 | The Pearl; Cleanness; Patience |  |
1
The Pearl.
I.
Perle plesaunte to prynces paye,
To clanly clos in golde so clere,
Oute of oryent I hardyly saye,
Ne proued I neuer her precios pere,
So rounde, so reken in vche araye,
So smal, so smoþe her sydeȝ were.
Quere-so-euer I lugged gemmeȝ gaye,
I sette hyr sengeley in synglure;
Allas! I leste hyr in on erbere,
Þurȝ gresse to grounde hit fro me yot;
I dewyne for-dolked of luf daungere,
Of þat pryuy perle with-outen spot.
To clanly clos in golde so clere,
Oute of oryent I hardyly saye,
Ne proued I neuer her precios pere,
So rounde, so reken in vche araye,
So smal, so smoþe her sydeȝ were.
Quere-so-euer I lugged gemmeȝ gaye,
I sette hyr sengeley in synglure;
Allas! I leste hyr in on erbere,
Þurȝ gresse to grounde hit fro me yot;
I dewyne for-dolked of luf daungere,
Of þat pryuy perle with-outen spot.
Syþen in þat spote hit fro me sprange,
Ofte haf I wayted wyschande þat wele,
Þat wont watȝ whyle deuoyde my wrange,
& heuen my happ & al my hele,
Þat dotȝ bot þrych my hert þrange,
My breste in bale bot bolne & bele.
Ȝet þoȝt me neuer so swete a sange,
As stylle stounde let to me stele,
For-soþe þer fleten to me fele,
To þenke hir color so clad in clot;
O moul þou marreȝ a myry mele.
My priuy perle with-outen spotte,
Ofte haf I wayted wyschande þat wele,
Þat wont watȝ whyle deuoyde my wrange,
& heuen my happ & al my hele,
Þat dotȝ bot þrych my hert þrange,
My breste in bale bot bolne & bele.
Ȝet þoȝt me neuer so swete a sange,
As stylle stounde let to me stele,
For-soþe þer fleten to me fele,
To þenke hir color so clad in clot;
O moul þou marreȝ a myry mele.
My priuy perle with-outen spotte,
2
Þat spot of spyseȝ myȝt nedeȝ sprede,
Þer such rycheȝ to rot is runnen;
Blomeȝ blayke & blwe & rede,
Þer schyneȝ ful schyr agayn þe sunne.
Flor & fryte may not be fede,
Þer hit doun drof in moldeȝ dunne,
For vch gresse mot grow of grayneȝ dede,
No whete were elleȝ to woneȝ wonne;
Of goud vche goude is ay by-gonne.
So semly a sede moȝt fayly not,
Þat spryngande spyceȝ vp ne sponne,
Of þat precios perle wyth-outen spotte.
Þer such rycheȝ to rot is runnen;
Blomeȝ blayke & blwe & rede,
Þer schyneȝ ful schyr agayn þe sunne.
Flor & fryte may not be fede,
Þer hit doun drof in moldeȝ dunne,
For vch gresse mot grow of grayneȝ dede,
No whete were elleȝ to woneȝ wonne;
Of goud vche goude is ay by-gonne.
So semly a sede moȝt fayly not,
Þat spryngande spyceȝ vp ne sponne,
Of þat precios perle wyth-outen spotte.
To þat spot þat I in spech expoun
I entred in þat erber grene,
In augoste in a hyȝ seysoun,
Quen corne is coruen wyth crokeȝ kene.
On huyle þer perle hit trendeled doun,
Schadowed þis worteȝ ful schyre & schene
Gilofre, gyngure & gromylyoun,
& pyonys powdered ay by-twene.
Ȝif hit watȝ semly on to sene,
A fayre reflayr ȝet fro hit flot,
Þer wonys þat worþyly I wot & wene,
My precious perle, wyth-outen spot.
I entred in þat erber grene,
In augoste in a hyȝ seysoun,
Quen corne is coruen wyth crokeȝ kene.
On huyle þer perle hit trendeled doun,
Schadowed þis worteȝ ful schyre & schene
Gilofre, gyngure & gromylyoun,
& pyonys powdered ay by-twene.
Ȝif hit watȝ semly on to sene,
A fayre reflayr ȝet fro hit flot,
Þer wonys þat worþyly I wot & wene,
My precious perle, wyth-outen spot.
Bifore þat spot my honde I spenn[e]d,
For care ful colde þat to me caȝt[e];
A denely dele in my hert denned,
Þaȝ resoun sette my seluen saȝt[e].
I playned my perl þat þer watȝ spenned
Wyth fyrte skylleȝ þat faste faȝt[e],
Þaȝ kynde of kryst me comfort kenned,
My wreched sylle in we ay wraȝte.
I felle vpon þat floury flaȝt[e],
Suche odour to my herneȝ schot;
I slode vpon a slepyng slaȝte,
On þat prec[i]os perle with-outen spot.
For care ful colde þat to me caȝt[e];
A denely dele in my hert denned,
Þaȝ resoun sette my seluen saȝt[e].
I playned my perl þat þer watȝ spenned
Wyth fyrte skylleȝ þat faste faȝt[e],
Þaȝ kynde of kryst me comfort kenned,
My wreched sylle in we ay wraȝte.
I felle vpon þat floury flaȝt[e],
Suche odour to my herneȝ schot;
I slode vpon a slepyng slaȝte,
On þat prec[i]os perle with-outen spot.
3
II.
Fro spot my spyryt þer sprang in space,
My body on balke þer bod in sweuen,
My goste is gon in godeȝ grace,
In auenture þer meruayleȝ meuen;
I ne wyste in þis worlde quere þat hit wace,
Bot I knew me keste þer klyfeȝ cleuen;
Towarde a foreste I bere þe face,
Where rych rokkeȝ wer to dyscreuen;
Þe lyȝt of hem myȝt no mon leuen,
Þe glemande glory þar of hem glent;
For wern neuer webbeȝ þat wyȝeȝ weuen,
Of half so dere adubmente.
My body on balke þer bod in sweuen,
My goste is gon in godeȝ grace,
In auenture þer meruayleȝ meuen;
I ne wyste in þis worlde quere þat hit wace,
Bot I knew me keste þer klyfeȝ cleuen;
Towarde a foreste I bere þe face,
Where rych rokkeȝ wer to dyscreuen;
Þe lyȝt of hem myȝt no mon leuen,
Þe glemande glory þar of hem glent;
For wern neuer webbeȝ þat wyȝeȝ weuen,
Of half so dere adubmente.
Dubbed wern alle þo downeȝ sydeȝ
With crystal klyffeȝ so cler of dynde,
Holte-wodeȝ bryȝt aboute hem bydeȝ;
Of bolleȝ as blwe as ble of ynde,
As bornyst syluer þe lef onslydeȝ,
Þat þike con trylle on vch a tynde,
Quen glem of glodeȝ agaynȝ hem glydeȝ,
Wyth schymeryng schene ful schrylle þay schynde.
Þe grauayl þat on grounde con grynde
Wern precious perleȝ of oryente;
Þe sunne bemeȝ bot blo & blynde,
In respecte of þat adubbement.
With crystal klyffeȝ so cler of dynde,
Holte-wodeȝ bryȝt aboute hem bydeȝ;
Of bolleȝ as blwe as ble of ynde,
As bornyst syluer þe lef onslydeȝ,
Þat þike con trylle on vch a tynde,
Quen glem of glodeȝ agaynȝ hem glydeȝ,
Wyth schymeryng schene ful schrylle þay schynde.
Þe grauayl þat on grounde con grynde
Wern precious perleȝ of oryente;
Þe sunne bemeȝ bot blo & blynde,
In respecte of þat adubbement.
The adubbemente of þo downeȝ dere
Garten my goste al greffe for-ȝete
So frech flauore of fryteȝ were,
As fode hit con ma fayre refete.
Fowleȝ þer flowen in fryth in fere,
Of flaumbande hweȝ, 1boþe smale & grete,
Bot sytole stryng & gyternere,
Her reken myrþe moȝt not retrete,
For quen þose bryddeȝ her wyngeȝ bete
Þay songen sryth a swete asent;
So grace [i]os gle couþe no mon gete
As here & se her adubbement.
Garten my goste al greffe for-ȝete
So frech flauore of fryteȝ were,
As fode hit con ma fayre refete.
Fowleȝ þer flowen in fryth in fere,
Of flaumbande hweȝ, 1boþe smale & grete,
Bot sytole stryng & gyternere,
Her reken myrþe moȝt not retrete,
For quen þose bryddeȝ her wyngeȝ bete
Þay songen sryth a swete asent;
4
As here & se her adubbement.
So al watȝ dubbet on dere asyse;
Þat fryth þer fortwne forth me fereȝ;
Þe derþe þer-of for to deuyse
Nis no wyȝ worþe þat tonge bereȝ.
I welke ay forth in wely wyse,
No bonk so byg þat did me dereȝ,
Þe fyrre in þe fryth þe feier con ryse,
Þe playn, þe plontteȝ, þe Spyse, þe pereȝ
& raweȝ & randeȝ & rych reuereȝ,
As fyldor fyn her b[o]nkes brent.
I wan to a water by schore þat schereȝ,
Lorde! dere watȝ hit adubbement !
Þat fryth þer fortwne forth me fereȝ;
Þe derþe þer-of for to deuyse
Nis no wyȝ worþe þat tonge bereȝ.
I welke ay forth in wely wyse,
No bonk so byg þat did me dereȝ,
Þe fyrre in þe fryth þe feier con ryse,
Þe playn, þe plontteȝ, þe Spyse, þe pereȝ
& raweȝ & randeȝ & rych reuereȝ,
As fyldor fyn her b[o]nkes brent.
I wan to a water by schore þat schereȝ,
Lorde! dere watȝ hit adubbement !
The Dubbemente of þo derworth depe
Wern bonkeȝ bene of beryl bryȝt;
Swangeande swete þe water con swepe
Wyth a rownande rourde raykande aryȝt;
In þe founce þer stonden stoneȝ stepe,
As glente þurȝ glas þat glowed & glyȝt,
A stremande sterneȝ quen stroþe men slepe,
Staren in welkyn in wynter nyȝt;
For vche a pobbel in pole þer pyȝt
Watȝ Emerad, saffer, oþer gemme gente,
Þat alle þe loȝe lemed of lyȝt,
So dere watȝ hit adubbement.
Wern bonkeȝ bene of beryl bryȝt;
Swangeande swete þe water con swepe
Wyth a rownande rourde raykande aryȝt;
In þe founce þer stonden stoneȝ stepe,
As glente þurȝ glas þat glowed & glyȝt,
A stremande sterneȝ quen stroþe men slepe,
Staren in welkyn in wynter nyȝt;
For vche a pobbel in pole þer pyȝt
Watȝ Emerad, saffer, oþer gemme gente,
Þat alle þe loȝe lemed of lyȝt,
So dere watȝ hit adubbement.
III.
The dubbement dere of doun & daleȝ;
Of wod & water & wlonk playneȝ,
Bylde in me blys, abated my baleȝ,
For-didden my [dis]tresse, dystryed my payneȝ.
Doun after a strem þat dryȝly haleȝ,
I bowed in blys, bred ful my brayneȝ;
Þe fyrre I folȝed þose floty valeȝ,
Þ more strenghþe of ioye myn herte strayneȝ,
As fortune fares þer as ho frayneȝ,
Wheþer solace ho sende oþer elleȝ sore,
Þe wyȝ, to wham her wylle ho wayneȝ,
Hytteȝ to haue ay more & more.
Of wod & water & wlonk playneȝ,
Bylde in me blys, abated my baleȝ,
For-didden my [dis]tresse, dystryed my payneȝ.
Doun after a strem þat dryȝly haleȝ,
I bowed in blys, bred ful my brayneȝ;
Þe fyrre I folȝed þose floty valeȝ,
5
As fortune fares þer as ho frayneȝ,
Wheþer solace ho sende oþer elleȝ sore,
Þe wyȝ, to wham her wylle ho wayneȝ,
Hytteȝ to haue ay more & more.
More of wele watȝ in þat wyse
Þen I cowþe telle þaȝ I tom hade,
For vrþely herte myȝt not suffyse
To þe tenþe dole of þo gladneȝ glade;
For-þy I þoȝt þat paradyse
Watȝ þer oþer gayn þo bonke brade;
I hoped þe water were a deuyse
By-twene myrþeȝ by mereȝ made,
By-ȝonde þe broke by slante oþer slade,
I hope[de] þat mote merked wore.
Bot þe water watȝ depe I dorst not wade
& euer me longed a more & more.
Þen I cowþe telle þaȝ I tom hade,
For vrþely herte myȝt not suffyse
To þe tenþe dole of þo gladneȝ glade;
For-þy I þoȝt þat paradyse
Watȝ þer oþer gayn þo bonke brade;
I hoped þe water were a deuyse
By-twene myrþeȝ by mereȝ made,
By-ȝonde þe broke by slante oþer slade,
I hope[de] þat mote merked wore.
Bot þe water watȝ depe I dorst not wade
& euer me longed a more & more.
More & more, & ȝet wel mare,
Me lyste to se þe broke by-ȝonde,
For if hit watȝ fayr þer I con fare,
Wel loueloker watȝ þe fyrre londe.
Abowte me con I stote & stare
To fynde a forþe, faste con I fonde,
Bot woþeȝ mo i-wysse þer ware,
Þe fyrre I stalked by þe stronde,
& euer me þoȝt I schulde not wonde
For wo, þer weleȝ so wynne wore.
Þenne nwe note me com on honde
Þat meued my mynde ay more & more,
Me lyste to se þe broke by-ȝonde,
For if hit watȝ fayr þer I con fare,
Wel loueloker watȝ þe fyrre londe.
Abowte me con I stote & stare
To fynde a forþe, faste con I fonde,
Bot woþeȝ mo i-wysse þer ware,
Þe fyrre I stalked by þe stronde,
& euer me þoȝt I schulde not wonde
For wo, þer weleȝ so wynne wore.
Þenne nwe note me com on honde
Þat meued my mynde ay more & more,
More meruayle con my dom adaunt;
I seȝ by-ȝonde þat myry mere,
A crystal clyffe ful relusaunt,
Mony ryal ray con fro hit rere;
At þe fote þer-of þer sete a faunt,
A mayden of menske, ful debonere;
Blysnande whyt watȝ hyr bleaunt,
(I knew hyr wel, I hade sen hyr ere)
As glysnande golde þat man con schere,
So schon þat schene an vnder schore;
On lenghe I loked to hyr þer,
Þe lenger I knew hyr more & more
I seȝ by-ȝonde þat myry mere,
A crystal clyffe ful relusaunt,
Mony ryal ray con fro hit rere;
At þe fote þer-of þer sete a faunt,
A mayden of menske, ful debonere;
Blysnande whyt watȝ hyr bleaunt,
6
As glysnande golde þat man con schere,
So schon þat schene an vnder schore;
On lenghe I loked to hyr þer,
Þe lenger I knew hyr more & more
The more I frayste hyr fayre face.
Her fygure fyn, quen I had fonte,
Suche gladande glory con to me glace,
As lyttel byfore þerto watȝ wonte;
To calle hyr lyste con me enchace,
Bot baysment gef myn hert a brunt,
I seȝ hyr in so strange a place,
Such a burre myȝt make myn herte blunt
Þenne vereȝ ho vp her fayre frount,
Hyr vysayge whyt as playn yuore,
Þat stonge myn hert ful stray atount,
& euer þe lenger, þe more & more.
Her fygure fyn, quen I had fonte,
Suche gladande glory con to me glace,
As lyttel byfore þerto watȝ wonte;
To calle hyr lyste con me enchace,
Bot baysment gef myn hert a brunt,
I seȝ hyr in so strange a place,
Such a burre myȝt make myn herte blunt
Þenne vereȝ ho vp her fayre frount,
Hyr vysayge whyt as playn yuore,
Þat stonge myn hert ful stray atount,
& euer þe lenger, þe more & more.
IV.
More þen me lyste my drede aros,
I stod ful stylle & dorste not calle,
Wyth yȝen open & mouth ful clos,
I stod as hende as hawk in halle;
I hope þat gostly watȝ þat porpose,
I dred on ende quat schulde byfalle,
Lest ho me eschaped þat I þer chos,
Er I at steuen hir moȝt stalle.
Þat gracios gay with-outen galle,
So smoþe, so smal, so seme slyȝt,
Ryseȝ vp in hir araye ryalle,
A prec[i]os pyece in perleȝ pyȝt
I stod ful stylle & dorste not calle,
Wyth yȝen open & mouth ful clos,
I stod as hende as hawk in halle;
I hope þat gostly watȝ þat porpose,
I dred on ende quat schulde byfalle,
Lest ho me eschaped þat I þer chos,
Er I at steuen hir moȝt stalle.
Þat gracios gay with-outen galle,
So smoþe, so smal, so seme slyȝt,
Ryseȝ vp in hir araye ryalle,
A prec[i]os pyece in perleȝ pyȝt
Perleȝ pyȝte of ryal prys,
Þere moȝt mon by grace haf sene,
Quen þat frech as flor-de-lys,
Doun þe bonke con boȝe by-dene.
Al blysnande whyt watȝ hir beau uiys,
Vpon at sydeȝ & bounden bene
Wyth þe myryeste margarys at my deuyse,
Þat euer I seȝ ȝet with myn yȝen;
Wyth lappeȝ large I wot & I wene,
Dubbed with double perle & dyȝte,
Her cortel of self sute schene,
With precios perleȝ al vmbe-pyȝte.
Þere moȝt mon by grace haf sene,
Quen þat frech as flor-de-lys,
Doun þe bonke con boȝe by-dene.
Al blysnande whyt watȝ hir beau uiys,
7
Wyth þe myryeste margarys at my deuyse,
Þat euer I seȝ ȝet with myn yȝen;
Wyth lappeȝ large I wot & I wene,
Dubbed with double perle & dyȝte,
Her cortel of self sute schene,
With precios perleȝ al vmbe-pyȝte.
A pyȝt coroune ȝet wer þat gyrle,
Of mariorys & non oþer ston,
Hiȝe pynakled of cler quyt perle,
Wyth flurted flowreȝ perfet vpon;
To hed hade ho non oþer werle,
Her here heke al hyr vmbe-gon;
Her semblaunt sade, for doc oþer erle,
Her ble more blaȝt þen whalleȝ bon;
As schorne golde schyr her fax þenne schon,
On schyldereȝ þat leghe vnlapped lyȝte;
Her depe colour ȝet wonted non,
Of precios perle in porfyl pyȝte,
Of mariorys & non oþer ston,
Hiȝe pynakled of cler quyt perle,
Wyth flurted flowreȝ perfet vpon;
To hed hade ho non oþer werle,
Her here heke al hyr vmbe-gon;
Her semblaunt sade, for doc oþer erle,
Her ble more blaȝt þen whalleȝ bon;
As schorne golde schyr her fax þenne schon,
On schyldereȝ þat leghe vnlapped lyȝte;
Her depe colour ȝet wonted non,
Of precios perle in porfyl pyȝte,
Pyȝt watȝ poyned & vche a hemme,
At honde, at sydeȝ, at ouerture,
Wyth whyte perle & non oþer gemme,
& bornyste quyte watȝ hyr uesture.
Bot a wonder perle with-outen wemme,
In myddeȝ hyr breste watȝ sette so sure;
A manneȝ dom moȝt dryȝly demme,
Er mynde moȝt malte in hit mesure;
I hope no tong moȝt endure
No sauerly saghe say of þat syȝt,
So watȝ hit clene & cler & pure,
Þat precios perl þer hit watȝ pyȝt,
At honde, at sydeȝ, at ouerture,
Wyth whyte perle & non oþer gemme,
& bornyste quyte watȝ hyr uesture.
Bot a wonder perle with-outen wemme,
In myddeȝ hyr breste watȝ sette so sure;
A manneȝ dom moȝt dryȝly demme,
Er mynde moȝt malte in hit mesure;
I hope no tong moȝt endure
No sauerly saghe say of þat syȝt,
So watȝ hit clene & cler & pure,
Þat precios perl þer hit watȝ pyȝt,
Pyȝt in perle þat precios p[r]yse.
On wyþer half water com doun þe shore,
No gladder gome heþen in to grece,
Þen I, quen he on brymme wore;
Ho watȝ me nerre þen aunte or nece,
My Ioy for-þy watȝ much þe more.
Ho profered me speche þat special spyce,
Enclynande lowe in wommon lore,
Caȝte of her coroun of grete tresore,
& haylsed me wyth a lote lyȝte.
Wel watȝ me þat euer I watȝ bore,
To sware þat swete in perleȝ pyȝte!
On wyþer half water com doun þe shore,
No gladder gome heþen in to grece,
Þen I, quen he on brymme wore;
Ho watȝ me nerre þen aunte or nece,
8
Ho profered me speche þat special spyce,
Enclynande lowe in wommon lore,
Caȝte of her coroun of grete tresore,
& haylsed me wyth a lote lyȝte.
Wel watȝ me þat euer I watȝ bore,
To sware þat swete in perleȝ pyȝte!
V.
“On perle,” quod I, “in perleȝ pyȝt,
Art þou my perle þat I haf playned,
Regretted by myn one, on nyȝte?
Much longeyng haf I for ȝe layned,
Syþen into gresse þou me aglyȝte;
Pensyf, payred, I am for-payned,
& þou in a lyf of lykyng lyȝte
In paradys erde, of stryf vnstrayned.
What wyrde hatȝ hyder my iuel vayned,
& don me in þys del & gret daunger?
Fro we in twynne wern towen & twayned,
I haf ben a Ioyleȝ Iuelere”
Art þou my perle þat I haf playned,
Regretted by myn one, on nyȝte?
Much longeyng haf I for ȝe layned,
Syþen into gresse þou me aglyȝte;
Pensyf, payred, I am for-payned,
& þou in a lyf of lykyng lyȝte
In paradys erde, of stryf vnstrayned.
What wyrde hatȝ hyder my iuel vayned,
& don me in þys del & gret daunger?
Fro we in twynne wern towen & twayned,
I haf ben a Ioyleȝ Iuelere”
That Iuel þenne in gemmyȝ gente,
Vered vp her vyse with yȝen graye,
Set on hyr coroun of perle orient,
& soberly after þenne con ho say:
“Sir ȝe haf your tale myse-tente,
To say your perle is al awaye,
Þat is in cofer, so comly clente,
As un þis gardyn gracios gaye,
Here-inne to lenge for euer & play.
Þer mys nee mornyng com neuer here,
Her were a forser for þe in faye,
If þou were a gentyl Iucler.
Vered vp her vyse with yȝen graye,
Set on hyr coroun of perle orient,
& soberly after þenne con ho say:
“Sir ȝe haf your tale myse-tente,
To say your perle is al awaye,
Þat is in cofer, so comly clente,
As un þis gardyn gracios gaye,
Here-inne to lenge for euer & play.
Þer mys nee mornyng com neuer here,
Her were a forser for þe in faye,
If þou were a gentyl Iucler.
Bot Iueler gente if þou schal lose
Þy ioy for a gemme þat þe watȝ lef,
Me þynk þe put in a mad porpose,
& busyeȝ þe aboute a raysoun bref,
For þat þou lesteȝ watȝ bot a rose,
Þat flowred & rayled as kynde hyt gef;
Now þurȝ kynde of þe kyste þat hyt con close,
To a perle of prys hit is put in pref;
& þou hatȝ called þy wyrde a þef,
Þat oȝt of moȝt hatȝ mad þe cler;
Þou blameȝ þe bote of þy meschef,
Þou art no kynde Iueler.”
9
Me þynk þe put in a mad porpose,
& busyeȝ þe aboute a raysoun bref,
For þat þou lesteȝ watȝ bot a rose,
Þat flowred & rayled as kynde hyt gef;
Now þurȝ kynde of þe kyste þat hyt con close,
To a perle of prys hit is put in pref;
& þou hatȝ called þy wyrde a þef,
Þat oȝt of moȝt hatȝ mad þe cler;
Þou blameȝ þe bote of þy meschef,
Þou art no kynde Iueler.”
A Iuel to me þen watȝ þys geste,
& iueleȝ wern hyr gentyl saweȝ”
“I-wyse,” quod I, “my blysfol beste,
My grete dystresse þou al to-draweȝ,
To be excused I make requeste;
I trawed my perle don out of daweȝ,
Now haf I fonde hyt I schal ma feste,
& wony with hyt in schyr wod schaweȝ,
& loue my lorde & al his laweȝ,
Þat hatȝ me broȝ[t] þys blys ner;
Now were I at yow by-ȝonde þise waweȝ,
I were a ioyfol Iueler.”
& iueleȝ wern hyr gentyl saweȝ”
“I-wyse,” quod I, “my blysfol beste,
My grete dystresse þou al to-draweȝ,
To be excused I make requeste;
I trawed my perle don out of daweȝ,
Now haf I fonde hyt I schal ma feste,
& wony with hyt in schyr wod schaweȝ,
& loue my lorde & al his laweȝ,
Þat hatȝ me broȝ[t] þys blys ner;
Now were I at yow by-ȝonde þise waweȝ,
I were a ioyfol Iueler.”
“Iueler,” sayde þat gemme clene,
“Wy borde ȝe men, so madde ȝe be?
Þre wordeȝ hatȝ þou spoken at ene,
Vn-avysed, for soþe, wern alle þre,
Þou ne woste in worlde quat on dotȝ mene,
Þy worde byfore þy wytte con fle.
Þou says þou Traweȝ me in þis dene,
By cawse þou may with yȝen me se;
Anoþer þou says, in þys countre
Þy self schal won with me ryȝt here;
Þe þrydde, to passe þys water fre,
Þat may no ioyfol Iueler.
“Wy borde ȝe men, so madde ȝe be?
Þre wordeȝ hatȝ þou spoken at ene,
Vn-avysed, for soþe, wern alle þre,
Þou ne woste in worlde quat on dotȝ mene,
Þy worde byfore þy wytte con fle.
Þou says þou Traweȝ me in þis dene,
By cawse þou may with yȝen me se;
Anoþer þou says, in þys countre
Þy self schal won with me ryȝt here;
Þe þrydde, to passe þys water fre,
Þat may no ioyfol Iueler.
10
VI.
I halde þat iueler lyttel to prayse,
Þat loueȝ wel þot he seȝ wyth yȝe,
& much to blame & vn-cortoyse,
Þat loueȝ oure lorde wolde make a lyȝe,
Þat lelly hyȝte your lyf to rayse,
Þaȝ fortune dyd your flesch to dyȝe;
Ȝe setten hys wordeȝ ful westernays
Þat loueȝ no þynk bot ȝe hit syȝe,
& þat is a poynt o sorquydryȝe,
Þat vche god mon may euel byseme
To leue no tale be true to tryȝe,
Bot ȝat hys one skyl may dem[e].
Þat loueȝ wel þot he seȝ wyth yȝe,
& much to blame & vn-cortoyse,
Þat loueȝ oure lorde wolde make a lyȝe,
Þat lelly hyȝte your lyf to rayse,
Þaȝ fortune dyd your flesch to dyȝe;
Ȝe setten hys wordeȝ ful westernays
Þat loueȝ no þynk bot ȝe hit syȝe,
& þat is a poynt o sorquydryȝe,
Þat vche god mon may euel byseme
To leue no tale be true to tryȝe,
Bot ȝat hys one skyl may dem[e].
Deme now þy-self, if þou con, dayly
As man to god wordeȝ schulde heue.
Þou saytȝ þou schal won in þis bayly;
Me þynk þe burde fyrst aske leue,
& ȝet of graunt þou myȝteȝ fayle;
Þou wylneȝ ouer þys water to weue,
Er moste þou ceuer to oþer counsayl,
Þy corse in clot mot calder keue,
For hit watȝ for-garte, at paradys greue
Oure ȝore fader hit con mysseȝeme;
Þurȝ drwry deth boȝ veh ma dreue,
Er ouer þys dam hym dryȝtyn deme.”
As man to god wordeȝ schulde heue.
Þou saytȝ þou schal won in þis bayly;
Me þynk þe burde fyrst aske leue,
& ȝet of graunt þou myȝteȝ fayle;
Þou wylneȝ ouer þys water to weue,
Er moste þou ceuer to oþer counsayl,
Þy corse in clot mot calder keue,
For hit watȝ for-garte, at paradys greue
Oure ȝore fader hit con mysseȝeme;
Þurȝ drwry deth boȝ veh ma dreue,
Er ouer þys dam hym dryȝtyn deme.”
“Demeȝ þou me,” quod I, “my swete
To dol agayn, þenne I dowyne;
Now haf I fonte þat I for-lete
Schal I efte for-go hit er euer I fyne?
Why schal I hit boþe mysse & mete?
My precios perle dotȝ me gret pyne,
What serueȝ tresor, bot gareȝ men grete
When he hit schal efte with teneȝ tyne?
Now rech I neuer forto declyne,
Ne how fer of folde þat man me fleme,
When I am partleȝ of perleȝ myne.
Bot durande doel what may men deme?”
To dol agayn, þenne I dowyne;
Now haf I fonte þat I for-lete
Schal I efte for-go hit er euer I fyne?
Why schal I hit boþe mysse & mete?
My precios perle dotȝ me gret pyne,
What serueȝ tresor, bot gareȝ men grete
When he hit schal efte with teneȝ tyne?
Now rech I neuer forto declyne,
Ne how fer of folde þat man me fleme,
11
Bot durande doel what may men deme?”
“Thow demeȝ noȝt bot doel dystresse,”
Þenne sayde þat wyȝt “why dotȝ þou so ?
For dyne of doel, of lureȝ lesse,
Ofte mony mon for-gos þe mo;
Þe oȝte better þy seluen blesse,
& loue ay god & wele & wo,
For anger gayneȝ þe not a cresse.
Who nedeȝ schal þole be not so þro;
For þoȝ þou daunce as any do
Braundysch & bray þy braþeȝ breme,
When þou no fyrre may, to ne fro,
Þou moste abyde þat he schal deme.
Þenne sayde þat wyȝt “why dotȝ þou so ?
For dyne of doel, of lureȝ lesse,
Ofte mony mon for-gos þe mo;
Þe oȝte better þy seluen blesse,
& loue ay god & wele & wo,
For anger gayneȝ þe not a cresse.
Who nedeȝ schal þole be not so þro;
For þoȝ þou daunce as any do
Braundysch & bray þy braþeȝ breme,
When þou no fyrre may, to ne fro,
Þou moste abyde þat he schal deme.
Deme dryȝtyn, euer hym adyte,
Of þe way a fote ne wyl he wryþe,
Þy mendeȝ mounteȝ not a myte,
Þaȝ þou for sorȝe be neuer blyþe;
Stynst of þy strot & fyne to flyte,
& sech hys blyþe ful swefte & swyþe,
Þy prayer may hys pyte byte,
Þat mercy schal hyr crafteȝ kyþe;
Hys comforte may þy langour lyþe,
& þy lureȝ of lyȝtly leme,
For marre oþer madde, morne & myþe,
Al lys in hym to dyȝt & deme.”
Of þe way a fote ne wyl he wryþe,
Þy mendeȝ mounteȝ not a myte,
Þaȝ þou for sorȝe be neuer blyþe;
Stynst of þy strot & fyne to flyte,
& sech hys blyþe ful swefte & swyþe,
Þy prayer may hys pyte byte,
Þat mercy schal hyr crafteȝ kyþe;
Hys comforte may þy langour lyþe,
& þy lureȝ of lyȝtly leme,
For marre oþer madde, morne & myþe,
Al lys in hym to dyȝt & deme.”
VII.
Thenne demed I to þat damyselle
Ne worþe no wrath þe vnto my lorde,
If rapely raue spornande in spelle.
My herte watȝ al with mysse remorde,
As wallande water gotȝ out of welle;
I do me ay in hys myserecorde.
Rebuke me neuer with wordeȝ felle,
Þaȝ I forloyne my dere endorde,
Bot lyþeȝ me kyndely your coumforde,
Pytosly þenkande vpon þysse;
Of care & me ȝe made acorde,
Þat er watȝ grounde of alle my blysse;
Ne worþe no wrath þe vnto my lorde,
If rapely raue spornande in spelle.
My herte watȝ al with mysse remorde,
As wallande water gotȝ out of welle;
I do me ay in hys myserecorde.
Rebuke me neuer with wordeȝ felle,
Þaȝ I forloyne my dere endorde,
12
Pytosly þenkande vpon þysse;
Of care & me ȝe made acorde,
Þat er watȝ grounde of alle my blysse;
My blysse, my bale ȝe han ben boþe,
Bot much þe bygger ȝot watȝ my mon,
Fro þou watȝ wroken fro veh a woþe.
I wyste neuer quere my perle watȝ gon;
Now I hit se, now leþeȝ my loþe,
& quen we departed we wern at on,
God forbede we be now wroþe,
We meten so selden by stok oþer ston;
Þaȝ cortaysly ȝe carp con,
I am bot mol & marereȝ mysse,
Bot crystes mersy & mary & Ion,
Þise arn þe grounde of alle my blysse.
Bot much þe bygger ȝot watȝ my mon,
Fro þou watȝ wroken fro veh a woþe.
I wyste neuer quere my perle watȝ gon;
Now I hit se, now leþeȝ my loþe,
& quen we departed we wern at on,
God forbede we be now wroþe,
We meten so selden by stok oþer ston;
Þaȝ cortaysly ȝe carp con,
I am bot mol & marereȝ mysse,
Bot crystes mersy & mary & Ion,
Þise arn þe grounde of alle my blysse.
In blysse I se þe blyþely blent
& I a man al mornyf mate,
Ȝe take þer-on ful lyttel tente,
Þaȝ I hente ofte harmeȝ hate.
Bot now I am here in your presente,
I wolde bysech wythouten debate,
Ȝe wolde me say in sobre asente,
What lyf ȝe lede, erly & late,
For I am ful fayn þat your astate
Is worþen to worschyp & wele Iwysse,
Of alle my Ioy þe hyȝe gate
Hit is in grounde of alle my blysse.”
& I a man al mornyf mate,
Ȝe take þer-on ful lyttel tente,
Þaȝ I hente ofte harmeȝ hate.
Bot now I am here in your presente,
I wolde bysech wythouten debate,
Ȝe wolde me say in sobre asente,
What lyf ȝe lede, erly & late,
For I am ful fayn þat your astate
Is worþen to worschyp & wele Iwysse,
Of alle my Ioy þe hyȝe gate
Hit is in grounde of alle my blysse.”
“Now blysse burne mot þe bytyde;”
Þen sayde þat lufsoum of lyth & lere
“& welcum here to walk & byde,
For now þy speche is to me dere;
Maysterful mod & hyȝe pryde
I hete þe arn heterly hated here;
My lorde ne loueȝ not forto chyde,
For meke arn alle þat woneȝ hym nere,
& when in hys place þou schal apere,
Be dep deuote in hol mekenesse;
My lorde þe lamb, loueȝ ay such chere,
Þat is þe grounde of alle my blysse.
Þen sayde þat lufsoum of lyth & lere
“& welcum here to walk & byde,
For now þy speche is to me dere;
Maysterful mod & hyȝe pryde
I hete þe arn heterly hated here;
My lorde ne loueȝ not forto chyde,
For meke arn alle þat woneȝ hym nere,
13
Be dep deuote in hol mekenesse;
My lorde þe lamb, loueȝ ay such chere,
Þat is þe grounde of alle my blysse.
A blysful lyf þou says I lede,
Þou woldeȝ knaw þer-of þe stage;
Þow wost wel when þy perle con schede,
I watȝ ful ȝong & tender of age,
Bot my lorde þe lombe, þurȝ hys god-hede,
He toke my self to hys maryage,
Corounde me quene in blysse to brede,
In lenghe of dayeȝ þat euer schal wage,
& sesed in alle hys herytage
Hys lef is, I am holy hysse;
Hys prese, hys prys & hys parage,
Is rote & grounde of alle my blysse.”
Þou woldeȝ knaw þer-of þe stage;
Þow wost wel when þy perle con schede,
I watȝ ful ȝong & tender of age,
Bot my lorde þe lombe, þurȝ hys god-hede,
He toke my self to hys maryage,
Corounde me quene in blysse to brede,
In lenghe of dayeȝ þat euer schal wage,
& sesed in alle hys herytage
Hys lef is, I am holy hysse;
Hys prese, hys prys & hys parage,
Is rote & grounde of alle my blysse.”
VIII.
“Blysful,” quod I, “may þys be trwe,
Dyspleseȝ not if I speke errour;
Art þou þe quene of heueneȝ blwe,
Þat al þys worlds schal do honour?
We leuen on marye þat grace of grewe,
Þat ber a barne of vyrgyn flour,
Þe croune fro hyr quo moȝt remwe,
Bot ho hir passed in sum fauour?
Now for synglerty o hyr dousour,
We calle hyr fenyx of arraby,
Þat freles fleȝe of hyr fasor,
Lyk to þe quen of cortaysye.”
Dyspleseȝ not if I speke errour;
Art þou þe quene of heueneȝ blwe,
Þat al þys worlds schal do honour?
We leuen on marye þat grace of grewe,
Þat ber a barne of vyrgyn flour,
Þe croune fro hyr quo moȝt remwe,
Bot ho hir passed in sum fauour?
Now for synglerty o hyr dousour,
We calle hyr fenyx of arraby,
Þat freles fleȝe of hyr fasor,
Lyk to þe quen of cortaysye.”
“Cortayse quen” þenne s[a]yde þat gaye,
Knelande to grounde, folde vp hyr face,
“Makeleȝ moder & myryest may,
Blessed bygynner of vch a grace!”
Þenne ros ho vp & con restay,
& speke me towarde in þat space:
“Sir fele here porchaseȝ & fongeȝ pray
Bot supplantoreȝ none with-inne þys place;
Þat emperise al heuenȝ hatȝ,
& vrþe & helle in her bayly;
Of erytage ȝet non wyl ho chace,
For ho is quen of cortaysye.
Knelande to grounde, folde vp hyr face,
“Makeleȝ moder & myryest may,
Blessed bygynner of vch a grace!”
Þenne ros ho vp & con restay,
14
“Sir fele here porchaseȝ & fongeȝ pray
Bot supplantoreȝ none with-inne þys place;
Þat emperise al heuenȝ hatȝ,
& vrþe & helle in her bayly;
Of erytage ȝet non wyl ho chace,
For ho is quen of cortaysye.
The court of þe kyndom of god alyne,
Hatȝ a property in hyt self beyng;
Alle þat may þer-inne aryue
Of alle þe reme is quen oþer kyng,
& neuer oþer ȝet schal sepryue,
Bot vchon fayn of oþereȝ hafyng,
& wolde her corouneȝ wern worþe þo fyue,
If possyble were her mendyng.
Bot my lady of quom Iesu con spryng,
Ho haldeȝ þe empyre ouer vus ful hyȝe,
& þat dyspleseȝ non of oure gyng,
For ho is quene of cortaysye.
Hatȝ a property in hyt self beyng;
Alle þat may þer-inne aryue
Of alle þe reme is quen oþer kyng,
& neuer oþer ȝet schal sepryue,
Bot vchon fayn of oþereȝ hafyng,
& wolde her corouneȝ wern worþe þo fyue,
If possyble were her mendyng.
Bot my lady of quom Iesu con spryng,
Ho haldeȝ þe empyre ouer vus ful hyȝe,
& þat dyspleseȝ non of oure gyng,
For ho is quene of cortaysye.
Of courtaysye, as saytȝ saynt poule,
Al arn we membreȝ of ihesu kryst,
As heued & arme & legg & naule,
Temen to hys body ful trwe & t[r]yste;
Ryȝt so is vch a krysten sawle,
A longande lym to þe mayster of myste;
Þenne loke what hate oþer any gawle,
Is tached oþer tyȝed þy lymmeȝ by-twyste,
Þy heued hatȝ nauþer greme ne gryste,
On arme oþer fynger, þaȝ þou ber byȝe;
So fare we alle wyth luf & lyste,
To kyng & quene by cortaysye.”
Al arn we membreȝ of ihesu kryst,
As heued & arme & legg & naule,
Temen to hys body ful trwe & t[r]yste;
Ryȝt so is vch a krysten sawle,
A longande lym to þe mayster of myste;
Þenne loke what hate oþer any gawle,
Is tached oþer tyȝed þy lymmeȝ by-twyste,
Þy heued hatȝ nauþer greme ne gryste,
On arme oþer fynger, þaȝ þou ber byȝe;
So fare we alle wyth luf & lyste,
To kyng & quene by cortaysye.”
“Cortayse,” quod I, “I leue
& charyte grete be yow among,
Bot my speche þat yow ne greue,
[OMITTED]
Þy self in heuen ouer hyȝ þou heue,
To make þe quen þat watȝ so ȝonge,
What more-hond moȝte he acheue
Þat hade endured in worlde stronge,
& lyued in penaunce hys lyueȝ longe,
With bodyly bale hym blysse to byye?
What more worschyp moȝt ho fonge,
Þen corounde be kyng by cortayse?
& charyte grete be yow among,
Bot my speche þat yow ne greue,
[OMITTED]
Þy self in heuen ouer hyȝ þou heue,
15
What more-hond moȝte he acheue
Þat hade endured in worlde stronge,
& lyued in penaunce hys lyueȝ longe,
With bodyly bale hym blysse to byye?
What more worschyp moȝt ho fonge,
Þen corounde be kyng by cortayse?
IX.
That cortayse is to fre of dede,
Ȝyf hyt be soth þat þou coneȝ saye,
Þou lyfed not two ȝer in oure þede,
Þou cowþeȝ neuer god nauþer plese ne pray,
Ne neuer nawþer pater ne crede,
& quen mad on þe fyrst day!
I may not traw, so god me spede,
Þat god wolde wryþe so wrange away;
Of countes damysel, par ma fay,
Wer fayr in heuen to halde asstate
Aþer elleȝ a lady of lasse aray,
Bot a quene, hit is to dere a date.”
Ȝyf hyt be soth þat þou coneȝ saye,
Þou lyfed not two ȝer in oure þede,
Þou cowþeȝ neuer god nauþer plese ne pray,
Ne neuer nawþer pater ne crede,
& quen mad on þe fyrst day!
I may not traw, so god me spede,
Þat god wolde wryþe so wrange away;
Of countes damysel, par ma fay,
Wer fayr in heuen to halde asstate
Aþer elleȝ a lady of lasse aray,
Bot a quene, hit is to dere a date.”
“Þer is no date of hys god-nesse,”
Þen sayde to me þat worþy wyȝte,
“For al is trawþe þat he con dresse,
& he may do no þynk bot ryȝt,
As mathew meleȝ in your messe,
In sothfol gospel of god al-myȝt
In sample he can ful grayþely gesse,
& lykneȝ hit to heuen lyȝte.”
“My regne, he saytȝ, is lyk on hyȝt,
To a lorde þat hade a uyne I wate,
Of tyme of ȝero þe terme watȝ tyȝt,
To labor vyne watȝ dere þe date,
Þen sayde to me þat worþy wyȝte,
“For al is trawþe þat he con dresse,
& he may do no þynk bot ryȝt,
As mathew meleȝ in your messe,
In sothfol gospel of god al-myȝt
In sample he can ful grayþely gesse,
& lykneȝ hit to heuen lyȝte.”
“My regne, he saytȝ, is lyk on hyȝt,
To a lorde þat hade a uyne I wate,
Of tyme of ȝero þe terme watȝ tyȝt,
To labor vyne watȝ dere þe date,
Þat date of ȝere wel knawe þys hyne;
Þe lorde ful erly vp he ros,
To hyre werkmen to hys vyne,
& fyndeȝ þer summe to hys porpos,
Into acorde þay con de-clyne,
For a pene on a day & forth þay gotȝ,
Wryþen & worchem & don gret pyne,
Keruen & caggen & man hit clos;
Aboute vnder, þe lorde to marked totȝ
& ydel men stande he fyndeȝ þer-ate,
“Why stande ȝe ydel” he sayde to þos,
Ne knawe ȝe of þis day no date?
16
To hyre werkmen to hys vyne,
& fyndeȝ þer summe to hys porpos,
Into acorde þay con de-clyne,
For a pene on a day & forth þay gotȝ,
Wryþen & worchem & don gret pyne,
Keruen & caggen & man hit clos;
Aboute vnder, þe lorde to marked totȝ
& ydel men stande he fyndeȝ þer-ate,
“Why stande ȝe ydel” he sayde to þos,
Ne knawe ȝe of þis day no date?
“Er date of daye hider arn we wonne,”
So watȝ al samen her answar soȝt;
“We haf standen her syn ros þe sunne,
& no mon byddeȝ vus do, ryȝt noȝt.”
“Gos in-to my vyne, dotȝ þat ȝe conne.”
So sayde þe lorde & made hit toȝt.
“What resonabele hyre be naȝt be runne,
I yow pay in dede & poȝte.”
Þay wente in to þe vyne & wroȝte,
& al day þe lorde þus ȝede his gate,
& nw men to hys vyne he broȝte;
Wel neȝ wyl day watȝ passed date,
So watȝ al samen her answar soȝt;
“We haf standen her syn ros þe sunne,
& no mon byddeȝ vus do, ryȝt noȝt.”
“Gos in-to my vyne, dotȝ þat ȝe conne.”
So sayde þe lorde & made hit toȝt.
“What resonabele hyre be naȝt be runne,
I yow pay in dede & poȝte.”
Þay wente in to þe vyne & wroȝte,
& al day þe lorde þus ȝede his gate,
& nw men to hys vyne he broȝte;
Wel neȝ wyl day watȝ passed date,
At þe day of date of euen-Songe,
On oure byfore þe sonne go doun
He seȝ þer ydel men ful stronge
& sa[y]de to hem with sobre soun;
“Wy stonde ȝe ydel þise dayeȝ longe.”
Þay sayden her hyre watȝ nawhere boun.
“Gotȝ to my vyne ȝemen ȝonge
& wyrkeȝ & dotȝ þat at ȝe moun.”
Sone þe worlde by-com wel broun,
Þe sunne watȝ doun & hit wex late;
To take her hyre he mad sumoun;
Þe day watȝ al apassed date.
On oure byfore þe sonne go doun
He seȝ þer ydel men ful stronge
& sa[y]de to hem with sobre soun;
“Wy stonde ȝe ydel þise dayeȝ longe.”
Þay sayden her hyre watȝ nawhere boun.
“Gotȝ to my vyne ȝemen ȝonge
& wyrkeȝ & dotȝ þat at ȝe moun.”
Sone þe worlde by-com wel broun,
Þe sunne watȝ doun & hit wex late;
To take her hyre he mad sumoun;
Þe day watȝ al apassed date.
17
X.
The date of þe daye þe lorde con knaw,
Called to þe reue “lede pay þe meyny,
Gyf hem þe hyre þat I hem owe,
& fyrre, þat non me may repreue,
Set hem alle vpon a rawe,
& gyf vehon in-lyche a peny.
Bygyn at þe laste þat standeȝ lowe,
Tyl to þe fyrste þat þou atteny;”
& þenne þe fyrst by-gonne to pleny
& sayden þat þay hade trauayled sore,
Þese bot an [h]oure hem con streny,
Vus þynk vus oȝe to take more.
Called to þe reue “lede pay þe meyny,
Gyf hem þe hyre þat I hem owe,
& fyrre, þat non me may repreue,
Set hem alle vpon a rawe,
& gyf vehon in-lyche a peny.
Bygyn at þe laste þat standeȝ lowe,
Tyl to þe fyrste þat þou atteny;”
& þenne þe fyrst by-gonne to pleny
& sayden þat þay hade trauayled sore,
Þese bot an [h]oure hem con streny,
Vus þynk vus oȝe to take more.
More haf we serued vus þynk so,
Þat suffred ham þe dayeȝ hete,
Þenn þyse þat wroȝt[e] not houreȝ two,
& þou dotȝ hem vus to counterfete.
Þenne sayde þe lorde to on of þo,
“Frende no wrang I wyl þe ȝete,
Take þat is þyn owne & go;
& I hyred þe for a peny a grete,
Quy bygynneȝ þou now to þrete;
Watȝ not a pene þy couenaunt þore?
Fyrre þen couenaunde is noȝt to plete,
Wy schalte þou þenne ask more?
Þat suffred ham þe dayeȝ hete,
Þenn þyse þat wroȝt[e] not houreȝ two,
& þou dotȝ hem vus to counterfete.
Þenne sayde þe lorde to on of þo,
“Frende no wrang I wyl þe ȝete,
Take þat is þyn owne & go;
& I hyred þe for a peny a grete,
Quy bygynneȝ þou now to þrete;
Watȝ not a pene þy couenaunt þore?
Fyrre þen couenaunde is noȝt to plete,
Wy schalte þou þenne ask more?
More weþer louyly is me my gyfte
To do wyth myn quat so me lykeȝ?
Oþer elleȝ þyn yȝe to lyþer is lyfte,
For I am goude & non by-swykeȝ.”
“Þus schal I,” quod kryste, “hit skyfte,
Þe laste schal be þe fyrst þat strykeȝ,
& þe fyrst þe laste, be he neuer so swyft,
For mony ben calle[d] þaȝ fewe be mykeȝ.”
Þus pore men her part ay pykeȝ,
Þaȝ þay com late & lyttel wore,
& þaȝ her sweng wyth lyttel at-slykeȝ,
Þe merci of god is much þe more.
To do wyth myn quat so me lykeȝ?
Oþer elleȝ þyn yȝe to lyþer is lyfte,
For I am goude & non by-swykeȝ.”
“Þus schal I,” quod kryste, “hit skyfte,
Þe laste schal be þe fyrst þat strykeȝ,
& þe fyrst þe laste, be he neuer so swyft,
For mony ben calle[d] þaȝ fewe be mykeȝ.”
Þus pore men her part ay pykeȝ,
Þaȝ þay com late & lyttel wore,
18
Þe merci of god is much þe more.
“More haf I of ioye & blysse here-inne,
Of ladyschyp gret & lyueȝ blom,
Þen alle þe wyȝeȝ in þe worlde myȝt wynne
By þe way of ryȝt to aske dome.
Wheþer wel nygh[t] now I con bygynne,
In euentyde in-to þe vyne I come,
Fyrst of my hyre my lorde con mynne,
I watȝ payed anon of al & sum;
Ȝet oþer þer werne þat toke more tom,
Þat swanage & swat for long ȝore,
Þat ȝet of hyre no þynk þay nom,
Paraunter noȝt schal to ȝere more.”
Of ladyschyp gret & lyueȝ blom,
Þen alle þe wyȝeȝ in þe worlde myȝt wynne
By þe way of ryȝt to aske dome.
Wheþer wel nygh[t] now I con bygynne,
In euentyde in-to þe vyne I come,
Fyrst of my hyre my lorde con mynne,
I watȝ payed anon of al & sum;
Ȝet oþer þer werne þat toke more tom,
Þat swanage & swat for long ȝore,
Þat ȝet of hyre no þynk þay nom,
Paraunter noȝt schal to ȝere more.”
Then more I meled & sayde apert,
“Me þynk þy tale vnresounable,
Goddeȝ ryȝt is redy & euer more rert,
Oþer holy wryt is bot a fable;
In sauter is sayd a verce ouerte
Þat spekeȝ a poynt determynable,
‘Þou quyteȝ vchon as hys desserte,
Þou hyȝe kyng ay pretermynable,’
Now he þat stod þe long day stable,
& þou to payment com hym byfore,
Þenne þe lasse in werke to take more able,
& euer þe lenger þe lasse þe more.”
“Me þynk þy tale vnresounable,
Goddeȝ ryȝt is redy & euer more rert,
Oþer holy wryt is bot a fable;
In sauter is sayd a verce ouerte
Þat spekeȝ a poynt determynable,
‘Þou quyteȝ vchon as hys desserte,
Þou hyȝe kyng ay pretermynable,’
Now he þat stod þe long day stable,
& þou to payment com hym byfore,
Þenne þe lasse in werke to take more able,
& euer þe lenger þe lasse þe more.”
XI.
“Of more & lasse in godeȝ ryche,”
Þat gentyl syde “lys no Ioparde,
For þer is vch mon payed inliche,
Wheþer lyttel oþer much be hys rewarde,
For þe gentyl cheuentayn is no chyche,
Queþer-so-euer he dele nesch oþer harde,
He laueȝ hys gyfteȝ as water of dyche,
Oþer goteȝ of golf þat neuer charde;
Hys fraunchyse is large þat euer dard,
To hym þat matȝ in synne no scoghe
No blysse betȝ fro hem reparde,
For þe grace of god is gret I-noghe.
Þat gentyl syde “lys no Ioparde,
For þer is vch mon payed inliche,
Wheþer lyttel oþer much be hys rewarde,
For þe gentyl cheuentayn is no chyche,
Queþer-so-euer he dele nesch oþer harde,
He laueȝ hys gyfteȝ as water of dyche,
Oþer goteȝ of golf þat neuer charde;
19
To hym þat matȝ in synne no scoghe
No blysse betȝ fro hem reparde,
For þe grace of god is gret I-noghe.
Bot now þou moteȝ me for to mate
Þat I my peny haf wrang tan here,
Þou sayȝ þat I þat com to late,
Am not worþy so gret lere.
Where wysteȝ þou euer any bourne abate
Euer so holy in hys prayere,
Þat he ne forfeted by sumkyn gate
Þe mede sum-tyme of heueneȝ clere;
& ay þe ofter, þe alder þay were,
Þay laften tyȝt & wroȝten woghe
Mercy & grace moste hem þen stere,
For þe grace of god is gret in-noȝe.,
Þat I my peny haf wrang tan here,
Þou sayȝ þat I þat com to late,
Am not worþy so gret lere.
Where wysteȝ þou euer any bourne abate
Euer so holy in hys prayere,
Þat he ne forfeted by sumkyn gate
Þe mede sum-tyme of heueneȝ clere;
& ay þe ofter, þe alder þay were,
Þay laften tyȝt & wroȝten woghe
Mercy & grace moste hem þen stere,
For þe grace of god is gret in-noȝe.,
Bot in-noghe of grace hatȝ innocent,
As sone as þay arn borne by lyne
In þe water of babtem þay dyssente,
Þen arne þay baroȝt in-to þe vyne,
Anon þe day with derk endente,
Þe myȝt of deth dotȝ to en-clyne
Þat wroȝt neuer wrang er þenne þay wente;
Þe gentyle lorde þenne payeȝ hys hyne,
Þay dyden hys heste, þay wern þere-ine,
Why schulde he not her labour alow,
Ȝy[rd] & pay hem at þe fyrst fyne
For þe grace of god is gret in-noghe?
As sone as þay arn borne by lyne
In þe water of babtem þay dyssente,
Þen arne þay baroȝt in-to þe vyne,
Anon þe day with derk endente,
Þe myȝt of deth dotȝ to en-clyne
Þat wroȝt neuer wrang er þenne þay wente;
Þe gentyle lorde þenne payeȝ hys hyne,
Þay dyden hys heste, þay wern þere-ine,
Why schulde he not her labour alow,
Ȝy[rd] & pay hem at þe fyrst fyne
For þe grace of god is gret in-noghe?
Inoȝe is knawen þat man-kyn grete,
Fyrste watȝ wroȝt to blysse parfyt;
Oure forme-fader hit con forfete,
Þurȝ an apple þat he vpon con byte;
Al wer we dampned for þat mete,
To dyȝe in doel out of delyt,
& syþen wende to helle hete,
Þer-inne to won with-oute respyt;
Bot þer on com a bote as-tyt.
Ryche blod ran on rode so roght,
& wynne [&] water, þen at þat plyt
Þe grace of god wex gret in-noghe.
Fyrste watȝ wroȝt to blysse parfyt;
Oure forme-fader hit con forfete,
Þurȝ an apple þat he vpon con byte;
Al wer we dampned for þat mete,
To dyȝe in doel out of delyt,
& syþen wende to helle hete,
Þer-inne to won with-oute respyt;
20
Ryche blod ran on rode so roght,
& wynne [&] water, þen at þat plyt
Þe grace of god wex gret in-noghe.
Innoghe þer wax out of þat welle,
Blod & water of brode wounde;
Þe blod vus boȝt fro bale of helle,
& delyuered vus of þe deth secounde;
Þe water is baptem þe soþe to telle;
Þat folȝed þe glayue so grymly grounde,
Þat wascheȝ away þe gylteȝ felle,
Þat adam wyth inne deth vus drounde.
Now is þer noȝt in þe worlde rounde
Bytwene vus & blysse bot þat he with-droȝ
& þat is restored in sely stounde,
& þe grace of god is gret in-nogh.
Blod & water of brode wounde;
Þe blod vus boȝt fro bale of helle,
& delyuered vus of þe deth secounde;
Þe water is baptem þe soþe to telle;
Þat folȝed þe glayue so grymly grounde,
Þat wascheȝ away þe gylteȝ felle,
Þat adam wyth inne deth vus drounde.
Now is þer noȝt in þe worlde rounde
Bytwene vus & blysse bot þat he with-droȝ
& þat is restored in sely stounde,
& þe grace of god is gret in-nogh.
XII.
Grace in-nogh þe mon may haue,
Þat synneȝ þenne new, ȝif hym repente,
Bot with sorȝ & syt he mot hit craue,
& byde þe payne þer-to is bent,
Bot resoun of ryȝt þat con not raue,
Saueȝ euer more þe innossent;
Hit is a dom þat neuer god gaue,
þat euer þe gyltleȝ schulde be schente.
Þe gyltyf may contryssyoun hente
& be þurȝ mercy to grace þryȝt;
Bot he to gyle þat neuer glente,
At in-oscente is saf & ryȝte.
Þat synneȝ þenne new, ȝif hym repente,
Bot with sorȝ & syt he mot hit craue,
& byde þe payne þer-to is bent,
Bot resoun of ryȝt þat con not raue,
Saueȝ euer more þe innossent;
Hit is a dom þat neuer god gaue,
þat euer þe gyltleȝ schulde be schente.
Þe gyltyf may contryssyoun hente
& be þurȝ mercy to grace þryȝt;
Bot he to gyle þat neuer glente,
At in-oscente is saf & ryȝte.
Ryȝt þus I knaw wel in þis cas,
Two men to saue is god by skylle;
Þe ryȝt-wys man schal se hys face,
Þe harmleȝ haþel schal com hym tylle,
Þe sauter hyt satȝ þus in a pace:
“Lorde quo schal klymbe þy hyȝ hylleȝ
Oþer rest with-inne þy holy place?”
Hymself to on-sware he is not dylle;
“Hondelyngeȝ harme þat dyt not ille,
Þat is of hert boþe clene & lyȝt,
Þer schal hys step stable stylle,”
Þe innosent is ay saf by ryȝt.
Two men to saue is god by skylle;
Þe ryȝt-wys man schal se hys face,
Þe harmleȝ haþel schal com hym tylle,
Þe sauter hyt satȝ þus in a pace:
“Lorde quo schal klymbe þy hyȝ hylleȝ
21
Hymself to on-sware he is not dylle;
“Hondelyngeȝ harme þat dyt not ille,
Þat is of hert boþe clene & lyȝt,
Þer schal hys step stable stylle,”
Þe innosent is ay saf by ryȝt.
The ryȝtwys man also sertayn
Aproche he schal þat proper pyle,
Þat takeȝ not her lyf in vayne
Ne glauereȝ her nieȝbor wyth no gyle;
Of þys ryȝt-wys saȝ salamon playn,
How kyntly oure con aquyle
By wayeȝ ful streȝt he con hym strayn,
& scheued hym þe rengne of god a whyle,
As quo says “lo ȝon louely yle,
Þou may hit wynne if þou be wyȝte,”
Bot hardyly with-oute peryle,
Þe innosent is ay saue by ryȝte!
Aproche he schal þat proper pyle,
Þat takeȝ not her lyf in vayne
Ne glauereȝ her nieȝbor wyth no gyle;
Of þys ryȝt-wys saȝ salamon playn,
How kyntly oure con aquyle
By wayeȝ ful streȝt he con hym strayn,
& scheued hym þe rengne of god a whyle,
As quo says “lo ȝon louely yle,
Þou may hit wynne if þou be wyȝte,”
Bot hardyly with-oute peryle,
Þe innosent is ay saue by ryȝte!
An-ende ryȝtwys men, ȝet saytȝ a gome
Dauid in sauter, if euer ȝe seȝ hit,
“Lorde þy seruaunt draȝ neuer to dome,
For non lyuyande to þe is Iustyfyet.”
For-þy to corte quen þou schal com,
Þer alle oure causeȝ schal be tryed,
Alegge þe ryȝt þou may be in-nome,
By þys ilke spech I haue asspyed;
Bot he on rode þat blody dyed,
Delfully þurȝ hondeȝ þryȝt
Gyue þe to passe when þou arte tryed
By innocens & not by ryȝte.
Dauid in sauter, if euer ȝe seȝ hit,
“Lorde þy seruaunt draȝ neuer to dome,
For non lyuyande to þe is Iustyfyet.”
For-þy to corte quen þou schal com,
Þer alle oure causeȝ schal be tryed,
Alegge þe ryȝt þou may be in-nome,
By þys ilke spech I haue asspyed;
Bot he on rode þat blody dyed,
Delfully þurȝ hondeȝ þryȝt
Gyue þe to passe when þou arte tryed
By innocens & not by ryȝte.
Ryȝt-wysly quo con rede,
He loke on bok & be awayed
How Ihesuc hym welke in are þede,
& burneȝ her barneȝ vnto hym brayde,
For happe & hele þat fro hym ȝede,
To touch her chylder þay fayr hym prayed.
His dessypeleȝ with blame let be hym bede,
& wyth her resouneȝ ful fele restayed;
Ihesuc þenne hem swetely sayde,
“Do way, let chylder vnto me tyȝt,
To suche is heuen-ryche arayed,”
Þe innocent is ay saf by ryȝt.
He loke on bok & be awayed
How Ihesuc hym welke in are þede,
& burneȝ her barneȝ vnto hym brayde,
For happe & hele þat fro hym ȝede,
To touch her chylder þay fayr hym prayed.
22
& wyth her resouneȝ ful fele restayed;
Ihesuc þenne hem swetely sayde,
“Do way, let chylder vnto me tyȝt,
To suche is heuen-ryche arayed,”
Þe innocent is ay saf by ryȝt.
XIII.
Ihesuc con calle to hym hys mylde
& sayde hys ryche no wyȝ myȝt wynne.
Bot he com þyder ryȝt as a chylde,
Oþer elleȝ neuer more com þer-inne,
Harmleȝ trwe & vnde-fylde,
With-outen mote oþer mascle of sulpande synne;
Quen such þer cnoken on þe bylde,
Tyt schal hem men þe ȝate vnpynne,
Þer is þe blys þat con not blynne,
Þat þe Iueler soȝte þurȝ perre pres
& solde alle hys goud boþe wolen & lynne,
To bye hym a perle [þat] watȝ mascelleȝ.
& sayde hys ryche no wyȝ myȝt wynne.
Bot he com þyder ryȝt as a chylde,
Oþer elleȝ neuer more com þer-inne,
Harmleȝ trwe & vnde-fylde,
With-outen mote oþer mascle of sulpande synne;
Quen such þer cnoken on þe bylde,
Tyt schal hem men þe ȝate vnpynne,
Þer is þe blys þat con not blynne,
Þat þe Iueler soȝte þurȝ perre pres
& solde alle hys goud boþe wolen & lynne,
To bye hym a perle [þat] watȝ mascelleȝ.
This makelleȝ perle þat boȝt is dere,
Þe Ioueler gef fore alle hys god,
Is lyke þe reme of heuenesse clere
So sayde þe fader of folde & flode,
For hit is wemleȝ, clene & clere,
& endeleȝ rounde & blyþe of mode,
& commune to all þat ryȝtwys were,
Lo! euen in myddeȝ my breste hit stode;
My lorde þe lombe þat schede hys blode,
He pyȝt hit þere in token of pes;
I rede þe forsake þe worlde wode,
& porchace þy perle maskelles.”
Þe Ioueler gef fore alle hys god,
Is lyke þe reme of heuenesse clere
So sayde þe fader of folde & flode,
For hit is wemleȝ, clene & clere,
& endeleȝ rounde & blyþe of mode,
& commune to all þat ryȝtwys were,
Lo! euen in myddeȝ my breste hit stode;
My lorde þe lombe þat schede hys blode,
He pyȝt hit þere in token of pes;
I rede þe forsake þe worlde wode,
& porchace þy perle maskelles.”
“O maskeleȝ perle in perleȝ pure
Þat bereȝ” quod I, “þe perle of prys,
Quo formed þe þy fayre fygure?
Þat wroȝt þy wede, he watȝ ful wys;
Þy beaute com neuer of nature,
Pymalyon paynted neuer þy vys,
Ne arystotel nawþer by hys lettrure
Of carpe þe kynde þese properteȝ.
Þy colour passeȝ þe flour-de-lys,
Þyn angel hauyng so clene corteȝ
Breue me bryȝt, quat-kyn of priys
Bereȝ þe perle so maskelleȝ.”
Þat bereȝ” quod I, “þe perle of prys,
Quo formed þe þy fayre fygure?
Þat wroȝt þy wede, he watȝ ful wys;
23
Pymalyon paynted neuer þy vys,
Ne arystotel nawþer by hys lettrure
Of carpe þe kynde þese properteȝ.
Þy colour passeȝ þe flour-de-lys,
Þyn angel hauyng so clene corteȝ
Breue me bryȝt, quat-kyn of priys
Bereȝ þe perle so maskelleȝ.”
“My makeleȝ lambe þat al may bete,”
Quod scho “my dere destyné
Me ches to hys make al-þaȝ vnmete,
Sum tyme semed þat assemblé
When I wente fro yor worlde wete.
He calde me to hys bonerté,
‘Cum hyder to me my lemman swete,
For mote ne spot is non in þe:’
He gef me myȝt & als bewté.
In hys blod he wesch my wede on dese,
& coronde clene in vergynté,
& pyȝt me in perleȝ maskelleȝ.”
Quod scho “my dere destyné
Me ches to hys make al-þaȝ vnmete,
Sum tyme semed þat assemblé
When I wente fro yor worlde wete.
He calde me to hys bonerté,
‘Cum hyder to me my lemman swete,
For mote ne spot is non in þe:’
He gef me myȝt & als bewté.
In hys blod he wesch my wede on dese,
& coronde clene in vergynté,
& pyȝt me in perleȝ maskelleȝ.”
“Why maskelleȝ bryd þat bryȝt con flambe
Þat reiateȝ hatȝ so ryche & ryf,
Quat-kyn þyng may be þat lambe,
Þat þe wolde wedde vnto hys vyf?
Ouer alle oþer so hyȝ þou clambe,
To lede with hym so ladyly lyf
So mony a cumly on vunder cambe,
For kryst han lyued in much stryf,
& þou con alle þo dere out-dryf,
& fro þat maryag al oþer depres,
Al only þyself so stout & styf,
A makeleȝ may & maskelleȝ.”
Þat reiateȝ hatȝ so ryche & ryf,
Quat-kyn þyng may be þat lambe,
Þat þe wolde wedde vnto hys vyf?
Ouer alle oþer so hyȝ þou clambe,
To lede with hym so ladyly lyf
So mony a cumly on vunder cambe,
For kryst han lyued in much stryf,
& þou con alle þo dere out-dryf,
& fro þat maryag al oþer depres,
Al only þyself so stout & styf,
A makeleȝ may & maskelleȝ.”
XIV.
“Maskeles,” quod þat myry quene,
“Vnblemyst I am wyth-outen blot,
& þat may I with mensk menteene;
Bot makeleȝ quene þenne sade I not,
Þe lambes vyueȝ in blysse we bene,
A hondred & forty þowsande flot
As in þe apocalyppeȝ hit is sene;
Sant Iohan hem syȝ al in a knot,
On þe hyl of syon þat semly clot.
Þe apostel hem segh in gostly drem
Arayed to þe weddyng in þat hyl coppe,
Þe nwe cyte in Ierusalem.
“Vnblemyst I am wyth-outen blot,
24
Bot makeleȝ quene þenne sade I not,
Þe lambes vyueȝ in blysse we bene,
A hondred & forty þowsande flot
As in þe apocalyppeȝ hit is sene;
Sant Iohan hem syȝ al in a knot,
On þe hyl of syon þat semly clot.
Þe apostel hem segh in gostly drem
Arayed to þe weddyng in þat hyl coppe,
Þe nwe cyte in Ierusalem.
Of Ierusalem I speche spelle.
If þou wyl knaw what-kyn he be,
My lombe, my lorde, my dere Iuelle,
My ioy, my blys, my lemman fre,
Þe profete ysaye of hym con melle,
Pitously of hys debonerté
Þat gloryous gyltleȝ þat mon con quelle,
With-outen any sake of felonye,
As a schep to þe slaȝt þer lad watȝ he
& as lombe þat clypper in lande nem,
So closed he hys mouth fro vch query,
Quen Iueȝ hym iugged in Iherusalem.
If þou wyl knaw what-kyn he be,
My lombe, my lorde, my dere Iuelle,
My ioy, my blys, my lemman fre,
Þe profete ysaye of hym con melle,
Pitously of hys debonerté
Þat gloryous gyltleȝ þat mon con quelle,
With-outen any sake of felonye,
As a schep to þe slaȝt þer lad watȝ he
& as lombe þat clypper in lande nem,
So closed he hys mouth fro vch query,
Quen Iueȝ hym iugged in Iherusalem.
In Ierusalem watȝ my lemman slayn
& rent on rode with boyeȝ bolde;
Al oure baleȝ to bere ful bayn,
He toke on hym self oure careȝ colde,
With boffeteȝ watȝ hys face flayn,
Þat watȝ so fayr on to byholde;
For synne he set hym self in vayn,
Þat neuer hade non hym self to wolde,
For vus he lette hym flyȝe & folde
& brede vpon a bostwys bem,
As meke as lomb þat no playnt tolde.
For vus he swalt in Ierusalem:
& rent on rode with boyeȝ bolde;
Al oure baleȝ to bere ful bayn,
He toke on hym self oure careȝ colde,
With boffeteȝ watȝ hys face flayn,
Þat watȝ so fayr on to byholde;
For synne he set hym self in vayn,
Þat neuer hade non hym self to wolde,
For vus he lette hym flyȝe & folde
& brede vpon a bostwys bem,
As meke as lomb þat no playnt tolde.
For vus he swalt in Ierusalem:
Ierusalem, Iordan & galalye,
Þer as baptysed þe goude saynt Ion,
His wordeȝ acorded to ysaye;
When Ihesuc con to hym warde gon
He sayde of hym þys professye,
“Lo godeȝ lombe as trwe as ston,
Þat dotȝ away þe synneȝ dryȝe!”
Þat alle þys worlde hatȝ wroȝt vpon,
Hym self ne wroȝt neuer ȝet non,
Wheþer on hym self he con al clem,
Hys generacyoun quo recen con,
Þat dyȝed for vus in Ierusalem?
Þer as baptysed þe goude saynt Ion,
25
When Ihesuc con to hym warde gon
He sayde of hym þys professye,
“Lo godeȝ lombe as trwe as ston,
Þat dotȝ away þe synneȝ dryȝe!”
Þat alle þys worlde hatȝ wroȝt vpon,
Hym self ne wroȝt neuer ȝet non,
Wheþer on hym self he con al clem,
Hys generacyoun quo recen con,
Þat dyȝed for vus in Ierusalem?
In Ierusalem þus my lemman swatte,
Twyeȝ, for lombe watȝ taken þere,
By trw recorde of ayþer prophete,
For mode so meke & al hys fare,
Þe þryde tyme is þer-to ful mete
In apokalypeȝ wryten ful ȝare.
In mydeȝ þe trone þere saynteȝ sete,
Þe apostel iohan hym saytȝ as bare,
Lesande þe boke with leueȝ sware,
Þere seuen syngnetteȝ wern sette in-seme
& at þat syȝt vche douth con dare,
In helle, in erþe & Ierusalem.
Twyeȝ, for lombe watȝ taken þere,
By trw recorde of ayþer prophete,
For mode so meke & al hys fare,
Þe þryde tyme is þer-to ful mete
In apokalypeȝ wryten ful ȝare.
In mydeȝ þe trone þere saynteȝ sete,
Þe apostel iohan hym saytȝ as bare,
Lesande þe boke with leueȝ sware,
Þere seuen syngnetteȝ wern sette in-seme
& at þat syȝt vche douth con dare,
In helle, in erþe & Ierusalem.
XV.
Thys Ierusalem lombe hade neuer pechche
Of oþer huee bot quyt Iolyf
Þat mot ne masklle moȝt on streche
For wolle quyte so ronk & ryf,
For-þy vche saule þat hade neuer teche,
Is to þat lombe a worthyly wyf;
And þas vch day a store he feche,
Among vus commeȝ non oþer strot ne stryf,
Bot vchon enle we wolde were fyf,
Þe mo þe myryer so god me blesse.
In compayny gret our luf con þryf
In honour more & neuer þe lesse.
Of oþer huee bot quyt Iolyf
Þat mot ne masklle moȝt on streche
For wolle quyte so ronk & ryf,
For-þy vche saule þat hade neuer teche,
Is to þat lombe a worthyly wyf;
And þas vch day a store he feche,
Among vus commeȝ non oþer strot ne stryf,
Bot vchon enle we wolde were fyf,
Þe mo þe myryer so god me blesse.
In compayny gret our luf con þryf
In honour more & neuer þe lesse.
26
Lasse of blysse may non vus bryng
Þat beren þys perle vpon oure bereste,
For þay of mote couþe neuer mynge,
Of spotleȝ perleȝ þa[y] baren þe creste,
Al-þaz oure corses in clotteȝ clynge,
& ȝe remen for rauþe wyth-outen reste,
We þurȝ-outly hauen cnawyng;
Of[o]n dethe ful oure hope is drest,
Þe lombe vus gladeȝ, oure care is kest;
He myrþeȝ vus alle at vch a mes,
Vchoneȝ blysse is breme & beste,
& neuer oneȝ honour ȝet neuer þ;e les.
Þat beren þys perle vpon oure bereste,
For þay of mote couþe neuer mynge,
Of spotleȝ perleȝ þa[y] baren þe creste,
Al-þaz oure corses in clotteȝ clynge,
& ȝe remen for rauþe wyth-outen reste,
We þurȝ-outly hauen cnawyng;
Of[o]n dethe ful oure hope is drest,
Þe lombe vus gladeȝ, oure care is kest;
He myrþeȝ vus alle at vch a mes,
Vchoneȝ blysse is breme & beste,
& neuer oneȝ honour ȝet neuer þ;e les.
Lest les þou leue my tale farande,
In appocalyppece is wryten in wro
I seghe, says Iohan, þe loumbe hym stande,
On þe mount of syon ful þryuen & þro,
& wyth hym maydenneȝ an hundreþe þowsande
& fowre & forty þowsande mo
On alle her forhedeȝ wryten I fande,
Þe lombeȝ nome, hys fadereȝ also.
A hue fro heuen I herde þoo,
Lyk flodeȝ fele laden, runnen on resse,
& as þunder þroweȝ in torreȝ blo,
Þat lote I leue watȝ neuer þe les.
In appocalyppece is wryten in wro
I seghe, says Iohan, þe loumbe hym stande,
On þe mount of syon ful þryuen & þro,
& wyth hym maydenneȝ an hundreþe þowsande
& fowre & forty þowsande mo
On alle her forhedeȝ wryten I fande,
Þe lombeȝ nome, hys fadereȝ also.
A hue fro heuen I herde þoo,
Lyk flodeȝ fele laden, runnen on resse,
& as þunder þroweȝ in torreȝ blo,
Þat lote I leue watȝ neuer þe les.
Nauþeles þaȝ hit schowted scharpe,
& ledden loude al-þaȝ hit were.
A note ful nwe I herde hem warpe,
To lysten þat watȝ ful lufly dere,
As harporeȝ harpen in her harpe,
Þat nwe songe þay songen ful cler.
In sounande noteȝ a gentyl carpe,
Ful fayre þe modeȝ þay fonge in fere
Ryȝt byfore godeȝ chayere,
& þe fowre besteȝ þat hym obes,
& þe alder-men so sadde of chere,
Her songe þay songen neuer þe les;
& ledden loude al-þaȝ hit were.
A note ful nwe I herde hem warpe,
To lysten þat watȝ ful lufly dere,
As harporeȝ harpen in her harpe,
Þat nwe songe þay songen ful cler.
In sounande noteȝ a gentyl carpe,
Ful fayre þe modeȝ þay fonge in fere
Ryȝt byfore godeȝ chayere,
& þe fowre besteȝ þat hym obes,
& þe alder-men so sadde of chere,
Her songe þay songen neuer þe les;
27
Nowþe-lese non watȝ neuer so quoynt,
For alle þe crafteȝ þat euer þay knewe.
Þat of þat songe myȝt synge a poynt,
Bot þat meyny þe lombe þay swe,
For þay arn boȝt fro þe vrþe aloynte.
As newe fryt to god ful due
& to þe gentyl lombe hit arn amoynt,
As lyk to hym self a lote & hwe,
For neuer lesyng ne tale vn-trwe,
Ne towched her tonge for no dysstresse.
Þat moteles meyny may neuer remwe,
Fro þat maskeleȝ mayster neuer þe les.”
For alle þe crafteȝ þat euer þay knewe.
Þat of þat songe myȝt synge a poynt,
Bot þat meyny þe lombe þay swe,
For þay arn boȝt fro þe vrþe aloynte.
As newe fryt to god ful due
& to þe gentyl lombe hit arn amoynt,
As lyk to hym self a lote & hwe,
For neuer lesyng ne tale vn-trwe,
Ne towched her tonge for no dysstresse.
Þat moteles meyny may neuer remwe,
Fro þat maskeleȝ mayster neuer þe les.”
“Neuer þe les let be my þonc,”
Quod I, “my perle þaȝ I appose,
I schulde not tempte þy wyt so wlonc,
To krysteȝ chambre þat art Ichose,
I am bot mokke & mul among,
& þou so ryche a reken rose,
& bydeȝ here by þys blysful bonc
Þer lyueȝ lyste may neuer lose,
Now hynde þat sympelnesse coneȝ enclose,
I wolde þe aske a þynge expresse,
& þaȝ I be bustwys as a blose
Let my bone vayl neuer þe lese.
Quod I, “my perle þaȝ I appose,
I schulde not tempte þy wyt so wlonc,
To krysteȝ chambre þat art Ichose,
I am bot mokke & mul among,
& þou so ryche a reken rose,
& bydeȝ here by þys blysful bonc
Þer lyueȝ lyste may neuer lose,
Now hynde þat sympelnesse coneȝ enclose,
I wolde þe aske a þynge expresse,
& þaȝ I be bustwys as a blose
Let my bone vayl neuer þe lese.
XVI.
Neuer þe lese cler I yow by-calle
If ȝe con se hyt be to done,
As þou art gloryous with-outen galle,
With-nay þou neuer my ruful bone.
Haf ȝe no woneȝ in castel walle,
Ne maner þer ȝe may mete & won?
Þou telleȝ me of Ierusalem þe ryche ryalle,
Þer dauid dere watȝ dyȝt on trone,
Bot by þyse holteȝ hit con not hone
Bot in Iudee hit is þat noble note;
As ȝe ar maskeleȝ vnder mone,
Your woneȝ schulde by wyth-outen mote.
If ȝe con se hyt be to done,
As þou art gloryous with-outen galle,
With-nay þou neuer my ruful bone.
Haf ȝe no woneȝ in castel walle,
Ne maner þer ȝe may mete & won?
Þou telleȝ me of Ierusalem þe ryche ryalle,
Þer dauid dere watȝ dyȝt on trone,
Bot by þyse holteȝ hit con not hone
Bot in Iudee hit is þat noble note;
28
Your woneȝ schulde by wyth-outen mote.
Þys moteleȝ meyny þou coneȝ of mele,
Of þousandeȝ þryȝt so gret a route,
A gret cete,for ȝe arn fele,
Yow by-hod haue with-outen doute;
So cumly a pakke of Ioly Iuele,
Wer euel don schulde lyȝ þer-oute;
& by þyse bonkeȝ þer I con gele
& I se no bygyng nawhere aboute,
I trowe al-one ȝe lenge & loute,
To loke on þe glory of þys grac[i]ous gote;
If þou hatȝ oþer bygyngeȝ stoute,
Now tech me to þat myry mote.
Of þousandeȝ þryȝt so gret a route,
A gret cete,for ȝe arn fele,
Yow by-hod haue with-outen doute;
So cumly a pakke of Ioly Iuele,
Wer euel don schulde lyȝ þer-oute;
& by þyse bonkeȝ þer I con gele
& I se no bygyng nawhere aboute,
I trowe al-one ȝe lenge & loute,
To loke on þe glory of þys grac[i]ous gote;
If þou hatȝ oþer bygyngeȝ stoute,
Now tech me to þat myry mote.
“That mote þou meneȝ in Iudy londe,”
Þat specyal spyce þen to me spakk,
“Þat is þe cyte þat þe lombe con fonde
To soffer inne sor for maneȝ sake,
Þe olde Ierusalem to vnder-stonde,
For þere þe olde gulte watȝ don to slake,
Bot þe nwe þat lyȝt of godeȝ sonde,
Þe apostel in apocalyppce in theme con take.
Þe lombe þer, with-outen spotteȝ blake,
Hatȝ feryed þyder hys fayre flot,
& as hys flok is with-outen flake,
So is hys mote with-outen moote.
Þat specyal spyce þen to me spakk,
“Þat is þe cyte þat þe lombe con fonde
To soffer inne sor for maneȝ sake,
Þe olde Ierusalem to vnder-stonde,
For þere þe olde gulte watȝ don to slake,
Bot þe nwe þat lyȝt of godeȝ sonde,
Þe apostel in apocalyppce in theme con take.
Þe lombe þer, with-outen spotteȝ blake,
Hatȝ feryed þyder hys fayre flot,
& as hys flok is with-outen flake,
So is hys mote with-outen moote.
Of motes two to carpe clene
& Ierusalem hyȝt boþe nawþeles,
Þat nys to yow no more to mene,
Bot cete of god oþer syȝt of pes.
In þat on oure pes watȝ mad at ene,
With payne to suffer þe lombe hit chese,
In þat oþer is noȝt bot pes to glene,
Þat ay schal laste with-outen reles,
Þat is þe borȝ þat we to pres,
Fro þat oure flesch be layd to rote;
Þer glory & blysse schal euer encres,
To þe meyny þat is with-outen mote.
& Ierusalem hyȝt boþe nawþeles,
Þat nys to yow no more to mene,
Bot cete of god oþer syȝt of pes.
In þat on oure pes watȝ mad at ene,
With payne to suffer þe lombe hit chese,
In þat oþer is noȝt bot pes to glene,
Þat ay schal laste with-outen reles,
Þat is þe borȝ þat we to pres,
Fro þat oure flesch be layd to rote;
29
To þe meyny þat is with-outen mote.
XVII.
“Moteleȝ may so meke & mylde,”Þen sayde I to þat lufly flor,
“Bryng me to þat bygly bylde,
& let me se þy blysful bor.”
Þat schene sayde, þat god wyl schylde,
“Þou may not enter with-inne hys tor,
Bot of þe lombe I haue þe aquylde
For a syȝt þer-of þurȝ gret fauor.
Vt-wyth to se þat clene cloystor,
Þou may, bot inwyth not a fote,
To strech in þe strete þou hatȝ no vygour,
Bot þou wer clene with-outen mote.
XVIII.
If I þis mote þe schal vn-hyde,
Bow vp to-warde þys borneȝ heued,
& I an-endeȝ þe on þis syde
Schal sve, tyl þou to a hil be veued,
Þen wolde [I] no lenger byde,
Bot lurked by launceȝ so lufly leued,
Tyl on a hyl þat I asspyed
& blusched on þe burghe, as I forth dreued,
By-ȝonde þe brok fro me warde keued,
Þat schyrrer þen sunne with schafteȝ schon;
In þe apokalypce is þe fasoun preued,
As deuyseȝ hit þe apostel Ihon.
Bow vp to-warde þys borneȝ heued,
& I an-endeȝ þe on þis syde
Schal sve, tyl þou to a hil be veued,
Þen wolde [I] no lenger byde,
Bot lurked by launceȝ so lufly leued,
Tyl on a hyl þat I asspyed
& blusched on þe burghe, as I forth dreued,
By-ȝonde þe brok fro me warde keued,
Þat schyrrer þen sunne with schafteȝ schon;
In þe apokalypce is þe fasoun preued,
As deuyseȝ hit þe apostel Ihon.
As Iohan þe apostel hit syȝ with syȝt
I syȝe þat cyty of gret renoun,
Ierusalem so nwe & ryally dyȝt,
As hit watȝ lyȝt fro þe heuen adoun.
Þe borȝ watȝ al of brende golde bryȝt,
As glemande glas burnist broun,
With gentyl gemmeȝ an-vnder pyȝt;
With banteleȝ twelue on basyng boun,
Þe foundementeȝ twelue of riche tenoun;
Vch tabelment watȝ a serlypeȝ ston,
As derely deuyseȝ þis ilk toun,
In apocalyppeȝ þe apostel Iohan.
I syȝe þat cyty of gret renoun,
Ierusalem so nwe & ryally dyȝt,
As hit watȝ lyȝt fro þe heuen adoun.
Þe borȝ watȝ al of brende golde bryȝt,
As glemande glas burnist broun,
30
With banteleȝ twelue on basyng boun,
Þe foundementeȝ twelue of riche tenoun;
Vch tabelment watȝ a serlypeȝ ston,
As derely deuyseȝ þis ilk toun,
In apocalyppeȝ þe apostel Iohan.
As þise stoneȝ in writ con nemme
I knew þe name after his tale;
Iasper hyȝt þe fyrst gemme,
Þat I on þe fyrst basse con wale,
He glente grene in þe lowest hemme.
Saffer helde þe secounde stale,
Þe calsydoyne þenne with-outen wemme,
In þe þryd table con purly pale;
Þe emerade þe furþe so grene of scale;
Þe sardonyse þe fyfþe ston;
Þe sexte þe rybe he con hit wale,
In þe apocalyppce þe apostel Iohan.
I knew þe name after his tale;
Iasper hyȝt þe fyrst gemme,
Þat I on þe fyrst basse con wale,
He glente grene in þe lowest hemme.
Saffer helde þe secounde stale,
Þe calsydoyne þenne with-outen wemme,
In þe þryd table con purly pale;
Þe emerade þe furþe so grene of scale;
Þe sardonyse þe fyfþe ston;
Þe sexte þe rybe he con hit wale,
In þe apocalyppce þe apostel Iohan.
Ȝet Ioyned Iohan þe crysolyt,
Þe seuenþe gemme in fundament;
Þe aȝtþe þe beryl cler & quyt
Þe topasye twynne how þe nente endent;
Þe crysopase þe tenþe is tyȝt;
Þe Iacyngh þe enleuenþe gent;
Þe twelfþe þe gentyleste in vch a plyt,
Þe amatyst purpre with ynde blente;
Þe wal abof þe bantels bent,
Masporye as glas þat glysnande schon,
I knew hit by his deuysement,
In þe apocalyppeȝ þe apostel Iohan.
Þe seuenþe gemme in fundament;
Þe aȝtþe þe beryl cler & quyt
Þe topasye twynne how þe nente endent;
Þe crysopase þe tenþe is tyȝt;
Þe Iacyngh þe enleuenþe gent;
Þe twelfþe þe gentyleste in vch a plyt,
Þe amatyst purpre with ynde blente;
Þe wal abof þe bantels bent,
Masporye as glas þat glysnande schon,
I knew hit by his deuysement,
In þe apocalyppeȝ þe apostel Iohan.
As Iohan deuysed ȝet saȝ I þare.
Þise twelue de-gres wern brode & stayre,
Þe cyte stod abof ful sware,
As longe as brode as hyȝe ful fayre;
Þe streteȝ of golde as glasse al bare,
Þe wal of Iasper þat glent as glayre;
Þe woneȝ with-inne enurned ware
Wyth alle kynneȝ perre þat moȝt repayre,
Þenne helde vch sware of þis manayre,
Twelue forlonge space er euer hit fon,
Of heȝt, of brede, of lenþe to cayre,
For meten hit syȝ þe apostel Iohan.
Þise twelue de-gres wern brode & stayre,
Þe cyte stod abof ful sware,
As longe as brode as hyȝe ful fayre;
Þe streteȝ of golde as glasse al bare,
Þe wal of Iasper þat glent as glayre;
31
Wyth alle kynneȝ perre þat moȝt repayre,
Þenne helde vch sware of þis manayre,
Twelue forlonge space er euer hit fon,
Of heȝt, of brede, of lenþe to cayre,
For meten hit syȝ þe apostel Iohan.
XIX.
As Iohan hym wryteȝ ȝet more I syȝe
Vch pane of þat place had þre ȝateȝ,
So twelue in poursent I con asspye
Þe portaleȝ pyked of rych plateȝ
& vch ȝate of a margyrye,
A parfyt perle þat neuer fateȝ;
Vchon in scrypture a name con plye,
Of israel barneȝ folewande her dateȝ,
Þat is to say as her byrþ whateȝ;
Þe aldest ay fyrst þer-on watȝ done.
Such lyȝt þer lemed in alle þe strateȝ
Hem nedde nawþer sunne ne mone.
Vch pane of þat place had þre ȝateȝ,
So twelue in poursent I con asspye
Þe portaleȝ pyked of rych plateȝ
& vch ȝate of a margyrye,
A parfyt perle þat neuer fateȝ;
Vchon in scrypture a name con plye,
Of israel barneȝ folewande her dateȝ,
Þat is to say as her byrþ whateȝ;
Þe aldest ay fyrst þer-on watȝ done.
Such lyȝt þer lemed in alle þe strateȝ
Hem nedde nawþer sunne ne mone.
Of sunne ne mone had þay no nede
Þe self god watȝ her lompe lyȝt,
Þe lombe her lantyrne with-outen drede,
Þurȝ hym blysned þe borȝ al bryȝt.
Þurȝ woȝe & won my lokyng ȝede,
For sotyle cler moȝt lette no lyȝt;
Þe hyȝe trone þer moȝt ȝe hede
With alle þe apparaylmente vmbe-pyȝte,
As Iohan þe appostel in termeȝ tyȝte;
Þe hyȝe godeȝ self hit set vpone.
A reuer of þe trone þer ran out-ryȝte
Watȝ bryȝter þen boþe þe sunne & mone.
Þe self god watȝ her lompe lyȝt,
Þe lombe her lantyrne with-outen drede,
Þurȝ hym blysned þe borȝ al bryȝt.
Þurȝ woȝe & won my lokyng ȝede,
For sotyle cler moȝt lette no lyȝt;
Þe hyȝe trone þer moȝt ȝe hede
With alle þe apparaylmente vmbe-pyȝte,
As Iohan þe appostel in termeȝ tyȝte;
Þe hyȝe godeȝ self hit set vpone.
A reuer of þe trone þer ran out-ryȝte
Watȝ bryȝter þen boþe þe sunne & mone.
Sunne ne mone schon neuer so swete;
A! þat foysoun flode out of þat flet,
Swyþe hit swange þurȝ vch a strete,
With-outen fylþe oþer galle oþer glet.
Kyrk þer-inne watȝ non ȝete,
Chapel ne temple þat euer watȝ set,
Þe al-myȝty watȝ her mynyster mete,
Þe lombe þe saker-fyse þer to reget;
Þe ȝates stoken watȝ neuer þet,
Bot euer more vpen at vche a lone;
Þer entreȝ non to take reset,
Þat bereȝ any spot an-vnder mone.
A! þat foysoun flode out of þat flet,
Swyþe hit swange þurȝ vch a strete,
With-outen fylþe oþer galle oþer glet.
32
Chapel ne temple þat euer watȝ set,
Þe al-myȝty watȝ her mynyster mete,
Þe lombe þe saker-fyse þer to reget;
Þe ȝates stoken watȝ neuer þet,
Bot euer more vpen at vche a lone;
Þer entreȝ non to take reset,
Þat bereȝ any spot an-vnder mone.
The mone may þer-of acroche no myȝte
To spotty, ho is of body to grym,
& al-so þer ne is neuer nyȝt.
What schulde þe mone þer compas clym
& to euen wyth þat worþly lyȝt,
Þat schyneȝ vpon þe brokeȝ brym?
Þe planeteȝ arn in to pouer a plyȝt,
& þe self sunne ful fer to dym.
Aboute þat water arn tres ful schym,
Þat twelue fryteȝ of lyf con bere ful sone;
Twelue syþeȝ on ȝer þay beren ful frym
& re-nowleȝ nwe in vche a mone.
To spotty, ho is of body to grym,
& al-so þer ne is neuer nyȝt.
What schulde þe mone þer compas clym
& to euen wyth þat worþly lyȝt,
Þat schyneȝ vpon þe brokeȝ brym?
Þe planeteȝ arn in to pouer a plyȝt,
& þe self sunne ful fer to dym.
Aboute þat water arn tres ful schym,
Þat twelue fryteȝ of lyf con bere ful sone;
Twelue syþeȝ on ȝer þay beren ful frym
& re-nowleȝ nwe in vche a mone.
An-vnder mone so gret merwayle
No fleschly hert ne myȝt endeure,
As quen I blusched vpon þat baly,
So ferly þer-of watȝ þe falure.
I stod as stylle as dased quayle,
For ferly of þat french fygure,
Þat felde I nawþer reste ne trauayle,
So watȝ I rauyste wyth glymme pure;
For I dar say, with conciens sure,
Hade bodyly burne abiden þat bone,
Þaȝ alle clerkeȝ hym hade in cure,
His lyf wer loste an-vnder mone.
No fleschly hert ne myȝt endeure,
As quen I blusched vpon þat baly,
So ferly þer-of watȝ þe falure.
I stod as stylle as dased quayle,
For ferly of þat french fygure,
Þat felde I nawþer reste ne trauayle,
So watȝ I rauyste wyth glymme pure;
For I dar say, with conciens sure,
Hade bodyly burne abiden þat bone,
Þaȝ alle clerkeȝ hym hade in cure,
His lyf wer loste an-vnder mone.
XX.
Ryȝt as þe maynful mone con rys,
Er þenne þe day-glem dryue al doun,
So sodanly on a wonder wyse,
I watȝ war of a prosessyoun.
Þis noble cite of ryche enpresse
Watȝ sodanly ful with-outen sommoun
Of such vergyneȝ in þe same gyse
Þat watȝ my blysful an-vnder croun,
& coronde wern alle of þe same fasoun
Depaynt in perleȝ & wedeȝ qwyte,
In vchoneȝ breste warȝ bounden boun,
Þe blysful perle with gret delyt.
Er þenne þe day-glem dryue al doun,
33
I watȝ war of a prosessyoun.
Þis noble cite of ryche enpresse
Watȝ sodanly ful with-outen sommoun
Of such vergyneȝ in þe same gyse
Þat watȝ my blysful an-vnder croun,
& coronde wern alle of þe same fasoun
Depaynt in perleȝ & wedeȝ qwyte,
In vchoneȝ breste warȝ bounden boun,
Þe blysful perle with gret delyt.
With gret delyt þay glod in fere,
On golden gateȝ þat glent as glasse;
Hundreth þowsandeȝ I wot þer were,
& alle in sute her liureȝ wasse,
Tor to knaw þe gladdest chere.
Þe lombe byfore con proudly passe,
Wyth horneȝ seuen of red golde cler,
As praysed perleȝ his wedeȝ wasse;
Towarde þe throne þay trone a tras.
Þaȝ þay wern fele no pres in plyt,
Bot mylde as maydeneȝ seme at mas,
So droȝ þay forth with gret delyt.
On golden gateȝ þat glent as glasse;
Hundreth þowsandeȝ I wot þer were,
& alle in sute her liureȝ wasse,
Tor to knaw þe gladdest chere.
Þe lombe byfore con proudly passe,
Wyth horneȝ seuen of red golde cler,
As praysed perleȝ his wedeȝ wasse;
Towarde þe throne þay trone a tras.
Þaȝ þay wern fele no pres in plyt,
Bot mylde as maydeneȝ seme at mas,
So droȝ þay forth with gret delyt.
Delyt þat hys come encroched,
To much hit were of for to melle;
Þise alder men quen he aproched,
Grouelyng to his fete þay felle;
Legyounes of aungeleȝ togeder uoched,
Þer kesten ensens of swete smelle,
Þen glory & gle watȝ nwe abroched.
Al songe to loue þat gay Iuelle,
Þe steuen moȝt stryke þurȝ þe vrþe to helle,
Þat þe vertues of heuen of Ioye endyte,
To loue þe lombe his meyny in melle,
I-wysse I laȝt a gret delyt;
To much hit were of for to melle;
Þise alder men quen he aproched,
Grouelyng to his fete þay felle;
Legyounes of aungeleȝ togeder uoched,
Þer kesten ensens of swete smelle,
Þen glory & gle watȝ nwe abroched.
Al songe to loue þat gay Iuelle,
Þe steuen moȝt stryke þurȝ þe vrþe to helle,
Þat þe vertues of heuen of Ioye endyte,
To loue þe lombe his meyny in melle,
I-wysse I laȝt a gret delyt;
Delit þe lombe forto deuise,
With much meruayle in mynde went.
Best watȝ he, blyþest & moste to pryse,
Þat euer I herde of speche spent,
So worþly whyt wern wedeȝ hys;
His lokeȝ symple, hym self so gent,
Bot a wounde ful wyde & weete con wyse
An-ende hys hert þurȝ hyde to-rente;
Of his quyte syde his blod out-sprent,
A-las þoȝt I, who did þat spyt?
Ani breste for bale aȝt haf for-brent,
Er he þer-to hade had delyt.
With much meruayle in mynde went.
34
Þat euer I herde of speche spent,
So worþly whyt wern wedeȝ hys;
His lokeȝ symple, hym self so gent,
Bot a wounde ful wyde & weete con wyse
An-ende hys hert þurȝ hyde to-rente;
Of his quyte syde his blod out-sprent,
A-las þoȝt I, who did þat spyt?
Ani breste for bale aȝt haf for-brent,
Er he þer-to hade had delyt.
The lombe delyt non lyste to wene,
Þaȝ he were hurt & wounde hade,
In his sembelaunt watȝ neuer sene,
So wern his glenteȝ gloryous glade.
I loked among his meyny schene,
How þay wyth lyf wern laste & lade,
Þen saȝ I þer my lyttel quene,
Þat I wende had standen by me in sclade;
Lorde! much of mirþe watȝ þat ho made,
Among her fereȝ þat watȝ so quyt!
Þat syȝt me gart to þenk to wade,
For luf longyng in gret delyt.
Þaȝ he were hurt & wounde hade,
In his sembelaunt watȝ neuer sene,
So wern his glenteȝ gloryous glade.
I loked among his meyny schene,
How þay wyth lyf wern laste & lade,
Þen saȝ I þer my lyttel quene,
Þat I wende had standen by me in sclade;
Lorde! much of mirþe watȝ þat ho made,
Among her fereȝ þat watȝ so quyt!
Þat syȝt me gart to þenk to wade,
For luf longyng in gret delyt.
XXI.
Delyt me drof in yȝe & ere,
My maneȝ mynde to maddyng malte;
Quen I seȝ my frely I wolde be þere,
Byȝonde þe water, þaȝ ho were walte,
I þoȝt þat no þyng myȝt me dere
To fech me bur & take me halte;
& to start in þe strem schulde non me stere,
To swymme þe remnaunt, þaȝ I þer swalte,
Bot of þat munt I watȝ bi-talt;
When I schulde start in þe strem astraye,
Out of þat caste I watȝ by-calt;
Hit watȝ not at my prynceȝ paye,
My maneȝ mynde to maddyng malte;
Quen I seȝ my frely I wolde be þere,
Byȝonde þe water, þaȝ ho were walte,
I þoȝt þat no þyng myȝt me dere
To fech me bur & take me halte;
& to start in þe strem schulde non me stere,
To swymme þe remnaunt, þaȝ I þer swalte,
Bot of þat munt I watȝ bi-talt;
When I schulde start in þe strem astraye,
Out of þat caste I watȝ by-calt;
Hit watȝ not at my prynceȝ paye,
Hit payed hym not þat I so flonc,
Ouer meruelous mereȝ so mad arayde,
Of raas þaȝ I were rasch & ronk,
Ȝet rapely þer-inne I watȝ restayed;
For ryȝt as I sparred vn-to þe bonc,
Þat brathe out of my drem me brayde;
Þen wakned I in þat erber wlonk,
My hede vpon þat hylle watȝ layde,
Þer as my perle to grounde strayd;
I raxled & fel in gret affray,
& sykyng to my self I sayd:
“Now al be to þat prynceȝ paye.”
Ouer meruelous mereȝ so mad arayde,
Of raas þaȝ I were rasch & ronk,
Ȝet rapely þer-inne I watȝ restayed;
For ryȝt as I sparred vn-to þe bonc,
Þat brathe out of my drem me brayde;
Þen wakned I in þat erber wlonk,
My hede vpon þat hylle watȝ layde,
Þer as my perle to grounde strayd;
I raxled & fel in gret affray,
& sykyng to my self I sayd:
“Now al be to þat prynceȝ paye.”
Me payed ful ille to be out-fleme,
So sodenly of þat fayre regioun,
Fro alle þo syȝteȝ so quykeȝ & queme.
A longeyng heuy me strok in swone,
& rewfully þenne I con to reme;
“O perle,” quod I, “of rych renoun,
So watȝ hit me dere þat þou con deme,
In þys veray avysyoun;
If hit be ueray & soth sermoun,
Þat þou so stykeȝ in garlande gay,
So wel is me in þys doel doungoun,
Þat þou art to þat prynseȝ paye.”
So sodenly of þat fayre regioun,
Fro alle þo syȝteȝ so quykeȝ & queme.
A longeyng heuy me strok in swone,
& rewfully þenne I con to reme;
“O perle,” quod I, “of rych renoun,
So watȝ hit me dere þat þou con deme,
In þys veray avysyoun;
If hit be ueray & soth sermoun,
Þat þou so stykeȝ in garlande gay,
So wel is me in þys doel doungoun,
Þat þou art to þat prynseȝ paye.”
To þat prynceȝ paye hade I ay bente,
& ȝerned no more þen watȝ me geuen,
& halden me þer in trwe entent,
As þe perle me prayed þat watȝ so þryuen,
As helde drawen to goddeȝ present,
To mo of his mysterys I hade ben dryuen.
Bot ay wolde man of happe more hente
Þen moȝten by ryȝt vpon hem clyuen;
Þer-fore my ioye watȝ sone to-riuen,
& I kaste of kytheȝ þat lasteȝ aye.
Lorde! mad hit arn þat agayn þa stryuen,
Oþer proferen þe oȝt agayn þy paye;
To pay þe prince oþer sete saȝte,
& ȝerned no more þen watȝ me geuen,
& halden me þer in trwe entent,
As þe perle me prayed þat watȝ so þryuen,
As helde drawen to goddeȝ present,
To mo of his mysterys I hade ben dryuen.
Bot ay wolde man of happe more hente
Þen moȝten by ryȝt vpon hem clyuen;
Þer-fore my ioye watȝ sone to-riuen,
& I kaste of kytheȝ þat lasteȝ aye.
Lorde! mad hit arn þat agayn þa stryuen,
Oþer proferen þe oȝt agayn þy paye;
Hit is ful eþe to þe god krystyin;
For I haf founden hym boþe day & naȝte,
A god, a lorde, a frende ful fyin.
Ouer þis hyl þis lote I laȝte,
For pyty of my perle enclyin,
& syþen to god I hit by-taȝte,
In krysteȝ dere blessyng & myn,
Þat in þe forme of bred & wyn,
Þe preste vus scheweȝ vch a daye;
He gef vus to be his homly hyne,
Ande precious perleȝ vnto his pay.
Amen. Amen.
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