Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)

Passus 11

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Passus vndecimus

W11.1 (KD11.1)Thanne Scripture scorned me · and a skile tolde
W11.2 (KD11.2) And lakked me in latyn · and liȝt by me she sette
W11.3 (KD11.3) And seide Multi multa sciunt & seipsos nesciunt

W11.4 (KD11.4) Tho wepte I for wo · and wraþe of hir speche
W11.5 (KD11.5) And in a wynkynge wraþe · weex I aslepe
W11.6 (KD11.6) A merueillous metels mette me þanne
W11.7 (KD11.7) That I was rauysshed riȝt þere · and Fortune me fette
W11.8 (KD11.8) And in-to þe lond of longynge · allone she me brouȝte
W11.9 (KD11.9) And in a Mirour þat hiȝte middelerþe · she made me to biholde
W11.10 (KD11.10) Sone543 she seide to me · here myȝtow se wondres
W11.11 (KD11.11) And knowe þat þow coueitest · and come þer-to paraunter

W11.12 (KD11.12) Thanne hadde Fortune folwynge hire · two faire damyseles
W11.13 (KD11.13)Concupiscencia carnis · men called þe elder mayde
W11.14 (KD11.14) And Coueitise of eiȝes · ycalled was þat ooþer
W11.15 (KD11.15) Pride of parfit lyuynge · pursued hem boþe
W11.16 (KD11.16) And bad me for my contenaunce · acounten Clergie liȝte

W11.17 (KD11.17) Concupiscencia carnis · colled me aboute þe nekke
W11.18 (KD11.18) And seide þow art yong and yeep · and hast yeres ynowe           544(n)
W11.19 (KD11.19) For to lyue longe · and ladies to louye           545(n)
W11.20 (KD11.20) And in þis Mirour þow myȝt se · myȝtes ful manye
W11.21 (KD11.21) That leden þee wole to likynge · al þi lif-tyme

W11.22 (KD11.22) The secounde seide þe same · I shal sewe þi wille
W11.23 (KD11.23) Til þow be a lord and haue lond · leten þee I nelle
W11.24 (KD11.24) That I ne shal folwe þi felawship · if Fortune it like
W11.25 (KD11.25) He shal fynde me his frend · quod Fortune þer-after
W11.26 (KD11.26) The freke þat folwede my wille · failled neuere blisse           546(n)

W11.27 (KD11.27) Thanne was þer oon þat hiȝte Elde · þat heuy was of chere
W11.28 (KD11.28) Man quod he if I mete wiþ þe · by Marie of heuene
W11.29 (KD11.29) Thow shalt fynde Fortune þee faille · at þi mooste nede
W11.30 (KD11.30) And Concupiscencia carnis · clene þee forsake
W11.31 (KD11.31) Bittrely shaltow banne þanne · boþe dayes and nyȝtes
W11.32 (KD11.32) Coueitise of eiȝe · þat euere þow hir knewe
W11.33 (KD11.33) And pride of parfit lyuynge · to muche peril þee brynge

W11.34 (KD11.34) Ye recche þee neuere quod Rechelesnesse · stood forþ in raggede cloþes
W11.35 (KD11.35) Folwe forþ þat Fortune wole · þow hast wel fer til Elde
W11.36 (KD11.36) A man may stoupe tyme ynoȝ · whan he shal tyne þe crowne           547(n)

W11.37 (KD11.37) Homo proponit quod a poete · and Plato he hiȝte
W11.38 (KD11.38) And Deus disponit quod he · lat god doon his wille
W11.39 (KD11.39) If truþe wol witnesse it be wel do · Fortune to folwe
W11.40 (KD11.40)Concupiscencia carnis · ne Coueitise of eiȝes
W11.41 (KD11.41) Ne shal noȝt greue þee gretly · ne bigile548 but if þow wolt þi-selue549

W11.42 (KD11.42) Ye fare-wel Phippe quod Faunteltee · and forþ gan me drawe
W11.43 (KD11.43) Til Concupiscencia carnis · acorded alle my werkes

W11.44 (KD11.44) Allas eiȝe quod Elde · and holynesse boþe
W11.45 (KD11.45) That wit shal torne to wrecchednesse · for wil to haue his likyng           550(n)

W11.46 (KD11.46) Coueitise of eiȝes · conforted me anoon after
W11.47 (KD11.47) And folwed me fourty wynter · and a fifte moore
W11.48 (KD11.48) That of dowel ne dobet · no deyntee me þouȝte
W11.49 (KD11.49) I hadde no likyng leue me if þee list · of hem ouȝt to knowe
W11.50 (KD11.50) Coueitise of eiȝes · com ofter in mynde
W11.51 (KD11.51) Than dowel or dobet · among my dedes alle

W11.52 (KD11.52) Coueitise of eiȝes · conforted me ofte           551(n)
W11.53 (KD11.53) And seide haue no conscience · how þow come to goode           552(n)
W11.54 (KD11.54) Go confesse þee to som frere · and shewe hym þi synnes           553(n)
W11.55 (KD11.55) For whiles Fortune is þi frend · freres wol þee louye           554(n)
W11.56 (KD11.56) And fecche þee to hir Fraternitee · and for þe biseke           555(n)
W11.57 (KD11.57) To hir Priour prouincial · a pardon for to haue           556(n)
W11.58 (KD11.58) And preien for þee pol by pol · if þow be pecuniosus           557(n)

W11.59 (KD11.58α)Set pena pecuniaria non sufficit pro spiritualibus delictis

W11.60 (KD11.59) By wissynge of þis wenche I wrouȝte · hir wordes were so swete

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W11.61 (KD11.60) Til I foryat youþe · and yarn in-to Elde
W11.62 (KD11.61) And þanne was Fortune my foo · for al hir faire speche558           559(n)
W11.63 (KD11.62) And pouerte pursued me · and putte me lowe           560(n)

W11.64 (KD11.63) And þo fond I þe frere afered · and flittynge boþe
W11.65 (KD11.64) Ayeins oure firste forward · for I seide I nolde
W11.66 (KD11.65) Be buried at hire hous · but at my parisshe chirche
W11.67 (KD11.66) For I herde ones · how Conscience it tolde
W11.68 (KD11.67) That þere a man were cristned · by kynde he sholde be buryed
W11.69 (KD11.67.1) Or where he were parisshen · riȝt þere he sholde be grauen
W11.70 (KD11.68) And for I seide þus to freres · a fool þei me helden
W11.71 (KD11.69) And loued me þe lasse · for my lele speche

W11.72 (KD11.70) Ac yet I cryde on my Confessour · þat heeld hym-self so konnyng           561(n)
W11.73 (KD11.71) By my feiþ frere quod I · ye faren lik þise woweris           562(n)
W11.74 (KD11.72) That wedde none widwes · but for to welden hir goodes           563(n)
W11.75 (KD11.73) Riȝt so by þe roode · rouȝte ye neuere           564(n)
W11.76 (KD11.74) Where my body were buryed · by so ye hadde my siluer           565(n)

W11.77 (KD11.75) Ich haue muche merueille of yow · and so haþ many anoþer
W11.78 (KD11.76) Whi youre Couent coueiteþ · to confesse and to burye
W11.79 (KD11.77) Raþer þan to baptize barnes · þat ben Catecumelynges
W11.80 (KD11.78) Baptizynge and buryinge · boþe beþ ful nedefulle
W11.81 (KD11.79) Ac muche moore meritorie · me þynkeþ it is to baptize
W11.82 (KD11.80) For a baptized man may · as þise maistres telleþ
W11.83 (KD11.81) Thoruȝ contricion come · to þe heiȝe heuene
W11.84 (KD11.81α)566(c)Sola contricio &c
W11.85 (KD11.82) Ac barn wiþ-outen bapteme · may noȝt so be saued
W11.86 (KD11.82α-83)Nisi quis renatus fuerit · loke ye lettred men · wheiþer I lye or do noȝt ·
W11.87 (KD11.84) And lewte loked on me · and I loured after

W11.88 (KD11.85) Wher-fore lourestow quod lewtee · and loked on me harde

W11.89 (KD11.86) If I dorste quod I amonges men · þis metels auowe

W11.90 (KD11.87) Ȝis by Peter and by Poul quod he · and took hem boþe to witnesse
W11.91 (KD11.88)Non oderis fratres secrete in corde tuo · set publice argue illos

W11.92 (KD11.89) They wole aleggen also quod I · and by þe gospel preuen
W11.93 (KD11.90)Nolite iudicare quemquam ·

W11.94 (KD11.91) And wher-of serueþ lawe quod lewtee · if no lif vndertoke it
W11.95 (KD11.92) Falsnesse ne faiterie · for som-what þe Apostle seide
W11.96 (KD11.93-94)Non oderis fratrem · And in þe Sauter also · seiþ dauid þe prophete
W11.97 (KD11.95)Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis &c

W11.98 (KD11.96) It is licitum for lewed men · to sigge þe soþe           567(n)
W11.99 (KD11.97) If hem likeþ and lest · ech a lawe it graunteþ           568(n)
W11.100 (KD11.98) Excepte persons and preestes · and prelates of holy chirche           569(n)
W11.101 (KD11.99) It falleþ noȝt for þat folk · no tales to telle           570(n)
W11.102 (KD11.100) Thouȝ þe tale be trewe · and it touche synne           571(n)

W11.103 (KD11.101) Þyng þat al þe world woot · wher-fore sholdestow spare
W11.104 (KD11.102) To reden it in Retorik · to arate dedly synne
W11.105 (KD11.103) Ac be neuere-moore þe firste · defaute572 to blame
W11.106 (KD11.104) Thouȝ þow se yuel seye it noȝt first · be sory it nere amended
W11.107 (KD11.105) No þyng þat is pryue · publice þow it neuere           573(n)
W11.108 (KD11.106) Neiþer for loue preise574 it noȝt · ne lakke it for enuye           575(n)
W11.109 (KD11.106α)Parum lauda vitupera parcius

W11.110 (KD11.107) He seiþ sooþ quod Scripture þo · and skipte anheiȝ/an heiȝ and preched
W11.111 (KD11.108) Ac þe matere þat she meued · if lewed men it knewe
W11.112 (KD11.109) Þe lasse as I leue · louyen it þei wolde

W11.113 (KD11.111) This was hir teme and hir text · I took ful good hede
W11.114 (KD11.112)Multi to a mangerie · and to þe mete were sompned
W11.115 (KD11.113) And whan þe peple was plener comen · þe porter vnpynned þe yate
W11.116 (KD11.114) And plukked In Pauci pryueliche · and leet þe remenaunt go rome

W11.117 (KD11.115) Al for tene of hir text · trembled myn herte
W11.118 (KD11.116) And in aweer/a weer gan I wexe · and wiþ my-self to dispute
W11.119 (KD11.117) Wheiþer I were chosen or noȝt chosen · on holichirche I þouȝte
W11.120 (KD11.118) That vnderfonged me atte font · for oon of goddes chosene
W11.121 (KD11.119) For crist cleped vs alle · come if we wolde
W11.122 (KD11.120) Sarzens and scismatikes · and so he dide þe Iewes
W11.123 (KD11.120α)O vos omnes sicientes venite &c
W11.124 (KD11.121) And bad hem souke for synne · safly at his breste
W11.125 (KD11.122) And drynke boote for bale · brouke it who-so myȝte

W11.126 (KD11.123) Thanne may alle cristene come quod I · and cleyme þere entree
W11.127 (KD11.124) By þe blood þat he bouȝte vs wiþ · and þoruȝ bapteme after
W11.128 (KD11.124α)Qui crediderit & baptizatus fuerit &c
W11.129 (KD11.125) For þouȝ a cristen man coueited · his cristendom to reneye
W11.130 (KD11.126) Riȝtfully to reneye · no reson it wolde

W11.131 (KD11.127) For may no cherl chartre make · ne his catel selle
W11.132 (KD11.128) Wiþ-outen leue of his lord · no lawe wol it graunte
W11.133 (KD11.129) Ac he may renne in arerage · and rome so fro home
W11.134 (KD11.130) And as a reneyed caytif · recchelesly rennen aboute
W11.135 (KD11.131-132) And reson shal rekene wiþ hym · and casten hym in arerage
W11.136 (KD11.133) And putten hym after in a prison · in purgatorie to brenne
W11.137 (KD11.134) For hise arerages rewarden hym þere · to þe day of dome
W11.138 (KD11.135) But if Contricion wol come · and crye by his lyue
W11.139 (KD11.136) Mercy for hise mysdedes · wiþ mouþe and wiþ herte

W11.140 (KD11.137) That is sooþ seide Scripture · may no synne lette
W11.141 (KD11.138) Mercy al to amende · and Mekenesse hir folwe
W11.142 (KD11.139) For þei beþ as oure bokes telleþ · aboue goddes werkes
W11.143 (KD11.139α)Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius

W11.144 (KD11.140) Ye baw for bokes quod oon · was broken out of helle
W11.145 (KD11.141) Hiȝte Troianus hadde ben a trewe knyȝt · took witnesse at a pope
W11.146 (KD11.142) How he was ded and dampned · to dwellen in pyne

W11.147 (KD11.143) For an vncristene creature · clerkes wite þe soþe
W11.148 (KD11.144) That al þe clergie vnder crist · ne myȝte me cracche fro helle
W11.149 (KD11.145) But oonliche loue and leautee · and my laweful domes

W11.150 (KD11.146) Gregorie wiste þis wel · and wilned to my soule
W11.151 (KD11.147) Sauacion for sooþnesse · þat he seiȝ in my werkes
W11.152 (KD11.148) And after þat he wepte · and wilned me were graunted
W11.153 (KD11.149-150) Grace · wiþ-outen any bede biddyng · his boone was vnderfongen
W11.154 (KD11.151) And I saued as ye see · wiþ-outen syngynge of masses
W11.155 (KD11.152) By loue and by lernyng · of my lyuynge in truþe           576(n)
W11.156 (KD11.153) Brouȝte me fro bitter peyne · þer no biddyng myȝte           577(n)

W11.157 (KD11.154) Lo ye lordes what leautee dide · by an Emperour of Rome
W11.158 (KD11.155) That was an vncristene creature · as clerkes fyndeþ in bokes
W11.159 (KD11.156) Nouȝt þoruȝ preiere of a pope · but for his pure truþe
W11.160 (KD11.157) Was þat Sarsen saued · as Seint Gregorie bereþ witnesse

W11.161 (KD11.158) Wel ouȝte ye lordes þat lawes kepe · þis lesson to haue in mynde
W11.162 (KD11.159) And on Troianus truþe to þenke · and do truþe to þe peple
W11.163 (KD11.171) Lawe wiþ-outen loue quod Troianus · ley þer a bene           578(n)
W11.164 (KD11.172) Or any Science vnder sonne · þe seuene artz and alle
W11.165 (KD11.173) But þei ben lerned for oure lordes loue · lost is al þe tyme
W11.166 (KD11.174) For no cause to cacche siluer þer-by · ne to be called a maister
W11.167 (KD11.175) But al for loue of oure lord · and þe bet to loue þe peple
W11.168 (KD11.176) For Seint Iohan seide it · and soþe arn hise wordes
W11.169 (KD11.176α)Qui non diligit manet in morte

W11.170 (KD11.177) Who-so loueþ noȝt leue me · he lyueþ in deeþ-deyinge
W11.171 (KD11.178) And þat alle manere men · enemyes and frendes           579(n)
W11.172 (KD11.179) Loue hir eyþer ooþer · and lene hem as hem-selue           580(n)
W11.173 (KD11.180) Who-so leneþ noȝt he loueþ noȝt · god woot þe soþe           581(n)
W11.174 (KD11.181) Crist582 comaundeþ ech a creature · to conformen hym to louye           583(n)
W11.175 (KD11.182) And souereynly þe pouere peple · and hir enemyes after           584(n)
W11.176 (KD11.183) For hem þat haten vs · is oure merite to louye           585(n)

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W11.177 (KD11.184)And pouere peple to plese · hir preieres maye vs helpe           586(n)
W11.178 (KD11.185) And oure Ioye and oure heele · Iesu crist of heuene           587(n)
W11.179 (KD11.186) In a pouere mannes apparaille · pursued vs euere           588(n)
W11.180 (KD11.187) And lokeþ on vs in hir liknesse · and þat wiþ louely chere           589(n)
W11.181 (KD11.188) To knowen vs by oure kynde herte · and castynge of oure eiȝen           590(n)
W11.182 (KD11.189) Wheiþer we loue þe lordes here · bifore þe lord of blisse           591(n)
W11.183 (KD11.190) And exciteþ vs by þe Euaungelie · þat whan we maken festes
W11.184 (KD11.191) We sholde noȝt clepe oure kyn þer-to · ne none kynnes riche
W11.185 (KD11.191α) Cum facitis conuiuia nolite inuitare amicos
W11.186 (KD11.192) Ac calleþ þe carefulle þer-to · þe croked and þe pouere           592(n)
W11.187 (KD11.193) For youre frendes wol feden yow · and fonde yow to quyte
W11.188 (KD11.194) Youre festynge and youre faire ȝifte · ech frend quyteþ so ooþer

W11.189 (KD11.195) Ac for þe pouere I shal paie · and pure wel quyte hir trauaille           593(n)
W11.190 (KD11.196) That ȝyueþ hem mete or moneie · or loueþ hem for my sake           594(n)
W11.191 (KD11.198) For þe beste ben som riche · and some beggeres and pouere           595(n)
W11.192 (KD11.199) For alle are we cristes creatures · and of his cofres riche           596(n)
W11.193 (KD11.200) And breþeren as of oo blood · as wel beggeres as Erles           597(n)
W11.194 (KD11.201) For on Caluarie of cristes blood · cristendom gan sprynge           598(n)
W11.195 (KD11.202) And blody breþeren we bicome þere · of o body ywonne           599(n)
W11.196 (KD11.203) As quasi modo geniti · and gentil men echone           600(n)
W11.197 (KD11.204) No beggere ne boye amonges vs · but if it synne made
W11.198 (KD11.204α)Qui facit peccatum seruus est peccati &c

W11.199 (KD11.205) In þe olde lawe · as holy lettre telleþ
W11.200 (KD11.205) Mennes sones · men callen601 vs echone
W11.201 (KD11.206) Of Adames issue and Eue · ay til god-man deide
W11.202 (KD11.207) And after his resurexcion · Redemptor was his name
W11.203 (KD11.208) And we hise breþeren þoruȝ hym ybouȝt · boþe riche and pouere

W11.204 (KD11.209) For-þi loue we as leue breþeren · and ech man laughe of ooþer           602(n)
W11.205 (KD11.210) And of þat ech man may forbere · amende þere it nedeþ           603(n)
W11.206 (KD11.211) And euery man helpe ooþer · for hennes shul we alle           604(n)
W11.207 (KD11.211α)Alter alterius onera portate

W11.208 (KD11.212) And be we noȝt vnkynde of oure catel · ne of oure konnyng neiþer           605(n)
W11.209 (KD11.213) For woot no man how neiȝ it is · to ben ynome fro boþe           606(n)
W11.210 (KD11.214) For-þi lakke no lif ooþer · þouȝ he moore latyn knowe
W11.211 (KD11.215) Ne vndernyme noȝt foule · for is noon wiþ-oute defaute
W11.212 (KD11.216) For what-euere clerkes carpe · of cristendom or ellis
W11.213 (KD11.217) Crist to a commune womman seide · in commune at a feste
W11.214 (KD11.218) That Fides sua sholde sauen hire · and saluen hire of synnes

W11.215 (KD11.219) Thanne is bileue a lele help · aboue logyk or lawe

W11.216 (KD11.220) Of logyk or of lawe · in legenda sanctorum
W11.217 (KD11.221) Is litel alowaunce maad · but if bileue hem helpe
W11.218 (KD11.222) For it is ouer-longe er logyk · any lesson assoille
W11.219 (KD11.223) And lawe is looþ to louye · but if he lacche siluer
W11.220 (KD11.224) Boþe logyk and lawe · þat loueþ noȝt to lye
W11.221 (KD11.225) I conseille alle cristene · clyue noȝt þer-on to soore
W11.222 (KD11.226) For some wordes I fynde writen · þat were of Feiþes techyng
W11.223 (KD11.227) That saued synful men · as Seint Iohan bereþ witnesse

W11.224 (KD11.228) Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis remecietur vobis

W11.225 (KD11.229) For-þi lerne we þe lawe of loue · as oure lord tauȝte           607(n)
W11.226 (KD11.230) And as Seint Gregorie seide · for mannes soule helþe           608(n)

W11.227 (KD11.231) Melius est scrutari scelera nostra quam naturas rerum

W11.228 (KD11.232) Why I meue þis matere · is moost for þe pouere
W11.229 (KD11.233) For in hir liknesse oure lord · ofte haþ ben yknowe
W11.230 (KD11.234) Witnesse in þe Pask wyke · whan he yede to Emaus
W11.231 (KD11.235)Cleophas ne knew hym noȝt · þat he crist were
W11.232 (KD11.236) For his pouere apparaille · and pilgrymes wedes
W11.233 (KD11.237) Til he blessede and brak · þe breed þat þei eten
W11.234 (KD11.238) So bi hise werkes þei wisten · þat he was Iesus
W11.235 (KD11.239) Ac by cloþyng þei knewe hym noȝt · ne by carpynge of tunge

W11.236 (KD11.240) And al was in ensample · to vs synfulle here           609(n)
W11.237 (KD11.241) That we sholde be lowe · and loueliche of speche           610(n)
W11.238 (KD11.242) And apparaille vs noȝt ouer-proudly · for pilgrymes are we alle           611(n)

W11.239 (KD11.243) And in þe apparaille of a pouere man · and pilgrymes liknesse           612(n)
W11.240 (KD11.244) Many tyme god haþ ben met · among nedy peple           613(n)
W11.241 (KD11.245) Ther neuere segge hym seiȝ · in secte of þe riche           614(n)

W11.242 (KD11.246) Seint Iohan and oþere seintes · were seyen in poore cloþyng
W11.243 (KD11.247) And as pouere pilgrymes · preyed mennes goodes

W11.244 (KD11.248) Iesu crist on a Iewes doȝter liȝte · gentil womman þouȝ she were
W11.245 (KD11.249) Was a pure pouere maide · and to a pouere man ywedded

W11.246 (KD11.250) Martha on Marie Maudeleyne · anhuge/an huge pleynt made
W11.247 (KD11.251) And to oure Saueour self · seide þise wordes

W11.248 (KD11.252) Domine non est tibi cure quod soror mea reliquit me solam ministrare

W11.249 (KD11.253) And hastily god answerde · and eiþeres wille folwed
W11.250 (KD11.254) Boþe Marthaes and Maries · as Mathew bereþ witnesse
W11.251 (KD11.255) Ac pouerte god putte bifore · and preised þat þe bettre           615(n)
W11.252 (KD11.255α)Maria optimam partem elegit que non &c

W11.253 (KD11.256) And alle þe wise þat euere were · by auȝt I kan aspye
W11.254 (KD11.257) Preiseden616 pouerte for best lif · if Pacience it folwed617
W11.255 (KD11.258) And boþe bettre and blesseder · by many fold þan Richesse
W11.256 (KD11.259) For618 þouȝ it be sour to suffre · þer-after comeþ swete           619(n)
W11.257 (KD11.260) As on a walnote wiþ-oute · is a bitter barke           620(n)
W11.258 (KD11.261) And after þat bitter bark · be þe shelle aweye           621(n)
W11.259 (KD11.262) Is a kernel of confort · kynde to restore           622(n)

W11.260 (KD11.263) So is after pouerte or penaunce · paciently ytake           623(n)
W11.261 (KD11.264) For it makeþ a man to haue mynde · in god and a gret wille           624(n)

W11.262 (KD11.265) To wepe and to wel bidde · wher-of wexeþ Mercy           625(n)
W11.263 (KD11.266) Of which crist is a kernelle · to conforte þe soule           626(n)
W11.264 (KD11.267) And wel sikerer he slepeþ · þe man þat is pouere
W11.265 (KD11.268) And lasse he dredeþ deeþ · and in derke to ben yrobbed           627(n)
W11.266 (KD11.269) Than he þat is riȝt riche · Reson bereþ witnesse           628(n)
W11.267 (KD11.269α)Pauper ego ludo dum tu diues meditaris

W11.268 (KD11.270) Al-þouȝ Salomon seide · as folk seeþ in þe bible
W11.269 (KD11.271)Diuicias nec paupertates &c
W11.270 (KD11.272) Wiser þan Salomon was · bereþ witnesse and tauȝte
W11.271 (KD11.273) That parfit pouerte was · no possession to haue           629(n)
W11.272 (KD11.274) And lif moost likynge to god · as luc bereþ witnesse           630(n)
W11.273 (KD11.274α)Si vis perfectus esse · vade & vende631

W11.274 (KD11.275) And is to mene to men · þat on þis moolde lyuen
W11.275 (KD11.276) Who-so wole be pure parfit · moot possession forsake
W11.276 (KD11.277) Or selle it as seiþ þe book · and þe siluer dele
W11.277 (KD11.278) To beggeris þat goon and begge · and bidden good for goddes loue
W11.278 (KD11.279) For failed neuere man mete · þat myȝtful god serueþ           632(n)
W11.279 (KD11.280) As Dauid seiþ in þe Sauter · to swiche þat ben in wille
W11.280 (KD11.281) To serue god goodliche · ne greueþ hym no penaunce
W11.281 (KD11.281α)Nichil inpossibile volenti
W11.282 (KD11.282) Ne lakkeþ neuere liflode · lynnen ne wollen
W11.283 (KD11.282α)Inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur omni bono

W11.284 (KD11.283) If preestes weren parfite · þei wolde no siluer take           633(n)
W11.285 (KD11.284) For masses ne for matyns · noȝt hir mete of vsureres           634(n)
W11.286 (KD11.285) Ne neiþer kirtel ne cote · þeiȝ þei for cold sholde deye
W11.287 (KD11.286) And þei hir deuoir dide · as Dauid seiþ in þe Sauter
W11.288 (KD11.286α)Iudica me deus & discerne causam meam

W11.289 (KD11.287) Spera in deo · spekeþ of preestes · þat haue no spendyng siluer
W11.290 (KD11.288) That if þei trauaille truweliche · and truste in god almyȝty           635(n)
W11.291 (KD11.289) Hem sholde lakke no liflode · neyþer lynnen ne wollen           636(n)

And þe title þat þei
W11.292 (KD11.290) And þe title þat ye637 take ordres by · telleþ ye ben auaunced
W11.293 (KD11.291) Thanne nedeþ yow noȝt to take siluer · for masses þat ye syngen
W11.294 (KD11.292) For he þat took yow youre title · sholde take yow youre wages
W11.295 (KD11.293) Or þe bisshop þat blessed yow · if þat ye ben worþi

W11.296 (KD11.294) For made neuere kyng no knyȝt · but he hadde catel to spende           638(n)
W11.297 (KD11.295) As bifel for a knyȝt · or foond hym for his strengþe
W11.298 (KD11.296) It is a careful knyȝt · and of a caytif kynges makyng           639(n)
W11.299 (KD11.297) That haþ no lond ne lynage riche · ne good loos of hise handes           640(n)

W11.300 (KD11.298) The same I segge for-soþe · by alle swiche preestes           641(n)
W11.301 (KD11.299) That han neiþer konnynge ne kyn · but a crowne one           642(n)
W11.302 (KD11.300) And a title a tale of noȝt · to his liflode at his meschief           643(n)
W11.303 (KD11.301) He haþ moore bileue as I leue · to lacche þoruȝ his croune           644(n)
W11.304 (KD11.302) Cure · þan for konnyng · or knowen for clene berynge           645(n)
W11.305 (KD11.302.1) I haue wonder for why646 · and wher-fore þe bisshop ·           647(n)
W11.306 (KD11.302.2) Makeþ swiche preestes · þat lewed men bitrayen           648(n)

W11.307 (KD11.303) A chartre is chalangeable · bifore a chief Iustice           649(n)
W11.308 (KD11.304) If fals latyn be in þat lettre · þe lawe it impugneþ           650(n)
W11.309 (KD11.305) Or peynted parentrelynarie · or parcelles ouer-skipped
W11.310 (KD11.306) The gome þat gloseþ so chartres · for a goky is holden

W11.311 (KD11.307) So is it a goky by god · þat in his gospel failleþ           651(n)
W11.312 (KD11.308) Or in masse or in matyns · makeþ any defaute           652(n)
W11.313 (KD11.309)Qui offendit in vno in omnibus est reus

W11.314 (KD11.310) And also in þe sauter · seiþ dauid to ouerskipperis
W11.315 (KD11.311)Psallite deo nostro psallite quoniam rex terre deus Israel psallite sapienter653(c)

W11.316 (KD11.312) The bisshop shal be blamed · bifore god as I leue           654(n)
W11.317 (KD11.313) That crouneþ swiche goddes knyȝtes · þat konneþ noȝt sapienter           655(n)
W11.318 (KD11.314) Synge ne psalmes rede · ne seye a masse of þe day           656(n)
W11.319 (KD11.315) And neuer neiþer is blamelees · þe bisshop ne þe Chapeleyn           657(n)

fol.65v

W11.320 (KD11.316) For hir eiþer is endited · and that is Ignorancia           658(n)
W11.321 (KD11.317)Non excusat episcopos nec ydiot659 preestes
W11.322 (KD11.318) This lokynge on lewed preestes · haþ doon me lepe from pouerte
W11.323 (KD11.319) The which I preise þer pacience is · moore parfit þan richesse

W11.324 (KD11.320)Ac muche moore in metynge þus · wiþ me gan oon dispute
W11.325 (KD11.321) And slepynge I seiȝ al þis · and siþen cam kynde
W11.326 (KD11.322) And nempned me by my name · and bad me nymen hede
W11.327 (KD11.323) And þoruȝ þe wondres of þis world · wit for to take
W11.328 (KD11.324) And on a mountaigne þat myddel-erþe · hiȝte as me þouȝte
W11.329 (KD11.325) I was fet forþ · by ensamples to knowe
W11.330 (KD11.326) Thorugh ech a creature and kynde · my creatour to louye

W11.331 (KD11.327) I seiȝ þe sonne and þe see · and þe sond after
W11.332 (KD11.328) And where þat briddes and beestes · by hir makes yeden
W11.333 (KD11.329) Wilde wormes in wodes · and wonderful foweles
W11.334 (KD11.330) Wiþ fleckede feþeres · and of fele colours

W11.335 (KD11.331) Man and his make · I myȝte boþe biholde
W11.336 (KD11.332) Pouerte and plentee · boþe pees and werre
W11.337 (KD11.333) Blisse and bale boþe · I seiȝ al atones/at ones
W11.338 (KD11.334) And how men token Mede · and Mercy refused

W11.339 (KD11.335) Reson I seiȝ sooþly · sewen alle beestes
W11.340 (KD11.336) In etynge in drynkynge · and in engendrynge of kynde
W11.341 (KD11.337) And after cours of concepcion · noon took kepe of ooþer
W11.342 (KD11.338) As whan þei hadde ryde in Rotey-tyme · anoon riȝt þer-after
W11.343 (KD11.339) Males drowen hem to males · amorwenynges by hem-selue
W11.344 (KD11.340) And in euenynges also · þe males ben fro femelles
W11.345 (KD11.341) Ther ne was cow ne cowkynde · þat conceyued hadde
W11.346 (KD11.342) That wolde belwe after boles · ne boor after sowe
W11.347 (KD11.343) Boþe hors and houndes · and alle oþere beestes
W11.348 (KD11.344) Medled noȝt wiþ hir makes · þat wiþ fole were

fol.66r

W11.349 (KD11.345) Briddes I biheld · þat in buskes made nestes
W11.350 (KD11.346) Hadde neuere wye wit · to werche þe leeste
W11.351 (KD11.347) I hadde wonder at whom · and wher þe pye lerned
W11.352 (KD11.348) To legge þe stikkes · in whiche she leyeþ and bredeþ
W11.353 (KD11.349) Ther nys wriȝte as I wene · sholde werche hir nestes to paye
W11.354 (KD11.350) If any Mason made a molde þer-to · muche wonder it were
W11.355 (KD11.351) Ac660 yet me merueilled moore · how many oþere briddes
W11.356 (KD11.352) Hidden and hileden · hir egges ful derne
W11.357 (KD11.353-354) In Mareys and moores · for men sholde hem noȝt fynde
W11.358 (KD11.353-354) And hidden hir egges · whan þei þer-fro wente
W11.359 (KD11.355) For fere of oþere foweles · and for wilde beestes

W11.360 (KD11.356) And some troden hir makes · and on trees bredden
W11.361 (KD11.357) And brouȝten forþ hir briddes so · al aboue þe grounde
W11.362 (KD11.358) And some briddes at þe bile · þoruȝ breþyng conceyued
W11.363 (KD11.359) And some caukede I took kepe · how pecokkes bredden
W11.364 (KD11.360) Muche merueilled me · what maister hem made661
W11.365 (KD11.361) And who tauȝte hem on trees · to tymbre so heiȝe
W11.366 (KD11.362) Ther neiþer burn ne beest · may hir briddes rechen

W11.367 (KD11.363) And siþen I loked vp-on þe see · and so forþ vp-on þe sterres
W11.368 (KD11.364) Manye selkouþes I seiȝ · ben noȝt to seye nouþe

W11.369 (KD11.365) I seiȝ floures in þe fryth · and hir faire colours
W11.370 (KD11.366) And how among þe grene gras · growed so manye hewes
W11.371 (KD11.367) And some soure and some swete · selkouþ me þouȝte
W11.372 (KD11.368) Of hir kynde and hir colour · to carpe it were to longe

W11.373 (KD11.369) Ac þat moost meued me · and my mood chaunged
W11.374 (KD11.370) That Reson rewarded · and ruled alle beestes           662(n)
W11.375 (KD11.371) Saue man and his make · many tyme and ofte           663(n)
W11.376 (KD11.372-373) No Reson hem folwede · and þanne I rebukede           664(n)
W11.377 (KD11.373) Reson / · and riȝt til hym-seluen I seyde           665(n)

fol.66v

W11.378 (KD11.374) I haue wonder of þee quod I · þat witty art holden
W11.379 (KD11.375) Why þow ne sewest man and his make · þat no mysfeet hem folwe
W11.380 (KD11.376) And Reson arated me · and seide recche þee neuere
W11.381 (KD11.377) Why I suffre or noȝt suffre · þi-self hast noȝt to doone           666(n)
W11.382 (KD11.378) Amende þow it if þow myȝt · for my tyme is to abide           667(n)
W11.383 (KD11.379) Suffraunce is a souerayn vertue · and a swift vengeaunce
W11.384 (KD11.380) Who suffrede moore þan god quod he · no gome as I leeue
W11.385 (KD11.381) He myȝte amende in a Minute-while · al þat mysstandeþ
W11.386 (KD11.382) Ac he suffreþ for som mannes goode · and so it668 is oure bettre
W11.387 (KD11.394) The wise and þe witty · wroot þus in þe bible
W11.388 (KD11.395)De re que te non molestat noli certare

W11.389 (KD11.396) For be a man fair or foul · it falleþ noȝt for to lakke
W11.390 (KD11.397) The shap ne þe shaft · þat god shoop hym-selue
W11.391 (KD11.398) For al þat he dide was wel ydo · as holy writ witnesseþ
W11.392 (KD11.398α)Et vidit deus cuncta que fecerat & erant valde bona

W11.393 (KD11.399) And bad euery creature · in his kynde encreesse
W11.394 (KD11.400) Al to murþe wiþ man · þat moste wo þolie
W11.395 (KD11.401) In fondynge of þe flessh · and of þe fend boþe
W11.396 (KD11.402) For man was maad of swich a matere · he may noȝt wel asterte
W11.397 (KD11.403) That ne som-tyme hym bitit · to folwen his kynde
W11.398 (KD11.404) Caton acordeþ þer-wiþ · Nemo sine crimine viuit

W11.399 (KD11.405) Tho cauȝte I colour anoon · and comsed to ben ashamed
W11.400 (KD11.406) And awaked þer-wiþ · wo was me þanne
W11.401 (KD11.407) That I in metels ne myȝte · moore haue yknowen
W11.402 (KD11.408) And þanne seide I to my-self · and chidde þat tyme
W11.403 (KD11.409) Now I woot what dowel is quod I · by deere god as me þynkeþ

W11.404 (KD11.410) And as I caste vp myne eiȝen · oon loked on me and asked
W11.405 (KD11.411) Of me what þyng it were · ywis sire I seide
W11.406 (KD11.412) To se muche and suffre moore · certes quod I is dowel           669(n)

W11.407 (KD11.413) Haddestow suffred he seide . slepynge þo þow were
W11.408 (KD11.414) Thow sholdest haue knowen þat clergie kan · & contreued moore þoruȝ Reson670(c)
W11.409 (KD11.415) For Reson wolde haue reherced þee · riȝt as Clergie seide
W11.410 (KD11.416) Ac for þyn entremetynge · here artow forsake
W11.411 (KD11.416α)Philosophus esses si tacuisses

W11.412 (KD11.417) Adam whiles he spak noȝt · hadde paradis at wille           671(n)
W11.413 (KD11.418) Ac whan he mamelede aboute mete · and entremetede to knowe           672(n)
W11.414 (KD11.419) The wisedom and þe wit of god · he was put fram blisse           673(n)

W11.415 (KD11.420) And riȝt so ferde Reson bi þee · þow wiþ þi rude speche
W11.416 (KD11.421) Lakkedest and losedest þyng · þat longed þe noȝt to doone
W11.417 (KD11.422) Tho hadde he no likyng · for to lere þe moore

W11.418 (KD11.423) Pryde now and presumpcion · parauenture wol þee appele
W11.419 (KD11.424) That Clergie þi compaignye · kepeþ noȝt to suwe
W11.420 (KD11.425) Shal neuere chalangynge ne chidynge · chaste a man so soone           674(n)
W11.421 (KD11.426) As shal shame and shenden hym · and shape hym to amende           675(n)
W11.422 (KD11.427) For lat a dronken daffe · in a dyk falle           676(n)
W11.423 (KD11.428) Lat hym ligge loke noȝt on hym · til hym liste aryse677           678(n)
W11.424 (KD11.429,431) For þouȝ Reson rebuked hym þanne · it were but pure synne           679(n)
W11.425 (KD11.432) Ac whan nede nymeþ hym vp · for doute lest he sterue           680(n)
W11.426 (KD11.433) And shame shrapeþ hise cloþes · and hise shynes wassheþ           681(n)
W11.427 (KD11.434) Thanne woot þe dronken daffe · wher-fore he is to blame           682(n)

W11.428 (KD11.435) Ye siggen sooþ quod I · ich haue yseyen it ofte
W11.429 (KD11.436) Ther smyt no þyng so smerte · ne smelleþ so soure
W11.430 (KD11.437) As shame þere he sheweþ hym · for euery man hym shonyeþ
W11.431 (KD11.438) Why ye wisse me þus quod I · was for I rebuked Reson

W11.432 (KD11.439) Certes quod he þat is sooþ · and shoop hym for to walken
W11.433 (KD11.440) And I aroos vp riȝt wiþ þat · and folwed hym after
W11.434 (KD11.441) And preyde hym of his curteisie · to telle me his name

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