THE

OP

THE

OF-

EDITED BY

FREDERICK J. FURNIVALL.

LONDON:

PUBLISH! FOR THE CHAUCER SOCIETY

BY N. TKUBNER & CO., 57 & 59, LUDGATE HILL.

1868-1879.

Jirst Merits.

CLAT AND TAYLOR, THE CHAUCER PRKSS, BUNOAY

CONTENTS OF THE PETWORTH MS.

Six-Text Group Pages

A. § 1. General Prologue 1

§ 2, Knight's Tale (of Palamon, Arcite, and fair Emelye. Pt. II, p. 40 ; Pt. Ill, p. 54; Pt. IV, p. 71) 26

§ 3. KNIGHT-MILLER LINK 89

§ 4. Miller's Tale (of Nicholas, Absolon,

& the Oxford Carpenter's Wife) 92

§ 5. MILLER-REEVE LINK Ill

§ 6. Reeve's Tale (of the Trumpington

Miller and Cambridge Clerks) 113

§ 7. REEVE-COOK LINK 125

§ 8. Cook's Tale (unfiniM : of the Lon- don Victualler's Apprentice) ... 127 Appendix to Group A: A spurious COOK-GAMELYN LINK of 2 lines, and The spurious TALE OP GAMELYN

Spurious COOK (t. i. GAMELYN) — SHIPMAN LiNK1

B. § 4. Shipman's Tale (of the Monk and

the Merchant's Wife) ... 168

§ 5. SHIPMAN-PRIORESS LINK ... 181

§ 6. Prioress's (Proem and) Tale (of the

little murderd Boy) 182

§ 1. MAN OP LAW'S HEAD-LINK ... 129 § 2. Man of Law's (Proem and) Tale (of Constance and her Boy). (Pt. II, p. 142 S-T., p. 191 Pet.; Pt. Ill, p. 157 S-T., p. 206 Pet.) 132 Latin Side-Notes to the Man of

Law's Tale 133

§ 3. MAN - OP - LAW — SHIPMAN LINK (wrongly as MAN-OF-LAW-SQUIRB LINK) 167

Petworth Pages

26 89

92 111

113

125

127

129 155

156 169

170 178

181

182

216

1 Misplaced by the scribe, as its words show it was meant for a (spurious) Pardoner- S/tipman Link.

vi

CONTENTS

Group

[For F, § 1, Squire's Headlink, see

p. 375 of the Petworth MS.]

F. § 2. Squire's Tale (unfinisht: of the Magic

Horse, &c, and the Falcon) . . .

§ 3. SQUIRE -FRANKLIN LINK (wrongly

as SQUIRE-MERCHANT LINK) ...

[For E, § 1, 2, see p. 335, 337 Pet.; for E, § 3 (from Addit. MS. 5140), see Appendix 2, p. 709.]

E. § 4, Merchant's Tale1

[For E, § 5, see p. 374 Pet.~\

Six-Text Pages

479

498

443

D.

E. § 1, CLERK'S HEAD-LINK

§ 2. Clerk's Tale (of Grisilde). (Pt. II, p. 409 8-T, p. 341 Pet.; Pt. Ill, p. 417 S-T, p. 349 Pet.; Pt. IV, p. 422 S-T, p. 354 Pet.; Pt. Y, p. 428 S-T, p. 360 Pet. ; Pt. VI, p. 433 8-T, p. 365 Pet.3 Chaucer's Envoy, p. 440 S-T, p. 372 Pet.) ...

403

405

Petworth Pages

217 236

238

§ 1. Wife of Bath's Preamble2 (of her 5

Husbands, &c.) 334 271

§ 2. Wife of Bath's Tale (of what Women

most desire) 359 296

§ 3, WIFE-FRIAR LINK 371 308

§ 4. Friar's Tale (of the Sum'ner carrid

off to Hell) 372 309

§ 5. FKIAR-SUM'NER LINK 383 320

§ 6; Sum'ner's Tale (of the Friar trickt by the sick Husbandman ; in- complete, with spurious end. For the genuine end, 1. 2159 — 2294, from Additional MS. 5140, Brit. Mus., see Appendix 1, p. 1*) 385 322

335

337

1 Like the Corpus and Lansdowne MSB., the Petworth has a spurious 1. 1778, instead of the genuine E 1777, p. 458 S-T, p. 253 Pet., and a spurious 1. 1816 (misplaced), p. 459 S-T, p. 254 Pet. Like Corp. and Lansd., it leaves out 1. 1927-8, p. 461 S-T, p. 257 Pet., but does not, like Lansd., leave out E 2281-8.

2 The MS. wants the lines D 575—584, 609—612, 619—626, 717—720. They are supplied from MS. Reg. 17 D xv. The Pet- worth MS. also begins the Tale at 1. 829 in the Preamble, p. 294, p. 357 Six- Text.

3 The MS. wants st. 160, E 1170-76, p. 372 Pet., referring to the Wife of Bath, and also wrongly puts the 4th stanza of the Envoy (st. 164 of the Tale) last, after the 5th and 6th, p. 373 Pet.

CONTENTS.

Vll

Group

E. §5.

F. §1.

[For E, § 3 (from Addit. MS. 5140), see Appendix 2, p. 709 ; for E, § 4, p. 238 Pet.']

MERCHANT'S END-LINK .

SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK {For F, § 2, 3, see p. 217, 236 Pet.'] § 4. Franklin's (Proem and) Tale1

Six-Text Pages

476 478 500

G. § 1. Second Nun's (Proem and) Tale (of

St. Cecile) 527

§ 2. SECOND- NUN — CANON'S -YEOMAN

LINK 547

§ 3. Canon's Yeoman's Preamble (of

Alchemy, &c.) ... ... 552

§ 4. Canon's Yeoman's Tale (of the ras- cally Alchemist-Canon) ... 560

Spitriom CANGN'S-YEOMAN — DOCTOR LINK

C. § 1. Doctor's Tale (of Virginia) ... 303 § 2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK ... 312 § 3. Pardoner's Preamble (of his Preach- ing and Tricks) ... ... 314

§ 4« Pardoner's Tale (of the Three

Kioters) 318

B.

[For B, § 1-2. see p. 178—215 Pet. ; B, § 3. p. 216 Pet.; B, § 4-6, p. 156—177^.]

§ 7. PRIORESS-THOPAS LINK

§ 8. Chaucer's Tale of Sir Thopas (Fitte

2, p. 197 S-T, 488 Pet.) § 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK ... § 10. Chaucer's Tale of Melibe (prose: on

Prudence)

§ 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK § 12. Monk's Tale1 (of Men fallen from high estate)

190

191 199

201 253

256

Petworth Pages

374 375 376

402 422 427 435

| 450

451 460

462 466

481

482 490

492 544

547

1 Like the Corpus and Lansdowne MSS., the Petworth leaves out F 1423-4 and 1433-4, and has a spurious line, F 1436 (mis- placed), p. 520 S-T, p. 396 Pet. It also has not the lines F 1455-6, 1493-8 (p. 398-9), known only in the Ellesraere MS. Like Corp. and Lansd., Petworth has spurious lines for F 1529, F 1556. p. 523 S-T., but it does not leave out F 1567-8, as Corp. and Lansd. do.

2 The 4 'Modern Instances'— Peter the Cruel of Spain, Peter of Cyprus, Barnabo Visconti of Milan, and Count Ugolino of Pisa- are in their right place, after Zenobia, p. 559 Pet., p. 268 Six-Tmrt.

Viii CONTENTS.

Six-Text Group Pages

§ 13. MONK — NUN'S-PRIEST LINK "... 281 § 14. Nun's Priest's Tale (of the Cock

and Fox) 283

[For B, § 15, NUN'S PRIEST'S END- LINK, see p. 702 Pet.~\

H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK ... 576

§ 2, Manciple's Tale (of the Crow) ... 580

I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK 589

Contents of the Parson's Tale ... 592 § 2. Parson's Tale (a prose treatise on Penitence). (Pt. II, p. 612-678 S-T, p. 628-694 Pet. ; Pt. Ill, p. 679-683 S-T, p. 695-700 Pet. Leave-taking, p. 684 S-T, p. 701 Pet) 593

Supplt. B. § 15, NUN'S PRIEST'S END-LINK

(from the Christ Church MS.) 301

Petworth Pages

572 574

592 596

604 607

609

702

OF SECTIONS, CUTS, ETC., NOT IN THE PETWORTH MS.

1. Group D, § 6, 1. 2159-2294, end of the

Sum'ner's Tale, from Addit. MS. 5140, Brit. Mus 397

2. Group E, § 3, the ClerJc-Merchant-Link,

from Addit. MS. 5140 442

3. Woodcuts of the 23 Tellers of the 24

Canterbury Tales, from theEllesm. MS.

4. Woodcuts of 6 Tellers of Canterbury

Tales,— the Cook, Reeve * Wife of Bath, Pardoner, Monk, and Manciple, — and of 6 Allegorical Figures in the Parson's Tale: Wrath and Mercy, Gluttony and Abstinence, Lechery and Chastity, from MS. Gg. 4 27 in the Univ. Libr. Cambridge.

705 709

GROUP A. FRAGMENT I.

§ 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PETWOBTH MS.

• Han that Aprille with his shoures soote [leafii The drought1 of marche hath perced to J?e roote And bathes euery veyne in swich licoure Of which vertue engendrid is J)e floure 4

Whan zephirus ek1 with his swete breth Inspired hath in euery holt and heth The tendre croppis and j?e yonge sonne Hath in the ram his halfe cours yronne 8

And smale foules make melodye

That slepen al nyght with open eyghe

So prikej? hem nature in here corages

Than longen folk1 to gon on pilgrymages 12

And palmers for to seke straunge strondes

To feme halowes couthe in sondry londes

And specially fram euery shires ende

Of1 engelond to Caunterbury they wende 16

The holy blisseful martir1 for to seke

That1 hem hath holpen when that1 J?ey were seke

Byfille fat1 in that1 seson) on aday

In southwerk1 atte Tabbard as I lay 20

Redy to wende on my pilgrymage

To Cantirbury with ful devout1 corage

At nyht1 was come in to J?af hostellerye

Wei nyne and twenty on a company e 24

Of1 sondry folk1 by auenture yfalle

In felaschipe and pilgrymes were Jjey alle

That1 toward Cantirbery wolde ryde

1 PETWORTH 1

2 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOlth MS.

The Chambres and stables weren wyde 28

And wel weren esed* atte beste And schortly whan the sonne was to reste So hadde I spoken with hem euerychoii That I was of here felaschipe anon 32

And made forward erly for to ryse To take oure wey there as I you deuyse But natheles whil I haue tyme and space Or Jjatf I ferther in this tale pace 36

Me thynkef it* accordant1 to reson> To telle yow al the Condicion)

Of* ech of1 hem so as it1 semed me neaf i, back]

And whiche they were, and of whafr degre 40

And eke in what1 array fat1 they were Inne And at1 a knyght1 fan I wol first1 bigynne A knygfrfr f er was and fat1 a worthy man -*•*• That fro f e tyme fat he ferstf bigan 44

To riden out*, he louede Chyualrye Trouthe and honour fredom and curtesye fful worthy was he in his lordis werre And therto hadde he ryden no man ferre 48

As wel in Cristendom as in hethenesse And euere honoured for his worthynesse ^T At Alisaundre he was whan it [was] wonne fful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne 52

Aboven alle naciouws in Pruce In lettowe had he reysed and in Euce No cristene man so ofte of1 his degre In Gernade at the sege ek1 hadde he be 56

Of Algezire and riden in belmarye At Lyeis was he and at Satalye When they were wonne and in the grete see At many a noble armeye had he be 60

At mortel batailles had he ben fyftene And fouhten for oure faith at tramessene In lystes thryes. and ay slayne his foo

B PEFWORTH 2

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOlth MS. 3

This like worthy knyghtf had ben also 64

Somtyme with the lord of Palatye

Ayeyn an othir hethen in Turkye

And euere more he hadde a souereyne pry

And though Jrnt he was worthy he was wys 68

And of his port1 as meke as is a mayde

He neuer yet no velonye ne sayde

In al his lyf vnto no manere wight1

He was a verrey parfit1 gentil knyght1 72

ifor to tellen yow of his array

His hors weren gode. but1 he was not gay

Of fustyon) he werede a gepon

Al bismotered with his habirgeon) 76

ffor he was late ycome from his viage [leaf 2]

And wente for to don his pilgrymage

TITith hym J>er was his sone a yong squyere

A louyere and a lusty bachelere 80

With, lockes crulle as they were leyd in presse

Of twenty yere of age he was I gesse

Of his stature he was of1 euene lengtne

And wondirly delyuere and gretf of1 strengthe 84

And he hadde be somtyme in chyuachye

In fflauftdres in Artoys and in Pikardye

And born him wel as of so litil space

In hope to stonde in his lady grace 88

Embroyded was he as it were a mede

Aft ful of fresshe floures white and rede

Syngynge he was. or floytynge al the day

He was also fressh as ys Jje moneth of may 92

Short was his gowne with sieves longe and wyde

Wel koude he sitte on an hors and faire ryde

He koude songes make, and wel endite

luste and eke dau?zce and wel portrey and, write. 96

So hote he louede. that by nygter tale

He slepte namore than doth a nyghtyngale

Corteys he was lowely and servisable

PETWORTH 3

4 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOTth MS,

And karf biforn his fadir at the table 100

A^othir yeman hadde he and seruantes na mo

At1 that1 tyme. for hym lysf ryde so

And he was clad in coote and hood of1 grene

A sheef1 of1 pocok1 arewes bryght1 and kene 104

Vndir his belt1 he bar full thriftily

"Wei couthe he dresse his takel yemanly

Hise arewes drouped noght1 with fejjeres lowe

And in his hond he bar a myghty bowe 108

A not1 hed hadde he with a broun visage

Of1 wode craft wel couthe he al the vsage

Yppon his arme he bar a gay bracer1

And by his side a swerd and a bokeler1 112

And on that o]?ir syde a gay daggere

Harneysed wel and sharp as poynt1 of1 spere

A Cristoffie on his brest1 of seiner shene [leaf 2, back]

An horn he bar the bawdrik1 was of grene 116

A foster was he sotly as I gesse

fPher was a no^ne also a priores&e

-*• That1 of hir smylynge was ful symple and coy

Hire grettest1 ooth was but1 by sey[n]te loy 120

And she was clepid ma dame Englentyne

fful wel she song1 the seruyse divyne

Entuned in hire nose ful semyly

And frenshe she spak1 ful faire and fetysly 124

Aftir the skole of Stratford? atte bowe

ffor frensch of Parys was to hire vnknowe

At mete wel I-taught was sche with alle

She leet1 no morsel from hir lippes falle 128

ISTe wete hire fyngres in hire sause depe

Wel couthe she carye a morsel and wel kepe

That no drope ne fille vppon hire breste

In curtesye was set1 ful mochel hire leste 1 32

Hire ouer lippe wiped she so clene

That in hir cuppe ther was no ferthing sene

Of grece whan she dronken hadde hire draughte

PETWOKTH 4

6ROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOrth MS. 5

fful semyly aftir hir mete she raughte 136

And sikerly sclie was of gret1 disporte And ful plesaimt and amable of porte And peynede hire to eounterfete chere Of court1, and to ben estatliche of1 manere 140

And to he holden digne of1 reuerence But for to speken of1 hir Conciense She was so charitable and so pitous

She wolde wepe yif1 that1 she saufr a mous 144

Kaugh[t] in a trappe yif* it were ded or bledde Of* smale houndes had she that1 she fedde "With rostid nessh or myik1 or wastelbrede But1 sore wepte she yf oon of1 hem were dede 148

Or yf* men smoot yf with a yerde smerte And al was conscience and tendre herte fful semeliche hire wympil pynchid was Hir nose was streight1. hire eighen grey as glas 152

Hire mouth ful smal and therto softe and rede [leaf 33

But sekerly she hadde a fair forhede It was almost a spanne brood I trowe ffor hardely she was nouht vndirgrowe 156

fful fetys was hir cloke as I was waar Of smal coral aboute hir arme she baar A paire of bedys gaudid al with grene And ther on hyng1 a broche of gold ful shene 160

On which Jjer was first1 writen a crowned A And aftir amor vincifr omnia An othir Nbnne with hire hadde she That was hire chapeleyn. and prestes thre 164

A monk1 ]?er was a fair for the maistrye " An out1 ridere that1 loued venerye A manly man to ben an Abbot1 able

fful many a deynte hors hadde he in stable 168

And whanne he rood . men myhte his bryditt here Gynglynge in a whistelynge wynd as clere And eke as loude as dooth J>e chapel belle

PET WORTH 5

6 GROUP A. § L GENERAL PROLOGUE. PctWOlth MS.

Ther as this lord was keper of the selle 172

The reule of seynt1 Maure or of seint Benef

Bi cause J>at ji was olde and somdel streit

This ylke monke leet olde Jjynges pace

And heeld aftir the newe world the space 176

He yaf1 nouhf of1 the text1 a pulled hen

That1 seith that1 hunters be noufrf holy men

Ke that a monke whan he is recheles

Is likened tille a fisshe fat1 is watirles 180

This is to seye a monke out1 of1 his cloistre

But thilke text1 held he nouhf worth an oystre

And I seyde his opyniou) was good

What shulde he studie. and make hymself1 wood 184

Ypon a book1 alwey in cloistre to poure

Or swynke with his hondis and laboure

As Austyn bit. hou shal the world be serued

Lat Austyn haue his swynk1 to him reserued 188

Therfore he was a pricasour aright1

Grehoundes he hadde / as swift1 as foule in flight1

Of1 prikynge and of1 huntynge for the hare [leaf s, back]

"Was al his lust1 for no cost wole he spare 192

I seigh hise sieves I-purfiled at1 the hond?

With grys and that1 the fynest1 of a loud?

And for to festne his hood vndir the Chynne

He hadde of1 gold? wrought1 a ful curious py?me 196

A loue knotte in the gretter ende j?er was

His hed was ballyd that1 shon as ony glas

And eke his face, as he hadde ben anoynt1

He was a lord? ful fat1 and in good? poynf 200

Hise eighen stepe and rollynge in his hede

That stemede as a fourneys of a lede

Hise botes scuple his hors in grete estate

Now certeynly he was a fair prelate 204

He nas nat pale as a forpyned goost1

A fat swan louede he best1 of any roost1

His palfray was [as] brouD) as ys a berye

C PETWOKTH 6

tUiOUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PctWOlth MS. 7

A ffrere ther was a wa[n]toune and [a] merye 208

**• A lymytour a ful solempne man In alle the ordres foure is noon that1 can So mochel of daliance and fair langage He hadde made ful many a Mariage 212

Of yonge wommen at1 his owne cost* Vn to his ordre he was a noble post fful wel biloued and famulier was he With frankeleynes oueral in his centre 216

And with worthy wowimen of the toun fFor he hadde power of1 confessions As seide hym self1 more than a Curaf fFor [of] his ordre he was lycenciat1 220

fful swetely herede he confession) And plesaunt1 was his absolucion) He was an esy man to yeue penance

Ther as he wiste to han a good pitance 224

ffor wnto a pore ordre for to yeue Is signe that1 a man ys wel yshreve ffor yf1 he yaf he dorste make avauwt He wiste Jjat1 a man was repentaunfr 228

ffor many a man is so hard of1 his herte [leaf 4]

He may noght1 wepe al J>ouB. him sore smerte Ther fore in stede of1 wepynge and preieres Men mote yeue seluer / to the pore freres 232

His tipet was ay fassed ful of knyfes And pynnes for to yeue faire wyfes And certeynly he hadde a mery note Wel coude he syngen and playen on a roote 236

Of yeddynges he bar vttirly the pryce His necke white was as the flour delyce Therto he was strong as a champions He knew the tauernes wel in every toun 240

And eueriche Osteller and tapestere Bet than a lazer or a beggere ffor vnto swich a worthy man as he

PETWORTH 7

8 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOltll MS.

Acordith nouht as by his faculte 244

To haue with swich seke lazers aqueyntance

It is nouht honest / it may nouht avance

ffor to delen with swich poraille

But al with riche and sillers of* vitaille 248

And oueral ther as profite sholde aryse

Curtays he was and lowely of* seruyse

Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous

He was the beste beggere in his hous 252

[•

no gap in the MS.]

ffor Jjoull a widewe hadde nouht1 a sho So plesaunfr was his Inprincipio Yefr wolde he haue a ferthyng1 or he wente His purchace was wel bettere j?an his rente 256

And rage he couthe as if were rihf a whelpe In louedaies ther coude he mochil helpe ffor ther he was not1 liche a cloistrere "With a thredbare cope as a pore scolere 260

But he was lyke a maistir or a pope Of double worstede was his semy cope That rounded as a belle out1 of the presse Somwhafr he lipsede for his wantonesse 264

To make his englyssh swete vppon his tonge And in his harpynge whan fat he had songe Hise eyghen twynclede in his hede aright1 peaf4,baciQ

As doon the sterres in a frosty nyht 268

This worthy lymytour was clepid hubert1 A Marchant was ther with a longe beret •*•*• In motle and heyh on horse he satte Vppon his heued a flaundrisshe beuer hatte 272

Hise botis clapsid faire and fetisly His resouws he spak1 ful solempnely Shewynge alwey the encres of1 his wynnynge He wolde the see were kept for any thynge 276

Bitwixe Middelburgh and Orewelle PETWORTH 8

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PctWOlth MS. 9

"Wei coude he in escliange sheldes selle

This worthy man ful wel his witte bisette

Ther wiste no wight1 that1 he was in dette 280

So estatly was he of1 his gouernance

With his bargaynes and with his cheuyssance

fforsothe he was a worthy man with alle

But sothely to seyne I not1 how men hym calle 284

A Clerk J>er was of1 Oxenforde also •"• That1 vnto logyk1 hadde longe I-go As lene was his hors as ys a rake

And he was not1 right fat1 1 wndirtake 288

But lokede holewh and J>erto soburly fful thredbare was his ouerest Courtepy ffor he hadde yit1 geten him no benefice Ne was so wordly [for] to haue office 292

ffor hym was leuere haue at1 his bed hede Twenty bokes clad in blak1 or rede Of Aristotle and his philosophic

Then robes riche or fithel or gay sautrye 296

But1 al be that1 he was a philosofre Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre But al that1 he myhte of his frendes hente On bokes and on lernynge he it1 spente 300

And besily gan for tho soules preye Of hem that yaf hym wharwith to skole-aye Of studie took1 he moost cure and most hede Naught1 a word spak1 he / more than was nede / 304

And that1 was seid in forme and reuerence [leaf 5]

And short1 and quyk1 and ful [of] hey sentence Sownynge in moral vertue was his speche And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche 308

A sergant of1 the lawe / war5 and wys •**• That1 often hadde ben atte parvys That was also ful riche of excellence

Discret he was and of gret reuerence 312

He semed swich hise wordis wern so wise PET WORTH 9

10 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PctWOlth MS.

Justice he was ful often in assise By patent and by pleyn coramyssioiw ffor his science, and for his high renouw 316

Of1 fees and robes hadde he many on So gret a purcLassour was nowher non Al was fee symple to him in effecte

His purchassynge myht nouht ben infecte 320

Nowher so besy a man as he ther nas And yet he semed bisiere than he was In termes hadde he caas and domes alle That from the tyme of kyng1 william were falle 324

Therto he cowde endite and make a thyng1 Ther couthe no wight1 pynche at1 his writyng1 And euery statute couthe he pleyne by roote He rood but homely in a medle coote 328

Gert1 with a sent1 of selk1 wi]> barres smale Of his array telle I no lenger tale A ffrankeleyn was in his compaignye •^*- Whit1 was his berd? as is the daieseye 332

Of his complexions he was sangwyne Wei louede he by the morewe a soppe in wyne To lyuen in delite euere was his wone ffor he was Epiournes owne sone 336

That helde opynyon) ]?at pleyn delite Was verrey felicite parfite An houshaldere and that1 a greet1 was he Seint lulyan he was in his contre 340

His bred his ale was alleweys aftir oon A bettir envyned man / was nowher noon / With oute bakemete was neuere his hous [leaf 5, back]

Of fissche and fleisshe and fat so plentevous 344

It snewede in his hous of1 mete and drynke Of alle deyntethes that1 men couthe thinke Aftir the sondry sesons of the yere

So changed he his mete and his sopere 348

fful many a fat1 partrich hadde he in Mewe

D PETWORTH 10

6KOUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOlth MS. 1 1

And many a breme and many a luce in stewe "Wo was his cook1 but* [if] his sauce were Poynant1 and sharpe and redy al his gere 352

His table dormant in his halle al way Stood redy couered al the longe day At sessions ther was he lord and sire fful often tyme he was knyghtf of the shire 356

An anelas and a gypsere al of1 silke Heng1 at his girdel white as morne mylke A sherreff* had he ben / and a comptour Was nowher swich a worthy vauasour 360

A N habirdasshere and a Carpenter •"• A Webbe. a Diere and a Tapecere And they were clothid alle in oo lyuere Of1 a solempne and a greet" fraternyte 364

fful fressh and newe here gere apiked was Here knyfes nere chap[ed] nouhf with bras But al with syluer wrought ful clene and wel Here gerdelles and her pouches euery del 368

Wel semed ech of1 hem a fair burgeys To sitteii in a yeldhalle on a deys Eueriche for the wisdom that1 he can Was shaply for to bene an Aldirman 372

Tor catett hadde they T-nouh and Eente And eke her wifes wolde it1 wel assente And elles certeyn[ly] they were to blame It1 is ful fair to be clepid Madame 376

And gon to vigilies al be fore And haue a mantel rialliche I-bore A Cook1 they hadde / with hem for the nones ~ To boille the chikenes with ]>e maribones 380

And poudre Marchanf tart1 of Gallyngale [leaf 6]

Wel kowde he knowe a draufrt of london) ale He Couthe roste and sethe and broyle and ffrye Maken Mortrews and wel bake a pye 384

But gret ha[r]m was it1 / as it thouhte me

PET WORTH 11

12 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOrth MS.

That1 on his shene a normal hadde he For blank1 manger1 that made he with the beste A Shipman was ther / wonyng1 fer bi weste 388

•"• For ouht I woof he was of1 Dertemouthe He rood vppon a Rouncy as he couthe In a gowne ofH ffaldyng1 to the kne

A daggar1 hangynge in a lace hadde he 392

Aboute his necke vndir his arme doiw The hote somer hadde made his hiew al broim And Certeynly he was a good felawe

fful many a drauht of wyn hadde he drawe 396

ffrom bnrdeux ward' while the chapmen slepe Of nyce conscience took1 he no kepe Yif that1 he fauht1 / and hadde the heihere honcJ By watir he sente hem home to euery lond? 400

But of his craft / to rikene wel his tydes His stremes and his daunger him bisydes His herberuh. his moone and his lodmanage Ther nos noon such from hulle to Cartage 404

Hardy he was / and wys to vndirtake With many a tempest1 had his berd be shake He knew alle the hauenes as they were ifro gutlond to the cape de fynystere 408

And euery cryke in bretaygne and in Spayne His barge y-clepid was the maudeleyne

With us ther was a doctour of1 ffisik1 In al this world' ne was ther none hym lik* 412

To speke of fisike and of surgerye ffor he was grounded in astronomye He kepte his pacient1 a ful greet1 del

In houres by his magik1 naturel 416

Wel couthe he fortune the assendent1 Of1 his ymages for his pacient1

He knew the cause of1 euery maladye Deaf 6, back]

Were it1 of hoot1 or cold' or moyst1 or drye 420

And wher engendred and [of] what humour

PETWORTH 12

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOlth MS. 1 3

He was a verrey parfit1 practisour The cause I-knowe and of his harm the roote Anoon he yaf the sike man his boote 424

fful redy hadde he hise apotecaries To sende hem drugges / and his letuaries ffor ech of hem made othir for to wywne Her frendshipe nas nat newe to bigynne 428

"Wei knew he the olde Escalapius And diascoride and ek1 Eufus Old ypocras Hayly and Galien

Serapion Easis and Auysen 432

Aueroys Damascien and constantyne Bernard and Gatisden and Gilbertyne Of1 his diete mesurable was he

ffor it was of1 no superfluyte 436

Bot of1 greft norshinge and digestable His studie was but1 litel on the bible In sangweyn and in perce he clad was al Lyned with Taifata and with sendal 440

And yet he was but esy of1 dispense He kepte that1 he wan in pestilence ffor gold in Phisik1 is a cordeal

Therfore he louede gold? in special 444

A Good wiff1 ther was of besides bathe -^*- But she was somdel def1 and J>at was scathe Of cloth makynge sche hadde such an hau^t She passid hem of ypres and of Gaunt 448

In alle the parisch wif1 ne was ther noon That to the offrynge toforn hir shulde goon And yf ther dide / certeyn wroth was she That she was out of al[le] charite 452

Hir couerchefes ful fyne were of ground' I durste swere they weyeden ten pouncfe That on a Sonday weren vpon hire hede Hir hosen weren of1 fyne scarlet1 rede 456

fful streight I-teied / and shoes ful moist1 and newe [leaf 7]

PETWORTH 13

14 UROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Petworth MS.

Bold was hir face and faire / and red of hiewe She was a worth! womman al hir lyue Housbondes atte chirche dore she hadde fyue 460

With outen othir companie in youth e But ther of1 nedith nouhtt to speke as nouthe And thries hadde she bene at Jerusalem She had[de] passed many a strange strem 464

At Rome sche had ben / and at boloyne In Galice at saint lame and at Coloigne She koude moche on wandrynge bi the weye Gat tothid was she sothely for to seie 468

Vp on an Amblere esily she satte I-wympled wel and on hir heed an hatte As brood as is a bokellere or a targe

A fot1 mantel abouten hire hipes large 472

And on hire feet1 a paire of1 spores sharpe In felaschipe wel couthe sche lawhe and carpe Of remedies of loue she kneuh parchaurace if or she couthe of1 that art the daunce 476

A Good man was there of religious •"• And was a pore persouw of a toun But riche he was ofH holy thouht and werk1 He was also a lerned man and a clerk1 480

That Cristes gospel treuly wolde preche His parisschens deuoutly wolde he teche Benyngne he was and wondir diligent* And in aduersite / ful pacienf 484

And swich he was [i]preued ofte sithes iful looth were him to cursen for his tythes But rather wolde he yeuen out1 of doute Ynto his poure parisshens aboute 488

Of his offrynge and of1 his substance He couthe in litil thing1 han suffisance "Wide was hise parisshe and houses fer asondir But he ne lafte nouthir for rayne ne for thuwdir 492

In sikenesse nor in meschief to visite

E PETWORTH 14

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOlth MS. 15

The ferrest in his parisch myche and lite

Yp on his fete / and in his hond a staff1 Deaf 7, tack]

This noble ensample to his shepe he yaf* 496

That* ferst* he wroughte. and aftirward? Jjat he tauhte

OutH of the gospel he J?o wordes cauhte

And this figure he addede ek* therto

That* yf gold ruste / what1 shal Iren do 500

For if1 a prest1 be foul on whom we triste

No wondir is a lewed man to ruste

And shame it is yfH a prest take kepe

A shiten sheperde and a clene shepe 504

"Wei ouhte a preest ensample for to yeue

By his clennesse hou that* his sheepe shulde lyue

He set* nauht his benefice to hire

And leet* his sheep acombred in the myre 508

And ran to london vn to seint Poules

To seke hyra a chanterye for soules

Or with a bretherhede to bene with holde

But* duelte at* home / and kepte wel his folde 512

So that* the wolf ne made it* not* myscarye

He was a she,pperde and not* a mercenarie

And thouh" he holy were and vertuous

He was nouht* to synful men dispitous 516

Ne on his speche daungerous ne digne

But in his techynge discret* and benygne

To drawen folk* to heuene by fairnesse

By good ensample / this was his bisynesse 520

But* it* were eny person) obstynate

What* so he were of* heigh" or lowh" estate

Hym wolde he snebbe sharply for the nones

A bettre prest I trowe ]>at nowher noon es 524

He waitede aftir no pompe and reuerence

]STe maked hym a spiced conscience

But cristes lore / and hise apostles tuelue

He tauhte / but ferst he folewed in hymselue 528

With hym ther was a ploufrman / was his brojnr

PETWORTH 15

16 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOrtll MS.

That1 hadde I-lad of dong ful many a fothir

And a trewe swynkere and a good was he

Lyvynge in pees / and parfit1 charite 532

God loued he best1 with al his hole herte peaf 8]

At1 alle tymes t4ouh he gamed or smerte

And than his neighbure riht as hymselue

He wolde thresshe and therto dike and delue 536

For cristes sake / for euery pouere wight

With oute hire / yif hit lay in his mygfit

Hise tythis payed he ful faire and wel

Bothen of his propre swynke and his catel 540

In a tabbard he rood vp on a mere

1 her was also a Keve and a Mellere

A somenour and a Pardoner also

A Maunciple and my self1 ther nar na mo 544

HThe mellere was a strong1 carle for the nones

-*• fful bigge he was / of brawne and ek1 of bones

That proued wel / for oueral thare he cam

Atte wrastelynge / he wolde haue a-wey the ram 548

He was short shuldred a thicke knarre

Ther was no dore that he ne wolde heue of barre

Or breke it at1 a rennynge with his heed

His berd as any so we or fox was reed 552

And therto brood as ]>ouh it1 were a spade

Vp on the cop right1 of his nose he hade

A werte and jjeron stood a tuft of1 heres

Rede as the brysteles of1 a sowes eres 556

His nose grilles blake were and wyde

A swerd and a bokelere bar he be his side

His mouthe as greet1 was as a greet1 fourneys

He was a iangelere and a goliardeys 560

And that1 was moost1 of1 synne and of1 harlotryes

Wel couthe he stele corn / and tolle thryes

And yit1 he hadde a thombe of gold parde

A white cote and a blewe hood wered he 564

A bagge-pipe wel couthe he blowe and sowne

PETWORTH 16

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOrth MS. 1 7

And ]>erwith al he brouht1 us out1 of towne A Gentil manciple was per o[f] a temple

•*-*• Of1 which a catour myghte take ensample 568

ffor to ben wise in biynge of vitaille

ffor whepir pat he payed / or toke by taille

Algate he waitede so in his achate [leaf s, back]

That he was ay beforn and in good estate 572

Now is not1 pat1 of god a ful fair grace

That such a lewed mannes wit shal pace

The wysdom of an hepe of lerned men

Of maystres hadde he mo pan thries ten 576

That were of lawe expert1 an Curious

Of wich ther was a doseyn in that1 hous

Worthy to bene stywardes of Rente and lone?

Of any lord that is in Ingelond? 580

To make hym lyue by his propre good?

In honour detteles but1 if that* he were wood

Or lyue als skarsly as hym lyst desire

And able for to helpen al a shire 584

In any cas that myhte falle or happe

And yit this Maunciple sette ther althir cappe

fllhe Reue was a sclendre colerik1 man

•*• His berd was shaue / as nyhe as euer he can 588

His heer was by hise eres ful rounde yshorne His toppe was docked like a prest byforne fful longe were his legges and ful lene I-like a staf1 / ther was no calf1 ysene 592

Wei couthe he kepe a Garner or a bynne Ther was none auditour couthe on hym wywne Wei wiste he / by the drought and by the reyne The yeldynge of1 his seed / and of1 his greyne 596

Hise lordes sheepe / hise neete / hise dayerie His swyne / his hors / his stoor / and his pultrye Was hoolly in this reues gouernynge

And by his covenant1 / yaf1 the rekenynge 600

Syn that his lord was twenty yeer of age 2 PETWORTH 17

18 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE, PetWOlth MS,

Ther couthe no man brynge hym in a-rerage

Ther nas baylyf1 ne herde nor othir hyne

That he ne knew his sleighte and his covyne 604

They were a-drad Of hyni / as of the deth

His wonynge was ful faire vpon an heth

With grene trees / shadewed was his place

He couthe bettre than his lord purchace 608

fful riche he was astored pryuely [leaf 93

His lorde he coujje wel plese and sub[t]ily

To ^eue and lene him of his owne goode

To hatie a )ronke and yit1 a cote and hode 612

In 3ouJ>e he had lered a good mistere

He was a wel good wri^fr a Carpentere

This Reue satte vpon a wel good stot1

That1 was al pomel grey and highte scot1 616

A longe Surcote of Peers vppon he hadde

And by his side he bare a rusty blade

Of Northfolk was J)is Eeue of which I telle

Besides a toune men clepen it* Baldewelle 620

Tukked he was as is a frere aboute

And euere he rode j?e hynderesf of GUI route

A Somnowr was ther wi)j vs in that place •*-*• That1 had a fury cherubynes face 624

ffbr Sauseflewme he was wij> eyen narowe Als hote he was and leccherous as a sparowe With scalled browes. blak1 and pilled beerde Of his visage children weren a-ferde 628

Ther nas quyk1 siluer1 litarge or bremston Boras orsure no oyle of tartre noon Ne oynernenfr Jjat1 woldfe] dense and byte That him myghtf helpe of his whelkes white 632

Ne of [the] knobbes sitting1 in his chelies Wel loued he garlike. oynyons and eke lekes And for to drink strong1 wyne rede as blode Than wolde he speke and cry as he were wode 636

And whan [that] he wel dronken had J>e wyne

F PETWOTiTH 18

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOrth MS. 19

Than wolde he speke no worde but1 latyne A fewe teermes had he two or thre

That1 he had lerned out1 of som decree 640

No wonder is he herd* to al ]>e day And eke 36 knowen if wel how J?at a lay Can clepe watt1 as wel as can Jje pope But1 who so cou]je in oj?er fing1 hyw grope 644

Than had he spent1 al his Philosophic peaf 9, back]

Ay questio quid iuris wold he crye He was a gentile harlot1 and a kinde

A better felawe shulfde] men not1 fynde 648

He wolde suffre for a quarte of wyne A good felawe to haue his concubyne A twelue month" and excuse him ate fulle fful pn'uely eke a ffynche coujje he pulle 652

And if he fonde owhere a good felawe He wolde techen hym to han noon awe In such" caas of ])e archedekens curs

But1 if [a] mawnys soule were in his purs 656

ffor in his purs he shuldfe] punshed be Purs is ]>e erchedekenes Helle seide he But1 wel I wote he lyed ri^t1 in dede

Of cursing* ou^t1 eche gilty man to drede 660

ffor curs wil slee ri^t1 as assoyling sauetn" And also war hym of a significauith In daunger had he at his owne gyse

The yonge Geerles of J?e diocise 664

And knewe her counsaile and what was al her rede A Gallonde had he sette vpon his hede As grete as it were for an ale stake

A Bokelere had he made hym of a Cake 668

TITith' hym ]>er rode a gentile Pardoner1 ' * Of rouncyuale his frende and his compel That1 streght1 was commen from pe courte of Rome fful lowde songe he come hider* loue come 672

This somnowr bare to hym a stif burdon PETWOKTII 19

20 GEOUP A. § I. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Petworth MS.

"Was neuere trumpe of half so gref a soufi

This Pardoner had heer as ^elowe as wexe

But smotfr if henge. as do]) a strike of flexe 676

By ounces henge his lockes f af he had

And f erwif he his shulders ouersprad

But1 thyn it lay by culpons oon and on

But1 hode for lolite wered he noon 680

if or if was trussed vp in his walette [leaf io<j

Hym f ou^f he rode al of J)e newe gette

Discheuele sauf his cap he rode al bare

ISuche glaryng1 eyen< had he as- an hare 684

A vernycle had he sewed vpon his cappe

His walef [lay] biforn him in his lappe

Bret ful of pardon commen from Rome al hote

A voyce he had as smal as a[ny] goote 688

"No beerde ne had he, ne neuere shuld haue

As smoth if was as if were late shaue

I trowe he were a gelding1 or a mare

Buf of his craff from Barwik1 into ware 692

Ne was f er suche a nof er pardoner^

ffor in his male he had a pilowbere

Which fat he seide was oure lady vaile

He seide he had a gobef of f e saile- 69&

Thaf seynf Peter had whan fat he wenf

Ypon f e see to Ihesu crist hym henf-

He had a croys of laton ful of stones

And in a glas he had[de] pigges bones 700

Buf wif f ise relikes whan f af he fonde

A poor[e] person dwellyng1 vpon londe

Vpon a day he gate hym more moneys

}[>an f e the persone gate in Monf es tweye- 704

And f us wif feyned flateryng and lapes

He made f e Person and f e puple his apes

Buf trew[e]ly to tellen af fe laste

He was in chirche- a noble ecclesiaste 70S

Wei couf e he rede a lesson or a storye

PETWOimi 20

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE, PetWOrth MS. 21

Butt alf erbest he song1 an offertorie

ffor wel he wist1 whan fat1 songe was songe

He moste preche and wel anle his tonge 712

To wynne siluer as he {right] wel cowde

Therfore he songe so merily and lowde

"VTow have I tolld? 3ou sof ly in a clause

•^ The astaatt. fe aray. fe nombre and eke fe cause 716

Why fat1 assembled was f is companye [leaf 10, back]

In Suthwerk at1 J>is gentil hostrye

That1 hight1 f e Tabard faste by f e belle

But1 no we is tyme to 3ou forto telle 72*0

Howe fat1 we beren vs fat ilke nyght1

Whan [we] were in fat1 Hostrie a-lighf

And after wil I tellen of our viage

And al f e remenawnt of our Pilgrymage 724

But1 furst1 1 prey ^ou of 3oure curtesie

That 30 ne rette it1 not1 my vilanye

f oo fat1 1 pleynly speke in f is matere

To telle 3ou her wordes and her chere 728

Ne f ou^e he speke her wordes proprely

ffor f is 36 knowen as wel as I

Who so shal telle a tale after a man

He mote reherce as nyghe as euer he can 732

Eueriche word if1 it1 be in his charge

Al speke he neuere so rudely and large

Or ellis he mote telle his tale vntrewe

Or feyne f inggis or fynde wordes newe 736

He may not1 "spare al fough he were his brof eij

He mot1 also wel say. oo word1 as another1

Crist1 spak him self ful brode in holy writte

And wel 30 wote no vilanye is itte 740

Eke Plato seif who so can hym rede

The wordes mote be cosyn to f e dede

Also I prey 3ou [to] fo^eue it1 me

Al haue I not1 sette folk in her degre 744

Here in f is tale as fat1 thei shulde stonde

PETWORTH 21

22 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Petworth MS,

My witte is short1 30 may wel vnderstonde rete chere made oure hooste vs euerechon

And to JJG soper sette lie vs anon 748

He serned vs with vitailles at J?e best1 Stronge was jje wyne and wel [to] drink1 vs lest1 A semely man our hooste was wij? aft ffor to [han] bene a marshal in an haft 752

A large man he was with" yen stepe [leaf ID

A fairer Burges is [ther] none in chepe Bold of his speche. and wise and wel ytau^t And of manhode hyra lacked[e] right* naught* 756

Eke jjerto he was right1 a mery man And after sopere pleyen he bygan And spak of myrth amonge oj>er pinges Whan that1 we had[de] made our rekenyngges 760

And seide pus. now lordingges trewly 3e bene to me welcome ri^t1 hertely ffor be my troupe if pat1 I shal not lye I seegh" not1 pis ^ere so mery a companye 7G4

At1 ones in pis harborowe as is nowe ffayne wold I do ^ou merthe wist1 1 howe And of a merpe I am right1 now by-fought* To don ^ou ease and it shal coste nou^t 768

3e gone to canterbery god 3ou spede Jje blisful martir*. quite 3ou pur* mede And wel I wote. as 36 goon by J>e way 3e shapen 3ou to talen and to pley 772

ffor trewly conforte ne myrthe is n5n To riden by J?e wey dombe as a stone And J?erfor wil I. make 3ou disporte

As I seide erste and don 3ou som conforte 776

And if 3ou like)) alle by oon assente [Now] fforto stonden at my luggemente And forto worchen as I shal 3ou seie To morowe whan 36 riden by ]je weie 780

Now be my faders soule pat1 is dede

PETWOETH 22

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Petworth. MS. 23

But1 36 be mery. I wil ^eue 3011 my hede

Holde vp 3oure hondes wip out1 more speche

Our counsaile was not longe for to seche 784

Vs po^t1 it was not / worpe to make to wis

And graunted hym wip oute more avis

And bad him seie his veredit as him lest1

Lordingges quod he nowe herkenep for pe best1 788

But1 take it1 not1 1 prei ^ou in disdeyne {.leaf 11, back]

This is pe point1 to speke short1 and pleyne

That1 eche of 3ou to shorte wi]> our waye

In pis viage shal telle tailles twaye 792

To Caunterbery ward? I mene it so

And homwardes he shal telle opere twoo

Of auentures pat1 han whilom bifalle

And which of ^ou pat1 berep hym best1 of alk 796

pat1 is to sey pat1 tellep in pis cas

Tales of best1 sentence and most1 solas

shal haue a sopere at1 our alder cost1

Her in pis place sitting1 by pis postf 800

Whan pat1 we commen ageyn from Canterburye

And forto make 3ou pe more merye

I wil my seluen goodly wip 3ou ride

Eight1 at myne owne cost1 and be 3OUT1 gide 804

And who so wil my lugement1 wipseye

Shal pay al pat1 we spenden by pe weye

And if 30 vouche sauf pat1 it1 be so

Telle me anoon wip outen wordes moo 808

And I wift erly shape me perfore

pis pinge was graunted and our opes swore

Wip ful glad hert1 and preien hym also

pat1 he wolde vouchesauf so to do 812

And pat1 he wolde be our gouernour*

And of our tales lugge and roportour*

And sette a sopere at1 a certeyn price

And we wold rewled bene at his deuice 81 S

In heghe and lough and pus by on assent1

PETWORTIl 23

24 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOrth MS.

We bene accorded to pe luggement*

And per vpon pe wyne was fette anon

We dronken and to reste wente echon 820

WiJ) oute eny lenger tariynge

On morowe whan pe day [bi]gan to sprynge

Vp roos oure hooste and was oure alder1 Cok

And gadered vs to gidere in a flok. 824

And for]) we riden a litel more pan paas [leaf 12]

Vnto pe watering1 of Seyntt Thomas

And per our hooste gan his hors areste

And seide lordes harkenep if yow leste 828

3e wote 3oure forward and I it y>u recordl

If euensonge and morowsonge accord?

Lat1 see nowe who. shal telle pe first1 tale

As euer mote I drinke wyne or ale 832

Who so be rebett to my Inggement

Shal paye for al pat1 by pe way is spent1

Now drawep Cut1 er patf we ferper twynne

Which pat1 hap pe shortest shal bygynne 836

^f Sir1 knyghtf quod he my maister and my lorde

!N"ow drowejj Cutte for pat1 is myn accorde

Commeth nere quod, he my lady prioresse

And $e sir Clerk laf be ^oure shamfastnesse 840

Ne stodieth nou^t1 lay honde to euery man

Anon to drawe every wight1 bygan

And shortely forto tellen as it1 was

Were it1 be auenture or sort1 or cas 844

The sope is pis J?e Cut1 fille to J>e kny^f

Of which full glad and blipe was euery wi^

And tellen he most his tale as it1 was reson

By forward! and by compo[si]cion 848

As 36 han herde what1 needef wordes moo

And whan pis good man seegh pat1 it1 was soo

As he pat1 wise was and obedient

To kepen his forward? by his fre assent1 852

He seide sipen I shal bygynne pe game

PETWORTH 24

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. PetWOlth MS. 25

"What1 welcome be J?e Cutte a goddis name

Now laf vs ride and harkenej) what I saye

And wijj J>afl word? we riden forf our waye 856

And [he] byganne wij? ri3t a mery chere

His tale anon and seide as 36 may here

IT lam que domos patrias scithice post aspera gentis : Prelia laurigero &c. Thus endef fe Prologe of f is Boke.

PETWOETH 25

26 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

IT ffabula militis. Here bygynnej> the knyghtes tale.

"ITTTiilom was / as olde stories tellen vs [leaf 12, back]

" A worj>i duk1 highf tlieseus 860

Of Athenes lie was lord and gouemowr And in his tyme suche a Conquerotir1 That gretter was [ther] noon vnder pe sunne fful many a riche contre had he wonne 864

What1 wij) his wisdom and his chyualrye He conquered al Jje regne of femynye That1 whilom was ycleped Sithia

And wedded[e] pe quene ypolita 868

And brou^ft her home wi]> hym to his cuntre Whitli moch glorie and grefr solempnite And eke her ^enge suster Emelie

And ]ms with victorie and with melody e 872

Lat I ]>is noble Duke to Athenes ride And al his hooste in armes hym beside And certes if it1 nere to longe to here I wold? haue tolde fully ]>e manere 876

Howe wownen was Jje Reaume of ffemyny By Theseus and by his Chiualrye And of J?e grete bataille for J?e nones

Bytwyxen Athenes and amazones 880

And howe asseged was ypolita The faire ladye qune of Scithia And of J)e feest1 J>af was at her weddinge And of jje tempest1 at her home commynge 884

But1 al Jjat1 Jnng1 1 mot1 as nowe forbere I haue god wote a large feelde to ere And weike bene ]>e oxen in my plough The remencmnte of J?e tale is long ynogn" 888

I wil not1 letten eke noon of Jns route

H PETWORTH 26

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 27

Lat1 euery felawe telle his tale aboute

And lat se nowe who shal pe soper wynne

And per I lafte: I wil asein bygynne _ U break in the MS. wtth]

Incipit1 narracio plena Militis.

Duk of whom I make mewciown [leaf is]

Whan he was commen almost1 to pe toun In al his wele and his most Pride

He was war as he cast1 his eyen atside 896

Where fat1 ]>er kneled in pe highe waye A companye of ladys twey and tweye Eche after oper clad in clones blake

But1 suche a crye and such a woo pei make 900

That1 in pis worlde [n]is creature lyuynge That1 herde suche a-noper wamentinge And of pis crie pei nolde neuere stynte Til pei pe Reynes of his bridel hente 904

What1 folk bene ^e patf at1 myn home co?7imynge Pertourben so my feest[e] wij) criynge Qwod Theseus haue 30 so grete envie

Of myn honour pat Jms compleyn and crye 908

Or who hajj $ou mysdone or offended Telle)) me if it1 may be amendet* And whi pat1 36 bene eloped pus in blak The eldest lady of hem al[le] spak 912

Whan she had swowned wip a dedly chere pat1 it1 was rauthe forto sene and here She seide lord! to whom fortune hap ^euen Yictorie and as a conquerow to lyuen 916

Nat1 greuep vs ^oure glory and ^our honowr Bat1 we biseke mercy and socour Haue mercy on our woo and our distresse Some drope of Pite porgh pi gentelnesse 920

Ypon vs wrecched wommen lat1 nowe falle ffor certes lord* per is noon of vs alle That1 she ne hap bene a doches or a quene Nowe bene we Catyues as it1 is wel sene 924

Thonked be fortune and her fals[e] qwhele

PETWORTH 27

28 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

pat noon estate ensure]) forto bene wele

"Now certes lord? to abide 30111 presence

Here in pis temple of pe goddes clemence 928

We han be wayting1 al pis fourtfVjny^t1 [leaf is, back]

Helpe[p] vs lord si]? it" is in pi myght

I wrecche which" pat1 wepe and weile pus

Whilom was wif to king1 Cappaneus 932

That1 starfe at1 Thebes cursed be pat day

And alle we pat1 bene in pis araye

And maken al pis lamentaciown

We losten alle our husbondes at1 pat town 93G

While pat1 pe assege per aboute lay

And 3if nowe pe olde Creon weillaway

That1 lord is nowe of Thebes Cite

{fulfilled of yre and of iniquite 940

He for despite and for his tyrannye

To doon J>e dede bodys vilenye

Of al our lordes which pat bene sclawe

Ha]> al }>e bodies on an hepe ydrawe 944

And wol not1 suffre hem by non assent1

!N"eiJ>ere to bene yburied nei]>er brent1

But1 make]) houndes ete hem in despit1

And wi]> pat1 word? w^'t7iouten more respif 948

]>ei fillen a Gruf1 and criden pitously

Haue on vs wrecched women som mercy

And lat1 oure sorowe synken in pi hert1

II This gentel duke doune from his courser5 stert1 952 Wip herte pitous whan he herde hem speke

Him pou^te pat1 his hert1 wold? alto-breke

Whan he seegh hem so pitous and so mate

pat whilom were[n] of so grete astate 956

And in his armes he hem alle vp hente

And hem confortep in ful good entente

And swore his ope as he was trewe kny^t1

He wolde done so ferforply his my^t1 960

Yppon the Tirant Creon hem to wreke

PETWORTH 28

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 29

pat alle pe puple of Grece shuld speke

How Creon was of Theseus yserued?

As he pat had his dep ful wel deserued? 964

And right1 anon wzt/iouten more abode [leaf 14]

His baner1 he displeied and for]? rode

To Thebes ward* and al his hooste beside

No ner Athenes wold? he goo ne ride 968

Ne take his case fulli half a day

But1 onward? on his way pat1 ny^t1 he lay

And sent anoon ypolita the quene

And Emelye hir1 yonge sustre Shene 972

Ynto pe toune of Athenes to dwelle

And forpe he ritte per is no more to telle

The rede statue of Mars wip spere and targe

So shynep in his white baner large 976

pat alle the feeldes glyteren vp and down

And by his baner born is hys pynyown

Of gold ful riche in which per was ybete

pe Mynataur1 which fat he wan in Crete 980

Thus ri3f pis duk. thus ri^t1 Jiis conqwerotii0

And in his ooste of Chyualrye fe flour'

Til Jjat1 he come to Thebes and alight1

ffaire in a felde per as he Jjou^tf to fi^t* 984

But1 shortely forto speken of J?is ping1

With Creon whiche J?at was of Thebes king1

He faught1 and sclowgh him manly as a knyght

In pleyn bataille and put1 J?e folk1 to flight1 988

And by asseut1 he wan the Cite after1

And rent1 adown bo]) walle spare and rafter1

And to J?e ladies he restored ageyn

)>e bones of her frendes fat1 were scleyn 992

To done obsequies as was J?e gyse

But1 it1 were al to longe forto devise

The grete clamour and fe wamentynge

fat1 fe ladies made at fe brennynge 996

Of f e bodies and fe grete honour1

PETWOllTII 29

30 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

That1 theseus ]>e noble conquerour5

Do]) to J>e bodies whan J>ei ffrom hym went1

But1 shortely to telle is myn entent* 1000

Whan jjat J?is worjji Duke j>is theseus [leaf 14, back]

Ha]) Creon sclayn and wonne Thebes Jms

Stille in fat1 felde he toke al ny^ his rest1

And did wij? al ]>e contre as hyni lest1 1004

To Eansake in ]>e caas of J)e bodies dede

Hem for to stripe of harneyes and of wede

The pilours dyden bysynesse and Cure

Aftere J?e bataille and J?e discomfiture 1008

And so bifelle fat1 in fe caas fei founde

Jjorgh" girt1 wi]> many a greuous blody wounde

Two yonge knyghtes ligging1 by and by

Bothen in armes same wrou^t1 ful richelie 1012

Of whiche two Arcita hight1 that1 oon

And fat1 ofere kny^t1 hight1 Palamon

Not1 fully quyk ne fully dede J?ei were

But by her cote armours and by her gere 1016

The herowdes knewe hem self in special

As Jjei jjat1 were[n] of J>e blood Riaft

Of Thebes, and of sustren two yborn

Out of Jje caas J?e Pilours han hem torn 1020

And han hem caried soft1 vnto J?e tent1

Of Theseus and he ful sone hem sent1

To Athenes to dwellen in Prison

Perpetuelly hem nolde he not1 raunson 1024

And whan this worjri Duke ha]) Jius ydon

He toke his ooste and home he ritte anon

Wi]) laurere corowned as a conquerour1

And per he lyue]) in loie and in honour1 1028

Teerme of his lif. what1 nede]) wordes moo

And in a toure in anguissh" and in woo

Dwellen fis Palamon and eke arcite

ffor euermore per may no golo? hem quyte 1032

This passe)) yere by yere and day by day

I PETWORTH 30

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth. MS. 31

Till it1 fille onys in a morowe of May

That Emely Jjat1 fairer was to sene

Than is J?e lyle vpon his stalke grene 1036

And fressher Jjan j?e may wij) floures newe [leaf is]

ffor wij) |>e roos colour strof hir hwe

I not1 which was J?e fairer of hem twoo

Er it1 were day as was her wone to doo 1040

She was a-risen and al a redy dight

ifor May wil haue no scloggardy on ny^t1

The seson pricketh enery gentile hert1

And make]) hit1 out1 of his slepe to sterfr 1044

And sithen arise and doo May obseruamice

This make]) Emely to haue remembrauwce

To don honour to May and forto rise

Yclojjed was she fressh forto devise 1048

IF Her ^elowe heer was breided in a tresse

Behynde her bak. a ^eerde longe y gesse

And in J>e gardyne at1 sonne vprist1

She walkej) vp and doun and as her list1 1052

She gaderej) floures partie white and rede

To make a subtile garlonde for her hede

And as an aungel heuenly she songe

The grete toure fat was so Jrikke and stronge 1056

Which of J>e castel was fe chief dongeon

There as ]>e knyghtes weren in pn'son

Of which I tolke 3 owe and telle shaft

"Was euene loynant1 to ]?e gardyfi watt 1060

Ther as ]>is Emely had her pleying1

Bri3f was fe sonne and cleer in Jjat mornyng1

And palamon J)is woful prisoners

As was his worane by lieue of his Gaillere 1064

Was rysen and romed in a chamber on high"

In which he al J?e noble Cite segh

And eke J?e gardyne ful of braunches grene

Ther as pe fressh emelye ]?e shene 1068

Was in her walk and romed vp and down

PETWORTH 31

32 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

This soriful prisoner pis Palamown

Gop in pe Chambre romyhg to and froo

And to him self compleynyng of his woo 1072

That1 he was born ful ofte seide alias Deaf 15, back]

And so byfelle by auenture or caas

That porowe a wyndowe pikke of mony a barre

Of yren grete and square as eny sparre 1076

He cast1 his eyen vpon Emelia

A[nd] perwip al he bleynte and cried A

As pou}e he stongen were vnto pe hert1

And wip pat crie Arcyte anon vp stert1 1080

And seide Cosyn myne what1 eilep pe

That1 art1 so pale and dedly on to see

Whi cridest1 powe who hap pe don offence

ffor goddis loue . take al in pacience 1084

Our* prison for it1 may noon othere be

ffortune hath ^eue vs pis aduersite

Som wikke aspecte or disposicion

Of Saturne by som constellacion 1088

Hap ^euen by pis al pou^e he had hit1 sworn

So stode J?e heuene whan pat1 we were born

We mote endure it pis is short1 and playn)

This Palamon answered and seide agayn 1092

Cosyn forsop of pis opynyon

Thow hast1 a veyn ymagynacion

This prison caused me not1 [for] to crie

But I was hirt ii^ nowe porgh" out1 myii ye 1096

Into myn hert1 pat1 wil my bane be

The fairnesse of pat1 lady pat1 1 see

3onde in pe gardyne romyng1 to and fro

Is cause of al my criyng and my woo / 1 100

I not1 where she be wowman or goddesse

But Yenus is it soply as I gesse

And perwipal on knees down he fille

And seide Yenus if it be pi wille 1 104

3owe in pis gardyne pus to transfigure

PETWORTH 32

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 33

Bifore me soriful wrecched creature

Out1 of f is Prison helpe fat1 we mowe scape

And if so be my destany be shape 1108

By eterne worde to dyen in pn'son [leaf 16]

Of oure lynage haue som compassion

That is so lowe ybro^t1 by tyrannye

And wif fat1 word arcite gan aspie 1112

Where as f is lady romed to and froo

And wij? fat1 si^t1 her bewte hurte hym soo

fat1 if fat1 Palamon was wounded sore

Arcite is hurte as moche as he or more 1116

And wij) a sighe he seide pitously

f e fresshe bewte sleef me sodeynly

Of hur* fat1 romef in 3onder place

And but1 if I haue her mercy and her grace 1 1 20

fat1 I may seen hiij atte leeste way

I ne am but1 dede f er nys no more to say

This Palamon whan he f ise wordes herde

Dispitously he loked and answerde 1124

Wheder seist1 f ou f is in ernest or in pleye

Nay quod Arcite in ernest1 be my feye

God helpe me so me lest1 ful euel play

This Palamon gan knytte his browes tway 1128

It were to the quod he no gref honour1

ffor to be fals ne for to be traitow

To me fat am J?i Cosyn and J?i brofer

Isworne ful depe and eche of vs to oj>er 1 1 32

That1 neuere for to dyen in Jje peyn

Til fat1 J?e dej>e departe shal vs tweyn

Neijjer in loue to hynder ofer1

Ne in noon ofer caas my lief broker1 1136

But1 fat1 fou shuldest trewly ferfermore

In euery caas and I shal forther f e fore

f is was Jnne othe and myn also certeyn

I wote ri^t1 wele fow darst it not wifseyn 1140

Thus art fow of my counsel out of doute

3 PETWORTH 33

34 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And nowe fou woldest falsly ben aboute

To loue my lady whom I loue and seme

And euer shal to fat1 myn herte sterue 1144

"Now certes fals Arcite )>ow shalt1 not1 so Deaf IG, back]

I loued her first* and tolde ]?e my woo

As to my counsaile and my broker sworn

To forjjere me as I haue tolde biforn 1148

ffor which J>ow art1 ybounden as a knyghtf

To helpe me if it1 lay in )>i myght1

Or ellis art1 }>ou fals I dar wel sayn

This arcite ful prudently spak agayn 1152

Thow shalt1 quod, he be raj>er fals fan I

But1 fou art1 fals I telle fe witterly

ifor paramour I loued her first fan f ou

What1 wilt1 fow seyn . J>ou wist1 it1 not1 }it nowe 1156

Whedere she be a womman or goddes

Thyne is afleccion of holynes

And myne is loue as to a creature

ffor which I tolde fe myn auenture 1160

As to my cosyn and to my brof ere sworii

I pose fat1 f ou louedest1 hur' biforn

Woost1 fow not1 wel f e olde clerkes sawe

Jpat who shal 3eue a louer eny lawe t auis legem dat amantibus

Loue is a gretter lawe by my pan

Jjan may be ^eue to eny erjjely man

And ferfor positif lawe and swich decree

Is broke al day for loue in eche degre 1168

A man mote nedes loue mawgre his hede

He may not1 fleen it1 f fou^e he shuld be dede

Al be she mayde or widowe or ellis wif

And eke it is not1 likly al Jn liff 1 172

To stonden in her grace no more shal I

ifor wel Jjou woost j)i self[e] verrely

]>at jjou and I bene dampned to pmon

Perpetuelly vs geyneth no raunson 1176

We stryuen as [did] houndes for Jje boon

K PETWORTH 34.

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 35

f ei foughten alday and ^it1 her parte was nofi

fere come a kite while fat f ei were so wroth"

fat bare away f e boon bitwene hem both 1180

Ak f erf ore at f e kingges courte my brother' [leaf 17]

Eche man for him self f er is noon of er*

Loue if f e list . for I loue and ay shal

And sofly leue brofer f is is aft 1184

Here in f is prison mote we endure

And euerich of vs take his auenture

Grete was f e strif and longe bytwix hem tweye

If fat1 1 had leisere for to seye 1188

But to f is effect I[t] hapned on a day

To tellen yowe as sof ly as I may

A worf i due* fat1 highf Perotheus

fat1 ffelawe was vnto due Theseus 1192

Sif f ilk day fat1 f ei weren children lite

Was cowmen to Athenes his felawe to visite

And forto pley as he was wont1 to doo

ifor in fis worlde he loued no man soo 1196

And he loued him also tenderly ageyn

So wel f ei loued as olde bokes seyn /

That1 whan fat oon was dede sof ly to telle

His felowe went1 and sou^t him down in helle 1200

But of fat storie list1 me not1 to write

Due1 Perotheus loued wel arcite

And had him knowe at Thebes yere by yere

And fynaly at1 fe request1 and preiere 1204

Of Perotheus wif out1 ony raunson

Du# theseus him lete out1 of Prison

ffrely to goon wher fat1 him list oneral

In suche a gise as I you telle shaft 1208

This was f e forward! pleynly for to endite

Bitwene Theseus and hym iercite

That1 if so were fat1 arcite were founde

Euer in his lif be day or ny^t or stounde 1212

In eny cuntre of this theseus

PETWORTH 35

36 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And he were kaught1 it was acorded Jms

That1 wij) a swerde he shuld lese his hede

J)er nas non ojjer remedye ne rede 1216

But take]? his leue and homward! he hym spedde Deaf 17, back]

Laf hym be war his nek lith to wedde

How grete a sorowe suffrej? nowe arcite

The deth he felej? porgft his herte smyte 1220

He wepej? and weilej) and crief pitously

To sleen hym self he waiteth pn'uely

He saide Alias pat day pat I was borfi

!Nbw is my pn'son wors than [was] beforn 1224

INbwe is me shape eternaly to dwelle

Nou^t1 in purgotorye . but1 in helle

Alias pat1 euere I knewe Perotheus

ffor ellis had I y dwelled with theseus 1228

Yfetered in his prison euermoo

Than had I bene in blisse and not1 in woo

Only J>e sight1 of her1 whom pat I serue

Thoow pat I neuere hir* grace may deserue 1232

Wold haue ysuffised right ynowe for me

Oo dere Cosyn Palamon quod he

Thine is pe victorie of J>is auenture

fful blisfully in prison my^t1 fou dure 1236

In prison certes nay but paradis

Wei hath fortune turned J>e the dys

fat hast ]?e sight1 of hur* and I J>e absence

ffor possible is si]) pou hast her p^^esence 1240

And arf a knyght an worj)i and an able

That by som caas si]? fortune is chaurcgeable

Thowe maiste to pi desire somtyme atteyn

But1 1 faf am exiled and bareyn 1244

Of al[le] grace and in so gretf despeir*

That J)er nys erfe water3 fuyr5 ne eire

Ne creature fat1 of hem maked is

frat1 may me helpe or done comfort in ]?is 1248

Wei ou^te I sterue in wanhope and distresse

PETWORTH 36

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 37

fFare wele my lif1 my lust and my gladnesse

Alias whi pleynen men so in comune

Of pwmeaunce of god and of fortune 1252

That1 ^euep hem ful oft1 in mony a gyse [leaf is]

Wei bet[ter] pan pei can hem self devise

Som man desire]? forto haue ricchesse

That1 cause is of his mordere and gret1 siknesse 1256

And som man wolde out1 of his prison fayn

That1 in his hous is of his mayne sclayn

Infinite harmes bene in pis matiere

We wote not what1 pinge pat we preien here 1260

We faren as he pat1 dronken is as mous

A dronken man wote wele he hap an hous

But he ne woote which pe ri^t way is pidere

And to a dronken man pe way is sclydere 1264

And certes in pis world? so faren wee

We sechen fast1 aftere felicite

But1 we goon wronge ful oft1 trewly

Thus may we seie alle and namelicfi. I 1268

That wende and had a grete opynyon

That if I my^te skapen from pn'son

pan had I be in loie and parfite hele

per no we I am exiled fro my wele 1272

Sip pat I may not1 seen 3ou Emelye

I am but dede per nys no remedye

Yppon pat oper side Palamon

Whan pat he wist1 pat1 arcite was agon 1276

Swich sorowe he makep pat pe grete tour

Kesounep of his 3ellinge and clamour

The pure fettres of his shynes grete

Were of his bitter salte teeres wete 1280

Alias quod he Arcita cosyn myne

Of al our strif god wote pe fruyte is pine

Thow walkest now in Thebes at pi large

And of my woo . pou ^euest litel charge 1284

Thow maist sip pou hast wisdom and manhede

PETWOETH 37

38 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Assemble alle f e folk of our kinrede

And make a werre so sharpe on J)is Cite

fat by som auenture or som trete 1288

Thow maist1 haue hir* to lady and to wiff1 [leaf is, back]

ffor whom fat I most nedes lese my liff

ffor as by way of possibilite

Sif fou art1 at1 fi large of prison free 1292

And art a lorde grete is fine aucwmtage

More fan is myne fat sterue here in a kage

ffor I mote wepe and weile while fat I lyue

Wif al fe woo fat1 prison may me $eue 1296

And eke wif peyn f at1 loue me 3euef alsoo

fat1 doublef al my torment1 and my woo

f er wif f e fire of gelesie vpsterte

Wif in his brest1 and hente hym by f e herte 1 300

So woodly fat1 he like was to biholde

The box-tre or f e asshen dede and colde

That1 seide he .0. cruel goddes fat1 gouerne

This world4 wif byndinge of 3oure worde eterne 1304

And writen in f e table of Atharnaunt1

3oure parlement1 and 3oure eterne graunt1

What1 is mankinde more vnto $ou holde

jpan is the shepe fat1 roukef in fe folde 1308

ffor sclayn is man ri^t1 as an of er beest1

And dwellef eke in pn'son and in arest1 -

And haf siknesse and grete aduersite

And oft1 tymes giltlees parde 1312

What1 gouernawnce is in f is prescience

That1 giltlees tormentef Innocence

And encresef f is al my penaunce

fat man is bounden to his obseruawnce 1316

ffor goddes sake to letten of his wille

Ther as a beest may al his list fulfille

And whan a beest1 is dede he hath no peyn)

But1 aftere his deth man mote wepe and pleyn) 1320

Thogh in f is world? he haue care and woo

L PETWORTH 38

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 39

outen doute it1 may stonden soo The answere of Jjis lete I to dyuynes

But1 wel I wote fat1 in Jjis world? gret1 pyne es 132-1

IF Alias I se a serpent1 or a theef1 fieafi9]

jjat mony an trewe man haj? done meschief1 Goon at1 his large and where hym list may twi°ne But I mote bene in prison Jjorgfi. Saturne 1328

And eke ]>orghe luno lalous and eke wode Jjat ha]> destroied wel nygfc al J>e blode Of Thebes wij> his waaste walles wide And Yenus sleep me on fat1 oj>er side 1332

ffor lalousy and fere of him Aicite Now wil I stinte of Palamon a lite And lat1 hym in his prison sttlle dwelle And of Arcite for]? I wil ^owe telle 1336

The somer passejj and J?e ny3tes longe EncresceJ) double wise, fe peynes stronge Bojjen of |?e louer and of Jje prisoner1 I not* whiche haj) J>e woofuller1 myster* 1340

ffor shortely for to seyn of ]?is Palamon Perpetuelly is dampned to pn'son In cheynes and [in] fettres to J?e dede And Arcite is exiled vp[on] is hede 1344

ffor euermore as out1 of Jjaf cuntre ~Ne neuere ne shal his lady see 1F 3ow louyers aske I now )>is questi5n Who haj) fe wors Arcite or Palam5n 1348

That1 oon may se his lady day by day But in Prison mot he dwelle alway That1 o|?er wher hyw list1 may ride and goo But1 seen his lady shal he neuer moo 1352

Now devynej) as $ou list1 J?at 30 can ffor I wil telle for)) as I byganne

PETWORTH 39

40 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

1T "Whan Jjat Arcite to Thebes commen was fful often a dale he swelf and seide alas 1356

ffbr seen his lady shal he neu<3re moo And shortely to concluden all his woo So mykel sorowe had neuere creature fat is or shal while ]>att jje world? may dure 1 360

IT His slepe his mete, his drink is hym byraftt [leaf 19, back] J>att lene he wexej) and drye as is a shaft1 His eyen holowe and grisly to biholde His hwe falowe and pale as asshen colde 1364

And solitarye he was and euer allone And waillinge al J?e ny3f making his mone And if he herde songe or instrument

Than wolde he wepe he my^fr not1 stentt 1368

So feble eke were his spirites / and he lowe And chaunged so Jjafr no man can knowe His speche neijjer his voys Jjou^e men it herde And in his gere for al J?e worlde he ferde 1372

Not1 comly liche to louers maladye Of heres but1 rather like manye Engendred of humour malancolike

Byforn his celle fantastike 1376

And shortely turned was al vp and down Both habite and disposiciown

Of him J)is wooful louer1 Daine l Arcite t1 or Dame]

What1 shuld? I alday of his woo endite 1380

Whan he endured had a 3 ere or two This cruel torment and j?is peyn and woo At Thebes in his courte as I seide

Vpon a nyght1 in slepe as he hym leide 1384

Hym J>ou3f howe J>at the wenged god Mercurye Biforn him stode and bad hym to be merye His slepy yeerde in honde he bare -vpiijt1 An hatte he wered vpon his heres bri}^ 1388

PETWORTH 40

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 41

Araied was pis god as he toke kepe

As lie was whan pat Argus toke his slepe

And seide him Jms to Athenes shalt pou wende

Ther is pe shapen of pi woo an ende 1392

And wip pafr worde Arcite woke and stert

]S"owe trewly howe sore pat euer me smert

Quod he to Athenes nowe wil I fare

Ne for pe drede of depe shal I not spare 1396

To see my lady pat1 I loue and serue [leaf 20]

In her presence I ne recche pough I sterue

And wip pat1 word he kaughf a grete myrowr

And seegh pat chaunged was al his colour 1400

And seegh his visage al in anoper kinde

And right1 anon it1 ranne him in his mynde

That sipen his face was so disfigured

Of malady pe which he had endured 1 404

He myghte wel if pat1 he bare hyra lowe

Lyue in Athenes euermore vnknowe

And seen his lady wel nye day be day

And right1 anon he chaunged his aray 1408

And clad him as a poor labore[er]

And [al] alon sauf oonly a sqwiere

That1 knewe his priuete and al his caas

Whiche was disgised poorly as he waas 1412

To Athenes is he gon pe nexte way

And to pe courte he went1 vpon a day

And at pe gate he profered his seruyse

To drugge and drawe what1 so men wil deuise 1416

And shortely of pis mater forto seyn

He felle in office wip a chamberleyn

The whiche pat was dwelling1 wip Emelye

ffor he was wise and sone coupe aspye 1420

Of euery seruemnte which ]>at serue]) here

"Wel coupe he hewen wode and water1 bere

ffor he was yonge and myghty for pe nonys

And perto he was stronge and bigge of bonys 1424

PETWORTH 41

42 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

To done jjat eny wijti him can deuise

A 3eer or two he was in Jjis seruyse

Page in ]?e Chambre of Emely Jje bri^t

And Philostrate he seide J>at he hi3ti 1428

But1 half so wel biloued a man as he

Ne was Jjer neuer in courte of his degre

He was [so] gentil of Condiciown

fat1 Jjorowe out al jje court1 was his renown 1432

Thei seide J?af it1 was a charite [leaf 20, back]

That1 theseus wolde enhaunce his degre

And putten hyra in worshipful seruyse

J>er as he myght1 his vertue exercise 1 -136

And Jms wij? in a while his name is spronge

Bothen of his dedes and of his good tonge

That1 Theseus hajj taken hym so nere

)?at of his chambere he made hym a squyere 1440

And 3aue him gold? to meyntene his degre

And eke men bro^t1 hym out1 of his cuntre

ffro 3ere to ^ere ful priuely his rente

But1 honestly and slei3ly he it1 spente 1444

That1 no man wondred . how Jjaf he it hadde

And thre 3ere in ]?is wise his lif he ladde

And bare hym so in pees and eke in werre

Jjer is no man fat1 Theseus hath" derre 1448

And in J?is blisse lete I nowe Arcite

And speke I wil of Palamon a lite

^F In derknesse in horrible and strong1 prison

This vij. 3ere hath sitten Palamon 1452

ffor-pyned what1 for woo and for distresse

Who feleth double soor and hevynesse

But Palamon Jjat1 loue destreynejj so

That1 wode out1 of his wit1 he go]? for woo 1456

And eke J>erto he is a pn'sonere

Perpetuelly not1 oonly for a 3ere

Who cowde ryrne in englissh proprely

His martierdome for soj> it am not1 1 1460

M PETWORTH 42

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 43

Therfor I passe as H.-$tly as I may

11 It felle pat1 in pe vij. 3 ere of May

The .iij. nyght1 as olde bokes seyn

patt al j)is story tellep more pleyn 1464

"Were it by auenture or "be destynye

As whan a ping1 is shape it1 shal be

That sone aftere the mydny3t< Palamon

By helpinge of a frende brak prison. 1468

And flee]) pe Cite fast1 as he may goo / Deaf 21

ffor he had 3eue his gaylere drink so

Of a Clerrey made of a certeyn wyne

Wip vercotiks and opy of Thebes fyne 1472

pat1 al pat1 ny3# pough pat men wold? hym shake

pe Gailler sclepte and my3te not1 awake

1T And pus he fleep as fast as euer he may

pe ny3tt was short1 and fast[e] by pe day 1476

pat1 nedes cost1 he most1 him self hiden

And til a groue faste ther besiden

Wip dredful foote ))an stalkej? Palamon

ifor shortely pis was his opynyon 1480

That1 in pat1 groue he wolde hym hide alday

And in pe nyght1 pan wolde he take his way

To Thebes ward* his frendes forto prey

On theseus to helpe hym to werrey V1484

A[nd] shortely eiper he wold lese his liff1

Or wynnen Emely to his lonely wiff1

This is peffeste and his entente pleyn

IT No we wil I turne vnto Arcite ageyn 1488

That1 litel wist1 howe negh pat1 was his care

Til pat1 fortune had ka^t1 hy??i in his snare

The bysy larke massagere of day

Saluep in her songe pe morowe gray 1492

And fnry Phebus risep vp so

pat1 al pe Orient laugheth of his

And wip his stremes driep in pe greues /

Thevsiluer dropes honging1 in pe leues 1496

PETWORTH 43

44 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

1T And Arcita fat1 in f e courte Royatt

With Theseus his squyer1 pryncipaft

Is risen and lokef on f e mery day

And forto don his obseruawnce to Maij 1500

Remembring1 f e point1 of his desire

He on his coursere sterting1 as f e fire

Is riden into f e feeldes him to pley

Out1 of f e courte were if a myle or twey 1504

And to fe Groue of which fat I ^ou tolde [leaf 21, back]

By auenture his way by-gon to holde

And maken hym a garlond? of f e greues

"Were it1 of wodbynde or hawthorn leues 1508

And loude he songe a^einst f e sonne shene

May wif all f i floures and f i grene

Welcome be f owe faire fresshe May

I hope fat I somme grene gete may 1512

And from his courser wif a lusty herte

Into f e Groue ful hastely he sterte

And in a path he romej? vp and down

J?er as by auenture of J)is Palamown 1516

Was in a busshe jjat no man my^t1 hym see

ffor soor afferd? of his dej? was he

IT No jjinge ne knewe he fat1 it was Arcyte

God wote he wolo? haue trowed it ful lite 1520

But1 sojj is seide goon sithen mony 3eres

That1 feelde hath yen and ]>e wode haj> eeres

It1 is ful faire a man to bere hym euene

ffor alday meten men at1 vnsef1 steuene 1524

fful litel wote Arcite of his felawe

fat1 was so nygh to harken of his sawe

ffor in J?e busshe he sittej? now ful stille

Whan fat1 Arcite had romed al his fille 1528

And songen at1 the roundel lustely

Into a stody he felle sodeynly

As don fise louers in her queynt[e] geres

Now in fe croppe now down in fe breres 1532

PETWORTH 44.

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 45

Now vp nowe doune as Boket1 in a welle

Ri^t as f e friday sof ly forto telle

Now it shynef nowe it reynef faste

Ei3t so gan gery Venus euer caste 1536

The hertes of her folk ri^t as hir* day

Is Gerful . rijti so chaiwgef she aray

Selde is f e friday al f e weke ylike

IT Whan fat Arcite nad ysonge he gan to sike 1540

And sette hym doune with oute[n] eny more [leaf 22]

Alias quod he fat1 day fat1 I was bore

Howe longe luno f orgh f i cruelte

Wiltow werryen Thebes fe Citee 1544

Alias y brought1 is to confusion

The blood Roial of Cadme and AmphiorT

Of Cadmus whiche pat1 was J>e first man

That Thebes bilt . or first1 J)e toune bygan 1548

And of f e Cite first* was corowned kinge

Of his lynage am I and of his of-springe

By verrey lyne as of f e stok Roiatt

And nowe I am so Catif and so thral 1552

That1 he fat1 is my mortal enemye

I serue him as his sqwier poorlye

And }it dof me luno wel more shame

fFor I dar not1 be-knowe myn owne name 1556

But fer [as] I was wonte to hi^t1 Arcite

Now highf I Philostrate not1 worfe a myte

IT Alias jjou felle Mars alias J?ou luno

Thus hajj ^oure Ire our lynage alfordo 1560

Sauf oonly me and wrecched Palamon

That Theseus marterej? in prison

And ouer al J>is to sleen me vtterly

Loue haj? faire his darte so brennyngly 1564

Istiked forgh my trewe careful herte

That shapen was my dej> arst fan my sherte

3e sleen me wij? 3oure yen Emelye

3e ben J?e cause wherfore fat1 1 dye 1568

PETWORTH 45

46 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS

Of al the remenanf of myn of er care

Ne sette 1 110113 fr the mountance of a tare

So fat I cowde do ou^t1 to jour plesaunce

And wif fat1 word* he felle down in a trauwce 1572

A longe tyme and afterward! he vp stert

f is Palamon fat1 f ou^f fat f orgh [his] herte

He felte a colde swerde sodeinly glide

ffor Ire he qwoke no lenger wold he bide ^fl'HbSt a^eS;

f And whan fat1 he had herde Arcites tale 80deynly Giide>]

As he were wode wif face dede and pale

He stert1 hym vp out1 of the buskes thikke

And seide Arcite fals traitour quykke 1580

Now art1 f ou hent1 fat1 louest1 my lady soo

ffor whom fat1 1 haue al f is peyn and woo

And art1 my blood and to my counsel sworne

As I ful oft1 have tolde fe here to forn 1584

And hast1 by-iaped here Duke Theseus

And falsly chaunged hast f i name f us

I wil be dede or ellis f ou shalt dye

Thowe shalt1 not1 loue my lady Emely 1588

But I wil loue hir* oonly and no moo

ffor I am Palamon f i mortel ffoo

And jjou^e fat1 1 no wepen haue in J)is place

But out1 of prison am I-stert1 by grace 1592

I drede nou^t1 but1 eifer ]>ou shalt1 dye

Or jjou ne shalt1 not1 loue Emelye

Chese which Jjou wilt1 or ]?ou shalt1 not1 asterte

IF This Arcite wij> ful dispitous herte 1596

Whan he hym knewe and had his tale herd

As feers as a lyon pulled out1 a swercfe

And seide ]ms by god fat1 sittej? aboue

JSTe it were fat1 f ou art seke and wode for loue 1 600

And eke fat1 f ou no wepen hast in f is place

Thow shuldest neuere out1 of f is groue pace

fat1 fou ne shuldest dyen of myn honde

ffor I defie f e swerte and f e bonde 1 604

N PETWORTH 46

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 47

Which fat f ou seist1 I haue made to f e

What1 verrey fool f enk wel fat1 loue is free

And I wil loue hir1 inawgre al f i myjti

But1 for as moche as fou art a worfi kir^t1 1608

And wiliest1 to darreyn hir1 by bataille

Haue here my trouf e to morwe I nyl not1 faille

Wif outen witting1 of eny of ere wight1 [leaf 23]

That1 here I wil be founden as a knyght1 1612

And bringen harneis li^ti ynough for f e

And chese f e best1 and leue f e worst1 for me

And mete and drink f is nyghte wil I bringe

Ynough for fe and clofes for jji beddynge 1616

And if so be fat1 fou my lady wynne

And sclee me in Jjis wode \er I am Inne

Thow maist wel haue \\ lady as for me

This Palamon answerd? I graunte it1 jje 1620

And ]?us ]?ei bene departed til a morowe

Whan eche of hem had leide his feij? to borowe

IT 0 cupide out1 of al charite

0 regne fat wold no felawe haue wif fe 1624

fful sojj is seide fat1 loue ne lordship

Wil not1 his f onkes haue no felawship

We fynde fat1 of Arcite and Palamowii

Arcite is riden anon into the town 1628

And on f e morowe er it1 were day li^t1

fful prmely two harneys haf he dijti

Both suffisaunt1 and mete to darreyn

The bataille in fe feelde bytwix hem tweyn 1632

And on his hors allone as he was born

He carief al his harneys hyra bifom

And in f e Groue at1 tyme and place ysette

This Arcite and fis Palamon ben mette 1636

To chaungen gan f e colour in her face

Right1 as f e hunters in [the] reyne of trace

That1 stondef atte gapfpe] wif a spere

Whan hunted is fe lyon or fe bere 1640

PETWOUTH 47

48 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And here]) him come russhing1 in fe Greues

And brekef both [the] bowes and fe leues

And fenkef here commeth my mortal enemye

Wif oute faile he mote be dede or I 1644

ffor eifer I moot1 scleen him atte gappe

Or he moot sclee me if fat1 me myshappe

So feerden [thei] in chaungyng1 of here hwe [leaf 23, back]

As fer as euerich of hem ofer knewe 1648

Ther nas no good day ne no saluynge

But street1 wif oute worde or rehersinge

Euerich of hem helpef forto arme ofer*

As frendly as he were his owne broker1 1652

And after fat1 with sharpe speres stronge

They foynen eche at1 of er wonder longe

Thow my^test1 wene fat1 f is Palamon

In his fightinge were a wood lyon 1656

And as [a] cruel tigre was Arcite

As wilde boores gon f ei to-gider1 smyte

That1 frothen white as fome for yre woode

Yp to fe Ancle fought1 Jjei in her bloode 1660

And in J)is wise I lete hem fighting1 dwelle

And for]? I wil of Theseus ^ou telle

IT The destanye minister1 generatt

That1 execute]) in ])e world ouer aft 1664

The purueaunce fat god ha]) say bifore

So stronge it1 is fat1 fei J)e world had it swore

J)e contrarie of a J)inge be ye or nay

3itt som tyme it shal falle on a day 1668

That1 fallef no^t1 eft wif in a fousand yere

ffor certeynly our appetites here

Be it1 of werre or pees, or hate or loue

Al is fis rewled by J)e sight aboue 1672

This mene I nowe by myghty Theseus

That1 forto hunte is so desirous

And namely atte grete hert1 in Maij

That1 in his bed fer dawef hym no day 1676

PETWORTH 48

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 49

That1 he nys cladde and redy forto ride

Wif hunte and horn and houndes hyra biside

ffor in his hunting haf he swich delite

That1 it1 is al his ioye and appetite 1680

To bene hym self f e grete hertes bane

ffor after Mars he seruef nowe Dyane

Cleer was fe day as I haue told? er fis / [leaf 24]

And Theseus wif al[le] loie and blis 1684

Wif his ypolita f e faire quene

And Emely[e] closed al in grene

On huntinge bene f ei riden rially

And to fe Groue fat1 stode ful fast1 by 1688

In which f er was an herte as men hyw tolde

But1 Theseus f e streighte way haf holde

And to f e launde he ride]) hym ful ri^f

ffor fider was fe hert1 wonte to haue his fli^f 1692

And ouer a broke and so for]) on his way

This duke wil haue a cours at1 hym or tway

Wif houndes swich as fat1 him list comaunde

And whan J)is duke was come vnto fe launde 1696

Vnder J)e sonne he loked anon

He was ware of Arcite and Palamon

That1 fou3ten breme as it1 were boles two

The bri^te swerdes wenten to and fro 1700

So hidously fat1 wif fe leest[e] stroke

It semef fat it wold' fellen an oke

But1 what1 f ei were no f ing1 he ne wote

This duke his courser wif his spores smoote 1704

And at1 a stert1 he was atwixe h&m twoo

A pulled out1 a swerde and cried hoo

No more vp peyn of lesing1 of $our hede

By myghty mars he shal anon be dede 1 708

That1 smytef eny stroke fat1 I may sene

But1 tellef me what1 myster men $e bene

That1 ben so hardy forto listen here

Wif oute lugge. or ofer officers 1712

4 PETWORTH 49

50 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

H As it were in litel liste ryatty

This Palamon answerde hastily

And seide Sir1 what1 nedep wordes moo

We haii pe depe deserued bop twoo 1716

Two woful wrecched be we two catyfes

jpat bene encombred of oure owne lifes

And as pow art1 a ri3tful lorde and luge [leaf 24, back]

Ne jeue vs neiper mercy ne refuge 1720

But1 scle me furst1 for seinte larite

But1 slee my felowe eke as wel as me

Or slee hym [first] for pougll po[u] knowest lite

This is pi mortal ffoo pis is arcite 1724

That1 from pi londe is banshed on his hede

ffor whiche he ha)) deserued to be dede

ifor pis is he fat1 come vnto pi gate

And saide pat1 he hight1 Philostrate 1728

Thus hap he Taped pe ful mony a 3ere

And pou hast1 made him pi chief squyere

And pis is he pat1 louep Emelye

ffor sip pat1 day is cowmen pat1 1 shal dye 1732

I make pleynly my confession

That1 1 am pilk[e] wooful Palamon

That1 hap pi prison broken wikkedly

I am pi mortal foo and it1 am I 1736

That1 louep so hote Emely pe

That1 1 wil dye present1 in her

"Wherfore I axe dep and my Iwes

But1 scle my felawe in pe same wise 1740

ffor bope we han deserued forto be sclayn

This worpi duke answerd? anon agayn

And saide pis is a short1 conclusion

3oure owne moupe be pure confession 1744

Hap dampned per 3ou and I wil it1 records

Hit nedep not1 to pyne $ou wip acorde

He shul be dede by my3ty mars pe rede

The quene anoon for verrey wommanhede 1748

n PETWORTH 50

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 51

Gan [for] to wepe and so seide Emelye

And al j?e ladis in }>e companye

Grete pite was if as it Jjou^t1 hem alle

That1 euere such a chaunce shuld byfalle 1752

ffor gentil men ]?ei were of grete astate

And no ]?inge but1 for loue was J>is debate

And seegft her blody woundes wide and sore [leaf 25]

And alle criden boj>[e] lasse and more 1756

Haue mercy vpon vs wommen alle

And on her bare knees doun Jjei falle

And wold han kissed his fete ]?er he stoode

Til at1 ]?e last1 a-sclaked was his moode 1 760

ffor pite rennej? sone in gentile herte

And ]?oughe he first1 for ire quoke and sterte

He ha]? considered shortly in a clause

The trespase of hem both[e] and ]?e cause 1764

And al Jjo^e his Ire her gilt1 accused

3it* in his reson he hem both excused

And Jms he Jjou^te wel pat1 euery man

Wol helpe him self in loue if Jjat1 he can 1768

And eke delyuere him self out1 of prison.

And eke him self had compassion

Of wommen for J>ei wepen euere in oon

And in his gentile hert1 he Jjo^t1 anon 1772

And soft1 vnto him self he seide fye

Vpon a lord jjat1 wil haue no mercy

But1 be a lyon bo]>e in word? and dede

To hem jjat1 bene in repentaunce and drede 1776

As wel as to a prowde dispitous man

That wil mey[n]tene pat1 he first bygan

That1 lord haj? litel in discreccion

That1 in such caas can no diuision 1780

But weiej? pride and humblenesse after* oon

And shortely whan his Ire was )?us agon

He gan to loken vp wi]> eyen light1

And spake Jnse same wordes al on hight1 1784

PETWORTH 51

52 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

The god of love, o Benedicite

How myghty and howe grete a lord is lie

A^einst his myght1 f er ^eynef non obstacles

He may be cleped a god for his myracles 1788

ffor he can maken at is owne gyse

Of euericft hert1 as fat1 hym list1 devise

Lo here fis arcite and fis Palamon [leaf 25, back]

That quietely were out1 of prison gon 1792

And myght1 haue lyued in thebes Rially

And weten I am her mortal enemye

And fat1 her def is in [my] myghf also /

And ^it1 haf loue mawgre her eyen two 1796

[I-jBrou^t1 him hidere bof [e] forto dye

Now lokef is not1 fis a grete folye

Who may be a fool but1 if he loue

Biholde for goddes loue fat1 sittef aboue 1800

See howe f ei blede bene f ei not1 wel araied

Thus haf her lorde f e god of loue hem paied?

Her wages and her fees for her seruise

And ^it1 fei wenene for to bene ful Avise 1804

That1 seruen loue for o^t1 fat1 may bifalle

But1 ^it1 is f is f e beste game of alle

That1 she for whom fei haue f is lolite

Can hem as moche thonke as me 1 808

Shee wote no more of al f is hote fare

By god fan wote an Cuckowe or an hare

But1 al most1 be assaied hote and cold?

A man mote be a fool or ^onge or old? 1812

1 wote it1 by my self for yore agone

ffor in my tyme a seruawnte was I oone

And f erfor sith I knowe of loues peyne

And wote howe sore it can a man distreyne 1816

As he fat1 haf oft bene ca^t1 in his laas

I ^ou for3iue al holy f is trespaas /

Atte request1 of f e quene fat1 knelef here

And eke of Emelye my suster1 dere 1820

PETWOHTII 52

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 53

And 36 sliul bope vnto me swere

That* neuerrnore 36 shul my cuntre dere

Xe make werre vpon me ny^t1 ne day

But bene my frendes in al pat1 ^e may 1824

I nowe for^eue pis trespase enery deft

And pei hym swore his axing1 fair1 and well

And him of lordship and of mercye preide [leaf 26]

And so hem grauntep grace and pus he seide 1828

To speke of Eial lynage and ricches

Thoo pat she were a quene or a princesse

Eche of 3ou bope is worpi doutelees

To wedden whan tyme is but1 napelees 1832

I speke as for my suster* Emelye

ifor whoorn 36 haue pis strif and lelosie

3e wote 3oure self ze may not1 wedden two

Af ones pou3e 36 fi3ten euermoo 1836

pat1 oon of 3ou be he lop or liefe

He mot1 go pipen in an yve liefe

This is to say she may not1 nowe haue both

!N"e be 36 neuere so lelous and so wroth 1840

And for-J>i J?er nowe put1 in J>is degre

That1 eche of 3ou shal haue his destane

As him is shape and harkenef in what1 wise

Lo here 3oure ende and fat1 1 shal devise 1844

^f My wille is ]?is for plat1 conclusion

Wij? oute[n] eny replicacion

3if fat1 3ou like]) take it1 for J>e best1

That1 euery of 3ou shal go wher hym lest1 1848

ffrely wij> outen raunson [or] daungere

At J)is day fifty wekes fer ne nere

Euerich of 3ou shal bryng1 an .C. kny3tes

Armed for listes vp al rightes 1852

Al redy to darreyn hir1 by batayle

And J»is bihote I 3ou wij) outen faile

Vpon my troupe and as I am a kny3^

pat wheder of 3ou bojjfe] pat1 hap myjti 1856

PETWORTH 53

54 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

This is to seyn J?af whedere lie or ]>owe

May wij> his hundred as I haue spoke of nowe

Slee his contrary or out1 of lystes drive

Than shal I 3eue hyra Emely to wyve 1860

To whom Jjat fortune ha]} ^eue so faire a grace

The listes shal I do maken in Jns place

And god so wisly on my soule rwe [leaf 26, back]

As I shal euene luge be and trwe 1864

3e shal non o]>ere ende wijj me make

J>af oon of ^ou shal be dede or take

And if yow Jjenke )>is is wel yseide

Sey ^oure avice and holde }ou wel apaide 1868

This is ^oure ende and ^our conclusion

Who lokejj lightly now but* Palamon

Swo springeth vp for loie but1 Arcite

Who coude telle or who coude if endite 1872

The loie fat1 is made in ]?af place

Whan Theseus haj) don so faire a grace

But1 doune on knees went1 euery manere wi}f

And thonked hym wij> al her hert1 and my^f 1876

And namely Jjise Thybeanes mony sitfi.

And jms wij> hope and herte blitS

Thei take her leue and homwarc? gan J>ei ride

Tho Thebes-war^ wi]> olde walles wide 1880

..... , .... no gap in the

IT I trowe men wolde deme if necligence

If I for^ete to telle J>e dispence

Of Theseus J>af go)) so bisily

To maken vp ]>e listes rially 1884

Thaf suche a noble theatre as if was

I dar wel seyn in J?is worlcJ ther nas

The circuyte a myle was aboute

Walled wi]> stone arcd dicched al wi> oute 1888

Rounde was pe shappe in manere of a compas /

P PETWORTH 54

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth, MS. 55

fful of degrees J>e heght1 of sixty paas

That1 whan a man was sette on oon degre

He letted not1 his felawe forto see 1892

Estward? Jjer stode a gate of Marbel white

Westward? right1 such a nojjer in )>e opposite

And shortely to conclude such a place

Was non in er]?e as in so litel space 1896

ffor in jje londe J?er nas no crafty man

That1 Geometrye or arsmetrike can

!N~e purtraiour1 ne keruer* of ymages [leaf 271

That1 Theseus ne ^aue him mete and wages 1900

The theater to make and to devise

And forto doon his ri^ti and his sacritise

He Estward? haj? [up] on J>e gate aboue

In worship of wenus goddes of loue 1904

Done maken an awtere and an oratorie

And on J?e westward? side in meiaorie

Of Mars he haj) maked ri^f such anojjere

Jjat1 cost1 largely of gold a ffojjere 1908

And norfward! in a to^retf on |?e watt

Of Alabaster white and rede Coratt

An oratorie riche forto see

In worship of Diane of chaastite 1912

Ha]> Theseus done wrou^f in noble wise

But1 ^it1 had I forgete forto devise

That1 noble kervingges and J?e powrtratures

]>e shappe ]>e countenawnce and Jje figures 1916

Jjat1 weren in ]?e oratories thre

ffirst1 in Ipe temple of Venus maist ]?ou see

Wrou^f on ]>e walle ful pitous to biholde

Jje broken slepes and ]>e sighes colde 1920

J?e sacred teeres and J?e waymentynge

])e firy strokes of ]?e desiringe

jjat1 loues seruawntes in jjis lif enduren

}>e Ojjes fat1 her conawntes assuren 1924

Plesaunce and hope, desire fool-hardynesse

PETWORTH 55

56 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Beaute and f ou^t1 . bawdry richesse

Charmes and force, lesingges and flaterye

Dispence bysynesse and lelowsie 1928

fat1 wered of 3olowe goldes a garlonde

And a Cukkowe sitting* on her honde

ffeestes instrumentes Carolles daunces

luste and array and al fe circumstaimces 1932

Of loue whiche I rekened and reken shaft

By ordere were peynted on f e watt

And mo fan I con [make] of mencion [leaf 27, back]

ffor sofly al f e mont of Citharon 1936

Ther Venus ha]> her principal dwellinge

Was shewed in f e walle in purtraiynge

Wif al f e Gardeyne and f e lustynesse

Not* was for^eten fe porter ydelnesse 1940

Ne narcisus f e faire of yore agone

Ne 3itt f e foly of king1 salamon

!Ne 31^ f e grete strengthe of hercules

fe enchauntementz of Medea and certes 1944

!N"e of Turnus wif f e hardy fires corage

f e riche Cresus catif in seruage

Thus may 36 sene fat wisdom ne ricchesse

Bewte ne scleighte. strengthe hardy nesse 1948

Ne may with Yenus holde chaumpartie

ffor as her list1 f e world! fan may she gie

1F Loo alle f ise folk so caught* were in her las

To fei for woo ful often seide alas 1952

Suffisef here oon ensample or two

And f oughe f er coude rekne a thousand* moo

The statue of Venus glorious to see

"Was naked fletinge in fe large see 1956

And from f e nauel down al keuered was

Wif wawes grene and bri}^ as eny glas

A Citole in hire i^te hond had she

And on her hede ful semely to see I960

A Eose garlonde fresshe an wel smellinge

PETWORTH 56

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 57

Aboue her hede lier dowues flateringe

Byfore hir1 stode hir1 sone Cupido

Ypon his shulders wenges had he two 1964

And blynde he was as it1 is ofte sene

A bowe he bare and arowes bri^tf and kene

1F Whi shuld? I not eke as wel telle 3011 alle

The powrtrature J>atf was vpon J>e walle 1968

WiJ> in jje temple of my^ty mars J?e rede

Al peynted was j>e walle in lengthe and brede

Like to fe Estres of ]je grisly place fleaf 28]

}>e hight1 ]?e gr[e]te temple of Mars in trace 1972

In ]?ilk[e] colde frosty Regy5n

Ther as Mars ha]j his souereyn mancion

1T ffirst* on J>e walle was peynted a foreste

In which jjer wonne]> neijjer man ne beste 1976

"WiJ> knotty knarry bareyn trees olde

Of stubbes sharpe and hidous to biholde

In which" J)er was a rombled and a swoghe

As j?ough a storme shuld breke euery bou3e 1980

And dounward / from an hille vnder a bent*

There stode )?e temple of Mars Armypotent1

Wrought1 of al of burnyd steel of which J?e entenf

Was longe and streit1 and goostly forto sent1 1984

And jjer out1 came a rage in such a wise

J)af it* made al j?e gates forto rise

Til norjjeron ^f in at ])e doores shoon

ffor wyndowe on ]?e watt J>an was $er non 1988

forowe whiche men my^t eny light1 discerne

]?e door was al of Athamantf eterne

Yclenched ouertwert* and endelonge

Wijj Iren towe forto make if stronge 1992

Euery piler J)e temple to sustene

Was tonne grete of yren bri^tf and shene

Ther seghe I fursfr ]?e [derk] ymagynyng1

Of felowny and al j?e compassing1 1996

The cruel Ire rede as eny gleede

PETWORTH 67

58 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

J>e Pikpurs and eke Jje pale drede

fe smyler wij) J?e knyf vnder J?e cloke

J)e shippen brennyng1 wij> j>e blak[e] smoke 2000

Jje treson of j>e morjjering1 in j?e bedde

pe open werre wij) woundes al by-bledde

Conteckte wij) blody knyff and sharpe manace

Al ful of chirkinge was jjat1 sory place 2004

J)e scleer of him self ^it1 segH I J?ere

His herte-bloode haj) bajjed al his here

The nayle ydryuen in ])e shode a ny^f [leaf 28, back]

Wij? colde dejje wi)j moujje gaping1 vp ri^t1 2008

Amyddes of ]>e temple satte a meschaunce

Wij) discomfort1 and sori countenawnce

3if sawghe I woodnesse laughing1 in his rage

Armed compleint1 outhees and fires corage 2012

J}e Careyn in )?e bussh wij> jjrote ycorve

A thousand sclayne and not1 of qualme ystorue

This tyraunf wij? j?e pray by force yrafte

J)e toune destroied Jjer nas no Jung1 ylafte 2016

3it* seghe I brenf ]?e shippes Hoppesteres

The hunte strangled wi)> ]?e wilde beres

The sowe fretinge J?e childe ri^t1 in ]?e cradett

The Coke yscalded for al his longe ladett 2020

Kou^t was forgeten by ]?e infortune of Marte

The Carter ouer-riden wij) j)e Carte

Vndere j)e whele ful lowe he lay adown

fere were also of Martes dyuysiown 2024

])e Barboure J)e bochere and j?e Smyth

J)af forgej) sharpe swerdes on j)e stitfi

And al aboue depeynted in a toure

Saughe I conquest1 sittinge in grete honours 2028

Wij) j)e sharpe swerde ouer his hede

Hanginge by a sotile twyned j)rede

Depeinted was j)e the sclauughtei0 of luliu.

Of grete Nero and of Anthoneus 2032

Al be J>af pilke tyme j?ei were vnborn

Q PETWOETH 58

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 59

$it was her dej> depeinted ]?er biforn

By manasing1 of Mars ri3tt by figure

so was it1 shewed in Jje purtrature 2036

As is depeinted in Jje certres aboue

Who shal be ded or slayne for loue

Suffisejj oon ensample in stories olde

I may not1 rekne hem al[le] Jjoi^e I wolde 2040

)>e statue of mars vpon a carte stode

Armed and loked grymme as he were wode

And ouer his hode \er shynej) two figures [leaf 29]

Of sterres pat1 bene cleped in figures 2044

That1 oon Puella that1 ojjer rubeus

This god of armes was araied ]ms

A wolf Jjer stode to forn him at1 his fete

Wi]> eyen rede and of a man he ete 2048

Wijj sotel pensel was depeynted jjis storie

In recordinge of Mars and [of] his glorie

If Nowe to pe temple of Dyane )>e chaste

As shortely as I can I wil me haste 2052

To telle 3ou al the descripcioim

Depeynted was J?e walle vp and down

Of huntinge and of shamfast chastite

per saughe I how wooful calistope 2056

Whan Jjatt Dyane agreued was [with] here.

Was turned from a womman to a bere

And after was she made J?e lode-sterre

Thus was she peynted I can say 3ou no ferre 2060

Her sone is eke a sterre as 36 may see

Jjer saughe I dane turned to a tree

I mene not1 J?e goddes Dyane

But1 Penneus doughter which J?at hi3te dane 2064

J>er saugh I Attheon an hert1 yniaked

ffor vengeaunce j?af he segh diane al naked

I saugh pat1 how his houndes haue hym caughte

And freten him for jjei knewe hym nau3te 2068

^it1 ypeynted was a litel ferjjermore

PETWORTH 69

60 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petwbrth MS.

Howe Atthelaunt1 hunted J>e wilde bore

And maleagre and mony ojjer moo/

ffor whiche diane wro^t1 hym care and woo 2072

Ther seghe I many anojjer worjji story

Whiche men list1 not1 to drowe to memory

This goddes vpon an hert1 ful wel she sette

Wij) smale houndes al about1 her fete 2076

And vndernejje her fete she had a mone

Wexing1 it1 was and shal wany sone

In gaudy grene her statue clones was [leaf 29, back]

WiJ? bowe in honde and arowes in a cas 2080

Her eyen keste she ful lowe a doune

Ther Pluto haj> his derke regiown

A woman travailing1 was hir* biforn

But1 for her child was so longe vnborn 2084

fful pitously lucyna can she calle

And seide helpe for ]?ou maist1 best1 of alle

Wel coude he peynte lyvely Jjat1 it wrou^t1

Wij) mony a floreyne he Jje coloures bou^t1 2088

IF Now bene Jnse listes made and theseus

That1 at his grete cost1 araied J?us

J?e temple and J>e theatre euery dele

Whan it1 was done him liked wonder1 wele 2092

But1 stint1 1 wil oj: Theseus a lite

And speke of Palamon and [of] arcite

The [day] approchej? of her retournynge

Jjat1 eueriche shuld an C. knyghtes bringe 2096

The bataille to darrey as I you tolde

And to Athenes her couenawnte forto holde ]

Ha]? euery of hem brou^t1 an .C. knyghtes

Wel armed for ]>e werre at1 al[le] rightes 2100

And sikerly Jjer trowed many a man

That1 neuere sijj Jjat1 ]?e world bygan

That1 forto speke of knyghthode of her honde

As fer as god haj? maked see or londe 2104

Nas of so fewe so noble a companye

PETWORTH 60

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 61

ffor eueiy wight1 J>afr loued chivalrye And wold his fonkes haue a passaunte name Haj? preide Jjafr he myght1 be of jjafr game 2108

And wel was him jjaf Jjerto chosen was ffor if J>er felle to morow such a caas 3e knowen wel jjafr euery lusty kny^t

Jjatt louej) paramours and haj) [his] my^f 2112

Were if in engelonde or ellis where jjei wolden fayne wilnen to be J?ere

To fight1 for a lady 0 benedicite [leaf so]

It were a lusty sighte forto se 2116

And right1 so feerden Jjei wij? Palamon Wi]) hym J>ei wenten knyghtes mony on Som wol be armed in an haberion

And a brestt plate and a litel gippdn 2120

And some wil haue a peire plates large And some wil haue a Spruse plate sheeld or targe So?ftme wil [be] armed on his legges welte And haue an axe and some a mace of stele 2124

J?er nas no newe gyse J?af it1 nas olde Armed were Jjei as I haue ^ou tolde Euerich after his opynyon

Ther maist1 J>ou see commyng1 with Palamon 2128

Ligurge hym self J>e grete king1 of trace Blak was his visage and manly was his face J?e Cercles of ]>e eyen in his hede

J>ei glowden bitwix 3elowe and rede 2132

And liche a lyon loked he aboute With kempte heeres on his browes stoute His lymes grete his brawnes stronge

His sholdres brode his armes rounde and longe 2136

And as J?e Gyse was in his cuntre fful heghe vpon a chare of gold stode he Wij) .iiij. white boles in J?e trais

In stede of cote armure and his harnais 2140

nailles 3elowe and bri^t1 as eny gold?

PETWORTH 61

62 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

He had a berres skyn coleblake for olde His longe heer was kempte behinde his bak As eny rauens fejjere it1 shoon for blak 2144

A wrej?e of gold? . arme bri^tf of huge wi^t1 Vpon his hede sette ful of stonys b^t1 Of fyne Eubies and of dyamauntz

About1 his chare ]>er went1 white alauntz 2148

xx V1 and moo as grete as ony stei* To hunten at* Jje lyon or j>e deer1

And folowed hym wij) mosel fast1 ybounde [leaf so, back]

Colers of golde and torrettes philed rounde 2152

An C. lordes had he in his route Armed ful wel wijj hertes steerne and stoute IT "With Arcite in stories as men fynde The grete Emetreus J>e king1 of ynde 2156

Vpon a stede bay trapped in stele Couered wijj a clo]?e of gold diapred wele Come riding1 liche J>e god of armed Mars His cote armure was a clojje of tars 2160

Couched wij? peerles . white, rounde and grete His sadel was of brent gold? newe ybete A mantel vpon his shulder hongynge Brettful of rubies rede as fire spar[c]linge 2164

His Crispe here liche rynges was yronne And Jjat1 was ^elowe and glitering1 as ]>e sonne His nose was heghe his eyen bri3t1 citryn His lippes rounde his colour Avas Sangwyn) 2168

A fewe frakens in his face spreynt1 Bitwix ^elowe and somdele blak1 ymeynt1 And as a lyon he is eyen caste

Of xxvt1 3ere his age y caste 2172

His beerd was wel bygonne forto springe His vois was as a trompet1 ]>ondringe Vpon his hede he wered a laurer grene A garlond fresshe and lusty forto sene 2176

Vpon his honde he bare for his delite R PETWORTH 62

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Tetworth MS. 63

An Egle tame as eny lylye white

An .C. lordes had he wij? hym J>ere

Al armed sauf her hedes in al her gere 2180

fful richely in aljlej maner Jnngges

ffor trustej? wel jjat1 dukes Erles kyngges

Were gadered in jns noble companye

ffor lone and for encrees of chyualrye 2184

About1 ]?is kny^t1 J?er ranne on euery part1

fful mony a tame lyon and leopartf

And in ]>is wise pise lordes al and some [icafsi]

Eene on J?e sonday to j?e Cite come 2188

Aboute prime and in Jje toun alight1

This Theseus J>is duke jris wor]?i kny^t1

Whan he had brou^t1 hem into his Cite

And Tnned hem [ech] after her degre 2192

He feesteth hem and do]) so gret1 laboure

To esen hem and done hem al honoure

That1 jiV men wenen Jjaf no mannys witte

Of noon astate ne cowde amenden it1 2196

The mynstralsy J>e servise at1 ]>e feest

The grete ^iftes to J?e most1 and leest1

The riche aray of Theseus palays »

Ne who sat1 first1 and laste vpon J?e dees 2200

What1 ladies fairest bene or best1 daunsinge

Or whiche of hem can beste daunce or singe

!N"e who most1 felingly speke]? of loue

What1 hawkes sitten or perche aboue 2204

What1 houndes liggen on j>e floor a-doun

Of al this nowe I make no mencyown

But1 al ])e effecte fat1 Jjenkej) me J?e best1

Nowe commej? ]je poynt1 herknej? if ^ou lest1 2208

^f The sonday nyght1 er day gan to springe

Whan Palamon ]?e larke herd singe

Al Jjou^e if ner not1 day by howres two

3it" songe J?e larke and Palamon ri^t1 Jjoc 2212

Wijj holy hert1 and wij) an highe corage

PETWORTH 63

64 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

He roos vp to we [n] den on his pilgrymage

Vnto J>e blisful Cithera benygne

I mene Venus honurable and digne 2216

And in her houre he walkej? for]? apaas

Ynto fe listes J?er fe tempel was

And doune he knelej? and wij> humble chere

And herte sore he seide as 36 shal here 2220

IT ffairest1 . o faire . o. lady myne Venus

Do^tere to loue and spouse to Vlcanus

Thow glader of ])e mounte of Citherowii [leaf 31, back,

n°or ]?ilk[e] loue ]?ou haddestf to a-doun 2224

Haue pite on my bitter teeres smerte

And take myn humble preier at1 fine herte

Alas I ne haue no langage to telle

J?e effecte ne ]?e townnenfr of myn helle 2228

Myne herte may myn armes not1 be-wreye

I am so confused fat1 I can not* seye

But1 mercy lady bri^t1 fat1 woost wele

My J?ou3f and seest1 what1 harmes I fele 2232

Considere al f is and rwe vpon my sore

As wisly as I shal for euermore

Hensforf my my^t1 f i trewe serucmnte be

And hole werre alwaie wif chaastite 2236

That1 make I myne avowe so as 30 may helpe

I kepe not1 of armes for to 3elpe

Ne I ne axe not1 to morowe to haue victorie

Ne renown in fis caas ne veynglorie 2240

Of price of arrnes blowen vp and down

But I wold haue fully possessiown

Of Emelye and dye in her seruise

ffynde fou J>e manere howe and in what1 wise 2244

I recche not1 but1 if may better be

To haue victorie of hem or ]>ei of me

So that1 1 haue my lemman in myn armes

ffor J?ou3e so be fat1 mars is god of armes 2248

3oure vertue is so grete in heuene aboue

PETWORTH 64

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 65

fat1 if f e lest I shal wel haue my loue

Thy tempel shal I worship euermoo

And on fine awtere wher I ride or goo 2252

I wil doon sacrifise and fires bete

And 3if 36 wil not so my lady swete

fan prey I 3011 to morowe wif a spere

fat1 Arcita me f orghe f e herte "here 2256

Then rekke I not1 whan I haue lost* my lif

f ou^e Arcita wynne her to his wiff

This is f e effecte and eende of my priere [leaf 32]

3eue me my lady fou blisful lady dere 2260

IF Whan f e orison was don of Palamon

His sacrifise he did and fat1 a-non

fful pitously wif al[le] circumstawnces

Al telle I not1 as nowe his obseruawnces 2264

But1 atte laste f e statue of Yenus shoke

And made a signe wherby fat1 he toke

Jpat1 his preier accepted was fat1 day

ffor f ou3e f e signe shewed a delay 2268

3it wist1 he wele fat1 graunted was his bone

And wif glad hert1 he went1 awaie fill sone

IF fe iij. houre in-equal fat1 Palamon

Byganne to venus temple forto gon 2272

Vp roos f e sonne and vp roos Emelye

And to f e temple of Dyane gan she hie

Hir maidens fat1 she f ider wif hir ladde

fful redily wif hem fe fire fei hadde 2276

f e encense f e clof es and f e remenawnte att

fat to f e sacrifise longen shaft

f e homes ful of meth as was f e gise

f er lacked no^t1 to don her sacrifise 2280

Smoking1 f e temple ful of clof es faire

This Emelie wif herte debonaire

Hir* lady wasshe wif water of a welle

But howe she did hir rijf I dar not1 telle 2284

But1 it1 be eny f ing1 in generaft

5 PETWORTH 65

66 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And 31^ it1 were a game to here it aft

To him fat1 menef wel if were no charge

But1 if is good a man be at* his large 2288

Hir bri^t1 heres were kempte vntressed aft

A corone of a grene oke serialt

Vpon her hede was sette ful faire and mete

Two fires on fe awter gan she bete 2292

And did her fingges as men may biholde

In stace of Thebes and fise bokes plde

Whan kindeled was fe fire wif pitous chere [leaf 32, back]

Vnto Diane she spake as 36 may here 2296

^f 0 chaaste goddes of ]>e wodes grene

To whoom bojj heuene and erfe and see is sene

Quene of [the] regne of Polute derk and lowe

Goddes of maydenes fat1 myn hert1 hast1 knowe 2300

fful mony a ^ere and woost1 what1 1 desire

As kepe me from f i vengeance and fine Ire

That1 attheon abou^te cruelly

Chaast1 goddes wel woost1 f ou that* I 2304

Desire to be a maiden al my liif

Ne neuere wil I be [no] lone ne wiff

I am f ou woosf ^it1 of f i companye

A maide and loue huntyng1 and venerye 2308

And for to walke in f e wodes wilde

And not1 to be a wiff and be wij> childe

Nat1 wil I knowe company of man

Now helpe me lady sij) 36 may and can 2312

ffor J)oo Jjre formes pat* j?ou hast1 in J?e

And Palamon fat1 haf such loue to me

And eke Arcite pat* loue]} me so sore

This grace I prei ]je wijj out more 2316

And sende loue and pees ytwyx hem twoo

And fro me turne away her hertes so

That1 al her hote loue and her desire

And al her bysy torment1 and her fire 2320

Be queynt1 or turned in an o]?ere place

S PETWORTH 66

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 67

And if so be f ou wilt1 do me no grace

Or if it be my destany be shaped soc

That I shal nedes haue 0011 of hem two 2324

As sende me him fat1 most1 desire]? me

Biholde goddesse of clene chaastite

The bitter teeres fat1 on my chekes falle

Sif f ou art1 maide and keper of vs alle 2328

My maydenhode f ou kepe and wel conserue

And while I lif a maiden I wil f e serue

f e fires brenne vpon fe Auter5 clere [leaf 33]

While Emely was fus in his preiere 2332

But1 sodeynly she seghe a f inge queynt1

ffor right1 anoon oon of f e fires queynt1

And quicked ageyn and after fat1 anon

That1 ofer fire was queynt1 and al agon 2336

And as it* queint1 it made a qwistelinge

As done f ise wete brondes in her brennynge

IT And at1 f e brondes eende out1 ranne anon

As it1 were blody dropes mony on 2340

ffor which so sore a-gaste was Emelie

fat she was wel nyghe madde and gan to crye

ffor she ne wiste what1 it1 signified

But1 only for fe fire fus she criede 2344

And wepte fat it1 was pite for to here

And f er wif al Diane gan to apere

Wif bowe on hond? right1 as an hunteresse

And seide dou^tere stint1 of fine heuynesse 2348

And monge the goddes high it is affermed

And by eterne worde writt1 and confermecl

f ow shalt1 be wedded vnto oon of f oo

fat1 han for fe so moche care and woo 2352

But vnto which of hem I may not1 telle

ffare wele I may no leuger dwelle

f e fire whiche fat1 on myn awter1 brenne

Shal fe declaren er fat fou go henne 2356

Thine aventure of loue as in f is caas

PETWORTH 67

68 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And with fat1 worde f e Arowes in f e caas

Of f e goddes clateren fast and ringe

And for]) she went1 and made a vanysshinge 2 3 GO

ffor whiche f is Emely a-stonyed was

And seide what1 mounteth f is alas

I put1 me in f i protection

Diane and in fi disposicion 2364

And home she go]) J)e neste way

This is ])e effecte f er is no more to say

J?e nexte houre of Mars folowing1 fis [leaf 33, back j

Arcite vnto f e temple ywalked is 2368

Of feers mars to done his sacrifise

WiJ) al f e myghtes of his peynymes wise

WiJ) pitous hert1 and heghe deuocion

Ki^t1 fus to Mars he seide his Orison 2372

IT 0 stronge god fat1 in the regnes colde

Of taars honoured art and lord yholde

And hast1 in euery regne and euery londe

Of armes al f e bridel in ])ine honde 2376

And hem fortunes^ as f e list1 devise

Accepte of me my pitous sacrifise

If so be my fou^te may deserue

And fat1 my myghf be worfi forto serue 2380

Thi godhede fat1 1 may be oqn of fine

)2an preie I fe to rwe vpon my pyne

ffor filk peyn and fat1 hoote fire

In which fou brentest1 whilom for desyre 2384

Whan fou vsedist1 the beaute

Of faire yonge fresshe venus free

And haddest1 hure in armes at1 f i wille

Att f oughe fe onys on a tyme mysfelle 2388

Whan vlcanus had ka^t1 f e in his laas

And foonde f e ligging1 be his wif alaas

ffor thilk[e] sorowe fat1 was in fine herte

Haue rauthe as wel vpon my peynes smerte 2392

I am 3onge and vnkonyng1 as fou wooste

PETWORTH 68

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 69

And as I trowe wif loue offended moste

fat1 euere was eny lyues creature

ffor she fat1 dof me al this woo endure 2396

Ne rechef neuere wher I sinke of flete [MS. " flete of sinke]

And wel I wote ere she me mercy hete

I mote wij> strengths wynne her in f is place

And wel I wote wif outen helpe or grace 2400

Of f e ne may my strengths not1 availe

Than helpe me lord? to morowe in my bataile

ffor f ilkfe] fire fat1 whilom brents f e [leaf 34]

As wel as fat1 fire now brennef me 2404

And do fat1 I to morowe haue victorie

Myne be f e travaile and fine be f e glorie

j)i souereyn temple wil I most1 honouren

Of eny place and alway most1 labouren 2408

In f i plesaunce and in f i craftes stronge

And in f i temple I wil my baner* honge

And aft f e armes in my companye

And euermore vnto fe day I dye 2412

Eterne fire I wil byfore f e fynde

And eke to pis awowe I wil me bynde

My lorde my here fat hongef lowe a dow[n]e

fat1 neuere $it ne felt1 offenciown 2416

Of rasoure ne of shere I wil f e $eue

And bene f i trewe seruawnte while I lyue

Now lord1 haue rouf e vpon my sorowes sore

3if me f e victorie I axe f e no more 2420

The preier stint1 of Arcita f e stronge

The Eyngges on f e tempel door ^it1 honge

And eke the door[e]s clateren ful fast1

Of whiche Arcita somwhat1 hyra a-gast1 2424

The fires brennen vpon f e auter bri^t1

That it1 gan al the temple for to light1

And swete smelle anoon f e grounde vp $af

And Arcita anon his honde vp haf 2428

And more ensense vnto f e fire he cast1

PETWOETH 69

70 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Wij? ofer ri3tes moo and atte last*

The statue of Mars bygan his hauberk rynge

And wi]> Jjafr soune he herde a nmrmurynge 2432

iful lowe and dym fat1 seide Jms victorie

ffor which he ^aue to mars honowr and glorie

An jms wij> loie and hope wel to fare

Arcita is [yjbrou^t1 of Moche care 2436

As fayn as foule is of j?e bri^te sowne

And ri^t1 anon such strif is bygowne

ifor J?ilk[e] grauntyng1 in Jje heuene aboue [leaf 84, back]

By-twix venus J?e goddes of loue 2440

And Mars J>e steerne god armypotentt

Jpat lubiter was bysy it1 to stenfr

Til at1 ]?e [last] Pale Saturnus fe colde

J?at< knewe so mony of auentures olde 2444

ffonde in his bolde experience and & l art1 [i so]

J?af he ful sone hajj plesed "every part*

And sooj> is seide elde haj) grete auawntage

And elde is bo])[e] wisdome and vsage 2448

Men may Jje olde attenne but not atrede

Saturne anon to stinten strif and drede

Al be it* j>af it* is a^einstt his kinde

Of al his strif he can remedye fynde 2452

My dere doughter Venus quod satwrne

My cours J?att hajj so wide forto twrne

Ha)) more powere jjan wote eny man

Myne is ]>e drenchinge in pe see so wan 2456

Myne is J>e prison in fe derke cote

Myn is J?e stranglinge and J>e hanging1 by J>e jjrote

Ipe murmur5 and J?e chirles rebellinge

]?e Gonynge and the privey enpoysenynge 2460

I do vengeaunce and pleyn correction

While I dwelle in J?e signe of the Iy5n

Myne is Jje Euyne of [t]he hegh^. halles

J?e fallinge of ]>e toures and of J>e walles 2464

Vpon ]?e mynour* or vpon fe carpentere

T PETWORTH 70

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 71

I slowgfr Sampson shaking1 pe pilere

And myn[e] be fe maladies colde

The derk tresounes and ]>e castes olde 2468

My lokinge is ]?e fader of Pestilence

ISTowe wepe no more I shal do my diligence

That Palamon fat1 is fine owne kny^fr

Shal haue his lady as )>ou hast1 [him] hi^t1 2472

Thou^e Mars shal helpe his kny^f 3it nafelees

Bytwix 3ou tweyne Jjer mot be somtyme pees

Al be 36 not1 of oon complexion [leaf 35]

That1 cause]) al day such dyuysion 2476

I am fine eile redy at1 J?i wille

Wepe no more I wil ]?i lust1 fulfille

Now wil I stinten of )?ise goddes aboue

Of Mars and of venus goddes of loue 2480

And pleynly I wil telle 3ou as I can

£e grete effecte for which J>afr 1 biganne

.......... no gap in the MS.]

Grete was J?e feest1 in Athenes J>af day And eke jjatt lusty seson in [that] may 2484

Made euery wighf to be in suche plesauwce And al jjat1 day lusten J>ei and daunce And spenden if in Venus high seruyse But1 by j?e cause j?af J?ei shuldeii rise 2488

Erly forto seen J?e grete fight Ynto her reste went1 ]>ei atte nyght1 And on pe morowe whan day gan to springe Of hors arid harnays noyse and clateringe 2492

)5er was in hostelrye aboute And to J?e palaies rode ]>er mony a route Of lordes vpon stedes and palfreis

J?er maist1 ]?ou see dyvising1 of harneis 2496

So vncoufe and so riche and wrou3t so welt Of Goldsmythrie of browding1 and of steett PETWORTH 71

72 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

The sheeldes bri^te teesteers and trappures

Gold-hewen helmes hauberkes and cote armures 2500

Lordys in parementis on her coursers

Knyghtes of retenue and eke swiers

Nailinge J>e speres and helmes bokelinge

Sigyng* of sheeldes wijj layvers lasinge 2504

Ther as nede is J>ei were no Jnng1 ydett

J>e ifomynge steedes on J>e golden bridett

Snavyng1 and fast1 j?e armurers also

"Wij? file and hamure riding1 to and froo 2508

3emen on foote and comons many on

WiJ) shorte staues Jnkke as jjei may gon

Pipes trompettes nakerns and clariotms fieaf35, back]

J)af in jje bataille blewen blody sownes 2512

\>Q paleis ful of puple vp and down

Here J?re ]jer ten holdinge her questiown

Dyuynyng1 of ]?ise thibeanes kny^tes twoo

Some seide Jms. some seide it1 shal be so 2516

Sowme helde wiJ) him wij? J?e blake berde

Somme wij? ]?e balled some with J?e jjikke hered

Some seide he loked grymme and he wold* fight1

He haj) a sparse of xx*1 pounde wight1 2520

Jjus was ]?e halle ful of dyuynynge

Longe aftere ]?e sonne gan to springe

J?e grete Theseus of his slepe gan wake

Wijj mynstralcie and nois j^at1 j)ei make 2524

Heelde 3ii^ J>e chambre of his palais riche

Til J>af J?e thebeane knyghtes boj? yliche

Honoured weren into ]?e place fette

Duke Theseus is af ]?e wyndowe sette 2528

Araide rijt1 as he were a god in trone

The puple presed ]>idere-ward? ful sone

Him forto seen and done him high reuerence

And eke to harken his heest1 and his sentence 2532

An herowde on a scaffold? made an oo /

Til al J)e noise of ]>e puple was doo

PETWORTH 72

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth. MS. 73

And whan lie see J?e puple of noise al stille

Thus shewed he J?e my^ty dukes wille 2536

}3e lord ha]? of his heghe discrecion

Considered jjat1 it1 were destrucci5n

To gentel blood to feghten in j>is gise

Of mortaft bataile now in Jjis emprise 2540

Wherfore to shapen Jjat1 J?ei shal not1 die

He wille his firste pwrpoos modefie

No man J?erfor vp peyne of losse of liff

No maner shotte . ne pollax ne short* knyff 2544

Into ]?e listes sende or Jjidere brings

Ne shorter swerd? forto stoke wij? poynt1 bitinge

No man ne drawe ne bere it1 be his side [leaf 36]

Ne no man shal vnto his felawe ride 2548

But1 oon cours wijj a sharpe grounden spere

ffoyn if hym list1 on foote hyra self to were

And he J?at is at1 meschief shal be take

And not1 sclayn but1 be brou^t1 to a stake 2552

Jjatt shal be ordeyned on eijjer side

But1 jjidere he shal be foorce and \er abide

And if so falle J?e Chevetayn be take

On eijjer side or ellis sclayn his make 2556

No lenger shal J?e tornamente laste

God spede ^ou goo and leye on faste

Wij) swerd es and longe maces fi3te]> 30^?* fille

Go nowe 3oure way ]?is is J>e lordes wille 2560

The vois of puple touched heuene

So loude cried ]>ei wi]> mery steuene

God saue suche a lord? Jjat1 is so good?

He wiliiej? no distraction of blood 2564

Vp goj? )>e trompes and ]je melody

And to j>e listes ritt J?e company

By ordinawnce jjorghe out1 ]?e cite large

Honged wijj clones of gold? and not1 wij? sarge 2568

fful like a lorde j)is noble du<? gan ride

Thise two Thebeanes on eij>er syde

PETWOETII 73

74 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And aftere rode J>e quene and Emelye

And after Jjatt a nother companye 2572

Of oon and o)jer after her degre

And J>us pel passen J>orgh out J>e Cite

And to the listes come )>ei be tyme

It nas not1 of j?e day ^it1 fully pryme 2576

Whan sette was Theseus ful riche and hie

Ypolita ]>e quene and Emely

And ojjer ladies in degrees aboute

Vnto J?e setes preesen al J>e route 2580

And westward? j>orgli J?e gates vnder mart /

Arcite and eke J>e hundred of his part1

With banere rede is entred ri}^ anon 0eaf36,back]

And in ]?at selffe] moment Palamon 2584

Is vnder venus estward? in J>af place

With baner* white and hardy chere and face

And in al j?e worU to seken vp and down

So euene wij) out1 variaciown 2588

J?er nere suche company [e]s tweye

ffor fer nas noon so wise J>af coude seie

That eny had of oj?er auawntage

Of worthynesse ne of estate ne age 2592

So euen were J>ei chosen forto gesse

And in to ringges faire ]>ei hem dresse

Whan Jjat1 her names redde were euerechon

J?afr in her nombre gile were J?er non 2596

Tho were ]?e gates shette and cried, was loude

Do now ^oure devoire yonge kny^tes proude

The herawdes left1 her prikking1 vp and doun

Now ryngen trompes loude and claryown 2600

J)er is no more to seyn [but] est1 and west1

In goon J?e sharpe speres ful sadly into Barest1

In go]) J?e sharpe spere into jje side

))ere seen men who can iuste and who can ride 2604

Jjere shyueren shaftes vppon sheeldes jjikke

He fileth jjorgh ])e herte spone J>e prikke

U PETWORTH 74

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 75

Yp springeii speres xx" fote on hight1

Out1 goon J)e swerdes as J?e siluer1 white 2608

J?e helmes j?ei to-hewen and to-shrede

Out1 brestejj ]?e blode with sterne stremes rede

WiJ) my^ty maces ]?e bones J)ei to-brest1

And ])orgh Je thikkest1 of J>e throng1 gan threst1 2612

J?ere stomblen stedes stronge and doun gon alle

He rollej) vnder fote as do]) a balle

He foyne]) on his foote wijj his tronchown

And he hym hurtejj wi]) his hors a-down 2616

He j?orgh ])e body is bom and sij) is take

Maugre his hede and bro^t1 vnto ]>e stake

As forward1 was [ri^t] ]?er he most1 abide [leaf 37]

Anojjer lad is on J?af ofyere side 2620

And somtyme do]) hem theseus forto rest1

Hem to refresshe and drink[e] 3if hem lest1

£ful of[te] a day han ])ise thybeanes two

To-gidere mette and wro^t1 eehe olper woo 2624

Vnhorsed ha]) eche o]>ere of hem twey

Jjer was no tigre in vale of Galgopleye

Whan hir1 whelpe is stole whan it1 is lite

So cruel on £e hunte as is Arcite 2628

ffor lelous hert1 vpon ])is Palamon

Ne in Belmerie ])er is so felle a lion

jjat1 hunted is or for his hunger wode

Ne of his pray desire]) so ])e bloode 2632

As Palamon to sclee his foo Arcite

])e lelous strokes on her helmes bite

Out rennej) blood of bo]? her sides rede

Somtyme an ende J)er is on euery dede 2636

ffor or ])e sonne vnto ])e reste went1

)pe Stronge king1 Emetrms gan hent1

This Palamon as he fa^t1 wi]) Arcite

And made his swerde depe in his flesshe bite 2640

And by [the] force of xxti is he take

Yn^olden and drowen to ])e stake

PETWORTH 75

76 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And in J?e RescoAve of J>is Palamon

The stronge king1 ligurge is born down 2644

And kinge Emetrius for al his grete strength

Is born out1 of his sadel his swerdes length

So hit1 hym Palamon er he were take .

But1 al for nou^t1 he was brou^t1 to J>e stake 2648

His hardy herte may hym helpe nou^t1

He mote abide whan jjaf he is yka^t1

By force and eke by composicion

Who sorowej? now but1 woful Palamon 2652

They mote no more go ageyn to fi^t1

And whan J?af he had sene Jjat1 si^t1

He cried Hoo no more for it1 is don [leaf 37, back]

Ne noon shal lenger to his felawe gon 2656

I wil be trewe luge and not1 partie

Arcite of Thebes shal haue Emelye

That1 by his fortune haj? hir1 faire wo/men

Anon J?er is a vois of puple by-gonne 2660

ffor loie of ]>is so loude and high wijj-alle

It semed ]?afr ]?e listes shulden falle

What1 can nowe faire Yenus do aboue

What1 seij? she now what1 do]? j?is quene of loue 2664

But wepej? so for wanting1 of her wille

Til J>att her teeres in ]?e listes fille

She seide I am ashamed doutelees

Saturnus seide doughter1 holdz ]?i pees 2668

Mars ha]> his wil his knyght1 ha]? al his bone

And by myne hede ]?ou shalt1 be esed sone

The trompours wi]j ]?e loude mynstralsie

The harawdes fat1 ful loude ^elle and crye 2672

Bene in her wele for loie of daun arcyte

But1 harkene]? me and stinte vois a lite

Swiche a myracle J?er bifelle anon

This ferce Arcite ha]> of his helme ydon 2676

And on a courcere forto shew his face

He prikke]? endelonge J?e large place

PETWORTH 76

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth. MS. 77

Loking1 vpward* vnto Emelye

And she a^ein him cast1 a frendly ye 2680

ffor wommen as to speken in comune Thei folowen al J?e fauowr of fortune And was al his [in] chere as in his herte Out1 of J?e grounde a fyre Infernal sterte 2684

ffrom Pluto sent1 . at ]?e request1 of Saturne ffor which" his hors for fere gan to turne And lepe a-side and foundred as he lepe And or fat1 Arcyte may taken kepe 2688

He pight1 him on J?e pomel of his heued Jjat in J?e place he laie as he were dede His "brest1 to-broste wij? his sadel bowe [leaf 38]

As blak he lay as eny cole or crowe 2692

So was J>e blood yronne in his face Anon he was [yjbrou^t1 out1 of ])e place WiJ> herte sore vnto Theseus palays

J?o was he coruen out1 of his harnays 2696

And in a bedde ybrou^t ful faire and blyue ffor he was ^it1 in memorie and on lyue And alway crying1 after emelie

Duke Theseus wijj al his companye 2700

Is cowmen home to Athenes Cite With alle blisse and grete solempnite Al be it1 Jjat1 J?is auenture is falle

He wolde not1 discomfortefn] hem alle 2704

Men seide eke Jjat1 Arcide shuld not1 dye He shal be heled of his maladye And of anojier jjinge ]>ei were as fayne jjat1 of hem alle jjer nas no man slayne 2708

Al were jjei sore ybete and namely on Jjat1 wij) a spere was Jjrelled J>e brest bon Two o]?er woundes and two broken armes Somme had salue and some had charmes 2712

ffermacies of erbes and eke saue J>ei dronken for J?ei wold? her lyues haue PETWORTH 77

78 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffor which Jjis noble duke as lie wel can

Confortej) and honourejj euery man 2716

And made Heuel al J>e longe iry^fr

Vnto ]>e straunge lordes as it was 113^

Ne J>ere was holde no discomforture

[............ 2720

no gap in the MS.]

ffor fallinge is by an awenture

JNTe to be lad by force vnto a stake

Yn3olden and wi]> xx1.1 kny3tes take 2724

A persone alon wijj oute moo

And haried forjj by arme fote and too

And eke his stede dryven for]? with staues

With fote men bo]> 3emen and [eke] knaues 2728

It was aretted him no vilanye [leaf as, back]

J)er may no man clepe[n] if cowardye

ffor whiche a-non duke Theseus lete crye

To stynten al rancour and [al] envie 2732

Gree )>ei as wel of on side as of ojjer [MS. pel " Gree."]

And eifer side ylike as ojjeres broker

And 3af hem 3iftes after her degre

And fulli heelde a feeste daies free 2736

And conueyed J?e kingges worjjely

Out1 of his toune a lourne largely

And home went1 euery man Jje ri3t[e] way

\>er was no more but1 fare wel & haue good day 2740

f Of Jns bataille I wil no more endite

But1 speke of Palamon and of Arcyte

SwelleJ? ]?e brest1 of Arcyte and J>e sore

Encresej) at1 his herte more and more 2744

The clotered blood for eny leche craff

Corrumpejj and is in his body laff

J^atf neifer veynfe] blood ne ventowsinge

!N"e drinke of herbes may be [him] helpinge 2748

By vertue expulsif or anymatt

ffro ])ilk[e] vertu cleped naturaft

X PETWORTH 78

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 79

NQ may Jje venyme voide ne expelle

The pipes of his longges gan to swell 2752

And euery lacert1 in his hert1 adoun

Is shent1 wij? venyme and corrupciozm

Hym GeyneJ) neijjer forto gete his lif

Vomyte vpward? ne dounward? laxatif 2756

Al is to-brosten thilk[e] region

Mature ha]) no dow^nacion

And certeinly J?er nature wil not1 wirche

ffarewel Phisik go bere jje man to chirche 2760

This is aft and some J?af Arcita most" die

ffor which he sendej) after Emelie

And Palamon his cosyne dere

)>an seide he Jms as ^e shal after here 2764

Not1 may my woful spirite in myn hert1 [leaf 89]

Declare a poynfr of my sorowes smerfr

To ^ou my lady jjat1 1 loue moste

But1 1 biqueth ]?e sernise of my gooste 2768

To 3011 abouen euery creature

SiJ) jjat1 my lif [e] may no lenger dure

Alias ]>Q woo alias pe peynes stronge

fat1 1 for 3ou haue suffred and so longe 2772

Alas J)e dejje alas myn Emelie

Alas departinge of our companye

Alas my hertes quene alas my lief wif

Myn hertes lady endere of my lif 2776

What1 is ]?e world? what1 axen men to haue

Now wij? his loue no we in his cold[e] graue

Allone wijj oute[n] eny companye

if are wel my foo fare wel myn Emely 2780

And softe take me in ^oure [armes] twey

ffor loue of god herkenej) what1 1 seie

I haue here wij) my Cosyn Palamon

Had strif and rancoure mony day agon 2784

ffor loue of }ou and for my lelousie

And lubiter so wis my soule gye

PETWOTITH 79

80 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

To speken of a seruaunt1 proprely

Wif circumstaunces al trewly 2788

J^afr is to seyn troutS. honure and kny^thede

Wisdom humblesse estat and high kynrede

ffredom and al fat1 longef to fat1 art1

So lubiter haue on my soule part* 2792

As in f is worlde lijtt now know I none

So worf i to be biloued as Palamon

ftat1 seruef 3ou and wil do. al his liff

And if fat 36 shal euer bene a wif 2796

ffor3ete not* Palamon fe gentile man

And wif fat1 worde his speche faile bygan

ffor from his fete vnto f e herf was come

f e colde of def fat had him ouercome 2800

And ^it1 more ouer for in his armes twoo Deaf 39, back]

f e v[i]tal strength is lost1 and al ago

Only fe intellecte wif oute more

fat1 dwelled in his herte sik and sore 2804

Gan failen whan f e herte felte deth

Dusken his eyen two and failef bref e

But1 on his lady }it cast he his ye

His laste word was mercy Emelye 2808

His spirit1 chaunged hens and wentfe] fere

As I cam neuere I can not1 telle where

Therfor I stint1 1 am no dyvynystre

Of soules fynde I not1 in fis registers 2812

Ke me ne list1 f ilk opynyons to telle

Of hem f ou^e fat f ei writen wher f ei dwelle

Arcite is colde fat1 mars his soule gye

Now wil I speken forf of emely 2816

Shrite Emely an halowen Palamon

And Theseus his suster* toke anon

Swownyng1 and bar hir1 fro his cours away

What1 helpef it1 vs to tarien forf f e day 2820

To tellen ho we she wepte bof euen and morowe

ffor in suche caas womrnen han suche sorowe

PETWORTH 80

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 81

Whan fat1 her husbondes bene fro hem a-goo

[That] ffor ])e more j)arte fei sorowen soo 2824

Or ellis fallen in such Maladie

fat1 at1 f e laste certeynly fei die

Infinite harmes bene arcd eke f e teeres

Of olde folk and folk of tendere ^eres 2828

In aft j?e totin for detH of f is Thebean

fFor him f er wepen bof [e] child' and man

So grete weping1 was f er [non] certayn

Whan Ector was [yjbrou^t1 and fressft ysclayfl 2832

To Troy alias f e pite fat1 was fere

Cracching1 of chekes renting1 eke of here

Whi woldest1 fou be dede f ise wommen crie

And haddest1 gold2 ynoghe and emelye 2836

~No man myghf glade Theseus [leaf 401

Sauyng1 his olde fadere Egeus

That1 knewe fis worldes transmutaciown

As he had sene it1 vp and doun 2840

loie after woo and woo aftere gladnesse

And shewef hem ensample and liknesse

Rijt1 as fer dyed neuer man quod he

fat1 he ne lyued in erfe in som degre 2844

Ri^f so ther lyued neuere man he seide

In al f is world? fat1 somtyme he ne deyed

f is world? is nou^fr but1 a f orght1 fare ful of woo

And we bene pilgrymes passing1 to and froo 2848

Def is an ende of euery worldly sore

And ouer al f is $it seide he mychel more

To f is effecte ful wisely to enhorte

fe puple fat fei . hem shul recomforte 2852

Duke Theseus wif al his bisy Cure

Tastef nowe where fat1 f e sepulture

Of good Arcite may best1 ymaked be

And eke most1 honurable of degre 2856

And atte last1 he toke conclusion

That1 f er as first1 Arcite and Palamon

6 PETWORTH 81

82 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS,

Had for loue fe bataile hem bitwene

fat in J?e self groue swete and grene • 2860

Jjer as lie had his Amerous desires

His compleynt1 and for loue his hote fires *

He wold[e] make a fire in which J?e office

ffuneral he my^fr hem aft complice 2864

He lete anon comaunde to hakke and hewe

f e okes olde and leye hem on a rewe

In colpons wel araied forto brenne

His Officers witJi swiftfe] fote thei renne 2868

And ri^fr anon at1 his comawndemenf

And aftere Theseus ha]? ysent

Aftere a beer* and it1 al ouer spradde

Wijj clo]> of gold* the ricchestt J>atf he hadde 2872

And of ]?e same sute he closer Arcite [leaf 40, back]

Vpon his hondes [were] his gloues white

Eke on his hede a croune of laurere grene

And in his hand a swerde ful b^t1 and kene 2876

He laide him bare ]?e visage vnto J)e bere

Ther wij) he wepte J^afr pite was to here

And for J>e puple shulde sene hym aft

Whan it1 was daie he bro^f hym to J>e haft 2880

fat1 rorej? of j)e crie and of jje sorowe sone

foo gan ]?is woful Thebean Palamon

Wijj flotery berd? and ruggy asshy heres

In clones blake dropped al wij? teeres 2884

And passing oj?er of weping1 Emelie

She rewfullest1 of al ]?e companye

In as moche as ]?e seruyse shuld be

J>e more noble and riche in his degre 2888

Duke Theseus lete for]? J?e stedes bringe

That1 trapped were in steel al gliteringe

And keuered wij> ]>e armes of Dame Arcite [or Daine]

Yppon Jnse stedes grete and white 2892

Ther stoden folk of which oon bare his sheelde

Anojjer his spere vpon his hondes helde

PETWORTH 82

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 83

The iij. bare wij? him bowe turkeys

Of brent* gold was )>e caas and eke )>e harneys 2896

And riden for]? a paas wij? sory chere

Towardes fe groue as 36 shul after1 here

The noblest1 of J?e Grekes Jjat1 J?er were

Vpon her shulders cariden J>e bere 2900

WiJ) sclak[e] paas and yen rede and wete

J?orgh out J>e Cite by pe maister strete

Jmt sprad was al wij) blak and wonder hye

Ri^t of J?e same is J?e strete ywrie 2904

Ypon J>e Ifcjt honde went1 olde Egeus

And on J^at1 ojjer side Duke Theseus

WiJ> vesselles in her hondes of gold2 ful fyne

Al ful of hony. mylk. [and] blood, and wyne 2908

Eke Palamon with ful grete companye [leaf 41]

And aftere Jjat1 come wooful Emelie

Wij) fire in hand as was fiat1 time Ipe Gyse

To do Ipe office of funeral seruise 2912

High labour / and ful grete apparaillinge

Was at1 J)e seruyse and at1 Ipe fire rnakinge

That1 wij> his grene top ]?e heuene raught

And xxti fadmes in brede ]?e armes raught1 2916

This is to seine J>e bowes were so brode

Of strawe first )>er was leide mony a lode

But1 ho we j>e fire was maked vp[on] hi^t1

JSTe eke jje names howe J>e trees ^3^ 2920

As Oke. fir. birch, asp. alder. Elme. popelere.

"VYilowe. holme, playn. assh. box. Chesteyn. byndz. laure.

Mapel. ])orne. becche. ewe. hasett. wypultre.

How fei were felled shal not1 be tolde for me 2924

Ne howe Ipe goddes ronnen vp and down

Disherites of her habitaciozm

In whiche ]>ei wonden in rest1 and pees

iNymphes. ffawnes and arnadries 2928

Ne howe J>e beestes ne ]?e briddes alle

ffledden for fere whan J?ei were falle

PETWORTH 83

84 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Ne ho we Je grounde agast1 was of fe lijf

That1 was not1 wonte to se J>e sonne bri^t1 2932

Ne how J?e fire was couched first wij? stre

And fan wif drie stikkes clouen a free

And fan wif grene wode and spicerie

And fan wif clof e of gold' and [wif] perrie 2936

And Garlondes honging1 wif niony a floure

The myrr1 f ensence with swete odoure

Ne how arcite lay among1 al f is

]Sre what1 richesse aboute his body is 2940

Ne howe Emely as was f e Gise

Put1 in f e fire of funeral seruise

Ne howe she swowned whan made was f e fire

Ne what1 she spak ne what1 was her desire 2944

Ne what1 lelous men in fe fire cast1 [leaf 41, back]

Whan J?at J?e fire was grete and brente fast1

Nowe howe some cast1 her sheelde and some her spere

And of her vestenientes which J>ei were 2948

And Coppes ful of my Ike and wyne and blood

Into J>e fire Jmt1 brent1 as if were wode

Ne howe }?e greges wij? an huge route

Thrise riden al ]?e fire aboute 2952

Vpon )?e lift1 honde wijj a loude shoutinge

And thries wij? her speres clateringe

And thries how Jje ladise gan crie

Ne howe jjat1 lad was homward? Emely 2956

Ne how arcyte is brent1 in asshen colde

Ne how J?e liche-wake was [yjholde

Al fat1 nyght1 ne howe f e Grekes pleye

The wake-plaies kepe I not1 to seie 2960

Who wrastelej) best1 naked with oile anoynt1

Ne who [that] bare him best1 in no dysioynt1

I wil not1 tellen att howe J)ei [ben] gone

Home til Athenes whan J>e play is done 2964

But1 shortely to Ipe point1 fan wil I wende

And make[n] of my longe tale an ende

PETWORTH 84

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 85

By processe and by length of

Al stints is J)e moz/rnyng and Jje teeres 2968

Of Greges by oon general assent1

Than semed me J?er was a parlement1

At1 Athenes vpon a certeyn point1 and caas

And amonge pointes [ther] yspoken waas 2972

To haue wij) certeyn conferees alliance

And haue of Thebeanes fully obeisance

fFor which this noble theseus an5n

Lete sende[n] after gentile Palamon 2976

Vnwisf of him what1 was )>e cause and whi

But1 in his blake clones sorowfully

He come at1 his comaundement in hie

Tho sente Theseus for Emelye 2980

Whan Jmf j?ei were sette and huyst1 was al j?e place [leaf 42]

And Theseus abiden ha]) }>e space

Or eny worde come fro his wise brest1

His yen sette he )>er hy??z lest1 2984

And such a sad visage he sighed stille

And after fat ri^t1 fus he seide his wille

The firste mouer of fe cause aboue

Whan he first1 made J?e faire cheyn) of loue 2988

Gret was J>e effecte and high was his entent1

Wei wist1 he why and what1 ferof he ment1

ffor wij) jjat1 faire cheyne of loue he bonde

The fuyre. j)e. Eire ]>e water and J?e londe 2992

In certeyn boondes )>af fei may not1 flee

That1 same prince and pat1 same mouer qwod he

Ha]) stablesshed in ])is wrecched world* adoun

Certeyn days and Dominackmn 2996

To al fat1 is engendred in ])is place

Ouer fe whiche day fei may not pace

Al mowe J)ei $iti Ipe daies abregge

Ther nys noon autorite to legge 3000

ffor if is proued by experience

But1 that1 me lust1 declare my sentence

PETWORTH 85

86 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Than may men by pis order discerne

That pilk mouer stable is and eterne 3004

Wei may men knowe but* it1 be a fool

That* euery part1 darrayueth fro his hool

ffor nature hap not1 taken his bygynnyng1

Of no partie or of catel of no ping1 3008

But1 oon pinge fat1 parfit is and stable

Descendinge so til it1 be corruptable

And perfore of his wise purueaunce

He haj) so wel bysette his ordynaimce 3012

j^at1 specifie of pingges and progressiones

Shullen endure by successiones

And not* eterne wip oute eny lye

This maisfr pou vnderstond? and see atte ye 3016

Lo the Oke fat1 hath so longe a norshinge [leaf 42, back]

ffro pe tyme pat1 it bygynnep furst1 to springe

And ha]) so longe a lif as 36 may se

3itf at1 pe last? waasted is pe tree 3020

Considered eke howe pat1 pe herde stone

Ynder our fete on which we treden and gone

3if .3. waste]? it1 as it1 lith in ]?e way

]?e Erode Eyuer somtyme wexe]) dray 3024

pe grete townes so wide wane and wende

Than pe see pat1 al pis ping1 hap ende

And man and womman so we wil also

That1 nedep in oon of pe teermes twoo 3028

pat* is to sayn in youpe or ellis in age

He mote be dede pe kinge as wel as page

Some in his bed some in pe depe see

Some in pe large felde as 36 may see 3032

Ther helpep no^tf al gop pat1 ilk waye

pan may I seie pat1 al pis ping1 wil deye

What1 makep pis but1 lubiter pe king1

pat1 is prince and cause of al ping1 3036

Couerting1 al vnto his propre wille

ffrom which it is darreyude sop to telle

PETWORTH 83

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Petworth MS. 87

And here agayne no creature on lyue

Of no degre availlef forto stryue 3040

Than is it1 wisdome as f enkef me

To make vertue of necessite

And take it1 wel fat1 we may not1 eschew

And namely fat1 . fat1 to vs aft is dwe 3044

And who so grucchef ou^t1 he dof foly

And rebett is to him fat al may gye

And certeynly a man haf most1 honour

To dyen in his excellence and flour* 3048

Whan he is siker of his good name

fan haf he done his frende ne hym no shame

And gladder* au^t / his frende . ben of his deth

Whan wif honour1 y3olden is vp f e breeth 3052

Than whan his name appalled is for age Oeaf 43]

ifor al for^eten is his vassalage

Than is f e best1 as for a worf i fame

To dyen whan he is best1 of name 3056

The Contrarie of al f is is wilfulnesse

Why grucche we whi haue we heuynesse

That1 goode Arcite of Chyualre f e flour"

Departed is wif dwete and wif honour1 3060

Out1 of f e foule pn'son of f is liff

Whi grucchen here his cosyn and his wiff

Of his welfare fat1 louef hem so wel

Can he hem f onk. nay god wote neuer a dett 3064

That1 bof his soule and eke hem [self] offende

And ^it1 f ei mowe not1 hir lustes amende

What1 may conclude of f is longe serie

But1 after woo I rede vs be merie 3068

And f anken lubiter of al his grace

And or we departen from f is place

I rede we made of sorowes twoo

Oo parfite loie lasting1 euermoo 3072

And loke nowe wher most1 sorowe is her1 Inne

f er at1 wil I furst1 bygynne

PETWORTH 87

88 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHTS TALE. PetWOlth MS,

Suster quod he ]?is is my ful assent1

Wij) aft thaues here of my parlemenfr 3076

That1 Gewtile Palamon 30111 owne knyg^t1

fat1 seruej? $ou wij? wille herte and myjtf

And euer hajj do sifen 36 first1 hym knewe

J?af 36 shal of 3oure grace vpon hym rewe 3080

And taken [hym] for husbonde and for lore?

Lene me 3oure honde for J?is is our accord

Lete se nowe of 3oure womanly pite

He is a kingges broker sone parde 3084

And J?ou3e he be a poor bachilei*

Si]> he haf serued 3ou so mony a 3ere

And had for ^ou so grete aduersite

If most1 be considered leuej? me 3088

ffor gentel Mercy o^t1 to passen ri3tt [leaf 43, back]

Than seide he jms to Palamon J?e kny3^

I trowe jjere nede litel sermonynge

To make 3ou assente to fis ]?inge 3092

CoTwmejj nere and take]? 3oure lady by ]?e honde

Bytwix hem two was made anon ]?e bonde

fat1 hi3te Matrimoyne or mariage

By aft ]?e counsaile and [the] baronage 3096

And Jms wij? al[le] blisse and melodye

Haj? Palamon ywedded Emelye

And god J>at al J>is world' ha]? wro^t1

Send hym his loue fat1 haj> it1 dere l>ou^ 3100

ffor nowe is Palamon in al[le] wele

Lyuynge in al blisse in ricches and in hele

And Emely him louej? so tenderly

And he hir* seme]? so gentely 3104

Was neuei^ no worde hem bitwene

Of lelousie or eny ofer tene

Thus endef J?e tale of Palamon and Emelye

And god saue al Jns faire companye 3108

1F Here ende]? fe knyghtes tale

PETWORTH 88

GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. Petworth MS. 89

& here bygnnep pe Prologe of pe Milleres tale IF The Prologe

Whan pat1 pe knyght1 had }us his tale tolc? In al the companye nas per 3onge ne olde Jjaf he ne seide it1 was a noble storie

And worpi to be drawe in memorie 3112

And namely the gentels euerechon Our hooste loughe and swore so mot1 1 gon This go]) a rijt1 vnbokeled is pe male

Laf se no we who shal telle anopere tale 3116

ffor trewly pe game is wel bygonne Now telle)> 30 sir1 monke }if 36 conne Somwhat to quyte wij) pe knyghtes tale The Miller* fat1 for-dronke was al pale 3120

So pat1 vnnefes vppon his hors he satte He wold availe nei])e hode ne hatte

Ne abide no man for his curtesie [leaf 44]

But1 in Pilates vois he bygan to crie 3124

And swore by armes blode and bones I can a noble tale for J)e nones Wij) J)e which I wil now quyte pe kny^tes tale Our* [hooste] seghe pat1 he was dronke of ale 3128

And seide abide Eobyn leue brother1 Sorame better man shal telle vs first1 anoper1 Abide and [let] us wirche thriftely

By goddes soule quod he J?at wil not1 I 3132

ffor I wil speke or ellis go my way Our hooste answerd? seye on a deuel way Thou arte a fool pi witt1 is ouercommen Now harkenej) quod pe myllere al and som 3136

IT But1 first1 1 make a protestaciown pat1 1 am dronke I knowe it1 by my sown And perfore ^if I mysspeke or say Wite it1 pe Ale of suthwerk I ^ou pray 3140

7 T>KTWORTH 89

90 GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. Petworth MS.

ffor I will telle a legend' and a liff

Bof of a Carpenter* and [of] his wiff

How fat1 a clerke reft1 the wri3tes cappe

The reue answerd? and seide stint1 of fi clappe 3144

Lat1 be f i lewde dronken harlotrie

It1 is a synne and eke a grete folye

To appeyren eny man or hyw diffame

And eke to bringe wives in such name 3148

j?ow maist1 ynowe of of er f ingges seine

J}is dronken Millere spake ful sone ageyn

And seide leue brof er oswalde

Who ha]) no wif . is no kukwold? 3152

But* I seie not1 f erfor fat1 J)ou art oon

Ther ben ful good[e] wyues mony on

[

no gap in the MS.] 3156

Whi art1 ]?ou angry wi]) my tale nowe

I haue a wiff pcmle as wel as f ou/

3itf nolde I for ])e oxen in my plogh

Take vpon me more fan ynogh 3160

As demen of my seluen pat1 1 were oone lieaf u, back]

I wil bylieue fat1 fat1 1 am none

An husbond? shuld* not1 be inquesitif

Of goddes prmete ne of his wif 3164

So he may finde goddes foyson fere

Of f e remenant1 nedef nat1 to enquere

What1 shul($ I more seie but1 f e Millere

He nyl his wordes for no man for-bere 3168

But1 tolde his Chirles tale in his manere

Me forf enkef fat1 1 shal reherce it here

And f erfore euery gentil wi}^ I preie

Demef not1 for goddes loue fat1 1 seie 3172

Of euel entenf but1 for I mote reherce

Her tales alle be f ei better* or wors/

Or ellis fals somew of my matere

And f erfore who list1 if not1 here 3176

PETWOKTH 90

GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. Petworth MS. 91

Torne ouer J?e lief and chese anojjer tale

ffor ^e shul fynde ynow grete and smale

Of historial J>inge J?att touchej? gentilnesse

And eke moralite and holynesse 3180

Blame not1 me $if jjaf ye chese amys

The Millere is a cheerle 36 knowe wel j?is

So was the Reue eke and other moo

And harlotrie £ei told1 boj) twoo 3184

Avise 3011 and put1 me out1 of blame

And eke men shal not1 make ernesf of game

Thus endej? £e prologe.

[No break in the MS.\

PETWOETH 91

92 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And here by- gynnef ]>e Millers Tale. 1F Narracio

fhilom f er was dwelling1 in Oxenford? A riche gitof1 fat1 gestes helde to bord* 3188

And of his craft1 he was a Carpenter' Wif him f er was dwelling1 a pore scolere Had lerned arte but1 al his fantasie

Was turned forto lere Astrologie 3192

And cowde a certeyn of conclusions To demen by interrogacions .

3if fat* men axed him incerteyn houres [leaf 45]

Whan fat1 men shuld? haue drou^te of shoures 31 9G

Or 3if men axed him what1 shuld? byfalle Of euery f ing1 1 may not1 rekne alle This tale was cleped hende Nicholas

Of derne loue and priue solas 3200

And f erto he was sclegh and ful prme And liche to a maiden meke to see A chambre had he in fat1 ostelrie

Allone wif-out1 eny company e 3204

fful fetisfr dighf wif herbes swote And he hym self as swete as is f e rote Of licorace or ony sytuale

His almagist1 and bokes grete and smale 3208

His aster-laboure longinge for his arte His awgryme stones layen ful faire aparte On shelues couched at his beddes heuede His presse ykeuered wif a falding1 rede 3212

And al aboue f er lay a gay sautrie On which" he made on nyghtes melodye So swetely fat1 al f e chambre ronge

And angelus ad virginem he songe 3216

And after fat1 he songe f e kingges note fful ofte blessed was his mery f rote

TETWORTH 92

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS. 93

And jms ]?e swete Clerk1 his tyme spente

Aftere his frendes fynding1 and his rente 3220

This Carpentere had wedded newe a wiff

Which Jjatt he loued more pan his liff

Of xviij. 3ere she was of age

lelous he was and kept1 hir1 streit1 in cage 3224

ifor she was wily and yonge and he was olde

And demed hym self to be like a Cukwolde

He knewe not1 Caton for his wit1 is rude

J)att "bad man shuld? wedde his similitude 3228

Men shul wedde aftere her estate

ffor 3ou]>e and elde is off at* debate

But sith he was fallen in Jje snare [leaf 45, back]

He most1 enduren as ofer folk his care 3232

ffair was Jns yonge wif and J>er wij) att

As eny wesett her body gent1 and smaft

A seyntt she wered barred al of silk1

A barmeclojje as white as morn[e] mylk* 3236

Vpon her lendes ful of mony a gore

White was hir smok1 and enbrauded al byfore

And eke be-hinde on her coler1 aboute

Of Cole-blak silk1 with-Inne and eke wif-oute 3240

The tapes of hir1 white volipere

Were of J>e same sute of hir colere

Hir' Philett brode of silk and sette ful hie

And sikerly she had a lykerous ye 3244

fful smal ypulled were her browes twoo/

And Jjoo were bent1 and blake as eny sloo/

She was more blisful on to se

J?an is J>e newe Perienf tree 3248

And softer pan jje woit is of eijjer1

And by luV girdel henge a purs of leder*

Tasshed wij> silk and perled with latown

In al J)is worlde to seke vp and down 3252

Ther nys no man so wise J?af coujje jjenche

So gay a popelott or [such] a wenche

PETWORTH 93

94 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

fful bri^t1 was the shynyng1 of her hwe

Than in Jje toure J?e noble forged newe 3256

But1 of her songe if was as loude and 3erne

As eny swalowe sittinge on a beerne

}?erto she coujje skippe and make a game

As eny kid or calf Mowing1 his dame 3260

Her mou]>e was swete as braket or meth

Or horde of apples leide in hay or heth

Wynsinge she was as is a loly colt

Longe as a mast1 and vpward? as a bolt1 3264

A broche she bare on her loue coler*

As brode as is J?e boos of a bokelere

Her shoes were laised on her legges hie [leaf 40]

She was a Primeroft a Pigges nye 3268

ffor eny lorde to liggen in his bedde

Or ^it1 for eny [good] $eman to wedde

Now sir* and eft1 sir1 . and so bifelle J>e caas

That1 on a day J?is heende Nicholas / 3272

ffelle wij? Jjis yonge wif forto rage and play

While Jmt1 her husbonde was at1 osenay

As clerkes bene ful subtile and ful queynte

And prively he kai^f hur* by ])e queynte 3276

And seide ywis but* I haue my wille

ffor deerne loue of J>e lemman I spille

And helde hure fast1 by fe haunche bonys

And seide lemman my wilt at1 onys 3280

Or I wil die as god me saue

And she spronge as a colt1 in traue

And wij? her hede sche wried fast1 away

She saide I wil not1 kisse ]?e by my fay 3284

Wy labbe quod she latt be Nicholas

Or I wil crie out1 harowe and alas

Do way 3oure hondes for ^our curtesie

This Nicholas gan mercy forto crie 3288

And spake so faire and profred him ful fast

Jmt1 she her loue g?*aunted hyra atte last1

PETWORTH 94

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS. 95

And swoor hir* oojje by seint1 Thamas of kenf

That1 she wolde bene at1 his comaundementt 3292

Whan Jjat1 she may hii3 laizere wel aspie

Myn husbonde is so ful of lelousie

J)af but1 36 waite wele and by prive

I woote 113^ wel I ne am but1 dede quod she 3296

5e mote be ful deerne as in jns caas

Nay Jjerof care 3ou not1 quod Nicholaas

A Clerk has liperly bysette his while

But1 3if he coujje a carpenter1 begile 3300

And Jms pei acorded and sworne

To awaite a tyme as I haue seide biforn

Whan Nicholas had? don ]ms euery dele . [leaf 40, back]

And twakked her aboute J?e lendes welle 3304

He kissej) her swete and takejj his sautrie

And pleiej? fast1 and make]) melodye

J?an fille it f us J?at to ]?e parissli chirche

Cristes werkes for to wirche 3308

This good wif went1 vpon an halyday

Htf forhede shoon as bri^t1 as eny day

So was it1 wasshe whan she left1 her werk*

Now was pere of ]?e chirch a parissli clerk 3312

#e which was cleped absalon

Crulle was his heer* and as J?e golde shone

And strouted as [a] fanne large and brode

fful streite and euene laie his loly shode 3316

His rudde was rede his eyen grey as goos

WiJ? Powles wyndowes corven in his shoos

In hosen rede he wente fetisly

I-clad he was ful smal and proprely 3320

Al in a kirtel of light1 wagett

fful faire and Jjikke ben J>e poyntes sette

And J>er-vpon he had [a] gay surplise

As white as is J>e blossom on [the] rise 3324

A mery child! he was so god me saue

Wel coude he late blood [and] clippe and shaue

PETWORTH 95

96 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And make a chartere of londe or a quyta?mce

In xxw manors coude he trippe and daunce 3328

After the scole of Oxenforde jjoo

And wij) his legges casten to and froo

And pleyen songes on a small rybibe

Some he songe a loude quynybe 3332

As as wel coude he pley on a gytern)

In al J)e towne nas brewhous ne tauern

])&i he ne visefr wijj his solas

per eny gailerdl tapster* was 3336

But1 soth to sayn he was somdele squeymous

Of fartinge and of speche daungerous

This Absolon fat1 was loly and gay [leaf 47]

Go]) wi]) a sensure on ]?e sonday 3340

Sensinge J>e wyues of J)e parissh fast1

And mony a louely loke on hem he cast1

And namely on ]>e Carpenters wiff

To loke on hyr* him Jjou^f a niery liff 3344

She was so propre . swete . and likerous

I dar wel say and she had be a mous

And he a Catf he wold* hire henf anon

This parissh clerk* ]?is loly absolon 3348

Hajj in his herte such a loue longynge

That1 of no wiff toke he non offringe

For curtesie he seide he wolde none

The mone whan it1 was ny^tf bri}^ shone 3352

And absolon his gitern ha]) [ijtake

For paramours he jjou^te forto wake

And forfe he go]) lelous and amerous

Til he come to fe Carpenter[e]s hous 3356

A litel aftere fe Cok1 had ycrowe

And dressed hym vnder a shette wyndowe

That1 was vpon fe Carpenter[e]s walle

He singe}) in his vois gentile and smalle 3360

Now dere lady ^if ])i wil be

I prei ^ou j)af 30 wil rewe on me

PETWORTH 96

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS. 97

Ful wel according1 to his giternynge

This Carpentere a-woke and herd? hyw singe 3364

And spake vnto his wif and seide anon

What1 alison heresf ]?ou not1 Absolon

J^at1 chauntej? J?us vndere our boures watt

And she answerd? her husbond? J?er wi]? alt 3368

3is god wote lofrn I here it1 euery dele

J>is passe]? for]? what1 wil 36 than but wele

ffro day to day j)is loly absolon

So wo we]) hire fat1 hym was woo-bygon 3372

He wake]? al }>e ny^t1 and al pe day

He kembejj his lockes brode and made Lew gay

He wowe]? hir5 by menes and brocage [leaf 47, back]

And swoor he wolde bene her wne page 3376

He Synge]? brokking1 as a nyghtyngale

He sent1 her pyment1 Methe and spised ale

And wafres pyping hote out1 of J>e glede

And to hir* often he profered mede 3380

ffor some wil be wonnen for ricches

And some for strokes and some for gentilnesse

Somtyme to shewe his lightnesse and maisstrie

He pleieth herawdes vpon a scaffold? hie 3384

But what1 availle]? him as in J?is caas

So loueth she ]?is hende INlcholaas

That1 Absolon may blawe J?e buke horn

He ne had for his labour but1 a scorn 3388

And fus she make]? absolon her Ape

Al his eernest twrne]? but1 to a Tape

ffor so]?e ]?is prouerbe it1 is no lye

Men seien Jms alway J?e ny^te sclie 3392

Make]? }?e feer loue to be loth"

ffor J?ou^e Jjat1 absolon be wode or wroth"

By cause fat1 he fer was from her si^t1

This Ni}te Nicholas stode in his li^t1 3396

Nowe bere }ou wel thou hende Nicholas/

ffor absolon may waille and singe alias

PETWORTH 97

98 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And so by-felle it1 on a Saterday

This Carpentere was gone to Osnay 3400

And hende Nicholas and Alison

Accorded were to pis conclusion

J^at1 Nicholas shal shapen hyra a wile

This sely lelous husbonde to begile 3404

And if so be pe game went1 a ri$f

She shulde sclepe in his arme al pat1 ny^tt

For pis [was] his desire and hers also

And ri^f anon wip-oute wordes moo/ 3408

This Nicholas no lenger wold tarie

But* do]) ful softe into his chamber carie

Both mete and drinke for a daye or tweye [leaf 433

And to hir1 husbonde bad Mr* for to seie 3412

If pat1 he asked after Nicholas

She shulde seie she nyst1 not1 wher he was

Of al pat1 day she see hym not1 wip ye

She trowed pat1 he was in maladye 3416

fibr no crie her maide can calle

He nolde answere for nou^t1 that1 may bifalle

This passe)? for]? al pe Saterday

That1 Nicholas stille in his bed lay 3420

And ete and slepte and [dede] what1 hym lest*

Til sonday pat1 pe sonne gop to rest1

This sely Carpenter* hap grete mervaile

Of Nicholas or what1 ping1 my^t1 hym aile 3424

And saide I am a-drad by seynt1 Thomas

If stondeth not1 a-ri^t1 wi]> Nicholas

God shilde pat1 he deyed sodenily

This world is nowe ful tikil sikerly 3428

I seghe to-day a coors born to chirche

That1 now on monday I segh fast1 wirche

Go vp quod he to his knaue anon

Clepe at1 his door or knokke wip a ston 3432

Loke ho we it1 is and telle me boldely

pis knaue went1 him vp ful sturdely

PETWORTH 98

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS. 99

And at1 the Chamber door while J>at he stode

He cried an knokked as he were wode 3436

What1 howe what1 do 36 maister Nicholay

Howe may ^e sclopen al jjis longe day

But al for nou^t1 he herd neuer a word?

An hoole he foonde ful lowe vnder a bord? 3440

Ther as J?e Catt was wonte forto crepe

And at1 Jje hole he loked in ful depe

And atte last1 he had of him a si^t

Jjis Kicholas satte euere gaping1 vp ri^t 3444

As he had kiked on ]?e newe moone

And doune he go]? and told? his maister1 sone

In what araie he segh J?af ilke man deaf 48, back]

This carpentere to blissen hym by-gan 3448

And seide helpe vs seint1 nredeswyde

A man wote litel what* shal hym betide

This man is fallen wi]> his astronomye

In some woodnesse or in some Agony e 3452

I jjou^t1 wel howe it1 shuld be

Men shuld not1 knowe of goddis privete

3e blessed be alway ])e lewde man

Jjaf iiou^fr but1 only his bileeue can 3456

So ferde anofer clerk with astronomye

He walked into }>e feeldes for to prie

Vpon jje sterres to wit1 what1 shal by-falle

Til he was in a Marie pitte yfalle 3460

He seighe no^f but1 yit1 by seint1 Thomas

Me rue]? soor hende Nicholas

He schal be rated of his stodying1

If fat1 1 may by Ihesu1 heuene knyge [* Msihcj 3464

Gete me a staf jjat1 1 may vnderspore

While fat1 J?ou Eobyn heuest1 vp fe dore

He shal out1 of his stodying1 as I gesse

And to J?e Chamber dore he gan hym dresse 3468

His knaue was a stronge Carle for }?e nones

And by J?e haspe he haue it1 vp at1 ones

PETWORTH 99

100 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS,

Into J?e floor J?e door fille anon

This Nicholas sat1 ay stille as stoii 3472

And euere gaped vpward? into Jje eire

Jjis carpenter' wende he were in despeir*

And hent1 hym by J>e shuldres my^tely

And shoke him hard? and cried spitously -3476

What* Nicholay what1 loke adoun

A-wake and J>enk on cristes passiozm

I crouche J?e from eveles and fro wi^tes

Jjer-with J>e ny}^ spelle he seide anon ri^tes 3480

On four halues of the hous aboute

And on J?e thresshhold? on J>e dore vrithovite

Ihesu crist1 and seynt1 Benedighf fleaf 49]

Blesse }>is hous from euery wicked wight* 3484

ffor fe nyghtes verye J>e white pater noster

"Where wentestowe . seyntt Peters suster*

And atte last1 J>is hende Nicholas

Gan for to sighe sore and seide alias 3488

Shal al J>e world be loste eftsones nowe

This Carpentere answerde what1 seisf f'owe

What1 jjenk on god as we don jjat1 swynk*

This Nicholas answerde focche me drink1 3492

And aftere I wil speke in privete

Of certeyn Jring1 fat1 towchej) Jje and me

I wille telle it1 noon ojjer man cereteyne

This carpenter5 goj) down and commej? ageyne 3496

And bro^t1 of myghty ale a large quarte

And whan jjat1 eche of hem had dronke his parte

]jis Nicholas his door fast1 shette

And doun Jje Carpenter* by hym he sette 3500

And seide lohn myn hooste lief and dere

Jpow shalt vpon J?i troujj swere me heere

That1 to no wight1 jjou shalt1 f is counseft Wrey

ifor it1 is cristes counsaile fat1 1 sey 3504

And if ]m telle it1 man J>ou art1 forlore

ffor Jjis veiigeannce jjou shalt1 haue J?e?'fore

PETWORTH 100

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS, 101

]>af if fow wrey me fou shalf be wode

IT Nay crisf forbede it* for his holy blood? 3508

Quod J>oo J>is sely man I ne am no labbe

Ne fougfi. I seie it1 1 ne am not* lief to gabbe

Sey what1 fowe wolf I shal if neuer1 telle

To Childe ne wif by hyra fat1 harowed helle 3512

Nowe lohn quod Nicholas I wil not1 lie

I haue yfounden in myn astrologie

As I haue loked in f e mone bri^f

faf no we on monday next1 a quarter ny^f 3516

Shal falle a rayn and fat1 so wild? and wode

faf half1 so grete was never noes node

This world? he saide in lasse fan in an houre [leaf 49, back]

Shal al be dreinf so hidous is f e showre 3520

Thus shal mankinde drenche and lese her liff

This Carpentere answerd? alias my wiff

And shal she drenche alias myn alisown

ffor sorowe of J>is he nlle al-mosf adown 3524

And seide is no remedye in f is caas

Wy $is for god quod heende Nicholas

If f ow wolte worchen aftere lore and rede

})owe maist1 not1 worchen after5 Jjine owne hede 3528

ffor Jms seith Salomon fat1 was ful trewe

Worche al by counsaile and }?ou shalt1 not1 rewe

And if )>ou worchen wolf by good counsaille

I vndertake wij?-outen masf or saille 3532

3if shal I saue hir* and Jje and niee

Hasf J>ou nof hero^ how saued was Noe

Whan ]?af our lorde haj> warned hym byforn

})af al the worl(J wi]> water5 shuld be lorn 3536

3is quod ]?is Carpenter ful ^ore a-goo

Hastowe nof herde quod Nicholas also

]?e sorowe of Noe wij? his felawship

Or he my^f gete his wif to ship 3540

Hym had leuere I dar wel vndertake

Af filke tyme fan aft his weferes blake

PETWORTH 101

102 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

fat1 she had a ship hure self all on

And f erfor woostowe what1 is best1 to don 3544

Thix axeth hast1 and of an hastif f inge

Men may not1 preche or make taryinge

Anoon go gete vs fast1 into f is Inne

A knedinge trough or ellis akemelyne 3548

ffor eche of vs but1 loke fat1 f ei bene large

In whiche men mowe swymme as in a barge

And han her vitailles suffisauntt

But1 for a day fye on f e remencmnf 3552

f e water3 shal a-slake and gon a-way

Aboute pryme vpon f e nexte day

But1 Robyne may not1 wit1 of f is f i knaue fieaf 50]

Ke eke fi maide Gift I may not1 saue 3556

Axe not1 why for f ou^e f ou axe me

I wil not1 tellen goddes pmiete

If suffisef f e but1 if f i wittes madde

To haue as grete a grace as Noe hadde 3560

fi wif shal I wel saue out1 of doute

Go nowe f i way and spede f e here aboute

But whan f ou hast1 for hir* and f e and me

ygeten vs fise kneding1 treies fre 3564

)pan shalf j>ou honge hem in jje roof1 ful hie

Jjaf no man of oure p^^rueau?^ce espie

And whan J?ou ])us hast1 don as I haue seide

And hast1 oure vitaile faire in hem y-leide 3568

And eke an axe to smyte fe cord* a two

Whan J>af j)e water commejj Jjat1 we may goo

And broke and hole on high vpon the gable

Vnto J>e gardyne ward? ouer J?e stable 3572

pat1 we may frely passen for]) our waye

Whan fat1 fe grete shoure is passed awaye

Than shalt1 J?ou swy??iine as mery I vndertake

As do]) J>e wight1 duk aftere J>e drake 3576

fan wol I clepe how alison. howe lohn

Be mery for fe flood wil passe anon

PETWORTH 102

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS. 103

And ]>owe wilt1 seyn heil Maister ]STicholay

Good morowe I see ]?e wele for if is day 3580

And fan shal we be lordes al oure lif

Of alle fe world? as Noe and his wif

Buf faf of oo fing1 1 warne fe ful ri^t

Be wel avised on fat1 ilk[e] ny$f 3584

)3af we bene entred into f e shippes boorcH

j?at noon of vs ne speke not1 a word?

!N"e Clepe ne crie but1 bene in his preire

ffor it1 is goddis owe heeste dere 3588

Thi wif and f ou mote honge fer atwynne

ffor Jjat* bitwix 3ou shal be no synne

!No more in loking1 fan jjer shal in dede [leafso.back]

J)is ordinawnce is seide so god fe spede 3592

To morowe afr nyghf whan men bene alt a-slepe

Into our kneding1 trowes wil we crepe

And sitten J?er abidinge goddis grace

Go nowe J>i way I haue no lenger space 3596

To make of )>is no lenger sermonyng1

Men seyn Jms sende J>e wise and say no Jjinge

]jou art1 so wise if nededej? Jje not* teche

Go saue our lif and J>af I J>e biseche 3600

1T This sely Carpentere go]? for]) his way

fful off he seide alas and wayleway

And to his wif he tolde his priuete

And she was war and knewe if bef fan he 3604

What1 al J>is queinte casf was for to saye

Buf nathelees she feerde as she wold' deye

And saide alas go foorf fi way anon

Helpe vs to scape or we bene dede echon 3608

I am fi trewe verry wedded wiff*

Go dere spouse and helpe to saue our lif*

Lo swich a grete ping1 is affection

Men may dye for ymaginacion 3612

So depe may impression be take

This sely Carpenter1 bygynnef quake

PET\VORTH 103

104 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Hym JjenkeJ) verrely fat1 lie may se

"Noe flood come walking1 as J>e See 3616

To drenchen alison his hony dere

He wepeth weilleth and maketh son chere

He sighej) wij) mony a sory swough

And goo)) and getej) hym a knedingo trougli 3620

And aftere a Tubbe and a kemelyne

And prively he sent1 hem to his Inne

And henge hem in )?e roof in privete

His owne honde he made eke ledders J>re 3624

To clymben by ]?e ronges and ]?e stalkes

Ynto Jje tubbes hongyng1 in J>e balkes/

And hem vitailled bof>[e] troupe and tubbe [leaf 51]

Wi]) brede. wij) chese wi])h good ale in a Tubbe 3628

Suffisinge ri^t1 ynowe as for a day

But1 er he had made al Jns aray

He sent1 his knaue and eke his wenche alsoo

Vpon his nede to London for to goo 3632

IT And on fe Monday whan it1 droi^e to ny^t4

He shette his door wij?-outen candel li^f

And dressed al J)ing< as it1 shuld be

And shortely clumben vp al J)re 3636

J5ei seiten stille wel a forlonge way

Now Pater noster Clum seide Nicholay

And Clum quod lohn . and clum seide Alisofi

This Carpentere seide his devocion 3640

And stille he sitte and biddej) his preier1

Awaitinge on ))e reyne if he it1 here

The dej)e sleep for wery bisynesse

mile on J)is Carpenter xijV as I gesse 3644

Aboute Curfewe tyme or litel more

ffor travaile of his goost1 he gronej) sore

But1 ofte he routed for his hede myslay

Doun of fe ledder stalkejj Mcholay 3648

And Alison ful softe adoune she spedde

WiJ)-outen wordes moo ]>ei gon to bedde

PETWORTH 104

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS. 105

|3er as jje Carpenter' is wonte to lye

|3er was jje reuel and }>e melody e 3652

And Jjus lith alison and Nicholas

In busynes of myrtrl and of solas

Til ]?af J)e belle of laudes gan to rynge

And freres in J)e chaunsel gan to singe 3656

11 This Parissh clerk J>is amorous absolon

J?at* is for loue alway so woo bygon

Vpon J?e Monday was at1 Oseney

WiJ) Company him to disport* and pley 3660

And axed vpon a caas a Cloystrere

fful prively after lohn J?e Carpentere

And he drowe hym apart1 out* of J)e chircfi [leaf si, back]

And seide I note I seghe hym here not wirch 3664

Si]> saterday I trowe J>at he be went*

ffor tymbre per oure abbot* hap hym sent1

ffor he is wonte for tymbre forto goo

And dwellen at* pe graunge a day or twoo 3668

Or ellis he is at1 his hous certeyn

Wher pat* he be I can not* soply seyn)

This absolon ful loly was and li^t1

And Jjought* now is tyme to wake al nyghfr 3672

ffor sikerly I segh hym not1 stirenge

Abouten his door si}> day bygan to springe

So mote I thrive I shal atte Cockes crowe

fful priuely knokken at* his wyndowe 3676

J}at* stant* ful lowe vpon his bowres walle

To Alison now wil I tellen alle

My loue longyng* for ]>at* I shal not* mysse

pat* at* j?e leeste wey I shal hir1 kisse 3680

Som manere comfort* shal I haue parfay

My moujje ha]) icched al ])is longe day

pat* is a signe of kissing* atte leest

Al nyght* me met* eek I was at* a fest* 3684

J)er-for I wil goo sclepe an hour or twey

And al ]?e nyght* }>an wil I wake and pley

8 PETWORTH 105

106 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Whan Jjafr J)e firste cok haj) crowe anon

Vp stert1 ]>is loly louer absolon 3688

And hym araied gay and poynt1 devise

But1 first1 he shewej) greyn and licorise

To smellen swote er he had kempt1 his here

Vndere his tunge a trewe loue he here 3692

ffor ]?erby wende he to be gracious

He roomejj to the Carpenters hous

And stille he stant1 vndere ]?e shot1 wyndowe

Ynto his brest1 it1 raught1 it1 was so lowe 3696

And soft1 he koughe)> wij> a semy soune

What1 do :$e hony combe swete alisown

My faire brid my swete Synamome [leaf 521

A-waikej) lemman myne and spekej) to me 3700

fful litel J?enken 36 vpon my woo

pat1 for ^oure loue I swete as I goo

No wonder is ]>ou$e that1 1 swelt1 or swete

I mourne as do]) J?e lombe after J>e tete 3704

I-wis leuman I haue such loue-longyng1

jjat1 like a turtel trewe is my moz*rnynge

I may not1 eten no more J>an a maide

Go fro j?e wyndowe lak fool she seide 3708

So god me spede if wil not1 be compame

I loue anoj>er and ellis I were to blame

Wei bet1 j)an ])e by Ihesu absolon

Go for)) J?i waie or I wil cast1 a ston 3712

And lat1 me slepe a twenty deuelway

Alas quod absolon and weyloway

That1 trewe loue was euere so euel bysette

Than kisse me si]? it1 may be no bette 3716

ffor Ihesws1 loue and for jje loue of me t1 MS ihc]

Wilt1 Jjou jjan go Jji waie Jjer-with quod she

3e Certes lemman quod J?is absolon

fan make ]?e redy quod she I come anon 3720

.......... no gap in the MS.]

This absolon doune sette hym on his knees

TETWORTH 106

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS. 107

And seid I am a lord at1 alle degrees 3724

ffor aftere fis I hope J>er corameth more

Lemman fi grace and swete brid fine ore

The wyndowe she vndof and f af in haste

Haue doo quod she come of and spede f e faste 3728

Lest1 f af our neigheboures f e espie

f is absolon gan wipe his mouf ful drie

Derk was f e nyghf as picch or as J>e cole

And at1 fe wyndowe out1 she putt1 her hole 3732

And absolon him felle no bette ne wers

Buf wij) his mouf e he kissed her naked ers

fful sauourly er he was ware of J>is

Abak he sterte and foughf if was amys 3736

ffor wel he wist1 a womman haf no berde [leaf 52, back]

He felf a f ing1 al roughe and longe yherede

And seide fye alas what1 haue I doo

Ti he quod she and clapf fe wyndowe to/ 3740

And absolon go]) forf a former paas

A beerd a beerd? seide hende Nicholaas

By goddes corpus f is go]) faire and wett

This sely absolon herde it1 euery deft 3744

And on his lippe he gan for anger bite

And to him self he seide I shal ])e quyte

Who rubbeth nowe who freteth nowe his lippes

Wif dust* wi]) sonde wi]) strawe wi]) clop with chippes/

But1 absolon that1 sei}) ful off alias 3749

My soule bitake I to Sathanas

Buf me were leuere fan al ])is toune quod, he

Of ]>is despite a-wroken forto be 3752

Alias quod he alias I ne had ybleynf

His hote love is cold and al yqueynf

ffor fro faf tyme fat1 he had kisf her ers

Of paramours he sette nof a kers 3756

ffor he was heled of his malady

fful off paramours he gan defie

And wepef as do]> a child faf is ybete

A softe paas he wenf ouer fe strete 3760

PETWORTH 107

108 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Vnto a smyth men clepen dann Gervase

That1 in his forge smytej) plowh harnase

He sharpeth share and culter bisily

This absolon knokkej? al Esily 3764

And seide vnto Gervays and J>atf anon)

What1 who art1 J?ou if am I absolon

What1 Absolon . what1 cristes swete tre

Why rise $e so rathe .o benedicite 3768

What1 eilejj $ou som gay gerle god it1 wote

Hajj brou^f $ou fus [up] on J>e Vyritote

By seynt1 Noet1 ^e whote wele what1 1 mene

)}is Absolon ne rou^te not1 a bene ./ 3772

Of al ]>is pley no word a^ein he gaf [leaf 53]

He had more towe on his dystaf

))an Gervais knewe and seide frende so dere

J3e hote Cultere in J>e Chymeney here 3776

As lene it1 me I haue })erwi)> to don

I wil bringe it1 a-geyn ful sone

Gervais answerd? certes were it1 golcfe

Or in a poke nobles al vntold? 3780

Thou shuldest haue as I am trewe smyth

A cristes foo what1 wil ^e do ferwitfi.

Therof quod absolon be as be may

I shal tellen it1 Jje to morowe day 3784

And caught1 j?e Culter1 by Jre colde stele

iful soft1 out1 atte door he gan stele

And went1 vnto )?e Carpentere walle

He koughed first1 and knokked ]>er wij? att 3788

Vppon )?e wyndowe right1 as he did eere

)5is Alison answerde who is J>ere

Jjat1 knokkej? so I waraunt1 it a )>eef

We nay quod he god wote my swete leef 3792

I am ))ine absolon fine derlinge

Of gold! quod he I haue )>e brou^t1 a rynge

My modere 3aue it1 me so god me saue

iful fyn it1 is and Jjerto wel ygraue 3796

.PETWOUTH 108

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS. 109

This wil I $euen J?e if ]?owe me kisse

Jjis Nicholas was risen forto pisse

And Jjou^tt he wold? ameiiden al Jje Tape

He shulde kisse his ers er Jjat1 he scape 3800

And vp Jje wyndowe did he hastely

And out1 his ers he puttejj pn'uely

Ouer Jje buttok to Jje haunche bon

And Jjerwijj spake Jjis clerk Jjis absolone 3804

Speke swete bridde I not1 wher Jjou art1

J)is Nicholas anon lete neigh a fart*

As grete as if had bene a fonder dent*

Jpafl wi)> Jje stroke he was almost1 yblenf 3808

And he was redy wijj his yren hote [leaf 53, back]

And Nicholas in Jje ers he smote

Of go)) Jje skyn an honde brede abonte

}?e hote culter brenned so his toute 3812

And for Jje smerte he wende forto deye

As he were wood for woo he gan to crye

Help water water helpe for goddys hert1

This Carpenter* ont1 of his slomber sterf 3816

And herde oon crien water1 as he were wode

And jjou^t1 alias now commeth noes node

He sette hym vp wij>out[e] wordes moo

And wij) an axe he smote J?e cord? a two 3820

And doun go]) alle he fonde neijjer to selle

Brede nor Ale til he com to ]>e selle

Vpon J>e floor and ther a swoun he lay

Vp stert1 hir Alison and Nicholay 3824

And criden out1 and horowe in J?e strete

}pe neighbours boj? smale and grete

Ronnen forto gawren on Jjis man

)?at a swonn lay bo]> pale and wan 3828

ffor wij) fat1 falle he brusten ha]) his arme1

But1 stonden he most1 vnto his owne harme

ffor whan he spak he was anon born down

Wi]> hende Nicholas and alisosm 3832

PETWORTH 109

110 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Thei tolde euery man Jjat he was wode

He was agasfr so of J?e Noes flode

}3orgfc fantasie J>att of his vanyte

He had ybou^fr hym kneding1 tubbes J>re 3836

And had hem honged in )>e roof aboue

And jjat1 he preied hyra for goddys loue

To sitten in J>e roof par companye

Jje folk gan laughen at his fantasie 3840

And to the Roof ]>ei kepen and Jjei gape

And turned al his harme vnto a lape

ffor what1 so J>is Carpenter1 answerd?

It was for nou}t no man his reson herd? 3844

Wi]? o]?es grete he was so sworn a down [leaf 54 j

That1 he was holden woode in al J>af town

ffor euere clerk anoon lijti helde wij) ofer

fei seide fe man is wood my leue broker 3848

And euere wight1 gan laughen at1 his strif

Thus swyued was J?e Carpenter[e]s wiff

ffor al his keping1 and his lelousie

And Absalon haj? kissed her nethere ye 3852

And Nicholas is scalded in his toute

This tale is don and god saue al J>e route.

1F Here ende]> >e mylers tale,

[No break in the MS.]

PETWORTH 110

GROUP A. §5. REEVE'S PROLOGUE. Petworth MS. Ill

1T And Jms bygynnejj j>e Prologe of ]>e Reues tale T cap. 3™

fhan folk lian laughen at* jjis nyce cas Of absolon and hende Nicholas 3856

Dyuers folk dyuersly J?ei seide But* for Jje more parte J?ei Iou3e and pleide Ne at* ]?is tale I seghe no man hym greue But* it* were only Oswold1 ]>e Eeue 3860

Bycause he was of Carpenter[e]s craft* A litel Ire in his herte laff He gan to grucche and blamed it a lite So thick quod he ful wele quouj) I }?e quyte 3864

Wij) blering* of a proude Millers ye If J?at* me list1 to speke of Ribawdye But* ik am olde me list* not* pley for age Gras tyme is done my foder is forage 3868

This white top write]) myn olde 3eeres Myn herf is al so mowled as myn heeres But if I fare as doj> an open-ers

j?at* ilke fruyte is euer lenger fe wers 3872

Til it be roten in Mullok or in stre We olde men I drede so fare we Til we be roten can we not1 be ripe

We hopen alway while )>e hert* wil pipe 3876

ifor in our wille ]?er stikketh euer a naile To haue an hoor heer and a grene taile As haj) a leke for ]?ough our my^t be gon [leaf 54, back]

Our wille desire]? foly euer in oon 3880

ffor whan we may not* don ]>an wil we speke 3it* in oure asshed olde is fire yreke ffour gledes han we which" I shal deuyse Auawntinge lying* . angre . and coueitise 3884

Thise four sparkles longe]> vnto elde Our olde lymes may wel bene vnwelde

PETWORTH 111

112 GROUP A. § 5. REEVE'S PROLOGUE. Petworth MS.

But1 wil ne shal not1 faille fat1 is soth

And ^it1 haue I alwaye a coltes totfr 3888

As mony 3ere as if is passed henne

Sif fat1 my tap of lif1 byganne to renne

ffor sikerly whaw I was born anon

Def drougfc f e tappe of lif and lete it gon 3892

And euere sif en haf so f e tap yronne

Til at1 almost1 al empty is f e tonne

The strem of lif now droppef on f e chymbe

J>e sely tunge may wel rynge and chymbe 3896

Of wrecchednesse fat1 passed is ful yore

Wif olde folk saue dotage is no more

1T Whan fat1 our ooste had herde f is sermonynge

He gan to speke as lordly as a kinge 3900

He seide what1 amountef al f is witte

What1 shal we speke alday of holy writte

The deuel made a Reue forto preche

Or of a Souter5 shipman or a lecche . 3904

Say forf f i take and tary not1 J>e tyme

Loo Depford and it1 is almost1 prime

Lo Grenwich J?at mony a shrewe is Inne

It1 were hie tyme J?i tale forto bygynne 3908

1T Now Sirs quod ]?is Oswold? J>e Eeue

I prei 3ou al jjat1 ^e ^ou not greue

Jpou^e I answere and somdele sette hys houwe

ffor leeful it1 is wij> force . force of shouwe 3912

This dronken Millei0 haj? ytolde vs here

Hou fat1 bigiled was a Carpentere

Perauent^re in scorn for I am oon [leaf 55]

And by 3oure leue I shal lajm quyte anon 3916

Ri^t1 in his Cheerles teermes wil I speke

I prei to god his nekke mot1 alto-breke

He can wel in myn ye seen a stalk

But1 in his owne he can not1 seen a balk1 3920

IT Thus endej? fe Prologe of fe Eeue

PETWOKTH 112

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS. 113

And here bygynne]> >e Eeeues tale

Aft Trumpington not1 fer fro Caunterbruge Ther goj> a broke and over J>af a bruge Vpon J?e whiche broke J>er stonte a melle And }?is is verrey sojj Jjat1 I 3011 telle 3924

A Millere was fere dwelling1 mony a day As ony Pecok1 he was proude and gay Pipen he coujje an fisshen and nettes bete And turne Coppes and wel wrastel and shete 3928

Ny by his belt1 he bare a longe panade And of a swerd! ful trenchant was J>e blade A loly popper bere he in his pouche

Ther nas no man for perile durst1 hyra touche 3932

A Sheffield? thwytel bere he in his hose Rounde was his face and camoyse was his nose As pilled as an ape was his sculle

He. was a market1 beter atte fulle 3936

Jjer nas no wight1 J>at durst1 hond on hym legge But1 if he swore he shuld anon abegge A theef he was forsoj) of corn and mele And jjaf a sleegh and vsaunt1 forto stele 3940

His name was hoten deyne^ouse SymkyiD A wif he hadde commen of nobel kyn The person of ]>e toune her fader was WiJ> hir he 3aue ful mony a panne of bras 3944

ffor fat1 Symkyn shuldz in his blood allie She was yfostred in a nonrie ffor Symkyn woldfe] no wif as he seide But1 she were wel ynorshed and a mayde 3948

To Sauen his Astate of ^emanrie Ueaf55, backj

And she was proude and peert1 as is a pie A ful feire sight1 was it1 vpon hem twoo/ On holy daies byforn hir) wold he goo/ 3952

PETWORTH 113

114 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

WiJ> his typefr bounden aboute his hede

And she come aftere in a gite of rede

And Symkyn had[de] hosen of fe same

Jjer durst no wi$# clepe hur* but1 dame 3956

"Was noon so hardy J?afr went1 by J>e way

)}af wij> hir1 dorst1 ones rage or play

But1 if he wold be sclayn of Symkyn

WiJ) panade and wij> knyf or boydekyri) 3960

ffor lelous folk ben perylous euermoo

Algates Jjei wolde her wyues wenden soo

And eke for she was somdett smoterlicn"

She was as digne as water in a dicfi 3964

As ful of hoker and of bismare

Hire Jjou^te fat1 a lady shuld hii5 spare

What1 for her kynrede and her nortelrie

Jjat1 she had lerned in ]>e Nonerie 3968

A dou^tere had[de] J?ei bitwene hem twoo

Of xxti }ere wi]?-outen ony moo/

Sauyng1 a childe fat was of half ^ere age

In cradel it1 lay and was a propre page 3972

This wenche thik and wel ygrowe was

Wi}> Camoys nose and eyen as grey as glas

"WiJ) buttokes brode and brestes round and hie

But1 ri^t1 faire was hur* heor I wil not1 lye 3976

1F The pe?'son of fe toune for she was so faire

In pwrpoos was to make InY his aire

Bo]) of his Cateft and of his messuage

And strautige he made it1 of hur) mariage 3980

His pwrpoos was to bystowe hir1 hie

Into som wor]?i blood of Auncetrie

ffor holy churches good most1 be despended/

On holy chirche blood fat1 is descended/ 3984

Therfore he wold? his holy blood honowe [leaf 56]

J>oo fat1 he holy churche shuld* devowre

Grete soken haf fis mellere out1 of doute

whete and malt of al J>e londe aboute 3988

PETWOKTH 114

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS. 115

And namely \er was a grete colege

Men clepen f e solere halle atte Cauntebrigge

Ther was her whete and eke her malt* ygrounde

And on a day it* happed in a stounde 3992

Sik lay f e manciple on a maladie

Mon wenden wishly fat* he shuldfe] dye

ffor whiche f e Millere stale bof mele and corn

An hundred tyme more fan byforn 3996

ffor f er byforne he stale but1 curteisly

But1 nowe he was a f eef outrageously

ffor which f e wardeyne chidde and made fare

But1 ]>erof sette f e Millere not1 a tare 4000

He craked booste and swore it was not* soo/

fan were fere yonge scolers two

That* dwelten in f e halle of which I seie

Teestif f ei were and lusty forto pleye 4004

And only for her merth and reverye

Vpon f e wardeyn bisily f ei crie

To 3eue hem leue but1 a litel stounde

To goo to melle and se her corn y-grounde 4008

And hardely f ei dorst* lay her nekke

f e Millere shuld? not* stele hem half a pekke

Of corn ne by sleight* ne by force hem reue

And at* J>e last1 fe wardeyn }af hem leue 4012

lohn hight* fat* oon an Aleyn hi^t* fat of er*

Of oon toune were f ei born fat* hight[e] strother*

fferre in f e norf e I can not* telle where

This Aleyn makef redy al his gere 4016

And on an hors f e sak he cast* an5n

fforf gof Aleyn f e Clertf and also lohn

Wif good swerde and bokeler* by her side

lohn knewe f e way hym neded no gyde 4020

And atte Mille f e Sak a doune he laith [leaf sc, back]

Alayn spake first* alhaille Symonde in faif

How faref f i fare doi^tere and f i wiff

Aleyn welcome quod Symkyn be my liff* 4024

PETWORTH 115

116 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And lohn also how nowe what* do 30 here

By god quod lohn Symoncfe nede haf no pere

Hym byhouef serae hy?rc self fat1 hajj no swayn

Or ellis he is a fool as clerkes sayne 4028

Our manciple I hope he wil be dede

Swa worchen hym ay fe wanges in his hede

And f erfore is I cowmen and eke Aleyn

To Grynde our corn and carie hit1 horn5 ageyn 4032

We prey $ou spede vs hepen fat1 $e may

It1 shal be done quod Symkyn be my fay

What* wil ^e done while fat1 if is in hande

By God ri^f by the hoper wil I stande 4036

Quod lohn and see how gates f e corn go)) Inne

^it1 sagh I neuere be my fadere kynne

How fat1 Jje hoper waggef til and fraye

Aleyn Answerd? lohcra wiltowe swaye 4040

fan wil I be bynef e by my croune

And se howe gate the mele falles adown

Into f e trough fat1 shal be my disport1

Quod lohn in faath I may bene of ^our* sorte 4044

I is as il a Miller as is 3 e

This Millere smyled of her nycete

And f ou^t1 al f is is don buf for a wile

J?ei wene jjat1 no man may hem bygyle 4048

Buf by my J?riftf pti shal I blere her ye

ffor al Jje slei3f in her philosophic

The more queynte Clerkes fat1 fei make

fe more wil I stele whan I take 4052

In stede of floure $it wil I $eue hem brenne

The grettesfr clerkes ben not1 fe wisest men

As whilom to fe wolf f us spake f e mare

Of alle her arte counte I nou^f a tare 4056

Out1 af fe Dore he gof ful pn'uely [leaf 57]

Whan fat1 he seghe his tyme softely

He lokef vp and doune til he haf founde

The Clerkes hors fer as he stode ybounde 4060

PETWORTH 116

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS. 117

Behinde ]>e mylle vndere a leueselle

And to J?e hors lie go]) hym faire and welle

He strepej) of J)e bridel ri3t» anon

And whan fe hors is louse he gynnejj to gon 4064

Toward fe fenne where wilde Mares renne

And forj)e-wi]> porgh fikke and Jjorgh fenne

This Mellere go]) ageyn no word he seide

But1 do]) his note and wif })ise clerkes pleide 4068

Til fat1 her corn was faire and welle ygrounde

And whan f e mele is sakked and ybounde

This lohn go]) oute and fonde her hors away

And gan to crie harowe and walowway 4072

Our hors is lost1 aleyn for goddis Lanes/

Steppe on ])i fete come of man / al aft anes

Alias our wardeyn ha]) our palfray lorn

This Aleyn forgate bo]) mele and corn 4076

Al was out1 of his mynde his husbondrie

What* whilk* way is he gon he gan to crie

jDe wif come lepinge inwarcJ at a renne

She seide alas ^oure hors go]) to J)e fenne 4080

With wilde mares as fast1 as he may goo

Ynfonke come on his honde fat1 bonde hym soo/

And he J)af better shuld? haue knette ])e reyn

Alias quod lohn Aleyn for cristes peyn 4084

Lay doune ])i swerde and I wil myn alswaa

I is f ul swift god wate as is a Eaa

By goddes hert1 he shal not1 scape vs bathe

Whi ne had ])ou putte J)e Capel in ]>e lathe 4088

Ilhaile by god Aleyn })ou is a fonne

Thise sely clerkes han fid fast1 yronne

Touard? J)e fenne bof en aleyn an eke lohn

And whan f e Miller5 segfi. fat1 J)ei were gon 4092

He half a busshel of her floure haj) take peaf 57, back]

And bad his wif go knede it1 in a cake

And seide I trowe J)e clerkes weren a-ferde

3itt kan a Miller make a clerkes beerde 4096

PETWORTH 117

118 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffor al her arte jiti laf hem gon her way

Lo wher jjei gon 30 lafr ]>e children play

They gete him not* so lightly by my crotin

Thise sely clerkes rennen vp and doun 4100

"With kepe. kepe. stonde. stonde, lossa warderere

Ga qwistel ^ou I shal kepe hyra here

But1 shortely til it1 was verrey ny3t

Jjei couj>e not1 J>oughe J>ei did al her my}ti 4104

jjeire Capel cauche he ranne alway so fast*

Til in a dicche jjei caught1 him at ]je last1

Wery and wete as beestis in )>e reyne

CorameJ) sely lohn and wijj hym commej) aleyn 4108

Alias quod lohn J?e day Jjat1 I was born

Nowe are we dryuen til hejnng1 and to scorn

Our corn is stolle men wil vs foles calle

BoJ) J?e wardeyn and our felawes alle 4112

And namely jje Meller* weylawaye

J>us pleyne]) lohn as he go]? by J>e waye

Toward the Melle and baiardl in his honde

The Millere sitting1 by ]>e fire he fonde 4116

ffor it1 was nyght1 and fer]?er myght1 he nou^f

But1 for ))e loue of god fei lajm bisou^t1

Of harborowe and of ease as for her penye

\>& Millere seide a^ein if jjer be enye 4120

Such as it1 is 3ete shal 30 haue 3oure parte

Myn hous is streite but1 36 han lerned arte

3e can by arguments make a place

A myle brode of xxti fete of space 4124

Lat1 se nowe if j?is place may suffise

Or make it rowmer wijj speche as is 3owr gise

Now Symond? seide ]?is lohn be seynt1 Cutberd?

Ay is Jjou mery . and J?at is faire answerde 4128

I haue herde seye men shal taken of two J?ingges [leat 58]

Such as he fint1 or take such as he bringes

But specialy I prey Jjee hooste dere

Gete vs some mete and drink and make vs chere 4132

PET WORTH 118

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS. 119

And we wil paien trewly atte fulle

WiJ? empty hondes men may not1 haukes tulle

Lo here our siluer redy forto spende

This Mellere to J?e toune his doubter sende 4136

ffor Ale and brede and rested hem a goos

And bonde her hors for he shuld no more go loos

And in his owne chambre he made a bedde

"Wif shetes and wij? chalons faire yspredde 4140

Nou^f from his owne bedde .x. fete or xij.

His doughter had a bed al by hir1 selue

Bi^t in J?e same chambre by and by

It myghte be no bette and cause why 4144

per was no rommer herborowe in J?e place

Jjei soupen and J?ei speken hem to solace

And drynken euere stronge ale atte beste

About* mydny^t1 went1 Jjei to reste 4148

Wei haj? ]>is Mellere vernyssed his hede

fful pale he was for-dronken and not* rede

He ^eskejj and he spekej? porgft ]je nose

As he ware in Jje quakke or on J)e pose 4152

To bedde he gooj) and wij> hym go]> his wif .

As eny laye he light1 was and lolif

So was her loly whistel wel ywette

£e Cradel atf her beddis fete is ysette 4156

To Rokken and to ^eue J?e child? to souke

And whan Jjatt dronken was al in J>e crouke

To bedde went1 ]?e doughter ri^f anon

To bedde go]? Aleyn and also lonn 4160

J>er nas no more hem neded no dwale

This Mellere haj> so wisly bebbed ale

J>af as an hors he snortej) in his slepe

Ne of his tale behynde he toke no kepe 4164

His wif bare him a Burdon a ful stronge [leaf ss, back]

Men myght1 here ]?e routing1 fens a forlonge

The wenche route]) eek par companye

Aleyn J>e Clerk fat1 hero? J?is melodye 4168

PETWORTH 119

120 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

He pouked on lohn and seide slepestowe

Herde jjou euere sclike a sang1 or nowe

Lo sclike a conplinge is ytwix hem aHe

A wilde fire on her bodies falle 4172

Who herkened euere sclike a ferly Jnnge

3e J)ei shal haue ]?e floure of euel endinge

This lange ny^tt fer tydes men no reste

But* 3if na fors al shal be for J>e beste 4176

ffor lohn seide he as euere mote I Jjrive

If pat1 1 may ^on wenche J?an wil I swyve

Some esement1 hajj lawe shapen vs

fibr lohn ]>er is a lawe fat1 seij) ])us 4180

That1 if a man in oon point1 be agreued

That1 in anojjer he shal be releued

Our corn is stollen soj>ly it1 is no nay

And we han had an euel fit to day 4184

And syn I shal haue no amendementt

Ageyn my losse I wil haue esement1

By goddes saule it1 sal na no]?er be

J>is lohn answerde Aleyn avise J>e 4188

The Mellere is a perilous man he seide

And if Jjat1 he out1 of his sclepe abreide

He myghte don vs boj? a vylenye

Aleyn answerd? I counte hym not1 a flye 4192

And vp he rist1 and by jje wenche he crepte

This wenche lay vpri^t1 and faste sclepte

Til he so nygh was er she my^te spie

jjat1 it1 had bene to late forto crie 4196

And shortely for to seie J>ei were at1 on

Nowe pleye Alayn for I wil speke of lohn

This lohn lith stille a forlonge way or two

And to hym self he make]) wamenting1 and woo 4200

Alias quod he J?is is a wikke lape [leaf 59]

Now may I seie Jjat1 1 is but1 an ape

3itt ha]) my felawe somwhat1 for his harme

He ha]) ])e mellers doubter in his arme 4204

PETWORTH 120

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS. 121

He Auntref hym and haf his nedes spedde

And I ly as a draf sak in my bedde

And whan fis Tape is tolde anof er day

I shal he holde a daff a cokenay 4208

I wil arise and aunter he my fath"

Vnhardy is vnsely f us men sath

And Vp he roos and softely he went1

Vnto fe Cradel and in his arme hit1 henf 4212

And hare if soft1 vntil his heddes fete

Sone affcere f e wif her rowting1 lete

And gan to wake and went1 her out1 to pisse

And come agein and gan her cradel mysse 4216

And groped here and fere hut1 she foond? noon/

Alias quod she I had almost1 mysgon

I had almost1 go to J>e clerkes hedde

Ey henedicite fan had I foule yspedde 4220

And for]? she gof til she f e cradel fonde

She grope]? alway former wif her honde

And fond f e hed and f ou^t1 no^t1 hut1 of good

By cause fat1 fe cradel "by it1 stode 4224

And nyste wher she was for it1 was derk

But faire and wel she crepte in to f e clerk1

And lith ful stille and wolde haue kau^fr a slepe

Wif -In a while fis John fe clerk1 vp lepe 4228

And on fis good[e] wif hee leif ful sore

So mery a fitte ne had she not1 ful ^ore

And prikef harde and depe as he ware1 madde [i PMSJ

J5is loly lif1 han fise two clerkes ladde 4232

To fat1 fe iij. coke hygan to singe

Aleyn wexe wery. in f e daw[e]nynge

ffor he had swonken al f e longe ny^t1

And seide fare wel malyn) sweete wi^t1 4236

The day is come I may no lenger hyde Oaf 59, back]

But1 euermo where so I go or ride

I am fine owne clerk so haue I sele

Now dere lemman quod she go fare wele 4240

9 PETWOTITH 121

122 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

But1 er J?ou goo. on J>inge I wil J>e telle

Whhan Jjat1 Jjow wendest1 homward? by y melle

Right1 at1 J?e entre of J?e door be-hinde

Thow shaltf a Cake of half a busshel fynde 4244

That1 was ymaked of fine owne mele

Which fat1 1 helpe my Sire forto stele

And good lemman god Jje saue and kepe

And wij> fat1 word almost1 she gan to wepe 4248

Aleyn vprisf and fou^t1 er fat1 it1 dawe

I wol go crepen in by my felawe

And fonde f e cradel wif his honde anon

By god fought1 he alwrong / I haue mysgon 4252

Myn hede is toty of my swynk to nyght

pat1 make]) me fat1 I go not1 aright1

I wote wele by f e cradel I haue mysgo

Here lith f e meller* and his wif also 4256

And for]> he go]> on twenty delway

Vnto J)e bedde J>er as }>e meller1 lay

He wende haue cropen by his felawe lohn

And by j?e Meller1 in he crept1 anon 4260

And kaught1 him by j?e nek and soft he spake

And seide ]>ou lohn ]>ou swyneshede awake

Of Cristes saule and here a noble game

ffor by Jjat1 lord! J>af called is seint1 lame 4264

As I haue pries in J>is shorte ny^t1

Swyved J)e Mellers doubter1 bolt1 vpri^t

Whilst1 ]jow hast1 as a Coward? ben agast1

Ye fals harlot1 quod J>e Mellere hast1 4268

A fals traitowr. fals clerk quod he

J5ow shalt1 be dede by goddes dignyte

Who durste be so bolde to disparage

My doubter Jjat1 is come of swich lynage 4272

And by j?e J>rote bolle he kau3^ aleyn [leaf GO]

And he him hent1 dispitously ageyn

And on ]?e nose he smote hyw w^ his fist1

Doune ranne ))e blody streme vpon his brist1 4276

PETWORTH 122

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS. 123

And in f e floor wif nose and mouf to-broke

f ei walowen as don two pigges in a poke

And vp f ei goon and doune anon

Till fat fe Mellere spurned at a ston 4280

And downe he felle bakward? vpon his wiff

fat1 wist1 no f inge of fis nyce strifT

ffor she was falle a slepe a litel wijt1

"Wif lohn f e clerk fat1 waked had al ny^t1 4284

And wif f e falle out1 of her slepe she braide

Help holy crosse of bromholm she saide

In manus tuas lorde to f e I calle

Awake Symond? f e feend is on me falle 4288

Myn hert1 is broken help I ne am but1 dede

fere lith vpon my wombe and on myn hede

Helpe Symkyn for f ise fals clerkes fi^t1

This lohn stert1 vp as fast1 as euere he my^t1 4292

And grasped by f e walles to and fro

To fynden a staf and she stert1 vp also

And knewe f e Eisters bet1 fan did lohn

And by fe walle she fonde a staf anon 4296

And segh a litel shymering1 of a li^fr

ffor at1 an hole in shone f e mone bri^t1

And by fat1 li^fr she segh hem bof [e] two

But1 sikerly she nyste who was who 4300

But1 as she seegh a white f inge in her eye

And whan she gan fis white f ing1 aspie

She wende f e Clerk had wered a volipere

And wif fe staf1 she drough ay ner and nere 4304

And wende han hitte fis Aleyn atte fulle

And smote f e Mylere on f e pyled skulle

ftat1 doun he goth and cried harowe I dye

Thise Clerkes bette hym wel and lete hym lye 4308

And Greief hem and toke her hors anon [leaf oo, back]

And eke her/ mele and on her way f ei g5n

And at1 the Melle $itt f ei toke her Cake

Of half a busshel floure ful wel ybake 431 2

PETWORTH 123

124 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Thus is J?e proude Mellere wel ybete

And hath ylosfr J>e grynding* of J>e whete

And paide for J?e soper euery deft

Of aleyn and of lohn jmf bette hym weft 43 10

His wiff is swyued and his dou^tere als

Lo such itt is a Milled to be fals

And Jjerfor J?is prouerbe is seide ful sotR

Hym ther not1 wene wele Jiaf euel doth 4320

A Gilour shal hym self begiled be

And god Jjafr sittejj hegh in mageste

Saue al J?e company grete and smale

Thus haue I quytte j?e MelleiJ in my tale 4324

IT Thus Endeth ]?e Reues Tale

[No break in the MS.]

PETWORTH 124

GROUP A. § 7. COOK'S PROLOGUE. Petworth MS. 125

And here bygynnejj J?e Cokes tale

e Coke of london while J?e Reue spak

ffor loye him Jjoujt1 he clawed hym on J?e bak*

Ha. ha. quod he for cristes passion

This Millere haj> a sharpe conclusion 4328

Vpon his argument1 of harbigage

Wei seide Salomon in his langage

Ne bringe not1 euery man into jjine hous

ffor herbowringe by nyght1 is perilous 4332

Wei 0113 1* a man avised forto be

Whoom fat1 he brou^f into his pryvete

I prey to god so 3eue me sorowe and care

If euer sij>en I hight1 hogge of ware 4336

Herd I Meller better ysette a werke

He had a lape of malice in J>e derke

And )>erfor if 36 vouche sauf to here 4340

But1 god forbede fat1 we stynt1 heere 4339

A tale of me fat1 am a poor man

I wil 3ou telle as wel as euer I can

A litel lape J>af felle in our Cite [leafei]

Our hooste answerd! and seide I graunte it1 fe 4344

Now telle on Rogger and loke jjat1 it1 be good

ffor mony a paast hast1 J?ou laten blood

And mony a lak of Douer hast1 jjou sold4

Jmt1 ha]) be twies hoote and twies cold' 4348

Of mony a pilgryme hast1 J)ou cn'stes curs

ffor of ]?i Persely 31^ fare ]?ei ]je wors

fat1 J?ei han eten wij? j)i stobel goos

ffor in J)i shoppe is mony a flee loos 4352

Now telle on gentil Rogger by Jji name

But1 31^ I prei J>e be not1 wroj? for game

A man may say ful so]? in game and play

])ow seist ful so}? quod Rogger be my fay 4356

PETWORTH 125

126 GROUP A. § 7. COOK'S PROLOGUE. Petworth MS.

But* so)) play quade play as J)e flemmyng1 saij? And Jjerfore henry balyf by J?i feij> Be J>ow not1 wrojj er we departen here poughe J?afr my tale be of an ostylere 4360

Buf najjelees I wil not1 tellen if ^it* But1 er we part1 1-wis J>ou shalf be quytt And ]?erwij> al [he] lough and made chere And saide his tale as ^e shal after here 4364

))us endej? ]>e prologe of J>e cokes tale [No break in the MS.]

PETWOTITH 126

GROUP A. § 8. COOK'S TALE. Petworth MS. 127

And here bygynne]? J>e Cokes tale T Tfce cokes Taie.

APrentis whilom dwelled in our5 Cite And of a craft1 of vitalers was he Gailard? he was as gold-fyncR in J)e shawe Broun as J>e bery. a propre short felawe 4368

Wij? lockes blake ykemptt M fetisly Daunce he couj>e so wel and lolily \)ati he was cleped Perkyn reveilour> He was as fed of loue and paramowr 4372

As is J>e hyve ful of hony swete "Wel was ])e wenche wi]> him my^t1 mete And euery Bridale wold? he sing1 and hoppe He loued bette pe Tauern J?an J>e shoppe 4376

ffor whan )>er eny ridynge was in chepe Deaf ei, back]

Out1 of J>e Shoppe jjidere wold? he lepe Til pat1 he had al J>e si$fl yaeyn

And daunsed wel wold he not1 come ageyn 4380

And gader5 hym a mayne of his sort1 To hoppe and synge and make such disport1 And Jjer ]>ei setten steuen forto mete

To pleyn at1 j?e dis in such a strete 4384

ffor in J>e toune nas J>er no prentys fat1 fairrer couj>e cast1 a peire of dys J>an perkyn coujje and ferto he was free Of his dispence in place of pryvete 4388

That1 fonde his maister wel in his chaffare tTor oft1 tymes he fonde his boxe ful bare ffor sikerly a prentise Reveilour*

Jjat1 hauntej? dis ryot1 and pa?<amoui> 4392

His maister* shulde in his shop abye Al haue he not1 part1 of ])e mynstralcie ffor feft and riot1 Jjei ben conuertible Al conne he pley on gitern or rubible 4306

PETWORTH 127

128 GROUP A. § 8. COOK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Reuel and trouj>e as in a lough degre pei ben ful wrop alday as men may see J3is loly Prentis wip his maister bode Til he were nygli out1 of his prentisehode 4400

Al were he snybbed erly or late And somtyme ladde wip revel to Newgate But1 atte last1 his maister hym bypou}te Ypon a day whan he his paper sou^te 4404

Of a prouerd? pat1 seip pis same word? Wei bette is roten appel out1 of horde pan pat1 it rote al pe remencmnte

So fare]? it* by a ryotous seruaunte 4408

It is moche lasse harme to laf hym passe pan he sheed alle pe seruawntes in p e place Therfor his maister ^aue hym a quytazmce And bad hym goo wij> sorowe and mesehaunce 4412

And |>us ])is prentise had his leue . [leaf 62]

Now lat1 him riot1 al J>e ny^t1 or leue And for Jjer is no Jjeef wijj-out1 a louke pat1 helpej? hym to waasten or to souke 4416

Of pat1 he bribe can or borowe may Anon he sent1 his bedde and his aray Ynto a conper of his owne sort1

pat1 loued dys [and] reuel and disport1 4420

And had a wif pat1 helde for countenance A Shop and swyued for her sustenance [No break in the

PETWORTH 128

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PctWOlth MS.

APPENDIX TO GROUP A.

[THE SPURIOUS TALE OF GAMELYN.]

[Spurious LtirikJ]

Butt here-of I wil pas as nowe

And of yonge Gamely/i I wil telle $ou . 2

L

[Tale.] ij?es and listnej? and harknej? a-ri^t t >« tale of yonge

And 36 shul here of a doughty kny^tt Sir1 lohn of boundes was his name

He coude of Norture and of mochel game 4

Thre sones ]>e knyghtt had and wij? his body he wan The eldest1 was a moche schrewe and sone bygan His brejjer loued wel her fader' and of him were agast J)e eldest1 deseraed his faders curs and had! it atte lastt 8 )?e good knyght1 his fadere lyued so yore ftaf dej? was cowmen to hym . and handled hym ful sore \)Q Good knyght1 cared sore . sik \er he lay How his children shuld lyuen after his day 1 2

He had ben wide where . buf non husbonde he was Al J>e londe J>af he had if was purchas/ ifayn he wold it1 were dressed among1 hem alle That1 eche of hem had his parte as it my^fr falle 1 6

Jjoo sente he in to contrey after wise kny^tes To helpen delen his londes f and dressen hem to ri^tes He sent1 hem word? by letters f J>ei shul hie blyve Yf fei wolk1 speke wijj hym f whilst1 he was a lyve 20

PETWORTH 129

APPENDIX TO GEOUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

Whan J)e kny^tes harden sik Jjat1 he lay

Had J>ei no rest1 neijjer1 : ny^fr ne day

Til J?ei come to hym f J>er he lay stille

On his dejjes bedde/ to abide goddys wille 24

Than seide Jje good knyghtf seke J>er he lay [leaf 6-2, back]

Lordes I 3011 warne for so]? wij>-oufr nay

I may no lenger lyuen here in J>is stounde

ffor Jjorgh" goddis wille '. dej? droue}> me to grounde 28

J*er nas noon of hem alle f J>afr herd hym

fat1 J>ei ne had routh f of Jjat1 like kny^t1

And seide sir1 for goddes loue f dismay 3011

God may don boote of bale f J>at is now ywrou^tf 32

J?an speke pe good kny}^ f sik1 j>«r he lay

Boote of bale god may sende i I wote if is no nay

Buf I bisecche 30" kny^tes for ]?e loue of me

GoJ) and dressej* my londes f among1 my sones j?re 36

And for J?e loue of god dele)? not1 amys

And forgetej) not1 Gamelyne f my 3ong< son?ie ]>at is/

Take}) hede to J?af oon as wel as to J?at o)?ere

Seelde 36 seen eny hier . helpen his bropere 40

)joo lete |)ei j?e knyght1 lyen f j?afr was not1 in hele

And wenten into counsett his londes forto dele

Forto delen hem alle to on i J?af was her J)ou3f

And for Gamelyn was 3ongestt he shuld haue nou3t* -4 4

Alt j)e londe J>af ])er was f J)ei dalten it1 in two

And lete Gamelyne J?e 3onge f without1 londe goo

And eche of hem seide to other ful loude

His brej?eren my3fr 3eue him londe whan he good cowde 48

And whan J>ei had deled J?e londe at1 her wille

J?ei commen to J>e knyghf . ])er he lay stille

And tolde him anoon : how J>ei had wro^tt

And J?e knyght1 Jjere he laye liked it1 ri3t nou3tH 5'J

5F Than seide jje kny^t1 f be seint1 Martyne

For al Jjat1 36 han done ' 3it is the londe myne

ffor goddis loue neighbours . stondej) alle stille

And I wil delen my londe ' after myn owne wille 50

PETWORTH 130

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

lohn myne eldest1 sone f shal haue plowes fy ve

fat1 was my faders heritage f whan he was alyve

And my myddelest1 sone .v. plowes of londe

fat1 1 halpe forto gete with my ri}^ honde 60

And al myn of ere pwrchace of londes and ledes peaf es]

fat1 I biquef e Gamelyn . and al my good stedes

And I biseche 3011 good men pat1 lawe corcne of londe

For Gamelynes loue f fat1 my quest1 stonde 64

Thus dalt1 f e kny^t1 . his londe by his day

Ri^t1 on his def bed sik f er he lay

And sone afterward he lay stoon stille

And deide whan tyme comef as it1 was cmtes wille 68

Anoon as he was dede and vnder gras graue

Sone f e elder broker f giled f e $onge knaue

He toke into his honde his londe and his lede

And Gamelyne him seluen to clof e and to fede 72

He closed him and fedde him/ euelt and eke wrothe

And lete his londes forfare f and his houses bojje

His Parkes and his wodes f and did no Jjing* welle

And sij>en he it1 abou^f on his owne felle 76

So longe was Gamelyne in his brokers halle

ffor pe strengest1 of good witt ]>ei douted hyw alle

PQI was noon J>er-Inne neijjer ^onge ne olde

J^af wold^ wrethe Gamelyn. were he neuer so bolde 80

Gamelyne stood on a day f in his brojjeres $erde

And byganne wij) his hond/ to handel his berde

He Jjou^f on his landes fat lay vnsowe

And his fare okes fat1 doune were ydrawe 84

His Parkes were broken/ and his deer reued

Of alle his good stedes/ noon was hyra byleued

His hous were vnhilled/ and ful euett di^f

Tho Jjou3t1 Gamelyne/ it1 went1 not1 ari3f 88

IT Afterward? come his broker walking1 fare

And seide to Gamelyn. is our mete 3are

Tho wrathed him Gamelyn/ and swore by goddys boke

pow shalt1 go bake Jri self/ I wil not1 be fi coke 92

PETWORTH 131

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PctWOlth MS,

What1 broper Gamelyne howe answerst pou nowe

pou spekest1 neuere such a word' as pou dost nowe

By feipe seide Gamelyn f now me penkep nede

Of al pe harmes pat1 1 haue f I toke neuere ^it1 hede . 96

My parkes bene broken i and my dere reued [leaf es, back]

Of myn armes ne my stedes f nou^t1 is byleued

Att pat1 my fader5 me byquape f al gop to shame

And perfor haue pou goddes curs i bropere be pi name 100

fan spake his broker pat1 rape was and rees

Stond stille Gadlynge and holde pi pees

Thou shalt1 be fayn to haue f pi mete and pi wede

What1 spekest1 pow gadeling1. of londe or of lede 104

Than seide Gamelyn f pe child so ^ing1

Cristes curs mote he haue i J?att me clepeth Gadelinge

I am no wors Gadeling1 f ne no wors wi^t1

But1 born of a lady and gete of a kny^f 108

Ne dorsfr he nof to Gamelyn neuere a foot1 goo

But1 cleped to hym his men i and seide to hem J>oo/

Go]) and bete]) pis boye and reue]> hyra his witte

And lat1 him lerne ano]>er tyme f to answer1 me bette 112

Than seide ]>e Child? ^onge Gamelyn

Cristes curs mote ]>ou haue ' broker art }?ou myn

And if I shal algates be beten anon

Cristes curs mote )>0u hauef but ]wu be Jjat1 on 116

And anon his broker in pat1 grete hete

Made his men to fette staues Gamelyn to bete

Whan euery of hem had a staf ynommen

Gamelyn was werre . whan he segh hem cowmen 1 20

Whan Gamelyne segh hem coramen. he loked oner alt

And was ware of a pestel f stode vnder pe waft

Gamelyn was li^t1 and {rider* gan he lepe

And droof alle his broperes men ri^t1 sone on an hepe 124

And loked as a wilde lyon. and leide on good wone

And whan his broper segh pat1! he byga/me to gon

He fley vp into a loft1 i and shette J>e door fast1

pus Gamelyn wip his pestel. made hem al a-gast1 128

PETWORTH 132

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

Some for Gamelyns loue. and some for eye

Alle J>ei droughen hem to halues whan he gan to pleye

1f What1 nowe seide Gamelyn f euel mote ^e the

Wil 36 bygynne contecte f and so sone flee 132

Gamelyn sou}^ his broker f winder* he was flowe [leaf 04]

And seghe where he loked out1 a wyndowe

Bropere seide Gamelyn. come a litel nere

And I wil teche fe a play at J?e bokelere 136

His bro]>ere him ansuerde. and seide by seint1 Eichere

Jie while J?att pestel is in fine honde . I wil come no nere

Broker I wil make Jn pees f I swer by cmtes oore

Oast1 away fe pestel. and wrefe pe no more 140

1 most1 nede seide Gamelyn wrej> me at1 onys

ifor ]?ou wold make j>i men. to breke my bonys

Ne had I hadde mayn and myjtt in myn armes

To han hem fro me . J?ei wold haue don me harmes 144

Gainelyn seide his broker be J?ou not1 wroth

Forto seno J)e han harme. me were ri^t1 loth

I ne did it1 not1 broker but1 for a fondinge

ffor to loken wher ]?ou art1 stronge and art1 so ^enge 148

(Dome a doune j>an to me and graunt1 me my bone

Of oon Jring1 1 wil ]?e axe and we shal sau^t1 sone

Doune ]?an come his broker jjat1 fikel was and felle

And was swij) sore a-feerd of J?e pestelle 152

He seide brojjer Gamelyn axe me Jji bone

And loke J>ou me blame but1 1 it1 grawnte sone

)?an seide Gamelyn broker I-wys

And we shul be at1 on. J?ou most grawnte me this 156

Aft Jjat1 my fader me by-qua]>. whilst1 he was alyue

J?ow most1 do me it1 haue. if we shul not1 strive

[Oat1 shalf ]>ou haue Gamelyn I swere bi cn'stes oore.

Al fat1 fi fadere jje by-quajje. Jjough J?ou wold? haue more

Thy londe J>af litfr ley. wel it1 shal be sawe 161

And J?ine houses reised vp fat1 bene leide ful lawe

Thus seide ]>e knyght . to gamelyn wij) moufe

And J?ou3t on falsnes as he wel coufe 164

PETWORTH 133

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOltll MS.

fe ki^t1 Jjou^t1 on tresofi. and gamelyn anon

And wente and kissed Ms "broker and whan f ei were at on

Alas yonge Gamelyn no f ing1 he ne wist

Wif such fals treson . his broker him kisfr 168

Lyf eneth and listenef and holdef 30^7- tonge [leaf 64, back]

And 30 shul here talking1 of Gamelyn f e 3onge

IT Ther was fere bisiden cride a wrastelinge

And f erf ore fer was sette a rawme and a ringe 172

And Gamelyn was in wille to wende f erto/

fforto preuen his raj^ what1 he coude doo

Brof ere seide Gamelyn by seint1 Richere

fow most1 lene me to ny3# a litel coursere 176

That1 is fresshe fro f e spore on for to ride

I most1 on an erand? a litel here beside

By god seide his broker/ of stedes in my stalle

Goo and chese f e the best1 spare non of hem alle 180

Of stedes and of coursers fat1 stoden hem byside

And telle me good brof er whider f ou wilt ride

Here beside broker is cried a wrastelinge

And f erf ore shal be sette a ram and a ringe 184

Moche worchip it were brof ere to vs alle

Might1 1 f e ram and f e ring1 bring1 home to J?is halle

A stede ther was sadeled smertly an skete

Gamelyn did a peire spores fast1 on his fete 188

He sette his foote in Jje stirop J>e stede he bistrode

And towardes J?e wrasteling1 J>e yong1 childe rode

IT Whan Gemelyn J?e 3onge was riden out1 atte gate

j?e fals kny3f his broker loked if after5 fate 192

And bysou3t1 Ihesu cristt fat1 is heuene kinge

He myght1 breke his necke in f e wrestelinge

As sone as Gamelyn come f er f e place was

He light1 doune of his stede and stood on f e gras 1 96

And f er he herde a frankeleyn weiloway singe

And by-gonne bitterly his hondes for to wringe

Good man seide Gamelyn f- whi mast f ou f is fare

Is f er no man fat1 may. 3ou helpen out1 of care 200*

PETWORTH 134

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

Alias seide f is frankeleyn fat* euere was I bore

ffor twey stalworf sones f I wene fat1 1 haue lore

A champion is in f e place. fat1 haf wrou^t1 me sorowe

fFor he haf sclayn my two sones. but1 ^if god hem borowe

I wil ^eue x. li. by Ihesn crist and more [leaf 65]

Wif f e nones I fonde a man wold' handel hyw sore

Good man seide Gamelyw wilt1 f ou wele don

Holde my hors f e whiles my man f drowe of my shon 208

And helpe my man to kepe/ my clones and my stede

And I wil to place gon . to loke if I may spede

By god seide f e ffrankeleyn it1 shal be don

I wil my self be fi man to drowe of fi shon 212

And wende f ou into place Ihesn crist f e spede

And drede not1 of f i clones, ne of f i good stede

Bare-foot1 and vngirt1. Gamelyn Inne came

Alle fat1 were in fe place . hede of him name 216

Howe he durst1 auenture him to don his my^t1

fat1 was so doghty a champi5n in wrasteling1 and in fi^t

Vp sterf Jje Champion rapely anon

And toward yong1 Gamelyn byganne to gon 220

And seide who is J>i fadere and who is J?i sire

ffor sothe fou art1 a -grete fool fat1 thou come hire

Gamelyn answerd? J?e Champion fo

Thowe knewe wel my fadere while he my^t goo 224

J?e whiles he was alyue by seyiit1 Martyn

Sir1 lohn of Boundes was his name and I am Gamelyn

^[ ffelawe seide fe Champion so mote I f rive

I knewe wel fi fadere j?e whiles he was alyue 228

And f i silf Gamelyn I wil fat1 f ou it here

While f ou were a ^ong1 boy. a moch shrewe f ou were

Than seide Gamelyn and swore by cmtes ore

Now I am older wexe fou shalt1 finde me a more 232

By god seide f e Champion welcome mote fou be

Come f ow onys in my honde . fou shalt1 neuere the

It was wel wif-in fe ny^t1 and f e mone shone

Whan Gamelyn and fe Champion to-gider1 gon gone 236

PETWORTH 135

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

The Champion cast1 turnes to Gamelyn fat was presf

And Gamelyn stode and bad hym done his best1

Than seide Gamelyn to f e Champiozm

J3owe art1 fast1 aboute to bringe me adown 240

Now I liaue proued mony t?^rnes of- fine Deaf es, back]

Thow most1 he seide oon or ij. of myne

Gamelyn to f e Champion ^ede smertely anon

Of alle f e turnes fat1 he coupe he shewed hym but on

And cast1 him on f e lift1 side. fat ]>re ribbes to-brake 245

And f erto his owne arme fat1 ^af a grete crake

Than seide Gamelyn smertly anon

Shal if bihold* for a cast1 or ellis for non 248

By god seide f e Champion whedere it1 bee

He fat1 coramef ones in f i honde shal he neuere the

IT Than seide f e frankeley fat had f e sones fere

Blessed be fou Gamelyn fat1 euere fou bore were 252

The ffrankleyn seide to f e Champion on hym stode liym

This is 3onge Gamelyn J>af taujt/ J?e fis pleye [n°n eJe

A^ein answerd2 fe Chamjjion). fat1 likef no f ing1 wel

He is alfer maister and his pley is ri^t1 felt 256

Sif en y wrasteled first1 it1 is goon ^ore

But1 1 was neuer1 in my lif handeled so sore

Gamelyn stode in fe place anon wif-out1 serk1

And seide ^if fer be moo laf hem come to werk1 260

The Champion fat1 pyned hym to worch sore

It1 semef by his countenemnce fat1 he wil no more

Gamelyin in f e place stood stille as stone

fibr to abide wrastelinge but1 f er come none 264

J)er was noon wif gamelyn fat wold wrastel more

ffor he handeled the Champion so wonderly sore

Two gentile men fat 3emed f e place

Come to Gamelyin god 3eue hyra good grace 268

And seide to hym do on • f i hosen and f i shoone

ffor sof at1 f is tyme f is fare is done

And fan seide Gamelyn so mot1 1 wel fare

1 haue not1 $ete haluendele sold my ware 272

PETWOETH 136

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

f oo seide f e Champion f so broke I my swere

He is a fool faf ferof bief f ou sellef it1 so dere

Tho saide f e ffrankeleyn fat1 was in mocli care

ffelawe he saide whi lackesf fou fis ware 276

By sante lame of Gales faf mony man haf sou^t [leaf 66]

3if is it* to good chepe fat1 f ow hast1 bou}f

Thoo f af wardeynes were of fat1 wrasteling1

Come and brou^f Gamelyn fe Ramwe and fe rynge 280

[

no gap in the MS.]

And Gamelyn bif ou$f him it was a faire f inge

And went* wif moche loye home in fe mornynge 284

1T His broker see wher he came f wi)> ]?e grete route

And bad shitfr pe gate and hold* hyra wij) oute

The Porter of his lord' was soor a gaast*

And stert1 anoon to ])e gate and lokked if fast1 288

IT Now lithenes and listnejj bo|) ^onge and olde

And ^e shul here gamen of Gamelyn J>e bolde

Gamelyn come to ]>e gate for to haue come Inne

And if was shetf fasf wi]> a strong1 pyrme 292

Jpan seide Gamelyn Porter vndo |?e 3ate

ifor good mewnys sones stonden ]?er-ate

J>an answer(J |je porter and swore by goddys berde

))ow ne shalf Gamelyn come into J)is ^erde 296

Thow lixf seide Gamelyn/ so broke I my chyne

He smote J?e wiketf wi)> his foote and breke awaie ]?e pywne

The Porter seie J>oo/ it my^t no better be

He sette foote on ertfr and bygan to flee 300

By my feye seide Gamelyn j?af travaile is ylore

ffor I am of fote as lighf as Jwu . if J>ou haddesf it swore

Gamelyn ouertoke ])e porter1, and his tene wrake

And girf him in J?e nek1 fat1 f e boon to-brake 304

And toke hym by faf oon arme/ and threwe hy?rc in a welle

vijc. fadme if was depe/ as I haue herd' telle

1F Whan Gamelyn J?e yonge fus had plaied his playe

Alle faf in fe yerde were . drowen hem awaye 308

10 PETWORTH 137

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

J)ei dredden him ful sore for werk fat1 he wroi^fr And for f e faire company fat* he f ider bro^tf Gamelyn ^ede to f e gate/ and lete it1 vp wide He lete Inne aft. fat1 gon wold* or ride 312

And seide 36 be welcome wif out1 eny greue ffor we wil be maisters here and axe no man leue 3usterday I left1/ seide ^onge Gamelyn Qeaf66,bacio

In my brofers seler1/ v. tonne of wyn 316

I wil not1 f is company pa?*tyn a-twynne And ^e wil done after me/ while sope is f er-Inne And if my brof er gruche or make foule chere Eif er for spence of mete and drink1/ fat we spende here I am oure Catozw* and here our alfer purs 321

He shal haue for his grucching1 seint1 Maries curs . My brof er is a Nigon f I swere be cn'stes oore And we wil spende largely/ fat1 he haf spared yore 324 And who fat1 make grucchinge fat1 we here dwelle He shal to f e porter in to f e drowe-welle .Vij. dayes and vij. ny^tes Gamelyn helde his feestf Wif moche solace/ was fer noon cheestt 328

In a litel torret1 his brof er lay steke And see hem waast1 his good and dorst1 no word? speke Erly on a mornynge on f e viij. day

The Gestes come to Gamelyn and wolde gon her way 332 Lordes seide Gamelyn wil 36 so hie Al f e wyne is not1 ^it1 dronko ' so brouke I myn ye Gamelyn in his hert1/ was ful woo

Whan his gestes toke her leue. fro hym forto go 33(5

He wolde f ei had dwelled lenger. and f ei seide nay But1 bytaught1 Gamelyn. god and good day Thus made Gamelyn his feest1. and bro^t1 wel to ende And aftere his gestes. toke leue to wende 340

IT Lythen and listen and holde ^our* tunge And 36 shal here Game of Gamelyn f e ^onge Harkeneth lordingges and listenef ari^t Whan alle gestis were goon how gamelyn was di^t*

PETWOKTH 138

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PctWOltll MS.

Alle pe while pat1 Gamelyn heeld his Mangerye

His bropere poi^t1 on hym be wroke/ witJi his trecherye

Whan Gamylyns gestes were riden and gon

Gamelyn stood anon allone/ frend had he non 348

Tho aftere felle sone/ wM-in a litel stounde

Gamelyn was taken/ and ful frard« ybounde

fforp Come pe fals knynghff out1 of pe Solere [leaf 67]

To Gamelyn his broker/ he $ede ful nere 352

And saide to Gamelyn/ who made pe so bold?

For to stroien pe stoor of myn household'

Broker seide Gamelyn wrep pe ri^t1 nought1

ffor it1 is many day gon si)? it1 was bou^f 356

ffor broker pou hast1 had by seinf Eichere

Of xv. plowes of londe. pis xvj. 3ere

And of alle pe beestes pou hast1 for}) bredde

That1 my fader me byquatH on his dejjes bedde 360

Of al pis xvj. ^ere I 3eue Jje J?e pro we

ffor J>e mete and ]?e drink pat1 we han spended nowe

Than seide j>e fals kny^fr. euel mote he pee

Herken bropere Gamelyn what1 1 wil ^eue pe 364

ffor of my body broper '. here geten haue I none

I wil make pe myn heire I s ere by seint1 lohn

Parfay seide Gamelyn ' and if it1 so be

And pou thenk1 as pou seist1 f god ^eeld? it1 pe 368

No pinge wist1 Gamelyn of his broper gile

Therfore he hym bygiled in a litel while

Gamelyn seide. oon ping1 1 pe telle

poo pou prewe my porter in pe drowe-welle 372

I swore in pat1 wrepe and in pat1 grete moote

pat1 pou shuldest1 be bounde bope honde and fote

[

no gap in the MS.] 376

This most1 be fulfilled f my men to dote

ffor to holden myn avowe as I pe bihote

IT Broper seide Gamelyn as mote I pee

J?ou shalf not1 be forswore for pe loue of me 380

PETWOKTH 139

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

Tho maden }>ei Gamelyn to sitte and not1 stonde

To ]>ei had hym bounde boj? fote and honde

J>e fals knyght1 his broker', of Gamelyn was a-gast1

And sent1 efter fetters to fetter* hym fast1 384

His broker made lesingges on him \er he stode

And tolde hem pat1 cowmen Inne ]>ai Gamelyn was wode

Gamelyn stode to a post1, bounden in J>e haft

J)oo J>att commen Inne. loked on hym aft 388

Euer stode Gamelyn euen vp-ri^f [leaf 67, back]

But1 mete and drink had ne noun. neij>er day ne ny^t1

Than seide Gamelyn/ brother be myn hals

Nowe haue I aspied J>ou art1 a party fals 392

Had I wist1 J>e Treson Jjat1 hast1 yfounde

I wold haue ^eue strokes or I had be bounde

Gamelyn stode bounde stille as eny stone

Tho daies and two ny^tes mete had he none 396

Than seide Gamelyn i fat1 stood ybound? stronge

Adam Spencer* me ]>enkej> I fast1 to longe

Adam Spencere now I biseche }>e

ffor ]je moche loue my fadere loued J>e 400

If J?ou may come to J?e keys/ lese me out1 of bonde

And I wil part* wij> J?e of my free londe

Than seide Adam J>af was J?e spencere

I haue serued j?i broker ]?is xvj 3ere 4=04

3if I lete J?e gone out1 of his boure

He wold saye afterwardes I were a tratowr

Adam seide Gamelyn so brouke I myn hals

Thow shalt1 finde J>i broker at1 J>e last1 fals 408

Therfore broker Adam lose me out1 of bofides

And I will parte wi]j )je of my free londes

Vp such forward1 seide Adam ywis

I wil do jjerto al Jjat1 in me is 412

Adam seide Gamelyn as mote I ]>e

I wil holde }?e Conawnte and ])ou wil me [fre]

Anoon as Adams lord? to bed was gon

Adam toke J?e l<ayes and lete Gamelyn ouf anon 416

PETWOKTH 140

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PctWOlth MS.

He vnlocked Gamelyn bof liondes and fete

In hope of auazmcemenf fat1 he hyra byhete

Than seide Gamelyn f onked be goddis sonde

No we I am lose bof fote and honde 420

Had I nowe eten and dronken ari^t1

£er is noon in ]jis hous shuld! bynde me f is ny^t1

Adam toke Gamelyn as stille as eny stone

And ladde him into f e spence raply anone 424

And sette him to sopere ri}^ in a pn'vey styde [leaf 68]

He bad hym do gladly and so he dide

Anoon as Gamelyn had eten wel and fyne

And f erto y-dronken wel of f e rede wyne 428

Adam seide Gamelyn what* is nowe f i rede

Or I go to my broker and Gerd of his his hede

Gamelyn seide Adam it1 shal not1 be so

I can teche f e a rede fat1 is worf f e twoo/ 432

I wote wel forsof fat1 f is is no nay/

We shul haue a Mangerye ri^t1 on sonday

Abbotes and Priours mony here shul be

And of er men of holy chirch. as I telle f e 436

J3ou shal stonde vp by f e post1 as f ou were bownde fast1

And I shal leue hem vnloke fat1 away f mi may hem cast1

Whan f at* f ei han eten and wasshen her handes

f ow shalfr biseche hem alle to bringe f e out1 of bondes 440

And if f ei willen borowe f e fat1 were good game

fan were f ou out1 of prison and [I] out1 of blame

And if ecche of hem saye to vs nay

I shal do anof er I swere by fis day 444

j)ow shalf haue a good staf and I wil haue anof ere

And cristes curs haf fat1 on fat1 faillef fat of ere

3e for god seide Gamelyn I say it1 for me

If I faille on my side evel mot1 1 fee 448

If we shul algate assoille hem of her synne

Warne me brother/ Adam whan we shul bygynne

Gamelyn seid Adam by seint1 charite

I wil warne fe biforn whan it1 shal be 452

PETWORTH 141

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

Whan I winke on J?e. loke forto gone

And caste away ]>i fetters and come to me anofi

Adam seide Gamelyn blessed be J>i bonys

J3afr is a good counseile ^euen for ]?e nonys 456

3if )>ei warne me J>e to bring1 out1 of bondes

I wil sette good strokes ri^t1 on here lendes

Whan J>e Sonday was commen and folk to Jje feest

ffaire ]?ei were welcomed, boj? leest1 and mestt 460

And euer as J?ei at1 J>e haldore come Inne [leaf es, back]

They casten her yen/ on ^onge Gamelyn

The fals kny^tt his broker ful of trecherye

Al ]?e gettes Jjat1 J>er were at1 Jje mangerye 464

Of Gamelyn his broker he tolde hem wij? mouj>e

Al J>e harme and j?e shame J>atf he telle coufe

Whan Jjei were yserued of messes ij. or thre

j)an seide Gamelyn howe serue ^e me 468

It1 is not1 wel serued by god J>af aft made

j^att I sitte fastinge and oj?er men make glade

The fals kny^f his broker ])er as he stode

Told to aft j>e gestes J?af Gamelyn was wode 472

And Gamelyn stode stille and answerd!

But1 Adames wordes he helde in his

Thoo Gamelyn gan speke doolfully wijj-aft

To ]?e grete lordes J?atH seten in J)e haft 476

1F Lordes he seide for cristes passion

Helpe to bringe Gamelyn out* of pn'son

))an seide an Abbot1 sorowe on his cheke

He shal haue cristes curs and seint* Maries eke 480

That1 f>e out1 of prison beggej? or borowe

And euer worj? him wel J>af do}) J?e moche sorowe

After J?af Abbot1 ]?an speke uno]) ere

I wold? ])ine hede were of Jjougti Jjou were my bropere 484

Aft jjat1 fe borowe foule mot1 hem falle

Thus J?ei seiden alle jjat1 were in J?e halle

IT Than seide a Priour/ euel mote he-preue

It1 is grete sorowe and care boy ]>ai )?ou art alyue 488

PETWORTH 142

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELY N. PetWOrth MS.

Ow seide Gamelyii so brouke I my bone

Now haue I spied Jmt1 frendes haue I noa

Cursed mote lie worj) . boj) flessh and blood?

J^at1 euer do]) Priour or Abbot1 eny good? 492

Adam J?e Spencere toke vp J?e cloth

And loked on Gamelyn and segn fat1 he was wrofe

Adam on the Pantry litel he £0113^

And two good staues to j?e halle door he brou^t1 496

Adam loked on Gamelyn and he was warre anon [leaf 69]

And cast1 away ])e fetters and bygan to gofi

Whan he come to Adam he toke fat1 on staf

And bygan to worcB. and good strokes $af 500

Gamelyn come into fe halle and j>e Spencer1 bofe

And loked hem aboute as fei hadden be wrofe

Gamelyn spreynef holy watere wif an oken spire

That1 some fat1 stode vprist1 felle in fe fire 504

fer was no lewe man fat1 in f e halle stode

fat1 wolde do Gamelyn eny Jring1 but1 good?

But1 stoden bisides and lete hem bo]> wircll

ffor fei had no rew]?e of men of holy chircli 508

Abbot1 or Priour monk or chanown

That1 Gamelyn ouertoke. anon ]>ei ^eden down

Ther was noon of alle j?af vfith his staf mette

J^at1 he ne made hem ouer-jjrowe to quyte hem his dette

Gamelyn seide Adam for seint1 charite 513

Pay good lyuere for J?e loue of me

And I wil kepe jje door so euere here I masse

Er Jjei bene assoilled J?er shal non passe 516

Doute ]?e not1 seide Gamelyn whil we ben in fere

Kepe fowe wel jje door and I wil wirche here

Bystere ]>e good adam and lete non fle

And we shul telle largely how mony J>at J>er be 520

Gamelyn seide Adam do hem but1 goode

)5ei bene men of holy church drowe of hem no blode

Saue wel jje crovvnes. and do hem no harmes

But1 breke bo}) her logges/ and si)>en her armes 524

PETWORTH 143

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PctWOlth MS.

Thus Gamelyn and Adam wro^t1 ry^t1 fast1

And pleide wij) J?e monkes and made hem agast1

Jpidere J?ei come ridinge loly wij) swaynes

And home a^ein jjei were ladde in cartes and waynes 528

Tho J?ei hadden al ydo. Jjan seide a grey frere

Alias Sir* abbot1 what* did we nowe here

Whan jjat1 we cowmen hidere it* was a cold? rede

Ys had be bet* haue be at1 home . with water and brede 532

"While Gamelyn made orders of monke and frere [leaf 09, back]

Euere stood his broker and made foule chere

Gamelyn vp wi)> his staf jjaf he wel knewe

And girt* hym in J?e nek j?af he ouer thrwe 536

A litel aboue J>e Girdel )>e Kigge-boon he brast

And sette him in J>e fetters J?er he saf arst*

Sitte J?er broker seide Gamelyn

fforto colen ])i body/ as I did myn 540

As swith as ]?ei had wroken hem on her foon

j)ei asked water and wasshen anon

"What1 some for her loue and some for her Awe

Att f e seru«wntes serued hem on ]?e best1 lawe 544

Jje Sherreue was ]?ennes but .v. myle

And aft was tolde him in a lytel while

Howe Gamelyn and Adam had ydo a sorye rees

Bounden and wounded men a^einst ]>e kingges pees/ 548

Tho bygan sone strif* for to wake

And J?e shereff about1 Gamelyn forto take

IF Now lijjen and listen so god ^eue 3011 good fyne

And ye shul here good game of yonge Gamelyne 552

xxiijj*1 ^onge men J?af helde hem ful bold2

Come to J)e shiref and seide J?af ]?ei wold?

Gamelyn and Adam fette by her fay

The Sheref ^aue hem leue so]? for to say 556

Thei hiden fast1 wold Jjei not1 lynne

To }?ei come to ]?e gate J?ere Gamelyn was Inne

Thei knocked on J?e gate ]?e porter was ny^e

And loked out1 att1 an hool as man ]>af was scle^e 560

PETWORTH 144

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS,

J>e Porter had bihold hem a litel while

He loued wel Gamelyn and was dradde of gyle

And lete J>e wiketfr stonde ful stille

And asked hem wij) out1 what1 was her wille 564

ffor aft J?e grete company/ speke but oon

Vndo J)e gate porter and lafr vs in gon

J)an seide Jje Porter so brouke I my chyn

3e shul saie ^oure erand er ^e eome Inne 568

Sey to Gamelyn and Adam/ if Jjeire wil be [leaf 70]

We wil speke wijj hem two wordes or ]>re

ffelawe seide ))e Porter stonde J>er stille

And I wil wende to Gamelyn to wete his wille 572

Inne went* J?e porter to Gamelyn an5n

And saide sir1 1 warne }ou here ben coramen jour1 foofi

The Shireues men bene at1 ]>e gate

fforto take ^ou bo]> 36 shul not* scape 576

Porter seide Gamelyn so mote I J?e

I wil alowe ]>i wordes whan I my tyrne se

Go ageyn to J?e gate and dwelle wijj hew a while

And J)ou shalt1 se ri^f sone porter a gile 580

Adam seide gamelyn hast1 J>e to gon

We han foo-men mony and frendes neuere on

If bene J?e shireues men J?af hider bene commen

j>ei ben swore to-gidere j>at" we shal be nomew 584

Gamelyn seide Adam hye )>e ri^f blyve

And if I faile }>e fis day euel mof I )?rive

And we shul so welcome ]>e shyreues men

J?atf some of hem shal make her beddes in J?e fenne 588

At1 a postern gate Gamelyn out* went1

And a good Cartstaf in his hondes hent1

Adam hent1 sone anojjer grete staff

ffor to helpen Gamelyne and good strokes }af 592

Adam felled tweyn and Gamelyn J>re

J>e o]?er sette fete on erjje and bygan to flee

What* seide Adam so euere here I masse

I haue ri^fr good wyne drynk er 30 passe 593

PETWORTH 145

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PctWOlth MS.

Nay by god seide ]>ei Jri drink is not1 goode

It wolde make a mannys brayn to lyen on his hode

Gamelyn stode stille and loked hym aboute

And seide J>e Shyref cowmej? wij? a grete route 600

Adam seide Gamelyn what1 bene nowe Jji redes

Here coramej) J?e sheref and wil haue our hedes

Adam seide to Gamelyn my rede is now Jns

Abide we no lenger lest we fare amys 604

I rede we to wode gon/ er we be fotmde [leaf 70, backj

Better is J?er louse ]jan in ]?e toune botmde

Adam toke by J?e honde yonge Gamelyn)

And euery of hem dronke a drau^f of wyn 608

And after token he cours and wenten her way

T[h]o fonde J>e Shyrreue nyst1 but1 non aye

IT The Shirreue li^t/ doune and went1 into halle

And fonde J?e lord fetred fast1 wij> alle 612

The Schirreue vnfetred hym ri^t1 sone anon

And sent1 aftere a leche to hele his rigge-bon

Lat1 we nowe ]>e fals kny^t1 lye in his care

And talke we of Gamelyn . and of his fare 616

Gamelyn into J?e wode stalked stille

And Adam Spensere liked ri^t1 ille

Adam swore to Gamelyn by seint1 Eichere

Nowe I see it1 is mery to be a spencere C20

3 it1 leuer me were kayes to bere

)}an walken in pis wilde wode my clo]>es to tere

Adam seide Gamelyn dismay j?e ri^t1 nou^tf

Mony good maraiys child? in care is broi^t1 624

As ]>ei stode talkinge bojjen in fere

Adam herd' talking1 of men. and ri^f nygh hem J>ei were

Tho Gamelyn vnder wode loked ari^t4

vijxx. of ^onge men he seye wel ydi}^ 628

Alle satte at1 Jje mete compas about1

Adam seide Gamelyn now haue I no doufr

Aftere bale commej? bote J?orgh goddis my^t*

Me Junk1 of mete and drynk1 1 haue a si^ 632

PETWORTH 146

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

Adam loked f oo vnder wode

And whan he segh mete was glad ynogh

fFor he hoped to god to haue his dele

And he was sore alonged after a niele 636

As he seide fat worde f e mayster outlawe

Saugh Adam and gamelyn vnder f e wode shawe

3onge men seide f e maistere by f e good rode

I am ware of gestes . god sende vs goode 640

3one ben twoo 3onge men wel ydight1 [leaf 711

And paraventure f er ben mo who so loked ri^t

A-risef vp ^onge men and fette hem to me

It is good fat1 we weten what1 men f ei be 644

Vp fer sterten .vij. from f e dynere

And metten wif Gamelyn and Adam Spencer*

Whan f ei were nyghe hem fan seide fat oon

^eeldef vp ^onge men ^our bowes and ^our* noon 648

jpan seide Gamelyn fat1 3ong1 was/ of// elde

Moche sorowe mote fei haue fat1 to ^ou hew ^elde

I Curs noon of ere but1 right1 my silue

foo ^e fette to }ou .v. fan be ^e twelue 652

Whan f ei hard? by his word? fat1 my^t1 was in his arme

Ther was noon of hem fat1 wold' do hym harme

But seide to Gamelyn myldely and stille

Comef a-fore our Maister and seif to hy?7& 30^7- wille 656

^orige men seide Gamelyn be $our lewte

What1 man is 3our) maister fat1 36 wif be

Alle f ei answerd? wif out1 lesing*

Our maister is crowned of outlawe king* 660

Adam seide Gamelyn go we in cn'stes name

He may neif er mete ne drink warne vs for shame

If J?af he be hende and come of gentil blood?

He wil 3eue vs mete and drink and do us som gode 664

By seint1 lame seide Adam what1 harme fat1 1 gete

I wil auenture me fat1 I had mete

Gamelyn and. Adam went1 forth in fere

And f ei grette ]?e Maistei0 fat1 f ei fond? fere 668

PETWORTH 147

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PctWOlth MS.

Than seide J>e Maister king* of outlawed

"What1 seche $e 3onge men vnder J?e wode shawes

Gamelyn answerd? Jje king1 with his croun

He most1 nedes walk1 in feelcfe fat1 may not* in town 672

Sire we walk not1 here no harme to doo

But1 ^if we mete a dere to shete J>erto

As men fat1 bene hungry and mow no mete fynde

And ben hard? bystad? vnder wode lynde 676

Of Gamelyns wordes / fe maister had reufe [leaf 71, back]

And seide }e shul haue ynow haue god my treuth

He bad hem sitte down forto take rest1

And bad hem ete and drink1 and ]>ak of f e best1 680

As fei eten and dronken wel and fyne

fan seide on to anof er. f is is Gamelyn

f o was f e Maistere outlawe into counseile nome

And tolde ho we it1 was Gamelyn fat fider was come 681

Anon as he herd? how it1 was byfalle

He made him maister* vnder hy?^ ouer hem alle

W^t/ilnne ]?e iij. weke hym come tydinge

To ]?e Maistere outlawe jjat1 was her kinge 688

J^att he shuld come home his pees was made

And of fat1 good tydinge he was ful glade

foo seide he to his ^onge men so]? forto telle

Me bene commen tydinges f I may no lenger dwelle 692

Tho was Gamelyn anoon wijj out1 taryinge

Made maister1 outlawe and crowned her kinge

Whan Gamelyn was crowned king1 of outlawes

And walked had a while vnder J?e wode shawes/ 696

fe fals kny^t1 bis broker was sherif and sire

And lete his brofere endite for hate and for ire

foo were his boond-men sory (. and no fing1 glade

Whan Gamelyn her lord / wolfes hede was cn'ed and made

And sent1 out* of his men wher fei n^t1 hym fynde

ffor to go seke Gamelyn vnder J>e wode lynde

To telle hym tyding1 J?e wynde was wente

And al his good reued and al his men shentf 704

PETWORTH 148

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

Whan f ei had hyra founden on knees f ei he?7i setten

And adoune with her nodes and her lord gretten

Sir1 wreth 3011 not1 for f e good rode

ffor we han brou^t1 ^ou tydyngges but1 f ei be not1 gode 708

Nowe is f i broker Sherreue and ha)> f e bayly

And haf endited f e / and wolfes hede do]) ])e crye

Alias seide Ganielyn fat1 euere I was so sclak

fat1 I ne had broke his nek whan I his rigge brat 712

Go]) gretef wel myn husbondes and wif [leaf 72]

I wil be at1 f e next1 shyre haue god my lif

Gamelyn come redy to f e next1 shire

And fer was his brofer bof lord and sire 716

Gamelyn boldely come into f e mote halle

And putt1 a doun his hode / amonge j)o lordes alle

God saue 3ou lordinggs fat1 here be

But1 broke-bak sherreue euel mote fou fee 720

Whi hast f ou don me fat1 shame and vilonye

fforto lat1 endite me /and wolfeshede do me crye

foo f o^t1 f e fals kny^t1 forto bene awreke

And lette Gamelyn most1 he no fing1 speke 724

Might1 f er be no grace, but1 Gamelyn atte last1

Was cast/ in pmon and fettred fast1

1F Gamelyn haf a brojjere fat1 hi^t1 sir Ote

Als good an knyght1 and hende as my^t gon on fote 728

Anoon ^ede a massaged to fat1 good kny^tt

And tolde him al to-gidere how gamelyn was

Anoon whan sir1 ote herd howe Gamelyn was

He was 113 11 sory and no fing1 Ii3t* 732

And lete sadel a stede and f e way namme

And to his tweyne bref eren ri3t sone he camme

Sir1 seide Sir* Ote to f e sherreue foo

We bene but1 fre bref eren shul we neuere be mo 736

And f on hast1 pn'soned f e best of vs alle

Sucn anof ere brof er euel mote hyra byfalle

Sir1 Ote seide f e false knyght1 lat1 be f i cors

By god for fi wordes he shal fare f e wors 740

PETWORTH 149

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOlth MS.

To pe kingges prison he is ynome

And per he shal abide to pe lustise come

Parde Seide Sir> Ote better it1 shal be

I bid hym to maynprise pat pou grawnte me 744

To pe next1 sitting1 of delyueraunce

And lat1 pan Gamelyn stonde to his chaunce

Bropere in such a forward? I take hym to pe

And by pe fader soule pat1 pe bigate and me 748

But1 he be redy whan pe Justice sitte [leaf 72, back]

pou shalt1 bere pe luggement1 for al pi grete witte

I graunte wel seide Sir* Ote pat1 it1 so be

Lat1 delyuere hym anoon and take hym to me 752

Tho was gamelyn delyuered to Sir* ote his broper*

And pat1 nyght1 dwelled pe oon wip pe oper1

On the morowe seide Gamelyn to Sir* Ote pe hende

Broper he seide I mote forsop from 30" wende 756

To loke howe my ^onge men leden her liff

Whedere pei lyuen in loie or ellis in striff

By god seide Sir1 ote pat1 is a colde rede

Nowe I se pat1 alle pe Carke shal fal on my hede 760

ffor whan pe lustise sitte and pou be not1 y found?

I shal anoon be take and in pi stede I-bound?

Broper seide Gamelyn dismay 3ou nou^t1

ffor by seint lame in Gales pat1 mony men hap sou^t1 764

3if that god almy^ty holde my lif and witte

I wil be redy whan pe Justice sitte

Than seide sire Ote to gamelyn god shilde y from shame

Come whan pou seest1 tyme and bring1 vs out1 of blame 768

1T Lipenep and listenep and holde 3011 stille

And $e shul here howe Gamelyn had al his wille

Gamelyn went1 vnder pe wode Eis

And fonde per pleying1 $eng1 men of pm 772

po was 3ong1 gamelyn ri^t1 glad ynou^e

Whan he fonde his men vnder wode bouje

Gamelyn and his men talkeden in fere

And pei had good game her maister to here 776

PETWORTH 160

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

His men tolde him of auentwes fat f ei had found'

And Gamelyn tolde hem a^ein howe he was fast bounds

While Gamelyn was outlawe had he no cors

f er was no man fat1 for him ferde f e wors 780

But Abbottes and Pn'ours monk and chanone

On hem left1 he no 113 11 whan he wjjti hem nome

While Gamelyn and his men made merf es ryve

f e fals knyght1 his brof er euel mot1 he thryve 784

ffor he was fast1 about1 bof day and ofer* [leaf 73]

ffor to hiren f e quest1 to hongen his brof er

Gamelyn stode on a day and byheeld?

})Q wodes and f e Shawes and f e wild? feelde 788

He f ou^t1 on his brof ere how he hym byhette

Jjat1 he wold' be redy whan f e Justice sette

He f ou^t1 wel he wold? wif-out1 delay

Come to-fore fe Justice to kepen his day 792

And saide to his ^onge men dightef ^ou ^are

ffor whan f e Justice sitte we most1 be fare

ffor I am vnder borowe til j?af I come

And my broker for me to pn'son shal be nome 796

Be seint1 lame seide his ^onge men and J?ou rede ]>erto

Ordeyn how it1 shal be and it1 shal be do

While Gamelyn was co?ranyng1 jjer j?e Justice satte

]je fals kny^f his broker for3ate he not1 fat1 800

To hire J?e men of fe quest1 to hangen his broker

fou^e J?ei had not1 fat1 oon fei wold' haue fat1 of er

Tho come Gamelyn from vnder f e wode Eis

And brou^t1 vfitJi hym 3onge men of pris 804

I see wel seide Gamelyn f e Justise is sette

Go a-forn adam and loke how it1 spette

Adam went into f e halle and loked al aboute

He segh f er stonde lordes grete and stoute 808

And Sire Ote his brof er fetred ful fast1

)5oo went1 Adam out1 of halle as he were a-gasfr

Adam seide to Gamelyn and to his felawes alt

Ote stout1 fetered in fe mote haft 812

PETWORTH 151

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth. MS.

. ........ no gap in the

If gode ^eue vs grace wel forto doo

He shal it1 abigge fat1 if brou^tt Jjerto / 816

J)an seide Adam Jjat1 lockes had here

Cristes curs mote he haue \a\> hym bonde so sore

And ]?ou wilt1 Gamelyn do after my rede

J)er is noon in J>e halle shal bere away his hede 820

Adam seide Gamelyn we wil not do soo

We wil slee J?e giltif and lat1 J?e ojjere goo/

I wil into ]?e halle and with J?e Justice speke [leaf 73, back]

Of hem Jjat1 bene giltif I wil ben awreke 824

Late no skape at1 j?e door take ^onge men ^eme

ffor I wil be lustise jjis day domes to deme

God spede me ])is day at1 my newe werk1

Adam come with me for Jwu shalt1 be my clerk 828

His men answerde hym. and bad done his best1

And if ]?ou to vs haue nede Jwu shalf finde vs presf

We wil stonde wij> )?e while jjat1 we may dure

And but1 we worchen manly pay vs none hure 832

3onge men said Gamelyn so mote I wel J?e

A trusty maister $e shul fynde me

Kistt fere }>e lustise satte in J?e halle

Inne went1 Gamelyn ainonges hem alle 836

Gamelyn lete vnfetter his broker out1 of bende

J?an seide Sir Ote his broker ]>at was hende

jjow haddest1 almost1 Gamelyn dwelled to longe

ffor j)e quest1 is out1 on me Jjat1 1 shuld! honge 840'

Broker seide Gamelyn so god ^eue me good rest1

jjis day shul J>ei be honged / Jjat1 ben on j)e quest1

And ]>e lustise boj? fat1 is ]>e luge man .

And jje Sherreue also. Jjorgh hym it bigan 844

Than seide Gamelyn to ]je Justice

]S"ow is Jn power done. ])e most1 nedes rise

J)ow hast1 3euen domes Jjat1 bene euel di^t1

I wil sitten in J?i sete and dressen/ hem ari}^ 848

PETWORTH 162

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

The lustise satte stille and roos not1 anone

And Gamelyn cleued his cheke bone

Gamelyn toke him in his armes and no more spake

But1 threwe hym ouer fe barre and his arme brake 852

Dorst1 noon to Gamelyn seie but1 good*

ffbr feerd of f e company fat wetft-out1 stoode

Gamelyn sette hym doun in f e lustise sete

And Sire Ote his brof ere by hym. and Adam at1 his fete

Whan -gamelyn was sette in f e lustise sede

Herken of a bourde fat1 Gamelyn dede

He lete fetter f e lustise and his fals brof ere [leaf 74]

And did hem come to f e barre fat1 on with fat1 ofere 860

Whan gamelyn had f us ydone had he no rest1

Til he had enquered who was on his quest1

fforto demen his brof er sire Ote forto honge

Er he wist1 what1 fei were hym f ou^t1 ful longe 864

But1 as sone as Gamelyn wist1 where fei were

He did hem euerechone fetter in fere

And bringgen hem to f e barre & setten in rewe

By my feij> seide f e lustise fe sherrue is a shrewe 868

fan seide Gamelyn to f e lustise

f ou hast1 $oue domes of f e worst assise

And fe xij. Sesoures fat1 weren on f e quest1

fei shul be honged fis day so haue I good rest* 872

Than seide f e sheref to ^onge Gamelyn

Lord I crie f e mercie brof er art1 f ou myn

f erfor seide Gamelyn haue f ou cmtes curs

ifor and fow were maister. I shuld? haue wors 876

fforto make short1 tale and not1 to longe

He ordeyned hym a quest1 of his men stronge

fte lustise and f e Sirreue bof honged hie

To weyuen wif f e ropes and fe winde drye 880

And f e xij. Sisours sorowe haue fat1 rekke

Alt fei were honged fast1 by f e nekke

f us endef f e fals kny^t1 wif his trecherye

fat1 euere had lad his lif in falsnesse and folye 884

11 PETWORTH 153

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. PetWOrth MS.

He was honged by J?e nek and not1 by f e purs

fat1 was fe mede fat1 lie had for his faders curs

Sire Otes was eldest and Gamelyn was 3enge

Wenten to her frendes / and passed to f e kinge 888

J?ei maden pees wif f e king1 of f e best1 sise

J)e king1 loued wel sir Ote & made hyw iustise

And after f e king1 made Gamelyn in est and in west

|3e cheef Justice of his free forest1 892

Aft liis wi^f ^onge men f e king1 forgaf her gilt1

And sif en in good office f e king1 haf hem pilt1

Thus wawne Gamelyn his land and his lede

And wreke him on his enemyes . and quytte hem her mede

And Sire Ote his broker made him his heire

And Sijjen wedded gamelyn a wif good and faire

They lyued to-gidere |?e while fat1 crisft wold'

And si]?en was Gamelyn grauen vnder mold' 900

And so shul we all f may J)er no man fle

God bring1 vs to fat1 loye fat1 euer shal be

here endef fe tale of j>e Coke.)

[The Prologue and Tale of the Shipman follow, without any break in the MS.]

PETWORTH 154.

SPURIOUS END-LINK OF COOK'S TALE. PetWOrth MS. 155

11 And [on leafU, bocl]

Thus gyrmej) J?e prologe of Jje sMpman

Nowe frendes seide our boost1 so dere T The Prologe.

How likef }ou by lohn )>e pa?*donere iFor be haj> vnbokeled wel J>e male

He baj) vs tolde ri^t1 a thrifty tale 4

As touching1 of mysgouernawnce I prey to god 3eue hyra good chaunche As 30 ban herd of Jnse retoures ]jre

Now gentil Marynere hertely I preye j?e 8

Telle vs a good tale and J)atf ri^t anon It1 shal be done by god & by seinf lohn Seide Jns marinere as wel as euer I can And ri^t anoon his tale he bygan . 12

IT Thus endej> ]>e prologe of J?e shipman.

[No gap in the MS.~\

12 PETWORTH 166

GEOUP B, O- FEAGMENT III.)

§ 4. THE SHIPMAN'S TALE.

And here bygynnej? ]>e shipman tale

AMarchaunt1 whilom dwelled in seynt1 denys ])ati riche was for which men held hym wys A wif he had of excellent1 bewte And companable and reuerent1 was she Which is a Jnng1 j?att cause]? more dispence jpan worjj is al J?e chere and reuerence 1196

J^at1 men hem done at1 feestes and at* daunces such salutacions and countenances Passe j? as dojj pe shadowe vpon a wall But1 woo is hym pat payen mote for aH 1200

The Sely husbond* algate he mot1 paye He mote vs elope and vs aray

ffor his owne worship richely Peaf ?&]

In which aray we dauncen lolily 1204

And if Jmtt he may not1 perauenture Or ellis list noon such spence endure But1 j^enkej) jjat1 it1 is waast1 and ylosf ])an mote anoj?er paien for J?e cost1 1208

Or lene vs gold and J?afr is perilous This noble marchaunt1 helde a noble hous ffor which he had alday grete repayre ffor his largesse and for his wif was faire 1212

^at1 wonder is but1 herkenej? to my tale Amonge aH his gestis . grete and smale Ther was a monk a faire man and a bold? I trowe xxx". wynter he was olde 1216

That1 euer in oon was drowing1 to pat1 place £is yonge monk fat1 was so faire of face

PET WORTH 166 (6-T. 168)

SIX-TEXT 169

GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS. 157

Aqueynted was so wif fat1 good man

[ 1220

no gap in the

And eke fis monke of1 which I byganne 1224

Were bof twoo yborn in oo vilage

fe monke hym cleymed as for cosynage

And he a^ein seif not1 ones nay

But1 was as glad ferof as foule of day 1228

ffor to his hert1 it1 was a grete plesance

Thus bene fei knyut1 wif eterne aliance

And eche of hem gan of er ensure

Of bref erode fe whiles her lif1 may dure 1232

ffree was dan lohn and namely of dispence

As in fat1 hous and ful of diligence

To do plesaunce and also grete costage

He formate nof to $eue fe lest1 page 1236

In alle fat1 hous but1 after her degre

He }aue f e lord! and sif en his Mayne

Whan fat1 he came some maner honest f ing1

fibr which fei were as glad of his commyng1 1240

As foule is fayne whan J?e sonne vpriseth

No more herof as nowe for ])is suffisej?

But1 so byfelle ))is marchaunt1 on a day

Shope hym to make redy his aray [icat 75, back]

Towarde J>e toune of Brugges for to fare

To byen jjer a porciown of ware

ffor which he haj? to Paris sent1 anon

A massagere and preied ha|) dan lohn 1248

fat1 he shuld come to seynt1 denys to pleyn

WiJ) hym and wijj his wif a day or tweyn

Or he to brugges went1 in al wise

This noble monk of whicli I ^ou devise 1252

Haf of his abbot1 as hym list1 licence

By cause he was a man of high prudence

PETWORTH 157 (6-T. 169)

SIX-TEXT 170

158 GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And eke an officere ouf forto ride

To seen her graunges and her beernes wide 1256

And vnto seint denys he commej) anon

Who was so welcome as my lord? dan lohn

Our dere cosyn ful of curtesie

With him brou^f he a lubbe of Maluesie 1260

And eke ano]?er ful of fyne vernage

As volatile as ay was his his vsage

And Jms I laf hem .ete. boj) drink1 and playe

This merchaunf and J)is monk a day or twaye 1264

The .iij. day J)is Marchaunte vp arise])

And on his nede sadly hym aviseth

And vp into his counter hous go]) he

To rekne wif him self as wel may be 1268

Of J?ilk ^ere hou fat1 it1 wij) hym stode

And how he despended had his good

And }if J?af he encresed were or non

His bokes and his bagges mony on 1272

He lei]) to-fore him on his countyng1 boord?

fful riche was his tresour and his hord!

ifor whiche ful fast* his counter door he shette

And eke he nold? faf no man shulcJ hym lette 1276

Of his acomptes for J>e mene tyme

And Jms he sitte til if was passed pn'me

Dan lohn was risen in J?e morowe also

And in J?e Gardyne walked to and fro 1280

And haj? his pingges seide ful curteisly [leaf 70]

This good wif come walking1 prively

Into pe Gardyne J?er he walked soft1

And hym salueth as he ha}) don ful off 1284

A mayden childe cam in her companye

Which as hure lust1 she may gouern and gye

ffor }if vndere Jje ^eerd was ]?e mayde

0 deer Cosyn myn dan lohn she seide 1288

What1 eilef 3011 so rathe to arise

Nece qwod he if au^f ynough suffise

PETWORTH 158 (6-T. 170)

SIX-TEXT 171

GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS. 159

V. houres forto slepe vpon a ny^t

But1 it1 were for an olde palled wi^t1 1292

As ben f ise wedded men fat1 lye and dare

As in a forme sitte a wery hare

Were al for-straught1 wij> houndes grete and smale

But1 dere nece whi ben ^e so pale 1296

I trowe certes fat1 oure good man

Ha]) 30 w labored si]) J)e nyght1 bygan

That1 ^ou were nede to resten hastely

And wi]) fat1 word he lough ful merely 1 300

And of his owne f ou^t1 he wex al rede

This faire wif gan to shake her hede

And seide f us / $e god wote al quod she

"Nay Cosin myne it1 stont1 not1 so wij) me 1304

ffor by fat1 god fat1 ^aue me saule and lif

In all f e rewme of fraunce is f er no wif

fat1 lasse lust1 haf to do fat1 sorie play

for I may syngen alas and wele away 1308

That1 1 was born but1 no wi^t1 quod, she

I dar not1 tellen how it1 stant1 wif me

werfore I f enk1 out1 of f is lond? to wende

Or ellis of my self to make an ende 1312

So ful I am of drede and eke of care

f is monk1 bygan vpon f is wif to stare

A saide alas nay nece god forbede

fat1 36 for eny sorowe or eny drede 1316

fforto ^oure self but1 tellef me $our greef [leaf 76, back]

Perauenture I may in ^oure meschief1

Conseile or helpe and f erfor tellef me

Alle ^our avis for it1 shal be secre 1320

ffor on my portoos I make an of e

fat1 neuere in my lif1 for leef ne lof e

Ne shal I of no counsaile ^ou by-wrey

fe same a^ein to }ou quod she I seie 1324

By god and by f is portoos I swere

f ei men me wold al into peces tere

PETWORTH 159 (6-T. 17l)

SIX-TEXT 172

160 GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

Ne shal I neuer forto goo to helle

Bywrey a word' of ping1 pat1 $e me telle 1328

No^t1 for no cosinage lie alliance

But1 verrely for loue and affiance

Thus bene pei sworn and here vpon kist1

And eche of hem told! oper what1 hem list1 1332

Cosyn quod she if I had a space

As I haue non namely in pis place

pan wold I tellen a legend? of my lif '

J>att I suffred haue sip I was a wif1 1336

With myn husbond? al pough he be your cosyn

Nay quod pis monke by god $" by seint1 Martyn)

He nys no more Cosyn vnto me

J)an is pis leef1 pat1 hongep on pe tree 1340

I clepe hym so by seint1 denys in ffraunce

To haue pe more cause of a-queyntaunce

Of ^owe pe which I haue loued specialy

A-bouen al wowmen sikerly 1344

Jjis swere I ^ou on my professiown

TelleJ) 3our greef lest1 he come adown

And haste]) ^ou and goo]) ^oure way anon

My dere loue quod she o dan John 1 348

tful leef me were J)is counsaile to hide

But out1 it1 mote / it1 may no lengere bide

My husbond is to me J)e worst1 man

fat1 euer was sij> J)is world? bygan 1352

But1 sifen I am a wif it1 sitte not1 to me [leaf 77]

To telle no wight1 of our pn'uete

Neiper in bedde ne in noon ofer place

God shildl I shuld teUe it1 for his grace 1356

A wif ne shuld not1 seye of her husbond'

But1 al honure as I can vnderstonde

Saue vnto ^ou J>us moche telle I shal

As helpe me god he nys not1 wor}) at1 al 1360

In no degre fe valewe of a flee

But1 ^it1 me greuej) most1 his nygarde

PETWORTH 160 (6-T. 172")

SIX-TEXT 173

GROUP B. §4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS. 161

And wel 30 wote fat1 wommen naturelly

desiren fingges. sex as wel as I. 1364

f ei wolden fat1 her husbond! shuld? "be

Hardy and wise . riche and f erto free

And "boxom to his wif and fressll abedde

But1 by fat1 ilk lord fat1 for vs bledde 1368

ffor his honours my self to aray

A sonday next1 1 mote pay

An C. frankes or ellis am I lorn

3 it1 were me leuere fat1 I were vnborn 1372

fan me were done a sclannder or vilanye

And if myn husbonde eke nry^t1 espie

I nere but1 lost and f erfor I ^ou prey

lene me fis somme and ellis mote I dey 1376

Danne lohn I seie lene me f ise hundred frankes

Parde I wold' not1 faile f e my f onkes

If fat1 3ou lust to do fat1 1 ^ou pray

ffor a certeyn day I wil ^ow pay 1 380

And to do ^ou what1 plesaunce and seruyse

fat1 1 may do right as $ou list1 devise

And but1 1 do god take on me vengeance

As foule as had genylon of ffraunce 1384

This gentil monke answerd? in f is manere

No we trewly myn owne lady dere

I haue quod he on ^ow so grete a rcuf e

fat1 1 ^owe swere and plijV 3ou my troufe 1388

That1 whan 3oure husbonde is to fflaundres fare [leaf 77, back]

I wil delyuere }owe out1 of f is worldes care

I wil bringen ^ou an C. frankes

And wif fat1 he kaught1 hure by fe shankes 1392

And hire enbrased harde and kissed oft1

Gof now ^oure way quod he al stille and soft1

And lat1 vs dyne as sone as euere 36 may

ffor by my children it is prime of day 1396

Gof nowe and bef as trewe as I shal be

Nowe ellis god forbede sire quod she

PETWORTH 161 (6-T. 173)

SIX-TEXT 174

162 GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And for]? she goof as lelous as a pye

And bad fe Cokes fat1 fei shuld hem hie 1400

So fat1 men nry^t1 dyne and fat1 anon

Vp to her husbond is f is wif gon

And knokkef at1 his counter boldely

Quy la quod he . Peter if am I 1404

Quod she what1 howe longe wol 36 fast1

How longe tyme wil 36 rekken and cast1

3oure sonmes 3oure bokes and 3oure f ingges

]}e deuel haue part1 on al suche rekenyngges 1408

36 han ynogh parde of goddes sonde

Come doune to day and lat1 3oure bagge stonde

~N"e be 30 not1 ashamed fat1 dan loftn

Shal fasting1 al fis day elenge gon 1412

What1 lat1 vs here masse and go dyne

Wiff quod fis man litel canst1 f ou devyne

f e Curious bysynes fat1 we haue

ffor of vs Chapmen so god me saue 1416

And by fat1 lord fat1 called is seint1 yve

Scarcely amonges .xij. tweyn shul frive

Contynuely lasting1 vnto our age

We may wel make chere and good visage 1420

And drive forf f e world? as it1 may be

And kepen our astate in pn'uete

Til we be dede or ellis fat1 we pleye

A pilgrymage or gon out1 of f e weye 1424

And f erf or haue I grete necessite [leaf 78]

Vpon f is queynt1 world? to avise me

ffor euermore we mote stonde in drede

Of happe and fortune in our chapmanhede 1428

To fflaundres wil I goo to niorowe at1 day

And come a3ein as sone as eue?'e I may

ftbr which my dere wif I f e biseke

As be to euery wight1 buxom and meke 1432

And forto kepe our good be Curious

And honestly gouerne wel oure hous

PETWORTH 162 (6-T. 174)

SIX-TEXT 175

GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth. MS, 163

Thow hast1 nowe in euery maner wise

fat1 to a frifty husbonde may suffise 1436

f e lackef noon araye ne no vitaile

Of siluere in f i purs f ou maist1 not1 faile

And wif fat1 worde his counter door he shette

And doune he go]? no lenger nold? he lette 1440

And hastely a masse was fere saide

And spedely f e tables were ylade

And to f e dyner fast1 f ei hew spedde

And richely J)is monke f e chapman fedde 1 444

And after dynere daun John soberly

This Chapman toke a-partt al prmely

he seide him f us Cosyn it1 stondej) soo

fat1 wel I see to brugges 30 wil goo 1448

God and seintf Austyn speke ^ou and gide

I prei 3ou Cosyn wisly fat1 30 ride

Gouernef ^ou also of $oure diete

And temperaly and namely in fis hete 1452

Bitwix vs twey nedef no stronge fare

flare wel Cosyn god kepe ^ou fro care

$if eny Jnnge fer be by day or by ny^tt

If it1 ligge in my power and in my my^t* 1456

J}afr 30 me wil commaunde in ony wise

If shal be don ri3tf as 30 wil devise

Oon Jjing1 er fat1 36 gon if J?at 3it may be

I wold? prei 3ou forto lene me 1460

An C ffrankes for a weke or twey

ffor certeyn beestes I mot1 beye

To store wij> a place fat1 is owres [leaf 78, back]

God helpe me so I wolde it1 were 3oures 1464

I shal not1 faile swerly of my day

!Nou3f for a Mt. frankes a myleway

But1 lat1 f is finge be secre I 3ou prey

And god of heuene spede 3ou in 3oure weye 1468

And fare nowe wele myn owne cosyn dere

Graunt1 mercy of 3oure cost1 & of 3oure chere

PETWORTH 163 (6-T. 175)

SIX-TEXT 176

164 GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

This noble Merchaunt1 gentely ariofi

Answerde and seide . 0 cosyn dan lohn 1472

Nowe sikerly f is is a smal request1

My golf is 3oures whan fat1 ^ou lest1

And not1 oonly my gold* but1 my chaffare

Take what1 $ou lest1 god shilde fat1 36 spare 1476

But1 oo f inge is 36 knowe if wel ynogh

Of Chapmen fat1 her money is her plou^e

We may creaunce while we haue a name

But1 goldelees forto be is no game 1480

Paye it1 a^ein whan it1 lith in ^oure ese

Aftere ^oure iny^f fayn wold? I ^ou plese

Thise hundred ffrankes he fette for]? anon

And pnuely he toke it1 to dan John 1484

No wi^t1 in al f is world* wist1 of f is lone

Sauyng1 f is merchaunt1 and dan lofrn allone

f ei dronken and romen and gofi to pleye

Til fat1 dan lohn ridef to his abbay 1488

f e morn come and forf f is merchaunte ridej) '

To maundres ward* his prentis wel hyw gidejj

Til he came into brugges merely

Now go]? J)is merchaunt1 fast1 and bisily 1492

Abonte his nede and biej? and creaunsej)

He neifer pleief at fe dis ne daunsej?

But1 as a merchaunt1 shortely forto telle

he lad his lif and Jjer I lete hym dwelle 1496

If The sonday next1 ]>e merchaunt1 was a-gon

To seynt Denys y-co?wmen is dan lohii

WiJ) croune and berde fressh and newe yshaue

In al J>e hous fer nas so lite a knaue Oaf 79]

Ne no wi}!? ellis fat1 he nas fayn

Ifor fat1 my lord daun lohn was come a3ayn

And shortely to her poynt1 forto gofi

This faire wif acordef to daun lohn 1504

And for f ise hundred frankes he shuld al nyjt1

Haue her in his armes bolt1 vpii^

PETWORTH 164 (6-T. 176)

SIX-TEXT 177

GHOUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS. 165

And jns acorde perfourmed was in dede

In myrth al ny^f a bysy lif jjei lede 1508

Til if was day J?afr dan John went1 his way

And bad ]>e mayne fare wele and haue good day

ffor noon of hem ne no wi^t in J>e toun

Han of dan lohn none suspeciown 1512

And for]? he ride]? home to his abbaye

Or wher hym lust1 no more of hym I saie

1F This marchaunt1 whan fat1 ended was fe fare

To seinf Denys he gan forto repare 1516

And wi)> his wif he make]? feest1 and chere

And tellej? her J>af chafFare is so dere

Jjat1 nedes most1 he make a cheuysance

ffor he was bounden in a reconysance 1520

To pay xxt!. J>ousan<J sheldes anon

ffor which jjis marchaunt1 is wont1 to gon

To borowe of certeyn frendes J?at he hadde

A certeyn ffrannkes and somme with hym he ladde 1524

And whan he was come into fie toun

ffor greet1 cheerte and grete affecciown

Vnto dan lohn him first1 he gojj to pley

Nou^f for to borowe of hyra no money 1528

But1 forto witt1 and see of his welfare

And for to tellen him of his chaffare

As frendes done whan J?ei ben mette in fere

Dan lohn him make]? feest and mery chere 1532

And he him told! a^ein ful specialy

Howe he had bou^f ful wel & graciously

Thonked be god al hole his merchaundyse

Saue jjat1 he most1 in al manere wise [leaf 79, back] 1536

Maken a chevisaunce as for his beste

And Jmn shuld? he be in loye and reste

Dan lohn answerd? Certes I am fayn

fat1 :$e in hele be commen home a^eyii 1540

And if Jmt1 1 were riche as haue I blisse

Of xx" Ml sheldes shuldest1 Jjou not1 mysse

PETWORTH 165 (6-T. 177")

SIX-TEXT 178

166 GROUP B. §4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS,

ffor 36 so kindely f is of er day

Lent1 me gold and as I can and maye 1544

I f onke 3011 by god and by seint1 lame

But1 naf elees I toke vnto our dame

3oure wif at1 home f e same gold a^ein

Vpon 3oure benche she wote if wel certeyn 1548

By certeyne tokens fat1 1 can her telle

Now by $our leue I may no lenger dwelle

Our abbot1 wil out1 of f is town anon

And in his company I mot1 gon 1552

Grete wele our dame myn owene nece swete

And fare wele dere cosyn to we mete

IF This Marchaunt1 wif fat1 was ful ware and wys

Creaunsed haf and eke paide in Paris 1556

To certeyn lumbardes redy in her handes

This some of gold? and gate of hem f e bandes /

And home he gof mery as a popeniaye

ifor wel he knewe he stood in such araye 1560

fat1 nedes most1 he wynne in such a viage

A f ousand? frankes aboue al his costage

His wif ful redy mette hyw at1 f e gate

As she was wont1 of olde vsage algate 1564

And aB fat1 ny}^ in myrthe f ei bysette

ifor he was riche and cleerly out1 of dette

IF Whan it1 was day f is merchaunt* gan enbrace

His wif al newe and kissed hir* on hir1 face 1568

And vp he gof e and makef it1 wonder toogh

No more quod she by god 36 haue ynogft

And wantonly a3ein wif hym she pleide

Til at1 fe last1 fat1 fis raerchaunt1 seide Deaf so] 1572

By god quod he I am a litel wrotfi

Wif 3ou my wif al-f o it1 be me lotfr

And wote 30 why by god as fat1 1 gesse

ffor 30 haue made a manere straungenesse 1576

Bytwixen me and my cosyn daurc lohn

3e shuld* haue warned me er I had gon

PETWORTH 166 (6-T. 178)

SIX-TEXT 179

GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth. MS. 167

Jjatf he had 3011 an hundred fraunkes paide

By redy token and he hym held? euel paide 1580

ifor fat1 I to him spake of cheuysance

Me semed so as by his countenance

But1 naf e-lees by god heuen kinge

I fou^t1 not1 to axe of hym no finge 1584

I prey f e wif ne do no more soo

Telle me alway er fat1 1 fro f e goo

If eny dettowr haf in myn absence

Ypaide fe lest1 forgh fine negligence 1588

I my^t1 him axe as ping1 f af he haf paide

This wif was not1 afferd ne affraied .

Bot1 boldely sche seide and fat1 anon

Mary I dime fat1 fals monk dan John . 1592

I kepe not1 of his tokens neuer a dele

He toke me certeyn gold f is wote I wele

What1 euel thedom on his monkes snoute

ffor god it1 wote I went1 wif -out1 doute 1596

fat1 he had ^oue it1 me by cause of ^owe

To do f er-wif myn honure and my prowe

ifor Cosynage and eke for bele chere

fat1 he haf hadde ful often tyme here 1600

But1 sif en I see I stonde in such disioynt1

I wil answere ^ou shortely to f e poynf

36 haue moo sclakker dettowrs f an am I

for I wil pay $ow wel and redely 1604

ffro day to day and if so be I faile

I am ^oure wif score if on my taile

And I shal paye as sone as euer I may

ffor by my troufe I haue on myn aray [leaf so, back] 1608

And nouht1 on waast1 bystowed euery dele

And for I haue bystowed it1 so wele

To 3oure honour for goddes sake I say

As be not1 wrof but1 lat1 vs laugh and play 1612

3e shullen my loly body haue to wedde

By god I nyl not1 paye ^ou but1 abedde

PETWORTH 167 (6-T. 179)

SIX-TEXT 180

168 GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffoi^eue if me myn owne spouse dere

Turne hiderward? and make better cliere 1616

This Marchaunte seye per was no remedye

And forto chide it1 ner buf foly

Sypens paf pe ping1 may not1 amended be

Now wif he seide and I for^eue if pe 1620

Buf be pi lif ne be no more so large

kepe bette my good pis ^eue I jje in charge

Jjus enden now my tale and god vs sende

Tailling1 y-nowe into our lyues ende . 1624

H Thus endep pe shipma?znys tale

[No break in the MS.]

PETWOttTH 168 (6-T. 180)

SIX-TEXT 181

GROUP B. § 5. SHIPMAN'S END-LINK. Petworth MS. 169

1 J>e prologe.

And here bygynnej> Jje prologe of J?e p?'/ores. [on ?ea/so, 60^3

WEI seid? by corpus dowmws quod our hoste Now longe mote Jjou saile by Jje coste Sire Gentile Maister* gentyl marynere God 3eue Jje monk a Mi last1 quade 3ere 1628

A ha felowes be]? ware of sucli a Tape J?e Monk1 put1 in Jje mawnys hode an ape And in his wyues eke by seint1 Austyn DraweJ) no mo monkes into 30^ Inne 1632

But1 now passe ouer & latt vs seke aboute Who shal now telle first1 of al J?e route Anofer tale and wijj jjat1 word he saide As curteisly as it1 had bene a Mayde 1636

My lady Priores by 3oure leue So Jmf I wist1 1 shulde 3ou not1 greue I wolde deme Jjat1 30 telle shuld!

A tale next1 if so be Jjat1 36 wolc? 1640

Now wil 30 vouche sauf my lady dere Gladly quod she and seide in J>is nianere.

Thus endej) jje prologe.

[No break in the MS.]

PETWORTH 169 (6-T. 181)

SIX-TEXT 182

170 GROUP B. §6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And here bygynnef J>e Pnores tale of Alma redemptoris mater.

0

. [The Prologue.]

lord our lord'fi name how merveilous J0^inedom*nMS"La- Is in f is large world? ysprad quod she be p™'ores t^6 * fFor nou^t1 only f i laude precious

Perfourmed is by men of dignite 1646

But1 by f e mouf e of Children f i bounte

Perfourmed is for in our brest1 soukinge

Somtyme shewen fei fine heryinge 1649

1T Wherfor in laude as I can best1 and may

Of f e and of f e white lile fioure

Which fat1 f e bare and art1 a maide alway

To telle a storie I wol do my laboure 1653

Nou^tt fat1 I may encrece her honours

fFor she he[r] self is honure and ferto rote

Of bounte next1 her sone of soules bote 1656

0 Modere Mayden o. maiden moder1 fre

0 bussh vnbrent1 brennyng1 in Moises sijft

But1 vanysshef doune fro f e deite

forgh fine humblesse fe goost1 fat in fe li^t1 1660

Of whos vertue whan he in fine hert1 ali^fr

Conceyued was f e faders sapience

Helpe me to telle it1 in fi reuerence 1663

LAdy f i bounte and fine magnificence

f i vertue and f i grete hurailite

f er may no f ing1 expresse in no science

fFor somtyme lady er men preie to f e 1667

J}ow gost1 byforn of f i benignite

And getesf vs to li^t1 forgh f i preire

To gyden vs vnto fi sonne so clere 1670

PETWORTH 170 (6-T. 182)

SIX-TEXT 183

GROUP B. §6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Petworth MS. 171

My Conyng1 is to waike . o blesful quene

fforto declare f i grete worf inesse [leaf si, back]

fat1 I ne may f e weghfr not1 susteyne

But1 as a cliilde of xij monfe elde or lesse 1674

f at1 can vnnef es eny word' expresse

Ei3tl so fare I and f erfore I :$owe preye

Gidef my songe fat1 1 shal of 3011 seie 1677

[THE TALE.]

Ther was a child? in a grete Cite Amonges cristen folk1 in Iwerye Susteyned by a lord of f af cuntre

ffor foule vsure & lucre of vilany 1681

Hatful to Crist1 and to his companye And f orghe f e strete men my^fr ride & wende ffor it was fre and open at1 euery ende 1684

A litel scole of Cn'sten folk f er stode

Doune af f e ferf er ende in which f er were

Children an hepe ycome of cn'stes blode

fat1 lerned in fat1 scole }ere by 3ere 1688

Such manere doctn'ne as men vsed fere

f is is to saie to syngen and to rede

As smale children done in her childhede . 1691

Amonges f ise children was a widowes sone

A litel Clergiown .vij. ^ere of age

J3att day by day to scole was his wone

And eke also wher he segh fe ymage 1695

Of cn'stes modere had he in vsage

As him was tau^t to knele adown and seie

His Aue marye as he gof by fe weye 1698

PETWORTH 171 (6-T. 183)

SIX-TEXT 184

172 GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Thus ha]? J?is widowe her litel childe

Our blesful lady cr/stes moder dere

To worship ay and he forgate it1 nou^f

ffor sely child* wil alday sone lere 1 702

But1 ay whan I remembre me on ]>is matere

Seint1 Nicholas stanfr.euere in my presence [leaf 82]

ffor he so ^onge to cn'stf did reuerence 1705

This childe his litel boke lernynge

As he satte in ]>e scole at1 his prymere

He Alma redemptoris / herd singe

As Children lered her antiphonere 1 709

And as he durst1 he drow hyw ner and nere

And harkened ay fe wordes and fe note

Til he J>e first1 vers coujje al by rote 1712

Nou^t1 wist1 he what j)e latyn was to say

ffor he so ^onge and tender was of age

But1 on a day his felawe gan he pray

To expoune hym J)e songe in his langage 1716

Or tellen him whi Jris songe was in vsage

This preide he hym to construe and declare

ffnl ofte tyme vpon his knees bare 1719

His felawe which Jjat1 elder was J?an he

Answerd him ]?us jjis songe I haue herd' say

Was maked of our blisful lady fre

Her to salue and eke her forto pray 1723

To bene our helpe and socour whan we dey

I Can no more expounde in Jns matere

I lerne songe I can but1 smal gramere 1726

And is J?is songe ymade in Reuerence

Of Cristes modere seide J>is Innocent1

~Now certes I wil done my diligence

To conne it1 er cristmas be went1 1730

FETWOBTH 172 (6-T. 184)

SIX-TEXT 185

GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Petworth MS. 173

f oo fat1 1 for my pn'mere slial be shent1

And shal be beten fries in an houre

I wil it1 konne our lady to honoure 1733

His felawe ta^t1 hyra homward' pnuely

ffro day to daye til he couf e it1 by rote [leaf 82, backj

And fan he songe it wel and boldely

fFro word to word acording1 to fe note 1737'

f rise on a day it1 passef f orgh his f rote

To scoleward? and hamward? whan he went1

On cristes modere sette was his entent1 1740

As I haue seide f orgh-oute f e Iwerye

fis childe as he came to and froo

fful merely fan wold! he singe and crye

On alma redemptoris euermoo 1744

The swetnesse haf his hert1 perced so

Of cristes modere fat1 to hir to prey

he can not1 stint1 of syngyng1 by fe wey 1747

Our fursf foo fe serpent1 Sathanas

fat1 haf in Iwes his waspes nest1

Vpswal and seide o Ebraike puple alas

Is fis a fing1 to $ou fat1 his honest1 1751

fat1 such a boy shal walken as hym lest1

In ^oure despite and singgyng1 of such sentence

Which is a^einst1 ^oure lawes reuerence 1754

From f ennes forf f e Iwes han conspired

This Innocent1 out1 of fis world? to chace

In homycide f erto han f ei hured

f at1 in a Aley had a prive place 1758

And as fe childe gan forby forto pace

fis cursed Iwe him hent1 and helde fast1

And kitte his frote and in a pitte hy??i cast1 1761

PETWORTH 173 (6-T. 185^

SIX-TEXT 186

174 GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Petworth MS.

I say fat1 in a wardrobe f ei hym drwe

Wher fat1 f ise Iwes pwrgen entraile

0 cursed folk of herawdes al nwe/

What1 may 301116 euel tent1 30" availe 1765

Mordere wil out1 it1 wil not1 faile .

And namely fer honure of god shuld* sprede [leaf ss]

f e blood out1 crief of 3oure cursed dede 1768

0 Matir sounded to virginite

Now maist1 f ow syngen folowing1 euere in on

f e white lombe celestial quod he

Of which fe grete eucmngelist1 seynt1 lohn 1772

In Pathmos wrote which seyn J>ei fat gon

Byfore f is lombe and singe a songe al nwe

That1 neuer flesshly wommen fei knewe 1775

This poor widowe waitef al fat1

After this litel childe . but1 home cam he nou^t1

ffor ^hom as sone as it1 is daies Ii3tf

Wif lace pale for drede and bisy Jjoi^t1 1779

She ha]) atte scole and ellis whe[re] him sou3f

Til fynaly she gan so fer espie

he was sene last1 in fe Iwerye 1782

WiJ> moders pite in her brest1 enclosed

She go]) as J)ou3e she were half out1 of mynde

To euery place wher she haj) supposed

By liklihede her child' to fynde 1786

And euere on cristes modere meke and kynde

She cried and at1 fe last1 }ms she wrou3f

Amonge fe cursed Iwes she him soii^ti 1789

She freynej) and she preief pitously

To euery Iwe fat1 dwelte in Jjilk place

To telle her if her child went1 hem bye

J?ei seiden nay but1 Thesus of his grace 1793

PETWORTH 174 (6-T. 186)

SIX-TEXT 187

GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Petworth MS. 175

in her f ou^t1 inwif a litel space That1 in fat1 place after her sone she cried/ Ther he was cast1 in a pitte beside 1796

0 grete god fat1 perfowrmed fi lawde

By mouf e of Innocence lo here f i n^t1 [leaf 83, back]

This Gemme of chastite f is emeraude

And eke of Marterdom f e rubie bri^f 1800

Ther he wif f rote y-come lay vpri^tt

He alma redemptoris gan to singe

So longe fat1 al fe place gan to rynge 1803

The Cristen folk* fat1 f orgh f e strete went1

Inne comen forto wondren on f is f inge

And hastely f ei for f e prouost1 sent1

He come anone wif -out1 tariynge 1807

And herief crist1 fat1 is of heuen kynge

And eke his modere honoure of man kynde

And after fat1 fe Iwes lete he bynde 1810

This child? wif pitous lamentacion

Vptaken singyng1 his songe alway

And wif honure of grete procession

fei Carien hym to fe next1 abbay 1814

His modere swownyng1 by f e bere lay

Vnnef es my^f fe puple fat1 was fere

f is new Each eft bring1 fro his bere 1817

Wif torment1 and vrith shameful def ilkoii

This prouost1 dof f ise Iwes to sterue

fat1 of f is mordre wist1 and fat1 anon

He nolde none sucfi cursednesse obserue 1821

Euel he slial haue fat1 euel wol deserue

f erfore wif wilde hors he did hym drawe

And after fat1 he henge him by fe lawe 1824

PETWORTH 175 (6-T. 187)

SIX-TEXT 188

176 GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Petworth MS.

1F Vppon f is bere ay lith f is Innocent*

Byforn f e chief autere whiles masse last1

And after fat1 f e Abbot1 wif his Couent1

had spedde hem forto bury hyw fast1 1828

And whan f ei holy water on hym cast1

^it1 spake fe child* whan spreynf was fe holy waters [if 84]

And songe .0 alma redemptoris mater e 1831

This Abbot1 which fat1 was an holy man

As monkes be or ellis 0113 ten to be

J>is 3onge childe to coniure f ei bygan

And saide good child? I hailse fe 1835

Be vertue of f e holy trinite

Telle me what1 is f i cause to singe

Sifen fat1 fi frote is kitte at1 my semynge 1838

My frote is kitte vnto my nek1 bone

Saide f is child' and as be way of [kjynde

I shuld haue deied longe tyme a-gone

But1 Ihesu crist1 as 36 in bokes fynde 1842

Wol fat1 his glorie last1 and be in mynde

And for J>e worship of his moder dere

^it1 may I singe .0 Alma, loude and clere 1845

This welle of me[r]cye cristes modere swete

I loued alway as aftere my connynge

And whan fan I my lif shuld* lete .

To me she cam and bad me for to singe 1849

fis Anteme verrely in my mynd* deyinge

As 36 han herd* . and whan fat1 1 had songe

Me fo^t1 she leide a greyn vpon my tonge 1852

Wherfore I singe and singe mote certeyn

In honure of f e blisful martere fre

Til of ray tunge of taken is f e greyn

And aftere fat1 fus seide she to me 1856

PETWORTH 176 (6-T. 188)

SIX-TEXT 189

GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Petworth MS. 177

My litel childe now wol I fecche Jje

Whan jjat1 J?e greyn is fro J>i tunge ytake

Be not1 agasf I wil J?e not1 forsake 1859

This holy monke J)is abbot1 hym mene I

His tunge out1 kaught1 and toke away J?e greyn/ [leaf 84, back]

And he ^aue vp ]?e goost1 ful softely

And whan Jje abbot1 had ]>is wonder seyn 1863

His salte teeres striked doun as reyn/

And gruf he fille al plat1 to ]>e ground?

And stille he lay as he had bene ybound? 1866

The Couent1 eke lay vpon J?e payment1

Weping1 and herying1 cristes moder dere

And after J>atf j>ei rise and for]} bene went1

And toke away ]>is martere fro his bere 1870

And in a toumebe of Marble stonys clere

Enclosen Jjei his litel body swete

Ther he is nowe god leue vs forto mete 1873

0 yonge hugfr of lyncoln sclayn also

With cursed Iwes as it1 is notable

ffor it1 nys but1 a litel while agoo

Prei eke for vs we sinful folk vnstable 1877

Jjat1 of his mercy god so merciable

On vs his grete mercy multiplie

ffor reuerence of his modere marye . 1880

1T Here endej> ]?e priores tale.

[The Man of Law's Prologue and Tale follow in the MS.]

PETWORTH 177 (8-T 189)

GROUP B. («• FRAGMENT II.)

§ 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK. PETWOETH MS.

,Prologu, And here by.

viri ieSis gynnes pe prologe of pe man of lawe

Oure hoost1 segh wel pat1 pe bri^t1 sonrae ])& arke of pis artificial day hadde ronne pe feerp part1 and half an houre or more And pough he were not1 depe expert1 in lore 4

He wist1 it1 was pe xviij. day Of Aprile pat1 is massagere to may And seghe wel pat1 pe shadowe of euery tre Was as in length pe same quantite 8

fat1 was pe body erecte pat1 caused it1 And Jjerfore by J?e shadowe he toke his witte ]3af Phebus which pat1 shoon so clere and l>ri^ Degrees was xlv. clombe on highf 12

And for pat1 day as in pat1 latitude [leaf ss]

Hit1 was .x. of pe clot he gan conclude And sodeynly he pli^f his hors about1 Lordingges quod he I warne ^ow al pis route 16

pe feer party of pis day is goon Now for pe loue of god and of seint1 lohn Lesep no tyme as ferforp as ^e may

Lordingges pe tyme it1 wastep bop ny3# and day 20

And stelep from vs what* pn'uely slepinge And what1 pourgh neglygence in our wakinge As dop pe streme pat1 turnep neuere agayn / Descending1 from pe mounteyn into playn 24

Wel can Senec* and many a philosophre Byweillen tyme more pan gold in Cofre ffor losse of Catel may recouered be But* losse of tyme shendep vs quod he 28

PETWORTH 178 (6-T. 129)

SIX-TEXT 130 GROUPS. § 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK. PctWOlth MS. 179

It* wil not1 come a^ein wip-outen drede

No more pan wil Malkyns Maidenhede

Whan she hap lostH it1 in her wantonesse

LatH vs nout1 mowlen pus in Ydelnesse 32

Sire man of lawe quod he so haue I blesse

Telle vs a tale anoon as forward? es

3e bene submitted pourgh your fre assent1

To stonden in pis cas at1 my luggement1 36

Aquitep ^ou nowe of 3oure biheest1

pan han 36 done ^oure devoire at1 pe leest1

Oost qiwd he depardeux ich assent1

To breke forward* is not1 myn entent1 40

Biheest1 is dette and I wil holde fayne

Al my biheest1 1 can no better seyne

ffor such lawe as a man ^euej) anoper wi^t1

He shuld hjm self vsen it1 by ri^t1 44

Thus wil our text1 but1 nafeles certeyne

I can ri^t1 now no trusty tale seyne

Jmt1 chaucere fou^t1 he can but1 lewdely

On meters and in rymyng1 craftely 48

Hap seide hem in such englissh as he can [leaf 85, back]

Of olde tyme as knowej? mony a man

And if he haue nou^t1 seide hem leue broker1

In oo boke he ha]) seide in a-noper 52

ffor he ha]) told? of louers vp and down

Moo fan Ovide made menciown

In his Epistels fat1 bene ful olde

What1 shuld I tellen hem sip fei be tolde 56

In ^oufe he made of Ceys and Alcione

And sip hap he spoke of euerychone

Thise noble wyues and pise louyers eke

Who so pat1 wol his large volom seke 60

Cleped pe Seintes legende of Cupide

per may he see pe large woundes wide

Of lucresse and of Babylan Tysbe

pe swerd? of Dido for pe fals ene 64

PETWORTH 179 (6-T. 130)

SIX-TEXT 131 180 GROUP B. § 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK. PetWOlth MS.

The tre of Phillis for hir demophon

f e pleynte of Dyanyre and of Hermyon

Of Andrian and of ysiphilee

J5e barayn Isle stonding1 in f e see 68

J)e dreynt1 leander for his erro

The teres of Elyne and eke f e woo

Of Brixseid? and of f e ladomya

The cruelte of quene Medea / 72

j)e litel children honging1 by f e hals

if or f e lason fat1 was of loue so fals

Of ypinistra penolope Alceste

3oure wivehode he coramendef wif f e best1 76

But* certeynly no worde ne write]? he

Of f ilk wicke ensample of canace

J^afr luffed her oune brof ere synfully

Of suche cursed storis I seie fye 80

Or ellis of Tiro Appolloneus

How fat1 f e cursed king1 Antiocus

Biraftf his doubter of her maydenhede

J^at1 is so horrible a tale for to rede 84

Whan he her drewe forgh-out1 J>e pamentf [leaf 86]

And ferfor he of ful avisement1

Kold neuer write in none of his sermons

Of such vnkinde abhomynacions . 88

Ne I ne wil none reherce if fat1 1 may

But1 of my tale how shal I done f is day

Me were loth be likned doutlees

To muses fat1 men clepen pieriades 92

Methanorphoseos wote what1 1 mene

But1 naf elees I recche not1 a bene

Ijou^e I come after hym wif ha we bake

I speke in prose and lat1 hy?7i rymes make 96

And wif fat1 word? he wif a sobre chere

Bygan his tale as 30 shal after here 98

^ Thus endef f e prologe [no break in the MS.]

PETWOllTH 180 (6-T. 13l)

SIX-TEXT 132 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PROL. PctWOlth MS. 181

And here by- i indpit fabuia gynnejj J?e Mannys of lawe Tale

[Prologue.]

0 hateful harme condicion of pouert1 99

WiJ) Jjrust1 wij) cold? with hunger so cowfcwnded? To asken help ]?e shamest1 in Jjine hert1 If Jjowe now aske wij> nede art1 )>ou so wounded? 102

ftat1 verrey nede vnwrappej? al ]?i wonud hed Maugre in j>ine hede pou most1 for indigence Or stele or begge or borowe J>i dispence 105

Thow blamest1 cn'sfr and seist1 ful bitterly

He mysdepartej? ricches temporal

])i neighboz^r J?ow witest1 sinfully

And saisf Jjou hasf to litel and he haj> aH 109

P«rfay seist1 ]?ou somtyme he rekne shall

"Whan j>af his tale shal brenne in J?e glede

ffor he no^f helpej) nedeful in her nede 112

Herken what1 is J>e menyng* of J)e wise

Bett1 is to dyen J?an haue indigence

J>i self neighboure wil ]?e despise

If j?ou be poor fare wele ]>i reuerence. 116

3ii^ of jje wise man take Jns sentence Peaf 86, back]

Al )?e daies of poor men ben wikke

Be war Jjerfore er Jjou come in J)at prikke 119

3if ]?ou be poor J?i broker hate]? ]?e

And alle ))i freendes fleen fro ])e alas

0 riche marchauntes ful of wele be 36

O noble prudent1 folk as in J>is cas 123

3oure bagges bene not1 filled with ambees aas

But1 wi]> sise cynk fiat1 renne]? for $our charcce

At1 Cristes mas mery may 36 daurcce 126

PETWOKTH 181 (6-T. 132)

SIX-TEXT 133 182 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PROL. PctWOlth MS.

3e seken londe and ffe for your wynnyngges As wise folk bat1 knowen al be state Of regnes 36 bene fadere of Tithenges And tales boben of pees & debate 1 30

I was ri3tt nowe of tales desolate Ner bat1 a marchaunf gone is mony a ^ere Me taught1 a tale which bat 36 shal here 133

[Only the usual stanza-gap of a line in the MS.~\

[As there is no room in this print for the Latin notes in the margin of the MS, they are put here, with the numbers of the lines to which they refer. ]

1. 197. TF Ceptra pharonei fratrum discordia thebe IF fflammaw phetentis deutalionis aque IF In stellis pr/ami. species audacia turni H Senses vlixeus herculies que vigor [MS, leaf 87, bick.]

1. 295. IF Vnefe Philomews li^ro .j°. c°. 8°. primi motus cell duo suwt quorum vnus est qui mouet totum semper ab oriente & Occidents vno modo super orbes & cetera. Ita aliter vero motus est qui mouet orbew stell&rum currenciwn cowtra motuw -primwn viz ab Occidents in orientem super alios duos polos & cetera. Omnes .enim. cowcordati sunt quod, eloccz'owes sint debiles nisi in dmtibws. h^^ent .enim. isti licet debilitentwr eorwm electiones radicem .i. nati^tates eontm qua confort&t omnew planetaw debilem in Itinere. Hec, Fhilosophus. [MS, leaf 89.]

1. 421. U Semp«?r muwdane leticie tristicia repentina succedit. Mundana ergo felicitas multis amaritudinib^.s est resp'vsa Extrema gaudii. luctws occupat» Audi ergo salubre consilium in die "bonorum ne iw^memor sis malorwm. [MS, leaf 91.]

1. 771. IT Quid twrpius ebrioso cui fetor in ore. tremor in corpore. qui prome't stulta. prodit occulta Cui mens alienator facies tr«nsfor- wtftur nulluw enim latet secretuw. vbi regnat Ebdetas. [MS, leaf 96, back.]

1. 925. II 0 extrema libidinis turpitude que non solum mentew effeminat- sed et corpus eneruat semper seqauntur dolor & penitencia post Sccetera. [MS, leaf 99.]

1. 1127. IF A mane vsque ad vesperam mutabitur tempus. tenent tympanum & gaudewt ad sonum organi. [MS, leaf 102, back.]

1. 1134. QJUS vnqwam vnicam diem totam duxit in sua delecta- cione iocu^dam que/// in aliq^a parte die reatus consciencie vel im- petus ire vel motus co>?cupiscencie inde non turbauerit que>« liuor invidie vel ardor auaricie vel tiwor superbie non vexau^/it. quern aliqwa iactura vel offensa vel passio now cowmouerit & cetera. [MS, leaf 102, buck.]

PETWORTH 182 (6-T. 133)

SIX-TEXT 134 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOrth MS. J83

[TALE. PART /.~|

In Surry whilom dwelt1 a companye

Of Chapmen riche and J)e?*to sadde and trewe

J>att wide where setten her spicerie

Clones of golde and saten riche of hue 137

Her chaffare was so Jjrifty and so nwe

fat1 euery wi^tf hajj deynte to chafare

hem and eke to selleii hem her ware 140

Nowe fille it1 J?afr ]?e maisters of J>att sort1

Han shapen hem to Eome forto wende

Were it1 for chapmanhode or for disport1

Noon o]>er massage wold j)ei jnder sende 144

But1 commen hem self to Eome J>is is J)e ende

And in suche place as Jiou^fr hem auemntage

ifor her entenf ]>ei taken her herbergage 147

Soiourned han jjise merchaundes in jjaf toun [leaf 87]

A certeyn tyme as fille to her plesaunce

But1 so byfelle Jjat1 J?e excellen renoun

Of J>e Emperour dou^tere Dame Castawnce 151

Reported was with euery circumstawnce

Vnto ])ise Surryen merchauntz in such wise

fitro day to day as I shal ^ou deuise 154

This was fe comon Tois of euery man

Our Emperour of Rome god hyra see

A doughter ha]) fat1 sij>e )?e world bygan

To rekne as wel her goodnes as bewte 158

Nas neuere such anojjer as is she

I prei to god in honure hir sustene

And wolde she were of al Europe J>e quene tlJjjIJJJj(di *" tercia '

PETWORTH 183 (6-T. 134)

SIX-TEXT 135 184 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOltll MS.

IN hure is hegli bewte wijj-oute pride

jjoupe wij>-ouf grenehode or folye

To aH her werkes vertue is her gide

Humblesse ha]> sclayn in hire al tyrannye 165

She is a myroz^r of al Curtesie

Hire herte is verrey chambere of holyncsse

Her hand mynystre of fredam for alxnesse 168

And al ]>is vois was soj> as god is trewe

But1 nowe to pwrpoos lafr vs turne ageyn

Jjise Merchauntz han do fraught her shippes newe

And whan J>ei han )>is blisful Maiden seyn 172

Howe to Surrey ben Jjei went1 ageyn

And done her nedes as fei han do }ore

And lyuen in wele I can say ^ou no more 175

Now fille it1 fat1 J?ise marchauntes stoden in grace

Of hym fat1 was J?e Sawden of Surrye

ffor whan Jjaf J>ei came from eny strange place

He wolde of his benygne Curtesie. 179

Make hem good chere and bysilie aspie Peaf 87, back]

Tijjingges of son dry rewmes forto lere

J?e wondres fat1 J?ei my^tt se or here 182

Amonges o]>ere Jnngges specialy

Thise marchauntes han hym tolde of dame custaunce

So grete noblesse in ernestt ceriously

fat1 )>is sowden haj? caught1 so grete plesaunce 186

To han her figure in his remembraunce

And al his lusf and al his bysy cure

Was forto lone her1 fe whilis his lif may dure 189

Perauenture in J>e Jnkke large book "Which fat1 eloped is heuene ywriten was Wij> sterres whan paf he his birth toke

he for loue shuld? han his detft alias 193

PETWORTH 184 (6-T. 13o)

SIX-TEXT 136 GROUP B. 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOrth MS. 185

ffor in f e sterres clerer fan is f e glas /

y-writen god wote who coude it1 rede

j)e def e of euery man -vn't/i-onten drede 196

In Stems mony a wynter fer byforn lLatin note> p- H-]

Was writen f e def of Ector achilles

Of pompe lulius er f ei were born

fe strif1 of Thebes and of hercules / 200

Of sampson turuno and of Socrates

f e dej) but1 mennys wittes ben so dulle

fat1 no wi3^ can wel rede it at1 ]>e fulle 203

This souden for his pn've counseH sent1

4,nd shortly of jjis matere forto pase

He ha]) to hem declared his ententt

And seide hem certeyn but1 he my^fr haue grace - 207

To haue custance wi]>-Imie a litel space

He nas but1 dede and charged hem in hie

To shapen for his lif1 sonme remedye 210

Dyuers men dyuers jjingges seiden

J?e argumentz Custen vp and Doun Peaf ssi

Mony a sotele reson forjj |?ei leiden

)>ei speken of magik1 and abusion 214

But1 fynaly as in conclusion

J?ei can not1 seen in J?afr non auawntage

Xe in noon o]>er way sauf mariage 217

Than segh ]?ei J)ere in such difficulte

Be way of reson forto speke al playn

By cause J?af fer was such dyuersite

Bytwene hor bof lawes fat1 fei seyn 221

fei trowe fat1 no cristen pn'nce woldz fayn)

Wedden his childe vnder oure lawes so swete

fat1 vs was taught1 be Mahoun our prophete 224

14 PETWOIITH 185 (6-T, 136)

SIX-TEXT 137 186 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOlth MS

And he answered raper pan I lese

distance I wil be Glistened doutlees

I mote bene hers I may non opere chese

I prei ^ou holde ^oure argumentes in pees 228

Sauep my lif and be]? not1 rechelees

To geten hure fat1 ha]? my lif in cure

ffor in pis woo I may not1 longe endure 231

What1 nedep gretter dilatacion

I saye by tretis and Embassadrye

And by Jje popes mediacion

And alle ]?e cherch and aH pe Chivalrye 235

pat1 in destruccion of Mawmetrie

And in encrees of cristes lawe dere

pei bene acorded so as 36 shal here 238

Now pat1 pe Sawden and his Baronage

And al his lieges shuld ym'stened be

And he shal haue custance in mariage

And certeyn gold? I note what1 quantite 242

And herto founden sufficient1 suerte

This same accorde was sworn in eiper side [leaf RS, back]

!N"ow faire custaunce almy^ty god pe gyde 245

Now wold! somrae men waiten as I gesse

pat1 1 shulde tellen al pe purviaunce

That1 pe Ernperour of his noblesse

hap shapen for his doubter dame Custaimce 249

"Wei may men knowe pat1 so grete ordynawnce

May no man telle in a litel clause

As was araied for so hie a cause 252

Bisshopes bene shapen wip hure forto wende

Lordes ladys kny^tes of renown

And oper folk ynow pis is pe ende

And notified is porgh-out1 pe toun 256

?ETWORTH 186 (6-T. 137),

SIX-TEXT 138

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS. 187

That1 euery wi}^ with grete deuocicmn Shulde preye cristt fat1 lie f is mariage Resceyue in gre and spede f is viage 259

The day is co?ranen of her departinge

I seie f e wooful day fatal is come

That1 f er may be no lenger tariynge

But1 for]) ward1 f ei hem dressed al and some 263

distance fat1 with sorowe is al ouercome

fful pale arist1 and dressef hure to wende

ffor wel shee see]) fer is noon of ere ende 266

Alias what1 wondere is it1 f ou}e she wepte

fat1 shal be sent1 to straunge nacion

ffro frendes fat1 so tenderly her kepte

And to be bounden vnder subieccioii 270

Of oon she knowef nou^t1 his ccwdicion

Husbondes bene aH good and han ben ^ore

fat1 know en wives I dar seie 3011 no more 273

Fadere she seide f ! wrecched child distance

Thi ^onge dou^tere fostred vp so soft1 t Cap. 9 [leaf 89]

And ^e my modere my souereyn plesaunce

Ouer al f inge outaken mst aloft1 277

Custaunce ^oure chil(J hire recomanndef oft1

Vnto 3oure grace for I shal to Surrye

Ne shal I neuere seyn ^ow more wif ye 280

Alias vnto f e Barbarye nacion

I most1 anoon sif it1 is 3oure wille

But1 crist1 fat1 starf1 for oure redempcion

So ^eue me grace his heestes to fulfille 284

I wrecched womrnan no fors f ou^e I spille

\Vowmen ben born to thraldom and penawnce

And to bene vnder mannes gouema?mce 287

PETWORTH 187 (6-T. 138)

SIX-TEXT 139

188 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS.

I trowe at1 Troye whan purrws brak )>e wait

Or ylyon Jjat1 brent1 Thebes pat1 Cite

Nor Rome for J>e harme J?orgh HanybaH

Jpat1 Romaynes han venqwisshed tymes fre 291

Nas herd* such tendere weping< for pite

As in )>e Chambere for her departinge

But1 for]? she mote wher she wepe or singe 294

[Latin note, p. 133.] 182

0 first* mouynge cruel firmament1

WiJ) jjine dyurnal sweigh" J?at crowdest1 aye

And hurlest1 al from eesf to Occident1

That1 naturelly wold' hold1 anojjer waye 298

J)i Crowding1 sette J>e heuene in such araye

At1 Jje bygynnyng1 of J>is feers viage

That1 cruel mars ha]> sclayn ]?is mariage 301

Infortunatf ascendent1 tortuous

Of which ]?e lord is helplees falle alias

Out* of his Angle in to J>e derkest1 hous

0 Mars o Atazir in this caas 305

O feble mone vnhappy bene ]?i paas./

J?ow knettesf Jje Jjer ]?ou art1 not1 receyued [leaf 89, back]

Ther J?ou were wele fro J?ennes now art* ]?ou weyued 308

Imprudent1 Emperour of Rome alas Was ]>er no Philisophre in al j>i toun Is no tyme bette pan o)>er in such cas/ Of viage is J>er non election Namely to folk of high ccwdicion Nat1 whan a roote is of a bir]> yknowe Alias e bene to lewde or to sclowe

Inspirant

312

315

The shippe is brou^f j)is woful faire mayde Solempnely wij) euery circumstaunce Nowe Ihesu crisf be wij? ^ou al she seide Ther is no more but1 fare wel faire Custa?/nce

PETWORTH 188 (6-T. 139)

319

SIX-TEXT 140

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS. 189

She peynej> hure to make good countenatmce

And for)>e I lete hire saile in J>is manere

And turne I wil ageyn to my matere 322

The modere of J?e Sowden welle of vices

Espied ha]> her sones pleyn entent1

Howe he wil lete his olde sacrifises

And ri^tf anone she for her counsel sent* 326

And Jjei ben commen to knowe what1 she menf

And whan assembled was )>is folk1 in fere

She sette her doune and seide as 36 shal here 329

Lordes quod she 30 knowe euerichon

Howe fat1 my sone in poynt1 is forto lete

Jje holy lawes of our akkaron

3euene by goddes massagere Makamete 333

But1 on avowe to grete god I hete

j>e lif shal ra]>er out1 of my body sterte

Or makametes lawe out1 of myii herte . 336

What1 shuld? vs tyden of J)is newe lawe

But1 J>raldome to our bodies and penawnce Lieaf90]

And afterward in helle to ben drawe

ffor we reveied Mahonne our creaunce 340

But1 lordes wil ^e maken assurance

As I shal sein assenting1 to my lore

And I shal make vs sauf for euermore 343

1T Thei sworen and assenten euery man

To lyve and dye wijj hure and by hure stonde

And euery in fe best1 wise he can

To strengthen hure shal al his freendes fonde 347

And she haj> ]>is emprise taken on honde

Which 36 shal here Jjat1 1 shal devise

And to hem alle she spak1 in ))is wise 350

PETWORTH 189 (6-T. 140)

SIX-TEXT 141 190 GEOUP B, § 2, MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOftb. MS.

We shul first1 feyn vs mstendom to take

Cold watere shal not1 greue vs but1 a lite

And I shal suche a reuel and feest1 make

fat1 as I trowe I shal f e Sowden quite 354

iFor f ou^e his wif be cristned neuer so white

She shal haue nede to wassh awaye f e rede

f ough" she a font1 ful of water wif her lede 357

0 Sawdenesse Roote of Iniquite

Virago f ou Semyram fe Second

0 Serpent1 vnder femyninete

Like to fe Serpent1 depe in helle ybound? 361

0 feyned woraman al fat1 may confound?

Vertue and Innocence f orgh f i malice

Is bredde in J>e as nest1 of euery vice 364

0 Sathan envious sif f ilk day

fat1 f ou were chased fro our heritage

Wei knewest1 f ou to wommen f e olo? way

f ou madest1 Eva to bringe in seruage 368

Thow wilt1 fordone cristen mariage

Thyn Instrument1 so wele away fe while

Makestowe of wommen wham fou wilf begile [leaf 90, back]

This Sowdonesse whom I \>us blame and warye

Laf prively her counsel gone her way

What1 shuld I in J»is tale lenger tarye

She ridef to fe Sawden on a daye 375

And seide him faf she wold reneye her layo

And Cristendom of preestes hondes fonge

Repenting1 she hefen was so longe 378

Biseching1 him to done her fr/t honours

fat1 she most1 han fe cristen folk to feest1

To plesen hem I wil do my labowr

f e Sawden self I wil don at1 30^7* heesf 382

PKTWOliTH 190 (6-T. Ul)

SIX-TEXT 142 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOlth MS. 191

And knelinge Jjonkep hure of fat1 request1

So glad he was he nyst1 what1 to seye

She kist1 her sone and horn she gof her way 385

[PART II.]

Arriued bene fise cn'sten folk to londe

In Surrye wif a grete solempne Eoute

And hastely fis Sowden sent1 his sonde

ffurst1 to his modere and al fe regne aboute 389

And seide his wiff was commen out1 of doute

And preide hure forto riden ageyn f e quene

The honure of his regne to sustene 392

Grete was J?e prees and rich was tharray

Of Surriens and romaynes met* yfere

The modere of j?e Sowden riche and gay

Kesceyuef her1 wi]> as glad a chere 396

As eny modere my^t her doubter1 dere

And to fe next1 Cite fer beside

A soft1 paas solempnely }>ei ryde 399

Naught1 trowe I J>e tn'umphe of lulius

Of which" fat1 lucan make]? such a boost1

Was ryallere ne more curious peaf9i]

Than was ]>e assemple of J>is blisful hoosf 403

But1 J?is scorpion J7is wikke goost1

J?e Sawdenesse for al her flateringe

Cast1 vnder J?is ful mortally to stynge 406

The Sowden corainej) hym self1 sone after1 Jns

So Eialli fat1 wonder* is to telle

He welcommej) hure with alle ioye and blis

And fus in merfe and loie I lete hem dwelle 410

PETWORTH 191 (6-T. 142)

SIX-TEXT 143 192 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOltll MS.

Jje froyte of fis matere paf 1 telle

"Whan tyme come men jjou^f if for j?e besf

Thaf reueH stinf and men gon to her rest1 413

The tyme come J>is olde Sawdenesse

Ordeyned hajj fis feesf of which I told*

And to ]>e fesf cristen folk hem dresse

In general bof 3enge and old4 417

Here may men feesf and rialte bihold?

And deyntes moo pan I can 3ou devise

Euf al to dere J?ei boi^f if er pei rise 420

0 sodeyn woo baf euer arf successoure [Latin note, p. mi

T 182

To worldly blisse sp[r]ayned is wij? bitternesse

))e end of J?e ioye of our worldely laboure

"Woo occupie]? Jje fyne of our gladnesse 424

Herk ])is counsaille for J?i sikernesse

Vppon \\ glade day haue in J?i mynde

pe vnwar woo or harme j?at commej) behinde 427

For shortely forto tellen af oon word?

The Sowden and pe cristen euerechone

Bene al to-hewe and stikked af ]>e bor(J

Buf if were oonly dame distance allone 431

)5is olde Sawdenes Jns cursed krone

ha]? wij) her frendes done pis cursed dede

ffor she her self wold! al ]?e cuntre lede [leaf 91, back]

NE ]?er nas Surrien noon faf was co?Aierted paf of ]?e counsaille of J>e Sawden wote J>af he nas al to-hewe er he asterted

>And Custaunce han J>ei take anon fote hoof 438

And in a shippe al steerless god woote ]>ei han hure sette and bidden her1 lerne saile Ouf of Surry ageynward? to ytaile 441

PETWORTH 192 (6-T. 143)

SIX-TEXT 144

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS. 193

A certeyn tresour pat1 she pider* ladde

And sope to seyn vitaile grete plente

They han her }euen and clones eke she hadde

And fforp she saillep in pe salt1 see 445

0 my custaurcce ful of benygnyte

0 Emperours jonge do^tere dere

He fat1 is lord of fortune be pi stere 448

She blessep and wip ful pitous voys

Vnto pe Crois of crist1 pus seid she

0 cleer o. welful autere holy croys

Eede of pe lambes blood ful of pite 452

That1 wessh pe world* from pe olde iniquyte

Me from pe feende and from his clawes kepe

pafr day pat1 1 shal drenche in pe depe 455

Victorious tree protection of trewe

That1 oonly worpi were for to bere

The king1 of heuene wij> his woundys newe

The white lombe pat1 hirte was with a spere 459

fflemer of feendes out1 of hym and here

On which pi lyues feipfully extenden

Me kepe and ^eue myght1 my lyf tamenden 462

Yeeres and daies fleet1 pis Creature

Thorgh-out1 pe see of Grece vnto pe stray te

Of Marrok as it1 was hir1 aventure [leaf 92]

0 mony a sory mele no we may she baite 466 After her deth ful oft may she wayte

Er pat1 pe wilde wawes wil her dryve

Vnto pe place pere she shal aryue 469

MEn myghten axen whi she was not1 sclayrD Eke atte feeste who myght1 her body saue

1 Answere to pat1 demannde agayfi

Who saued Danyel in pe horrible caue 473

PETWORTH 103 (6-T. 144)

SIX-TEXT 145 194 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PctWOlth MS.

Ther euery wi^t1 saf he maister1 or knaue

Was wif Jje leon frette or a-stertt

No wight1 but1 god fat1 hem bare in his herfr 476

GOd list1 to shewe his wonderful myracle

In hir1 ? fat1 shee shulde seen his my^ty werkes

Crist1 which fat is to euery harme triacle

By certayne meenes off / as knowen clerkes 480

Dof f ing1 for certeyn ende fat1 ful derk es

To mannys witt ? fat1 for our ignorawnce

]STe kon not1 knowe his prudent1 pwruyaunce 483

Now sif she was not1 at1 f e feest1 ysclawe

"Who kepte her from f e drenching1 in f e see

Who kepte lonas in f e fisshes mawe

Til he was spowted vp at1 Nynyve 487

Wei may men knowe it was no wi^t1 but1 he

What1 kept1 puple Ebrayk from drenchinge

Wi)) drie feet1 f orgh out1 J?e see passinge 490

"Who bad J>e foure spiretes of tempest1

That1 power han bo]> annoyen londe and see

Bof nor]>e and soujje and also west1 and Eesf

Annoye)) neijjer See londe ne tree 494

So])ly ])e Comannder1 of fat1 was he

That1 from J»e tempest1 ay fis womman kept1

As wel whan she woke as whan she sclepte Deaf 92, back]

Where my^t1 pis wowman mete or drynk1 haue Thre 3ere or more how lastej? hii-* vitaille Who fedde fe Egipcien mary in fe Caue Or in desert1 noon but1 Crist1 saunz faille 501

V. Mt. folk it1 was as grete meyvaille Wij) loues .v. and fisshes two to fede God sent1 his foysen at1 her grete iiede 504

PETWORTH 194 (6-T. 14o)

SIX-TEXT 145

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS. 195

She dryuep for]? into our1 Occiaii

Thorgh-ouf oure wilde See to atte last?

Vnder an hold? pat1 nempne I ne can

ffor in Nourth humberlond! pe wawe hire cast1 508

And in pe sonde her shipp stiked so fast

pat1 pennes wold it1 not1 of al a tyde

The wille of Crist was pat1 she shuld? abide 511

The Constable of pe Castel doun is fare

To seen pis werk and al pe ship he sou^fr

And fonde pis wery womman fill of care

He fonde also pe tresoure pat1 she brou^f 515

In her langage mercy she byso^t1

The lif1 out1 of her body forto twynne

Hire to delyuere of woo pat1 she was Inne 518

A Maner1 latyn corrupte was her speche

But1 algates per-by was she vnderstonde

The Constable whan he list1 no lengere seche

This wooful womman broi^t1 he to pe londe 522

She knelep doune and ponkep goddys sonde

But1 what1 she was she wolde no man seye

ffor foule ne faire pou^e pat she shuld? deye 525

She seide she was so mased in the See

pat1 she forgate hure mynde by hure troupe

The Constable of hire hap so grete pite [leaf 93]

And eke his wiff pat1 pei wepen for roupe 529

She was so diligent1 wip-outen sloupe

To serue and plese euerech in pat1 place

That1 al her louen pat1 loken on her face / 532

The Constable and dame Ermengeld? his wiff1

Were paynymes and pat1 contray euerywhere

But1 Hermengilt1 loued hure ri^t1 as hir liff1

And Constance hap so longe soiozwned pere 536

PETWORTH 19o (6-T. 146)

SIX-TEXT 147 196 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOrtfl MS.

In Orisons wif mony a bitter tere

Til Ihesu haf e conuerted f orgh his grace

Dame hermengild? Constablesse of fat place 539

In aH fat1 londe durst1 none cn'sten route

Alle Cristen folk1 ben fleddl fro fat1 cuntre

Thorgh paynymes fat1 conquered f er aboute

f e plages of f e nortli by lond and see 543

To wales fledde f e Cn'stiante

Of olde Bretoynes dwellin in f e He

Ther was hure refute for fe mene while 546

But1 ^it1 nas neuere cn'sten Bretoyne so exiled

That1 f er nas somwie in her pn'uetee

Honoured Crist1 and hef en folk1 begyled

And ny^e fe Castel such per dwelled thre 550

That1 oon of hem was blynde and my3f nof see

But1 it1 were wij? filk yen of his mynde

With which men seen after fat1 fei bene blynd? 553

was fe sonne as in fat1 somers day ffor whiche f e constable and his wif also And Custance han ytake f e iijti way Toward fe see a forlonge way or two 557

To pleien and to romen to and froo / And in her walk1 f is blynde man f ei mette Croked and olde wif fast1 eyen yshetf [leaf 93, i-ack]

In f e name of crist1 cried f is blynd Bretown

Dame hermegild! ^eue me 813 11 agayn

This lady wexe a-fraied of f e soune

Lest1 fat1 her husbond? shortely forto seyne 564

Wold hure for Ihesu cnstes loue haue slayn

Til Custance made hure bold and bad hire wirche

The wille of crist1 as doubter1 of his chirche 5G7

PETWOKTH 196 (6-T. 117)

SIX-TEXT 148

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS. 197

The constable wexe abasshed of J>af sight*

And seide what* amountejj al jjis fare

Custance answerd? Sire it1 is cristes my^fr

Jjat1 helpejj folk out* of J?e fendes snare 571

And so ferforjj she can our lay declare

pat1 she J>e constable er it was eve

Conuertejj and on crist1 made \\jrn byleue 574

This Constable nas no ping1 lord! of Jis place

Of which I speke J>er he Custawnce fonde

But1 kepte it1 strongly mony a wynter1 space

Vnder Alia king1 of aH Norjjhumberlonde 578

Jjat1 was fuH wise and worjji of his honde

Ageyne J?e scottes as men may wel here

But1 turne I wil ageyn to my matere 581

Sathan J?afr euere vs waitejj to begile

Seghe of Custance al hure perfecciozm

And cast1 anone howe he my^t1 quyte her while

And made a yonge knyght1 Jjat1 dwelt1 in ]>e town 585

Loue hire so hoot1 of foule affecciozm

J3at verrely hym Jjou^f he shulde spille

But1 he of hire ones my^t1 haue his wille 588

He wowej> hure but1 it1 availlej? noi^t1

She wolde do no synne by no weye

And for despite he compased in his jjou^f [leaf 94

To make hure a shameful dee]) to dye 592

He waitej) whan ]>e constable was away

And pn'uely vpon a ny^t* he crept1

In hermengildes Chambre while she slept1 595

)

Wery for-waked in her Orisons SlepeJ) Custance and hermengild? also / This knyght1 jjourgh Sathanas teraptacions Al softly is to J»e bed y-goo 599

PETWORTH 197 (6-T. 148)

SIX-TEXT 149 198 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOrth MS.

And kitte f e f rote of hermengilcJ atwoo ,

And laide Jje blody knyf by dame Custawnce

And went1 his waye f er god 3eue hym meschauwce 602

Sone after CommeJ) fis Constable home agayn

And Eke Alia fat1 kinge was of fat* londe

And segh his wiff dispitously slayn

ffor whiche ful oft1 he wepte and wronge his honde 606

And in f e bedde f e blody knyf he fonde

By dame Custaiwce alias what1 my^f she say

ffor verry woo her witte was al away 609

So kinge Alia was tolde al fis meschawnce

And eke f e tyme and where and in what wise

fat1 in a shipp was founden fis Custawnce

As here byforn 36 han herde devise 613

The kingges hert1 of pite gan agrise

Whan he seye so benigne a creature

ffalle in dissese and in mysauenture 616

For as f e lombe toward? J)e deth is

So J)is Innocent1 stanf to-fore f e king1

jjis fals kny^f fat1 haf Jris treson

Beref hure on honde fat1 she haf do fis f ing1 620

But1 naf elees f er was grete mowrnyng1

Amonge f e puple and seie f ai can not gesse

Tha[t] she had done so grete a wickednesse [leaf 94, back]

For f ei han seyn her1 euere so vertuous And louyng1 hermengile ri^t1 as her liff Of fis bare witnesse euerich in f af hous Saue he fat1 hermengild! slowe wiih his knyff 627

This gentile kinge haf ka^f a gref motiff Of fis witnesse and f o^t1 he wold! enquere Depper in fis caas trouf e forto lere 630

pETWoirrn 198 (G-T. 149)

SIX-TEXT 150

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS. 199

Alias distance f ow nast1 no champyon

Ne fighte Canstowe nat1 so wele away

But1 lie fat1 for oure redempcion

And bonde Sathan and lyef hym f er lie lay 634

So "be f i strong1 Champion f is daye

ifor but1 Cn'ste on f e miracle kith

Wif-owten gilt1 f ou shalt1 be slayn as swif e 637

She sette her doune on knees and f er she seide

Immortal god f af sauedestt Susanne

ffro fals blame and f ou merciful maide

Marye I mene dorter to seint1 Anne 641

Byforn whoos childe aungels sing1 Osanne

If I be giltlees of J>is felonye

My socoure be for ellis shal I dye 644

Haue 36 not1 sene somtyme a pale face

Among1 a prees of him fat1 ha]> be ladde

Toward? fe depe where as he gete no grace

And swich a coloure in his face hajj hadde 648

Men my3t1 knowe his face J>af was bistadde

Amonge alle ]?e faces of fat1 route

So stant Custance and lokef hire aboute 651

0 quenes lyuynge in prosperite

Duchesses and 36 ladies euerechone

Haue some roufe on her aduersite [leaf 95],

An EmpmDurs dou^tere stant1 allone 655

She haf no wi^t1 to whom to make her mono

0 blood real fat1 stondest1 in f is drede

ffer bene fi frendes at1 fi grete nede 658

This Alia king1 haf swicH compassiozm

As Geltile hert1 is fulfilled of pite

fat1 from his eyen ranne f e water do?m

Now hasteli do fecche a boke quod he 662

PETWORTH 199 (6-T. 150)

SIX-TEXT 151

200 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And if fis knyghfr wil swere howe fat she

f is wowman sclowe jiV wil we vs avise

"Whom fat1 we wold' shuld be our lustise 665

A breton booke writen -with euawngelies

"Was fette and f er-on he swore anone

She giltif was in f e mene whiles

An honde him smote vpon f e nekke bone 669

fat1 doune he felle at1 ones as a stone

And bof e his eyen brast1 out1 of his face

In sijf of euery body in fat place 672

A voys was herde in general audience

And seide f ou hast1 disslaundered giltelees

f e doubter of holy church in high presence

Thus hastowe done and jiti I mot1 hold? my pees 676

Of f is mervaile agast1 was aH f e prees

As mazed folk1 f ei stoden euerechone

ffor drede of wreche sauf Custance alone 679

•

Grete was ]?e drede and eke Jje repentawnce Of hem faf hadden wrong1 suspeciown Vppon J)is cely Innocent1 Custa^^nce

And for J>is miracle in conclusiown 683

And by Custance Mediackmn Jje kinge and mony ano]?er in J?at place Conuerted were Jjonked be goddis grace [leaf 95, back]

This fals knyghf was sclayn for his vntroujje

By luggement1 of Alia hastifly

And 31^ Custance haj) of his dej> gref roufe

And after J>is Ihesus of his mercy e 690

Made Alia wedden ful solempnely

This holy maiden fat1 is so bri^t1 and shene

And fus haf crist1 made Custance a quene 693

PETWORTH 200 (6-T lol)

SIX-TEXT 152

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS. 201

But1 who was wooful if I slial not1 lye

Of f is wedding1 but1 donegild? and no moo /

The kingges modere ful of Tyrannye

Hire fou^t1 her cursed hert1 brast1 a two 697

She wold' not1 her sone had done so /

Hire f o^t1 a despite fat1 he shulde take

So straunge a creature vnto his make 700

ME list1 not1 of f e Chaf ne of f e stre

Make so longe a tale as of f e corne

What1 shuld? I tellen of J>e Rialte

Of mariage or which" cours go]) byforne 704

Who blowef in trompe or in an home

f e ffrwte of euery tale is forto seye

f e[i] and drinke . f ei daunce singe or pley . 707

Thei gone to bedde as it1 was skil and rijf

ffor f ou3e fat1 wives bene ful holy f ingges

f ei most1 take in pacience a nyght1

Such manere necessaries as ben plesingges 711

To folk1 fat1 han ywedded hem witJi ringges /

And laye a litel her holynesse aside

As for fe tyme it1 may none of ere betide 714

On hire he gate a knaue child! anone

And to a bisshope and his Constable eke

He toke his wif to kepe whan he is gone [leaf 96]

to scotlond? ward! his foomen for to seke 718

Nowe faire Custance fat1 is so humble and meke

So longe is goon wif child' til fat1 stille

She halt1 her chambere abiding1 cHstes wille 721

The tyme is come a knaue child she bere

Mauricius atte fontstone f ei hym calle

fis Constable doj> forf come a massagere

And wrote to his kinge fat1 cleped was Alle 725

15 PETWORTH 201 (6-T. 152)

SIX-TEXT 153

202 GROUP B. § 2, MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Howe pat1 pis blisful tydyngges is byfalle

And oper tydingges spedeful forto seye

He takef pe lettie and for]? he gop his waye 728

This Massagere to done his auawntage

Vnto pe kingges modere ride]? swipe

And salwep hire ful faire in his langage

Madame quod he . 36 may be glad and blipe 732

And ponkep god an hundred pousan<J sipe

My lady queue hap child' wip-outen doute

To loie and blisse of al pis regne aboute 735

Lo here pe letfaes seled of pis pinge

Jjat1 1 mot1 bere wip al pe hast1 1 may

If 36 wil ou^f vnto ^oure sone pe kinge

I am ^oure serua^nte bop ny^t1 and day 739

Dongild? answerd4 not1 not1 at1 pis tyme

But1 here al ny}^ I wil pou take pi rest1

To morowe wil I saye what1 me lest1 742

This Massagere dronk1 sadly ale and wyne

And stollen were his le^res prively

Out1 of his boxe whilst1 he slepte as a swyn)

And counterfeted was ful subtily 746

A nopere lettre wrou^f ful synfully

Vnto pe kinge directe of pis matere

ffrom his Constable as 36 shal after here [leaf 96, back]

The lettre spak1 pe Quene delyuered was

Of so horrible a fendlich creat?^?^e

That1 in pe Castel noon so hardy was

pat1 eny while dorst1 p^r-Inne endure 753

The modere was an Elf by auentwe

Ycome by Charmes or by sorcerye

And euery wighf hatep her companye 756

PETWORTH 202 (6-T. 153)

SIX-TEXT 154

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS. 203

WOo was J>is kinge whan he J?is letfaQ had seyne

But to no wi^t1 he tolde his sorowes sore

But1 of his owne honde he wrote ageyne

Welcome £e sonde of cn'st1 for euermoore 760

To me jjat1 am nowe lered in his lore

Lord welcome be Jn lust1 and J)i plesauwce

My lust1 is putte al in Jjine ordynawnce 763

Wepejj )>is child! al be it1 foule or feire

And eke my wiff vnto myn home coramynge

Crist1 whan him list1 may sende me an heire

More a-greable J>an J>is is to my likinge 767

This letter he celej) prively wepinge

Whiche to fe massagere was take sone

And for]? he go]? J?er nys no more to done 770

0 Massagere fulfilled of dronkenesse iLatin note> P- l|-]

Stronge is ]?i bree]> j>i lymmes flateren ay

And ]>ou by-wreiest1 al sikernesse

Thy mynde is lorn )?ou langelesf as a laye 774

Thi face is turned in a newe aray

Ther dronkenesse regnejj in ony route

Ther nys no counsel! hidde wi]>-oute doute 777

0 Donegild! I ne haue noon englissh digne

Ynto fi malice and J>i tyrannye 1 P ^^^^S^^^

And ]?erfore to J>e fende I pe resigne

Laf hym enditen of j?i traterye 781

% maraiyssh fy . o nay by god I lie

ffy feendissh spirit1 . for I dar wel telle

Thowe fou here walk1 }>i spirit1 is in helle 784

This massagere cowmej? fro J>e feende agayn

And at1 ]>e kingges moders court1 he li^t*

And she was of this massagere ful fayn

And plesed him in al jjat euere she my^t1 788

PETWORTH 203 (6-T. 154)

SIX-TEXT 155

204 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS.

He drank wel his girdel vnder

He sclepej) and he firontef in his gise

Al nyght1 to fe sonne gan arise 791

Ofte were his le#res stolle euerechone

And counterfeted lettres in fat1 wise

})e kinge commaundef his constable anone

Vp peyn of hongyng1 on an high" Iwyse 795

That* he ne shulde suffre in no wise

distance wif-Inne his regne forto abide

Thre daies and a quarter of a tyde 798

But1 in f e same ship as he hire fonde

Hure and her yonge sone and al her gere

He shulde putte and croude fro f e londe

And charge hure fat1 she neuere eft come fere 802

0 my Custance wel may f i goost1 haue fere

And sleping1 in f i dreme bene in penawnce

Whan donegil cast1 aH hir ordinance 805

This Massagere on morowe whan he woke

Vnto fe Castel halt1 fe nexf waye

And to f e Constable he f e le^re toke

And whan faf he fis pitous le££re saye 809

fful oft he seide alias and walawaye

lord Crist' quod he howe may fis le^re endure Deaf 97, back]

So ful of synne is mony a creature 812

0 my^ty god if1 fat1 if be f i wille

Sif f ou art1 ^fful luge how may it1 be

fat1 f ou wilt1 suffren Innocentz to spille

And wicked folk regnen in prosperite 816

0 good Custance alias so woo is me

fat1 1 mote be f i turmentow or deye

On- shames deth fer nys noon of ere waye 819

PETWORTH 204 (6-T. loo)

SIX-TEXT 156 GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PctWOlth MS. 205

Wepen boj> $onge and olde in al fat1 place

Whan fat1 f e kinge f is cursed le^re sent1

And distance wif a dedly pale face

pe ferf e day toward? her ship she went1 823

But1 naf elees she take]) in good entent1

f e wille of Crist' and kneling1 in f e stronde

She saide lorde o. welcome be f i sonde • 826

He fat1 me kept1 from f e fals blame

While I was in f e londe amonges $ou

He kan me kepe from harme and eke fro sham

In salt1 See al-f o^e I se not1 howe 830

As stronge as euer he was he is ri^t1 nowe

In hym trust1 1 and in his modere dere

fat1 is to me my saille and eke my stere 833

Hire litel child? lay weping1 in her Arme

An kneling1 pitously to him she seide

Pees litel sone I wil do f e noon harme

WiJ) fat1 her keerchef of her hede she breide 837

And ouer1 his smale yen she it1 leyde

And in her Arme she lullef it1 ful fast1

And in to heuene her yen vp she cast1 840

Modere quod she and maide bri^f marie

SoJ>e is fat* Jjorowe womme^nys eggement1 jeafgs]

Mankinde was lorn and dampned ay to dye

ffor which Jji child? was on croys yrent1 844

j)i blisful eyen segfr al his turment1

fan is ]>er no comparison bytwene

fi woo and any woo man may sustene 847

Thowe seghe Jji sone yslayn bifore fine eyen

And ^it1 now lyuef my litel child parfay

Now lady b^t1 to whoom al woful crien

Thowe glory of wo?7imanhode fou faire may 851

PETWORTH 205 (6-T. 156)

SIX-TEXT 157 206 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOlth MS.

J)ow hauen of refute brrjtt sterre of day

Rewe on my child? ]>att of fi gentilnesse

Rewestt on euery RwefuH in distresse 854

0 litel child alias watt is j?i giltt

Jjatt neuer wrongest1 synne as }itt parde

Why wil fine harde fadere haue ]?e spiltt

0 mercye dere constable quod she 858

As latt my litel child? dwelle here with J?e

And }if J)ou darstt nott fauour hym for blame

So kisse him onys in his faders name 861

TherwiJ) she lokej) bacward? to ]?e lande

And saide fare wel husbond' rewthlees

And vp she restt and walkej) down ])e stronde

Toward' J?e shippe hire folowej? al J>e prees 865

And euere she preiej) her chilcJ to hold? his pees

And takef her leue and with an holy ententt

She blessej) hire and into ship she went1 868

Availed was J>e ship if is no drede

Abundantly for hire a longe space

And ofer necessaries J?at shulde nede

She had ynowe heryed be goddes grace 872

ffor wynde and weder almy^ty god pz^rchase

And bringe hure home I can no better seye [leaf 98, back]

Butt in ])e See she drive]? for]) her weye 875

[PART IIL]

Alia ])e kynge comme)> home sone after* fis

Vnto his Castel of ]>e which I tolde

And axe]) wher his wif1 and his child* is

The Constable gan aboutt his hertt cold' 879

PETWORTH 206 (6-T. 157)

SIX-TEXT 158

GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS. 207:

And pleynly al f e manere lie hym told

As 36 han herde I can telle it1 no bettere

And shewef f e kinge his seele and his letters 882

And seide lord as 36 commaunded me

Vp peyn of def e so haue I done certeyne

This massagere tormented was til he

Most1 be-knowen and tellen plat1 and pleyne , 886

ffrom nyght1 to ny^t1 in what1 place he had leynf

And f us by witte and subtil enqueringe

Ymagened was by whom f is harme can sprynge 889

The honde was knowen fat1 f e letters wrote

And al f e venyme of f is cursed dede

But1 in what1 wise certeynly I note

f e effecte is f is fat1 Alia out1 of drede 893

his modere sclowe fat1 mony men pleynly rede

That1 for she tratour was to her legeaunce

Thus endef old? donegild? with meschaunce 896

The Sorowe fat1 f is Alia ny$t and day

Makef for his wif1 and for his child' also

Ther nys no tunge fat1 it1 telle may

But1 now wil I viito distance goo 900

That1 fletef in f e See in peyn and woo

V. 3ere and more as liked cn'stes sonde

Er fat1 her shippe approched vnto londe 903

Vnder an hethen CasteH atte last1

Of which fe name in my tixf m^t1 1 fynde [leaf 99]

Custance and eke f e child' f e see vp cast*

Almy^ty god fat1 sauef al man kinde 907

Haue on custawnce and her childe som mynde

fat1 fallen is in hethen hand eft1 sone

In poynt1 to spille as I shal telle }ou sone 910

PETWORTH 207 (6-T. 158)

SIX-TEXT 159 208 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOlth MS.

Downe fro f e CasteH comfe fere mony a

To gawen on fis ship and on custance

But1 shortely from f e Castel on a ny^tt

The lordes steward' god }eue hym meschauwce 914

A theef fat1 had reyned our creaunce

Come into shipp allone and seide he shuld?

Her legman be where so she wold? or nold? 917

Woo was fis wrecched womman f oo bygone

Her childe cried and she cried piously

But1 blisful mary halpe hure ii$V anone

ifor wif her strogelinge wel and my^tely 921

f e theef fille ouer bord? al sodeynly

And in f e See he dreyntt for vengeance

And fus ha]) crist1 vnwemmed kepte custance 924

0 foule lust1 of luxurie lo fine ende lLatin ™te> P- ^

Not1 only fat1 foil fayntest1 marcnys mynde

But1 verrely fou wilf his body shende

fe ende of fi werk or of fi lustes blynde 928

Is compleynyng1 how mony one may men fynde

fat nou^t1 for werk somtyme but1 for f entente

To done fis synne bene eifer* slayn or shente 931

How may fis weike womman han fis strength

Hire to defend? a^einst1 fis Renegaf

0 Golyas vnmesurable of length

How my3t1 dauid make fe so mat 935

So yonge and of armure so desolat1

How durst1 he loke vpon f i dredful face [leaf 99, back]

Wel may men seen it1 was but1 goddes grace 938

Who 3af! ludith corage or hardynesse

To scleen hym Olesphernus in his tent1

And to delyuere out1 of wrecchednesse

The puple of god I seye for fis entent1 942

tETWORTH 208 (6-T. 159)

SIX-TEXT 160 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PctWOlth MS. 209

That1 ri^t1 as .god spirit* and vigor sent1

To hem and sailed hem out1 of meschaunce

So sent1 he my^t1 and vigor to Custaurcce 945

For]? go]) pe shippe porowe-out1 pe narow moupe

Of lubaltar and scepte dryuyng aye

Som tyme west1 and somtyme nourpe and soupe

And somtyme Este ful mony a wery daye 949

Til Cristes modere blessed be 36 aye

hap scapen porgh her endelees goodnesse

To make an ende of al her hevynesse 952

Now lat1 vs stynf of distance but1 a throwe

And speke we of pe Romayn Emperour

pat1 out1 of Surry ha]) by letters knowe

pe sclaughter of Cristen folk and dishonowre 956

Doon to his doubter by a fals tratowr

I mene }>e Cursed wicked Sowdenesse

That1 at pe feesf lete scleen boj) more and lesse 959

For which pe Emperowr ha]) sent1 anon

His Senatour wi]) real ordyna^nce

And ofer lordes god wote mony on

On Surriens to taken hie vengeazmce 963

They brennen sleen and bringgen hem to meschaunce .

fful mony a day but1 shortely pis is^ pende

Homword' to Rome J?ei shapen hem to wende 966

This senatour repaire]) with victorye

To Eomewardl saillinge ful Rially [leaf 100]

And mette ])e Shippe dryuyng1 as sei]) J)e storye

In which Custance sitte ful pitously 970

No ping1 ne knewe what1 she was ne why

She was in such aray . ne she nyl sey

Of her astaat1 pough pat1 she shulde deye 973

PETWORTH 209 (6-T. 160)

SIX-TEXT 161 210 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PctWOlth MS.

HE bringef her to Rome and to his wiff

He ^aue hure and her ^onge sone also

And wif f e Senatoure she lad her liff

Thus can our lady bringen out1 of woo 977

Wooful Custance and mony an of er moo

And longe tyme dwelled she in fat1 place

In holy werkes euer as was hire grace ^80

The Senatowrs wif her Aunte was

But1 for al fat1 she knewe her neue/*e f e more

I wil no lenger tarien in f is cas

But1 to kinge Alia which I spake of yore 984

Jpat1 for his wiff wepef and sighef sore

I wil retorne and lete I wil Custance

Vnder fe Senatours gouernawnce 987

Kynge Alia which fat1 had his modere sclayh

Ypon a day felle in such repentaunce

fat1 if I shortely tellen shal and playii

To Eome he commef to resceyuen his penance 991

And putte him in f e Popes ordinance

In by and lowe and Ihesu crist1 byso^f

ffor^eue his wicked werkes fat1 he wro^tt 994

The fame anon forowe Room toune is born

How Alia J>e king1 shal commen in pilgnmage

By herberiours fat1 wemten hym biforn

ffor which fe Senatoure as was vsage 998

Rode hym a^ein and mony of his lynage

As wel to shewen his hie magnificence [leaf 100, back]

As to doon eny king1 a Reuerence 1001

Grete chere do]> fis noble Senatowr

To kinge Alia and he to hym also

Euerech of hem do]> ofere grete honowr

And so byfelle fat1 in a clay or twoo 1005

PETWORTH 210 (6-T. 16l)

SIX-TEXT 162 GROUP B. § 2, MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOlth MS. 211

This Senatour is to king1 Alia goo /

To feesf and shortely if I shal not1 ly

Custance sone in his Companye 1008

Sonme men wold? seyn atte request1 of Custance

This Senatour ha]) ladde pis child? to fesf

I may not tellen euery Circumstance

Be as be may per was he atte leest1 1012

But1 sope is pis pat1 at1 his moders hesfr

Byforn alia duringe pe metes space

The Childe stode loking1 in pe kingges face 1015

This Alia kinge haj> of pe child? gret1 wonder

And to pe Senatoure he seide anoon

Whoos is pat1 faire childe pat1 stondep Bonder1

I noot1 qwod he by god and be seynt1 lohii 1019

A modere he hap but1 fadere hap he non

pat1 1 of wote and shortly in a stounde

He told? Alia how pat1 pis child was founde 1022

But1 god wote q?/od pis Senatowr also

So vertuous a lyuere in my liff

Ne segh I neuere as she ne herd of mo

Of worldly wommen / mayde ne wiff „ 1026

I dar wel seide she had leuer* a knyff

porowe-out1 her brest1 pan bene a womman wicke

per is no man coupe bringe hire to pat1 prikke 1029

1

Now was pis Childe as like vnto custance As possible is a creatwre to be [leafioi]

This Alia hap pe face in remembrance Of Dame Custance and peron mused he 1033

If pat1 pe childes modere were ou^t1 she pat1 is his wif and pn'uely he si^f And spedde hym fro pe table pat1 he nr^t1 1036

PET WORTH 211 (6-T. 162)

SIX-TEXT 163 212 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PetWOlth. MS.

Perfay lie fou^f J>e fantom is in myn hede

I ou^t1 demen of skilful luggement1

That1 in J?e salt1 se my wif is dede

And afterward? he made his argument1 1040

What wote I ^if1 fat1 crist1 haj> hider* sent1

My wiff by see as wel as he her1 sent1

To my cuntre from pennes as she was went1 1043

And aftere anoon home wi]> fe Senatoure

Go]) alia forto see f is wonder* chance

This Senatour doj> Alia grete honours

And hastifly he sent1 aftere Custance 1047

But1 trustef wel her lust1 nou^t1 to dance

Whan J>afr she wist1 wherfor was pat1 sonde

Vnnefes on her fete she my^t1 stonde 1050

Whan Alia segtL his wif faire he her grette

And wepte it1 was reujje forto see

ffor atte first1 loke he on hir sette

He knewe wel verrely J>afr it1 was she 1054

And for sorowe as dombe stant as a tre

So was hert1 shette in her distresse

Whan she remembred his vnkindenesse 1057

Twise she swownef in his owne si}^

He wepte and him excuse]? pitously

Nowe god quod he and his halowes bi^t1

So wisly on my soule haue mercy 1061

fat1 of $oure harme as giltelees am I

As is Maurice Mi sone so lik ^oure face [>af 101, back]

Ellis J?e feend me fecche out1 of J?is place 1064

Longe was J?e sobbyng* and fe bitter peyne

Er fat1 her wooful hertes my^ten cese

Grete was fe pite forto here hem pleyne

f>org!l whiche pleyntes gan her woo encrees 1068

PETWORTH 212 (6-T. 163)

SIX-TEXT 164

GROUP B. § 2, MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS. 213

I prei 3011 all my labour to relees

I may not1 tellen lier woo vntil to morowe

I am so wery to speke of her sorowe 1071

But1 fynaly whan fat1 f e sof e is wist1

That1 Alia giltlees was of her woo

I trowe an C. tymes ben f ei kist1

And suche a blisse is fer ytwix hem twoo 1075

fat1 saue f e loie fat1 lestef euermoo

per is non like fat1 eny creature

Haf seyne or shal while fe world? may dure 1078

Tho preied she her husbond? mekely

In relief of her longe pitous pyne

fat1 he wolde prei hure fadere specialy

fat1 of his maieste he wold? enclyne 1082

To vouche sauf with him som day to dyne

She preied him eke he shulde by no way

vnto her fader no word? of hire say 1085

Somme men wold? seyn how fat1 f e childe Maurice

Dof f is massage vnto f e Emperour

But1 as I gesse alia was not1 so nyce

To him fat1 was of so souereyn honour 1089

As he fat1 is of cristen folk1 f e flour1

Sent1 eny childe but1 it is bette to deme

He went1 him self and so it1 may wel seme 1092

This Emperour haf graunted gentilly

To come to dyner as he hym bysou^f [leaf 102]

And wel rede I he loked bisily

Ypon fis child? and on his doubter fo^tt 1096

Alia gof to his Inne and as hym o^t1

Arraied for fis feest1 in euery wise

As ferforf as his conyng1 may suffice 1099

PETWORTH 213 (6-T. 104)

SIX-TEXT 165

21 4: GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Petworth MS.

The morowe come and Alia can hym dresse

And eke his wif J?is emperour forto mete

And for]? J?ei ride in loie and in gladnesse

And whan she segh. her fadere in jje strete 1 103

She li^fr a-doune and fallej) hym to fete

ffadere quod she 3oure 3onge child4 Custance

Is nowe ful clene out1 of ^oure remembrance 1106

I am 3oure dou^tere Custance quod she

Jjat1 whilom 36 sent1 vnto Surray

It* am I fadere Jjat1 in J?e salt see

Was putte allone and dampned forto dye 1110

Good fader now I yow mercye crye.

Send me no more vnto noon hefenes

But1 ]?onke my lord here of his kindenes 1113

Who can pe pitous loye tellen alle

Bitwixe hem Jre si]) J?ei ben Jms ymette

But1 of my tale make an ende I shal

The day go]? fast1 1 wil no lenger lette 1117

This glad folk to dyner J>ei hem sette

In loye and blisse at1 mete I lat1 hem dwelle

A pousand? fold? wel more ]>an I can telle 1120

This child? Maurice was si]>en Emperow

Made by fe pope and lyued cristenly

To cristes churche he did grete honowr

But1 1 lat1 al ]?is story passen by 1124

Of Custance is my tale specialy

In olde romayn Gestes may men fynde Deaf 102, back]

ILatin note, p. 183.]

Mawrices lif I bere it1 not1 in mynde 182

This king1 Alia whan he his tyme say

WiJ? Custance his holy wif so swete

To Engelond ben J?ei come J>e ri^t1 way

Wher as pei lyve in loie and in quiete 1131

PETWORTH 214 (6-T. 16o)

SIX-TEXT 166

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Pefrwrortli MS. 215

But1 litel while it1 lastej) I 3011 hete

loie of )>is world* for tyme wil not1 abide

ffrora day to ny3f it1 chaungep as j?e tyde 1134

lyued euere in suche delite a day t-Latin ^^ P- ^

pat1 ne meued eijjer conscience Or Ire or talent1 or somkyn affray

Envie or pn'de. or passion or offence 1138

I ne seie but1 for pis ende jris sentence pat1 litel while in loye or in plesaunce Lastep pe hlisse of alia wij? Custaunce 1141

For dejj fat1 take]? of high and lough his rente

Whan passed was a ^eer euene as I gesse

Out1 of pis world? pis kinge alia he hente

ffor whoom Custance ha]? ful grete hevynesse 1145

Now lat1 vs preien god his saule blisse

And Dame Custance fynally to seye

Toward ]>e towne of Rome gojj her weye 1148

TO Rome is come Jns holy creature

And fyndej) her frende hool and sound!

Now is she scaped aH hure auenture

And whan she her fadere ha]? yfounde 1152

Doune on her knees falle]) she to grounde

Weping1 for tendernesse in hert1 blith

She heriej? God an C. thousand sife 1155

In vertue and holy Almesdede

Jjei lyuen aH and neuere a sondrie wende Peaf ios]

Til de]) depa?ie hem Jiis lif fei lede

And fare]? now wel my tale is at1 an ende 1159

Now Ihesu crist1 pat1 of his my^t1 may sende

loye after woo gouerne vs in his grace

And kepe vs aH fat1 ben in Jiis place 1162

IT Here ende]> J?e tale of J>e man of lawe

[TJie Squire1 s Prologue follows in the MS.~]

PETWORTH 215 (6-T. 166)

SIX-TEXT 167 •216 GROUP B. §3. MAN OP LAW'S END-LINK. PetWOrth MS.

And here bygynnef J>e prologe of j?e sqwiere

e boost1 vpon his stiropes stood anon ||.j>e prologe

And seide good men herkenej? euerychon

This was a jmfty tale for J>e nones

Sire parissh preest quod he for goddes bonys 1166

Telle vs a tale as was j)i forward yore

I se wele pat1 ^e leerned men in lore

Can moche good by goddes dignyte

]>e Parsone hym answered benedicite 1170

"What1 eile]> pe man so synfully to swere

Oure boost1 answero? 0 lankyn be 36 Jjere

I smelle a lollard? in J>e wynde quod he

Howe good men quod our boost1 herknej? me 1 1 74

Abide]) for goddis digne passion

ffor we shal haue a predicacion

)?is lollard' here wil prechen vs somwhaf

Nay by my fader1 soule fat shal he nat1 1178

Seide ])e Sqwier here shal he nat preche

He shal no gospel glosen here ne teche

He leuej? al in fe grete god he

He wolde sow en som difficulte 1182

Or springeH Cokel in oure clene corn

And Jjerfore boost1 1 warne ]>e byforn

Mi loly body shal a tale telle

And I shal Clynken ^ou so mery a belle 1186

Jjat1 1 shal waken al J?is companye

But1 it1 shal not1 bene of Philosophic

Ne Phislyas ne teermes queynt1 of lawe

J)er is but1 litel latyn in my mawe 1190

[The Squire's Tale follows in the MS.]

PETWORTH 216 (6-T. 167)

BIX-TBXT 479

GKOUP F, § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

IF The Bowlers Tale .

[leaf 10:5, back]

And here by- gynnep pe Sqwiers tale. /

Afr Sarray in pe land of Tartarye IF ffabula Armige?! per dwelt1 a. kyng1 pat1 werried Russye porgh which per deyed mony a dughty man pis noble king1 was cleped Cambynskan 12

Which" in his tynie was of so grete renown pat per nas nowhere in no regiown So Excellent* a lord in al pinge

Hym lacked nou^fr J>af longed to a kynge 16

As of ]>e secte of which J?af he was born He kepte his lay to which J?afr he was sworn And )?erto he was hardy wise and riche And pitous and lusf alway ylich 20

Sooj) of his worde benygne and honurable Of his corage as ony centre stable IT centrum circuii

^ong1 fresshe and stronge in Armes desirous As eny bachilere in al his hous 24

A faire persone he was and fortunaf And kept1 alway so wel rial astat1 pat1 J>er nas nawhere such a no]?er man This noble kinge pis tartre Cambynskan 28

had two sones on Eltheta his wiff Of which J?e eldest1 highf Algarsiff pat1 oper was cleped Camballo

A doughtere had pis worpi kinge also 32

pat 3ongest1 was and hi$f Canace But1 forto telle 3ou al her beute It1 lipe not1 in my tunge ne in my co/znynge I dar not1 vndertake so hye a pinge 36

PETWORTH 217 (6-T. 479)

SIX-TEXT 480

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Myn engelissh" eke is insufficient1

It1 most bene a rjtther1 excellent1

fat1 kouf e his colours longyng1 for fat1 arte

If he shuld here discryve eny part1 40

I am noon suche I most speke as I can

And so byfelle fat1 f is Cambynskan

Hath xxu wyntere born his diademe [leaf 104}

As he was wonte fro ^ere to }ere I deme 44

He lete f e feest1 of his natiuite

Done Crien f orgE. Sarray his Cite

J>e last1 Idus of March after* J?e 3 ere

Phebus f e sonne ful lolyf was and clere 48

fibr he was nye his exaltacion

In Martes face and in his mancion

In Aries f e Colerik f e hote signe

fful lusty was fe weder1 and benigne 52

ffor which f e fowles a^einsf f e somze sheiie

What1 for the seson and f e ^onge grene

fful loude songe hir5 afFeccions

Hem semed han geten hem proteccions 56

A3einsf fe swerd' of wynter kene and cold?

This Cambynskan of which I haue $ou tol(J

In Rial vestement1 sitte vpon his des

Wif dia[de]me ful high in his paleys 60

And halt1 his feest1 so solempne and so riche

J^at1 in fis world? ne was ]>er non it liche

Of which if I sal telle al fe araye

Than wold it1 occupie a somers daye 64

And eke it1 nedef nat1 to devise

And euery cours fe order1 of her5 seruise

I wil not1 telle of her strange sewes

Ne of her swannes ne her heron-sewes 68

Eke in fat1 londe as tellen kny^tes olde

There is som mete fat1 is for deynte holds

That1 in f is londe men recche but1 small

J?er nys no man fat1 may reporten aft 72

PETWORTH 218 (6-T. 480)

SIX-TEXT 481

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

I wil not1 tary 3011 for it is pry me

And for it1 is no frute but1 losse of tyme

Vnto my furst1 I wil haue my recours

And so byfeH fat1 after fe fred recours 76

Whil fat1 f is kinge sitte f us in his nobleye

Herkenyng1 his menstralles her f ingges pleye

Byforn him at1 fe boord deliciously [leaf 104, back]

Inne atte halle door so sodeynly 80

Ther come a knyght1 vpon a stede of bras

And in his honde a brood my TOUT of glas

Ypoii his f ombe he had of gold! a rynge

And by his side a naked swerd hangynge 84

And rp he ridef to f e heigh boord?

In al f e halle ne was f er spoke no word?

ffor merveile of f is knyght1 hym to biholde

fful bisily f ei wayten ^onge and olde 88

This stronge knyght1 fat1 come f us sodeynly

Al armed saue his hede ful richely

Salued f e king1 f e quene and lordes alle

By ordere as fei seten in fe halle 92

Wi]) so high" reuerence and obeysance

As wel in speche as in his countenance

Jjatt Gawayne wijj his olde curtasie

jjo^e he come ageyn out1 of ifarye 96

Ne coude him no^t4 amende with no wore?

And after J)is bifore jje highe bord?

He wij) a manly vois saide his massage

After J?e forme vsed in his langage 100

"With-out1 vice of sillable or of leftre

And for his tale shulde seme J?e bettere

Accordant1 to his wordes was his chere

As techej? arte of speche hem fat it lere 104

Al be it1 fat1 1 can not1 sowne his styele

"Ne can not1 clymben ouer so hi^e a styele

3ifr say I J)is fat1 as to comune entente

Thus moche amountef al fat1 euere he ment1 108

PETWORTH 219 (6-T. 48l)

SIX-TEXT 482

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

If it1 so be fat1 1 haue it1 in my mynde

He seide f e kynge of Arabye and of ynde

My liege lord? on f is solempne day

Salwef 3011 as he best1 can and may 112

And seendef 3 owe in honur* of $our feste

By me fat1 am redy al at1 3oure heeste

This stede of bras fat1 esily & weli Deaf iosj

Can in a space of a day naturel 116

This is to saye in four and twerdi1 houres [iMSxxiiy.j

"VVher so }ou lust1 in dro^t1 or in shourQs

Beren 3oure body in to euery place

To which 3oure hertes wilnef forto pace 120

Wif -oute wemme of 3ou f orow foule or fare

Or if 3ow list1 to flee as hie in j?e Eire

As dof an Egle whan him list1 to sore

This same stede shal bere 3ou euermore 124

Wif-outen harme til 36 be where 3011 list1

f ow fat1 30 sclepen on his bak1 or rest1

And turne a3ein wif wrif ing1 of a pynne

He fat1 it1 wrou^t1 cowde ful mony a gynne 128

He waited mony a constellacion

Or he had doo f is operacion

And knewe ful mony a seal and mony a bonde

This myroure eke fat1 1 haue in myn honde 132

Haf suche a n^t1 fat1 men may in it see

whan f er shal fallen eny aduersite

Vnto 3 ou^ regne or vnto 302/7* self also

And openly who is 3oure freend* or ffoo / 136

And ouer al f is if eny lady bri3f

Haf sette her hert1 in eny maner wi3fr

If he be fals she shal his treson see

His newe loues and al his subtilite 140

So openly fat1 f er shal no f ing1 hide

wherfore ageyn f is lusty somers tyde

This myrour and f is ryng1 fat1 36 may see

He haf sent1 to my lady Canacee 144

PETWORTH 220 (6-T. 482)

SIX-TEXT 483

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

^oure excellent1 dou^tere pat1 is here

pe vertue of pis rynge if 36 wil here

Is pis f pat1 if her list1 it1 forto were

Vpon her thcmbe or in her purs it bere 148

per nys no fowle pat1 flee]? viider pe heuene

pat1 he ne shal vnderstond? his steuene

And knowe his menyng1 openly and pleyne [leaf 105, back]

And answere him in his langage ageyne 152

And euery gras pat1 growep vpon rote

She shal wel knowe and whome it wil do bote

And be his wound es neuere so depe and wide/

This naked swerd pat1 hongep by my side 156

Such vertue hap pat1 what1 man so 36 smyte

porowe-out1 his armure it1 wil kerue and bite

were it1 as thikke as is a braunched oke

And what1 man pat1 is wounded with pe stroke 160

Shal neuere be hool til pat 3011 list1 of grace

To stroke him with pe plat1 in pilk place

Ther he is hirt1 pis is as moche to seyii

^e mote with pe plat1 swerde ageyn 1G4

Stroke hyw in the wounde and it1 wil close

This is a verrey sope wip-outen glose

It1 faillep nou^f pe whilis it1 is in your holde

And whan pis kny^t1 hap pus pis tale tolde 168

He ridep out1 of pe halle and do?m he liyti

.His stede which pat1 shoon as sonwe bri^t1

Stant1 in pe courte stille as eny stooii

This knyght1 is to his chambre lad an5on 172

And is vnarmed and to pe mete I-sette

pe presentes bene ful richely fette

This is to seyn pe swerd? and pe Mirro?^r

And born anoon vnto pe hie toure 176

"Wip certeyn officers yordeyned perfore

And vnto Canacee pe ryng1 is bore

Solempnely per she sitte atte pe table

But1 sikerly wip-oute eny fable 180

PETWORTH 221 (6-T. 483)

SIX-TEXT 484

GROUP F. § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

J>e hors of bras fat1 may not1 be remewed

If stant1 as it1 were to ]?e grounde yglwed /

]?er may no man out1 of J?e place it1 drive

ffor noon engyn of wyndas or polyve 184

And cause whi for )>ei can not1 fe craft1

And ferfore in J)e place ]>ei han it laft1

Tyl fat1 fe kny^t1 ha]) tau^t1 hem fe manere Deaf IOG]

To voyden him as $e shal after here 188

Grete was fe prees fat1 swarmed to and froo

To Gowren on Jjis hors fat1 stondej) soo /

ffor it1 so hegh was . and so brode and long1

So wel proporciond forto be stronge 192

Ri^t1 as it1 were a stede of lumbardye

Ther-wif so horsly and so quyke of eye

As it1 a ge[n]til poyleis coursere were

ffor Certes from his tale vnto his ere 196

Nature ne art1 ne koude hym nou^t1 rnende

In no degre as al f e puple wende

But1 euer-more hiij most1 wonder was /

Howe fat1 it1 cowde gon and was of bras 200

It1 was of fayre as f e puple seined

Dyuers folk dyuersly han denied

As mony hedes as mony wittes J?er bene

J>ei Mormured as don a swarme of been 204

And mede skilles after her fantasies

Rehersinge of J?e olde poetries f .L equus pedasdus,

And seide it1 was lik* J?e Pegasee

J)e hors Jjat1 had wenges forto fle 208

Or ellis it1 was ]?e Gr[e]kes hors Synon

That1 brou3t1 Troy to destruction

As men in ]?ise olde Geestes rede

Myne hert1 quod oon is euere more in drede 212

I trowe somme men of armes bene )>er-Inne

That1 shapen hem J?is Cite forto wynne

It1 were ri^t1 good ^at1 al such Jnng1 were knowe

Anojjer rowned to his felawe lowe 216

PETWOETH 222 (6-T. 484)

SIX-TEXT 485

GROUP F, § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

And seide he lie]? for it is raj>er like

An apparence ymade by som magike

As logelours pleyen at1- f ise feestes grete

Of sondry fortes f us f ei langle and trete 220

As lewde puple deinen comonly

Of f ingges fat1 bene made subtil y

Than f ei can in her lewdenesse comprehende [leaf ioe, back]

f ei demen gladly to f e badder ende 224

An somrae of hem wondren on f e myrowr

fat1 born was vp vnto J>e maister tour1

How men my^t1 in hit1 suche f ingges see

Anofer answerd? and seide it1 my^t1 wel be 228

Naturelli by composicions

Of Angeles and of scley reflexions

And seide fat1 in rome was such oon

f ei speke of Alocen and Vitilion 232

And of Aristote fat1 writ in her lyues

Of queynt1 Mirours and of prospectyues

As knowen f ei fat1 han her bokes herde

And ofer folk han wondred on fe swerde 236

fat1 wold perce f ourgh euery f inge

And fille in speche of Thelophus f e kinge

And of Achilles for his queinte spere

ffor he kouf e wif it1 bof hele and dere 240

Ei^f in such wise as men may with f e swerde

Of which rijf nowe 36 han ^oure seluen herde

f e[i] speken of sondry hardyng of MetaH

And speken of medecynes f er-wif-ali 244

And howe and whan it1 shuld harded be

which is vnknowe algate vnto me

H Tho speke f ei of Ganaces rynge

And seiden all fat1 such a wondere f inge 248

Of craft1 of ryngges had f ei neuere non

Saue fat1 he Moyses and kyng1 Salomon

Had a nane of Conyng1 in swich arte

Thus seyn fe puple and drawen hem a parte 252

PETWORTH 223 (6-T. 485)

SIX-TEXT 486

GROUP F. § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

But1 na]?elees somme seide J>afr it was

wonder to maken of feerne Asshen glas

And ^it1 is glas not1 like asshen of feerne

But* for J?ei han knowen it1 so ^erne 256

Therfore Cesejj her langelinge and her wonder1

As sore womlreii some on cause of Jjondere

On ebhe on flood on gossorner and on myst1 Deaf 107]

And al Jnng1 to pe cause is wist1 260

Thus langelen pei and demen and devise

Til fat1 J?e kinge can from his "bord? arise

Phebus haj> laft1 J>e angle Meredyonal

And ^it1 ascending1 was fe beest1 Boyal 264

J?e gentil leon wij) his Aldrean

Whan ]>af fis tartre kinge Cambynskan

Roos from his boord? ]>er as he satte ful hie

Byforne him go]) ]?e lowde Mynstralcye 268

Til he come to his Chambre of paramentys

Ther as fei sownen dyuers Instrunientys

That1 is like an heuene forto here

Now daunsen lusty venus children dere 272

ffor in fe ffissh hir* lady satte ful hie

And lokef on hem wi]j a frendly ye

This noble kinge is sette vpon his trone

Jjis straunge knyghf is fette to hym ful sone 276

And on the Daunce he go]? wi]? Canace

Here is J?e reuel and £e lolite

fat1 is not1 able a dulle man to deuyse

He most1 han knowe loue and his seruyse 280

And be a feestlich man as fressh as may

That1 shulden $ou deuysen swich array

Who coufe tellen 3011 ]?e forme of daunces

So viicoufe and such fressh countyn«?/nces / 284

Such Subtile lokingges and dyssymulynges

ffor drede of lalowsie mercnys appe^rceyuynges

!N"o man but1 launcelett1 and he is dede

J>erfor I passe ouer of al J>i.s lustihede 288

PETWOllTH 224 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 487

GROUP F, § 2, SQUIEE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

I say no more but1 in pis lolynesse

I lete hem to men to soper hem dresse

pe Steward? bit1 spices forto hie

And eke the wyne in al pis melodye 292

]>G vsshers and pe sqwiers ben ygon

pe Spices and pe wyne is come anon

Thei ete and drinke and whan pis had an ende [leaf 107, ttj

Vnto pe temple as reson was pei wende 296

^T The servise done /pei sou j, en al by day

whatt1 nedep ^ou rehersen her array

Eche man wote wel pat1 at1 a kingges feest1

Hap plente to pe rnesf and to pe leesfr 300

And deyntees moo pan be in my knowinge

And aftere sopere gop pis noble kynge

To sene pis hors of bras with al a route

Of lordes and ladys hym aboute 304

Such wondring1 was per on pis hors of bras

pat1 sipeii pe grete sege of Troye was

per as men wondren on an hors also

~Ne, was per such a wondering1 as was poo 308

By fynaly pe kinge axep pe kny^t1

])G vertue of pe Coursere and pe my^t1

And preide hym to telle his gouernance

pe hors anon gan forto trippe and dance 312

whan pat1 pis knyght1 leide hond vpon his reyne

And seide Sir1 per is to more to seyne

bwt whan pe list to ride owhere

^e moot1 trille a pynne stonde in his ere 316

which I shal telle 3011 bytwene vs twoo

36 mote nempne hym to what1 place also

Or to what1 cuntre pat1 }ou list1 to ride ./

And whan ^e come pere as }ou list1 to abide 320

Bidde hym descende and trille anopere pynne

ffor per-Inne lith peffecte of al pat1 gynne

And [he] wol doune descende and done ^oure wille

And in pat1 place he wille abide stille 324

PETWORTH 225 (6-T. 487)

SIX-TEXT 488

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Jwugfi. al the world' had ]?e contrary swore

He shal not1 Jjennys by throwe ne ybore

Or if ]>ou list1 bidde hym Jjennes goon

Trille J)is pynne and he wil vanyssh anon 328

Out1 of J?e si^t1 of euery maner wi^tt

And come a3ein be it1 day or nyght1

whan fat1 3011 list1 to clepen 'hjm ageyn [leafios]

In swich. a gise as I shal to 3011 seyn /

By-twixen 3011 and me and pat1 ful sone

Ride whan 3011 list1 per is no more to done

IT Enformed whan ]?e kyng1 was of }>e kny^t1

And haj) conceyued in his witt1 ari^t1 336

The manere and ]?e forme of al jns Jnnge

fful glad and bli]>e J>e noble dou$ty kynge

Eepeyring1 to his reuel as byforn

]je bridel is into j)e toure born 340

And kepte amonge his Iwels leef and dere

J?e hors vanysshed I note in what1 manere

Out1 of her si^f 36 gete no more of mee

But1 Jms I lete in lust1 and lolite 344

This Cambynskan is lordes feestinge

Til wel nygh Jje day bygan to springe

T Explicit1, prima pars./

If The Stag1 of an hert1

The norice of digestion is sclepe Gan on hem wynke and bad hem take kepe 348 Jjat1 moch mete and labour wil haue rest1 And wij) a galping1 moufe hem albycast1 And seide pat1 it1 was tyme to lye adoune ffor blood was in his domynaciown 352

CheressheJ? blood natures frende quod he fei ]?onken hym galping1 by two or J>re And euery wight1 gan drowen hym to his rest1 As sclepe hem bad J>ei toke it1 for J?e best1 356

PETWOETH 226 (6-T. 488)

SIX-TEXT 489

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

Her dremes mow not1 be tolde for me

fful were her hedes of ffumosite

fat1 causet1 dreem of which \er is no charge

fei sclepen til it was pryme large 360

f e moste parte but1 it1 were Canacee

She was ful mesurable as wo?ranen be

ffor of her fadere had she take her leue

To goo to rest1 sone after it was Eue 364

Her list1 not1 appalled forto be [leaf ios, back]

ffor on f e morowe vnfeestlich forto see

And sclepte hure first1 sclepe and awoke

ffor such a loie she in her herte toke 368

Bo]? of her queynt1 rynge and of her myrowr

fat1 xx4i tyme she chaunged her colo?/r

And in her sclepe ri^t1 for impression

Of her myrour she had a vision 372

wherfore er fat1 f e sonne vp gan glide

She cleped vpon her maistresse here beside

And seide fat1 hir5 list1 forto arise

fise olde wo?7imen fat1 bene gladly wise 376

As is her maistresse answerd! hir* anon

And seide Madame whidere wold? ^e gon

f us erly for folke bene al in rest1

I wil quod she arise for me lest1 380

No lenger slepen but1 walken aboute

Her Maistresse clepef wo?wmen a grete route

And vp f ei risen wel . ten or twelue

Vprisef fresshe Canace her selue 384

As roddy and bri^t1 as f ei f e 3onge sonne

fat1 in f e Earn is ten degrees vp ronne

Noon hier was he whan she redy was

And forf she walked esily a pas 388

Arraied aftere f e lusty seson sote

li^tly forto prey and walk on fote

Nat1 but1 .v. or .vj. of her mayne

And in a trenche fer in fe park/ goof she 392

PETWORTH 227 (6-T. 489)

SIX-TEXT 490

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

The vapour which fat1 fro f e erthe glode

Makef f e sonne to seme rody and brode

But1 naf elees it was so faire a si^f

Jjat1 it1 made aH her hertes forto li^t1 396

'What1 for f e seson and f e mowrnynge

And for f e fowles fat1 she herde synge

ffor ri^fr anoon she wist what fei ment1

Ri^t1 by her songe and knewe al her entent1 400

IT The knotte win fat1 euery tale is told! [leaf 109]

3 if it1 be taried til lust1 be cold?

Of hem fat1 han it1 herkened after1 ^ore

j?e Sauour passe]) euer lenger fe more 404

ffor ffulsomnesse of prolixite

And by f is same reson f enkef me

I shuld vnto f e knotte condescends

And makeii of her walking1 sone an ende 408

*H Amydde a tree for-drye as white as chalke

As Canacee was plaiyng1 in her walke

per satte a fawcon ouer her hede ful hie

fat1 wif a pitous vois so gan to crie 412

fat1 alle in f e wode resed of her crie

And beten had her self so pitously

Wif bothe her wenges to f e rede blode

Ranne endelonge fe tre fer as she stode- 416

And euer in oon she cried alway and shrighf

And wif her beke her seluen so she pi^t1

fat1 fer ne was Tigre ne cruel beest1

fat1 dwellef eifer in wode or in forest1 420

fat1 ne wold haue wepte if fat1 she wepe couf e

ffor sorowe of hir1 she shright1 alway so louf e

ffor fer nas neuere ^if man on lyue

If fat1 1 coude a fawcon wel discryve 424

fat1 herd of such anof er of fairnesse

As wel of plummage as of gentilnesse

Of shappe of al fat1 my^t1 rekned be

A ffawcon peregryne fan semed she . 428

PETWORTH 228 (6-T. 490)

SIX-TEXT 491

GROUP F, § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Of fremde londe and eueremore as she stode

She swowned nowe and nowe for lakke of blood'

Til wel'nygh is she fallen fro J>e tre

This faire kyngges doughteij j?is Canace 432

fat1 on her fynger here J?e queynte rynge

Jjorgh which she vnderstode wel euery finge

Jjat1 eny foule may in his ledne seyne

And coude answere him in his ledne ageyne 436

HaJ> vnderstonde J?atH Jjis f aw con seide [leaf 109, back]

And wel nygh for fe roujje almesf she deide

And to J)e tree she go}) ful hastely

And on Jns faucon lokej? ful pitously 440

And helde her lappe abrood for wel she wist1

Jje faucon most1 falle from J>e twist1

"Whan Jjat1 it1 swouned next1 for lacke of blode

A longe while to waite her she stode 444

Til atte last1 she spake in Jns nianere

Ynto J?e hawke as }e shal after here

11 What1 is J?e cause if* it1 be forto telle

fat1 30 bene in jjis furial peyn of helle 448

Quod Canacee vnto J)is hawke aboue

Is ])is for sorowe of deth or losse of loue

ifor as I trowe J>ise bene causes two

Jpan causen most1 a gentil hert1 woo / 452

Of other harme it1 nedej? not1 to speke

ffor y\ ^oure self vpon youre self }ou wreke

"Which j^at1 proueth wel jjat1 eij?ere ire or drede

Mote bene encheson of ^oure cruel dede 456

Si]? fat1 1 see noon ofer wi^t1 ^ou chace

ffor loue of god so doj> 3010- self grace

Or what1 may be ^oure helpe for west1 nor este

Ne seghe I neuere er nowe ne brid ne beste 460

Jmf ferde wij? him self so pitously

^e sclee me wij) ^oure sorowe verreyly

I haue of 3ou so grete co??^passio?m

ffor goddes loue come fro )>e tree adoun 464

PETWORTH 229 (6-T. 49l)

SIX-TEXT -492

GROUP F, § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And as I ain a kingges dou^thter5 trewe

If fat1 I verrely f e causes knewe

Of 3oure dis[e]se if it1 lay in my my}!1

I wold amende it1 er fat1 it were ny^t1 468

As wisly helpe me grete god of kinde

And Erbes shal 1 rijtt ynow fynde

To hele wij> ^oure hirtes hastely

f oo shright1 f is fawcon 3^ more pitously 472

fan euere she did and fille to grounde an5n [leaf no]

And lith a swowne dede as is f e ston

Til Canacee haf in hure lappe her take

Ynto fat1 tyme she gan of swowne awake 476

And after fat1 she of swowne gan vpbreide

Bi3tt in hire hawkes leodene f us she seide

IF fat1 pite rennef sone in gentil herte

ffeling1 his symilitude in peynes smerte 480

Is proued alday as men may it see

As wel be werk1 as be auctorite

ifor gentil herfr kepej? gentillesse

I se wele fat1 36 han on my distresse 484

Compassion my faire Canacee

Of verrey wownianly benignyte

That1 nature in 3oure principles hap sette

But1 for noon hope forto fare J?e bette 488

But1 forto obeye vnto 3oure herte free

And forto maken ofer be ware by me

As by fe whelpe chastised is the lyon

Bi^t1 for pat1 cause and for fat1 conclusion 492

While fat1 1 haue a leisere and a space

Myn harme I wil confessen er I pace

And euere while fat1 she her sorowe told?

fat1 ofer wepte as she to water wold? 496

Til fat1 f e ffaucon bad hir1 to be stille

And wif a sighe f us she seide hir* tille

Ther I was bredde alias fat1 ilk daye

And fostred in a roche of Merbel graye 500

PETWOIITH 230 (6-T. 492)

SIX-TEXT 493

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

So tenderly pafr no p ing1 eiled me

I ne wist not1 what* was aduersite

Til I coude nee ful hie vndere pe skie

Tho dwelled a tercelef me fast by 504

pat1 semed welle of al gentilnesse

Al were he ful of treson and falsnesse

It1 is wrapped vnder humble chere

And vnder1 hwe of troupe & in such manere ./ 508

Yndere plesaunce and vnder bisy peyne [leaf no, back]

pat1 no wight1 coupe han wende he coude feyne

So depe in greyne he dyed his coloures /

Ri^t1 as a serpent1 hyd hyra vnder flowres 512

Til he may se his tyme forto bite

Ri^t1 so pis god of loue ypocrite

Do]) so his serymonijs and obeysances

And kepep in semblaunt1 al his obserucmnces / 516

That1 sownepe into gentilnesse of loue

As in a tompe is al pe faire aboue

And vnder is pe cours which as 36 wote

Such was pis ypocrite bop colde and hote 520

And in pis wise he serued his entente

pat1 saue pe feende non wist1 what1 he mente

Til he so longe had wepte and compleyned

And many a ^eer his servise to hym feyned 524

Til pat1 myn hert1 to pitous and to nyce

Al Innocent1 of his crowned malice

ifor-ferde of his dep as pou^t1 me

Vpon his opes and his Suerte 528

Graunted hym loue vpon pis condiciowii

pat1 euer moo myn honurB and my renown

Were saued bop privey and apert1

pis is to seyn pat1 after his dissert1 532

I 3aue hym al myn hert1 and my pou^tt

God woot1 and he paf oper wise noi^t1

And toke his hert1 in chaunge of myn for ay

But1 sop is seide go sipen mony a day 536

PETWORTH 231 (6-T. 493)

SIX-TEXT 494

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

A trewe wight1 and a feef thenkef not1 oon

And whan he sawe f e fing1 so fer ygon

fat1 I [had] graunted hym fully my loue

In such a gise as I haue seide aboue 540

An ^euen hym my trewe hertf as free

As he swore he ^af his hert1 to me

Anon f is tigre ful of doublenesse

nil on his knees wif so deuoute humblesse 544

Wif hye reuerence and as by his chere peafiii]

So like a gentile louere of manere

So rauisshed as it1 semed for f e loye

Jpat1 neuere lason ne Paris of Troye 548

lason certes ne noon ofere man

Si]) Lame]) was fiat1 alf er furst1 biganne

To louen two as writen folk1 to-forne

!N~e neuere sif f e first1 man was born 552

ISTe coude man by xxfi f ousand part1

Countrefete f e sophymes of his arte

!Ne were worf i to vnbocle his galoche

jper dowblenesse or faynyng1 shul(J approche 556

NQ so coufe ])onke a wi^t1 as he did me

His manere was an heuene for to see

Til eny wowiman were she neuere his wys

So peynted he and kembejj at1 poynf devis 560

As wel his wordes as his countenance

And I so loued hym for his obeysaunce

And for J?e troupe I denied in his herf

fat1 if so were fat1 eny jnnge hym smerte 564

Al were it1 neuere so lite and I it wist1

Me f oujf I felt1 dej) at1 myn herte twiste

And shortely so ferforf fis finge wente

fat1 my wille hap his willes Instrument1 568

p is is to seyne my wille obeied his wille

In al finge as ferae as reson iille

Kepinge fe bounties of my worship euere

Ne neuere had I f Inge so leef ne leuere 572

FETWOKTH 232 (6-T. 49 -J-)

SIX-TEXT 495

GHOUP F, § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

As hym f god wote ne neuere shal no moo /

f is last1 lenger fan. a }ere or twoo

IF That1 1 Suppose of hym no f ing1 but1 good*

But1 fynaly fus at1 the ende it1 stood 576

fat1 fortune wold! fat1 he most1 twynne

Out1 of fat1 place which fat1 I was Iiine

where me were woo it is no question

I can not1 make of it discripcion 580

ffor oon f inge dar I telle boldely [leaf in, back]

I knowe what1 is f e peyne of def ]??rby f Such harme I felt1 for he no wi}^ by-leue

So on a day of me he toke his leue 584

So sorowefulli eke fat1 I wende verrely

fat1 he had feled as moche harme as I

Whan fat1 1 herde hym speke and segfr his hwe

But1 naf elees I f ou^t1 he was so trewe 588

And eke fat1 he repeire shuld agayn/

Wif-Inne a litel while sof to sayii

And reson wold eke fat1 he most1 goo

ffor his honoure as oft happef soo 592

Jjat1 I made vertue of necessite

And toke it wel sif fat1 it1 most be

As I best1 myght I hid fro hym my sorowe

And toke hym by f e honde seint1 lohn to borowe 596

And seide f us loo I am 3oures all

Bef swich. as I haue be to you and shal

what1 he answerd? it1 nedef not reherce

who can seyn bette f aft he who can do wors 600

whan he haf al wel seide fan haf he done

jperfore bihouef hy?% a ful longe spone

fat shal eten wiih a feend f us herd I seye

So at1 f e last1 he mote forf his weye 604

And forf he fleef til he come fer hym list1

whan it1 come hym to pwrpoos for to ristf

II I trowe he had f ilk1 texte in mynde ^ ^aaitui suo sui

J gula gaudent /

J^at1 al f inge repeiryng1 to his kinge 608

17 PETWORTH 233 (6-T. 495)

SIX-TEXT 496

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

i

Glade]) hy/w self Jms seyn men as I gesse Men louen of propre kinde newfangilnesse As briddes doon Jjat1 men in cages fede ffor Jjeigh Jjou ny^t1 and day take of hyra hede 612

And strawe her cage faire and soft as silk And $eue hem sugre . hony . brede and mylk1 ^it1 right1 anoon as fat1 his door is vppe He wi J> his feete wil spume down his cuppe 616

And to J>e wode he wil and wornies ete [leaf 1123

So newfangle bene fei of her mete And louen nouelries of propre kinde

ISTo gentilnesse of blood may hem bynde 620

So ferde J>is tercelet1 alias fe day Thowe he were gentiH born fressh and gay And goodly forto sene . humble and free He segh vpon a tyme a kite fle 624

And sodeynly he loued J?is kite soo That1 al his loue is clene fro me goo And hajj his trowjje falsed in J>is wise Thus haj? Jje kite my loue in her seruyse 628

And I am lorn wit/i-outen reined ye And wij? fat1 worde fis fawcon gan to crie And swowned eff in Canaces barme

Grete was ]?e sorowe for J?att haukes harme 632

That1 Canacee and alle her wo??^mell made )5ei nyst1 howe J>af ]jei my^f ]?e faucon glade But1 Canace home berej) her in hir1 lappe And softely in plaasters gan hir wrappe 636

J)er as she with hire beek had hurt1 her selue Nowe can not1 Canace but1 herbes delue Out1 of the grounde and maken salues riewe Of herbes precious and fyne of he we 640

To helen wij> J>e hauke from day to ny^t1 She do]) her bysynesse and al her1 my^t1 And by hire beddes hede she made a mewe And keuered it1 wij) veluetes blewe 644

PETWORTH 234 (6-T. 496)

SIX-TEXT 497

. GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

In signe of troupe fat1 is in wommen sene

And AH wif-oute f e mwee is pointed grene

In whiche were peynted all f ise fals foules

As bene fise tydifs . tercelettes and owles 648

Bi^t1 for f e spite were peynted hem biside

Pies on hem forto crie and chide

f us lete I Canace her hauke kepinge

I wil no more as nowe speke of her rynge 652

Til it come eft1 to pwrpoos forto seyn [leaf 112, back]

Howe fat1 f is faucon gate her lone ageyn

Bepentaunt1 as f e story tellef vs

By mediacion of Camballus 656

f e kyngges sone of which" I 3011 tolde

But1 hens forf I wil processe holde

To speken of auentures and of batailles

That1 ^it1 was neuere herde so grete merveiles 660

ffirst1 wil I telle $ou of Cambynskan

That1 in his tyme mony a Cite wan

And aftere wil I speke of algarsif

How fat1 he wan Theodora to his wiff 664

ffor whan ful oft1 in grete periH he was

Ne had he bene holpen by f e hors of bras

And aftere wil I speke of Camballo

fat1 faughf in listes wif f e breferen two 668

ffor Canace er fat1 he my^t1 hiij wynne

And f er I left1 wil I ageyn bygynne

.i. sol.

va- Apollo whiiief vp his chare so hie

cat Til fat1 fe god Mercurius hous fe sclie 672

Explicit1 secunda pars f

T Here endef f e squyers tale

PETWORTH 235 (6-T. 497)

SIX-TEXT 498 GROUP F. § 3. SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK. PetWOrth MS.

And here ion leaf 112, &«?*•]

bygynnef fe prologe of fe merchaunte.

In feif Squier f ow hast1 f e wel yquytte And gentely I preise wel f i witte Quod f e merchauntt consideryng1 fi ^ouf e So felingly fou spekestf sir* I fe alouf e 676

As to my dome f er is non J/att is here Of Eloquence fat1 shal be }>i pere

[And if Jiat }?ow lyue god 3if J?e goode chaunce [Barlow MS 20] And in vertue sende the ContynauTice] 680

ffor of Jn speche I haue gret1 deynte I haue a sone and by J>e trinite I had leuere J>an xxti pounde worj) loncJ Jjough if were lijft nowe fallen in my hond? 684

3e ere a man of such discrecion As fat1 36 ben fy on possession But1 $if a man be uertuous witAal

I haue my sone snybbed and ^itt shal / 688

ffor he to vertue listej? not1 entende [leaf us]

Buf forto pley atte dys and to dispende And lese al fat1 he haf is his vsage

And he haf leuere talke wif a page 692

}3an to comune wif a gentile wi^ where he my^fr lerne gentillesse ari^f A strawe for ^oure gentilnesse quod our Hoost* "What1 Marchaunte parde Sir* wel fou woost1 696

That1 ech of $ou mote tellen at1 f e leesf A tale or twoo or breken his bihest1 That1 knowe I well quod f e Merchaunte certeyn I prey 3ou hauef not1 me in disdeyne 700

PETWORTH 236 (6-T. 498)

SIX-TEXT 499 GROUP F. § 3. SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK. PctWOlth MS,

to ]?is man I speke a word! or twoo Telle on J?i tale wijj-outen wordes moo / Gladly sir1 ooste qiiod. he I wil obeye Vnto 3our wille now herkenejj what1 1 seye 704

I wil 3011 not1 contrary e in no wise . As ferre as my wittes wil suffise I prey to god J?afr it1 may plesen 3011 J?an wootf I wele ]>afr it1 is good ynowe 708

J>us endejj ]?e prologe /

PETWORTH 237 (6-T. 409^)

SIX-TEXT 443

GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS,

And here by- gynnef fe Merchauntes tale. ipntea/\\x\

Whilom f er was dwellinge in lumbardy ^[ The tale. A worf i kny3f fat1 born was at1 Pavy In which he lyued in grete prosperite And sixty ^ere a wyuelees man was he 1248

And folowed ay his bodely delite On wo?ftman f er as was his Appetite As doon f ise fooles fat1 bene seculers And whan fat1 he was past1 sixty 3eres 1252

Were it1 for holynesse or ellis for dotage I can not1 seye but1 suche a corage had f is knyghf to be a wedded man

That1 day and nyght he dof al fat1 he can 1256

To aspie where he myjtt wedded be Preiynge our lord? to graunt1 hyra fat1 he / Might1 ones knowe fat1 blisful liff [leaf us, back]

fat1 is bytwixe an husbonde and his wif 1260

And for to lyuen vnder fat1 holy band? Wif which god furste man to womman band? Noon of er lif seide he is worf a bene ffor wedloke is so esi and so clene 1264

That1 in f is world? it1 is a paradys Thus seif f is olde kny3f fat1 was so wis And certeynly as sof as god is kinge To take a wif it1 is a glorious f iiige 1268

And namely whan a man is olde and hoore fan is a wif f e frute of his tresore fan shuld? he take a 3onge wif and a faire On which he my^t1 engender him an aire 1272

PETWOKTH 238 (6-T. 443)

SIX-TEXT 444

GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And lede his lif in loye and solace

Wher as f e bachilers synggen alas

Whan f ei fynde eny aduersite

In loue which fat1 is but1 childes vanite 1276

And trewly it1 sitte wel to be soo

That1 bachilers han ofte peyne and woo

On brutel grounde f ei beelde brutelnesse

fei fynde whan fei wene sikernesse 1280

fei lyue but1 as a bridde or a beest1

In liberte and vnder nyce areest1

f er as a wedded man in his astate

Lyuef his lif blisful and ordynate 1284

Vndere f e ^ok1 of mariage ybounde

Wel may his hert1 in loye and blisse be founde

flbr who can be so buxom as a wif

Who is so trewe and eke so tentiff 1288

To kepe him seke and hole as is his make

ffor wel ne woo she wil not1 hym forsake

She nys not1 wery hym to loue and serue

fou^e fat1 he lye bedrede til he sterue 1292

And ^it1 somrae clerkes sein fat1 it1 is not1 soo

Of which theofraste is oon of f oo ./

What1 foorce fou^t1 Thophrast1 lustef lye [leaf 114]

Ne take no wif quod he for husbondrye 1296

As forto spare in household! f i dispence

A trewe serucrante dof more diligence

Thi good to kepe fan fine owne wif

ffor she wil cleyme half part1 al her lif 1300

And 3if fat f ou be seke so god me saue

Thi verrey frendes or a trewe knaue

Wil kepe f e better fan she fat1 waitef ay

Aftere fi good and haf do mony a day 1304

And if f ou take a wif 1faf to fe is vntrewe

fful ofte tyme it1 shal f e Ewe l [l"1 1 spurious]

This entent1 an hundred sif es wors

writef fis man fer god his bonys curs 1308

PETWORTH 239 (6-T. 444)

SIX-TEXT 445

GROUF E, § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

But1 take no kepe of al such vanyte

Defie Theofrast1 and herkenej? me

A wiff is goddys ^iff verreyly

Al ojjer manere 3iftes hardely 1312

As londes . rentes pasture or comune

Or mebles al bene ^iftes of fortune

pat1 passen as a shadowe on a wall

But1 drede it1 noujti pleynly speke I shall 1316

A wiff wil last* and in pine hous endure

"Wei more pan pe list1 peraueiiture

Mariegge is a ful grete sacrament1

Who hap no wiff I telle hym shent1 1320

He lyuep helplees and is al desolate

I speke of folk1 in seculere astate

And herken wlii . I seie not1 J>is for nou^t1

J?e womman is for mannes helpe ywroi^t1 1324

pe highe god whan he had Adam maked

And seghe him alone bely naked

God of his grete goodnesse seide pan /

Laf vs make an helpe vnto pis man 1328

Like to hym self and pan he made Eue

Here may ^ee see and herby may $e preue

fat1 }>e wiff is mannys Comfort1 [leaf 114, back]

His Paradys terrestre and his disport1 1332

So buxom and so vertuous is she

J?ei moste nedes lyue in vnite

Oo flessh J?ei bene and two soules as I gesse

HaJ? but1 oon hert1 in hele and in distresse 1336

A wif a seynf Mary benedicite

How my3^ a man han eny aduersite

Jpat1 ha]) a wiff certes I can not1 seie

]p& blisse Jjat1 is ytwixe hem tweye 1340

J?er may no tunge tellen or hert1 jjenk1

If he be poor she helpe]? him to swynk1

She kepej) his good and waaste]? neuer a dele

Al pat1 her husbond? lust1 she likef wele 1344

PETWORTH 240 (6-T. 4io)

SIX-TEXT 446

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS,

She seij? not1 onys nay wlian lie seith $e

Do]? J?is seij? he . al redy sire seij? she

0 blisful ordere of wedloke precious

J)ou arte so mery and eke so vertuous 1348

And so commended and so appreued eke

J^at1 euery man Jjat1 halt1 him worj> a leke

Vpon his bare knees a^t1 al his lif

Thank en his god Jjat1 him haj? sent1 a wif 1352

Oy])er prei to god him for to sende

A wiff to last1 vnto his lyues ende

Ifor jjaii his lif is sette in sikernesse

He may not1 be desceyued as I gesse 1356

So J?af he worche after his wyues rede

J>an may he boldely bere vp his hede

fei bene so trewe and also wys

ffor which if J?ou wilt1 worchen as J?e wis 1360

Do alway so as woramen wil J?e rede

Loo ho we Jmt1 lacob as J?ise clerkes rede

By good counseil of his modere Rebekke

Boonde J)e kyddes skyn about1 his nekke 1364

ffor which his faders benyson he wan

Loo luditfi. as J?e storie telle can

Be wise counsail she goddes puple kepte [leaf 115]

And sclowe hym Olophernes while he sclepte 1368

Lo Abygail by counseille how she

Saued her husbonde NabaH whan jjat1 he

Shuld haue be sclayne and loke aster alsoo

By good counsaile delyuered out1 of woo 1372

Jje puple of god and made hym marche

Of assure enchaunced forto be

Ther is no J>inge in grete supe?'latif

As seij? seneke [above] an humble wif1 1376

Suffre ])i wifes tunge as Caton bitte

She shal co?72mauwde and )jou shalt1 suffre it*

And 31^ she wil obeye of Curtesie

A wif is keper of jrine husbondrye 1380

PETWORTH 241 (6-T. 146)

SIX-TEXT 447

GROUP E, § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

wele may Jje seke man by-weile and wepe

J)er as Jjer nys no wif J>e hous to kepe

I warne ]?e ^if wisly J?ou wirche

Loue wel J)i wif as crist lone]? his cliirclie 1384

If thou louest1 Jn self wel . J?ou louest1 j?i wif

No man hate]) his flessh but1 in his lif

He fostreth it1 and Jjerfore bid I )>e

Cherisshe J?i wif or J>ou shalt1 neuere the 1388

Husbonde and wif what1 so men lape or pleye

Of worldly folk holde J)e siker weye

They bene so knytte J)er may noon harnie betide

And namely vpon J?e wives side 1392

ffor which jjis lamiarie of which I tolde

Considered haj> wi]j-in his daies olde

})G lusty lif }?e vertuous quiete

J)att is in mariage hony swete 1396

And for his frendes on a day he sent*

To tellen hem the effecte of his ententt

wij) face sadde his tale he hajj hem told?

He saide frendes I am hoor and olde 1400

And almost1 god wote vpon ])e pittes brinke

Vpon my soule somwhatf I most1 Jjenke

I haue my body folily dispended / [leaf 115, back]

Blessed be god it1 shal be amended 1404

ffor I wil bene certeyn a wedded man

And fat1 anon in al Jje hast1 I can

Ynto some maide faire and tender of age

I prey 3011 shape]) for my mariage 1 408

Al sodeynly for I wil not abide

And I wil foonden to aspie on my side

To whoom I may be wedded hastely

But1 for as moche as 36 bene more J?an I 1412

3e shul raper such a J)inge espien

]3an I and })er me lust1 best1 to alien

But1 of on Jnng1 I warne ^ou my frendes dere

I nyl noon olde wif haue in no manere 1416

PETWOKTH 242 (8-T. 447)

SIX-TEXT 448

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

She shal not1 passe xvj ^ere in fayn

Old fissJi and 3onge flessh fat1 wil I haue certayn

Bett* is quod he a p[i]ke fan a pikereH

And bette fan olde beef is f e tender' veeH 1420

I wil no woniman of xxx11 wynter* age

It1 is but1 bene strawe and grete forage

And eke fise olde wyues god it wote

fei konnen so nioche craft1 on wades bote 1424

So mochel broke harme whan fat1 he??a lest1

That1 wif hem shuld! I neuer* lyuen in rest1

ifor sondry scoles make]? subtile clerkes

Wo?7inian of mony scoles . half a clerk es 1428

But1 certeyn a yonge f ing1 may man gye

Ri^t1 as men may warme wax vrith handis plye

Wherfore I seie ^ou pleynly in a clause

I nyl non olde wif han ri^t1 for fis cause 1432

ffor if so were I had some meschaunce

fat1 [I] in hire ne couf e haue no plesaunce

fan shuldz I lede my lif in auenture

And so streite to jje deuel sure 1436

Ne children shuld? I noon vpon hure geten

3it* had me leuere J?afr houndes had me eten

Than j^at1 myne Heritage shulde falle [leaf 116]

In straunge honde and ]?us I telle ^ou aH 1440

I dote not1 . I not1 ])e cause whi

Men shuld wedde and ferthermore wote I

Ther spekej? mony a man of Mariage

fat1 wote no more of it1 fan do]? my page 1444

ffor whiche causes men shuld? take a wif*

3if he may not1 chaast bene his lif

Take him a wif wif grete deuocion

Bycause of leeful procreacion 1448

Of children to f e honure of god aboue

And no^f only for paramour ne for loue

And for fei shulden leccherie eschewe

And ^eelde her dettes while fafr it1 is newe 1452

PETWORTH 243 (6-T. 448)

SIX-TEXT 449

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Or for fat1 eche man shuld help.e of ere In meschief as sustere shal to brof ere And lyve in chastite ful heuenly

But1 sirs by ^oure leue fat1 am not1 1 1456

ffor god byf onke it1 . I dar make auawnte I fele my lymmes sterke and suffisawnt1 To done al fat1 a man bylongef to

I wote my self best1 what1 1 may do 1460

f ou} I be hoor I fare as dof a tre fat blosmeth er f e frute ywoxfe] be fat1 blossmed tre is neif er drie ne dede I fele no where hoor but1 on my hede 1464

Myne hert1 and my lymmes ben as grene As lauriel is f orgh f e ^ere to sene And sythen $e han herd* al myn entent1 I prey $ou to my wille 36 assent1 1468

Dyuers men dyuersly hyra told? Of Mariage mony ensamples olde So?mne blamen it1 somme preisen it certayn But1 at1 fe laste shortely forto sayn 1472

As alday falle]) altercacion Bitwixen frendes in disputacion

f er fille a strif ytwix his bref eren two • [leaf 116, back]

Of which fat1 0011 is cleped placebo ./ 1476

lustinus sof ly called was fat1 other* Placebo seide oo I am joure brof ere fful litel nede han ye my lord' so dere Counseile to aske of ony fat1 is here 1480

But1 fat1 36 bene so ful of Sapience That1 3ou ne likef for ^oure high prudence To weyue from f e word' of Salomon

This word' seif he vnto vs everechon 1484

"Wirk1 al fing1 by counseile fus seide And fan shalt1 J?ou not1 repent1 f e But1 f eigh fat1 Salomon speke such a word! Myn owne dere brof er and my lord? 1 488

PETWORTH 244 (6-T. 449)

SIX-TEXT 450

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS,

So wisly god bring1 my sairle at1 ese and rest1

I holde ^oure owe coimseli is ]>e best1

ffor broker myn take of me ]>is motif1

I haue bene no we a courte man al my lyf1 1492

And god woot1 pou^e I vnworpi be

I haue stonden in ful grete degre

Abowen lordes of ful grete astate

3it* had I neuere wij? none of hem debate 1496

I neuere hem contraried trewly

I wote wele fat1 my lord can more fan I.

That1 he seif I holde it1 forme and stable

I seie fe same or ellis fing1 semblable 1500

A ful grete fool is eny counselour*

fat1 seruef eny lord of hie honour1

fat1 dar presume or ones f enk1 it1

That1 his counsaile shuld* passe his lordes witte 1504

Nay lordes bene no fooles be my fay

3e haue pure self spoken here to day

So high sentence so holy & so well

That1 1 consent1 and conferme euery dele 1508

$our wordes al & pure opynyozm

By god f er is no man in al f is town .

]S~e in Ytaile coupe bet1 han seide Deaf in]

Criste holde]) of fis hy?/i ful wel apaied 1512

And trewly it1 is an hie corage

Of eny man fat1 stoupe]} into age

To take a ^onge wif be my fader5 kynne

3oure hert1 hongej? vpon a loly pynne 1516

Do]) now in J>is matere ri^t1 as ^ou leste

ffor fynally I holde it1 for fe best1

^[ lustinus ^at1 ay stille satte and herde

Ei^t1 in ])is wise he to placebo ansuerde 1520

Nowe broker myn be pacient1 1 prey

Sirens fat1 ^e han seide herken what1 I sey

Senek amonges oj)er wordes wise

Sei]) fat1 a man ou^t1 hy??i wel avise 1524

PETWORTH 245 (6-T. 450)

SIX-TEXT 451

GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

To whom he ^eueth his land or his cateH And sipens I ought1 avise me li^ti weH To whoom I 3eue my [gode aweye ffrome Me WeHe more I aughte auysede be 1528

To whome I yeue my] body for alway I warne you wel it1 is no childes play To taken a wif wip-out avisement Men most1 enquere pis is myn assent1 Whedere she be wis . sobre or dronklewe Eyper proude or oper wise a shrewe A chidere eiper a waaster1 of pi good Or riche or poor / or ellis a man is wood! Al be if so pat no man fynde shal Non in pis world? pat tretep hool in aH Ne man ne beest1 such as men con devise But napelees it1 aught1 ynowe suffise Wip eny wif ^if so were pat 36 hadde Moo good thewes pan her vices badde And al pis askep leisere to enquere ifor god wote I haue wepte mony a tere fful pnuely sipens I had a wif Preise who so wil a wedded ma/inys lif1 Certeyn I fynde in it1 but* cost1 and care And obseruawnces of al blessed bare ./ And jiV god ponk1 my neighbours al aboute A[nd] namely of wommen a grete route Sein pat I haue pe most* stedefast1 wiff1 And eke pe mekest oon pat1 berep liff But I woote best wher wriep [me] my shoo ^e may for me ri^t1 as ^ou list doo Avisep 3011 ^e bene a man of age Howe pat 30 entren into mariage And namely wip a 3onge wif and a feire By him pat made water erpe and Eyre pe 3ongest man pat is in al pis route Is bisy ynou3e to bringe it aboute

PETWORTH 246 (6-T. 45l)

[MS Reg. 17 D 15,

leaf 110, back. Not in Sloane 1685, leaf 91 ; or Reg. 18 C it, 7/94; butinAddit. 5140, // 153; Harl. 7333'* rymes cor- rected to me, avised be, J/70, col. 1.]

1532

1536

1540

1544

1548

[leaf 117, back]

1552

1556

1560

SIX-TEXT 452

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS,

To haue his wiff allone trestef me

3e shullen not1 plesen hure ^eres f re

This is to seyn to done her plesaimce

A wiff axe]) ful mony an obseruazmce 1564

I prey ^ou fat1 ^e ne be euel apaide

Wei quod J>is lanuar1 & hastowe al saide

Strawe for f i senek & for f i prouerbes

I count1 not1 a panyer ful of herbes 1568

Of scole teermes wiser men fan thou/

As f ou hast1 herd assentef it1 i^tf nowe

IF To my pwrpoos Placebo what1 say 30

I sey it1 is a cursed man q^wd he 1572

That1 lettef Matrimoyne Sikerly

And wij) fat1 wore? f ei risen sodeynly

And bene assented fully fat1 he shuld?

Wedded be whan hym list1 and where he wold? 1576

Thy fantasie and f i curiousnesse

ffro day to day gan in f i soule inpresse

Of lanuar1 about1 his mariage

Mony faire shappe and mony faire visage 1580

Ther passef his hert1 ny^t by nyght1

As who so toke a myrour1 polshed bright1

And sette it1 in a comune Market1 place

fan shuld? he seen mony a figure pace 1584

By his Miroure and in fe same wise [leaf us]

Can lanuar1 in wif his f ou^f devise

Of Maidens which fat1 dwellen [him] beside

0. He wist1 not1 where he my^t1 abide 1588

ffor f ou$e fat1 oon haue beute in her face

A-nof er stant so in f e puples grace

ffor her sadnesse and her benignite

fat1 of fe puple grettest1 vois had she 1592

And sowme were riche and hadden badde name

But1 na f e lees bytwixe ernest and game

He atte last1 enpoynted hym in oon

A[nd] lete al ofer from his herte goon 1596

PETWORTH 247 (6-T. 452)

SIX-TEXT 453

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And chese hire of Ms owne auctorite »

ffor loue is blynde.al day and may not1 se

And whan pat1 he was in pe bedde brot^tf

He purtreide in his hert1 and in his pou^t1 1600

Her freisshe beaute and her age tendere

Hir1 myddel smalle her armes longe and sclendere

Her wise gouerncmnce and her gentilnesse

Her wowmanly beringe and her sadnesse 1604

And whan pat he to her* was condescended

Hym pou^t1 his chois my^t1 not1 be amended

ffor whan pat1 he him self concluded had

Hyra pou^t1 eche oper mannys witf so bad? 1608

pat1 inpossible it* were to replie

A^einst1 his chois pis was his fantasie

His frendes sent1 he to at1 his instance

And preiep him to done hy??i pat1 plesance 1612

That hastely pei wolde to hyw come

He wold? abreggen her labour al and some

Hit1 nedep no more to hem to goo ne ride

He was apointed J?er he wold? abide 1616

Placebo came and eke his frendes sone

And al]?er first1 he bad hem aH a bone

Jjat1 noon of hem noon arguments make

A^einst1 his pwrpoos which Jmt1 he ha]) take . 1620

Which pwrpoos was plesaunt1 to god as seide he [if us, bk]

And verrey grounde of his prosperite

He saide J?er was a mayden in J>e toune

Which jjat1 of bewte haj? grete renown 1624

Al were it1 so she were of smal degre

Suffiseth him her ^oupe and her bewte

Which mayde he seide he wold haue to wif

To leden in eese and in holynesse his lif* 1628

And ]>onkej> god Jmt1 he my^t1 han hir* aH

J?att no wi^t1 his blisse part1 shaH:

And preiej) him to labour in pis nede

And shapen pat1 he faile not1 to spede 1632

PETWORTH 248 (6-T. 453)

SIX-TEXT 454

GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffor pan he seide his spirit1 was at1 eese

pen is quod he no ping1 me may displese

IF Saue oon pinge prikkep in my conscience

pe which I wil reherce in ^oure presence 1636

I haue quoxl he herd saie ful $ore agoo

per may no man han parfit1 blesses twoo

Jris is to saie in erpe and eke in heuene

iFor pei he kepte him from pe synnes seuene 1640

And eke fro euery brannche of thilk tree

3itt is pere so parfit prospe?ite

And so grete eese and lust1 in manage

That* euer I am a-gasf no we in myn age 1644

pat1 1 shal lede nowe so mery a lif

[So delicat witfcouten wo or rtrif ^S'Sifw ''

That y shal han myn heuene in erthe] here

ffor sipens pat1 verrey heuene is bou^t1 so dere 1648

Wip tribulacion and grete penawnce

how shuld I such in such plesaunce

As alle wedded men done wip her wives

Come to pe blisse pere crist1 eterne alyue es 1652

This is my drede and 36 my brepere tweye

Assoillep me pis question I ^ou preye

IT lustinus which pat hated his foly

Answerd? anon ri^tt in his lapry 1656

And for he wold? his longe tale abregge

He wolde noon autorite alegge

But1 seide sir* so pere bene noon obstacle [leaf 119]

Oper pan pis god of his hye myracle 1660

And of his mercy may so for }ou wirche

That1 er 36 han ^oure 3iftes of holy chirche

36 may repent1 of wedded mawnys lif

In which }e seyn is neiper woo ne strif1 1664

And ellis god forbede but1 3if he sent1

A wedded man grace hym to repent1

"Wei often raper pan a syngle man /

And perfor sir1 pe best1 rede I can 1668

18 PETWORTH 249 (6-T. 454)

SIX-TEXT 455

GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS,

Dispeiref 3011 nou3t hauef in memorie

Perauenture she may be 30^ pwrgatorie

She may be goddis mene and goddys whippe

Than shal ^oure soule vp to heuen skippe 1672

Swifter fan dof an arowe out1 of a bowe

I hope to god here aftere 36 shal knowe

fat1 f er nys noon so grete felicite

In mariage ne neuere more shal be 1676

fat 3011 shal lak of ^our* saluacion

So fat1 ^e vse as skille is and reson

f e lustes of ^oure wif attemperally

And fat1 36 plese hure not1 to amerously 1680

And fat1 30 kepe 3011 eke fro of er synne

My tale is done for my witte is f inne

Bef not agast1 her-of my brof er1

But1 lat1 vs wade from fis mater to an of ere 1684

f e wif of baf e if 30 wil vnderstonde

Of mariage which 36 han on honde

Declaren can ful wel in litel space

ffaref nowe wel god haue 3ou in his grace 1688

And wif fis word? fis lustyne and his brof ere

Han take her leue and ech of hem of of ere

ifor whan f ei segh it1 most1 nedes be

fei wrou3ten so by wise and sclegh trete 1692

fat1 she fis maide which fat1 Mayus hi3fr

As hastely as euere fat1 she rr^t1

Shal wedded be vnto lanuarye [leaf 119, back]

I trowe it1 were to longe 3ou to tary 1696

If I 3ou tolde of euery scrite or bonde

By which fat1 she was festned in his londe

Eif er forto herken of her riche aray

But1 fynaly ycommen is fe day 1700

fat1 to f e churche bof [e] bene fei went1

fforto receyue f e holy sacrament1

fforf co?7raief f e preest1 wif stole about1 his neke

And bad hir1 be ylik1 s-arra and rebek1 1704

PETWORTH 250 (6-T. 455)

SIX-TEXT 456

GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petwortk MS.

In wisdom and [in] troupe of manage

And saide his orisons as is his vsage

And crowched hem and bad god shuld he??i blisse

And made al siker ynough with holynesse 1708

Thus bene pei wedded with solempnite

And at* pe feeste sittep he and she

Wip oper worpi folk1 vpon pe dees

Al ful of loye and blisse is pe paleys 1712

And ful of instrumentes and of vitaile

pe moste deyntevous of al Ytaile

Byforn hem of instrumentis which soun

fiat1 Orpheus ne of phebes ampheoun 1716

Ne maden neuere suche a melody

And at1 euery cours came loude mynstralcye

That1 neuere loab trumped forto here

Neiper Theodomas ^it1 half so clere 1720

And Thebes whan pe cite was in doute

Bacus pe wyne hem shenkep al aboute

And Venus laughep on euery wi}^

ifor lanuar* was bycome her knyjt1 1724

And wolde bop assaien his corage

In liberte and eke in mariage

And wip hure fuyr bronde wit?t her hand2 aboute

Daunseth byforne pe bride al aboute 1728

And clenly I dar wel seyn right pis

Emyneus pat god of weddyng1 is /

Segh neuere in his lif1 so mery a wedded man [leaf 120]

Holde pou pi pees j?ou poete Marcean 1732

pat1 writest1 vs pat1 ilk wedding1 mery

Of hure Philologi and of1 Marcury

And of pe sanges pat1 pe muses songe

So smale as eke pi penne and eke pi tunge 1736

fforto discryuen of pis mariage

Whan tender ^oupe hap wedded stouping< age

per is suche myrpe pat it1 may not1 be writte

Assaiep it ^oure self pan may 30 wite 1740

PET WORT II 251 (6-T. 456)

SIX-TEXT 457

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

3 if pat1 I lak or noon in pis matere

Mayus pat sitte wip so benygne a chere

Hire to biholde if seined faierye

Queen Estre loked neuere wip sucfi. an ye 1744

On assure so meke a loke as she

I may ^ou not1 avise al her bewte

But1 pus moche of her bewte telle I may

pat1 she was like pe b^t1 morowe of may 1748

ffulfillede of beaute and of plesaunce

This lanuar1 is rauissht1 in a traunce

And at1 euery tyme he loked on hir1 face

But* in his hert1 he gan hir1 to manace 1752

fat1 he pat1 ny^t1 in armes wold hir* streyn

Harder pan euere Paris did Eleyn

But1 napelees ^it1 had he grete pite

pat1 ilke ny^t1 offenden her most1 he 1756

And pought1 alas o tender1 creature

Nowe god wold }e my^t1 wel endure

Al my corage it1 is so sharpe and kene

I am agast1 36 shul it1 not1 sustene 1760

But1 god forbede pat1 1 did al my

Nowe wolde god pat1 it1 were wexen

And pat1 pe ny^t1 wolde lasten euere moo

I wold pat al pis puple were a-goo 1764

And fynaly he dop al his laboure

As he best1 mj^ sauyng1 his honoure

To hast1 hem fro pe mete in subtile wise [leaf 120, back]

The tyme came pat1 reson was to rise 1768

And after pat1 men daunce and drinke fast1

And spices al aboute pe hous pei cast1

And ful of ioye and blisse is euery man

AH sauf a squyer pat1 hi^t1 damyan . 1772

which carf to-fore pe king1 mony day

He was so rauysshed on his lady may

That1 for pe verrey peine he was ny^e wode

Almost1 he swalte an swowned per he stode 1776

PETWORTH 252 (6-T. 457)

SIX-TEXT 458

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

As she him ladde daunsinge in her hand?

So fresshe she was and J>erto so likand* [spurious]

And to his bedde he went1 hyra hastely

No more of him at1 this tyme speke I. 1780

But1 pere I lete him wepe ynow and pleyn

Til fresshe may wil rewen on his peyn

'f 0 perilous fyre J>af in J>e bedstrawe bredej)

0 famulere foo J>att his seruise bedejj 1784

O seruazmte traitoure fals [of] holy hewe

Like to ]?e adder sclegh . & in Basom vntrewe

God shilde vs alle from ^oure iniquitauwce

0 lanuare dronken in plesaunce 1788

Of Mariage se howe J?i damyan

Thyne owne squyer and J>i born man

Entendej? to done J)e vilanye

God graunte J>e ]?ine harme forto aspie 1792

ffor in Jjis world? nys no wors pestilence

Than homely foo alday in J)i presence

Parfourmed haj? }?is day his arke dyurne

No lenger may J)e body of hyw soiowrne 1796

pe Orisonte as in Jjatt latitude

Ri^tt wij) his mantel J>atH is derk1 and Rude

Gan forto sprede fe mysprey aboute

ffor which departed is }>e lusty route 1800

ffor lanuare wi]> )>onke on euery side

Hoom to her howses lustely J>ei ride .

Ther as Jjei done her jringges as hem lust1 [leaf 121]

And whan J?ei segh her tyme to go to rest* 1804

Sone aftere fat1 jjis hastif lanuar1

Wol go to bedde he wil no lenger tar*

He drinke]} Ypocras clerre and vernage

Of spices hote to encresen his corage 1808

And many a letuare had he ful fyne

Such as J?e cursed monk daune Costantyne

Hajj writen in his boke of Coytu

To eten hem al he nas no Jnng< eschwe 1812

PETWOKTH 253 (6-T. 458)

SIX-TEXT 459

GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And f us to his privey freudes seide he ffor goddis loue as sone as it1 may be Lette voiden al fis hous in curteys wise sone 1815

Men dronken and fe trauers drowe anon 1817

The bride was bro^t1 to bedde as stille as eny stofi 1818 So hasted lanuar1 it most be don [spuritmt]

And whan f e bedde was with f e preest1 yblessed Out1 of f e Chambre haf euery wi$f hyw dressed 1820 And lanuare haf fast1 in armes take His fresshe may his paradis his make He lulleth hure he kisseth hure ful oft1 Wif filke bristels of his beerd? vnsoff 1824

Ylike to f e skyn of hounde fissfi. sharpe as brere ffor he was shaue«al newe in his manere He rubbef hure vpon her tendere face And seide Jms alace I mote tre space 1828

To 3ou my spouse and $ou gretly ofFende Or tyme come fat1 1 wil doune descende But1 naf elees consideref ]?is quod he

];er nys no werkman what1 so euer he be 1832

Jjat1 may boj>e worche wel and hastely ]?is wil be done at1 leisere parfitely It1 is no force howe longe fat1 we pleye I trowe in wedloke coupled bene we tweye 1836

And blessed by the yokke fat1 we bene Inne ffor in our actys we may do no synne •/ A man may do no synne wif his wiff [leaf 121, back]

NQ hirt1 hym self wif his owne knyff 1840

Now han we leue to pley vs by fe lawe Thus labowref he til fat1 f e day gan dawe And fan he takef a soppe in fyne clerre And vpri^t in his bedde fan sittef he 1844

And aftere fat1 he songe ful loude 'and clere And kissed his wiff and made wanton chere He was al coltissh" and ful of ragerye And ful of Girgoun as is flecked pie 1848

1ET WORTH 251 (6-T. 459)

SIX-TEXT 460

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS,

J?e sclak skyn about1 his necke shakef

"While fat1 he songe so chauntef he and crakef

But1 good woote what1 may f ou^t* in her hert1

Whan she him segh vpsitting1 in his shertt 1852

In his ny^t1 cappe and wif his necke lene

She preiseth nou^t1 his plesinge worf a bene

Than seide he f us my resting1 wil I take

Nowe day is come I may no lenger wake 1856

And doune he leide his hede and sclept1 til prime

And afterward? whan fat1 he segh his tyine

Yp risef lanuare but1 fresshe may

Holde]) her chambre vnto fe ferfe day 1860

As vsage is of wives for f e best1

ffor euery laboure somtyme mot1 haue rest1

Oy]>er ellis longe may he no^t1 endure

fis is to saye no lyues creature 1864

Be it1 of fissh . or brid of beest1 or man

Now wil I speke of woful damyan

fat1 languowre)) for loue as $e shul here

Therfore I speke to him in fis manere 1868

I say o. sely damyan alias

Answere to fis demaunde as in fis cas

Howe shalt1 f ou to f i lady fressh[e] May .

Telle fi woo she wil alway sey nay 1872

Eke if f owe speke she wil f i woo bywreye

God bene fine helpe I can no better1 seye

IT This seke Damyan in Venus fire peaf 122]

So brennef fat1 he deyef for desire 1876

ffor whiche he putte his lif in auentwe

No lenger my^t1 he in f is wise endure

But1 priuely a penner* gan he borowe

And in a letter wrote he al his sorowe 1880

In manere of a compleinf ofer a lay

Vnto f is faire and fresshfe] lady may

And in a purs of selk hong on his shert1

He haf yputte and yleide it1 at1 his hert1 1884

PETWORTH 256 (6-T. 460)

SIX-TEXT 4G1

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

f e mone fat1 at1 none was at1 thilk day

fat1 lanuare haf wedded fat1 fressli may

yn two of taure was in f e Cancre gliden

So longe ha]) she in her chambere byden 1888

As custumes is vnto f ese nobles alle

A bride shal not1 eten in.fe halle

Til daies foure eif er thre daies at f e lestt

Ypassed bene fan laf her goo to fe feest1 1892

\>& fertile 1 day complete fro none to none p MS ay]

whan fat1 the highe masse was ydone

In halle sitte f is lanuare and, may

As fresshe as is fe bri^te somers day 1896

And so bifelle howe fat1 f is good man

Kemembref hym vpon f is Damian

And seide seint1 mary how may pis be

That1 Damian entendej? nou^t to me 1900

Is he ay seke or howe may Jns betide

His squyers which fat1 stoden hym beside

Excusinge him bycause of his siknesse

Which faf letted him to do his bysynesse 1904

None of er cause my^t1 make hym care

jmt1 me forf enkef quod this lanuare

He is a gentile squyer* be my trouf e

^if fat1 he deied it1 were harme and rouf e 1908

He is as wise discrete and secree .

As eny man I woote of his degre

And ferto manly and eke seruisable [leaf 122, back]

And for to bene a frifty man ri^t1 able 1912

But1 after mete as sone as euer I may

I wil my self visite hym and eke may

To done him al f e comfort1 fat1 1 can .

And for fat1 worde hym blessed euery man 1916

fat1 of his bounte and his gentilnesse

He wolde so conforten hym in his siknesse

His squyer for it1 was a gentile dede

Dame quod he fis lanuare take good hede 1920

PETWORTH 256 (6-T. 46l)

SIX TEXT 462

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

That1 at* aftere mete 36 wif ^oure woramen alle

Whan 36 han bene in chambre out1 of fis halle

That1 alle 36 goon to se fis damyan

Do]) him disport1 he is a gentile man 1924

And tellef him fat1 I wil hyra visite

Haue I no f inge but1 rested me a lite

[And spede 3ou faste ffor I woH abyde P^£»1J£^

TyHe fat ye slepe ffaste by my syde] 1928

Now wif fat1 word he gan to hym calle

A sqwier pat1 was a marshal of his halle

And tolde him certeyn J>ingges what1 he wold

fis fresshe may haf streight1 her way yhold* 1932

Wif aH her woramen vnto }>is Damyan

Doune by his beddes side satte she fan

Confortinge him as she goodly may

This Damyan whan he his tyme say 1936

In secrete wise his purs and eke his bille

In whiche fat1 he writen had al his wille

Haf putte into her honde wif -outen more

saue fat1 he sikked wondere sore 1940

And softiy to hure ^t1 f us seide he

Mercy and fat1 36 diskeuere no^fr me

ffor I am dede if fat1 f is f inge be kidde

fis purs hafe she in her bosom hidde 1944

And went1 her way 36 gete no more of me

But1 vnto lanuare ycommen is she

And on his beddys side sitte ful soft*

He takef hur> an kissef hure ful oft1 1948

And leide hyra doune to slepe and fat1 anon [leaf 1233

She feyned hure as f oo she most1 gdn

Ther as she woote fat1 euery wi3^ mote nede

And whan she of fis bille haf taken hede 1952

She rent1 it1 al to cloutes at1 f e last1

And in f e priuee softly she it1 cast1

Who stodieth nowe but1 feire fresshe may

And adoune by lanuare she lay 1956

PETWOUTH 257 (6-T. 462)

SIX-TEXT 463

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

pat1 sclepte to pe Coughe hap hy??z a-waked . Anon he preide hire to stripe hur' naked . He wold of hur he seide haue som plesaiice He seide hire clones did hym encombrance 1960

And she obeiep be he leef or loth But1 lest1 pat1 precious folk1 be wip me wrope How pat1 he wrou^t1 1 dar to $ou not1 telle Eiper whedere pat1 he pou^t1 on paradis or on helle 1964 But1 1 lete hem worche in her wise Til euensonge ringe and pat1 pei most arise were it1 be destanye eiper be auenture were it1 by influence eiper be nature 1968

Eiper in constellacion pat1 in such estate pe heuene stood pat1 tyme fortunate was forto putte a bille of Yenus werkes/ ffor al ping1 hap tyme as seine pise clerkes 1972

To eny wowman forto gete her loue I can not1 seie but1 pe grete god aboue That1 knowep pat1 none acte is causelees He demep of aH for I wil holde my pees 1976

But1 sop is pis howe pat1 pis fresshe may Hap take such impression pat1 day On pite of pis sike Damyan

That1 from her hertf she ne drive can 1980

The remembraunce forto done hyra eese Certeine pou^tt she whom pat1 pis ping1 displese I rek not1 for here I him assure

To loue him best1 of eny creature •/ 1984

Though he no more nad pan his shert1 [leaf 123, back]

lo pite rennep sone in gentil hert1 Here may $e se howe excellent1 fraunchise In womnen is whan pei narowe hem avise 1988

Somwe tyraunt1 per is as bene mony oil That1 hap an hert1 as hard! as eny ston Whiche wold han lete him sterue in pe place Wei raper pan han graunted him pat1 grace 1992

PETWORTH 258 (6-T. 463)

SIX-TEXT 464

GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And hem reioysen in her cruel pride

And recched nou^t1 to bene an homycide

This gentile may fulfilled of al pite

Ki^t1 so of hure honde a lethe made she 1996

In which e she grauntep \\jin of hire verrey grace

Ther lackep nou^t1 only but1 day and space

wher pat1 she my$ti to his lust1 suffice

flbr it1 shal be rijf as he wil deuise 2000

And whan she seeghe her tyme vpon a day

To visite pis Damyan go]? faire May

And subtily pis letter doune she prest1

Ynder his pilowe rede if him lest1 2004

She takep him by pe hond and hard hym twist1

So secrely pat1 no wi}!? it1 wist1

And bad him be al hole and forp she wente

To lanuare whan pat1 he for her sentte 2008

Vp risep Damyan the nexte morwe

Al passed was his siknesse & his sorowe

He kembep him and proynep hym and pykep

He dop al pat1 his lady lust1 and likep 2012

And eke to lanuare he gop as lowe

As euere did a dogge for pe bowe

He is so plesaunt1 to euery man

ffor craft1 is al who pat1 it1 can 2016

pat1 euery wight1 is fayn to teche hym good?

And fully in his lady grace he stood?

Thus lete I Damyan aboute his nede

And in my tale forp I wil precede •/ 2020

Somme Clerkes holden pat1 ffelicite [leaf 124]

Stant1 in delite and perfor he

This noble lanuare wip al his my}^

In honest1 wise as longep to a kny^t1 2024

Shope him to lyve ful deliciously

His bowsing1 his aray al honestly

To his degree was maked as of kingges

Amonges opere as of honest1 pingges 2028

PETWORTH 259 (6-T. 464)

SIX-TEXT 463

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS,

He had a gardyn walled al wif ston

So faire a gardyne wote I nowhere noon

ffor out1 of doute I verrely suppose

J)att he fat1 wrote f e romance of f e rose 2032

Ne couf e of hit1 f e bewte wel devise

Ne priapus ne my^t1 not1 suffice

f ough he be god of gardynes forto telle

The bewte of f e gardyne and of fe welle 2036

That1 stood vndere a laurere alway grerie

fful ofte tyme king1 Pluto and his quene

Preserpyna and al her fairye

Disporten hem and maken melodye 2040

Abouten fat1 welle and daunceden as men told1

This noble knyght1 J)is lanuare f e olde

Such" deynte haf in it1 to walken and to pley

fat1 he wil suffre no wight1 to here f e key 2044

ssaue he him self1 for of f e smal wikett

He bare alway of siluere a clikett1

Wif f e which whan fat1 hym lust vnshette

And whan fat1 he wold* pay his wiif his dette 2048

In somer seson Jndere wold' he goo

And may his wiff1 and no wi}^ but1 J>ei twoo

And fingges which fat4 were not1 don abedde

fei in fe gardyn perfourmed han and spedde 2052

And in Jns wise mony a mery day

Lyued pis lanuare and fresshe may

But1 worldly loye may not1 alway endure

To lanuare ne to no worldely creature 2056

0 sodeyn happe . o J?ou fortune vnstable [leaf 124, back]

ylike to ]?e scorpion uariable

fat1 flaterest1 wij? fine heued whan f ou wilt stinge f

Thy tale is def by fine enuenemyng1 2060

0 brutel ioye o swete poyson queynt1

0 mystery fat1 subtilly canst1 peynt1

Thyne ^iftes vndere f e hwe of stidfastnesse

fat1 f ou desceyuedestH bof more and lesse . 2064

PETWORTH 260 (6-T. 46o)

SIX-TEXT 466

GROUP E, § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Pet worth MS.

"Why hast1 f ou lanuare f us desceyued .

And haddest1 hym for f i ful frende receyued .

And now f ou hast1 byraft1 hym bof his eyen

ifor sorowe of whiche desireth he to dyen 2068

IF Alias f e noble lanuare fat1 is so fre

Amydde his lust1 and his prosperite

Is wexen blynde and al sodeynly

His dee]) f erfore desire]? he vtterly 2072

And f er-wif -all f e fuyre of lelosie

Lest1 fat1 his wifH shuld? falle in some foly

So brent1 in his hert1 fat1 he wold? fayn

That1 somwe man bof e hur1 and hym had slayn 2076

ffor neuere aftere his def e ne in his liff1

Ne wolde he fat1 she were loue ne wiff1

But1 euere lyue as a widowe in clones blake

Sool as f e turtel do]? fat1 haf lost1 her make 2080

But1 at1 f e last1 after a monf e or tweye

His sorowe gan to swage sof to seye

ifor whan he wist1 it1 may noon ojjer be

He paciently toke his aduersite 2084

Sauf out1 of doute may he not1 forgon

Jjat1 he nas lalouse euermore in oon

Which Jalousie was so outrageous

That1 neiper in halle ne in noon olper hous / 2088

He nolde suffre hure forto ride ne goo

Ne in noon ojjer place neuer ]>e moo

But1 ^if fat1 he [had] hawde on hir1 alway

ffor which ful ofte wepe]? frecche may 2092

Thai loue]) Damyan so benygnely f

That1 she mote eifer dey sodeynly

Or ellis she mote han him at1 her list1 Deaf 125]

She waitef whan [her] hert1 wold al to-brest1 2096

Vpon fat1 ofer side DAmyan

Bycommeii is fe sorowfullest1 man/

fat1 euer was for neif ere ny^t1 ne day

Ne myght1 he speke a word to fresshe may 2100

PETWORTH 261 (6-T. 466)

SIX-TEXT 467

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS,

As to his pwrpoos of no suche matere

But1 3if) pat1 lanuare most1 if here

fat1 had oon honde vpon hir* euere moo .

And napelees by writing1 to and froo 2104

And priveys signes wist1 he what1 she mentf

And she knewe of pe sygnes of his entent1

1T 0 lanuare what1 my^t1 pe availe

Thowe my^tesf se as ferre as shippes saile 2108

ffor as good is a blynde desceyued be

As to be disceyued whan a man may see

Loo Arguys whiche pat1 had an C. eyeii

ifor al pat1 euere he coupe powre eypere prien 2112

3itf was he blent1 and god woot1 so bene moo /

That1 wenen wisly fat1 it1 nys nat1 soo

Passe ouer is an eese & say no more

pis fresshe May of which I speke of 3ore 2116

In warme wexe hap enprinted pis clikett1

paf lanuare here of pat1 smal wikett1

By which vnto his gardyne of[t] he went1

And Damyan J>afr knewe her entent1 2120

]?e Cliket1 countrefeted prively

per nys no more to say but1 hastely

Somme wondere by pis cliket1 shal betide

Which ye shal here if1 30 wil abide 2124

0 noble Ovide sope seisfr pou god wote

What1 scle3f is it1 pow it1 be longe & hote

pat1 he nyl fynde it1 out1 in somrae manere

By Piramus and Tisbe may men lere 2128

pough pei were kepte ful longe streit1 oueratt'

pel ben acorded rownyng1 porgh a waH

Ther nys no wi^ coupe ban founde out1 such a sclei3t1 [J^125'

But1 nowe to purpoos er pat1 daies viij. 2132

were passed er the monpe of luyl byfille

That1 lanuare hap caught1 so grete a wille

poro'we eggyng1 of his wiff1 him forto pley

In his gardyne and no ping1 but1 pei tweye 2136

PETWORTH 262 (6-T. 4-07)

SIX-TEXT 468

GROUP E, § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

in a morwe vnto his may seide he Rise vp my wif1 my loue my lady free The turtels vois is herd my douve swete The wynter is goon with al his reynes wete 2140

Come forf nowe with fine eyen columbyne How feirer bene f i brestes fan bene wyne The gardyne is enclosed al aboute

Come forf my white spouse out1 of doute 2144

f ow hast1 me wownded in myn hert1 o wiff No spotte in f e nas in al f i liff Come forf and lat1 vs take our disport1 I Cheese fe for my wiff and my comfort1 2148

Suche olde loude wordes vsed he On damyan a signe made shee That* he shulde goo byforn wif his cliketfr This damyan haf opned fe wiketf 2152

And in he stert1 and fat1 in such manere That1 no wi3f my^t1 if see ne here And stille he sitte vnder a bussh anon This lanuare so blynde as is a ston 2156

Wif Maius in his honde and no wi^f moo Into his fresshe gardyne is he goo And crapte to f e wiket1 sodeynly

Now wif quod, he here nys but1 fou and I 2160

That1 arte J>e creature fat1 1 best1 loue ffor by fat1 lorde fat1 sitte vs al aboue I had leuere dyen on a knyff

j?an 36 offended dere trewe wiff1 2164

ffor goddes sake f enk1 how I f e chees Nbu^t1 for no" coueityse doutelees •/

But1 only for fe loue I had to f e [leaf 126]

And fougtL fat1 1 be olde and may not1 see 2168

Ee to me trewe and I wil telle ^ou why Certes iij. fingges shul ^e wyrmen ferby fnrst1 loue of Crist1 and to ^oure self honour And al myne heritage toune and toure 2172

PETWORTH 263 (6-T. 468)

SIX-TEXT 469

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

I 3eue it1 3ou makep Cher[tr]es as 3011 lest1

This slial be doo to morowe er sonne1 rest1 p first sonnesse]

So wisly god my soule bringe in blisse

I prey 3011 in couenant1 pat1 36 me kisse 2176

And po^e pat1 I be lalous wite me

36 ben so depe enprented in my

That1 whan I considere 3oure bewte

And perwipal pe vnlikly elde of me 2180

I may not1 certes pou3e I shulde deie

fforbere to bene out1 of 3our) companye

ffor verrey loue pis is wip-oute doute

Now kisse me wiff and lat1 vs rome aboute 2184

1T This freesshe may whan she pise wordes herd?

Benignely to lanuare she answerd?

But1 first1 and formest1 she bygan to wepe

I haue quod she a soule to kepe 2188

As wel as she and also myn honowre

And of my wifhedo pilke tendere floure

whiche I haue assured in 3oure hand?

whan pat1 pe preest1 to 3ou my body band? 2192

wherfore I wil answere in pis manere

with pe leue of 3ou my lord! so dere

I prey god pat1 neuere dawe pat1 day

pat1 1 ne sterue as foule as wo?7mian may 2196

If euer I do vnto my kyiine pat1 shame

Eiper ellis I enpeire so my name

pat1 1 be fals And if I do pat1 lakke

To stripe me and putte me in a sakke 2200

And in pe next1 ryuere do me drenche

I am a gentil wo?wman and no wenche .

whi speke 36 pus but1 men bene euere vntrewe [leaf 126, back]

And wommen ha repreef of 3ou ay newe 2204

3e can noon oper countynance I leue

But1 speke to vs as vntrest1 and in repreue

And wip pat1 worde she segfr wher damyan

Satte in pe busshe and knele he bygan 2208

PETWORTH 264 (6-T. 469)

SIX-TEXT 470

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And wij) her fynger signes made she

J}af Damyan shuld clymbe vpon a tree

J)at charged was wij> frwte and vp he went1

For verreily he knewe al her entent1 2212

And euery signe Jmt1 she cou]>e make

wel bette pan lanuare her owne make

ffor in a lettiQ she had tolde him aH

Of ]>is matere howe he worchen shall 2216

And Jms 1 lat1 hym sitte in ]>e pirry

& lanuare and Mayus regnyng1 ful mery

1T Bri^t1 was J>e day and blewe J?e firmament1

Phebus of gold1 doune haj? his stremes sent* 2220

To gladen euery floure wij? his warmnesse

He was Jjaf tyme in Gemynys as I gesse

But1 litel fro his declination

Of Canser, louis exaltation 2224

And so bifelle Jjat1 in a bri^t1 morowtide

Jjat1 in J>e Gardyne on J>af ferf er side

Pluto Jjaf is J>e kyng1 of ffairye

And mony a lady in his company e 2228

ffolowinge his wiff ]je qwene proserpina

Whiche faf he rauyssshed out1 of proserpina

whilis jjat1 she gadered floures in a mede

In Claudyan 30 may J>e stories rede 2232

How in his Grisly carte he her fette

This kinge of fairye adoune hym sette

Vpon a benche of Turves fressh and grene

And ri}^ anon seide he Jms to his queue 2236

My wif1 quod he J?afr may no wijf say nay

The experience proueth it1 euery day

The treson which J>af wo??zman do]) to man [leaf 127]

x? thousand telle I can 2240

Notable of 3oure vntroujje and britclnesse

0 salamon richest1 of alle rychesse

ffulfilled of sapience and of worldely glorie

fful worjji bene J?i wordes to memorie 2244

19 PETWORTH 265 (6-T. 470)

SIX-TEXT 471

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

To euery wight1 fat1 witte and reson can/ Thus preisef he 31^ f e bounte of man Among1 a Mi men ^itt fonde I on

But1 of alle wommen fonde I neuere noon 2248

Thus seif J>is knyght1 fat1 knowef ^oure wickednesse And Ihesus filius C[i]rak as I gesse ]STe spekef of ^ou but1 seelden reuerence A wilde fuyr a corrupte pestilence 2252

So falle vpon 301116 bodies ^if to ny^f iNe Se 36 not1 f is honurable knyght1 By cause alas fat1 he is blynde and olde His owne man shal make him kokewold? 2256

Lo where he sitte fe leceheowr in fe tree Nowe wil I graunte of my maieste Ynto fis olde blynde worf i kny3f

That* he shal han a3ein his eyen 513^ 2260

whan Jjat1 his wiff wold do him vilanye fan shal he knowe al her harlotrie Boo]? in repreef1 of hure and o]>er moo/ IT 3e Sire quod proserpyne and wil 30 soo 2264

Nowe by my moders sire soule I swere Jjat1 1 shal 3euen hire suffisanfr answere And alle wowinien aftere for 3oure sake That1 )jou3e fei bene in eny gilt1 ytake 2268

WiJ> face bolde J>ei shullen hem self excuse And beren hem doune jjat1 wolden hem accuse iFor lacke of answer noon of hem shul dyen AH hadde 36 seie a finge wi]> bo]> 3oure yen 2272

31^ shullen we so visage it1 hardely And wepe and swere and chide subtily fat1 36 shullen bene as lewde as bene gees [ie:f 127, back]

what1 recketh me of such autoritees/ 2276

I wote wel fis Iwe this Salomon ffoonde of vs wymmen foles mony on Buf fou36 fat1 he ne fonde no good wo??inian f er haf yfounde mony anofer man 2280

PETWORTH 266 (6-T. 47l)

SIX-TEXT 472

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

wowHnen ful trewe ful good ful vertuous

witnesse of hem pat1 dwellen in cmtes hous

wip martierdome pei proued her Constance

pe Komayn geestes maken remembraunce 2284

Of mony a verrey trewe wif also /

But1 sir ne be not1 wrop as be it1 soo /

pough pat1 he seide he foonde no good womman

I prei 3011 take pe sentence of pe man 2288

He ment1 pus pat1 in souereyn bounte

!Nis noon but1 god but1 neipere he ne she

Eye for verrey god pat1 nys but1 oon

what1 make $e so moche of Salomon 2292

what1 pou^e he made a temple goddys hous

what1 po^e he were riche and glorious

So made he a temple of fals goddes ./

Who my^t1 do a pinge pat1 more forbode es 2296

Parde as faire as 36 his name enplastere

He was a lecchoure and an ydolastre

And in his elde he verrey god forsoke

And 3if pat1 god nad as seip J?e booke 2300

yspared him for his faders sake he sholde

haue lost1 his regne souner pan he wolde

I sette no^t1 of alle )>e vyleynye

fat1 30 of wommen write a botterflie 2304

I am a womman nede mote I speke

Eiper ellis swelle to myn hert1 breke

ffor sijjen he seide pat1 we bene Iangler[ess]es

As euer mote I brouke bop my tresses 2308

I shal not1 spare for no curtesye

To speke him harme pat1 wold? vs vilanye

Dame quod pis Pluto be no lenger wrope [leaf 128]

I ^eue if vp but1 sipercs I swore myn) ope 2312

pat1 1 wolde graunten him his si}^ a^eyii

My word? shal stonde pat1 warne I pe certeyii

I am a kinge it1 sitte me not1 to lye

And I quod she a quene of fairye 2316

PETWORTH 267 (6-T. 472)

SIX-TEXT 473

GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

Her Answere she shal haue I vndertake Lat1 vs no moo wordes make IT fforsof I wil no lenger ^ou contrarie Now lat1 vs turne a^ein to January e 2320

That1 in f is Gardyn wif f is faire Maye Syngef wel merier fan f e popeniay 3ou loue I best1 and shal and of <?r non So longe aboute f e alaies is he gon 2324

Till he was come a^einsfr f ilk1 piry where as f is damyan sittef ful mery On hegh amonge f e fresshe leues grene This fresshe May fat1 is so bri^t1 an shene 2328

Gan forto sigh and seide alas my side Now sire quod she for ou^te fat1 may bytide I moost1 haue of j)e peeres fat I see

Or I mote dye so score longef me 2332

To eten of f e smale peres grene Helpe for her loue fat1 is of heuene quene I telle ^ou wel a womman in my plite May haue to fruete so grete an appetite 2336

J3att she may dyen but1 she it haue Alias quod he fat1 1 nad here a knaue That couf e clymbe alas alas quod he

ffor I am blinde $e sire no fors quod she 2340

But1 wold? ^e vouchesauf for goddis sake f e piry in wif ^oure armes forto take ffor wel I wote fat1 ^e mystrest me

Ellis shuld I clymbe wel ynowe quod she 2344

So I my fote my^t1 sette vpon ^oure bak1 ffor sof e seide he in me shal be no lak1 Might1 1 $ou helpe wif myn herte blood [leaf 128, back]

He stoupef doune and on his bak1 she stood 2348

And ca^tt hure by a twist1 and vp she goof Ladyes I preie $ou fat1 ye be nat1 wroof I can not1 glose I am a rude man

And sodeynly anoon fis damyan . 2352

PETWORTH 268 (6-T. 473)

SIX-TEXT 474

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Gan pullen vp J?e smokke and in lie f ronge And whan fat1 Pluto segli f is grete wronge To lanuarie lie 3aue his si$tt ageyn [And made him se / as wel as evir he myht And whan he hadde / cauht his syht ageyn)] ne was ]>er neuer man of f inge so feyn But1 on his wiff his JpoujV was euermoo Vp to f e tree he cast1 his eyen twoo / And segfi. fat1 Damyan his wif1 had dressed , In which manere it1 may not1 be expressed? But1 |jif] I wolde speke vncurteysly And vp he $aue a roringe and a crye As dof e f e modere whan f e childe shal dye oute helpe alas harowe I gan to crye

0 stronge lady stoor what1 doostowe And she answeref sire what1 eileth ^owe Haue pacience and reson in ^oure mynde

1 haue 3ou hulpen of bof $oure eyen blynde Yp perile of my soule I shal not1 lyen

As me was ta^te to hele wif ^oure eien Was no f inge bette forto make 3011 see Than strogle wif a man vpon a tree God wote I did it1 in ful good entent Stroggel qzwd he . 36 algate in it went1 God 3eue 3ou bofe a shames def to dyen He swyued f e I segh it1 wif myne eyen And ellis be I honged by f e hals Than is quod she f e medecyne fals ffbr certeynly if 36 listen see -3e wold not1 saye no wordes vnto me 3e han some glymysing1 and no parfit si$ti I see quod he as wel as euere I nr^t1 Thonked be god wif bof myn eyen twoo And by my trouf e me fought1 he did f e soo 3e mase mase good sir5 quod she This f onk1 1 haue for I haue made }ou see

PETWOllTH 269 (6-T. 474)

[Addit. 5140, leaf 167, bk, leaf 168. In Reg. 17 D xv, lfl-1-1, bk, //12S; not in Reg. 18 (72, /ea/104.]

2360

2364

2368

2372

2376

2380

2384

[leaf 129]

2388

SIX-TEXT 475

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Alias quod she fat1 euere I was so kinde

Now dame quod he lat1 al passe out1 of mynde

Come doune my leef and if I haue myssayd?

God helpe me so as I am euel apaydl 2392

But1 by my faders soule I wend4 haue seyri)

How fat1 f is Damyan had by f e leyn)

And fat1 f i smok1 had leye vpon f i brest1

3e sir* quod she 36 may wene as 3011 lest1 2396

But1 sir* a man fat1 wake]?. out of sclepe

He may not1 sodeynly wel take kepe

Vpon a f inge ne seen it1 parfitely

To fat1 he be adawed verrely 2400

Ri^f so a man fiat1 long1 haf blynde ybe

Ne may not1 sodeynly so wel yse

ffirst1 whan f e si^t1 is newe co?ftmen ageyn

As he fat1 haj) a day or tweyen yseyn 2404

Til fat1 $oure si^t1 ystabled be a while

Ther may ful mony a si^f ^ou begile

Be]? ware I preye ^ou for by heuene kinge

fful mony a man wenef forto se a jnnge 2408

And it1 is al anojjer fan it1 semef

He fat1 mysconceyuef mysdemef

And wif fat1 word' she lepe dozm fro f e tre

This lanuarie who is glad but1 he 2412

He clippef hire and kissef hure^ful oft1

And on hire wombe he strokef hure ful soft

And to his Palays home he haf hire lad

Nowe good men I prey }ou to be glad 2416

Thus endef here my tale of lanuarie

God blesse vs and his modere seyiif Marie , 2418

If Here endef f e tale of f e marchaunt1

PETWOllTH 270 (6-T. 475)

GEOUP D. FEAGMENT V.

§ 1. WIFE OF BATH'S PREAMBLE. PETWORTH MS.

And here "bygynnef f e prologe of f e wif of Bathe Deaf 129]

Experience thou^e noon autorite [leaf 129, back]

were in f is world? ri^t ynou^e for me To speke of woo fat1 is in mariage

ffor lordingges sij) I twelue 3 ere was of age 4

Thonked be god fat1 is eterne alyue Husbondes atte church door haue I had fyve 3if I so often my^t1 han wedded be

But* alle were worf i men in her degre 8

But1 me was tolde certeyn not1 longe agon is That1 sif en crist1 ne went1 neuer but1 onys To wedden in f e cane of galile

fat1 by filk ensample tau^te he me 12

That1 1 ne shuld wedded be but1 onys Herk eek . loo such a sharpe word? for ]?e nones Beside a welle Ihesu god and man

Spake in repreef of j?e Samaritan 1 6

Thow hast1 yhad .v. husbondes quod he And fat1 ilk1 man fat1 nou3 haf f e Is not1 thyne husbond' fus seide he certeyn "What1 he ment1 f er-by I can not1 seyn 2 0

Wele f But fat1 1 aske whi the fift1 man Was non husbond? to f e Samaritan How mony my3t she han in mariage 3itt herd I neuere telle in myn age 24

PETWOTITH 271 (6-T. 334)

* SIX-TEXT 335

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

vpon fis nombre diffiniciown

Men may devise and glosen vp and down

But1 wel I wote expresse wif-outew lye

God bad us forto wexe and multiplie 28

That1 ge[n]tile text1 can I wel vnderstond?

Eke wel I wote lie seide myn husbond? ^ Reiinqwet homo

patrem & macrem

Shuld lete fadere and modere and take to me LlSJl™*

But1 of no nombre mencion made he 32

Of bygamy or of octogamye

Whi shuldl men fan of it1 han vilanye

loke here the wise man . kyng Salomon

I trowe he had wyues moo fan 66ii IF Genesis ij° quam-obrem 30

ISTow wold god if lieful were to me [leaf iso]

To be refresshed half so off as he

Which ^ift1 of god had he for aft his wyues

No man haf such fat in fis world! alyue es / 40

God wote fis noble kinge as to my witte

f e furst1 ny^t1 had mony a mery fitte

Wif eche of hem so wel was hym alyve

Blessed be god . fat I haue wedded fyve 44

Welcome f e .vi. whan fat1 euer he shal

ffor sif I wil not1 kepe me chaasf in all

Whan myn husbond? is fro f e world! ygon

Somme cr/sten man shal wedde me anon 48

ffor fan the apostel seif fat I am fre

To wedde a goddes.half where it likef me

He seif fat1 to be wedded is no synne

:Better) is to be wedded fan to brenne ^^ e// nubere

What1 rekkef me foo folk1 sey vylanye 53

Of shrewde lamef e and his Bygamye

I woot1 wel Abraham was an holy man

And Tacob eke as fer as euer I can 56

And eche of hem had wyues moo f arc twoo

And mony anof er holy man also

Where can 36 say in eny maner age

That1 vs god defended mariage 60

PETWORTH 272 (6-T. 335)

SIX-TEXT 336

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

Ey expresse woord? I prei 3011 tellef me

Or where coramaunded he virginite

I wote as wel as 36 if is no drede

f e Apostel whan he spekef of maydenhede 64

He seide f erof precept1 had he non

Men may counsaile a woraman to be on

But* cownseilling* nys non comaundemenf

He putte it* in oure owne luggemenf 68

ffor had god commaunded maidenhede

J5an had he dampned weddyng* wif f e dede

And certes $if f er were no sede ysowe

Virginite fan wherof shuld? it1 growe . 72

Paule durst* not* cowmaunde at* f e leesf [leafiso, back]

A f ing* of which his maister* $af hyra no heest*

f e darte is sette vp for virgynyte

Chace who so may who so rennef best* lat* se 76

But* f is word is not* take of every wi$f

But* j?er as god wold $eue if of his myght*

I wote wel J?at* )?e apostel was a mayde

But* na]>elees jjough Jjat* he wrote or seide 80

He wold fat* euery wi3t* were sucfi as he

All nys but* counsaile to virgynite

And forto be a wif he $af me leue

Of Indulgence so is it* no repreue 84-

To wedde me $if J?af my make dye

W/t/i-oute excepcion of Bygamye

Al were it* good no wowman forto touche

He ment* as his body • or in his couche 88

ffor perile is boj> fire and towe to assemble

3e knowe what* Jjis ensample may resemble

Jjis is al and somrae he helde virginite

More parfit* fan wedded in freelte 92

Freelte clepe I not* but* fat* he and she

Wolde lede her lif al in chaastite

I grcmnte if wel I haue non envie

foo Maidenhede preferre bygamye 96

PETWORTH 27a (6-T. 336)

SIX-TEXT 337

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

It1 like]) hew to be clene in body and goost1 . Of myn estaat1 I wil make no boost1 ffor wel 36 knowe a lord? in his houshold? Haf not1 euery vessel of gold' 1 00

So?7ime bene of tree and doii her lord! seruise God clepef folk to liim in sondry wise And euery ha)) of god a propre }ift

Somme fis somrae fat1 as hy??z like]) shift* 104

Virginite ys grete perfection And continence eke wi]) deuoci5n But1 cmt1 fat1 of perfection is well«

Bad not1 euery wi^f he shulde selle 108

Al fat1 he had and ^eue it1 to f e poore [leaf isi]

And in such wise folowe hym and his lore He spake to hem fat1 wold lyue parfitely And lordingges by 3oure leue faf am not1 1 I wil bystowe fe floure of al myn age In charite and fruyte of mariage Telle me also to what1 conclusion

Were membres made of generation 116

And of so parfit1 wise and whi ywrou^f Treste]) ri^t1 wel fei were not1 made for nomt1 Glose who so wil I say bo]) vp and down J>afr ])ei were made for purgaciown 1 20

Of vryne and oure bo])e fingges smale were eke to knowe a female from a male And for noon ofer cause . what1 seye 36 no J)e experience woot1 fat1 it1 is so / 124

So fat1 fe clerkes ben not1 wif me wroof I seie fis fat1 fei maked be2 fore both p over a y mM ontj

This is to seyne for office and for eese Of engendringe ther we not1 god displese 1 28

whi shuldl men ellis in her bokes sette fat1 man shal 3elde to his wif his dette Nowe wherwif shuld? he paye his payment1 3if fat1 he ne vsed his sely instrument1 132

pETWoimr 274 (B-T. 337)

SIX-TEXT 338

GROUP D, § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

Than were bei made vpon a creature

To purge vryne and eke for engendrure

But1 1 seye not1 bat1 euery wi^t1 is holde

J^at1 ha]) such harneys as I to 3ou haue tolde 136

To goon and vsen hem in engeiidrure

J>an shuld? men take of chastite no cure

Crist1 was a mayde and shapen as a man

And mony a seint1 sib pat1 be world! bygan 140

3it* lyued bei euere in parfit1 chaastite

I nyl envie wib no virginite

Lat1 hem ete brede of pured whete sede

And lat vs wyues ete Barle brede . 144

And ^if wib barle brede Mark1 telle can [leaf isi, back]

Oure lord Ihesu refresshed mony a man

In such astate as god hab cleped vs /

I wil perseuere I ne am not1 precious 148

In wifhode wil I vse myn Instrument1

As frely as my maker hab it1 sent1

If I be daungerous god ^eue me sorowe

Myn husbonde shal if haue bob eue and morowe 152

Whan pat1 him list1 come forb and paye his dette

An husbond* I wil han I nyl not1 lette

Which shal be bo]) my dettowr and my bral

And han his tribulacion wib- all 156

Vpon his flessh while bat1 1 am his wiif \ Ad ^rintMos vijo.

vir sui corpons potes-

I haue the power during1 al my liff mSrn<w ha6et' ***

vpon his propre body and not1 he

Ei^t1 pus be apostel told? [it] vnto me 160

And bad oure husbondes forto loue hyra weH

Al bis sentence me likeb euery dell

Vp stert1 the pardonere and bat1 anon Now dame quod he by god and by seynt1 lohn 164 3e bene a noble precheour in bis caas I was about to wedde a wiff alas What1 shuld' I by it1 on my flessh so dere ^it1 had I leuer wedde non to ^ere 168

PETWOKTII 275 (6-T. 338)

SIX-TEXT 339

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

Ibyde quod she my tale is not1 bygonne

Nay f ou shalt1 drinken a nof er tonne

Er fat1 I goo shal sauour wors fan ale

And whan fat1 1 haue told? for]? my tale 172

Of tribulacion in mariage

Of whiche I am expert1 in myn age

jjis is to seye my silf haf bene f e whippe

•fan maist1 fowe chese whider1 fou wilt1 scippe 176

f ilk1 tonne fat1 1 shal abroche

Be war of it1 or fou to nye aproche

ffor I shal telle ensamples moo fan ten

who that1 wil not1 be war by of ere men./ 180

By hym shul ofer men corrected be peaf 1.12]

Thise same wordes writef ptholome

Rede in his almagest1 and take it1 fere

Dame I wold? prey 3011 if $our wille were 184

Seide f is pardonere as 36 bygan

Telle forf ^oure tale spare for no man

And teche vs 3enge men of ^oure practyke

Gladly quod she sif it may pu like 188

But1 fat1 1 prey to al f is companye

If fat1 I speke after my fantasie

As takef nat1 a greef of fat1 1 seye

For myn entent1 is not1 but1 to pleye 192

.f Now sirs fan shal I telle $ou my tale

As euere mote I drinke wyne or ale

I shal seie sof f oo husbondes fat1 1 hadde

As iij. of hem were good and two were badde 196

fe iij. were good men riche and olde

Vnnef es my3ten f ei f e statute holde

In which f ei were bounden vnto me

3e wote wele what1 1 mene of f is parde 200

As god me helpe I laugh whan I f enke

How pitously a nyjt1 1 made hew swynke

But1 by my faye I tolde of it1 no store

f ei had me 3oue her londe and her tresore 204

PETWORTH 276 1^6-T. 339)

SIX-TEXT 340

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

Me neded not1 do lenger diligence

To wynne her loue and. do hem reuerence

f ei loued me so wel by god aboue

f att I ne tolcfe no deynte of her loue 208

A wise womman wil bysy hure euere in on

To gete her loue 36 f er as she haf non

But1 sif e I had hem holy in myn honde

And si]) fat1 fei hadde 30116 me al her londe 212

what1 shuld I take kepe hem forto plese

But 3if it1 were my profite & myn ease

But1 sette hew so a werke by my faye

fat1 rnony a ny^tf fei songen weleaway 2t#

The bacon was not1 fette for hem I trowe [leaf 132, back]

fat1 somme men han in Essex at1 donmowe

I gouerned hem so wel after1 my lawe

fat1 eche of horn ful blisful was and fawe 220

To bringe me gay f ingges fro f e feire

knyves and ryngges & pwrses wel faire

ffor god it1 woof I chide hem spitously

Now herkenej) how I here me proprely 224

3e wise wyues fat1 can vnderstond?

Jms shuld 36 speke and here hem wrong1 on homJ

ffor half so boldely ]?er can no man

Swere and lye as wo?wman can 228

I say not fis by wyues fat1 bene wise

But1 it1 be whan fat1 fei hem mysavise

A wise wif shal if fat1 she can her goode

Bere him an honde fat1 f e kowe is wode 232

And take witnesse of hire owne mayde

Of hure assent1 but1 harkenef how I seide

IF Sire olde keynard? is f is fine aray

whi is my neighbowres wif1 so gay 236

She is honowed oueral wher she gof e

I sitte at home I haue no f rifty clof e

what1 dostowe at1 myn neighbours hous

Is she so faire art1 fou so amerous 240

PETAVORTII 277 (6-T. 340)

SIX-TEXT 341

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

what1 roune 30 wip our mayde . benedicite

Sire olde lecchoure lat1 pi Tapes be

And if I haue a gossipe or a frende

wip-oute gilt1 ^e chide as a fende 244

3if pat1 I walk1 or play vnto his hous

Jpou co?ranest home as dronken as a mous

An prechest1 on pi benche wip euel preef1

)3ou seist1 to me it1 is a grete meschief 248

To wedde a poor womman for costage

And if pat1 she be riche of grete parage

pan seist pou pat it1 is a turmentrie

To suffre her pride and her malencolie . 252

And if pat1 she be faire powe verrey knaue peaf iss]

powe seist pat1 euery holoure wol hure haue

She may no while in chaastite abide

That1 is assaied vpon eche side 256

Thowe seist1 somme folk1 desire vs for richesse

Somrne for our shap and some for our fairnesse

And somme for she can eiper sing1 or dance

Thus seistowe wernard? god 3eue pe meschance 260

Somme for hure hondes and her armes smale

Thus go]) al to fe deueH by fi tale

Thow seyst men may not1 kepe a casteH walle

It4 may so longe assailled be oueraH 264

And if fat1 she be foule }?ou saisf fat1 she

CoveiteJ) euery man fat1 she may se

ffor as a spaynel she wil on hym lepe

Til pat1 she fynde somme man pat1 wil hire chepe 268

Ne noon so grey goos gos per in the lake

As seist pou pat1 wil be wip-outen make

And seist1 it1 is an harde pinge forto welde

A wi^t1 pat1 no man wil his ponkes helde 272

Thus seist1 pou lorel whan pou goost1 to bedde

And pat1 no wise man nedep forto wedde

And no man pat1 entendep to pe heuene

vritJi wilde ponder* dynt1 and fire leuene 276

PETWORTH 278 (6-T. 34l)

SIX-TEXT 342

GROUP D. § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth HIS.

Mote pi welked nek1 be to-broke

pou seist1 pat1 dropping1 houses and eke smoke

And chidinge wyues maken men to fle

Out1 of hir owne house . A benedieite 280

What1 eilep such an old man forto chide

pou seist1 we wyues wil oure vices hide

Til we be fast1 and pan we wil hem schewe

Wele may pis be a prouerbe of a schrewe 284

pou seist1 pat1 Oxen . assen . hors . and houndes

pei ben assaide at1 dyuers stoundes

Basyns lauoyrs er pat1 men hem bye

Spones . stooles . and such husbondrye . 288

And so bene pottes elopes and oper araies [leaf 133, back]

But1 of wommen are maked none assaies

Til pei ben wedded old dotard? shrewe

And seist1 ho we pen we wiH our vices shewe 292

Thowe seist1 also pat1 it1 displesep me

But1 ^if pou wilt1 preise my bewte

And but1 pou poure alway vpon my face

And clepe me faire dame in euery place 296

And but1 pou make a feest1 on pat1 ilk1 day

pat1 1 was born and make fressh and gay

And but1 pou do to myn norys honoure

And to my chambere wi't/^Inne my bour 300

And to my faders folkes and his alyes

Thus seist1 pou olde bareli ful of lyes

And ^it1 of oure apprentise lankyn

ffor his crispe here shynyng1 as gold? fyne 304

And for he sqwiers me bop vp and down

$iti hast1 pou po^t1 a fals suspeciown

I wil hym not1 pei pou were dede to-morowe

But1 telle me pis whi hidest1 pou wip sorowe 308

pi keyes of pi chest1 away fro me

If is my good as wel as pine parde

what1 wenest1 pou make an ydyote of our dame

Kow by pat1 lord pat1 called is seint1 lame 312

PETWOllTH 279 (6-T. 342)

SIX-TEXT 313 GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'd PREAMBLE. PctWOlth MS.

fou shalt1 not1 bof f ou^e fou were woode Be maister of my body and my goode fat1 oon fou shalt1 forgoen magre fine ei^en what1 helpej) it1 of me to quere and spien 316

I trowe JJQO fou woldest1 lokke me in f i chest1 fou shuldest1 seie wif go where f e lest* Take 3oure disport1 1 wil leue no talis I knowe 3011 for a good wiff dame Alys 320

we loue no man fat1 takef kepe ne charge where fat1 we go we wil be at our large Of alle men blessed mot1 he be

f e wise astrologen daun ptholome 324

That1 seif fis prouerbe in his almagestt [leaf 1343

Of alle men his wisdom is hiest1 fat1 rekkef not* who haf fe world? in hondl By fis prouerbe fou shalt1 wel vnderstond? 328

Haue fou ynowe what1 ther f e rekke and care Howe merely fat1 of ere folk1 fare ifor certes olde dotarde be ^oure leue 3e shul haue queynt1 right1 ynowe at1 eue 332

He is to grete a nygard! fat1 wil warne A man to li^t1 a candel at1 his lantarne He shal haue neuere f e lasse ^t1 parde Haue fou ynowe f e ther not1 pleyn f e 336

Thou seist1 also fat1 }if fou make vs gay with clof inge or wif precious aray That1 it1 is perile of our chaastie

And 3itt wif wordes fou mote enforce me 340

And say f ise wordes in f e apostels name In abite made wif chastite and shame 3e woramen shuld? apparaile ^ou quod he And not1 in tressed here and gay perre 344

As perle ne wif gold' and clof es riche Aftere f i text1 ne aftere f i rubriche I nyl not1 worche as mochel as a gnatte Thowe seidest1 als fat1 1 was like a catte 348;

PETWORTH 280 (6-T. 343)

SIX-TEXT 344

GROUP D, § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

But1 who so wolde senge a cattis skyn

pan wold! pe catte wel dwellen in his Inn

And if pe cattes skyn be sclyke and gay

She nyl not1 dwel in hous half a day 352

But1 for]? she wil er eny day be dawed

To shewe her skyn and go a caterwawed /

pis to seie if I be gay sir' schrewe

I wil renne out1 my burel for to shewe 356

Sir1 olde foole what helpep pe to spien

pei powe prey argus wip his Ml. eyen

To be my warde corps as he can best1

In feip he shal not1 kepe me but1 if me lest1 360

3ifr coupe I make his beerde so mote I pee Deaf 134, back]

pou seist1 eke pat1 per bene pinges pre

)}e which pingges trowblen al pis erpe

And pat1 no wi^t1 ne may endure pe ferpe 364

0 leue sir* schrewe Ihesu short1 pi liff

3 it1 prechestowe and seist1 an hatful wiff

Yreckned is for oon of pise meschawnces

Ben fere non o]?er manere resemblaunses 368

Jmt1 ^e may likne ^oure parables too

But1 ^if a cely wif be oon of £00

Jjow . liknest womman^ys loue to helle

To barayn londe J?er water may not1 dwelle 372

Thou liknest1 it1 also to wilde fire

jpe more it1 brennej) ]?e more it1 haj? desire

To consume eny ping1 jjat1 brent1 wold be

Thow seist1 pat1 ri^t1 a[s] wormes sheende a tre 376

Ei^t1 so a wiff* distroiep her husbonde

pis knowe pei pat1 bene to wyues bonde

IF Lordingges ri^t1 pus as ^e han hunderstan(5

Bare I stifly myn olde husbondes on hand? 380

That1 pus pei seiden in her dronkenesse

And eke pat1 pei had suspecion of lalousnesse

On lankin and on myn neef also

0 lord pe peyn I did hem and pe woo / 384

20 . PETWORTH 281 (6-T. 344)

SIX-TEXT 345

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

iful giltelees by goddis swete pyne

ffor as an hors I couf e bof bite and whyne

I couf e pleyn and I was in f e gilt1

Or ellis often tyme I had be spilt1 388

Who so fat1 first1 to mylle co/rmieth first1 grynt1

I pleyned furst1 so was oure werre stint1

IF f ei were ful glad to excusen hem ful blyue

Of f inge of which f ei agilt1 neuer her lyue 392

Of wenches wold? I beren hem on honde

Whan fat1 for seke f ei rny^t1 vnnef stonde

Jit1 tided I his herf for fat1 he

wende I had of hym so grete chierte 396

I swore fat1 al my walking1 by ny^f [leaf 135]

Was forto aspie wenches fat1 he di^tt

Vnder fat1 colour had I mony a myrf e

fFor al such witte is ^euen vs in our birf Q 400

Deceyte. weping1. spynnyng1 god haf jeue LS&S^erl

To wo?wman kindely while fat1 f ei lyue

And f us of1 on f ing1 1 auawnte me

At1 f e ende I had f e best1 in eche degr-e 404

By slei}^ or force . or by som?fte maner* f inge

As by contynuel murmur or grucchinge

Kamely abed had f ei meschaunce

f er wold? I chide and do hem no plesazmce 408

I wolde no lenger in f e bedde abide

Jif fat1 1 felt1 his arme ouere my side

Til he had made his raunson vnto me

fan wolde I suffre hym doo his nicete 412

And f erfore euery man f is tale I telle

Wiue who so may al are for to selle

"With empty hond men may noii hauke lure

ffor wynnyng1 wold? I al his lust1 endure 416

And make me a feyned appetite

And ^it1 in bacon had I neuere delite

That1 maked me fat1 euer I wold? hym chide

ffor f ou^e f e pope had sitte hym beside 420

PETWORTH 282 (6-T. £45)

SIX-TEXT 346

GROUP D, § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

I wolde not1 spare hyra at1 his owne borcfe

ffor be my troupe I quytte hym worde for word2

As helpe me verrey god omnipotent1

pow I ri^t1 nowe shuld? make my testament 424

I ne owe hyw a word* pat1 it1 nys quytte

I brou^f it1 so aboute by my witte

Jpaf he must ^eue it1 vp as for pe best*

Or ellis had we neuer be in rest1 428

ffor pougfr he loked as a lyon

3ifr shuld? he faile of his co??clusion

Than wold? I seie nowe goode leef take kepe

Howe mekely lokep wilkin our shepe ./ 432

Come nere my spouse lat1 me ba pi cheke [leaf 135, back]

3e shul be al pacient1 and meke

And han a swete spiced conscience

Sip 36 so prech of lobes pacience 436

Suffre]> alway si]? ^e so wel can preche

An'd but1 ^e doo certeyn we shul ^ou teche

pat1 it1 is faire to haue a wif in pees

Oon of vs mote bo wen doutelees 440

And si]) a man is more resonable

fan wowman is . sir1 30 moste be suffrable

what1 eileth 3ou to grucche pus and grone

Is it1 for 36 wold* han my queynt1 alone 444

Wy take it1 alle lo haue it1 euery deft

Peter I schrewe 3ou but1 36 loue me weH

ffor 3if I wolde selle my bele chose

I coupe walk1 as freccli as eny rose 448

But1 1 wil kepe it1 for $our owne totR

3e be to blame be god I seie 3ou sotfr

Such manere wordes had we on hond?

Now wil I speke of my ferpe husbonde 452

IF Mi ferpe husbonde was a reueloure

pis is to seie he had a paramour

And I was 3enge and ful of ragerye

Stiborn and stronge and loly as a pie 456

PETWORTH 283 (6-T. 346)

SIX-TEXT 347

GROUP D. § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

lord? I coujje daunce to an harpe smale

And synge ywis as eny ny^tingale

whan I hadde dronke a draught1 of swete wyn

Metelyus J?e foule cheerle J>o swyn 460

pat1 wij) a staf1 byraft1 his wif her lif1

ffor she dronk1 wyne jjo^e I had ben his wiif

Ne shuld he not1 han daunted me fro drink e

And aftere wyne on venus most1 1 j?enke 464

ffor as siker as colde engendre)? haile

A likerous mouj? most1 han a lykerous tale

In wo?ttman vinolent1 is no defence

pis knowe lecchours by experience 468

But1 lord crist1 whan pat1 it1 remembref me Deaf ISG]

Ypon my :$oupe and [on] my lolite

It1 tide]) me aboute myn herte rote

Ynto pis day It1 do]? myn herte bote 472

fat1 1 haue had my world? as in my tyme

But1 age alas pafr al wil enuenyme

Hajj me byraft1 my bewte and my pith

Lat1 it1 go fare we.1 J)e deuel goo perwith 476

The floure is gon per nys no more to telle

pe bren as I best1 can now mote I selle

But1 ^if to be ri^t1 mery wil I foonde

Now forfe to telle of my fer]>e husbonde 480

I seie I had in hert1 gret1 despite

Jjat1 he of eny o]>er had delite

But1 he was quytte by god and by seynt1 lose

I made hyra of ])e same wode a crose 484

Nat1 of my body in no foule manere

But1 certeynly I made folk1 such chere

Jjat1 in his owne grece I made hym frye

ifor Anger and for verrey lalowsie 488

By god in erjje I was his purgatorie

ffor which I hope his saule be in glorie

ffor god it1 woote he satte ful oft1 and songe

whan Jjat1 his shogh ful bitterly hym wronge 492

PETWORTH 284 (6-T. 347)

SIX-TEXT 348

GROUP D. § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS,

ffor f er nas noon sauf god and lie fat wist1

In mony wise where I hym twist1

He deyed whan I come fro Jerusalem

And life in a graue vnder fe rode-beem 496

All nys his tombe not1 so curious

As was f e sepulture of hyra darius

which fat1 appelles wrou^t1 subtily

It1 nys but1 waast1 to bury hym preciously 500

Lat1 hym fare wel god ^eue his soule rest1

He is no we in his graue and in his chest1

1T Nbwe of my .v. husbond? wil I telle

God lat1 neuere his soule come in helle 504

And 31^ was he to me fe moost1 shrewe fleaf 136, back]

fat1 fele I on my ribbes al by rewe

And euere shal unto myn ending1 daye

But1 in oure bed he was so fressh. and gaye 508

And per wif al so wel couf e he me glose

whan fat1 he wold1 han my bele chose

fat fou^e he had me bete on euery bofi

He coufe wynne ageyn my loue anon 512

I trowe I loued him f e bette for he

Was of his loue daungerous to me

We wommen han if fat1 1 shal not1 lye

In fis manere a queynte fantasie 516

waite what1 finge we may not1 Ii3tly haue

Theraftere wil we crie al day and craue

fforbede vs finge and fat1 desiren we

Prees on vs fast1 and fan wil we fle 520

vriih daungere outer we al oure chaffare

Greet1 prees atte Market1 makef dere ware

And to grete chepe is yholde atte litel pris

This knowef euery wom?rtan fat1 is wise 524

IT My fift1 husbonde god his soule blisse

which fat1 1 toke for loue and no ricchesse

he some tyme was a clerk1 of oxenforc?

And had left1 scole and went1 at1 home to boord? 528

PETWOllTH 285 (6-T. 348)

SIX-TEXT 349

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

wip my gossip dwelling* in our toun

God haue her soule her name was alisown

She knewe myn hert1 and al my priuyte

Better pan oure parissh preesf so mot1 1 the 532

To hure bywried I my counseil aii

ffor had myn hnsbonde pissed on a walle

Or doon a pinge pat1 shuld* have cost1 his liff1

To hure and to anoper worpi wiff1 536

And to my nece which I loue weH

I wold han tolde his counseile euerideH

And so I did ful often god it1 wote

pat1 made his face often rede and hote . 540

ffor verrey shame and blamed hym self for he [leaf 137]

had tolde to me so grete a privyte

And so byfelle pat1 ones in a lente

So ofte tyme I to my gosype wente 544

ffor euere ^it1 1 loued to be gay /

And forto walke in marche Averil and may

ffrom hous to hous to harken sonday tailes/

fat1 lankin clerk and my gossip dame alys 548

And I my self into pe feeldes wente

Myn husbonde was at1 london al fat1 lente

I had pe bettre leisere forto pley

And forto see and eke forto be seye 552

Of lusty folk what1 wist1 1 wher* my grace

Was shapen forto be or in what1 place

Therfore made I my visitacions

To vigiles and to processions 556

To preching1 eke and to pise pilgrimages

To plaies of miracles and of mariages

And wered vpon my gay scarlet gites

Thise wormes ne pise mothes ne pise mytes 560

Vpon my perile frete hem neuer a dele

And woostowe whi for pei were vsed wele

Now wil I tellen forp what1 happed me

I seie pat1 in pe feeldes walked we 564

PETWORTH 28P (6-T. 349)

SIX-TEXT 350

GROUP D, § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

Til trewely we had such" daliance

f is clerk1 and I fat1 of my pwrviance

I spake to hym and seide how fat he

3 if I were widowe shuld wedde me 568

ffor certeynly I seye for no bobance

fat1 1 was neuere jiti wft/tcrate pwrveance

Of mariage ne of of er f ingges eke

I hold? a monnys witte nat worf a leke 572

J^atf haf but1 oon hool forto stirten too

And }if fat faile fan is al ydoo /

[I bare hym) on) hande he hadde enchauntede me BJJ^'JJJ

My dame taughte me fat subtylte 132.W&]

And eke I sayde I Mete of1 hym) all nyghte 577

He wolde haue slayne Me As I laye vprighte

And afi my bedde was ffuHe of1 vereye blode

Butte yette I hope fat ye schuli do me gode 580

ffor1 blode bitokenef e golde As me was tanghte

And aft was ffalse I dremede of1 hitt1 righte noughte

Butte as I ffollowede Ay My dames lore

AsweHe of1 that as of1 ofer1 fynge more] [MS Reg. extract stops]

But1 nowe Sir* lat1 me se what1 shal I seyn

A A . by god I haue my tale ageyii .

whan fat1 my ferf husbond! was on bere [leaf 137, back]

I wepte algates and made sory chere 588

As wyues moten for it1 is f e vsage

And with my keercheef keuered my visage

But1 for fat1 1 was purueide of a make

I wepte but1 smale and fat1 I vndertako 592

To church was myn husbond yborn on morowe

wif neighbours fat1 for hy?^ made sorowe

And lankyn our clerk1 was on of f oo

4s helpe me god whan fat1 1 segh hyw goo 596

Aftere f e bere me f ou^t1 he had a peire

Of legges and of fete so clene and feire

Jjat1 al my hert1 1 3aue vnto his holde

He was I trowe xxw wynter1 olde GOO

PETWORTH 287 (ft-T. 350)

SIX-TEXT 351

GROUP D. § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

And I was xl*1 }if I shal seie sof e But1 ^it1 I had alway a Coltissh tof e Gat1 tof ed I was and fat1 by-cam me weft I had f e printe of seynt1 venus seeR 604

As helpe me god I was a lusty on ffaire and riche . ^onge and welbygon And trewly as myn husbonct tolde me I had f e best1 quoniara fat1 iny3f be 608

[ffor> sertes I Am) aH veneryen) In) ffelenges And my herte is Mercyen) Yenus me yafe My luste my lykerousnesse And Mars yafe me my sturdye hardynesse] 612

Myn ascendent1 was taure and mars f er-inne Alias alas fat1 euer loue was synne I folowed aye myn Inclinacion

By vertue of my eonstellacion 616

That1 made me I coujje not1 wifdrawe My chambere of venus from a good felawe [Yette haue I Mars is Marke vppon) my fface ^ou^l/L?]^' And allso in AnoJ?ere preuye place 620

ffor* godz so wysse be My saluac^on) I louede neuer by no discrec^on) I ffollowede euer Myne Appetyte

AH were he longe schorte blacke or* whyte 624

I toke no kepe so J?at he lykede me

How poure he was And eke of1 whatte degre] ^f^fsto si What1 shuld I sei but1 at1 Jje monies ende This loly clerk1 lankyn fat1 was so hende 628

HaJ? wedded me wij> grete solempnite And to hjm ^aue [I] al ]>e londe and ffee Jjat1 euere was me 3euen ferbifore

But1 aftere[ward] repented me ful sore • . 632

He nolde suffre no finge of my lest1 by god he smote me onys on fe lest1

if or fat1 1 rent1 out1 of his boke a leef [leaf iss]

That1 of fat1 stroke myn eeren wexen deef 636

PETWORTH 288 (6-T. 35 1)

SIX-TEXT 352

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

Stiborn I was as is a leonesse

And of my tunge a verrey langeleresse

And walk1 1 wold? as I had don to-forn •

ffrom hous to hous al jjou^e lie had it1 sworn 640

fibrpwij) ful often tyme he wolde preche

And me [of] olde Eomaynes geestes teche

How he • symplicius gallus laft1 his wiff

And hure for-soke for terme of his lif 644

Nat* but1 for open hede he hure say

Lokinge out1 at1 his door on a day

Ano)>er romayn tolde he me "by name

Jjafr for his wiff was at1 a somers game 648

Wij)-oute his wittyng1 he forsoke her5 eke

And ]?an wolde he vpon his bible seke

fat1 ilk prouerbe of Ecclesiast1

Where he coramaundej) and forbedef fast1 652

Man shal not1 suffre his wif to rome aboute

Than wolde he seie ri^t1 Jms wijj-outen doute

"Who-so fat1 beeldej? his hous aH of salous 1 Note bene

And prickej) his blynde hors oue?*e J>e falous 656

And sufferej) his wif forto seken halowes

Is worjji forto be honged on J?e galowes /

IT But al for nou^t1 1 sette not1 an hawe

Of his prouerbes ne of his olde lawe 660

Ne I wold not1 of hyra corrected be

I hate hym Jmt1 my vice tellej) me

And so don moo god wote of vs J>an I

Jns made him wij? me wode al vtterly 664

I nold1 forbere hym in no cas

Now wil I seye ^ou so]? by seint1 Thomas

Whi fat1 1 rent1 out1 of his booke a leef1

fFor which he smote me J>af I was deef1 668

He had a boke fat1 gladly ny^f and daye

ffor his disport1 he wolde rede alway

He cleped Valerye and theofraste [leaf iss, back]

Atte whiche boke he lowgh alway ful fast1 672

PETWORTH 289 (6-T. 352)

SIX-TEXT 353 GROUP D. § 1. WIPE'S PREAMBLE. PetWOlth MS.

And eke f er was somtyme a clerk1 in Rome

A Cardynal pat1 hight1 seint1 lerom?

J^af made a boke a^ein louean

In which boke eke J>er was Terculan 676

Crisippus . Trocula . and holowys

That1 was Abbas not1 fer fro Paris/

And eke ]>e parables of Salomon

Ovydes art1 and bokes mony on 680

And alle ]?ise were bounden in oo volom

And euerj ny^f and day was his custom

Whan he had leisere and vacacion

flrom ofere worldly occupacion 684

To reden in f is boke of wicked wyues

He knewe of hem mo legendys fan lyues

Jjan bene of good wyues in J>e bible

ffor trustej) wel it1 is an impossible 688

fat1 eny clerk1 wil speken good of wyues

But1 $if it1 be of holy seyntes lyues

Ne of noon ofere womman neuere )>e moo /

who peinted ]?e lyon telle me who / 692

By god 3if1 wommen had ywriten stories

As clerkes han wij>-ln her oratories

Thei wold han writen of men more wickednesse

Than al J?e Mark1 of Adam may redresse 696

The Children of mercury and Yenus

Ben in her worchinge contrarious /

Mercury loue]? wisdom and science

And Yenus louej> riote and dispence 700

And for her dyuers disposicion

Ech fallej) in o)>er exaltacion

As ]?us god wote mercure is disolate

In pisces wher Yenus is exaltate 704

And Yenus fallej? J?er mercurye is reysed?

ferfor no womman of no man is preised .

The clerk1 whan he is olde and may not1 do [leaf 139]

Of Yenus werkes worj> his olde shoo 708

PETWORTH 290 (6-T. 353)

SIX-TEXT 354

GROUP D. § 1, WIFE'S PEE AMBLE. Petworth. MS.

pan sitte he doun and writte in his dotage

J)att wommen can not1 kepe her mariage

But1 nowe to pwrpoos whi I told pe

Jpat1 1 was beten for a boke parde . 712

Vpon a ny^t1 lankin pat1 was our sire

Redde on his boke as he satte by pe fire

Of Eua first1 pat1 for her wickednesse

Was al mankinde bro^t1 to wrecchednesse 716

[ffor1 whiche pat Ihesu Crist1 hym) selfe was slayne

That boughte vs w^ft& his herte blode agayne

Lo here expresse of1 women) Maye ye fiynde

That women) was the losse of1 AH Mankynde] 720

Tho redde he me howe sampson lost1 his heres

Slepinge his lemman kitt1 it1 wip her sheres

pourgll whiche treson lost1 he bop his eyen /

Tho redde he me if I shal not1 lyen . 724

Of Ercules and of his dyanyre

pat1 caused hym to sette hym self a fyre

No pinge forgate he pe penawnce and woo

pat1 Socrates had wij? his wynes twoo 728

Howe Jjat1 Ancipa cast1 pisse on his hede

Je Sely man satte stille as he were dede

He wiped his hede no more durst1 he seyn)

But1 er Jjat1 thonder* stint1 commej? a reyn) 732

Of 1pasipa Jiat1 was J>e quene of grete c1 atjtntphi

fFor schrewdenesse hy?7i Ipoufi J>e tale swete

ffye speke no more it1 is a grisly Jnnge

Of hure horrible lust1 and [hure] lykynge 736

Of Clitermistra for her lecherye

pat1 falsly made her husbond? forto dye

He redde it1 wij> ful good deuocion

He tolde me for what occasion 740

Amphiorax at1 thebes lost1 his lif1

Myn husbonde had a legende of his wif

Eriphilem . pat1 for an ouch of gold?

hap prively vnto pe grekes tolc$ 744;

PETWORTH 291 (6-T. 364)

SIX-TEXT 355

GROUP D, § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

•wher fat1 her husbond? liidde hyw in a place

ifor which he had at1 Thebes sory grace

Of lyma tolde he mee and of lucye peaf 139, back]

J)ei bof made her husbondes forto dye 748

Thatt on for loue fat1 of er was for hate

lyma her husbonde on euene late

Enpoysened had for fat1 she was his foo

Lucia lykerous loued her husbond' soo / 752

J^at1 for he shuld? vpon her alway f inke

She ^aue hy.m such a loue manere drinke

That1 he was dede or if was by f e morowe

And fus algates husbondes han sorowe 756

1T Than tolde he me howe on latumyus

Compleyned to his felawe arius

That1 in his gardyne growed such a tre

On which" he seide fat1 his wyues fre 760

Hangged he?r& selue for hertes despitous

O leue broker quod fis arious

3eue me a plant1 of fat1 blisful tre

And in my gardyne planted shal he be 764

Of latter date of wyues haf he redde

fat1 han sclayn her husbondes in f e bedde

But1 lat1 hure lecchoure di^t1 hur1 al f e ny^t1

"Whan fat1 fe corps lay in fe floore vpri^t1 . 768

And some han dryuen nayles in her brayn

While fat1 f ei sclepe and fus f el han hem sclayn

Somme han ^euen poysen in her drinke

He spak more harme fan hert1 may fenk1 772

And f er-wM-aH he knewe of moo prouerbes t 2^^Jius est

fan in f is world? f er growen grasse or herbes /

Bett1 is quod he fine ha&itacion

Be wif a leon or a foule dragon 776

Jpan wif a womman vsing1 forto chide

Bet1 is quod he high in f e roof abide

fan wif an angry wif down in an hous

fey bene so wicked and contrarious / 780

PETWORTH 292 (6-T. 35o)

SIX-TEXT 356

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

J?ei haten fat1 her husbondes louen ay

He seide a wo??zman cast1 her shame away

whan she cast* of her smokke and ferfenno [leaf 140]

A faire womman "but1 she be chaast1 also / 784

Is lich a gold rynge on a sowes nose

who wold wene or wold* suppose

The woo fat1 in myn herte was and pyne

And whan I segh he wolde neuere fyne 788

To reden on Jns cursed boke al ny^t1

Al sodeynly fre leues haue I pli^t1

Out1 of his boke ri^t1 as he redde and eke

I wif my fist1 so toke him on f e cheke 792

That1 in our fire he fille bakward? adozm

And he vp stert1 as do]) a wood lyown

And wif his fist1 he smote me on f e hede

jpat1 in fe flore I laie as I were dede 796

And whan he seegh how stille fat1 I lay

He was agast1 and wold* han fledde away

Til at1 f e laste out1 of my swowe I breide

0 hastowe sclayne me fals f eef1 1 seide 800

And for my londe f us hastowe mordred me

Or I be dede ^it1 wil I kisse fee

And nere he come and kneled faire adowii

And saide dere sustere Alisoun 804

As helpe me god I shal f e neuere smyte

That1 1 haue done it1 is J>i self to wite

ffor^eue it1 me and j?«f I fe biseke

And ^if eftsones I hit1 hym on )>e cheke 808

And seide feef ]?us moche am I wreke

Nowe wil I dye I may no lenger speke

But1 at1 J?e last1 wijj mochel care and woo

We fille acorded by vs seluen twoo 812

He 3aue me al J>e bridel in myn honde

To haue J>e gouernawnce of hous and londe

And of his tunge and his hand* also

And made him brenne his boke anon ri^t1 J>oo 816

PETWORTH 293 (6-T. 356)

SIX-TEXT 357

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

And whan pat1 1 had goten vnto me

By maistery al pe souereynte .

Than he seide myn owne trewe wif1 [leaf 140, back]

Do as 3011 lest1 pe terme of al ^oure lif1 820

kepe 3oure honure and kepe eke myn astate

Aftere pat1 day we had neuere debate .

God helpe me so I was to him as kinde

As eny wiff from denmarke into Ynde 824

And also trewe / and so was he to me

I prey to god pat1 sitte in mageste So blesse his soule for his mercy dere

Now wil I seie my tale if 36 wil here 828

II Thus endep pe prologe of pe wiff of bath

, , , mil C1 **a* **> The Wrangle between

And here bygymiep pe Tale.1 the Summon&r and the Friar.-]

IF The tale./

The frere lowe whan he had herd al pis Now dame quod he so haue I ioye or blis pis is a longe preamble of a tale

And whan pis somnowr herd -pe frere gale 832

Lo quod pe somnowr goddis armes two A frere wil entremete hym euermoo Loo good men a flie and eke a frere

wollen falle in euery dissh and eke matere 836

what1 spekest1 pou of preambulaciown what1 amble or trotte or pees or go sitte down Thou lettest1 oure disport1 in pis manere 3e wilt1 pou so somnour' quod pe frere 840

Now by my fay I shal er pat1 1 goo Telle a somnour such a tale or twoo That1 alle pe folk shul laughen in pis place Now ellis frere I bishrewe pi face 844

Quod pis somnour' and I bishrewe me But1 3if I telle pe tales two or pre Of freres er I come to sidyngburne pat1 1 shal make pine hert1 for to mowrne 848

PETWORTH 294 (6-T. 357)

SIX-TEXT 358

GROUP D. § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Petworth. MS.

ffor wel I wote J?i pacience is gon

Our hoosf cried pees and )>at< anon

And seide lat1 pe womman telle her tale

3e faren as folk1 J>aft dronken ben of ale ./ 852

Do dame telle forth ^our tale Jjafr is \>Q best1 OeafHi]

Al redy sire quod she ri^f as ^ou lest1

If I haue licence of J>is worjji frere

^is dame auod he telle for]) ^oure tale we wil here 856

[No break in the MS.]

PETWORTH 295 (6-T. 358)

SIX-TEXT 359

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

[THE WIFE OF BATH'S TALE]

[on leaf 141]

IN J?e olde dayes of J?e king1 arthour* IT ffabula

Of whicli fat1 bretons speken grete honour Al was fis land fulfilled of fayry

fe Elfe quene wij> her loly companye 860

Daunced wij> out1 in mony a grene mede Jpis was fe olde opynyon as I rede I speke of mony an .C. 3ere a-goo

But1 nowe can no man se noon elues moo 864

ffor nowe fe grete charite and preiers Of lymytoures and ofer poor freres That1 serchen euery londe and euery streme As fikke as motes in fe sonne beme 868

Blessinge halles chambers and boures Citiees burghes castels hi^e toures Thropes . beernys . shipnes . dayrys

This make]} fat1 Jjer bene no fayrys 872

fFor Jjer as wonte to walke was an elf1 Ther walke]> nowe J>e lymyto^^r hym self1 In vnder meles and in mornyngges

And seij? his matyns and his hoty fingges 876

As he go]j in his lymitaciown Wbwimen may go nowe sauf vp and down In euery bussh or vnder euery tre

\)er nys non ojjer Incubus but* he 880

And he wil do hem but1 dishonour And so felle it1 fat1 J>is king1 Arthowr Had in his hous a lusty bachilere That1 on a day come riding1 fro ryvere 884

PETWORTH 296 (6-T. 359)

SIX-TEXT 360

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And happed alone as she was born

He seegh a maiden walking1 hym byforn

Of which mayde Maugre her hede

By verrey force he raft1 hure maydenhede 888

ffor which oppression was such clamowr [leaf ui, back]

And such pursute vnto J)e king1 arthowr

That1 dampned was J>is knyjt1 forto be dede

Be cours of lawe and shuld haue lost1 his hede 892

Perauenture such was fe statute J>oo /

But1 fat1 J>e quene and o]?er ladis moo

So longe preide J>e kinge of grace

Til he his liff him graunted in fat1 place 896

And $aue hym to J>e quene al at1 her wille

To chese whedere she wold! hym saue or spille

The quene Jjonkejj J>e kinge wij) al her my^tt

And after J)is Jms speke she to J?e knyght1 900

Whan pat1 she seegh her tyme on a day

Thou stondest1 $itt quod she in such aray

That1 of J?i lif yti hastowe no suerte

I graunte J>e lif if J>ou canst1 telle me 904

IT What1 jjing is it1 )>af wommen most1 desiren

Be ware and kepe J)i nekbone fro yren

And if J?ou canst1 not1 telle it1 me anon

^it1 wil I ^eue )>e leue forto gon 908

A xij. monjje and a daye . to seke and lere

An answere suffisaunt1 in J>is matere

And suerte wil I han er Jjat1 J>ou passe

])i body forto 3elde in ]?is place 912

woo was J>is kny^t1 and sorowfully he sikej)

But1 what1 ? he may not1 do al as hym like])

And at1 Jje last1 he chese hym forto wende

And to come a3ein 1-13 11 at1 ]>e 3eres ende 916

"With suche answere as god wold? hym pwrveye

And take]) his leue and wende]) for]) his weye

He seke]) euery hous and euery place

Where as he hope]) forto fynde grace 920

21 PETWORTH 297 (6-T. 360)

SIX-TEXT 361

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

To lere what* f ing1 wommen louen most1 But1 he nowe koude aryuen in no cost1 where as he my^te fynde in f is matere Twoo creatures acording1 in fere 924

Somrae seiden wowmen louen best4 ricchesse [leaf 1421

Somme seide honour1 somwe seiden lolynesse Somme riche aray . some seiden lust1 a bedde And oft1 tyme to be wydowe and wedde 928

Somme seiden fat1 we bene most1 yesed "Whan fat1 we bene yflatered and yplesed . He go]? ful ny f e so]) I wil nat1 lye

A man shal wynne vs best wi]? flaterye 932

And wi]) attendaunce and wif bisynesse bene we alyned bof more and lesse And somwe men seyn howe fat1 we louen best1 fforto be free and do ri^f as vs lest1 936

And fat1 no man repreue vs of our vice But1 say fat1 we bene wise and no J)inge nice ifor trewly f er nys noon of vs alle

3if eny wi^t1 wil clawe vs on f e galle 940

J^at1 we nyl loke or he saye vs sotH Assaie and he shal fynde it1 fat1 he dof . ffor be we neuei* so vicious wif-Inne We wil be holden wise and clene of synne 944

And somme seyn fat1 grete delit1 haue we iFor to be holden stable and eke secree And in oo pz^rpos stedfastly to dwelle And not1 bewrey fing1 fat1 men vs telle 948

But1 fat1 tale is not1 worf a rake stele Parde we wommen cownen no f ing1 hele Witnesse on myda wil 36 here f e tale Ovide amonges of er fingges smale 952

Seif Mida had vnder his longe heres Growinge vpon his hede two asses eres The whiche vice he hidde as he best1 n^t1 fful subtily from euery mannys si^f 956

PETWORTH 298 (6-T. 36l)

SIX-TEXT 362

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

fat1 saue his wif f er wist1 it1 no moo

He loued her most1 and trested to her also

He preide hir* most* fat1 vnto no creature

She shuld! not1 tellen of his disfigure 960

She swore hym nay for al fis world? to wynne [leaf 142, back]

She wold? do fat1 vilanye or fat1 synne

To make her husbond han so foule a name

ffor reprevynge of hym and foule shame 964

But1 naf elees her f ou^t1 fat1 she dide

fat1 she so longe shuld? a counseile hide

Her f ou^t1 if satte so sore about1 her herte

ftat nedely som word her mote a-sterte 968

And sif e she durst1 [nat] tellen it1 no man

Doune to a marise fast1 she rarme

Til she came fere her herte was a fire

And as a bitor bumlef in f e myre 972

She laide her mouf vnto f e water1 down

Bewrey me not1 f ou watere wif f i soun

Qooji she to f e I telle it1 and no moo

My n husbonde haf longe asses eren two 976

Now is my hert1 al hole now is it1 oute

I my^f no lenger kepe it1 out1 of doute

Here may $e se f ou3e we a tyme abide

3ete oute it1 moot1 we mowe no counseil hide 980

The remenawnte of f e tale if ^e wil here

Redef ovide and 36 mowe it1 lere

IT This kny^t1 of which my tale is specialy

Whan fat1 he seegh he my^t1 not1 come f erby 984

This is to seyn . what1 wowmen louen most1

Wif-in his hert1 soryful was f e goost1

But1 home he gof e he my^f not1 soiownie

f e day was come fat1 homward' most1 he towme 988

And in his way it1 happed hym to ride

In al his care vndere a forest1 side

Where he segh in oon daunce goo /

Of ladis/owre and twenti1 and ^it1 moo [' MS xxiiij.«.j 993

PETWORTH 299 (6-T. 362)

SIX-TEXT 363

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Toward? f e daunce lie drowe hym ^erne In hope pat1 somrae wisdom shuld? he lerne But1 certeynly er he cam fully fere

Vanysshed was pe daunce he nyst1 not1 where 996

No creature seye he pat1 bare lif [leaf 143]

Saue in pe grene he sey sitting1 a wif A fouler wi}^ per may no man deuise Ageyn pe kny^f pe old wif gan arise 1000

And seide sir kny^t1 here for]) ne lie]) no way Telle me what1 fat1 $e seken be ^oure fay Perauenture it1 may pe better* be

Thise olde folk konne moche ping1 quod she 1004

My leue modere quod pis kny^t1 certayn I am but1 dede but1 ^if pat* I can sayn Whatt1 J)inge it1 is pat1 wommen most1 desire Cowde :$e me wisse I coude wel quyte your hire 1008

Plite me pi troupe here in my hand quod she The nexte pinge pat1 1 require pe Thow shalt1 it1 doo if it1 lye in pi my^f And I wille telle it1 ^ou er it1 be ny^f 1012

Haue here my troupe quod pe kny^t1 I graunte Than quop she I may me wel aucmnte pi lif is sauf for I wil stonde per-by

Vpon my lif pe quene wil say as I 1016

Lat1 se which is pe proddest1 of hem alle J)af wereth on a kerchif or a calle J)at dar seie nay of pat1 1 shal }ou teche lat1 vs goo forp wip-oute lenger speche 1020

Tho rowned she a pistel in his eere And bad hym to be glad and han no fere Whan pei be commen to pe courte pis kny^f Seide he had holde his day as he had hijti 1024

And redy was his answere as he seide fful mony a noble wif and mony a maide And mony a widowe for pat1 pei be wise pe quene her silf sitting1 as a lustise 1028

PETWOIITH 300 (6-T. 363)

SIX-TEXT 364

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Assembled ben f is answere forto here

And aftere f is kny^fr was bode apere

And fat1 f e kny^t1 shuld* telle in audience

To euery wi3fr cowmmaunded was silence 1032

what1 Jung1 fat1 worldly wominen louen mest1 [leaf 143, back]

This knyght1 ne stode not1 stille as do]) a beest1

But1 to his question anon answerd!

wif manly vois fat1 al f e courte it1 herde 1036

My lege lady generally quod he

wo?7imen desiren to han souereynte

As wel ouer hir husbond and her loue

And forto be in maistrie hyra aboue 1040

This is 3oure most1 desire Jjou^e 36 me kille

Do)) as 3ou list1 1 am here at1 3oure wille

In al J)e courte ne was f er wif ne mayde

Ne wydowe fat1 contraried what1 he saide 1044

But1 seiden he was worf i han his lif

And wij) fat1 word vp stert1 fat1 olde wif

which fat1 f e knyght1 sey sitting1 on f e grene

Mercy quod she my souereyn lady quene 1048

Er fat 3oure courte departe do me ri^t1

I taught1 f is answere vnto f is kny3f

ffor which he pli3te me his troythe fere

fe first1 finge I wolde of him requere 1052

He wold it1 doo ^if it1 lay in his my^fl

Bifore f e court1 fan prey I f e sir kny3^

Quod she f at1 f ou me take vnto f i wiff

ffor wel f ou woost1 fat1 1. haue kepte fi liff 1056

If I sey fals seye nay vpon f i faye

f is kny3t1 answerd1 alias and weleaway

I woot1 ri^f wel fat such was my bihest1

ffor goddis loue chese a newe request1 1060

Take al my good and lat1 my body goo

Nay fan quod she I schrewe vs bof e twoo

ffor f ou3e fat1 I be foule and olde and poor

I nold? for al fe metal ne for ore 1064

PETWORTH 301 (6-T. 364)

SIX-TEXT 365

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

pat1 vnder erpe is graue or lith aboue

But1 3if pat1 1 pi wif were and pi loue

My lone quod lie nay my dampnacion

Alias pat1 eny of my nacion 1068

Shuld euere so foule ydisparaged be Deaf 144]

But1 al for no^t1 pe ende is pis pat1 he

Constreyned was lie nedes most1 her wedde

And takep pis olde wif and go]) to bedde 1072

Kowe wolden somrae men seyn perauentwe

jpat1 for my necligence I do no cure

To telle 3ou pe loie and pe araye

pat1 at1 pe feest1 was fat1 ilk1 day 1076

To which pinge shortly answere I shal

I seie per nas no loye ne feest1 at aH

per nas but1 hevynesse and mochel sorowe

ffor priuely he wedded hure on a morowe 1080

And alday aftere hid hym as an owle

So woo was him his wif loked so foule

Grete was Jje sorowe pe kny^t1 had in his Jjou^t1

Whan he was wi]> his wiff a bedde brou^t1 1084

He walowej) and turnef to and froo

His olde wiff laye smyling1 euermoo

And seide .0 dere husbond? o benedicite

fare]? euery kny^t1 pus wij> his wif as ^e 1088

Is pis J?e lawe of king1 Arthures hous

Is euery kny3f of his loue pus dangerous

I am ^oure owne loue and eke $oure wiff

I am she which pat1 saued hap 3oure lif1 1092

And certes ^it1 did I 3ou neuere vnri3t1

whi fare 30 pus wip me pe firste ny3^

3e faren lich a man had lost1 his witte

ffy what1 is my gilt1 for goddes loue telle it1 1096

And it1 shal ben amended if I may

Amended quod pis kny3t1 nay nay

That1 wil not1 bene amended neuere moo

J)ou art1 so loply and so old! also 1100

PETWOKTH 302 (6-T. 36o)

SIX-TEXT 366

GROUP D. § & WIFE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

And ferto cowmen of so lowe a kinde

J?.at no wonder is £01136 I walowe & wynde

So wolde god my herte wolde bres

Is Jjis quod she Jje cause of 3oure vnrest1 1104

3e certeinly quo]? lie no wonder* is Deaf 144, back]

Now sire quod she I coupe amende al J>is

If Jjat1 me list* er if were daies fre

So wel 30 myjtt here 3ou vnto me . 1 108

IT But1 for 36 speken of such gentilesse 1 Note bene de nobiiibws

As is descended out1 of alle ricchesse

fat1 J?erfore shulden 36 be gentile men

Such errogannce nys not1 worj> an hen 1112

Loke who so is moost1 vertuous alway

Privey and aperte and best1 endejj ay

To do ]?e beste dedis Jjat1 he can

And take him for J)[e] grettest1 gentile man 1116

Of criste cleyme we our* gentylesse

Not1 of oure elders for our old ricchesse

ffor J)ou3e jjei 3eue vs al our heritage

ffor which we cleyme to be of hie parage 1120

3itt may Jjei not1 byqueej? for no Jnng1

To noon of vs her vertuous lyuynge

Jjat1 made hem gentile men ycalled be

And bad vs folowen in such degre 1124

wel can ]>e wise poete of florence

J>af highf dant1 speke in Jns sentence

Lo in such manere Ryme is dantes tale

fful seelde vprisej) by his braunches smale 1128

Prowesse of man for god of his prouesse

wil J>aft of hym we clayme our gentilnesse

ffor of oure elders may we no Jjing1 clayme

But1 temporel Jjing jjat1 man may hirt and mayme 1132

Eke euery wi3f wote pis as wel as I

))o gentelesse were planted naturelly

Vnto a certeyn lynage down J>e lyne

Prive and apert1 pan wold he neuere fyne 1136

PETWORTH 303 (6-T. 366)

SIX-TEXT 367

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

To don of gentelesse J?e fair* office

Jjei my^ten do no vileny or vice

Take fire and here if in ]?e derkesf hous

By-twix Jjis and the mount1 of Caucasous . 1 1 40

And laf men shette J)e doores and go fenne [leaf 1451

3if wol j?e fire as faire lye and brenne

A[s] thowsand men mj^ if biholde

His office naturel ay wil it1 holde 1 1 44

Vp perile of liff til fat1 if die

Here may 30 se wel how J)af gentrie

Is naf annexed to possession

Si]) folk do nof her operacion 1148

Al waie as do]? fe fire lo in his kinde

ffor god if wote men may ful often fynde

A lordes sone doo shame and vilenye

And he J>af wil haue price of his gentrie 1152

ffor he was born of a gentile hous

And had his elders noble and vertuous

And nyl him-seluen do no gentile dedys

"Ne folow his gentile Awncestre J?af dede is 1156

He nys naf gentile be he duke or erle

ffor vileyns sinful dedes make a cheerle

ffor gentilnesse nys buf reuenf renome

Of Jjine ancestres for hir bewte bounte 1160

Whiche is a strong1 Jjing1 for J)i persone

The gentilesse cowme]> from god alone

Than commeth our verrey gentilesse of grace

If was no Jring1 byquejje vs with our place 1164

Thenke]) howe noble as seij> Valerius

Was ])ilk Tullius Hostilius

jjaf ouf of pouerte roos to hie noblesse

EedeJ) Senek and redejj eke Boesse 1168

Jjer shul ^e sene expresse J>at if no drede is

Jjaf he is gentile J>at do]) gentile dedys

And Jjerfore dere husbonde I ]>us conclude

Al were if J)af myn ancestres were rude 1172

PETWORTH 304 (6-T. 367)

SIX-TEXT 368

GROUP D, § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

3ifr may fat1 hie god an so hope I

Graunt1 me grace to lyue vertuously

Than am I gentile whan fat1 1 bygynne

To lyuen vertuously and leuen synne 1176

And f er as 36 of pouert1 me repreue Deaf U5, backj

The hie god on whom fat" we byleue •

In wilful pouerte . chas to lede his lif1 H note de pauperfote.

And certes euery man bo)) maide & wiff 1180

May vnderstonde Ihesu heuen kinge

Ne wold not* chese a vicious lyuynge

Glad pouerte is an honest1 Jung1 certayn

This wil senek and of ere clerkes seyn 1184

Who f at* holte him paide of his pouerte

I holde him riche al had he nou^t1 serte

He fat1 coueitef is a poor wi^t1

ffor he wold? han fat1 is not1 in his my}^ 1188

But1 he fat1 nou^t1 haf ne keueitef to haue

Is riche al f ougfi. men hold him but1 a knaue

Verrey pouerte is signe proprely

luuenal [saif] of pouert1 merily 1192

The poor man whan he gof by f e way

Biforn f e f eues he may singe and play

Pouerte is hatel good and as y gesse

A ful grete bringer out1 of bysynesse 1196

A £~ te amended eke of sapience

To him fat1 lackef it1 in pacience

Pouerte is f is al f ough it1 seme alenge

Possession fat1 no wi^t1 wil chalenge 1200

Pouerte ful often whan a man is lowe

Makef his god and eke him self to knowe

Pouerte in spectacle is as f enkef me

forowe which he may his verrey frendes see 1204

And f erfor sif fat1 1 $ou not1 greue

Of my pouerte no more me repreue

Now sire of elde ^e repreue me f Note de senectute./

And certes sire forowe non auctorite 1208

PETWORTH 305 (6-T. 368)

SIX-TEXT 369

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

Where in no boke 36 gentile in honour

Seyn pat1 mon shuld! an olde wif do fauowr

And clepe liur* modere for ^oure gentilnesse

And auctours shal I fynde as I gesse 1212

Now fere 30 seyn pat1 1 am foule and olde [ieafi46]

Than drede 3ou not1 to "bene a kokewolcfe

ffor filpe and helde1 also mote I thee [' at jintbeiw

Bene grete wardeyns vpon chastite 1216

But1 napeles sip I knowe ^oure delite

I shal fulfille ^oure worldly appetite

Chese nowe quod she oon of pise pingges twey

To han me foule and olde til pat1 I dye 1220

And "be to $ou a trewe humble wiff

And neuere $ou displese in al my lif

Or ellis 30 wil haue me ^onge and faire

And take 3oure auentwre of pe repaire 1224

That1 shal come to 3oure hous bycause of me

Or in some opere place wel may be

Nowe chese 3oure seluen wheper 3ou like])

This knyght1 avised him and sor sikej) 1228

But1 at1 ]>e last1 he seide in J?is manere

My lady . and my loue . and wif so dere

I putte me in 3oure wise gouerncmnce

Geuejj 3oure self which may be most plesaunce 1232

And most1 honowr to 3ou and me also

I do no force J?e whejjere of j?e two

ffor as 3ou like]) it1 suffise]) me

Than haue I gote of 3ou J)e maistrie q?^od? she 1236

Si]) I may chese and gouern as me list1

36 certes wif quod he I holde it1 for ]?e best1

Kisse me quod she we be no lenger wrofe

ffor by my troufe I wil be to 3ou bo]?e 1240

pis is to seine bo]) faire and goode

I prei to god fat1 1 mot1 steruen woode

But1 1 to 3ou be as sadde and trewe

As euere was wiff syj) fat1 fe world? was newe 1244

PETWORTH 306 (6-T. 369)

SIX-TEXT 370

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And but1 1 be to morow as fair5 to sene

As eny lady Emperesse or quene

J}afr is by-twene pe Est1 and eke ]>e west1

do]) wij> my liff and dej?e ri^t1 as 3011 lest* 1248

Cast1 vp J?e Curtyne loke how it1 is [leaf ue, back]

And whan J>e ls.nj$V sawe al J>is

J?af she so faire was and so yonge ]>erto

fibr ioie he hent1 her in his armes twoo 1252

His herte bathed in a bath of blisse

A thousand l tyme a rowe hire gan he kisse C1 MS M>-]

And she obeied him in euery pinge

That1 myght4 done hym plesaunce or likinge 1256

And Jms J?ei lyued vnto her lyues ende

In parfitt loye and Ihesus crisf vs sende

Husbonde . yonge . meke and fresssh abedde

And grace to ouerlede hem fat1 we wedde 1260

And eke I prei to Ihesu short1 her lyues

That1 wil not1 be gouerned by her wyues

And olde and angry nygard? and dispence

God sende hem sone a verrey pestilence 1264

IT Thus endef pe tale of J?e wif of bath /

PETWORTH 307 (6-T. 370)

SIX-TEXT 371 GROUP D. § 3. WIFE-FRIAR LINK. PetWOrth MS.

And here bygynnef ]>e prologe of J>e frere [on leaf us, back-]

This worj>i lymitowr J?is noble ffrere IF ])Q prologe

He made alway louring1 chere Vpon J?e somnowr . but1 for honeste

No vyleyns word as ^it1 speke he 1268

But* at1 Jje last he seide vnto J>e wif Dame good god ^eue ^ou ri^t1 good lyf1 3e han touched here also mote I the

In scole matere grete difficulte 1272

3e han seide mochel Jnng1 ri^t1 wel I seie But1 dame here as we riden by jje weie . Vs nede]> not1 to speken but1 of game And late auctoritees a goddes name 1276

To prechen and to scole eke of clergie But1 $if it1 like vnto J)is companye I wil ^ou of a somnowr telle a game

Parde I may wel knowe by j?i name 1280

That1 of no somnowr may no good be seid? I prey jjat1 noon of ^ou be euel apeid? A somnowr is a romere vp and down [leaf 147]

WiJ> a mendement of fornicaciown 1284

And is ibete at1 euery townes ende Our1 hoost1 Jjoo spak1 a . sire 36 shuld ben hende And Curteis as man of 30^ astat1

In company we wil no debate 1288

Tellej) ^oure tale and latH ))e somnowr be Nay quod jje somnow lat1 him say to me What1 so him lest1 . whan it1 commejj to my lott Be god I- shal hym quyte euery grott 1292

I shal him telle swich" a grete honowr It1 is to be a flateryng1 lymytour* And eke of ful mony an ojjer crime

Which nedej) not1 rehersen at1 Jns tyme 1296

And his office I shal hym telle ywis Our* hooste answerd? pees no more of Jns And afterward he seide vnto J>e frere Telle for]) ^oure tale my owen maister1 dere 1300

If Thus endej) )>e prologe of J>e frere.

PETWORTH 308 (6-T. 37l)

SIX-TEXT 372

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And

here begynnef J>e ffreres tale.

Whilom ]>er was dwelling1 in my cowtre IT The tale./ An Archedeken a man of hie degre That1 boldely did execusioii

In punysshing1 of fornicacion 1304:

Of which craft1 and eke of baudry Of diffamacion and avoutrye Of chirche reues and of testamentes

Of contractes and of lak of sacramentes 1308

Of vsure and symonye also But1 certes lecchours did he grettest1 woo J}ei shulden syngen if J?ei were hent1

And Smale Tythers weren foule shent 1312

If eny person wold? vpon hem pleyne J}er nr^t1 asterf him no pecunyal peyne ffor smale types and eke smale oifringe He made J?e puple spitously to singe 1316

ffor er the bisshope kau^t1 hem wij? his hoke [leaf 147, back] J)ei weren in J?e Archedekens boke And pan had he porowe his lurisdiction Potier to don on hem correccion 1320

he had a somnour* redy to his hand? A sclyer boye was non in engelond! ffor sotilly he had his especiale

That1 tau^t1 hym where fat1 hyra my^f availe 1324

He coude spare of lecchowrs on or twoo To techen hym to four and twenty1 moo [i MS xxiiij]

ffor fou^e this sovmour wode were as an hare To telle his harlotry I wil not1 spare 1328

PETWOKTH 309 (6-T. 372)

; SIX-TEXT 373

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffor we bene ouf of her correccion

}5ei han of vs non Jurisdiction

Ne neuere shullen teerme of al her lyues

Peter* so bene J>e wommen of J?e stewes 1332

Quod this somnowr ypuf out1 of our cure

Pees wij? meschaunce and wi]> misauenture

Thus seide our hoosf and laf hyw telle his tale

Now telle)) for]? and laf J>e somnowr gale 1336

_Ke spareth nou^f myn owne Maistei0 dere

This fals J>eef Jris somnowr quod fe frere

Had alway baudes redy to his honde

As eny hauke to lure in Engelonde 1340

That1 telle him al f e secre J>at thei knewe

ffor hure a-queyntance was naf come of newe

J?ei weren his aprouers prively

He toke hym silf a grete prophete )>erby 1344

His maistere knewe not1 al way what* he wan

wijj-outen maundementt of a lewde man

He coude sommon vpeyn of cristes curs

And pei were inly glad to fille his purs 1348

And made hym grete festes atte nale

And ri^f as ludas had purses smale

And was a feef 113^ such" a J>eef was he

His maister* had buf half his dwete 1352

He was }if I shal ^euene hym his laude \ieafi48]

A theef and eke a somnowr and a bawde

He had eke wenches of his retenue

That* whedere J>af sir* Eoberde or sir1 hwe 1356

Or lohn or rauf or who j?af if were

pat lay by hem J>ei tolde if in His eere

Thus was ]>e wenche and he of on assenf

And he wolde focche a feyned maundemenf 1360

And somne hem to pe chapitere boj> twoo

And pille pe man and laf J>e wenche goo

Than wold he sei frend I shal for ]>i sake

To strike J>e ouf of oure letters blake 1364

PETWORTH 310 (6-T. 373)

SIX-TEXT 374

GROUP D, § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

J)Q ther no more as in fis caas travaile

I am f i frende f er I f e may availe

Certeyn he knewe of bribers moo

fan possible is to telle 3ou vnto to/ 1368

ffor in fis world4 is no dogge for no bowe

fat1 knowef and hert1 deer*, from an olde bete kowe

f aw fat1 fis sonmoM?* knewe a sly lecchowr

Or auouter* or ellis a paramour1 1372

And for fat1 was Jje fruyte of al J>e rent1

Therfore on hit1 he sette al his entent1

And so byfelle fat1 ones on a day

This somnowr euer way ting1 on his pray 1376

Bode forto somne an old? wif a ribibe

ffeynyng1 a cause for he wold? haue a bribe

And happed fat1 he sawe to-fore hyw ride

A gey ^eman vnder* a forest1 side 1 380

A bowe he bare and Arowes bri^f and kene

He had vpon a courtepie of grene

An hatte vpon his hede wif stringges blake

Sire quod fis somnowr . haile and wel ytake 1384

welcome quod he and euery good felawe

winder5 ridest1 f owe vnder fis grene wood shawe

Seide fis ^eman wilt1 thou fer to-day

This somnowr hyra answerd? and seide nay 1388

Here fast1 by quod he is myne entent1 [leaf us, back]

To riden for to reisen vp a rent1

It1 longef to my lordes dewte

Art fou fan a bailyf . ^e quod he 1392

He durste not1 for verrey filf e and shame

Say fat1 he was a somnowr for f e name

Depar-dieux quod fis 3eman dere brof 31?

fou art1 a baillif and I am anofer1 1396

I am vnknowen as in fis centre

Of fine aqueyntance I wil prey f e

And eke of breferhede if fat1 fou lest1

I haue gold and siluer* in my chest1 1 400

PETWOETH 311 (6-T. 374)

SIX-TEXT 375

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Petworth MS,

3if pat1 pe happed come into our shire

Al shal be Jjine ri^f as pou wold? desire

Grawnte mercy quod Jjis somnowr by my feipe

Euerech" in operes honde his troupe leipe 1404

ffor to be swore breperen to pei dye

And wip pat1 word pei ride forp her wey

This somnowr wip patt was as ful of Tangles

As ful of venyme ben pise waryangles 1408

And euer enquiring1 vpon euery pinge

Broper quod he wher1 is ^our dwellinge

Anoper day if I shuld? $ou seche

pis 3eman him answerd? in softe spech" 1412

Broper quod he ferre in pe north" contre

Wher* as I hope somtyme I shal pe See

Or we departe I shal pe so wel wisse

pat1 of myn hous shaltt pou neuere mysse 1416

Now bropere quod pis somuour I }ou pray

Teche me while we riden by pe waye

Sip pat1 30 bene a balif as am I

Sorarne subtilite telle me feipfully 1420

In myn office howe pat1 1 may most wynne

And sparep not1 for conscience ne synne

But1 as my bropere telle me howe doo 36 .

Nowe by my treupe bropere dere seide he 1424

As I shal tellen pe a feipful tale [leaf 1493

My wages be ful streif and smale

My lorde is hard! to me and daungerous

AncJ myn office ful laborous 1428

And perfore by extorcions y lyue

ffor sop I [take] al pat1 men wil me ^eue

Algate by scleyght1 or violence

rTrom 3eer to $eer I wynne al my dispence 1432

I can no better tellen feipfully

Now certes quod pis somnowr so fare I

I spare not1 to take god it1 wote

But1 3if it1 be to hevy or to hote 1436

PETWORTH 312 (6-T. 376)

SIX-TEXT 376

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Petworth MS,

What1 1 may gete in counseile priveily

No maner* conscience of fat1 haue I

Ner myn extorcion I my^ not1 lyuen

Of suche lapes nyl I not1 be shryuen 1440

Stomake . ne for conscience ne knowe I non

I schrewe f ise shrift1 faders euerechon

"Wei ben we mette by god and by seint1 lame

But1 leue broker telle me fan fi name 1444

Quo]) f is somnowr in f is mene while

J)is 3eman gan a litel forto smyle

Brof er quod he wiltow fat1 1 f e telle

I am a feende my dwellyng1 is in helle 1448

And here I ride aboute my purchasing1

To wete where men wollen $eue me eny f ing1

My pwrchace is to fette of aH my rent1

Loke how fou ridest1 for fe same entenf 1452

To wynne good fou recchest1 not1 howe

Iti^t1 so fare I for ride wold1 1 nowe

Vnto f e worldes eende for a preye *

A quod fis somnowr benedicite what1 30 seie 1456

I wende 30 were a ^eman trewly

3e han a mannes shappe as wel as I

Han 36 a figure J>an determynate

In helle J>er 36 bene in 30^7* estate 1460

Nay certeynly quof he fere haue we noon [leaf 149, back]

But1 whan vs like]) we can take vs oon

Or ellis make 3ou seme we bene shape

Somtyme a man or like an ape 1464

Or like an aungel can I ride or goo

It1 is no wonder1 Jnng1 J>ou3e it1 be so

A lousy logelour can desceyue fe

And parde 3^ can I more craft1 fan he 1468

Why quof fis somnowr ride 36 fan or gon

In sondry shappe and not1 alway in oon

ifor we quod he wil vs in such forme make

As most1 able is our praies forto take 1473

22 PETWORTH 313 (6-T. 376)

SIX-TEXT 377

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

"What1 make]? ^ou to han al f is labowr fful mony a cause leeue sir1 somnow Seide f is feende but1 al f ing1 haf tyme The day is short1 and it1 is passed prime 1476

And ^it1 ne wanne I no f inge in f is day I wil entende to wynnyng1 $if I may And nat1 entende our wittes to declare ffor broker myne fi witte is alto bare 1480

To vnderstonde f ouje I tolde hem f e But1 for f owe askest1 whi labowren we ffor somtyme be we goddes instruments And menes to do his comaundementes 1484

Whan fat1 him list1 vpon his creatures In dyuers actes and in dyuers fig?/res W'it^-outen hym we han no my^t1 certeyn) 3if fat1 him list1 to stonden jjer a^ein 1488

And some tyme at1 GUI' pray han we leue Only J?e body and nat1 )>e soule greue Witnesse on lob whom fat1 we diden woo And somtyme han we my^t1 of bo])[e] two 1492

J?is is to seyn of soule and body eke And somtyme we bene suffered forto seke Vpon a man and do his soule vnrest1

And nat1 his body and al is for ]>e best1 1 496

Whan he w^tAstondeJ? our temptacioii [leafiso]

It1 is a cause of [his] saluacion Al be it1 fat1 it1 was not1 our entent1

He shulde be sauf but1 fat1 we wolcfe hym hent1 1500

And somtyme be we seruazmtes vnto man As fe erchbisshope seint1 dunstan And to f e appostels serucmnte was I

3ifr tellef me quod fe somnowr feif fully 1504

Make 36 $ou newe bodies f us alway Of elementz f e feende answered nay Somrae tyme we feyne and somtyme we arise Wif dede bodies in ful sondry wise 150S

PETWORTH 314 (6-T. 377)

SIX-TEXT 378

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And speke as resonably and faire weH

As to pe Phitonessa . did samueH

And $iti wil somwe men say if was not1 he

I doo no fors of ^oure dyvynite 1512

But1 oon ping1 warne I pe I wil not1 Tape

Thow wilt1 algates witte howe we be shape

J)ou shalf here afterward my broper dere

Come per pe nedep nat1 of me to lere 1516

flbr pou shalt1 be pine owne experience

Come into pe Chaiere rede pis sentence

Bette pan virgil while he was a lyue

Or Dante also now lat1 vs ride blyue 1520

ffor I wil hold company wip pe

Til it1 be so pat1 pou forsake me

Nay quod pis somnowr pat1 shal not1 betide

I am a ^eman knowe is ful wide 1524

Mi troupe wil I holde to pe as in pis cas

ffor pei pou were pe deuel Sathanas

My troupe wil I holde to my broper

As I am sworn and eche of vs to oper1 1528

ffor to be trewe broper in pis caas

And broper we goon to our purchas

Take pou pi parte what1 men wil pe ^eue

And I shal myne pus may we bop[e] lyue 1532

And $if pat1 eny of vs haue more pan opere [leaf 150, back]

Lat1 him be trewe and part1 it1 with his broper

I graunte quod pe deuel be my fay

And wip pat1 word pei ryden forth her way 1536

And ri^t1 at1 pe enteringe of pe townes ende

To which pe sompnowr shope hym for to wende

pei sey a cart1 pat1 charged was wip hay

Which pat1 a carter droof1 forp on his way 1540

Depe was pe way for which" pe carte stoode

This Carter smote and stroof as he were woode

Haite broke haite scotte what1 spare we for pe stonys

pe feende quod he }ou fecche bop body and bcnys 1544

PETWORTH 315 (6-T. 378)

SIX-TEXT 379

GROUP D, § 4, FRIAR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

As ferforfly as euere were 30 foled/

So moche woo as I haue for $ou tholed

J?e deuel haue aU bof hors and carte and hay

pou^t1 this somnowr here shul we haue a play 1548

And nere Jje feende he drou^e as na^t1 ne were

iful priueyly and rouned in his eere

Harken my broker herken be J?i feijj

Herestow nat1 ho we J>e carter seij? 1552

Hent1 if anon for he hap ^euen pe

Bop hey and carte and eke his caples pre

Nay quod pe deuel god wote neuer a dele

If is, not1 his entent1 trust1 me wele 1556

Aske hym pi silf ^if pou not1 trestest me

Or ellis stint1 a while and pou shalt Se

This Carter thakked his hors on Jje croupe

And Jjei bygonne to drowe and to stoupe 15 GO

Haite nowe quod he J>af Ihesu crisf ^ou blisse

And al his hond werk boj) more and lesse

That was wel twite myn owne lyarde boy

I prey god saue J?e and seinf loye 1564

Now is my carte out1 of J>e sclough" parde

lo broker quod J?e feend . and what1 told! I J?e

Here may 36 se myne owne dere bro)>ere

pe Carle spak1 oo pinge but1 he Jjou^f anoj>^r 1568

laf vs go forjj abouten our viage [leaf 1513

Here wynne I no Jnnge vpon cariage

Whan fat1 fei commen somwhat1 out1 of J?e toim

This somno?/r to his broker gan to rown 1572

Broker quod he here woraiej? an olde rebekke

J?af had almost1 as leef to lese her nekke

As forto ^eue a peny of hire good .

I wil haue xij. pans fou^e fat1 she be wode 1576

Or I wil somne hure to our office

And ^if good woote of hure knowe I no vice

But1 for pou canst1 nat1 as in Jns contree

Wynne J>i cost1 take here ensample of me 1 580

PETWOllTH 316 (6-T. 379)

SIX-TEXT 380

GROUP D, § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

This somncmr knokkejj at1 jje wydous gate

Come out1 lie seide J>ou olde viritate

I trowe Jwu hast1 somme frere or preest with Jje

Who clappeth" per seide )>is wif benedicite 1584:

God sane $ou sir* what1 is ^oure swete wille

I haue quod he to somne J?e here a bille

Yp peyne of cursinge loke J?af j>ou be

To-morowe by-forn our Archedeken kne 1588

To answere to J?e courte of certeyn jnngges

Now lord! quod she crist1 Ihesu king1 of kingges

So wisly helpe me as I ne may

I haue be sik1 and J>af ful mony a day 1592

I may not1 goo so ferre quod she ne ride

But1 1 be dede so prickej? it1 in my side

May I not1 axe a libeli Sir' somnowr

And answere pere by my procurator 1596

To suche a J>inge as men wolden opposen me

3is quo}? this somnour* pay anon late See

xij penys to me and I wil J>e aquite

I shal no profit1 han ]?erby but lite 1600

My maister haj? fe prophete and nat I

Come and lat1 me riden hastely

3eue me .xij pans I may no lenger tarye

xij, qwod? she lady seinte Marye 1604

So wisly helpe [me] out1 of care and synne Deaf 151, back]

ftis wide world? Jjou^e I shuld it1 wynne

Ne haue I not1 xij pens wij?-in my holde

$e knowe wel Jjat1 1 am poor and olde 1 608

Kithe $oure almesse on me poor wrecche

nay J?an quo]? he ]?e foule fende me fecche

3if I ]>e excuse fyoujQ Jjou shulde be spilt1

Alias qwod she god wote I haue no gilt1 1612

Pay me quod he or by the swete Anne

As I wil bere away J>i newe panne

ffor dette which" J>ou owest1 me of olde

Whan jjat1 )>ou made fine husbond! kukwolcJ 1616

PETWORTH 317 (6-T. 380)

SIX-TEXT 381

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Petworth. MS,

I paide at1 home for f i correction

Jpou lixte quod she be iny saluacion

JSTe was I neuere or nowe widowe ne wiff1

Somned vnto ^oure courte in al my liff 1G20

!N"e neuere I nas but1 of my body trewe

Vnto f e deuel blake & rowe of hwe

3eue I f i body and my panne also

And whan fe deuel herd? her curse soo / 1624

Vpon her knees he seide in fis manere

Now mabely myn owne modere dere

Is fis ^ou[r] wiH in ernestt fat1 ^e seye

J?e deuel quod she fette hym er he deye 1628

And pan and al but1 he wil hym repent1

Nay olde stott fat1 is not1 myn entent1

Quod fis somnowr for to repente me

ffor eny ping1 fat1 1 haue had of fe 1632

I wold1 1 had f i smokke and euery clof e

Nowe brof er quod J>e deuel be not1 wroth"

J)i body and ]?is panne is myn by rijf

Jjou shalt1 wijj me to helle jit to-ny^t1 1636

Where Jjou shalt1 knowe of our* priuete

More )?an a maister of diuinite

And wij) fat1 word? ])is foule fende hy??^ hent1

Body and soule he with fe deuel went1 1640

Wher fat1 somnowrs han her heritage [leaf ir>2]

And god fat1 made after* his ymage

Man-kinde saue and gyde vs al and some

And lene fis somnowr good man to bycome 1644

Lordingges I couf e han tolcfc ^ou quod J»s frere

Had I had leisere for fis somnowr here

Aftere f e text1 . crist . paule and John

And of oure of ere doctowrs mony on 1648

"Which peynes fat1 ^our1 hertes my^f agn'se

Al be it1 so no tunge may deuise

f ou^e fat1 1 my^t1 a 'Ml. wynter1 telle

fe peynes of filk1 cwrsed hous of helle 1652

PETWORTH 318 (6-T. 38l)

SIX-TEXT 382

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

But* forto kepe vs from pat1 cursed place

Wake]> and preieth Ihesu for his grace

So kepe vs fro pe temptowr sathanas

Herkenep pis word? bep ware as in pi's cas 1656

pe lyon sitte in his awaite alway

To sclee pe Innocent1 $if pat1 he may .

Disposep ay ^oure hertes to wipstond?

pe fende pat1 3011 wold? make pral and bond! 1660

He may not1 tempten 3011 oner ^our*

ffor crist wil be ^oure champion and

And prejep pat1 pis somnowr hym repent1

Of his mysdede er pat1 pe fende hym hent1 1664

1T Thus endep pe frere his tale .

PETWORTH 319 (6-T. 382)

SIX-TEXT 383 GROUP I>. § 5. FRIAR-SUMMONER LINK. PetWOlth MS.

IT And here bygynnef f e prologe of f e somnowr ion 7/152}

This somncmr in his stirop hi^e stode IT f e prologue Ypon fis frere his herte was so wode fat1 like an aspen leef he quoke for Ire Lordingges quod he but1 oo finge I desire 1668

I 3011 biseche fat1 of ^oui0 curtesie Sif ens 30 han herde this fals frere lye As suffre me I may a tale telle

fis frere boosteth fat1 he knowef helle 1672

And god woote it1 is litel wondere ifreres and feendes bene but1 lite asonre ifor parde 30 han oft1 tyme herd telle Oaf 152, back]

How fat1 a frere rauysshed was in helle 1676

In spirit1 ones by A visiown And as an aungel lad him vp & down To shewen him the peynes fat1 fer were In all fe place segh he not1 a frere 1680

Of ofer folk1 he segh ynow in woo Ynto fis aungel speke fe frere foo iNbwe sire quod he han freres suche grace fat1 noon of hem shal come to fis place 1684

3is quof fis aungel mony a myliown And vnto Sathanas he lad hym down And now haf sathanas seif he a tale

Bradder1 fan of fe Carike is a saile 1688

hold vp f i taile f ou sathanas qwod? he Showe forf fine ers and lat1 f e frere see Wher is f e nest1 of freres in fis place And er fan half a forlonge wey of space 1692

PETWOHTH 320 (6-T. 383)

SIX-TEXT 384 GROUP D. § 5. FRIAR-SUMMONER LINK. PetWOrth MS.

as been swermen out1 of an hyve Out1 of Jje deuels ers J?ei gon drive xxw. thousand1 freres on a route

And Jjoughtf helle swarme al aboute 1696

And cowimen a^ein as fast1 as J?ei mowe gon And in his ers Jjei crepten euerechon He clapte his taile a^ein and lay stille This frere whan he loked had his fille 1700

Vpon Jjise turmentz of J?is sory place His spiref god restored of his grace Vnto his body a^ein and he awoke

But1 najjelees for fere jiti he quoke 1704

So was jje deueles ers ay in his mynde which is his heritage of verrey kinde God saue you alle saue jjis cursed frere My prologe wil I ende in J>is manere 1708

IT Thus endef fe prologe of J>e somnowr

PETWORTH 321 (6-T. 384)

SIX-TEXT 385

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth MS,

And here bygynnef f e somnowr tale

LOrdyngges fer/ is in york-shire as I gesse [leaf 153] A mershy contray called holdernesse In which" fere went1 a lymitowr aboute To preclie and eke to begge it1 is no doute 1712

And so byfelle fat1 on a day f is frere Had preened atte chiicR in f is manere And specialy abouen euery f inge

Excited lie f e puple in his prechinge 1716

To trentales and [to }eue] for goddis sake Therwif men my^te holy howses make Ther as dyuyne seruyse is honoured

Nou^t1 fere as it1 is waasted and deuoured 1720

E"e fere if nedef not1 forto be }eue As to possessoures fat1 may ellis lyue Thonked be god in wele and habundawnce Trentales seide he delyueref fro pencwnce 1724

Her frendes soules as wel olde as yonge 3if fat1 f ei bene hastely ysonge Nou^fc1 forto holde a preesf loly and gay He syngef not1 but1 oon masse on a day 1728

Delyueref out1 quod he anon f e soules fful hard? it1 is \vif flesshhoke eif er with oulys Nul spede ^ou hastely for cristes sake 1732

To kepe $ou from peynes of fendes blake 1731

And whan f e frere had seide al his entente With qui cum patiQ forf he wente Whan folk in chirche had 3eue hyra what1 hew lest He went1 his way no lenger wold! he rest1 1736

PETWORTH 322 (6-T. 385)

SIX-TEXT 386

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

WiJ> scrippe and tipped staf tukked M hie

In euery hous he gan to pore and prie

And beggej) mele or chese or ellis corn

His felawe had a staf tipped wi]> horn 1740

A paire of tables of ynorie

And a poyntel polsshed fetisly

And w[r]ote alway J>e names \er he stode

And alle folk Jjat1 ^aue hym eny goode 1744

Ascaunce as he wold? for hem preye Deaf 153, back]

3if vs a busshel whete . malt1 or reye

A goddys kechil or a trippe of chese

A bosshel malt* or ellis of peese 1748

A goddys half peny or a masse penye

Or 3eue vs of ^oure [bran] $if ye haue enye

A dagon of 3our blanket1 leue dame

Our suster deer loo here I write 30111^ name 1752

Bacon or beef or such" jjinge as 36 finde

A sturdy harlot1 went1 alway behinde

J?at was her hoostes man and bere a sak1

And what1 men 3aue hym leide it1 on his bak1 1756

And whan he was out1 of Jje door anon

He pleyned away [J>e] names euerechon

jjat1 he biforn had writen in his tables

He serued [hem] wij? nyfels and wi]> fables 1760

Nay jjer-In Jm lixt1 somnowr quod. J>e frere

Pes quod oure hoost1 for cristes modere dere

Telle for]) fi tale and spare it1 not1 at all

ffor hym ne for noon ojjere what so fall 1764

So longe he went1 hous by hous til he

Come to an hous J?er he was wont1 to be

Eefresshed more J>an in an .C. places

Seke lay ]>e good man jmt1 of the place es / 1768

Bedred vpon a couche lowe he lay

Dews hitf quod he . o thomas frende good day

Seide J)is frere curtesly and soft1

Thomas god ^eeld? 3ou wel oft 1772

PETWORTH 323 (6-T. 386)

SIX-TEXT 387

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

Haue I vpon pis benche faren ful wele

Here haue I eten mony a mery mele

And from pe benche he droof away pe catt1

And leide a doune his potent1 and his hatfr 1776

And eke his scripte and sette hyra soft adown .'.

His felawe was go walked in to pe town

fforp wip his knaue into pat1 hostelerye

"Where as he shope hym pilke ny^f to lye 1 780

0 dere Maister1 quod pis sike man [leaf 154] How haue 36 farn si]) pat1 march" bygan

1 segh" 3011 nou3^ pis fourteny^t1 day and more

God wote quod he labowred haue I ful sore . 1784

And specialy for pi saluaciofi

Haue I seide mony a precious orison

And for our oper frendes god hem blesse

I haue pis day ben at1 $our chirch" at messe 1788

And seide a sermon after1 my symple witte

Not1 al aftere pe text* of holy writte

ifor it1 is hard? to pu as I suppose

And Jjerfore I wil teche 3ou al J>e glose 1792

Glosinge is glorious ping1 certeyn

ffor letters slej> so as we clerkes seyn

There haue I taught1 hem to be charitable

And spende her good per it1 is resonable 1796

And per I seghe our dame a where is she

3ondere in pe 3erde I trowe she be

Saide pis man and she wil come anon

Ey maister1 welcome be 30 be seinf lohn 1800

Seide pis wiff how fare 36 hertely

This frere risep vp wel curteisly

And hure enbrasep in his arnaes narowe

And kissep hure swetely and chirkep as a sparowe 1804

Wip his lippes . dame quod he rijf wel

As he pat1 is 30UF1 seruemnte euery deH

Thonked be god pat1 3ou 3af soule and lift

3itf sey I not1 pis day so faire a wiff 1808

PETWOKTH 324 (6-T. 387)

SIX-TEXT 388

GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

In al J>e churche god so saue me

3e god amende aH f antes sir* quodt she

Algates welcome be ^e by my fay

Graunt1 mercy dame ]>is haue I fonde alway 1812

But1 of $oure grete goodnesse be your leue

I wold prey ^ou fat1 36 noldz not1 greue

I wil wij) thomas speke a litel throwe

Tliise Curatows bene ful necligent1 and sclowe 1816

To grope tenderly a conscience [leaf IM, back]

In shrift1 in preching1 is my diligence

And stody in peter wordes and poules

I walke and fisshe cristen mewnys soules 1820

To ^eelde Ihesu his propre rent1

To speke his wordes is al myn ententf

No we by ^oure feij? dere maister* qwod? she

ChideJ) him wel for seinte trinite 1824

He is as angry as a pisse myre

faf he hane al Jiat1 he can desire

I wrie hym on ny3^ and make hym warme

And on hym lay my legge or myn arme 1828

He gronej) lich onre boor Jjat liejj in ]?e stie

0)?er disport1 of him non haue I

I may not1 plese him in no mane?*e cas

0 Thomas leo vous dye . thomc/s thomas 1832 This make]) J?e fende this wil be amended .

Ire is a Jnnge )?at/ hie god haj> defended

And ]?e?'of wil I speke a word? or twoo

Now maister quojj fe wif er Jjat1 1 goo 1836

What1 wil ^e dyne I wil goo ]?eraboute

Now dame quod? he leo vous dye sanz doute

haue I of a Capon nou^t1 but pe lyuere

And of ^oure softe brede but1 a shyuere 1840

And aftere j^at1 a rested pigges hede

But1 jjat1 1 nolde for me no beesf were dede

fan had I wijj ^ou homely suffisaunce

1 am a man of litel sustynaunce 1844

PETWORTH 325 (8-T.

SIX-TEXT 389

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

My spirit haf [his] fostring1 in J>e bible J?e body is ay so redy and so penyble To wake Jjat1 my stomak1 is destroied! I prei $ou dame be 36 noi^f anoyed 1848

])OUJQ I frendly to 3011 my cownsail shewe By god I nold? not telle it1 it1 but1 a fewe JS"owe sire quod she butt oo word? er 30 goo My childe is dede with-in ]>ise wekes twoo 1852

Sone after* fat1 36 wenten out1 of J>is toun [leaf 155]

His dej> I segh by reuelaciown Seide Jjis frere at1 home in our dortoz^r I dar wel seyn er Jjat1 half an houre 1856

Aftere his de]> I segh hym born to blisse In myn avision god me so wis So dyd our Sexten and our fermerere Jjat1 han bene trewe freres .1. 3ere 1860

J?ei may now god byponke of his lone Maken hir luble and walken alone And vp I aroos and aH our couent1 eke Wij) mony a tere trilling1 vpon our cheke 1864

Wijj-oute noys of clateryng1 of bellys Te deum . was our songe and no ping1 ellys Saue fat1 to crist I seide an orison

Thonkinge hym of my reuelacion 1868

ffor sir1 and dame treste]) me ri^t1 wel Our orisons bene more effectueH And more we seen of cristes secre Jjingges |?an borel folk1 or fou^e fei were kingges 1872

We lyue in pouerte and in abstinence And burel folk1 in ricchesse and in dispence In mete and drink1 and her foule delite We han J?is worldly lust1 al in dispite 1876

IT Lazarus and Diues . liveden dyuersly And dyuers guardon had J?ei ]?erby Who so wil prey most fast and be clene And fat1 his soule and make his body lene 1880

PETWORTH 326 (6-T. 389)

SIX-TEXT 390

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

"We faren as seif f e apostel . clof e and fode

Sumsef vs f ou3e f ei be not1 ful goode

The clannes and f e fasting1 of vs freres

Makef fat1 criste acceptef our preieres • 1884

Loo Moyses fourty dales and fourty ny^f

fast1 or f e hie god of nry^t1

Spak1 wif him in f e Mount1 synay

Wif empty woombe of fasting1 mony a day 1888

Resceyued he f e law fat1 was writen/ [leaf 155, back]

wif goddys fyngere and hely wil 36 witen

In mount1 Oreb er he had eny speche

Wif hie god fat1 is our saules leche 1892

he fast1 longe and was in contemplance

Aaron fat1 had f e temple in gouernawnce

And eke ]?e oj?er preestes euerechon

Into )>e temple whan J?ei shuld gon 1896

To prey for J)e puple and to do seruise

jjei nold drinke in no manere wise

No drink1 which fat1 hem dronke rny3f make

But1 Jjer in abstinence prey and wake 1900

lest fat1 fei diden take hede what1 1 saye

But1 fei be sobre fat1 for f e puple praye

war fat1 1 seie no more for it1 sumsef /

Our lorde Ihesu as holy writte deuysef 1904

3af vs ensample of fastinge and preiers

Therfore we mendena^ntz we sely freres

Be wedde to pouerte and contynence

To charite humblenesse and abstinence 1908

To persecucyon for ri^twisnesse

To wepinge misericord? and clennesse

And f erfore may 36 see fat1 owr preiers

I speke of vs we mendenawntz we freres 1912

Bene to f e hie god more acceptable

fan 3owres with f e fest1 at1 f e table

ffor paradis first1 if I shal not1 lye

was man outchased for his glotenye 1916

PETWORTH 327 (6-T. 390)

SIX-TEXT 391

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And chaast1 man was in paradis certeyn But1 harken nowe Thomas wha[t] I wil seyn) I haue no tixte perof as I suppose

But1 1 shal fynde it1 in a manere glose 1920

That1 specialy our lorde swete Ihesus Spake by freres whan he seide Jms Blessed be pei pat1 poor in spirite be And so for]? al pe gospel may ^e se 1924

Wher) if be like our profession [leaf 156]

Or her fat1 swymraen in possession fFye on her* pompe and on her glotenye And on her lewdenesse I ham defie 1928

Me penkep pei ben like louynyan ifatte as a whale and walking1 as a swan Al vinolent1 as pe betel in pe spence

Her preier is of ful grete reuerence 1932

Whan pei for soules seyn pe Psalme of davyd lo bop pei seyn Cor meura eructauit1 Who folowep cristes gospel and his lore But1 we pat1 humyle ben and chasf and pore 1936

Worchers of goddis word [not] auditows perfore ri^t1 as an hawke vp at1 a sours Vp springep into pe eire . so preiers

And charitable chastite of bysy freres 1940

Making1 her soures to goddes eren too Thomas ri^t1 so as mote I ride or goo And by pat1 lord pat1 cleped was seynt yve Ner powe our broper pou shuldestt not thryve 1944

In cure Chapitle prey we day and ny^t1 To crist1 pat1 he pe sende hele and my^t1 Thi body forto welden hastely

God wote quop he no ping1 perof fele I 1948

As helpe crist1 as I haue in fewe ^eres Spended vpon mony dyuers freres Wei mony a pounde jiV fare I ne pe bette Certeyn my good is almost1 be-sette 1952

PETWORTH 328 (6-T. 39l)

SIX-TEXT 392

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffare wele my good for it1 is almost1 agoo

f e frere answerd* o Thomas dost1 f ou so

What1 nedef ^ou diners freres seche

What1 nedef hyra fatt haf a perfit1 leche 1956

To sechen of er leches in f e toun

jour inconstance is your confusion

Holde 36 me fan or ellis our couent1

To prey for 3011 ben insufficient1 1960

Thowas fat1 lape is not* worf a myte [leaf 156, back]

3oure Maladie is for we haue to lite

A ^eue fat1 Couent1 half a quarter otys

A 3eue fat1 Couent1 four and twenti1 grotys c1 MS -xxiiij«] 1964

A 3eue fat1 frere a peny and lat1 hyra goo

Nay nay thomas it1 may no f ing1 be so

What1 is a ferf ing1 parted in twelve

Lo eche fing1 is counted in hyra selue 1968

Is more stronge whan it1 is so sclatered .

Thomas of me f ou shalt1 not1 be flatered /

f ou woldest1 haue our labour al for nou^t1

fe hie god fat1 al fis world? haf wrou^tf 1972

Seif fat1 f e werkman is worf i his hire

Thomas nou^t1 for ^oure tresowr I desire

As for my silf but1 fat1 al our Couent

To prey for $ou is al our diligent1 1976

And forto beelden cristes owne chirche

Thomas if 36 wil lerne forto wirche

Of beeldinge vp of churches may $e finde

If it be good in Thomas lif of ynde 1980

3e ligge here ful of anger and of yre

wif which j?e deuel sette ^our hert1 on fire

And chiden here fis holy Innocent1

3our wif fat1 is so meke and pacient1 1984

And f erfore trow me }if 3ou list1

NQ strive not1 wif f i wif as for f e best1

And bere fis word' away now by f i feif

Touchinge such fing1 lo what1 fe wise man seif 1988

23 PETWORTH 329 (6-T. 392)

SIX-TEXT 393

GROUP D, § 6, SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Wif -Inne f i hous ne be f ou no lyon

To f i sogettes do f ou noon opression

Ne make f ou nat1 fine aqueyntawnce forto fie

And ^it1 Thomas eftsones charge I fe 1992

Be ware of yre fat1 in f i bosom slepef

ware f e for the serpent1 fat1 so sclily crepe]}

vnder f e gras and styngef sotilly

Be war my sone and harken paciently 1996

That xx*1 f ousand men han lost1 her lyues [leaf 1573

ffor stryuyng1 with her lemmanes and her wyues

Now sif 36 han so holy meke a wif

What1 nedef $ou thomas to make strif 2000

Ther nys iwis no serpent1 so cruel

Whan men treden on his tale ne half so feH

As a womman is whan she haf kai^t1 an Ire

Vengeaunce is fan al fat1 f ei desire 2004

Ire is an synne oon f e grete of seuene

Abhominable vnto god in heuene

And to hym self it1 is distruccion

Thus euery lewde vicar or parson 2008

Can seie how Ire engendres homic[id]e

Ire is in sof executory* of pride

I coude of Ire seie so niochel sorowe

My tale shuld* last1 vnto to-morowe 2012

And f erfore I prei god bof day and ny^t1

An yrous man god sent1 hym litel my^t1

It is grete harme and eke gret1 pite

To sette an yrous man in hie degre 201 6

IT Whilom f er was an yrous potestate

As seif senek fat1 during1 his estate

Vpon a day oute riden kny^tes twoo

And as fortune wolde it1 shuld! be so/ 2020

fat1 oon of hem come home fat1 of ere no^t1

Anon f e kny}^ byfore f e luge was brou^f

fat1 saide f us f ou hast1 f i felawe sclayn

ffor which I deme f e to def certeyn 2024

PETWORTH 330 (6-T. 393)

SIX-TEXT 394

GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

And to an of er kny^t1 commanded he

Go lede him to def e I charge f e

And happed as f ei went1 by f e way

Toward' fe place fer he shuld? day 2028

f e kny^t1 come which men wende had ben dede

fan f ou^fr f ei it1 was f e best1 rede

To lede hem bof to f e luge agayn

fei seiden lord? f e kny^fr nys not1 slayn 2032

His felawe here he stant1 hool a lyue [leaf 157, back]

He shal be dede quod he so mot1 1 thryue

fat1 is to seyn bop on two and f re

And f oo to f e first1 knyjti ri}^ f us spoke he 2036

I dampne fe f e most1 algate be dede

And f ou also most1 nedes lese fine hede

ffbr f ou art1 cause of f i felawes def e

And to f e thridde1 kny^te f us he seif e [' MS iij.] 2040

Thou hast1 not1 done fat1 1 coramaunded f e

And f us he did hem sleen al f re

IT Irous Cambises was eke dronkenlewe

And ay delited him to bene a shrewe 2044

And so byfelle a lorde and his mayne

That1 loued vertuous moralite

Seide vpon a day bitwix hem two ri^t1 fus

A lorde is lost1 if he be vicius 2048

And dronkenesse eke is a foule record?

Of eny man and namely in a lord?

f er is wel mony an yre and mony an ere

In waytinge and he note where 2052

ffor goddes [loue] drynkef more attemperaly

Wyne makef a man to lesen wrecchedly

his mynde and his lymes euerechon

fe reuerce shalf fou see quod he anon 2056

And preue it1 by fine [owne] experience

That1 wyne ne dof to folk non such offence

f er nys no wyne byreuef me my my^t1

of honde ne of foote ne of myn eye sight1 2060

PETWORTH 331 (6-T. 394)

SIX-TEXT 395

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMOXER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And for despite he dronke mocliel more An .C. part1 J?an he had don byfore And ri^t1 anon J?is yrous cursed wreche lete jjise kny^tes sones to-fore hyw fecche 2064

Comaundyng1 hem fei shuld? to-fore hym stonde And sodeynly he toke his bowe on honde And vp the strenge he pulled to his ere And wij) an arowe he sclowe J)e childe ri^t1 pere . 2068 Nowe whejjer* haue I a siker hond? or non [leaf iss]

Quod he is al my my^tt and mynde agon HaJ) wyne byreued me myn eye si^f

What1 shuld? I telle answere of f e kny^tf 2072

His sone was sclayn J?er nys no more to say Be ware ferfor wij? lordes howe 36 play Syng1 Placebo and I shal }if I can

But1 if if be to a poor man 2076

To poor man shuld he his vices telle But not1 to a lord? J?ough he shuld* goo to helle Lo Irous Arus pilk1 Percian

how he distroied J?e Ryuer of gysan 2080

ffor fat1 an hors of his was dreynt1 \er Inne Whan he went1 babilonye to wynne He made Jjat1 J)e Ryuer was so smal

Jjat1 as men my^t1 passed ouer al 2084

lo fat1 he so wel teche can Ne be 30 no felawe to non yrous man Ne wi}) no woode man Jaf walke)) by J)e way lasse J>e repent1 1 wil no ferfere say 2088

Now Thomas leue broker leue J?ine Ire J>ou shalt1 me fynde as luste as is a squyere Hold? not1 J?e deuels knyf ay in J)ine herte Thyne anger do]? J?e al to sore smerte 2092

But1 shewe it1 me al )>i confession Nay quod J>e sik man by seint1 Symeon I haue be shrive )>is day at1 my curate I haue tolde hym alholy myne astate 2096

PETWORTH 332 (6-T. 39o)

SIX-TEXT 396

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

It1 nedep no more to speke of it1 seid he

But1 if me list1 of myne huwilite

^eue me pan of 3oure gold! to make our cloister*

Quod lie for mony a muscle and mony an oyster* 2100

Whan oper men han bene ful wel at ese

Hap bene our fode our* cloister1 forto rese

And god wote vnnep pe foundement1

Performed is and of our payvement 2104

Is nou^t a tyle wip-Inne our1 wonys Deaf iss, back]

By god we owen xl pounde for stonys

Now helpe Thomas for hym pat1 harowed helle

ffor ellis mote we our bokes selle 2108

And $if $ou lakke our predicacion

Than gop pis world? al to distruccion

ffor who so wold? from pis world? vs byreue

So god me saue thomas by ^oure leue 2112

He wolde byreue out1 of pe world? pe sonne

ffor who can techen and worchen as we konne

And fat* is no^t1 of litel tyme quod he

But sij) Elie was or Elise 2116

Han freres be pat1 fynde I of record?

In charite pon-kidde be our1 lord?

Now thomas [helpe vs] for seinf charite

Haue done anon he sette hym on his kne 2120

This sik man wex nye woode for Ire

He wolde J?aft J?e frere had be a fire

WiJ> his fals dissimulacion

Such ping1 as is in my possession 2124

Quo]) he jjat1 may I ^eue and non o]?ere

$e sein me thus hou fat1 1 am 3 our1 bropere

36 certes quo]? pis frere trustej? wel

I toke our dame ]?e letter of our seel 2128

Nowe quo}) he wel and somwhat1 shal I $eue

Vnto 3oure holy Couent1 while I lyve

And in fine honde fou shalt1 it haue anon

Vp pis condicion and oper non 2132

PETWORTH 333 (6-T. 396)

SIX-TEXT 397

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

That1 f ou departe if so my dere broker

J?af euery frere haue as mocfi. as of er

This shalf J?ou swere on Jri profession

Wif-outen fraude or cauellacion 2136

I swere if quod f e frere by my faif

And f erwif al his honde in his he laif

lo here my feif in me shal be no lak1

Now )>an puf fine honde down by my bak1 2140

Seide fis man and grope wel behinde [leaf 159]

Bynef my buttok f er f ou shalf fynde

A pinge J?af I haue hidde in priuete

A fo^f fe frere fat1 shal go wij> me 2144

A-doune his honde he launsef to fe clift

I hope for to fynde f er a ^ift

And whan fis sik man felf jjis frere

About his trwel grope her and fere 2148

A myddes his honde he lete f e frere a farf

f er nys no capel drawing in a carf

fat my3t han lete a farf of such a soun

fe frere vp sterf as dof a [wood] lyoim 2152

A fals eherle quod f e frere for goddis bonys

This despite f ou hast done for f e nonys

f owe shal aby f is farf if I may

His mayne faf harde fis affray 2156

Come lepinge Inne and chased ouf f e frere

And forf e he gof with a ful angry chere

^e ne had naf ellis for his sermon [*2159]

To parten amonge his bref eren whan he come home [*2160J

And fus is fis tale ydon |

ifor we were almosf at f e ton ) "

1T Thus endef f e somnows tale.

C1 Spurious ending in the Petworth MS. For the genuine ending of the Tale, see the Appendix.]

PETWORTH 334 (6-T. 397)

GKOUP E, FEAGMENT VI.

§ 1. THE CLERK'S HEAD-LINK. PETWORTH MS.

Ande here bygynnef }?e prologe of J?e clerk1 of Oxenford?

Sir> Clerk1 of Oxenford? our1 oosft saide IF The prologe !/ 3e ride as stille as Coy as do]? a maide Were newe spoused sitting1 at1 J?e horde This day ne herd I of ^oure mou]? a word! 4

I trowe Jjat1 36 stodye about1 som sophyme But1 Salomon seijj al Jjinge ha]? tyme ffor goddes sake he]? of better* chere

It1 is no tyme nowe to stody here 8

Telle vs some mery tale by 3 our* fay ffor what1 man is entred into a play he nedes mote into J?atH play assent1

But1 pr[e]chej> not1 as freres don in lent1 12

To make vs for our* olde synnes to wepe [leaf 159, back]

Nv J)af J?i tale ne make vs not1 to sclepe Telle vs somme mery Jjing1 of auentures 3oure termes . ^oure colours and figures 1 6

kepe hem in store til 36 hem endite hi3e stele as whan men to kyngges write Speke]> so pleyn at1 f is tyme I 3ou prey That1 we may vnder-stonde what1 36 sey 20

This wor])i clerk1 benygnely answered Hoost1 quod he I am vndere 30^ 3eerde 30 han as nowe of vs }>e gouernawnce And ]jerfor wil I do jou obeysaunce 24

PETWORTH 335 (6-T. 403)

SIX-TEXT 404

GROUP E. § 1. CLERK'S HEAD-LINK. Petworth MS,

As fer as reson askej? hardely

I wil 3011 tel a tale which" Jxzt I

lerned at1 Padowe of a worjn clerke

As preued by his wordys and his werk1 28

He is nowe dede and nailed in his chest1

I prei to god so send his soule good rest1

firaunceys Petrak j?e laureol poete

Hight/ J)is clerke whoos retorike swete 32

EnlumyneJ) al Itaile Jjorgh" poetrie

As lynyan did of Philosophye

Or lawe or ojjer art1 particulere

But1 defe fat1 nyl sufFre no ping1 here 36

But1 as if were a twynkelinge of an ye

Bo)) haj) he slayn and al shal we dye .

But1 forto tellen of J)is wor J?i man

Jpat1 tau3f me J)is tale as I first1 bygan 40

I sey pat1 he first* wip hygh" steel enditep

Or he pe body of his tale write]?

A procheyn in pe which disseuerej) he

fe Mounde and of Saluse J)e contree 44

And spekejj of Appenyn )>e hilles hye

Jjat1 ben J?e bondes of west lumbardye

And of Mount1 Eesulus in special

Wher as j?e Poo out1 of a welle smal 48

Take)) his furst1 spryngginge and his sours [leaf ieo]

Wher as he holt1 euen street1 way his cours

To Emel ward? to ferrare and to venyse

The which" a longe J)inge were to devise 52

And trewely as to my lugemeiit1

Mee thenke)) it1 a ping1 inpertinent1

Saue he wil conuey his matere

But1 j)is is pe tale which pat1 36 shal here 56

^[ Thus ende]?e )?e prologe of J>is tale •

PETWORTH 336 (6-T. 404)

SIX-TEXT 405

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And here Dygynnejj ]>e clerk his tale

Ther is at1 J?e west side of ytayle IF The tale f

Doune at1 j?e rote of yesulus J?e cold1 A lusty pleyn abundant1 of vitaile wher mony a toune & tour1 J?ou inaist1 bihold J»f founded were in tyme of elders olde And mony anojjer delectable si^t1 And saluce J)is noble cuntre hi^t1 63

A Marquis whiloin [lord] was in Jjat1 lond 64

As were his worjri elders hym bifore

And Obeisaunt1 and redy to his hond!

Were alle his leeges bo]? lasse and more 67

})us in delite he lyued and ha)) do 3 ore

Be-loued and drad fourgh fauowr of fortune

Bo]) of his lordys and of his coxmme 70

TherwiJ> he was as to speke of lynage 71

The gentelest1 y-born of al lumbardy

A faire persone . stronge and ^enge of age

And ful of honure and curteisie 74

Discrete ynou^e his cuntrey forto gye

Saue in some Jnngges he was to blame

And Water1 was Jjis yonge lordes name 77

I blame him jms jjat he considered nou^f 78

In tyme cowmynge what1 mj^f betide

But1 on his lust1 present was al his Jjou^t1 {leaf IBO, back]

And forto hauke and hunte on euery side 81

Wei nye al o)?er cures lete he slide

And eke he ne wold j^at1 was worst1 of aH

Wedde no wif for o^t1 ^at1 my^t1 byfaft 84

PETWORTH 337 (6-T. 405)

SIX-TEXT 406

GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Only Jjat1 pointe his puple here so sore 85

Jjat1 flok-mele on a day J>ei [to him] went*

And oon of hem J>at* wisest* was of lore

Or ellis Jjat1 J>e lorde wold best* assent1 88

J>att he shulde telle hyra what1 his puple ment1

Or ellis coude he wel shewe such matere

He to Jje Marquis seide as 30 mowe here 91

(6)

0 Noble Marquis ^oure humanitee 92 Assure]? vs and 3eueth vs hardynesse

As ofte tyme as it1 is necessite

That1 we ^ou mow telle our* heuynesse 95

Acceptef lord of ^our1 gentilnesse

Jjat1 we to 3owe wij> pitous hert1 compleyne

And lat1 ^oure eeres not1 my vois disdeyne 98

(7)

Al haue I no^t1 to done in J>is matere 99

More Jjan anojjer haj? in pis place ^it1 for as moche as 36 my lord so dere Haue alway shewed [me] fauour and grace 102

1 dare J?e better aske of }ou a space Of audience to shewen our request1

And 30 my loro? to done rijf as 3011 lest1 105

(8)

For certes lord so wel vs like)) 3ou 106

; And alle 3oure werkes and euer han do Jjat we JN~e cowde nat our owne silf devisen howe We nry^t1 more lyve in felicite 109

Saue oo Jnnge lord if it1 30^7* wille be That1 to be a wedded man if 3ou list1 Than were our1 puple in souereyn hertes rest1 [leafieij 112

(9)

Bowe)> 3oure nek1 vndere fat1 blisful 30k1 113

Of souereynte nou^t1 of seruise Which men clepe spousale or wedlok1 And jjenkej) lord among1 3oure ]>ou3tes wise 116

PETWORTH 338 (6-T. 406)

SIX-TEXT 407

GKOUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

That of wedloke commef grete emprise

if or f ou}e we slepe or wake ionne or ride

Ay flee]) f e tyine if wil no man abide . 119

(10)

And fou^e ^our1 grene ^oufe growe as ^if 120

In crepe]) age alway as stille as stone And de]>e manase]) euery age and smyfr In eche astate for ])er ascape]) noon 123

And also certeyn as we knowe euerichon Jpat1 we shul dye as vncerteyn we aH Ben of fat1 day f aft def shal on vs falle 126

(11) Accepteth ])an of vs j)e trewe entenft 127

That1 neuere $iV refused your heest1

And we wil al lord }if ^e wil assent1

Chese }ou a wif1 in short1 tyme at1 the lest* 130

Born of f e gentelest1 and of ])e mesf

Of al ])is londe so fat1 it1 out1 seme

Honure to god and ^ou . so as we con deme 133

(12)

Delyuere vs of al ])is bysy drede 134

And take a wif1 for hi^e goddis sake ffor $if it1 byfelle so as god forbede

fat1 pourgiL dej> $our lynage shuldz sclake 137

And a straunge lynage shuld? take ^our1 heritage . oo woo were vs alyue Wherfore we prey }ou hastely to wif 140

(13)

Her meke preier1 & her pitous chere 141

Made ])e Marquis haue such pite

Wil ^e quod he myne owne puple dere [leaf iei, back]

To fat1 1 neuer erst1 fou^t1 constreyne me J.44

I me reioyse not1 of my liberte fat1 seelden tyme is found in mariage Ther I was free I mot1 bene in semage 147

PETWORTH 339 (6-T. 407)

SIX-TEXT 408

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

But1 najjelees I se 3oure trewe entenf 148

And trust1 vpon ^ou and haue don ay

Wherfore of my fre wille I assent1

To wedde me as sone as euer I may 151

But per as 36 han profered me to day

To chese me a wif I $ou relese

That1 chois f & prei 3011 of jour propher cese 154

(15)

For god it1 wote pat1 children oft1 ben 155

Ynlike her worpi eldres hem bifore Bounte coramep al of god not1 of pe strene Of which pei ben engendred and ybore 158

I Trust1 in goddys bounte and perfore My mariage and my astate and rest1 I hym bitake he may do as hyw lest1 161

(16)

Lat1 me allone in chesing1 of my wiff 162

That1 charge vpon my bak1 1 wil endure But1 1 3ou prey and charge vpon $our lif1 Jpat1 wif pat I take 36 me ensure 165

To worship hur) whil our* lyf endure In worde and werke bo]) here and ellys where As she an emperours doi^ter were 1 68

(17)

And ferpermore pis shullen 30 swere pat 36 169

A3einst1 my chose shul neiper grucche ne stryue ffor si]) I shal forgo my liberte

At1 3oure request1 as euer mot1 1 thryue 172

Ther as myn hert1 is sette ]>er wil I wyue And but1 30 wollen assent1 in such manere I prey 3ou spekef no more of ])is matere [leat IBS] 175

(18)

WiJ) harty wille fei sweren and assenten 176

To al ])is ])inge per seide no wi^ nay Bisechinge hym of grace er pei wenten That1 he hem wol(J gmunten a certeyn day 179

PETWORTH 340 (6-T. 408)

SIX-TEXT 409

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Of his spousale as sone as euer he may

ffor 3 it1 alway J?e puple somwhat1 dredde

Lesse ])is Marquis wol no wif wedde 182

He graunted hem a day such as hym lest1 183

On which he wolde be wedded sikerly

And seide he did al J?is at1 her request1

And Jjei wijj humble entent1 ful buxomly 186

Knelinge vpon her knees ful reuerently

Hym J>onken alle and Jms Jjei han an ende

Of her entent1 and home a3ein ]?ei wende 189

And here vpon he toke his officers 190

Commaundinge for |?e fest1 to pwrueye

And to his privey kny3tes and sqwiers

Such charge $af hem . as hym lust1 on hem to leye 193

And Jjei his comaundementz to obeye

And ech of hem do]) his diligence

To done vnto |>e fest reuerence 196

[PART THE SECOND.]

Nou3t1 fer from Jjilk1 place honurable 197

wher as J>is Marquis shope his mariage J>er stoode a Thrope of si^t1 delectable In which poor folk1 of Jjat1 vilage 200

Hadden her beestes and her harbigage And of her labour toke her sustincmnce After1 J>e erjje hem ^aue abundaunce 203

Among1 Jjise poor folk jjer dwelled a man 204

which fat1 was holden porest1 of hem aH

But1 hegh god somtyme sende can [leaf 162, back]

His grace vnto a litel oxes stall 207

lanicula men of J?atf thrope hym calle

A doughter1 had he faire and ^ong1 of si^f

And Grisild' Jjis ^onge maiden hi3^ 210

PETWORTH 341 (6-T. 409)

SIX-TEXT 410

GKOUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

But1 forto speke of vertuous bewte 211

fan was she oon J>e fairest1 vnder sonne

fful poorly yfostred was she

Ko licorousnesse was on her lust1 yronne 214

"Wei ofter of J?e well pan of J?e tunne

She drank1 / and for she wole vertue plese

She knewe wel labour but1 non ydel ese 217

(24)

But1 fou^e pis maide were tender* of age 218

^it1 in j?e brest1 of her virginite J>ere was enclosed ripe and sad corage And in grete reuerence and in grete charite 221

Her olde poor fadere fostred shee A fewe shepe spynnyng1 on J?e felde she kept* She wolde not1 ben ydel til she sclepte 224

(25)

And whan she homward* come she wolde bringe 225

wortes and herbes tymes ful oft1 which she shradde and si]) for her lyuyng1 And made her bedde ful hard* and no ping1 soft 228

And euere she kept1 her faders lif on loft wij? euery obeisaunce and diligence That1 childe may do to faders reuerence 231

(26)

Vppon Grisilde J>e poor creature 232

fful oft1 haj) Marquis sette hys eye As he on hundyinge rode perauenture And whan it1 felle fat1 he my^f hir espye 235

he not1 wij) wa[n]ton lokinge of foly his eyen cast1 vpon bur1 but1 in sad wise Vpon her chere he wold4 hym oft1 avise [leaf issj 238

(27)

Commending1 in his hert1 her wommanhede 239

And eke her vertue passing1 eny wi^t1 Of so ^onge age as wel in chere as in dede if or J?ou^e J?e puple haue no gret1 insi}^ 242

PETWORTH 342 (6-T. 410)

SIX-TEXT 411

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

In vertue he considered ful ri^t1

Her bewte and disposed pat1 he wold?

Hir> wedde if euer he wedde shuld? 245

(28)

The day of weddyng1 come but1 no wi^t1 can 246

Telle what1 womman it1 shuld? be fFor which mervaile wondred mony man And seiden whan pei weren in priuete 249

wil not1 our lorde leue his vanyte wil he not1 wedde alas alas pe while whi wil he hyw self and vs )ms begile 252

(29)

But1 na-pe-lees pis marquis ha)) do make 253

Of Gemmes sette in gold* and in asure Broches and ryngges for grisild? sake

And of her eloping1 toke he pe mesure 256

Of a maide like to her stature And eke of oper ornamentes aH pat1 to such a wedding1 shul fatt 259

(30)

The tyme of vndern J)e same day 260

Approchep pat1 pis wedding1 shulde be And all pe paleys putt1 was in aray

Both halle and chambres ech in his degre 263

Houses of office . stuffed wip grete plente J5er maist1 ])ou see of deynteuous vitaile pat1 may be found? as fer as lastejj ytaile 266

(31)

This rial Marquis rially araied . 267

lordys and ladys in his companye

Jje which to ]?e feest1 were preied / [leaf 103, back]

And of his retenwe pe bacheler.ye 270

wi]) mony a soune of sondry melodye vnto J>e vilage [of J>e] which I told' In pis aray J)e ri^te way hap hole? 273

PETWORTH 343 (6-T. 41 1)

SIX-TEXT 412

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

•Griseld? god wote of jns ful Innocent* 274

Jmt1 for hure was shape al Jns aray

To fecchen watere at J?e welle is went1

And coramej? home as sone as euer she may 277

fFor wel she herd say pat1 ilk1 day

Jjat1 Marquis shuld? wedde and if she my^t1

She wold? fayn see somme of fat1 si^fr 280

(33)

She Jjou^t1 I wil wij) o]?er maidens stone? 281

fat1 bene my felawes in oure door and see The Marquis and J?erfor wil I fonde

To done at1 home as sone as if may be 284

\)Q laboure which J?afr longej? vnto me And pan may I at1 leisere it1 byhold? If she pis way to pe castel holde 287

(34)

And as she wolde ouer1 pe thresshold? gon 288

The Marquis come and can hur* forto calle And she sette doune her water pot1 anon beside pe thresshold? of J>e oxes stalle 291

And doun vpon her knees she gan to falle And wij? sadde cowntenawnce kneled stille Til she had htrde what1 was fe lordes wille 294

(35)

This pou^tful Marquys spake vnto ]>is maide 295

wel soberly and seide in jns manere where is 3 oure fader Griseld' he seide

And she wij? reuerence and meke chere 298.

Answered lord he is al redy here And Inne she goo]) wijj-out1 lenger lette And to f e Marquis she her fadere fette . [leaf 164] 301

(36)

He by ]>e honde fan toke pis olde man 302

And seide him J>us whan he hyra had a side lanicula I neifer may ne can

lenger J?e plesaunce of myn herte hide 305

TETWORTH 344 (6-T. 41,2)

SIX-TEXT 413

GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

If jjaf 36 vouchesauf what1 so be-tide }>i doubter wil I take er Jjat1 1 wende As for my wif to my lyues end 308

(37)

Thow louest1 me I woot1 wel certeyn 309

And art1 my feij?-ful liege man ybore And al fat1 likejj me I dar wel seyn

It1 like}) J>e and specialy J?erfore 312

Tel nie Jjat1 poynt1 Jratf I haue seide byfore If Jjat1 jjowe wolde vnto Jjat1 pwrpoos drawe To take me as for pine sone in lawe 315

(38)

The sodeyn caas J>e man astonyed soo / 316

Jjaf rede he wexe al basshed and al quakinge He stood and vnnejjes seide wordes moo But1 only Jms lord quod he my willinge 319

Is as 30 wol not1 a^einst1 3our> likinge I wil no pinge 30 be my lorde so dere Ri}^ as $ou lesf gouernej) pis matere 322

(39)

Than wil I do Jms quod Marquis softly 323

Jjat in to J>e chambre I and J?ou . and she haue a collacion and woost1 J?ou why

ffor I wil aske bur1 $if hir* wil be 326

To be my wif and rewle hir* after me And al J>is she shal done in Jn presence I wil not1 speke out1 of J?ine audience 329

(40)

And in J>e Chambers while J?ei were aboute 330

Her tretis which 36 shul after here Jpe puple come into J?e hous w?'t/ioute And wondred hem in howe honest1 manere [leaf 164, back] 333 And tentifly she kepte hur fadere dere But* vtterly grisildl wonder my^t1 ffor neuere erst1 sey she shuch a sijti -336

24 PETWORTH 346 (6-T. 413)

SIX-TEXT 414

GROUP E, § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS,

No wonder is fo^e she be astonyed 337

To se so grete a gest1 come in fat1 place

She was neuere to suche gestys womied

ffor which she loked wif ful pale face 340

But1 shortly fro f is matere forto pace

Thise were f e wordes fat1 f is marquis saide

To fis benygne verrey feifful mayde 343

(42)

Grisyle he seide 36 wol wel vnderstonde 344

It1 like]? vnto 3oure fadere and me £af I 3ou wedde and eke it1 may so stonde As I suppose fat1 36 wil it1 so be 347

But1 J>is demaunde I axe fursf quodl he That1 sif en it1 shal be don on hastif wise Wol $e assent1 or ellis ^owe avise 350

(43)

I seye J>is be 36 redy with good herf 351

To al my lust1 and fat1 1 frely may As me best1 )>enkejj do $ou lawgh or smert And 36 neuer grueh ny3^ ne day 354

And eke whan I seie 36 say 30 not1 nay Neijjer be word? ne fraward cozmtenance Swere ])is and here I swere our aliance 357

(44)

WOndringe vpon )?is worde quaking1 for drede 358

She seide Indigne and vnwor|)i Am I to fat1 [honour] fat1 30 me bede But1 rijf as ye wil 302/7* self ri^f so wil I 361

And [here] I swere fat1 neuer willingly In word? ne fou^f I neuere 3ou disobeye ffoi to be dede f ou3e me were lof e to deye 364

(45)

This is ynowe Grisile myii) quod he [leafiesj 365

And forf he gof wif a sobre chere Out1 at f e door after cam she And to fe puple he seide in f is manere 368

PETWORTH 346 (6-T- 414)

SIX-TEXT 415

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

This is my wif quod lie Jmt1 stondejj here

Honourej? hir1 and loueth [hire] I prey

Who so louej? me per nys no more to seye 371

(46)

And for no Jmig1 of hure olde gere 372

She shuld bring1 to his hous he bade Jjat1 wommen shulden spulen hir1 ri^f fere Of which J?e ladies were not1 ri^f glade 375

To handel her clones in which she was clad But1 nafeles Jjis maiden bri^t1 of hwe tfrom fote to hede ycloj>ed han al newe 378

(47)

Her heres han ])ei kembed fat1 lay vntressed 379

wel rwdely with her fyngeres smale And a crowne on her hede J?ei han dressed? Isette ful of owches grete and smal 382

Of hir1 aray what1 shuld? I make a tale Vnnefes J?e puple hir1 knewe for her fairnesse Whan she transformed was in such richesse 385

(48)

^F This Marquis hajj hure spoused wij) a rynge 386

Bou^t1 for J?e same cause an fan hir1 sette vppon an hors snowe white and wel amblynge And to his palaies er he lenger lette 389

WiJ> loiful puple J?atf he lad and mette Conveied hir1 and Jms pe day Jjei spende In reuel to J>e sonne canne descende 392

(49)

And shortely for]) J)is tale forto chace 393

I sey Jjat1 to ]?is newe Marquissesse God haj? ysent1 such favour of his grace Jtat1 it1 semed not1 as by liknesse 396

That1 she was born and fedde in rudenesse [leaf 165, back]

As in a Cote ar in aji oxes stalle But1 norshed in an Emperours halle 399

PETWORTH 347 (6-T. 415)

SIX-TEXT 416

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

To euery wi^f she woxen is so dere 400

And worshipful j>af folk1 jjer she was bore

And from her birth" knewe her fro ^ere to ^ere

VnneJ? trowed J?ei buf durst1 haue swore 403

.]?af to lanicle of which I speke byfore

She dou^tere ne were for as by coniecture

hem Jjou^f she was a noper creature 406

(51)

ffor [fou^e] J?af euere vertuous was she 407

She was encresed in such excellence Of thewe sette in high bounte

And so discrete and faire of eloquence 410

So benygne and digne of reuerence And coude j>e puples hertes so enbrace )>af ech her loued J>af loked on her face 413

(52)

Wou^f only of saluce in }>e toun 414

Publisshed was J?e bounte of her name And eke be-side in mony a regiown

If oon seide wel anojjer seide )>e same 417

So spradde of hure bounte j?e fame That1 men and wommen bo]> 3onge and olde Goon to saluse hur* to be-holde 420

(53)

This waiter, lowly nay but1 ryally 421

weddej) wij) fortune honeste In goddes pees lyuen wel esely

At* hoom and outward grace yno^e had he . 424

And for he sawe vnder lowe degre was off vertue hid ]>e puple hym helde A prudent1 man and fat1 is sene wel seide 427

(54)

Noi^tf only Grisile Jms Jjorgh her witte 428

Cou}?e al |>e fete of wively humblenesse [leases]

But1 eke whan J>e cas required if The comon profite coude she redresse 431

PETWORTH 348 (6-T. 416)

SIX-TEXT 417

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS,

Ther nas no discord? rancour ne heuynesse In al J>e londe fat1 she ne coude it1 cese And bring1 hem al wisely ill rest1 and ese

Though Jjat1 hur1 husbond? present1 were anon }if Gentil men or oj?er of her centre were wrooj) she cowde bringe hem at1 on So wise and rype wordes had she And luggement1 of so grete equite That1 she fro heuene was as men wende1 Puple to saue and euery wrong taniende

Not1 longe tyme aftere Jjat1 pis grisild Was wedded she a dorter haf> ybore Al had she leuer born a knaue child? Glad was Jje Marquis and his folk jjerfore fibr Jjou^e a mayde childe come al byfore She may to a knaue childe atteyiie By liklihede sij>ens she is not1 bareyne

434 435

438

[i this line is re- peated in the MS.}

441

442

445

448

[THE THIRD PART.]

Therfor as it1 fallej? tymes moo 449

That1 Jjis childe haj? sowked but1 a thrawe

This marquis in his hert1 longe]? so

To tempte his wif her sadnesse to knowe 452

J3at he ne my^t1 fro his hei t1 throwe

J)is merveilous desire his wif tassay

NaJ>e-lees god wote he Jjou^f Mr1 to affray 455

He had assaied hir1 ynou3e to-fore 456

And fonde huV euer good what1 nedej) It1

Hir* forto torment1 and alway more and more

Jjou^e somwe preise it1 for a subtile witte 459

But1 as for me I saie J^at1 euel it1 sitte Oaf 166, back]

To assaie a wif whan it1 is no nede

And putten hure in angwissfr and in drede 462

PETWORTH 349 (6-T. 417)

SIX-TEXT 418

GROUP E. .§ 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

For which" fis Marquis wrou^f in fis ma[ne]re 463

He came a nyght1 alon f er as she lay

wif steeme face and trouble chere

And seide foo Griseld? quo]) he fat1 day 466

fat1 I 3ou toke out1 of ^oure poor aray

And putte $ou in estate of hie noblesse

36 han not1 31^ for^eten as I gesse 469

(60)

I seye Griseld? fis present1 dignite 470

In which I haue put1 $ou as I trowe Make]) not1 ^ou fo^etful forto be

fat1 I 3ou toke in poor estate ful lowe 473

ffor eny ])inge 30 mote pure seluen knowe Take hede of euery word fat1 I 3011 seie ther is no wi^t1 fat1 here]) fis but1 we tweye 476

(61)

3e wote $our self wele howe fat1 ^e come here 477

Into ])is hous it1 is not long1 ago And fou3e to me 36 be leef and dere

vnto my gentiles 36 be no fing1 so 480

]?ei seyn to hem it1 is grete shame and woo fibrto be sogette and in seruage To J)e fat1 art1 born of so lowe lynage 483

(62)

And namely sif fi dorter1 was bore 484

fise wordes han fei spoke doutlees But1 1 desire as I haue don byfore

To lyve my lif wij) hem in rest1 and pees 487

I may not1 in fis cas bene rechelees I most1 don wif [f i] do^tere for fe best1 nou3t1 as I wold? but1 as my gentils lest1 490

(63)

And 31^ god woot1 fis is ful lof to me 491

But1 nafeles wij) outen your wetynge [leaf IG?]

I nyl not1 doo but1 fis I wil quod he fat1 36 to me assent1 as in fis f inge 494

PETWORTH 350 (6-T. 418)

SIX-TEXT 419

GROUP Er § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Shewef now ^oure pacience \n yowr worchinge

That1 30 me byhi^f and swore in ^our vilage

That1 day fat1 maked was our mariage 497

(64)

Whan she had herde al fis she was not1 amoued? 498

Keif er in word or chere or countenance ffor as it1 semed she was not1 agreued She seid lorde all lith in ^oure plesawnce 501

My childe and I wij> hertely obeisance Bene ^oures aU and 36 may saue and spille 3oure owne fing1 wheder1 fat 36 wille 504

(65)

Ther may no f inge so god my saule saue 505

likinge to 3ou fat1 may displese me Ne I desire no f inge to haue

!N"e drede to lese saue only 30 508

This wille is my hert1 and ay shal be No length of tyme or def it1 may deface Neife chaunge my corage into o]>er place 511

(66)

Glad was fe Marquis of hur* answering1 512

Euf 3it1 he feyned as he were not1 so . Al drery was his chere and his lokinge whan she shuld! out1 of fe chamber goo 515

Sone after fis a forlong1 way or twoo he pleynly haf told? his entent Vnto a man which he to his wif sent1 518

(67)

A manei1' sergeaunt1 was fis privey man 519

fe which fat1 feithful fond! yhad

In fingges grete and eke such folk1 wel can

Don execucion of f ingges bad 522

f e lord knewe wel fwfc he hyra loued and drad .

And whan fis sergeawnt1 wist1 his lordes witt [leaf 167, back]

Into fe chambere he stalked hym ful stitt 525

PETWORTH 351 (6-T. 419)

SIX-TEX1 420

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Madame he seide 36 mote fo^eue it1 me 526

J>ougS. I do f inge to which I am constreyned /

3e bene so wise fat1 wel knowe 30

fat1 lordes heestes may not1 be feyned 529

)>ei mowen wel be wailed or compleyned

But1 men mote nede vnto her lust1 obeye

And so wil I fer nys no more to seye 532

(69)

That1 childe I am co?ftmaunded to take 533

And spake no more but1 out1 f e child he hent Despitously and gan a chere make

As he wold! han slayn it1 fer he went1 536

Griseld? mot1 al suffre and al consent1 And as a lombe she sittef meke and stille And lete fis cruel Seriaunt1 haue his wiHe 539

(70)

Suspecte was f e name of fis man 540

Suspecte his face . suspecte his world' also Suspecte f e tyme fat1 he fis bygan/

ffor his dou3ter fat1 she loued soo 543

She wende he wold? haue slayn it1 ri^t1 f oo But1 naf elees she neif er wepte ne seide Confeermyng1 hur1 to fat1 ]?e Marquis seide 546

(71)

And at1 J?e last1 speke she bygan 547

And nekely to J>e sergeant1 preide So as he was a worfi gentil man

fat1 she my3t1 kisse her childe er fat1 it deide 550

And in her barme fis litel childe she leide wif ful sadde face and gan fe childe to blisse And lulled it1 and after gan it1 kisse 553

(72)

And Jms she seide in her benigne voys 554

fare wele my child? I shal f e neuere see But1 sif I haue Marked fe wij? croys Of filk1 fadere yblessed mot1 fou be [leaf 168] 557

PETWORTH 352 (6-T. 420)

SIX-TEXT 421

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

fat1 for vs deyed vpon f e rood tre .

f i soule litel childe I hyin bytake

fFor fis ny3f shalt f ou dyen for my sake 560

(73)

I trowe fat1 to a norice in fis caas / 561

It1 had ben hard? fis rewf e forto see Wei my3tl a modere fan cry alas /

But1 nafeles so sadde and stedfast1 was she 564

))at* she endured al hur" aduersite And to f e Sergeant* meke she seide Haue here a3ein my litel 3onge maide 567

(74)

And gof now quod she and dof my lordes heest1 568

And oon f inge wold? I prei of 3oure grace

That1 but1 my lorde forbede 3ou at1 lest1

Burief fis litel body in som place 571

)2at no beestes no briddes it1 to-race

But1 he no word? to f o p?/rpoos wold? saye

But1 toke fe childe and went1 vpon his way 574

(75)

This Sergeant1 come to fe lord4 ageyn 575

And of Griseldes wordes and of her chere He tolde hym poynt1 by poynt1 in short and pleyfi And hym presented wif his dorter dere 578

Somwhaf fis lord* had rawf e in his manere But naf elees his pwrpoos helde he stille As lordes don whan fei wil han her wille 581

(76)

And bad fis Sergeant1 ful priveily 582

he shuld ful soft1 fis child' welde and wrappe with al f e circumstance tenderly

And carie it1 in a coffre or in a lappe 585

But1 vp peyn his hede of for to swappe fat1 no man shuld? knowe of his entent1 ]N"e whens he come ne whidere he went1 588

PETWORTH 353 (6-T. 42l)

SIX-TEXT 422

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

IT But1 at1 Boloyne to his suster> dere [leaf ies, back] 589

fat1 Jjoo of Pavie was countesse

He shuld her take and shew hir1 fis matere

Bisechinge hure to don her bysynesse 592

This childe to fostere in al gladnesse

And whoos childe fat1 if was he bad hir1 hide

ffrom euery wi^t1 for ou^t1 fat1 my}!;1 betide 595

This Sergeaunt1 gof and haf fulfilled fis finge 596

But1 to fis marquis nowe retowrne we

ffor nowe go]) he wel oft1 ymagynynge

If by his wif1 [chere] he myghf See 599

And by hir wordes perceyue fat1 she

Were chaunged but1 he coude neuere fynde .

But1 euere in oon ylik1 sad and kinde 602

As glad as humble as bysy in seruise 603

and Eke in loue as she was wont1 to be

"Was she to hym in euery manure wise

Ne of her doubter1 oon worde speke she 606

Noon accident1 for noon aduersite

Was seen in hir* no neuere her doubter1 name

Nempned she for ernest1 ne for game 609

[THE FOURTH PART.\

In fis estate passed ben foure ^ere 610

Er she wij) child' was but1 as god wold?

A knaue childe she bere by Jjis waltere

fful gracious and faire to biholde 613

And whan folk1 it1 to hir fadere tolde

Not1 oonly he But1 al fe contree mery

Was for J?e chile? and god fei fonke and herye 616

Whan if was two ^ere olde and from fe brest1 617

Departed from his norce vpon a day J>is Marquis kaught1 ^it1 anothfer] lest1

PETWORTH 854 (6-T. 422)

SIX-TEXT 423

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

To tempten his wif1 ofter if he may 620

0 nedeles was she tempted in assay [leaf ico] But* wedded men knowen no mesure

Whan J>ei fynde a pacient1 creature 623

(82)

Wyf quod pis Marquis 36 herd! er J?is 624

My puple sekely here)) our manage And namely sijjen my sone born is

Now it1 is wors ]>an euer in our age 627

]>e mil rmur sleep myn . her[te] and my corage ffor to myn eres come]? Jje vois so smerte pat1 it1 wel nye destroiej? al my herte 630

(83)

Now seye men Jms * whan waiter is a goon . 631

Jmn shal J?e blood of lanicle succede And bene our lord* for oj?er haue we non Such wordes seyn my puple it1 is no drede 634

Wel ou^te I of such mwrmur taken hede ffor certeynly I drede such sentence poi^e ))ei not1 pleynly speke in myn audience 637

(84) '

1 wold lyue in pees if Jjat I my^t1 638 Wherfore I am disposed vtterly

As I his sustere serued by ny^f

Ri3tf so I ]?enke to serue hywi prively 641

fius warne I }ou pat1 36 not1 sodeynly

Out1 of ^oure self for no woo shuld? outray

Be]? patient1 and ferof I 3ou pray 644

(85)

I haue quod she seide [}>us] and euere shaH 645

I wil desire no Jung1 certeyn But1 as 3ou lust1 not1 greueth me at att pou3e fat1 my do^tere and my sone be sclayn 648

At1 ^oure comaundement1 fis is to sayn I haue had no parte of children tweyn But1 furst1 siknesse and after* woo and peyn 651

PETWORTH 355 (6-T. 423)

SIX-TEXT 424

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS,

3e be our lord doo with 3ouij owe f inge . 652

Rijtt as $ou lust1 and askef no rede of me [leaf 109, back]

ffor as I left1 at1 home al my clof inge

whan I come first1 to $ou rijtf so quod she 655

left I my will and al my liberte

And toke 3oure closing1 wherfore I 3ou prey

Do ^oure wille I wille to it obeye 658

(87)

And certes $if I had prescience 659

3oure wilt to knowe . or 36 3oure lust1 me told? I wold it1 done wif oute necligence

But1 now I wote 3oure lust1 and what1 36 wolde 662

Al 3oure plesaunce feerme and stable I hold? ffor wist1 1 fat1 my def wold do 3ou ese Gladly wil I suffre it1 3011 to plese 665

(88)

Beth' may make non comparison 666

Vnto 3oure loue and whan f is Marquis say f e Constance of his wiff he cast1 his hede adoim And his eyen two and wondred how she may 669

In such penawnce suffre al f is array And for]) he goj> wif drery countenance But1 to his hert1 it was ful grete plesannce / 672

(89)

This ege sergeant1 in fe same wise 673

fat1 he her dou3tere kaught1 ri3t so he Or wors if he coude wors devise

Haf kaught1 hire childe fat1 was ful of bewte 676

And euere in oon so pacient1 was she fat1 she no chere made of hevynesse But1 kisef her sone and after can hym blesse 679

(90)

Saue f is she preide him if fat1 he mj^ 680

hir1 litel sone he wold on erf e graue his tendere lymmes delicat1 to si$ti iiro fowles and beestes forto saue 683

PETWORTH 356 (6-T. 424)

SIX-TEXT 425

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

But* she noon answere of hyra niy^t1 haue

He went1 his way as he no fing1 wroi^t1 [leaf 170]

But1 into boloyne tendrely it1 brou^t1 686

(91)

This Marquis wondrej) euere lenger J>e more 687

Vpon her pacience and if fat1 he Ne had sof ly knowe ferfore

fat1 parfitly her children loued she 690

He wold haue wende fat1 of some sotilte And of malice or cruel corage That1 she had suffred Jjis with sad visage 693

(92)

Wut1 he knewe fat1 next1 hyra self certayn 694

She loued her children best1 in euery wise But1 nowe of wowmen wold? I aske fayn }if fise assaies my^t1 not1 suffise 697

what1 cowde a stordy husbond? [more] devise To preue her wifhode and her stedfastnesse And be contynuyng1 in stordy nesse 700

(93)

But1 fer ben folk of such condicion 701

Jpat1 whan J>ei han a certeyn pwrpoos take

]5ey con not1 stinte of her entencion

But1 as J?ei were bounden to a stake 704

Jjei wil not1 of jjat1 pwrpoos sclake

Ei3f so ]?is marquis haj? fully purposed

To tempten his wif as he was first1 disposed 707

(94)

He waitejj if by woordes or countenance 708

3 if she to hym was chaunged of corage But1 neuere coude he fynde variance

She was euere in hert1 & in visage 711

And euer J?e ferfer fat1 he was in age J?e more trewer if it1 were possible She was to hym in loue and more penyble 714

PETWORTH 357 (6-T. 42o)

SIX-TEXT 426

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

For wliicli it1 seme]? Ipus fat1 of hew twoo 715

Ther was but1 oon wiH for as waiter lust1

The same lust1 was her plesaunce also Deaf 170, back]

And god be fonked al felle for fe best1 718

She shewed wel for no worldly vnrest1

A wif as of her self no f inge shuld?

Willen in effecte but1 as her husbond* wold? 721

(96)

The sclaundere of waltere oft1 wide sprad 722

That1 a cruel hert1 wickedly ffor he a poor womman wedded had .

Ha]? morfered bof his children priuely 725

which murmwr was amonge heme comonly No wonder was for to f e puples eere fer come no worde but1 fat1 J>ei mwfered were 728

(97)

For swich as of his puple ferbifore 729

had loued hyra wel desclaundred of his name Made hem fat1 f ei hated hyra therfore To bene a murdrere is an hatful name 732

But4 naf elees for ernest1 ne for game He of his cruelte wold, not1 stynte To tempte his wif was al his entente 735

(98)

Whan fis dou^tere xij $ere was of age 736

he to f e courte of Eome in sotile wise Enformed of his wille sent1 his massage Comaunding1 hem such billes to devise 739

As to his cruel pwrpoos may suffise howe jjat1 f e pope for his puples rest1 Bad hym wedde anof er wif if fat1 hy?M lest1 742

(99)

I sey he bad fat1 fei shuld! counte?-fete 743

f e popes billes making1 mencion Jjat1 he haf leue his first1 wif to lete As by fe popes dispensacion 746

PETWORTH 358 (6-T. 426)

SIX-TEXT 427

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

To stinte rancoure and dissencion

Bitwix J?e puple and hyra Jms speke ])e bulle

The which ])ei han publissshed at< J>e fulle (leaf 171] 749

(100)

The rude puple as no wonder is 750

Wende ful wel it1 had be ri^t1 soo But1 pise tydyngges coramen to griseld! is I deme pat1 her hert1 was ful woo 753

But1 she was ylike sad euermoo Disposed was pis humble creative/ j)e aduersite of fortune al to endure 756

(101)

Abydinge euer his lust* and his plesance 757

To whom she was ^euene hert1 and aH

As to her worldely suffisaunce

ffor certeynly for his story telle I shaH 760

This Marquis ywriten ha]) in speciaH

A lettre in which he shewejj his entent*

And sikerly he it1 to boloyne sent1 763

(102)

To J?e Erie of Pavie which \>ai he had so , 764

wedded his sustere he preide specialy To bringen him a^ein his children two In honurable estaatf al openly 767

Bot1 of on jjing1 he hym preide al vtterly That1 he to [no] wi^fr Jjough men wold* enquere Shuld not1 telle whoos children jjei were 770

(103)

But1 seide J)af J>e mayde shuld? wedded be 771

;Vnto J?e Marquis of Saluce anofi :And as J?e erle was preide so did he

'ifor at1 a day Isette he on his way is gon 774

Toward? Saluse and lordes mony on In riche aray Jns maide forto gyde Hir1 yonge broker ^dyng^ by hir* side 777

PETWORTH 359 (6-T. 427)

SIX-TEXT 428

GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Araied was towardes jns mariage 778

This mayde fressh ful of gemmys clere

Hir* broker that1 vij. }ere was of age.

Araied eke was fresshly on his manere [leaf 171, back] 781

And in grete noblesse and glad chere

Toward Saluce shapinge her iowrnay

ffrom day to day J>ei riden for]) her way 784

[THE FIFTH PART.]

Amonge al Jus aftere his wikked vsage 785

This Marquys $if his wif to tempten more

To ]?e vttrestt preef of his corage

ffully to haue experience and lore 788

$if J>att she were as stedfasf as bifore

he on a day in open audience

wel boistously ha]? seide hir1 Jris sentence 791

CErtes Griseldf I had ynowe plesaunce 792

To han 3011 to my wif for }oure goodnesse

And for $oure treuth and ^our obeysaunce

Nou^t1 for ^oure lynage ne for ^oure ricchesse 795

Buf it1 is now knowen in verray sojmesse

J>af in grete lordship if I wil avise

Ther is grete souereynte in sondry wise 798

I may not1 done as euery plowe man may 799

My puple me constreynen forto take

A nojjer wiff and crien day by day

And eke Jje pope rancour forto sclake 802

Consentej? it1 j>af dar I vndertake

And trewly Jms mocfr wil I 3011 say

My newe wif is commyng1 by ]>e way 805

Be stronge of herfr and voide anon her* place 806

And Jjilk1 dowary jjat1 ^e brou^t1 to me Take it* a3ein I g?mmte it1 of my grace

PETWORTH 360 (6-T. 428)

SIX-TEXT 429

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petwortk MS.

Retowrne]) to ^oure faders hous qiiodl he 809

No man may alway haue prosperite

wij) euene herf I rede ^ou to endure

J>e stroke of fortune or of auenture 812

(109)

And she a^ein answerde in pacience [leaf 1721 813

My lord quod she I wote and wist1 alway howe J>af 1 swore $ou magnificence

And my pouerf no man can ne may 816

Maken noon comparison it1 is no nay -;

I helde me neuere digne in no manere To be 3oure wif ne 3if your chambrere . j v 819

(110)

And in J>is hous \er 30 me lady made 820

]>e high god take I for my witnesse So wisly as he my soule glade

I helde me neifer lady ne maistresse 823

But1 humble senuwmte to joure wor})inesse And euere shal while my lif may endure 4.

Abouen euery worpi creature 826

an)

That1 36 so longe of 30^7* benygnite 827

haue holde me in honure and in nobleye - .

where I was not1 worjji forto be

jjat1 Jjonk1 1 god and 3ou [to] whom I prey 830

ffor-^eelde it1 3ou \er nys no more to sey p-

Vnto my fadere gladly wil I wende

And wi]> hym dwelle to my lyves ende 833

(112)

Ther as I was fostred a child ful small 834

Til I be dede my liff [J>er] wil I lede A widowe clene in hert1 body and aU ffor sijjen I ^af to 3ou my maydenhede 837

And am 3oure trewe wif if is no drede God shild? such a lordes wif to take Anojjer man to husbonde or to make 840

25 PETWORTH 361 (6-T. 429)

SIX-TEXT 430

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And of 30111° newe wif god of his grace 841

So graunte 3011 welpe and prosperite

ffor I wil gladly ^eeld? hir* my place

In which I was blisful wont1 to be 844

ffor Sipen it1 like]? 3011 my lord! quod she [leaf 172, back]

That* whilom weren al my hertes rest1

That1 1 shal goon I wil goon whan 3011 lest1 847

(114)

But1 per 30 me profre such dowarie 848

As I furst1 bro^t1 it1 is wel in my mynde It1 were my wrecched elopes no ping1 faire pe which to me nowe were ful hard' to fynde 851

How god howe gentile and how kinde 3e semed by 3oure spech and 3our) visage pe day pat1 maked was oure mariage 854

(115)

But1 sop is seide algate I finde it1 trewe 855

ffor in effecte is proued nowe on me Loue is not1 olde as whan it1 is newe

ffor certes lord' for non aduersite 858

To dyen in pis cas it1 shal not be That1 in worde or werk1 1 shal repent1 pat1 1 3ou 3aue myn hert in good entent1 861

(116)

My lorde 30 wote pat1 in my faders place 862

3e diden me stripen out1 of my poor wede And richely 36 cladden me of 3oure grace To 3011 brou^t1 1 not1 ellis out1 of drede 865

But1 fait1 nakednesse and maidenhede But1 here a3ein 3oure eloping1 1 restore And eke my weddyng1 ringe for euermore 868

(117)

The remenawnte of ^our Iwels redy be 869

wip in 30^ chambre dare I it seyuely seye Naked out1 of my faders hous quod she I come/ and naked I mote twrne ageyne 872

PETWORTH 362 (6-T. 430)

SIX-TEXT 431

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Al ^oure plesaunce wil I folowe feyne But1 if I hope it1 be not1 ^oure entente fat1 1 smoklees out1 of $oure paleis went1 875

(118)

3e cowde not1 do so dishonest1 a finge 876

That1 ilk wombe in which our children lay [leaf 1733

Shuld byfore f e puple in my walkinge Be seyn al bare wherfor I $ou pray 879

lat1 me not1 like a worm gon by f e way Rernenibre ^ou myn / owne lorde so dere I was ^oure wif f ou$e I vnworf i were 882

(119)

Wherfore in guerdon of my maidenhede 883

Which" fat1 1 wro^f and not1 a3ein bere As vouchef sauf to 3eue me to my mede But1 such a smokke as I was wont1 to were 886

fat1 1 f erwif may hille f e wombe of here fat1 was ^oure wif and here I take my leue Of $owe myn owne lord lest1 1 $ou greue 889

(120)

The smbk1 quod he pat1 J?ou hast1 on jji bale1 890

Lat1 it1 be stille and bere it1 forjj wif fe But1 wel vnnej? fat1 word he spak1

But1 went1 his way for reuthe and pite 893

Byfore f e folk1 hure self stripef she And in her smok1 wif hede and fete al bare Toward? her fadres hous forf is she fare 896

(121)

The folk1 folowed weping1 in hir* way 897

And fortune euere f ei cursed as f ei gon But1 she from weping1 kept1 her eyen day Ne in fis tyme word spak1 she non 900

Her fader fat1 here of herd anon Cursed f e day and tyme fat nature Shope him to be a lyues creature 903

PETWORTH 363 (6-T. 43l)

SIX-TEXT 432

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

For out* of doute f is olde poor man 904

was euer1 suspecte of her mariage

ffor euer lie demed si]>en it bygan

ftat1 whan jje lord yfylled had his corage 907

hyra wold Jjenk1 if was a desparage

To his astate so lowe to a li^t1 Deaf 173, back]

And voiden hir* as sone as euere he myjti 910

(123)

Ajeinst his do^tere hastely go]? he 911

ffor he by ]>e noys of folk1 knewe her cowmyng1 And wij? her olde cote as it my^t be He keuerej) hir* ful sorowfully wepinge 914

But1 on hur1 body my}^ he it1 not bringe ffor rude was J?e cloj> and more of age By dayes fele fan hur' inariage 917

(124)

Thus vriih her fadere for a certeyii space 918

dwellej) Jris floure of wively pacience That1 neuer by her wordes ne be her face Bifore J?e folk1 ne in her absence 921

Ne shewed she pat1 to hiij was don offence Ne of hie astate in remenlbra^mce Ne had she as by her cowntenawnce 924

(125)

No wonder is for in [her] grete estate 925

Her goost1 was euere in pleyn hurailite No tender moujje ne hertt delicate

Ne pompe ne semblanf of Eialte 928

But1 ful of pacience and benygnite Discrete and pruydeles and euere honurable And to her husbonde euere meke and stable 931

(126)

Men speke of lob and most1 of his humblesse 932

As clerkes whan hem lust1 can wel endite Namely of men but1 in sojjfastnesse

clerkes preise wommen but1 a lite 935

PETWORTH 364 (6-T. 432)

SIX-TEXT 433

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Jjer can no man in humblesse hew aquite

As vrommeiL can ne ben half so trewe

As woramen bene but1 it be fallen newe 938

[THE SIXTH PART.}

Fro babyloyne is Jjis Erie of Pa vie come 939

Of whieh J?e word spronge to more and lesse

And to ]?e pules eeres al and somwe

was cou])e eke a newe Marquyssesse [leaf 174] 942

He wij) hym bro^t1 in pompe and sucfi ricchesse

jjaf was neuere sey wij? mannys eye

So noble aray in Westlombardye 945

The Marquis Jjat1 Shope an knewe al J)is 946

Er J>atf J>is erle was commen sent1 his massage

flbr cely poor1 Gryseldys

And she with humble hert1 and glad visage 949

Nou^fr wij? swollen hert1 in her corage

Come at1 his heest1 and on here knees her sette

And reuerently and wisely she hym grette 952

Griseld? quod he my will is vtterly 953

Jjis maide fat1 shal wedded be vnto me

Resceyued be to morowe as Really

As if is possible in my hous to be 956

And eke J>af euery wi^fr in his degre

Haue his estate in sittyng* and smiise

And also plesaunce as 30 can best1 deuyse 959

I haue no womman suffisanfr certayn 960

J?e Chambres to aray in ordynazmce

After my lusf and J>erfor wil I fayfi

Jjat1 Jjine were al such" gouerncmnce 963

))ou knowest1 eke of olde al my plesawnce

fou^e Jjine aray be bad and euel ysey

Do J?ou ]?i deuoyre at1 ]?e lest wey 966

PETWORTH 365 (6-T. 433)

SIX-TEXT 434

GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

lord fat1 I am glad qwod? she 967

To do 3oure lust1 but1 1 desire also 3qure forto plese and seme in my degre W^t^ouf fayntise and shal euermoo 970

Ne neuer for no wele ne for no woo ]STe shal f e goost1 w^in my hert1 stynt1 To loue 3ou best1 with al my trewe entent1 973

(132)

And wif fat1 word she gan fe hous to di^t1 [leaf 174, back] And tables to sette and beddys to make And peyned hure to doo al fat1 she myjt1 Preying1 f e chambreres for goddis sake 977

To hasten hem and fast1 swope and shake And she )>e most1 seruisable at all HaJ) euery ychambre araied and his halle 980

(133)

Aboute vndern gan fis Erie a^t1 981

That1 wi]? him brou^t1 f ise noble childre tweie ffor which Jje puple ranne to se fat si^f And hure araye so richely beseye 984

And fan at1 arst amonges hem f ei gon seye That1 waiter was no foole fough hym lest1 To chaunge his wiff for it1 was for J> e best1 987

(134)

For she is fairrer* as fei demen alle 988

Than is GriseH and more tender1 of age And fairrer fruyte bytwene hem shuld! falle And more plesaunt1 for hir' hi3e lynage 991

Hir* brofer1 so faire was of his age fat1 hym to seen f e puple had kau^t1 plesaurcce Cofftmendyng1 nowe 36 Marquis gouemawnce 994

(135)

0 sterne puple vnsad and [vn]trewe 995

Euere vndiscrete and chaungyng1 as a fane Delitinge euere in Rumowr fat1 is newe ffor like f e mone euere wexe 36 and wane 998

PETWORTH 366 (6-T. 434)

SIX-TEXT 435

GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS,

Euere fill of clapping1 dere ynowe a lane

^our1 dome is fals $our Constance euel preuef

A wel grete fool is he fat1 on 3011 leuef 1001

(136)

Thus seiden sadde folk in fat1 Cite 1002

Whan fat1 f e puple gased vp and down ffor f ei were glad ri^t1 for f e nouelte

To make a newe lady of her town 1005

ISTo more of f is make I menciown Peaf 175]

But* to griseld* a^ein wil I me dresse And telle her Constance and her bysynesse 1008

(137)

Wel bysy was gryseld in euery thingte 1009

fat1 to f e feest1 was pertinent1 Ri^t1 naught1 was she abasshed of her clof inge fou^e fei were Rude and eke somdel to-rent1 1012

But1 wi]> glad chere to J?e gate is went1 wijj ofer folk to greten fe Marquissesse And after doj? she forf her bysynesse 1015

(138)

WiJ> ful glad chere fe gestes she receyuej) 1016

And Boxomly euerich in his degre That1 no man defawte J?er perceyuef

But1 euere fei wondren what1 she my^t be 1019

That1 in so poor aray was forto se And cowde such" honure & reuerence And worfely fei preisen her prudence 1022

(139)

In al J?is mefne] while she ne stynte 1023

This maiden and eke her broker to commend' WiJ> al her hert1 and benigne entente 80 wel fat1 no man koude her prise amende 1026

But1 at1 fe last1 whan at1 fise lordes wende To sitten a doz«n he gan to calle Griselct as she was bysy in fe halle 1029

PETWORTH 367 (6-T. 435)

SIX-TEXT 436

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS

Griseld1 quod he as it1 were in play 1030

How likef J>e my wif1 in her bewte

Ri^fr wel quod she my lorde for in good fay

A fairrer5 sawe I neuere non quod she 1033

I prey to god so 3eue $ou prosperite

And so hope I he wil to $ou sende

Plesaunce ynou3e to ^oure lyues ende 1036

(141)

Sut1 oon Jjing1 1 biseche and warne also./ 1037

Jjat1 36 prik1 wij) no tornientynge 0«af 175, baekj

])is tendere mayden as 36 han don moo ffor she is fostred in her norshynge 1040

fful tenderly in her 3ong1 pleyynge She coude not1 aduersite endure As coude a poor fostred creature 1043

(142)

And whan J>is Walter* segh her pacience 1044

her glad chere and no malice at1 all And he so oft1 haj? done hiij offence

And she euer constant1 and sad as a waH 1047

Contynuyng1 euer her innocence oue?'aH This stordy marquis gan his herte dresse To Rwe vpon hur* wifly stidfastnesse * 1050

(143)

This is ynou3e Griseld? myn quod, he 1051

Be no more agast* ne euel apayde I haue Jn feij) and ])i benignyte

As wel as euer womman was asaied 1054

In gr[e]te astate and poorly araied Now knowe I dere wiff ]?i stedfastnesse And hure in armes toke and gan to kesse 1057

(144)

And she for wonder toke Jjerof no kepe 1058

She herd not1 what1 fing1 pat1 he seide She ferde as she had stert1 out1 of her sclepe Til she out1 of J)e maisednesse abreide 1061

PETWORTH 368 (6-T. 436)

SIX-TEXT 437

GROUP E, § 2. CLEKK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Griseld? quod he by god Jjat1 for vs deyde

jjou art1 my wif and noon o]>er I haue

Ne neuere had as god my soule saue 1064

(145)

This is Jri doubter which Jjou hast supposed 1065

To bene my wif and noon o]>er feijjfully shal bene myn heir1 as I haue euere disposed Thowe here hem in Jri body trewly 1068

At boylen haue I kepte hem sikerly

Take hem a^ein for jjou my^t1 not1 seyn Qeaf 176]

J>atf JJQW hast lorn eny of Jri children tweyn) 1071

(146)

And folk J?af ojjerwise han seide of me 1072

I warne hem wel pat1 I haue done Jris dede ffor no malice ne for no cruelte

But1 forto assay Jri wommanhede 1075

And not1 forto scle my children god forbede But1 forto kepen hem prively and stille Til I Jri pwrpoos knewe and al Jri wille 1078

(147)

And whan she Jris herd adown in swowe she fallej) 1079 ffor pitous ioying1 and after hire swowinge She boj) her yonge children to hure callej) And in hure armes pitously wepinge 1082

Enbrased boj> tenderly kissynge "Wel like a modere wij> her salt1 teeresl She bajjed bojj her visage and her heeres 1085

(148)

0 such a pitous Jringe it1 was to see 1086

Her sownyng1 and her pitous vois to here/ Gramercy my lord god y thenk ^ou quod she J>af }e han saued me my children dere^ 1089

Now rech I neuere to be dede ri^t1 here SiJ) I stonde in 30^ loue and in ^our1 grace JS"o force of dej) ne whan my spirit pace 1092

PETWORTH 369 (6-T. 437)

SIX-TEXT 438

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS,

A tender5 o dere .0. ^enge children myn) 1093

3oure wooful modere wende stedfastly

Jpat1 cruel houndes or some vermyn)

Had eten 3011 but1 god of his mercy 1096

And 3oure benigne fader1 tenderly

HaJ) done ^ou kepte and J>af same stounde

Al sodeynly she swapte down to }?e grounde 1099

(150)

And hin her swowne so sadly holdej) she 1100

her children two whan she gan hem brace That1 wij) grete scleight1 and difficulte [leaf 176, back]

The children from her armes gan J)ei to rase 1103

0 mony a tere .0 mony a pitous face Doun ranne of hem J?att stoden hyr beside VnneJ) aboute hur5 nr^t1 j?ei abide 1106

(151)

Walter hir1 vptakej) and her5 sorowe glade]) 1107

She arise]) vp al abasshed from her trance And euery wi3tf hir* loye and feesfr make]) To she haue ka^f a3ein her countenance 1110

"Walter her do]) so feiffully plesaunce fat1 it1 was deynte for to se fe chere Bitwixe hem two nowe ])ei bene mette in fere 1113

(152)

Thise ladys whan J)ei her tyme say 1114

han taken huf and into chambre gone And stripen hir* out1 of her rude aray And in a clofe of gold' pat1 brighte shone 1117

wi]) a crowne of mony a riche stone vpon hur5 hede ]>ei hir5 into halle brou3t1 And J)er she was honoured as she o^t1 1120

(153)

Thus ha]) pis pitous day a blisful ende 1121

ffor euery man and wommaii do]) his m^t1 This day in myrfe and reuel to dispendei Til on ]>e welken shoon ])e sterres bri^t1 1124

PETWORTH 370 (6-T. 438)

SIX-TEXT 439

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffor more solempne in euery mannys This fesf was and gretter of costage J}an was J?e reuel of pe mariage 1127

(154)

fful mony a 3eer in high prosperite 1128

lyuen ])ise two in concord? and in rest1 And richely his doubter' maried he

Vnto a lord on of J>e wor]>iesf 1131

Of aH ytaile and fan in pees and rest1 His wifes fader* in his courte he kepe)> Til J>af his soule out* of1 his body crepeth" [leaf 177] 1134

(155)

His sone entrej) into his heritage 1135

In rest1 and pees aftere his faders day And fortunate was eke in mariage

Al putte he not1 his wif in assay 1138

This world* is not1 [so] stronge it1 is no nay As it1 hajj bene in olde tymes ^ore And harkenej) what1 J)e auctowr seij> ]?erfore 1141

(156)

J)is storie is seide not1 Jjat1 wives shuld! 1142

ffolowe Gryseld as in hurailite ffor if were importable {191136 ]?ei wold! But1 J>af euery wi3f in his degre 1 1 45

Shulde be constant in aduersite . This storie which he wij) high stile endite]> Wij) pacience Griseld' he qwitej) 1148

(157)

ffor sirens a womman was sa pacienf 1149

Vnto a mortaH man moch more we ou^f Besceyue alle in gree faf god vs senf ffor grete scelys he preue]? ]?af he bou^f 1152

Mankynde )?e which J?at he wrou^t1 As seij) seinf lame if 30 his pistel rede He preuef folk al day it1 is no drede 1155

PETWORTH 371 (6-T. 439)

SIX-TEXT 440

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And suffrej) vs as for our exercise 1156

Wi]> sharpe shoures of aduersite

"Wei ofte to be leten in sondry wise

Nowe forto knowe vs for certys lie 1159

Er we were born knewe al our freelte

And for our best1 is al our1 gouernemnce

Lat1 vs it1 haue fan in vertuous suffranco 1162

IChaucer's addition to the Tale.]

But* oo witte harkenef lordyngges er 36 goo / 1163

It were ful harde nowe adayes

In al a toune fynde Griseldys fre or two

ffor if J?ei were putte in such assaies 1166

J>e gold1 of hem ha]) nowe so hard? alaies

Wif bras fat1 Jjou^e )>e kynde be faire atte ye

It1 wott rafer brast1 a two fan plye 1169

(160)

[ffor whiche hiere . for the wiles love of1 bath whos lyf1 and al hirs . swete god maynteigne1 In high maistrie . and ellis were it1 skatft orHari. 1758.] I wil with lusty hert1 . fressh and grene 1173

Say now a song1 . to gladde yow I wene And late vs stynt1 . of1 Ernestful matiere Herknyth my song1 . that1 saith in this manere] 1176

P 1-line gap in the MS, after 1. 1171.]

f Le Voy De Chaucere '/ [headline]

(161)

GRiseld^ is dede and eke her pacience Deaf 177, back]

And bof at1 onys yburied in Ytalie

ffor which I cry in open audience 1179

No wedded man be hardy to assaile His wyves pacience in trust to fynde Griseldes for in certeyn he shal faile 1182

PETWORTH 372 (6-T. 440)

SIX-TEXT 441

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

0 noble wyues fill of hegh prudence

lat1 none hurailite ^oure tonge nayle

!Ne lat1 no clerk1 haue cause ne diligence 1185

To write of ^ou a storie of such me?*vaile

As of griselde pacientf and kynde

lest1 Chychyuache $ou swelowe in hir entraile 1188

Folowef ekko fat1 holdef no silence

But1 euere answeref at1 f e countretale

Be]) not1 bydaffed for our Innocence 1191

But1 sharpely take on ^ou f e gouernaile

Emprintef wel f is lesson in ^oure mynde

ffor Comon profit1 sith it1 may availe 1194

NE drede hem no^f doth hem no reuerence 1201

ffor jjou^e fine husbonde araied be in maile

}>e arowes of J)i crabbed eloquence 1203

Shal perce his brest and eke his aduentale

In lalowsie I rede eke J?ou hyra bynde

And Jjat1 ])ou shalt make hyra couche as do]? a quale 1206

If ]>ou be faire fere folk bene in present1

Shewe J?ou fi visage and fine apparaile

If fowe be fowle be free of fi dispence 1209

To gete fe freendes ay do f i travaile

Be aye of chere as li^f as leef on lynde

And lat1 hyra care and wepe and wryng1 and waile 1212

3e Arche wiffes stondef at1 ^oui0 defence 1195

Sif 30 bene stronge as is a grete camaile

Ne Suffref not1 fat1 man do ^ou offence 1197

And sclendere wyves feble as in bataile

Beth egre as a tygre ^ende in Ynde

Ay Clappef as a my lie I $ou counsaile » 1200

PETWOKTH 373 (6-T. 44l)

- SIX-TEXT 476

GROUP E. §5. MERCHANT'S END-LINK. Petworth MS.

[For the Squire's Prologue of the Petworth MS see the Man-of-Law-Shipman Link.']

IT The prologe of ]>e ffrawnkeleyn). ¥$f^fleaf

ETTTY goddis mercy seide oure boost1 J> oo /

JLJL Alle euel wyues god kepe vs fro 2420

ffor mony sclei^tes and sub[t]ilites Bene in wowmen jjat1 bene euere bisy as bees Vs foly men forto desceyue

ffor from J?e sof euere wil J?ei weive 2424

By mony ensamples if prouej) weH: But1 doutelees as trewe as eny stele I haue a wiff1 J»oiigh she poor be

But* of her tunge a labbyng1 shrew is she 2428

And she ha]> an hepe of vices moo Jjerof no force lat1 al such Jjingges goo But1 wete 30 what1 in counsaile be it1 saide Me rewef sore Jjat1 1 am to her teide 2432

ffor and I shuld rekne eue[r]y vice Which fat1 she hajj ywis I were not1 wis And cause whi for it1 shuld reported be And tolde to hure of somrae of Jns mayne 2436

Of whom it1 nedejj not1 tp declare £>ij> wommen kon out1 such chaffare And eke my witte suffisej) not ferto To telle alle perfore my tale is doo 2440

[No break in the MS.]

PETWORTH 374 (6-T. 476)

GKOUP F. FEAGMENT VII.

§ 1, THE SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK. PETWORTH MS.

Sir* ffrannkeleyne come ner1 if if jour wille be ion leaf mi

And say vs a tale for sertys 30

Can feron as mocfi as eny man

Nay sir1 quod lie I wil say as I can 4

Witfi. hertely wille for I nyl be rebelle

A^einsf ^oure wille . a tale nowe wil I telle

HAue me excused $if I sey amys .

My wille is good and loo my tale is J)is •/ 8

V Here ende}) fe prologe of fe ffrawnkeleyn

PETWOETH 375 (6-T. 478)

SIX-TEXT 500

GROUP F. § 4» FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And here bygynnej? j>e ftra^nkeleyns tale [THE PROEM.]

Thise olde gentile bretoynes in her1 daies Of dyuers auentures niaden laies Rymeden in her furst1 bretoyne tonge Which" layes wij> her instrumentes J>ei songe 712

Oiper ellis radden hem for her plesance [leaf r/s, back]

And oon of hem haue I in remembrance Which I shal seie wijj as good wille as I can/ But1 sirs by cause pat1 I am but1 a buritt man 716

At1 my bygynnynge furst1 I }ou biseche Haue me excused of my rwde speche I lered neuere rethorike certeyne

jjinge fat1 1 speke if mot1 be bare and pleyne 720

I slepte neuere on Jje mounte of parnaso Ne I neuer lered . Marchus Tullius ne Cithero Colours of rethorike knewe I none w^tA-out1 dredo But1 such coloures as growen in ]?e mede 724

Or ellis such as men dye or peyntt Colours of rethorike bene to me queynfr Mi spirit1 felejj not1 of such matiere

But1 if $ou lust1 my tale shul 36 here 728

[No break in the MS.]

[THE TALE.]

Ther was a knyght1 pat1 loued and did his peyne 730 In armorike pat1 cleped is breteyne 729

To seruen a lady in his best1 wise

And mony a laboure & mony a grete emprise 732

PETWOETH 376 (6-T. 600)

SIX-TEXT 501

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

He for his lady wroi^f er she were wo?2iie

fibr she was oon J>e fairest1 vndere sonne

And eke J>erto come of so high kynrede

pat1 wel vnnepes durst1 Jns knyghtt for drede 736

Telle hure his woo his pejme and his distresse

But1 at1 ]?e last1 she for his worjnnesse

And namely for his meke obeysance

Haj? suche a pite kau^t1 of his pencmnce 740

That1 prively she felle of his acorde

To take hym for hure husbond? and her lord?

Of suche lordship as men hail ouer her wyves

And forto lede J?e more in blisse her lyves 744

Of his fre wille he swore hure as a

Jjat1 neuere in his wille by day ne

Ne shuld? vpon hym take no maistrie

A3einst1 her wille ne kith hure Jalousie 748

But1 hure obeye and folowe her wille in alt rieaf 179]

As eny louyere to his lady shaU

Saue pat1 J?e name of souereynte

That1 wolde he han for shame of his degre 752

She poiikej) hym and wij) ful grete humblesse

She seide sir1 sij) of 3oure gentylnesse

^e profre me to han as large a reyne

!N~e wolde neuere god betwix vs tweyne 756

As in my gilt1 were eij?er werre or striff*

Sir1 I wil be ^oure owne humble & trewe wiff1

Haue here my troujje til Jjat1 my hert1 brest1

Thus bene ]?ei bo)> in quiete and in rest* 760

ffor oon J)inge sires saufly dar I seie

That1 frendes euerich ofer most1 obeie

}if ]?ei wil longe holde companye

loue wil not1 bene constreyned be maistrye 764

whan maistrie comme]) ]?e god of loue anon

BeteJ) on his wengges and fare-wele he is gon.

loue is a jnnge as eny spirite free

Wommen of kynde desiren liberte 768

26 PETWORTH 377 (6-T. 50l)

SIX-TEXT 502

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And noujt1 to be constreyned as a J?raH

And so done men }if I j>e soj>e seie shaft

Loke who J>af is most1 pacient1 in loue

He is at1 his avauntage aboue 772

Pacience is an hie vertue certeyn

ffor it1 venquysshejj as clerkes seyne

Thingges J)afr rigoure shulde neuere ateyne

ffor euery worde men may not1 chide ne pleyne 776

Lerne]) to suffre or ellis so mote I gon

^e Shul it1 lerne wheder* $e wil or non

ffor in J)is world certeyne no wi$fr nys

Jjat1 he ne do)) or seij> some tyme amys 780

Or ojjer1 siknesse oijjer constellacion

Wyne . woo . or chaunchynge of complexion

Cause]? ful oft1 to do amys eijfer* speken

On euery wronge men may no# be a-wreken 784

Aftere )>e tyme most1 be temperawnce [leaf 179, back]

To euery wi^t1 j)at* can no gouernamiee

And ])erfore ha]) ]>is wor])i wise kny^te

To lyue in ease suffrance hure bihi^te 788

And she to hym ful wisely gan to swere

j?af neuere shuld fer be defaute in here

Here may men seen an humble wif acord?

Thus ha]) she take her serucmnte and her lorcJ 792

Seruawnte nyl on and lord in mariage

J?an was he bo]) in lordship and seruage

Seruage nay but1 in lordschip alloue

Syrens he ha]) boj) his lady and his loue 796

His lady certys and his wiff also

The which Jjat1 lawe of loue accorde]) J)e/-to

And whan he was in Jns prospmte

Home wi]) his wiff he go]) to his cuntre 800

Not1 fer fro Pedmarke J)er as his dwelling1 was

Where as he lyuej) in blisse and in solas

Who couthe telle but1 he had wedded be

The loie ])e ease and fe prospe?*ite 804

PETWORTH 378 (6-T. 602)

SIX-TEXT 503

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

That is bitwix an husboncJ and his wiff

-A ^ere and more lasted ]>is blisful lif1 .

Til fat1 f is kny^t1 of whicii I spake of Jms

That1 of kynrede was cleped Arueragus 808

Shope hym to goon and dwelle a ^ere or tweyn)

In engelcnd? fat1 cleped was breteyn) ./

To seche in armes worship and eke honowr

ffor alt hit lust1 he sette in such labour 812

And dwelle]) fere f e boke seif Jms

Now wil I stint1 of f is Arueragus

And speken I wil of dorygen his wiff1

That1 louef her husbonde as his he/'tes lif* 816

And for his absence wepef she and sikef e

As done f ise noble wyues whan hem like]) .

She mourne]) . wake]) . wailef . fastef & playnef

Desire of his presence hure so destreyne]) 820

That1 ati ])is wide world? she sette at1 nou^t1 [leaf iso]

Her frendes which fat1 knewe her hevy f ou^t1

In al fat1 euere f ei my^f or may

fei prechen hui-* fei tellen hur1 ny^t and day 824

fat1 causelees she sleef her self alas

And euery comfort1 possible in f is cas

They doon to hure wij> al her bysynesse

And al forto make hure late her heuynesse 828

By processe as ^e knowe wel euerechon

Men may so longe grauen in fe ston

Til some figure fer-Inne emprinted be

So longe han fei conforted hure fat1 she 832

Resceyued haf by hope and by reson

The emprintyng1 of hure co^stellacion

Thorgh which here grete sorowe gan aswage

She may not alway endure in such a rage 836

And eke arueragus in al f is care

Haf sent1 her le^res home in al f is fare

And fat1 he wold' come hastely a^eiii

Oyfer ellis had fis sorowe hure hert1 sclayn 840

PETWORTH 379 (6-T. 503)

SIX-TEXT 504

.GROUP F, § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

Her frendes segfr hure hert1 gan to sclake

And preiden hure 011 knees for goddys sake

To come and to Rome hure. in companye

Away to dryve hure derk fantasie 844

And fynaly she graunted fat1 request1

ffor wel she seghe it1 was for f e best*

^Nowe stoode hure castel fast1 by f e see

And oft wif hure frendes walked she 848

Hire to disporte on f e See bank1 on hegh"

Where as she mony shippe and barge segn"

Seilynge her cours where hem lust1 to goo

But1 ^ifr was f er a parcelle of her woo . 852

ffor to hure self ful ofte seide she

Is f er no shippe of so mony as I see

wil bringe home my lord? f aw Avoid* my herte

Al warisshe of f ise bittere peynes smerte . 856

A-nof er tyme f er wil she sitte and f enke [leaf iso, back]

And cast1 her yen downward' fro f e brinke

But1 whan she segh f e grissly rokkes blake

Ifor verrey fere wold hure hert1 quake 860

fat1 on her fete she rny^t1 not1 hure sustene

fan wold she sitte doune on f e grene

And pitously into f e see she wolde biholde

And seyn ri^t1 fus with soroweful hert1 cold4 864

Eterne god fat1 f ourgh" f i pwrueaunce

Ledest1 f e worlde by certeyn gouernawnce

In ydelnesse as men sayne ye no f inge make

But1 lorde f ise grisly feendly rokkes blake 868

That1 semen raf er a foule confusion

Of werk1 fan eny faire creacion

Of which a parfit1 god and a stable

why han 36 wrou^t1 f is werk vnresonable 872

ffor by f is werk1 souf e . norf . eest1 & west1

Ther nis yfostred man ne bridde ne beest1

It1 dof no good to my witte but1 anoyef

Se 36 not1 lorde how man-kynde it1 destroief 876

PETWORTH 380 (6-T. 604)

SIX-TEXT 505

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

An C. thousand bodies of man-kynde

Han rokkes sclayn al be fei nou^t in mynde

"Which mankynde is so faire part1 of fi werke

Jjat1 ]>ow it maidest1 like to June honde werke 880

fan semed it1 36 had a grete cheerte

Toward4 mankynde but1 how fan may if be

fat1 30 suche menes make it1 to destroien ./

Which menes done no good but1 euer anoyen 884

I wote wel clerkys wollen seyn as he??i lest1

By argument1 fat1 al f ing1 is for f e best1

f ough I ne can f e causesse forsof knowe

But1 f ilk god fat1 made wynde to blowe 888

As kepe my lorde f is is my conclusion

To clerkes lete I al disputacion

But1 wolde god fat1 aH f e rokkes blake

Were sonken into helle for his sake 892

Thise rokkes scleen myn hert1 for fere [leaf isi]

Thus wold! she sayn wif mony a pitous tere

Hire frendes segh fat1 [it] was no disport1

To Romen by fe see but1 discomfort1 896

And shopen for to pleyeii somwher ellis

They leden hure by ryuers and by wellys

And eke in of er places delitables

Thei daunsen and pley atte chesse and tables 900

So on a day ri^t1 on f e morowe tyde

Vnto a gardyne fat1 was J?er beside

In whiche fat1 ]>ei had made her ordinance

Of vitaille and of o]?ere purueaunce 904

They goon and pleien hem al J?e longe day

And fis was on ]?e sext1 morowe of may

Which may had peinted wi]> his softe shoures

This gardeyn ful of leues and of flourcs 908

And wij) craft1 of mawnys honde so curiously

Araied had fis gardyne traily

That1 neuere nas fer gardyne of such pn'se

But1 }if it1 were Jje verrey paradyse 912

PETWORTH 381 (6-T. 505)

SIX-TEXT 506

GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

The odour of floures and J?e fresshe

Wold haue made eny pensif hert1 li^t1

That1 euere was born but1 if to grete siknesse

Oijjer to grete sorowe helde it1 in distresse 916

And aftere dynere gan Jjei to daunce 918

So ful it1 was of bewte wij? plesawnce 917

And syngen also but1 dirigen song1 allone

And made alway her compleinte and her mone 920

fibr she ne segh him in J?e daunce goo

Jjat1 was her husbonde and her loue also

But1 najjelees she most1 a tyme abide

And wij> good hope lete she her sorowe glide 924

IF Vpon Jjis daunce amouges ojjer men

Daunsed a squier1 afore Dorigen

Jpat1 fressher* was and lolier of araye

As to my dome J?an is J?e monjje of may 928

He syngej? and dounsej? passinge eny man [leaf isi, back]

)paf is or was sijjens )>is world^ bygan

)?er-wijj he was if men shuld hyra discrive

On J>e best1 faring1 man alyue 932

3ong1 . strong1 ri^t* vertuous riche and wis

And wel byloued and holden in grete pris

And shortely if J?e so]? tellen I shal

Vnwittyng1 of J?is Dorigen at1 all 936

This lusty squyere seruawnte to Venus

Which fat1 icleped was aurelius

Had loued hure best1 of eny creature

Two ^ere and more as was his auenture 940

But1 neuere durst1 he telle of his greucmnce

Wijj-out1 cuppe he dronke al his penawnce

He was despeired no fing1 durst1 he saye

Sauf in his sawe somwhat1 wold' he wreye 944

His woo as in generaH compleynyng1

He saide he loued and was byloued no Jnng*

Of suche matere made he mony laies

Songges compleyntes roundelettes virrelaies 948

PETWOllTII 382 (6-T. 606)

SIX-TEXT 507

GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

How fat1 he durst1 not1 his sorowe telle

fat1 languysshef as a fuyre do]? in helle

And deye he seide most I as did Ekko

ffor Narsisus fat1 durst1 not1 telle hure woo 952

In of ere nianere fan 36 here me saye

Ne durst1 he not1 to hure his woo bywrey

Saue perauenture somtyme at1 daunces

fere ^onge men kepen her obseruawnces 956

If may wel be he loked on hure face

In such a wise as man fat1 askef grace

But1 no f inge wiste she of his entent1

Naf eles it1 happed er fei fens went1 960

Bycause fat1 he was hure neighbour

And was a mon of worship and honour

And had yknowe hym oft1 tymes $ore

fei fylle in speche more and more 964

Vnto his pwrpoos drowe aurelius [leaf i82j

And whan he segfr his tyme he saide fus

Madame quod he by god fat1 fis world? made

So fat1 1 wist1 it1 my^t1 ^oure herte glade 968

I wold fat1 day fat1 ^oure arueragus

Went1 to f e see fat1 1 Aurelius

Had went1 fat1 1 shuld neuere come a^ein

fFor wel I wote my seruise is in veyfi 972

My gwerdon is but1 brestyng of myn herte

Madame rewef vpon my peynes smerte

If or as wif a swerde }e may me scle or saue

Here at $oure fote god wolde I were in graue 976

I haue as nowe no leisere forto seie

Haue mercy on me swete or 36 wil do me die

She gan to loke vpon Aurelius

Is fis pure wille qwod she and saye 30 fus 980

Neuer erst1 q^d she ne wist1 1 what1 36 ment1

But1 nowe Aurely I knowe 3oure entent1

By f ilke god fat1 3af me soule and liff

Ne shal I neuere be an vntrewe wiff 984

PETWORTH 383 (6-T. 507)

SIX-TEXT 508

GROUP F, § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

In worde ne werk as fer as I haue witte

I wil bene his to whom pat1 I am knytte

But aftere pat1 in pleyn pus seide she 988

Take pis for fynal answere as for me 987

Aurely quod she by hi^e god aboue

3it* wil I graunte ^ou to be $oure loue

Sippe I see ^ou so pitously compleyne

Loke what1 day fat1 euenlong1 breteyne 992

36 remeue alle pe Rokkes stoon by stoon

fat1 pei lat1 shippe ne bote none

I saye whan 36 han made pise costes so clene

Of Eokkes pat1 per be no stone sene 996

pan wil I loue }ou best1 of eny man

Haue here my troupe in al pat1 euere I can

Is pere noon oper grace quod he

No by pat1 lorde quod she pat made me . 1000

ffor wel I wote pat1 shal neuere betide [leaf 182, back]

Lat1 such foly out1 of ^oure hert1 glide

What1 deyiite shuld? man haue be his lif1

fforto loue anopere mannys wiff1 1004

pat1 hap hure body whan pat1 hyra likep

Aurelius ful ofte sore sikep

Woo was Aurelius whan he pis herde

And wip a sorowful hert1 pus answerde 1008

Madame quod he pis were an impossible

pan mote I deye a sodeyne depe horrible

And wip pat1 worde he turned hyra an5n

Tho come hire oper frendes mony on 1012

And in the aleis romed vp and down

And no ping1 wist1 of pis coiiclusiown

But1 sodeynly bygonne to reuel newe

Til pat1 pe bri^te sonne lost1 his hwe 1016

ffor porisonth hap raft1 pe sonne his li^f

This is as moche to say as it was ny3^

And home pei gone in loie and in solace

Saue only wrecched Aurelius alias 1020

PETWOllTII 384 (6-T. 608)

SIX-TEXT 509

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

lie to his hous is gone wif sorowful herte

lie seif he may not1 from his def asterte

Hym seme]? he felef his hertf colde

Vp to fe heuene his hondys gan he holde 1024

And on his knees bare he sette hy?ft down

And in his raving1 seide f is Orisown

ffor verrey woo out* of his witte he breide

He nysfr not1 what1 he spake but1 Jms he seide 1028

Wif pitous hert1 haf he compleynt1 bygofi

Ynto f e goddesse and first vnto f e sonne

He seide Appollo god and gouernour

Of euery planete . herbe . tree and flour1 1032

Jpat1 ^euest1 aftere f i declinacion

To ech of hem his tyme and his seson

And fine harborowe chaungef lowe and hie

Lord Phebus cast1 fi merciable ye 1036

On wrecched Aurely which fat1 am but1 lorne [leaf iss]

loo lord? my lady haf my def sworne

WiJ>-oute gilt1 but1 j?i benignite

Ypon my dedly herte haue som?7ie pite 1040

But1 wel I wote lorde phebus if ^ou lest1

3e may me helpe to haue my lady best1

Now vouchej? sauf fat1 1 may ^ou devise

How fat1 I may be hulpe and in what1 wise 1044

3oure blisful sustre lucyna f e Shene

Jpat1 of the see is cheef goddes and queue

J^ou^e Neptynus haue deite in f e See

^it1 Emperesse abouen he?7^ is she 1048

3e knowen wel lord' ri^t1 as hure desire

Is to be qwykkened and Ii3tned of jour fire

ffor which she folwef }ou fu[l] bisily

Ei^t1 soo fe See desiref naturelly * 1052

To folowen hure as she fat1 is goddesse

Bof e in f e See and in f e Eyuere more and lesse

Wherfore lorde phebus f is is my requeste

Do fis myracle or do myn herte to-brest1 1056

PETWORTH 385 (6-T. 609)

SIX-TEXT 510

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

That1 nowe next* at1 f is opposition

Whiche in f e signe shal be of f e lyon

As preie hure so grete a floode to brynge

fat* .v. fathme at1 f e leest1 it1 ouere sprynge 10GO

f e hiest1 rokke in harmorike Bretaigne

And lat1 f is flode endure $eres tweyne

Than certis to my lady may I saye

Holdef ^oure heeste fe rokkes ben awaye 1064

Lord Phebus do f is miracle for me

Preie hure she goo no faster cours fan $e

I seie f owe f us preie ^oure sustre fat1 she go .

No fastere cours fan $e fise $eres two 1068

fan shal she be euere at f e ful alway

And springe floode lastef bof ny$t and day

And but1 she vouche-sauf in such manere

To grauiite me my lady souereyn dere 1072

Preie hure to synken euery rokke adozm [leaf iss, back]

Into hure owne derk1 regiown

Vndere f e grounde f er Pluto dwellef Inne

Oifere neuere more shal I my lady wynne 1076

Thi temple in Delphos wil I barefote seke

Lorde Phebus biholde 36 f e teeres of my cheke

And of my peyne haue compassiown

And wif fat1 worde in swoune he fille adown . 1080

And longe tyme he lay in a trawnce

his brof er which fat1 knewe of his pencwnce

Vp kau^t hym and to bed hyra brou^t1

Despeired in his torment1 and his fou^t1 1084

Loo I f is wooful creature lye

May chese whedere to lyve or dye

IT Arueragus wif hool and grete honour

As he [that] was of chyualrie f e floure 1088

Is cowmen home and of er worf i men

0 blisful art1 f ou Doregen

fat1 hast1 fine lusty husbond? in fine armes

fat fresshe knyght1 fat1 worfi man of armes 1092

PETWORTH 386 (6-T. 610)

SIX-TEXT 511

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

fat1 louef f e as his owne hertys lif

]S"o fing< lest1 he to be ymagynatiff'

f ou^e eny wi^t1 had spoke while he was oute

To hure of loue he made f erof no doute 1096

He nou^t1 entendef to no such matere

But1 daunsef . lustef . and make]? good chere

And jms in loye and blisse I lat1 hem dwelle

And Of fe SWete AureliuS 1 wil I telle PJrst.ArnelmaSntheMS.-]

In langour and in furious torment1 Jms

Two ^ere and more lay wrecched aurelius .

Or eny foote on erf e he my^te gon

No comfort1 in f is tyme nad he non 1 104

Sauf of his brof ere which fat was a clerke

he knewe of aH f is woo and al f is werke

ifor to non of er creature certeyn

Of fis matere ne durste he no worde seyn) 1108

Yndere his brest1 he bere it1 more secree Deaf i84j

Than euere did phamphilius for galathe

His brest1 was hoole wij)-outen for to sene

But1 in his herte was ay ]>e arowe kene 1112

And wel to knowe fat1 afore Sanure

In Surgery ful perilous is Jje cure

But1 men my^t1 nof touche ]?e arowe pou^e he come ]?erby

His broker wepej) and weilleth prively 1116

Til at1 J?e last1 hym felle in remembrance

That1 whiles he was at1 orliance in frarice

As 3onge clerkes fat1 bene likerous

To reden artes fat1 bene curious 1120

Seken in euery halke and euery herne

Particulere sciences forto lerne

He him remembrej) vpon a day

At1 Orliaunce in stody a boke he saie 1124

Of magike naturel which his felawe

fat1 was fat1 tyme a bachilere of lawe

Al were he fere to lerne anof er craft1

And priuely vpon his desk? he laft1 1128

PETWORTH 387 (6-T. 51l)

SIX-TEXT 512

GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

This boke whicli speke mochel of op^racions Touchinge f e eight and twenty l mancions fat1 longen to f e mone and sucli foly As in our daies nys naf worf a flye fFor holy churche seif in our bileue Ne suffref noon illusion vs to greue And whan f is booke was in remembraunce Anone for ioy he gan to daunce And to hym self saide praiely My broker shal be warisshed hastely ffor I am siker fat1 f er bene sciences By which men make dyuers apparences whiche as )>ise subtile tregetours pleien ffor oft1 at1 feestes haue I herde seyen That1 tregetours wif-in an halle large Han maden come water1 in a barge . And in the halle rowe vp and doune Somtyme ha]? semed [come] a grete lyown [And somtyme flours spryng as in a mede Somtyme a vyne/ and grapes whyt and reede] Somtyme a castel al of lyme and ston And whan hen liked voide it1 anon Thus semed it1 to euery mawnys Now fan conclude I )ms if fat1 1 At1 Orliaunce some olde felawe finde fat1 had f e moons mancions in mynde Oif er magike naturel aboue He shuld wel make my brofer han his loue ffor wi]) apparens a man may make To mannys si$f fat1 alle fe Eokkes blake Of Bretoyne were ywent1 euerechon

And Jjat1 shippes by J>e brinkes my^f commen and goii 1160 And in such forme enduren a ^ere or twoo fan were my brofer warsshed of his woo fan moste she nedis knowe hure byhesf Or ellis he shal shamen hure at1 fe lest1 1164

PETWORTH 388 (6-T. 612)

MS xxviij]

1132

1136

1140

1144

[leaf 184, back]

[Add. MS 5140, tea/ 190, back]

1148

1152

1156

SIX-TEXT 513

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS,

What1 shuld! I make a lenger tale of fis

Vnto his broker bedde co?ftmen he is

And suche comforte he }aue hym forto gofi

To orliaunce fat1 he vpstert1 anon 1168

And on his way forf ward? is he fare

In hope to bene ylissed of his care

Whan J)ei were come almost4 to fat1 cite

But1 if it1 were a two forlonge or free 1172

A ^onge clerk1 romyng1 by hemself f ei mette

Whiche fat1 in latyn thriftely hym grette

And aftere fat1 he seide a wonder1 f inge

1 knowe quod he fe cause of ^oure commynge 1176

And er f ei former eny foote went1

He tolde hem aH fat1 was in her entent1

fis bretoyne clerke hym asked of ffelawes

fe whiche fat1 he had knowe in olde daies 1180

And he answered hym fat1 f ei dede were

ffor whiche he wept1 ful mony a tere

Doune of1 his hors Aurelius li^tt anon [leaf issi

And forf wif fis Magicien is he gon 1184

Home to his hous and made hem wel at1 eese

Ham lackef no vitaile fat1 hem my^t1 plese

So wel an araied hous as ther was on

Aurelius in his lif ne segh none 1188

He shewed hem ere [f ei] went1 to sopere

fforestis and parkes ful of wilde dere

[Ther sauhe he hertis / with ther hornys hihe L^ySf140'

The grettest / that evir wer seyne with eye 1192

He sauhe of hem an hundred / slayne wyth houndes

And som with arwes / bleede of bytter wowndes

He sauhe whanne wyde were the wylde deer

The fauconers vpon) a fayr ryver] 1196

And howe facouns han f e herowne sclayn

fat1 segli he knyghtes iusten in a playn *

And aftere fis he did hym such plesawnce

fat1 he hym shewed his lady in a daunce 1200

PETWORTH 389 (6-T. 613)

SIX-TEXT 514

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

On which" him self daunsed as hym

And whan pis maistere )>af pis magike wrou^f

Segh if was tyme and clapped his hondys twoo

A fare wele al cure reuel is ydoo 1204

But* 3if remeue pei neuere out1 of pis hous

whiles pei seghe al pis sifl merveilous

But1 in his stody pere as his bokes be

pei sitten stille and no wi3f but* pei pre 1208

To him pis maastere called pan a sqwiere

And seide him pus is it* redy oure sopere

Almost1 an houre if is I vndertake

Sipens I 3ou bad oure sopere to make 1212

Whan paf pise worpi men wenten with me

Vnto my stody per as my bokes be

Sir" quod jjis squiere whan if like]) }ou .

If is al redy Jjo^e 36 will ri^f nowe 1216

Go we fan soupe quod he & for J>e besf

Jnse Amerous folk1 somtyme mote haue resf

And after sopere fille jjei in trete

Whaf somme shulde ])is maisters guerdon be 1220

To rem[u]e alle ]?e Eokkes of breteyne

And eke from geron to j?e mou]?e of Seyn)

He made if straunge & swore so god hym saue

Lasse J?an a fousand pounde he nolde nof haue 1224

Ne gladly for Jmf som??ze he nold nof goon [leaf iss, back]

Aurelius wijj blisful herf anon

Answered Jms . fie on a thousand pounde

This wide world? J?af men seyn is rounde 1228

f af wold I $eue if I were lord of if

This bargayn is ful drive for we bene knyf

$e shullen be paide trewly be my troupe

Buf lokej) nowe for no negligence ne sloufe 1232

36 tary vs here no lenger fan to morowe

Nay quod this clerke haue here my troupe to borowe

To bedde is gone Aurelius whan hym lisf

And welnygh al J?af ny3f he had his resf 1236

PKTWORTH 300 (6-T. 614)

SIX-TEXT 515

GROUP F, §4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

fat1 for his laboure and for his hope of blisse

His wooful herte of penawnce had a lisse

Ypon f is morowe whan fat1 it1 was day

To breteigne toke fei fe right1 way 1240

Aurelius and f is magicien be side

And bene descended \er fei willen abide

And f is was as f e bokes me remewbre

fe colde frosty seson of decembre 1244

Phebus wexe olde and hwed like latofi

That1 in his hote declinacion

Shoone as f e byrned cold? with stremes bri^f

But1 nowe in scorpion a-doune he li^t1 1248

Where as he shone fill pale I dar wel seyn)

f e bitter* frostes with f e sclete and reyn)

Destroied haf f e grene in euery 3erde

lanus sitte by fe fuyr with double berde 1252

And drynkejj of his bugle horn f e wyne

Byforn hym stant1 f e brawne of fe tusked swyne

And a noweH criej) euery lusty man

Aurelius in al fat1 euere he can . 1256

Doth to his maister* chere and reuerence

And preief him to don his diligence

To bringgen him out1 of his peynes smerte

Oifere wif a swerde fat1 he wold sclitte his herte 1260

That1 subtile clerk1 which fat1 roufe had of f?'s man [leaf isr,]

fat1 nyght1 and day he him spedde fat1 he ne Ian

To waite a tyme of his conclusion

This to say to make illusion 1264

I ne can no termes of Astrologie 1266

By whiche an apparence of logelrie 1265

fat1 she and euery wi^t1 shuld wene and seie

That1 of Breteyn fe rokkes bene away 1268

Oif ere ellis f ei were sonken vnder grounde

So at1 f e last1 whan he his tyme ftmnde

To make his iapes and his wrecchednesse

Of which a supersticious cursednesse 1272

PETWORTH 391 (6-T. 615)

SIX-TEXT 516

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

His tables colletanes forf he brou^fr

ffol wel corrected for \er lacked nou^t

!N"e his collectis ne his expans ^eres

ISTe his rotes ne his ofer geres 1276

As bene his Centrys and his argumentz

And his proporcions conuenientz

ffor his equaci5ns and euery ]>inge

And by his viiij spere in his wirkinge 1280

He knewe howe fer alnafe was yshoue

ffrom Jje hede of J>ilk< fixe arise]? aboue

fat1 in )>e ninthe l spere considered is [ijf-six]

fful subtily he cal[cu]lef al J?is / 1284

And whan he had founde his first1 mancion

He knewe J>e remynawnte by proporcion

And knewe fe arising1 of j)e mone welt

.And in whoos face and terine euery deH 1288

And knewe ful wel ]>e monys mancion

Accordant1 to his operacion

And knewe also his ofer obse?-uawnces

ffor such illusions and such meschaunces 1292

As he]?en folk1 vsed Jjilk1 daies

ffor whicR no lenger maked he delaies

But1 Jjorgh his niagike for a weke or tway

It1 semed as al the Eockes were away 1296

Aurelius which fat1 despeired is [leafise, back]

whedere he shal han his loue or fare amys

AwaiteJ? ny^t1 and day of j?is myracle

And whan he knewe J?er was non obstacle 1300

fat1 voiden were fise rokkes euerechon

Doune to Jns maisters fete he fille anon

And seide I woful wreche Aurelius

Thonke }ou lorde and lady myne Venus 1304

That1 me han hulpe from my carys cold?

And to }?e temple forf his way ha]? hold?

Where he knewe he shuld? Jns lady se

And whan he segfr his tyme anon ri^t1 he 1308

PETWORTH 392 (6-T. 516)

SIX-TEXT 517

GROUP F. §4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS,

With dredful herte and humble chere

Salwed hap his souereyn lady dere

]\Iy ri3trful lady quod pis wooful man .

Whom I most1 drede and loue as I best1 can . 1312

And lopest1 were of al pis world' displese

Nere it1 pat1 I for $ou haue suche dissese

That* I most1 dye here at1 ^oure fote anon

IF But1 not1 wolde.I telle howe me is woo bygon 1316

But1 certes eiper most1 1 deye or pleien *

3e slee me giltelees for verrey peyne

But1 of my deth" pou^e ye haue no roupe

Avise 3ou er pat1 36 lese 3oure troupe . 1320

Kepentep ^ou for pilke god aboue

Er 36 me sleen by cause pat1 I }ou loue

ifor madame wel 36 wote pat 36 han hi^tt

Not1 pat1 1 chalence eny ping1 of ri^t1 1324

Of ^ou souereyn lady but1 30^?' grace

But1 in a gardyne 3onde in such a place

3e wote ri^tt wel j^at1 36 bihote me

And in myn honde 3oure troupe b^t 30 1328

To loue me best1 god wote 30 saide so

Al be Jjaf I vnworjn am jjerto .

Madame I seie if for ]?e honure of 3ou *

More pan to saue myn hertes lif ri3f nowe . 1332

I haue done as 30 comaunded me [leaf is?]

And if 36 vouchesauf }e may go see

And as 3ou lust1 hauej) 3oure bihest1 in mynde

ffor qwikke or dede rijf Jms 36 shullen me finde 1336

In 3ou lif aU to do me lyve or deye

But1 wel I woote J>e rockes bene aweye

He toke his leue and she astonyed stode

In al her face per nas on drope of blood' 1340

She wende neuere han co?ranen in such a trappe

Alias quod she pat1 this euere shuld? happe

ffor wende I neuere by possibilite

pat1 such a meschaunce shuld eue?-e be 1344-

27 PETWORTH 393 (6-T. 517)-

SIX-TEXT 518

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

If is ajeinsf j>e processe of nature 1 ££&• gJ-JSJ «""-

And home she go]? a soriful creature x

ifor verrey fere vnnejjes may she goo /

She wepejj and weille]? a day or twoo 1348

And swownejj Jjat1 it1 rauthe was to see

But1 whi it1 was to no wi^t1 tolde she

ffor out1 of toune was goon Arueragus

But1 to hure self she seide and speke jms . 1352

'In hure compleynte as 30 shul aftere here

With face pale and wij? soriful chere

Alias quod she on fe fortune I playn

fat1 vnware hast1 wrapped me in J)i chayii 1356

ffor which J>e eskape wote I no socour*

Saue only dej? eijjer dishonour1

Oon of }>ise two bihoueth me to chese

But1 na]>elees ^if had I leuer* lese 1360

My lif fan of my body to haue a shame

EiJ)er knowe my self fals eijjer lese my name

And wij) my dej> I may be quytte I-wis

Han J?er nat1 mony a wif er Jns 1364-

And mony a maiden sclayn her self alias

Eaj?er J?an wif her bodies done trespas

And certes loo Jnse stories beren witnesse

Whan xxx.u tirauntz ful of cursednesse . 1368

Had sclayn Phidon in Athenes at1 ]>e lest1 [leaf IST, back]

They commaunded his doubters to arest1

And bringgen [hem] byforn hym in despit

Al naked to fulfille her foule delite 1372

And in her faders bloode J>ei made hem daunce

Vppon jje pauement1 god ^eue hem meschazmce

ffor which Jiise wooful maidens ful of drede

Kaiser ]?an ]?ei wolde lese her maidenhede 1376

Jjei prively bene sterte into a welle

And dreinte hem self as )?e bokes telle

Thei of mesue lete enquere and seke

Of lacedemye .L maidens eke 1380

P.ETWORTH 394 (6-T. 518)

SIX-TEXT 519

GROUP F, § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS,

On which pei wolden don her lecherie

But1 was per none of al pat1 cowpanye

pat1 she. nas sclayn and wip a glad ententt

Chese pe rapere to die fan to assent1 1384

To bene enpressed of her maidenhede

Whi shuld* I fan to dye bene in drede

Lo eke pe tiraunte Austoclides

pat1 loued a maiden which" hi^t1 Symphalides 1388

"Whan pat1 hure fadere sclayn was on a ny^t1

Vnto Dianes temple gop she anon ri3t*

And hent1 pe ymage wip hure armes twoo /

ffrom which ymage she nolde neuer goo 1392

No wi^t1 n^t1 fro hit* hure handis race

Til she was sclayn in pe self place

No we si pens pat1 maidens had such despit

To bene defouled wip mannys foule delite 1396

Wei ou^te a wiff rapere hure self slee

pan ben defouled as penkep me

What1 shal I sayn of hasdrubaldys wif

pat1 af Cartage biraft1 herself hur liff 1 400

ffor whan she segh pat1 Romayns wan pe town

She toke her chuldren alle and swept1 adozm

Into pe fuyre and ches rather to dye

pan eny Romayn did hure vilenye 1404

Hap not1 lucres ysclayn hure self alias [leaf iss]

At1 Rome pere she oppressed was

Of Tarquyne for hure pou^t1 it1 was a shame

To live whan pat1 she had lost1 her name 1408

The .viij. maidens of Melefie also /

Han sclayn hem self for drede and woo /

Raper pan folk of gaule shulJ hem oppresse

Moo pan a M| stories as I gesse 1412

Coupe I nowe telle as touching1 pis matere

Whan habradas was sclayn his wif so dere

Her self sclowe and lete her blood to glide

In Habradas woundes brood and wide 1416

PETWORTH 395 (6-T. 619)

SIX-TEXT 520

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And saide my body at1 f e leeste waye

Ther shal no wi^t1 defoile if fat1 I may

What1 shuld? I moo ensamples lierof sayn

Sifen fat1 so mony han hem self sclayn 1420

Wei raf er fan f ei wolde defowled be

I wil conclude what1 is best for me

[Tho sleen my self . than be defouled thus jJJJgf 17 D 15'

I wilbe trewe . vnto Arueragus] 1424

Eif er raf er slee my self in some manere

As did Demonycions do^tere dere

By cause fat1 she nolde defoiled be

0 Cedasus it1 is ful grete pite 1428

To reden how f i doubters deiden alias

fat1 sclowe hem self for suche manere cas

As grete appetit1 was it1 or more

The theban maiden fat1 for Mchasore 1432

[Hir self en slough right for suche a manerwoo ^?8e|j'17I) 15>

Another theban mayden dide right so]

Hure had wedded and sore dressed . [spurious]

For oon of Masidoigne had hure oppressed . 1435

What1 shal I seyn of Mcharatyfs wiff

fat1 for such caas biraft1 her1 self her lif

Howe trewe was eke to Alcebiades

His loue fat1 forto dyen [rafer] ches 1440

fan forto suffre his body vmbreided be

Loo which a wif was alcesteyn quod she

What1 Emore of good Penolof e

Alle Grece knowef of her chaastite 1444

Parde of leodomya is written f us [leaf iss, back]

That1 whan a Troy was sclayn protheselayus

No lenger nold? she lyf aftere his day

jje same of noble porcia telle I maye 1448

Wif-outen brutus quod she not1 lyve

To whom [s]he had alhole hure herte ^eue

The parfit1 wifhode of Archemesie

Honoured is forgfc alle fe barberye 1452

TETWORTH 396 Cfi-T. 620)

SIX-TEXT 521

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

0 teuta quene in ])i winy chastite To alle wives may jjou a myrow r be

[ ... no gap in tlie MS: these lines

. . . . known only in Ellesmere MSJ\ 1456

Thus playned Dorigen a day or tweye

Purposinge euere pat1 she wolde deye

But1 najjeles vpon pe J?red ny3fr

Home came Arueragus ])e worthi kny^t* 1460

And asked hure whi fat1 she wepte so sore

And she gan wepen euere J>e lenger more

Alias quod she pat1 euere was I borne

Thus haue I seide quod she J?us haue I sworn 1464

1 tolde hym alle as 30 han herde bifore If nedej) not1 rehersen it here-of no more . This husbonde wij) glad chere in sondry wise Answerde and seide as I shal [jou] devise 1468 Is per o^t1 ellis Dorigen but1 J>is

K"ay nay quod she god helpe me so as wisse

])\$, is to moche if1 it1 were goddes wille

36 wiff quod he latf sclepe fat1 is stille 1472

It1 may be wel 31^ pe?-auenture to saye

3e shullen 3oure troupe holden be my fay

fFor god so wisly helpe me

I had wel leuere ystikked forto be 1476

fFor verrey loue which I to 3ou haue

But1 3if 36 shuld? 3oure trouthe Saue

Troupe is }>e hiesfr Jjing1 jjat1 man may kepe

But1 wij? fat1 word1 he brast1 an5n to wepe 1 480

And seide I 3ou forbede in peyn of deth

That1 neuer1 whiles 3ou lastej) lif1 & breth"

To no wi3^ telle of1 jjis cure Deaf 189]

As I may I most1 my lif endure 1484

ISTe make no countenazmce of heuynesse

jpat1 folk1 of 3ou may deme harme or gesse

And for)) he clepej) a sqwiere and a mayde

Go]) for]) anon with Dorigen he saide 1488

PETWORTH 397 (6-T. 52l)

SIX-TEXT 522

GROUP F. § 4. FEANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS,

And bringej) hure to such a place anon

Thei toke her leue and on her way pei gon

But1 pei ne wiste whi she thider went1

He nolde no wi^ telle hure entent1 1492

f [These lines known only

L ' ' • .........

in the Ellesmere MS.]

1496

no gap in the

This Sqwier which pat1 hijti Aurelius

On dorigen which pat1 was so amerous 1500

Of auenture happed hure to mete

Amydde pe toune ri^t in pe qwikke strete

As she was "boune to goo pe way for]) lijti

Toward? the gardeyn per as she had hijf 1 504

And he was to pe gardeyn ward4 also

ffor wel he aspied whan she wolde goo

Out1 of her hous to eny manere place

But1 pus pei mette by auenture or grace 1508

And he saluej) her wip glad entent1

And axed of hure whidere pat1 she went1

And she answerd1 half as she were madde

Vnto j?e Gardyne as myn husbond? badde 1512

My troupe forto hold? alias alias

Aurelius gan wondere of ))is cas.

And in his hert1 had grete co?7ipassion

Of hure and of her lamentacion 1516

And of Arueragus Jje worjji kny3t1

fat1 bad hure holde al pat1 she hight1

So lo]>e he was hys wiff sholde breke her troupe

And in his hert1 he cast1 of J?is grete routhe 1520

Consideringe J?e best1 on euery side

pat1 from his lust1 hym were better abide

Than done so high a cherles wrecchednesse

A^einsf fraunches and al gentilnesse 1524

PETWORTH 398 (6-T, 522)

SIX-TEXT 523

GROUP F, § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffor which" in fewe wordes seide he f us

Madame seif to ^oure lorde Arueragus .

J2afr sif en I se his grete gentilnesse

To 3011 and eke I see wel ^oure distresse

If 30 by me shulde breke 3oure trouf e

Certes me f enkef it1 were grete rouf e

I haue wel leuer1 euere to suffre woo

fan I departe f e loue ytwix 3011 twoo

I 3011 relese niadame into 3oure honde

Quite euery surement1 and euery bonde

That* ^e han made to me as here biforii

IT Si]?ens f ilk1 tyme fat1 36 were born

My trouf e I plijtt I shal 3ou neuer1 repreef1 . .

Of no biheest1 and here I take my leue

As of f e trewest1 & f e beste wiff

fat1 euere 31^ I knewe in al my liif

And euery wi3^ be ware of hure bihest1

On Dorygen remembref at1 J?e leste

Thus can a squyere don a gentile dede

As wel as can a kny3t1 wif-oute drede

She fonked hym vpon hure knees al bare

And home vnto hure husbonde is she fare

And tolde hym alle as 36 han herd! me seide

And be 36 siker he was ful wel apaide

It1 were impossible to write

What1 nedef lenger in fis cas endite

^[ Arueragus and Dorigen his wiff1

In souereyn blisse leden forf her lif

Neuer aftere was fer anger hem bitwene

He Shershed hure as fou3e she were a quene

And she was to hym trewe for euermore

Of f ise two folk1 36 gete of me no more

^[ Aurelius fat1 his cost1 haf forlorn

Cursef f e tyme fat1 euere he was born

Alias quod he alas fat1 I bil^t1

Of pured gold! a thousand? pounde of wi^

PETWOIITH 399 (6-T. 523)

[leaf 139, back]

1528 1530 [spurious 1529]

1532

1536

1540

1544

1548

1552

1556

1560

IX-TEXT 524

GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

"Vnto jjis philosople how shal I doo Oaf 190]

I se no more but1 J?att 1 am fordoo

Mine heritage most1 1 selle

And bene a begger here I may not1 dwelle 1564

And shamen al my kynrede in jjis place

But1 1 of him may gete better grace

But1 najjelees I wil of hym assaie

At1 certeyn dayes ^ere by ^ere to paie 1568

And )?onke him of his grete c^rtesie

My troupe wil I kepe I wil not1 lie

Wijj herte sore he go]? vnto his cofre

And brou^te golde vnto jjis philysophre 1572

Jje value of .v. Q. pounde I gesse

And hym bisechej? of his gentilnesse

To gmunte hym daies of jje remenawnte

And saide maistere I dar wel make auawnte 1576

I failled neuere of my troujje ^it

fFor sikerly my dette shal be quytt1

Towardes ^ou how fat1 euere I fare

To goon a begger in my kirtel bare 1580

But1 wolde 30 vouche sauf vpon swerte

Two 3ere or jjre forto respite me

)5an were I welle for ellis mote I selle

IF Myn heritage ])er nys no more to telle 1584

This Philisophre soberly answerde

And seide ]?us whan he Jjis word herde

Haue I not1 holde concmnte vnto J?e

3is certes wel and trewly quod he 1588

hast1 ]>ou not1 had |?i lady as ])e like])

No no quod he and sorily he sikejj

What1 was ]je cause telle me ^if jjou can

Aurelius his tale anon bygan 1592

And tolde hy?ft alle as 36 han herd bifore

It1 nede)? not1 to rehercen it1 no more

He saide Arueragus of gentilnesse

Had leuere dey in sorowo and distresse 1596

PETWOETH 4UO (6-T. 524)

SIX-TEXT 525

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Than his wif were of hure trewjje fals [leaf 190, back]

" The sorowe of dorigen he tolde hym als Howe lo]?e hire was to be a wicked wiff And pat1 she leuere fat1 day lost* hure liff 1600

And J)af hure troupe she swore jjourgh Innocence She neuere erst1 herde speke of apparence That1 made me han of hure so grete pite And ri^t1 as frely as he sent1 hire me 1604

As freely sent1 1 hire to hym a3ein This is alle and some per nys no more to seyn This Philisophre answerd* leue broper Euericn of 3ou did gentilich til oper 1608

Thou art1 a squyere and he a kny^t1 But1 god forbede for his blisful my^t1 But1 if a clerk1 coupe do a gentile dede As wel as eny of $ou it1 is no drede 1612

Sir1 1 relece pe J?i jjousand pounde As jjow ri^f nowe were cropen out1 of J>e grounde ISTe neuere er nowe haddest1 ]?ou knowe me ffor sir* I nyl not1 take a peny of ]?e 1616

ifor al my craft1 and my travaile pow hast1 ypaied wel for my vitaile It* is ynowe and fare wele & haue good day And toke his hors and for]) he go]) his way 1620

IT Lordingges ])is question wil I aske nowe Which was J)e most1 free as penkej) }ou IsTowe tellej) me er pat1 1 former wende I Can no more my tale is at1 an ende 1624

T Thus endej) f e ffrankleyn his tale

PETWOKTII 401 (6-T. 525)

GKOUP G, FEAGMENT VIII.

§ 1. THE SECOND NUN'S TALE. PETWORTH MS.

[THE PROEM.} [on tea/190, 6«e7f]

[No breaks between the stanzas in the MS.}

11 And here byginnef fe prologe of ij. nonne

(1)

The mynystere and f e norice vnto vices 1

Which fat1 men clepen in englissh ydelnesse The porter of f e gate is of delices

To eschewe and by her contrary hure oppresse 4

fat1 is to sayn by leeful bysynesse Wei ou^t1 we to don our entent1 Lest1 fat1 fe feend? forgfi. ydelnesse vs shent1 [leaf 191] 7

(2)

For he fat1 wif his f ousande cordes scli^e 8

Continuelly vs waitej) to be-clappe

Whan he may man in ydelnesse aspie

He can so li^tly cacche him in his trappe 1 1

Til fat1 a man be hent1 rijf by fe lappe

He nys nat1 ware fe fende hajj hym on honcB

wel ou^t1 vs worch and ydelnesse wifstond? 14

(3)

And fou3e men dradden neuere forto deye 15

^it1 seen men wel by resoun doutelees That1 ydelnesse is roten scloggardye

Of whiche J?er neuere commeth non encrees 1 8

And sifens fat1 sclouth hure holclef in a lees Only to sclepe and forto ete and drinke And to devouren alle fat1 of ere swynke 21

PETWOUTII 402 (6-T. 627)

SIX-TEXT 528 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN*S TALE. PetWOrth. MS,

And forto putten vs from such ydelnesse 22

That1 cause is of f e grete confusion

I haue here done my feif ful bysynesse

Aftere f e legende in translacion 25

Ri}^ of ]pi glorious lif and passion

Thow wif f i garlond? wrou^t1 of rooses and lilie

The mene I maiden and marter1 seint1 Cicile 28

(5)

And f ou fat1 floure of virgynes art1 alle 29

Of whom fat1 Barnard! lust1 so wel to write To f e at1 my bygynnyng1 furst1 1 calle Thou comforte of vs wrecches do me endite 32

fine maidens def fat1 was f orgh" f i merite fe eternal lif and of f e feende victorie Certes men may aftere reden in his storie 35

Thow maiden and modere doubter* of f ! sone 36

Thow welle of mercy synful soules cure

In whom fat1 god for bounte chees to wone1 p wone later-}

Thowe humble and hegh ouere euery creature 39

Thou nobledest1 so ferre oure nature

That1 no desdeyn f e maker had of kynde

His sone in blood and flessh to clof and wynde 42

(7)

Wif-Inne fe cloystere blisful of fi sidys [leaf m, back] 43 Toke mannys shappe f e eterne loue and pees fat1 of f e trynie compas lorde and gide es Whom erf e and see and heuene wif out1 relees 46

Ay heryen and foil virgyne wemlees Bare of f i body and dwellest1 maiden pure f e creatour of euery creature 49

PETWORTII 403 (6-T. 528)

SIX-TEXT 529 GROUP G, § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. PetWOrth MS.

(8)

Assembled is in f e magnificence 50

Wif mercy goodnesse and such pite That1 f ou arte f e sonne of excellence

Nou^t1 only helpest1 hem fat1 preien f e 53

But1 oftetyme of f i benignyte tful frely er fat1 men fine helpe biseche f ow goost1 byforn and art1 her lyues leche 56

(9)

Now helpe f ou meke and blisful faire maide 57

Me flemed wrecfr in f is deserte of galle Thenk1 on f e wowman Canane fat1 saide fat1 whelpes eten sommG of pe crommes alle 60

J>af from her lordis table bene yfalle And jjou^e fat1 1 J)e vnworjji sone of Eue Be sinful 31^ accepte my bileue 63

(10)

And for fat1 feij> is dede wif-outt werkes 64

So for to worchen ^eue me witte and space

fat* I be quytte from place $at most1 derk1 es

0 J>ou fat1 art1 so faire and so ful of grace 67

Be myne aduocate in so high" a place

Ther as wif-out1 ende is songe Osanna

f ou cristes moder and doi^ter of Anna 70

And of fi li^t1 my soule in prison ^t1 71

fat1 troubled is by f e contagion

Of my body and also by f e wi^t1

Of erfly lust1 and fals affection 74

0 heuene o. refute .o saluacion

Of hem fat1 bene in sorowe and in distresse

Nowe helpe f for to my werk1 1 wil me dresse 77

PETWORTH 404 (G-T. 520)

SIX-TEXT 530 GROUP G. § 1, SECOND NUN'S TALE. PetWOlth MS.

(12)

3itt prey I 3011 J?af reden J?afr 1 write 78

fforyeuejj me j?af 1 doo no diligence [leaf 192]

]?is ilk storie subtely to endite

ffor boj? haue I )?e wordys and J?e sentence . 81

Of hem j?atf at1 sey[n]tes reuerence

])e storie wrootf and folowen her legende

And prei ^ou j)att 30 wil my werk amende ' 84

(13) [THE TALE.]

First1 wolde I 3011 J>e name of seint1 Cicile 85

Expoune as men in her stories see

It1 is to saye in engelisshe heuenes lilie

ffor pure chaastnesse of virginite 88

Oi)>er for she witnesse had of honeste

Of grene of consciens and of good fame

The swote sauoure lilie was hure name 91

(14)

OyJ>ere Cicile is to say J>e way to blynde 92

ffor she ensample was by good techinge

Or ellis Cicile as I writen fynde

Is ioyned by a manere cowioynynge 95

Of heuene and lya and hier in figurynge

J?e heuene is sette for Jjou^fr of holynesse

And lya for hure lastinge bisynesse 98

(15)

Cicile maye eke be seide in J>is manere 99

Wantyng1 of blyndenesse for hure grete li^t1

Of sapience and of her thewes clere

OiJ?er ellis loo ])is maidens name bri3f 102

Of heuene and leos commejj for which by ^t1

Men my^t1 J?e heuene of puple hure calle

Ensample of good and wise werkes alle 105

PETWOIITH 405 (6-T. 530)

SIX-TEXT 531

GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

(16)

For leos puple in englissh is to say 106

And lijti as men may in ]>e heuew see The sonwe and mone and J>e sterres euery way Ri$t so [men] goostly in ]?is maiden fre 109

Seen jje feij? of magnificence And eke of helpe and of sapience And sondry werkes bri^t1 of excellence 112

(17)

And ri^t1 as J)ise philisophres write 113

J?af heuene is swiff rounde and brennynge Ri^t1 so was faire Cicile Jjo white [iei\f 192, back]

fful swift1 and bisy euere in werkinge 116

And rounde and hool in good perseuerynge And brenne euere in charite li^fl Now haue I declared $ou what1 she hijf 119

H Thus endejj J?e prologe / & here bygynnej) J)e .ij no?ines tale

(18)

This maiden bri^tt Cicile as hure lif saij> IF J>e tale ./ was commen of Romaynes and of noble kynde And so forjje fostred vp in J?e faij>

Of cmte and bare hys gospel in her mynde 123

She neuere sesed as I writen fynde Of hure preiere and god to loue and drede Bisechinge hy?ft to kepe her maidenhede 126

(19)

And whan fis maiden shuld? -ynto a man 127

y wedded be J>af was ful }enge of age That1 ycleped was valirian

And J?e day was co??zmen of hure mariage 130

She fille deuoute and humble in her corage Vndere hure Robe of gold? fat1 sat1 ful faire And next1 hure flessh yclad was in an haire 133

PETWORTH 406 (6-T. 53l)

SIX-TEXT 532

GROUP G. § 1, SECOND NUN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

(20)

And while f e Orgels maden melodie 134

To god allone f us in hert1 songe she

0 lorde my saule and eke my body gie

Vnwemmed lest1 fat1 I co-founded be 137

And for his loue fat1 dyed on a tree

Euery secounde or thridde1 day she fast1 p.MS..iy.]

Ay bidynge in here orisons ful fast1 140

(21)

The nyghf come and to bed she most1 goon 141

Wif hure husbonde as aften is f e manere And pn'uely she seide anon

0 swete and welbiloued spouse dere 144 f er is a counsaile and 36 wolcfe it1 here

Which fat1 rijtt fayn I wolde vnto ^ou seien

So fat1 30 me assured it1 nou^f bywreien 147

(22)

Valeryan gan fast1 vnto hure swere 148

fat1 for no caas ne f inge fat1 my^t1 be He shold for no finge neuere bewrien here [leaf 1933

And fan at1 arst1 fus to hym seide she 151

1 haue an aungeH which fat1 louef me

fat1 wif grete loue whedere I wake or slepe

Is redy ay my body forto kepe 154

(23)

And ^if fat1 ^e may felen out1 of drede 155

fat1 ^e wil $ou gouerne no f inge amys He wil 3ou saue and kepe to 36 be dede ffor ^oure clene lyuyng1 & 3oure goodnesse 158

And bring1 3ou strei3te into heuene blesse He wol 3ou loue as me for 3oure clennesse And schewen 3011 of his loye and his bri3tnesse 161

PETWORTH 407 (6-T. 632)

SIX-TEXT 533 JGROUP G, § 1, SECOND NUN*S TALE. PetWOlth MS.

(24)

Valerian corrected as god wolde 162

Answerde a3ein if1 1 shal trust1 to f e

lat1 me fat1 aungel se and hyw biholde

And 3if fat1 it1 a verrei aungel be 165

J)an wil I done as f ou hast1 preide me

^T And 3if f ou loue anof er man fan me

wif fis swerde I wil slee }ou bofe 168

(25)

Cicile Answerde anone in fis wise . 169

And if $ou lust1 jjat1 aungel shul 36 see

So fat1 36 trowe on cn'ste and 3ou baptise

Go]) for]) to Yia Apia quod she 172

fat1 from J)is toune ne stanf but1 myles J)re

And to ]?e pore folk1 ]jafr pere dwelle

Say hem ri3f Jms as fat1 1 shal 3ou telle 175

(26)

Say fat1 1 Cicilie 3ou to hem sent1 176

To shewe 3ou f e good vrban f e olde

ffor secre nedes and for good entenf

And whan fat1 30 seint1 Yrban han byholde 179

Telle him f e wordes which I to 3ou tolde

And whan fat1 he haf purged 3ou fro synne

fan shul 30 seen fat1 aungel er 36 twynne 182

(27)

Valerian is to fat place yg5n 183

And ri3f as hyra was tai^t1 by his lurnynge

He fonde f is holy Yrban anon ./

Amonge f ise seintes buriels lowtynge [leaf 193, back] 186

And he anon wif-out1 tariynge

Did his massage and whan he had [it] tolde

Yrban for ioye gan his hondes vp holde 189

PETWORTII 408 (6-T. 533)

SIX-TEXT 534 GROUP G. § 1, SECOND NUN's TALE. PetWOrth. MS.

(28)

The teeres from his eien lete he falle 190

Almy^ty god o Ihesu crisf quod he

So were of chaast1 counsaile & herde of vs alle

The fruyte of filke seede of chaastite 193

fat1 f ou haste sawe in cicile take to fee

Loo like a bisy bee wif -out1 gile

fe serueth ay fine owne thralle Cicile 196

(29)

For filk spouse fat1 she toke but1 nowe 197

fful like a ferce leon she sendef here

As meke as eny lombe was to $ou •

And wif fat1 worde anon f <?/• gan apere 200

An olde man clad wif white clones clere

And had a boke wif lettrea of golde in honde

And gan biforne Valerian stonde 203

(30)

Valerian as dede fille downe for drede 204

whan he hyra segh and hym vphent1 Jjoo . And on his boke fus he gan to rede

00 lord oo feijj oo god wif-oute moo 207 Of cHstendome and fadere of aH also .

Abouen alle and oueral euery where

J)ise wordes al wi]> gold [y]writen were 210

(31)

Whan J>is was radde fat1 seide fis olde man 211

Leuest1 fou fis f ing1 or no sai 36 or nay

1 leue al fis f in[g] / [quod Valerian [Hari. 7335, leqfm, bade] jjor sother thyng1] &1 fis I dar wel saye C1 thanifor^.] 214 Vndere f e heuene no wi)f ne fenk may

IT Tho vanshed fat1 olde man he nyst1 wher

And pope Vrban hym cristened ii^f fere 217

28 PETWORTH 409 (6-T. 534)

SIX-TEXT 535 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN*S TALE. PetWOlth MS.

(32)

Valerian go]) home to seint1 Cicile 218

And wftAInne his chambre an Aungel he segh. stande

)?is aungel had of rose and of lilie

Corownes two J)e whiche he bare on hande 221

And first1 to Cicile as I vnderstande

Be ^af Jjatt oon and aftere gan he take Deaf 194]

J^at1 o]>er to Valerian her make 224

(33)

Wi]) body clene and wij> vnwemmed Jjou^f 225

kepe]) ay wel J)ise corownes quod he

ffrom paradise to 3011 haue I hem brou^t1

~NQ neuere more shul J)ei roten be 228

Ne lese her swete sauoure tresteth me

Ne neuere wi^t1 shal seene hem wij> his ye

But1 he be chaast1 and hate vilenye 231

(34)

And ]>ou valerian for J>ou so sone 232

Assentest1 to good cownsaile also

flay what1 J?e lust1 and f ou shalt1 haue j)i bone

I haue a broker quod Valerian ]?oo 235

Jjaf in ])is world? I loue no man soo /

I prey 3ou J?af my brojjere may haue grace

To knowe J?e troujje as I do in ])is place 238

(35)

The aungel answerde god like]) 30^7- request1 239

And bo]) wi]) ])e palme of marterdome

^e shul come vnto ])e blisful fest1

And wi]) J)afr worde tiburce his bro])ere come 242

And whan Jjat1 he ]?e sauoure vndernome

Wi]) J)af fe roses and ])e lilies caste

Wi])-Inne his herte he gan to wonder faste 245

PETWORTH 410 (6-T. 535)

SIX-TEXT 536 GROUP G, § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. PctWOlth MS.

(36)

And saide in jjis tyme I wondere of J>e }ere 246

whennys J?is swete sauoure commej? soo /

And roses and lilies J>att I smelle here

ffor jjou^e I had hem in myn hondes twoo 249

Jje sauoure mj^ in me no depper goo

J?e swete smelle Jjatf in myn hert1 1 fynde

Ha]> chaunged me al in a noj?er kinde 252

(37)

Valerian saide two corownes haue we 253

Snowe white and rose rede Jjaf shynej? clere

which jjat1 Jnne eyen han no my^t1 to see

And as J>owe smellest1 he?^ four^e J)1 preiere 256

So Shalt1 ]>ou sene hem leue brojjer dere

jif if so be j?ou wilt1 wij>-oute sclou]?e .

Byleue a ri3f and knowe f e verrey troujje Deaf 194, back]

(38)

Tyburce answerd? seisf J)ou jjis to me 260

In sojmesse or in dreeme herken ^e J>is

In dremes quod. Yalerian han we be

Into }>is tyme broker myn ywis 263

But1 nowe at1 arst1 our troujje dwelling1 is

Howe woost1 J?ou quod Tiburce & in what wise

Quod Yalerian jjaf shal I J?e devise 266

(39)

The Aungel of god ha]? me fe troujje tau^t1 267

Which, fat1 Jjou shalt1 seen if fat1 jjow wilt1 reneye

The ydoles and be clene and ellis nau^t

But1 of J?e myracles of Jjise corownes tweye 270

Seint1 Ambrose in his preface list1 to seie

Solempnely this noble doctowr dere

CoramendeJ) it1 and seij) in jjis manere ' 273

PETWORTH 411 (6-T. 636)

SIX-TEXT 537

GROUP G, § 1, SECOND NUN'S TALE. Pctworth MS,

(40)

The palme of inarterdome forto receyue 274

Seint1 Cicile fulfilled of goddys 31ft1

pe worlde and [e]ke hure chambre gan she weyue

Witnesse Tiburce and Cicilees shrift 277

To which god of his bountee wolde shift1

Corownes two of flowres wel smellynge

And made pe aungel hem poo corownes bringe 280

(41)

This made ha]> broi^f pise men to blisse aboue 281

pe world? hap wist1 what1 it1 is worp certeyne

Deuocion of chastite to loue

Tho shewed hyrn Cicile open and pleyne 284

That1 alle ydoles nys but1 ping1 in veyne

iFor pei bene dombe and perto pei bene defe

And charged hyra his ydols forto lef., 287

(42)

Who pat1 pis trouep nat1 a beest1 he is 288

Quod ))oo tyburce if Jjat1 1 shal not1 ly

She gan J>an kisse his brest1 & pat1 herd1 J>is

And was ful glad he cou)>e trouj) aspie 291

This daye take I J>e for myne alye

Saide J)is blesful maide faire & dere

ffor aftere jjat1 she saide as 39 may here ./ 294

(43)

Lop ry^fr so as J?e loue of m'st1 quod She [ieafi95] 295

Made me }>i broferes wif ri^t1 in pat1 wise

Anoon for myn alie here take I j?e

Sirens Jjat1 ]?ou wolt1 pine ydoles despise 298

Go wij? pi broper nowe and pe baptise

And make pe clene so pat1 pou maist1 beholde

pe Aungels face of which pi brother tolde 301

PETWOBTH 412 (6-T. 637)

SIX-TEXT 538 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. PetWOlth MS.

(44)

Tyburse answerd? and seide broker dere 302

ffurst1 telle me whidere I shal and to what* man

To whoine quod he come for]) wi]> ri^t1 goode chere

I wil J?e lede vnto ]?e pope Vrban 305

To Vrban brojjer myne Valerian

Qwod j>oo Tiburce wilt1 jjou me jndere lede

Me ]>enke]> Jrntt it1 were a wondere dede 308

(45)

Remenest1 Jjou nat1 Vrban quod he ]?oo 309

That1 is so ofte dampned to be dede

And wownej? in halkes to and froo

And dar nat1 onys put1 for)) his hede 312

Men shul hym brenne in a fire so rede

If he were founde J?af men my^t1 hyra spie

And we also J?af bere hym companye 315

(46)

And whiles we seken Jjilk1 Dyuinyte 316

fat1 is ihidde in heuene prive

Algate ybrent1 in pis world? shul we be .

To whom Cicile answerdl bodily 319

Men my^t1 drede wel and skilfully

This lif to lese myn owne dere broker

^if ]?is were lyuynge only and non ojier 322

(47)

But1 Jjer is better lif1 in oo]?er place 323

That1 neuere shal be lost1 drede J?e no^t*

Which goddes sone vs tolde j?ourgh his grace

[That fadres sone hath alle thynges wrought S/M7^'

And al that wrought is with a skilful thoght

The gost that fro the fader gan precede

hath sowled hem with-outen ony drede 329

PETWOKTH 413 (6-T. 538)

SIX-TEXT 539 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. PetWOrth MS.

(48)

By word and by myracle he goddes sone [HarL 7335] 330

whan he was in this world declared here

That ther was other lif1 ther men may wone

Tho answerde Tiburce o. suster dere 333

JSTe sei-destow right now in this manere

Ther nys but o god lord in sothfastnesse

And now of1 three how maisthow bere witnesse 336

(49)

That shal y telle quod she or y go] [Hari. 7335 extract ends'] Bl^tt as a man haj) sapiences ]>re Memorie engeyne and intellecte also

So in oo beinge of diuinite 340

Thre persones ri^fr wel )>er may be Tho gan she hym bisily preche . Of cn'stes come and of his peynes teche

(50)

And mony poyntes of his passion 344

How goddys sonwe in J>is wi])-holde

To do mankynde pleyn remyssion

That1 was ybounde in cares colde 347

Al jjis Jjinge she vnto Tiburce tolde

And aftere J)is Tiburce in good entent1

To pope Yrban wij> Valerian went1 350

(51)

Which fonked god and wij> glad hert1 and li^tf 351

He Cristned hym and made hym in Jjat1 place

Parfit1 in his lyuynge goddys kny^t1

And? after J)is Tiburce gate such grace 354

j?att euery day he seie in tyme and space

Jje Aungel of god and euery maner bone

fat1 he god asked it1 was spedde ful sone 357

PETWOBTH 414 (6-T. 630)

SIX-TEXT 540 GROUP G, § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. PetWOlth MS.

(52)

If were fill harde by order* forto seyne 358

Howe mony wonders Ihesu for hym wrou^f

But1 atte last* to telle short1 and pleyii

The sergeaunt1 of fe towne of Home hem sou^f 361

And hem byforn Almache J>e prouosfr brou^t1

Whiche hem opposed and knewe al her entent1

And to fe ymage of lubiter he hem sent1 364

(53)

And saide who so wil not* sacrifise 365

Swap of his heiied J>is is my sentence here

Anone fise marteers pat1 I $ou deuise

On maximius pat1 was an officere 368

Of pe prefectis and of Corniculere

Hem hent1 and whan he forpe pe seyntes ladde

Hym self he wepte for pite fat1 he hadde 371

(54)

Whan maximius had herde pe seintes lore 372

he gate hem of pe turmentowrs leue

And had hem in his hous wip-out1 more

And wip her prechinge er fat1 it1 were eue 375

J)ei gone from J?e tormentowrs to reue

And fro maximius and fro his folk1 echone

j>e fals feith to trowe in god allone. 378

(55)

Cicile come whan it1 was woxen ny}^ Deafi96] 379

Wij) preestes fat1 hem cn'stened al in fere

And afterward? whan day was waxen li^t1

Cicile hem seide wif a sobre chere 382

Now cristes owne kny^tes leef and dere

Castef al away fe werkes of derknesse

And armef $ou in armure of li^tnesse 385

PETWORTH 415 (6-T. 640)

SIX-TEXT 541 GROUP GK § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. PetWOlth MS.

(56)

3e han forsofe ydone grete bataille 386

Which is nowe done ^oure feij) han 36 conformed

Go]? to J>e corowne of lif fat1 may not1 faile

The Ri}^ luge which J>afr ^e han disserued 389

Tofore hyra ^e bene feij>fulli preserued

And whan J)is ]>inge was seide as I deuise

Men ladde hem forjje to done j?e sacrifise 392

(57)

But1 whan ]?ei were vnto J>e place brou}^ 393

To telle shortely ]>e conclusiozm

]5ei nolde ensence ne samfise ri^t1 non^f

on her knees J>ei setten hem adown 396

humble hert* and sad deuociown And losten boj? her hedes in ]?e place Her sanies wenten to ]>e kinge of grace 399

(58)

This Maximius Jjat1 see J?is ]?inge betide 400

wi|) pitous tales tolde it1 anon ri^t1

That1 he her sawles seghe to heuene glide

Wij) aungels ful of cleernesse and of li$t* 403

And wijj his worde conuerted mony a wi^f

ffor which Almachius did hym so to bete

Wij> whippe of lede til he his lif gan lete 406

(59)

Cicile hym toke and buried hym an5n 407

By Tiburce and Valerian softely

Wi}>-Inne her heriyng1 place vnder* fe ston

And aftere ))is Almachius hastely 410

Bad his mynystres fecchen opynly

Cicile so she my^f in his presence

Don sacr/fise and lubiter ensence 413

PETWORTH 416 (6-T. 54l)

SIX-TEXT 542 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN*S TALE. PetWOrth. MS.

(60)

But1 jjei conuerted J?orgh her wise lore 414

Wepten sore and 3af credence [leaf 196, back]

Vnto her worde and criden more and more

Crist1 goddes sone wij?-oute difference 417

Is Yerrey god J>is is att oure sentence

J>af haj) so good a smumnte hyra to serue

Thus wij> oo vois we trowe pou^e we sterue 420

(61)

Almachius J?af herde al this [doinge] 421

Bad foche Cicile j>a# he my^f hure se

And alderfursf loo J?is was his askinge

What1 maner woraman art1 J?ou Jjo quod he 424

I am a gentile wowman born quod she

I aske quod he jjou^e if J>e greue

Of )>i religion and of })i bileue 427

(62)

Whi Jjan bygan 3oure question folily 428

Quod she J?at* woldest1 two answers co?zclude

In oon demannde }e asked lewedely

Almachy answerde to Jjaf similitude 431

Of whennys [comth thyn answeryng1 so rude [Hari.7335, if 97]

Of1 whennys] quod she whan j>afr she was refreyned

Of conscience and of good feij> vnfeyned 434

(63)

Almachius seide takest1 J?ou non hede 435

Of June answere and she hym answerd? Jms

3oure my^t1 quod she litel is to drede

{for euery morteH ma?mys power nys 438

But1 lich a bladdere ful of wynde ywis

ffor wij) a nedelys poynte whan Jmt1 is blowe

May al J?e boost1 of if be laide ful lowe 441

PETWORTH 417 (6-T. 542)

SIX-TEXT 543 GROUP G, § 1. SECOND KUN'S TALE. PctWOlth MS,

(64)

Ful wron[g]fully bygonne J>ou quod he 442

And ^it1 in wronge is J?i pe?'seuerazmce

"Woost1 Jjou nafr how oure my^ty pn'nces fre

Ben Jms comaunded and maken ordincmnce 445

Jjat1 euery cristen wi^tt shal han penawnce

But1 ^if Jjat1 he his cn'stendome wi)?seyn)

And goon al quite if he wil if receyne 448

(65)

3 oure prmces aren as ^oure noblen do]} 449

Quod J>oo Cicile and a woode sentence

3e make vs gilty and if nys nat1 soth

ffor 36 faf knowen wel our Innocence [leaf 197] 452

ffor as moch as we done Reuerence

To cr/ste and for we bere a cristen name

3e put1 on vs a cry me and eke a blame 455

(66)

But1 we Jjat1 knowen Jjilk1 name soo 456

ffor vertuous we may it1 not1 say

Almachy answerde chese on of ]?ise twoo

Do sacn'fise or cristendome reney 459

J^at1 Jjowe may nowe scapen by jjat1 way

At1 which ]>e holy blisful maide

Gan forto lau^e and to ]>e luge she saide 462

(67)

0 luge confuse in J?i nycete 463

Wilt1 Jjou Jjat1 1 reneye Innocence

To maken me a wicked wi^t1 q?^od she

loo he dissimulej) here in audience 466

He stare)) and wodejj in his aduertence

To whom Almachius o vnsely wreccS

Ne woost1 jjow not1 howe ferre my my^t1 may strecch" 469

PETWORTH 418 (6-T. 543)

SIX-TEXT 544 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. PetWOrth MS,

(68)

HaJ? nou^tf our my^ty prince to me y^ouen 470

3e bojj powere and auctoritee

To make folk* to dien or to lyuen

Whi spekest1 j>ou so proudly j?an to me 473

I ne speke but1 stedfastly quod she

JSTou^f proudely for I sale as for my side

I hate dedly jjilke vice of pn'de 476

(69)

And 3if Jjou drede nou^tt a so|?e to here 477

fan wil I shewen al openly by ri^tt

J?at J>ou hast1 made a ful grete lesinge here

Thow seist J>i pnnces han ^eue )>e my^tt 480

Bo]> to sleene and forto quyk a wi^tt

Thowe ]?af ne maistf but1 only lif here by-reue

Thow nast1 jjerto nei^ere power ne leue 483

(70)

[But Jjou mayst sayn thi prynces han the maked]

Mynyster1 of dej) for ^if Jjou speke of moo

Jjow liestt for J)i power* is ful naked

Do way J>i boldnesse saide Almachius foo 487

And sacrifise to our goddys twoo .

I ne recche nou^f what1 wronge J?atf Jjou me profre [if 197, bk]

ffor I can suffre it1 as a philosofre 490

(71)

But1 Jjilk1 wronges may I nat1 endure 491

Jjaf J)ou spekest1 of oure goddes here qwod he

Cicele answerde oo nyce creature

J)ow seidest no word sij> j>ou spekest1 to me 494

J>at* I ne knewe perwij? J?i nycete

And j^at1 J>owe were in euery maner* wise

A lewde officere and a veyn lustise 497

PETWORTH 419 (6-T. 544)

SIX-TEXT 545

GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

r

(72)

Ther lackej) no Jjinge to j?ine vtter eyen 498

J>af J>ou nart1 blynde for jring1 fatf we seen alle

J?afr is a stone pat1 men may wel aspien

That1 ilke stoon a god J>ou wolf it1 calle 501

I rede j>e lat1 Jjine h[ond] vppon it1 falle

And taast1 it* wel and stoon J>ou shalt1 if fynde

Sijje jjat1 Jx>u seest1 it1 nat1 wij? Jnne eyen blynde 504

(73)

It1 is a shame pat1 pe puple shal 505

So scorne ]>e and lau}e at* J>i foly

ffor comonly wommen wote it1 . weH oueraH

That1 my^ty god is in heuene hie 508

And pise ymages wel jjan maist1 J?ou spie

To J>e ne to hem self may J?ei nat1 profite

And in her effecte Jjei bene nat1 worth a myte 511

(74)

Thise and suco" ofer wordes saide She 512

And he wexe wroo]) and bad she shuld be lede

home to her hous and in her hous quod he

Brenne hure in a fuyre wi)> flawmes rede 515

And as he bad ry^f so was done J?e dede

And in a bath . Jjei gan hure fast1 shetten

And nyght1 and day grete fuyre vnder Jjei maden 518

(75)

Al ]?e longe ny^t1 and eke J>e day also 519

ffor al jje fuyre and eke J>e ba]?es hete

She satte al colde and felt1 of it1 no woo

Ne made hure a drope noi^t1 forto swete 522

But1 in Jjat1 bath her lif She most1 lete

ffor he Almachie wij? ful wicked entent1

To scleen hure in J>e batfc his sonde sent1 / [leaf 193]

PETWORTH 420 (6-T. 545)

oIX-TEXT. 546

GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Petworth. MS,

(76)

Thre strokes in J>e nekke he sinote hurt? ]>oo 526

The turmentour but* for no manere chaunce He my^t1 not1 smyten al her necke a two And for J>er was J?af tyme an ordynazmce 529

That1 none shuld to no man do such penazmce Jje ferj?e stroke to smyten soft1 or sore This turmentowr ne durst1 do no more . 532

(77)

But1 half dede wij) her necke ycoruen J?ere 533

He laft1 hure lye and on his waye he went1 Jje Cristen folk1 which aboute hure were Wijj shetes home ful faire hure hente 536

Thre daies lyued she in Jjis torment1 And neuere cesed hem Jje feijj to teche Whom she had fostred hem she gan to preche 539

(78)

And hem she $af her meueables and her finge 540

And to Jje pope Vrban bytoke hem J>oo And saide Jjus I asked Jjis of heuene kynge To han respite . Jjre daies and no moo 543

To recomaunde to ^ou er J>afr I goo Thise soules loo i and jjat1 1 my^t1 to wirche Here of myn hous perpetuelly a chirche 546

(79)

SEynt1 Vrban wi|) his dekenes prmely 547

The body fette and buried it1 by ny^f Amonge his o]?er seintes honestly

Hure hous Jje churche of seinf Cicile hi^t1 550

Seint1 Vrban halawed it1 as he wel my^t1 In j?e which into J>is daye in noble wise Men done to crist1 and to his seinte servise . 553

^f J>us ende]> pe tale of }>e seconnde nonne

PETWORTH 421 (6-T. 546)

SIX-TEXT 547 GROUP G. § 2, 2MD NUN-CAN.-YEO. LINK. PetWOlth MS.

The prologe .

And here bygynnej> Jje prologe of J>e chanouns

Whan ended was J?e lif of seinte Cecile Er we fully had ryden five myle An boghton viider Jje ble vs gan a take A man fat1 closed was in clones blake 557

And vnder J?afr he had a white surplis . His hakeney J>att was so pomel gris [ leaf 198, back]

So swete J?af if wondere was to see

It1 seined he had prikked myles ]>re 561

]?e hors eke J>af his ^eman rode vpon So swette J>afr vnnej>es my3tf he gon Aooute J?e peitreH stood Jje foom ful hie He was of fome al flekked as a pie 565

A male twifolde on his cropowr laye It1 semed J>af he caried litel araye Al 113^ for somer roode Jris worj?i man / And in myn herte wondre I bygan 569

What1 J?att he was til I vnderstode How Jjat1 his cloke was sewed to his hode ffor which whan I longe had avised me I denied hyra some chanon forto be 573

His hatte honge at1 his bak1 doune by a laas ffor he had ryden more Jjan trotte or paas He had aye prikked like as he were wood A clote leef he had vnder his hode 577

ffor swote and forto kepe his hede from hete But1 it1 was ioye forto seen hyra swete His forhede dropped as a Stillatorie

"Were ful of planteyne and of Pyritorie 581

PETWOllTH 422 (6-T. 547)

SIX-TEXT 548 GROUP G. § 2. 2ND NUN CAN.-YEO. LINK. PetWOlth MS.

And whan J>af he came he gan to crie 582

God saue quod he Jjis loly companye

ffasf haue I prikked quod he for ^oure sake

Because J?afr 1 wolde $ou ouertake 585

To ryden in }>is mery company

His 3eman eke was ful of curtesie

And sirres now in J?e niorowe tide

Out1 of 3oure ostelrie I segH 30" ride 589

And warned here my lorde and my souereyn

Which jjaf to ride wi]> 3011 is ful fayn

ffor his disporte he louej) daliaunce

ffrende for J>i warnyng1 god 3eue J?e good chaunce 593

Seide oure hoste certes it1 wolde seme

Thi lorde were wise and so I may wel deme [leaf 199]

He is ful iocounde also dar I lay

Can he ou^tt telle a mery tale or twaye 597

Wi]> which he glade may J?is company

Who sir1 my lord! f 30 $e wij?-outen lie

He can of merth and eke of lolite

And Jjatf ynou3e also sir1 tresteth me 601

And 36 hym knewe as wel as do I

36 wolde wonder howe wel and thriftelie

He coujje worche and J>afr in sondry wise

He hajj take on hym mony sondry aprise 605

Which were ful hard' for eny Jjatt is here

To bringe aboute but1 )>ei of hym it1 lere

As homely as he ritte amonge 3ou

If 36 hym knewe it1 wolde be 3our prowe 609

3e nolde nat1 forgon his aqueyntauwce

ffor mochel good I dar laie in balaunce

AH ]>af I haue in myn possession

He is a man of hi3e discrecion 613

I warne 3 owe wel he is a passing1 man

Wel koj>e our* hoosfr I prey )?e telle me J>an

Is he Clerk1 or noon telle what1 he is

Nay he is gretter Jjan a clerk1 y wis 617

PKTWORTH 423 (6-T. 548)

SIX-TEXT 549 GROUP GK § 2. 2ND NUN-CAN. -YEO. LINK. PetWOlth MS.

Seide J>e ^eman and in woordes fewe 618

Oosf of his craft1 somwhaf I wil 3ou shewe I saie my lorde can such a sotilte

But1 aH his craft1 30 may not1 wif at me 621

And Somwhaf helpe I ^ifr to his worchinge faf al f is grounde which faf we ben on ridynge Til faf we come to caunterberye toun He coude al clere turne vp so doun 625

And pane it1 al of sillier1 and of golde And whan Jris ^eman had fus ytolde Vnto oure hooste he seide Benedicite This fing1 is wonder mervelous to me 629

Sif ens faf J?i lord is of so hi^e prudence By cause of which men shulde hym reuerence [leaf 199, back] J^af of his worship rekkej) he so lite

His ouersclope nys nat1 worjj a myte 633

As in effecte to him as mot1 1 goo/ It1 is al baudy and to -tore also "Whi is J)i lord so scluttish I J>e prey

And is of power* better clones to beye 637

If Jaf his dede accorde wij? fi speche Telle me fat1 1 ]?e biseche Whi quod ]?is 3eman wherto aske 36 me God helpe me so for he shal neuere the 641

But1 1 wil naf avowe Jjat1 1 say And ferfore kepe it1 secre I 3ou pray He is to wise in feij? as I bileue

That1 fat1 is ouerdone if nyl not1 preue 645

And ri3t1 as clerkes seyn it1 is a vice wherfore in fat1 1 holde hym lewde and nyce ffor whan a man haf ouer grete a witte fful often it1 happef to misusen if 649

So dof my lord? and faf me greuef sore God if amende I can seye now no more Therof no fors good 3eman quodl our hoosf Syf of j?e konyng1 of fi lordj fou wosf 653

PETWOKTH 424 (6-T. 549)

SIX-TEXT 550

GROUP G. § 2. 2ND NUN-CAN.-YEO. LINK. Petworth MS. 425

Telle howe he dojj I prey J?e hertely 654

Sij>J>es J>af lie is so crafty and so scly

"Where dwellen }e if it1 to telle be

In J?e Subarbes of a toune quod he 657

Lurkynge in hernes and in lanes blynde

Where J?ise Eobbers and jjeues be kynde

Holden her psrve feerful residence

As jjei J?af dar not1 she wen her presence 661

So fare we if I shal say Jje soj?e

}if quod [our] oste laf me talke to the

Why art1 J>ou discolowred on J?i face

Peter1 quod he god 30116 if harde grace 665

I am so vsed J>e fire to blowe

That* if ha]) chaunged my colour4 as I trowe [leaf 200]

I ne am not1 wonte in no myrowr to prie

But1 swynke sore and lerne to nmltiplie 669

We Blundren euere and powren in J?e fire

And for alle J?af we faillen of our desire

ffor euere we lacken our conclusion

To moehe folk1 we bene but1 illusion 673

And borowe golde be it1 a pound! or twoo

Or ten or twelue or niony sowmes moo

And make hem wenen at the leest1 wey

fat1 of a pounde we cowde make twey 677

^it1 is if fals and ay we han good hope

If forto doon and aftere if we grope

Buf jjaf science is so fer vs biforne

We mowe nof alle po^e we had if sworne 681

If ouertake if slitf away so fasf

It wil vs make beggers af J>e lasf

J?e whiles jns ^eman was Jms in his talkyng1

This Chanon drowe hy^ nere and herd' al Jnnge 685

Which ]>af J)is ^emfan] spake for suspecion

IT Of mennys speche euere had J>is chanofi

ifor Caton seij) he J?af gilty is

DemeJ) al jjinge be spoke of hym ywis 689

29 PETWORTH 425 (6-T. 560)

SIX-TEXT 551

GROUP G. § 2. 2ND NUN-CAN.-YEO. LINK. Petworth MS.

By cause of fat1 lie gan so ny3e to drawe 690

His 3eman fat herd alle his sawe

And Jms he seide vnto his ^eman f oo

Holde now fi pees and speke no wordes moo 693

ffor if f owe doo f u shalt1 it1 dere aby

f ow sclaunderest1 me here in f is company

And eke diskeuerest fat1 f ou shuldesfc1 hide

36 quod oure hoost1 telle on what1 so betide 69 T

Of al f is f retynge recfr f e not1 a myte

In feif quod he no moore I doo but1 lite

And whan fis chanon segh it1 wold! nat be

But1 fat" his ^eman wolde telle his prraete 701

He fledde a-way for verrey sorowe and shame

A quod the ^eman here shal arise a game [leaf 200, back]

AH fat1 1 can anon wil I telle

Sif ens he is goon J>e foule fende hyra quelle 705

ifor neuere here after1 wil I wif hym mete

ffor peny ne for pounde I 3011 bihete

He J?atH me bro^t1 furst1 vnto fat1 game

Er fat1 he dye sorowe haue he and shame 709

ffor it1 it is ernest1 to me by my feife

fat1 fele I wele what1 so eny man seif e

& 3 it1 for all my smerte and al my greff

ffor al my sorowe . labour and meschieff 713

I kouf e neuere leue it1 in no wise

Now wold god my wittes n^t1 suffise

To tellen al fat1 longen to fat1 art1

But1 nafeles ^if wil I telle 3owe part1 717

Sif ews fat1 my lorde is goon I wil not1 spare

Such f inge as I knowe I wil declare

H Thus endej) f e prologe of f e chanons

PETWORTH 426 (6-T. ool)

SIX-TEXT 552 GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. PctWOlth MS,

\onieaf m,back} & here bygynnef fe tale [THE PREAMBLE.]

With f is chanon [I] dwelt1 haue seuene $ere IT The And of his science am I neuer f e nere ^a*e v Al f af I had I haue ylosf f erby And god woo so han many moo fan I Ther I was wonte to be ri^f fressh and gay Of clofinge and of good aray 725

ISTow may I were an hose vpon myne heued And where my coloure was bof fresh and rede £Tow is if wan and of a lewde hwe

Who so if vsef sore shal he rwe 729

And of my swynk ^if blered is myn ye Loo suche aucmntage if is to multiplie That1 sclydinge science haf me made so bale Thaf I haue no good wher so euer y fare 733

And ^if am I endetted so Jjerby Of golde fat1 I haue borowed trewly Thaf whil I lyve I shal if quite neuere Laf euery man be ware by me for euere 737

Whaf maner* man f af castef hyra f erto [leaf 201]

If he contynue I holde his thriff ydo ffor so helpe me god f erby shal he naf wynne Buf empty his purs and make his wyttes finne 741

And whan he thorgh his madnesse and folye Haf losf his owiie good f orgh lopardye fan he excitef of er men f erto

To lese her good as. lr^ self haf doo / 745

ffor to shrewes loies if is an ese To haue her felawes in peyn and dissese

PETWORTH 427 (6-T. 552)

SIX-TEXT 553 GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. PetWOltll MS.

Thus was I ones lerned of a clerk1

Of fat1 no charge I wil speke of our1 werk« 749

Whan we bene fere as we shul exercise

Oure eluessh" craft1 we seme wonder1 wise

Our teermes bene so clergial and so queynte

I blowe fe fyre til fat1 myn hert1 feynte 753

What* shuld! I telle eche proportion

Of f ingges which fat we worchen vpon"

As on .v, or .vj. vnces may wel be

Of Siluere or of som of er qwantite 757

And bisy me to telle ^ou f e names

Of Orpyment1. brent1 bonys yren . squames

Thatt into powdere grounden bene ful small

And in an erthen pot1 howe fat1 pitte is alle 1 761

And salt1 ypitte In . and also paupere

Eyfore fise powdres fat1 1 speke of here

And wel ykeuered wif a laumpe of glas

And of moche of er f inge what1 f er was 765

And of the potte and glas englutynge

That1 of f e eyre my^t1 passe no f inge

And of f e Esy fire and smert1 also

Which fat1 was made and of the care and woo 769

That1 we had in our maters sublymynge And in amalgarnynge and calcenynge

Of quik siluere ycleped Mercurie crude

if or all oure scleightes we can not1 conclude 773

Our orpyment1 and sublymed Mercury e [leaf 201, back]

Our grounde litarge eke on f e porphirie

Of eche of fise of vnces a certeyn

I^at1 helpef vs oure labour is in veyn 777

Ue eke oure sprites assenciown

Ne eke our maters fat1 lyen al fixe a-dozm

Mowen in oure worchinge no f ing1 vs availe

ffor lost1 is al our laboure and travaile 781

And att f e cost1 on twenty deuel weye

Is lost1 also whiche we vpon it1 laye

PETWORTH 42& (€-T. 663)

SIX-TEXT 554 GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. FetWOlth MS,)

Ther is also mony a nother jjing

That1 is to our craft1 appertenynge 785

£01136 I by ordere hem here ne reherce kan

Because fat1 I am a lewde man

31^ wil I telle hem as j>ei come to mynde

Jjou^e I ne can sette hem in her kynde 789

As boole armonyak . verdegrees . boras

And sondry vessels made of erjje and glas

Our* vrynales and our1 dyscensories

Violles Creseletys . and sublimatories 793

Concurbites and alembykes eke

And oj>er suche dere ynowe a leke

Nat1 nedej) it1 to rehersen hem alle

Waters rubyfyinge and bolles galle . 797

Arsenyke sal armonyak and brymstofi

And herbes coude I telle eke mony on

As Egrymoyn Valerian and lunarie

And ojjer such }if J>atf me list tarie 801

Our1 lampes brennyng1 boj) ny^t1 and day

To bringe about1 our craft1 }if fat1 we may

Our furnayes eke of Calcynacion

And of waters albificacion 805

Vnslekked lyme . Chalk and gleire of an ey

Powders divers . Ashes . dunge . pisse . and cley

Sered pockettes . sal peter* . and vitn'ole

And dyuers fires made of wode and Cole 809

Salt tartre . alcalie and salt1 preparate p*af 202]

And combust1 maters and coagulate

Cley made wij) horses or mawnys here and oyle

Of Tartere . alem glas berme wort1 & argoille 813

Rysalgere and ofyere mateers enbykinge

And eke of oure mateers encorporinge

And of [our] Siluer* citrinacion

Our sementynge and fermentacion 817

Our ingotes testes and mony moo /

I wil $ou telle as was me tau^t1 also

PETWORTH 429 (6-T. 564)

SIX-TEXT 555 GROUP Gr. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. PetWOlth. MS.

fe four spirites and J>e bodies seuene

By ordre oft1 as I herd my lord hem neuene 821

The first* spirit1 quyk-siluere cleped is

Jje Secounde orpyment* J>e tlirid l ywis ' p MS iij]

Sal Armonyak and J>e ferjj bremstone

J>e bodies seuene eke lo hem here anon 825

Sol gold is and luna siluer we threpe

Mars . yren Mercurie quyksiluer* we clepe

Satwrnus lede . and lubiter is tynne

And Venus Coper1 be my fadere kynne 829

This cursed craft* who so wil exercise

He shal no good han J>at* may hym sumse

ffor al J>e good he spendej) J>er-aboute

He lese shal Jjerof haue I no doute 833

"Who so J>at* list to outen his foly

Lat* hym come for]) and lerne forto multiplie

And euery man J>at* haj? ou^f in his cofre

Laf [him] apere and wexe a philosofre 837

Ascaunce j?af craft* is so li^t* to lere

!N"ay nay god wote al be he monke or frere

Preesf chanon or eny oj>er wi^f

fou^e he sitte at* his boke bo]> day and ny^f 841

In lernyng1 of J?is elvissh nyce lore

Al is in veyn and parde moche more

Is to lere a lewde man J>is sotille

jffy speke nat* ]perof for it* wil naf be 845

Al coude he lettrure or coude he none [leaf 202, back]

As in effecte he shal fynde it* all one

ffor bo)» twoo be my saluacion

Concluden in multiplicacion 849

Iliche wel whan j?ei han al ydoo

This is to seyn j?ei failen bojj two

But* ^it* for j?at* I to moche rehersaille

Of waters corosif and of lymaille 853

And of bodyes mollificacion

And also of her induracion

PETWORTH 430 (6-T. 555)

SIX-TEXT 556 GROUP G. § 3, CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. PctWOlth MS.

Oilles ablucion & metal fusible

To tellen alle wold passen eny bible 857

Jjat1 owhere is wher as for ]?e best1

Of aft Jrise names now wil I me rast1 .

ffor as I trawe I haue ^ou tolde ynowe

To reisen a feende loke he neuere so rowe 861

A nay lat1 be J>i philosophies stone

Elixir cleped we sechen fast1 echone

ffor had we hym Jjara were we siker ynoi^e

But1 vnto god of heuene I make avowe 865

ffor al our craft1 whan we han al ydoo

And al oure sclei3te he wil not1 come vs too/

He haj) vs made spende moche good

ffor sorowe of which almost* we wexen wode 869

But1 fat1 good hope crepe]? in our* hertt

Supposinge euere Jjou^e we sore smert1

To be releued by hym afterward?

Supposinge J?af hope is sharpe and hard? 873

I warne ^ou wele it1 is to seken euere

J>afr future temps hajj made men disseuere

In trest1 ]?erof from alle Jjaf euere J?ei hadde

3if of J>att art1 J>ei koude not1 wexen sadde 877

ffor vnto hem it1 is a bitterswete

So seme]) it1 for ne had J?ei but1 a shete

Which J?ei nry^t1 wrap hem in a ny3t*

And a bak1 to walken In by day li^t1 881

They wold hem Sellen and spenden on ]?is craft* [ieaf2os]

They can not stynt1 til no J?inge be laft1

And euermore wher Jjat1 euere jjei gone

Men may hem knowe by Jje smelle of bremstone 885

ffor al jje worlde Jjei stynken as a gote

Her sauour is so rammyssh and so hote

Jjat fou^ a man fro hem a myle be

J>e Sauour* wil enfecte hym trestej? me 889

Lo Thus by smellyng1 and be threde bare aray

3if ]>atf men lust1 Jjise folk1 jjei know may

PETWOETH 431 (6-T. 656)

SIX-TEXT 557 GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. PctWOlth MS.

And if a man wil aske hym prively

Wlii fei bene closed so vn thriftily 893

I&jt1 anone J>ei wil rownen in his eere

And seie if J?ey aspied were

Men wolde hem slee by cause of her science

Loo Jms j?ise folk1 bitraien Innocence 897

Passe oner J)is I go my tale vnto

Er Jjan J?e potte be on jje fuyre ydoo

Of metalles wi]> a certeyn quantite

My lorde hem temprejj and no man but he 901

Now he is goon I dar saie boldely

ifor as men seyne he can do craftely

Algate I wote wel he ha]? such a name

And ^if ful ofte he rennejj in J>e blame 905

And wete 36 how ful ofte it1 happeth soo /

The potte to-brekej? and fare-wel al is goo

Thise metalles bene of so grete violence

Our walles may not1 maken hem resistence 909

But1 ^if J>ei [weren] wrou^t1 of lyme and stone

j?ei percen so J?af jjor^e J?e waH J>ei gone

And somme of hym synken into ]?e grounde

-Thus haue we lost1 by tymes mony a pound? 913

And somme are scatered al the flore aboute

Somme lepen into |>e Roof with-ouf doute

Thou3e J?at^ ]?e feende nat1 in our si^t1 hym shewe

IT I trowe J?att he wij> vs be J>af schrewe 917

In helle wher J>afr he is lord? and sire [leaf 203, back]

Ne is jjer no more woo angere ne Ire

Whan J?afr oure pot1 is broke as I haue saide

Euery man chitte and halt1 hym euel paide 921

Som saide it1 was longe on jje fire makinge

Som saide nay it1 was on J?e blowynge

Than was I aferde for J?at was myn office

•Strawe quod J?e J?red $e beue lewde and nyce 925

It1 was nat1 teinpred as it1 au^t be

quod ]?e ferjje stynf and harken me

PETWORTH 432 (6-T. 667)

SIX-TEXT 558 GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. PetWOrth MS.

Be cause oure fire was not* made of beche

J)af is J?e cause noon ojxsre so theche . 929

I can not* telle wheron if is alonge

But1 wel I woof gref strif is vs amonge

What quod my lorde jjer nys 110 more to done

Of Jnse periles I wil be ware eff sone 933

I am ri3f syker* fat1 f e pot* was craised

Be as be may be 36 no finge amasecfc

As vsage is laf swepe f e flore as s withe

Pluk vp 3oure herf and be 36 glad and blithe 937

J>e Mullok1 on an hope yswoped was

And on f e floore cast1 a canvas .

And al this Mullok in a sif yth[r]owe

And y sif ted and yplukked many a thro we 941

Parde quod oon somwhaf of oure metaH

3if is f er here fyoujG we haue naf aH

And f oii^e J)is Jnnge myshapped haj) as nowe

Anoj>er t-yme It1 may be wel ynowe 945

Vs most1 putt1 our good in auenture

A Marchaunte parde may not1 ay endure

Trestej) me wel in his pn/spmte

Somtyme his good is drowned in ]pe see 949

And somtyme cowimeth it1 sauf vnto jje londe

Pees quod my lord? Jje next1 tyme I wil fonde

To brynge our craft1 al in anojjer plite

And buf I doo sirs latf me haue ]>e wite 953

Ther was defaute in somwhaf wel I wote [leaf 204]

And ojjer seide J?e fire was ouere hote

But1 be if hote or cold I dar saie jns

Jjaf we concluden euer more amys 957

We faillen of that' which J?af we wold' haue

And in oure madnesse euermore we raue

And whan we bene to-gidere euerechon

Euery man seme]) as wise as Salomon 961

But1 al ])inge which J?af seine)) J as ))e golde c1 or semef>]

Is naf golde as I haue herd* if tolde

PETWORTH 433 (6-T. 658)

SIX-TEXT 559 GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. PetWOrth MS,

Ne euery appel pat1 is faire at1 ye

Ne is not1 god what1 so men clappe or crie 965

Ri^t1 so loo farejj it1 amonges vs /

He l fat1 semejj ]?e wisest* by Thesus C1 or HO]

Is moost1 foole whan it1 cowmejj to )je preef

And he j?af semejj trewest1 is a jieef 969

That1 shul ^e knowe er J>att I from 30U wende

Be J>att I of my tale haue made an ende

[No tweak in the MS.~\

PETWORTH 434 (6-T. 659)

SIX-TEXT 560

GROUP G, § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth TttS.

[THE TALK]

Ther is a chanon of Religiown f 2a pars. i.

Amonges vs wolde enfecte al a town 973

Thou^e it1 as grete were as was Nyniue

Rome . Alisaundre . Troie & o]per )>re

his scleightes and his infinite falsnesse

Ther coupe no man writen as I gesse 977

Thou^e Jjat1 he my^t1 lyuen a thousand ^ere

In al J>is world? of falsenesse nys his pere

ffor in his teerrnes he wil hym so wynde

And speke his wordes in so scle^e a kynde 981

Whan he comune shal wij> eny wi^f

That1 he wil make hym dote anon ri^fr

But1 it1 J?e feende be as hym seluen is

if ul mony a man haj) he bygyled er Jns 985

And wil if jjaf he may lif a while

And $iV men riden and goon ful mony a myle

Hym forto seke and haue of a-queyntawice

Nat1 knowing1 of his fals gouernawnce 989

And $if ^e lust* to 3eue me audience [leaf 204, back]

I wil it1 tellen in wijj ^oure presence

But1 worshipful Chanon Eeligious

Ee demej) not1 1 sclaundere 3 our hous 993

Al-jjou^e my tale of a chanon be

Of euery ordere som shrewe is parde

And god forbede Jjat1 aH a companye

Shulde rewe a syngule mannys foly 997

To sclaundere $ou is nat1 myn ententf

But1 to correcten jjat1 mys I-ment1

PETWORTH 435 (6-T. 660)

SIX-TEXT 561

GROUP GK § 4. CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS,

This tale was not* only told? for 3011

But* eke for o]>er moo $e wote wel howe 1001

That1 amonges cn'stes apostels twelue

]>er ne was no traitowr but1 ludas selue

Than whi shulde J>e renienawnte aft haue blame

Jjat1 giltlees were be $ou saye I ]?e same 1005

Sauf only Jns if 30 wil harken me

If eny ludas in ^oure couent1 be

Remeueth hy?M be tyme I ^ou rede

If shame or losse may causen eny drede 1009

And be]? no J>inge displesed I $ou pray

But1 in this caas herknej) what1 1 say

In loiidon was a preest1 an annuelere

That1 Jjerlnne dwelled had mony a $ere 1013

Which was so plesaunt1 and so seruisable

Vnto ]?e wiff where he was att table

That1 she wolde suffre hym no Jring1 forto paye

if or borde ne. clojnnge went1 he neuere so gay 1017

And spending1 siluere had he ri^t1 ynowe

Therof no force I wil precede as no we

And telle for]) my tale of Jje chanon

Jjat1 brou^t1 j)is preest1 to confusion 1021

This fals chanon came vpon a day

Vnto J?e preestes chambere ]>er he lay

Bysechinge hym to lene hyra a certeyn

Of golde and he wolde quyte hym ageyn 1025

LeneJ) me a marke quod he but1 daies J>re [leaf 205 j

And at1 my day I wil it1 quite J?e

And it1 so be J>ow fynde me fals

An o]>er day honge me by J>e hals 1029

This prest1 him toke a marke and Jjat1 as swithrt

And jns chanon hym )>onked ofte sithe

And toke his leue and went1 for]) his way

And at1 J>e }>red day brou^t1 his monay 1033

And to ]?is preest1 he toke his gold ageyn

Therof J>is preest1 was glad and fayn

PETWOKTH 436 (6-T. 661)

SIX-TEXT 562

GROUP G, § 4, CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Certes qwod he no J?inge anoyej? me

To lene a man a noble or twoo or jjree 1037

Or what1 j?inge were in my possession

Whan he so trewe is of condicion

That1 in no wise he breke wil his day

To such a man I can neuere say nay 1041

What quod jpis chanon shuld I be vntrewe

IT JSTay Jjat1 were Jnnge fallen al of nwe

Treujje is a Jnng1 Jjatf I wil euer kepe

Vnto J)e day in which jjat1 I shal crepe 1045

Into my graue and ellis god forbede

BileueJ/ J?is as siker as is 3oure crede

God thonke I and in good tyme be it1 seide

That1 Jjer was neuere man $iv euel apaide 1049

ffor gold ne siluere J>afr he to me lent1

Ne neuere falshede to myne herf I menf

And sire quod he nowe in my privete

Sijjens $e so goodly haue bene to me 1053

And kyjjed to me so grete gentilnesse

Somwhat1 to quiten wij> 3 our1 kyndenesse

I wil $ou shewe and ^if ^ou lust to lere

I shal it1 shewe to $ou anon ri3t here 1057

How I can worchen in philosophic

Take]) good hede $e shullen see wel at ye

That1 1 wil done a maistrie er I goo

3e qiiod. jje preest1 $e sir1 and wil 36 so 1061

Marie J?erof I prei $ou hertely [leaf 205, back]

At1 ^oure comaundement1 sir* trewly

Quod jje chanon and ellis god forbede

Loo howe j>is )?eef kou]?e his seruise bede 1065

fful soj) it1 is Jjat1 such propferd seruise

Stynkej) as witnessen jjise olde wise

And Jjat1 ful sone I wil it1 verefie

In pis chandn is rote of al trecherye 1069

That1 euere more delite ha}> and gladnesse

Such feendly jjou^tes in his liert empresse

PETWORTH 137 (6-T. 562)

SIX-TEXT 563 GROUP G, § 4, CANON 's-YEOM AN *S TALE. PetWOlth MS,

How cristes puple lie may to meschief bringe /

God kepe vs from his fals dissimulynge 1073

What1 wist1 J?is preest wij? whom fat1 he delte

~NQ of his harme co??miyng1 no fing1 he felte

O sely preest1 o. sely Innocent1

Wif couetise anon fou shalt1 be blent1 1077

O gracelees ful blynde is fi eonseite

No fing1 art1 fow war of fe deceite

Which fat1 f is fox shapen haf to f e

His wily wrenches fou maist not1 flee 1081

Wherfore to goo to f e conclusion

fat1 referrej? to f e confusion

Vnhappy man anon I wil me hye

To telleii fine vnwitte and fi foly 1085

And eke f e falsenesse of fat1 of er wrecche

As ferforf as my conyng1 wil strecche

f is chanon was my lorde 36 wolde wene

.Sir* Oost1 in feif and by j?e Heuene quene 1089

It was anojjer chanon and nat he

Jjaf can an hundred fold more sotilte

he ha)> bytraied folk1 mony tyme

Of his falsnesse it1 dullej? me to ryme 1093

Euere whan I speke of his falshede

ffor shame of him my chekes wexen rede

Algates j?ei bygonne forto glowe

ffor redenesse haue I now ri3t wel I knowe 1097

In my visage for fumes dyuers [leaf 206]

Of metalles which $e han herde me rehers

Consumed and waasted han my Eedenesse /

Take no we hede of ]?i[s] chanons cursednesse 1101

Sir1 quod he to )>e preest1 lat1 jour man gone

ffor quyk siluere fat1 we it1 had anon

And lat1 hym bryiige vnces twoo or fre

And whan he co?mne]> as fast1 shul ^e se 1105

A wonder Jnnge whiche $e see neuere er fis

Sir* quod fe preest1 it1 shal be done yvvis

PETWOBTH 438 (6-T. 563)

SIX-TEXT 564

GROUP GK § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

He bad his serucmnte fecchen him f is f inge

And he al redy was at1 his biddynge ] 109

And went1 hym forjj and come anon ageyn

wif f is quyk siluere shortely forto seyn

And toke f ise vnces f re to f e chanown

And he it1 laide faire and wel adown 1113

And bad f e seruazmte colys forto brynge

j^at1 he anoon my^t1 goo to his worchis

The Colis ri^t1 anoon weren sette

And f is Chanon toke out1 a croslette 1117

Of his bosom and shewed it1 f e preestt

This instrument1 quod he which fat1 f ou seest1

Take in fine hond and pitt f iself f erlnne

Of fis quyk siluer an vnce an here bygynne 1121

In f e name of1 crist1 to wex a philosophre

J?er bene ful fewe whiche fat1 1 wold profre

To shewen hem jjus mochel of my science .

ffor ^e shullen see here by experience 1125

That1 ]?is quik silueij I wil mortefie

Ri^t1 in ^oure si^t1 anoon wijj-out1 lye

And made it1 as good siluer* and as fyne

As ]?er is eny in ^oure purs er myne 1129

Or ellis where and make it1 malliable

And ellis holde me fals and vnable

Amonges folke euer to apere

I haue a powder1 here Jjat1 cost1 me dere 1133

Shal make al good for it1 is cause of aH [leaf 206, back]

My konynge which fat1 I }ou shewe shaH

Voidej? }our man and lat1 hy??z be fer out1

And schitte )>e door fe whiles we bene abonte 1137

Our privete fat1 no man vs espie

"Whiles we worchen in fis philosophie

Al as he bad fulfilled was in dede

This ilke semcnmte anoon ri^t1 out1 3ede 1141

And his maistere shitte fe dore anone

And to her Uboure spedely f ei gone

PET WORTH 439 (6-T. 564)

SIX-TEXT 565

GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS,

This preest1 at1 Jns cursed chanons biddynge

Vppon ]?e fure anon sette J>is jjinge 1145

And blewe J>e fire and busied hym ful fast1

And this chanon into }>is croslette cast1

A powdere I note wherof it1 was

I-made eijjer of chalk1 or ellis of glasse 1149

Or somwhat1 ellis was not1 worj) a flie

To blynde wij? ]?is preest1 and bad hym hie

Thise coles forto cowchen al aboue

The crosselettef for in token Jjat1 I j?e loue 1153

Quod Jns Chanon Jnne hondes twoo

Shal worche al Jnng1 which" as shal be doo

Graunt1 mercy quod J?e preest1 and was ful glad

And cowched coles as J>e chanon bad 1157

And J?e whilys he bisy was ]>is feendly wreche

This fals chanon J?e foule fende hym fecche

Out1 of his bosom toke a bechen cole

In which" ful sotilly was made an hole 1161

And ]>er-in pitte was of siluere lymaille

An vnce and stopped was wijj-ouf faille

This hoole wij) wex to kepe J?e lymaille Inne

And vnderstondej? jjat1 J)is fals gynne 1 1 65

was not1 made Jjere but1 it1 was made bifore

And o]?er ))ingges I shal telle more

Here-afterwardl which jjat1 he wij? hym bro^tt

Ere he come ]>ere to begile hym he Jwu^t1 1169

And so did er jjei went1 atwynne [leaf 2073

Til he had turned hym coujje he nat1 blynne

It1 dullej) me whan J>at; I of hy??i spoke

On his falshede fayn wolde I be a-wreke 1173

If I wist1 howe but1 he is here and there

He is so variaunt1 he bitte no where

Buf take]) hede nowe sirs for goddys loue

He toke his cole of whiche I speke aboue 1177

And in his honde he bare it1 prively

And whiles J?e preest1 couched bisyly

PETWORTH 440 (6-T. 566)

SIX-TEXT 566

GROUP Gr, § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE, Petworth MS.

J?e coles as I tolde 3011 er jjis

Jjis Chanon seide frende 36 done a-mys 1181

J>is is not1 couched as if ou3t be

Buf sone I shal amende it1 quod he

Now laf me medle j?erwij> but1 a while

ffor of 3ou haue I pite be seinf gyle 1185

3e bene ri3f hoote I se wel howe 30 swete

Haue here a clojje and wipe away Jje wete

And whilys Jje preesf his wy haas

Jjis chanon toke his cole I shrewe his faas 1189

And laide it1 vpon abouen Jje mydward?

Of Jje Crosselette and blewe wel afterward!

Til Jjaf jje Coles gonne fast1 brenne

No we 3eue vs drynk1 quod Jje chanon jjen * 1193

As swith . al shal be wel I vndertake

Sitte we a-doun) and laf vs mery make

And whan jje chanons bechen cole

Was brentte al Jje lymaille out1 of jje hole 1197

Into Jje Crosselette anon fille adown

And so if most1 nedes by resown

Sijj if so euen aboue couched was

Buf jjerof wisf no Jjing1 jje preste alias 1201

He demed al jje coles liche good

ffor of j?e sclei3f no Jjinge he vnderstood

And whan this Alkamystere segh his tyme

Eisejj vp sire preesf and stondeth by me . . 1205

And for I wote wele Ingof haue 36 none eaf 207, back]

GOJJ walkejj forjj and bringejj a chalk stone

ffor I wil make if of jje same shap

Thaf is an Ingof 3if I may haue happe 1209

And bringe wij? 3ou a bolle or a panne

fful of water and 30 shul see jjan

Howe jjaf oure bysynesse shal happe and preue

And 3if for 30 shul haue no mysbileue 1213

Ne wronge conceite of me in 3 oure absence

I wil nof bene ouf of 3oure presence

30 PETWORTH 441 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 567

GROUP G, § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

But1 go wif 3ou and come wif ^ou agayn

fe Chambere door shortely to sayn 1217

They opned and shette and went1 for]? her way

And forf wif hem f ei karied f e kay

And comme ageyn wif -out1 eny delay

What1 shuld I tary al fe longe day 1221

He toke f e chalk1 and shope it1 in f e wise

Of an Ingot1 as I shal 3011 deuyse

I saie he toke out1 of his owne scleue

A teyne of siluere euel mote he cheue 1225

Whiche fat1 was but1 an vnce of wei^t1

And take]) hede nowe of f is cursed sclent1

He shope his Ingot1 in length and in brede

Of fe teyne wif -out1 eny drede 1229

So scly3ly fat1 f e preest1 it1 not1 aspied

And in his scleue agayn he gan it1 hide

And from f e fire toke vp his matere

And into f e Ingot1 it1 pitt with mery chere 1233

And into f e water vessel he it1 cast1

whan fat1 him list1 and bad f e preest1 as fast1

Loke what1 f er is pitte in Jnne honde and grope

Thow shalt1 fynde fere siluer as I hope 1237

What1 deuel of helle shuld it1 ellis be

Shavynge of siluere . siluere is parde

He pitte In his honde and toke vp a teyne

Of Syluere fyne and glad in euery veyne 1241

was J»is preest1 whan he segh fat1 if was so [leaf 208]

Goddys blessing1 and his moders also

And alle halowes haue 36 sir* chanon

Saide fe preest1 and I her malyson 1245

But1 and 36 vouche-sauf to teche me

This noble craft1 and fis sotilte

I wil be $our in all fat1 euere I may

Quod fe Chanofi jif wil I make assay 1249

The secounde tyme fat1 36 mow take hede

And bene expert1 of f is and in ^our nede

PETWORTH 442 (6-T. 567)

SIX-TEXT 568

GROUP G, § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Anof er day [assaie] in myne absence

This disciplyne and J>is crafty science 1253

11" Lat1 take anofer vnce quod he f oo

Of quik siluer* wif -out1 wordes moo /

And doo f erwif as 36 han done er fis

With fat1 ofer which fat1 now siluer1 is 1257

This preest1 hym busief in al fat1 he can

To done as fis chanon fis cursed man

Comaundef hym and fast1 blowef f e fuyre

fforto come to fe effecte of his desire 12G1

And fis chanon ri^t1 in f e mene while

Al redy was fis preest1. eft1 to begile

And for a countenawnce in his hand bare

An holowe stik1 take hede and be ware 1265

In f e eende of which an vnce and no more

Of syluere lymaille put1 was al bifore

was in his cole and stopped with wex wel

fforto kepe in his lymaille euery deli 1269

And whilis fis preest1 was in his bysynesse

This Chanon wijj his stik gan hym dresse

To hym anon and! his powdere cast1 Inne

As he did eer fe deuel out1 of his skynne 1273

Hym turne I prey to god for his falshede

ifor he was euer fals in of e and dede

And wif his stik1 aboue f e crosselette

That1 was ordeyned wif fat1 fals gette . 1277

He stiref f e coles til relente gan Deaf 206, back]

The wex a-gayn f e fuyr as euery man

But1 it1 a fool be wote wele & mote nede

And alle fat1 in fe hole was . out1 ^ede 1281

And into f e crosselette hastely it1 felle

The preest1 supposed no f ing1 but1 wel

But1 bisied him fast1 and was wonder1 fayri

Supposing1 nou^t1 but1 troufe sof to sayn 1285

He was so glad I can not1 expresse

In no manere his myrth and his gladnesse

PETWORTH 443 (6-T. S68)

SIX-TEXT 569

GROUP G, § 4, CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And to f e Chanon he pwfred eft1 sone

Body and good $e quod fe clianon sone 1289

f ou^e poor I be crafty f ow shalt1 me fynde

I warne f e ^it1 is f er more behinde

Is fere eny copoure here In saide he

3e sir1 quod fe preest I trowe fer be 1293

Ellis goo by some and fat1 as swithe

JSTow sir1 go forf f i way and hithe .

And went1 his way and with fis coper he cam

And fis chanon it in his honde it1 nam . 1297

And of* fat1 copere weyed out1 but1 an vnce

Al to symple is my tunge to pronuwce

His monstre as his witte f e doublenesse

Of fis Chanon roote of cursednesse 1301

He semed frendely to hem fat1 knewe hy?w nou^fr

Bot1 he was feendly bof in werk and f ou^t1

It1 werief me to telle of his falsenesse

And nathelees 3if wil I it1 expresse 1305

To fat1 entent1 men may be ware f erby

And for noon of ere cause trewly

He putt fis vnce of copere into f e crosselette

And on the fuyre as swithe he haf it1 sette 1309

And kestf In powdere and made f e preest1 to blowe

And in his worching1 for to stoupe lowe

As he did erst* and al nys but1 a lape

Bi3tt as him list1 fe preest1 he made his Ape 1313

And afterward? into the Ingot1 he it1 cast1 [leaf 209]

And in f e panne pitt1 it1 atte last1

Of watere and in he pitte his owne honde

And in his scleue as ^e to-fornhonde 1317

Herd me telle he had a siluer1 teyne

He sclily toke it1 out1 fis cursed heyne

Vnwetinge fis preest1 of his fals craft1

And in fe pannes botme he haf it1 laffc1. 1321

And in f e watere romblef too and froo /

And wondere prively toke it1 vp also

PETWORTH 441 (6-T. 569)

SIX-TEXT 570 GROUP Gr, § 4. CANON's-YEOMziN's TALE. PctWOlth MS.

jje Copere teyne nat1 knowing1 j?is preest1

And hid it1 and hente hym by Jie breest1 1325

And to hym spake and jms seide in his game ./

Stowpej? a-downe by god 36 be to blame .

Helpej) me nowe as I did 3pwe whilere

Putte Inne 301110 honde and lokej? what1 is pere 1329

This preest1 toke vp J?is siluere teyne anone

And jjan seide J?e chanon lat1 vs gone

WiJ> fise ]>re teynes whiche fat* we han wrou^f

To somme goldsmytli and wit* $if it1 be 003 f 1333

ffor be my feife I nolde for myne hode

But1 if ]>ei were siluere fyne and goode

And fat1 as swife proued shal it1 be

Vnto ]?e goldsmythe wijj fise teynes ]?re 1337

went1 J?ei and pitte jjise teynes in assay

To fyre and hamere my^f no man say nay

But* J>ei were as hem ou^te to be

This sotted preest1 who was glad but1 he 1341

Was neuere bridde gladdere a^einst1 )>e day

Ne ny^tyngale in )je seson of may .

was neuere noon fat1 list1 better to synge

Ne lady lusty er in Carolynge . ... 1345

And forto speke of loue and wommanhede

Ne knyght1 in armes done an hardy dede

To stonden in grace of his lady dere .

Than had fis preest1 J>is craft1 to lere . 1349

And to J?e chanon J?us he speke and saide

ffor ]>e loue of god fat1 for vs deyde ./

And as I may deserue it1 vnto yowe [leaf 209, back]

What1 shal J>is Eeceyte cost1 tellejj nowe 1353

By oure lady quod fis chanon it1 is dere /

I warne 3ou . for saaf I and a frere

In Engelonde J?er can no man it1 make

!No fors quod he nowe sir* for goddys sake / 1357

What1 shal I paye telle me I J>e pray

Iwis quod [he] it1 is ful dere I saie /

PETWORTII 415 (6-T. 670)

SIX-TEXT 571

GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Sir* af oon woord? if ]?af ]?e lest1 if haue

3e shul paye xl. li. so god me saue. 1361

And ne were J>e frendship fat1 30 did er f is

To me / 36 shuld paie more ywis ./

This preesf f e some of fourty pounde anon

Of nobles fette and toke hem euerechon 1365

To f is Chanon for f is ilk receite

AH his worchinge was strawe and deceite

Sir1 preesf he saide I kepe forto haue no loos

Of my craft* for I wold if were kepf cloos 1369

And as 36 loue me kepef if secre

ffor and men knewe al my sotilte

By god men wolde haue so grete envie

To me by cause of my philosophic 1373

I Shuld be dede fer nys noon oper waye

God if for-bede quod f e preesf whaf say 36 .

3if had I leuere spenden al J?e good?

Which faf I haue and ellys wexe I wood / 1377

Than faf 30 shuld fallen in such meschief1

ffor 3oure good wille sir1 haue 36 ri3f good preef1

Quod f e Chanon . and sir* . off grazmt mercy

He wenf his way ]?af neuere ]pe preesf hym sie 1381

Aftere Jjaf day and whan Jus preesf shulde

Maken assay af suche tyme as he wolde

Of J)is Receite . fare wel if wold naf be

Loo ]>us byiaped and begiled was he 1385

Thus make]) he his Introduccion

To bringe folk to her destruction

ConsidereJ) surs howe J>af in eche astaaf

Bytwix men and gold ]?er is debaaf 1389

So fer for]? ]?af vnnej>es per is oon [leaf 2103

This multiplyinge so blende]? mony on

Thaf in good fai]? I trowe ]?af if be

The cause grettesf of ]?e grete scarcete 1393

Thise philosophres speken so mystely

In ]?is craff ]?af men can nof come ]?erby

PETWORTH 446 (6-T. 57l)

SIX-TEXT 572

GROUP G, § 4. CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffor eny witte fat1 men han now adayes .

Jpei may wel Chitere and iangle as don fise laies 1397

And in her teemes sette lust1 and peyne

But1 to her purpoos shul f ei neuere atteyne

A man may Ii3tly lerne $if he haue ou3^e

To multiplie and bringe his good to nou^te 1401

Loo suche a lucre is in f is lusty game .

A mawnes merf e wil it1 turne al to grame

And empty also grete and heuy purses .

And make folk to purchasen curses 1405

Of hem fat1 han Jjerto her good ylenf

0. fy for shame f ei fat1 han be brent1

Alias can f ei nat1 flee f e fires hete

3e fat1 it1 losen I rede 36 it1 lete 1409

lest1 30 lesen aH . for bette fan neuere is late

Neuere to f rive were to longe a date

Thou3e 36 prolle ay 36 shul it1 neuer1 fynde

3e bene as bolde as is bayard? fe blynde 1413

That1 blundref forf and perile castef non

He was bolde to renne a3einst a ston

As forto goo be sides in f e way

IF Soo faren 36 fat1 multiplien I say 1417

3if fat1 oure eyen can nat1 seen ari3f

Lokef fat1 3oure mynde lak1 nat1 his 813^

fFor f ou3e 36 loke neuere so brode and stare

36 shul nat1 wynne a myte in fat1 chaffare 1421

But1 waasten aU fat1 36 may rappe and renne

Wif drawe f e fuyre lest1 it1 so fast1 brenne

Medleth no more wif fat1 art1 1 mene .

ffor 3if 36 doon 3oure frift1 is goon ful clene 1425

And ri3f as swif e I wil 3ou telle here

What1 fat1 f e philosophres seyn in f is matere

Loo f us seif alnold? of f e newe toune [leaf 210, back]

As his rosarie makef menciown 1429

He seif rijf f us wif -oute eny lie

Ther may no man mercury mortefie

PETWORTH 447 (6-T. 672)

SIX-TEXT 573

GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Buf 3if if be wip his brokers knowlecchinge

Howe paf he which paf fersf seide pis pinge 1433

Of philosophies fader was hermes

He seij) how paf pe dragon doutelees /

NG dye]) naf but1 3if he be sclayn

Wip his broker and paf is forto sayne 1437

By pe dragon mercury e and noon. oper

He vnderstood fat1 bremstone were his broker

fat1 out1 of sol and luna were ydrawe

And perfore saide he take hede to my sawe 1441

Laf no man bisie him pis arte forto seche .

But1 he paf pe entencion and speche

Of philosophres vnderstonde can

And if he doo he is a lewde man • 1 445

ffor J>is science and Jns conyng1 quod he

Is of Jje secree of secrees parde

Also J?er was a disciple of plato

pat1 on a tyme saide his maister1 too . 1449

As his boke somere wil bere witnesse

And pis was his demaunde en sojjfastnesse

Tel me fe name of a pn'ue sto5n

And plato answered vnto hym anoon 1453

Take J>e stoon pat1 Titanos men name

Which is pat1 quod he magnasia is pe same

His disciple seide 30 sire and is if pus

pis is ignotum per ignocius 1457

Whaf is magnasia good sire I pray

If is a watere paf is made I saye

Of elementes foure quod Plato .

Telle me pe roche good sire quod he poo . 1461

Of paf watere if if be $oure wille

JS"ay nay quod Plato certeyn paf I nyH

The philosophres were sworn echon

paf pei shulde diskeuere if to no mon 1465

Ke in no booke if write in no manere peaf 211]

ffor vnto crisf if is so leef and dere .

PETWORTH 448 (6-T. 673)

SIX-TEXT 574

GROUP G. § 4, CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Petworth MS,

J>af lie wil nat1 fat1 it1 diskeuered be

But1 where if like]) to his deite 1469

Man to enspire and eke forto defende

Whan Jjafr him like]? loo Jns is J>e ende

Than conclude I Jms sijjens )?atf god of heuene

Ne wil not1 fat1 J?e philisophres neuene 1473

How Jjaf a man shal come vnto Jns stone

I rede as for the best1 lat1 it gone

ffor who so make]? god his aduersarye

As forto worche eny Jjinge in contrarie 1477

Ynto his wille certes neuere shal he thryve

Jjo^e fat1 he multiplie teerme of his lyue

And J?er a poynf for eerided is my tale .

God seende euery trewe man boote of his bale / 1481

1f Thus endej? J>e chanons ^eman Ms tale

PETWORTH 449 (6-T. 574)

SPURIOUS CANON'S-YEOMAN-DOCTOR LINK. Petworth MS,

And here bigynneb be prologre of be doctowr of Phisike

[on leaf 211]

Whan J?af Jns ^eman his tale ended hadde IT The prolog. Of J?is fals Chanon which j)atf was so badde Our hoosfr gan say trewly & in certayn) jjis preesfr was begiled so]?ly forto sayn 4

He wenynge forto be a philosophre Til he lift1 ri^fr nou^t1 in his Cophre And soj?ly J>is preest1 had a li])er Tape This cursed chanon put1 in his hode an ape 8

But1 al Jjis passe I ouer as nowe Sir1 doctowr of phisik I prey $ou Telle vs a tale of some honest1 matere It1 shal be done ^if J?af 36 wil it here 12

Saide jjis doctowr and his tale bygan anon Now good men quod he harkenej) euerechon

1T Thus ende]) fe prologe of ]>e docto^?^ of phisik

PETWORTH 450

GKOUP C, FEAGMENT IV.

§ 1. THE DOCTOR'S TALE. PETWORTH MS.

And here bygynnej? ]>e tale .

ton leaf 211]

IF The tale ./

Ther was as tellejj vs tytus lyneus A knyght1 fat1 cleped was virgineus fulfilled of honoures and worjjinesse

And stronge of frendes and of richesse 4

A doubter* he had be his wiff1 Deaf 211, back]

And neuere had hee moo in al his lif1 ffaire was J?is maide in excellent1 bewte Abouen euery wi}^ jjat1 man may see 8

ffor nature haj? wij? souereyn [diligence] fformed hir* in so grete excellence As Jjou^e she wold say loo I nature .

Thus can I forme and peynte a creature 1 2

Whan pat me list1 who can me countrefete Pigmalyon noght1 Jjou^e he alway forge and bete Or graue or peynt1 for I dar wel sayn

Apollus Zephirus shulde worche in veyn 16

Te graue . peynte . or forge or bete If J?ei presumed me to countrefete ffor he ]>af is ])e fourmer principal

Hape made me his vikere general 20

To forme and peinf eche erjjely creature Ri3^ as me list1 for al J?inge is my cure . Vnder J?e mone pat1 may wayne and waxe And for my werk1 • no j>inge wil I axe 24

PETWORTH 451 (6-T. 303)

SIX-TEXT 304

GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

My lorde and I bene fully atte acorde

I made hir1 to ])e worship of my lorde

So doo I alle myne o]?er creatures

Of what1 coloure J>ei be or what1 figzwes 28

Thus seme]? me fat1 nature wolde say

This maide was of age .xij. ^ere and tway

In whiche pat1 nature ha]? such delite

ffor ri^t1 as she can peynf as lily white 32

And roody as roose ri^t1 wij> such peynture

She peynted haf J?is noble creature

Er she was born vpon her lynies fre

"Were also bri^t1 as such coloures my}^ be . 36

And phebus died had her tresses grete

Like to J)e stremes of his boomed hete

And ^if jjat1 excellent1 was her bewte

A thowsand folde more vertuous was she 40

In hur1 ne lacke]? no condicion

)3att is to preise as by discrecion .

As wel in body as goost1 chaast1 was she- [ieaf2i2j

ffor which she flowred in virginite 44

Wij) al humilite and abstinence

"VYij? alle attemperance and pacience

Wij} mesure eke in beringe of araye .

Discrete she was in answering1 alwaye 48

And she was wis as pallas dar I seyn

Hir1 facon eke ful womanly and pleyn

Noon counterfeted teermes had shee

1T To seme wise but1 after her degree . 52

She spak and alle her wordes more and lasse

Sownynge in vertue and in gentelnasse

Shamefast1 she was in maidens shamfastnesse

Constant1 in herf and euere in bysynesse 56

To drive hur1 out1 of her scloggardrie

Bachus had of her moufe no maistrie

ffor wille and Jjou^t1 done Venus encrece

As men in fire wil casten oile or grece CO

PETWOT1TH 452 (6-T. 304)

SIX-TEXT 305

GROUP C, § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And of her owne vertue vnconstreyned .

She hape ful oft1 tyme hur* seke feyned <

ffor pat1 she wolde flee pe companye

where likly was to treten of folye 64

As is at1 feestys . Eeuels . and daunces

Which e bene occasion of dalia^nces

Suche pingges maken children forto be .

To sone ripe and bolde as men may see 68

"Which is ful perilous and hap bene 30ore

ffor al to sone may she lerne lore .

Of boldnesse whan she is a wiff

And 30 Maistresses in 3oure olde liff1 72

pat1 lordes doubters han in gouernazmce

~Ne take]) of my wordes no displesauwce

Thingges pat1 bene sette in gouernyngges

Of lordys doubters oonly for two pingges 76

Oyper for 36 han kepte 3oure honeste

Oypere ellis 36 han falle in freelte

And knowen wel ynou3e pe olde daunce

And konne for-sake fully [such] meschaunce . 80

ffor euermoo perfor for cristes sake [leaf 212, back]

kepep wel poo J>afr 36 vndertake

A theef for venyson pat1 hath forlaff

His likerousnesse and al his Jjeeues craftt 84

Can kepe a forest1 best1 of eny man .

Now kepe]) hem wel for and 36 wil 36 can .

lokef wel to no vice fat1 36 assente .

Lest1 30 be dampned for 3oure euel entente . 88

ffor who so do]) a traitoure is certeyn .

And take}) [kepe] of fat1 fat1 1 shal seyn .

Of al treson suffreyn pestilence .

Is whan a Vfijti bitraief innocence . 92

3e faders and 36 moders eke also .

fou3e 36 han children be it1 on or twoo .

3oure is fe charge of al her suffrauwje .

Whiles fei bene vnder gouernownce 96

PETWOETII 453 (6-T. 305)

SIX-TEXT 306

GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Be ware fat* by ensample of 30111° lyuynge

Ef ere by necligence in chaastisinge

fat1 f ei ne perisshe for I dar wel saye

3if fat1 36 done ^e shul ful sore abaye 100

vndere a sheparde . soft1 and negligent*

f e wolf haf mony a shepe and lomb to-rent*

Suffisejj oon ensample nowe as here

ifor I mot/ turne a3ein to my matere 104

IT This maide of which I telle my tale expresse .

She kept* her self her neded no maistresse .

ffor in her lyuynge maidens my^t* rede

As in a booke euery good woord and dede 108

J?at* longef to a maide vertuous

She was so prudent* and so bounteuous .

ifor whiche [f e fame] out* spronge on euery side .

Both of her bewte and of her bounte wide . 112

Jjat f orowe f e londe f ei preised hure echon .

J}at loued vertue sauf envie allone .

Jpaf sorie is of of er mennys wele

1F And glad is of his sorowe and vnhele 116

The doctoure make]) f is descripciown

This maide went* on a day into f e town

Toward? J>e temple wij? her modere dere [leaf 213]

As is of yonge maidens J?e man ere 120

Now was ]>er a Justice in J?e toune

Jpat* gouernere was of fat* Eegiown

And so bifelle f is luge his eyen cast*

Vppon fis mayde ayisinge hir* ful fast* 124

As she came forf e by fere f e luge stood .

Anon his hert* chaungef and his mood? .

So was he kau^t* wif f e bewte of f is maide

And to him silf ful prmely he saide 128

This maide shal be myn for eny man .

Anon f e feende into his hert* ran

And tau^t* him sodeynly by what* scli3t*

The maide to his pwrpoos wynne he my^t* 132

PETWORTH 454 (6-T. 306)

SIX-TEXT 307

GROUP C, § 1, DOCTOR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffor certis by no force ne by no mede

Him jjoi^t1 he was not* able forto specie .

ffor he was stronge of freendes and eke she

Confeermed was in such souereyn bewte 136

fat1 wel he wist1 he nr^t her neuere wynne

As forto make here wi]> hur) body synne

ffor whiche wi}? grete deliberaciown

He sent1 after a clerk into J?e toune . 140

J?e whiche he knewe for subtile or for bold?

This luge vnto }>is clerk* his tale haj? told?

In secre wise and made him to assure

He shulde telle it1 to no creature . 144

And if he did he shulde lese his hede

whan assented was J?is cursed rede

Glad was ]?e luge and made glad chere

And ^aue hym ^iftes precious and dere 148

whan shapen was aH J?is conspiracie

ffrora poynt1 to poynt1 how fat1 j?is lecherie

Perfourmed shulde be ful sotelly

And 36 shul here afterward? openly 152

Home goo]) this clerk1 J?afr hi^t1 Claudius

This fals luge fat1 lu^t1 apius

So was his name for it1 is no fable

But1 knowen for an historial fing1 notable . 156

The sentence of hit1 so)? is out1 of dowte [leaf 213, back]

This fals luge go]? nowe fast1 aboute

To hasten his delit1 and Jjat1 he may

And so bifelle sone after on a day . 160

This fals luge as telle]? vs J?e story

As he was woraied in his consistorie

And $af his doomes vpon sondrie caas

This fals Clerk came for]? a wel good paas . 164

And saide lord* if J?att it1 be ^oure wille

As do]? me ri^t1 vpon J?is pitous bille

In whiche I pleyn vpon Virginius .

And }if fat1 he wol sayn it1 is nat1 Jms 168

PETWORTH 455 (6-T. 307)

SIX-TEXT 308

GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

I wiH prone it and fynde good wittnesse

pat1 sope is pat1 my bille wil expresse

])Q luge answerde of pis in his absence

I may not* ^ene diffinitif sentence 172

Lat1 doon hym calle and I will gladly here

pou shalt1 haue ri^t1 and no wronge here

Virginius came to witte pe luges wille

And ri^t1 anoon was rad pis cursed bille 176

IF The sentence of hit1 was as 36 shul here

To 3owe my lord sir* Apius so dere

Shewep ^our poor seruemnte Claudius

How pat1 a kny^tt called Yirginius 180

A^einst1 pe lawe a^einst1 al equite

Holdep expresse a^einsf pe wille of me .

My seruaunt1 which Jmt1 is )>ral be ri^f

Which from myn hous was stolen on a ny^f 184

]}e whiles she was ful ^enge I wil it preue

By witnesse lord so pat1 36 3ou nafr greue

She is nat1 his dou3tere what1 so he saye

wherfore my lord jje luge to 3ou I praye 188

3eelde me my thrall if fat1 it1 be 30^ wille

loo pis was alle J>e sentence of pe bille

Virginius gan vpon pe clerk biholde

IT But1 hastely er he his tale tolde 192

he wold haue defended it1 as shuld* a kny}^

And by witnesse of mony a trewe wi3t1

That1 al was fals pat1 saide his aduersarie [leaf 214]

This cursed luge wold4 no lenger tarye 196

Ne here oon woord* more of Virgyneus

But1 3af his lugement1 and saide pus .

I deme anoon pis clerk his seruemnte haue

Thow shalt1 no longer in pine hous hir1 sane 200

Goo bringe hir1 forp and put1 hur in our warde

This Clerk1 shal haue his praH pus I awarde

And whan pis worpi kny3^ Virgineus

Thorgli pe assent1 of pe luge Apius 204

PETWORTH 456 (6-T. 308)

SIX-TEXT 309

GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Most1 "by force his dere doujtere

Vnto the luge in lecchery to lyuen .

He goo]) hym home and sette lijm in his halle

And lete anoon his deer dorter* calle . 208

And wij? a face dede as asshen colde

Vpon her humble face he can biholde

"Wijj faders pite stikyng1 jjorgh his herte

Al wold he nat1 from his pe^rpoos concerts 212

Doughtere qwd? he Virginea be jn name

J)er bene twoo weies . oi)?er dej> oij?er shame

jpat1 thow most1 suffre alias Jmt1 I was bore

ffor neuer Jjou deseruedest1 wherfore 216

To dyen wij? a sweerd or wij> a knyf1

0 dere doi^ter ender of my lif

Which I haue fostred vp wij? such plesaunce

J^at1 jjou ne were but1 of my remembraiwce 220

0 doughtere which Jjat1 art1 my last1 woo .

And in lif my last1 loie also

0 gemme of chastite in pacience

Take J?ou j)i dej) for J>is is my sentence 224

ffor loue and nat1 for hate j)ou most1 be dede

My pitous honde mote smyten of jpine hede

Alias Jjat1 euer Apius J?e say

Thus haj) he falsly luged j?e to day 228

And tolde liur* al })e caas as }e biforo

Haue herd it1 nedej? telle it1 no more

Mercy dere fadere quo$ j)is maide

And wit1 jjat1 word' she boj? hure armes laide. 232

Aboute his nek as she was wo^ned to doo [leaf 214, back]

)3e teeres brosten out1 of her eyen twoo

A[n]d saide good fadere shal I dye

Is jjere no grace is j)er no remedy e 236

JSTo certes dere doubter niyn qwod? he .

Than ^eue me leue fader myn qiwd1 she .

My dej) [for] to compleyn a litel space

ffor parde leffa ^aue his dor^tere grace 210

31 PETWOKTIl 457 (6-T. 309)

SIX-TEXT 310

GROUP C. § 1, DOCTOR'S TALE. Petworth MS.

flbrto compleyn er lie her sclo^e alas .

And god it1 woof no ping1 was his trespas

But1 fan she ranne her fader first1 to see

To welcome him wif grete solempnite 244

And wif fat1 word' she felle a swown anon

And aftere whan her swownyng1 was agon

She rise]) vp and to her fadere saide

Blessed he god fat1 I shal die a maide 248

3eue me my dee]? er fat I haue a shame

Do]) wif ^oure childe ^our* wille a goddys name

And wif fat1 word she preief [him] ful oft1

That1 wif his swerde he shuld smyte her soft1 252

And wif fat1 woord? in swowne doune she felle

Hm-* fadere wij) ful sorowful hert1 and felle

H.ure hede of smote and by f e top it1 hent1

And to the luge he ^aue it1 to present1 256

As he satte in his doome in consistorie

And whan f e luge it1 seie as seij) f e storie

He had take him and honge hyw also fast1

But1 ri^t1 anoon al fe puple in frast1 260

To saue f e kny^t1 for rewf e and for pite

ffor knowen was f e fooles iniquite

The puple anoon had suspecte in Jns pinge

By manere of ])is clerkes chalengynge 264

Jjat1 it1 was by ^assent1 of Apius .

fyei wist1 wel fat1 he was lecherus

ffor which vnto fis Apius fei gon

And casten hjm in prison ri^t1 an5n 268

Wher as he sclough hy??^ self and Claudius

Jpaf Seruawnte was vnto jris Apius

Was denied forto honge vpon a tree [leaf 215]

But1 Yirginius of his grete pite 272

Preide for hym fat1 he was exiled?

And ellis certys he had be begiled*

The remenant1 were honged more and lesse

fat1 consented were to fis cursednesse / 276

PETWORTH 458 (6-T. 310)

SIX-TEXT 311

GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Petworth. MS,

Here may men see howe synne ha]? his merite

Be ware for no man woote how god wil smyte

In no degree ne in which manere wise

J>e worme of conscience wil arise . 280

Of wicked lif }>ough if so prive "be

Jjaf no man woote of if . buf god and hee

Where he be lewde man or lered?

He note howe sone he may be afered . 284

Therfore I rede 3011 this counsel take

fforsakej) synne er synne 3011 forsake

PETWOKTH 459 (6-T. 31l)

SIX-TEXT 312 GROUP C. § 2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK. PctWOlth MS,

|j The prologe of

Our boost gan swere as lie were wood? pe Pwdouere. Harowe quod he by nailles and by blood? 288

This was a cursed peef a fals lustise As shameful dee]? as herte can deuise . Come to pe lustise and her aduocas .

Aigates pis sely woraman is sclayn alas . 292

Alias dere abou^te she bewtee . "Wherfore I say alday pat1 man may se That1 ^ift1 of fortune or of nature

Bene cause of dep of rnony a creature 296

[Hir1 beaute was hiij deth I dar> weH sayn . Pfari. 1758, on leaf

J 150, back]

Alias so pitously as sche was slayn .]

As bop 3iftes as I speke of nowe

Men ban ful oft1 more harme pa?z prowe 300

But1 trewly myne owne maister dere

This is a pitous tale for to here

But1 napelees passe ouer is no fors

I prey to god to saue pi gentile cors / 304

And pine vrynales and pi lordans

)}ine ypocras and eke pi Galyans

And euery box ful of pi letwarye

God blesse hem and our* lady seintf Marye 308

So mote I the pou art a propre man .

And like a prelate by seynf Runyan.

Saue pat1 1 can not speke wel in terme Deaf 215, back]

But1 wel I woote pou doost1 myn hert1 eerme 312

That1 1 haue almost1 kaught1 a Cardyacle

By corps boones but1 1 haue triacle

Or ellis a drau^t1 of moist1 or corny ale

Or but1 I here anoon a mery tale 316

PETWOIITH 460 (6-T. 312)

SIX-TEXT 313 GROUP C. § 2, DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK. PetWOlth MS.

My hert1 is lost1 for pite of Jris maide

fowe belamy lohn pardonere he saide

Telle vs some merf e or lapes ri^t1 anon

he shal be done quod he be seyiit1 Runyon 320

But1 furst1 quod he here at1 J?e next1 ale stake

I wil bo]) drink1 and ete of a cake

But1 ri$V anon ])ise gentiles gon to crye

Nay lat1 hym telle vs of no Rybaudrye . 324

Telle vs some moral Jnng1 J^at4 we may lere

Somrae witte and fan wil we gladly here

I graunt1 Iwis quod he but1 1 mote fink1

Ypon som honest1 j>inge whiles fat1 1 drink1 / 328

IT Thus endej? fe prologe of J> e pardoner.

PETWORTH 461 (6-T. 313)

SIX-TEXT 314

GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

And here bygynnef the tale.

Loldingges quod he in church whaw. I preche 1T The I peyn me to haue an hautyn speche I ryng1 it1 out1 as rounde as go]? a belle ffor I can al by roote fat1 1 telle 332

My teeme is alway oon and euere was . Radix omnium malorwm est1 cupiditas . ffirsf I pronozms whennys fat I come And fan my bulles schewe aH and some / 336

Our liege lordes seel on my patent* f aft shewe I furst1 my body to warent1 That1 no man be so bolde preestt ne clerk1 Me to distrowbe of cristes holy werk1 340

And after fat1 telle I forf my tales Bulles of popes and of Cardynales . Of patriarkes and bisshoppes I shewe . And in latyn I speke a wordys fewe 344

To sauer wif my predicacion And forto stirre men to deuocion

Than shewe I forf my longe cristal stones [leaf 216]

Ycrommed ful of clowtes and of bones . 348

Eelikes fei bene as wene men echon jpan haue I in laton a sholdere bone Which fat1 was an holy Iwes shepe

Good men say I take at1 my wordes kepe 352

3if fat1 f is boon be wasshen in a welle 3if kowe or calf, shepe or oxe swelle Jjat1 eny worme hath ete or stonge About1 fe hert1 or ellis fe longe 356

PETWORTH 462 (6-T. 314)

SIX-TEXT 315

GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

It1 is hool anon and ferpermore

Of pokkes and of scabbe and of euery sore

Shal euery shepe be hool pat1 of pis welle

Drynkep a drau^t take hede what1 I telle 3GO

3if pat1 pe good man pat1 pe beest1 owep

"VVil euery weke er pat1 pe Cok hym crowep

ffastinge drink1 of pis welle a draujte .

As pilk1 holy I we our* eldere tau^te 3G4

His beestees and his stoor shal multiplie

And sirs also it1 helep lalowsie

And pou3e a man be fallen in a lalous rage

Lat1 maken wip pis watere his potage 3G8

And neuer shal he [more] his wif mystrust1

pou^e he pe sop of hure defaute wost1

Al had she taken • preestes tweyn • or pree

Here is a myten eke pat1 $e may see 372

He pat1 his honde wil putte in pis myteyn)

He shal haue multiplyinge of his greyn

Whan he hap sawen be it1 whete or otys

So pat1 he bringe me good! pans or ellis grotys . 376

And men and wommen • oo ping1 1 warne jowe

3if eny wi^i1 be in pis churche nowe

jpat1 hap doo synne horrible [so] pat1 he

Dar not1 for shame of it1 shryuen be 380

Or eny wowman be she 3ong1 or olde

That1 hap made her husbonde Cukwold!

Suche folk1 shal haue no power ne no grace

To offre to my relikes in pis place . 384

And who so findep hym out1 of such blame [leaf 210, back]

Thei wil come vp and offre in goddis name

And I assoille hym by pe autorite

Such as my bulle was graunted to me 388

By pis gaude haue I wormen euery ^eere

An .0. Mark sipens I was pa?*donere.

I stonde like a clerk1 in my pulpitte

And schewe lewde puples synne ysette 392

PETWORTH 463 (6-T. 315)

SIX-TEXT 316

GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

I preche so as I haue lered by-fore

And telle an hundred lapes more .

Than peyne I me to streche for]? ]>e necke

And eest4 and west4 vppon j?e puple I bekke 396

As do]) a dowue sitting4 vppon a beerne

Myne hondes and my tunge gon ful Beerne

J}af it1 is ioye to see my bysynesse

Of auarice and suche cursednesse . 400

Is al my prechinge for to make hem free

To ^eue her pans and namely vnto me

ffor myn entent4 is nat4 but1 forto wynne

And iiojnnge for correction of synne 404

I rekke neuere whan fat4 f ei bene buried

Jjou^e fat4 her sanies goo o blakburied .

ffor certes mony a predicacion

Cowmef ofte tyme of euel entencion 408

Sorame of plesaunce of folk4 and of flaterye

To bene auawnced by ypocresie

And som?7ie for veynglorie and for hate

ffor whan I dar nafr o]>er waies debate 412

Than wil I stynge hem wif my tunge smerte

In prechinge so that4 he shal not4 sterte

To bene defamed falsely so fat4 he

hajj trespased to my breferen or to me 416

ffor Jjou^e I telle nat1 his propre name

Men shal wel knowe fat4 it is f e same

By somwe signe and ojjer circumstaunces

Thus smyte 1 folk4 Jjat4 don vs displesaunces . 420

Thus spitte I out4 my venyme vnder hwe

Of holynesse to semen holy and trewe

But4 shortely myne entent4 I wil devise ./ [leaf 217]

I preche of no )>inge but4 of Couetise ./ 424

J)erfore my teeme is ^it4 arid euer was

Eadix omnium m&loium est cupiditas

Thus can I preche a^einsf ]>e same vice

Which J>af I vse and fat4 is Auarice 428

PETWORTH 464 (8-T. 316)

SIX-TEXT 317

GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Petworth MS.

But1 JJOU3G my self be giltif in Jjat1 synne .

3ifr can I make o]?er folk1 to wynne

firom auarice and soor hem repent1

But1 J>af nys not1 my principal entent1 432

I preche nat1 but1 for coueityse

Of J?is matere it1 ou3f ynowe suffise

Than telle I hem ensamples mony oon

Of olde stories longe tyme agon 436

ffor lewde puple louen tales olde

which Jnngges ]?ei conne report1 and hold?

What1 trow 36 J>e whiles I may preche

And wynne gold and siluere forto teche 440

J>afr I wil ly ve in pouert1 wilfully

Isray nay I £0113 11 it1 neuere trewly .

ffor I wil preche and begge in sondry londys

I nyl do no laboure wij? my hondes . 444

ISTe make baskettes for to lyve Jjer-by

Because I wil not1 lyuen ydelly

I wil noon of J>e apostels connterfete

I wil haue money . malt1 chees and whete 448

Al were it1 3euen of J?e poorest* page

Eypere of )?e poorest1 wydowe in a vilage

Al shulde her children sterue or famyne

And I wil drink J?e licourest1 of J>e wyne 452

And haue a ioly wenche in euery toune

But1 harkene]? lordes in conclusiozm

3 cure liking1 is Jjat1 I shal telle a tale

Now haue I dronken . a drai^f of corny ale 456

By god I hope I shal tel 3ou a Jnnge

Jmt1 shal of reson be at1 3oure likinge

ifor J)ou3e my self be a vicious man •

I morale tale 31^ I 3ou telle can . 460

Whiche lames went1 to preche forto wynne. [leaf 217, back]

Now holdej) 3oure pees my tale I wil bygynne .

PETWORTH 465 (6-T. 317)

SIX-TEXT 318

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

In fflanndres whilom was a coinpanye [on lea/t

Of yonge folk J?af haunted folye 464

As hasard? Riot* / stewes . and tauernes . Harpes . Rubibes . lutes and giternes . ]?ei dauncen and pleyen at1 Jje dys ny^f and day and Eten also ouer fat1 her my^f may 4G8

Thorgh whiche )?ei do J?e deuel sacrifise Wijj-in J?e deuels temple in sondry wise By superfluite abhominable

Her ojies bene so grete and damnable 472

J?af it1 is grisly forto here hem swere Our blessed lordys body fei to-tere Hem Jjou^t1 pe Iwes rent1 hym nat1 ynowe And ilk1 of hem at1 ofer synne loowe 476

And ri}^ anon commen Inne fan tomblestcrs ffetys and smale and ^ong1 fritters Syngers wijj harpes . bawdes and waifrers Such bene verrey J>e deuels officers . 480

To kyndel and blowe J?e fyre of leccherye That1 is annexed [vn]to glotenye The holy writfr take I to witnesse

jpat1 lecherie is in wyne and dronknesse 484

1 Lo howe bat1 dronken Loth vnkindely T n9ute iwebriari

vino in quo est

Lay by his dorters two vnwittyngly lux«ria

So dronken he was he nyst1 what1 he wroi^f

Herodes who so haj? fe stories sou^fr 488

no spurious lines in this MS.~\

PETWORTH 466 (6-T. 318)

SIX-TEXT 319

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

wlian he of wyne was replete at1 his feesf 489

Ri^t1 at1 his owne table $af his heest

To sleen f e baptist1 lohn ful giltelees

Senetf saif a good word? doutelees . ^ Seneca 492

He seif he can no difference fynde

Betwix a man fat1 is out1 of his mynde

And a man fat1 is dronklewe

But1 fat1 woodenesse is fallen in a shrewe 496

Perseueref lenger fan do]? dronknesse

0 gloteny ful of Cursednesse .

0 cause furst1 of GUI' confusion Deaf 213]

Oryginal of our dampnacion 500

Til crisf had boust1 vs wif his blood agayii

Lo how dere shortely forto sayne

Abou3f was fe Cursed vilanye

Cornipte was as f is world' f orgh glotenye

Adam oure fadere and his wif also

ffrom paradis to labour and to woo

Were driven for fat1 wise if is no drede

fibr whiles fat1 adam fasted as I rede 508

He was in paradys and whan fat1 hee

Ete of f e fruyte defended on fe tree •

Anoon he was out1 cast1 to woo & peyne

0 glotenye on fe wel o^f vs pleyne 512

0 wist1 a man how mony maladyes

fFolowef of excesse and of glotonyes

He wolde bene fe more mesurable

Of his diete sitting1 at1 his table 516

.Alias fe short1 frote f e tender moufe

Makef fat1 Est1 and West1 norf e & souf e

In erthe in eire in watere men to synk1

To geten a gloton deynte mete and drink1 520

Of f is matere o poule wel cast1 f ou trete

Mete vnto wombe and wombe eke vnto mete

Shal god distroie bof as Powle seif

Alias a foule f inge it1 is be my feif . 524

PETWORTH 467 (6-T. 319)

SIX-TEXT 320

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS,

To sale fis worde and foulere is fe dede

Whan men so drinken of fe white and rede

fat1 of his prote he make]? his priuee

Thorgh filk1 cursed Superfluite 528

)2e Apostel wepinge seif ful pitously

fer walken mony of which tolde haue I

I saie if nowe weping1 wijj pitous vois

]0er bene enemy es of cristes croys 532

Of whiche ]>e eende is def . Wombe is her god

0 woombe o baly . o stynking1 cod .

{fulfilled of donge. and of corrupciSn

At1 eifer eende of fe foule is fe seson 536

Howe grete cost1 and labour is to fynde Deaf 218, back]

Thise Cokes ho we J>ei stampe streyne and grynde

And turnen substance into accident1

To ffulfille alle J?e likerous talent1 540

Out1 of f e hard bones knokke J>ei

}3e mary for fei cast1 nafr away

J3af may goo jjorgh fe golett1 sauf1 and soote

Of spicery of leeues berk1 and roote 544

Shal bene his sause yniade be delite

To maken hym ^it1 a newe appetite

Bufr certes he J?afr hauntejj suche delices

Is dede whiles Jmfr he lyuej? in J?oo vices 548

A lecherous finge is wyne and dronknesse

It1 is ful of strivinge and of wrecchednesse

0 dronken man disfigured in Jn face

ffoule is J?i breejj foule art1 J?ou to enbrace 552

And Jjorgfr ])i dronken nose soune]? J?e so?me

As Jjou^e J>ou seidest ay Sampson Sampsown

And ^it1 god woot sampson dronk neuere no wyne

J)ow fallest1 as it1 were a dronken swyne 556

])i tunge is lost1 and alle pine honest1 Cure

ffor drunknesse is verray sepulture

Of mannys witte and his discrecion

In whoom fat1 drink1 haj> dominacion 560

PETWORTH 468 (8-T. 320)

SIX-TEXT 321

GROUP C, § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

He can no counsaile kepe if is no drede

Nowe kepe 3011 from Jje white and fro J?e rede

Namely from J?e white wyne of lepe

j)af is to selle in fisshstrete and in chepe 564

This wyne of spayn crepe]? subtilly

In ojjer wynes growinge faste by

Of woche riseth suche fumosite

J3af whan a man haj) dronke a drai^f or ]}re 568

And wenej) J>af he be at1 home in chepe

J)an is he in spayn ri^f at1 J?e toune of lepe

Nou3f at1 the rocheH ne at1 burdeux town

And fan wil J?ei say . Sampson sampsown 572

But1 harkenej? lordingg^s oo ping1 I }ou pray

]?af alle J>e souereyn actes dar I say

Of victories in olde testament1 Deaf 219]

fat1 jjorghe verrey god jmf is omTiipotent1 576

Weren doon in abstinence and in preiere

Lokej) ]?e bible and j?er ^e may it1 lere

Lokej) Attila Jie grete conquerour*

Deide in his sclepe wij? shame and dishonour 580

Bledinge at1 his nose in dronknesse

A Captayii shuld live in sobrenesse

And ouer al Jnse avise ^ow ri^t1 well

What1 was comatinded vnto lamueH 584

Not1 Samuel but1 lamuel say .1. \ NoHvinumdare

Rede]) ]je bible and fynde]? if exprcsly

Of wyne 3euynge of hem faf aren lustise

No more of ]ns for it1 may suffise 588

And now J>af I haue spoken of glotenye

No we wil I defende 3011 hasardye

IF Hasard? is verrey modere of leshiffges J ^oMcratid [Jo.

oarisburiensis] LL-

And of disceite cursed forswerynges

Blaspheme of crisf mansclaughter and waasf also/ est alea

Of bataile and of tyme and of ferjjermoo

If is repreef1 and contrarie to honours

fforto be h olden a comon hasardoure 596

PETWOllTH 46'0 (6-T. 32l)

SIX-TEXT 322

GROUP C, § 4, PARDONER'S' TALE. Petworth MS.

And euer pe hier he is of estate

The more he is holden desolate

3if pat1 a prince vse hasardie

In al gouernance and polecye 600

He is as by comon opinion

Holde pe lasse in reputacion

IT Stilboon pat1 was holde a wise embassatowr f stnbofi .i.

Was sent1 into Corinth vtith grete honowr .

ffro Calidoyne to make hem alliance

And whan he came happed ]>is chance

And al pe grettest1 fat1 were of pat1 lond?

Pleiyng1 at1 pe hasard' he hem fond? 608

ffor which as sone as pat1 my^t be

He stale hym home a3ein to his cuntre

And saide pere I wold not1 lese my name

I wold nat1 take on me so gref diffame. 612

fforto allye ^ou to noon hasardours •/ [leaf 219, back]

Sendep oper wiser embassatours ./

ffor by my troupe me were leuere dye

J)an I shuld. ^ow to hasardours allie 616

But1 36 fat1 bene so glorious in honoures.

Shal not allie ^ou wij) hasardoures .

As by my wille ne as by my trete

This wis philisophre Jius seide hee 620

Loke eeke pat1 to J>e kinge Demetreus

The kyng1 of partes as J>e booke seij? pus

Sent1 hym a paire of golden dys in scorne

ffor he had vsed hasardrie per byforne 624

ffor whiche he heelde his glorie and his renown

ffor no value of reputaciozm

lordes myght1 fynde oper manere playe

Honest1 ynowe to dryue pe day awaye 628

Now wil I speke of opes fals and grete

A worde or twoo as oper bookes entrete .

Grete sweringe is a ping1 abhominable

And fals sweringe is moche more reproueable 632

PETWORTH 470 (6-T. 322)

SIX-TEXT 323

GROUP C, § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS,

The highe god forbere sweryng1 at1 alle T Noiite omniao iurare

Witnesse of mathewe but1 in special!

Of swerynge [seif ] f e holy leremye .

Thowe shalf swere sof e fine of es awe? not1 lie

And swere in doome and eke in rijtwisnesse

But1 ydel sweringe is a cursednesse

Biholde and see f af in f e first table .

Of hie goddes heestes honurable 640

How f af twoo heestes of hyra is f is

Take not1 my tale in ydelnes amys

Loo ra)>er he forbede)) such sweryiige

Than homicide or eny ofer J)inge . 644

I saie as f us by order it1 stondej)

This knowen fat1 heestes vnderstondef

How fat1 f e Secounde heest of god is fat

And ferfer ouer I wil fe telle al plat1 648

Jpaf vengeance shal not1 part1 from his hous

J)af of his of es is so outrageous .

By goddys precious herf and his nailles Deaf 220]

And by his blood fat1 is in hailles 652

Seuen is my chaunce and his .v. and thre

By goddys armes }if f ou falsly plaie me

This daggard shal f orgh fine herf goo .

This fruite co??zmef of f ilk bones twoo . 656

iFor-sweringe Ire falsenesse homyside

Now for f e loue of crisf fat1 for vs dyde

Leuef ^oure of es bothe grete and smale

ffor I shal telle ^ou a mervelous tale / 660

Thise Eiotours of which I telle .

Longe erste er prime . ronge eny belle

"Were sette in a tauerne for to drynke

And as fei satte fei herd a belle chink1 664

Byforn a corps was caried to his graue

pat1 oon of hem can calle to his knaue /

Goo bette quod he and aske redely

What1 coors is fat1 fat1 passef forf by 668

PETWOIITII 471 (6-T. 323)

SIX-TEXT 324

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And loke paf pou report1 his name weH

Sire quod pis [knaue] it1 nedep neuer a deH

It was me tolde eer 36 came heer two houres

He was parde an olde felawe of ^oures 672

Al sodeynly was lie sclayn to-nyjtt

ifor-dronken as he satte vpon his "bench vpri^fr

Ther come a prive peef men clepen depe

J2att in his contray al pe puple scleep 676

And wip his speer he smote his hert1 atwoo

And went1 his v/ay wip-oute wordes moo

He ha]> a thousand sclayn pis Pestilence

And maistere er ^e come in his presence 680

Me penkep patf it1 were necessarie

ffor to be war of such an aduersarie

Beep redy forto mete hyw euermore

Thus tau^fr me my dame I saye no more 684

IT By seintt marye saide pis tauernere

)}e Childe seijj sooj) for he hap sclayn to 3ere

hens ouer a myle wip-Inne a grete vilage

Both man and womnan childe and page . 688

I trowe his habitaciou^ he pere [leaf 220, back]

To bene avised grete wisdome it1 were

Er pat^ he did a man dishonoure

3e goddes armes quod pis Eiatoure 692

Is it1 suche perile wip hym forto mete

I shal hym sechen by stie and by strete

I. make a vowe by goddys digne bones .

Harkenep felawes we pre bene al ones. 696

Lat1 eche of vs holde vp his honde to opere

And eche of vs bycome opers broper

Arid we wil slee pis fals traitowr depe

He shal be slayne he pat1 so monye sleepe 700

By goddys dignite er it1 be ny}^

To-gidere han pise pre her hertes pli^t1 .

To iif and to dye ilk1 of hem wip oper

As pou^e he were his owne born broper 704

PETWORTH 472 (0-T. 324)

SIX-TEXT 325

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And vp J?ei sterten and dronken in Jjis rage.

And for]) J?ei goon towardes J?at vilage

Of which J?e tauernere haj> spoke byforne

And mony a grisly ooj?e han )>ei sworne 708

And cristes blessed body J>ei to-rent1

j^at1 deeth shal be dede if we may hyw hentt

Whan J>ei han goon nat1 fully a myle

Ri^tt as J>ei wold? haue troden ouer a stile 712

An olde and a poor man wij? hem mette

This olde man ful mekely hem grette

And saide Jms nowe lordes god 3011 see

J)e Prowdest1 of J>ise Riatours thre 716

Answerde a^ein what1 cherlde wijj harde grace

Why art1 Jxm al forwrapped sauf J)i face

Whi lyuest1 J?ou so longe in so grete age

This olde man gan loke in his visage 720

And seide Jms for I can nat1 fynde

A man J>ou}e I walked into Ynde

ISTeifer in Cite ne in noon vilage

Jjat1 wil chaungen his ^oujie for inyn age 724

And jjerfore mote I haue myn age stille

As longe tyme as it is goddys wille /

Ne deth alias nyl not1 haue my lif1 Peaf 2213

Thus walk I like a restlees catif 728

And on )>e groimde which is my moder* gate

I knokke wijj my staf eiiy and late

And saie leue moder lat1 me Inne

Loo howe I vanyssh flessh blood and skynne 752

Alias whan shul my bones bene at1 reste

Modere with $ou wold I chaunge my chest1

That1 in my chambere longe tyme haj> be .

3e for an heeren cloute to wrappe me 736

But1 ^it1 to me she wil nat do J?at grace .

(For whiche ful welked is my face

And sire to 3011 it1 is no curtesie

To speken vntil an olde man vilany 740

32 PETWORTH 473 (6-T. 325)

SIX-TEXT 326

GKOUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

But1 he trespase in word or ellis in dede

In holy writte 36 may 3oure self wel rede

1T A3einst an oolde man hoor vpon his hede l^wnS?1?

^e'shuld arise J>erfor I 3eue 3ou rede 744

Ke dojj vnto and olde man harnie as nowe

No more J>an 30 wolde a man did 3owe

In age if Jjat1 30 so longe abide

And god be wij) 3ow wheder 36 goo or ride 748

I mote goo Jjidere as I haue to goo

We nay olde cherle by god jjou shalt1 nat1 soo .

Seyde J?ise oj>er hasardours anone

Thow partest1 nat1 so Ii3tly be seynt1 lohn 752

Thow spak1 rijtt now of Jjilk1 tratow de]?e

fat1 in J>is cuntre alle our frendes sleeve

Haue here my troujje as j?ou art1 his aspie

Telle wher he is or ellis jjou shalf dye 756

By god and by fe holy sacramenf

ffor sojjly fou art1 [on] of his assent1

To scleen vs 3enge folk1 J?oti fals ]?eef

]S"owe sirres if it1 be to ^ou so leef 760

To fynde de)> turne vp Jns croked Avay

ffor in J>af groue I left1 hy??i be my fay

Vnder a tree and ]?ere he wil abide

K«-for 3oure boost1 he nyl hy??^ no J)inge hide 764

See 36 Jmf ooke ii^ J?ere 36 shul \\jrn fynde Peaf 221, back]

God saue 3ou jjat1 bou3t1 a3ein mankyiide

And 3ou amende ]jus saide Jjis olde man

And euery of Jnse Riatours ranne 768

Til J>ei come to fe tree and j?er ]?ei fonde

ffloreyns of gold? fyne . ykoyned rounde

Wel nyghe a seuen busshells as hem ]>oujti

"No lenger than aftere de]? ]?ei sou^f 772

But1 eche of hem so glad was of Jaf

ffor ^at1 J?e floreynes so faire be and

That1 doiine )?ei sette hem by J?e precious hoorde

The worst1 of hem he spak1 }?e furst word' 776

PKT-WORTII 471 (6-T. 326)

SIX-TEXT 327

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS,

Brefsren quod he take liecle what1 I say

My witte is grete fough I bourde and play

This tresour hajj fortune to vs ^euen

In myrfe and iolite our lyf to lyuen 780

And lightly so as if commef so wil we spende

Ey precious goddys hert1 who wende

To-day fat1 we shulde haue so faire a grace

Bui? my^t1 fis gold be caried fro fis place 784

Home into myne hous or ellis to ^oures

ffor wel I woote fat* aH fis gold? is oures/

Than were we in high ffelicite .

But1 trewly by day it1 may nat1 be 788

Men wold say fat1 we were f eues stronge

And for oure owne tresour1 done vs honge

As wisely and as scli^ly as it1 my^t1

This tresour most1 ycaried be be ny^t1 792

Wherfore I rede lat1 loke among1 vs alle

To drawe and lat1 see where f e Cut wil falle

he fat1 haf f e curt1 wif herte blith

Shal renne to toune and fat1 ful switft 796

To bringe vs brede and drink1 ful priuely

And two of vs shal kepen sotilly

This tresour wel and if he wil not1 tarie

Whan it1 is ny^t1 we wil fis tresor carie 800

By oon assent1 where as vs likef best1

That1 oon of ham bro^t1 gras in his fest1

And bad hem drawe and loke wher it wolde falle [leaf 2221

And it1 felle on the Congest1 of hem alle 804

And for]) toward? J>e towne he went1 anoon

And also sone as that he was goone

That1 oon of hem spak1 vnto J?at ofere

Thowe woost1 wel foil art1 myn owne sworn brofere 80S

Thi prophite wil I telle |?e anon

Thowe woost1 wel J>afr GUI' felawe is goon

And here is gold? and fat1 grete plente

J)at* shal departed be amonges vs free 812

PETWORTH 475 (8-T. 327)

SIX-TEXT 328

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Buf naj>elees if I can shape it1 soo

J2af if departed were amonges vs twoo

Had I not* done a frendes twrne to )>e

Jpaf ojjer Answered I not1 howe J>af my^f be 816

I wold wel J?af ]>e gold were oures twoo .

What* shuld? wee doo fat1 it1 my^t be soo .

Shal it* be counsaile said )>e first1 sclirewe

And I slial telle [j>e] in wordes fewe 820

"What1 we shul doon and bringe if aboute

I graunt1 quod J?af oj>er out1 of doute

Thaf by my troufe I nyl J?e nat1 bywreien

Now quod the furst1 Jwu woote wel we be tweyen 824

And twoo of vs shul strenger be fan oon

loke whan he is sette and f af anon

Arise as fou^e Jjou woldesf wif hjm play

And I shal ryuen hjm f orgh f>e sides twey 828

Whiles faf fow strogelesf w/t/i hym as in game

And wij? fi daggere loke }>ou doo )?e same

And fan shal al J>is golde departed be

My dere freende bytwixe fe and me 832

Than may we boo]) our lustes fulfille

And play af fe dice at1 our owne wille

And fus accorded bene Jnse shrewes tway

To scleen fe fred as ^e han herd me say 836

IT This ^ongesf which" faf went1 to j>e toune

fful off in his herf rolled vp and doune

Jpe bewte of J>ise floreyns faire and bri3f

O lord? quod he ^if if so were I my3f 840

Haue al ]?is tresour* to myself alone Peaf 222, back]

Ther nys no man faf lyuej) vnder trone

Of golde faf shuld lyve so mery as I

And af J>e lasf fe feende cure enemy e 844

Puf in his Jjo^f J?af he shuldf poysen bey

wij> which" he my^f scleen his felawes twey

ffor whi ]?e feende fonde him in such liuynge

Thaf he had leue hy?^ to sorowe bringe 848

PETWORTH 476 (6-T. 328)

SIX-TEXT 329

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffor f is was vtterly his entenft

To scleen hem bof e and neuere to repent1

And for]? he gof no lenger wold? he tarye

Into f e towne vnto apotecarye 852

And preide hym- fat1 he hyra wolde selle

Somm.e poysen fat1 he my^t1 his rattes kelle

And eke f er was a polcat1 in his hawe

Jpat1 as he seide his capons had Isclawe 856

And seide he wolk wreke hym }if he my^t1

On vermyn fat1 destroy en hem by ny^t1

The appoticarie answerd? foil shalt1 haue

A finge fat1 as god my saule saue 860

In al f is worlde f er nys no creature

J5af ete or drink* of f is confecture

]>e mo?/ntance of a corn of whete he ne shal his lif anoon forlete 864

3e sterue he shal and J?at* in lasse while J3an }?ow wilf goon a pace naf but1 a myle This poysen J>af is so hard' and violent* This cursed man haj> in his honde it1 hent1 868

This poysen in a boxe and sirens he ranne Into Jje nexte strete vnto a man And borowed hym large botelles j>re

And to his felawes a^ein repairej) he 872

The iij. he kepte clene for his diinke fFor alle ])e ny^t1 he shope hym forto swynk1 In cariyng1 of jjat1 gold? out1 of fat1 place And whan J>is riotour wij? sory grace 876

Had filled wij> him his grete botels J>re To his felawes a3ein repairej) he ./

What1 nedej? it1 to sermon ferof more [leaf 223]

fFor rijf as fei had cast1 his deejj byfore 880

I^t1 so J?ei han hym sclayn and fat anon And whan fat1 f is was doon f an speke fat1 on JSTow lat1 vs sitte and drinl^ and make vs mery And afterward1 we wil his body bery 884

PETWOHTH 477 (6-T. 329)

SIX-TEXT 330

GROUP C, § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

And after Jjat1 hit1 happed hew percas

To taken a boteft wher-in the poyson was

And drank1 and ^aue his felawe drink1 alsojje

jorghe whiche anoon jjei steruen bottle .888

But* certes I suppose Jjat1 Auicen

Wroote neuer in no canon ne in no fen

Moo wondere sorowes of empoysenynge

Thus had Jjise wrecches two her endinge 892

Thus eended be J?ise homycydes twoo

And eke ]?is false enpoysoner alsoo

0 . cursed synne ful of al curse dnesse

O.traterous homycides .0. Wickednesse 896

0 . glotenye luxurye and hasardrye Thow blasphemowr of crist wij> vileny And ojjes grete of vsage and of pride

Alias mankinde ho we may it* betide 900

That* to J?i creatowr which Jjaf J?e wrou^tf

And wij) his precious blood ]>e bou^t1

Thowe art1 so fals and so vnkynde alias

Now good men god for^eue ^ou %our trespas 904

And kepe }ou from J?e synne of auarice

Myne holy pardon may ^ou aH warisshe

So that1 ^e offer nobles or sterlyngges

Oijjer ellis Siluere . spoones . broches . or ryngges 908.

Bowej) ^oure hede vnder |?is bulle

Commej) vp 36 Wyues onre)> ^our wille

3oure name I entre here in my rolle anon

Jn to Jje blisse of heuene shul 30 al goon 912

1 }ou assoille be my highe powere

3e J>afr wollen offre as clene and eke as cleere

As 36 were born and loo sirs Jms I preche

And Ihesu crist1 jjat1 is our saules leche. 916

So graunte ^ou his pardon to receyue ./ [leaf 223, back]

ifor Jjafr is best1 I wil $ou not1 deceyue

11" But1 sirs oon word forgate I in my tale

I haue relikes and pardon in my male 920

PETWORTH 478 (6-T. 330)

SIX-TEXT 331

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

. As faire as eny man in engeloncl? Whiche were ^eue me by f e popes bond? 3if eny of $ow wol of deuocion

Offre and ban myn absolucion 924

Coramef forf anon and knelef here adown jtet1 ^e may haue part1 of my pardown Or ellis take]) pardon as $e wende

Al newe ,and fressh at1 euery tonnes ende 928

So fat1 ^e ofFre alway newe and newe Nobles and pans which fat1 bene good and trewe It1 is an honure to enery fat1 bene bere Jjat1 36 may haue a suffisant1 pardonere 932

To assoile 3011 in contree as 36 ride ffor auentures which fat1 may be-tide ffor p#?*auenture Jjer may falle oon or twoo Donne of her hors and breke her nek1 atwoo 936

Looke swiche a swerte it1 is to 3011 alle That1 1 am in ^oure felawship y falle jjat1 may assoile $on bof more and lasse Whan Jjat1 Jje soule shal fro j>e body passe 940

I rede fat1 hour [hooste] shal bygynne ffor he is most1 eiiuolupte of synne Come for)? sire boost1 and offre first1 anon And ]?ou shalt1 kysse J?e relikes euerechoii 944

3e for a groot1 vnbokel anon J)i purs Nay nay quod he fan haue I cristes curs lat1 be quod he it1 shal nat1 be so theche ))ow woldest1 make me kissen fine olde breche 948

And swere it1 were f e relike of a seynt1 J^ou^e it1 were wif f i foundement1 depeynt1 But1 by f e crosse which seint1 Elyne fonde I wold I had fi culyons in myne honde 952

In stede of relikes of seinfr-wary Lat1 kitte hem of and I wil helpe hem cary They shulde be schryned in an hogges toord? Deaf 224]

This Pardonere answered nat1 a woord? 956

PETWORTH 479 (6-T. 331)

SIX-TEXT 332

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Petworth MS.

So wroj> lie was he wolde no word say

Kowe quod our oostt I nyl no lenger play

Wijj J?e ne wij> noon ojjer angry man

But* ri^t1 anoon J?e worjji kny^t bygan 960

Whan j>att he seegh faf alle )>e puple lou^e

Ko more of J>is for it1 is ri^f yiioghe

Sir1 Pa?'donere be mery and glad of chere

And ^ee sir1 Hoosf jjaf bene to me so dere 964

I prei 3ou J?atf 30 kisse ]>e Pardonere And pardonere I prei 3ou drawe $e nere And as we did latt vs lau^e and play

And anon J>ei kissed and riden for]) her way 968

II Thus endej? pe pardoners tale.

PETWORTH 480 (8-T. 332)

SIX-TEXT 100 GROUP B, § 7. PBIORESS-THOPAS LINK, PetWOrth MS.

And here bygynnej? The prologe of Thoppas If The prologe

[on te&/224]

WHan saide was )>is tale euery man As sober was J?af wonder was to see Til j>atf our oost1 Tape byganne

And J)an at1 erst1 he loked vpon me .i. chaucers 1 884 And saide Jms what1 man art Jwu quod he Thow lokestt as J>ow woldestf fynde an hare ffor euer vpon J>e grounde I se ))e stare 1887

1f Approche nere and loke meryly

Now war }ou sirs and latf J)is man han plas

He in J>e waasf is shape as wel as I

This were a popet1 in armes to embrace 1891

ffor eny woraman smal and faire of faice

He seme)) Elnyssh be his cuntencmnce

ffor vnto no wi^f doj> he daliaunce 1894

Say nowe somewhat sij>ens o])e?*e folk han saide

Telle vs a tale of merth and fat1 anon

Oosfr quod I ne be nat1 euel paide .

ffor o)>er tale certes can I noon . 1898

But* of a ryme I lered longe agon

30 J>att is good quod he shul we it here

Som deynte jring1 me seme]) by his chere . 1901

[No break in the MS, and no s^iaccs between the stanzas above and after.}

PETWORTH 481 (6-T. 190)

SIX-TEXT 191

GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Petworth MS.

IT Here bygynne|> be tale of chauceiy by Sire Thopaca. f Capitulum xixm 1F Sire Thopace. [Fitte L]

LEstneth lordes in good entent1 [leaf 224, back}

And I wiH telle verrement1 Of myrth 1 and of solace C1 1» « later kamj] 1904

Of a kny^t1 was faire and gent1 In bataile and in tornament1 His name was sir thopacc . 1907

I-born he was in fer cuntree

In fflaunders al by^onde J>e see

Att1 Poperinge in f.e place 1910

His fader was a man ful free

And lorde he was of fat1 cuntre

As it* was goddes grace 1913

Sir1 Thopas was a doughty swayn

White was his face as payndemayn

His lippes rede as Eoos . 1916

His rudde is like Scarlett1 in grayii

And I 3ow telle in good certayn

He had a semely nose 1919

His heer his beerd was lik saffron

Jmt1 to his girdel kau^t1 adoune

His shoon of Cordewayne/ 1922

Of brugges were his hosen broun

His Roobe was of Ciclatoun

That1 cost1 mony a rayn 1925

PETWORTH 482 (6-T. 191)

SIX-TEXT 192

GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Petworth MS.

He coujje hunte at1 wylde dere •

And Ride on hawkyng1 for )>e Ryuer*

Wty grey goshauke on honde 1928

Therto he was a good archere

To wrastling4 was )?er noon his peei

Ther eny ram shulde stonde 1931

fful mony a maide bri^t1 in boure

]?ei morn for him Pa?*amoure

Whan }?ei were bette to sclepe . 1934

But1 he was chaast1 and no leech our&

And swete as is j)e bremble floure

ThattbereJ) j?e reede heppe 1937

And so byfelle vppon a day

fibr soj?J)e as I 30 we telle may

Sire Thopaas wold out1 ride n«rf*»] 1940

He wor}) vp on his stede gray

And in his honde a launce gay

A lohge swerde be his side 1943

He prikkejj Jjorowe a faire forest1

Ther-in is mony a wilde beest1

^a bo)) bukke and hare 1946

And as he prikkej) nor]? and eest1

I telle ^owe hym had almest1

By-tidde a sory care 1949

There springen herbes grete cmd sinale

])e lykorice and J>e Setuale

And mony a clowe gyloffre 1952

And notemuges to put1 in ale

Whe]>ere it1 be moyst1 or stale

Or forto lay in Coffre 1955

PBTWORTH 483 (6-T. 192)

SIX-TEXT 193

GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Petworth. MS.

J>e birdes syngen it* is no nay

fe sparhauke and |?e popeniay

J>af loie if was to here 1958

The )>rostel cok1 made eke his lay

The woode douve vpon ]?e spray

She sorige ful loude and clere/ 1961

Sire Thopas felle in loue longynge

And whan he hard? fe Jjrostel synge .

He prikkes as he were woode 1964

His faire stede in his prikkinge

So swette fat1 men my^t1 hyra wringe

His sides were al bloocJ 1967

4

Sire Thopas eke so wery was

ffor prikkinge on ]>e soft1 gras

So feers was his corage 1970

That1 doune he laide hym in J>att plas

To maken his stede som solas

ffor he was so Sauage 1973

O seintt Marie Benedicite

What1 ailej) )>is loue at1 mee

To bynde me so sore 1976

Me dremed al J>is ny^t1 parde

An Elfe quene shal my lemman be [leaf 225, back]

And sclepe vndere my gore 1979

And elf quene wil I loue ywis

ffor in jris world? no womman ia

Worjn to be my make 1982

in to^m

Al o]?er wommen I forsake And to an elfe quene I me take By dale and eke by doune 1986

PETWOBTH 484 (6-T. 193)

SIX-TEXT 194

GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Petworth MS.

Into his sadel he came anone

And prikkef ouere stile and stone

An helf quene forto aspie 1989

Til he so longe haf riden and goofl

That1 he fonde in a privee woofl

fe Curctry of fary. 1992

IT so wild ffor in fat1 cuntre nas \er noon

[ no gap in the MS.~\

Neifer wif ne child 1996

Til him f er come a loly geaunt4

His name was clepede Sir Olyfaunte

A perilous man of dede 1999

He seide childe by tirmagaunt1

Buf $if f ou prik1 out1 of myn haunt

Anoon I sclee f i stede . 2002

1T wif mace

Here is )>e quene of fame Wij? harpe wijj pipe and Simphony Dwelling1 in J)is place 2006

The Childe saide so mot1 1 J>ee

To morowe wil I meten fee

Whan I haue myn Armure 2009

And ^it1 1 hope par ma faye

fat1 f ou shalt1 wif f is launcelay

Abien it1 ful sore 2012

IF Thorgli f * mawe Shal I perce 3 if I may Er it1 be fully prime of day ffor here fow shalt1 be sclawe 2016

PETWORTH 485 (0-T. 194)

SIX-TEXT 195

GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Petworth MS.

Sire Thopas drogfi a-bak fill fast1

This Geauntf at1 him stones cast1

Out1 of a felle staf sclynge 2019

But1 faire eskapej) child? thopa

And al it1 was Jjorgfi goddes grace [leaf 226]

Arid .Jjorgh" his faire beringe 2022

3 it1 listnej) lordes to my tale

Murier )>an J>e ny^tingale

if or now I wil $ou rowne 2025

Howe Sire Thopas wijj sides smale

Prickinge ouer doune and dale

Is come a^ein to toune . 2028

His mery men cowmaunded he

To make \iyrn boj> game and glee

ifor nedes most1 he n^f 2031

Wij? oon geaunt1 wij) hedes Jjre

ifor paramoure and lolite

Of oon J>atf shoon ful bri^t1 2034

Do come he seide myn menstralles

And geestours for to telle vs tales

Anon in myn armynge 2037

Of Komance J>af bene reales

Of popes and of cardynales

And eke of loue likynge 2040

J?ei fatte hym firsf J?e swete wyne

[•-

2043

no gap in fhe MS.~\

And licorice and eke comyne

ij) sugre fat1 is cree 2046

PETWORTH 486 (G-T. 196)

SIX-TEXT 196

GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Petworth MS.

He did next1 his white leer

Of cloj) of lake fyne and clere

A breche and eke a sherte 2049

And next1 his shertf an aketoft

And ouer Jjat1 an haberion

for peercyng1 of an herte 2052

And ouer fat1 a fyne hawberk

Was al ywro^t1 of Iwes work*

fful stronge it1 was of plate 2055

And ouer pat1 his cote armowr

As white as is j)e lily flour1

In which he wil debate 2058

His sheeld was of gold so redo

A J?er-in was a bores hede

A charbocle by his side 2061

And J>ere he swore on ale and brede [leaf 226, back]

Howe pat1 Jje geaunf shal be dede

Betide what1 bvtide 2064

His laumbeuxe were of 1quirboile I1?

His sweerde scheejj of yuory

His helme of laton bri^tt 2067

His sadel was of Rowel bone

His bridel as ]?e sonwe shone

Or as Jje moon \\^ 2070

His spere was of fyne Cipres

That1 bode)) werre & no Jung1 pees

The hede ful sharpe ygrounde 2073

His stede was al dapple grey

It1 go)) an aumble by }>e wey

fful softnly and rounde 2076

PfiTWORTH 487 (6-T. 196J

SIX-TEXT 197

GROUP B. § 8. SIR:THOFAS. Petworth MS.

IT In londe

Loo lordys myne here is a fitte If $e wil eny more of itf To telle itf wil I fonde 2080

[Fitte II.]

.Now holde $oure moutfr for charite .

BoJ? kny^tf and lady fre

And harknej) to my spelle . 2083

Of BateH and of Chivalrie

And of ladies loue drurye

Anoon I wil 3011 telle 2086

Men speken of romances of price

Of horn childe and of ypotice

Of Befes and of sire gie 2089

Of Sy le boyx and Pleyndamowr

But1 sire Thopace he berej) j>e flour*

Of royal chyualrie 2092

His good stede he bystrode

And forj> vppon his way glode

As sp«>-ke out1 of J>e brond 2095

Vpon his creestt he bere a tour*

And jjer-Inne stiked a lilye flour

God shilde his corps fro shonde 2098

And for he was a kny^t1 auntrous

He nolde sclepen in non hous /

But1 ligge in his hode [leaf 227]

His bri^f helme was his wongerc

And by hym baite his deistrere

Of eorbes fyne and good . 2104

PETWORTJT 488 (6-T. 197)

SIX-TEXT 198

PROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Petworth. MS.

Hym self drank watere of |?e welle

As did fe kny^f sire percyvelle

So worjjely ynder wede

[ no gap in the MS.] 2108

PETWORTH 489 (6-T. 198)

SIX-TEXT 199 GROUP B. § 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK. PetWOlth. MS.

NO more of J>is for goddys dygnite Quod our boost1 for J>ou makesf me So wery of ]>i verrey lewdenesse

That* also wisly god my soule blesse 2112

Myn eeres aken of J>i drasty speche Now such a ryme ]?e deuel I byteche IF This may wel be cleped rynie dogrel quod he "Whi so quod he whi wilt1 Jjou lette me . 2116

More of my tale J>an an o]?er man SiJ? J>afr it1 is Jje best1 ryme fat1 I can By god quod he for pleynly at1 a worde Thi drasty rymyng1 nys nat1 worj> a torde 2120

Thow dost1 not* ellis but1 spendest1 tyme Sire atte oon worde fou shalt1 no lenger ryme Lat1 see wher Jjou canst tellen ou^t1 in geeste Or ellis in prose somewhat1 at1 J>e leesfr 2124

In whiche jjer be somme merth or doctrme Gladly quod I by goddys swete pyne I wil ^ow telle a litel finge in prose

Jjat1 au^t1 like $ou as I suppose 2128

Or ellis certes ^e bene to daungerous It1 is a moral tale vertuous Al be if tolde somtyme in sondry wise Of sondry folk1 as I shal ^ou devise 2132

As jms 36 woote jjat1 euery euawngelist1 That1 tellen vs j>e peyn of Ihesu cfist1 Ne seijj al ping as his felawe doojj

But1 napeles her sentence is alt sooj) . 2136

And al accorden as in her sentence Al be per in her tellyng1 difference

PETWORTH 490 (6-T. 199)

SIX-TEXT 200 GROUP B. § 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK. PctWOlth MS.

ffor som?fte of hem seyn more and somwie lesse [leaf 227, back]

Whan J?ei his pitous passioura expresse 2140

I mene of mark1 mathewe luke and lohn

But1 doutelees her sentence is al on

Therfore lordynggs al I 3011 biseche

^if Jjat1 ^e Jjenk1 1 vary as in my specE. 2144

As J>us Jjou^e Jjatf I telle somwhaf more

Of prouerbes jjat1 $e han herd byfore

Comprehended in ]?is liteft tretys here

To enforsen wij? ]?e efFecte of my matere 2148

And J)ou^e I not* ]?e same wordes say

As ^e han herde ^it to 30" ali I pray

Blame]? me naf for in my sentence

Shul }e nowhere fynde difference 2152

ffro ]?e sentence of pis tretys lite

Aftere jje which Jns mery tale I write

And Jjerfor harkenej) what1 1 shal say

And lafr me telle al my tale I pray 2156

IF Here ende]> J>e tale of Sir Thopas

[No break in the MS.]

PETWORTH 491 (6-T. 200)

SIX-TEXT 201

GROUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

[There are no line-numbers or breaks between the paragraphs in the MS. Tyrwhitfs breaks are kept here to prevent slight differences in the Six Texts throwing out many lines. Some of the omissions in the MS are supplied from the print of the French original in Le Menagier de Paris, ed. 1847, i. 186, as that proves the omissions to be such.~\

[Peticorth MS, on leaf 227, back,] And here bygnnejj pe tale of Melebius & prudence.

r*i57]

A3ong< man called Melebius my^ty and riche bygate vpon his wiff J?afr called was Prudence a doughter* whicli Jjatt called was Sophie. [2158] Vporc a day byfellef J?atf he for his disporte is went1 into J>e feldes. him to play i [2159] his wif and his doughtere he ha]? bylaffc1 in-vrith his hous . of whicli J>e doores weren fast1 shette . [2160] Ther of his olde fooen had espied . and satten ladders to ]?e walles of his hous . and by J?e wyndowes bene entred . [2161] and bete his wiff and wounded his dorter* wijj .v. mortal woundes in .v. sondry places. [2162] This is to sayn in her feete . in her hondes . in her eeres . in her nose . and in her mouj?e . and laften her* for dede . and wenten her way

[2163] Whan Melebius retourned? was into his hous and segli al Jns meschief. He like a mad man reending* his clones gan to wepe and crie .

[2164] H Prudence his wiff as ferforj? as she durst1. byso^t1 hy??2 of his weping1 for to stynt1 . [2165] but1 not1 forjn . he gan wepe and crye euere longer J)e more .

[2166] This noble wif prudence remembred her* vpon J?e sentence of Ovide in his booke jjat1 cleped is J)e remedy of loue . 'De remedio Amoris. Where as he seij> . [2167] He is a foole Jmf distroubej? ]?e moclere to weepe in ]?e dee]) of her childe . til she haue wepte her fulle . as for a ccrteyn tyme. [2168] And ]?an shal man / doon his dyligence wij? amyable chere hiij to recomforte and prei hyi^ of

PET WORTH 492 (6-T. 201) [Ucaf228j

SIX-TEXT 202

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

her wepinge forto stynf . [2169] ffor which reson pis noble wiff Prudence sufFred her husbonde forto wepe and crie as for a certeyn space. [2170] IT And whan she segfr her tyme she saide to him in pis wise 1T Alias my lord quod she whi maken 36 30^ self forto \_semllcr fol ? [2171] II riappartient pas a sage homme de] maken such ' a sorowe . [2172] ^oure dou3tere with pe grace of god shal warissh and scape. [2173] And al were is so ? pat1 she ri^t? nowe were dede . 30 ne au3fr not1 as for her deth 3our self destroie. [2174] If Senec« seip / pe wise man shal not1 take to gret1 discomfort1 for pee dee]) of his children. [2175] but1 certes he shuld suffre it1 in pacience / as wel as he abide)) J)e deej> of his owne propre persons .

[2176] IT This Melebius answerd? anon and sayde. What1 man quod he shulde of his weping1 stent1 . Jpatt ha]> so grete a cause as I haue . [2177] .Ihesu our lord him self wepte for pe dee)) of lazarus his frende ^[ Qualiter Thesus christus fleuit proper mortem Lazari . [2178] IT Pru- dence answerde . Certes wel I woot1 attempre wepinge is no ))inge defended to him pat1 soroweful is . amonges folk in sorowe . but1 it1 is rather graunted hyra to wepe . [2179] The Appostel paul vnto J?e llomayns. Apostolus a Eo- manos write)) . Man shal reioyse wi)) hem pat1 maken loie . and wepe with suche folk as wepen : [2180] But1 £01130 attempre wepinge be graunted . certes outrage wepinge is defended. [2181] IT Mesure of wepinge shulde be con- sidered aftere pe loor pat1 techep vs senetf [2182] IT Whan pat pi frende is dede seip he . lat1 not1 pine eyen to moist1 bene of teeres . commynge to pine eyen . lat1 hem nat falle . [2183] And whan powe hast1 forgoon pi freende . Do diligence to geten anoper . and pis is more wisdome pan forto wepe for pi frende which pat1 pow hast1 lorne . for per-in nys no boote. [2184] And pe?*-fore 3if 36 gouerne 3ou by sapience . putte away sorowe fro??i 3oure hertes. [2185] Remembrep pat1 Ihesus Sirak seip,

PETWORTH 493 (6-T. 202)

SIX-TEXT 203 GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

A man J>af is loious and glad in herf if conseruej? hyra florsshyng* in his age Buf soly sorowful herf inakej? his bonys drie. [2186] He seij> eke Jms . Jjaf sorowe in herf scleej) ful mony a man. [2187] Sa- lomon seij> f J>af ri^f as mothes in J?e shepes fleese annoyen to J?e clones, and J>e smale wormes to J>e tree. Ri$f so armoiej) sorowe to J»e herte [218*8] 'Wherfore vs au^f as wel in Jje dee]? of* oure children as in J>e losse of our goodes temporeles haue pacience .

[2189] Remembrejj ^owe vpon pacienf lob. Whan he had lost1 his childere and his temporeH sub- staunce and in his body endured mony a greuous tn'bulacion 3i# saide he Jms. [2190] Our lorde ha]? |jeue it me / our lorde haj?] byraft1 it me Ri}^ so as our lord? wolde ri^f so is it1 done . yblessed be jje name of our1 lord? [2191] 11 To jjise forseide Jjingges answered Melebius vnto his wif Prudence AH ]?ise wordes quod he bene trewe . and jjerto pro- fitable. But1 trewly myn hert1 is troubled soo. wij> ]?is sorowe. so grisly Jjat I note what1 to doon. [2192] Laf calle quod prudence J>i trewe frendes alle . and fine lynage which Jjat1 bene wise, tellejj ^our caas and herkenej) what1 J?ei say in counsailinge And ^ou gouerne aftere her sentence. [2193] Salomon seij) wirk al jri Jjing1 by co^nsail and Jjou shalt1 neuere repent1

[2194] 1T Than by ]>e counsaile of [his wif Pru- dence] [Mellibee appelJa moult de] folk1. [2195] as Sirurgyens . Phisiciens . olde folk1 and ^onge . and som of his olde enemyes reconsiled as by her countenance to his loue and into his grace. [2196] And J>erwi)?al Jjer cowmen somme of his nei^boures J?#t didden him reuerence . more for drede J?an for loue as it1 happejj off [2197] 1T Ther co??zmen also ful mony subtile flaterers and wise aduocate-s lered in )>e lawe .

[2198] And whan Jjise folk1 to-gydere were assembled . this Melebius in sorowful wise shewed hem his caas ,

PETWORTH 494 (&-T. 203) [Ueaf 228, backl

SIX-TEXT 204

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth. MS.

[2199] And by pe manere of his speche if semed paf in his herf he here a cruel yre . redy to do venge- auwce vpon his foon. And sodeynly pan desired paf pe werre shuld bygyraie [2200] Buf napelees ^if axed he her counsaile vpon j>is matere./ [2201] IT A Sirurgien by licence and assent1 of such as were wise vp aroos and vn- to melebius saide as ^e shul here

[2202] IT Sir qwod he as to vs Syrurgience appentep paf we doo to euery wighf pe best1 paf we can • wher as we bene wipholden. and to our pacience paf we do 110 damage. [2203] Wherfore it1 happep mony tyme and off paf whan paf twey men had euerich wounded opere oon Sirurgien helep hem bope . [2204] Wherfore vnto our arf if is nof appertenenf to norsshe werre ne p«?'ties to supporte / [2205] Buf certes as to pe warisshing1 of $oure doghtere al be if so paf she perilously be wounded we shullen do so ententif bysynes fro day to nyghf Thaf wi]> J?e grace of god she shal be hool and sounde as sone as is possible [2206] 1F Almosf ri^f in Jje same wise ]?e Phisicien answerd' saue J?af Jjei seiden a fewe woordes moore . [2207] Thaf ri^f as maladies 1bene by hure contraries saued Ei^f soo shal man warisshe werre by vengeaunce. [2208] His neigh- bours ful of envie his feyned frendes pat semeden reconsiled his flaterers [2209] made semblanf cf wepirige and enpeiren and engreggen mochel of pis matere in preising1 gretely meleby of my^f . of power, of Bichesse and of frendes . Dispisinge J>e power of his aduersaries / [2210] and seiden vttrely pat1 he an oon shuld wreke hym . on his foes and bygymie werre .

[2211] 1T Vp roos pan an aduocate paf was wise. by leue and by counsaile of opere paf were wise, and saide . [2 2 1 2] IF Lordiugge-s pe nede for pe which we bene assembled in pis place is ful heuy pinge . and a grete matere [2213^] by cause of pe wronge and of pe wikkednesse paf hap bene doon . and eke by reson of a grete damage paf

PETWORTH 495 (6-T. 204) P leaf 229]

SIX-TEXT 205 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

in tyme cowmyng1 is possible to fallen, for J>e same. [2214] and eke by reson of fe grete riches and power* of J>e parties bofe. [2215] fibr fe which resons it1 were a ful grete perile to erren in fis matere . [2216] Wherfore melebius fis is oure sentence, we counsaile 3011 abouen al f inge . fat ri3f anoon ^e do diligence in f e kepinge of $oure propre persone in such a wise fat1 ^e ne wante noon espie ne wacche . }oure body forto saue . [2217] And after fat1 we counsaile fat1 in ^oure hous ^e sette suffisanfr liarnays . so fat1 f ei mowe as wel ^oure body as $our hous defende [2218] But certes forto moue werre . or sodeynly to doo vengeannce we mowe not1 deme in so litel tyme fat1 were profit- able [2219] wherfore we axen leisere and space to haue deliberacion in fis caas to deme. [2220] ffor fe Comon prouerbe seif fus. He fat1 sone demef sone shal repent1. [2221] And eke men sayn fat1 filk luge is wis fat1 sone vnderstondef a matere . and luggef by leisere. [2222] ffor al be it1 soo J>af taryinge be noyful . algate it1 is nat1 to repreue in ^euynge of luggement1 ne in Yengeaunce takinge whan it1 is so suffisaunt1 and resonable . [2223] & swed oure lorde Ihesu crist1 by en- sample, ffor whan fe wo?7iman fat1 was taken in avoutrie / was brou^t1 in his presence to knowen what1 shulde be doon of her pe?*sone. al be it1 fat1 he wist1 wel him self what1 he wold ansAvere \toutesvoies il ne respondipas] sodeynly . but he wolde haue deliberacion . And in fe grounde he wroot1 threse . [2224] and by fise causes we axe deliberacion . And we shul fan by grace of good counsaile doo finge that1 shal be profitable

[2225] 1F Yp sterten fen fe ^onge folk at onys Tand fe moost1 partie of jjat1 companye han scorne of fis wise olde man and bygonnen to make noyse and saide . [2226] Ri3^ soo fe while fat1 yren is hoote . men shulde smy te . I^t1 soo shuld* men wreken her harmes and wrogges .

PETWORTH 496 (C-T. 205) [i leaf 229, hack]

SIX-TEXT 206

GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

f e while f ei bene fresshe and newe . And wif lowde voice f ei criden werre .

[2227 J .Vp roos foo oon of fise olde wise and wif his hondes made countenance fat1 men shulde holden hem stille and $euen hym audience. [2228] IT Lordingges quod he fer is ful mony a man / faf crien werre werre fat1 woten ful litel what1 werre arnountef . [2229] Werre at1 his bygynnynge haf so grete an entre and so large fat1 euery wi^t1 may entro whan him like]? and Ii3'tly fynde wrerre . [2230] But* certes what1 ende shal falle it1 is nat1 li^t1 to knowe . [2231] ffor solely whan fat1 werre is onys bygonne . fer is ful mony a childe vnborn of his modere . fat1 steruen. ^onge by cause of filk werre or ellys lye in swowe and dye in wrecchednesse . [2232] And f erfore er fat1 eny werre be bygonne i men most1 han grete comisaile and grete deliberacion [2233] And whan fis olde man had wende to enforsen his tale by resons . wel nygfr aH at onys bygonne to rise forto breken his tale . and beden hym ful oft1 his wordes forto abrigge . [2234] ffor sofly he fat1 prechef to hem fat1 list* nat1 here his wordes his sermon availef not1. [2235] flbr Ihesus Sirak1 . seif . fat1 musike in wepinge is noyous f inge . This is to saien as moch availef to speke to-fore folk to which" his speche availlef not1 . as it1 is to synge byfore hym fat1 wepef . [2236] And whan fis wise man segh fat1 hym wanted audience al shamefast1 he sette hym doune ageyne . [2237] ffor Salomon seif . Ther as f ou ne maist1 not1 haue audience . enforce f e nat1 to speke [2238] 1F I se wel quod fis wise man fat1 fe comon prouerbe is sof e . fat1 good counsaile whan it1 is most1 nede availlef

[2239] IF 3itf had fis Melebius in his counsaile moche folk1 fat1 prively in his eere counsailed hym moche f inge and counsailed hym f e contrarye in general audience

[2240] IT Whatt Melebius had herd fe grettest1

TETWORTH 497 (6-T. 206)

SIX-TEXT 207 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

partye of his counsaile were acorded fat1 he shuld make werre . Anon consented to her counseillinge and fully affermed her sentence [2241] IF Than dame Prudence whan fat1 she seye howe fat1 her husbonde shope forto wreke hym on his foon and bygynne werre. she in ful vnble wise whan she segh her tyme saide hym fise 1wordes [2242] IF My lord quod she I ^ow biseche as hertely as I dare and can no hast1 ^ou nat1 to fast1 . and for aH guerdons as ^eue me audience . [2243] ff°r Pirus Alfons. seif Jus. who so fat1 do]) f e good or harme . hast1 f e nat1 to qwiten it1 . ffor in fis wise fi frende wil abide and fine enemye shal fe lenger lyve in drede./ [2244] IT The prouerbe seif. He hastef wel fat1 wisely can abide . And in wicked haast1 nys no profit1

[2245] IF This Meleby answerd? to his wiff Prudence I. pwrpoos not1 quod he to wirken after* f i coimsaile ffor mony causes and resons . ffor certes euery wi3tt wolde holde me fan a fooH [2246] IF This is to sayne If I for fi counsailing1 wold chaunge fingges fat1 aren affermed by so mony wise men. [2247] Sec- oundly I saye fat1 alle wowmen bene wicke. and non good of hem aH . for of a thowsande men saif Salomon .1. foond 0011 good man . But certes of alle wommen good wo?7^ma?^ fonde I neuer one. [2248] And also certys ^if I gouerned me by fi co?msaille it1 shuld seme fat1 I had ^eue fe euere fe maistrie as god forbede fat1 it1 so were. [2249] ffor Syrak seif fat1 if fe wif haue f e maistrie she is contrarious [« son mary] . [2250] And Salomon seif Neuere in fi lif to fi wif ne to fi childe ne to fi frende ne ^eue no power ouer fi self, ffor bettere it1 were fat1 fi children asken of fi pe?*sone finge fat1 hem nedef fan fou sese fi self in fe hondes of fi children [2251] IF And also }if I wolde wyrk1 by f i couwsaillinge . Certes my counsaile most1 somtyme be secree . til it1 were tyme fat1 it1 most1 be

PETWORTF 498 (6-T. 207) [Meaf230J

SIX-TEXT 208 GEOUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOltll MS.

knowe and fis ne may not1 be [2252. For it is written, * f e Ia??gelarie of wowmen can hide f ingges fat1 fei woote nou^t ' [2253] Furthermore, the philosopher saith, * In wicked counsaille wommen venquissh men ; ' and for these reasons I ought not to make use of thy counsel. (See I. 2274, 2280,^. 209, 210, Mow.)}

[2254] IF Dame Prudence ful debonairly and wif grete pacience had harde all fat1 her husbonde liked to say . J>an axed she of hym licence forto speke and saide in fis wise. [2255] IF My lord qwod she as to }oure furst1 resoii certes it1 may li^lj be answerde. for I say fat1 it* nys no foly to chaunge counsaille whan f e f inge is chaunged . ffor ellis whan fe finge seme]? ofer wise fan it1 was byforn [2256 Apr es, je dy encores plus, car se tu avoies promis et jure de faire} joure empn'se . And naf elees 36 wayn to [perjforeme f ilk1 same emprise . by iustH cause . Men shuld? not1 seyn fat1 36 were a Iyer or forsworne. [2257] ffor fe booke seif The while man makef 110 lesinge f whan he turnef his corage to fe better*. [2258] And al be it1 soo fat1 ^oure empn'se be establed and ordeyned by grete multitude of folk . }it ther ^ou not1 acomplise f ilk1 same ordynaunce but1 }ou like . [2259] if or fe troufe of Jnngges and fe profite bene rajjer founden . in fewe l folk1 fat1 bene wise and ful of reson fan by grete multitude of folk1 fer euery man crief and clateref what1 \\jrn likef . Soof ly such multitude nys not1 honest1 [2260] And to fe secounde reson wher as ^e seyn fat1 wo?nmen bene wicked . saue }oure grace Certes 36 dispise aH womrnen in fis wise . and [he] fat1 al dispiseth" [al displeseth] . as seif f e boke . [2261] And Senetf seif. Who-so wil haue sapi- ence shal no man dispreise . but1 he shal gladly teche fat1 he can . wif [out] presumpciown or pride . [2262] and suche finge as he nou^t1 ne can he shal not1 bene ashamed to lerne hem / and enquere of lasse

PETWOKTH 499 (6-T. 208) [Meaf 280, back]

SIX-TEXT 209 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBBU8. PetWOlth MS.

folk1 fan hym self. [2263] And faf fer ha]? bene ful mony good wo?wmen . [Ten le puet prouver legierement . [2264] Premierement, car nostre Seigneur Ihesu-Crist ne se fust oncques daigne descendre en femine] yd alle wo??imen had be wikke. [2265] but1 for faf grete bounte faf is in wommen f our lorde Ihesus crisf whan he was risen from defe to lyf appered rafer to a wonwnan fan to his apostels . [2266] And fou^e fat Salomon say . fat1 he ne fonde neuer no good womman f It1 folowef not* ferfore fat* alle wommen bene wikke. [2267] ffor f ou3e . fat1 he ne foonde noon good Certes mony an of ere man haf founde mony a womman ful good and trewe . [2268] Or ellis perauenture fe entenf of Salomon fis. as in souereyn bounte he saide no womman. [2269] This to sayn fat1 fer is no wi^f fat1 haf souereyne bounte sauf god allone . as he hym self recordef in his eucran- gely . [2270] ffor fer nys no creature so good fat1 \\jrn ne wantef somwhat1 of f e perfecciourc of god fat1 is his [maker] [2271] H jouie iij. reson is fis. ^e seyne fat1 if 36 gouerned 3011 by counsaile of me it1 shulde seme fat1 33 had ^eue me fe maistrie and fe lordship Ouer ^oure person. [2272] sire saue ^oure gi'ace f it1 is not1 soo . ffor ^if it1 so were fat1 man shulde be counsailed but1 only of hem fat1 had maistrie and lordship ouer his persone . men wold natt be counsailled so off. [2273] If ffor sofly f ilk man f af axef counsaile of a pwrpoos . ^if haf he free chois whefer he wil wirk1 by faf counsaile or noon. [2274] 1F And as to ^oure ferfe reson fer as ^e sayn faf f e langelarie of wommen can hide f ingges faf f ei woote nou^f as who seif . faf a womman can nof hide. [2275] Sire Thise woordes bene vnder- stonde of wowmen faf bene langelers and wicked [2276] of which womme men seiyn faf fre f ingges dryuen a man ouf of his hous . Thaf is to seyn Smoke . dropping1 of Keyn/ and wicked wyues [2277] If And

PETWORTH 600 (6-T. 209)

SIX-TEXT 210

GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

such wowman seitfi Salomon . fat1 it were better a man were in desert1 by hym self . f a?z wij) a womman at1 home fat1 is riotours . [2278] And Sire by ^oure leue 1fat1 am nat1 I. [2279] ffor 30 haue ful oft1 assaied my grete silence and my grete pacience . and eke how wel I can hiden and hele f inges fat1 men ou^ten secrely to hyde [2280] 11" And sofly as to 3oure .v. reson . where as 36 sayn fat1 in wicked coun- saille wo?ftmen venquissh men / god woote f ilk is no reson in no stede . [2281] ffor vnderstondeth nowe . $e axen counsaile forto doo wikkednesse . [2282] and if 36 wifl wirk wickednesse and }oure wiff restreyn filk wikkednesse & ouercowmef 3011 by reson and by good counsaile / [2283] certis 3oure wiff ou^t1 rafer to be preysed fan yblamed [2284] 5F Thus shuld 30 vnder- stonde f e philosophre fat1 saif . In wikked counsaille wo??imen venquyssh her husbondes [2285] And fer as 36 blamen alle wo??mien and her resons I shal shewe 3011 by mony ensamples fat1 mony a womman haf bene ful good an ^it1 bene. and her counsaile hoolsom and profitable [2286] Eke somme men han saide fat1 fe counsail of wommen is eifer do dere or to litel of price [2287] But1 al be it1 soo fat1 ful mony wo7«man is badde and her counsaile vile and not1 worf o / 3 it1 han men founden ful mony a good womman and ful discrete and wise in counsailynge [2288] 1T Loo lacobe by counsaile of his modere Eebekka wan fe benysoii of Isaak his fadere and fe lordship of al his // [2289] ludith by her good counsaille delyuered fe Cite of Bethulye in which she dwelled out1 of fe hondes of Olyfernes fat1 had it1 biseched and wolde it1 destroye [2290] abigaille deliuered Nabell her husbonde from dauid fe \i-oy qui le voloit occire, et appaiaa] fe kinge by her witte and by fe good counsail- inge [2291] II Hester By hure good consaile enhaunsed gretly fe puple of god in fe regne of Assuerus . The kinge [2292] and fe same bu/zte in good counsailynge of

PETWORTH 501 (6-T. 210) ['leaf 231]

SIX-TEXT 211 GRUUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

mony a good womman may men telle / [2293] and more- ouer whan our lorde had create Adam our forme fadere he saide in pis wise [2294] 1T It1 is naf good to be a man allone . make we to hyw an helpe s[e]mblable to him self [2295] IF Here may 36 see pat1 ^if wo?mnan were nat1 good and her counsaile good and profitable [2296] Oure lord god of beue% wolde neiper haue wrou^f hem . ne called hem helpe of man . but* raper confusion to man. [2297] And pat1 seide onys a clerk in twoo vers. "What1 is bette pan gold . lasper . And what1 is better pan laspe . Wisdome . [2298] And what1 is better pan wisdom Womman. . and what; is better pan good wowmian no pinge . [2299] And sire by mony oper resons may 36 see pat1 wo/nmen bene good [et leur conseil ~bon~\ and profitable. [2300] And perfore 3if 30 wil trest1 to my counsaile I shal restore 3ou 3oure dou^tere hool ! and sounde . [2301] And eke I wil do to 3ou so moche pat1 36 haue honure in pis caas

[2302] 11 Whan nieleby harde pe wordes of his wiff1 Prudence he saide pus. [2303] I see wel pat1 pe wordes of Salomon bene sope . He seip pat1 wordes pat1 bene spoken discretely by ordincmnce . bene hony combes for pei 3euen swefrnesse to pe soule and hoolsomnesse to pe body [2304] And wif by cause of pi swete wordes and eke for I haue assaied and preued pi grete sapience and pi grete troupe I wil gouerne me by pi counsaile in al pinge

[2305] 1F Now sire quod dame prudence and sipen 30 vouche sauf to be gouerned by my counsaile I wol enforme 3owe howe 36 shul gouerne joure selfe in cliesing1 of 3oure counsaile . [2306] 30 shal first1 in al 3oure werkes mekely bysechen to pe 11136 god pat1 he wil be 3oure counseilowr [2307] and shapep as to such entent1 pat1 he 3eue 3ou counsaile and comforte as tau3^ Thebye his sone . [2308] At1 al tymes pow shalt1 blesso

PETWOKTH 502 (6-T. 21 1) [Meaf 231, back]

SIX-TEXT 212 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

god and prey hyra dresse f i waies . and loke alle fi counsailles bene in hyra for euermore [2309] H Seint1 lame eke saif . If eny of ^owe haue nede of Sapience . axe it1 of god. [2310] and afterward! fan shal 30 take counsaile in pure self, and examyne wel ^oure fortes of such fingges as ^ou fenkef fat1 is best1 for ^oure profit1. [2311] And fan shal 36 driue from ^oure hert1 foo fat1 bene contrarious to good counsayle . [2312] fat1 is to sayn Ire . Couetise and hastinesse .

[2313] ffurst1 he fat1 askef counsaile of hy?7i self certys he most1 bene wif-out1 Ire. for many causes [2314] H ])e fursf is f is . He fat1 haf grete Ire and \vrefe in hy?/& self he weiief alway fat1 he may doo fat1 he may nat1 doo [2315] *R And secoundly he fat1 is Irons and wroth", he ne may nat1 wel deme . [2316] [and he fat] may nat1 wel [deme may nat wel] counsaile [2317] IT The iij. is this fat1 he fat1 is Irons and wrofe as saif Senec1 ne may nat speke but1 blameful fingges / [2318] and wif his vicious wordes he stiref ofer folk1 to angre and to Ire. [2319] And eke sir $e most dryue Coueitise out1 of ^oure hert1. [2320] ffor fe appostel seif fat1 Couetise is roote of alle harmes. [2321] And trustef wel fat1 a couetous man ne can nat1 deme [ne thinke] but1 only to fulfille fe eende of his couetise [2322] and certes fat1 may neuer1 ben accompliced . ffor euer more fe habundance fat1 he haf of Ricchesse fe more he desiref . [2323] IT And sire 3011 most1 also dryue Jaway from ^oure hert1 hastynesse [2324] for certes }e may not1 deme for fe best1 a sodeyn fo^t1 fat1 fallef in pure hert1 . 1T but1 36 most1 avise 3ou on it1 ful oft1 . [2325] ffor as 36 herde he[re]-to-forn) fe comon prouerbe . It1 is f is fat1 he fat1 sone demef . sone repentef .

[2326] Sire 36 bene not1 alway in like disposicion [2327] for certes some finge fat1 semef somtyme to 3ou good to do . Anof er tyme it1 semef to 3011 f e contrarie

PETWORTH 603 (6-T. 212) L1 leaf 2321

SIX-TEXT 213 GROUP B, .§ 10. MELIBEUS. PetWOrth MS.

[2328] IF Whan 30 han taken counsaile in ^oure self and so han denied by good deliberacion such fingges as 3011 semed best1 / [2329] fan rede I 3011 fat1 30 kepe if Secre [2330] Bywrey natf ^oure counsaile to no persone . but1 if so be fat1 30 weneri fat1 sikerly fat1 forgn" ^oure bewreying1 ^oure condicion shal be fe more profitable. [2331] ffor Thesus Cirak seif . neifere to fi fFoo ne to fi freende diskeuere not1 fi sccre ne fi folye [2332] for fei wil 3eue fe audience and lokinge and supportacion in J)i presence and scorne fe in fine absence [2333] IF Anofer clerk seif fat scarcely shalt1 fow fynden eny persone fat1 may kepe counsaile secrely. [2334] ])G boke saij). Whilst1 fat1 fou kepest1 fi counsaile in fine herte fou kepest1 it1 in fi prison. [2335] And whan fou bywreyest fi co?msaile to eny wight1 he holdef f e in his snare [2336] And ferfore it1 is betier hide fi couwsaile in fine herf. fan preien hym to whoom 36 han bywreief 30111*0 counsaile fat1 he wil kepe?z it1 clooce and stille [2337] IT ffor Senetf saif . If so be fat1 fou ne may fine owne counsaile hide . how maist fou preien eny ofer wi3^ fi secree counsaile to Kepe [2338] IF But1 nafelees 3if fou wene sikerly fat1 fi bewriyng1 of fi counsaile to a persone wil make fi condicion stonden in a better plite . fan shalt1 fou telle him fi counsaile in fis wise [2339] IF ffurst fou shalt1 make no semblant1 whedere fe were leuer pees or werre . or fis or f at1 . lie schewe hym not1 f i wille and fine entent1 . [2340] ffor trest1 wel fat1 conionly f ise counsailours bene flaterers [2341] and namely fe cownseilours of grete lordys . [2342] ffor f ei enformen hem alway rafer to spoke plesannt1 wordys enclynynge to fe lordes lust1 fan woordes fat1 bene trewe and profitable [2343] IF And jjerfore men sayne fat1 f e riche man haf seelden good coun- saile. but1 3if he haue it of hym self1 [2344] And aftere fat1 f ow shalt considere f i frendes and fine enemyes . [2345] and as touchinge fi freendes fou shalt con-

PETWOKTII 604 (6-T. 213)

SIX-TEXT 214 GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. PetWOrth MS.

sidere IT which, of hem bene most1 feipfuH . and most wyse and eldest1 'and most1 approued in counseillynge / [2346] of hem shalt1 powe axe pi counsaile as pe caas require]?

[2347] I say not1 furst1 36 shul clepe to ^oure coun- saile 3oure frendes pat1 bene trewe [2348] 1T ffor Salomon seip. J^at1 liytt as pe hert1 of a man delitep in Sauow pat1 is swete . ri^t1 so pe counsaile of trewe frendes 3euep swefnesse to pe sowle. [2349] He seip also pat per may no ping1 be likned to pe trewe frende . [2350] ffor certes gold ne siluer bene not1 so mocli worp as pe good wille of a trewe frende. [2351] ^T And eke he saip pat1 a trewe frende is a grete defence / who so pat1 it1 fyndep . certis he fyndep a grete tresoure . [2352] Than shul 36 eke considere if pat1 ^oure trewe frendes bene discrete and wise . for pe boke seip Aske alway pi counsaile of hem pat1 bene wise . [2353] And by pis same reson shulde 36 clepen to 3our0 courcsaile of ^oure frendys pat1 bene of age sucfr as han sayn modi, and bene expert1 in mony pingges and bene approued in counsailinge . [2354] ffor pe boke seip pat1 in olde men is pe sapience [et en moult de temps est prudence] [2355] 1F And Tullius saip pat1 grete pingges ne ben not1 accomplised by strenght1 ne by delyuernesse of body but1 by good counsaile By auctorite of persones and be science pe which iij. pinges no bene not1 feble by age but1 certes pei enforsen and en- cresen day by day . [2356] And pan shal 30 kepe pis for a general rewle *fT ffurst1 shal 36 kepe to ^oure counsaile a fewe of 3oure frendes pat1 especial bene [2357] ffor Salomon seip Mony frendes haue powe but1 among a thousand? chese pe oon to be pi counseil- our . [2358] ffor al be it1 soo pat1 powe furst1 ne telle pi counsaile but1 to a fewe . pou maist1 afterward2 telle it1 to more folk1. 3if it1 be nede. [2359] But1 loke alway pat1 pi counsailers haue pilk thre condiciot/ns J^at1 I haue saide

34 PETWORTIl 505 (6-T. 214) [' leaf 2o2, back]

SIX-TEXT 215

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

byfore. fat1 is to say fat1 fei bene trewe and wise and of olde experience . [2360] and wirk1 not1 alway in euery nede by oon counsailere allon . for some if byhouef be cotmsailed by mony [2361] IF ffor Salomon seif [salvation] of f ingges f is wher f er bene mony cownselours

[2362] 1F Nowe see]) what1 1 haue tolde 3011 of whicli folk1 30 shuld* be counsailed . Now wil I telle ^ou whicli cou?2saile 36 au3# eschewe [2363] IT fnrst1 36 shul eschewe fe counsaile of foolis. So seif Salomon. Take no coun- saile of a foole ffor he can no counsaile. but1 aftere his owne affeccion [2364] IT The boke saif . fat1 fe p?'oprete of a fool is fis . He troweth li^tly harme of euery wi^f. and Ii3tly trowe]) all bounte 1in hym self* [2365] Thow eke shal eschewe ]>e Counsaillynge of aH flaterers suche as enforsen hem ra]>er to preise ))e persone by flaterye fan forto telle ^ou fe sof- fastnesse of f ingges ./

[2366] IT Therfore Tullius seif IF Amonge alle fe pestilences fat1 ben in frendship fe grettest1 is fflatery. And ferfore is moor nede. f#t fowe eschewe and drede and flee from f e swete wordes of flaterers fan of eny of er puple [2367] 1T The booke seif . Thow shalt1 raf er drede and fflee from f e swete wordes of flaterers and preisers fan fro f e eger wordes of f i frende fat1 saif f e f i sof es. [2368] 1f Salomon seif f That1 f e wordes of a flaterer is a snare to cacchen innocentes wife. [2369] He seif also fat1 he fat1 spekef to his freende. wordes of swetnesse and of plesaunce settef a nett1 byfore his foote to cacchen him [2370] And ferfore seif Tullius f Encline nat1 fine ceres to fflaterers. ne take no counsaile to wordes of fflatery [2371] And Caton seif IT Auise fe wel and eschewe wordes of swetnesse and of plesaunce . [2372] And eke fou shalt1 eschwe fe counsaile of fine olde enemyes [qui sont reconcilies, [2373] car il est escript : mil ne retourne seurement en la

PKTWORTH 506 (G-T. 21o) [Meaf 233]

SIX-TEXT 216

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth. MS.

grace de son ennemy .] [2374] IF And Isope seif . Ne trest1 not1 to hem to f e which f ow hast hadde somtyme werre or cnemyte. ne telle not1 heni fi counsaile [2375] IF And senec1 telle]? • fe cause whi • it1 may nat1 be. He seif where fat1 grete fuyre haf longe endured . fat1 fer dwellef somrae vapour of warmnesse [2376] IF And f erfore seif Salomon ./ In fine olde foo trest1 neuere . [2377] ffor sikerly fou^e fine enemye be reconsiled and makef fe chere of hu?ralite. and lowtef to fe his hede. ne trust1 him neuere. [2378] for certes he makef filk fayned humilite more for his profite fan for eny loue . of f i persone . [qfin gidl puisse avoir victoire de toi\ by swich feyned co?mten- aunce. fe which victory he my^t1 not1 haue wif stryf or werre [2379] 1F And Peter Alfons seif 1F Make noon felawship wif fine olde enemyes . for }if f owe doo hem bounte . f ei wil peruerten it1 into wykkednesse [2380] 1F And eke fou most1 eschwe f e counsaile of ham fat1 ben f i se[r]uawntes . and beren f e grete reuerence . for perauenture fei sayfi if more for drede fan for loue [2381] 1F And ferfore seif a Philosophre in fis wisef Ther nys no wi}^ perfitly trwe to hym fat1 he to fore dredef [2382] IF And Tullius saif IF Ther is noo nr^t1 so grete of noon Emperour that1 longe may endure but1 :$if he haue more loue of fe puple fan drede [2383] IT Thow shalt1 also e[s]cheu f e counsaillynge of folk fat1 bene dronklewe. for fei ne can no counsaile hide [2384] 1F ffor Salomon seif 1F Ther is no counsaile fer as regiief dronknesse [2385] IF 3e shul also haue in suspecte fe counsaile of such folk1 as counsaile ^owe prively. oon . Jand fe contrarie openly [2386] ffor Cassiodorie seif./ That1 it1 is a manere sd^t1 to hindere . whan he sweweth to doon oon f inge openly and werkef fe contrarie prively [2387] IF Thow shalt1 also haue in suspecte the counsailing1 wif wickef folke ffor f e boke saif The couwsailynge of wicked folk1 is alway ful

PETWORTH 507 (6-T. 216) [Meaf 233, oack]

SIX-TEXT 217 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PetWOlth MS.

of fraude [2388] And dawd seif Blessed is fat1 man Jjat1 haf not1 folowed fe counsailling1 of wikked men or schrewen [2389] ^ Thow shalt1 also eschewe f e counsaile of 3onge folk1 . for her counsaile is not1 ripe

[2390] 1T Now Sire sif I haue shewde ^on of such. folk1 30 slinld take ^oure counsaille And of which. folk1 30 shul take ^oure counsaile. and of which folk1 36 shul folowe j>e counsaille [2391] 5T Now shal I telle ^ou howe 30 shul examyne ^oure counsaile . after1 f e doctn'ne of Tullius

[2392] in examynynge. fan of ^oure counseillowr . 30 shul considere mony fingges [2393] IF Alfer furst1 33 shul considere Jjat1 in ])ilk finge pat1 J>owe pwrposest. and vppon what1 jnnge jjow wolt1 haue counsaille jjat1 verrey troufe be saide and considered. This is to sayn telle trewly )?i tale . [2394] for he fat1 seijj fals may not1 wel be counsailed in fat1 tale [in which he lyeth] [2395] And after1 This J?ou shalt1 considere foo fingges faf accorden to fat1 fou pwrposest forto doo by fi counsail- lours . 3if reson . accorde f erto . [2396] & eke 3if f i myght1 may atteyne f erto . And 3if f e mo-re party and f e better part1 of fi counsailours accorde ferto anoon. [2397] fan shalt1 fou considere fat1 finge fat1 shal folowe of fat1 counsailleng1 . as . pees . werre . grace . profite or damage and mony of er f ingges . [2398] [et en toutes cvs choses] fow shalt1 chese fe best1 and wayue att ofer. [2399] IT Than shalt1 fow considere of what1 roote is engendred f i matere of f i counsaile and whatt1 fruyte may be conseyued and engendred f er-of [2400] ^T Thow shalt1 also considere aH f ise cases from whannes fei bene sprongen [2401] And whan $e han examyned 3oure counsaille as I haue saide . which parte is fe better and more profitable and haue approued it1 by mony wise folk1 and eelde . [2402] Than shalt1 fow considere if fow maist1 performe it1 and make of it1 a good ende . [2403] ffor reson wil not1 fat1 eny man shuld bygynne a finge but1 3if he myght1 p^rforme if as hym lest or ai^t1 [2404] Ne no wi^t1 shuld

P£T WORTH 508 (6-T. 217)

SIX-TEXT 218

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

take vpon him so heuy a charge faf he my3f nof bere if. [2405] ifor fe prouerbe seif. He faf to moche embraisethf destraynef litel • [2406] And Caton saif IF Assaie to doo such f ingges as f ow hast pouer to doo . lesf faf fi charge oppresse fe so soor faf fe byhouef to wayue . f inge faf foil hasf bygonne [2407] ^F And 3if so be l faf f owe be in doute whedere fou maisf performe a finge or noon, chese rafer to sulfre fan bygynne [2408] And Petrus Alfons / saif f If j)ou hasf niyghf to done a finge of which fe mosf repenf. if is bettere nay fan 366. [2409] This is to sayn j?af fe is bettere to holde ]>i tunge stille . fan forto speke . [2410] Than may 36 vnderstonde by stronger resons . f af 3 if fou hasf powere to perfourme a warke of which fou shalf repenf. fan is if better faf fowe suffre fan bygynne [2411] IF Wei sayne fei faf defenden euery wi3f to assay a fing1 of which he is in doute whedere he may performe if or noon. [2412] And after whan 30 han examyned 3oure counsaile as I haue saide biforn . and knowen wel 30 may per- fourme 3oure emprise . conforme if fan sadly til if be af an eend?

[2413] 1T Nowe is if reson and tyme. faf I shewe when and wherfore faf 36 may chaunge 3oure counsail- lours wif-ouf repreef1 [2414] IF Sofely a man may change his counsaille . and his p?/rpoos if f e cause sesef. or whan a newe cause byndef . [2415] ffor fe lawe seif faf vpon fingges faf newly betiden byhouef newe cowsaille. [2416] And Sene# seif / 3if fi counsaile be cowmen to f e eeres of myn enemyef chaunge fi counsaille [2417] IF Thow maisf also chaurcge fi counsaille. 3if so be faf fou fynde faf by errowr or by ofer cause harme or damage may be-tide [2418] 1F Also ^if fi counsaille be dishonest . or ellis commef of dishonesf cause chaunge fi ccwsaille [2419] ffor fe lawes sayn * faf al byheestes faf bene dishonesf bene of no valewe .

PETWOHTH 609 (6-T. 218) C1 leaf 234^

SIX-TEXT 219 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

[2420] And eke $if it1 so be fat1 it1 be inpossible or may not1 goodly be performed or ke*pf .

[2421] And take fis for a general rewle fat1 euery counsaile f af is affermed so strongly fat1 if may nat1 be chaunged for no condicion fat1 may be-tide I saye fat1 f ilk1 counsayle is wikked

[2422] 1T This Melebius whaw he had herde fis doctrme of his wiff Dame Prudence . Answerde in ])is wise . [2423] ^F Dame quod he as ^if into fis tyme 30 han wel and corcnably tau^f me. as in generaH ho we I shal gouerne as in chesinge and in wif holding1 of my counsaillours [2424] But1 no we wolde I fayn fat1 36 wolden condescenden in especiali. [2425] and tel me howe like]) . or what1 semef ^owe by our counsaillours fat1 we haue chosen in our present1 nede

[2426] H My lord? quod she I biseche ^owe in alle hum- blesse fat1 30 wil not1 wilfully replie a^einst1 my resons / and mystemper nat1 ^our hert1 f ou3e 1 1say or speke finge fat1 ^ou displesef . [2427] fFor god woote fat1 as fat1 as in myn entent1 1 speke it1 for ^oure best1 for ^oure honure and ^oure profite . [2428] and sofly. I hope fat1 ^oure be- nig1nite wil taken in pacience . [2429] Trestef me wel quod she fan fat1 ^oure counsaille as in f is caas ne shuld nat1 as forto speke proprely . be called a consaillinge . but1 a mocion or mouynge of foly. [2430] in which" counsaille 36 han erred [en moult de manieres\

[2431] [Premier ement, tu as erre] in fe assem- blyng1 of ^oure counsaillers . [2432] ffor 30 shuld* first1 haue cleped a fewe folk1 [et puis apres plusieurs] ^if it1 had bene nede. [2433] But1 certes 30 han sodeynly cleped to 3oure counsaille a grete multitude of puple . fful chargeanf and ful noyous forto here [2434] Also 36 han erred . for fere as 30 shulcP oonly haue cleped to 3oure counsaille 3oure trewe freendes olde and wise [2435] 3e haue ycleped straunge folk1. 3onge folk1, fals flaterers and enemyes

PETWORTH 510 (6-T. 219) [i leaf 234, back]

SIX-TEXT 220 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

reconsiled and folk1 pat1 done 3011 reuerence without loue [2436] IF Also 30 haue erred . for ^e haue brou^tt wip 3011 to 3oure counsaille . Ire . Coueityse . ;ind hastynesse [2437] pe which, pre pingges [sont contrcdres a conseil, ef\ [2438] 30 han not1 avyncesed or destroyed hem / neipe/ in 3oure self ne in 3oure counsaillours as 36 oi^t [2439] IT 3e haue erred also for 30 han shewed to 3oure counsailers 3oure talent1 and 3oure affection to make werre anoon and forto do vengeance. [2440] pei han espied by 3oure wordes to what1 ping1 30 bene eiiclined . [2441] & perfore han pei coimsailled 30U raper to 3oure talent1 pan to 3oure prophete [2442] IF 3e haue erred also, ifor it semed pat1 3ou suffised to haue bene coim- sailled by pise counsailloures oonly & with pat1 litel avice ./ [2443] Where as in so grete and so highe a nede it1 had ben necessarie moo counsaillours and more deliberacion to performe 3oure emprise [2444] 1T 36 haue erred also, for 30 haue nat1 examened 3oure counsaile in J?e forseide matere ne in dwe manere. as J>e cace require]) [2445] IT 30 han erred also for 36 han maked no dyuysion bytwix 3oure counsaillours . Jjis is to sayn bytwix 3oure frendes & 3oure fayned couwsaillours [2446] ne 36 han not1 knowe J>e wille of 3oure trewe frendes . olde and wise [2447] But1 36 han cast1 aH her wordes in an hocftepote and enclyned 3oure herte to J?e more parte and to J>e gretter nombre and Jjer by 36 condescended . [2448] And si)> 36 wote wele pat1 men shal fynde a gretter multitude of fooles \&n of wise men. [2449] and perfor J>e counsaillours pat1 ben at congregacions and mul- titudes of folk1 per as men take more reward to pe nombre pan to pe sapience of persones [2450] 1T 3e se wel pat1 1in such counsaillyngges fooles haue pe maistrie [2451] .Melebius answerdl ageyn and saide IT I graunte wel pat1 I haue erred. [2452] but1 per as powe saist1 me here bifore pat1 he nys nat1 to blame pat1 chau??gep his courc-

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saillours in certeyn cases and for certeyn) iust1 causes [2453] I am al redy to chaunge my counsailours ri^tt as f owe wolt1 devise [2454] IT The prouerbe seif . fat1 forto do synne is maranyssfi But certes forto perseuere longe in synne is werke of1 f e deueH

[2455] 1T To fis sentence anoon answered dame pru- dence and saide [2456] Examynef quod fan she 3oure coun- saile. and lat vs see whiche of hem haf spoken moosf resonable & taught1 $ou best* counsaile. [2457] And for as moche as fat1 fe examynacion is necessarie lat1 vs bygynne at1 Cirurgiens and at1 fe phisicience fat1 fursf speken in fis matere . [2458] I say ^ou fat1 f e Cirurgiens and J)e phisiciens haue seiden ^ou in ^oure coun- saile discretly as hem au^te. [2459] and in her speche seiden ful wisely as to fe office J?af hem appentej) to done to euery wight1 honoure and profite and no wi^f to anoye [2460] and aftere her craft1 to doon grete diligence vnto ]>& cure of hem which fat1 ]?ei han in gouern- cmnce . [2461] And sir1 rijt1 as pei han answered wisely and discretely [2462] ri^t so rede I fat1 fei bene heghly and souereynly guerdoned for her noble speche . [2463] and eke for fei shuld do ]?e more ententif bysynes in J?e Curacion of ^oure doubter* / [2464] ffor al be it1 soo fat1 fei bene ^oure freendes ferfore shal 36 not1 suffre fat1 fei seme ^ou for nou^t1 [2465] But1 36 au^t1 fe rafer to gerdone hem and she we hem ^our largesse . [2466] And as tochinge f e proposicion fe which fe phisiciens encresden in fis caas. fis is to sayn [2467] fat1 in maladies, fat1 oon contrarief is warshed by anofer contrarie [2468] .1 wold fayn knowe how fei vnderstonde f ilk1 text1 And what1 is her sentence [2469] 51 Certes q^od Melebius vnderstonden it1 in fis wise . [2470] fat1 ri^t1 as fei han [m\ont) fait un contraire, que je leur face un autre, [2471] et pour ce qu'ils (se) sonf] venged ham on me and done me wronge I^t4 so shal I venge me vpon hem .

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SIX-TEXT 222 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

and done hem wronge [2472] and pan haue I cured oon contrary by a noper

[2473] IT lo lo quod dame Prudence, how 113% is* euery man enclyned to his owne desire and to his awne plesaunce [2474] Certes quod she . wordes of pe phisiciens ne shulden natf haue bene vnderstonden in pis wise. [2475] ffor certys wikkednesse is nat1 contrarie to wicknesse . ne vengeance to vengeaunce . ne wrong1 to wronge . but1 pei bene semblable [2476] and per- for on vengea^mce is not1 warisshed by anoper venge- aunce. ne oon wrong1 by a noper ! wronge. [2477] but1 euer-ych of hem encresep and angrep and greggep oper. [2478] But certes pe wordes of pe phisicien shuld ben vnderstonden in pis wise . [2479] ffor goodnesse and wikked- nesse ben two contraries and pees and werre and venge- aurcce and suffrance . discord? and accorde and mony oper pingges . [2480] But1 certes wikkednesse shal be warsshed by goodnesse . discord* by accord* . werre by pees . and so for]? of oper pingges . [248 1] And also to hem accorde j) [saint Pol] pe appostel in mony places [2482] He seip . ne ^eldejj noi^fr harme for harme ne wikked speche for wikked speche. [2483] but1 do]? wel to hem Jjat1 don ^ou harme . and blesse hem Jjat1 sayn to }>e harme [2484] and in mony oj>er places he amoneste]? pees and accorde . [2485] IF But1 now wil I speke to ^ou of J?e coun- saile which pat1 was ^euen to ^ou by ]>e men of lawe and pe wise folk1 [2486] pat1 seiden aH by oon acorde as 36 han herd? bifore . [2487] That1 ouer alle pingges 30 shal do 3oure diligence to kepe 3oure persones arid to warnestore 3oure hous [2488] and saiden also . pat1 in pis 36 ou3tt forto worchen ful wisely and bisily and wip grete deliberacion [2489] And sire as to pe fursfr poynt1 pat1 touchep to pe keping1 of 3©ur persone [2490] 36 shul vnderstonde pat1 he pat1 hap werre shal euermore deuoutely and mekely preien by-forn alle pingges [2491] pat1 Ihesu cri'st of his mercy, wol

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SIX-TEXT 223 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

haue hym in his protection and bene his souereyn helpinge at1 his nede. [2492] ffor certes in fis world4 fer nys no wi3# fat1 may be counsailled or kepte sufficiently wif- out1 fe kepinge of our lord? Ihesu cr/st. [2493] To fis sentence accordef f e profete Dauid fat1 seif . [2494] 3if god ne kepe f e Citee in ydel waitef he fat1 it1 kepef . [2495] Now sire fan shul 30 committe [la garde] of 3oure persone to ^oure trewe frendes fat1 bene appreued and yknowe [2496] and of hem shul 36 askeii helpe ^ouro body forto kepe ffor caton seif 1T 3if f°u hast1 nede of helpe aske it1 of fi frendes [2497] ffor fer is noon so good a phisicien as fi trewe frende [2498] ^ After fis fan shal 36 kepe ^ou from al straunge folk* and fro leers and haue alway in suspecte her companye [2499] ^F ffor Pers Alfons seij? ])us ne take no company by J>e waye of a straunge mon . but }if so be fat1 J>o\ve knowe him of a lenger tyme. [2500] And }if so be fat1 he falle to fi companye per- auenture wif-outen fine assent1 [2501] enquere fan as sotilly as euer f ou maist1 of his conuersacion and of his lyf byfore and feyne fi way. Say fow wolt1 goo fidere as fou wilt1 not1 goo. [2502] and }if he bere a spere holde fe on fe ri^t1 side. And }if he bere xa swerde holde fe on fe lift1 side [2503] and so after* fis fan shal 30 kepe 3ou wisely from al such" manere puple as I haue saide byfore and hem and her counsaile eschewe. [2504] And fan after fat1 shal 30 kepe 3ou in such a manere [2505] fat1 for eny presumpcion of 3oure strength" . fat1 36 ne despise nat1 f e n^t1 of 3oure enemye and of 30^7- aduersarie. so lite fat1 30 lete fe kepinge of 3oure persone for 3oure presumpcion. [2506] ffor euery wise man dredef his enemye . [2507] Salomon saif . wakeful is he fat1 oft1 haf drede . [2508] ffor certes he fat1 forowe hardynesse of his herf and forowe fe hardynesse of hy?ft self1 haf to grete presumpcion him shal euel betide [2509] IF Than

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SIX-TEXT 224 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

slial $e euerrnore countrewaite enbusshmentys and al especials. [2510] ffor Seneca saif . fat1 fe wise man fat1 dredef harmesf eschewef hannes . [2511] he ne fallef not1 into periles f fat1 periles eschewef [25 1 2] IF And al be it1 so fat1 it1 seme pat1 fou art1 in siker place ^it1 shaltowe alway doo f i diligence in kepinge of j)i persone . [2513] fis is to sayn be not1 necligent1 to kepe fi persone not1 oonly from f i grettest1 enemyes i but1 fro ])i leest1 enemyes . [2514] Senec1 saif . A man fat1 is wel avised lie dredef his leest1 enemye [2515] Ovide. saif. fat1 fe litel weseH wil slee fe grete Owle and fe \vilde hert1 [2516] And fe boke seij? f A litel forne may prik1 a kinge ful sore . And an hounde wil liolde ]>e wilde bore. [2517] But1 na]?elees I say. 5F not1 ])ou shalt1 be so modi cowarde j^at1 jjou doute ]?er as if is no drede [2518] 1F The boke saijj / fat1 some folk1 hail grete lest1 to desceyue . but1 ^it1 J?ei dreden hem to be de- sceyued. [2519] 3^ shalt1 fou drede to be empoysened? and kepe J>e from fe company of scorners [2520] 1T ffor fe booke seff Wij? scorners make no companye. but1 flee hem and her wordes as venyme .

[2521] Now as to fe secounde poynt1 when as ^oure wise counsailours counsailed ^ow to war?istore ^oure hous wijj grete diligence. [2522] I wold fayn knowe how fat1 $e vnderstonden filk1 wordys and what1 is ^oure Sentence .

[2523] Melebius Answerd1 and saide . Certes I vnder- stonde it1 in fis wise fat1 I1 shal warnstore myn hous wif towres such as haue castels and ofer manere edifi[c]es and armure and arcelries [2524] by such fingges as I may my persone and my hous kepe and defende . fat1 myn enemyes shul be in drede myn hous to approche .

[2525] To fis sentence anon answerdl Dame Prudence ^T Warnstoringe quod she of hegh toures and grete edifices [appertaineth sometimes to pride [2526] Men make towers and great edifices] with grete

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costages and wip grete travaile . and whan pat1 pei be accompliced . ^it1 bene pei nat1 worp a stree . but1 $if .pei ben deffended by trewe frendes pat1 bene olde and wise ./ [2527] 1And vnderstonde wel pat1 pe strongest1 and pe grettest1 garison pat1 pe riche man may haue as wel to kepe his persone as his goodes. is [2528] pat1 he be beloued wip his subiectys. and wij> his nei^bowrs [2529] ffor pus saip Tnllius 1F That* per is a maner garneson pat1 no man may venquyssh ne discomfett1. And pat1 is [2530] a lord to be byloued wip his Citeseins and of his puple

[2531] Now sir as to pe iij. poynt1 where as olde and wise counsaillours . seiden pat1 ^owe ne not1 sodeynly ne hastely proceden in J>is nede . [2532] but1 fat1 $ou ai^t1 purveien and apparailen $ou in ]?is caas MTij? grete diligence and grete deliberacion . [2533] trewly I trowe J>afr J?ei seiden ri^t1 wisely and rijf soj?e. [2534] ffor Tullius seijj 11 In euery nede er )?ow bygynne it1 apparaille ]?e wij? grete diligence [2535] Than say I Jmt1 in vengeance takinge in werre in bataile and in warne-storinge . [2536] er pan pou bygynne. I rede pat1 ]?ou apparaile pe Jjerto. and do it1 with grete deliberacion. [2537] ffor Tullius saip f ^ That1 longe apparaylinge to-forn pe bataile i makep shorte victorie. [2538] And so Cassidorws saij). IF The garneson is stronger whan it1 is longe tyme avised .

[2539] But1 now lat1 vs speke more of pe counsaile. pat1 was accorded by 3oure neighbours which as doon 3011 reuerence wip-out1 loue [2540] 3oure olde enemyes recon- siled, ^oure flaterers [2541] pat1 cozmsailden ^ou .cer- teyn pingges prively . and openly counsailden ^ou pe contrarie [2542] IF The }onge folk1 also pat1 counsailed ^ou to venge 3ou / and make werre anoon [2543] 1T -And certes sire as I haue saide byforn $e haue gretly erred to han cleped Such manere folk1 to ^oure counsaile . [2544] which counsailours bene nowe repreued . by pe resons to-fore saide. [2545] But1 napelees lat1 nowe descende to

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GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

f e speciaH . IF 36 shullen furst1 proceden afiere f e doctr/ne of Tullius [2546] IF Certes fe troupe of fis or J>is counsaile nedef nat1 diligently enquere . [2547] for it* is wel wist1 which fei bene fat1 done to 3ou fis trespace and vilanye [2548] and how mony trespasours. and in what1 manere fei han to 3011 done . Aft fis wronge and al fis vylanye [2549] And aftere fis fan shal 30 examyne fe .ij. condicions whiche fat1 fe same Tullius addef in fis matere. [2550] ffor Tullius put1 to a f inge . f e which he clepef consentinge . fis is to sayn [2551] IF Who "ben fei and which bene fei. and how mony . fat1 consenten to f i counsaile in f i wilful- nesse to doo hastely 1F vengeaunce . [2552] And lafr vs con- sidere also . Who bene £ei and howe mony & which" bene pei fat1 consenten to 301110 aduersaries . [2553] And certys as to J?e 1furst1 poynt1 it1 is wel knowen which folk1 bene J?ei fat1 consenten to 3oure hastif w ilf ni- nes. [2554] ifor trewly al foo fat1 counsailden 3ou to make sodeyn werre ne bene nat1 3oure frendes [2555] [Or veons doncques qui tu es et qid sont ceulx que tu Hens tant a ennemis .] as to 3oure persone. [2556] ifor al be it1 soo fat1 30 bene myghty and riche. certes 30 bene but1 alloon . [2557] for certes 36 ne haue no childe but1 a dou3tere . [2558] ne 36 ne haue no bref eren ne Cosyns Germaynns ne noon ofer nygli kynrede ./ [2559] wherfore fat1 3oure enemyes for drede shulden stent1 to plede with" 3owe ne destroye 3oure pe?-sone [2560] IF 3© knowe also fat1 3oure richesses mosten be dalt1 in diuers parties. [2561] and whan fat1 euery wi3f haf his parte f ei ne wol not1 take but1 litel reward? to venge fi deth. [2562] but1 fine enemyes bene J}re. And f ei han mony children . bref eren Cosynes and ofer nygh" kinrede. [2563] And f 01130 it1 so were fow haddest1 sclayn of hem twoo or free . 3if dwellen f er ynowe to wreke her deeth. and to slee fi pe?*sone [2564] And f 01136 so were fat1 3oure kynrede were more siker and stedfast1 fan

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fe kyn of $oure aduersaries. [2565] }!# nafelees 3oure kynrede nys but* litel kynrede . and litel sibbe to 3owe . [2566] And fe kynne of ^oure enemyes ben nygh sibbe to hem . And ceitis as to fat1 . Her condicione is betf faf 3owres. [2567] Than laf vs considere also. $if fe counsaillinge of hem faf counsailed 3owe to take sodeyn vengeawnce whedere it1 accorde to reson . [2568] Certys 36 knowe wel nay. [2569] ffor as by ri^t1 and reson f er may no man take vengeaunce on no wi3f bnf fe luge fat1 haf fe Jurisdiction of it1 [2570] whan it1 is ygraunted hym to take filk* vengeance hastely or at- temperally as fe la we require)). [2571] And 31^ more- ouere of filk1 word4 fat1 Tullius clepef consentynge . [2572] Thow shalt1 considere ^it1 fow m.y^ and fi power my^t1 consent1 and suffice to fi wilfulnesse and to fi counsailours . [2573] IF And certes fou maist1 wel say nay. [2574] for sikerly as forto speke proprely . we may do no f inge . but1 oonly fing1 as we may done ri^tfully. [2575] And certes ri^frfully ne mowe 36 take no vengeaunce as of 3oure propre auctorite [2576] fan mowe 36 sene fat1 3oure power consentef nat1 ne accordef not1 to 3oure wilfulnesse [2^77] IF laf vs nowe examyne fe iij poynf faf Tullius clepef consequent1 [2578] \Tu dois doncques savoir que a rengence que tu veulx faire, est consequent^ [2579] And ferof folowef a-nofer vengeaunce perile and werre . and of er damages wif-ouf nombre of which we bene litel warre as at f is tyme ./ [2580] IF And as toufing1 fe fourte poynf faf Tullius clepef en- gendringe [2581] foil shalf considere fis wronge which fat is done to fe is engendred of fe hate of fine enemyes [2582] and of fe ! vengeance takinge vpon faf wolde engendre anof ere vengeawnce And mochel sorowe and waastinge of Eichesse as I saide eersf .

[2583] 1F Now sire as fan touchinge to fe poynf . Thaf Tullius causes which faf is fe last1 poynte [2584] fou

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SIX-TEXT 228

GROUP B. § 10. MBLIBEUS. Petworth MS.

shalt1 vnderstonde fat1 f e wronge fat1 fou hast1 receyued ha]) certeyne causes. [2585] whiche fat1 clerkes clepen orience. And officience. And causa longinqua and causa p?*opinqua . This is say f e fer cause and f e ny^e cause . [2586] The fer cause is almy^ty god fat1 is cause of al f ingges . [2587] The nere cause is by fre enemyes [2588] IT The cause accidental was hate. [2589] fe cause material! bef .v. woundes of fi doujtere [2590] The cause formal is fe maner of her worching1 fat1 brou^ten ladders and clomben Inne at1 fi wyndowes. [2591] The cause fFynal was. for to scle fi doughtere. It1 letted nou^t1 in as modi as in hem was / [2592] Than to speke of fe ferfe cause as to what1 ende fei shal come or what1 shal fynaly bytide of hem in fis caas. ne can I not1 deme but1 by countyng1 and by supposinge [2593] IF ffor we shul suppose, fat1 fei shul come to a wikked ende . [2594] by cause fat1 f e booke of Decrees seif IF Seeldome or wif grete peyne bene causes ybrou^f to good ende whan fei bene bodely begonne .

[2595] IF Now sire }if men wold aske me whi fat1 36 sufficed men to doo ^ou fis wronge and vilenye . Certes I can nat1 wel answers as for no sof fastnesse . [2596] ffor f e aposteH saif . fat1 f e sciences and f e lugementes of our lord god almy^ty. bene ful depe. [2597] fer may no man conprehende ne Serchen hem suffisantly [2598] IF Nafelees by certeyne presu???pcions of coniectynggrrs I holde and bileue [2599] fat1 god which fat1 is ful of iustice. and of ri^twisnesse haf suffred fis bitidde by lustise IF cause resonable

[2600] IF Thi name is Melebye 1F This is to sayne a man fat1 drynkef hony. [2601] thow hast1 ydronke so moche hony of which swete temporeH richesses / and delicious hon- oures of fis world* [2602] fat1 fou art1 dronken. and hast1 for^eten Ihesu crist1 fine creature [2603] Thow ne hast1 not1 doon to hym such honours and reuerence as f e au^t1 [2604] ne fou ne hast1 nat1 wel taken kepe to

PETWOKTH 519 (6-T. 228)

SIX-TEXT 229

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fe wordes of 0 IT Ovide fat1 seif . [2605] Yndere f e hony of f e goddes of f i body . is hidde f e venyme fat1 scleef fi soule [2606] IF And Salomon saif . 3if fou hast1 found2 hony . eete of if faf suffisef the . [2607] ffor }if fou ete of if out* of mesure. fou shalf spewe and be nedy and pcore. [2608] and perauenture criste haue fe in despite . and haf turned away from f e his face and his eeres of mysericord? [2609] And also he haf suffred fat fou hast be 1punshed in fe manere fat1 fou hast1 trespased . [2610] Thou hast1 doon synne a^einsf our lord crisf [2611] ffor certes iij. enemyes of man- kynde fat1 is to seyne f e flessh" . f e feende . and f e worlde [2612] thowe hast1 suffred hem entred into fine lious wilfully by fe wyndowe of fi body. [2613] And hasf naf defended f i self sufficiently a^einst1 her assawtes and her te?7iptacions so fat* f ei han wounded f e saule in .v. places. [2614] fis is to sayn fe dedly synnes faf bene entred into fine herf by fi .v, wyndowes [2615] and in fe same manere our lord c?^'st haf suffred and willed fat1 fise iij. enemyes bene entred into fi hous by fi wyndowes [2616] and haue ywounded f i dou^tere in f e forsaide manre

[2617] 1f Certes quod Melebius I se wel fat1 30 en- force ^ou moche by wordis to ouercome me in suche a manere fat1 1 shal not1 venge me on myn enemyes . [2618] shewing1 me fe periles and fe eueles fat1 myghten falle of fis vengeaunce [2619] But1 who so wold? considere in aH vengeances f e periles and euels fat1 my^ten swe of vengeance takinge [2620] a mon wold neuere take vengeance and fat1 were harme [2621] ffor by fe venge- aunce takinge . bene f e wikked men disseuered from f e good men. [2622] And fei fat1 han wille to do wikked- nesse restreynen her wikked p?^rpoos whan they sene f e punshynge and chastising1 of trespasoures .

[2623] [And to this answered dame Prudence : * Certes/ said she, ' I grant you that from vengeance come many

PETWOIITIJ 520 (6-T. 229) [» leaf 238]

SIX-TEXT 230 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

advantages as well as many evils ; [2624] yet vengeance be- longeth not to a " senglere persone," but only to the judges, and to those who have jurisdiction over evil-doers.'] [2625] And ^it1 say I more pat1 as ri^t1 as so senglere persone synnej) in takinge vengeaunce of a noper man [2626] Ri^t1 so synnej) J?e luge $if he dco no vengeatmce on hem pat1 it1 haue deserued [2627] 1F ffor Senec1 sei]> Jms 1F pat1 maister he sai}) is good pat1 repreuep shrewes [2628] 11 And as Cassiodorie seip. A man dredep to do outrage whan he woote and knowep pat1 it displesejj to pe lugges and pe souereyns . [2629] And anoper seip fl" The luge pat1 dredep to do ri^f . make]) men schrewes [2630] 1T And seint1 Paule pe appostel seip in his epistel whan he write]) to pe Komayns Jpat1 J?e luge berent1 not1 ])e spere wi])-outen cause. [2631] but1 ]?ei beren if to punshe-Jje schrewes and mysdoers and forto defende Jje good men . [2632] ^if ^e wil ]?an take vengeance of ^oure enemyes ^e shal retourne or haue ^oure recours to ]?e luge fat1 liaj> ]?e Jurisdiction vpon him [2633] and he shal punsshe hem as )>e lawe askej) and requerej)

[2634] IF A quod Melebies J)is vengeance like]? me no Jnnge [2635] I by-jjenk me nowe and take hede. howe fortune haj) norsshed me fro my childhode . and ha]) hulpen me to passe mony a stronge paas [2636] 5T Now wil I assaien her trowinge wi]> goddes helpe J)af he shal helpe me my shame forto 'venge

[2637] IT Certes qwod Prudence ^if ^e wil wirk1 by my counsaiH ^e shul not1 assaien fortune by no way [2638] ne 30 shul not1 lene ne bowe vnto hire, after ])e wordes of Senec1. [2639] ffor ])ingges ]>ati bene folily done, and fat1 bene in hope of fortune shullen neuere come to good eende. [2640] IT And as ])e same senc< sai]). ])e more clere and £e more shynynge fat1 fortune is . J?e more brotel and fe sonner brekef -she . [2641] trestef not1 on her for she nys nat1 stedfast1 . [2642] ffor whan ]?owe wenest1 or trowest1 to be more swre or siker of her

35 PET WORTH 621(6-1.230) [' leaf 23S, back]

SIX-TEXT 231 .GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

helpe. she wil faile fee. [2643] ^ And \er as 3e sayn fat1 fortune haf norsshed 3011 from 3oure child- hode. [2644] I say fat1 in so mochel shal 36 fe lasse trest1 in her1, and in her witt1 [2645] IF ffor Senetf 8aif . what1 man fat1 is norsshed by fortune f she make]) him to grete a foole [2646] IT ISTow fan sif 36 desire and aske vengeauwce . and f e vengeance fat1 is done [selon Vordre de droit et devant le juge ne te plaist, [2647] et la vengence qui se fait] in hope of fortune is peril- ous and vncerteyn . [2648] fen haue noon ofer remedy, but1 forto haue ^oure cours vnto fe souereyn luge fan vengef aH vilanyes and wrongges . [2649] and he shal venge ^ou . After hym self witnessej) i where as he saif [2650] H leuejj fe vengeance to me./ & I shal doo it1

[2651] 1T Melebius answered . $ii I ne venge me no}^ of J?e vilanye fat1 men han done to me . [2652] I shal somne or warne hem fat1 han do to me foo vilanyes and al ofer to doo me anof er vilanye . [2653] 1F ffor it1 is writen . ^if fou take no vengeawnce of an olde vilanye / fow somn- est1 fine adue?'saries to doo an newe vilanye. [2654] And also for my suffraunce men wolden doo me so moche vilanye fat1 I my^t1 neifer bere it1 ne sus- teyne it1. [2655] And so fan I shulde be kept1 ouer lawe [2656] H ffor men sayn In mochel suffringe shul mony fingges vnto fe which fow shalt1 not1 mow suffre

[2657] ^F Certes quod prudence I graunte ^ow faf ouer mochel suffraunce is not1 good [2658] But1 ^it1 ne folowef it1 not1 f er-of . That1 euery persone to whome men doo vilany take of it1 vengeaunce . [2659] ffor fat1 apper- tenef & longef oonly to the luges . ffor f ei shul venge vilanyes and Iniuries. [2660] And herfore foo two autoritees fat1 36 han saide aboue ben oonly vnderstonden in fe luges [2661] for whan fei suffre ouer IT mykel fe wrongges and vilenyes to be done PETWOKTU 522 (G-T. 231)

SIX-TEXT 232

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

wip-out1 ponshinge . [2662] pei somraone nafr a man al only forto doo iiewe wrongges but1 pei cowmaunden it1 [2663] IT Also a wise man seip pat1 pe luge pat1 cor- rectep not* pe synner. Commaundep and biddep hym to synne [2664] and pe luges and !souereynes my3ten in her londe so moche sufFre of pe Shrewes and mysdoers [2665] pat1 pei shulden bye such suffraunce by processe of tyme wexen of such power and my^t1. pat1 pei shuld putte out1 pe luges and souereynes from her places . [2666] and at1 pe last1 do hem lose her lordshippes

[2667] ^1 I put1 caas ri^t1 nowe 36 had leue to venge $ou. [2668] I say pat1 36 ben noi^f of myght1 ne power* as nowe to venge ^ou . [2669] ffor ^if we wil make comparison vnto pe my^t1 of jour aduersaries . 36 shul fynde in many pingges pat1 I haue shewed 30" er pis pat1 her condicion is better pan 3oure . [2670] And perfore say I pat1 it1 is good as nowe pat1 36 suffre and be pacient1

[2671] 11 fferper more 36 knowen wel pat1 after pe comon Sawe it1 is a woodenesse a man to stryue wip a strenger. or wip a more my3ty man pan hym self. [2672] And forto stryue wip a man of euen strength pat1 is to say wip as stronge a man as he is it1 is perile . [2673] And forto stryue wip a waikere man it1 is foly [2674] And perfore shuld? a man flee stryuynge as mochel as he my^t1 [2675] 1F ffor Salomon saip. It is a grete worship a man to kepe hym from noyse and stryf . [2676] And 3if it' so byfalle or happe pat1 a man of gretter nr^t1 and strenger pan pou art1 do pe greucmnce . [2677] stody and byse pe raper to stille pe same greutmnce pan forto venge pe [2678] 1F ffor Senec1 saip That1 he puttep hym in grete perile . pat1 stryuep wip a gretter man pan he is him self [2679] And Caton saip . 3if a man of hier astate or of degre or more my3ty pan pou . do pe an oper greuawnce suffre hym [2680] for he pat1 onys hap greued pe

PETWOKTH 523 (6-T. 232) ['leaf 239]

SIX-TEXT 233

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

inay anofer tyme releue fe. and helpe fe. [2681] ^if sette I caas 36 haue bof my^tt and licence forto venge 3011. [2682] I saie fat1 f er bene ful mony jnngges fat1 shuld restreyn ^ou of vengeance takinge [2683] and make 3011 forto enclyne to suffre and for- to haue pacience in J)e wrongges fat1 bene done to 3011 . [2684] ffurst1 and forward' 3if 30 wil considere f e def antes fat1 bene in 3oure persone . [2685] for which" defautes god haj) suffred 3ou to haue tribulacion as I haue saide byfore [2686] IF ffor f e Poete saif . fat1 we ou^ten paciently f e tn'bulacions to take fat commen to vs whan fat1 we f enken and consideren f«tf we han deserued to haue hem [2687] IF And seintt Gregor seif . That* whan a man consideref wel f e nombre of1 his defautes and of his synnes [2688] fan peynes and fe tn'bulacions fat1 he suffref semen fe lasse vnto him [2689] And in as moche as him fenk- ef his synnes more hevie and greuous [2690] in so moche his peyne is fe Ii3ter / and fe 'esier vnto hym [2691] II Also 36 owen to enclyne and bowe 3our<3 lierte to take fe pacience of our lorde Thesu cn'sfr. As seif seint Petre in his episteli [2692] Ihesu cn'sf he seif haf suffred for vs and 3euen ensample to euery man to folowe and to swee hym [2693] for he did neuere IF synne ne neuere cam a vileyns worde out1 of his moufe [2694] whan men cursed hym he cursed hem

no gap] [2695] Also fe grete pacience 1F whiche faf seintes fat1 bene in paradis han had in tr/bulacions fat1 fei han suffred wif-outen her desert1 or gilt1. [2696] aught1 moch" stire 3ou to pacience [2697] IF fferfer- more 36 shal conforte 3ou to haue pacience [2698] consideringe fat1 f e t?'ibulaci6ns of f i? worlde . but litel ^F while enduren . and soon bene ypassed and goon [2699] And fe loye fat a man sechef to haue by pacience in tr/bulacions is perdurable . after fat1 f Q

PETWOllTH 524 (6-T. 233) [i leaf 239, back]

SIX-TEXT 234

GROUP B. § 10. MELISEUS. Petworth MS.

appostel seip . in his Epistel [2700] 1F The loie of god he seip is perdurable. pat1 is to saye euerlastinge . [2701] Also trouej) and bileuep stedfastly pat1 he nys natH wel norsshed ne wel ytaivjt1 pat cannof haue pacience ne wil not1 receyue pacience [2702] IF ffor Salomon seip. That1 pe doctrine and pe witte of man is knowe by pacience . [2703] And in anopere place he seip . fat1 he pat1 kepep hyra by pacience IF gouernep him by grete prudence [2704] 1F And pe Same Salomon seijj The angre and pe wrethful man make]) noyses . and pe pacienf man attemprep and stillep him self [2705] 1F he saip also if is more worth to be pacient1 pan for to be lijti stronge . [2706] And he pat1 may haue lordship of his owne hert1 is more to preise pan he pat1 by his fors takep grete Citees and townes [2707] Therfore seip seint1 lame in his Episteti. pat1 pacience in a grete vertue of p<??'fection .

[2708] [Certes, dit Mettibee, je vous ottroye9 dame Prudence, que patience est une grant vertu,] [2709] But1 euery man may nat1 haue pe perfection pat we seken. [2710] ne I. am not1 of pe norabre of ri3f per- fit men. [2711] for myn herf may neuer be in pees f vnto pe tyme it be venged [2712] IF And al be if so pat1 it1 was grete perile to myne IF ennernyes to done me a vilanye in takinge vengeance vpon me . [2713] 31^ token pei noon hede vppon pe perile . but1 fulfilleden her wiklFked wille and her corage [2714] And per-for me penkep men ou^t1 not1 repreue me pou^e I putte me in a litel perile to venge me. [2715] and pou3e I doo. a grete excesse . pat1 is to say pou3e I venge oon outrage by a nopere

[2716] IF 0 quod dame prudence 30 say 3oure wille. and as 3ou likep. [2717] But1 in no caas of pe world! a man -shuld? not do outrage ne m excesse forto venge hyw [2718] IF ffor Cassidore seip pat1 as euel dop he pat1 auengep him by outrage . as he pat1 dop pe

PETWORTH 625 (6-T. 234)

SIX-TEXT 235

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Pctworth MS,

outrage . [2719] And f er-for 30 shul venge ^ou after f e ordere of ry^t1 fat1 is to sain l by f e lawe and by noon exoesse ne noon outrage. [2720] And also if 36 wil venge 3011 of fe outrage of 3oure aduersaries in ofer manere fan ri^f comaunde]) 36 synnen [2721] IF And f erfore saif Senetf . fat1 a man shal neuere venge schrewdenesse by schrewdenesse / [2722] And if 36 say fat4 ri3f axef a man to defende violence by violence . and fi^tynge by fi3tinge . [2723] certes 36 say soth. wharc fe defence is done anoon witR-outen interuaHe or wif -out1 taryinge or delay . [2724] for to defenden hym and not1 forto vengen hym. [2725] And it1 bihouef fat1 a man put1 such" attemperance in his defence [2726] fat1 men haue no cause no matere to repreuen hym fat1 defendef hym of excesse and of outrage . [car autrement ce seroit contre droit et contre raison (Le Men.)] [2727] IT Parde 36 knowen weH fat1 36 maken noon defence as nowe forto defende 3ou but1 forto venge 3ou [2728] And so swef it1 fat1 36 han no wille to doo 3oure dede attemperally . [2729] and ferfore me fenkef fat1 pacience is goode IF ifor Salomon seif f fat1 he fat1 is nat1 pacient1 shal haue grete harme

[2730] IT Certes quod meleby I graunte 3ou fat1 whan a man is impacient1 and wroof of fat1 fat1 touchef hym nat1 and of fat1 fat1 pertenef not1 to hym . f ou3e it1 harme him it1 is no wondere [2731] 1F ffor fe lawe saif . fat1 he is coupable . fat1 entermetef hym or mellef hym wif suche finge as apperteynef nat1 to hym [2732] IF And Salomon saif . That1 he fat1 entermetef hym of f e noise or of f e strif of an of er man is like to hym . fat1 takef fe hounde by fe eeres [2733] and \_aussi comme cellui qui prent le chien par les oreilles] is of er while biten wif fe hounde . [2734] 1F Ki3t< in fe same wise is it1 reson fat1 he haue harme fat1 .by his impacience medlef him of f e noise of an of er man . wher fat1 it1 appertenef not to him [2735] ^ -B^ 3e knowe wel fat1 fis dede and

PETWOHTH 626 (6-T. 235) [* leaf 240]

SIX-TEXT 236

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

Jns greef and Jns dissese touchej? me nygR . [2736] And ferfore £01136 I be wro])e and im- pacienfr it* is no mervaile. [2737] and sauynge joure grace I can not1 see J?atf it1 my^fr gretlicfr liarme me . £01136 I toke vengeance [2738] ffor I am Riccher and more my^ty fan myn enemyes bene. [2739] And wel knowen jee fat1 by money and by hauyng1 grete posses- sions bene aH Jringges of )>is world! ygouerned [2740] IF And Salomon seij> . fat1 aH Jjingges obeyen to monay .

[2741] [Prudence, quant elle oy son mary vanter de sa ricliesse et de sa puissance, et say esjouir, et~\ dispreis- ing< J>e poor of his aduersaries . Tho she spak and seide in Jns wise. [2742] Certes dere sire I graunf 3011 fat* 30 bene riche and my3ty. [2743] and J>atf richesses ben good to hem J?af han wel goten hem . and fat1 wel can vsen hem [2744] ffor ri3tt as Jje body of a man f may not* lyue wij?-outf J?e saule . no more may it* live wijj-out1 temporal goodes . [2745] And by rich- esse may a 1man gete hym grete worship [2746] 11 And Jjerfore seij) Pamphilles . 3if an neterdes doi^tere he saij? be riche she may chese of a thowsand! men \lequel qu'elle veult pour son mary [2747] car (Le Menagier, tome i)j [. . no gap in the MS.] oon wil not1 forsake her ne refuse her. [2748] And Jms Pamphilles seith also 1F 3if Jjou be ri3^ happy J>atf is to say ri}^ riche J?ow shalt1 fynde a grete nombre of felawes and frendes. [2749] And 3if J>i fortune that1 J?ou wexe poor, fare wel frendship and felawship. [2750] for J?ou shalt bene allone wij)-onte eny companye. but1 3if it1 be ]?e company of poor folk1 [2751] // And jit seij? fia Pamphilles more ouer J»af fei J>af bene thral and bonde of lynage . shullen be made wor}>i and noble by richessesse [2752] And rijt1 so as by richesses J?er commen mony 'goodes . Ei^t1 so by pouertf per commen mony harmes and euels . [2753] ffor grete pouerte con-

PETWORTH 527 (6-T. 236) [i leaf 240, back]

SIX-TEXT 237

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

streyneth a man to doo mony euels [2754] ^T And fer- fore clepef Cassidore pouerft. fe modere ruyne. [2755] That1 is to say fe modere of ouerfrowinge or falling1 downe [2756] f And ferfore Pers Alfons saif . Oon of fe grettest1 aduersitees of fis world? is [2757] whan a free [man] by kinde is constreyned by pouert1 to eten fe almesse of his enemye [2758] IT And fe Same Seif Innocent1 in oon of his bokes. He seif fat1 soriful and vnhappy is fe condition of a poor begger. [2759] ffor }if he askef not1 his mete he dyef for hungere . [2760] [et se Us denmndent, Us meurent de honte ;] Necessite constreynef hyra to aske. [2761] And ferfore seif Salomon . That1 better is to dye fan forto haue suche po'uerte [2762] IT And as jje Same Salo- mon seij> Better is to dye a bitter dee]? )>an forto lyuen in swich" wise [2763] IF Ey jnse resons Jmt1 .1 haue seide vnto ^owe and by mony resons fat1 I coude saie [2764] I graunte fat1 richesses bene good to hem fat1 geten hem weH And vsen hem wel . [2765] And ferfore wil I shewe ^ow how ^e shul haue ^ou . and howe ^e shal bere ^ou in gaderinge of richesses. and in what1 manere 36 shul vsen hem

[2766] ffirst1 36 shul geten hem with-out grete desire, by good leisere sokingly. and not1 ouerhastely. [2767] fFor a man fat1 is to desiringe to geten richesse. abandonef hym to feft1 and to ali ofer evels [2768] IT And ferfore seif Salomon f he fat1 hastef hym to bysily to wexe ricche f shal be noon Innocent1 [2769] 1F He saif also fat1 f e Richesse fat1 hastely commef to a man. sone and li^tly goof and passef from hym [2770] IT But1 fat1 richesse fat1 cowmef alway litel and litel . wexef alway and multiplief [2771] IT And sire 36 shul gete richesse by 3oure witte . and by 3oure travaile . vnto 3oure profite [2772] and fat1 wif-outen wronge or harme doynge to eny of ere persone. [2773] ffor fe lawe

PETWORTH 628 (6-T. 237)

SIX-TEXT 238

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

seif IF That* he ne make]) nafr hym self riche . ^if he do harme to a nofer wight1 [2774] IF This is to say fat1 nature defendef and forbedef by ryghtf . fat1 l no man make him self riche wif fe harme of a nofere person. [2775] IT And Tullius saif . fat' no sorowe ne no drede of deth" ne of fo^t1 fat1 may falle to a man [2776]. is so mochel a^einst1 nature as a man to encrees his owne profite to f e harme of anof er man [2777] IF And f ou3e fe grete men and fe riche men geten rychesses more li^tly fan fou . [2778] ^it1 shalt1 fou nat1 be ydel ne sclowe to f i prophete . ffor fou shalt1 in al f inge and in al wise fle ydelnesse [2779] IFffor Salomon seif f That1 ydelnesse techef a man to do mony eueles [2780] IF And J>e Same Salomon seijj . Jjat1 he fat1 travaille]? and bysiej? him to tille his londe shal ete J?e brede. [2781] But1 he fat1 is ydel and castef him to doo no bysynesse ne occupacioii shal falle into pouert1 and dye for hurcgere. [2782] And he fat1 is ydel and sclowe. can neuer fynde conable tyme forto do his profite [2783] IF ffor fer is a versifiour fat1 saif . That1 fe ydel man excusef hym in wyntere. be cause of fe grete colde . And in somer by encheson of f e grete hete [2784] IF ffor fise causes seif Caton 5F Wakef and enclynef pu not1 ouermoche forto sclepe . for oner moche rest1 norsshef and causef mony vyces [2785] IF And ferfore seif seint1 lerom IF Dof somme good dedys fat1 f e deuel which" is oure enemye ne fynde ^ou nat1 vnocupied. [2786] ffor fe deuel ne takef not1 Ii3tly vnto his worch- inge such" as he fyndef occupied in goode werkes

[2787] 1F Than fus in geting1 of Richesse 36 moten flee ydelnesse / [2788] IF and afterward! 36 shul vse f e richesse which 36 han geten by 3oure witte and by 3oure travaile [2789] in such" a manere fatv men holde 3ou nat1 to scarce . ne to sparinge . ne to fool large . fat1 is to sayn ouer large a spendere [2790] 1F ffor ii^V as men blamen an Auarous man by cause of his scarsete and chyncherie [2791] In fe same manere is he blamed

PETWORTH 629 (6-T. 238) F1 leaf 241]

SIX-TEXT 239 GROUP B. § 10. MELTBEUS. PctWOlth MS,

fat1 spendef oner largely. [2792] IT And f erf ore seif Caton. vse he saif fe Eichesse fat1 fou hast1 ygeten. [2793] in such a manere. fat1 fer be no matere ne cause to calle fe neifer wrecche ne chynche . [2794] ifor it* is grete shame a man to haue a poor hert1 and a rich purs [2795] 1T He seif also fe goodes fat1 thow hast1 geten vse hem by mesure fat1 is to say. spende mesurably [2796] ffor fei fat* folyly waasten and dispenden fe goodes fat1 fei haue. [2797] whan fei han no more p?-opre of her owne fei shape hem to take fe goodes of a nofer man. [2798] 1T I say fa?* fat* 36 shal flee Auarice / [2799] vsinge ^oure richesse as in such manere fat1 men say not1 fat1 ^oure goodes bene yburied. [2800] but1 fat 30 1haue hem in $oure myghtt and in ^oure weldinge [2801] ffor fe wise repreeuef fe Auerous man and seif in twoo versus . [2802] "Wherto and win beref a man his goodes by his Auarice and knowef wel fat1 nedes he most1 deye. [2803] for def is fe ende of euery man as in fis present1 lif [2804] and for what1 cause or encheson ioynef he him or knyttef he hym so fast1 vnto his goodes [2805] fat1 aH his wittes mowe not1 disseuere hym or departen hyw fro his goodes . [2806] and knowef wel or aught1 knowe fat1 whan he is dede he shal no finge bere wif him out1 of fis world [2807] IF And f erfore seif seynt1 Austyne . That1 f e Auerous man is likned into helle . [2808] fat1 f e more it1 swolowef . f e more desire it1 haf to swalowe and deuowre [2809] And as wel as 36 wolde eschwe to be cleped an Auarous man or chynche [2810] as wel shul 36 kepe 3ou and gouerne 3ou so and in such a wise so fat1 men ne cleped 3ou not1 fool large [2811] IT Therfore seif Tulliws The goodes he seif of fine hous shuld naf bene hidde ne kept1 so cloos but1 fat1 fei my3f be opned by Pite and by bonairte [2812] fat1 is to sayn to 3eue hem parte fat1 han grete nede [2813]

PETWORTH 530 (6-T. 239) C1 leaf 241, back]

SIX-TEXT 240 GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

Ne fi goodes shuld not* bene so open to be euery mawnys goodes [2814] IF Afterward in getinge of 301116 richesse & in vsyng1 of hem 30 shul alway haue fre fingges in ^oure hert1. [2815] fat1 is to sayn. our lorde god. conscience and good name [2816] IF ffirst1 30 shul haue god in 3oure hert1 [2817] and for no ricchesse 30 shul doo 110 finge which may in eny manere displese crist1 fat1 is youre creatour1 and 30^ maker1 [28 1 8] IF ffor after fe worde of Salomon, if is better to haue a litel good VfitJi fe loue of god [2819] fan to haue moche good and tresour1 and lese fe loue of1 his lorde god [2820] IF And fe prophet1 seif. fat1 better it1 is to bene a good man . and haue a litel good and tresour1 . [2821] fan to be holden a shrewe and haue grete Ricchesse. [2822] And 3itt say I ferfermore fat1 30 shulden alway doon 3our> bisynesse to gete 3011 richesses [2823] so fat1 36 gete hem wif good conscience [2824] 1F And fe Appostel saif . Ther nys no f inge in this world? of which we shuld haue so grete loye as whan our conscience beref vs witnesse of good [2825] IF And fe wise man saif . The substance of a man is ful good whan synne nys nat1 in his coscience [2826] 1F Afterward2 in getinge of 3oure richesses / and in vsing1 of hem [2827] fe most1 haue grete bysynesse and grete diligence fat1 3oure 1good name be alway kept1 and conserued [2828] IF ffor Salo- mon seif That1 better it1 is and more availlef a man to haue good name fan to haue grete richesse [2829] IF And ferfore he saif in a nofer place Doo grete diligence seif Salomon in kepinge of fi frend? and of fi good name . [2830] ffor it1 shal lenger abide wif fe fan eny tresour1 be it1 neuere so precious. [2831] And certes he shuld not1 be cleped a gentil man. fat1 after god and good conscience aft fingges left1 lie dof his dyligence and bysynesse to kepen his good name [2832] 1F And Cassidore saif f fat1 it1 is signe of a gentiH hert1 whan a man desiref and louef to haue a goode name ./

PETWOETH 531 (6-T. 240) [Meaf242]

SIX-TEXT 241 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOltll MS.

[2833] 1F And perfore seip seint1 Austyne. Ther bene two pingges pat1 are necessary e and nedefuH. [2834] & fat1 is good conscience and good loos. [2835] that1 is to sayn good conscience to pine owne persone inward? And good loos for j)i neighbour outward?. [2836] And he pat1 trestep him so moche in his good conscience [2837] pat1 he displese and settep af nou^t his good name or loos, and rekkep not1 poiv^e he kepe not1 his good name . he nys but a crueH cherle

[2838] IF Sire now haue I schewed ^ou how $e shuld doo in kepinge rychesse and howe ^e shuld? vsen hern [2839] 1T I see wel pat1 for pe trust1 pat1 ^e haue in ^oure ricchesse . $e wil meuen werre and bataille [2840] I counsaile pat1 30 bygynne no werre. in trest1 of ^oure Richesse . ffor pel ne suffisen not1 werres to Mayn- tene [2841] IT And perfore saip a Philosophre. That1 man pat1 desirep and wil algates haue werre. shal neuere haue suffisaunt. [2842] ffor pe Richer pat1 he is pe gretter dispence mote he make }if he wil haue wor- ship or victorie [2843] ^F And Salomon saip pat1 pe gretter richesse pat1 a man hath . pe gretter dispendours he hap. [2844] And dere sir al be it1 soo. pat1 for ^oure richesse 36 mowe haue mochel folk1. [2845] ^if byhouep it1 not1 . ne it1 is not1 good to bygynne werre . per as 30 may in oper manere haue pees vnto ^oure worship and profite [2846] 1T ffor pe victorie of batailles pat1 bene in pis world' lith not1 in grete nombre or multitude of puple. ne in vertue of man. [2847] ^*u^ ^ ^n in pe wille and in pe hand of our* lord god almy^ty [2848] IF And perfore ludas makabeus which was goddys kny^t [2849] whan he shuld fi^t1 a^einst his aduersarie pat1 had a gretter nombre and a gretter mul- titude of folk1 And strenger pan was pis puple of Maka- be. [2850] 3if he recomforte his lytel 'companye and saide ri^t1 in pis wise [2851] IF Also Ii3tly quod he may our lord god almy^ty 3eue victorie to fewe folk1

PETWORTII 632 (6-T. 24l) [> leaf 2 12, back]

SIX-TEXT 242

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth MS,

as to monye [2852] fFor fe victory of bataille commej) not1 by J?e grete nombre of puple [2853] but1 it1 corameth fro our lord of heuene. [2854] And dere sire for as modi As fer nys no man certeyn ^if it1 be worj) fat1

god 3eue liym victorie [

no gap in the MS.~\ or nou^f . aftere

fafr Salomon seij? . [2855] Therfore euery man shulde gretly drede werrus to bygynne [2856] And by cause fat1 [in] batailles [are] manyperiles [2857] & [it may] happen ofer while fat1 as sone is fe grete man sclayn as fe litel man [2858] IT And as it is ywritte in Jje second* book1 of kingges The dedes of batailles bene auenturous and no finge certeyn. [2859] for as Ii3tly is oon hurt1 wif a spere as a nofer [2860] And ferfore it1 is grete perile in werre . Therfore shuld a man flee and eschewe werre in as mochel as a man may goodly ./ [2861] ffor Salomon seif f He fat1 louef perile shal falle in perile

[2862] After fat1 dame prudence had spoken in fis manere Melebi^s answer^ and saide. [2863] I see wel dame j?«f by ^oure faire wordes and by ^oure resons j^at1 ye han schewed me . J>af J?e werre like)) 3ou no Jnnge . [2864] But1 1 haue not1 3^ herde 3oure coun- saile howe I shal doo in J>is nede .

[2865] Certes quod she I counsaile 30" jjaf 36 ac- corde wij) 3oure aduersaries and J)atf 36 haue pees •with hem. [2866] H fFor seinfr lame sei]) in his EpisteH 5T That1 by concord' and pees J?e smale richesses wexen grete [2867] And by debate and discord' £e grete richesse fallen doun. [2868] And 36 knowe wel Jiat1 oon of J>e grettest1 and most1 souereyn Jnnge jjat1 is in Jns world' is vnite and pees [2869] And Jjerfore saij? our lord Ihesu crist1 to his apostel in j>is wise [2870] ^F "VVel happy and blessed bene Jjei fat1 louen and pu[r]chasen pees for fei bene called children of god [2871] IF A quod Meleby nowe se I wel fat1 30 loue not1 myn h[o]noure and my worship . [2872] %& knowen wel pat1 myne

PETWOllTH 633 (6-T. 242)

SIX-TEXT 243 GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

aduersaries haue bygonnen f is debate and brigge by her outrage [2873] And 36 See wel fat1 fei ne requiren ne preien me nat1 of pees ne J)ei asken not1 to be recounsailled . [2874] wil 36 fan fat1- I goo meke and obeye me to hem . and crye hem mercye . [2875] ^OT s°th fat1 were not1 my worship. [2876] ffor ri^t1 as men sayn fat1 oner grete hu??zblesse engendref dispisinge . so faref it1 by to grete humilite & mekenesse

[2877] ^ Than bygan dame prudence to make sem- blaunt1 of wreth and saide. [2878] Certes sire sauf 3oure grace I loue ^our honoure and 3oure profite as I doo myn owne and euere ha1ue done [2879] ne 36 ne mowen not1 sayn fe contrarie . [2880] And ^if 3if I had saide fat1 30 shulde haue purchased fe pees and fe reconsiliacion I ne had not1 moche mystake me ne saide amys [2881] ffor fe Wise man seif. The dis- sencion bygynnef by a nof er man . and f e reconsilynge by fi silf. [2882] And fe prophete saif . fflee schrewdenesse and doo goodnesse [2883] IF Seke pees and folowe it1 in as moche as in fe is . [2884] IF 3it* seif he not1 fat1 ^e shul Swe rafer to ^oure aduersaries for pees fan fei shullen to 3011. [2885] ffor I knowe wel fat1 30 bene so hard* herted . fat1 36 wil do no f ing1 for mee [2886] IF And Salomon seif i fat1 he fat1 haf ouer harde an hert1 . at1 f e last1 shal myshappe and mystide

[2887] IF Whan Melebius had seye dame prudence make semblaunt1 of wreth he saide in fis wise [2888] IF Dame I prey ^ou fat1 36 be not1 displesed of f ingges fat1 1 saye . [2889] ffor 36 knowe wel fat1 I am angry and wroof and fat1 is no wondere. [2890] and fei fat1 bene wroof . weten not1 wel what1 fei doon ne what1 fei seyn [2891] 1F And ferfore the prophete seif. That1 trowbled eyen haue no clere si^. [2892] But1 saif on and counsaile me as 30 likef . for I am redy to doo 113^ as 30 wil desire. [2893] and if 36 repreue me of my foly .1 am fe more holden to loue 3ou and to preise

PETWORTII 534 (6-T. 243) [> leaf 243]

SIX-TEXT 244 GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS,

3011 [2894] 1T ffor Salomon saitS That1 he fat1 reprouef hym fatf doof foly. [2895] he shal finde gretter grace fat1 he fat1 deceyuef hym wif swete wordes

[2896] Than said Dame prudence . I make no semblanfr of wref e ne of anger* but1 for ^oure grete profite [2897] IT ffor Salomon seif f he is more wroof fat1 re- preueth or chidef a foole for his folye schewing1 him seniblant* of wrefe [2898] fan he fat1 supportef hy?tt or preisef him in his mysdoynge at1 laughef at1 his foly [2899] IT And Jus same Salomon seif afterward' fat1 by fe soriful vese of a man fat1 is to sayn by sory and heuy countenance of a man [2900] fe foole correctef and amendef him self

[2901] 1F Than sayde Meleby I shal not1 conne an- swere to so mony resons as 30 putten to me and shewen / [2902] saif shortely ^oure wille. and ^oure coun- saile and I am al redy to fulfille and performe it

[2903] IF Than Dame p?'udence diskeuered al her wille vnto hym and saide [2904] I counsaile 3ou fat1 ^e abouen al finge maken pees bytwene god and ^owe [2905] and bef reconsailled vnto him and to his grace . [2906] ffor I haue seid? ^ow here byfore 5T God haf suffred }ou to haue fis tribulacion and dissese for 3oure synnes . [2907] And if 36 doo as I say 3owe 1god wil sende 3oure aduersaries vnto 3ou [2908] and make hew to falle af 3oure fete redy to 3oure wille and 3oure com- auwdement1 [2909] IT ffor Salomon seifef Whan f e con- dicion of man is plesaunte and likinge to god [2910] he chaungeth fe hertes of fe mannes aduersaries and con- streynef hem to bysechen him of pees and of grace [2911]^ And I prei 3ou lat1 me speke wif 3oure aduersaries in privy place. [2912] for fei shal not1 knowe it1 be 3oure wille ne 3oure assent1. [2913] And fan whan I knowe her wiH and assent1 f I may counsaile 3ou f e more suerly

[2914] IT Dame quod Meleby dof 3our wili and

PETWORTH 535 (6-T. 244) [i leaf 243, back]

SIX-TEXT 245

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth. MS.

3oure lyking1 [2915] ffor I putte me fulli in ^oure disposicion and 301116 ordynawnce

[2916] 1F Than dame prudence whan [she] segti pe wille of her husbonde and she delyuered her and toke avice by hure self [2917] penkinge by her self* how she my^t1 bringe pis nede vnto a goode conclusion and a good eende [2918] IF And whan she see^e her tyme she sent1 for pise aduersaries to come vnto her into a pryvy place [2919] and schewed wisely vnto hem pe greet* goodnesse pat1 coramep of pees. [2920] and pe grete harines and periles pat1 ben in werre . [2921] and saide to hem in a goo[d]ly manere ho we pat1 hem ou^ten to haue grete re- pentance [2922] of pe Iniurie and wronge pat1 pei hadden ydone . to Meleby her lorde and vnto her and vnto her doubter1 .

[2923] And whan pei herden pe goodly wordes of dame Prudence [2924] pei weren so siipprised and rauisshed and hadden so gret loie of her1 pat1 wondere was to telle [2925] 1F 0 lady quod pei 36 IT han schewed vnto vs pe blissinge of swetnesse aftere pe Sawe of dauid pe prophete . [2926] ffor pe reconsilinge which we ne bene not1 worpi to haue in no manere . [2927] but1 we ou^t1 to requiren it1 wip grete contricion and huwnlite [2928] :je as 3oure grete goodnesse hap presented vnto us [2929] Now se we wel pe science and pe konyng* of Salomon is ful trewe [2930] for lie seip pat1 swete wordes multiplien and encresen freendes . and maken schrewes to be debonayre and meke

[2931] Certes quod pei we putten oure dede and al our matere. and cause alhoolly in ^oure good wille [2932] and bene redy to obeye to pe speche and pe comaunde- nienf of my lord Melebye [2933] ^T And perfore our dere and benigne lady we preien ^ou and bysechen ^ou as mekely as we conne or mowen [2934] IT jjaf 1itl like vnto 3oure grete goodnesse to fulfille in dede 3oure good- ly wordes [2935] ffor we consideren and knowen

PET WORTH 536 (6-T. 245) [> leaf 244]

SIX-TEXT 246

GROUP B. § 10. MBLIBEUS. Petworth MS.

fat1 we han offended and greued my lorde Melebie out1 of mesure [2936] so fer forf fat1 we bene nat1 a power to maken his a[men]dys. [2937] and f erf ore we oblie and bynde vs and our frendes forto doo al his wille and his comaundement1 [2938] But1 perauenture he haf such hevynesse and such wreth to vs ward? by cause of our defence [2939] fat1 he wil eiiioyne vs suehe peyne as we may not1 here ne susteyne [2940] IF And ferfore noble lady we biseke to ^oure wo??raianly pite . [2941] take]? such avisement1 in fis nede fat1 we ne our frendes ben not1 disherited ne distroied forgh oure foly

[2942] Certis quod Prudence it1 is an harde finge and ri^fr perilous [2943] fat1 man put him al vtterly in f e arbitracion and lugemenf and in fe myght1 and power of his enemyes [2944] IF ffor Salomon seif Leuef and ^euef credence to fat I shal sayn 5F I say qiiod he }if puple and gouernours of holy church • [2945] to fi sone. to fi wif and fi frende. ne to fi broker. [2946] ne $eue fou neuere my^t1 ne maistrie of )?i body while J>ou lyuest1 [2947] IT No we sith fat1 he forfendef . fat1 man shuld not1 3eue to his brofer ne to his freende fe rny^t1 of his body [2948] Than by a stronger reson he forfendef and forbedef . a man to ^eue hym self vnto his enemye [2949] IF And naf e- les I counsaile ^owe fat1 ^e ne mystrest1 not1 my lordo [2950] for I woote wel and knowe verrely fat1 he is debonaire and meke . large and curtays . [2951] and no finge desirous ne coueitous of good ne ricchesse . [2952] ffor nys no finge in f is world? fat he desiref . saue oonly worship and honozir [2953] IF fferferniore I knowe wel and I am ri^t1 swre fat1 he wil no finge doo in fis nede wif-out1 counsaile of me . [2954] And I shal so worche in fis cause fat1 by f e grace of our lorde god 36 shul be recounsailled vnto vs .

[2955] Than seide fei wif oon vois. Worshipful

36 PETWORTH 537 (6-T. 246)

SIX-TEXT 247 GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. PetWOltll MS,

lady we putten vs and oure IF goodes al fully in ^oure willo and in ^oure disposisicion [2956] and bene redy forto come what* day fat1 it1 likef vnto ^oure noblenesse to lymyte vs or asigne vs [2957] forto make oure obligation and be bounde as stronge as it1 like)? vnto ^oure goodnesse [2958] fat1 we may. fulfille f e will of }ow and of my lord? Melebye .

[2959] And whan dame prudence had ^f 'herde fe an- swers of fise men she bad hem go ageyn prively [2960] And she retorned to her lord! Meleby and told hyra how she fand his aduersaries ful repentaunte [2961] knowlechyng1 ful lowly her synnes and trespases / and howe Jjei weren redy to suffren al peyne. [2962] requiryng1 and preying1 hyra of me?-cye and pite

[2963] 1F )}an saide Meleby he is wel worf to haue pardone and for^euenesse of his synne . fat1 excuse]? nat1 his synne . [2964] but1 knowlecehef and repentef hyw asking1 Indulgence [2965] IF ffor Seneca say. There is f e remyssion and for^euenes f wher as f e confession is . [2966] ffor confession is neighboi^r to Innocence. [2967] IF And he saf in an ojjer place f Jmtf he ]?atH haj) shame of his synne and knowleche j? it f is worj>i remyssion . And ferefor1 I assent1 and conferme me to haue pees. [2968] But1 it1 is good Jjaf we doo it1 not4 wijj-out1 ^assent1 of oure frendes

[2969] Than was prudence ri^tf glad and loyful and saide ])is [2970] IF Certes sire quod she ye han wel and goodly answerd?. [2971] ffor ri^tt as by the counsaile of assent1 and helpe of 3oure frendes 36 haue ben stired to venge $ou. and make werre. [2972] Ri^t1 so wij>- outen her counsaile shal ^e not1 accorde 3011 ne haue pees wijj ^oure aduersaries [2973] 1F ffor ]?e lawe saij? . Ther nys no fing1 so good by way of kynge as jnnge to bene vnbounde by hym fat1 it1 was ybounde

[2974] And fan Dame prudence wif-outen delay or tarynge sent1 anoon Massagers for her kynne and for her olde frendes which fat1 were trewe and wise [2975]

PETWORTH 538 (6-T. 247) Cl leaf 244, back]

SIX-TEXT 248 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOltll MS.

and tolde hem by order in J>e presence of Me[le]bye al J?is matere as it* is aboue expressed and declared . [2976] and preyed hem pafr J>ai wolde $euen her a vice and coun- saile what1 best1 were to doo in jus node [2977] IF And whan Melibies frendes had taken her avise and deliber- acion of J>is forseide matere [2978] and hadden examyned it1 by grete bysynesse and grete diligence. [2979] pei ^af ful counsaille forto haue pees and rest*. [2980] And jjaf Melebius shuld? receyuen wij? good hert1 his aduersaries to for^eueiiesse and Mercy .

[2981] H And whan dame prudence had herd? Jjassent1 of her lord Melebius and J>e counsaile of his frendes [2982] accorde wij? her wille and her entencion [2983] she was wonderly glad in herf and saide [2984] Ther is and olde prouerbe quod She sei]> f J>atf ]?e goo[d]nesse J?att thou maist1 doo Jjis day do it1 [2985] and abyde naf til [le soir ne\ to morowe . [2986] And Jjerfor* x I counsaile }ou J>af ye sende ^oure massagers which" J^at1 bene discrete and wise. [2987] vnto 3oure aduersaries Telling1 hem in $our bihalf1 [2988] pat1 ^if J?ei wil trete of pees and accorde. [2989] )}afr Jjei shapen hem wijj-oute delay or taryng1 to come vnto vs. [2990] Which jnnge was perfourmed in dede . [2991] And whan ])ise trespasours and repentynge folk of her folies J>at is to say j?e aduersaries of melebye [2992] hadden here? what1 )>e massagers saiden vnto hem . [2993] )}ei were ri^t1 glad and loiful and answerdeii ful mekely and benygnely [2994] ^eeldinge graces and thonkingges to her lorde Melebie and to al his companye [2995] and shopen hem wij)-oute lay to goo wij> Jje massagers and obey to ]>e Comaundement1 of her lorde Melebius

[2996] IF And ri^f anoon ]?ei token her \vay to J?e courte of Meleby [2997] and token to hem some of her trewe frendys to make fei]> for hem and forto bene her borowes [2998] 1F And whaw pei were co?>mien to

PETWOETH 539 (O-T. 248) [Meaf245]

SIX-TEXT 249 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PctWOlth MS.

]>e presence of melebius he seide hem Jnse wordes [2999] It1 stondejj Jms quod Melehie and so]? if is fat1 ^e [3000] causelees and wij)-out< skille and reson [3001] haue done grete iniuries and wronges to me and to my wiff Prudence And to my IF dou^tere also . [3002] ffor 36 han entred into myn hous by violence [3003] and haue done such outrage fat1 alle men knowe wel fat 30 han deserued fe deef [3004] And f erf ore wil I knowe and witt1 of 3ou [3005] whefere 36 putte )>e punsshment1 and fe chastisement1 and fe vengeaunce of f is outrage in j)e wiH of me and of my wif Dame Prudence or 36 wil not

[3006] Than fe wisest1 of hem fre answerd! for hem alle and seide [3007] IT Sire quod he we knowe wel fat1 we bene vnworfi to come vnto fe Suerte vnto so grete [a lord] and so worfi as 36 bene. [3008] ffor we han so gretely mystaken vs and haue offended and gilted in such a wise, ageyn 3oure hegh lordship. [3009] fatf trewly we han deserued fe dee]). [3010] But1 ^if for Jie grete goodnesse and debonairte Jjat1 aH men don witnesse of 3oure persone / [3011] We submytten vs to jour excellence and benygnyte of 3oure gracious lordship . [3012] for we bene redy to obey to aH 3oure comaundementes [3013] bysekinge 3ou fat1 of 3oure merciable pite 36 wil considere our grete repentaunce and lowe submyssion [3014] and graunt1 us foi^euenesse of oure outrageous trespas and offence. [3015] ffor wel we knowen ]>atf 3oure liberaH grace and mercie strecche]) for]?ere into good- nesse fan do]) our outrageous trespas i?zto wikked- nesse. [3016] 1al be it1 fat1 cursedly and damp- nably we han ygilt1 a^einst1 3oure grete lordship

[3017] ^T Than Melebye toke hem vp fro fe grounde ful benygnely [3018] and receyued her oblacions and her londes by her ofes vpon her plegges and borowes. [3019] And assigned hem a certeyn day to retourne vnto his courte [3020] forto accepte and to receyue fe sentence and

PET WORTH 640 (6-T. 24-9) [i leaf 245, back]

SIX-TEXT 250 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. PetWOlth MS.

luggement1 of fat1 Melebye wil comaunde to be done to hem by f ise causes to-fore seide . [3021] which f ingges ordeyned / euery man • retowrned home to his lions

[3022] IF And? whan fat1 Dame Prudence segh her tyme . she f[r]ayned and asked her lorde [3023] what1 vengeaunce he f o^t1 to take on his aduersaries

[3024] To which Melebius answerd? and saide . Certys quod I I thenk1 and p?/rpoos me fully [3025] to dis- herite hem and al fat1 euere fei haue and forto putte hem in exile for euere moo

[3026] ^T Certts quod dame Prudence J)is were a cruel sentence and mochel a3einst reson. [3027] ffor 30 bene riche ynou^e and haue no nede of o}er mennys good / [3028] and 36 my^ten lightely gete jou a coueitous name [3029] Whiche is a vicious f inge and ou^te to bene eschewed! of euery man [3030] ^T ffor aftere f e sawe of f e word! of f e apostel Coueityse is roote of alle harmes [3031] And ferfore it1 were better1 to ^ou to lese so mochel good of 3oure owne. fan forto take of her good in fis manere . [3032] ffor bettere it is to lese good with "Worship fan it1 is to wynne good wif vileny and shame ./ [3033] And euery man ou^f to doo his diligence of his bysynesse to geten hym a good name . [3034] And 31^ shal he not1 oonly bysyen him in kepinge his good name [3035] But1 he shal also enforsen him alway to doon somwe f inge by which he may renouelle his good name [3036] If ffor it1 is written 1T The olde good lose or good name of a man; is sone done or goon or passed whan it1 is not1 newed ne re- nouelled [3037] And as touching1 fat1 36 sayn 30 wil exile 3oure aduersaries [3038] fat1 fenkef me moch a3einst1 reson. and out1 of mesure [3039] con- sidered, fe power fat1 pei han 3euen 3ou vpon hem self [3040] IF And it1 is writen H that1 he is worf i to lesen his privelegge fat1 mysvsef fe mj^t1 and fe power fat1 is 3eueii hym [3041] And I sette caas 36 nr^t1 enioyne hem fat1 peyne by 113 11 and lawe [3042] which I

PETWORTH 541 (6-T. 250)

SIX-TEXT 251

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

trowe 30 mo we not* doo [3043] I say 36 myjtt not1 putt it1 to execucion perauenture / [3044] and fan were if likly to retourne to f e werre as it was byforne [3045] And f erf ore ^if 36 fan wol fat1 men don l ^ou obeis- aunce 36 most1 deme more curtaisly [3046] This is to sayn 36 most1 3eue more esy sentences and luggementys . [3047] ffor it1 is writen fat1 he fat1 most1 curteisly comaundef to hym men most1 obeyen [3048] IT And f er- fore I prey 3011 fat1 in fis necessite and in fis nede 30 cast1 3011 to oouercome 3oure herf . [3049] ffor Senetf saif . He fat1 ouerco??^mef his hert1 ouercommef twies ./ [3050] IT And Tullius saif . Ther nys no f ing1 so comendable in a grete lord* [3051] as whan he is debonaire and meke and apaiseth" hym self lightly . [3052] And I prey 3ou fat1 ye wil forbere no we to do vengeaunce [3653] in suon" a maner J?at 30^7- good name may be kept1 and conserued [3054] and Jjat1 men mow han a cause and matere to preise 3011 of pite and of mercy [3055] and jjat1 36 haue no cause to repent1 3011 of jnnge J>af 36 do5n [3056] 11 ffor Senetf saij) . He ouerco??ime|) in an euel manere fat1 repentej? hym of his victorie. [3057] Wher- fore I prey 3ou lat1 mercy be in 3oure hert1 [3058] to J>e effecte and entent1 Jjat1 god almy3ty haue mercy on 3ou in his last1 luggement1 [3059] IT ffor seint1 lame seij) in his Epistel 1T luggement1 wijj- oute mercy shal be do to hym fat1 haj? no mercy on another wi3#

[3060] Whan Melebius had herd? fe grete skilles and resons of dame • Prudence and her wise enformacion and techinge. [3061] His hert1 gan enclyne to J>e wille of his wif. coiisiderynge her trewe entent1. [3062] Con- fermed . hym anon and contened fully to worchen aftere her counsaile [3063] and fonked god of whome procedej? al goodnesse fat1 hym sent1 a 1F wif of so grete discrecion [3064] And whan fe day come fat1 his aduer- saries slink? apperen * in his presence [3065] he speke

PETWORTIT 542 (6-T. 25l) ['leal 246]

SIX-TEXT 252

GROUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. Petworth MS.

to hem ful goodely And saide in pis wise . [3066] Al be it1 soo pat1 of ^oure pride and hegli presumpcion. and foly . and of }oure negligence and vnkonyng1 [3067] }e han mysborn 3011. 'and trespased vnto me [3068] ^if for as moche as I See and byholde ^oure grete huwilite [3069] and fat1 36 bene sory and repentaunte of ^oure giltes . [3070] It1 constreynep me to do 3011 grace./ and mercy [3071] and wherfore I receyue ^ou to my grace . [3072] And for^eue 3011 vtterly al pe offences Iniuries and wrongges pat1 36 have done a^einsf me and myne [3073] to pis effecte and to pis eende pat1 god of >his endelees mercye [3074] wil at1 ])e tyme of our deyinge for^eue vs our giltes fat1 we han trespased vnto hym in pis wrecched world?. [3075] fFor doutelees^if we bene sory and repentaunte of J?e synnes and giltes in pe which" we han trespased in pe si^t1 of oure lorde god. [3076] he is so free and so merci- able. [3077] pat1 he 'wil for^eue vs oure giltes [3078] and brynge vs to pe blisse pat1 neuere hap eende . AmeN .

^[ Here endep chaucers tale of melebye

PETWORTH 543 (0-T. 252) [' leaf 24C, back J

SIX-TEXT 253 GROUP B, § 11, MELIBE-MONK LINK. PetWOrth MS.

And here bygynnef f e prologe of f e Monke ./

Whan ended was my tale of Meleby And of Prudence and her benygnyte 3080

Our hoost1 saide as I am fei))ful man And by f e corps precious Matriaii I had leuer fan a barel of ale .

That1 good loue my wif had hero? f is tale 3084

fibr she nys no j)inge of such pacience As was f ilk Melebies Dame Prudence By goddes bones whan I bete my knaues She bringef me for]? f e grete clubbed staues 3088

And crieth Slee f oo dogges euerychon And breke of hem bof bak and boon And $if fat1 eny neighbour of myne

"Wil nat1 to my wif in church enclyne 3092

Or be so hardy to hure do trespas Whan she commef hoom she rampef in my face And crief fals cowarcJ kepe and wreke f i wiff By goddes bonys I wil haue fi knyff 3096

And f ow shalt1 haue my distaff and go spynne ffrom day to nyghf fus she wil bygynne Alias she seij? fat1 euer I was yshape

To wedde a Milksop or a coward! ap-3 3100

That1 wil be ouercome wif euery wi^tf Thow darst1 not1 stonde by fi wyues iijV J)is is my lif buf ^if fat1 I wil fi^t1

Out1 at1 fe door anoon I mot1 me di^t1 3104

Or ellys I am lest1 but1 3if fat1 1. Be like a wilde lyon fool hardy . I wote wele she wil do me sclee som day Somme neighhoure of myne and f ennes renne away 3108 ffor I am perilous wif knyf in honde Al be it1 1 dar nat1 her withstonde

PETWOUTH 544 (6-T. 253)

SIX-TEXT 254 GROUP B. § 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK. PetWOrth MS.

fibr she is bigge in Armes be my faith

J}afr shal he fynde pat1 hir mysdoj) or saij? 3112

But1 lat1 vs passe away fro pis matere

My lorde jje Monke quod he be mery of chiere [leaf 247]

ffor 36 shul telle a tale trewly

Loo Rouchester* stant1 here fast1 by 3116

Ride for]) myn owne lord breke not1 ^oure game

But1 by my troupe I knowe noi^t1 ^oure name

'Whedere shal I calle 3ou my lorcfe dan lohn

Or danne Thomas or danii Albon 3120

Of what1 hous be 36 by }oure fader1 kyn

It1 is a gentile pasture pat1 36 goon In

Thow art1 not1 like a penannte or a goostt

Thus to J>e Monke seide oure oste 3124

Vppon my faijje jjou art1 some officere

Som worj>i Sexteyn or som selerere

if or by my fadere saule as to my dome

Thow art1 a maistere whan J?ou art1 at1 home 3128

No poor cloistrere ne no novise

But1 gouernour boj> wily and wise

And ]?er-wiJ3-al of braune and of bonys

A wel farynge persone for ]?e nonys 3132

I pray god ^eue hym confusion

That1 ]>e furst1 brou3t1 to Religion

ffor jjou woldest1 haue bene a tredeforj? ari^t1

Haddest1 thou as grete leue as ]?ou hast my^t4 3136

To performe al ])i lust1 in engendrure

Thow haddest1 ygete mony a creature

Alias whi werest1 Jjow so wide a cope

God ^eue sorowe to me and I were pope 3140

Not1 oonly jjou but1 euery my^ty man .

Thoi^e he were shore brode vpon J>e pan .

Shuld haue a wiff for al ]?e worldl is lorn

Religion haj? take vp al J>e c5rn 3144

Of tredyng f and we burile men ben but1 shrympes .

Of feble trees ]?er commen symple ympes .

PETWORTH 545 (6-T. 254)

SIX-TEXT 255 GROUP B. § 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK. PetWOlth MS.

This make]) fat1 oure lieires bene so sclendere

And feble fat1 fei may not1 Avel engenders 3148

This make]) fat1 our wyues wil assay

Relygious folk1 for f ei may betters paye

Of Yenes payment1 fan may we

God woof no lasshebourues pay ^e [leaf 247, back] 3152

Be nat1 wrofe my lorde f ou^e I play

ifor ofte in game a sof e I haue herd4 say

This worfi monke toke aH in pacience

And saide I wil doon al my diligence 3156

As fer as sowneth unto honeste

To telle $ou a tale or two or ])re

And }if })e list1 to herkeii hiderwarde

I wil }ou say fe lif of seint1 Edward 3160

Or elles furst tregedies wil I }ou telle

Of which I haue an hundred in my Selle

Tregedie is forto seyn a certeyn storie

As olde bookes make vs memorie 3164

Of hem fat1 stood in grete prosperite

And is falle out1 of hie degree

Into Miserye and ende]) wrechedly

And ])ei bene versefied comonly 3168

Of sex fete of which men callen exametron

In proose eke bene endited mony on

In metere eke and in sondry wise

loo fis claring1 au^t1 ynow suffise 3172

Now herkenej) $if 3011 like to here

But1 furst1 I $ou biseche in ])is manere

^01136 I be ordred tel not ])ise fingges

Be it1 of Popes Emperours or kyngg65 3176

After her Age as men may writen fynde

But1 telle hem som byfore and some behynde

As it comme]) nowe in my remembrau7/ce

Haue me excused of myn ignorauwce 3180

1F Here bygynne]) fe prologe of ]>e monke

PETWORTH 646 (6-T. 256)

SIX-TEXT 256

GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

[No breaks lehveen the stanzas in the MS, except for the red headings .]

And here bygynnej? ]?e monkes tale i>» 1^/247,

Iwol by-waile in ma[ne]re of tregedie H j?e tale

J>e harme of hem pat1 stonden in hie degrie And fallen so pat1 per nys no remedye To bringe hem out1 of her aduersite 3184

ifor certeynly whan fortune list to flee J>er may no man of hir* pe cours wipholde Lat1 no man trest1 on blynde prosperite Be]? ware of pise ensamples trewe and olde [leaf 248] 3188

All" Primo de Lucifero '. t1 lucifere pou^e he an anngel were And naf a man . but1 at1 hym I wil bygynne ffor pou^e fortune may noon aungel dere fFroo high degre per felle he for hys synne 3192

Downe into helle wwere he 3 it1 is Inne 0 lucifer bri^test1 of aungels alle Kow art1 ]?ou Sathanas pat1 maist1 nat twynne Out1 of myserie in which jjat1 Jiou art1 falle 3196

LIT De Adam ./ oo Adam in j?e feelde of Damyssene \ViJ> goddes oune fyngers wrou^t1 was he And no^t1 bygeten of mannes sperme vnclene And wolt1 al Paradys sauyng1 oon tree 3200

Had neuere worldly man so hie degre As Adam vnto he wyjj nyce gouernance "Was dryue out1 of his high prosperite To laboure and to helle and to meschance 3204

PETWORTH 647 (6-T. 256)

SIX-TEXT 257

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

LIT De Sampsone o sampson f aft was annunciate By f e Aungel longe er his natiuite And was to god almy^ty consecrate

And stoode in noblesse while fat he my$t see 3208

Was neuer such a nof er as was he To speke of strength, and f erto hardynesse But1 to his wyues tolde he his secree Thourgh" which he sclou^e hy??? self for wrecchednesse 3212

IF Sampson f is noble and my^ty champion Wif -oute wepen saaf his hondes tway He sclough and also to-rent* f e lyon

Toward4 his weddyng1 walking1 by fe way 3216

His fals wif coude hym so wel plese and pray Til she his counsaile knewe and she vntrewe To his foos his counsaile gan to wrye And hym forsoke and toke anof er newe 3220

Thre hundred foxes toke Sampson for Ire And alle her tailes he to-gyder bonde . And Sette fe foxes tailles a fire [leaf 243, back]

ifor he in euery taile had knytte a bronde 3224

And f ei brent1 al f e comes of fat1 londe And al her oliuerus an vynes eke A thowsand he sclough eke wij) his honde And had no wepon but1 an asses cheke 3228

Whan f ei were sclayn so Crested hym fat he was wel nye lorn wherfor he gan to preye fat1 god wolde of his peyne haue som pite And sende hym drynke or ellys most1 he deye 3232 And out of his asses cheke fat1 was so dreye Out1 of a wonge toth spronge anon a welle Of whiche he dronk1 ynou^e shortly to [ . . no gap in the MS.] telle 3236

PETWORTH 648 (6-T. 257)

SIX-TEXT 258

GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

By verray force at1 Algason vpon a Maugre the philistiens of Jjatf Cite Jje gatys of Jjat1 toune he ha}> vp pli^fr

And on his bak caried hem haj? he 3240

Hie vpon an hille J>atf men my^t1 See 0 noble almy^ty sampson leef and dere Haddest1 J?ou nat1 to wommeii told J)i secre In al Jns world ne had ben J>i pere 3244

This Sampson nei)>er Sither dronk ne wyne "Ne on his hede come neifere rasour1 ne Shere

[ no gap in the MS.]

ifor al J>e strength in his heres were 3248

And fully xxtt wynter ^eer by }ere

He had of Israel )>e gouernaunce .

But1 he shal wepe mony a tere

ffor wommen men bryngen to meschaunce 3252

To his lenimon his Dalyaunce he told? That1 in his herus al his strengths lay And falsly to his foomen she hyw sold? And sclepinge in her barme vpon a day 3256

She made to clippe or shere his heer away And made his foomen aH his craft1 to aspyen And whan )>atf j?ei foonde hym in Jjis aray ]?ei bounde hym fast1 and put1 out1 his yen 3260

But1 er his heer was yclipped or shaue

Ther was no boonde AviJ? whicli men my^t1 hyw bynde

But1 now he is in prison put1 in a kaue [leaf 219]

"Where as J)ei made hym af )>e querne grynde 3264

0 noble Sampson strongest1 of mankynde

0 whilom luge in glorie & richesse

Now maisf ]?ow wepe wij? j^ine eyen blynde

Sirens J?ow art1 from wele falle into wrecchednesse 3268

PETWORTH 649 (6-T. 258)

SIX-TEXT 259

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

The eende of J?ise catyfs was as I shal say His ffoomen made a feest1 vpon a day And made hym as her foole to-forn hem play And Jris was [in] a temple of a grete aray 3272

But* at1 jje last1 he made a foule afray ffor he two postes shoke and made hem falle And downe fitt temple and al J>er it* lay And sclough hym self and eke his foomen alle 3276

This is to say J>e princes euerechon And eke a thowsand bodyes were ]>ere sclayn WiJ? falling1 of jje grete temple of ston Of Sampson ne wil I no more sayn 3280

Be ware of ))ise ensamples olde and playn Jjaf no man telle her counsaile to her wyves Of suche Jjinge as Jjei wolde haue secre fayn 3it* j>at* it* touche her lymmes or hir lyues . 3284

Of De Ercule ./ f Ercule this souereyn conquerour Syngen his werkes lewde and high renown . ffor in his tyme of strength he here J?e flour He slowe and raft1 j>e skyn fro J?e lyo«n 3288

He of Sentawres laide ]?e boost1 a doim He Arpies sclowe J?e cruel briddes felle He golden apples byraft1 ))e dragoim He drowe out1 Serbyrois J>e hound of helle 3292

He sclowe Ipe cruel tyraunf Buserus And made his hors to frete hym flessh and bon He sclough J?e verrey serpent1 venemous Of Achiles two homes broke he on 3296

An he sclowgh Cacus in a kaue of ston He sclowgh J>e geaunte Anteus ]?e strong* He sclowe }?e grisly boore and J>afr anon And bare Jie hcde vpon his nek1 longe [leaf 219, back] 3300

PETWORTH 550 (6-T. 259)

SIX-TEXT 260

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Was neuer wi^fr sijjen pe world? bygan J>afr sclowe so mony monstres as did he J^orgh-out1 pis wide world? his name ran What* for his strength and for his bounte 3304

And euery Rewme went1 he forto See He was so stronge no man my^f hyra lette And boj? j>e worldes ende saijj trophe In stede of bondes he a piler1 sette 3308

A lemman had j?is noble Campion That1 hight1 Dianyre fressli as may And as J>e clerkes maken mencion

She haj) hym sent1 a shert1 fressh and gay 3312

Alias J>is shert1 and welaway Evenymed was subtilly wi))-aH That* ere fat1 he had wered it1 half a day It1 made his bones from his flesshe falle 3316

But1 na]>eles some clerkes her excusen By oon pat1 hight1 Nessus J>af it1 maked . Be as be may I wil her not accusen •

But1 on his bakke |?e shert1 he weres al naked . 3320

Til Jmfr his flessh" was for ]je venyme blaked And whan he segh noon o)>er remedy e In hote cooles he ha)> hym-self raked ffor wij? no venyme deyned he to dye 3324

Thus sterf Jns wor|)i myghty Ercules Lo who may trust* on fortune eny throwe ffor hym J?af folowe)? al jns world2 of prees Er he be ware is oft1 yleide ful lowe 3328

fful wise is he Jmt1 hym self can knowe Bef ware for whan Jnit1 fortune lest1 to glose jpan waitej? she her man doun to throwe By suche a way as he wold leesfr suppose 3332

PETWORTH 651 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 261

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS,

T1T De rege Nabugodonosor. / he my^ty trone fe precious tresour The glorious sceptre and real mageste J^att had f e kynge Nabugodonosor

"Wif tunge vnnef may / discrived be 3336

He twyes nani lerusalem fe Cite [leaf 250]

The VesseH of fe temple he wif hym lad At1 Babiloyne was his souereyra See In which his glorie and his delit1 he had . 3340

The fairest1 children of J?e blood Koyal Of lewinaleiD. he ded do gilde anonon And maked eche of hem to bene his cheiie Amonfge] aH of er Danyel was oon 3344

f aft was f e wysest1 childe of euerychon ffor he f e dremes of J>e kynge expowned Wher as in Caldey clerk1 was J?er noon fat1 wist1 to what1 fyiie his dremes sowned 3348

This prowde kynge lete make a stature of gold? Sixty cubites longe and Seuen in brede To whiche ymage bo]? ^onge and olde Comaunded he to loute and haue in drede 3352

Or in a fornays ful of flawmes rede . He shal be brent1 fat1 wold' natt obeye Buf neuere wold? assent1 vnto fat1 clede Danyel ne his ^onge felawes tweye 3356

This kynge of kyngges prowde was and elate He weiule god fat1 sitte in maieste JS'e myght hyin nat1 byreue of his estate But1 sodeynly he lost1 his dignyte 3360

And like a beest1 hyw seined forto be And ete hay as an oxe and lay ferout1 In reyne wif wilde beestes walked he Til a certeyn tynie was come aboute 3364

PEl-VVOllTH 552 (6-T. 26l)

SIX-TEXT 262

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS,

And like an Egles fetheres was his heeres His nailes like briddes clawes were [Til] God releued hym a certeyn ^eres And ^af hym witte and pan. wip mony a tere 3368

He ponked god and euere his lyf in fere was he to doon amys in more trespas And or pat tyme ylaide was on his here He knewe wel pat god was ful of my^t1 and grace 3372

De Baltazar Aicti "Reg^ Nabugodonosor filio .

His sone which pat1 hi^t1 Baltazar

That1 heelde pe regne aftere his faders day [leaf 250, back]

He by his fadere coupe not1 be war

ffor proude he was of hert1 and of aray 3376

And eke an ydolater was he ay His high astate assured hym in pride But1 fortune cast1 hyw doune and per he lay And sodeynly his regne gan devide 3380

A feest1 he made vnto his lordes .-3 lie Yppon a tyme and made he??i blijje be And fan his officers can he calle

Goo]) bryngejj for]) pe vessels qiiod he 3384

Which pat1 my fader in his prosperite Out1 of pe temple of lerw^alem byraft1 And to oure hegh^? goddes ponke wee Of honur1 pat1 our elders wip vs laft1 3388

His wif his lordes and his concubynes Ay dronken pe whiles her appetite last1 Out1 of pise noble vessels sondry wynes And on a wal pis kyng1 his eyen cast1 3392

And sawe an lionde armelees pat1 wrote ful fast ffor fere of which he quoke and sighed sore This lionde pat1 baltazar made so soor agasf Wrote mane techel phares and no more 3396

37 PETWORTH 553 (6-T. 262)

SIX-TEXT 263

GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS,

In al J>af londe Magytien Mras \er noon Jjat1 coujje expoune what1 J?is letfae menf But1 Danyel expouned it1 anoon

And saide king1 god j)i fader sent1 3400

Glorie and honour' Regne tresour and rent1 And he was proude and god no fing1 dradde And ferfore god grete wreth vpon hyw Sent And hym by-raft1 Jje regne pat1 he hadde 3404

He was out1 cast1 of ma?mys corapanye WiJ? asses was his habitacion And ete hay as a beest1 in wete and drye Til pat1 he knewe by grace and by reson 3408

That1 god of heuene haj? domynacian Ouer euery regne and euery creature And Jjan had god of hym compassion And hym restored his regne and his figure [leaf 2513 3412

Eke ]>ou pat1 art1 his sone art1 proude also And knowest1 all Jrise Jjingges prively And art1 rebel to god and art1 his foo

Thow drank1 eke of his vessels boldly 3416

Thi wif eke and J>i wenches synfully Drank1 of J>e same vessels sondry wynes And heried fals goddys cursedly j)erfore to J>e shapen grete peyn es 3420

This hand was sent1 fro god pat1 on J>e waH wrote mane tech el phares trest1 me Thy regne is done )?ou waiest1 not1 at aH Devided is ]>i regne and it1 shal be 3424

To Medes and to perses ^euen quod he And filk1 same ny^t1 ]?e kyng1 was sclawe And Darius Qccupiej) his degre

They he ferto nad neiper rijti ne lawe 3428

PETWORTH 554 (6-T. 263)

SIX-TEXT 264

GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Lordyngges her-by ensamples mowe 36 take How jjat1 in lordship is no sikernesse ftbr whan fortune wil a man forsake He berejj away his regne and his richesse And eke his frendes bo]? more and lesse And what1 man haj> frendes Jjorowe fortune Mishappe wil make hem enemyes I gesse This prouerbe is ful so}>e and ful commune

3432

3436

V^Em

De Cenobia f/

lobia of Palamere ]?e quene As writen Persiens of her noblesse So worjn was in Armes and so kene Jjat1 no wi^t1 passed hure in hardynesse "Ne in lynage ne in o]?er gentilnesse Of Jje kyngges blood of percy is she descended . I say pat1 she nad not1 moost1 fairenesse But1 of hure Shap she my^t1 not1 be amended

Fro childhode I fynde fat1 she fledde Office of wommen and into woode she went1 And Mony a wilde hertes blode she shedde wij) arowes brode Jjafr she to hym sent1 She was so swift J>atf she anoon hem hent1 And whan J>at she was elder she wold? kille Lyons . lybardes and beres alto-rent1 And in hure armes weelde hern at1 her wille

She durst1 wilde beestes dennes seke And renne in Jje mountayn al )>e nyght1 And sclepe vndere a bussh she coude eke "Wrastelen by verray force and myghf Wij) eny yong1 man were he neuer so wi}^ Ther myght1 no j)inge in her Armes stonde She kepte her maidenhode from euery To no man deyned hure to be bonde

P.ETWORTH 555 (6-T. 264)

3440

3444

3448

[leaf 251, back]

3452

3456

3460

SIX-TEXT 265

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

But at1 pe last1 her frendes han hure marled To Odonak a prince of pat1 Cite Al were it1 so fat1 she hem longe taried And ^e shal vnderstonde how pat1 he 3464

HaJ> suche fantasies as had she But1 napelees whan pei were knyt1 in fere pei lyueden in loie and in felicite ifor eche of hem had oper leef and dere 3468

Sauf oon pinge that 36 nolde neuere assent* By no way pat1 he shulde by hire lye But1 onys for it1 was her pleyn entenf To haue a childe J>e world? to multiplie 3472

And also sone as she my^fr aspie . That1 she was nou^f wip child with pat1 dede pan wil she sufFre hym doon his fantasie Eftsone and not1 but1 onys out1 of drede 3476

And }if she were wip childe at1 pilke cast* No more shulde he playe pilke game Till xT? daies were past1

Than wolde she onys suffre hym doo pe same 3480

Al were this Odenake wilde or tame He gate no more of hure. for pus she saide If was to wyues lechery an shame In oper caas if pat1 men wip hem plaide 3484

Twoo sones by pis odynak had She The whiche she kepte in vertue and in letture But1 nowe vnto oure tale turne wee [leaf 252]

I say pat1 worshipful creature 3488

And wise per-wip and large with mesure So penyble in pe werre and curteyse eke No more labour my^t1 in werre endure was noon pou^e in al pis world! men shuld? seke 3492

PETWORTH 556 (0-T. 265)

SIX-TEXT 266

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Hire Biche aray my^t1 not* be tolde As wel in vessel as in clof inge She was al clad in perry and in gold? And eke she laff not1 for noon huntynge 3496

To haue of sondry tungges folk' knowing* whan fat1 she leisere had and forto entende To lerne bookes was al hure likynge How she in vertue my^t1 her lyf dispende 3500

And shortely of f is storie forto entrete So dughty was her husbonde as she That1 fei conquered mony regnes grete In f e Orient1 wif mony a faire Cite 3504

App^rtenent1 vnto f e mageste Of Rome and wif stronge hond helde hem fast1 Ue neuer niy^t1 her foomen doon hem flee Ay whiles f af Odenak^ dayes last1 3508

Her batailles who so lest1 hem forto rede Ageyn sopere f e kyng1 and oper moo And howe fat1 aH f e processe felle in dede whi she conquered and what1 titel had ferto. 3512

And after of her mescheef and of her woo Howe fat1 she was byseged and Itake Latt hym vnto my maister Petrarke goo .

writte Inowe of ]>is I vndertake. 3516

Whan Odenak* was dede she my^tily ))e Eegnes heelde and wif hur p?*opre honde A^einst1 her foos she fau^t1 trewly

fat1 Jjer nas kyng no prince in al fat londe 3520

Jjat1 he nas glad ^if he fat1 grace fonde fat she ne wolde vpon his lond* werreye wif hire f ei made alliance by bonde To bene in pees and lat1 hure ride and pleye / 3524

PETWORTH 657 (6-T . 266)

SIX-TEXT 267

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

The Emperour of Eome Claudius [leaf 252, back!

Ne hym byforn J>e Romayne galiene iN"e durst1 neuer be so coragius

Ne noon ermyne ne noon Egipciene 3528

Ne Surryene ne noon Arabiene Wijj-in )>e feelde fat1 durst1 wif hire fi^tt Lest1 fat1 she wolde wif hure hondes hym scleen Or wif her mayne putten hem to fli^t* 3532

In kyngges h'abite went* her sonys twoo As heires of her regnes atte And hermanno and Tymalao

Her names were as perciens hem calle 3536

But1 ay fortune haf in her hony galle This my3ty qwene may not1 longe endure ffortune out1 of her regne made her falle To wrecchednesse and to mysauenture 3540

Aurelion whan fat1 f e gouernawnee Of Eome come into his hondes tweye He shope vpon fis quene to do vengeau^ice •And wij> his legyons he toke his waye 3544

Toward! Cenoby and shortly forto seye He made hur flee and at1 J>e last1 her hentf And fettred hure and eke her children tweye And wan J>e londe and home to Rome is went1 3548

Amonge jjise oj)er )>ingges Jjat1 he wan her chare fat1 wrou3t1 was vriih gold' and perre This grete Romayn J?is Aurelian.

ha]> wi]> hym lad for fat1 men shuld see 3552

Byforn hys trihumphe walkej? she "WiJ? Gilt1 .cheynes in her nek1 hongynge Corowned she was as after her degre And ful of Perry charged her clofinge 3556

PETWORTH 658 (6-T. 267)

SIX-TEXT 268

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Alias fortune she fat1 whilom was Dreedful to kyngges and to emperours Now gauref alle f e puple on hir alias And she fat1 helmed was in stronge stoures 3560

[ no gap in the MS.'}

Shal on her hede bere a Vitremyte

And she fat1 bare f e sceptre ful of floures

Shal bye a dystaf her coste forto quite [leaf 253] 3564

[Peter the Cruel, of Spain.~\

0 noble o worf i peter glory of Spayn Whoom fortune helde so hi^e in maieste Wei ou^t1 men f i pitous deef complayii Thi bastard* broker made fe to flee 3568

And aftere at1 a siege by subtilte Thowe were bytraied and lad to his tent1 Wher as he wif his owne honde sclogh" f e Succeedynge in f i regne and in fi rent1 3572

The felde of snowe wif fe Egle blak1 fer-Inne gSS*" Caught1 wif f e lyme rodde colours as f e glede He brewe f is cursednesse and al f e synne f e wicked nest1 was werker of fis nede . 3576

Nou^f charles Olyfere fat1 ay toke good hede Of troufe of honure but1 Armorekke tf&itann^uny

Genilon Olyuer corupte for nede Brou^test1 fis worjri king1 in suche brekke 3580

[Peter of Cyprus.}

IT worf i Petre kynge of Cipre alsoo . That1 Alisaunder wan by high maistrie fful mony a hefen wrou^test1 f ou for woo . Of which fine owne leeges had enuye 3584

And for no f ing1 but1 for f i chyualrie They in f i bed han sclayn f e by f e morue Thus gan fortune gouerne and gie And out1 of loie bringe into sorowe 3588

PETWORTH 559 (6-T. 268)

SIX-TEXT 269

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

[Berndbo Visconti, of Milan.]

Of Melane grete Barnabo Viscounte God of delite and scourge of lumbardie Whi shuld? not1 1 jji fortune acounte

Sij> in estaat1 ]>ou clomben were so hie 3592

Thy brojjer sone pat1 was pi double alie ftbr he pi Neuewe was and sone in lawe Wip-in his prison made pe to die But* wlii ne ho we wote I pat1 pou were sclawe 3596

\Ugolino, Count of Pisa.]

Of the Erie Hugelyne of pise pe languozw Ther may no tunge telle for pite But1 litel out1 of Pise stant1 a tour1

In whiche towre in prison put1 was he 3600

And wip hym bene his litel children pre J>e eldest1 scarcely .v. ^ere was of age [leaf 253, back]

Alias fortune it1 was grete crueltee Such briddes forto putte into a cage 3604

1T Dampned he was to dye in pat1 prison ffor Eoger which pat1 bisshop was of pise Had on hym made a fals suggestion

Thorgh which pe puple gan on hym arise 3608

And putten him in prison in such a wise As 30 han herd and mete and drinke he had. So smal pat1 vnnepes it may suffise And jjerwijjal it1 was ful poor and bad 3612

In a day byfelle fat* in J>af houre Whan pat1 his [mete] was wonte to be wroujf J?e Gailour* shette J?e doores of £e toure He herde it1 wel but1 he seegli it noujt1 3616

And in his hert1 anoon ]?er felle a jjou^t1 jjat1 J?ei for hunder* wolde done hym dyen Alias quod he alias pat1 1 was wrou^t1 per-wip ]?e teeres felle from his eyen . 3620

PETWORTH 560 (6-T. 269)

SIX-TEXT 270

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

His 3onge sones )>re per were of age Vnto hym seide fadere whi do ^e wepe whan wil j>e Gailoure brynge our potage Is Jjer no morsel brede Jmf [ye] doo kepe 3624

I am so hungry J?afr I may natf sclepe Nowe wolde god j>at< I my^tf sclepen euere Jjan shuld noon hungre in myn herte crepe J?er nys no £inge sauf brede J>af me were leu ere 3628

Thus day by day Jns cliilde gan to crie Til in his faders barme adoune it lay And saide fare wel fadere I riiote dye

And kissed his fadere and dyed J>e same day 3632

And whan J>e wooful fadere did \\jrn say ffor woo his armes two he gan to bite And saide alias fortune and welaway Thy fals whele my woo I may al wite 3636

Kis childer [wende] jjat1 hit1 for hunger was J?af he his armes gnowe and nou^t1 for woo . fei seiden fadere do not1 so alias

But1 ra)>er ete ]je flessh vpon vs twoo . [leaf 25 1] 3640 Our flesshe J?ou ^af vs take our flessli vs froo And ete ynou^e ri^t1 }?us to l\ym j>ei saide And after fiaf wi]?-Inne a day or twoo J?ei leide hem doune in his lappe and dayde 3644

Hym self dispeirede eke and for hu[n]ger starf1 Thus ended is J?e my^ty erle of pise ffor highe astate fortune fro hym carf

Of his tregetrie it1 ou^te ynou^e suffise 3648

Who so wil here it1 in a lenger wise Rede)) J>e grete poete of ytaile J>af hi^te Daunte, for he can it1 devise nrom poynf to poynte for 110 Jmig1 wil he faile. 3652

PETWORTH 561 (6-T. 270)

A,

SIX-TEXT 271

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS. 11 De nerone Imperatore .

.1 fou^e pat1 Nero were as vicious As eny feende J>af lieth ful lowe adoune 3if he as tellej? vs swetheneus

This wide world? had in subiecciofi 3656

Both eest1 and west1 and Septemptrion Of Rubies Saphires and peerles white Were al his [clones] browd[ed] vp and doune ffor he [in] gemmes grete gan delite 3660

More delicate more pompous of araye More proude was neuere Emperour Jjan he pat1 ilke clojje fat1 he had wered a day Aftere pat1 tyme he nolde it1 neuer see 3664

Nettes of gold threde had he grete pleiite To fisshen in Tibre \vhan hym list1 to pleye His lustes [were] as lawe in his degre ffor fortune as his frende wold hym obeye 3668

He Rome brent1 for his delicasie The Senatoures he sclou^e vpon a day To here howe Jjat1 men wolde wepe and crie And sclou^e his broker and by his sustere [lay] 3672

His modere made he in pitous aray if or he her wombe sclitte to byhold? wher he conceyued was so welaway That1 he so litel of his moder tolde. 3676

Ho teer out1 of his eyen for Jmt1 si^t1 [leaf 254, back]

Ne came but1 saide a faire womman was she Grete wondere is pat1 he cowde or my^t1 Be Domes man of her dede bewte . 3680

The wyne to brynge comaunded he And dronke anoon noon oj>er woo he made Whan my^t1 is loyned vnto cruelte Alas to depe wil f>e venyme wade 3684

PETWORTH 662 (6-T. 27l)

SIX-TEXT 272

GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

In ^outhe a maister had jns emperour To teclie hym letture and curtesye ffor of moralite he was J>e floure

As in his tyme but1 jif bokes lye 3688

And whiles his maister1 had of hym maistrie He made hym so conynge and so souple That1 longe tyme it1 was or tyrannye Or eny vice in hym durst1 vncouple 3692

This Seneca of which [that] I devise By cause Nero had of hym such drede ffor he for vices wold hym chastise

Discretely as by worde and nat1 by dede 3696

Sire wolde he sayne an Empenmr mot1 nede Be vertuous and hate tyrannye ffor which he hym in bathe made to blede On booj) his Armes til he most1 dye 3700

This Nero had eke of a custumance In ^oujje a^einsf his maister* forto rise Which afterward? hym fou^t1 a grete greuance Therfore he made hym dye in J)is wise 3704

But1 nathelees j?is Senetf fe wise Chees in a bathe to dye in Jns manere Rajjer fan han a no]>er tormentri[s]e And Jms haj> Nero sclayn his maister dere 3708

Now felle it1 so fat1 fortune lest1 no longer1 J?e highe Pride of IsTero to cherice ffor Jjou^e he were stronge ^it1 was she stronger* She Jjou^te Jms by god I am to nyce 3712

To sette a man fat1 is fulfill in vice In heghe degre and Emperour hym calle . By god out1 of his sete I wil him trice . [leaf 255]

whan he leest1 wenej? sonnest1 shal he falle. 3716

PETWORTH 563 (6-T. 272)

SIX-TEXT 273

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

The puple roos vp on hym on a ffor his defaute and whan he it* aspied . Out* of his doores anooii he ha]) hy??i Allone and J?er he wende haue bene alied. 3720

He knokked fast1 and ay jje more he cried The faster schitten ]?ei J?e doores alle po wist1 he wel he had hym -self mysgied. And went1 his way no lenger dorst1 he calle 3724

The puple cried and rombled vp and down That1 wi}> his eeres herde he what1 J?ei seide Where is J>is fals traitour ))is Nerown Ifor fere almost1 out1 of his witte he breide 3728

And to his goddes pitously he seide ffor socoure but1 it1 myjfl nat1 be-tyde fFor drede of j>is him Jjou^t1 Jjat1 he dyde And ranne into a gardeyue hym to hyde 3732

And in J)is gardyne fonde he cherles tweye That1 sitten by a fuyre fnl gret and rede And to ]?e cherles twey lie gan to preie To scleeii hym and to girdeii of his hede 3736

That1 to his body whan jjat1 he were dede Were no despite ydon for his diffame Hym self he sclow^e he coude no better rede Of which fortune lough and made a game 3740

[Holofernes.]

"Was neuere Captayne vncler a kinge IF De Olyferno./ Jjat1 regnej? more putte in subiectiomi Ne strenger was in feelde of al Jnnge As in his tyme ne gretter of renown 3744

Ne more pompous in high presumpciozm Than olyferne which that fortune ay kest1 So lycorously and lad hym vp and down Til Jmt1 his hede was of er ]>at he wist1 3748

PETWORTH 564 (6-T. 273)

SIX-TEXT 274

GROUP.B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Not* oonly J?afr this world? hajj of hym awe

rfor lesinge of Richesse and of liberte

But1 he made euery man renaye his lawe

Nabugodonosor was lord' saide he . 3752

Noon o]>er god shulde honoured be [leaf 255, back]

A^einsf his heest1 no wi^fr dar trespace

Saue in Betulia a stronge Cite

Wher Eliachym a preest1 was of Jjafc1 place 3756

But1 take kepe of j?e detfi. of Olyfcrne Amydde j)e hooste he dronke lay al ny}^ "WiJj-Iime his teiite large as is a beerne And ^it1 for al his pompe and al his niy^tt 3.760

ludifcli a wowman as he lay vpri^fr . Sclepinge his hede of smote and fro his tent1 fful prively she stale from euery wi^t1 • [ no gap in the MS.] 3764

[Antiochtis.]

What1 nedej) it1 of kynge Antiochus 5F De Antiocho Rc</5 To telle his liigR and Ryal maieste His hie pride his werke venymus

ftbr suche anojjer was neuer noon as he 3768

Rede]) which jmfr he was in niachabe And rede]? ]>e proude wordes J^at1 he seide And whi he felle fro his p?'osperite And in an hallo how wrechedly he cleide 3772

Fortune hym had enhaunsed so in pride That1 verrely he wende he my^t1 atteyne Vnto J)e sterres vppon euery side

And in a balaunce to wey J?e mounteyne 3776

And alle ]?e floodes of the See Restreyne And goddes puple had he most1 in hate Hem wolde he sclee in torment1 and [in] peyn wenynge j^at1 god ne my^t1 his pride abate 3780

PETWOllTH 565 (6-T. 274)

SIX-TEXT 275

GKour B, § 12, MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And for fat1 JSTichaniour and thymothe wij> Iwes were venquysshed my^tely Ynto J>e Iwes such an hate had he

That1 he bad graced his chare ful hastifly 3784

And swore and saide ful dispitously Vnto lerusalem he wolde eftsone To wreke his Ire on it1 ful cruelly But1 of his pwrpos he was lette ful sone 3788

God of his manace hy??^ so sore smote WiJ? vnvysible wounde ay vncurable That1 in his guttes carf soo and bote

That1 his peynes were importable [leaf 256] 3792

And certeinly }>e wrech was resonable ffor many mannys guttes did he peyne But1 fro his pwrpoos cursed and dampneable ffor al his smerte he nolde hym restreyne 3796

But1 bad anoon apparaile his Ooste

And sodeynly er he was of it1 ware

God daunted al his pride and al his boost1

ffor he so sore felle out1 of his chare 3800

That1 hurte his lymmes and his skyn to-tare

Soo fat1 he ne my^t1 goo ne ride

But1 in a chaier men about hym bare

Al for-brused bo]) bak1 and side 3804

The wreth of god hym smote so cruelly That1 in his body wikked wormes crepte And f er wij> al he stonke so horryblye That1 noon of alle his mayne fat1 hym kepte 3808

whedere fat1 he woke or ellis sclepte Ne myght1 not1 f e stynk1 of hym endure In f is meschief he wailled and eke wepte . Arid knewe god lorde of euery creature 3812

PETWORTH 566 (6-T. 27o)

SIX-TEXT 27

GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

To alle his hooste and to hym self also fFul wlatsom was ]?e stink1 of his careyiie No man my^t1 hym bere to ne froo . And in his stynk1 and in his horrible peyne He starfe fill wrechedly in a mounteyne Thus haj) Jns robbour and homycide That1 mony a man made to wepe and pleyne Such guerdon as by-longej) vnto pride

[Alexander the Great.]

The Storie of Alisaundre is so comune . That1 euery wi^tf Jjat1 haj) discreciown Ha]) herd* somwhat1 or aH of his fortune This wide world? as in conclusiown He wanne by strength or for his hie renown They weren glad for pees vnto hym sende \)Q pride of man and beestt he laid adown Wher so he come vnto j?e worldes ende

3816

3820

1T De Alex- andro "R.e<je

3824

3828

3832

Comparison my ^fr neuere be maked .

Bytwix hym and anoj?er conquero-wr [leaf 256, back j

fFor al J)is world for drede of hym Haj) quaked . He was of knyghthode and of fredom flour1 ffortune him made £e heii-* of hur1 honour Saue wyne and wommen no ping1 myjt1 a-swage His hegh entente in armes and laboure So was he ful of louying1 corage

3836

What1 pite were it1 to hym fou^e I 3011 tolde Of Darius and an hundred thowsand 11100 . Of kyngges Princes, and Erles bold4 Which he conquered and brou^f into woo I say as fer as man may ride and goo . The worlde was his Avhafr shuld? I more devise fFor fiou^e I write and told* }ou euer moo . Of his kinghode it1 my^tt not1 suffise

TETWORTH 567 (6-T. 276)

3840

3844

SIX-TEXT 277

GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Twelue ^ere he regned as saij) Machabe

Philippes sone of Macedoyne he was

That1 furst1 was kinge of Grece J>e cuntree

O worj>i gentile Alisaunder* alas 3848

That1 euer shuld [thee] falle Such a caas

Enpoysened of Jn folk1 j?ou were

Thine . sise . fortune haj? turned into an aas

And ^it1 for J>e ne weppe she neuere a tere 3852

Who shal ^eue teeres men to co?«pleyne

The dee]? of gentilnesse and of ftraunchise

That1 al J>e worlde weelded in his demeyne

And ^it1 him Jjou^tt hit1 rayjt1 not1 suffise 3856

So fful was his corage of high emprise

Alias who shal me helpe to endite

ffals fortune and poyson to despise

The which twoo of al this woo I wite 3860

[Julius Caesar.]

By wisdome manhode and by labour* IF lulius Cesar/. ffro humblehede and fro Eoial Maieste Yp roos he lulius )>e Conquerour

That1 aH pe Occident1 by londe and See 3864

By strength of honde or ellis by trete And vnto Roome made hem tributarie . And Sithens of Rome J>e Emperowr was he / Til ^at1 fortune wexe his aduersarie [leaf 257] 3868

A Mighty Cesar jmt1 in Tessalye .

A^einst1 Pompius fader jjine in lawe

That1 of J)e Orient1 had al )>e chyualrie

As fer as j^at1 ]?e day bygynne)> dawe 3872

Thogli Jjou Jjorgh J>i knyghthode haj? hem take and sclawe

Sauf fewe folk1 patt wijj Pompius fledde

Thorghe which Jjou puttest^ al ]?e orient1 in awe

Thonkc fortune J?at* so wel ]?e spedde 3876

PETWORTH 568 (6-T. 277)

SIX-TEXT 278

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

But1 now a litel while I wil bywaile

This Pompeus f is noble gouernour

Of Eoome which fat1 fleigh at1 this bataille

I saye oon of his men a fals traitour' 3880

His hede of smote to wynne hym fauour1

Of lulius and hym f e hede brou^t1

Alias Pompey of the Orient1 conquerowr

That1 fortune vnto such a funte bro^t1 3884

TO Rome a$eine repeiref lulius . Wif triumphe laureat1 ful high But1 on a tyme Brutus Cassius

fat1 euere had of his astate Envie 3888

fful p?*iuely had made Conspiracie A^einst1 f is lulius in subtile wise / And cast1 f e place in which he shuld dye With boydekyns as I shal 3ou • devise 3892

This lulius to f e Capithole went1 Vppon a day as he was wonte to goon And in f e Capitole anoon hy?w hente This fals Brutus and his foule foon 3896

And stiked hym wif boydekyns anon Wif mony a wounde and jms f ei lete hym lye But1 neuere grunte he at1 no stroke but1 oon Or ellis at1 twoo but1 }if his storie lye 3900

So manly was f is lulius of herte And so wel loued estately honeste That1 f ou^e his dedly woundes so sore smerte His mantel ouer his hippes cast1 he 3904

ifor no man shuld? se his privete

And as he lay on dyinge in a traunee [leaf 257, back]

And wist1 verrely fat1 dede was he Of honeste ^ifr had he remembraunce 3908

38 PETWORTH 569 (6-T. 278)

SIX-TEXT 279

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petworth MS.

H Lucane to f is storie I recomende

And to Sweton and Valerius also .

That1 of His storie write]? word and ende

How fat1 fise grete conquerours twoo 3912

ffortune was furst1 frende and sif en a foo/

JN~o man ne trust* vpon his fauour longe

But1 haue hure in a-waite euermoo

"VVitnes on alle fise conquerours stronge 3916

[Cresus.]

Tliis riche Cresus whilom kyng1 of lyde 0 which Cresus Cyquus sore hym dradde 3if was he ka^t1 amonges al his pride And to be brent1 men to f e fure hym ladde 3920

But1 suche a Reyne doune fro f e walken shadde fat1 sclou^e f e fuyre and made hym to eskape But1 to be war ^it1 no grace he hadde Til fortune on f e galous made hym gape 3924

Whan he askaped was he can not1 stent1 ffor to bygynne a newe reyne a^eine He wende wele for fat1 fortune hym sente Suche happe fat1 he askaped j>or3e fe reyne 3928

Jjat1 of his foos he my^t1 not1 be sclayii And Suche a sweuen vpon a ny}^ he niette Of which he was so proude and so fayn That1 in vengeance he al his hert1 sette 3932

Vpon a tree he was as hym Ther lubiter hym wassh bo]> hals and Side And Phebus eke a faire towale hym bro^t1 To drye hym wif an ferfore wex his pride 3936

And to his dou^tere fat1 stood hym beside Which fat1 he knewe in his sentence habounde He bad hure telle hym what1 it1 signyfied And she his dremes byganne ri^t1 f us expounde 3940

PETWORTH 57O (6-T. 279)

SIX-TEXT 280

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Petwoith MS.

The tree quod she J>e galous is to mene

And lubiter bitokenejj snowe and reyne

And Phebus wi)> his towale so clene .

Thoo bene the sone stremes forto sayn [leaf 253] 3944

Thow shalt1 an honged be fadere certayn

Rayn shal ]>e wassiL and sonne shal J?e drye

Thus warned she hym ful plat1 and ful playn

His doubter [which] fat1 called was Phanye 3948

An honged was Cresus fe proude kinge

His Roial trone myjfl hym not1 availe

Tregedie is noon ofer maner) f inge

Ne can in synnynge cry ne bywaile 3952

But1 fat1 fortune alway wil assaile

wij? vnware stroke jje regnes J>af bene proude

fFor whan men trusten hir fan wil she faile

And keuere her bri^t1 face wij> a clowde 3956

H Thus endej? fe monke his tale

PETWORTH 571 (6-T. 280)

SIX-TEXT 281

GROUP B. § 13. MONK-NUN'S-PRIEST'S LINK. Petworth MS.

And here bygynnef J>e nonpreesf Ms prologe

ff The prologue f

Ion leafZaS]

Ho quod J?e kny^t1 no more good of jns That1 30 han said is ri^tt ynowe ywis And mochel more for litel heuynesse

Is ri^tf ynOUgh to mochel folk1 I geSSC [no gay in PetwortK] 3960

[I sey for me / hit is a gret disese

Wher as men haue ben / in gret welth and ese

To here of her sodeyn falle alias

And the contrarye / is loye and gret solas 3964

And whan a man hath be / in poor estat

And clymbeth vp / and waxeth fortunat

And ther abidith / in prosperite

Such thyng is gladsom / as thynketh me 3968

And of such thyng / were goodly for to telle

ya quod our hoost / bi seynt poules belle

ye sey soth / this monk hath clappid lowd

He spak how fortune / couered was with a clowd 3972

I nat nere what / and also tragedie

Eiht now ye herde / and parde no remedie

I[t i]s forto be wailyng and compleyne

ffor that that is don / and also it is a peyne 3976

As ye han seid to heer1 of hevynesse

Sir monk nomore of this / so god you blesse

[Youjr1 tale anoyeth / alle this companye

Such thyng / is nat worth / a bottirflye] &£& S"f'

3oure tales done vs no sporte ne game

Wherfore sir1 monke or daun pers by your name

I prey ^ou hertely telle vs somwhat1 ellys

ffor sikerly ne were J?e Clynkyng1 of 3our) bellis 3984

PETWORTH 572 (6-T. 28l)

SIX-TEXT 282

GROUP B. § 13, MONK-NUN'S-PRIEST'S LINK. Petworth MS.

That1 on ^oure bridel honge on euery side

By heuene kynge J?af for vs alle deyde

I shuld er J>is haue falle down for sclepe

Al J?ough [jje] scloujje had neuer be so depe 3988

Than had 3oure tale ben told in veyn

ffor certeynly as al Jjise clerkes seyn

wher as a [man] may haue non audience

Noujtt helpejj if to telle his sentence 3992

And wel I woote J?e substaunce is in me

3if eny Jnnge shal wel reported be

Sir* say somwhaf of huntyng1 1 ^ou preie

Nay quod J>is monke I haue no lust* to pleie 3996

Now laf anoper telle as I haue told?

))an spak our hoosf vrith rude spech and bold?

And saide vnto J)e nonnes preest1 anon

Come nere sir1 preest1 Come hider* Sire lohn [leaf 253, back]

Telle vs such )>ingges as may our hertis glade 4001

Be blij) Jjou^e J?ou ride vpon a lade

What1 Jjou^e fine hors be boj) foule and lene

3if he wil serue J?e rek1 nat1 a bene 4004

Loke J?af J?i hert1 be mery euermoo .

3is sir* quod he $is hoosf so mote I goo

Buf I be mery Iwis I wil be blamed .

And Ei^f anoon his tale he haj? atamed . 4008

And Jms seide to vs euerychon

My tale I wil bygynne anon

IF Thus ende]> J>e prologe of J>e nonnes preste

PETWORTH 573 (6-T. 282)

SIX-TEXT 283

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And here bygynneb be nonne preest1 his tale

ion teff/258, latk]

A poor wydowe somdel stope in age was whilom dwelling1 in a narowe cotage 4012 Besides a groue stonding1 in a dale This widowe of which I telle 3011 my tale SiJ>ens J>ilk day fat1 she was last1 a wiff In paciens lad a fill sympul liff1 401 6

iFor litel was hur* Catel and hur1 rent1 By Husbondry of such as god her sent* She fonde hure self and eke her doughtred twoo Thre large sowes had she and no moo . 4020

Thre kyen and eke a shepe fat1 hight1 malle fful soty was hur) boure and eke her halle In whiche she ete mony a sclender mele Of poynant1 sause hir1 neded neuer a dele 4024

No deynte morsel passed hur1 J>rote Hir1 diete was acordant1 to her cote Eeplecio ne made her neuer seke

Attemper diete was all her1 phisike 4028

And exercise and hert1 sufficiaiice The goute letted hur no Jjing1 to daunce Ne poplexie shenf not1 her hede

Noo wyne dronke she neijjer white ne rede 4032

Her boord was serued most1 wij? white and blake Milk1 and broune brede in which she fond no lake Seyned Bacon and somtyme an eye or tweye ffor she was as If were a manere of a deye [leaf 259]

A gardyne she had enclosed al aboute 4037

Wi}> stikkes and a drie diche wi])-oute In which she had a cold Jjat4 hi^f chauntilere In aft J>e londe of crowing1 was his pere 4040

PETWORTH 574 (6-T. 283)

SIX-TEXT 284

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

His mouf was myrier fan f e mery orgon

On masse dales faf in f e churche goon

Wei sikerer was f e crowyng1 in his logge

)3an is a clokke or an abbay orlogge 4044

By nature he crewe eche ascenciozm

Of Equinoxial of f ilk1 town

ffor whan degrees .xv. were descended .

faf knewe he fat1 it1 my}^ not1 bene amended 4048

His Combe was redder fan fe fyne CnraH

And bateled as if were a castel watt

Hike azure were his legges and his toone

His bille was blake and as fe gete if shone 4052

His nailles witter fan f e lily floure

And ylike burnysshed gold was his colours

This gentile Cok had in his gouerna?mce

Vij. hennys forto doon his plesaunce 4050

Which weren his sustres and his p«ramows

And wonder like to hym as of colows

Of f e which f e fairest1 hwed vnder f rote

Was clepe fair* Damysel Pertilote 40GO

Curtais she was discrete and debonaire

And Companable and bere her self so fairc

Sifens filk1 day fat1 she was vij. 1173 11 olde

Thaf trewly she haf f e herf in hold' 40G4

Of Chauntelere loukyn in euery litR

He loued hure so fat1 wel was hy?ra f er witli

But1 such a loie as if was to here hem singe

Whan faf fe bri^f sonne gan to sprynge 4068

In swete accorde my lief is fare a londe

ffor f ilk1 tyme as I haue vnderstonde

Beestes and briddes coude speke and synge

And so byfelle faf in fe dawynge 4072

As Chauntecleer amonges his wyues alle

Saf on his perch faf was in fe halle [leaf 25-.), b:H-k]

And nexf hyrn saf f is faire Pertilote

This Chaunteclere gan gronen in his frote 40 7 G

PETWORTH 575 (6-T. 284)

SIX-TEXT 285

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

As a man fat1 is in his dreme drecched sore And whan fat1 Pertilote f us herd' hym rore She was a-gast1 and seide hert1 dere

What1 eilef ^ou to grone in fis manere 4080

3e bene a verray scleper fy for shame And he answerd? and saide f us madame I prey 3011 fat1 36 take if not* a greef1 By god me mette fat1 I was in such mescheef1 4084

Rijt1 nowe fat1 ^it1 myn hert1 is sore afri^t1 Nowe god [quod] he my sweuen rede ari^f And kepe my body out1 of foule prisown Me mette fat1 1 romed vp and down . 4088

With-in our yerde wher as I segh a beesf Was lik1 an hounde and wold? haue made arest1 Vpon my body and wold haue had me dede His colour was bytwix white and red 4092

And tipped was his taille and bof his Eeres Wif blak1 vnlike f e remenaunfr of his heeres His snowte smal with glowinge eyen tweye 3if for his loke almost1 for fere I dye . 4096

This caused me my gronyng1 doutelees A voy quod she fie on 3ou hertelees Alias quod she for by fat1 god aboue

Now han 36 lost1 myn hert1 and my loue 4100

I can not1 loue a coward? by my faif e ffor certes what1 so eny woraman seif e We alle desiren 3if it1 my3t be

To han husbondes hardy wise and free 4104

And secre ne noo nygard? ne ne fooH To hym fat1 is a-gast1 of euery tooH Ne noon avouto?/r by fat1 god aboue

How durst1 36 seyn for shame vnto 302/7* lone 4108

That1 eny f ing1 nr^t1 make 3ou a-ferde Haue 30 no mannys hert1 and han a berde Alias and conne ye be a-gast1 of swuenes . No fing1 god woote but1 vanite in sweuen is [ieaf26o] 4112 PETWORTH 676 (6-T. 286)

SIX-TEXT 286

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Sweuens engendren of replexions

And oft1 of fume and of complexions

Whan humours bene to habundante in a wi^t1

Certes J>is dreme which $e han had to ny^t1 4116

CommeJ) of J?e grete superfluite

Of ^oure rede Colere parde

Which cause]) folk to dreme her dremes

Of Arowes and fires wij? rede lemes 4120

Of Eede beestes pat1 willen hem bite

Of contek1 and of whelpes grete and lite

Ri$# as J?e humour of Malecolie

Cause)? [ful] mony a man in sclepe to crye 4124

ffor fere of beeres and boles blake

Or ellis blake deuels wil hem take

Of oj>er humoures coujje I telle also

That worken mony a man in slepe ful woo . 4128

But1 1 wil passe as li^tly as I can

Loo Caton which fat1 was so wise a man

Seid he not1 Jms ne do no force of dremes

Now sire quod she whan we flee fro the bemes. 4132

ffor goddis loue as takejj som laxatif

Vp pe?ile of my saule and of my liff

I counsaile ^ou J?e best1 1 wil not lye

That1 boj> of colour and of Malencolie 4136

3e purge ^ou and for ^e shul not1 tarie

ftou3e fat1 in pis toune is no7^ Apotecarie

I shal my self to herbes techen 3011

which shal be ^oure here and $our prowe 4140

And In J?e Gardeyne two herbes shal I fynde

J>e which han of her proprete by kynde

To purgen ^ou by-nejje and eke aboue

ffor^etejj not1 ]?is for goddes awne loue 4144

36 bene ful Colerike of complexion

Where J>e sonne in his assencion

Ne fynde }ou replete of jour humot^rs hote

And if if doo I dar wel lay a grote 4148

PETWORTH 577 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 287

GROUP B, § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Jjat1 36 shul haue a feuer terciane .

Or an ague pat1 may be jour bane '[leaf 200, back]

A day or twoo 30 shul haue dygestyues

Of wormes er 30 take ^oure laxatyues 4152

Of laureal Centaure and of fumytere

Or ellis of Ellibore fat1 growej? J>ere

Of Catapuce and of gatys-buries

Or Erbe Ive grouyng1 in cure ^eerd ]>er mery es 4156

Pek hem vp ri^t1 as J>ei growe and ete he??i Inne

Be mery husbonde for pur1 fader kynne

Drede]) no dreme I can say 3011 no more

Madame quod he gramercy of $oure lore 41 GO

But na]?elees as touching Danne Catozm

That1 hajj of wisdome such grete renoun

By god men may in olde bokes rede

Oon of J?e grettest1 auctour out1 of drede 4164

Of mony a man more of auctorite

Than euer caton was so mot1 1 the

That al the reuers seyn of J)is sentence

Han han wel founden by expmence 4168

That1 dremes bene signiiicacicns

As wel of loie as t?*ibulacions

That1 folk enduren in Jjis lif present1

If nedef nat1 to make of Jns noon argument1 4172

The verrey preef shewej? it1 in dede

Oon of J)e grettest auctour out of drede

Sai]> Jjus fat1 whilom two felawes went1

On Pilgrimage in ful good entent 4176

And happed so J>ei coramen into a toune

Wher as Jjere was such congregaciown

Of puple and eke of streite herbygage

fat1 J)ei fande not1 as moche as a cot-age 4180

In whiche J>ei boj? myght1 ylogged be

Wherfore ]?ei mosteii of necessite

As for jjat1 ny^f departen of companye

And eche of hem gojj to his hostelrye 4184

PETWOKTH 678 (O-T. 287)

SIX-TEXT 288

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And toke his logginge as if wolde falle That1 oon of hem was logged in a stalle ffer in a $eerde wij> oxen of }?e plou^e That* ojjer man was logged wel ynou^e [leaf 2611 4188 As was his auenture or his fortune J^at1 vs gouernejj al as in commune And so by-felle longe er5 it1 were day This man mette in his bed J>er as he lay 4192

How Jjat1 his felawe gan on hym calle And saide Alias for in an oxes stalle This ny^t1 shal I be murdered ]>er I lie Now helpe me dere brofere er I dye / 4196

In al hast come to me he seide This man out1 of his sclepe for fere abreide Butt whan Jjat1 he was wakened out1 of his sclepe He turnej? hym and toke of Jns no kepe 4200

Hym Jjou^t1 his dreme was no^t1 but1 a vanyte Thus twies in his sclepinge dremed he And at J>e .iij. tyme ^it1 his felawe

Come as he jjou^t1 1 am nowe Isclawe 4204

Biholde my blody woundes depe and wide Arise vp erly in ]?e morowe tide And at1 the west1 gate of J>e toun qiiod he A cart1 ful of donge J?er shalt1 Jwu see 4208

In which his body is hidde ful priuely To jrilk1 carte aresten boldely My golde caused my murder soj) to sayn) And tolde hym euery poynt1 how he was sclayn 4212

Wij) a ful pitous face pale of hwe And trest1 wel his dreme he fonde ful trwe ffor on J?e morowe as sone as it1 was day To his felawes Inne he toke pe way 4216

And whan he come to Jjis oxes stalle Aftere his felawe he bygan to calle The ostelere answered hym anon

And saide Sir1 $oure felawe is goon 4220

PETWORTH 679 (6-T. 288)

SIX-TEXT 289

GROUP B. § 14, NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

As sone as day he went1 out1 of J>e tonne

This man gan falle in grete suspecio?m

Remembryng1 hym on his dremes fat1 he mette

And for]) he go]? no lenger wold? he lette 4224

Vnto fe west* gate of fe toune and fonde

A donge carV as he went1 to donge fe londe [leaf 201, back]

That* was araied in fe same wise

As 36 han herde J)e dede man deuyse 4228

And wif an hardy hert1 he gan to crie

Vengeaunce and iustice on fis vilanye

My felawe murdred is fis same ny^t1

And in J>is carte he lith gapinge vp ii$V 4232

[I crye out / on the mynystres quod, he 'k*/^?!61*?' °n

That sholde the lawe keep in this Cite

Harrow alias / here lith my felawe sleyn

What sholde I more / vnto this tale seyn 4236

The people out sterte / and caste the carte to groiuide

And in the myddis of the donge thei fouwdel [Aaait. MS

J extract ends]

The dede man fat1 murdred was aH newe

0 blisful god fat1 art1 so lust1 and trewe 4240 Loo how fat1 f ou bywreiest1 mordere alway

Murder wil out1 fat1 see wee day by day

Morder is so wlatsom and so abhomynable

To god fat1 is so lust1 and resonable 4244

fat1 he ne wil not1 suffre it hilled be

Theigfr it1 abide a $eer or twoo or J>re

Murder wil out1 f is is my conclusion

And r^f anoon nwustres of f e town 4248

Ha}> hent1 ])e Carter and [ful] sore hym pyned

And eke J)e Ostilere so fer engyned

That1 ])ei biknewe her wikkednesse anoon

And weren honged by J>e nek1 bone 4252

Here may men see fat dremes bene to drede

And certes in the same boke I rede

Ri^t1 in J>e next1 chapitere I rede of fis

1 gabbe not1 so haue I loie or blis 4256

PETWOKTH 580 (6-T. 289)

SIX-TEXT 290

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Two men fat1 wolden haue passed f e See

fFor certeyn cause in to a fer c'ontre

If fat1 f e wynde ne had be contrarie

That1 made hem in a Cite forto tarie 4260

That1 stood ful merye vpon an hauen side

But* on a daye a^einst1 f e euentide

The wynde gan chaunge and blowe as hyra lust1

lolif and glad f ei wenten vnto rust1 4264

And Casten hem ful erly forto saile

.But1 herken how oo man felle in grete perile

That1 oon of hem in scleping1 as he lay

Hyra mette a wonder dreme a^einst1 fe day 4268

Hym foujfl a man stood be his beddys side

And hyra coramaunded fat1 he shnld? abide. [leaf 2621

And saide hym f us if f ou to morn wende

Thowe shalt1 be dreynt1 my tale is at1 an ende 4272

He woke and tolde his felawe what1 he meitt1

And preide him his viage forto lette

As for fat1 day he preide hyra to abide

His felawe fat1 lay by his beddys side 4276

Gan forto laugh" and scorned ful fast*

No drem quod, he may myne hert1 agast1

That1 1 wil lette forto do my f ingges

I sette not1 a strawe by dremyngges 4280

ffor sweuenes bene but1 vanytees and Tapes

Men dreme alway of owles and of apes

And of mony a mase f er-wif all

Men dremen of f inge fat1 neuere [shal] 4284

But1 sif en I see f ou wit1 here abide

And f us forsclewf en wilfully f i tyde

God woote it1 rewef me and haue good day

And fus he toke his leue and went1 his way 4288

And er that1 he had half his cours assailed

I not1 whi ne what1 meschaunce it1 ailed

But1 casuely f e shippes botme rent1

And ship and man vnder fe water went1 4292

EETWORTH 581 (0-T.

SIX-TEXT 291

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

In si^fr of ojjer shippes hyw beside That1 wi]> hym sallied att J?e same tyde And Jjerfore he seide Pertelote so dere By suche ensamples olde maist1 J)ou lere 4296

That1 no man shulde be to rechelees Of Dremes for I say J?e doutelees That1 in mony a dreme ful sore is forto drede Lo in J?e lif of seint1 kenelyne I rede 4300

That1 was kenulphus sone Jje noble kynge Of Mertenrike how kenelyne mette a Jnnge A litel er [he] was murde[re]d on a day His murdre in his Auysion he say 4304

His norice him expowned euery deft His sweuen and bad hym for to kepe hym weft ffor treson but1 he was seuen $ere olde And J>erf ore litel tale ha]? he tolde [leaf 262, back] 4308 Of eny dreme so holly was his herte Be god I had leuer J>an my sherte That1 30 had hero? his legende as haue I Dame Pertelote I say 3011 trewly 4312

Macrobyus J>afr writ1 f e avision In affrike of J?e worjri Ciprion AffermeJ) dremes and sej> J?afr jjcr bene "VVarnynge of j?ingges jjat1 men after sene 4316

And ferjjermore I pray 3011 lokej? weH The olde testament1 of D any ell 3if he heelde dremes of eny vanyte

Kede eke of loseph" and ye shal See 4320

Wheder dremes be somtyme I say not alle Warnyng' of Jjingges jjat1 shul aftei5 falle Loke eke of Egipte J?e kinge danne Pharao His bakere and his botelere also 4324

Wher J>ei ne felt1 noon effecte in dremes "Who so wil seche of sundry rewmes May reden of dremes mony a wonder1 Jnnge Loo Cresus which" fat1 was of lyde J?e kynge 4328

PETWORTH 682 (6-T. 29l)

SIX-TEXT 292

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Mette he not1 pat1 he satte vpon a tre

Which signified he shuld? anhonged be

Lo here Adromacha Ectors wiff

That1 day faf Ector shuld lete his lif 4332

She dremed on J?e same ny^t1 byforn

How pat1 J>e lif of Ector shuld be lorn

3iff pilk1 day he went1 into bataile

She warned hym but1 it1 my^t1 not1 availe 4336

He went1 forto fi^ten najjelees

But1 he was sclayn of Achilles

But1 thilk1 tale is alto longe to telle

And eke it1 is nygh day I may not dwelle 4340

Shortly I say as for conclusion

That I shal haue of pis avision

Of aduersitees and I say ferpermore

That I ne wil telle of laxatifs no store 4344

ffor pei bene venemous I wote ri^f weft

I hem dime I loue hem neuere a dele [leaf 26;',]

NO lat1 vs speke of merpe and stent1 al pis

Madame pertilote so haue I blisse 4348

Of oo ping1 god hap sent1 me large grace

ffor whan I se pe bewte of ^oure face

3e bene so scarlet1 rede aboute pe eyen

It1 make]) al my drede for to dyen 4352

ffor also Biker* as in principio .

Mulier est hominis confusio

Madame pe sentence of pis latyn is

Woraman is mannys ioy and his blisse 4356

ffor whan I fele on ny^t1 30111° soft1 side

Al be it1 pat1 1 may not1 on ^ou ride

ffor Jmt1 oure perche is made so narowe alas

I am so ful of loye and solas 4360

J^at1 1 defie boj> sweuen and dreme

And wij? pat1 word I fleegh doune fro jje beme

ffor it1 was day and eke his hennes alle

And wi]> a chukke he gan hem forto calle 4364

PETWORTH 583 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 293

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

ffor he had founden a corn lay in Je

Real he was no more afferd?

He ffefered Pertelotf xxu tyme

And drad as oft1 er it1 were prime 43 G8

He lokejj as it1 were a grym lyo?m

And on his toes he roomed vp and down

Hym deyned not1 to sette his fete on grounde

Ay chokked he whan he had a come found 4372

And to hym Jjan ronne his wyues all

Thus Royal as a prince in his hali

Leue I J?is chauntelere in his pasture

And aftere wil I telle of his auenture 4376

Whan J?e month ]?e which )?e world? byganne

That1 hi^t1 marche whan god first made man

Was Complete and passed were also

Sijjens Marche bygan .xxx1? dales and twoo . 4380

Byfelle j?af chauntelere in his pride

His seuen wyues welken hym byside *

Cast1 vp his eyen to J?e bri^tt sonrce

That1 in J>e signe of Taurus was ronne [leaf 263, back] 4384

Twenty degrees and oon and somwhat1 more

He knew by kynde and by noon o]?er lore

That1 it1 was prime he crewe wij> blisful steuen

The sonne he saide is clumben vp to heuen 4388

xl. degres and oon and more ywis

Madame Pertelote my worldes blisse

Herken how j)ise blisful briddes singe

And se Jie fresshe floures how J>ei springe 4392

fful is myn hert1 of Reuel and of solas

But1 sodeynly hym felle a soriful caas

ffor euer J?e latter and of loie is sone ygoo

And comonly ofte tyme it1 fallej? soo 4396

And if arthour coude faire endite

He in cronicle myght1 Sauely write

As for a souereyn notabilite

Nowe euery wise man herken me 4400

PETWORTH 584 (6-T. 293)

SIX-TEXT 294

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Fetworth MS.

This story is as trewe I vndertake

As is pe booke of launcelote de lake

That* women holde in ful gret reuerence

Now wil I turne a^ein to my sentence 4404

A Col foxe [ful] of sclei}^ and iniqnite

That1 in pe groue had wowned ^eeres pre

By high" ymagynacion to-fore cast1

pe same nyght1 porgh-out1 pe hegges brasfr 4408

Into pe ^eerd! per chauntelere pe faire

was wonte and eke his wyues to repairs

And in a bedde of wortes stille he lay

Till it1 was passed vndren of pe day 4412

Waitynge his tyme on chaunteler to falle

As gladly done pise homycydes alle

That* in a-waite ligge to murdre men •

0 fals murdere rowkyng1 in pi den 4416

0 newe Scariot1 o . newe Genylon

ffals dissimylour o greke Symon

J^at1 brou^test1 troye al vtterly to sorowe

0 chauntelere acursed be pat1 morowe 4420

pat1 pou into [pi] ^eerd? flegh from pe bemes

Thow were ful wel y warned by pi dremes [ieaf26i]

That1 ilke day was perilous to pe

But1 pat1 .pat1 god a-fore wote most1 nodes be 4424

Aftere pe opynyon of certeyn clerkes

Wittnesse of hym pat* eny clerk es

That1 in scole [is] grete altercacioil

In pis mater and grete disputacion 4428

And hap bene of an C. thousand men /

But1 1 ne can[not] bult1 it to pe brenne

As can pe holy doctour augustyne

Or boys or pe Bisshop Bradwardyne 4432

Whedere pat1 goddys wille a-fore wetyng1

Streynep me nedely forto doon a ping1

Nedely clepe I symple necessite

Or ellis 3if pe free chois be graunted me 4436

3(J PETWORTII 685 (6-T. 294)

SIX-TEXT 295

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

4440

4444

4448

4452

4456

Deaf 264, back] 4461

4464

4468

4472

To do fat1 same Jung1 or do it1

Thou^e god forwote it1 er it1 was

Er of his wetyng1 streynef neuer a dele

But by necessite condicionele

I wil not1 haue to done of such matere

My tale is of a cokke as ^e shullen here

That1 toke his counsaile of his wif with sorowe

To walken in fe 3eerde vpon f e morowe

That1 he had mette f e dreme fat1 I 3011 tolde

Womm[an]es counsaile is ful ofte colde

Wo?mn[an]es counsaile brou^t1 vs first1 to woo

And made Adam from paradys to goo .

Ther he was ful mery an wel at ese

But for I note whom I my^t displese

If I counsaile of womrnen wold blame

Passe ouere for I seide it1 in my game

Eede awters wher f ei trete of such matere

And what1 f ei seyne of wo?wmen here

Thise bene f e cokkes wordes and not myne

I can no harme of no womman devyne

ffaire in f e sonde to bath hur merely

lith pertelote and al hure susters bye

A^einst1 ]?e sonne and chauntelere so fre

Songe meryer ]?an fe meermaiden in Jje See

ifor phisialogus saij) witterly

How fat1 fei syngen wel and merely

And so byfelle as he cast1 his ye

Amonges fe wortes vppon a botterflie

He was war of this fox fat1 lay ful lowe

No finge ne lust1 hyra fan for to crowe

But1 cries anon cok1 cok1 and vp he sterte

As a man fat1 was affraied in his herte

ffor naturelly a beest1 desiref to flee

ffro his contrarie if he may it See

Jpou^e he neuer had seye it1 erst vritJi his ye

This chauntelere whan he hyw gan aspie

PETWORTH 586 (6-T. 29o)

SIX-TEXT 296

GROUP B, § 14. NISN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

He wold haue fledde but1 pat1 pe fox anon

Saide gentile sir* alias what1 hast pou don

Bene 36 affraied of me fat1 am ^oure frende

Certes sir* pan ben 30 vnhende 4476

If I to 3011 wil harme or vilanye

I am not1 come 3our> counsaile to aspie

But1 trewly pe cause of my comynge

was oonly to harken how pat1 30 singe 4480

ffor trewly 30 han as mery a steuen

As aungel ha]) pat1 is in heuen

Ther-with 36 han in musike more felinge

pan had boys or eny fat1 can synge 4484

My lorde 3our> fadere god his saule blisse

And eke 3oure modere and hur* gentilnesse

Han in myn hous bene to 3ou grete ese

And Certes siij ri^f fain wold' I 3ou plese 4488

But1 for men speken of syngynge I wil seye

So mot1 1 brouke myn eien tweye

Sauf 30 I ne herd! neuer man so synge

As did 3oure fader in pe mornynge 4492

Certes it1 was of hert1 al pat1 he songe

And forto make his vois pe more stronge

He wold so peyn hym pat wij? both his yen

He most1 wynke so loude he did crien 4496

And stonden on his typtoon perwijml'

And strecche for]) his nek1 longe and small [leaf 205]

And eke he was of such discrecion

That1 ]?er nas no man in no region 4500

That1 him in songe or wisdom n^t1 passe

I haue wel red daun Burn el J?er as

Amonge his vers per was a cok1

[That] ffor a preestes sone 3aue hym a knok1 4504

Ypon his legge whiles he was 3onge and nyce

He made hym forto lese his benefice

But1 certeyn per nys noon comparison

Bytwix pe wisdom and discrecion 4508

PETWORTH 587 (6-T. 206)

SIX-TEXT 297

GROUP B, § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Of 3oure fadere and of his subtilite

Now syngef sir* for seinf charite

Lat1 see conne 30 ^oure fadere countrefete

This Chauntelere his wenges gan to bete 4512

As man fat1 coude nat1 his treson aspie

So was he rauessed wij) his flaterye

Alias 36 lordes mony a fals flatour

Is in 3our court1 and mony a losengour* 4516

That1 plesen 3011 more by my feif

That1 he fat1 sof fastnesse vnto 30" seif .

Rede]> Ecclesiastre of flaterye

Bef ware 36 lordes of her trecherye 4520

This Chaunteclere stood high vpon his toos

Strecchinge his nek and held his eien cloos

And gan to crowe loude for f e nones

And daun Russel sterf vp al at1 ones 4524

And by f e Gargaige hent1 Chaunteclere

And on his bak toward4 the wood hy??^ bere

ffor 3itt was ther no man hym swed

0 Destany fat1 maisfr not1 bene eschewed 4528

Alias fat1 chaunteclere fel fro f e bemes

Alias his wif ne ro^t1 not1 of dremes

And on a friday felle all fis meschaunce

0 Yenus fat1 art1 goddes of plesaunce 4532

Sif ens fat1 f i seru.aun.te was f is chaunteclere

And in f i seruise did al his powere

More for delit1 fan f e world' to multiplie

Wlii woldest1 f ou sufFre on f i day to dye [leaf 265, back]

0 Gaufrede dere maistere souereyn 4537

J^at1 whan f e worf i kinge Richard' was sclayn

Wif shot1 compleyndest1 his def so sore

"Whi ne had I nowe fi sentence and fi lore 4510

J)e ffriday forto chide as did 36

ffor on a friday shortely sclayne was he

}?an wolde I shewe howe fat1 I coude playne

ffor chaunteclere and for his peyne 4544

PETWOUTII 588 (6-T. 297)

SIX-TEXT 298

GROUP B. § 14, NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

Certus such" crye ne lamentacion

was of ladies made whan pat1 Ilyon

Was wonne . and pirrus with his street1 swerd!

Whan he hent1 king1 Prian by pe beerd! 4548

And sclayn hym as seide Enneidos

As maden all pe hennes in pe cloos

Whan pei had seie of chaunteclere pe si^f

But1 souereyn dame pertelote shi^tt 4552

wel lodder pan did Hasdrubaldes wif1

whan pat1 her husbonde had lost1 his lif1

And pat1 pe romaynes had brent1 Cartage

She was so ful of torment1 and of Eage 4556

That1 wilfully into pe fire she stert1

And brent1 her self wip a stedfast1 herfr

O wooful hennys ri^t1 so mden ^e

As whan pat1 Nero brent1 pe Cite 45 GO

Of Rome criden pe Cenatowrs wyues

ffor pat1 her husbondes shulden lese her lyues

wip-outen Gilt1 [pis] Nero hap hem sclayn

Now wil I turne to my tale a3ein 45 G 4

This sely widowe and hure dorters two

Herden pe hennys crien and make woo

And out1 atte door sterten pei anoon

And segh pe fox toward' pe groue goon 4568

And bare on his bak pe Cok away

They criden out1 and harawe and welaway

A ha pe fox and after* hym pei ran

And eke wip staues mony an ope?* man 4572

Ran CoH our dogge . talbot and Garlonde

And Malkyn wip her dystaf in hure honde [leaf 26C]

Ran cowe and calf and eke the verrey hogges

Sore afferd? for berking1 of dogges 4576

And shetinge of men and wommen eke

pei ronne so peire hertes pei po^t1 to breke

pei ^elden as feendes don in helle

The dogges criden as men wold! hem quelle 4580

PETWOHTII 589 (6-T. 298)

SIX-TEXT 299

GROUP B. § 14, NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Out1 of the hyues come fe swarme of bees The gees for fere flowen in J?e trees So hidous was the noise .0 benedicite Certos he lak1 strawe and his mayne 4584

Ne made neuer showtes half so shrille whan pat1 Jjei wolde eny nemwyng kille As J?att ilk1 day was made vpon J>e fox Of bras j?ei brou^t1 bemes and of box 4588

Of horn and boon in which J?ei pouped And j?erwi]jal )?ei schrited and showted . It semed as pat1 heuene shulde falle

Now good I prey 3011 harkenej? alle 4592

Lo how fortune turnej? sodeynly The hope and eke pride of her envie This cok/ pat1 lay vppon the fox bak* In al his drede vnto J>e fox spak1 4596

And saide Sire if I were as 30 3if shuld I say as wis god helpe me Turne a3eine 36 proude cherles alle

A verrey pestilence vppon 3ou falle 4600

Nowe am I come vnto J>is wodys side Maugre 3oure hede J?e cok shal here abide I wol hym ete in fei]? and jmf anon

The fox answerde in fai]> it1 shal be don 4604

And [as] he spak1 J>at worde al sodeynly This Cok1 brak from his mouj? delyuerly And high vppon a tree he negh anon And whan J?e fox segh fat1 he was gon 4608

Alias quod he 0 chauntelere alias I haue quod he done to 3011 trespas In as moch as I made 3ou afercfe

Whan I 3ou hent1 and bro^tt out1 of ]?e 3erde peaf 266, back] But1 sire I did it1 not1 in no wicked entenf 4613

CommeJ) doune and I shal telle 3ou what1 1 rnenf I shal saie so]? god helpe me soo

Nay pan quod he I schrewe vs boj? twoo 4616

PETWOETH 690 (6-T. 299)

STX-TEXT 300

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Petworth MS.

And first1 I schrewe my self bo]? blood and bones

3if J>ou bigile me ofter J?an ones

Thow shalt1 no more wij> }?i flaterie

Do me swynk1 and wink1 wij? myn ye 4620

ffor he fat1 wynket1 whan he shuld see

As wisly god lat1 hym neuer ]?ee

Nay quod ]?e fox god $eue hym meschaunce

That1 is so vndiscrete of gouernawnce 4624

That1 langelej) whan he shuld haue pees

Loo such is forto be rechelees

And necligent1 and trustej) on flaterie

But1 36 fat1 holden jjis foly 4628

As of a Cok1 of a fox and of an henne

Take]? j?e Moralite good men*

ffor seint1 poule sei]? al fat1 writen is

To our doctrine it1 is writen ywis / 4632

Take]? ]?e fruyte and lat1 ]?e chaf be stille

Nowe good god if it1 be J?i wille

As sei]? my lorde so make vs all good men

And bringe vs al to his blisse Amen. 4636

Thus endej? J?e preestes tale

PETWORTH 691 (6-T. 300)-

GKOUP H, FEAGMENT IX.

§ 1, THE MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. PETWORTH MS.

And f US Ion leafZK, back]

bygynnes ]>e manciples tale .

"Etc 30 not1 where stonf a litel toune IF The prolog^/

Which pat1 is cleped bob vp and doune Vnder pe blee in Caunterbery waye

Ther gan our hooste to lape and playe 4

And saide Sirres donne is in pe myre

Is per no man for preiere ne for hyre

That1 wil awake our felawe behinde

A theef nry^t1 hym robbe and bynde ' 8

Se howe he nappep for goddys bones .

Awaite he wil falle from his hors at1 ones

This is a coke of london wip meschaunce

Do hym come forp he knowep his penawnce [leaf 207] 12

ifor he shal telle a tale be my fay

Al pou3e it1 be nat1 worth a botel of hay

Awake pou coke god 3eue pe Sorowe

What1 ailejj pe to slepe so by pe morowe; 16

Hast1 pou had fleen to ny3t1 or pou art1 dronke

Or hast1 pou al nj^V wip som queue yswonke '

So pat1 pou maist1 not1 holde vp pine hede

This Coke pat1 was [ful] pale and no ping* rede 20

Saide to oure hooste so god me blesse

As per is holden on me such heuynesse

That I not1 wheder me were leuer sclepe

Than pe best1 Galon wyne in chepe 24

PETWOBTH 692 (6-T. 676)

SIX-TEXT 577

GROUP H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Petworth MS.

wel quod jje manciple it1 wil done ese 25

To J>e Sir1 Coke and to no wi$ti rnysplese

whiche fat* riden in J>is company

fat1 soo our hoost1 wil of his curtesy 28

I wil as nowe excuse )>e of J?i tale

ffor in good fay J?i visage is xijti pale

J?ine eyen dasen as me J>enke]>

And wel I woot1 J?i breth sore sty like J> 3£

That1 shewejj Jjou nart not* wel disposed .

Of me certaine fou shalt1 not1 bene glosed .

See howe he goleth ))is dronken wi3^

As J>owe he wolde swoune anon ri3f 36

Hold cloos ]>i moufe man by ]?i fader kyii

The deuel of helle sette his foote J?erln .

Thy cursed breeth wil affecte vs alle

ffy stynkinge hogge foule mot1 ]?e byfalle 40

Now take]) hede sirs of )>is lusty man

Now swete sir wil ye lust1 at1 fe fan

Therto me J>enke]> 36 be wel yshape

H I trowe 36 han dronken wyne grape 44

And fat is whan men pley with a strawe

And wij) Jjis speche J?e coke wex al wrawe

[And on the Maunciple . gan to nodde fast1 25/ aS] 1? D 15'

ffor lak1 of1 speche . and downe the hors hym cast1 48

Where as he lay til that1 men hym vptoke

This was a faire cheuache . of1 a cooke

Alias that1 he nad . hold? hym bi his ladiH/

And or that1 he ageyn . were in his sadiH] 52

Ther was grete schovuyng1 to and froo

To lift1 hym up and mykel care and woo

So vnweldy was Jns appalled goost1

And to J?e manciple fan speke our hoost1 Deaf 267, back] 56

By cause drink1 ha]> Dominacion

Vppon Jjis man by my sauacion

I trowe he wolde lewdely telle his tale

ffor were it1 wyne or ellis moyst1 ale 60

PETWORTH 593 (6-T. 577)

SIX-TEXT 578

GROUP H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD LINK. Petworth MS.

That1 he haf dronken he spekef in his nose Cl

And galpef fast1 and eke he ha]) f e pose He haf also to doo more fan ynogn"

To kepe hym and his capel out1 of fe scloi^gn" 64

And if he falle fro his capel eft1 sone Than shal we alle haue ynogn" to done In liftinge vp of his heuy corps

Telle on f i tale of hym make I no force 68

But1 nowe Maunciple in feif f ou art1 to nyce Thus openly to repreue hym of his vice Anof er day he wil perauenture

Recleyme fe and bringe fe to lure 72

I mene he speke wold of smale f ingges As forto pynchen at1 f i rekenyngges That1 were not1 honest1 ^if it come to preef1 Nowe quod the maunciple fat1 were a gret1 mescheef 76 So myjt1 he bringe me in f e snare ^it1 had I leuer paien for f e mare Which he rit1 vpon fan he shuld? wz't/i me strive I wil not1 wref hym as mot1 1 f rive 80

what1 fat1 1 spak I saide it1 in my bourde And wote 36 what1 I haue here in a gourde A drau^t1 of wyne 36 of a ripe grape

And ri^t1 anoon 30 shul se a good Tape 84

This Coke shal drynk1 f erof $if fat I may Vp peyne of def he wil nat1 say me nay And certeynly to tellen as it was

Of f is vessel f e Coke dronk1 fast1 alas 88

What1 nedef hit1 he dronk1 ynou3e to-forn And whan he had poped in his horn To f e Manciple he toke f e gourde ageyn And of fat1 drinke f e Coke was wonder feyn 92

And f onked hym in such wise as he coude Than gan oure hoost1 to laughen wondere loude [ieaf26S] And saide I see wel it1 is necessarie

Where fat1 we goon good drink* wif vs to carie 96

PETWORTH 594 (6-T. 678)

SIX-TEXT 579

GROUP H, § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Petworth MS.

ffor J?afr wil turne rancour and dissese 97

To pees and loue and mony a wronge to sese

0 Bachus blessed be J>i name

That1 so can turne ernesfr into game 100

Worship and ponk1 be vnto J?e

flbr of Jjis matere 30 gete no more of me

Telle on jjou manciple I ]?e pray

"VVel sir* quod he now herkenej? what1 1 say 104

*ff Thus endef ]?e prologe of J>e Manciple

PETWOIITH 695 (6-T. 579)

SIX-TEXT 580

GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

If The Tale. f[. And here bygynnej* J>e manciple his tale [»« zea/268]

WHan Phebus dwelt1 here in Jjis er]?e adown 105 As olde bokes maken menciown He was ]?e most1 lusty bachilere

Of al )>is world and eke J>e best1 archere 108

He sclougfi Phiton J?e serpent1 as he lay Scleping1 a3einst1 J>e sonne vpon a day fc

And mony a nofer worjji noble dede He wij) his bowe wrou^t1 as men may rede 112

Pleien he coude on euery mynstralcie And syngen pat1 if was a melodye To harken of his cleere voys j?e soun

Certes jje kynge of Thebes Amphioun 116

That1 wi]> hys syngging1 walled Jjafr cite Coude neuere synge half so wel as he Therto he was fe semeliestt man

That1 is or was si]) }>e world' bygan . ' 120

What* nedef if is fetures to discrive ffor in ]>is worlct was noon so faire alyue He was J>er-with fulfilled of gentilnesse Of honure and of parfif wor]?inesse 124

This Phebus Jjaf was flour* of bachelerie As wel in fredom as in Chiualrie ffor disport1 and in signe eke of victorie Of Pheton so as tellej) vs pe storie 128

was wont1 to beren in his honde a bowe Now haf j)is Phebus in his hows a crowe [leaf 268]

"Which in a Cage he fostred mony a day And tau3f it1 to speke as men doon a laye 132

PETWORTH 696 (6-T. 580)

SIX-TEXT 581

GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

White was fis crowe as is a white swan 133

And countrefeted f e speche of euery man

He cowde whan he slmld? telle a tale

Ther-wif in al fis londe \er nys no ny^tyngale 136

That1 cowde by an hundred thousan dele

Synge so mery and eke so wel

Now had fis phebus in his hous a wif

Which fat* he loued more fan his owne lif1 1 40

And nyght1 and day did euer diligence

Her for to plese and done reuerence

Sauf oonly ^if I f e so]? shal sayn

lalous he was and wold haue kept1 hure fay a 144

ffor hym were lof e liaped forto be

And so euery man wold? in such degre

But1 al for na^fr for it1 availef ILO}#

A good wif fat1 is clene of werk and f 03^ 1 48

Shuld not be kepte in noon awaite certeyn

And trewly f e labour1 is in veyn

To kepe a schrewe for it1 wil not1 be

This hold I for a verrey nycete 152

To spille labour forto kepe wyues

Thus writen olde clerkes in her lyues

But1 no we to pwrpos as I first1 bygan •

This worfi phebus doof al fat1 he can/ 156

To plesen hure wenyng1 by such plesaunce

And for his manhode and his gouernczwnce

That1 no man shuld haue put1 hym from hir1 grace

But1 god it1 wote J?er may no man enbrace 1 60

As to destroie a J>inge which fat1 nature

HaJ> naturelly sette in a creature

Take eny bridde and put1 it1 in a cage

And doo al fine entent1 and fi corage 164

To fostere it1 tenderly wif mete and drink1

Of alle deyntise fat1 f ou canst1 by-f enk1

And kepe it1 also clenly as he may

Al fou3e his Cage of gold be neuer so gay [leaf aco] 168

PETWOltTH 597 (6-T. 58l)

SIX-TEXT 582

GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

3i f haf fis Ibrid by twenty fousand fold! 169

Leuer in a forest1 fat1 is wilde and cold?

Goon ete wormes and suche wrecchednesse

ffor euer fis bridde wol doon his bysynes 172

To escape out1 of his cage if he may

His liberte f e bridde desire]? ay

Lat1 take a cat* and fostre hym wel wiih mylk*

And tendere flesshe and make his couche of silk1 176

And lat1 hym seen a mous goo by f e watt

And anoon he wayueth mylk1 flessh and all

And euery deynte fat1 is in f e hous

Suche appetit1 haf he to ete a mous 180

Lo here haf lust1 his domynacion

And appetit1 flemef discrecion

As f e wolf haf also a vileyns kynde

The lewdest1 wolf fat1 she may fynde 184

Or leest1 of reputacion fat1 wil she take

In tyme whan hur lust1 to haue a make

Alle f ise e'nsamples speke I. by f ise men

That1 beiie vntrewe and no fing1 by wowraien 188

ffor men han euer a likerous appetit1

On lower f ing1 to performe her delite

Than on her wyues bene f ei neuere so fa ire

ISTe neuere so trewe ne so debonaire 192

fflesshe is so newefongel wif meschaunce

That1 we ne konne no f inge han plesaunce

That1 sownef in vertue eny while

This Phebus which fat1 fou^t1 vpon no gile 196

Deceyued was for al his lolite

ffor vnder hym anof er had she

A man of litel reputacion

Not1 worf to phebus in comparison 200

The more harme is it1 happef oft1 soo

Of whoch f er commeth mochel harme and woo

And so byfelle whan phebus was absent1

His wif anoon haf for her lewman sent1 204

PETWORTH 598 (6-T. 58li)

SIX-TEXT 583

GROUP H, § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Here lemman certes fis is a knauyssh speche 205

ffor^euef it1 me and fat1 1 3011 biseclie [leaf 269, back]

The wise Plato seif as 36 may 1rede pjirst here rede]

jje Word1 mot1 nedes accorde wif f e dede 208

3 if men shal telle proprely a f inge

The worde mot1 Cosyn be to f e worldnge

I am a boistous man ri^t1 f us say I

Ther nys no difference trewly 212

Bitwix a wif fat1 is of hie degre

3if of her body dishonest1 she be

And a poor wench e ofer fan fis

3if it1 so be fei wirk bo]) amys 216

But1 pat1 f e gentile is in state aboue

She shal be cleped his lady as in loue

And for fat1 o])er is a poor womrnan

She shal be cleped his wench and his lemman . 220

And god it1 woote myn owne der broker

Men sayn fat1 oon lith as lowe as dof fat1 ofer

Ri^t1 so bitwix a titles tyraunt1

And an houlaw2 and a feef errauwt1 c^orhoniaw] 224

The same I say fer nys no difference

To Alisaunder was tolde fat1 sentence

That1 for f e tyraunt1 is of grete?*e my^t1

By force of mayne for sclen dozm ri^t1 228

And brennen hous and home and make al playn

Lo f erf ore is cleped a Capitayn

And for f e outlaw haf but1 smal mayne

And may not doon so grete an harme as he 232

Ne bringe a centre to so grete meschief1

Men clepen hym an outlay or a f eef1

But1 for I am a man not1 text1 wel

I wil not1 telle of Titus neuer a dele 236

I wil go to my tale as I byganne

Whan phebus [wif] had sent1 for her lewzinaii

Anoon f ei wrou^ten al her lust1 volage

This white crowe fat1 henge ay in fe cage 240

PETWORTH 599 (6-T. 583)

SIX-TEXT 584

GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Bihelde her werk1 and saide neuer a wort? 241

And whan jjat1 home was come Phebus J>e lor<J

pis crowe songe Cokkow . cokkow . Cukkowe

What1 brid quod phebus what* songe singestt thowe [leaf 270]

Ne were J>ou wonte so merely to synge

That* to myn hertt it1 was a reioysinge

To here ]>i vois alias what1 songe is Jjis

By god quod he I synge natt a mys 248

Phebus quod he for al Jn worjjinesse

ffor al Jri bewte and fi gentilnesse

ffor al J>i songe and al Jri mynstralcye

ffor al Jri waytinge blered is fine ye 252

WiJ> oon of litel reputacion

Nou^tt worf to J?e as in comparison

The rnountaunce of a gnatte so mote I thryue

ffor on Jri bed Jri wiff1 1 segR hym swyve 256

"What1 wil }e more J?e crawe anoon hym tolde

By sad tokens and by wordes bolde

How J>af his wif1 had doon her leccherie

Hym to grete shame and to grefr vilenye 260

And tolde hym off he segh if wij) his eyen

This Phebus gan awaiward! forto wryen ./

Hym fou^t1 his sorowful hertf brast1 atwoo

His bowe he bent1 and sette J>er-Inne a floe 264

And in his Ire haj) he his wif sclayii

This is jjeffecte ]?er nys no more to sayn

ifor sorowe of which he brak1 his mynstralcie

Boj? harpe and lute . gitern • and sawtrie 268

And eke he brak1 his harowes and his bowe

And after J?af Jms speke he to j)e crowe

Traitour quod he wij> tunge of scorpion

Thou hast/ me brou^t1 to my confusion 272

Alias J>afr I was wrou3f why ner I dede

0 dere wiff o. gemme of lustihede

Jjaf were to me so sad and eke so trewe

Now liestt Jjou dede wij? face pale of hvve 276

PETWORTH 600 (6-T. 584)

SIX-TEXT 585

GROUP H, § 2, MANCIPLE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

fful giltles fat durst1 I swere ywis 277

0 Rakel hounde to doon so foule amys

0 trouble witte .0. yre rechelees

That1 vnavised smytestf giltlees 280

O wan-tresf ful of fals suspecion

AVher was fi witf and fi discrecion [leaf 270, back]

0 euery man be war of rechelesnesse

NQ trow.no finge wif-out1 strong1 witnesse 284

Smyte not1 to sone er f ow wit1 why

And be avised wel and soberly

Er ^e doon eny execution

Vppon ^oure Ire for suspecion • 288

Alias an Mi. folk1 han rakel yre

ifully fordoon or brou^t1 hem in f e myre

Alias for sorowe I wil my self scle

And to f e Crawe o* fals f eef saide he 292

1 wil f e qwite anoon f i fals tale Thow songe whilom like a ny^tyngale Now shalt1 f ou fals f eef f i songe forgone

Eke fi white fetheres euerechone 296

"N& neuer in al f i lif shalt1 f ou speke

Thus shal men on a traitour ben ywreke

Thowe and fine ospringe euer shul be blake

'NQ neuer swete noys shul 30 make 300

But1 euer crie a^einst1 tempest1 and reyne

In tokenynge fat1 f orgh f e my wif is scleyn)

And to f e crowe he stert1 and fat1 anone

And pulled his white fef eres euerechone 304

And made hym blak1 and raft hym al his songe

And eke his speche and out1 atte dore hym sclonge

Vnto f e deuel to whoom I hym bitake

And for f is caus bene al[le] crowes blake 308

Lordyngges by f is ensample I ^ou preie

U Bef war and takef kepe what1 fat1 ^e seie

Ne tellef neuer no man ^oure liff1

How fat1 anofer man haf di^t1 fi wiff 312

40 PETWORTH 601 (6-T. 080)

SIX-TEXT 586

GROUP H, § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

He wil $ou hate mortelly certayn 313

Dann Salomon as wise clerkes sayn

TecheJ) a man to kepe his tunge wel

But1 as I seide I am not1 text* wel 316

But1 najjelees J)us tau^t1 me my dame

My sone fenk1 on jje crowe a goddys name

My sone kepe wel J)i tunge and kepe Jn frende

A wicked tunge is wors pan a feende [leaf 271] 320

My sone from a feende men may hem blisse

My sone god of hise endelees goodnesse

Walled a tunge wij? tee]) and lippes eke

ifor man shuld hym avise what1 he speke 324

My sone ful oft1 for to mochel speche

Ha]> mony a man be spilt1 as clerkes teche

But1 for litel speche avisely

Is no man shent1 to speke generally 328

My sone pi tunge shuldest1 J?ou restreyn

Att1 al tyme but1 whan fou dost1 pi peyn

To speke of god in honure and preiere

The furst1 vertue sone }if pou wilt1 lere 332

Is to restreyne and kepe wel pi tonge

Thus lernen children whan ])ei bene ^onge

My sone of moche speking1 euel avised

Ther las&e speking1 had ynow suffised 336

Come]) moche harme }ms was me told4 and tau^t1

In mochel speche synne wantej) na^t1

Woost1 ])ou wherof a Rakel tunge seruep

Ei3t1 as a swerd* forkutte]) and for-keruetfc 340

An arme a tAVOo my dere sone ri^t1 soo

A tonge kitte]) frewdship al a twoo

A langlere is to god abhomynable

Eede Salomon so wise and honurable 344

Rede Dauid and his Psalmes . rede Senek1

My sone speke not1 but1 wiih Jn hede Jjou bek1

Dissimule as ])ou were deef if fat1 Jwu here

A langelere speke of parilous matere 348

PETWORTH 602 (6-T. 586)

SIX-TEXT 587

GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Petworth MS,

J?e fflemyng1 seij> and lerne if }if Jje list1 349

That1 litel langelinge cause]) mochl ryst

My sone jif jjou no wikked word hast* seide

The ther not* drede forto be bywreiede 352

But1 he J)afr haj) myssaide I dar wel sayfi

He may by no way clepe his word? agayn

Jnng< J>att is saide . is saide and for]) it1 go])

J)ou3e hym repent1 or be he neuer so loo]) 356

He is his pral to whom J)att he ha]j saide

A taile of which he is nowe euel a-payde [leaf 271, back]

My sone be war and be not* smiour newe

Of tydingges whedere J?ei be fals or trewe 360

Where so J>ou come amonges hie or lowe

Kepe wel ])i tunge and Jjenk1 vpon J>e crowe 362

^[ fus endef ])e prologe of fe manciple .

PETWORTH 603 (6-T. 587)

GKOFP I, FEAGMENT X.

§ 1. THE BLANK-PARSON LINK.

IThis is really a link between some unwritten Tale and the Parson's. It has be°n made into the Manciple-Parson Link (or Yeoman-Parson by the Christ-Church MS) by Chaucer's copiers, though not meant for it.]

PETWOBTH MS.

And here bygynne]) fe prologe of ]>e persone [on vz-i, ^3

BY fat1 j?e manciple had his tale ended 1

J>e sonne fro ]?e south' is descended . So lowe Jjat1 he was nau^t1 to my si^t1 Degrees nyne and twenti1 as of hight1 pi«r«ix] 4

Ten of ]?e clok it1 was so as I gesse ffor xj foote or litel more or lesse My shadowe was at1 Jnlke tyme as per Of suche fete as my lengths parted were 8

In sex foote equal of proporcion )jer-wijj J?e moones exaltacion I mene libra alway gan ascende

As we were entringe at1 a throppes ende 1 2

ffor wijj our hoost1 as he was wonf to gye As in Jns caas our loly companye Saide in ])is wise lordyngs euerechon

Xow lakkej? vs no tale more Jmt1 oon 1 0

ffulfilled is my sentence and my degre Who wil nowe telle a tale laf see Almost1 fulfilled is myn orclynemnce

I prei to god so }eue hym rijf good chrmnce 20

That1 tellej) J?is tale to vs lustely Sir* preest1 quod he art1 pou a vikarie Or art1 th-ou a persone sei J>e soj> by ]?i feye Ee what1 ]?ou be ne breke nat1 our pleye 24

PETWOllTH 604 (6-T. 589)

SIX-TEXT 590 GROUP I. § 1, BLANK-PARSON LINK. PetWOrth MS.

ffor euery man sauf J?ou haj> told his tale 25

Vnbocle and schewe what1 is in Jn male

ffor trewly me j?enkej? by Ju chere

Thow shuldest1 knet1 vp wel a grete matere 28

Telle vs a fable anoon for Cokkes bonys

This person answerd! al at1 onys

jpow getest1 fable noon ytold? for me

ffor Poule Jjat1 write jj vnto Timothe- [leaf 272] 32

Repreuen hem Jmt1 waiven soffastnesse

And tellen fables and such wrechednesse

Whi shuld I shewen draf out1 of my fest1

"Whan I may she we whete if fat1 me lesfr 36

ffor which I say if Jjat1 J>e lust* to here

Moralite and vertuous matere

And fan Jjat1 ^e wil 3eue me audience

I wil ful fayne at* cn'stes reuerence 40

Doon ^ou plesaunce leeful as I can

But1 trustejj wel I am a sojjeren man

I can not1 gestH . rum ram . ruf by letter*

ISTe god woote Ryme hold I but1 lite better* 44

And Jjerfore if }ou lust1 1 nyl nat1 glose

I wil }ou telle a mery tale in prose

To knytte vp al Jris feest1 and make an ende

And Ihesn for his grace wit1 me sende 48

To schew }ou J>e way in J>is viage

Of Jjilk1 parfite glorious pilgrimage

That1 hight1 leiusalem celestiaH

And if ^e vouchesauf anon }e shaHt 52

Bygynne vpon my tale for which I prey

Telle 3our) avis I can no better seye

But1 najjelees pis meditacion

I putt1 aye vnder correccion 5G

Of clerkes for I am not1 texfweH

I take but1 j?e sentence trustej) weH

Therfore I make protestacion

That1 1 wil stonde to correccion GO

PETWORTH 6C5 (6-T. 590)

SIX-TEXT 591 GROUP I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK. PetWOrth MS.

Vpon fis woord we ban assented sone 61

ffor as it1 semed if was forto done

To enden in som vertuous sentence

And forto $eue hyra space and audience 64

And bad our boost1 he shulde to hyra seie

fat1 alle we to telle his taile hym preye

Our* hoosf had f e wordes for vs alle

Sir* preest1 quod he now faire mot* $ou byfalle 68

Say what* $ou lust* and we shullen gladly here

And wijj fat1 word? he saide in fis manere peaf 272, back]

Telle]) quod he 3oure meditaciown

But1 haste]) $ou fe sonne wil a-down 72

Beef fructuous and fat1 in litel space

And to do wel god sende }ou his grace . 74

1f Thus endefc fee prologe of f e persons tale

PETWORTH 606 (6-T. 591)

592 SIX-TEXT

CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PART I.

THE PARSON'S TALE.

A TREATISE ON PENITENCE, IN 3 PARTS : Part I. On Penitence, and its 1st requisite Contrition (A) (p.

593-612).

Part II. On its 2nd requisite, Confession (B) (p. 612—679). , Part III. On its 3rd requisite, Satisfaction (C) (p. 679—684), with the Writer's Leave-taking and Retractations (p. 684-85).

[ii. iii.

PART I. (p. 593—612).

ON PENITENCE, AND ITS IST REQUISITE, CONTRITION. Proem on Jeremiah vi. 16. The Tale is to be on Penitence as a full noble way to lead folk to Christ, and is to treat of i. * what is Penitence ' (p. 594) . ii. ' whennes it is cleped Penitence '. [not in the Tale.] iii. ' in how manye maneres been the acciowns or werkynges of

Penitence r (p. 594-5).

iv. ' how many speces ther been of Penitence ' (p. 595). v. ' whiche thynges apertenen and bihouen to Penitence' (p. 595 —

682 : nearly all Parts I and III, and all Part II). vi. 'whiche thynges destourbera Penitence' (at end of Part III,

p. 682) (p. 593).

i. Penitence defined, by a. St Ambrose ; b. ' som doctour ' ; c. the writer. Its requisites : 1. bewailing of sins ; 2. purpose to have shrift, to do satisfaction, never to sin again, to continue in good works (p. 594). i. not given.]

i. The 3 actions of Penitence : 1. Baptism after sin ; 2. not to do deadly sin after baptism ; 3. not thus to do venial sin (p. 594-95). iv. The 3 speces or kinds of Penitence : 1. Solemn (to be put out of church, or do open penance) ; 2. Common (to go naked on pil- grimage) ; 3. Private (p. 595). v. The 3 necessities or requisites for Penitence (p. 596—682) :

A. Contrition of heart (p. 596—612).

B. Confession of mouth (Part II, p. 612—679).

C. Satisfaction (Part III, p. 679—682).

Penitence avails against 3 things, by which we wrath Christ (p. 595). A. Contrition is the root of Penitence, whose stem bears branches

and leaves of Confession, and fruit of Satisfaction. Contrition also bears a seed of grace, whose heat draws men to

God. (Simile of the child and his nurse's milk.) Penance is the tree of life (p. 596). Four Points to be known about Contrition :

1. What it is ; 2. the causes that move a man to it ; 3. how to

be contrite; 4. what it avails the soul (p. 597). 2. The 6 Causes that should move a man to Contrition :

a. Remembrance of Sins (p. 597-8).

b. Whoso does sin is the Thrall of Sin (p. 598-99).

c. Dread of the Day of Doom and the Pains of Hell (p. 599—604). These described: the Doom (p. 599-600); Job's 'lond of

mysese and of derknesse' (p. 600-1) ; the 3 shames hi hell against (1) ' Honours, (2) delices, and (3) richesses' (p. 611) ; poverty in 4 things : no treasure, food, clothing, or friends (p. 602) ; and no delights of the 5 senses. The pain shall be eternal (p. 603). Hefl is orderless (p. 603-4). The 7 causes why the damnd have lost all hope (p. 604).

d. Remembrance of the good works we've left undone, and the

loss of the good works done while we were in sin (p. 604-6). Deadly sin wipes out all good works formerly done (p. 605) ; and no good works can be done hi deadly sin (p. 605-6). The new French song, J'ai tout perdu mon temps (also quoted in Chaucer's late poem of Fortune), 41 (FOR PET WORTH GOT)

592 SIX-TEXT

CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PAKT II.

e. Remembrance of Christ's suffering for our sins (p. 606). In man's sin. every ordinance is turnd up-so-down (p. 607). For this disorder Christ sufferd (p. 608).

/. The hope of 3 things : 1. Forgiveness of Sins, 2. the Gift of Grace to do well, 3. the Glory of Heaven (p. 609).

3. How to be contrite. Contrition must be universal and total :

for sins of thought, for desires against God's law, for wicked words as well as wicked deeds (p. 610). Contrition must be angwishous and continual (p. 609-11).

4. How Contrition helps the soul. It sometimes delivers a man

from sin ; destroys the prison of hell ; cleanses the soul ; changes the son of Wrath to the son of Grace (p. 611-12).

PAET II (no. V. continued).

B. CONFESSION (THE 2ND REQUISITE FOR PENITENCE)

(p. 612—679). B. Confession. § 1. (1. 317) 'what is confession7 (p. 612).

§ 2. ' wheither it oghte nedes be doon or noon ; (p. 672-9). § 3. 'whiche thynges been couenable to vmray Confession7 (p. 674-79).

CONFESSION, § 1.

1. 'Confession is verray shewynge of synnes to the preest*

(1. 318) (p. 612). We must understand too

a. (1. 321) * whennes that synnes spryngen ' (p. 612 — 15).

b. 'how they encreessen' (p. 615-16; 672-74).

c. 'whiche they been' (p. 616—672).

l.o. Sin sprang from the fall of Adam (p. 612). The legend of Adam and Eve told (p. 613). From Adam we took Original Sin, and were born sons of eternal damnation ; but Baptism rescues us ; though we keep liability to temptation, or Con- cupiscence (p. 613-14). Concupiscence, or the nourishing and occasion of sin. St Paul

and St Jerome's temptations (p. 614-15).

1.6. How Sin grows in a man. 1. by Concupiscence; 2. Subjec- tion to the Devil; 3. Hesitation; 4. Doing, the Sin be- coming Actual (p. 615-16). I.e. Sin is a. venial, ft. deadly (or mortal).

a. l. Venial Sin denned. It skips into Deadly Sin. (Simile of the drops of water into a vessel's hold drowning the ship ;) (p. 616). j3. 1. Deadly Sin denned (p. 617).

a. 2. Of divers small venial sins, hardly thought sins (p. 617- 18) ; eating, drinking, talking, too much ; using your wife too much ; not visiting tne sick (p. 617) ; talking vanities at church, &c. (p. 618). Cure of venial sins by love to Christ, prayer, confession, good works, re- ceiving the Sacrament, holy- water, &c. (p. 618). I.e. (B. 2. The Seven Deadly Sins. The Chieftains, head and

spring, of all other Sins (p. 619). i. Pride (p. 619-26), and its Remedy (p. 626-8). ii. Envy (p. 628-30), and its Remedy (p. 630-1). iii. Ire or Anger (p. 631-42), and its Remedy (p. 642-5). iv. Accidie or Sloth (Discontent, Ennui) (p. 645-49), and

its Remedy (p. 650-1). v. Avarice or Covetousness (p. 651-7), and its Remedy

(p. 657-8).

vi. Gluttony (p. 658-9), and its Remedy (p. 660). vii. Lechery (p. 660-8), and its Remedy (p. 668-72). i. PRIDE (p. 619—626). Its 16 (and more) Twigs. 1. Disobedience,

2. Boasting, 3. Hypocrisy, 4. Despite, 5. Arrogance (p. 619), 6. Impudence, 7. Swelling of Heart (rejoicing in harm done), 8. Insolence, 9. Elation, 10. Impatience, 11, Contumacy, 12.

(FOR PETWORTH 607 a)

592 SIX-TEXT

CONTENTS OP PARSON'S TALE. PART II.

Presumption, 13. Irreverence, 14. Pertinacity, 15. Vain-glory, 16. Jangling (chattering). A private kind of pride (the Host's Wife's and Wife of Bath's1),

wanting to go to offering first, &c. (p. 620). Two kinds of Pride, a. ' within man's heart ', b. without ; b. being the sign of a., 'as the gaye leefsel atte Taverne is sign of the wyn that is in the Celer'2 (p. 620-21), b. outside pride. a. in dear clothing, 1. superfluity of it : its cost, furring, chisel- holes, dragging in the dung, waste of material (p. 621), un- fitness for giving to the poor : 2. scantness of it : showing men's privy members, and buttocks (like a she-ape's rump), and the former as half-flayd, in parti-colourd hose3. The 'outrageous array of Women' (p. 623). /?. in horses (p. 623), and vicious grooms to tend 'em; plate-

harness, &c. y. in household : keeping too many retainers or servants, who

oppress the poor (p. 624).

S. in table : not asking the poor to feasts ; having burning and ornamented dishes4; too costly cups, &c., and too choice minstrelsy (p. 624).

What Pride sins are deadly, and what venial (p. 624). The Sources of Pride (p. 624) : goods of Nature, Fortune, Grace (p. 624). The Folly of Pride in any of these goods of Nature : * we ben alle of o fader and of o mooder, and . . of o nature ' 5. The general signs of Gentleness. (The flies calld ' bees ', and their stingless king) (p. 625) ; 3 gifts of Grace ; 3 of Fortune. The brittleness of popular praise6 (p. 626). The Remedy against Pride.

Humility or Meekness, and its 3 kinds : in 1. heart, 2. mouth, 3. works. 4 kinds of each of these (p. 626-27).

ii. ENVY (p. 627-30) : denned by the Philosopher and St Augustine. It springs from Malice (p. 627).

Malice; 2 kinds of : 1. hardness of heart, or recklessness; 2. op- posing truth (p. 627).

The 2 kinds of Envy (p. 628) : 1. sorrow at other men's prosper- ity ; 2. joy at other men's narm : whence comes

Backbiting ; 5 kinds (p. 628) : 1. praise with a but at the end; 2. turning well-meant things upside down to ill ones ; 3. lessening a neighbour's goodness ; 4. putting one man above another; 5. glad listening to scandal (p. 628).

Grudging or murmuring (p. 628) : 1. against God (p. 629) ; 2. Murmuring from avarice, 3. from pride, 4. from envy ; 5. among Servants, who say 'the Devil's Paternoster 6. Murmuring from ire or hate : thence, a. Bitterness of Heart, b. Discord, c. Scorning; d. Accusing (p. 629) ; e. Malignity (p. 630). The Remedy against Envy (p. 630-31).

Love of God and one's neighbour. How a man shall love his neighbour. How an enemy is included in the name 'neigh-

(p. En

, 631). Love is the medicine that casts out the venom of

bour' (p. 630). 3 Remedies of Love, against 3 deeds of Hate

31). nvy from man's heart (p. 631).

iii. IRE or ANGER (p. 631-42), and its 2 kinds : a. good Ire or Wrath (p. 632) ; b. wicked Ire, and its 2 kinds : sudden ire, and ire of malice aforethought (p. 632-33).

Three Shrews that forge in the Devil's furnace: Pride, Envy, and Contumely (p. 633).

1 Melibe-Monk Link, B. § 11 ; and General Prologue, A.

2 Chaucer's father no doubt had a sign outside his wine-shop or tavern in Thames Street, London.

a The outspoken and somewhat coarse abuse of the new fashions in dress is a great change from Chaucer's admirable Third-Period chaff of the moral short-comings of the monks and friars, &c., in the Prologue and middle Tales. If thia is not change of man, it's change of mood.

* Chaucer must have seen plenty of these when he was page, valet, and squire.

5 Compare Chaucer's Gentleness, &c. 6 Compare Clerk's Tale, Part VI, st. 135.

(FOR PETWORTII G07 ?>)

SIX-TEXT 592 CONTENTS OP PARSON'S TALE. PART II.

Wrath takes away a man's wit and spiritual life (p. 634). Fruits of Wrath : 1. Hate. 2. War and wrong. 3. Manslaughter, a, spiritual ; b. bodily (p. 634).

a. The 3 kinds of spiritual Manslaughter (3, calld 6 in MSS. p. 634) : 1. by Hate. 2. by Backbiting. 3. Giving wicked Counsel, by Fraud (p. 634).

b. bodily Manslaughter: slaying with your tongue, giving orders or counsel to slay a man (p. 634).

Manslaughter in deed : its 4 (that is, 7) kinds (p. 635) : 1. by law : a Justice condemning a man to death ; 2. justifiable homicide, in defence of one's own life ; 3. by misadventure : shooting an arrow, &c. ; 4. a woman overlying her child ; 5. a man making a woman barren by drinks, &c., killing the foetus within her, shedding his seed in the wrong place ; a woman killing the child in her womb ; 6. a woman killing her child (after birth) for shame ; 7. a man by lechery or blows killing a foetus.

(Sixteen) other sins coming from Ire or Anger.

1. blaming or despising God, as hazarders do (Cp. Pardoner's

Tale) (p. 635) ; and those who treat of the Sacrament of the altar irreverently (p. 636).

2. Attry anger : making angry false excuses for sin.

3. Swearing, which dismembers Christ (p. 636).

a. Of lawful Swearing, before a Judge : its 3 conditions, and its motives ; b. God's name and Christ's, not to be taken in vain (p. 637) ; c. swearing for gentility or manliness (p. 638) ; d. swearing suddenly; e. of Adjuration and Conjuration by enchanters and necromancers ; /. of Divination by Dreams, &c. ; g. of Charms for Wounds and Maladies (p. 638).

4. Lving (p. 638), and its 6 kinds.

5. Flattering. How Flatterers are the Devil's Nurses, his

Enchanters and Chaplains (p. 639).

6. Cursing that conies of irous heart : Malison.

7. Chiding and Reproach (p. 640); (specially a chiding wife1)

(p. 640-41).

8. Scorning (p. 641).

9. Giving wicked Counsel

(p. 641).

10. Sowing and making Dis-

cord (p. 642).

11. Double tongue (p. 642).

12. Betraying of Counsel (p.

642).

13. Menace.

14. Idle words.

15. Jangling (chattering) (p. 642)

16. Japing (joking) (p. 642-43).

The Remedy against Anger (p. 643-5). Debonairtee and Patience (p. 643). Four kinds of grievances, and their remedies : 1. wicked words, 2. loss of goods, 3. harm of body, 4. outrageous labour (p. 644).

Incentives to Patience. Story of the Philosopher and Child (p. 644-45). Obedience comes from Patience (p. 645).

iv. ACCIDIE, or SLOTH (Discontent, Ennui) (p. 645-49), is an enemy to the 3 states of man, — 1. innocence (p. 645), 2. prayer (p. 646), 3. grace ;— and to one's livelihood. Its 12 bad consequences (p. 646) : 1. Sloth (and its remedy) ; 2. Dread to begin good works (p. 646) ; 3. Wanhope, or Despair (and its Remedy) (p. 647) ; 4. Somnolence (p. 648), and 5. Negligence, or 6. Recklessness, and the Remedy for each; 7. Idleness; 8. Tarditas, or tarrying before turning to God (p. 649); 9. Lachesse, or giving up a good work begun ; 10. Coldness; 11. Undevotion; 12. Worldly sorrow (p. 649).

The Remedy against Accidie (p. 650-51) : Fortitude or Strength, and its 5 kinds. 1. Magnanimity2 or great Courage; 2. Faith or Hope; 3. Assurance; 4. Magnificence; 5. Constancy (p. 651).

1 Does Chaucer here refer to his former wife ?

2 Miswritten ' Magnificence ' in Ellesmere and Lansdowne MSS.

(FOR PETWORTH 608)

SIX-TEXT 592 CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PART II.

v. AVARICE (p. 651-57). The difference between Avarice and Coyet- ousuess (p. 651) ; and between an Idolater and an avaricious man (p. 652). Of Covetousuess, and lords' extortion from their bondmen : "humble folk been Cristes freendes" (p. 652-53). The Duty of lords to* heir thralls or churls. Of those that pillage Holy Church (p. 653-54) ; lords who plunder the poor are like wolves (p. 654). Of Deceit between Merchant and Merchant (p. 654). Of honest bodily Merchandise (the surplus of one country may be sent to help another) (p. 654). Of spiritual Merchandise, or Simony, and its 2 kinds (p. 655), — thieves that steal Christ's souls get livings (p. 655-56) ; — Hasardry or Games of Chance (p. 656). Other outcomes of Avarice (p. 656) : 1. Lying, 2. Theft (bodily and spiritual) (p. 656-57), 3. False Witnes^ 4. False Oaths (p. 657).

The Remedy against Avarice (p. 657) : Mercy and Pity, and reason- able Liberality (p. 658). Of foolish largess (p. 658).

vi. GLUTTONY (p. 658-59), and its 5 kinds (p. 659) : 1. Drunkenness, or the burial of man's reason ; 2. a troubled spirit ; 3. bad way of eating ; 4. distemperd bodily humours ; 5. f orgetfulness. Or, as St Gregory says, 1. eating too soon ; 2. eating too delicate food ; 3. taking too much ; 4. troubling too much about cooking food ; 5. eating greedily : these are the 5 fingers of the devil's hand (p. 659).

The Remedy against Gluttony (p. 660) : Abstinence, and its fellows. Temperance, Shame, Content with plain food, Moderation, So- berness, Sparing (p. 660).

vii. LECHERY (p. 660). Its punishment in the Old Testament (p.

660). Adultery, and the desire of it (p. 661-62). The 5 fingers of the Devil's other hand (p. 662) ; 1. foolish look- ing ; 2. villainous touching ; 3. foul words ; 4. kissing (old do- tards, and dry dogs at a rose-tree (p. 662) ; and how a man should love his wife) ; 5. the stinking deed of lechery (p. 663). Its kinds : 1. Fornication. Taking a maid's maidenhead, or 100th fruit (p. 663). 2. Adultery, defined. 3. Harms following from it : a. breaking of faith ; 6. theft (of the wife's body from her hus- band (Joseph and Potiphar's wife), and of her soul from Christ) ; c. breaking God's commandment, and defouling Christ (p. 664). Of Harlots and Bawds (p. 665). Adultery is set between Theft and Manslaughter. More kinds of Adultery : 1. by Men bound by Religious Vows, &c. ; 2. those in Holy Orders (p. 665). Lecherous Priests are like a free Bull in a town, and they eat raw flesh of folk's wives and daughters (p. 666) ; 3. by man and wife copulating for pleasure only (p. 667) ; 4. copulation with kinsfolk, spiritual (or godchildren) or fleshly (blood relations). 5. the abominable unmentionable sin ; 6. Pollution, of 3 kinds : 1. too rank humours ; 2. weakness (p. 667) ; 3. evil thoughts (p. 668).

The Remedy for Lechery (p. 668) : I. Chastity and Continence.

1. in Marriage. (The true effect of Marriage. One husband to have one wife (p. 668). How a man should behave to his wife (p. 669). How the wife should be subject to her husband (p. 669), and be moderate in behaviour, discreet in words, &c. (p. 669-70). The 3 causes for which man and wife may copulate (p. 670) : a. begetting of children ; b. to pay the mutual debt of their bodies; c. to avoid lechery (p. 670). The 4th cause, pleasure, is deadly sin (p. 670-71).)

2. In Widowhood; 3. Virginity (p. 671).

II. Special avoidance of causes of lechery : #. eating and drink- ing ; long sleeping ; &. the person who'd tempt you (p. 671-72). (I wish I could tell you the Ten Commandments ; but it s too high doctrine (p. 672).) [End of Confession, § 1, c.]

Sin is in heart, mouth, deed, by the 5 Wits (p. 672). (FOR PETWORTH 608 a)

SIX-TEXT 592 CONTENTS OP PARSON'S TALE. PARTS II AND III.

$ 1.6. (see p. 615-16.) The 7 Circumstances that encrease or aggravate sins (p. 672). 1. the person who sins (male or female, &c.) ; 2. the land of sin (fornication or homicide) ; 3. the place it was committed in (as hi a church, by ajmest) (p. 673) ; 4. for what motive ; 5. the number of times it was committed ; 6. by what temptation ; 7. how it was committed ; and all other circumstances (p. 674).

CONFESSION, § 2, § 3 (p. 674-79). Profitable Confession, and its 4 (=. 3) Conditions (p. 674) :

1. sorrowful bitterness of heart (p. 674) ; its 5 signs : a. shame- fastness (like the Publican's) (p. 675) ; b. humility; c. fulness of tears (p. 675) ; d. no hesitation (like the Magdalen) for shame ; e. obedience to receive penance laid on you (p. 675).

2. speedy Confession (p. 676) ; its 4 Conditions : /. that it be well thought over ; g. the greatness and number of sins must be understood ; h. the sinner must be contrite, and i. avoid occasions of sins.

3. Shrift must be made to one man, not more (p. 676).

True Shrift, and its 10 Conditions (p. 677) : 1. that it be of free will ; 2. that it be lawful (both shiner and priest, Popish) ; 3. that it be not despairing of Christ's mercy; 4. that a man accuse himself only, and not another ; 5. that it be not lying (accusing oneself of sins never committed) (p. 678) ; that it be by one's own mouth, and not by letter ; 7. that the sin be not painted with fair words ; 8. tnat the shrift be to a discreet priest ; 9. that the shrift be not made for vain -glory, but for fear of Christ ; 10. that the shrift be not made suddenly, for a joke (p. 678). You may be shriven more than once for the same sin; and should be houseld once a year (p. 679).

PART III (no. v. continued, and no. vi.).

SATISFACTION (THE SKD REQUISITE FOR PENITENCE)

(p. 679—684). In a. Alms. (3. bodily punishment.

a. Alms and its three kinds (p. 679) : 1. Contrition of heart. 2. Pity for one's neighbour's faults. _ 3. Giving good counsel to other's souls and bodies (food, visits in prison, burial). These Alms should be done privily, if possible (p. 680).

/3. Bodily Punishment (Penance}, of 4 kinds: 1. Prayers (chieny of the Paternoster, whose expounding I leave to Mas- ters of Theology) (p. 680). 2. Watching, and its 3 kinds: forbearing, a. meat and drink, b. worldly jollity, and c. deadly sin (p. 681). 3. Fasting, and its 4 kinds : Liberality to poor folk ; spiritual gladness of heart ; not grudging at fasting ; reasonable eating. 4. Virtuous teachings, or Discipline : a. by word, writing, or example ; b. by wearing hairshirts.? &c., next your skin, scourging yourself, taking evils and injuries patiently (p. 682). [End of no. v. in Part i; p. 593.]

vi. The 4 Things that disturb Penance [no. vi, or last §, of p. 593 at foot] (p. 682). 1. Dread, and its remedy. 2. Shame, and its remedy. 3. Hope : a. of long life, and 5. consequent over- confidence in Christ s mercy (p. 683). 4. Wanhope, or Despair of Mercy ; its 3 kinds : x. from great and long continued sin ; y. from falls-back into sin ; z. from not being able to persevere in goodness (p. 683). The fruit of Penance (p. 683-4).

EPILOGUE.

The Author's Leave-taking, and Lament over, and Withdrawal of, his Sinful Books, &c. (p. 684-85).

(FOR PETWORTII 608 I)

SIX-TEXT 593

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS, 609

[Petworth MS, on leaf 272, back.]

are no "breaks in the MS. Tyrwhitfs are Jtept here to prevent slight differences in the texts throwing the Six-Text out of gear."}

And here bygynnep be person his tale. leremie yjto. ^T State super vias & videte & interrogate de Semitis / antiquis que sit/ via bona & ambulate in ea & inuenietis refrigeriuxn animabus vestris {

[75]

OWre swete lord! god of heuene pat1 no man wil perisshe but1 wil pat1 we common aH to the knowlecch" of hym and to pe blisful lif patt is perdurable [76] ammosshep vs by pe prophet1 leremye fat1 seip in pis wise [77] IT Stondep vp-on pe wayes and seep and askep of olde Patthes pat1 is to sayne of olde sentences which" is pe good way [78] and walkep in pat1 way and 30 shul here refresshyng* for ^oure saules. && [79] IT Mony bene pe waies espiritual paf leden folk1 to onre lorcJ Ihesu crist1 and to pe regne of1 glorie. [80] Of which" way per is a ful / noble waye and a ful couenable which may not1 faile to man / ne to womman pat1 pourgh synne hap mysgoon from pe ri^f way of lewsalem CelestiaH [81] IF And pis way is cleped Penytence of which men shulcP gladly harken and enquere wip al his herte [82] to wete what1 is Pen- auncQ. and whi it1 is cleped penitence / and in how mony maners bene pe accions of worchynge of penytence . [83] and howe mony spices per bene of penytences . and whiche pingges appertenen and byhouen to penytence. [and] which pingges distrouben penytence

PETWORTH 609 (6-T. 593)

Isidore./

SIX-TEXT 594

610 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

[84] IT Seynf Ambrose seip. That1 penitence is pe laynyng1 of man for pe gilt1 fat1 he hap done. 1 What1 is peny- [1-1 A sidenote tence * and no more to doon eny J>inge for which hym ou^f to text.] playne. [85] And somme doctour1 seij). Penytence is pe way-

mentyng1 of man paf sorowe]) for his synne. and pynep hym self for he hap mysdone* [86] Penytence wip certeyn circumstaunces is verray repentaunce of man paf half hym self in sorowe and oper payn for his giltes . [87] And for he shal be verrey penytenf . he shal first1 bywaillen pe synnes pat1 he hap done and stedfastly proposed in his hert1 to haue shrift1 of moup and to doon satisfaccion [88] and neuere to doon pinge for whiche 2 hym ou3te more to be-wayle or to compleyn and to con- tynue in good werkes or ellis his repentaunce may not1 availe. [89] ffor as seip ysideve 11 he is a laper and a gabber and no verrey repentaunt" pat1 effsone doon pinge for whiche hym ou^f to repent1 [90] wepinge and noi^t1 forto stint1 to do synne may nou^f auaile [91] IF But1 napeles men shullen hope pat1 at1 euery time pat1 man / fallep be if neuer so off paf he may arise porgh" peny- tence. if he haue grace // But1 certeynly if is grete douf . [92] ffor as seip seinf gregorie. Ynnepes arisep he ouf of his synne paf is chargep wip pe charge of euel vsage . [93] annf per-fore repentaunt1 folk1 paf stinf forto synne and forlete synne. er paf synne forlete hem holy churche holf hem siker of her sauacion [94] IT And he paf synnep and verrely repentcp hym in his last1 [day], holy church $if hopep his saluacion by pe greto mercy of1 our lord Ihesu cn'sf for his repentaunce. buf take pe siker way certeyn :

[95] And now sipens I haue declared sou whaf 1 trea accione[s] pinge is penitence H Now shul 30 vnderstoncU paf per bene iij . actions of penytence [96] 1T The firsf is paf a man be baptisf aftere paf he hap synned [97] IT Seynf Austyn seip Buf he be penitent for his olde synful liff he may no bygynne pe newe

PETWORTH 610 (6-T. 594) [2 leaf 273]

SIX-TEXT 595

GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 611

clene lif. [98] ffor certcs if he be paptised wif-oufr

penitence of his olde gilt1, he rcsceyuef fe mark of

bapteme. but1 not1 fe grace ne fe remyssion of his

synnes til he haue repentaunce verray [99] IT Anof er z». acczo.

defaute is fis. fat1 men doon dedly synne aftere fat1

fei han resceyued bapteme [100] IT The iij. defaute s». aocio./

is fat1 men falle in venyal synnes after1 her bapteme

fro day to day. [101] ferof seif seynf Austyne . 1 Augustinus

fat penitence of good and humble folk, is fe

penitence of euery day

[102] IT The spices of penawnce bene fre. faf oon f be spicea of

MO0MBM

of hem is solempne Another is comune. and the iij. is prive. [103] Eche penaimce fat1 is so- lempne is in two maners. as is to be put1 out1 of holy church in lent1 for sclaughtere of children and sucB maner fingges [104] II Another is whan man f penitentia,

Qomtnunis

haf synned openly of whiche synne f e fame is openly spoken in fe contre. and fan holy churche by lugge- ment1 distreynef hym forto doo pencmnce open. [105] Somme penaunceisf er is f afpreestes enioynenmen. comonly in certeyn caas as forto goon perauenture naked in pilgrimage, or bare fe feet1 [106] IF Privey pencmnce is f Desecreta f ilk fat1 men doon al day for privey synnes of whicli pe we shryuen vs pr/vely and receyuen pn've penaw-nce

[107] 'f Now shalt1 fou vnderstond? what1 by[ho]uef and is necessarie to verrey pcwfite penytence and fise stonden on fre fingges. [108] Contn'cion of hert1. con- fession of mouf . And satisfaction [109] IT ffor which" seif lohn Grisostom 11 Penytence distreynef man f to accept1 benignely euery peyne fat1 is enioyned hym wif contricidn of hert1 and shrift of mouf e . wif satis- faccion and worching1 of al manere humilite. [no] And f is is fruytful penytence a^einst1 iij. fingges in whiche we wrefen our lord! Ihesu cn'sf . [m] fis is to / sayn bo delite in fenkinge. by rechelesnesse in spekinge. by wikked synful worchinge. [112] and a^einst1 fiso

PETWORTH 611 (6-T. 59o) C1 leaf 273, back]

SIX-TEXT 596

612 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

T HOU penawnoe wikked giltes is penytence . bat may be likned vnto a tre

may be likned to

atreo [II3] The T0^Q °f Ms tree *s contnciofi pat hidep

hym in pe herte of him paf is verrey repentaunf . n$i as pe roote of a tree hidep hym in pe erpe. [114] IT Of pe roote of contn'cion spryngep a stalk1 paf berej> braunches and leeues of confession, and fruyf of satisfaction [115] IT ffor whicfi Crist' seip in pe gospeH IT Dop digne fruyte of penytence. for by pis fruyte may men knowe pis tre. and not1 by pe roote paf is in pe hert1 of inan.4 ne by pe braunches ne by pe leeues of confession tTextus. [I][6] IT And perfore our lord Ihesu cn'sf seip pus By f Of j>eseedof pe fruyte of hem shul se knowe hem [117] IT Of pis

co#trici<mn.

roote sprmgeth a sede of grace, .pe wmcn sedo is modere of sikernesse. pus pis sede is eger and hote. [118] The grace of pis / sede springep of god porowe pe re- membraunce of pe day of dome, and on pe peynes of

«g Salomon. helle [119] ^T Of pis matere seith Salomon, paf in pe degre of god man forletep his synne [120] The hete of this seede is pe loue of god / and pe desiring1 of pe loie perdurable. [121] pis hete drawep • pe herf of man to gocfe and dop him hate his synne. [122] ffor soply per nys no pinge paf sauowrep so wel to a childe as pe mylk1 of his norice. ne no ping1 is to hym more abhom- inable paf pilk1 mylk1 whaf if is medled wip oper mete. [123] Ri$t so pe synful man pat louep his synne. hym semep paf if is to hym mosf swete of eny pinge. [124] Buf fro paf tyme paf he loueth sadly our lord Ihesu crist and desiretfr pe lif perdurable . ther nys to hym [no ping] more abhominable. [125] ffor sop. pe lawe of god is pe loue of god. ffor widen"

^ Deproptofa./Dauid pe prophef seip. I haue loued pi lawe and hated wikkednesse IT he [pat] louetfi god kepep his lawe and his

U Dcaiei./ worde . [126] This reson seip pe prophete DanyeH in spirif vppon a vision of Nabugodonosor whan he 1coun- sailled hym to doo pen<mnce. [127] Pena«mce is pe tree of* liff to hem / paf if receyuen . And he paf holdep hym

PETWORTH 612 (6-T. 596) [Meaf274]

SIX-TEXT 597

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 613

in verrey penytence is blessed affcere pe sentence of 1 Salomon . Salomon

[128] In pis penitence or contricion man shal vn- derstonde .iiij. pingges . paf is to seyn whaf is contricion and whiche bene pe causes pat1 meuen a maw to con- tricion and howe he shuld be contrite, and what1 con- tricion availed to pe soule . [129] Than is if pus. paf contricion is pe verrey sorowe pat1 a man receyuep in his herf for his synnes with sad pwrpoos to schryuen hym and to do penawnce and neuere more to do synne. [130] And pis sorowe shal be in pis manere as seitn" seint Bernard! 1T If shal be greuous and hevie and ful sharp and poynanf in herf. [131] ffirsf for a man hap a-gilf his lorde and his creature, and more sharpe and poynanf f for he hath agilf his fadere celestial! . [132] And 3if more sharpe and poynanf ffor he hap wreped and argult hym paf bo^f hym. pat with his precious blood hape delyuered vs fro the boondes of synne and fro pe cruelte of pe deueft. and fro pe paynes of helle. [133] 1T The causes paf o^ten to meuen a man to con-

tricion ben .vj. ^F ffurst a man shal remembre him of his synnes. [134] but loke pat pilk remem- braunce be to him no delite by no way . buf gref shame and sorowe for his gilf. ffor lob seip. Synful men dontiob./ werkes worpi of confession. [135] And perfore seip Ezechie . I wil remembre me al pe 3eeres of my lif . H Ezochiei. my bitternesse of myn herf [136] IT And god seip in pe apocalips 1T Remembre $ou from whennes paf 30 be falle. ffor byforn paf tyme paf 30 synned 30 were pe children of god. and lymmes of pe reigne of god. [137] Buf for 3oure synne 30 bene woxe prali and foule. and membres of pe f eende . hate of aungels sclaunder of holy church . and foode of pe fals serpenf perpetuele matere of the fuyre of heH [138] and paf more foule and abhom- ynable for 30 trespasen so often tyme as dop pe hounde paf twrnep to eten his vomyte. [139] And 3if PETWORTIT 613 (6-T. 697)

SIX-TEXT 598

614 GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

Petrus

bene 36 foulere for 301116 longe contynuyng1 in synne and 3oure synful usage, for which" 30 bene roten in $our synne as a beesf in his dunge. [140] H Suche maner of po^tes maken a man haue shame for his synne and no delite. As / god saip by pe prophete Ezechiele [141] IT 3^ shul remembre 3011 of ^oure waiesf and pei shul displese ^ou solely IT Synnes ben po waies paf lede folk to hell

[142] IF The ij. cause paf ou^t to / 1make a man to haue disdeyne of synne is pis. That1 as seip sehif Peter ^T Who so doth synne i is pral to synne and synne puttej) a man in gret1 praldome. [143] And per-

il Ezecnieie fore seith pe prophete Ezechiel IT I went1 soryful in disdeyn of my silf. Certes 1T wel au^f a man haue disdeyn of synne and wi]?-drawe / hym from }?af fraldom and vilanye. [144] And lo what1 sei)> Senec1 IT In pis matere he sei]> pus 1T Thou^e I wist1 faf neiper god ne man ne shuld? neuere knowen if. 3it* wolde I haue desdeyne forto / do synne. [145] And the same Senec1 seij) IT I am born to gretter Jringges pan to be praft to my body. [ .........

no gap in the MS.~\ [146] A [fouler] pral may no man ne •wowman make of his body pan 3eue is body to synne [147] A[l] were it1 the foulest* cheerle or womman paf lyuep and leest1 of vale we. 3it is he chaunged and most foule and more in seruitute . [148] euer* fro pe hyer degre paf man fallep f pe more is ho praH and more vnto god and to pe world vile and abhomyn- able. [149] O / ^ood god wel au3f men haue desdeyn of synne. sipen paf porgn" synne. per he was free nowe is he maked boonde. [150] & / perfore seip seint

t AMsustinus.f Austyn . IT If pou haue desdeyn of pi smiawnt if he a-gilf or synne. haue pou pan disdeyn paf pou pi silf shuldesf do synne. [151] Take reward? of pine valewe paf pou / ne be to foule to pi self. [152] Alias wel oujten pei pan to haue desdeyne to be

PETWORTH 614 (6-T. 598) [i leaf 274, back]

Seneca

TT Seneca/

SIX-TEXT 599

0ROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 615

seruawntes and pralles to synne and sore "bene ashamed of hem self. [153] pat god of his endelees goodnesse hap sett hem in hie astaat1 and 3euen hem witt1 . strength" of body. helpe. bewte. and prosperite . [154] and boi^f hem fro pe deep with his herfr blood, pat1 pei so vnkyndely a^einst1 gentelnesse aquiten hym so vilenistly to sclowghter of her owne soules. [155] IT 0 good god. 30 woramen pat1 bene of so grete bewte. remembrep ^ou of J)e prouerbe of Salamon IT He H Salomon, [156] liknep a fair1 woraman pat1 is a foole of her body, ylik to a ryng1 of gold! pat1 is wreped in pe Groyne of a sowe . [157] ffor ri^t1 as a sowe IT wrotep in euery ordure. So wrotep she her bewte in stynkinge ordure of synne

[158] IT The iij cause pat" o^t1 to meuen a / man to contricion and drede of pe day of dome, and of pe / horrible peynes of helle. [159] ffor as seint1 lerom seip 1 leromias.f / IT Atf euery tyme pat1 me remembrep of pe day of dome I quake [160] ffor whan I etc or drinke or doo what1 so I doo / euer me semep pat1 pe trompe sownep in myn ere. [161] Eiseth vp 1pat1 bene dede and coramep to po luggement1. [162] 0 Good god mochel. owep a man to drede such luggement1 per as we shulne bene alle as seip seint1 Poule by-forne the strete of our lord1 Ihesu 1 crist1 [163] wher as he shal make a general con- gregacion. Wher as no man had be absent1. [164] for certes per ne veilep non assoyn ne excusacioii [165] and not1 only pat1 our defautes shullen / bo lugged but1 eke pat1 aH our werkes shul openly be knowe [166] And as seint1 Bernard seip. There ne shal no pledyng1 availe ne no 801013^ we shul 3euen reknyng of euery ydel word? [167] Ther shul we haue a lugge pat1 may not1 be deceyued . ne corrupte and whi for certes al oure po^tes ben diskeuered as to hym . ne for preiere ne for mede he wil not1 beno corrupte. [168] And perfore seip Salomon, pe wrepe of god f Salomon wil not1 be corrupte / And perfor seip Salomon IT pe / wreche f idem . PETWORTH 615 (6-T. 599) F leaf 275]

SIX-TEXT 600

616 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

of god ne wil not1 spare no wi^t1 for preier ne for jiff. And f erlTf ore at1 f e day of dome f er nys no hope to escape . [169] Wherfore Anselme seif IT fful grete Angwissn" shullen fe synful folk1 haue at1 fat tyme [170] Ther shal "be fe sterne and fe wrofe luge sitte aboue and vnder hym f e horrible pitte of helle open to di- stroye hym fat1 most1 byknowe his synne. which" synnes openly bene shewed byforn god and biforne euery creature. [171] And on fe left1 side moo deuels / than herfr may fenk1 forto hario and to drowo fe synful soules / to fe pyne of helle. [172] And wif- in fe hertes of folk1 shal be J>e bitynge conscience and wif-out1 forf shal be fe world! al brennynge. [173] whidere shal fan fe wrecched synful soule flee / to hide hym. Certes he may nof hide hym. he most1 come forf and schewe hym. [174] ffor certes as seif t leronimtt* seinf lerom IT The erfe shal cast" hym out1 of hym. and fe see also and the Eiere. fat* shal be ful / of fondere clappes / and ^tnynge [175] Now sofly who so wil remembre hym of fise fingges I gesse fat1 his fingges shal not1 turne hym into delite . but1 to greto sorowe for drede of the payne of helle. [176] And fer- fore seif lob. IT Suffice lord fat1 I may a while biwaile and wepe or I goo and wepewif-out1 retournynge to f e derk londe keuered wif fe derknesse of defe [177] to fe londe of niyssese and of derknesse. where as is shadowe of deef. wher as fer nys noon ofer or- dyntmnce. but1 grisly drete fat1 euere shul last4 [178] ^T Loo here may 36 seen fat1 lob preied of respite a while to bywepe and waile his trespas. ffor sofly oo / day of respite is bettere fan al fe tresoure of fis world! [179] And 1 for as moche as a man may acquite hym self to forn god by penitence in fis world? and nou3f by tresour* feiibr shuld he prei to god to $eue hym respite a while to bywepen and bywaillen his trespas [180] ffor certes al fe sorowe fat1 a man my^f make fro fe bygynnyngo

PETWORTH 616 (6-T. 600) C1 leaf 275, back]

SIX-TEXT 601

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 617

of pe world! nys but a litel ping1 at pe regard! of pe sorowe of helle [181] ^ The cause why pat1 lob clepep helle pe londe of derknesse. [182] Vnderstondep pat1 he clepep it1 londe or erpe. for if is stable and neuere shal faile. derknesse. for he pat1 ia in helle hap defaute of li$t material! [183] ffor certes pe derk1 Ii3f pat" shal come out1 of pe fire pat1 euere shal brenne shal turne hym al to peyne pat1 is in helle . ffor if shewep hym to pe horrible deuels paf hywa tormenten [184] keuered wip pe derknesse of depe [ ..... • .......

no gap in the MS.] bene pe synnes paf pe wrecched / man

hap don which paf distourbew hym to se pe face

of god. ri$f as a derk cloude bytwix vs and pe

sonrce. [186] londe of myssese by cause paf per bene

.iij. manere of defautes a3einsf pre pingges paf folk

of pis world! han in pis presenf liff. paf is to say

honours, delices. and Richesse. [187] A^einsf honowr

han pei in hello shame and confusion . [188] ffor wel 30

woote paf men clepen honour1 pe reuerence paf men

doon to man . Buf in helle nys noon honur* ne reuerence »

ffor certes no more reuerence shal be do to a

kinge pan to a knaue [189] f ffor which god seith by

pe prophetys wordes Jeremy e . IF Thilk folk paf me despisen f Text««ieremie

shullen bene despised . [190] U Honur* is eke cleped gret lord!

Ther shal no wi$t / seruen oper. buf of harme and

tornienf IT Honure is eke cleped grete dignito and high-

nesse . Buf in helle shul pei bene al for-troden of deuels .

[191] as god seip The horrible deuels shal goon and

come vpon pe hedes of dampned folk1 And pis

is for as moche as pe hier paf pei were in pis presenf

lif. pe more shullen pei bene abated and defouled in

helle. [192] U A3einsf pe richesse of pis world?, shullen

pei haue myssese and pouerte. and pis pouerf shal be

.iiij. pingges [193] in defaute of tresour, of whicll

PETWORTH 617 (6-T. 60l)

T Deus per moyse//i

Ulsayas./

SIX-TEXT 602

618 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

f Da»id pw Dam'd pe prophete self IT The riche folk1 pat enbraceden and oneden in al her hert to tresoure of pis world? shullen sclepe in pe sclepinge of dep. As no pinge shul pei fynden in her hondes of al her tresour* [194] IF And more ouer pe dissese of helle shal bene in pe defaute of mete and drynk1. [195] IT ffor god seip pus by nioyses IT Thei shullen be wasted with 1hunger> and pe briddes of helle shal deuoure hem with bitter de]> and pe galle of pe

dragon [

no gap in the MS.~\ hor morseS* [196] And ferper ouer her myssese shal bene in defaute of clopinge ffor pei shullen be naked in body as of eloping1 -sauf p e fuyr' in -which. J>ei brenne and oper filpes. [197] and naked shul pei bene of saule. of al manere vertues which fat1 is pe clopinge of saule. Wher bene pan pe gay Eoobes and pe soft* shetes and pe smal / shertes [198] 1F loo what seip god to hem by pe prophete Ysay 1F That1 vndere hem shullen be strawed motthes . and her couertours / shul be of wormes of helle [199] 1T And ferper ouere her dissese shal / bene in defaute of frendes . ffor he nys not" poor paf hap good / freendes . but1 per nys no frende. [200] ffor neiper god ne creature / shal be frende to hem. and euery of hem shal haten opere wip dedly hate. [201] The sones of pe doughtren shullen rebellen a^einst1 pe fadere and modere and kynrede a^einst1 kynrede and chiden and despisen euerech" of hem oper bop day and nysf As god seip by pe prophet1 Michias [202] IF And pe louyng1 children . pat1 whilom loued so flesshly euerech oper. wolden euerech of hem eten oper if pei myjf . [203] ffor howe shuld? pei loue hem to-gydere in pe peynes of helle . whan pei hated eche of hem oper in pe prosperite of pis lif . [204] ffor trust1 wel her flesshly loue was dedly hate as seip pe prophete dauid. IF who so pat1 louep wicked- nesse he hatep his saule. [205] and who pat hatep his owne soule. certes he may loue noon oper wi^f

PETWORTH 618 (6-T. 602) C1 leaf 276]

IfBauid,/

SIX-TEXT COS

GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 619

in no manere . [206] and perfor in helle is no

frendship . But1 euer pe moo- flesshly kynredes

pat1 bene in helle . pe more cursyng1 pe more chyd-

inge. and pe more dedly hate per is amonges hem

[207] IF And forpermor per shal be defaute of al

maner delyces. ffor why pe delices ben pe appetites

of pe .v. wittes . as . si^t1 . heryng1 , smellynge . sauer-

yng1 and towchynge . [208] But1 in helle her si^t1 shal be

ful of derkenesse and of smoke and ful of

teeres . and her heryng1 ful of waymentynge and of

gnaistynge of teep as seith Ihesus / Crist1 [209] IT her nose-

J)relles shullen be ful stynkyng1 stynks IF And as seip

Isay pe prophete. Her saueryng1 shal be ful of bitter fisayas.

galle. [210] and touchyng1 of her body ykeuered

wip fuyr* pat1 neuere shal be quenched . and wi]> wormes

pat1 never shul dye IF As god seip / by pe moup of^ihesus./

ysay. [211] IF And for as moch as Jjei shullen not wene

Jjaf )>ei may dyen for peyne. and by her dej? flee fro

peyne. 1])atl may pei vnderstonde by J?e worde of lob. \ lob.

pat1 seij). There as is J>e shadowe of de]?e [212] IF Certes

a. shadowe haj> J>e liknesse of a finge of which it1 is

shadowe . But1 shadowe nys not1 j?e same J)inge of which it1 is

shadowe. [213] Ri^t1 so fare]) j)e peyne of helle. it1 is

like dee]? for J?e angwisshe horrible, and why for if

peynef hem euere as ]>oo men shulden dye anon But1

certes pei shullen not1 dye. [214] ffor as seij? seynt1

Gregore. IF To wrecched Catyfe shal be dejje wijj-out1 TGregorius./

de])e. ande ende wijj-outen ende. and defaute wij>-ouf

failynge. [215] for her de]?e shal alway lyve. and her

eende shal euermor bygynne and her defaute shal not1

f aile . [216] And Jjerfore seij) seint1 lohn Jjefioha»«cs

eua^ngeliste They shullen folowe dej) and j?ei shul

not1 fynden hy??i. And J?ei / desiren to deye. and dejje

shul flee fro hem / [217] And eke lob seith That1 in helle

is noon order ne rewele [218] And al be it1 soo fat1 god haj?

created al ping1 in ri^t1 ordre and no ping1 wi])-

42 • PETWORTH 619 (6-T. 603) C1 leaf 276, back]

SIX-TEXT 604

620 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

IT dnrwid

M pro-

OUt1 ordere. but1 alle pingges ben ordred and nom- bred. ^it1 napelees pei pat bene dampned bene no pinge -in order ne holden / noon order*. [219] for pe erpe ne shal bere hem no fruyte . [220] ffor as pe / prophete dauid seip 1F God shal destroy pe froyte of pe erpe as fro / hem. ne watere shal ^eue hem no moystere. no pe eyre no refresshynge . ne pe fuyre no lijf . [221] ffor as

IBasiiius./ seip seynt1 Basile. pe brennyngges of pe fuyre of pis worlde shal god 3euen to hem in helle pat1 bene dampned . [222] But1 pe li^t1 and pe clernesse shal be ^euen in to heuene to his children./ Bi^t as pe good man ^euep flesshe to his children, and bonys to his houndes [223] for pei shullen have noon hope to escape seip

i; lob./ lob . At1 pe last1 pat1 ther shal horrour and grisly drede

dwelle. wip-outen ende [224] IF Horroure is alway drede of harme pat1 is to come and pis drede shal euer dwelle in pe hertes of hem pat1 bene dampned. and per-fore han pei lorn aU her hope, for vij. causes. [225] ffirst1 for god pat1 is her luge shal be wip-oute mercy to hem. ne pei may not1 plese hym. ne noon of his halowes . ne pei may ^eue no pinge for her raunsom . [226] ne pei han no voys to speke to hym. ne pei may nat1 flee fro peyne ne pei han no goodnesse in hem pat1 pei may schewe to delyuere hem fro peyne

t Salomon./ [227] IF And perfore seip Salomon IF The wikked man dyep f and whan he is dede he shal haue no hope to / eskape fro peyne. [228] who so shame wolde wel vn- dcrstonde and bythenk1 hym wel on pise peynes and pat1 he hap deserued pe same peynes / for his synne . Certes he shuld? haue more talent1 to sike and to wepe apan for

1 Salomon syngen and to ploy. [229] ffor as seip Salomon. "Who so pat1 had pe science forto knowe pe peynes pat1 bene establisshed and ordeyned / for synne he wold make

f A.ugustinus . sorowe. [230] Thilk1 science as seip seint1 Austyn) Maketh a man to weymenten in his hert1

[231] 1F The iiij. poynte pat1 aught1 make a man

PETWORTH 620 (6-T. 604) g[Meaf277]

SIX-TEXT 605

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 621

haue contrition is fe soryful remembraunce of ]p& good fat1 he haf lost1 to doon here in erf e . and eke fe good / fat1 he ha]> lonie [232] IF Sofly fe good werkes fat1 he haf lost1 eifer fei bene fe good werkes fat1 he haf wrou^t1 er he felle into dedly synne Or ellys f e good werkes fat1 he wrou^fr f e while he lay in synne [233] II Sofly fe good werkes fat1 he did byforne fat1 he fille in synne ben ail mortefied and astonyed and dulled by fe oft synnynge [234] That1 ofer good werkes fat1 he wro^t1 fe whiles he lay in synne fei bene vtterly dede as to fe liff perdurable in heuene. [235] Than / filk good werkes fat1 bene mortefied by oft1 synnynge which good werkes he did f e whiles he was in charite ne mowen neuere / quicken a^ein with-outen verrey penytence . [236] And f erfore seif god by f e mouf e of Ezechiele fat1 is f e ri^tful man . Re- f Ezechieie tourne a^ein from his ri^twissnesse and to worch wikked- nes shal he lyue. [237] nay. ffor aH fe good werkes fat1 he haf wrou^t1 ne shul neuere be in remembraunce for he shal deye in his synne. [238] IT And vpon filk chapitere seif seint1 Gregorie thus . than we shulcJ vnder- stonde fis principaly . [239] fat1 whan we doon dedly Chieie»» synne. it1 is for no^t1 fan to reherce or drawe into memorie fe good werkes fat1 we han wro^t1 biforn. [240] ffor certys in fe wirking1 of dedly synne f er nys no trest1 to no good werk1 fat1 we han doon to-forne / fat1 is to sayn as forto haue fer-by fe lif per- durable in heuene [241] [

. . no gap in the MS.~\ Whan we

han contricion. [242] But1 sofly fe good werkes fat1 men / doon whiles fat1 fei bene in dedly synne . for as modi as fei weren doon in dedly synne fei mowe neuer quycken a3ein [243] ffor certes fing1 fat1 neuere haf lif f neuere may quycked. And nafelees al be it1 fat1 fei ne availe nou^te to han fe lif perdurable ^it1 availen

PETWORTH 621 (6-T. 605)

SIX-TEXT 606

622 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

fei to abreggen of f e peyne of helle or ellis to geten temporeH richesse. [244] Or eliis fat1 god wil rather enlumyne and / lighten fe hert1 of fe synful man to han repentaunce. [245] and eke fei availen forto vsen a man to do goode werk1 fat f e fende / haue fe lasse power of his soule [246] IT And fus fe curtaise Lord Ihesu crist1 ne wil fat1 no good werk1 be lost1 . ffor in somwhat1 it1 shal availe . [247] But1 for as moche as fe good werkes 1fat1 men doon whan fei bene in fis liff1 bene al mortefied by synne folowinge. And eke sifens al fe good werkes fat1 men done fe whiles fei bene in dedly synne bene vtterly dede as forto haue fe lif perdurable [248] IT wel may fat1 man fat1 no good werk ne / doof • syngyn filk newe songe. lay tout perdue mon temps et mon labour [249] ffor certes synne byreuef a man goodnes and nature and eke fe goodnes of grace [250] IT ffor sof f e grace of fe holy goost1 faref as fuyre fat1 may not1 be ydeU . ffor fire faillef / anoon as it1 f orlesef his worch-

inge [ no gap

in the MS.] [251] fan lesef fe synful man fe goodnes of glorie fat1 oonly is biln^t1 to good men fat1 labouren and worken [252] wel may he be sory fen that1 owef al his lif to god as longe as he lyuef haf lyued and eke as longe as he shal bene fat1 no goodnes ne haf to pay wif his dette to god. to whom he owef al his lif. [253] ffor trust1 wel he shal 3eue acountes as seif 1 Bernard^ seint1 Bernard? of alle f e goodes fat1 han bene 3euen hym . in fis present1 lif and how he haf hem dispended . [254] not1 so modi fat1 fer shal not1 perisshe an heer of his hede . ne a moment1 of an / houre ne shal not perisshe of fis tyme fat1 he ne shal 3eue of it1 a rekenynge

[255] IT The .v. finge fat1 ou3t1 to meue a man to contricion is remembraunce of fe passion of our Lord Ihesu crist1 suffrecJ for oure synnes [256] ffor as seif seynt1 Bernard? whiles fat1 I lyue 11" I shal haue remem-

PETWORTII 622 (6-T. 606) C1 leaf 277, back]

SIX-TEXT 607

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 623

braunce of f e travailes fat1 our lord Ihesu crist1 suffred in preching1 [257] in werynesse in travailynge. his tempt- acions whan he fasted, his longe waking1 whan he preied. his teeres whan fat1 he wepte for pite of good puple. [258] fe woo and fe shame and fe filfe fat1 men seiden to hym oft foule spittyng< fat men / spitten on his face / and f e buffettes fat1 men 3auen hym of fe // foule moufes and of fe re- preeus fat1 men to hym seiden. [259] Of fe nailles wif fe which he was nailled to fe cros. and of all fe remenawnte of his passion fat1 he suffred for my synnes . / and no finge for his gilt1. [260] And 36 shul vnder- stondf fat in mannys synne is euery maner order* of ordynazmce turned vp so doun. [261] ffor it1 is sof fat1 god and reson and sensualite and f e / body of man bene so ordeyned fat1 euerech of fise iiij. fingges shuld haue lordship of fat1 ofer. [262] As f us . god. shuld? haue lordship ouer reson . and reson ouer sensualite. and sensualite ouer fe / body of man. [263] And sofly whan man synnef al fis ordere of ordynaunce is turned vp so doune [264] 1T And ferfore fan for as moch Jas fe reson of man wil not1 be subiette ne obeysaunt1 to god? fat* is his lord by ri^t1 fer- fore lesef it1 fe lordship fat" it1 shuld haue in sensualite and eke ouer fe body of man. [265] And whi for sensualite rebellef fan a^einst1 reson . And by fat1 way lesetn" resoun his lordship ouer sensualite and ouere fe bodye. [266] ffor 113^ as reson is rebelle to god. rijf so is bof Sensualite rebeH to reson and fe body also. [267] IT And certes this ordynawnce and fis rebellion, oure lord Ihesu cn'st1 abo^t1 vppon his precious body ful dere and herkenef in which wyse. [268] ffor as moche fan is reson rebelle to god. fer- fore is man worfi to haue sorowe and to be dede [269] IF This suffred our lord1 Ihesu for man aftere fat1 he had be bytraied of his disciple and destreyned and

PETWORTH 623 (6-T. 607) p leaf 278]

SIX-TEXT 608

624 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

bounde so fat1 f e blood brast1 out1 at euery naile of his H Augtistinus . hondes as seif seint1 Austyn) [270] 1F And ferfermore for as moche as reson of man wil not1 daunte Sensu- alite whan it1 may . therfore is man worf i to haue shame . and f is / suffred our lorde Ihesu crist1 for man whan f ei spitten in his visage [271] IF And ferfer ouere for as moch fan as the catif body of man is rebelle bo]) to reson and to sensualite. ferfore is if worfi fe dee]) [272] IT And J)is suftred our lord Ihesu crist1 for man vpon ])e crosse wher as fer was no parte of his body free with-oute grete peyne and bitter passion [273] and al fis sufFred Ihesu crist1 fat1 neuer forfeited

[

. . no gap in the MS.] To mochel am I peyned for fe

same fingges fat* I neuer deserued and to mochel defoiled

for frendship fat1 man bene worfi for to haue [2 74] And f er-

H Bernard^ fore may fe synful man wel saye as seif seinf Bernard!

• 11 Acursed be f e bitternesse . [ ^

no gap in the MS.] [275] ffor certes

aftere fe dyuers discordauiices of cure wikkednes was f e passion of Ihesu crist1 yordeyned in dyuers fingges [276] as Jms. Certys synful man saule [is] bytraied of the deuel by coueityse of temperele prosperite and scorned by disceite whan he chesef flesslily delites and 3if is he tormented by impacience of aduersite. and by-spette by seruage of subieccion in synne / and at1 fe la'st1 it1 is sclayn f ynally . [277] fFor H fis disordinawnce of synful man was Ihesus crisft first1 bytraied and aftere fat1 was he bounde that1 come forto vnbynde vs of synne and of peyne [278] 11 Than was he byscorned fat only shuld? be honoured, in alle fingges of al fingges. [279] Than was his visage fat1 au^fr be desired to be seyn of al mankynd? l In which visage auiigels desiren to loken vileynsly byspitte. [280] Than was he scourged fat1 no fing1 gilt1 And fynaly fan was he / crucified and sclayn [281] Than was he accomplised fe

PETWORTH 624 (6-T. 608) C1 leaf 278, back]

SIX-TEXT 609

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS, 625

wordes of Ysay / He was wounded for ITysaiasi/.

our mysdedys and defouled by oure vilanyes. [282]

U Now sipens pat1 Ihesn crist1 toke vppon hym self1 pe

peyne of al oure wikkednesse IT Michel oujt1 synful

men by-wepe and by-waile fat1 for his synnes goddis sone

of heuene shuld al pis peyne endure [283] IT The sixt1

pinge pat1 au^t1 meue man to contricion is pe hope

of iij. Jringges. pat1 is to say for^euenes of synne

and pe 3iftf of grace wel forto doo. And pe / glorie of

heuene wip pe which" god shal guerdon man for his

good dedys. [284] and for as moche as Ihesu crist1

3eueth vs pise ^iftes of his larges and of his souereyn

bounte. perfor is he cleped / Ihesus Nazarenus rex

iudeorw?w . [285] Ihesus is forto seyn Saueour or sa-

uacion on whoom men shullen hope to haue for^euenesse of

synnes which pat1 is proprely sauacion of synnes

[286] 11 And perfore seide pe aungel to Joseph", pow f quaiiier an-

clepest1 his name Ihesus pat1 shal saue his puple from her

synnes [287] And here-of seip Seint1 Petrer IT Ther nys

noon oper name vnder heuene paf is ^eue to eny man

by which a man may be saued . but1 oonly Ihesus [288]

Nazarenws is as moche for to seyn as florsshinge in

which" a man shal hope pat1 he pat1 ^eueth hym remission

of synnes shal 3eue also hyw grace wel to doo for

in pe floure is hope of fruyte in 'tyme comynge and in

for^euenesse of synnes hope of grace wel to doo . [289] I

was at1 pe door of pine hert1 seith Ihesus and cleped forto

entre. He pat1 opnep to me shal haue for^euenesse of

synne [290] I wil entre into hym by my grace and

soupe wip hym by pe good werkes pat1 he shal don

which" werkes bene pe foode of god. and he shal soupe

wip me by pe grete loie pat1 shal be 3eue to hyra [291]

Thus shal man hope, pat1 for his werkes of pencmnce

god shuld 3eue hym his regne as he bihotep hym in the

gospel

[292] 11 Now shal man vnderstonde in which

PETWORTH 625 (6-T. 609)

SIX-TEXT 610

626 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

manere shal be fis contricion I say fat1 it shal bene vniversale and total This is to saie . a man shal be verrey repentaunt1 for al his synnes fat1 he haf doon in delite of his fou^t1. ffor delite is ful perilous [293] ffor fer bene twoo / manere of consentyngges that1 oon of hem is cleping1 consentynge of affection whan a man is meued to do synne and delitef hym longe forto fenk on fat1 synne [294] he haf reson aperceyued / 1wel fat1 it1 is synne a^einst1 fe lawe of god! [

no gap in the MSJ] al f ou^e

his reson ne consent1 not1 to doon f e synne in dede . [295] 1T 3if seyn so?rane doctours fat1 suche delite fat1 dwelleth longe it1 is ful perilous al be it1 neuere so lite [296] And also a man shulcB sorowe namely for al fat1 euere he haf desired a^einst1 fe lawe of god wif pcwfite consentynge of his reson . ffor f erof is no IF doute fat1 it1 is dedly synne in fe consentinge [297] [. . . .

no gap

in the MS.] and into dede. [298] Wherfore I say fat1 mony men. ne repenten hem neuer of such fortes and delices ne neuere shryuen hem of it1, but1 only of fe dede. of grete synnes outward. [299] wherfore I say fat such wicked delites and wicked fou^tes bene subtile bygylers of hem fat1 shullen be. dampned [300] 1T More ouere man ou^t1 to sorowen for his wicked wordes and for his wicked dedys ffor certes f e repentaunce of a syngulere synne and no^t1 repent1 of al her of er synnes . or ellis repente hym of al his ofer synnes and not1 of syngulere synne may not1 availe. [301] ffor certes god almy^ty is al good, and f erf ore he for^euef alt or ellis ri^t1 nou^t1 [302] ./ and hereof seif seynt1 Austyne IT I wote certeynly [303] fat1 god is enemye to euery synner ^[ and how fan he fat1 obseruef oon synne . shal he haue for^euenesse of f e

PETWORTH 626 (6-T. 610) [Meaf279]

SIX-TEXT Gil

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 627

remenaunt1 of his ofer synnes . Nay [304] IT And forfer ouere / contricion shulde be woundes soryful and ang- uisshous and perfore ^euej) hyrn god pleynly his mercye. And / perfore whan my soule was angwisshous wip-in me I had remembraunce of god pat1 my preiere myght1 come to hym . [305] IF fferper ouer contricion most1 be continue!!, and pat1 men han sted- fasf pwrpoos to shryue hym and forto amende hym of his lif. [306] ffor soply pe whiles cont?'ition lastep man may haue hope of fo^euenes. And of pis commep hate of synne. pat1 destroiep synne bo]) in hym self* and eke in oper folk at1 his power*. [307] ffor whiche seip dauid / IT 3& pat1 louen / god haten wikkednes . ffor n Dauia ./ trestep wel to loue god is forto to loue pat1 he louej). and hate J>af he hate]) ™ta

[308] IT The last1 fing* J?af men shal vnderstonc? in contricion is pis. wherof availe]) contricion 1T I say Jjaf somtyme contricion delyuere]) man fro synne. [309] of which fat1 dauid sei]). I say (quod dauid) pat1 is do say IT I pwrpose me f ermely to shry ve me . And ])ou lord relesedesf my synne. [310] And ri^f so as contrition 1availetJi not1 wi])-outen sad pwrpoos of

shrift [ no gap in the MS.~\

or Satisfaction wi])-out* contricion. [311] And more f IT Contricion destroie]) ])e prison of helle and maketh it1 waike and feblej) fe strengthes of pe deuels and restore]) pe ^iff of pe holy goost1 and of aft vertues [312] and enterly dense]) J?e saule of synne and delyuere]) J)e soule from pe peyne of helle and fro pe company of deuels and fro J)e seruage of synne. and restore]) [it] to aii goodys espiritueH in- to ])e company [and] comunyon of holy churche. [313] And ferper ouer it1 make]) hym fat1 whilom was fe sone of yre }>e sone of grace. And ali thise fingges he prouej) by holy writt. [314] and ferfore he fat1 wil sette his entent1 to / fise fingges he is

PETWORTH 627 (6-T. 611) P leaf 279, back]

SIX-TEXT 612

628 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

wis. ffor sof he shuld not1 fan in al his liff haue corage to synne But1 fan his body and al his herfr to fe seruise of Ihesu crist1 and ferof done him homage. [315] ffor certes our swete lord Ihesu cristi haf spared vs so / deuourly in our folies fat* ^it1 he ne had pite of mannys / soule a sory songe mj^ we alle 1 2. pars pem- synge. IF Explicit1 prima pars penitencie . Incipit1 / pars eiusdem./

IT rilHe seconde parte of penitence is confession JL fat1 is signe of contricion [317] IF Now shul 30 vnderstonde what1 is confession . and whedere it1 ou}^ nedes to be or noon, and whicli f ingges bene conable to verrey confession

[318] 1F ffirsf shalt1 fou vnderstonde fat1 confession is verrey shewinge of synnes to fe preest1 [319] fis is to sey verrey. ffor he mof confessen hym of al fe condicions fat bylongen to his synne as ferforf as he can. [320] al mote be seide and no fing1 excused ne hid ne forwrapped. and nou^f auawnte him of his good werkes . [321] IF And forfer ouer . It is necessary to vnder- stonde whennes fat1 synne springef and how fei encresen . And whicli f er bene

[322] in spryngynge of synnes. as seif seint1 poule in fis wise . / IT That1 rijf as by a man . synne entred furst1 into f e ^T worlde . and f orghe fat1 synne deide . Hi^t1 so filk deef entref into al men fat1 synden. [323] And fis man was // Adam by whom fat1 synne entred into fis world1 whan he brak1 fe comaundement1 of god. [324] and f erf ore he fat1 first1 was so myghty fat1 he shuld4 not1 haue deyde. bycame suche oon fat he most1 nedys dye whedere he IT l wolde or noon, and al his progeny fat1 is in fis world* fat1 in filk manere synne dyen . [325] Loke fat1 in f e astate of Innocentys IF whan A[dam a]nd Eue

PETWOKTH 628 (6-T. 612) [MeafSBO]

SIX-TEXT 613

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. C29

naked weren in paradise . and no f ing1 shame ne hadden of her nakednesse. [326] How fat1 serpent* fat1 was most1 wily of aH ofer beestes fat1 god haf maked seide to fe woraman 1T Comaunded god to 3ou 30 shuld? not1 eten of euery tree in paradys [327] IF The womman answerd of fe fruyte quodi she of fe trees in paradise we feden vs. But1 sofly of fe froyte of fe tree fat1 is in fe myddel of paradys god for-bede vs forto ete ne not1 touche it1, lest1 ptwauenture we shulQ dyen [328] IT The serpent1 saide to fe womman. nay. nay. 36 shullen deye of dethe. ffor sof god woote fat1 what1 day fat1 36 eten ferof. jour eien shullen open, and ^e shullen ben as goddys knowynge good [and] harme [329] IT The wominan seie fat1 fe tree was good to fedynge and faire to fe eyen and delitable to fe 613 11 she toke of f e fruyte of f e tree and ete of hit1 ./ and 3af it1 to her husbonde and he eete . and anoon f e eyen of hem bof opned / [330] and whan fat1 fei knewe fat1 fei were naked fe[i] sewed of fige leeues in manere of breche to hideu her membres [331] 1T Here may 30 see fat1 dedly synne haf furst1 suggestion of fe feende as schewef here by the naddere . And afterward? fe delit1 of fe nessS. as schewef here by Eua. And after fat1 fe consenting1 of fe resofi as schewef by. adam [332] 1F ffor trust1 wel fo3e so were fat fe fende tempted oon fat1 is to saie fe nessh. And / fe flessh had delite in f e bewte and fe froyte deffended 3itt certes til fat1 reson fat1 is to sayn Adam con- sented . to f e etinge of f e fruyte fat1 stood hi3e in astate of Innocence . [333] filk Adam toke • filk synne of Original! . ffor of hem flesshly descended . bene we aft and engendred. of vile and corrupte matere. [334] And whan f e soule is putt1 in our body . li^ti anoon is con- tracte origynal synne. and fat1 was eersfr but* only peyne of concupiscens f is afterward* bof peyne and synne. [335] And f erf ore be we aft yborn sones of

PETWORTH 629 (6-T. 613)

SIX-TEXT 614

630 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

wreth and of dampnacion perdurable if if nere baptisme paf we receyuen which bynymep vs pe Culpe. Buf for- sop pe peyne dwellep wip vs as pe 1temptacion which peyne hi^f concupissens . [336] And pis concupissence whan if is wrongfully disposed or ordeyned in man if make)) hym to coueite coueitise of flessh flesshly synne by si^f of his eyen as to erply pingges and eke couetise of hynes of pride of herf

[337] ^ Now as to speke of )>e fursf Coueitise paf is concupiscence After pe lawe of our membres pat weren lawfully maked and by rightful lugge- menf of god. [338] I say for as moche as man is nof obeysaunf to god paf is his lord? perfo is his fleissR to hym disobeisaunf porghe concupiscens [

[339]

... ?io gap in the MS.~\ if is impossible buf if he be tempred. somtyme in his flessh and anoyed to synne [340] And J)is ping1 may nof faille as longe as paf he lyuep . if may wel wexe feble and faile. by vertue of bapteme and by pe grace of god. pourghe penitence. [341] buf fully shal if neuere quenche paf he ne shal som- tyme be neued in hym self, buf he were aH refreyned by siknes or by malefice of sorcerie or cold drinkes

1[Pauiu3f/ [342] ffor whaf seip seinf Poule. pe flessh coueiten a^einf pe H" spirif . and pe sprif a3einsf pe flessli pei bene so contrarie and so striuen paf a man may nof allway as he wolde [343] 1F The same seinf paule aftere his grete penawnce in water and in lond! in water by nyghf . and in day by grete perile and in grete peyne in londe and enfamyne and thrusf in colde and elopes. & onys scorned almosf to pe depe. [344] }if seid he alias I catiff man. who shal deliuere me from pe pn'son

Uieromiiw* of my catif body [345] And seinf lerom whan he longe tym had wonned in deserte where as he had no company . buf beestes . wher as he had

PETWORTH 630 (6-T. 614) [i leaf 280, back]

SIX-TEXT 615

GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS, 631

no mete but1 lierbes . and watere to his drink1 . ne no" bed / but1 pe naked erpe . for whiche his flessh" was blak1 as an / Ethiopen for. hete and neighe destroied for colde [346] ^it1 seide he . pe brennynge of lecherie boiled in al his body. [347] Wherfore I woote wel sikerly pat1 pei bene desceyued pat1 saien pat1 pei ne bene not1 tempted in her body. [348] Witnesse of seynt1 lame pe apostel . II lacobus i pat1 seip pat1 euery wi^t1 is tempted in his owne con- cupiscence. pat1 is to say pat1 euericn" of vs hap matere and occasion to be tempted of pe norsshinge of synne pat1 is in his body . [349] And perfor seip seint1 lohn) pe Eu&wngelist1 IT $ii pat1 we seyne pat1 we be wip-outen synne we disceyuen our self1 . and troupe is not1 in vs .

[350] Now 1shullen 366 vnderstonde in what1 manere pat1 synne wexep and encresep in man. The furst1 ping1 is pilk1 norshyng1 of synne of which I spak1 byforn pilk1 concupiscens [351] and after pat1 commep pe subieccion of the deuel. pis is to saye the deueles bely pi which he blowep in man pe fire of concupiscence. [352] U And aftere pat1 a man by- penkep hyra whedere he wil doo or noon pilk pinge to whicli he is tempted [353] and pan if pat1 a man wipstonde and waye Off pe furst1 entisinge of his flessE. and of pe feende pan is it1 no synne And if it1 so be pat1 he do not1 soo pan felep he anon a flaumbe of delite [354] and pan it1 is good to be ware and to kepe hym wel. Or ellis he wil falle anon into consentyng1 of synne and pan wil he do it1 if he mowe haue tyme and space. [355] And / of pis matere seip Moyses by pe deuel in pis manere . The fende seip I wil chace and pursue pe man by wicked suggestions and I wil henf hym by mouyng1 or stiringe of synne And I wil departe my prise or my prey by de- liberaciown. and my lust1 shal be accomplised by delite IT I wil drawe my swerde in consentynge. [356] ffor certes as a sweerde departep a pinge in twoo peces

PETWORTH 631 (6-T. 615) [i leaf 281]

SIX-TEXT 616

632 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

so consenting* departef god fro man and than wil I sclee hym wif myn honde in detlie / of synne . pus self fe feende [357] ffor certes fan is a man ai dede in saule and Jms is synne conplised by tempt- acion by delite and by co^sentinge and fan is synne cleped * aiiuiel // p ufor ct or <*]

[358] ffor sofe synne is in two manors / eifer if is venial synne or dedly synne . 1F Sof ly whan man louef eny creature more fan Ihesu crisf our creature fan is it1 dedly synne And venial synne it is if man loue Ihesu crisf lasse fan hym ou3te. [359] for sof fe dede of f is venial synne is f ul perilous . ffor if amenusef fe loue faf man shuld haue to god more and more [360] And f erf or if a man charge more hym self wif mony such venyal synnes . certes buf if if so be faf he som- tyme discharge hym of hem by shriff fei may ful li^thly amenuse in hym al fe loue faf he haf to Ihe.su crisf [361] and fis scipped venial into dedly synne. ffor certes fe more faf a man chargef his saule wif venial synnes . f e more is he enclyned to falle in dedly synne [362] And f erf or laf vs naf be negligenf to discharge vs of venyal synnes. ffor fe prouerbe seif faf mony smale makef a grete. [363] And hark en fis ensample A grete wawe of the See commef somtyme wif so grete a violence faf if drenchef fe shippe and fe same harme doon somtyme fe smale dropes of water faf entref forgh a litel creues into fe thorrok and into fe botme of fe shipp. if men be so necligenf fat men ne 2 discharge hem nof by tyme [364] And ferfore al fou3e fere be difference bytwixe fise twoo causes of drenching*, algates fe ship is dreinf [365] U Ki}t so faref if somtyme of dedly synne and of annoyous / venyal synnes whan fei multiplie in a man so gretly faf filk worldly fingges faf he louef forgh which" he synnef venyally is as grete in his herf as fe loue of god or more [366]

PETWORTII 632 (6-T. 616) P leaf 281, back]

SIX-TEXT 617

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 633

And f erfor f e loue of euery f inge fat1 is not1 bysette in god

ne doon principaly for goddes sake al fof a man

loue it1 lasse fan god. ^it1 is if venyal synne. [367] And

dedly synne whan fe loue of eny finge. weief

in f e hert1 of a man as modi as f e loue of god . or

more [368] more dedly synne as seif seint1 Austyn . if Augusti»«*

is whan man turnef his hert1 fro god which fat1 is

verrey souereyne bounte fat1 may nat1 chaunge. and

3euef his hert1 to a finge fat1 may change and flitte.

[369] and certes fat1 is every f inge sauf god only of heuene .

ffor sof is }if fat1 a man }if his loue fe which fat1

he owef al to god wif al his hert1 vnto a creature.

certes as moche of loue as he 3eueth to whiche

creature so moche [he] byreuef fro god [370] and fer-

fore doof he synne. ifor he fat1 is dettour to god ne

^eldef not1 al his dette to god fat1 is to sayn al fe

loue of his hert

[37 1] 51 Now sif ens a man vnderstondef generally which, is venyal synne . fan is it conable to tellen of special synnes which fat1 mony a man parauenture ne demef hem not1 synnes ne schryuen hem nat1 of fe same fingges and ^it1 nafelees fei bene synnes [372] and sofly as clerkes writen fis is to say fat euery tyme fat a man etef or drinkef more fan suffiseth to f e sustinaunce of his body in certeyn he dof synne [373] U And eke whan he spekef more fan it nedef . it1 is synne . eke whan he harkenef not1 mekely fe complaynt1 of fe poore. [374] eke whan he is in hele of body and wil not1 fast1 whan of ere men fast1 withouten cause resonable . Eke whan he sclepef more fan nedeth or whan he coramef by f ilk1 encheson late to church or to of ere workys of charite . [375] Eke whan he vsef his wiff wif-outen souereyne desire of engendrure to honure of god. Or for fe entent1 to ^eelde to his wiff fe dette of his body. [376] Eke whan he wil not1 visite f e seke or f e prisoners when he maye .

PETWORTH 633 (6-T. 617)

SIX-TEXT 618

634 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

Eke if he loue wiff or chile? or eny worldely fing1 more fan reson require]? . Eke if he flatere or blaundissh" more fan hyra ou}f for eny necessite./ [377] IT Eke if he amenuse or wifdrawe fe almesse of fe poor./ 1H Eke if he apparaillef his mete more deliciously fan nede is . or ete it1 to hastely by licourous- nesse [378] II Eke if he tale vanytees at1 fe churche or at1 goddes seruise . or fat1 he be a talker of ydel wordys of foly or of vilanye. for he shal ^eelde accountes of it1 at fe day of dome [379] IT Eke whan he bihotef or assuref to done fingges fat1 he may not perfourme IT Eke whan fat1 by ^tnesse of foly [he] mysseief or scornef his neighbour [380] IT Eke whan he haf eny wikked suspecion of f inge f er he ne wote of if no sof- fastnesse [381] IT Thise / finges and moo wif-ouf nombre bene synnes as seif seynf Austyne

[382] IT Now shul men vnderstonde fat1 al be if soo f af noon / erf ely man may eschwe all venial synnes . }if may he refreyn hym by fe brennyng1 loue faf he haf to our lord! Ihesu crisf and by preiers and confession n and ofer good werkes so faf if shal buf litel greue. [383] ffor as seif seynf Austyne. If a man loue god in such manere faf al faf euere he doof is in fe loue of god / or for fe loue of god verreyly. for he bremief in fe loue of god .-[3 84] IT loke howe moche faf a drope of watere faf fallef in a fournays ful of fuyre annoyef or greuef so moche annoyef a venyal synne vnto a man faf is parfif in fe loue of Ihesu crisf [385] IT Men may also refreyne venyal synne by fe receyuynge of fe precious body of Ihesu crisf [386] By receyuyng* eke of holy watere. by alines dede . by general confession of confiteor af fe mas. af complyne. and by blessing1 of bisshoppys and of preestes and by other good werkes.

PETWORTH 634 (6-T. 618) ['leaf 282]

SIX-TEXT 619

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 635

H Sequitur de septem pecmtis mortalibws . scilicet

de Superbia . et1 eomm dependency's .

circumstancijs & spectantibns . /.

ow is it1 bihouely finge to tellen which bene

[337]

11 ^C

-Ll dedly synnes fat1 is to say Caytifnesse of synnes al fei renne in cooles. but1 in dyuers manere U Now bene fei cleped Caytif1 for as moche as fei bene cheef . and spryngen of aH ofer synnes [388] Of fe roote of fise vij. synnes. pnde is fe general rote of al harmes. ffor of f is roote springen certeyn braunches . as Ire . Envie . Accidie, or sclowetn". Auarice. or couetise to comon vnderstondinge . Glotenye . and lechery . [389] And euericli of fise chief1 synnes haf his braunches and his twigges . as shal be declared in her chapiters f olowynge .

[De superbia.]

[390] And £01136 so be fat1 no man can / telle vtterly f e nombre of J?e twigges and of ]?e harmes fat1 coramej) of pride. $iti wil I shewe a party of hem as 30 shul vnderstondl. [391] Ther is Inobelience Aua^ntinge. Ypocresie. Despite, ar^gance. Imprudence. Swellinge of hert1. Insolence. Elaciown. Pertinacie. veyngloriei Inpacience U strif. Contmnacie . presunlcio^^n . irreuer- ence U and mony anofer* twigge J?af I can not1 declare [392] H Inobedient1 is he fat1 disobeief for despite to f e comawn- ment1 of god and to his souereyns and to his goostly fadere [393] II Auawnttour is he fat1 boostef of fe harme or of fe bounte fat1 he haf doon [394] U Ipocresie is hee fat1 hidef hyra to shewe hym such as he is. and schewef hym suche as he is not1 [395] II Dispitous- is he fat1 haf disdeyne of his neighbours fat1 is to sayn of his even / cristen or haf despite to doo fat1 hym ou3t1 to doo [396] IT Arrogance is he fat1 fenkef fat1 he haf filk1 bountes in hym that he haf not1, or

43 PETWORTH 635 (6-T. 619) E1 leaf 282, back]

SIX-TEXT 620

636 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

wenef fat1 he sliuld haue hem of his desertes. or ellis fat1 he demef fat1 he be . fat1 he nys nou^f [397] U Im- pudent1 is he J>af for his pride haf no shame for his synne [398] U Swelling1 of herte is he. whan a man reioysef hyw of harme fat1 he haf don [399] U Inso- lent1 is he. fat1 despisef in his luggement1 al ofer folk as to regarde of his valewe and of his corcnynge . and of his spekinge . and / of his berynge [400] U Elacion is whan fat1 he ne may neifer suffre to haue maistrie ne felawe [401] H Inpacient1 is he fat1 wil not1 bene ytau^t1 ne vnder- nome of his vices and by strif werreief / trouf e wittyngly and defendef his folye [402] U Contymax is he fat1 forghe his indignacion is a^einst1 euerich" auttorite or power of hem fat1 bene his souereyns [403] 11 Pre- sumpcion is he. whan a man takef an emprise fat hym ou^tf not1 to doo . or ellis he may it1 nou^t doo and fat1 is called Surquidrie U Irreuerence is whan men done nat1 honure fer as hem ou^t1 to doon. and waiten to be reuerensed [404] U Pertynacy is. whan a man defendef his foly . and trustef to moche to his owne witte . [405] U Veynglorie is forto haue pornpe and delite in temporel heuynesse and glorifie hem in worldly estates [406] U langelynge is whan a man spekef to moche toforn folke and clappef as a mylle . and takef no kepe what1 he saif .

[407] and 31^ is fer a privey spice of pride fat1 waitef first1 to be halowed or he wil be salwed? al be he lasse worfi fan fat1 ofere is parauenture and eke he waitef or desiref to sitte or to goo aboue hym in fe way or kys paxe or bene ensensed or goon / to offringe byforn his neighbour [408] and such [. . . .

no gap in the MS.] a proude desire to be

magnyfied / and honoured to forn f e puple.

[409] U Nowe ben fere twoo maners of pride, fat1 oon of hem is wif-in fe herte 1of man and fat1

PETWORTH 636 (6-T. 620) [Ueaf283]

SIX-TEXT 621

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 637

oper is wip-outt [410] 11 Of which soply pe for seide pingges and moo pan I haue seide appertencmnte to pride pat1 is in pe herte of man. And perto oper spices of pride bene wip-outen [411] But1 napelees oon of pise spices of pride is signe of fat1 oper/ Ri$f as / pe gay leeueseH att1 tauerns is signe of pe wyne pat1 is in pe salere. [412] As pis is in mony pingges as in specheand incountenaunces. And in outrageous arayeof clopinge / [413] for certes of pis nad he no synne II Kota de super- in clopinge . Crist1 wold not1 so sone haue noted and spoke of pe mm. clopinge of pilk1 riche men in pe gospel! [414] U And as seij) seynt1 Gregore. pat1 precious eloping1 is cou- pable for pe derpe of hit1, and for his sopnesse and for his straungenesse . and for his disgisenesse and for pe super- finite, or for pe inordinate scantnesse [. . . . [415]

no gap in the MS.]

[416] as to pe furst1 synne pat1 is in superfluyte of clopinge which pat1 makep it1 so dere to harme of pe puple [417] paf only pe cost1 of enbrawdynge. pe degyse endentynge or barringe . owdyng1 palynge . or bendinge . and semblable waast1 of clopinge in vanyte [418] But1 per is also costlewe furringe in her gownes / so moch pownsenynge of Chisels to maken holes, so mochel daggyng1 of sheres [419] forpwith the Superfluyte in length of pe forseide govnies tral- ynge in pe dunge and in pe myre on hors and eke on foote as wel of man as of womman Jaf al pilk traillyng1 is verrely as in effecte waasted . consumed . thred- bare and roten wip dunge raper pan it1 is jeuen to pe poor to grete damage of pe forseid! poor folk1 [420] and pat in sondrie wise This is to seyn. pe more pat1 cloop is waasted pe more mote it1 cost1 to pe puple for pe scarcenesse [421] 11 And ferperouere if it1 so be pat1 pei wolde 3eue suche pounsoned and

PETWORTH 637 (6-T. 62l)

SIX-TEXT 622

638 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

dagged closing1 to fe poor folk1, it1 is not1 conuenient1 to were for her estate ne suffisaunt1 to bete her necessite to kepe hem from fe desperaunce of fe firmament1 [422] II On fat ofer side to speke of fat1 disordynat1 scanternesse of clofinge as bene thise Gutted scloppes or hanselynes fat1 forgB. her schortnesse ne keuere not1 fe shameful membres of man to wikked entent1 [423] Alas somme of hem shewen f e Shappe and f e bote of fe horrible swollen menbres fat1 semef like to f e malady of hirnia in the wrapping1 of her hosen . [424] and eke f e buttokkes of hem fat faren as it1 were fe hynder part1 of asshe ape in fe ful of fe mone. [425] And more ouer the wrecched swollen membres fat fei / shewe forgiL disgisinge in departinge of her hosen white and 1rede semef fat1 half hyre shame- ful prive membres weren flayne [426] and so be f afr fei departen her hosen in ofere colours as is white- and blak1 or white and blewe or blak1 and rede and so /• forf . [427] fan ne semef it1 as by variaunce of coloure fat1 half1 f e party of his privey membres bene corrupte by fe fuyr of seynt1 Antonye or by cancre or by ofer such meschaunces [428] 11 jitf of fe hyndere parte of her buttokkes it1 is ful horrible forto see . for certes in fat1 party of her body fer as fei purgen her stynkinge ordure [429] fat1 foule party shewe fei proudely to f e puple in despite of honeste. which honeste fat1 Ihesn. cmt1 and his frendes obserued to shewe in his lif [430] IT Now as to outragious aray of wo?7imen god woote fou^e fe visage of hem semen ful chaaste and debonaire . ^it1 notefyen fei in her aray of a-tyre likerousnesse and pn'de [431] U I say not1 fat1 honeste in clofinge of man and woraman is vncon- able . but1 certes f e superfluite or f e disordynate scantite of clofinge is reproueable [432] U Also fe synne of anornament1 or apparaile in fingges fat1 appertenen to ridynge . as into mony delicate horses fat1 bene holden

PETWORTH 638 (6-T. 622) P leaf 283, back]

SIX-TEXT 623

GROUP I. §.2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 639

for delite. pat1 pei bene so faire. fatte and costlewe. [433]

and also mony a vicious knaue Meyntened by

cause [of hem] and in to curious harnays and in sadels . In

cropours in peytrellis and brideH keuered wip precious

elope and, riche barres and plates of golde and of

siluere. [434] ffor which god seip by Sakarye pe f Zacharia pn>-

prophete IT I wil confounde pe riders of suche horses

[435] ^ This folk1 taken litel rewardinge of pe rydinge of

goddes sone of heuene and of his harnays whan he rode

vpon an asse and had noon oper harnayes but*

clones of his poor disciples . ne w[e] ne rede not1

pat1 euere he rode on oper beest1 // [436] I speke pus

of pe synne of superfluyte and not1 for pe resonable

honeste whan reson it require]?. [437] And ferper /

ouer certes pride is gretly notefied in holdinge of grete

mayne whan pei bene of litel profit1 or of ri^f of no profite

[438] And namely whan pat Mayne is felenous and damag-

ous to pe puple by hardynesse of hie lordship or by

wey of office . [439] ffor certus such" lordes foylen

pan her lordshipes to pe deuel of helle whan pei

sustene pe wikkednesse of her mayne [440] H Or ellis

whan pise folk1 of lowe degree, as pilk fat1 halden

ostelers . sustene pe peft1 for her ostilers

and pat1 is in mony 1 maners of disceytes .

[441] Thilk1 manere of folk1 bene J?e flies pat1 folowen

pe honye Or ellis pe houndes pat1 folowen pe Careyn

which forseide folk stranglen spirituelly her lordshipes.

[442] ffor which pus seip Dauid pe p?-ophet II Wikked

dep mote come on pilk lordeshipes and [god] 36116 pafP pei mote descende a doune into helle. ffor in her houses bene iniquitees and shrewdenesses and not1 god of heuene. [443] And certes but1 if pei done amende- ment1 Ki^t1 so as god 3af his blessinge to Pharao by pe seruise of lacob . & to Laban by the seruise of loseph . Ri3f so god wil 3eue his malison to suche lordshippes as to sustene pe wikkednesse of her seru&wntes [. . . .

PETWORTH 639 (6-T. 623) C1 leaf 281]

SIX-TEXT 624

640 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

. . no gap in the MS.] [444] U Pride of J>e table apperej? eke ful oft1 . for certes / riche men bene cleped to feestes and poor folk* ben putte away and rebuked [445] in excesse of dyuers metes and drynkes and namely

suche manere of bake metes [

no gap in the MS.] and

of semblabled waast so J?af it* is / abusion forto fenk1 [446] and eke in grete preciousnesse of vesseH and curiosite of Mynstralcie by J?e which a man is stired j>e more to delices of luxurie [447] If so be J?af he sette his herf lesse vpon our lord Ihesu crisf certeyn if is a synne And certeynly fe delites / my^f bene so grete in J?e caas fat1 men my^f li^tly falle by hem into dedly synne [448] U The Espices fat1 sourden of pn'de. sofly whara J>ei sourden of malice ymagyned and avised and f orn cast1 . . or ellis of vsage bene dedly synnes . if is no doute. [449] And whan J>ei sourden by freelte vn- avised sodeynly and sodeynly wifdrawe a3ein. aH bene J?ei greuous synnes I. gesse faf J?ei be not1 dedly [450] 11 No we myghf men aske wherof J?af pride sourdej? and springeth. And I say somtyme if springe]? of fe goodes of nature and somtyme of fe goodes of fortune, and somtyme of pe goodes of grace. [451] Certes J?e goodes of nature stonden in J?e goodes of body or goodes of soule [452] Certes J?e goodes of body bene hele of body strength" delyuernesse . beute. gentrie. ffraunchises [453] IT Goodes of nature of fe saule bene good wi]> sharpe vnderstondinge sotile engin IT vertu material . good memorie [454] IT Goodes of fortune ben richeses hye degrees of lordshipes. preisynges of fe puple [455] IT Goodes of grace bene sciences, power to suffre spiritueH trauaile benygnitees vertuous contemplacion . wijjstondyng1 of temptacion and semblable Jringges [456] of which forseide goodes certes if is a ful grete foly a man to priden hym in eny of hem alle. [457]

PETWORTH 640 (6-T. 624^

SIX-TEXT 625

GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 641

Now as forto speke of goodes of nature . god wote fat1 somtyme Jwe han hein in nature as inoche to -our damage as to our* profit* [458] As forto speke of helf e of body f certys it1 passe]? ful Ii3tly . and eke it1 is ful oft encheson of J?e siknes.se of f e saule for god wote fe flessB. is a ful grete enymye to f e soule And ferfore fe more fat1 a body is hool fe more be we in perile to falle [459] U Eke forto pride hym in his strenght1 of body it1 is an hie foly for certes fe flessn" coueitef a^einst1 fe spirit And ay fe more stronge fat1 fe flessli isf fe sorier may fe saule be [460] U And oueral fis strength of body and worldly hardnesse cause]) ful often many men to perile and meschaunce [461] U Eke forto pride hym of his gentrie is ful grete foly . ffor often tyme f e gentry of f e body, bygynnef fe gentry of the saule And eke we bene al of oon fadere and al of oo modere . and al we be of oo nature roten and corrupte bo]? riche and poor [462] U fforsof a manere gentrie is to preise fat1 apparaillef mannys corage wif vertues of moralitees and make]} hym cristes child? [463] U ffor trestej? wel fat* oner what1 man fat1 synne ha]> maistrie he is verrey cherle to synne.

[464] 1f JSTowe bene fere general fingges of gentilnesses . as schewyng1 of vices or ribawdry and seruage of synne. in worde . in werk. in cowtenawnce [465] & vsyng" vertu . Curtesie . and clennesse and to be liberal fat1 is to sayn / large by mesure. ffor filk fat1 passen mesure is foly and synne [466] U A nofer is to remembre hym of bounte fat1 he of of ere folk1 haf receyued. [467] Anofere is to be benigne of his sogette . wher-fore as seif Senek . Ther is no f inge more i Seneca conable to a man of hie estate fan debonairte [468] H And f erf ore fise flies fat1 men / clepen bees whan fei maken her kynge fei chesen oon fat1 haf no prikke wherwif he may stynge [469]

PETWORTH 641 (6-T. 625) P leaf 284, back]

gregoritis

contra

SIX-TEXT 626

642 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

*[[ Anof er is a man to haue a noble herfr and a diligent1 to atteyn to hie vertuous fingges [470* see after 474 and Hengwrt and Petworth MSS. .........

............. no gap in the MS.]

[471] U Certes also who fat1 pridef hym in fe goodes of fortune he is a ful grete fool, ffor somtyme is a man a fill grete lord? by f e morowe f fat1 is a wrecche and a caytif er it1 be nyght1 [472] And somtyme fe [ .......

...... wo ^op Mi £Ae MS.] delites of a man ben

cause of fe greuous malady forgB. which he dyeth [473] Certes fe commendacion of fe puple is som- tyme ful fals and ful/ brutile forto trest1. This day fei preise to morowe fei blame. [474] God woote desire to haue commendacion eke of puple haf caused defe to mony a bisy man [*47°] Now certys a man 1to pride hym in goodes of grace is eke an outrageous foly for filk1 ^iftes of grace fat1 shuld haue turned hym to goodnesse and to medecyne. turnef hym to venym and to confusion as seith seynt Gregor . [475] ^ Now syfens fat1 so is fat1 36 han vnderstonden what is pride . and which bene f e spices of it1 and whennys pride sourdef and springef

[The Remedy against Pride."] [47 6] Now shal 36 vnderstonde which is f e remedy a^einst1

. _ ...

pride. and fat1 is humilite or

mekenesse [477] fat1 is a vertue forgh which a man haf verrey U knowlecch" of hym self and holdef of hym self no pris ne deynte as in regarde of his desertes consideryng1 euer his freelte [478] U Now bene f er thre maners of humilite . as humilite in herf annof er in mouf / and fe iij. is in werkes [479] H The hu?railite of herte is in iiij. maners. fat1 oon is whan a man boldef hymself as no^t1 worf by-fore god in heuene. Anofer is whan he despisef

PETWOETH 642 (6-T. 626) P leaf 285]

SIX-TEXT 627

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 643

noon ofer man [480] U The iij. is whan he rekketh nou^t1 £036 / men holde hym nou^t1 worf U The iiij. is whan he nys not1 sory of his humiliacion [481] U Also fe hu??iilite of mouf is in 4 fingges In attemprure speche and in humblesse of speche. And whan he byknowef wif his owne mouf fat1 he is such as hym fenkef fat* he is in his hert1. Anofer is whan he preisef fe bounte of anofer man and nofeng1 ferof amenusef [482] humilite U Eke in werk1 is in 4. maners. The furst1 is whan he puttef ofer men to-forn hym. The secounde is to chese fe lowest* place oueraH The iij. is gladly to assent* to good coiwsaile [483] 11 The 4. is gladly to stonde to fe award? of his souereyn or of hym fat1 is hier in degre Certeyn f is is a grete werk1 of humilite .

1f De Peccato. Inuidie.

[484]

Aftere pride wil I speke of J>e foule synne of envie which fat1 is as by }>e word? of )>e philisophre sorow of olpere mannys prosperite And aftere j>e word of seynt1 Austyne. it1 is sorowe of ojjer mennes wele and loie of ofer mennys harme [485] U This foule synne is platly a^einst )?e holy goost1. al be it1 so fat1 euery synne be a3einst1 fe holy goost1. ^if for as moche as bounte appertenef proprely to fe holy goost1. and envie cowmef proprely of malice fer- fore is proprely a^enist1 fe bounte of fe holy goost1 [486] U Now haf malice ij. spices, fat1 is to sayn hardnes of herte . And wikkednesse or ellis f e flessh of a man is so blynde fat1 he 1consideref not1 fat1 he is in

synne [ no gap in the MS.~\ whicB

is fe hardnesse of fe deueH [487] II That1 of ere spice of envie is whan fat1 a man / werref troufe whan fat1 he wote fat1 it1 is troufe . And eke whan fat1 he werreief fe grace of fat1 god haf ^eue to his

PETWORTH 643 (6-T. 627) [i leaf 285, back]

SIX-TEXT 628

644 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

nei^boure. and al fis is by envie [488] Certes fan is envie fe worst* synne faf is. ffor sofly al ofer synnes bene somtyme a3ein oo special vertue [489] But1 certes envie is a3einsf alle vertues and of alle goodnesses for if is sory of aHe bountes of neighbour, and in fis manere it1 is dyners from alle maner synnes. [490] ffor wel vnnefes is f er eny synne fat* it* ne haf somme delite in hyra self sauf only envie faf euer haf in [hym]self anguyssfi. and sorowe [491] U The spices of envie bene pise . fer is furst sorowe of ofer mercnys goodnesse and of her pros- perite [. . . no gap in the MS.] is kyndely matere of loye . fan is enuye a synne a3einsf kinde. [492] ^1 The seconnde spice of envie is loie of ofer mennys harme.

[-

. . no gap in the MS.~\ [493] Of fis seconnde spice commef bakbitynge [. . no gap in the MS.] or detraccion and fat haf ij. spices as thusf IT Somme man preisef his nei3bowr by a wikked entenf. [494] for he makef alway a wikked knotte at1 the last1 ende. alwey he makef a but1 at1 fe last1 ende. faf is digne and more blanje than worf e is al the plesinge [495] H The seconnde spice is fat1 if a man be good and dof and saif a finge to good entenf fe bakbiter wil turne al fe goodnesse vp so down to- his schrewde entenf [496] U The iij. is to amenuse fe bounte of his neigh- boure [497] H fe .4. spice of bakbityng* is fis. faf if men speke goodnesse of a man wil fe bakkbyter sayn pa?*fay such a man 3if is bette fan he in dispreysinge of hym thaf men preise [498] U The .v. spice is forto consenf gladly harken fe harme faf men speken of ofer folk1, fis synne is ful grete and ay encresef after fe wikked entenf of fe bakbiter [499] 11 aftere bakbitynge commef grucchynge or murmuraunce and somtyme if springef of inpacience a3einsf god and somtyme a3einst man

PETWOBTH 644 (6-T. 628)

SIX-TEXT 629

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 645

[500] A3einsf god if is whan a man gruccheth a^einst fe peyn of helle or a^einstt pouerf or losse of cateH or a3einst reyne or tempest* or ellis grucchej) fat1 shrewes han prospmte. or ellis good men han ad- uersite. [501] and alle thise fingges shuld men suffre paciently. for fei commen by the ri^tful luggemenf and ordinawnce of god [502] U Somtyme 1comme)) grucchinge of auarice as ludas grucched a3einst J?e Mawdelene whan she ennoynted J)e hede of oure lorde Ihesu crisf wi]> her precious oynemenf [503] This maner of murmur* is sucB as whan men grucchen of goodnesse and J>af men selue done er ]>af ofer -folk doon of her owne CateH [504] U Somtyme commejj murmur of pride / as whan symon J>e phiryse grucched a3einst Maudeleyn. whan she approched to Ihesu crist1 and wepte af his fete for her synnes. [505] And somtyme if sourdej) to envie whan man diskeuerej? a mawnys harme J?af was pryvey or berej) hym / on honde J)inge faf is fals [506] 11 Murmur* eke is off amonges seruawntes ]?af grucchen whan her souereynes bidden / hem to doon leeful J>ingges . [507] and for as moche as )>ei dure nof openly say nay. ne wi)>- saye the comaundementz of her souereyn . 3if wil J>ei saye harme and grucche and nmrmure priuely for verrey despite. [508] which" wordes men clepe J>e deuels Pater nostei. Thou3e so • be faf ]?e deuel had neuere Pater nostev. buf )?af folk1 3euen if sucfi a name. [509] Somtyme if comme]> of Ire or of prive hate faf norsshetft rancour* in herf as afterward I shal declare. [510] fan commej) eke bitternesse of herf jjorgh which bitternesse euery good dede of his nei3bour) semej> to hym bitter1 and vnsauery [511] Than commej) discord J>af vnbyndej) al maner

of frendship Than comme]> scornynge of [

no gap in the MS.] his nei3-

bour* al doo he neuer so wel [512] II Than commej? accusinge as whan a man sekef occasion to annoyen his

PETWORTH 645 (6-T. 629) P leaf 286]

SIX-TEXT G30

646 GHOUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

neighbour* which" fat1 is like fe craft of fe deuel fat1 waitef bof ny^t1 and day to accusen vs alle [513] U Than commeth malignite forgh which a man annoyef his neighbour prively if he may [514] And if he no^t1 ne may algate his wikked wille ne shal not* wante . as forto brenne his hous prively . or enpoysen or scleen / his beestes and semblable f ingges

IT Remedium contra Innidiam [from the margin]

[5 1 5] ^ Now wil I speke of f e remedie a^einst1 f is f oule synne of Envie 1[ ffirst1 is J)e loue of god principal and louyng1 of hym self and? of his neighbour . ffor sofly fat1 oon ne may not* be wifouten fat1 ofer [516] And trust1 wel fat1 in fe name of fi neighbour* fou shalt1 vnderstonde fe name of fi brofer ffor certes al we hail oo fader flesshly. and oo Modere Hhatt is to say Adam and Eve and eke oo fadere spirituel fat1 is to say god of heuene [517] Thine nei^boure art1 fou holden forto louen And willen hym al goodnesse and f erf ore seif god loue fine neigbour5 as fine self fat is to say to saluacion bof of lif and of saule [518] And more ouer fou shalt1 loue hym in word? and benigne amonesynge and chastisynge and conforte hym in his anoyes and prey for hym wif al fine hert [519] U And in/ dede fou shalt1 loue hym in such wise fat1 fou shalt done to hym in charite as fow woldest1 men did to fine owne persone. [520] & ferfore fow shalt1 not1 done hym no damage ne wikked worde ne harme in his body ne in his catel ne in his saule by entising1 of wikked ensample. [521] fow shalt1 not1 desiren his wif ne noon / of his f ingges U Vnderstonde eke fat1 in f e name of f i neighboure his com- prehe?zde4. his enemye . [522] Certes a man shal loue his enemye for fe comaundmentz of god And sofely fi frende shalt1 fou loue in god. [523] I say fine Enemye shalt fou loue for goddis sake by his comaunde-

PET WORTH 646 (6-T. 630) C1 leaf 286, back]

SIX-TEXT 631

GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 647

ment1. ffor if if were reson fat1 man shuld hate his enemye. forsof god wold? not1 receyue vs to his lone fat1 bene his enemyes [524] a3einst1 iij manere of wrongges fat1 his enemye do]? to hyw he shal do fre fingges as fus. [525] A^einst hate and rancour of hertt he shal loue hym in hert1 . A^einst1 chidynge and wikked wordes . he shal prey for his enemye . A^einst1 f e wikked dede of his enemye he shal doon hyra bounte [526] ffor crist1 seif. Louef 3oure enemyes and preief for hem fat1 spekef ^ou harme And eke for hem fat1 3011 chasen and purswen and doth bownte to hem fat1 yow hateii II Loo fus comaundef vs our lord Ihesu crisf to doo to oure enemyes. [527] ffor sofly nature dryuef vs to loue our frendes. And parfay oure enemyes han more nede to loue fan our frendes. and fei fat1 more nede haue certes to hem shal men doo good- nes. [528] and certes in filk1 dede haue [we] remem- braunce of fe loue of Ihesu crist1 fat1 deyed for his enemyes. [529] And in as moche as filk1 loue is fe more greuous to perfourme so moche is more grete fe merite And ferfore the louyng1 of our enemye haf confounded fe venyme of fe deueH. [530] ffor ri^f as fe deuel is discomfited by huwzilite Tijti so is he wounded to the deef by fe loue of oure enemye [531] Certes fan is loue fe medecyne fat1 chaseth out fe ve1nym of Envie fro mannys herte [532] The spices of f is pas shullen be more largely declared in her chapiters folowiuge

If De Ira i / [from the margin] [533]

Aftere Envie wil I declare fe synne of Ire ffor sofly who fat1 haf Enuye vpon his nei3bouij anoon comonly he wil fynde hym matere of wretfr in worde or in dede a^einst1 hym to whoom he haf envie [534] And as wel commef Ire of pride

PETWORTH 617 (6-T. 63l) [i leaf 287]

SIX-TEXT 632

648 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

as of enuye. ffor sofly he fat1 is proude or envious is Ii3tly wroo])

[535] This synne of Ire aftere fe descriuynge of seint1 Austyne is wikked wiH to bene auenged. by worde or by dede || [536] Ire aftere fis Philisophre is fe veruewt1 blood of man yquykked in his hert1 forgfi. which he wil / harme to hyra fat1 he hatef. [537] ffor certes f e hert1 of man . by eschawfynge and moovinge of his blood waxef so trouble fat1 he is out1 of att lugemenf of resoura [538] H But 36 shullen / vnderstonde fat1 Ire is in two maners fat1 oon of hem is good and fat1 ofer is wikked [539] The good is by lalousie of goodnesse f orgh fe which a man is wrofe wif wikkednesse [. . . . no gap in the MS.]. And. fer- for seith fe wise man fat1 Ire is bette fan play [540] This Ire is vrith debonairete and if is wroof wif- outen bitternesse not wrof a^einsf fe man but1 wroof wif fe mysdede of fe man. As seif fe prophete dawd Irascimini & nolite peccare [541] U Now vnderstonde fat1 wikked Ire is in two maners fat1 is to seyn sodeyn Ire or hastif Ire wif-outen avisement1 and consentynge of his reson [542] f e menyng* and fe sens of fis is fat1 fe reson of a man ne con- sent1 not1 to filk1 sodeyn Ire and fan is it1 venial [543] Anofer Ire is ful wikked fat1 commef of vilany of herte avised and cast1 bifore wif wikked wiH to do vengeaunce and f erto his reson consentef . and so sofly fis is dedly synne [544] U This Ire is so dis- plesaunt to god fat1 it troublef his hous and chasef f e holy goost1 out1 of manne saule [.

. . no gap in the MS.~\ [545] and putte in hyw f e lik- nes of f e deueH and bynymmef f e man fro god faf is his ri^tfuH lorde [546] This Ire is a ful grete plesaunce to fe deueH. for it1 is fe deuels fornays fat1 is eschauffed wif f e fuyre of helle . [547] ffor certes

PETWORTH 648 (6-T. 632)

SIX-TEXT 633

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 649

as fuyre is more my^ty to distroye er]?ly Jjingges jjan another element1 Ri$ti so Ire is my^ty to destroye att spirituel jringges. [548] Loke ho we ]>af fire of smale gledys that1 bene almost1 dede vnder asshen wollen quyk*ke a^ein whan pei bene touched wi]> bremstone Ri^f soo Ire wil euermore quikke a-3ein whan if is touched by pride J?af is kered in niarmys herf. [549] ffor certes fire may not* come out1 of no Jnnge but1 if it1 were first1 in J>e same J)ing* naturelly as fire is drawen out1 of J>e flyntes wi]> steele [550] And ri^f so as pride is often matere of Ire Eight1 so is rancoure norssher and keper of pe [551] Ther is a maner of tree as seij) seint Isodere jjat1 whan men maken fire of J)ilk tree and keuere]) pe cooles of if with asshen sofly J?e fuyre of if wil lasf lasf al a 3ere or more [552] U And ri3f so fare]? if of rancour whan he is onys conceyued in pe hertis of somme men . Certeyne if wil lasf perauenture from oon / Ester day til anoper day or more [553] Buf Certes filk man is ful ferre from J>e mercy of god al J)ilk while

[554] H In J>is forsaide deuels fornays ]>er foorgen. thre shrewes Pride J>af all blowejj and encresefe J>e fire by pride and wikked? wordes. [555] Than stanf Envie and holdej) J>e hote yren vppon ]?e hertes of man wij> a peire of longe tongges of longe Eancour [556] and pan stanf J>e synne of cowtynnynge or strif and peesf and baterej) and forge]) by vileyns reprouyngges [557] 11 Certes J)is cursed synne annoyejj bojje ])e man hym self and eke to his neighbour . ffor soj>ly al H mosf al fe harme Jjaf eny man do]?e to his neighboure commej) of wrath. [558] ffor certes outrageous wraj?e dojj aH ]jaf euer the deuel hym comaundej) for he ne spare]) neifer crisf ne his swete modere [559] And in his out- rageous angre & Ire alias alias ful mony one af paf tyme fele]? in his / herte ful wikkedly

PETWORTH 649 (6-T. 633) [Meaf 287, back]

Tf loliannes.

Salomon

IT Idem

SIX-TEXT 634

650 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

bop of crist* and of aH his halowes. [560] Is not1 pis a cursed vice [

no gap in tlie MS.] his debonaire

wif espiritueH pat1 shulde kepen his saule [561] Certes it1 bygynnep eke goddys dieu lordship and pat* is mannys saule and pe loue of his neigbours It1 strive]) eke alday a^einst* pe troupe. If reuep hym pe quiete of his h'ert* and subuertep his saule

[562] U Of Ire co?ranen pise stynkinge engendrures. ffirst* hate pat* is olde wrepe discord? porgh. whicli a man forsakep his olde frende pat1 he hap loued ful longe. [563] and pan commep werre and euery manere of wronge pat man doth to his neighbour in body or in cateH [564] U Of pis cursed. 1synne of Ire commep eke mannys sclaughtere And vnderstondep wel pat* homycide pat1 is mannys sclau^tere is in dyuers wise Some manere of Omycide is espirituel and sonme is bodely . [565] Spirituel mannesslaughter is in vj. pingges ffirst* by hate as seip seint* lohn. That1 he pat1 hatep his broper is an homicide . [566] [Homicide] Is eke by bakbytinge . of whiche bakbiters seip Salomon, pat1 pei han. twoo swerdes with which pei scleen her neighbours, ffor soply as wikked is to bynyme his good name as his liff [567] 11 Omycide is eke in ^euynge of wikked counsaile by fraude as forto 3eue / counsaile to array wikkedly custumes and taliages [568] Of which seip Salomon IT lyoun rorynge. bere hungry bene like to cruel lordshippes in wipholding* or a-breggynge of pe

Shepe or pe hire of pe wages of [ . . .

no gap in tlie MS.] pe almesse of poor folk*

[569] ffor which pe wise man seip ffedep hyw pat* almost diep for hunger, for soply but1 pou fede hym pou scleest1 hym. and alle pise bene dedly synnes [570] Bodyly mansclaunter is whan pou scleest* hym wip pi tunge in opere manere as whan pou comaundesf to sclene a man or ellis ^euest1 hym counsaile to scleen a

PETWORTH 650 (6-T. 634-) [i leaf 288]

SIX-TEXT 635

GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 651

man. [571] Mansclaughtere in dede is in foure maners That1 oon is by lawe Ri^t as a Justice dampnej) hym pat1 is copable to pe deep But1 laf pe lustise be ware pat1 he do if ri^tfully. and pat1 he do if not1 for delit1 to spille bloode . but1 for rijtwis- nesse. [572] Anopere homycide is doon for necessite as whan a man scleep anoper in his defendaunt1 and pat* he may noon oper wise eskape for his owne depe. [573] But1 certeynly if he may eskape wip- out1 sclaughter1 of his aduersary and sclepe hym he dop synne and he shal bere pencmnce as for dedly synne [574] U Eke if a man by caas or auenture shete an arowe or cast1 a stone wij> whiche he scleep a man it1 is homycide [575] U Eke if a womman by necligence ouerleip her childe in sclepinge it1 is homycide. and dedly synne. [576] Eke whan a man distourbep con- cepcion of a childe or make]? a womman barayn by drynkinge of venemous herbes porgh which she may not1 conceyue or scleep a childe by drynkes or ellis puttej) in certeyn material pingges in her secre places to sle pe child? [577] or ellis do]) vnkinde synne by which man or wo??i1man shedep his nature in manere or in place per as a childe may not1 be con- ceyued or ellis if a wowman hap conceyued and hurte he[r] self and scleej) her childe ^it1 is it1 homycide [578] H What1 say we eke of wommen fat1 Mordren her children for drede or worldly shame certes an horrible homicide [579] Homicyde is eke if a mon ap- prochej) to a workman by desire of leccherie forghe which J>e childe is pershed or ellis smytej) a womman witingly Jjorgh which she lesej) her childe aft J>ise bene homy- cides and horrible dedly synnes / [580] 31^ commejj jjerof Ire and mony moo synnes as wel in worde as in fou^f and in dede as he fat1 arettej) vpon god or blame)) god of J>inge of which he is hym self gilty or dispisef god and aH his halowes as done pise cursed hasardours

44 PETWORTU 651 (6-T. 63o) C1 leaf 288, back]

T Textus IT Mathews

SIX-TEXT 636

652 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

in dyuers cuntrees. [581] fis cursed synne cloon fei whan J>ei felen in her hert1 ful wikkedly of god and his halowes [582] U Also whan fei treten vnreuerently fe sacrament* of fe autere Thilk1 synnes is so grete fat vnnefes may it1 be relesed but1 fat1 mercy of god passef his werkes it1 is so grete and he so benigne. [583] Than commef of Ire attry Angre whan a man [is] sharpely amonased . in his shrift to f or- lete synne [584] fan wil he be angry and answere hokeiiy and angerly or defende and excuse his synne by vnstedfastnesshe of his flessh or ellis he did it1 forto holde company with wise felawes. or ellis he seif fe fende entised / hym [585] or ellis he did if for his 3oufe. or ellis complexion is so corragious that* he may not1 forbere. or ellis it1 is his destanye as he seif vnto a certeyn age. or ellis he seif hit1 commef hym of gentilnesse of his owncestres and semblable fingges [586] U Alle fise manere folkes so wrappen hem in her synnes fat1 fei ne wol not1 delyuere hem self. Sofly no wi^t1 fat1 excusel hym wilfully of his / synne may not1 be delyuered of her synne til fat1 he inekely byknowef his synne [587] U Aftere fat1 commef sweringe fat1 is expresse a^eiiist1 fe comaundement1 of god. and fis bifallef oft1 of anger and of Ire [588] God seif fou shalt not1 take f e name of f i lorde god in veyn nor in ydelt 1T Also our lorde Ihesu crist1 seif by f e word? of seynt1 Mathewe

[ no gap in the MS.~\ [589] Ne wil 30

not1 swere in al manere. Neifer by heuene for it1 is goddes trone . ne by f e erf e for it1 is f e benche of his fete 1ne by leiusalem. for it1 is fe cite of a grete kynge Ne by fine hede. for fou maist1 not1 make an heer white ne blak1 [590] But1 seif by ^our1 366 366 . and nay nay and what1 fat1 is more it1 is eueH fus seith crist1 [591] 11 ffor cristes sakene sweref not1 so synfully in dismembringe of crist1 by soule

PETWORTH 652 (6-T. 636) p leaf 289]

SIX-TEXT 637

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 653

herte bonys and body for certes if seme)) fat1 36 fenk fat1 fe cursed Iwes ne dismenbred / hym nou3tt ynou^e fe precious persone of crist1 But1 36 dismewbren hym more [592] And if so be fat1 fe lawe com- pelle 3ou to / swere fan rewlef 3ou after fe lawe of god in 3oure sweryng1 as seif leremye 4to. c&pitulo.

[ .......... no gap in the MS.] Thou

slialt1 kepe thre condicions. Thou shalt1 swere in troufe

in doom and in ri3twisnesse [593] This is to sayn T lurabis in

. . . veritate in iudicio

f ou shalt1 swere soof . tor euery lesmge is a^emst1 crisr et iuati«a [same

ffor crist1 is verrey troufe And Jjenk wel fis

euery grete swerer not1 compelled lawfully to swere ^^no^ * leaf

f e wounde shal not1 departe fro his hous fe whiles he 219» 6ackl

vseth sucH viilieful sweringe [594] II Thow shalt1 swere

eke in doom whan fow arte constrayned by fi domes

man to witnesse fe troufe [595] II Eke J?ou shalf

not1 swere for envie ne for fauour1 ne for mede

but for ri3twisnesse for declarynge to

worship of god and in helping of fine euen-

cristen [596] And f erf ore euery man fat1

takef goddis name in ydel or falsely sweref wif

his mouf or ellis takef on hym fe name of crisf

to be called a cristen man and lyuef a3einst1 cristes

lyuyyng1 and his techinge alle f ei taken goddes name

in ydeH [597] IT Loke eke what1 seif seint1 Petere IT Petrus-. /

Act&s 4°. Non esf aliud nomen sub coelo. Ther

nys non of er name seif seint1 Peter vnder heuene yjeuen

to men in which fei mote be saued fat1 is to

seyn but1 in fe name of Ihesu crist [598] IT Take kepe eke

how fat1 f e precious name of Ihesu crist1 as seif seynt1 paule

Ad philipenses 2° In norame Ihesu &cetera . That1 in f e i Ad

name of Ihesu euery knee of heuenly creatures or

erfly or of helle shuld bowen for it1 is so 11136

and so worshipfutt that1 fe cursed fende in helle shuld

tremblee to heren it1 nempned [599] than

semef it1 fat1 men fat1 sweren / so horribly by his

PETWORTH 653 (6-T. 637)

SIX-TEXT 638

654 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

blessed name pat1 pel dispisen if more boldely pan did pe cursed Iwes. or ellis pe deuel pat1 tremblep whan he herep his name

[600] U JSTow certes sipens pat1 swerynge but1 it be doo al lawfully is holy defended me The wors is f orswering1 falsly . and }it nedelees .

[60 1 ] What say 1we eke of hem pat1 deliten hem in swerynge and holden it1 a gentrye or a manly dede to swere grete opes And what1 of hem pat1 of verrey vsage ne cessen not1 to swere grete opes al pe cause not1 worp oon strawe Certes pis is horrible synne [602] swering1 sodeynly wip-out1 avisement1 is eke a synne [603] U Buttlatfvsnowe goo to pilk1 horrible and cursed/ swerynge of adiuracion and coniuracion as don pise fals en- chauntours or nigromanciens in basyns ful of water or in a bri}^ swerde . in a sercle or in a f uyre or in a shulder bone of a shepe [604] I can not1 seyn but1 pat1 pei doon cursedly and II dampnably a^einst1 crist1 and al pe f eip of holy church .

[605] What1 say we of hem pat1 byleuen on dyuynales as by fli^fr or by noys of briddes or of beestes or of sorte by Egrimauncye. by drernes . by chirking* of doores by gnewyng1 of rattye or crakinge of howses and such maner wrecchednesse [606] Certes al pis thynge is defended by god and by holy churche for // which pei bene acursed to pei come to amendement1 pat1 on such filpe setten her byleue [607] U Charmes for woundes and maladies of men or of beestes if pei taken eny effecte it1 bene perauenture pat1 god suffrep it1 for folk shuld $eue pe more faipe and reuerence to his name

[608] U Now wil I speke of lesyngges which" gener- ally is fals signyfiaunt1 or woord in entent1 to deceyuen his euen cristen [609] U Some lesing1 is of which" per commep noon auazmtage to no wi3tt and somme lesyng1 turnep to pe ease eiper profit1 of a man and to

PETWORTH 654 (6-T. 638) [Ueaf 289, back]

SIX-TEXT 639

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 655

damage of a noper man [610] A nopere lesing is for to saue his liff or his cateH . Anoper lesynge commep of delife1 forto lye In which delite pei willen / forge a loiige tale and peynte it1 wip aH circurastannces . wher alle }>e grounde of pe tale is fals [611] IT Some lesynge commep for he wil sustene his word* and some lesing1 co?wmeth of recchelessnesse wM-outen avisemenf and Sem- blable pingges

[612] IT Latt vs nowe touche pe vice of fflaterie which ne coramep not* gladly but1 for drede or for coueityse . [613] fflatery is generally wrongful! presinge. fflater- ers beiie pe deuel norrces pat norshep his chylldren wip my Ik of losengry. [614] if or sop seip Salomon '. 1 Salomon . pat1 flaterie is wors pan detraccion. fFor. somtyme de- traccion make}? an haunteyn man be pe more humble, ffor he dredep detraccion But1 certes fflaterye make]? a man to vn1haunten his hert1 and his countenance [615] IT fflaterers bene ]>e deuels Enchaunters for pei make a man to wene of hym self be like paf he nys not1 like [616] Thei bene like ludas pat* bytraied

[ no gap in the MS.] a man to selle hym

to his enemye pat* is to J>e deueH [617] IT fflaterers bene J?e deuels Chapileyns pat1 synggen euer Placebo [6 1 8] I rekken flaterye in pe vices of Ire. ffor oft tyme if a man be wroop wip a-nopere pan wil he flater some wi}^ to susteyne hym in his querett

[619] Speke we now of such cursyng* as cowmep ouf of yrous herte IT Malisoun may be seide generally Euery maner power of harme such cursyng1 byreuep man fro pe regne of god. as seip seyntt paule [620] And oft1 tyme such cursing1 wrongfully retourneth a^ein to hym pat1 cursep as a brid retournep a3ein to his owne nesf [621] And ouer al ping1 men ou^t1 eschewe to curse her children and 3eue to pe deueH her engendrure as ferforp as in hem is IT Certes if is a grete perile and grete synne .

PETWORTH 655 (6-T. 639) C1 leaf 290]

SIX-TEXT 640

656 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

[622] Lat1 vs fan speke of cliidynge and reproche which bene grete woundes in mannys hert fibr fei vnsewen fe semes of ffrendship in mannys hert1. [623] fibr certes vnnefes may a man pleynly ben accorded wif hym fat1 haf hyra openly revyled and reproued and disclaundred fis is a ful grisly synne

T Text«5./ U And crist1 seif in f e gospeH [624] 11 And take kepe no we fat1 he fat1 reprouef his neighbour eifere he reprouef hym by som harme of peyne fat1 he haf on his body, as rneseH croked harlot1 or by some synne fat1 he dof [625] U Now if he reproue hym by harme of peyn fan turnef fe prophete to Ihesn. Crist1, ffor peyne is sent* by fe ri3twis sonde of god and by his suffraunce be it1 meselrye or maym or inaladie [626] and if he reproue hym vncharitably of synne as fou hullowr fou dronklewe harlot1 and so forf fat appertenef fat to fe roioysyng1 of fe deueH: fat1 euer haf ioye fat1 men don synne [627] U And certes chyding1 may not1 come but1 of vileyns hertes. ffor after fe habundaunce of fe hert1 spekef fe mouf ful off [628] And 30 shullen vnderstonde fat1 loke by eny way whan eny man shal chastise a nof er fat1 he be ware fro chydyng1 or reprouynge ffor trewly but1 he be ware he may ful li^tly quykken f e fyre of angre and of wretth which" fat1 he shuld* quenche. and perauenture scleef 1him fat1 he my^t1 chastise wif benyg-

^ Salomon./ nyte [629] U ffor as seif Salomon U The amyable tunge is fe tree of lif fat1 is to saye of lif spirituel. and a disselaue tunge scleef fe spirit1 of hym fat1 reprouef and eke of hym fat1 is reproued [630] IT Loo

t fM&istinus.i what1 saif seint1 Austyn U Ther nys no finge ylike fe

«5fPauiu8./ deuels child? as he fat1 oft1 chidef U Seynt Poule seif eke 11 1 f e Serucmnte of god by-houef not1 to chide. [631] and howe fat1 chydyng1 is a vileyns finge bytwix al manere folk. 31^ is it1 certes most1 vncownable by-twix a man and his wiff. for fer nys neuer rest1

PETWOllTH 656 (6-T. 640) C1 leaf 290, back]

SIX-TEXT 641

GEOUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS, 657

IT And f erf or seif Salomon U An lious fat1 is vnkeuered if Salomon, in reyn and dropping1 and a chidyng1 wiff bene ylike [632] a man fat1 is in a dropping hous in mony places, they hee eschewe fe dropping1 in oon place it1 droppef on hym in a nofer place 11 So fare]) it1 be a chiding wiff. but1 she chide hym in* 0.0 place she wol chide hym in anofer [633] And ferfore better is f idem, a morsel of brede with loye fan an hous ful of delices wif chidynge seif Salomon [634] U And poule seif 0 30 wominen be 36 subiectys to ^oure husbondes as byhouef in god. And 36 men louef 3oure wyves. Ad colonisenses .3°.

[635] IT Afterward? speke we of scornynge which is a wikked synne And namely whan he scornef a man for his good werkes . [636] for certes suche scorners faren like fe foule tode fat1 may not1 endure to smett fe swete sauour of J>e vyne what1 it1 florsshef [637] U Thise scorners bene partyng1 felawes wij) fe deueH. for fei han loie whan fe deuel wynnej) and sorowe whan he lesej) [638] If They beno aduersaries to Ihesu crist1 for fei haten fat1 he louef fat1 is to say sauacion of saule

[639] U Speke we nowe of wikked counsaille . ffor he fat1 wikked counsaille 3eueth is a traitour . ffor he disceyuef hym fat1 trustef in hym Vf Achitofel de Absolonem U But1 naf elees $i# is it1 wikked counsaile ffirst1 a3einst1 hym self [640] for as seif fe wise man Euery fals lyuyng1 haf his propre in hym self fat1 he fat1 witi: anoy anofer man he annoyef furst1 hym self. [641] And men shullen vnderstonde fat man shal not1 take his counsaille of fals folk ne of to angry folk or greuous folk1 ne of folk fat1 louen specialy to moche her owne profite ne to moch worldly folk namely in counsailling* of saules

[642] H Now commef fe synne of hem fat1 maken discorde amonges / folk which is a synne fat1

PETWORTH 657 (6-T. 64l)

SIX-TEXT 642

658 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

crisf hate]) vtterly and no wonder is . if or he deyed forto make concorde . [643] And more shame done f ei to cristt Jfan did fei fafr hym crucified? ffor god louef better fat1 frendship be amonges folk1 fan he did his owne body fe which he $af for vnitees. therfore bene fei likned to fe deuel fatt euer is about1 to make discord?

[644] U Now eommef f e synne of double tunge . such as speken faire to-fore folk and wikkedly behynde or ellis fei / maken semblaunt1 as fou^e fei speken of good entencion or ellis in game and pley and $itt fei speke of wikked entent

[645] H Now commef bywreying1 of counsaille forgh" which" a man is defamed vnnefes may he restore fe damage

[646] 11 Now commef manace fat1 is an open foly ffor he fat1 open manasef he tretef more fan he may performe ful often tyme

[647] H Now commej) ydel wordes faf is wif-outen profite of hym fat1 speke]) fe wordes. and eke of hym fat1 harkenef foo wordes // or ellis ydel wordes. ben / foo fat1 bene nedelees or wif-outen entent1 of naturel profite. [648] and al be it1 fat1 ydel wordes be som- tyme venial synne ^it1 shuld! men doute hem. for we shullen 3eue rekenyng1 of hem to-fore god

[649] IT Now coramef langelynge fat1 may not1 come wif - 1 Salomon oute synne . And as seif Salomon U It1 is signe of a-perf foly [650] and f erf or a philisophre seide whan a man asked hym 'how men shulde plese fe puple. And he answerdf to mony good werkes and speke fewe langelynggs

[651] U After fis comnief fe synne of Tapes, fat1 bene deuels apes, for fei maken folk to lau^e at1 her laprie as folkes doon at1 fe gaudes of an ape. Suche lapes defendef seint1 Poule [652] U Loke how fat1 vertuous wordes and hooly conforten hem

PETWORTH 658 (6-T. 642) ['leaf 291]

SIX-TEXT 643

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 659

fat1 travaillen in fe seruiso of criste Ki^t1 so conforten fe vileyns words and knakkes of lapers hem fat1 trauaillen in fe servise of fe deueli [653] U Thise bene f e synnes / fat1 commen of f e tunge fat1 cowmen of Ire and of other synnes

[Remedies against Ire.']

[654] U The remedye a3emstt Ire is a vertue fat1 men clepen mansuetude fat1 is debonairete and

eke a nother vertue fat men clepe pacience [

no gap in the MS.]

[655] U Debonairte wifdrowef and refreynef fe styryngges and f e meuyngs of mannys corage in his hert1 and such" manere fat fei ne skippe not* out1 by anger ne by Ire [656] suffraunce suffref swetly al f e annoyaunces and f e wrongges fat1 men doon to a man outward? [657] II Seint1 lerom seif fus of debonairte 1 lerom»w* fat1 hit1 doof noon harme to no wi^f ne seif for noon harme f at1 men hym done ne sayn He ne eschaungef nou^t1 a3einstt his reson. [658] This vertue som / 1somtyme cowmef of nature H ffor as seif f e philisophre . A man is a quyk finge by nature, debonaire and treteable by goodnes But* whan debonairte is enfourmed by grace, it is f e more worf

[659] H Pacience fat1 is anofer remedye a3einsf Ire is a vertue fat1 suffref swetely euery mannys goodnesse and is not1 worf for non harme fat1 is doon to hym [660] 1T The philisofre seif fat1 pacience is filk vertue fat1 suffref debonairly aH fe outrages of aduersite and euery wikked worde. [66 1] This vertue makef a man like to god. and makef hym his owne dere childe as seif crist1. This vertu discomfitef fine enemye And ferfore seif fe wise man If fou wilt venquyssh fine / ennemye. lerne to suffre [662] And fou shalt1 vnderstonde fat a / man suffreth four maner

PETWORTH 659 (6-T. 643) [Meaf 291, back]

SIX-TEXT 644

660 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

of greu<mnce in outward1 f ingges . a^einst which" foure he mote haue iiij. maners of paciences ./

[663] H The furst greuawnce is of wikked wordes. f ilk greucmnce suffref Ihesu crist1 wif-outen grucchinge ful paciently whan f e Iwes despised hym and reproueden hym ful oft* [664] Suffre fou ferfore paciently. ffor fe wise man eke seif IT If fou stryue wif a fool foughe f e fool be wrof . or f ou^e he lau^e algate fou shalt1 haue no rest. [665] That1 ofer greuawnce outward? is forto haue damage of f i cateH H Ther aseinst* sufFred crist1 ful paciently whan he was dispoilled of al fat1 he had in this liff and fat1 nas but1 his clones [666] U The iij. greuawnce is a man to haue harme in his bodye. and fat1 sufFred crist1 ful paciently in all his passion [667] U The iiij. greuawnce is in an outrageous labour* in werkes. wherfore I say fat1 folk fat1 maken her seruawntes to travaille to greuously or out1 of tyme as in holy days . sof ly f ei doon grete syhne . [668] Here a^einst1 sufficed crist1 ful paciently and taught1 vs patience whan he bare vpon / his blessed shulder* fe crois vpon which he shuld? sufFre dispitous deef . [669] Here may men lerne to be pacienf . ffor sof ly not1 oonly cristen men bene pacienf for fe loue of Ihesu crist1 and for guerdon of fe blisse of heuene and of fe blisful lifF fat1 is perdurable But1 certes fe olde paynyms fat1 neuere were cristen com- menden & vseden f e vertue of pacience

^ PWosophus [670] A philisophre vpon a tyme fat1 wolld! haue beten his disciple for his grete trespace . for which he was gretly ameued and brou^t1 a ^eerd? to scoure fe 1 childe [671] and whan fe childe segli fe $eerde he seide to his maister what1 wil 36 doo. I wil bete fe quod his maistere. for fine correctiouw. [672] ffor sof quod fe childe $e ou^t1 first1 correcte ^oure self1 fat1 haf lost1 ^oure pacience for fe gilt1 of a childe. [673] ffor sof quod fe maister al wepinge fu

PETWORTH 660 (6-T. 644) [Meaf292]

SIX-TEXT 645

GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 661

saiesf j?e soo)> . Haue J?ou J?e ^erde my dere sone and correcte me for myn Inpacience [674] H Of pacience commeth obedience Jjorgh which a man is obedien to crisf and into alle hem to which, he ou^ be obedient1 in crisf [675] and vnderstonde wel faf obedience is parfite whan men doon gladly and hastely wij> good herf entierly al jrnf he shuld do. [676] Obedience / generally is to perfowrme fe doctrine of god and of his souereins to whiche hym ou^te to bene obeysaunf in al ri^twisnesse

U De ipeccato accidie [from margin]

[677]

ftere fe synnes of Envie I wil

A1

of J?e synne of Accidie, ffor Envie blyndej) J>e herf of a man. And Ire tronbleth a man. and accidy makef hym hevye fou^tful and wro we [678] IT Envie and Ire maken bitternesse in herf which" bitternesse is / modere of accide and bynymej) hym J?e loue of al goodnes Jrntt is accyde ])e angwissh of a trouble herf and seynf Austyne seij) it1 is anoye of goodnesse and anoy of harme . [679] / Certes J)is is a dampnable synne for if doojj wronge to Ihe^u crisf in as modi as he nyrnej? J>e seruice J?af men ou^t1 to doo Ihesu crisf wij) al diligence as seij? Salomon / f Salomon./ [680] But1 accide dooj? noon suche diligence He doj> al fing1 wij? anoy and wrawnesse sclaknesse and escusaci5n and wij> dulnesse and vnlust1 U fFor which pe booke seij? . Accursed be he fat1 do]) J?e seruise of god negligently [68 1] Than is accidy enmye to euery estate of man for certes ]?e estate of man is in ]>re maners. [682] ei]?er If is fe estate of Innocence as was ]?e estate of Adam byforn J?af he felle in to synne in which estate he was halden to wirche as in heryng1 and in adourynge of god [683] If Anoj>er estate is J3e estate of synful men in which estate men ben halden

PETWORTH 661 (6-T. 645)

SIX-TEXT 646

662 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

T sanctus lohannea ./

f Salomon

to labour in preying1 to god for amendement1 of her

[ no gap in the MS.]

synnes [684] U Anoper estate is pe estate of grace in which estate he is halden to do werkes of penitence and certes to aH pise pingges is accidye / enemye and con- trary for he louep no bysynes at1 aH [685] H Now certes pis foule synne accidye is eke a ful gret1 enemye to pe liflode of pe body for if hap no pwrvyazmce 1a^einst1 temporel necessite ffor it1 is for- slewpe and for-scluggep and distroiep al good temporels by rechelesnesse

[686] The iiij. pinge is pat1 accidie is like hem pat1 bene in pe peyne of helle by cause of her scloupe and of her heuynesse . for pei fat1 bene dampned bene so bounde pat1 pei ne may wel do ne wel penk1. [687] Of accidy cowmep first1 pat1 a man is anoied and encowbred to doon eny goodnesse and makejj pat1 god hap abhomynacion of such accidye as seith seynt1 lohn

[688] H Now co?ftmep scleuth pat1 wil not1 sufire noon hardnesse ne no penaunce ffor sop scloupe is so tendere and so delicate as seip Salomon pat1 he wil not1 suffre noon hardnesse ne pencmnce and perfore he sheendep art pat1 he doop [689] a3einst1 his roten herted synne of accidie and scloupe shulde men exercise by hem self to done good werkes and manly and vertuousli cacchen corage wel to done penk- yng1 pat? our lorde Ihesu crist1 quitep euery good dede be it1 neuere so lite./ [690] Vsage of labour is a grete ping1 for it1 makep as seip Seynt1 Bernard! pe laborers to haue stronge armes and harde Synewes and sclouthe makep hem feble and tendere [691] Than commeth drede forto bygynne to wirkes ffor certes he pat1 is enclyned / to synne hym penkep it1 is so grete an emprise forto vndertake to do werkes of goodnesse [692] [

PETWORTH 662 (6-T. 646) [Ueaf 292, back]

SIX-TEXT 647

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 663

, . . no gap in the MS.] as seij) Seint1 gregorie .

[693] IT Now commef wanhope fat1 is despeire of fe mercy of god fat1 commef somtyme of to moch out- rageous sorowe and somtyme of moche drede ymagyn- ynge fat1 he haf do so moch synne fat1 it1 wil not* auaille hym fo^e he wolde repent1 hym and forsake synne an d doon good [694] f or^e which dispeire or drede he boundenef his hert1 to euery maner synne as seif seint1 Austyne [695] II Which dampnable synne if fa it1 contynue vnto his ende. it1 is cleped synnyng1 in fe holy goost1 [696] This orible synne is so perilous fat1 he fat1 is despeired f er nys no felonye ne no synne fat1 he doutef for to doo as shewed wel by ludas [697] Certes fen abouen all synnes is fis synne most1 displesaunt1 to crist1 and most1 aduersarie to crist1 . [698] Sofly he fat1 dispeiref he is like fe coward! champion recreaunt1 and seif creaunf wifouten nede

Alias / alas / nedelees is he recreaunt1 1and seib creaunfr1 C1— 1 repeated in

us,} and nedeles / despeired [699] ffor certes f e mercy of god is

euer redy to fe penytent. if is abouen aH his werkis

[700] H Alias can a man not1 2vmbyf enke hym of fe gospel

of Luke xv°. Where as crist seif fat1 as wel shal u Luo^ x&v.

fer be ioye in heuene vpon a synful / man fat" dof

penytence fan vppon 90. i9.Ei3tful men fat1

[. . . . no gap in the MS.] neden to penytence [701]

IF Loke forfer in fe gospeH fe Ioye and / fe

feestes of fe good man fat1 had lost1 his / sone. Whan

his sone wif repentaunce was retourned to his fadere.

[702] Can / fei not1 remembre hem eke fat1 as seif

seinf luca xxiii0. Hou fat1 f e f eef fat1 was honged f Luce rdijo

besides Ihesu cristes side IT Lord remembre on me whan

fou commest into fi regne. [703] fforsotfl seide

crist1 to day shalf fou be wif me in

paradys [704] Certes fer nys noon so horrible synne of

PETWORTH 663 (8-T. 647) P leaf 293]

SIX-TEXT 648

664 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

man fat1 it1 ne may in his lif be destroied by penytence forgh vertue of fe passiown and of fe dee]) of crist1 [705] H Alias what1 nedef man fan to be despeired sifens his mercy so redy is to aske and haue [706] U fan / cowmef sompnolence fat1 is scluggy sclumbringe which makef a man be hevie and dulle in body and in saule and fis synne coramef of scloufe [707] And certys fe tyme fat1 by way of reson men shuld not1 sclepe fat1 is by fe morowe but1 if fer were cause resonable [708] 11 ffor sofly in fe morowe tyde is most1 conable a man to say his preiers and for- to fenken on god. and to honouren god and to $euen almesse to fe poor fat1 first1 commen in fe name

t Salomon, of criste [709] 1T Lo what1 seif Salomon, who so wil by fe morowe awake to seke me. he shal fynde [710] U Than cowmeth necligence or rechelesnesse fat1 rekketh of no finge and how fat1 ignoraunce is modere of al harme H Certes necligence is fe norice. [711] necligence ne dof no force whan he shal done eny finge whedere he do it1 wel or badly

[712] II Of fe remedie of fise two synnes as seif

1 sapiens fe wise / man fat1 he fat1 dredef god sparef not1 to done fat1 hym o^t1 to done [713] and he fat1 louef god. he wil do diligence to plese. god by his werkes and abounden hym self wif al his my^t1 wel f orto doon . [714] fan coramef ydelnes fat1 is fe ^ate of al harmes. An ydel man is like to a place fat1 haf no walles fe deueH may entre on euery side or shete at1 hym at1 discouerte by temptacion on euery side [715] This ydelnesse is fe thurrok1 of al wikked and vyleyns fou^tes. and of alle langelingges trowfuls and al ordure [716] U Certes fe heuene is y^eue to hem fat1

t dauid wil laboure . and nou^t1 to ydel folk1 H Eke dam'd l seif

fat1 fei ne be not1 in fe labour of men. ne fei shul not be whipped wif men fat1 is to say in purgatorie

PETWORTH 664. (6-T. 648) [i leaf 293, back]

SIX-TEXT 649

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS, 665

[717] U Certes pan seme]? it1, pei shul be tormented wij> pe deuel in helle but1 if pei done penitence

[718] IT Than commep pe synne pat1 mew clepen tarditas as was a man is so lattred and so tarying1 er he wil turne to god . and certes pat1 is a grete foly . he / is like hyra pat1 fallep in pe diche and wil not1 arise . [719] And / pis vice co?7wnep of fals hope . pat1 he penkep he shal lyue longe. but1 pat1 hope failleth f ul oft1

[720] Than commeth lacchesse pat1 is he pat1 whan he bygjTnnep eny good werk . anoon / he wil forlete it1 and stynt1. as done pei pat1 han eny wi^t to gouerne and ne taken of hym no more kepe anoon as pei / fynden eny contrary or eny anoye [721] IT Thise ben pe newe shipardes pat1 laten her shepe wetyngly go rennen to pe / wolf pat1 is in pe breres or doon no force of her owno gouemaunce [722] IT Of pis commep pouerte and distraction bop of spirituel and of temporel pingges . Than commeth a manere of coldnesse pat1 fresep aH pe hert1 of a man [723] 11 Than commeth vndeuocion porghe which a man is so blent1 . And as seip seint1 Bernard* hap such langour in soule pat1 he may neipere rede ne synge in holy church ne penk on deuocion ne travaille wip his hondes in no good werk pat1 if ne is / to hym vnsauery and al appalled [724] pan wexep he sore and / sclowe and slumbry and sone wil be wroop and sone is / enclyned to hate and to Envie [725] IT Than commep pe synne of worldly sorowe . w/dcfi. pat1 is cleped tristicia pat1 scleep a f Tristicia 4 man. as seip seint1 Paule [726] ffor certes such sorowe wirkep to pe deep of pe saule and of pe body IT Also for pe?'of commeth pat a man is annoyed of his owne liff [727] Wherfore'such sorowe shortep ful often pe lyf // of a man er pat1 his tyme commen is by way of kinde

PETWORTH 665 (6-T. 649)

SIX-TEXT 650

666 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. [The Remedy against Accidie."]

[728] IT Aseinst fis horrible Synne of Accide and fe braunches of fe same Ther is a vertue fat1 is called f (fortitude./ ffortitudo or strenght fat1 is an affeccion forgh which a man despise)) al noyous finge [729] H This vertue is so my^ty and so vigorous f fat1 if dar wif stonde my3tely and wrastel a^einst1 fe Sawtes of fe deueH and wisly kepen hym self fro periles fat1 bene wikked [730] for it1 enchaunsef and enforsef fe soule lii-$ti as accidy abate]? it1 and niakef it1 feble. ffor fis fortitude may endure by longe suffraunce J>e travailes fat1 bene conable

[731] ^ This vertue haf mony spyces U The furst1 is cleped magnanimitas . fat1 is to / saye grete corage . ffor sofly fer byhouef grete corage a^einst1 Accidye lest1 fat1 it1 swelowe fe soul by fe sy?me of sorowe. or destroy it1 by wanhope. [732] This vertu makef folk vndertake harde fingges. and greuous fingg^s by her owne wille wisely and resonably [733] And. for as mocR as the deuel fightef a^einst1 man. more by queynteyse & by scleight1 fan by strenghtli f erfore a man shal withstonde hym by witte and by reson and by dis- crecion [734] U Then ben / fer fe vertues of feif and hope in god and in his seyntes to atcheuen and accomplise fe good werkes in which he pwrposef feermely to contynue [735] U Than commef suerte or sikernesse and fat1 is whan a man ne doutef no travaile in tyme co?/imynge of fe good werk1 fat1 a man / haf bygonne [736] 11 Than commef Magnificence . and fat1 is to sayn whan a man dof and perfourmef grete werkes of goodnesse fat1 he haf bygonne . and fat1 is f e ende whi fat1 men shuld doo good werkes. ffor in fe accowplesing1 of good werkes lith fe grete guerdown [737] U Than is fer constaunce fat1 is stablenesse of corage and fis shulde be in hert1 by stedfast1 feif and in moufe and in

PETWORTH 666 (6-T. 650) [i leaf 294]

SIX-TEXT G51

-GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. G67

berynge and in chere and in dede [738] H Eke fer bene moo / special fingges and remedies a^einst Accidie in dyuers werkes and in consideracions of f e pyne of h-elle and of f e loye of heuene and in fe trust1 of fe grace of fe holy goost1 fat1 wil jeuen hym my^t to perfourmen his entenfr

5f De auaricia.

[739]

Aftere Accidie wil I speke of avarice and of coueytise of which synne seif seint1 Poule ^ Pauius fat1 fe Roote of all synne is coueitise U And Thimothea 2°Capitulo . [740] ffor trewly. whan fat1 f e hert1 of f Timothy a man is confounded in it1 self and trouble and fat1 fe saule haf lost1 fe comforte of god fan sekef he an ydel solace of worldly f ingges

[741] H Auarice aftere fe scripcion of seynf Austyne f is a likerousnesse in herte to haue erfely f ingges. [742] Som 1ofer folk1 seyn fat1 auarice is forto pwrchace mony erfely fingges and no finge ^eue to hem fat1 han nede . [743] And vnderstonde fow wel faf auarice nys not1 oonly in lan(J ne cateH but1 som- tyme in science and in glorie and in euery manere of outrageous fingges is auarice and coueitise [744] And fe difference ytwix Auarice and couetise is fis Coueitise is forto coueite suche fingges as fow hast1 not1 And auarice is forto wifholde and kepe suche fingges as fou hast1 wif-out1 ^tful nede [745] Sofly fis Auarice is a synne fat1 is ful dampnable for al holy writte cursef it and spekef a^einst1 it1 ffor it1 dof wronge to Ihesu crist1 [746] for it byreuef hym fe loue fat1 men to hym owen and turnef it1 bakward? a3einst1 aft reson [747] and makef fat1 fe auaricious man haf more hope in his catel fan in Ihesu crist1 And

...... no gap in the MS.] [748] ferfore seif

45 PETWORTH 667 (6-T. 65l) [] leaf 294, back]

T Exodi xx<>; capitulo ./

SIX-TEXT 652

668 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

seyn Paule Ephesws .5°. That* auerous man / haf more hope in his f raldome of ydolatrie

[749] 11 What1 difference is ytwix an ydolastre and an auarous man but1 fat1 an ydolastre and an auarous man ne haf but1 a mawmet1 or twoof and fe auaricious man haf monye ffor certes euery floreyn in his Coffre is his mawmef [750] And certes fe synne of Maumetrie is fat1 god in fe ten / comaundmentes as beref witnesse in Exod£ capitulo .xx°. [751] Thou / shalf haue no fals goddes byf orn me . Ne f ou shalt make to fe no grauen finge. Thus as is an Auaricious man [. . . no gap in the MS.~\ IT And ydolastre [752] forgn" his synne of Auarice and of coueitise commen fise hard lordshippes forgh which men ben strayned by taliages. custumes and cariages more fan / her duete or reson is 1T And ellis take fei of her bonde men amercementz which myghten more resonably be cleped extorcions fan amercymentz. [753] Of which" amercymentes and raunsonynge of boond men some lordes Stuardes seyn fat1 it1 is ri^htfull for as moche as a cherle haf no temporeft f inge . fat1 it1 ne is his lordes as fei sayne. [754] But1 certes fise lordshippes doon wronge fat1 byreuen her bonde folk1 fingges fat1 fei f Augustinusfa neuere ne $af hem ./ Angustinus de CiwYate li&ro ix°. [755] ko ' U Soof is fat1 fe condicion of fraldome and fe fursf

1 Genesis .5*° / cause of f raldome is for synne . G[e]neszs vto.

[756] Thus may 30 seen fat1 fe gilt1 deserueth" thraldom 1But1 not1 nature [757] Wherfor fise lordes ne shuld not1 moche glorifie hem in her lordship sif ens fat1 by natureli condicions fei bene [not] lordes ouer her f ralles . but for fat1 f raldom come furst1 by desert1 of synne. [758] And ferfer ouer fer as fe lawe seif fat1 temporeH goodes of bonde folk bene fe goodes of her lordshippes 36 fat1 is forto vnderstonde fe goodes of fe Emperour to defende hem in her ri^t1 but1 not1 to robbe hem ne to reue hem. [759] IT And f erf ore

PETWORTH 668 (6-T. 652) [i leaf 295]

*f[ Seneca

SIX-TEXT 653

tmoup I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 669

5ei}> Senetf. Thy prudence shuld lyue benignely wif fine frail. [760] Thilk1 fat1 fou clepest1 fine fraH foene goddys puple . ffor humble folk bene cristes frendes fei bene contubernial wif f e lord!

[761] H Thenk1 eke fat1 suche sede as churles f springenf of suche seed springgen lordes . as wel may fe cherle be saued as fe lorde. [762] fe same def fat1 takef f e cherle . f e same deef takef fe lorde . wherfore I rede do ri^hfc4 so wif fi cherle as fou woldestf fi lorde did wif fe if fou were in his plite [763] Euery synful man is a cherle to synne U I rede fe Certes fat* fou lorde worche in suche wise fat1 J>i cherles rafer loue fe than drede fe [764] H I woote wel fer is degree aboue degre as reson is and skiH is fat1 men / done her devoyre fer as it1 is dwe But1 certes extorcions and despites of $oure vnderlyngges is dampnable.

[765] And forther ouer vnderstonde weft faf conquerours or tyrauntz maken ful often fralles of hem fat1 bene born of as Eoyal blood as bene fei fafc1 hem conqueren. [766] This name of thraldome was neuere knowe erst1 til f at* Noe seid fat1 his sone Canaan shuld be fraH: to his breferen for his synne, [767] U What say we fan of hem fat1 pillen and done extorcions to holy churche K Certes fe swerd? fat* me 3euen furstt to a knyght1 whan he is newe dubbed signifief fat1 he shuld defende holy churcR and no^t1 robbe it1 and who so doof is a traitour* to crist1. [768] as seif seynt1 Austyne U They bene deuels wolfes fat4 stranglen fe shepe of IhesM criste and bene wors fan wolfes. [769] ffor sofly whan fe wolf haf ful his wombe. He stynteth to strangle shepe. But1 sofly fe pylours and distroy- ours of good of holy church ne doon not1 so for fei ne stynte neuere to pillen. [770] No was I haue seide so sif ens so is 1fat1 synne was furst1 cause of thraldome Than it1 is

PETWORTH 669 (6-T. 653) E1 leaf 295, back]

SIX-TEXT G54

670 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

bus bat1 bilk tyme bat1 al bis world? was in synne ban was al bis worlde in braldome and in subiection ./ [771] Butt certes siben be tyme of grace cam god ordeyned bat1 some folk shuld be more highe in estate and hie degree, and some folk more lowe and bat1 eueryche shulde be serued in his estaat/ and in degre. [772] And berfore in some contrey ber bei bene bralles whan bei / han turned hem to be feij? bei makeii her bralles free out* of braldome And berfor certes be lorde oweb to his man bat1 be man oweb to his lorde [773] U J?e pope clepeb hym self seruawnte of Seru<mntes of god. But1 for as moche as be state of holy church ne my^tt not1 han bee ne be comon profite ne my^t1 han be kept1 ne pees and rest1 in erbe but1 if god had ordeyned bat1 som men han hier degre and somme men lowere [774] U berfor was souereynte ordeyned to kepe and mayntene and de- fende her vnderlyngges or her subiectes in reson as fer- forbe as it1 libe in her power and not1 to distroye hem ne as f erf orb confounde. [775] wherfore I say bat* bilk1 lordes bat1 bene bilk1 wolfes bat1 deuouren be possessions or be catel of poor folk wrongfully wib-outera mercy or mesure [776] ber shullen resceyue by be same mesure bat bei han mesured to poor folk1 be mercy of Ihesu crist1 but1 it1 be amended [777] 51 Now commeb despite bytwix Marchaunt1 and marchaunt1 . And bou shalt1 vnder- stonde bat1 Marchaundise is in mony maners. bat1 oon is bodyly & bat1 ober is goostly. bat1 oon is leeful and bat1 oter is dishonest and vnlieful [778] 51 of bilk bodily marchauwdyse bat1 is leeful and honest1 is bis bat1 ber as god hath ordeyned bat a regne or a centre is sufficient1 him self ban is it1 honest1 and lieful bat1 of be habundaunce of bis cuntre bat1 men helpe anober cuntre bai1 is more nedye • [779] and berfore bei mote be Marchauntz to bringe from bat1 oon cuntre to bat1 ober her march-

PET WORTH 670 (6-T. 654)

SIX-TEXT 655

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Fetworth MS, 671

aurcdise../ [780] U That1 of ere marchaundise faf men haunte wif fraude trecherye and disceyte wif lesyngges and fals of es is cursed and dampnable . [781] H Espirituel Marchaundise lis proprely Symonye faf is ententif desire to by jjenk* espirituel that1 is fing1 faf apperteynef to fe sentuary of god and to cure of fe soule. [782] This desire if so be fat1 a man do hys diligence to perfourme if al be it1 fat1 his desire ne take noon effecte ^if is if to hym a dedly synne and if he be ordred he is aregulere [783] U Certes Symony is cleped of Symon magus faf wolde haue bou3f fe temporel CateH./ fe 3iff faf god had 3euen / by fe holy goosf to seinf Peter and to fe apostels./ [784] And f erf ore vnderstondef faf bof he faf sellef and he fat1 byetll fingges espirituH bene cleped Symonyals be if catel be if procurynge or by flesshly preier of his frendes or of spirituel

frendes [785] [

no gap in the MS.]

Sofly if fei prey for hym faf is nof able ne worfi. if

is Symonye . If he take fe benefice and if he be worfi and

able he nys noon. [786] H Thaf ofer maner is if a man

or a womman preyef for folk to auazmsen hem / only for

wikked flesshly affectiofi faf fei han vnto fe persones

and faf is in foule Symonye. [787] Buf certes in seruice

for which men 3euen fingges espirituels vnto her

seruawntes If inosf be vnderstonde faf fe seruise

mosf be honesf and ellis nof. and eke faf hit be

wif ouf barganynge and faf fe persone be able.

[788] ffor as seif seinf Damasie ^1 Alle J>e synnes of fe

world{ af f e regarde of this synne bene as a f inge of nou3f .

ffor if is fe grettesf synne faf may be aftere 2fe synne P-8 repeated i*

of lucifer2 and of antecrisf [789] for by fis synne god

forlesef fe churche and fe soule faf he bou3t wif

his precious blood by hem faf 3euen chirches to hem

J>af bene not digne. [790] ffor fei putten in feues faf

PETWORTH 671 (6-T. 655) [i leaf 296]

SIX-TEXT G56

672 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

stelen pe soules of Ihesu crist and distroyep his patry- moyne [791] by suche vndigne preestes and curates Jian men pe lasse reuerence of pe sacramentes of holy churche . And suche ^euers of churches putten out1 pe children of1 crist. and putten in pe churche pe deuels owne sone. [792] pel sellen pe soules Jje lombes shulden kepen to pe wolf paf strangle]) hem and perfore shul pei neuere haue parte of pe pasture of lambes fat is pe blisse of

ofHasardry heuene . [793] H Now commep hasardy with his a1pur- tyncmnces as tables and Rafuls of which commep disceite fals opes chidyngges and a-ft ravanys blasphemynge and reneiynge of god and hate of his neghbours waast1 of good in spendyng1 of tyme and somtyrae marcnys sclaughter [794] Certes hasardours ne may not1 be wip-out1 grete synne pe whiles pei haunte pat1 craft [795] Of Auarice commej) eke lesingges . Jjeeftfand falswitnesse . and fals oj?es and 36 shal vnderstonde pat1 pise bene grete synnes and expresse a3einst1 pe comaundementz of god as I haue

f De faiso testi- sai(J [796] If £fals witnesse is in worde and eke in dede In worde as forto byreue pine nei^bours good name by pi fals witnessinge or byreue hym his Cateti or his heritage by pi fals witnessinge . whan pou for Ire or for mede or for envie berest1 fals witnesse or accusest hym. or excusest hym by pi fals witnesse. or ellis ex- cusesf pine self falsly. [797] ware ^ou questmongers and notaries. Certes for fals witnessyng1 was S-usanna in grete sorowe & peyn and mony anoper moo [798] II The

*; He ffurto synne of peft is eke expres a^einst goddes heest1 and pat1 in two maners corporett and spirituett [799] [Corporeli] as for to take pine neighbours cateH a^einsf his wille. be ifr by force or by scleight1 by it1 by mette or by mesure . [800] By stelynge eke of fals enditenientz vpon hym and in borowinge of pine neighbours CateH in entent1 neuer to pay. And semplable pingges [80 1] es- pirituett peft1 is sacrilege pat1 is to seyn hurt-

PETWORTH 672 (6-T. 666) [i leaf 296, back]

SIX-TEXT 657

GKOUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth. MS. 673

ynge of holy pingges or of pingges sacred to crist in two maners by reson of pe holy place as churches or chirch hawes. [802] for euery vyleyns synne pat1 men doon in suche places may be cleped Sacrilegge or euery violence in pe semblable places ./ IT Also pei pat1 wipdrawen falsly pe ri^tes fat1 longen to holy church. [803] And pleynly and generally sacrilege is to jeue holy pinge fro holy place, or vnholy pinge out1 of holy place, or holy ping* out1 of vn- holy place

[The Remedy against Avarice.]

[804] U Now shul $e vnderstonde pat1 pe releuyng of f Reueiaei<» Auarice is misericord and pite largely taken./ If And men my^ten axen why pat1 misericorde and pite is releuynge of auarice [805] f Certes pe Auarous 1man scheweth no pite ne misericord* to pe nedeful man ffor he delitep hym in pre kepingges of his tresoure and not in pe reskowinge ne releuing1 of his euen- cristen and perfore speke I furst1 of misericorde [806] pan is misericorde as seip pe philosophre U A vertue by whiche pe corage of a man is stired by pe myssese of hym pat1 is myssesed [807] vpon which misericord folowep pite in perfourmynge of charitable werkes of misericord!. [808] And certes pise meuen man to pe misericord? of Ihesu. crist4 pat1 hym self for our gilt1 suffred deeth for misericord? and for^aue vs our origynal synnes [809] and per-by relesed vs fro pe peyne of helle and amenusep pe peynes of purgatorie by penytence. and ^euep grace wel to doo. and at1 pe last pe loie of heuene [810] The spices of misericorde bene as forto lene. and forto $eue / and forto [. . . no gap in the MS.] relees . and for to haue pite in hert1 and compassion of pe meschief of his

PET WORTH 673 (G-T. 657) [Ueaf2973

SIX-TEXT

674 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

euencristen . and eke . chastise f er as nede is [811] II Anofer maner1 remedy a3einst1 Auarice is resonable largesse. But1 softy here byhoueth fe con- sideraciofl of fe grace of Thesu crist and of his temporeH goodes and eke of fe goodes perdurables fat1 crist1 ^aue vs. [812] and eke to haue remembrannce of f e deef fat1 he shal haue he noott not1 whan . and eke fat1 he shal forgoon all fat1 he hafe [. . . no gap in the MS.~\ dispended in good

[813] 11 But1 for as moche as some folk bene vnmesur- able men ou^ten eschewe fool largesse fat1 men clepen waast1 [814] Certes he fat1 is fool large ne ^eueth not1 his cateH. but he lesef his cateH. Soofly what1 finge fat1 he ^euef for veyn glorie as to Mynstralles and to folk forto byreuen his renown in fe world' he haf do / [synne and non] almesse. [815] ce[r]tes he lesef foule his good fat1 he ne sekef no finge of his good but1 synne . [8 1 6] he is like to an hors fat1 sekef rafer to drink1 drovy or troubly watere fan of fe clere welle [817] And for as moche as fei 3eue fere as fei shuld! not ^eue to hem apperteynef filk malyson fat1 criste shal 3euen at1 fe day of dome to hem fat1 shul be dampned . /

De Gula /

[818]

U Guia./. A ftere Auarice coramef glotenye which" is expresse eke

-fjL a^einst1 fe comaundemenf of god H Gloteny is vnmesurable appetif to ete or to drink1 or ellis to doon ynogfi to fe vnmesurable and discord? coueityse to ete and to drynk1 [819] U This synne cor- rumpef al fis world? as is wel shewde in 1in fe synne of

y Pauius Adam and of Eua U Loo eke what1 seif seynt1 Paule of

gloteny [820] U Mony seif seint1 Paule goon of whicli

PETWORTH 674 (6-T. 66S) [* kaf 297, back]

SIX-TEXT 659

GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 675

I haue off seide to 3011. and* no we I seie if wepynge Jmf Jjei bene Enemyes of J?e crois of crisf of which ]?e ende is deej? and of which" her woombe is her god and her glorye in confusion of hem )>af so saueren erj>ely J>ingges [821] he paf is vsanf to Jns synne of glotenye he ne may no synne wijjstonde. he / mote bene in seruage of aH vices . for if is J?e deuels hoorde )>er [he] hide]? him and restej) [822] H This synne ha]> mony spices H The fursf is drcnknes Jmf is J?e horrible sepulcre of mannys reson And J?er- fore whan Jmf a man is dronken . he ha]) losf his reson and pis is dedly synne [823] H Buf certes whan a man is naf wonte to straunge drynk and perauenture ne knowej) nof ]?e strength of j?e drynk1 or hap feblenesse in his hede or ha)? travailled )>orgh which he drinke}) )je moore al be he sodeynly can^te wi]? drink1 if is no dedly synne. buf venial [824] 1T The secounde spice of Gloteny is jjaf }>Q spirif of a man wexej> al trouble, for dronknesse byreuej? hym pe discrecion of his witte [825] 5I The )>red spice of gloteny is whan a man deuourej) his mete and hajj no ri^t-ful maner1 of etynge [826] H The fourte is whan jjorgh ]?e grete habund- aunce of his mete J>e humours of his body bene dis- tempred [827] 11 The v. is for^etelnesse by to mochel drynkynge. ffor which somtyme a man fo^etej? by J?e morowe whaf he did af Eue or on J)e ny^f byfor

[828] H In oper manere bene distincte of vices & spices of glotenye aftere seinf Gregorie H The fursf is forto ete by- f fore tyme. The secounde whan a man getej) hym to delicate mete [829] H The iij. is whan men taken to moche ouere mesure II The 4 is curiosite wij> grete entenf to maken and apparailen his mete H The .v. is forto eten to gredely [830] Thise bene the .v. fyngers of jje / deueies honde. by which" he drawej) folk1 to synne

PETWORTH 675 (6-T. 659)

SIX-TEXT 660

676 QEOU? I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

[The Remedy against Gluttony.]

f Remedittm ./ [83 1] II A3emstf glotenye is the remedy abstinence of his body as seip Galien. but1 pat1 hold? I not1 meritorie if he do it1 only for pe help of his body U Seynt1

1 Aug«s«»ws. austyne wil pat1 abstinence be doon for vertue & wip pacience [832] U Abstinence he seip is litel worp . but1 if a / man haue good wille perto / and but1 if it be enforced by pacience and by charite and pat1 men doon it1 for goddys / sake and in hope to haue pe blisse of heuene

[833] U The felowes of abstynence. bene attemper- aunce pat1 haldep pe mene in alle 1pingges U Eke shame pat1 eschewep aH: dishoneste . Su&saunce pat1 sekep no riche metes ne drinkes ne doop noo force of noon / outrageous apparaillynge of mete [834] Mesure also pat1 restreynep by reson pe delaue appetite of etynge. Sobrenesse also pat1 restreynep pe outrage of drynk. [835] Sparyng1 also pat1 restreynep pe delicate eese to sitte longe atte mete and softly // wherfore some folk* stonden of her owne wille and to ete^ at1 pe lasse leisere

II De Inxuria Sequitur ./

p36]

^1 Luxtma A ftere Gloteny commep lecherye . ffor pise

.jLjL two synnes ben so nygh Cosyns pat1 often tyme pei wil not1 departe./ [837] God woote pis synne is f ul displesaunt1 ping1 to god . ffor he / seip hym self . do no lecherye . And perfore he puttep grete peynes a^einst1 pis synne . As in pe olde lawe . [838] U If WO?TI- man pral were taken in pis synne . she shuld be beten wip staues to pe dethe And if she were a gentile woraman she shulde be sclayn with stones And if she were a bishoppes doubter1 f she shuld be brent1 by goddis comanndement1 [839] U fferpermore by pe synne of lecherye f god draynt1 al pe world* at1 pe

PETWORTH 676 (6-T. 660) [i leaf 298]

SIX-TEXT 661

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS, 677

diluve. And after fat1 he brent1 .v. Citees wif li^t1 and sonke hem into helle

[840] U Nowe lat1 vs speke fan of filk1 stynkinge synne of lechery. fat1 men clepen aduoutrie of wedded folk fat1 is to say if fat1 oon of hem be wedded or ellis boo]? [841] II Seint1 lohn seif fat* f e aduoutrers schullen be in helle in a stynk1 brennyng1 of fnyre and of bremstoon . In fuyre for lechery . In bremstone for f e stynke of her ordure [842] II Certes fe brekinge of fis sacrament1 is an horrible finge. it1 was made of god hym self in Paradise and conformed by Thesu crist1 as wittnessef seint1 Mathewe in f e gospeH: 51 A man shal lete fadere and modere and take lajm to his wiff and fei shul be twoo in oo flessh" [843] IT This sacrament1 bytoken- ef fe knyttyng1 to-gidere of crist1 and of holy churche. [844] and natt oonly fat1 god forbad aduoutrie in bedde . but1 eke he comaunded fat1 f ou shuldest1 not1 coveyte fine neighbours wiff [845] H In fis heest1 seif seint1 Austyne is for-boden al manere coueitise to doon lecherie H Loo what1 seif seint1 Mathewe f e .v. chapitle/in f e gospeH: . fat1 who so seef a womman to coueitise of his lust . he haf doon lecchery wif her in his hert [846] 51 Here may 30 see fat1 not1 oonly fe dede of this synne is forbodef but1 eke f e desire to doon fat1 synne [847] H This cursed 1 synne annoy ef greuously hem fat1 it1 haunten and first1 to her saule for he obligef it1 to synne and to peyne of f e deef / fat1 is perdurable . [848] vnto f e body annoyef it1 greuously also for it1 drief hym and waastef hym / and [. . no gap in MS.] of his blood he makef sacrifice to f e feende of helle. hit1 waastef eke his cateH and his substannce. [849] & certes if it1 be a foule fing1 a man to waast1 his cateH on wommen . ^if is if a foulere f inge whan fat1 for such ordure wo?7imen dispenden vpon men her catett and her substannce [850] H This synne as seif the prophete byreuef man and womman her good fame and al her honure and it1 is ful plesaunt to fe deuel. for ferby

PETWORTH 677 (6-T. 66l) C1 leaf 298, back]

SIX-TEXT G62

678 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

wynneth he fe most1 partie of fis world? [851] And rijti as a marchannte delitef hym most? in chaffare fat1 he haf most1 aucmntage of Ri^t1. »o delitef f e feende in fis ordure

[852] this is fat1 ofer hand of fe deuel wif .v. fyngres to cacche fe puple to his vilanye [853] U The first1 fynger is f e foolissh lokinge of the foolyssh man or the folissh" wowman fat1 scleef ri^t1 as fe basilicok scleef folk1 by f e venyme of his / sight1 . ffor f e Coueityse of fe eyen folowef fe couetise of fe herte [854] IT That1 ofer fynger is f e vileyns touchynge • in wicked maner* And ferfore seij? Salomon, fat1 who so touchef and handlef a wo?wman. he faref like hyw fat1 handlef fe scorpion fat1 styngef and sodeynly scleef fourgh his enuenemynge. As who so touchef warme picch. he shent1 his fyngres [855] H The iij is foolissh wordes fat1 faref lich fire f af brerinef . fat1 ri^t1 anoon brennef fe herte, [856] 11 The iiij. is fe kissynge. And sofly he were a grete fool fat1 wolde kysse fe mouf of a brennyng1 ouen or of a forneys. [857] And / more fooles bene fei fat1 kissen in vileynye for fat1 mouf is fe moufe of helle. And namely fise olde dotardes holours 3^ wil fei kisse fou3e fei may not1 do . and smatere hem [858] 11 Certes fei bene like to houndes . ffbr an hounde whan he commef by fe Rosere or by ofer bewtees fou^e he may not1 pisse . 3it wil he heuene vp his legge and make cown- tenatmce to pisse. [859] And for fat1 mony man wenetfi. f af he may m^t1 synne for no likerousnesse fat1 he dof with his wiff Certes fat1 opynyon is fals H God woote a man / may sole hym self wif his owne knyff. And maken hym druw,ke wif his owne tunge [860] Certes be it1 wif or childe or eny worldly fing1 fat1 he loueth to-fore god it1 is his mameut1 and he is his ydolastre [86 1] U A man shuld loue his wiff by discrecion paciently and temperally And fan is she as it1

PETWORTH 678 (6-T. 662)

SIX-TEXT 663

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 679

were his suster* [862] U The .v. 1fynger) of fe deuels honde is f e stynkynge dede of lecherie [863] Certes f e .v. fyngers of glotenye f e f ende putte in f e wombe of a man . and wif fise .v. fyngers of lecherie he gripe]? hyra by fe Eaynes forto frowe hym into fe fornais of helle . [864] f er as f ei / shul han f e f uyr1 and f e wormes fat1 euere shul lasten. and wepyng1 and waillyng1. sharp hunger* and frest1. Grislynesse of deuels fat1 shullen alto treden hem wif-outen respite and with- outen eende [865] H Of lecchery as I seide sourden dyuers spices As fornicacion fat1 is bytwix man and woraman fat1 bene not1 inaried. and fis is dedly synne and a^einst1 nature . [866] for al fat1 is enemye and destruction to nature is a3einst1 nature. [867] Parfay f e reson of a man telleth hym eke wel fat1 it1 is dedly synne for as mociL as god forbode lechery. And seintt Paule $euef hym fe regne fat1 is due to no wi^t U But1 to hem fat1 doon dedly synne [868] U A nof er synne of lechery is forto byreuen a maide of her maidenhode . ffor certes he fat1 so doof he caccheth a mayde out1 of fe hiest1 degree fat1 is in fis present1 liff [869] and byreuef hure filk1 pr[e]cious fruyte fat1 fe boke clepef f e hundred? fruyte I ne can not1 say it1 in noon of er way in englissh. but1 in latyne it1 hight1 Centesimws fructua [870] Certes he fat so dof is cause of mony damages and vilenyes moo fan eny man can rekne Ri^t1 as he somtyme is cause of aft Damages fat1 beestes doon in fe feelde fat1 brekef fe hegge or fe closure forowe which he distroief fat1 may not1 be restored. [871] ffor certes no more may maidenhede be re- stored, fan an harme smyte fro fe body may retourne a3ein to wexe. [872] She may haue mercy fis wote I weft if she doo penitence, but1 neuer shal it1 be fat1 she nas corrupte . [873] And al be it1 so fat1 1 haue spoken somwhat1 of aduoutrie. it1 is good to shewen moo periles fat1 longen to aduoutrie forto eschewe fe foule

PETWORTH 679 (6-T. 663) C1 leaf 299]

SIX-TEXT GG4

680 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

e.ynne of [874] aduoutrie 11 Auoutry in latyne is forto seyne approchinge of an of er mannys bed . f oorgR which f oo f af •whilom were oo flessn" . abounden her body to of er personeS [875] U Of fis synne as seif fe wise man coramef mony harmes 1[ ffirst brekinge of fei feif . And certes feif is keye of cristendome [876] And whan faf feif is broke and lorne. sofly cristendome stanf» {veyne] And wif-ouf fruyte [877] fis synne is eke a feef ./ H ffor f eeff generalli to speke is forto Eeue a wi^frhis f ing1 a3einsf his wille . [878] Certes fis is f e foulest1 f eff that may be. whan 'a wowman stele Jj her body from her husboncfc and $euelp if to her holour to defoule her* and stele]) her soule from crisf & ^euej? if to J?e deuel . [879] This is a foule[r] )>eff fan forto stele or breke J?e chalice from J>e autere. ffor fise aduoutrers breken J>e temple of god spirituelly and stelen fe vesseH: of grace J?af is J)e body and J?e saule. ffor which crisf shal destroien hem as seij? seynf Paule. [880] U So]?ly of fis peff douted gretly losepR whan J?af his lordys wif preide hym of vilanye whan he saide IT lo my lorde howe my lady ha)> take to me vnder my ward? al J>af he haj) in J>is world?, ne no fing1 of his ou^f ol my pouer* buf oonly 30 faf bene his wiff [88 1] and howe shuld? I fan doon fis wikkednesse & synne so horribli a3einst god. god if forbede. Alias al to litel is suche troufe now yfounde [882] IT The iij. harme is the filfe forowe fe which ]?ei breken fe comaundemen of god and defoulen fe autere of her matrimoyne faf is crisf [883] ffor certes in so moche as fe sacramenf of manage is so noble and so digne . So moche if is fe gretter synne forto breke if. ffor god made mariage in paradys in fe estate of Innocence to multiplie mankynde to fe seruice of god. [884] and ferfore is fe brekinge ferof greuous. Of which breking1 cowmen fals heires often tyme faf wrongfulli occupien folkes heritage and ferfore wil crisf putte

PETWOIITH 680 (6-T. 664) [Meaf 299, back]

SIX-TEXT 665

GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 681

hem ouf of pe regne of heuene paf is heritage to good folk [885] H Of )>is broking1 comrnep eke oft1 tymes paf folk vnware wedden or synnen with her owne kynrede. and namely pilk1 harlottes pat1 haunten bordels 5f Of thise fool wowmen paf mowen be likned to a comune gonge wher as men purge her ordure [886] II What* say we eke of putours paf lyuen by pe horrible synne of Putrie and constreynen woramen 30 somtyme his owne wiff or his childe as doon pise bawdes to 3eelden hem a certeyn rent1 of her bodily putrie Certes pise bene cursed synnes [887] If Vnderstondep eke paf aduoutrie is sette gladly in the x. comaundementz bytwix peff and man* nys sclaughter . for it1 is pe grettesf pef f pat1 may be . fibr if is peeff of body and soule [888] and it1 is like homycide ffor if keruep a twoo and brekep a twoo hem paf fursf were ymaked oo flessh. and perfor by pe olde lawe pei 1shuld be sclayn [889] But1 napelees by pe lawe of Ihesu crist1 pat1 is pe lawe of pite whan he saide to pe wominan pat1 was / founde in aduoutrie and shulct haue bene sclayn wip stones aftere pe wille of pe Iwes as was her lawe H Go quod ihesu crist and haue no more wille to do synne or wil no more to do synne [890] Soply vengeaunce of aduoutrie is a- warded to pe peyne of helle but1 if be destroubled by penawnce [891] 1T 3if bene pere moo spices of pis cursed synne . as whan paf oon of hem is religious or ellis boop . or of folk paf bene entred into ordere as subdeken or deken or preesf or hospitalers, and euer pe hier paf he is in ordere pe gretter is pe synne [892] The pingges paf gretly aggreggen. his synne is pe breking1 of his avowe of chaastite whan he receyuep order1. [893] And ferper ouer. soop is paf holy order* is cheef of aH pe tresour of god . And his especial syngne and marke of1 chaastite to shewe paf pei bene loyned to chastite which paf is pe moosf precious lif paf is. [894] And eke pise ordred folk1 bene specially tytled to god . and of pe

PETWORTH 681 (6-T. 665) [UeafSOO]

SIX-TEXT 666

682 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

special mayne of god. fibr which whan foi doon dedly synne fei bene fe special traitours of god and of his puple. ffor fei lyuen of fe puple to prey for fe puple. And while fer bene sucn traitours her preiers availlen not1 to fe puple./ [895] 11 Preestes bene as aungels as by ]>e dignite of hir mysterye U But1 forsof seynt1 poule seif. fat sathanas transformef hym into an aungeH of lijt1. [896] Sofly fe preest1 fat1 hauntef synne he may be likned vnto fe aungel of derknesse. transformed in fe aungel of lijti U He seme]? aungel of lijtt. but1 forsof he is aungel of derknesse [897] H Suche preestes bene fe sones of Belye. as schewef in fe boke of kyngges fat1 fei weren J>e sones of Belial fat1 is fe deuett [898] Belial is to say wif-out1 luge, and so faren fei. hem fenke f ei bene free and han no luge no more fan haf a free boole fat1 takef which kowe fat1 him litek in fe toune. [899] So faren fei by wemmen. fibr ri^t1 [as] a fre bulle is ynou3e for al a toune Kist1 so is a / wikked preesf corrupte ynough for al a parissh or att a cuntree [900] Thise preestes as seif fe boke ne kon nott f e mysterye of preesthode to f e puple . ne god ne knowef 1hem nou^They ne holden hem no^tta-paideas seif f e boke of soden flessh fat1 was to hem ofired but1 fei toke by force fe flesshe fat1 is rawe [901] Certes ri^t1 so f ise schrewes ne holdene hem not1 a-paide of rosted flessh and soden flessfr wif f e which f e pupeH fedden hem in grete reuerence. But1 fei wil haue rawe flessh as folkes wyues and her doughtren [902] IF And certes wommen fatt consenten to her harlotrie done grete wronge to cn'sf and to holy churche and to alhalowes and to aH saules ffor fei byreuen al f ese hym fat1 shulde worshipen crist1 and holy church and prey for cristen saules [903] And f erf ore han suche preestes and her lemmans eke fat1 consenten to her leccherie f e malison of fe/ courte cristen to fei come to amendement1

PETWORTH 682 (6-T. 666) [Meaf 300, back]

SIX-TEXT 667

GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth. MS. 683

[904] IT The iij spice of aduoutrie Is somtyme by-twene a man and his wiff. & fat1 is whan fei taken no reward in her assemblynge but1 only to her flesshly delite as seif seint1 lerom. [905] and ne rekken of nofinge but1 7 fat1 fei bene assembled by cause fat1 fei bene ymaried. al is good ynou^e as fenkef to hem [906] But1 in suche folk haf f e deuel pouer as seide f e aungel Raphael to/ Thobie. ffor in her assemblynge fei putten Ihesu crist1 out1 of her hertes and ^eue hem self to aH ordure [907] IF fe iiij spice is fe assemblynge of hem fat1 bene of her kynrede. or of hem fat1 bene of oon affinite or ellis wif hem wif fe which her faders or her kynrede ban deled wif in f e synne of lecherie This synne make]? hem liche houndes fat1 taken no kepe of kynrede [908] and certes Parentela is in two maners oifer / goostly or flesshly. Goostely as forto delen wif her

gossipes [909] ffor ri^t1 so as [

. . . . no gap in the MS.~\ is his godfader his fadere espirituel ffor which a womman may in no lasse synne assemble wif her Gossipe fan wif her owne flesshly brofere [910] IT The v. spice is filk1 abhominable synne of which fat1 no man vnnefes ou^t1 to/ speke ne write // Nafelees it1 is openly rehersed in holy writfr

[9"] [

no gap in the MSJ\

speke of horrible synne Certes holy writt may not1 be defouled no more fan fe sonne fat shynef on a myxen ./ [912] 1T Anof er synne app^rtenef to lecherie fat1 commef in sclepinge and fis synne commef oft1 to hem fat1 bene maydens and eke to hem fat1 bene corrupte And fis synne men clepen pollucion fat1 commef in iiij. maners [913] Somtyme of a langwisshing1 Jof body for fe humours bene to rank1 and habundanf in fe body of man. somtyme for fe infirmite for fe feblesse of fe vertue retentif1 as phisik makef mencion . somtyme for sorfete of mete and drinke [914] and somtyme for

46 PETWORTH 683 (6-T. 667) [i leaf 301]

SIX-TEXT 668

684 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

vileyns po^tes pat* bene enclosed in mannes mynde whan lie goop to sclepe which may not1 bene wip-outen synne fro whiche pei may not1 kepe hem wisely or ellis may men synne ful greuously

If RemetZmm contra luxim'oin.

[9 1 5] IT Now co?ranep pe remedy a^einst1 leccherie and pat1 is generalli chaastite and contynence at1 re- freynep al pe disordeyne meuyngges pat1 commen of flesshly talentes [916] And euere pe gretter merite shal he haue pat1 most1 restreynep pe wikked enchaw- finge of ordure of pis synne and this is in two maners / pat1 is to sayn . chaastite of mariage and chastite of widowhede [917] IT Now shalt1 pou here pat1 matrimoyne is leeful assemblyng1 of man and woman pat1 resceyuen by pe vertue of pe sacrement1 pe boond' porgn" which pei may not bene departed in aU hir liff1 pat1 is to say . pe whiles pei lyuen bop . [918] this is as / seip pe book1 a ful grete sacrament1, god made if as I haue saide in paradis and wold? hym- self be born in maryage . [919] and for [to] halowe mariage he was at1 a weddinge. Where as he turned water into wyne which was pe furst1 myracle pat1 he wro^t1 in erpe byforn his disciples. [920] Trewe effecte of manage clensep fornicacion & replenysshep holy church in good lynage. ffor as pe ende of mariage as it1 chaungep dedly synne into venial ytwix hem pat1 bene wedded / and makep pe hertys allon of hem pat1 bene ywedded as wel as the bodies [921] pis is verrey mariage pat1 is establisshed by god er pat1 synne bygan. whan naturel lawe was in his ri^t1 poynf in paradys . And it1 was ordeyned pat1 oo man shuld? haue but1 oo womman and oo womman but1 oo man as seipe seynt1 Austyne by mony resons

[922] ffurst1 for pat1 mariage is figured bitwix man . and PETWORTH 684 (6-T. 668)

SIX-TEXT 669

GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 685

holy churche . And anoper is . for pe man is hede of pe woinman . Algate by ordynaunce it1 shulde be doo soo . [923] ffor if a womman haue moo men pan oon. pan shuld? she haue moo hedes Ipan oon. and pat1 were and horrible pinge byfore god./ JAnd eke oon womman ne my^t1 not1 plese to mony men at1 ones And also per ne shuld be neuer pees no rest1 amonges hem for euereche wold aske his owne J>inge [924] And ferpermore no man shulde knowe his owne en- gendrure ne who shuld? haue his heritage and pe woman shuld pe lasse be byloued fro pe tynie pat1 she were commytte to mony men

[925] IT JSTowe commeth how pat1 a man shuld? bere hym wip hys wiff. and/ namely in two^ pingges pat1 is to say in suffrannce and in reuerence and pat1 shewed first crist whan he made furst1 womman [926] ffor he ne made her nou^f of pe hede of Adam . for / she shulde not1 haue to grete lordship. [927] ffor per as pe womman hap pe maistrie she makep to mochel disaraye per neden noon ensamples of pis . The experience of pis au^f suffise [928] II Also certes god ne made not1 womman of pe foote of Adam for she shuld not1 be holden to lowe for she can not* pacyently suffre But1 god made womman of the ribbe of Adam for womman shulde be felawe vnto man [929] IT Man shulde bere hym to his wiff1 in feip. in troupe an in loue. as seip seint1 paule that1 a man shal loue his wiff as crisf loued holy chirch pat1 loued it1 so wel pat1 he dyed for it1. So shal a man for his wiff1 if it1 were nede

[930] U Now how pat1 a womman shuld? be subiecte to her husbond? pat1 tellep seint1 Peter* / [. . . no gap in the MS.~\ [931] and eke as seipe pe decree . A womman as longe as she is a wiff she ne hap noon auctorite to swere ne bere witnesse wip-out leue of her husbonde pat1 is her lord? it1 shuld? be so by resofi. [932] she shulde eke serue hym in ali

PETWORTH 685 (6-T. 669) [' leaf 301, back]

SIX-TEXT 670

686 GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

honeste and bene attempre . of her aray I woof weft pat1 pei shulden setten her entent to plese her hus- bondes but1 not1 by her queyntise of aray ./ [933] Seynt1 lerom seip . pat1 wyves fat1 bene apparailed? in silk1 and in pwpure ne mowe not1 clopen hem in Ihesu

crist1 [ no gap in ihe MS.]

[934] IF Seynt1 Gregor seip eke fat1 no vrijti sekep precious aray but1 oonly for veynglorie to bene honoured pe more toforn pe puple [935] IT It1 is a foly a woraman to haue a grete aray outward1 and her self be foule inward1 [936] IF A wiff shuld eke be mesurable in lokynge and in berynge and / in laughinge and discrete in ali her wordes and dedys [937] and / abouen alle worldly pingges . She shulde loue her husbonde wip al her herte and to hj?n by trewe of her body [938] JSo shuld* an husbonde eke by trewe to his wif. ffor sipens pat1 al pe body is pe husbondes. soo shuld? her hertes bene oon Or ellis per is bytwix hem twoo as in paf no parfite mariage [939] IF Than shal a man vnder- stond! pat1 for iij. pingges a man and his wiff mowen assemblen 1F The furst1 is for engen- drure of children to serue god. ffor certes pat1 is pe cause fynaH of matrimoynye [940] IT Anoper is to ^eelde eueriche of hem to oper pe dette of her body, ffor neiper of hem hap power of her owne bodye IF The iij. is forto eschewe leccherye and vilenye 1F The iiij. forsop is dedly synne ./ [941] As to pe furst1 it1 is meritorie pe seconnde also for as saipe pe decree, pat1 chasep merite of chaastite pat1 ^eldep to her husbonde pe dette of her body . ^e pou^e it be a^einst1 her lykinge and pe lust1 of her herte [942] IT The iij. manere of venial synne. And trewly scarcely may eny of pise be wip-outen venyal synne for pe corrupcion and for pe delit'e [943] IF The iiij. manere is forto vnderstonde if fei assemble oonly for amerous loue. and for noon of pe forsaide causes but1

PETWORTH 686 (6-T. 67()) [Meaf302]

SIX-TEXT 671

GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS, 687

forto accomplise filk brennyng1 delite fei recfi. neuere hou often • sof ly it1 is a dedly synne . And ^if wif sorowe some folk wil peynen hem more to doo fan her appetit1 suffisef

[944] IF The secounde maner of chastite is to be a clene wydowe and to eschewe fe enbrasing1 of man and to desire fe enbrasing1 of Ihesu crist1. [945] Thise bene foo fat1 han ben wyues and han forgoon her hus- bondes And eke wommen fat1 han / doon lecherye and bene releued by penawnce [946] And certes if fat1 a wiff couf e kepe her al chaast1 by licence of her husbonde so fat1 she ner noon occasion fat1 he a-gilf it1 were to hir1 a grete merite [947] Thise maner of wommen fat1 obseruen chaastitee most1 be clene in herte as wel as in body and in f ou^t1 and mesurable in clof inge and in contynawnce IT Abstynent1 in etynge and drynkynge in spekinge and in dede and fan is she fe vessel! of fe boysfr of fe blessed Mawdeleyne faf fulfillef holy church ful of good odure [948] 11 The iij. maner of chaastite is virgynyte . And it byhouef fat* she be holy in hertt and clene of body fan is she spouse to Ihesu crisfr and she is fe lif of aungels. [949] She is fe preysyng1 of fis world? And she is as fise marters in regalite 1she haf in hure fat1 tunge may nof telle [950] Yirgynite bare our lorde Ihesu crist1 and virgyne was hymself

[95 z] ^ Another remedy a^einsfr lecherye is specialy to w^ifdrawe such fingges as ^euen occasion to filk vilanye as ease and etynge and drinkinge . ffor certes whan fe potte boylef strongly fe best1 remedy is to wif- drawe fe fuyre [952] IT Scleping1 longe in grete quiete is eke a grete norice to leccherie

[953] ^ Another remedy e a^einst1 lecherie is fat1 a womman or a man eschewe companye of hem by which he doutef to be tempted . for al be it1 soo fat1 f e dede be wif-stonde ^it1 is fere grete temptacion

PETWOIITH 687 (6-T. 671) P leaf 302, back]

SIX-TEXT 672

688 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

[954] IT Soply a white waH al-pou^e if ne brenne nof fully by stikkynge of a CandeH ^if is pe walle blak1 of pe leyte [955] ful oft tyme I rede paf no man tresf in his owne perfection Buf he be stronger pan Sampson. Holyer pan david . wiser pa?a IT Salomon

[956] IT Now after paf I haue declared 3ou as I can of pe vij. dedly synnes and some of her braunches and her remedies, soply if I coupe I wold telle 3owe pe ten Comaundementz . [957] buf so hi3e a doctrine I lete to devynes . Napelees I hope to god pei bene touched in pis tretys euerech of hem alle

^ De confessione •

[958] 1 Confessicwn l^T^^ f°r as Bioche as pe secounde part of penitence

JL. i stanf in confession of moup as I byganne in pe [first] chapitere I seye Seinf Austyn seip. [959] Synne is euery word? and euery dede and al paf men coueiten a3einsf pe la we of Ihesu crisf. And pis is forto synne-. in herte in moup and in dede be pi .v. wittes paf bene si3f hering1 smellynge taasting* or sauouringe and felynge [960] IT Now is if good to vnderstonde pe circumstances paf aggreggen mochel euery synne./ [961] IF Thow shalf considere whaf pou arf paf dosf pe synne. whedere pou be male or female. 3ong1 or olde . gentile or praH ffre or serucmnte . hool or seke . wedded or syngeH. Ordred or vnordred. wise or fool. clerk1 or Seculere . [962] If she be of pi kynrede bodily or goostly or noon. If eny of pi kynrede haue synned wip hure or noon . and moriy moo/ pingges

[963] IT Thaf other circumstaunce is this. "Whedere if be doon in fornication or noon, or in aduoutrie. or in incesf . or noon maiden / or noon in maner of homicede or noon horrible grete synne or smale . and how longe pou 1hasf contynued in synne [964] 11 The iij. circumstaunce is pe place where pou hasf doon synne whedere in oper

PETWORTH 688 (6-T. 672) [MeafSOS]

SIX-TEXT 673

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 689

mennys house or in fine owne . in feeld? or in church . or in chirch hawe In church dedicate or noon [965] For if j)e church were halowed and man or wo?wman spillen her kynde inwij) paf place by-twene way of synneor by wikked temptacion J?e church were enterdited til if were reconsiled by J)e bisshope [966] and J>e preest1 shuld be enterdited paf did such a vilany Jje teerme of al his liff. he shuld? no more synge masse, and if he did he shuld* do dedly synne at1 euery tyme J>af he songe masse [967] 1T The 4. circumstannce is by which mediat- ours as by massagers or for enticement1 or for consentemenf to bere company wi}) felawship for mony a wrecch forto bere companye willen goo to pe deuel of helle. [968] ffor pei paf eggen or con- senten to pe synne bene partniers of pe synne and of pe dampnacion of pe synnere

[969] 1T The .v. is of how mony tymes paf he hap synned and / it* be in his mynde . and howe off paf he ha]> falle. [970] ffor he paf off fallep in synne he despise]? pe mercy of god and encresep his synne and is vnkynde to god and he wexep pe more feble to wipstonde synne . and synne}) J)e more li^tlier [971] and fe latter arise]), and is J?e more eschewe for to schryuen hym and namely to hym J)af ha]) bene his con- fessoure. [972] ffor which faf folk1 whan ])ei falle a3em in her old1 folies . ou^f fei forleten her confessours al vtterly or ellis fei departen her shriff in dyuers place Buf sofly such departed shrift deserue]) no mercy of god of his synnes . [973] IT The sexf circum- stannce is ])is why J>af a man synne]) as by whiche temptacion And if hym self procure ])ilk temptacion or by ex- cityng1 of oper folk* . or if ]?ou synne with a womman by force or by hure owne assenf [974] /Or if ]?e womman Maugre her hede ha]) bene enforsed or noon, pis shal she telle for coueityse or for pouerf. And if if were her procurynge or noon and such manere

PETWORTH 689 (6-T. 673)

SIX-TEXT 674

690 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

harnays. [975] IF The .7. circurastaiwce is in what1 manere he ha]) doon his synne. or noon or / how fat1 he ha]) suffred . ho we folk han done to her . [976] Of f e same shal men telle pleynly aH circumstannces and whedere he haf synned wif comune bordeli woramen or noon [977] lor do his synne in holy tymes or non. In fast- yng1 tymes or non . or be longe from his shrift1 . or after his latter schriff [978] haf perauenture broken his penaunce enioyned . by whos helpe and whoos counsaile by sorcery or craft1 all fise fingges mosten be tolde. [979j After fat1 fei bene grete or smale engreggen J)e conscience of man IT And eke fe preestt fat1 is fi luge may fe better be auysed of his luggement1 in ^euyng1 of fi penauwce and fat1 is after fi contricion. [980] ffor vnderstondef wel fat1 aftere tyme fat1 a man hath defouled his bapteme by synne if he wil come to sauacion. ther nys noon ofer way but1 by penitence and schrift1 and by satisfaccion / [981] and namely by fe two if fer be a confessour* to which he may schryve hym. And f e iij. if he haue lif to perfourme if

[982] Than shal man loke and considere if he wil make a trewe and a profitable confession. Ther most1 be 4. condicions [983] H ffirst it most1 be in sorowful bitternes of herte as seide f e kyng1 EzechieU to god 11 I wil remembre aH fe ^eeres of my liff in bitternesse of myn herte [984] U This condycion of bitter- nesse haf .v. signes . The furst1 is fat1 confession most1 be shamefast1 not1 forto keueren ne to hiden his synne but1 for he haf agilt1 his god and defoiled/ his soule [985] And here of seif seynt1 Austyne H The herte travaillef for shame of his synne . And for he hath grete shamfastnesse he is digne to haue grete mercie [986] which was fe confession of fe publycane fat1 wold not1 heue vp his yen to heuene for he had offended god in heuene . ffor which shamefastnesse he idem./ had anoon fe mercy of god [987] U And therfore seif

PETWORTH 690 (6-T. 674) p leaf 303, back]

SIX-TEXT 675

GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS, 691

seint1 Austyne. fat1 such shamefast1 folk bene next1 for^euenes and remission [988] IT That1 ofer signe is humylite of confession / of which seif seint1 Petre U Vmblef }ou vnder fe my^t1 of god fe hand of god is my^ty in confession for fer-by god for^euef fe Bynnes. ffor he allon haf fe power / [989] and fis hu??iilite shal be in hert1 and in sygne outward1 1F ffor ri^t1 as he haf humilite to god in his herte ~Ri^if so shulde he hu?nble his body outward to f e preest1 fat1 sitte in goddes place [990] for which" in no manere sifes fat1 crist1 is souereyne and / 1j?e preest1 mene and mediatour' by twix crist1 and f e synner1 . and pe synner is ]?e last* by way of reson [991] fan shuld? not1 )?e synner sitte as high as his confessoure but1 knele toforn hym or at1 his fete but1 if malady distroubed it1 . ffor he shal not1 take kepe who sitte J?er but1 in whos place fat1 he sittef. [992] A man fat1 haf trespased to a lorde and commef for to aske mercy and makenhisaccordeand sette hymdownea-noon by f e lorde men wolden holde hym outrageous and not worf i so sone forto haue remission ne mercy . [993] U The iij. signe is fat1 fi shrift1 shul be ful of teeres if man may wepe or if man may not1 wepe wif his bodely eyen ./ lat1 hym wepe in his herte. [994] ffor suche was f e confession of seynt1 petre ffor aftere fat1 he had forsake Ihesu crist1 he went1 out1 and wepte ful bitterly [995] U The iiij. signe is fat1 he ne lette not1 for his / shame to shewen his confession. [996] Such was fe confession of fe maudeleyn fat1 sche ne spared for no shame of hem fat1 weren at1 f e ffeest1 forto go to our lorde Ihesu crist1 and byknowe to hym her synne [997] H The .v. signe is fat1 a man & a womman be obeysaunte to receyue f e penaunce fat1 is hym enioyned . ffor certes Ihesu crist1 for f e giltes of oon man was obedient1 to his def e

[998] H The secounde condicion of verrey confession I2»co»dioio./ is fat1 it1 be hastely don. ffor certes if a man had a dedly wounde f euer f e lenger fat1 he tarief to warisshe

PETWORTH 691 (6-T. 67o) [i leaf 804]

SIX-TEXT 676

692 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

him self fe more wold* it1 corrupte and hast1 hym to his defe and eke fe wounde wold be fe wors forto hele [999] U And ri}^ so fare}) synne fat1 longe tyme is in a man vnschewed [1000] 11 Certes a man 0113 11 hastely to shewe his synne . for mony causes as for drede of defe fat commef often sodeynly and is in no certeyn what1 tyme if shal be ne in what1 place . And eke f e strecchyng1 of oo synne drawef in anofer [1001] U And eke fe lenger fat1 he tarieth f f e ferf er is he from crist1 . And if he abide vnto his last1 day scarcely may he shryve hym or amende hym of his synnes ne repenten hym for fe greuous maladye of his deth. [1002] & for as moche as he haf not1 in his lif herkened Ihesu Crist1 whan he haf spoken vnto hym . he shal crien to our lord* Ihesu crist1 at1 his last1 day. and scarcely wil he harken hym [1003] H Ynder-stonde fat1 f is condicion moste haue four" f ingges 1thi schrift1 most be purueide byforn and avised for wikked hast1 doof no profite and fat1 a man konne shryue hym of his synnes be it1 of pride eif er of Envie and so for]) wij) fe spices and circumstaunces / [1004] and fat1 he haue comprehended / in his mynde f e nombre and J)e gretnesse of his synnes and/ how longe fat1 he haf layne in synne [1005] and eke fat1 he be contrite of his synnes and in stedfast1 pwrpoos by f e [grace of god] neuere eft1 to falle a^ein in synne and eke fat1 he drede and countrewaite hym self fat1 he flee f e occasions of synne to which he is enclyned [1006] 11 Also fat1 fow shalt1 schryve fe of alle f i synnes to oo man and nou^t1 parcel! mele to oon man and parsel rnele to a nof er man fat1 is to vnderstonde in entenf to parten f i confession as for shame or for drede . ffor it1 nys but1 stronglyng1 of fe soule [1007] ffor certes Ihesu crist1 is al good in hy??^ is noon inperfeccion and ferfore euere he for^euef alle parfitly or ellis neuere a dele [1008] U I say not1 if fowe be sygned to fe penytauncere for certeyn synne fat1 fou art1 bounden to shewe hem aH fe remenaunt1 of fi synnes of which"

PETWORTH 692 (6-T. 676) P leaf 304, back]

SIX-TEXT 677

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS, 693

fowe hast1 be shryuen of fi curate but1 it1 like fe of fine humilite This is no departing1 of shrift1 [1009] ne I ne say not1 fer as I speke of dyuision of confes- sion fat1 if fou haue licence . forto shryue f e to a discrete and honest1 preest1 and where f e like]? / and by f e licence eke of fe curate fat1 fowe ne maiste wel shryue fe of alle fi synnes [1010] but1 lat1 no blot be behynde. laf no synne be vntold* as fer as fou hast1 remem- braunce [ion] And whan fou shalt1 bene shryuen of fi Curate telle hym eke of alle f e synnes fat1 fou hast done sif ens fou were last1 yshiiuen as f is is f e wikked entent1 of dyuision of shrift1

[1012] U Also fe verrey shrift1 askef certeyn con- dicions. ffurst1 fat1 fou shryue fe by fi free wille not1 constreyned ne for shame of folk1 ne for maladie or such fingges ffor it1 is reson fat1 he fat1 trespasef by his ffree wille / [. . .no gap in the MS.] confesse his trespas. [1013] noon ofer man shal telle his synne but1 he hym self ne he shal not1 nay or denye his synne ne wrafe him a3einst1 fe preest1 for his amonysynge to lete synne [1014] 11 The seconnde condicion is fat1 fine shrift1 be lawfuH. fat1 is to say fou fat1 shryuest fe and eke fe preest1 fat heref fi confession bene verrely 1in fe feif of holy church [1015] and fat1 a man be not1 despeired . of f e mercy of Ihesu Crist1 And Caym or ludas [1016] And eke a [man] mote accuse hym of his owne trespace and nou^f anofer but1 he shal blame & witen hym self of his owne malice of his synne and noon ofer. [1017] But1 nafeles if anofer man be encheson or entiser of his synnes Or fat1 if f e state of a persone be such thorgh which his synne is a-gregged or ellis fat1 he may not1 pleynly shryuen hym . but1 he telle fe persone fe which he haf synned wife, fan may he telle it1 [1018] so fat1 his entent1 ne be not1 to bakbite fe persone but1 oonly to declaren his con- fession.

PETWORTH 693 (6-T. 677) [i leaf 305]

SIX-TEXT 678

694 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

[1019] U Thowe pe shalt1 not1 eke make no losing1 in pine confession for humilite parauenture to say pat1 pou hast1 doon synnes of which pou were

t Augustinus ./ neuere gylty [1020] H ffor seint1 Austyn seip if pow be cause of humilite makesf lesing1 of pi self pough powe ne were nou3t1 in synne afornf ^itt art1 powe pan in synne porgh pi lesynges. [1021] Thow most1 eke shewe pi synne by pi propre moupe but1 pou be wexe dombe and not1 by no letter ffor pou fat1 hast1 done synne pou shalt1 haue pe same confesszV [1022] 1T Thow shalt1 not1 eke peynt1 J?i confession be faire and subtile wordes to keuere more pi synne ffor pan bygilest1 pou pi self1 & nought1 pe preest1. Thow most1 tel it1 platly be it1 neuere so foule ne so horrible [1023] U Thow shalt1 eke ehryue pe to a preest1 pat1 is discrete to counsaile pee . and eke pou shalt1 not1 shryue pe for veynglorie ne for ypocrecy ne for no cause but1 oonly for pe doute of Ihesu. crist1 and pe helpe of pi soule. [1024] Thow shalt1 not1 eke renne to pe preest1 al sodeynly to telle hym Ii3tly pi synne as who so tellep a lape or a tale but1 avisely and wip grete deuocion [1025] & generally shryve pe oft1 if pou often falle oft1 arise by confession [1026] And if pow shryue pe ofter pan onys of synne which pou hast1 be shryuen it1 is

Tl Augustinus pe more merite as seip seint1 Austyne . Thow shalt1 haue pe more lightly relesinge and grace of god bope of synne and of peyne. [1027] And certes onys a $ere at1 pe leest1 way it1 is lawful forto bene howseled . ffor soply onys [a ^ere] al pingges renouellen

[1028]

NOW

Be satisfaccione .

haue I tolde of verrey confession pat1 is J?e Secounde part1 of penytence

PETWORTH 694 (6-T. 678)

SIX-TEXT 679

GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 695

[1029] IT The iij. parte of penytence is Satisfaction and IT Satisfaccio pat1 stant1 generalli in almesse and in bodily peyne . [1030] No we bene pere pre manere of Almesse. Contricion of herfr wher a man offrep hym self to god. Anoper is to haue pite of pe defaute of his neighbours . pe X3 is in ^euyng^f good counsaile and confort1 goostly and bodily where men han nede and namely in sustyncmnce of maraiys foode. [1031] And take kepe fat1 a man ha]) nede of pise pingges generalli he hap nede of foode of clopinge and harborowe. he hap / nede of charitable counsaillinge and visitynge of prison and / maladie and sepulture of his dede body. [1032] And if pow maist1 not?1 visite pe nedeful wip pi persone. visite hym with pi massage & / pi ^iftes [1033] ^ Thise bene pe general! almasses or werkes of charite of hem pat1 han temporett richesses or discrecion of consailling1 Of pise werkes shaltf pou here at1 pe day of dome

[1034] H Thise almesses shuldesf pou doon of pine owne propre pingges and hastely and / prively if pou maist1 [1035] But1 napelees if pow maist1 not1 doon it1 prively pou shalt1 not1 forbere almesse pou3e men it1 See. So pat1 if be not1 ydo for ponke of pe worlde . but1 oonly forto haue pe ponke of oure / lorde Ihesu crist1 [1036] U ffor as witnessep seint1 Mathewe ,v°. A. Cite may not1 be hid pat1 is sette on a mounteyn . ne men lighten not a lanterne and putte it1 vnder a bussheH . but1 men sette it1 on a candel- stik to lighten pe men in pe hous. [1037] ~Ri$ti so shal 3oure lijf Ii3ten toforn men pat1 pei mowe seen ^oure good werkes and glorifien ^owr fadere pat1 is in heuene

[1038] IT Now as to speken of bodily peyne . It1 stont1 in preiers. in wakingges and in fastingges and in vertuous

PETWORTH 695 (6-T. 679) [Ueaf 305, back]

SIX-TEXT 680

696 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS,

f leroniwws

«fllhc/

techingges of orisons [1039] ^ 3e snul vnderstonde fat1 orisons or preiers is / forto seyn a pitous wille of hert1 fat1 redressef in god and expressef it1 by worde outward? to remooue harmless, and to han finges espirituel and durable . and somtyme temporel f ingges of which orisons certes fe orison of fe pater noste? haf Ihesu crist1 enclosed most1 fingges [1040] U Certes it is priuilegged of .3. fingges. in his dignite ffor which it is more digne fan eny ofer preiere for fat1 ihesu crist hym self made if. [1041] and it1 is short* for it shuld? be conned more ^tly and forto wif hold e it1 fe more esely in herte and helpen hym self f e ofter wif fe orison [1042] and for a man shuld? be fe lasse wery to sey it1 / and for a man ne may not1 excusen hym to lerne it1 it1 is so short1 and so esy . and for it1 comprehendeth in if self alle good preiers [1043] U The exposicion of fis holy preier fat1 is so excellent1 and digne I bytake to fise maisters of theologie sauf fus moche wil I seyne. fat1 whan fou preiest1 fat1 god / fo^eue fe fi giltes as fou for^euest1 hem fat1 a-gilten fe be ful wel ware fat1 f ow ne be not1 out1 of charite [1044] This holy 1oiison amenusef eke venyal synne and ferfore it1 aperteneth specialy to penitence.

[1045] This preiere most1 be trewly saide in verrey feif and fat1 men prey to god ordynatly & dis- cretely and deuoutly. Alway a man shal putt1 his wiU to be subiecte to fe wille of god [1046] This orison most1 eke be saide wif gret1 humblesse and ful pure honesty and not1 to annoyance of eny man or womman . It1 most1 nedes be contynued with f e werkes of charite [1047] it1 availlef eke a^einst1 fe vices of f e saule . ffor as seif seynt1 lerorn U By fastyng1 ben saued f e vices of flessh and by preiers f e vices of f e saule

[1048] U Afters fis fou shalf vnderstonde fat1 bodily peyne stant1 in wakinge . ffor Ihesu crist1 seif . wakef and preief fat1 30 ne entre in wikked

PETWORTH 696 (6-T. 680) [UeafSOB]

SIX-TEXT 681

GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Pet worth MS. 697

temptacions [1049] U 30 sh.nl vnderstonde fat1 fast- ynge stonf in .3. thyngges. In forberynge of bodily mete and drink and in forberynge of worldly lolitees . and in for- berynge of dedly synne . This is to say f af a man shal kepe hym / from dedly synne with al his my^t .

[1050] And f ow shalf vnderstonde eke fat1 god ordayned fastyngges And to fastyng1 apperteneth four fingges. [1051] largenesse to poor folk1. Gladnes of herf espiritueH nou$f to be angred nor anoyed ne to gruch for he fasteth and also resonable ho ore forto ete by niesure . f af is to say f af a man shuld nof eten in vntyme. ne sitte fe lenger af his table for he fastef.

[1052] Than shalf fou vnderstonde faf bodily peyne stanf . in disciplyne or techynge . by word? or by // writynge or by ensample Also in weryng1 of heires . eif er of stamyne eif er of haberion on her naked flessh for cristes sake and such manere pen<mnces [1053] U But1 ware fe wel pat1 such manere penawnces ne make not* fine herf bitter* or angry, anoyed of hym self, if or better is to cast1 away fine heire. fan forto cast* away fe swetnesse of our lord? Ihesu Crist [1054] And f erf ore seif seinf Poule 1 Pauius ./ H Clofe ^ou as fei fat1 ben chosen of god in herf of mysericord? . debonairte . suffrance and such maner of clofinge of whiche Ihesu crist1 is more apaide fan of heire or of hawberkes .

[1055] Then is disciplyne eke in knokkynge of f i brest1 . in scourgyng1 wif ^eerdes . in knelynge in tribulacions [1056] in suffryng1 paciently wrongges faf bene doon to hym . and eke in pacienf suffraunce of maladies or lesyngges. of worldly CateH of wiff or childe or ofer 1frendes

[1057] Than shalf fow vnderstonde which fingges distrowben penaunce as fis is in fre maners. fat1 is drede. Shame, and hope. And whanhope f at1 is desperacion.. [1058] And forto speken / fursf of drede for whiche he

PETWORTH 697 (6-T. 68l) [l leaf 306, back]

SIX-TEXT 682

698 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth. MS.

wenef fat1 he may suffre no penaunce [1059] fer a^einsf is remedye fforto fenk1 fat1 bodily penaunce. is but1 short1 and liteH at1 f e regarde of f e peyne of helle . fat1 is cruel and so longe fat1 it lastef wif-outen ende.

[1060] 11 Now a^einst1 fe shame fat1 a man haf to

shryuen hym [ » . .

. . . no gap in

the MS.] [1061] a^einst1 fe shame shuld a man fenk1 fat1 by f e way of reson fat1 he fat1 haf not1 bene ashamed . to doo foule fingges Certes hym ou^t1 not1 be ashamed to doofairf inggesand good f ingges and fat1 is confessions. [1062] A man shuld' fenk fat god seef and woote al his fou^tes and his werkes to hym may no pinge be hidde ne keuered [1063] U Men shuld eke remembre hem of Jje shame fat1 is to come at1 J?e day of dome to hem J>att bene no^fr penytent1 and lif in present1 liff . [1064] ffor alle fe creatures in heuene in erjje and in helle shuln seen / apertly al fat1 fei hyden in ]>is world*.

[1065] H Now forto speke of J>e hope of hem fat1 bene so negligent1 and sclowe to shryuen hem it1 stant1 in two maners. [1066] That1 oon is fat he hopef to lyre longe and forto purchase mochel Eichesse for his d elite and fan he wil shryuen hym as he seif he may as hym semef tyrnely ynowe come to shrift1 [1067] 1F Anofer is of fe Surquidrye fat1 he haf in cristes mercye. [1068] And a3einst1 fe first1 he shal fenk that1 our liff is in no sikernesse And eke fat1 alle fe richesse of f e world? bene in aduenture and passinge as a Gregorys ./. shadowe on a walle [1069] U And as seif seynt1 gregorie That1 it1 appertenef to f e grete ri^twisnesse of god fat1 neuer shal fe peyn stynt1 of hem fat1 neuer nolde wifdrawe hem from synne her fonkes. but1 euer contynued f er Inne . U ffor f ilk1 perpetuel wille to done synne shullen f ei haue perpetuel peyne .

[1070] II Whan-hope is in two maners II f e furst1 whan- hope is in fe mercy of Crist U That1 ofer is fat1 fei PETWORTH 698 (6-T.

Or Wanhope, or Despair

SIX-TEXT 683

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 699

penk pat1 pei ne myjt1 not1 longe perseuere in good- nesse [1071] H The furst1 wanhope cowmep of pat1 he demep pat1 he hath synned so gretly so ofte and so longe liggyng1 in synne pat1 he shal not1 be saued [1072] U Certes a^einst1 fat1 cursed wanhope he shuld penk pat1 pe passion of Ihesu crist1 is more 1stronge for- to vnbynde pan synne is forto bynde [1073] ^ ^J1^ a^einst* pe seconnd wanhope he shal penk1 pat1 as often as he fallep he shal arise by penytence. And £01136 he neuer so long1 haue lyen in synne pe mercy of crist1 is alway redy to receyuen hym to mercy [1074] a^einst1 pe wanhope pat1 he demep pat1 he shuld not1 longe perseuere in goodnesse II he shal penk J>af J>e feblenesse of the deuel may no fing1 doon but4 men willen suffre hym [1075] And eke he shal haue strength and J>e helpe of god and of al holy churche and of J?e protection of aungels if him lust1

[1076] U Than shullen men vnderstonde what1 is ]>e f Verba saiua- fruyte of penawnce as aftere ]>e wordes of Ihesu Crist1 it1 is ]je endelees blisse of heuene [1077] per loie hajj no cofttrariouste of woo ne greucmnce per alle harmes ben passed of pis present1 liff wher as is pe sikernesse fro pe peyn of helle per as pe blisful company pat1 reioysen hem euermoo euery of opers loie [1078] per as pe body of man pat1 whilom was foule and derk1 is more cleer pan pe sonne Ther as whilom pe body was seke and frele and feble and morteH is vnmorteH and so stronge and so hool pat1 per may no pinge enpeire it1. [1079] wher as neiper is hunger prestf.ne cold? but1 euery soule repleynshed wip pe si3t of pe parfit1 knowynge of god [1080] This blisful regne may man purchace by pouert* espirituett and pe glorie by low- nesse. pe plente of loy by hunger1 and prestt. and pe rest1 by travaille and pe liff by deep and mortificacion of synne .

47 PETWORTH 699 (6-T. 683) P leaf 307]

SIX-TEXT 684

700 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS.

To f ilk> liff he vs bringe faf bou$f vs wif his pre- cious blood ./ Amen ./

f Explicit1 fabula Rectoris ./ Here take]) f e maker of f is booke his leue {/

[1081]

"T^TOwe prey I to hem alle faf harken fis litel tretise.

JL 1 or rede fat* }if fer be eny fing1 in if fat likef hem faf ferof fei fonk our lord Ihesu crisf of whom precede]) al witte and al goodnes' [1082] And 3if fer be eny fing* fat displese hem./ I prey hem also fat1 f ei arette if to f e defaute of myne vnkonnynge and nof to my wille fat wold! ful fayn haue seide better $if faf I had hade coTinynge. [1083] ffor our boke seif IT AH faf is writen is writen for our doctrine & fat is myn entenf [1084] 1Wherfore I biseche 3011 mekely for f e mercy of god faf 36 prei for me faf crisf haue mercy on me and fo^eue me my geltys [1085] and namely of my translacions and endit- ingges of worldly vanytes f e which I reuoke in my re- traccions [1086] As is fe boke of Troiles. The book also of fame. The boke of the xxv. ladies./ The boke of f e duchesse . The boke of seynf valentynes day of fe parlemenf of briddes. The tales of Canter- bury filk fat sownen into synne [1087] The book of fe lyon and mony ofer bokes 3if fei were in my remembraunce . and mony a songe^. And mony a lecherous lay faf Crisf for his gref mercy for^eue me fe synne. [1088] IF Buf of fe translacion of Boys de cowsolacione and ofer bokes of legendys of seyntes and omelies and moralite & deuocion [1089] of faf I fonke our lord Ihesu crisf and his blessed/ modere and alle fe seyntes of heuene [1090] bysechyng1 hem faf fei from hens forf vnto my lyues ende sende me grace to bywaile my giltes and to stody to fe sauacion of my soule. and graunf me grace of verrey penawnce. con-

PETWORTH 700 (6-T. 684) P leaf 307, back]

SIX-TEXT 685

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Petworth MS. 701

fession and satisfaccion to doon in }>is present1 liff [1091] Jjorghe j>e benigne grace of hym Jjafr is kyng* of kyngges and preestt of alle preestes Jmf bou^tf vs wij? J?e precious blode of his hert1 [1092] So fat1 I may bene oon of hem at1 J?e day of dome J?afr shal be saued ./ Qui cum patie & spiritu sancto vivis & legnas deus &cetera.

TTere endej) }?e boke of J?e talys of Canter- •^ bury compiled by Geffray Chawcer on whoos soule Ihesu crist1 haue mei-cy. \\ AmeN \\

[Square painting of the arms of Henry Percy, kth Earl of Northumberland, K.G., quartering Poynings, Fitz Payn and Bryan. H on the right, P on the left of the shield, in a Garter with the legend * hony . soif . qui . mal . y . pence . .' A lion} unicorn, $c , in the 4 corners.]

PETWOKTH ?01 (6-T. 685)

SIX-TEXT 301

GROUP B, § 15. NUN'S PRIEST'S END-LINK. Chr. Ch., for Petw.

APPENDIX (to Group B, p. 591).

[Christ Church MS. 152.]

U Sire Nonnes preest oure hoost seyde a none

y-blessed be thy breth & euery stoone

This was a inery tale of Chaunteclere

But be my trouthe if thou. were seculere

Thow woldeste bene a tredefoul a right

ffor if thow haue corage as thou. haste myght

The were nede of hennes as I wene

Ye moo than .vij. tymes seventene

See whiche braunnes hath this gentel preeste

So grete a nekke & so large a breeste

He loketh as a Sparhauke with his yen

Hym nedeth nat his colour for to dyen [leaf 174, sign, k s]

with Brasile ne with Greyne of Portyngale /

Now sire faire falle yow for youre tale

And aftir he with futt mery chere

Saide vnto a nother as ye shulle here

Here is ended the Nonnes prestes tale

And folowitfc the prologe of the Maunciples tale

CHRISTCHURCH (for Petworth 70S) (6-T. 301)

703

PETWORTH MS. APPENDIX

OF SECTIONS, WOODCUTS, ETC., NOT IN THE PETWORTH MS.

PAOB

1. End of the 8um'ner's Tale, 1. 2159-2294 of

Group D, § 6, from the Additional MS. 5140 in the British Museum. ('T would have followd p. 334 above, had it been in the Petworth MS., instead of the spurious lines there given.) ... ... . ... ... ... 705

2. The Clerk-Merchant-Link, Group E, § 3, from

the Additional MS. 5140, British Museum. ('T would have followd p. 373 above (instead of the Merchants End-Link, p. 374), had it been in the Petworth MS.) 710

3. Drawings of the 23 Tellers of the 24 Canterbury

TaleSj copied from the Ellesmere MS.,1 and cut on wood by Mr Hooper.

4. Drawings of 6 Tellers of 6 Canterbury Tales,— the

Reeve, Cook, Monk, Pardoner, Wife of Bath, and Manciple — and 6 Allegorical Figures — Wrath and Mercy, Gluttony and Abstinence, Lechery and Chastity, — from the Cambridge University MS., Gg. 4. 27, cut by Mr Hooper.

1 The Ellesmere cuts can be arrangd either in their order in the Ellesmere MS., or in the Six- Text order of the Tales. In the latter they '11 be easier to find. See these two orders on p. 704.

704

B

Six -Text Order of Tales.

Group

1. Knight 1

2. Miller I .

3. Keeve f A

4. Cook J

5. Man of Law ^

6. Shipman

7. Prioress

8. Chaucer

9. Monk

10. Nun's Priest J

11. Doctor "\ c

12. Pardoner/

13. Wife of Bath -|

14. Friar > ... D

15. Sum'ner J

16. Clerk \ _,

17. Merchant/

18. Squire \ p

19. Franklin /

20. Second Nun 'I -

21. Canon's Yeoman /'"

22. Manciple H

23. Parson ... I

Ellesmere MS. Order.

1. Knight i

2. Miller I

3. Reeve f '"

4. Cook J

5. Man of Law

6. Wife of Bath

7. Friar

8. Sum'ner

9. Clerk \

10. Merchant/

11. Squire *i

12. Franklin f

13. Doctor 1

14. Pardoner/

15. Shipman

16. Prioress

17. Chaucer

18. Monk

19. Nun's Priest ,

20. Second Nun *l

21. Canon's Yeoman/

22. Manciple

23. Parson

Group

..A

... B, ,..D

,.. E .. F .. C

,..a

..H . I

SIX-TEXT 397

GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONSED TALE. Addit, MS, 5140, 705

1.

END OF THE SUMMOKEK'S TALE. [Addit. 5140, Brit. Mus., on leaf 123, back.]

[And fet his felawe / ther that lay his store He loked as he were a wilde bore

And grynt with the teth / so was he wroth 2161

A sturdy pas / down to the court he gotK. "Wher that ther woned / a man of grete honour To whom that he / was alway confessour 2164

This worthy man / was lorde of that vyllage This ffrere cam / as he were in a rage Sompnowr [leaf 124] Wher as the lorde / sat etyng at his horde Vneth myht the frere / speke a worde 2168

PETWORTH 705 (6-T. 397) [this page, Addit. 5140]

398 SIX-TEXT

706 GROUP D. § 6, SUMMONER'S TALE. Addit. MS. 5140

Til at last / he seid god you see [Addit. MS 5140]

This lorde gan look / and sayd benedicite What tfrere lohn) / what rnaner worlde is this I see weel / that som thing is a-mys 2172

Ye looke / as the woode wer ful of thevys Sit doun a-noon) / and telle me what you grevis And it shaH ben aniendid / yf y may I haue quod he / had a foul despyt this day 2176

God yelde it you / a-domi in your village That in this worlde / ther nys so pore a pape That he nolde haue / abhomynac/ouft

Of that y haue / receyved / in the ton?* 2180

And yit ne grevith" it me also sore As that the olde chirle / with lokkis hoore Blasfemed hatft / our holy covent eek No we maister quod this lorde / y you beseeche 2184

No maister quod he / but a servitour Thouh y haue had in scole / that honour God lyketh nat / that raby men vs calle Nothir in Markat / ne in your large halle 2188

No .force quod he / but telle me aH yo?/r greeff Sir quod this ffrere / an odious myschieff This day betid is / rnyn) ordre and me And so par consequens / in eche degre 2192

Of holy chirch1 / god amende it sone C1 LooJtsiitceeimc'heintheMS] Sir quod the lorde / ye wot what is to done Distempir you nat / ye be my confessour Ye be salt of the erth / and the souour 2196

ffor goddis love / your pacient now holde 00/124, &«(*]

TeH me your greef / and a-non he him tolde As ye haue herd beforne j ye wot weH what The lady of the hous / ay stiH sat 2200

Tyl she hackle harde / aH what the flrere said By goddis modir quod she / the blisful mayd Is ther anftt ellis / telle me feithfully

Madame (\nod he / how thinke ye herby 2204

PETWOUTH 706 (6-T. 398) [this page, Addit. 5140]

SIX-TEXT 399

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Addit, MS. 5140. 707

How that me thenkyth" quod she / so god me spede ^f^n ** Ms

I sey a cherl / hath don) a cherlis dede

What sholde y sey / god lat him nevir the

His sike hed / is fid of vanyte 2208

I holde him / in a maneer ffrenesie

Madame quod he / bi god y shall not lye

But yf y / be any weyes may be wreke

I shaH diffame him / oviraH wher y speke 2212

The fals blasphemour / that chargid me

To depart / that wol not departed be

To euerych man / alych" with myschaunce

The lord sat styH / as he wore in a traunce 2216

And in his hert / he rolleth vp and doiw

How that this cherle / had ymaginaciouw

To shewe such a probleme / to the ffrere

Nevir e[r]st er nowe / her y of such matere 2220

I trow the devitt / put it in his mynde

In ars / shaft no man / metryk fynde

Byforn) this day / of such a questions

Who sholde make / a demo/jstraciouw 2224

That euery man) / shulde haue lyk his part

As of souw / or of savour / of a fart

0 nyce prowde chirH / y shrew his face

Loo sirs quod the lorde / what harde grace 2228

To euery man lyk / telle me howe Sompnowr [/ca/i25j

That a fart / sholde be departed nowe

It is an Impossible / it may nat be

Ey nyce cherl / god lat him nevir the 2232

The romblyng / of a fart / and euery souw

NJB but of heyr / reuerberaci'ou^

And ther it wasteth / lytel and lytel a-wey

Ther is no man) / can deme bi my fey 2236

Yf that it were / departed equally

What lo my cherle / lo howe shrewdely

Vnto my confessour / to day he spak

1 holde him certayn) / a demonyak 2240

PETWORTH 707 (e-T. 399) [this page, Addit. 5140]

400 SIX-TEXT

708 GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Addit, MS, 5140,

Now ete your mete / and lat the chirle go play [Addit MS 5140] Lat him go hang him self / a devylway

\Tlie Solution of the " Probleme" by the Lord's Squire. No break in the MS.]

Now stood the lordis Sqwyer / atte boorde That karf his mete / and herd woorde bi woorde 2244 Of ali thing / whiche y haue said My lorde quod he / be ye nat eviH a-payde I cowde telle / for a gowne cloth"

To you sir frere / so ye be nat wroth" 2248

How that a ffart / shall evene delt bo A-mong your covent / yif it lyke the TeH quod the lorde / and thou shalt haue a-non) A gowne cloth" / bi god and bi seint John) 2252

My lord quod he / whan that the wedir is fair Eyht her bifore you / sitting in a chayr Lat bryng a cart wheel / her in-to this hall But loke that it haue / his spokys holis all 2256

xij. spokys / hath a cart wheel comon)ly And bryng me xij. ffrerys / wyte ye why ffor xiijn.e is a covent as y gesse /

Your confessour heer / for his worthynesse 2260

ShaH parforme vp the noumbre of his covent 00/125, back] Thanne shall ye knele adourc / bi oon assent And to euery spokis ende / in this maneer ffuH sadly ley in his nose / shall a ffrere 2264

your noble confessour / god him save ShaH holde his nose vpriht / vndir the nave Thanne shaH thiu chirl / with bely styf and touht As any tabur / hidir be brouht 2268

And set him on the wheel / ryht of this carte Vpon) the nave / and make him let a fart And ye shaH seyn) / vp pereil of my lyf By preeff / whiche is demonstratyf 2272

PETWORTH 708 (6-T. 400) [this page, Addit. 6140]

SIX-TEXT 401

GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Addit, MS. 5140, 709

That equally / the souw of it wol wende [Addit MS 5140]

And eek the stynk1 / vnto the spokys eende ^tSS^fr°m

Sauf that this worthi man) your confessour

Bicause he is a man / of gret honour 2276

Shal haue the first frute / as resouw is

The noble vsage of ifreris / it is this

The worthiest man of hem al / shall ferst be served2 ^Ve,.^tten

And certeynly / he hath it wel deserued 2280

He hath to day taunt vs / so moch good

Wyth preching in the pulpet / ther he stood

That y may vouchesauf / y say for me

He hadde the first smeH / of ffartis thre 2284

And so woH aH thys covent hardely

He berith him so fair / and so hoolyly

The lord / the lady / and ech man) sauf the ffieie

Said that laynkyn) / spake in his mateere 2288

As well as Euclido / or Partholome

Touchyng the Cherlis / thei seiden) / subtilte

And bi witt / made him speke as he spake

He is no fool ./ nor no domynyak Sompnowr I>a/i26j

And laynkyn) / hath wonne a new gowne 2293

My tale is don) / we be almost at towne

n !••£•» <t_i . -i [Addit. MS 5140

Jiixplicit tabula Appantoris] extract stops]

PETWORTH 709 (6-T. 40l) [this page, Addit. 614o]

44:2 SIX-TEXT

710 GROUP E. § 3, CLERK-MERCHANT-LINK. Addit. MS. 5140.

2.

[Addit. MS, Brit. Mus.> 5140, leaf US.]

Marchaunt [ m m r Epyng and weylyng / care and othir sorwe

%/%/ I knowe Inouh" / on evyn and on morwe T T Qwod the marchaunt / and so don othir mo

That weddid be / I trowe that it be so 1216

fful wel y wot / it farith so by me

I haue a wyf / wors may non be

ffor thouh the feende / to hir coplid were

She wolde him ouyr macche / I dar wel swere 1220

What shulde y reherce / in specialle

Hir hih malice / she is a shrewe wyth alle

Ther is a long / and a large difference

Betwene Grisildes / grete pacience 1224

And of my wyf / the passing cruelte

wer y on-bounde / also mot y the

I wolde neuir eft / com in the snare

we weddid men / lyve in sorwe and care 1228

Assay who wytt / and he shaft fynde

That y sey soth / be seynt Thomas of ynde

As for the more partye / y sey nat alle

God shelde / that it sholde so be-falle 1232

A good sire ost ' / y haue wedded be C1 ? if-soft]

Thes monethes too / and moo nat parde

And yit y trowe / that he that att his lyf*

wyfles hath ben / thouh that men wolde him ryife 1236

Vnto the hert / ne cowde he in no maneer

Tellen vs so moche sorwe / as I nowe heer

Cowde telle of my wyfys / cursidnesse

Nowe quod our ost / marchaunt so god you blisse 1240

Sith so mychil / knowe ye of that arte

fful hertely y pray / telle vs a parte

Gladly quod he / but of myn owne sore

ffor sory hert / y telle may no more 1244

Explicit prologUS Mercatoris] [Addit. MS 5140 extract ends]

PETWORTH 710 (6-T. 442; [this page, Addit. 6140]

DRAWINGS OF THE 23 TELLERS

OF THE

24 CANTERBURY TALES,

COPIED FROM THE ELLESMERE MS,

AND CUT ON WOOD,

BY

lr OTL ft. Cooper,

In this first issue, 1871, only 14 of the Cuts are given. The other 10 will follow in 1872. When the print of each MS is bound, the cut of each Tetter of a Tale can be put at the beginning of his Tale, as in the Ellesmere MS, or by his description in the General Prologue, to contrast the artist's hand with the poet's ; or, all the cuts can be put together before or after the Prologue, or at the end of the volume (as not part of the MS), according to the fancy of each Member.

THE MILLERE. Ellesmere MS, leaf 38, bade.

THE KNYGHT. Ellesmere MS, leaf 14.

(The brand on the horse's hip— M, ? for Miles- is in ink, and probably by a later hand.)

THE COOK.

Ellttmtrr

THE EEVE. Eltesmere MS, leaf 46.

THE WYF OP BATHE.

Ellesmere MS, tea/ 76.

THE MAN OP LAWE.

Ellesmere MS, leaf 54, back.

THE FRERE.

Ellesmere MS, leaf 80, back.

('

THE SOMONOUR.

Elfesmere MS, leaf 85, fia

THE CLERK OF OXENFORD. Ellesmere MS, leaf 92.

JL

THE SHIPMAN. Ellesmere MS, leaf 147, back.

THE PBIORESSE. Ellesmere MS, leaf 152, back.

CHAUCER.

Ellesmere MS, leaf 157, back.

THE MONK.

Ell eg mere MS, leaf 173.

THE NONNES FREEST. Ellesmere MS, leaf 183.

PR Chaucer Society, London

1901 cPublications;j

A3

no. 6, 12

etc.

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