clerk of þe churche,
Sire Pers of pridye and pernel of Flaundres,
Dauwe þe disschere and a doseyn oþere.
[A] Ribibor, [a] Ratoner a Rakere of chepe,
A Ropere, a Redyng-kyng and Rose þe disschere,
Godfrei of Garlesschire and Griffin þe walsche,
And of vp-holders an hep erly bi þe morwe
Ȝiue þe gloton with good wille good ale to honsel.
Þenne Clement þe Cobelere caste of his cloke,
And atte newe Feire he leyde hire to sulle;
And Hikke þe Ostiler hutte his hod aftur,
And bad bette þe Bocher ben on his bi-syde.
Þer weore chapmen I-chose þe chaffare to preise;
Hose hedde þe hod schulde haue Amendes.
Þei Risen vp Raply and Rouneden to-gedere,
And preiseden be peniworþus and parteden bi hemseluen;
Þer weoren oþes an hep hose þat hit herde.
Þei couþe not bi heore concience a-corde to-gedere,
Til Robyn þe Ropere weore Rad forte a-ryse,
And nempned for a noumpere þat no de-bat neore,
[for he schulde preise þe penyworþes as hym good þouȝt].
And atte newe Feire he leyde hire to sulle;
And Hikke þe Ostiler hutte his hod aftur,
And bad bette þe Bocher ben on his bi-syde.
Þer weore chapmen I-chose þe chaffare to preise;
Hose hedde þe hod schulde haue Amendes.
Þei Risen vp Raply and Rouneden to-gedere,
And preiseden be peniworþus and parteden bi hemseluen;
Þer weoren oþes an hep hose þat hit herde.
Þei couþe not bi heore concience a-corde to-gedere,
Til Robyn þe Ropere weore Rad forte a-ryse,
62
[for he schulde preise þe penyworþes as hym good þouȝt].
Þenne Hikke þe Ostiler hedde þe cloke,
In Couenaunt þat Clement schulde þe Cuppe fulle,
And habbe hikkes hod þe ostiler and hold him wel I-seruet;
And he þat repenteþ Raþest schulde arysen aftur,
And greten Sir gloten with a galun of ale.
In Couenaunt þat Clement schulde þe Cuppe fulle,
And habbe hikkes hod þe ostiler and hold him wel I-seruet;
And he þat repenteþ Raþest schulde arysen aftur,
And greten Sir gloten with a galun of ale.
Þer was lauȝwhing and lotering and “let go þe cuppe;”
Bargeyns and Beuerages bi-gonne to aryse,
And seeten so til Euensong And songen sum while,
Til Gloten hedde I-gloupet A Galoun and a gille.
He pissede a potel In a pater-noster while,
And Bleuh þe Ronde Ruwet atte Rugge-bones ende,
Þat alle þat herde þe horn heolden heore neose after,
And weschte þat hit weore I-wipet with a wesp of Firsen.
Bargeyns and Beuerages bi-gonne to aryse,
And seeten so til Euensong And songen sum while,
Til Gloten hedde I-gloupet A Galoun and a gille.
He pissede a potel In a pater-noster while,
And Bleuh þe Ronde Ruwet atte Rugge-bones ende,
Þat alle þat herde þe horn heolden heore neose after,
And weschte þat hit weore I-wipet with a wesp of Firsen.
He hedde no strengþe to stonde til he his staf hedde;
Þenne gon he for to go lyk A gleo-monnes bicche,
Sum tyme asyde and sum tyme arere,
As hose leiþ lynes to [lacche] wiþ Foules.
Þenne gon he for to go lyk A gleo-monnes bicche,
63
As hose leiþ lynes to [lacche] wiþ Foules.
Whon he drouh to þe dore þen dimmede his eiȝen,
He þrompelde atte þrexwolde and þreuh to þe grounde.
[Clement þe coblere cauȝte glotoun by þe mydle,
And for to lyfte hym aloft leide hym on his knees;
And glotoun was a gret cherl and grym in þe lyftynge,
And cowhede vp a cawdel in clementis lappe,
Þat þe hungriest hound of hertforde schire
Ne durst lape of þat laueyne so vnloveli it smakith].
Þat with al þe wo of þis world his wyf and his wenche
Beeren him hom to his bed and brouhten him þer-Inne.
And after al þis surfet an Accesse he hedde,
Þat he slepte Seturday and Sonenday til sonne wente to reste.
He þrompelde atte þrexwolde and þreuh to þe grounde.
[Clement þe coblere cauȝte glotoun by þe mydle,
And for to lyfte hym aloft leide hym on his knees;
And glotoun was a gret cherl and grym in þe lyftynge,
And cowhede vp a cawdel in clementis lappe,
Þat þe hungriest hound of hertforde schire
Ne durst lape of þat laueyne so vnloveli it smakith].
Þat with al þe wo of þis world his wyf and his wenche
Beeren him hom to his bed and brouhten him þer-Inne.
And after al þis surfet an Accesse he hedde,
Þat he slepte Seturday and Sonenday til sonne wente to reste.
Þenne he wakede of his wynk
and wypede his eiȝen;
Þe furste word þat he spac [was] “wher is þe Cuppe?”
His wyf warnede him þo of wikkednesse and of sinne.
Þenne was he a-schomed, þat schrewe and schraped his eren,
And gon to grede grimliche and gret deol to make
For his wikkede lyf þat he I-liued hedde.
Þe furste word þat he spac [was] “wher is þe Cuppe?”
His wyf warnede him þo of wikkednesse and of sinne.
Þenne was he a-schomed, þat schrewe and schraped his eren,
And gon to grede grimliche and gret deol to make
For his wikkede lyf þat he I-liued hedde.
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“For hungur oþer for Furst I make myn A-vou,
Schal neuer [fysch] on Frydai defyen in my mawe,
Er Abstinence myn Aunte haue I-ȝiue me leue;
And ȝit Ichaue I-hated hire al my lyf tyme.”
Schal neuer [fysch] on Frydai defyen in my mawe,
Er Abstinence myn Aunte haue I-ȝiue me leue;
And ȝit Ichaue I-hated hire al my lyf tyme.”
Sleuþe for serwe fel doun I-swowene
Til vigilate þe veil fette water at his eiȝen,
And flatte on his face and faste on him criȝede,
And seide, “war þe for wonhope þat Wol þe bi-traye.
Til vigilate þe veil fette water at his eiȝen,
And flatte on his face and faste on him criȝede,
And seide, “war þe for wonhope þat Wol þe bi-traye.
‘Icham sori for my sunnes’ sei to þi-seluen,
And bet þi-self on þe Breste and bidde god of grace,
For nis no gult her so gret his Merci nis wel more.”
And bet þi-self on þe Breste and bidde god of grace,
For nis no gult her so gret his Merci nis wel more.”
Þenne sat sleuþe vp and sikede sore,
And made a-vou bi-fore god for his foule sleuþe;
“Schal no sonenday þis seuen ȝer (bote seknesse hit make),
Þat I ne schal do me ar day to þe d[e]ore churche,
And here Matins and Masse as I a Monk were.
And made a-vou bi-fore god for his foule sleuþe;
“Schal no sonenday þis seuen ȝer (bote seknesse hit make),
Þat I ne schal do me ar day to þe d[e]ore churche,
And here Matins and Masse as I a Monk were.
Schal non ale after mete holde me þennes,
Til ichaue Euensong herd I beo-hote to þe Rode.
And ȝit I-chulle ȝelden aȝeyn ȝif I so muche haue,
Al þat I wikkedliche won seþþe I wit hade.
Til ichaue Euensong herd I beo-hote to þe Rode.
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Al þat I wikkedliche won seþþe I wit hade.
And þauh my lyflode lakke letten I nulle
Þat vche mon schal habben his er ich henne wende:
And with þe Residue and þe remenaunt (bi þe Rode of Chester!)
I schal seche seynt Treuþe er I seo Rome!”
Þat vche mon schal habben his er ich henne wende:
And with þe Residue and þe remenaunt (bi þe Rode of Chester!)
I schal seche seynt Treuþe er I seo Rome!”
Robert ȝe Robbour on Reddite he lokede,
And for þer nas not Wher-with he wepte ful sore.
But ȝit þe sunfol schrewe seide to him-seluen:
“Crist, þat vppon Caluarie on þe Cros diȝedest,
Þo Dismas my broþer bi-souȝte þe of grace,
And heddest Merci of þat mon for Memento sake,
Þi wille worþ vppon me as Ich haue wel deseruet
To haue helle for euere ȝif þat hope neore.
So rewe on me, Robert þat no Red haue,
Ne neuere weene to wynne for Craft þat I knowe.
Bote for þi muchel Merci mitigacion I be-seche;
Dampne me not on domes day for I dude so ille.”
And for þer nas not Wher-with he wepte ful sore.
But ȝit þe sunfol schrewe seide to him-seluen:
“Crist, þat vppon Caluarie on þe Cros diȝedest,
Þo Dismas my broþer bi-souȝte þe of grace,
And heddest Merci of þat mon for Memento sake,
Þi wille worþ vppon me as Ich haue wel deseruet
To haue helle for euere ȝif þat hope neore.
So rewe on me, Robert þat no Red haue,
Ne neuere weene to wynne for Craft þat I knowe.
Bote for þi muchel Merci mitigacion I be-seche;
Dampne me not on domes day for I dude so ille.”
Ak what fel of þis Feloun I con not feire schewe,
But wel Ich wot he wepte faste watur with his eiȝen,
And knouhlechede his gult to Crist ȝit eft-sones,
Þat Penitencia is [pike he] schulde polissche newe,
And lepe with him ouerlond al his lyf tyme,
For he haþ leiȝen bi latro lucifers brother.
But wel Ich wot he wepte faste watur with his eiȝen,
And knouhlechede his gult to Crist ȝit eft-sones,
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And lepe with him ouerlond al his lyf tyme,
For he haþ leiȝen bi latro lucifers brother.
A þousent of Men þo þrongen to-geders,
Weopyng and weylyng for heore wikkede dedes,
Criȝinge vpward to Crist and to his clene moder
To haue grace to seche seint treuþe god lene þei so mote!
Weopyng and weylyng for heore wikkede dedes,
Criȝinge vpward to Crist and to his clene moder
To haue grace to seche seint treuþe god lene þei so mote!
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