Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)

Passus 12

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Passus .xijus./duodecimus683(c)

W12.1 (KD12.1)I am ymaginatif quod he · ydel was I neuere
W12.2 (KD12.2) Thouȝ I sitte by my-self · in siknesse nor684 in helþe
W12.3 (KD12.3) I haue folwed þee in feiþ · þise fyue and fourty wynter
W12.4 (KD12.4) And manye tymes haue meued þee · to þynke on þyn ende
W12.5 (KD12.5) And how fele fernyeres are faren · and so fewe to come
W12.6 (KD12.6) And of þi wilde wantownesse · þo þow yong were
W12.7 (KD12.7) To amende it in þi myddel age · lest myȝt þe failled
W12.8 (KD12.8) In þyn olde elde · þat yuele kan suffre
W12.9 (KD12.9) Pouerte or penaunce · or preyeres to bidde
W12.10 (KD12.9α)Si non in prima vigilia nec in secunda &c

W12.11 (KD12.10) Amende þee while þow myȝt · þow hast ben warned ofte           685(n)
W12.12 (KD12.11) Wiþ poustees of pestilences · wiþ pouerte and with angres
W12.13 (KD12.12) And wiþ þise bittre baleises · god beteþ his deere children
W12.14 (KD12.12α)Quem diligo castigo

W12.15 (KD12.13) And Dauid in þe Sauter seiþ · of swiche þat loueþ Iesus
W12.16 (KD12.13α)Virga tua & baculus tuus ipsa me consolata sunt

W12.17 (KD12.14) Al-þouȝ þow strike me wiþ þi staf · wiþ stikke or wiþ yerde           686(n)
W12.18 (KD12.15) It is but murþe as for me · to amende my soule           687(n)
W12.19 (KD12.16) And þow medlest þee wiþ makynges · and myȝtest go seye þi sauter
W12.20 (KD12.17) And bidde for hem þat ȝyueþ þee breed · for þer are bokes yknowe688
W12.21 (KD12.18) To telle men what dowel is · dobet and dobest boþe
W12.22 (KD12.19) And prechours to preuen what it is · of many a peire freres

W12.23 (KD12.20) I seiȝ wel he seide me sooþ · and som-what me to excuse
W12.24 (KD12.21) Seide Caton conforted me his sone · þat clerk þouȝ he were
W12.25 (KD12.22) To solacen hym som-tyme · as I do whan I make
W12.26 (KD12.22α)Interpone tuis interdum gaudia curis

W12.27 (KD12.23) And of holy men I herde quod I · how þei ouþer-while
W12.28 (KD12.24) Pleyden þe parfiter · to ben in manye places
W12.29 (KD12.25) Ac if þer were any wight · þat wolde me telle

fol.68r

W12.30 (KD12.26) What were do-wel · and dobet · and do-best at þe laste
W12.31 (KD12.27) Wolde I neuere do werk · but wende to holichirche
W12.32 (KD12.28) And þere bidde my bedes · but whan ich ete or slepe
W12.33 (KD12.29) Poul in his pistle quod he · preueþ what is dowel
W12.34 (KD12.29α)Fides / spes / caritas · et maior horum &c
W12.35 (KD12.30) Feiþ / hope / and Charite · and alle ben goode
W12.36 (KD12.31) And sauen men sondry tymes · ac noon so soone as Charite
W12.37 (KD12.32) For he dooþ wel wiþ-outen doute · þat dooþ as lewte techeþ
W12.38 (KD12.33) That is if þow be man maryed · þi make þow louye
W12.39 (KD12.34) And lyue forþ as lawe wole · while ye lyuen boþe

W12.40 (KD12.35) Riȝt so if þow be Religious · ren þow neuere ferþer
W12.41 (KD12.36) To Rome ne to Rochemador · but as þi rule techeþ
W12.42 (KD12.37) And hold þee vnder obedience · þat heigh wey is to heuene

W12.43 (KD12.38) And if þow be maiden to marye · and myȝt wel continue
W12.44 (KD12.39) Seke þow neuere Seint ferþer · for no soule helþe
W12.45 (KD12.40) For what made lucifer · to lese þe heiȝe heuene
W12.46 (KD12.41) Or Salomon his sapience · or Sampson his strengþe
W12.47 (KD12.42) Iob þe Iew his ioye · ful deere689 abouȝte
W12.48 (KD12.43) Aristotle and oþere mo · ypocras and virgile
W12.49 (KD12.44) Alisaundre þat al wan · elengliche ended
W12.50 (KD12.45) Catel and kynde wit · was combraunce to hem alle

W12.51 (KD12.46) Felice hir fairnesse · fel hire al to sclaundre
W12.52 (KD12.47) And Rosamounde riȝt so · reufulliche to bileue
W12.53 (KD12.48) The beaute of hir body · in baddenesse she despended
W12.54 (KD12.49) Of manye swiche I may rede · of men and of wommen           690(n)
W12.55 (KD12.50) That wise wordes wolde shewe · and werche þe contrarie           691(n)
W12.56 (KD12.50α)Sunt homines nequam bene de virtute loquentes

W12.57 (KD12.51) And riche renkes riȝt so · gaderen and sparen
W12.58 (KD12.52) And þo men þat þei moost haten · mynistren it at þe laste

fol.68v

W12.59 (KD12.53) And for þei suffren and see · so manye nedy folkes
W12.60 (KD12.54) And loue hem noȝt as oure lord bit · þei lesen hir soules
W12.61 (KD12.54α)Date & dabitur vobis
W12.62 (KD12.58) And Richesse riȝt so · but if þe roote be trewe
W12.63 (KD12.59) Ac grace is a gras þer-of · þo greuaunces to abate
W12.64 (KD12.60) Ac grace ne groweþ noȝt · but amonges lowe
W12.65 (KD12.61) Pacience and pouerte · þe place hiȝte692 þer it groweþ
W12.66 (KD12.62) And in lele lyuynge men · and in lif-holy
W12.67 (KD12.63) And þoruȝ þe gifte of þe holy goost · as þe gospel telleþ
W12.68 (KD12.63α)Spiritus vbi vult spirat

W12.69 (KD12.64) Clergie and kynde wit · comeþ of siȝte and techyng
W12.70 (KD12.65) As þe book bereþ witnesse · to burnes þat kan rede
W12.71 (KD12.65α)Quod scimus loquimur · quod vidimus testamur

W12.72 (KD12.66) Ofquod scimus comeþ Clergie · and konnynge of heuene
W12.73 (KD12.67) And of quod vidimus comeþ kynde wit · of siȝte of diuerse peple
W12.74 (KD12.68) Ac grace is a gifte of god · and of greet loue spryngeþ
W12.75 (KD12.69) Knew neuere clerk how it comeþ forþ · ne kynde wit þe weyes
W12.76 (KD12.69α)Nescit aliquis vnde venit · aut quo vadit693(c) &c

W12.77 (KD12.70) Ac yet is Clergie to comende · and kynde wit boþe
W12.78 (KD12.71) And namely Clergie for cristes loue · þat of Clergie is roote
W12.79 (KD12.72) For Moyses witnesseþ þat god wroot · for to wisse þe peple
W12.80 (KD12.73) In þe olde lawe as þe lettre telleþ · þat was þe lawe of Iewes
W12.81 (KD12.74) That what womman were in auoutrye taken · where she694 riche or poore
W12.82 (KD12.75) Wiþ stones men sholde hir strike · and stone hire to deþe

W12.83 (KD12.76) A womman as I fynde695 · was gilty of þat dede
W12.84 (KD12.77) Ac crist of his curteisie · þoruȝ clergie hir saued
W12.85 (KD12.78) And þoruȝ caractes þat crist wroot · þe Iewes knewe hem-selue
W12.86 (KD12.79) Giltier as afore god · and gretter in synne
W12.87 (KD12.80) Than þe womman þat þere was · and wenten awey for shame

W12.88 (KD12.81) The Clergie þat þere was · conforted þe womman
W12.89 (KD12.82) Holy kirke knoweþ þis · þat cristes writyng saued hire
W12.90 (KD12.83) So clergie is confort · to creatures þat repenten
W12.91 (KD12.84) And to mansede men · meschief at hire ende

W12.92 (KD12.85) For goddes body myȝte noȝt ben · of breed wiþ-outen clergie           696(n)
W12.93 (KD12.86) The which body is boþe · boote to þe riȝtfulle           697(n)
W12.94 (KD12.87) And deeþ and dampnacion · to hem þat deyeþ yuele           698(n)
W12.95 (KD12.88) As cristes caracte confortede · and boþe coupable shewed
W12.96 (KD12.89) The womman þat þe Iewes brouȝte · þat Iesus þouȝte to saue
W12.97 (KD12.89α)Nolite iudicare & non iudicabimini
W12.98 (KD12.90) Riȝt so goddes body breþeren · but if it be worþili taken
W12.99 (KD12.91) Dampneþ vs at þe day of dome · as þe caractes dide þe Iewes

W12.100 (KD12.92) For-þi I counseille þee for cristes sake · clergie þat þow louye
W12.101 (KD12.93) For kynde wit is of his kyn · and neiȝe Cosynes boþe
W12.102 (KD12.94) To oure lord leue me · for-þi loue hem I rede
W12.103 (KD12.95) For boþe ben as Mirours · to amenden oure defautes
W12.104 (KD12.96) And lederes for lewed men · and for lettred boþe

W12.105 (KD12.97) For-þi lakke þow neuere logik · lawe ne hise custumes
W12.106 (KD12.98) Ne countreplede clerkes · I counseille þee for euere
W12.107 (KD12.99) For as a man may noȝt see · þat mysseþ hise eiȝen           699(n)
W12.108 (KD12.100) Namoore kan no Clerk · but if he cauȝte it first þoruȝ bokes           700(n)
W12.109 (KD12.101) Al-þouȝ men made bokes · god was þe maister           701(n)
W12.110 (KD12.102) And seint Spirit þe Samplarie · & seide what men sholde write702

W12.111 (KD12.104) Riȝt so ledeþ lettrure · lewed men to Reson           703(n)
W12.112 (KD12.105) And as a blynd man in bataille · bereþ wepne to fiȝte           704(n)
W12.113 (KD12.106) And haþ noon hap wiþ his ax · his enemy to hitte           705(n)
W12.114 (KD12.107) Namoore kan a kynde witted man · but clerkes hym teche           706(n)
W12.115 (KD12.108) Come for al his kynde wit · to cristendom and be saued           707(n)
W12.116 (KD12.109) Which is þe cofre of cristes tresor · and clerkes kepe þe keyes
W12.117 (KD12.110) To vnloken it at hir likyng · and to þe lewed peple

fol.69v

W12.118 (KD12.111) Ȝyue mercy for hire mysdedes · if men it wole aske
W12.119 (KD12.112) Buxomliche and benigneliche · and bidden it of grace
W12.120 (KD12.113) Archa dei in þe olde lawe · leuytes it kepten
W12.121 (KD12.114) Hadde neuere lewed man leue · to leggen hond on þat cheste
W12.122 (KD12.115) But he were preest or preestes sone · Patriark or prophete
W12.123 (KD12.126) For Clergie is kepere · vnder crist of heuene
W12.124 (KD12.127) Was þer neuere no knyȝt · but clergie hym made
W12.125 (KD12.128) Ac kynde wit comeþ · of alle kynnes siȝtes
W12.126 (KD12.129) Of briddes and of beestes · of tastes of truþe and of deceites

W12.127 (KD12.130) Lyueris toforn vs · vseden to marke
W12.128 (KD12.131) For selkouþes þat þei seiȝen · hir sones for to teche
W12.129 (KD12.132) And helden it an heiȝ science · hir wittes to knowe
W12.130 (KD12.133) Ac þoruȝ hir science708 sooþly · was neuere no soule ysaued
W12.131 (KD12.134) Ne broȝt by hir bokes · to blisse ne to ioye
W12.132 (KD12.135) For alle hir kynde knowynges come · but of diuerse siȝtes

W12.133 (KD12.136) Patriarkes and prophetes · repreueden hir science
W12.134 (KD12.137) And seiden hir wordes and hir wisdomes · nas but a folye
W12.135 (KD12.138) And709 to þe clergie of crist · counted it but a trufle
W12.136 (KD12.138α)Sapiencia huius mundi stulticia est apud deum           710(n)

W12.137 (KD12.139) For þe heiȝe holy goost · heuene shal to-cleue
W12.138 (KD12.140) And loue shal lepen out after · in-to þe711 lowe erþe
W12.139 (KD12.141) And clennesse shal cacchen it · and clerkes shullen it fynde
W12.140 (KD12.142)Pastores loquebantur adinuicem/ad inuicem

W12.141 (KD12.143) He spekeþ þere of riche men riȝt noȝt · ne of riȝt witty
W12.142 (KD12.144) Ne of lordes þat were lewed men · but of þe hyeste lettred oute
W12.143 (KD12.144α)Ibant magi ab oriente

W12.144 (KD12.145) If any frere were founde þere · I ȝyue þee fyue shillynges
W12.145 (KD12.146) Ne in none burgeises712 cote · was þat barn born

W12.146 (KD12.147) But in a Burgeises place · of Bethlem þe beste
W12.147 (KD12.147α)Set non erat ei locus in diuersorio · et pauper non habet diuersorium713

W12.148 (KD12.148) To pastours and to poetes · appered þe Aungel
W12.149 (KD12.149) And bad hem go to Bethlem · goddes burþe to honoure
W12.150 (KD12.150) And songe a song of solas · Gloria in excelsis deo

W12.151 (KD12.153) Clerkes knewen it wel · and comen wiþ hir presentz
W12.152 (KD12.154) And diden homage honurably · to hym þat was almyȝty

W12.153 (KD12.155) Why I haue told al þis · I took ful good hede
W12.154 (KD12.156) How þow contrariedest clergie · wiþ crabbede wordes
W12.155 (KD12.157) How þat lewed men liȝtloker · þan lettrede were saued
W12.156 (KD12.158) Than clerkes or kynde witted men · of cristene peple
W12.157 (KD12.159) And þow seidest sooþ of somme · ac se in what manere

W12.158 (KD12.160) Tak two stronge men · and in Themese cast hem           714(n)
W12.159 (KD12.161) And boþe naked as a nedle · hir noon sikerer þan ooþer           715(n)
W12.160 (KD12.162) That oon haþ konnynge and kan · swymmen and dyuen           716(n)
W12.161 (KD12.163) That ooþer is lewed of þat labour · þat717 lerned neuere swymme           718(n)
W12.162 (KD12.164) Which trowestow of þo two · þat719 is in moost drede           720(n)
W12.163 (KD12.165) He þat neuere ne dyued · ne noȝt kan of swymmyng           721(n)
W12.164 (KD12.166) Or þe swymmere þat is saaf · by so hym-self like           722(n)
W12.165 (KD12.167) Ther his felawe fleteþ forþ · as þe flood likeþ           723(n)
W12.166 (KD12.168) And is in drede to drenche · þat neuere dide swymme           724(n)

W12.167 (KD12.169)That swymme kan noȝt I seide · it semeþ to my wittes

W12.168 (KD12.170) Right so quod þe renk · Reson it sheweþ
W12.169 (KD12.171) That he þat knoweþ clergie · kan sonner arise           725(n)
W12.170 (KD12.172) Out of synne and be saaf · þouȝ he synne ofte           726(n)
W12.171 (KD12.173) If hym likeþ and lest · þan any lewed leelly           727(n)
W12.172 (KD12.174) For if þe clerk be konnynge · he knoweþ what is synne           728(n)

W12.173 (KD12.175) And how contricion wiþ-oute confession · conforteþ þe soule           729(n)
W12.174 (KD12.176) As þow seest in þe Sauter · in Salmes oon or tweyne           730(n)
W12.175 (KD12.177) How contricion is comended · for it cacheþ awey synne           731(n)

W12.176 (KD12.177α)Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates · & quorum tecta sunt &c

W12.177 (KD12.178) And þis conforteþ ech a clerk · and couereþ hym fro wanhope
W12.178 (KD12.179) In which flood þe fend · fondeþ a man hardest
W12.179 (KD12.180) Ther þe lewed liþ stille · and lokeþ after lente
W12.180 (KD12.181) And haþ no contricion er he come to shrifte · & þanne kan he litel telle
W12.181 (KD12.182) But as his lores-man lereþ hym · bileueþ and troweþ
W12.182 (KD12.183) And þat is after person or parissh preest · þe whiche ben732 par-auenture
W12.183 (KD12.184) Vnkonnynge to lere lewed men · as luc bereþ witnesse
W12.184 (KD12.185)Dum cecus ducit cecum &c

W12.185 (KD12.186) Wo was hym marked · þat wade moot wiþ þe lewed
W12.186 (KD12.187) Wel may þe barn blesse þat man733 · þat hym to book sette           734(n)
W12.187 (KD12.188) That lyuynge after lettrure · saueþ hym lif and soule           735(n)
W12.188 (KD12.189)Dominus pars hereditatis mee · is a murye verset
W12.189 (KD12.190) That haþ take fro Tybourne · twenty stronge þeues
W12.190 (KD12.191) Ther lewed þeues ben lolled vp · loke how þei be saued

W12.191 (KD12.192) The þef þat hadde grace of god · on goodfryday/good fryday as þow spekest
W12.192 (KD12.193) Was for he yald hym creaunt · to crist on þe cros · & knewliched hym gilty
W12.193 (KD12.194) And grace asked of god · þat to graunten it is redy736
W12.194 (KD12.195) To hem þat737 buxomliche biddeþ it · and ben in wille to amenden hem
W12.195 (KD12.196) Ac þouȝ þat þeef hadde heuene · he hadde noon heiȝ blisse
W12.196 (KD12.197) As Seint Iohan and oþere Seintes · þat deserued hadde bettre

W12.197 (KD12.198) Riȝt as som man yeue me mete · and amydde þe floor sette me738           739(n)
W12.198 (KD12.199) And740 hadde mete moore þan ynouȝ · ac noȝt so muche worshipe           741(n)
W12.199 (KD12.200) As þo þat seten at þe syde-table · or wiþ þe souereynes of þe halle           742(n)
W12.200 (KD12.201) But sete as a beggere bordlees · by my-self on þe grounde           743(n)
W12.201 (KD12.202) So it fareþ by þat felon · þat a good friday was saued           744(n)

fol.71r

W12.202 (KD12.203)He sit neiþer wiþ Seint Iohan · Symond ne Iude           745(n)
W12.203 (KD12.204) Ne wiþ maydenes ne with martires · Confessours ne wydewes           746(n)
W12.204 (KD12.205) But by hym-self as a soleyn · and serued on erþe           747(n)
W12.205 (KD12.206) For he þat is ones a þef · is euere-moore in daunger           748(n)
W12.206 (KD12.207) And as lawe likeþ · to lyue or to deye           749(n)
W12.207 (KD12.207α)De peccato propiciato · noli esse sine metu
W12.208 (KD12.208) And for to seruen a seint · and swich a þef togideres
W12.209 (KD12.209) It were neiþer reson ne riȝt · to rewarde hem boþe yliche
W12.210 (KD12.210) And riȝt as Troianus þe trewe knyȝt · dwelte noȝt depe in helle
W12.211 (KD12.211) That oure lord ne hadde hym liȝtly out · so leue I þe þef be in heuene
W12.212 (KD12.212) For he is in þe loweste of heuene · if oure bileue be trewe
W12.213 (KD12.213) And wel loselly he lolleþ þere · by þe lawe of holy chirche
W12.214 (KD12.213α)Qui reddit vnicuique iuxta opera sua &c

W12.215 (KD12.214) And why þat oon þeef on þe cros · creaunt hym yald
W12.216 (KD12.215) Raþer þan þat ooþer þeef · þouȝ þow woldest appose
W12.217 (KD12.216) Alle þe clerkes vnder crist · ne kouþe þe skile assoille
W12.218 (KD12.216α)Quare placuit quia voluit

W12.219 (KD12.217) And so I seye by þee · þat sekest after þe whyes
W12.220 (KD12.218) And a-resonedest Reson · a rebukynge as it were
W12.221 (KD12.221) And of þe floures in þe Fryth · and of hire faire hewes
W12.222 (KD12.222) Wher-of þei cacche hir colours · so clere and so briȝte
W12.223 (KD12.219) And willest of briddes & of beestes · and of hir bredyng to knowe
W12.224 (KD12.220) Why some be alouȝ & some aloft · þi likyng it were
W12.225 (KD12.223) And of þe stones and of þe sterres · þow studiest as I leue
W12.226 (KD12.224) How euere beest ouþer brid · haþ so breme wittes

W12.227 (KD12.225) Clergie ne kynde wit · ne knew neuere þe cause
W12.228 (KD12.226) Ac kynde knoweþ þe cause hym-self · and no creature ellis
W12.229 (KD12.227) He is þe pies patron · and putteþ it in hir ere
W12.230 (KD12.228) There750 þe þorn is þikkest · to buylden and brede
W12.231 (KD12.229) And kynde kenned þe pecok · to cauken in swich a kynde

fol.71v

W12.232 (KD12.230) And kenned Adam ·751(c) to knowe hise pryue membres
W12.233 (KD12.231) And tauȝte hym and Eue · to helien hem wiþ leues
W12.234 (KD12.232) Lewed men many tymes · maistres þei apposen
W12.235 (KD12.233) Why Adam ne hiled noȝt first · his mouþ þat eet þe Appul
W12.236 (KD12.234) Raþer þan his likame alogh · lewed asken þus clerkes

W12.237 (KD12.235) Kynde knoweþ whi he dide so · ac no clerk ellis
W12.238 (KD12.236) Ac of briddes and of beestes · men by olde tyme
W12.239 (KD12.237) Ensamples token and termes · as telleþ þe poetes
W12.240 (KD12.238) And þat þe faireste fowel · foulest engendreþ
W12.241 (KD12.239) And feblest fowel of fliȝt is · þat fleeþ or swymmeþ
W12.242 (KD12.240-241) And þat þe pecok & þe Pehen · proude riche men bitokneþ           752(n)
W12.243 (KD12.242-243) For þe Pecok and men pursue hym · may noȝt flee heiȝe           753(n)
W12.244 (KD12.244) For þe trailynge of his tail · ouer-taken is he soone           754(n)
W12.245 (KD12.245) And his flessh is foul flessh · and his feet boþe           755(n)
W12.246 (KD12.246) And vnlouelich of ledene · and looþ for to here

W12.247 (KD12.247) Right so þe riche · if he his richesse kepe           756(n)
W12.248 (KD12.248) And deleþ it noȝt til his deeþ-day · þe tail of alle sorwe           757(n)
W12.249 (KD12.249) Riȝt so as þe pennes of þe pecok · peyneþ hym in his fliȝt           758(n)
W12.250 (KD12.250) So is possession peyne · of pens and of nobles           759(n)
W12.251 (KD12.251) To alle hem þat it holdeþ · til hir tail be plukked           760(n)

W12.252 (KD12.252) And þouȝ þe riche repente þanne · and birewe þe tyme
W12.253 (KD12.253) That euere he gadered so grete · and gaf þer-of so litel
W12.254 (KD12.254) Thouȝ he crye to crist þanne · wiþ kene wil I leue
W12.255 (KD12.255) His ledene be in oure lordes ere · lik a pies chiteryng
W12.256 (KD12.256) And whan his caroyne shal come · in caue to be buryed
W12.257 (KD12.257) I leue it flawme ful foule · þe fold al aboute
W12.258 (KD12.258) And alle þe oþere þer it lith · enuenymeþ þoruȝ his attre

W12.259 (KD12.259) By þe po feet is vnderstande · as I haue lerned in Auynet
W12.260 (KD12.260) Executours false frendes · þat fulfille noȝt his wille

fol.72r

W12.261 (KD12.261) That was writen and þei witnesse · to werche riȝt as it wolde
W12.262 (KD12.262) Thus þe Poete preueþ · þat þe pecok · for hise feþeres is reuerenced           761(n)
W12.263 (KD12.263) Riȝt so is þe riche · by reson of hise goodes           762(n)
W12.264 (KD12.264) The larke þat is a lasse fowel · is moore louelich of ledene           763(n)
W12.265 (KD12.265) And wel a-wey of wynge · swifter þan þe Pecok           764(n)
W12.266 (KD12.266) And of flessh by fele fold · fatter and swetter           765(n)
W12.267 (KD12.267) To lowe libbynge men · þe larke is resembled           766(n)

W12.268 (KD12.268) Aristotle þe grete clerk · swiche tales he telleþ
W12.269 (KD12.269) Thus he likneþ in his logik · þe leeste fowel oute
W12.270 (KD12.270) And wheiþer he be saaf or noȝt saaf · þe soþe woot no clergie
W12.271 (KD12.271) Ne of Sortes ne of Salomon · no scripture kan telle
W12.272 (KD12.272) Ac god is so good I hope · þat siþþe he gaf hem wittes
W12.273 (KD12.273) To wissen vs weyes þer-wiþ · þat wissen vs to be saued
W12.274 (KD12.274) And þe bettre for hir bokes · to bidden we ben holden
W12.275 (KD12.275) That god for his grace · gyue hir soules reste
W12.276 (KD12.276) For lettred men were lewed men yet · ne were loore of hir bokes

W12.277 (KD12.277) Alle þise clerkes quod I þo · þat in767 crist leuen
W12.278 (KD12.278) Seyen in hir Sermons · þat neiþer Sarsens ne Iewes
W12.279 (KD12.279) Ne no creature of cristes liknesse · with-outen cristendom worþ saued

W12.280 (KD12.280) Contra quod ymaginatif þoo · and comsed for to loure
W12.281 (KD12.281) And seide Saluabitur vix Iustus in die Iudicij
W12.282 (KD12.282)Ergo saluabitur quod he · and seide namoore latyn

W12.283 (KD12.283) Troianus was a trewe knyght · and took neuere cristendom
W12.284 (KD12.284) And he is saaf so seiþ þe book · and his soule in heuene
W12.285 (KD12.285) For þer is fullynge of Font · and fullynge in blood shedyng
W12.286 (KD12.286) And þoruȝ fir is fullyng · and þat is ferme bileue
W12.287 (KD12.286α)Aduenit ignis diuinus non comburens set illuminans &c

W12.288 (KD12.287) Ac truþe þat trespased neuere · ne trauersed ayeins his lawe

fol.72v

W12.289 (KD12.288) But lyueþ as his lawe techeþ · and leueþ þer be no bettre
W12.290 (KD12.289) And if þer were he wolde amende · and in swich wille deieþ
W12.291 (KD12.290) Ne wolde neuere trewe god · but truþe were allowed
W12.292 (KD12.291) And wheiþer768 it be worþ or noȝt worþ · þe bileue is gret of truþe
W12.293 (KD12.292) And an hope hangynge þer-Inne · to haue a mede for his truþe
W12.294 (KD12.293) For Deus dicitur quasidansvitam eternam · suis · hoc est fidelibus
W12.295 (KD12.293α)Et alibi · si ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis

W12.296 (KD12.294) The glose graunteþ vp-on þat vers · a greet mede to truþe
W12.297 (KD12.295) And wit and wisdom quod þat wye · was som-tyme tresor
W12.298 (KD12.296) To kepe wiþ a commune · no catel was holde bettre
W12.299 (KD12.297) And muche murþe and manhod · and riȝt wiþ þat he vanysshed

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