Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)

Passus 20

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Passus vicesimus de visione & primus de Dobest

W20.1 (KD20.1)Thanne as I wente by þe wey · whan I was thus awaked
W20.2 (KD20.2) Heuy chered I yede · and elenge in herte
W20.3 (KD20.3) I ne wiste wher to ete · ne at what place
W20.4 (KD20.4) And it neghed neiȝ þe noon · and wiþ nede I mette
W20.5 (KD20.5) That afrounted me foule · and faitour me called
W20.6 (KD20.6) Kanstow noȝt excuse þee · as dide þe kyng and oþere
W20.7 (KD20.7) That þow toke to þi bilyue · to cloþes and to sustenaunce
W20.8 (KD20.8) And by techynge and by tellynge · of Spiritus temperancie
W20.9 (KD20.9) And þow nome namoore · þan nede þee tauȝte
W20.10 (KD20.10) And nede ne haþ no lawe · ne neuere shal falle in dette
W20.11 (KD20.11) For þre þynges he takeþ · his lif for to saue

W20.12 (KD20.12)¶ That is mete whan men hym werneþ · and he no moneye weldeþ
W20.13 (KD20.13) Ne wight noon wol ben his boruȝ · ne wed haþ noon to legge
W20.14 (KD20.14) And he cauȝte in þat caas · and come þer-to by sleighte
W20.15 (KD20.15) He synneþ noȝt sooþliche · þat so wynneþ his foode

W20.16 (KD20.16)¶ And þouȝ he come so to a clooþ · and kan no bettre cheuyssaunce
W20.17 (KD20.17) Nede anoon righte · nymeþ hym vnder maynprise

W20.18 (KD20.18)¶ And if hym list for to lape · þe lawe of kynde wolde
W20.19 (KD20.19) That he dronke at ech dych · er he for þurst deide
W20.20 (KD20.20) So nede at gret nede · may nymen as for his owene
W20.21 (KD20.21) Wiþ-outen conseil of Conscience · or Cardynale vertues
W20.22 (KD20.22) So þat he sewe and saue · Spiritus temperancie

W20.23 (KD20.23)¶ For is no vertue bi fer · to Spiritus temperancie
W20.24 (KD20.24) Ne974Spiritus Iusticie · ne Spiritus fortitudinis
W20.25 (KD20.25) For Spiritus fortitudinis · forfeteþ ful ofte
W20.26 (KD20.26) He shal do moore þan mesure · many tyme and ofte
W20.27 (KD20.27) And bete men ouer bittre · and some of hem to litel
W20.28 (KD20.28) And greue men gretter · þan good feiþ it wolde

W20.29 (KD20.29)¶ And Spiritus Iusticie · shal Iuggen wole he nel he

W20.30 (KD20.30)¶ After þe kynges counseil · and þe comune like
W20.31 (KD20.31) And Spiritus prudencie · in many a point shal faille
W20.32 (KD20.32) Of þat he weneþ wolde falle · if his wit ne weere
W20.33 (KD20.33) Wenynge is no wysdom · ne wys ymaginacion
W20.34 (KD20.33α-34)Homo proponit & deus disponit · and gouerneþ alle goode vertues
W20.35 (KD20.35) Ac nede is next hym · for anoon he mekeþ
W20.36 (KD20.36) And as lowe as a lomb · for lakkyng of þat hym nedeþ
W20.37 (KD20.38) Wise men forsoke wele · for þei wolde be nedy
W20.38 (KD20.39) And woneden in wildernesse · and wolde noȝt be riche

W20.39 (KD20.40)¶ And god al his grete Ioye · goostliche he lefte
W20.40 (KD20.41) And cam and took mankynde · and bicam nedy
W20.41 (KD20.42) So nedy he was as seiþ þe book · in manye sondry places
W20.42 (KD20.43) That he seide in his sorwe · on þe selue roode
W20.43 (KD20.44) Boþe fox and fowel · may fle to hole and crepe
W20.44 (KD20.45) And þe fissh haþ fyn · to flete wiþ to reste
W20.45 (KD20.46) Ther nede haþ ynome me · þat I moot nede abide
W20.46 (KD20.47) And suffre sorwes ful soure · þat shal to Ioye torne
W20.47 (KD20.48) For-þi be noȝt abasshed · to bide and to be nedy
W20.48 (KD20.49) Siþ he þat wroȝte al þe world · was wilfulliche nedy
W20.49 (KD20.50) Ne neuere noon so nedy · ne pouerer deide
W20.50 (KD20.51)Whan nede haþ975 vndernome me þus · anoon I fil aslepe
W20.51 (KD20.52) And mette ful merueillously · þat in mannes forme
W20.52 (KD20.53) Antecrist cam þanne · and al þe crop of truþe
W20.53 (KD20.54) Torned it vp-so-doun · and ouer-tilte þe roote
W20.54 (KD20.55) And fals sprynge and sprede · and spede mennes nedes
W20.55 (KD20.56) In ech a contree þer he cam · he kutte awey truþe
W20.56 (KD20.57) And gerte gile growe þere · as he a god weere

W20.57 (KD20.58)¶ Freres folwede þat fend · for he gaf hem copes
W20.58 (KD20.59) And Religiouse reuerenced hym · and rongen hir belles
W20.59 (KD20.60) And al þe Couent forþ cam · to welcome þat tyraunt
W20.60 (KD20.61) And alle hise as wel as hym · saue oonly fooles

W20.61 (KD20.62)¶ Whiche foolis were wel leuere · to deye þan to lyue
W20.62 (KD20.63) Lenger siþ Lenten · was so rebuked
W20.63 (KD20.64) And as976 a fals fend Antecrist · ouer alle folk regnede
W20.64 (KD20.65) Saue977 þat were mylde men and holye · þat no meschief dradden
W20.65 (KD20.66) Defyed alle falsnesse · and folk þat it vsede
W20.66 (KD20.67) And what kyng þat hem conforted · knowynge hem any while
W20.67 (KD20.68) They cursed and hir conseil · were it clerk or lewed

W20.68 (KD20.69)¶ Antecrist hadde þus soone · hundredes at his baner
W20.69 (KD20.70) And pride it bar · boldely aboute
W20.70 (KD20.71) Wiþ a lord þat lyueþ · after likyng of body
W20.71 (KD20.72) That kam ayein conscience · þat kepere was and gyour
W20.72 (KD20.73) Ouer kynde cristene · and Cardynale vertues

W20.73 (KD20.74)¶ I conseille quod Conscience þo · comeþ wiþ me ye fooles
W20.74 (KD20.75) In-to vnite holy chirche · and holde we vs þere
W20.75 (KD20.76) And crye we to kynde · þat he come and defende vs
W20.76 (KD20.77) Fooles · fro þise fendes lymes · for Piers loue þe Plowman
W20.77 (KD20.78) And crye we to al þe comune · þat þei come to vnitee
W20.78 (KD20.79) And þere abide and bikere · ayeins Beliales children

W20.79 (KD20.80)¶ Kynde / Conscience þo herde · and cam out of þe planetes
W20.80 (KD20.81) And sente forþ his forreyours · Feueres and Fluxes
W20.81 (KD20.82) Coughes and Cardiacles · Crampes and tooþaches
W20.82 (KD20.83) Rewmes and Radegundes · and roynouse scabbes978
W20.83 (KD20.84) Biles and bocches · and brennynge Agues
W20.84 (KD20.85) Frenesies and foule yueles · forageres of kynde
W20.85 (KD20.86) Hadde ypriked and prayed · polles of peple
W20.86 (KD20.87) That largeliche a legion · loste hir lif soone

W20.87 (KD20.88)¶ There was harrow and help · here comeþ kynde
W20.88 (KD20.89) Wiþ deeþ þat is dredful · to vndo vs alle

W20.89 (KD20.90)¶ The lord þat lyued after lust · þo aloud cryde

fol.125v

W20.90 (KD20.91) After Confort a knyght · to come and bere his baner
W20.91 (KD20.92) A-larme a-larme quod þat lord · ech lif kepe his owene
W20.92 (KD20.93)¶ And þanne mette þise men · er Mynstrals myȝte pipe
W20.93 (KD20.94) And er heraudes of Armes · hadden discryued lordes
W20.94 (KD20.95) Elde þe hoore · þat979 was in þe vauntwarde
W20.95 (KD20.96) And bar þe baner bifore deeþ · bi riȝt he it cleymede

W20.96 (KD20.97)¶ Kynde cam after · wiþ many kene soores
W20.97 (KD20.98) As pokkes and pestilences · and muche peple shente
W20.98 (KD20.99) So kynde þoruȝ corrupcions · kilde ful manye

W20.99 (KD20.100)¶ Deeþ cam dryuynge after · and al to duste passhed
W20.100 (KD20.101) Kynges and knyghtes · kaysers and popes
W20.101 (KD20.102) Lered and lewed · he leet no man stonde
W20.102 (KD20.103) That he hitte euene · þat euere stired after
W20.103 (KD20.104) Manye a louely lady · and lemmans of knyȝtes
W20.104 (KD20.105) Swowned and swelted · for sorwe of hise980 dyntes

W20.105 (KD20.106)¶ Conscience of his curteisie · to kynde he bisouȝte
W20.106 (KD20.107) To cesse and suffre · and see wher þei wolde
W20.107 (KD20.108) Leue pride pryuely · and be parfite cristene

W20.108 (KD20.109)¶ And kynde cessede þo · to se þe peple amende
W20.109 (KD20.110) Fortune gan flatere þanne · þo fewe þat were alyue
W20.110 (KD20.111) And bihighte hem long lif · and lecherie he sente
W20.111 (KD20.112) Amonges alle manere men · wedded and vnwedded
W20.112 (KD20.113) And gaderede a greet hoost · al agayn Conscience

W20.113 (KD20.114)¶ This lecherie leide on · wiþ a Ianglynge chiere
W20.114 (KD20.115) And wiþ pryuee speche · and peyntede wordes
W20.115 (KD20.116) And armede hym in ydelnesse · and in heigh berynge
W20.116 (KD20.117) He bar a bowe in his hand · and manye brode arewes
W20.117 (KD20.118) Weren feþered wiþ fair biheste · and many a fals truþe

fol.126r

W20.118 (KD20.119) Wiþ hise vntidy tales · he tened ful ofte
W20.119 (KD20.120) Conscience and his compaignye · of holy chirche þe techeris
W20.120 (KD20.121)¶ Thanne cam Coueitise · and caste how he myȝte
W20.121 (KD20.122) Ouer-come Conscience · and Cardinale vertues
W20.122 (KD20.123) And armed hym in Auarice · and hungriliche lyuede
W20.123 (KD20.124) His wepne was al wiles · to wynnen and to hiden
W20.124 (KD20.125) Wiþ glosynges and wiþ gabbynges · he giled þe peple

W20.125 (KD20.126)¶ Symonye hym sente · to assaille Conscience
W20.126 (KD20.127) And preched to þe peple · and prelates þei hem maden
W20.127 (KD20.128) To holden wiþ Antecrist · hir temporaltees to saue
W20.128 (KD20.129) And cam to þe kynges counseille · as a kene baroun
W20.129 (KD20.130) And kneled to Conscience · in Court afore hem alle
W20.130 (KD20.131) And garte good feiþ flee · and fals to abide
W20.131 (KD20.132) And boldeliche bar adoun · wiþ many a bright Noble
W20.132 (KD20.133) Muche of þe wit and wisdom · of westmynstre halle
W20.133 (KD20.134) He Iogged981 to a Iustice · and Iusted in his eere
W20.134 (KD20.135) And ouer-tilte al his truþe · wiþ tak þis vp amendement
W20.135 (KD20.136)¶ An[d]982 to þe Arches in haste · he yede anoon after
W20.136 (KD20.137) And tornede Cyuyle in-to Symonye · and siþþe he took þe Official
W20.137 (KD20.138) For a Mantel of Meneuer · and983 made lele matrymoyne
W20.138 (KD20.139) Departen er deeþ cam · and deuors shapte

W20.139 (KD20.140)¶ Allas quod Conscience and cryde þo · wolde crist of his grace
W20.140 (KD20.141) That Coueitise were cristene · þat is so kene a fightere
W20.141 (KD20.142) And boold and bidynge · while his bagge lasteþ

W20.142 (KD20.143)¶ And þanne lough lyf · and leet daggen hise cloþes
W20.143 (KD20.144) And armed hym an haste · wiþ984 harlotes wordes
W20.144 (KD20.145) And heeld holynesse a Iape · and hendenesse a wastour
W20.145 (KD20.146) And leet leautee a cherl · and lyere a fre man
W20.146 (KD20.147) Conscience and his985 counseil · he counted at a flye986

W20.147 (KD20.148)¶ Thus relyede lif · for a litel fortune
W20.148 (KD20.149) And prikeþ987 forþ wiþ pride · preiseþ he no vertue
W20.149 (KD20.150) Ne careþ noȝt how Kynde slow · and shal come at þe laste
W20.150 (KD20.151) And kille alle erþely creatures · saue conscience oone
W20.151 (KD20.152) Lyf lepte aside · and lauȝte hym a lemman
W20.152 (KD20.153) Heele and I quod he · and heighnesse of herte
W20.153 (KD20.154) Shal do þee noȝt drede · neiþer deeþ ne elde
W20.154 (KD20.155) And to forȝyte sorwe · and ȝyue noȝt of synne

W20.155 (KD20.156)¶ This likede lif · and his lemman fortune
W20.156 (KD20.157) And geten in hir glorie · a gadelyng at þe laste
W20.157 (KD20.158) Oon þat muche wo wroȝte · Sleuþe was his name
W20.158 (KD20.159) Sleuþe wax wonder yerne · and soone was of age
W20.159 (KD20.160) And wedded oon wanhope · a wenche of þe Stuwes
W20.160 (KD20.161) Hir sire was a Sysour · þat neuere swoor truþe
W20.161 (KD20.162) Oon Tomme two tonge · atteynt at ech enqueste988

W20.162 (KD20.163)¶ This Sleuþe was war of werre · and a slynge made
W20.163 (KD20.164) And threw drede of dispair · a dozeyne myle aboute

W20.164 (KD20.165)¶ For care Conscience þo · cryde vp-on Elde
W20.165 (KD20.166) And bad hym fonde to fighte · and afere wanhope

W20.166 (KD20.167)¶ And Elde hente good hope · and hastiliche he shifte hym
W20.167 (KD20.168) And wayued awey wanhope · and wiþ lif he fighteþ
W20.168 (KD20.169) And lif fleiȝ for feere · to phisik after helpe
W20.169 (KD20.170) And bisouȝte hym of socour · and of his salue he hadde
W20.170 (KD20.171) He989 gaf hym gold good woon · þat gladede his herte
W20.171 (KD20.172) And þei gyuen hym ageyn · a glazene howue

W20.172 (KD20.173)¶ Lyf leeued þat lechecraft · lette sholde Elde
W20.173 (KD20.174) And dryuen awey deeþ · wiþ Dyas and drogges990

W20.174 (KD20.175)¶ And Elde auntred hym on lyf · and at þe laste he hitte

fol.127r

W20.175 (KD20.176)A Phisicien wiþ a furred hood · þat he fel in a palsie
W20.176 (KD20.177) And þere dyed þat doctour · er þre dayes after
W20.177 (KD20.178)¶ Now I se seide lif · þat Surgerie ne phisik ·
W20.178 (KD20.179) May noȝt a myte auaille · to mede991 ayein Elde
W20.179 (KD20.180) And in hope of his heele · good herte he hente
W20.180 (KD20.181) And rood forþ to a992 reuel · a ryche place and a murye
W20.181 (KD20.182) The compaignye of confort · men cleped it som-tyme

W20.182 (KD20.183)¶ And Elde anoon after me · and ouer myn heed yede
W20.183 (KD20.184) And made me balled bifore · and bare on þe croune
W20.184 (KD20.185) So harde he yede ouer myn heed · it wole be sene euere

W20.185 (KD20.186)¶ Sire yuele ytauȝt Elde quod · I · vnhende go wiþ þe
W20.186 (KD20.187) Siþ whanne was993(c) þe wey · ouer mennes heddes
W20.187 (KD20.188) Haddestow be hende quod · I · þow woldest haue asked leeue

W20.188 (KD20.189)¶ Ye leue lurdeyn quod he · and leyde on me wiþ Age
W20.189 (KD20.190) And hitte me vnder þe ere · vnneþe myȝte994 ich here
W20.190 (KD20.191) He buffetted me so995 aboute þe mouþ · þat out my teeþ he bette996
W20.191 (KD20.192) And gyued me in goutes · I may noȝt goon at large
W20.192 (KD20.193) And of þe wo þat I was Inne · my wif hadde ruþe
W20.193 (KD20.194) And wisshed ful witterly · þat I were in heuene
W20.194 (KD20.195) For þe lyme þat she loued me fore · and leef was to feele
W20.195 (KD20.196) On nyghtes namely · whan we naked weere
W20.196 (KD20.197) I ne myghte in no manere · maken it at hir wille
W20.197 (KD20.198) So Elde and she sooþly · hadden it forbeten

W20.198 (KD20.199)¶ And as I seet in þis sorwe · I sauȝ how kynde passede
W20.199 (KD20.200) And deeþ drogh neiȝ me · for drede gan I quake
W20.200 (KD20.201) And cryde to kynde · out of care me brynge
W20.201 (KD20.202) Lo Elde þe hoore · haþ me biseye
W20.202 (KD20.203) Awreke me if youre wille be · for I wolde ben hennes

fol.127v

W20.203 (KD20.204)If þow wolt be wroken · wend in-to vnitee
W20.204 (KD20.205) And hold þee þere euere · til I sende for þee
W20.205 (KD20.206) And loke þow konne som craft · er þow come þennes
W20.206 (KD20.207)¶ Counseille me kynde quod I · what craft is best to lerne

W20.207 (KD20.208)¶ Lerne to loue quod kynde · and leef of alle oþere

W20.208 (KD20.209)¶ How shal I come to catel so · to cloþe me and to feede

W20.209 (KD20.210)¶ And þow loue lelly quod he · lakke shal þee neuere

W20.210 (KD20.211)¶ Mete ne worldly weede · while þi lif lasteþ

W20.211 (KD20.212)¶ And þere by conseil of kynde · I comsed to rome
W20.212 (KD20.213) Thoruȝ Contricion and Confession · til I cam to vnitee
W20.213 (KD20.214) And þere was Conscience Conestable · cristene to saue
W20.214 (KD20.215) And bisegede sooþly · wiþ seuene grete geauntz
W20.215 (KD20.216) That wiþ Antecrist helden · harde ayein Conscience

W20.216 (KD20.217)¶ Sleuþe wiþ his slynge · an hard assaut he made
W20.217 (KD20.218) Proude preestes coome with hym · mo þan a þousand
W20.218 (KD20.219) In paltokes and pyked shoes · and pisseris longe knyues
W20.219 (KD20.220) Coomen ayein Conscience · wiþ Coueitise þei helden

W20.220 (KD20.221)¶ By Marie quod a mansed preest · of þe March of walys997
W20.221 (KD20.222) I counte namoore Conscience · by so I cacche siluer
W20.222 (KD20.223) Than I do to drynke · a drauȝte of good ale
W20.223 (KD20.224) And so seiden sixty · of þe same contree
W20.224 (KD20.225) And shotten ayein wiþ shot · many a sheef of oþes
W20.225 (KD20.226) And brode hoked arwes · goddes herte and hise nayles
W20.226 (KD20.227) And hadden almoost vnitee · and holynesse adown

W20.227 (KD20.228)¶ Conscience cryede help Clergie · or ellis I falle
W20.228 (KD20.229) Thoruȝ inparfite preestes · and prelates of holy chirche

fol.128r

W20.229 (KD20.230)Freres herden hym crye · and comen hym to helpe
W20.230 (KD20.231) Ac for þei kouþe noȝt wel hir craft · Conscience forsook hem
W20.231 (KD20.232)¶ Nede neghede þo neer · and Conscience he tolde
W20.232 (KD20.233) That þei come for coueitise · to haue cure of soules
W20.233 (KD20.234) And for þei are pouere parauenture · for patrymoyne þei faille
W20.234 (KD20.235) They wol flatere and fare wel · wiþ998 folk þat ben riche
W20.235 (KD20.236) And siþen þei chosen chele · and cheitiftee pouerte
W20.236 (KD20.237) Lat hem chewe as þei chose · and charge hem with no cure
W20.237 (KD20.238) For lomere he lyeþ · þat liflode moot begge
W20.238 (KD20.239) Than he þat laboureþ for liflode · and leneþ999 it beggeris
W20.239 (KD20.240) And siþen freres forsoke · þe felicite of erþe
W20.240 (KD20.241) Lat hem be as beggeris · or lyue by Aungeles foode

W20.241 (KD20.242)¶ Conscience of þis counseil þo · comsede for to laughe
W20.242 (KD20.243) And curteisliche conforted hem · and called in alle freres
W20.243 (KD20.244) And seide sires sooþly · welcome be ye alle
W20.244 (KD20.245) To vnitee and holy chirche · ac o þyng I yow preye
W20.245 (KD20.246) Holdeþ yow in vnitee · and haueþ noon enuye
W20.246 (KD20.247) To lered ne to lewed · but lyueþ after youre reule
W20.247 (KD20.248) And I wol be youre boruȝ · ye shal haue breed and cloþes
W20.248 (KD20.249) And oþere necessaries ynowe · yow shal no þyng faille
W20.249 (KD20.250) Wiþ þat ye leue logik · and lerneþ for to louye
W20.250 (KD20.251) For loue lafte þei lordshipe · boþe lond and scole
W20.251 (KD20.252) Frere Fraunceys and Domynyk · for loue to be holye

W20.252 (KD20.253)¶ And if ye coueite cure · kynde wol yow teche
W20.253 (KD20.254) That in mesure god made · alle manere þynges
W20.254 (KD20.255) And sette hem at a certein · and a siker nombre
W20.255 (KD20.256) And nempnede names newe · and noumbrede þe sterres

W20.256 (KD20.256α)Qui numerat multitudinem stellarum · et omnibus eis &c

W20.257 (KD20.257)¶ Kynges and knyghtes · þat kepen and defenden

W20.258 (KD20.258)¶ Han Officers vnder hem · and ech of hem a certein
W20.259 (KD20.259) And if þei wage men to werre · þei write hem in noumbre
W20.260 (KD20.262) Alle oþere in bataille · ben yholde Brybours
W20.261 (KD20.263) Pylours and Pykeharneys · in ech a place y-cursed
W20.262 (KD20.260) Wol no man tresore1000 hem paie · trauaille þei neuer so soore1001

W20.263 (KD20.264)¶ Monkes and Moniales · and alle men of Religion
W20.264 (KD20.265) Hir ordre and hir reule wole · to han a certein noumbre
W20.265 (KD20.266) Of lewed and of lered · þe lawe wole and askeþ
W20.266 (KD20.267) A certein for a certein · saue oonliche of freres

W20.267 (KD20.268)¶ For-þi quod Conscience by crist · kynde wit me telleþ
W20.268 (KD20.269) It is wikked to wage yow · ye wexen out of noumbre
W20.269 (KD20.270) Heuene haþ euene noumbre · and helle is wiþ-oute noumbre
W20.270 (KD20.271) For-þi I wolde witterly · þat ye were in þe Registre
W20.271 (KD20.272) And youre noumbre vnder Notaries signe · and neiþer mo ne lasse

W20.272 (KD20.273)¶ Enuye herde þis · and heet freres to go to scole
W20.273 (KD20.274) And lerne logyk and lawe · and ek contemplacion
W20.274 (KD20.275) And preche men of Plato · and preue it by Seneca
W20.275 (KD20.276) That alle þynges vnder heuene · ouȝte to ben in comune

W20.276 (KD20.277)¶ And yet he lyeþ as I leue · þat to þe lewed so precheþ
W20.277 (KD20.278) For god made to men a lawe · and Moyses it tauȝte
W20.278 (KD20.279)Non concupisces rem proximi tui

W20.279 (KD20.280)¶ And yuele is þis yholde · in parisshes of Engelonde
W20.280 (KD20.281) For persons and parissh preestes · þat sholde þe peple shryue
W20.281 (KD20.282) Ben Curatours called · to knowe and to hele
W20.282 (KD20.283) Alle þat ben hir parisshens · penaunce to enioigne
W20.283 (KD20.284) And sholden [be] ashamed1002 in hir shrift · ac shame makeþ hem wende
W20.284 (KD20.285) And fleen to þe freres · as fals folk to westmynstre
W20.285 (KD20.286) That borweþ and bereþ it þider · and þanne biddeþ frendes
W20.286 (KD20.287) Yerne of forȝifnesse · or lenger yeres loone

Ac while he is
W20.287 (KD20.288)¶ Ac while he is in westmynstre · he wol be bifore
W20.288 (KD20.289) And maken hym murie · wiþ ooþer mennes goodes

W20.289 (KD20.290)¶ And so it fareþ with muche folk · þat to þe freres hem shryueþ
W20.290 (KD20.291) As Sisours and executours · þei wol ȝyue þe freres
W20.291 (KD20.292) A parcel to preye for hem · and make hem-self murye
W20.292 (KD20.292.1) Wiþ þe residue and þe remenaunt · þat oþere men biswonke
W20.293 (KD20.293) And suffre þe dede in dette · to þe day of doome

W20.294 (KD20.294)¶ Enuye herfore · hatede Conscience
W20.295 (KD20.295) And freres to philosophie · he fond þanne1003 to scole
W20.296 (KD20.296) The while coueitise and vnkyndenesse · Conscience assaillede
W20.297 (KD20.297) In vnitee holy chirche · Conscience held hym
W20.298 (KD20.298) And made pees porter · to pynne þe yates
W20.299 (KD20.299) Of alle tale-telleris · and titeleris in ydel
W20.300 (KD20.300) Ypocrisie and he · an hard assaut þei made1004
W20.301 (KD20.302) And woundede wel wikkedly · many a wys techere
W20.302 (KD20.303) That wiþ Conscience acordede · and Cardynale vertues

W20.303 (KD20.304)¶ Conscience called a leche · þat koude wel shryue
W20.304 (KD20.305) To go1005 salue þo þat sike ben · and þoruȝ synne ywounded
W20.305 (KD20.306) Shrift shoop sharp salue · and made men do penaunce
W20.306 (KD20.307) For hir mysdedes · þat þei wroȝt hadde
W20.307 (KD20.308) And þat Piers were ypayed · redde quod debes

W20.308 (KD20.309)¶ Some liked noȝt þis leche · and lettres þei sente
W20.309 (KD20.310) If any surgien were þe segge · þat softer koude plastre
W20.310 (KD20.311) Sire leef to lyue in lecherie · lay þere and gronede
W20.311 (KD20.312) For fastynge of a fryday · he ferde as he wolde deye

W20.312 (KD20.313)¶ Ther is a Surgien in þis sege · þat softe kan handle
W20.313 (KD20.314) And moore of phisik bi fer · and fairer he plastreþ
W20.314 (KD20.315) Oon frere Flaterere · is phisicien and surgien

W20.315 (KD20.316)¶ Quod Contricion to Conscience · do hym come to Vnitee
W20.316 (KD20.317) For here is many a man · hurt þoruȝ ypocrisye

W20.317 (KD20.318)¶ We han no nede quod Conscience · I woot no bettre leche
W20.318 (KD20.319) Than person or parisshe preest · penitauncer or bisshop
W20.319 (KD20.320) Saue Piers þe Plowman · þat haþ power ouer hem alle
W20.320 (KD20.321) And Indulgence may do · but if dette lette it

W20.321 (KD20.322)¶ I may wel suffre seide Conscience · syn ye desiren
W20.322 (KD20.323) That frere flaterere be fet · and phisike yow sike

W20.323 (KD20.324)¶ The frere her-of herde · and hiede faste
W20.324 (KD20.325) To a lord for a lettre · leue to haue to curen
W20.325 (KD20.326) As a Curatour he were · and cam with hise lettres
W20.326 (KD20.327) Boldely to þe bisshop · and his brief hadde
W20.327 (KD20.328) In contrees þer he coome · confessions to here
W20.328 (KD20.329) And cam þere Conscience was · and knokked at þe yate

W20.329 (KD20.330)¶ Pees vnpynned it · was Porter of vnitee
W20.330 (KD20.331) And in haste askede · what his wille were

W20.331 (KD20.332)¶ In faiþ quod þis frere · for profit and for helþe
W20.332 (KD20.333) Carpe I wolde wiþ contricion · and þer-fore cam I hider

W20.333 (KD20.334)¶ He is sik seide Pees · and so are manye oþere
W20.334 (KD20.335) Ypocrisie haþ hurt hem · ful hard is if þei keuere

W20.335 (KD20.336)¶ I am a Surgien seide þe segge · and salues kan make
W20.336 (KD20.337) Conscience knoweþ me wel · and what I kan do boþe

W20.337 (KD20.338)¶ I praye þee quod Pees þo · er þow passe ferþer
W20.338 (KD20.339) What hattestow I praye þee · hele noȝt þi name

W20.339 (KD20.340)¶ Certes seide his felawe · sire Penetrans domos

W20.340 (KD20.341)¶ Ye go þi gate quod Pees · by god for al þi phisik
W20.341 (KD20.342) But þow konne som ooþer1006 craft · þow comest nouȝt her-Inne
W20.342 (KD20.343) I knew swich oon ones · noȝt eighte wynter hennes
W20.343 (KD20.344) Coom in þus ycoped · at a Court þere I dwelde
W20.344 (KD20.345) And was my lordes leche · and my ladies boþe
W20.345 (KD20.346) And at þe laste þis lymytour · þo my lord was oute
W20.346 (KD20.347) He saluede so oure wommen · til some were wiþ childe

W20.347 (KD20.348)¶ Hende speche heet · Pees · opene þe yates
W20.348 (KD20.349) Lat in þe frere and his felawe · and make hem fair cheere
W20.349 (KD20.350) He may se and here · so it may bifalle
W20.350 (KD20.351) That lif þoruȝ his loore · shal leue coueitise
W20.351 (KD20.352) And be adrad of deeþ · and wiþ-drawe hym fram pryde
W20.352 (KD20.353) And acorde wiþ Conscience · and kisse hir eiþer ooþer

W20.353 (KD20.354)¶ Thus þoruȝ hende speche · entred þe frere
W20.354 (KD20.355) And cam in-to Conscience · and curteisly hym grette

W20.355 (KD20.356)¶ Thow art welcome quod Conscience · kanstow heele þe sike
W20.356 (KD20.357) Here is Contricion quod Conscience · my cosyn ywounded
W20.357 (KD20.358) Conforte hym quod Conscience · and tak kepe to hise soores
W20.358 (KD20.359) The plastres of þe person · and poudres biten to soore
W20.359 (KD20.360) He lat hem ligge ouer-longe · and looþ is to chaunge hem
W20.360 (KD20.361) Fro lenten to lenten · he lat hise plastres bite

W20.361 (KD20.362)¶ That is ouer-longe quod þis Lymytour · I leue I shal amende it
W20.362 (KD20.363) And gooþ and gropeþ Contricion · and gaf hym a plastre
W20.363 (KD20.364) Of a pryuee paiement · and I shal praye for yow
W20.364 (KD20.365) For al þat ye ben holden to · al my lif-tyme
W20.365 (KD20.366) And make yow my lady · in masse and in matyns
W20.366 (KD20.367) As frere of oure Fraternytee · for a litel siluer

W20.367 (KD20.368)¶ Thus he gooþ and gadereþ · and gloseþ þere he shryueþ
W20.368 (KD20.369) Til Contricion hadde clene foryeten · to crye and to wepe

fol.130v

W20.369 (KD20.370)And wake for hise wikked werkes · as he was wont to doone
W20.370 (KD20.371) For confort of his confessour · Contricion he lafte
W20.371 (KD20.372) That is þe souerayneste salue · for alle kynne synnes
W20.372 (KD20.373)¶ Sleuþe seigh þat · and so dide pryde
W20.373 (KD20.374) And comen wiþ a kene wille · Conscience to assaille

W20.374 (KD20.375)¶ Conscience cryed eft · and bad Clergie helpe hym
W20.375 (KD20.376) And also Contricion · for to kepe þe yate

W20.376 (KD20.377) He lyþ and dremeþ seide Pees · and so do manye oþere
W20.377 (KD20.378) The frere wiþ his phisyk · þis folk haþ enchaunted
W20.378 (KD20.379) And plastred hem so esily · þei drede no synne

W20.379 (KD20.380)¶ By crist quod Conscience þo · I wole bicome a pilgrym
W20.380 (KD20.381) And walken as wide · as þe world lasteþ
W20.381 (KD20.382) To seken Piers þe Plowman · þat pryde may destruye
W20.382 (KD20.383) And þat freres hadde a fyndyng · þat for nede flateren
W20.383 (KD20.384) And countrepledeþ me Conscience · now kynde me avenge
W20.384 (KD20.385) And sende me hap and heele · til I haue Piers þe Plowman
W20.385 (KD20.386) And siþþe he gradde after Grace · til I gan awake1007(c)

Explicit hic Dialogus Petri Plowman

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