Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)

Passus 5

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Passus quintus de visione vt supra

W5.1 (KD5.1)The kyng and hise knyȝtes · to þe kirke wente
W5.2 (KD5.2) To here matyns of þe day · and þe masse after
W5.3 (KD5.3) Thanne waked I of my wynkyng · and wo was with-alle
W5.4 (KD5.4) That I ne hadde slept sadder · and yseiȝen moore
W5.5 (KD5.5) Ac er I hadde faren a furlong · feyntise me hente
W5.6 (KD5.6) That I ne myȝte ferþer a foot · for defaute of slepynge
W5.7 (KD5.7) And sat softely adoun · and seide my bileue
W5.8 (KD5.8) And so I bablede on my bedes · þei brouȝte me aslepe
W5.9 (KD5.9) And þanne sauȝ I muche moore · þan I bifore of tolde
W5.10 (KD5.10) For I seiȝ þe feld ful of folk · þat I bifore of seide
W5.11 (KD5.11) And how Reson gan arayen hym · al þe Reaume to preche
W5.12 (KD5.12) And wiþ a cros afore þe kyng · comsede þus to techen

W5.13 (KD5.13)¶ He preued þat þise pestilences · were for pure synne
W5.14 (KD5.14) And þe Southwestrene wynd · on Saterday at euen
W5.15 (KD5.15) Was pertliche for pure pride · and for no point ellis
W5.16 (KD5.16) Pyries and Plumtrees · were puffed to þe erþe
W5.17 (KD5.17) In ensample þat ye segges · sholden do þe bettre
W5.18 (KD5.18) Beches and brode okes · were blowen to þe grounde

fol.23v

W5.19 (KD5.19) Turned vpward hire tailes · in tokenynge of drede
W5.20 (KD5.20) That dedly synne er domes-day · shal for-doon hem alle
W5.21 (KD5.21)¶ Of þis matere I myȝte · mamelen ful longe
W5.22 (KD5.22) Ac I shal seye as I sauȝ · so me god helpe
W5.23 (KD5.23) How pertly afore þe peple · Reson bigan to preche

W5.24 (KD5.24)¶ He bad wastour go werche · what he best kouþe
W5.25 (KD5.25) And wynnen his wastyng · wiþ som maner crafte

W5.26 (KD5.26)¶ He preide Pernele · hir purfil to lete
W5.27 (KD5.27) And kepe it in hire cofre · for catel at hire nede

W5.28 (KD5.28)¶ Tomme Stowue he tauȝte · to take two staues
W5.29 (KD5.29) And fecche Felice hom · fro þe wyuen pyne

W5.30 (KD5.30)¶ He warnede watte · his wif was to blame
W5.31 (KD5.31) For hire heed was worþ half marc · & his hood noȝt worþ a grote115(c)
W5.32 (KD5.32) And bad Bette kutte · a bouȝ ouþer tweye
W5.33 (KD5.33) And bete Beton þer-with · but if she wolde werche

W5.34 (KD5.34)¶ And þanne he chargede Chapmen · to chastizen hir children
W5.35 (KD5.35) Late no wynnyng hem forwanye · while þei be yonge
W5.36 (KD5.36) Ne for no poustee of pestilence · plese hem noȝt out of reson
W5.37 (KD5.37) My sire seide so to me · and so dide my dame
W5.38 (KD5.38) That þe leuere child · þe moore loore bihoueþ
W5.39 (KD5.39) And Salomon seide þe same · þat Sapience made

W5.40 (KD5.39α)Qui parcit virge odit filium
W5.41 (KD5.39α.1) The englissh of þis latyn is · who-so wole it knowe
W5.42 (KD5.40) Who-so spareþ þe spryng · spilleþ hise children

W5.43 (KD5.41)¶ And siþen he prechede116 prelates · and preestes togideres
W5.44 (KD5.42) That ye prechen to þe peple · preue it on yow-selue

fol.24r

W5.45 (KD5.43) And dooþ it in dede · it shal drawe yow to goode
W5.46 (KD5.44) If ye leuen as ye leren vs · we shul leue yow þe bettre
W5.47 (KD5.45)¶ And siþen he radde Religion · hir rule to holde
W5.48 (KD5.46) Lest þe kyng and his conseil · youre comunes apeire117(c)
W5.49 (KD5.47) And be Stywardes of youre stedes · til ye be ruled bettre

W5.50 (KD5.48)¶ And siþen he counseiled þe kyng · his commune to louye
W5.51 (KD5.49) It is þi trewe tresor118 · and tryacle at þy nede

W5.52 (KD5.50)¶ And siþen he preide þe pope · haue pite on holy chirche
W5.53 (KD5.51) And er he gyue any grace · gouerne first hym-selue

W5.54 (KD5.52)¶ And ye þat han lawes to kepe · lat truþe be youre coueitise           119(n)
W5.55 (KD5.53) Moore þan gold ouþer giftes · if ye wol god plese           120(n)
W5.56 (KD5.54) For who-so contrarieþ truþe · he telleþ in þe gospel
W5.57 (KD5.54.1) That god knoweþ hym noȝt · ne no Seynt of heuene
W5.58 (KD5.55)Amen dico vobis · nescio vos

W5.59 (KD5.56)¶ And ye þat seke Seynt Iames · and Seyntes of Rome
W5.60 (KD5.57) Sekeþ Seynt Truþe · for he may saue yow alle
W5.61 (KD5.58)Qui cum patre & filio · þat faire hem bifalle
W5.62 (KD5.59) That seweþ my sermon · and þus seyde Resoun

W5.63 (KD5.60)¶ Thanne ran Repentaunce · and reherced his teme
W5.64 (KD5.61) And garte wille to wepe · water wiþ hise eiȝen

W5.65 (KD5.62)121(c)¶ Pernele proudherte · platte hire to þe erþe
W5.66 (KD5.63) And lay longe er she loked · and lord mercy cryde
W5.67 (KD5.64) And bihiȝte to hym · þat vs alle made
W5.68 (KD5.65) She sholde vnsowen hir serk · and sette þere an heyre
W5.69 (KD5.66) To affaiten hire flessh · þat fiers was to synne
W5.70 (KD5.67) Shal neuere heiȝ herte me hente · but holde I wole122 me lowe

W5.71 (KD5.68)¶ And suffre to be mysseyd · and so dide I neuere
W5.72 (KD5.69) But now I wole123 meke me · and mercy biseche
W5.73 (KD5.70) For al þis I haue · hated in myn herte

W5.74 (KD5.71)124(c)¶ Thanne lechour seide allas · and on oure lady he cryde
W5.75 (KD5.72) To maken mercy for hise mysdedes · bitwene god and his soule
W5.76 (KD5.73) Wiþ þat he sholde þe Saterday · seuen yer þer-after
W5.77 (KD5.74) Drynke but myd þe doke · and dyne but ones

W5.78 (KD5.75)125(c)¶ Enuye wiþ heuy herte · asked after shrifte
W5.79 (KD5.76) And carefully mea culpa · he comsed to shewe
W5.80 (KD5.77) He was as pale as a pelet · in þe palsy he semed
W5.81 (KD5.78) And cloþed in a kaurymaury · I kouþe it nouȝt discryue
W5.82 (KD5.79) In kirtel and Courtepy · and a knyf by his syde
W5.83 (KD5.80) Of a Freres frokke · were þe foresleues
W5.84 (KD5.81) And as a leek þat hadde yleye · longe in þe sonne
W5.85 (KD5.82) So loked he wiþ lene chekes · lourynge foule

W5.86 (KD5.83)¶ His body was to-bollen for wraþe · þat he boot hise lippes
W5.87 (KD5.84) And wryngynge he yede with þe fust · to wreke hym-self he þouȝte
W5.88 (KD5.85) With werkes or wiþ wordes · whan he seyȝe his tyme
W5.89 (KD5.86) Ech a word þat he warp · was of a Neddres tonge
W5.90 (KD5.87) Of chidynge and of chalangynge · was his chief liflode
W5.91 (KD5.88) Wiþ bakbitynge and bismere · and berynge of fals witnesse126

W5.92 (KD5.90)¶ I wolde ben yshryue quod þis sherewe · and I for shame dorste
W5.93 (KD5.91) I wolde be gladder by god · þat Gybbe hadde meschaunce
W5.94 (KD5.92) Than þouȝ I hadde þis wouke ywonne · a weye of Essex chese

W5.95 (KD5.93)¶ I haue a neȝebore by me · I haue anoyed hym ofte
W5.96 (KD5.96) And lowen on hym to lordes · to doon hym lese his siluer
W5.97 (KD5.97) And maad his frendes be his foon · þoruȝ my false tonge
W5.98 (KD5.98) His grace and his goode happes · greuen me ful soore

Bitwene manye
W5.99 (KD5.99)¶ Bitwene manye and manye · I make debate ofte           127(n)
W5.100 (KD5.100) That boþe lif and lyme · is lost þoruȝ my speche
W5.101 (KD5.101) And whan I mete hym in Market · þat I moost hate
W5.102 (KD5.102) I hailse hym hendely · as I his frend were
W5.103 (KD5.103) For he is douȝtier þan I · I dar do noon ooþer
W5.104 (KD5.104) Ac hadde I maistrie and myȝt · god woot my wille

W5.105 (KD5.105)¶ And whan I come to þe kirk · and sholde knele to þe Roode
W5.106 (KD5.106) And preye for þe peple · as þe preest techeþ
W5.107 (KD5.107) For Pilgrymes and for Palmeres · for al þe peple after
W5.108 (KD5.108) Thanne I crye on my knees · þat crist ȝyue hem sorwe
W5.109 (KD5.109) That beren128 awey my bolle · and my broke shete

W5.110 (KD5.110)¶ Awey fro þe Auter þanne · turne I myne eiȝen
W5.111 (KD5.111) And biholde129 Eleyne · haþ a newe cote
W5.112 (KD5.112) I wisshe þanne it were myn · and al þe web after

W5.113 (KD5.113)¶ And of mennes lesynge130(c) I lauȝe · þat likeþ myn herte
W5.114 (KD5.114) And for hir wynnynge I wepe · and waille þe tyme
W5.115 (KD5.115) And deme þat þei doon ille · þere I do wel werse           131(n)
W5.116 (KD5.116) Who-so vndernymeþ me her-of · I hate hym dedly after
W5.117 (KD5.117) I wolde þat ech a wight · were my knaue
W5.118 (KD5.118) For who-so haþ moore þan I · þat angreþ me soore
W5.119 (KD5.119) And þus I lyue louelees · lik a luþer dogge
W5.120 (KD5.120) That al my body bolneþ · for bitter of my galle

W5.121 (KD5.121)¶ I myȝte noȝt ete many yeres · as a man ouȝte
W5.122 (KD5.122) For enuye and yuel wil · is yuel to defie
W5.123 (KD5.123) May no sugre ne swete þyng · aswage my swellyng
W5.124 (KD5.124) Ne no Diapenidion · dryue it fro myn herte
W5.125 (KD5.125) Ne neiþer shrifte ne shame · but who-so shrape my mawe

W5.126 (KD5.126)¶ Ȝis redily quod Repentaunce · and radde hym to þe beste
W5.127 (KD5.127) Sorwe of synnes · is sauacion of soules

W5.128 (KD5.128)¶ I am sory quod þat segge · I am but selde ooþer
W5.129 (KD5.129) And þat makeþ me þus megre · for I ne may me venge

W5.130 (KD5.130)¶ Amonges Burgeises haue I be · dwellyng at Londoun
W5.131 (KD5.131) And gart bakbityng be a brocour · to blame mennes ware
W5.132 (KD5.132) Whan he solde and I nouȝt · þanne was I redy
W5.133 (KD5.133) To lye and to loure on my neȝebore · and to lakke his chaffare
W5.134 (KD5.134) I wole amende þis if I may · þoruȝ myȝt of god almyȝty

W5.135 (KD5.135)132(c)¶ Now awakeþ Wraþe · wiþ two white eiȝen           133(n)
W5.136 (KD5.136) And neuelynge wiþ þe nose · and his nekke hangyng

W5.137 (KD5.137)¶ I am wraþe quod he · I was som-tyme a frere
W5.138 (KD5.138) And þe Couentes Gardyner · for to graffen Impes
W5.139 (KD5.139) On lymitours and listres · lesynges I ymped
W5.140 (KD5.140) Til þei beere leues of lowe speche · lordes to plese
W5.141 (KD5.141) And siþen þei blosmede abrood · in boure to here shriftes
W5.142 (KD5.142) And now is fallen þer-of a fruyt · þat folk han wel leuere
W5.143 (KD5.143) Shewen hire shriftes to hem · þan shryue hem to hir persons

W5.144 (KD5.144)¶ And now persons han parceyued · þat freres parte wiþ hem
W5.145 (KD5.145) Thise possessioners preche · and depraue freres

W5.146 (KD5.146)¶ And freres fyndeþ hem in defaute · as folk bereþ witnesse
W5.147 (KD5.147) That whan þei preche þe peple · in many places aboute
W5.148 (KD5.148) I wraþe walke wiþ hem · and wisse hem of my bokes
W5.149 (KD5.149) Thus þei speken of my spiritualte · þat eiþer despiseþ ooþer
W5.150 (KD5.150) Til þei be boþe beggers · and by my spiritualte libben
W5.151 (KD5.151) Or ellis al riche · and ryden aboute
W5.152 (KD5.151-152) I wraþe reste neuere · þat I ne moste folwe
W5.153 (KD5.152) This wikked folk · for swich is my grace

W5.154 (KD5.153)¶ I haue an Aunte to Nonne · and an Abbesse boþe
W5.155 (KD5.154) Hir hadde leuere swowe or swelte · þan suffre any peyne

fol.26r

W5.156 (KD5.155)¶ I haue be cook in hir kichene · and þe Couent serued
W5.157 (KD5.156) Manye Monþes wiþ hem · and wiþ Monkes boþe
W5.158 (KD5.157) I was þe Prioresse potager · and oþere pouere ladies
W5.159 (KD5.158) And maad hem Ioutes of Ianglyng · þat dame Iohane was a bastard
W5.160 (KD5.159) And Dame Clarice a knyȝtes douȝter · ac a cokewold was hir sire
W5.161 (KD5.160) And Dame Pernele a preestes fyle · Prioresse worþ she neuere
W5.162 (KD5.161) For she hadde child in chirietyme · al oure Chapitre it wiste
W5.163 (KD5.162)¶ Of wikkede wordes · I wraþe hire wortes made
W5.164 (KD5.163) Til þow lixt and þow lixt · lopen out at ones
W5.165 (KD5.164) And eiþerhit[t]e134 ooþer · vnder þe cheke
W5.166 (KD5.165) Hadde þei had knyues by crist · hir eiþer hadde kild ooþer

W5.167 (KD5.166)¶ Seint Gregory was a good pope · and hadde a good forwit
W5.168 (KD5.167) That no Prioresse were preest · for þat he ordeyned
W5.169 (KD5.168) They hadde þanne ben Infamis þe firste day · þei kan so yuele hele co[unseil]135

W5.170 (KD5.169)¶ Among Monkes I myȝte be · ac many tyme I shonye it136
W5.171 (KD5.170) For þere ben manye felle frekes · my feeris to aspie
W5.172 (KD5.171) Boþe Priour and Suppriour · and oure Pater Abbas
W5.173 (KD5.172) And if I telle any tales · þei taken hem togideres
W5.174 (KD5.173) And doon me faste frydayes · to breed and to watre
W5.175 (KD5.174) And am chalanged in þe Chapitre-hous · as I a child were
W5.176 (KD5.175) And baleised on þe bare ers · and no brech bitwene
W5.177 (KD5.176) For-þi haue I no likyng · wiþ þo leodes to wonye
W5.178 (KD5.177) I ete þere vnþende fissh · and feble ale drynke
W5.179 (KD5.178) Ac ouþer while whan wyn comeþ · þanne137 I drynke wyn at eue
W5.180 (KD5.179) And138 haue a flux of a foul mouþ · wel fyue dayes after
W5.181 (KD5.180) Al þe wikkednesse þat I woot · by any of oure breþeren
W5.182 (KD5.181) I couþe it in oure Cloistre · þat al oure Couent woot it

W5.183 (KD5.182)¶ Now repente þee quod Repentaunce · and reherce þow neuere
W5.184 (KD5.183) Counseil þat þow knowest · by contenaunce ne by riȝt
W5.185 (KD5.184) And drynk nat ouer-delicatly · ne to depe neiþer           139(n)

fol.26v

W5.186 (KD5.185)That þi wille by cause þer-of · to wraþe myȝte turne           140(n)
W5.187 (KD5.186)Esto sobrius he seide · and assoiled me after
W5.188 (KD5.187) And bad me wilne to wepe · my wikkednesse to amende
W5.189 (KD5.188)141(c)¶ And þanne cam Coueitise · kan I hym naȝt discryue
W5.190 (KD5.189) So hungrily and holwe · sire heruy hym loked
W5.191 (KD5.190) He was bitelbrowed · and baberlipped also
W5.192 (KD5.190) Wiþ two blered eiȝen · as a blynd hagge
W5.193 (KD5.191) And as a leþeren purs · lolled hise chekes
W5.194 (KD5.192) Wel sidder þan his chyn · þei chyueled for elde
W5.195 (KD5.193) And as a bonde-man of his bacon · his berd was bidraueled
W5.196 (KD5.194) Wiþ an hood on his heed · a lousy hat aboue
W5.197 (KD5.195) And in a tawny tabard · of twelf wynter age
W5.198 (KD5.195.1) Al to-torn and baudy · and ful of lys crepyng
W5.199 (KD5.196) But if þat a lous couþe · han lopen þe bettre           142(n)
W5.200 (KD5.197) She sholde noȝt han walked on þat welþe · so was it þredbare           143(n)

W5.201 (KD5.198)¶ I haue ben coueitous quod þis caytif · I biknowe it here
W5.202 (KD5.199) For som-tyme I serued · Symme atte Style
W5.203 (KD5.200) And was his prentice ypliȝt · his profit to wayte

W5.204 (KD5.201)¶ First I lerned to lye · a leef ouþer tweyne           144(n)
W5.205 (KD5.202) Wikkedly to weye · was my firste lesson           145(n)
W5.206 (KD5.203) To wy and to wynchestre · I wente to þe Feyre
W5.207 (KD5.204) Wiþ many manere marchaundise · as my maister me hiȝte
W5.208 (KD5.205) Ne hadde þe grace of gyle ygo · amonges my chaffare
W5.209 (KD5.206) It hadde ben vnsold þis seuen yer · so me god helpe

W5.210 (KD5.207)¶ Thanne drouȝ I me among drapiers · my donet to lerne
W5.211 (KD5.208) To drawe þe liser along · þe lenger it semed
W5.212 (KD5.209) Among þe riche Rayes · I rendred a lesson
W5.213 (KD5.210) To broche hem wiþ a paknedle · and playte146 hem togideres
W5.214 (KD5.211) And putte hem in a presse · and pyne147 hem þer-Inne
W5.215 (KD5.212) Til ten yerdes or twelue · hadde tolled out þrittene

W5.216 (KD5.213)¶ My wif was a webbe · and wollen cloþ made
W5.217 (KD5.214) She spak to Spynnesteres · to spynnen it oute
W5.218 (KD5.215) Ac þe pound þat she paied by · peised a quartron moore
W5.219 (KD5.216) Than myn owene Auncer · who-so weyed truþe

W5.220 (KD5.217)¶ I bouȝte hire barly malt · she brew it to selle
W5.221 (KD5.218) Peny ale and puddyng ale · she poured togideres
W5.222 (KD5.219) For laborers and for lowe folk · þat lay by hym-selue

W5.223 (KD5.220)¶ The beste ale lay in my bour · or in my bedchambre
W5.224 (KD5.221) And who-so bummed þer-of · bouȝte it þer-after
W5.225 (KD5.222) A galon for a grote · god woot no lesse
W5.226 (KD5.223) And yet it cam In cuppemele · þis craft my wif vsed
W5.227 (KD5.224) Rose þe Regrater · was hir riȝte name
W5.228 (KD5.225) She haþ holden hukkerye · al hire lif-tyme
W5.229 (KD5.226) Ac I swere now so thee ik · þat synne wol I lete
W5.230 (KD5.227) And neuere wikkedly weye · ne wikke chaffare vse
W5.231 (KD5.228) But wenden to walsyngham · and my wif als
W5.232 (KD5.229) And bidde þe Roode of Bromholm · brynge me out of dette

W5.233 (KD5.230)¶ Repentedestow euere quod Repentaunce · or restitucion madest

W5.234 (KD5.231)¶ Ȝis ones I was yherberwed quod he · wiþ an heep of chapmen
W5.235 (KD5.232) I roos whan þei were areste · and riflede hire males

W5.236 (KD5.233)¶ That was no restitucion quod Repentaunce · but a robberis þefte
W5.237 (KD5.234) Thow haddest be þe148 bettre worþi · ben hanged þer-fore
W5.238 (KD5.234.1) Than for al þat · þat þow hast here shewed

W5.239 (KD5.235)¶ I wende riflynge were restitucion quod he · for I lerned neuere rede on boke
W5.240 (KD5.236) And I kan no frenssh in feiþ · but of þe ferþest ende of Northfolk

W5.241 (KD5.237)¶ Vsedestow euere vsurie quod Repentaunce · in al þi lif-tyme

fol.27v

W5.242 (KD5.238)Nay soþly he seide · saue in my youþe
W5.243 (KD5.239) I lerned among lumbardes · and Iewes a lesson
W5.244 (KD5.240) To weye pens wiþ a peis · and pare þe heuyeste
W5.245 (KD5.241) And lene it for loue of þe cros · to legge a wed and lese it
W5.246 (KD5.242) Swiche dedes I dide write · if he his day breke
W5.247 (KD5.243) I haue mo Manoirs þoruȝ Rerages · þan þoruȝ Miseretur & comodat
W5.248 (KD5.244)¶ I haue lent lordes · and ladies my chaffare
W5.249 (KD5.245) And ben hire brocour after · and bouȝt it my-selue
W5.250 (KD5.246) Eschaunges and cheuysaunces · wiþ swich chaffare I dele
W5.251 (KD5.247) And lene folk þat lese wole · a lippe at euery noble
W5.252 (KD5.248) And wiþ lumbardes lettres · I ladde gold to Rome
W5.253 (KD5.249) And took it by tale here · and tolde hem þere lasse

W5.254 (KD5.250)¶ Lentestow euere lordes · for loue of hire mayntenaunce

W5.255 (KD5.251)¶ Ye I haue lent to149 lordes · loued me neuere after           150(n)
W5.256 (KD5.252) And haue ymaad many a knyȝt · boþe Mercer and draper
W5.257 (KD5.253) That payed neuere for his prentishode · noȝt a peire gloues

W5.258 (KD5.254)¶ Hastow pite on pouere men · þat mote nedes borwe

W5.259 (KD5.255)¶ I haue as muche pite of pouere men · as pedlere haþ of cattes           151(n)
W5.260 (KD5.256) That wolde kille hem if he cacche hem myȝte · for coueitise of hir skynnes           152(n)

W5.261 (KD5.257)¶ Artow manlich among þi neȝebores · of þi mete and drynke

W5.262 (KD5.258)¶ I am holden quod he as hende · as hound is in kichene
W5.263 (KD5.259) Amonges my neȝebores namely · swich a name ich haue

W5.264 (KD5.260)¶ Now god lene þee neuere quod Repentaunce · bu[t] þow repente þe raþer
W5.265 (KD5.261) The grace on þis grounde · þi good wel to bisette
W5.266 (KD5.262) Ne þyne heires after þee · haue ioie of þat þow wynnest
W5.267 (KD5.263) Ne þyne executours wel bisette · þe siluer þat þow hem leuest

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W5.268 (KD5.264) And þat was wonne wiþ wrong · wiþ wikked men be despended           153(n)
W5.269 (KD5.265) For were I frere of þat hous · þer good feiþ and charite is
W5.270 (KD5.266) I nolde cope vs wiþ þi catel · ne oure kirk amende
W5.271 (KD5.267) Ne haue a peny to my pitaunce · so god my soule saue154
W5.272 (KD5.268) For þe beste book in oure hous · þeiȝ brent gold were þe leues
W5.273 (KD5.269) And I wiste witterly · þow were swich as þow tellest
W5.274 (KD5.269α)Seruus es alterius · dum155 fercula pinguia queris
W5.275 (KD5.269β)Pane tuo pocius · vescere · liber eris

W5.276 (KD5.270)¶ Thow art an vnkynde creature · I kan þee noȝt assoille
W5.277 (KD5.271) Til þow make restitucion · and rekene wiþ hem alle
W5.278 (KD5.272) And siþen þat Reson rolle it · in þe Registre of heuene
W5.279 (KD5.273) That þow hast maad ech man good · I may þee noȝt assoille

W5.280 (KD5.273α)Non dimittitur peccatum · donec restituatur oblatum

W5.281 (KD5.274) For alle þat han of þi good · haue god my trouþe
W5.282 (KD5.275) Ben holden at þe heiȝe doom · to helpe þee to restitue
W5.283 (KD5.276) And who-so leueþ noȝt þis be sooþ · loke in þe Sauter glose
W5.284 (KD5.277) In Miserere mei deus · wher I mene truþe
W5.285 (KD5.277α)Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti &c
W5.286 (KD5.277α.1) Shal neuere werkman in þis world · þryue with þat þow wynnest           156(n)
W5.287 (KD5.278)Cum sancto sanctus eris · construwe me þis on englissh

W5.288 (KD5.279)¶ Thanne weex þat sherewe in wanhope · & wolde han hanged hym[-selfe]157
W5.289 (KD5.280) Ne hadde repentaunce þe raþer · reconforted hym in þis manere

W5.290 (KD5.281)¶ Haue mercy in þi mynde · and wiþ þi mouþ biseche it
W5.291 (KD5.281.1) For goddes mercy is moore · þan alle hise oþere werkes
W5.292 (KD5.282) And al þe wikkednesse in þis world · þat man myȝte werche or þynke           158(n)
W5.293 (KD5.283) Nis namoore to þe mercy of god · þan in þe see a gleede           159(n)

W5.294 (KD5.283α)Omnis iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam dei · est quasi sintilla in medio ma[ris]160161(c)

W5.295 (KD5.284)¶ For-þi haue mercy in þy mynde · and marchaundise leue it
W5.296 (KD5.285) For þow hast no good ground · to gete þee wiþ a wastel
W5.297 (KD5.286) But if it were wiþ þi tonge · or ellis wiþ þi two hondes
W5.298 (KD5.287) For þe good þat þow hast geten · bigan al wiþ falshede           162(n)
W5.299 (KD5.288) And as longe as þow lyuest þer-with · þow yeldest noȝt but borwest

W5.300 (KD5.289)¶ And if þow wite neuere to whiche · ne whom to restitue
W5.301 (KD5.290) Ber it to þe Bisshop · and bid hym of his grace
W5.302 (KD5.291) Bisette it hym-self · as best is for þi soule
W5.303 (KD5.292) For he shal answere for þee · at þe heiȝe dome
W5.304 (KD5.293) For þee and for many mo · þat man shal yeue a rekenyng
W5.305 (KD5.294) What he lerned yow in lente · leue þow noon ooþer
W5.306 (KD5.295) And what he lente yow of oure lordes good · to lette yow fro synne

W5.307 (KD5.296)163(c)¶ Now bigynneþ Gloton · for to go to shrifte
W5.308 (KD5.297) And karieþ hym to kirkeward · his coupe to shewe
W5.309 (KD5.298) And Beton þe Brewestere · bad hym good morwe
W5.310 (KD5.299) And asked at164 hym wiþ þat · whiderward he wolde

W5.311 (KD5.300)¶ To holy chirche quod he · for to here masse
W5.312 (KD5.301) And siþen I wole be shryuen · and synne namoore

W5.313 (KD5.302)¶ I haue good Ale gossib quod she · Gloton woltow assaye

W5.314 (KD5.303)¶ Hastow ouȝt in þi purs quod he · any hote spices

W5.315 (KD5.304)¶ I haue pepir and piones quod she · and a pound of garleek
W5.316 (KD5.305) And a ferþyngworþ of fenel seed · for fastynge-dayes

W5.317 (KD5.306)¶ Thanne goþ Gloton In · and grete oþes after
W5.318 (KD5.307) Cesse þe Souteresse · sat on þe benche
W5.319 (KD5.308) Watte þe warner · and his wif boþe
W5.320 (KD5.309) Tymme þe Tynkere · and tweyne of his prentices
W5.321 (KD5.310) Hikke þe hakeneyman · and hugh þe Nedlere

fol.29r

W5.322 (KD5.311) Clarice of Cokkeslane · and þe Clerk of þe chirche
W5.323 (KD5.313) Dawe þe dykere · and a dozeyne oþere
W5.324 (KD5.312)¶ Sire Piers of Pridie · and Pernele of Flaundres
W5.325 (KD5.314) A Ribibour a Ratoner · a Rakiere of Chepe
W5.326 (KD5.315) A Ropere a Redyngkyng · and Rose þe dyssheres
W5.327 (KD5.316) Godefray of Garlekhiþe · and Griffyn þe walshe
W5.328 (KD5.317) And vpholderes an heep · erly by þe morwe
W5.329 (KD5.318) Geue Gloton wiþ glad chere · good ale to hanselle

W5.330 (KD5.319)¶ Clement þe Cobelere · caste of his cloke
W5.331 (KD5.320) And at þe newe feire · he nempned it to selle

W5.332 (KD5.321)¶ Hikke þe Hakeneyman · hitte his hood after
W5.333 (KD5.322) And bad Bette þe Bocher · ben on his syde

W5.334 (KD5.323)¶ Ther were chapmen ychose · þis chaffare to preise
W5.335 (KD5.324) That165 who-so hadde þe hood · sholde han amendes of þe cloke

W5.336 (KD5.325)¶ Two risen vp in Rape · and rouned togideres
W5.337 (KD5.326) And preised þise penyworþes · a-part by hem-selue
W5.338 (KD5.328) Thei kouþe noȝt by hir Conscience · acorden in truþe
W5.339 (KD5.329) Til Robyn þe Ropere · aroos by þe Southe
W5.340 (KD5.330) And nempned hym for a nounpere · þat no debat nere

W5.341 (KD5.331)¶ Hikke þe hostiler · hadde þe cloke
W5.342 (KD5.332) In couenaunt þat Clement · sholde þe cuppe fille
W5.343 (KD5.333) And haue Hikkes hood hostiler · and holden hym yserued
W5.344 (KD5.334) And who-so repented raþest · sholde aryse after
W5.345 (KD5.335) And greten sire Gloton · wiþ a Galon ale

W5.346 (KD5.336)¶ There was lauȝynge and lourynge · and lat go þe cuppe
W5.347 (KD5.338) And seten so til euensong · and songen vmwhile
W5.348 (KD5.339) Til Gloton hadde yglubbed · a galon and a gille

W5.349 (KD5.340)¶ Hise guttes bigonne to goþelen · as two gredy sowes
W5.350 (KD5.341) He pissed a potel · in a pater noster while
W5.351 (KD5.342) And blew his rounde ruwet · at his ruggebones ende
W5.352 (KD5.343) That alle þat herde þat horn · helde hir noses after
W5.353 (KD5.344) And wisshed it hadde ben wexed · wiþ a wispe of firses

W5.354 (KD5.345)¶ He myȝte neiþer steppe ne stonde · er he his staf hadde
W5.355 (KD5.346) And þanne gan he to go · lik a glemannes bicche           166(n)
W5.356 (KD5.347) Som-tyme aside · and som-tyme arere
W5.357 (KD5.348) As who-so leiþ lynes · for to lacche foweles

W5.358 (KD5.349)¶ And whan he drouȝ to þe dore · þanne dymmed hise eiȝen
W5.359 (KD5.350) He stumbled on þe þresshfold · and þrew to þe erþe
W5.360 (KD5.351) Clement þe Cobelere · kauȝte hym by þe myddel
W5.361 (KD5.352) For to liften hym olofte · and leyde hym on his knowes
W5.362 (KD5.353) Ac Gloton was a gret cherl · and a grym in þe liftyng
W5.363 (KD5.354) And kouȝed vp a cawdel · in Clementes lappe
W5.364 (KD5.355) Is noon so hungry hound · in hertford-shire
W5.365 (KD5.356) Dorste lape of þat leuynges · so vnlouely þei smauȝte

W5.366 (KD5.357)¶ Wiþ al þe wo of þis world · his wif and his wenche167(c)
W5.367 (KD5.358) Baren hym hom to his bed · and brouȝte hym þer-Inne
W5.368 (KD5.359) And after al þis excesse · he hadde an Accidie
W5.369 (KD5.360) That he sleep Saterday · and Sonday · til sonne yede to reste

W5.370 (KD5.361)¶ Thanne waked he of his wynkyng · and wiped hise eiȝen
W5.371 (KD5.362) The firste word þat he warp · was where is þe bolle
W5.372 (KD5.363) His wif gan edwyte hym þo · how wikkedly he lyuede
W5.373 (KD5.364) And Repentaunce riȝt so · rebuked hym þat tyme
W5.374 (KD5.365) As þow wiþ wordes & werkes · hast wroȝt yuele in þi lyue
W5.375 (KD5.366) Shryue þee and be shamed þer-of · and shewe it with þi mouþe

W5.376 (KD5.367)¶ I Gloton quod þe grom · gilty me yelde
W5.377 (KD5.368) That I haue trespased with my tonge · I kan noȝt telle how ofte
W5.378 (KD5.369) Sworen goddes soule · and so me god helpe168

fol.30r

W5.379 (KD5.370)There no nede was · nyne hundred tymes
W5.380 (KD5.371)¶ And ouerseyen me at my soper · and som-tyme at Nones
W5.381 (KD5.372) That I Gloton girte it vp · er I hadde gon a myle
W5.382 (KD5.373) And yspilt þat myȝte be spared · and spended on som hungry
W5.383 (KD5.374) Ouer-delicatly on fastyng-dayes · dronken and eten boþe
W5.384 (KD5.375) And sat som-tyme so longe þere · þat I sleep and eet at ones
W5.385 (KD5.376) For loue of tales in Tauernes · and for169 drynke · þe moore I dyned
W5.386 (KD5.377) And hyed to þe mete er noon · whan fastyng-dayes were

W5.387 (KD5.378)¶ This shewynge shrift quod Repentaunce · shal be meryt to þe

W5.388 (KD5.379)¶ And þanne gan Gloton greete · and gret doel to make
W5.389 (KD5.380) For his luþer lif · þat he lyued hadde
W5.390 (KD5.381) And auowed to faste · for hunger or for þurste
W5.391 (KD5.382) Shal neuere fyssh on Fryday · defyen in my wombe
W5.392 (KD5.383) Til Abstinence myn Aunte · haue ȝyue me leeue
W5.393 (KD5.384) And yet haue I hated hire · al my lif-tyme

W5.394 (KD5.385)170(c)¶ Thanne cam Sleuþe al bislabered · wiþ two slymy eiȝen
W5.395 (KD5.386) I moste sitte seide þe segge · or ellis sholde I nappe
W5.396 (KD5.387) I may noȝt stonde ne stoupe · ne wiþ-oute a stool knele
W5.397 (KD5.388) Were I brouȝt abedde · but if my tail-ende171 it made
W5.398 (KD5.389) Sholde no ryngynge do me ryse · er I were ripe to dyne
W5.399 (KD5.390) He bigan Benedicite with a bolk · and his brest knokked
W5.400 (KD5.391) And raxed and rored · and rutte at þe laste

W5.401 (KD5.392)¶ What awake renk quod Repentaunce · and rape þee to shryfte

W5.402 (KD5.393)¶ If I sholde deye bi þis day · me list nouȝt to loke
W5.403 (KD5.394) I kan noȝt parfitly my Pater noster · as þe preest it syngeþ
W5.404 (KD5.395) But I kan rymes of Robyn hood · and Randolf Erl of Chestre
W5.405 (KD5.396) Ac neiþer of oure lord ne of oure lady · þe leeste þat euere was maked

W5.406 (KD5.397)¶ I haue maad auowes fourty · and foryete hem on þe morwe
W5.407 (KD5.398) I parfournede neuere penaunce · as þe preest me hiȝte
W5.408 (KD5.399) Ne riȝt sory for my synnes · yet was I neuere
W5.409 (KD5.400) And if I bidde any bedes · but if it be in wraþe
W5.410 (KD5.401) That I telle wiþ my tonge · is two myle fro myn herte           172(n)
W5.411 (KD5.402) I am ocupied eche day · haly-day and ooþer
W5.412 (KD5.403) Wiþ ydel tales at þe Ale · and ouþer-while at173 chirche
W5.413 (KD5.404) Goddes peyne and his passion · ful selde þenke I on it

W5.414 (KD5.405)¶ I visited neuere feble men · ne fettred folk in puttes
W5.415 (KD5.406) I haue leuere here an harlotrye · or a Somer game of Souters
W5.416 (KD5.407) Or lesynge174 to lauȝen at · and bilye my neȝebores
W5.417 (KD5.408) Than al þat euere Marc made · Mathew Iohan · and Lucas
W5.418 (KD5.409) And vigilies and fastyngdayes · alle þise late I passe
W5.419 (KD5.410) And ligge abedde in lenten · and my lemman in myne armes
W5.420 (KD5.411) Til matyns and masse be do · and þanne go to þe freres
W5.421 (KD5.412) Come I to Ite missa est · I holde me yserued
W5.422 (KD5.413) I nam noȝt shryuen som-tyme · but if siknesse it make
W5.423 (KD5.414) Nouȝt twyes in two yer · and þanne vp gesse I shryue me

W5.424 (KD5.415)¶ I haue be preest and person · passynge þritty wynter
W5.425 (KD5.416) And yet kan I neyþer solue ne synge · ne seintes lyues rede
W5.426 (KD5.417) But I kan fynden in a feld · or in a furlang an hare
W5.427 (KD5.418) Bettre þan in Beatus vir · or in Beati omnes
W5.428 (KD5.419) Construe oon clause wel · and kenne it to my parisshens
W5.429 (KD5.420) I kan holde loue-dayes · and here a Reues rekenyng
W5.430 (KD5.421) Ac in Canoun nor in decretals · I kan noȝt rede a lyne

W5.431 (KD5.422)¶ If I bigge and borwe auȝt · but if it be ytailed
W5.432 (KD5.423) I foryete it as yerne · and if men me it axe
W5.433 (KD5.424) Sixe siþes or seuene · I forsake it wiþ oþes
W5.434 (KD5.425) And þus tene I trewe men · ten hundred tymes

W5.435 (KD5.426)¶ And my seruauntz som-tyme · hir salarie is bihynde

W5.436 (KD5.427) Ruþe it is to here þe rekenyng · whan we shul rede acountes
W5.437 (KD5.428) So wiþ wikked wil and wraþe · my werkmen I paye

W5.438 (KD5.429)¶ If any man dooþ me a bienfait · or helpeþ me at nede
W5.439 (KD5.430) I am vnkynde ayeins curteisie175 · and kan nouȝt vnderstonden it           176(n)
W5.440 (KD5.431) For I haue and haue had · som-del haukes maneres
W5.441 (KD5.432) I am noȝt lured wiþ loue · but þer ligge auȝt vnder þe þombe

W5.442 (KD5.433)¶ The kyndenesse þat myn euencristene · kidde me fernyere
W5.443 (KD5.434) Sixty siþes I Sleuþe · haue foryete it siþþe
W5.444 (KD5.435) In speche and in sparynge of speche · yspilt many a tyme
W5.445 (KD5.436) Boþe flessh and fissh · and manye oþere vitailles
W5.446 (KD5.437) Boþ bred and ale · buttre / melk and chese
W5.447 (KD5.438) Forsleuþed in my seruice · til it myȝte serue no man

W5.448 (KD5.439)¶ I ran aboute in youþe · and yaf me nauȝt to lerne
W5.449 (KD5.440) And euere siþþe haue I be beggere · for my foule sleuþe

W5.450 (KD5.440α)Heu michi quia sterilem vitam duxi Iuuenilem

W5.451 (KD5.441)¶ Repentedestow noȝt quod Repentaunce · & riȝt wiþ þat he swowned
W5.452 (KD5.442) Til vigilate þe veille · fette water at hise eiȝen
W5.453 (KD5.443) And flatte it on his face · and faste on hym cryde
W5.454 (KD5.444) And seide ware þee · for wanhope wolde þee bitraye
W5.455 (KD5.445) I am sory for my synnes · seye to þi-selue
W5.456 (KD5.446) And beet þi-self on þe brest · and bidde hym of grace
W5.457 (KD5.447) For is no gilt here so gret · þat his goodnesse nys moore

W5.458 (KD5.448)¶ Thanne sat Sleuþe vp · and seyned hym swiþe
W5.459 (KD5.449) And made auow tofore god · for his foule sleuþe
W5.460 (KD5.450) Shal no Sonday be þis seuen yer · but siknesse it lette
W5.461 (KD5.451) That I ne shal do me er day · to þe deere chirche
W5.462 (KD5.452) And here matyns and masse · as I a monk were
W5.463 (KD5.453) Shal noon ale after mete · holde me þennes

fol.31v

W5.464 (KD5.454) Til I haue euen-song herd · I bihote to þe Roode
W5.465 (KD5.455) And yet wole I yelde ayein · if I so muche haue
W5.466 (KD5.456) Al þat I wikkedly wan · siþen I wit hadde
W5.467 (KD5.457)¶ And þouȝ my liflode lakke · leten I nelle
W5.468 (KD5.458) That ech man ne shal haue his · er I hennes wende
W5.469 (KD5.459) And wiþ þe residue and þe remenaunt · bi þe Rode of Chestre
W5.470 (KD5.460) I shal seken truþe erst · er I se Rome

W5.471 (KD5.461)¶ Roberd þe Robbere · on Reddite loked
W5.472 (KD5.462) And for þer was noȝt wher-of · he wepte swiþe soore
W5.473 (KD5.463) Ac yet þe synfulle sherewe · seide to hym-selue
W5.474 (KD5.464) Crist þat on Caluarie · vp-on þe cros deidest
W5.475 (KD5.465) Tho Dysmas my broþer · bisouȝte yow of grace
W5.476 (KD5.466) And haddest mercy on þat man · for Memento sake
W5.477 (KD5.467) So rewe on þis Robbere · þat Reddere ne haue
W5.478 (KD5.468) Ne neuere wene to wynne · wiþ craft þat I owe
W5.479 (KD5.469) But for þi muchel mercy · mitigacion I biseche
W5.480 (KD5.470) Ne dampne me noȝt at domes-day · for þat I dide so ille

W5.481 (KD5.471)¶ What bifel of þis feloun · I kan noȝt faire shewe
W5.482 (KD5.472) Wel I woot he wepte faste · water wiþ boþe hise eiȝen
W5.483 (KD5.473) And knoweliched his gilt · to crist yet eft-soones
W5.484 (KD5.474) That penitencia his pik · he sholde polshe newe
W5.485 (KD5.475) And lepe wiþ hym ouer lond · al his lif-tyme
W5.486 (KD5.476) For he hadde leyen by Latro · luciferis Aunte

W5.487 (KD5.477)¶ And þanne hadde Repentaunce ruþe · and redde hem alle to knele
W5.488 (KD5.478) For I shal biseche for alle synfulle · oure Saueour of grace
W5.489 (KD5.479) To amenden vs of oure mysdedes · and do mercy to vs alle

W5.490 (KD5.480)¶ Now god quod he þat of þi goodnesse · bigonne177 þe world to make
W5.491 (KD5.481) And of nauȝt madest auȝt · and man moost lik to þi-selue
W5.492 (KD5.482) And siþen suffredest for to synne · a siknesse to vs alle

fol.32r

W5.493 (KD5.483) And al for þe beste as I bileue · what-euere þe book telleþ
W5.494 (KD5.483α)O felix culpa · o necessarium peccatum Ade &c178(c)
W5.495 (KD5.484)¶ For þoruȝ þat synne þi sone · sent was to þis erþe
W5.496 (KD5.485) And bicam man of a maide · mankynde to saue
W5.497 (KD5.486) And madest þi-self wiþ þi sone · and vs synfulle yliche

W5.498 (KD5.486α)Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem179 nostram
W5.499 (KD5.486β)Et alibi · / Qui manet in caritate in deo manet & deus in eo

W5.500 (KD5.487)¶ And siþþe wiþ þi selue sone · in oure secte180 deidest
W5.501 (KD5.488) On good fryday for mannes sake · at ful tyme of þe daye
W5.502 (KD5.489) Ther þi-self ne þi sone · no sorwe in deeþ feledest
W5.503 (KD5.490) But in oure secte was þe sorwe · and þi sone it ladde
W5.504 (KD5.490α)Captiuam duxit captiuitatem

W5.505 (KD5.491)¶ The sonne for sorwe þer-of · lees liȝt of181 a tyme
W5.506 (KD5.492) Aboute mydday whan moost liȝt is · and meel-tyme of Seintes
W5.507 (KD5.493) Feddest wiþ þi fresshe blood · oure fore-fadres in derknesse

W5.508 (KD5.493α)Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris · vidit lucem magnam

W5.509 (KD5.494)¶ And þoruȝ þe liȝt þat lepe out of þee · Lucifer was blent
W5.510 (KD5.495) And blewe alle þi blessed · in-to þe blisse of Paradys

W5.511 (KD5.496)¶ The þridde day after · þow yedest in oure sute
W5.512 (KD5.497) A synful Marie þe seiȝ · er seynte Marie þi dame
W5.513 (KD5.498) And al to solace synfulle · þow suffredest it so were

W5.514 (KD5.498α)Non veni vocare iustos · set peccatores ad penitenciam

W5.515 (KD5.499)¶ And al þat Marc · haþ ymaad · Mathew / Iohan / and Lucas
W5.516 (KD5.500) Of þyne douȝty dedes · was182 doon in oure armes

fol.32v

W5.517 (KD5.500α)Verbum caro factum est & habitauit in nobis
W5.518 (KD5.501)¶ And by so muche me semeþ · þe sikerer we mowe
W5.519 (KD5.502) Bidde and biseche · if it be þi wille
W5.520 (KD5.503) That art oure fader and oure broþer · be merciable to vs
W5.521 (KD5.504) And haue ruþe on þise Ribaudes · þat repenten hem here soore
W5.522 (KD5.505) That euere þei wraþed þee in þis world · in word · þouȝt or dedes

W5.523 (KD5.506)¶ Thanne hente hope an horn · of Deus tu conuersus viuificabis
W5.524 (KD5.507) And blew it wiþ · Beati quorum · remisse sunt iniquitates
W5.525 (KD5.508) That alle Seintes in heuene · songen at ones
W5.526 (KD5.509)Homines & iumenta saluabis · quemadmodum multiplicasti misericordiam tuam deus

W5.527 (KD5.510)¶ A þousand of men þo · þrungen togideres
W5.528 (KD5.511) Cride vpward to Crist · and to his clene moder
W5.529 (KD5.512) To haue grace to go wiþ hem · truþe to seke

W5.530 (KD5.513)¶ Ac þere was wiȝt noon so wys · þe wey þider kouþe
W5.531 (KD5.514) But blustreden forþ as beestes · ouer bankes and hilles
W5.532 (KD5.515) Til late was and longe · þat þei a leode mette
W5.533 (KD5.516) Apparailled as a paynym · in pilgrymes wise
W5.534 (KD5.517) He bar a burdoun ybounde · wiþ a brood liste
W5.535 (KD5.518) In a wiþwynde183 wise · ywounden aboute
W5.536 (KD5.519) A bolle and a bagge · he bar by his syde
W5.537 (KD5.520) An hundred of Ampulles · on his hat seten
W5.538 (KD5.521) Signes of Synay · and shelles of Galice
W5.539 (KD5.522) And many a crouch on his cloke · and keyes of Rome
W5.540 (KD5.523) And þe vernycle bifore · for men sholde knowe
W5.541 (KD5.524) And se bi hise signes · whom he souȝt hadde

W5.542 (KD5.525)¶ This folk frayned hym first · fro whennes he come

W5.543 (KD5.526)¶ Fram Synay he seide · and fram oure lordes Sepulcre
In Bethlem and

fol.33r

W5.544 (KD5.527) In Bethlem and in Babiloyne · I haue ben in boþe
W5.545 (KD5.528) In Armonye in Alisaundre · in manye oþere places
W5.546 (KD5.529) Ye may se by my signes · þat sitten on myn hatte
W5.547 (KD5.530) That I haue walked ful wide · in weet and in drye
W5.548 (KD5.531) And souȝt goode Seintes · for my soules helþe
W5.549 (KD5.532)¶ Knowestow auȝt a corsaint · þat men calle truþe
W5.550 (KD5.533) Koudestow auȝt wissen vs þe wey · wher þat wye dwelleþ

W5.551 (KD5.534)¶ Nay so me god helpe · seide þe gome þanne
W5.552 (KD5.535) I seiȝ neuere Palmere · wiþ pyk ne wiþ scrippe
W5.553 (KD5.536) Asken after hym er · til now in þis place

W5.554 (KD5.537)¶ Peter quod a Plowman · and putte forþ his hed
W5.555 (KD5.538) I knowe hym as kyndely · as clerc doþ hise bokes
W5.556 (KD5.539) Conscience and kynde wit · kenned me to his place
W5.557 (KD5.540) And diden me suren hym sikerly · to seruen hym for euere
W5.558 (KD5.541) Boþe to sowe and to sette · þe while I swynke myȝte
W5.559 (KD5.542) I haue ben his folwere · al þis fifty wynter
W5.560 (KD5.543) Boþe ysowen his seed · and suwed hise beestes
W5.561 (KD5.544) Wiþ-Inne and wiþ-outen · waited his profit
W5.562 (KD5.545) I dyke and I delue · I do þat truþe hoteþ
W5.563 (KD5.546) Som-tyme I sowe · and som-tyme I þresshe
W5.564 (KD5.547) In taillours craft and tynkeris craft · what truþe kan deuyse
W5.565 (KD5.548) I weue and I wynde · and do what truþe hoteþ
W5.566 (KD5.549) For þouȝ I seye it my-self · I serue hym to paye
W5.567 (KD5.550) I haue myn hire wel · and ouþer-whiles moore
W5.568 (KD5.551) He is þe presteste paiere · þat pouere men knoweþ
W5.569 (KD5.552) He ne wiþhalt noon hewe his hire · þat he ne haþ it at euen
W5.570 (KD5.553) He is as lowe as a lomb · and louelich of speche
W5.571 (KD5.554) And if ye wilneþ to wite · where þat he dwelleþ
W5.572 (KD5.555) I shal wisse yow witterly · þe wey to his place

W5.573 (KD5.556)¶ Ye leue Piers quod þise pilgrimes · and profred hym huyre

fol.33v

W5.574 (KD5.556.1) Forto wende wiþ hem · to truþes dwellyng place
W5.575 (KD5.557)¶ Nay by my soules helþe quod Piers · and gan for to swere
W5.576 (KD5.558) I nolde fange a ferþyng · for seint Thomas shryne
W5.577 (KD5.559) Truþe wolde loue me þe lasse · a long tyme þer-after
W5.578 (KD5.560) Ac if yow184 wilneþ to wende wel · þis is þe wey þider

W5.579 (KD5.561)¶ Ye moten go þoruȝ mekenesse · boþe men and wyues
W5.580 (KD5.562) Til ye come in-to Conscience · þat crist wite þe soþe
W5.581 (KD5.563) That ye louen oure lord god · leuest of alle þynges
W5.582 (KD5.564) And þanne youre neȝebores next · in none wise apeire
W5.583 (KD5.565) Oþer-wise þan þow woldest · he wrouȝte to þi-selue

W5.584 (KD5.566)¶ And so boweþ forþ by a brook · beþ buxom of speche
W5.585 (KD5.567) Til ye fynden a ford · youre fadres honoureþ
W5.586 (KD5.567α)Honora patrem & matrem &c
W5.587 (KD5.568) Wadeþ in þat water · and wasshe yow wel þer-Inne           185(n)
W5.588 (KD5.569) And ye shul lepe þe liȝtloker · al youre lif-tyme           186(n)
W5.589 (KD5.570) And so shaltow se swere noȝt · but if it be for nede
W5.590 (KD5.571) And nameliche on ydel · þe name of god almyȝty

W5.591 (KD5.572)¶ Thanne shaltow come by a croft · but come þow noȝt þer-Inne
W5.592 (KD5.573) That croft hatte Coueite noȝt · mennes catel ne hire wyues
W5.593 (KD5.574) Ne noon of hire seruauntz · þat noyen hem myȝte
W5.594 (KD5.575) Loke ye breke no bowes þere · but if it be youre owene

W5.595 (KD5.576)¶ Two stokkes þer stondeþ · ac stynte ye noȝt þere
W5.596 (KD5.577) Thei hiȝte Stele noȝt & Sle noȝt · strik forþ by boþe
W5.597 (KD5.578) And leue hem on þi lift half · and loke noȝt þer-after
W5.598 (KD5.579) And hold wel þyn haliday · heighe til euen

W5.599 (KD5.580)¶ Thanne shaltow blenche at a Bergh · bere no fals witnesse
W5.600 (KD5.581) He is fryþed In wiþ floryns · and oþere fees manye
W5.601 (KD5.582) Loke þow plukke no plaunte þere · for peril of þi soule

fol.34r

W5.602 (KD5.583)Thanne shul ye see seye sooþ · so it be to doone
W5.603 (KD5.584) In good187 manere ellis noȝt · for no mannes biddyng
W5.604 (KD5.585)¶ Thanne shaltow come to a court · as cler as þe sonne
W5.605 (KD5.586) The moot is of mercy · þe Manoir aboute
W5.606 (KD5.587) And alle þe walles ben of wit · to holden wil oute
W5.607 (KD5.588) And kerneled wiþ cristendom · mankynde to saue
W5.608 (KD5.589) Botrased wiþ bileef so · or þow beest noȝt saued

W5.609 (KD5.590)¶ And alle þe houses ben hiled · halles and chambres
W5.610 (KD5.591) Wiþ no leed but wiþ loue · and lowe speche as breþeren
W5.611 (KD5.592) The brugge is of bidde wel · þe bet may þow spede
W5.612 (KD5.593) Ech piler is of penaunce · of preieres to Seyntes
W5.613 (KD5.594) Of almes-dedes are þe hokes · þat þe gates hangen on

W5.614 (KD5.595)¶ Grace hatte þe gateward · a good man for-soþe
W5.615 (KD5.596) His man hatte amende yow · for many men hym knoweþ
W5.616 (KD5.597) Telleþ hym þis tokene · þat truþe wite þe soþe
W5.617 (KD5.598) I parfourned þe penaunce · þat þe preest me enioyned
W5.618 (KD5.599) And am ful sory for my synnes · and so I shal euere
W5.619 (KD5.600) Whan I þynke þer-on · þeiȝ I were a Pope

W5.620 (KD5.601)¶ Biddeþ amende yow meke hym · til his maister ones
W5.621 (KD5.602) To wayuen vp þe wiket · þat þe womman shette
W5.622 (KD5.603) Tho Adam and Eue · eten apples vnrosted
W5.623 (KD5.603α)Per Euam cuntis clausa est · et per Mariam virginem patefacta est

W5.624 (KD5.604)¶ For he haþ þe keye and þe cliket · þouȝ þe kyng slepe
W5.625 (KD5.605) And if grace graunte þee · to go in þis wise
W5.626 (KD5.606) Thow shalt see in þi-selue · truþe in þyn herte
W5.627 (KD5.607) In a cheyne of charite · as þow a child were
W5.628 (KD5.608) To suffren hym and segge noȝt · ayein þi sires wille

W5.629 (KD5.609)¶ And be war þanne of wraþe þee · þat is a wikked sherewe
W5.630 (KD5.610) He haþ enuye to hym · þat in þyn herte sitteþ
W5.631 (KD5.611) And pokeþ forþ pride · to preise þi-seluen
W5.632 (KD5.612) The boldnesse of þi bienfetes · makeþ þee blynd þanne
W5.633 (KD5.613) And þanne worstow dryuen out as dew · and þe dore closed
W5.634 (KD5.614) Keyed and cliketted · to kepe þee wiþ-outen
W5.635 (KD5.615) Happily an hundred wynter · er þow eft entre
W5.636 (KD5.616) Thus myȝtestow lesen his loue · to lete wel by þi-selue
W5.637 (KD5.617) And neuere happily eft entre · but grace þow haue

W5.638 (KD5.618)¶ And þer are seuen sustren · þat seruen truþe euere
W5.639 (KD5.619) And arn porters of þe Posternes · þat to þe place longeþ

W5.640 (KD5.620)¶ That oon hatte Abstinence · and humilite anoþer
W5.641 (KD5.621) Charite and Chastite · ben hise chief maydenes
W5.642 (KD5.622) Pacience and pees · muche peple þei helpeþ
W5.643 (KD5.623) Largenesse þe lady · she let in ful manye
W5.644 (KD5.624) Heo haþ holpe a þousand out · of þe deueles punfolde
W5.645 (KD5.625) And who is sib to þise seuene · so me god helpe
W5.646 (KD5.626) He is wonderly welcome · and faire vnderfongen
W5.647 (KD5.627) And but if ye be sibbe · to some of þise seuene
W5.648 (KD5.628) It is ful hard by myn heed quod Piers · for any of yow alle
W5.649 (KD5.629) To geten ingoing at any gate þere · but grace be þe moore

W5.650 (KD5.630)¶ Now by crist quod a kutte-purs · I haue no kyn þere
W5.651 (KD5.631) Nor I quod an Apeward · by auȝt þat I kan knowe
W5.652 (KD5.632) Wite god quod a wafrestere · wiste I þis for soþe
W5.653 (KD5.633) Sholde I neuere ferþer a foot · for no freres prechyng

W5.654 (KD5.634)¶ Ȝis quod Piers þe Plowman · and poked hem alle to goode
W5.655 (KD5.635) Mercy is a maiden þere · haþ myȝt ouer alle
W5.656 (KD5.636) And she is sib to alle synfulle · and hire sone also
W5.657 (KD5.637) And þoruȝ þe help of hem two · hope þow noon ooþer
W5.658 (KD5.638) Thow myȝt gete grace þere · so þow go bityme ·

fol.35r

W5.659 (KD5.639) Bi seint Poul quod a pardoner · parauenture I be noȝt knowe þere
W5.660 (KD5.640) I wol go fecche my box wiþ my breuettes · & a bulle with bisshopes lettres
W5.661 (KD5.641)¶ By crist quod a comune womman · þi compaignie wol I folwe
W5.662 (KD5.642) Thow shalt seye I am þi Suster · I ne woot where þei bicome

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