>
<?Title: The Dispute of the Body and the Soul>>
<Author: Anonymous>>
<<Date: Second half of the 13th century>>
<<This document contains a Transcription and Edition of six MSS: Auchinleck, 
ff. 31vB-35rA (A); Digby 102, ff. 136r-139v (D); English Poet. A.1 (Vernon), 
ff. 286rC-287rB (V); Laud 108, ff. 200v-203v.(L); Royal 18 AX. f. 61v-66v (R);
Additional 22283 (Simeon), f. 80vA-C (S); by S.G. Fernandez-Corugedo, Department 
of English Studies, University of Oviedo, Spain. Telephone: 34-8-5216135 
ext. 149 - 198 -137 / Telefax: 34-8-5228642 / E-Mail: (EARN) EOVUOV11 CMSFL1>>
<<The remaining text: MS Additional 37787, ff. 34r-45v (Ad), will be appended 
by the end of 1991. Meanwhile, see N.S. Baugh (1956): A Worcestershire Miscellany 
compiled by John Northwood. Philadelphia. (Privately printed)>>
<<Main editorial procedures: a) contractions have been expanded. b) lines are 
edited according to modern procedures in stanzas. c) editorial additions appear
between square brackets. d) Thorn= * / Cap Thorn= % / Yogh= + / Cap Yogh= $. 
e) the symbol > marks a line end or paragraph return.>>
>
>
>
<<Title: MS Auchinleck, ff. 31vB-35rA>>
>
<<%e desputisoun bitven *e bodi & *e soule>
>
1>
As y lay in a wynters ny+t>
In a droupening bifor *e day,>
Me *ou+t y sei+e a selli si+t:>
A bodi opon a bere lay>
He hadde ben a modi kni+t,>
& litel serued god to pay:>
For lorn he had his liues ly+t,>
%e gost moued out & wald oway.>
>
2>
When *e gost it schuld go,>
It biwent & wi* stode,>
Bihelod *e bodi *at it com fro>
Wi* reweful chere & dreri mode,>
& sayd: Allas & walewo,>
%ou fikel flesche, *ou fals blod,>
Whi liistow stinking so>
%at whilom was so wilde & wode?>
>
3>
%ou *at were ywont to ride>
So fair on hors in & out,>
A queint kni+t y kid ful wide>
Als a lioun fers & prout,>
Wher is now *i michel pride>
& *i lede *at was so loude?>
Whi liistow now so bare of side,>
Ypricked in a pouer schroude?>
>
4>
Whare ben al *ine wor*liche wede,>
%ine somers wi* *ine riche bed,>
%i proude palfrais & *y stede>
%at *ou about in destrer led?>
%ine haukes *at were won to grede [f. 32rA]>
& *ine grehoundes *at *ou fed,>
Me *enke *ine be ful gnede:>
Now alle *ine frendes be fro *e fled.>
>
5>
Whar ben *ine markes & *ine poundes,>
%i folk & *i fair fy+e,>
%i riche tresour bi rof & grounde,>
%i bri+t broches, ring & bei+e?>
Who durst *e bede stroke or wounde,>
When *i baner was rered on hei+e?>
Yuel artow proued in astounde,>
%i tayl is cutted *e ful nei+e.>
>
6>
Wher be *ine cokes snelle>
%at schuld go to gray*e *i mete>
Wi* swot spices for to smelle,>
%at *ou were neuer ful to frete, >
To make *i foule flesche to swelle,>
%at wilde wormes schal now ete?>
& ich haue *e peyne of helle>
%urch *i glotonie ygete.>
>
7>
Whare be *ine castels & *ine tours,>
%ine chaumbers & *ine hei+e halle>
%at paynted were wi* prout flours>
& *ine riche robes alle?>
%ine quiltes & *i couertours>
%i cendel & *i purpel palle?>
Wreche, ful derk it is *i bour,>
To morn *ou schalt *er in falle.>
>
8>
Whare be *ine glewemen *at schuld *e glewe>
Wi* harp & fi*el & tabour bete,>
Trompours *at *ine trumpes blewe?>
Hem *ou +eue +iftes grete>
Riche robes, held & newe>
Forto glewe *e: *er *ou sete;>
Tregettours *ar were vntrewe>
Of *e hye hadde grete bi+ete.>
>
9>
For to bere *i word ful wide>
& maky of *e rime & raf>
Riche men for pamp & pride>
Largeliche of *ine *ou+af:>
%e pouer +ede al bi side,>
Euer *ou hem ouer haf>
& +if *ai com in *ine vnride>
%ai were ystriken wi* a staf.>
>
10>
Of *e pouer *on it nam [f. 32rB]>
%at mani a glotoun ete & drank>
%ou no rou+test neuer of wham>
No who *er fore sore swank:>
%e riche was welcom *er he cam>
%e pouer was beten *at he stank.>
Now alle is gon in godes gram>
& *ou hast, wreche, litel *ank.>
>
11>
To morwe anon as it is day,>
Out of ki* fram alle *ine kin>
Alle bare *ou schalt wende oway>
& leuen al *ine warldes winne.>
Fram *e palays *at *ou in lay>
Wi* wormes is now ytaken *in in,>
%i bour is bilt wel cold in clay>
%e rof schal take to *i chin.>
>
12>
%ou *at neuer in alle *i liue>
Of *is warldes, mock mi+test be sad>
Now schaltow haue at al *i si*e>
Bot seuen fet vnne*e *at:>
%ou mi+t yse *e so*e & ki*e>
%at al is lorn *at *ou bi+at,>
No schaltow neuer make *e bli*e>
%er o*er men schal make hem glad.>
>
13>
Of alle *at *ou togiders drou+>
%ou were harder *an *e flint,>
Swiche schal make him large anou+>
%at *ou wel litel haddest ymint,>
%ou *at madest it so tou+>
Al *i bobaunce is now ystint:>
Ich may wepe *at *ou bi lou+>
For al mi ioie for *e is tint.>
>
14>
Thy fals air schal be ful fain,>
%i fair fe to vnderfo,>
Now wele is him *is day ysein,>
%at litel gode schal for ous do:>
He no wold nou+t +iue o+ain>
To bring ous in to rest & ro,>
Of alle *i lond an acre or tvain>
%at *ou so sinfuly com to.>
>
15>
%i wiif no wil no more wepe>
To ni+t no mi+t he have no rest,>
No for fele *ou+tes slepe,>
To wite what maner mi+t be best>
In *i stede for to crepe [f.32vA]>
Bi *is hye wot ano*er al prest.>
Be *ou be to morwen doluen depe>
Anon *ai schal be trew*e fest.>
>
16>
Now schul *ine sekatours seck>
Al *i gode when *ou art ded,>
Al togider schal go to wrek>
Haue men deled a litel bred.>
Ich man pike what he may skek>
Hors & swine, schepe & net>
Gold & siluer, da*et who rec>
Ne be we bo*e bitau+t *e qued.>
>
17>
Now may *ine nei+bours liue>
Wreche *atow hast wo ywrou+t,>
%ou stintest neuer wi* *em to striue>
Til *ai were to pouert brou+t,>
He was *i frende *at wald *e +iue>
& *i fo *at +af *e nou+t,>
%e curs is comen *at now wil cliue>
%at mani a man ha* *e bisou+t.>
>
18>
Now be* *e bedes on *e li+t,>
Wreche, *er y se *e lie,>
%at mani a man bad day & ni+t>
& lay on her knes to crie:>
Allas, *at ich wreched wi+t>
Schal so gilteles abie>
%ine misdedes & *ine vnti+t>
& for *e hard paines drie.>
>
Corpus respondit anime.>
>
19>
When *e gost wi* reweful chere>
Hadde ymaked *is michel mone,>
%e bodi *er it lay on bere:>
A gastlich *ing as it was on.>
Lift vp his heued opon the swere,>
As it were sike it gan to gron>
& seyd: Whe*er *ou art mi fere>
Mi gost *at is fro me gon?>
>
20>
It seyd: Whe*er *ou be mi gast,>
%at me abreidest of min vnhap?>
Vncomli me *ou+t min hert brast>
When de* so diolfuli me drap:>
Y nam *e first, no wor* *e last>
%at ha* ydronken of *at nap,>
Nis non so kene *at he is cast>
%e prodest arst may kepe his clap. [f. 32vB]>
>
21>
Wele y wot *at y schal rote:>
So dede Alisaunder & Cesar,>
%at no man mi+t of hem finde a mot>
No of *e moder *at hem bar:>
Wirmes ete her white *rote>
So schal mine, wele am y war,>
When de* so scharpliche schet his schot>
%er nis non o+ain char.>
>
22>
%er y sei+e bo*e clerk & kni+t>
& old man bi gates go:>
Y was a +ong man & li+t>
& euer wende to liui so;>
Halles hei+e & bours bri+t>
Y hadde ybilt & mir*es mo>
Mi woning here wel wele ydi+t>
& now de* ha* me dempt *er fro.>
>
23>
Mi woning here wel wor*li wrou+t,>
& wende to liui +eres fele,>
Wodes, wones, watres y bou+t>
Wi* al *at ich mi+t pike & spele;>
%e world is torned to+ain mi *ou+t,>
When de* *at stilly can stele,>
& ha* me dempt oway wi* nou+t,>
& o*er welden alle mi wele.>
>
24>
Soule, +if +ou it me wilt atwite,>
%at we schul be bo*e yspilt,>
çif *ou hast schame & gret despite,>
Al it is *ine owhen gilt;>
Y *e say at wordes lite>
Wi* ri+t resoun +if *atow wilt,>
%ou berst *e blame & y go quite>
%ou scholdest fram schame ous haue yschilt.>
>
25>
For god *e schope after his schaft>
& +af *e bo*e wit & skille,>
In *i lokeing y was laft>
To wissi after *ine owhen wille.>
I no cou*e neuer of wiche craft,>
No wist what was gode no ille,>
Bot as a bodi doumbe & daft:>
As *ou tau+test me *er tille.>
>
26>
Se**en y was tau+t *e to +eme>
A witteles best as y was born>
& for to serui *e to queme>
Bo*e aneuen & eke amorn, [f. 33rA]>
%ou *at cou*est domes deme,>
%ou schult haue ben war biforn,>
Of me soule *ou haddest to +eme,>
Wite *i self *ou art forlon.>
>
Iterum anima corpori>
>
27>
%e soule seyd: Bodi, be stille;>
Who hast *e lerned al *is witt?>
%ou castest me *i wordes grille,>
& list ybollen as a bit;>
What wenestow, wreche, *ei *ou fille>
Wi* *i foule flesche a pit,>
Of al *ine dedes *ou hast don ille,>
%at *ou so li+teliche schal go quit?>
>
28>
What, wenestow, wreche, to gete gri*>
%ei *ou le+e loken in clay?>
& *ei *ou roti pil & pi*,>
& blowe wi* winde oway,>
çete *ou schal com lim & li*>
O+ain to me at domesday,>
Stond at court & y *e wi*>
To kepe *ere our hard pay.>
>
29>
For in *i lokeing y was laft,>
For to do astow me bede,>
%e bridel wi* *e te* *ou lau+t,>
& dedest ay o+ain mi red:>
To schame & sorwe it was *i drau+t,>
To vilanie & wickedhed,>
çern y chidde & wi* *e fau+t>
& euer *ou toke *ine owhen red.>
>
30>
Y bad *e *enke in soule nedes,>
Messes, matines & euen song,>
%ou seyd *ou most don o*er dedes,>
For *at was ydel mannes gong:>
To wode or to feld *ou +edest,>
Or to court, to deme wrong,>
Bot for pride or gret medes>
Litel gode *ou dest among.>
>
31>
Who may more tresoun do>
Or his lord better bigine>
%an he *at al his trist is to,>
& is wi* him as owhen hyne?>
%o *at *ou were *riuen & *ro,>
& knewen all werkes mine,>
%i selue *ou puruaidest rest & ro [f. 33rB]>
& damnedest me to helle pine.>
>
32>
Now may wilde bestes ren>
& woni vnder linde & lef>
Foules fle bi feld & fen>
Se**en *i wreched hert clef:>
%ine ei+en er blinde & may nou+t kenne>
%i mou*e is doumbe, *in er is def,>
& lo*ly list on me to greuue>
>
33>
%ar nis no leuedi bri+t of ble>
%at wele was wont of *e to lete,>
%at oni+t wald ly bi *e>
For *ing *ou mi+test hir bihete:>
%ou art vnsemly for to se>
Vncomly for to kis swete,>
%ou no hast no frende *at nil *e fle,>
& *ou com starteling in *e strete.>
>
Corpus respondit anime.>
>
34>
%an *e bodi bigan to say:>
Soule *ou hast wrang ywis>
Al *i gilt on me to lay>
%at *ou hast lorn heuen blis;>
Whar was y bi wode or way,>
Sat or stode or dede ou+t mis>
%at y no was euer vnder *ine ay:>
Wele *ou worst & so*e it is>
>
35>
Or whare +ede ich vp & doun>
%at y no bare *e at mi bac,>
& was *ine hors fram toun to toun,>
At eueri stede ymake *e mak?>
Ful wele *ou wistest of mi roun,>
What ich dede or what y spac,>
Bi skil *ou art ybrou+t adoun>
& y go quite wi*outen lac.>
>
36>
For al *e while *ou was mi fere>
Ich hadde alle *at me was nede:>
Ich mi+t yse, speke & here>
çede & rode, drank & ete;>
Lo*liche ischaunched is mi chere,>
Se**en *e time *at *ou me lete,>
Def & doumbe y ligge on bere,>
Y no may stir hond no fet.>
>
Iterum anima corpori>
>
37>
%e soule seyd: It is no dout>
About bodi *ou me bare: [f. 33vA]>
%ou mostest nedes, *ou were wi*out>
Hond & fot, & were al war;>
Bot astow bar me about>
Y no mi+t nou+t do *e lest char,>
%er fore mot ich nedes stoupe,>
So do* he *at o*er no dar.>
>
38>
In a woman were we bred>
& born togiders bo*e to>
& on o barm forsterd & fed>
Ay til *ou cou*e speke & go:>
For loue softliche y *e led>
No durst y neuer do *e wo,>
To lese *e y was for dred,>
Y nist whare to gete mo.>
>
39>
Y sei+e *e fair of flesche & blod>
Al mi loue in *e y cast,>
%atow me brewe me *ou+t gode>
& lete *e haue ro & rest:>
%at made *e wel stern of mod>
& of dedes wel vnwrast,>
To wer wi* *e was me no bot>
%ou bar me opon *i brest.>
>
40>
Glotonie & licherie>
Pride & hat & coueytise>
Ni*e & ond & envie>
O+aines god & alle hise,>
In *at lustes for to lye,>
Whas *i won in al wise>
%at schal y wel dere abye,>
No wonder *ei me sore agrise.>
>
41>
Oft we were togiders *rat>
What we schuld bo*e haue>
Litel hede tok *ou of *at>
When *ou sei+e ded nen in graue;>
%ou dest al *at *e warld *e bad>
& *at *i foule flesche wold craue>
& y *e suffred & dede as mad,>
%ou to be maister & y *i knaue.>
>
42>
%ou *at were so wor*ly wrou+t>
%ou seyst y maked *e mi *ral:>
Al *at euer *e of rou+t>
%ou it dest & y for hal.>
& y no misdede neuer nou+t>
No y no raft, no y no stal, [f. 33vB]>
Of *e com euer *e first *ou+t:>
Abigge who so bigge schal.>
>
43>
Ac haddestow so Crist it ou*e>
çif me hunger, *rost & cold,>
& chasted me *at no gode no cou*e>
To bismar when *at y was bold>
Swiche as y lerd in mi +ou*e>
Ich used when *at y was old,>
& went at wil nor* & sou*e>
& lete *e haue *i wil at wold.>
>
44>
To sinne *ou wist it was mi kinde>
As al mankinde is al so>
& be *is wreche worl minde>
& euer couayt mo & mo:>
%ou schust haue leten me fast binde>
When y to sinne wold haue go,>
Bot when *e blinde lat *e blinde>
In diche *ai falle bo*e to.>
>
45>
%an *e soule bigan to wepe>
& seyd: Bodi, allas, allas!>
%at ich euer sei+e *e +ete,>
For al mi loue on *e y las;>
As *ou louedest me *ou lete>
& madest me an houue of glas,>
& y dede *at *e *ou+t swete>
& *ou mi traitour euer was.>
>
46>
When y bad *e schrift take>
& lete *ine sinnes ay & o>
Do penaunce, fast & wake>
%e fende seyd: %ou schalt nou+t so.>
So +ong *i riot to for sake>
& euer to liue in sorwe & wo;>
He bad *e ioie & mir*e make>
& *enke to liue +eres mo.>
>
47>
& when y bad *e arliche arise>
& nimen of *i soule kepe>
%ou seydest *ou no mi+test in non wise>
For *i miri morwe slepe;>
When +e *re hadde sett +our asise,>
No wonder *ei y sore wepe,>
çe ladde me bi +our enprise>
As *e bucher do* *e schepe.>
>
48>
& when y bad *e lete pride>
%at *ou no bere *e nou+t so stout, [f. 34rA]>
%e foule fende was *e bi side>
& bad *ou schust be fers & proude,>
& weri riche robes wide>
& nou+t as a begger in a clout,>
& on hei+e hors ride>
Wi* fair meine in & out.>
>
49>
When *ou hast ytold *i fals tale,>
Ay *ou were o+ain me forsworn:>
Al *ou held tretefale>
%at men told *e biforn;>
çe ladde me bi doun & dale>
As men do* ox bi *e horn>
%er him schal be browe his bale>
%at his *rote schal be forsworn.>
>
50>
Ac +iue ichadde ben a nete,>
O*er a schepe o*er a swine,>
%at +ede about & drank & ete,>
& were yslawe & passed pine,>
%an hadde ich neuer ytaken kepe:>
No knowe *at ale fram *e wine>
%an hadde ich neuer com in helle depe>
Nou*e at mi last fine.>
>
51>
Ac *ei alle men vnder mone>
Ous to deme were sett on benche,>
On of *e paines ous schal be done>
%e lest peine no mi+t bi*enche;>
No helpes ous non bede no bone,>
No may we non wiles wrenche:>
Hellehoundes com sone>
& y no may nou+t fram hem blenche.>
>
Corpus respondit anime>
>
52>
And when *e bodi sei+e *e gast>
%is wo & *is mone make,>
Allas! it seyd, my loue y last>
%at y haue loved for *i sake.>
%at min hert no hadde y brast,>
When y was fro mi moder take,>
& se**en into a pit ycast>
Vnto anadder or to a snake.>
>
53>
%an hadde ich neuer ylerned>
What was iuel no what was gode>
No of *is warldes mok +erned,>
No paines *oly as y now mot:>
Owe wher no seynt no may ber our ernd [f. 34rB]>
To him *at bou+t ous wi* his blod>
In hellefire ar we be forbernd>
Of sum prayer may do ous bot.>
>
Iterum anima corpori>
>
54>
Nay bodi, nay, now is to lat>
For to pray or for to preche,>
Now *e wain is atte +at>
& *e tong ha* lorn his speche;>
O point of our payn to abat,>
In alle *e warld nis no leche,>
Ac sikerliche we go* o gat>
Swiche is godes hard wreche.>
>
55>
Ac haddestow a litel ere,>
While ous was togider liif ylent,>
When *ou feldest *e sike & sere,>
Have shriuen *e & *e fende yschent>
& haue ylate a reweful tere,>
& bisou+t Ihesu of amendement:>
%e *ortest neuer haue had fere>
%at he no wold ous grace haue sent.>
>
56>
Ac *ei alle *e men *at be* aliue>
Were prestes, messe for to sing>
& alle widowes & alle wiue>
Her hondes for *e wolde wring,>
No mi+t telle *e paines riue>
For so*e yseyd, wi*outen lesing:>
Se**en we no mi+t ous for schame schriue>
%at schuld ous now to ioie bring.>
>
57>
Bodi, y may no lenger duelle>
To stond for to speke wi* *e:>
Helle houndes here ich +elle>
& fendes mo *an y may se>
To com to feche me to helle,>
& y not whider y may fle,>
& *ou schalt com wi* flesche & felle>
At domesday & speke wi* me.>
>
58>
Hadde he no ra*er *is word yseyd>
It wist neuer whider to go,>
It was yhent in abrayd>
Wi* a *ousand fendes & +ete mo.>
& when *ai hadde on him ylayd>
Her scharpe hokes al *o>
It was in a sori playd>
Ytoiled bo*e to & fro. [f. 34vA]>
>
59>
Sum were rogged & rowe tayled>
Wi* brode boches on her bak,>
Scharpe clawed & long nailed:>
Nas no lim wi*outen lak.>
Rewefully he was aseyled>
Wi* many a fende blo & blak.>
Merci! he crid & litel vailed,>
When god wald take his hard wrak.>
>
60>
Som *e chauel al to*rast>
& +oten in *e led al hot>
& bad he schuld drink fast>
& birly about al o brod:>
A fende *er com atte last>
Maister he was, ful wele y wot,>
A colter glowend on him he cast>
%at *urch *e hert *e point it smot.>
>
61>
Glaiues glowend to him *ai sett>
To bac, to brest, in ich aside>
%at at *e hert *e pointes mett>
& made him woundes depe & wide:>
& *an *ai asked hou *at he let>
His hert *at was ful of pride,>
çif he hadde any *ing *at him hett,>
More schame him schuld bitide.>
>
62>
Wor*liche wede forto were>
%ai seyd *at he loued best,>
An heui brini for to bere>
Al glowend on him *ai kest>
Wi* hot claspes for to spere>
%at fast sat to bac & brest,>
& hiled al his o*er gere>
A stede him com al so prest.>
>
63>
%e stede was bridled wi* a bridel>
A curssed deuel as a cot,>
%at loude grad & +ened wide>
%e blo fire ber flei+e out at his *rote:>
In a sadel vp to *e mid side>
Ful of schrp pikes yschote>
As an hechel on to ride>
& al was gloweand eueri grot.>
>
64>
In *e sadel he was yslong>
As he schuld to *e turnament:>
A *ousand fendes on him dong,>
& al to peces him torent. [f. 34vB]>
At euerie dint *e spark out sprong>
As a brond *at were for brent,>
Wi* hote speres he was ystong>
& wi* *er hokes al torent.>
>
65>
& when he hadde riden *at foule rode>
In *e sadel *er he was sett>
%ai slong him doun als a tode>
& helle houndes to him lett,>
& breyd of him *e peces brode>
Wel dolefulliche he was ygret,>
%ere *e foule fendes glode>
O blod men mi+t folwe *e tred.>
>
66>
%ai bede he schuld hunti & blowe,>
& clepe for* Bausan & Bewe fi+ viis,>
His raches him were won to knowe,>
He schuld sone blowe *e priis:>
And hundred fendes on a rowe>
For* him driue, maugre his>
Til he com to *at lo*li lowe>
Helle, y wot, ycleped it is.>
>
67>
When he com to *at foule won>
%e fendes casten vp a +elle,>
%e er*e opened & tochon>
Smok & smor*er *erout welle:>
Of wild fir & of bronston>
Seuen mile men mi+t haue *e smelle;>
Wel wo is *e soule bigon>
%at schal suffri *at tende del.>
>
68>
& when *e soule *is si+t ysei+e>
Whider it schuld, it cast a crie,>
& seyd: Ihesu *at art on hei+e>
& on *i schaft *ou haue mercie.>
%ou madest me *at art so slei+e,>
%i creatour so was y,>
As o*er mani *at be* *e nei+e>
%at *ou so wele hast don by.>
>
69>
%ou *at wistest al bifore>
Whi madest *ou me to wro*e hele>
To be to togged & to tore>
Ano*er to welden al mi wele?>
%o wreches *ou woldest haue for lore>
Wele mi+testow hem hadde yspele,>
%at *ai no had neuer be bore>
To +iue *e ... ... ... ... ... [f. 35rA]>
>
70>
%an bi go ... ... ... ... ...>
Caitif, no ... ... ... ... ...>
To crie to ... ... ... ... ...>
No for to c... ... ... ... ...>
%ou hast f... ... ... ... ...>
%ou hast y... ... ... ... ...>
& *at schalt ... ... ... ... ...>
& al *at le... ... ... ... ...>
>
71>
%e foule fend ... ... ... ... ...>
Bi top & tay ... ... ... ... ...>
& slonggen i... ... ... ... ...>
Doun in to ... ... ... ... ...>
%er neuer s... ... ... ... ...>
Hem self *a ... ... ... ... ...>
%e er*e ano... ... ... ... ...>
Anon *e don ... ... ... ... ...>
>
72>
When it wa... ... ... ... ...>
In helle it ... ... ... ... ...>
On heveri ... ... ... ... ...>
Opon *e b... ... ... ... ...>
To Ihesu Cr... ... ... ... ...>
Oft he cr... ... ... ... ...>
For fere ... ... ... ... ...>
Com to ... ... ... ... ...>
>
73>
Y *onki ... ... ... ... ...>
His mic... ... ... ... ...>
%at sar... ... ... ... ...>
A sinful ... ... ... ... ...>
%o *at ... ... ... ... ...>
To schri... ... ... ... ...>
Nas ne... ... ... ... ...>
%at go ... ... ... ... ...>
>
74>
Ihesu *a ... ... ... ... ...>
& schope ... ... ... ... ...>
& wi* ... ... ... ... ...>
Of ame... ... ... ... ...>
%ine s... ... ... ... ...>
In heu... ... ... ... ...>
%i pass... ... ... ... ...>
%erto ... ... ... ... ...>
>
Explicit ... ... ... ... ...>>>
>
>
>
<Title: Digby 102, ff. 136r-139v>>
>
<<Disputacio inter corpus et animam incipit>
>
1>
As i lay in a wynter ny+t>
In a derkyng bifore *e day,>
%er *ou+t i se a selly si+t:>
A body on a bere lay>
That hadde ben a mody kny+t,>
And litil had serued god to pay:>
Lorne he hadde his lifes ly+t,>
%e gost was out & went away.>
>
2>
When *e gost was went hit fro,>
Hit with stynt and *er by stode,>
Bihelde *e body *er hit come fro>
With simple chere and drery mode,>
And saide: Allas & wele away,>
%u foule flesch, *u vile blode,>
Why lyes *u now stynkyng so>
%at sum tyme was so wilde & wode?>
>
3>
%ou *at was wonede to ride>
So hei+ on hors in & oute,>
So kene a kny+t & kidde so wyde>
As a lyoun fiers and proude,>
Wher is now *y michel pride>
& *i let *at was so loude?>
Why lyes *ou now so bare side,>
Prikked in so poure schroude?>
>
4>
Wher ar now alle *y worthy wedes,>
%i somers with thy riche beddes,>
Thy palfrays & *y proude stedes>
%at *ou aboute in deytre leddes?>
%y faukones *at were wonte to brede>
And grehoundes *at *ou feddes,>
Me thinke *i gode is now ful gnede:>
Now alle *y frendes arn fro *e fledde.>
>
5>
Wher ar *y castels & *y tours,>
%y chambre & *y hy+e halle>
%at payntede was wi* proude flours>
And *y riche robes alle,>
Thy quyltes & *y couertours,>
Thy cendal & *y purprepalle?>
So, wrecche, where is now *ou boure:>
To morne shal *ou *erin falle.>
>
6>
Wher be* now *y cokes snel>
%at shulde go & graith *y mete>
With riche spicere for to smel,>
%at *u was gredy forto frete, [f. 136v]>
That dede *y foule flesch swel,>
%at now shal foule wormes ete,>
And in *e hard put of hel>
Ffor *y glotonie mone grete?>
>
7>
Wher ar *y mynstrels *at schulde *e clue>
With harpe & fythel & tabouure bete?>
The pypers *at in bagges blue>
And *at *ou gaf *y +iftes grete,>
Thy proude robes aldre & nwe>
To +elpe on *e *er *ai sete;>
Suche truylers never true>
Of *e hadde gret bi+ete.>
>
8>
Ffor to bere thy word so wide>
And make of *e bo* rime & raf,>
Suche gylours for pompe & pride>
Largely of *yn *ou gaf;>
But *e pouer +eden al be side,>
Or euer ham *ou ouer haf,>
And if *ay come in eny vnride,>
Sone were *ay striken wi* a staf.>
>
9>
Of *e pouer *ou hit nam>
%at meny gloton ete & dranke,>
Never *ou+test *ou of wham,>
Ne who *erfore sore swanke>
The riche was wel come when he cam,>
%e poure was beter *at he stanke.>
Now is al gone with godis gram,>
And *ou haves, wreche litel thanke.>
>
10>
Of al *at *u to gider drogh>
And was wele harder *an *e flynt,>
Suche schul now make hem large ynogh>
%at *ou never haddest hit mynt,>
And *ou *at madest hit so togh,>
Al *y bost is sone stynt:>
Bot y may wepe *at *ou bysoght>
Ffor al my blis is for *e tynt.>
>
11>
%ou wrecche *at in al *y siht>
Was never of worldes wynner sade,>
Now has *ou ne*er lond no[r] liht>
Bot seuen fot & unne* *atte;>
Now sees *ou & *e soth wile kiht>
%at al is lorn *at *ou er gatte>
And shal nevermore be bliht>
Of *at other wele make hem gladde.>
>
12>
But to morn when it is day>
Out of li+t & al *y kynne,>
Bare shal *ou wende away>
And lef here: Al *y worldes wynnes.>
In proud palays if *ou here leay,>
Erth wormes now is taken *in yinne>
Thy boure is blist in ful cold clay,>
%e roue shal rest ri+t at *y chynne.>
>
13>
Wher ar *y markes & *y poundes,>
%y folc & *y faire fegh,>
%y grete tresour byrone & grounde:>
Bri+t broches, ryng & begh?>
Who durst bed *e stroke or wounde>
When *y baner was born on hegh?>
Yuel art *ou proved in a stounde:>
%y tail is brittled *e ful negh.>
>
14>
Thy fals heir is now ful fayn,>
%y faire fees to undergo,>
Wele is him *is day isseyn,>
%at litel good wile for *e do:>
Ne wold he nou+t gyue ageyn>
To brynge vs bo* to rest & ro,>
Of al *at lond a fot or tweyn>
%at *ou so synfully come to.>
>
15>
Now wil *y wyf no more wepe>
A ny+t nor shal she have no rest,>
Ne for fete *ou+tes slepe,>
What man hir byfel best>
In *y stede for to crepe>
Be *ys she wot of on al prest.>
Be *ou to morn doluen depe>
Sone *ay shulle be treu*[f]est.>
>
16>
Alle *y sectours shal now seke>
%y other catel; now *ou art dede>
Al shal sone go to wreke.>
Haue *ay delt a (/) litel brede; [f. 137r]>
Ilkon shal pyke *at he may skeke:>
Shepe or swyne, hors or nete.>
But litel *erof that vor reke>
Ffor we ar bo* bytau+t *e quede.>
>
17>
Now is *e cursyng on *e li+t,>
Wreche, *ere i se *e lye,>
%at meny on bad *e day & ny+t>
Knell and on *ayr knees to crye.>
Bot allas, *at i wreched wy+t>
Shall now so gultles abye>
Al *y schame & *y vnry+t>
Wi* sorwe & woo *at i shal drye.>
>
Audiens tunc corpus redargucionem spiritus et voce quasi iracundiosa sono qvodam >
lamentacionis horribilis sic respondit dicens:>
>
18>
And when *e gost wi* grisly chere>
Hadde *us made his michel mone,>
The body *er hit lay on bere:>
A grisly *yng as hit was one.>
The hed heved up & *er swere>
As thyng al seek hit gaf a grone,>
And saide: Whider *ou+test *ov fere>
%at is *us *roly fro me gone?>
>
19>
Hit saide: What ayle* *e now, gast,>
%at me *us braydes of my unhap?>
Ne wist *ou how my hert brast>
When de* so doefully me drap?>
I nam nou+t *e ferst ne be *e last>
%at shal drynke of *at nap;>
Nis nou so kene *at he nys cast>
%e pruddest may erest kepe his clap.>
>
20>
What braydest *ou me *at i shal rote?>
For so de[ê]e Sampson & Cesar,>
%at noman kan nou+t fynde a mote>
Of ham ne of *e moder *at ham bar:>
Wormes gno+en her aller *rote,>
As foul *ay ligge; now am y war:>
Ther de* wil come, suffre man mote,>
Ne may helpe non gayn chare.>
>
21>
When y se bo* clerk & kni+t,>
And o*er mor by waies go,>
And y was man of michel my+t,>
And ever wend endured so:>
Heigh halles, boures bry+t,>
Had ymade wi* myrthes mo,>
My duellyng here ful faire ydi+t,>
%at de* ha* me *us demed fro.>
>
22>
My wonyng here so mury iwrou+t,>
And wend haue lyved +ut +eres fele,>
Brode wastes & wodes ygou+t,>
Wi* al *at ever y mi+t spele.>
Now is *e worlde went a+ein my *ou+t,>
And de* *at kan stille me stele,>
Have me dryue away wi* nou+t,>
And other towelden al my wele.>
>
23>
And if *ou wilt *erof wyte,>
%at we shul bo* be spilt,>
Wi* *y self *ou sholdest ferst flyte:>
For al it is *in owen gilt.>
%at now yschewe wi* wordes lyte,>
And wi* reson if *ou wilt.>
%ou art to blame, and y al quyte,>
For *ou sholdest fro synne us bo* haue shilt.>
>
24>
Ffor god *e shope after his schap>
And gaf *e bo* wit & skil,>
And in *y lokyng was y laft>
To wisse after *in owen wil.>
Ne cou* y never of wikked craft,>
Ne wist what was gode ne il,>
But as a best dombe & daft:>
And al *ou tau+test me *ertil.>
>
25>
I was bytau+t *e for to +eme>
Bo* at euen & at morne,>
And sette to serue *e to queme>
A witles *yng as y was borne;>
But *ou *at dedes cou*est deme,>
%at *er *ou (/) art *y selue forlorne [f. 137v]>
Of my folie, hit may wele seme>
Y shulde haue be war byforne.>
>
Respondit tunc spiritus ad corpus>
>
26>
Then sayd *e soule: Body, be stille;>
Who ha* lerned *e al *is wit>
To +if me *is ansuer grille?>
%ere *ou lyest bolned as a bit:>
Wenestou wrecche, *ou+ *ou fille>
Wi* *y foule flesche a pit,>
Of al *ar ever *ou has done ille,>
%at *ou so li+tly shal be quyt?>
>
27>
Wenestou now to gete gri*>
%ou+ *ou lie roten *er in *at clay?>
Nay, *ou+ *ou rote pile & pi*,>
And al toblowe wi* wynd away,>
çet schal *ou come with lym and li*>
A+ein to me on domesday,>
And come to court & y *e wi*>
Ffor to kepe oure ry+t pay.>
>
28>
To loke *ou saiest *ou was me tau+t,Õ>
But when *ou cou*e of eny quede,>
Wi* *e tee* *e bridel *ou lau+t>
And dedest al *at y *e forbede;>
To synne & schame was *y drau+t,>
To sorowe & to wikkedhede,>
Ful ofte y flote agayn & fau+t,>
But ay *ou toke *yn owen rede.>
>
29>
Ffor when y monede *y soulnedes:>
Messe, matyns & euensong,>
%ou most first do o*er dedes,>
And saydest hit was al ydel gong:>
To ryuer or to chace *ou +edes>
Or to court to deme wrong,>
But it were for pride or grete nedes,>
Litel gode *ou didest among.>
>
30>
And who may more treson do>
Or his lord better engyne>
%an he *at al his trist is [s/t]o,>
And wi* him as his owin hyne?>
Ay se* *ou wer *ryuen & *ro,>
And wistest all werkes myne,>
%y self perveidestou rest & ro>
And me hast di+t pitte & pyne.>
>
31>
So fele tymes Y *e *rat>
What we bo*e schulden haue,>
But litel tale +af *ou of *at:>
%ou+ *ou see all *y frendes graue,>
%ou dide as *e world *e bad>
And as *y foule flesch wolde craue.>
I suffred *e & dede as mad>
To be my lord & y *y knaue.>
>
32>
Now may *ese wylde bestes renne>
And liggen vnder lynd & leef,>
And foules fle be felde & fenne,>
Ay se*en *y fals hert cleef;>
Thy eye is blynde & can nou+t kenne,>
%y mou*e is dombe, *in eres ar deef,>
And *ou so lo*ly lie+ & grenne,>
Fro *e come* a wikked weef.>
>
Respondit iterum corpus ad animam voce querula dicens:>
>
33>
The body bigan to grone & say:>
Gost *ou doest wrong ywys,>
Al *at gylt on me to lay,>
%at *ou hast lorn so michel blys,>
Wher was y by wode or way>
Sat or stode or dide ou+r mys,>
%at y nas euer vnder *e ay?>
Wele *ou wot *at so*e it ys.>
>
34>
And *ou *at was so wonderly wrou+t,>
%ou saiest y made *e my *ral,>
Al *at euer *e of rou+t,>
%ou hit didest & y wi* al;>
Ne mysdide y neuer nou+t>
Ne y ne rafte, ne y ne stal>
That ferst of *e ne come *e *ou+t:>
Abye who it abye schal.>
>
35>
What wist y was wrong or ri+t>
What to take or what to shone>
But as *ou puttest in my si+t>
%at al *e wisdome shuldest haue cone?>
Ffor when y dide ones an vnri+t>
And eft gan me *erof mone,>
%enne laide y (/) al my my+t [f. 138r]>
Ano*er tyme to haue my wone.>
>
36>
But haddest *ou & god it ou*,>
çyue me hunger, *irst & colde,>
And wissede me *at no goed cou*>
But lye in bismer so bolde,>
That y lerned in my +ou*:>
Y helde hit, se*en y was olde,>
And *ou me let rayke nor* & sou*,>
And haue al my wile in wolde.>
>
37>
Wele wistou what was my kynde,>
And al mankynde it is also:>
To haue *is wikkede world in mynde>
And ay coueyten mo & mo;>
%ou shuldest haue leten me bynde>
When y wolde to synne go,>
But when *e blynde lede* *e blynde>
In dyk falle* *ay bo* to.>
>
38>
I ne scholde haue ben but as a shep,>
Or as an ox, or as a swyn>
%at ete & dranke, lay & slep:>
Slayn & passed al his pyn.>
Ne neuer of catel taken kep>
Ne chosen *e water fro *e wyn,>
Ne now ne scholde to helle dep,>
Ne wer *e witte *at al was *yn.>
>
Respondit adhuc spiritus ad corpus>
>
39>
Haa, *ou foule fleshe vnsete,>
Nede *ou makes me say allas,>
%at y seye *e euer +ete>
For al my loue on *e ylas;>
%at *ou louedest me *ou lete>
And madest me an howe of glas,>
I dede al *at *e was swete,>
And *ou traytor euer was.>
>
40>
%e fend of helle ha* enuy>
To al mankynde & ay ha* had>
Was euer aboute *e as a spy>
To eny gode when y *e bad;>
%e world he drowe to company,>
%at mony a soul ha* for rad,>
%ay to wisten al *y foly>
& made *e bo* blynde & mad.>
>
41>
Ffor when y bad *e schrift take>
And lef *y synnes ay & o>
Do penaunce, faste & wake,>
%e fend saide: Shal *ou nou+t so;>
%us +ong al *y ryot forsake,>
And lede *y lyf in sorwe & wo:>
Ioye & blisse y rede *e make>
And *enk to lyue +et +eres mo.>
>
42>
And y bad *e lef pryde>
%y meny mes, *y riche shroud>
%e wikkede world stode *e[r]? bisyde>
And bad *e be queynt & proud;>
%y flesch wi* riche robes shryde>
Nou+t as a beggar in a clout,>
And on hey+ hors to ryde>
Wi* michel meny in & out.>
>
43>
And when y bad *e erly ryse>
And take of me ry+tly kepe>
%ou saydes *ou my+t no+t in no wyse>
For *e mury morne slepe:>
And when +e had set +oure assyse>
çe *re traitors sore y wepe,>
çe led me wi* +oure empryse>
As *e belwether do* *e shepe.>
>
44>
And when +e had tolde +oure tale>
A+ein me were +e all sworn,>
Al +e helde hit truteuale>
%at eure had y saide beforn:>
çe led me be doun & dale>
As an ox by *e horn>
To stede *er him ys browen bale>
%er his *rote shal be shorn.>
>
Iterum respondit corpus ad spiritum>
>
45>
And when *e body se *e gast>
Suche doel & mone make>
Hi saide: Allas, my lyf last>
%at eure y lyued for *ysake;>
%at my hert sone ne had brast>
When y was fro my moder take>
Or ben into a pitte ycast>
Wi* a tode or wi* a snake.>
>
46>
Ffor *enne ne had y neure lerned>
What was ille ne what was gode>
Ne no catel (/) wi* wrong +erned [f. 138v]>
Ne pyne *oled as y now mote:>
Whe*er no seyn may bed oure erend>
To him *ar bou+t vs wit* his blode>
%at we ne be in helle forberned>
%ur+ his mercie to don vs bote.>
>
Iterum respondit spiritus ad corpus>
>
47>
Certes, now is to late>
For to prie or for to preche,>
Now is *e wayn at *e +ate>
And *y tonge ha* layde *e speche;>
A poynt of our peyn to abate>
In al *is world *er nys no leche>
%at bo* shul we gon o gate>
Suche is Cristes hard wreche.>
>
48>
If alle *e men now vnder mone>
To deme vs were brou+t on benke>
%e schames *at vs shal be done>
Ne my+t *ay nou+t half be*enke;>
Ne helpe* vs no maner bede ne bone>
Ne vs ne may no wile ne wrenke,>
Helle houndes comen full sone:>
Fro *aim ne may we neure slenke.>
>
49>
But haddest *ou a litel ere>
Wiles vs was lyf togedre lent>
So *ou feldest *e seke & sere>
Schryuen *e and *e deuel schent>
And leten renne a reuful tere>
And had wile of amendement,>
Ne *ur* vs now haue be in fere>
%at God ne wolde His wile haue went.>
>
50>
I ne may no lengre duelle>
Ne stonde here to speke wi* *e:>
Ffor helle houndes here y +elle>
And fendes mo *en y may se>
%at comen to fecche me to helle:>
Ne may y no gates fle.>
And *ou schalt come in flesch & felle>
At domesday to wone wi* me.>
>
51>
And when *e gost had *us sayd>
Ne wist hit whider hit shulde go,>
But to it at a wro*ly brayd>
Come a *ousand fendes & mo:>
And sone *ay hand on him layd,>
%air scharp clokes all *o,>
Hit was in a sory playd>
Reuly totered to & fro.>
>
52>
Ffor summe wer ragged & tailed>
And brode hunches on her bak,>
Sharp clawes & long nailed:>
Was non of hem wi*outen lak.>
On all halues it was assailed>
Of meny a deuel bo* blo & blak,>
Mercie cryyng litel auailed>
Se* God him wolde so hard wrak.>
>
53>
Summe his chauels al towrast>
And putten him in *e lede al hote:>
%ay bad he sholde drynke fast>
And shenk aboute him all a brode.>
A deuel come *er atte last>
%at was mayster wele y wote>
A cultur glowand in him he cast>
%at it *ru+ his hert smote.>
>
54>
Glayues glowand summe sette>
To bak, to brest, to ayther syde,>
%at at his hert *e poyntes mette>
And made him *e woundes wyde;>
%ay asked him how wele he lette>
%e hert *at was so ful of pryde,>
If he had +et *at men him hette>
For more shulde him sone betyde.>
>
55>
Wor*y wede for to were>
Sayde *ay *at he louede best>
An heuy bryny for to bere>
Al brennand on him was kest>
Wi* streit hespes for to spere>
%at fast him (/) sat to bak & brest, [f. 139r]>
An helme *at litel was to bere>
Come him and a hors ful prest.>
>
56>
Ffur*e *ay brou+t him at *at tyde>
A cursed deuel als a cote>
%at lo*ly loked & +a[n/u]ed wyde>
%e leu+ lemed of his *rote:>
Wi* a sadel to midde *e syde>
%at ful of sharpe nailes sote>
As he shulde to helle ryde:>
Al was brennad ilk a crote.>
>
57>
He was sone in *at sadel slungen>
And shulde to *e turnement>
And hundre deuels on him dungen>
Her & *er he was hent,>
At ech a dynt *e sparkes sprungen>
As of a brond *ar wer forbrent:>
Wi* hote speres was he stungen>
Wi* yren hokes al to rent.>
>
58>
And when he had ryden *at rode>
Out of *e sadel *er he was sette>
He was cast doun as a tode>
And helle houndes to him lette:>
%ay brayden out *e peces brode>
Wi* reuly reymes *ay him grette,>
On all four for* he glodde>
%e woundes *ru+ his hert mette.>
>
59>
%ay bad him hunt & blow>
And cal on Bau+an & Beaufit+:>
Racches *at he was woned to know,>
For sone schulde *ay blow pri+>
And hundred racches on a row>
Dryuen him vn*ank his>
To *ay come a lo*ly low:>
Helle it was y wote ywis.>
>
60>
When *ay come to *at wikkede wone>
%e fendes castel vp a +ell:>
%e er*e opynede vp anone>
Smoke & smolder vp ther well,>
Of *e pyche & of brimstone>
Men my+t meny a myle haue smell;>
Lord woo is him bygone>
%at *er shal haue *e haluendell.>
>
Et iudicio dato exclamauit spiritus>
>
61>
And sone *e gost *e so*e sey+>
Whider it sholde, it kest a crye>
And sayde: God *at sitte on hey+,>
Of me *y schup *ou haue mercye.>
No schope *ou me *at art so sley+>
And *y creature am y>
As meny one *at sittes *e ney+>
And *at *ou hast so wele done by.>
>
62>
%ou God *at wystest al byforn>
Why shope *ou me to wro*er hele>
To be *us tugged & totorn,>
Or for to welden eny wele?>
%o *at shulden haue ben forlorn>
Wele *ou my+tes *aym haue spele,>
Allas why lete *ou *aym be born>
To +if *e foule fend so fele?>
>
63>
%e fendes gan a+eyn to crie:>
Kaytif helpe* *e now no more>
To crie on Ihesu ne on Marie>
Ne for to craue Cristes oore:>
Lorn hast *ou *ayr companie>
For serued has *ou vs so +ore,>
%y wikkidhede *ou schalt abie>
As o*re *at lyuen in oure lore.>
>
64>
%e fendes *at of it were fayn>
By to* and tail *ay hent it>
And slungen hit wi* a mody mayn>
Ry+t into *e deppest pit>
%er neure sonne schal be sayn:>
%ay sonken yn *aim self *eremit,>
%e er* loukede (/) it self agayn [f. 139v]>
And *e donioune was foredit.>
>
Euigilans tunc sompniator dixit>
>
65>
And when it stynt *at lote vngode>
Fast gan hit ney+e *e day,>
On ech a here a drope stode>
Ffor fri+t and ferd *er y lay:>
To Ihesu Crist wi* mylde mode>
So sore y calde & cried ay,>
So was y ferd y was nei+ wode>
%at *ay me shulde haue born away.>
>
66>
I *onke it him *at suffred ded>
His michel mercie & his oore>
%at saued me fro so meny a qued>
A synful wrecche as y lay *or:>
All synful y ham red>
To shryue ham and rewe sore,>
For nis no synne in world so gret>
%at Cristes mercie is wele more.>
>
67>
But Ihesu *at vs all hast wrou+t>
Lord, aftir *y faire face,>
And wi* blessed blod vs bou+t>
Of amendement gif vs grace;>
%at *y hondwerk lese nou+t>
In *e blesful stede a place,>
But *e ioye *at *ou hast to vs wrou+t>
Graunte vs for *y holy grace. Amen.>
>
>
Explicit disputatio inter corpus et animam>>>
>
>
>
<Title: English Poet. A.1 (Vernon), ff. 286r(c)-287r(b)>>
>
<<A disputacion by twene *e bodi and *e soule>
>
1>
Als ich lay in winteres niht>
In a droupnynge tofore *e day,>
Me *hou+te i seih a selly siht:>
A bodi *er hit on beere lay>
%at hadde iben a comeli kniht,>
And luitel iserrued god to pay:>
Loren he hedde *is lyues liht,>
%e gost was oute and wolde a way.>
>
2>
And whon *e gost him scholde go,>
Hit turned a+eyn and +it wi*stod,>
Be heold *e flesch *er hit com fro>
So serwefuliche mid dreri mood,>
And seide: Allas and weilawo!>
%ou fikele flesch, *ou false blod,>
Whi lyst *ou now stynkynde so>
%at whilen weore so wylde & wod?>
>
3>
%ou *at weore iwont to ryde>
So hi+e an horse in and out,>
So queynte a kny+t and kud so wyde>
Als a lyoun fers and proud,>
Where is now al *i muchele pride>
And *i leete *at was so loud?>
Whi lyst *ou *ere so bare *i syde,>
Prikked in so pore a schroud?>
>
4>
Where ben now alle *ine wor*ili wedes,>
%i somers with *i bourliche beddes,>
%i palfreis and *i noble stedes>
%at *ou aboute in destre leddes?>
%i faucouns *at were wont to grede>
And *i grehoundes *at *ou feddes;>
Me *inke* *i good is *e ful gnede:>
Now al *i frendes ben from *e fledde.>
>
5>
Where ben *yne castels & *i toures,>
%i chaumbres and *in hei+e halle>
%at peynted weoren with feire floures>
And *yne riche robes alle,>
%i quyltes and *y couertoures,>
%at sendel and *at pourpre palle?>
Lo, wrecche, wher is nou *i boure:>
To morwe schaltou *erinne falle.>
>
6>
Where be nou *yne cokes snelle>
%at scholde go grei*e *yne mete>
Mid riche spiceries for to smelle,>
%at *ou were gredi for to frete, >
To don *i foule flesch to swelle,>
%at now wole foule wormes ete,>
And me *e put and pyne of helle>
Mid *i glotenye hast *ou gete.>
>
7>
Wher be *eose gleomen *e to glewen,>
Harpe & fi*ele and tabour bete?>
%is pipers *at *is bagges blewen>
And *at *ou +af *e +iftes grete,>
%e riche robes olde and newe>
To +elpen of *e *er *ei seete;>
Suche truilours *at neuer nere trewe>
Of *e hedden gret bi+ete.>
>
8>
Ffor to bere *i word so wyde>
And maken of *e rym and raf,>
Suche gylours for pompe and pride>
Largeliche of *in *ou +af;>
Ac *e pore eoden al be syde,>
Ffor euer hem *ou ouer haf,>
And +if *ei comen in eny vnryde,>
Sone heo weore striken myd a staf.>
>
9>
Of suche pore *ou hit nom>
%at mony a gloten eet and dronk,>
Neuer ne rou+test *ow of whom, [f. 286vA]>
Ne ho *erfore sarrest swonk.>
%e riche was welcome whon he com,>
%e pore was beten *at he stonk.>
Now is al gon mid godes grom,>
And *ou hast, wrecche luitel *onk.>
>
10>
Of al *at *ou to gedere drou+>
And were hardore *en *e flynt,>
Suche schul make hem large inou+>
%at *ow neuere neddest hit mint,>
And *ou *at madest hit so tou+,>
Al *i bost is sone astint:>
Ac i mai wepen *at *ou be lou+>
Ffor al my blisse is for *e tynt.>
>
11>
%ou wrecche *at in al *i siht>
Neore neuere of worldes wynne sad,>
Nou hastou nou*er lond ne li*,>
But seuen foote and vnne*e *at;>
Nou sixtou and *e so*e hit ki*,>
Al is loren *at *ou er gat>
And *ou ne schalt neuer eft be bly*>
Of *at o*ur wol make hem glad.>
>
12>
Ac to morwe whon hit is day>
Out from ki* and al *y kin,>
Bare schalt *ou wenden away>
And leuen al *is worldes win.>
In proud paleys *ei+ *ou her lay,>
Wi* wormes is nou nomen *yn in>
%i boure is bult so cold in clay,>
%e roof to resten on *i chyn.>
>
13>
So feole time weore *ou *rat>
What *ow, wrecche, scholdest haue,>
And luitel +iue *ou of *at:>
%ei+ *ou se+e al *i kun igraue,>
%ou dudest al as *e world *e bad>
And as *i foule flesch wolde craue.>
I suffred *e and dude as mad>
To be maister and ich *i knaue.>
>
14>
%e bodi grunte and gon to seye>
Gost *ou hast *e wrong iwis,>
Al *e gult on me to leye,>
%at *ou hast *us iloren *i blis,>
Wher was ich be wode or weye>
Sat or stood or dude out mis,>
%at i nas euere vndvr *yn ei+e?>
Wel *ou wost *at so* hit is.>
>
15>
And *ou *at were so wor*liche wrou+t,>
%ou seidest ich made *e my *ral,>
Ac al *at euer *e of rou+t,>
%ou hit dust and ich hit hal;>
Ne misdude ich neuer nou+t>
Ne i ne rafte, ne i ne stal>
%at arst of *e ne com *e *ou+t:>
Abugge hose abugge schal.>
>
16>
What wuste i what was wrong or ri+t>
What to take or what to schone>
But as *ou puttest in my siht>
%at al *e wisdam schuldest haue kone?>
Ac whon i dude ones an vntiht>
And eft sones gon me *erof mone,>
%enne leide i al my myht>
Ano*er tyme to haue *e wone.>
>
17>
Wel ou+testou wite wat was my kynde,>
As vre eldren weren ar *o:>
To be *is wrecched word so mynde,>
And euer coueyten mo and mo;>
Allas! Whi neddest *ou me bynde>
Whon i wolde to synne haue go,>
Ac *er *e blynde lat *e blynde>
In dich *ei fallen *ay bo*e two.>
>
18>
I scholde haue ben but as a schep,>
Or as an oxe, or as a swyn>
%at eet and dronk, lay and sleep:>
Slayen and passed al his pyn.>
Neuer of catel nomen no kep>
Ne chosen *e water fro *e wyn,>
Ne nou ne scholde into helle dep,>
Nere *e wit *at al was *yn.>
>
19>
Careyne vnkynde what hast *ou seid?>
Ffor euere were *ou lu*er and les>
Ffor to brewe me bitter breid,>
And me to puyten out of pees.>
Wi* lime iwrou+t wi* tonge iseid,>
To harme was *i raple res>
Wi* schome is now *i leete ileyd,>
Wi* serwe me newe* me *at mes.>
>
20>
And ho may more tresun do>
Or his lord better engyne>
Then he *at al his trust is to>
And mid hym as his owne hyne?>
Euer si*en *ou cou*est go [f. 286vB]>
Stunten noldest *ou, neuer fyne>
%i self to dihten reste and ro,>
And me to purchasen put and pyne.>
>
21>
Ac now mowen *is bestes renne>
And liggen vnder lynd and lef>
And foules flen by feld and fenne>
Si*en *i false herte clef:>
%yn e+e is blynd and con not kenne,>
%i mou* is doumbe, *in ere is deef,>
And *ou begynnest *us to grenne>
Ffrom *e come* a wikked weef.>
>
22>
Nis no ladi so briht of ble>
%at of *e weore wel woned to lete>
%at o day wolde wi* *e be>
Ffor al *e gold *ou euer gete;>
Vnsemely art *ou on to se>
Vncomelich for to cusse swete,>
%ow hast no frend *at nolde fle>
Come *ou startlynge in *e strete.>
>
23>
Nai, grimly gost, al *e for nou+t>
Mid me to holde chide and cheste,>
Ffor clyuen most i to *i *ou+t>
And bouwen as a bounden beeste>
To don al *at *e of rou+t:>
Ich was euer at *in heste;>
Wi* stonden *e ne dorst i nou+t>
Ffor mid *e weren mi+tes meste.>
>
24>
Ffor as ich was to *e i+iuen>
And as *yn asse ich *e bar>
As mayster ouer me to lyuen,>
%at wel was of myne wrenches war:>
And whon *ou heddest me for* dryuen>
And iput til eny char>
Al to *e counseil most i cliuen>
As he do* *at non o*er ne dar.>
>
25>
Ac heddest *ou, so Crist hit ou*e>
I+iue me bo*e hongur and cold,>
And itau+t me, *at nou+t ne cou*e>
But ligge in bisemare so bold,>
%at ich vsede in my +ou*e:>
Hedde ich holden whon ich was old,>
Ak *ou me lete reyke nor* and sou*e>
And hauen al my wille in wold.>
>
26>
A! *ou foule flesch vnseete>
Fful of ffalsnesse and fallas,>
%at ich *e se+e euer+ete>
Ffor al my loue on *e i las:>
%at *ou louedest me *ou leete,>
And maadest me an houue of glas,>
Ich dude al *at *e *hou+te swete,>
And *ou traytur euer was. >
>
27>
And whon ich bad *e schrifte take,>
And leuen *i synnes euer and o,>
Do penanunce and ffaste and wake,>
%e ffend seide: Schalt *ow not so.>
%us +ong *i ryot forsake,>
To lyuen longe in serwe and wo;>
Ioye and mur*e i rede *ou make,>
And *enke to lyuen +it +eres mo.>
>
28>
And whon ich bad *e leuen pruide>
%yne mone mees, *i semeli schroud,>
%is wrecchede world *e stood be syde>
And bad *e be ful queynte and proud,>
%i flesch mid riche robes schruide>
Nout as a beggere in a clout,>
Ac on hei+ hors for to ryde>
Mid muche meyne in and out.>
>
29>
Ak whon ich bad *e erliche aryse>
And of me taken rihtliche kep,>
%ou seidest mi+test *ou none wyse>
For *i murie morewesleep;>
And whon +e hedden set +oure assyse>
$e *reo traitors, sore ich wep,>
$e ladde me mid oure empryse,>
As *e bo*elere do* his scheep.>
>
30>
And *i false heyr is now fayn,>
%i feire fe for to vnder fo,>
Wel is him *is day iseyn,>
%at luytel good schal for *e do:>
Nolde he nout nou +iuen a+eyn>
To bryngen vs into reste and ro,>
Of al *at lond a fote or tweyn>
%at *ou so synfuliche come to.>
>
31>
And *yne excecutours schul nou seche>
%yn o*er *ing nou *ou art ded,>
Al schal geynliche gon to wreche>
Haue *ei deled a luytel bred:>
Vche to pyke *at he con skekke,>
Scheep or swyn or hors or net>
Ac luytel *erof vs *ar recche [f. 286vC]>
Si*en we beo* bo*e bitau+t *e qwed.>
>
32>
And whon *e gost mid grisli chere>
Hedde *us maad his muchele mon,>
%e bodi *er hit lay on bere>
An atelich *ing as hit was on,>
%e hed haf vp and *e swire,>
As *ing al seek hit +at a gron>
And seide: Whoder *ou+test *ou fere>
%at were *us freschliche from me gon?>
>
33>
What eyle* *e, *ou grymli gaast>
%at me *us breidest of myn vn hap?>
So bro*liche as myn herte barst>
%e de* so deolfulliche me drap;>
I nam nou*er furst ne last>
%at schal drynken of *at nap,>
Nis non so kene *at he nis cast>
%e pruddest may arst kepe his clap.>
>
34>
What breidest *ou *at i schal rote?>
Ffor so dude Sampson and Cesar,>
%at no mon con nou fynden a mote>
Of hem, ne of mooder *at hem bar,>
Wormes for gnowen heor alre *rote:>
So schulen heo myn, nou am iwar,>
%er de* so redi fynt dore opene,>
Ne may helpe no +eyn char.>
>
35>
Ac whon isei+ bo*e clerk and kniht>
And o*er men bi gates go,>
And ich was mon of muchel miht,>
And euere wend haue dured so>
Hi+e halles and boures bri+t,>
Hedde i madd wi* mur*hes mo>
Mi dwellyng here so feire idiht>
%at de* ha* me *us demed fro.>
>
36>
Mi wonynge here so murie iwrou+t>
And wende haue lyued +it +eres fele,>
Wyde wones and boldes bou+t>
Mid al *at euere i mi+te stele:>
Nou wente *e world a+eyn my *ou+t,>
And de* *at con so stile stele>
Ha* me demed awey wi* nou+t,>
And o*ere to welden al *is wele.>
>
37>
And +if *ou wolt me *erof wyte>
%at bo*e schul we ben ispilt,>
Mid *i self scholdest *ou furst flyte>
Ffor al was hit *yn owne gilt:>
%at schewe ich *e wi* wordes luyte>
And wi* ri+t resun +if *ou wilt,>
%ou art to blame, and ich al quite,>
Ffor bo*e schuldestou vs from schome han schilt.>
>
38>
Ffor god *e schop aftur his schaft>
And +af *e bo*e wit and skil>
And in *i lokyng al was ich laft>
To wissen after *yn owne wil;>
Ne cou*e i neuere of wikked craft>
Ne wuste what was good or il>
But as beest doumbe and daft>
And as *ou tauhtest me *er til.>
>
39>
Ffor ich was be tau+t *e to +eme>
And witles *ing as ich was boren>
And set to seruen *e to queme>
Bo*e an euen and at moren:>
Ac *ou *at deedes cou*est deme>
Scholdest ha ben war be foren>
Of my folye, as hit now seme,>
And *us art *ow *i self for loren.>
>
40>
%e soule seide: Bodi, be stille.>
Who ha* lered *e *is wit,>
To +iue me *is wordes grille,>
%er *ou lyst bollen as a bit?>
Wenest *ou, wrecche, *ei+ *ou fille>
Mid *at foule flesch a pit>
Of al *at euere *ou hast don ille>
%at *ou so lihtly schal be quit?>
>
41>
Wendest *ou *us to geten gri*>
%ei+ *ou lyst roted in *e clay?>
Nay, *ei+ *ou rote pile and pi*>
And blowe wi* *e wynd a way,>
çit schalt *ou come wi* lime & li*>
A+eyn to me at domes day>
And come to court and ich *e wi*,>
Ffor to kepe vre rihte pay.>
>
42>
To loke, seistou, weore *ou me tau+t>
Ak sone so *ou cou*est of eny qued,>
Mid *e tee* *e bridel *ou lau+t>
And dudest al *at ich forbed:>
To synne & serwe was *i drau+t>
To serwe and to wikkedhed,>
Euere ich flot a+eyn and fau+t>
Ac euere *ou nommen *in owene red.>
>
43>
Ak whon i spek of soule nedes [f. 287rA]>
Masse, matynes or euensong>
%ou mostest arst don o*ur dedes>
And toldest hit al idel +ong:>
To riuer or to chase *ou eodes>
O*er to court to deme wrong,>
Bote for pride or muchele medes>
Luytel good *ou dudest among.>
>
44>
And *o *e bodi sei+ *e gost>
Such deol and such mone make,>
And seide: Allas, my lyf is lost:>
%at euere i liuide for *ine sake,>
%at myn herte anon ne barst>
Whon ich was from my mooder take,>
Or ben into a put icast>
Mid a tadde or mid a snake.>
>
45>
For *enne nedde i neuer ilerned>
What was vuel ne what was good>
Ne no *ing wrong i+eorned>
Ne pyne suffred as i now mot:>
Wher no seynt mai beode vre ernde>
To him *at bou+t vs mid his blod>
%at we ne ben in *is fuir forbrende>
%orw his merci to don vs boot.>
>
46>
>
Nai, wrecche, nai now is to late>
Ffor to preye or for to preche,>
Now is *e wayn ri+t atte +ate>
And *i tonge ha* leyd *e speche;>
O poynt of vre peyne to abate>
In al *is world nis non such leche>
%at bo*e we schullen gon o gate>
Suche is Cristes wra**e and wreche.>
>
47>
I may now no lengor dwelle>
Ne stonden heer to speken mid *e,>
Ffor helle houndes ich here +elle>
And ffendes mo *en i may se>
%at comen to fecchen me to helle>
Ne may i non gates fle:>
And *ow schalt comen in flesch and felle>
At domesday to wone wi* me.>
>
48>
And as hit hedde *us iseid>
Nuste hit whodere hit schulde go>
And to him wi* a lodly breyd>
Comen a *ousund fendes or mo:>
And sone *ei hedden on hym leyd>
Heore scharpe cloches alle *o,>
Hit was in a deolful pleyt>
Reu*liche itoyled to and fro.>
>
49>
For summe were ragged and tayled>
Mid brode bunches on heore bak,>
Scharpe clauwes and longe nayled>
Nas non of hem wi* outen lac:>
On alle halue hit was assayled>
Of mony a deuel blo and blac,>
Merci cri+inge: luitel hym vayled,>
Si*en god hit wolde so harde him wrak.>
>
50>
Summe his chekes al to wraste>
And +oten in *e led al hot>
And beeden he scholde drynken faste>
And +iuen aboute him a brod.>
A fould deuel com *er atte laste>
%at was mayster, wel ich wot,>
A coltur glowynde in hym he caste>
%at hit *orw his herte smot.>
>
51>
Sweordes glowynge summe setten>
To bak, to breste, to vche a syde>
%at at his herte *e poyntes metten>
And maden on him woundes wyde.>
Heo askeden him how wel hit lette,>
%e herte *at was so ful of pride,>
çif he hedde +ut *at men him hette>
Ffor more he moste sone be tyde.>
>
52>
Wor*liche weden for to weren>
Seyden heo *at he louede best>
An heui brunye for to beren>
Al brennynge on hym was kest,>
Wi* strayte haspes for to speren>
%at strayte sat to bac and brest,>
An helm *at luitel was to heren>
Com hym and an hors ful prest.>
>
53>
He was *ere in a sadel slongen [f. 287rB]>
And scholde to a tornement>
An hundren deuelen on hym dongen>
Heer and *er he was ihent,>
At vche a dunt *e sparkes sprongen>
As a brond *ar were for brent:>
Mid hote speres was he stongen>
Mid scharpe swerdes al to rent.>
>
54>
And beeden him for to hunten and blowe>
And clepen Bauson and Beufys>
%e racches *at hym scholde knowe>
Ffor sone mosten heo blowe pris,>
An hundred racches on a rowe>
Driuen hym, al vn*onk his>
Til he com to a lodly lowe>
Helle hit was, ichot to wis!>
>
55>
And *o heo comen to *at wikked won>
%e ffendes casten vp a +el,>
%e eor*e opnede vp anon:>
Smoke & smolder vp *er wel,>
Of *e pich and *e brymston>
Men mihte mony a mile haue smel.>
Lord, wo is hym bi gon>
%at *er schal haue *e haluendel.>
>
56>
And whon *e gost *e so*e sei+>
Whoder hit scholde, hit made a cri>
And seide: God that sittest an hei+>
On me *ou haue mynde and merci!>
Ne schop *ou me *at art so slei+>
And *i creature was i:>
As mony on *at sitte* *e ney+>
And *at *ou hast so wel do bi.>
>
57>
%ow, god, *at wustest al beforen>
Whi schop *ow me to wro*er hele>
To ben *us togged and to toren,>
Or for to welden eny wele?>
%ulke *at scholden han ben loren>
Wel mi+test *ou such werkes spele:>
Allas, whi leetest vs be boren>
To +iuen *e foule fendes so fele?>
>
58>
%e ffendes gunnen a+eyn to crye:>
Caytif helpe* *e now no more>
To clepen on Ihesu ne on Marie>
Ne for to craue Cristes ore:>
Iloren hast *ow *e cumpaynye>
Ffor serued has *ou vs so +ore,>
%i royt *ow schalt now abuy+e>
As o*ere *at leeue* vppon vre lore.>
>
59>
%e ffendes *at of him weore fayn>
Bi top and tayl *ei henten hit>
And slongen hit myd a modi mayn>
Into *e aller deoppeste pit>
%er neuer sonne ne schal be seyn:>
Heom self asonken in *er mit:>
%e eor*e closede hit self a+eyn>
And *e dungoun was for dit.>
>
60>
And hit was for*e *at foule lod,>
Ffaste hit gon nei+en *e day,>
On vche an her a drope stod>
Ffor fyn fere *er i lay:>
To Ihesu Crist wi* mylde mod>
çerne ich clepede and cri+ede ay:>
So was i ferd, ich was nei+ wod,>
%at heo me scholden haue boren away.>
>
61>
I *onke him *at suffrede de*>
His muchele merci and his ore>
%at saued me from so many a qwed,>
A synful wrecche as i lay *ore:>
Alle synful ich rede hem red,>
Heore synnes for to rewen sore,>
Ffor nis no synne in world so gret>
%at Cristes merci nis wel more.>
>
62>
A, Ihesu *at vs all hast wrou+t!>
Lord, after *i feire face,>
And mid *i precious blod ibou+t>
Of amendement +ef vs space;>
So *at *in hondewerk leose nou+t>
In so deolful stude and place,>
Ac *e ioye *at *ou hast vs wrou+t>
Graunte vs, god, for *yn holy grace. Amen.>>>
>
>
>
<Title: MS Laud 108, ff. 200v-203v>>
>
<<1>
[A]ls i lay in a winteris nyt>
In a droukening bifor *e day,>
Vor so*e i sau+ a selly syt:>
A body on a bere lay>
%at havede ben a mody kny+t,>
And lutel served god to pay+:>
Loren he haved *e liues ly+t,>
%e gost was oute and scholde away.>
>
2>
Wan *e gost it scholde go,>
Yt bi wente and with stod,>
Bihelod *e body *ere it cam fro>
So serfulli with dredli mod>
It seide: weile and walawo,>
Wo wor*e *i fleys, *i foule blod,>
Wreche bodi, w+y listou+ so,>
%at +wilene were so wilde wod?>
>
3>
%ow *at were woned to ride>
Hey+e on horse in and out,>
So koweynte knit, ikud so wide,>
As a lyun fers and proud,>
çwere is al *i michele pride>
And *i lede *at was so loud?>
çwi listou *ere so bareside,>
Ipricked in *at pore schroud?>
>
4>
çwere beon *i castles & *i toures>
% chaumbres and *i riche halles>
Ipeynted with so riche floures>
And *i riche robes alle,>
%ine cowltes and *i couertoures,>
%i cendels and *i riche palles?>
Wrechede it is nou+ *i bour:>
To moruwe *ou+ schalt *erinne falle.>
>
5>
çwere ben *i murdli wedes,>
%i somers with *i riche beddes,>
%i proude palefreys and *i stedes>
%at *ou+ haddest in dester leddes?>
%i faucouns *at were nou+t to grede>
And *ine houndes *at *ou ledde?>
Me *inke* god is *e to gnede:>
%at alle *ine frend beon fro *e fledde.>
>
6>
çwere ben *ine cokes snelle>
%at scholden gon grei*e *i mete>
With speces swete for to smelle,>
%at *ou+ neuere werere fol of frete, >
To do *at foule fleys to suwelle>
%at foule wormes scholden ete?>
And *ou+ havest *e pine of helle>
With glotonye me bigete.>
>
7>
For god schop *e aftir his schap, [f. 201r]>
And gaf *e bo*e wyt and skil,>
In *i loking was ilaft>
To wisse aftir *in oune wil.>
Ne toc i nevere wyche craft,>
Ne wist i +wat was guod nor il,>
Bote as a wretche dumb and mad>
Bote as tou+ tau+test *er til.>
>
8>
Set to serven *e to queme>
Bo*e at even and a moruen>
Si*in i was *e bi tau+t to +eme>
Fro *e time *at *ou+ was born;>
%ou+ *at dedes cou*est deme>
Scholdest habbe be war bi forn>
Of mi folye, as it semet,>
Nou+ wi* *i selue *ou+ art for lorn.>
>
9>
%e gast it seyde: bodi, be stille;>
çwo ha* lered *e al *is wite>
%at giuest me *ese wordes grille,>
%at list *er bollen as a bite.>
Wenestou+, wretche, *o+ thou+ fille>
Wid *i foule fleisch a pite>
Of alle dedes thou+ didest ille>
%at *ou+ so litel schalt be quite?>
>
10>
Wenestou nou gete *e gri*>
%er *ou+ list roten in *e clay?>
%ey *ou+ be rotin pile and pid,>
And blowen wi* *e wind away,>
çeot schaltou+ come wi* lime and ly*>
Agein to me on domes day>
And come to court, and i *e wi*>
For to kepen oure harde pay.>
>
11>
To teche +were *ou+ me bitau+t>
Ac +wan *ou+ *ou+test of the qued>
Wi* *i te* *e bridel *ou+ lau+t>
%ou+ dist al *at i *e forbed.>
To sunne and schame it was *i drau+t>
Til untid and til wikkede hed,>
Inou+ i stod ageyn and fau+t>
Bot ai *ou+ nome *in oune red.>
>
12>
Wan i *e wolde teme and teche,>
[$wat] Was wel and +wat was guod>
Of Crist ne kirke was no speche>
Bote renne aboute and breyd wod,>
Inou+ i mi+te preye and preche,>
Ne mi+te i neuere wende *i mod>
%at *ou+ woldest god knouleche>
Bot don al *at *in herte stod.>
>
13>
I bad *e *enke on soule nede,>
Matines, masse and euesong,>
Thou+ mostist first don o*ere dede,>
%ou seidist al was idelgong.>
To wode and water and feld *ou+ edest,>
Or to cour to do men wrong,>
Bote for pride or grettore mede>
Lutel *ou+ dust guod among.>
>
14>
Nou+ mouwe *e wilde bestes renne>
And lien under linde and lef,>
And foules flie bi feld and fenne>
Si*in *i false herte clef.>
%ine ei+ene are bilde and connen nou+t kenne,>
%i mouth is dumb, *in ere is def,>
And nou+ so lodly *ou+ list grenne>
Fro *e come* a wikke wef.>
>
15>
Ne nis no leuedi bri+t on ble,>
%at wel weren iwoned of *e to lete>
%at wolde lye a ni+th bi *e>
For nou+t *at men mi+te hem bihete.>
%ou+ art vnsemly for to se,>
Vncomli for to cussen suwete,>
%ou+ ne hauest frend *at ne wolde fle,>
Come *ou+ stertlinde in *e strete.>
>
16>
%e bodi it seide: Ic sey+e [f. 201v]>
Gast *ou+ hast wrong iwys,>
Al *e wyt on me to leye>
%at *ou+ hast lorn *i mikil blis.>
Were was i bi wode or wey+e,>
Sat or stod or dide ou+t mys>
%at i ne was ay under *in ey+e?>
Wel *ou+ wost *at soth it ys.>
>
17>
Wedir i ede up or doun>
%at i ne bar *e on my bac>
Als *in as fro toun to toun,>
Als se *ou+ me lete have rap and rac;>
%at tou ne were and red roun>
Nevere did i *ing ne spac>
He *e so*e se men mouen>
On me *at ligge here so blo and blac.>
>
18>
For al *e wile *ou+ were mi fere>
I hadde al *at me was ned>
I mi+te speke, se and here>
I ede and rod and drank and et:>
Lodli chaunched is my chere>
Sin *e tyme *at *ou+ me let,>
Def and dumb i ligge on bere>
%at i ne may sterin hand ne fet.>
>
19>
I scholde have ben dumb as a schep>
Or as a nouwe or as a suyn,>
%at et and drank adn lai and slep,>
Slayn and passid al his pin:>
Neuere of catel nome kep>
Ne wyste wat was water ne wyn>
Ne leyn in helle *at is so dep>
Nevere ne wist i of al *at wastin.>
>
20>
%e gast yt seide: is no doute>
Abouten, bodi, *ou+ me bar,>
%ou mostist nede, i was wi* oute>
Hand and fot, i was wel war.>
Bote as tou bere me aboute>
Ne mi+t i do *e leste char;>
%orfore most i nede loute,>
So doth *at non o*er dar.>
>
21>
Of a wymman born and bredde>
Body, were we bo*e tvo>
Togidre fostrid fayre and fedde,>
Til *ou cou*ist speke and go.>
Softe *e for loue i ledde>
Ne dorst i neuere do *e wo:>
To lese *e so sore i dredde>
And wel i wiste to getin na mo.>
>
22>
For me *ou woldest sum wat do>
W+ile *ou were +ong a litil first,>
For frendes ey+e *at *e stod to,>
%e wile *ou were betin and birst.>
Or wan *ou+ were *riuen and *ro>
And knewe honger, cold and uirst>
And +hwilk was eyse, rest and ro>
Al *in oune wil *ou dist.>
>
23>
I sau *e fair on fleychs and blod,>
And al mi loue on *e i kest,>
%at *ou *riue me *ou+te guod>
And let me hauen ro and rest.>
%at made *e so sturne of mod>
And of werkes so vn wrest,>
To fi+te with *e ne was no bot>
Me *at *ou+ bar in *i brest.>
>
24>
Gloterie and lecherie>
Prude and wicke coueytise>
Ni*e and onde and enuie>
To god of hevene and alle hise>
And in vnlust for to lye>
Waste wane non of *ise.>
That i schal nou+ ful dere abye>
A, weyle! Sore may me grise.>
>
25>
%ou was warned her bifore [f. 302r]>
çwat bo*e scholden haue:>
Idel tale held tou *at *ore;>
$wat we %ou sau+ sele bi dun in graue,>
%ou dist al *at *e werld *e bad,>
And *at *i fleys *e wolde craue,>
I *olede *e and as mad,>
To be maister and i *i cnaue.>
>
26>
Iweneste *ou+ gost, *e geyned out>
For to quite *e wi* al>
%ou+ *at was so wordly wrou+t>
To seye i made *e my *ral?>
Dud i nevere on liue nou+t>
I ne rafte ne i ne stal>
%at furst of *e ne kam *e *ou+t,>
Abyyt *at aby+e schal.>
>
27>
çwat wisti wat was wrong or riht>
Wat to take or +wat to schone>
Bote *at *ou+ pottist in mi si+th>
%at al *e wisdom scholdest cone.>
çwanne *ou+ me tau+tist on vnti+th>
An me gan *er offe mone>
%anne dudi al my mi+th>
Ano*er time to haue my wone.>
>
28>
Oc haddist *ou+ *at Crist it ov*e>
Giuen me honger, uurst and cold>
And *ou+ witest me *at no guod cou*e>
In bismere +wan i was so bold>
%at i hadde vnder nomen in +ou*e>
I hauede holden old:>
%ou let me reykin north and south>
And haven al my wille on wold.>
>
29>
%ou+ scholdist for no lif ne for lond>
Ne for non o*er worldes winne>
Haue soffrid me to lein on hond>
%at hauede tornd to schame or sunne>
Oc for i *e so eise fond,>
And *i wretche wit so *unne>
%at ay was wri*inde as a wond>
%efore cou*e i neuere blinne.>
>
30>
To sunne *ou+ wistist was my kinde>
As mankinne it is al so>
And to *e wretche world so minde>
And to *e fend that is ore fo.>
%ou+ scholdest er haue late me binde>
Wan i misdede and don me wo,>
Ac +wanne *e blinde lat *e blinde>
In dike he fallen bo*e two.>
>
31>
%o bigan *e gost to wepe>
An seide: Bodi, alas, allas!>
%at i *e lovede euere+ete>
For al mi love on *e i las;>
%at tou louedest me *ou+ le[te]>
And madest me an houue of glas,>
I dide al *at *e was sete>
And *ou+ my traytor euere was.>
>
32>
Ho may more trayson do>
Or is louerd betere engine>
%an he *at al is trist is to>
In and ou+t as ovne hyn.>
Ay se**e *ou+ was *riuen and *ro>
Mittis ded i alle mine>
To porue+e *e rest and ro>
And *ou+ to bringe me in pine.>
>
33>
%e fend of helle haue* enui+e>
To mankune and euere ha* had>
Was in vs as a spie>
To do sum god +wan i *e bad.>
%e werld he toc to cumpayni+e,>
%at mani a soule have* for rad,>
%ey *re wisten *i folye [f. 202v]>
And madin wretche *e al mad.>
>
34>
çwan i bad *e reste take>
Forsake sunne ay and oo>
Do penaunce, faste and wake,>
%e fe seide: %ou schalt nou+t so;>
%os sone al *i blisse for sake,>
To liuen ay in pine and wo.>
Ioy+e and blisse i rede *ou+ make>
And *enke to liue +eres mo.>
>
35>
çwan i bad te leue pride>
%i manie mes, *i riche schroud>
%e false world *at stod bide side>
Bad *e be ful quoynte and proud.>
%i fleysch with riche robes schride>
Nou+t as a beggare in a clou+t,>
And on hei+e horse to ride>
With mikel meyne in and ou+t.>
>
36>
çwan i bad *e erliche to rise>
Nim on me *i soule kep>
%ou+ seidest *ou mi+test a none wise>
For gon *e murie morwe slep:>
W+an +e hadden set your sise>
çe *re traytours sore i wep,>
%e ladde me wid oure enprise>
As *e bo*elere doth is schep.>
>
37>
çwan *re traitours at o tale>
To gidere werein agein me sworn,>
Al *e maden troteuale>
%at i haved seid biforn:>
çe ledde me bi doune and dale>
As anoxe bi *e horn>
Til *er as him is browen bale>
%er his *rote schal be schorn.>
>
38>
For love *i wille i folewede al>
And to min oune deth i drou+>
To foluwe *e *at was mi *ral>
%at euere were false and frou+.>
%ou+ it dist and i for hal>
We wistin wel it was wou+,>
%erfore mote we kepe ore fal>
Pine and schame and sorewe inou+.>
>
39>
%ei+ alle *e men nou+ vnder mone>
To demen weren sete on benche,>
%e schames *at vs schullen be done>
Ne schuldin haluen del bi*enke.>
Ne helpe* vs no bede ne bone>
Ne may vs nou no wyl to wrenche;>
Helle houndes cometh nou sone>
For*i ne mouwe we noy*er blenche.>
>
40>
çwan *at bodi say *at gost>
%at mone and al *at soruwe make>
It seyde: Allas! *at my lif hath last>
%at ihaue liued for sunne sake.>
Min herte *at anon ne hadde toborste,>
çwan i was fram mi moder take,>
I mi+te haue ben in er*e kest>
And ilei+en and iroted in a lake.>
>
41>
%anne hauedi nevere lerned>
çwat was vuel ne +wat was guod>
Ne no *ing with wrong +ernd>
Ne pine *oled, as i mot.>
çwere no seint mi+te beren ore ernde>
To him *at bou+te vs with is blod,>
In helle +wanne we ben brend>
Of sum merci to don vs bot.>
>
42>
Nay, bodi, nou+ is to late>
For to prei+e and to preche>
Nou *e wayn is ate +ate>
And *i tonge ha* leid *e speche.>
O poynt of ore pine to bate>
In *e world ne is no leche,>
Al tegidere we gon o gate>
Swilk is godes harde wreche.>
>
43>
Ac haddest *ou+ a lutel er,>
çwile vs was lif togidre lent>
%o *at was so sek and ser>
Vs schriuen and *e deuel schent>
And laten renne a reuly ter [f. 203r]>
And bi hi+t amendement.>
Ne *orte vs haue fri+t ne fer>
%at god ne wolde his blisse vs sent.>
>
44>
%ey alle *e men *at ben o lyues>
Weren prestes, messes to singe>
And alle *e maidenes and *e wyues>
Wydewes, hondene for to wringe>
And mi+te suweche fyue>
Als is in werld of alle *inge>
Si*in we ne mouwen us suluen schriue>
Ne schulde vs into blisse bringe.>
>
45>
Bodi, i may no more duelle>
Ne stonde for to speke with *e,>
Helle houndes here i +elle>
And fendes mo *an men mowe se>
%at comen to fette me to helle.>
Ne may i noweder from hem fle>
And *ou+ schalt comen with fleys and felle>
A domesday to wonie with me.>
>
46>
Ne hauede it non er *e word iseyd>
%at ne wiste +wider it scholde go>
In abreken at a breid>
A *ousend deuelene and +et mo:>
çwan thei haddin on him leyd>
Here scharpe cloches alle *o>
Yt was in a sori pleyt>
Reuliche toyled to and fro.>
>
47>
For *ei weren ragged, roue and tayled>
With brode bulches on here bac,>
Scharpe clauwes longe nayled:>
No was no lime with oute lac.>
On all halve it was asayled>
With mani a deuel foul and blac,>
Merci criende lutel auailede>
çwan Crist it wolde so harde wrac.>
>
48>
Some *e chaules it to wrasten>
And +oten in *e led al hot:>
And bedin him to drinke faste>
And senke abouten him a brod.>
A deuil kam *er ate laste>
%at was maister wel i wot>
A colter glowende in him he *raste>
%at it *oru+ *e herte it smot.>
>
49>
Gleyues glowende some setten>
To bac and brest, and bo*e sides,>
%at in his herte *e poyntes mettin>
And maden him *o woundes wide;>
And seiden him fol wel he lette>
%e herte *at was so fol of pride,>
Wel he it hadde *at men him bihette>
For more scholde it bitide.>
>
50>
Wordly wedes for to were>
%ei seiden *at he louede best>
A deueles cope for to bere>
Al brennynde on him was kest>
With hote haspes imad to spere>
%at streite sat to bac and brest,>
An helm *at was lutel to here>
Anon him kam an hors al prest.>
>
51>
Forth was brou+t *ere with abridel>
A corsed deuel als a cote>
%at grisliche grennede and +enede wide>
%e ley+e it lemede of his *rote:>
With a sadel to the mid side>
Fol of sharpe pikes schote>
Alse an hechele onne to ride>
Al was glowende ilke a grote.>
>
52>
Opon *at sadil he was sloungen>
As he scholde to *e tornement>
An hundred deuel on him dongen>
Her and *er *an he was hent,>
With hote speres *oru+ was stongen>
And houles wi* oules al torent>
At ilke dint *e sparkles sprongen>
As of a brond *at were for brend.>
>
53>
çwan he hadde reden *at rode [f. 203v]>
Op on *e sadil *er he was set>
He was kast doun as a tode>
And helle houndes to him were led:>
%at broiden out *o peces brode>
Als he to helle ward was fet,>
%er alle *e fendes fet it trode>
Men mi+te of blod foluwe *e tred.>
>
54>
He beden him hontin and blowen>
Crien on Bauston and Bewis:>
%e ratches *at him were woned te knowen,>
He scholden sone blowe *e pris.>
An hundred deueles on a rowe>
With stringes him drowen vn*ac his,>
Til he kome to *at lodli lowe>
%er hele was, i wot to wis.>
>
55>
W+an it cam to *at wikke won>
%e fendes kasten suwilk a +el:>
%e er*e it openede anon>
Smoke and smo*er op it wal,>
Bo*e pich and brumston.>
Men my+t e fif mile haue *e smel;>
Loverd wo schal him be bigon>
%at ha* *er offe *e ten*e del.>
>
56>
W+an *e gost *e so*e isey>
W+ide it scholde, it kaste a cri>
And seide: Ihesu Crist that sittest on hey>
On me *i schap nou+ haue merci.>
Ne schope *ou+ me *at art so sly+,>
%i creature al so was i>
Als man *at sittes *e so ny>
%at *ou hauest so wel don by.>
>
57>
%ou+ *at wistest al bifor>
W+i shope *ou me to wro*er hele>
To be *us togged & to toren,>
And o*ere to hauen al mi wele?>
%o *at scholden be for lorn>
Wretches *at tou mi+test spele,>
A weile! w+i lestou+ hem be born>
To +eue *e foule fend so fele?>
>
58>
Agein him *e fendes gonnen cri+e:>
Caitif, helpe* *e na more>
To calle on Ihesus ne Marie>
Ne to crie Cristes ore.>
Loren *ou+ hauest the cumpainye>
%ou havest serued vs so +ore,>
%ar fore nou *ou schalt abye>
As o*ere *at leuen on oure lore.>
>
59>
%e foule fendes *at weren fayn>
Bi top and tail he slongen hit,>
And kesten it with my+t and mayn>
Doun into the deueles pit>
%er sonne ne schal neuere be seyn:>
Hem self he sonken in *er mit.>
%e er*e hem sulf it lek a+eyn,>
Anon *e donge it was fordit.>
>
Sou ke parla cely ki ceste auision aueit weu e dit issi:>
>
60>
W+an it was forth *at foule lod>
To helle wel or it were day,>
On ilk a her a drope stod>
For fri+t and fer *er as i lay>
To Ihesu Crist with mild mod>
çerne i kalde and lokede ay>
çwan *o fendes hot fot>
Come to fette me away.>
>
61>
I *onke it him *at *olede deth>
His muchele merci and is ore>
%at schilde me fram mani a qued>
A sunful man as i lai *ore:>
%o *at sunfol ben, i rede hem red>
To sr schriuen hem and rewen sore,>
Neuere was sunne idon so gret>
%at Cristes merci ne is wel more.>
>
Sa grace ly doine Ihesu Crist>
Ki ce dite de meins escrit.>
De li seruer de quer parfit>
A tous otreie ly seint espirit.>>>
>
>
>
<Title: MS Royal 18 AX. f. 61v-66v>>
>
<<A disputeson betwen the body and the sowle>
>
1>
As i lay in a wynter nyght>
A litel drouknyng be for *e day,>
Me thoughte i sey a rewely syght>
A body *ere it on bere lay>
%at hadde ben a mody knyght,>
& litel serued god to pay:>
Lore he hadde his lyues lyght,>
%e gost was oute & wolde go way.>
>
2>
& whanne *e gost it shulde go>
It withheld and withsood>
& loked on *e body *at it cam fro>
Ful sorwefully with drewery mood,>
& seyde: Allas & welewo,>
%ou fekele flessh, *ou false bloo.>
Why lyst *ou *ere styncand so>
%at whylome were so wyld & wood?>
>
3>
%ou *at was wonede to ryde>
Hye on horse in & out,>
So queynte a knyght & kid so wyde>
& as a lyon fers & proud:>
Where is now *y mche pryde,>
& *y los *at was so loud?>
Why lyst *ou *ere with hare syde,>
Prikked in so povere a shroud?>
>
4>
Wher ar now alle *y ryche wedes, [f. 62r]>
%y somers & *y ryche beddes,>
%y proude palfrays & *y stedes>
%at *ou aboute with *e leddes?>
%e grehoundes *at were wont to grede>
& *o faukons *at *ou feddes?>
Me thenketh *y good is *e ful gnede:>
Now alle *y frendes are fro *e fledde.>
>
5>
Where are now alle *yn hey toures, [f. 61v]>
%y chambres & *yn hye halle,>
%at peynted were with proude floures,>
And *y[ry]che robes alle:>
%yn curtyns & *y covertoures,>
%y sendele & *y riche palle?>
Loke, wrech, where is now *y boure,>
To morwe *ou shalt *ere in falle.>
>
6>
Wher are now *y cokes snelle>
%at shulde go to greyth *y mete>
With ryche spyces for to smelle,>
Whan were set for to frete>
To don *y foule flessh to swelle>
%at now shal wylde wormes ete,>
And ine *e stronge peyne of helle>
With *y glotony *ou hast gete?>
>
7>
Where ar *y glemen *at shulde *e glewe>
With harpe & lute & taboure bete?>
%e piperes *at *o bagges blewe>
& *at *ou yaf *o yiftes gre[te],>
%e ryche robes elde & newe>
To yelpe of *e where *at *ey sete;>
Swyche trifelons evere ontrewe [f. 63r]>
Of *e *ey hadde gret beyete.>
>
8>
Swyche men for pompe & pryde>
Largely of *yn *ou yaf;>
%e pouere *ou +lete ay be syde,>
For euere *ou hem ouer haf,>
For to bere *y word so wyde>
& make of *e rym & raf,>
& if *ey came in any onryde,>
%ou yaf hem dyntes with a staf.>
>
9>
Fro *e pore *ou it nam>
%at many a glotoun eet & drank,>
Neuere *oughtest *ou of wham,>
Ne hoo *erefore ful harde swank>
%e ryche were wel come whan *ey cam,>
%e pore were strike til *ey stank.>
Now is al gon with goddes gram,>
& *ou hast, wrech ful lytel thank.>
>
10>
Of al *at *ou to gider drough>
%ou were hardere *an *e flynt>
Swich schal make hem large inough>
%at *ou haddest neuere ymynt,>
%ou *at madest it so tough,>
Al *y bost is now stynt:>
& i may wepe *at *ou be lough>
For al my blisse for *e is tynt.>
>
11>
Wrech, neuere in al *y lyue>
Of worldes good were *ou sad,>
Now shalt *ou haue lond ne lyth>
But seuene fote & onethes *at;>
Now sest *ou wel it shal *e kyth>
Lore *ou hast *at *ou here gat>
& now shalt *ou neuere be blythe>
Of al *at o*er shal make hem glad.>
>
12>
But to morwe whan it is day>
Out fro likytht & al *y kyn,>
Bare shalt *ou wende a way>
& leve here al *y worldes wyn.>
In proud paleys *ough *ou here lay,>
With wormes is now take *yn in>
%y boure is beeld ful colde in clay>
%e rof to reste vp on *y chin.>
>
13>
Where are *y markes & *y poundes,>
%y tresor & *y fayre fee,>
Of al *y good fro roof to grounde>
Bryght broches & many a bygh?>
Ho durste abate to *e grounde>
%y baner whan it was reysed on hygh?>
Euele art *ou proued in a stounde:>
%y tayl is cutted *e ful nygh.>
>
14>
%y false heyr is now ful fayn,>
%y fayre fe to under go,>
Wel is him *is day hath sayn,>
%at lytil good wele for vs do:>
Ne wil he not now yeue agayn>
To brynge vs bo*e to reste & ro,>
Of al *at lond a fote or twayn>
%at *ou ful sinfully cam to.>
>
15>
Ne *y wyf wole no more wepe>
To nyght myght she have no rest,>
Ne for fele thoughtes slepe,>
What man hire be felle best>
In *y stede for to qepe>
Be *is she wol of on al prest.>
Be *ou to morwe dolue depe [f. 63v]>
Anon *ey shall ben treuth fest.>
>
16>
& *y seketours shal now sekke>
All *y good now *ou art ded,>
& al shal sone gon to wrekke.>
Haue *ey ones delt a lytel bred;>
Eche of hem shal pyke & skekke:>
Hors & swyn, sheep & net,>
But lytil thar vs *ereof rekkes>
For we are bo*e be take *e qued.>
>
17>
Now are *o bannynges on *e lyght,>
Wrech, *ere i se *e lye,>
%at men haue bede *e day & nyght>
& sete on here knes to crye.>
But allas, *at i wreched wyght>
Shall *us giltles abye>
Al *y shame & *yn vn ryght>
Sorwe & wo now mot i shal drye.>
>
Respondit corpus ad animam:>
>
18>
And whan *e gost with reuful chere>
Hadde *us mad *is sory mone,>
%e body *ere hit lay on bere:>
A grisely thyng as it was one.>
%e hed vp haf & *e swere>
As thyng al seek it yaf a grone,>
& seye: Where *oust *ou be my fere>
%at art *us wrothly fro me gone?>
>
19>
Why chydest *ou with me so fast,>
%ough i be brought to de*es gape,>
& *ou with me ne wilt not last,>
What breydest *ou me of myn on hape?>
I am not *e firste ne shal be *e las>
%at shal drynke of *at nape:>
Nis non so kene *at he nis cast>
%e pruddest is good to kepe his clape.>
>
20>
What breydest *ou me *at i shal rote?>
So dede Sampson & Sesar,>
No man may now fynde a mote>
Of hem ne of here moderes *at hem bar:>
Wormes gnowen a to here throte,>
So shal *ey myn i am wel war:>
%ere deth findeth *e dore ope,>
Helpe may non ageyn char.>
>
21>
Wan i seygh bo*e clerk & knyght,>
& o*er men be gates go,>
Heye halles & boures bryght,>
I wende to haue had mirthes mo:>
I was a man of mochel myght>
& wende to haue liued euere so,>
My dwellyng here ful faire i dyght>
& deth hath put me now *erefro.>
>
22>
My wonyng here worthyly i wrought,>
& thoughte haue leued yeres fele,>
Brode wonges & wodes i bought,>
With al *at euere i myghte spele.>
Now is al went agein my thought,>
& de* *at can ful stilly stele,>
Hath me dreue a wey with nought,>
& o*ere to welden al my wele.>
>
23>
And if *ou wilt me *ere of wyte,>
%at we bo*e shul be spilt,>
With *y self faste *ou flyte:>
For al it was *yn owen gilt.>
%at may i prove with wordus lyte, [f. 64r]>
& with resoun if *ou wilt.>
%ou art to blame, & i al quyte,>
%ou shuldest vs fro wo haue shilt.>
>
24>
God shop *e after his owen shaft>
& yaf *e bo*e wit & skill,>
& in *y lokyng was i laft>
To doon after *yn owen wille.>
Ne wist i neuere of wiche craft,>
Ne what was good, ne what was ille,>
But as a beste doumbe & daft:>
& as *ou leddest me *er tille.>
>
25>
To *e was i take to yeme>
A witles thyng as i was born,>
& sith to serue *e to queme>
Bo*e on eue & on morwn>
But *ou *at dedes coudest deme>
Schuldest haue ben war beforn>
Of my synne & my folye:>
%er for *ou art *y self for lorn.>
>
Anima dicit ad corpus>
>
26>
%e soule seyde: Body, be stille;>
Where hast *ou lerned al *is wit>
To yeue me *is answer grille?>
%er *ou lyst bolned as abit:>
Wenest *ou wrech, *ough *ou fille>
With *y foule flessh a pit,>
Of al *ar euere *ou hast doon ille,>
%at *ou so lyghtly shalt go quit?>
>
27>
Wenest *ou, wrech, to gete grith>
Whan *ou lyst roten in *e clay?>
Nay, *ough *ou rote bo*e pile & pith,>
& al toblowe wi* *e wynd away,>
Yet schalt *ou come with lime & lith>
Ageyn to me at domes day,>
& come to courte & i *e with>
For to kepe oure ryght pay.>
>
28>
To loke *ou sayst *ou were me taught,>
But sin *ou coudest of any qued,>
Wi* *y teth *e brydel *ou raught>
& dedest al *at i *e for bed;>
To sinne & shame was *i draught,>
To sorwe & to wreched hed,>
& i ofte a geyn *e faught,>
But ay *ou toke *yn owen red.>
>
29>
& whan i monewed *e soule ned:>
Masse to here & euensong,>
%ou must ferst doon o*er dede,>
& seydest it was an ydel gong:>
To ryuer or to chace *ou yede>
Ou*er to courte to deme wrong,>
But if it were for pompe & pryde>
Ful lytel good *ou dedest among.>
>
30>
Ho may e*er more treson do>
Or his owen lord better engyne>
%an he *at al his trost is to,>
& with him is his owen hyne?>
Euere sin *ou was thriue & thro,>
& with *at al *e ways was ryne,>
%e *ou purueydest reste & roo>
& me *ou dyghtest helle pyne.>
>
31>
So many tymes were *ou taught>
%at we bo*e shulde haue,>
But lytel gaf *ou of *at:>
%ough *ou seye fader & moder graue,>
%ou dest as *e world *e bad [f. 64v]>
& as *yn owen flesh wolde craue.>
I suffred *e & dede as mad>
To be my lord & i *y knaue.>
>
32>
Now may wylde bestes renne>
Hiden hem vnder lynde & lef,>
And foules fle be fryth & fenne,>
Sithen *y false harte clef;>
%yn eyen are blynde & kun not kenne,>
%y mou* is doumb, *yn eren def,>
& *ou *at lyst here grennende,>
Fro *e cometh a wikked wef.>
>
Ait corpus ad animam:>
>
33>
%e body groned & gan to sayn:>
Gost *ou hast gret wrong iwys,>
Al *e gilt on me to layn,>
%at *ou hast lorn so moche bliss,>
Where was i be wode or weye>
Sat or stood or dede amys,>
%at i nas euere vnder *yn eye?>
Wel *ou wost *at soth it is.>
>
34>
%ou *at was so worthly wrought,>
%ou seyst i made *e my thral,>
Al *at euere *e of rought,>
%ou it dedist & i with al;>
Ne mis sayde i neuere nought>
Ne mis dede in stede ne stal>
%at ferst of *e com *e thought:>
Abye ho it a bye shal.>
>
35>
What wyst i of wrong or ryght>
What to take or what to done>
But as *ou puttest in my thought>
%at al *e wisdom shuldest haue cone?>
Ffor whan i dede any onryght>
& eftsones *ereof gan mone,>
%an layde i al my myght>
Ano*er tyme to haue my wone.>
>
36>
But haddest *ou so god it yeue,>
Youe me hunger, thirst & cold,>
& wissed me *at no good knewe>
But sorwe & wo & bismar bold,>
%at i lered in my youthe:>
Had i holde whan i was old,>
But *ou me lete gon north & southe,>
& haue al my wil in wold.>
>
37>
Wel wost *ou what was my kynde,>
& al mankynde is al so:>
To haue *is cursed world in mynde>
& ay to coueyte mo & mo;>
%ou shuldest haue lete me be blynde>
Whan i wolde to sinne go,>
But whan *e blynde ledeth *e blynde>
In dych *ey falle *ay bo*e to.>
>
38>
I shulde haue be but as a sheepe,>
Or an ox, or as a swyn>
%at et & drank, lay & sleepe:>
Slayn & pased al his pyn.>
Ne neuere of catel nome ne keepe>
Ne chose *e water fro *e wyn,>
Ne now ne schulde to helle deepe,>
For *[e] suffre al *is pyn.>
>
Anima dicit ad corpus>
>
39>
A, *ou foule flessh vnsete,>
Now may i synge: allas, allas,>
%at euer i *e saugh yete>
For al my loue on *e i las;>
%at *ou louedest me *ou lete>
& madest me an howe of glas,>
I tholed al *at *e thoughte swete,>
& euere to me tretour *ou was.>
>
40>
%e fend of helle *at hath enuye>
To al man kynde & ay hath had>
Was aboute ay to aspye>
To any good whan i *e bad;>
%e world *e stood to companye,>
%at maketh a soule ay adrad,>
%e wiste al *y folye>
& made me, wrech, blynd & mad.>
>
41>
But whan i bad *e to Cryst calle>
& leue *y sinne & almes do>
Penaunce, fastyng & for to wake,>
%e fend seyde: %ou shalt not so;>
%ou shalt not al *y lust for sake,>
Ay to leue in sorwe & wo:>
Ioye & blisse i rede *ou make>
& thenk to liue yeres mo.>
>
42>
But whan i bad *e leue pride>
%y many mes, *y ryche shroud,>
%y false world *e stood be syde>
& bad *e bo*e be queynte & proud:>
%i flesh with rych clo*s shryde>
Nor as a beggere in a clout,>
& on hye hors to ryde>
With moche meyne in & out.>
>
43>
& whan i bed *e erly ryse>
& take of *y soule keepe>
%ou saydest *ou myghtest in no wyse>
For *y mery morwe sleepe:>
Whan ye had set yowre assise,>
For yow thre tretours sore i weepe,>
Ye me ladde thurgh yowre emprise>
As *e shepherde doth his sheepe.>
>
44>
& whanne ye hadde told yowre tale,>
Ayene me were ye alle sworen,>
Al ya helde but tryfle & tale>
%at i hadde seyd be foren.>
Ye ledde me doune & dale>
Als an ox be *e horn,>
& vs is brewed *is harde bale>
%at we shal bo*e be for lorn.>
>
Corpus ait ad animam>
>
45>
And whan *e body saugh *e gost>
Swich dool & sorwe make>
He seyde: Allas, my lyf is lost>
%at euere leued i for *y sake;>
%at myn harte ne hadde brest>
Whan i was fro my modur take>
Or ben into a pit icast>
Wi* an eddere or with a snake.>
>
46>
Ffor *an had i neuere wist>
What was euel or what was good>
Ne to *e world haue had no trist [f. 65v]>
Ne suffred as i now mot:>
But for no seynt may ben oure bot>
To him *at for vs shad his blod>
%at we ne ben in helle brent>
Of his mercy to don vs bote.>
>
Anima dicit as corpus>
>
47>
Certis, now it is to late>
For to preye or for to preche,>
Now *e wayn is at *e yate>
And *y tunge hath leid *e speche;>
On poynt of oure sinne to bate>
In al *is world now is no leche>
We shal bo*e gon o gate>
Swich is Cristes harde wreche.>
>
48>
But haddest *ou a lytel are>
Whan vs was lyf to gidere lent>
Whan *ou *e feltest seek & sare,>
Shriue *e & *e fend ishent>
And haue lete ronne on rewely tere>
In weye of amendement,>
Ne thurst vs neuere haue had care>
%at God ne wolde vs wel defent.>
>
49>
If alle *e men vndur *e mone>
To deme vs were set on benche>
%e schame *at vs shal be done>
Ne myghte neuere on bethenche;>
Ne helpe vs with bede ne bone>
Ne vs may no wyle wrenche,>
Helle houndes come ful sone:>
Ffro wham i may nowher blench.>
>
50>
I ne may no lenger dwelle>
For to stande & speke wi* *e:>
Helle houndes here i yelle>
& fendes mo *an i may se>
Ffor to fette me to helle:>
& i ne may no whider fle.>
& *ou schalt come with flesch and felle>
At domes day & wone with me.>
>
Demonibus uenientibus ad animam>
>
51>
And as it hadde *us isayd,>
It ne wiste whider to go,>
But sone it tok a braly brayd>
%er cam a thousand fendes & mo:>
& whanne *e hadde on him layd,>
Here sory clawes alle *o,>
It was in a sory playt>
Rewly tugged to & fro.>
>
52>
Summe were rugged & summe tayled>
With brode bunches on her bak,>
Sharpe clawes & longe nayled:>
Was non of hem withoute lak.>
On ilk halue it was assayled>
With many a deuele blo & blak,>
Mercy it cryed but nouht it uayled>
%ere god sent so harde wrak..>
>
53>
Summe his chaueles al to brast>
& yoten in him led so hot:>
& beden him to drynke fast>
& slunge him all aboute brod.>
A deuele come *ere at *e laste [f. 66r]>
A mayster he was weli wot>
A culter glowand in him he caste>
%at thurgh his harte sone it smot.>
>
54>
Gleyues glowande summe sette>
To bak, to brest, to bo*e syde,>
%at at his harte *e pointes mette>
& maden him *o woundes wyde;>
%ey asked him hou wel he lette>
%at euere was so ful of pryde,>
Yef he hadde *at him was behette>
For more him shulde him betyde.>
>
55>
Wor*y wedes for to were>
%ey seyde *at he loued best>
Bryght breny for to bere>
Hot brennyng on him was kest>
With starke haspes for to spere>
%at faste sat to bak & brest,>
An helm *at was litel to bere>
& an hors *ere com ful prest.>
>
56>
He broughte forth a brydel tyd>
A cutted deuele as a cote>
%at loude neyed & gaped wyd>
%e leye lemed out of his throte:>
With a sadel to myd syde>
%at ful of sharpe nayles sote>
Als he shulde to helle ryde:>
Al glowande ilk a grote.>
>
57>
Whan he was in *at sadel shreuen>
As he shulde to tornament>
An hundred deueles on him dreuen>
Here & *ere was he hent,>
Of iche dent *e sparkes out sprungen>
As a brond *at is for brent:>
With hote speres was he stungen>
With sharpe swerdes al to rent.>
>
58>
And whan he hadde riden his rode>
In *e sadel *ere he was set>
He was doun cast as a tode>
& helle houndes to him let:>
%ey brayd out *e peces brode>
With reweful tales *ey him gret,>
On alle foure he gled on fote>
Vnethes myght he fer*er flette.>
>
59>
%ey ledde him forth vpon *at low>
With reuful res vnder *at rys,>
& bede he shulde hunte & blowe>
& calle on Bemound & Beufys,>
Ratches *at him were wont to knowe,>
Sone *ey shulde blowe *e prys:>
An hundred deueles on a rowe>
Dryue him doun ward vn thank hys.>
>
60>
Whan he cam to *at wretched wone>
%e feendes yeue swich a yelle:>
%e erde opnede sone a none>
Smoke & smulder vp gan welle,>
Of *e pych & *e brunstone>
Men myht fele fer *e smelle;>
Lord God, wo is him begone >
%at *ere of shal haue haluendelle.>
>
Iterum de anima dicente et clamante ad saluatorem suum>
>
61>
& whanne *e gost *at syght sey [f. 66v]>
Whider it shulde, it kest a cry>
& seyde: God *at sittest on hey,>
On me *y schape *ou haue mercy.>
Why schope *ou me *at were so sley>
And *y creature was i>
As many o*er *at sitte *e by>
And *at *ou hast so wel don by.>
>
62>
%ou God *at wistest al be forn>
Why shope *ou me to wro*erhele>
%us to be tugged & to torn,>
Or for to welden any wele?>
Allas *at tyme *at i was born!>
So may i say for *is vnsele>
Ffor now i se i am but lorn>
%ere may no man *is doom repele.>
>
63>
%e fendes gunne ageyn to crie:>
Caytif it helpeth *e no more>
To calle on Ihesu ne on Marye>
Ne for to craue Crystes ore:>
Lorn *ou hast here companye>
For *ou hast serued vs ful yore,>
%y bulted bred *ou schalt abye>
As o*er *at leue vpon oure lore.>
>
64>
%o fendes *at were of him fayn>
By top and tayl *ey hente it>
& slongge it with a mody mayn>
Ryght in to *e deppest pit>
%ere sunne neuere shall be seyn:>
Hem selue sunke doun with it,>
%e erde gan go to gider ageyn>
%at hole *ere was sone idit.>
>
65>
Whan it was forth *at foule lode>
Fast it gan to drawe day,>
On ilk an her a drope stode>
For fryht & fere *ere as i lay:>
To Ihesu Cryst with mylde mode>
Faste i gan to crie & pray,>
I was so ferd i was ner wode>
%at i shulde haue ben born a way.>
>
66>
I thanked him *at tholed ded>
Hise moche mercy & his ore>
%at saued me fro *at foule qued>
A sinful wrech as i was *ore:>
Al sinful i rede sinnes leet>
& shryue yow & rewe sore,>
Yet ne is no sinne so gret>
%at Crystes mercy is moche more.>
>
67>
Now Ihesu *at vs alle wrought>
& shoop vs after his owen face,>
& wi* his preciouse blood vs bought>
Of amendement yeue vs space;>
%at *yn handwerk tyne nought>
In *y blisful stede a place,>
%e ioye *at *ou to vs hast wrought>
%ou grante vs for *yn holy grace.>
	Amen.>
>
Explicit disputacio inter corpus et animam>>>
>
>
>
<Title: MS Additional 22283 (Simeon), f. 80vA-C>>
>
<<1>
Als ich lay in wintres niht>
In a droupnynge  bi fore *e day,>
Me *ou+te i seih a selly siht:>
A bodi *er hit on beere lay>
%at hedde iben a comeli kniht,>
And luitel iserued god to pay:>
Loren he hedde *is lyues liht,>
%e gost was oute and wolde a way.>
>
2>
And whon *e gost him scholde go,>
Hit turned a+eyn and +it wi*stod,>
Bi heold *e fflesch *er hit com fro>
So serwefulliche dreri mood,>
And seide: Allas and weilawo!>
%ou fikele flesch, *ou false blod,>
Whi lyst *ou now stynkynde so>
%at whilen weore so wylde & wod?>
>
3>
%ou *at weore iwont to ryde>
So hi+e an horse in and out,>
So queynte a kny+t and kud so wyde>
Als a lyoun fers and proud,>
Where is now al *i muchele pride [f. 80vB]>
And *i leete *at was so loud?>
Whi lyst *ou *ere so bare *i syde,>
Prikked in so pore a schroud?>
>
4>
Where ben now alle *in wor*ly wedes,>
%i somers with *i bourliche beddes,>
%i palfreis and *i noble stedes>
%at *ou aboute in destre leddes?>
%i faucouns *at were wont to grede>
And *i grehoundes *at *ou feddes;>
Me *inke* *i good is *e ful gnede:>
Now al *i ffrendes ben from *e fledde.>
>
5>
Where ben *yne castels & *i toures,>
%i chaumbres and *in hei+e halle>
%at peynted weoren with feire floures>
And *yne riche robes alle,>
%i quyltes and *y couertoures,>
%at sendel and *at pourpre palle?>
Lo, wrecche, wher is nou *i boure:>
To morwe schaltou *er inne falle.>
>
6>
Where be nou alle *i cokes snelle>
%at scholde go grei*e *yne mete>
Mid riche spiceries forte smelle,>
%at *ou were gredi for to frete, >
To don *i foule fflesch to swelle,>
%at now wole foule wormes ete,>
And me *e put and pyne of helle>
Mid *i glotenye hast *ou gete.>
>
7>
Wher be *eose gleo men *e glewen,>
Harpe & fi*ele and tabour bete?>
%is pipers *at *is bagges blewen>
And *at *ou +af *e +iftes grete,>
%e riche robes olde and newe>
To +elpen of *e *er *ei seete;>
Suche truilours *at neuer nere trewe>
Of *e hedden gret bi+ete.>
>
8>
Ffor to bere *i word so wyde>
And maken of *e rym and raf,>
Suche gylours for pompe and pride>
Largeliche of *in *ou +af;>
Ac *e pore eoden al be syde,>
Ffor euer hem *ou ouer haf,>
And +if *ei coomen in eny vnryde,>
Sone heo weore striken myd a staf.>
>
9>
Off suche pore *ou hit nom>
%at mony a gloten eet and dronk,>
Neuer ne rou+test *ow of whom, [f. 286vA]>
Ne ho *erfore sarrest swonk.>
%e riche was wel come whon he com,>
%e pore was beten *at he stonk.>
Now is al gon mid godes grom,>
And *ou hast, wrecche luitel *onk.>
>
10>
Off al *at *ou to gedere drou+>
And were hardore *en *e flynt,>
Suche schul make hem large inou+>
%at *ow neuere neddest i mynt,>
And *ou *at madest hit so tou+,>
Al *i bost is sone astint:>
Ac i mai wepen *at *ou bi lou+>
Ffor al my blisse is for *e tynt.>
>
11>
%ou wrecche *at in al *i siht>
Here neuere of worldes winne sad,>
Nu hast *ou nou*er lond ne lith,>
But seuen foote and vnne*e *at;>
Nou sixtou and *e so*e hit kith,>
Al is loren *at *ou er gat>
And *ou ne schalt neuer eft be bly*>
Of *at o*ur wol make hem glad.>
>
12>
Ac to morwe whon hit is day>
Out from ki* and al *y kyn,>
Bare schalt *ou wenden a way>
And leuen al *is worldes win.>
In proud paleys *ei+ *ou her lay,>
Wi* wormes is nou nomen *in in>
%i boure is bult so cold in clay,>
%e roof to resten on *i chyn.>
>
13>
So feole time weore *ou *rat>
What *ow, wrecche, scholdest haue,>
And luitel +iue *ou of *at:>
%ei+ *ou se+e al *i kun igraue,>
%ou dudest al as *e world *e bad>
And as *i foule flesch wolde craue.>
I suffred *e and dude as mad>
To be maister and ich *i knaue.>
>
14>
%e bodi grunte and gon to seye>
Gost *ou hast *e wrong iwis,>
Al *e gult on me to leye,>
%at *ou hast *us iloren *i blis,>
Wher was ich be wode or weye>
Sat or stood or dude out mis, [f. 80vC]>
%at i nas euere vnder *yn ei+e?>
Wel *ou wost *at so* hit is.>
>
15>
And *ou *at were so wor*i wrou+t,>
%ou seidest ich made *e my *ral,>
Ac al *at euer *e of rou+t,>
%ou hit dust and ich hit hal;>
Ne misdude ich neuer nou+t>
Ne i ne rafte, ne i ne stal>
%at arst of *e ne com *e *ou+t:>
Abugge hose abugge schal.>
>
16>
What wuste i what was wrong or riht>
What to take or what to schone>
But as *ou puttest in my siht>
%at al *e wisdam schuldest haue kone?>
Ac whon i dude ones an vn tiht>
And eft sones gon me *erof mone,>
%enne leide i al my miht>
Ano*er tyme to haue *e wone.>
>
17>
Wel ou+testou wite wat was my kynde,>
As vre eldren weren ar *o:>
To be *is wrecched word so mynde,>
And euer coueyten mo and mo;>
Allas! Whi neddest *ou me bynde>
Whon i wolde to synne haue go,>
Ac *er *e blynde lat *e blynde>
In dich *ei fallen bo*e two.>
>
18>
I scholde haue ben but as a schep,>
Or as an oxe, or as a swyn>
%at eet and dronk, lay and sleep:>
Slayen and passed al his pyn.>
Neuer of catel nomen no kep>
Ne chosen *e water from *e wyn,>
Ne nou ne schulde in to helle dep,>
Nere *e wit *at al was *yn.>
>
19>
Careyne vnkynde what hast *ou seid?>
Ffor euere were *ou lu*er and les>
Fforte brewe me bitter breid,>
And me to puyten out of pees.>
Wi* lime iwrou+t wi* tonge iseid,>
To harme was *i raple res>
Wi* schome is now *i leete ileid,>
Wi* serwe newe* me *at mes.>
>
20>
And ho may more tresun do>
Or his lord better engyne>
Then he *at al his trust is to>
And mid hym as his owne hyne?>
Euer si*en *ou cou*est go [f. 286vB]>
Stunten noldest *ou, neuer fyne>
%i self to dihten reste and ro,>
And me to purchasen put and pyne.>
>
21>
Ak now mowen bestes renne>
And liggen vndur lynd and lef>
And foules flen by feld and fenne>
Si*en *i false herte clef:>
%yn e+e is blynd and con not kenne,>
%i mou* is doumbe, *in ere is deef,>
And *ou begynnest *us to grenne>
Ffrom *e come* a wikked weef.>
>
22>
Nis no ladi so briht of ble>
%at of *e weore wel woned to lete>
%at o day wolde wi* *e be>
Ffor al *e gold *ou euer gete;>
Vn semely art *ou on to se>
Vn comelich for to cusse swete,>
%ow hast no frend *at nolde fle>
Come *ou startlynge in *e strete.>
>
23>
Nay, grimly gost, al *e for nouht>
Mid me to holde chide and cheste,>
Ffor clyuen most i to *i *ouht>
And bowen as a bounden beeste>
To don al *at *e of rouht:>
Ich was euer at *in heste;>
Wi* stonden *e ne dorst i nouht>
Ffor mid *e weren mihtes meste.>
>
24>
For as ich was to *e i+iuen>
And as *yn asse ich *e bar>
As mayster ouer me to lyuen,>
%at wel was of myne wrenches war:>
And whon *ou heddest me for* dryuen>
And i put til eny char>
Al to *e counseil most i cliuen>
As he do* *at non o*er ne dar.>
>
25>
Ak heddest *ou, so Crist hit ou*e>
I+iue me bo*e hongur and cold,>
And itau+t me, *at nou+t ne cou*e>
But ligge in bisemare so bold,>
%at ich vsede in my +ou*e:>
Hedde ich holden whon ich was old,>>>
>
>
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<<END>>