 | Wisdom |  |
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SCENE I
Fyrst enteryde WYSDOME in a ryche purpull clothe of golde wyth a mantyll of the same ermynnyde wythin, hawynge abowt hys neke a ryall hood furred wyth ermyn, wpon hys hede a cheweler wyth browys, a berde of golde of sypres curlyed, a ryche imperyall crown þerwpon sett wyth precyus stonys and perlys, in hys leyfte honde a balle of golde wyth a cros þerwppon and in hys ryght honde a regall schepter, thus seyenge:WYSDOM.
Yff ȝe wyll wet þe propyrte
Ande þe resun of my nayme imperyall,
I am clepyde of hem þat in erthe be
Euerlastynge Wysdom, to my nobley egalle;
Wyche name acordyt best in especyall
And most to me ys convenyent,
Allthow eche persone of þe Trinyte be wysdom eternall
And all thre on euerlastynge wysdome togedyr present.
Ande þe resun of my nayme imperyall,
I am clepyde of hem þat in erthe be
Euerlastynge Wysdom, to my nobley egalle;
Wyche name acordyt best in especyall
And most to me ys convenyent,
Allthow eche persone of þe Trinyte be wysdom eternall
And all thre on euerlastynge wysdome togedyr present.
Neuerþeles, forasmoche as wysdom ys propyrly
Applyede to þe Sune by resune,
And also yt fallyt to hym specyally
Bycause of hys hye generacyon,
Therfor þe belowyde Sone hathe þis sygnyficacyon
Custummaly Wysdom, now Gode, now man,
Spows of þe chyrche and wery patrone,
Wyffe of eche chose sowle. Thus Wysdom begane.
Applyede to þe Sune by resune,
And also yt fallyt to hym specyally
Bycause of hys hye generacyon,
Therfor þe belowyde Sone hathe þis sygnyficacyon
Custummaly Wysdom, now Gode, now man,
Spows of þe chyrche and wery patrone,
Wyffe of eche chose sowle. Thus Wysdom begane.
Here entrethe ANIMA as a mayde, in a wyght clothe of golde gysely purfyled wyth menyver, a mantyll of blake þerwppeon, a cheueler lyke to WYSDOM, wyth a ryche chappelet lasyde behynde
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ANIMA.
Hanc amaui et exquisiui:
Fro my yougthe thys haue I sowte
To haue to my spowse most specyally,
For a louer of yowr schappe am I wrowte.
Aboue all hele and bewty þat euer was sowght
I haue louyde Wysdom as for my lyght,
For all goodnes wyth hym ys broughte.
In wysdom I was made all bewty bryghte.
Fro my yougthe thys haue I sowte
To haue to my spowse most specyally,
For a louer of yowr schappe am I wrowte.
Aboue all hele and bewty þat euer was sowght
I haue louyde Wysdom as for my lyght,
For all goodnes wyth hym ys broughte.
In wysdom I was made all bewty bryghte.
Off yowr name þe hye felycyte
No creature knowyt full exposycyon.
No creature knowyt full exposycyon.
WYSDAM.
Sapiencia specialior est sole.
I am foundon lyghte wythowt comparyson,
Off sterrys aboue all þe dysposicyon,
Forsothe of lyght þe very bryghtnes,
Merowre of þe dyvyne domynacyon,
And þe image of hys goodnes.
I am foundon lyghte wythowt comparyson,
Off sterrys aboue all þe dysposicyon,
Forsothe of lyght þe very bryghtnes,
Merowre of þe dyvyne domynacyon,
And þe image of hys goodnes.
Wysdom ys better þan all worldly precyosnes,
And all þat may dysyryde be
Ys not in comparyschon to my lyknes.
The lengthe of þe yerys in my ryght syde be
Ande in my lefte syde ryches, joy, and prosperyte.
Lo, þis ys þe worthynes of my name.
And all þat may dysyryde be
Ys not in comparyschon to my lyknes.
The lengthe of þe yerys in my ryght syde be
Ande in my lefte syde ryches, joy, and prosperyte.
Lo, þis ys þe worthynes of my name.
ANIMA.
A, soueren Wysdom, yff yowur benygnyte
Wolde speke of loue, þat wer a game.
WYSDOM.
Off, my loue to speke, yt ys myrable.
Beholde now, Sowll, wyth joyfull mynde,
How louely I am, how amyable,
To be halsyde and kyssyde of mankynde.
To all clene sowlys I am full hende
And euer present wer þat þey be;
I loue my lovers wythowtyn ende
That þer loue haue stedfast in me.
Beholde now, Sowll, wyth joyfull mynde,
How louely I am, how amyable,
To be halsyde and kyssyde of mankynde.
To all clene sowlys I am full hende
And euer present wer þat þey be;
I loue my lovers wythowtyn ende
That þer loue haue stedfast in me.
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The prerogatyff of my loue ys so grett
Þat wo tastyt þerof þe lest droppe sure
All lustys and lykyngys worldly xall lett;
They xall seme to hym fylthe and ordure.
They þat of þe hewy burthen of synne hathe cure
My loue dyschargethe and puryfyethe clene,
It strengtheth þe mynde, þe sowll makyt pure,
And yewyt wysdom to hem þat perfyghte bene.
Wo takyt me to spowse may veryly wene,
Yff aboue all thynge ȝe loue me specyall,
That rest and tranqwyllyte he xall sene
And dey in sekyrnes of joy perpetuall.
Þat wo tastyt þerof þe lest droppe sure
All lustys and lykyngys worldly xall lett;
They xall seme to hym fylthe and ordure.
They þat of þe hewy burthen of synne hathe cure
My loue dyschargethe and puryfyethe clene,
It strengtheth þe mynde, þe sowll makyt pure,
And yewyt wysdom to hem þat perfyghte bene.
Wo takyt me to spowse may veryly wene,
Yff aboue all thynge ȝe loue me specyall,
That rest and tranqwyllyte he xall sene
And dey in sekyrnes of joy perpetuall.
The hye worthynes of my loue
Angell nor man can tell playnly.
Yt may be felt in experyens from aboue
But not spoke ne tolde as yt ys veryly.
The godly loue no creature can specyfye.
What wrech is that louyth not this love
Þat louyt hys louers euer so tendyrly
That hys syght from them neuer can remowe?
Angell nor man can tell playnly.
Yt may be felt in experyens from aboue
But not spoke ne tolde as yt ys veryly.
The godly loue no creature can specyfye.
What wrech is that louyth not this love
Þat louyt hys louers euer so tendyrly
That hys syght from them neuer can remowe?
ANIMA.
O worthy spowse and soueren fayer,
O swet amyke, owr joy, owr blys!
To yowr loue wo dothe repeyer,
All felycyte yn þat creature ys.
Wat may I yeue yow ageyn for þis,
O Creator, louer of yowr creature?
Though be owr freelte we do amys,
Yowr grett mercy euer sparyth reddure.
O swet amyke, owr joy, owr blys!
To yowr loue wo dothe repeyer,
All felycyte yn þat creature ys.
Wat may I yeue yow ageyn for þis,
O Creator, louer of yowr creature?
Though be owr freelte we do amys,
Yowr grett mercy euer sparyth reddure.
A, soueren Wysdom, sanctus sanctorum,
Wat may I yeue to yowr most plesaunce?
Wat may I yeue to yowr most plesaunce?
WYSDOM.
Fili, prebe michi cor tuum.
I aske not ellys of all þi substance.
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Yeue me þat and I am contente.
ANIMA.
A, soueren joy, my hertys affyance,
The fervowre of my loue to yow I present.
The fervowre of my loue to yow I present.
That mekyt my herte, yowr loue so ferwent.
Teche me þe scolys of yowr dyvynyte.
Teche me þe scolys of yowr dyvynyte.
WYSDOM.
Dysyer not to sauour in cunnynge to excellent
But drede and conforme yowr wyll to me.
For yt ys þe heelfull dyscyplyne þat in Wysdam may be,
The drede of God, þat ys begynnynge.
The wedys of synne yt makyt to flee,
And swete wertuus herbys in þe sowll sprynge.
ANIMA.
O endles Wysdom, how may I haue knowynge
Off þi Godhede incomprehensyble?
WYSDOM.
By knowynge of yowrsylff ȝe may haue felynge
Wat Gode ys in yowr sowle sensyble.
The more knowynge of yowr selff passyble,
Þe more veryly ȝe xall God knowe.
ANIMA.
O soueren Auctoure most credyble,
Yowr lessun I attende, as I owe,
Yowr lessun I attende, as I owe,
I þat represent here þe sowll of man.
Wat ys a sowll, wyll ȝe declare?
Wat ys a sowll, wyll ȝe declare?
WYSDOM.
Yt ys þe ymage of Gode þat all began;
And not only ymage, but hys lyknes ȝe are.
Off all creaturys þe fayrest ȝe ware
Into þe tyme of Adamys offence.
ANIMA.
Lorde, sythe we thy sowlys yet nowt wer þer,
Wy of þe fyrst man bye we þe vyolence?
WYSDOM.
For euery creature þat hath ben or xall
Was in natur of þe fyrst man, Adame,
Off hym takynge þe fylthe of synne orygynall,
For of hym all creaturys cam.
Than by hym of reson ȝe haue blame
And be made þe brondys of helle.
Wen ȝe be bore fyrst of yowr dame,
Ȝe may in no wyse in hewyn dwell,
Was in natur of þe fyrst man, Adame,
Off hym takynge þe fylthe of synne orygynall,
For of hym all creaturys cam.
Than by hym of reson ȝe haue blame
And be made þe brondys of helle.
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Ȝe may in no wyse in hewyn dwell,
For ȝe be dysvyguryde be hys synne,
Ande dammyde to derknes from Godys syghte.
Ande dammyde to derknes from Godys syghte.
ANIMA.
How dothe grace þan ageyn begynne?
Wat reformythe þe sowll to hys fyrste lyght?
WYSDOM.
Wysdam, þat was Gode and man ryght,
Made a full sethe to þe Fadyr of hewyn
By þe dredfull dethe to hym was dyght,
Off wyche dethe spronge þe sacramentys sevyn,
Made a full sethe to þe Fadyr of hewyn
By þe dredfull dethe to hym was dyght,
Off wyche dethe spronge þe sacramentys sevyn,
Wyche sacramentys all synne wasche awey:
Fyrst, baptem clensythe synne orygynall
And reformyt þe sowll in feythe verray
To þe gloryus lyknes of Gode eternall
Ande makyt yt as fayer and as celestyall
As yt neuer dyffowlyde had be,
Ande ys Crystys own specyall,
Hys restynge place, hys plesant see.
Fyrst, baptem clensythe synne orygynall
And reformyt þe sowll in feythe verray
To þe gloryus lyknes of Gode eternall
Ande makyt yt as fayer and as celestyall
As yt neuer dyffowlyde had be,
Ande ys Crystys own specyall,
Hys restynge place, hys plesant see.
ANIMA.
In a sowle watt thyngys be
By wyche he hathe hys very knowynge?
WYSDOM.
Tweyn partyes: þe on, sensualyte,
Wyche ys clepyde þe flechly felynge.
The fyve owtewarde wyttys to hym be serwynge.
Wan þey be not rewlyde ordynatly
The sensualyte þan, wythowte lesynge,
Ys made þe ymage of synne then of hys foly.
Wyche ys clepyde þe flechly felynge.
The fyve owtewarde wyttys to hym be serwynge.
Wan þey be not rewlyde ordynatly
The sensualyte þan, wythowte lesynge,
Ys made þe ymage of synne then of hys foly.
The other parte, þat ys clepyde resone,
Ande þat ys þe ymage of Gode propyrly,
For by þat þe sowll of Gode hathe cognycyon
And be þat hym serwyt and louevyt duly.
Be þe neyther parte of reson he knowyt dyscretly
All erthely thyngys how þey xall be vsyde,
Wat suffysyth to hys myghtys bodely,
Ande wat nedyt not to be refusyde.
Ande þat ys þe ymage of Gode propyrly,
For by þat þe sowll of Gode hathe cognycyon
And be þat hym serwyt and louevyt duly.
Be þe neyther parte of reson he knowyt dyscretly
All erthely thyngys how þey xall be vsyde,
Wat suffysyth to hys myghtys bodely,
Ande wat nedyt not to be refusyde.
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Thes tweyn do sygnyfye
Yowr dysgysynge and yowr aray,
Blake and wyght, fowll and fayer vereyly,
Euery sowll here, þis ys no nay,
Blake by sterynge of synne þat cummyth all-day,
Wyche felynge cummythe of sensualyte,
Ande wyght by knowenge of reson veray
Off þe blyssyde infenyt Deyte.
Yowr dysgysynge and yowr aray,
Blake and wyght, fowll and fayer vereyly,
Euery sowll here, þis ys no nay,
Blake by sterynge of synne þat cummyth all-day,
Wyche felynge cummythe of sensualyte,
Ande wyght by knowenge of reson veray
Off þe blyssyde infenyt Deyte.
Thus a sowle ys bothe fowlle and fayer:
Fowll as a best be felynge of synne,
Fayer as a angell, of hewyn þe ayer,
By knowynge of Gode by hys reson wythin.
Fowll as a best be felynge of synne,
Fayer as a angell, of hewyn þe ayer,
By knowynge of Gode by hys reson wythin.
ANIMA.
Than may I sey thus and begynne
Wyth fyve prudent vyrgyns of my reme—
Thow be þe fyve wyttys of my sowll wythinne—:
‘Nigra sum sed formosa, filia Jerusalem.’
Her enteryd fyve vyrgynes in white kertyllys and mantelys, wyth cheuelers and chappelettys, and synge ‘Nigra sum sed formosa, filia Jerusalem, sicut tabernacula cedar et sicut pelles Salamonis’.
ANIMA.
The doughters of Jerusalem me not lake
For þis dyrke schadow I bere of humanyte,
That as þe tabernacull of cedar wythowt yt ys blake
Ande wythine as þe skyn of Salamone full of bewty.
‘Quod fusca sum, nolite considerare me,
Quia decolorauit me sol Jouis.’
WYSDOM.
Thus all þe sowlys þat in þis lyff be
Stondynge in grace be lyke to thys.
Stondynge in grace be lyke to thys.
A, quinque prudentes, yowr wyttys fyve
Kepe yow clene and ȝe xall neuer deface,
Ye Godys ymage neuer xall ryve,
For þe clene sowll ys Godys restynge place.
Thre myghtys euery Cresten sowll has,
Wyche bethe applyede to þe Trinyte.
Kepe yow clene and ȝe xall neuer deface,
Ye Godys ymage neuer xall ryve,
For þe clene sowll ys Godys restynge place.
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Wyche bethe applyede to þe Trinyte.
MYNDE.
All thre here, lo, byfor yowr face!
Mynde.
WYLL.
Wyll.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Ande Vndyrstondynge, we thre.
WYSDAM.
Ȝe thre, declare þan thys,
Yowr syngnyfycacyon and yowr propyrte.
MENDE.
I am Mynde, þat in þe sowle ys
The veray fygure of þe Deyte.
Wen in myselff I haue mynde and se
The benefyttys of Gode and hys worthynes,
How holl I was mayde, how fayere, how fre,
How gloryus, how jentyll to hys lyknes,
The veray fygure of þe Deyte.
Wen in myselff I haue mynde and se
The benefyttys of Gode and hys worthynes,
How holl I was mayde, how fayere, how fre,
How gloryus, how jentyll to hys lyknes,
Thys insyght bryngyt to my mynde
Wat grates I ough to God ageyn
Þat thus hathe ordenyde wythowt ende
Me in hys blys euer for to regne.
Than myn insuffycyens ys to me peyn
That I haue not werof to yelde my dett,
Thynkynge myselff creature most veyn;
Than for sorow my bren I knett.
Wat grates I ough to God ageyn
Þat thus hathe ordenyde wythowt ende
Me in hys blys euer for to regne.
Than myn insuffycyens ys to me peyn
That I haue not werof to yelde my dett,
Thynkynge myselff creature most veyn;
Than for sorow my bren I knett.
Wen in my mynde I brynge togedyr
Þe yerys and dayes of my synfullnes,
The vnstabullnes of my mynde hedyr and thedyr,
My oreble fallynge and freellnes,
Myselff ryght nought than I confes,
For by myselff I may not ryse
Wythowt specyall grace of Godys goodnes.
Thus mynde makyt me myselff to dyspyse.
Þe yerys and dayes of my synfullnes,
The vnstabullnes of my mynde hedyr and thedyr,
My oreble fallynge and freellnes,
Myselff ryght nought than I confes,
For by myselff I may not ryse
Wythowt specyall grace of Godys goodnes.
Thus mynde makyt me myselff to dyspyse.
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I seke and fynde nowere comforte
But only in Gode, my Creator.
Than onto hym I do resorte
Ande say, ‘Haue mynde of me, my Sauowr!’
Thus mynde to mynde bryngyth þat fawowre;
Thus, by mynde of me, Gode I kan know.
Goode mynde of Gode yt ys þe fygure;
Ande thys mynde to haue all Crysten ow.
But only in Gode, my Creator.
Than onto hym I do resorte
Ande say, ‘Haue mynde of me, my Sauowr!’
Thus mynde to mynde bryngyth þat fawowre;
Thus, by mynde of me, Gode I kan know.
Goode mynde of Gode yt ys þe fygure;
Ande thys mynde to haue all Crysten ow.
WYLL.
And I of þe soull am þe Wyll,
Off þe Godhede lyknes and fygure.
Wyth goode wyll no man may spyll
Nor wythowt goode wyll of blys be sure.
Wat soule wyll gret mede recure,
He must grett wyll haue, in thought or dede,
Wertuusly sett wyth consyens pure,
For in wyll stondyt only mannys dede.
Off þe Godhede lyknes and fygure.
Wyth goode wyll no man may spyll
Nor wythowt goode wyll of blys be sure.
Wat soule wyll gret mede recure,
He must grett wyll haue, in thought or dede,
Wertuusly sett wyth consyens pure,
For in wyll stondyt only mannys dede.
Wyll for dede oft ys take;
Therfor þe wyll must weell be dysposyde.
Than þer begynnyt all grace to wake,
Yff wyth synne yt be not anosyde.
Therfor þe wyll must be wele apposyde
Or þat yt to þe mevynge yewe consent:
The lybrary of reson must be wnclosyde
Ande aftyr hys domys to take entent.
Therfor þe wyll must weell be dysposyde.
Than þer begynnyt all grace to wake,
Yff wyth synne yt be not anosyde.
Therfor þe wyll must be wele apposyde
Or þat yt to þe mevynge yewe consent:
The lybrary of reson must be wnclosyde
Ande aftyr hys domys to take entent.
Owr wyll in Gode must be only sett
And for Gode to do wylfully.
Wan gode wyll resythe, Gode ys in ws knett,
Ande he performyt þe dede veryly.
Off hym cummyth all wyll sett perfyghtly,
For of owrselff we haue ryght nought
But syne, wrechydnes, and foly.
He ys begynner and gronde of wyll and thought.
And for Gode to do wylfully.
Wan gode wyll resythe, Gode ys in ws knett,
Ande he performyt þe dede veryly.
Off hym cummyth all wyll sett perfyghtly,
For of owrselff we haue ryght nought
But syne, wrechydnes, and foly.
He ys begynner and gronde of wyll and thought.
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Than þis goode wyll seyde before
Ys behoueable to yche creature
Iff he cast hym to restore
The soule þat he hath take of cure,
Wyche of God ys þe fygure,
As longe as þe fygure ys kept fayer,
Ande ordenyde euer for to endure
In blys, of wyche ys he þe veray hayer.
Ys behoueable to yche creature
Iff he cast hym to restore
The soule þat he hath take of cure,
Wyche of God ys þe fygure,
As longe as þe fygure ys kept fayer,
Ande ordenyde euer for to endure
In blys, of wyche ys he þe veray hayer.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
The thyrde parte of þe soule ys Wndyrstondynge,
For by wndyrstondyng I beholde wat Gode ys,
In hymselff begynnyng wythowt begynnynge
Ande ende wythowt ende þat xall neuer mys.
Incomprehensyble in hymselff he ys;
Hys werkys in me I kan not comprehende.
How xulde I holly hym þan þat wrought all þis?
Thus by knowynge of me to knowynge of Gode I assende.
For by wndyrstondyng I beholde wat Gode ys,
In hymselff begynnyng wythowt begynnynge
Ande ende wythowt ende þat xall neuer mys.
Incomprehensyble in hymselff he ys;
Hys werkys in me I kan not comprehende.
How xulde I holly hym þan þat wrought all þis?
Thus by knowynge of me to knowynge of Gode I assende.
I know in angelys he ys desyderable,
For hym to beholde þei dysyer souerenly;
In hys seyntys most dylectable,
For in hymm þei joy assyduly;
In creaturys hys werkys ben most wondyrly,
For all ys made by hys myght,
By hys wysdom gouernyde most souerenly,
And hys benygnyte inspyryt all soullys wyth lyght.
For hym to beholde þei dysyer souerenly;
In hys seyntys most dylectable,
For in hymm þei joy assyduly;
In creaturys hys werkys ben most wondyrly,
For all ys made by hys myght,
By hys wysdom gouernyde most souerenly,
And hys benygnyte inspyryt all soullys wyth lyght.
Off all creaturys he ys lowyde souereyn,
For he ys Gode of yche creature,
And þey be his peple þat euer xall reynge,
In wom he dwellyt as hys tempull sure.
Wan I of thys knowynge make reporture
Ande se þe loue he hathe for me wrought,
Yt bryngyt me to loue þat Prynce most pure,
For, for loue, þat Lorde made a man of nought.
For he ys Gode of yche creature,
And þey be his peple þat euer xall reynge,
In wom he dwellyt as hys tempull sure.
Wan I of thys knowynge make reporture
Ande se þe loue he hathe for me wrought,
Yt bryngyt me to loue þat Prynce most pure,
For, for loue, þat Lorde made a man of nought.
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Thys ys þat loue wyche ys clepyde charyte,
For Gode ys charyte, as awtors tellys,
Ande woo ys in charyte, in Gode dwellyt he,
Ande Gode, þat ys charyte, in hym dwellys.
Thus wndyrstondynge of Gode compellys
To cum to charyte; than haue hys lyknes, lo!
Blyssyde ys þat sowll þat þis speche spellys:
‘Et qui creauit me requieuit in tabernaculo meo.’
For Gode ys charyte, as awtors tellys,
Ande woo ys in charyte, in Gode dwellyt he,
Ande Gode, þat ys charyte, in hym dwellys.
Thus wndyrstondynge of Gode compellys
To cum to charyte; than haue hys lyknes, lo!
Blyssyde ys þat sowll þat þis speche spellys:
‘Et qui creauit me requieuit in tabernaculo meo.’
WYSDOM.
Lo, thes thre myghtys in on Soule be:
Mynde, Wyll, and Wndyrstondynge.
By Mynde of Gode þe Fadyr knowyng haue ye;
By Wndyrstondynge of Gode þe Sone ye haue knowynge;
By Wyll, wyche turnyt into loue brennynge,
Gode þe Holy Gost, þat clepyde ys lowe:
Not thre Godys but on Gode in beynge.
Thus eche clene soule ys symylytude of Gode abowe.
Mynde, Wyll, and Wndyrstondynge.
By Mynde of Gode þe Fadyr knowyng haue ye;
By Wndyrstondynge of Gode þe Sone ye haue knowynge;
By Wyll, wyche turnyt into loue brennynge,
Gode þe Holy Gost, þat clepyde ys lowe:
Not thre Godys but on Gode in beynge.
Thus eche clene soule ys symylytude of Gode abowe.
By Mynde feythe in þe Father haue we,
Hoppe in owr Lorde Jhesu by Wndyrstondynge,
Ande be Wyll in þe Holy Gost charyte:
Lo, thes thre pryncypall wertus of yow thre sprynge.
Thys þe clene soule stondyth as a kynge;
Ande abowe all þis ȝe haue free wyll;
Off þat be ware befor all thynge,
For yff þat perverte, all þis dothe spyll.
Hoppe in owr Lorde Jhesu by Wndyrstondynge,
Ande be Wyll in þe Holy Gost charyte:
Lo, thes thre pryncypall wertus of yow thre sprynge.
Thys þe clene soule stondyth as a kynge;
Ande abowe all þis ȝe haue free wyll;
Off þat be ware befor all thynge,
For yff þat perverte, all þis dothe spyll.
Ye haue thre enmyes; of hem be ware:
The Worlde, þe Flesche, and þe Fende.
Yowr fywe wyttys from hem ȝe spare,
That þe sensualyte þey brynge not yow byhynde.
Nothynge xulde offende Gode in no kynde;
Ande yff þer do, se þat þe nether parte of resone
In no wys þerto lende;
Than þe ouer parte xall haue fre domynacyon.
The Worlde, þe Flesche, and þe Fende.
Yowr fywe wyttys from hem ȝe spare,
That þe sensualyte þey brynge not yow byhynde.
Nothynge xulde offende Gode in no kynde;
Ande yff þer do, se þat þe nether parte of resone
In no wys þerto lende;
Than þe ouer parte xall haue fre domynacyon.
Wan suggestyon to þe Mynde doth apere,
Wndyrstondynge, delyght not ȝe þerin;
Consent not, Wyll, yll lessons to lere,
Ande than suche steryngys be no syn.
Thei do but purge þe soule wer ys suche contrauersye.
Thus in me, Wysdom, yowr werkys begynne.
Fyght and ȝe xall haue þe crown of glory,
That ys euerlastynge joy, to be parteners þerinne.
Wndyrstondynge, delyght not ȝe þerin;
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Ande than suche steryngys be no syn.
Thei do but purge þe soule wer ys suche contrauersye.
Thus in me, Wysdom, yowr werkys begynne.
Fyght and ȝe xall haue þe crown of glory,
That ys euerlastynge joy, to be parteners þerinne.
ANIMA.
Soueren Lorde, I am bownde to the!
Wan I was nought þou made me thus gloryus;
Wan I perysschede thorow synne þou sauyde me;
Wen I was in grett perell þou kept me, Cristus;
Wen I erryde þou reducyde me, Jhesus;
Wen I was ignorant þou tawt me truthe;
Wen I synnyde þou corecte me thus;
Wen I was hewy þou comfortede me by ruthe;
Wan I was nought þou made me thus gloryus;
Wan I perysschede thorow synne þou sauyde me;
Wen I was in grett perell þou kept me, Cristus;
Wen I erryde þou reducyde me, Jhesus;
Wen I was ignorant þou tawt me truthe;
Wen I synnyde þou corecte me thus;
Wen I was hewy þou comfortede me by ruthe;
Wan I stonde in grace þou holdyste me þat tyde;
Wen I fall þou reysyst me myghtyly;
Wen I go wyll þou art my gyde;
Wen I cum þou reseywyste me most louynly.
Thou hast anoyntyde me with þe oyll of mercy;
Thy benefyttys, Lorde, be innumerable;
Werfor lawde endeles to þe I crye,
Recomendynge me to þin endles powre durable.
Wen I fall þou reysyst me myghtyly;
Wen I go wyll þou art my gyde;
Wen I cum þou reseywyste me most louynly.
Thou hast anoyntyde me with þe oyll of mercy;
Thy benefyttys, Lorde, be innumerable;
Werfor lawde endeles to þe I crye,
Recomendynge me to þin endles powre durable.
Here in þe goynge owt þe FYVE WYTTYS synge ‘Tota pulcra es’ et cetera, they goyng befor, ANIMA next, and her folowynge WYSDOM, and aftyr hym MYNDE, WYLL, and WNDYRSTONDYNGE, all thre in wyght cloth of golde, cheveleryde and crestyde in sute.
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SCENE II
And aftyr þe songe entreth LUCYFER in a dewyllys aray wythowt and wythin as a prowde galonte, seynge thus on thys wyse:LUCYFER.
Owt harow I rore,
For envy I lore.
My place to restore
God hath mad a man.
All cum þey not thore,
Woode and þey wore,
I xall tempte hem so sorre,
For I am he þat syn begane.
For envy I lore.
My place to restore
God hath mad a man.
All cum þey not thore,
Woode and þey wore,
I xall tempte hem so sorre,
For I am he þat syn begane.
I was a angell of lyghte;
Lucyfeer I hyght,
Presumynge in Godys syght,
Werfor I am lowest in hell.
In reformynge of my place ys dyght
Man, whom I haue in most dyspyght,
Euer castynge me wyth hem to fyght
In þat hewynly place he xulde not dwell.
Lucyfeer I hyght,
Presumynge in Godys syght,
Werfor I am lowest in hell.
In reformynge of my place ys dyght
Man, whom I haue in most dyspyght,
Euer castynge me wyth hem to fyght
In þat hewynly place he xulde not dwell.
I am as wyly now as than;
Þe knowynge þat I hade, yet I can;
I know all compleccyons of a man
Werto he ys most dysposyde;
Ande þerin I tempte ay-whan;
I marre hys myndys to þer wan,
That whoo ys hym þat God hym began;
Many a holy man wyth me ys mosyde.
Þe knowynge þat I hade, yet I can;
I know all compleccyons of a man
Werto he ys most dysposyde;
Ande þerin I tempte ay-whan;
I marre hys myndys to þer wan,
That whoo ys hym þat God hym began;
Many a holy man wyth me ys mosyde.
Of Gode man ys þe fygure,
Hys symylytude, hys pyctowre,
Gloryosest of ony creature
Þat euer was wrought;
Wyche I wyll dysvygure
Be my fals conjecture;
Yff he tende my reporture
I xall brynge hym to nought.
Hys symylytude, hys pyctowre,
Gloryosest of ony creature
Þat euer was wrought;
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Be my fals conjecture;
Yff he tende my reporture
I xall brynge hym to nought.
In þe soule ben thre partyes iwys:
Mynde, Wyll, Wndyrstondynge of blys,
Fygure of þe Godhede, I know well thys;
And þe flesche of man þat ys so changeable
That wyll I tempte, as I gees;
Thow þat I perwert, synne non ys
But yff þe Soule consent to mys,
For in þe Wyll of þe Soule the dedys ben damnable.
Mynde, Wyll, Wndyrstondynge of blys,
Fygure of þe Godhede, I know well thys;
And þe flesche of man þat ys so changeable
That wyll I tempte, as I gees;
Thow þat I perwert, synne non ys
But yff þe Soule consent to mys,
For in þe Wyll of þe Soule the dedys ben damnable.
To þe Mynde of þe Soule I xall mak suggestyun,
Ande brynge hys Wndyrstondynge to dylectacyon,
So þat hys Wyll make confyrmacyon;
Than am I sekyr inowe
That dethe xall sew of damnacyon;
Than of þe Sowll þe Dewll hath dominacyon.
I wyll go make hys examynacyon,
To all þe dewllys of helle I make awow.
Ande brynge hys Wndyrstondynge to dylectacyon,
So þat hys Wyll make confyrmacyon;
Than am I sekyr inowe
That dethe xall sew of damnacyon;
Than of þe Sowll þe Dewll hath dominacyon.
I wyll go make hys examynacyon,
To all þe dewllys of helle I make awow.
For, for to tempte man in my lyknes,
Yt wolde brynge hym to grett feerfullnes,
I wyll change me into bryghtnes,
And so hym to-begyle,
Sen I xall schew hym perfyghtnes,
And wertu prove yt wykkydnes;
Thus wndyr colors all thynge perverse;
I xall neuer rest tyll þe Soule I defyle.
Yt wolde brynge hym to grett feerfullnes,
I wyll change me into bryghtnes,
And so hym to-begyle,
Sen I xall schew hym perfyghtnes,
And wertu prove yt wykkydnes;
Thus wndyr colors all thynge perverse;
I xall neuer rest tyll þe Soule I defyle.
Her LUCYFER dewoydyth and cummyth in ageyn as a goodly galont.
MYNDE.
My mynde ys euer on Jhesu
That enduyde ws wyth wertu.
Hys doctrine to sue
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WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
My wndyrstondynge ys in trew
That wyth feyth ws dyd renew.
Hys laws to pursew
Ys swetter to me þan sawowre of þe rose.
WYLL.
And my wyll ys hys wyll veraly
That made ws hys creaturys so specyally,
Yeldynge onto hym laude and glory
For hys goodnes.
LUCYFER.
Ye fonnyde fathers, founders of foly,
Vt quid hic statis tota die ociosi?
Ȝe wyll perysche or ȝe yt aspye.
The Dewyll hath acumberyde yow expres.
Vt quid hic statis tota die ociosi?
Ȝe wyll perysche or ȝe yt aspye.
The Dewyll hath acumberyde yow expres.
Mynde, Mynde, ser, haue in mynde thys!
MYNDE.
He ys not ydyll þat wyth Gode ys.
LUCYFER.
No, ser! I prowe well yis.
Thys ys my suggestyun.
All thynge hat dew tymes
Prayer, fastynge, labour, all thes.
Wan tyme ys not kept, þat dede ys amys,
Þe more pleynerly to yowr informacyon.
Thys ys my suggestyun.
All thynge hat dew tymes
Prayer, fastynge, labour, all thes.
Wan tyme ys not kept, þat dede ys amys,
Þe more pleynerly to yowr informacyon.
Here ys a man þat lywyt wordly,
Hathe wyffe, chylderne, and serwantys besy,
And other chargys þat I not specyfye.
Ys yt leeffull to þis man
To lewe hys labour wsyde truly,
Hys chargys perysche þat Gode gaff duly,
Ande yewe hym to preyer and es of body?
Woso do thus wyth God ys not than.
Hathe wyffe, chylderne, and serwantys besy,
And other chargys þat I not specyfye.
Ys yt leeffull to þis man
To lewe hys labour wsyde truly,
Hys chargys perysche þat Gode gaff duly,
Ande yewe hym to preyer and es of body?
Woso do thus wyth God ys not than.
Mertha plesyde Gode grettly thore.
MYNDE.
Ye, but Maria plesyde hymm moche more.
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Yet þe lest hade blys for euermore.
Ys not þis anow?
MYNDE.
Contemplatyff lyff ys sett befor.
LUCYFER.
I may not belewe þat in my lore,
For God hymselff, wan he was man borre,
Wat lyff lede he? answer þou now.
For God hymselff, wan he was man borre,
Wat lyff lede he? answer þou now.
Was he euer in contemplacyon?
MYNDE.
I suppos not, by my relacyon.
LUCYFER.
And all hys lyff was informacyon
Ande example to man.
Sumtyme wyth synners he had conversacyon;
Sumtyme wyth holy also comunycacyon;
Sumtyme he laboryde, preyde; sumtyme tribulacyon;
Thys was vita mixta þat Gode here began;
Ande example to man.
Sumtyme wyth synners he had conversacyon;
Sumtyme wyth holy also comunycacyon;
Sumtyme he laboryde, preyde; sumtyme tribulacyon;
Thys was vita mixta þat Gode here began;
Ande þat lyff xulde ye here sewe.
MYNDE.
I kan not belewe thys ys trew.
LUCYFER.
Contemplatyff lyff for to sewe
Yt ys grett drede, and se cause why:
They must fast, wake, and prey, euer new,
Wse harde lywynge and goynge wyth dyscyplyne dew,
Kepe sylence, wepe, and surphettys eschewe,
Ande yff þey fayll of thys þey offende Gode hyghly.
Yt ys grett drede, and se cause why:
They must fast, wake, and prey, euer new,
Wse harde lywynge and goynge wyth dyscyplyne dew,
Kepe sylence, wepe, and surphettys eschewe,
Ande yff þey fayll of thys þey offende Gode hyghly.
Wan þey haue wastyde by feyntnes,
Than febyll þer wyttys and fallyn to fondnes,
Sum into dyspeyer and sum into madnes.
Wet yt well, God ys not plesyde wyth thys.
Lewe, lewe, suche syngler besynes.
Be in þe worlde, vse thyngys nesesse.
The comyn ys best expres.
Who clymyt hye, hys fall gret ys.
Than febyll þer wyttys and fallyn to fondnes,
Sum into dyspeyer and sum into madnes.
Wet yt well, God ys not plesyde wyth thys.
Lewe, lewe, suche syngler besynes.
Be in þe worlde, vse thyngys nesesse.
The comyn ys best expres.
Who clymyt hye, hys fall gret ys.
MYNDE.
Truly, me seme ȝe haue reson.
LUCYFER.
Aplye yow then to þis conclusyun.
MYNDE.
I kan make no replicacyon.
Your resons be grete.
129
LUCYFER.
Thynke þerwppon, yt ys yowr saluacyon.
Now and Wndyrstondynge wolde haue delectacyon,
All syngler deuocyons he wolde lett.
Now and Wndyrstondynge wolde haue delectacyon,
All syngler deuocyons he wolde lett.
Yowr fyve wyttys abrode lett sprede.
Se how comly to man ys precyus wede;
Wat worschype yt ys to be manfull in dede;
Þat bryngyt in dominacyon.
Off þe symple what profyght yt to tak hede?
Beholde how ryches dystroyt nede;
It makyt man fayer, hym wele for to fede;
And of lust and lykynge commyth generacyon.
Se how comly to man ys precyus wede;
Wat worschype yt ys to be manfull in dede;
Þat bryngyt in dominacyon.
Off þe symple what profyght yt to tak hede?
Beholde how ryches dystroyt nede;
It makyt man fayer, hym wele for to fede;
And of lust and lykynge commyth generacyon.
Wndyrstondynge, tender ye þis informacyon.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
In thys I fele in manere of dylectacyon.
LUCYFER.
A, ha, ser, then þer make a pawsacyon.
Se and beholde þe worlde abowte.
Lytyll thynge suffysyt to saluacyon;
All maner synnys dystroyt contryscyon;
They þat dyspeyer mercy haue grett compunccyon;
Gode plesyde best wyth goode wyll, no dowte.
Se and beholde þe worlde abowte.
Lytyll thynge suffysyt to saluacyon;
All maner synnys dystroyt contryscyon;
They þat dyspeyer mercy haue grett compunccyon;
Gode plesyde best wyth goode wyll, no dowte.
Therfor, Wyll, I rede yow inclyne;
Lewe yowr stodyes, þow ben dywyn;
Yowr prayers, yowr penance, of ipocryttys þe syne,
Ande lede a comun lyff.
What synne ys in met, in ale, in wyn?
Wat synne ys in ryches, in clothynge fyne?
All thynge Gode ordenyde to man to inclyne.
Lewe yowr nyse chastyte and take a wyff.
Lewe yowr stodyes, þow ben dywyn;
Yowr prayers, yowr penance, of ipocryttys þe syne,
Ande lede a comun lyff.
What synne ys in met, in ale, in wyn?
Wat synne ys in ryches, in clothynge fyne?
All thynge Gode ordenyde to man to inclyne.
Lewe yowr nyse chastyte and take a wyff.
Better ys fayer frut þan fowll pollucyon.
What seyth sensualite to þis conclusyon?
What seyth sensualite to þis conclusyon?
WYLL.
As þe fyue wyttys gyff informacyon,
Yt semyth yowr resons be goode.
130
The Wyll of þe Soule hathe fre dominacyon;
Dyspute not to moche in þis wyth reson;
Yet þe nethyr parte to þis taketh sum instruccyon,
And so xulde þe ouer parte but he were woode.
WYLL.
Me seme, as ȝe sey, in body and soule,
Man may be in þe worlde and be ryght goode.
LUCYFER.
Ya, ser, by Sent Powle!
But trust not þes prechors, for þey be not goode,
For þey flatter and lye as þey wore woode;
Ther ys a wollfe in a lombys skyn.
WYLL.
Ya, I woll no more row ageyn þe floode.
I woll sett my soule on a mery pynne.
LUCYFER.
Be my trowthe, than do ye wyslye.
Gode lowyt a clene sowll and a mery.
Acorde yow thre togedyr by
And ye may not mysfare.
MYNDE.
To þis suggestyon agre we.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Delyght þerin I haue truly.
WYLL.
And I consent þerto frelye.
LUCYFER.
A, ser, all mery þan! awey care!
Go in þe worlde, se þat abowte;
Geet goode frely, cast no dowte;
To þe ryche ye se men lowly lought.
Yeue to yowr body þat ys nede,
Ande euer be mery; let reuell rowte!
Geet goode frely, cast no dowte;
To þe ryche ye se men lowly lought.
Yeue to yowr body þat ys nede,
Ande euer be mery; let reuell rowte!
MYNDE.
Ya, ellys I beschrew my snowte!
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
And yff I care, cache I þe gowte!
WYLL.
And yff I spare, þe Dewyll me spede!
LUCYFER.
Go yowr wey than and do wysly.
Change þat syde aray.
MYNDE.
I yt dyfye.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
We woll be fresche, hanip la plu joly!
Farwell penance!
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To worschyppys I wyll my mynde aplye.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
My wndyrstondynge in worschyppys and glory.
WYLL.
And I in lustys of lechery,
As was sumtyme gyse of Frawnce.
Wyth wy wyppe,
Farwell, quod I, þe Dewyll ys wppe!
Exient
LUCYFER.
Off my dysyere now haue I summe
Wer onys brought into custume,
Then farwell consyens, he wer clumme,
I xulde haue all my wyll.
Resone I haue made both deff and dumme;
Grace ys owt and put arome;
Wethyr I wyll haue, he xall cum.
So at þe last I xall hym spyll.
Wer onys brought into custume,
Then farwell consyens, he wer clumme,
I xulde haue all my wyll.
Resone I haue made both deff and dumme;
Grace ys owt and put arome;
Wethyr I wyll haue, he xall cum.
So at þe last I xall hym spyll.
I xall now stere hys mynde
To þat syne made me a fende,
Pryde, wyche ys ageyn kynde
And of synnys hede.
So to couetyse he xall wende,
For þat enduryth to þe last ende,
And onto lechery, and I may hymm rende,
Than am I seker þe Soule ys dede.
To þat syne made me a fende,
Pryde, wyche ys ageyn kynde
And of synnys hede.
So to couetyse he xall wende,
For þat enduryth to þe last ende,
And onto lechery, and I may hymm rende,
Than am I seker þe Soule ys dede.
That Soule Gode made incomparable,
To hys lyknes most amyable,
I xall make yt most reprouable,
Ewyn lyke to a fende of hell.
At hys deth I xall apere informable,
Schewynge hym all hys synnys abhomynable,
Prewynge hys Soule damnable,
So wyth dyspeyer I xall hym qwell.
To hys lyknes most amyable,
I xall make yt most reprouable,
Ewyn lyke to a fende of hell.
At hys deth I xall apere informable,
Schewynge hym all hys synnys abhomynable,
Prewynge hys Soule damnable,
So wyth dyspeyer I xall hym qwell.
Wyll clennes ys mankyn,
Verely, þe soule God ys wythin;
Ande wen yt ys in dedly synne,
Yt ys werely þe Deuelys place.
Thus by colours and false gynne
Many a soule to hell I wyn.
Wyde to go I may not blyne
Wyth þis fals boy, God gyff hym euell grace!
Verely, þe soule God ys wythin;
Ande wen yt ys in dedly synne,
Yt ys werely þe Deuelys place.
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Many a soule to hell I wyn.
Wyde to go I may not blyne
Wyth þis fals boy, God gyff hym euell grace!
Her he takyt a schrewde boy wyth hym and goth hys wey cryenge.
SCENE III
MYNDE.Lo, me here in a new aray!
Wyppe, wyrre, care awey!
Farwell perfeccyon!
Me semyt myselff most lyghly ay.
It ys but honest, no pryde, no nay.
I wyll be freshest, by my fay,
For þat acordyt wyth my complexccyon.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Ande haue here one as fresche as yow!
All mery, mery, and glade now.
I haue get goode, Gode wott how.
For joy I sprynge, I sckyppe.
Goode makyt on mery, to Gode avowe.
Farewell consyens, I know not yow!
I am at eas, hade I inow.
Truthe on syde I lett hym slyppe.
WYLL.
Lo, here on as jolye as ȝe!
I am so lykynge, me seme I fle.
I haue atastyde lust: farwell chastyte!
My hert ys euermore lyght.
I am full of felycyte.
My delyght ys all in bewte.
Þer ys no joy but þat in me.
A woman me semyth a hewynly syght.
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Ande thes ben my syngler solace:
Kynde, fortune, and grace.
Kynde nobley of kynrede me yewyn hase,
Ande þat makyt me soleyn.
Fortune in worldys worschyppe me doth lace.
Grace yewyt curryus eloquens, and þat mase
That all oncunnynge I dysdeyn.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
And my joy ys especyall
To hurde wppe ryches, for fer to fall,
To se yt, to handyll yt, to tell yt all,
And streight to spare.
To be holde ryche and reyall
I bost, I avawnt wer I xall.
Ryches makyt a man equall
To hem sumtyme hys souereyngys wer.
WYLL.
To me ys joy most laudable
Fresche dysgysynge to seme amyable,
Spekynge wordys delectable
Perteynynge onto loue.
It ys joy of joys inestymable
To halse, to kys þe affyable.
A louer ys son perceyvable
Be þe smylynge on me, wan yt doth remove.
MYNDE.
To avaunte thus me semyth no schame,
For galontys now be in most fame.
Curtely personys men hem proclame.
Moche we be sett bye.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
The ryche covetouse wo dare blame,
Off govell and symony thow he bere þe name?
To be fals, men report yt game;
Yt ys clepyde wysdom, ‘Ware þat!’ quod Ser Wyly.
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Ande of lechory to make avawnte
Men fors yt no more þan drynke atawnt.
Thes thyngys be now so conversant,
We seme yt no schame.
MYNDE.
Curyous aray I wyll euer hante.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Ande I falsnes, to be passante.
WYLL.
Ande I in lust my flesche to daunte.
No man dyspyes thes; þey be but game.
MYNDE.
I rejoys of thes; now let ws synge!
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Ande yff I spar, ewell joy me wrynge!
WYLL.
Haue at, quod I, lo, howe I sprynge!
Lust makyth me wondyr wylde.
MYNDE.
A tenowr to yow bothe I brynge.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
And I a mene for ony kynge.
WYLL.
And but a trebull I owtwrynge,
The Deuell hym spede þat myrthe exyled!
Et cantent
MYNDE.
How be þis trow ye nowe?
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
At þe best, to God avowe.
WYLL.
As mery as þe byrde on bow,
I take no thought.
MYNDE.
The welfare of þis worlde ys in ws, I ma vowe.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Lett eche man tell hys condycyons howe.
WYLL.
Begynne ye, ande haue at yow,
For I am aschamyde of ryght nought.
MYNDE.
Thys ys a cause of my worschyppe:
I serue myghty lordeschyppe
Ande am in grett tenderschyppe;
Therfor moche folke me dredys.
Men sew to my frendeschyppe
For meyntnance of her schendeschyppe.
I support hem by lordeschyppe.
For to get goode þis a grett spede ys.
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And I vse jorowry,
Enbrace questys of perjury,
Choppe and chonge wyth symonye,
And take large yeftys.
Be þe cause neuer so try,
I preue yt fals, I swere, I lye,
Wyth a quest of myn affye.
The redy wey þis now to thryfte ys.
WYLL.
And wat trow ȝe be me?
More þan I take spende I threys thre.
Sumtyme I yeff, sumtyme þey me,
Ande am euer fresche and gay.
Few placys now þer be
But onclennes we xall þer see;
It ys holde but a nysyte.
Lust ys now comun as þe way.
MYNDE.
Law procedyth not for meyntnance.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Trowthe recurythe not for habundance.
WYLL.
And lust ys in so grett vsance,
We fors yt nought.
MYNDE.
In vs þe worlde hathe most affyance.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Non thre be in so grett aqweynttance.
WYLL.
Few þer be outhe of owr allyance.
Wyll þe worlde ys thus, take we no thought!
MYNDE.
Thought! nay, þerageyn stryve I.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
We haue þat nedyt vs, so thryve I.
WYLL.
And yff þat I care, neuer wyve I.
Let them care þat hathe for to sewe!
MYNDE.
Wo lordschyppe xall sew must yt bye.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Wo wyll haue law must haue monye.
WYLL.
Ther pouert ys þe malewrye,
Thow ryght be, he xall neuer renewe.
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Wronge ys born wpe boldly,
Thow all þe worlde know yt opynly,
Mayntnance ys now so myghty,
Ande all for mede.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
The law ys so coloryde falsly
By sleyttys and by perjury,
Brybys be so gredy,
Þat to þe pore trowth ys take ryght nought a hede.
WYLL.
Wo gett or loose, ye be ay wynnande.
Mayntnance and perjury now stande.
Thei wer neuer so moche reynande
Seth Gode was bore.
MYNDE.
Ande lechery was neuer more vsande
Off lernyde and lewyde in þis lande.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
So we thre be now in hande.
WYLL.
Ya, and most vsyde euerywere.
MYNDE.
Now wyll we thre do make a dance
Off thow þat longe to owr retenance,
Cummynge in by contenance.
Þis were a dysporte.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Therto I geve acordance
Off thow þat ben of myn affyance.
WYLL.
Let se bytyme þe meyntnance.
Clepe in fyrst yowr resorte.
Here entur six dysgysyde in þe sute of MYNDE, wyth rede berdys, and lyouns rampaunt on here crestys, and yche a warder in hys honde; her mynstrallys, trumpes. Eche answere for hys name.
MYNDE.
Let se cum in Indignacyon and Sturdynes,
Males also and Hastynes,
Wreche and Dyscorde expres,
And þe sevente am I, Mayntennance.
Seven ys a numbyr of dyscorde and inperfyghtnes.
Lo, here ys a yomandrye wyth loweday to dres!
Ande þe Deule hade swore yt, þey wolde ber wp falsnes
Ande maynten yt at þe best. Þis ys þe Deullys dance.
Males also and Hastynes,
137
And þe sevente am I, Mayntennance.
Seven ys a numbyr of dyscorde and inperfyghtnes.
Lo, here ys a yomandrye wyth loweday to dres!
Ande þe Deule hade swore yt, þey wolde ber wp falsnes
Ande maynten yt at þe best. Þis ys þe Deullys dance.
Ande here menstrellys be convenyent,
For trumpys xulde blow to þe jugemente;
Off batell also yt ys on instrumente,
Yevynge comfort to fyght.
Therfor þey be expedyente
To þes meny of meyntement.
Blow! lett see Madam Regent,
Ande daunce, ye laddys! yowr hertys be lyght.
For trumpys xulde blow to þe jugemente;
Off batell also yt ys on instrumente,
Yevynge comfort to fyght.
Therfor þey be expedyente
To þes meny of meyntement.
Blow! lett see Madam Regent,
Ande daunce, ye laddys! yowr hertys be lyght.
Lo, þat other spare, thes meny wyll spende.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Ya, wo ys hym xall hem offende!
WYLL.
Wo wyll not to hem condescende,
He xall haue threttys.
MYNDE.
They spyll þat law wolde amende.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Yit mayntnance no man dare reprehende.
WYLL.
Thes meny thre synnys comprehende:
Pryde, Invy, and Wrathe in hys hettys.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Now wyll I than begyn my traces.
Jorowrs in on hoode beer to facys.
Fayer speche and falsehede in on space ys.
Is it not ruthe?
The quest of Holborn cum into þis placys.
Ageyn þe ryght euer þey rechases.
Off wom þey holde not, harde hys grace ys.
Many a tyme haue dammyde truthe.
138
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Let se fyrst Wronge and Sleyght;
Dobullnes and Falsnes, schew yowr myght;
Now Raveyn and Dyscheyit;
Now holde yow here togydyr.
Thys menys consyens ys so streytt
That þey report as mede yewyt beyght.
Here ys þe quest of Holborn, an euyll entyrecte.
They daunce all þe londe hydyr and thedyr,
And I, Perjury, yowr fownder.
Now dance on, ws all! The worlde doth on ws wondyr.
Dobullnes and Falsnes, schew yowr myght;
Now Raveyn and Dyscheyit;
Now holde yow here togydyr.
Thys menys consyens ys so streytt
That þey report as mede yewyt beyght.
Here ys þe quest of Holborn, an euyll entyrecte.
They daunce all þe londe hydyr and thedyr,
And I, Perjury, yowr fownder.
Now dance on, ws all! The worlde doth on ws wondyr.
Lo, here ys a menye loue wellfare.
MYNDE.
Ye, þey spende þat tru men spare.
WYLL.
Haue þey a brybe, haue þey no care
Wo hath wronge or ryght.
MYNDE.
They fors not to swere and starre.
WYLL.
Though all be false, les and mare.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Wyche wey to þe woode wyll þe hare
They knewe, and þey at rest sett als tyghte.
Some seme hem wyse
For þe fadyr of vs, Covetyse.
WYLL.
Now Meyntnance and Perjury
Hathe schewyde þe trace of þer cumpeny,
Ye xall se a sprynge of Lechery,
Þat to me attende.
Here forme ys of þe stewys clene rebaldry.
They wene sey sothe wen þat þey lye.
Off þe comyn þey synge eche wyke by and by.
They may sey wyth tenker, I trow, ‘Lat amende.’
139
WYLL.
Cum slepers, Rekleshede and Idyllnes,
All in all, Surfet and Gredynes,
For þe flesche, Spousebreche and Mastres,
Wyth jentyll Fornycacyon.
Yowr mynstrell a hornepype mete
Þat fowll ys in hymselff but to þe erys swete.
Thre fortherers of loue; ‘Hem schrew I!’ quod Bete.
Thys dance of þis damesellys ys thorow þis regyn.
MYNDE.
Ye may not endure wythowt my meyntenance.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
That ys bought wyth a brybe of owr substance.
WYLL.
Whow, breydest þou vs of þin aqueyntance?
I sett þe at nought!
MYNDE.
On þat worde I woll tak vengeaunce.
Wer vycys be gederyde, euer ys sum myschance.
Hurle hens thes harlottys! Here gyse ys of France.
Þey xall abey bytterly, by hym þat all wrought!
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Ill spede þe ande þou spare!
Þi longe body bare
To bett I not spare.
Haue the ageyn!
WYLL.
Holde me not! let me go! ware!
I dynge, I dasche! þer, go ther!
Dompe deuys, can ye not dare?
I tell yow, outwarde, on and tweyn!
Exient
MYNDE.
Now I schrew yow thus dansaunde!
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Ye, and ewyll be þou thryvande!
WYLL.
No more let vs be stryvande.
Nowe all at on!
140
Here was a meny onthryvande.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
To þe Deull be þey drywande.
WYLL.
He þat ys yll wywande,
Wo hys hym, by þe bon!
MYNDE.
Leue then þis dalyance
Ande set we a ordenance
Off better chevesaunce
How we may thryve.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
At Westmyster, wythowt varyance,
Þe nex terme xall me sore avawnce,
For retornys, for enbraces, for recordaunce.
Lyghtlyer to get goode kan no man on lyue.
MYNDE.
Ande at þe parvyse I wyll be
A Powlys betwyn to ande thre,
Wyth a menye folowynge me,
Entret, juge-partynge, and to-supporte.
WYLL.
Ande euer þe latter, þe leuer me.
Wen I com lat to þe cyte
I walke all lanys and weys to myn affynyte;
And I spede not þer, to þe stews I resort.
MYNDE.
Ther gettys þou nouhte, but spendys.
WYLL.
Yis, sumtyme I take amendys
Off hem þat nought offendys,
I engrose vpe here purs.
MYNDE.
And I arest þer no drede ys,
Preve forfett þer no mede ys,
Ande take to me þat nede ys;
I reke not thow þey curs.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Thow þey curs, never þe wers I fare.
Thys day I endyght them I herde of neuer are;
To-morow I wyll aqwyt them, yff nede were.
Thys lede I my lyff.
141
Ye, but of vs thre I haue lest care.
Met and drynke and ease, I aske no mare,
Ande a praty wenche, to se here bare;
I reke but lytyll be sche mayde or wyffe.
MYNDE.
Thys on a soper
I wyll be seen rycher,
Set a noble wyth goode chere
Redyly to spende.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
And I tweyn, be þis feer,
To moque at a goode dyner.
I hoope of a goode yer,
For euer I trost Gode wyll send.
WYLL.
And best we haue wyne,
Ande a cosyn of myn
Wyth ws for to dyne.
Thre nobles wyll I spende frely.
MYNDE.
We xall acorde well and fyne.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Nay, I wyll not passe schylyngys nyne.
WYLL.
No, þou was neuer but a swyn.
I woll be holdyn jentyll, by Sent Audre of Ely.
I woll be holdyn jentyll, by Sent Audre of Ely.
Ande now in my mynde I haue
My cosyn Jenet N., so Gode me save;
Sche mornyth wyth a chorle, a very knaue,
And neuer kan be mery.
I pley me þer wen I lyst rawe;
Than þe chorle wyll here dysprawe.
Who myght make hym thys to lawe,
I wolde onys haue hym in þe wyrry.
My cosyn Jenet N., so Gode me save;
Sche mornyth wyth a chorle, a very knaue,
And neuer kan be mery.
I pley me þer wen I lyst rawe;
Than þe chorle wyll here dysprawe.
Who myght make hym thys to lawe,
I wolde onys haue hym in þe wyrry.
MYNDE.
For thys I kan a remedye:
I xall rebuk hym thus so dyspytuusly
Þat of hys lyff he xall wery
And qwak for very fere.
I xall rebuk hym thus so dyspytuusly
Þat of hys lyff he xall wery
And qwak for very fere.
142
Ande yff he wyll not leve þerby,
On hys bodye he xall abye
Tyll he leue þat jelousy.
Nay, suche chorlys I kan lere.
On hys bodye he xall abye
Tyll he leue þat jelousy.
Nay, suche chorlys I kan lere.
WNDYRSTONDYNG.
Nay, I kan better hym qwytte:
Arest hym fyrst to pes for fyght,
Than in another schere hym endyght,
He ne xall wete by wom ne howe.
Haue hym in þe Marschalsi seyn aryght,
Than to þe Amralte, for þey wyll byght,
A preuenire facias than haue as tyght,
Ande þou xalt hurle hym so þat he xall haue inow.
WYLL.
Wat and þes wrongys be espyede?
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Wyth þe crose and þe pyll I xall wrye yt
That þer xall neuer man dyscrey yt
Þat may me appeyere.
MYNDE.
Ther ys no craft but we may trye yt.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Mede stoppyt, be yt neuer so allyede.
WYLL.
Wyth yow tweyn wo ys replyede,
He may sey he hathe a schrewde seyer.
MYNDE.
Thow woldyst haue wondyr of sleyghtys þat be.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Thys make sume ryche and summe neuer the.
WYLL.
Þey must nedys grett goodys gett þe.
Now go we to þe wyne!
MYNDE.
In trewþe I grante; haue at wyth þe!
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Ande for a peny or to, I wyll not fle.
WYLL.
Mery, mery, all mery þan be we!
Who þat ws tarythe, curs haue he and myn!
SCENE IV
WYSDOM.
O thou Mynde, remembyr the!
Turne þi weys, þou gost amyse.
Se what þi ende ys, þou myght not fle:
Dethe to euery creature certen ys.
Turne þi weys, þou gost amyse.
Se what þi ende ys, þou myght not fle:
Dethe to euery creature certen ys.
143
They þat lyue well, þey xall haue blys;
Thay þat endyn yll, þey goo to hell.
I am Wysdom, sent to tell yow thys:
Se in what stat þou doyst indwell.
Thay þat endyn yll, þey goo to hell.
I am Wysdom, sent to tell yow thys:
Se in what stat þou doyst indwell.
MYNDE.
To my mynde yt cummyth from farre
That dowtles man xall dey.
Ande thes weys we go, we erre.
Wndyrstondynge, wat do ye sey?
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
I sey, man, holde forthe þi wey!
The lyff we lede ys sekyr ynowe.
I wyll no wndyrstondynge xall lett my pley.
Wyll, frende, how seyst thowe?
WYLL.
I wyll not thynke þeron, to Gode avowe!
We be yit but tender of age.
Schulde we leve þis lyue? Ya, whowe?
We may amende wen we be sage.
WYSDOM.
Thus many on vnabylythe hym to grace.
They wyll not loke, but slumber and wynke.
Þey take not drede before þer face,
Howe horryble þer synnys stynke.
Wen they be on þe pyttys brynke,
Than xall þey trymbull and qwake for drede.
Yit Mynde, I sey, yow bethynke
In what perell ye be now! Take hede!
They wyll not loke, but slumber and wynke.
Þey take not drede before þer face,
Howe horryble þer synnys stynke.
Wen they be on þe pyttys brynke,
Than xall þey trymbull and qwake for drede.
Yit Mynde, I sey, yow bethynke
In what perell ye be now! Take hede!
Se howe ye haue dysvyguryde yowr soule!
Beholde yowrselff; loke veryly in mynde!
Beholde yowrselff; loke veryly in mynde!
Here ANIMA apperythe in þe most horrybull wyse, fowlere þan a fende.
MYNDE.
Out! I tremble for drede, by Sent Powle!
Thys ys fowler þan ony fende.
WYSDOM.
Wy art þou creature so onkynde,
Thus to defoule Godys own place,
Þat was made so gloryus wythowt ende?
Thou hast made þe Deullys rechace.
Thus to defoule Godys own place,
Þat was made so gloryus wythowt ende?
Thou hast made þe Deullys rechace.
144
As many dedly synnys as ye haue vsyde,
So many deullys in yowr soule be.
Beholde wat ys þerin reclusyde!
Alas, man, of þi Soule haue pyte!
So many deullys in yowr soule be.
Beholde wat ys þerin reclusyde!
Alas, man, of þi Soule haue pyte!
Here rennyt owt from wndyr þe horrybyll mantyll of þe SOULL seven small boys in þe lyknes of dewyllys and so retorne ageyn.
WYSDAM.
What haue I do? why lowyste þou not me?
Why cherysyste þi enmye? why hatyst þou þi frende?
Myght I haue don ony more for þe?
But loue may brynge drede to mynde.
Why cherysyste þi enmye? why hatyst þou þi frende?
Myght I haue don ony more for þe?
But loue may brynge drede to mynde.
Þou hast made the a bronde of hell
Whom I made þe ymage of lyght.
Yff þe Deull myght, he wolde þe qwell,
But þat mercy expellyt hys myght.
Wy doyst þou, Soule, me all dyspyght?
Why yewyst þou myn enmy þat I haue wrought?
Why werkyst þou hys consell? by myn settys lyght?
Why hatyst þou vertu? why louyst þat ys nought?
Whom I made þe ymage of lyght.
Yff þe Deull myght, he wolde þe qwell,
But þat mercy expellyt hys myght.
Wy doyst þou, Soule, me all dyspyght?
Why yewyst þou myn enmy þat I haue wrought?
Why werkyst þou hys consell? by myn settys lyght?
Why hatyst þou vertu? why louyst þat ys nought?
MYNDE.
A, lorde! now I brynge to mynde
My horryble synnys and myn offens,
I se how I haue defowlyde þe noble kynde
Þat was lyke to þe by intellygens.
Wndyrstondynge, I schew to your presens
Owr lyff wyche þat ys most synfull.
Sek yow remedye, do yowr dylygens
To clense þe Soull wyche ys þis fowll.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Be yow, Mynde, I haue very knowenge
That grettly Gode we haue offendyde,
Endles peyn worthyi be owr dysyrvynge,
Wyche be owrselff neuer may be amendyde
Wythowt Gode, in whom all ys comprehendyde.
Therfor to hym let vs resort.
He lefte vp them þat be descendyde.
He ys resurreccyon and lywe; to hem, Wyll, resort.
That grettly Gode we haue offendyde,
Endles peyn worthyi be owr dysyrvynge,
Wyche be owrselff neuer may be amendyde
145
Therfor to hym let vs resort.
He lefte vp them þat be descendyde.
He ys resurreccyon and lywe; to hem, Wyll, resort.
WYLL.
My wyll was full yowe to syne,
By wyche þe Soule ys so abhomynable.
I wyll retorne to Gode and new begynne
Ande in hym gronde my wyll stable,
Þat of hys mercy he wyll me able
To haue þe yiffte of hys specyall grace,
How hys seke Soule may be recurable
At þe jugment before hys face.
ANIMA.
Than wyth yow thre þe Soule dothe crye,
‘Mercy, Gode!’ Why change I nowte,
I þat thus horryble in synne lye,
Sythe Mynde, Wyll, and Wndyrstondynge be brought
To haue knowynge þey ill wrought?
What ys þat xall make me clene?
Put yt, Lorde, into my thowte!
Thi olde mercy let me remene.
WYSDOM.
Thow þe Soule mynde take
Ande wndyrstondynge of hys synnys allwey,
Beynge in wyll, yt forsake,
Yit thes do not only synnys awey,
But very contrycyon, who þat haue may,
Þat ys purger and clenser of synne.
A tere of þe ey, wyth sorow veray,
Þat rubbyt and waschyt þe Soule wythin.
Ande wndyrstondynge of hys synnys allwey,
Beynge in wyll, yt forsake,
Yit thes do not only synnys awey,
But very contrycyon, who þat haue may,
Þat ys purger and clenser of synne.
A tere of þe ey, wyth sorow veray,
Þat rubbyt and waschyt þe Soule wythin.
All þe penance þat may be wrought,
Ne all þe preyer þat seyde be kan,
Wythowt sorowe of hert relesyt nought;
That in especyall reformyth man
Ande makyt hym as clene as when he begane.
Go seke þis medsyne, Soull! þat beseke
Wyth veray feythe, and be ye sekyr than
The vengeaunce of Gode ys made full meke.
Ne all þe preyer þat seyde be kan,
Wythowt sorowe of hert relesyt nought;
That in especyall reformyth man
Ande makyt hym as clene as when he begane.
Go seke þis medsyne, Soull! þat beseke
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The vengeaunce of Gode ys made full meke.
By wndyrstondynge haue very contrycyon,
Wyth mynde of your synne confessyon make,
Wyth wyll yeldynge du satysfaccyon;
Þan yowr soule be clene, I wndyrtake.
Wyth mynde of your synne confessyon make,
Wyth wyll yeldynge du satysfaccyon;
Þan yowr soule be clene, I wndyrtake.
ANIMA.
I wepe for sorow, Lorde! I begyn awake,
I that þis longe hath slumberyde in syne.
Hic recedunt demones.
WYSDOM.
Lo, how contrycyon avoydyth þe deullys blake!
Dedly synne ys non yow wythin.
Dedly synne ys non yow wythin.
For Gode ye haue offendyde hyghly
Ande yowr modyr, Holy Chyrche so mylde,
Þerfor Gode ye must aske mercy,
By Holy Chyrch to be reconsylyde,
Trustynge verely ye xall neuer be revylyde
Yff ye haue yowr charter of pardon by confessyon.
Now haue ye foryeffnes þat were fylyde.
Go prey yowr modyr Chyrche of her proteccyon.
Ande yowr modyr, Holy Chyrche so mylde,
Þerfor Gode ye must aske mercy,
By Holy Chyrch to be reconsylyde,
Trustynge verely ye xall neuer be revylyde
Yff ye haue yowr charter of pardon by confessyon.
Now haue ye foryeffnes þat were fylyde.
Go prey yowr modyr Chyrche of her proteccyon.
ANIMA.
O Fadyr of mercy ande of comfort,
Wyth wepynge ey and hert contryte
To owr modyr, Holy Chyrche, I wyll resort,
My lyff pleyn schewenge to here syght.
Wyth Mynde, Vndyrstondynge, and Wyll ryght,
Wyche of my Sowll þe partyes be,
To þe domys of þe Chyrche we xall vs dyght,
Wyth veray contricyon thus compleynnyng we.
Here þey go owt, and in þe goynge þe SOULE syngyth in þe most lamentabull wyse, wyth drawte notys as yt ys songyn in þe passyon wyke:
ANIMA.
Magna velud mare contricio, contricio tua: quis consoletur
tui? Plorans plorauit in nocte, et lacrime ejus in maxillis ejus.
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Thus seth Gode mankynde tyll
The nyne poyntys ples hym all other before.
‘Gyff a peny in thy lyve wyth goode wyll
To þe pore, and þat plesythe Gode more
Þan mowyntenys into golde tramposyde wore
Ande aftyr thy dethe for the dysposyde.’
Ande all þe goodys þou hast in store
Xulde not profyght so moche wan þi body ys closyde.
The nyne poyntys ples hym all other before.
‘Gyff a peny in thy lyve wyth goode wyll
To þe pore, and þat plesythe Gode more
Þan mowyntenys into golde tramposyde wore
Ande aftyr thy dethe for the dysposyde.’
Ande all þe goodys þou hast in store
Xulde not profyght so moche wan þi body ys closyde.
The secunde poynt, Gode sethe thus:
‘Wepe on tere for my loue hertyly,
Or for þe passyon of me, Jhesus,
Ande þat plesyt me more specyally
Than yff þou wepte for þi frendys or goodys worldly
As moche water as þe se conteynys.’
Lo, contrycyon ys a soueren remedy.
That dystroythe synnys, þat relessyt peynys.
‘Wepe on tere for my loue hertyly,
Or for þe passyon of me, Jhesus,
Ande þat plesyt me more specyally
Than yff þou wepte for þi frendys or goodys worldly
As moche water as þe se conteynys.’
Lo, contrycyon ys a soueren remedy.
That dystroythe synnys, þat relessyt peynys.
The thyrde, Gode sethe: ‘Suffyr pacyenly for my loue
Off þi neybure a worde of repreve,
Ande þat to mercy mor dothe me move
Than þou dyscyplynyde þi body wyth peynys grewe
Wyth as many roddys as myght grow or þrywe
In þe space of a days jornye.’
Lo, who suffyryth most for Gode ys most lewe,
Slandyr, repreve, ony aduersyte.
Off þi neybure a worde of repreve,
Ande þat to mercy mor dothe me move
Than þou dyscyplynyde þi body wyth peynys grewe
Wyth as many roddys as myght grow or þrywe
In þe space of a days jornye.’
Lo, who suffyryth most for Gode ys most lewe,
Slandyr, repreve, ony aduersyte.
The fourte, Gode sethe: ‘Wake on owyr for þe loue of me,
And þat to me ys more plesaunce
Than yff þou sent twelve kyngys free
To my sepulkyr wyth grett puysschaunce
For my dethe to take vengeaunce.’
Lo, wakynge ys a holy thynge.
Þer yt ys hade wyth goode vsance,
Many gracys of yt doth sprynge.
And þat to me ys more plesaunce
Than yff þou sent twelve kyngys free
To my sepulkyr wyth grett puysschaunce
For my dethe to take vengeaunce.’
Lo, wakynge ys a holy thynge.
Þer yt ys hade wyth goode vsance,
Many gracys of yt doth sprynge.
The fyfte, Gode sethe: ‘Haue pyte and compassyon
Off þi neybur wyche ys seke and nedy,
And þat to me ys more dylectacyon
Than þou fastyde forty yer by and by,
Thre days in þe weke, as streytly
As þou cowdys in water and brede.’
Lo, pyte Gode plesyth grettly,
Ande yt ys a vertu soueren, as clerkys rede.
Off þi neybur wyche ys seke and nedy,
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Than þou fastyde forty yer by and by,
Thre days in þe weke, as streytly
As þou cowdys in water and brede.’
Lo, pyte Gode plesyth grettly,
Ande yt ys a vertu soueren, as clerkys rede.
The sixte, Gode seth on þis wyse:
‘Refreyn thy speche for my reuerens,
Lett not thy tonge thy evyn-Crysten dyspyse,
Ande þan plesyst þou more myn excellens
Than yff þou laberyde wyth grett dylygens
Wpon thy nakyde feet and bare
Tyll þe blode folwude for peyn and vyolens
Ande aftyr eche stepe yt sene were.’
‘Refreyn thy speche for my reuerens,
Lett not thy tonge thy evyn-Crysten dyspyse,
Ande þan plesyst þou more myn excellens
Than yff þou laberyde wyth grett dylygens
Wpon thy nakyde feet and bare
Tyll þe blode folwude for peyn and vyolens
Ande aftyr eche stepe yt sene were.’
The sevente, Cryst seth in þis maner:
‘Thy neybur to ewyll ne sterre not thou,
But all thynge torne into wertu chere,
And than more plesyst þou me now
Then yf a thowsende tymys þou renne thorow
A busche of thornys þat scharpe were
Tyll þi nakyde body were all rough
Ande evyn rent to þe bonys bare.’
‘Thy neybur to ewyll ne sterre not thou,
But all thynge torne into wertu chere,
And than more plesyst þou me now
Then yf a thowsende tymys þou renne thorow
A busche of thornys þat scharpe were
Tyll þi nakyde body were all rough
Ande evyn rent to þe bonys bare.’
The eyghte, Gode sethe þis man tyll:
‘Oftyn pray and aske of me,
Ande þat plesythe me more onto my wyll
Than yf my modyr and all sentys preyde for þe.’
‘Oftyn pray and aske of me,
Ande þat plesythe me more onto my wyll
Than yf my modyr and all sentys preyde for þe.’
The nynte, Gode sethe: ‘Lowe me souerenly,
Ande þat to me more plesant ys
Than yf þou went wpon a pyler of tre
Þat wer sett full of scharpe prykkys
So þat þou cut þi flesche into þe smale partys.’
Lo, Gode ys plesyde more wyth þe dedys of charyte
Than all þe peynys man may suffer iwys.
Remembyr thes poyntys, man, in þi felycite!
Ande þat to me more plesant ys
Than yf þou went wpon a pyler of tre
Þat wer sett full of scharpe prykkys
So þat þou cut þi flesche into þe smale partys.’
Lo, Gode ys plesyde more wyth þe dedys of charyte
Than all þe peynys man may suffer iwys.
Remembyr thes poyntys, man, in þi felycite!
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ANIMA.
O meke Jhesu, to þe I crye!
O swet Jhesu, my delectacyon!
O Jhesu, þe sune of Vyrgyne Marye,
Full of mercy and compassyon!
My soule ys waschede be thy passyon
Fro þe synnys cummynge by sensualyte.
A, be the I haue a new resurreccyon.
The lyght of grace I fele in me.
O swet Jhesu, my delectacyon!
O Jhesu, þe sune of Vyrgyne Marye,
Full of mercy and compassyon!
My soule ys waschede be thy passyon
Fro þe synnys cummynge by sensualyte.
A, be the I haue a new resurreccyon.
The lyght of grace I fele in me.
In tweyn myghtys of my soule I the offendyde:
The on by my inwarde wyttys, thow ben gostly;
Þe other by my outwarde wyttys comprehendyde,
Tho be þe fyve wyttys bodyly;
Wyth þe wyche tweyn myghtys mercy I crye.
My modyr, Holy Chyrche, hath yowe me grace,
Whom ye fyrst toke to yowr mercy,
Yet of myselff I may not satysfye my trespas.
The on by my inwarde wyttys, thow ben gostly;
Þe other by my outwarde wyttys comprehendyde,
Tho be þe fyve wyttys bodyly;
Wyth þe wyche tweyn myghtys mercy I crye.
My modyr, Holy Chyrche, hath yowe me grace,
Whom ye fyrst toke to yowr mercy,
Yet of myselff I may not satysfye my trespas.
Magna est misericordia tua!
Wyth full feyth of foryewenes to þe, Lorde, I come.
Wyth full feyth of foryewenes to þe, Lorde, I come.
WYSDOM.
Vulnerasti cor meum, soror mea, sponsa,
In vno ictu oculorum tuorum.
In vno ictu oculorum tuorum.
Ye haue wondyde my hert, syster, spowse dere,
In þe tweyn syghtys of yowr ey:
By þe recognycyon ye haue clere,
Ande by þe hye lowe ye haue godly.
It perrysschyt my hert to here yow crye,
Now ye haue forsake synne and be contryte.
Ye were neuer so leve to me verelye.
Now be ye reformyde to yowr bewtys bryght.
In þe tweyn syghtys of yowr ey:
By þe recognycyon ye haue clere,
Ande by þe hye lowe ye haue godly.
It perrysschyt my hert to here yow crye,
Now ye haue forsake synne and be contryte.
Ye were neuer so leve to me verelye.
Now be ye reformyde to yowr bewtys bryght.
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Ande ther yowr fyve wyttys offendyde has,
Ande to mak asythe be impotent,
My fyve wyttys, þat neuer dyde trespas,
Hathe made asythe to þe Father suffycyent.
Wyth my syght I se þe people vyolent,
I herde hem vengeaunce onto me call,
I smelte þe stenche of caren here present,
I tastyde þe drynke mengylde wyth gall,
Ande to mak asythe be impotent,
My fyve wyttys, þat neuer dyde trespas,
Hathe made asythe to þe Father suffycyent.
Wyth my syght I se þe people vyolent,
I herde hem vengeaunce onto me call,
I smelte þe stenche of caren here present,
I tastyde þe drynke mengylde wyth gall,
By towchynge I felte peyns smerte.
My handys sprede abrode to halse þi swyre;
My fete naylyde to abyde wyth þe, swet herte;
My hert clowyn for þi loue most dere;
Myn hede bowhede down to kys þe here;
My body full of holys, as a dovehows.
In thys ye be reformyde, Soule, my plesere,
Ande now ye be þe very temple of Jhesus.
My handys sprede abrode to halse þi swyre;
My fete naylyde to abyde wyth þe, swet herte;
My hert clowyn for þi loue most dere;
Myn hede bowhede down to kys þe here;
My body full of holys, as a dovehows.
In thys ye be reformyde, Soule, my plesere,
Ande now ye be þe very temple of Jhesus.
Fyrst ye were reformyde by baptyme of ygnorans
And clensyde from þe synnys orygynall,
Ande now ye be reformyde by þe sakyrment of penance
Ande clensyde from þe synnys actuall.
Now ye be fayrest, Crystys own specyall;
Dysfygure yow neuer to þe lyknes of þe fende.
Now ye haue receyuyde þe crownnys victoryall
To regne in blys wythowtyn ende.
And clensyde from þe synnys orygynall,
Ande now ye be reformyde by þe sakyrment of penance
Ande clensyde from þe synnys actuall.
Now ye be fayrest, Crystys own specyall;
Dysfygure yow neuer to þe lyknes of þe fende.
Now ye haue receyuyde þe crownnys victoryall
To regne in blys wythowtyn ende.
Mynde.
Haue mynde, Soule, wat Gode hath do,
Reformyde yow in feyth veryly.
Nolite conformari huic seculo
Sed reformamini in nouitate spiritus sensus vestri:
Conforme yow not to þis pompyus glory
But reforme in gostly felynge.
Ye þat were dammyde by synn endelesly,
Mercy hathe reformyde yow ande crownyde as a kynge.
WNDYRSTONDYNGE.
Take vndyrstondynge, Soule, now ye
Wyth contynuall hope in Godys behest.
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Et induite nouum hominem, qui secundum Deum creatus est:
Ye be reformyde in felynge, not only as a best,
But also in þe ouer parte of yowr reasun,
Be wyche ye haue lyknes of Gode mest
Ande of þat mercyfull very congnycyon.
WYLL.
Now þe Soule yn charyte reformyde ys,
Wyche charyte ys Gode verely.
Exspoliantem veterem hominem cum actibus suis:
Spoyll yow of yowr olde synnys and foly
Ande be renuyde in Godys knowynge ageyn,
That enduyde wyth grace so specyally,
Conseruynge in peyn, euer in blys for to reyn.
ANIMA.
Then wyth yow thre I may sey this
Of Owr Lorde, soueren person, Jhesus:
Suavis est Dominus vniuersis,
Et miseraciones ejus super omnia opera ejus.
O thou hye soueren Wysdam, my joy, Cristus,
Hewyn, erthe, and eche creature
Yelde yow reuerens, for grace pleyntuus
Ye yeff to man, euer to induyr.
Of Owr Lorde, soueren person, Jhesus:
Suavis est Dominus vniuersis,
Et miseraciones ejus super omnia opera ejus.
O thou hye soueren Wysdam, my joy, Cristus,
Hewyn, erthe, and eche creature
Yelde yow reuerens, for grace pleyntuus
Ye yeff to man, euer to induyr.
Now wyth Sent Powle we may sey thus
Þat be reformyde thorow feythe in Jhesum:
We haue peas and acorde betwyx Gode and ws,
Justificati ex fide pacem habemus ad Deum.
Now to Salamonys conclusyon I com:
Timor Domini inicium sapiencie.
Vobis qui timetis Deum
Orietur sol justicie:
Þat be reformyde thorow feythe in Jhesum:
We haue peas and acorde betwyx Gode and ws,
Justificati ex fide pacem habemus ad Deum.
Now to Salamonys conclusyon I com:
Timor Domini inicium sapiencie.
Vobis qui timetis Deum
Orietur sol justicie:
The tru son of ryghtusnes,
Wyche þat ys Owr Lorde Jhesu,
Xall sprynge in hem þat drede hys meknes.
Nowe ye mut euery soule renewe
In grace, and vycys to eschew,
Ande so to ende wyth perfeccyon.
That þe doctryne of Wysdom we may sew,
Sapiencia Patris, grawnt þat for hys passyon!
Wyche þat ys Owr Lorde Jhesu,
Xall sprynge in hem þat drede hys meknes.
Nowe ye mut euery soule renewe
152
Ande so to ende wyth perfeccyon.
That þe doctryne of Wysdom we may sew,
Sapiencia Patris, grawnt þat for hys passyon!
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