NOTES ON THE TEXT:
Capital thorns are indicated by hash (#), and lower case thorns by a dollar
sign ($).

Asterisks (*) mark points at which the translator misunderstood his Old
French source.  These points are fully annotated in Volume II (forth-
coming as EETS.os 192 (1988)), which contains all the explanatory notes.

Square brackets ([]) enclose editorial emendations (annotated in Vol. II)
and folio numbers, where the opening square bracket is followed by "f.".

Curly bracket ({}) surround characters or words damaged in the manuscript.

Ampersands (&) enclose words which appear in the printed edition in bold:
these are exerpts from the Creed, except in Chaucer's "ABC", where they
indicate large initials at the start of stanzas.

Per cent marks (%) prefix letters which appear in the printed
edition in italics to indicate expansion of scribal contractions or
the bringing down of scribal suspensions.

Funnels, indicating material inserted by the scribe, are denoted by (`)
to open, and (/) to close the funnel.

The "=C" found at the end of some lines is not editorial, but simply indicates
that a long line has been split between two computer records.
   1 [f.5r] To $ilke of $is regiown whiche han noon hows (but alle,
   2 as seith Seynt Poul, be $ei riche, be $ei poore, be $ei
   3 wise o$er fooles, be $ei kynges o$%e%r queenes, alle $ei ben
   4 pilgrimes) I wole shewe yow a sweuene $%a%t bifelle me $e
   5 too$er day. I hadde in wakinge rad and considered and wel
   6 seyn $e faire roma%unce of $e Rose, and I trowe wel $at $%a%t
   7 were thing $%a%t most moovede me to mete $is swevene which I
   8 wole after shewe yow. Now cometh neer and gadereth yow
   9 togideres alle folk, and herkeneth wel; let $er be no man
  10 nor wo%mman $at drawe bakward: alle $ei shulden putten hem
  11 forth, alle $ei shulden sitte and herkne, for $is towcheth
  12 alle, bo$e grete and smale, withouten any owttaken. In
  13 [Frensch] I haue set it so $at lewede mowe vnderstande it;
  14 and $erinne may {ic}he wight lerne whiche wey men shulden
  15 taken and which forsake and leue: and $at is thi%ng $at miche
  16 nedeth to $ilke $%a%t in pilg%r%image gon in $is wyilde worlde.
  17 Now vnderstandeth $e swevene $at bifelle me in religio%un at
  18 $e abbey of Chaalit, as I was in my bed.
  19     Me thowhte as I slepte $at I was a pilgrime and $at I
  20 was stired to go to $e citee of Jerusalem in a miro%u%r: and
  21 me thouhte it was gret withoute mesur%e. I hadde ap%e%rseyued
  22 and seyn $ilke citee from ferre, and me thouhte it of riht
  23 gret aray: $e weyes and $e aleyes of $ilke citee bo$e
  24 withinne and abowte weren paved with gold, $e fo%undement
  25 and $e maso%unrye of $e citee was set on hy and of newe stones
  26 it was mad, and an hy wal enclosede it aboute. Many $er were
  27 with[f.5v]inne of howses, of places and of dwellinges: [$ere]
  28 was al gladshipe, ioye withoute sorwe;  [$ere] hadde iche wight
  29 (shortliche to passe me) gen%e%ralliche of alle goodshipes
  30 more $an eu%e%re $ei cowde aske or thinke. But it disco%unforted
  31 me michel $at eche wyght entred not at his wille, for $e
  32 entre whiche was right strongliche kept. Cherubyn was
  33 porter $erate, which heeld in his hand a foorbushed swerd
  34 wel grownden with two sharpe egges, al skirmynge and
  35 turnynge. Wel he coude helpe him $erwith for $er is noon,
  36 kan he neu%e%re so miche on $e bokeler%e, $at [$ere] mighte passe
  37 $at ded o$%e%r wo%unded he [ne] shulde be; [nouht] $%a%t $e
  38 p%r%ince of $e cite, for he hadde manhode, [ne] receyuede deth
  39 at $e [passage], and hadde $e spere in his side and left his
  40 blood in [payage] al$ouh he ouhte no ra%unsome; and so diden
  41 also hise knyhtes, hise cha%umpio%uns, his sowdiours: alle
  42 $ei drunken of his chalys, and alle $ei resseyueden deth
  43 at $e passage. At $e kernelles ouer $e yate of whiche $e
  44 porter forbereth noon, I seyh $e penselles hanginge steyned
  45 red with blood. Whan I hadde aperceyued al $at, I sih $at
  46 entre $ere I muste needes, if $er were noon oo$er passage:
  47 and algates bi thilke wey I seyh non but passe.* Eche was
  48 agast whan he hadde seen Cherubyn, but hennesforthward
  49 he may wel putte his brennynge swerd in safetee.
  50     But right as I lyfte myne eyen an hy and biheeld,
  51 a wol gret wunder I sigh, wherof I was gre{t}liche abashed:
  52 Seint Austyn I sigh an hy on $e kernelles and sat and wel
  53 semede a fouler%e o$er a [f.6r] feedere of briddes. With him he
  54 hadde many oo$%e%re grete maistres and doctours $at holpen to
  55 feede $e briddes, for for $e feedinge $at $ei hadden and $e
  56 seed $%a%t $ei shadden bi cro%umede morcelles and here swete
  57 [seyinges] and faire, many folk bicomen briddes and after flyen
  58 euene upright. Many certeyn I seigh of Jacobines, of
  59 Chanownes and of Augustines and of alle man%e%re of folkes
  60 lewed and seculer%e, clerkes and of [religious], and of beggeres
  61 and of needy $at gadered hem fe$eres and maden hem grete
  62 wynges and sithen bigunnen to flee and for to clymbe hye into
  63 $e citee. Aboue Cherubyn $ei flyen, wherfore $ei tooken n{o}
  64 keep of his dawngere. Als soone as on $%a%t oo$%e%r side I turnede
  65 my sight and my biholdinge, yit more I wundrede me
  66 of a thing $at I seygh: aboue $e walles of $e citee I seygh
  67 oo$ere folk of auctoritee $at holpen here a{q}ueyntees and
  68 bi sleyghtes putten hem in. First I seih Seynt Beneyt $at
  69 on hy ayenst $e walles hadde a gret ladder dressed wherinne
  70 weren stiked twelve degrees of humblisse bi whiche clo%umben
  71 wel swiftliche into $ilke citee $ilke $at weren of hise folk:
  72 [monkes] blake and [white and greye], withoute vndertakinge of
  73 any.  After I seyh Seint Fra%unceys $at wel shewed hy%m freend to
  74 $ilke of his religio%un: for as I hadde in metinge, a corde
  75 wel wri$en $at bi places was knet he hadde set do%unward
  76 $e wal, bi which eche $%a%t was his aqueyntee ran up; $er was
  77 noon, were his handes neu%e%re so enoynted, $at he ne ran up
  78 soone inowh and he gripede faste to $e knottes. Many oo$%e%re
  79 on $e walles I seih, of which I am not [sure] to telle yow
  80 alle $e names nor how $ei maden [f.6v] here aqueyntes
  81 clymbe $ider on alle sides, for only my lookinge was upon
  82 $e side $at was to meward: fer$er%e miht I not see, wherfore
  83 me forthouhte sore. But so miche I sey yow shortliche, $at
  84 in $e wal $at was to meward I seih a dore litel and streyt,
  85 which $e kyng of $e citee made keepe in equitee. #e keye
  86 $erof he hadde taken to Seint Peeter, in whom he wel triste
  87 and certeyn wel mihte triste in him, for $erbi he suffrede
  88 noon to passe but oonli poore folk: for $ilke $at lyeth nouht
  89 hadde seyd $at $e riche mighte not entre $ere no more $an a
  90 camele miht passe thoruh $e eye of a nedele. #e entre was
  91 wunder subtile, and eche wight onclo$ed him and naked him at
  92 $e entringe. #ere men mihten fynde olde robes gret plente,
  93 for $erbi passede non clo$ed (but if he hadde o{f} $e kynges
  94 robes, and $ilke passeden al dai whaneuere $ei wolden). Miche
  95 likede me $is passage for $e co%mmune ava%untage $at alle folk
  96 hadden $ere if $ei bicumen verrey poore. #er was no da%ungere
  97 so men wolden despoile hem, and here olde robes leue withoute
  98 for to haue newe withinne $e cloos. #is [thing] ouhte wel to
  99 like, for [$er] is not miche to doone: $er was neu%e%re noon
 100 so riche $at he ne may be poore if he wole; and certeyn good
 101 it is to be it, for to entre $erbi into swich a dwellinge, and
 102 good it were to faste a litel for to haue ful saulee at $e
 103 sopere. Now haue I seid yow shortlych inowh of $e faire citee,
 104 how in $e faire mirour I ap%e%rceyued it, and $%e%rfore to go I
 105 meeved me, for $ider I wolde be a pilgrime if I mihte elleswhere
 106 see as I mette.*   Noon [f.7r] reste I seygh, but wel me
 107 thouhte $at gret reste I shulde haue had if I hadde be withinne
 108 $e cloos. Neuere thouhte I to departe $ens if I mihte
 109 fulliche come $ider.
 110     As I hadde thouht $is, anoon after I bithouhte me $at
 111 me failede scrippe and bourdo%un, and $%a%t me needed to haue
 112 hem: for it is thing wel sittinge to eche walkinge pilgrime.
 113 #anne I ysede me out of myn hous in whiche I hadde ben ix
 114 monethes of $e seso%un withouten any ysinge. A bordo%un I bigan to
 115 seeche, and a sc%r%ippe, necessarie to $%a%t [$at] I hadde to doone.
 116 And as I wente wepinge and bimenynge me, seechinge where I
 117 mihte fynde a marcha%unt $at mihte helpe me $erof, I seygh
 118 a lady in my wey: of hire fairnesse she dide me ioye. She
 119 seemede douhter to an emp%e%ro%u%r or to a king or to sum oo$er
 120 gret lord. She hadde on a rochet beten with gold, and was
 121 gert with a grene tissue $at was, as me thouhte, al along
 122 arayed with charbuncles. On hire brest she hadde a broche
 123 of gold, and in $e middes $erof $er was an {a}melle, and in $e
 124 middes $erof a sterre, wherof certeyn I hadde gret wunder.
 125 Hire hed was corowned with gold, and al aboute envirowned
 126 with gret foiso%un of shinynge sterres. Wur$i he was
 127 certeyn $at hadde yive it hire and so arayed hire. Curteis
 128 she was as me thouhte, for she saluede me first, and askede
 129 me goodliche what I wente so seechinge. And $a%nne I was al
 130 abashed, for I hadde not lerned $at a ladi of so gret aray
 131 shulde deyngne to caste hire cher%e to meward. But anoon I
 132 avisede me $at as I hadde lerned and woot wel, $at who $at
 133 hath in him [f.7v] most bo%untee hath in him most humblesse,
 134 and $e mo appelen $e tre bereth $e more she boweth to $e
 135 folk. Humblesse is $e signe of goode hertes and of
 136 benyngne, and ho $at bereth not in him thilke banere, hath
 137 not in him hool bo%untee. #anne I answerde hire, and tolde
 138 how it was bifalle me: $at I was excited to go to $e citee
 139 of Jer%u%s%al%em but $at I was sori bi as miche as I hadde
 140 nei$er sc%r%ippe ne burdo%un, and $at I wente seechinge hem,
 141 and askinge hem heere and $ere. And she answerde and seide:
 142 "My freend," q%u%od she, "if $ow wolt heere goode tidinges
 143 of $at $%a%t $ou seechest, come with me: for $er bifel $e neu%e%re
 144 so gret [a] good as $%a%t $ou hast fo%unde me and met w%i%t%h me heere
 145 today, for I wol helpe $e anoon of al $%a%t eu%e%re $%o%u hast
 146 neede."
 147     And $a%nne anoon I miht no lengere holde me $at
 148 whateu%e%re bifel me I ne wolde wite al: bo$e hire name and what
 149 she was. "Ladi," q%u%od I, "youre name, youre cuntre and
 150 youre regio%un, and who ye ben, al I wolde fain in sooth wite,
 151 and praye yow ye wole telle [it] me; and I trowe I shal be
 152 $e gladdere." And $a%nne she answerde me and seyde: "In
 153 time* I wole telle it $ee: I wol no$%e%r be to $ee doutows ne
 154 [suspeccionous]. I am douhter to $e empro%u%r $at is lord aboue
 155 alle oo$ere.  He hath sent me into $is cuntre for to gete him
 156 freendes: nouht for $at he hath neede, but for $at
 157 it were him riht leef to haue $e aqueynta%unce of alle folk
 158 and $at oonliche for her%e owen p%r%ofite. Seeste", q%u%od she,
 159 "how I am arayed and dight queynteliche with charbuncles and
 160 with st%e%rres, $ow seye neu%e%re noone fairer%e? And $at is for
 161 to yive light to alle $o $at wolen take $e weye bi nyghte [f.8r]
 162 and it is $at eche wight fynde me as wel bi day as bi nihte,
 163 and bi nihte as bi day, so $at $ei doo no folye. I am thilke
 164 $at $%o%u shuldest seeche whan $ou gost into stra%unge londe:
 165 for `as/ longe as $%o%u hast me in cu%mpanye, $ou miht haue no
 166 better freend. If $ou gost withoute me in $is cuntre, it
 167 may not be $at $ou ne be bihated bo$e of my fader $e grete
 168 kinge and of alle $o $at ben with him. #er may no wight do
 169 wel withoute me: I am needeful to alle folk. #e world hadde
 170 ben lost er $is ne hadde I mayntened it. Whoso hath me
 171 with him, nothing faileth him, and who hath not me, alle
 172 thinge faileth him. I am gou%e%rno%u%resse of alle thinge, and
 173 of alle harmes I am leche: I make $e blynde see, and yive
 174 strengthe to $e feeble; I reise $o $at ben falle; I
 175 redresse $ilke $at han [forveied], and I wole withdrawe me
 176 fro no folk but from hem $%a%t sinnen dedly, and of swiche
 177 I haue no cure as longe as $ei ben in swich unclennesse.
 178     Grace Dieu I am cleped, ne oo$%e%rwyse am I not nempned.
 179 Whan $%o%u shalt haue neede of me, so $ow shalt clepe me: and
 180 certeyn $at shal be riht ofte er $%o%u come fulliche* to $e
 181 citee  $at $%o%u hast seyn, for $%o%u shalt fynde lettinges
 182 and mischeeves of adu%e%rsitees and encombra%unces which $%o%u
 183 miht not passe withoute me (no$%e%r $%o%u ne noon oo$er),
 184 leeue me right wel. And $ouh $%o%u mihtest passe foorth or
 185 eskape without me (which thing may not be) yit I sey $ee
 186 $at into $e dwellinge of Jer%u%s%al%em $%o%u shalt not entre
 187 withoute me, ne sette $i foot $erinne: for al$ouh $%o%u
 188 haue seyn many thinges and ap%e%rceyued $at su%mme entren
 189 al naked, [f.8v] and $at su%mme fleen in bi aboue, and $at
 190 su%mme entren bi sleyhtes, and su%mme oo$%e%re bi Cherubyn,
 191 $er entreth noon but bi me, be $%o%u riht siker: for $ilke
 192 $at ben naked* I make hem vnclo$e hem withoute, for to
 193 clo$e hem $e bettere ayen withinne; oo$%e%re I make fe$ere
 194 with my v%e%rtues for to flee wel, and $a%nne afterward $ei
 195 flee as I wole. #is $%o%u hast wel seyn at eye. Oo$%e%re I
 196 putte in $e beste wise I can to assaye, so $at alle I
 197 make hem passe in and entre. Now $%o%u miht wite withoute
 198 dredinge whe$%e%r myn aqueyntance be good. If $ee like it,
 199 sey it anoon, and let $i speche no lengere be hyd."
 200     And $a%nne anoon I answerde: "Lady, I crye yow m%e%rcy
 201 for $e loue of God $at with yow ye wole aqueynte me and
 202 $at ye wole neu%e%re leue me: $er is nothing so necessarie
 203 to me to $at $%a%t I haue to doone. And gretliche I thanke
 204 yow $at goodliche ben come first to me for my goode. I
 205 [hadde] of nouht elles neede. Now ledeth me wher ye wole:
 206 I pray yow tarieth nouht." Tha%nne she took me in $ilke
 207 same houre and taryede me no lengere but ledde me into
 208 an hows $at was hires [as] she seide, and tolde me $at
 209 $ere I shulde fynde al $at I hadde neede of. She hadde
 210 fo%unded $ilke hous and masowned it, as she seyde, xiii C
 211 yer and xxx bifore $at time as she wiste wel.  I seyh
 212 $ilke hows with good wille,  and yit at $e sihte I
 213 abashed me, for it heeng al on hy in $e eyr, and was
 214 bitwixe $e heuene and $e eer$e riht as $ouh it hadde come
 215 $ider and alight from $e heuene. It hadde steples and
 216 faire toures,  and his aray was right fair -  but it
 217 disco%unforted me riht michel $er was a water bifore it
 218 and $at needes I muste passe [f.9r] it if I wolde entre into
 219 $e hous. Ship ne bregge ne pla%unke was $er noon, and yit
 220 $e water was deep, as I aperceyued wel after whan I was
 221 al plo%unged $%e%rinne. And $a%nne I bigan to speke to
 222 Grace, and askede how I miht askepe, and whi $er was
 223 suich passage, and if $er wer%e owher elles any oo$er, and
 224 $at bi ordre she shulde say me what good $at water shulde
 225 do me.
 226     Thanne she answerde: "#ow what seiste!" quod she,
 227 "Art abasht for so litel? #ou wolt go into Jer%u%s%al%em and
 228 $%o%u shuldest passe $e grete see ($e grete see is [$is] world
 229 heere which is right ful of gret anoye of tempestes, and
 230 of tormentes, and of grete wyndes) and how mihtest $%o%u
 231 passe it whan $%o%u hast gret drede of so litel? Heere $ou
 232 shuldest haue no drede, for as $%o%u ouhtest wel to wite
 233 $er passe heere mo litel children $an grete men or olde:
 234 heere is $e firste passage of alle goode [pilgrimage]. #er
 235 is noon oo$%e%r wey bi noon oo$er place, saue onliche bi
 236 Cherubyn ($erforth hauen so%mme passed, and in here owen
 237 blood han wasshen hem); and neu%e%r$eles $ouh $ou woldest
 238 take $i wey bi Cherubyn, yit i{s} not $is wey contrarie
 239 {to $e}e, but is to $ee certeyn right nessessarye:
 240 for if $%o%u loo{ke} whenes $%o%u comest, and $e hows [ful] of
 241 dunge in whiche $ow hast be ix monethes, $%o%u hast miche
 242 neede to washe $ee. And $%e%rfore I rede $ee to passe heer
 243 foorth, for {$}%o%u shalt passe no [surer] wey. Heerbi passede
 244 a king su%mtime $at assurede wel $e paas (and $at was thilke
 245 $at made $e paas, which was nouht foul ne [ne] misdede not). If
 246 $ow wolt passe it, sey it now and I wole do come $ee [hider]
 247 a special sergea%unt of myne $at of God is official. He is
 248 keepere of my meyne, and ministre of thilke passage. #ilke
 249 shal [f.9v] helpe $ee to passe, to ba$e $ee, to washe $ee;
 250 $ilke shal also crosse $ee, for he shal see anoon $at $ou
 251 wolt go ou%e%r $e see and conquere Jerusalem: and for $at $ow
 252 shalt $e lasse drede $ine enemyes he shal sette a crosse
 253 upon $i breste, anoo$%e%r bihynde $ee and also anoo$%e%r upon
 254 $in heed for $%o%u shalt $e lasse drede alle mischeues. He
 255 shal enoynte $ee as a cha%umpio%un, so $at $%o%u shalt [not preyse
 256 at a bodde] alle $ine enemyes.  Now answere anoon what is $in
 257 avys." And $a%nne I seyde: "It is my desire $%a%t anoon ye
 258 make him come to me." Thanne cam to me at hire coma%undement
 259 $e official of whiche I haue spoke bifore; and he took me
 260 bi $at on hand and put me into $e same water: $ere he wesh
 261 me, $ere he bathed me, and thryes he plo%unged me $erinne.
 262 Grace gabbed me of nothing: he crossede me, and enoyntede
 263 me wel, and sithe ledde me into $e hows, where $er is riht
 264 noble and fair herberwh. And $ere Grace made me fayr
 265 sembla%unt: fairere $an she hadde do bifore. #ere she seide
 266 she wolde shewe me many thinges and teche me, and $at I
 267 shulde do riht gret wysdom, if I wolde vnd%e%rstonde it. Riht
 268 as she spak $us I sigh many merueyles anoon, of which I wol
 269 not holde me stille $at I ne wole su%mwhat seye. Sithe
 270 afterward whan my time cometh I wole telle yow of my skrippe
 271 and `of/ [my] burdo%un which I desirede (for I shal haue leiser
 272 inouh).
 273     First I seih in $ilke place as in $e middes $erof $e
 274 signe of Thau which was peynted reed w%i%t%h $e blood of $e
 275 white lamb: $at is $e signe w%i%t%h which Goddes serua%untes ben
 276 marked amyddes $e forhed. And $is I sigh ap%e%rtlyche, if my
 277 meetinge gabbe me [f.10r] nouht: a maister I sigh faste by $at
 278 seemede to be a vicarie of Aaron or of Moyses, for I sigh him
 279 holde in his hand a yerde crooked at $e eende, and his hed he
 280 hadde horned. He was clo$ed with a robe of lynene, and I trowe
 281 wel of sooth $at he were thilke of which Ezechiel speketh of in
 282 his ix chapitre, for in $e folkes forhedes he sette $e holi
 283 Tahu with whiche he blissede hem. It was, as he seide, $e
 284 tokne bi which God shulde be to hem benigne, for he wole $at
 285 alle hise folk be marked [with] swich a tokne in $e forhed. With
 286 $ilke tokne Grace Dieu made blisse me, and marke me in $e
 287 forhed: and $%e%rof I was miche $e gladdere, for I hadde wel
 288 neede $erof, nouht of necessite but of sittinge congruitee.
 289     Afterward I sigh $at $ilke maister made oynementes $at
 290 he took to $e forseide officiall, in seyinge swiche woordes:
 291 "Lo heere iii wur$i oynementes $at I take $ee for alle folk.
 292 With $e firste tweyne  $%o%u shalt enoynte alle $o $at shulen
 293 be pilgrimes and wolden be champio%uns. #e thridde shal be for
 294 $e wo%undede, for $e hurte, and for $e brusede and for $ilke
 295 $%a%t shulen ligge in here dede beddes withoute havinge
 296 co%unfort: with $is oynement $ow shalt enoynte hem, and be to
 297 hem trewe leeche and suer, enoyntinge hem oueral bisyliche
 298 $at han neede. #erof certeyn hauen gret neede alle pilg%r%imes
 299 and alle walkers $at passen bi $is eer$e, for alle $ei be
 300 eu%e%re more in werre: wherfore it may not be $at $ei ne beeth
 301 ofte yuele iled and hurte, and $%e%rfore neede $ei haue at
 302 here eendinge of $is oynement. Now enoynte hem withoute
 303 failinge, for $erfore I take $ee $e oynement. Of su%mme
 304 oynementes [f.10v] to meward (to enoynte $e newe kynges, for
 305 Moyses vicaryes, and for leches as $ow art, and for $e boord
 306 on whiche we eten,  and for Tahu $at I make in $e forhedes) I
 307 withholde to myself $e execucio%un, $e vse and $e administracio%un.
 308 Now keep $e $at $%o%u mistake $e not to meward, ne misdoo
 309 nouht."
 310     As $ei speken $us bitwixe hem tweyne and ordeyned here
 311 oynementes, anoon a mayden cam do%un of a tour toward hem,
 312 $at was cleped Reso%un as Grace hadde tolde me. She bigan to
 313 speke to hem, and seyde withoute flateringe: "Lordinges, $at
 314 $us diuisen and speken of youre oynementes, and holden heere
 315 youre parlement of enoyntinge of oo$%e%r folk: vnderstondeth
 316 now tw{o} litele woordes $at I wole soone haue vnclosed yow.
 317 Oynement is softe thinge bo$e to opne wo%unde and to
 318 shitte. Softe it shulde be leyd with an {euene} instrument
 319 and a softe; softe he shulde be $at hath it, for to gret
 320 rudeshipe mysbifalleth: he $at is hurte hath noon neede to
 321 be rudeliche treted (for sumtime rudeshipe mihte hurte
 322 more $an $e oynement shulde helpe). #ilke ben rude $at ben
 323 felle and cruelle as lyo%uns $at wolen thoruh vengen hem,
 324 withoute anything [levinge] or sparinge: and swiche ben no
 325 goode surgiens, ne leches, ne fisiciens, for $ei wolen take
 326 here oynementes to rudeliche to hem $%a%t ben hurte. And
 327 $erfore I am descended and come to avise you, $at $er be in
 328 yow no rudeshipe, ne crueltee, ne felnesse:  but beeth
 329 pitous to yowre wo%undede folk, and m%e%rciable, and softe.
 330 Treteth hem alle sweteliche, and $a%nne shal youre oynement
 331 stonde in stede. Ye shulde ofte bithinke yow $at ye were
 332 enoynted for to bicome [f.11r] softe, pitowse and debonayre,
 333 withoute doinge [crueltee any time]: and $at ye be not rigurowse
 334 bi felnesse no day in yowre live, and $at ye shulde foryive
 335 alle harmes and stonde to God. For if $e p%r%ophete gabbe
 336 not, he hath withholde to him alle [vengea%unce]: and $%e%rfore
 337 whoso wole bineme it him, to yuel ende he may come." Whan
 338 Reso%un hadde $us spoken, $e vicarie of whiche I seide
 339 bifore answerde hire and seide: "Sey me I praye you if
 340 ye can: whi I haue $us myn hed horned, and $e yerde sharp
 341 at $e eende? Is it not for to do punishi%nge and correcc%io%un
 342 of yuel dedes? I trowe I shulde putte and hurtle $e yuel
 343 folk with myne hornes, and prikke he%m with $e sharpe ende
 344 ra$ere $an enoynte hem with $e oynement." "Mi faire swete
 345 freend," q%u%od Reso%un: "now vnd%e%rstonde me yit a litel.
 346 #ow knowest wel what $ou hast seyd, but $%o%u hast not yit
 347 lerned al. #ow shuldest haue man%e%re, as $ow ouhtest wel to
 348 wite, to prikke and to hurtle. First $%o%u shuldest softeliche
 349 avise hem and teche hem $at $%o%u seest erre, and sithe if
 350 $ow seest hem obstinat $ou hast good leeue to prikke hem:
 351 it longeth wel to $in office to do iustice of wikkede folk,
 352 but first be softe er $%o%u be o$er prikkinge or rigurowse.
 353 And yit I sey $ee a poynt fer$ere: if $%o%u haue rigurowsliche
 354 hurtled any wyght o$er p%r%ikked for his misdede, looke $ou
 355 haue not doon it withoute $e sweete oyle of compassio%un
 356 and of pitee; for $ouh $ou be horned for iustice, algates in
 357 $in herte $%o%u shuldest haue pitee of $ilke $%a%t $%o%u hast
 358 iuged. Bithinke $ee $at $%o%u were enoynted er $ow were
 359 horned, and er $ow haddest any prikke, and er $ow haddest
 360 any yerde o$%e%r staf: and $at ouhte michel softe $ee whan
 361 $ow wolt correcte any wyght. [f.11v] #ow shuldest not also
 362 foryete of whom $ow doost $e vicarishipe. For $er was
 363 neu%e%re noon more debonair%e $an $ilke who%s vicary $ow art:
 364 $at was he $at seemed horned and was not horned ($at was
 365 Moyses $%a%t made Israel to passe thoruh $e see) $at with $e
 366 yerde he held he made hem good passage. Now vndirstonde
 367 $is lesso%un, for it is [to $ee woorth] a gret sermo%un. #ouh
 368 $%o%u seme horned withoute, lat $in herte be al naked withinne;
 369 and be m%e%rciable withinne, whateu%e%re $ow be withoute. Fallas
 370 $%o%u miht make heerinne withoute misdoinge. Haue $in herte
 371 tretable and debonayre after $in ensample: $ouh $%o%u haue a
 372 yerde sharp at $e eende, bihold also how it is crooked and
 373 stowpeth toward $at oo$er ende. Dowte not $at $at `ne/
 374 tokeneth $er shulde be in $ee humblesse whan $%o%u chastisest
 375 bi equitee. Now vnd%e%rstond why $ilke yerde is taken
 376 $ee and gra%unted $ee. It is to gou%e%rne with $i peple, and
 377 make hem passe thoruh $e foorde of $is world. With $i yerde
 378 $ow shuldest assaye if it be to deep or if $er neede o$%e%r
 379 brigge or pla%unke; for if $er failede ei$%e%re brigge or
 380 pla%unke it shulde longe to $ee to make it: and $erfore $i
 381 name is Pontifex. Now vnderstonde it: $is is $i lesso%un.
 382     Now I wule sey $ee yit, if $ow wolt vnderstonde to me a
 383 litel, whi $ou hast $is faire yerd, and whi horned hed $%o%u
 384 hast. Su%mtime in $is place riht heere enhabited $e hornede
 385 of helle, and long time bi possessio%un he hadde maad heere
 386 his dwelling. But for it displesed to Grace Dieu, $at hadde
 387 mad $e hous for to dwelle $erinne hirself, she made arme
 388 $ee with $ese hornes, and made take $ee $e [f.12r] yerde: so
 389 $at bi $ee wente out $e vntrewe dwellere $at wolde be lord.
 390 #ow hurtledest him with $ine hornes whan $%o%u puttest him
 391 out of $e place, and $ow beete him with $i yerde whan $%o%u
 392 madest him [ysen] out of $e place. #e tweyne faire labelles
 393 hanginge at [$i] tweyne hornes $ou conqueredest at $e
 394 clensinge and sweepinge and poorginge of $e place: and $at
 395 was whan $%o%u dediedest and halwedest and blissedest $e
 396 place.    And for $at $%o%u were a good champio%un in $e
 397 dedicac%io%un Grace Dieu wole $at $%o%u arme $e ofte in $e armes
 398 $%a%t $%o%u were victour inne, in tokne $erof `and/ warnynge $at
 399 it falle $ee not in foryetinge, and to $at ende also $at
 400 $ilke vntrewe $at $%o%u hast disco%umfyted and hurtled and
 401 beten do%un be no customere to come $ereas $ow art, and
 402 also to $at eende $at $%o%u be nih and fresh to fighte newe
 403 in alle times and in alle seso%uns ayens $ilke $at wolen
 404 exile $e hous of Grace Dieu and dispoile it of hire
 405 goodes bi dymes and taxes, bi violences and bi extorcio%uns.
 406 But $%e%rof, as I wot wel of sooth, $ow doost not wel $i
 407 deuoir: for $iself gra%untest he%m and shewest $e weyes to
 408 haue hem, $e which thing Grace Dieu halt no game. And
 409 $%e%rfore I sey $ee w%i%t%houte flateringe $at it is but a jape
 410 of $ine hornes and of $i staf: $ine hornes ben of a snayl
 411 $at hyden hem for a straw anoon as $ei haue felt it.
 412     Seynt Thomas hadde none swiche hornes, which
 413 strongliche defended $e king $e entre and $e wey into his
 414 hous: for wrongfulliche and withoute cause he wolde make it
 415 thral $er it shulde alwey be free. #e wurthi man hadde
 416 levere dye $an suffre [f.12v] it to be thral. Of Seint Ambrose
 417 also I sey $ee, $%a%t defended his hous ayens emp%e%ro%u%res and
 418 emp%e%rises, so $%a%t he was lord $erof alone. 'Youre paleys',
 419 quod he, 'ye haue: youre toures, youre castelles and youre
 420 citees, $e reuenewes of $e empire; wel ouhte $is to
 421 suffice yow. Of myn hous medle ye nouht: leueth it me - ye
 422 haue nothing $erinne. In my tyme it shal neu%e%re be thral:
 423 I hadde leuere leese $e lyfe.' #ese hadden not hornes ne [ne]
 424 beren hem nouht withoute reso%un. If $ou were also wel
 425 horned in defendinge $e fre vsages of $in hous $at $ow hast
 426 wedded [and] with $e ring which $%o%u hast on $i fynger,* and if
 427 $ow vsedest wel $i yerde, and argudest wel Pharaon, seynge him
 428 $%a%t he suffrede $i folk serue God withoute thraldom, and
 429 $at he lettede hem not ne opp%r%essed hem ne greued he%m of
 430 nothing, $a%nne were $%o%u goode Moyses, and seruedest Grace
 431 Dieu with hire goode mes;* and michel shulde plese hire alle
 432 times $at she wiste $ee armed. Now do so hensforward and
 433 $i w%u%rshipe shal be $e grettere."
 434     As Reso%un spak $us to Moyses and p%r%echede, $e official
 435 turned him and bar with him $e oynementes, and putte hem in
 436 saaf. And sithe I sigh as me thouhte a wo%mman toward $e
 437 west, and a man toward $e est, $at comen bo$e to $e
 438 official anoon. And eche of he%m took him his hand, and he
 439 took hem and ioyned hem togid%e%re and sithe seide hem,
 440 as me thouhte: "Ye tweyne shule be bo$e oon, and iche
 441 of yow bere trowthe to oo$er. Neu%e%re dayes of youre lyue
 442 shal $er departinge be maad of yow tweyne, but $er be
 443 certeyn cause, and bi Moises $%a%t is $er%e. Now keepeth wel $is
 444 sacrament, and loueth yow togideres trewelich." [f.13r] And
 445 thilke tweyne biheighten $at $ei so shulden; and $a%nne $ei
 446 departeden $ens. #e official turnede ayen and wente to
 447 Moises, $at was yit at $e sermo%un $at Dame Reso%un made him.
 448 But as $ei weren alle togederes and speken, a gret cu%mpany
 449 of folk maden cesse here parlement anoon: bifore Moises
 450 $ei comen, and maden him requeste $at sum seruice in his
 451 hous he wolde yiue hem and gra%unte hem.
 452     And $a%nne he took a peyre sheren, and made su%mme of
 453 hem come neer him, and clippede hem anoon, in seyinge
 454 hem $at God shulde be here part and here heritage: suffice
 455 it shulde if $ei weren wise. Whan Moyses hadde $us doon,
 456 Reso%un droowh hire anoon towardes hem, and bigan to speke
 457 to hem, and seide:  "Lordinges,"  quod she, "entendeth
 458 hider. It is gret wysdom, what any man saye, su%mtime to
 459 feyne folye: $ouh ye be shoren and clipped as fooles upon
 460 $e hed $is folie is gret wysdom, for $%e%rfore I p%r%esente
 461 me to be alwey youre freend, whosoeu%e%re hath $%e%rto envye.
 462 Forsaketh nouht $is loue, for ye shole haue it bifore alle
 463 folk. If it ne be long [on] yowre folie,* and if ye wol not
 464 haue me, ye shule neu%e%re haue good freend in youre lyue.
 465 I am Reso%un bi whom ye been [discerned] from oo$ere bestes:
 466 and oonliche as longe as ye shule haue me ye shule be men.
 467 And whan ye wole go w%i%t%houte me ye shul wel mown ava%unte
 468 yow - ye be but as do%umbe bestes and as coltes $at ben
 469 clo$ed. Withoute me ye shul neu%e%re haue wurshipe, be ye
 470 neu%e%re so grete lordes. If ye [wole] make jugementes,
 471 silogismes o$%e%re argumentes withoute me, shul ye neu%e%re
 472 haue conclusio%un $at ne shal come to confusio%un. [f.13v] Now I
 473 wule telle yow, if ye wite it nouht, how ye shule keepe my
 474 loue. Ye muste ete and drinke more sobirliche $an oo$er
 475 folk, for drunkenesse and glotonye maken me soone t%u%rne to
 476 flight. Ire $at is vnmesured and felonye $e woode maken me
 477 voide $e hous in which $ei haue here habitac%io%un. Fleschliche
 478 loue driueth me al out and soone maketh me voide $e place:
 479 and $at withoute glose ye mowen se in $e roma%unce of
 480 $e Rose. Now I pray yow", quod she, "$at ye keepe yow fro
 481 alle $ese vices if ye loue me, and fro alle oo$%e%re also,
 482 for I holde not him to freend $at aba%undoneth him to vices.
 483     Yit I wole telle yow", quod she, "tweyne shorte woordes of
 484 $e shorne place which is enclosed al aboute ro%und with a
 485 seercle as $ouh it were a castel or a towr%e. A gardyn it
 486 seemeth wel enclosed with a heygh wal. #e place withinne
 487 vnheled sheweth $%a%t yowre hertes shulden ben opne al
 488 holliche to God, w%i%t%houte any mene empechement. #e
 489 ro%unde sercle maketh $e closure aboute $%a%t ye haue
 490 no cur%e of $e world; for from [him] ye muste departe if
 491 with youre God ye wole parte: ye mow%en not haue bo$e
 492 tweyne togideres, $at mown ye wel wite, for ye haue seyd
 493 youreself $at youre God ye haue chosen to heritage and to
 494 your%e p%a%rtye (bi whiche seyinge I se nouht $at ye shulden
 495 reioyse of $e world, for whan any wight wole parte, I
 496 vnderstonde not he may haue al, but taketh $at oon and
 497 leueth $at oo$er.) Now taketh $at $at ye haue chose: a
 498 better part mown ye not haue. Suffice it oughte, for I
 499 doute not $at $ilke part ne is worth al $e remena%unt.
 500 Fair to yow [f.14r] $anne is [$e] closure $at closeth yow and
 501 walleth yow in disseueringe yow from $e world, and
 502 departeth wel yowre part. {Of} $e place shorn is also fair
 503 to yow, for $erbi men apperceyuen $at [ye] been goode heerdes.
 504 It is wel right $at $e goode heerde take sumtyme flees
 505 of hise bestes for his labo%u%r. Shere yow [yowre] shepherde
 506 may at his neede, but to skorche yow is not yiue him
 507 leeue: for men han not taken him al,* but oonliche sheres
 508 for to shere yow with dueliche."
 509     Whan Reso%un hadde $us spoken to hise shorene, and
 510 p%r%eched to oo$%e%re $at weren $ere, Moises yaf seruices
 511 gladliche as $ei askeden: for su%mme he made [priuees] of
 512 his hous and chamberleynes, and oo$ere he made sergea%untes
 513 for to areste and putte out $e enemyes $at ben in $e
 514 bodyes. To oo$ere he dide gret w%u%rshipe, for to alle he
 515 yaf leue to be rederes of his paleys, and to p%r%eche
 516 Goddes lawe. Su%mme oo$%e%re he made holde candeles to
 517 serue to $e grete boord $at was set $er he shulde ete. To
 518 oo$%e%re he took his gilte cuppe void, with which his
 519 bord is wurshiped, for to serue him $%e%rwith. To oo$%e%re
 520 he made bere $e bodi of Ih%e%su C%r%ist upon here oo shulder
 521 $er he sette it: and was upon $e lifte shulder, $at to
 522 bere w%i%t%h shulde be $e strengere. #ilke he wolde bi
 523 especial weren ministres and serueres to him and to $e
 524 official at $e boord and coadiutowres.
 525     Whan al $is was ordeyned as it is aboue diuised,
 526 eche of hem bigan to serue to deserue his office. #e
 527 bord $ei wenten and maden redy, for it was time to dine.
 528 Su%mme spredden $e clo$es, oo$%e%re leyden $e bred aboue,
 529 oo$%e%re brouhten $e wyn and casten it in $e cuppe (and
 530 $%e%rwith, as me thouhte, a litel wat%e%r $ei dide). [f.14v] But
 531 bifore [he wente] to dinere, Moises wolde deliuere him
 532 of su%mme $at yit abiden him and weren not yit deliu%e%red;
 533 and $ilke he wolde make special officialles of his hous,
 534 to helpe $at oo$%e%r official (which hadde wel neede, for
 535 as he seide, he mighte nouht aloone gou%e%rne swich an hows).
 536     Now I wole telle yow how he dide. First he clepede
 537 Grace Dieu with an [hauteyn] vois al were it she was not
 538 fer. She sat in hire trone and of alle she took keep,
 539 and I sat at hire feet, wherof I was ioyeful and glad.
 540 Whan she herde hire cleped, she ros hire up withoute
 541 abidinge and wente hire to Moyses, and with hire she
 542 ledde me. And $a%nne whan Moyses sigh hire nyh him he*
 543 bigan to wexe more hardy, and fulliche dide $at $at I
 544 wole telle yow shortlyche. First he [anoynede] $e handes
 545 of hem and ioynede hem togid%e%res, sithe took a swerd
 546 wel kervinge, cleer and furbished, and bre%nnynge, with
 547 tweyne egges,  and handsom,  turnynge and variable.
 548 Wel me thouhte it was $ilke $at I hadde seyn Cherubyn
 549 holde: and $ilke it was treweliche, wel p%r%opirliche
 550 figured. #ilke swerd he took hem and $%e%rof made hem
 551 p%r%esent with a keye $%a%t he heeld, $at Grace Dieu hadde
 552 take him.   Grace hireself  (whiche was $ere $at to do
 553 $is halp him)  he yaf hem,  and seyde hem:  "Loo heere
 554 Grace Dieu:" quod he, "taketh hire to yow; I yive
 555 hire yow `i%n/to cu%mpany, to $at ende $at ye make of hire
 556 youre freend." Whan I herde $ilke woord I was wroth
 557 and abashed, and seyde: "Allas, what shal I do if I
 558 haue $us lost Grace Dieu? #ilke hornede hath yive hire
 559 to $ese newe officialles: I hadde leu%e%re to be ded $an
 560 he hadde doon me swich wro%ng."  [f.15r]   Whan Grace Dieu
 561 sigh me $us disco%unforted, faste she lowh of me, and
 562 sithe clepede me and seyde:  "Fool, wherto gost $%o%u $us
 563 thinkinge? Wenest $%o%u for to haue me aloone to freend?
 564 #ow ouhtest wite $at co%mmune p%r%ofite is $e beste. And
 565 $e p%r%ofite of a co%mmune welle is miche grettere $er
 566 eche man and wo%mman may drawe water at here wille and
 567 haue $erof here esement: $an is a welle closed $er
 568 neu%e%re oon dar neighe app%r%oche;  and yit I sey $ee
 569 $at p%r%ofitable, so good, ne so delitable $e wat%e%r $ow
 570 hast alone ne shal be as $ilke shal be $er eche man goth.
 571 I am welle of alle goodnesses.   Neu%e%re holde I me
 572 enclosed: I wole p%r%ofite to alle folk, and alle I wole
 573 loue p%e%ramowres. And $erinne mihte $%o%u leese nothing,
 574 but it may encrese $i good, for alle $ilke $at I wole
 575 loue I wole make $i freendes, and $e mo goode freendes
 576 $ow hast, $e bettere $ow shalt be, me thinketh. Now haue
 577 noon envye $ouh I be freend to oo$%e%re."
 578     Whan I was $us co%unforted ayen of Grace, $at hadde
 579 avised me,  anoon I sygh Dame Reso%un go to $e chayere
 580 to preche.   "Lordinges," quod she:  "vnderstondeth me:
 581 youre p%r%ofyite lyth $erinne, I trowe.  Biholdeth wel $e
 582 grete benefet and $e grete [goodshipe] $at Grace Dieu
 583 hath doon yow, $at $is day is comen and descended for yow.
 584 Considereth what yiftes bi hire Moises hath departed
 585 yow: for $e swerd he hath take yow $at God hadde forged
 586 for him for to keepe with $at no sinner%e entrede into
 587 $e cuntre of whiche he is lord. Now vnderstondeth what
 588 swerd it is: how it is p%e%rilouse to fooles, how miche $ei
 589 shulden drede it $at shulden vse it. #e swerd serueth of
 590 iii thinges, for whan any deserueth peyne he smiteth
 591 with $e poynt o$%e%r with $e egge, o$%e%r elles with $e
 592 flat in spa[f.15v]ringe.   #e poynt yiueth techinge
 593 $%a%t $er be neu%e%re do jugement withoute gret discrecio%un
 594 in $e doinge of $e execucio%un* of cause nouht yknowe,
 595 but hid and vnknowe.  Michel is he of foolhardiment and
 596 of surquideoures $inkinge $at bi ire wole venge him or
 597 juge bi suspeccio%un. Michel is a swerd yuel sittinge
 598 to blynd man and to purblynd man $at wole smyte at
 599 $e tastinge* and kannot cheesen good from yuel. #er
 600 shulde no man bere $ilke swerd $%a%t cannot wel discerne
 601 bitwixe helthe and sikenesse,  bitwixe $e grete meselrie,
 602 and $e mene and $e [lasse].   A juge shulde wel vnderstonde
 603 $e circu%msta%unces of a misdede,  bifore $at any jugement
 604 were doo.   Swerd, as I fynde writen, is clepid departinge
 605 of throte.   Wel aughten alle juge%s $at wolen wel iuge
 606 departe $e throte,  and wel discerne $at men seyn:   for
 607 right after $at he hath herd allegge he shulde do his
 608 jugement, and non oo$%e%rwise.
 609     Now I wole telle yow of $e tweyne egges for whiche
 610 $e swerd is cleped kervinge  (wherto oo paas alone
 611 sufficeth not to telle),*   and what techinge lyth
 612 $erinne.   If ye haue yowre swerd poynted and sharp
 613 bi discrecio%un,  it is wel riht $at ye haue justice
 614 in youre lond aboue alle vices:  $at alle misdedes
 615 and alle sinnes ye haue leeue to correcte,  excepted
 616 $e cas withholden $at $e grete horned hath withholden.
 617 And for [$at] youre lond is departed in doble partye,
 618 $erfore it needeth $at $e swerd haue tweyne kervinges as
 619 answeringe to hem. #at oon partye is $e bodi of $e
 620 manhede, $at men clepen man withoute; and $at oo$er is
 621 $e gost, $at is cleped man withinne. #at is youre lond
 622 $at is in tweyne: departed [f.16r] it is withoute beinge
 623 tweyne. #ese tweyne as [Hy] Justice ye mown whan it is time
 624 iustifye: to $e bodi for hise sinnes ye mown yiue trauaile
 625 and peyne inouh, and charge it with pena%unces for to
 626 driue without $e sinnes; to $e gost for diu%e%rse cas, as
 627 whan it is obstinate in his sinne and wol not amende for
 628 amonestinge, ye mown t%u%rne to $e kervinge withoute any
 629 sparinge. Hurte hym ye mown dedliche bi $e strok of
 630 cursinge: and $er is no wo%unde so cruelle, for withoute
 631 remedye it is dedlych; and $erfore he auhte michel drede
 632 him $at feeleth swich a strok perce on him. Wel auhte he
 633 also bithinke hy%m $at shulde smite with $e egge; and wel
 634 I telle yow $at dueliche $erwith smyt noon but if he haue
 635 first smite with $e flat of $e swerd, o$er $at he hath
 636 avised first $ilke $at he wole so smyte and make deye bi
 637 $ilke strok. Bi $e [platte] of $e swerd I vnderstonde good
 638 and trewe avisement, trewe amonestinge and liueliche
 639 p%r%echinge, whiche smit $e euele dedes in sparinge, and
 640 spareth hem in wel smytinge: $at is $e woord of Ih%e%su
 641 C%r%ist,  in whom lyth $e respyt of $e deth.   With $e
 642 [platte] ye shulden vsen wh%an ye seen yo%u%re subiectes
 643 erre: sermonynge and prechinge maketh many times leue
 644 sinne, and if ye mown so [saue] hem it is bettere $an to
 645 smite with $e sharpe. Now ye hauen $anne how ye mown
 646 and shulden aft%e%r diu%e%rse cas vse bo$e of $e [platte] and
 647 of $e kervinge o$er of $e poynt in wel juginge: for oo
 648 time ye shulden iuge, anoo$%e%r time ye shulden punishe,
 649 anoo$er time p%r%eche; and $erfore it is cleped withoute fable
 650 sharp on bo$e sides, and varyinge. #ilke swerd is taken
 651 yow to $at ende $at ye haue it alwei redy to [f.16v] turne it
 652 and to varie it at youre wille, and remeve it after $at $e cas
 653 asketh, and right and euenenesse is; and $%e%rfore is
 654 right $at ye hatten, as wel bi effect as bi name, Cherubyn
 655 ful of kunnynge and of [deuyne] wisdom. For if ye weren
 656 not Cherubyn, many harmes ye mihten doo, as whan ye shulden
 657 smite with $e [platte] p%e%rauenture ye wolden turne youre
 658 swerd and smite with $e kervinge; o$%e%r whan ye shulden
 659 iuge, ye wolden correcte bifore, doinge al $e contrarie of
 660 $at $at were to doone. And $%e%rfore in vnku%nnynge hand is
 661 not $is swerd wel sittinge, and also in irows ma%nnes
 662 hand $is swerd is riht perilous, for bre%nninge it was take
 663 and gra%unted bi G%r%ace Dieu: $e cause is (if ye wole wite it)
 664 for, howeuere ye turne it, be it in prechinge or in iuginge,
 665 in punishinge or in correctinge, ye shulden shewe it
 666 brennynge of v%e%rrey loue and charite, for loue is $e
 667 bre%nnynge fyre $at maketh it flawme.
 668     Now I wole telle yow (if ye witen nouht) whi ye haue
 669 $is swerd. Porteres ye ben, as me thinketh, of $e kyngdom of
 670 heuene. #e keyes ye haue, withoute lesinge, for to shette $e
 671 doore and for to opne it; withoute yow may no wight passe.
 672 Ye keepen $e pas of $e entre in. To yow men muste shewe
 673 what [men] bringen, bifore [men] passen $e yate. Alle man%e%re of
 674 fardelles, smale and grete, maad and in makinge, bifore yow
 675 musten be vntrussed and al vnfold and al shewed. #er is
 676 nothing so wel closed $at it ne shulde be vnclosed bi
 677 v%e%rrey shewinge of hol shrifte. Now looketh wel $at ye
 678 haue take $ilke swerd and $ilke keyes bi avisement. Ye shulden
 679 [f.17r] [make] noon passe $at wole not shewe his fardelle:
 680 ye shulden seeche $e sinneres and make hem discharge hem
 681 of here misdedes. Alle ye shulden weye wysliche, and
 682 iuge hem discreteliche, keepinge wel $e v%e%rrey interp%r%etacio%un
 683 of youre name, to $at eende $at men mown bi riht clepe yow and
 684 nempne yow Cherubyn. And $anne whan ye haue al iseyn and al
 685 biholde and knowe and iuged $e misdedes, and charged $e peynes
 686 and enioyned wurthi pena%unces, $a%nne ye mown vnshette $e
 687 doore and make youre pena%untes entre in. #is is $e tokne of
 688 $e swerd, and $e shewinge of $e keyes, and $e lernynge and
 689 $e techinge. Now keepeth yow wel $at ye vse discreteliche
 690 with hem as ye shulde."
 691     Whan Reso%un hadde $us spoken, and I hadde al seyn and
 692 herd, lust took me and gret desire for to haue $is brennynge
 693 swerd and $e keyes $%e%rwith for to be vsshere of $ilke passage,
 694 and porter. But to what ende I shulde come $erof I hadde
 695 nowht yit thouht. It is `thing/ bifalleth ofte: for of [$at]
 696 $%a%t wil taketh men seen nouht allwey $e eende. As I hadde $us
 697 ythouht, I wente me to Moyses, p%r%eyinge him $at he wolde yiue
 698 me $ilke faire swerd and gra%unte me $at I mihte haue $e
 699 vsage of $e keyes for to keepe $ilke forseyde passage. Moyses,
 700 whan he hadde herkned me, he she$ede $e faire swerd and bond
 701 faste $e keyes, and enseled al wel wyseliche, and sithe took
 702 me and gra%unted me bo$e $at oon and $at oo$%e%r benigneliche,
 703 in seyinge to me $at I lookede wel $at I vnbond not $e
 704 keyes, ne $at I stired not $e swerd forto I hadde leeue.[f.17v]
 705     Whan he hadde seide me $is I was abashed, for I hadde
 706 seyn noon to whom he hadde $us idoo nei$%e%r of woord ne of
 707 dede. Faste I bithouht me what I shulde do, or what I
 708 miht do with $ilke swerd yshe$ed, seled, wrapped, and with
 709 $e keyes $at he had take me also enseled and wel ybo%unden.
 710 I wende ful wel he had desceyued me, whan I apperceyued
 711 Grace Dieu; she led me to Reso%un $at spak to me: "My
 712 faire freend," q%u%od Reso%un $e wise, "what thinkest i%n $i
 713 corage? Where lernedest $%o%u at scole? #i thouht is wel
 714 foolliche. I see wel $%o%u hast not lerned $e p%r%edicament
 715 of Ad Aliquid. #ilke p%r%edicament hath reward elleswhere
 716 $an to himself: he maketh his edifyinge upon oo$%e%res gro%und
 717 wol wisliche; al $at he hath, he hath of oo$%e%re, and yit
 718 dooth wrong to no wight. If oo$%e%re ne were, $er shulde
 719 nothing be of it, ne [ne] miht be. Ensa%umple I wole take $ee
 720 so $%a%t $%o%u mowe see $at at eye, cleerliche vndirstande,
 721 and wel lerne and withholde. Whan God had mad $e world,
 722 bifore $%a%t man was foormed he was onlich cleped God (if
 723 Genesis ne gabbe). But whan man was foormed $anne was God
 724 cleped Lord, in tokne $%a%t whan he hadde serua%untes he was
 725 lord and lordshipinge. Whan he hadde serua%untes $a%nne he
 726 was Lord, and yit he was neu%e%re $e grett%e%re. But $e lordes
 727 of $is cuntre ben not swich, as me thinketh, for $e mo
 728 serua%untes $ei haue so miche $ei make hem $e grett%e%re:
 729 here serua%untes and here meyne yiuen he%m lordshipe. Lordship
 730 was knyt in subgis and engendred, and if $e subgis ne were,
 731 lordshipes shulden p%e%rishen. #%a%t oon and $%a%t oo$%e%r Ad
 732 Aliq%u%id may be seid as me thinketh, for $%a%t oon hath his
 733 comy%ng out and his hangi%nge of $%a%t oo$%e%r: for whan $%a%t oon
 734 is, $%a%t oo$%e%r is also; and whan $at oon faileth, $at oo$er
 735 faileth also. [f.18r]
 736     Now vnd%e%rstond wel $is lesso%un $ow [$at] art in subiectio%un:
 737 bihold wel $%a%t $%o%u art subiect to oo$%e%re and $%o%u hast no
 738 subiect. #i sou%e%reyn, whateu%e%re he be, hath jursdicc%io%un,
 739 miht and lordship ou%e%r $ee. But oo thing disceyveth $ee:
 740 $%o%u hast no subiect as he hath; for $%e%rbi $%o%u hast failed
 741 to haue $e faire swerd vnheled, naked and vnshe$ed - and of
 742 $e keyes also, to haue he%m vnwo%unden and vnseled. With $e
 743 swerd naked what shuldest $ow do, and with $e keyes vnheled,
 744 $ouh $%o%u haddest hem? Nothing, $at I see, but gret folye. If
 745 I bere a knyf vnshe$ed and naked, and hadde nothing to kerue,
 746 I shulde make $e folk to weene $at I were a fool or $at I
 747 wolde wo%unde or sle sum wight. If I bere keyes also naked
 748 and wente thoruh $e strete $er I hadde nei$er dore ne lok,
 749 su%m men mihten weene p%e%rauentur%e $at I bere false keyes, or
 750 $%a%t I wente to robbe $e folk: and lightliche men mihten
 751 thinken, whan men seyen my keyes liche $e keyes $%a%t oo$%e%r
 752 men hadden, $%a%t w%i%t%h hem I vnshette here dores.* Serteyn $i
 753 keyes han wardes, as $e stra%ung%e%res han, and $%e%rfore I sey
 754 $ee, sithe $%o%u hast nothing to shette ne to vnshette, and
 755 sithe $ow hast nothinge to kerue ne to kutte, it is bettere
 756 $i swerd be she$ed $an vnshe$ed, and it is bett%e%re $e keyes
 757 $%a%t $%o%u hast ben hid $an vnhyd, for al bitimes may men come
 758 to vnkeuere bo${e} $at oon and $at oo$%e%r. #us Moises took
 759 hem $ee wysliche and dueliche, to $%a%t ende $%a%t whan $i
 760 sou%e%reyn wole, and seeth time, he mai vnbynde $ee $e keyes
 761 and vnshe$e $e swerd: and $%a%t shal be whan he wole take
 762 $e of his subgis to helpe him, whan he wole take $ee mater%e
 763 wherupon $%o%u miht w%e%rche; and elles $%o%u miht nothing doo,
 764 if $%o%u ne wolt misdoo. Perile of deth oonlich he outtaketh
 765 $ee, if it be euident: for $a%nne $%o%u miht vnshe$e $e swerd
 766 and vnbynde $e keyes: [f.18v] necessitee yiueth $ee leeue and
 767 aba%undoneth $ee `$e/ vsage, so $at $er be noon oo$%e%r to whom
 768 $e dede longeth to. Thilke to whom $is office longeth to is
 769 he $at holt his swerd naked, and hath $e keyes vnbownde,
 770 naked and vnseeled - $at is $ilke $at hath iursdiccio%un
 771 and lordshipe and is his curat for he is put under him.* If
 772 $%o%u haddest subiectes [also], as he $%o%u mihtest do: $i miht were
 773 Ad Aliquid; but $%o%u hast noone, as me thinketh, wherfore $%o%u
 774 shuldest not abashe ne wrath$e $ee, $ouh $e swerd be taken $ee
 775 she$ed, ne $ouh $ou haue $e keyes enseled, bo%unden and wrapped."
 776     Whan Reso%un hadde $us p%r%eched me, Moyses wolde go dine
 777 and his mete [was redy] al oo$%e%rwise $an it was,* for $er was
 778 nothing but onliche bred and wyn: but it was no{t} mes at his
 779 wille, for he wolde haue flesh to ete and blood $erwith for
 780 to deface $e olde lawe $at hadde seid $at no blood ete $ei
 781 shulde. To helpe hi%m he clepede G%r%ace, and she wente to him
 782 anoon. And $a%nne I sigh a gret wunder, to which $%e%r
 783 is noon lich: $e bred into quik flesh he t%u%rned, as G%r%ace
 784 ordeyned it; $e wyn he t%u%rnede into red blood $at seemede
 785 wel be of a lamb. Sithe as curteis he wolde clepe $e
 786 officialles to dynere, in techinge hem his ku%nny%nge,
 787 yivinge hem his power for to make swich conu%e%rsio%un as
 788 turneth to wundringe. And sithe he yaf to ete to alle
 789 of $ilke newe mees withoute da%unger: and he eet w%i%t%h he%m
 790 and drank of $e blood, I seeinge it with myne eyen. Bi
 791 ouht $at I haue herd speke $er shulde noon ku%nne telle of
 792 non swich mutacio%un $at hath so wund%e%rful a renown.
 793     Whan I hadde biholden $is mete, I turned me to
 794 Reso%un for to p%r%eye hire $%a%t she wolde p%r%eche me of $ilke
 795 dynere and teche me. But riht as I turned me ayen, I
 796 fond her al [f.19r] abashed. "Ladi," q%u%od I, "what is $is? What
 797 eyleth yow? Al abashed me thinketh yow. Techeth me of
 798 $ilke mete and p%r%echeth me $erof I prey yow." "Serteyn
 799 I wole not," q%u%od she, "for I can nothing [heeron]. Heere
 800 lakketh me myn vnderstondinge and my wit al outerliche: I
 801 am blynd, I see nothing, I haue lost al my sighte. I was
 802 neu%e%re so abashed in al my live. For $ouh $ilke hornede
 803 Moyses hadde of an ey imaad a fair brid, or of a barlich
 804 corn a pipe, I wolde haue holde me in good pees ynowh.
 805 But al abashed he hath maad me: for flesh quik of bred
 806 he hath maad, and of wyn blood for his drink, ayens
 807 nature and ayens vsage. And treweliche I wol sey it to
 808 Nature whan I see hire: and I wole sende after hire to
 809 come speke with G%r%ace Dieu, withoute taryinge, for al
 810 $is she maketh do, and ofte [is] riht contrarious to hire;
 811 she maketh hire, bi hire hynesse, leese hire custome and
 812 hire vsage." And anoon as she hadde seid $is she lefte
 813 me and to hire tour she goth; and sorweful in $e place she
 814 lefte me and sorweful into hire tour she wente.
 815     As I was alone and thouhte [on] $ese thinges, I sigh
 816 toward $e tour an old oon $at cam and neihede me. She
 817 hadde nouht $e cheer glad, but right wroth. She hadde
 818 hire handes vnder hire sides, and hire eyen glowynge as
 819 gleedes. I thouhte wel it was Nature, bi $at $%a%t Reso%un
 820 had seid me: and she it was soothliche, as I wiste wel
 821 after. Redi me thouhte hire to chide miche more $an to
 822 preche, for toward Grace Dieu she wente and rudeliche
 823 spak to hire: "Lady," q%u%od she, "to yow I come to chide,
 824 for to defende myn owen. Wennes cometh it yow for to remeve
 825 myne ordina%unces? It ouhte suffice [yow ynowh] [f.19v] $e party
 826 $at ye haue, withoute medlinge yow of myn, and withoute
 827 cleymynge maistrye $erof. Of $e heuene ye haue $e lordshipe,
 828 withoute any oo$%e%r havinge part $erof:   ye maken $e
 829 sterres turne and $e planetes varien, and $e speeres as ye
 830 wolen, laate or rathe, ye gou%e%rne. And wol loth certeyn
 831 wolde ye suffre, and loth wolde ye be $at I entermeted me
 832 anything $erof. And so wolde I treweliche be riht weri if
 833 ye in my part cleymede hynesse, or medlede yow: I wolde
 834 dye as soone as suffre it. Bitwixe me and yow was sette
 835 a bo%unde $at divideth us so $at noon of us shulde mistake
 836 ayens oo$%e%r: $at is $e wheel in whiche $e moone gooth
 837 alwei aboute. #ilk wheel departeth us, and yiueth eche of
 838 us hire part. Withoute is youre p%a%rtye: $ere haue ye $e
 839 lordshipe; $ere ye mowe, if ye wole, make nouelries ynowe.
 840 For $ouh ye made of Venus an horned beste, or of M%e%rcury a
 841 ram* I wolde wel holde me stille ne neu%e%re speke $erof, for
 842 $ere I cleyme nothing.   But withinne al is myn.   I am
 843 maistresse of $e eleme%ntes and of $e wyndes: for to make
 844 varyinges in fyr, in eyr, in eer$e, in see I lete nothing
 845 stonde stille in estaat. Al I make t%u%rne and drawe to ende.
 846 Al I make varye erliche and late. I make newe thinges
 847 come and olde to departe. The eer$e is of my robes and in
 848 p%r%ime temps alwey I clo$e it. To $e trees I yeue clo$inge
 849 and apparamens ayens somer, and sithe I make dispoile hem
 850 ayen ayens wint%e%r for to kerue hem oo$%e%r robes and kootes
 851 seemynge alle newe. #er is nei$%e%r brembel ne broom ne
 852 oo$%e%r tre $at I ne clo$e ayen: was neuere Salomon clo$ed
 853 with suich a robe as is a bush. #at $%a%t [f.20r] I do, I do bi
 854 leysere, for I am not hastyf, and al mutacio%un $at is
 855 doon in haste I hate. And $%e%rfore is myn werchinge $e
 856 more woorth: witnesse on Reso%un $e wise. I slepe nouht,
 857 ne I am nouht ydel, ne I am not p%r%eciows to do alwey my
 858 deveer after my wit and my powere. Men and wo%mmen I make
 859 speke. I make briddes flee, bestes go, fisshes swymme,
 860 dragowns ra%unpen, cornes growen. I am lady and maistresse
 861 of al togid%e%re. But me thinketh euele [for] $at for a wenche ye
 862 wolde holde me whan my wyn ye make bicome blood, for to
 863 make a newe beuerege. Litel lakketh $%a%t I ne were wood.
 864 Of $e bred I am not so wroth, for I entermeted me neu%e%re to
 865 make cruste ne cro%ume, ne neu%e%re bred I sette. But sooth
 866 it is $at I deliu%e%rede and took $e matere of whiche men
 867 maken it: $at ye witen wel. And $%e%rfore I haue wrethe [to]
 868 myn herte whan ye remeeven it into quik flesh, and
 869 nakenen me of my right. Whennes cometh it yow to do $us?
 870 It liketh [me nouht], I telle yow wel, but I haue to
 871 miche forbore yow and to miche suffred yow in my cuntre
 872 whan ye haue er $is, I ne wot bi what auctorite, remeved
 873 myne vsages and myne ordina%unces, my dedes and my customes.
 874     I remembre wel of $e bre%nny%nge fyr $at ye setten in my
 875 greene bush withoute bre%nnynge it, and al passinge my
 876 wille. I bithinke me wel also of $e yerdes of Aaron and
 877 Moyses: for $%a%t oon ye maden `bicome/ an addere, and $at
 878 oo$%e%r $%a%t was drye and withoute humo%u%r ye maden wexe
 879 greene ayen,  and bere leues,  floures and frute.   Of
 880 water also ye maden wyn,  at $e [noces] of Architriclyn -
 881 and many oo$%e%re remeevinges,  of which were to longe to
 882 holde [f.20v] parlement.   Also,  me luste not to foryete
 883 of $e v%i%rgines chyldinge which ye maden co%nceyue withoute
 884 man  (wherof ye diden miche ayens me)  and whan ye maden
 885 hir%e [chylde] v%i%rgine,  w%i%t%houte clepi%nge me.   Swiche
 886 thinges I haue suffred longe,  wherof I sorwe gretliche,
 887 and neu%e%re erst spak I ne made noise $erof, wherof me
 888 forthinketh. For men mowe ofte suffre to miche and be to
 889 longe stille and slepe to miche; for bicause I haue holde
 890 me stille, ye ben now come ayen for to make newe thinges,
 891 bi whiche ye exite me right now to chide w%i%t%h yow bi
 892 right gret ire and wratthe. And wel I telle yow $%a%t ne
 893 were ye so gret a ladi, ye shulde right soone haue $e
 894 werre, and at yow I wolde sette: and sithe I wolde teche
 895 you to remeeve so myne vsages withoute warnynge and
 896 clepinge of me."
 897     Whan Nature hadde $us yspoke, Grace, $%a%t hadde al
 898 yherd, answerde hire in $is man%e%re: "Nature, ye be to fers,
 899 $%a%t so fersliche and so prowdliche speken to me. I trowe
 900 ye ben drunken of your%e wynes. And dr%unken and wood ye
 901 semen wel, bi $e grete ire $at ye shewen. I wot neu%e%re if
 902 ye be neewe wexe a fool or ell%e%s $at ye ben doted. It is
 903 not longe ago $at ye seyd ye weren not hastyf: but I see
 904 $e co%nt%r%arye in yow, for w%i%t%houte avys ye speke to me
 905 hastiliche and niceliche. And I telle yow wel $%a%t I wolde
 906 speke to you riht foule and bete yow also, ne were myn
 907 owen wurshipe, and for $e wratthe I see in yow: for
 908 irowse folk ben to forbere, for $ei mown not discerne
 909 cleerliche a sooth for here trowblede vnderstondinge. Now
 910 seith me, Dame Nature, $at $us of youre owen forfeture
 911 vndertaken me, and blamen [f.21r] me, and arguen me of bo%undes,
 912 and seyn $at I haue michel mistaken me whan I entrede into
 913 youre gardyn: so God saue yow, of whom holde ye, and
 914 whe%nnes cometh yow $at $at ye haue? Ye be lich $e wylde
 915 swyn $%a%t eteth $e mast in his busch, and hath no reward
 916 whe%nnes it cometh him ne of what side. #e hed and $e eyen
 917 he hath [in] $e eer$e, and looketh not an hy toward $e
 918 heuene fro whe%nnes it cometh, but [halt him oonliche] to $e
 919 mast. Also I trowe ye knowe not me or elles ye deygne not
 920 to knowe me, for I am debonaire, and am no chidere.
 921 Openeth a litel discretliche $e eyen of your%e vnd%e%rstondinge,
 922 for if ye vndo wel $e liddes, me for maistresse and yow for
 923 cha%umberer%e ye shule fynde al apertliche: and $a%nne ye shule
 924 speke to me softeliche, and do to me homage of al $at ye holden
 925 of me. Sumtyme of my curteisye I took yow a gret partye of
 926 $e world for to ocupye yow with and to werche treweliche
 927 with so $at ye weren not ydel, and $at of al ye [yolden] to me
 928 [trewe] aco%unte, as chamberer%e shulde alwey do to hire
 929 maistresse. And $%e%rfore if ye were riht wys ye wolde not
 930 speke of bo%unde $at is set bitwixe yow and me; for it
 931 bo%undeth yow, not me: it forshetteth yow fro%m passinge
 932 ou%e%r, for so I wole bo%unde it. But to $at ende $at I
 933 shulde not entre weene not $at I bo%unded it, for I may entre
 934 whan I wole, and neu%e%re `wil/ speke to yow $erof. Yit more:
 935 if me likede it shulde not neede yow to medle no more, for
 936 I wolde wel al aloone do $at $at is to doone if I wolde;
 937 but I wole not do so, for it longeth not to me: it is not
 938 riht $%a%t a maistresse ne haue alle times a cha%umberere. Now
 939 ye ouhte $a%nne to wite $at [withoute] me ye haue no powere: and
 940 $at wole I prooue inowh bi $at $%a%t ye haue seid bifore.
 941 Wel ye knowe $at I make $e sterres [f.2lv] to uarie and to turne
 942 and $at $e gou%e%rna%unce of heuene longeth freeliche to me.
 943     Now seith $a%nne, so God keepe yow, if I made a neewe pley,
 944 $at I dide awey $e sunne from $e heuene, and $at I meeued
 945 it so wel $%a%t [of] an hundreth wint%e%r it were not seyn ne
 946 fo%unden ne ap%e%rceyued, what faire thinges wolde ye make?
 947 And how wolde ye eche yeer yiue robes to yowre bushes?
 948 And how mihte ye make meyntene gen%e%racio%uns $is hu%ndreth
 949 wint%e%r withoute failinge? Aristotle $%a%t was an he$ene
 950 $at bi argumentes kneew weel soothnesse, I make myn
 951 aduocat ayens yow in $ilke debat. He seith and p%r%oueth
 952 bi reso%un $at gen%e%racio%un is mad bi my sunne of whiche I
 953 haue spoke: and $%e%rfore if I had don it awei ye shulde
 954 leese yowre powere, and riht nothing shulde ye mown do.
 955 Right so it is of $e [firmament], and of $e planetes also:
 956 for if I made al cesse or elles $%a%t I wolde do al awey,
 957 ye mihten wel go slepe and reste yow al at leiser%e, for
 958 your%e power were al ylost and abated. And $%e%rfore it
 959 miht not be $%a%t al $e lordshipe ne were myn, al to remeeve
 960 or to meyntene as it come to my lust. And $%e%rfore ye
 961 shulde not grucche ne chide to me so sharpliche: for as
 962 Isaye seith, it is gret p%r%ide and gret despyt whan $e
 963 axe wole dresse him ayens $e carpenteere, and whan $e pot
 964 wole argue $e pottere and blame him, and asketh him his
 965 shap, or pleyne him $erof. And $erfore ye shulde wel wite,
 966 if $er were in yow any ku%nnynge, $at ye doon me despyt
 967 riht gret, $at ye gon $us arguinge me, and vndertaken me
 968 $us of my doinge - and hauen no power%e withoute me. For
 969 ye ben nothing but oonliche my tool and instrument $at
 970 I made su%mtime to helpe me, withoute any neede $at I
 971 hadde: [f.22r] ne nouht $at I shulde alwey haue yow with me,
 972 but oonliche whan $at I wolde. For alle times $at me liketh
 973 and $at it be my wille, many thinges I wole do, and neu%e%re
 974 clepe yow $erto: and wole remeve $e wyn into blood, and into
 975 quik flesh $e white bred and $e browne also if I wolde. For
 976 I were elles not maisteresse, but if I dide my wille alwei
 977 at my lust. So it ouhte not [to] displese yow whan yit in
 978 helpinge yow I do $at $at ye mown not do: as of $e
 979 brennynge bush, $at I kepte $at it was not brend al were $e
 980 fla%ume $eron, [and] $erof ye shulde soon%e%re thanke me $an chide
 981 and crye. And of $e yerdes I sey yow $e same, and of $e
 982 v%i%rgine mooder. Of $e wat%e%r I turned into wyn also, and of
 983 alle $at eu%e%re I haue doon withoute yow, me thinketh $at ye
 984 shulde more glade yow $an wrath yow: for $e cha%umberer%e
 985 shulde glade hire of $e faire deedes of hire maistresse,
 986 and nameliche whan she leeseth nothing, and also for
 987 abett%e%r $e co%mmune p%r%ofyte. Now dooth al $at yow liketh,
 988 for litel or nouht it is to me. Gladeth yow or wrattheth
 989 yow if ye wole, or chideth, for for yow [wolde] I nothing
 990 leue to do of $%a%t $at I wolde doo."
 991     Whan Grace Dieu hadde $us argued and spoke, Nature
 992 answerde:  "Ladi,"  quod she, "I haue wel vnd%e%rstonde
 993 yow, and wel I see $at to argue with yow I mihte not
 994 endure. Bett%e%re me is to yow obeye $an anything to sey
 995 ayens yow. But neu%e%r$eles if I durste a litel yit I
 996 wolde argue to yow." "Hardiliche", q%u%od Grace Dieu: "sei
 997 [al] for I holde al $at eu%e%re ye mown seyn and arguen today
 998 [more] game. And $%e%rfore leueth nouht a del, $at ye declare
 999 wel youre herte." Q%u%od Nature: "Sithe [f.22v] I haue leeue,
1000 yit wole I arguen, and of your%e woordes I wole arguen, for I
1001 sorwe gretliche $at ye haue so argued me of my seyinges, and
1002 rebuked me. Ye haue seid $at $e maistresse shulde not be
1003 withoute a cha%umberer%e, and me for cha%umberer%e ye haue
1004 holde: for which thing I argue $at if ye be maistresse,
1005 with yow as cha%umberer%e I shulde alwey be cleped, and withoute
1006 me ye shulde remeeve [nothing] ne make nothing [bore].  And
1007 $at ye wolden yit conferme bi $e ax which ye seiden shulde not
1008 dresse him ayens $e carpenter%e: as $ouh ye wolden sey, or al
1009 withoute seyinge vnd%e%rstonde, $at ayens yow $at ben
1010 carpentere I shulde not ben so fers. Bi $is confirmacio%un
1011 me thinketh I haue myn entencio%un: for as men mown not
1012 werche ne $e carpenter%e bylde a good hous withoute an ax,
1013 riht so ye shulde do nothing withoute me if ye wole nouht
1014 misdoo. In alle times ye shulden lede me with yow and clepe
1015 me; and bett%e%re it were, as me thinketh, $at I wer%e with yow
1016 alwey $a%nne $ese neewe officialles $at doon w%i%t%h yow alle
1017 heer needes. Ye yiven hem al your%e powere, and for to yiven
1018 hem ye binemen me; and neu%e%r $e latt%e%re I miht neu%e%re haue
1019 non suich power%e of yow $at I kow$e make flesh of bred, and
1020 $%a%t I mihte remeeve wyn into blood : and yit I haue alwey
1021 doon my deueir in alle times, after my powere."
1022     "Serteyn," q%u%od Grace, "in no wise I pleine me nouht
1023 of youre service: I wot wel $%a%t ye haue doon wel ynowh.
1024 But if ye wole sey noon oo$er thing, I wol answere yow soone
1025 ynowh, ne I wole seeche noon oo$er co%unseil." "Nay" q%u%od
1026 she. "I answere", q%u%od Grace, "$at $at confo%undeth yow:  [f.23r]
1027 $at is $at ye vnderstonde nouht aright my seyinges, ne [ne]
1028 thinke nouht; for whan I seide $at a maistresse shulde
1029 alle times haue a chamberere, it was wel seyd - I meynteen
1030 it; but in $at winne ye nothing, for I seyd not in alle
1031 places, but in alle times: and $at is not oon, for if in
1032 alle places she hadde a cha%umberer%e, it shulde t%u%rne $e
1033 maistresse to more thraldam and vnwurship $an to hire
1034 freedam and to hire wurship. But in alle times she shulde
1035 haue it (and $at is hire wurship, whoso wel seeth) so
1036 $at she may coma%unde hire, and ordeyne hire what $%a%t she
1037 wole. #is hadde ye not wel vnderstande as ye shulde; also
1038 ye vnderstonde not wel $e man%e%re of $e ax. For whan I spak
1039 of $e ax it was not to $at ende $at I shulde also helpe
1040 me with yow in alle times (as $e carpenter%e with his ax,
1041 to howse and to hewe) but for $is certeyn I spak it: for
1042 I fond in yow feerstee, wherfore I took $%e%rof liknesse for
1043 to enfoorme with your%e rude vnderstondinge. For if $e ax
1044 shulde nouht dresse him ayens $e carpenter%e, yit lasse
1045 shulde ye don it, ne were ye of yuel doinge ayens me $at
1046 haue maad yow, forged yow, shape yow and portreyed yow
1047 for to wurshipe me and serue me whan it cometh [me] to my lust.
1048 #is may not $e carpenter%e sey to his ax, for anoo$er
1049 maist%e%r made it, and he hath $e vsage $erof, withoute
1050 more. Necessite maketh him keepe it, so $at he haue no
1051 defaute of breed: but of yow I haue no neede. Haue
1052 your%e herte neu%e%re $e more feers: withoute ax I may wel
1053 werche, and forge, and shape and carpentere withoute
1054 {tool and} withoute instrument; of al I may do at my lust:
1055 {to me shulde} no wiht compaare him, nei$%e%r carpenter%e {ne
1056 oo$%e%r}, for I haue singulere miht to do al at my wille. And
1057 $%e%rfore I sey yow shortliche $%a%t [f.23v] right litel is woorth
1058 yowre argument, litel is woorth also your%e m%u%rm%u%r; and also
1059 a gret [filthe] me thinketh whan ye gon $us grucchinge of my
1060 yiftes and spekinge and murmuringe, for I shulde be euele
1061 serued if I mihte not yive of myn owen as wel to oo$%e%re as
1062 to yow. It is not matere of wratthe; it shulde not hevy
1063 yow of nothing: for it is not good $at $e good go alwey on
1064 oo side, $at wite ye wel. It ouhte suffice yow ynowh, $e
1065 miht $at ye holden of me, which is so fair $%a%t neu%e%re
1066 king mihte haue noon swich, nei$%e%r for siluer ne oo$%e%r
1067 avoir. If I yive any special yifte to myne officialles,
1068 I looke $%a%t of nothing ye leese: it is foly if ye wrathe
1069 yow."
1070     Whan Grace hadde $us yspoken, Nature, $%a%t hadde
1071 herd it, bisiliche kneeled at hire feet and humbleliche:
1072 "Ladi," q%u%od she, "I pray yow [$at] on me ye haue m%e%rci.
1073 Argueth no more ayens me, for pleynliche I [see] my defaute.
1074 I haue stired me folilich to yow and fersliche. Ye ben my
1075 maistresse, I see it wel:  ouer alle I ouhte obeye to yow.
1076 Of nothing it shulde displese me of thing $at ye wol doo.
1077 I thinke neu%e%re to speke but $at ye wolen at $is time
1078 foryive me al benigneliche, withoute withholdinge any yuel
1079 wil." "Serteyn," q%u%od Grace, "and I wole it. But keep
1080 yow wel, upon yowre eyen, $at ye neu%e%re ageynseyn my
1081 faire werkes, ne my dedes: for anoo$%e%r time I miht not
1082 suffre so miche, ne wolde not suffre."
1083     Whan $is p%a%rlement was ended, and Moyses hadde dyned,
1084 he wolde departe of [his] releef, and yive almesse, and
1085 enlargise it to poore erra%unt pilgrimes of whiche $%e%r was
1086 gret plente $erinne; but bifore $at he miht yive anything
1087 $erof, tweyne la[f.24r]dyes of fair beringe, $at weren fair
1088 withouten filthe, of fair man%e%re withoute mistakinge, I
1089 sigh, $at of a chambre comen out: and wel curteysliche
1090 $ei putten hem bitwixe Moises and $e folk.   #at oon
1091 heeld a testament:   a gret chartre and a scripture
1092 wherinne was miche lett%e%re writen.   Al vnfold it she
1093 hadde for to rede it,   as `ye/ shule heerafterward
1094 heere seye. But first of $at oo$%e%r I wole seyn, of which
1095 serteyn I wundrede miche. In oon of hire handes she
1096 heeld a mailet, and in $at oo$er she hadde a good yerde,
1097 smal and greene and co%u%rreyinge. Bitwixe hire teeth and
1098 hire mowth she heeld a beesme $at more toucheth me; wel
1099 curteisliche she heeld it, and she seemede neu%e%re $e
1100 lasse wys: if anoo$er hadde holden it so, men wolden
1101 haue holden hire [for] out of wit. She $is spak first to
1102 $ilke folk ful wysliche: hire beesme letted hire nothing
1103 to speke ne to preche.
1104     "Lordinges," quod she, "I wot wel $at ye biholden
1105 myn array, but I trowe wel $%a%t ye witen neu%e%re what
1106 [myn array] bitokeneth yow.   But cometh neer:  I wole
1107 telle it,  and of nothing I wol gabbe yow.   I am $e faire
1108 litel-biloued, $e debonaire ydred, $e riht w%u%r$i litel
1109 ypreised, $e graciowse litel plesa%unt. Penite%nce I
1110 am cleped: wardeyn of $e yle hyd. Alle filthes I make
1111 ley do%un bifore $at any wight entre in, and $%e%rfore I
1112 bere with me mailet and yerde and beesme:  with $e
1113 mailet I breke and brose bi contricio%un and angwich $e
1114 herte of man: whan it is fulfilled w%i%t%h old sinne and
1115 harded I softe it and make it weepe, compleyne, sighye
1116 and sorwe. And riht as $e chyld bi betinge maketh $e
1117 juse come out of $e harde appel, [f.24v] and softeth it with
1118 smitenge, riht so bi my smytinge I make teres come out
1119 and crye: 'Allas, what I haue forfeted! I repente me.
1120 A, a! mihte I haue allegea%unce!' With $ilke mailet I
1121 brosede so su%mtime Peeter, and softed him $at so hard
1122 ston hadde been $at his goode maister he hadde forsake:
1123 I beet so michel and smot hy%m $at tendre and softe I
1124 yelde him. So michel I dide in hy%m bi my smytinge $at
1125 bi hise eyen I made come out $e juse and $e teres of
1126 weepinge, in bitternesse and i%n sorwe. Of $e Magdaleyne
1127 I dide riht so, for [how] $at hir h%e%rte were harded in
1128 sinne bi long time, algates bi betinge%s I made so many
1129 teres come out of hire, and so michel of hire juse [ysen]
1130 out, $at I wesh hire al $%e%rinne and purgede hire. For
1131 whan teres ben comen out and [ysed] of an herte wel
1132 contrite, I gadere hem ayen w%i%t%houte abidinge, and
1133 sithe of hem I made a bowkinge for to putte inne and
1134 bowke and wasshe alle filthes. #ilke tere is so riht
1135 strong $at $%e%r is no sinne so fowl, so defamowse, $at is
1136 put $erinne $%a%t it ne is wasshe: and for $at I kan so
1137 wel washe, so wel la$ere, and so wel bowke hath God maad
1138 me his chambrere and his principal lauendere.
1139     Now vnd%e%rstondeth yit whi I bere $e mailet with me. #e
1140 herte of a sinner%e is a gret pot of eer$e filled with a
1141 liko%u%r foul and stinkinge, $%a%t men mown not voide, for
1142 as miche as men mown not turne it at here wille ne
1143 remeve it: $%a%t is $at bi his hardnesse and his grete
1144 obstinacio%un wole not amende, ne [ne] may not repente. #ilke
1145 vessel I smite riht harde and sharpliche with my mailet.
1146 Peeces I make $erof and contrite, and alle $e gobettes I [f.25r]
1147 make riht smale, to $at ende $at $e grete filthe $%a%t was
1148 $erinne be shed: for if I knewe hem not wel and made
1149 not riht smale peeces of hem, $er mihte leue and abide
1150 filthe ynowh in $e peeces.
1151     Now vnderstondeth $is lesso%un, ye $at v%e%rray
1152 co%nt%r%icio%un wolen make of youre sinnes. Thinketh not ne [ne]
1153 weeneth $at it sufficeth to biholde and thinke $e sinnes
1154 in gret, for lookinge so in gret is but leue $e pot hool;
1155 and suppose it were brosed, yit were not $at inowh, for
1156 eche gobet shulde be to gret, and in eche of hem mihte
1157 leue to gret filthe. And $%e%rfore ye shulden breke al,
1158 and brose bi smale gobbettes and parties, in grete
1159 syhinges and gret hachees, in thinkinge swich a tyme
1160 $ow didest $us, swich a Sonedai, swich a Moneday, $a%nne $%o%u
1161 didest $at,  and $a%nne $at;   gret was $at sinne,  and
1162 grett%e%re was $%a%t; so oftetimes $%o%u dist $at sinne, and
1163 in $%a%t maner%e $%o%u mistooke $ee; litel $ow were tempted,
1164 or litel $ow were stired, or $e stiringe $ow purchasedest.
1165 #is is $e man%e%re to breke $ilke foule uessel, to make of
1166 it contric%io%un bi swich consideracio%un. #us do I, witeth
1167 it wel, with my mailet $at I holde in myn hand: I breke
1168 al,  withoute anything levinge,  and make al contrit withoute
1169 any sparinge.
1170     Yit a litel woord I telle yow of [$at] foule pot
1171 filled with filthe. Withinne for his grete filthe a
1172 worm maketh his norture; withinne it is engendred and
1173 born, and withinne norished and reised: $at is $e worm
1174 of conscience, $at seemeth to haue $e teeth of yren, for
1175 it is so cruelle and so prikinge, so remordinge and so persinge,
1176 $at if $%e%r were [f.25v] not who to sle it and smite it
1177 and astone it, it wolde neu%e%re stinte to [rounge] so michel
1178 til it hadde slayn his maister. And $%e%rfore I bere
1179 mailet, to $at ende $at I forbere it nouht but $at I sle
1180 it and smite it and astone it: $at is whan $e pot is wel
1181 contrite and wel brosed, as I haue seid, for but [if] it were
1182 contrite bifore, my mailet mihte neu%e%re touche it ne sle
1183 it ne make it dye. Now suffreth $anne your%e pot ful of
1184 filthe to be wel contryte, and $a%nne I wole venge yow of
1185 $e worm, and sle it bifore yow. #is is $e v%e%rray exposicio%un
1186 and $e significac%io%un of my mailet $at ye seen, $at Contricio%un
1187 is cleped.
1188     Now I wole telle yow of $e beesme $at I haue
1189 bitwixe my mouht and my teeth. Bifore I haue seyd yow,
1190 and yit I sey yow, $at I am cha%umberer%e to God $e Fader
1191 almihty; and certeyn it is wel sittinge `to/ a cha%umberere
1192 and to a wenche to haue a beesme. But so miche $er is
1193 $at $e manere of $e holdinge may meeue yow, and $%e%rfore
1194 ye shulde wite $at to $ilke place bi whiche men shulden
1195 caste out al $e filthe and sweepe, $ider men shulden
1196 turne $e beesme: for elles $er mihte be gret suspeccion
1197 $at in sum anglet or in sum heerne or [crookede] corner%e
1198 $e filthe were heled or heped. In Scripture I haue seyn
1199 in diu%e%rse places and haue red it, of diu%e%rse yates diu%e%rse
1200 names:  for $at oon is seyd of fisshes, $at oo$er of heuene,
1201 $at oo$%e%r of helle, $at oon of bras, $at oo$er of iren,
1202 and manye oo$%e%re of which I holde me stille, for it were
1203 longe to telle. But among alle, oon $er is of whiche is
1204 seyd in Neemye $at it is cleped $e yate of felthe: for
1205 $%e%r[f.26r]bi men curen and putten out alle filthes. It is
1206 better $at $ilke paas be foul $an al $e remena%unt were%n
1207 foul. Now beth eche oon wel vnderstondinge: in $e hous of
1208 whiche I am cha%umberer%e, of whiche Grace Dieu is $e
1209 maistresse, $er ben vi yates,  of whiche $er ben v bi
1210 whiche $e [felthe goth] in. #%a%t oon is $e yate of smellinge,
1211 $at oo$%e%r is of herkeninge and of heeringe, $at oo$%e%r of
1212 savowringe, $at oo$er of feelinge, $at oo$er of lookinge.
1213 Bi $ese v yates, drede nouht, $er entereth ofte filthe
1214 ynowh, but bi hem mown nouht ysen ne comen out ayen $ilke
1215 filthes: and $%e%rfore I shulde leese my [peyne] if I t%u%rnede
1216 my beesme $iderward.
1217     That oo$er yate $at is $e sexte, whiche is needeful to
1218 saluacio%un,  is $e yate of filthe, bi which eche wiht
1219 purgeth him and cureth him, bi whiche eche wiht putteth
1220 out al if he wole not leue foul: $is is $e mouth of
1221 sinneres, whiche of $e yates is $e beste for she putteth
1222 out alle $e misdedes in $e fo%u%rme $ei ben doon, and seith
1223 hem to his confesso%u%r in waymentinge and in weepinge.
1224 Toward $is yate I haue turned and conu%e%rted and born me
1225 beesme [al] to sweepe, poorge and clense: for as longe as
1226 I am cha%umberere to Grace Dieu my maistresse, I [wole]
1227 holde clene hire hous withoute withholdinge of any
1228 filthe. My beesme is my tu%nge and my palet,* with which
1229 I sweepe alle filthes, and remeeve and clense: $%e%r is
1230 nothing $%e%rinne up ne do%un, nei$%e%r in corner ne in hole,
1231 $at al I ne wole remeeve and seeche and caste out bi
1232 hol shrifte withoute fraude and withoute outtakinge
1233 anything. Al I putte out {bi} [f.26v] $e foule yate; $er is
1234 nothing withinne $at I ne bere out with my tunge and with
1235 my beesme, for I wot wel it is $e wille of Grace Dieu my
1236 maistresse, which wole abide in no place but it be riht
1237 wel swept and clensed: $at is to sey $at she hath no
1238 cure of conscience in whiche filthe is inne,  for conscience
1239 is $e hous,  $e cha%umbre and $e dwellinge in whiche she
1240 maketh hire abidinge whan it is wel [swept].
1241     Now ye haue herd whi I holde $us $e beesme in my
1242 mouth: how also I make confessio%un bi certeyn exposicio%un;
1243 [and] I wole telle yow also shortliche $e tokenes of my
1244 yerdes: why I holde hem, and what I do with hem (and ye
1245 shule not holde it in ydel). Of grete scooles I am
1246 maistresse, and chastisere of children: I correcte $e yuel-
1247 doeres, $ouh $ei be of xxti yeer old or of an hundreth,
1248 for euel-doere chyld is cleped [of] $e lett%e%re $at courseth
1249 hem. Whan any $a%nne hath misdoo, I ley me in awaite to
1250 wite $e soo$e: if he be passed bi my mailet of whiche I
1251 haue spoke, and if he haue put him vnder my beesme, and if
1252 he be swept $erwith. And whan I see him so contrite and
1253 wel shrive as I haue seid, $a%nne to chastise him `wel/ with
1254 my yerdes I smyte him, peyne and betinge I yive him
1255 for his goode and his amendinge. Oon houre I make hy%m
1256 remembre his olde sinne, and sey 'Allas, whi assented I
1257 to $at, to be now a wrecche?' Anoo$er time I make him
1258 sey ayen: 'Sweete lord God, faire sweete lord, I bihote
1259 $ee amendement: I wole no more be so hardi $at I dar wratthe
1260 $ee, ne $at I dar sinne for $ee.' Oon hour $us I make to
1261 preye, anoo$%e%r to sighe, [f.27r] anoo$%e%r to weepe, anoo$%e%r
1262 time I make him yiue and departe $at $%a%t he hath to $e needy
1263 and to mendiva%uns, and do almesse. Anoo$%e%r time I make him
1264 go and trauaile in pilgrimage, or in sum oo$%e%r long wey and
1265 anoo$%e%r time faste and do sum abstinence to withdrawe him
1266 fro his sinnes. #us vnd%e%r yerde I holde him and punishe
1267 him, and bete him wel and smyte him, and chastise him to
1268 $at ende $at it bite him nouht, ne turne ayen to his
1269 sinne* of whiche he is cast out and purged; and to $at ende
1270 also $at $e olde sinnes $at he hath doo ben punished, for
1271 $er shulde no trespas passe withoute punishinge: with yerdes
1272 shulde $ilke be beten $at hath consented to sinne. Heerfore
1273 I holde hem. Now ye wite it, fro misdoinge keepeth yow;
1274 if ye wole wite $e name of $e yerdes, $ei ben cleped
1275 satisfaccio%un: for satisfaccio%un is as michel to sey as to
1276 do as michel peyne or more w%i%t%houte ayenseyinge, as $%e%r was
1277 delite in $e sinne.
1278     Now I haue seid yow and maad [yow] sermo%un of my
1279 craftes and of my name: but why I am come hider bitwixe
1280 Moyses boord and bitwixe yow $at abiden and asken of his
1281 releef, I haue not yit seid yow. But herkeneth and I wole
1282 telle yow. Ye shulde wite $at I am partere and porter of
1283 $is releef. Withoute me ye shulden not come $ernyh, but if
1284 ye [wole] mysdo. It is no releef to yive to fooles, ne to
1285 yive to truwa%untes. It is not to yive to womman gret (but
1286 if she be gret with $e grace of God). It is a releef for
1287 hem $at ben in lango%u%r, for syke and for da%ungerous, of
1288 whiche whoso taketh it digne[f.27v]liche may not be
1289 $at he ne haue allegea%unce. #is is $e releef $at lefte of
1290 $e gret [cene], $er God [ceened]: $ilke he brak and
1291 departede to hise freendes $e grete Thursday, with which
1292 al $e world is fed and quikned and susteyned. #is releef
1293 I wole keepe streitliche and cheerliche: ne $ider I wole
1294 $%a%t no wight go but if $at he be beten with [my] yerdes,
1295 and but [if] he be passed bi my mailet and maad clene with my
1296 beesme. Now eche wiht keepe him wel as for himself, for I
1297 do $at $at I ouhte. And $is is $e cause for whiche I am in
1298 swich wise comen hider."
1299     Whan $is lady hadde spoke and told hire doinge, $at
1300 oo$er ladi $at was $ere and heeld $e scripture in hire
1301 hande wolde also telle hire tale and rede hire scripture
1302 bifore alle folk. "Lordinge%s," q%u%od she, "wel it is
1303 sooth $at withoute lesinge and disceyte Penitence hath
1304 told yow and divised yow hire grete office: and $%e%rfore
1305 I wole telle yow also wherof I serve, and who I am. I am
1306 $ilke $at hadde neu%e%re in despyte nei$%e%r grete ne smale;
1307 $ilke $at loueth alle folk with hol herte, withoute yuel
1308 wil; $ilke $at seecheth no vengea%unce, ne nei$%e%r showveth
1309 ne smyteth; $ilke $at hath set hire entente to forbere
1310 hire enemyes.   I am $e mooder of vertues:  $ilke $at
1311 [clo$eth] $e naked folk, $ilke $at made Seint Martyn vnclo$e
1312 himself for to clo$e $e poore man.   I am norishe of
1313 orphanynes, osteleer to pilgrimes, $at of $e harmes of
1314 oo$ere I make myne:   and to alle,  my goodes ben co%mmune.
1315     My name if ye wole wite it, Charite ye shule clepe me:
1316 for charitee holt in cheertee $at $%a%t oo$%e%re holden [f.28r]
1317 in vilitee. I feede $e hungri and visite $e languishinge.
1318 I am $ilke $at of oo$%e%res good am as glad as of myn owen:
1319 $ilke $at debonairliche suffreth al pacientlich, $ilke
1320 $at keepith not heer%e bakbitinge ne murm%u%r, $ilke $at
1321 neu%e%re misseyde of oo$%e%re ne misdide oo$ere, and nouht
1322 for $a%nne I haue maad doo sum harm withoute misdoinge.
1323 If ye haue ouht herd speke of $e king Ih%e%su and told how
1324 he wolde bicome man and suffre deth for $e men, ye shulde
1325 wite $at I am she $at made him haue swich annoye: for I
1326 made him come do%un from heuene, and made him take flesh
1327 of mankynde. I made him bo%unde to $e pileer and corowned
1328 with thornes; I made him sprede hise armes in $e cros,
1329 dispoile him and opene his side; $e feet and $e handes
1330 I made tacche of him, and perce hem with grete nailes.
1331 Sithe I made his blood come out of his tendre body, and
1332 his gost yelde.   But witeth wel,  I made hise harmes
1333 turne yow to gret good: for I made him descenden do%un
1334 into helle for to fecche yow alle, for to caste yow out
1335 of $e deepe pit and lede yow into Paradise, to yive yow
1336 and [leue] yow a yifte $at he hadde riht cheer%e - $at is
1337 pees, [with] which $e heuene shyneth, and of whiche
1338 Paradise gladeth. #e fo%u%rme how he yaf $is yifte and
1339 gra%unted it is writen in $is testament $at I holde
1340 heere p%r%esent bifore yow: Testament of Pees it is cleped.
1341     Now heereth, I wole rede it:
1342   'I, Ihesus $e sone of Marie, weye, soothnesse and lyf: in my
1343   deth $at is [nyh] and $at is to me al certeyn I make my laste
1344   testament, in whiche I leeue freeliche to he%m $at ben in $e
1345   vale of weepinge and in $e lond of labo%u%r, $e yifte of pees
1346   $at is my jewell - $e moste [f.28v] graciows and [$e] faireste
1347   $at is in heuene or in eer$e, or $at men mown fynde or seeche.
1348   #at is $e jewell with whiche I pleyed me su%mtime in
1349   Paradise: of whiche I made my solace whan I was in my
1350   cuntre. But with it I pleyede no more sithe I entrede into
1351   $is world, for whan I was bicomen chyld and comen into $is
1352   world, whan time was I shulde pleye and $%a%t I [hadde] had my
1353   jewel, my ministres of Paradise beren it into $is cuntre,
1354   and maden p%r%esent $erof to $ilke for whiche I shulde haue
1355   t%u%rment, with whiche jewell $ei haue pleyed eu%e%re sithe
1356   $e time $at I was born, nouht for it was hers, ne for it
1357   shulde be hers (for my serua%untes $at kepten it mihten not
1358   yiuen it hem, ne $ei weren not wur$i to resceyuen it ne to
1359   have it in havinge): $ei haue had it oonliche to repele it
1360   at my lust, for saue I may no wyht yive it ne shulde yive
1361   it. But alleweys $e grete maistresse Charite, my ledere $at
1362   ledeth me as a chyld and dooth w%i%t%h me at hire lust, bi
1363   hire rihtes hath $%e%rto brouht me $at I haue yiven to hem
1364   $ilke faire jewell and yit freeliche yive it hem and
1365   aba%undone it hem. A fairer%e yifte yaf I neu%ere, but if I
1366   yaf myself. It is a iewell $at was fo%u%rmed, forged and
1367   maad and carpentered of my fader, withoute smytinge of
1368   strok and withoute heeringe of makinge noise: for noyse and
1369   strokes maken it nouht but tobreken it and vnmaken it.
1370       If $er were any $at wolde wite of his facio%un, I wolde
1371   wel take $e patro%un p%r%opirliche to hem of good vnderstondinge.
1372   Whoso tooke a carpenteres sqwire, and sette upward $e first
1373   ende, if he sette $at oo$%e%r do%un, with $e cornere in $e euene
1374   lyne:  if it were so $at [wel a] poynt [f.29r] in $e cornere
1375   $at ioyneth $e lynes were fastned and sette an 'a', and in $e
1376   endes were sette 'p' and 'x' so $at 'x' were on hy, and
1377   'p' alowh, as it is heere figured:
1378   lightliche he mihte wite his facio%un, and aperceyue $ere
1379   his name right wel writen. These thre lett%e%res heere doon
1380   to wite $at to thre thinges shulde $ilke haue pees to
1381   whom is left and gra%unted $is faire jewel: $at is $%a%t first
1382   on hy $ere 'x' is set in scaffold, bi which I am in short
1383   vnderstonde and tokened, he shulde haue p%e%rfite pees in
1384   swich man%e%re $at alle dedes don ayens my wille ben
1385   restreined and ame%nded. Afterward in $e anglet wel sett
1386   and wher%e she is sett and nestled, 'a', bi which is
1387   vnd%e%rstonde $e soule $%a%t in $e bodi of $e manhode is,
1388   shulde also haue good pees bi destroyinge of misdedes
1389   whiche shulden be defaced and arased bi pena%unce: for
1390   $ilke may not be in pees $at is werred w%i%t%h sinne, and alle
1391   oo$%e%r pees is nouht for him if he apese not $e werre
1392   bitwixe him and conscience bi $e instrument of pena%unce.
1393   Afterward yit to his neihebo%u%r, $at bi $e 'p' of $e laste
1394   ende is vnd%e%rstonde, he shulde haue pees; which to haue
1395   ouhte to meeve him $e same degree $at he is inne,* for it
1396   is no$%e%r hyere ne lowere: bo$e in oo degree I sette hem
1397   whan $e sc%r%ipture I fo%u%rmede and maade. Alle ben dedlich,
1398   bo$e $at oon and $at oo$%e%r: worm is $at oon and worm is
1399   $at oo$er. It is nothing woorth dispitous herte and fers
1400   ne nouht is woorth no$%e%r pride ne da%unger. Alle we shule
1401   passe bi oon hole, grete and smale, michel and litel. Now
1402   let hem do so miche $at $ei leesen not my jewel bi here
1403   p%r%ide. Eche wiht haue pees with his neyhebo%u%r, and so
1404   shal $e patro%un [f.29v] be ful maad of $e squyre of whiche
1405   I haue spoke, and $e pees whiche I haue figured.
1406       #is figur%e and $ilke patro%un is a [notarye] signe with
1407   whiche shulden be signed and marked alle goode testamentes:
1408   and w%i%t%h $ilke signe openliche I haue signed my testament.
1409   To alle folk I haue yiven pees and gra%unted and confermed.
1410   Now eche wight keepe it as for himself, after $e loue $at
1411   he hath [in] me: for aft%e%r $%a%t men louen me, $%e%rafter eche
1412   wiht wole keepe it.'
1413     Whan Charitee hadde al rad $is testament and rested,
1414 $a%nne she bigan ayen hire p%a%rlement, and suiche woordes she
1415 seyde afterward: "Lordinges, now ye haue herd bi $is
1416 sc%r%iptur%e $at I haue rad heere how Ih%e%su hath loued yow,
1417 and yiven yow his jewel, and also how he gra%untede and yaf
1418 it yow at my request. Now wole I `yit/ telle yow shortliche
1419 whi I haue sett me w%i%t%h $ilke testame%nt bitwixe yow and Moyses
1420 boord. Wite ye shulden $%a%t I am awmener%e and dispenser of
1421 $e releef; and as Penite%nce hath p%r%eched you and told yow
1422 $at withoute hire ye shulden not go $%e%rto but ye wole misdo,
1423 riht so I telle yow $at withoute misdoinge ye shulden not
1424 withoute me drawe yow $ider, ne w%i%t%houte me ye shulde not
1425 come $er nygh if ye ne wole offende me. #e testament of $e
1426 yifte of pees and $e jewell which $e sweete Ih%e%su lefte
1427 bifore his deth with me $%e%rfore I bere to $at ende $at I
1428 [avise] yow so $at to $e releef in no wise ye approche ne come
1429 but ye haue $e jewel of pees. For in $e anglet of $ilke
1430 jewel, bicause it `is/ p%r%iuee and fair, wole $ilke holi releef
1431 be put and resseyued and gadered. And $%e%rfore if ye hadden
1432 it not ye mihten be punished [f.3Or]; $%e%rfore I rede yow
1433 in good feith $%a%t ye beren pees and $at ye passen bi me,
1434 $at am departere and yivere of $e releef: for if ye comen
1435 nouht bi me and passeden bi oo$ere weyes, thefte it shulde
1436 be holde, and harm mihte come yow $erbi. Now keepeth
1437 yow wel, offendeth nouht; for I do wel inow my devoir,
1438 and $%a%t is $e cause for which I am come hider fro my
1439 chamber%e."
1440     Whan Charite hadde al ful seid and p%r%eched withoute
1441 ayenseynge, $a%nne I sigh many pilg%r%imes $at wer%e [encline]
1442 to obeye: bi Charitee evene $ei wenten and $e jewel of pees
1443 beren, sithe passeden bi Penitence withoute havinge
1444 drede of hire. #ei vnd%e%rputten hem to hire mailet, and
1445 w%i%t%h $e beesme $ei swepten hem; with yerdes I sigh $ei
1446 weren bete; and afterward of $e releef $ei resseyueden, $e
1447 which Moises yaf hem as Charitee ordeyned it. Sithe I sigh
1448 su%mme cursede $at p%r%iueliche bi oo$%e%re weyes hydinge hem
1449 fro Charite and fleeinge Penitence withoute any shame [$ei]
1450 wenten to $e releef and resseyueden it. Moises, w%i%t%houte
1451 any exceptinge and ayenputtinge, $is releef a%mmynistrede
1452 hem, and curteysliche took it hem. But I wole telle yow
1453 how it bifel of hem and `how it misbifel hem/ whan $ei hadden
1454 had $is releef: riht as $ouh $ei hadden be comen out of a
1455 riht blac colyeres sak, o$%e%r out of a foul dong-hep, al
1456 blac $ei bicomen and salwh, foul and stinkinge and elded.
1457 And yit more, [alle] hungry $ei kamen ayen, and needy -
1458 $ei weren na more sauled $erwith $an if $ei hadden fleeinge
1459 passed bi $e doore of an obley-maker%e withoute anything
1460 havinge [$ere] to ete. Of $e oo$%e%re it was not so: but whan
1461 $ei hadden resseyued $e releef of whiche $ei hadden, alle
1462 $ei [f.3Ov] weren so fulfilled and sauled $at oo$er
1463 thing $ei wolden noon, ne nothing of $e world $ei p%r%eyseden.
1464 #ei bicomen so faire, so gentel $at as to regard of hem me
1465 thouhte alle folk foule, as wel $e clerkes as $e lewed.
1466     Now [I wole] telle yow withoute lesinge $at $at made me
1467 michel abashed. Wunder it is $at litel thing may fulfille
1468 a gret thing, but $e wundres ben grettere whan many thinges
1469 $%a%t ben grete mown haue, of $at $at is not gret, fillinge
1470 sufficia%unt. Alle $e releef $at I sigh yive was so litel
1471 to my seemynge, $at $ouh swiche ten I hadde had to a dyner,
1472 I hadde not be fed sufficientliche; and algates not fulliche
1473 oon, but $ei eche on weren fulfilled and suffised: a litel
1474 to eche of hem suffised, and ful of a litel eche of hem was.
1475 This made me gretliche thinke and trouble myn vnderstondinge,
1476 and to whom to speke I ne wiste if to Grace Dieu I ne speke;
1477 and nouht for $a%nne to hire durste I not speke ne come nyh
1478 hire for she [was] lened hire at $e ende of $e arayed bord where
1479 she biheeld $e releef yiven and [almused]. Algates I hardied
1480 me, and went wel nyh to hire. Whan she sigh me, anoon she
1481 turnede hire towardes me and goodliche seide: "What seechest
1482 $%o%u heere? I see wel $er lakketh $ee sumwhat." "Serteyn,"
1483 q%u%od I, "[soothliche] ynowh me lakketh, for I vnderstonde nouht
1484 how $is releef $%a%t is so litel sufficeth to so michel
1485 folk, for to me aloone it shulde not suffice, $ouh $%e%r were
1486 swich ten: wh%e%rfore I p%r%eye you $%a%t ye wule teche me $%e%rof
1487 a litel and preche me." [f.3lr]
1488     "Goode freend," q%u%od she, "now vnd%e%rstonde, and anuye
1489 $ee nouht $ouh I holde $ee longe to teche $ee, for I see
1490 wel $ou hast neede. #is releef heere $at is yiven, oon hour%e
1491 it is flesh and blood cleped, anoo$%e%r it is cleped bred and
1492 wyn, whiche is mete to pilg%r%imes. Flesh and blood it is in
1493 sooth, but bred and wyn it is figured. And sooth it is $at
1494 su%mtime it was bred and wyn, but $ou [seye] $at into flesh and
1495 into blood it was remeeved bi Moyses [to] whom I helpe: wherfore
1496 Nature chidde to me, and yuele wratthed hire. Bred and wyn
1497 $ouh $ow clepe it, [I] avise $ee and charge $ee $at flesh
1498 and blood it be vnderstonden of $ee, and stidfastliche leeved of
1499 $ee. Ne $at shulde not meeve $ee $at at $e taast and at $e
1500 sighte, at $e smellinge and at $e savo%u%ringe bred and wyn
1501 it may seeme $ee: for $ilke four%e wittes disseived $ei ben
1502 thoruhout, and fooles holden. #ei ku%nne nothing. Doted $ei
1503 ben, let hem go ligge:  fonned $ei ben.   But $e witt of
1504 heeringe oonliche enfoormeth $e vnderstondinge more $an
1505 $ilke of taaste heerayens, o$%e%r of smellinge, savo%u%ringe
1506 or sighte. #is knoweth more subtylliche and apperceyueth
1507 more cleerliche. And er $is it was figured in Ysaak and
1508 Esau:*   for $e foure wittes wolden haue disceyued him al
1509 vtterliche,  as $ow shalt see pleynliche,  whan $ow hast
1510 rad Genesis;  but of $e heeringe he was nothing disceyued,
1511 for $erbi he kneew his sone Jacob and apperceyued.  Right so
1512 I sey $ee,  $at if $ou triste and leeve i%n $ese foure
1513 wittes, $%o%u shalt al vtt%e%rliche be disceyued: for foolliche
1514 $%o%u shalt weene $at of $e flesh it be white bred, and $at $e
1515 blood $erfore be wyn, so $%a%t [f.3lv] $e soo$e $%o%u shalt
1516 neu%e%re haue ne wite bi $ilke wittes. To $e herynge $%o%u mostest
1517 leeue thoruhout and triste $ee: bi it $ou shalt wite $e
1518 soo$e, and by it $%o%u shalt be enfoormed. It shal teche
1519 $ee al at $e fulle $at it is no more nei$%e%r wyn ne bred,
1520 but it is $e flesh $at was sprad on $e cros for $ee and
1521 hanged, and $at it is $e blood with which $ilke cros was
1522 `bi/dewed and spreynt. And if $is bred $%o%u wolt nempne and
1523 clepe wel and wur$ilyche, I sey it is bred of lyf of which
1524 al $e world hath his lyf: also I haue in myn vsage to
1525 clepe it bi swich langage. Bred I clepe it and bred I
1526 nempne it $at from $e heuene cam for to feede man. It is $e
1527 bred with whiche ben fedde alle $e a%ungeles $at ben in
1528 heuene. It is $e bred which pilg%r%imes shulden putte in
1529 here skrippes. #ouh in litel quantitee $ou hast seyn it,
1530 wel I haue [avised] $ee $at to $i lokinge ne to $i sighte
1531 $ow shuldest no trist haue: $e heeringe techeth $ee oonliche,
1532 and taketh $ee $e lernynge, and $%e%rfore $%o%u mihte wel lerne
1533 of $at $at $ou shalt heere me seyn.
1534     Charitee, $at $ow hast herd speke and preche nouht
1535 longe ago, was cause of $ilke bred, and bi hire it was
1536 contrived. She brouhte $e greyn from heuene to eer$e and
1537 seew it. #e eer$e $er it was sowe was neu%e%re ered ne
1538 labowred: bi heete of su%nne it wex, and bi dew $at fel
1539 $eron. Charite made berne it and in stra%unge berne putte
1540 it. Manye fo%unden it $ere, and throsshen it and fanned
1541 it. So michel beten it was, so michel fanned it was $%a%t
1542 from $e straw it was disceuered. His clo$inge was doon
1543 of him so $at he was naked, and naked [f.32r] afterward to
1544 $e mille he was born, and disgisyliche gro%unden: for in $e
1545 hoper of $e mille, in whiche $er was no lynene cloth, he
1546 was gro%unden,  broken,  brused and tormented.   #ilke
1547 mille was maad to $e wynd, and with $e wynd of envye
1548 gro%unde; and nouht for $a%nne $is mille hadde stones $%a%t
1549 weren nouht softe: stones of yuel rownynge, stones of
1550 bakbitinge, with which it was frusht bifore $at it was
1551 taken to $e hoper. Whan it hadde $us be gro%unde, $a%nne
1552 putte hire foorth Charite, and wolde bicome baker%e for to
1553 bulte and make $erof bred. Hire oovene al hot was bifore,
1554 whiche she wolde bake it inne. But [so] it is $at she
1555 cowde not turne it ne moolde it at hire wille, whiche
1556 forthouhte hire: but of nothing she abashed hire, for I
1557 wole telle $ee what bifel $erof. She bithouhte hire on a
1558 maistresse $at was $e moste subtile $at was in burgh or in
1559 to%un. Sapience she was cleped ou%e%ral $ere men kneewen hire.
1560 #er was nothing $at mihte be thouht $at she ne cowde doon it
1561 anoon. Bifore $at time she hadde lerned $ilke wit in $e
1562 scooles of hire cuntre. Al $e world if she wolde in a box
1563 she [shulde] wel doo, o$%e%r in $e shelle of an ey she shulde wel
1564 putte an hool oxe; and for $is subtilitee Charite was
1565 bithouht of hire: for $e bred $at she wolde make of $e
1566 gro%undene corn $at was redy, she wolde it were so wysliche
1567 moolded and so subtylliche $at bi seemynge it were litel,
1568 and $%a%t to alle it mihte suffice so $%a%t of a riht litel
1569 eche wer%e ful sauled and wel sufficed. Whan Charite hadde
1570 $us ythouht, to fulfille hire wille to Sapience she wente
1571 and dide so michel [f.32v] $at she fond hire. She was in
1572 hire chayere, and took keep of al. So michel Charite
1573 preyede hire $at to bake with hire she made hire come.
1574 Sapience $is bred turnede, and book it: and riht as Charite
1575 seyde hire, riht so of al she dide; and yit more subtylliche
1576 she dide it and more wysliche, for she turnede it gret
1577 w%i%t%houte mesure, for to yive $erof feedinge to alle, and $at
1578 eche mihte $erof be sauled and sufficed. And how wel how
1579 gret $at eu%e%re she made it, bi seemynge she made it litel;
1580 and vnder litel closure she made it haue his mesur%e. And
1581 yit more subtylliche she made anoo$%e%r exp%e%riment: for of
1582 eche of $ilke p%a%rtyes $at of $%a%t bred shulden ben broken,
1583 whe$%e%r it were litel or gret, she made eche of hem as gret
1584 as $ouh alle hadden be togideres, whiche thing plesede nouht
1585 to hire $at chidde with me, but certeyn michel it heviede
1586 [hire], for she can nothing but hire riot, for eelde $%a%t
1587 hath doted hire. But $ere algates cam she nouht, for of
1588 me she bithouhte hire: for wel she dredde hire $at yit she
1589 mihte be blamed and rebuked. But I wole telle $ee what
1590 she dide: a clerk of hires, Aristotle, she souhte, and
1591 sente him to speke to hire and to blame hire and to argue
1592 hire.
1593     Whan Aristotle was come bifore hire he seyde hire
1594 $e greetinges, and sithe seyde hire bi likenesse: 'To
1595 yow, Dame Sapience, sendeth me Nature to speke, to shewe
1596 yow yowre mistakinges. Michel it displeseth hire $at ye
1597 quassen $us hire ordina%unces and remeeven, and also it
1598 pleseth nouht me, for al$ouh ye ben my freend, I wole neu%e%re
1599 leue for yow $%a%t I ne wole seye $at $at I woot. Wel ye
1600 witen [f.33r] $at `it/ is no reso%un $at $e vessel or $e hous
1601 be lasse $an $at $at is $erinne. On $at oo$%e%r side, if I make
1602 folk weene bi argumentes of a gret paleys o$er of a chirche
1603 $at it were a torell litel, soothliche litel $ei wolden
1604 p%r%eyse my seyinge, $e wise folk, and wolden skorne me
1605 and holde me for a sophistre. These thinges heere haue ye
1606 doon in $ilke bred $at is [disgise]: for $e feedinge withinne,
1607 w%i%t%h which alle folk ben ful fedde, $at [in] $e world miht nouht
1608  - ne $e heuene miht not - suffice it,* ye haue enclosed and put
1609 bi a disgise wise in so litel a closure, vnder so litel an
1610 [hep], $at $ouh $er were suiche foureteene, in myn hond I
1611 wolde wel holde hem. #is may I nouht wel suffre, ne reso%un
1612 may not weel preeve it, ne is it not riht gret wunder $ouh
1613 Nat%u%re merveile hire. But $ouh ye hadden so michel doon,
1614 and $at ye mihte haue doon it $at $e dwellinge wer%e as gret
1615 as $e feedinge is gret, o$%e%r elles $at $e feedinge were as
1616 litel as $e hous is litel, wel inouh I wolde suffre it, and
1617 Natur%e wolde it wel. On $at oo$%e%r side, it were youre
1618 wurshipe $at withoute desceyte men wisten how gret $e
1619 feedinge were withoute goinge divinynge. And yit more me
1620 misliketh (and Nat%u%re halt hire not stille) $at ye haue
1621 preeued my maxime fals and repreeved. For certeyn I herde
1622 neu%e%re speke ne in my lyve sih $at [an] al, whatsoeu%e%re it
1623 were, ne were grettere $an a part $erof. But ye witen wel
1624 $at ye haue mad $e partye as gret as $e al, which is a gret
1625 mistakinge ayens me and ayens Nature. #is is $%a%t I am come
1626 hid%e%r fore, and wh%e%rfore I was sent hid%e%r. Now looketh what
1627 answer%e she shal haue $%a%t hath sent me.' [f.33v]
1628     Whan Aristotle hadde spoken, Sapience aresoned him:
1629 'Freend,' q%u%od she, '$at cleymest me freend for $at $%o%u
1630 louest me (and $%e%rinne $ou hast nothing lost, for $erbi
1631 is al good bifalle $ee): wel $%o%u shuldest avise $ee if $ow
1632 woldest, and bithinke $ee $at tweyne scooles I heeld sumtime,
1633 in whiche $ee and Nature I tauhte. For Grace Dieu wolde it,
1634 and hadde ordeyned me $%e%rtoo, to teche in $at oon to werche
1635 diu%e%rse artes and excersise,  to make wunderful thinges, and
1636 subtile and gracious. And in $ilke was first Dame Nature
1637 my scoleer. #ere I tauhte hire and lerned hir%e noble craftes
1638 and riht subtile, as to make floures -- lilyes, gaye roses and
1639 violettes -- and oo$%e%re graciouse craftes wherof to seye it is
1640 no neede.    In $at oo$er scoole,  [$ee] I tauhte [$e]
1641 vnderstondinge and enfoormed $ee to argue* and to dispute and
1642 to juge and discerne bitwixe $e goode and $e wikkede, and
1643 to make cano%un and lawe: for $%e%rfore was $ilke scoole
1644 ordeyned. And $ere was my wise douht%e%r, Science, $at is so
1645 subtile, whiche heeld $ere $e p%a%rlementes and foormed $ere $e
1646 argumentes: for $e loue of whom $%o%u come and were in $e
1647 scooles - and so michel $ow didest, what up what do%un, $at to
1648 mariage $ow haddest hire. In $ilke scoole I tauhte [$ee], and
1649 $ere $ou wer%e my p%r%entys, and $ere weren shewed $ee alle $e
1650 secrees of Nature, for al $at eu%e%re I tauhte to Nature,
1651 riht soone after I told it to $ee, nouht $at $%o%u shuldest
1652 mown make anything $erof, but $%a%t $%o%u shuldest wel kunne
1653 juge. Swich wurshipe and swich curteysye shewed wel $at I
1654 was freend to $ee. [f.34r] And whan $ow and Nature [$anne]
1655 hauen ben vnder my cure, $at han lerned in my scooles
1656 bo$e faire dedes and faire woordes, $ouh ye seyen me now
1657 erre, yit ye shulden forbere me. Ye shulden haue in mynde
1658 of $e champyo%un $at hadde tauht his ku%nnynge to a poore
1659 man, and hadde nothing take of his. For whan $ei weren in $e
1660 $e feeld at $e requeste of tweyne dukes $at wolden defende
1661 bi hem eche of hem her%e owen, for which $ei hadden gret
1662 stryf,  $e maist%e%r, which was [yit] wisere $an $e prentys,
1663 bigan to speke to his prentys and aresone him.   "What is
1664 $is,"  q%u%od he,  "come ye tweyne ayens me $at am aloone?
1665 #is was neu%e%re of gret wur$inesse ne of wur$i corage."
1666 And $a%nne whan $ilke lookede bihynde him, who was $ere, $e
1667 maist%e%r yaf him swich a strook $at ded to $e eer$e he sente
1668 him. "Yit haue I nouht", q%u%od he, "tauht al my wyt to my
1669 prentys. It is euele bifalle $ee today, whan $ow come ayens
1670 me." So I sey $ee: so God save $ee, weenest $ow $at I haue
1671 tauht $ee now al my wit and al myn art, and $at al myn I haue
1672 yiven $ee, w%i%t%houte withholdinge anything? Euele $ow woldest
1673 awur$e with me if I hadde nothing to defende me with bi sum
1674 wey: for doinge to me vyleynye $ow arguest me of sophistrie,
1675 of fraude and of gile, bi defaute of discrecio%un. Now sey me:
1676 if I were a m%e%rcere, and shewed $ee a purs $e which I wolde
1677 yive $ee, and seyde $ee "Loo $is I haue yiven $ee, bere it
1678 with $ee, for it is bi my wille," if it so were $at $ow bere
1679 it foorth and sithe $ou fo%unde $erinne [f.34v] foure
1680 floreynes or fyve or sixe, shulde it seeme $ee $at I hadde
1681 anything disceyued $ee, or $at I were $%e%rfore a sophistre?'
1682 'Serteyn,' q%u%od Aristotle, 'nay. But me shulde thinke suich
1683 a yifte ful of gret fredom and of wurship and of gret
1684 curteysye.'
1685     'Serteyn,' q%u%od she, 'so it is of $e bred $at I haue
1686 maad so subtile: for withoute I haue not shewed $e grete
1687 tresore $at I haue put withinne, but I haue riht p%r%iuely
1688 hid it for to enrichesse with $e poore folk. For if it were
1689 shewed withoute, $er shulde noon dore resceyue it. Charite
1690 ordeyned it so, $at hath of $e poore gret pitee; and
1691 $%e%rinne is no gile, but dede of mercy. But if withoute I
1692 hadde shewed gret [apparence], and put withinne thing $at
1693 were litel to preyse, or $at hadde not gret quantite, $a%nne
1694 $ow mihtest argue me of gile and blame me. Yit I answere
1695 `$ee/ oo$erweys, for it is no desceyte $ouh I shewe it litel
1696 to $e eye and [it] is gret withinne. And I wole $at so it be
1697 bileeved stidfastliche,  w%i%t%houte makinge [deuynale].   But
1698 if I wolde not $is,  or if I dide it oo$erweys,  $a%nne
1699 p%e%rauenture $ow mihtest argue me of mystakynge. Now sey me
1700 yit I prey $ee ($at arguest me of my doinges, $at seist it
1701 is not reso%un $at $e vessel or $e hous be lasse $an $at $%a%t
1702 is withinne): seye $ou neu%e%re ney$%e%r inne ne oute $e
1703 quantitee of $e herte of man?' 'Serteyn,' q%u%od he, 'in
1704 sooth I haue wel seyn it treweliche.' 'Now sey me', q%u%od
1705 she, 'bi $in oth: how gret it is to $i seemynge?' 'Serteyn,'
1706 q%u%od he, 'a kyte a litel enfamined shulde skarsliche be ful
1707 sauled $erwith, for litel it is and nouht gret.' 'Yit', q%u%od
1708 she, 'I aske [f.35r] $ee if $%o%u wite ouht with how michel
1709 his desire may be fulfilled, and with how michel it mihte
1710 be ful esed and sauled, or what thing [shulde] suffice it?'
1711 'Serteyn,' q%u%od he, 'fulfille it and saule it and sta%unche
1712 it mihte not al $e world, $ouh al at his wille he hadde it.'
1713 'Now needeth it $a%nne,' q%u%od Sapience, '$at [fillinge] to
1714 [suffisance] $ow fynde it, o$%e%r $at false{d} [be] $i co%mmune
1715 auctoritee $at is wide spred, bi whiche $ow hast preeued and
1716 seyd $at in $e world $er is nothing voyd, for of sumthing it
1717 shal be filled o$er it shal be empty.' '#erof', q%u%od he, 'I
1718 wole sey my seyinge, for I haue wend, and yit weene, $at oo
1719 god $at is sov%e%reyn shulde make it al ful.' 'Soothliche,'
1720 q%u%od she, '$ow seyst wel, and of nothing mistakest $ee $erof,
1721 but it needeth $at $ilke god be grettere $an $e world is gret,
1722 and so enclosed in $e world it may not be $at it ne shulde
1723 ou%e%rflowe it.' 'Serteyn', q%u%od he, 'I may not to $%a%t of
1724 nothing wel withseye.' 'And how shulde it', q%u%od she, 'be
1725 put in an herte $at is so litel? #a%nne muste $e hows bi
1726 reso%un be lasse $an $e good $at is put $%e%rinne, and so shal
1727 $i seyinges be false. Yit I wole shewe $ee $is apertliche
1728 al oo$%e%rweys: Grece and Athenes $ow hast seyn, and many
1729 tymes ben $ere. Now sey me sooth if it be in $i mynde,
1730 how michel $at oon is from $at oo$er,* and if $%e%r been
1731 manye studya%untes, and how grete $e citees ben?' 'Serteyn,'
1732 q%u%od he, 'I mynde me wel $at $ei ben grete, and $at $er
1733 comen ynowe of studia%untes $ider, and of scoleeres and of
1734 folk of diu%e%rse craftes.' 'Now sey me', q%u%od she, 'where
1735 hast $ow put alle $ese gretnesses $at $ou seist [me]?' 'In my
1736 memorie I haue [f.35v] [put] hem:' q%u%od he, 'certeyn I wot
1737 it riht wel.' 'Oo,' q%u%od Sapience, 'and shalt $ou $%e%rfore
1738 conclude me, if memorye be in $in hed, $at in lasse place
1739 $an is $in hed $ou hast enclosed tweyne grete citees with
1740 alle here studia%untes? In $e appel of myn eye I wole shewe
1741 $ee $is also: biholde it how it is litel, and algates $er
1742 enhabiteth $erinne holliche al $i visage, as $ow miht see
1743 apertliche. Also looke in a miro%u%r, $%o%u shalt se $i visage
1744 and his shap. And if $ow wolt do oo$%e%rweys, for to assoile
1745 better $ine argumentes ($at seist I haue falsed and repreved
1746 $i [maxime], in as michel as eche partye `$%a%t/ may be
1747 broken of $e bred I make as gret as al) make $at al $e
1748 miro%u%r be tobroken in diu%e%rse partyes, and if [$i] biholdinge
1749 be to eche of hem, $er shal not be $ilke in which $ow ne
1750 shalt see $i visage al apertliche, and apperceyue as wel
1751 and as holliche as $ou didest first in $e miro%u%r whan it was
1752 hool, wherinne $er was but oon visage.' 'Now, lady $at hauen
1753 $e engyn so subtil,' q%u%od he, 'vnderstonde ye $at localliche,
1754 virtualliche or oo$erwise [$at] alle $ese thinges ben put in $e
1755 places ye haue seyd and enclosed? For $erafter I wolde
1756 answere, or $erafter I wolde holde me stille.' 'Serteyn,'
1757 q%u%od she, 'localliche I vnderstonde not, but oo$erweys:
1758 vertualliche I vnd%e%rstonde su%mme, and ymaginatyfliche
1759 su%mme, and rep%r%esentatyfliche su%mme of $e thinges I vnderstond,
1760 and it thurt not recche to wite of $is anoon, for I haue
1761 taken $ee ensa%umples onliche for avisement, for to make $ee
1762 soone vnd%e%r[f.36r]stonde and soone [to] teche $ee and lerne $ee
1763 how vnd%e%r litel figure is hid $e grete feedinge. For as in
1764 diu%e%rse wises in $e litel places $ese thinges ben put, riht
1765 so withinne $is bred al $e souereyn good is put, soothliche
1766 nouht ymaginatyfliche, nouht [representatyfliche], nouht
1767 vertualliche withoute more, but it is put $erinne and
1768 contened bodiliche and rialliche, presentliche and v%e%rreyliche
1769 withoute any similacio%un, and withoute oo$er decepc%io%un.
1770     The cause why it is put $ere, in partye it is told
1771 tofore: for $e herte is litel, $e bred as litel is maad
1772 also; and for his grete capacitee, $e good souereyn I haue
1773 put withinne: $e litele to $e litele, $e grete to $e grete I
1774 haue euene maad as answeringe. For after $at $e herte is,
1775 right soo $e feedinge is maad. If it be litel, litel bred it
1776 hath; if it wole ynowh, it shal fynde withinne $at $%a%t may
1777 saule it and fille it and suffice it, and $%e%rinne is no
1778 mistakinge, $ouh $e hous for suich cause is michel smallere
1779 and lasse $an $e good $at enhabiteth $erinne. And suppose
1780 $at to $i seemynge I hadde maad thing missittynge and $at
1781 $ou were not wel apayed of $at $ou hast herd me [seyn]: yit
1782 I sey $ee $at if I ne [wole], I shulde not answer%e to $ee,
1783 for if I cowde not make or sumtime dide [su%mmething]
1784 more notable and wunderful $an oo$%e%re, for nouht shulde
1785 I be maistresse and techer%e of oo$%e%re. So $%a%t see heere
1786 myn answere; if $ow wolt, shewe it ayen to Nat%u%re,
1787 cha%umberer%e to Grace Dieu and my scoleer, for for hire I
1788 wole nothing leue to do of $at $at I wolde do: for Charitee
1789 I wole alwey do [f.36v] and plese hire $at $at I can. She
1790 shal nothing ku%nne diuise me $%a%t I ne wole do it withoute
1791 abidinge.'
1792     Aristotle, whan he herde $is, al dedliche he answerde
1793 hire: 'Serteynly I apperceyue weel $at of yow shal I
1794 nothing winne. It is michel bett%e%r for me go my wey $an
1795 more argue [ayens] yow. I go. Dooth whateu%e%re ye wole: good
1796 leeue ye haue.' Thus $ilke wente and tolde ayen to Nat%u%re
1797 $e wit he hadde fo%unde in hire, for whiche he was dep%a%rted.
1798 Nat%ure $a%nne suffrede it: she mihte no more; and $%a%t hevyede
1799 hire."
1800     Whan Grace hadde $us told me $is faire tale of hire
1801 goodnesse, I hadde gret wille and gret hunger to haue of
1802 $ilke bred to ete. "Lady," q%u%od I, "with herte I pray yow
1803 $at of $is releef of Moyses ye wole make yive me for to ese
1804 with myn empty herte: longe it hath be empty ne it was
1805 neu%e%re sauled, for it wiste neu%e%re yit of whatt men shulden
1806 fille it." "Serteyn," q%u%od she, "$i requeste I holde not
1807 dishoneste. Michel is $is bred necessarie to $ee to $e viage
1808 $ou hast to doone: for bifore $ou mowe come to $e place $er
1809 $%o%u hast $i desire, bi ful wikkede pases $%o%u shalt go, and
1810 wikkede herberwes $ou shalt fynde, so $at ofte $ou shalt haue
1811 misese if $ou bere not $is bred. And my leeue $ou hast to
1812 take it whan $%o%u wolt. But alweys it is riht (as I fynde
1813 in my lawes) $at $ou haue first $at $at $ow hast asked
1814 bifore: $at is $e sc%r%ippe and $e burdo%un of $e whiche I
1815 seide $ee $at in myn hous I wolde purueye $ee of hem al
1816 bitymes, $at shulde be [f.37r] whan I hadde shewed $ee $e
1817 faire thinges of withinne, whiche alle folk seen nouht.
1818 Now I haue in p%a%rtye shewed $ee $e thinges and opned hem to
1819 $ee, I am redi to holde $ee [$i] couena%untes. Withoute
1820 failinge, $e sc%r%ippe and $e burdo%un $%o%u shalt haue alle $e
1821 tymes $at $ow wolt: and sithe if $ou wolt $ou miht putte of
1822 $e bred in $i scrippe, and after as good pilgrym sette $ee
1823 to $i wey." "Lady," q%u%od I, "miche gra%unt m%e%rcy: $at is my
1824 wish and my desire. Dooth me soone to haue it, for I haue
1825 gret lust to stire me. Me thinketh riht longe $at I ne
1826 were forthward and set in $e wey: for it is fer $ilke citee
1827 to whiche I am exited to goon."
1828     And $a%nne into a place $at she hadde where $er weren
1829 many faire iewelles she ledde me withoute dwellinge, and
1830 of an hucche whiche she vndide, rawhte $e scrippe and
1831 $e burdo%un. Neu%e%re I trowe man ne wo%mman so fair a scrippe
1832 [bar] ne burdo%un lenede to, in whiche he mihte bett%e%re assure
1833 him, and in a wikkede pas triste. #e fairnesse and $e
1834 goodnesse of hem bisiliche I lokede: wherof I wole not
1835 holde my pees, $at sumwhat $erof I ne wole seye. #e scrippe
1836 was of greene selk, and heeng bi a greene tissu. Lysted it
1837 was wel queynteliche with xii belles of siluer. Whosoeu%e%re
1838 forged hem, a good maister he was, for eche of hem was
1839 enameled, and in eche enamelur%e $er was p%r%opre scripture,
1840 $e whiche right as I sigh it at eye I wole telle yow. [f.37v]
1841 In $e firste $er was writen &God $e Fader& as me thouhte, &$e&
1842 &heuene and $e eer$e made of nouht, and sithe foormede man&;
1843 in $e sec%unde &God $e Sone&; in $e thridde &God $e Holi Gost&.  But
1844 $ese thre thinges weren to me [michel] wunderful and [gretliche
1845 dredinge], for of so nyh $ei ioyneden togideres $at $ei seemeden
1846 [alle be] oon; and specialliche $is I sey:  $at [in $e thre I
1847 sigh $at] $er was but oonliche oon claper $at to alle $e thre
1848 servede. In $e feer$e belle writen $er was  &Goddes Sone Ih%e%su&
1849 &Cryst from heuene into eer$e descendede,  bi $e Holy Gost&
1850 &conseyued, mad man, and of a mayden born&;   in $e fyfthe  &He was&
1851 &tormented for sinneres and on $e crosse doon,& [&nature&]* &ded&
1852 &and buryed&; in $e sixte &descended do%un into helle for to&
1853 &caste out alle hise freendes and lede hem into Paradys&; in
1854 $e seven$e &sussited&; in $e eyht$e &steyn into heuene and&
1855 &on $e riht half of his fader sett, for to iuge $e quike and&
1856 &$e dede&. In $e nynthe was set &$e holi C%r%istene Cherche&
1857 &w%i%t%h $e holi sacramentes $%a%t ben solempnysed $erinne&; in
1858 $e ten$e &$e oonhede and $e co%mmunio%un of $e seyntes, and&
1859 &$e indulgence of sinne bi c%r%istenynge and pena%unce&; in $e
1860 eleven$e &risinge of alle $e dede $at shulen come to $e&
1861 &iugeme%nt in bodi and in soule, and $ere shulen heere here&
1862 &sentence&; in $e twelfthe &guerdo%un of alle goode dedes, and&
1863 &punyshinge of hem $at $e yuel dedes haue doon and nouht&
1864 &repented hem&. #is is of $e belles $e scripture $at writen
1865 is in $e enamelure, bi which (if ye wole) $e bewtee of $e
1866 scrippe seen ye mowen.
1867     Now I wole telle yow also of $e burdo%un $%a%t was of
1868 anoo$%e%r facio%un. It was liht and strong and euene, [f.38r]
1869 and was maad of tre of Sethim $at in no time mai rote, ne
1870 p%e%rishe for cause of fyr. On $e ende an hy was a pomelle
1871 of a ro%und miro%u%r, shynynge and fair, in whiche cleerliche
1872 men mihten see al $e cuntre $at was fer. #er was no regio%un
1873 so fer $at $erinne men ne mihten seen it, and $er%e I sygh
1874 $ilke citee to whiche I was exited to gon: riht as I hadde
1875 seyn it and ap%e%rseyued it bifore in $e miro%u%r, also in $e
1876 pomelle I syh it, wherof I was fayn. #e bett%e%r I louede
1877 $e bordo%un in sooth, and $e more I preysede his facio%un.
1878 A litel bine$e, anoo$er pomel $er was (a litel lasse $an
1879 $%a%t oo$%e%r) $%a%t was maad riht queynteliche of a charbuncle
1880 glistringe. Who $%a%t eu%e%re it made and cu%mpasede, and $%a%t
1881 to $e burdo%un ioyned it, he was not of $is lond: in
1882 anoo$%e%r place he muste be souht. Ryht wel it was sittinge
1883 to $e burdo%un, and ryht auena%unt. Nothing $er mislikede
1884 me in it but $%a%t it was not yrened; but afterward, she
1885 $at shewed it me appesed me wel.
1886     Whan $ese iewelles weren drawen out, $a%nne seide me
1887 Grace Dieu: "See heer%e $e scrippe and $e burdo%un $at I
1888 haue bihyght $ee: I make $ee yifte of hem. In $i viage
1889 $%o%u shalt haue neede of hem. Keep hem wel, and so $%o%u shalt
1890 be wys. #e scryppe Foy is cleped, withoute which $ow
1891 shalt neu%e%re do jurney $%a%t ouht shal availe: for $i bred
1892 and $i vitaile $ow shuldest in alle times haue $erinne,
1893 and if $ow wolt wite $is bi oo$er seyinge $an by myn, Seynt
1894 Poule shal wel enfoorme $ee, $at telleth $at it is writen
1895 $at $e iuste liveth bi his scrippe ($at is to seyn, whoso
1896 wel vnderstonde, $at he liueth of $e good $at he taketh
1897 $erinne). #is scrippe is of greene colo%u%r, for [f.38v]
1898 riht as greenesse co%umforteth $e eye and $e sight, riht so
1899 I sey $ee $at sharp feith maketh sighte of vnd%e%rstondinge:
1900 ne neu%e%re shal $e soule p%e%rfytliche see, if $is greenesse
1901 ne lene him miht and strengthe. And $%e%rfore she shal neede
1902 $ee for to redye $ee in $i wey." "Lady," q%u%od I, "seyth me
1903 for $e loue of God, of $ese belles so litele, why $ei ben
1904 $us [atached] and stiked in $e skrippe: of $e thre also $at
1905 han but oon claper, whiche to hem is co%mmune." "Serteyn,"
1906 q%u%od she", in $e time bifore ($at was in $e time $at I
1907 made $e scrippe) it sufficed al sympilliche to leeue in
1908 God p%e%rfyteliche: and $a%nne was $e scrippe w%i%t%houte ringeres
1909 and withoute belles. But I telle $ee $at many erro%u%res
1910 sourdeden sithe, and many harmes. Eche wolde leeue in God
1911 as him likede: oon leeued in oo wise, anoo$%e%r in anoo$%e%r
1912 wise, at his devys, as $%o%u shuldest wel wite if $ow haddest
1913 seyn here erro%u%res. And so was $is scrippe elded and
1914 defouled; but for to recou%e%re $e bewte, and for to do awey
1915 alle erro%u%res, and for oon bileeue shulde be to alle, and
1916 withoute desceite, $e twelve Apostles setten $eron $ese
1917 twelve belles $at $er ben, and in eche of hem p%r%opir
1918 writinge $at p%r%opirliche techeth and seith in what man%e%re
1919 and how men shulden [leeue] in God stedefastliche. #ese
1920 twelve belles heere maken $e twelve articles of $e feith,
1921 $at ben $e which $ow shuldest stedefastliche bileeue
1922 and haue in $i memorie. Ofte $ei shulde awake $ee and ringe
1923 at $in ere; for nouht be $ei not maad belles ne ringeres:
1924 for if $ow were to slowh o$%e%r leftest to looke $e writinge,
1925 at $e leste with ringinge of su%mme of hem $%o%u mihtest
1926 remembre $ee. On $at oo$%e%r side [f.39r] Seint Poul seith
1927 and to $e Romayns he hath writen, $%a%t bi heeringe swich
1928 ringinge men haven $e feith p%e%rfytliche so $at he putte
1929 not $e ringinge in $e scrippe: but it exiteth $e memorie
1930 in what manere men shulden bileeue. Nouht $at [$is] sufficeth
1931 onliche to bileeue stidefastliche, for $er ben mo oo$%e%r
1932 thinges $at ben to bileeue stidfastliche, as of $e wyn and
1933 bred $at ben remeeved into flesh and blood; of God also in
1934 Trinite, thre p%e%rsones in oonhede, wherof $ou hast seyn $e
1935 ensa%umple in $e belles of whiche $ow askedest. For riht as
1936 oo claper serueth to thre belles wel and faire, riht so is
1937 $e Trinite but oo God alone in soothnesse. God alone and
1938 thre it is, and eche of $e thre is God: $at $ow shuldest
1939 bileeue stidefastliche, and many oo$ere of ringinges of
1940 whiche as at $is time I wole holde me stille, and for to
1941 lasse ennuye leue it: for of $e twelve alle $ei hangen, whoso
1942 wel at here rihtes al wel vnderstant."*
1943     Ryght as Grace Dieu spak and diuisede of $ese belles
1944 I, $at biheeld $e scrippe and alwey hadde myn eye $eron,
1945 sygh dropes of blood sowen and dropped $eron, whiche thing
1946 michel displesede me and meevede al my corage [of] $at I
1947 hadde not seyn it bifore, [and $%a%t] I hadde seyn and apperceyued
1948 $e scrippe. "Lady," q%u%od I, "newe I am disco%umforted euele.
1949 I se blood shed on $e scrippe, $at neu%e%re er I apperceyuede.
1950 Ey$er apeseth me of $ilke blood or elles taketh me anoo$%e%r
1951 scrippe." "Haa," q%u%od she, "disco%umforte $e shuldest $ou
1952 nouht, but co%umforte $ee: for whan $ow wost $e cause, $ou
1953 shalt loue $e scrippe $e bettere. #er was sum[f.39v]time
1954 a pilgrym $at highte Steuene, $at in yow$e bar $e scrippe
1955 in alle places $er he wente. But he was aspyed with
1956 theeves for $e scrippe $at was fair: michel $ei peyneden
1957 [hem] to bineme it him, and michel peyne $ei diden him.
1958 But he defended him so wel $at he wolde for nothing men
1959 shulden bineme him suich a scrippe, but leeuere he hadde
1960 men sloowen him. Algates $ei sloowen him and mordred him
1961 and stoned him, and of his blood was $us $is scrippe
1962 bidropped and aproved. But $at time it was fairere for
1963 $e blood $at was al neewe, for colo%u%r $at is red upon
1964 greene cha%umpe it is wel fair: and $at apperede openliche,
1965 for aft%e%r his bleedinge it was boren more $an bifore, michel
1966 more, and more desired. Many folk comen aft%e%r, and so
1967 michel diden $at $ei hadden it, and afterward for to defende
1968 [it] and keepe it $ei suffreden to dismembre hem, and
1969 suffreden peynes and tormentes to $e deth. Whoso wolde
1970 nombre $e martyres $at for it suffreden deth, $%e%r is nei$%e%r
1971 tu%nge coude [seyn] it ne herte thinke it ne hond write it,
1972 so $at $ouh $ilke scrippe were bidropped with $ilke blood
1973 and preeued, it is [not] thing $at is to wundre upon, but
1974 it is thing michel [to preyse for $er is non so litel drope
1975 $erof $at nis michel] more woorth $an a margerye, and
1976 more p%r%eciows.  And I sey $ee wel $at if $e dropes weren
1977 neewe $ow woldest holde hem riht faire.  But it is long
1978 time gon $%a%t no wiht bledde of his blood $eron: $e
1979 bleederes ben passed and alle agoon. But $%e%rfore ben $e
1980 dropes of blood $at ben elded neu%e%re $e lasse worth.  Of
1981 $e bewte recche $ee neu%e%re whan $%o%u hast thing $at is as
1982 michel worth; so $at $e scrippe $us dropped w%i%t%h $is blood
1983 [f.4Or] and so preeved I take $ee in ensa%umple, to $at
1984 ende I sey it $at if men wolden withdrawe it $ee o$er
1985 bineme it $ee, ra$%e%re $ow shuldest suffre to hewe $ee
1986 and sle $ee $an suffre to bineme it $ee. Now take it
1987 $a%nne anoon, for it is sittinge to $ee." "Ladi," q%u%od I,
1988 "wel it sufficeth me of $is blood which ye haue seyd me,
1989 but me thinketh riht hevy $at ye take me $is scrippe
1990 bi couena%unt, for I wot neu%e%re how I shal heerafter vse
1991 it. Algates she liketh me, and nothing misliketh me
1992 $%e%rinne, so I wole take it withoute taryinge, sithe I haue
1993 gra%unt of yow." And $a%nne withoute lettinge I took it,
1994 and abowte me anoon I dide it, and Grace Dieu halp me $at
1995 arayed it me at hise rightes.   Wel glad was I whan I seyh
1996 it aboute me and felte it, for longe bifore it was $%a%t I
1997 hadde desired it michel and asked it.
1998     Now I wole telle yow ayen of $e burdo%un of which
1999 Grace Dieu made me sermo%un.  "After", q%u%od she, "$at I
2000 haue seyd $ee of $e scrippe whiche gladeth $ee wel, I
2001 wole also telle $ee of $e burdo%un at $e shorteste $%a%t
2002 I may.   #e burdo%un hatteth Espera%unce,  whiche is good
2003 in eche seso%un:  for $ilke $at leneth `hi%m/ sikerliche
2004 $erto may not falle. #e wode of sechim of which it is
2005 maad sheweth ful wel which it is. To it $%o%u shuldest
2006 lene $ee in alle euel paas wher $%o%u shalt go. In wikkede
2007 paas holde it riht euene, and looke wel on $e pomelles,
2008 for $e pomelles shulen holde $ee up and nouht suffre
2009 $ee to falle. The hye pomel is Ih%e%su C%r%ist $at is as $e
2010 lett%e%re seith a miro%u%r $at is withoute spot, in [f.4Ov]
2011 whiche eche wyght may see his visage: in whiche al $e
2012 world may mire him wel and consid%e%re him, for al $e world
2013 $erinne mired is nouht as greet as aas in a dee. In thilke
2014 pomel $%o%u shuldest mire $ee and ofte looke $erinne. Lene
2015 $ee $erto, and strongliche clyue to $e poyntes, for whan
2016 withinne $%o%u seest wel, $%o%u shalt neu%e%re haue discomfort of
2017 nothi%ng, and as longe as $ou lenest $ee $erto $ow shalt
2018 neu%e%re falle in wikkede paas. Now think heeron if $%o%u be
2019 wys, and $e bett%e%re $ow shalt do $i viage. That oo$er pomel
2020 is $ilke of whom he was born, $at is $e Virgine Marie
2021 mooder $at co%nseyuede and bar hire fader; $at is $e
2022 charbuncle glist%e%ringe $at enlumineth $e niht of $e world,
2023 bi $e which ben brouht ayen to wey alle $%a%t ben distracte
2024 and forveied, bi $e which beth enlumined alle $ilke $%a%t
2025 beth in derknesse, bi $e which beth reised $e fallen do%un
2026 and $e ou%e%rthrowen. And $%e%rfore she hath be graffed bi
2027 subtile art, and ioyned to $is burdo%un $at is so fair,
2028 to $at ende $at she be oo pomel, for first $%e%r was but
2029 oon allone whiche sufficed not: eche miht not come $erbi
2030 $erto ne holde it;    but bi $is,  men comen and lenen
2031 $erto anoon, so $at $is is necessarie to eche wight $at
2032 is pilgrym. #erfore I rede $at $%o%u lene $ee $erto and
2033 triste in alle times, for bi it $ow shalt be meyntened
2034 and susteyned in alle wikkede paas, and bi it $%o%u shalt
2035 mown come to $at oo$%e%r $at is hyere, so $at whan $ou art
2036 lened and afficched to twey pomelles, wel I telle $ee
2037 $at sureliche and sadliche $%o%u miht go, and $%e%rfore in $e
2038 burdo%un $%o%u miht wel triste $ee and assure [f.4lr] $ee,
2039 for $e pomelles $at ben set $eron shulen susteyne $ee in
2040 alle euele paas. #is is a good burdo%un. Keep it wel. I
2041 haue yive it $ee so $at $yn it is." Thanne in $e hond
2042 she put it me wherwith to myn herte she dide gret ioye,
2043 for wel I seyh $at [redy I was] in al to putte me to my weye.
2044     But algates it mislikede me of $e burdo%un $at it was not
2045 yrened. "Lady," q%u%od I to Grace Dieu, "I may not holde
2046 me, bi God, $at I ne sey yow my thouht of $ilke burdo%un $at
2047 is not yrened. It misliketh me michel, witeth it wel: for
2048 alle oo$%e%re I see yrened, $%e%rfore if ye wole, seith me whi
2049 suich ye haue take it me." "Haa," q%u%od she, "what $%o%u
2050 art a fool! It needeth $ee not a belle at $i nekke! Haue
2051 I not right now seyd $ee (if $ow woldest a litel remembre
2052 $ee) $at to $e eende aboue $ou shuldest triste $ee, and
2053 lene $ee to $e pomelles, for $e pomelles shulen holde
2054 $ee up and not suffre $ee falle? #e eende bine$e dooth $ee
2055 nothing, and nouht for $a%nne wel $ou wost $at a burdo%un yrened
2056 weyeth more $an $ilke $at is vnyrened. Vnyrened I took it
2057 $ee for to my weenynge $%o%u shuldest bere it $e bett%e%re.
2058 And on $at oo$%e%r side, yrened burdo%un stiketh deppere in
2059 $e fen and in $e dunge $an $ilke $%a%t hath noon yren: and
2060 $e deppere it stiketh, $e more is $ilke empeched $at bereth
2061 it ov%e%r $ilke $at bereth it vnyrened; {and} $%e%rfore I   haue
2062 take it $ee suich, for I wol not $at $%o%u be empeched,
2063 nei$%e%r in forwh ne in mire, ne $at $%o%u haue noon encombra%unce."
2064 "Haa lady," q%u%od I, "yit oo woord.  Me thinketh I am not a
2065 fool: nouht for $at $at ye haue seyd, but [f.4lv] for $at
2066 of which ye speken nouht. If ho%undes assaile me o$%e%r theeves,
2067 and my burdo%un be not yrened, trowe ye $ei wole drede it so
2068 michel as if it were yrened bifore? And for $at cause onlich
2069 I [speke] $is, and noon oo$%e%rweys." "#erto", q%u%od she, "I
2070 make $ee answere, for burdo%un is not to smite with ne to
2071 fyghte with, but withoute more to lene [$ee] to. And if $%o%u seye
2072 $%o%u wolt withoute more defende $ee, armures with which $%o%u
2073 shalt wel defende $ee withoute offence, and with whiche $ou
2074 shalt wel disco%umfyte $in enemys riht anoon I wole take $ee:
2075 for I wot wel wher%e I shal fynde hem." "Haa lady," q%u%od I,
2076 "bi swich condicio%un $e burdoun liketh me wel, wherfore I
2077 pray yow $at ye fecche $ese armures and taketh hem me."
2078     And $a%nne Grace Dieu entrede into hire curtyne, and
2079 clepede me: "Now bihold", q%u%od she, "an hy to $ilke p%e%rche.
2080 I muste go to fecche armure to go fer with.* Ynowh $ow seest
2081 to arme $ee with: $er beth helmes and haub%e%rgo%uns, gorgeres
2082 and jakkes, taarges and al $at needeth to $ilke $at wole
2083 defende him. Now take $ere $at $at $%o%u wolt haue, and
2084 arme $ee: $ow hast leeue." Whan I syh $ese faire armures,
2085 michel I reioysede me of $e bewtee of hem: but algates I
2086 wiste not wel with which I shulde do me p%r%ofyt best, for I
2087 hadde neuere vsed armes, ne I hadde nouht ben armed.
2088 "Lady," q%u%od I, "sheweth me now I pray yow, if ye [f.42r]
2089 wole, whiche armures I shulde take, and how I shulde arme
2090 me: for but if ye helpe to arme me ye hadden do nothing."
2091     And $a%nne she took a doublet of a diu%e%rs facio%un; I sigh
2092 neu%e%re noon swich, ne neu%e%re herde speke of noon swich,
2093 for riht euene bihynde on $e bak was set an anevelte $at
2094 was maad to resseyue strokes of ham%e%res. Of it at $e
2095 firste bigynnynge she made me yifte and present: "Loo
2096 heer%e", q%u%od she, "a doublet, $e beste $at eu%e%re man sigh:
2097 for whoso hadde nei$%e%r handes ne feet, and were [tached] to a
2098 [pile], [but] $at he hadde $at upon him withoute more he
2099 shulde neu%e%re be venquished, but he shulde with gret
2100 wurship be victo%u%r of alle hise enemys. And ou%e%r I sey $ee
2101 (and be not abaasht) whoso hath on $ilke garnement, he
2102 dooth his p%r%ofyt w%i%t%h $at $%a%t oo$%e%re doon here vnprofyt
2103 and her%e harm:    clowdes maken his corn growe,  and
2104 tempestes fylleth hise gerneeres, and pestilence hise
2105 seleeres; of grete hardshipes he hath a softe bed, and of
2106 tormentes his grete delite; hise deyntees he maketh of
2107 pou%e%rte and his solas of adu%e%rsitees; fastinges maken hy%m
2108 fat, and syknesses strengthe; pou%e%rte and tribulacio%un
2109 maken him his recreacio%un. #e more men prikken it $e
2110 hardere it is: and riht as $e doublet is maad w%i%t%h
2111 poynynges (for whi it is cleped a purpoynt) riht so whoso
2112 hath it on, of prikkinges he bicometh armed. Bi prikkynges
2113 it is worth $at $at it is, and withoute prikkinges it is
2114 nothing woorth. If $%o%u wolt wite what it hatteth, Patience
2115 men clepe it, whiche is maad to suffre peynes and to
2116 susteyne [f.42v] grete prikkinges, for to be as [an] anevelte
2117 $at stireth not for $e strok of a fe$er, [for to resseyue]
2118 and [endure] al with good wille,  withoute m%u%rmurynge.
2119 This doublet wered on Ih%e%s%us whan in $e crosse for $ee
2120 he was hanged: vpon him it was rihted and prikked and
2121 mesured aright at his rihtes.   Al he suffrede and al
2122 endurede, and no woord seyde ne sownede: an anevelte he
2123 shewede him and was to alle $e strokes of whiche he was
2124 smite, and $%e%rfore on him was forged and moneyed $i
2125 ra%unso%um. #e wikkede smi$es fo`r/geden him on his bak and
2126 moneyden him; so $at $ou schuldest wel suppose $at whan $e
2127 kyng wolde arme him with $ese armures $ei been goode, and
2128 $%a%t $ei ben not to refuse: wherfore take hem and do hem on,
2129 and so $ou shalt be miche $e rediere to do on $%a%t oo$%e%r
2130 armure $at upon $ese shulden be, for bine$e goth $e dowblet
2131 whoso wole arme him bi reso%un."
2132     And $a%nne I took $e garnement and clo$ed me, I ne wot
2133 how; hevi me thouhte it, and streyt, and to bere it michel
2134 it greeuede me. "Lady," q%u%od I, "youre purpoynt was not a
2135 poynt shape for me: swich mihte I not bere it withoute
2136 greevinge me to michel."    "Serteyn,"  q%u%od she,  "$e
2137 purpoynt were shape for $e ariht if $ow were ariht shape:
2138 but on $ee it holt $at art not rihted ariht after his
2139 riht, for $%o%u art to fat and haste to miche grees vnder
2140 $e wynge and art to boistous, to ryotous and to michel
2141 fed. Swiche thinges maken $ee so gret $at withoute
2142 greva%unce $ow miht not bere $e purpoynt on $i bak, and
2143 $%e%rfore in al $ou muste confoorme $ee to it, not it to
2144 $ee, doynge awey $at $at is to michel [in] $ee: [f.43r]
2145 michel smallere $%o%u moste be if $%o%u wolt be wel clo$ed."
2146 "Lady," q%u%od I, "techeth me now how ye vnd%e%rstonden $is:
2147 to wite soothliche whe$%e%r me neede ouht a carpenter%e to
2148 hewe me, how I mihte be rihted and shape to his riht."
2149 "Serteyn," q%u%od she, "ryotous $%o%u art inowh and envyous.
2150 Wite $ow shuldest $at $e p%u%rpoynt wole rihte $ee if $ow
2151 wolt bere it withoute dispoylinge; $ee needeth noon oo$%e%r
2152 carpenter%e: it shal hewe $ee to his riht, and after it
2153 rihte $ee. [#ouh $ee thinke sore $erof at $is firste tyme,
2154 it nis but for to rihte $ee:] but aft%e%r whan $ou art rihted
2155 it shal be to $ee nei$%e%r greevous ne harmful. If $er be
2156 any $at [missey] $ee, or $at dooth $e vileynye, turne $e
2157 bac towardes him: lawhe in $in herte, and sey no woord. It
2158 shulde nothi%ng recche $ee to haue $e berkynge of howndes:
2159 turne $e anevelte, and lat him smyte al at his wille, for bi
2160 $e strokes he shal yive $ee he shal rihte $ee $e purpoynt.
2161 And also I sey $ee $at $erbi $ow shalt haue $e gryndinge
2162 of corownement:* for bi swich smytinge and forginge and
2163 bi swich knokkinge shal be forged $ee $e corown $at no
2164 man kowde make; $at is $ilke with whiche ben corowned
2165 [$e] martires $at $e p%u%rpoynt loueden, [$at] upon $e
2166 anevelte suffreden to knokke so michel and strokes to
2167 yiven $at bi $e strokes was forged hem and arayed hem
2168 $e coro%un. And $%e%rfore in good feith I rede $ee $at $e
2169 purpoynt withoute lettinge $ow bere, for in oo tyme
2170 $at hastliche shal come it shal neede $ee: $at shal be
2171 whan Tribulac%io%un shal aspye $ee,  and assaile $ee in
2172 feeld,  in wey and in hous,  and shal sende $ee hire
2173 serua%untes $at so grete strokes shulen smyte upon $ee,
2174 and so michel [f.43v] shulen knokken upon $ee $at if
2175 $%o%u haddest not on $e doublet, in gret p%e%rile of deth $ow
2176 shuldest be.    Now do $erof $i pleyn wille,  for of $e
2177 seyinge I do my devoyr." "Ladi," q%u%od I, "michel it
2178 liketh me $at $%a%t ye seyn, ne of nothing I ayensey yow,
2179 but of so michel $at my powere is not so gret, as I trowe,
2180 $at it mowe suffice and susteyne $e doublet: algates
2181 afforce me I wole to bere it as longe as I may. If ye
2182 wole take me more, looketh wherof I haue neede. I wole be
2183 sufficientliche armed $ouh I shulde berste."
2184     Tha%nne she rauhte an haubergeo%un of a fair and
2185 plesa%unt facio%un, and seyde me: "Take $is garneme%nt,
2186 whiche was maad in olde time, for to fighte ayens deth
2187 and ayens alle thilke of his ost: $at is, ayens peynes
2188 and tormentes and alle here dredes. For deth is a beste
2189 so wylde $at whoso seeth it he woodeth: he leeseth purpos
2190 and cuntena%unce, and $e burdo%un of Espera%unce. He is yuele
2191 bitaken and lost $at is not $a%nne clo$ed with $ese armures;
2192 but [who] $at with $ilke haubergeo%un is clo$ed p%r%eyseth it
2193 nouht at a bodde: he gooth suerliche in alle werres to haue
2194 loos and conquere prys. For drede of deth he shulde not
2195 deyne to turne ayen, ne [ne] wolde not. #is garneme%nt forgede
2196 sumtime $e smith of $e hye cuntre, $at forgede $e light and
2197 $e su%nne withoute tonges and w%i%t%houte hamer. In $ilke time
2198 $er was appreeued ne alowed noon oo$%e%r armure: ne yit he
2199 is not wel armed $%a%t $erwith is not armed ne clo$ed. This
2200 haub%e%rgeo%un hatteth Force whiche Ih%e%su C%r%istes champio%uns
2201 wereden in old time, whiche [f.44r] weren so stable in werre
2202 and in to%u%rname%nt, and so stronge, $at $ei setten $e deth
2203 at nouht; and $at was for $e haubergeo%un which was of so
2204 strong a shap $at for `no/ wepene ygro%unden $%e%r was neu%e%re
2205 mayl ybroken: but cause $er was al preeved, whiche shulde
2206 not be heled, for with $e nailes w%i%t%h whiche was nayled $e
2207 sone of $e smith and ryven,  $e mailes were enclowed and
2208 rivetted. #e yren was also tempred in $e blood $at com out
2209 of hise wo%undes, wherfore $e haub%e%rgeo%un was michel $e
2210 strengere and $e more sure.   And alle $ilke $at weren $at
2211 time $erinne clo$ed,  weren so riht strong $at $er was no
2212 mortal werr%e ne [torment], were it neu%e%re so strong ne so
2213 cruelle, $at $ei dredden a straw. And $%e%rfore $ow shalt do it
2214 upon $e p%u%rpoynt if $%o%u leeue me, and se if $%o%u be meete $%e%rtoo."
2215     And $a%nne $e haub%e%rgeo%un I took, and anoon aft%e%r
2216 seide here:   "Lady,  I pray yow $%a%t goodliche er ye
2217 make me don on $is garnement,  $at ye wole shewe me al
2218 $at $at ye wole arme me with, for aft%e%r $at $at I sigh I
2219 wold redye me to be armed." And $a%nne a gorger, an helme,
2220 a targe, a peyre glooves and a swerd she rauhte me withoute
2221 any tarynge, and seyde: "With alle $ese armures it needeth
2222 $%o%u arme $ee at $e leste: and if $%o%u ku%nne defende $e wel
2223 $ei shule suffice $ee ynouh, al be it I wolde take $ee
2224 oo$%e%re if I fo%unde gret miht in $ee; but I wole keepe hem
2225 to oo$%e%re $at I shal fynde strenger%e $an $ee. With $e
2226 helme and with $e gorger for to keepe hool $in hed $ou
2227 shalt first arme $ee, wh%an $ou hast doon on $in haub%e%rgeo%un,
2228 and sithe $e glooves $ou shalt take with which $ou shalt
2229 [f.44v] glooven $in hondes: for if in hem $ou hiddest hem
2230 nouht, $ou were not wel armed. This helme as $ow shuldest
2231 wite is Attemp%era%unce of $e sighte, of $e heeringe and
2232 of $e smellinge: thinges $at mown greeve $ee, for riht as
2233 $e helme keu%e%reth and refreyneth his wittes, and restreyneth,
2234 riht so Attemp%e%ra%unce serueth to keepe `$e/ eye $at it be not
2235 to open and to miche aba%undoned to folye and to vanitees.
2236 For if $e viseer ne were streyt $%e%r mihte entre in swich
2237 arwe $at euene to $e herte it mihte go, and withoute
2238 remedye wo%unde it to $e deth. To heere also m%u%rmurynge,
2239 bakbitinge, fool speches $ilke helme stoppeth so holliche
2240 $at to $e herte ne to $e thouht no dart may misdo, al be
2241 it $at $e wikkede neyhebore can [harde] sheete his arwes
2242 and his springaldes: to $e posternes $ei mown wel casten
2243 but $ei shulen no fre entree haue in. Of $e smellinge
2244 also I sey $ee, for $e helme keuereth it so $at bi his
2245 [ordeyne] smellinge $e h%e%rte is nothing hurt. So $us
2246 for to keepe $ee $is helm is good to arme $ee with, for it
2247 is $ilke $at su%mtime was cleped Helme of Saluacio%un, of
2248 whiche Seint Poul amonesteth $%a%t men don it on h%e%r%e hedes.
2249     Now I wole [sey] $ee of $e gorgeer, which [shulde] keepe
2250 [$e] throte hool. Sobirtee it hatteth in $is cuntre and also
2251 ou%e%r see. It is a party of Atte%mp%e%ra%unce which was maad
2252 for to restreyne Glotonye: for she taketh folk bi $e
2253 throte and ouercometh hem. But $ow shuldest wite $at $is
2254 armure is maad of double mailure for it shulde not be
2255 strong inowh if it ne were so doubled, and $e cause is for
2256 Gloto[f.45r]nye hath double woodshipe: woodshipe of savouringe
2257 and of outrageous spekinge. Bi $e savouringe stiren
2258 $e goomes with which she wolde sle hireself. Bi $e
2259 spekynge maketh $e sleyghtes with which she sleth hire
2260 neighebores, as $ow shalt after wite more pleynlyche
2261 whan $ou shalt seen it, so $at ayens suich a [maisterman] it
2262 is good to haue a gorgeer, for it is a thing wel sure,
2263 al be it litel armure. And $%e%rfore I rede $ee $at goodliche
2264 and bisiliche $ou arme $ee $%e%rwith; of $i mete and of $i
2265 drink be $ou neu%e%remore da%ungerous: what $ou fyndest, take
2266 it gladliche, and of litel hold $e wel apayed. Of spekynge
2267 riht so I sey $ee: keep $i mouth, and missey of no wight, and
2268 in alle times spek to alle folk resonableliche. With $is
2269 gorgeer was su%mtime armed $e abbot of Chalyt $i goode
2270 patro%un Seint William: for $ouh he hadde had but bred
2271 and wat%e%r, as wel he hadde be payed as $ouh he hadde had
2272 oo$%e%re mes ynowe, wh%e%rof $%o%u miht fynde in his lyf $at he
2273 cowde faste wel among grete mes, and also haue thirst. And
2274 $ere $ou miht se also $at of spekinge to alle folk he was
2275 not oonliche himself atempree, but he attemprede also $e
2276 euele-spekeres whan he herde hem: 'Sey,' he wolde seyn, 'to
2277 $ilke $at is in a feeu%e%re whan he trembleth $at he tremble
2278 nouht, and ye shul see how he wole cesse. Riht so' (he
2279 wolde seyn) '$ilke $%a%t ye speken of wolde cesse if he
2280 mihte, wol gladliche.' So $at whan suich a man armede him
2281 with swich a gorgeer, and gorgered him soo, $ou shuldest also
2282 fastne on gladliche $i gorgeere and arme $ee $erwith. [f.45v]
2283     Of $e glooves also I sey $ee,  wherof is good $ou be
2284 mynged: for if on $ine hondes $ou were hurt, with $e remena%unt
2285 $ou shuldest litel doo.   #e hondes, $at shulden be armed
2286 and glooved with $e glooves,  ben touchinges and handlinges
2287 and tastinges: for al be it $at men mown fynde bi al $e bodi
2288 withoute tastinge,   algates it is most wist and knowen
2289 bi $e hondes,  for $ei maken most $e touchinges and $e
2290 tastinges, and $%e%rfore it is more leeued of folk $an oo$%e%re
2291 tastinges ben.   #%e%rfore [is] alle [tastinge] gen%e%ralliche
2292 vnd%e%rstonde bi $e hondes.  #e glooves with whiche $ilke
2293 tastinge and $ilke hondes $ow shuldest arme ben $ese $at
2294 I haue shewed $ee, $at with [armurers be named] $e thridde
2295 part of Atte%mp%e%ra%unce which men clepen Continence: $e which
2296 seyinge in singuler may wel be seid equipolle to a plurell%e,
2297 for of dede and of wille his name shulde be doubled, for $e
2298 dede shulde not suffice if $e wille ne were $erwith. With
2299 oo glooue shulde no wiht be wel glooved ne wel armed, so
2300 to be withoute [ennuye] tweyne needen, for dede and wille
2301 muste bo$e be had: goode $ei ben bo$e $o tweyne togideres,
2302 as me thinketh, and couenable. Swich [continence] $us
2303 doubled is cleped of su%mme gaynpayn, for bi it is wunne
2304 $e bred bi $e whiche is fulfilled $e herte of [man];
2305 and $at was figured heerbifore in $e bred $at Dauid askede:
2306 for Achimelech wolde neu%e%re gra%unte it him ne take it him
2307 bifore $at he wiste he was glooued and armed with gaynpaynes.
2308 #is $ou miht fynde if $ou wult studie in $e Book of Kynges.
2309 #ese [f.46r] glooues hadde sumtyme Seynt Bernard whan $e
2310 wo%mman was leyd bi him in his bed al naked: for howeu%e%re she
2311 tastede him and stired him and exited him, neu%e%re turned he
2312 him towardes hire, ne to hire taste assentede. She fond hise
2313 hondes so armed $at she wende him a man of yren, wherfore
2314 confused she departede, and wente out of his bed withoute
2315 hurtinge him; and $at maden $e gaynpaynes with whiche he
2316 hadde armed hise hondes, and $%e%rfore I rede $ee $at goodliche
2317 $ou arme $ee lich: for $%e%rfore I haue brouht hem $ee hider,
2318 and p%r%esented hem.
2319     Of $e swerd $ou shuldest wite $at bett%e%re armure $ou
2320 miht not haue: for if $%o%u kowdest wel helpe $ee $erwith
2321 and haddest noone oo$%e%re armures, $ow shuldest be more dred
2322 certeyn $an if $%o%u were armed with oo$%e%re armures and haddest
2323 noon, o$er cowdest not helpe $ee $erwith. #is swerd Justice
2324 is cleped: amonges alle $e most chosen and $e beste $at
2325 eu%e%re girde or handelede kyng or erle. Neu%e%re was [Ogiers]
2326 swerd ne Rowlondes ne Olyueeres so v%e%rtuowse ne so mihti,
2327 ne hadden so michel bo%untee. #is is $ilke $at whan time is,
2328 yildeth to eche $at $at is his. #is is a swerd to an
2329 empero%u%r, a regent, a gou%e%rno%u%r, bi whiche alle $ilke of
2330 his hous ben gou%e%rned withoute mistakinge. For in alle
2331 times she manaseth $at $er be noon $at misdo. She keepeth
2332 $e bodi fro rebellinge, and constreyneth $e herte to loue
2333 God. She maketh $e h%e%rte conu%e%rte fro%m fraude, and forsake
2334 baret. #e will, $e affeccio%un, $e vnderstondinge and $e
2335 entente, $e soule and alle hire meyne so arayeth hem and
2336 [f.46v] chastiseth hem* $at $er is noon of hem $at durste
2337 misdoon hire, on peyne of drawinge out of bo$e here eyen;
2338 for anoon withoute abidinge it shulde be corrected with $e
2339 swerd. Ensa%umple $ou hast in Seint [Beneyt] $at with $is
2340 swerd was girt ($e king had girt him $erwith whan he made
2341 him lord of lawes), for whan he sygh $at his body $at was
2342 tempted wolde not obeye to him as good emp%e%rour and as good
2343 gou%e%rno%u%r, with $e swerd he smot it so cruelliche, and
2344 punished it,  $at wel nygh he hadde slayn it:   wherfore
2345 it was neu%e%re aft%e%rward rebelle ne i%nobedient to his
2346 coma%undement. This swerd $%o%u shalt bere and bi it $%o%u
2347 shalt defende $ee from alle $ilke $at I haue seyd $e bifore,
2348 whiche been [$i] p%r%iuee enemyes: for enemy more da%ungerous,
2349 more shrewed ne more p%e%rilous $ow ne miht haue $an [$i]
2350 p%r%iuees and $ilke $at ben nigh $ee. So whan $%o%u feelest
2351 any rebelle and go ayens $i saluacio%un, smite him so harde
2352 $at he be no more so fers ayens $ee. And whan $%o%u seest
2353 any of hem forueyne and ap%e%rceyuest it [and] $%o%u seest $e
2354 herte erre and thinke to any baret, whan $%o%u seest $e
2355 thouht gon out of good wey and ordeynee, whan $%o%u seest $e
2356 wille encline to dede disordeynee, $a%nne lat $e swerd be
2357 shake and put bifore:   bi it lat eche be redressed and
2358 driven ayen i%nto his place. Now do it $us wysliche, for I
2359 passe me shortliche."
2360     "Ladi," q%u%od I, "it were wel sittinge, as me thinketh,
2361 $at sum she$e I hadde of yow wherinne I mighte putte $e
2362 swerd: for I mihte not alwey bere it $us, withoute $at it
2363 greeuede me. On $at oo$%e%r side, Seynt [Beneyt] bar it not
2364 $us naked [f.47r] but he hadde it girt aboute him as $e
2365 king hadde girt it; and $at haue ye wel tauht me, bi which
2366 thing me thinketh $at su%mtime $e swerd hadde a gerdel and a
2367 she$e in whiche she was put. And $at wolde I haue, [but]
2368 $at it were youre wille." "Sertes ful wel $ou seist," q%u%od
2369 she, "and wel me liketh $at ententyf to my woordes $ou hast
2370 ben; and $%e%rfore al at $i wille $e scauberk to $e swerd
2371 $ou shalt haue, and gerdel with which $ou shalt gerde it."
2372 And $a%nne anoon I sigh hire gon toward $e noble perche $at
2373 is toward $e perche on whiche $at oo$%e%re armures weren and
2374 hongen. From $ennes $e scauberk she vnheeng, and brouhte
2375 it, and seyde: "Loo heere $ilke $at Seynt Beneyt putte
2376 in $e swerd and bar it. A good thong $%e%r is for to wel
2377 gerde $ee, and a good bocle for to [streyne] it. Now take
2378 it and keepe it wel, and leese it for nothing. #ilke
2379 scauberk is cleped Humilitee bi his riht name, in whiche
2380 $ow shuldest $i swerd herberwe and $i justnesse hide: for
2381 if any good $ou seest in $iself, and $%a%t $%o%u hast done $at,
2382 and $at, hyde it $ou shuldest in $ilke scauberk which is
2383 maad of dedliche skyn, mynginge $iself and thinkinge, in
2384 alle times biknowinge $at $ou art dedlich and $at of $iself
2385 $ou hast not doon it, but $at it is bi me. Bithinke $ee of
2386 $e publican and $e [pharisien], $at diu%e%rsliche hadden here
2387 swerdes and beren hem: for $ilke $at in $e she$e hadde it,
2388 and bikneewe himself a sinnere, was preysed and hyed; and
2389 $at oo$er for he hadde his swerd vnshe$ed and vnscauberked
2390 was lowed. It is michel more worth oon accuse himself and
2391 biholde his feebelnesse, [f.47v] entende to $e scauberk and
2392 to $e le$%e%r, $an to diskeu%e%re his iustice, [$an] to sey 'Bihold
2393 my swerd which I haue vnshe$ed yow': for so doon $e prowde
2394 folk ful of wynd, and va%untynge folk $at ne seecheen but
2395 veynglorie and $at $er be alwey mynde of hem. #ow shalt
2396 not do so. Ra$%e%r $ou shalt hyde $e swerd in $e she$e, lowinge
2397 $ee and humblinge:  for causes $ou shalt fynde ynowe whan
2398 wel $%o%u hast biholden $iself. And $a%nne whan $ou hast [$us] put
2399 it in and she$ed it, with $e girdel $ou shalt girde $ee
2400 and with it $ine armures $ou shalt [streyne], to $at eende $at
2401 $ou bere hem $e more sureliche and $e fastere; for $ere is
2402 noon, be he neu%e%re so wel armed, but it be fastned aboue
2403 ei$%e%r with girdel or with baudryk $at shulde sey he were
2404 wel armed. So $at $e girdel shal be [to $ee worth] a baudryk
2405 whan it is wel girt aboute $ee and with his bocle wel fastned.
2406     #e girdel hatteth P%e%rseuera%unce, and $e bocle is cleped
2407 Consta%unce, whiche shulden in alle times holden hem togideres
2408 withoute any departynge: for at $e neede and at $e assaut
2409 $at oon withoute $at oo$%e%r is wel litel woorth. #e girdel
2410 for $e grete lengthe holt $e armures in miht. She holt hem
2411 v%e%rtuous, with $e swerd $at she susteyneth. She holt hem
2412 alwey oon, keepinge hem $at $ei ben not doon of for noon
2413 encheso%un in no time ne in no seso%un. #e bocle holt and
2414 keepeth faste $e girdel, $at it vnfastne nouht. Al it holt
2415 i%n estat stedefastliche and keepeth al sureliche, for $at
2416 is $e riht fastnynge and $e surenesse of $e armur%e, so $at
2417 whan $ow askedest $ese thinges it liked me wel, for $er is
2418 nothing $%e%rof $at it ne is covenable to $ee and [f.48r]
2419 riht p%r%ofitable. Now vse hem as $%o%u shuldest, and $%o%u
2420 shalt doo $i wurshipe gretliche." Whan $ese woordes I herde,
2421 I bicom thouhti and abashed, for of $is exposicio%un was litel
2422 myn entencio%un. Scauberk and girdel lasse greevinge I wende
2423 wel haue had withoute fable: and al were it $at I wolde $at
2424 $e purpoynt whiche I hadde on hadde be do%un, alweys I suffrede
2425 at $at time and nothing answerde.
2426     Whan of $e scauberk she hadde $us seid me, she took
2427 hire woordes ayen anoon. "Now I wole sey $ee", q%u%od she, "yit
2428 a woord of $e targe. Withoute targe is no wiht wel ne ariht
2429 armed, ne wel kept, for $e targe defendeth $at oo$er armur%e
2430 from [empeyringe]: bi it been $e oo$%e%re kept $at $ei ben not
2431 atamed. And as longe as it is put bifore, so longe ben $e
2432 oo$%e%re saaf. #is targe hatteth Prudence, whiche $e kyng
2433 Salomon bar sumtime customableche for to do riht and
2434 iugement. #is targe was more woorth to him $an two hundreth
2435 sheeldes and thre hundreth targes of gold $at he putte in
2436 his neewe hous; for bi $is targe he was wurshiped and
2437 preysed in his time, and whan he hadde afterward lost it
2438 al his wurshipe fel: alle hise targes of gold and hise sheeldes
2439 weren neu%e%re woorth to him a red hering, for lost $ei weren.
2440 #is targe targede him as longe as he bar it with him but
2441 soone was he lost whan $e targe was lost, so $at $erbi $ow
2442 miht see and apperceyue, if $%o%u wolt, $e woorth of his targe
2443 whiche was more $an fyve hundreth of gold. #erfore I rede $ee
2444 bere it, [f.48v] $ee and $in armure to keepe and for to pleye
2445 $erwith and scarmushe whan $ow seest enemyes come; $ouh $ou
2446 ku%nne not pleye at $e bokeler or ku%nne not wel helpe $iself,
2447 she shal teche $ee to pleye: oo$%e%r maister shal $ee noon
2448 neede. Now take it whan $ow art armed with [$e too$er]
2449 armures $at $ou hast. It were wel time, if $ow woldest, $ou
2450 tooke hem to doon hem on: for $%e%rfore I haue rauht hem and
2451 vnfolden hem and taken hem $ee. Do he%m on faste, for $ou
2452 hast neede of nouht elles."
2453     Whan $ese woordes I vnderstood, myn herte al afrighte,
2454 for as I haue seyd, I hadde not customed to be armed. And
2455 on $at oo$%e%r side michel I bisorwede $e purpoynt $at I hadde
2456 on. Algates for to hire plesa%unce doon and fulfille, to arme
2457 me I assayede, and at $e haubergeo%un I began. Vpon $e
2458 p%u%rpoynt I dide it on: but $at it was wel sey I nouht. Whan
2459 I hadde doon it on, anoon I took $e double gorgere and dide
2460 it aboute my nekke, and sithe shof myn hed in $e helm and
2461 hid it. After I took $e gaynpaynes and $e swerd, w%i%t%h
2462 whiche I girte me. And sithe whan I was $us armed I putte
2463 $e targe to my side. Al I dide as she hadde seyd me, al
2464 were it it liked me litel. Whan armed $us I sih me, and
2465 $at I felte $e armur%e upon me greevous and hevi, and
2466 p%r%essinge me as me thouhte: "Lady," q%u%od I to Grace Dieu,
2467 "m%e%rcy I pray yow $at of nothing ye displese yow, $owh I
2468 shewe yow my disese. #ese armures greven me so miche $at
2469 I may not go foorth. Ei$er I muste heere abyde or alle I
2470 muste doon hem of. #e helme al$%e%rfirst dooth me so gret
2471 encumbra%unce $at I am $%e%rinne [f.49r] al astoned and blynd
2472 and def. I see nothing $at liketh me, ne heere nothing
2473 $at I wolde. Bi $e smellinge I feele nothing, $e whiche me
2474 thinketh gret torme%nt. Aft%e%rward $ilke shrewede gorgeer ($at
2475 yuele passio%un smyte it) bi $e throte maistrieth me soo,
2476 [$at me thinketh it shulde strangle me, it streyneth me so]
2477 $at I may not speke as I wolde, ne [auale] nothing $at
2478 deliteth me, ne $at p%r%ofiteth me anything to $e bodi.
2479 Afterward with $e gaynpaynes wel I wot I shal neu%e%re winne
2480 my bred; youre glooues ben not for hem $at han tendre
2481 handes, and tendre I haue hem, and $at forthinketh me. And
2482 $ei ben harde out of mesure: I mihte not endure hem longe
2483 swiche withoute sheendinge myself. Riht so of $e remena%unt:
2484 I sey, shortliche to deliu%e%re me, al greeueth me so riht
2485 gretliche $at neu%e%re at shorte wordes I mihte telle it, but
2486 I hadde grettere wit $an I haue. [Souprised] I am as Dauid
2487 was, $at hadde not lerned armes. Armed he was, but bisiliche
2488 and hastiliche he leyde hem do%un. And $%e%rfore as he dide
2489 wole I doo, for his ensa%umple liketh me wel: alle $e
2490 armures I wole ley do%un, and w%i%t%h $e burdo%un I wole passe
2491 me. I haue leeu%e%re go lightliche $an abide heer sureliche.
2492 Go foorth miht I nouht if I ne leyde do%un $e armure, and so
2493 shulde I be letted to go [into] $e faire citee. Wherfore I pray
2494 yow it anoye you nouht; ne [ne] holdeth it not for a despyte."
2495     "Sertes," q%u%od she, "now sheweth it wel $at
2496 withholde $ou hast nothing of al $at I haue seyd $ee, or
2497 wel litel $ou thinkest $eron; o$%e%r $ou weenest p%e%rauenture
2498 $at in me be so gret vnthrift $at my wordes ben fables o$%e%r
2499 $at $ei ben disseyuable. Wenest $%o%u it, so God keepe $ee,
2500 sey it me ra$ere bitimes [f.49v] $an to late!" "Lady,"
2501 quod I, "for $e loue of God, m%e%rcy: weeneth it neu%e%re soo. I
2502 wot wel $%a%t ye seyn nothing $%a%t ne is ordeyned for wele.
2503 But my miht streccheth nouht to $at, $%a%t armo%u%r mowe
2504 longe be bore of me. Nouht for $at I haue foryete your%e
2505 woordes of anything, for certeyn I bithinke me wel $at ye
2506 haue seyd me, $at $ouh at $e firste $ei doon me encumbra%unce
2507 $ei shulden not so whan I were `longe/ lerned of hem. But I
2508 sey yow $at I may not lerne hem, for I fynde in me to gret
2509 feebilnesse and in hem to gret hardnesse: $ese ben thinges
2510 gretliche [vnlikynge] and discordinge." "And whi", q%u%od she,
2511 "hast $%o%u put me to trauaile, and wherto hast $%o%u required
2512 me $e armures whan $%o%u miht not bere hem o$%e%r wolt not
2513 bere hem?" "Lady," q%u%od I, "I thouhte not $%e%ron whan ye
2514 setten me in $e wey. Burdo%un yrened I hadde asked yow al
2515 onliche.   But whan of armures ye speken to me,  and
2516 amonested me of hem,  $a%nne I required hem,  for wel I
2517 wende my strengthe hadde ben for to haue boren hem.
2518 But oo$%e%rweys it is, for in me no strengthe is, I se it
2519 wel, for I am wery as soone as I am armed." "Strengthe
2520 $%o%u hast not", q%u%od she, "for herte in $ee $ou hast noon.
2521 It is nouht for $at $%o%u ne art sholdred ynowh and boned:
2522 strong and mihti ynowh $ou art, if any good herte in $ee
2523 $ow haddest. For of $e herte cometh $e strengthe of man,
2524 as $e appel of $e appel tre. What mihte seye a litel man,
2525 whan $ow $at seemest a chaumpio%un refusest to bere $ese
2526 armures, and excusest $e bi [feeblesse]? [f.5Or] What
2527 shuldest $%o%u also doo, I prey $ee, if $%o%u mostest be armed
2528 to keepe $ee from oo$ere? #ou maist not bere hem, as $ou
2529 seist. Yit also I prey $ee what shalt $%o%u do whan $i wey
2530 $ou shalt go vnarmed, and $at $ine enemyes shulen assaile
2531 $ee and enforce he%m to sle $ee? Serteyn $a%nne $%o%u `shalt/
2532 seyn 'Allas, whi woldest $%o%u evere vnarme $ee? Whi leeuedest
2533 $%o%u not G%r%ace Dieu? Now $ou art all disceyued. Now $ou wost
2534 what mischeef it is, and wost also wel $at so gret
2535 greeva%unce was it not of beringe of $e armur%e as it is to
2536 endure $ese harmes. Now weren $e armures gret co%unfort to
2537 me if I hadde hem. Allas whe$er eu%e%re I shal mown fynde
2538 G%r%ace Dieu ayen, $at she wole arme me?' Whan $ou hast $us
2539 icryed, and $at $%o%u art wo%unded to $e deth, weenest $%o%u, so
2540 God saue $ee, $at I wole $anne gladliche drawe me $iderward
2541 whan $ou hast of nothing leeued me and for $i goode? And on
2542 $at oo$%e%r side, $ouh I wente so God kepe $ee what shulde I
2543 do $eere? #ou shuldest be now michel strengere $an $ou
2544 shalt be $a%nne, for $ou shalt [$a%nne be] feeblished with
2545 wo%undes $at $ow shalt haue. So $at whan $ou miht not now
2546 bere $e armures ne endure hem, at $at time `to come/ I shulde
2547 go for nouht, and for nouht I shulde trauaile me. Now
2548 anoon is $e time to lerne armes withoute any more abidinge.
2549 If $ou leeue me, aboute $ee $ou shalt holde hem and keepe
2550 hem, to $at eende $at whan it shal be neede $ou mowe helpe
2551 $ee with hem. If $ei ben hevy, go faire: for softe men fer
2552 goth. [f.5Ov] Soonere is $e mule ofte-times at Seynt James
2553 $%a%t goth ro%undliche, $an is $ilke $at smiteth and sporeth his
2554 hors and maketh him go sharpliche: for michel soonere he
2555 fyndeth encombra%unce $an $e mule $%a%t goth ro%undliche [her] wey.
2556     Of $at $ou spekest of Dauid, $at $e armure sumtime leyde
2557 do%un: I sey $ee $at if of him $%o%u wolt take ensa%umple, I
2558 wole not undertake $ee. But I wole $ou vnderstonde how $ow
2559 shalt make $i fo%undement: for first $%o%u shuldest biholde
2560 and considere his chyldhode, for chyld he was $at time, and
2561 litel, as $e story seith; also on $at oo$%e%r side, $e
2562 armures whiche weren nouht for a [poopet] but $ei weren for $e
2563 sone of Saul, $e gretteste of $e cuntre. Wherfore $ou shuldest
2564 wel thinke $at $ei weren grete and stuffed and right hevy.
2565 So $at ($ese twey thinges biholden and thouht diligentliche)
2566 with gret riht Dauid dide of $e armure and leyde hem do%un. For
2567 Saul $ei weren goode, but for Dauid weren $ei nothing woorth:
2568 for $at $%a%t is good for a colt is not good for a stalo%un.
2569 #is is $at Aristotle seith in %E%t%i%q%u%e%s where it is writen.
2570 But if Dauid hadde ben as gret as $ou as he was sithe,
2571 and $a%nne he hadde vnarmed him, serteynliche $ou were
2572 $a%nne caused for to take ensaumple of him and do as he
2573 dide; but $us dide he neu%e%re, ne $us to do tauht not $ee,
2574 for whan he was bicomen a man, he was armed in alle werres.
2575 It needeth not to suppose $at he vnarmed into werres wente:
2576 for if so he hadde gon, onlyue hadde he neu%e%re turned ayen.
2577 #e armures in alle times he louede, and $at time $at he
2578 vnarmed him of $e armure of Saul, he [f.5lr] took oo$%e%re
2579 with whiche he sloow Golias: $ilke $at time weren to him
2580 couenable. If $ou were a chyld as he was, $ow mihtest do as
2581 he dide. I wolde wel suffre $at in $i chyldhode $ou haddest
2582 not so gret pena%unce. But $ou art gret ynowh to bere $ese
2583 armures if $%o%u wolt preeue $iself wel, and shame $ou
2584 auhtest to haue if $ou forsake to bere hem."
2585     "Ladi," q%u%od I, "I see ful wel $at I shulde nothing
2586 winne to resiste, ne to argue, ne to despute ayens you. But
2587 I telle you $at do%un I moste ley al togideres withoute more
2588 abidinge. #er is noon $at of I ne wole do, for $er is noon
2589 of whiche I haue ioye: alle $ese armures han frushed me and
2590 p%r%essed me and defouled me." And $a%nne $e bocle I vnboclede
2591 and $e armures I vnlacede, sithe leyde do%un girdel and swerd,
2592 with $e targe litel-biloued. Whan she sygh me so doo,
2593 anoon she areynede me and seyde: "Sithe $ow wolt $us vnarme
2594 $ee, and al $in armure do awey, $ou shuldest at $e leste
2595 biseeche me to fecche $ee oon (whoso it eu%e%re were) $at were
2596 mihty, $at mihte bere $e armure, and $%a%t trussede hem on
2597 $e shulder and bere hem after $ee, to $at eende $at $ou mihtest
2598 take hem alle times $at $ou haddest neede." "Ladi," q%u%od I,
2599 "so michel I haue offended you $at I durst not aske yow
2600 $at: but now I require it yow in biseechinge." "Now a litel",
2601 q%u%od she, "abide me, and I wole [lede] $ee suich on I trowe
2602 $%a%t shal [wel susteyne] $e armure and $at wel shal bere hem
2603 with $ee." And $a%nne Grace Dieu wente hire (I wot not wel
2604 into what place) and I al aloone abod $ere where I vnarmede
2605 me of alle poyntes. I dide [f.5lv] of gorgeer and haubergeo%un
2606 and helm and doublet. Oonlich I withheeld $e scrippe and $e
2607 burdo%un for pilgryme. Wh%an I sih me $us vnarmed $a%nne I was
2608 al disco%unforted. "Aa, goode swete God," q%u%od I, "what shal I
2609 doo, whan so michel peyne I haue do to Grace Dieu my
2610 maistresse and my goode p%r%ocuresse? She hadde now arayed me
2611 queynteliche and nobleche: as an erl arayed me she hadde, and
2612 as a duke. Nothing failede me, but I ayens hire techinge and
2613 hire swete amonestinge haue al doon of and haue nothing
2614 withholde. Faire swete God, why haue I my vertu lost, and
2615 where haue I doon it? Whi am I not more mihti, more strong,
2616 more hard, more v%e%rtuows, so $at I mihte susteyne and suffre
2617 wel $e armures? Michel I were $e more worth certeyn, and Grace
2618 Dieu wolde loue me $e bett%e%re: alle folk wolden [also] preyse
2619 me $e more and loue me $e more and drede me $e more. But [nouht]
2620 it is [worth]. I mihte not endure hem bi no wey. To Grace Dieu
2621 I co%mmitte me, and al in hire I wole abide: yit I trowe she
2622 wole helpe me, and $at she wole not yit faile me; and $erof
2623 she hath maad sembla%unt (wherfore my co%unfort is $e grettere)
2624 for (for to make me ashamed)* she is gon bisyliche to fecche
2625 sum wight and bringe $at mihte bere $ese armures."
2626     As I was in $is plyt and diuisede $us myself aloone,
2627 cam Grace Dieu, $at ledde a wenche $at hadde noone yen as me
2628 thouhte at $e firste whan I syh hire; but whan she was nyh
2629 comen to me and $at I hadde wel apperceyued hire, I sigh $at
2630 hire [light] was set in hire haterel bihynde, and bifore she
2631 sigh nothing.   #is was thing [f.52r] riht hidous as me
2632 thouhte, and riht dreedful, and I was $%e%rof wund%e%rliche
2633 abashed and thouhti. As heerof I thouhte and strongliche
2634 wundrede me, Grace Dieu spak to me: "Now I se wel," q%u%od she,
2635 "now I see how $ow art a wur$i knyght, and whan $%o%u shuldest
2636 fihte $ou hast leyd do%un $in armure and art disco%unfited
2637 withoute smitinge of strok. #ee needeth a bath to bathe $ee
2638 and a softe bed to ley $ee inne; a surgien to so%unde and
2639 co%unforte ayen $e senewes $at ben brused." "Ladi," q%u%od I,
2640 "$erof shule ye be leche and conforto%u%resse: for soothliche
2641 I am so wery $at I mihte no more susteyne $e armure, ne I
2642 hadde no more strengthe; wherfore I pray yow ye ben not wroth
2643 ne euel apayed, for yit I haue trist and hope to yow of all."
2644     "Now," q%u%od she, "I haue fo%unden $ee $is wenche, and led
2645 hire $ee from a cuntre $at is ferr%e, for to socure $ee at $i
2646 neede: for wel I see but I helpe $ee soone $ou woldest go a
2647 shrewede wey. #is wenche $ou shalt see, and $ine armures $ou
2648 shalt take hire, and she with $ee shal beren hem, to $at ende
2649 $at alwey whan it is neede (as I haue seyd $ee) $ou fynde hem
2650 redy and do hem on. For but if $ou haddest hem alwey nygh
2651 $ee, and didest hem on at $i neede, $%o%u shuldest be ded and
2652 slayn, and euele betaken." "Lady," q%u%od I, "of $is monstre
2653 whiche ye haue maad me a shewinge of wolde I fayn wite
2654 $e name, and whi it is of swich facio%un. It is a thing
2655 disgisy to me and nouht acustomed. On $%a%t oo$%e%r side I
2656 wende as I hadde lerned of yow $at a serua%unt ye wolde
2657 haue led me light and strong for to helpe [f.52v] me: for
2658 $e craft of swich a wenche is but to bere a pot - swich a
2659 wenche mihte neu%e%re endure to bere swiche armures." "Therof",
2660 q%u%od she, "I wole sey $ee shortliche ynowh and answere $ee.
2661 #is wenche [hatteth bi her name riht and is] cleped Memorie,
2662 whiche apperceyueth nothing ne seeth of $e time comynge, but
2663 of $e olde time she can wel speke, and diuise to $e time
2664 passed. And bihynde ben sette hire yen and hire light. It is not
2665 thing riht dreedful [ne hidous] as $ow weenest, but it is thing
2666 riht necessarie to alle $ilke $at wolen make here [mugoe]
2667 and here prouidence of any wit or science. Er $is hadden
2668 clerkes of vniu%e%rsitees fallen to pou%e%rte if here havinge
2669 or kunnynge $at $ei geten bifore ne kept hem: for litel is
2670 woorth thing ygoten if aft%e%r $e getinge it ne be kept. So
2671 she hath $e eyen bihynde, and $%e%rbi wite wel $at she is
2672 tresorere and keepere of science and of gret wysdom. And
2673 after $at $ou shuldest wite $at al $e wit and $e ku%nny%nge
2674 she keepeth: she bereth it so and in alle places she hath
2675 it with hire, so $at if $ou make hire bere and keepe $ese
2676 armures with $ee, she shal norishe hem,* ne neu%e%re da%unger
2677 shal she make $erof. As strong as she is to bere hem,
2678 as mihti she is to keepe hem. And $%e%rfore haue hire not in
2679 despyt, as $ou hast seyd bifore $at $ou holdest hire for a
2680 wenche $at shulde but bere a pot; but $iself $ou shuldest
2681 despise and litel preyse if so miche good $ow coudest: for
2682 $at $%a%t $ou maist not be%r%e she shal wel bere withoute
2683 greevinge hire.   And [f.53r] $at shal be a grettere
2684 confusio%un to $ine eyen $an if a serua%unt bere hem $at were
2685 strong and mihti. And $%e%rfore avisiliche and witingeliche
2686 I haue brouht hire to $ee, to $at ende $at whan she hath $e
2687 armure and shal bere hem, $at $ou assaye to bere also, or
2688 elles $at $ou haue gret confusio%un." "Ladi," q%u%od I, "sithe
2689 it is $us, I wole to yow nei$%e%r sey ne ayensey. Ne also
2690 ayensey yow miht I nouht wel of nothing. Now lat hem $anne
2691 alle be houen upon hire and trussed, and sithe I wole go
2692 bifore and she shal sewe me." And $a%nne she and I hoven hem
2693 up, and to Memorye tooken he%m. And she took hem gladliche,
2694 as it was gret neede. Whan $ei weren trussed Grace Dieu, God
2695 yilde hire, wel goodliche spak to me in seyinge me swiche
2696 woordes: "Now $ou art", q%u%od she, "arayed to go into $e
2697 faire citee. #ou hast Memorie [$i] soomeer $at aft%e%r $ee
2698 shal come bihynde, whiche shal bere $in armure to arme $ee
2699 whan it shal be time; $ou hast $e scrippe and $e burdo%un, $e
2700 faireste $at eu%e%re man bar; of alle thinges $%o%u wer%e redy if
2701 of Moises bred $ou haddest. Go and take it; leeue $ou hast,
2702 al be it $ou hast not deserued it. But keep $ee wel $at of
2703 $at $%o%u shuldest do passe $ee nothing as $ou hast seyn and
2704 knowen $at men shulden doon."
2705     And $a%nne to Moyses I wente and of his bred I asked
2706 him, $at was of $e releef $at he yaf and gra%untede to $e
2707 pilgrimes. He yaf it me and I took it, and sithe in [my]
2708 scrippe I putte it. [f.53v] Sithe to Grace Dieu I turnede
2709 ayen, and of hire goodshipes I thankede hire, preyinge hire
2710 $at she wolde not leue me,  ne alonygne hire,  and
2711 biseechinge hire $at at my neede she wolde not be fer fro
2712 me; for wel I wiste (as I seyde hire) $at withoute hire I
2713 mihte nothing. "Serteyn," q%u%od she, "soothliche withoute
2714 me $ou miht nothing do,  and soone $%o%u shuldest be
2715 disco%unfited if of me $ou ne haddest keepinge. #erfore
2716 $ou doost as $e wise whan $%o%u requirest $at $at $ou wost
2717 is needeful to $ee. And for [$at] I fynde $y requeste in
2718 nothing dishoneste, $erfor to go with $e is myn entente as
2719 at $is time, and nouht to departe fro $e I thinke, if it
2720 ne be by $in offence." "Lady," q%u%od I, "michel gra%unt mercy:
2721 now I haue ynowh as me thinketh."   "Now vnderstonde",
2722 q%u%od she, "how gon with $ee I thinke. #er ben su%mme $at
2723 hauen in here freendes so gret trist and hope $at $ei ben
2724 miche $e wurse, for $ei thinken $at $ei [shulen] be forborn
2725 and kept bi hem, $ouh $ei hauen doon, or doon, yuele. So
2726 for $at $ou shalt not triste to michel to me or lene $ee,
2727 to $at entente $at $%o%u do [no] harm in trist of a susteyno%u%r,
2728 of $i sight [and] of $in eye I wole not be seyn. I haue a
2729 stoon $at to $e folk (whan I wole) yelt i%nvisible. Bi $ilke
2730 I wole hyde me from $ine eyen so $%a%t whan $ou shalt weene
2731 $at I be with $ee, $a%nne p%e%rauenture I shal be ago bi sum
2732 oo$%e%r wey sumtime, and turned from $ee; and $at shal be
2733 whan $ou puttest $ee oo$erweys $an [f.54r] dueliche: as
2734 whan $%o%u wolt not deingne to aske $i wey, o$er wolt not
2735 go; and whan $ou wolt leue $e goode weyes and go bi $e
2736 wikkede weyes. #%e%rfore be avised to go wysliche hensforthward;
2737 for fro%m hensforth I vse and w%u%rche [of $e same pyer]: and
2738 anon I p%a%rte fro $i siht and $i biholdinge." As soone as
2739 she hadde $at seid, more sih I hir%e not, wherof loowh not
2740 myn h%e%rte, which sorweful was, but more mihte it not do.
2741 Algates to go my wey as I hadde purposed it I wolde not leue,
2742 but I wolde anoon take my wey. To Memorie I bad $%a%t she
2743 shulde come after me and $%a%t she sewede me: $%a%t she brouhte
2744 myn armure and $%a%t she foryete noon. She soothliche dide it
2745 so; al she brouhte, nothing she loste.  And it was gret neede,
2746 for after I fond so gret encumbra%unce $at I hadde be ded
2747 su%mtime if I ne hadde be wa`r/nished of armure. Nouht $at I
2748 dide hem on, ne took hem alwey at my neede, for many times
2749 bi my slouthe I suffrede strok of dart of arwe $at I hadde
2750 not suffred if I hadde be wel armed.
2751     Now I haue seid yow al withoute lesinge oon partye of
2752 my swevene. #e remena%unt I shal telle yow heerafter whan I
2753 haue time. And ye $e more gladliche shulen heere it whan ye
2754 ben rested awhile. Withoute int%e%rualle alle thing enoyeth,
2755 bo$e $e faire weder and $ilke of reyn.   Anoo$er time ye
2756 shule come ayen, if more ye wole heere: and $erwhiles I wole
2757 avise me to telle ariht as I mette.
2757     Heere endeth $e firste partye of $is book.
2758     And heere biginneth $e secunde partye. [f.54v]
2759     After $at I haue seyd bifore of $at I sigh in slepynge,
2760 oo$ere wundres $at I sigh [sithe], as I haue bihyght yow, I wole
2761 shewe yow, for it is not reso%un to hele it. As I hadde
2762 ordeyned me at alle poyntes to go my wey, I bigan michel to
2763 thinke whi it was $at I miht not $us bere myn armures, or whi
2764 $at I hadde not as gret power as $ilke wenche hadde $at bar
2765 hem after me. "Now I am a man", q%u%od I, "$%a%t seemeth a
2766 cha%umpio%un (for mayme wot I noon in me, but am hool of alle
2767 lymes) and $at am maad ynowh to bere bo$e $is wenche and hire
2768 berdene, whens cometh it $at I am $us failed of miht $at I may
2769 not endure an hour $%a%t $at I see hire bere? Shame and
2770 confusio%un it is to me whan she is strenger%e $an I."
2771     As on $is I thouhte, and $at allewey thinkinge wente, I
2772 mette in my wey a gret cherl euele shapen, grete [browed] and
2773 frounced, $at bar a staf of crabbe tree, and seemed to be a
2774 wel euel misterman and an euel pilg%r%im. "What is $is?" q%u%od
2775 he. "Whider goth $is pilgrim, Lord whider goth he? He weeneth
2776 he be now ful wel arayed and queyntised, but anoon w%i%t%h me he
2777 shal lette, and to questio%uns he shal answere." Whan $us I
2778 herde him speke, I bicom wunder sore abashed, for I wende he
2779 wolde haue ronne upon me w%i%t%houte more abidinge. Algates
2780 curteisliche I spak to him, and humbliche: "Sire," q%u%od I,
2781 "I requir%e yow $at ye wole not enoye me ne enpeche me of my
2782 viage, for I go fer in pilgrimage, and a litel [f.55r]
2783 lettinge wolde greve me gretliche." "Serteyn," q%u%od he, "$e
2784 disturba%unce comet{h o}f $in ou%e%rtrowinge. Whens cometh it
2785 $ee, {so G}od saue $ee, and whi art $%o%u swich and swich $at
2786 $ou da`r/st passe $e lawe $at $e king hath [wold ordeyne]? A
2787 while ago $e ky%ng made defence $at non took scrippe, ne $at
2788 noon bare it with him, ne [ne] handelede burdo%un: and $ou
2789 ayens his ordina%unce bi $i foolliche surquidrye hast vndertake
2790 to bere bo$e $at oon and $at oo$%e%r, as me thinketh. Whens
2791 cometh it $ee, and how hast $%o%u dorre be so hardi? Euele $ow
2792 come, and euele $ow wentest, and euele hider $%o%u brouhtest
2793 hem. Neuere day in $i lyve ne didest $ow a grettere folye."
2794 Whan $ese woordes I vnderstood, more $an bifore I was abashed,
2795 for what to answere I ne wiste, ne [answer%e] hadde I noon.
2796 Gladliche an aduocat I wolde haue hired me if I mihte haue
2797 fo%unden him, for gret neede I hadde of oon if I hadde wist
2798 where to haue p%u%rchaced him. Algates [as] I studyede how I
2799 mihte escape, als I lifte up myne eyen I sygh [comen $at after
2800 which I hadde gret desire - $at was] Dame Reso%un $e wise whiche
2801 men mown wel knowe by $e langage, for she wole nothing sey but
2802 sittingeliche and wel ordeyned. Bifore I hadde seyn hire,
2803 wherfore she was $e more knowen to me. I was riht ioyful whan
2804 I syh hire, for wel I thouhte $%a%t bi hire shulde $ilke crookede
2805 cherl be maat which harde hadde grucched me: and so he was at
2806 $e laste, and I pray yow vnderstondeth how.
2807     Reso%un cam euene to him, and seide him: "Cherl, sey me,
2808 now God keepe $ee, wherof $ow [f.55v] seruest and whi $%o%u
2809 seemest so diu%e%rs.   Art $ou a reper%e or a mowere, or an
2810 espyo%u%r of weyfareres? How hattest $%o%u, and where gaderedest
2811 and tooke $i grete staf? #e staf is not auena%unt ne sittinge
2812 to a good man." And $a%nne $e cherl lened him on his staf, and
2813 seyde hire:   "What is $is? Art $%o%u [mayresse] or a neewe
2814 enquerouresse? Shewe $i co%mmissio%un and at $e leste $i name I
2815 shal wite, and $e grete powere $at $ou hast, $at bi sembla%unt
2816 $ou shewest me: for if I were not suer $%e%rof, I wolde to $ee
2817 answere nothing." And $a%nne Reso%un putte hire hond into hire
2818 bosum bi a spayere, and took out a box of which she drow a
2819 lett%e%re, sithe seyde him: "Serteyn my poowere I wole wel do
2820 $e to wite. Hold, see heere my co%mmissio%un: rede it, and $ou
2821 shalt wel wite my name and my power, and who I am, and whi I
2822 am come hider." "Serteyn," q%u%od he, "I am no clerk, ne I can
2823 nothing in $i leves; rede hem as $ou wolt, for wite wel I
2824 preyse hem litel." "Beawsire," q%u%od she, "alle men ben not
2825 of $in opynio%un. Of michel folk $ei ben wel p%r%eysed and
2826 loued and auctorised: and nouht for $a%nne $ou shalt heere hem
2827 but my clerkes failen me alle.   I wole putte $ee out of
2828 suspessio%un, and shewe $ee what powere I haue. Come forth
2829 clerk," q%u%od she to me, "vndoo $ese lett%e%res out of plyt,
2830 rede hem bifore $is bacheler%e $at weeneth he be a lord. Whan
2831 he heereth hem red, if God wole he shal answere me." And
2832 $a%nne I took hem and redde hem, wherof $e cherl was nothing
2833 wel apayed, for alwey he gru%mmede and alwey [he] shook his
2834 chyn, and [f.56r] at eu%e%ry woord I redde, I sygh his teeth
2835 grynte. If ye wole wite $e tenure of $e lett%e%re, heeraft%e%r
2836 ye shule heere it.
2837     'Grace Dieu (bi whom gou%e%rnen hem $ei seyn $e kynges, and
2838   regnen) to Reso%un oure goode louede freend, and in alle goode
2839   dedes wel p%r%oued, gretinge: and of $at we sende, dooth pleyn
2840   execucio%un. Of neewe we haue vnderstonde (wherof us is not
2841   [fair]) $at a cherl shrewede, prowd and da%ungerous, $at bi his
2842   name maketh clepe him and nempne him Rude Entendement, hath
2843   maad him an espyour of weyes, and a waytere of pilg%r%imes, and
2844   wole bineme he%m h%e%r%e burdo%uns and vnscrippe here scrippes,
2845   bigylinge he%m with lyinge woordes. And for he wolde be $e
2846   more dred, he hath borwed of Orgoill his wikkede and cruelle
2847   staf, $at men clepen Obstinacio%un ($e whiche michel more
2848   displeseth me $an dooth $e fro%uncede cherl): for $e which
2849   thing, ma%undement we yiven you nouht* in coma%undinge, $at ye go
2850   $iderward, and amoneste $ilke musard $at his staf he ley
2851   [doun], and $at he cesse of $e surpluis. And if anything he
2852   withstond, o$%e%r wole not abeye, yiueth him day competent at $e
2853   assyses of jugement. Of $is pleyn power we yiven yow and
2854   maken you co%mmissarye. Yiven in oure yeer $at eche wiht
2855   clepeth MlCCCXXXI.'
2856     Whan al was rad, Reso%un took ayen hire letteres and putte
2857 hem in saaftee, and sithe areynede $e cherl, and seyde him
2858 swiche wordes: "Beausire," q%u%od she, "now $ou hast herd my
2859 power, and whi I come heere, wolt $%o%u more answere to me of
2860 $at I haue asked $ee?" "Who art $ou?" q%u%od $e cherl. "Who
2861 am I?" q%u%od Reso%un, "For Seint Germeyn, hast $ow not herd
2862 riht [f.56v] now what men han red heere? Thinkest $%o%u on $i
2863 loues, o$%e%r to take toures or castelles?" Q%u%od he: "I haue
2864 wel herd, bi Seint Symeon, $at $ou hattest Reso%un. But for it
2865 is a name defamed, $%e%rfore I haue asked who $ou art (and with
2866 good riht)." "Nouht defamed, bi Seint Beneit!" q%u%od Reso%un,
2867 "But where hast $ou fo%unde $at?" "At $e mille", q%u%od he, "$er
2868 I haue be, $ere $ou mesurest falsliche and stelest folkes
2869 corn." "Beausi%re," q%u%od she, "heere now tweyne litel
2870 woordes, and vnd%e%rstonde. Misseyinge is no w%u%r$inesse, ne $ou
2871 spekest not as $e wise. At $e mille perauenture ye haue seyn
2872 a mesure $at is cleped 'reso%un' [for to hele with his gret
2873 vnresoun] but $%e%rfore it is not 'Reso%un' but it is fraude and
2874 desceyt. Bitwixe name and beeinge I wole wel make difference.
2875 Oon thing is to be Reso%un, and anoo$%e%r thing haue his name.
2876 Of $e name men mown maken cou%e%rture for to hele with here
2877 filthe. #is thing is falle many a time in many a strete: $at
2878 who $at is not fair make him queynte, and who $%a%t is not good
2879 make him simple. Alle vices gladliche doon it, and ofte-times
2880 maken h%em kou%e%rynge with $e name of $e v%e%rtu contrarye, for to
2881 lasse displese $e folk. And yit is not $e v%e%rtu $e lasse
2882 woorth bi a straw, but it is signe $at it is good, whan $e
2883 vice appareth him and clo$eth him $erwith.  So $at if with my
2884 name $ilke mesure [hath wold] queyntise him and hele him,
2885 $%e%rfore am I not defamed, but wurshiped shulde be $erby of
2886 alle folk of vnderstondinge."  "What is $is?"  q%u%od he.
2887 "#at God haue part!  #ou wolt be preysed of $at $at oo$%e%re
2888 shulden [f.57r] be blamed.  If I kneewe not a flye in mylk
2889 whan $ou toldest it me I hadde gret wrong.  Weene not $at whan
2890 I heere nempne a kat or an ho%und, $at I ne wot wel it is noon
2891 oxe ne kow, but $at it is an ho%und and a kat.  Bi here names I
2892 knowe wel eche of hem, for here names and $ei be al oon.  So
2893 $at if $%o%u hattest Reso%un, I sey also $ou art Reso%un;  and if
2894 'reso%un' stele $e corn, I sey $at of $ee it is stolen.  Al $e
2895 water $%a%t maketh $e mille turne ne mihte wasshe $ee $erof, for
2896 alle $ine slye woordes and fallaces.   Weene not $at eu%e%re
2897 oo$%e%rweys $%o%u make me [to] vnderstonde."
2898     And $a%nne Reso%un, smylinge and al turnynge it into jape,
2899 seyde him:  "Now I see wel $at of art $ou hast lerned, and
2900 subtiliche [$ou] kanst argue and bringe foorth faire
2901 ensa%umples;  [and] if $ou haddest a grettere bely,* $ou woldest
2902 weel seeme wur$i."  "O!"  q%u%od he:  "#ou scornest me!"  "#at I
2903 do, certeyn,"  q%u%od Reso%un, "wite it wel:  and yit more I wole
2904 scorne $ee, forto I wite $i name as $%o%u wost myn.  And wite
2905 wel $ou hast no wurshipe of $e helinge:  I ne wot what $%o%u
2906 shalt haue of $e tellinge."  "Wurshipe?"  q%u%od he:  "What
2907 seyst $%o%u?  #e vnwurshipe is $in.  #ou hast my name in $i
2908 leues, and askest it!  #ou art lich him $at sit on his asse
2909 and yit seecheth it oueral.  I ne wot what it tokeneth but
2910 `if/ it be scornynge."  "Aa!"  q%u%od Reso%un:  "Art $ou $ilke
2911 $at art set in my leues?  #e name withinne wel I wiste, but
2912 $ee knew I not.  I heeld an oppinyo%un $at I and my name is not
2913 oon:  for with my name may appare him eche theef $at goth to
2914 stele, and $%e%rfore I wende soo [f.57v] of $ee, for hadde I
2915 not yit lerned $at $ou and Rude Entendement weren oon
2916 [ioyngtliche] - but now I see wel withoute suspecio%un $at ye
2917 ben oon wi%t%houte distinctio%un.  #ine ensa%umples han tauhte it
2918 me, and $ine seyinges $at ben so subtile.  I wot bi $i woordes
2919 $at $ou p%r%opirliche art Rude Entendement:  more miht $ou not
2920 argue, but oonliche so be $%o%u nempned, for bi existence $ou
2921 art it withouten difference, wherfore I foryiue $ee $e
2922 vileynee $at $ou hast seid me bi felonye, for I see wel $ou
2923 wendest $%a%t of me it were as it is of $ee.  But Rudeness tauht
2924 $ee soo to weene, for rude $ou art, as eche wight seeth wel
2925 and euel willed, and $erfore set $ee was $is name."  With
2926 $ese woordes $e cherl was ateynt to $e herte.  Nouht he seyde,
2927 for he cowde not, but oonliche grinte with [$e] teeth.
2928     Reso%un stinte not, but song him of anoo$er song.  "Now,"
2929 q%u%od she,  "sithe I woot $i name, gret neede haue I nouht to
2930 aske more of $e remena%unt:  in my letteres it is al cleer, for
2931 an espyo%u%r $ou art of weyes, and an assaylo%u%r of pilgrimes.
2932 #ou wolt bineme hem here burdo%uns and vnscrippe here scrippes.
2933 Why doost $%o%u it, by $i soule, ayens $e wil of my lady?"  "For
2934 $at $ei",  q%u%od he,  "witingliche passen $e gospel $at I haue
2935 herd seyd in oure to%un, and keepen it shrewedeliche $er it is
2936 defended to alle as I haue [wel] vnderstonde:  $at no man ber%e
2937 out of his hoom nei$%e%r scrippe ne burdo%un - so whan $at I see
2938 hem bere hem ayens $e defence of $e kynge, gladliche (for to
2939 keepe $e lawe) I do peyne to make hem to leve hem."  [f.58r]
2940 "Oo,"  q%u%od Reso%un,  "oo$%e%rweys it goth.  #ilke defence was
2941 longe agon al oo$%e%rweys turned and remeved to $e contrarie.
2942 Wel it is sooth $at it was defended, but afterward it was
2943 recomaunded.  Cause [couenable] $er was, for whiche $er needed
2944 wel cha%unge.  It is not vnwurshipe to $e king $ouh he cha%unge
2945 his lawe for cause honeste.  #e cause of $e cha%unginge ayen,
2946 shortliche I wole telle $ee if $ou wolt.  Whoso is at $e ende
2947 of his wey hath [no] neede to be pilgrime, and he $at were no
2948 pilg%r%ime shulde litel do with scrippe or with burdo%un. Jh%e%su
2949 $e kyng is $e eende to whiche alle goode pilgrimes thinken:
2950 $at is $e eende of good viage and of good pilg%r%image.  To $at
2951 terme and to $at ende weren comen hise goode pilg%r%imes bi his
2952 clepinge.  Wh%an he defended hem $at no more $ei beren scrippe
2953 ne burdo%un, but leften hem and leyden hem do%un, sufficient he
2954 was and mihty to deliu%e%re hem plentivowsliche al $at hem
2955 needede, withoute beeinge in any oo$%e%res da%unger.  On $%a%t
2956 oo$%e%r side, he wolde $at whan he sente hem to p%r%eche, $at here
2957 herkeners aministreden hem, and fo%unden he%m here vitailes, for
2958 eu%e%ry werkere is wur$i to haue and resseyue hyre. And eche
2959 wight dide $erof so michel $at $e turnynge ayen no wiht
2960 pleyned him: wherof $%o%u hast herd $at he askede hem oones,
2961 whan him thouhte good: 'Hath yow', q%u%od he, 'anything lakked,
2962 whan I haue $us sent yow w%i%t%houte scrippe to p%r%eche to $e folk
2963 and to shewe $e woord of God?' And $a%nne $ei answerden him:
2964 'Serteynliche sire, nay. Sufficientliche we haven hadde, and
2965 nothing [is] faylede us.' [f.58v]
2966     Lo heere $e cause for whi was defended $at $ei beren no
2967 scrippe and $at $ei vseden not of $e burdo%un. But whan he
2968 shulde afterward gon and passen bi $e brigge of deth, whan he
2969 sigh $at he, $at was $e eende of here wey, departede from he%m,
2970 $anne wolde he cha%unge his lawe as a softe and [a] tretable
2971 kyng, and seyde hem $at $ei tooken ayen here scrippes and
2972 diden hem on ayen. 'Whoso hath' he saide, 'any sak, take it
2973 and a scrippe $erwith';  as $ouh he seyde ap%e%rtliche and
2974 cleerliche: '#ouh I (for ye weren comen to $e ende of youre
2975 wey) defendede yow $at ye hadden ne bere no scrippe, now I
2976 muste alonygne me fro%m yow and leue yow, I wole $at ye taken
2977 ayen al, as ye hadden bifore, for I wot wel whan ye han lost
2978 $e sighte of me a scrippe shal be needeful to yow, and a
2979 burdo%un to lene yow to. Pilgrimes ye musten ben ayen, and
2980 sette yow to [$e] wey ayen, elles [shule] ye not mown folwe me
2981 ne come to me.  On $at oo$%e%r side, whan I am gon ye shule
2982 [nouht] fynde $at gladliche shal do yow good, ne $at with
2983 good herte speke anything to yow.  To your%e scrippe ye shule
2984 holde you [forto] ye come ayen to me.  Now taketh it, for I
2985 gra%unte it yow for $e neede I see $erof.' So see heere al in
2986 apert $e cause, which is sufficient, to bere scrippe and
2987 burdo%un: wherfore $ou shuldest not medle $ee to areste $ilke
2988 $at hauen it, ne $at beren it where $ei gon - leeue $ei hauen,
2989 and cause $er is, into $e time $at eche cometh to $e ende of
2990 his viage and of his pilgrimage."
2991     "What is $is?" q%u%od $e walkere:* "What gost $ou $us
2992 jangelinge me? Wolt $ou holde $e gospel at fable and lesinge?
2993 #ow seist it vncomanded, $at $at [f.59r] God hadde ordeyned;
2994 whiche thing, if it so were, riht so alle hise [ordina%unce]
2995 shulden `be/ put out of $e book and defaced and scraped."
2996 "Nouht so," q%u%od Reso%un, "for it is riht to wite $e time
2997 passed:  how men diden, how men seiden, whi $at was, what cause
2998 $er lyth, whi $er weren mutacio%uns of doinges. And $%e%rfore
2999 is not $e gospel reprooved ne defaced,  but to goode
3000 vnderstonderes it is $e more gracious and $e more pleasa%unt.
3001 #e mo diu%erse floures ben in $e medewe, $e more is $e place
3002 gracious, and $e more $%a%t her%e facio%un is diu%e%rse, $e more
3003 gladliche men biholden hem."  And $anne blissede him $e cherl
3004 with his rude crookede hond. "What is $is?" q%u%od he.  "#%o%u
3005 wolt amase me and encha%unte me! Al $at I sey, $ou turnest and
3006 stirest `al/ to $e contrarye:   falsnesse $%o%u clepest
3007 fairnesse, and of fairnesse $ou seist falsnesse. #at $at was
3008 of $e kyng defended, $ou seist was coma%unded, turnynge $e
3009 gospel al upsodo%un bi disgisy woordes and lyinge. #ou ne art
3010 but a bigilo%u%resse of folk. Lat me stonde, for I preyse not
3011 $i woordes ne $i dedes at thre verres. In my purpos I wole
3012 holde me, and of nothing seeche $ee."*
3013     "At $e leste," q%u%od Reso%un, "$ilke staf $ou shalt ley
3014 do%un, for $%o%u wost wel Grace Dieu hath coma%unded it and
3015 ordeyned it." "To Grace Dieu", q%u%od he, "of what it may
3016 greeue I see not. On $at oo$%e%r side, necessarie it is to me
3017 to $at $at I haue to doone: I lene me $erto and I defende me
3018 $erwith, and sette $e lasse bi alle folk - and me thinketh I
3019 am michel $e more dred - and $%e%rfore if I leyde it do%un, a
3020 gret fool I were and a gret cokard." "Oo," q%u%od Reso%un,
3021 [f.59v] "$ou seist not wel. #%o%u hast neede to haue oo$%e%re
3022 frendes.* Grace Dieu shulde neu%e%re loue $ilke $at bere swich a
3023 staf. It was neu%e%re leef to hire: she hateth it more $an $e
3024 goot $e knyf, so $at if $ou leidest it not do%un, $ow were not
3025 wys." "Oo!" q%u%od $e cherl. "How $ou art a fool to seyn
3026 swiche woordes! If $e staf greevede hire not, whi shulde it
3027 displese hire?" "I wole sey $ee", q%u%od Reso%un, "rudeliche,
3028 for oo$%e%r mete I se wel $i rude throte asketh not. If $ou
3029 haddest a freend to whiche any wight dide disese, it shulde of
3030 nothing greeue $ee but of as michel as it shulde displese $ee.
3031 Grace Dieu loueth alle folk, and wole $e ava%uncement of alle,
3032 and $%e%rfore whan any [wight] hath mischeef, or $%a%t men don
3033 [it] any disese, albeit she hath no greua%unce yit hath she
3034 displeasa%unce. #is staf is enemy to $ilke $at she [wole] haue
3035 freendes. Ne were it, $e Jewes wolden come to hire and
3036 conu%e%rte hem; alle heretikes wolden also leue here erro%ur,
3037 and amende hem. Bi it weren put to confusio%un Nabal and
3038 Pharao, for to it $ei leneden so, $at $ei p%u%rchaseden here
3039 deth. If it ne were, Obedience shulde regne ou%e%r al and
3040 coma%unde. Eche shulde do $at $at he coma%undede, and of
3041 nothing disobeye. If it ne wer%e, alle rude wittes wolden ben
3042 enclyn, and humble he%m - $iself, $at hattest Rude Entendement,
3043 if $ou ne lenedest so faste to it [wolde] leeue me and amende
3044 $ee - and $%e%rfore I rede $ee ley it doun, and lene $ee no more
3045 $%e%rto."  "Haa God!"  q%u%od he.  "What I preyse litel woordes
3046 $at ben of $is manere. I wole to $ee of nothing obeye, ne I
3047 wole not leue $e staf. I wole lene [me] $%e%rto, [f.60r] wolt
3048 $%o%u o$%e%r [ne] wolt $%o%u, wite it wel." "Now," q%u%od Reso%un,
3049 "now I se wel $at $er is no more to speke with $ee, but
3050 oonliche to cite $ee to [$e] assises of jugement. I somowne
3051 $ee, withoute more taryinge. Come $ider withoute sendinge any
3052 oo$er."
3053     Tha%nne Reso%un turnede hire ayen to meward, and clepede
3054 me: "Go", q%u%od she, "hardiliche, withoute dredinge Rude
3055 Entendement. Sey him nothing ne [ne] answere him not, for $e
3056 techinge of Salamon is $at men answere no woord to him $at men
3057 seen and fynden a fool."  "Lady," q%u%od I,  "suinge he seith
3058 oo$erweys, for he seith men shulden answere him for to shewe
3059 him his shame." "Serteyn," q%u%od she, "$ou seist sooth, but
3060 $%o%u shuldest vnderstonde and wite $at $ilke woord was
3061 dispenced me for to answere wh%an it were tyme, and $%e%rof haue
3062 I doon ynowh (albe my trauaile lost, for he is of nothing
3063 amended ne ashamed). A fe$%e%re shulde as soone entre in an
3064 anevelte as woordes shulden entren in him or profiten. He is
3065 as hard as [ayemaunt] o$%e%r dyama%unt, for $at $at he conceyueth
3066 first he wole for nothing leue, so $at with swich a cherl to
3067 speke $%o%u miht no pris conquere. Go $i wey withoute chidinge
3068 with him, and lat him grucche ynow, shake his bridel and his
3069 chin, and gnawe on his staf." "Lady," q%u%od I, "I thanke yow
3070 of $at ye teche me $us, but I telle yow certeynliche $at I
3071 durst not passe forth for $e cherl hardiliche, but I hadde
3072 whateu%e%re it were* of yow: wh%e%rfore I pray yow $at with me
3073 ye come, and $%a%t passinge him ye lede me, for I haue also to
3074 speke with yow and wole aske yow of su%m[f.60v]thing nedeful,
3075 longinge to my bisinesse." And $a%nne withoute taryinge bi $e
3076 hond she took me, and til I was passed $e cherl, ladde me,
3077 [and] in my wey she sette me, wherof I hadde gret ioye. #e
3078 cherl bilefte $ere grucchinge, lenynge on his staf, gru%mmynge;
3079 but $erof roughte me nothing. Reso%un loowh faste $erof.
3080     Whan $us I sigh me ascaped and was wel gon forth, of
3081 Reso%un I bigan to aske $at of which ye haue herd me speke.
3082 "Lady," q%u%od I, "michel I haue ben in gret thouht, and yit
3083 am, why I may not endure ne susteyne noon armure. A wenche I
3084 see bere hem, whiche is shame to me whan I may not bere hem
3085 also, $at shulde be more mihti bi $e half and more strong, if
3086 any herte were in me. Wherfore I pray yow and biseeche yow
3087 $at ye wole teche me $e cause whens it may come, for gret
3088 desire I haue to wite it." Thanne answerde me Reso%un: "What
3089 is $is?" q%u%od she. "In $e hous of Grace Dieu not longe agoon
3090 I sigh $ee, and many times $ou speke to hire. How hast $ou be
3091 so michel a fool $at of hire $%o%u ne hast asked $is? And not
3092 for $a%nne I trowe not $at su%mwhat she ne haue seyd $ee bi
3093 which $%o%u miht apperceyue and wite $at $ou askest."
3094 "Lady," q%u%od I, "I wole telle yow. Many of hire seyinges
3095 foryeten I haue: of $is wel I mynde me withoute more, $at she
3096 seide me I was to thikke. But if I made me smallere or dide
3097 myself any harm, a felo%un men wolden clepe me: ne on $%a%t
3098 oo$%e%r side, I myhte neu%e%re bere myn armure so wel as if I were
3099 gret and strong. But swiche thinges maken me abashed, for $ei
3100 ben nouht in [f.61r] vsage. I enquerede not $e soo$e of Grace
3101 Dieu, for I dredde I hadde ennoyed hire or mistake me to hire:
3102 wh%e%rfore I prey yow $at ye wole lerne [it] me and make me
3103 vnderstonde it." "Wost $ou", q%u%od she, "who $ou art, whe$%e%r
3104 $%o%u be aloone, or double $%o%u be: if $%o%u haue noon to norishe
3105 but $iself, ne to gou%e%rne and arraye?" And $a%nne al abashed I
3106 seide hire: "Ladi, in feith me thinketh $at I haue noon but
3107 myself to gou%e%rne, ne I haue noon oo$er to thinke on. I am al
3108 aloone, ye seen wel. I wot neu%e%re whi ye aske it." "Now
3109 lerne", q%u%od she, "and vnd%e%rstonde and herkne bisyliche, for
3110 oo$er thing I wole sey $ee, and of $e co%nt%r%arie I wole teche
3111 $ee. #ow norishest $ilke $at is $i grete enemy. Of $ee he is
3112 eu%e%ry day fed, yiven drinke, hosed and clo$ed: $er ne is mete
3113 so p%r%ecious, so costlewe ne so [delitous] $%o%u ne wolt yive
3114 it $ilke, how miche $at eu%e%re it shulde coste $ee. Bitake $ee
3115 it was for to serue $ee, but $ou art his serua%unt bicome:
3116 wanto%unliche $%o%u wolt hose him, and take him noble robes,
3117 queyntise him with iewelles, with tablettes, with knyves, with
3118 girdelles, with purses, with disgisye lases of silk medled red
3119 and greene; queynteliche $ow wolt eche day aray him, and eche
3120 niht [wel softe] ley him and do him his ese.  Oon day $ou
3121 chaufest him $e bath, and sithe stiwest him.  On $e morwe $%o%u
3122 kembest him, $%o%u polishest him, and seechest him mirthes and
3123 disportes as michel as eu%e%re $%o%u miht, day and niht.  Swich as
3124 he is, $ou hast norished him, and michel more bisy $%o%u hast
3125 ben aboute him $an a wo%mman aboute $e chyld she yiveth souke
3126 and feedeth.  A gret while it is $at $%o%u [bigonne] and [f.61v]
3127 neu%e%re sithe stintedest ($ouh I seide xxxviti winter I
3128 failede, I trowe, but litel):   and albeit he hath $us
3129 [his likinge,  and $at $ou hast $us serued] him and
3130 forbore him, $%o%u shuldest wite $at he bytrayeth $ee and
3131 desceyueth $ee and dooth $ee harm.  #%a%t is $ilke $at suffreth
3132 $ee not to bere ne to endure $in armure.  #at is $ilke $at is
3133 $in aduersarye all $e times $at $ou wolt doon wel."
3134     "Lady,"  q%u%od I,  "I am awundred of $at ye tellen me
3135 heere. If ye ne weren so wys, and hadden in yow so gret wit,
3136 I wolde weene al were lesinge, or elles $at it were meetinge.
3137 But in yow I wot so michel good $at gabbe wolde ye not for
3138 nothing, wherfore I pray you $at ye sey me who is $ilke
3139 wikkede trayto%u%r, what is his miht and his shap, wher%e he was
3140 bore, how he hatteth, to $at ende $at I knowe him and do him
3141 disese ynowh:  for $ouh al quik I dismembrede him, wel were I
3142 not venged."  "Sertes,"  q%u%od she,  "$%o%u seist sooth, for
3143 $%e%rwith $%o%u shuldest wite $at ne were $ou, of him were
3144 noothing, or litel thing it were.  #er wolde no wiht biholde
3145 it ne deyngne to preyse it, for it is an hep of rotennesse, a
3146 buryelles maad of filthe, a restinge for a coluer.*  By itself
3147 it may not remeeve ne nothi%ng doo ne laboure, for he is
3148 impotent and contract, deef and blynd and co%unterfeted.  It is
3149 a worm diu%e%rse and cruelle, $at was bore in $e eer$e of
3150 wormes:  an herte withinne him breedinge wormes, and
3151 norishinge wurmes withinne it - a worm $at in $e laste eende
3152 shal be mete to wormes and shal rote. [And] albeit of swich
3153 makinge and of swich condicio%un, yit $ou makest him ligge bi $ee,
3154 and in [$i] bed slepe with $ee, [f.62r] and gost aboute to gete
3155 him al $at is good for hy%m, as I haue seid $ee bifore.  And
3156 yit more, whiche is a vyle thing:  whan he hath eten and is to
3157 ful, $%o%u berest him to p%r%iuee chambres or to feeldes, to voide
3158 hys wombe.  Now looke whe$%e%r $ou be v%e%rriliche a [serf] and a
3159 wrecche, for of al $at he can $ee neu%e%re thank, but is $e more
3160 ha%unteyn and $e gladdere to do $ee harm, so michel he is of
3161 shrewede doinge."  "Ladi,"  q%u%od I,  "his name whi telle ye me
3162 not anoon w%i%t%houte taryinge, for rediliche I wolde venge me
3163 and anoon go sle him I wolde!"  "O,"  q%u%od Reso%un,  "leeue
3164 hast $%o%u nouht to sle him, but wel $ou hast leeue to chastise
3165 him and to bete him and to abate his customes, to yive him
3166 peynes and trauailes, and ofte to make him faste, to
3167 vnd%e%rputte him to Penitence, withoute $e whiche good
3168 vengea%unce of him shalt $%o%u neu%e%re haue, ne neu%e%re in no time
3169 be wel avenged, for as while erst $ou seye (if wel $ou
3170 vnderstoode) Penitence is his maistresse and oonliche his
3171 chastiseresse - $ilke $at hath $e rihte iugement of him whan
3172 time and [sesoun] is p%r%esent.  #%e%rfore take him to hire, and she
3173 shal bete him and chastise him so wel with hire yerdes $at a
3174 good serua%unt he shal be to $ee from hens forthward;  and $at
3175 shuldest $ou ra$ere desire, and more wilne and procure, $an
3176 $ou shuldest do his deth, for he is to $ee taken to lede
3177 to $e hauene of lyf and of saluacio%un.  It is $e bodi and $e
3178 flesch of $ee:  oo$%e%rweys can I not nempne it."
3179     "Lady,"  q%u%od I,  "what sey ye?  Haue I met, o$%e%r mete
3180 ye? Mi bodi and my flesh ye clepen oo$%e%r $an myself, and yit
3181 ye seen $at with yow I am alloone, ne noon $er is heere but we
3182 tweyne. I wot not [f.62v] what $is tokeneth, but if it be a
3183 fairye!"  "It is not so,"  q%u%od Reso%un,  "for of my mouth cam
3184 neuere out lesinge ne fairye, ne nothing $at men shulden clepe
3185 meetinge.  But sey me bi [$e] feith $ou owest to God, if $%o%u
3186 were in a place $ere $ou haddest $ine mirthes - good mete,
3187 softe bed, white clo$es, ioye, reste and gret disport, and $i
3188 willes bo$e day and niht -- $at I mowe wite sooth if $%o%u woldest
3189 make $er any taryinge and abidinge."  "[Serteynliche],"  q%u%od I,
3190 "ye!"  "Aha,"  q%u%od she,  "what hast $%o%u seid?  #a%nne $%o%u
3191 woldest leue $i pilgrimage and $i viage!"  "Ladi,"  q%u%od I,
3192 "$at shulde I nouht, for al bitymes afterward I shulde go."
3193 "Al bitimes, wrecche?"  q%u%od she.  "#er nis man in [$e] world
3194 lyvinge $at eu%e%re may come bitimes, renne he neu%e%re so faste.
3195 And suppose $at after $e mirthes and eses, $%o%u thinkest go
3196 $ider al bitymes bi trauaile and bi labouri%nge:  I aske $ee if
3197 $ou woldest ouht sette $ee to [$e] wey as longe as $ou fo%unde
3198 swich ioye and swich solace?"  "Allas lady,"  q%u%od I, "allas!
3199 #erto can I not answere, but $at oonliche I wot wel fayn I
3200 wolde abide, and also fayn I wolde go."  "#a%nne",  q%u%od she,
3201 "$ou hast double wil and double thouht:  $at oon wole abide,
3202 $at oo$%e%r wole go;  $%a%t oon wole reste, $at oo$%e%r werche; $at
3203 [$at] oon wole, $at oo$er ne wole.  Contrarie $at oon is to $at
3204 oo$er."  "Ladi,"  q%u%od I,  "certeynliche as ye seyn I feele in
3205 me."  "#a%nne art $%o%u not sool:"  q%u%od she, "$ou and $i bodi
3206 ben tweyne, for tweyne willes ben not of oon but $ei ben of
3207 tweyne:  $at wot eche wiht."
3208     "Ladi,"  q%u%od I,  "I pray you $at ye sey me who am I,
3209 sithe my bodi I am not.  I shulde neu%e%re be in ese if sumwhat
3210 heerof I ne wiste."  "Haa,"  q%u%od she,  "what hast $ou lerned?
3211 #ou canst not michel, as me [f.63r] thinketh.  It is miche
3212 more woorth oon to know himself $an who is empero%u%r, kyng o$%e%r
3213 [erle - $an] can alle sciences, and haue al $at is of $e
3214 world.  But sithe $%o%u hast not lerned it, $%o%u art wel avised
3215 to aske it, and I wole shortliche ynowh telle $ee su%mwhat $at
3216 I vnderstonde.  The bodi shet withoute, of whiche I haue
3217 spoken to $ee, is in alle degrees out shet.  #ow art of God $e
3218 portreyture and $e ymage and $e figure.  Of nouht he made $ee,
3219 and foormede $ee to his liknesse.  A more noble facio%un mihte
3220 he not yive $ee:  he made $ee fair and cleer-seeinge, lightere
3221 $an brid fleeinge, i%mmortal withoute eu%e%re deyinge, and
3222 lasting withoute endinge. If $%o%u wolt wel biholde $iself,
3223 but $at $%o%u haue forfeted nothing, to $i noblesse may compare
3224 heuene ne er$e, ne se, brid ne oo$%e%r creature, except $e nature
3225 of a%ungeles.  God is $i fader, and $%o%u his sone.  Weene not
3226 $at $ou be sone of Thom%as of Guileuile, for he hadde neuere
3227 sone ne douhter $at was of swich condicio%un ne of so noble a
3228 nacio%un.  #i bodi ([$at] is $in enemy) $at $ou hast of him,
3229 of him it cam $ee:  he bigat it as kynde ordeyned him.  Riht
3230 it is $at $e tre bere swich fruyt as kynde techeth it.  Riht
3231 as thornes mown not ber%e ne caste figes, riht so $e bodi of $e
3232 manhode may not bere fruyt but foul and veyn, vyle filthe and
3233 corrupcio%un, rotennesse and stinkinge dunge.  But swich thing
3234 art not $%o%u, for $ow hast not $i comynge foorth of dedliche
3235 man, but it is come $ee of God $i fader.  God made neu%e%re with
3236 hise handes in $e world but twey bodies of manhode, to whiche
3237 tweyne he co%mmittede to make $e oo$%e%re after $e ensa%umple.
3238 But $e facio%un of $e gost he withheeld bi certeyn avys.  Al he
3239 wolde [f.63v] were maad of him withoute medlinge of any wyht
3240 elles.  He made $ee, for a gost $%o%u art, and putte $ee in
3241 $e bodi $at $ou art:  $erinne he putte $ee for to enhabite a
3242 while, and for to preeve, to wite soothliche if $ou woldest be
3243 v%e%rtuous and knyghtliche, to wite whe$%e%r $%o%u woldest venquise
3244 $e body or yelde $ee to him.  Bataile $%o%u hast to him in alle
3245 times, and he to $ee:  if $%o%u ne yelde $ee, bi flateringe he
3246 ou%e%rthroweth $ee do%un and desceyueth $ee and maketh $ee yelde
3247 $ee ou%e%rcome. Vnd%e%r him he holt $ee if $ou leeue him, $ereas
3248 $%o%u shuldest venquise him bi miht.   He shulde neu%e%re haue
3249 power ou%e%r $ee if it ne were bi $i wille.  #ou art Sa%mpson, he
3250 is Dalida:  $ou hast strengthe in $ee, he hath noon.   He can
3251 nothing do but flat%e%re $ee, to delyuere $ee to enemyes.  He
3252 wole bynde $ee if $%o%u wolt, and shal shere al $in her - and $i
3253 p%r%iuytees, whan he wot hem, to [$e] philistyens shal shewe
3254 hem.  #at is $e frendshipe $at he hath to $ee, and $e trouthe
3255 and $e feith.  Now looke if $ou wolt assente to him withoute
3256 smytinge of strok, if $%o%u wolt be desceyued as Sampson was,
3257 and holde a fool."  "Ladi,"  q%u%od I,  "wundres I heere: I
3258 meete v%e%rryliche, I trowe.  A spiryt ye clepen me ($at am
3259 shoven heere in my bodi) $at ye seyn am cleer-seeinge, and yit
3260 I see ney$er more ne lasse.  And of my bodi ye haue seyd it is
3261 blynd, $at seeth wel - and manye oo$%e%re grete wundres whiche
3262 ben fleen in myne eres.  Wherfore I pray yow ye wole teche me
3263 and lerne me more cleerliche, for aske can I not wel, of $e
3264 baishtnesse $at I haue."  [f.64r]
3265     And $a%nne Reso%un bigan ayen.  "Now vnd%e%rstond",  q%u%od she,
3266 "hider.  Whan $e su%nne is shadewed, and at time of midday is
3267 shoven vnder a cloude and may not be seyn ne apperceyued, I
3268 aske $ee, for my loue, $at $%o%u sey me whens cometh $e day?"
3269 "It cometh,"  q%u%od I,  "to my seemynge, of $e sunne $at is hid,
3270 $at maketh his lightnesse passe thoruh $e cloude [and avale]
3271  - as"  (q%u%od I)  "men seen it thoruh sum glas, o$%e%r as men mown
3272 seen fyr%e in a lanterne."  "Serteyn,"  q%u%od Reso%un,  "if
3273 $at $at $%o%u hast seid $ou haue vnderstonde, [bi $e sunne
3274 $ou shalt vnderstonde]  $e soule  [$at]  $ou hast in
3275 $ilke dedliche bodi.  #e bodi is a cloude and a lanterne
3276 bismoked, thoruh $e whiche, how it eu%e%re  be, $e brightnesse
3277 withinne men seen:  $e soule $at enhabiteth in $e bodi
3278 spredeth his brightnesse outward, and maketh weene to
3279 foolliche folk $at al $e light be of $ilke poure cloude with
3280 whiche $e soule is shadewed.  But if $e cloude ne were, $e
3281 soule shulde haue so gret light $at she shulde see al
3282 pleynliche from $e est to $e west.  She shulde also see and
3283 knowe and loue hire creato%ur.  The eyen of $e bodi ben not
3284 swiche,* but $ei ben as glasses bi $e whiche $e soule yiueth
3285 light to $e bodi withoute.  But heerfore $ou shuldest not
3286 weene $at $e soule haue neede of $ese eyen and $ese glasses,
3287 for bifore and bihynde, withoute bodilyche fenestralle, he
3288 seeth his gostlich good, and su%mtime he shulde $e bett%e%re see
3289 it if $e bodi hadde noon eye.  Tobye a time was blynd as to $e
3290 body, but $%e%rfore was he not blynd as to $e soule, for bi him
3291 was his sone tauht how he shulde meyntene him, and what wey he
3292 shulde holde.  Neu%e%re shulde he haue tauht it him if with
3293 [f.64v] $e soule he ne hadde yseye.  #e soule sigh al
3294 cleerliche, and knewe $at $at he seide him.  So if I sey $ou
3295 seest cleerliche, yit I wole conferme it, for $ou seest, nouht
3296 $i body [which] is blynd bo$e withinne and withoute.  Neu%e%re
3297 shulde he see sighte if bi $i liht it ne were:  and riht as I
3298 sey $ee of $e sight, right so I sey $ee of $e heeringe and of
3299 hise wittes, for $ei ben but instrumentes bi $e which he
3300 resceyueth of $ee $at $at he hath.  For he ne heereth ne seeth
3301 if it ne be oonliche bi $ee:  and I sey $ee vtterliche, if $ou
3302 ne bere him wel or susteyned him strongliche, as a donge hep
3303 he shulde be, ne neuere shulde he stire him."
3304     "Lady," q%u%od I, "now I aske and I pray yow how is it $at
3305 $e soule, whiche is withinne, bereth `so/ $e bodi, and he
3306 withoute?  Me thinketh bett%e%re $at $at is bore $at is contened
3307 withinne;  and bett%e%re me thinketh berer%e and susteyno%u%r $at
3308 $%a%t is withoute, for $ilke bereth $at conteneth, and $ilke is
3309 bore $at halt him withinne."  "Now vnd%e%rstonde",  q%u%od she, "a
3310 litel.  #i clo$inge and $in habite, it conteeneth $ee, and $ou
3311 art withinne:  $ow woldest make gret wundringe if I seyde it
3312 bere $ee or gou%e%rned $ee in any wyse."    "Is it $us
3313 Lady?"  q%u%od I.  "Ye,"  quod she,  "but $is in difference I
3314 sette $ee, $at $e soule bereth and is born.  She p%r%incipally
3315 bereth $e body, but he bi accident bereth him, and in
3316 resortinge him to his v%e%rtu is entenda%unt.*  If euere $ou seye
3317 gou%e%rne a ship in a ryueere and leede, $ere [$ou] mihtest take
3318 ensa%umple withoute harmynge $ee on any wyse.  #e gou%e%rnayle
3319 whiche is withinne ledeth it, and so led it is and leedeth:
3320 for if he w%i%t%hinne [f.65r] ledde it nouht, his ship wolde not
3321 leede him.  #i soule is $e ledere and $e gou%e%rnowr of $i bodi.
3322 She ledeth it, she bereth it, and in ledinge so bereth it.  #e
3323 bodi bereth it at his wille, and after $at she concenteth.  #e
3324 bodi shulde not bere here but if she bere $e bodi, and $erfore
3325 $%o%u shuldest peyne $ee to gou%e%rne so ariht $i bodi, $%a%t in
3326 ledinge him he mowe lede $ee to sur%e hauene aft%e%r $e deth."
3327     "Ladi,"  q%u%od I,  "certeynliche I trowe $at youre speche
3328 shulde be to me riht necessarie.  If ye wolden doo so michel
3329 for me $at ye dide me [of] of my [ship], and dispoiled me of $e
3330 body, and shewed me $ilke vnthrift, $ilke blynde ($at so miche
3331 hath misdoo me as ye seyn, so ofte-times, and yit mai not be
3332 stille) so $at I mowe preeve and fynde $at $at ye seyn:  nouht
3333 $at I drede of anything $at ye ne seyn riht wel, but I
3334 vnd%e%rstonde nouht certeynliche ne cleerliche your%e woordes,
3335 wherfore I pray yow $at ye wole entende $erto for to teche me
3336 a litel."  And $a%nne Reso%un seide:  "I trowe riht wel $at
3337 litel $ou vnderstondest me - and wost $%o%u whi?  It is for $e
3338 bodi maketh an obstacle bifore, gret and thikke.  Oo$%e%r thing
3339 can he not doon but aldai be to $ee contrarious.  But for $ou
3340 hast bisouht it, I wole do it of $ee if I may - and $ou shalt
3341 also laboure $erto, and do peyne with me, for litel I shulde
3342 do bi myself if of $ee helpe I ne hadde.  Algates trusse him
3343 ayen $ou shalt moste [and] haue him ayen on $i bak, for it is
3344 not in my powere to sequestre him longe from $ee - and yit it
3345 is hard to make $e forberinge oon sool moment.  To $e deth $is
3346 longeth, whiche cometh ofte w%i%t%houte sendinge after.  Now take
3347 on $at side, and I on $is, and [f.65v] entende nouht nei$%e%r
3348 hider ne $ider."  And $a%nne Reso%un sette hond to me, and I
3349 putte me in hire ba%undo%un.  She drowh and I shof.  So miche we
3350 dide, she and I, $at $e contracte was ou%e%rthrowe fro me and I
3351 vncharged.  Whan vntrussed $us I was, I was rauished into $e
3352 eyr an hygh.  Me thouht I fleih, and $at nothing I weyede.  At
3353 my wille ou%e%ral I wente, and up and do%un, and fer I seyh.
3354 Nothing in $e world (as me thouhte) was heled ne hid fro me.
3355 Gladed I was gretliche.  #is mislikede me oonliche:  $at yit I
3356 moste $erinne enhabite and herberwe and dwelle, for nothing or
3357 litel I seigh $erinne but $e empechement of my wey.  Wel I
3358 seigh $at it was sooth al $at Reso%un hadde preched me:  wel I
3359 seigh my bodi $at it was dunge, and to preise it was nothing.
3360 Wel I seigh $at alwey it shulde abide i%n oo place, but it were
3361 doon awey.  At $e eer$e streiht it lay $ere:  nei$%e%r it herde
3362 ne seigh.  His contena%unce was tokne $at no v%e%rtu in him he
3363 hadde.  I wente and cam al aboute him to wite sooth if he were
3364 aslepe, and I tastede his [pouce] - but wite wel I fond nouht
3365 in sinewe ne in condyt ne in veyne more $an in a [stike],
3366 in pouce ne breth.  It was nouht, I seigh it wel.  Fy on him,
3367 and on alle hise [doinges].
3368     Whan I hadde considered al $at, Reso%un aft%e%r arened me.
3369 "Loo heere",  q%u%od she, "$ou seest wel $in enemy.  Now $ou
3370 knowest him wel:  $is is he $at suffreth $ee not to bere ne
3371 endure $in armure;  $ilke $at bi flateringe beteth $ee do%un
3372 and ou%e%rcometh $ee, and yildeth [$ee] venquised;  $ilke $at
3373 empecheth $ee to clymbe and flee an hy to $i creato%ur.  I haue
3374 spoke $ee inowh heerof bifore:  it ouhte suffice $ee so
3375 michel.  With[f.66r]inne him $%o%u moste entre, charge him and
3376 trusse him ayen.  Bere him into $i viage and into $i
3377 pilgrimage."  "Ladi,"  q%u%od I,  "myn entencio%un and my deuocio%un
3378 was $at with $e armure I armede me, and $at $us I wente armed
3379 a while for to p%r%eue whe$er I mihte bere hem $us:  for me
3380 thinketh v%e%riliche now $at $ei weye nothing."  "Sertes,"  q%u%od
3381 she,  "$ou seist sooth.  Litel $ei weyen, wh%e%rfore $ou shuldest
3382 wite $at $ouh $us $%o%u vsedest hem,  $ou shuldest no m%e%rite
3383 haue.  #ou shuldest do hem on whan $ou hast on [$i] contracte,
3384 blynd and naked:  wel he ouhte susteyne $i dedes,* for [wele]
3385 he wole at $e goode parte.  #ou shalt neu%e%re haue [wele] at $e
3386 laste, of whiche he ne wole be $erof [parcenere].  Now trusse
3387 hi%m ayen and take him [ayen], and sithe entende to arme $ee."
3388     Whan she hadde seyd me $is, withoute taryinge I fond me
3389 trussed.  Al $e miht I hadde and $e wel$e of whiche I
3390 rejoycede me, oo for to seye, in oo mome%nt al was shadewed
3391 vnder $e cloudy cloude vnder whiche $er is [noon] wel
3392 cleer-seeinge.  #ilke cloude $at I hatede so miche bifore and
3393 preysed so litel, I bigan to loue ayen and to bimeene and
3394 thinke $at to him I wolde assente, and $at his wille I wolde
3395 doo.  But whan I apperceyued aft%e%rward ayen $at so I [shulde] be
3396 disceyued, I bigan to tere and to weepe and to sighe:
3397 "Allas!"  q%u%od I.  "#ou what shalt $ou do?  To whiche of $ese
3398 tweyne shalt $ou acorde?"  And $a%nne seide me Reso%un:  "What
3399 eyleth $ee?  Whi art $%o%u disco%umforted? Weepinge longeth to
3400 wommen, but to men it becometh not wel."  And $anne I seyde
3401 hire:  "Heerfore I weepe, for riht now withinne $is houre,
3402 bifore $at I hadde trussed ayen $is poore [f.66v] bodi, I was
3403 so mihti $at I wende wel haue ben worth tweyne.  I fly aboue
3404 $e skyes hyere $an ey$er hero%un or egret.  I sigh and
3405 vnd%e%rstood, and found no contrarie.  Now is $e game so turned
3406 [ayenward] $at my contrarye I haue fo%unden ayen.  #e bodi
3407 oppresseth me and beteth me do%un, and halt me vnder him
3408 venquised.  I haue no v%e%rtu bi whiche I may resiste him ne
3409 co%nt%r%arye him.  Mi wille I haue vtterliche lost. I ne wot
3410 where it is bicome.  Mi strengthe ne is but of $ilke $%a%t quik
3411 into $e eer$e is flowen.*  As an ape is tyed to a blok and is
3412 atached $at he may not stye an hy ($at in styinge he ne cometh
3413 soone do%un ayen) so is to me an hevy blok $e bodi, and a gret
3414 withholdinge.  He felleth me ayen whan I wolde flee, and
3415 withholt me whan I wolde clymbe:  for me as me thinketh was seid
3416 `$at/ $at I sigh writen a while ago - $at $e bodi (which is
3417 corrupt and shrewed and hevy) greeueth $e soule, and so
3418 oppresseth it $at in wrecchednesse he holt it.  So [am I] put
3419 bine$e, so holden, so serued, $at no wunder it is $ouh in
3420 weepinge I sey 'allas', so disco%umforted I am gretliche,
3421 and riht sorweful."
3422     Thanne seide Reso%un:  "Seest $%o%u",  q%u%od she,  "wel $%a%t I
3423 haue of nothing gabbed $ee:  $at $e bodi is $in adu%e%rsarie of
3424 al $e good $ou woldest do."  "Sertes,"  q%u%od I,  "it is so, I
3425 see it wel, God yelde yow.  But seith me oo woord:  whi is he
3426 strengere $an I, and whi I am not, ne may not be, as strong as
3427 he?"  "Strengere",  q%u%od she, "is he not, but $ou miht not
3428 ou%e%rcome him in his cuntre.  In $in owen $%o%u shuldest, if $ou
3429 were $erinne.  Eche wight is strong on his owen dung-hep, and
3430 tristeth to his cuntree.  He is heere in his cuntree, on his
3431 dung[f.67r]-hep and upon his dunge set, and $%e%rfore he is $e
3432 strengere ayens $ee, and $e more fers and of $e grettere
3433 beringe;  but if in oo$%e%r places $ou haddest him in $i
3434 cuntree, $ou shuldest be strongere:  $ere he shulde not mown
3435 withsitte $ee ne ayensstonde $ee.  Not $at I sey $ee $us for
3436 to putte $ee into faitourye, ne $at I wole sey $at $ou ne miht
3437 mate him and suppla%unte him;  for if $ou wult, upon his
3438 dung-hep (if $%o%u canst anything of $e cheker) $ou shalt make
3439 him chek and maat, make he neu%e%re so michel debaat.  Litel
3440 drinkinge, litel etinge, litel restinge, trauaile goode,
3441 disciplines and betinges, oriso%uns, and weylinges - $e
3442 instrumentes of pena%unce - [shulen] do $ee riht and vengea%unce.
3443 #ei shulen make $ee victo%u%r, to gret wurshipe of $ee, wule he
3444 o$%e%r noon;  and $a%nne whan he is $us ada%unted vnder $ee, $a%nne
3445 $ou shalt wel mown arme $ee with armures:  for sooth to seyn,
3446 $%o%u hast noon so gret lettinge ne so gret encombra%unce as of
3447 $at he is so slugged, to wilful and to miche fed - and $at it
3448 was $%a%t Grace Dieu seide $ee whan she spak to $ee."  "Ladi,"
3449 q%u%od I, "certeynliche now first I vnderstonde [it] but $at time
3450 I vnderstood it nothing, al were it she spak me of $e bodi.  I
3451 wende it and I hadde ben al oon, but it is not so.  Bi yow $e
3452 soo$e I haue lerned, after $at I haue enquered."  "Certeyn,"
3453 q%u%od she,  "al $e soo$e bi hire $ou mihtest wel haue wist if $ou
3454 haddest bisouht hire, for of hire haue I [al] lerned.  Nothing
3455 cowde I, if she ne wer%e, ne nothing of me were.  Al $at I sey
3456 $ee, it is bi hire.  If I clepe $i bodi $in enemy, heerafter
3457 $ou shalt wel wite it is so, for whan $ou woldest go [f.67v]
3458 any good wey, he shal turne $ee amys and make $ee go anoo$%e%r
3459 wey.  And suppose $at su%mtime he suffre $ee go bi $ere $ou
3460 shuldest, yit I sey $ee $at slough $ou shalt fynde him, and
3461 [slugged].  Longe he wole reste, and turne upon $at oo$%e%r
3462 side.  Whan at $e mete $%o%u hast set him, late he wole rise and
3463 with euele wil.  Al he wole do slowliche, for to make $ee
3464 lettinges.  His good he shal wel ku%nne espye, and whan it is
3465 tyme to flatere $ee;  and [$ou] $a%nne shalt take no [gret] keep,
3466 [but] disceyued $ou shalt fynde $ee, wherfore I rede $ee wel $at
3467 upon $i warde $ou keepe $ee, and nouht triste $ee on him ne in
3468 hise flateryes:  for whan $ou dost his wille, $ou shuldest in
3469 soth wite $at ayens $iself $ou strengthest him, and ministrest
3470 him his tool with whiche he werreth $ee and turneth $ee out of
3471 $i wey.  So if $ou haue wel vnderstonde me, he may wel be
3472 knowen to $ee, and wel $ou miht see $at he is $ilke $at is $i
3473 mortal enemy, $%a%t suffreth $ee not to ber%e ne endur%e $in
3474 armu%r%e."
3475     "Ladi,"  q%u%od I,  "God yilde yow:  I see riht wel $at it
3476 is $us.  Ye haue my bodi wel distincted from me, and al
3477 cleerliche shewed me how alwey he is contrarious to me,
3478 to alle $e [goodes] $at I [wole] doo;  so $at for I wot yow
3479 wys, and $at I shal alwey haue neede of yow, gladliche I
3480 wolde ye heelden $e wey to $e citee with me [where I am
3481 stired to go, for I trowe riht wel $at I shal fynde
3482 many an enemy in my wey, for $e shrewede paas which I know
3483 nouht, wherfore if ye weren with me] gret counfort ye shulden
3484 do me, so $at I prey yow $at ye wole come with me, bi yowre
3485 wille."  "Grace Dieu,"  q%u%od she, "if $ou haue hire with
3486 $ee it sufficeth wel:  $ou shalt neu%e%re in $i live haue more
3487 p%r%ofitable companye.  Nouht $at I wole [f.68r] excuse me $at I
3488 ne wole go with $ee.  [I wole go with $ee] sithe $%o%u wolt it,
3489 but I telle $ee wel $at bitwixe us tweye shal be su%mtime cloudes
3490 o$%e%r vapoures arisen, o$er mistes o$%e%r smokes, thoruh whiche I
3491 shal be hid fro $ee.  Su%mtime $%o%u shalt see me thikkeliche and
3492 derkliche, and su%mtime nei$%e%r more ne lasse $%o%u shalt se me, ne
3493 litel ne michel;  and su%mtime cleerliche $ou shalt se me wel
3494 apertliche.  After $e wey $ou gost, $erafter $ou shalt see me;
3495 but algates if $%o%u hast neede of me, seeche me aboute $ee, for
3496 if $%o%u seeche me bisiliche, $ou shalt fynde me rediliche.  Now
3497 alwey go, for $ou hast no neede to tarye ne to abide.  Tak
3498 good wey, and leeve not $i bodi, whiche is to $ee of euele
3499 feith."  And $a%nne thankinge hire of hire goodshipes, I sette
3500 me upon my wey, foorth to go withoute abidinge.  Ofte I fond
3501 al $at she tolde me, and ap%e%rceyued al $at she tauhte me.
3502 Seelden it was $at I sih hire, but if I dide gret peyne $erto.
3503 #e cloude hidde hire from me, $at $e bodi made bitwixe us
3504 tweyne.  "Now God keepe me from lettinge, for I can nei$%e%r wey
3505 ne path bi which I may sureliche go to $e cite I thinke to:
3506 wel I thinke $at I shal haue to doone, for whan I fynde myn
3507 adu%e%rsarie $ilke $at I haue softe norished, me thinketh $ilke
3508 $at I neuere sygh wole not do me more despyte."*
3509     Thus alwey as I wente and $us in goinge studiede, I sygh
3510 $at my wey [fourchede] and departede in twey weyes:  nouht $at
3511 $ei twinneden fer it seemede, $at oon from $at oo$%e%r, but
3512 [f.68v] bitwixe tweyne an hegge riht wunderful I sigh $at was
3513 set, whiche seemede streighte fer.  #er grewen $erinne bushes
3514 and bramberes:  bushes thorny, ful of p%r%ikkes, thikke pla%unted
3515 thoruhout, and thikke entermedled.  #at oon of $e weyes costed
3516 [it] on $e lift half, and $at oo$er on $e riht half:  wel it
3517 seemede $at oo wey it were if $e hegge amidde ne were.  On $e
3518 lifte side $er sat and lenede hire on a ston, a gentelwo%mman
3519 $at hadde hire oon hond vnder hire spayere, and in $at oo$%e%r
3520 hond she heeld a glove whiche she vsede pleyinge:  aboute hire
3521 fynger she kaste it and turnede it in and out.  Bi hire
3522 co%untena%unce I sigh wel she was nouht of gret care, for litel
3523 rouht hire of spinnynge or to laboure oo$er labo%u%r.
3524     On $e wey on $e riht half, a makere-ayen of [mattes] and
3525 arayour I sigh sitte, $at arayede and made ayen hise olde
3526 mattes;  and more yit, wherof abashed I was, for $at $at he
3527 hadde maad I sigh hi%m al tobreke ayen, and sithe araye it
3528 ayen.  Wel me thouht a fool he was, and $at no witte in him he
3529 hadde.  Litel I preisede him, but a fool I was, as I
3530 aperceyuede wel sithe.  Algates first to him I spak, al were
3531 it was me not leeuest, and seide him:  "Sey me now I pray $ee
3532 frend, which of $ese weyes is $e better%e?  I wente neu%e%re
3533 heerbi.  Teche me bi which I shal go."  "Whider",  q%u%od he,
3534 "woldest $%o%u rihtliche go?"  "Go?"  q%u%od I:  "I wule ou%e%r see
3535 into $e citee of Jerusalem, of whiche $e bisshop is born of a
3536 maide."  "Come",  q%u%od he to me, "[heer, for] I am rihtliche in
3537 $e wey.  Right bi me $e wey of innocence, and $e euene wey,
3538 biginneth.  #is is $e wey bi whiche $ou miht go to $e citee of
3539 [f.69r] biyo%unde see."  "Fain",  q%u%od I, "wolde I wite if $at
3540 $at $ou seist me is sooth, for $i werk seith me $at litel wit
3541 in $ee $er is.  I see $ou art set to make mattes, whiche is a
3542 foul craft and a poore - and I see $at ofte $%o%u vndoost $at
3543 $%a%t $ou hast wel doon, and makest it ayen, and $at thinketh me
3544 is no gret wit, but if $%o%u teche me $e cause."
3545     And $anne answerde me thilke: "#ouh of poore craft I be,
3546 it is no cause to blame me fore, ne to argue me of folye.  Eche
3547 wiht may not forge corownes of gold, ne cha%unge gold.  Oon
3548 hath oo craft, anoo$er anoo$%e%r;  $at $%a%t oon dooth, anoo$%e%r
3549 dooth not.  If alle weren of oo craft, pooreliche $ei shulden
3550 chevice hem, and I telle $ee wel $at $e craft $at is most
3551 poore is most neede of, and ofte is more necessarye $an $ilke
3552 $at is riche and gret.  #at oon bi $at oo$er is meyntened and
3553 gou%e%rned and sustened.  #er is neu%e%r oon $at is wikked but $at
3554 it be treweliche vsed.  It [thurt] not recche, but $at $e man
3555 be not idel whereu%e%re he be.  More is woorth poore craft trewe
3556 $an idel of court ryal.  #ouh I breke and make ayen to $at
3557 ende $at I be not idel, $ou shuldest not $%e%rfore blame me:
3558 for if I hadde oo$%e%r thing to laboure, I wolde ocupye me
3559 $%e%ron, and nouht tobreke $at $%a%t I haue maad for to make it
3560 ayen.  But $ou seest wel $at I haue nouht to doone but if I
3561 rente my werk and made `it/ ayen. #is ouhtest suffice $ee if $%o%u
3562 louedest me [to $i rihtes]."  "Loue!"  q%u%od I, "And who art $%o%u?
3563 And whennes is swich thouht come $ee?  #ou didest me neu%e%re
3564 good, ne miht doo, as me thinketh.  Men mihten holde me a fool
3565 if I yeue $ee my loue, but I knewe $ee oo$%e%rweys:  I see in
3566 $ee but folye and cokardye, $at p%r%eysest more [f.69v] $e
3567 laboreres $an $e idel folk.  I wot neu%e%re who hath tauht $ee
3568 $is, ne who hath maad $ee sey [it] nei$er, for wel I wot $at
3569 reste is michel bettere $an labour, and were bettere for
3570 oon holde him in ese $an ei$er werche or diche - and as longe
3571 as $ou holdest $e contrarie, for a fool $%o%u shalt be holde
3572 alweys."  "Oo,"  q%u%od he,  "my faire sweete frend, litel $%o%u
3573 knowest me, as me thinketh, and litel also $ou knowest [Oiseuce]
3574 and hire perilous co%untena%unce.  I aske $ee - answere me now -
3575 for what cause is it and for what reso%un $at yren $at is cleer
3576 and foorbushed waxeth rusty and foul, and holt not alwey his
3577 fairnesse?"  "If it be so",  q%u%od I, "of $at $%a%t $ou seidest
3578 me bifore, I haue wrong to argue more with $ee:  for at $ilke
3579 woord $%o%u hast ou%e%rcome me."  "Serteyn,"  q%u%od he,  "it is
3580 riht so $erof, for riht as $e yren with whiche men doon
3581 nothing is in perile $at it wole soone ruste, riht so $e man
3582 also $at is ydel and nothing dooth is in perile $at he ruste
3583 soone bi vice and bi sinne.  But whan he wole ocupie him and
3584 bisye him in labour, $at keepeth him from sinne and from
3585 spottinge of rust.  #is is woorth to him a foorbishour and a
3586 file and filour."
3587     "I prey $ee",  q%u%od I,  "$at $ou sey me where swiche
3588 woordes $ou hast drawe, and also $i name and who $ou art, for
3589 gretli I am abasht $at $ou $at I wende a nice man, answerest
3590 me so wel."  "Grace Dieu,"  q%u%od he, "whiche $ou seest not,
3591 speketh to $ee, nouht I.  She putteth me in myn ere, and
3592 co%unseileth me, al $at euere I sey.  Be neu%e%re abasht, for $ou
3593 shuldest wite $at I am $ilke $at yiueth $e bred to $e folk,
3594 withoute which $e kinrede of Adam hadde er $is ben [f.70r]
3595 dede for hunger ne nouht hadde be woorth elles $e arch of
3596 Noe.  I am $ilke $at shortliche maketh $e time passe, withoute
3597 enoyinge - $ilke for whiche alle men ben born, for $e bitinge
3598 of $e appel.  Cleped I am bi my riht name Labour, or
3599 Ocupacio%un.  Clepe me as $ou wult:  I ne recche whe$er of $ese
3600 tweyne.  Bi me $ei passe, $ilke $at gon into $e citee of
3601 biyo%unde `$e/ see, of whiche $ou speke `to/ me at $e
3602 biginnynge.  Now do $ou as is in $i thouht.  Come bi me, or on
3603 $at oo$er side tak $i wey:  but keep $ee wel $at bi $e
3604 cheesinge of $i wey $ou [be holde] no fool."
3605     Whan [he] hadde [$us] seid me $e mattere who he was and what
3606 name he hadde, I thouhte I wolde go bi his wey.  But in $at
3607 time my sory body bigan to flatere me, and to glose me,
3608 seyinge to me:  "Fool!  What gost $%o%u $us thinkinge?  Leevest
3609 $%o%u $is fool, $is cokard?  Leeue him nouht.  Go from him.  He
3610 ne is but a turmento%u%r and a trauailo%u%r of folk.  Go spek w%i%t%h
3611 $e dameselle $at hath hire hond vnder hir%e spayere:  aske hire
3612 $e wey also, as $ou hast doon of $is.  She p%e%rauenture shal
3613 telle $ee swich woord $at $%o%u shalt neu%e%re recche of $is wey
3614 $at is on $e riht half, but shalt go bi $at oo$er on $e lift
3615 half."   "Oo,"  q%u%od I to $e bodi:  "ful wel, ful wel knowe I
3616 $ee.  I wole not $erof, for I woot wel if I leevede $ee I
3617 shulde soone go an yuel wey."  "And if I sey sooth,"  q%u%od he,
3618 "wolt $%o%u $a%nne leeue me?"  "Ye"  q%u%od I.  "#e wey on $is
3619 side",  q%u%od he, "is not fer from $e wey on $e yonder side.  Al
3620 is oon, but $%a%t bitwixe tweyne is $e hegge of thorny wode.  An
3621 hegge is no wal with kernelles for to close with toures
3622 [f.70v] ne castelles:  $er is noon hegge ne is perced in
3623 sum place and tobroke, or $at men ne mown perce it and breke
3624 it in sum place;  so $ouh $ou were forveyed o$er ferred from
3625 $i wey, soone inowh $%o%u mihtest passe $e hegge and turne ayen
3626 to $i wey withoute any withseyinge - wherfore if $ou
3627 vnderstonde my seyinge, it may not michel greeve $ee to go
3628 speke with $e faire $at sit yonder upon hire ston."  And $anne
3629 I seyde him:  "Go we now $ilke wey, wel I see pees shulde I
3630 noon haue, but in sum poynt I leeuede $ee."
3631     To $e damiselle I com me, $at at $e eende of $at oo$%e%r
3632 wey sat, and seide hire gretinges;  and she seide:  "God looke,
3633 freend."  "Damiselle,"  q%u%od I, "treweliche ye [do] me a gret
3634 curteysie and ye tauhten me my wey if ye coude it."  "Of $e
3635 wey",  q%u%od she,  "$%o%u miht not faile if bi me $ou wolt come,
3636 for I am porter and vussher of many a fayr wey.  I lede $e
3637 folk to greene wode to gadere $e violettes and $e notes.  I
3638 lede hem to $e places of delite, of pley and of disport:  $ere
3639 I make hem heere songes, ro%undelles and ballades and swete
3640 sownes of harpes, of simpha%unes, of organes and of oo$%e%re
3641 sownes whiche were wel longe to telle al.  #ere I make hem see
3642 pleyeres at $e bal, pleyes of iogelours, pleyinge at $e
3643 tables, at $e chekeer, at $e bowles, at dees, at merelles and
3644 manye oo$%e%re museryes.  If into swich place $%o%u wolt go, bi me
3645 $o%u muste passe.  Now loke whe$%e%r $ou wolt come, for with $ee
3646 $i co%unseil $ou hast."  "Counseyl",  q%u%od I, "allas sorweful!
3647 Co%unseil I haue, but he hath no wil to co%unseil me treweliche.
3648 A[f.71r]yens me, to werrye me, he is bicome aduocat.  Wel was
3649 I desceived whan I acorded me to yive him a pensio%un to
3650 co%unseile me;  and yit I am more desceyued, for alwey bo$e
3651 yisterday and today haue he wole $ilke pensio%un, and take it
3652 him I muste.  I wot neu%e%re whe$%e%r eu%e%re I shal haue riht of
3653 him, or whe$er eu%e%re I shal see me venged."  "Why so?"  q%u%od
3654 she.  "Seist $%o%u so?  #ou art a fool.  See I not wel $at he
3655 hath yiven $ee good co%unseil whan he hath brouht $ee to me?"
3656 "Serteyn,"  q%u%od I,  "fayn I wolde it were soo:  but I ouhte
3657 make a crosse $a%nne, for it shulde be $e firste time $at eu%e%re
3658 he hadde wel co%unseiled me."  "Sey me now",  q%u%od she, "how he
3659 hath co%unseiled $ee, and bi what woordes he hath mad $ee come
3660 hider to me, and what he seide $ee - and I wole telle $ee
3661 anoon if his co%unseil be good and trewe."  "He seide me",  q%u%od
3662 I,  "$at aloyngne me ne forueye me fro my wey michel mihte I
3663 nouht, $ouh I come to speke with yow:  and $at $ouh I were
3664 forueyed or out of my wey bi yow, yit (he seide me) $e hegge
3665 shulde soone be perced and broke, wherbi I shulde soone mown
3666 [turne] ayen to my wey.  Swiche wordes haue brouht me hider:
3667 God leeue I be wel aryued."  "Now $ou maist",  q%u%od she, "see $at
3668 he wole not disceyue $ee.  He wole suffre for to saue $e and
3669 for to keepe $ee from harm;  for whan he speketh to perce $e
3670 hegge to redresse $ee, wel $ou miht see $at he seecheth nouht
3671 to his disport ne to his solas, for if any peyne $er be,
3672 soonest shal he haue it allone, nouht $%o%u.  He shal be
3673 scracched and prikked and bebled.  Leeue him $%e%rof al
3674 sureliche:  in $at [f.71v] miht $ou nothing leese.  Come bi
3675 me.  It is $i wey.  #ou art not $e firste pilgrime:  $er haue
3676 come su%mme er now - $e wey is al forbeten."
3677     "Ladi,"  q%u%od I,  "sithe ye wole and rede $at I go bi
3678 yow, seith me $e condicio%un of yow, and how ye hatten:  $is
3679 wolde I fayn witen biforn I wente yowre wey."  "Therof",  q%u%od
3680 she, "needeth $ee nouht gretliche recche to wite if $ee like,
3681 for many $%e%r haue passed bi me $at $is haue not asked.  I was
3682 so plesa%unt to hem $ei speken not $erof nei$%e%r more ne lasse.
3683 Neu%e%r$eles, sithe $%o%u wolt knowe $is, wite in certeyn $at I am
3684 oon of $e popettes $at Dame Peresce (whiche $%o%u shalt see and
3685 fynde heerafter) [made and] sette heere.  Hire douht%e%r I am, and
3686 am cleped Oiseuce $e tender sister.*  I loue better to strike
3687 my glooves, to keembe myn hed, to shode me and to biholde me
3688 in a miro%u%r $an do any oo$er labo%u%r.  I wishe after festes
3689 and Sonedayes for to rede vanitees, to gadere lesinges
3690 togid%e%res and make hem seeme soothe, and for to telle trifles
3691 and fables, rede roma%unces of lesinges.  I am $e freend of
3692 $i bodi:  whan $%o%u slepest and whan $ou wakest I keepe him $at
3693 he haue no peyne, and $at $er be no wales in $e hondes.  Ofte
3694 I yive him greene garla%undes, and ofte I make him biholde his
3695 skin, if it be fair, and if [he] be wel arayed, wel clo$ed and
3696 wel hosed, and su%mtime I make wormes come in $e hondes for to
3697 digge in hem, to tile  and to ere hem withoute any sowinge.
3698 Now looke what $ow wolt doone - what $%o%u thinkest, what co%unseil
3699 [$ou] hast.   If $%o%u be leef to come bi me,  sey it anoon,
3700 and withoute taryinge tukke $i lappes in $i girdel and set $ee
3701 i%n [$e] wey."  [f.72r]  Whan she hadde so seide me, anoon I
3702 seide hire:  "Sithe my bodi is youre frend, if ye loue him
3703 treweliche, ye shulden not desceyue him:  and wel ye witen, if
3704 [he] weren forueyed, he were desceyued - for I wolde sharpliche
3705 and shrewedliche passe.  Soone ynowh I wolde make me swich an
3706 hole $at I wolde fynde ayen my wey.  Litel I wolde bipleyne
3707 him, $ouh he were prikked and scracched!"  "Go,"  q%u%od she,
3708 "spek no more.  Of himself $e wey is chosen. Blame not me, ne
3709 argue me not of fals loue."  And $a%nne bi Oiseuce I passede,
3710 and into hir wey entrede me.  #at oo$er wey I sette al in
3711 negligence and into foryetinge, $is I took bi my folye:  It
3712 may not be it ne is $e wers for me.  Forueyed I am, but I wot
3713 nothing $erof but riht soone I shal see it wel ynowh.  Now God
3714 yiue me grace [so] to go, and $e shrewede pases so to passe $at
3715 su%mtime er I come to $e ende of $e shrewede wey I mowe come
3716 ayen to $e goode wey, and passe $e hegge.
3717     Thus as I wente [alwey] costinge $e hegge, a vois I herde
3718 on $at oo$%e%r side $at clepede me and seide:  "Musard, what
3719 doost $%o%u $ere, and whider gost $ow?  Why hast $%o%u leeved $e
3720 co%unseil of $ilke berkinge lyere Oiseuce, $e grete
3721 jangeleresse?  #e co%unseil $at she hath yiven $ee shal lede
3722 $ee `to/ pou%e%rte.  It shal lede $ee euene to $e deth, albeit
3723 $e wey is wrong.  In litel time she hath desceyued $ee.  Seint
3724 Bernard clepede here not for nouht stepdame of vertu, whan he
3725 kneew hire and was avised of hire.  She is more stepdame to
3726 pilg%r%imes $an kyte to chekenes - wel I trowe $%o%u shalt fynde
3727 it soone ynowh, and $at swich $%o%u shalt fynde hire [f.72v]
3728 anoon, if $%o%u ne come hider and leue $e wey of biyo%unde."  And
3729 $a%nne al abasht I was, and as who seith al out of myself, for
3730 who spak I sigh not, and who it was I wiste not.  Algates I
3731 answerde:  "Sey me now",  q%u%od I, "[I] pray $ee, who $ou art $at
3732 [areynest] me and $at $us spekest to me?  I shulde neuere be at
3733 ese but I wiste sumwhat."  And $a%nne answerde $ilke $at spak:
3734 "#ou owhtest wel wite who I am, for I hadde doon $ee michel
3735 good (if anything $erof $ou haddest w%i%t%hholden):  I am $ilke
3736 $at ledde $ee into myn hous and shewede $ee many a fair iewel,
3737 and made $ee yifte of hem.  Grace Dieu men clepen me."
3738     Whan I herde $at, $a%nne I seide hire:  "Goode ladi, sithe
3739 it is ye, I thanke yow, and wel I ouhte, $%a%t ye deyne to speke
3740 to me.  I haue had gret wille to speke with yow, of $is wey
3741 for to aske yow who maketh $is hegge $at is heere amidde.
3742 Wherfore I pray yow $at ye lerne me and teche me $e soo$e, and
3743 sithe afterward to my powere I wole do my devoyr to passe it.
3744 #ouh my bodi haue to suffre, I thinke wel to suffre it.  He
3745 hath be my co%unseilo%u%r - $ouh he haue sorwe, I ne recche!"
3746 "Serteyn,"  q%u%od she,  "forth $%o%u shuldest passe it thoruh, if
3747 any herte $%o%u haddest, for aft%e%r $%a%t $%o%u gost fer$%e%re, $%o%u
3748 shalt haue $e hegge thikker%e."  "Ladi,"  q%u%od I,  "$%e%rof I am
3749 glad, for bi so michel shal $e bodi $%a%t [hath] wold bitraye me
3750 i%n makynge me come on $is half, be punyshed $e more."  "Now
3751 vnderstond,"  q%u%od G%r%ace Dieu $a%nne,  "$e hegge $%a%t is amidde
3752 $e twey weyes is $e ladyes whiche $ou seye haue a maylet and
3753 smerte yerdes, and $e beseme [f.73r] bitwixe $e teeth.
3754 Penitence she maketh clepe hire in heuene, in eer$e and in
3755 see.  She pla%untede $e hegge for $ilke $at gon $e wey
3756 biyo%unde, to $at ende $at $ei mown not passe to $is half
3757 withoute enduringe of peyne.  She pla%untede it also for to
3758 take $erof yerdes and baleys, and for to hafte $erwith hire
3759 mailettes alle times $at it be neede:  for in many places she
3760 hath to doone with hem, for to withdrawe with sinneres fro%m
3761 yuel.  #e hegge at $is biginnynge is not riht thikke.  I rede
3762 $ou passe it anoon, for soone heerafter $%o%u miht fynde swich
3763 thing $at shal lette $ee, and shal not suffre $ee passe
3764 hider."
3765     And $a%nne I bigan to biholde hider and $ider, and to
3766 muse, to wite if I mihte fynde any hole bi which I mihte
3767 passe.  But in musinge I sygh Reso%un on $%a%t oo$%e%r side, wherof
3768 I was michel abasht.  Wel I knewe hire bi hir visage.  "Ladi
3769 riht wys,"  q%u%od I,  "how haue ye left me on $is half, $at
3770 wende foot bi foot with me ye hadde allwey come and nouht left
3771 me?"  "On me",  q%u%od she, "it is not long, for $ou hast first
3772 left me.  If $ou haddest come on $is half, yit $ou haddest had
3773 me w%i%t%h $ee.  But weene not $at I wole go wey $at be
3774 blameworthy.  I wole holde me to $e goode wey, bi which goon
3775 $e goode pilg%r%imes.  Come hider, and leeue G%r%ace Dieu, for she
3776 hath profred $ee $e faireste of $e pley, and fool $ou shalt be
3777 if lengere $e wey on $at oo$er half $ou go."  Whan she hadde
3778 $us seid me, yit I bigan to muse and to koleye, to biholde
3779 where $e leste thikke of $e hegge were, and $e leste sharpe -
3780 for I hadde pite of $e bodi, more $an I shulde.  Now God for
3781 his pitee [f.73v] keepe me, for I am nygh a shrewed market:
3782 while $e brid goth coleyinge hider and $ider turnynge $e
3783 nekke, ofte it bifalleth $at in $e strenges he is take whiche
3784 is set in his wey, o$%e%r it happeth $at he is slayn with a
3785 bolt, o$%e%r bilymed.  He is a fool $at doth not whan he may,
3786 for he shal not whan he wolde.
3787     Now I wole telle yow how it bifel me, wherof michel
3788 [misfel] me.  As I wente musinge, seechinge an hole in $e hegge,
3789 $er weren in my wey strenges and cordes whiche I sigh not.
3790 Withinne hem I felte me teyed sodeynliche, and bi $e feet
3791 arested, wherof I was gretliche abasht and sori to myn herte.
3792 I lefte spekinge to Reso%un, and haluelinge I foryat Grace
3793 Dieu.  Of $e hegge I made no fors, ne to fynde nei$er hole ne
3794 gap.  I hadde inowh to doone and to thinke, to [vnknytte] $e
3795 cordes.  Breke hem mihte I nouht wel, for I was not so strong
3796 as Sampson.  A vile old oon, [foul] and maugracious and hidous
3797 ($at I sih not bifore, for she com seuynge me)  helde $e cordes
3798 and $e streenges with $at oon hand, and gripede hem.  Whan I
3799 turnede me ayen and sigh hire, abasht I was more $an bifore,
3800 for I sigh hir%e al mossy, and of mosse al rouh - foul and old,
3801 vile and blak, salwh.  She hadde be foul in an halle, whoso
3802 hadde seyn hire da%unce.  A boucheres ax she hadde vnder hire
3803 side for to kille with swyn, and she bar cordes in a fardelle
3804 bo%unden to hire nekke.  Wel I wende, whan I sigh $e manere,
3805 $at a takere of wulues she hadde ben, or of otres, for to kinges
3806 huntes [for] $e wulf and for $e otre longen swich trusses.
3807     "What is $is?"  q%u%od I.  "#ou olde stinkinge!  What comest
3808 [f.74r] $%o%u $us folwinge me?  What art $%o%u, and bi what riht
3809 arestest $ou me heere?  #ou shuldest not come $us withoute
3810 spekinge o$%e%r koughinge:  wel it sheweth $ou come neu%e%re out
3811 of good place.  Flee hens, and let me don of $ese strenges
3812 from aboute my feet:  I am nei$%e%r gerfauco%un ne fauco%un ne
3813 sperhauk ne a m%e%rlyo%un ne noon oo$%e%r faucowners brid, $us for
3814 to be bownde with gessis."  And $a%nne $e olde answerde me.
3815 "Bi myn hed,"  q%u%od she,  "$ou askapest me not as $ou weenest.
3816 Euele $ou come heere.  Of me $%o%u shalt haue it!   'Olde
3817 stinkinge' $ou hast cleped me.  Old I am, but miscleped me $ou
3818 hast of $at stinkinge $ou hast seid me, for stinkinge am I
3819 not, I trowe.  In many a fair place haue I be, bo$e in winter
3820 and in somer, leyn in chambres of empro%u%res, of kynges and [of]
3821 oo$%e%re grete lordes:  leyn in corteynes of bishopes, of
3822 abbotes, of prelates and of preestes, $at neu%e%re was cleped
3823 stinkinge erst in no time, ne nempned.  Whens cometh it $ee
3824 how durst $ou speke $us?  #ou art in my strenges arested and
3825 teyed:  I trowe $ou woldest be riht fers, and speke riht euele
3826 to me if $ou were ascaped me - and $%e%rfore sithe I holde $ee,
3827 I trowe $at I shal wel venge me.  I wole putte $ee into swich
3828 place where I wole make $ee leeue in my god."
3829     "Thow olde!"  q%u%od I.  "Who art $ou, $at hast $e herte so
3830 stout?  #i name $ou shuldest sey, sithe $ou manasest me so."
3831 "Serteyn,"  q%u%od she,  "I wole it wel $at it be nothing heled
3832 to $ee mi name, who I am, wherof I serue.  I am wyf to $e
3833 boucher of helle, $at lede hy%m bi cordes $e pilgrimes $at I
3834 may a[f.74v]reste and bynde bi $e feet as $ouh it were swyn.
3835 Manye I haue led him er now, and yit I shal lede him ynowe, of
3836 whiche $ou shalt be $e firste, if $ou ne ascape me out of my
3837 strenges:  $erfore I come to bynde $ee $us p%r%iueliche and
3838 stilleliche, for if I hadde oo$%e%rweys comen, I wende wel haue
3839 lost my trauaile, for $%o%u woldest haue passed ou%e%r and go $i
3840 wey.  I am $e olde $at ly bi children in here beddes,  $%a%t
3841 make hem turne on $at oo$%e%r side, and be loth to rise.  I am
3842 boren for to ley hem in cradel and to make hem slumbre, and to
3843 shitte $e liddes of here eyen $at $ei see nouht $e light.  I
3844 am $ilke $at maketh $e gou%e%rno%u%r slepe amiddes $e ship vnder
3845 $e mast whan he hath lost o$%e%r broken $e [steere], $ouh it be
3846 amiddes $e see, and $at he see wyndes risen.  Whan he hath
3847 lost cheuisha%unce, I make him putte al in neu%e%re recchinge,
3848 and al suffre perishe and go to nouht, and $e ship go in
3849 perile.  I am $ilke $%a%t make thisteles come into gardynes
3850 withoute delvinge, and make brambres and netles to rise.  Ofte-
3851 -times it hath bifalle me $at $at was redi to make [bi] $e morwe,
3852 I slewthede it and dide no more $ertoo.  Gladliche of alle
3853 thinge gen%e%ralliche I abide $e time to come, and wel ofte bi
3854 me hath be many a good werk slewthed.
3855     I hatte Peresce $e goutous, $e encrampised, $e boistous,
3856 $e maymed, $e foollich, $e fo%unded, $e froren.  And if
3857 oo$%e%rweys $ou wolt nempne me, Tristesse $ow miht clepe me:
3858 for all $at I see, it annoyeth me, and riht as a mille $at
3859 hath in him nothing to grynde maketh poudre and bren of
3860 himself, riht so go I gryndinge myself and wastinge myself,
3861 and al for anoye.  For $er pleseth me nothing but it be doon
3862 [f.75r] at my lust and at my wille;  and for alle [thinge]
3863 annoyeth me soo, I bere $is ax which men clepen Annoye of Lyf,
3864 $at astoneth and dulleth $e folk riht as a gobet of led.  #is
3865 is p%r%opeliche $e ax with whiche I dullede sumtime Helye, vnder
3866 $e [genievre].  Ne hadde be $e hye [honged] bi whiche he was
3867 twyes excited, he hadde not escaped me for miht he hadde.
3868 With $is ax I dulle and lede $e clerkes at cherche.  So hevy
3869 and so leded I make hem $at if $ei were weyen, men mihten
3870 selle hem bi peys, and oon shulde [wel weye] two or thre.  I
3871 spare noon $at I may dulle, and $at I fynde.
3872     These strenges heere and $ese cordes with wiche $%o%u art
3873 bo%unden, ben maad of my bowelles, and $%e%rfore $ei ben stronge.
3874 #ow miht drawe:  $ei wolen not breke.  #ei ben not cordes of
3875 Cleeruaus, but $ei were made of synewes al blak and twyned and
3876 out of my wombe drawen.  If $ou wolt wite how $ei hatten, $at
3877 oon hatteth Negligence, $at oo$%e%r is Werynesse and Letargie $e
3878 sownere.  Le$ie $ei ben and softe:  suiche I made hem for to
3879 bynde with $e folk, and for to wynde faste aboute hem to make
3880 $e folk abide withoute reendinge of here robes.  If I sey
3881 sooth, $ou wost, for bi hem tweyne I holde $ee.
3882     Of hem $at $ou seest trussed and fardelled at myn nekke,
3883 as at $is time I holde me stille, and leue it [for] til anoo$%e%r
3884 time:  al bitimes $ou shalt fynde $ee in hem and feele $ee
3885 bo%unden.  Of oon withoute moo I wole telle $ee, for I wole
3886 more enforce me to bynde $ee and areste $ee $erinne $an in $e
3887 oo$%e%re:  $ilke corde bi his rihte name is cleped Desperacio%un.
3888 It is [f.75v] $ilke $at Judas heeng bi whan he hadde bitrayed
3889 $e kyng Ih%e%su.  #is is $e hangemannes corde of helle with
3890 wiche he draweth and hangeth on his gibet $ilke $at he taketh.
3891 I bere it aboute in $e cuntre for $e hangeman hath co%mmitted
3892 it to me to $%a%t ende $at if I fynde any fool, I make him a
3893 knotte aboute $e nekke, and $at I drawe him and lede him, and
3894 $%a%t he haue euele sorwe.  Now looke whe$%e%r to good hauene $e
3895 wynd of $e north haue brouht $ee, and whe$%e%r Oiseuce, $at
3896 seith she is my douhter, haue wel serued $ee of gyle?  She
3897 made $ee come on $is half, and heere $ou shalt dye, if I ne
3898 dye."
3899     Whan $e olde hadde $us spoken and sermowned of hire
3900 craft, with gret despyte I seyde hire ayen:  "#ou olde mossy!
3901 Me thinketh $in acqueynta%unce nothing woorth.  Lat me go, for
3902 $ou doost me lettinge, and hast er now doon."  And $anne she
3903 drow hire ax from vnder hire side, and smot me so gret a strok
3904 $at do%un she ou%e%rthrewh me.  If myn hawbergeo%un I hadde had,
3905 wel it hadde $a%nne be me in seso%un, for $e strok which I was
3906 smyten with was dedlich, ne hadde I had with me in my scrippe
3907 of $e oynement $at $e kyng maketh, $at is $e gostlich oynement
3908 $at no dedlich man kan make.  #at hadde Grace Dieu put in my
3909 scrippe whan I took it.  Wel she wiste I shulde haue neede
3910 $%e%rof, and $erfore she hadde $erinne put it.  "Harrow!"  q%u%od
3911 I, whan do%un I sih me.  "Goode Lord God, Ih%e%su, mercy!  #is
3912 olde hath ou%e%rthrowe me and slayn me with hire ax.  If of you
3913 I ne haue socoure $e soner%e, I see nothing of tomorwe in me.
3914 Help me and soco%ure [f.76r] me, and out of $is peryle caste
3915 me."
3916     As I compleynede me, and in compleyninge lay do%un, $e
3917 olde leyde do%un hire fardell, and wolde vnfolde $e hangema%nnes
3918 corde for to tye me aboute $e nekke - wherof me thouhte not
3919 wel.    "Weenest $%o%u",  q%u%od she,  "for to eskape for $i
3920 waymentinge and for $i cryinge?  #e hangema%nnes corde I wole
3921 putte aboute $i nekke and fastne, and sithe afterward I wole
3922 be [drawestere] and [hangestere] of $ee.  In $at dede wole $e
3923 hangeman avowe me wel: it shal like him wel." Whan I herde swich
3924 manassinge and sigh wel $e redyinge, on my burdo%un I bithouhte
3925 me.   To him I cleuede,  and myn herte com ayen.   With bo$e
3926 handes I gripede it, and lenede me $erto, and so miche dide
3927 $at as who seith I ros ayen on my feet and dressede me.  I
3928 wolde haue flowe toward $e hegge, but $ilke olde was nei$%e%r
3929 slowh ne slepy, but after me she com with hire ax, and with
3930 hire cordes she withheeld me, of which I was not vnenpeched.
3931 "Ayen!  Ayen!"  q%u%od she:  "#ou gost not yit, I trowe.  It
3932 stont $ee in no stede to drawe ayen $iderward:  $e hegge $%o%u
3933 mostest foryete.  To myn ax and to my cordes $%o%u mostest of
3934 alle thinge acorde $ee."  #us she drof me ayen with hire ax,
3935 and droowh me bi $e streenges $at I bar and $at I droowh after
3936 me.  Sorweful I was, and gretliche dredde me $at with $e false
3937 Judas corde she made any knotte aboute my nekke.  Neu%e%r$eles,
3938 for I obeyede to hire al to al, she trussede it ayen on hire
3939 nekke as it was first, and forbar me.  #at oo$%e%r she leet do%un
3940 and [drawe] do%un bi $e eer$e, seyinge $at if I drowe me (were
3941 it [f.76v] neu%e%re so litel) to $e heggeward, she wolde anoon
3942 take hem ayen and to hire she wolde drawe me ayen.  So she
3943 dide as she seide, and wel heeld $at she bihyghte, for alle
3944 times $at I wolde go toward $e hegge and [rekeu%e%r] it,
3945 she fered me with manasses, and heff up hire ax to me, and
3946 took hire cordes and drowh, and from $e hegge aloyngned me.
3947     As I wente aloygnynge me so from $e hegge (as $ilke olde
3948 made me go wher she wolde) upon $e penda%unt of an hidous
3949 valey, foul and dep and derk, tweyne olde, riht hidous and $at
3950 to me weren riht wunderful, I sigh come euene to me.  #at oon
3951 bar $at oo$er in hire nekke, of whiche $ilke $at was born was
3952 so gret and so swollen $at hire gretnesse passede mesure.  It
3953 was not werk of nature as argued hire shap.  At hire nekke she
3954 bar a staf, and an horn she hadde in hire forhed, bi which she
3955 shewed hire riht fers.  In here hand she heeld an horn
3956 and bi a baudryk she bar a gret belygh;  and she was
3957 arayed with a white mantelle.  A peyre spores she hadde on
3958 w%i%t%h longe rewelles wel arayed.  Wel it seemede she was
3959 maistresse of $e olde, hire berer%e:  go she made hire where
3960 hire likede, and she heeld hire a mirrowr wherin she lookede
3961 hire face, hire sembla%unt and hire visage.  Whan I sih $us
3962 $ese tweyne olde, "What is $is?"  q%u%od I.  "Swete God, m%e%rcy!
3963 In $is cuntre ben but olde?  Olde heere, and olde $ere!  I wot
3964 neu%e%re whe$%e%r I be in Femynye $er wo%mmen hauen $e lordship.
3965 If I be slayn bi hem me were bettere haue ben ded [f.77r]
3966 born, and michel soriere I wolde be soo $an if I dyede in
3967 mortal werre."  And $ane a vois cam to me $at was (as I trowe)
3968 of Grace Dieu, $at seide me an hygh:  "To disconfort $ee is
3969 nothing woorth.  Bataile $ou shalt haue with $ese olde, o$%e%r
3970 withoute bataile $ou shalt yilde $ee.  #ou art entred into
3971 here cuntre, and $er entreth noon $at ne is assailed of hem
3972 and werred, be it on horse o$er on foote.  Be not abasht for
3973 tweyne or thre, for $ou shalt fynde heerafter oo$%e%re ynowe $%a%t
3974 wolen holde $ee riht nigh;  and I telle $e wel $at if $ou ne
3975 bee oo$%e%rweys armed and arayed, $ou shalt neu%e%re keepe $ee so
3976 wel $at $ou ne shalt be vileynesliche treted."  And $a%nne I
3977 seide here:  "I pray you $at ye seyn me who ben $ese heere
3978 $at I see comen nygh, and maken me abasshe soo."  "#ou shalt",
3979 q%u%od she,  "al bitimes aske hem whan $%o%u wolt.  Right as $ilke
3980 $at leedeth $ee bi here cordes hath seid $ee who she is, riht
3981 so shule $ese heere withoute lesinge seyn $ee who $ei ben, for
3982 I haue so ordeyned hem and coma%unded hem."
3983     Ryht as I ente%nded to $ilke noys $at I herde hye, $e olde
3984 $at hadde $e horn, and rod on $at oo$er, cam prikinge euene to
3985 me, sporinge upon $at oo$%e%r olde.  Hire horn she took and
3986 bleew, and after she seide me:  "Abide me $ere!  Euele come
3987 $ou heere.  Yilde $ee anoon, o$%e%r at a strok see $i deth."
3988 "Who art $ou",  q%u%od I to hire, "to whom I shulde yilde me $us?
3989 But if I wiste $i name, I wolde neu%e%re yilde me to $ee."  "And
3990 I wole",  q%u%od she, "teche it $ee.  #ow shuldest wite",  [f.77v]
3991 q%u%od she,  "$at I am $ilke $at of olde am cleped and alosed $e
3992 eldeste.  #er is noon so old as am I.  I ava%unte me $erof:  I
3993 forsake it not.  Bifore $at $e world was maad or $at $e heuene
3994 were ful maad, in $e nest of heuene I was bred and conceyued
3995 and engendred.  A brid $at men clepeden sumtime Lucifer bredde
3996 me:  was $er neu%e%re of brid so euele a bredinge [bred], for
3997 anoon as I was disclosed, and $at I sigh and aperceyuede my
3998 fader, so harde I bleewh him with $ese belyes $at I haue with
3999 me, $at from $e hye nest I made him falle do%un and plo%unge
4000 i%nto helle.  He was bifore a whyt brid, noble, gentel,
4001 brightere shynynge $an $e su%nne at ful midday.  Now he is
4002 bicome so blecched, so salt, so foul, $at [it] is werse $an $e
4003 deth.  In $e see he is waxe a fysshere, and a takere of
4004 briddes and of bestes.  Heerafter $ou shalt wel see him, whan
4005 [after] $e see $ow shalt go. Now I sey $ee, whan I hadde $us put
4006 him and shoven him out of his nest, I fel do%un w%i%t%h him, ne in
4007 heuene I dwellede no more.  Into eer$e I com, whiche was neewe
4008 maad, of whiche me thouhte not riht fair, for I sygh $ere a
4009 werk which was maad to clymbe an hy to $e nest from which I
4010 was fallen, and fro%m which I hadde maad my fader falle into
4011 derknesse.  Whan I sygh $at, in me $er was but wretthe,
4012 wherfore I bithouhte me $%a%t if I mihte, I wolde withoute
4013 tariynge make him falle also, and lette him to clymbe.  As I
4014 thouhte I dide:  I com to him, my belyes I took, and so bleewh
4015 him in his thouht, and so made his wombe [f.78r] to swelle,
4016 $at him thouhte if he eete of $e fruyt whiche was defended, he
4017 shulde be [as God his sou%e%reyn, al ful of wisdom].  Be $is wey
4018 he was suprysed and from al to al desceyued;  and $%e%rfore he
4019 was driven out of Paradys and stra%unged $ertoo.  He loste also
4020 his ava%untage to clymbe and go to $e nest.
4021     Whan I hadde don $ese tweyne chyldhodes, while I had
4022 soukynge teeth, and $at I was yit in chyldhode, I bithouhte me
4023 $at I wolde yit do harmes inowe.  Manye I haue don, and alwey
4024 doo, and wole do.  I make and purchace $e werres, and make $e
4025 lordes of cuntres haue discensio%uns bitwixe he%m, and discordes
4026 and indignacio%uns, $at oon ofte deffye and despise $at
4027 oo$%e%r for euele wil.  I am ladi and condyeresse, cheuentayn
4028 and constablesse of alle stoures in chevachyes $eras baners
4029 ben displayed,  $eras ben basenettes and helmes,  and
4030 garnementes of velewet beten with gold and siluer and oo$%e%re
4031 queyntisinges, and alwey $ei ben neewed bi me.  I make hoodes
4032 purfyled with silk and ribaned with gold aboute;  hattes,
4033 cappes, and hye crestes, streyte cotes with hanginge sleeves
4034 bi $e sides, to white surcotes rede sleeves, to nekke and
4035 breste white a coote wel decolo%u%red to be wel biholde.
4036 Garnementes to longe or to shorte, hoodes to litel or to
4037 grete, bootes litel and streyte or so grete men mihte make
4038 of hem tweyne or thre, a girdel smal or to brod with whiche
4039 queintisen hem as wel $e halte, $e boistouse, $e spaueynede,
4040 $e blynde, $e embosede, $e maymede and oo$%e%re - swiche thinges
4041 I make, for I wole $%a%t eu%e%ry wyght haue to me his eye, and $at
4042 of me be seid 'withoute peere' and 'singuler of aray' to $at
4043 ende $at I [f.78v] haue prys of alle and $at noon be [paringall]
4044 to me.  For of peere ne felawe I keepe noon in no time, and
4045 soone wolde myn herte clyve if any comparede him to me.
4046     Al $at I seye, I wole susteyne, be it good or yuel, and
4047 mayntene it, and neu%e%re wolde I repele thing $at I hadde euele
4048 seid.  I wole haue noon vndertakere, no maist%e%r, no techere,
4049 for riht as a scabbed beste hateth hors comb, and sor hed a
4050 comb, riht so hate I techinge and co%unseil and avisement.  #e
4051 wit of oo$%e%re I preyse nothing:  me thinketh my owen bett%e%re,
4052 and $at I can more $an any oo$er, and $%a%t $%e%r is no time
4053 nothing wel doon ne wel seid ne ariht ordeyned but it be
4054 forthouht bi my wit;  and suppose $at any wiht dide anything
4055 wel or seyde, be it neu%e%re so wel seid or doon, sithe bi me it
4056 was not doon, myne herte so disdeynows $erof I haue, $at litel
4057 lakketh it ne bresteth on tweyne.  I wolde aloone haue $e
4058 loos, $e wurshipe, $e prys, and wel I dar sey $at sori I am
4059 whan any is wurshiped or preised but I.  If any haue lasse $an
4060 I, anoon I haue him in despyte. I sey anoon he is nouht or
4061 $at he is an asse cristened.  If I heere $er be any wiht $at
4062 p%r%eyse me, I make sembla%unt $at I heere it nouht, or elles I
4063 sey him: '#ou skornest me:  $%o%u shuldest not so do.  I wot wel
4064 I am nouht so sufficient as ye gon seyinge of me.  Mi fame I
4065 knowe wel and see, but I kan nothing and $at forthinketh me.'
4066 And wost $%o%u whi I sey it, and why I humble me $us?  Weene not
4067 $at I sey it to $at ende $%a%t men seyn ayen to me:  'Ye seyn
4068 sooth, ye ku%nne nothing - ye haue knowinge of youreself', for
4069 if men seiden me soo, myn herte [shulde] breke [of] sorwe [and]
4070 anoon I shulde [f.79r] be slayn with $e spere I hadde forged.
4071 But I sey it for [$at] I wole $at $e tale be turned oo$erweys:
4072 $at is to sey $at it turne as bifore is seyd, wryinge to my
4073 wurshipes so $at at $e eende my preysinge be brouht ayen and
4074 confermed, $at men seyn:  'Lady, saue youre grace, from hens
4075 to Boloyne-[$e]-Grace is noon $at cowde ne mihte do as ye;
4076 youre wit is singuleerliche to alowe and to preyse:  I sey it
4077 yow withoute scornynge and withoute any flateringe.'  And
4078 $a%nne whan I heere swiche beringes up and swich ava%untinge
4079 blastes, myn herte hoppeth for ioye, and lepeth and trippeth.
4080 Swollen and wombed $anne I bicome as $ou seest, and of gret
4081 beringe.  #ei maken me place more $an I hadde:  large chayer,
4082 large benche, sitte allone as p%r%incesse, go bifore as
4083 duchesse, be with folk envirowned aferre withoute beeinge
4084 empressed, for anoon I shulde breste if I wer%e anything
4085 empressed.
4086     Feers I `am/ $a%nne as leopard, and thwart my
4087 lookinge.  Asquynt I biholde $e folk, and for feerstee I
4088 strecche my nekke and heve up $e browen and $e chin, makinge
4089 $e co%untena%unce of $e lyo%un.  I go with my shuldren spaulinge
4090 and with my nekke coleyinge, with alle myne ioyntes stiryinge
4091 and with alle my sinewes I make it queynte.  I am $e scume $at
4092 wole flote aboue [$e] good water and [swimme].  Of oo$%e%res
4093 wel doinge I wole make a scaffold and sitte aboue as an ape.
4094 I am as a swollen bladd%e%re $%a%t hath in yt but stench whan a
4095 man breketh it or vnbyndeth it.  I see nouht my feet ne my
4096 goinge for my gretnesse and my swellinge, ne neu%e%re apperceyue
4097 ne see defaute $at is in me.  #e defautes of oo$%e%re I see
4098 [f.79v] wel, [but of here goodshipes I see nothing, and
4099 $erfore] I am japere and scornere of alle folk: [swich shulde
4100 noon be founde at $e Castell Landoun for no peny.]  In old
4101 time I was cleped queen, and corowned;  but Ysaie, whan he sih
4102 me, anoon he cursede my coro%un.  Sorweful he was whan I bar
4103 it, and whan queen I was cleped.
4104     I hatte Orgoill $e queynte, $e feerce hornede beste,
4105 whiche haue take horn and set amydde my forhed, $e folk to
4106 hurtle.  It is an horn $at is cleped Feerstee and Crueltee -
4107 an horn of vnicorn, which is more cruelle $an biscorn or
4108 chisel of carpent%e%r.  In $e world $er is no steel, be it
4109 neu%e%re so wel tempred ne gro%unde, so wel poynted ne sharp, $at
4110 mihte perce ne entre withinne $e herte of man withoute
4111 rebo%undinge ayen if $is horn ne helpe and made $e wey.   I make
4112 $e wey to daggeres, to swerdes and to alle oo$%e%re yrenes whiche
4113 ben made to sle men with.  I hurtle on $e riht half and
4114 $e left half withoute sparinge preest [ne] clerk, [and
4115 more cruelliche I smite $an a riht wylde bole,] and wite
4116 wel $at [$ilke $at hauen poorged hem of here sinne to
4117 here power I hurtele harder and more cruelliche $an
4118 oo$ere.]  With me I bere a payre belyes, spores, staf
4119 and horn, and am clo$ed with a mantelle to shewe myn
4120 estaat $e fairere.
4121     My belyes hatten Veynglorie, maad to quykene with coles,
4122 for to make folk $at ben blacked with old sinne weene $ei
4123 ben shynynge and most wur$i of alle oo$ere.  #ese belyes hadde
4124 Nabugodonosor in his forge, $at seide he hadde fo%unded
4125 Babiloyne in his beautee and in his strengthe.  #e sparcles
4126 $at he caste sheweden wel $at he hadde withinne gret quiknynge
4127 of cole $at was maad bi instrument.  As wynd looseth and
4128 felleth do%un $e fruit of trees, [f.80r] riht so $e wynd of
4129 $ilke belyes leith alle v%e%rtues do%un to $e eer$e.  Al he
4130 bloweth do%un $at he ou%e%rtaketh.  He leeueth no goodshipe
4131 bifore him.  He vnnestleth $e hye briddes, and ou%e%rthroweth
4132 do%un here feedinges.  He maketh hem leese bi here folye $e
4133 sustena%unce of here lyvinge.  If eu%e%re $ou herdest speke of $e
4134 rauen $%a%t sumtime heeld a cheese in his mowth, to whom $e fox
4135 seide:  'Rauen, so God keepe $ee as sey me a song, I haue
4136 desire to heere $e sweete so%un of $i faire polished throte,
4137 which is more woorth $an of a symphanye.  Leu%e%re I wolde heere
4138 it $an so%un of organe or of sautree, wherfore faile me not
4139 I prey $ee, for I come hider $erfore.' #e whiche whan he felte
4140 swich wynd, and was ou%e%rcome with suich blowinge, $e cheese he
4141 mihte no lengere susteyne, but leet it falle.  To singe
4142 he took him up withoute taryinge, as $ilke $at hadde $e herte
4143 gay, for he wende $at $e fox hadde seyd treweliche.  But nay -
4144 of his song he ne rouhte:  $e cheese withoute more he wolde
4145 haue.  He bar it awey as him likede, and $us desceyuede $e
4146 rauen.  Bi $is ensa%umple $ou miht cleerliche apperceyue $at $e
4147 wynd of $e belyes maketh hem $at ben best fe$ered leese and
4148 ley do%un $at $at $ei haue, $at is to seye $at whan I see any
4149 haue v%e%rtu in him, ei$er goodes of grace `or/ of fortune, to
4150 $at eende $at I drawe for oon and $at I doo awey his merelle,
4151 with $ese belyes heere I whistle him and blowe him soo $%a%t $at
4152 he holt he leeseth and cometh doun.  The wynd of $ilke belwes
4153 shulde neu%e%re powder ne asshen abide ($at is dedliche man,
4154 which is seid $at asshen and powder and dunge is).  #is
4155 [f.80v] powder whan it is blowen, it is with litel wynd
4156 reysed, soone gon in disparpoylinge and cast into p%e%rdic%io%un.
4157 #ese blastes maken reedes and floytes and shalmuses [often],*
4158 and $ilke $at ben voide of goodnesse and han no wit in hem.  I
4159 blowe with $ilke belyes $e herth to $ilke $at of his soule
4160 wole make a wastel to $e maister deuel;  and yit I sey $ee
4161 $erwith $at whoso hath light in his bosum, with $ilke belyes I
4162 fanne* it, and whe$er it be greyn or chaf, thing $at ouht be
4163 woorth or nothing woorth, I preeue it bi faste blowinge:  for
4164 if it be chaf soone I make it rise, but if it were greyn it
4165 wolde nothing do for my belyes.
4166     Bi $ese belies I can wel drawe and gadere ayen wynd, for
4167 whan any goth blowinge me and whistlinge in myn ere, seyinge
4168 me $at I am fair and $at I haue a fair cote, $at I am noble
4169 and riht mihty, wys, curteys and wur$i, $a%nne I drawe $at wynd
4170 to me, and in my wombe I make it place.  Gret I bicome, as $ou
4171 seest:  I haue seid it $ee er now.  #ilke wynd $anne maketh me
4172 araye me as a pecok, heue up my tail hye to $at ende $at men
4173 mown apperceyue my confusio%un.  To hem $at seen nothing, I
4174 haue an hundreth eyen of Argus $at ben shed in my tail (bet%e%r
4175 to here jugements $an to myn owen) with whiche I see myself
4176 cleerliche.  Of $e wynd of $ese belyes I am swollen so $%a%t if
4177 I ne were avented I shulde soone breste, or withoute brestinge
4178 dye for sorwe.  And $%e%rfore in stede of an avento%u%r I haue a
4179 special horn bi whiche I caste and vapoure out $e wynd [f.81r]
4180 $at I haue [in] my bodi.  #is horn bi his name shulde be cleped
4181 Vanta%unce o$%e%r Void Pa%unche:  it is $ilke bi which I abashe
4182 alle $e bestes of $e cuntre - bi $e whiche I make hem heue up
4183 here hedes whan I [wole] blowe harde.  I blowe prise ofte-time
4184 whan I haue nothing take, nei$%e%r in feeld ne in wode:  for
4185 ofte I ava%unte me of $at $at I haue of nei$%e%r more ne lasse,
4186 and seye $at I haue in time passed doon $at $at neu%e%re com in
4187 my thouht. I sey I am of gret kyn, of hygh and noble au%ncestrye,
4188 $at I was bore in gret hous,  to which longeth grete
4189 possessio%uns, and wel kan do $at and $at,  [and $at] $e kyng
4190 knoweth me wel, and inowe of oo$%e%re [tournements] whiche ben but
4191 bostinges;  and $e fooles weenen $at it be p%r%ise, $at kunnen
4192 nouht $e gise.  I blowe also whan I haue take a pray, o$%e%r $at
4193 I haue to my thinkinge doon any wur$i dede, for to $%a%t entente
4194 $at I wolde haue wurshipe I wole neu%e%re hele it, ne to be ded
4195 holde it stille.  As an henne $at hath leyd kakeleth anoon, so
4196 to eche wiht I telle it anoon:  'Tprw! Tprw!' I sey, 'Tprw!
4197 Tprw!  Haue ye herd, haue ye seyn, how I haue [seyd, how I
4198 haue done]?   What sey ye $erof?   Is it wel idoo?   Thinketh
4199 yow I haue p%r%operliche ydoon it, and subtilliche?  Trowe ye
4200 $at $ilke or $ilke hadde doon it $us?   Whan I wole studye
4201 or thinke on a thing, I am not agast $at $er be any $at kan
4202 bettere do, ne may, $an I.'
4203     Of $ilke horn cometh out gret breth whan it is blowen
4204 with ful bely, and a wrecche is he w%i%t%houte drede $at bloweth
4205 al $at he heereth, and $at bi no wey wole herkne ne heere noon
4206 horn.  Alwey wolde swich a musard ($at for $e horn is cleped
4207 a fool) $at men herden him alwey speke, and $at no man seide
4208 [f.81v] nothing but of him.  Who $at wole alwey holde
4209 p%a%rlement of himself, resembleth $e kockow $at can nouht singe
4210 and iangle but of himself.  Swich a fool, swich a blowere $at
4211 of his wynd is cleped ava%unto%u%r, seith $at he wot wel and
4212 vnderstant what folk wolden seye, and recoupeth here woordes,
4213 and holt hem as fooles.  To alle he answereth withoute
4214 askinge, and maketh his sentences flee abrod.  He argueth, he
4215 assoileth, he concludeth, and of swich cloth maketh ofte
4216 clout $at who $at seide it is nouht of swich colo%ur, soone he
4217 shulde be redi to chide and to rebuke, and to make poudre*
4218 flee.  Soone shulde he make eer$e-dene and sturinge of thunder.
4219 Swiche folk kan wel blame vices, and magnifye fastes and
4220 v%e%rtues and pena%unces, al be $er noon in here pa%unches, for
4221 $er is nothing in hem but wynd and blowing to make $e folk to
4222 wundre upon hem.  This horn maketh a shrewede hunte for seelde
4223 it bifalleth $at he is a takere;  he driveth al awey with his
4224 horn, and riht as $e pye with hire cryinge and chateringe
4225 suffreth no brid nestle nygh hire but maketh hem flee awey,
4226 and maketh hireself to be hated of hem alle, riht so eche wiht
4227 goth to flihte whan $ei heeren $e noise of $ilke horn:  [$er]
4228 [wole non] nestle nyh him for his iangelinge and his cryinge.
4229 This horn was not Rolandes, with whiche he bleewe in his
4230 deyinge.  It is not maad of $e horn of an oxe;  and longe
4231 it is sitthe it was not neewe:  it hath be maad eu%e%re sithe I
4232 was born, and of him I was hanselled, and as longe as I live I
4233 shal not [f.82r] leue it ne stinte to blowe it.  By it eche
4234 wiht shal mown knowe me and be avised of me if $ei wolen.
4235     Of $e spores I sey $ee also, for bi hem knowen I am.  #ei
4236 shewen $at I ride faire palfreyes o$%e%rwhile gladliche, for I
4237 shulde not deyne to go on my feet but I hadde hors [bi] me.
4238 #ei seyn I am more redi for to reu%e%rse and do ennoye $an for
4239 to go.  To go bacward myn heeles ben most redy:  $at
4240 oon hatteth Inobedience, and $%a%t oo$er is cleped Rebellio%un.
4241 #e firste Adam took on him whan he eet of $e frute bi Eeue:  he
4242 mihte bi no wise taste it but he wente reu%e%rsinge, and reu%e%rse
4243 mihte he nouht but he hadde first $e spore.  #e wey was nouht
4244 ha%unted:  withoute mo Eue hadde gon it, and after here wente
4245 he.  Sorwe cam $erof and yit shal.  #e spore whiche made him
4246 hardy, hooked him and to deth putte him.  Of euel time was he
4247 gentel man $at for to ete hadde a spore, and in sori time he
4248 hadde a steede whan for him he moste vse it, for ne hadde $e
4249 steede been $at of his riht side was foormed, hadde he neu%e%re
4250 deyned to haue vsed it ne had it to his mete.  That oo$%e%r
4251 spore sette sumtime on his heele $e kyng Pharao:  $at was whan
4252 $e sou%e%reyn ky%ng of his miht wolde deliu%e%re $e peple of Israel
4253 out of his powere and of his hond, and caste hem out of his
4254 lond.  But for ayens a strengere $an himself he wolde doo his
4255 miht, his spore was a lettinge to him and a gret encu%mbra%unce:
4256 for whan he hadde longe spored, in $e ende he reu%e%rsede so
4257 harde $at in $e see he ou%e%rthreew.  Swich $%e%r is $%a%t
4258 weeneth assaile oo$%e%re, $at with his owen strok ou%e%rthroweth.
4259 Men seyn he is not wys $at hurteleth ayens a sharp poynt.  But
4260 [f.82v] what $at eu%e%re shal bifalle, $e [prowde] may not
4261 withholde him, but trusteth so in his spore $at at $e ende he
4262 leeseth his lyf.
4263     Now I wole telle $ee of $e staf $at I bere in stede of a
4264 burdo%un.  I sustene me $erwith and lene me $%e%rto whan I fynde
4265 any wyht $at wole tarie me, and whan any wole ou%e%rthrowe me bi
4266 his sermo%un and p%r%eche me.  I skirme $%e%rwith and defende me
4267 whan any ayens my lust wole bi reso%un ou%e%rcome me and bineme
4268 me my condicio%uns.  I defende vices and sinnes:  $er is noon,
4269 old ne neewe, $at deyneth to yelde him as longe as I wole
4270 defende him.  #is is $e staf $at Rude Entendement $e cherl
4271 heeld in his hand, as $%o%u seye whan Reso%un desputede with him.
4272 Obstinacio%un it is cleped, as it was told $ee $at time.  #is
4273 is $ilke on whiche Saul lenede him whan Samuel vndertook him of
4274 $e pray $at he hadde [led] and kepte from Amalech.  It is a staf
4275 for a cowheerde whiche may in no time [bowe], for it is hard
4276 and knorred and writhen.  In $e wodes of Egipte my fader fond
4277 it $at brouhte it me.  In euele time [was] it [founde] for $ilke
4278 $at $erwith shal be beten.  The cherliche hertes I bete, and
4279 smite $%e%rwith with gret wille for to harde hem and make me be
4280 bihated of folk of good vnderstondinge.  I make flee and drive
4281 awey G%r%ace Dieu [of] alle places and make a stumblinge to hem
4282 $at ben bisy to turne ayen to $e hegge of Penitence;  and to
4283 $at eende $at $e lettinge be $e grettere, I haue maad a stake
4284 for to tye too $e laces of Peresce, $e bett%e%re to withholde at
4285 my lust $ilke $at I wole.  Now bihold whe$%e%r $ow ouhtest wel
4286 to crye 'Allas!' whan $%o%u hast fo%unde me.  I wole shewe $ee
4287 anoon $e pley $%a%t [f.83r] I can pleye.  But first, sithe I
4288 haue $us miche seid $ee, I wole sey $ee of my habite.
4289     This mantelle with whiche I am arayed as $ow seest, it is
4290 longe ago $at it was maad, for to couere with $at $at I haue
4291 of felthe, and for to mantelle with my defautes and consele
4292 myne vnthriftes.  Riht as $e snow embelisheth and whiteth a
4293 dong hep withoute, or $at peynture maketh shynynge a buryell
4294 $%a%t is foul and  stinkinge, riht soo $is mantelle hath
4295 mantelled me and seith to $e folk $at I am fair, and $at I am
4296 an holi thing;  but and I were wel disclosed and were seyn
4297 withinne, I shulde of neu%e%r oon be preysed.  If euere $ou seye
4298 an encha%untour pleye with an hat, how he maketh $e folk to
4299 weene $er be sumwhat vnder (and ofte it is $er is nothing),
4300 [$erfore] $ou miht wel vnderstonde $at albeit I be mantelled and
4301 wel hatted w%i%t%houte, whoso seye me wel withinne shulde mown
4302 seye 'Blow!  Heer is nothing!'  A brid $at hatteth ostrich
4303 bereth $e significacio%un of $e mantelle $at I haue, and of me,
4304 whiche hath $e fe$eren aboute him, and algates flee may he
4305 nouht, ne reise himself into $e eir.  Su%mme $at [knewen] him
4306 nouht shulden weenen he shulde fle.  Riht so $e folk leeven,
4307 after $e habite whiche [$at] $ei seen withoute, $at I be a brid
4308 hye raueshed, heuenlich, contemplatyf, $at I be a gostliche thing
4309 and $at I shulde flee to heuene.  But algates in eerthe I habite
4310 and al $ere delite me.  Flee may I nouht, [flee can I nouht].
4311 Mantelle and wynges I haue for nouht.  Ypocrysie bi his rihte
4312 name $is mantelle I clepe.  It is furred with fox skynnes in
4313 lengthe and in brede, albeit withoute woven, maad and worpen
4314 [f.83v] of wulle of white sheep.  Ofte I bere it to cherche,
4315 and do it on whan I go [to] preye to God, and [I] araye
4316 me $%e%rwith whan I drede me $at any wolde putte me out of $e
4317 estate and of $e dignitee [which] I haue a while be inne.  I
4318 do it on also whan I am al put out and deposed, and make $e
4319 %s%a%n%c%t%i%f%i%c%a%tur to recou%e%re sum hap.  I do as Renard dide, $at
4320 made him ded in $e wey for to be cast [in] $e carte and $a%nne
4321 haue of $e heringe.  Bi it I haue ofte ben in gret estate and
4322 gret degree, and as an ape clomben an hy and be as a goddesse
4323 biholden.  An ape I am, and apes ben $ei $at vsen it, for it
4324 maketh do and co%unterfete oo$%e%re craftes $an men ku%nnen do.
4325 And it is but an apeshipe to make $e folk muse so.  Ape was $e
4326 pharisee $at withoute shewede him clo$ed with bo%untee,
4327 co%unterfetinge $at he was iuste and livede wel, and as he
4328 seyde, fastede tweyes i%n $e woke, and was no sinnere as $e
4329 publican $at shewede to God his mayme.  #e ape $%a%t made him
4330 sumtime a cobelere bitoknede him, for he medlede him so michel
4331 of $e craft $at at $e laste he kitte his owen throte.  He is a
4332 fool $at medleth him of craft he hath not lerned.  I were not
4333 $is mantelle aloone:  it is maad for alle olde.   Eche borwith
4334 it [to] his [aray], for to be of $e fairer%e aray.   Peresce
4335 maketh hire wur$i and I make me hu%mble.  Alle $e oo$%e%re also
4336 cou%e%ren $e viletee of hemself $%e%rwith.  #e more it is vsed, $e
4337 more strong it is, and $e lasse wered.  I wole anoon do it $ee
4338 on, for I wole make $ee assaye it, and sithe after, if I haue
4339 leiser%e, of $ee I wole do at my wille."
4340     Whan Orguill hadde $us told me of hire aray, yit my wille
4341 was to wite who $at oo$%e%r was [f.84r] $at bar hire and
4342 susteyned hire.  "Oolde,"  q%u%od I,  "who art $ou $at
4343 susteynest Orguill upon $ee, and $at suffrest so $at so euel a
4344 beste be set upon $yn hed?  I trowe $ow be nouht wur$i, whan
4345 $ou berest hire $us upon $ee."  And $a%nne she answerde me:
4346 "Sithe",  q%u%od she,  "$ou wolt wite who I am, I wole sey it $ee
4347 withoute taryinge.  Wel $ou seist",  q%u%od she,  "withoute
4348 flateri%nge me, whan $ou seist I am nothing woorth:  for soo it
4349 is.  I am $e olde fool $at to eche wiht sey faire woordes, and
4350 intermete me to salue $e grete lordes, doinge awey $e fetheren
4351 of hem $at $ei haue nouht on hem.  I preyse hem bo$e in
4352 riht and in wrong, in servinge hem of %P%l%a%c%e%b%o.  I sey nothing
4353 ayens here wille, for wel I haue lerned to lye.  To fooles I
4354 sey $ei ben wise, to hem $at ben hastyf I sey $ei been
4355 atempree, to hem $at ben negligent I sey $ei ben diligent, and
4356 to tira%untes I sey $ei ben pitowse.  I can wel russhe a dungy
4357 place and coife a [sore hed] and I can with good oyntur%e enoynte
4358 a shrewede wheel $at cryeth, $at it shal crye more after and
4359 co%mmuneliche be $e werse.  I am welcome alwey to princes courtes
4360 and [wel] resceyued:  $er is nei$%e%r jogelour ne jogelouresse
4361 $at maketh gretter%e solas $ere $an I doo;  but $ei ben fooles,
4362 for alle I desceyue hem with $e floyte.  I am $e mere mayden
4363 of $e see, $at often make drenche and perisshe $ilke $at wolen
4364 heere my song.  Flaterye I am cleped bi my name, Treso%uns
4365 cosyn, eldere douhter to Falsetee, norice to Iniquitee.
4366 Alle $e olde $ou hast seyn bifore, and alle $ilke $ou shalt
4367 see after, alle [f.84v] $ei ben fed, norished and susteyned
4368 with my brestes, and albeit I am $us norishe to alle bi my
4369 vice, I am to Orguill an vndersettere and a susteynour by
4370 especial.  Hire I bere, hire I holde up, as $ow seest, and
4371 mayntene hire.  Ne were I, she wolde falle anoon, for she
4372 shulde not ku%nne go on foote."
4373     "Sey me now,"  q%u%od I,  "wherof serueth $ilke mirro%u%r $at
4374 I see?"  "Herdest $%o%u",  q%u%od she, "neu%e%re speke ne telle of $e
4375 vnicorn, how in $e mirro%u%r she leeseth al hire feerstee of $e
4376 wildernesse, and how she holt hire stille whan she hath seen
4377 hire hed $erinne?"  "I haue wel herd speke it"  q%u%od I.   "I
4378 wole", q%u%od she, "bi good riht likne Orguill to $e vnicorn,
4379 for if she mirrede hire not ofte, eche wight shulde wundre
4380 in hire man%e%re, and for loue she wolde nothing do.  But whan
4381 she hath wel mirred hire, and biholde hire visage, she
4382 bicometh more debonayre to $ilke $at holt $e mirro%u%r.  This
4383 mirro%u%r is [Resonance] and Acorda%unce To #at #at Men Seyn, for
4384 whan $e prowde seith anything, he wole $%a%t men seyn:  '#ou
4385 seist sooth, it is so;  I am a good mirro%u%r, mirre $ee in me.'
4386 But if he fo%unde no mirro%u%r, he shulde not hele his feerstee,
4387 but anoon he shulde haue up $e horn, and anoon hurtle as
4388 vnicorn - and $erfore to $at eende $at I be forboren and nouht
4389 hurtled I bere $e mirro%u%r, and gra%unte al $%a%t I here or see.
4390 I am Ecco of $e hye wode, $at answere eche wiht bi my [folage],
4391 and sey al $at I heer%e whe$%e%r [euere] it [shal] helpe or ennoye."
4392     And riht as Flaterye heeld me $us with talinge, and spak
4393 to me and tolde me hire doinges, and $e craft $at she cowde
4394 do, anoo$er old com upon me, wherof com gret afray to myn
4395 herte.  Tweyne [f.85r] speres she had ficched and tacched in
4396 hire tweyne eyen.  She wente upon $e gro%unde with foure feet
4397 as a drago%un, and witeth wel $at she was so leene and so drye
4398 $at she hadde in hire flesh ne blood.  Alle hire ioyntes and
4399 hire sinewes seemeden as vnheled.  Upon hire bak $er seeten
4400 oo$%e%re tweyne olde $at weren as gastlich as she, or more, and
4401 dreedful and horrible.  #at oon sat muselled with a fauce
4402 visage, and so she hadde hid hire foorme and hire visage $at
4403 no man shulde see hire.  A daggere she hadde in hire riht
4404 hond, and a box she held in hire left hond, but $e daggere she
4405 hidde bihinde hire, and conseled it.  #at oo$er olde heeld in
4406 hire hond a spere $at was al ful of eren of men perced, [$at]
4407 weren spited $eron.  #at oon ende extendede to meward, and $at
4408 oo$er bitwixe hire teeth she hadde, with a red bon bloodi
4409 ro%unginge as she com.  #e yren of a barbede spere was ymped
4410 $erinne.  It was maad swich an yren for to perce with and
4411 hooke $e pilgrimes.  #e olde shrewe made hire riht fiers ($%a%t
4412 euele passio%un come to hire).
4413     Whan I hadde wel seyn $ese olde, and wel apperceyued here
4414 aray, I bithouhte me $at I wolde wite here names, if I mihte.
4415 "#ow olde,"  q%u%od I to $e firste, $%a%t was berere of $e oo$%e%re:
4416 "sey me wherof $ou seruest, and $i name, if $ou wolt.  Gret
4417 hidouschipe and gret drede ye doon me, $ou and $ese oo$%e%re
4418 foule olde."  And $a%nne she answerde me:  "Serteyn,
4419 $ouh $ou be abasht, it is not w%i%t%houte cause, for soone
4420 wolde I deliu%e%re $ee to $e Deth.  I am Envye, which Orguill
4421 conceyuede sumtime whan Sathanas lay bi hire, to whom I am
4422 douht%e%r.  In $e world $er ne is castel ne to%un $at I ne haue
4423 doon [slauhter] inne of many a man and many a wo%mman.  I am $e
4424 wylde beste $at sloowh sumtime Joseph, which Jacob seide $%a%t a
4425 wylde [f.85v] beste hadde deuowred him.  Soothliche,"  q%u%od
4426 she, "I am $e riht wylde beste whom to see shulde no wight
4427 haue ioye ne yiue peny $erfore;  $at which I live with is
4428 bitter, and I shulde neu%e%re be at ese if I savowrede swete
4429 thing.  Oo$%e%res lennesse norisheth me, and oo$%e%res wrathe
4430 reioyseth me.  Oo$%e%res ioye teeneth me, oo$%e%res sorwe is my
4431 [tete]:  and if of swich mes I hadde ynowe, I shulde be gret and
4432 fat ynowh anoon;  but for I may not haue ofte swich mes at my
4433 wille, I am lene and pale, and discolowred.  #e p%r%osperite of
4434 oo$%e%re sleth me and maketh me lene and pale.  #e ese of oo$%e%re
4435 eteth my blood and souketh it as leches.  I leeue [wel] and I
4436 were in Paradise I shulde anon dye [of] sorwe: $e goodshipe $at
4437 is $erinne shulde sle me, and $%e%rfore he $at putte me $%e%rinne
4438 dide me wrong, for Deth hath assured me and couena%unted me $at
4439 I shal neu%e%re deye bifore $e time $at al $e world be ended.
4440 And yit [leeue I] nouht $at I shal $a%nne leese $e lyfe:  $e Deth
4441 bihight it me for $at bi me in $e world he sette him.  Bi me
4442 he come $ider in and entrede, and bi me he regneth and shal
4443 regne.  I am $e beste serpentine $at chewe al shrewednesse:  I
4444 hate alle folk $at wel doon, and to my power I confo%unde hem.
4445 #er is nothing $at I can loue in heuene, in eerthe, ne in see.
4446 I do despite to Charite, and werrye $e Holy Gost.
4447     W%i%t%h $ese tweyne speres $at $ou seest departe and come
4448 out of my tweyne eyen, I pursue and werrye eche wight.  #at
4449 oon hatteth Wrathe of Oo$eres Ioye, and $%a%t oo$%e%r is cleped
4450 Ioye of Oo$%e%res Adu%e%rsitee.  Of $e firste, Saul strengthed him
4451 to smyte Dauid whan he harpede, for he hadde despite and gret
4452 wratthe whan he was more preised $an he.  Of $at oo$%e%r kyng
4453 Ih%e%su had[f.86r]de $e side perced:  more harm dide him $e
4454 skorninge $%a%t $e Iewes maden of his torment $an dide $e spere
4455 $at [Longis] putte in his side.  These speres ben rooted and
4456 pla%unted deepe in myn herte, but bi myne eyen $ei haue here
4457 issue, for to make [me] beste horned, and for to make me caste
4458 venyme bi myne eyen, and envenyme my neghebores bi oonliche
4459 oon lookinge.  Myne eyen ben eyen of [baselique], whiche slen
4460 $ilke $at nestlen or enhabiten nygh bi me.  Dede $ei ben as
4461 soone as I see hem.  Mo of oo$%e%re shrewednesses I do ynowe
4462 whiche my douhtren mown wel telle $ee, if $ou wolt aske hem:
4463 $ei mown more esiliche speken $at ben on horse upon my bak,
4464 $an I $at haue no reste.  In askinge he%m and and seechinge who
4465 $ei ben, and in heringe what $ei shulen sey $ee, $ou shalt
4466 mown wite if $%o%u wolt of sooth who I am."
4467     "And I wole",  q%u%od I,  "withoute taryinge gladliche aske
4468 hem.  Who art $%o%u",  q%u%od I,  "$at sittest first upon Envye $e
4469 fierse, $at hast $i visage and $i facio%un hid vnder $is fauce
4470 visage, $at berest box and oynement, and knyf ydrawe in
4471 hideles, wherof no good I may thinke, if sum oo$%e%r thing $ow
4472 ne sey me."  And $a%nne she answerede me and seyde:  "If euery
4473 wiht wiste who I am, $er wolde noon neyghe me ne acqueynte him
4474 with me.  I am an executrice and a fulfillere of my mod%e%res
4475 wille, Envye.  And bicause she mihte not greeve eche wiht as
4476 she wolde, she sette me su%mtime to scole, and preyede me $at I
4477 lernede suich an art and swich a malice wherbi I putte hire
4478 euele affeccio%un into execucio%un.  Now I telle $ee I wente me
4479 to a scoole [f.86v] and $ere I fond my fader $at was maister
4480 $erof, and $ere tauhte my sister to ete mennes flesh raw,
4481 and to ro%unge bones as $ou seest.  Whan my fader sigh me,
4482 'Hider now, my douhter,' q%u%od he,  'wel I see $at sum gile or
4483 sum malice $ou wolt kunne for to desceyue with $e folk.  I
4484 wole teche it $ee with good will, and gretliche I shal be
4485 gladed $erof.'  And $anne my fader vnshette an hucche, and
4486 droow out $erof $is box and $is fauce visage, and took me $is
4487 knyf p%r%iueliche, whiche I bere stilleliche and in hideles.
4488 'Douht%e%r,' q%u%od he,  'who $at wole desceyue briddes, he may
4489 not sette $e wacches in $e thikke $er $ei ben, ne in $e
4490 pathes, for if $ei seyen a wacche $ere, anoon $ei wolden flee.
4491 #is, my douht%e%r, I sey $ee for $us michel, for if $%o%u wolt
4492 desceyue anoo$%e%r it needeth nouht $at $i foule face make to
4493 him a wacche, ne $at $i misshapen visage hidous and derk and
4494 foul $ou shewe him, for so $%o%u shuldest leese al $e labour
4495 $ou settest $eraboute.  But it needeth, deere douht%e%r, $at $%o%u
4496 haue man%e%re more subtile - $at $ou shewe him fair sembla%unt
4497 and fair cheere bifore,  [o$er] $at $ow doo as $e scorpio%un
4498 $at maketh bi dissimulacio%un fair sembla%unt and fair
4499 cheere, and stingeth with $e tail bihynde;  and $erfore,
4500 so $%a%t $ou accomplise and do $at withoute failinge, knyfe and
4501 box and oynement and fauce visage I presente $ee.  #ese ben
4502 instrumentes and tooles bi whiche manye han ben perished.
4503 Joab, whan he slowh Amason and Abner sumtime halp him $erwith.
4504 Judas also was not vnwarnished of hem whan he [solde] $e kyng
4505 Ih%e%su - Triphon also, and manye oo$%e%re whiche ben not wery to
4506 haue hem.  I rede $ee douht%e%r to haue hem to co%unforte [f.87r]
4507 with $i mooder, to helpe hire to fulfille $at $%a%t she may
4508 not doon allone.  With $e oynement $%o%u shalt enoynte hem
4509 whiche $ou darst not smyte with $e knyfe;  and with $e fauce
4510 visage peynted, to $i visage $ou shalt make a kage:  $at is to
4511 seye $at $i thouht $ou shalt hele with falsnesse, and bifore
4512 shewe oo$%e%r $an $%o%u shalt be withinne, and sithe $ou shalt
4513 haue woordes $at shulen be softe and enoyntinge.  #is is $e
4514 oynement w%i%t%h whiche ben enoynted ofte $e kinges and $e
4515 p%r%elates.  #er is nei$er duk, erl ne baro%un $at ne wilneth $is
4516 oynement, for $ei wolen alwey $at men seyn hem $at $at shal
4517 not anoye hem.  Wherfore, douhter, hardily enoynte hem w%i%t%h
4518 $ilke sweete oynement, and sithe after $e oynture, smyte hem
4519 so $at $ei mown not be cured.'
4520     Now I telle $ee whan my fader hadde $us seid me, out of
4521 $e scoole he wente.  Upon my mooder I am sett in $is wise, as
4522 $ou seest.  Maistresse I am as me thinketh, of al $at hath be
4523 tauht me.  Wel I can sette my fauce visage, and in alle poyntes
4524 entermete me of $e box and of $e oynement for to lawhe with $e
4525 mouth, and bite with $e tooth [I can wel] withoute abayinge, and
4526 make my cheere simple:  on $%a%t oon side frote and enoynte, and
4527 on $at oo$%e%r side smite and stinge.  I am $e addere $at holt
4528 him vnder $e gras til sum wiht cometh $at I sle whan he is
4529 sett bi me on $e gras.  Withoute $ou seest me arayed, but
4530 $%e%rfore $%o%u knowest me not treweliche.  Men knowen nouht wyne
4531 bi $e hoopes, ne folk bi $e clothinge.  Many a wilowh is ofte
4532 clo$ed with faire leues $%a%t is w%i%t%hinne al holowh and al ful
4533 of wormes.  I am a wormy wilowh:  whoso leneth to me is lost;
4534 and $ouh he [f.87v] triste me nouht, yit may noon askape me,
4535 for fro me may no man keepe him - nei$%e%r strengthe of folk, ne
4536 gret foyso%un, ne here wittes I preyse not at a budde:  so $at I
4537 haue set on my fauce visage and cast on hem a fals lawghinge,
4538 alle $ei ben perished and disceyued, and alle fallen into my
4539 mercy.  I am Treso%un, $at haue maad many times many a shrewede
4540 drauht.  I pleyede neu%e%re at game of merelles ne of chekeer
4541 $at bi my art I ne took which $%a%t I wolde:  $er is neu%e%r oon,
4542 nei$er rook ne king, $at whan I wole I ne drawe to me;  and
4543 for $i lyfe hath longe enoyed my mooder Envye, she hath
4544 coma%unded me and seide me $at I drawe $ee to me withoute
4545 respite, and $at ded I presente $ee to hire, so $at now riht I
4546 crye 'A la mort!' and sey $at of me $ou shalt haue it.  Euele
4547 come $ou heer%e.  Seint Nicolas $at suscited $e [oo$ere]* shal
4548 neu%e%re haue $ee out of myne hondes."
4549     And $a%nne as she neihede me, and $at to deth she wolde
4550 haue smyte me, $at oo$%e%r $at sat w%i%t%h hire areyned hire and
4551 seide hire $us:  "Sister, be nouht so hastyfe.  Suffre $at he
4552 lyve, I prey $ee, til so miche $%a%t he wite my name, and sithe
4553 togid%e%re we shule assaile him.  I shulde dye for sorwe and
4554 wreththe if as wel as $ou I ne greuede him."  "And I",  q%u%od
4555 she,  "gra%unte it wel.  But I preye $ee [avaunce] $ee.  I
4556 wole $at anoon we haue $e wurshipe to don him vnwurship ynowh."
4557 And $a%nne $e bicchede shrewe ([$at] euele passio%un come to
4558 hire) areyned me, berkinge on me, ro%unginge on $e bon $at she
4559 heeld.  "How?"  quod she.  "Art $ou so hardy $at $ou hast
4560 brouht hider a staf?  I hate [f.88r] bo$e euene stafes and
4561 crokede $at ben sharpe at $e ende bine$e.  Alle $ilke $at
4562 beren hem I loue not, but gladliche whan I see my time I berke
4563 on hem and bite on hem bihynde, albeit $at fair cheere and
4564 fair sembla%unt I co%unterfete hem bifore hem, as mi sister
4565 dooth.  And for $ou hast a staf (albeit nouht croked), bicause
4566 my mooder Envye louede neu%e%re $ee ne $i fader, of me $ou shalt
4567 haue it.  Euele come $ou heere:  I wole ete $ee anoon al quik.
4568 To $e bon I wole ete $ee, and drawe $i [skin] of $i body.
4569 #ow seye neu%e%re in $i lyfe mastyf ne bicche in bocherye $at so
4570 gladliche wolde ete raw flesh as I ete it:  I haue $e throte
4571 bloodi as $e wolf $at hath strangeled $e sheep in $e folde,
4572 and hath ro%unged his chekes.  I am of $e lynage of `$e/ raven
4573 $at hath mad his nest in helle:  I loue to ete caraynes - $e
4574 more stinkinge $ei ben, $e more cheere I haue hem.  I wolde
4575 neu%e%re bite good morcelle while I mihte haue a shrewede.  #ouh
4576 I hadde appeles to keepe, I wolde neu%e%re sauo%u%re hem bifore
4577 $at I seye hem sumwhat roten or foul;  but if I fo%unde in hem
4578 rotennesse, $a%nne anoon I wolde bite hem, and gladliche assaye
4579 hem and sauo%u%re hem and chewe hem.  #is is my lyfe and my
4580 norture, as it is to my mooder Envye."  The whiles she tolde
4581 $is, al were I abasht, a litel I bigan to smyle, and seyde:
4582 "#ow olde, $ow were good to keepe and to cheese myne appellen.
4583 And [so] $ow wolt forbere to bite me, I wole take $ee rotene
4584 and shente appelen ynowe, and if $is wole not suffice $ee, I
4585 wot where lyth michel filthe:  I wolde fynde $ee ynowh $erof
4586 ra$ere $an $ou go grucchinge to me."  [f.88v]  And $a%nne anoon
4587 she took ayen hire woordes, and seide me $us:  "Me needeth
4588 nouht go to fer if I wole fynde swich filth:  in my mouth I
4589 haue $e instrumentes with whiche I haue maad $e forginges.
4590 #ouh $er were noon in $e world, bitwixe my teeth $ei shulden
4591 be forged ayen, as $e maister tauht me whiche tauhte my
4592 sister."  "I leeue wel",  q%u%od I, "$at if $ou haddest mateere
4593 $%o%u woldest forge;  but withoute matere forgeth no wiht, for
4594 kunne a smith neu%e%re so wel forge, withoute yren and withoute
4595 steel he may noon ax forge."  "I fynde matere",  q%u%od she,
4596 "ynowh, for alle $e goodshipes $at I may fynde I can turne $e
4597 goode into euel, and int%e%rprete hem falsliche.  I can wel
4598 turne wyn into water, and fyn triacle into venyme.  I can wel
4599 sheende $e goode appelen, and diffame $e wur$i folk - and
4600 sithe I deuowre hem as raw flesh and ete hem."
4601     "How hattest $ou?"  q%u%od I to hire.  "Detraccio%un,"  q%u%od
4602 she, "$at todrawe and topulle $e folk with my teeth, for to
4603 make colys for my mooder which is syke, $%a%t she may soupe it
4604 in stede of potage.  She hath mad me a makere of mete and hire
4605 maister cook.  I serue hire of [eren percede] $at ben put and
4606 spited thoruh with my spere with $e sharpe yren, in wise of
4607 smale hastelettes.  Mi tunge I clepe my spere, for his [wo%unde]
4608 whiche he maketh [cruelle]:  it perceth and smiteth sorer%e
4609 and more cruelliche $an any spere or any kervinge thing - $er
4610 mihte no barbede arwe make a more cruelle ne a more p%e%rilouse
4611 wo%unde, $ouh it were cast of an arblast.  #e eren $at $ou
4612 seest spited and shoven on $ilke spere ben $e eres of [f.89r]
4613 hereres and herkeneres of $at $at I seye.  #ilke $at heeren
4614 gladliche my seyinges, putten here eres upon my spere for to
4615 serue with my mooder which $ei seen languishe."
4616     "And wherfore",  q%u%od I,  "hath it a crook hooked to $e
4617 yren of $e spere?"  "I wole telle $ee"  q%u%od she.  "Whan I
4618 haue perced an ere or manye, and cast my spere thoruh hem at
4619 my wille, $a%nne gladliche I hooke to me $e name of anoo$er,
4620 and crooke it:  with bettere wille I stele a good name $an a
4621 theef dooth treso%u%re."  "#a%nne",  q%u%od I, "$%ou art a theef, for
4622 good name is mor%e woorth $an richesse."  "Serteyn,"  q%u%od she,
4623 "wel sooth $ou seist (but Salomon hath tauht it $ee):  a
4624 p%r%oued theef I am of al good name.  Fairere thing may I not
4625 stele in $is cuntre, as me thinketh:  wherfore but I make
4626 restituc%io%un $erof, I may haue no foryifte $erof (but $erto
4627 wolde I be ful loth, for $e gret shame I shulde haue $erby).
4628 Orguill also, wh%an she wiste it, she wolde neu%e%re acorde hire
4629 $%e%rto."  "And what doost $ou",  q%u%od I to hire,  "whan $ou hast
4630 hooked a good name bi $e ere $at [herde], and dispoiled sum
4631 worthi man $erof?"  "Serteyn,"  q%u%od she,  "$e noueltee*
4632 I tolde $ee er now:  I turne good name into venyme and so I
4633 norishe my mooder."  "Me thinketh",  q%u%od I to hire,  "$at
4634 neu%e%re of al $is yeer I ne sih a shreweder%e beste $an $ee."
4635 "Serteyn,"  q%u%od she,  "I leeue it wel.  Werse $an helle I am,
4636 for helle may not enoye to hem $at ben not in his clos, or $at
4637 ben of holy lyvinge:  for $ouh Seint Joh%an were w%i%t%hinne
4638 helle, he shulde noon harm haue - $e grete p%e%rfeccio%un of him
4639 shulde make him shadwe.  And [f.89v] I telle $ee I greeue as
4640 wel $e absente as $e p%r%esente:  no more it greeueth me to
4641 caste my spere ouer $e see $an a myle or tweyne, and I telle
4642 $ee, as wel I annoye hem $at ben of good lyvinge as hem $at
4643 ben it nouht.  If Seint Joh%an were in eer$e, yit of my spere
4644 he shulde haue.  In heuene, and I wolde, anoon I shulde smite
4645 him (I haue assayed it er $is);  and su%mme oo$%e%re I haue
4646 smiten $erinne, and yit I shal.  And I telle $ee $at [also] I
4647 wole no leng%e%re now holde me $at I ne wole smite $ee and make
4648 $ee falle do%un."  And $a%nne answerde Treso%un:  "Sister,"  q%u%od
4649 she,  "doo we togid%e%re.  Smite on $at oon side, and I wole
4650 enoynte him, and sithe on $at oo$%e%r side I wole smite him, and
4651 so shal he not mown escape if he ne haue riht excellent
4652 phisician."  "I wole it wel,"  q%u%od $at oo$%e%r,  "but I preye
4653 $ee $at of $e sadel we make him first ouerthrowe, so $at
4654 he mowe no more ride."
4655     Whan $ese woordes I herde, thouhty I bicom and abasht,
4656 for I wende nouht ne thouhte to haue had hors.  "#ou what?"
4657 q%u%od I to Treso%un.    "Haue I hors?  Detracc%io%un, whi hath
4658 she seid $is?  If $ou wite it, telle it me."  "Reso%un", q%u%od
4659 she,  "tauht it me whan she spak with me and seide me $%a%t on
4660 horse he is wur$en up $at of good name is [renomed].  #is hors
4661 shulde haue foure feet, as eche wiht shulde wite, for if he
4662 hadde thre or tweyne or oon w%i%t%houte mo he shulde halte: $er
4663 wer%e no wiht [wel] w%u%rshiped $at on swich an hors were wur$en
4664 uppe.  That oon of $e feet of $ilke hors is $at a man haue in
4665 him noon evell, but $at he haue [f.90r] holi fame.  #at oo$er
4666 is $at he be not of condicio%un of thraldam.  #e thridde is $at
4667 he be engendred in legittime mariage.  #e feer$e $at he haue
4668 no rage ne tecche of woodshipe, ne neu%e%re haue had in his
4669 lyfe.  #ese ben foure feet couenable to he%m $at beren
4670 witnesses, and for $at $ou feelest $ee wur$en up upon $ilke
4671 hors, mi sister hath spoken to ou%e%rthrowe $ee do%un, and I wole
4672 also helpe $ertoo."  And $a%nne she spak ayen to hire sister
4673 and seyde:  "Sister,"  q%u%od she,  "bi whiche partye is it $at
4674 we shule first assaile him?  Kanst $ou",  q%u%od she,  "$e song
4675 $%a%t Isr%a%el of Daan song:  'Fiat Daan coluber in via'?  I am
4676 Cerastes $e hornede, and Daan $e crookede addere $at go nouht
4677 [bi] euene wey, and $at bite folk in stelth.  I wole go al
4678 stilleliche and bihynde bite $e nailes of $e hors $at he hath,
4679 and $us I trowe he shal falle - $at is to seye $at $eraboute
4680 as he shal nothing apperceyue of me, I wole bite him
4681 p%r%iueliche and do him lettinge, for if I made me felt of him,
4682 and $at in apert I bite him, anoon with his yrened foot he shulde
4683 yiue me in $e visage.  Thinges $at hauen [no] feelinge doon
4684 so.*  He shal nothing apperceyue $at my tooth biteth bihynde
4685 [forto] he falle al bacward $at he mowe not rise, and $at $e
4686 hors shal halte."  And $a%nne answerde Treso%un:  "Now hider
4687 $a%nne, assaile we him.  It liketh me wel $at $%o%u hast $us
4688 [exposed] $e seyinge of Jacob."
4689     And $anne Detracc%io%un caste upon me hire spere and hurte
4690 me and sithe ran with open throte toward me, as a wood
4691 womman, with $e teeth took $e hors bi $e nailes, and made
4692 him halte sore.  Me also spared [f.90v] she nothing:  with $e
4693 teeth she took me.  Wel she shewede hire $at of dragownes
4694 kynde she was.  Do%un she beet me, wherof I was sorweful - but
4695 $%e%rfore askapede I nouht.  Euene to meward com Envye:  with
4696 hire tweyne speres she smot me, and in my bodi [putte] hem.
4697 Treso%un feynede hire nouht, for as longe as hire sister bot
4698 me, and wente ro%unginge my sides, she heeld hire oynement,
4699 with whiche on $at oon side she enoyntede me, and on $at oo$%e%r
4700 side in $e wombe she shof me with hire knyf and hire daggere.
4701 #e olde with $e grete staf with alle hire instrumentes neighede
4702 me and seide:  "Yilde $ee!  #ou seest wel $%o%u miht not
4703 escape."  And $a%nne she bigan to wrastle with me, to bete me
4704 to smite me and to make me [to] suffre peyne ynowh.  Whan I sih
4705 me $us bitrapped, if gretliche I were disco%unforted it needeth
4706 not to aske:  wel I mihte crye 'Allas!'.   Peresce hadde
4707 respyt ynouh to peyne hire to areste me, for arested I was at
4708 alle poyntes, ne helpe myself mihte I nouht.  Algates my
4709 burdo%un I heeld euene, and it was not falle fro me;  and gret
4710 trist I hadde $at $erbi I shulde afterward escape.
4711     As I was in $is plyte and $at I biheeld hider and $ider,
4712 toward an hullock I sigh renne and come an old oon.  "Hold him
4713 faste!"  q%u%od she to $e oo$%e%re.  "Hold him faste, for I come.
4714 Looketh he ascape yow nouht bi $e burdo%un whiche he gripeth
4715 too!"  #ilke olde was disgysee, for with poyntes she was
4716 armed al aboute as an ircho%un.  Bi a baudrike she hadde a
4717 si$e, and in hire handes she hadde twey caliownes greye.
4718 As me thouhte, fyre come out of hem bi hire visage.  [f.9lr]
4719 And wel I telle yow, al were $at withoute woodshipe she
4720 was, it seemede not soo.  In hire mouth she hadde a sawe, but
4721 what to doone with I ne wiste if first I ne askede hire.
4722 "Thow olde,"  q%u%od I whan she was come nygh me:  "sey me whi
4723 $ou hast swich countena%unce and array, and what $ou hattest.
4724 Gabbe me of nothing:  fayn I wolde wite it, albe I haue ynowh
4725 to suffre."  And $a%nne hire tweyne caliowns she smot togideres
4726 so $at she made $e flawme lepe into my visage.  "Serteyn,"
4727 q%u%od she, "of my craftes I wole anoon make $ee feele, and my
4728 name I wole divise $ee.  I am $e olde angry, $e euele kembed,
4729 $e evele tressed, $e irchownes douhter, rownded togid%e%res,
4730 wiche ro%undeth him for v%e%rtu.*  With his broches he hath armed
4731 me for I shulde be dred, and to $at ende $at if any wiht
4732 neighe me, $at he shal haue of sum broche.  Vengea%unce I
4733 seeche and wole haue, of alle $ilke $at I may wite haue misdoo
4734 me, in kindelinge ayens God and alle hise halwen.*  I trowe wel
4735 $at I shal amende it, for I wot wel vengea%unce is taken in his
4736 hond as in sou%e%reyn hond.  I haue seyn $erof siker writinge.
4737 I am prikkinge and hateful, impacient and ryght bisy -- more
4738 sharp $an brambere or thorn or greisiler:  whoso wolde close
4739 his gardyn with a strong hegge and subtile,* he shulde sette me
4740 $ere, for $er shulde noon hegge do so miche as I.  I hatte

4742 a litel encheso%un make a cast of a broche upon $e poynt* `i%n/
4743 levinge $ilke $at bifore was my freend.  I make of men
4744 howlinge cattes* at ful midday [f.91v] and nouht seeinge, and
4745 bleende hem and make hem bestial,  and trouble hem al here
4746 avys.  I serue of vinegre and of vergeous, and of greynes $%a%t
4747 ben soure and greene, and yive hem to hem $at ben coleryk
4748 ra$er $an to hem $%a%t ben flewmatyk.........................
4749 ......................................* in $e litel world $is
4750 thing $at is so ro%und is cleped, reise $e wyndes and
4751 thundres and make torme%ntes, and I make reso%un withdrawe, and
4752 vndersto%ndinge shadewed.
4753     I hatte Ire $e rivelede, $e toode envenymed, $e chidere,
4754 mooder of ho%undes, $at of swetnesse hath in hire nothing.  I
4755 am more hastyf $an coles, and more soure $an wurmode.  I am [$e]
4756 [kyndlinge] of whiche $e fyre lepeth out whan any wiht assaileth
4757 me be it neu%e%re so litel. #er may noon so litel wynd blowe toward
4758 me $at anoon I [ne] muste caste smoke, hurtele my calio%uns
4759 and smyte and make $e flawme lepe out.  If drye tunder I hadde
4760 ynouh, I wolde putte anoon $e fyre $erinne.  Despyte hatteth
4761 $at oon of $e calio%uns, and $at oo$er is cleped Chidinge -
4762 $ilke $at su%mtime smiten togid%e%res $e twey wo%mmen $at askeden
4763 iugement of Kyng Salomon, whiche of hem hadde $e qwik chyld.
4764 With $ese calio%uns I forgede su%mtime $e sawe which I haue in
4765 my mouth.  #e hamer $%e%rto was $ilke $%a%t is cleped Chidinge,
4766 and Despyte was $e anevelte.  Impacience is $e yren $erof
4767 which was taken and maad in helle:  $e more men smyten it,
4768 $e lasse it platteth, and $e more men heten it $e hardere it
4769 waxeth.  I made su%mtime endente it subtiliche:  now herkene
4770 how.
4771     Dame Justice, $e smy$iere of v%e%rtues and $e forgeresse,
4772 hath a file [f.92r] $at bi name is cleped Correccio%un - $at is
4773 $e fyle $at alwey fyleth sinne to $e roote.  It ne may suffre
4774 nei$%e%r rust ne filthe $at it ne fyleth awey and clenseth;  and
4775 for she wolde su%mtime haue fyled me and don out my rust, I
4776 sette ayens hire $e shrewede yren of which I haue spoken $ee.
4777 She, whan she wende haue fyled me, fyled myn yren and endented
4778 it.  A sawe I haue maad $erof:  $ou seest it wel.  Hise teeth
4779 ben grete as of an ho%und.  #e sawe is cleped Hayne, bi [whom]
4780 disioynct $e onhede of bre$erhede and $e trouthe of [vnite is
4781 sawen]. In Iacob and Esau $%o%u hast seyn $e figure. I sawede
4782 hem and vnioyned hem, and bo$e $at oon and $at oo$er I sente
4783 fer - and so haue I many anoo$er doo, of which wer%e to longe
4784 to telle.  I bere $is sawe with my teeth to $at ende $at whan
4785 I sey my Pater N%o%s%t%er I be sawed and disceuered from God $e
4786 Fader, for whan I preye $at he haue m%e%rcy on me and foryive me
4787 my misdedes as I foryive $ilke $at hauen misdoon to me, and [of]
4788 hem I foryive nothing, I wot wel $at ayens myself I preye, and
4789 turne $e sawe to meward.  Ther is in $is sawe so riht litel of
4790 wurshipe, prys or wur$inesse $at who $at be maister $erof, he
4791 putteth him vnder $at $%a%t he saweth ($at is, in $e pit bine$e,
4792 in whiche dwelleth [$e] Sathanas). I thinke $at $ou shalt assaye
4793 it, and $at $ou shalt be mayster $erof anoon, and sithe
4794 aft%e%rward I wole gerde $ee with $e sy$e I haue aboute me.
4795     It is $ilke $at I gerde murdreres with whan I make hem my
4796 knyghtes.  Barabas hadde it gert su%mtime whan he was take and
4797 put in p%r%ison.  Ho[f.92v]micidye it is cleped bi his riht
4798 name, and Occisio%un.  It is $ilke $at moweth $e lyfe and $e
4799 gost out of $e bodi:  $ilke with whiche $e tyra%untes targeden
4800 hem su%mtime whan $ei slowen $e seintes.  He is not man but
4801 beste, $at vseth swich a si$e.  #e si$e maketh him wylde, and
4802 seeche pray in many wodes.  Swiche bestes ben [perilous] for
4803 hem $at gon bi cuntre:  to hem shulde $e kyng ra$%e%re hunte $an
4804 to hert or buk or bor.  And for $ou art pilgrime, I [am] set
4805 me in [$i] wey:  with $e si$e I wole girde $ee, with whiche I
4806 wole [now] mowe $i lyfe.
4807     As I was in $is plyte, and $at I abod oonliche $e deth,
4808 Memorie I syh faste bi me,  $at seide me:    "Sey me [whi]
4809 swich armures $ow wolt not of:   excuse $ee miht $ou nouht,
4810 for I am faste bi $ee, and $ou shuldest alwey haue $in armur%e
4811 redi, if $ou woldest.   Lo hem heere, as G%r%ace Dieu seide
4812 $ee.  Make not heere $i bed, for $ou shuldest haue shame $erbi
4813 and $ou abide lengere.  It is shame $%o%u hast so longe abide,
4814 and p%r%ofyte hast $%o%u noon had $erbi.  If $ou haddest er now
4815 had hem on, $%o%u haddest nouht now be deliu%e%red to $ilke olde
4816 $at hauen $us w%i%t%hholden $ee and surmownted $ee and felled
4817 $ee."  Whan I sigh $at $us mi wenche argued me and vndertook
4818 me, sorweful I was and a careful herte I hadde $at leng%e%re I
4819 shulde ligge.  To my burdo%un I gripede, and as who seith aroos
4820 ayen.  Slowliche it was, for I was feebele for I hadde leyn
4821 longe.  I wolde haue doon on myn armure, but I hadde no time
4822 ne leisere.  Peresce putte hire bifore, and manasinge me seide
4823 $at if I neighede $e armure, of hire ax I shulde haue.
4824 [f.93r] Hire I dredde, and nothing dide.  Hire pley I hadde
4825 lerned bifore:  now God keepe me from havinge werse, for
4826 powere haue I in me no more.  I haue in me nothing more wherin
4827 I triste but $e burdo%un to which I lene me.  Mi scrippe
4828 `serueth/ me of riht litel:  to $e bred $at is $erinne I dar
4829 not touche to my p%r%ofyte as longe as I am on $is half in $e
4830 wronge wey.  If I ete it Grace Dieu wolde holde it no game.  I
4831 am hungry biside $e bred.  Euele leevede I Oyseuce at $e
4832 firste time:  she desceyuede me whan I leeuede hire, for bi hire
4833 I am holde a wrecche;  bi hire I am deliuered to $ese olde
4834 theeves, espyowresses of pilgrimes.  In hire hondes I shulde
4835 dye, if of Grace Dieu I ne [haue] socowr.
4836     As I wente $us waymentinge, ro%unginge on my brydel, a
4837 valye deep, ful of busshes, hidous, horrible and wylde I sigh
4838 bifore me, bi which passe I muste if I wolde go forth, wherof
4839 I was abasht, for bi wodes hauen men lost al here wey, and
4840 many p%e%riles ben in hem to pilg%r%imes $%a%t goon alloone:
4841 theeves, murderes, wylde bestes duellen in hem in hydeles, and
4842 many disgise thinges $%e%r ben ofte-times founden in hem.  Swich
4843 thing as I fond whan I passede $erbi [as] I wole telle yow, but
4844 bifore $%a%t I sey yow more heerof, to $%a%t ende $at it enoye yow
4845 nouht I wole heer%e yive yow good niht, and heere I wole make a
4846 restinge.  Tomorwe if ye wole, come ayen [and] $a%nne ye shule
4847 heere $e remena%unt:  ynowe I wole telle yow of mischeeves and
4848 encu%mbra%unces $%a%t I fond - pitee ye shule haue $%e%rof, as I
4849 trowe, and taketh keep eche as ayens himself, for of $e
4850 mischef of anoo$%e%r eche [maketh] a mirrowr for himself.
4851     Heere endeth $e secunde p%a%rtye of $is book.  [f.93v]
4852     Heere biginneth $e thridde partye of $is book.
4853     Now herkeneth now sweete folk, myne auentures, and how I
4854 was euele welcomed and euele led in $e wode of whiche I haue
4855 spoke.  Als I descendede and aualede into $e deepe valey,
4856 anoo$%e%r olde, of oo$%e%r figure, of oo$%e%r manere, of oo$%e%r
4857 foulnesse $an I hadde seyn bifore, I sigh hadde sette hire
4858 in my wey.  Disgised shrewedliche she was, and it seemede $at
4859 avisiliche as hire pray she abod me, and $at upon me renne she
4860 wolde.  Swich thing in Daniel, ne so maad in Ezechiel, ne
4861 foulere in $e Appocalipsis I bithinke me nouht $at eu%e%re I
4862 sigh.  Boystows she was and wrong-shapen and enbosed, and
4863 clo$ed with an old gret bultel, clouted with cloutes of old
4864 cloth and of le$er.  A sak she hadde honged at hire nekke:
4865 wel it seemed $%a%t make flight wolde she nouht, for she putte
4866 $%e%rinne bras and yren, and sakked it.  Hire tonge whiche she
4867 hadde [drawen] out halp hire $erto faste.  Hire tunge was mesel
4868 and foule defaced.  Sixe hondes she hadde, and tweyne stu%mpes.
4869 #e tweyne hondes hadden nailes of griffo%uns, of whiche $at oon
4870 was bihynde in stra%unge man%e%re.  In oon of $at oo$%e%re handes
4871 she heeld a fyle as $ouh she shulde fyle brideles, and a
4872 bala%unce wherinne she peisede $e zodiac and $e su%nne in gret
4873 entente to putte hem to sale.  A disch in $%a%t oo$%e%r hand she
4874 heeld, and a poket with bred.  In $e fifte she hadde a
4875 crochet, and upon hire hed a mawmet she bar, which made hire
4876 eyen biholde downward.  #e sixte hand [f.94r] she hadde
4877 lenynge upon hire brokene ha%unche, and su%mtime she haf it hye
4878 to hire tunge and touchede it.  [Whan swich] an old oon so foul
4879 I sigh, and $at bi hire passe I moste, abashed ynowh I was,
4880 for I was [al] wery bifore for to haue anoye as I haue seid.
4881 "Harrow!"  q%u%od I.   "God, what shal I doo?  I am ded if
4882 $is foule beste areste me heere in $ese busshes.  She hath so
4883 many handes $at if she gripe me I drede me I shal neu%e%re
4884 askape.  Co%unseile me faire sweete Ih%e%su, or elles I am lost.
4885     In $ilke poynt I sygh $e olde come toward me for to
4886 assaile me and seide me:  "Bi Maho%un",  q%u%od she,  "$at is my
4887 god in whom I leeue, $e abod I.  Of me $ou shalt haue it.
4888 Euele come $ou heere. #ou shalt dye heere.  Ley do%un $i
4889 skrippe and $i burdo%un and do omage to my Maho%un:  it is he bi
4890 whom I am alosed and cleped wys and wur$i and wurshiped -
4891 $ilke withoute whom no wiht is preysed in eer$e ne autorised,
4892 $ilke bi whiche ben wurshiped many grete fooles and cleped
4893 wise.  To him needeth $ou submitte $ee, and him to serue
4894 sette $ee, and sithe afterward [shamefulliche I shal make $ee]
4895 vileynesliche dye."  Whan $e olde took swiche woordes to
4896 sey, $er took me no lust to lawghe, but wel I wolde of sooth
4897 wite hire name and who she were.  "#ow olde,"  q%u%od I,  "sey
4898 me $i name and who $ou art,  wherof also $%o%u seruest, of what
4899 linage, of what nacio%un $ou art, and of what regio%un, who is
4900 and wherof serueth $in ydole to whiche $ou woldest I putte me
4901 to serue.  It is not reso%un $at to a marmoset $%a%t is blynd and
4902 deff and dowm I serue and do omage, $at am of noble fre
4903 lynage; [f.94v]  and if so be $at I shulde to him serue for
4904 drede of deth, yit I sey $ee I wole wite who he is and also
4905 wite soothli I wole who $ou art, and whens, wherfore I prey
4906 $ee answere me anoon."  And $a%nne $e olde answerde:  "Sithe
4907 $ou wolt wite who I am anoon, soone ynowh I wole sey it $ee;
4908 but first I wole shewe $ee of my chyldhode and of my pley, so
4909 $at $ou leeue me $e bettere.  Come after me $er $ou seest me
4910 go and crye faste 'Allas, I shal now see $e sorwe of weepinge
4911 and of weylinge ful of sorwe:  $e sorweful sighinges ful of
4912 lamentacio%un.'  #er seeth it noon $at ne cryeth 'Harrow, which
4913 gret woodshipe'."
4914     And $anne $e olde made me gon upon a gret hassok, and
4915 [biholde] a fair chirche in a pleyn, fo%unded bisides a
4916 chekeer wher $er weren ches, bo$e grete and smale, of which I
4917 sigh rookes and knyghtes and $e king [$at] ledden gret
4918 estaate.*  Eche of hem hadde his swerd gert, which was to me
4919 disgisee thing, for oo$%e%r times I hadde pleyed at $e ches, and
4920 hadde seyn noon $at was of swich manere.  Here co%untena%unce
4921 was right fiers, for to $e chercheward $ei wenten and bete it
4922 do%un $ei wolden.  #e kyng first bifore wente, and mynede $e
4923 fo%undement.  Of a bisshopes croos he made his howwe and his
4924 pikoyse.  Pikoise was $e sharpe ende, and howwe was $e
4925 krookede ende.  "What is $is?"  q%u%od I whan I sigh $at $at I
4926 see $er%e.    "Am I abasht?  Is $is meetinge or faireye or
4927 fantome or woodshipe?    Is $is $e [%v%e] and $e [%h%e%u] of
4928 which $ow speke me [of]?    It is $is, cer[f.95r]teyn;
4929 soothliche $is `is/ [%h%e%u] and [%v%e] ioyn`t/liche, $is is
4930 interiectio%un sorweful, werinne is nothing $at lusteth."  And
4931 $anne $e olde seide me:  "It is, treweliche, $is $at I haue seid
4932 $ee.  See $ere $e king of $e cheker and hise rookes and hise
4933 knihtes whiche hauen alle `$e/ poyntes limited hem and
4934 ordeyned hem in $e cheker.  Ynowh $ei hadden of here owene
4935 lond, withoute getinge of oo$eres, ne were I.  But I may not
4936 suffre $at $ei haue sufficience withoute binemynge of oo$%e%re,
4937 and $%e%rfore I sende hem to $ilke cherche, $at is nygh here
4938 cheker, for to delue and bineme.  To $e kyng $at shulde fo%unde
4939 cherches and defende hem and gouerne hem I haue take a tool
4940 ful of wurshipe, for to do cherles werk:  $at is `a/ bishoppes
4941 croos, to make $%e%rof an howwe and a pikois.  A bisshopes cros
4942 is wurshipful, but to a king it is thing rep%r%ouable to diche
4943 and to delue and to vnfounde fo%undacio%uns $at hise a%uncestres
4944 hauen fo%unded and oo$%e%re noble lordes.  A cherl he bicometh
4945 whan he dicheth and delueth and he maketh an howwe of $e staf
4946 $at bicom crooked for holi cherche whiche he shulde susteyne.
4947 Cherl is also $e hornede whan $e staf with which his cherche
4948 is susteyned and gouerned and with whiche he is wurshiped taketh
4949 [it] to $ilke $%a%t maketh $erof pikoys and howwe, to $at ende
4950 $at his cherche be beten do%un and fordoon for it is nygh $e
4951 cheker.  #at oon is cherl and $at oo$%e%r more:  but I sey not
4952 which is $e more.  #e kyng holt pike and howwe and delueth,
4953 wherof $e cherche sorweth - and $e hornede deliu%e%reth him tool
4954 whan he deliu%e%reth him dimes.  His croos to his burdo%un he
4955 yiveth him whan $e ch%e%rche [f.95v] he aba%undoneth him.  #erof
4956 p%r%ophesied su%mtime Jeremie, and wepte for he sigh $at folk
4957 howweden and doluen aboute $e cherche, $at she payede
4958 subsidies, dimes and extorcio%uns.  He seide, wundringe him and
4959 co%mpleyninge him sorwefulliche, how she, $at was p%r%incesse of
4960 alle folk and [$e] maistresse, was bicomen tributarie - and who
4961 dorste doo $at, as $ouh he wolde seye he ouhte wel to weepe.
4962 Now weepe",  q%u%od she,  "and make gret sorwe as I haue seide
4963 $ee bifore.  #e chirche is mined aboute:  litel lakketh it ne
4964 is ou%e%rthrowe.  To destroye it eche wight setteth too $e hond,
4965 bo$e rook and pown.  Al $e cheker folweth $e king, but all
4966 $at $ei don, $ei don bi me:  I make hem do al $at $ei do, for
4967 of bifore $is time $ei ben my scoleres.  Strengthe hath nei$%e%r
4968 kyng ne rook $at $ei ne obeye to me alle.  Alle $ei studyen in
4969 myn art, come $ei ra$e, come $ei late.  Jeremye (and $ou leeue
4970 not me) witnesseth it, $at is woorth thre."
4971     "Michel abasht",  q%u%od I to hire,  "$ou makest me if $%o%u
4972 sey me nouht who $%o%u art, for I [may] not see $%a%t $ou miht haue
4973 swich power.  I see $ee poreliche clo$ed, misshapen, crooked
4974 and embosed, and mawgre nature engendred and forthouht as I
4975 trowe:  and how shuldest $ou haue lordshipe ouer kynges and
4976 erles, and be lady to hem $at ben engendred bi nature, and
4977 nobleliche [born]?"  "And I wole telle it $ee" q%u%od she.  "#ow
4978 shuldest wite $at I am $ilke $at haue $e sorseryes bi whiche I
4979 biwicche $e folk.  Whan I wole, I make me plesa%unt, graciowse
4980 and lusty, and whan I am [f.96r] biloued and plese, $at $%a%t I
4981 coma%unde is $e soonere doon.  I biwicche erles, dukes,
4982 p%r%inces, kynges:  $er is noon $at bi my sorceryes ne doon my
4983 [coma%undemente].  I am $e douhter of Besachis, Apemendeles, $%a%t
4984 haue set $e king soo $at he lawheth whan I lawhe, and is
4985 sorweful whan I am it - $at suffreth $at I do of his corowne
4986 and make him yive it me ($us ywriten $ou shalt fynde `it/ in
4987 $e secunde Esdras).  Su%mtime $e king hadde a le%mman which was
4988 longe in his cumpanye, and so michel he louede hire $at al his
4989 tresore he took hire `to dispende/ to $e needy, to $e poore
4990 religious:  Liberalitee she hyghte, and was su%mtime of gret
4991 name, and $ilke $at louede $e kyng michel.  And often she
4992 wolde purchace $at $e king yaf so michel of his tresore
4993 $at $er fel him $erof riht gret wurshipe.  He gete
4994 him $erbi michel wurshipe and prys, and his tresore was
4995 neu%e%re $e lase, but encresede ynowh, for riht as $e corn
4996 sowen dooth more good and p%r%ofyte $an $ilke $at lyth in $e
4997 gerner, riht so $e goodes $at ben yiven ben more worth $an $e
4998 hepede.  Now I telle $ee, whan I sigh hire $at $e kyng
4999 wurshiped $us, I bithowhte me $at if I mihte, of alle poyntes
5000 I wolde withdrawe hire. So I dide as I thouhte.  Into $e
5001 kinges cha%umbre I entrede:  so miche I dide bi sorcerie $at $e
5002 port%e%r leet me entre in.  To $e kinges bed I wente.  His le%mman
5003 I fond biside him, and $%e%r%e I withdrough [him] hir%e and stal
5004 him hire, and out of $e cha%umbre I drouh hir%e.  In p%r%iso%un
5005 vnd%e%r keye I putte hire, $er she is and alwei shal be.
5006 Aft%e%rward i%nto $e kinges bed I entrede, and i%n hir%e place I
5007 leyde me.  He wende I hadde ben his le%mman, but I was it
5008 nouht:  I biwicchede him and desceyuede him so $%a%t [f.96v] his
5009 tresorere I was.  I keepe al his tresore and al his siluer and
5010 his gold.  He weeneth I do him wurshipe, but I do him gret
5011 vnwurshipe, and al his lyfe shal doon him, while of me he
5012 maketh his le%mman, for a more defamed le%mman miht he not haue
5013 for al his auoir.
5014     If $ow wolt wite mi nacio%un, whens I am and what is my
5015 name, $ou shuldest wite $at I was born in $e vale of $e derke
5016 helle.  #e Sathanas [engendred] me, and $ens he brouhte me
5017 to vsereres $ere he norishede me, wherfore vserere I am
5018 cleped:  su%mme clepen me Coueytise, and su%mme oo$%e%re clepen me
5019 [Auarice.  Couetise I am cleped for I coueyt oo$eres goodes, and]
5020 Auarice [I am cleped] for I keepe my goodes to miche.  Clepe me
5021 as $%o%u wolt, and be nouht abasht $ouh $ou see me $us toragged and
5022 toclouted and euele clo$ed.  #ou shuldest wite $at I wole
5023 neu%e%re yive of myn to doo good with:  I haue robes ynowe to
5024 doon on, but I wolde ra$ere late hem alle roten and alle to be
5025 eten with wurmes $an I or any oo$%e%r shulde be esed with hem.  I
5026 hadde [good] freendes ynowe if I cow$e ariht departe myn which
5027 serueth me of nouht, but I am lich $e ho%und $%a%t lyth on $e hep
5028 of hey, to which if any sette hand he abayeth and berketh
5029 and cryeth, albeit $%a%t he ete noon $%e%rof.  I haue handes ynowe
5030 to gripe with, but I haue none to yive with:  $e hondes of my
5031 yivinge ben kitte and doon from here stumpes - [$ou seest wel
5032 I haue but $e stumpes] - a fool he is $at asketh me yiftes.  I
5033 desire but for to gadere hepes of pens, $at is myn office
5034 and my craft.  Sixe handes I haue for to gripe [hem] with
5035 in sixe maneres and to glene [hem], for to sakke [hem] i%n
5036 my sak to peise me and charge me to $at ende $%a%t if I falle
5037 ado%un I mowe no more ryse ayen.  #e mor%e I haue, $e more
5038 I wolde haue.  Vnsta%unchable is my wille;  [f.97r] my thouht
5039 and my affeccio%un may haue no fulfillinge.  I am $e grete gulf
5040 of $e see $at all resceyueth withoute anything castinge out
5041 ayen, $at al gadereth and al sweleweth, and nothing yeldeth ne
5042 nothing cometh out ayen.  I make me hard and trusse me and
5043 peise me of swich metalle as I see peiseth most - $at is, gold
5044 - of which I make me a blok and a stake and tye me $erto, for
5045 rihtfulliche I may be cleped an ape clogged.  It seemeth $at I
5046 kepe $e clogge, but it keepeth me michel bett%e%re:  it keepeth
5047 me $at I go nouht hye, and do%un it holt me, and do%un it
5048 peiseth [me].  To Judas $at bitrayede $i kyng, $is blok su%mtime
5049 I heeng so in hise purses and putte so miche bras in hise
5050 sakkes $at from hye to lowe I made him shamefulliche falle
5051 do%un and plo%unge into helle.
5052     Now I wole telle $ee of myne handes w%i%t%h whiche I gripe
5053 $e metalles and $e bras as I haue told $ee.  Werse handes, as
5054 I trowe, in $i lyfe fo%unde $ou neu%e%re.  Riht soone $ou shalt
5055 assaye it.  #e firste, which is armed with nailes of griffo%un,
5056 is cleped Rapyne, whiche maketh him gentel, and seith $at his
5057 pray suffreth him to take him where he mowe fynde him, [$er] as
5058 he goth ofte and robbeth $e pilgrimes in $e wodes, and sleth
5059 hem in $e weyes.  'I haue', q%u%od she, '$e nailes crokede.
5060 Gentel I am, drede me not.  #er is nothing it wole forsake,*
5061 and hool it is $at it mowe graspe al and ou%e%ral take my pray;
5062 whosoeu%e%re grucche, $e thing is myn.'  #us $is hand pleyeth him
5063 and dooth manye harmes bo$e day and niht.  #is is $e hand of
5064 $e [puttok] $at kaccheth and gripeth $e chikenes:  she taketh
5065 hors and kartes, [f.97v] and $e puruia%unces $at goode folk
5066 hauen maad for here owen vsage.  If a poore man haue oxe or
5067 swyn to keepe for his store, she taketh it and neu%e%re reccheth
5068 hire $ouh $e poore man selle his cote for his lyflode, but $at
5069 [his]* lust be fulfilled.  With $is hond so I kerue and shere
5070 $at at $e kervinge it araseth and breketh, and at $e clippinge
5071 and at $e sheringe I skorche al withoute anything levinge.  I
5072 do as $e yrayne doth, for as longe as any blood or marigh [be]
5073 i%n $e flye, al she souketh it and pulleth it.  #is hand is a
5074 skorcheresse and [baconresse] of poore folk.  She seecheth
5075 $e lous vnder $e skyn,* for to haue and bineme $e more, and
5076 whan $e poore ben skorched $us and topulled, and $at alle her
5077 goodes ben $us shaken and drawen out and arased, whoso wende
5078 fynde lyflode $ere mihte wel be holde a fool.  #us thinke I to
5079 pulle $ee and make of $ee my dispense:  souke $i marigh and $i
5080 blood and drawe to me $at which $ou shuldest live with.  But
5081 of $e oo$%e%re fyve handes I wole sey $ee first, as I haue
5082 bihight $ee.
5083     That oo$%e%r hand which I bere bihynde at my bak in
5084 stra%unge man%e%re is $e hand w%i%t%h which I gadere to meward
5085 p%r%iueliche and in hydeles [oo$%e%res] goodes.  It is $e hand $at
5086 maketh $e feet to wagge, and $e eren to be kitte.  [Coupe
5087 Bourse] it is cleped, and [Larescyne] $e defamede.  It is $e
5088 hand $at dar aske no glooves of $e glouere to gloove hy%m with,
5089 for it sheweth him nouht but bi nihte and whan $e moone shineth
5090 nouht.  Crookede nailes [f.98r] it hath as $at oo$er hath, for
5091 [she accroches] whan she hath time, as miche as $at oo$%e%r
5092 [dooth];  but it is so $at hire drauht cometh nouht so to
5093 knowleche, wherof it is sorwe and gret mischa%unce.  Manye $er
5094 ben now of accrocheres and kaccheres aboute $e kyng, $at if
5095 $ei weren apperceyued, $ei ouhte haue ynowh to doone to paye
5096 ayen to $e king.  Swiche folk maken him to [bineme] oo$eres
5097 for he may nouht reioyse his owene.  #is hand is an [hole makere]
5098 of howses and an vnhelere, [a] brekere of cofres and a ro%ungere
5099 of floreyns and co%unterfetere of seles, and a graueresse of
5100 false seles, a fals lokyere and a fals monyere, and a fals
5101 tellere of pens.  #is hand dispoileth $e dede, and holt clos
5102 wyndowes and dores into $e time $at she haue griped and glened
5103 [$at] $%a%t she wole.  #ilke is executrice and dispendere of $e
5104 residue of $e testat, wherof I telle $ee $at to hireself she
5105 wole drawe and accroche $e faireste.  Of $is hand ben nouht
5106 exempt folk $at gon and stelen bi [nihte];  ne false forsters $at
5107 ben assentinge to swiche dedes;  ne false serua%untes also $at
5108 seruen folk vntreweliche and labowren falsliche;  millewardes
5109 also, $at filleth here reso%un withoute clepinge of Reso%un;
5110 false tailowres also and oo$%e%re folk $at [oo$%e%res] goodes taken
5111 so largeliche $at if it were wist, $e [hand selfe] wolde hange
5112 he%m - and nouht for $a%nne hanged $ei shule be at $e laste,
5113 whan $ei haue abide longe ynowh.  At $e laste I wole hange hem
5114 myself as I haue hanged many anoo$er."  "[How],"  q%u%od I,  "art
5115 $ow an hangestere?"  "Ye, cer[f.98v]teyn"  q%u%od she.
5116 "Peresce", q%u%od I, "tolde me it was she."  And $a%nne she seid
5117 me:  "Certeyn, she it is treweliche, but $at is oonliche of $e
5118 soule;  but I am bo$e of $e bodi and of $e soule."  "So God
5119 keepe $ee,"  q%u%od I,  "sey me now, who heeng $e bodi of Judas,
5120 whe$%e%r $%o%u or she?  Gabbe me nouht."  "Neu%e%re, God keepe me,"
5121 quod she,  "but I sey $ee we bo$e putte on him $e knotte
5122 togideres, and bi assente heengen him.  But ne hadden myne
5123 handes holpen, Peresce hadde neu%e%re drawen hi%m hye, for his
5124 bodi peysede, and $at longeth nouht to hire - and $%e%rfore
5125 p%r%incipalliche myn hand made $e hanginge.  If $ou leue me,
5126 keepe $ee from swich an hand, for she maketh $e rerewarde:
5127 she taketh $e folk subtilliche, and sithe whan she may she
5128 hangeth hem.
5129     Of $e hand $at holt $e file, I wole telle $ee, for it is
5130 my lust.  It is $e hand with whiche I gripe and putte togidere
5131 and hepe $at $at oo$%e%re hauen laboured and conquered with here
5132 swetinge.  She is maad ayens Nature, for in alle times she
5133 dooth bisinesse to sette bras and yren to brode for to
5134 engendre oo$%e%r pondre.  Oo$%e%re handes maken it ammenuse with
5135 handlinge, but $is maketh it encrese al maugre Nature.  An
5136 encha%untouresse she is gret, for alwey bi encha%untementes she
5137 maketh it co%nu%e%rte into paresis, and of fyve maketh bicome
5138 sixe.  She maketh and forgeth (withoute smitinge of strok) [kyne]
5139 $at mown not dye,  and bi $e longe enduringe of hem,  [Kyne]
5140 of Yren she maketh clepe hem;  and she hath corn in gerners,
5141 and abideth til $e greyn be deere, and $a%nne hire corn she
5142 selleth to $e dubble, and taketh $erfore dubble payement.  She
5143 holt [f.99r] a fyle for to fyle with oo$%e%res substa%unce and
5144 waste it:  litel and litel it goth ro%unginge oo$%e%re in comynge
5145 and goinge.  #er is nothing $at biside it mihte endure, $at al
5146 to vsure it ne muste go.*  Vsure bi name it is cleped, for bi
5147 [hire] is $e lyf vsed of $ilke $at in here vsage vseth his time
5148 and his age.  If so in vsage it ne were as it is, eche wiht
5149 wolde be agast of it;  but soo in vse bicomen it is, $at in
5150 feyres knowen it is:  into $e feires $e folk gon `vsinge it/
5151 bifore alle folk and fylinge also, but [$er] is noon meyr ne
5152 provost $at ayensseith to here dooinge."
5153     "Sey me",  q%u%od I,  "of $e bala%unce in which with so gret
5154 entente $ou peisest $e zodiac and $e sunne, for it is thing of
5155 whiche I wundre."  "Lerne",  q%u%od she, "and vnderstonde wel,
5156 for I wole gabbe of nothing.  Grace Dieu aboute $e zodiac
5157 su%mtime sette $e su%nne to shyne to eche wight and for to be
5158 co%mmune to $e world.  To alle she wolde it were gen%e%ral, and
5159 $%a%t noon hadde defaute $erof.  Now I telle $ee $at $at
5160 displesede me for my profyte which lay not $erinne, for I sigh
5161 [$at] if I hadde not $e time, and appropred it not to me, right
5162 litel I myghte werche with my fyle, and riht litel fylen;  and
5163 $%e%rfore I app%r%oprede to me $e zodiac:  $e time and $e sunne I
5164 made myn owen, and in my bala%unce I putte hem.  Bi myn outrage
5165 I haue maad myself weyere $erof and sellere.  I selle it bi
5166 dayes and bi wookes, bi [vtaues] and bi quinzimes, bi monethes
5167 and bi yeeres al hol;  and $e po%und I selle for twenty pens,
5168 $e moneth I selle for nyne shillinges or for ten.  After $at
5169 eche wight taketh $erof, $erafter I weye it and selle it." [f.99v]
5170     "Now sey me",  q%u%od I,  "I preye $ee, of a wodyere $at
5171 solde me a while ago wode in his foreste, and seid me:  '#e
5172 wode is $in for thretti shillinges if $%o%u wolt anoon make me
5173 $e payment, and if to $e yeer ende $%o%u wolt abide, for fourti
5174 shillinges I moste selle it.' I wolde wite forsooth if $ilke
5175 peysede $e zodiac and solde it."  "#erof",  q%u%od she,  "I wole
5176 telle $ee as I haue herd speke.  Su%mtime $e wodieres solden
5177 here wode upon $e stok, and seyden:  'If $ou wolt haue my wode,
5178 anoon $%o%u shalt yive $erfore swich prys, and if $ou wolt
5179 abide to $e yeer, for grettere p%r%is I moste selle it:
5180 for bi $e yeer my wode shulde wexe, and $%e%raft%e%r it shulde be
5181 $e more worth.'  If $us he selde $ee $e wode, $ilke I sey $ee
5182 as bi myn avys $at he weyede not $e time;  but if $e wode were
5183 do%un and hewen and kitt, I trowe $e time were weyen of $e
5184 thing which mihte not amende ne multiplye.  Whan for long time
5185 $e thing is sold, $e zodiac is peysed, but whan $e thing may
5186 of himself multiplye, I weene and leeue $at $e waxinge is
5187 oonliche peysed and mesured."  "#e wodyeres",  q%u%od I,  "sellen
5188 seelde [$e] wodes but on $e stokkes:*  $ei liggen longe do%un er
5189 $ei mown ben sold;  and algates deere it maketh he%m whan $ei
5190 ben not payed in hande."  And $a%nne she answerde me and seyde:
5191 "I wole sei $ee $%a%t $%a%t lyth me on herte, availe what availe
5192 may.  If $e wodyeres of $e wode diden nouht $e hewinge of $e
5193 wode bifore $at $e biggeres comen to hem, wel long time $ei
5194 mihten abiden er $ei shulden selle here wodes, for $e
5195 marcha%untes whan $ei [f.100r] seyen $e wode nouht hewen ne
5196 kitte wolden seye:  'To longe we shulden abide.  Passe we ou%e%r
5197 and go we hens;  oure thing wolde be hasted, we haue no neede
5198 to tarye.' And $%e%rfore as I trowe it was ordeyned for co%mmune
5199 p%r%ofite $at er $e marcha%untes camen, $e selleres shulden felle
5200 here wodes, and make kitte hem and araye hem;  and $at was a
5201 good ordina%unce and a gret fortheringe to hem $at of timber
5202 hadden neede or $at wolden brenne wode,  and $%e%rfore ouhten
5203 $ei not leese $at doon here curteysye, if for oo$%e%re $ei haue
5204 hewe here wode which wolde haue amended withinne a yeer.  I
5205 trowe $e derrer%e $ei mown selle it withoute mistakinge, so $%a%t
5206 $ei doon it nouht ne thinke it nouht for no treccherie ne
5207 bigilinge, for in swich wise $ei sellen $e zodiac and peisen
5208 it.  And p%e%rauenture su%mme doon it soo, but kou%e%ringe $ei haue
5209 bi $at $at it is acustomed, and $at $e vsage is approued.  Now
5210 vnderstonde it wel and [expose] it as $ou wolt, bo$e $e texte
5211 and $e glose.
5212     Of $e hand with $e dysh I wole telle $ee oo$ere tidinges.
5213 This hand heere is cleped Coquinerie.  Trewa%undrie bi name I
5214 cleyme it, and Ma%ungepayn I clepe it.  It is $ilke $at hideth
5215 brybes in his sak;  and so manye $er ben $at mowled $ei waxen,
5216 and doon good to no wiht.  #at is $ilke $at biseecheth bred
5217 for $e loue of God, and wole in no place paye scotte for
5218 nothing $at she dispendeth, and hath no desire $at any wight
5219 amende bi hire c%u%rteysye $%a%t she wole do.  With $e dish she
5220 purchaceth hir%e lyflode riht shamefulliche, albeit $at if she
5221 wolde she [f.100v] mihte amende it, [if she wolde] laboure and
5222 peyne hire to winne.  #at is $ilke $at hath $us toragged me
5223 and toclowted me as $%o%u seest.  It can nothing doo but make
5224 cloutes and pauteneers and bagges, and bere bribes and clawe
5225 me in $e busshes.  She leedeth me into $e grete weyes $ere $e
5226 weifareres and $e pilg%r%imes or grete lordes shulden passen
5227 to asken $ere here almesse;  and to $at ende $%a%t $ei haue
5228 $e grettere pitee of me, and $at $ei mowe with [$e] bett%e%re
5229 wille yive me $e more of heres, she maketh me more feeble bi
5230 $e thridde part, and more poore $an I am, and $erwith I sey
5231 $ee $at bi art she maketh me co%unterfete and withdrawe with
5232 feet and handes, and go crooked on a staf and crye 'Allas'
5233 withouten reso%un;  and albeit I haue noon harm and my
5234 wombe ful, yit o$%e%r hye or lowe I curse he%m $at failen me.
5235 This hand borwen ofte to trewa%unde with $ese gentel folk:
5236 in here grete haukinge glooves $ei ku%nne putte it and hide
5237 it, and wel $ei kunne glooven [it] whan $ei wolen trewande
5238 $erwith.  To $ese religious $ei st`r/ecchen it w%i%t%houte
5239 hauynge shame in askinge.  'Now hider skinnes for haukes
5240 hoodes,' and 'yif me a loyne if $ou wolt, and a peyre
5241 gessis' and 'I haue gret neede of a brod gerdel, and of a
5242 coler to my greho%und.  Make yive me of youre cheeses, I prey
5243 yow' and 'Faile me nouht $at I [ne] haue a gowne of $e [russet]
5244 of yowre abbeye.  Lene me eighte dayes a soomeer and an hors for
5245 to ride on, I prey yow, a carte for to lede with my wode, and
5246 twey plowes or thre for to ere my lond:  ye shule haue hem
5247 ayen with[f.101r]inne $e moneth.'  And $us from hand to hand
5248 $ei helpen hemself shamefulliche in sparinge of here owene
5249 $ere $ei haue ynouh of here owene;  and it seemeth $at $ei
5250 weene not $at poore folk of abbeyes hauen anything but for
5251 hem, wherof $ou hast seyn, if $ou woldest, $at whan $ei hauen
5252 nouht $at $at $ei asken, $ei taken noon excusacio%un, but hauen
5253 gret indignacio%un and haten hem of $e hous. Now looke whe$er $ei
5254 ouhten wel to loue me, whan I make hem $us to bere $e dish of
5255 [trewa%undes] and putte [hem] hand in here glooues whan with
5256 my sak and with my dish at here elbowes I shame hem.  It is [a]
5257 neewe man%e%re $at noblesse seecheth $us his bred, and $at $us
5258 it is bicome thral to me $at am old and hoor."
5259     "Of $e hand with $e crochet",  q%u%od I,  "sey me a litel if
5260 $ou wolt, for as of $is it sufficeth me."  And $a%nne she
5261 answerde me and seide:  "#e hand with $e crook was su%mtime
5262 fisshed in $e derk helle.  Simon Magus and Giesy brouhten it
5263 me hider and maden me yifte and present $erof, but $e crook yaf
5264 hire Simon,  of $e firste figure of [his] name and cheuenteyn.
5265 As a crochet it is figured, $ou wost it wel: [.S.] it is nempned
5266 $is crook.  #is crook and $is .S. shewen wel $at I am abbesse,
5267 but it is of a blak abbeye $ereas folk liven shrewed lyf.  Of
5268 $is crochet [et ce] Simon $is hand hatteth Symonye:  it is an
5269 hand $at entreth into $e hous of Ih%e%su Crist bi false breches
5270 and holes as theeves,* and whan withinne it hath led hem, and
5271 with hire crook hooked hem, [f.101v] of hire crochet crooses
5272 she maketh hem, and pastores of sheep she maketh hem.
5273 Pastores, I sey, but $ilke it ben $at so feeden hem and doon
5274 [so michel] $at bett%e%re men mihten clepe hem wulues $an
5275 keeperes of sheep:  with here croses bi strengthe $ei
5276 withdrawen and disencresen Grace Dieu of $e [throne] of hire
5277 rialtee bi yifte of temporalitee.  Oon hour $ei ben biggeres,
5278 anoo$%e%r time $ei ben selleres, and often $ei wagen hemself to
5279 hem $at taken hem $e monye.  Grace Dieu is wroth $erwith, for
5280 hire thinketh wel she is litel preysed whan she is waged and
5281 leyd for so litel thing.  Also she is not wel apayed, ne it
5282 lusteth hire not wel whan $ilke $at she hath sette in
5283 lordshipe doon hire $ilke velenye.  This hand with al hire
5284 crochet is of swich maneere and swich gise $at oon houre it
5285 biggeth, anoo$%er it selleth, $%e%rfore whoso wole p%r%opirliche
5286 speke, whan it selleth 'Giezitrye' and whan it biggeth 'Symonye'
5287 it is seyd;  but co%mmuneliche Symonye comp%r%ehendeth $e names.
5288 Of swich hand ben nouht exempt $ilke $at maken synge masses
5289 for bihotinge and yivinge of siluer.  #e preestes also ben
5290 nouht exempt $erof $%a%t taken $e siluer, but ben lich $e false
5291 Judas $at solde Ih%e%su for pens:  and $%e%rwith I sey $ee yit $at
5292 werse $an Judas $ei ben, for whan he sigh $at he hadde don
5293 euele, he yelte ayen $e pens - but $ei wole not doon so:  $er
5294 shal no silogisme of reso%un, ne p%r%edicacio%un, neu%e%re make hem
5295 yilde it ayen, ne lede hem to swich ende.  And if $e cause $ou
5296 wolt wite, [f.102r] I sey $ee (wite it forsooth) $at $e sak
5297 which at [my] nekke I bere hath so subtile a yate $at what is
5298 cast $erin may not out ne be doon awey.  It is maad as a
5299 were for fysh:  entree $er is, but issue nouht, and [for $at]
5300 myne handes and alle $ilke $%a%t [hauen] hem or borwen hem mosten
5301 caste $erinne al $at $ei mown conquere,  [for $at] $er may
5302 nothing come out of $e sak:  it moste roten $erinne."
5303     Whan she hadde $us tolde me and seid of $is hand,
5304 which dooth to God gret despyte as me thinketh, after I
5305 preyede hire and seyde hire $at she wolde telle me of $at
5306 oo$er hand which she hadde leyd upon hire mayme.  "#at oo$%e%r
5307 hand",  q%u%od she,  "is cleped Baret, Treccherie, Tricot,
5308 Hazard, and Disceyua%unce, whiche alwey ava%unceth hire to bigile
5309 $ilke $at ben symple and withoute malice, or $at ben nyce to
5310 marcha%unde.  False weihtes and false bala%unces and false
5311 mesures [she vseth:  and after $at she biggeth or selleth,
5312 of eche] she vseth doubleliche.  With $e grete metyerde she wole
5313 mesure $at $%a%t she biggeth, and $at $%a%t she [wole selle] with
5314 $e smallere mesure she wole mete.  Right so with bala%unces she
5315 dooth, and with $e weyhtes $at she dooth in hem, for wel she
5316 can make cha%unge of hem after $at she deliuereth or
5317 resceyueth.  Neu%e%re mesurede she ariht ne iustliche weyede
5318 weyghte.  Swich thing dooth to God despite:  I haue seyn it
5319 writen in Prouerbe.  This hand is a [stenderesse] of corteynes
5320 and a makere.  She maketh curteynes to draperes for $e
5321 coloures of $e cloth shulde seeme $e more fyne to $e folk:  and
5322 I telle $ee also $%a%t riht ofte she sheweth goode penywoor$es,
5323 but afterward wh%an [f.102v] $ei ben bouht she hath oo$%e%re of
5324 $e same colo%u%r, which she deliu%e%reth $e biggere.  Manye [dooth]
5325 $is hand [of harmes].  O time she marchaleth hors and maketh $e
5326 badde seeme good to hem $at wolen bigge hem, anoo$%e%r time bi
5327 $e cuntre selleth false gerdeles and swiche oo$%e%re thinges,
5328 and sheweth hem to $e symple folk for to haue siluer falsliche;
5329 anoo$%e%r time taketh ymages in [$ese] cherches $at ben
5330 olde, and maketh hem holes in $e hed, and for to make $e
5331 preest winne she dooth oyle or water or wyne (whiche she hath
5332 rediest) in $e hole $%a%t she hath maad, to $at ende $%a%t whan $e
5333 lico%u%r descendeth do%un, it mowe be seid $%a%t it swet, and $at
5334 $e olde ymage mowe be named to do miracles.  #a%nne I go speke
5335 with $e trewa%undes and make hem to seeme embosed or contract
5336 or deff or dowm, and in swich wise I make hem come bifore $e
5337 ymage, and crye '[Las], holi ymage, hele me!  After God in yow
5338 I haue grettest feith!'  And $a%nne al hool I reise hem and in
5339 short time with myn hand I shewe hem hol.  But wunder is it
5340 nouht, for harm hadden $ei noon ne sykenesse:  al oonliche myn
5341 euel $ei hadden.  But $e folk weenen it nouht:  $ei arretten
5342 it to $e ymage, and $us $e preest winneth and $e folk maken a
5343 fals feste.  Many anoo$%e%r harm hath $e hand doon, and alle [$e]
5344 dayes yit dooth, but I wole sey $ee no more now, for I haue
5345 ynowh to sey $ee yit."
5346     "At $e leste",  q%u%od I,  "$ou shalt sey me, if $ou wolt,
5347 for what cause $%o%u hast $e hand upon $e ha%unche $at halteth,
5348 and whi it approcheth so ofte and toucheth to $e me[f.103r]sel
5349 tunge."  And $a%nne she answerde me:  "Serteyn, my tunge whiche
5350 is mesel is cleped P%e%riurement, and my mouht I clepe [Mensonge]
5351 for it draweth of $e spaueyne.  To $ese tweyne thinges
5352 Treccherie is familier and freend:  to hem she draweth
5353 gladlich for it cometh hire of kynde.  Bi hire was maad
5354 Menterye, and bi hire I am spaveyned.  Bi Me%nterye is also
5355 P%e%riurement born and engendred, for P%e%riurement may not be but
5356 if [Mensonge] make him come foorth, and in [Mensonge] and in
5357 P%e%riurement may not be $at $er ne is sum Baret.  #ese ben thre
5358 thinges of acord, albeit $ei haue gret wro%ng.  #is is $e cause
5359 for whiche $e hand is lened on $e ha%unche, and for which she
5360 entermeteth hire to taste and to visite so ofte $e tunge."
5361     "Now sey me",  q%u%od I,  "how $ou seist $i tunge
5362 P%e%riurement, and whi $ou clepest $i spaueyned ha%unche
5363 Menterye."  "I mette su%mtime",  q%u%od she, "with Verite and
5364 Equite, $at souhten here bred and weren riht poore.  #ei
5365 hadden none freendes, ne yit ne hauen, as me thinketh.  Whan I
5366 sih hem, I wolde haue turned aweyward, for wel I wiste winne
5367 of he%m mihte I nothing.  At $e laste I lefte here wey and
5368 bigan to fle bi $e feeldes withoute holdinge wey.  At a molle
5369 hill I stumblede and fil do%un and spaveyned me:  yit I am not
5370 hool ne [ne] shal be day of my lyfe.  Boistows I am and [wronge]
5371 and [haltinge].  To $e virly I go hippinge.  My mayme and my
5372 spaveyne I clepe Mentirye, for $er is noon halti%nge so foul as
5373 lyinge, but algates to me it is necessarie to $at $%a%t I haue
5374 to doone.  Soneste my sak is filled [f.103v] $erwith, and
5375 soonest I fynde cheuesa%unce $erwith.  If riht I were and riht
5376 wente, I shulde not fynde so mychel, ne ynowh, for swiche
5377 comen bi me $at wolden gon here wey and keepe he%m fro my wey.
5378     Now I telle $ee $at whan I go $us haltinge, $us lyinge and
5379 hippinge, $er goth out of me so gret hete, so stinkinge and so
5380 gret brennynge and so gret desire of wilnynge to haue yit more
5381 $an I haue of auoyr, $at out I moste drawe my tunge, as an
5382 ho%und $at is to hoot.  To $e kinges court I go me after $at I
5383 haue herd of $e lawes, and sey $at an aduocat I wole be, and
5384 $at of ples I wole medle me.  #ere I make $e ooth $at my tunge
5385 I ne wole drawe for no folk but if $ei haue good riht, but
5386 whan I wole, $e style I haue and hippe a while bi lesinges and
5387 lyinge, but whe$%e%r eu%e%re it be riht or wrong, my tunge I may
5388 not forbere $at I ne drawe it out whan I see I shal haue
5389 moneye.  And I telle $ee $at riht so I doo as $e bala%unce
5390 which enclineth his tunge to $ilke part $at of $e peys hath $e
5391 grettere part, for $ere I see greteste winnynge, $ider I
5392 conuoye my tunge, $id%e%rward I drawe it most gladliche as I
5393 see $er ben most pens.  Ofte-times it hath befalle $at su%mme
5394 hauen come to me preyinge me $at I [helpe] hem of here cause,
5395 and $at I [witnesse] hem a trewe riht, and $at I [swere]
5396 $erfore.  And wost $ou what I dide $a%nne?  Be riht siker $at
5397 whan moneye $ei tooken me for to caste in my sak, anoon I
5398 swoor lightliche $at in [f.104r] $e cause $ei hadden riht, and
5399 $at with good riht $ei plededen (and wel I wiste v%e%riliche
5400 $at it was al oo$erweys).
5401     Swich man%e%re of langwetynge and of [stiringe] and turnynge
5402 upsodo%un $e wrong into $e riht for to drawe with and for to
5403 bringe with to my sak sum siluer, sheweth whi $e tunge is seid
5404 and cleped Periurement, and also I telle $ee $at mesel she is
5405 bi sweringe and bi lyinge, and for $e brennynge $at she hath
5406 to assemble oo$%e%res goodes bi false languetinges and vntrewe
5407 sweringes.  So michel I haue gabbed and forsworn and so
5408 falsliche languetted, $at I shal neu%e%re be bileeued if cano%un
5409 or lawe ne cha%unge.  Bi it men mowe knowe me, for swich tunge
5410 is not yifte of Nature.  Nature wolde wretthe hire if man or
5411 wo%mman drowe to hem with $e tunge yren or bras, and do $erwith
5412 as with an hand, and $erbi $ou miht wel see $at I longe
5413 nothing to Nature, ne $at I am not of hire linage, ne neu%e%re
5414 was of hire werchinge, and bett%e%re $ou shalt wite it whan $ou
5415 hast herd of my bowche."
5416     "It is wel",  q%u%od I,  "myn entencio%un $at $ou make me
5417 $erof collacio%un, and after $at foryete nouht $e mawmete of
5418 which $ou hast spoken me."  "My bowche",  q%u%od she,  "is $ilke
5419 bi which ben bowched $ilke $at shulden ordeyne hemself after
5420 riht rule, and also rulen oo$%e%re.  It is a thing sup%e%rflue
5421 whiche maketh alle rules bowchede and enpecheth al $at riht
5422 is.  #ou shuldest wite $at $ilke it is $at maketh $e riche be
5423 [f.104v] likned to a camaile $at may not passe at $e yate of
5424 heuene for his bouche.  Whan man entreth naked into $e world
5425 bi $e posterne which is streyt, if he shulde bi $e same wey
5426 recou%e%re ayen, and bitwixe $e tweyne he maketh him bouche, he
5427 ouhte wel to wite $at if $e hole ne be woxe, he may not passe,
5428 o$%e%r he muste do awey his bouche.  Man `$at/ entreth i%nto
5429 religio%un bi a vow or bi p%r%ofessio%un and gadereth $%a%t $at he
5430 hath left and $at whiche he hath reno%unced, bi $e posterne of
5431 Paradys (which is streyt, as $ou seye) passe may he nouht at
5432 $e deth as longe as he bereth with him swich a bouche.  This
5433 bouche is P%r%opertee, which dredeth Pou%e%rte hir%e phisician so
5434 michel $at she dar nouht abide hire, for she wolde tobreste
5435 hire and cleue hire and shende hire.  #is is nouht thing to
5436 hele, for riht as a soor hed maketh no ioye of a good comb, no
5437 more keepeth P%r%opertee $at Pou%e%rte take him in cure.  She
5438 hateth it - and I also, for in as michel as I am bowched, $e
5439 bouchede and $e enbosede $at ben comen into $ese cloistres
5440 ben my kyn and cosyns, and manye oo$%e%re of myn affinitee ben
5441 bouched biside here rule,   and gon biside $e rihte wey
5442 wrongfulliche:  and of redressere ne of vndertakere $ei taken
5443 no keep.  Whan $ou art heerafter of [my bouchede], $ou shalt wel
5444 see hem, and $at shal be riht soone if I may.
5445     But first I wole telle $ee a woord of myn ydole mawmet
5446 which is my lord and my god, and $yn shal be also as I trowe.
5447 Now keepe $ee wel, for al haue $ou refused him, $i god he shal
5448 be boongree mawgree.  [f.105r]  Myn ydole and my mawmet is $e
5449 peny of gold and of siluer wherinne is enpreented $e figure of
5450 $e hye lord of $e cuntree.  It is a god $at wole ofte be
5451 swa$ed and bo%unden, $at wole $at men cowchen him ofte and
5452 vncowche him, $at wole ligge i%n cofres, in hideles and in
5453 corneres, and be hid in eer$e wel ofte with wormes.  #at is $e
5454 god $at bleendeth hem $at turnen here eyen toward him;  $at
5455 maketh fooles stowpe here eyen into $e eer$e and waite $e
5456 moldewerp;  $ilke $at maketh $e folk bouched as I am, or more;
5457 $ilke $at hath difigured me and defamed me as $ou seest.  He
5458 made me foul and vnthryfti, and algates so michel he ha%unteth
5459 me and so michel he pleseth me and so hath my loue, $at in
5460 eer$e I wurshipe him as god.  #er is nothing $at I mihte do
5461 $at I ne wolde do it for to drawe him to me and to lede him
5462 into myn hous.  Su%mtime I made roste Laurence upon $e coles
5463 for he hadde binome it me and turned it fro me.  I loue him
5464 so michel $at I waxe a fool, and ofte leese my cote.   For him
5465 I haue many pleyes as $%o%u seest, bo$e at $e merelles and at $e
5466 dees, and go dispoiled and naked as a wafrere do%un $e strete:
5467 and for I loue him so michel, I wole $at also $ou make him
5468 fair sembla%unt, and $%a%t he be serued of $ee and bi $i lord.
5469 Now looke what $ou wolt doo, for trewes of me $ou shalt no
5470 more haue.  W%u%rshipe him anoon, and in alle degrees yilde $ee
5471 to him.
5472     As Auarice prechede me and constreyned me to wurshipen
5473 hire false [ydole], lowe I herde crye bihynde me with hye voys
5474 and with hye teene:  "Harrow, felawe, is $at [$e] man $at I see
5475 $ere, with [f.105v] which Auarice holt ple, and nothing dooth
5476 to him?  Go we $ider and assaile we him, and do we him shame
5477 ynowh.  Auarice hath spared him to miche.  She ouhte wel to be
5478 holden nice."  "Serteyn," answered hire felawe, "$ou seist
5479 sooth.  Now do we peyne $%a%t of oure handes he askape [nouht us],
5480 and $at he leue ded in $e place."  Whan swich woordes I herde,
5481 more I was abasht $an bifore, and gladliche I wolde haue take
5482 $e flyght if I ne hadde dred $e folwinge.  A litel aside I
5483 turnede me, and biheeld and sigh come a gret old oon with a
5484 long nose and grete eyen and euele-shapen, $at a foul sak deep
5485 and perced heeld with hire teeth, and hadde withinne it a
5486 [tonell].  To strangle me she shoop hire man%e%re, and ayens me
5487 strauhte hire handes and swoor me bi alle halwen and trowthe
5488 she ouhte to Seynt George $%a%t she wolde take me bi $e throte.
5489 Anoo$er I sigh come after $at michel more made me [affraye].  A
5490 fauce visage of a ladi wel ifigured in hire left hand she bar,
5491 and as with a targe dide $erwith.  She rod on a swyn, and
5492 arayed she was wel faire:  but hire array was michel blakked
5493 and defouled of dunge, wherfore she shadwede hire visage and
5494 hire facio%un vnder hire hood.  A darte she hadde $at smot me
5495 al bifore $at I spak to hire.  Bi $e eye it entrede.  To $e
5496 herte it com me, wherfore michel misbifel me $at I hadde nouht
5497 on myn helm and $at I was not armed upon myne eyen.  Aft%e%rward
5498 she smot me [on] $e handes, wherfore me hadde [f.106r] needed
5499 my gaynpaynes to haue glooued me with and $at I hadde hem on.
5500 But sooth it is $at $e folk seyn:  '$e fool abideth nouht til
5501 he honge'.*  Whan I sygh me $us yhurt and $at I was not yit
5502 assured of $e firste, for wel she made me cheere $at (for I
5503 hadde no gorgere on) bi $e throte I shulde be holde, I ne
5504 wiste what to thinke ne what to doo.  So michel I see wel, $at
5505 to crye and braye shulde nouht be woorth to me a def note.
5506 "Wrecche,"  q%u%od I,  "what shalt $ou do?  Michel euel it is
5507 bifalle $e certeyn, $at eu%e%re $ou come heere alowh.  It hadde
5508 michel bett%e%re bifalle $ee if at $e firste $ou haddest leeued
5509 $e mattere.  Now $ow hast wratthed Reso%un, and Grace Dieu is
5510 goon, and $ou art so hurt in $ine handes for defaute of
5511 gaynpaynes $at $ou miht not bere $i burdo%un.  At $e leste $ou
5512 shuldest aske who $ei ben $at hauen doon $ee $at."
5513     "#ou olde",  q%u%od I $a%nne,  "$at berest with $i teeth $e
5514 [foule] sak p%e%rced, sey me $i name, and gabbe me nouht, if in
5515 ernest withoute smytinge strook $ou wolt $us make me dye."
5516 And $a%nne $e olde answerde:  "If $ou wost who ben Epicurie,
5517 $ou shuldest wite $at I am here mooder, whosoeu%e%re haue be
5518 here fader."  "Who ben", q%u%od I, "Epicurie?"  "It ben", q%u%od she,
5519 "a folk $%a%t of here persede sak maken here god: $at in alle times
5520 hauen here thouht to fille it for to uoyde it.  In $e kichene
5521 $ei wolden rouken an hol day [and more] gladliche for to roste
5522 a smal hastelet or to make a steike or sum oo$%e%r disgisee
5523 thing.  #ei hauen no delite but if in mete and drink $ei hauen
5524 it:  $at [f.106v] $ei holden a delite oonliche and a mirthe."
5525 "How hattest $ow?"  q%u%od I to hire.  "Glotonye,"  q%u%od she,
5526 "$at in my percede sak putte so michel $at it bicometh foul
5527 and stinkinge.  I sakke as michel sumtime as tweyne or thre
5528 poore men mihten wel fille here sakkes w%i%t%h.  If $ou wistest
5529 wel $e wast, $e outrages and $e los $at I do of metes in $e
5530 yeer, Castrimargye $%o%u woldest p%r%operliche sey I were, and
5531 clepe me."  "And what is",  q%u%od I, "Castrimargye?"  "It is",
5532 q%u%od she, "plo%ungi%nge and drenchinge of morcelles $at men mown
5533 fynde in goode housholdes.  Alle goode lopyns I plo%unge and
5534 drenche:  $er is neu%e%re noon $at I sende anything too, and yit
5535 I telle $ee $at I haue sakked many oon $at I haue needes cast
5536 out ayen and put out and left trases of dunge after me as a
5537 snayle."  "Fy!"  q%u%od I.  "#ou olde stinkinge!  Go no more
5538 spekinge to me $erof:  it is thing abhominable and foul and
5539 reprouable."  "Serteyn,"  q%u%od she,  "$ou seist sooth;  but
5540 whan $ou wolt wite $e soothe, it is reso%un $at I sey it $ee.
5541 If men clepen me Glotonye and $at I ete to michel and drinke and
5542 [swelwe] michel, it is not thing $at I shulde hele.  I am $e
5543 wolf of $e wode $at alwey haue raage in my teeth, for alwey I
5544 muste make $e chyn trotte and $e throte gaape.  I am Beel $at
5545 al deuowreth, and $at putte my nose into kichenes bi $e
5546 wyndowes for to smelle and seeche and trace as dooth an huntes
5547 hound, to wite which mete is $e beste.  My nose is long:
5548 ou%e%ral I putte it in smellinge, but myn entente is al to wite
5549 if I myhte fynde thing $at I mihte showve in my sak."
5550 [f.107r]  "Sey me",  q%u%od I,  "if $ou fille it ouht with metes
5551 of litel prys, if with benes or with gret bred $ou madest
5552 eu%e%re $i wombe gret?"  "Wite wel",  q%u%od she, "$e trouthe,
5553 $at as wel I haue customed to sakke gret brown bred as to ete
5554 grete metes.  As wel $e [rudesse] as $e curiowstee maketh me
5555 gloto%un, but $e longe nose was yiven me of my fader, to $at
5556 ende $at I made me fisshinge to $e guste of my grete
5557 leccherye."
5558     "And what thing",  q%u%od I, "is guste?"  "It is $at", q%u%od
5559 she,  "bi which passeth al $at I swelwe and $at wherinne is
5560 myn delite withoute more.  It is $e bouchinge of my sak which
5561 it maketh bi towchinges, and yit it hath not twey fyngres of
5562 lengthe if it were mesured.  Fayn I wolde it were lengere and
5563 $at it were as $e nekke of an hero%un, and I wolde wel $er
5564 were eu%e%remore $ere passage of sweete morselles - $at with
5565 lopyns it were wel froted.  Were I on horse or on foote* I
5566 rouhte neu%e%re what peyne $e persede sak hadde, but $at it were
5567 ful.  #e eyen ben grete, [brennynge my guste]:  $at oon and $at
5568 oo$er wolen al;  as michel or more as $e guste may gusten, $e
5569 eye wole deliu%e%re him.  #e eyen ben more vnmesurable $an $e
5570 sak is ei$%e%r long or brod.  As longe as anything may into $e
5571 pa%unche, $ei haue of nothing sufficience.  It is a thing $at
5572 michel hath shorted my lyfe bi my folye:  $er is noon more
5573 perilowse knyf $an is a sup%e%rflue morselle."  "And whi",  q%u%od I,
5574 "puttest $ou in [morselle $at is] soo pestilencial?"  "I bere",
5575 q%u%od she, "so pestilencial a touche in my mouth $at whan it
5576 hath touched to $e morsell, it taketh swich reuelle in it $%a%t
5577 if [f.107v] to $at oo$%e%r it ne touchede, as out of witte it
5578 shulde be.  #at oon after $at oo$er I wole touche withoute
5579 stintinge.  It reccheth him neu%e%re of my p%r%ofite, but $at
5580 withoute more he haue his delite."  "Sey me",  q%u%od I, "how it
5581 is nempned and cleped, $ilke touche."  "It is",  q%u%od she:  "a
5582 wichche,* a fleinge messanger $at seith and telleth to alle $at
5583 $%a%t $e herte hath coma%unded.  Maleschique and Malevoysigne $e
5584 folk clepen hire $at ben hire neighebowres, for gladliche she
5585 misseith, and soone seith vileynye whan she hath towched goode
5586 morselles and filled hire with goode wynes."  "Is she $a%nne",
5587 q%u%od I,  "a vinter%e, $at to assaye wynes entermeteth hire?
5588 What is she?"  #anne she seide:  "#ere she taketh hire grete
5589 disport.  Bi hire I am vnmesurable, and bi hire I am cleped
5590 Gloto%un.  She putteth me to [vnwurshipe], and binemeth me bo$e
5591 prys and wurshipe.  She hath left me $e [tonell] $at in my sak
5592 $ou seest bouched.  It aualeth and tunneth $e wyne, and thoruh
5593 outrage so michel it yeueth me $at I haue nei$er wit ne
5594 reso%un, ne can fynde my hous, ne leyn me in my bed."
5595     "#ou art $a%nne,"  q%u%od I to hire,  "thing $at hast no
5596 techinge ne gou%e%rnement in $ee."  "#%a%t is sooth",  q%u%od she,
5597 "if $ou wistest riht wel al myn gou%e%rna%unce, for whan I haue
5598 tu%nned my wynes and chewed my metes, I wolde $a%nne sey
5599 veleynye to God and to Oure Lady, Seinte Marye.  If Reso%un
5600 come to me I wolde anoon sey 'Fle fro me!';  $ouh Justice,
5601 $ouh Equite, $ouh P%r%udence, $ouh Soothnesse comen alle to me
5602 $ei shulden be shouen out and putte ayen.  Sobernesse and
5603 Attemp%e%ra%unce shulden haue of me [f.108r] but mischa%unce.  I
5604 haue skorn of hem and make drive hem out.  Whan $e wyne is
5605 entred into myn horn $a%nne I am as fers as vnicorn;  $a%nne I
5606 wole hurtle eche wight, chide oon, blame anoo$er, and roile
5607 myne eyen as a bole.  It is not for nouht $at I haue twey wombes
5608 as a buto%u%r, [for butour] I bicome, and $is bifalleth ofte."*
5609 "How?"  q%u%od I.  "Hast $ou twey wombes?"  "Ye,"  q%u%od she,
5610 "$at ben genderes of Dame Venus $at folweth me heere, of which
5611 Yueresce is $at oon seid, and $at oo$%e%r #e Gulf, $at to ete is
5612 euere redy.  Whan $e firste hath stinte etinge,* and $at oo$er
5613 hath apperseiued it, he seith he wole ete also;  and if it
5614 bifalle $at he drinke first, $at oo$%e%r wole drinke also, and
5615 seyth anoon 'I reuye it':  and oones sufficeth hem nouht, no
5616 certeyn, ne twyes ne thryes, but wolen alwey withoute ende
5617 pursue $at $at $ei haue bigunne.  Eche wole take last, and
5618 eu%e%re it is to biginne as longe as $er is wyne in $e pot and
5619 til $e mete be put to $e ende.  #ese twey wombes maken Dame
5620 Venus reuelle:  bi hem she is most ryottous and to doon euele
5621 lest shameful.  Bi hem most gladliche she holt hire nygh me,
5622 and cometh after me.  Bi whereeuere I go, she goth gladliche,
5623 for she thinketh wel $%a%t she shal haue in subieccio%un $ilke
5624 whiche I haue seised bi $e throte.  I thinke it shal be $ou,
5625 sithe $ou art come hider."
5626     And `$anne/ she took me bi $e throte with bo$e handes,
5627 and seide me $us:  "Sithe $ou hast no gorgeere, wite wel in
5628 certeyn $at michel $e more feers and more cruelle $ou shalt
5629 fynde me."  "Har[f.108v]row!"  q%u%od I.  "Allas, allas!
5630 Let me speke to $ilke $at I see go bihynde $ee.  She hath
5631 smiten me w%i%t%h hire darte.  Euele I shal be bitake and lost if
5632 of sooth I ne wite who she is."  And she seide me:  "In $ee it
5633 is.  I wole wel $at she sei it $ee;  but $ow shalt not askape
5634 me - I wole holde me seised of $ee sithe I haue $ee so nigh
5635 me."  And $a%nne I askede to hire $at hadde smiten me:  "Who
5636 art $ou?  Niceliche $ou gost bi $e cuntre upon $ilke swyn, as
5637 me thinketh, and niceliche bronnched and hid vnder $yn hood."
5638 "Serteyn,"  q%u%od she,  "I am $ilke $at make my subgis dwelle
5639 and enhabite in fennes as frosshes, $ere I amase manye bo$e of
5640 sighte and of speche and of here co%untena%unce also.  I am
5641 Venus, of which $%o%u hast herd Dame Glotonye speke, $at
5642 maistryeth $ee bi $e throte.  Longe agon I putte and drof
5643 Virginitee `out/ of $e world.  #e aungeles which she was
5644 sister too hadden me neuere sithe wel in herte.  #ei stoppen
5645 here noses whan $ei seen me, which thing $ei wolden nouht doon
5646 for a stinkinge karayne but if grett%e%re vice were $erinne.  I
5647 pursue Chastitee oueral withoute stintinge ei$%e%r winter or som%e%r.
5648 Ne hadde she withdrawe hire [and hid hire in] religio%un I hadde
5649 er [now] put hire to deth;  but I fynde $e castel soo strong $at
5650 harm may I noon doon, but if any come muse at $e dore as was
5651 of oon* $at corrupt hadde he not be if out he hadde not goon.
5652 Also I may not anoye Chastitee but if he go out at $e dore."
5653     "What haue $ei tweyne misdoon $ee,"  q%u%od I, "$%a%t
5654 [f.109r] $ou wolt hem so litel good?"  "Virginitee",  q%u%od she,
5655 "wolde neu%e%re lye in bed ne in cha%umbre $at I lay i%nne.  It
5656 was neu%e%re $at I ne was hateful to hire and abhominable for my
5657 stinkinge, which may not be binome me.  Chastitee hateth me
5658 also, and whan she seeth me, seith 'Fy!  I haue leeu%e%re lace*
5659 my mantelle $an ly any time bi $ee;  I haue leeu%e%re yilde me
5660 into an abbeye $an anything be in $i cumpanye'."  "How?"  q%u%od
5661 I.  "May $is be sooth, $at $ese monkes (white, greye or blake)
5662 hauen resceyued Chastitee, and $at she is yolden to hem?"
5663 "Yis",  q%u%od she,  "sikerliche, but it displeseth me gretliche.
5664 She is dortowrer%e $ere and maketh here beddes as chamberer%e."
5665 "She hath office $a%nne?"  q%u%od I.  "Sooth," q%u%od she, "and for
5666 $at I haate hire $e more and pursue hire - I am $e more sharp
5667 ayens hire."  "Whi",  q%u%od I, "hast $ou smiten me?"  "Whi,"
5668 q%u%od she,  "weenest $ou sithe I am so nyh $ee $at $ou shalt
5669 nouht feele of me?  Bi myne hed $at is wel kembt, $ou hast not
5670 yit al assayed.  Whan I assaile any - whoeu%e%re it be - I parte
5671 nouht so soone from him."
5672     "Art $ou",  q%u%od I,  "so wel kembt and arayed as $ou
5673 seist?  If $ou were it, $ou woldest not, as I trowe, hide $ee
5674 from me."  "Now vnderstonde",  q%u%od she,  "a litel.  It is wel
5675 sooth $at if I were fair, I wolde not $us shadewe me vnder myn
5676 hood.  It folweth nouht $at $ouh I be $us kembt and a litel
5677 make $e queyntrelle, $at for swich cause I am fair.  I am
5678 foul, old and slauery, foule stinkinge and dungy:  more vile
5679 bi ynowh $an I dar seye, for it is nouht for to speke.  I
5680 shadewe me $at men [f.109v] seen me nouht, albeit I am riht
5681 queynte, and recche neu%e%re of [oo$%e%r] sihte.  In place $er no
5682 sighte is I go bi turnynges and bi corneres, and seche
5683 hydinge%s and corneres, and se no sighte at ful midday, and
5684 haue peyne and thouht ynowh, and ofte putte me in perile to
5685 doo a litel of my lust.  If $ou wistest how ofte, and bi which
5686 place I go ofte, I trowe $ou woldest michel abashe $ee, and
5687 $at riht litel $ou woldest preyse me.
5688     I ride a wunderful hors,* for $ereas $e pas is wurst and
5689 is as most filthe, $ere, of his kynde, he leith him.  #e hors
5690 is Euele Wil $at bereth me, and is redy as a sowe to ley hire
5691 $ere $e dunge is and bidunge hire.  It is figured as a swyn
5692 $at in $e eer$e hath his [musell].  #ereas he leith himself he
5693 leith me, but it is more in foul place $an in clene.  Bi him I
5694 am $us soiled and bidu%nged and defouled, and he also;  $us %i%n
5695 [%a%b%s%t%r%a%c%t%o] foul I am but %i%n [%c%o%n%c%r%%e%t%o] I am michel=C
 foulere
5696 and $erfore I bere a peynted fauce visage, for to make $erof
5697 [a] cou%e%rto%u%r to my visage ful of filthe.  #is fauce visage is
5698 cleped Fardrye, with which whan I am eelded and bicome riueled
5699 and fro%unced and discolowred I make me shynynge in despite of
5700 nature, in cha%unginge of my feture;  $a%nne I make me a pryue
5701 cha%umbre for alle $ilke $at passen $e wey:  a verrey dung-hep
5702 in a weylate, $er eche at his time may come to make filthe."
5703 "Fy!"  q%u%od I.  "I recche neu%e%re now of $i knoweleche ne of
5704 $ee.  I see wel now and knowe $at to haue p%a%rlement with $ee
5705 is nouht but gret diffamacio%un."
5706     "Serteyn,"    q%u%od she,    "if $ou haddest seyn $e
5707 instru[f.110r]mentes $at I haue hid vnder my cote, if $ow ne
5708 were michel out of [$e] wey $ou sholdest preise me michel
5709 lasse, and lasse speche holden with me."   "Shewe me hem,"
5710 q%u%od I to hire, "and telle me how $ei ben nempned."  ["#at
5711 oon", quod she, "hatte %r%a%p%t%u%s, $at oo$er %s%t%u%p%r%u%m, $at
5712 oo$%e%r %i%n%c%e%s%t%u%s, $at oo$er is seid %a%d%u%l%t%e%r%i%u%m, and=C
 $at oo$er
5713 %f%o%r%n%i%c%a%c%i%o%u%n -- of $at oo$er is nouht] for to speke of.
5714 #is may wel suffice $ee:  vnderstonde hem now as $ow wolt,
5715 and wite wel $ei ben p%e%rilouse.  #ou shalt not see hem at
5716 $is time, for I shewe hem neu%e%re more ap%e%rtliche for here
5717 vnthrifty feture and here foulnesse;  and yit algates wel
5718 I kan smite su%mme with hem whan I haue leiser.  I wole smite
5719 $ee but $ou flee fastere or go $an tigre:   but sithe Glotonye
5720 holt $ee, of $i flight I drede me nouht.  Of me $ou shalt
5721 haue it.  Heere $%o%u shalt dye, and neu%e%re go fer$ere."
5722     And $a%nne $e olde smot me with a darte to $e herte and
5723 fellde me.  Glotonye halp hire michel.  Bi $e throte do%un she
5724 shook me.  Auarice and alle $e oo$%e%re, [$ei] sheweden nouht $at
5725 $ei hadden [gowtes]:  eche of hem smot me at here cours with
5726 swich armure as she hadde.  Binome me $a%nne was my bordo%un but
5727 my scrippe $ei leften me.  #ei thouhten wel recou%e%re it whan
5728 at alle poyntes $ei hadden slayn me.  Whan I sigh me $us
5729 bitrapped, beten do%un, smyten, hurt, whan I hadde my burdo%un
5730 lost bi which I was wont to reise me ayen, neu%e%re man as I
5731 trowe was more desolat $an I. "Allas!"  q%u%od I. "What shalt
5732 $ou do, sorweful wrecche?  What shalt $ou sey?  Now art $ou
5733 comen til $in ende.  Why were $ou eu%e%re pilgrime?  Whi tooke
5734 $ou eu%e%re burdo%un for to leese it in $is cuntre?  It hadde ben
5735 bett%e%re for me [f.110v] $ou haddest be ded born.  Who may
5736 eu%e%re helpe $ee?  Who may visite $ee?  Who may co%unseile $ee?
5737 #ow hast lost Grace Dieu $i goode freend.  Aa!  Penitence,
5738 Penitence, whi made I eu%e%re drede to passe $e thorny hegge?
5739 Ye shulden now be me ful sweete and deere, ne were I so
5740 aloyned and stra%unged from yow.  Youre yerdes and youre
5741 disciplines, youre p%r%ikkinges and youre thornes weren to me
5742 oynement now, to my riht grete misaduentures.  [He], armes of
5743 chiualrye, I ouhte biweyle you al my lyfe $ouh I livede
5744 lengere.  I was oones arayed and enoorned with yow riht
5745 queynteliche, but allas, wrecche, for longe was it nouht but
5746 anoon I leyde you do%un.  Many harmes haue bifalle me sithe
5747 $erbi, and now riht withoute any forberinge I am deliu%e%red and
5748 put to $e deth.  [He], sacrament of holi cherche, I drede me
5749 I preyse $ee litel.  I drede me I haue resceyued $ee in veyn,
5750 sithe I haue lost my burdo%un bi whiche I was wont to reise me
5751 whan I was falle.  [He], citee of Jerusalem to which I was
5752 excited to goo, how shal I excuse me to $ee, and what answere
5753 shal I make $ee?  I hadde bihight $ee in my corage $at I wolde
5754 do $e viage to $ee, for $at I sigh $ee in `$e/ faire mirrowr
5755 cleer and polisshed.  Now I am beten, now I am hurt soo $at on
5756 my sides it is seene.  In euele time forueyed I:  I trowe I
5757 shal neu%e%re seen $ee."
5758     As I compleyned me and biweyled my losses, I sigh a
5759 cloude passe whiche was nouht michel reysed, of whiche
5760 $e wynd com also.  She com from $e midday.  Ouer me she
5761 tariede and $ere abood a while, but gret fors made I nouht
5762 $erof [f.111r] for $e sorwes $at I felte:  I was as half ded,
5763 and litel lyfe hadde in $e bodi.  Now vnderstondeth (so God
5764 keepe yow) how loth Grace Dieu departeth hire from hem $at she
5765 hath socoured bifore, whan misaduenture hath bifalle hem, and
5766 how gladliche she socowreth hem whan neede is.  Of $ilke
5767 cloude descendede a vois $at seide me $us:  "Now up, wrechche
5768 coward, now up!  To michel $ou hast crept up and do%un.  #ou
5769 hast euele proued $i craft,* for $ou art a shrewede knyght.  I
5770 haue brouht $ee $i burdo%un ayen,   to [releeue] $ee from
5771 orphanitee.  Entende to me.  I reeche it $ee and yilde it $ee
5772 and stablisshe it $ee.  I wole nouht yit $i deth, albeit $ou
5773 hast don wrong ayens me, but I wole $ou conuerte $ee and $%a%t
5774 $ou amende $ee and $%a%t $ou lyue."  Whan swiche woordes I
5775 vnderstood, a litel I opened myn eyen, and sigh an hand on hy
5776 $%a%t heeld my burdo%un, and arauhte it me.  I thouhte it was $e
5777 hand of hire $at at $e firste time hadde taken it me - and she it
5778 was.  "[Haa], God,"  q%u%od I, "goode tidinges!  Neu%e%re deseruede
5779 I to yow $at ye shulde $us thinke on me.  Now riht I hadde be
5780 lost if ye ne hadden socoured me.  Sithe my burdo%un ye yilden
5781 me and of youre pitee ye areechin it me, ye don me co%unfort of
5782 my sorwes, and respiten me of $e deth.  Graces and thankinges I
5783 yelde yow, sweete Ih%e%su C%r%ist.  [He], Grace Dieu my sweete lady,
5784 now I see wel $at [yit] ye louen me, ye hauen not at alle poyntes
5785 forsaken [me]: ye hauen at $e neede shewed yow redy to helpe me,
5786 if it ne be [long] on myself.   I wot neu%e%re whens $is cometh
5787 yow but of youre debo[f.111v]nayrtee, for in me haue ye not
5788 fo%unden it.  Youre co%unseil I leeuede neu%e%re:  with good riht
5789 it is euele bifalle me.  With bo$e myne handes I crye yow
5790 m%e%rcy, and weepinge sey my gilt.  I shal amende it I bihote
5791 yow, my ladi, bi my soule.  Withoute more foryiueth me $is
5792 time:  I wole anoo$%e%r time leeue yow.  Redresseth me and
5793 releeueth me, for $e abidinge greeueth me riht michel.  To $e
5794 hegge euene I wole go if bi yow I haue deliu%e%ra%unce.  And if
5795 ye wole ye shule lede me $ider, whan ye haue reised me hens."
5796     And $a%nne Grace Dieu answerde:  "I wole sey $ee riht a
5797 fair game.  If $ilke $at is awmeneer wolde do so michel toward
5798 my fader (which is hire sone - she is his mooder) $at he wolde
5799 yive me ayen to $ee, yit $ou shuldest not go to wast, yit $ou
5800 shuldest wel turne ayen to Penitence.  I wolde gladliche lede
5801 $ee $ider if $ou woldest, and doo from $ee [$e] torment."  "And
5802 who",  q%u%od I, "is $ilke ladi $at [to ordeyne] of yow is lady?
5803 A gret lady she is whan she is ordeynowr and awmeneer of yow!"
5804 "Serteyn,"  q%u%od she, "$ou seist sooth, and $erfore $ou
5805 mostest first haue $in herte to hire, and crye hire m%e%rcy.  If
5806 she wole, I wole helpe $ee, and socowre $ee at $is neede:  and
5807 also I haue wil $erto, as I haue er now shewed $ee.  If $ou
5808 wite nouht who $e lady is, gret defawte and gret shame it is
5809 to $ee.  She hath oo$er times kast $ee and releeued $ee out of
5810 many an yuel paas.  It is $e charbuncle and $e pomelle of $in
5811 burdo%un $at is so fair.  I haue spoken $ee [f.112r] $erof er
5812 now:  $ou art a fool whan $ou hast foryete it."  "Lady,"  q%u%od
5813 I, "I wiste nouht ne [ne] took no keep $at of hire ye speken,
5814 but I wende of sum oo$er ye hadden spoken, unknowen to me, $at I
5815 hadde neu%e%re seyn bifore;  but sithe it is to my charbuncle, I
5816 wole gladliche opene myn mowth and with good herte preye as I
5817 can to hire.  But if ye wolden yive me $e foorme and shewe me
5818 $e manere how I shulde biseeche hire, right gladliche I wolde
5819 doon it."
5820     And $anne of $e clowde a scripture she caste me, and
5821 seide me $us:  "Loo heere how $ow shuldest preye hire, bo$e at
5822 $is neede and alwey whan $ou shalt haue semblable neede, and
5823 whan in swiche olde hondes $ou shalt bee.  Now rede it anoon
5824 apertliche, and biseeche hire deuowtliche, and with verrey
5825 herte bihoote hire $at $ou wolt be good pilgrime, and $at $ou
5826 wolt neu%e%re go bi wey $ere $ou weenest to fynde shrewede
5827 paas."  Now I telle yow $e scripture I vndide, and vnplytede
5828 it, and redde it, and maade at alle poyntes my preyeere in $e
5829 foorme and in $e maneere $at $e same scripture conteenede, and
5830 as Grace hadde seyd it.  #e foorme of $e scripture ye shule
5831 heere.  If 'A.B.C.' wel ye kunne, wite it ye mown lightliche,
5832 for to sey it if it be neede.
5833     Incipit carmen s%ec%u%nd%um ordinem l%i%t%t%erar%u%m alphabeti.=C
 [f.112v]
5834
&A&lmihty and al merciable queene
5835        To whom $at al $is world fleeth for socour
5836        To haue relees of sinne of sorwe and teene:
5837        Gloriowse Virgine, of alle floures flour,
5838     5  To $ee I flee, confo%unded in errour.
5839        Help and releeue, $ou mihti debonayre.
5840        Haue mercy [of] my p%e%rilous langour:
5841        Venquissed me hath my cruelle adu%e%rsaire.
5842
&B&ountee so fix hath in $in herte his tente
5843    10  #at wel I wot $ou wolt my socour bee:
5844        #ou canst not warne him $at with good entente
5845        Axeth $in helpe, $in herte is ay so free.
5846        #ou art largesse of pleyn felicitee,
5847        Hauene of refute, of quiete and of reste.
5848    15  Loo how $at theeves sevene chasen mee -
5849        Help, lady briht, er $%a%t my ship tobreste.
5850
&C&omfort is noon but in yow, ladi deere,
5851        For loo, my sinne and my confusio%un
5852        Which ouhten not in $i presence appeere,
5853    20  Han take on me a greevous accio%un
5854        Of verrey riht and desperacio%un,
5855        And as bi riht $ei mihten wel susteene
5856        #at I were wur$i my dampnacioun,
5857        Nere m%e%rci of you, blisful queene.
5858    25    &D&owte is $er noon $%o%u queen of misericorde
5859        #at $ou nart cause of grace and m%e%rci heere:
5860        God vouched saf thoruh $ee w%i%t%h us to accorde,
5861        For certes, Crystes blisful mooder deere, [f.113r]
5862        Were nowe $e bowe bent in swich maneere
5863    30  As it was first of Justice and of Ire,
5864        #e rihtful God nolde of no m%e%rcy heere:
5865        But thoruh $ee han we grace as we desire.
5866
&E&uere hath myn hope of refuit been in $ee,
5867        For heer biforn ful ofte in many a wyse
5868    35  Hast $ou to misericorde resceyued me;
5869        But merci, ladi:  at $e grete assyse
5870        Whan we shule come bifore $e Hye Iustyse
5871        So litel shal $a%nne in me be founde
5872        #at but $ou er $at day [correcte vice],
5873    40  Of verrey riht my werk me wole confo%unde.
5874
&F&leeinge I flee for socour to $i tente,
5875        Me for to hide from tempeste ful of dreede,
5876        Biseeching yow $at ye you not absente
5877        #ouh I be wikke.  O help yit at $is neede:
5878    45  Al haue I ben a beste in wil and deede
5879        Yit ladi, $ou me clo$e with $i grace.
5880        #in enemy and myn -- ladi, tak heede --
5881        Vnto my deth in poynt is me to chace.
5882
&G&loriows mayde and mood%e%r which $%a%t neu%e%re
5883    50  Were bitter, nei$%e%r in eer$e nor in see,
5884        But ful of swetnesse and of merci euere,
5885        Help $at my fader be not wroth with me.
5886        Spek $ou, for I ne dar not him ysee
5887        So haue I doon in eer$e (allas $er while)
5888    55  #at certes, but $ou my socour bee,
5889        To stink et%e%rne he wole my gost exile.  [f.113v]
5890
&H&e vouched saaf, tel him, as was his wille,
5891        Bicomen a man to haue oure alliaunce,
5892        And with his p%r%ecious blood he wrot $e bille
5893    60  Upon $e crois, as gen%e%ral acquitaunce
5894        To euery penitent in ful criaunce;
5895        And $%e%rfore, ladi briht, $ou for us praye:
5896        #a%nne shalt $%o%u bo$e stinte al his greuaunce
5897        And make oure foo to failen of his praye.
5898    65    &I& wot it wel $ou wolt ben oure socour
5899        #ou art so ful of bowntee in certeyn:
5900        For whan a soule falleth in errour
5901        #i pitee goth and haleth him ayein.
5902        #a%nne makest $%o%u his pees with his sou%e%reyn,
5903    70  And bringest him out of $e crooked strete.
5904        Whoso $ee loueth, he shal not loue in veyne:
5905        #at shal he fynde as he $e lyf shal lete.
5906
&K&alendeeres enlumyned ben $ei
5907        #at in $is world ben lighted w%i%t%h $i name;
5908    75  And whoso goth to yow $e rihte wey
5909        Him thar not drede in soule to be lame.
5910        Now queen of comfort, sithe $%o%u art $%a%t same
5911        To whom I seeche for my medicyne,
5912        Lat not my foo no more my wounde [entame]:
5913    80  Myn hele into $in hand al I resyne.
5914
&L&adi, $i sorwe kan I not portreye
5915        Under $e cros, ne his greevous penaunce
5916        But for your%e bo$es peynes I yow preye
5917        Lat not our%e alder foo make his bobaunce [f.114r]
5918    85  #at he hath in hise lystes of mischaunce
5919        Conuict $at ye bo$e haue bouht so deere.
5920        As I seide erst, $ou gro%und of oure substaunce,
5921        Continue on us $i pitous eyen cleere.
5922
&M&oises $%a%t sauh $e bush with flawmes rede
5923    90  Brenninge, of which $er neu%e%r a stikke brende,
5924        Was signe of $in vnwemmed maidenhede:
5925        #ou art $e bush on which $er gan descende
5926        #e Holi Gost, $e which $at Moyses wende
5927        Had ben afyir, and $is was in figure.
5928    95  Now ladi, from $e fyir $ou us [defende]
5929        Which $at in helle eternalli shal dure.
5930
&N&oble p%r%incesse, $at neu%e%re haddest peere,
5931        Certes if any comfort in us bee
5932        #at cometh of $ee, Cristes mooder deere:
5933   100  We han noon oo$er melodye or glee
5934        Us to reioyse in oure aduersitee,
5935        Ne aduocat noon $%a%t wole and dar so preye
5936        For us, and $at for litel hire as yee
5937        #at helpen for an Aue Marie or tweye.
5938   105    &O& v%e%rrey light of eyen $at ben blynde,
5939        O v%e%rrey [rest] of labour and distresse,
5940        O tresoreere of bo%untee to mankynde,
5941        #ee, whom God ches to mood%e%r for humblesse,
5942        From his ancille he made $e maistresse
5943   110  Of heuene and eer$e, our%e bille up for to beede.
5944        #is world awaiteth eu%e%re on $i goodnesse,
5945        For $ou ne failest neu%e%re wight at neede.  [f.114v]
5946
&P&urpos I haue sumtime for to enquere
5947        Wherfore and whi $e Holi Gost $ee souhte
5948   115  Whan Gabrielles vois cam [to] $in ere:
5949        He not to werre us swich a wund%e%r wrouhte,
5950        But for to saue us $at he sithen bouhte;
5951        #a%nne needeth us no wepene us for to saue,
5952        But oonly $er we diden not as us ouhte
5953   120  Doo penitence, and merci axe and haue.
5954
&Q&ueen of comfort, yit whan I me bithinke
5955        #at I agilt haue bo$e him and $ee,
5956        And $at my soule is wurthi for to sinke,
5957        Allas, I caityf, whider may I flee?
5958   125  Who shal vnto $i sone my mene bee?
5959        Who but $iself $at art of pitee welle?
5960        #ou hast more reuthe on our%e adu%e%rsitee
5961        #an in $is world miht any tunge telle.
5962
&R&edresse me, mooder, and me chastise,
5963   130  For certeynly my faderes chastisinge
5964        #at dar I nouht abiden in no wise
5965        So hidous it is [rihtful] rekenynge.
5966        Mood%e%r of whom our%e m%e%rci gan to springe,
5967        Beth ye my juge and eek my soules leche,
5968   135  For eu%e%re in you is pitee haboundinge
5969        To eche $at wole of pitee you biseeche.
5970
&S&oth is $at God ne granteth no pitee
5971        Withoute $ee, for God of his goodnesse
5972        Foryiveth noon but it like vnto $ee:
5973   140  He hath $ee maked vicair and maistresse [f.115r]
5974        Of al [$is] world, and eek gou%e%rnowresse
5975        Of heuene, and he represseth his iustise
5976        After $i wil, and $erfore in witnesse
5977        He hath $ee corowned in so rial wise.
5978   145    &T&emple deuout $%e%r God hath his woninge
5979        Fro which $ese misbileeued dep%r%iued been:
5980        To you my soule penitent I bringe;
5981        Resceyue me - I can no fer$ere fleen.
5982        With thornes venymous, O heuene queen,
5983   150  For which $e eer$e acursed was ful yore,
5984        I am [so] wo%unded as ye may wel seen,
5985        #at I am lost almost, it smert so sore.
5986
&V&irgine $at art so noble of apparaile,
5987        Ledest us into $e hye tour
5988   155  Of Paradys;  $%o%u me wisse and co%un{sei}le
5989        How I may haue $i grace and $i so{co}ur
5990        Al haue I ben in filthe and in er{ro}ur:
5991        Ladi, vnto $%a%t court $ou me aiou{rn}e
5992        #at cleped is $i bench, O fresh flour,
5993   160  #eras $at merci eu%e%re shal soiourne.
5994
&X&pc $i sone $at in $is world alighte
5995        Upon $e cros to suffre his passio%un,
5996        And eek suffred $%a%t Longius his h%e%rte pighte,
5997        And made his h%e%rte blood to renne ado%un,
5998   165  And al was $is for my saluacio%un,
5999        And I to him am fals and eek vnkynde,
6000        And yit he wole not my dampnacio%un:
6001        #is thanke I yow, socour of al mankynde.  [f.115v]
6002
&Y&saac was figure of his deth certeyn,
6003   170  #at so ferforth his fader wolde obeye
6004        #at him ne rouhte nothing to be slayn:
6005        Riht soo $i sone lust as a lamb to deye.
6006        Now ladi ful of m%e%rci I yow preye
6007        Sithe he his merci mesured so large,
6008   175  Be ye not skant, for alle we singe and seye
6009        #at ye ben from vengea%unce ay our%e targe.
6010
&Z&acharie yow clepeth $e opene welle
6011        To wasshe sinful soule out of his gilt,
6012        #%e%rfore $is lesso%un ouht I wel to telle:
6013   180  #at nere $i tender herte, we weren spilt.
6014        Now ladi, sithe $ou canst and wilt
6015        Ben to $e seed of Adam merciable,
6016        Bring us to $at palais $at is bilt
6017        To penitentes $%a%t ben to m%e%rci able.  Amen.
6018
Explicit carmen.
6019     Whan $us I hadde maad my p%r%eyere to hire $%a%t is
6020 dispensere to Grace, hye I heef myn hand and drowh my bordo%un
6021 to me.  Grace, as I haue told you, of hire goodshipe raught it
6022 me.  Whan I hadde it, to Grace I seide:  "As me thinketh riht
6023 now, I fynde $at if ye wolde helpe me I shulde be reised ayen,
6024 and $at anoon I shulde haue hele if with youre oynement ye
6025 enoyntede me.  Wel I wot $at my charboncle hath so wel
6026 vnbocled $e bocle vnd%e%r which ye weren bocled, $at freedam [he]
6027 yiveth yow to helpe $ilke $at ye wolen, $ouh $ei ben dede or
6028 hurt.  Excuse yow of dispenseer ne of awmeneer mown ye not,
6029 she wole ye ben delt aboute, $at no wight haue [f.116r]
6030 defaute of yow but $at it be youre wille, so $at if of you I
6031 haue no socour, it holt not of hire but of yow.  Helpeth me.
6032 She wole helpe me:  I truste and alwey $ertoo I lene me."  And
6033 $a%nne Grace Dieu rauhte oon hand and seyde me $us:  "Sithe $ou
6034 hast gret triste to me I wole helpe $ee.  Tak hider $i fynger.
6035 Rys up, and lene $ee to $e bordo%un, and looke $ou feyne $ee
6036 nouht.  #ou shuldest for nouht reche me $i finger but if $%o%u
6037 helpe to reise $iself."  And $a%nne my fynger I took hire, and
6038 to $e burdo%un I gripede.  So michel I strengthede me and so
6039 michel she halp me $at to $e foule olde it forthouhte.  Eche
6040 wente into here regio%un, to here confusio%un;  but neu%e%r$eles
6041 sithe I sigh hem and sithe $ei diden me gret annoy (and $ouh I
6042 seide allwey, I trowe I shulde not gabbe).
6043     And $anne Grace Dieu shewede `me/ a gret roche in an hy
6044 place.  An eye upon $ilke roche $er was, $%a%t droppede dropes
6045 of water - and a kowuele $%e%r was binethe $at resceyuede alle
6046 $e dropes.  "Seest $ou", q%u%od she, "$e kowuele?"  "Ye"  q%u%od
6047 I.  "#erinne", q%u%od she, "$%o%u mustest ba$e $ee for to hele $i
6048 wo%undes and for to wasshe $ee."  "Seith me now,"  q%u%od I to
6049 hire, "whens $e water cometh, I preye yow:  $ilke eye $at I
6050 see abasheth me, and $e water also $at I see come out $erof."
6051 "Now vnderstonde a litel,"  q%u%od she,  "and turne to me $in
6052 ere.  #ilke roche $at $ou seest $eere is $e herte of $ilke $at
6053 witingeliche hath left $e wey of saluacio%un, as $ou hast:  $at
6054 is harded in his erro%u%r as roche.  Now I telle $ee $at whan I
6055 haue left [f.116v] [it] $us a gret while in his sinne, I am
6056 sumtime take with pitee of him, and with his eye I make him
6057 conu%e%rte and turne to himself, for he shulde biholde hise
6058 owene dedes;  and $a%nne whan $e eye hath wel seyn $e hardshipe
6059 of $e herte, anoon it is stired harde to weepe and to droppe
6060 teres.  A welle gladliche he wolde be for to make it softe if
6061 he mihte:  but for he may nouht, to $at ende $at he lese not
6062 his labo%u%r, $is kowuele I haue set vnder for to take $e
6063 droppinges.  I wole not $at $e teres $at I see so shed ben
6064 lost:  $ei ben goode to make $e bath, to $ilke $at hath mayme
6065 in $e herte.  It is a secund c%r%isteninge, with [which] Penitence
6066 can wel make hire lye and hire bowkynge.  #erinne was ba$ed
6067 and stiwed $e Magdaleyne su%mtime.  Seint Peet%e%r also bathed
6068 him $%e%rinne - $e Egipcian Marie `also/ and manye oo$ere $at I
6069 sey nouht.  Of Penitence $ou herdest it seid if $ou woldest,
6070 whan $ou seye hire;  and $%e%rfore if $ou wolt be heled, $erinne
6071 $ou mustest be wasshen.  It is a gret purginge."  "Ladi,"
6072 q%u%od I, "if it were youre wille to lede me to $e place I wolde
6073 gladliche go $ider:  withoute yowe I shulde nothing do $ere."
6074 And $a%nne she seide:  "It liketh me wel.  Go bifore: $ou shalt
6075 fynde me $ere, go $ou neu%e%re so faste."
6076     Now I telle yow $ider I wente, pas for pas, and $ere I
6077 fond hire - but vnder $e clowde she was hid and shadewed as
6078 she was bifore.  Whan I come $ider, $e kowuele I sigh, which
6079 was not ful ne half ful.  "Ladi,"  q%u%od I, "heer is not water
6080 ynowh wherinne I may be wasshe:  $er is wel litel to make of a
6081 bath."  And $a%nne Grace Dieu lowe abeescede a yerde [f.117r]
6082 [$at] she heeld in hire hand.  Where she hadde take it I wot
6083 neu%e%re:  I hadde not seyn it bifore, wherof I abashed me michel.
6084 I thouhte $at Moiseses it were, with which he smoot $e roche in
6085 deserte.  Soone he made water come out $erof for to hele $e
6086 thrist of Israel;  and it was $at treweliche, as I sigh bi
6087 dede euident:  with $ilke yerde she smot $e roche, and anoon
6088 $er cam water out $erof into $e cowuele $at was $%e%rvnder it
6089 ran, and euene cam, but alwey took his cours thoruh $e eye, as
6090 I haue seyd yow.  "Now",  q%u%od she, "$%o%u hast water ynowh to be
6091 wasshe if $ow wolt.  Entre $erinne and wasshe $ee $erinne, for
6092 a poynt I haue maad it $ee warm.  To $e cheekes put $ee [in]
6093 and $e wasshinge shal be good for $ee."
6094     And $anne withoute taryinge I entrede in and bathed me
6095 and wesh me.  It hadde al heled me, I trowe, if I hadde
6096 endured it ynowh;  but soone I wente out $erof, for of suich
6097 ba$inge I hadde not lerned:  I was not lych to Dauid, $at
6098 seide he made him bath alle $e nihtes of his teres, and shedde
6099 hem upon his bed.  Whan I was $us comen out of $e bath, Grace
6100 Dieu seide me:  "Weenest $ou $ou be so soone hool?  If into
6101 thornes I hadde put $ee and into p%r%ikinge netles al naked (as
6102 $ou haddest wel deserued) how woldest $ou haue suffred hem,
6103 $at a litel water, of which $ou shuldest reioyse $ee for $in
6104 hele, $%o%u miht not suffre a litel while?  How mihtest $ou also
6105 suffre $e hegge $at $ou hast desired, whiche $ou shalt fynde
6106 more thorny and more sharp and dangerows withoute compariso%un
6107 $an $ou didest at $e firste time, $at suffrest not to bathe
6108 $ee?  Go [f.117v] now, and do as $%o%u wolt.  I shal see how
6109 w%u%r$i $%o%u shalt be to $%a%t $%a%t is to come, for bifore $%o%u hast
6110 not ben it.  But a good knight, whan he is hurt in $e stour and
6111 [eschawfed], he is michel $e more corageows aft%e%r, and $e more
6112 knightlich.  If $ou so doost, I wole be glad $erof, and w%i%t%h
6113 $e bettere wil I wole helpe $ee:  but algates at $is time $%o%u
6114 shalt no more see me.  I go.  I wole see what $ou wolt do yit
6115 and what wey $ou wolt take."
6116     Whan I herde $at $us she seide me and $%a%t in swich wise
6117 she dide, sorweful I bicome and abasht.  "Allas!"  q%u%od I.
6118 "What shalt $%o%u do?  Allas wrecche, allas:  which side shal I
6119 go whan I wot not where I shal take my wey?  I trowe $%a%t
6120 neu%e%re pilg%r%ime was more abasht $an I.  Goode Lord God, help
6121 me:  $%o%u art $e hye pomelle of my burdo%un.  I crye to $ee and
6122 biseeche $ee $%a%t in $ee I mowe see where is my wey, and $%a%t
6123 $%o%u gide me.  Holi charbo%uncle shinynge, of which my burdo%un
6124 is maad shinynge, lighte me bi where I shal go.  #ou art oon
6125 pomel in which I haue gret suretee and trist and haue had al
6126 my chyldhode.  To $ee I holde me;  to $ee I lene me.  But if
6127 $ou helpe me, lost I am."  So as I spak $us to my pomelles and
6128 preyede he%m, I bithouhte me on which half I hadde left $e
6129 hegge.  Bi gesse I thouhte I wolde go, and $%a%t litel or
6130 nothi%ng I shulde faile $erof.  To $e wey I sette me soone
6131 ynowh, but I dide not my iorney, for I fond empechement.  If
6132 ye wole heere how, cometh ayen anoo$%e%r day, for heere I wole
6133 make a restinge.
6134     Heere eendeth $e thridde partye of $is book.  [f.118r]
6135     Heere biginneth $e feer$e partye of $is book.
6136     Now I wole telle yow, lordinges, how I fond empechement in
6137 my wey, and I wole telle yow withoute more, of $at $at is
6138 grettest to me and toucheth me most:  for in valeyes and in
6139 hilles I sigh manye disgisy thinges of whiche I shulde neu%e%re
6140 make eende if I wolde telle you al, and also it shulde anoye
6141 to me and to $ilke $%a%t shulden heeren it.  Now I sey yow, as I
6142 wente bi a wey $at I hadde take, bifore me I fond a see
6143 wherinne was michel to biholde.  Tempested it was gretliche
6144 of grete tempestes and of wyind.  Men and wo%mmen $er
6145 weren $at al clo$ed swo%mmen $erinne.  Su%mme hadden here feet
6146 aboue:  I sigh no more of hem.  Oo$%e%re stooden upriht, of
6147 whiche su%mme hadden wynges and seemeden $ei wolden haue flowe
6148 ne hadde $e see empeched he%m.  Su%mme oo$%e%re I sih arested bi
6149 $e feet and faste bou%nden with longe erbes $at weren in $e
6150 see, $%a%t michel anoyed hem.  Su%mme oo$%e%re I sigh bended bifore
6151 here eyen, and oo$%e%re ynowe diu%e%rseliche arayed, of which I
6152 holde me stille as at $is time.   Whan I sigh swiche thinges,
6153 afrayed I was and gretliche abasht.  "Lord God,"  q%u%od I,
6154 "what thi%ng is $is?  Swich a see sigh I neu%e%re:  $er is noon
6155 `swich/ see in my cuntree, ne suich fish as me thinketh.  I
6156 see wel now go foorth may I nouht.  I muste turne ayen or I
6157 muste heere abide in abidinge $i m%e%rci.  If I putte me $erinne
6158 I am dreynt.  If I go bi $e coste [f.118v] I shulde go mis
6159 anoon if I ne fo%unde who $at yeue me sum good avyis.  Lord
6160 God, I wot neu%e%re what I shal do if I ne haue avys bi $i
6161 Grace."  At $e laste I avised me to myself and bithouhte me $%a%t
6162 if $ere I abide, winne mihte I nouht $erbi, and of $e turnyng
6163 ayen I was siker $at yit lasse I shulde winne, and thouhte $at
6164 upon $e stronde I wode go to see if I miht fynde ship or boot
6165 bi which I mihte passe and go ouer withoute p%e%rile.
6166     On $e wey I sette me withoute taryinge, and bigan to
6167 coste $e see al after $e stronde, but I made nouht riht gret
6168 viage.  O what I sih - sweete folk, blisseth yow - a foule
6169 beste $at alle $ilke $at wel hadden biholden it shulden neu%e%re
6170 ben assured.  I sey for me my soule dredeth it alle $e times
6171 $at I bithinke me $eron.  #ilke beste was disgised soo
6172 vileliche, and so foule figured, $at of $e speche I shulde
6173 haue gret affray if I speke yow longe $erof.  Ordeyned I haue
6174 $at peynted it be heere and figured, to $at ende $at who $at
6175 wole mowe see it:  oo$%e%rweyse chevice me cowde I nouht.
6176 Alweys, so michel I sey you $at in $e see I sigh him fisshe.
6177 #erinne he hadde cast hise angles, and his lyne he heeld with
6178 hise handes.  An horn he hadde hanged at his nekke, and he bar
6179 a trusse of cordes, and a nette fleinge he `had/ hanged upon
6180 $e see bine$e $e cloudes.  Whan he sigh me come, anoon he
6181 bigan to blowe and to houpe and to strecche his cordes i%n my
6182 wey so $at I shulde not askape.  Whan I sigh suich redyinge,
6183 abasht I was gretliche, for wel I sigh $%a%t if I passede bi
6184 him, anoon taken shulde I be.  "Sweete God,"  q%u%od I, "what
6185 shal I do?  Shrewede wey I fynde:  [f.119r] whider shal I go?
6186 I shal neu%e%re out of $is place if I ne haue helpe of $i
6187 Grace."
6188     In $is poynt I sigh come an olde oon rennynge.  A fagot
6189 of wode she bar, and bakward she ran, and thwartouer and
6190 asqwynt she biheeld me for she was p%u%rblynd.  Whan she was
6191 nygh,  "Now hider,"  q%u%od she, "yilde $ee to me."  "And who
6192 art $ou", q%u%od I, "to whom I shulde yilde me?"  "I am",  q%u%od
6193 she, "in fair wey a stumblinge, and a letti%nge to folk on
6194 foote and on horse.  I hatte Heresye $e purblynde, $at anoon
6195 as my fader bloweth, I come areste pilg%r%imes for to
6196 vnscrippe hem of here scrippes.  I hate scrippe ou%e%r alle
6197 thing.  I thinke to shewe it $ee wel, for I wole bineme $ee
6198 $yn if I may, and tobreke it.  I see scripture in $e belles,
6199 $at as to my biholdinge, it is nouht a poynt ne ariht writen."
6200 "Hold $i pes, $ou olde cursede!"  q%u%od I.  "#e scripture is
6201 writen aright, but $ou lokest not ariht:  with purblynde eyen
6202 and thwartinge may not be hool lookinge."  "Me reccheth
6203 neu%e%re" q%u%od she.  "Wel I wole $at after $at I see with eye
6204 $e scriptures ben corrected thoruhout and torent.  As I go al
6205 contrarye, and bacward myn heeles, and sewe not oo$%e%re ne go
6206 not bi here paas, no more haue I not biholdinge to $e
6207 scripture as oo$%e%re hauen.  Brent I shal be yit as I trowe,
6208 and put into $e fyir, and $%e%rfore I bere with me $is fagot
6209 heere al redy for to sette fyir $erinne."  "Sey me sooth now,"
6210 q%u%od I,  "art $ou $e olde $at madest brenne $e Templeres?"
6211 "Ye, soothliche,"  q%u%od she, "and $ou shuldest also wite $at I
6212 am $ilke $at stirede ayens Augustyn in $e time $at he was
6213 pilgryme - but  I mihte neu%e%re bineme him his scrippe ne
6214 vnscrippe him.  With my shame [f.119v] I departede from him.
6215 A fool I was whan I assailede him."  "And whi",  q%u%od I,
6216 "assailest $ou me?"  "What?"  q%u%od she.  "Weenest $%o%u $at $ou
6217 be as strong as he was?"  "Nay, certeyn,"  q%u%od I, "but I sey
6218 $ee $at sithe $at man hath ou%e%rcome $ee, $ou shuldest not
6219 afterward be so boistous to manward."  "Haa!"  q%u%od she.
6220 "Alle hauen not euene strengthe.  I haue sithe fo%unde manye
6221 $at I haue vnscripped mawgre hem, and so wole I doo of $ee.
6222 Hider now,"  q%u%od she,  "take me $i scrippe withoute
6223 taryinge."  "I wole not certeyn!"  q%u%od I.  And $a%nne she
6224 sette at me, and swich time $er was $at she made me agast $%a%t
6225 she shulde haue binome me $e scrippe or broken it or doon sum
6226 $erof awey.  Neu%e%r$eles I bleynte, and with my burdo%un smoot
6227 hire so $at I made hire uoyde $e place.  And $a%nne Grace Dieu
6228 appeerede to me and seyde $at I hadde wel doon $at I hadde
6229 defended me, and $%a%t $erfore she wolde shewe me my wey and
6230 wolde come with me.  "Ladi,"  q%u%od I,  "I thanke yow gretliche
6231 of $at ye be comen hider and of $%a%t $at ye bihoten me and
6232 co%unforten me $us ayen.  I hadde ben lost in $is hour if ye
6233 hadden dwelt lengere:  $ilke wylde beste $ere hadde al
6234 discomforted me.  #is wylde see hadde also maad me al abasht,
6235 and yit I wot neu%e%re what it is if of yow it ne be tauht me,
6236 wherfore I preye yowe $at ye wole teche me and lerne me of
6237 $ese thinges."  "Men mown",  q%u%od she, "wel speken goinge, and
6238 gon spekinge.  Go we, and I wole teche $ee and seyn $ee
6239 shortliche $ese thinges."
6240     Now I telle yow $at biside $e cordes $at $e wylde beste
6241 hadde [stended] in my wey we wenten, [f.120r] and mawgre him
6242 passeden forth.  How it eu%e%re were he durste not grucche, were
6243 it neu%e%re so litel, for Grace Dieu whiche he dredde.  After $e
6244 see costynge, G%r%ace Dieu com spekinge to me and seyde:  "#is
6245 see",  q%u%od she, "$at $ou seest, is $e world, $at no time is
6246 $at $er ne is torment $erinne, for Veynglorie whiche bloweth
6247 $erinne ($at is $e beligh $at Orguill bereth).  It is not
6248 longe agoo $at $ou seye it at eye.  Bi $is see swimmen and
6249 gon diu%e%rse folk diu%e%rseliche.  Su%mme goon $e feet aboue, and
6250 $at ben $ilke $at ben charged w%i%t%h $e beringe of $e sak of
6251 Auarice which is nouht couenable in see for $e grete weihte of
6252 it plo%ungeth $e heed of $ilke $at bereth it, and maketh him
6253 fo%undre do%un so $at he may not swimme.  Swiche folk I holde
6254 lost [forto] $e time $ei ley al do%un.  Of oo$%e%re $at goon al
6255 upriht, of whiche su%mme ben weenged, wite wel $at $ei ben a
6256 folk $at keepen nothing of $e world but oonliche here
6257 sustena%unce, and hauen here trist in God al oonliche.  In $e
6258 see $ei ben for $ei mihten not elles liue bodiliche, but $ei
6259 seechen not $e gostly lyfe in $e see:  wel $ei witen $at in
6260 oo$er place $ei shule haue it, and $erfore $ei swimmen and gon
6261 upriht.  #e wynges ben wynges of v%e%rtues for to flee with to
6262 $e cuntree aboue.  Swiche folk ben lich a brid $%a%t Ortigometra
6263 I clepe, for whan he shulde passe $e see and is trauailed of
6264 fleeinge, to swimme in $e see he taketh him;  but in swimmynge
6265 he streccheth his wynge and maketh $erof a seil and a steere
6266 soo $at he sinke not do%un and so $at he mowe flee ayen aboue
6267 $e see as he dide bifore.  Right so of $ilke whiche [f.120v] I
6268 speke to $ee:  onliche in $e see $ei ben for cause of
6269 necessite - but here willes elleswhere $ei haue.
6270     Of hem $at bi $e feet ben bo%unden and arested w%i%t%h $e
6271 erbes, wite wel it ben folk $at be michel biloued,  $at hauen
6272 alle here affeccio%uns to delite he%m in vanitees and ydel
6273 seculer thinges.  #ei louen better wordliche needes $an
6274 children to go to mariages - and with suiche thinges $ei ben
6275 wo%unden bi legges and bi feet.  How $ei shulden flee, I wot
6276 neu%e%re:  $ei haue ynowh to doone to swimme.
6277     Of hem $at han here eyen blyndfelled and ben as blynde,
6278 wite wel $ei been foollish folk $at leeuen but in [kyn] and in
6279 thing $ei seen withoute.  Albeit $e world is foul and al $at
6280 is $erinne, neu%e%r$eles blyndfelled $ei maken hem $e fooles
6281 of [a] fairnesse it hath, of which Salomon spak su%mtime
6282 and seide $at it was veyn (in $e Pistel of $e Magdaleyne), and
6283 $erwith $ei haue bended he%m, $at $ou seest $ere, and blynded
6284 hem.  Eyen $ei haue with which $ei seen nothing for vanitee
6285 $%a%t stoppeth hem and for fortune and p%r%osp%e%ritee $at thoruhout
6286 blyndeth hem.  In perile $ei been, $ou seest it wel.  I wole
6287 nothing sey $ee more of hem.
6288     But if $ou wolt anything heere of $e wylde beste $at
6289 $ou seest fisshe on $e stronde, I wole telle $ee shortliche
6290 withoute lesinge.  #ilke beste hatteth Sathan, which dooth
6291 al his entente to haue alle $ilke $at ben in $e see bi
6292 his fysshinge and bi his hookinge with his lyne and with hise
6293 [temptacio%un] w%i%t%h which he tempteth man and womman, to whiche
6294 whan any consenteth, anoon with $at oon he ta[f.121r]keth him
6295 and anoon he pulleth him and draweth hi%m to him for to bere
6296 him with him.  But for he may not haue alle so at his wille,
6297 $at is to seye, for $at with $e ees ne with $e feedinge of
6298 temptacio%un he taketh not as he wolde, $erfore he hath lerned
6299 to make cordes and breide thredes and to make nettes to fishshe
6300 with, for to drive awey fe$eren* and for briddes fleeinge.  For
6301 hem $at $%o%u seest haven wynges and ben goode contemplatyf folk
6302 he is bicome a fowlere and hath [stended] his nette upon $e see,
6303 $at $ei beten not here wynges ne askape him:  for hem $at him
6304 thinketh wolden flee and gon out of $e see, an hunte he maketh
6305 him and hath [stended] hise strenges and hise cordes bifore here
6306 wey.
6307     #er shal noon goon out $at he ne arresteth if he may, or
6308 bi feet or bi hed - $%o%u seye neu%e%re yrayne $at made so manye
6309 nettes and snares for $e flyes, ne $at sette so gret bisynesse
6310 as $is beste bisyeth him for to bynde creature of mankynde;
6311 and alwey he werpeth temptacio%uns and breideth hem and weueth
6312 hem and alwey stercheth his werk, and alwey putteth thredes in
6313 $e reedes.*  But certeyn, whoso were wys and hadde a litel
6314 strengthe, $ouh it wer%e but $e strengthe of a flye $at he
6315 hadde, of alle hise [strenges] he shulde not recche.  Hise
6316 cordes ben but copwebbes:  $ei ben rent and broken with $e
6317 flyght of a gret flye, wherfore Seint Jerome seith $at $er is
6318 noon discomfyt of him ne withholden in hise bondes but if he
6319 wole, for feeble $ei been bo$e he and hise strenges.  But
6320 $%e%rfore I sey $ee nouht $at $ou riht bisyliche and wysliche ne
6321 keepe $ee, for he hath a thowsand artes for to desceyue folk
6322 with, and a thowsand and a thowsand [f.121v] $at $%o%u seest
6323 not.  He taketh gladliche a fauce visage and falsliche
6324 dissimuleth $at he is a briht a%ungel and $at he seecheth not
6325 to do harm.  Bithinke $ee how he desceyuede an heremite to
6326 whom he appeerede w%i%t%h a fauce visage, in liknesse of a good
6327 messang%e%r and of a good a%ungel.  #e deeuel seide to $e
6328 heremite $us:  '#e deeuel', q%u%od he, 'is subtile. Be war $%o%u be
6329 not supp%r%ised of him.  He wole come to $ee tomorwe, and shal
6330 seeme $i fader.  I rede $ee $ou [hindre] him and smite him
6331 first.'  On $e morwe his fader com to him, wherof michel
6332 misbifel him:  his sone sigh him and smot him and fellede him
6333 do%un to $e eer$e ded.  Subtilliche Sathan desceyuede him, but
6334 to late he apperceyued it.  Keep $ee from him if $ou leeue me
6335 - from hise settinges and from hise nettes.  It is $ilke of
6336 which Seint Peet%e%r seide $at he seecheth day and niht what he
6337 may take and deuowre.  If I wolde telle $ee in how many wises
6338 and man%e%res he hath slayn many sheep, and how many lambren he
6339 hath departed fro $e brest and strangled, I trowe it shulde
6340 not plese $ee, for I see riht now it anoyeth $ee.  Keep $ee
6341 fro him.  I passe me shortliche $at I werye $ee nouht to
6342 michel $%e%rof."
6343     As Grace Dieu spak to me, I sigh bifore me a damisele $at
6344 bar a bal.  Nice she seemede:  rouh and fe$ered on $e feet she
6345 was as a dowve.  To hire I wolde speke, and seide hire:
6346 "Damisele, me thinketh $at niceliche ye beren yow.  I wot
6347 neu%e%re wherof ye serue."  "[If]",  q%u%od she, "$ou wost wherof I
6348 serue, of my manere $ou shuldest not speke more ne lasse, but
6349 agast of me $%o%u shuldest be."  [f.122r]  "Who be ye, gentel,"
6350 q%u%od I,  "which if men made of you saale, mihte no man livinge
6351 ou%e%rbigge yow ne loue yow to michel."  "#ou gabbest of
6352 nothing",  q%u%od she,  "but $at men vsed me wel;  but it is riht
6353 hard to doone to folk $at ben of wikkede doinge.  I hatte
6354 [Jeonenesse] $e lyghte, $e tumbister%e, $e renner%e, $e fonne,
6355 $e lepere $at sette nouht alle da%ungeres at a glooue.  I go, I
6356 come, I lepe, I flee, I springe, I carolle, I trippe, I da%unce,
6357 I trice goinge to [$e] reuelle, I strogle and lepe diches
6358 joynpee, and caste $e ston with $e fer$este.  I abasshe me
6359 neu%e%re more to passe dych, hegge ne wal;  and of my neyghbowres
6360 apples in here gardynes I wole haue, I am lopen in an appel
6361 tre lightliche anoon - I am not for nouht rouh on $e feet, ne
6362 fe$ered for nouht.  Mi feet beren me where I wole:  $ei hauen
6363 wynges, $ou seest it at eye.  Azael bar hem sumtime, but he
6364 abouhte it sore.  To gret lightnesse su%mtime is not good for
6365 $e lyfe.  Oon with hevy feet, wys, is more woorth [$an] foure
6366 fooles with fleeinge feet, and $%e%rfore er $is Holicherche hath
6367 ordeyned $at $er were no p%e%rsone set $erinne for to gouerne it
6368 $at ne hadde feet of led for to go with, so $at $%e%rof I am
6369 p%r%iued as longe as I am $us rouh-footed.
6370     A crooked staf me lakketh for to cholle with and a bal to
6371 pleye me with.  Oo$%e%r croce needeth me non:  if I hadde, it
6372 were folye, for my feet mihten not holden hem from [stiringe],
6373 ne [ne] wolden not.  I haue not yit my fulle of pleyinge at $e
6374 boules, to gad%e%re floures, to bigile, to pleye at $e merelles,
6375 to heere songes and instrumentes and seeche [f.122v] my
6376 disport.  In my bal day and niht I haue more ioye $an in al
6377 $at eu%e%re my fader tauhte me, or in al $at eu%e%re my mooder
6378 seyde me.  I posse it, I handele it, I pleye $erwith.  #is is
6379 my studye:  I haue no thouht but to pleye me and p%r%ocure my
6380 merthes."  "Serue ye", q%u%od I, "of anything more?"  "#at $ou
6381 shalt see wel," q%u%od she, "for anoon I wole trusse $ee and bi
6382 $e see bere $ee."  ["Shal ye bere me?  What haue ye seyd,
6383 Damisele?"  q%u%od I.  "Ye wolen nouht bere litel, whan ye speke to
6384 bere me."  "Yit I wole bere $ee,"]  q%u%od she, "o$er $ou shalt
6385 soone fynde $ilke $at shal do $e soule from $e body whiche in
6386 Latyn men clepe Mors."    "And what thing", q%u%od I, "Is Mors?"
6387 "#ou shalt", q%u%od she, "wite, whan $ou hast seyn Vilesse, and $at
6388 she shal bicomen in $ee."  "And where is Vilesse,"  q%u%od I,
6389 "and where dwelleth she, and what thing is it?"  "In time",
6390 q%u%od she, "$ou shalt wite, but $at shal not be yit.  Yif hider
6391 $in hand:  I wole flee, and bi $e see I wole ber%e $ee $ere $ou
6392 shalt see many m%e%rueyles, if $ou ne slepe or slombre to
6393 michel."  And $a%nne withoute more taryinge she took me bi $e
6394 hand, and anoon sette me in hire nekke, and sithe took hire to
6395 flee aboue $e see.  Wel assured was I nouht, for $e grete
6396 wawes $at I sigh and for $at she plo%unged me $erinne whan she
6397 wolde.  In gret perile she putte me ofte bi hire nice,
6398 foolisshe man%e%re.  Cyrtim, Caribdim and Cillam, Bitalasson and
6399 Sirenam and alle oo$%e%re p%e%riles of $e see she made me feele
6400 and endure.  And if ye witen not what is Cirtes, Caribdis and
6401 $e oo$%e%re thre, I wole shewe it $ou riht shortliche, for I
6402 think mor%e to [oo$%e%r] eende.
6403     Cirtes is propre wil, $at as sond assembled maketh an hil
6404 in $e see, bi whiche whan a [f.123r] wawe cometh* it muste make
6405 a stintinge.  If I sigh man or wo%mman $at gad%e%rede and hepede
6406 his willes to michel, and $at kepte not to doo as oo$ere, I
6407 wolde sey $us:  'It is sond, it is grauel $at hepeth to michel
6408 togideres $at maketh $e botme of $e see bouched, and binemeth
6409 $e weye of $e see to swimme'.  #at is Cirtes $e perilous -
6410 keep $ee from hi%m.  He is dredful."
6411     Caribdis is $e wysdom and $e ku%nnynge $%a%t is in $e world:
6412 seculer%e implicacio%un and worldliche ocupacio%un, alle swiche
6413 thinges gon aboute alwey, alday turnen, alday varyen, alwey in
6414 her%e %i%d%e%m comen ayen and not in oo point holden hem.  It is a
6415 meevinge [sercelich], suich in $e ende as at $e firste.  It hath
6416 noon abidinge ne eende, no more $an is in $e wheel of a mille as
6417 longe as it dureth and water cometh $erto.  If of Salomon ye
6418 bithinke yow -- how he souhte aboute, how he assaiyede of alle,
6419 and how he heeld it thing veyn, and torment and peyne -- ye mown
6420 wite and bi his ensa%umple if ye wole, $at al $e ocupacio%un and
6421 $e marcha%undise of $e world is a verry Caribdis and a wrong
6422 perile.
6423     In Cilla and Bitalasso also but shrewednesse I sey you
6424 noon:  Cilla is seid adu%e%rsitee, Bitalassus p%r%osperitee.  It
6425 ben sleyhtes with whiche Fortune maketh hire wheel turne.
6426 Bitalassus maketh it gon up, and Cilla maketh it avale do%un.
6427 Ye haue seyn it peynted on walles:  ye knowe it wel.  I holde
6428 me stille with $is.  Aduersitee dooth as Cilla, for whan any
6429 wight [f.123v] goth bi him, he is hurtled and tempested, and
6430 with $e wawes of $e see possed.  Howndes gon abayinge upon
6431 him, m%u%rmuringe with here teth of his doinges.  It is a perile
6432 $at many folk dreden, and loth ben to putte hem $%e%rinne;  but
6433 $at oo$er is not lasse to drede whoso cowde wel biholde it,
6434 for withholdinge and [cleyey] and arestinge and glewy is
6435 $ilke of wordlich richesse, of wurshipe, of strengthe, of idel
6436 fairnesse, $%a%t wonder it is $at $ilke ne is p%e%rished $%a%t
6437 passeth bi it.  Sirena is wordliche solas, $e which with hir%e
6438 singinge and idel desport draweth $e shipmen to hire.  #at is
6439 a perile to which [Joenenesse] ledde me and bar me ofteste.  I
6440 trowe she louede it wel, or elles $at she haated me to $e
6441 deth.
6442     Now I telle yow whan I was a riht gret while born $us, on
6443 $e lift side I sigh an old oon $at rood $e wawes of $e see,
6444 and hadde a skin gert aboute hire as a smythiere, and in hire
6445 hand a gret hamer, and a peire tonges she bar with wich she
6446 manaced me harde fro fer.  "Hider now,"  q%u%od she, "lighte
6447 do%un.  #ou shalt ne more be $us bore:  $ou mustest lerne to
6448 swimme bi $e see as oo$%e%re doon."  #a%nne wolde I wite hire
6449 name and who she was and wherof she seruede.  "Sey me", q%u%od
6450 I,  "wherof $ou seruest, how $ou hattest and who $ou art, and
6451 why $ou manasest me, [$at] nothing haue misdoon to $ee, I wot
6452 wel."   And $a%nne she answerde me:  "Mi skin, my tonges and
6453 myn hamer shewen wel ynowh my craft, for $ei been [f.124r]
6454 tooles to forge with.  Me faileth nothing but an anevelte:
6455 wel [is it] bifalle $ee if $ou haue oon, for if $ou haue oon, I
6456 wole forge $eron $i corown and make it;  and if $ou hast it
6457 not, euele welcomed shalt $ou be anoon, wite it wel.  Mi strook
6458 shal not be in idel:  [upon $ee or] upon $e anevelte it shal
6459 falle."  And $a%nne of $e noble gambeso%un $%a%t Grace Dieu in hire
6460 hous hadde yiven me (wheron $e anevelte was set bihynde) I
6461 bithouhte me - but to laate it was, for I hadde it nouht on.
6462 To laate he cometh to arme him $at first is entred into
6463 [tournement].
6464     Soone ynowh she tauht it me.  But $e surplus she seide me
6465 first:  "I am",  q%u%od she,  "$e goldsmithesse and $e forgeresse
6466 of heuene, $at make and forge in $is cuntree $e corownes of
6467 Paradys.  #e metalle of which I wole werche, I bete and smite
6468 to preeue it and in a brennynge oovene I putte it to se of
6469 what metalle it is.  Oon hour with $e tonges I take it and
6470 platte it and strecche it, and anoo$%e%r I hepe it ayen with $e
6471 ham%e%r with whiche I bete it;  $e goode metalle I make bett%e%re,
6472 $e wikkede I make wurse.  Tribulacio%un I am cleped, bi alle
6473 scriptures approoved.  My hamer P%e%rsecucio%un is seid, with
6474 which I pursue many oon and smite hem (whan I see my time) so
6475 gret a strok, $at if $e purpoint which Memorie hath he haue
6476 not on, he is lost and confounded.  To Job sumtime it needede,
6477 and to alle $ilke of $e kalender and to many oo$%e%re $at ben not
6478 writen $erinne for it is to litel - for if $ei ne hadden take
6479 $e purpoynt and $e anevelte at [riht] time, $e grete strokes $at
6480 [f.124v] I smot hem hadde confo%unded he%m w%i%t%houte delay.
6481     My tonges ben $e distresse and $e anguishe $at so harde
6482 presseth troubel herte $at it thinketh it is streyned in a
6483 pressour shet with a vys and loken, as drestes defouled, [of
6484 which] men haue seyn wel ofte [$at] bi $e condyt bi which [teres
6485 descend], a gret [pressinge which] of $e sorwe is messanger%e.*
6486 The skyn of whiche I make my barm-fell I clepe Hountee and
6487 Confusio%un, for whan I haue acloyed any wyght and so beten
6488 and hamered (be it rihtfulliche or wrongfulliche) $at he
6489 shulde be put to $e deth or $at he shulde be maymed on $e
6490 bodiliche bodi, anoon his skin abiggeth it bi $e shame $at I
6491 doo it, for bi $e [.....] and bi $e skin (which is al oon)
6492 $ilke knoweth wel who I am.  And to whom $at I wole doo annoye
6493 men mown wel knowe bi his visage, for mawgre hi%m [is] my
6494 strok:  confusio%un he hath $erof and shame, but I sette litel
6495 aco%unte bi hise doinges.  I make a barm-fell $erof for to
6496 forge w%i%t%h, for to make him more encumbred.  #e more shame $e
6497 man hath, $e more p%e%rsecucio%un he fyndeth.  If $%o%u haue of
6498 swich a skin, I wole wite it and make my barm-fell $erof, and
6499 afterward I wole smyte $e more hardliche and $e fastere upon
6500 $ee:  if $ou be void, $ou shalt breke o$%e%r sowne hye.  In
6501 voydnesse is but murm%u%re whan men smyte it with an hard thing.
6502 I wot it wel - I haue assayed it.  #e lawe was committed to me
6503 er now:  Adonay co%mmitted it to me whan he made me smythiere
6504 of heuene."
6505     "Shewe me $i co%mmissio%un",  q%u%od I,  "if $ou sey sooth,
6506 and also $i power, for I wole leeue $ee today no more of
6507 no[f.125r]thing if I ne see it and rede it."  And $a%nne anoon
6508 she putte hire hand in hire bosum and drowh out $e
6509 co%mmissio%un, and seide me:  "If $is sufficeth $ee nouht, I
6510 haue anoo$%e%r of anoo$%e%r maister which I wole yit shewe $ee
6511 afterward."  "#ilke",  q%u%od I, "I wole haue also."  She took it
6512 me and I sigh hem bo$e, of whiche $e firste was writen in $is
6513 manere:
6514     'Adonay kyng of iustice which hath $e power in $e eclips,
6515   $e grete emp%e%ro%u%r of nature, whos rewme dureth alwey:
6516   Greetinges to T%r%ibulacio%un, suich as we ouhten to sende hire.
6517   Of neewe we haue vnderstonde $at P%r%osp%e%ritee $e stepdame of
6518   V%e%rtu hath set hand in oure wordliche kingdom, and hath put
6519   hoode%s bifore $e visages of oure soudyours, and hath doon of
6520   here armures and binome hem here swerdes and bokeleres and
6521   withoute abidinge wole lede hem to hange hem with instrumentes
6522   of ioye;  and yit more - $at she hath uoided $e garnisonis $at
6523   [I] and [my] Grace [sette sum time] in diuerse regio%uns,
6524   [where] we hadden goode castelles [in which] we hadden
6525   goode vesselles [wherinne] we hadden put [fulfillinge]
6526   of $e grete tresores of Paradys, $at was $e sweete shedinge of
6527   oure grace and $e oynture (it is michel more noble treso%u%r
6528   $an is siluer, gold or stoones).  And for oure [macier] $ou art
6529   and oure sergeauntesse, we senden $ee and comitte $ee $at $%o%u
6530   go bi alle houses and $at $ou seeche P%r%osp%e%ritee soo $at $ou
6531   fynde hire, and $at $ou smyte hire soo $%a%t she durre no more
6532   be so proud ne rebelle ayens us.  And also we sende $ee and
6533   co%mmitte $ee $at aft%e%rward $ou hurtle alle $ilke so cruelliche
6534   $at hauen here [f.125v] hoodes wrong turned, and $at
6535   P%r%osp%e%ritee hath blyndfelled, $at $ei take avisement and $%a%t
6536   $ei vnblyndfelle so here eyen $at $ei mown biholde to $e
6537   heuene, for $us capped ne bended shulden $ei not be but if $ei
6538   wolden.  And after $at here armure and here mailes ben
6539   tobroken, $ou shalt forge hem and make hem ayen and soone make
6540   hem clo$e he%m ayen:  of Paradys we haue maad $ee smithiere and
6541   goldsmithesse $erfore.  Afterward we sende $ee $at $%o%u take in
6542   $in hand and holde alle disportes and solaces and alle ioyes
6543   and pleyes $at ben wordliche, and $at $ou go not out of $e
6544   place bifore $at $ou haue buried hem alle.  We wole not $at
6545   oure knyghtes ben hanged with suiche craftes.  We yiven $ee
6546   also power $at $ou go see oure vesselles, if anything be in
6547   hem.  If $ei ben voide, $ei wole sowne whan $ou smitest hem.
6548   If $ei be not ful, $ou shalt heer%e murm%u%re:  it is $e tokne bi
6549   whiche $ou shalt knowe he%m.  To do $is we yiven $ee pleyn
6550   power, and comma%unde to alle grete and smale $at to $ee $ei
6551   ben obeisa%unt withoute ayenseyinge.  #is was maad $e day and
6552   $e yeer $at Adam was out into exill.'
6553     #at oo$%e%r co%mmissio%un ye shule heere if ye wole, which is
6554 not swich.
6555     'Sathan $e amyrall of $e see, enemy to $e kynrede of
6556   Adam, kyng and lord of iniq%u%itee and p%e%rsecuto%u%r of equitee:
6557   Gretinge to Tribulacio%un suich as we mown sende hire.
6558   Vnderstonde we haue of neewe (wherof us thinketh not fair) $at
6559   $e seruantes of Adonay ben so pryded ayens us $%a%t $ei wolen be
6560   resceyued to $e place from which we [f.126r] ben fallen - and
6561   eche of he%m hauen taken a scrippe and a burdo%un, men seyn,
6562   seyinge $at $ei wolen do $e pilg%r%image $ider and $e viage;
6563   wherfore ma%undement we yiven $ee and coma%undinge $at $ider $ou
6564   go withoute taryinge and $at $ou smyte withoute manasinge alle
6565   $ilke $at $ou seest clymbe $ider, and as michel of heres as
6566   $ou myght fynde.  Do more to hem $an $%o%u didest to Job, from
6567   whom $ou tooke hise temporal goodes.  Bineme hem here scrippes
6568   and here burdo%uns, and put $i tonges to $e bodi, to $e lyu%e%re
6569   and to $e lunges, so $at here hertes and here entrailes comen
6570   out as of Judas, and $at $ei hangen hemself with hise cordes.
6571   Of $is pleyn power we yiven $ee.  #is was maad in $ilke seso%un
6572   $at $e king of Jewes maade $e theef stye into heuene.'
6573     Whan $ese co%mmissio%uns I hadde diligentliche red, seyn
6574 and herd, I foolded hem and took hem ayen;  and $a%nne
6575 I seide hire:  "So God keepe $ee,"  q%u%od I, "sey me now if $ou
6576 wolt vse of bo$e, or elles of whe$%e%r $ou wolt vse.  #ei
6577 strecchen nouht to oon ende, no more $an triacle and venym."
6578 "Whan I shal",  q%u%od she, "smite $ee and knokke upon $ee, $a%nne
6579 $ou shalt wite if $ou wolt, of whiche of $e tweyne I shal vse,
6580 for if $ou sey ne sowne no woord but in yildinge thankinge to God,
6581 $a%nne $ou miht wel wite of sooth $at I sergea%unte with $e power
6582 and with $e v%e%rtu of $e firste;  but if $ou wolt haue $i maner%e
6583 in grucchinge to God and to hise seintes,  and [vnscrippinge]
6584 $ee of $i scrippe,  and castinge do%un $i burdo%un,  as dide
6585 Theophile, $a%nne [f.126v] $ou miht wite also $at I do it bi $e
6586 enemy, so $at on $ee it holt withoute more of which I shal
6587 vse - for I werche al after $at I fynde in hertes of men.  As
6588 $e sunne bi fayrnesse hardeth $e dunge and softeth wex or
6589 suette, riht so of me I may sey $at after $%a%t $e matere is
6590 disposed and ordeyned, $eraft%e%r I shal sergea%unte and werche
6591 diu%e%rseliche.  Now keep $ee fro%m me:  I may no lenger%e holde
6592 me $%a%t I ne smyte $ee."  Anoon as she hadde so seyd, she com
6593 euene to me and wel dide hire couena%unt, and smot me $at do%un
6594 into $e see she felled me.  [Joenenesse] leet me falle and wente
6595 hire wey and flygh.  Ne hadde my burdo%un be, I hadde be
6596 dreynt withoute taryinge.  To it faste I heeld me, for swimme
6597 cowde I nouht (and yit I miht wel haue lerned it if I ne hadde
6598 to michel aslewthed it).
6599     Many I sigh certeyn $at swo%mmen wel, and wel strauhten
6600 here handes to poore folk whan $ei hadden neede - and many
6601 oo$%e%re $%a%t stireden here feet and gladliche wenten bi
6602 Penitence into grete viages and into grete pilg%r%images.  #is
6603 is $e man%e%re of swymmynge $at I sigh do in $ilke see;  but I
6604 swam not soo, for I tristede oonliche to my burdo%un which sank
6605 not to $e botme but swam aboue.  Now I telle yow, as I wente
6606 $us swymmynge, $e smithiere ledde me, alwey knokkinge upon me,
6607 and so faste heeld me in presse with hire tonges $at me
6608 thouhte I was put in a pressour.  So michel sorwe I hadde in
6609 herte $at for litel I hadde lete my burdo%un go do%unward $e see
6610 where it go wolde.
6611     Whan in swich perile I sigh me, $a%nne I preyede to God
6612 m%e%rci:  "Mercy",  q%u%od I, "sweete creato%u%r!  [f.127r] Be not
6613 failinge to me in my mischeef and in my sorwe, $ouh I haue
6614 bi [Joenenesse] my lyf foliliche vsed a while.  Sweete
6615 creatour, I repente me, [and certeyn, wel I auhte repent
6616 me] $erof, for whan I sih [Joenenesse] bifore me, and $at
6617 she was a sotte, $i Grace which ledde me and condyed me I
6618 lefte, and suffred hire bere me.  To $e forge she hath brouht
6619 me.   Now she hath bore me, now I am falle, now is it
6620 soothliche misbifalle me.  If $ou redy ne make me a refute as
6621 $ou didest bi $i Grace to Noe in $e time of $e Diluvie, $ou
6622 seest, sweete God, $at I am peresshed.  Lord, make me of $ee a
6623 shadwe and a restinge in which I may go showve me and dwelle,
6624 for $i smithiere;  and if of $ee I may not make it, at $e
6625 leste, sweete God, $at it be $i wille $at $i Grace mowe be
6626 it as it was wont to be [me]."
6627     As I made $us my preyere, $e smithiere anoon herde me,
6628 and seyde me sithe I hadde not leyd do%un my burdo%un and $at I
6629 cryede to God mercy, she wolde leede me and conduye me to
6630 Grace Dieu.  "I am",  q%u%od she, "riht as $e wynd $at ledeth
6631 leves into shadewes and into corneres.  Whan any wole flee
6632 into $e skyes, and aft%e%rward hapneth him to falle (o$%e%r
6633 mishapneth), he hath neede $at withoute tariyinge he fynde
6634 refute and cornere to keepe him, and $at he be turned into
6635 place $er he be not defouled.  I am $ilke $at gladliche dooth
6636 $ilke craft whan it is neede:  I chastise $ilke $at ben
6637 dissolute, and bete $ilke $at I see to dulle.  #ilke $at ben
6638 forueyed, I putte hem into wey, and neu%e%re shulde I be at ese
6639 bifore I hadde [f.127v] fo%unden hem a cornere where I mihte
6640 hyde hem.  Su%mme I drawe to $e pitee of $e ryal magestee of
6641 God;  oo$%e%re I leede to $e Grace, su%mme oo$%e%re to $e Sterre
6642 Tresmo%untayne.  Su%mme I leede holdinge up here handes to su%mme
6643 of $e oo$%e%re seintes.  #ider as any hath vsed to hide hem,
6644 $ider I lede hem - and for $at Grace Dieu is $ilke shadwe
6645 which alwey $ou hast fo%unden redy at alle $i needes, I leede
6646 $ee $ider.  Recche $ee neu%e%re $ouh $ou haue peyne."
6647     As Tribulacio%un made me $us hire narracio%un, I biheeld
6648 $at I was nyh $e ryuaile $at I wolde go too.  Grace Dieu I
6649 sih, $at heeld hire stille and hadde not stired hire.  Whan I
6650 was nyh, "Hider,"  q%u%od she,  "where hast $ou be?  Whens
6651 comest $ou?  I wende I hadde lost $ee, for I sigh $ee nouht
6652 longe.  #ou leftest me wel niceliche.  I wot neu%e%re how $%o%u
6653 hast take hardement to turne ayen to me.  Sey me, so God saue
6654 $ee, whi $ou leftest me soo, and who hath led $e $us ayen to
6655 me on $is side."  Whan I sigh she argued me so, anoon I seyde
6656 hir%e:  "Merci, Ladi: soothliche, niceliche I departede fro yow
6657 and foliliche.  Deere I haue sithe abouht it;  but algates I
6658 confesse and biknowe $at $e grete goldsmithesse hath led me
6659 ayen to yow:  loo hire heere where she holt me and cometh with
6660 me mawgre me.  Driveth hire fro me I prey yow and beth me a
6661 [cornere] for hire.  #at $%a%t she hath doon sufficeth me wel
6662 sithe she hath maad me turne ayen to yow.  Yit haue I gret
6663 hope ye wole not fayle me."  In makinge $us my preyere, $e
6664 goldsmithesse drouh hire ayen and bar awey hire instrumentes,
6665 wherof [f.128r] I was not sori;  but michel weryer%e she lefte
6666 me $an I hadde be longe bifore.
6667     And $anne Grace Dieu seide me:  "Now $ou seest $at riht
6668 so man to bisy lyth euele as a got $at scrapeth to michel.
6669 #ou hast alwey wold so michel medle $ee $at $ou haddest neu%e%re
6670 reste:  $ou hast ben up and do%un, and in $e feeld of $i
6671 flowinge* left me $at am $i refute.  Sorweful wrecche, whider
6672 woldest $%o%u flee?  Whider woldest $%o%u go, and what shuldest
6673 $ou doo whan men wolden do $ee annoy, if I ne were $i shadewe?
6674 Wrecche sorweful, what haddest $ou doon riht now, whan
6675 Tribulacio%un tormented $ee soo, if $ou ne haddest fo%unde me in
6676 $is cuntree?  Certeyn she hadde led $ee and aryued $ee to a
6677 shrewede hauene, and $at shulde haue be to $ilke fishere $ere,
6678 of whom she hath a co%mmissio%un.  It is not longe $at $ou seye
6679 him strecche hise angeles for to take with $e folk.
6680     Neu%e%r$eles, and $ou wolt come and holde $ee w%i%t%h me, yit I
6681 wole not faile $ee, but I wole yit be $ee a freend, and I wole
6682 lede $ee in riht short time euene to $e hegge $er $ou menest;
6683 and if $ou woldest abbrigge $i wey and shorte it wel, to go to
6684 $e fair%e citee to whiche $ou art stired to go, yit I wolde wel
6685 leede $e $ider withoute goinge bi $e longe wey.  But nouht for
6686 $a%nne equipollence $er shulde be of Penitence.  Penitence hath
6687 put hir%e yerdes and hir%e maylettes in diu%e%rse places, and yit
6688 most effectuelliche in $e wey of which I holde $ee speche she
6689 hath set hire instrumentes.  But $e wey is lasse and michel
6690 shortere to go bi to $e citee $%e%r $%o%u woldest go to:  so $%e%rof
6691 $%o%u shalt answer%e me - my wil $%o%u hast herd."  [f.128v]  Whan
6692 $ese woordes I herde, of ioye I was al fulfilled:  michel
6693 liked me $e abbregginge of my wey and $e shortinge, and
6694 nothing it mislikede me of $at `she/ bihight me $at yit she
6695 wolde helpe me.  "Lady,"  q%u%od I,  "short wey is good for a
6696 recreaunt pilg%r%ime, and recrea%unt I am, and trauailed.  #e
6697 shorte I [wole] gladliche go.  Leedeth me $ider I pray yow, and
6698 sheweth it me.  I am nothing aferd $ouh $er be equipollence of
6699 $e hegge of Penitence."
6700     In $ilke poynt, a ship riht gret and wunderful I sigh
6701 flotinge in $e see, wel nygh $e arryuaile, al redy to make
6702 passage.  She was bo%unden with hoopes al aboute, and faste
6703 fretted;  but su%mme of $e hoopes weren slaked for defaute of
6704 oseres, su%mme weren to slakke and su%mme weren to broken -- $e
6705 bindinge was $e lasse strong.  But $e hoopes hadden not $e wrong,
6706 for $ei weren stronge ynowh if $ei hadden be bo%unden.  In $ilke
6707 ship weren many howses and many dwellinges, and weren riht noble
6708 and seemeden wel kynges houses. [#er] weren toures and castelles,
6709 walles with arches and kernelles - and aboue was $e mast of $e
6710 ship dressed,  wherupon heeng $e seyl ystreight,   whiche
6711 oo$erweys is cleped veyle, al redy to seyle [but] $at it hadde
6712 good wynd and $at it hadde noon encumbra%unce.  "Seest $ou
6713 $ilke ship $ere?"  q%uod Grace Dieu to me.  "Ye, parde," q%u%od
6714 I, "but I am abasht, for I sigh neu%e%re erst noon swich."
6715 "Yit",  q%u%od she,  "$ou shalt be more abasht whan $ou shalt be
6716 withinne, $ere $ou shalt see $e faire thinges if $ou dorre
6717 entre w%i%t%h me $%e%rin."  "Seith me now", q%u%od I, "how $e ship
6718 hatteth, and who gou%e%rneth it, and if I muste entre $erinne to
6719 passe $e see?"  [f.129r] "#e ship",  q%u%od she:  "bi his name is
6720 cleped Religio%un.  She is bo%unden and bo%unden ayen, fretted
6721 with obserua%unces.  As longe as it is so bo%unden, it may not
6722 perishe ne faile.  To Bynde Ayen it is cleped, to $at ende $at
6723 in it ben bo%unden ayen $e dissolute and defouled soule of
6724 $ilke $at putteth him $erinne.  If $e grete hoopes and $e
6725 olde,* whiche $e goode religiows setten $eron sumtime, weren
6726 wel kept and wel bo%unden ayen at here rihtes, $e ship shulde
6727 neu%e%re faile in no time for harm $at mihte come $ertoo;  but
6728 $%e%r ben su%mme folk $at recchen so litel of $e smale oseres $at
6729 bynden hem, $at $e ship is in perile - for it is knowen thing
6730 $at $e hoopes seruen of nouht but if $e oseres fastne hem.  #e
6731 oseres I clepe $e smale coma%undementes whiche ben restreynynge
6732 and keeperes of $e grettere, wherfore I seye $at who $at
6733 breketh hem or looseth hem to michel, al $e ship is to michel
6734 loosed, and neu%e%re shulen $e grete olde* ben wel kept but `if/
6735 $ei ben bo%unden with su%mme lighte coma%undementes in wise of
6736 smale oseres.  Now wolde God my fader $e kyng $at Religio%un
6737 were swich as it was whan at $e biginnynge she took hire
6738 byndinge;  but of bynderes ayen ben almost noone, for alle $ei
6739 hauen lost here instrumentes, $e smale oseres ben broken, $e
6740 grete hoopes ben $e lasse strong - and $erfore $e ship is
6741 michel $e more perilowse and $e more dredful.  Nouht $at I
6742 wole blame it ne desp%r%eise it ne disalowe it for yit $er ben
6743 goode bynderes and of religious* ynowe $at hauen non neede $at
6744 men putten on hem neewe oseres.  Of it am I gou%e%rnowresse,
6745 maistresse and conduyeresse, and $e [f.129v] mast which is
6746 dressed hye with $e seyl crossed amidde helpeth me wel to lede
6747 it whan $e wynd wole blowe $erinne.  #e mast is $e cros of
6748 Ih%e%su Crist, and $e wynd is $e Holi Gost,  $e which,  as
6749 Gildenemouth seith, mown lede $e ship to hauene.  If into
6750 Jerusalem hastliche $ou wolt go, $ou mustest entre hid%e%r in and
6751 logge in oon of $e castelles, ei$%e%r of Cluigni [or] of Cistiaus
6752 or in anoo$er $at to $i lust shal leede $ee $idir bett%e%re at
6753 $i wille.  Alle ben defensable and stronge for to keepe
6754 $erinne bo$e body and soule:  $er may noon [enemy] $ere do
6755 harm, kunne he neu%e%re so michel caste or sheete, if it ne were
6756 so $at men opened hy%m $e castel and $at a man yolde him.  Go
6757 we now $ider, I rede $ee.  It is bett%e%re $an bi swymmynge:  $ei
6758 ben in p%e%rile, $ilke $at passen bi swymmynge, and vnne$es
6759 askapen."
6760     And $anne Grace Dieu ledde me into $e ship, and $er%e
6761 shewede me $e faire castelles of whiche I haue spoke, and
6762 seide me $at I wente wher%e I wolde go al at my wille, and she
6763 wolde make me entre.  As she seide, I chees, and to entre I
6764 stirede me anoon.  #e porter I fond at $e entree, which bar an
6765 hevi maace.  "Porter,"  q%u%od I,  "let me go: I wole entre into
6766 $is castel.  Grace Dieu hath ordeyned me soo, which hath led
6767 me euene hider."  "Frend,"  q%u%od he,  "if I wiste $at it
6768 plesede $e kyng I wolde wel suffre $ee entre in, but I wot it
6769 nouht."  "Is $a%nne $e king $erinne?"  q%u%od I.  "Ye,
6770 certeynliche;"  q%u%od he,  "I were not heere elles.  I wolde
6771 neu%e%re helde me at $e dore if I ne wiste $e king withinne.
6772 Whan I holde me at $e dore it is tokne $at withinne is $e kyng
6773 of [f.130r] Paradys."  "How art $%o%u cleped?"  q%u%od I.  "Paour
6774 de Dieu",  q%u%od he, "I hatte, and am $e biginnynge of wisdam
6775 and fo%undement of goodshipe, and I [haue] out sinne also $at he
6776 be not logged in $ilke castel, ne I suffr%e him not entre into
6777 [$is] ship to enhabite $erinne.  If he entre herinne, it is
6778 maugre [myn], p%r%iuiliche, in hideles.  My grete maace is cleped
6779 #e Vengea%unce of God and #e Gryselichhede of Helle, of whiche
6780 alle auhten haue drede.  I bete and smyte and chastice $e folk
6781 $at $ei doon no folye.  If $is maace ne were, eche wolde
6782 preyse me to litel."
6783     "What!"  q%u%od I.  "Shalt $ou smite me?"  "Ye," q%u%od he,
6784 "elles $ou shalt not entre into $e castel."  And $a%nne I bigan
6785 to biholde Grace Dieu, and seide hire $us:  "Goode sweete
6786 lady, me thinketh $e entre is not so aba%undoned to me as ye
6787 seyden me."  And $a%nne she answerde and seide me:  "Hast $ou
6788 foryete $at I haue seid $ee $at $ou shuldest fynde
6789 equipollence of $e hegge of Penitence?  `Stroke/ of porter
6790 is no deth:  he shal not smite $ee so harde $at $ou [ne]
6791 shalt yit mown endure oo$%e%re peynes.  Refuse not to entre in
6792 for $e maace.  A knyght oweth wel to suffre colee er he entre
6793 into stour or haue dignitee of wurshipe."  "Is it so?"  q%u%od I
6794 to hire.  "Ye!" q%u%od she.  "And I wole entre $erinne
6795 gladliche",  q%u%od I,  "but $at I entre not first.  Goth bifore:
6796 I wole sewe yow and go anoon after yow."  Tha%nne entrede she
6797 and I after;  but $e porter $at was nygh foryat nouht to smyte
6798 me.  Swich a strok he yaf me $at he made me quaake, and do%un
6799 hadde gronded me ne hadde my burdo%un [f.130v] be.  Alle
6800 knyhtes $at hauen swerdes resceyuen not swiche colees:  gret
6801 joye it were and p%r%ofyte I trowe if $ei hadden swiche.
6802      Now I telle yow, whan I was passed forth bi $e porter
6803 $at I haue nempned, I sigh manye merueyles in $e castel,
6804 whiche me thouhte riht faire.  #er was $erinne cloystre and
6805 dortour, chirche, chapitre and freytour:  and I sigh also
6806 ostelrye $erinne bi $at oon side, and fermerye.  To $e
6807 ostelrye I wente at $e firste, thinkinge to herberwe me $ere.
6808 #ere I sigh Charitee, [$at] seruede and herberwede $e pilg%r%imes,
6809 and ofte wente to $e yate to feede $e poore folk, $at I haue
6810 spoke you of heerbifore.  It is she $at heeld $e scripture of
6811 pees, whan Moyses yaf and departede $e releef.  Foorth I
6812 passede.  Into $e cloystre I wente and to $e chirche, and $ere
6813 I fond a fair cu%mpanye of ladyes, of whiche I wot not $e names
6814 of alle (for withoute mo, of hem $at sitten me most at herte
6815 and of which I wundrede most I askede $e names of Grace).
6816 Tweyne I sigh $%a%t clo%umben $e degrees of $e dortour and wenten
6817 togid%e%res:  and $at oon hadde a gambiso%un and $at oo$er bar a
6818 staf.  #ilke w%i%t%h $e ga%mbiso%un was at $e grees, and $ere she
6819 abood me.  Of oo$%e%re clo$es she was al bare saue as michel
6820 as she was clo$ed inne, and $at oo$er was armed on $e handes
6821 and glooued with glooues, and with a rochet riht whyt she was
6822 arayed wel nobleliche.  Tweyne oo$%e%re I sigh speke togideres
6823 and go toward $e chapitre, of whiche $%a%t oon bar cordes and
6824 byndinges, and $at oo$%e%r heeld a fyle [steled] [f.131r] bitwixe
6825 hire teeth, and was armed with a targe.  Anoo$er I sigh $at
6826 wente bi $e cloistre, and as me thouhte she bar mete croumed*
6827 upon parchemyn, and $er sewede hire a whyt culuer in $e eyr
6828 fleeinge after hire.  Anoo$er yit I sigh go euene foorth
6829 toward $e freytour, whiche as it seemede me hadde a gorgiere
6830 aboute [hire] throte.  Anoo$er I fonde at $e chirche, $at bar a
6831 messangeres box, and hadde wynges redy streiht for to flee to
6832 $e skyes, and in hire hand she bar an awgere and heeld it hye.
6833 With $at oo$%e%r hand (wherof I abashed me michel) she s%e%rued
6834 dede folk $%a%t I sigh $erinne;  and it seemede $at bi hire
6835 seruice she made hem bicome onlyue ayen.  Anoo$er $er was yit
6836 $erinne $at in hire hand bar an horn, and made $erinne a gret
6837 so%un of organes and of sawtree.  I thouhte she was a
6838 jowgleresse and a disporteresse to folk.
6839     Whan I hadde wel seyn $ese thinges I was stired to
6840 aske of Grace Dieu wherof $ese ladyes serueden, and who $ei
6841 weren.  "Lady,"  q%u%od I to hire,  "I preye yow, techeth me who
6842 ben $ese ladyes, and wherof $ei seruen, for I am abasht for
6843 hem."  And $a%nne she seide me:  "I wole $at $ou see first
6844 apertliche at eye how men seruen in $e freytour, and $at
6845 $ou see $e dortour."  "Go we now $ider"  q%u%od I to hire.  Into
6846 $e dortour we wenten, and $ere I sigh hire w%i%t%h $e staf, $at
6847 maade $e beddes and leyde on hem white clo$es; [f.131v]  and
6848 hire felawe with $e gambiso%un sang swich a song:  'I wole
6849 singe;  I ouhte wel doon it: I bere nothing with me.  At $e
6850 litel wiket I shal not be withholde, for I am naaked'.  In $e
6851 freytour afterward I sigh $at of whiche I was michel more
6852 abasht.  Many dede folk alle buryed yeven mete to $e quike,
6853 and serueden hem sweeteliche and deuowtliche on knees - and $e
6854 lady with $e gorgier was fretoreer%e, [she] viseted hem $at
6855 eeten, and filled hem here defautes.
6856     "Now I wole telle $ee",  q%u%od Grace Dieu,  "of $e noble
6857 ladies of $is place, and of $at $ou hast seyn heerinne.  #e
6858 ladi $%a%t bereth $e strenges and $e cordes and $e byndinges,
6859 she is $e maistresse of heerinne:  next me she is P%r%ioresse,
6860 whiche leedeth alle $e cloystreres in les bo%unden bi hondes
6861 and bi feet, and maketh hem p%r%isoneeres w%i%t%h opene dores.  Bi
6862 name she is nempned and cleped Obedience.  Hire cordes and
6863 hire byndinges been hire diu%e%rse comandementes whiche bynden
6864 p%r%opre wille $at it doo nothing of his owen lust.  Heerafter
6865 $%o%u shalt wite it wel, whan $%o%u shalt be holden in hire
6866 laaces.
6867     The ladi $at bereth $e file - she is cleped bi name
6868 Discipline.  She is $e ladi $at keepeth $e ordre, $at $ei be
6869 not hardy to do euele.  #e fyle $at she bereth in hire mouht,
6870 it is Vndernemynge of Euele.  She leueth nothing $at she ne
6871 correcteth and skowreth and forbisheth, and to $at ende $%a%t
6872 she do alle thinge a poynt, and $at oo$ere misdoon not hire,
6873 she is targed with $e targe $at $%o%u hast left, and $at $ou
6874 took to Memorie.  #e name I haue [f.132r] seid $ee:  to
6875 reherce it were litel woorth.
6876     She with $e gambeso%un (which hath seid $e song) is Wilful
6877 Pou%e%rte, $at hath bi hire goode wille left alle $e goodes $at
6878 she hadde in $e world, and as michel as she mihte haue
6879 $erinne.  At alle poyntes she hath vnclo$ed hire:  riht now
6880 $%o%u haddest seyn hire naked, ne hadde I put on hire $e
6881 purpoynt $at bi lachesse $%o%u took to Memorie to bere.  #ow
6882 wost wel how men clepen it.  She singeth, $%o%u hast herd it,
6883 $at she hath nothing aboute hire $%a%t shal withholde hire to
6884 passe to $e citee $ere she wolde go to.  [It] needeth [$ee wel]
6885 $ou acqueynte $ee with hire, and $at $%o%u preye hire, holdinge
6886 up bo$e $ine handes, $at she wole comforte $ee to $at ende
6887 $at $ou mowe singe soo.
6888     Of hire felawe I sey $ee also ($at bereth $e staf and
6889 maketh $e beddes) I rede $ou make $i freend al $i lyue,
6890 $at she make $i bed alle nihtes, and $at $ou make hire a place
6891 with $ee.  Gladliche she wole ligge with $ee alle times $at $e
6892 liketh.  She lith and resteth hire ofte with $at oo$er al
6893 niht.  Good it is to haue swich dortorer%e, swich wenche and
6894 cha%umberer%e.  #ouh Venus come `in/to $e dorto%u%r she wolde
6895 drive hire out with hire staf, and [wolde] suffre hire ligge
6896 in no bed $at $er were for no peny;  and if $ow wite not why
6897 it is, $e cause and $e reso%un is swich:  for Venus, as she
6898 seith, drof hire and putte hire su%mtime out of $e world,
6899 wherfore it is riht $at she drive hire ayenward and do hire $e
6900 same.  #is ladi is cleped Dame Bla%unche $e wasshene - $ilke
6901 $at of no wiht hath [f.132v] cure if he ne be whyt and
6902 withoute filthe;  and if oo$%e%rweys $ou wolt nempne hire,
6903 Chastite $%o%u miht clepe hire, chasteleyne of $is castel.  #er
6904 is no$er archer%e ne querelle $at she ne wole defende, and $%a%t
6905 nei$er arwe ne darte entre.  She is not for nouht armed with
6906 $e gloouen and glooued:  whoso is at $e dore bi whiche $e
6907 assaute cometh, w%i%t%h hand armed he is ofte michel more hardi
6908 ayens $e dartes $%a%t ben cast.  Weel $ou wost $e name of
6909 $e gloouen:  I tauht it $ee in myn hous.  A fool $ou were whan
6910 $ou vngloouedest $ee of hem:  it wole be hard to haue hem ayen
6911 afterward.
6912     The ladi $at $ou hast seyn goo bi $e cloistre and bere
6913 mete upon parchemyn is pita%unceer%e of heerinne, and
6914 suthselerer%e.  She yiveth mete to $e soule, and feedeth it $at
6915 it hungre nouht.  She [filleth] $e herte, with hire goode and
6916 sweete mete, [nouht $e wombe].  She is also cleped Lesso%un and
6917 Studie bi hire rihte name, and hire mete is nempned Holi Writ
6918 $at is putt $eron, and vessel maad of parchemyn for it shulde
6919 not shede bi $e wey:  it mihte not be kept soo wel ne so faire
6920 in oo$er vessel.  With hire I rede $%o%u acqueynte $ee, for bi
6921 hire (if $ou wolt) $ou shalt lightliche haue $e acqueynta%unce
6922 of $e oo$%e%re;  and $e loue and $e knoweleche and $e grace of
6923 $e Holi Gost, $at folweth hire as a whyt culuer, shal shewe $ee
6924 and sey $ee al $at $ei doon in $e londe of biyonde.  He is
6925 messanger, and cometh to speke with $ilke $%a%t he seeth studie,
6926 and $at taken her%e feedinge bi $e hand of Lesso%un.
6927     Now I wole telle $ee yit aft%e%r of $%a%t $%o%u hast seyn in $e
6928 freyto%u%r.  She $at hath $e gorgiere is ladi [f.133r] and
6929 freyto%u%reer%e.  Abstinence $ou shalt clepe hire whan to hire
6930 $ou shalt speke.  Hire gorgier%e is Sobrietee:  $ou ouhtest
6931 wite it if $ou ne haue foryete it - I seide it $ee er $is.
6932 #e dede $at seruen and feeden $e quike deuoutliche, withouten
6933 lesinge ben $e goode folk $at ben gon out of $is world, $at
6934 han yiven so michel of here goodes to $e quike $at $ei ben
6935 susteyned $%e%rwith and sufficientliche fedde.  Serteyn $ilke
6936 were riht nice $at wiste nouht he hadde seruice of dede and
6937 eete of heres, and withoute heres shulde dye of hunger
6938 - and $%e%rfore seruice men taken of hem, riht as $ouh $ei weren
6939 p%r%esent, and in p%r%eyinge for hem men shulden thanke hem, and
6940 $%e%rfore $ei ben sette on knees as $ouh $ei seiden:  'Preyeth
6941 for us.  With owres ye liven:  with bo$e youre handes* p%r%eyeth
6942 for us'.  Now",  q%u%od she,  "$at is wel doon;  heerinne $%o%u
6943 hast seyn it in dede.
6944     #e ladi $at is at $e cherche, [which] bereth [a]
6945 messangeres box, it is $e ladi $at serueth hem ayen, after
6946 $at eche deserueth - and with $e augere $ou hast seyn, she
6947 perceth $e heuene so $at she maketh $e goodshipes descende $%a%t
6948 yilden hem here [lyfes].  #is awgere is seid bi name [Ferua%unt]
6949 Continuacio%un $at bi his goode continua%unce maketh $e heuene
6950 an hygh perce, and also yiueth hem mete and sweeteliche
6951 aba%undoneth it hem.  Halfpeny ne peny haue $ei nouht yive $at
6952 it ne is guerdoned hem an hundrethfold, for $ei haue $e lyf
6953 $at shal neu%e%re faile - so $ouh $ei hauen serued $e quike, $ei
6954 ben also serued ayen bi hem:  here messangeere rediliche
6955 serueth hem ayen and apertliche maketh hem rise from deth bi
6956 $e grete [f.133v] goodes $at she dooth hem, and purgatorie she
6957 abbreggeth hem, and here peynes she alleggeth hem.  If of $e
6958 lady $ou wolt wite $e name, she hatteth Oriso%un, and su%mtime
6959 she is cleped Preyere in oo$er manere.  She hath wynges for to
6960 flee faste and for to soone stye into heuene for to soone
6961 doo hire message bifore God for mankynde, and is p%r%ocuresse
6962 whan time is to see him.  Messangere she is and rediliche
6963 presenteth him bifore $e kyng, and in good feith sheweth $at
6964 $at is bihight him - and bi hire is noon put in defaute but
6965 $at here p%r%ocuracio%un be seled with deuocio%un.  To hire I rede
6966 $at $%o%u go, and $at $%o%u sende hire bifore from $ee to $e citee
6967 to which $%o%u wolt go.  She shal wel ku%nne redye $ee a place
6968 and a couenable dwellinge $ereas $ou shalt make habitacio%un.
6969 It is not reso%un $at $i comynge $ider ne be wist bifore:  $er
6970 sette neu%e%re man $e foot withinne $at ne hadde sent bifore.
6971 Of $e theef it was customed $at was hanged with Jh%e%su:  he
6972 sente Oriso%un bifore.  He was $e bett%e%re and eu%e%re shal be:
6973 so shalt $%o%u do and $%o%u leeue me, for $%o%u hast neede as he
6974 hadde.
6975     The ladi $%a%t $%o%u hast herd pleye w%i%t%h instrumentes, and
6976 bereth an horn, $at is $e waite $%a%t awaketh $e king alle times
6977 $at he slepeth, bi hire blowinge.  Bi hire cryinge, if he ly
6978 to michel, she maketh hi%m rise.  In Latin, %L%a%t%r%i%a she is
6979 cleped bi name and nempned.  Hire horn is #e Inuocacio%un of
6980 Dieu '%I%n %a%d%i%u%t%o%r%i%ou%n' at eu%e%ry hour withoute weeryinge:=C
  so she
6981 bloweth at $e biginnynge, and sithe to hir%e organes she
6982 aplyeth hire, and deliteth hire to $e melodye, and to $e
6983 sawtrye she taketh hire, enter[f.134r]medlinge $erwith, and
6984 $a%nne $er is gret melodye of sweete song and of psalmodye.
6985 #us $e inst%r%umentes ben cleped and nempned bi here names:
6986 $ese ben $e instrumentes $at ben plesa%unt to my fader $e king
6987 almihti.  Michel he loueth swich organe and swich song and
6988 swich jogelorye, and for $at it liketh him wel, he maketh of
6989 $ilke $at pleyen w%i%t%h hem and doon it hise p%r%incipal pleyeres,
6990 and hise special jogeloresses.  Swich thing longeth wel to a
6991 kyng for his disport, as whan $ei blowen."
6992     As Grace Dieu spak $us to me I sigh hire bifore me $at
6993 heeld $e byndinges, and $at she come to me euene.  "Hider
6994 now,"  q%u%od she,  "who art $ow?  What seechest $ou in
6995 cloistre? `Whider gost $ou/?   I wole $ou sey it me anoon:  I
6996 wot neu%e%re whe$%e%r $ou espye us."  "Lady," q%u%od I, "espye yow
6997 wole I nouht, but I shulde go in into Jerusalem $e citee,
6998 wherfore Grace Dieu hath led me hider for to abbregge my wey
6999 and for to shorte it."  "Hath she not seid $ee",  q%u%od she,
7000 "$at heerinne $ou shalt fynde hard bed, hard lyfe and hard
7001 passage, albeit $at it seemeth not swich?"  "Yis,"  q%u%od I,
7002 "but I wolde fayn do hire wille if I mihte."  "#er is nothing",
7003 q%u%od she,  "$ou ne shalt do wel if $ou ne be to lache.  Al
7004 holt in good wille, and whe$%e%r $ou hast it good, to proof
7005 I wole putte $ee anoon.  Hider now, cum forth,"  q%u%od she,
7006 "take hider $ine handes and $i feet;  I wole sette $ee `as/
7007 fauco%u%n in gesse."  Whan swiche woordes I herde, riht
7008 gretliche I was abasht, for I hadde not be wont to be bo%unden
7009 ne corded.  Flee durste I nouht for [f.134v] Grace Dieu $at
7010 hadde led me to $e place.  "Hider now,"  q%u%od I,  "dooth what
7011 ye wole, I am aba%undoned to yow.  I durst not be contrariows
7012 to thing $%a%t ye wolden doo.  Grace Dieu hath wel avised me $at
7013 I shal fynde in $is place co%unt%e%rpeis and equipollence of $e
7014 hegge of Penitence."  And $a%nne she vnfolde hire byndinges and
7015 bi $e feet bond me so, $at me thouhte I was sette in stokkes
7016 o$%e%r take with grinnes.  #e byndinges with whiche she hadde
7017 bo%unden me she heeld with hire handes bi $at oon ende, and
7018 seide me $%a%t whan I wolde gon oo wey, I shulde go anoo$%e%r.
7019 Aft%e%rward I wiste it wel, but of $at strof I nothing - I haue
7020 leu%e%re sey it anoo$%e%r time $an write it heere in my book.
7021 Aft%e%rward she bond myne handes and seyde me $at alle $e
7022 werkes I dide shulden be bareyn but if I dide hem bi hire.  My
7023 tunge yit she made me drawe out, and aboute it a byndinge she
7024 putte [me], and seyde me I shulde nouht speke if bi hire I ne
7025 speke.  "#is byndinge",  q%u%od she, "is cleped Silence:
7026 %B%e%n%e%d%i%c%i%t%e, $is is $ilke $at oonliche vnbynt it.  Of Grace
7027 Dieu I sey nouht (ne of hem $ou hast seyn, ne of oo$%e%re
7028 $ou shalt se) $at to hem $%o%u [ne] miht speke whan anything $ou
7029 wolt aske hem."
7030     Whan $us $e P%r%ioresse hadde sette me and bo%unden me as
7031 ho%und leced, a gret while afterward I sigh tweyne olde, wherof
7032 michel I abasshed me.  #at oon bar tweyne potentes on hire
7033 nekke, and she hadde feet of led, and a box she hadde bihynde
7034 hire as a messangeer%e.  #at oo$%e%r was also a messangere, and
7035 upon hire heed bar a bed, and hadde trussed hire lappes in
7036 hire girdel, redy as me thouh[f.135r]te for to wrastle.  To me
7037 $ei comen togid%e%re and seyden me:  "#e Deth sendeth us to $ee
7038 for to to%u%rneye, for she cometh to $ee withoute taryinge, and
7039 hath seid us and enioyned us $at from $ee we departen nouht
7040 bifore $at we haue ou%e%rthrowen $ee and to $e eer$e felled $ee.
7041 She wole fynde $ee tormented and maat so $%a%t she mowe sey
7042 $ee 'Chek and maat'."  "Who ben ye?"  q%u%od I anoon.  "I knowe
7043 nei$%e%r yow ne $e Deth.  I wole wite who she is, and if Deth be
7044 your%e maistresse;  and I wole also wite if bo$e tweyne ye ben
7045 with hire, wherfore seith it me if ye wole, and youre names and
7046 wherof ye seruen."  And $anne $ei seiden me:  "#e arguynge ne
7047 $e thuarti%nge is nothing worth ayens us ne ayens Deth nei$er,
7048 for $er is noon $at may be so strong $at we ne abaaten him of
7049 alle poyntes as soone as we come.  #e Deth hath $e lordshipe
7050 in $e world ou%e%r $e lyfe of $e bodi, and kynges and dukes
7051 dreden hire more $an doon smale poore folk.  Riche and poore
7052 she maketh euene, and neu%e%re spareth no wight, and in many
7053 places entreth ofte $ere she hath not sent bifore, soo $%a%t she
7054 hath don curteysye to $ee whan she hath maad us come bifore.
7055 #is is a certeyn warnynge $at she cometh to $ee hastliche.  Of
7056 hire we ben messangeres, and [special] currowres.  Eche of us
7057 shal sey $ee hire owen name."
7058     And $a%nne $ilke spak $at bar $e bed upon hire heed and
7059 $at seemede a wrastlere:  "I hatte",  q%u%od she, "Infirmitee,
7060 $at ou%e%ral $er I fynde Hele sette me to wrastle with him for to
7061 venquishe him and ou%e%rtrede him.  Oon houre [she] felleth [him],
7062 [and] anoo$%e%r time I felle [f.135v] him;  but fewe as I trowe
7063 shulden felle me ne were Medicine, $at dooth sum co%umfort,
7064 whiche was bore to dryue me awey.  Ofte it bifalleth $at I
7065 fynde hire lened or sette at $e dore bi whiche I shulde passe
7066 for to go do my message, and so I muste turne ayen or soio%u%rne
7067 long time withoute;  and neu%e%r$elees mawgre alle $e boxes and
7068 hise emplastres and hise oynementes and hise empassionementes,
7069 sumtyme I entre in and [couple me] to $ilke anoon which Deth
7070 hath sent me to.  Down I bete him and do%un I ou%e%rthrowe him.
7071 He hath no mary $at I ne souke.  His blood I drinke, his flesh
7072 I ete, so $at he hath nei$%e%r strengthe ne v%e%rtu - and $a%nne in
7073 $e bed $at I haue I ley him, so $%a%t Deth fynde him al redy his
7074 lyfe to drawe withoute havinge to michel to doone."  "Thou art
7075 not",  q%u%od I,  "messangere to which men ouhten make good
7076 cheer."  "Yis, $at I am,"  q%u%od she, "for $ou shuldest wite
7077 $at I am $ilke $%a%t make remembre on Penitence whan she is put
7078 in foryetinge:  $ilke $at bringeth folk to $e wey whan $ei ben
7079 out $erof, and setteth hem ayen in $e rihte wey.  Su%mtime
7080 $ilke $at made Nat%u%re, for he sigh $at su%mme ne reccheden
7081 nouht of him and hadden foryeten him and litel dredden him,
7082 clepede me a{nd} seide me:  'Go into $ilke wordliche cuntree and
7083 wrastle with hem and bete hem do%un $at $ou fyndest boistous
7084 ayens me;  for $ei haue hele, $ei preysen me litel, and
7085 hauen put me in foryetinge.  Correcte hem and chastise he%m and
7086 bynde hem so faste in here beddes $%a%t $ei [f.136r] mowe not
7087 arise ne turne hem at here wille, and $at $ei leese savo%u%r of
7088 etinge and al $e appetite of drinkinge - to $ilke ende, I sey
7089 it $ee, $at I wole $ei p%r%eye me of m%e%rcy, and $at $ei amenden
7090 hem and entenden to saue here soules, so $%a%t $e Deth mowe
7091 fynde hem in swich plyt $at eche of hem mowe sey to [hire]:
7092 "Deth, I drede $ee nouht a straw;  I haue sette al myn herte
7093 and al my thouht to my creato%u%r.  Smyte whan $ou wolt, my
7094 soule is al arayed for to gon out of his bodi:  Penitence $e
7095 lauend%e%re hath maad it [be] so miche in hire bowkinge $at it is
7096 porged and wel wasshen".'  Now I telle $ee $at whan he hadde
7097 $us seyd me, soone I obeyede to him.  Mi lappes I put in my
7098 girdel, and wente me bi $e cuntree;  and so michel I haue doon
7099 $at manye I haue disco%unfited and ou%e%rthrowe with wrastlinge.
7100 In bedde I haue maad many ligge, and of $ee wole I do no
7101 lasse.  Make $ee redy.  I wole wrastle with $ee and soone leyn
7102 $ee do%un in $i bed."
7103     "That oo$%e%r",  q%u%od I to hire,  "shal first as couena%unt
7104 is, sey me who she is."  "I wole it wel"  q%u%od she.  And $a%nne
7105 $at oo$%e%r seide:  "I am $ilke $at whan $ou were bore with
7106 [Jeonenesse], $%o%u wendest neu%e%re haue seyn.  #ou seidest of
7107 me:  'She is ferre;  she shal not come a good while.  She goth
7108 softe, she hath feet of led, she may not go:  I haue tyme
7109 ynowh to pleye me.' Now I telle $ee, soothliche feet of leed I
7110 haue, and go softe, but ferre men gon litel and litel ful wel
7111 - er $is men hauen seid it.  #ouh I be comen softe, algates
7112 [f.136v] ou%e%rtake $ee I haue, and tidinges I bringe $ee $at $e
7113 Deth whiche forbereth nouht cometh to $ee.  Hire messangere
7114 I am:  she may haue no messangere $at may speke $erof more
7115 v%e%rryliche.  My felawe gabbeth sumtime for sumthing contrarye
7116 $at suffreth hire not to do hire message, but me may nothing
7117 empeche to shewe it certeynliche.  [Vilesse] $e dotede I hatte:
7118 $e leene, $e rivelede, $ilke $at hath $e hed hoor and wel
7119 [ofte] al bare of her -- $ilke of whom folk shulden aske
7120 co%unseil, and bere gret wurshipe too, for I haue seyn $e time
7121 passed, and michel good and yuel preeued.  #is is $e glose of
7122 science, and $ilke bi which men kunnen $e thinges.  #er shal
7123 neu%e%re noon kunne no science if he ne haue seyn and preeued.
7124 Neu%e%r$elees, ofte it bifalleth (and needeth nouht to hele it)
7125 $at albeit $at I haue seyn ynowh and preeued ynowh and cowde
7126 ynowh, and albeit I haue wel an hundreth wint%e%r, I am sette in
7127 $e rewe of children and at $e laste dote and haue no wit to
7128 co%unseil.  #is is $e cause for which Ysaie cursede me sumtime
7129 whan he sigh me."
7130     "Sey me",  q%u%od I,  "of $e potentes, and $a%nne anoon go
7131 hens sithe $ou hast doon $in erande:  me liketh nouht $i
7132 presence."  "Like or nouht like,"  q%u%od she,  "so shal it not
7133 be.  Deth shal first come to $ee er I departe fro $ee.  I wole
7134 anoon bete $ee so michel $at gret ioye shalt $ou neu%e%re haue.
7135 Courbe and impotent I wole make $ee with $e grete strokes I
7136 shal yive $ee.  Neu%e%r$eles so michel aua%untage $ou shalt haue
7137 of me if $ou be wys, $at $e twey potentes $at I haue to lene
7138 me too [f.137r], I wole take $ee:  nouht $at I wole for $is
7139 encheso%un bineme $ee $i burdo%un, for with $e spiritual staf,
7140 $e temporal is good.  My potentes ben bodiliche, and for to
7141 susteyne $e body ben:  for $is cause I dide make hem, and
7142 took hem and trussed hem.  Curteys I am, for hem $at I bete, I
7143 ou%e%rthrowe hem nouht soo soone $at on $at oon side $ei `ne/
7144 ben susteyned, if on $%a%t oo$%e%r side $ei ben smiten, wherfore so
7145 lightliche fallen $ei nouht, ne so soone misbifallen - so $at
7146 now take hem if $ou wolt.  #ei shule neede $ee wel, bo$e
7147 tweyne:  mi strokes ben sore to bere (soone $ou shalt wite it,
7148 if I ne deye).  Hider now,"  q%u%od she to hire felawe,  "it is
7149 time $at we doon him annoye;  wrastle with him and make him
7150 ligge in $i bed, and on $at oo$%e%r side I wole helpe $ee and
7151 annoye him to my power%e."  And $a%nne bo$e togideres $ei tooken
7152 me and maaden me anoon falle do%un, and bi $e throte $ei tooken
7153 me to streyne me and harde to pinche me.  Crye and braye I
7154 mihte riht wel:  oo$%e%r solas hadde I noon.  In $e bed at $e
7155 laste $ei leyden me, and [bounden me] and seiden me:  "Araye
7156 $ee, $e Deth cometh.  If she take $ee sodeynliche, it is not
7157 long on vs:  we haue wel warned $ee, and yit we warnen $ee."
7158     As I was holden in $is plyte, and $us lay on $e bed, I
7159 sigh a lady come $at made myn herte glade.  She hadde a symple
7160 biholdinge, and a visage benigne and plesa%unt, and hadde
7161 drawen out hire oon brest bi $e vente of hire cote;  and she
7162 hadde a corde in hire hand as $ouh she wente to hey.  To me
7163 she com hire and vnfolded hire corde, and $a%nne seyde me:
7164 "Hider now, come to $e fermorye, for $%o%u [f.137v] art not wel
7165 heere."  And $a%nne I seide hire:  "Sweete lady, I bihoote yow
7166 bi my soule and swere yow $at with yow I wolde gladliche go,
7167 but for I wot not who ye be, I biseeche yow $at ye wole teche
7168 me."  "And I wole",  q%u%od she,  "sey it $ee.  Wite of sooth $at
7169 I am $ilke $at after sentence yiven in alle jugementes I
7170 shulde be resceyued but if wrong be doon me.  Whan $e
7171 sou%e%reyn kyng su%mtime hadde doon jugement of mankynde and put
7172 to deth bi here folye, $a%nne I maade him leue of his hand, and
7173 for to haue in sum bileevinge I maade him sette a bowe
7174 withoute corde in $e heuene for cause of accord.  With $e
7175 corde which $e bowe was corded (and $at I haue vncorded) I
7176 drawe and bringe out $e wrecches of miserie whan I fynde hem
7177 $%e%rinne, and $%e%rfore accordeth hire Reso%un $at I hatte
7178 Misericorde - $at is to seyne, Corde of Wrecches, for to drawe
7179 hem out of foul wrecchedness.  My mooder Charitee was cordere
7180 and thredere of $is corde.  As soone as it breketh, shal
7181 neu%e%re noon mowe stye into heuene."
7182     "Why",  q%u%od I,  "haue ye drawe youre brest?  Is $ere milk
7183 $erinne with whiche ye wole yive me souke?"  "Ye,"  q%u%od she,
7184 "$ou hast more neede $erof, and yit shalt haue, $an of gold or
7185 of siluer.  Pite it hatteth:  it needeth wel to yive souke
7186 with to $e poore folk.  I yive $erwith sowke to $e hungrye and
7187 I werne it not to $ilke $at in time passed hauen misdoon me.
7188 Aristotle seith $at milk is noon oo$%e%r thing but blood $at is
7189 remeved and maad al whyt bi decoccio%un of heete $at blyndeth
7190 his rednesse.  If $ou wost not what it is to seyn [f.138r] $ou
7191 shuldest wite $at man ful of ire hath nouht in him but red
7192 blood $e whiche shulde neu%e%re be whyt but if Charite boiled it
7193 and turned it into whitnesse:  whyt milk it bicometh whan it
7194 is soden, and $e rednesse goth al awey:  and $anne $ilke $at
7195 hath swich milk foryiveth al $at men han misdoon him.  To him
7196 is wel sittinge swich a brest and wel auena%unt.
7197     My fader, $at was put on $e cros, was not [vnwarnished]
7198 of swich a brest, al were it nouht neede.  To shewe it he maade
7199 perce and kerue his riht side, $e side of his manhode.  #er
7200 dide neu%e%re no mooder ne [ne] norice so michel for hire chyild.
7201 #a%nne his brest shewede wel - to eche it seide:  'Come forth!
7202 Haue!  Whoso wole souke, come forth!  In me is no more blood
7203 of ire:  Charitee hath remeeved it and soden [it] into whyt milk
7204 for co%mmune profite.'  #er sook neu%e%re noon non swich milk, ne
7205 droouh noon swich brest.  Now I telle $ee [$at] $us I yive sowke
7206 to $ilke $at I wot hauen neede, and so I am lich my fader and
7207 also Charitee my mooder;  and $erwith $ou shuldest wite $at in
7208 alle places $at I may see any poore $at hath hunger, anoon I
7209 yive him bred.  Mete and drink I yive after $at I haue foyso%un
7210 of good.  If I see any discomforted, any naked, any vnclo$ed, I
7211 clo$e hem ayen and co%umforte hem, and stire hem and co%unseile
7212 hem to pacience.  #e pilgrimes I resceyue in myn hous, and
7213 whan any is in priso%un, I go visite hem ones in $e moneth at
7214 $e leste.  #ilke $at ben dede I burye hem, and $ilke $at [lyen]
7215 in bedde bi eelde or bi syknesse I serue hem in humblesse;
7216 and heerfore hath Grace Dieu maad [f.138v] me enfermerer%e of
7217 $is place.  I serue $e grete and $e smale, and ofte make hem
7218 ayen here beddes and suffre hem endure no defaute $at I may
7219 amende.  If with me $ou wolt come I am redy to serue $ee."
7220 "Gret wil",  q%u%od I, "haue I $ertoo, but how it shal be I ne
7221 wot:  $ese messageres holden me so nih $at I may [not] goon
7222 after yow.  If ye diden hem from me, gret bo%untee ye diden me."
7223 "Doon hem awey",  q%u%od she, "may I nouht, but with my corde I
7224 wole lede $ee with me, if I may, into $e fermerye to reste.
7225 #e messangeres shule come $ider also, and I trowe wel nouht
7226 leue $ee bifore $at $e Deth come, ne forbere $ee."  And $a%nne
7227 hire corde she bond to $e bed, and ledde me forth.  #e olde also
7228 foot bi foot comen $ider, wherof I was nouht glad.  [#e] power
7229 was nouht myn, and amende it mihte I nouht.
7230     Whan in $e fermerye I was and hadde leyn $ere a while,
7231 sodeynliche and a soursaut I sigh an old oon $at was clumben
7232 an hy upon my bed, wherof I was gretliche abasht.  She afryght
7233 me soo $%a%t speke to hire mihte I nouht ne nothing aske of
7234 hire.  In hire hond she heeld a si$e, and she bar a cheste of
7235 tree, and anoon she hadde sett oon of hire feet upon my brest
7236 for to streyne me.  "Ho, ho!"  q%u%od Grace Dieu $a%nne, $at was
7237 not fer fro $at place.  "Abide a while.  I wole sey him twey
7238 woordes $at I haue to sey him." "Sey now $a%nne anoon:" [qu%o%d she,
7239 "longe taryinge anoyeth me -- I wolde deliuere me anoon] for I
7240 haue to go elleswher%e."  And $a%nne com Grace [Dieu] to me and
7241 sweetelich seide me:  "Now I see wel $at $ou art at $e streyte
7242 passage of [$i] pilg%r%image.  Loo heere $e Deth $at is comen,
7243 which is $e ende of alle eer$eliche thinges [f.139r] and $e
7244 termininge.  She thinketh to mowe $i lyfe and putte it al in
7245 declyn, and sithe in hire coffyne $i bodi she wole putte, for
7246 to take it stinkinge to wormes.  #is thing is al co%mmune to
7247 eche man and womman.  Man in $is world is ordeyned to $e Deth
7248 as $e gras in $e medewe to $e si$e, for $at $at is today
7249 greene and tomorwe drye is hey.  #ou hast now be greene a long
7250 time, and hast had reynes and wyndes;  but now $ou mostest be
7251 mowe, and tobroke in twey peeces:  $at oon is $e bodi, $at
7252 oo$er $e soule.  #ei mihten nouht passen togideres.  #e soule
7253 shal first go, and sithe afterward $e bodi shal go.  But $at
7254 shal nouht be so soone - $e flesh shal first be roten and
7255 neewe geten ayen at $e gen%e%ral assemblee.  Now looke whe$er
7256 $ou be wel apoynted and arayed:  if it ne `be/ long on $iself,
7257 $ou shalt anoon come to $e citee to whiche $ou hast ment.  #ou
7258 art at $e wiket and at $e dore $at $ou seygh sumtime in $e
7259 mirro%u%r.  If $ou be dispoiled and naaked, $%o%u shalt be
7260 resceyued withinne.  #ou haddest wel chier $ilke entree at $e
7261 first whan $ou seigh it, and algates so michel I sey $ee $at $ou
7262 crye mercy to my fader in biheetinge to Penitence $at $ouh $%o%u
7263 haue nouht doon [hire] sufficience, gladliche $ou wolt don it
7264 [hire] in purgatorie $ere $ou shalt go too." Now I telle yow, if
7265 I mihte haue spoke I hadde maade hire many dema%undes of whiche
7266 I hadde doute and kneewe nouht.  It is folye for to abide to
7267 $e neede.  Whan men weenen $at Deth be riht fer, he abitte at
7268 $e posterne.  Wel I wiste $at: I was supprysed.   #e Deth leet
7269 $e si$e renne, and maade [f.139v] $e soule departe from $e
7270 bodi.
7271     #us me thouhte as I mette, but as I was in swich plyte
7272 and in swich torment, I herde $e orlage of $e couent $at rang
7273 for $e Matynes as it was wont.  Whan I herde it I awook, and
7274 al swetinge I fond me, and for my meetinge I was gretliche
7275 thouhti and abasht.  Algates up I ros me and to Matines I
7276 wente, but so tormented and weery I was $at I mihte nothing
7277 doo $ere.  My herte I hadde so fichched to $at I hadde met $at
7278 me thouhte, and yit do, $%a%t swich is $e pilgrimage of dedliche
7279 man in $is cuntre, and $%a%t he is ofte in swich periles - and
7280 $erfore I haue sett it in writinge in $e wise $at I mette it.
7281 Nouht $%a%t I haue sett al, for $e writinge shulde be to long.
7282 If $is metinge I haue not wel ymet, I preye $at to riht it be
7283 corrected of $ilke $at kunne bettere meete, or $at bettere
7284 mown make it.  #us michel I sey also, $at if any lesinge $er
7285 be $erinne, $at to meetinge it be arretted, for bi meetinge
7286 may nouht alle sooth be shewed.  Erro%u%r wolde I noon meynteene
7287 bi noo wey, but gladliche I wolde and haue wilned $at by $e
7288 meetinge $at I haue seyn, alle pilgrimes ryghteden hem and
7289 kepten hem [to forueye].  Faire he chastiseth himself, men
7290 seyn, $at bi oo$ere is chastysed.  #e erro%u%r and $e forueyinge
7291 of oo$ere shulde ben warnynge $at eche take his wey soo $at he
7292 mowe come to good eende - $ilke eende $at is $e guerdo%un and
7293 $e rewarde of $e ioye of heuene whiche God grawnte [f.140r] to
7294 alle quike and dede. Amen.
7295     Heere endeth $e roma%unce of $e monk,  of #e Pilgrimage of
7296     $e Lyfe of $e Manhode, which is maad for good pilgryme $at in
7297     $is world swich wey wole holde, $at he go to good hauene and
7298     $at he haue of heuene $e ioye.  Taken upon #e Roma%unce of $e
7299     Rose,  wherinne $e art of loue is al enclosed.   Preyeth for
7300     $ilke $at maade it, $at hath maad make it, and wrot it.   Amen.