Piers The Ploughmans Crede
CROS, AND Curteis Crist * @is begynnynge spede,
     For @e faderes frendchipe * @at fourmede Heuene,
And @oru$ @e speciall spirit * @at sprong of hem tweyne,
And alle in on godhed * endles dwelle@ !             4
A and all myn A.b.c * after haue y lerned,
And [patred] in my pater-noster * iche poynt after o@er,
And after all, myn Aue-marie * almost to @e ende ;   7
But all my kare is to comen * for y can noh$t my Crede.
Whan y schal schewen myn schrift * schent mote y
     wor@en,
#e prest wil me punyche * & penaunce enioyne ;
#e Leng@e of a Lenten * flech moot y leue
After @at Estur ys ycomen * and @at is hard fare ;  12
And Wedenes-day iche wyke * wi@-outen flech-mete.
And also Jesu hym-self * to the Jewes he seyde,
" He @at leeue@ nou$t on me * he lese@ @e blisse."
#erfor lerne @e byleue * leuest me were,          16
And if any werldly wi$t * wille me cou@e,
O@er lewed or lered * @at lyue@ @erafter,
And fulliche folweth @e fey@ * and feyne@ non o@er ;
#at no worldliche wele * wilne@ no tyme,         20
But lyue@ in louynge of God * and his lawe holde@,
And for no getynge of good * neuer his God greue@,
But follow[e]@ him @e full wey * as he @e folke taughte.
But to many maner of men * @is matter is asked,    24
Bo@e to lered and to lewed * @at seyn @at @ey leueden
Hollich on @e grete god * and hoden alle his hestes ;
But by a fraynyng for-@an * faile@ @er manye.      27
For first y fraynede @e freres * and @ey me fulle tolden,
#at all @e frute of @e fay@ * was in here foure ordres,
And @e cofres of cristendam * & @e keye bo@en,
And @e lok [of beleve * lyeth] loken in her hondes.
#anne [wende] y to wyten * & wi@ a whi$t y mette, 32
A Menoure in a morow-tide * & to @is man I saide,
" Sire, for grete god[e]s loue * @e grai@ @ou me telle,
Of what myddelerde man * my$te y best lerne
My Crede ? For I can it nou$t * my kare is @e more ; 36
& @erfore, for Cristes loue ! * @i councell y praie.
A Carm me ha@ y-couenaunt * @e Crede me to teche ;
But for @ou knowest Carmes well * @i counsaile y
   aske."
#is Menour loked on me * and law$yng he seyde,    40
" Leue Cristen man * y leue @at @ou madde !
Whou$ schulde @ei techen @e God * @at con not hemselue?
#ei ben but jugulers * and iapers, of kynde,
Lorels and Lechures * & lemmans holden ;           44
Ney@er in order ne out * but vn-ne@e lybbe@,
And byiape@ @e folke * wi@ gestes of Rome !
It is but a faynt folk * i-founded vp-on iapes,
#ei make@ hem Maries men * (so @ei men tellen),    48
And lie@ on our Ladie * many a longe tale.
And @at wicked folke * wymmen bi-traie@,
And bigile@ hem of her good * wi@ glauerynge wordes,
And @erwi@ holden her hous * in harlotes werkes.  52
And, so saue me God ! * I hold it gret synne
To $yuen hem any good * swiche glotones to fynde,
To maynteyne swiche maner men * @at mychel good
     destruye@.
$et seyn they in here sutilte * to sottes in townes, 56
#ei comen out of Carmeli * Crist for to followen,
& feyne@ hem with holynes * @at yuele hem biseme@.
#ei lyuen more in lecherie * and lieth in her tales
#an suen any god liife ; * but [lurken] in her selles, 60
[And] wynnen werldliche god * & wasten it in synne.
And $if @ei cou@en her credo * o@er on Crist leueden,
#ei weren nou$t so hardie * swich harlotri vsen.
Sikerli y can nou$t fynden * who hem first founded, 64
But @e foles foundeden hem-self * freres of the Pye,
And maken hem mendynauns * & marre @e puple.
But what glut of @o gomes * may any good kachen,
He will kepen it hym-self * & cofren it faste,     68
And @ei$ his felawes fayle good    for him he may
     steruen.
Her money may bi-quest * & testament maken,
And no obedience bere * but don as [hem] luste.
[And] ry$t as Robertes men * raken aboute,         72
At feires & at ful ales * & fyllen @e cuppe,
And preche@ all of pardon * to plesen the puple.
Her pacience is all based * & but out to ferme,
And pride is in her pouerte * @at litell is to preisen.  76
And at @e lulling of oure Ladye * @e wymmen to lyken,
And miracles of mydwyves * & maken wymmen to wenen
#at @e lace of oure ladie smok * li$te@ hem of children.
#ei ne prechen nou$t of Powel * ne penaunce for synne,
But all of mercy & mensk * @at Marie maie helpen.  81
Wi@ sterne staues and stronge * @ey ouer lond strake@
#ider as her lemmans ligge@ * and lurke@ in townes,
(Grey grete-hedede quenes * wi@ gold by @e ei$en), 84
And seyn, @at here sustien @ei ben * @at soiourne@
     aboute ;
And @us about @ey gon * & godes folke by-traie@.
It is @e puple @at Powel * preched of in his tyme ;
He seyde of swich folk * @at so aboute wente,     88
" Wepyng, y warne $ow * of walkers aboute ;
It be@ enemyes of @e cros * @at crist opon @olede.
Swiche slomerers in slepe * slau@e is her ende,
And glotony is her God * wi@ g[l]oppyng of drynk, 92
And gladnes in glees * & gret ioye y-maked ;
In @e schendyng of swiche * schall mychel folk law$e.'
#perfore, frend, for @i fey@ * fond to don betere,
Leue nou$t on @o losels * but let hem for@ pasen,   94
For @ei ben fals in her fei@ * & fele mo o@ere."
" Alas ! frere," qua@ I @o * " my purpos is i-failed,
Now is my counfort a-cast ! * canstou no bote,
Where y my$te meten wi@ a man * @at my$te me
    [wissen]                                       100
For to connne my Crede * Crist for to folwen ?"
"CERTEYNE, felawe," qua@ @e frere * " wi@-outen any
        faile.
Of all men opon mold * we Menures most schewe@
#e pure Apostell[e]s life * wi@ penance on er@e,   104
And suen hem in saunctite * & suffren well harde.
We haunten none tauernes * ne hobelen abouten ;
At marketts & myracles * we medle@ vs nevere ;
We hondlen no money * but menelich faren,          108
And haven hunger at [the] meate * at ich a mel ones.
We hauen forsaken the worlde * & in wo lybbe@,
In penaunce & pouerte * & preche@ @e puple,
By ensample of oure life * soules to helpen ;      112
And in pouertie praien * for all oure parteners
#at $yue@ vs any good * god to honouren,
O@er bell o@er booke * or breed to our fode,
O@er catell o@er clo@ * to coveren wi@ our bones,  116
Money or money-worthe ; * here mede is in heven.
For we bulde@ a burw$ * a brod and a large,
  A Chirche and A Chapaile * with chambers a-lofte,
Wi@ wide windowes y-wrou$t * & walles well heye, 120
#at mote bene portreid and paynt * & pulched ful clene,
Wi@ gaie glittering glas * glowing as @e sonne.
And my$testou amenden vs * wi@ money of @yn owne,
#ou chuldest enely bifore Crist * in compas of gold 124
In @e wide windowe westwarde * wel ni$o in the myddell,
And seynt Fraunces himself * schall folden the in his
     cope,
And presente the to the trynitie * and praie for thy
    synnes ;
#i name schall noblich ben wryten * & wrou$t for the
                                                    nones, 128
And, in remembrance of @e * y-rade @er for euer.
And, bro@er, be @ou nou$t aferd ; * [bythenk in] thyn
     herte,
#ou$ @ou conne nou$t @i Crede * kare @ou no more.
I schal asoilen @e, syre * & setten it on my soule, 132
And @ou maie maken @is good * @enk @ou non o@er."
" SIRE," y saide, " in certaine * y schal gon & asaye ;"--
     And he sette on me his honde * & asoilede me
     clene,
And @eir y parted him fro * wi@-outen any peine,  136
In couenant @at y come a$en * Crist he me be-tau$te.
@anne saide y to my-self * " here seme@ litel trew@e !
First to blamen his bro@er * and bacbyten him foule,
#eire-as curteis Crist * clereliche saide,         140
" Whow my$t-tou in thine bro@er ei$e * a bare mote
     loken,
And in @yn owen ei$e * nou$t a bem toten?
See fyrst on @i-self * and si@en on ano@er,
And clense clene @i sy$t * and kepe well @yn ei$e, 144
And for ano@er mannes ei$e * ordeyne after.'
And also y sey coueitise * catel to fongen,
#at Crist ha@ clerliche forboden * & clenliche destruede,
And saide to his sueres * forso@e on @is wise,     148
" Nou$t @i nei$bours good * couet yn no tyme.'
But charite & chastete * ben chased out clene,
But Crist seide, " by her fruyt * men shall hem ful
     knowen.' "                                    151
#anne saide y, " certeyn, sire * @ou demest full trewe ! "
#ANNE @ou$t y to frayne @e first * of @is foure ordirs,
   And presede to @e prechoures * to proven here wille.
[Ich] hi$ede to her house * to herken of more ;
And whan y cam to @at court * y gaped aboute.      156
Swich a bild bold, y-buld * opon er@e hei$te
Say i nou$t in certeine * si@@e a longe tyme.
  Y $emede vpon @at house * & $erne @eron loked,   159
Whou$ @e pileres weren y-peynt * and pulched ful clene,
And queynteli i-coruen * wi@ curiouse knottes,
Wi@ wyndowes well y-wrou$t * wide vp o-lofte.
And @anne y entrid in * and even-for@ went,
And all was walled @at wone * @ou$ it wid were, 164
Wi@ posternes in pryuytie * to pasen when hem liste ;
Orche$ardes and erberes * euesed well clene,
And a curious cros * craftly entayled,
Wi@  tabernacles y-ti$t * to toten all abouten.    168
#e pris of a plou$-lond * of penyes so rounde
To aparaile @at pyler * were pure lytel.
#anne y munte me for@ * @e mynstre to knowen,
And a-waytede a woon * wonderlie well y-beld   172
Wi@ arches on eueriche half * & belliche y-corven,
Wi@ crochetes on corners * wi@ knottes of golde,
Wyde wyndowes y-wrou$t * y-written full @ikke,
Schynen wi@ schapen scheldes * to schewen aboute, 176
Wi@ merkes of marchauntes * y-medled bytwene,
Mo @an twenty and two * twyes y-noumbered.
#er is none heraud @at ha@ * halt swich a rolle,
Ri$t as a rageman * ha@ rekned hem newe.          180
Tombes opon tabernacles * tyld opon lofte,
Housed in hirnes * harde set abouten,
Of armede alabaustre * clad for @e nones,
[Made vpon marbel * in many maner wyse,            184
Knyghtes in her conisantes * clad for @e nones,]
All it semed seynteg * y-sacred opon er@e ;
And louely ladies y-wrou$t * leyen by her sydes
In many gay garmentes * @at weren gold-beten.      188
#ou$ @e tax of ten $er * were trewly y-gadered,
Nolde it nou$t maken @at hous * half, as y trowe.
#anne kam I to @at cloister * & gaped abouten      191
Whou$ it was pilered and peynt * & portred well clene,
All y-hyled wi@ leed * lowe to @e stones,
And y-paued wi@ peynt til * iche poynte after o@er ;
Wi@ kundites of clene tyn * closed all aboute,
Wi@  lauoures of latun * louelyche y-greithed.     196
I trowe @e gaynage of @e ground * in a gret schire
Nolde aparaile @at place * oo poynt til other ende.
#anne was @e chaptire-hous wrou$t * as a greet chirche,
Coruen and couered * and queyntliche entayled ;    200
Wi@  semlich selure * y-set on lofte ;
As a Parlement-hous * y-peynted aboute.
#anne ferd y into fraytour * and fond @ere an o@er, 203
An halle for an hey$ kinge * an housholde to holden,
Wi@ brode bordes aboute * y-benched wel clene,
Wi@ windowes of glas * wrou$t as a Chirche.
#anne walkede y ferrer * & went all abouten,
And sei$ halles full hy$e * & houses full noble,   208
Chambers wi@ chymneyes * & Chapells gaie ;
And kychens for an hy$e kinge * in castells to holden,
And her dortour y-di$te * wi@ dores ful stronge ;
Fermery and fraitur * with fele mo houses,         212
And all strong ston wall * sterne opon hei@e,
Wi@ gaie garites & grete * & iche hole y-glased ;
[And o@ere] houses y-nowe * to herberwe @e queene.
And $et @ise bilderes wilne beggen * a bagg-ful of
      wheate                                       216
Of a pure pore man * @at maie one@e paie
Half his rente in a $er * and half ben behynde !
#anne turned y a$en * whan y hadde all y-toted,
And fond in a freitour * a frere on a benche,      220
   A greet cherl & a grym * growen as a tonne,
Wi@ a face as fat * as a full bledder,
Blowen bretfull of bre@ * & as a bagge honged     223
On bo@en his chekes, & his chyn * wi@ a chol lollede,
As greet as a gos eye * growen all of grece ;
#at all wagged his fleche * as a quyk myre.
His cope @at biclypped him * wel clene was it folden,
Of double worstede y-dy$t * doun to @e hele ;     228
His kyrtel of clene whijt * clenlyche y-sewed ;
Hyt was good y-now of ground * greyn for to beren.
I haylsedo @at herdeman * & hendliche y saide,
" Gode syre, for Godes loue * canstou me grai@ tellen 232
To any wor@ely wij$t * @at [wissen] me cou@e
Whou y schulde conne my Crede * Crist for to folowe,
#at leuede lelliche him-self * & lyuede @erafter,
#at feynede non falshede * but fully Crist suwede ? 236
For sich a certeyn man * syker wold y trosten,
#at he wolde telle me @e trew@e * and turne to none
     o@er.
And an Austyn @is ender daie * egged me faste ;     239
#at he wolde techen me wel * he ply$t me his treu@e,
And seyde me, " serteyne * sy@en Crist died
Oure ordir was [euelles] * & erst y-founde.' "
" FYRST, felawe !" qua@ he * " fy on his pilche !
      He is but abortijf * eked wi@ cloutes !      244
He holde@ his ordynaunce * wi@e hores and @eues,
And purchase@ hem pryuileges * wi@ penyes so rounde ;
It is a pur pardoners craft * proue & asaye !
For haue @ei @i money * a mone@ @erafter,          248
Certes, @ei$ @ou come a$en * he nyl @e nou$t knowen.
But, felawe, our foundement * was first of @e o@ere,
And we ben founded fulliche * wi@-outen fayntise ;
And we ben clerkes y-cnowen * cunnynge in scole, 252
Proued in procession * by processe of lawe.
Of oure ordre @er be@ * bichopes wel manye,
Seyntes on sundry stedes * @at suffreden harde ;
And we ben proued @e prijs * of popes at Rome,     256
And of gretest degre * as godspelles telle@."
" A ! syre," qua@ y @anne * " @on seyst a gret wonder,
Si@en Crist seyd hym-self * to all his disciples,
" Which of $ou @at is most * most schal he werche, 260
And who is goer byforne * first schal he seruen.'
And seyde, " he sawe satan * sytten full hey$e
And ful lowe ben y-leyd ;' * in lyknes he tolde,
#at in pouernesse of spyrit * is spedfullest hele, 264
And hertes of heynesse * harme@ @e soule.
And @erfore, frere, fare well * here fynde y but pride ;
Y preise nou$t @i preching * but as a pure myte."
And anger[l]ich y wandrede * @e Austyns to proue, 268
And mette wi@ a maister of @o men * & meklich y seyde,
" Maister, for @e moder loue * @at Marie men kalle@,
Knowest @ou ou$t @er @ou comest * a creatour on er@e,
#at coude me my Crede teche * and trewliche enfourme,
Wi@-outen flaterynge fare * & no@ing feyne ?       273
#at folwe@ fulliche @e fei@ * and none other fables,
Wi@-outen gabbynge of glose * as @e godspelles telle@ ?
A Menour ha@ me holly by-hy$t * to helen my soule,
For he sei@ @at her sekte * is sykerest on er@e,    277
And ben kepers of @e keye * @at Cristendome helpe@,
And pur[l]iche in pouerte * @e apostells @ey suwe@."
" ALAS ! ' qua@ @e frier * " almost y madde in mynde,
To sen hou$ @is Minoures * many men begyleth !
So@li, somme of @o gomes * ha@ more good him-selue
#an ten kny$tes @at y knowe * of catell in cofers !
In fraytour @ei faren best * of all @e foure orders, 284
And [vsen] ypocricie * in all @at @ey werchen,
And prechen all of parfitnes * but loke now, y @e praye,
Nou$t but profre hem in pryvite * a [peny] for a masse,
And, but his cnaue be prest * put out myne ei$e,   288
#ou$ he hadde more money hid * @an marchantes of
     wolle !
Loke hou$ @is loresmen * lordes bytrayen,
Seyn @at @ey folwen fully * Fraunceses rewle,
#at in cotynge of his cope * is more clo@ y-folden 292
#an was in Fraunces froc * whan he hem first made.
And $et, vnder @at cope * a cote ha@ he furred,
Wi@ foyns, or wi@ fitchewes * o@er fyn beuer,
And @at is cutted to @e kne * & queyntly y-botend, 296
Lest any spirituall man * aspie @at gile.
Fraunces bad his bre@eren * barfote to wenden ;
Non han @ei bucled schon * for bleynynge of her heles,
And hosen in harde weder * y-hamled by @e ancle, 300
And spicerie sprad in her purse * to parten where hem
     lust.
Lordes loueth hem well * for @ei so lowe crouchen ;
But knewen men her cautel * & her queynt wordes,
#ei wolde worchyhen hem * nou$t but a litel,       304
#e image of ybocricie * ymped vpon fendes.
But, sone, $if @ou wilte ben syker * seche @ou no ferther,
We friers be @e first * and founded vpon treu@e.
Paul primus [heremita] * put vs him-selue          308
Awey into wildernes * @e werlde to dispisen ;
And @ere we leng[e]den full longe * & lyueden full harde,
For-to all @is freren folke * weren founded in townes,
And tau$ten vntrulie ; * and @at we well aspiede,  312
And for chefe charitie * we chargeden vs seluen ;
In amending of @is men * we maden oure celles
To ben in cyties y-set * to sty$tle @e people,
Preching & praying * as profetes schulden ;        316
And so we holden vs @e heued * of all holy chirche.
We haue power of the pope * purliche assoilen
All @at helpen our hous * in helpe of her soules,
To dispensen hem wi@ * in dedes of synne ;         320
All @at amendeth oure hous * in money o@er elles,
Wi@ corne o@er catell * or clo@es of beddes,
O@er- bedys or broche * or breed for our fode.
And $if @ou hast any good * & wilt @i-selfe helpen, 324
Helpe vs hertliche @erwi@e * & here I vndertake,
#ou schalt ben bro@er of our hous * & a boke habben
(At @e next chaptire) * clereliche ensealed ;
And @anne oure prouinciall * ha@ power to assoilen 328
Alle sustren & bre@eren * @at be@ of our order.
And @ou$ @ou conne nou$t @i Crede * knele downe here ;
My soule y sette for @yn * to asoile @e clene,
In Couenaunt @at @ou come againe *  & katell vs
     bringe."                                      332
And @anne loutede y adoun * & he me leue grauntede,
And so I partid him fro * & @e frere left.
#anne seid I to my-self * " here is no bote ;     335
Heere pride is @e pater-noster * in preyinge of synne ;
Here Crede is coueytise ; * now can y no fer@er,
$et will y fonden for@ * & fraynen @e Karmes."
#ANNE totede into a tauerne * & @er y aspyede
    Two frere Karmes * wi@ a full coppe.           340
#ere y auntrede me in * & ai[s]liche y seide,
" Leue syre, for @e lordes loue * @at @ou on leuest,
Lere me to som man * my Crede for to lerne,
#at lyue@ in [lel] lijf * and loue@ no synne,      344
And glose@ nou$t @e godspell * but halt Godes he[s]tes,
And ne@er money ne mede * ne may him nou$t letten
But werchen after Godes worde * wi@-outen any faile.
  A prechour y-professed * ha@ pli$t me his trew@e 348
To techen me trewlie ; * but woldest @ou me tellen
For @ei ben certayne men * & syker on to trosten,
Y wolde quyten @e @i mede * as my mi$te were."
"    A TREFLE   qua@ he  " trewlie ! * his  treu@ is full
        litell !                                     352
He dyned nou$t wi@ Domynike * si@e Crist deide !
For wi@ @e princes of pride * @e prechours dwellen ;
#ei bene as digne as @e devel * @at droppe@ fro heuene.
Wi@ hertes of heynesse * wou$ halwen @ei chirches 356
And dele@ in devynitie * as dogges do@ bones !
#ei medleth wi@ messages * & mariages of grete ;
#ey leeuen wi@ lordes * wi@ lesynges y-nowe ;
#ey  bigge@   hem  bichopryches  *  wi@   bagges  of
     golde ;                                       360
#ei wilne@ worchipes-- * but waite on her dedes !
Herken at Herdfor@e * hou @at @ey werchen,
And loke whou @at @ei lyven * & leeue as @ou fyndest.
#ey [ben] counseilours of kinges *  Crist wot @e
    so@e,                                          364
Whou @ey [curry] kinges * & her back clawe@ !
God lene hem leden well * in lyvinge of heven,
And glose hem nou$t for her good * to greven her
     soules !                                      367
  Y pray @e, where ben @ei pryue * wi@ any pore wi$tes,
#at maie not amenden her hous * ne amenden hem-
    seluen ?
#ei prechen in proude harte * & preise@ her order,
And werdliche worchype * wilne@ in er@e.
Leeue it well, lef man * & men ry$t-lokede,       372
#er is more pryue pride * in prechours hertes
#an @er lefte in Lucyfer * er he were lowe fallen ;
#ey ben digne as dich water * @at dogges in bayte@
Loke a ribaut of hem * @at can nou$t wel reden     376
His rewle ne his respondes * but be pure rote,
Als as he were a connynge Clerke * he caste@ @e lawes,
Nou$t lowli but lordly * & leesinges lye@.
For ry$t as Menoures * most ypocricie vse@,         380
Ry$t so ben Prechers proude * purlyche in herte.
But, Cristen creatour * we Karmes first comen
Even in Elyes tyme * first of hem all,
And lyven by our Lady * & lelly hir seruen          384
In clene comun life * kepen vs out of synne ;
Nowt proude as prechours be@ * but prayen full still
For all @e soules and @e lyves * @at we by lybbeth.
We connen on no queyntyse * (Crist wot @e so@e !) 388
But bysie@ vs in oure bedes * as vs best holde@.
And @erfore, leue leel man * leeue @at ich sygge,
  A masse of vs mene men * is of more mede
And passeth all praiers * of @ies proude freers.    392
And @ou wilt $yuen vs any good * y would @e here
     graunten
To taken all @y penance * in peril of my soule ;
And @ou$ @ou conne nou$t @y crede * clene @e assoile,
So @at @ou mowe amenden our hous * wi@ money o@er
     elles,                                         396
Wi@ som katell o@er corne * or cuppes of siluer."
" TREWELY, frere," qua@ y @o * " to tellen @e @e so@e,
     #er is no peny in my palke * to payen for my
         mete ;
I haue no good ne no gold * but go @us abouten,     400
And travaile full trewlye * to wynnen withe my fode.
But woldest @ou for godes loue * lerne me my Crede,
    Y schuld don for @y will * whan I wele hadde."
" Trewlie," qua@ @e frere * " a fol y @e holde !      404
#ou woldest not weten @y fote * & woldest fich kacchen !
Our pardon & oure preiers * so be@ @ey nou#t parted,
Oure power laste@ nou$t so feer * but we some peny
     fongen.
Fare well," qua@ @e frere * " for y mot he@en fonden,
And hyen to an houswife * @at ha@ vs beque@en      409
Ten pounde in hir testament * to tellen @e so@e.
Ho drawe@ to @e de@e-warde * but $et I am in drede
Lest ho turne her testament * & @erfore I hy$e    412
To hauen hir to our hous * and henten $if y mi$te
An Anuell for myn owen [vse] * to helpen to clo@e."
" Godys forbode," qua@ [his] fellawe * " but ho for@ passe
Wil ho is in purpose * wi@ vs to departen ;        416
God let her no lenger lyven * for letteres ben manye."
#ANNE turned y me for@e * and talked to my-selue
    Of @e falshede of @is folk * whou fei@les they
       [weren].
And as y wente be @e #aie * wepynge for sorowe,    420
[I] sei$ a sely man me by * opon @e plow hongen.
His cote was of a cloute * @at cary was y-called,
His hod was full of holes * & his heer oute,
Wi@ his knopped schon * clouted full @ykke ;       424
His ton toteden out * as he @e londe treddede,
His hosen ouerhongen his hokschynes * on eueriche a
    side,
Al beslombred in fen * as he @e plow folwede ;
Twey myteynes, as mete * maad all of cloutes ;     428
#e fyngers weren for-werd * & ful of fen honged.
#is whit waselede in @e [fen] * almost to @e ancle,
Foure ro@eren hym by-forn * @at feble were [wor@en] ;
Men my$te reken ich a ryb * so reufull @ey weren. 432
His wijf walked him wi@ * wi@ a longe gode,
In a cutted cote * cutted full hey$e,
Wrapped in a wynwe schete * to weren hire fro
     weders,
Barfote on @e bare ijs * @at @e blod folwede.     436
And at @e londes ende laye * a litell crom-bolle,
And @eron lay a litell childe * lapped in cloutes,
And tweyne of tweie $eres olde * opon a-no@er syde,
And alle @ey songen o songe * @at sorwe was to heren ;
#ey crieden alle o cry * a carefull note.          441
#e sely man si$ede sore, & seide * " children, be@
     stille !"
#is man loked opon me * & leet @e plow stonden,
And seyde, " sely man, why sy$est @ou so harde ?  444
$if @e lakke lijflode * lene @e ich will
Swich good as God ha@ sent * go we, leue bro@er."
Y saide @anne, " naye, sire * my sorwe is wel more ;
For y can nou$t my Crede * y kare well harde ;     448
For y can fynden no man * @at fully byleue@,
To techen me @e hey$e weie * & @erfore I wepe.
For y haue [fonded] @e freers * of @e foure orders, 451
For @ere I wende haue wist * but now my wit lakke@ ;
And all my hope was on hem * & myn herte also ;
But @ei ben fully fei@les * and @e fend sue@."
" A ! bro@er," qua@ he @o * " beware of @o foles !
For Crist seyde him-selfe * "of swiche y $ou warne,' 456
And false profetes in @e fei@ * he fulliche hem calde,
" In vestimentis ouium * but onlie wi@-inne
#ei ben wilde wer-wolues * @at wiln @e folk robben'
#e fend founded hem first * @e fei@ to destroie,   460
And by his craft @ei comen in * to combren @e chirche,
By @e coueiteise of his craft * @e curates to helpen ;
But now @ey hauen an hold * @ey harmen full many.
#ei don nou$t after Domynick * but drecche@ @e puple,
Ne folwen nou$t Fraunces * but falslyche lybben, 465
And Austynes rewle * @ei rekne@ but a fable,
But purchase@ hem pryuylege * of popes at Rome.
#ei coueten confessions * to kachen some hire,
And sepultures also * some wayten to cacchen ;      469
But o@er cures of Cristen * @ei coveten nou$t to haue,
But @ere as wynnynge lij@ * he loke@ none o@er."
" Whou$ schal y nemne @y name * @at nei$boures @e
          kalle@ ?"                                472
" Peres," qua@ he, " @e pore man * @e plowe-man y
     hatte."
" A ! Peres," qua@ y @o * " y pray @e, @ou me telle
More of @ise tryflers * hou trechurly @ei libbe@ ?
For ichon of hem ha@ told me * a tale of @at o@er, 476
Of her wicked lijf * in werlde @at hy lybbe@.
I trowe @at some wikked wy$t * wrou$te @is orders
[#oru$] @at gleym of @at gest * @at Golias is y-calde,
O@er ells Satan him-self * sente hem fro hell      480
To cumbren men wi@ her craft * Cristendome to
     schenden ? "
" Dere bro@er," qua@ Peres * " @e devell is ful queynte ;
To encombren holy Churche * he caste@ ful harde,
And fluriche@ his falsnes * opon fele wise,        484
And fer he caste@ to-forn * @e folke to destroye.
Of @e kynrede of Caym * he caste @e freres,
And founded hem on Farysens * feyned for gode ;
But @ei wi@ her fals fai@ * michel folk schende@,  488
Crist calde hem him-self * kynde ypocrites ;
How often he cursed hem * well can y tellen
He seide ones him-self * to @at sory puple,
" Wo wor@e $ou, wy$tes * wel lerned of @e lawe !'  492
Eft he seyde to hem-selfe * " wo mote $ou wor@en,
#at @e toumbes of profetes * tilde@ vp hei$e !
$oure faderes fordeden hem * & to @e de@ hem brou$te.'
Here y touche @is two * twynnen hem I @enke ;     496
Who wilne@ ben wisere of lawe * @an lewde freres,
And in multitude of men * ben maysters y-called,
And wilne@ worchips of @e werlde * & sitten wi@ heye,
And leue@ louynge of God * and lownesse behinde ? 500
And in beldinge of tombes * @ei trauaile@ grete
To chargen her chirche-flore * and chaungen it ofte.
And @e fader of @e freers * defouled hir soules,
@at was @e dygginge devel * @at drecche@ men ofte. 504
#e divill by his dotage * dissaue@ @e chirche,
And put in @e prechours * y-paynted wi@outen
And by his queyntise @ey comen in * @e curates to
     helpen,
But @at harmede hem harde * and halp hem full litell !
But Austines ordynaunce * was on a good trew@e, 509
And also Domynikes dedes * weren [deruelich] y-vsed,
And Frauncis founded his folke * fulliche on trew@e,
Pure parfit prestes * in penaunce to lybben,       512
In loue and in lownesse * & lettinge of pride,
Grounded on @e godspell * as God bad him-selue.
But now @e glose is so greit * in gladding tales
#at turne@ vp two-folde * vnteyned opon trew@e,    516
#at @ei bene cursed of Crist * y can hem well proue ;
Wi@-outen his blissinge * bare be@ @ey in her werkes.
For Crist seyde him-selfe * to swiche as him folwede,
" Y-blessed mote @ei ben * @at mene ben in soule ;" 520
And alle pouere in gost * God him-self blisse@.
Whou fele freers fare@ so * fayn wolde y knowe !
Proue hem in proces * & pynch at her ordre,
And deme hem after @at @ey don * & dredles, y leue
#ei willn wexen pure wro@ * wonderliche sone,      525
And schewen @e a scharp will * in a schort tyme,
To wilne wilfully wra@@e * & werche @erafter.
Wytnesse on Wycliff * @at warned hem wi@ trew@e ;
For he in goodnesse of gost * gray@liche hem warned
To wayuen her wik[e]dnesse * & werkes of synne.
Whou sone @is sori men * [seweden] his soule,
And oueral lollede him * wi@ heretykes werkes !    532
And so of @e blessinge of God * @ei bere@ litel mede.
Afterward ano@er * onliche he blissede,
#e meke of @e [myddel-erde] * @ouru$ my$t of his fader.
Fynd foure freres in a flok * @at folwe@ @at rewle, 536
#anne haue y tynt all my tast * touche and assaie !
Lakke hem a litil wi$t * & here lijf blame,
But he lepe vp on hei$ * in hardynesse of herte,
And nemne @e anon nou$t * & @i name lakke          540
Wi@ proude wordes apert * @at passeth his rule,
Bo@e wi@ " @ou leyest, & @ou lext' * in heynesse of sowle,
And turne as a tyrant * @at turmente@ him-selue,
A lord were lo@ere * for to leyne a k[n]aue      544
#anne swich a beggere * @e beste in a toun !
Loke nowe, leue man * be@ nou$t @ise i-lyke
Fully to @e Farisens * in fele of @ise poyntes ?
Al her brod beldyng * ben belded withe synne,      548
And in worchipe of @e werlde * her wynnynge @ei
     holden ;
#ei schapen her chapolories * & strecche@ hem brode,
And launce@ hei$e her hemmes * wi@ babelyng in stretes ;
#ei ben y-sewed wi@ whi$t silk * & semes full queynte,
Y-stongen wi@ stiches * @at stare@ as siluer.      553
And but freres ben first y-set * at sopers & at festes,
#ei wiln ben wonderly wro@ * ywis, as y trowe ;
But @ey ben at @e lordes borde * louren @ey wille@,
He mot bygynne @at borde * a beggere, (wi@ sorwe !)
And first sitten in se * in her synagoges,         558
#at be@ here hey$e helle-hous * of Kaymes kynde !
For @ou$ a man in her mynster * a masse wolde heren,
His si$t schal so [be] set * on sundrye werkes,
#e penounes & @e pomels * & poyntes of scheldes
Wi@-drawen his deuocion * & dusken his herte ;
I likne it to a lym-$erde * to drawen men to hell, 564
And to worchipe of @e fend * to wra@@en @e soules.
And also Crist him-selfe seide * to swiche ypocrites,
" He loue@ in markettes ben met * wi@ gretynges of
     pouere,
And lowynge of lewed men * in Lent[e]nes tyme.'  568
For @ei han of bichopes y-bou$t * wi@ her propre siluer,
And purchased of penaunce * @e puple to assoile.
But money may maken * mesur of @e peyne,
(After @at his power is to payen) * his penance schal
     faile.                                        572
(God lene it be a good help * for hele of @e soules !)
And also @is myster men * ben maysters icalled,
#at @e gentill Iesus * generallyche blamed,
And @at poynt to his apostells * purly defended.   576
But freres hauen for$etten @is * (and @e fend suwe@,
He @at maystri louede * Lucifer @e olde),
Wher Fraunceis or Domynik * o@er Austen ordeynide
Any of @is dotardes * doctur to wor@e,             580
Masters of dyvinitie * her matens to leue,
And chereliche as a cheueteyne * his chambre to holden
Wi@ chymene & chapell * & chesen whan him liste,
And serued as a souereine * & as a lorde sitten.   584
Swiche a gome godes wordes * grysliche glose@ ;
Y trowe, he touche@ nou$t @e text * but take@ it for a
     tale.
God forbad to his folke * & fullyche defended      587
#ey schulden nou$t stodyen biforn * ne sturen her wittes,
But sodenlie @e [same] word * with her mow@ schewe
#at weren $euen hem of God * @oru$ gost of him-selue.
Now mot a frere studyen * & stumblen in tales,
And leuen his matynes * & no masse singen,         592
And loken hem lesynges * @at like@ @e puple,
To purchasen him his pursfull * to paye for @e drynke.
And bro@er, when bernes ben full * & holly tyme passed,
#anne comen cursed freres * & crouche@ full lowe ; 596
A losel, a lymitour * ouer all @e lond lepe@,
And loke, @at he leue non house * @at somwhat he ne
     lacche ;
And @er @ei gilen hem-self * & godes worde turne@.
Bagges and beggyng * he bad his folk leuen,       600
And only seruen him-self * & hijs rewle sechen,
And all @at nedly nede@ * @at schuld hem nou$t lakken.
Whereto beggen @ise men * and ben nou$t so feble ;
(Hem faile@ no furrynge * ne clo@es at full),     604
But for a lustfull lijf * in lustes to dwellen ?
Wi@-outen any trauaile * vntrewliche [hy] lybbeth.
Hy be@ nou$t maymed men * ne no mete lakke@,
Y-clo@ed in curious clo@ * & clenliche arayed.    608
It is a laweles lijf * as lordynges vsen,
Ney@er ordeyned in ordir * but onlie libbe@.
Crist bad blissen * bodies on er@e                611
#at wepen for wykkednes * @at he byforne wrou$te ;--
#at ben fewe of @o freres * for @ei ben ner dede
And put all in pur [cla@] * wi@ pottes on her hedes ;
#anne [he] warye@ & wepe@ * & wiche@ after heuen,
And fye@ on her falshedes * @at @ei bifore deden ; 616
And @erfore of @at blissinge * trewlie, as y trowe,
#ei may trussen her part * in a terre pow$e !
All @o blissed be@ * @at bodyliche hungre@ ;--
#at ben @e pore penyles * @at han ouer-passed     620
#e poynt of her pris lijf * in penaunce of werkes,
And mown nou$t swynken ne sweten * but ben swy@e
     feble,
O@er maymed at myschef * or meseles syke,
And here good is a-gon * & greue@ hem to beggen. 624
#er is no frer in fei@ * @at fare@ in @is wise ;
But he maie beggen his bred * his bed is ygrei@ed ;
Vnder a pot he schal be put * in a pryvie chambre,
#at he schal lyuen ne last * but litell while after !  628
Al-mi$ti god & man * @e merciable blessed
#at han mercy on men * @at misdon hem here ;--
But whoso for-gabbed a frere * y-founden at @e stues,
And brou$te blod of his bodi * on bak or on side, 632
Hym were as god greuen * a greit lorde of rentes.
He schulde sonner bene schryven * (schortlie to tellen)
#ou$ he kilde a comlye kny$t * & compased his mor@er,
#anne a buffet to beden * a beggere frere.        636
#e clene hertes Crist * he curtey[s]liche blissed,
#at [coueten] no katel * but Cristes full blisse,
#at leeue@ fulliche on God * & lellyche @enke@
On his lore and his lawe * & lyue@ opon trew@e ;--640
Freres han for$eten @is * & folwe@ an o@er ;
#at @ei may henten, @ey holden * by-hirne@ it sone.
Heir hertes ben clene y-hid * in her hi$e cloistre,
As kurres from kareyne * @at is cast in dyches !  644
And parfite Crist * @e pesible blissed,
#at bene suffrant & sobre * & susteyne anger ;--
A-say of her sobernesse * & @ou mi$t y-knowen,
#er is no waspe in @is werlde * @at will wilfullok[e]r
     styngen,                                     648
For stappyng on a too * of a styncande frere !
For ne@er souereyn ne soget * @ei ne suffre@ neuer ;
All @e blissing of God * beouten @ei walken ;
For of her suffraunce, for so@e * men se@ but litell ! 652
Alle @at persecution * in pure lijf suffren,
#ei han @e benison of god * blissed in er@e ;--
  Y praie, parceyue now * @e pursut of a frere,
In what measure of meknesse * @ise men dele@.     656
Byhold opon Wat Brut * whou bisiliche @ei pursueden
For he seyde hem @e so@e * & $et, syre, fer@ere,
Hy may no more marren [hym] * but men telle@
#at he is an heretike * and yuele byleue@,        660
And prechi@ it in pulpit * to blenden @e puple ;
#ei wolden awyrien @at wi$t * for his well dedes ;
 And so @ei chewen charitie * as chewen schaf houndes.
And @ei pursue@ @e pouere * & passe@ pursutes,    664
Bo@e @ey wiln & @ei wolden * y-wor@en so grete
To passen any mans mi$t * to mor@eren @e soules ;
First to brenne @e bodye * in a bale of fijr,     667
And sy@en @e sely soule slen * & senden hyre to helle !
And Crist clerlie forbadde * his Cristene, & defended
#ei schulden nou$t after @e face * neuer @e folke
     demen ; "--
" Sur " y seide my-self * " @ou semest to blamen.
Why dispisest @ou @us * @ise sely pore freres     672
None o@er men so mychel * monkes ne preistes,
Chanons ne Charthous * @at in chirche serueth ?
It seme@ @at @ise sely men * han somwhat @e greved
O@er wi@ word or wi@ werke * & @erfore @ou wilnest
To schenden o@er [schamen] hem * wi@ @i sharpe speche,
And harmen holliche * & her hous greuen ?"
" I praie @e " qua@ Peres * " put @at out of @y mynde ;
Certen for sowle hele * y saie @e @is wordes.      680
Y preise nou$t possessioners * but pur lytel ;
For falshed of freres * ha@ fulliche encombred
Manye of @is maner men * & maid hem to leuen
Here charite & chastete * & [chesen] hem to lustes, 684
And waxen to werldly * and wayuen @e trew@e,
And leuen @e loue of her God * and @e werlde seruen.
But for falshed of freres * y fele in my soule,
(Seynge @e synfull lijf) * @at sorwe@ myn herte    688
How @ei ben clo@ed in clo@ * @at clennest schewe@ ;
For aungells & Arcangells * all @ei whijt vse@,
And alle Aldermen * @at bene ante tronum.
#ise tokens hauen freres taken * but y trowe @at a fewe
Folwen fully @at clo@ * but falsliche @at vse@.    693
For whijt in trow@e bytokne@ * clennes in soule ;
$if he haue vnder-ne@en whijt * @anne he aboue were@,
Blak, @at bytokne@ * bale for oure synne,
And mournynge for misdede * of hem @at @is vse@, 697
And serwe for synfull lijf ; * so @at clo@ aske@.
Y trowe @er ben nou$t ten freres * @at for synne
     wepen,
For @at lijf is here lust * & @ereyn @ei libben    700
In fraitour & in fermori * her fostringe is synne ;
It is her mete at iche a mel * her most sustenaunce.
Herkne opon Hyldegare * hou homliche he telle@
How her sustenaunce is synne ; * & syker, as y trowe,
Weren her confessiones * clenli destrued,          705
Hy schulde nou$t beren hem so bragg * ne [belden] so
     hey$e,
(For @e fallynge of synne * socoure@ @o foles) ;
And bigile@ @e grete * wi@ glauerynge wordes,     708
Wi@ glosinge of godspells * @ei gods worde turne@,
And pasen all @e pryuylege * @at Petur after vsed.
#e power of @e Apostells * @ei pasen in speche,
For to sellen @e synnes * for siluer o@er mede,    712
And purlyche a pena * @e puple assoile@,
And a culpa also * @at @ey may kachen
Money o@er money-worthe * & mede to fonge,
And bene at lone & at bode * as burgeses vsithe.   716
#us @ey seruen Satanas * & soules bygile@,
Marchantes of malisons * mansede wreches !
#ei vsen russet also * somme of @is freres,
#at bitokne@ trauaile * & trew@e opon er@e ;--     720
Bote loke whou @is lorels * labouren @e er@e,
But freten @e frute @at @e folk * full lellich biswynke@ ;
Wi@ trauail of trewe men * @ei tymbren her houses,
And of @e curious clo@e * her copes @ei biggen ;   724
And [als] his getynge is greet * he schal ben good
    holden,
And ry$t as dranes do@ nou$t * but drynke@ vp @e
     huny,
Whan been wi@e her bysynesse * han brou$t it to hepe,
Ri$t so, fare@ freres * wi@ folke opon er@e ;       728
#ey freten vp @e fu[r]ste-froyt * & falsliche lybbe@.
But alle freres eten nou$t * y-lich good mete,
But after @at his wynnynge is * is his well-fare ;
And after @at he bringe@ home * his bed schal ben
  gray@ed ;                                        732
And after @at his rychesse is rau$t * he schal ben redy
     serued.
But see @i-self in @i si$t * whou somme of hem walke@
Wi@ cloutede schon * & clo@es ful feble,
Wel nei$ for-werd * & @e wlon offe ;               736
And his felawe in a froke * wor@ swiche fiftene,
A-rayd in rede sc[h]on * (& elles were reu@e !)
And sexe copes or seven * in his celle honge@.
#ou$ for fayling of good * his fellawe schulde sterue, 740
He wolde nou$t lenen him a peny * his lijf for to holden.
 Y mi$t tymen @o troiflardes * to toilen wi@ @e er@e,
Tylyen & trewliche lyven * & her flech tempren !
Now mot ich soutere his sone * setten to schole,   744
And ich a beggers brol * on @e booke lerne,
And wor@ to a writere * & wi@ a lorde dwell,
O@er falsly to a frere * @e fend for to seruen !
So of @at beggers brol * a bychop schal wor@en,    748
Among @e peres of @e lond * prese to sitten,
And lordes sones lowly * to @o losells aloute,
Kny$tes crouke@ hem to * & cruche@ full lowe ;
And his syre a soutere * y-suled in grees,
His tee@ wi@ toylinge of le@er * tatered as a sawe !
Alaas ! @at lordes of @e londe * leue@ swiche wrechen,
And lene@ swiche lorels * for her lowe wordes !
#ey schulden maken bichopes * her owen bre@ren childre,
O@er of some gentil blod * & so it best semed,    757
And foster none faytoures * ne swiche false freres
To maken fatt & full * & her fleche combren !
For her kynde were more * to y-clense diches       760
#an ben to sopers y-set first * and serued wi@ siluer !
  A great bolle-full of benen * were betere in his wombe,
And wi@ @e randes of bakun * his baly for to fillen,
#an pertriches or plouers * or pekokes y-rosted,   764
And comeren her stomakes * wi@ curious drynkes,
#at make@ swiche harlottes * hordome vsen,
And wi@ her wicked worde * wymmen bitraie@ !
God wold her wonynge * were in wildernesse,     768
And fals freres forboden * @e fayre ladis chaumbres !
For knewe lordes her craft * trewlie, y trowe,
#ey schulden nou$t haunten her hous * so homly on
     ni$tes,
Ne bedden swiche bro@els * in so brode schetes,    772
But scheten her heued in @e stre * to scharpen her
     wittes ;
Ne   ben kynges confessours of custom * ne @e counsell
     of @e rewme knowe !
For Fraunces founded hem nou$t * to faren on @at wise,
Ne Domynik dued hera neuer * swiche drynkers to
     wor@e,                                        776
Ne Helye ne Austen * swiche lijf neuer vsed,
But in pouerte of spirit * spended her tyme.
We haue sene our-self * in a schort tyme,
Whou freres wolden no flech * among @e folke vsen ;
But now @e harlottes * han hid thilke rewle,       781
And, for @e loue of oure lorde * haue leyd hire in
     water.
Wenest @ou @er wold so fele * swiche warlawes wor@en,
Ne were wordlyche wele * & her welfare ?
#ei schulden deluen & diggen * & dongen @e er@e,
And mene-mong corn bred * to her mete fongen,      786
And wortes flechles wroughte * & water to drinken,
And werchen & wolward gon * as we wrecches vsen ;
An aunter $if @er wolde on * amonge an hol hundred
Lyuen so for godes loue * in tyme of a wynter !"  790
" Leue Peres" qua@ y @o * " y praie @at @ou me tell
Whou y maie conne my Crede * in Cristen beleue ?"
" Leue bro@er," qua@ he * " hold @at y segge,
I will techen @e @e trew@e * & tellen @e @e so@e." 794
                        CREDO.
LEUE @ou on oure Louerd God * @at all @e werlde
        wrou$te,
Holy heuen opon hey * hollyche he fourmede,        796
And is almi$ti him-self * ouer all his werkes,
And wrou$t as his will was * @e we[r]lde and @e heuen ;
And on gentyl Jesu Crist * engendred of him-seluen,
His own onlyche sonne * Lord ouer all y-knowen, 800
[#at] was clenly conseued * clerlye, in trew@e,
Of @e hey Holy Gost * @is is @e holy beleue ;
And of @e mayden Marye * man was he born,
Wi@-outen synnfull sede * @is is fully @e beleue ; 804
Wi@ @orn y--crouned, crucified * & on @e crois dyede,
And sy@en his blessed body * was in a ston byried,
And descended a-doune * to @e derk helle,
And fet oute our formfaderes * & hy full feyn weren ;
#e @ridde daye rediliche * him-self ros fram dee@, 809
And on a ston @ere he stod * he stei$ vp to heuene,
And on his fader ri$t hand * redeliche he sitte@,
#at al-mi$ti god * ouer all o@er why$tes ;
And is hereafter to komen * Crist, all him-seluen,
To demen @e quyke and @e dede * wi@-outen any doute ;
And in @e hei$e holly gost * holly y beleue,       816
And generall holy chirche also * hold @is in @y mynde ;
[The communion of sayntes * for soth I to the sayn ;
And for our great sinnes * forgiuenes for to getten,
And only by Christ * clenlich to be clensed ;
  Our bodies again to risen * right as we been here,   820
And the liif euerlasting * leue ich to habben ; Amen.]
And in @e [sacrement] also * @at so@fast God on is,
(Fullich his fleche & his blod) * @at for vs de@e @olede.--
And @ou$ @is flaterynge freres * wyln for her pride, 824
Disputen of @is deyte * as dotardes schulden,
#e more @e matere is moved * @e [masedere hy] wor@en.
Lat @e losels alone * & leue @ou @e trew@e,
For Crist seyde it is so * so mot it nede wor@e ;    828
#erfore studye @ou nou$t @eron * ne stere @i wittes,
It is his blissed body * so bad he vs beleuen.
     #ise maystres of dyvinitie * many, als y trowe,
Folwen nou$t fully @e fei@ * as fele of @e lewede.    832
Whou$ may mannes wijt * @oru$ werk [of] him-selue,
Knowen Cristes pryuitie * @at all kynde passe@ ?
It mot ben a man * of also mek an herte,
#at my$te wi@ his good lijf * @at Holly Gost fongen ;
And @anne nede@ him nou$t * neuer for to studyen ; 837
He mi$te no maistre [ben] kald * (for Crist @at de-
     fended),
Ne puten [no] pylion * on his pild pate ;
But prechen in parfite lijf * & no pride vsen.       840
     But all @at euer I haue seyd * so@ it me seme@,
And all @at euer I haue writen * is so@, as I trowe,
And for amending of @ise men is most @at I write ;
God wold hy wolden ben war * & werchen @e better !
     But, for y am a lewed man * paraunter y mi$te
Passen par auenture * & in som poynt erren,       846
     GOD AMEND ALL FALSE FRIARS !
  Y will nou$t @is matere * maistrely auowen ;
But $if ich haue myssaid * mercy ich aske,         848
  & praie all maner men * @is matere amende,
Iche a word by him-self * & all, $if it nede@.
     God of his grete my$te * & his good grace
Saue all freres * @at fai@fully lybben,               852
And alle @o @at ben fals * fayre hem amende,
And $yue hem wijt & good will * swiche dedes to
     werche
#at @ei maie wynnen @e lif * @at euer schal lesten !
     AMEN.                                        855