Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)

Passus 10

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Passus decimus de visione · et secundus de Dowel

W10.1 (KD10.1)Thanne hadde wit a wif · was hote dame Studie
W10.2 (KD10.2) That lene was of lere · and of liche boþe
W10.3 (KD10.3) She was wonderly wroþ · þat wit me þus tauȝte
W10.4 (KD10.4) And al starynge dame Studie · sterneliche loked368

W10.5 (KD10.5)¶ Wel artow wis quod she to wit · any wisdomes to telle
W10.6 (KD10.6) To flatereres or to fooles · þat frenetike ben of wittes
W10.7 (KD10.7) And blamed hym and banned hym · and bad hym be stille
W10.8 (KD10.8) Wiþ swiche wise wordes · to wissen any sottes
W10.9 (KD10.9) And seide noli mittere man · margery perles
W10.10 (KD10.10) Among hogges þat han · hawes at wille
W10.11 (KD10.11) Thei doon but dryuele þer-on · draf were hem leuere
W10.12 (KD10.12) Than al þe precious perree · þat in paradis wexeþ
W10.13 (KD10.13) I seye it by swiche quod she · þat sheweþ by hir werkes
W10.14 (KD10.14) That hem were leuere lond · and lordshipe on erþe
W10.15 (KD10.15) Or richesse or rentes · and reste at hir wille
W10.16 (KD10.16) Than alle þe sooþ sawes · þat Salomon seide euere

W10.17 (KD10.17)¶ Wisdom and wit now · is noȝt worþ a kerse           369(n)
W10.18 (KD10.18) But if it be carded wiþ coueitise · as cloþeres kemben hir wolle           370(n)
W10.19 (KD10.19) Who-so kan contreue deceites · and conspire wronges           371(n)
W10.20 (KD10.20) And lede forþ a loue-day · to lette wiþ truþe           372(n)
W10.21 (KD10.21) He þat swiche craftes kan · to counseil is cleped           373(n)
W10.22 (KD10.22) Thei lede lordes wiþ lesynges · and bilieþ truþe           374(n)

W10.23 (KD10.23)¶ Iob þe gentile · in hise gestes witnesseþ           375(n)
W10.24 (KD10.24) That wikked men þei welden · þe welþe of þis worlde           376(n)
W10.25 (KD10.25) And þat þei ben lordes of ech a lond · þat out of lawe libbeþ           377(n)

W10.26 (KD10.25α)¶ Quare impij viuunt bene est omnibus qui preuaricantur & inique agunt

W10.27 (KD10.26)¶ The Sauter seiþ þe same · by swiche þat doon ille

W10.28 (KD10.26α)¶ Ecce ipsi peccatores habundantes in seculo obtinuerunt diuicias

W10.29 (KD10.27)¶ Lo seiþ holy lettrure · whiche beþ þise sherewes           378(n)
W10.30 (KD10.28) Thilke þat god gyueþ moost · leest good þei deleþ           379(n)
W10.31 (KD10.29) And moost vnkynde to þe commune · þat moost catel weldeþ           380(n)

W10.32 (KD10.29α)¶ Que perfecisti destruxerunt · iustus autem &c

W10.33 (KD10.30)¶ Harlotes for hir harlotrie · may haue of hir goodes           381(n)
W10.34 (KD10.31) And Iaperis and Iogelours · and Iangleris of gestes           382(n)

W10.35 (KD10.32)¶ Ac he þat haþ holy writ · ay in his mouþe           383(n)
W10.36 (KD10.33) And kan telle of Tobye · and of twelue Apostles           384(n)
W10.37 (KD10.34) Or prechen of þe penaunce · þat Pilat wikkedly385 wroȝte           386(n)
W10.38 (KD10.35) To Iesu þe gentile · þat Iewes todrowe           387(n)
W10.39 (KD10.37) Litel is he loued · þat swich a lesson sheweþ           388(n)
W10.40 (KD10.38) Or daunted or drawe forþ · I do it on god hym-selue           389(n)

W10.41 (KD10.39)¶ But þoo þat feynen hem foolis · and wiþ faityng libbeþ           390(n)

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W10.42 (KD10.40)Ayein þe lawe of oure lord · and lyen on hem-selue           391(n)
W10.43 (KD10.41) Spitten and spuen · and speke foule wordes           392(n)
W10.44 (KD10.42) Drynken and dreuelen · and do men for to gape           393(n)
W10.45 (KD10.43) Likne men and lye on hem · þat leneþ hem no ȝiftes           394(n)
W10.46 (KD10.44) Thei konne namoore mynstralcie · ne Musik men to glade           395(n)
W10.47 (KD10.45) Than Munde þe Millere · of Multa fecit deus
W10.48 (KD10.46) Ne were hir vile harlotrye · haue god my trouþe
W10.49 (KD10.47) Sholde neuere kyng ne knyȝt · ne Chanon of Seint Poules
W10.50 (KD10.48) Ȝyue hem to hir yeresȝyue · þe ȝifte of a grote
W10.51 (KD10.49)¶ Ac murþe and mynstralcie · amonges men is nouþe           396(n)
W10.52 (KD10.50) Lecherie · losengerye · and losels tales           397(n)
W10.53 (KD10.51) Glotonye and grete oþes · þis murþe þei louyeþ           398(n)

W10.54 (KD10.52)¶ Ac if þei carpen of crist · þise clerkes and þise lewed           399(n)
W10.55 (KD10.53) At mete in hir murþe · whan Mynstrals beþ stille           400(n)
W10.56 (KD10.54) Thanne telleþ þei of þe Trinite · a tale ouþer tweye           401(n)
W10.57 (KD10.55) And bryngen forþ a balled reson · and taken Bernard to witnesse           402(n)
W10.58 (KD10.56) And puten forþ a presumpcion · to preue þe soþe           403(n)
W10.59 (KD10.57) Thus þei dryuele at hir deys · þe deitee to knowe           404(n)
W10.60 (KD10.58) And gnawen god wiþ þe gorge · whanne hir guttes fullen           405(n)

W10.61 (KD10.59)¶ Ac þe carefulle may crie · and carpen at þe yate           406(n)
W10.62 (KD10.60) Boþe afyngred and a-furst · and for chele quake           407(n)
W10.63 (KD10.61) Is þer noon to nyme hym neer · his anoy408 to amende           409(n)
W10.64 (KD10.62) But hunten hym as an hound · and hoten hym go þennes           410(n)
W10.65 (KD10.63) Litel loueþ he þat lord · þat lent hym al þat blisse           411(n)
W10.66 (KD10.64) That þus parteþ wiþ þe pouere a parcelle whan hym nedeþ           412(n)
W10.67 (KD10.65) Ne were mercy in meene men · moore þan in riche           413(n)
W10.68 (KD10.66) Mendinauntz metelees · myȝte go to bedde           414(n)
W10.69 (KD10.67) God is muche in þe gorge · of þise grete maistres           415(n)
W10.70 (KD10.68) Ac amonges meene men · his mercy and hise werkes           416(n)
W10.71 (KD10.69) And so seiþ þe Sauter · I haue seiȝen it ofte           417(n)
W10.72 (KD10.69α)Ecce audiuimus eam in effrata inuenimus eam in campis silue418

W10.73 (KD10.70)¶ Clerkes and oþere kynnes men · carpen of god faste
W10.74 (KD10.71) And haue hym muche in þe mouþ · ac meene men in herte

W10.75 (KD10.72)¶ Freres and faitours · han founde swiche questions           419(n)
W10.76 (KD10.73) To plese wiþ proude men · syn þe pestilence tyme           420(n)
W10.77 (KD10.74) And prechen at Seint Poules · for pure enuye of clerkes           421(n)
W10.78 (KD10.75) That folk is noȝt fermed in þe feiþ · ne free of hire goodes           422(n)
W10.79 (KD10.76) Ne sory for hire synnes · so is pride woxen           423(n)
W10.80 (KD10.77) In Religion and in al þe Reme · amonges riche and pouere           424(n)
W10.81 (KD10.78) That preieres haue no power · þe pestilence to lette           425(n)
W10.82 (KD10.81) And yet þe wrecches of þis world · is noon ywar by ooþer           426(n)
W10.83 (KD10.82) Ne for drede of þe deeþ · wiþ-drawe noȝt hir pride           427(n)
W10.84 (KD10.83) Ne beþ plenteuouse to þe pouere · as pure charite wolde           428(n)
W10.85 (KD10.84) But in gaynesse and in glotonye · forglutten hir good hem-selue           429(n)
W10.86 (KD10.85) And brekeþ noȝt to þe beggere · as þe book techeþ           430(n)
W10.87 (KD10.85α)Frange esurienti panem tuum &c           431(n)
W10.88 (KD10.86) And þe moore he wynneþ and welt · welþes and richesse           432(n)
W10.89 (KD10.87) And lordeþ in londes · þe lasse good he deleþ           433(n)

W10.90 (KD10.88)¶ Tobye telleþ yow noȝt so · takeþ hede ye riche
W10.91 (KD10.89) How þe book bible · of hym bereþ witnesse

W10.92 (KD10.89α)Si tibi sit copia habundanter tribue
W10.93 (KD10.89α)Si autem exiguum illud impertiri stude libenter

W10.94 (KD10.90)¶ Who-so haþ muche spende manliche · so seiþ Tobye           434(n)
W10.95 (KD10.91) And who-so litel weldeþ · rule hym þer-after           435(n)
W10.96 (KD10.92) For we haue no lettre of oure lif · how longe it shal dure           436(n)
W10.97 (KD10.93) Swiche lessons lordes sholde · louye to here           437(n)
W10.98 (KD10.94) And how he myȝte moost meynee · manliche fynde           438(n)

W10.99 (KD10.95)¶ Nouȝt to fare as a fiþelere or a frere · for to seke festes
W10.100 (KD10.96) Homliche at oþere mennes houses · and hatien hir owene
W10.101 (KD10.97) Elenge is þe halle · ech day in þe wike

W10.102 (KD10.98)¶ Ther þe lord ne þe lady · likeþ noȝt to sitte
W10.103 (KD10.99) Now haþ ech riche a rule · to eten by hym-selue           439(n)
W10.104 (KD10.100) In a pryuee parlour · for pouere mennes sake           440(n)
W10.105 (KD10.101) Or in a chambre wiþ a chymenee · and leue þe chief halle           441(n)
W10.106 (KD10.102) That was maad for meles · men to eten Inne           442(n)
W10.107 (KD10.103) And al to spare to spende · þat spille shal anoþer           443(n)

W10.108 (KD10.104)¶ I haue yherd heiȝe men · etynge at þe table
W10.109 (KD10.105) Carpen as þei clerkes were · of crist and of hise myȝtes
W10.110 (KD10.106) And leyden fautes vp-on þe fader · þat formede vs alle
W10.111 (KD10.107) And carpen ayein clerkes · crabbede wordes
W10.112 (KD10.108) Why wolde oure Saueour suffre · swich a worm in his blisse
W10.113 (KD10.109) That bigiled þe womman · and þe man after
W10.114 (KD10.110) Thoruȝ whiche wiles and wordes · þei wente to helle
W10.115 (KD10.111) And al hir seed for hir synne · þe same deeþ suffrede

W10.116 (KD10.112)¶ Here lyeþ youre lore · þise lordes gynneþ dispute
W10.117 (KD10.113) Of þat þe clerkes vs kenneþ · of crist by þe gospel
W10.118 (KD10.114)Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris &c

W10.119 (KD10.115)¶ Why sholde we þat now ben · for þe werkes of Adam
W10.120 (KD10.116) Roten and to-rende · Reson wolde it neuere
W10.121 (KD10.116α)Vnusquisque portabit onus suum &c

W10.122 (KD10.117)¶ Swiche motyues þei meue444 · þise maistres in hir glorie
W10.123 (KD10.118) And maken men in mysbileue · þat muse muche on hire wordes
W10.124 (KD10.119) Ymaginatif her-afterward · shal answere to hir445 purpos

W10.125 (KD10.120)¶ Austyn to swiche Argueres · telleþ þis teme
W10.126 (KD10.121)Non plus sapere quam oportet

W10.127 (KD10.122)¶ Wilneþ neuere to wite · why þat god wolde
W10.128 (KD10.123) Suffre Sathan · his seed to bigile
W10.129 (KD10.124) Ac bileueþ lelly · in þe loore of holy chirche

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W10.130 (KD10.125)And preie hym of pardon · and penaunce in þi lyue
W10.131 (KD10.126) And for his muche mercy · to amende yow here
W10.132 (KD10.127) For alle þat wilneþ to wite · þe weyes of god almyȝty
W10.133 (KD10.128) I wolde his eiȝe were in his ers · and his fynger after
W10.134 (KD10.129) That euere wilneþ to wite · why þat god wolde
W10.135 (KD10.130) Suffre Sathan · his seed to bigile
W10.136 (KD10.131) Or Iudas to þe Iewes · Iesu bitraye
W10.137 (KD10.132) Al was as þow woldest · lord yworshiped be þe446
W10.138 (KD10.133) And al worþ as þow wolt · what-so we dispute
W10.139 (KD10.134)¶ And þo þat vseþ þise hauylons · to blende mennes wittes
W10.140 (KD10.135) What is dowel fro dobet · þat447 deef mote he worþe
W10.141 (KD10.136) Siþþe he wilneþ to wite · whiche þei ben boþe
W10.142 (KD10.137) But if he lyue in þe lif · þat longeþ to dowel
W10.143 (KD10.138) For I dar ben his bolde borgh · þat dobet wole he neuere
W10.144 (KD10.139) Theiȝ dobest drawe on hym · day after ooþer

W10.145 (KD10.140)¶ And whan þat wit was ywar · what dame Studie tolde
W10.146 (KD10.141) He bicom so confus · he kouþe noȝt loke
W10.147 (KD10.142) And as doumb as deeþ · and drouȝ hym arere
W10.148 (KD10.143) And for no carpyng I · kouþe after · ne knelyng to þe grounde
W10.149 (KD10.144) I myȝte gete no greyn · of his grete wittes
W10.150 (KD10.145) But al lauȝynge he louted · and loked vp-on Studie
W10.151 (KD10.146) In signe þat I sholde · bisechen hire of grace

W10.152 (KD10.147)¶ And whan I was war of his wille · to his wif gan I loute
W10.153 (KD10.148) And seide mercy madame · youre man shal I worþe
W10.154 (KD10.149) As longe as I lyue · boþe late and raþe
W10.155 (KD10.150) For to werche youre wille · þe while my lif dureþ
W10.156 (KD10.151) Wiþ þat ye kenne me kyndely · to knowe what is dowel

W10.157 (KD10.152)¶ For þi mekenesse man quod she · and for þi mylde speche
W10.158 (KD10.153) I shal kenne þee to my Cosyn · þat Clergie is hoten
W10.159 (KD10.154) He haþ wedded a wif · wiþ-Inne þise sixe monþes

W10.160 (KD10.155)¶ Is sib to448 seuen artz · Scripture is hir name
W10.161 (KD10.156) They two as I hope · after my techyng
W10.162 (KD10.157) Shullen wissen þee to dowel · I dar it vnder-take

W10.163 (KD10.158)¶ Thanne was he al-so fayn · as fowel of fair morwe
W10.164 (KD10.159) And gladder þan þe gleman · þat gold haþ to ȝifte
W10.165 (KD10.160) And asked hire þe heighe wey · where þat Clergie dwelte
W10.166 (KD10.161) And tel me som tokene quod I · for tyme is þat I wende

W10.167 (KD10.162)¶ Aske þe heighe wey quod she · hennes to Suffre
W10.168 (KD10.163) Boþe wele and wo · if þat þow wolt lerne
W10.169 (KD10.164) And ryd forþ by richesse · ac rest þow noȝt þer-Inne
W10.170 (KD10.165) For if þow couplest þee þer-wiþ · to clergie comestow neuere

W10.171 (KD10.166)¶ And also þe likerouse launde · þat lecherie hatte
W10.172 (KD10.167) Leue it on þi left half · a large myle or moore
W10.173 (KD10.168) Til þow come to a court · kepe wel þi tunge
W10.174 (KD10.169) Fro lesynges and liþer speche · and likerouse drynkes

W10.175 (KD10.170)¶ Thanne shaltow se Sobretee · and Sympletee of speche
W10.176 (KD10.171) That ech wight be in wille · his wit þee to shewe
W10.177 (KD10.172) And þus shaltow come to Clergie · þat kan manye þynges

W10.178 (KD10.173)¶ Seye hym þis signe · I sette hym to Scole
W10.179 (KD10.174) And þat I grete wel his wif · for I wroot hire manye bokes
W10.180 (KD10.175) And sette hire to Sapience · and to þe Sauter glose
W10.181 (KD10.176) Logyk I lerned hire · and manye oþere lawes
W10.182 (KD10.177) And alle449 Musons in Musik · I made hire to knowe

W10.183 (KD10.178)¶ Plato þe poete · I putte450 first to boke
W10.184 (KD10.179) Aristotle and oþere mo to argue I tauȝte

W10.185 (KD10.180)¶ Grammer for girles · I garte first to write
W10.186 (KD10.181) And bette hem wiþ a baleys · but if þei wolde lerne

W10.187 (KD10.182)¶ Of alle kynne craftes · I contreued tooles
W10.188 (KD10.183) Of Carpentrie of kerueres · and compased Masons
W10.189 (KD10.184) And lerned hem leuel and lyne · þouȝ I loke dymme

W10.190 (KD10.185)¶ Ac Theologie haþ tened me · ten score tymes
W10.191 (KD10.186) The moore I muse þer-Inne · þe mystier it semeþ           451(n)
W10.192 (KD10.187) And þe depper I deuyne · þe derker me it þynkeþ           452(n)
W10.193 (KD10.188) It is no Science for-soþe · for to sotile Inne
W10.194 (KD10.189) A ful leþi þyng it were · if þat loue nere
W10.195 (KD10.190) Ac for it leteþ453 best bi loue · I loue it þe bettre
W10.196 (KD10.191) For þere þat loue is ledere · þer lakked neuere grace           454(n)
W10.197 (KD10.192) Loke þow loue lelly · if þee likeþ dowel           455(n)
W10.198 (KD10.193) For do-bet and do-best · ben of loues kynne

W10.199 (KD10.194)¶ In ooþer Science it seiþ · I seiȝ it in Catoun
W10.200 (KD10.195)Qui simulat verbis vel corde est fidus amicus
W10.201 (KD10.196)Tu quoque fac simile · sic ars deluditur arte

W10.202 (KD10.197)¶ Who-so gloseþ as gylours doon · go me to þe same           456(n)
W10.203 (KD10.198) And so shaltow fals folk · and feiþlees bigile           457(n)
W10.204 (KD10.199) This is Catons kennyng · to clerkes þat he lereþ

W10.205 (KD10.200)¶ Ac Theologie techeþ noȝt so · who-so takeþ yeme
W10.206 (KD10.201) He kenneþ vs þe contrarie · ayein Catons wordes
W10.207 (KD10.202) For he biddeþ vs be as breþeren · and bidde for oure enemys           458(n)
W10.208 (KD10.203) And louen hem þat lyen on vs · and lene hem whan hem nedeþ           459(n)
W10.209 (KD10.204) And do good ayein yuel · god hym-self it hoteþ           460(n)

W10.210 (KD10.204α)Dum tempus habemus operemur bonum ad omnes · maxime autem ad domesticos fidei

W10.211 (KD10.205)¶ Poul preched þe peple · þat parfitnesse louede
W10.212 (KD10.206) To do good for goddes loue · and gyuen men þat asked           461(n)
W10.213 (KD10.207) And namely to swiche · as suwen oure bileue
W10.214 (KD10.208) And alle þat lakkeþ vs or lyeþ · oure lord techeþ vs to louye           462(n)

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W10.215 (KD10.209)And noȝt to greuen hem þat greueþ vs · god hym-self forbad it           463(n)
W10.216 (KD10.209α)Michi vindictam & ego retribuam
W10.217 (KD10.210)¶ For-þi loke þow louye · as longe as þow durest           464(n)
W10.218 (KD10.211) For is no science vnder sonne · so souereyn for þe soule           465(n)

W10.219 (KD10.212)¶ Ac Astronomye is an hard þyng · and yuel for to knowe
W10.220 (KD10.213) Geometrie and Geomesie · so gynful of speche           466(n)
W10.221 (KD10.214) Who-so þynkeþ werche with þo two · þryueþ ful late           467(n)
W10.222 (KD10.215) For sorcerie is þe Souereyn book · þat to þo Sciences bilongeþ

W10.223 (KD10.216)¶ Yet ar þer fibicches in forceres · of fele mennes makyng
W10.224 (KD10.217-218) Experimentz of Alkenamye · þe peple to deceyue
W10.225 (KD10.219) If þow þynke to dowel · deel þer-wiþ neuere

W10.226 (KD10.220)¶ Alle þise Sciences I my-self · sotilede and ordeynede
W10.227 (KD10.221) And founded hem formest · folk to deceyue
W10.228 (KD10.222) Tel Clergie þis tokene · and Scripture after
W10.229 (KD10.223) To counseille þee kyndely · to knowe what is dowel

W10.230 (KD10.224)¶ I seide grant mercy madame · and mekely hir grette
W10.231 (KD10.225) And wente wightly awey · wiþ-oute moore lettyng
W10.232 (KD10.226) And til I com to clergie · I koude neuere stynte
W10.233 (KD10.227) And grette þe goode man · as Studie me tauȝte
W10.234 (KD10.228) And afterwardes þe wif · and worshiped hem boþe
W10.235 (KD10.229) And tolde hem þe tokenes · þat me tauȝt were
W10.236 (KD10.230) Was neuere gome vp-on þis ground · siþ god made þe worlde
W10.237 (KD10.231) Fairer vnderfongen · ne frendlier at ese
W10.238 (KD10.232) Than my-self sooþly · soone so he wiste
W10.239 (KD10.233) That I was of wittes hous · and wiþ his wif dame Studie

W10.240 (KD10.236)¶ I seide to hem sooþly · þat sent was I þider
W10.241 (KD10.237) Do-wel and dobet · and dobest to lerne

W10.242 (KD10.238)¶ It is a commune lyf quod Clergie · on holy chirche to bileue
W10.243 (KD10.239) Wiþ alle þe articles of þe feiþ · þat falleþ to be knowe
W10.244 (KD10.240) And þat is to bileue lelly · boþe lered and lewed
W10.245 (KD10.241) On þe grete god · þat gynnyng hadde neuere
W10.246 (KD10.242) And on þe sooþfast sone · þat saued man-kynde
W10.247 (KD10.243) Fro þe dedly deeþ · and468 deueles power
W10.248 (KD10.244) Thoruȝ þe help of þe holy goost · þe which goost is of boþe
W10.249 (KD10.245) Thre persones · ac noȝt in plurel nombre
W10.250 (KD10.246) For al is but oon god · and ech is god hym-selue
W10.251 (KD10.246α)Deus pater / deus filius / deus spiritus sanctus
W10.252 (KD10.247) God þe fader / god þe sone · god holy goost of boþe
W10.253 (KD10.248) Makere of man-kynde · and of beestes boþe

W10.254 (KD10.249)¶ Austyn þe olde · her-of made bokes
W10.255 (KD10.250) And hym-self ordeyned · to sadde vs in bileue
W10.256 (KD10.251) Who was his Auctour · alle þe foure Euaungelistes
W10.257 (KD10.252) And Crist cleped hym-self so · þe Euaungelistes bereþ witnesse469

W10.258 (KD10.253)¶ Alle þe clerkes vnder crist · ne koude þis assoille
W10.259 (KD10.254) But þus it bilongeþ to bileue · to lewed þat willen dowel
W10.260 (KD10.255) For hadde neuere freke fyn wit · þe feiþ to dispute
W10.261 (KD10.256) Ne man hadde no merite · myȝte it ben ypreued

W10.262 (KD10.256α)Fides non habet meritum vbi humana racio prebet experimentum

W10.263 (KD10.257) Thanne is dobet to suffre · for þe soules helþe
W10.264 (KD10.258) Al þat þe book bit · bi holi cherches techyng ·
W10.265 (KD10.259) And þat is man bi þy myȝt · for mercies sake
W10.266 (KD10.260) Loke þow werche it in werk · þat þi word sheweþ           470(n)
W10.267 (KD10.261) Swich as þow semest in siȝte · be in assay y-founde
W10.268 (KD10.261α)Appare quod es vel esto quod appares

W10.269 (KD10.262)¶ And lat no body be · by þi beryng bigiled           471(n)
W10.270 (KD10.263) But be swich in þi soule · as þow semest wiþ-oute           472(n)

W10.271 (KD10.264)¶ Thanne is dobest to be boold · to blame þe gilty
W10.272 (KD10.265) Syþenes þow seest þi-self · as in soule clene           473(n)
W10.273 (KD10.266) Ac blame þow neuere body · and þow be blame-worþy           474(n)

W10.274 (KD10.266α)Si culpare velis · culpabilis esto cauebis475(c)
W10.275 (KD10.266β)Dogma tuum sordet · cum te tua culpa remordet

W10.276 (KD10.267)¶ God in þe gospel · greuously repreueþ
W10.277 (KD10.268) Alle þat lakkeþ any lif · and lakkes han hem-selue

W10.278 (KD10.268α)Qui consideras festucam in oculo fratris tui · trabem in oculo tuo &c

W10.279 (KD10.269)¶ Why meuestow þi mood for a mote · in þi broþeres eiȝe           476(n)
W10.280 (KD10.270) Siþen a beem in þyn owene · ablyndeþ þi-selue477(c)           478(n)
W10.281 (KD10.270α)Eice primo trabem in oculo tuo &c
W10.282 (KD10.271) Which letteþ þee to loke · lasse ouþer moore           479(n)

W10.283 (KD10.272)¶ I rede ech a blynd bosard · do boote to hym-selue
W10.284 (KD10.272.1) For Abbotes and for Priours · and for alle manere prelates
W10.285 (KD10.273) As persons and parissh preestes · þat preche sholde and teche
W10.286 (KD10.274) Alle maner men to amenden · bi hire myȝtes

W10.287 (KD10.275)¶ This text was told yow · to ben ywar480 er ye tauȝte
W10.288 (KD10.276) That ye were swiche as ye seye481 · to salue wiþ oþere
W10.289 (KD10.277) For goddes word wolde noȝt be lost · for þat wercheþ euere
W10.290 (KD10.278) If it auailled noȝt þe commune · it myȝte auaille yow-selue

W10.291 (KD10.279)¶ Ac it semeþ now sooþly · to þe worldes siȝte
W10.292 (KD10.280) That goddes word wercheþ noȝt · on lered ne on lewed
W10.293 (KD10.281) But in swich a manere · as Marc meneþ in þe gospel
W10.294 (KD10.281α)Dum cecus ducit cecum ambo in foueam cadunt           482(n)

W10.295 (KD10.282)¶ Lewed men may likne yow þus · þat þe beem liþ in youre eiȝen
W10.296 (KD10.283) And þe festu is fallen · for youre defaute

W10.297 (KD10.284)¶ In alle maner men · þoruȝ mansede preestes
W10.298 (KD10.285) The bible bereþ witnesse · þat al þe folk of Israel
W10.299 (KD10.286) Bittre abouȝte þe giltes · of two badde preestes
W10.300 (KD10.287) Offyn and Fynes · for hir coueitise
W10.301 (KD10.288)Archa dei myshapped · and Ely brak his nekke

W10.302 (KD10.289)¶ For-þi ye Correctours claweþ her-on · and correcteþ first yow-selue
W10.303 (KD10.290) And þanne mowe ye safly seye · as Dauid made in þe Sauter

W10.304 (KD10.291)Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis arguam te & statuam contra faciem tuam

W10.305 (KD10.292)¶ And thanne shul burel clerkes ben abasshed · to blame yow or to greue
W10.306 (KD10.293) And carpen noȝt as þei carpe now · ne483 calle yow doumbe houndes
W10.307 (KD10.293α)Canes non valentes latrare
W10.308 (KD10.294) And drede to wraþe yow in any word · youre werkmanship to lette
W10.309 (KD10.295) And be prester at youre preiere · þan for a pound of nobles
W10.310 (KD10.296) And al for youre holynesse · haue ye þis in herte

W10.311 (KD10.309)¶ In scole þere is scorn · but if a clerk wol lerne           484(n)
W10.312 (KD10.310) And gret loue and likyng · for ech of hem loueþ ooþer           485(n)

W10.313 (KD10.311)¶ Ac now is Religion a rydere · a Romere aboute486           487(n)
W10.314 (KD10.312) A ledere of louedayes · and a lond buggere           488(n)
W10.315 (KD10.313) A prikere on a palfrey · fro Manere to Manere           489(n)
W10.316 (KD10.314)An heep of houndes at his ers · as he a lord were           490(n)
W10.317 (KD10.315) And but if his knaue knele · þat shal his coppe brynge           491(n)
W10.318 (KD10.316) He loureþ on hym and askeþ hym · who tauȝte hym curteisie           492(n)

W10.319 (KD10.317)¶ Litel hadde lordes to doon · to ȝyue lond from hire heires
W10.320 (KD10.318) To Religiouse þat han no rouþe · þouȝ it reyne on hir Auters           493(n)

W10.321 (KD10.319)¶ In many places þer þei ben persons494 · be hem-self at ese           495(n)
W10.322 (KD10.320) Of þe pouere haue þei no pite · and þat is hir charite           496(n)
W10.323 (KD10.321) Ac þei leten hem as lordes · hire londes lyen so brode           497(n)

Ac þer shal come
W10.324 (KD10.322)¶ Ac þer shal come a kyng · and confesse yow Religiouses498           499(n)
W10.325 (KD10.323) And bete yow as þe bible telleþ · for brekynge of youre rule           500(n)
W10.326 (KD10.324) And amende Monyals · Monkes and Chanons           501(n)
W10.327 (KD10.325) And puten to502 hir penaunce · Ad pristinum statum ire           503(n)
W10.328 (KD10.326) And Barons wiþ Erles beten hem · þoruȝ Beatus virres techyng           504(n)
W10.329 (KD10.327) That hir barnes claymen · and blame yow foule           505(n)

W10.330 (KD10.327α)Hij in curribus & hij in equis ipsi obligati sunt &c

W10.331 (KD10.328)¶ And þanne Freres in hir fraytour · shul fynden a keye           506(n)
W10.332 (KD10.329) Of Costantyns cofres · in which is þe catel           507(n)
W10.333 (KD10.330) That Gregories godchildren · han yuele despended           508(n)

W10.334 (KD10.331)¶ And þanne shal þe Abbot of Abyngdoun · and al his issue for euere509(c)           510(n)
W10.335 (KD10.332) Haue a knok of a kyng · and incurable þe wounde           511(n)

W10.336 (KD10.333)¶ That þis worþ sooþ seke ye · þat ofte ouer-se þe bible
W10.337 (KD10.333α)Quomodo cessauit exactor quieuit tributum · contriuit dominus
baculum impiorum · et virgam dominancium cedencium plaga insanabili

W10.338 (KD10.334)¶ Ac er þat kyng come · Caym shal awake
W10.339 (KD10.335) But dowel shal dyngen hym adoun · and destruye his myȝte

W10.340 (KD10.336)¶ Thanne is dowel and do-bet · quod I · dominus and knyȝthode

W10.341 (KD10.337)¶ I nel noȝt scorne quod Scripture · but if scryueynes lye
W10.342 (KD10.338) Kynghod ne knyȝthod · by noȝt I kan awayte
W10.343 (KD10.339) Helpeþ noȝt to heueneward · oone heris ende
W10.344 (KD10.340) Ne richesse riȝt noȝt · ne Reautee of lordes
W10.345 (KD10.341) Poul preueþ it impossible · riche men to haue heuene           512(n)
W10.346 (KD10.342) Salomon seiþ also · þat siluer is worst to louye           513(n)
W10.347 (KD10.342α)Nichil iniquius quam amare pecuniam
W10.348 (KD10.343) And Caton kenneþ vs to coueiten it · nauȝt but as nede techeþ
W10.349 (KD10.343α)Dilige denarium set parce dilige formam

fol.57v

W10.350 (KD10.344) And Patriarkes and prophetes · and Poetes boþe
W10.351 (KD10.345) Writen to wissen vs · to wilne no richesse
W10.352 (KD10.346) And preiseden pouerte with pacience · þe Apostles bereþ witnesse
W10.353 (KD10.347) That þei han Eritage in heuene · and by trewe riȝte
W10.354 (KD10.348) Ther riche men no riȝt may cleyme · but of ruþe and grace
W10.355 (KD10.349)Contra quod I by crist · þat kan I repreue
W10.356 (KD10.350) And preuen it by Peter · and by Poul boþe
W10.357 (KD10.351) That is baptized beþ saaf · be he riche or pouere

W10.358 (KD10.352)¶ That is in extremis quod Scripture · amonges Sarzens & Iewes
W10.359 (KD10.353) They mowen be saued so · and þat is oure bileue
W10.360 (KD10.354) That an vncristene in þat caas · may cristen an heþen
W10.361 (KD10.355) And for his lele bileue · whan he þe lif tyneþ
W10.362 (KD10.356) Haue þe heritage of heuene · as any man cristene

W10.363 (KD10.357)¶ Ac cristene men wiþ-oute moore · maye noȝt come to heuene
W10.364 (KD10.358) For þat crist for cristene men · deide and confermed þe lawe
W10.365 (KD10.359) That who-so wolde and wilneþ · wiþ crist to arise
W10.366 (KD10.359α)Si cum Christo surexistis &c

W10.367 (KD10.360)¶ He sholde louye and lene · and þe lawe fulfille
W10.368 (KD10.361) That is loue þi lord god · leuest abouen alle
W10.369 (KD10.362) And after alle cristene creatures · in commune ech man ooþer
W10.370 (KD10.363) And þus bilongeþ to louye · þat leueþ be514 saued
W10.371 (KD10.364) And but we do þus in dede · at515 þe day of dome
W10.372 (KD10.365) It shal bisitten vs ful soure · þe siluer þat we kepen
W10.373 (KD10.366) And oure bakkes þat moþe-eten be · and seen beggeris go naked
W10.374 (KD10.367) Or delit in wyn and wilde fowel · and wite any in defaute
W10.375 (KD10.368) For euery cristene creature · sholde be kynde til ooþer           516(n)
W10.376 (KD10.369) And siþen heþen to helpe · in hope of amendement

W10.377 (KD10.370)¶ God hoteþ heiȝe and lowe · þat no man hurte ooþer
W10.378 (KD10.371) And seiþ slee noȝt þat semblable is · to myn owene liknesse

fol.58r

W10.379 (KD10.372) But if I sende þee som tokene · and seiþ Non mecaberis517
W10.380 (KD10.373) Is slee noȝt but suffre · and al for þe beste           518(n)
W10.381 (KD10.375) For I shal punysshe hem in purgatorie · or in þe put of helle
W10.382 (KD10.376) Ech man for hise mysdedes · but mercy it lette
W10.383 (KD10.377)This is a long lesson quod I · and litel am I þe wiser
W10.384 (KD10.378) Where dowel is or dobet · derkliche ye shewen
W10.385 (KD10.379) Manye tales ye tellen · þat Theologie lerneþ
W10.386 (KD10.380) And þat I man maad was · and my name yentred
W10.387 (KD10.381) In þe legende of lif · longe er I were
W10.388 (KD10.382) Or ellis vnwriten for som wikkednesse · as holy writ witnesseþ
W10.389 (KD10.382α)Nemo ascendit ad celum · nisi qui de celo descendit

W10.390 (KD10.383)¶ I leue it wel quod I by oure lord · and on no lettrure bettre
W10.391 (KD10.384) For Salomon þe sage · þat Sapience tauȝte
W10.392 (KD10.385) God gaf hym grace of wit · and alle hise goodes after
W10.393 (KD10.387) He demed wel and wisely · as holy writ telleþ
W10.394 (KD10.388) Aristotle and he · who wissed men bettre
W10.395 (KD10.389) Maistres þat of goddes mercy · techen men and prechen
W10.396 (KD10.390) Of hir wordes þei wissen vs · for wisest as in hir tyme
W10.397 (KD10.391) And al holy chirche · holdeþ hem boþe ydampned

W10.398 (KD10.392)¶ And if I sholde werche by hir werkes · to wynne me heuene
W10.399 (KD10.393) That for hir werkes and wit · now wonyeþ in pyne
W10.400 (KD10.394) Thanne wrouȝte I vnwisly · what-so-euere ye preche

W10.401 (KD10.395)¶ Ac of fele witty in feiþ · litel ferly I haue
W10.402 (KD10.396) Thouȝ hir goost be vngracious · god for to plese
W10.403 (KD10.397) For many men on þis moolde · moore setten hir hertes           519(n)
W10.404 (KD10.398) In good þan in god · for-þi hem grace failleþ           520(n)
W10.405 (KD10.399-400) At hir mooste meschief · whan þei shal lif lete
W10.406 (KD10.401) As Salomon dide and swiche oþere · þat shewed grete wittes
W10.407 (KD10.402) Ac hir werkes as holy writ seiþ · were euere þe contrarie

fol.58v

W10.408 (KD10.403)For-þi wise witted men · and wel ylettrede clerkes
W10.409 (KD10.404) As þei seyen hem-self · selde doon þer-after
W10.410 (KD10.404α)Super cathedra Moysi &c
W10.411 (KD10.405)¶ Ac I wene it worþ of manye · as was in Noes tyme
W10.412 (KD10.406) Tho he shoop þat ship · of shides and of bordes
W10.413 (KD10.407) Was neuere wrighte saued þat wroȝte þer-on · ne ooþer werkman ellis
W10.414 (KD10.408) But briddes and beestes · and þe blissed Noe
W10.415 (KD10.409) And his wif wiþ hise sones · and also hire wyues
W10.416 (KD10.410) Of wightes þat it wroȝte · was noon of hem ysaued

W10.417 (KD10.411)¶ God lene521 it fare noȝt so bi folk · þat þe feiþ techeþ
W10.418 (KD10.412) Of holi chirche þat herberwe is · and goddes hous to saue522(p)
W10.419 (KD10.413) And shilden vs from shame þer-inne · as Noes ship dide beestes
W10.420 (KD10.414) And men þat maden it · amydde þe flood adreynten
W10.421 (KD10.415) The culorum of þis clause · curatours is to mene
W10.422 (KD10.416) That ben Carpenters holy kirk to make · for cristes owene beestes
W10.423 (KD10.416α)Homines & iumenta saluabis domine &c

W10.424 (KD10.420)¶ On good Friday I fynde · a felon was ysaued
W10.425 (KD10.421) That hadde lyued al his lif · wiþ lesynges and with þefte
W10.426 (KD10.422) And for he beknede to þe cros · and to crist shrof hym
W10.427 (KD10.423) He was sonner ysaued · þan Seint Iohan þe Baptist
W10.428 (KD10.424) And or Adam or Ysaye · or any of þe prophetes
W10.429 (KD10.425) That hadde yleyen wiþ lucifer · many longe yeres
W10.430 (KD10.426) A Robbere was y-raunsoned · raþer þan þei alle
W10.431 (KD10.427) Wiþ-outen any penaunce of purgatorie · to perpetuel blisse

W10.432 (KD10.428)¶ Than Marie Maudeleyne · what womman dide werse
W10.433 (KD10.429) Or who worse þan Dauid · þat vries deeþ conspired
W10.434 (KD10.430) Or Poul þe Apostle · þat no pite hadde
W10.435 (KD10.431) Muche cristene kynde · to kille to deþe
W10.436 (KD10.432) And now ben þise as Souereyns · wiþ Seintes in heuene
W10.437 (KD10.433) Tho þat wrouȝte wikkedlokest · in world þo þei were

W10.438 (KD10.434)¶ And þo þat wisely wordeden · and writen manye bokes
W10.439 (KD10.435) Of wit and of wisedom · wiþ dampned soules wonye
W10.440 (KD10.436) That Salomon seiþ I trowe be sooþ · and certein of vs alle

W10.441 (KD10.436α)Sine523 iusti atque sapientes · & opera eorum in manu dei sunt &c

W10.442 (KD10.437)¶ Ther are witty and wel libbynge · ac hire werkes ben yhudde
W10.443 (KD10.438) In þe hondes of almyȝty god · and he woot þe soþe
W10.444 (KD10.439) Wher-fore a man worþ allowed þere · and hise lele werkes
W10.445 (KD10.440) Or ellis for his yuel wille · and for enuye of herte
W10.446 (KD10.441) And be allowed as he lyued so · for by þe524 luþere men knoweþ þe goode

W10.447 (KD10.442)¶ And wher-by wiste men which were525 whit · if alle þyng blak were
W10.448 (KD10.443) And who were a good man · but if þer were som sherewe
W10.449 (KD10.444) For-þi lyue we forþ wiþ oþere men · I leue fewe ben goode
W10.450 (KD10.445) For quant / oportet / vient en place · il nyad que / pati526
W10.451 (KD10.446) And he þat may al amende · haue mercy on vs alle
W10.452 (KD10.447) For soþest word þat euer god seide · was þo he seide Nemo bonus

W10.453 (KD10.449)¶ Clergie þo of cristes mouþ · comended was it litel
W10.454 (KD10.450) For he seide to Seint Peter · and to swiche as he louede
W10.455 (KD10.450α)Cum steteritis ante Reges & presides &c
W10.456 (KD10.451) Thouȝ ye come bifore kynges · and clerkes of þe lawe
W10.457 (KD10.452) Beþ noȝt abasshed · for I shal be in youre mouþes
W10.458 (KD10.453) And ȝyue yow wit and wille · and konnyng to conclude
W10.459 (KD10.453.1) Hem alle þat ayeins yow · of cristendom disputen

W10.460 (KD10.454)¶ Dauid makeþ mencion · he spak amonges kynges
W10.461 (KD10.455) And myȝte no kyng ouercomen hym · as by konnynge of speche
W10.462 (KD10.456) But wit and wisedom · wan neuere þe maistrie
W10.463 (KD10.457) Whan man was at meschief · wiþ-oute þe moore grace

W10.464 (KD10.458)¶ The douȝtieste doctour · and deuinour of þe trinitee
W10.465 (KD10.459) Was Austyn þe olde · and heiȝest of þe foure

W10.466 (KD10.460)¶ Seide þus in a sermon · I seigh it writen ones

W10.467 (KD10.461)Ecce ipsi ydioti rapiunt celum vbi nos sapientes in inferno mergimur

W10.468 (KD10.462)527(c)¶ And is to mene to men528 · moore ne lesse
W10.469 (KD10.463) Arn none raþer yrauysshed · fro þe riȝte bileue           529(n)
W10.470 (KD10.464) Than are þise konnynge clerkes · þat konne manye bokes           530(n)

W10.471 (KD10.465)¶ Ne none sonner saued · ne sadder of bileue           531(n)
W10.472 (KD10.466) Than Plowmen and pastours · and oþere commune laborers           532(n)
W10.473 (KD10.467) Souteres and shepherdes · and oþere533 lewed Iuttes           534(n)
W10.474 (KD10.468) Percen wiþ a Pater noster · þe paleys of heuene           535(n)
W10.475 (KD10.469) And passen Purgatorie penauncelees · at hir hennes partyng
W10.476 (KD10.470) In-to þe blisse of Paradis · for hir pure bileue
W10.477 (KD10.471) That inparfitly here knewe · and ek lyuede

W10.478 (KD10.472)¶ Ye men knowe clerkes · þat han corsed þe tyme
W10.479 (KD10.473) That euere þe[i] kouþe or knewe moore · þan Credo in deum patrem
W10.480 (KD10.474) And principally hir pater noster · many a persone haþ wisshed

W10.481 (KD10.475)¶ I se ensamples my-self · and so may manye oþere           536(n)
W10.482 (KD10.476) That seruauntz þat seruen lordes · selde fallen in arerage           537(n)
W10.483 (KD10.477) But þo þat kepen þe lordes catel · clerkes and Reues           538(n)

W10.484 (KD10.478)¶ Right so lewed men · and of litel knowyng           539(n)
W10.485 (KD10.479) Selden falle þei so foule · and so fer in synne           540(n)
W10.486 (KD10.480) As clerkes of holy chirche · þat kepen cristes tresor           541(n)
W10.487 (KD10.481) The which is mannes soule to saue · as god seiþ in þe gospel
W10.488 (KD10.481α)542(c)Ite vos in vineam meam

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