 | Handlyng Synne |  |
[The Seven Deadly Sins;—and first of Pride.]
Now of þe seuene wyl we telle,
þat ben þe dedly doghters of helle.
Þe eldyst, men kallë pryde;
She was þe fyrst þat walkyd wyde
Yn euery land, to euery man,
Þurgh alle þe worlde, ouer alle she ran,
And haþ here gete many wonynges,
Specyally wyþ grete lordynges,
And with ouþer many ynowe;
For where she ys, he wylle nat bowe,
She wyl be mayster ouer hem alle;
And alle at onys she makeþ hem falle.
Þe fadyr of pryde þat fyrst here knew
To hellë pyt she down hym threw;
And alle þat are of here coueyn,
Alle she bryngeþ to hellë peyn.
Þarfor y wylle warnë ȝow
whare-yn she makeþ ȝow synne, and how,
Þat ȝe mowe parceyue vmwhyle
Yn what þyng she doþ ȝow gyle.
þat ben þe dedly doghters of helle.
Þe eldyst, men kallë pryde;
She was þe fyrst þat walkyd wyde
Yn euery land, to euery man,
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And haþ here gete many wonynges,
Specyally wyþ grete lordynges,
And with ouþer many ynowe;
For where she ys, he wylle nat bowe,
She wyl be mayster ouer hem alle;
And alle at onys she makeþ hem falle.
Þe fadyr of pryde þat fyrst here knew
To hellë pyt she down hym threw;
And alle þat are of here coueyn,
Alle she bryngeþ to hellë peyn.
Þarfor y wylle warnë ȝow
whare-yn she makeþ ȝow synne, and how,
Þat ȝe mowe parceyue vmwhyle
Yn what þyng she doþ ȝow gyle.
Þys ys þe fyrst þat y fynde
Vnbuxumnesse aȝens þy kynde;
And he þat ys vnbuxum al
Aȝens hys fadyr spiritual,
And setteþ hym ryȝt at þe leste,
And seyþ ‘prut for þy cursyng, prest!’
Or ȝyf ȝou speke foule wrdys or rowe,
And to þy souereyn wylt þat bowe,
Ȝyf þy prout wurdys make hym wroth,
Be þou neuer so lefe no loth,
Þou synnest þer gretly yn pryde,
Man or womman, wheþer hyt betyde.
Vnbuxumnesse aȝens þy kynde;
And he þat ys vnbuxum al
Aȝens hys fadyr spiritual,
And setteþ hym ryȝt at þe leste,
And seyþ ‘prut for þy cursyng, prest!’
Or ȝyf ȝou speke foule wrdys or rowe,
And to þy souereyn wylt þat bowe,
Ȝyf þy prout wurdys make hym wroth,
Be þou neuer so lefe no loth,
Þou synnest þer gretly yn pryde,
Man or womman, wheþer hyt betyde.
Ȝyf þou, oþer man or wyfe,
were preysed for þyn holy lyfe;
Or ȝyf þou wuldest men seyde of þe
þat þou dedyst grete charyte,
And þat þou were boþe meke and chaste,
And wuldest speke no wurdës waste;
Ȝyf þou wuldest men seyd þys,
Þou synnest yn pryde, y sey, ywys.
Ouer al folyys hyt ys þe floure,
For þy godenesse to haue wurldys honoure.
were preysed for þyn holy lyfe;
Or ȝyf þou wuldest men seyde of þe
þat þou dedyst grete charyte,
And þat þou were boþe meke and chaste,
And wuldest speke no wurdës waste;
Ȝyf þou wuldest men seyd þys,
Þou synnest yn pryde, y sey, ywys.
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For þy godenesse to haue wurldys honoure.
Ȝyf þou for prydë art outrage
þat þou are come of hygh lynage,
Beþenke þe weyl fro when þou cam;
Allë we were of Adam:
Ȝyf þou be comë of hygh blode,
And þou dost more euyl þan gode,
Vnwrþyly art þou made gentyl
Ȝyf þou yn wurdys and dedys be yl.
þat þou are come of hygh lynage,
Beþenke þe weyl fro when þou cam;
Allë we were of Adam:
Ȝyf þou be comë of hygh blode,
And þou dost more euyl þan gode,
Vnwrþyly art þou made gentyl
Ȝyf þou yn wurdys and dedys be yl.
Ȝyf þou be prout þat þou art wys
And for þy cunseyl art holde yn prys,
Or yn þyn queyntë wurdys hast pryde,
wys yn wrong, euyl shal betyde.
And for þy cunseyl art holde yn prys,
Or yn þyn queyntë wurdys hast pryde,
wys yn wrong, euyl shal betyde.
Ȝyf þou be proute of þy bewte,
No shoch kote to þe shulde be,
Þat feyrhede ne shal long with þe wende;
Swych pryde endyþ foule at þe last ende.
No shoch kote to þe shulde be,
Þat feyrhede ne shal long with þe wende;
Swych pryde endyþ foule at þe last ende.
Ȝyf þou for strenkþë be mysproute,
And hast bostful wrdys and loude;
Do no-body þarfore despyte ne skaþe
Swychë men go to shame ful raþe.
And hast bostful wrdys and loude;
Do no-body þarfore despyte ne skaþe
Swychë men go to shame ful raþe.
Ȝyf þou be prout of þy rychesse
Þogh hyt come neuer wyþ no falsnesse,
Hyt may passe þe more lyghtly,
And þe sunner, þat þou beryst þe hyy.
Þogh hyt come neuer wyþ no falsnesse,
Hyt may passe þe more lyghtly,
And þe sunner, þat þou beryst þe hyy.
Ȝyf þou be prout of þy song,
Seldë lasteþ þat vertu long;
Synger haþ hertë prout with-ynne,
And tycyþ many on to synne;
Ful selde ys synger gode yn thew,
But þat yn sum poynt he ys a shrew.
yn feyrë wurdys, and yn qeynte,
wyþ prydë are swych men ateynte;
Flourshed wurdys, and oþerwhyle louely,
Are ful of pryde and trechery.
Be a man uncouth or couthe,
And he haue laghyng wurdys yn mouþe,
y warne þe wel þat oþer whyle,
Swych a man ys ful of gyle.
Seldë lasteþ þat vertu long;
Synger haþ hertë prout with-ynne,
And tycyþ many on to synne;
Ful selde ys synger gode yn thew,
But þat yn sum poynt he ys a shrew.
yn feyrë wurdys, and yn qeynte,
wyþ prydë are swych men ateynte;
Flourshed wurdys, and oþerwhyle louely,
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Be a man uncouth or couthe,
And he haue laghyng wurdys yn mouþe,
y warne þe wel þat oþer whyle,
Swych a man ys ful of gyle.
Ȝyf þou euer bare þe hyghly
yn ouerdo pryde for þy bayly,
Bere þe lowe; men se al day,
Þy bayly shal nat laste alway;
Now þou, and syþen y,
So shal go, oure bayly.
yn ouerdo pryde for þy bayly,
Bere þe lowe; men se al day,
Þy bayly shal nat laste alway;
Now þou, and syþen y,
So shal go, oure bayly.
Ȝyf þou be prout of þy cunnyng,
Þat þou hast lerned mochë þyng,
As sum man ys, þat ys scolere,
wenyþ þat none ys to hym pere,
He wenyþ weyl þat he kan
To be mayster, and ouer-man,
And when þe endë ys al shewyd,
Þan ys he almost al lewyd.
Þat þou hast lerned mochë þyng,
As sum man ys, þat ys scolere,
wenyþ þat none ys to hym pere,
He wenyþ weyl þat he kan
To be mayster, and ouer-man,
And when þe endë ys al shewyd,
Þan ys he almost al lewyd.
Ȝyf þou delyte þe oftyn stoundes,
yn horsys, haukys, or yn houndes;
Ȝyf þou clerk auaunsed be,
Swyche game ys nat graunted to þe.
To emperorus and to kyngys
ys graunted swych pleyyngys;
Erlës, barons, also y graunte,
And knyȝtës, þey mow hyt haunte
Þat þey ne be tempted of ouþer synne,
For ydulnesse þat þey ben ynne;
And ȝyt y rede, þey haunte hyt so,
Aȝens god þat þey nat mysdo.
yn horsys, haukys, or yn houndes;
Ȝyf þou clerk auaunsed be,
Swyche game ys nat graunted to þe.
To emperorus and to kyngys
ys graunted swych pleyyngys;
Erlës, barons, also y graunte,
And knyȝtës, þey mow hyt haunte
Þat þey ne be tempted of ouþer synne,
For ydulnesse þat þey ben ynne;
And ȝyt y rede, þey haunte hyt so,
Aȝens god þat þey nat mysdo.
Ȝyf þou art wel wyþ þe kyng,
Or with anoþer lordyng,
Bere þe nat ouer prout þerfore
To þy perys out of skore;
For men se hyt yn a þrowe,
To day ys hegh, te morwe ys lowe.
And a lorde ful oftë latyþ,
Now he louyþ, and now he hatyþ.
Or with anoþer lordyng,
Bere þe nat ouer prout þerfore
To þy perys out of skore;
For men se hyt yn a þrowe,
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And a lorde ful oftë latyþ,
Now he louyþ, and now he hatyþ.
Ȝyf þou euer vndyrstode
Þat þy wyt, or þy gode,
Come of þy self, and nat of god,
Hyt ys grete pryde and falsly troud.
Þat þy wyt, or þy gode,
Come of þy self, and nat of god,
Hyt ys grete pryde and falsly troud.
Ȝyf god almyghty haue ȝeue þe
Many þewës þat with þe be,
werre nat aȝens þe commaundment
with þo ȝyftes þat god haþ þe lent;
Make nat þy saule so wykked a wem
To do wykkednes for pryde of hem.
Many þewës þat with þe be,
werre nat aȝens þe commaundment
with þo ȝyftes þat god haþ þe lent;
Make nat þy saule so wykked a wem
To do wykkednes for pryde of hem.
Ȝyf þou þe auaunte of goddys ȝyfte,
Or worldly gode, or bodly þryfte,
Or ȝyf þou be se mochë mad
To auaunte þe of þat þat þou neuer had,
Þys ys pryde and arrogaunce,
Vnwrþyly þe to auance.
Arrogaunce ys certeynly
Beholdë bettyr þan ys wrþy;
To sey a þyng þou shuldest haue do
Þat þou neuer myghtyst come þer-to.
Or worldly gode, or bodly þryfte,
Or ȝyf þou be se mochë mad
To auaunte þe of þat þat þou neuer had,
Þys ys pryde and arrogaunce,
Vnwrþyly þe to auance.
Arrogaunce ys certeynly
Beholdë bettyr þan ys wrþy;
To sey a þyng þou shuldest haue do
Þat þou neuer myghtyst come þer-to.
A vylë synne men haunte alle now,
Of pryde hyt comþ,—lestneþ how,—
Þat none can preyse hym self by name
But he wyþ euyl anouþer blame;
Þys cumþ of grete enuye
And pryde of herte and felonnye.
Of pryde hyt comþ,—lestneþ how,—
Þat none can preyse hym self by name
But he wyþ euyl anouþer blame;
Þys cumþ of grete enuye
And pryde of herte and felonnye.
Ȝyf þou skornedyst euer any man,
Or ȝaue cunseyl þat scorne began,
hyt ys a pryde, and wykked þyng,
At crystyn man to make scornyng;
Þus seyþ þe holy prophete Dauyþ,
And Neomas a prophete hym wyþ,
þat scorners, at þe hegh Iugement,
Of goddys mouþ þey shul be shent.
Or ȝaue cunseyl þat scorne began,
hyt ys a pryde, and wykked þyng,
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Þus seyþ þe holy prophete Dauyþ,
And Neomas a prophete hym wyþ,
þat scorners, at þe hegh Iugement,
Of goddys mouþ þey shul be shent.
Ȝyf þou for prydë haue delyte
For to be holde an ypocryte,
To be preysed wel for þy gode dede,
And þat holylech þou canst þe lede,
Or to be preysed þat þou hast wroght
Þyng þat þou dedyst nowȝt,
wetë þou, syre ypocryte,
Of þe mede of god þan art þou quyte;
þat ychë preysyng ys þy mede
þat þou receyuest for þy gode dede.
Ful fellychë God to hem flytes,
To þes fals[ë] ypocrytes;
And seyþ, “at þe ende shul men se
Þat ȝe begyle ȝou self, and nat me.”
For to be holde an ypocryte,
To be preysed wel for þy gode dede,
And þat holylech þou canst þe lede,
Or to be preysed þat þou hast wroght
Þyng þat þou dedyst nowȝt,
wetë þou, syre ypocryte,
Of þe mede of god þan art þou quyte;
þat ychë preysyng ys þy mede
þat þou receyuest for þy gode dede.
Ful fellychë God to hem flytes,
To þes fals[ë] ypocrytes;
And seyþ, “at þe ende shul men se
Þat ȝe begyle ȝou self, and nat me.”
And herë y shal telle as tyte
Of a cursed ypocryte.
Of a cursed ypocryte.
[The Tale of the Hypocritical Monk of the Abbey Tangabaton.]
Seynt Gregory seyþ, as y shal sey,
hyt was onës an abbey
Þe namë hyght ‘tangabaton,’
And munkës þey were echon.
Of a munke ȝede þe wurde ful ryue,
Þat he was of holy lyue;
But for þat he was nat so,
So holy as men tolde hym to,
Fals preysyng shal wykkedly wende,
As hyt ys wurþy, so shal hyt ende.
A seknes toke þe munke ful grym
As god had purueyd of hym.
he was so traueyled, shortly to sey,
Þat he wyst weyl þat he shuld dey.
whan he wyst þat, he made do calle
Boþe one and oþer, hys bryþryn alle,
“Byddyþ hem come byfore me here;
Þat may hem auayle, y shal hem lere.”
hyt was onës an abbey
Þe namë hyght ‘tangabaton,’
And munkës þey were echon.
Of a munke ȝede þe wurde ful ryue,
Þat he was of holy lyue;
But for þat he was nat so,
So holy as men tolde hym to,
Fals preysyng shal wykkedly wende,
As hyt ys wurþy, so shal hyt ende.
A seknes toke þe munke ful grym
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he was so traueyled, shortly to sey,
Þat he wyst weyl þat he shuld dey.
whan he wyst þat, he made do calle
Boþe one and oþer, hys bryþryn alle,
“Byddyþ hem come byfore me here;
Þat may hem auayle, y shal hem lere.”
Þey come rennyng, boþe lesse and more,
And wende haue herd sum holy lore.
And when þey werë come echone,
To hem he made of sorow hys mone:
“hyt may no lenger be forholne;
Falsly, wurschyp haue y stolne;
y am nat, breþren, as ȝe wene,
Of holy lyfe, as haþ be sene;
Þat y fasted when ȝe lete;
For twyys pryuyly y ȝete;
And whan ȝe wende y had be holy,
Y ete and drank ful lustyly.
To warnë ȝow, þus y telle,
For me ys come þe fende of helle.
wyþ hys tayle my knes he haþ knyȝt,
And wyþ hys hede my mouþ y-dyt.
Alas þe tyme þat y was bore!
As an ypocryte y am forlore.
Ryȝt now shal he me strangle and cheke,
Ne shal y neuer aftyr speke.”
Be-fore hem alle he deyde astyte
Þat ychë proud ypocryte.
And wende haue herd sum holy lore.
And when þey werë come echone,
To hem he made of sorow hys mone:
“hyt may no lenger be forholne;
Falsly, wurschyp haue y stolne;
y am nat, breþren, as ȝe wene,
Of holy lyfe, as haþ be sene;
Þat y fasted when ȝe lete;
For twyys pryuyly y ȝete;
And whan ȝe wende y had be holy,
Y ete and drank ful lustyly.
To warnë ȝow, þus y telle,
For me ys come þe fende of helle.
wyþ hys tayle my knes he haþ knyȝt,
And wyþ hys hede my mouþ y-dyt.
Alas þe tyme þat y was bore!
As an ypocryte y am forlore.
Ryȝt now shal he me strangle and cheke,
Ne shal y neuer aftyr speke.”
Be-fore hem alle he deyde astyte
Þat ychë proud ypocryte.
Þys was shewed, hem for to warne,
And þat, God, no man shuld scorne.
Ypocrysye, þys ys þe synne
Feyre wyþ-oute, and foule with-ynne.
Þys ychë synnë cumþ of pryde,
Yn feyre shewyng, here falsnes hyde.
And þat, God, no man shuld scorne.
Ypocrysye, þys ys þe synne
Feyre wyþ-oute, and foule with-ynne.
Þys ychë synnë cumþ of pryde,
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Ȝyf þou art prout of þy her,
(As prout men ben euery where,)
Or ȝyf þou tyfyst þe ouer proudly,
Ouer mesure on þy body,
Swychë synne ys nat þe leste;
Y rede þe telle hyt to þe preste.
(As prout men ben euery where,)
Or ȝyf þou tyfyst þe ouer proudly,
Ouer mesure on þy body,
Swychë synne ys nat þe leste;
Y rede þe telle hyt to þe preste.
Be nat proud of þy croket,
Yn þe cherche to tyfe and set.
At home mayst þou þy croket werche,
And nat at þy messe yn þe cherche.
Yn þe cherche to tyfe and set.
At home mayst þou þy croket werche,
And nat at þy messe yn þe cherche.
And of þese berded buckys also,
with hem-self þey moche mysdo,
Þat leuë crystyn mennys acyse
And hauntë alle þe newë gyse;
Þerwhylys þey had þat gyse on hand,
was neuer gracë yn þys land.
with hem-self þey moche mysdo,
Þat leuë crystyn mennys acyse
And hauntë alle þe newë gyse;
Þerwhylys þey had þat gyse on hand,
was neuer gracë yn þys land.
Of proud wymmen wuld y telle,
But þey are so wroth and felle;
Of þese þat are so foule and fade,
Þat make hem feyrere þan god hem made
with oblaunchere or ouþer floure,
To make hem whytter of coloure.
Grete pryde hyt ys, and outrage,
þat she ys nat payd of goddys ymage.
But þey are so wroth and felle;
Of þese þat are so foule and fade,
Þat make hem feyrere þan god hem made
with oblaunchere or ouþer floure,
To make hem whytter of coloure.
Grete pryde hyt ys, and outrage,
þat she ys nat payd of goddys ymage.
heuedys tyfed wyþ grete pryde,
with heer, and hornës syde,
Men mow wete hyt ys grete synne
To hauë mochë pryde þer-ynne.
Men sey, and haue seyd, here before,
For swych pryde are wymmen forlore.—
with heer, and hornës syde,
Men mow wete hyt ys grete synne
To hauë mochë pryde þer-ynne.
Men sey, and haue seyd, here before,
For swych pryde are wymmen forlore.—
Ryche ladyys of grete renouns,
Þey do make hem ryche corouns,
Þey may make to here auenaunt,
But ouer mesure ys nat cunnaunt.
Þey do make hem ryche corouns,
Þey may make to here auenaunt,
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Of ladyys wulde y leue my sawe,
But y dar nat for goddys awe;
Of hem behoueþ to sey sumdeyl,
yn what poyntës þey do nat wel.
God haþ shewed, and sheweþ euery day,
Þat swychë pryde ys noght to pay.
A tale y shal þerforë telle,
How a lady was pyned yn helle.
But y dar nat for goddys awe;
Of hem behoueþ to sey sumdeyl,
yn what poyntës þey do nat wel.
God haþ shewed, and sheweþ euery day,
Þat swychë pryde ys noght to pay.
A tale y shal þerforë telle,
How a lady was pyned yn helle.
[The Tale of the Proud Lady, who was burnt to ashes again and again in Hell by a Burning Wheel.]
þer was a lady, a lordys wyfe,
here fayrhede was yn renoun ryfe;
Moche she loued feyre tyfyng,
On here hede, ouer al þyng,
For to be holde þe feyryst lady
Of al þo þat woned here by;
And whan she wened best to haue lyuyd,
Þe deþ here toke; here dayys were fyllyd;
For when men wene to lyfe haue space,
Þan ys deþ sunnest yn place.
Whan she was dede, sone aftyrward
here squyer toke a syknes hard,
Þat here lorde helde of grete prys,
For he was a man yn seruyse wys.
here fayrhede was yn renoun ryfe;
Moche she loued feyre tyfyng,
On here hede, ouer al þyng,
For to be holde þe feyryst lady
Of al þo þat woned here by;
And whan she wened best to haue lyuyd,
Þe deþ here toke; here dayys were fyllyd;
For when men wene to lyfe haue space,
Þan ys deþ sunnest yn place.
Whan she was dede, sone aftyrward
here squyer toke a syknes hard,
Þat here lorde helde of grete prys,
For he was a man yn seruyse wys.
As he lay yn hys bed a nyȝt,
hym þoght hys lady come to hym ryȝt,
And seyd þus, “rys, and go wyþ me,
A merueyle shal y shewe to þe.”
Þys ychë man graunted here noght,
For hyt ran weyl hym yn þoght
Þat shé was dede and leyd yn graue,
Þat hym of hys beddë wulde haue.
But wheþer he wulde or noght, wyþ wel & wo,
She had hym vp with here to go.
Þus tolde he seþyn with moche drede;
Aȝens hys wylle with here he ȝede;
She ledde hym to a mochë felde,
So grete one neuer he behelde.
Þan stodë styl, þys lady,
And he by here ful dredfully.
As þey hadd stondë but a þrowe,
Come furþ deuylys þat fast gun blowe;
With hem þey broght a brennyng wheyl,
Þat on here hede was set eche deyl.
Þys whel þat was set on here heuede,
Brende here alle, þat noght was leued.
Efte she ros, when she was brent,
And had þe samë turment,
And brende ryȝt as she dede before;
To se þat peyne hys herte was sore.
Ȝyt she ros þe samë wey;
For saule may neuer for peynë deye.
And efte þey set hyt on here krowne,
And brende here al to asshen doune;
And euermore she leuyd aȝen,
For peynë myȝt she neuer be sleyn.
hym þoght hys lady come to hym ryȝt,
And seyd þus, “rys, and go wyþ me,
A merueyle shal y shewe to þe.”
114
For hyt ran weyl hym yn þoght
Þat shé was dede and leyd yn graue,
Þat hym of hys beddë wulde haue.
But wheþer he wulde or noght, wyþ wel & wo,
She had hym vp with here to go.
Þus tolde he seþyn with moche drede;
Aȝens hys wylle with here he ȝede;
She ledde hym to a mochë felde,
So grete one neuer he behelde.
Þan stodë styl, þys lady,
And he by here ful dredfully.
As þey hadd stondë but a þrowe,
Come furþ deuylys þat fast gun blowe;
With hem þey broght a brennyng wheyl,
Þat on here hede was set eche deyl.
Þys whel þat was set on here heuede,
Brende here alle, þat noght was leued.
Efte she ros, when she was brent,
And had þe samë turment,
And brende ryȝt as she dede before;
To se þat peyne hys herte was sore.
Ȝyt she ros þe samë wey;
For saule may neuer for peynë deye.
And efte þey set hyt on here krowne,
And brende here al to asshen doune;
And euermore she leuyd aȝen,
For peynë myȝt she neuer be sleyn.
Þan askede he here, why þat hyt was
Þat she suffred swyche peyne. “alas, alas,”
She seyd, “y suffre þys mys-auenture
For on my heuede ouer feyre tyfure;
For when y shuld agher go or ryde,
y dyghte my heuede ryȝt moche with pryde
For to be presyd ouer alle ladyys,
And of prydë to bere þe prys,
And among knyȝtës yn halle
y wulde be holde feyrest of alle.
þer-for þys ychë peyne y drygh
For y bare me yn pryde so hygh.
But warne my lordë, y pray þe,
hys pryde and bobaunce þat he late be;
But ȝyf he do, he shal be forlore,
Þat y warne hym weyl before;
For on one of þys dayys shul ȝe deye,
My lorde and þou: þe soþe y seye.”
Ryght at þe termë, as she seyde,
Þe knyȝt, and þat squyer, deyde.
Þat she suffred swyche peyne. “alas, alas,”
She seyd, “y suffre þys mys-auenture
115
For when y shuld agher go or ryde,
y dyghte my heuede ryȝt moche with pryde
For to be presyd ouer alle ladyys,
And of prydë to bere þe prys,
And among knyȝtës yn halle
y wulde be holde feyrest of alle.
þer-for þys ychë peyne y drygh
For y bare me yn pryde so hygh.
But warne my lordë, y pray þe,
hys pryde and bobaunce þat he late be;
But ȝyf he do, he shal be forlore,
Þat y warne hym weyl before;
For on one of þys dayys shul ȝe deye,
My lorde and þou: þe soþe y seye.”
Ryght at þe termë, as she seyde,
Þe knyȝt, and þat squyer, deyde.
By þat tokenyng wel men knew
Þat þe tale was ryȝt and trew.
Þerfor hyt ys gretë doute,
wymmen to tyfe here hedys aboute.
Þat þe tale was ryȝt and trew.
Þerfor hyt ys gretë doute,
wymmen to tyfe here hedys aboute.
Ȝyf god haue lent þe handys and fete,
Armës, leggës, feyre and swete,—
Be nat ouer proude of þys,
Þey are nat þyne, but þey ben hys;
For ȝyf he wylle, he may hem þe reue;
with-oute hys leue, shal none beleue.
Armës, leggës, feyre and swete,—
Be nat ouer proude of þys,
Þey are nat þyne, but þey ben hys;
For ȝyf he wylle, he may hem þe reue;
with-oute hys leue, shal none beleue.
Despyse noun ouþer þat so haue noght,
Ne þoght þey be nat so feyre y-wroght;
For ȝyf þou doust, þou mayst hem tyne,
And for þat prydë go to pyne.
Ne dysgyse nat þy cloþyng
Ouer mesure, for þy preysyng.
Alas! hyt shuldë so betyde,
Many one are lost for here pryde.
Shal grace come neuer yn þat land
Þere men haue swychë gyse yn hand;
God and grace are wyþ hem wroth,
Þat haue, for pryde, dysgysed here cloth.
Noþeles euery man may,
Aftyr hys astate, make hym gay;
But when he þasseþ ouer mesure,
Þerof cumþ mysauenture.
Gentyl men ofte, for swyche desert
Fal at þe laste yn grete pouert.
Ne þoght þey be nat so feyre y-wroght;
For ȝyf þou doust, þou mayst hem tyne,
And for þat prydë go to pyne.
Ne dysgyse nat þy cloþyng
Ouer mesure, for þy preysyng.
116
Many one are lost for here pryde.
Shal grace come neuer yn þat land
Þere men haue swychë gyse yn hand;
God and grace are wyþ hem wroth,
Þat haue, for pryde, dysgysed here cloth.
Noþeles euery man may,
Aftyr hys astate, make hym gay;
But when he þasseþ ouer mesure,
Þerof cumþ mysauenture.
Gentyl men ofte, for swyche desert
Fal at þe laste yn grete pouert.
A weddyd wyfe may atyre here
Þat here husbunde loue noun but here;
For hys loue she may hyt do,
But for none ouþer mannys so.
Ȝyt swyche y rede, þat þey so fare
Þat here pryde make hem nat bare.
Gretly þey synne yn þer queyntyse
Þat nouelrye al day areyse,
For to be preysed and of grete syght,
Al day dysgyse hem at here myght;
Forsoþe hyt semeþ weyl to be
Al here lyfe yn vanyte.
But wlde þey þenke þat make swyche strut,
yn what robe, yn erþe, þey shul be put,
Þey shulde nat make hyt so a-mys,
Ȝyf þey þoght oft of þys.
Þat here husbunde loue noun but here;
For hys loue she may hyt do,
But for none ouþer mannys so.
Ȝyt swyche y rede, þat þey so fare
Þat here pryde make hem nat bare.
Gretly þey synne yn þer queyntyse
Þat nouelrye al day areyse,
For to be preysed and of grete syght,
Al day dysgyse hem at here myght;
Forsoþe hyt semeþ weyl to be
Al here lyfe yn vanyte.
But wlde þey þenke þat make swyche strut,
yn what robe, yn erþe, þey shul be put,
Þey shulde nat make hyt so a-mys,
Ȝyf þey þoght oft of þys.
Y shal ȝou telle a lytyl wyght
How hyt befyl onys of a knyȝt.
How hyt befyl onys of a knyȝt.
[The Tale of the Knight and Monk who lovd new Fashions.]
Þer was a knyȝt þat loued nouelrye,
As many one haunte now þat folye;
he dede to make, yn þe somers tyde,
A kote perced queyntly with pryde;
And God was nat þer-of payd,
For yn hys pryde he was betrayd.
As many one haunte now þat folye;
117
A kote perced queyntly with pryde;
And God was nat þer-of payd,
For yn hys pryde he was betrayd.
Þys knyȝt ȝede, vpp-on a day,
Aboute roberye, to gete hys pray;
Homward as he hys pray ledde
with hys enmys he was bestedde;
with fors þey gun with hym fyght,
And slogh þere þys ychë knyȝt.
Þe knyȝtys frendys herdë seye
how he was slayn by þe weye;
Ful feyre þan gun þey for hym werche,
Þey byryed þe body feyre at þe cherche;
hys frendys departed hys katel
Among þe pore men, and þat was wel.
whan þey come at þe kote gysyng,
To dele hyt among hys ouþer þyng,
Before þe pore men hyt was broght;
Þe pore men seyd þey wulde hyt noȝt.
A clerk stodë þo þere be syde,
And, prayd for þe kote of pryde.
To werne hyt hym, þey þoght loþe;
Þey toke and ȝaue þys clerk þe cloþe.
Þys clerk was glad whan he hyt hadde;
Þys kote asswyþe on hym he cladde.
Aboute roberye, to gete hys pray;
Homward as he hys pray ledde
with hys enmys he was bestedde;
with fors þey gun with hym fyght,
And slogh þere þys ychë knyȝt.
Þe knyȝtys frendys herdë seye
how he was slayn by þe weye;
Ful feyre þan gun þey for hym werche,
Þey byryed þe body feyre at þe cherche;
hys frendys departed hys katel
Among þe pore men, and þat was wel.
whan þey come at þe kote gysyng,
To dele hyt among hys ouþer þyng,
Before þe pore men hyt was broght;
Þe pore men seyd þey wulde hyt noȝt.
A clerk stodë þo þere be syde,
And, prayd for þe kote of pryde.
To werne hyt hym, þey þoght loþe;
Þey toke and ȝaue þys clerk þe cloþe.
Þys clerk was glad whan he hyt hadde;
Þys kote asswyþe on hym he cladde.
Se now here a grete myschaunce
Come ryȝt as for veniaunce:
Ryȝt as he was yn þe kote al dyght,
A fyre brennyng on hym gan lyght,
And brend hys body dounne to þe grounde
whylys oght of hym myȝt be founde.
Come ryȝt as for veniaunce:
Ryȝt as he was yn þe kote al dyght,
A fyre brennyng on hym gan lyght,
And brend hys body dounne to þe grounde
whylys oght of hym myȝt be founde.
Þer shewed God weyl by þat kas
Þat þe kote a-cursed was,
And tokened wel sorowe and wrake,
Þat nonë pore man wulde hyt take
For prydë of þe newë gyse
Aȝens crystyn mennys wyse;
But þe clerk was wode al gate
To were a cloþe aȝens hys state.
here mow ȝe se þat god ys wroth
with hem þat dysgyse here cloþe.
118
And tokened wel sorowe and wrake,
Þat nonë pore man wulde hyt take
For prydë of þe newë gyse
Aȝens crystyn mennys wyse;
But þe clerk was wode al gate
To were a cloþe aȝens hys state.
here mow ȝe se þat god ys wroth
with hem þat dysgyse here cloþe.
And a clerk ys moche for to blame
Þat bryngyþ hym self yn foule fame,
Clerk ordeyned yn dignyte
Þat haunteþ swyche Iolyte;
Noþeles, of þe newë gyse
Þe deuyl haþ made hymself chefe iustyse;
And ȝyf he yn folye begynne to stoute,
Þan bereþ he þe deuylys baner aboute;
Mochë folk ys þerwyþ blent;
God do þerof amendment.
Þat bryngyþ hym self yn foule fame,
Clerk ordeyned yn dignyte
Þat haunteþ swyche Iolyte;
Noþeles, of þe newë gyse
Þe deuyl haþ made hymself chefe iustyse;
And ȝyf he yn folye begynne to stoute,
Þan bereþ he þe deuylys baner aboute;
Mochë folk ys þerwyþ blent;
God do þerof amendment.
Ȝyf þou hauë grete desyre
To be clepyd lorde or syre,
For to glosë þe, and slyppe,
And to haue þe wurdys of wurschyp;
Or ȝe wymmen also, comunly,
wulde be kallede ‘madame’ or ‘lady;’
Al þys comþ of gretë pryde;
yn þy shryfte þou noght hyt hyde.
he ys ryȝt lorde, þe kyng of heuene;
wrong hyt ys þat men any oþer neuene.
To be clepyd lorde or syre,
For to glosë þe, and slyppe,
And to haue þe wurdys of wurschyp;
Or ȝe wymmen also, comunly,
wulde be kallede ‘madame’ or ‘lady;’
Al þys comþ of gretë pryde;
yn þy shryfte þou noght hyt hyde.
he ys ryȝt lorde, þe kyng of heuene;
wrong hyt ys þat men any oþer neuene.
Ȝyf þou delyte þe yn grete meyne,
For men shulde hauë drede of þe,
And for þy meynë wuldyst preysed be,
ȝyf harme to oþer þan do þat meyne,
Þou for þy meynë shalt dampned be
Ȝyf þou to euyl vowe þy meynë.
For men shulde hauë drede of þe,
And for þy meynë wuldyst preysed be,
ȝyf harme to oþer þan do þat meyne,
Þou for þy meynë shalt dampned be
Ȝyf þou to euyl vowe þy meynë.
Ȝyf þou delyte þe yn grete hallys,
Yn a foule prydë þan þou fallys;
For y se many þat nowe þey bygge,
And now sonë, dede þey lygge.
y sey for þo þat haue grete pryde
yn hygh hallys and yn wyde.
Ȝyf þou delyte þe yn ryche beddyng,
yn hors, yn harneys, or yn feyre rydyng,
Alle ys pryde and vanyte;
Of al shalt þou a-couped be.
119
For y se many þat nowe þey bygge,
And now sonë, dede þey lygge.
y sey for þo þat haue grete pryde
yn hygh hallys and yn wyde.
Ȝyf þou delyte þe yn ryche beddyng,
yn hors, yn harneys, or yn feyre rydyng,
Alle ys pryde and vanyte;
Of al shalt þou a-couped be.
Y seyd langere, yn gode cunnaunt,
Euery man may haue to hys auenaunt,
Cytes, tounnes, castellys, and hallys,
hors, armour, and þat þar to fallys;
But, yn al þat mochë þrong,
Do holy cherche, ne pore man, wrong.
Euery man may haue to hys auenaunt,
Cytes, tounnes, castellys, and hallys,
hors, armour, and þat þar to fallys;
But, yn al þat mochë þrong,
Do holy cherche, ne pore man, wrong.
what sey ȝe men of ladyys pryde
Þat gonë traylyng ouer syde:
Ȝyf a lady were ryghtly shreue,
Better hyt were yn almës ȝeue;
To soulë helpe hyt myȝt do bote,
Þat trayleþ lowe vndyr þe fote.
wymples, kerchyues, saffrund betyde;
Ȝelugh vnder ȝelugh þey hyde;
Þan wete men neuer, wheþer ys wheþer,
þe ȝelugh wymple or þe leþer.
Þat gonë traylyng ouer syde:
Ȝyf a lady were ryghtly shreue,
Better hyt were yn almës ȝeue;
To soulë helpe hyt myȝt do bote,
Þat trayleþ lowe vndyr þe fote.
wymples, kerchyues, saffrund betyde;
Ȝelugh vnder ȝelugh þey hyde;
Þan wete men neuer, wheþer ys wheþer,
þe ȝelugh wymple or þe leþer.
wymmen þat go fro strete to strete,
One or ouþer for to mete,
Of prydë comþ swychë desyre,
For þey haue on hem feyre atyre:
But she wul to þe prest þat telle,
She may þerforë go to helle;
For yn as moche þat she douþ men synne,
yn so moche shal she haue plyght ynne.
One or ouþer for to mete,
Of prydë comþ swychë desyre,
120
But she wul to þe prest þat telle,
She may þerforë go to helle;
For yn as moche þat she douþ men synne,
yn so moche shal she haue plyght ynne.
And, wymmen, y seye of þo
Þat borwe cloþes yn carol to go;
Þat porë prydë, god hyt loþes,
Þat make hem proude of ouþer mennys cloþys.
Þat borwe cloþes yn carol to go;
Þat porë prydë, god hyt loþes,
Þat make hem proude of ouþer mennys cloþys.
Ȝyf þou hast spokë wurdys of pryde,
And lettyst ouþer men any tyde
Of here bedys and of here fastyng,
Or of any ouþer holy þyng,
Or of any ouþer godë dede,
to telle hyt þe prest, behoueþ þe nede.
And lettyst ouþer men any tyde
Of here bedys and of here fastyng,
Or of any ouþer holy þyng,
Or of any ouþer godë dede,
to telle hyt þe prest, behoueþ þe nede.
Ȝyf þou euer lettë began
Þat was wurshep to god or man,
As yn cherche to synge or rede,
Or of sum oþer holy dede;
Or also for boste or for pryde,
with prest or with clerk to chyde,
Þurgh þat pryde þou fallyst yn synne,
And cursednes þerwith to wynne.
Þat was wurshep to god or man,
As yn cherche to synge or rede,
Or of sum oþer holy dede;
Or also for boste or for pryde,
with prest or with clerk to chyde,
Þurgh þat pryde þou fallyst yn synne,
And cursednes þerwith to wynne.
Also þat clerk ys moche to blame
Þat letteþ to shaue hys krowne for shame;
Y rede þat he yn tyme hyt shaue,
For he wote neuer what nede he shal þerto haue.
Þat letteþ to shaue hys krowne for shame;
Y rede þat he yn tyme hyt shaue,
For he wote neuer what nede he shal þerto haue.
Ȝyf þou yn ernest, or yn game,
yn scornë blessedyst Goddys name;
Or ȝyf þou were so wundyrly proude
Þat þou mysseydyst God al aloude,
For any chaunce þat may betyde
Skorne nat God, ne wyþ hym chyde:
Morë pryde, no morë synne,
Þan skornë god, mayst þou falle ynne.
yn scornë blessedyst Goddys name;
Or ȝyf þou were so wundyrly proude
Þat þou mysseydyst God al aloude,
For any chaunce þat may betyde
Skorne nat God, ne wyþ hym chyde:
121
Þan skornë god, mayst þou falle ynne.
Ȝyf þou grucchedest, and seydyst noght,
But to God haddyst euyl þoght,
wete þou wel, hyt ys grete pryde,
Grucchyng with God, or for to chyde.
But to God haddyst euyl þoght,
wete þou wel, hyt ys grete pryde,
Grucchyng with God, or for to chyde.
Ȝyf a man haue mysdo or seyde,
And men hym blame for þat mysbreyde,
Ȝyf he susteynë hys mysdede,
And hys mysawe wyl nat drede,
Þat cumþ of mysprout herte and hy
Þat wyl nat knowe hys owne foly.
Of al folyys þat beryn name,
Þys foly ys moste for to blame;
who-so-euer to þys ys custummable,
hys amendment may neuer be stable.
And men hym blame for þat mysbreyde,
Ȝyf he susteynë hys mysdede,
And hys mysawe wyl nat drede,
Þat cumþ of mysprout herte and hy
Þat wyl nat knowe hys owne foly.
Of al folyys þat beryn name,
Þys foly ys moste for to blame;
who-so-euer to þys ys custummable,
hys amendment may neuer be stable.
what sey men of þese loseniours
Þat haue here wurdys feyre as flours?
Now ys þe flourë whyte and rede,
And now hyt ys boþe drye and dede.
Þe losenioure spekþ now þy pay,
And behynde þy bak hyt ys away.
þere one haþ smylyng semelaunt
And behetyþ þe to holde cunnaunt,
kepe þe þan fro losengrye,
For feyre spekyng man kan weyl lye.
who-so-euer ys custummable to banne
For prydë, sum tymë or whanne,
Þe apostyl seyþ þat he may noght
Vn-to þe blysse of heuene be broght.
Þat haue here wurdys feyre as flours?
Now ys þe flourë whyte and rede,
And now hyt ys boþe drye and dede.
Þe losenioure spekþ now þy pay,
And behynde þy bak hyt ys away.
þere one haþ smylyng semelaunt
And behetyþ þe to holde cunnaunt,
kepe þe þan fro losengrye,
For feyre spekyng man kan weyl lye.
who-so-euer ys custummable to banne
For prydë, sum tymë or whanne,
Þe apostyl seyþ þat he may noght
Vn-to þe blysse of heuene be broght.
A-noþer spyce hyt ys of pryde,
who so haunteþ for to chyde.
For holy cherche forbedeþ þe
To chyde wyþ any of þy meynë.
Teche hym ferst, yn feyre manere;
And ȝyf he wyl nat with feyre lere,
Þan mayst þou speke stoutly to hym,
with-outë wraþþe, wurdys ful grym,
Þat he be chasted at þy fre wylle,
But þat þou bere yn herte none ylle.
Chydyng cumþ of hertë hy,
And gretë pryde, and vylany.
who so haunteþ for to chyde.
For holy cherche forbedeþ þe
To chyde wyþ any of þy meynë.
Teche hym ferst, yn feyre manere;
122
Þan mayst þou speke stoutly to hym,
with-outë wraþþe, wurdys ful grym,
Þat he be chasted at þy fre wylle,
But þat þou bere yn herte none ylle.
Chydyng cumþ of hertë hy,
And gretë pryde, and vylany.
A-nouþer spyce þer ys þat moche deres,
Þat ys, þese cursed bakbyteres.
Of al men, þey do most euyl,
here lorefadyr ys þe deuyl.
Þe fende vs bewreyeþ of oure synne
whan he haþ made vs fal þer-ynne.
So are þese bakbyters wunne,
Þey seye þe werst þat þey kunne;
Euer behynde a mannys bak,
with euyl þey fynde hym to lak.
Swyche men god almyȝty hatys
And with here foulë synne hym wlatys.
Seynt Austyn spekyþ of swyche þynges
yn a bokë of lesyngys.
No custummable bakbytyng
God forȝeueþ, ne no lesyng,
Þat þou þarfore shalt algate drye
Sum manere peyne for euery lye;
As þe lesyng ys lesse or more,
Shalt þou suffre peyne þar-fore.
And þat may weyl preuyd be
with a tale of an autoryte,
Þat mochë peynë shal he bere
wyþ-outë ende, þe bakbytere;
And y shal tellë ȝou a lyte
Of one þat coude hys felaus byte.
Þat ys, þese cursed bakbyteres.
Of al men, þey do most euyl,
here lorefadyr ys þe deuyl.
Þe fende vs bewreyeþ of oure synne
whan he haþ made vs fal þer-ynne.
So are þese bakbyters wunne,
Þey seye þe werst þat þey kunne;
Euer behynde a mannys bak,
with euyl þey fynde hym to lak.
Swyche men god almyȝty hatys
And with here foulë synne hym wlatys.
Seynt Austyn spekyþ of swyche þynges
yn a bokë of lesyngys.
No custummable bakbytyng
God forȝeueþ, ne no lesyng,
Þat þou þarfore shalt algate drye
Sum manere peyne for euery lye;
As þe lesyng ys lesse or more,
Shalt þou suffre peyne þar-fore.
And þat may weyl preuyd be
with a tale of an autoryte,
Þat mochë peynë shal he bere
wyþ-outë ende, þe bakbytere;
And y shal tellë ȝou a lyte
Of one þat coude hys felaus byte.
123
[The Tale of the backbiting English Monk.]
þer was a man of relygyun,
þat yn þys he was a felun,
Yn bakbytyng, as ȝe han herde,
As many one are now yn þys werlde.
He was wunt to seye wykked sawes
Behynde þe bak of hys felaws;
For he wulde be holde þe beste
Of all hys breþer, and þe wylyeste.
A syknes toke þys munke, and deyde,
As God had of hym purueyde,
And went yn-to peynë hard,
As was shewed aftyrward.
Befel þe tyme, as hyt ys ryȝt,
Munkës to rysë at mydnyȝt;
And when matynes were al done,
Þe couent ȝede to beddë sone.
A munkë lefte be-hynde a throwe,
Þat þe dede was wunt to knowe;
whan þys munke come before þe chapytyl,
As ordyr askyþ, he louted a lytyl;
And as he louted, hys ye gan blenche,
And say one sytte before þe benche,
A foulë þyng, and a grysly,
he sagh neuer none so loþly;
he shette hys tunge before þe grecys,
And gnogh hyt ynwarde al to pecys.
hys tunge was brennynge þat he so gnogh,
yn-to hys mouþe aȝen he hyt drogh;
And eft, oute he dede hyt shete,
And gnogh hyt eft with peynës grete.
Many tymes þan dede he so;
Þys munke stode and loked þarto,
And had þerof so mochë drede
Þat he wende hauë go to wede.
As he stode so sore a glyfte,
Hys ryȝt hand vp he lyfte
And blessede hym-self stedfastly;
And seþþen, he wax more hardy,
And þoght, ‘þys ys sum pryuyte
Þat God almyȝty sheweþ to me.’
hastyly þer-to he ȝede,
And hadde þer-of no morë drede;
And seyd, “best, y cóniure þe,
Yn God þat ys persónës thre,
Þat þou me telle why þou syttest here,
Yn swych forme, and yn swych manere.”
þat yn þys he was a felun,
Yn bakbytyng, as ȝe han herde,
As many one are now yn þys werlde.
He was wunt to seye wykked sawes
Behynde þe bak of hys felaws;
For he wulde be holde þe beste
Of all hys breþer, and þe wylyeste.
A syknes toke þys munke, and deyde,
As God had of hym purueyde,
And went yn-to peynë hard,
As was shewed aftyrward.
Befel þe tyme, as hyt ys ryȝt,
Munkës to rysë at mydnyȝt;
And when matynes were al done,
Þe couent ȝede to beddë sone.
A munkë lefte be-hynde a throwe,
Þat þe dede was wunt to knowe;
whan þys munke come before þe chapytyl,
As ordyr askyþ, he louted a lytyl;
And as he louted, hys ye gan blenche,
And say one sytte before þe benche,
A foulë þyng, and a grysly,
he sagh neuer none so loþly;
he shette hys tunge before þe grecys,
And gnogh hyt ynwarde al to pecys.
hys tunge was brennynge þat he so gnogh,
yn-to hys mouþe aȝen he hyt drogh;
And eft, oute he dede hyt shete,
And gnogh hyt eft with peynës grete.
Many tymes þan dede he so;
124
And had þerof so mochë drede
Þat he wende hauë go to wede.
As he stode so sore a glyfte,
Hys ryȝt hand vp he lyfte
And blessede hym-self stedfastly;
And seþþen, he wax more hardy,
And þoght, ‘þys ys sum pryuyte
Þat God almyȝty sheweþ to me.’
hastyly þer-to he ȝede,
And hadde þer-of no morë drede;
And seyd, “best, y cóniure þe,
Yn God þat ys persónës thre,
Þat þou me telle why þou syttest here,
Yn swych forme, and yn swych manere.”
To answere, he ne myȝt wyþ-drawe,
“y was a munke, þyn owne felawe,
Þat suffre all þys peyne and shame;
Hyt am y,”—and tolde hys name,—
“y was a wykked bakbytere,
Euyl wurdys aboute for to bere;
Of my felaws, wykkedly to seye
Al þat euer y myȝt bewreye;
And mystrowyng was y ay
Of my felaws boþe nyȝt and day.
Þe wykked wurdys þat y haue seyd,
wykkedly are þey on me leyde;
Y shal abeye hem ful dere
with peynës strong, as ȝe se here.”
he wente, an was no more sene;
Dampned he was, as y wene.
“y was a munke, þyn owne felawe,
Þat suffre all þys peyne and shame;
Hyt am y,”—and tolde hys name,—
“y was a wykked bakbytere,
Euyl wurdys aboute for to bere;
Of my felaws, wykkedly to seye
Al þat euer y myȝt bewreye;
And mystrowyng was y ay
Of my felaws boþe nyȝt and day.
Þe wykked wurdys þat y haue seyd,
wykkedly are þey on me leyde;
Y shal abeye hem ful dere
with peynës strong, as ȝe se here.”
he wente, an was no more sene;
Dampned he was, as y wene.
þys tale y wote and vndyrstand
where hyt fyl, yn Yngland,
At a ful namecouthe abbey
Þat y ne wyl telle, ne bewrey.
Swych peyne ys for hem dyȝt
Þat kunne nat kepe here tungë ryȝt.
yn þe byble men mow se,
yn a boke of pryuyte,
Apocalyps þese clerkys wote,
Seynt Ioun þe euangylyst hyt wrote;
Oure lordë seyþ þat þey shal ete
here tunges in peynes, and al to-frete,
Þese lyers and þese bakbyters;
Þe talë, of þys, wytnes berys.
where hyt fyl, yn Yngland,
At a ful namecouthe abbey
Þat y ne wyl telle, ne bewrey.
125
Þat kunne nat kepe here tungë ryȝt.
yn þe byble men mow se,
yn a boke of pryuyte,
Apocalyps þese clerkys wote,
Seynt Ioun þe euangylyst hyt wrote;
Oure lordë seyþ þat þey shal ete
here tunges in peynes, and al to-frete,
Þese lyers and þese bakbyters;
Þe talë, of þys, wytnes berys.
Of þys synne, y rede we vs shryue,
And take oure penaunce by oure lyue;
For but we yn þys so do,
harder peyne shul we go to.
with what lyme þon dost most synne,
yn þat shalt þou have most pyne ynne.
And take oure penaunce by oure lyue;
For but we yn þys so do,
harder peyne shul we go to.
with what lyme þon dost most synne,
yn þat shalt þou have most pyne ynne.
ȝyf þou euer wyþ bakbytyng
ȝaue cunsel to wykked þyng,
Þat ys a wundyr grete foly;
Hyt may be prydë with enuye;
who-so-euer haunteþ þat yche dede,
Hym shal fayle cunsel at hys nede.
And swyche are preued with resun,
wykked treytours ful of tresun.
ȝyue gode cunsel, ȝyf þat þou kan,
And auowe hyt, byfore god and man.
ȝaue cunsel to wykked þyng,
Þat ys a wundyr grete foly;
Hyt may be prydë with enuye;
who-so-euer haunteþ þat yche dede,
Hym shal fayle cunsel at hys nede.
And swyche are preued with resun,
wykked treytours ful of tresun.
ȝyue gode cunsel, ȝyf þat þou kan,
And auowe hyt, byfore god and man.
Pryde haþ ȝyt anoþer tresun,
And a vnkyndhede as a felun;
Þat now ys vnneþë none
Þat yn þat synne ne ys mys gone.
Ȝyf any shewe to oþer a pryuyte
Þat for cunseyl oght to be,
ȝyf he þat cunseyl fyrþer fame,
Þat þerof cumþ boþe synne and shame,
Y kan nat se, as yn þys kas,
How hé may ámende þys trespas;
And specyaly to a preste
Cunsel of shryfte sperd yn hys breste,
He ne oght for to telle
For lyfe ne deþ, what so euer befelle.
Shryfte ys goddys pryuyte
Þat euer for cunsel oght to be.
Ȝyf a synnë neuer so grym,
To a prest, yn shryfte, were shewede hym;
Þogh men aforced hym for drede,
To sey þat, ‘þat man dyd þat dede’
Seþþen he had hys penaunce take,
And yn shryfte hys synne forsake,
He shuld raþer swere on þe halydam
‘Nay!’ or he tolde hyt any man,
Ȝyf he ne myȝt with noun answere
Or ouþer manere hym seluen were.
Þe prest þat telleþ goddys cunsel,
he shal se hyt wroþer yn helle;
Yn erþe hys tunge oght to be oute drawe,
And yn helle be al to-gnawe.
And a vnkyndhede as a felun;
Þat now ys vnneþë none
Þat yn þat synne ne ys mys gone.
Ȝyf any shewe to oþer a pryuyte
Þat for cunseyl oght to be,
ȝyf he þat cunseyl fyrþer fame,
Þat þerof cumþ boþe synne and shame,
Y kan nat se, as yn þys kas,
How hé may ámende þys trespas;
126
Cunsel of shryfte sperd yn hys breste,
He ne oght for to telle
For lyfe ne deþ, what so euer befelle.
Shryfte ys goddys pryuyte
Þat euer for cunsel oght to be.
Ȝyf a synnë neuer so grym,
To a prest, yn shryfte, were shewede hym;
Þogh men aforced hym for drede,
To sey þat, ‘þat man dyd þat dede’
Seþþen he had hys penaunce take,
And yn shryfte hys synne forsake,
He shuld raþer swere on þe halydam
‘Nay!’ or he tolde hyt any man,
Ȝyf he ne myȝt with noun answere
Or ouþer manere hym seluen were.
Þe prest þat telleþ goddys cunsel,
he shal se hyt wroþer yn helle;
Yn erþe hys tunge oght to be oute drawe,
And yn helle be al to-gnawe.
hyt ys also grete pryde and herte hy,
To speke foule wurdys yn rybaudy;
Seynt Poule seyþ, vs to chastyse,
‘kepyþ ȝoure tungës on al wyse,
And spekeþ no fylþe oute of skore,
Þat noun ouþer synne þarfore.’
To speke foule wurdys yn rybaudy;
Seynt Poule seyþ, vs to chastyse,
‘kepyþ ȝoure tungës on al wyse,
And spekeþ no fylþe oute of skore,
Þat noun ouþer synne þarfore.’
Ȝyf þou any man manasse
Þurgh force or power þat þou hasse,
Hyt ys grete pryde, y ȝeue þe a ȝyfte;
Þenkë þer-on, yn þy shryfte.
Þurgh force or power þat þou hasse,
Hyt ys grete pryde, y ȝeue þe a ȝyfte;
Þenkë þer-on, yn þy shryfte.
ȝyf þou euer ȝaue iogolours of þy þyng
For to be yn here preysyng,
Or þou madyst wrastlyng yn place
Þat nonë were to þy pygace,—
Alle ys pryde and vanyte;
Of al behoueþ þe shryuë be.
No prydë ne may be stole,
No yn shryftë be forhole;
For ȝyf hyt be forholë here
Yn oþer stede þou shalt abye hyt dere.
For to be yn here preysyng,
Or þou madyst wrastlyng yn place
Þat nonë were to þy pygace,—
127
Of al behoueþ þe shryuë be.
No prydë ne may be stole,
No yn shryftë be forhole;
For ȝyf hyt be forholë here
Yn oþer stede þou shalt abye hyt dere.
Now of pryde shul we leue and dwelle,
And furþer of oþer synnys telle;
Þogh y þer-of spake euere and oo,
Ȝyt myȝt menne telle of many mo;
For of pryde ys þe bygynnyng
Of al manere wykked þyng:
God shelde vs þer-yn to falle,
And haue mercy on vs alle!
And furþer of oþer synnys telle;
Þogh y þer-of spake euere and oo,
Ȝyt myȝt menne telle of many mo;
For of pryde ys þe bygynnyng
Of al manere wykked þyng:
God shelde vs þer-yn to falle,
And haue mercy on vs alle!
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