Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)

Passus 15

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Passus .xvus. &c finit do-wel & incipit do-bet

W15.1AC after my wakynge · it was wonder longe
W15.2 Er I koude kyndely · knowe what was dowel
W15.3 And so my wit weex and wanyed · til I a fool weere
W15.4 And some lakkede my lif · allowed it fewe
W15.5 And lete me for a lorel · and looþ to reuerencen
W15.6 Lordes or ladies · or any lif ellis
W15.7 As persons in pelure · wiþ pendauntz of siluer
W15.8 To sergeauntz ne to swiche · seide I noȝt ones
W15.9 God loke yow lordes · ne loutede faire
W15.10 That folk helden me a fool · and in þat folie I raued
W15.11 Til reson hadde ruþe on me · and rokked me a-slepe
W15.12 Til I seiȝ as it sorcerie were · a sotil þyng wiþ-alle
W15.13 Oon wiþ-outen tonge and teeþ · tolde me whider I sholde
W15.14 And wher-of I cam & of what kynde · I coniured hym at þe laste
W15.15 If he were cristes creature · anoon me to tellen

W15.16 I am cristes creature quod he · and cristene in many a place
W15.17 In cristes court yknowe wel · and of his kyn a party
W15.18 Is neiþer Peter þe Porter · ne Poul wiþ his fauchon
W15.19 That wole defende me þe dore · dynge I neuer so late
W15.20 At mydnyght at mydday · my vois so is knowe
W15.21 That ech a creature of his court · welcomeþ me faire

W15.22What are ye called quod I in þat court · among cristes peple830(c)

W15.23 The whiles I quykne þe cors quod he · called am I anima
W15.24 And whan I wilne · and wolde animus ich hatte
W15.25 And for þat I kan knowe831 · called am I mens
W15.26 And whan I make mone to god · memoria is my name
W15.27 And whan I deme domes · and do as truþe techeþ
W15.28 Thanne is Racio my riȝte name · reson on englissh
W15.29 And whan I feele þat folk telleþ · my firste name is sensus
W15.30 And þat is wit and wisdom · þe welle of alle craftes
W15.31 And whan I chalange or chalange noȝt · chepe or refuse
W15.32 Thanne am I Conscience ycalled · goddes clerk and his Notarie
W15.33 And whan I loue leelly · oure lord and alle oþere
W15.34 Thanne is lele loue my name · and in latyn Amor
W15.35 And whan I flee fro þe flessh · and forsake þe careyne
W15.36 Thanne am I a spirit spechelees · Spiritus þanne ich hatte
W15.37Austyn and Ysodorus · eiþer of hem boþe
W15.38 Nempnede me þus to name · and832 now þow myȝt chese
W15.39 How þow coueitest to calle me · for833 now þow knowest my names

W15.40834(c) Anima pro diuersis accionibus diuersa nomina sortitur : dum
viuificat corpus · anima est  dum vult · animus est ·
dum scit · mens est  dum recolit · memoria est · dum
iudicat · racio est  dum sentit · sensus est  dum amat ·
Amor est  dum negat vel consentit · consciencia est
dum spirat · spiritus est

W15.41 Ye ben as a bisshop quod I · al bourdynge þat tyme
W15.42 For bisshopes yblessed · þei bereþ manye names
W15.43Presul and Pontifex · and Metropolitanus
W15.44 And oþere names anheep · Episcopus and Pastor835(c)

W15.45 That is sooþ seide he · now I se þi wille
W15.46 Thow woldest knowe and konne · þe cause of alle my names
W15.47 And of me836 if þow myȝtest · me þynkeþ by þi speche

W15.48 Ye sire I seide · by so no man were greued
W15.49 Alle þe sciences vnder sonne · and alle þe sotile craftes
W15.50 I wolde I knewe and kouþe · kyndely in myn herte

W15.51 Thanne artow inparfit quod he · and oon of prides knyȝtes
W15.52 For swich a lust and likyng · Lucifer fel from heuene
W15.53Ponam pedem meum in aquilone & similis ero altissimo

W15.54 It were ayeins kynde quod he · and alle kynnes reson
W15.55 That any creature sholde konne al · except crist oone
W15.56 Ayein swiche Salomon spekeþ · and despiseþ hir wittes
W15.57 And seiþ · Sicut qui mel comedit multum non est ei bonum
W15.58Sic qui scrutator est maiestatis · opprimitur a gloria

W15.59 To englisshe men þis is to mene · þat mowen speke and here
W15.60 The man þat muche hony eteþ · his mawe it engleymeþ
W15.61 And þe moore þat a man · of good matere · hereþ
W15.62 But he do þer-after · it dooþ hym double scaþe
W15.63Beatus est seiþ Seint Bernard · qui scripturas legit
W15.64Et verba vertit in opera · fulliche to his power
W15.65 Coueitise to konne · and to knowe sciences
W15.66 Putte out of Paradis · Adam and Eue
W15.67Sciencie appetitus hominem inmortalitatis gloria spoliauit

W15.68 And riȝt as hony is yuel to defie · and engleymeþ þe mawe

W15.69 Right so he þat þoruȝ reson · wolde þe roote knowe
W15.70 Of god and of hise grete myȝtes · hise graces it letteþ
W15.71 For in þe likynge liþ a pride · and licames coueitise
W15.72 Ayein cristes counseil · and alle clerkes techynge
W15.73 That is Non plus sapere quam oportet sapere

W15.74 Freres and fele oþere maistres · þat to lewed men prechen
W15.75 Ye moeuen materes vnmesurable · to tellen of þe Trinite
W15.76 That ofte-tymes þe lewed peple · of hir bileue doute
W15.77 Bettre it were to manye doctours · to leuen swich techyng837
W15.78 And tellen men of þe ten comaundementz · and touchen þe seuene synnes
W15.79 And of þe braunches þat burioneþ of hem · and bryngen men to helle
W15.80 And how þat folk in folies · mysspenden hir fyue wittes
W15.81 As wel freres as ooþer folk · foliliche spenden
W15.82 In housynge / in haterynge · and in to heigh clergie shewynge
W15.83 Moore for pompe þan for pure charite · þe peple woot þe soþe
W15.84 That I lye noȝt loo · for lordes ye plesen
W15.85 And reuerencen þe riche · þe raþer for hir siluer

W15.86 Confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia / Et alibi
W15.87Vt quid diligitis vanitatem & queritis mendacium

W15.88 Gooþ to þe glose of þise vers · ye grete clerkes
W15.89 If I lye on yow to my lewed wit · ledeþ me to brennyng
W15.90 For as it semeþ ye forsakeþ · no mannes almesse
W15.91 Of vsurers of hoores · of Auarouse chapmen
W15.92 And louten to þise lordes · þat mowen lene yow nobles
W15.93 Ayein youre rule and Religion · I take record at Iesus
W15.94 That seide to hise disciples · Ne sitis personarum acceptores
W15.95 Of þis matere I myȝte · make a long bible
W15.96 Ac of curatours of cristen peple · as clerkes bereþ witnesse
W15.97 I shal tellen it for truþes sake · take hede who-so likeþ

W15.98 As holynesse and honeste · out of holy chirche spredeþ

W15.99 Thoruȝ lele libbynge men · þat goddes lawe techen
W15.100 Right so out of holi chirche · alle yueles spryngeþ838
W15.101 There inparfit preesthode is · prechours and techeris
W15.102 I se it by ensaumple · in somer tyme on trowes
W15.103 Ther some bowes ben leued · and some bereþ none
W15.104 Ther is a meschief in þe more · of swiche manere bowes

W15.105 Right so bi839 persons and preestes · and prechours of holi chirche
W15.106 That aren roote of þe right feiþ · to rule þe peple
W15.107 And þer þe roote is roten · reson woot þe soþe
W15.108 Shal neuere flour ne fruyt · ne fair leef be grene
W15.109 For-þi wolde ye lettrede leue · þe lecherie of cloþyng
W15.110 And be kynde as bifel for clerkes · and curteise of cristes goodes
W15.111 Trewe of youre tonge · and of youre tail boþe
W15.112 And hatien to here harlotrie · and noȝt to vnderfonge
W15.113 Tiþes but of trewe þyng · ytilied or chaffared
W15.114 Loþe were lewed men · but þei youre loore folwede
W15.115 And amendeden hem þat mysdoon · moore for youre ensaumples
W15.116 Than for to prechen and preuen it noȝt · ypocrisie it semeþ
W15.117 The which840 in latyn · is likned to a dongehille
W15.118 That were bisnewed wiþ snow · and snakes wiþ-Inne
W15.119 Or to a wal þat were whitlymed · and were foul wiþ-Inne

W15.120 Right so manye preestes · prechours and prelates
W15.121 Ye aren enblaunched wiþ bele paroles · and wiþ cloþes also
W15.122 Ac youre werkes and youre wordes þer-vnder · aren ful vnloueliche
W15.123Iohannes Crisostomus · of clerkes spekeþ and preestes

habet in radice · Ita cum videris populum indisciplinatum & irre-
ligiosum sine dubio sacerdocium eius non est sanum
W15.124 Sicut de templo omne bonum progreditur · sic de templo841(c)
omne malum procedit  Si sacerdocium integrum fuerit tota
floret ecclesia  Si autem corruptum fuerit omnium fides mar-
cida est  Si sacerdocium fuerit in peccatis · totus popu-
lus conuertitur ad peccandum · Sicut cum videris
arborem pallidam & marcidam / intelligis quod vicium

fol.88v


W15.125 If lewed men wiste · what þis latyn meneþ
W15.126 And who was myn Auctour · muche wonder me þinkeþ
W15.127 But if many a preest beere · for hir baselardes and hir broches
W15.128 A peire of bedes in hir hand · and a book vnder hir arme
W15.129 Sire Iohan and sire Geffrey · haþ a girdel of siluer
W15.130 A baselard or a ballokknyf · wiþ botons ouer-gilte
W15.131 Ac a Porthors þat sholde be his Plow · Placebo to sigge
W15.132 Hadde he neuere seruice to saue siluer þer-to · seiþ it with ydel wille

W15.133 Allas ye lewed men · muche lese ye on preestes
W15.134 Ac þing þat wikkedly is wonne · and wiþ false sleightes
W15.135 Wolde neuere þe wit of witty god · but wikkede men it hadde
W15.136 The whiche arn preestes inparfite · and prechours after siluer
W15.137 Executours and Sodenes · Somonours and hir lemmannes
W15.138 That þat wiþ gile was geten · vngraciousliche is despended842
W15.139 So harlotes and hores · arn holpe wiþ swiche goodes
W15.140 And goddes folk for defaute þer-of · forfaren and spillen

W15.141 Curatours of holy kirke · as clerkes þat ben auarouse
W15.142 Lightliche þat þei leuen · losels it habbeþ
W15.143 Or deieþ intestate · and þanne þe bisshop entreþ
W15.144 And makeþ murþe þer-myd · and hise men boþe
W15.145 And seyen he was a nygard · þat no good myȝte aspare
W15.146 To frend ne to fremmed · þe fend haue his soule
W15.147 For a wrecchede hous held he843 · al his lif-tyme
W15.148 And þat he spared nd bisperede · dispende844 we in murþe
W15.149 By lered / by lewed · þat looþ is to despende845
W15.150 Thus goon hire goodes · be þe goost faren
W15.151 Ac for goode men god woot · greet doel men maken
W15.152 And bymeneþ goode mete-ȝyueres · and in mynde haueþ
W15.153 In preieres and in penaunces · and in parfit charite ·
What is charite

fol.89r

W15.154What is charite quod I þo · a childissh þyng he seide
W15.155846(c)Nisi efficiamini sicut paruuli · non intrabitis in regnum celorum
W15.156 Wiþ-outen fauntelte or folie · a fre liberal wille
W15.157 Where sholde men fynde swich a frend · wiþ so fre an herte
W15.158 I haue lyued in londe quod he847 · my name is longe wille
W15.159 And fond I neuere ful charite · bifore ne bihynde
W15.160 Men beþ merciable · to mendinauntz and to poore
W15.161 And wollen lene þer þei leue · lelly to ben paied
W15.162 Ac charite þat Poul preiseþ best · and moost plesaunt to oure lord
W15.163 Is Non inflatur · non est ambiciosa · non querit que sua sunt &c848

W15.164 I seiȝ neuere swich a man · so me god helpe
W15.165 That he ne wolde aske after his · and ouþerwhile coueite
W15.166 Thyng þat neded hym noȝt · and nyme it if he myȝte

W15.167 Clerkes kenne me · þat crist is in alle places
W15.168 Ac I seiȝ hym neuere sooþly · but as my-self in a Mirour
W15.169In enigmate tunc facie ad faciem
W15.170 And so I trowe trewely · by þat men telleþ of charite
W15.171 It is noȝt chaumpions fight · ne chaffare as I trowe

W15.172 Charite quod he ne chaffareþ noȝt · ne chalangeþ ne craueþ
W15.173 As proud of a peny · as of a pound of golde
W15.174 And is as glad of a gowne · of a gray russet
W15.175 As of a tunycle of tarse · or of trie scarlet
W15.176 He is glad wiþ alle glade · and good til alle wikkede
W15.177 And leneþ849 and loueþ alle · þat oure lord made
W15.178 Corseþ he no creature · ne he kan bere no wraþe
W15.179 Ne no likynge haþ to lye · ne laughe men to scorne
W15.180 Al þat men seyn he leet it sooþ · and in solace takeþ
W15.181 And alle manere meschiefs · in myldenesse he suffreþ
W15.182 Coueiteþ he noon erþely good · but heuene-riche blisse

fol.89v

W15.183 Haþ he anye rentes or richesse · or any riche frendes
W15.184 Of rentes nor850 of richesse · ne rekkeþ he neuere
W15.185 For a frend þat fyndeþ hym · failed hym neuere at nede
W15.186Fiat voluntas tua · fynt hym euere-moore
W15.187 And if he soupeþ eteþ but a sop · of Spera in deo
W15.188 He kan portreye wel þe Pater noster · and peynte it withAues
W15.189 And ouþerwhile he is woned · to wenden on pilgrymages
W15.190 Ther poore men and prisons liggeþ · hir pardon to haue
W15.191 Thouȝ he bere hem no breed · he bereþ hem swetter liflode
W15.192 Loueþ hem as oure lord biddeþ · and lokeþ how þei fare

W15.193 And whan he is wery of þat werk · þan wole he somtyme
W15.194 Labouren in lauendrye · wel þe lengþe of a Mile
W15.195 And yerne in-to youþe · and yepeliche speke
W15.196 Pride wiþ al þe appurtenaunces · and pakken hem togideres
W15.197 And bouken hem at his brest · and beten hem clene
W15.198 And leggen on longe · wiþ Laboraui in gemitu meo
W15.199 And wiþ warm water at hise eiȝen · wasshen hem after
W15.200 And þanne he syngeþ whan he doþ so · and som-tyme seiþ wepynge
W15.201Cor contritum & humiliatum deus non despicies

W15.202 By crist I wolde þat I knewe hym quod I · no creature leuere

W15.203 Wiþ-outen help of Piers Plowman quod he · his persone sestow neuere

W15.204 Wheiþer clerkes knowen hym quod I · þat kepen holikirke

W15.205 Clerkes haue no knowyng quod he · but by werkes and by wordes
W15.206 Ac Piers þe Plowman · parceyueþ moore depper
W15.207 What is þe wille and wher-fore · þat many wight suffreþ
W15.208Et vidit deus cogitaciones eorum
W15.209 For þer are ful proude-herted men · pacient of tonge
W15.210 And buxome as of berynge · to burgeises and to lordes

W15.211 And to poore peple · han pepir in þe nose
W15.212 And as a lyoun he lokeþ · þer men lakken hise werkes

W15.213 For þer are beggeris and bidderis · bedemen as it were
W15.214 Loken as lambren · and semen ful851 holy
W15.215 Ac it is moore to haue hir mete · wiþ swich an esy manere
W15.216 Than for penaunce and parfitnesse · þe pouerte þat swiche takeþ

W15.217 Ther-fore by colour ne by clergie · knowe shaltow neuere
W15.218 Neiþer þoruȝ wordes ne werkes · but þoruȝ wil oone
W15.219 And þat knoweþ no clerk · ne creature on erþe
W15.220 But Piers þe Plowman · Petrus .id est. christus
W15.221 For he nys noȝt in lolleris · ne in lond-leperis heremytes
W15.222 Ne at Ancres þere a box hangeþ · alle swiche þei faiten
W15.223 Fy on faitours · and in fautores suos
W15.224 For charite is goddes champion · and as a good child hende
W15.225 And þe murieste of mouþ · at mete where he sitteþ
W15.226 The loue þat liþ in his herte · makeþ hym liȝt of speche
W15.227 And is compaignable and confortatif · as crist bit hym-selue
W15.228Nolite fieri sicut ypocrite tristes &c
W15.229 For I haue seyen hym in silk · and somtyme in russet
W15.230 Boþe in grey and in grys · and in gilt harneis
W15.231 And as gladliche he it gaf · to gomes þat it neded

W15.232 Edmond and Edward · boþe were kynges
W15.233 And seintes yset · for charite hem folwede

W15.234 I haue yseyen charite also · syngen and reden
W15.235 Riden and rennen · in raggede wedes
W15.236 Ac biddynge as beggeris · biheld I hym neuere
W15.237 Ac in riche robes raþest he walkeþ ·
W15.238 Ycalled and ycrymyled · and his crowne yshaue
W15.239 And in a freres frokke · he was yfounden ones
W15.240 Ac it is fern ago · in Seint Fraunceis tyme

W15.241 In þat secte siþþe · to selde haþ he ben founde852

W15.242 Riche men he recomendeþ · and of hir robes takeþ
W15.243 That wiþ-outen wiles · ledeþ hir lyues
W15.244Beatus est diues qui &c

W15.245 In kynges court he comeþ ofte · þer þe counseil is trewe
W15.246 Ac if coueitise be of þe counseil · he wol noȝt come þer-Inne

W15.247 In court amonges Iaperis · he comeþ noȝt but selde
W15.248 For braulynge and bakbitynge · and berynge of fals witnesse

W15.249 In þe Consistorie bifore þe Commissarie · he comeþ noȝt ful ofte
W15.250 For hir lawe dureþ ouer-longe · but if þei lacchen siluer
W15.251 And matrimoyne for moneie · maken and vnmaken
W15.252 And þat Conscience and crist · haþ yknyt faste
W15.253 Thei vndoon it vnworþily · þo doctours of lawe

W15.254 Ac I ne lakke no lif · but lord amende vs alle
W15.255 And gyue vs grace goode god · charite to folwe
W15.256 For who-so myȝte meete myd853 hym · swiche maneres hym eileþ
W15.257 Neiþer he blameþ ne banneþ · bosteþ ne preiseþ
W15.258 Lakkeþ ne loseþ · ne lokeþ vp sterne
W15.259 Craueþ ne coueiteþ · ne crieþ after moore
W15.260In pace in id-ipsum dormiam &c

W15.261 The mooste liflode þat he lyueþ by · is loue in goddes passion
W15.262 Neiþer he biddeþ ne beggeþ · ne borweþ to yelde
W15.263 Misdooþ he no man · ne wiþ his mouþ greueþ

W15.264 Amonges cristene men · þis myldenesse sholde laste
W15.265 In alle manere angres · haue þis at herte
W15.266 That þeiȝ þei suffrede al þis · god suffrede for vs moore
W15.267 In ensample we sholde do so · and take no vengeaunce

fol.91r

W15.268 Of oure foes þat dooþ vs falsnesse · þat is oure fadres wille

W15.269 For wel may euery man wite · if god hadde wold hym-selue
W15.270 Sholde neuere Iudas ne Iew · haue Iesu doon on roode
W15.271 Ne han martired Peter ne Poul · ne in prison holden
W15.272 Ac he suffrede in ensample · þat we sholde suffren also
W15.273 And seide to swiche þat suffre wolde · þat Pacientes vincunt

W15.274 Verbi gracia quod he · and verray ensamples manye
W15.275In legenda sanctorum · þe lif of holy Seintes
W15.276 What penaunce and pouerte · and passion þei suffrede
W15.277 In hunger / in hete · in alle manere angres

W15.278 Antony and Egidie · and oþere holy fadres
W15.279 Woneden in wildernesse · among wilde beestes
W15.280 Monkes and mendinauntz · men by hem-selue
W15.281 In spekes and in spelonkes · selde speken togideres

W15.282 Ac neiþer Antony ne Egidie · ne heremyte þat tyme
W15.283 Of leons ne of leopardes · no liflode ne toke
W15.284 But of foweles þat fleeþ · þus fyndeþ men in bokes
W15.285 Except þat Egidie · after an hynde cride
W15.286 And þoruȝ þe mylk of þat mylde beest · þe man was sustened
W15.287 And day bi day hadde he hire noȝt · his hunger for to slake
W15.288 But selden and sondry tymes · as seiþ þe book and techeþ

W15.289 Antony a-dayes · aboute noon-tyme
W15.290 Hadde a brid þat brouȝte hym breed · þat he by lyuede
W15.291 And þouȝ þe gome hadde a gest · god fond hem boþe

W15.292 Poul primus heremita · hadde parroked hym-selue
W15.293 That no man myȝte hym se · for mosse and for leues
W15.294 Foweles hym fedde · fele wyntres wiþ-alle
W15.295 Til he foundede freres · of Austynes ordre

fol.91v

W15.296 Poul after his prechyng · paniers he made
W15.297 And wan wiþ hise hondes · þat his wombe neded
W15.298 Peter fisshed for his foode · and his felawe Andrew
W15.299 Som þei solde and som þei soden · and so þei lyued boþe

W15.300 And also Marie Maudeleyne · by mores lyuede and dewes
W15.301 Ac moost þoruȝ deuocion · and mynde of god almyghty
W15.302 I sholde noȝt þise seuen daies · siggen hem alle
W15.303 That lyueden þus for oure lordes loue · many longe yeres

W15.304 Ac þer ne was leoun ne leopard · þat on laundes wenten
W15.305 Neiþer bere ne boor · ne ooþer beest wilde
W15.306 That ne fil to hir feet · and fawned wiþ þe tailles
W15.307 And if þei kouþe han ycarped · by crist as I trowe
W15.308 Thei wolde haue yfed þat folk · bifore wilde foweles
W15.309 Ac god sente hem foode by foweles · and by no fierse beestes
W15.310 In menynge þat meke þyng · mylde þyng sholde fede

W15.311 As who seiþ Religiouses · rightfulle men sholde fede
W15.312 And lawefulle men to lifholy men · liflode sholde brynge
W15.313 And þanne wolde lordes and ladies · be looþ to agulte
W15.314 And to taken of hir tenauntz · moore þan trouþe wolde
W15.315 Founde þei þat freres · wolde forsake hir almesses
W15.316 And bidden hem bere it · þere it was yborwed
W15.317 For we ben goddes foweles · and abiden alwey
W15.318 Til briddes brynge vs · þat we sholde lyue by
W15.319 For hadde ye potage and payn ynogh · and peny ale to drynke
W15.320 And a mees þer-myd · of o maner kynde
W15.321 Ye hadde riȝt ynoȝ ye Religiouse · and so youre rule me tolde

commune sufficiat ex adipe prodijt iniquitas tua
W15.322 Numquam dicit Iob rugit onager cum herbam habuerit
aut mugiet bos cum ante plenum presepe steterit · brutorum
animalium natura te condempnat · quia cum eis pabulum

fol.92r


W15.323 If lewed men knewe þis latyn · þei wolde loke whom þei yeue854(c)
W15.324 And auisen hem bifore · a fyue dayes or sixe
W15.325 Er þei amortisede · to monkes or Chanons hir rente855
W15.326 Allas lordes and ladies · lewed counseil haue ye
W15.327 To ȝyue from youre heires · þat youre Aiels yow lefte
W15.328 And ȝyueþ it to bidde for yow · to swiche þat ben riche
W15.329 And ben founded and feffed ek · to bidde for oþere

W15.330 Who parfourneþ þis prophecie · of þe peple þat now libbeþ
W15.331Dispersit dedit pauperibus

W15.332 If any peple parfourne þat text · it are þise poore freres
W15.333 For þat þei beggen aboute · in buyldynge þei spende it
W15.334 And on hem-self som · and swiche as ben hir laborers
W15.335 And of hem þat habbeþ þei taken · and ȝyueþ hem þat habbeþ

W15.336 Ac clerkes and knyȝtes · and communers þat ben riche
W15.337 Fele of yow fareþ · as if I a forest hadde
W15.338 That were ful of faire trees · and I fondede and caste
W15.339 How I myȝte mo þer-Inne · amonges hem sette

W15.340 Right so ye riche · ye robeþ þat ben riche
W15.341 And helpeþ hem þat helpeþ yow · and ȝyueþ þer no nede is
W15.342 As who-so filled a tonne · of a fressh ryuer
W15.343 And wente forþ wiþ þat water · to woke wiþ Temese
W15.344 Right so ye riche · ye robeþ and fedeþ
W15.345 Hem þat han as ye han · hem ye make atese

W15.346 Ac Religiouse þat riche ben · sholde raþer feeste beggeris
W15.347 Than burgeises þat riche ben · as þe book techeþ
W15.348Quia sacrilegium est res pauperum non pauperibus dare856(c)
W15.349Item peccatoribus dare est demonibus immolare

fol.92v

W15.350Item monache si indiges & accipis pocius das quam accipis
W15.351Si autem non eges & accipis rapis
W15.352Porro non indiget monachus si habeat quod nature sufficit
W15.353 For-þi I counseille alle cristene · to conformen hem to charite
W15.354 For charite wiþ-outen chalangynge · vnchargeþ þe soule
W15.355 And many a prison fram purgatorie · þoruȝ hise preieres he deliuereþ
W15.356 Ac þer is a defaute in þe folk · þat þe feiþ kepeþ
W15.357 Wher-fore folk is þe febler · and noȝt ferm of bileue
W15.358 As in lussheburwes is a luþer alay · and yet lokeþ he lik a sterlyng
W15.359 The merk of þat monee is good · ac þe metal is feble

W15.360 And so it fareþ by som folk now · þei han a fair speche
W15.361 Crowne and cristendom · þe kynges mark of heuene
W15.362 Ac þe metal þat is mannes soule · wiþ synne is foule alayed
W15.363 Boþe lettred and lewed · beþ alayed now wiþ synne
W15.364 That no lif loueþ ooþer · ne oure lord as it semeþ
W15.365 For þoruȝ werre and wikkede werkes · and wederes vnresonable
W15.366 Wederwise shipmen · and witty clerkes also
W15.367 Han no bileue to þe lifte · ne to þe loore of Philosofres

W15.368 Astronomiens alday · in hir Art faillen
W15.369 That whilom warned bifore · what sholde falle after

W15.370 Shipmen and shepherdes · þat wiþ ship and sheep wenten
W15.371 Wisten by þe walkne · what sholde bitide
W15.372 As of wedres and wyndes · þei warned men ofte

W15.373 Tilieris þat tiled þe erþe · tolden hir maistres
W15.374 By þe seed þat þei sewe · what þei selde857 myȝte
W15.375 And what to leue and what to lyue by · þe lond was so trewe

W15.376 Now faileþ þe folk of þe flood · and of þe lond boþe
W15.377 Shepherdes and shipmen · and so do þise tilieris

fol.93r

W15.378 Neiþer þei konneþ ne knoweþ · oon cours bifore anoþer
W15.379 Astronomyens also · aren at hir wittes ende
W15.380 Of þat was calculed of þe element · þe contrarie þei fynde
W15.381 Grammer þe ground of al · bigileþ now children
W15.382 For is noon of þise newe clerkes · who-so nymeþ hede858
W15.383 Nauȝt oon among anhundred · þat an Auctour kan construwe
W15.384 Ne rede a lettre in any langage · but in latyn or in englissh

W15.385 Go now to any degree · and but if gile be maister
W15.386 And Flaterere his felawe · vnder hym to fourmen
W15.387 Muche wonder me þynkeþ · amonges vs alle
W15.388 Doctours of decrees · and of diuinite maistres
W15.389 That sholde konne and knowe · alle kynnes clergie
W15.390 And answere to Argumentz · and also to a Quodlibet
W15.391 I dar noȝt siggen it for shame · if swiche were apposed
W15.392 Thei sholde faillen of hir Philosophie · and in Phisik boþe

W15.393 Wher-fore I am afered · of folk of holy kirke
W15.394 Lest þei ouerhuppen as ooþere doon · in office and in houres
W15.395 And if þei ouerhuppe as I hope noȝt · oure bileue suffiseþ
W15.396 As clerkes in Corpus Christi feeste · syngen and reden
W15.397 That sola fides sufficit · to saue wiþ lewed peple
W15.398 And so may Sarzens be saued · Scribes and Iewes

W15.399 Allas þanne but oure looresmen · lyue as þei leren vs
W15.400 And for hir lyuynge þat lewed men · be þe loþer god agulten
W15.401 For Sarzens han somwhat · semynge to oure bileue
W15.402 For þei loue and bileue · in o persone almyghty
W15.403 And we lered and lewed · in oon god almyȝty
W15.404 And oon Makometh a man · in mysbileue brouȝte
W15.405 Sarzens of Surree · and see in what manere

W15.406 This Makometh was a cristene · and for he moste noȝt ben a pope

W15.407 In-to Surrie he souȝte · and þoruȝ hise sotile wittes
W15.408 He daunted a dowue · and day and nyȝt hire fedde
W15.409 The corn þat she croppede · he caste it in his ere
W15.410 And if he among þe peple preched · or in places come
W15.411 Thanne wolde þe coluere come · to þe clerkes ere
W15.412 Menynge as after mete · þus Makometh hire enchauntede
W15.413 And dide folk þanne falle on knees · for he swoor in his prechyng
W15.414 That þe coluere þat com so · com from god of heuene
W15.415 As messager to Makometh · men for to teche
W15.416 And þus þoruȝ wiles of his wit · and a whit Dowue
W15.417 Makometh in mysbileue · men and wommen brouȝte
W15.418 That lyued þo þere and lyue ȝit · leeuen859 on hise lawes

W15.419 And siþþe oure Saueour suffred · þe Sarzens so bigiled
W15.420 Thoruȝ a cristene clerk · acorsed in his soule
W15.421 For drede of þe deeþ · I dar noȝt telle truþe
W15.422 How englisshe clerkes a coluere fede · þat coueitise hiȝte
W15.423 And ben manered after Makometh · þat no man vseþ trouþe

W15.424 Ancres and heremytes · and Monkes and freres
W15.425 Peeren to þe Apostles · þoruȝ hire parfit lyuynge
W15.426 Wolde neuere þe feiþful fader · þat hise Ministres sholde
W15.427 Of tirauntz þat teneþ trewe men · taken any almesse
W15.428 But doon as Antony dide · dominyk and Fraunceys
W15.429 Beneit and Bernard · þe whiche hem first tauȝte
W15.430 To lyue by litel and in lowe houses · by lele mennes almesse
W15.431 Grace sholde growe and be grene · þoruȝ hir goode lyuynge
W15.432 And folkes sholden fare860 · þat ben in diuerse siknesse
W15.433 The bettre for hir biddynges · in body and in soule
W15.434 Hir preieres and hir penaunces · to pees sholde brynge
W15.435 Alle þat ben at debaat · and bedemen were trewe
W15.436Petite & accipietis &c
W15.437 Salt saueþ þe catel · siggen þise wyues
W15.438Vos estis sal terre &c

W15.439 The heuedes of holy chirche · and þei holy were
W15.440 Crist calleþ hem salt · for cristene soules
W15.441Et si sal euanuerit in quo salietur &c

W15.442 For fressh flessh ouþer fissh · whan it salt failleþ
W15.443 It is vnsauory for-soþe · ysoden or ybake
W15.444 So is mannes soule sooþly · þat seeþ no goode ensamples861
W15.445 Of hem of holi chirche · þat þe heighe wey sholde teche
W15.446 And be gide and go bifore · as a good Banyer
W15.447 And hardie hem þat bihynde ben · and ȝyue hem good euidence

W15.448 Elleuene holy men · al þe world tornede
W15.449 In-to lele bileue · þe lightloker me þinkeþ
W15.450 Sholde alle maner men · we han so manye maistres
W15.451 Preestes and prechours · and a pope aboue
W15.452 That goddes salt sholde be · to saue mannes soule

W15.453 Al was hethynesse somtyme · Engelond and Walis
W15.454 Til Gregory garte clerkes · to go here and preche
W15.455 Austyn at Caunterbury · cristnede þe kyng
W15.456 And þoruȝ miracles as men mow rede · al þat marche he tornede
W15.457 To crist and to cristendom · and cros to honoure
W15.458 And follede folk faste · and þe feiþ tauȝte
W15.459 Moore þoruȝ miracles · þan þoruȝ muche prechyng
W15.460 As wel þoruȝ hise werkes · as wiþ hise holy wordes
W15.461 And seide hem · what fullynge and feiþ was to mene

W15.462 Clooþ þat comeþ fro þe weuyng · is noȝt comly to were
W15.463 Til it be fulled vnder foot · or in fullyng stokkes
W15.464 Wasshen wel wiþ water · and wiþ taseles cracched
W15.465 Ytouked and yteynted · and vnder taillours hande
W15.466 Right862 so it fareþ by a barn · þat born is of a wombe
W15.467 Til it be cristned in cristes name · and confermed of þe bisshop
W15.468 It is heþene as to heueneward · and helplees to þe soule

W15.469 Heþen is to mene after heeþ · and vntiled erþe
W15.470 As in wilde wildernesse · wexeþ wilde beestes
W15.471 Rude and vnresonable · rennynge wiþ-outen cropiers863

W15.472 Ye mynnen wel how Mathew seiþ · how a man made a feste
W15.473 He fedde hem wiþ no venyson · ne fesauntz ybake
W15.474 But wiþ foweles þat fram hym nolde · but folwede his whistlyng
W15.475Ecce altilia mea & omnia parata sunt
W15.476 And wiþ calues flessh he fedde · þe folk þat he louede

W15.477 The calf bitokneþ clennesse · in hem þat kepeþ lawes
W15.478 For as þe Cow þoruȝ kynde mylk · þe calf norisseþ til an Oxe
W15.479 So loue and leaute · lele men susteneþ
W15.480 And maidenes and mylde men · mercy desiren
W15.481 Right as þe cow calf · coueiteþ melk swete864
W15.482 So doon riȝtfulle men · mercy and truþe

W15.483 Ac who beþ þat excuseþ hem · þat ben persons and preestes
W15.484 That heuedes of holy chirche ben · þat han hir wil here
W15.485 Wiþ-outen trauaille þe tiþe deel · þat trewe men biswynken
W15.486 They wol be wrooþ for I write þus · ac to witnesse I take
W15.487 Boþe Mathew and Marc · and Memento domine dauid

W15.488 What pope or prelat now · parfourneþ þat crist highte
W15.489Ite in vniuersum mundum & predicate &c

W15.490 Allas þat men so longe · on Makometh sholde bileue
W15.491 So manye prelates to preche · as þe Pope makeþ
W15.492 Of Nazareth of Nynyue · of Neptalym and Damaske
W15.493 That þei ne wente as crist wisseþ · siþen þei wille haue name
W15.494 To be pastours and preche · þe passion of Iesus
W15.495 And as hym-self seide · to865 lyue and to dye
W15.496Bonus pastor animam suam ponit &c
W15.497 And seide it in saluacion · of Sarzens and oþere

fol.95r

W15.498 For cristene and vncristene · crist seide to prechours
W15.499Ite vos in vineam meam &c

W15.500 And siþ þat þise Sarzens · Scribes and Iewes
W15.501 Han a lippe of oure bileue · þe lightlier me þynkeþ
W15.502 Thei sholde turne who-so trauailed · to teche hem of þe Trinite
W15.503Querite & inuenietis &c

W15.504 It is ruþe to rede · how riȝtwise men lyuede
W15.505 How þei defouled hir flessh · forsoke hir owene wille
W15.506 Fer fro kyth and fro kyn · yuele ycloþed yeden
W15.507 Baddely ybedded · no book but conscience
W15.508 Ne no richesse but þe roode · to reioisse hem Inne
W15.509Absit nobis gloriari nisi in cruce domini nostri &c

W15.510 And þo was plentee and pees · amonges poore and riche
W15.511 And now is rouþe to rede · how þe rede noble
W15.512 Is reuerenced er þe Roode · and receyued for worþier866
W15.513 Than cristes cros þat ouercam · deeþ and dedly synne
W15.514 And now is werre and wo · and who-so why askeþ
W15.515 For coueitise after cros · þe croune stant in golde
W15.516 Boþe riche and Religious · þat roode þei honoure
W15.517 That in grotes is ygraue · and in gold nobles
W15.518 For coueitise of þat cros · men of holy kirke
W15.519 Shul torne as templers dide · þe tyme approcheþ faste

W15.520 Wite ye noȝt ye wise men · how þo men honoured
W15.521 Moore tresor þan trouþe · I dar noȝt telle þe soþe
W15.522 Reson and rightful doom · þe Religiouse demede

W15.523 Right so ye clerkes · for youre coueitise er longe
W15.524 Shal þei demen dos ecclesie · and youre pride depose
W15.525Deposuit potentes de sede &c

W15.526 If knyghthod and kynde wit · and þe867 commune by conscience
W15.527 Togideres loue leelly · leueþ it wel ye bisshopes
W15.528 The lordshipe of youre868 londes · for euere shul ye lese
W15.529 And lyuen as Leuitici · as oure lord869 techeþ
W15.530Per primicias & decimas &c

W15.531 Whan Costantyn of curteisie · holy kirke dowed
W15.532 Wiþ londes and ledes · lordshipes and rentes
W15.533 An Aungel men herden · an heigh at Rome crye
W15.534Dos ecclesie þis day · haþ ydronke venym
W15.535 And þo þat han Petres power · arn apoisoned alle

W15.536 A medicyne moot þer-to · þat may amende prelates
W15.537 That sholden preie for þe pees · possession hem letteþ
W15.538 Takeþ hire landes ye lordes · and leteþ hem lyue by dymes

W15.539 If possession be poison · and inparfite hem make
W15.540 Good were to deschargen hem · for holy chirches sake
W15.541 And purgen hem of poison · er moore peril falle

W15.542 If preesthode were parfit · þe peple sholde amende
W15.543 That contrarien cristes lawe · and cristendom dispise
W15.544 For alle paynymes preieþ · and parfitly bileueþ
W15.545 In þe holy grete god · and his grace þei asken
W15.546 And make hir mone to Makometh · hir message to shewe
W15.547 Thus in a feiþ leue þat folk · and in a fals mene
W15.548 And þat is rouþe for riȝtful men · þat in þe Reawme wonyen
W15.549 And a peril to þe pope · and prelates þat he makeþ
W15.550 That bere bisshopes names · of Bethleem and Babiloigne
W15.551 That huppe aboute in Engelond · to halwe mennes Auteres
W15.552 And crepe amonges curatours · and confessen ageyn þe lawe
W15.553Nolite mittere falsem in messem alienam &c

W15.554 Many man for cristes loue · was martired in Romayne

fol.96r

W15.555 Er any cristendom was knowe þere · or any cros honoured
W15.556 Euery bisshop þat bereþ cros · by þat he is holden
W15.557 Thoruȝ his prouince to passe · and to his peple to shewe hym
W15.558 Tellen hem and techen hem · on þe Trinite to bileue
W15.559 And feden hem wiþ goostly foode · and gyue þere it nedeþ
W15.560In domo mea non est panis neque vestimentum
et ideo nolite constituere me Regem

W15.561 Ozias seiþ for swiche · þat sike ben and feble
W15.562Inferte omnes870 in orreum meum vt cibus in domo mea

W15.563 Ac we cristene creatures · þat on þe cros bileuen
W15.564 Arn ferme as in þe feiþ · goddes forbode ellis
W15.565 And han clerkes to kepen vs þer-Inne · & hem þat shul come after vs

W15.566 And Iewes lyuen in lele lawe · oure lord wroot it hym-selue
W15.567 In stoon for it stedefast was · and stonde sholde euere
W15.568Dilige deum & proximum · is parfit Iewen lawe
W15.569 And took it Moyses to teche men · til Messie coome
W15.570 And on þat lawe þei lyue ȝit · and leten it þe beste
W15.571 And ȝit knewe þei crist · þat cristendom tauȝte
W15.572 For a parfit prophete · þat muche peple sauede
W15.573 Of selkouþe sores · þei seiȝen it ofte
W15.574 Boþe of miracles and merueilles · and how he men festede
W15.575 Wiþ two fisshes and fyue loues · fyue þousand peple
W15.576 And by þat mangerie men myȝte wel se · þat Messie he semede
W15.577 And whan he lifte vp Lazar · þat leid was in graue
W15.578 And vnder stoon deed and stank · wiþ stif vois hym callede
W15.579Lazare veni foras ·
W15.580 Dide hym rise and rome · riȝt bifore þe Iewes

W15.581 Ac þei seiden and sworen · wiþ sorcerie he wrouȝte
W15.582 And studieden to struyen hym · and struyden hem-selue ·

W15.583 And þoruȝ his pacience hir power · to pure noȝt he brouȝte
W15.584Pacientes vincunt ·

W15.585 Daniel of hire vndoynge · deuyned and seide
W15.586Cum sanctus sanctorum veniat cessabit vnxio vestra
W15.587 And wenen þo wrecches · þat he were pseudo propheta
W15.588 And þat his loore be lesynges · and lakken it alle
W15.589 And hopen þat he be to come · þat shal hem releue
W15.590 Moyses eft or Messie · hir maistres ȝit deuyneþ

W15.591 Ac pharisees and Sarzens · Scribes and Iewes
W15.592 Arn folk of oon feiþ · þe fader god þei honouren
W15.593 And siþen þat þe Sarzens · and also þe Iewes
W15.594 Konne þe firste clause of oure bileue · Credo in deum patrem omnipotentem
W15.595 Prelates of cristene prouinces · sholde preue if þei myȝte
W15.596 To lere hem litlum and litlum · et in IesumChristum filium
W15.597 Til þei kouþe speke and spelle · et in Spiritum sanctum
W15.598 And reden it and recorden it · wiþ remissionem peccatorum
W15.599Carnis resurreccionem · et vitam eternam amen

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