 | Poems of Ms. Tiber. E VII |  |
283
2. (R. Rolle's Form of living, in verse).
(Ilka man þat bunden es)
(in dedli sin), has (thre wrechednes),
þat bringes þam to þe ded of hell;
and whilk þai er I sal ȝow tell.
Þe first es defaut of gastly strenkith
þat þai sold haue þaire liue to lenkith;
þat mase þam so wayk in al thinges
þat þai may noght gainstand fandinges,
ne þai may noght lift vp þaire will
þe luf of god at ȝerne vntyll.
Þe toþer es vse of flesli syn
and a desire to dwell þare-in,
and for þai haue no will to stand
in lustes er þai lightly falland,
and [in] þaire lustes so will þai lend
many vnto þaire liues end.
Þe thrid wrechednes es chanieing
of lastand gudes for pasand thing,
als when þai leue þe ioy endles
for vaine ioy here þat pasand es.
and if þai turn þam ald or ȝing,
god will ordaine þaire wonyng
with angels and with hali men,
þaire wrechidnes if þai wil ken;
bot for þai folow þe filth of sin
and likes more to lend þarein
þan in þe grete fairehed of heuyn,
both it and þe werld lose þai euyn.
For he þat has noght Ihesu Criste,
al gude thing es fro him rauist;
al creatures sal uengance cry
on him in dome, als es worthi.—
(in dedli sin), has (thre wrechednes),
þat bringes þam to þe ded of hell;
and whilk þai er I sal ȝow tell.
Þe first es defaut of gastly strenkith
þat þai sold haue þaire liue to lenkith;
þat mase þam so wayk in al thinges
þat þai may noght gainstand fandinges,
ne þai may noght lift vp þaire will
þe luf of god at ȝerne vntyll.
Þe toþer es vse of flesli syn
and a desire to dwell þare-in,
and for þai haue no will to stand
in lustes er þai lightly falland,
and [in] þaire lustes so will þai lend
many vnto þaire liues end.
Þe thrid wrechednes es chanieing
of lastand gudes for pasand thing,
als when þai leue þe ioy endles
for vaine ioy here þat pasand es.
and if þai turn þam ald or ȝing,
god will ordaine þaire wonyng
with angels and with hali men,
þaire wrechidnes if þai wil ken;
bot for þai folow þe filth of sin
and likes more to lend þarein
þan in þe grete fairehed of heuyn,
both it and þe werld lose þai euyn.
For he þat has noght Ihesu Criste,
al gude thing es fro him rauist;
al creatures sal uengance cry
on him in dome, als es worthi.—
Þir wrechidnes er noght anly
in þam þat luffes here licheri
and glotony and oþer sines
þat þaire luf oft fro god twines:
bot þai er in sum man and wife
þat semes in penance and gude life.
For when þe fende ful of enui
can parcayue here preueli
þat man or woman, ald or ȝing,
wald turn þam vnto gude lifing
and forsake werldly vanite,
a hundereth wiles þan has he
to put þam fro swilk purpose sune,
and ger þam leue yf oght be done;
and so warly oft will he wait
þat þai sal noght se his desayt.
Sum (he desaiues) thurgh þe syn
of erroure þat he puttes þam in;
and sum with singulere wittes here,
when þai think on þis manere,
whare so þai walk by est or west
þat þaire owin wit euer es best,
and þarfore will þai no counsayle
al-if it might þam mekil avayle,
his a wit think him best of all—
þat gers him oft in folis fall;
þis es a stinkand sin of pride,
þat þe fend gers walk ful wide.
Sum he desaiues thurgh vain glori,
þat es idel ioy, als when any
has pride in hert on ill manere
of penance þat þai suffer here,
or els of gude dedes þat þai do,
or uertus þat er gifen þam to;
and er sari when men þam lackes,
and meri when men rose of þam maks;
þam think þaire werkes & þaire gude dedes
fer passes þe lif þat oþer ledes;
þam think þat no man, ald no ȝing,
suld reprehend þam in no thing;
þai despise al sinful men
þat will noght wirk als þai þam ken.
how suld men find more sinful here
þan he þat lifes on þis manere?
and more sinful þarfore he es
þat he wate noght his wrechidnes.
Sum er desayued in lust & liking
of mete and drink outrage taking,
when þai haue grete delite þarin
and wenes þat þai do no syn,
þarfore þai amend þam noght,
and so þai er in bondage broght;
al gude vertus þai put byhind,
in þaire wittes er þai made so blind.
Sum er bigiled thurgh abstinens
fro mete and drink and oþer spens;
þat es desayueing of þe fende
to ger þam faile and þam-self schende,
þat if þai bigin any thing,
þai sall noght bring it to ending;
and þusgat es þaire mede made les
thurgh foli of þaire frawardnes.
Þis gilder þe fende vntill man merkes
when he bigins to luf gude werkes;
he suffers [OMITTED] of hert and (hend)
Þat þai bring no gude werk till end;
he gers þam wene at þai sall do
more þan þai may atteyn vnto,
and gers þam wene þaire werkes er lele,
when þai do harm to þaire saul hele.
For, als þir clerkes may knaw ful euyn,
we haue a lang way vnto heuyn,
and ay when we a gude dede do,
a pase þan mak we heuyn vnto,
and when we think gude thoghtes or pray,
vnto heuen we mak vs way;
þan, if we mak vs here so wayke
þat vs list nowþer lif ne (l)ayke
ne nowþir gude werkes forto wirk
ne forto pray ne go to kirk—
we er so febill we may noght rise
ne be lastand in goddes seruise:
me think we er worthi to blame,
and aght forto think mekill shame,
þat in oure werkes er failand
when we had moste mister to stand.
and sertes it es [noght] goddes will;
þat proues þe prophet by þis scill:
he said, “lord, I sal kepe mi might
vnto þe both day and nyght”—
his meneing was þan on þis wise,
þat he suld maintene goddes seruis
lastandly to his ded-day,
and noght sune waste his strenkith (oway)
and seþin lig waneand by þe waw.
þat es more perill þan we knaw;
Saint Ierom sais, to vnderstand,
þat he makes of rauyn ofrand
þat here will turment his body
fro mete and slepe outrageusly.
And saint Bernard sais þat f(asting)
ne wakeing lettes noght g(astli thing)
bot helpes it in ilk sesoune
if it be done with discrecioune,
and if discrecioun be n(oght) [OMITTED]
þan er þai tald vices al [OMITTED]
Þarfore to pine vs es (na nede)
and þan haue vnth(ank for our dede).
Bot þar er sum me(n þat wenes)
þat þaire life es (noght al þai menes)
bot if þai vse (swa mikil fasting)
þat all (men spek þarof, ald & ȝing):
(bot oft þe mo ioy þai haue þen)
(withow)ten of þe speche of men,
þe les ioy haue þai within
of þe luf of god þat neuer sal blyn.
It war wele more to goddes honore
to sustine þaire bodis in mesure
and forto tak with gude talent
what sustinance so god þam sent,
forto maintene his seruyse,
þan forto wirk on oþer wise,
thurgh penance & ypocrisy
to ger þam be halden haly.
for þe les þat men þaire gudnes neuyn,
þe more it es with god of heuyn.
What helpes it to more or les
to haue þe abit of halines
and be noght so, bot couer pride
and ire and enuy on ilk side,
and hide so many wikked dede
vnder þe clothes of Cristes barnhede?
(A) foul lust es it unparfite
(of) oþer mens wordes to haue delite,
(þat) of oure dedes may deme right noght
namore þan þai may of oure thoght;
(þ)arfore weþer þai say gude or ill,
(a) man sold gif no tent þartill;
(an)d if we hide oure werkes þen
(fro) þe loueing of werldly men,
(þan) will god for oure gudenes
(sche)w vs ioy þat es endles.
(For his) ioy es when alde and ȝing
(has) strenkith to fell þe fendes fanding
(and sekes) no thing forto haue
(bot lu)f of god his saul to saue:
(and þis de)sire of his luf smert
(ay sul)d kyndel in oure hert,
(and þe swetn)es of his grace
(be oure comfo)rt and oure solace.
(Lo þus hau)e I talde here now
[OMITTED] fende decayues & how
(men & women) þat er noght quainte
[OMITTED] be ataynt;
(if þou wil do bi gu)de counsayle
(and folow lare þat mig)ht availe,
(his malis sal turn him til) anoy
(and al his trappis þou sal) destruy.
God suffers þ(e fend to temp gud men)
for þaire profit, als clerkes ken,
þat þai sal be hegher in blis
when [þai] haue ouercumen him and his.
in þam þat luffes here licheri
and glotony and oþer sines
þat þaire luf oft fro god twines:
bot þai er in sum man and wife
þat semes in penance and gude life.
For when þe fende ful of enui
can parcayue here preueli
þat man or woman, ald or ȝing,
wald turn þam vnto gude lifing
and forsake werldly vanite,
a hundereth wiles þan has he
to put þam fro swilk purpose sune,
and ger þam leue yf oght be done;
and so warly oft will he wait
þat þai sal noght se his desayt.
Sum (he desaiues) thurgh þe syn
of erroure þat he puttes þam in;
and sum with singulere wittes here,
when þai think on þis manere,
whare so þai walk by est or west
þat þaire owin wit euer es best,
and þarfore will þai no counsayle
al-if it might þam mekil avayle,
his a wit think him best of all—
þat gers him oft in folis fall;
þis es a stinkand sin of pride,
þat þe fend gers walk ful wide.
Sum he desaiues thurgh vain glori,
þat es idel ioy, als when any
has pride in hert on ill manere
of penance þat þai suffer here,
or els of gude dedes þat þai do,
or uertus þat er gifen þam to;
and er sari when men þam lackes,
and meri when men rose of þam maks;
þam think þaire werkes & þaire gude dedes
fer passes þe lif þat oþer ledes;
þam think þat no man, ald no ȝing,
suld reprehend þam in no thing;
þai despise al sinful men
þat will noght wirk als þai þam ken.
how suld men find more sinful here
þan he þat lifes on þis manere?
284
þat he wate noght his wrechidnes.
Sum er desayued in lust & liking
of mete and drink outrage taking,
when þai haue grete delite þarin
and wenes þat þai do no syn,
þarfore þai amend þam noght,
and so þai er in bondage broght;
al gude vertus þai put byhind,
in þaire wittes er þai made so blind.
Sum er bigiled thurgh abstinens
fro mete and drink and oþer spens;
þat es desayueing of þe fende
to ger þam faile and þam-self schende,
þat if þai bigin any thing,
þai sall noght bring it to ending;
and þusgat es þaire mede made les
thurgh foli of þaire frawardnes.
Þis gilder þe fende vntill man merkes
when he bigins to luf gude werkes;
he suffers [OMITTED] of hert and (hend)
Þat þai bring no gude werk till end;
he gers þam wene at þai sall do
more þan þai may atteyn vnto,
and gers þam wene þaire werkes er lele,
when þai do harm to þaire saul hele.
For, als þir clerkes may knaw ful euyn,
we haue a lang way vnto heuyn,
and ay when we a gude dede do,
a pase þan mak we heuyn vnto,
and when we think gude thoghtes or pray,
vnto heuen we mak vs way;
þan, if we mak vs here so wayke
þat vs list nowþer lif ne (l)ayke
ne nowþir gude werkes forto wirk
ne forto pray ne go to kirk—
we er so febill we may noght rise
ne be lastand in goddes seruise:
me think we er worthi to blame,
and aght forto think mekill shame,
þat in oure werkes er failand
when we had moste mister to stand.
and sertes it es [noght] goddes will;
þat proues þe prophet by þis scill:
he said, “lord, I sal kepe mi might
vnto þe both day and nyght”—
his meneing was þan on þis wise,
þat he suld maintene goddes seruis
lastandly to his ded-day,
and noght sune waste his strenkith (oway)
and seþin lig waneand by þe waw.
þat es more perill þan we knaw;
Saint Ierom sais, to vnderstand,
þat he makes of rauyn ofrand
þat here will turment his body
fro mete and slepe outrageusly.
And saint Bernard sais þat f(asting)
ne wakeing lettes noght g(astli thing)
bot helpes it in ilk sesoune
if it be done with discrecioune,
and if discrecioun be n(oght) [OMITTED]
þan er þai tald vices al [OMITTED]
Þarfore to pine vs es (na nede)
and þan haue vnth(ank for our dede).
Bot þar er sum me(n þat wenes)
þat þaire life es (noght al þai menes)
bot if þai vse (swa mikil fasting)
þat all (men spek þarof, ald & ȝing):
(bot oft þe mo ioy þai haue þen)
(withow)ten of þe speche of men,
þe les ioy haue þai within
of þe luf of god þat neuer sal blyn.
It war wele more to goddes honore
to sustine þaire bodis in mesure
and forto tak with gude talent
what sustinance so god þam sent,
forto maintene his seruyse,
þan forto wirk on oþer wise,
thurgh penance & ypocrisy
to ger þam be halden haly.
for þe les þat men þaire gudnes neuyn,
þe more it es with god of heuyn.
What helpes it to more or les
to haue þe abit of halines
and be noght so, bot couer pride
and ire and enuy on ilk side,
and hide so many wikked dede
vnder þe clothes of Cristes barnhede?
(A) foul lust es it unparfite
(of) oþer mens wordes to haue delite,
(þat) of oure dedes may deme right noght
namore þan þai may of oure thoght;
285
(a) man sold gif no tent þartill;
(an)d if we hide oure werkes þen
(fro) þe loueing of werldly men,
(þan) will god for oure gudenes
(sche)w vs ioy þat es endles.
(For his) ioy es when alde and ȝing
(has) strenkith to fell þe fendes fanding
(and sekes) no thing forto haue
(bot lu)f of god his saul to saue:
(and þis de)sire of his luf smert
(ay sul)d kyndel in oure hert,
(and þe swetn)es of his grace
(be oure comfo)rt and oure solace.
(Lo þus hau)e I talde here now
[OMITTED] fende decayues & how
(men & women) þat er noght quainte
[OMITTED] be ataynt;
(if þou wil do bi gu)de counsayle
(and folow lare þat mig)ht availe,
(his malis sal turn him til) anoy
(and al his trappis þou sal) destruy.
God suffers þ(e fend to temp gud men)
for þaire profit, als clerkes ken,
þat þai sal be hegher in blis
when [þai] haue ouercumen him and his.
Þe fende on thre wise has powere
forto dwell in a man here:
Ane es, hurtand þe gudes of kind,
als reuand men speche, wit & mynde.
Anoþer es thurgh þe gudes of grace,
þat he makes men in many place
to haue swilk delite and liking
in werldli gudes þat es vain thing
þat þai forget god euer omell
and wendes with þe fende to hell.
Þe thrid maner es, turmentand
a mans body by water or land,
als Iob was turment lifand here
with maladies and sekenes sere.
Bot wit þou wele, for ani gyn
if he may noght temp þe within
nowþer with his worde ne dede,
withowten thar þe noght him drede;
for vnto no man may he greue
ferrer þan god will gif him leue.
forto dwell in a man here:
Ane es, hurtand þe gudes of kind,
als reuand men speche, wit & mynde.
Anoþer es thurgh þe gudes of grace,
þat he makes men in many place
to haue swilk delite and liking
in werldli gudes þat es vain thing
þat þai forget god euer omell
and wendes with þe fende to hell.
Þe thrid maner es, turmentand
a mans body by water or land,
als Iob was turment lifand here
with maladies and sekenes sere.
Bot wit þou wele, for ani gyn
if he may noght temp þe within
nowþer with his worde ne dede,
withowten thar þe noght him drede;
for vnto no man may he greue
ferrer þan god will gif him leue.
Þe fende, als hali writ witnes,
transfigures him in sere liknes:
sum tyme als ane angell of light
tempes he men both day and night,
and hides ill to ald and ȝing
vnder þe liknes of gude thing.
and þat es on two maners done:
Ane es when he at morn or none
egges men till esse of body
and forto kepe þam tenderly;
he sais if þat þaire fless be pinde,
þai may sustyne [noght] wele þaire kinde,
and þat es nede on alkins wise
forto mai[n]tene goddes seruise;
on þis wise makes he vs to think,
bot if we ett wele and wele drink
and lig soft and sit warm,
els may we lightly haue grete harm,
and els till end bese it noght won
þe trauail þat we haue bygun;
þus bringes he men both more & les
to lust and liking of þaire fless.
Anoþer es when he thurg chance
entices vs to grete penance
[OMITTED]
of gastly gudes, and þusgat sais:
“He þat moste hard life wil lede
for goddes luf, sal haue most mede:
þarfore ett lityl and febil mete,
and thinest drink þat þou may gete,
vse litel slepe, and were þe hayre,
and fast mekill þi fless to payre,
þat þare be none for nokins chance
þat may pass þe in penance”.
þus sais þe fende in þi conciens
to sla þe with grete abstinens,
right als he said þe toþer thing
to sla þe with outrage etting.
and þarfore, if we right lif wald,
a gude mene bihoued vs hald,
þar-thurgh we may gett oure saul bute
and hald oure fless ay vnder fote,
and suffer it to haue strenkith þarto
at serue god als it suld do.
transfigures him in sere liknes:
sum tyme als ane angell of light
tempes he men both day and night,
and hides ill to ald and ȝing
vnder þe liknes of gude thing.
and þat es on two maners done:
Ane es when he at morn or none
egges men till esse of body
and forto kepe þam tenderly;
he sais if þat þaire fless be pinde,
þai may sustyne [noght] wele þaire kinde,
and þat es nede on alkins wise
forto mai[n]tene goddes seruise;
on þis wise makes he vs to think,
bot if we ett wele and wele drink
and lig soft and sit warm,
els may we lightly haue grete harm,
and els till end bese it noght won
þe trauail þat we haue bygun;
þus bringes he men both more & les
to lust and liking of þaire fless.
Anoþer es when he thurg chance
entices vs to grete penance
[OMITTED]
of gastly gudes, and þusgat sais:
“He þat moste hard life wil lede
for goddes luf, sal haue most mede:
þarfore ett lityl and febil mete,
and thinest drink þat þou may gete,
vse litel slepe, and were þe hayre,
and fast mekill þi fless to payre,
þat þare be none for nokins chance
þat may pass þe in penance”.
þus sais þe fende in þi conciens
to sla þe with grete abstinens,
right als he said þe toþer thing
to sla þe with outrage etting.
and þarfore, if we right lif wald,
a gude mene bihoued vs hald,
þar-thurgh we may gett oure saul bute
and hald oure fless ay vnder fote,
and suffer it to haue strenkith þarto
at serue god als it suld do.
Also oure [enmy] wil noght sese
ne suffer vs here to rest in pese
onightes, when we suld slepe a while:
bot þan he sekes vs to bigile
with uanitese, to mak vs glad,
and sumtyme sightes to mak vs rad
and ger vs lathe with oure awin state—
for al oure febilles wele he wate.
with faire sightes he makkes vs fain
forto ger vs be glad in vaine,
to ger vs wene so þat we er
better þan we may be bi fer.
sumtyme he puttes intil oure mode
þat we er halden hali and gude,
to mak vs proud of oure gude dede
and so to ger vs lose oure mede;
sumtyme he sais we er werst of all,
at gerr vs into wan-hope fall
and so forto di in despaire.
Þus colures he his falshedes faire.
bot god ful kindely wil vs kepe
and saue, wheþer we wake or slepe,
if we rewle vs efter his will,
þat þe fende noght dere vs till.
Þou sinnes noght slepeand, sais þir clerkes,
if þou be wakeand with gude werkes,
withowten outrage of mete and drink,
and euil thoghtes on none wise think.
(Þe fend desayues) [OMITTED]
ne suffer vs here to rest in pese
286
bot þan he sekes vs to bigile
with uanitese, to mak vs glad,
and sumtyme sightes to mak vs rad
and ger vs lathe with oure awin state—
for al oure febilles wele he wate.
with faire sightes he makkes vs fain
forto ger vs be glad in vaine,
to ger vs wene so þat we er
better þan we may be bi fer.
sumtyme he puttes intil oure mode
þat we er halden hali and gude,
to mak vs proud of oure gude dede
and so to ger vs lose oure mede;
sumtyme he sais we er werst of all,
at gerr vs into wan-hope fall
and so forto di in despaire.
Þus colures he his falshedes faire.
bot god ful kindely wil vs kepe
and saue, wheþer we wake or slepe,
if we rewle vs efter his will,
þat þe fende noght dere vs till.
Þou sinnes noght slepeand, sais þir clerkes,
if þou be wakeand with gude werkes,
withowten outrage of mete and drink,
and euil thoghtes on none wise think.
thurgh dremis þat þai se slepe(and);
and sum dremes gers he sothfast seme,
for þat men sal þarefter deme
and trow þat al dremes þat þai se
on þat wise soth sal funden be,
þan shewes he oþer vnsuthfast thinges,
and so in wrang trowth he men bringes.
And forþi þat none, alde ne-ȝing,
sall be desayued with swilk dremeing,
þarfore I tell, wha will tak ȝeme,
sex maners of dremis may men deme.
and twa maners may nane askape:
þat es with tome wambe if þai slape,
anoþer, ouer-full if þai be—
sum vanitese þan sal þai se
and sightes þat er noght sertayne,
and al es for þaire febill brayne.
þe thrid es desayt and gilri
of þe fende, oure fals enmy.
þe ferth es thoght of werk with hand
and illusiouns þarfore folowand.
þe fift er reuelaciouns of þe haligaste,
and þat es for oure (saul ese) maste.
þe sext es when men er (rau)iste
thurgh thoghtes bifore þat falles to Criste.
on þir maners, wha will tak kepe,
may men dreme when þat þai slepe.
and in so mekill it es worthy
þat men sold set þe les þam by
and trow nowþer til all ne sum,
for we wate noght whareof þai cum,
wheþer þai cum of þe haligaste
or of þe deuil þat deres vs maste;
bot whare men many dremes (ses),
þare er many vanitese.
wharfore men þat kindli wit (can),
right als þai cum so lattes þam [OMITTED]
and lattes þaire hert ay [OMITTED]
als þaire lifing es she [OMITTED]
What helpes to seme ha(li [OMITTED]
and þan oure conciens [OMITTED]?
turn þi hert to god ha(lli)
als it semes þou dose (þi bodi).
þou sal noght say [OMITTED]
þat al er haly þat [OMITTED]
and beres abite [OMITTED]
and with þe [OMITTED]
(ne þou sal noght wene þat al er ill)
(þat) werldly thinges tentes vntill
(& occu)pies þam with trauayle,
(fo)r defaut of fude þat þai noght faile;
Bot þai er haly in al degre,
lered or laude wheþer þai be,
þat werldly gudes can wele despise
and luf god euer on alkins wise,
and settes in god al þaire desyre
and þaire luf brinand als fire,
and couaites noght þat men ma neuyn
bot all anly þe blis of heuyn,
and hates sin with main and mode,
and seses noght of werkes gude,
and in þaire hert feles a swettnes
of þe life þat ay lastand es:
and haldes þam-self werst of all
287
and knawes wele þaire wrechidnes.
þis manere of lifing haly es;
and who so lifes in þis degre,
haly and blisced sal he be.
If þat þou will haue mede in heuyn
(and) be with Cristes apostels euyn,
(think) noght þan what þou forsakes,
(bo)t what þou despises and noght takes.
(þai) forsake so mekill and no les
(þat fo)lowes Criste here in mekenes,
(in char)ite and in pouert
(and in) parfite paciens of hert,
(als þai) mai couait in þaire thoght
[OMITTED] ane þat folowe him noght.
(& þar)fore luf god with gude will,
[OMITTED] (h)as he eghe þartill;
(with grete desir) wha to god tentes
(& offers) þaire praiers in his presence
(& sekes na comforth of) erthly thing
(bot þe blis of heuin) at his ending,
(Crist him reue s)all fro þe fende
(& his werkes) þat him suld shende,
(& als fro lu)stes and likinges
(of fless & blude þat in) him hinges,
(& mak him will na er)thely gude
[OMITTED] þaire mode
(& drede na sorow þat m)ay bifall
[OMITTED] all
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
þat þai be noght (in þat sesoune)
letted of þaire deuocioune.
Þus mai men se wha will tak ȝeme
how sum er better þan þai seme,
and also sum man wikked es
þat schewes semeing of halines.
And who so will þis lesson lere
and lif þarefter with gude chere,
thurgh help of god þan sal he be
als gude in saul, als forto se.
At þe biginnig enterely
turn þe to god almighty.
and þat es to mene on þis wise:
turn þe fro al couatise
and fro liking and bisines
both of þe werld and of þi fless,
so þat þi hert, þat was dounward
whils þi hert in þe erth was harde,
be vpward now als fire ful euyn,
sekeand þe heghest place in heuyn,
til þi spous whare he beldes in blis,
and ȝeren to won with him & his.
þi hert to god wele turned es
when it forsakes sins more and les
and fleis al felischippes of schrewes,
and confouroms it to gude thewes
and to debonerte and mekenes,
and in goddes loueing lastand es,
and es noght with nonkins strife,
ne irkes noght with hardnes of life.
turn þe to god almighty.
and þat es to mene on þis wise:
turn þe fro al couatise
and fro liking and bisines
both of þe werld and of þi fless,
so þat þi hert, þat was dounward
whils þi hert in þe erth was harde,
be vpward now als fire ful euyn,
sekeand þe heghest place in heuyn,
til þi spous whare he beldes in blis,
and ȝeren to won with him & his.
þi hert to god wele turned es
when it forsakes sins more and les
and fleis al felischippes of schrewes,
and confouroms it to gude thewes
and to debonerte and mekenes,
and in goddes loueing lastand es,
and es noght with nonkins strife,
ne irkes noght with hardnes of life.
Bot foure thinges bus him haue in thoght
þat to parfite luf will be broght.
Ane es, of þis life þe mesure,
þat so schort time mai endure,
þat vnnethes es oght forto tell,
for als in a point here we dwell—
þat es þe leste thing þat mai be;
ȝit es oure life wele les to se,
if þat we haue rewarde alway
vnto þat life þat lastes ay.
Anoþer es þe vnsertainte
of oure ending when it sal be;
for we wate neuer when we sal deghe
ne what dole þat we þan sal drighe,
ne we wate neuer into what stede
þat we sal turn when we er dede;
god will lat vs no sertaine se
for þat we suld ay redy be
(in) what e [OMITTED] we [OMITTED]
þus suld a man ay think in thoght.
Þe thrid, þat we acount sal ȝelde
of al oure dedes in ȝowth and elde
bifor Ihesu, þe domes-man dere,
and of al þe time þat we had here,
and what oure bisines has bene.
for þare sal all þe soth be sene;
al euil dedes þat we here hid
sal þare plainly be knawen & kyd,
and what gude werkes we might haue wroght
when we war ydell and did noght.
þarfore þe prophet sais sertayne:
“Lorde, þou has calde þe time ogayne,
to wreghe vs of oure wikkednes
in al oure lifing more and les”.
for ilkaday þat god has send
in his seruise forto despend,
in wikked werkes if we it waste,
þarfore in bale we mun be braste
and by it dere on domesday,
bot if we mend it whils we may;
and al þe time we waste to noght
whils god es al-out of oure thoght.
þarfore on him we suld think ay,
and also on þat dredeful day.
Þe ferth thing folowand es þis:
forto think what ioy and blis
þat þaire hertes er to rauiste
þat lendes in þe luf of Criste
lastandly ai whils þai lif,
and al þaire hertes vnto him gif;
for þai sal be, als clerkes ken,
breþer with angels and hali men,
in heuyn whare þai sall plainly se
god in his grete maieste.
þat sight ouer all es souerayn blis,
and þareof sal þai neuer mis;
it sal be to þam mete and drink
and all þat þai will efter think.
þare sal be more ioy þam omell
þan ani man with tong mai tell;
and to þat welth wele mai þai win
þat here will kepe þam clene of sin.
Also to think with gude entent
what sorow and care and hard turment
þat þai sal haue withowten ende,
þe sinfull þat to hell sall wende,
(þat lufed noght god whils) þai liued here
bot filed þaire thoght with folies sere,
als pride and ire and oþer syn.
þarfore in bale-fire sal þai brin,
þat es in þe fire of hell,
with deuils þat þarein sal dwell;
for þai sal dwell ay with þe fende
right als gudemen with god sal lende.
Þarfore luf god, als I said are,
with all þi might and main euermare;
and lat þi luf ay in him stand
and more and more ay be waxand,
and bigin þi luf so lawe
þat þou may ai god better knawe,
and set þi luf so sad in him
þat þou may euermore upward clim;
and noght bigin so highe thurgh ruse
and cum dounward, als sum men dose
þat ouer-grete penance wil bigin
þat þai may noght til ending win,
wharfore þai fail in goddes seruise—
wha wirkes þus þai er noght wise.
þi merit mai be neuer þe les
if þou do noght so grete destrese
vnto þi fles, at ger it faile;
bot kepe þe klene, es my counsaile,
and vmthink þe at morn and none
to luf god more þan þou has done;
þan sal þi luf be more and more,
and þi mede ay waxand þarfore.
þat to parfite luf will be broght.
Ane es, of þis life þe mesure,
þat so schort time mai endure,
þat vnnethes es oght forto tell,
for als in a point here we dwell—
þat es þe leste thing þat mai be;
ȝit es oure life wele les to se,
if þat we haue rewarde alway
vnto þat life þat lastes ay.
Anoþer es þe vnsertainte
of oure ending when it sal be;
for we wate neuer when we sal deghe
ne what dole þat we þan sal drighe,
ne we wate neuer into what stede
þat we sal turn when we er dede;
god will lat vs no sertaine se
for þat we suld ay redy be
(in) what e [OMITTED] we [OMITTED]
þus suld a man ay think in thoght.
Þe thrid, þat we acount sal ȝelde
of al oure dedes in ȝowth and elde
bifor Ihesu, þe domes-man dere,
and of al þe time þat we had here,
and what oure bisines has bene.
for þare sal all þe soth be sene;
al euil dedes þat we here hid
sal þare plainly be knawen & kyd,
288
when we war ydell and did noght.
þarfore þe prophet sais sertayne:
“Lorde, þou has calde þe time ogayne,
to wreghe vs of oure wikkednes
in al oure lifing more and les”.
for ilkaday þat god has send
in his seruise forto despend,
in wikked werkes if we it waste,
þarfore in bale we mun be braste
and by it dere on domesday,
bot if we mend it whils we may;
and al þe time we waste to noght
whils god es al-out of oure thoght.
þarfore on him we suld think ay,
and also on þat dredeful day.
Þe ferth thing folowand es þis:
forto think what ioy and blis
þat þaire hertes er to rauiste
þat lendes in þe luf of Criste
lastandly ai whils þai lif,
and al þaire hertes vnto him gif;
for þai sal be, als clerkes ken,
breþer with angels and hali men,
in heuyn whare þai sall plainly se
god in his grete maieste.
þat sight ouer all es souerayn blis,
and þareof sal þai neuer mis;
it sal be to þam mete and drink
and all þat þai will efter think.
þare sal be more ioy þam omell
þan ani man with tong mai tell;
and to þat welth wele mai þai win
þat here will kepe þam clene of sin.
Also to think with gude entent
what sorow and care and hard turment
þat þai sal haue withowten ende,
þe sinfull þat to hell sall wende,
(þat lufed noght god whils) þai liued here
bot filed þaire thoght with folies sere,
als pride and ire and oþer syn.
þarfore in bale-fire sal þai brin,
þat es in þe fire of hell,
with deuils þat þarein sal dwell;
for þai sal dwell ay with þe fende
right als gudemen with god sal lende.
Þarfore luf god, als I said are,
with all þi might and main euermare;
and lat þi luf ay in him stand
and more and more ay be waxand,
and bigin þi luf so lawe
þat þou may ai god better knawe,
and set þi luf so sad in him
þat þou may euermore upward clim;
and noght bigin so highe thurgh ruse
and cum dounward, als sum men dose
þat ouer-grete penance wil bigin
þat þai may noght til ending win,
wharfore þai fail in goddes seruise—
wha wirkes þus þai er noght wise.
þi merit mai be neuer þe les
if þou do noght so grete destrese
vnto þi fles, at ger it faile;
bot kepe þe klene, es my counsaile,
and vmthink þe at morn and none
to luf god more þan þou has done;
þan sal þi luf be more and more,
and þi mede ay waxand þarfore.
He þat here will leli lyf
and his luf all to god gif,
stabilly sall he vnderstand
þir foure thinges þat er folowand:
Ane es what thing files a man;
anoþer what thing clenses (him þan);
þe thrid when þat he clensed es,
what thing þan haldes him (in clennes);
þe ferth what thing may a (man bring)
at ordain him to goddes li(king).
For þe first, what files a (man),
may men knaw wele [OMITTED]
þat we sin on ma(ners thre)
and makes oure sau(les foule to be);
þus er þai talde who (wil take hede):
with hert, with (mouth, and with dede).
Þe sins of hert (er þir) [OMITTED]
ill thoghtes [OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
(wik)ed will and yre in hert to hald for rose.
and to haue ill suspecioune,
and pray with-owten deuocioune.
and if þi hert euer ydel be
with-outen werkes of charite,
and void withowten swete sauoure
of þe luf of god oure creature.
ill drede, ill luf to ald or ȝing.
all errour and al ill trowing.
ioy of oþer mens ill fare,
and sorow if þai in welthes ware.
to despise pure men more or les,
to honore þe riche for þaire riches.
despite of sinful þat we se,
and ioy of werldli vanite.
vntholemodnes oure soueraines to.
and dout of dedes þat er to do—
for what we sold do suld we knaw
and nowþer lett for luf ne awe.
noy in hert forto do gude.
anger at serue with milde mode
(god &) þam þat we suld vntill.
and sorow we haue done namore ill,
and þat we haue noght fulfild sone
(wi)kkednes þat we might haue done.
(and) vnstabilnes of thoght.
(pini)ng with penance if we do oght.
(ypoc)risi in goddes seruise.
(drede) ill doers to despise(!).
(shame) of gude dedes, ioy of ill.
(singul)ere wit with-owten scill.
(couaiti)se of dignite,
(or to be) halden of gude degre,
(or rich, or to) be halden faire,
(or strang) oure enmies forto payre.
(vain glori) forto haue in mynde
(of gudes of) grace or gudes of kinde.
(forto haf) shame of simpil frendes,
(& prid of ri)che þat with vs wendes;
(for fre ilike) al sall we be
(bifor þe face of gods mageste),
(bot if our dedis) mak vs were
(or els better þan oth)er err.
(also despite of gud) counsaile
(and teching þat vs might) auayle.
[OMITTED] pouert
[OMITTED]
and his luf all to god gif,
stabilly sall he vnderstand
þir foure thinges þat er folowand:
Ane es what thing files a man;
anoþer what thing clenses (him þan);
þe thrid when þat he clensed es,
what thing þan haldes him (in clennes);
þe ferth what thing may a (man bring)
at ordain him to goddes li(king).
For þe first, what files a (man),
may men knaw wele [OMITTED]
þat we sin on ma(ners thre)
and makes oure sau(les foule to be);
þus er þai talde who (wil take hede):
with hert, with (mouth, and with dede).
Þe sins of hert (er þir) [OMITTED]
ill thoghtes [OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
(wik)ed will and yre in hert to hald for rose.
and to haue ill suspecioune,
and pray with-owten deuocioune.
289
with-outen werkes of charite,
and void withowten swete sauoure
of þe luf of god oure creature.
ill drede, ill luf to ald or ȝing.
all errour and al ill trowing.
ioy of oþer mens ill fare,
and sorow if þai in welthes ware.
to despise pure men more or les,
to honore þe riche for þaire riches.
despite of sinful þat we se,
and ioy of werldli vanite.
vntholemodnes oure soueraines to.
and dout of dedes þat er to do—
for what we sold do suld we knaw
and nowþer lett for luf ne awe.
noy in hert forto do gude.
anger at serue with milde mode
(god &) þam þat we suld vntill.
and sorow we haue done namore ill,
and þat we haue noght fulfild sone
(wi)kkednes þat we might haue done.
(and) vnstabilnes of thoght.
(pini)ng with penance if we do oght.
(ypoc)risi in goddes seruise.
(drede) ill doers to despise(!).
(shame) of gude dedes, ioy of ill.
(singul)ere wit with-owten scill.
(couaiti)se of dignite,
(or to be) halden of gude degre,
(or rich, or to) be halden faire,
(or strang) oure enmies forto payre.
(vain glori) forto haue in mynde
(of gudes of) grace or gudes of kinde.
(forto haf) shame of simpil frendes,
(& prid of ri)che þat with vs wendes;
(for fre ilike) al sall we be
(bifor þe face of gods mageste),
(bot if our dedis) mak vs were
(or els better þan oth)er err.
(also despite of gud) counsaile
(and teching þat vs might) auayle.
[OMITTED] pouert
[OMITTED]
Þe sins of mouth er, (if þou fraine):
to swere grete athes & oft in vaine.
to sklander Crist or oþer vs by.
to neuyn his name vnreueren[t]li.
vnsothfast schrift þat es noght clere.
grocheing to god for angers here
or tribulacioun, þat er send
till vs for we oure mis suld mend.
to pray [to] god in his presens
with-owten deuocioun and reuerens.
bakbiteing. flatering. and lesing.
missaying. werying. and defamyng.
sawing of discord. and tresoun.
and fals witnes in feld and toune.
ill counsail. scorn. vnbowsumnes.
to say thing es gude þat ill es,
or forto say þe thing es ill
þat men dose wele and with gude will—
for we suld lap oure negburs dede
ay in þe best, for þaire moste spede.
to excite oþer men vnto
swilk dedes als þai dar noght do,
forto ger þam be halden wer
efter þat þa dedes err.
oþer men forto myssay
for werkes þat we do ilkaday.
with mekill speche oure heuid to breke,
or mani ydell wordes to speke.
and als of wordes faire polising,
to mak þam soth þat es lesing.
and in oure sinyng fals defens.
crying & laghing with no reuerens.
forto mak mowes on ani men.
sanges of lust to sing and ken,
or more for mens luf forto sing
þan for Criste þat knawes al thing.
to prais ill dedes with karping kouth—
al swilk er cald þe sins of mowth.
to swere grete athes & oft in vaine.
to sklander Crist or oþer vs by.
to neuyn his name vnreueren[t]li.
vnsothfast schrift þat es noght clere.
grocheing to god for angers here
or tribulacioun, þat er send
till vs for we oure mis suld mend.
to pray [to] god in his presens
with-owten deuocioun and reuerens.
bakbiteing. flatering. and lesing.
missaying. werying. and defamyng.
sawing of discord. and tresoun.
and fals witnes in feld and toune.
ill counsail. scorn. vnbowsumnes.
to say thing es gude þat ill es,
or forto say þe thing es ill
þat men dose wele and with gude will—
for we suld lap oure negburs dede
ay in þe best, for þaire moste spede.
to excite oþer men vnto
swilk dedes als þai dar noght do,
forto ger þam be halden wer
efter þat þa dedes err.
oþer men forto myssay
for werkes þat we do ilkaday.
with mekill speche oure heuid to breke,
or mani ydell wordes to speke.
and als of wordes faire polising,
to mak þam soth þat es lesing.
and in oure sinyng fals defens.
crying & laghing with no reuerens.
forto mak mowes on ani men.
sanges of lust to sing and ken,
or more for mens luf forto sing
þan for Criste þat knawes al thing.
to prais ill dedes with karping kouth—
al swilk er cald þe sins of mowth.
Þir er þe sins þat falles in dede,
als þai er set on raw to rede:
als glotoni, and licheri,
and dronkenhede, and symony.
wichecrafte. breking of halidays.
and sacrilage by any ways.
to resayue goddes body in sin,
and als forto [lig] lang þarin.
Brekeing of vowes þat er made right.
and ydell saying in goddes sight.
(to) gif en(sampil of il) life.
sakles to greue ouþer man or wife,
or forto ger þam haue il name
or forto lose of þaire gude fame.
Thift. rauin. vsure. decayt,
lesinges and lithernes to layt.
gladli forto herkin yll.
to gif oure gudes harlottes untill.
to reue oure bodis nedful wage,
or els at vse vs till outrage.
to bigin any thing ouer might.
custum to do ill day or night.
also feyning of halynes,
rosing of thing þat noght oures es,
to hald vs fayrer or wiser
þan oþer, when we er wele wer.
forto tak any charge vs to
þat we er vnabill to do.
to wreth vs lightly als vnwise.
and also to bring vp new gise.
to be ouer rebell vnto seruandes,
to do noght als soueraines cumandes.
forto do sin here in oure liue
thurgh any of oure wittes fiue:
In sight, in hereing, or in smelleing,
in handes towcheing, or in tasting;
in giftes gifing, or quant saiinges,
in gilry or in sutyle signes,
vnlefful thing to resayue parchance—
for of sins er þir circumstance(!).
and þar er circumstance wele ma,
als time, stede, maner alswa,
nowmber, person, and dwelling,
eld, and degre, and cunyng;
þir makes þe sin more or les,
efter þe condicioun es.
also to sin forto be boune
or a man fele temptacioune;
or ani bowrding to bygin
at make occasioun vnto sin.
Þir er þe sins þat falles in dede,
and mani ma if men tak hede.
als þai er set on raw to rede:
als glotoni, and licheri,
and dronkenhede, and symony.
wichecrafte. breking of halidays.
and sacrilage by any ways.
to resayue goddes body in sin,
and als forto [lig] lang þarin.
Brekeing of vowes þat er made right.
and ydell saying in goddes sight.
(to) gif en(sampil of il) life.
290
or forto ger þam haue il name
or forto lose of þaire gude fame.
Thift. rauin. vsure. decayt,
lesinges and lithernes to layt.
gladli forto herkin yll.
to gif oure gudes harlottes untill.
to reue oure bodis nedful wage,
or els at vse vs till outrage.
to bigin any thing ouer might.
custum to do ill day or night.
also feyning of halynes,
rosing of thing þat noght oures es,
to hald vs fayrer or wiser
þan oþer, when we er wele wer.
forto tak any charge vs to
þat we er vnabill to do.
to wreth vs lightly als vnwise.
and also to bring vp new gise.
to be ouer rebell vnto seruandes,
to do noght als soueraines cumandes.
forto do sin here in oure liue
thurgh any of oure wittes fiue:
In sight, in hereing, or in smelleing,
in handes towcheing, or in tasting;
in giftes gifing, or quant saiinges,
in gilry or in sutyle signes,
vnlefful thing to resayue parchance—
for of sins er þir circumstance(!).
and þar er circumstance wele ma,
als time, stede, maner alswa,
nowmber, person, and dwelling,
eld, and degre, and cunyng;
þir makes þe sin more or les,
efter þe condicioun es.
also to sin forto be boune
or a man fele temptacioune;
or ani bowrding to bygin
at make occasioun vnto sin.
Þir er þe sins þat falles in dede,
and mani ma if men tak hede.
Sins of omiscioun I sall say sone,
þat es, leueing of gudes vndone,
when ani leues þat þai suld do
or reklesli tentes noght þarto:
noght thinkand on god þat sese all,
ne of þe mede þat þarfore sold fall,
or th(ankand him noght of) his gudes
þat he vs lenes here more and les.
or duse noght here oure dedes ilkane
þat gude er, for goddes luf allane.
to sorow noght here for oure sin.
to dispose vs noght grace to win,
or þat kepes noght þe gift of grace
or vses ill in any place.
forto confourum noght his will
goddes liking forto fulfill.
vntill prayers noght forto bow,
bot rabill on and rek neuer how.
or will noght enforce þam to fulfill
thing þat þai haue avowed vntill,
or bunden by sum sertaine poynt,
or els for penance es enioynt.
to draw on lenkith þat suld be sone.
or haue no ioy of gude dedes done
vntill oure neghburs þat er knawen,
als we wald haue of oure awn.
noght sorowand of oþer mens ill fare,
frendes or fase wheþer þai ware.
noght standand if temptaciuns rise.
noght forgifand al oure enmise.
noght kumforthand neghburs in care,
als we wald þai till vs ware.
noght ȝeldeand þam þat vs gude wins.
to let noght þam we se vse sins.
striueinges noght to stint and stere.
and vnkonand men noght to lere.
noght forto cumforth on oure wise
þam þat er seke and may noght (rise),
or help þam noght þat er broght (in wa)
thurgh pouert, or prest, in pres(on alswa).
Þir sins, and oþer þat er (mare),
makes men foul als I said are,
and þai er vsed of ȝong (and ald)
on thre maners als I (ȝow tald).
þat es, leueing of gudes vndone,
when ani leues þat þai suld do
or reklesli tentes noght þarto:
noght thinkand on god þat sese all,
ne of þe mede þat þarfore sold fall,
or th(ankand him noght of) his gudes
þat he vs lenes here more and les.
or duse noght here oure dedes ilkane
þat gude er, for goddes luf allane.
to sorow noght here for oure sin.
to dispose vs noght grace to win,
or þat kepes noght þe gift of grace
or vses ill in any place.
forto confourum noght his will
goddes liking forto fulfill.
vntill prayers noght forto bow,
bot rabill on and rek neuer how.
or will noght enforce þam to fulfill
thing þat þai haue avowed vntill,
or bunden by sum sertaine poynt,
or els for penance es enioynt.
to draw on lenkith þat suld be sone.
or haue no ioy of gude dedes done
vntill oure neghburs þat er knawen,
als we wald haue of oure awn.
noght sorowand of oþer mens ill fare,
frendes or fase wheþer þai ware.
noght standand if temptaciuns rise.
noght forgifand al oure enmise.
noght kumforthand neghburs in care,
als we wald þai till vs ware.
noght ȝeldeand þam þat vs gude wins.
to let noght þam we se vse sins.
striueinges noght to stint and stere.
and vnkonand men noght to lere.
noght forto cumforth on oure wise
þam þat er seke and may noght (rise),
or help þam noght þat er broght (in wa)
thurgh pouert, or prest, in pres(on alswa).
Þir sins, and oþer þat er (mare),
makes men foul als I said are,
and þai er vsed of ȝong (and ald)
on thre maners als I (ȝow tald).
Ogaines þa thre m(ai help vs win)
oþer thre thinges þat (clenses of sin).
First ogains þe sin of (thoght)
oþer thre thinges þat (clenses of sin).
es sorow of hert parf(itli wroght),
þat es, to rew oure s(ins sare),
and be in will to sin (no mare),
and for for sorow of [OMITTED]
291
so þat oure [OMITTED]
ne oure h [OMITTED]
(Þe toþer, ogains þe sin of mouth,)
(es) trew schrift, forto mak kowth
(al) sins done with oure body;
and [þat] sal be done hastily
with-owten any lang delaying;
and naked with-owten excusing;
and all hale & noght sunder tane,
als sum þat telles sum sins till ane
and sum till anoþer, als we gess
forto mak þaire penance les,
or els þat haldes oght in þe tayle—
swilk schrift sal þam nothing availe.
Þe thrid, of satisfaccioun may rise;
and þat es done opon thre wise:
in fasting, prayers, and almusdedes—
noght (anly to gif) pouer men þat nedes
mete & drink to þaire releues,
bot to forgif þam þat þe greues
and pray for þam with gude entent
þat god bring þam vnto mendement,
and enfourom both ald and ȝing
(þat) er in poynt of perising.
He þat clennes more wil kepe,
within his hert to goddes wurschipe
(it) bus kepe on maners thre;
I sal þe tell how þat sall be.
(Ane) es waker thoght and stabill,
(þat) he to god be euermore abill.
(An)oþer es besines to ȝeme
(þi fiue) wittes als best will seme,
(so þat) ilkone in his degre
(be rewli)de als him aw to be
(& wickid) stiringe þat in þam es
(be closed cle)ne out of þi fless.
(Þe thrid es) forto be ay boune
(till honest oc)upaciowne
(in gude ded)es of charite,
(& þat þou neu)ermore ydel be,
[OMITTED] ght
[OMITTED] ght
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED] l..fing.
(Clennes of mouth bus keped) be
[OMITTED] (on) maners thre:
[OMITTED] (t)hoght
[OMITTED] (spe)ke oght,
[OMITTED] d
[OMITTED] nayd.
Anoþer es þis, (als I þe teche),
to be noght ouermekil (of speche);
for he þat mikell carpand is
sum tyme sall he say omis.
Þe thrid es þat þou for no thing,
ne for no mekenes, mak lesing
on þi-self ne on none els,
bot luke it be trew þat þou telles.
Clennes of werk with ald and ȝing
of thre thinges also has kepeing:
Ane es assiduele thoght of ded
þat maystris makes in mani a stede,
and on his paynes þat er so (fell)
and more þan any man mai tell;
for þus men heres þe wiseman say:
“vmthink þe, man, of þi last day,
how þou out of þis werld sal twin,
and þan, he says, þou sal noght syn”.
Anoþer: he þat clennes will kepe
byhoues fle all ill felaghschipe,
þat more ensampill will to him neuyn
to luf þe werld þan god of heuyn,
and more to luf esse of bodi
þan forto plese god almighty.
Þe thrid es right disrecioune
to ete and drink yn gude musoune,
þat it pas noght right ordinance
ne want of skilwis sustinance;
for both es demid to ane ending,
outrage, and ouer-mikell fasting;
for nowþer es till goddes pay—
þat will sum noght wene by no way.
if þou tak sustinance of swilk gude
als god þe sendes vnto þi fode,
and out-tak no maner of mete
þat cristen men vses fortill ette,
and vse mesure in ilkadele
and ett and drink: þan dose þou wele;
on þat maner did Crist him-selue
(in) erth here, and his apostels twelue.
292
þat þou haue strenkith & stalworth be
in goddes seruise to pray and wake,
and þou will fast þan for goddes sake,
so þat þou no faintise fele
to serue god þan dose þou wele;
and if þou fast vntill þou fayle,
þou sins and it sal noght availe.
(For wit þou wele þat rightwi)snes
nowþer in etting ne fasting es,
bot if þou tak here with gude hert
illike both riches and pouert,
hunger, nede, catell to lese
als gladli als delices and dayntese;
if þou tak al þir ilyke wele,
and loue god euer of ilkadele,
and gruche noght for nokin thing,
þan ertou rightwis in lifing.
Also ȝit may men forþer knawe
oþer thre thinges, þat will vs draw
forto confourme all oure will
goddes liking forto fulfill.
Ane es ensampill of halimen
þat lely lifed, als clerkes ken,
þat war ententyue night & day
at serue god euer vnto pay,
and to luf him with al þaire might
and to drede him both day & night.
þarfore now er þai hegh in heuyn,
in more mirth þan men may neuyn;
and if we folow here þaire trace,
we sal won with þam in þat place.
Anoþer es gudenes of god allane,
þat al lufes and despises nane
bot gladli takes and with gude will
al þat in time will turn him till,
and his mercy will to vs bede
als oft-siþes als we haue nede,
and hamlier he will vs take
what time so we oure sin forsake,
and angels of vs er more glad,
þan ani frende þat euer we had;
þan aght vs forto be ful fayne
at gif oure willes to god ogaine.
Þe thrid es noteful forto neuyn,
þat es, for endles ioy in heuyn,
þat es gretter & more plente
þan eres may here or eghen se
or hertes think or tonges tell—
wele es þam þat þare may dwell;
and þat has god al hallely hight
vnto al þa þat lufes him right
and honors him in stede and stall.
vnto þat blis he bring vs all.
A.M.E.N.
| Poems of Ms. Tiber. E VII | |