Piers A from Kane (incompletely proofed)
                                    PROLOGUE
A P001	In a somer sesoun $whanne softe was the sonne
A P002	I shop me into a shroud $as I a shep were;
A P003	In abite as an Ermyte, $vnholy of werkis,
A P004	Wente wyde in @is world $wondris to here.
A P005	But on a may morwenyng $on maluerne hilles
A P006	Me befel a ferly, $of fairie me @ou#te"
A P007	I was wery [for]wandrit $& wente me to reste
A P008	Vndir a brood bank $be a bourn[e] side,
A P009	And as I lay & lenide $& lokide on @e watris
A P010	I slomeride into a slepyng, $it swi#ede so merye.
A P011	@anne gan I mete $a merueillous sweuene,
A P012	@at I was in a wildernesse, $wiste I neuere where;
A P013	Ac as I beheld into @e Est $an hei# to @e sonne
A P014	I sai# a tour on a toft $tri#ely Imakid;
A P015	A dep dale bene@e, $a dungeoun @ereinne
A P016	Wi@ depe dikes & derke $& dredful of si@t.
A P017	A fair feld ful of folk $fand I @ere betwene
A P018	Of alle maner of men, $@e mene & @e riche,
A P019	Worching & wandringe $as @e world aski@.
A P020	Summe putte hem to plou#, $plei#ede ful selde,
A P021	In settyng & sowying $swonke ful harde;
A P022	[Wonne] @at @ise wastours $wi@ glotonye destroi#e@.
A P023	And summe putte hem to pride, $aparailide hem @ereaftir,
A P024	In cuntenaunce of clo@ing $comen disgisid.
A P025	In preyours & penaunce $putten hem manye,
A P026	Al for loue of oure lord $lyuede wel streite
A P027	In hope [for] to haue $heueneriche blisse,
A P028	As ancris & Ermytes $@at holden him in [here] cellis,
A P029	Coueite not in cuntre $to cairen aboute
A P030	For no likerous liflode $here likam to plese.
A P031	And somme chosen [hem] to chaffare, $@ei cheuide @e betere
A P032	As it semi@ to oure si#t $@at suche men @riuen.
A P033	And somme mer@is to make $as mynstralis conne,
A P034	And gete gold wi@ here gle $giltles, I trowe.
A P035	Ac Iaperis & iangleris, $Iudas children,
A P036	Fonden hem fantasies $& foolis hem make,
A P037	And haue wyt at wille $to wirche #if hem list.
A P038	@at poule prechi@ of hem $I dar not proue it here:
A P039	Qui loquitur turpiloquium $[is] luciferis hyne.
A P040	Bidderis & beggeris $faste aboute #ede
A P041	Til here bely & here bagge $were bratful ycrammid;
A P042	Flite @anne for here foode, $fou#ten at @e ale.
A P043	In glotonye, god wot, $go @ei to bedde,
A P044	And risen vp wi@ ribaudrie $as robertis knaues;
A P045	Slep & sleu@e $sewi@ hem euere.
A P046A Pilgrimes & palmeris $pli#ten hem togidere
A P047	For to seke seint Iame $& seintes at rome;
A P048	Wenten for@ in here wey $ni@ many wise talis,
A P049	And hadde leue to lei#e $al here lif aftir.
A P050	Ermytes on an hep, $wi@ hokide staues,
A P051	Wenten to walsyngham, $& here wenchis aftir;
A P052	Grete lobies & longe $@at lo@ were to swynke
A P053	Clo@ide hem in copis $to be knowen from o@ere;
A P054	Shopen hem Ermytes $here ese to haue.
A P055	I fond @ere Freris, $alle @e foure ordris,
A P056A Prechinge @e peple $for profit of @e wombe;
A P057	Gloside @e gospel $as h[e]m good likide;
A P058	For coueitise of copis $construide it $as @ei wolde.
A P059	Many of @ise maistris $may clo@e hem at lyking
A P060	For here mony & here marchaundise $meten togidere.
A P061	Si@en charite ha@ ben chapman $& chief to shryue lordis
A P062	Manye ferlis han fallen $in a fewe #eris.
A P063	But holy chirche & [hy] $holden bet togidere
A P064	@e moste meschief on molde $is mountyng vp faste.
A P065	@ere prechide a pardoner $as he a prest were;
A P066	Brou#te for@ a bulle $wi@ bisshopis selis
A P067	And seide @at hymself $mi#te assoile hem alle
A P068	Of falsness of fastyng $& of auowes broken.
A P069	Lewide men leuide [hym] wel $& likide his speche;
A P070	Comen vp knelynge $to kissen his bulle.
A P071	He bunchi[de] hem wi@ his breuet $& bleri[de] here ei#e[n]
A P072	And rau#te wi@ his rageman $ryngis & brochis.
A P073	@us [#e gyuen #oure] gold $glotonis to helpe
A P074	And leni@ it loselis $@at leccherie haunten.
A P075	Were @e bisshop yblissid $& wor@ bo@e his eris
A P076	His sel shulde not be sent $to disseyue @e peple.
A P077	It is not be @e bisshop $@at @e boy prechi@,
A P078	Ac @e parrish prest & @e pardoner $parte @e siluer
A P079	@at @e pore peple of @e parissh $shulde haue #if @ei ne were.
A P080A Personis & parissh prestis $pleynide hem to here bisshop
A P081	@at here parissh w[ere] pore $si@@e @e pestilence tyme,
A P082	To haue a licence & leue $at lundoun to dwelle,
A P083	To synge for symonye $for siluer is swete.
A P084	@ere houide an hundrit $in houuis of silk,
A P085	Seriauntis it semide $@at seruide at @e barre;
A P086A Pleten for penis & $[poundide] @e lawe,
A P087	A[c] nou#t for loue of oure lord $vnlose here lippes ones.
A P088	Tho[u] mi#test betere mete myst $on maluerne hilles
A P089	@anne gete a mom of here mou@ $til mony be shewid.
A P090	I sau# bisshopis bolde $& bacheleris of deuyn
A P091	Become clerkis of acountis $@e king for to serue;
A P092	Archideknes & denis $@at dignites hauen
A P093	To preche @e peple $& pore men to fede
A P094	Ben ylope to lundoun $be leue of hire bisshop,
A P095	And ben clerkis of @e kinges bench $@e cuntre to shende.
A P096	Barouns [and] burgeis $& bandage also
A P097	I sau# in @at sem[b]le $as #e shuln here aftir,
A P098	Baxteris & bocheris $& breusteris manye,
A P099	Wollene websteris $and weueris of lynen,
A P100	Taillours, t[okk]eris $& to[ll]eris bo@e,
A P101	Masonis, mynours, $& manye o@ere craftis,
A P102	As dikeris & delueris $@at do@ here dede ille
A P103	And driue@ for@ @e longe day $wi@ deiu saue dame emme;
A P104	Cookis & here knaues $crie@ 'hote pyes, hote!
A P105	Goode gees & gris; $go we dyne, go we!'
A P106	Tauerners to hem $tolde @e same:
A P107	'W[hit] wyne of osay, $& wyn of gascoyne,
A P108	Of @e ryn & of @e rochel, $@e rost to defie!'
A P109	Al @is I sau# slepyng $& seue si@es more.
                                        I
A 1001	What @e mounteyne [be]meni@, $& ek @e [m]erke dale,
A 1002	And ek @e feld ful of folk $I shal #ow faire shewe.
A 1003	A louely lady of lire $in lynene yclo@id
A 1004	Com down fro @at [clyf] $& callide me faire,
A 1005	And seide 'sone, slepist @ou? $sest @ou @is peple,
A 1006	How besy @ei ben $aboute @e mase?
A 1007	@e moste partie of @is peple $@at passi@ on @is er@e,
A 1008	Haue @ei worsshipe in @is world $@ei kepe no betere:
A 1009	Of o@er heuene @anne here $holde @ei no tale.'
A 1010	I was aferd of hire face $@ei# heo fair were,
A 1011	And seide 'mercy madame, $what is @is to mene?'
A 1012	'@e tour [on] @e toft,' qua@ heo, $'treu@e is @ereinne,
A 1013	And wold @at #e wrou#ten $as his word techi@.
A 1014	For he is fadir of fei@ $& fourmide #ow alle
A 1015	Bo@e wi@ fel & wi@ face, $& #af #ow fyue wyttes
A 1016	For to worsshipe hym @erewi@ $whiles #e ben here.
A 1017	And @erfore he hi#te @e er@e $to helpe #ow ichone
A 1018	Of [woll]ene, of [lyn]ene, $of liflode at nede 
A 1019	In mesurable maner $to make #ow at ese;
A 1020	And comaundite of his curteisie $in comoun @re @inges;
A 1021	Arn none nedful but @o $& nempne hem I @enke,
A 1022	And rekne hem in resoun; $reherse @ou hem aftir.
A 1023	@at on is vesture $fro chele @e to saue;
A 1024	@at o@er is mete at meel $for myseise of @iselue;
A 1025	And drink whanne @e dri#e@, $ac do it nou#t out of resoun
A 1026	@at @ou wor@e @e wers $whanne @ou werche shuldist.
A 1027	For loth, in his lyf dayes, $for lykyng of drink
A 1028	Dede be his dou#ter[n] $@at @e deuil lykide,
A 1029	[Delyted hym in drynke $as the deuyl wolde],
A 1030	And leccherie h[i]m lau#te $& lay be hem bo@e;
A 1031	And al he wytide it wyn $@[at] wykkide dede.
A 1032	Dred delitable drynk $& @ou shalt do @e betere;
A 1033	Measure is medicine $@ei# @ou muche #erne.
A 1034	Al is not good to @e gost $@at @e gut [ask]i@,
A 1035	Ne liflode to @e lykam @at lef is to @e soule.
A 1036	Leue not @i lycam $for a li[#]er hym techi@,
A 1037	@at is @e wrecchide world $[wolde] #e betraye.
A 1038	For @e fend & @i flessh $folewi@ togidere,
A 1039	[And @at] shend[i@] @i soulde; $set it in @in herte;
A 1040	And for @ou shuldist be war $I wisse @e @e beste.'
A 1041	'A madame mercy,' qua@ I, $'me liki@ wel #oure wordis.
A 1042	Ac @e mone of @is molde $@at men so faste holdi@,
A 1043	Tel me to whom $@at tresour apendi@.'
A 1044	'Go to @e gospel,' qua@ heo, $'@at god seide himseluen,
A 1045	@o @e peple hym aposide $with a peny in @e temple
A 1046	#if @ei [shulde] worsshipe $@erwi@ cesar @e king.
A 1047	And he askide of hem $of whom spak @e lettre,
A 1048	And @e [Image ilike], $@at @ereinne standis.
A 1049	"Cesar," @[ei] seide, $"we se wel ichone."
A 1050	"Reddite cesari," qua@ god, $"@at cesari befall[i@],
A 1051	Et que sunt dei deo $o@er ellis #e don ille."
A 1052	For ri#tfulliche resoun $shulde rewele #ow alle,
A 1053	And kynde wyt be wardeyn $#oure wel@e to kepe,
A 1054	And tutour of #our tresour, $& take it #ow at nede;
A 1055	For husbondrie $& he $holden togideris.'
A 1056	@anne I fraynide hire faire $for him @at hire made,
A 1057	'@e dungeon in @e dale @at dredful is of si#t:
A 1058	What may it [be]mene, $madame I @e biseche?'
A 1059	'@[at] is @e castel of care; $who[so] comi@ @ereinne
A 1060	May banne @at he bore was $to body or to soule.
A 1061	@ereinne woni@ a wy $@at wrong is yhoten;
A 1062	Fadir of falshed, $he foundi[de] it hymselue.
A 1063	Adam & Eue $he eggide to ille,
A 1064	Counseilid kaym $to kiln his bro@er,
A 1065	Iudas he iapide $wi@ Iewene siluer,
A 1066	And si@en on an Eldir $hongide him aftir.
A 1067	He is lettere of loue, $lei#e@ hem alle;
A 1068	@at tresten on his tresour $betraid arn sonnest.'
A 1069	@anne hadde I wondir in my wyt $what womman it were
A 1070	@at suche wise wordis $of holy writ shewide,
A 1071	And h[a]lsdie hire on @e hei#e name, $er heo @ennis #ede,
A 1072	What he[o] were witterly $@at wisside me so faire.
A 1073	'Holy chirche I am,' qua@ heo, $'@ou au#test me to knowe;
A 1074	I vndirfang @e ferst $and @i fei@ [@e] tau#te.
A 1075	@ou brou#test me borewis $my biddyng to werche,
A 1076	To loue me lelly $whiles @i lif duri@.;
A 1077	@anne I knelide on my knes $& cri#ide hire of grace;
A 1078	Prei#ede hire pitously $[to] prei#e for my sennes,
A 1079	And ek kenne me kyndely $on crist to beleue,
A 1080	@at I mi#te werchen his wil $@at wrou#te me to man:
A 1081	'Teche me to no tresour $but tel me @is ilke,
A 1082	How I may sauen my soule, $@at seint art yho[ld]en.'
A 1083	'Whanne alle tresours arn tri#ed $treu@e is @e beste;
A 1084	I do it on Deus caritas $to deme @e so@e.
A 1085	It is as derwor@i a dreury $as dere god hymseluen.
A 1086	For whoso is trewe of his tunge, $telli@ non o@er,
A 1087	Do@ @e werkis @erwi@ $& wilne@ no man ille,
A 1088	He is a god be @e gospel $on ground & on lofte,
A 1089	And ek lyk to oure lord $be seint lukis wordis.
A 1090	@e clerkis @at knowe it $shulde kenne it aboute,
A 1091	For cristene & vncristene $cleyme@ it ichone.
A 1092	Kinges & kni#tes $shulde kepe it be resoun,
A 1093	And riden & rappe doun $in reaumes aboute,
A 1094	And taken trespassours $& tei#en hem faste
A 1095	Til treu@e hadde termined $here trespas to @e ende.
A 1096	For dauid, in hise dayes, $dubbide kni#tes,
A 1097	[Di]de hem swere on h[ere] swerd $to serue treu@e euere.
A 1098	@at is @e professioun apertly $@at apendi@ to kni#tes,
A 1099	And nou#t to fasten a friday $in fyue score wynter,
A 1100	But holde wi@ hym $& wi@ hire $@at aske @e treu@e,
A 1101	And neuere leue h[e]m for loue $ne lacching of #eftis;
A 1102	And whoso passi@ @at poynt $is apostata in his ordre.
A 1103	And crist, king[ene] kin[g], $kni#tide tene,
A 1104	Cherubyn & seraphyn, $such seuene & ano@er;
A 1105	#af hem mi#t in his mageste, $@e meryere hem @ou#te,
A 1106	And ouer his meyne $made hem archaungelis;
A 1107	Tau#te hem @oru# @e trinite $@e trou@e to knowe:
A 1108	To be buxum at his bidding; $he bad hem nou#t ellis.
A 1109	Lucifer wi@ legionis $leride it in heuene,
A 1110	And was @e louelokest [of si#t] $aftir oure lord
A 1111	Til he brak buxumnesse $@oru# bost of hymseluen.
A 1112	@anne fil he wi@ [his] felawis $& fendis bicome;
A 1113	Out of heuene into helle $hobelide @ei faste,
A 1114	Summe in eir, summe in er@e, $summe in helle depe.
A 1115	A[c] lucifer lowest $li@ of hem alle;
A 1116	For pride @at he put out his peyne ha@ non ende.
A 1117	And alle @at werchen with wrong $wenden @ei shuln
A 1118	Aftir here de@ day $& dwelle wi@ @at shrewe.
A 1119	Ac @o @at werchen @e word $@at holy writ techi@,
A 1120	And enden as I er seide, $in perfite werkis,
A 1121	Mowe be sikur @at here soule $shal wende into heuene,
A 1122	@ere treu@e is in trinite $& tron[i@] h[e]m alle.
A 1123	For@i I seye as I seide er, $be si#te of @ise textis:
A 1124	Whanne alle tresours arn tri#ed $treu@e is @e beste.
A 1125	Leri@ it @us lewide men, $for lettrid it knowi@,
A 1126	@at treu@e is @e tresour tri#est on er@e.'
A 1127	'#et haue I no kynde knowyng,' qua@ I, $'[#e mote kenne me bet]
A 1128	Be what craft in my cors $it compsi@, & where.'
A 1129	'@ou dotide daffe,' qua@ heo, $'dulle arn @ine wittes.
A 1130	It is a kynde knowyng $@at kenne@ in @in herte
A 1131	For to loue @i lorde $leuere @anne @iselue;
A 1132	No dedly synne to do, $di#e @ei# @ou shuldist.
A 1133	@is I trowe be treu@e; $who can teche @e betere,
A 1134	Loke @ou suffre hym to seyn $& si@@e lere it aftir.
A 1135	For @us [wytnessi@] his woord, $werche @ou @eraftir,
A 1136	@at loue is @e leuest @ing $@at oure lord aski@,
A 1137	And ek @e plante of pes; $preche it in @in harpe
A 1138	[@er] @ou art m[er]y at mete, $#if men bidde @e #edde.
A 1139	For in kynde knowyng in herte $@er comsi@ a mi#t,
A 1140	And @at falli@ to @e fadir $@at fourmide vs alle,
A 1141	Lokide on vs wi@ loue, $& let his sone dei#e
A 1142	Mekliche for oure misdedis $to amende vs alle.
A 1143	And #et wolde he hem no woo $@at wrou#te him @at pyne,
A 1144	But mekly wi@ mou@e $mercy he besou#te
A 1145	To haue pite on @at peple $@at pynede hym to de@e.
A 1146	Here mi#t @ou sen ensaumplis $in hymself one
A 1147	@at he was mi#tful & mek $& mercy gan graunte
A 1148	To hem @at hongide him [hei#e] $& his herte @irlide.
A 1149	For@i I rede @e riche $haue reu@e on @e pore;
A 1150	@ei# #e ben mi#ty to mote $be@ mek of #our werkis;
A 1151	For @e same mesour #e mete, $amys o@er ellis,
A 1152	#e shuln be wei#e @erwi@ $whanne #e wende hennes.
A 1153	For @[ei# #e] be trewe of #oure tunge $& treweliche wynne,
A 1154	And ek as chast as a child $@at in chirche wepi@,
A 1155	But #if #e loue lelly $& lene @e pore,
A 1156	Of such good as god sent $goodlyche parte@,
A 1157	#e ne haue no more meryt $in [masse] ne in [houres]
A 1158	@anne malkyn of hire maidenhed $@at no man desiri@.
A 1159	For Iames @e ientil $ioynide in his bokis
A 1160	@at fei@ wi@oute fait $is feblere @an nou#t,
A 1161	And as ded as a dorenail $but #if @e dede folewe.
A 1162	Chastite wi@oute charite wor@ $cheynide in helle;
A 1163	It is as lewid as a laumpe $@at no li#t is inne.
A 1164	Manye chapelleins arn chast $ac charite is aweye;
A 1165	Arn none hardere @an [hy] $whanne [hy] ben auauncid,
A 1166	Vnkynde to here kyn $& ek to alle cristene,
A 1167	Chewen here charite $& chiden aftir more.
A 1168	Such chastite wi@oute charite $wor@ cheynid in helle.
A 1169	#e curatours @at kepe #ow $clene of #our body,	
A 1170	#e ben acumbrid wi@ coueitise, $#e [conne] not out crepe;
A 1171	So [harde] ha@ auarice $haspide #ow togideris.
A 1172	@[at] is no treu@e of trinite $but treccherie of helle,
A 1173	And a lering to lewide men $@e lattere to dele.
A 1174	For @ise arn @e wordis writen $in @e Euaungelie:
A 1175	Date & dabiture vobis $for I dele #ow alle.
A 1176	@at is @e lok of loue $@at leti@ out my grace
A 1177	To counforte @e carful $acumbrid wi@ synne.
A 1178	Loue is @e leueste @ing $@at oure lorde aski@,
A 1179	And ek @e grai@ gate $@at go@ into heuene.
A 1180	For@i I sei#e as I seide er $be si#te of @is tixtes:
A 1181	Whan alle tresouris arn tri#ede $treu@e is @e beste.
A 1182	Now haue I told @e what treu@e is, $@at no tresour is betere,
A 1183	I may no lengere lenge; $now loke @e oure lord.'
                                       II
A 2001	#et knelide I on my knes $& cri#ede hire of grace,
A 2002	And seide, 'mercy madame, $for marie loue of heuene
A 2003	@at bar @e blisside barn $@at bou#te vs on @e rode,
A 2004	Kenne me be sum craft $to k[now]e @e false'.
A 2005	'Loke on @i left half, $& lo where he standis,
A 2006	Bo@e fals & fauel $& hise feris manye.'
A 2007	I lokide on [my] left half $as @at lady me tau#te,
A 2008	And was war of a womman $wondirliche clo@ide,
A 2009	Ipurfilid wi@ pelure, $@e pureste [o]n er@e,
A 2010	Icorounid in a coroune, $@e king ha@ non betere;
A 2011	Alle here fuye fyngris $were frettid wi@ rynges
A 2012	Of @e pureste perrei#e $@at prince werde euere;
A 2013	In red scarlet robid $& ribande wi@ gold.
A 2014	@ere nis no quen queyntere $@at quyk is o lyue.
A 2015	'What is @is womman,' qua@ I, $'@us wor@ily atirid?'
A 2016	'@at is mede @e maide, $ha@ noi#ede me ful ofte,
A 2017	And lakkide my lore $to lordis aboute.
A 2018	In @e popis paleis $heo is preuy as myselue;
A 2019	And so shulde [heo] not be $for wrong was hire sire;
A 2020	Out of wronge heo wex $to wro#erhele manye.
A 2021	I au#te ben hi#ere @anne heo $for I com of a betere.
A 2022	Tomorewe wor@ @e mariage mad $of mede & of fals;
A 2023	Fauel wi@ fair speche $ha@ forgid hem togidere;
A 2024	Gile ha@ begon hire so $heo graunti@ alle his wille;
A 2025	And al is li#eris ledyng $@at hy li#en togideris.
A 2026	Tomorewe wor@ @e mariage $ymad as I @e telle;
A 2027	@ere mi#te @ou wyte #ife @ou wilte $whiche @ei ben alle
A 2028	@at longi@ to @[at] lordsshipe, $@e lasse & @e more.
A 2029	Knowe hem @ere #if @ou canst $and kep @e from hem alle
A 2030	#if @ou wilnest to wone $wi@ treu@e in his blisse.
A 2031	I may no lengere lette, $lord I @e bekenne,
A 2032	And become a good man $for any coueitise, I rede.'
A 2033	Alle @e riche retenaunce $@at regni@ wi@ false
A 2034	Were beden to @e b[ri] dale $on bo@e two sides.
A 2035	Sir symonye is assent $to asele @e chartres
A 2036	@at fals & fauel $be any fyn halden,
A 2037	And feffe mede @er[myd] $in mariage for euere.
A 2038	@er nas halle ne hous $to herberse @e peple,
A 2039	@at iche feld nas ful $of folk al aboute.
A 2040	In myddis a mounteyne $at mydmorewe tide
A 2041	Was pi#t vp a pauyloun $proud for @e nones,
A 2042	And ten @ousand of tentis $teldit beside
A 2043	Of kni#tes of cuntr[e], $of comeres aboute,
A 2044	For sisours, for somenours, $for selleris, for beggeris,
A 2045	For lerid, for lewid, $for laboureris of @ropis,
A 2046	Alle to wytnesse wel $what @e writ wolde,
A 2047	In what maner @at mede $in mariage was feffid;
A 2048	To be fastnid wi@ fals $@e fyn is arerid.
A 2049	@anne fauel fetti@ hire for@ $& to fals taki@
A 2050	In for3ward @at falshed $shal fynde hire for euere,
A 2051	And he[o] be bou[n] at his bode $his bidding to fulfille,
A 2052	At bedde & at boord $buxum and hende,
A 2053	And as sire symonye wile segge $to sewen his wille.
A 2054	Symonye & cyuyle $stondi@ for@ bo@e
A 2055	And vnfolde @e feffement $@at fals ha@ ymakid;
A 2056	@us begynne @e gomes $& gredde wel hei#e:
A 2057	'Wyten s wytnessen $@at wonen vpon er@e,
A 2058	@at I, fauel, feffe $falsnesse to mede,
A 2059	To be present in pride $for pouere [or for] riche,
A 2060	Wi@ @e Erldom of enuye $for euere to laste,
A 2061	Wi@ alle @e lordsshipe of leccherie $in leng@e & in brede;
A 2062	Wi@ @e kingdom of coueitise $I croune hem togidere;
A 2063	And al @e Ile of vsurie, $& auarice @e faste,
A 2064	Glotonye & grete o@es $I gyue hem togidere;
A 2065	Wi@ alle @e delites of lust $@e deuil for to serue,
A 2066	In al @e signiure of slou@e $I se[se] hem togidere;
A 2067	@ei to haue & to holde $& here eires aftir
A 2068	Wi@ alle @e purtenaunce of purcatorie $into @e pyne of helle;
A 2069	#eldinge for @is @ing $at o #eris ende
A 2070	Here soulis to sathanas $to synken in pyne,
A 2071	@ere to wone wi@ wrong $while god is in heuene.'
A 2072	In witnesse of whiche @ing $wrong was @e furste,
A 2073	And piers @e pardoner, $poulynes doctor,
A 2074	Bette @e bedel $of bukyngham shire,
A 2075	Randolf @e reue $of rutelondis sokne,
A 2076	Munde @e myllere, $& manye mo o@ere.
A 2077	In @e date of @e deuil $@e dede is asselid
A 2078	Be si#te of sire symonye $& signes of notories.
A 2079	@anne tenide hym theologie $whan he @is tale herde,
A 2080	And seide to cyuyle, $'now sorewe on @i bokes,
A 2081	Such weddyng to werche $to wra@@e wi@ treu@e;
A 2082	[And] er @is weddyng be wrou#t $wo @e betide!
A 2083	For mede is molere $of [m]endis engendrit
A 2084	God grauntide to guye $mede to treu@e,
A 2085	And @ou has gyuen hire to a gilour, $now god #iue @e sorewe!
A 2086	@e text[e] tell[i@] not so, $treu@e wot @e so@e:
A 2086a	Dignus est operarius mercede [sua].
A 2087	Wor@i is @e werkman $his mede to haue,
A 2088	And @ou hast fastnid hire wi@ fals, $fy on @i law[e]!
A 2089	For al be lesinges @ou lyuest, $& leccherous werkis;
A 2090	Symonye & @iself $shenden holy chirche;
A 2091	#e & @e notories $noye @e peple;
A 2092	#e shuln abigge bo@e, $be god @at me made.
A 2093	Wel #e wyte, wernardis, $but #if #oure wyt faile,
A 2094	@at fals is a faitour $[and] feyntles of werkis,
A 2095	[And] as a bastard yborn $of belsab[ubb]is kynde;
A 2096	And mede is a mulere, $[a maiden of gode];
A 2097	She mi#te kisse @e king $for cosyn #if he[o] wolde.
A 2098	Werchi@ be wysdom $s be wyt aftir;
A 2099	Ledi@ hire to lundoun $@ere lawe is yhandlit
A 2100	#if any Leaute wile loke $@ei ligge togidere.
A 2101	And #if @e iustice iugge hire $to be ioyned with fals,
A 2102	#et be war of @e weddyng $for witty is treu@e.
A 2103	For consience is of his counseil $& knowi@ #ow ichone,
A 2104	And #if he fynde #ow in defaute, $& wi@ fals holden,
A 2105	It shal besette #oure soulis $wel sore at @e laste.'
A 2106	Hereto assenti@ Cyuyle, $ac symonye ne wolde
A 2107	Til he hadde siluer $for his selis $& signes.
A 2108	@anne fette fauel for@ $floreynes ynowe,
A 2109	And bad gile go gyue $gold al aboute,
A 2110	'And nameliche to @e notories, $@at hem non fail[e];
A 2111	And feffe false wytnesse $wi@ floreynes ynowe,
A 2112	For he may mede amaistrien $and maken at my wille'.
A 2113	@o @is gold was gyue $gret was @e @onking
A 2114	To false & to fauel $for here faire #eftis,
A 2115	And comen to counforte $fro care @e false,
A 2116	And seide, 'certis $cesse shuln we neuere
A 2117	Til mede be @i weddit wyf $@oru# wyt of vs alle,
A 2118	For we haue mede amaistried $wi@ oure mery speche
A 2119	@at he[o] graunti@ to gon $wi@ a good wille
A 2120	To lundoun to loke $#if @at lawe wolde
A 2121	Iuggen #ow ioyntly $in ioye for euere'.
A 2122	@anne was fals fayn, $& fauel als bli@e,
A 2123	And let somoune alle @e segges $[in shires abouten],
A 2124	And alle be boun, $beggeris & o@ere,
A 2125	To wende wi@ hem to westmynstre $to wytnesse @[is] dede.
A 2126	@anne car[i]de hy fo[r] capelis $to carien hem @ider;
A 2127	@anne fette fauel $folis of @e beste,
A 2128	Sette mede on a shirreue $shod al newe,
A 2129	And fals sat on a sisour @at softeliche trottide,
A 2130	And fauel vpon fair speche, $fe[int]liche atirid.
A 2131	@[o] hadde notories none; $anoyed @ei were
A 2132	@at symonye & cyuyle $shulde on here fet gange.
A 2133	@anne swor cyuyle $& seide be @e rode
A 2134	@at somenours shulde be sadelit $& serue hem ichone,
A 2135	'And let apparaille @ise prouisours $in palfreis wise;
A 2136	Sir symonye hymself $shal sitte on here bakkis;
A 2137	And all @e denis & southdenis, $as destreris hem di#te,
A 2138	For @ei shuln bere @ise bisshopis $& bringe hem at reste.
A 2139	Paulynes peple, $for plentes in constorie,
A 2140	Shuln serue myself $@at cyuyle hatte;
A 2141	And let cartesadil @e Comissare, $oure carte shal he drawe,
A 2142	And fetten oure vitailes $[of] fornicatouris;
A 2143	And maki@ of lyere a lang carte $to leden al @is o@ere,
A 2144	As fo[bb]is & faitours $@at on here feet iotten.'
A 2145	Fals & fauel $fari@ for@ togidere,
A 2146	And mede in @e myddis, $& al @is mene aftir.
A 2147	I haue no tom to telle $@e tail @at hem folewi@
A 2148	Of many maner of m[e]n $@at on @is molde libbe@.
A 2149	Ac gile was forgoere $and gyede hem alle.
A 2150	So@nesse sei# hem wel $& seide but litel,
A 2151	But prikede for@ on his palfray $& passide hem alle,
A 2152	And come to @e kinges court $& consience tolde,
A 2153	And consience to @e king $carpide it aftir.
A 2154	'Be crist,' qua@ @e king, $'& I mi#te cacche
A 2155	Fals o@er fauel $o@er any o his feris,
A 2156	I would be wroken of @ise wrecchis $@at werchen so ille,
A 2157	And do hem hange be @e hals $& alle @at hem maynteni@.
A 2158	Shal neuere man of @is molde $meynprise @e [l]este,
A 2159	But ri#t as @e lawe lokis $let falle on hem alle.
A 2160	And comaundite a cunstable $@at com at @e ferste
A 2161	To atache @is tiraunt[is] $'for any tresour, I hote;
A 2162	Feteri@ falsnesse faste $for any skynes #eftis,
A 2163	And ge[rd]i@ of giles hed; $let hym go no fer@ere;
A 2164	And bringe@ mede to me $maugre hem alle.
A 2165	Symonye & cyuyle, $I sen[d]e hem to warne
A 2166	@at holy chirche for hem $wor@ harmid for euere;
A 2167	And #if #e lacche lei#ere $let him not askape
A 2168	Er he be put on @e pillorie, $for any preyour, I hote.'
A 2169	Dreed at @e dore stood $& @at doom herde,
A 2170	And wi#tliche wente $to warne @e false,
A 2171	And bad hym fle for fer $& hise feris alle.
A 2172	@anne fal[s]nesse for feer $flei# to @e Freris;
A 2173	And gile do@ him to go $agast for to dei#e.
A 2174	Ac marchauntis mette wi# hym $& made him abide;
A 2175	Besshette hym in here shoppis $to shewen here ware;
A 2176	Aparailide hym as a prentice $@e peple to serue.
A 2177	Li#tliche li#ere $lep awey @ennes,
A 2178	Lurkyng @oru# lanes, $toluggid of manye.
A 2179	He was nowhere welcome $for his many talis,
A 2180	Oueral yhuntid $& yhote trusse,
A 2181	Til pardoners hadde pite $& pulden him to house,
A 2182	Wysshen hym & wypide him $& wounde hym in clo@is,
A 2183	And senten hym on sundais $wi@ selis to chirche,
A 2184	And #af pardoun for panis $poundmel aboute.
A 2185	@anne louride lechis $& lettris [hy] sente
A 2186	For to wone wi@ hem, $watris to loke.
A 2187	Spiceris speke wi@ h[i]m $to aspie here ware,
A 2188	For he coude on here craft $& kneu# manye gommes.
A 2189	Mynstralis & messangeris $mette wi@ him ones,
A 2190	And wi@held him half [a] #er $& elleuene dayes.
A 2191	Freris wi@ fair speche $fetten hym @ennes;
A 2192	F[or] knowing of comeris $copide hym as a Frere.
A 2193	Ac he ha@ leue to lepen out $as ofte as him liki@,
A 2194	And is welcome whanne he wile $& woni@ wi@ hem ofte.
A 2195	Alle fledden for fer $& flowen into hernis;
A 2196	Saue mede @e maiden $no mo durste abide.
A 2197	Ac trewely to telle $heo tremblide for fere,
A 2198	And ek wep & wrange $whan heo was atachid.
                                       III
A 3001	Now is mede @e maide, $& no mo of hem alle,
A 3002	Wi@ bedelis & baillifs $ybrou#t to @e king.
A 3003	@e king calli@ a clerk--$I can not his name--
A 3004	To take mede @e maide $& made hire at ese.
A 3005	'I wile assaie hire myself, $and se@ly apose
A 3006	What man of @is worls @at hire were leuist;
A 3007	And #if heo werche be wyt $&my wil folewe
A 3008	I wile forgyue hire @e gilt, $so me god helpe.'
A 3009	Curteisliche @e clerk @anne, $as @e king hi#te,
A 3010	Tok mede be @e myddel & brou#te hire to chaumbre.
A 3011	Ac @ere were mer@e & mynstralcie mede to plese;
A 3012	@at woni@ at westmenstre worsshipe@ hire alle;
A 3013	Ientily wi@ ioye @e Iustices so[mm]e
A 3014	Buski[de] hem to @e bour @ere @e burde dwelli@,
A 3015	Counforti[de] hire kyndely be clergie[s] leue,
A 3016	And seide, 'mourne mou#t, mede, $ne make @ou no sorewe,
A 3017	For we wile wisse @e king $& @i wey [shape]
A 3018	For al consiences cast a[nd] craft as I trowe'.
A 3019	Mildeliche mede @anne merciede hem alle
A 3020	Of here grete goodnesse, $& [g]af hem ichone
A 3021	Coupis of clene gold $[and] pecis of siluer,
A 3022	Rynges wi@ rubies $& ricchesse manye;
A 3023	@e leste man of here $mayne a mutoun of gold
A 3024	@anne leu#te hy leue, $@ise lordis at mede.
A 3025	Wi@ @at come clerkis to conforten hire @e same,
A 3026	And bidden hire be bly@e, $'for we ben @in owene
A 3027	For to werche @i wil while @i lif lasti@.'
A 3028	Hendely @anne heo behi#te hem @e same,
A 3029	To loue hem lelly $& lordis hem make,
A 3030	And in constory at court callen here names.
A 3031	'Shal no lewidnesse hym lette, $@e lede @at I louye,
A 3032	@at he ne wor@ ferst auauncid $for I am beknowe
A 3033	@ere cunnyng clerkis shuln clerkis shuln clokke behynde.'
A 3034	@anne com @ere a confessour ycopid as a frere;
A 3035	To mede @e maiden mekeliche he loutide,
A 3036	And seide [wel] softely, $in shrifte as it were,
A 3037	'@ei# lerid & lewide hadde $lei#e be @e ichone,
A 3038	And @ei# fashed hadde folewid @e @is fiftene wynter,
A 3039	I shal assoile @e myself $for a sem of whete,
A 3040	And ek be @i baudekyn, $& bere wel @in arnede
A 3041	Among clerkis & kni#tes consience to felle.'
A 3042	@anne mede for hire mysdedis to @at man knelide,
A 3043	And shrof hir of hire shrewidnesse shamles I trowe;
A 3044	Tolde hym a tale, $& tok hym a noble
A 3045	For to be hire bedeman $& hire baude aftir.
A 3046	@anne he assoilide hire sone, $& si@en he seide,
A 3047	'We haue a wyndowe [in] werching wile stonde vs wel hei#e;
A 3048	Woldist @ou glas @e gable, $& graue @ere @in name,
A 3049	Sikir shulde @i soule be heuene to haue'.
A 3050	'Wiste I @at,' qua@ @e womman, $'@ere nis syndowe ne auter
A 3051	@at I ne shulde make or mende, $& myn name writen
A 3052	@at iche sugge shal se I am sistir of #our hous.'
A 3053	Ac god alle good golk such grauyng defendi@
A 3054	And sei@ Nesciat sinist[ra] quid faciat dester[a].
A 3055	Let not @i left hond, $late ne ra@e,
A 3056	Be war what @i ri#t hond $werchi@ or deli@,
A 3057	A[c] so preuyliche parte it @at pride be not sei#e,
A 3058	Nei@er in si#t ne in @i soule, $for god hymself knowi@
A 3059	Who is curteis or kynde or coueitous, or ellis.
A 3060	For@i I lere #ow lordis, $leiu@ such wrytyng,
A 3061	To writen in wyndowis of #oure wel dedis,
A 3062	O@er to grede aftir godis men whan #e [g]iue dolis,
A 3063	An aunter #e haue #oure hire @erof h[e]re;
A 3064	For oure sauiour it seide $& hymself prechid:
A 3064a	Amen Amen [dico vobis receperunt mercedem suam].
A 3065	Meiris & ma[ce]ris, hij @at ben mene
A 3066	Betwyn @e king & @e comunes, $to kepe @e lawis,
A 3067	As to punisshen on pillories $& on py[n]yng stolis
A 3068	Breweris & bakeris, $bocheris & cokes,
A 3069	For @ise arn men of @is molde @at most harm werchi@
A 3070	To @e pore peple @at parcelmel biggen,
A 3071	For @ie poisone @e peple preuyly wel ofte,
A 3072	And ri[chen] @oru# regrat[r]ie $& rentis hem biggen
A 3073	Of @at @e pore peple shulde putte in here wombe.
A 3074	For tok h[y] on trewely h[y] tymbride not so hei#e,
A 3075	Ne bou#te none burgages, be #e wel certayn.
A 3076	Ac mede @e maide @e mair heo besou#te
A 3077	Of alle suche selleris siluer to take,
A 3078	Or presauntis wi@oute panis as pecis of siluer,
A 3079	Ryng[es] or o@er richesse, @[ise] regratour[is] to meynteyne.
A 3080	'For my loue,' qua@ @at lady, 'loue hem ichone,
A 3081	And suffre hem to sell sumdel a#ens resoun.'
A 3082	Salamon @e sage a sarmon he made
A 3083	For to amende [meiris and] men @at kepi@ @e lawis,
A 3084	And tok hym @is teeme @at I telle @enke:
A 3085	Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera.
A 3086	Among @ise lettride lordis @is latyn amounti@
A 3087	@at fuyr shal falle & forbrenne at @e laste
A 3088	@e hous and @e hom[e] of hem @at desiren
A 3089	To haue #eftis [or #eris#iuys] in #ou@e or in elde.
A 3090	@e king fro counseil com & callide aftir mede
A 3091	And ofsente hire as swi@e; seriauntis hire fe[tt]e
A 3092	And brou#te hire to be[ure] wi@ blisse & wi@ ioye.
A 3093	[Curteisly] @e king compsi@ to telle;
A 3094	To mede @e maide melis @ise wordis:
A 3095	'Vnwittily, [wy], wrou#t hast @ou ofte;
A 3096	Ac wers wrou#test @ou neuere @an @o @ou fals toke.
A 3097	Ac I forgyue @e @e gilt & graunte @e [my] grace;
A 3098	Henis to @i de@ day do @ou so no more.
A 3099	I haue a kni#t, consience, com late fro be#onde;
A 3100	#if he wilne@ @e to wyue wilt @ou hym haue?'
A 3101	'#a lord,' qua@ @at lady, 'lord forbede ellis;
A 3102	[But I be holly at #our heste honge me ellys].'
A 3103	@anne was consience callid to comen & aperen
A 3104	Before @e kyng & his counseil, clerkis & o@ere.
A 3105	Knelynge, consience to @e kyng loutide,
A 3106	What @at his wille were & what he do shulde.
A 3107	'Wilt @ou wedde @is womman #if I iwle assente?
A 3108	For heo is fayne of @i Felasshipe, for to be @i make.'
A 3109	Qua@ consience to @e kyng, 'crist it [me] forbede!
A 3110	Er I wedde such a wife wo me betide!
A 3111	She is freel of hire fie@, fikel of hire speche;
A 3112	She maki@ men mysdo manye score tymes;
A 3113	In trist of hire tresour she teni@ [wel] manye;
A 3114	Wyues & wydewis wantonnesse techi@,
A 3115	Leri[@] hem leccherie @at loui[@] hire #eftis.
A 3116	#oure fadir he[o] fellide @oru# false behest,
A 3117	A poisonide popis, apeiride holy chirche;
A 3118	I[s] not a betere baude, be hym @at me made,
A 3119	Betwyn heuene & helle, & er@e @ei# men sou#te.
A 3120	She is tykil of hire tail, talewys of hire tunge,
A 3121	As comoun as @e cartewey to knaue & to [alle],
A 3122	To [monkis], to [mynstrelis], to myselis in heggis.
A 3123	Sisours & sompnours, suche men hire preisi@;
A 3124	Shirreues of shires were shent #if heo ne were.
A 3125	She do@ men lese here land & here lif bo@e;
A 3126	And leti@ passe prisoners & paid@ for hem ofte,
A 3127	And [g]iue@ @e gaileris gold & grotis togidere
A 3128	To vnfetere @e fals, fle where hym lyki@.
A 3129	He[o] taki@ @e trewe be @e top, tei#e@ hym faste,
A 3130	And hangi@ hym for hattrede @at harmide neuere.
A 3131	To be cursid in constorie heo counti@ not a risshe;
A 3132	For heo copi@ @e Comissarie and c[ot]i@ his clerkis
A 3133	Heo is assolid [as] sone as hireself liki@.
A 3134	She may nei# as muche do in a mone@ ones
A 3135	As #oure secre sel in seue score dayes.
A 3136	She is preuy wi@ @e pope, prouisours it knowi@;
A 3137	Sir symonye & hireself seli@ @e bullis;
A 3138	She blissi@ @ise bisshopis #if @ei be lewid;
A 3139	Prouendrous, [persones], & [prestis] she maynteni@
A 3140	To hold lemmanis & lotebies alle here lif dayes,
A 3141	And bringen for@ barnes a#ens forboden lawis.
A 3142	@ere she is wel wi@ @e king wo is @e raeaume,
A 3143	For she is fauourable to fals & fouli@ treu@e ofte;
A 3144	Barouns & burgeis she bringe@ in sorewe;
A 3145	Be Iesu, wi@ hire Iuelx #oure Iustice she shendi@,
A 3146	And lei@ a#en @e lawe & letti@ @e treu@e
A 3147	@at fei@ may not haue his for@, hire floreynes go so @ikke.
A 3148	She let lawe as hire list & louedaies maki@;
A 3149	@e mase for a mene man @ei# he mote euere.
A 3150	Lawe is so lordlich & lo@ to make ende,
A 3151	Wi@oute presentis or panis he plesi@ [wel] fewe.
A 3152	Clergie and coueitise he[o] coupli@ togidere.
A 3153	@is is @e lif of @at lady, now lorde #if hire sorewe!
A 3154	And alle @at meynteni@ hire men meschaunce hem betide!
A 3155	For pouere men mowe haue no power to pleyne [@ei#] hem smerte,
A 3156	Such a maister is mede among men of goode.'
A 3157	@anne mournide mede & menide hire to @e king
A 3158	To haue space to speke, spede #if she mi#te.
A 3159	@e king grauntide hire grace wi@ a good wille:
A 3160	'Excuse @e #if @ou canst; I can no more sei#e,
A 3161	For consience acusi@ @e to cunge [@e] for euere.'
A 3162	'Nay lord,' quod @at lady, 'leu[i@] him @e wers
A 3163	Whanne #e wyte wytterly whwere @e wrong ligge@;
A 3164	@ere @at meschief is gret mede may helpe.
A 3165	And @ou knowist, consience, I ca[m] nou#t to chide,
A 3166	Ne to depraue @i persone wi@ a proud herte.
A 3167	Wel @ou wost, consience, but #if @ou wilt lei#e,
A 3168	@ou hast hongid on myn half enleuene tymes,
A 3169	And ek grepe my gold & gyue it where @e liki@.
A 3170	Why @ou wra@@est @e now wondir me @inki@.
A 3171	#et I may, as I mi#te, [menske] @e wi@ #eftis,
A 3172	And amynteyne @i manhod more @an @ou knowiest;
A 3173	And @ou hast famid me foule before @e king here.
A 3174	For kilde I neuere no king ne counseilide @eraftir,
A 3175	Ne did as @ou demist; I do it on @e king.
A 3176	In normandie was he nou#t anoyed for my sake,
A 3177	Ac @ou @iself, so@ly, asshamidest hym ofte;
A 3178	Crope into a caban for cold of @i nailes;
A 3179	Wendist @at wynter wolde han last euere;
A 3180	And dreddist to be ded for a dym cloud,
A 3181	And hastide[st] @e homward for hunger of @i wombe.
A 3182	Wi@oute pite, pilour, pore men @ou robb[ed]est,
A 3183	And bar here bras on @i bak to caleis to selle,
A 3184	@ere I lefte wi@ my lord his lif for to saue,
A 3185	And made hym mer@e mournyng to leue,
A 3186	And bateride hym on @e bak, boldite his herte,
A 3187	Dede hym hoppe for hope to haue me at wille.
A 3188	Hadde I be march[al] of his men, be marie of heuene,
A 3189	I durste han leid my lif & no less wed
A 3190	He shulde haue be lord of @at lond in leng@e & in brede,
A 3191	And ek king of @at ki@ his kyn for to helpe,
A 3192	@e leste brol of his blood a barouns pere.
A 3193	[Cowardly @ou consience conceiledest him @ennes]
A 3194	To leuen his lordsshipe for a litel siluer,
A 3195	@at is @e riccheste reaume @at re[yn] ouer[houi@]
A 3196	It becom[i@] a king @at kepi@ a reaume
A 3197	To #iuen hise men mede @at mekly hym seruen,
A 3198	To alienes, to alle men, to honoure hem with #eftis.
A 3199	Mede maki@ hym be louid & for a man holde.
A 3200	Emperours & Erlis & alle maner lordis
A 3201	@oru# #eftis han #onge men to [#erne] & to ride.
A 3202	@e opoe wi@ his prelatis presentis vndirfongi@,
A 3203	And medi@ men hymself to mayntene here lawis;
A 3204	Seruauntis for here seruyse, we se wel @e so@e,
A 3205	Taki@ mede of here maistris as @ei mowe accorde;
A 3206	Beggeris for here bidding biddi@ of men mede;
A 3207	Mynstralis for here mer@is mede @ei asken;
A 3208	@e king ha@ [m]ede of his men to make pes in londis;
A 3209	Men @at [kenne] clerkis crauen of h[e]m mede;
A 3210	Prestis @at preche @e peple to goode
A 3211	Asken mede & messe penis & here mete alse;
A 3212	Alle kyn crafty men craue mede for here prentis;
A 3213	Mede & marchaundise mote nede go togidere;
A 3214	No wi#t as I wene wi@oute mede mi#te libbe.'
A 3215	Qua@ @e king to consience, 'be crist, as me @inki@,
A 3216	Mede is wor@i @e maistrie to haue'.
A 3217	'Nay,' qua@ consience to @e king & knelide to @e er@e,
A 3218	'@ere arn to maner of medis, my lord, be #our leue.
A 3219	@at on god of his grace gyue@ in his blisse.
A 3220	To hem @at werchen wel whiles @ei ben here.
A 3221	@e prophet prechi@ it & put it in @e sauter:
A 3221a	Qui pecuniam suam [non] dedit ad vsuram.
A 3222	Tak no mede, my lord, of [men] @at ben trewe;
A 3223	Loue hem & le[n]e hem for oure lordis loue of heuene;
A 3224	Godis mede & his mercy @erwi@ mi#te @ou wynne.
A 3225	@ere is a mede mesurles @at maistris desiri@;
A 3226	To mayntene mysdoeris mede @ei taken,
A 3227	And @erof sei[@] @e sauter in a salmis ende
A 3228	In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt; dextera eorum repleta est 	muneribus
A 3229	And he @at gripi@ here giftes, so me god helpe,
A 3230	Shal abi#e it bitterly or @e bok li#e@.
A 3231	Prestis & personis @at plesing desiri@,
A 3232	@at take mede & money for massis @at @ei synge,
A 3233	Shal haue mede on @is molde @at mattheu ha@ grauntid:
A 3233a	Amen Amen rec[eperu]nt mercedem suam.
A 3234	@at laboureris & lou# folk taken of here maistris
A 3235	Is no maner of mede but a mesurable hire;
A 3236	In marchaundie is no mede, I may it wel auowe;
A 3237	It is a permutacioun apertly, a peny[wor@] for ano@er.
A 3238	Ac reddist @ou neuere Regum, @ou recrei#ede mede,
A 3239	Why @e vengeaunce fel on saul & on his children?
A 3240	God sente hym to segge be samuels mou@
A 3241	@at agag of amaleg & [al] his peple aftire
A 3242	Shulde di#e for a dede @at don hadde here eldren
A 3243	[A#ens isr[e]l and aaron and moyses his bro@er].
A 3244	Samuel seide to saul, "god sendi@ @e & hoti@
A 3245	To be buxum & boun his bidding to fulfille.
A 3246	Wende @idir with @in ost wommen to kille;
A 3247	Childre & cherlis, choppe hem to de@e.
A 3248	Loke @ou kille @e king; coueite nou#t hise godis;
A 3249	For any mylionis of mone murdre hem ichone;
A 3250	Barnes and bestis brenne hem to de@e."
A 3251	And for he kilde not @e king as crist [him] bode sente,
A 3252	Coueitide here catel, kilde nou#t hir bestis,
A 3253	But brou#te wi@ hym @e bestis as @e bible [telli@],
A 3254	God seide to samuel @at saul shulde dei#e,
A 3255	And al his sed for @at synne [shend]fully ende.
A 3256	Such a meschef mede made @e kyng [to] haue
A 3257	@at god hati[de him for euer] & alle hise heires aftir.
A 3258	@e culorum of @is [cas] kepe I not to shewe;
A 3259	An aunter is [noi#ide me non] ende wile I make.
A 3260	[I] consience knowe @is, for kynde [w]it me tau#te.
A 3261	@at resoun shal regne & reumes gouerne,
A 3262	And ri#t as agag hadde happe shal somme:
A 3263	Samuel shal slen hym, & saul shal be blamid,
A 3264	And dauid shal be dyademid & daunten hem alle,
A 3265	And o cristene king kepe vs ichone.
A 3266	Shal no more mede be maister on er@e,
A 3267	But loue & lou#nesse & leaute togideris;
A 3268	And whoso trespassi@ [to treu@e, or] taki@ [a#eyn his wille],
A 3269	Leaute shal do hym lawe [and no] lif ellis.
A 3270	Shal no seriaunt for @at weruyse were a silk houue,
A 3271	Ne no ray robe [wi@] riche pelure.
A 3272	Mede of mysdoeris maki@ hem so riche
A 3273	@at lawe is lord waxen & leute is pore,
A 3274	Vnkyndenesse is comaundour, & kyndenesse is banisshit.
A 3275	Ac kynde wyt shal come #et, & consience togidere,
A 3276	And make a lawe a labourer, such loue shal arise.'
                                       IV
A 4001	'Sessi@,' seide @e king, 'I suffre #ow no lengere.
A 4002	#e shuln sau#te, forso@e, & serue me bo@e.
A 4003	Kisse hire,' qua@ @e king, 'consience, I hote!'
A 4004	'Nay be [Crist],' qua@ consience, 'cunge me ra@ere!
A 4005	But resoun rede me @erto [ra@er] wole I dei#e.'
A 4006	'And I comaunde @e,' qua@ @e king to consience @anne,
A 4007	'Rape @e to riden, & resoun @at @ou fecche.
A 4008	Comaunde hym @at he come my counseil to here,
A 4009	For he shal rewele my reaume & rede me @e beste
A 4010	Of mede & of mo o@ere, what man shal hire wedde,
A 4011	And counte wi@ [@e consience, so me crist helpe,
A 4012	How @ou lerist @e peple, @e lerid & @e lewid.'
A 4013	'I am fayn of @at foreward,' sei@ @e frek @anne,
A 4014	And ri#t renne@ to resoun & rouni@ in his ere;
A 4015	Seide hym as @e king sente & si@@e toke his leue.
A 4016	'I shal araye me to ride,' qua@ resoun, 'reste @e a while,'
A 4017	And calde catoun his knaue, curteis of speche:
A 4018	'Sette my sadil vpon suffre til I se my tyme,
A 4019	And let warroke hym wel si@ [wy]tful ger@is.
A 4020	Hange on hym @e heuy bridel to holde his hed lowe,
A 4021	And #et wil [h]e make many wehe er we come @ere.'
A 4022	@anne consience on his capil cairi@ for@ faste,
A 4023	And resoun wi@ rit & rapi@ hym [swy@e].
A 4024	Ac [o]n wary[n] wisdom, and witty his fere
A 4025	Folewide hem faste for hy hadden to done
A 4026	In checker & in chauncerie, to be dischargid of @inges,
A 4027	And riden faste for resoun shulde rede hem @e beste
A 4028	For to saue hemself from shame & from harm.
A 4029	Ac consience com arst to court be a myle wey
A 4030	And rombide for@ wi@ resoun ri#t to @e king.
A 4031	Curteisliche @e king @anne com in to resoun,
A 4032	And betwyn hymself & his sone sette hym a benche,
A 4033	And wordiden a gret while wel wisly togidere.
A 4034	@anne com pes into @e parlement & putte vp a bille
A 4035	How wrong a#en his wil hadde his wyf take,
A 4036	And how he rauisshide rose, reynaldis loue,
A 4037	And margerete of hir maydenhed maugre hire chekis.
A 4038	'Bo@e my gees & my gris hise gadelynges fecchen;
A 4039	I dar not for fer of hym fi#te ne chide.
A 4040	He borewide of me beyard & brou#te him neuere a#en,
A 4041	Ne no fer@ing @erfore for nou#t I cou@e plete.
A 4042	He mayntei@ his men to mur@re myne hynen,
A 4043	Forstalli@ my feiris, fi#te@ in my chepyng,
A 4044	Breki@ vp my berne doris, beri@ awey my whete,
A 4045	And taki@ me but a taile for ten quarteris otis,
A 4046	And #et he beti@ me @erto & li@ be my maiden.
A 4047	I am not hardy [for hym vnne@e] to loke.'
A 4048	[@e king kneu#] he seide so@ for consience hym tolde.
A 4049	Wrong was aferd @o & wisdom he sou#te
A 4050	To make is pes with his panis & profride hym manye,
A 4051	And seide, 'hadde I loue of my lord @e king, litel wolde I recche
A 4052	@ei# pees & his power pleynide hem euere'.
A 4053	Wysdom wan @o & so dede wyt also
A 4054	For @at wrong hadde wrou#t so wykkide a dede,
A 4055	And warnide wrong @o wi@ suche a wys tale:
A 4056	'Whoso werchi@ be wil wra@@e maki@ ofte.
A 4057	I sey it be myself, @ou shalt it sone fynde,
A 4058	But #if mede it make [@i] meschief is vppe,
A 4059	For bo@e @i lyf & @i lond li@ in his grace.'
A 4060	Wrong @anne on wysdom wepi[de] hym to helpe,
A 4061	For of hise penys he proffride handy dandy to paye.
A 4062	@anne wisdome & wyt wente togidere
A 4063	And tok mede wi@ hem mercy to wynne.
A 4064	Pees putte for@ his heued & his panne blody:
A 4065	'Wi@oute gilt, god wot, gat I @is ska@e.'
A 4066	Consience & @e king kneu# wel @e so@e,
A 4067	And wisten wel @at wrong was a shrewe euere.
A 4068	Ac wisdom & wyt were aboute faste
A 4069	To ouercome @e king wi@ catel #if @ei mi#te.
A 4070	@e king swor be crist & be his croune bo@e
A 4071	[@at wrong for his werkis shulde woo @ole,
A 4072	& comaundid a cunstable to chaste hym in yrens]:
A 4073	'He sh[1l] not @is seue #er se his feet ones!'
A 4074	'God wot,' qua@ wysdom, '@at were not @e beste.
A 4075	And he amendis mowe make let maynprise hym haue,
A 4076	And be borugh for his bale & b[ig]gen hym bote;
A 4077	Amende @at mysdede, & eueremore @e betere.'
A 4078	Wyt accordi@ @erewi@ & seide @e same:
A 4079	'Betere is @at boote bale adoun bringe,
A 4080	@anne bale be bet & bote neuere @e betere.'
A 4081	@anne gan mede to meke hire, & mercy besou#te,
A 4082	And profride pees a presaunt al of purid gold;
A 4083	'Haue @is of me, man,' qua@ heo, 'to amende @i ska@e,
A 4084	For I wile wage for wrong, he [wile] do so no more.'
A 4085	Pees @anne pitousliche preyede to @e king
A 4086	To haue mercy on @at man @at mysdede hym ofte:
A 4087	'For he ha@ wagid me wel as wysdom hym tau#te
A 4088	I forguye hym @[at] gilt wi@ a good wille;
A 4089	So [@at] #e assente I can sey no more,
A 4090	For mede ha@ mad my mendis; I may no more axen.;
A 4091	'Nay,' qua@ @e king, 'so god #iue me blisse,
A 4092	Wrong wendi@ not so awey er I wyte more.
A 4093	Le[@e] he so li#tly awey, lau#en he wolde,
A 4094	And ofte @e boldere be to bete myn hynen.
A 4095	But resoun haue reu@e on hym he shal reste in @e stokkis
A 4096	As longe as I lyue but more loue it make.'
A 4097	Summe redde resoun to haue reu@e on @at shrewe,
A 4098	And to counseile @e king & consience bo@e;
A 4099	@at mede muste be meynpernour resoun @ei besou#te.
A 4100	'Rede me not,' qua@ resoun, 'no reu@e to haue
A 4101	Til lordis & ladies louen alle treu@e,
A 4102	And pernelis purfile be put in hire hucche;
A 4103	Til childris cherisshing be chastisid with #erdis;
A 4104	And harlotis holynesse be holde for an [he@yng];
A 4105	Til clerkis & kni#tes be curteis of here mou@es,
A 4106	And haten [to] here harlotrie o@er mou@e it;
A 4107	Til prestis here prechyng preue it hemselue,
A 4108	And do it in dede to drawe vs to goode;
A 4109	Til seint Iame be sou#t @ere I shal assigne,
A 4110	@at no man go to galis but #if he go for euere;
A 4111	And alle rome renneris, for robberis of be#onde,
A 4112	Bere no siluer ouer se @at signe of king shewi[@],
A 4113	Nei@er grotis ne gold ygraue wi@ kynges coyn,
A 4114	Vpe forfaiture of @at fe, who fynt hym [at douere],
A 4115	But it be marchaunt, o@er his man, o@er messang[er] with lettres,
A 4116	O@er prouisour, or prest @at @e pope auaunci@.
A 4117	And #et,' qua@ resoun, 'be @e rode, I hsal no reu@e haue
A 4118	Whil mede ha@ @e maistrie to mo[te] in @is halle.
A 4119	Ac I may shewe ensaumplis as I se [o@er],
A 4120	For I sei#e it be myself, & it so were
A 4121	@at I were king wi@ croune to kepe a reaume,
A 4122	Shulde neuere wrong in @is world @at I wyte mi#te
A 4123	Be vnpunisshit at my power for peril of my soule,
A 4124	Ne gete my grace @oru# giftes, so me god helpe!
A 4125	Ne for no mede haue mercy but meknesse it made,
A 4126	For nullum malum [@]e ma[n] met[t]e with Impunitum
A 4127	And bad Nullum [bonum be] irrenumeratum.
A 4128	Let @i confessour, sire king, construe it @e on englissh,
A 4129	And #if @ou werche [it in] werk I wedde myne eris
A 4130	@at lawe shal ben a labourer & lede afeld donge,
A 4131	And loue shal lede @i land as @e lef like@.'
A 4132	Clerkis @at wern confessours couplide hem togideris,
A 4133	For to construe @is clause declynede faste,
A 4134	Ac [whanne] resoun among @ise renkis reherside @ise wordis,
A 4135	@ere nas man in @e mothalle, more ne lesse,
A 4136	@at he ne held resoun a maister & mede a muche wrecche.
A 4137	Loue let of hire li#t & lou# hire to scorne,
A 4138	And seide it so loude @at so@nesse it herde:
A 4139	'Whoso wilne@ hire to syue for wel@e of hire godis,
A 4140	But he be cokewald ycald, kitte of my nose.'
A 4141	War[yn] wisdom @o, ne [witty] his fere,
A 4142	Cou@e nou#t warpen a word to wi@sigge resoun,
A 4143	But stari[den for] stodyenge [and] stoden as bestis.
A 4144	@e king acordite, be crist, to resonis sawis
A 4145	And reherside @at resoun [hadde] ri#tfulliche schewide;
A 4146	'Ac it is wel hard, be myn hed, herto to bringe it.
A 4147	And alle my lige ledis to lede @us euene.'
A 4148	'Be hym @at [rau#te] on @e rode,' qua@ resoun to @e king,
A 4149	'But I reule @us @i reaum rend out my ribbes,
A 4150	#is it be @at buxumnesse be at myn assent.'
A 4151	'And I assente,' qua@ @e king, 'be seinte marie my lady,
A 4152	Be my counseil ycome of clerkes and Erlis.
A 4153	Ac redily, resoun, @ou shalt not [raike] henne,
A 4154	For as longe as I lyue l[et]e @e I [n]ile.'
A 4155	'I am redy,' qua@ resoun, 'to reste wi@ #ow euere;
A 4156	So consience be of #our counseil, kepe I no betere.'
A 4157	'I graunte,' qua@ @e king, 'godis forbode he faille!
A 4158	As longe as I lyue libbe we togideris.'
                                        V
A 5001	@e king & [his] kni#tes to @3 [k]ir[k]e wente
A 5002	To here matynes & masse, and to @e mete aftir.
A 5003	@anne wakide I of my wynkyng, & wo was wi@alle
A 5004	@at I ne hadde yslepe saddere & yseyn more.
A 5005	Er I hadde faren a furlong feyntise me h[ent]e
A 5006	@at I ne mi#te fer@ere a fote for defaute of slepyng.
A 5007	I sat softely [adoun] & seide my beleue,
A 5008	And so I babelide on my bedis @ei brou#te me aslepe.
A 5009	@anne sau# I meke[l] more @an I before tolde,
A 5010	[For I [su#] @e feld ful of folk @at I before tolde],
A 5011	And consience wi@ a cros com for to preche,
A 5012	And preyede @e peple haue pite on hemselue,
A 5013	And prouide @at @ise pestilence wern for pur synne,
A 5014	And @e southwestryne wynd on satirday at eue
A 5015	Was apertly for pride & for no poynt ellis.
A 5016	Piries & pl[umtr]es wern pu[ffid] to @e per@e
A 5017	In esaumple, se[gges], @at #e shulde to @e betere;
A 5018	Bechis & broode okis wern blowen to [@e] grounde,
A 5019	And turnide vpward here tail in toknyng of drede
A 5020	@at dedly synne er domisday shal fordon hem alle.
A 5021	Of @is mater I mi#te mamele wel longe,
A 5022	Ac I shal sei#e as I sai#, so me god helpe,
A 5023	How consience wi@ a cros cumside to preche.
A 5024	He bad wastour go werche what he best cou@e
A 5025	And wynne @at he wastide wi@ sum maner craft,
A 5026	And preyede pernel hre purfil to leue
A 5027	And kep[e] it in hire coffre for catel at nede.
A 5028	Thomas he tau#te to take two staues
A 5029	And fecche [hom] felis fro wyuene pyne.
A 5030	He warnide watte his wyf was to blame
A 5031	@at hire hed was wor@ a mark ‘ his hod not wor@ a grote.
A 5032	He chargide chapmen to chastice here children:
A 5033	'Let no wynnyng forwanye hem whiles @ei ben #onge'.
A 5034	He pre[yide] prelatis ‘ prestis togidere,
A 5035	@at @ei preche @e peple proue it hemselue,
A 5036	'And libbe as #e lere vs, we wile leue #ow @e betere'.
A 5037	And si@@de he redde religioun here rewel[e] to holde
A 5038	'Lest @e king ‘ his counseil #our comunes apeir[e]
A 5039	And be steward of #oure stede til @e be stewid betere.
A 5040	And #e @at seke seint Iame ‘ seintes at rome,
A 5041	Seki@ seint treu@e for he may saue #ou alle
A 5042	Qui cum patre ‘ filio; Faire mote #ow befalle.'
A 5043	@anne [ran] repentaunce [and] reherside his teme
A 5044	And made wil to wepe watir wi@ his ei#en.
A 5045	Pernel proud herte plat hire to @e er@e
A 5046	And lay longe er heo lokide, ‘ 'lord mercy' criede,
A 5047	And behi#te to hym @at vs alle made
A 5048	Heo shulde vnsewe hire serke ‘ sette @ere an heire
A 5049	For to affaiten hire flessh @at fers was to synne:
A 5050	'Shal neuere hei# herte me hente, but holde me lowe
A 5051	And suffre to be misseid, ‘ so dide I neuere.
A 5052	But now wile I meke me ‘ mercy beseke
A 5053	Of alle @at I haue had enuye in myn herte.'
A 5054	Lecchour seide 'allas!' ‘ to oure lady criede
A 5055	To make mercy for his mysdede betwyn god ‘ hym
A 5056	Wi@ @at he [shulde] @e satirday, seue #er @eraftir,
A 5057	Drinke but wi@ @e doke ‘ dyne but ones.
A 5058	Enuye wi@ heuy herte askide aftir shrift,
A 5059	And carfulliche his cope [comsi@] he shewe.
A 5060	He was as pale as a p[e]let, [in] @e palesie he semide;
A 5061	He was clo@id in a caurymaruy, I [cou@e] it nou#t descryue;
A 5062	A kertil ‘ a courtepy, a knyf be his side,
A 5063	Of a Freris frokke were @e foresleuys.
A 5064	As a lek @at hadde leyn longe in @e sonne,
A 5065	So lokide he wi@ lene chekis, lourande foule.
A 5066	His body was bolnid for wr[a@@e] @at he bot his lippe[s],
A 5067	And wro@liche he wro@ his fest, to wreke hym he @ou#te,
A 5068	Wi@ werkis [or wi@] wordis whanne he sai# his tyme.
A 5069	'Venym, [or] verious, or vynegre I trowe,
A 5070	Walewi@ in my wombe ‘ waxi@ as I wene.
A 5071	I mi#te not many day do as a man [au]#te,
A 5072	Such wynd in my wombe wexi@ er I dyne.
A 5073	I haue a nei#ebour nei# me, I haue noi#ed hym ofte,
A 5074	And blamide hym behynde his bak to bringe hym in fame;
A 5075	To apeire hym be my power I pursuide wel ofte,
A 5076	And belowen hym to lordis to don hym lese siluer,
A 5077	And don hise frendis ben hise fon @oru# my false tunge.
A 5078	His grace ‘ hise gode happis greuide me wel sore.
A 5079	Betwyn hym ‘ his meyne I haue mad wra@@e;
A 5080	Bo@e his lyme ‘ his lif was lost @oru# my tunge.
A 5081	Whanne I mette hym in market @at I most hatide
A 5082	I hailside hym as hendely as I his frend were:
A 5083	He is dou#tiere @anne I--I dar non harm don hym,
A 5084	Ac hadde I maistrie ‘ mi#t I wolde murdre hym for euere.
A 5085	Whanne I come to @e [k]ir[k]e ‘ knel[e] to @e rode,
A 5086	To preye for @e peple as @e prest techi@,
A 5087	[For pilgrymes, for palmers, for all @e peple] aftir,
A 5088	@anne I cri#e on my knes @at crist gyue hym sorewe
A 5089	@at bar awey my bolle ‘ my broken shete.
A 5090	[Awey] fro @e auter myn ei#e I turne
A 5091	‘ beholde how heyne ha@ a newe cote;
A 5092	[@anne] I wysshe it were myn [and al @e webbe aftir].
A 5093	Of his lesing I lau#e;[it li#ti@] myn herte,
A 5094	Ac of his wynnyng I wepe and weile @e tyme.
A 5095	I deme men @ere [hy] don ille, ‘ #et I do wers;
A 5096	I wolde @at iche wi#t were my knaue;
A 5097	And whoso ha@ more @anne I, @at angri@ myn herte.
A 5098	@us I lyue loueles, [lyk] a ly@er dogge,
A 5099	[@at] al my brest bolni@ for bitir of my galle.
A 5100	May no sugre ne swet @ing swage it an vnche,
A 5101	Ne no dyapendyon dryue it fro myn herte.
A 5102	#if shrift shulde, it shop[e] a gret wondir.'
A 5103	'#is, redily,' qua@ repentaunce ‘ redde hym to goode:
A 5104	'Sorewe for synne saui@ wel manye.'
A 5105	'I am sory,' qua@ enuye, 'I am but selde o@ere,
A 5106	And @at maki@ me so ma[t] for I ne may me venge.'
A 5107	@anne com coueitise; I can hym nou#t descryue,
A 5108	So hungirly ‘ holewe sire heruy hym lokide.
A 5109	He was [bettil]browid ‘ babirlippid wi@ two bleride ei#en,
A 5110	[And] as a l[e]@erene purs lollide his chekis.
A 5111	In a torn tabbard of twelue wynter age,
A 5112	But #if a lous cou@e lepe, I may it nou#t leue
A 5113	He shulde wandre on @at walsshe, so was it @redbare.
A 5114	'I haue [ben] coueit[ous],' qua@ [@at caitif], 'I [bi]knowe  [hit] 	    
h[e]re,
A 5115	For sum tyme I seruide symme at @e nok
A 5116	And was his prentis ypli#t his profit to loke.
A 5117	Ferst I lernide to lei#e a lef o@er twei#e;
A 5118	Wykkidly to wei#e was my ferste lessoun.
A 5119	To wynchestre ‘ to wy I [wente] to @e feire
A 5120	Wi@ many maner marchaundise as my maister me hi#te.
A 5121	Ne hadde [@3] grace of gile gon among my ware
A 5122	It hadde be vnsold @is seue #er, so me god helpe.
A 5123	@anne drou# I me among drapers my donet to lere,
A 5124	To drawe @e list along, @e lengere it semide;
A 5125	Among @e riche rayes I rendrit a lessoun;
A 5126	Brochide hem wi@ a pakke nedle, & pleit hem togidere;
A 5127	Putte hem ina pressour, & pynnede hem @ereinne
A 5128	Til ten #ardis o@er twelue tollide out @rittene.
A 5129	My wif was a wynstere & wollene clo@ made,
A 5130	And spak to @e spynstere to spynnen it softe.
A 5131	@e pound @at heo [payede] by peisid  a quarter more
A 5132	@anne [myn owne] aunsel dede, [whanne] I wei#ede trewe@e.
A 5133	I bou#te hire barly; heo breu# it to selle.
A 5134	Penyale & pilwhey heo pouride togidere.
A 5135	For laboureris & lou# folk @at lay be h[y]mselue;
A 5136	@e beste in my bedchaumbre lay be @e wou#.
A 5137	And whoso bummide @erof, bou#te it @ereaftir,
A 5138	A galoun for a grote, god wot no lasse,
A 5139	Whanne it com in cuppemel; @at craft my wyf vside.
A 5140	Rose @e regratour was hire ri#te name;
A 5141	Sheo ha@ yholde huxterie elleuene wynter.
A 5142	Ac I swere now, so @[e I], @at synne shal I lete,
A 5143	Ne neuere wykkidly wei#e ne wykkide chaffare make,
A 5144	But wende to walsyngham, & my wyf alse,
A 5145	And bidde @e rode of bromholm bringe me out of dette.'
A 5146	Now begynne@ glotoun for to [go to] shrift,
A 5147	And ca[iri@] hym to [k]ir[k]eward hise [coupe] to shewe.
A 5148	And Betoun @e breustere bad h[ym] good morewe,
A 5149	And heo askide of hym whidirward he wolde.
A 5150	'To holy chirche,' qua@ he, 'for to here masse,
A 5151	And si@en I wile be shriuen & synne no more.'
A 5152	'I haue good ale, gossib,' qua@ heo; 'glotoun, wilt @ou assaie?'
A 5153	'Hast @ou,' qua@ he, 'any hote spices?'
A 5154	'#a, glotoun gossib,' qua@ heo, 'god wot, wel hote:
A 5155	I haue pepir, & p[ye]nye, & a pound of garlek,
A 5156	And a [fer@ingwor@] of [fenelsed] for fastyng dayes.'
A 5157	@anne go@ [glotoun in], and grete o@is aftir.
A 5158	Cisse @e so[wes]tere sat on @e bench,
A 5159	Watte @e waffrer & his wyf bo@e,
A 5160	[T]ymme @e tynkere & tweyne of his knaues,
A 5161	Hikke @e hakeneyman & hogge @e [nede]lere,
A 5162	Claris of cokkislane & @e clerk of @e chirche,
A 5163	Dawe @e dykere & a dus#eyn o@ere,
A 5164	A ribibour, a ratoner, & a rakiere of chepe,
A 5165	A ropere, a redyngking, & rose @e disshere;
A 5166	Of vpholderis an hep, erliche be @e morewe,
A 5167	#eue glotoun wi@ glad chiere good ale to hansele.
A 5168	Clement @e cobeler cast of his cloke
A 5169	And at @e newe feire nempnide it to selle.
A 5170	Hikke @e hostiler hitte his hood aftir
A 5171	And bed bette @e bocher be on his side.
A 5172	@ere were chapmen chosen @at chaffare to preise;
A 5173	Whoso hadde @e hood shulde haue amendis of @e cloke.
A 5174	@o risen vp in rape & ro[wn]eden togideris,
A 5175	And preisiden @e peneworthis [aparte] be hemseluen.
A 5176	@ere were o@es an hep, [whoso it herde];
A 5177	@ei cou@e [not] be here consience acorden togidere
A 5178	Til robyn @e ropere was red to arisen,
A 5179	And nempnide hym for a noumpere @at no debate nere.
A 5180	Hikke @e hostiller @anne hadde@e cloke
A 5181	In couenaunt @at clement [shulde @e cuppe felle],
A 5182	And haue hikkes hood @e hostiller, & holde hym yseruid,
A 5183	And whoso repenti@ ra@est shulde rise aftir
A 5184	And grete sir glotoun wi@ a galoun ale.
A 5185	@ere was lau#ing & louryng & 'lete go @e cuppe!'
A 5186	Bargoynes & beuerechis begonne for to arise,
A 5187	And seten so til euesong & songe [vmbe] while
A 5188	Til glotoun hadde ygulpid a galoun & a gille.
A 5189	He pissed a potel ina paternoster while,
A 5190	And bleu# @e rounde ryuet at @e riggebones ends
A 5191	[@at} alle @at herden @at horn held here nose aftir
A 5192	And wisshide it hadde be wexid wi@ a wysp of firsen.
A 5193	He hadde no streng@e to stonde er he his staf hadde,
A 5194	And @anne gan he go to [lik a glemans bicche],
A 5195	Sum tyme asid, & sum tyme arere,
A 5196	As whoso leide lynes to lacche wi@ [foules].
A 5197	Whanne he drou# to @e dore @anne dymmede his ei#en;
A 5198	He [@r]umblide on @e @resshewold & [@rew] to @e er@e
A 5199	@at wi@ al @e wo of @e world his wyf & his wenche
A 5200	Bere hym to his bed & brou#te hym @erinne.
A 5201	And aftir al @is surfet an axesse he hadde
A 5202	@at he slepte satirday & sonneday til sonne #ede to reste.
A 5203	@anne wakide he of his wynkyng & wypide his ei#en;
A 5204	@e ferste woord @at he spak was 'where is @e bolle?'
A 5205	His wyf [wit]ide hym @anne of wykkidnesse & synne.
A 5206	@anne was @at shrewe asshamide & shrapide hise eris,
A 5207	and gan grete grymly & gret doel ma[k]e
A 5208	For his li@er lif @at he lyued hadde,
A 5209	And auowide to faste, for hungir or @rist:
A 5210	'Shal neuere fissh on @e Friday defie in my wombe
A 5211	Er abstinence myn aunte haue ygyue me leue,
A 5212	And #et haue I hatid hire al my life tyme.'
A 5213	Sleu@e for sorewe fil doun a swowe
A 5214	Til Vigilate [@e veil] fet watir [at] his ei#en,
A 5215	And flattide it on his face & faste on him criede
A 5216	And seide, 'war @e for wanhope wile @e betraye;
A 5217	"I am sory for my synne," sey to @iseluen,
A 5218	And beet @iself on @e brest & bidde hym of grace,
A 5219	For is no gilt here so gret @at his goodnesse nis more'.
A 5220	@anne sat sleu@e vp & seynide hym faste,
A 5221	And made auowe tofore god for his foule slou@e:
A 5222	'Shal no sonneday be @is seue #er, but seknesse it make,
A 5223	@at I ne shal do me er day to @e dere chirche
A 5224	And here masse & matynes as I a monk were;
A 5225	Shall non ale aftir mete holde me @ennis
A 5226	Til I haue euesong herd, I behote [to] @e rode.
A 5227	And #et wile I #elde a#en, #if I so muchel haue,
A 5228	Al @at I wykkidly wan si@en I wyt hadde,
A 5229	[And] @ei# my liflode lakke leten I nille
A 5230	@at iche man shal haue his er I hennis wende,
A 5231	And wi@ @e residue & @e remenaunt, be @e roode of chestre,
A 5232	I wile seke treu@e er I [se] rome.'
A 5233	Robert @e robbour on reddike lokide,
A 5234	Ac for @ere was mou#t wherewith he wepte swi@e sore.
A 5235	And #et @e synful shrewe seide to hymselue:
A 5236	'Crist, @at on caluarie vpon @e [cros] di#edist,
A 5237	@o dismas my bro#er besou#te @e of grace,
A 5238	And @ou haddist mercy on @at man for memento sake,
A 5239	@i wil w[or@]e vpon me, as I haue wel deseruid
A 5240	To haue helle for euere #if @at hope nere.
A 5241	So rewe on @is robert @at red[dere] ne haui@,
A 5242	Ne neuere wen[e] to wynne wi@ craft @at [I owe],
A 5243	But for @i muchel mercy mytygacioun I beseche;
A 5244	Dampne me nou#t at domisday for @at I dede so ille.'
A 5245	Ac what befel of @is feloun I can not faire shewe;
A 5246	Wel I woot he wep faste watir wi@ his ei#en,
A 5247	And knowelechide his [coupe] to crist #et eftsones,
A 5248	@at penitencia his pik he shulde pulsshe newe
A 5249	And lepe with hym ouer lond al his lif tyme,
A 5250	For he hadde lei#e be latro luciferis [aunte].
A 5251	[A] @ousand of men @[o @]rong[en] togideris,
A 5252	Wepynge & weylyng for here wykkide dedis;
A 5253	Criede vpwartd to crist & to his [clene] modir
A 5254	To haue grace to seke treu@e; god leue @at hy moten!
                                       VI
A 6001	Ac @ere w[ere] fewe men $so wys @at @e [wey] @ider cou@e,
A 6002	But for@ as bestis ouer [baches] ‘ hilles
  6003  Til lsyr ‘ lonhr @at hy a lede mette,
  6004  Aparailid as a paynym in pilgrim [ys] wyse.
A 6005  He bar a burdoun ybounde wi@ a brood list,
A 6006  In a [we@ewindes] wyse [ywounden] aboute;
A 6007  A bagge ‘ a bolle he bar be his side;
A 6008	An hundrit of ampollis on his hat seten,
A 6009  Signes of synay, ‘ shilles of Galis
A 6010  And many crouch [o]n his cloke, ‘ kei#es of rome,
A 6011  And @e vernicle beforn for men shulde knowe.
A 6012	And sen be his signes whom he sou#t hadde.
A 6013  @is folk fraynide hym faire [fro] whenis @at he come.
A 6014  "Fro synay," he siede, '‘ from @e sepulcre.
A 6015  At bedlem, at babiloyne, I haue ben in bo@e;
A 6016	In armonye, in alisaundre, in manye o@ere places.
A 6017	#e mowe se be my signes @at sitten on myn hat
A 6018	@at I haue walkid wel wide in wet ‘ in dri#e,
A 6019	And sou#t goode seintes for my soule hele.'
A 6020	"Knowist @ou ou#y a corseint,' qua@ @ei, "@at men callen treu@e?
  6021	Canst @ou wisse vs @e wey where @at wy dwelli@?'
A 6022	'Nay, so [me god] helpe,' seide @e [gome] @anne.
A 6023	'I sau# neuere palmere wi@ pik ne wi@ scrippe
A 6024	Axen aftir hym, $er now in @is place.'
A 6025	'Petir,' qua@ a plou#man and putte for@ his hed,
A 6026	'I knowe hym as kyndely as clerk do@ his bokis.
A 6027	Clene consience ‘ wyt kende me to his place,
A 6028	And dede me sure hym [si@@e] to serue hym for euere;
A 6029	Bo@e sowe [and sette] while I swynke mi#te.
A 6030	I haue ben his folewere al @is fourty wynter;
A 6031	Bo@e sowen his seed, ‘ sewide hise bestis,
A 6032	And kepide his corn, ‘ cariede it to house,
A 6033	Dyke[d] ‘ d[o]luen ‘ do what he hi#te,
A 6034	Wi@inne ‘ wi@oute waytide his profit.
A 6035	@ere is no labourer in his lordsshipe @at he loui@ beter
A 6036	For, @ie# I sey it myself, I serue hym to pay.
A 6037	[I] haue myn here of hym [wel] ‘ o@erwhile more;
A 6038	He is @e presteste payere @at pore men knowen;
A 6039	He [wi@]halt non hyne his hire @at he ne ha@ it at eue.
A 6040	He is as lou# as a lomb ‘ loueliche of speche.
A 6041	And #if #e wilne@ wyte where @at wy dwelli@
A 6042	I [wile] wisse #ow wel ri#t to his place.'
A 6043	'#a, leue piers, qua@ @e pilgrimes ‘ profride hym hire.
A 6044	'Nay, be @e peril of my soule!' qua@ piers ‘ gan to swere:
A 6045	'I nolde fonge a fer@ing for seint Thomas shryne,
A 6046	For treu@e wolde loue me @e wers a long tyme aftir.
A 6047	Ac #e @at wilne@ to wende, @is is @e weye @ider:
A 6048	#e mote go @oru# mekness, bo@e men ‘ wyues,
A 6049	Til #e come into consience @at crist wyte @e so@e,
A 6050	@at #e loue hym leuere @anne @e lif in #oure hertis;
A 6051	And @anne #oure ne#ebours next in none wise apeir[e]
A 6052	 O@erwise @anne @ou woldist men wrou#te to @iselue;
A 6053	And so bo[wi@] for@ be a [brok], be buxum of speche,
A 6054	Forto #e fynden a foor@e, #oure fadris honourip;
A 6055	Wadi@ in @at watir ‘ wasshi@ #ow wel @ere,
A 6056	And #e shuln lepe @e li#tliere al #oure lif tyme;
A 6057	So shalt @ou se swere nou#t but it be for nede,
A 6058	A[nd] nameliche an ydel @e name of god almi#t;
A 6059	@anne shalt @ou come be a croft, ac come @ou nou#t @ereinne;
A 6060	@[e] croft hatti@ coueite nou@t menis catel ne here wyues,
A 6061	Ne none of here seruauntis, @at noi#e hem mi#te;
A 6062	Loke @ou breke no bowis @ere but it be @in owene.
A 6063	Two stokkis @ere stonde, but stynte @ou not @ere;
A 6064	@ei hote stele nou#t, ne sle nou#t; strik for@ be bo@e.
A 6065	Leue hem on @i left half, ‘ loke nou#t @ereaftir,
A 6066	And hold wel @in haliday hei# til euen.
A 6067	@anne shalt @ou blenche at a b[erw]e, bere no fals wytness;
A 6068	He is fre[@]id in wi@ Floreynes ‘ o@ere [fees] manye.
A 6069	Loke @ou plukke no plant[e] @ere for peril of @i soule.
A 6070	And @anne shalt @ou [se] sey so@, so it be to done;
A 6071	[And] loke @at @ou lei#t for no manis biddyng.
A 6072	@anne shalt @ou come to a court, cler as @e sonne.
A 6073	@e mot is of mercy @e Maner al aboute,
A 6074	And alle @e wallis ben of wyt to holde wil @eroute;
A 6075	@e kirnelis ben of cristendom @at kynde to saue,
A 6076	And boterasid wi@ beleue [so] o@er @ou [be]st not sauid;
A 6077	Alle @e housis ben helid, hallis ‘ chaumbris,
A 6078	Wi@ no led but [wi@] loue ‘ lou#nesse, as bre@eren of o wombe.
A 6079	@e tour @ere treu@e is hymself is vp to @e sonne;
A 6080	He may do wi@ @e day sterre what hym dere liki@;
A 6081	De@ dar not do @ing @at he defendi@.
A 6082	Grace hatti@ @e [gateward], a good man forso@e,
A 6083	His man ahtti@ amende #ow, for many man he knowi@.
A 6084	Tel hym @is tokne, "treu@e wot @e so@e:
A 6085	I perfourmde @e penaunce @e prest me enioynide,
A 6086	And am sory for my synnes ‘ so shal I euere
A 6087	Whanne I @enke @ereon, pei# I were a pope".
A 6088	Biddi@ amende #ow meke hym to his maister ones
A 6089	To weue [vp] @e wyket @at [@e wif] shette
A 6090	@o Adam ‘ Eue eten here bane,
A 6091	For he ha@ @e kei#es ‘ @e cliket @ei# king slepe.
A 6092	And #if grace graunte @e to gon in [on] @is wise,
A 6093	@ou shalt se treu@e himself wel sitte in @in herte
A 6094	And lere @e for to loue ‘ hise lawes holden.
A 6095	Ac be war @anne of wra@@e, @at wykkide shrewe,
A 6096	For he ha@ enuye to hym @at in @in herte sitte@
A 6097	And poki@ [for@] pride to preise @iselue.
A 6098	@e boldnesse of @i bienfait maki@ @e blynd @anne,
A 6099	And so worst @ou dryuen out as dew ‘ @e dore closid,
A 6100	Ikei#id ‘ ycliket to kepe @e @eroute
A 6101	Happily an hundrit wynter er @ou eft entre.
A 6102	@us mi#t @ou lese his loue, to lete wel be @iselue,
A 6103	And geten it a@en @oru# grace ‘ @oru# no gift ellis.
A 6104	Ac @ere arn seuene sistris @at [seruen] treu@e euere,
A 6105	And ben porteris to @e posternis @at to @e place longi@:
A 6106	@at on hatti@ abstinence, and [hymylite] ano@er,
A 6107	Charite ‘ chastite be@ hire chief maidenes,
A 6108	Pacience ‘ pees mekil [peple] @ei helpen,
A 6109	Largenesse @e lady let in wel manye.
A 6110	Ac whoso is sib to @is sistris, so me god helpe,
A 6111	He is wondirliche welcome ‘ faire vndirfonge.
A 6112	But #if #e be sibbe to summe of @is seuene
A 6113	It is wel hard, be myn hed, any of #ow alle,
A 6114	To gete ingang at any gate but grace be @e more.'
A 6115	'Be crist,' qua@ a cuttepurs, 'I haue no kyn @ere.'
A 6116	'Ne I,' qua@ an apeward, 'be au#t @at I knowe.'
A 6117	'Wyte god,' qua@ a waffrer, 'wiste I @at forso@e,
A 6118	Shulde I neuere fer@ere a foote for no freris preching.'
A 6119	'#is,' qua@ peris @e plou#man ‘ pukide hym to goode:
A 6120	'Mercy [is] a maiden [@ere], ha@ mi#t ouer [hem] alle;
A 6121	And she is sib to alle synful, ‘ hire sone alse,
A 6122	And @oru# @e helpe of hem [two], hope @ou non o@er,
A 6123	@ou mi#t gete grace [@ere] so @ou go be tyme.'
                                       VII
A 7001	'@is were a wikkide weye, but whoso hadde a gide
A 7002	@at mi#te folwew vs iche fote [forto] we were @ere.'
A 7003	Qua@ perkyn @e plou#man, 'be seint poule @e apostel,
A 7004	I haue an half akir to er[e]n be @e hei#e wei#e;
A 7005	Hadde y [erid] @at half akir
A 7006	I wolde wende wi@ #ow til #e were @ere'.
A 7007	'@is were a long lettyng,' qua@ a lady in a scleire;
A 7008	'What shulde we wommen werche @e while?'
A 7009	'Summe shal sewe @e sak for shedyng of @e whete;
A 7010	And wyues @at han woll[e] werchi@ it faste,
A 7011	Spynne@ it spedily, spari@ not #oure fyngris
A 7012	But #if it be holy day o@er holy euen;
A 7013	Loki@ for@ #oure lynen ‘ laboure@ @eron faste.
A 7014	@e nedy ‘ @e nakid, nyme@ hed how @ei liggen;
A 7015	Caste hem clo@is for cold for so wile treupe.
A 7016	For I shal lene hem lyflode, but #if @e lond faile,
A 7017	As longe as I lyue for @e lordis loue of heuene.
A 7018	And #e loueliche ladies wi@ #our [longe] fyngris,
A 7019	@at han silk ‘ sendel, sewi@ it whanne tyme is,
A 7020	Chesiblis for chapellis chirches to honoure.
A 7021	And alle maner of men @at be @e mete libbip,
A 7022	Helpi@ hem werche wi#tly @at wynne #oure foode.'
A 7023	'Be crist,' qua@ a kni#t @o, '@ou [kenn]ist vs @e beste;
A 7024	Ac on @e tem trewely tau#t was I neuere.
A 7025	Ac kenne me,' qua@ @e kni#t, '‘ I wile [conne] eren.'
A 7026	'Be seint poule,' qua@ perkyn, 'for @ou profrist @e so lowe
A 7027	I shal swynken ‘ sweten ‘ sowe for vs bo@e,
A 7028	A[nd] ek laboure for @i loue al my lif tyme,
A 7029	In couenaunt @at @ou kepe holy[k]ir[k]e and myself
A 7030	Fro wastours [and wikkide men] @at wolde me destroye,
A 7031	And go hunte hardily [to] har[is] ‘ [to] fox[is],
A 7032	And [to] boris ‘ [to] bukkes @at breken myn heggis,
A 7033	And fecche @e hom fauconis @e foulis to kille,
A 7034	For @ise comi@ to my croft ‘ croppi@ my whete.'
A 7035	Curteisliche @[e] kni#t [conseyuede] @ise wordis;
A 7036	'Be my power, piers, I plit#te @e my treu@e
A 7037	To fulfille @e foreward whiles I may stande'.
A 7038	'#a, ‘ #et a poynt,' qua@ perkyn, 'I preye @e more:
A 7039	Loke @ou tene no tenaunt but treu@e wile assent,
A 7040	And @ei pore men profre @e presauntis or #eftis
A 7041	Nyme hem nou#t, an aunter @ou mowe hem nou#t deserue.
A 7042	For @ou shalt #elde it a#en at one #eris ende
A 7043	In a wel perilous place @at purcatorie hattip;
A 7044	And mysbede nou#t @i bondemen, @e bet shalt @ou spede;
A 7045	And @at @ou be trewe of [@i] tunge, ‘ talis @ou hate,
A 7046	But it be of wysdom or of wyt @i werkmen to chaste;
A 7047	Holde wi@ none harlotis ne here nou#t here talis,
A 7048	And anmeliche at mete suche men eschew[e],
A 7049	For it arn @e deuelis disours I do @e to vndirstonde.
A 7050	'I assente, be seint Iame,' seide @e kni#t @anne,
A 7051	'For to werche be @i woord while my lif durip.'
A 7052	'And I shal apparaille me,' qua@ @erkyn, 'in pilgrym[ys] wyse,
A 7053	And wende wi@ #ow @e wey til we fynde treu@e.'
A 7054	He caste on his clo@is, ycloutid ‘ hole,
A 7055	Hise cokeris ‘ his cuffis for cold of his nailes,
A 7056	And heng his hoper at his hals in stede of a scrippe:
A 7057	'A busshel of breed corn by[yng m]e @ereinne,
A 7058	For I wile sowe it myself, ‘ si@@e wile I wende.
A 7059	And whoso helpi@ me to eren, or any @ing swynke,	
A 7060	Shal haue be orue lord @e more here in heruist,
A 7061	And make hym mery wi@ @e corn whoso it begrucchi@.
A 7062	And alle kyne crafty men @at conne lyue in treu@e,
A 7063	I shal fynde hem foode @at fei@fulliche libbe@,
A 7064	Saue Iakke @e Iugelour ‘ Ionete of @e stewis,
A 7065	And robyn @e ribaudour for hise rusty woordis.
A 7066	Treu@e tolde me ones ‘ bad me telle it for@:
A 7067	Deleantur de libro; I shulde not dele wi@ hem,
A 7068	For holy chirche is holden of hem no ti@es to asken,
A 7069A	Et cum iustis non scribantur.
A 7069B	@ei arn askapid good auntir, now god hem amende.'
A 7070	Dame werche whanne tyme is piers wyf hatte;
A 7071	His dou#ter hatti@ do ri#t [so] or @i damme shal @e bete;
A 7072	His sone hatti@ suffre @i souereynes to hauen here wille
A 7073	And deme hem mou#t for #if @ou dost @ou shalt it dere abiggen,
A 7074	Let god wor@e wi@al for so his woord techi@.
A 7075	'For [now] I am old ‘ hor ‘ haue of myn owene
A 7076	To penaunce ‘ to pilgrimage wile I passe with o@ere;
A 7077	For@i I wile er I wende do w[r]yte my bequest.
A 7078	In dei nomine Amen I make it myseluen:
A 7079	He shal haue my soule @at best ha@ deseruid,
A 7080	And defende it fro @e fend, for so I beleue,
A 7081	Til I come to his acountes as my crede me techi@--
A 7082	To haue reles ‘ remissioun, on @at rental I leue.
A 7083	@e [k]ir[k]e shal haue my caroyn ‘ kepe my bones,
A 7084	For of my corn ‘ my catel [he] crauide @e ti@[e];
A 7085	[I] payede hym prestly for peril of my soule;
A 7086	He is holden, I hope, to haue me in mynde,
A 7087	And monewe me in his memorie among alle cristene.
A 7088	My wyf shal haue of @at I wan wi@ treu@e, ‘ namore,
A 7089	And dele among my frendis ‘ my dere children,
A 7090	For @ei# I dei#e today my dettis ben quyt;
A 7091		I bar hom @at I borewide er I to bedde #ede.
A 7092	And wi@ @e residue ‘ @e remenaunt, be @e rode of chestre,
A 7093	I wile worsshipe @erewi@ treu@e in my lyue,
A 7094	And ben his pilgrym at @e plou# for pore menis sake.
A 7095	My plou#pote shal be my pyk ‘ putte at @e forewis.'
A 7096	And helpe my cultir to kerue ‘ close @e forewis.'
A 7097	Now is peris ‘ @e pilgrimes to @e plou# faren;
A 7098	To erien @is half akir helpen hym manye;
A 7099	Dikeris ‘ delueres dy[gg]e@ vp @e balkis.
A 7100	@erewi@ was perkyn payed, and preisid hem #erne.
A 7101	Opere werkmen @ere were [@at} wrou#te ful faste,
A 7102	Eche man on his maner made hymself to done,
A 7103	And summe to plese perkyn pykide vp @e wedis.
A 7104	At hei# prime peris let @e plou# stande
A 7105	To ouersen hem hymself; whoso best wrou#te
A 7106	Shulde ben hirid @ereaftir whan heruist tyme come.
A 7107	@anne seten somme ‘ sungen at @e ale,
A 7108	And holpen [to] ere @e half akir wi@ 'hey trolly lolly'.
A 7109	'Be @e prince of paradis!' qua@ piers @o in wra@@e,
A 7110	'But #e rise @e ra@ere, ‘ rape #ow to werche,
A 7111	Shal no greyn @at here growi@ glad #ow at nede;
A 7112	And @ei# #e dei#e for doel @e deuil haue @at recche!'
A 7113	@anne wre faitours aferd ‘ feynide hem blynde;
A 7114	Somme leide here leg alery as suche lorellis cunne,
A 7115	And pleynide hem to peris wi@ suche pitous wordis:
A 7116	'We haue none [lymes] to laboure wi@, lrod, ygracid be #e;
A 7117	Ac we preye for #ow, peris, ‘ for #oure plou# bo@e,
A 7118	@at god of his grace #our greyn multiplie,
A 7119	And #elde #ow of #our almesse @at #e #iuen vs here,
A 7120	For we mowe no[@er] swynke ne swete, such seknesse vs eile@'.
A 7121	'#ef it be so@,' qua@ peris, '@at #e seyn, I shal it sone aspie.
A 7122	#e ben wastours, I wot wel, ‘ treu@e wot @e so@e;
A 7123	And I am his [h]olde hyne ‘ au#te hym to warne.
A 7124	Suche wastours in @is world his werkmen distroye@;
A 7125	#e eten @at [hy] shulde ete @at eren for vs alle.
A 7126	Ac treu@e shal teche #ow his tem for to dryue,
A 7127	Bo@e to setten ‘ to sowen, ‘ sauen his tel@e,
A 7128	[Cacche cowes] from his corn, [and] kepen hise bestis,
A 7129	Or #e shuln ete barly red ‘ of @e bro[k] drynke;
A 7130	But he be blynd, or brokesshankid, or beddrede ligge:
A 7131	@ei shuln ete as good as I, so me god helpe,
A 7132	Til god of his grace gare h[e]m to arise.
A 7133	Ankeris ‘ heremytes @at holde hem in here sellis
A 7134	Shuln haue of myn almess al @e while I libbe,
A 7135	Inou# iche day at non, ac no more til on @e morewe
A 7136	Lest his flessh ‘ @e fend foulide his soule.
A 7137	Ones at noon is ynou# @at no werk vsip;
A 7138	He abide@ wel @e betere @at bummi@ nou#t to ofte.'
A 7139	@anne gan wastour arise ‘ wolde haue yfou#te;
A 7140	To peris @e plou#man he profride his gloue.
A 7141	A bretoner, a braggere, he bostide hym also,
A 7142	And bad hym go pisse wi@ his plou#: 'pilide shrewe!
A 7143	Wilt @ou, nilt @ou, we wile haue oure wil
A 7144	Of @[i] flour, and @i flessh fecche whanne vs like@,
A 7145	And make vs merye @erwi@ maugre @i chekis'.
A 7146	@anne peris @e plou#man pleynede hym to @e kni#t
A 7147	To kepen hym as couenaunt was fro curside shrewis,
A 7148	Fro wastours @at waite wynneres to shende.
A 7149	Curteisliche @e kni#t @anne as his kynde wolde
A 7150	Warnide wastour ‘ wisside hym betere,
A 7151	'Or @ou shalt abigge be @e lawe, be @e ordre @at I bere'.
A 7152	'I was not wonid to werche,' qua@ wastour, 'now wile I not begynne,'
A 7153	And let li#t of @e lawe ‘ lesse of @e kni#t,
A 7154	And countide peris at a pese ‘ his plou# bo@e,
A 7155	And manacide hym ‘ his men whanne h[y] next metten.
A 7156	'Now be @e peril of my soule!' qua@ peris, 'I shal appeire #ow
 		     alle,'
A 7157	And houpide aftir hungir @at herde hym at @e ferste:
A 7158	'Awreke me on wasto[urs],' qua@ peris, '@at @is world [shend]ip.'
A 7159	Hungir in haste @anne hente wastour be @e mawe,
A 7160	And wrong hym so be @e wombe @at al watride his ei#en,
A 7161	And buffetide @e bretoner aboute @e chekis
A 7162	@at he lokide lik a lanterne al his lif aftir;
A 7163	He beet hem so bo@e he brast ner here mawis.
A 7164	N[e] hadde peris [wi@] a pese lof preyede hym beleue,
A 7165	And wi@ a bene batte he[#e]de [hem] betwene,
A 7166	And hitte hunger @erwi@ amydde hise lippes,
A 7167	And bledde into @e bodyward a bolle ful of growel,
A 7168	Ne hadde @[e] fisician ferst defendite him watir
A 7169	To abate @e barly bred ‘ @e benis ygrounde,
A 7170	@ei hadde be ded be @is day ‘ doluen al warm.
A 7171	Faitours for fer flowen into bernis
A 7172	And fla[ppid]e on wi@ flailes fro morewe til eue,
A 7173	@at hunger was not hardy on hem for to loke.
A 7174	For a potel of pe[s]is @at peris hadde mad
A 7175	[A]n he[p] of heremites henten hem spadis,
A 7176	And doluen drit ‘ dung to ditte out hunger.
A 7177	Blynde ‘ bedrede were botind a @ousand
A 7178	[@at ley#e [blereyed] and brokelegged by @e hye waye];
A 7179	Hungir hem helide wi@ an hot[e] cake.
A 7180	And lame menis lymes wern li[p]id @at tyme,
A 7181	And become knaues to kepe peris bestis,
A 7182	And prei#ede pur charite wi@ preis for to dwelle,
A 7183	Al for coueitise of his corn to [cacche] awey hungir.
A 7184	And pieris was proud @erof, ‘ putte hem in office,
A 7185	And #af hem mete ‘ monie as @ei mi#te asserue.
A 7186	@anne hadde piers pite ‘ pre#ede hungir to wende
A 7187	Hom into his owene er[d]e ‘ holde him @ere euere.
A 7188	'Ac #et I preye @e,' qua@ peris, 'er @ou passe fer@ere:
A 7189	Of beggeris ‘ bidderis what best is to done.
A 7190	For I wot wel, be @ou ywent, hy wile werche ille:
A 7191	Meschief it maki@ h[y] ben so mek nou@e,
A 7192	And for defaute of foode @us faste hy werchi@.
A 7193	And it ben my blody bre@eren, for god bou#te vs alle.
A 7194	Treu@e tau#te me ones to loue hem ichone
A 7195	And helpe hem of alle @ing [aftir] @at hem nedi[@].
A 7196	[Now wolde I] wite, #if @ou wistest, what were @e beste,
A 7197	And how I mi#te amaistrie hem ‘ make hem to werche.'
A 7198	'Here now,' qua@ hungir, '‘ holde it for a wisdom:
A 7199	Bolde beggeris ‘ bigge, @at mowe here breed beswynken,
A 7200	Wi@ houndis bred ‘ hors bred holde vp here hertis,
A 7201	And [a]baue hem wi@ b[e]nes for bollnyng of here wombe,
A 7202	And #if @e [g]omes grucche bidde hem gon ‘ sywnke,
A 7203	And he shal soupe swettere whanne he it hap deseruid.
A 7204	Ac #if @ou fynde any frek @at fortune ha@ apeirid
A 7205	Wi@ fuyr or wi@ false men, fond suche [to] knowen:
A 7206	Counforte hem wi@ @i catel for cristis loue of heuene;
A 7207	Loue hem ‘ lene hem ‘ so @e lawe of kynde wolde.
A 7208	And alle maner of men @at @ou mi#te aspien,
A 7209	@at nedy ben or nakid, ‘ nou#t han to spende,
A 7210	Wi@ mete or [wi@] mone let make hem [fare @e betere],
A 7211	[Or with werk or with word @e while @ou art here].
A 7212A	Make @e Frendis @ermi[d] for so matheu vs techi@:
A 7212B	Facite vobis amicos.'
A 7213	'I wolde not greue god,' qua@ peris, 'for al @e gold on ground.
A 7214	Mi#te I synneles do as @ou seist?' seide eris @anne.
A 7215	'#e, I hote @e,' qua@ hungir, 'o@er ellis @e bible lei#e@.
A 7216	Go to genesis @e geaunt, engendrour of vs alle:
A 7217	In sudore ‘ swynke @ou shalt @i mete tilen
A 7218	‘ labouren for @i liflode, ‘ so oure lord hi#te;
A 7219	And saience sei@ @e same, I sai# it in @e bible:
A 7220	Piger propter frigus no feld wolde tilie;
A 7221	He shal go [begge ‘ bidde] ‘ no man bete his hungir;
A 7222	Matheu wi@ @e manis face [mou@]i@ @ise wordis:
A 7223	Seruus nequam had a nam, ‘ for he nolde it vsen,
A 7224	He hadde maugre of his maister eueremore aftir,
A 7225	And benom hym his nam for he nolde werche,
A 7226	And #af [it] hym in haste @at hadde ten before,
A 7227	And si@en he seide, his seruaunt[s] it h[er]de:
A 7228	"He @at ha@ shal haue to helpe @ere nede is,
A 7229	And he @at nou#t ha@ shal nou#t haue ne no man him helpe,
A 7230	And @at he weni@ wel to haue I wile it be hym bereuid".
A 7231	Kynde wyt wolde @at iche wi#t wrou#te
A 7232	O@er wi@ teching, o@er telling, or trauaillyng of hondis,
A 7233	Actif lif o@er contemplatif; crist wolde it alse,
A 7234A	The sauter sei@ in @e salme of Beati omnes:
A 7234B	Labores manuum tuarum quia manducabis ‘c.
A 7235	He @at get his fode hree wi@ trauaile of his hondis,
A 7236	God #iue@ [hem] his blissing @at here liflode so wynne@.'
A 7237	'#et I preye @e,' qua@ peris, 'pur charite, #if @ou kenne
A 7238	Eny 1[e]f of lechecraft lere it me, my dere,
A 7239	For summe of my seruauntis ben seke o@er while;
A 7240	Of alle @e wyke [hy] werki@ nou#t, so here wombe aki@.'
A 7241	'I wot wel,' qua@ hunger, 'what seknesse hem eile@.
A 7242	@ei han mangid ouer muche, @at maki@ hem grone ofte.
A 7243	Ac I hote @e,' qua@ hunger, 'as @ou @in hele wilnest,
A 7244	@at @ou drynke no day er @ou dyne sumwhat,
A 7245	And ete nou#t, I hote @e, er hunger @e take
A 7246	And sende @e of his saus to sauoure @i lippes,
A 7247	And kep sum [til] soper tyme, ‘ sit nou#t to longe;
A 7248	Aris vp er ap[e]ti[t] ha[ue] eten his fille;
A 7249	Let nou#t sire surfet sitten at @i bord;
A 7250	L[o]ue hym nou#t, for he is a lecchour ‘ likerous of tunge,
A 7251	And aftir many maner metis his mawe is alongid.
A 7252	And #if @ou di#ete @e @us I dar ley myn armes
A 7253	@at fisik shal his furrid hood for his foode selle,
A 7254	And ek his cloke [of] calabre ‘ @e knoppis of gold,
A 7255	And be fayn be my fei@ his fesik to leten,
A 7256	And lerne to laboure wi@ lond lest liflode hym faile.
A 7257	@ere arn mo li#eris @an lechis, lord hem amende.
A 7258	@ei do men di#e @oru# here drynkes er destenye it wolde.'
A 7259	'Be seint ernel,' qua@ peris, '@ise arn profitable wordis.
A 7260	@is is a louely lessoun, lord it @e for#elde.
A 7261	Wende now whanne @i wille is, @at wel be @ou euere.'
A 7262	'I behote god,' qua@ hunger, 'henis nile I wende
A 7263	Er I haue dyned be @is day ‘ ydronke bo@e.'
A 7264	'I haue no peny,' qua@ piers, 'pulettis to biggen,
A 7265	No@er gees ne gris, but two grene chesis,
A 7266	A fewe cruddis ‘ crem, ‘ [a]n [hauer] cake,
A 7267	A lof of benis ‘ bren ybake for my children;
A 7268	And I sei#e, be my soule, I haue no salt bacoun,
A 7269	Ne no cokenay, be crist, colopis to maken.
A 7270	Ac I haue persile ‘ poret, ‘ many cole plantis,
A 7271	And ek a cow ‘ a calf, ‘ a carte mare
A 7272	To drawe on feld my dong hile @e drou#t lasti@.
A 7273	Be @is liflode I mote lyue til lammasse tyme;
A 7274	Be @at I hope to haue heruest in my croft,
A 7275	@anne may I di#te @i dyner as @e dere like@.'
A 7276	Alle @e pore peple pesecoddis fetten;
A 7277	Benes ‘ [b]ake applis hy brou#te in here lappe[s],
A 7278	Chibollis, ‘ chiriuellis, ‘ ri[p]e chiries manye,
A 7279	And profride peris [@is] present to plese @erewi@ hungir.
A 7280	Hungir [eet] @is in haste ‘ askide aftir more.
A 7281	@anne @ise folk or fer fetten hym manye
A 7282	[Grene porret and pesen; to [peysen] him @ei @ou#te].
A 7283	Be @at it nei#ide ner heruest [@at] newe corn com to chepyng.
A 7284	@anne was folk fayn, ‘ fedde hunger with @e beste;
A 7285	Wi@ good ale ‘ glotonye h[y] gart hym to slepe.
A 7286	And @o nolde wastour not werche, but wandrite aboute,
A 7287	Ne no beggere ete bred @at benis in come,
A 7288	But coket, or clermatyn, or of clene whete,
A 7289	Ne non halpeny ale in no wyse drynke,
A 7290	But of @e beste ‘ @e brunneste @at breusteris sellen.
A 7291	Laboureris @at haue no land [t] lyue on [but] here handis
A 7292	Deynep nou#t to yne a day ni#t olde wortis.
A 7293	May no penyale hem paye, ne no pece of bacoun,
A 7294	But #if it be bressh flessh o@er fissh yfried,
A 7295	And chaud, ‘ pluys chaud, for chillyng of h[ere] mawe.
A 7296	But he be hei#liche hirid ellis wile he chide,
A 7297	@at he was werkman ywrou#t warie @e tyme,
A 7298	And @anne curse @e king ‘ alle @e counseil aftir
A 7299	Suche lawis to loke laboureris to chast[e].
A 7300	Ac whilehunger was here maister wolde @ere non chide,
A 7301	Ne stryue a#en @e statut, so sternely he lokide.
A 7302	I warne #ow werkmen, wynne@ while #e mowe,
A 7303	For hungir hiderward hasti@ hym faste.
A 7304	He shal awake [@oru#] water wastours to chaste;
A 7305	Or fyue #er be fulfild such famyn shal arise;
A 7306	@oru# flood [and] foule wederis fruytes shuln fa[i]lle,
A 7307	And so sei@ satourne ‘ sente #ow to warne.
                                       VIII
A 8001	Treu@e herde telle herof, ‘ to peris sente
A 8002	To take his tem ‘ [tilien @e er@e],
A 8003	And purchac[ide] hym a pardoun a pena ‘ a culpa
A 8004	For hym ‘ for hise heires eueremore aftir,
A 8005	And bad hym holde hym at home ‘ erien his lai#es.
A 8006	And [alle] @at holpen to erien or to sowen,
A 8007	Or any maner mester @at mi#te peris helpen,
A 8008	Part in @[at] pardoun @e popeha@ hem grauntid.
A 8009	Kinges ‘ kni#tes @at kepen holy chirche
A 8010	And r[i#t] fulliche in reaum rewli@ @e peple
A 8011	Han pardoun @oru# purcatorie to passe wel sone,
A 8012	Wi@ patriarkes in paradis to plei#e @ereaftir.
A 8013	Bisshopis @at blissen, ‘ bo@e lawes kenne,
A 8014	Loke on @at o lawe, ‘ lere men @at o@er,
A 8015	And bere hem bo@e on here bak as here baner shewi@,
A 8016	And prechen here personis @e periles of synne,
A 8017	How @at shabbide shep shu[l] here wolle saue,
A 8018	Han pardoun wi@ @e apostlis whanne @ei passe hennis,
A 8019	At @e day of dom at here deis to sitten.
A 8020	Marchauntis in @e margyn hadde manye #eris,
A 8021	But non a pena ‘ a culpa @e pope wolde h[e]m graunte,
A 8022	For @ei h[o]lde nou#t here haly dayes as holy chirche techi@,
A 8023	And for @ei swere be here soule, ‘ so god muste hem helpe,
A 8024	A#ens clene consience here catel to selle.
A 8025	Ac vndir his secre sel treu@e sente h[e]m a lettre,
A 8026	And bad h[e]m begge boldely what [hem best] like@,
A 8027	And si@en selle it a#en ‘ saue @e wynnyng,
A 8028	And make mesonis deux @erewi@ myseis[e] to helpe,
A 8029	Wykkide weyes wi#tly to amende,
A 8030	And bynde brugges aboute @at tobroke were,
A 8031	Marie maidenis also [or] maken hem nonnes,
A 8032	[Pore] wydewis @at wiln not be wyues aftir,
A 8033	Fynde suche hre foode for oure lrodis loue of heuene,
A 8034	Sette scoleris to scole or [to] summe skynes craftis,
A 8035	Releue religioun ‘ renten hem betere;
A 8036	'[And] I shal sende myself seynt Michel myn aungel
A 8037	@at no deuil shal #ow dere, di#e whan #e di#e,
A 8038	@at I ne shal sende [#our] soule sauf into heuene,
A 8039	And before @e face of my fadir fourme #oure setis.
A 8040	Vsure, ‘ auarice, ‘ o@es I defende,
A 8041	@at no gile go wi@ #ow but @e grai@ treu@e.'
A 8042	@anne were marchauntis merye; many wepe for ioye,
A 8043	And #af wille for his writyng wollene clo@is;
A 8044	For he co[pie] de @us hree clause @ei [couden] hym gret mede.
A 8045	Men of lawe hadde lest for le[ttr]id @ei ben alle;
A 8046	For so sei@ @e sauter ‘ sapience bo@e:
A 8047	Super innocentem munera non accipies; a regibus ‘ principibus--
A 8048	Of princes ‘ prelatis here pencioun shulde arise,
A 8049	And of no pore peple no peny[wor@] to take.
A 8050	@at is Innocent ‘ nedy, ‘ no man apeiri@,
A 8051	Counforti@ hym in @at cas, coueiti@ nou#t his goodis,
A 8052	Ac for oure lordis loue lawe for hym shewi@,
A 8053	Shal no deuil at his de@ day derie hym a myte
A 8054	@at he ne wor@ sauf sykirly, ‘ so sei@ @e sautir.
A 8055	Ac to bigge watir ne wynd, ne wyt is @e @ridde,
A 8056	Ne wolde neuere holy writ, god wot @e so@e.
A 8057	@ise @re for @rallis ben @rowe among vs alle
A 8058	To waxen ‘ wanyen where @at god liki@.
A 8059	His pardoun in purcatorie wel [petit] is, I trowe,
A 8060	@at any mede of mene men for motyng resceyue@.
A 8061	#e legistris ‘ lawi[er]is, [#e] wyten #if I lei#e;
A 8062	Si@en #e sen it is @us sewi@ to @e beste.
A 8063	Alle libbyng laboureris @at lyuen be here hondis,
A 8064	@at trewely taken, ‘ trewely wynnen,
A 8065	And lyuen in loue ‘ [in] lawe, for here lou# herte
A 8066	Hadde @e same absolucioun @at sent was to peris.
A 8067	Beggeris ‘ bidderis ben not in @e bulle
A 8068	But #if @e suggestioun be so@ @at [shapi@ hem to] begge.
A 8069	For he @at beggi@ or bit, but he haue nede,
A 8070	He is fals wi@ @e fend ‘ [defraudi@] @e nedy,
A 8071	And [ek] gili@ @e gyuere ageyns his wille.
A 8072	@ei lyue nou#t in loue, ne no lawe holden.
A 8073	@ei wedde no womman @at hy wi@ delen
A 8074	But as wilde bestis wi@ wehe, ‘ wor@ vp togideris
A 8075	And bringen for@ barnes @at bois ben holden.
A 8076	Or his bak orhis bon @ei breken in his #ou@e,
A 8077	And gon ‘ faiten wi@ here fauntis for eueremore  aftir.
A 8078	@ere ben mo mysshapen amonges hem, whoso taki@ hede,
A 8079	@anne of alle o@er maner men @at on @is molde wnadri@.
A 8080	@o @at lyuen @us hre lif mowe lo@e @e tyme
A 8081	@at euere he was man wrou#t whanne he shal henne fare.
A 8082	Ac olde men ‘ hore @at helpeles ben of streng@e,
A 8083	And wommen wi@ childe @at wreche ne mowe,
A 8084	Blynde ‘ bedrede, ‘ broken here membris,
A 8085	@at taki@ [@]is meschief mekliche as myselis ‘ o@ere,
A 8086	Han as pleyn pardoun as @e plou#man hymselue;
A 8087	For loue of here lou# herte oure lord ha@ hem grauntid
A 8088	Here penaunce ‘ here purcatorie vpon @is pur er@e.
A 8089	'Piers,' qua@ a prest [@o], '@i pardon muste I rede,
A 8090	For I shal construe iche clause ‘ kenne it @e on englissh.
A 8091	And peris at his preyour @e pardoun vnfoldi@,
A 8092	And I behynde hem bo@e beheld al @e b[u]lle.
A 8093	In two lynes it lay ‘ nou#t o lettre more,
A 8094	And was writen ri#t @us in witnesse of treu@e:
A 8095	Et qui bona egerunt ibunt in vitam eternam;
A 8096	Qui vero mala in ignem eternum.
A 8097	'Petir,' qua@ @e prest @o, 'I can no pardoun fynde
A 8098	But do wel ‘ haue wel, ‘ god shal haue @i soule,
A 8099	And do euele ‘ haue euele, ‘ hope @ou non o@er
A 8100	@at aftir @i de@ day to helle shalt @ou wende.'
A 8101	And piers for [pure] tene pulde it assondir
A 8102	‘ seide 'Si ambulauero in medio umbre mortis
A 8103	Non timebo mala quoniam tu mecum es.
A 8104	I shal cesse of my sowyng,' qua@ peris, '‘ swynke not so harde,
A 8105	Ne aboute my [belyue] so besy be namore;
A 8106	Of preyours ‘ of penaunce my plou# shal ben hereaftir,
A 8107	And beloure @at I [be]lou# er @eiz liflode me faile.
A 8108	@e prophet his p[a]yn e[et] in penaunce ‘ in wepyng
A 8109	Be @at @e sauter vs sei@, ‘ so dede manye o@ere.
A 8110	@at loui@ god lelly, his liflode is @e more:
A 8111	Fuerunt michi lacrime mee panes die ac nocte.
A 8112	And but #if luk lei#e he leri@ vs ano@er,
A 8113A	[By foules, @at are not] besy aboute @e bely ioye:
A 8113B	Ne soliciti sitis he sei@ in his gospel,
A 8114	And shewi@ it vs be ensaumple oureselue to wisse.
A 8115	@e foulis in @e firmament, who fynt hem a wynter?
A 8116	Whan @e frost fresi@ foode hem behoui@;
A 8117	Haue @ei no garner [to go] to, but god fynt hem alle.'
A 8118	'What!' qua@ @e prest to perkyn, 'peter, as me @inke@,
A 8119	@ou art le[ttr]id a litel; who lernide @e on boke?'
A 8120	'Abstinence @e abbesse myn a b c me tau#t,
A 8121	And consience com aftir ‘ kennide me betere.'
A 8122	'Were @ou a prest, piers,' qua@ he, '@ou mi#test preche wh[an]
		     @e liki[de];
A 8123	Quoniam literaturam non cognoui, @at mi#te be @i teme.'
A 8124	'Lewide lorel,' qua@ peris, 'litel lokest @ou on @e bible;
A 8125A	On salamonis sawis [seldom] @ou beholdis:
A 8125B	E[j]ice derisores ‘ iurgia cum eis ne crescant.'
A 8126	@e prest ‘ perkyn aposid ei@er o@er,
A 8127	And @oru# here wordis I wok ‘ waitide aboute,
A 8128	And sau# @e sonne euene sou@ sitte @at tyme,
A 8129	Metel[es and money]les on maluerne hilles.
A 8130	Musyng on @is metelis a myle wey I #ede;
A 8131	Manye tyme @is metelis han mad me to stodie,
A 8132	And for peris loue @e plou#manwe pensif in herte,
A 8133	For @at I sai# slepyng #if it so be mi#te.
A 8134A	Ac catoun contrui@ it [nay] ‘ canonistris bo@e:
A 8134B	Sompnia ne cures.
A 8135	Ac for @e bible beri@ wytnesse
A 8136	How Dani[el] deui[n]ide @e drem[is] of a king
A 8137	@at nabugodonosor nempne @ise clerkis--
A 8138	Daniel seide, 'sire king, @i sweuene is to mene
A 8139	@at [vncou@e] kni#t[is] shal come @i kingdom to cleyme;
A 8140	Among 1[ower]e lordis @i londis shuln be departid'.
A 8141	As daniel deui[n]ide in dede it fel aftir:
A 8142	@e king les his lordsshipe, ‘ lesse men it hadde.
A 8143	And Iosep mette merueillously how @e mone ‘ @e sonne
A 8144	And @e enleuene sterris ha[i]lsiden hym alle.
A 8145	'Beau fit#,' qua@ his fadir, 'for defaute we shuln,
A 8146	I myself ‘ my sones, seke @e for nede.'
A 8147	It befel as his fadir seide in faraos tyme
A 8148	@at Iosep was Iustice Egipt to kepe--
A 8149	Al @is mai@ me on metelis to @inke
A 8150	Manye tymes at mydni#t whan men shulde slepe,
A 8151	On peris @e plou#man, whiche a pardoun he haui@,
A 8152	And how @e prest inpugnid it al be [pu]re resoun,
A 8153	And [dem]ide @at dowel indulgence passi@,
A 8154	Bienalis ‘ trienalis ‘ bisshopis lettres.
A 8155	Dowel at @e day of dome is digneliche vndirfongen;
A 8156	He passi@ al @e pardoun [of] seint petris chirche.
A 8157	Now ha@ @e pope power pardoun to graunte
A 8158	@e peple wi@oute penaunce [to passe to Ioye]?
A 8159A	@is is [a] l[e]f of oure beleue, as lettrid men vs [tech]i@:
A 8159B	Quodcumque ligaueris super terram ‘c.
A 8160	And so I leue lelly, lord forbede ellis,
A 8161	Wat pardoun, ‘ penaunce, ‘ preyours do salue
A 8162	Soulis @at han ysynned seue si@es dedly.
A 8163	A[c] to triste on @is trionalis, trewely, me @inke@,
A 8164	It is not so sikir for @e soule, certis, as is do wel.
A 8165	For@i I rede #ow renkes @at riche ben on er@e
A 8166	Vpon trist of #our tresour trienalis to haue
A 8167	Be @ou neuer @e baldere to breke @e ten hestis;
A 8168	And nameliche #e maistris, as meiris ‘ iuggis,
A 8169	@at han @e [wel@ of @is]world, ‘ wise men ben holden,
A 8170	[To purchace pardoun and @e popes bulles],
A 8171	At @e dredful dom whanne dede shal arisen
A 8172	And come [alle] before crist acountes to #elden,
A 8173	How @ou leddist @i lif here ‘ his lawe keptest,
A 8174	What @ou dedist day [by day] @e dom wile reherce.
A 8175	A pokeful of pardoun @ere, ne @e prouincialis lettres,
A 8176	@ei# @ou be founde in @e fraternite among @e foure ordris,
A 8177	And haue indulgence doublefold, but dowel @e helpe
A 8178	I ne wolde #iue for @i patent on pye hele.
A 8179	For@i I counseil alle cristene [to] cri#e god mercy,
A 8180	And marie his modir to be mene betwene,
A 8181	@at god #iue vs grace er we go hennis
A 8182	Suche werkis to werche, whiles we ben here,
A 8183	@at, aftir oure de@ day, dowel reherse
A 8184	@at at @e day of dome we dede as he hi#te.
                                       IX

A 9001	Thus, yrobid in rosset, I rombide aboute
A 9002	Al a somer sesoun for to seke dowel,
A 9003	And fraynide ful afte of folk @at I mette
A 9004	#if any wi#t wiste where dowel was at Inne;
A 9005	And what man he mi#te be of many man I askide.
A 9006	Was neuere wi#t as I wen[t]e @at me wisse cou#e
A 9007	Where @is lede lengide, lesse ne more,
A 9008	Til it befel on a Friday two Freris I mette,
A 9009	Maistris of @e menours, men of gret wyt.
A 9010	I hailside hem hendely as I hadde ylernid,
A 9011	And prei#ede hem, pur charite, er @ei passide fer@ere,
A 9012	#if @ei knewen any cuntre or costis aboute
A 9013	'Where @at dowel dwelli[@], do me to wisse'.
A 9014	'Marie,' qua@ @e maistris, 'among vs he dwelli@,
A 9015	And euere ha@ [as] I hope, ‘ euere shal hereaftir.'
A 9016A	'Contra,' qua@ I as a clerk ‘ comside to dispute:
A 9016B	'Sepcies in die cadit iustus.
A 9017	Seue si@es, sei@ @e bok, [synne@] @e ri#tful;
A 9018	Ac whoso synne@, I sei#e, sertis, me @inki@
A 9019	[@at] dowel ‘ do euele mowe not dwelle togidere.
A 9020	Ergo he nis not alwey at hom among #ow Freris;
A 9021	He is o@erwhile elliswhere to wisse @e peple.'
A 9022	'I shal sei#e @e, my sone,' seide  @e Frere @anne,
A 9023	'How seue si@es @e sadde man synne@ on @e day;
A 9024	Be a forebisen,' qua@ @e Frere, 'I shal @e faire shewen:
A 9025	Let bringe a man in a bot amydde a brood watir;
A 9026	@e wynd, ‘ @e watir, ‘ @e waggyng of @e boot,
A 9027	Make@ @e man many tymes to falle ‘ to stande.
A 9028	For stande he neuere so stif he stumbli@ in @e waggyng,
A 9029	And #et is he sauf ‘ sound, ‘ so hym behoui@.
A 9030	For #if he ne arise @e ra@ere ‘ [rau#te @e stere],
A 9031	@e wynd wolde wi@ @e watir @e boot ouer@rowe.
A 9032	@ere were @e manis lif lost for lacchesse of hymselue.
A 9033	Ri#t @us [it] fari@,' qua@ @e Frere, 'be folk here on er@e.
A 9034	@e watir is liknid to @e world @at wani@ ‘ waxi@;
A 9035	@e goodis of @is ground be lik @e grete wawes,
A 9036	@at as wyndis ‘ watris wa[l]wen aboute;
A 9037	@e boot is lik[nid] to @e body @at britel is of kynde,
A 9038	@at @oru# @e fend, ‘ @e flessh, ‘ @e false world,
A 9039	Synnes @e sad man seuene [si@es] in @e day.
A 9040	Ac dedly synne do@ he nou#t, for dowel hym helpi@,
A 9041	@at is charite @e champioun, chief helpe a#ens synne.
A 9042	For he streng@e@ @e to stonde ‘ steri@ @i soule
A 9043	@at, @ei# @i body bowe as bot do@ in @e watir,
A 9044	Ay is @i soule sauf but @ou @iself wilt
A 9045	Folewe @i flesshis wil ‘ @e fendis aftir,
A 9046	And don dedly synne ‘ drenche @iseluen.
A 9047	God wile suffre @e to dei#e so for @iself hast @e maistrie.'
A 9048	'I haue no kynde knowyng,' qua@ I, 'to conseyue @i wordis,
A 9049	Ac #if I may lyuen ‘ loken I shal go lerne betere
A 9050	I bekenne [#ow] crist @at on @e crois dei#ede.'
A 9051	And @ei seide, '@e same saue @e fro myschaunce,
A 9052	And [g]iue @e grace on @is er@e in good lif to ende'.
A 9053	@us I wente wydewhere dowel to seken,
A 9054	[And] as I wente be a wode, walkyng myn one,
A 9055	Blisse of @e briddis made me abide,
A 9056	And vndir a lynde vpon a launde lenide I me a stounde
A 9057	To lerne @e laies @at louely [foulis] maden.
A 9058	Blisse of @[e] briddis brou#te me a slepe;
A 9059	@e merueilleste metyng mette me @anne
A 9060	@at euere dremide dri#t in doute, as I wene.
A 9061	A muchel man, me @ou#te, like to myselue,
A 9062	Com ‘ callide me be my kynde name.
A 9063	'What art @ou,' qua@ I @o, "@at my name knowist?'
A 9064	'@at @ou wost wel,' qua@ he, '‘ no wi#t betere.'
A 9065	'Wot ich?' qua@ I; 'who art @ou?' '@ou#t,' seide he @anne.
A 9066	'I haue sewide @e seuen #er; sei#e @ou me no ra@ere?'
A 9067	'Art @ou @ou#t, @o?' qua@ I; '@ou cou@est me telle
A 9068	Where dowel dwelli@, ‘ do me to wisse.'
A 9069	'Dowel,' qua@ he, '‘ dobet, ‘ dobest @e @ridde,
A 9070	Arn @re faire vertues, ‘ ben not f[e]r to fynde.
A 9071	Whoso is mek of his mou@, mylde of his speche,
A 9072	Trewe of his tunge ‘ of his two handis,
A 9073	And @oru# his labour or his lond his liflode wynne@,
A 9074	Trusty of his tailende, taki@ but his owene,
A 9075	And [is] nou#t drunkelewe ne deynous, dowel hym folewi@.
A 9076	Dobet @us do@, a he do@ muche more.
A 9077	He is as lou# as a lomb, louelich of speche,
A 9078	Whiles he ha@ ou#t of his owene he helpi@ @ere nede is;
A 9079	@e bagges ‘ @e [bi]gerdlis, he ha@ broken hem alle
A 9080	@at @e Erl auerous hadde, or his eires,
A 9081	And wi@ mammones money he ha@ mad hym frendis,
A 9082	And is ronne to religioun, S ha@ rendrit @e bible,
A 9083	And prechi@ @e peple seint poulis wordis:
		Libenter suffert[is] ‘c.
A 9084	[#]e wise suffri@ @e vnwise with #ow to libbe,
A 9085	And wi@ glad wil do@ hem good for so god [hi#te].
A 9086	Dobest is aboue hem bo@e ‘ beri@ a bisshopis croce;
A 9087	Is hokid at @at on ende to holde men in good lif.
A 9088	A pik is in @at potent to pungen adoun @e wykkide,
A 9089	@at waiten any wikkidness dowel to tenen.
A 9090	And as dowel ‘ dobet dede hem to vndirstonde,
A 9091	@ei han crounide o king to kepehem alle,
A 9092	@at #if dowel ‘ dobet dede a#ens dobest
A 9093	And were vnbuxum at his bidding, and bold to don ille,
A 9094	@anne shulde @e kyng come ‘ casten hem in presoun,
A 9095	And putten hem @ere in penaunce wi@oute pite or grace,
A 9096	But dobest bede for hem abide @ere for euere.
A 9097	@us dowel, ‘ dobet, ‘ dobest @e @ridde,
A 9098	Corounid on to be kyng ‘ be h[ere] counseil werchen,
A 9099	And rewele @e reaum be red ofhem alle,
A 9100	And o@ere wise ‘ ellis nou#t but as @ei @re assent[e].'
A 9101	I @ankide @ou#t @o @at he me so tau#te.
A 9102	'Ac #et sauouri@ me nou#t @i segging, so me god helpe;
A 9103	More kynde knowyng I coueyte to lere,
A 9104	How dowel, dobet ‘ dobest don on @is er@e.'
A 9105	'But wyt can wisse @e,' qua@ @ou#t, 'where @o @re dwellen,
A 9106	Ellis wot no man @at now is o lyue.'
A 9107	@ou#t ‘ I @us @re dayes we #eden,
A 9108	Disputyng on dowel day aftir o@er,
A 9109	Ac er we ywar were wi@ wyt gonne we mete.
A 9110	He was long ‘ lene, lyk to non o@er,
A 9111	Was no pride on his apparail ne no pouert no@er,
A 9112	Sad of his semblaunt ‘ of a softe speche,
A 9113	I durste meue no mater to make hym to iangle,
A 9114	But as I bad @ou#t @o be mene betwene,
A 9115	To putte for@ sum purpos [to] prouen hise wittes.
A 9116	@anne @ou#t, in @at tyme, seide @is wordis:
A 9117	'Where @at dowel, ‘ dobet, ‘ dobest be@ in londe,
A 9118	Here is wil wolde wyte #if wit cou@e hym teche.'
                                        X
A 10001	'Sire dowel dwelli@,' qua@ wyt, 'nou#t a day hennes,
A 10002	In a castel @at kynde made of foure skenis @inges.
A 10003	Of er@e ‘ eir it is mad, meklit todideris;
A 10004	Wi@ wynd ‘ wi@ watir wi[tti]liche enioynede.
A 10005	Kynde hap closid @ereinne, craftily wi@alle,
A 10006	A lemman @at he loui@ lik to hymselue.
A 10007	Anima he[o] ha[tte]; to hire [ha@] enuye
A 10008	A proud prikere of Fraunce, Princeps huius mundi,
A 10009	And wolde wynne hire awey with wyles #if he mi#te.
A 10010	Ac kynde knowi@ [@is] wel and kepi@ hire @e betere,
A 10011	And ha@ don hire to sire dowel, kuk fo @ise marchis.
A 10012	Dobet is hire damysele, sire dowelis [dou#ter],
A 10013	And serui@ @is lady lelly bo@e late ‘ ra#e.
A 10014	@us dowel, ‘ dobet, ‘ dobest @e @ridde,
A 10015	Be@ maistris of @is maner @is maide to kepe.
A 10016	Ac @e cunstable of @e castel, @at kepi@ hem alle,
A 10017	Is a wys kni#t withalle, sire ]inwit] he hatte,
A 10018	And ha@ fyue faire sones be his furste wyf:
A 10019	Sire se wel, ‘ sey wel, ‘ here wel @e hende,
A 10020	Sire werche wil wi@ @in hond, [a] wi#t man of streng@e,
A 10021	And sire godefrey go wel, grete lordis alle.
A 10022	@ise sixe ben yset to saue @e castel;
A 10023	To kepe @ise womman @ise wise men ben chargid,
A 10024	Til kynde come o@er sende [and] kepe hire hymselue.'
A 10025	'What calle @e @at castel,' qua@ I, '@at kynde ha@ ymakid?
A 10026	[And what [kenis] @ing is kynde, conne #e me telle]?'
A 10027	'Kynde,' qua@ he, 'is creatour of alle kenis bestis,
A 10028	Fadir ‘ fourmour, @e ferste of alle @ing.
A 10029	And @at is @e grete god @at gynnyng had neuere,
A 10030	@e lord of lif ‘ of li[#t], of lisse ‘ of peyne.
A 10031	Aungelis ‘ alle @ing arn at his wille,
A 10032	Ac man is hym most lik of mark ‘ of shap.
A 10033	For @oru# @e woord @at he warp wexe for@ bestis,
A 10034	And al at his wil was wrou#t wi@ a speche,
		Dixit ‘ facta sunt ‘c,
A 10035	Saue man @at he made ymage to himselue,
A 10036	#af hym gost of his godhed ‘ grauntide hym blisse,
A 10037	Lif @at ay shal laste, ‘ al his lynage aftir.
A 10038	@at is @e castel @at kynde made, caro it hatte,
A 10039	As muche to mene [as] man with his soule,
A 10040	@at he wrou#te wi@ werkis ‘ with wordis bo@e.
A 10041	@oru# mi#t of @e maieste man was ymakid:
		Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem nostram.
A 10042	Inwit ‘ alle wyttes enclosid ben @erinne,
A 10043	For loue of @at lady @at lif is ynempnid.
A 10044	@at is Anima, @at oueral in @e body wandri@,
A 10045	Ac in @e herte is hire hom hei#est of alle.
A 10046	Heo is lyf ‘ ledere, a lemman of heuene.
A 10047	Inwyt is @e [allie] @at anima desiri@;
A 10048	Aftir @e grace of god [@e grettest is Inwyt].
A 10049	Inwyt in @e heuid is, ‘ an help to @e soule,
A 10050	For @oru# his connyng is kept caro ‘ anima
A 10051	In rewele ‘ in resoun, but reccheles it make.
A 10052	He eggi@ ei#e si#t ‘ heryng to gode;
A 10053	Of good speche ‘ [going] he is @e begyneere;
A 10054	In manis brayn is he most ‘ mi#tiest to knowe.
A 10055	@ere is his bour bremest but #if blod it make;
A 10056	For whan blood is bremere @anne brayn, @an is Inwit bounde,
A 10057	And ek wantoun ‘ wilde, wi@oute any resoun.
A 10058	In #onge fauntes ‘ folis, wi@ hem faili@ Inwyt,
A 10059	And ek in sottis @ou mi#t se, @at sitten at @e nale.
A 10060	@ei helde ale in here hed til Inwyt be drenchit,
A 10061	And ben braynwood as bestis, so ehre blood wexi@.
A 10062	Thanne ha@ @e pouk pwoer, sire princeps huius mundi,
A 10063	Ouer suche maner of men mi#t in here soulis.
A 10064	Ac in fauntis ne in folis @e [fend] ha@ no mi#t
A 10065	For no werk @at @ei werche, wykkide o@er ellis.
A 10066	Ac @e fadir ‘ @e Frendis for fauntis shuln be blamid
A 10067	But @ei witen hem fro wauntounesse whiles @ei ben #on[g]e.
A 10068	And #if @ei ben pore ‘ cateles, to kepe hem fro ille,
A 10069	@anne is holichirche owyng to helpe hem ‘ saue
A 10070	Fro folies, ‘ fynde hem til @ei ben wise.
A 10071	A[c] iche wi#t in @is world @at ha@ wys vndirstonding
A 10072	Is chief souereyn ouer hymself his osule to #eme,
A 10073	And cheuissh[en] hym for any charge whan he childhod passi@,
A 10074	Saue hymself fro synne, for so hym behoui@;
A 10075	For werche he wel o@er wrong, @e wyt is his owene.
A 10076	@anne is dowel a duc @at destroye@ vices,
A 10077	And saui@ @e soule @at synne ha@ no mi#t
A 10078	To routen ne to resten ne ro[t]en in@in herte;
A 10079	And @at is dred of god, dowel it maki@.
A 10080	It is begynnyng of goodnesse god for to douten.
A 10081	Salamon it seide for a so@ tale:
		Inicium sapiencie timor domini.
A 10082	For doute men do@ @e bet; dred is such a maister
A 10083	@at he maki@ men meke ‘ mylde of here speche,
A 10084	And alle kynde scoleris in scole to lerne.
A 10085	@anne is dobet to ben ywar for betyng of @e #arde,
A 10086	And @erof sei@ @e sauter, @e salme @ou mi#t rede:
A 10087	Virga tua ‘ baculus tuus ipsa me consolata sunt.
A 10088	Ac #if clene consience acorde @at @iself dost wel
A 10089	Wilne @ou neuere in @is world, [wy], for to do beter,
A 10090	For intencio indicat hominem ‘c.
A 10091	Be counseil of consience, accordyng holy chirche,
A 10092	Loke @ou wisse @i wyt ‘ @i werkis aftir;
A 10093	For #if @ou comist A#en consience @ou combrist @iseluen,
A 10094	[And so witnesse@ goddis worde and holiwrit bo@e]:
		Qui agit contra conscientiam ‘c.
A 10095	Ac #if @ou werchist be godis word I warne @e @e beste,
A 10096	Whatso men worden of @e wra@@e @e neuere;
A 10097	Catoun counseilli@--tak kep of his teching--
A 10098	Cum recte vinas ne cures verba malorum,
A 10099	But suffre ‘ sit stille ‘ sek @ou no fer@ere,
A 10100	And be glad of @e grace @at god ha@ Isent @e.
A 10101	For #if @ou comsist to clymbe, ‘ couetiest herre,
A 10102	@ou mi#test lese @i lou#nesse for a litel pride.
A 10103	I haue [lernid] how lewid men han [lerid] here children
A 10104	@at selde m[os]se@ @e marbil @at men ofte [t]reden,
A 10105	And ri#t so be romberis @at rennen aboute
A 10106	Fro religioun to religioun, reccheles ben @ei euere;
A 10107	Ne men @at conne manye craftis, clergie [it telli@],
A 10108	Thrift o@er @edom with @o is selde ysei#e:
		Qui circuit [omne genus in nullo genere est].
A 10009	Poule @e apostel in his pistil wrot it
A 10110	In ensaumple [@at] suche shulde not renne aboute,
A 10111	And for wisdom is writen ‘ witnessid in chirches:
A 10112	In eadem vocacione qua vocati estis state.
A 10113	#if @ou be man maried, monk, o@er chanoun,
A 10114	Hold @e stable ‘ stedefast ‘ strng@e @iseluen
A 10115	To be blissid for @i beryng, [#]e, b[e]ggere @ei# @ou were.
A 10116	Loke @ou grucche nou#t on god @ei# he gyue @e litel;
A 10117		Be paied wi@ @e procioun, pore o@er riche.
A 10118	@us in dred li@ dowel, [and] dobet to suffre,
A 10119	For @oru# suffraunce se @ou mi#t how soueraynes arise@,
A 10120	And so leri@ vs luk @at lie#ede neuere:
		Qui se humiliat exaltabitur ‘c.
A 10121	And @us of dred ‘ h[is] dede dobest arisi@,
A 10122	Which is @e flour ‘ @e fruyt fostrid of bo@e.
A 10123	Ri#t as a rose, [@at red is and] swet,
A 10124	Out of a raggit rote and a rou# brere
A 10125	Springe@ ‘ spredi@, @at spiceris desiri@,
A 10126	Or as whete out of weed waxi@, out of @e er@e,
A 10127	So dobest out of dobet ‘ dowel gynne@ springe
A 10128	Among men of @is molde @at mek ben ‘ kynde.
A 10129	For loue of here lou#nesse oure lord #iue@ hem grace
A 10130	Such wer[kis] to werche [@at] he is wi@ paied.
A 10131	Formest ‘ ferst to folk @at ben weddit
A 10132	And lyuen as here law[e] wil[e]; it like@ god almi#ty
A 10133	@at @oru# wedlak @e world stant, whoso wile it knowen.
A 10134	@ei be @e riccheste of reaumes ‘ @e rote of dowel.
A 10135	For of here kynde @ei comen @at confessours ben nempnid,
A 10136	Bo@e maidenis ‘ [mynchons], monkes ‘ ancris,
A 10137	Kinges ‘ kni#tes, ‘ alle kyne clerkis,
A 10138	Barouns ‘ burgeis, ‘ bondemen of tounes.
A 10139	Ac fals folk ‘ fei@les, @euis ‘ lei#eris,
A 10140	Ben conseyuid in cursid tyme as kaym was on Eue:
A 10141	Aftir @at adam ‘ [heo] eten @e appil
A 10142	A#ens @e hest of hym @at hem of nou#t made,
A 10143	An aungel in angir hi#te h[e]m to wende
A 10144	Into @is wrecchide world to wonen ‘ to libben
A 10145	In ten ‘ trauaille to hree lyues ende;
A 10146	In @at curside constellacioun @ei knewe togideris,
A 10147	And brou#t for@ a barn @at muche bale wrou#te;
A 10148	Caym @ei hym callide, in cursid tyme engendrit.
A 10149	And so sei@ @e sauter, se it whanne @e liki@:
A 10150	Concepit dolore[m] ‘ peperit iniquitatem.
A 10151	Alle @at comen of @at caym crist hatid aftir,
A 10152	And manye mylions mo of men ‘ of wommen
A 10153	[@at] of seth ‘ his sistir si@@e for@ come
A 10154	For @ei mariede hem wi@ curside men of caymes kyn.
A 10155	For alle @at comen of @at caym acursid @ei were,
A 10156	And alle @at couplide hem with @at kyn crist hatide [dedliche].
A 10157	For@i he sente to se[@], ‘ se[i]de hym be an aungel
A 10158	To kepe his kynrede fro kaymes, @ei ouplide nou#t togideris;
A 10159	And si@en se[@] ‘ his suster [sed] wern spousid to kaymes;
A 10160	Ageyns godis hest girlis hy geten
A 10161	@at god was wro@ wi@ here werkis ‘ [suche wordis seide]:
A 10162	Penitet me fecisse hominem.
A 10163	And is as muche to mene, among vs alle,
A 10164	"@at I man makide now it me for@inke@".
A 10165	And com to noe anon, and bad hym nou#t lette
A 10166	Swi@e to shapen a sship of shidis ‘ bordis;
A 10167	Hymself ‘ his sones @re, ‘ si@en here wyues
A 10168	Busk[en hem] to @at boot ‘ biden @ereInne
A 10169	Til fourty dayes be fulfild, @at flood haue ywasshe
A 10170	Clene awey @e cursid blood @at caym ha@ ymakid.
A 10171	"Bestis @at now ben shuln banne @e tyme
A 10172	@at euere curside caym com on @is er@e;
A 10173	Alle shuln dei#e for his dedis be dounes ‘ hilles,
A 10174	Bo@e fisshis ‘ foulis, for@ mi[d] o@ere bestis,
A 10175	Outtake @e ei#te soulis, ‘ of iche beste a couple
A 10176	@at in @e [shynglid] ship shal ben ysauid;
A 10177	Ellis shal alle di#en ‘ to helle wenden."
A 10178	[@us] Woru# curside caym cam care vpon alle,
A 10179	And al for se[@] ‘ his sister children spouside ei@er o@er,
A 10180	A#en @e lawe of oure lord le[i#en] togideris,
A 10181	And [were] marie[d]d at meschief as men do now here children.
A 10182	For summe, as I se now, so@ for to telle,
A 10183	For coueitise of catel vnkyndely be maried.
A 10184	A carful concepcioun comi@ of such weddyng
A 10185	As fel of @e folk [@at I] before shewide.
A 10186	It is an vncomely copil, be crist, as [me @inke@],
A 10187	To #iuen a #ong wenche to an old feble,
A 10188	Or wedde any wydewe for any wele of godis,
A 10189	@at neuere shal bere [barne] but it be in armes.
A 10190	In gelosie, ioyeles, ‘ ianglyng [a] bedde,
A 10191	Manye peire si@en @[e] pestilence han p[l]i#t hem togidere.
A 10192	@e fruyt @at @ei bringe for@ arn manye foule wordis.
A 10193	Haue @ei no children but ch[este], ‘ choppis [betwene].
A 10194	@ei# @ei don hem to dunmowe, but #if @e deuil helpe
A 10195	To folewe aftir @e flicche, fecche @ei it neuere;
A 10196	But #if @ei bo@e be forsworn @at bacoun @ei tyne.
A 10197	For@i I counseile alle cristene coueite not be weddit
A 10198	For coueitise of catel or of kynrede riche,
A 10199	But maidenis ‘ maidenis macche #ow ysamme;
A 10200	Wydeweris ‘ wydewis werchi@ ri#t also;
A 10201	And [@anne] glade #e god @at al good sendi@.
A 10202	For in [vn]tyme, treweliche, betwyn m[a]n ‘ womm[a]n
A 10203	Shulde no bedbourd be; but @ei were bo@e clene
A 10204	Of lif ‘ of loue ‘ of lawe also
A 10205	@at dede derne do no man ne shulde.
A 10206	As betwyn sengle ‘ sengle, si@@e lawe ha@ ygrauntid
A 10207	@at iche man haue a make in [mariage] of wedlak
A 10208	And [werche] on his wyf ‘ on no womman ellis,
A 10209	@at o@ere gatis ben geten for gadelynges ben holden;
A 10210	And @at ben fals fold, ‘ fals eires also, foundlynges ‘ [lei#eris],
A 10211	Vngracious to gete loue or any good ellis,
A 10212	But wandri@ [as wolues] S wasti@ [#if] @ei mowe;
A 10213	A#ens dowel hy don euele, ‘ @ deuil plesen,
A 10214	And aftir here de@ day shuln dwelle with @e same
A 10215	But #if god [g]iue h[e]m grace here to amende.
A 10216	@anne is dowel to dreden, ‘ dobet to suffre,
A 10217	And so comi@ dobest aboute, and bringe@ doun mody,
A 10218	And @at is wykkide wil @at many werk shendi@.'
                                       XI
A 11001	@anne hadde wyt a wyf @at hatte dame studie,
A 11002	@at lene was of lich ‘ of lo[u#] chere.
A 11003	She was wondirliche wrop @at wyt so tau#te,
A 11004	And sterneliche staringe dame studie seide:
A 11005	'Wel art @ou wys, wyt,' qua@ she, 'any wisdomis to telle
A 11006	To flatereris or to folis @at frentyk ben of wittis,'
A 11007	And blamide hym [and bannide hym] ‘ bad hym be stille--
A 11008	Wi@ suche wise wordis to wisse any foolis!
A 11009	And seide, 'Nolite mittere, Man, margerie perlis
A 11010	Among hogges @at hauen hawen at wille.
A 11011	@ei do but drauele @eron; draf were hem leuere
A 11012	@anne al @e precious perrie @at in paradis wexi@.
A 11013	I say be @o,' qua@ she, '@at shewen be ehre werkis
A 11014	@at hem were leuere lond, ‘ lordsshipe on er@e,
A 11015	Or ricchesse or rentis, ‘ reste at here wille,
A 11016	@anne alle @e so@e sawis @at salamon seide euere.
A 11017	Wisdom and wyt now is not wor@ a risshe
A 11018	But it be cardit wi@ coueitise as clo@eris don here wolle;
A 11019	@at can construe deseites, ‘ conspire wrongis,
A 11020	And lede for@ a loueday to lette @e treu@e,
A 11021	@at suche craftis conne [counseil ben yclepid],
A 11022	And ben seruid as sires @at serue @e deuil.
A 11023	Iob @e ientile in his gestis seide it:
		Quare via impiorum p[ros]peratur, [bene] est omnibus qui praue 		agunt ‘
inique?
A 11024	And he @at ha@ holy writ ay in his mou@,
A 11025	And can telle of tobie ‘ of @e twelue apostlis,
A 11026	Or prechen of @e penaunce @at pilat[u]s wrou#te
A 11027	To iesu @e gentil @at Iewis todrowe
A 11028	On crois vpon caluarie, as clerkis vs techi@,
A 11029	Litel is he louid or lete by @at suche a lessoun techi@,
A 11030	Or daun[cel]id or drawe for@; @ise disours wyte @e so@e.
A 11031	For #if harlotrie ne halp[e] hem betere, haue god my trou@e,
A 11032	More @anne musik, or makyng of god almi#t,
A 11033	Wolde neuere king, ne kni#t, ne canoun of seint poulis
A 11034	#iue hem to here #eris#iue @e value of a grote
A 11035	Menstralsie ‘ mer@e among men is nou@e
A 11036	Leccherie ‘ losengerie ‘ loselis talis;
A 11037	Glotonye ‘ grete o@is, @ise arn games nowadayes.
A 11038	Ac #if @ei carpen of crist, @ise clerkis ‘ @ise lewid,
A 11039	At mete [in here] mer@e, whanne mynstralis ben stille,
A 11040	@anne telle @ei of @e trinite how two slowe @e @ridde,
A 11041	And bringe for@ a ballid resoun, t[a]k[e] bernard to witnesse,
A 11042	And putte for@ presumpcioun to proue @e so@e.
A 11043	@us @ei dryuelen at here deis @e deite to knowe,
A 11044	And gnawen god in [@e gorge] whanne here guttis fullen.
A 11045	Ac @e carful may cri#en ‘ carpe at @e #ate,
A 11046	Bo@e for hungir ‘ for @rest, ‘ for chele quak[e];
A 11047	Is non to nymen hym In ne his [noye] amende,
A 11048	But hunsen hym as an hound ‘ hoten hym go @enne.
A 11049	Litel loui@ he @at lord @at leni@ hym al @at blisse,
A 11050	@at @us parti@ wi@ @e poore a parel whanne hym nedi@.
A 11051	Nere mercy in mene men more @an in riche
A 11052	[Mendynaunt#] meteles mi#te go to bedde.
A 11053	God is muche in @e [gorge] of @is grete maistris,
A 11054	Ac among [mene] men his mercy ‘ his werkis,
A 11055	And so sei@ @e sauter, se[ke] it in Memento:
		Ecce audiuimus eam in effrata, inuenimus eam in campis silue.
A 11056	Clerkis and k[ete] men carpen of god faste,
A 11057	And han [hym] muchel in here mou@, ac mene men in herte.
A 11058	Freris and faitours han founden vp suche questiouns
A 11059	To pleise wi@ proude men, si@en @e pestilence tyme,
A 11060	@at defouli@ oure f[ei@] at fest[is] @ere @ei sitten.
A 11061	For now is iche boy bold, ‘ he be riche,
A 11062	To tellen of @e trinite to be holden a sire,
A 11063	And fyndi@ for@ fantasies oure fei@ to apeire,
A 11064	And [ek] defame @e fadir @at vs alle made,
A 11065	And carp[en] a#ens clergie crabbide wordis:
A 11066	"Why wolde oure sauiour suffre such a worm in his blisse
A 11067	@at he gilide @e womman ‘ @e wy aftir,
A 11068	@oru# whiche a werk ‘ wille @ei wenten to helle,
A 11069	And alle here seed for here synne @e same wo suffride?"
A 11070	Suche motifs @ei meuen, @ise maistris in here glorie,
A 11071	And make men to mysbeleue @at musen on here wordis.
A 11072	Ac austyn @e olde for alle suche @rechide,
A 11073	And for suche tale telleris suche a teme shewide:
A 11074	Non plus sapere quam oportet.
A 11075	Wilne@ neuere to wyte why that god wolde
A 11076	Suffre sathan his sed to bigile,
A 11077	Ac beleue lelly o[n @e] lore of hly chirche,
A 11078	And preye hym of pardoun ‘ penaunce [in] @i lyue,
A 11079	And for his muchel mercy to amende vs here.
A 11080	For alle @at wilne@ to wyte @e [whyes] of god almi#t,
A 11081	I wolde his ei#en wern in his ars ‘ his hele aftir
A 11082	@at euere eft wilne@ to wyte why [@at] god wolde
A 11083	Suffren sathan his sed to bibile,
A 11084	[O]r Iudas @e Iew Iesu betraye[n].
A 11085	--Al was as he wolde; lord yworsshipid be @ou,
A 11086	And al wor@ as @ou wilt, whatso we telle--
A 11087	And now comi@ a conyon ‘ wolde cacche of my wittes
A 11088	What is dowel fro dobet; now def mote he wor@e,
A 11089	Si@en he wilne@ to wyte which @ei ben alle.
A 11090	But he lyue in @e leste degre @at longi@ to dowel
A 11091	I dar be his bolde boru# do bet wile he neuere,
A 11092	@ei# dobest drawe on hym day aftir o@er.'
A 11093	And whanne @at wyt was war how his wif tolde
A 11094	He beco[m] so confus he cou@e nou#t mele,
A 11095	[And] also doumb as a dore drou# hym asid.
A 11096	Ac for no carping I cou@e, ne knelyng to @e ground,
A 11097	I mi#te gete no g[r]ayn of hise grete wyttes,
A 11098	But al lau#inge he loutide ‘ lokide vpon studie
A 11099	In signe @at I shulde beseke hire of grace.
A 11100	And whanne I was war of his wil to his wif gan I knele,
A 11101	And seide, 'mercy madame, #our man shal I wor@e
A 11102	For to werche #our wil [while] my lif duri@,
A 11103	[To] kenne me kyndely to knowe what is dowel'.
A 11104	'For @i meknesse, man,' qua@ she, 'and for @i mylde speche,
A 11105	I shal kenne @e to my cosyn @at clergie is hoten.
A 11106	He ha@ weddit a wif wi@inne @ise woukes sixe,
A 11107	Is sib to @e seuene ars @at scripture is nempnid.
A 11108	@ei two, [as] I hope, aftir my besekyng,
A 11109	Shuln wisse @e to dowel, I dar wel vndirtake.
A 11110	@anne was I [as] fayn as foul of fair morewen,
A 11111	Gladdere @anne @e geman @at gold ha@ to #ifte,
A 11112	And axide hire @e Hei#e wey where clergie [dwell]ide,
A 11113	'And tel me sum tikne to hym, for tyme is @at I wende'.
A 11114	'Axe @e hei#e wey,' qua@ heo, 'from henis to suffre
A 11115	Bo@e wele ‘ wo #if @at @ou wile lerne,
A 11116	And rid for@ be ricchesse, ac reste @ou not @ereinne,
A 11117	For #if @ou coupl[e] @e with hym to clergie comist @ou neuere;
A 11118	And ek @e longe launde @at leccherie hatte,
A 11119	Leue hym on @i left half a large myle or more,
A 11120	Til @ou come to a court, kepe wel @i tunge
A 11121	F[ro] lesinges ‘ li[@er] speche ‘ likerous drinkes.
A 11122	@anne shalt @ou se sobirte, ‘ simplite of speche,
A 11123	@at iche wi#t be in wille his wyt @e to shewen;
A 11124	So shalt @ou come to clergie @at can many wyttes.
A 11125	Sey hym @is signe, I sette hym to scole,
A 11126	And @at [I] grete wel his wyf for I wrot hire @e bible,
A 11127	And sette hire to sapience ‘ to hire sauter yglosid.
A 11128	Logik I lerid hire, ‘ al @e lawe aftir,
A 11129	And alle @e musons of musik I made hire [to] knowe.
A 11130	Plato @e poete, I putte hym ferst to boke;
A 11131	Aristotel ‘ o@ere mo to arguen I tau#te;
A 11132	Gramer for girles I garte ferst write,
A 11133	And bet hem wi@ a baleis but #if @ei wolde lerne.
A 11134	[Of] alle kynne craftis I contreuide tolis,
A 11135	Of carpenteris ‘ kerueris; [I] kende ferst masons,
A 11136	And lernide h[e]m lyuel ‘ lyne @ei# I loke dymme.
A 11137	Ac theologie ha@ tenid me ten score tymes,
A 11138	For @e more I mue @eron @e mistlokere it semi@,
A 11139	And @e deppere I deuynide @e derkere me @ou#te;
A 11140	It is no science forso@e for to sotile @ereinne.
A 11141	Ne were @e loue @at i@ @erein a wel lerwid @ing it were.
A 11142	Ac for it lat best be loue I loue it @e betere,
A 11143	For @ere @at loue is lord lakki@ neuere grace.
A 11144	Leue lelly @eron #if @ou @enke do wel,
A 11145	For dobet ‘ dobest ben drawen of louis s[co]le.
A 11146	In o@er science it sei@, I sai# it in catoun,
A 11147	Qui sim[u]lat verbis, nec corde est fidus amicus,
A 11148	[Tu quoque fac simile:  sic ars deluditur arte].
A 11149	Ac theologie techi@ not so, who[so] taki@ heed;
A 11150	He kenni@ vs @e contrarie, a#ens catonis wordis,
A 11151	And [biddi@] vs ben as bre@eren, ‘ blissen oure enemys,
A 11152	And louen hem @at li#en on vs, ‘ lenen hem at here nede,
A 11153	And do good a[g]ens euil; god hymself hoti@
A 11154	And seide it hymself in ensaumple for @e beste:
		Necesse est vt veniant scandala.
A 11155	Astronomye is hard @ing ‘ euil for to knowe;
A 11156	Geometrie ‘ geomesie is gynful of speche;
A 11157	@at @inke@ werche wi@ @o @re @riue@ wel late,
A 11158	For sorcerie is @e souerayn bok @at to @at science longi@.
A 11159	#et arn @ere febicchis of Forellis of many manis wittes,
A 11160	Experimentis of alkenemye of albertis makyng,
A 11161	Nigromancie ‘ per[i]mansie @e pouke to reisen;
A 11162	#if @ou @enke do wel deile @erewith neuere.
A 11163	Alle @ise sciences, sikir, I myself
A 11164	Foundit hem formest folk to desceyue.
A 11165	I bekenne @e crist,' qua@ she, 'I can teche @e no betere.'
A 11166	I seide 'graunt mercy madame,' ‘ mekly hire grette
A 11167	And wente wi#tly my wey wi@oute more lettyng,
A 11168	And fond as she foretolde ‘ for@ gan I wende,
A 11169	And er I com to clergie coude I neuere stynte.
A 11170	I grette @e goode man as @e gode wyf me tau#te,
A 11171	And aftirward his wyf I worsshipide bo@e,
A 11172	And tolde hire @e toknes @at me ytau#t were.
A 11173	Was neuere [gome] vpon @is ground, si@@e god makid heuene,
A 11174	Fairere vndirfonge ne frendliere mad at ese
A 11175	@anne myself so@ly so sone [as] heo it wiste
A 11176	@at I was of wyttis hous ‘ wi@ his wyf dame stodie.
A 11177	Curteisliche cleri[e] c[o]llide me ‘ kiste,
A 11178	And axide how wyt ferde ‘ his wif studie,
A 11179	And I sei[d]e, 'so@liche, @ei sente me hider
A 11180	To lere at #ow dowel ‘ dobet @eraftir,
A 11181	And si@en aftirward to se sumwhat of dobest'.
A 11182	'It is a wel lel[e] lif,' qua@ she, 'among @e lewide peple;
A 11183	Actif it is hoten; [husbondis] it vsen,
A 11184	Trewe tilieris on er@e, taillours ‘ souteris
A 11185	And alle kyne crafty men @at cunne here foode wynne,
A 11186	Wi@ any trewe trauaille toille for here foode,
A 11187	Diken or deluen dowel it hatte.
A 11188	To breke breke beggeris bred ‘ bakken hem with clo@is,
A 11189	Counforte @e carful @at in castel ben fetterid,
A 11190	And seken out @e seke ‘ sende hem @at hem nedi@,
A 11191	Obedient as bre@eren ‘ sustren to o@ere,
A 11192	@[i]s be[@] dobet; so beri@ witnesse @e sauter:
		Ecce quam bonum ‘ quam iocundum habitare Fratres in vnum.
A 11193	Sike with @e sory, singe with @e glade,
		Gaudere cum gaundentibus Et flere cum flentibus,
A 11194	[Dredles] @is is dobet; [dobest wot @e so@e].
A 11195	Sire dobest ha@ ben [in office], so is he best wor@i
A 11196	Be @at god in @e gospel graunti@ ‘ techi@:
		Qui facit ‘ docuerit magnus vocabitur in regno celorum.
A 11197	For@i is dobest [a] bisshopis pere,
A 11198	Prince ouer godis peple to prechen or to chaste.
A 11199	Dobet do@ ful wel, ‘ dewid he is also,
A 11200	And ha@ possessions ‘ pluralites for pore menis sake;
A 11201	For mendynaunt# at meschief @[o] men wre dewid,
A 11202	And @at is ri#tful religioun, none renneris aboute,
A 11203	Ne no leperis ouer lond ladies to shryue.
A 11204	Gregory @e grete clerk, a good pope in his tyme,
A 11205	Of religioun @e rewele he reherside in his morals,
A 11206	And seide it in ensaumple @at @ei shulde do @e betere:
A 11207	"Whanne fisshes faile @e flood or @e fresshe watir
A 11208	@ei di#e for @e drou#te, whanne @ei drei#e lengen;
A 11209	Ri#t so be religioun, it roile@ ‘ sterui@
A 11210	@at out of couent ‘ cloistre coueiten to libben".
A 11211	Ac now is religioun a ridere ‘ a rennere [be stretis],
A 11212	A ledere of l[oue]d[a]ies ‘ a lond biggere;
A 11213	Poperi@ on a palfrey [fro] toune to toune;
A 11214	A bidowe or a baselard he beri@ be his side;
A 11215	Godis flessh, ‘ his fet, ‘ hise fyue woundis
A 11216	Arn more in his mynde @an @e memorie of his foundours.
A 11217	@is is @e lif of @is lordis @at lyuen shulde wi@ dobet,
A 11218	And welawey wers and I [wo]lde al telle.'
A 11219	'I wende @at kinghed, ‘ kni#thed, ‘ caiseris wi@ Erlis
A 11220	Wern dowek, ‘ dobet, ‘ dobest of hem alle,
A 11221	For I haue sei#e it myself, ‘ si@@en red it aftir,
A 11222	How crist counseilli@ @e comune ‘ kenne@ hem @is tale:
A 11223	Super cathedram moisi sederunt principes.
A 11224	For@i I wende @at @o wyes wern dobest of alle.'
A 11225	'I nile not scorne,' qua@ scripture, 'but scryueyns li#e,
A 11226	Kinghod ‘ kni#thod, for au#t I can aspie,
A 11227	Helpi@ nou#t to heuene[ward] at one #eris ende,
A 11228	Ne ricchesse, ne rentis, ne realte of lordis.
A 11229	Poul proui@ it is vnpossible, riche men in heuene.
A 11230	Ac pore men in pacience ‘ penaunce togidere
A 11231	Hauen eritage in heuene, ac riche men non.'
A 11232	'Contra,' qua@ I, 'be crist!@at can I @e wi[@sigg]e,
A 11233	And prouen it be @e pistil @at petir is nempnid:
A 11234	Qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit saluus erit.'
A 11235	'@at is in extremis,' qua@ scripture, 'as sarisines ‘ Iewis
A 11236	Mowe be sauid so, ‘ so is oure beleue.
A 11237	@at arn vncristene in @at cas may cristene an he@ene,
A 11238	And for his lele beleue, whanne he his lif tyne@,
A 11239	Haue eritage in heuene as an hei# cristene.
A 11240	Ac cristene men, god wot, comi@ not so to heuene,
A 11241	For cristene han a degre ‘ is @e comun speche:
A 11242	Dilige deum ‘c, Et proximum tuum sicut teipsum.
A 11243	Godis work witnessi@ we shuln #iue ‘ dele
A 11244	Oure enemys and alle men @at arn nedy ‘ pore,
A 11245	‘ suche [[shewi@] @is sermoun @at [sewi@] aftir]:
		Dum tempus est operemur bonum ad omnes, maxime autem ad
		domesticos fidei.
A 11246	Alle kynne creatures @at to crist be[n] l[lyche]
A 11247	We be holde hei#ly to herie ‘ honoure,
A 11248	And #iuen hem of oure good as good as oureseluen,
A 11249	And souereynliche to suche @at sewen oure beleue:
A 11250	@at is, iche cristene [creature] be kynde to o@er,
A 11251	And si@en he[@en] to helpe in hopehem to amende.
A 11252	To harme hem ne slen hem god hi#te vs neuere,
A 11253	For he sei@ it hymself in his ten hestis;
A 11254	Ne mecaberis, ne sle nou#t, is @e kynde englissh;
A 11255	For Michi vindictam et ego retribuam.
A 11256	I shal punisshen in purcatory or in @e put of helle
A 11257	Eche man for his mesdede but mercy it make.'
A 11258	--#et am I neuere @e ner for nou#t I haue walkid
A 11259	To wyte what is dowel witterly in herte,
A 11260	For howso I werche in @is world, [wrong] o@er ellis,
A 11261	I was markid wi@oute mercy, ‘ myn name entrid
A 11262	In @e legende of lif longe er I were,
A 11263	Or ellis [vn]writen for wykkid as witnessi@ @e gospel:
		Nemo ascendet ad celum nisi qui de celo descendit.
A 11264	And I leue on oure lord ‘ on no lettrure betere.
A 11265	For salamon @e sage, @at sapience made,
A 11266	God #af h[i]m grace ‘ ricchesse togidere
A 11267	For to reule his reaum ri#t at his wille;
A 11268	De[m]de he not wel ‘ wisly, as holy [writ] techi@,
A 11269	Bo@e in werk ‘ in woord, in world in his tyme?
A 11270	Aristotle ‘ he, who wrou#te betere?
A 11271	And al holy chirche holden hem in helle.
A 11272	And was @ere neuere in @is world to wysere of werkis,
A 11273	For alle cunnyng clerkis si@@e crist #ede on er@e
A 11274	Taken ensaumpl[e] of here sawis in sarmonis @at @ei maken,
A 11275	And be here werkis ‘ here wordis wissen vs to dowel,
A 11276	And #if I shal werke be here werkis to wynne me heuene,
A 11277	And for here werkis ‘ here wyt wende to pyne,
A 11278	@anne wrou#te I vnwisly wi@ alle @3 wyt @at I lere.
A 11279	A goode friday, I fynde, a feloun was sauid
A 11280	@at hadde lyued al his lyf wi@ lesinges ‘ @eft[e],
A 11281	And for he kneu# on @e crois ‘ to crist shr[o]f hym,
A 11282	Sonnere hadde he saluacioun @anne seint Ion @e prophetis
A 11283	Or adam, or ysaye, or any of @e prophetis
A 11284	@at hadde leyn with lucifer manye longe #eris;
A 11285	A robbere hadde remission ra@ere @anne @ei alle,
A 11286	Wi@oute penaunce of purcatorie to haue paradis for euere.
A 11287	@anne marie @e maudeleyn who mi#te do wers?
A 11288	Or who dede wers @anne dauid @at vrie destroyede,
A 11289	Or poule @e apostil @at no pite hadde
A 11290	Cristene kynde to kille to de@e?
A 11291	And arn no[ne], forso@e, souereynes in heuene
A 11292	As @ise @at wrou#te wykkidly in world whanne @ei were.
A 11293	And #et [haue] I forget[e fer@3r] of fyue wytttis teching
A 11294	@at clergie of cristis mou@ comendite [was hit] neuere,
A 11295	For he seide it hymself to summe of his disciplis:
A 11296	Dum steter[it]is ante [reges ‘] presides nolite cogitare,
A 11297	And is as muche to mene, to men @at ben lewid,
A 11298	'Wh[anne] #e ben aposid of princes or of prestis of @e lawe
A 11299	For to answere hem haue #e no doute,
A 11300	For I shal graunte #ow grace of god @at #e seruen,
A 11301	@e help of @e holy gost to answere hem [alle]'.
A 11302	@e dou#tiest doctour or fyuynour of @e trinite,
A 11303	@at [was] austyn @e olde, ‘ hi#este of @e foure,
A 11304	Seide @is for a sarmoun, so me god helpe:
A 11305	Ecce ipsi ydiot[e] rapiunt celum vbi nos sapientes
		in infernum mergemur.
A 11306	And is to mene in oure mou@, more ne lesse,
A 11307	Arn none ra@ere yrauisshid fro @e ri#te beleue
A 11308	@anne arn @ise [k]ete clerkis @at conne many bokis,
A 11309	Ne none sonnere ysauid, ne saddre of consience,
A 11310	@anne pore peple, as plou#men, and pastours of bestis,
A 11311	Souteris ‘ seweris; suche lewide iottis
A 11312	Percen wi@ a paternoster @e paleis of heuene
A 11313	Wi@oute penaunce at here partyng, into [@e] hei#e blisse.
                                       XII
A 12001	'Crist wot,' quod clergie, 'knowe hit #if @e lyke,
A 12002	I haue do my deuer @e dowel to teche,
A 12003	And whoso coueyte@ don betere @an @e boke telle@,
A 12004	He passe@ @e apostolis lyf, and [peryth] to aungelys.
A 12005	But I se now as I seye, as me so@ thinkyt#,
A 12006	@e were lef to lern but lo@ for to stodie;
A 12007	@ou woldest konne @at I can and carpen hit after;
A 12008	Presumptuowsly, parauenture, apose so manye
A 12009	That my#the turne m[e] to tene ‘ theologie bo@e.
A 12010	#if I wiste witterly @ou woldest don @erafter,
A 12011	Al @at @ou askest asoylen I wolde.'
A 12012	Skornfully @[o] scripture she[t] vp h[ere] browes,
A 12013	And on clergie crie@ on cristes holy name
A 12014	That he shewe me hit ne sholde but #if[I schriuen] were
A 12015	Of @e kynde cardinal wit, and cristned in a font,
A 12016	And seyde so loude @at shame me thou#the,
A 12017	@at hit were bo@e ska@e and sklaundre to holy cherche
A 12018	Sitthe theologie @e trewe to tellen hit defende@;
A 12019	'Dauid godes derling defendy@ hit also:
		Vidi preuarica[nt]es ‘ tabescebam.
A 12020	"I saw synful," he seyde, "@erfore I seyde no @ing
A 12021	Til @o wrecches ben in wil here synne to lete."
A 12022	And poul preche@ hit often, prestes hit redyn:
		Audiui archan[a uerba] que non licet homini loqui.
A 12023	"I am not hardy," quod he, "@at I herde with erys,
A 12024	Telle hit with tounge to tynful wrecches."    check text
A 12025	And god graunted hit neuere; @e gospel hit witnesse@
A 12026	In @e passioun, whan pilat aposed god almy#thi,
A 12027	And asked Iesu on hy @at herden hit an hundred.
A 12028	"Quid est ueritas?"  quod he; "verilyche tel vs."
A 12029	God gaf him non answere but gan his tounge holde.
A 12030	Ri#t so I rede,' quod she, 'red @ou no fer@er;
A 12031	Of @at he wolde wite wis him no betere;
A 12032	For he cam not by cause to lerne to dowel
A 12033	But as he sey@, such I am, when he with me carpe@.'
A 12034	And when scripture @e skilde hadde @is [skele] ysheued
A 12035	Clergie into a caban crepte anon after,
A 12036	And drow @e dore after him and bad me go do wel
A 12037	Or wycke #if I wolde, whe@er me lyked.
A 12038	@an held I vp myn handes to scripture @e wise
A 12039	To be hure man #if I most for eueremore after,
A 12040	With @at she wolde me wisse where @e toun were
A 12041	Kynde [wit] hure confessour, hure cosyn was Inne.
A 12042	@at lady @an low and lau#the me in here armes
A 12043	And sayde, 'my cosyn kynde wit knowen is wel wide,
A 12044	And his loggyng is with lyf @at lord is of er@e,
A 12045	And #if @ou desyre with him for to abyde
A 12046	I shal @e wisse [wynlyche] where @at he dwelle@'.
A 12047	And @anne I kneled on my knes and kyste her [fete] sone,
A 12048	And @anked hure a @ousand sy@es with @robbant herte.
A 12049	She called me a clerioun @at
A 12050	Hy#5 omnia probate, a pore @ing withalle;
A 12051	'@ou shalt wende with wil,' quod she, 'whiles @at him lyky@,
A 12052	Til #e come to @e burg[h] quod bonum est tenete.
A 12053	Ken him to my cosenes hous @at kinde wit hy#th.
A 12054	Sey I sente him @is segge, and @at he shewe hym dowel.'
A 12055	@us we lau#@e oure leue, lowtyng at onys,
A 12056	And wente for@ on my way with omnia probate,
A 12057	And ere I cam to @e court quod bonum est tenete
A 12058	Many ferlys me byfel in a fewe #eris.
A 12059	The fyrste ferly I fond afyngrid me made;
A 12060	As I #ede thurgh #ou@e, a#en prime dayes,
A 12061	I stode stille in a stodie and stared abowte.
A 12062	'Al hayl,' quod on @o, and I answered, 'welcome, ‘ with whom
		    be #e?'
A 12063	'I am dwellyng with deth, and hunger I hatte.
A 12064	To lyf in his lordshepe longyt my weye
A 12065	[To kyllyn him #if I can, @ei kynde wit helpe].
A 12066	I shal felle @at freke in a fewe dayes.'
A 12067	'I wolde folwe @e fayn, but fentesye me hende@;
A 12068	Me folwe@ such a fentyse, I may no fer@er walke.'
A 12069	'Go we for@,' quod @e gom, 'I haue a gret boyste
A 12070	At my bak of broke bred @i bely for to fylle,
A 12071	A bagge ful of a beggere.'  I bou#@e hit at onys.
A 12072	Than maunged I wit[h him] vp at @e fulle;
A 12073	For @e myssyng of mete no mesour I coude,
A 12074	[But ete as hunger me hete til my belly swellyd.
A 12075	@er bad me hunger haue gode day but I helde me stille;
A 12076	For gronyng of my guttys I durst gon no ferther].
A 12077	With @at cam a knaue with a confessoures face,
A 12078	[Lene ‘ rewylche, with leggys ful smale].
A 12079	He halsed me, and I asked him after
A 12080	Of when @at he wree, and wheder @at he wolde.
A 12081	'With de@ I duelle,' quod he, 'dayes and ny#tes.
A 12082	Mi name is feuere on @e fer@e day; I am a@rest euere.
A 12083	I am masager of de@; men haue I tweyne:
A 12084	@at on is called cotidian, a courour of oure hous;
A 12085	Tercian @at o@er; trewe drinkeres bo@e.
A 12086	We han letteres of lyf, he shal his lyf ty[n]e.
A 12087	Fro de@ @at is oure duk swyche dedis we brynge.'
A 12088	'My#th I so, god wot, #oure gates wolde I holden.'
A 12089	'Nay, wil.' quod @at 2y#th, 'wend @ou no ferther,
A 12090	But lyue as @is lyf is ordeyned for the.
A 12091	@[ou] tomblest wi@ a trepget #if @ou my tras folwe,
A 12092	And mannes mer@e w[or]@ no mor @an he deseruy@ here
A 12093	Whil his lyf and his lykhame lesten togedere.
A 12094	And @erfore do after dowel whil @i dayes duren,
A 12095	@at @i play be plentevous in paradys with aungelys.
A 12096	@ou shalt be lau#th into ly#th with loking of an eye
A 12097	So @at @ou werke @e word @at holy wryt teche@,
A 12098	And be prest to preyeres and profitable werkes.'
A 12099	Wille @urgh inwit [wiste] wel @e so@e,
A 12100	@at @is speche was spedelich, and sped him wel faste,
A 12101	And wrou#the @at here is wryten and o@er werkes bo@e
A 12102	Of peres @e plowman and mechel puple also.
A 12103	And whan @is werk was wrou#t, ere wille my#te aspie,
A 12104	De@ delt him a dent and drof him to @e er@e
A 12105	And is closed vnder clom, crist haue his soule.
A 12106	And so bad Iohan but busily wel ofte
A 12107	When he saw @es sawes busyly alegged
A 12108	By Iames and by Ierom, by Iop and by o@ere,
A 12109	And for he medle@ of makyng he made @is ende.
A 12110	Now alle kenne creatures @at cristene were euere
A 12111	God for his goudnesse gif hem swyche happes
A 12112	To lyue as @at lord lyky@ @at lyf in hem putte:
A 12113	Furst to rekne Richard, kyng of @is rewme,
A 12114	And alle lordes @at louyn him lely in herte,
A 12115	God saue hem sound by se and by land.
A 12116	Marie moder and may, for man @ou byseke
A 12117	@at barn bryng vs to blys @at bled vpon @e rode amen.