Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)

Passus 19

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Passus vndevicesimus / et explicit dobet / et incipit dobest

W19.1 (KD19.1)Thus I awaked and wroot · what I hadde ydremed
W19.2 (KD19.2) And dighte me derely · and dide me to chirche
W19.3 (KD19.3) To here holly þe masse · and to be housled after

W19.4 (KD19.4) In myddes of þe masse · þo men yede to offryng
W19.5 (KD19.5) I fel eft-soones aslepe · and sodeynly me mette
W19.6 (KD19.6) That Piers þe Plowman · was peynted al blody
W19.7 (KD19.7) And com in wiþ a cros · bifore þe comune peple
W19.8 (KD19.8) And riȝt lik in alle þynges936 · to oure lord Iesus

W19.9 (KD19.9)¶ And þanne called I Conscience · to kenne me þe soþe
W19.10 (KD19.10) Is þis Iesus þe Iustere quod I · þat Iewes dide to deþe
W19.11 (KD19.11) Or it is Piers þe Plowman · who peynted hym so rede

W19.12 (KD19.12)¶ Quod Conscience and kneled þo · þise arn Piers armes
W19.13 (KD19.13) Hise colours and his cote Armure · ac he þat comeþ so blody
W19.14 (KD19.14) Is crist wiþ his cros · conquerour of cristene

W19.15 (KD19.15)¶ Why calle937 hym crist quod I · siþen Iewes calle hym Iesus
W19.16 (KD19.16) Patriarkes and prophetes · prophecied bifore
W19.17 (KD19.17) That alle kynne creatures · sholden knelen and bowen
W19.18 (KD19.18) Anoon as men nempned · þe name of god Iesu
W19.19 (KD19.19)Ergo is no name · to þe name of Iesus

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W19.20 (KD19.20)Ne noon so nedeful to nempne · by nyȝte ne by daye
W19.21 (KD19.21) For alle derke deueles · arn adrad to heren it
W19.22 (KD19.22) And synfulle aren solaced · and saued by þat name
W19.23 (KD19.23) And ye callen hym crist · for what cause telleþ me
W19.24 (KD19.24) Is crist moore of myȝt · and moore worþi name
W19.25 (KD19.25) Than Iesu or Iesus · þat al oure Ioye com of
W19.26 (KD19.26)¶ Thow knowest wel quod Conscience · and þow konne reson
W19.27 (KD19.27) That knyght · kyng · conquerour · may be o persone
W19.28 (KD19.28) To be called a knyght is fair · for men shul knele to hym
W19.29 (KD19.29) To be called a kyng is fairer · for he may knyghtes make
W19.30 (KD19.30) Ac to be conquerour called · þat comeþ of special grace
W19.31 (KD19.31) And of hardynesse of herte · and of hendenesse
W19.32 (KD19.32) To make lordes of laddes · of lond þat he wynneþ
W19.33 (KD19.33) And fre men foule þralles · þat folwen noȝt hise lawes

W19.34 (KD19.34)¶ The Iewes þat were gentil men · Iesus þei despised
W19.35 (KD19.35) Boþe his loore and his lawe · now are þei lowe cherles
W19.36 (KD19.36) As wide as þe world is · noon of hem þer wonyeþ938
W19.37 (KD19.37) But vnder tribut and taillage · as tikes and cherles
W19.38 (KD19.38) And þo þat bicome cristene · bi counseil of þe baptisme
W19.39 (KD19.39) Aren frankeleyns · free men · þoruȝ fullynge þat þei toke
W19.40 (KD19.40) And gentil men wiþ Iesu · for Iesu was yfulled
W19.41 (KD19.41) And vp-on Caluarie on cros · ycrouned kyng of Iewes

W19.42 (KD19.42)¶ It bicomeþ to a kyng · to kepe and to defende
W19.43 (KD19.43) And conquerour of conquest · hise lawes and his large
W19.44 (KD19.44) And so dide Iesus þe Iewes · he Iustified and tauȝte hem
W19.45 (KD19.45) The lawe of lif · þat laste shal euere
W19.46 (KD19.46) And defended from foule yueles · feueres and Fluxes
W19.47 (KD19.47) And from fendes þat in hem were · and false bileue
W19.48 (KD19.48) Tho was he Iesus of Iewes called · gentile prophete
W19.49 (KD19.49) And kyng of hir kyngdom · and croune bar of þornes

W19.50 (KD19.50)¶ And þo conquered he on cros · as conquerour noble
W19.51 (KD19.51) Mighte no deeþ hym fordo · ne adoun brynge
W19.52 (KD19.52) That he naroos and regnede · and rauysshed helle
W19.53 (KD19.53) And þo was he conquerour called · of quyke and of dede
W19.54 (KD19.54) For he yaf Adam and Eue · and oþere mo blisse
W19.55 (KD19.55) That longe hadde yleyen bifore · as Luciferis cherles

W19.56 (KD19.60)¶ And siþ he yaf largely · alle hise lele liges
W19.57 (KD19.61) Places in Paradis · at hir partynge hennes
W19.58 (KD19.62) He may wel be called conquerour · and þat is crist to mene

W19.59 (KD19.63)¶ Ac þe cause þat he comeþ þus · wiþ cros of his passion
W19.60 (KD19.64) Is to wissen vs þer-wiþ · þat whan þat we ben tempted939(c)
W19.61 (KD19.65) Ther-with to fiȝte and defenden940 vs · fro fallynge to941 synne
W19.62 (KD19.66) And se bi his sorwe · þat who-so loueþ ioye
W19.63 (KD19.67) To penaunce and to pouerte · he moste puten hym-seluen
W19.64 (KD19.68) And muche wo in þis world · to942 willen and suffren

W19.65 (KD19.69)¶ Ac to carpe moore of crist · and how he com to þat name
W19.66 (KD19.70) Faithly for to speke · his firste name was Iesus
W19.67 (KD19.71) Tho he was born in Bethleem · as þe book telleþ
W19.68 (KD19.72) And cam to take mankynde · kynges and Aungeles
W19.69 (KD19.73) Reuerenced hym faire · wiþ richesses943 of erþe
W19.70 (KD19.74) Aungeles out of heuene · come knelynge and songe
W19.71 (KD19.74α)Gloria in excelsis deo &c944(c)

W19.72 (KD19.75)¶ Kynges þat945 come after · knelede · and offrede
W19.73 (KD19.76) Mirre and muche gold · wiþ-outen mercy askynge
W19.74 (KD19.77) Or any kynnes catel · but knowelichynge hym souereyn
W19.75 (KD19.78) Boþe of lond · sonne and see · and siþenes þei wente
W19.76 (KD19.79) In-to hir kyngene kiþ · by counseil of Aungeles
W19.77 (KD19.80) And þere was þat word fulfilled · þe which þow of speke
W19.78 (KD19.80α)Omnia celestia terrestria flectantur in hoc nomine Iesu

W19.79 (KD19.81)¶ For alle þe Aungeles of heuene · at his burþe knelede
W19.80 (KD19.82) And al þe wit of þe world · was in þo þre kynges
W19.81 (KD19.83) Reson and Rightwisnesse · and Ruþe þei offrede
W19.82 (KD19.84) Wher-fore and why · wise men þat tyme
W19.83 (KD19.85) Maistres and lettred men · Magi · hem callede

W19.84 (KD19.86)¶ That o kyng cam wiþ Reson · couered vnder sense

W19.85 (KD19.87)¶ The seconde kyng siþþe · sooþliche offrede
W19.86 (KD19.88) Rightwisnesse vnder reed gold · Resones felawe
W19.87 (KD19.89) For946 gold is likned to leautee · þat laste shal euere947

W19.88 (KD19.91)¶ The þridde kyng þo kam · knelynge to Iesu
W19.89 (KD19.92) And presented hym wiþ pitee · apperynge by Mirre
W19.90 (KD19.93) For Mirre is mercy to mene · and mylde speche of tonge

W19.91 (KD19.94)¶ Thre yliche honeste þynges · were offred þus at ones
W19.92 (KD19.95) Thoruȝ þre kynne kynges · knelynge to Iesu

W19.93 (KD19.96)¶ Ac for alle þise preciouse presentz · oure lord kyng948Iesus
W19.94 (KD19.97) Was neiþer kyng ne conquerour · til he gan to wexe
W19.95 (KD19.98) In þe manere of a man · and þat by muchel sleighte
W19.96 (KD19.99) As it bicomeþ a conquerour · to konne manye sleightes
W19.97 (KD19.100) And manye wiles and wit · þat wole ben a ledere
W19.98 (KD19.101) And so dide Iesu in hise dayes · who-so hadde tyme to telle it

W19.99 (KD19.102)¶ Som-tyme he suffrede · and som-tyme he hidde hym
W19.100 (KD19.103) And som-tyme he fauȝt faste · and fleiȝ ouþer while
W19.101 (KD19.104) And som-tyme he gaf good · and grauntede heele boþe
W19.102 (KD19.105) Lif and lyme · as hym liste he wroȝte
W19.103 (KD19.106) As kynde is of a Conquerour · so comsede Iesu
W19.104 (KD19.107) Til he hadde alle hem · þat he for bledde

W19.105 (KD19.108)¶ In his Iuuentee þis Iesus · at Iewene feeste

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W19.106 (KD19.109)Water in-to wyn turnede · as holy writ telleþ
W19.107 (KD19.110) And þere bigan god · of his grace to do wel
W19.108 (KD19.111) For wyn is likned to lawe · and lifholynesse949
W19.109 (KD19.112) And lawe lakkede þo · for men louede noȝt hir enemys
W19.110 (KD19.113) And crist counseileþ þus · and comaundeþ boþe
W19.111 (KD19.114) To lered and to lewede · to louyen oure enemys
W19.112 (KD19.115) So at þat feeste first · as I bifore tolde
W19.113 (KD19.116) Bigan god of his grace · and goodnesse to dowel
W19.114 (KD19.117) And þanne was he called · noȝt holy crist but Iesu
W19.115 (KD19.118) A faunt fyn ful of wit · filius Marie
W19.116 (KD19.119) For bifore his moder Marie · made he þat wonder
W19.117 (KD19.120) That she first and formest · ferme sholde bileue
W19.118 (KD19.121) That he þoruȝ grace was gete · and of no gome ellis
W19.119 (KD19.122) He wroȝte þat by no wit · but þoruȝ word one
W19.120 (KD19.123) After þe kynde þat he cam of · þere comsede he dowel
W19.121 (KD19.124)¶ And whan he woxen was moore · in his moder absence
W19.122 (KD19.125) He made lame to lepe · and yaf light to blynde
W19.123 (KD19.126) And fedde wiþ two fisshes · and with fyue loues
W19.124 (KD19.127) Sore afyngred folk · mo þan fyue þousand

W19.125 (KD19.128)¶ Thus he confortede carefulle · and caughte a gretter name
W19.126 (KD19.129) The which was dobet · where þat he wente
W19.127 (KD19.130) For deue þoruȝ hise doynges to here · and dombe speke he made
W19.128 (KD19.131) And alle he heeled and halp · þat hym of grace askede
W19.129 (KD19.132) And þo was he called in contre · of þe comune peple
W19.130 (KD19.133) For þe dedes þat he dide · Fili dauid Iesus
W19.131 (KD19.134) For dauid was doghtiest · of dedes in his tyme
W19.132 (KD19.135) The burdes þo songe · Saul interfecit mille et dauid decem milia

W19.133 (KD19.136)¶ For-þi þe contree þer Iesu cam called hym fili dauid
W19.134 (KD19.137) And nempned hym of Nazareth · and no man so worþi
W19.135 (KD19.138) To be kaiser or kyng · of þe kyngdom of Iuda
W19.136 (KD19.139) Ne ouer Iewes Iustice · as Iesus was hem þouȝte

W19.137 (KD19.140)¶ Wher-of Cayphas hadde enuye · and oþere of þe Iewes
W19.138 (KD19.141) And for to doon hym to deþe · day and nyȝt þei casten
W19.139 (KD19.142) Killeden hym on cros-wise · at Caluarie on Friday
W19.140 (KD19.143) And siþen buriede his body · and beden þat men sholde
W19.141 (KD19.144) Kepen it fro nyght-comeris · wiþ knyghtes y-armed
W19.142 (KD19.145) For no frendes sholde hym fecche · for prophetes hem tolde
W19.143 (KD19.146) That þat blissede body · of burieles risen sholde
W19.144 (KD19.147) And goon in-to Galilee · and gladen hise Apostles
W19.145 (KD19.148) And his moder Marie · þus men bifore demede

W19.146 (KD19.149)¶ The knyghtes þat kepten it · biknewe it hem-seluen
W19.147 (KD19.150) That Aungeles and Archaungeles · er þe day spronge
W19.148 (KD19.151-152) Come knelynge to þe corps · and songen Christus resurgens
W19.149 (KD19.153) Verray men950 bifore hem alle · and forþ wiþ hem he yede

W19.150 (KD19.154)¶ The Iewes preide hem be951 pees · and bisouȝte þe knyghtes
W19.151 (KD19.155) Telle þe comune þat þer cam · a compaignie of hise Apostles
W19.152 (KD19.156) And biwicched hem as þei woke · and awey stolen it

W19.153 (KD19.157)¶ Ac Marie Maudeleyne · mette hym by þe weye
W19.154 (KD19.158) Goynge toward Galilee · in godhede and manhede
W19.155 (KD19.159) And lyues and lokynge · and she aloud cride
W19.156 (KD19.160) In ech a compaignie952(c) þer she cam · Christus resurgens

W19.157 (KD19.161)¶ Thus cam it out þat crist ouercoom · recouerede and lyuede
W19.158 (KD19.161α)Sic oportet Christum pati & intrare &c
W19.159 (KD19.162) For þat · þat wommen witeþ · may noȝt wel be counseille

W19.160 (KD19.163)¶ Peter parceyued al þis · and pursued after
W19.161 (KD19.164) Boþe Iames and Iohan · Iesu for to seke
W19.162 (KD19.165) Thaddee and ten mo · wiþ Thomas of Inde
W19.163 (KD19.166) And as alle þise wise wyes · weren togideres
W19.164 (KD19.167) In an hous al bishet · and hir dore ybarred
W19.165 (KD19.168) Crist cam In and al closed · boþe dore and yates

W19.166 (KD19.169)¶ To Peter and to þise Apostles · and seide pax vobis
W19.167 (KD19.170) And took Thomas by þe hand · and tauȝte hym to grope
W19.168 (KD19.171) And feele wiþ hise fyngres · his flesshliche herte

W19.169 (KD19.172)¶ Thomas touched it · and wiþ his tonge seide
W19.170 (KD19.172α)Deus meus & dominus meus
W19.171 (KD19.173) Thow art my lord I bileue · my god lord953Iesu
W19.172 (KD19.174) Thow deidest and deeþ þoledest · and deme shalt vs alle
W19.173 (KD19.175) And now art lyuynge and lokynge · and laste shalt euere

W19.174 (KD19.176)¶ Crist carpede þanne · and curteisliche seide
W19.175 (KD19.177) Thomas for þow trowest þis · and treweliche bileuest it
W19.176 (KD19.178) Blessed mote þow be · and be shalt for euere
W19.177 (KD19.179) And blessed mote þei alle be · in body and in soule
W19.178 (KD19.180) That neuere shul se me in sighte · as þow doost nowþe
W19.179 (KD19.181) And lelliche bileue al þis · I loue hem and blesse hem
W19.180 (KD19.181α)Beati qui non viderunt &c

W19.181 (KD19.182)¶ And whan þis dede was doon · dobest he tauȝte
W19.182 (KD19.183) And yaf Piers power · and pardon he grauntede
W19.183 (KD19.185) To alle maner men · mercy and forȝifnesse
W19.184 (KD19.184) Hym myght to assoille · of alle manere synne
W19.185 (KD19.186) In couenaunt þat þei come · and kneweliched to paie
W19.186 (KD19.187) To Piers pardon þe Plowman · redde quod debes

W19.187 (KD19.188)¶ Thus haþ Piers power · by his pardon paied
W19.188 (KD19.189) To bynde and vnbynde · boþe here and ellis-where
W19.189 (KD19.190) And assoille men of alle synnes · saue of dette one

W19.190 (KD19.191)¶ Anoon after an heigh · vp in-to heuene
W19.191 (KD19.192) He wente and wonyeþ þere · and wol come at þe laste
W19.192 (KD19.193) And rewarde hym right wel · þat reddit quod debet
W19.193 (KD19.194) Paieþ parfitly · as pure truþe wolde
W19.194 (KD19.195) And what persone paieþ it nouȝt · punysshen he þenkeþ

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W19.195 (KD19.196)And demen hem at domes-day · boþe quyke and dede
W19.196 (KD19.197) The goode to þe godhede · and to greet Ioye
W19.197 (KD19.198) And wikkede to wonye · in wo wiþ-outen ende
W19.198 (KD19.199)¶ Thus Conscience of crist · and of þe cros carpede
W19.199 (KD19.200) And counseiled me to knele þer-to · and þanne cam me þouȝte
W19.200 (KD19.201) Oon Spiritus paraclitus · to Piers and to hise felawes
W19.201 (KD19.202) In liknesse of a lightnynge · he lighte on hem alle
W19.202 (KD19.203) And made hem konne and knowe · alle kynne langages
W19.203 (KD19.204) I wondred what þat was · and waggede Conscience
W19.204 (KD19.205) And was a-fered of þe light · for in fires lightnesse954
W19.205 (KD19.206)Spiritus paraclitus · ouer-spradde hem alle

W19.206 (KD19.207)¶ Quod Conscience and knelede · þis is cristes messager
W19.207 (KD19.208) And comeþ fro þe grete god · and grace is his name
W19.208 (KD19.209) Knele now quod Conscience · and if þow kanst synge
W19.209 (KD19.210) Welcome hym and worshipe hym · wiþ Veni creator Spiritus

W19.210 (KD19.211)¶ Thanne song I þat song · so dide manye hundred
W19.211 (KD19.212) And cride wiþ Conscience · help vs god of grace

W19.212 (KD19.213)¶ And þanne bigan grace · to go wiþ Piers Plowman
W19.213 (KD19.214) And counseillede hym and Conscience · þe comune to sompne
W19.214 (KD19.215) For I wole dele to-day · and ȝyue diuine grace
W19.215 (KD19.216) To alle kynne creatures · þat han hir fyue wittes
W19.216 (KD19.217) Tresour to lyue by · to hir lyues ende
W19.217 (KD19.218) And wepne to fighte wiþ · þat wole neuere faille
W19.218 (KD19.219) For Antecrist and hise · al þe world shul greue
W19.219 (KD19.220) And acombre þee Conscience · but if crist þee helpe

W19.220 (KD19.221)¶ And false prophetes fele · flatereris and gloseris
W19.221 (KD19.222) Shullen come and be curatours · ouer kynges and Erles
W19.222 (KD19.223) And Pride shal be Pope · Prynce of holy chirche
W19.223 (KD19.224) Coueitise and vnkyndenesse · Cardinals hym to lede

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W19.224 (KD19.225)For-þi quod grace er I go · I wol gyue yow tresor
W19.225 (KD19.226) And wepne to fighte wiþ · whan Antecrist yow assailleþ
W19.226 (KD19.227) And gaf ech man a grace · to gide wiþ hym-seluen
W19.227 (KD19.228) That ydelnesse encombre hym noȝt · enuye ne pride
W19.228 (KD19.228α)Diuisiones graciarum sunt &c
W19.229 (KD19.229)¶ Some he yaf wit · with wordes to shewe
W19.230 (KD19.230) Wit to wynne hir liflode wiþ · as þe world askeþ
W19.231 (KD19.231) As prechours and preestes · and Prentices of lawe
W19.232 (KD19.232) They lelly to lyue · by labour of tonge
W19.233 (KD19.233) And by wit to wissen oþere · as grace hem wolde teche

W19.234 (KD19.234)¶ And some he kennede craft · and konnynge of sighte
W19.235 (KD19.235) Wiþ sellynge and buggynge · hir bilyue to wynne

W19.236 (KD19.236-237)¶ And some he lered to laboure · a lele lif and a trewe
W19.237 (KD19.238) And some he tauȝte to tilie · to dyche and to thecche
W19.238 (KD19.239) To wynne wiþ hir liflode · bi loore of his techynge

W19.239 (KD19.240)¶ And some to deuyne and diuide · noumbres to kenne
W19.240 (KD19.241) And some to compace craftily · and colours to make
W19.241 (KD19.242) And some to se and to seye · what sholde bifalle
W19.242 (KD19.243) Boþe of wele and of wo · telle it er it felle
W19.243 (KD19.244) As Astronomyens þoruȝ Astronomye · and Philosofres wise

W19.244 (KD19.245)¶ And some to ryde and to recouere · þat wrongfully955 was wonne
W19.245 (KD19.246) He wissed hem to wynne it ayein · þoruȝ wightnesse of handes
W19.246 (KD19.247) And fecchen it fro false men · wiþ Foluyles lawes

W19.247 (KD19.248)¶ And some he lered to lyue · in longynge to ben hennes
W19.248 (KD19.249) In pouerte and in penaunce · to preie for alle cristene
W19.249 (KD19.250) And alle he lered to be lele · and ech a craft loue ooþer
W19.250 (KD19.251) And forbad hem alle debat · þat noon were among hem
W19.251 (KD19.252) Thouȝ some be clenner þan some · ye se wel quod Grace

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W19.252 (KD19.252.1) That he þat vseþ þe faireste craft · to þe fouleste I kouþe haue put hym
W19.253 (KD19.253) Thynkeþ alle quod Grace · þat grace comeþ of my ȝifte
W19.254 (KD19.254) Lokeþ þat no man956 lakke ooþer · but loueþ alle as breþeren
W19.255 (KD19.255)¶ And who þat moost maistries kan · be myldest of berynge
W19.256 (KD19.256) And crouneþ Conscience kyng · and makeþ craft youre Stiward
W19.257 (KD19.257) And after craftes conseil · cloþeþ yow and fede
W19.258 (KD19.258) For I make Piers þe Plowman · my procuratour and my reue
W19.259 (KD19.259) And Registrer to receyue · redde quod debes
W19.260 (KD19.260) My prowor and my Plowman · Piers shal ben on erþe
W19.261 (KD19.261) And for to tilie truþe · a teeme shal he haue

W19.262 (KD19.262)¶ Grace gaf Piers a teeme · of957 foure grete Oxen
W19.263 (KD19.263) That oon was Luk a large beest · and a lowe-chered
W19.264 (KD19.264) And Mark and Mathew þe þridde · myghty beestes boþe
W19.265 (KD19.265) And Ioyned to hem oon Iohan · moost gentil of alle
W19.266 (KD19.266) The pris neet of Piers plow · passynge alle oþere

W19.267 (KD19.267)¶ And Grace gaf Piers · of his goodnesse foure stottes
W19.268 (KD19.268) Al þat hise oxen eriede · þei to harewen after
W19.269 (KD19.269) Oon highte Austyn · and Ambrose anoþer
W19.270 (KD19.270) Gregori þe grete clerk · and Ierom þe goode
W19.271 (KD19.271) Thise foure þe feiþ to teche · folweþ Piers teme
W19.272 (KD19.272) And harewede in an hand-while · al holy Scripture
W19.273 (KD19.273) Wiþ two harewes þat þei hadde · an oold and a newe
W19.274 (KD19.273α)Id est vetus testamentum & nouum

W19.275 (KD19.274)¶ And Grace gaf greynes · þe Cardynal vertues
W19.276 (KD19.275) And sew hem in mannes soule · and siþen he tolde hir names
W19.277 (KD19.276)Spiritus prudencie · þe firste seed highte
W19.278 (KD19.277) And who-so ete þat · ymagynen he sholde
W19.279 (KD19.278) Er he deide any deeþ958 · deuyse wel þe ende
W19.280 (KD19.279) And lerned men a ladel bugge · wiþ a long stele
W19.281 (KD19.280) And caste for to kepe a crokke · to saue þe fatte aboue

W19.282 (KD19.281)¶ The seconde seed · highte Spiritus temperancie959(c)
W19.283 (KD19.282) He þat ete of þat seed · hadde swich a kynde
W19.284 (KD19.283) Sholde neuere mete ne muchel drynke · make hym to swelle
W19.285 (KD19.284) Ne no scornere ne scolde · out of skile hym brynge
W19.286 (KD19.285) Ne wynnynge ne wele · of worldliche richesse
W19.287 (KD19.286) Waste word of ydelnesse · ne wikked speche moeue
W19.288 (KD19.287) Sholde no curious clooþ · comen on his rugge
W19.289 (KD19.288) Ne no mete in his mouþ · þat maister Iohan Spicede

W19.290 (KD19.289)¶ The þridde seed þat Piers sew · was Spiritus fortitudinis
W19.291 (KD19.290) And who ete960 þat seed · hardy was he euere
W19.292 (KD19.291) To suffren al þat god sente · siknesse and Angres
W19.293 (KD19.292) Mighte no lesynges ne lyere · ne los of worldly catel
W19.294 (KD19.293) Maken hym for any mournynge · þat he nas murie in soule
W19.295 (KD19.294) And bold and abidynge · bismares to suffre
W19.296 (KD19.295) And pleieþ al wiþ pacience · and Parce michi domine
W19.297 (KD19.296) And couered hym vnder conseille · of Caton þe wise
W19.298 (KD19.296α)Esto forti animo cum sis dampnatus inique

W19.299 (KD19.297)¶ The ferþe seed þat Piers sew · was Spiritus Iusticie
W19.300 (KD19.298) And he þat ete of þat seed · sholde be euere trewe
W19.301 (KD19.299) Wiþ god · and nauȝt agast · but of gile one
W19.302 (KD19.300) For gile gooþ so pryuely · þat good feiþ ouþer-while
W19.303 (KD19.301) May nouȝt ben espied · for Spiritus Iusticie

W19.304 (KD19.302)Spiritus Iusticie · spareþ noȝt to spille
W19.305 (KD19.302-303) Hem þat ben gilty · and for to correcte
W19.306 (KD19.303) The kyng if he falle · in gilt or in trespas
W19.307 (KD19.304) For counteþ he no kynges wraþe · whan he in Court sitteþ
W19.308 (KD19.305) To demen as a domes-man · adrad was he neuere
W19.309 (KD19.306) Neiþer of duc ne of deeþ · þat he ne dide lawe
W19.310 (KD19.307) For present or for preiere · or any Prynces lettres
W19.311 (KD19.308) He dide equyte to alle · euene-forþ his power
Thise foure sedes

W19.312 (KD19.309)¶ Thise foure sedes Piers sew · and siþþe he dide hem harewe
W19.313 (KD19.310) Wiþ olde lawe and newe lawe · þat loue myȝte wexe
W19.314 (KD19.311) Among þo foure vertues · and vices destruye
W19.315 (KD19.312) For comunliche in contrees · cammokes and wedes
W19.316 (KD19.313) Foulen þe fruyt in þe feld · þer þei growen togideres
W19.317 (KD19.314) And so doon vices · vertues worþi

W19.318 (KD19.315)¶ Quod Piers hareweþ alle þat konneþ kynde wit · by conseil of þise docto[urs]961
W19.319 (KD19.316) And tilieþ after hir techynge · þe Cardynale vertues

W19.320 (KD19.317)¶ Ayeins þi greynes quod Grace · bigynneþ for to ripe
W19.321 (KD19.318) Ordeigne þee an hous Piers · to herberwe Inne þi cornes

W19.322 (KD19.319)¶ By god Grace quod Piers · ye moten gyue tymber
W19.323 (KD19.320) And ordeyne þat hous · er ye hennes wende

W19.324 (KD19.321)¶ And Grace gaf hym þe cros · wiþ þe croune of þornes
W19.325 (KD19.322) That crist vp-on Caluarie · for mankynde on pyned
W19.326 (KD19.323) And of his baptisme and blood · þat he bledde on roode
W19.327 (KD19.324) He made a manere morter · and mercy it highte
W19.328 (KD19.325) And þer-wiþ Grace bigan · to make a good foundement
W19.329 (KD19.326) And watlede it and walled it · wiþ his peyne962 and his passion
W19.330 (KD19.327) And of al holy writ · he made a roof after
W19.331 (KD19.328) And called þat hous vnitee · holy chirche on englissh

W19.332 (KD19.329)¶ And whan þis dede was doon · Grace deuysede
W19.333 (KD19.330) A cart highte cristendom · to carie Piers sheues
W19.334 (KD19.331) And gaf hym caples to his carte · contricion and confession
W19.335 (KD19.332) And made preesthod hayward · þe while hym-self wente
W19.336 (KD19.333) As wide as þe world is · wiþ Piers to tilie truþe

W19.337 (KD19.335)¶ Now is Piers to þe plow · and pride it aspide
W19.338 (KD19.336) And gadered hym a greet Oost · for to963 greuen he þynkeþ
W19.339 (KD19.337) Conscience and alle cristene · and Cardinale vertues

W19.340 (KD19.338)¶ Blowe hem doun and breke hem · and bite a-two þe mores
W19.341 (KD19.339) And sente forþ Surquidous · his sergeaunt of Armes
W19.342 (KD19.340) And his Spye Spille loue · oon Spek yuel bihynde

W19.343 (KD19.341)¶ Thise two coome to Conscience · and to cristen peple
W19.344 (KD19.342) And tolde hem tidynges · þat tyne þei sholde þe sedes
W19.345 (KD19.343) That Piers þere hadde ysowen · þe Cardynale vertues
W19.346 (KD19.344) And Piers bern worþ ybroke · and þei þat ben in vnitee
W19.347 (KD19.345) Shulle come out · and Conscience · and youre two caples
W19.348 (KD19.346) Confession and Contricion · and youre carte þe bileeue
W19.349 (KD19.347) Shal be coloured so queyntely · and couered vnder Sophistrie
W19.350 (KD19.348) That Conscience shal noȝt · knowe by contricion
W19.351 (KD19.348) Ne by Confession · who is cristene or heþene
W19.352 (KD19.349) Ne no manere marchaunt · þat wiþ moneye deleþ
W19.353 (KD19.350) Wheiþer he wynne wiþ right · wiþ wrong or wiþ vsure

W19.354 (KD19.351)¶ Wiþ swiche colours and queyntise · comeþ pride yarmed
W19.355 (KD19.352) Wiþ þe lord þat lyueþ after · þe lust of his body
W19.356 (KD19.353) To wasten on welfare · and in964 wikked lyuyng965
W19.357 (KD19.354) Al þe world in a while · þoruȝ oure wit quod Pryde

W19.358 (KD19.355)¶ Quod Conscience to alle cristene þo · my counseil is to wende
W19.359 (KD19.356) Hastiliche in-to vnitee · and holde we vs þere
W19.360 (KD19.357) And praye we þat a pees weere · in Piers berne þe Plowman
W19.361 (KD19.358) For witterly I woot wel · we beþ noȝt of strengþe
W19.362 (KD19.359) To goon agayn Pride · but Grace weere wiþ vs

W19.363 (KD19.360)¶ And þanne kam Kynde wit · Conscience to teche
W19.364 (KD19.361) And cryde and comaundede · alle cristene peple
W19.365 (KD19.362) For to deluen a dych · depe aboute vnitee
W19.366 (KD19.363) That holy chirche stode in vnitee · as it a Pyl weere

W19.367 (KD19.364)¶ Conscience comaundede þo · alle cristene to delue
W19.368 (KD19.365) And make a muche moot · þat myghte ben a strengþe

fol.122r

W19.369 (KD19.366) To helpe holy chirche · and hem þat it kepeþ
W19.370 (KD19.367)¶ Thanne alle kynne cristene · saue comune wommen
W19.371 (KD19.368) Repenteden and refused synne · saue þei one
W19.372 (KD19.369) And false men flatereris · vsurers and þeues
W19.373 (KD19.369) Lyeris and questemongeres · þat were forsworen ofte
W19.374 (KD19.370) Witynge and wilfully · wiþ þe false helden
W19.375 (KD19.371) And for siluer were forswore · sooþly þei wiste it

W19.376 (KD19.372)¶ Ther nas no cristene creature · þat kynde wit hadde ·
W19.377 (KD19.373) Saue sherewes one · swiche as I spak of
W19.378 (KD19.374) That he ne halp a quantite · holynesse to wexe
W19.379 (KD19.375) Some þoruȝ bedes biddynge · and some þoruȝ pilgrymages966
W19.380 (KD19.376) And oþere pryue penaunces967 · and somme þoruȝ penyes delynge

W19.381 (KD19.377)¶ And þanne wellede water · for wikkede werkes
W19.382 (KD19.378) Egreliche ernynge · out of mennes eighen
W19.383 (KD19.379) Clennesse out of comune · and clerkes clene lyuynge
W19.384 (KD19.380) Made vnitee holy chirche · in holynesse to stonde

W19.385 (KD19.381)¶ I care noȝt quod Conscience · þouȝ pride come nouþe
W19.386 (KD19.382) The lord of lust shal be letted · al þis lente I hope
W19.387 (KD19.383) Comeþ quod Conscience · ye cristene and dyneþ
W19.388 (KD19.384) That han laboured lelly · al þis lenten tyme
W19.389 (KD19.385) Here is breed y-blessed · and goddes body þer-vnder
W19.390 (KD19.386) Grace þoruȝ goddes word · yaf Piers power
W19.391 (KD19.387) And myȝtes to maken it · and men to ete it after
W19.392 (KD19.388) In help of hir heele · ones in a Monþe
W19.393 (KD19.389) Or as ofte as þei hadde nede · þo þat hadde y-paied
W19.394 (KD19.390) To Piers pardon þe Plowman · redde quod debes

W19.395 (KD19.391)¶ How quod al þe comune · þow conseillest vs to yelde
W19.396 (KD19.392) Al þat we owen any wight · er we go to housel

W19.397 (KD19.393)¶ That is my conseil quod Conscience · and Cardinale vertues
W19.398 (KD19.394) That ech man forȝyue ooþer · and þat wole þe Pater noster
W19.399 (KD19.394α)Et dimitte nobis debita nostra &c
W19.400 (KD19.395) And so to ben assoilled · and siþþen ben houseled

W19.401 (KD19.396)¶ Ye baw quod a Brewere · I wol noȝt be ruled
W19.402 (KD19.397) By Iesu for al youre Ianglynge · wiþ Spiritus Iusticie
W19.403 (KD19.398) Ne after Conscience by crist · while I kan selle
W19.404 (KD19.399) Boþe dregges and draf · and drawe it out at oon hole
W19.405 (KD19.400) Thikke ale and þynne ale · for þat is my kynde
W19.406 (KD19.401) And noȝt hakke after holynesse · hold þi tonge Conscience
W19.407 (KD19.402) Of Spiritus Iusticie · þow spekest muche on ydel

W19.408 (KD19.403)¶ Caytif quod Conscience · cursede wrecche
W19.409 (KD19.404) Vnblessed artow Brewere · but if þee god helpe
W19.410 (KD19.405) But þow lyue by loore · of Spiritus Iusticie
W19.411 (KD19.406) The chief seed þat Piers sew · ysaued worstow neuere
W19.412 (KD19.407) But Conscience þe comune fede · and Cardinale vertues
W19.413 (KD19.408) Leue it wel þei ben lost · boþe lif and soule

W19.414 (KD19.409)¶ Thanne is many a man lost · quod a lewed vicory
W19.415 (KD19.410) I am a Curatour of holy kirke · and cam neuere in my tyme
W19.416 (KD19.411) Man to me / þat me kouþe telle · of Cardinale vertues
W19.417 (KD19.412) Or þat acountede Conscience · at a cokkes feþere or an hennes
W19.418 (KD19.413) I knew neuere Cardynal · þat he ne cam fro þe pope
W19.419 (KD19.414) And we clerkes whan þei come · for hir comunes paieþ
W19.420 (KD19.415) For hir pelure and hir palfreyes mete · and pilours þat hem folweþ

W19.421 (KD19.416)¶ The comune clamat cotidie · ech a man til ooþer
W19.422 (KD19.417) The contree is þe corseder · þat Cardinals come Inne
W19.423 (KD19.418) And þer þei ligge and lenge moost · lecherie þere regneþ

W19.424 (KD19.419)¶ For-þi quod þis vicory · by verray god I wolde
W19.425 (KD19.420) That no Cardynal coome · among þe comune peple

W19.426 (KD19.421)¶ But in hir holynesse · helden hem stille
W19.427 (KD19.422) At Auynoun among þe Iewes · Cum Sancto Sanctus eris &c
W19.428 (KD19.423) Or in Rome as hir rule wole · þe relikes to kepe
W19.429 (KD19.424) And þow Conscience in kynges court · and sholdest neuere come þennes
W19.430 (KD19.425) And Grace þat þow graddest968 so of · gyour of alle clerkes
W19.431 (KD19.426) And Piers wiþ his newe plow · and ek wiþ his olde
W19.432 (KD19.427) Emperour of al þe world · þat alle men were cristene

W19.433 (KD19.428)¶ Inparfit is þat pope · þat al þe world sholde helpe
W19.434 (KD19.429) And sendeþ swiche þat sleeþ hem · þat969 he sholde saue

W19.435 (KD19.430)¶ And wel worþe Piers þe plowman · þat pursueþ god in doynge
W19.436 (KD19.431)Qui pluit super Iustos & iniustos · at ones
W19.437 (KD19.432) And sent þe sonne to saue · a cursed mannes tilþe
W19.438 (KD19.433) As brighte as to þe beste man · or to þe beste womman

W19.439 (KD19.434)¶ Right so Piers þe Plowman · peyneþ hym to tilye
W19.440 (KD19.435) As wel for a wastour · and wenches of þe stewes
W19.441 (KD19.436) As for hym-self and hise seruauntz · saue he is first yserued
W19.442 (KD19.438) And trauailleþ and tilieþ · for a tretour also soore
W19.443 (KD19.439) As for a trewe tidy man · alle tymes ylike
W19.444 (KD19.440) And worshiped be he þat wroȝte al · boþe good and wikke
W19.445 (KD19.441) And suffreþ þat synfulle be ·970
W19.446 (KD19.442) And god amende þe pope · þat pileþ holy kirke
W19.447 (KD19.443) And cleymeþ bifore þe kyng · to be kepere ouer cristene
W19.448 (KD19.444) And counteþ noȝt þouȝ cristene ben · killed and robbed
W19.449 (KD19.445) And fynt folk to fiȝte · and cristen blood to spille
W19.450 (KD19.446) Ayein þe olde lawe and newe lawe · as Luc þer-of witnesseþ
W19.451 (KD19.446α)Non occides · michi vindictam &c

W19.452 (KD19.447)¶ It semeþ bi so · hym-self hadde his wille
W19.453 (KD19.448) That he reccheþ · riȝt noȝt of al þe remenaunt
W19.454 (KD19.449) And crist of his curteisie · þe Cardinals saue
W19.455 (KD19.450) And torne hir wit to wisdom · and to welþe of soule

fol.123v

W19.456 (KD19.451)For þe comune quod þis Curatour · counten ful litel
W19.457 (KD19.452) The counseil of Conscience · or Cardinale vertues
W19.458 (KD19.453) But if þei seiȝe as by sighte · som-what to wynnyng
W19.459 (KD19.454) Of gile ne of gabbyng · gyue þei neuere tale
W19.460 (KD19.455) For spiritus prudencie · among þe peple is gyle
W19.461 (KD19.456) And alle þo faire vertues · as vices þei semeþ
W19.462 (KD19.457) Ech man subtileþ a sleiȝte · synne for to hide
W19.463 (KD19.458) And coloureþ it for a konnynge · and a clene lyuynge
W19.464 (KD19.459)¶ Thanne louȝ þer a lord · and by þis light seide
W19.465 (KD19.460) I holde it riȝt and reson · of my Reue to take
W19.466 (KD19.461) Al þat myn Auditour · or ellis my Styward
W19.467 (KD19.462) Counseilleþ me bi hir acounte · and my clerkes writynge
W19.468 (KD19.463) Wiþ Spiritus Intellectus · þei seke þe reues rolles
W19.469 (KD19.464) And wiþ Spiritus fortitudinis · fecche it I wole after971

W19.470 (KD19.465)¶ And þanne cam þer a kyng · and by his croune seide
W19.471 (KD19.466) I am kyng wiþ croune · þe comune to rule
W19.472 (KD19.467) And holy kirke and clergie · fro cursed men to fende972
W19.473 (KD19.468) And if me lakkeþ to lyue by · þe lawe wole I take it
W19.474 (KD19.469) Ther I may hastilokest it haue · for I am heed of lawe
W19.475 (KD19.470) And ye973 ben but membres · and I aboue alle
W19.476 (KD19.471) And siþ I am youre aller heed · I am youre aller heele
W19.477 (KD19.472) And holy chirches chief help · and Chieftayn of þe comune
W19.478 (KD19.473) And what I take of yow two · I take it at þe techynge
W19.479 (KD19.474) Of Spiritus Iusticie · for I Iugge yow alle
W19.480 (KD19.475) So I may boldely be housled · for I borwe neuere
W19.481 (KD19.476) Ne craue of my comune · but as my kynde askeþ

W19.482 (KD19.477)¶ In condicion quod Conscience · þat þow konne defende
W19.483 (KD19.478) And rule þi reaume in reson · right wel and in truþe
W19.484 (KD19.479) Take þow mayst in reson · as þi lawe askeþ
W19.485 (KD19.479α)Omnia tua sunt ad defendendum · set non ad deprehendendum
W19.486 (KD19.480) The viker hadde fer hoom · and faire took his leeue
W19.487 (KD19.481) And I awakned þer-wiþ · and wroot as me mette

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