Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)

Passus 5

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Passus quintus de visione vt supra

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

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

fol.23v

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

W5.63 Thanne ran Repentaunce · and reherced his teme
W5.64 And garte wille to wepe · water wiþ hise eiȝen

W5.65121(c) Pernele proudherte · platte hire to þe erþe
W5.66 And lay longe er she loked · and lord mercy cryde
W5.67 And bihiȝte to hym · þat vs alle made
W5.68 She sholde vnsowen hir serk · and sette þere an heyre
W5.69 To affaiten hire flessh · þat fiers was to synne
W5.70 Shal neuere heiȝ herte me hente · but holde I wole122 me lowe

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

W5.74124(c) Thanne lechour seide allas · and on oure lady he cryde
W5.75 To maken mercy for hise mysdedes · bitwene god and his soule
W5.76 Wiþ þat he sholde þe Saterday · seuen yer þer-after
W5.77 Drynke but myd þe doke · and dyne but ones

W5.78125(c) Enuye wiþ heuy herte · asked after shrifte
W5.79 And carefully mea culpa · he comsed to shewe
W5.80 He was as pale as a pelet · in þe palsy he semed
W5.81 And cloþed in a kaurymaury · I kouþe it nouȝt discryue
W5.82 In kirtel and Courtepy · and a knyf by his syde
W5.83 Of a Freres frokke · were þe foresleues
W5.84 And as a leek þat hadde yleye · longe in þe sonne
W5.85 So loked he wiþ lene chekes · lourynge foule

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

W5.135132(c) Now awakeþ Wraþe · wiþ two white eiȝen           133(n)
W5.136 And neuelynge wiþ þe nose · and his nekke hangyng

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

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

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

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

fol.26r

W5.156 I haue be cook in hir kichene · and þe Couent serued
W5.157 Manye Monþes wiþ hem · and wiþ Monkes boþe
W5.158 I was þe Prioresse potager · and oþere pouere ladies
W5.159 And maad hem Ioutes of Ianglyng · þat dame Iohane was a bastard
W5.160 And Dame Clarice a knyȝtes douȝter · ac a cokewold was hir sire
W5.161 And Dame Pernele a preestes fyle · Prioresse worþ she neuere
W5.162 For she hadde child in chirietyme · al oure Chapitre it wiste
W5.163 Of wikkede wordes · I wraþe hire wortes made
W5.164 Til þow lixt and þow lixt · lopen out atones
W5.165 And eiþerhite134 ooþer · vnder þe cheke
W5.166 Hadde þei had knyues by crist · hir eiþer hadde kild ooþer

W5.167 Seint Gregory was a good pope · and hadde a good forwit
W5.168 That no Prioresse were preest · for þat he ordeyned
W5.169 They hadde þanne ben Infamis þe firste day · þei kan so yuele hele counseil135

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

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

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W5.186That þi wille by cause þer-of · to wraþe myȝte turne           140(n)
W5.187Esto sobrius he seide · and assoiled me after
W5.188 And bad me wilne to wepe · my wikkednesse to amende
W5.189141(c) And þanne cam Coueitise · kan I hym naȝt discryue
W5.190 So hungrily and holwe · sire heruy hym loked
W5.191 He was bitelbrowed · and baberlipped also
W5.192 Wiþ two blered eiȝen · as a blynd hagge
W5.193 And as a leþeren purs · lolled hise chekes
W5.194 Wel sidder þan his chyn · þei chyueled for elde
W5.195 And as a bonde-man of his bacon · his berd was bidraueled
W5.196 Wiþ an hood on his heed · a lousy hat aboue
W5.197 And in a tawny tabard · of twelf wynter age
W5.198 Al to-torn and baudy · and ful of lys crepyng
W5.199 But if þat a lous couþe · han lopen þe bettre           142(n)
W5.200 She sholde noȝt han walked on þat welþe · so was it þredbare           143(n)

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

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

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

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

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

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

W5.233 Repentedestow euere quod Repentaunce · or restitucion madest

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

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

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

W5.241 Vsedestow euere vsurie quod Repentaunce · in al þi lif-tyme

fol.27v

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

W5.254 Lentestow euere lordes · for loue of hire mayntenaunce

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

W5.258 Hastow pite on pouere men · þat mote nedes borwe

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

W5.261 Artow manlich among þi neȝebores · of þi mete and drynke

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

W5.264 Now god lene þee neuere quod Repentaunce · bu þow repente þe raþer
W5.265 The grace on þis grounde · þi good wel to bisette
W5.266 Ne þyne heires after þee · haue ioie of þat þow wynnest
W5.267 Ne þyne executours wel bisette · þe siluer þat þow hem leuest

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

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

W5.280 Non dimittitur peccatum · donec restituatur oblatum

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

W5.288 Thanne weex þat sherewe in wanhope · & wolde han hanged hym-selfe157
W5.289 Ne hadde repentaunce þe raþer · reconforted hym in þis manere

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

W5.294 Omnis iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam dei · est quasi sintilla in medio maris160161(c)

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

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

W5.307163(c) Now bigynneþ Gloton · for to go to shrifte
W5.308 And karieþ hym to kirkeward · his coupe to shewe
W5.309 And Beton þe Brewestere · bad hym good morwe
W5.310 And asked at164 hym wiþ þat · whiderward he wolde

W5.311 To holy chirche quod he · for to here masse
W5.312 And siþen I wole be shryuen · and synne namoore

W5.313 I haue good Ale gossib quod she · Gloton woltow assaye

W5.314 Hastow ouȝt in þi purs quod he · any hote spices

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

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

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

W5.330 Clement þe Cobelere · caste of his cloke
W5.331 And at þe newe feire · he nempned it to selle

W5.332 Hikke þe Hakeneyman · hitte his hood after
W5.333 And bad Bette þe Bocher · ben on his syde

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

W5.387 This shewynge shrift quod Repentaunce · shal be meryt to þe

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

W5.394170(c) Thanne cam Sleuþe al bislabered · wiþ two slymy eiȝen
W5.395 I moste sitte seide þe segge · or ellis sholde I nappe
W5.396 I may noȝt stonde ne stoupe · ne wiþ-oute a stool knele
W5.397 Were I brouȝt abedde · but if my tail-ende171 it made
W5.398 Sholde no ryngynge do me ryse · er I were ripe to dyne
W5.399 He bigan Benedicite with a bolk · and his brest knokked
W5.400 And raxed and rored · and rutte at þe laste

W5.401 What awake renk quod Repentaunce · and rape þee to shryfte

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

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

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

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

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

W5.435 And my seruauntz som-tyme · hir salarie is bihynde

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

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

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

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

W5.450Heu michi quia sterilem vitam duxi Iuuenilem

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

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

fol.31v

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

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

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

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

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

fol.32r

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

W5.498Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem179 nostram
W5.499Et alibi · / Qui manet in caritate in deo manet & deus in eo

W5.500 And siþþe wiþ þi selue sone · in oure secte180 deidest
W5.501 On goodfryday for mannes sake · at ful tyme of þe daye
W5.502 Ther þi-self ne þi sone · no sorwe in deeþ feledest
W5.503 But in oure secte was þe sorwe · and þi sone it ladde
W5.504Captiuam duxit captiuitatem

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

W5.508Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris · vidit lucem magnam

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

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

W5.514 Non veni vocare iustos · set peccatores ad penitenciam

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

fol.32v

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

W5.523 Thanne hente hope an horn · of Deus tu conuersus viuificabis
W5.524 And blew it wiþ · Beati quorum · remisse sunt iniquitates
W5.525 That alle Seintes in heuene · songen atones
W5.526Homines & iumenta saluabis · quemadmodum multiplicasti misericordiam tuam deus

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

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

W5.542 This folk frayned hym first · fro whennes he come

W5.543 Fram Synay he seide · and fram oure lordes Sepulcre
In Bethlem and

fol.33r

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

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

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

W5.573 Ye leue Piers quod þise pilgrimes · and profred hym huyre

fol.33v

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

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

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

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

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

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

fol.34r

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

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

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

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

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

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

W5.638 And þer are seuen sustren · þat seruen truþe euere
W5.639 And arn porters of þe Posternes · þat to þe place longeþ

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

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

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

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

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Last updated: Sept. 27, 2000.
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