THE

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THE

(Corpus Christ i Coll., Oxford.)

OF

EDITED BY

FREDERICK J, FURNIYALT

LONDON:

PUBLISH! FOR THE CHAUCER SOCIETY BY N. TRUBNER & CO., 57 & 59, LUDGATE HILL,

1868-1879.

Series,

CLAY ANT) TAYLOR, THE CHAUCEK PRESS, BUNOAY.

CONTENTS OF THE CORPUS MS.

Six-Text Group Pages

A. § 1. General Prologue1 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 Tmmpington

Miller and Cambridge Clerks) 113

§ 7. REEVE-COOK LINK 125

§ 8. Cook's Tale (unfinisht : of the Lon don Victualler's Apprentice) ... 127 Appendix to Group A : The spu rious TALE OP GAMELYN

B. § 1. MAN OF 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. 168 Corpus; Pt. Ill, p. 157 S-T.t p. 183 Corp.) 132 § 3. MAN - OF - LAW — SHIPMAN LINK (wrongly as MAN-OF-LAW-SQUIRE LINK) 167

Corpus Pages

26

89

92 111

113 125

127

129

155

158

193

[For F, § 1, SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK (from MS. Arch. Seld. B. 14), see Appendix 4, p. 6* below.] F. § 2, Squire's Tale (unfinisht: of the Magic

Horse, &c, and the Falcon) ... 479 194

{For F, § 3, see SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK (from Laud MS. 600), in Appendix 5, p. 7* below. For F, § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE, see p. 351 Corp. below.]

1 Has not the Friar lines 252 b, c, of the Hengwrt MS.

VI

CONTENTS.

Group

D. § 1. Wife of Bath's Preamble (of her 5 Husbands, &c.) ...

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

§ 3. WIFE-FRIAR LINK

§ 4. Friar's Tale (of the Sum'ner being carridoff to Hell)

§ 5. FRIAR-SUM'NER LINK ...

§ 6. Sum'ner's Tale (of the Friar being trickt by the sick Husbandman, & the Lord's Carver)

Six-Text Pages

E. § 1. CLERK'S HEAD-LINK

§ 2. Clerk's Tale (of Grisilde. Pt. II, p. 409 8-T, p. 288 Corp. ; Pt. Ill, p. 417 S-T, p. 296 Carp. ; Pt. IV, p.422 8-T, p. 301 Corp.; Pt. V, p. 428 S-T, p. 307 Corp.; Pt.YI, p. 433 S-T, p. 312 Corp.; Chaucer's Envoy,1 p. 440 S-T,

p. 319 Corp.)

[For E, § 3, CLERK-MERCHANT LINK,

see Appendix 3, p. 5* at end.] § 4. Merchant's Tale2 (of January and May, incomplete, only to I. 2318. For lines 2319-2418, from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14, Bodleian Library, see Appendix 1, p. 1*) 2 [For E, § 5, MERCHANT'S END-LINK, from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14, see Appendix 2, p. 4* below.]

334

359 371

372 383

385

403

405

443

Corpus Pages

213

238 250

251 262

264

281

284

321

[For F, § 1, see Appendix 4. p. 7* ; for F, § 2, p. 194 Corp. ; and for F, § 3, Appendix 5, p. 7*.] F. § 4. Franklin's (Proem and) Tale3 (of Dorigen, Arviragus, and Auri- lius)

500

351

1 6 stanzas of 6 lines each, ryming ababcb, each with the same 3 rymes, -ence, -ayle, -ynde. as against the 7-line stanzas of the Tale, ryming abnbbcc, with varying rymes.

2 Like the Petworth and Lansdowne MSS., the Corpus has a spurious 1. 1778. instead of the genuine E 1777, p. 458 8-T. p. 336, Corp., and a spurious 1. 1816 (misplaced), p. 459 S-T, p. 337 Corp. Like Pet. and Lansd., it leaves out 1. 1927-8, p. 462 S-T, p. 340 Corp., but does not, like Lansd., leave out E 2281-8, p. 350, Corp.

3 Like the Petworth and Lansdowne MSS., the Corpus leaves

CONTENTS. Vll

Six-Text Corpus Group Pages j Pages

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

St. Cecile) 527 377

§ 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

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

Rioters) 318

[For B, § 1, 2, 3, see p. 155-193 Corpus.']

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

the Merchant's Wife) ... 168

§ 5. SHIPMAN-PRIORESS LINK ... 181

§ 6. Prioress's Tale (of the little mur-

derdBoy) 182

§ 7. PRIORESS-THOPAS LINK 190

§ 8. Chaucer's Tale of Sir Thopas (un-

finisht) 191

(Fytte II, p. 197 S-T, p. 484= Corpus.)

§ 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK 199

§ 10. Chaucer's Tale of Melibe (prose) ... 201

§ 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK 253

§ 12. Monk's Tale1 (of Men fallen from

high estate) 256

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

and Fox) 283

\_For B, § 15, the NUN'S PRIEST'S END- LINK, see p. 698.]

397 402

410

425 434

436

440

455

468

469

477

478

486 488 540

543

568

570

out F 1423-4, and 1433-4, and has a spurious line, F 1436, mis placed, p. 520 S-T, p. 371 Corp. It also has not the lines F 1455-6, 1493-8, known only in the Ellesmere MS., p. 521, 522 S-T. Like Pet. and Lansd. MSS., Corpus has spurious lines for F 1529, F 1556, p. 523 S-T. Like Lansd. it leaves out lines F 1567-8 ; but does not, like Lansd., leave out F 1595-1602.

1 The 4 « Modern Instances ' are in their right place, after Zenobia, p. 268 S-T, p. 555 Corpus.

Vlll CONTENTS.

Six-Text Group Pages

H. § 1, MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK ... 576

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

1. Group E, § 4, 1. 2319-2418, end of the

Merchant's Tale, from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14, Bodl. Libr

2. Group E, § 5, the Merchant's End-Link,

from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14

3. Group E, § 3, the Clerk-Merchant-Link,

from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14

4. Group F, § 1, the Squire's Head-Link,

from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14

5. Group E, § 3, the Squire-Franklin-Link,

from the Laud MS. 600, Bodl. Libr.

6. Woodcuts of the 23 Tellers of the 24

Canterbury Tales, from the Elles. MS.

7. 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

I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK 589

Contents of the Parson's Tale ... 592 § 2. Parson's Tale (a prose treatise on Penitence. (After I. 290,^. 621, the text is from MS. Arch. Selden, B 14, Bodl. Libr.) Pt. II, p. 612-678 S-T, p. 624-690 Corp. ; Pt. Ill, p. 679-684 S-T, p. 691-6 Corp. ; Leave-taking (from Sel den MS., and Hatton MS. 1), p. 684 S-T, p. 696 Corp.) ... 593

Corpus Pages

588 592

600 603

Supplt. B, § 15. NUN'S PRIEST'S END-LINK (from the Christ Church MS., Oxford) 301

605

698

l*-3*

4*

5*

6*

GROUP A, FRAGMENT I.

§ 1. GEKEEAL PEOLOGUE. CORPUS MS. (Oxford).

[N.B. The first 72 lines, and other gaps, are supplied from MS. Arch. Seld. B. 14, Bodleian Library.]

Here bigynneth the prolog of this book the which is namede the talis of Caunturbury in the whiche prolog thautour openly declaritii the names of alle the pilgremes there condicioims and there array.

tHan) that Apprille / with his shouris soote the drought of Marche / hath pershid to the roote and bathed euery veyne in swich licoure of which vertue / engendrid is the floure 4

whan zepherus eke / with his swete brethe inspirid hath / in euery holt and hethe the tendre croppis / and the yonge sonne hath in the Earn / his halff cours I-ronne 8

and smale fowlis make melodie that slepen al nyght / with open eyghe so priketh hem nature / in here coragis that longen folk to gon / on pilgn'magis 12

and Palmeris for to seke strange strondes to serue halowes couthe / in sondre londes and specially / from euery shiris ende of Ingelond to Caunturbery thei wende 16

the holy blisfuft marter / for to seke that hem hath holpen / whan thei were seke bifitt that on that seson on a day

in Suthwork1 atte Tabard as I lay 20

redy to wende / on my pilgr/mage to Caunterbury / with ful deuout corage at night was come / in-to that hosterie wel .xxix*.1 in a companye 24

of sondry folk / bi auenture I-falle in feloshipe / and pilgremes were thei alle that toward? Caunterbury wolde ryde

1 CORPUS i [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14.]

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

the chambres and sfcablis weren wyde

and wel weren eased at the beste

and shortly whan the sonne was to reste

so hadde I spokyn / with hem euerycfron

that I was of here feloshipe anon 32

and made forward erly for to ryse [Arch. seia. B. w, ieaf i, back]

to take oure wey / there as I yow devise

"but nertheles while I haue tyme and space

or that I ferther in this tale pace 36

me thynketh it accordant1 to reson

to telle yow al the condicion

of ecfi. of hem so as it semed me

and which" they were and of what degre 40

and eke in what array that thei were inne

and at a knyght than wott I first bigynne

A knyght ther was and that a worthi man 1 A knyght. •"• that fro the tyme / that he first bigan 44

to riden owt / he loued chyualrie trouth and honour / fredom and cnrtesie ful worthi was he / in his lordis werre and ther-to had he riden / no man ferre 48

as wel in cristendom / as in hethenesse and euere honoured / for his worthynesse At Alisandre he was whan it was wonne ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne 52

aboven alle nacfons in Pruce in Lectow hadde he reysed and in Ruce no cristenman / so ofte of his degre

in Garnade at the sege eke hadde he be

of Algezire and riden in Belmarye

at Lyeis was he and at Satalye

whan thei were wonne and in the grete see

at many a noble arme hadde he be

at mortal batailles had he ben inftene

and foughten for our1 feitft at Tramessene

in listes thries and ay slayn his foo

CORPUS 2 [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14.]

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

this like worth! knyght hadde ben also 64

somtyme with the lord of Palatye

ayeyne another hethen in Turkye

and euere-more he had a souerayne prys

and though that he was worthy he was wys 68

and of his port as meke as is a mayde [MS. Arch. seid. B. 14, if 2.3

he neuere yit no vilonye ne saide

in al his liff / vn no manere wight

he was a verry perfit gentitt knight 72

ffor to telle 30W of1 his array [The Corpus MS. begins here]

His hors were goode but he was nofr gay Of fustion he wered a gepon

Al bismotered with his haburgon 76

ffor he was late y-come from his viage And wente for to don his pilgrimage TFiJ) him J>er was his sone a 3ongl squier A louyere and a lusty bacheler 80

WiJ? lockes crulle as j?ei were leyd in presse Of .xx. $eer of1 age he was I gesse Of his statuture (sic) he was of euene lengj>e And wonderly deliuere and grett of1 strengjje 84

And he hadde be somtyme in Chiuachie In fflaundres in artoys and Pykardie and born him wel as of so litel space In hope to stonden in his lady grace 88

Embroyded was he as it were a mede Att ful of1 freissche floures white and reede Synging he was or floytynge al fe day He was als freissch as is J?e nionj> of1 may 92

Schorf was his gowne wijj sleeues longe and wyde "Wel coufe he sitte on an hors and faire ride He coufe songes make and wel endite luste and eek1 daunce and wel purteray and write 96

So hote he loued fat1 by nighter tale He sleep nomore fan do]) a nightyngale Courteys he was lowly and seruisable CORPUS 3

4 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MSv

and karf biforn his fader atte table 1 00

A ^eman liadde lie and seruantes namo

At fat time for him liste ride so

And he was clad in coote and hood of greene

A scheef of pocok1 arwes bright and keene 1 04

Vnder his belt1 he bar ful Jjriftily

Wei coujje he dresse his takel ^imanly

His arwes drouped nought* wij? fetheres lowe

And in his hond he bar a mighty bowe 108

A not-hed hadde he wijj a brown visage [leaf 2, backj

Of1 woode-craff wel cou]?e he al fe vsage

Vpon his arm he bar a gay bracer

And by his syde a swerd and a bocler 112

And on J>af o]?er side a gay daggere

Harnaysed wel and scharp as point1 of* spere

A Christopbxe on his brest1 of* seiner schene

An horn he bar Jje bawdrik1 was of* grene 116

A foster was he sojjly as I gesse

Ther was also a Nonne a Prioresse

That1 of1 hir smyling1 was ful symple a[nd] coy

Hir grettest1 oj> was but1 by seint1 loy 120

And sche was cleped ma dame Englentyne

ffbl wel sche song1 ]>e seruise diuine

Entuned in hir nose ful semely

And frenssch sche spak1 ful faire and fetisly 124

After ]>e scole of1 stratforc? atte Bowe

ffor ffrenssh of1 Parys was to hire vnknowe

Af mete wel I-taughf was sche wif-aft

Sche leett no morseft from hire lippes falle 1 28

!N"e wete hire fyngres in hir sauce deepe

Wel coujje sche carie a morsel and wel keepe /

That1 no drope ne fett vpon hir breste

In Curtesye was sette ful moche hire leste 132

Hir ouer lippe wyped sche so cleene

Thaf in hir cuppe J?er was no ferthing1 seene

Of grete whan sche dronken hadde hir draughte

CORPUS 4

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS. 5

fful semely after hir mete sche raughte 136

And sikerly sche was of* gref disporte

And ful plesant1 and amyable of1 porte

And peyned hire to counterfete cheere

Of1 court1 and to ben estatlich of1 maneere 1 40

And to ben holden digne of1 reuerence

But1 for to speken of1 hir conscience

Sche was so charitable and so pytous

Sche wolde weepe if1 Jjat1 sche sawe a mous 144

Kaught1 in a trappe if1 it1 were deed or bledde [leaf 33

Of1 smale houndes hadde sche Jjat1 sche fedde

With rested fleissh or mylk1 or wastel brede

But sore wepte sche if1 oon of1 hem were dede 148

Or if1 men smot1 it with a ^erde smerte/

And al was conscience and tendre herte/

iful semelich hir wympil pynched was

Hir nose was streight1 hire yghen grey as glas 152

Hir mouth ful smal and jjerto softe and rede

But1 sikerly sche hadde a fair forhede

It1 was almost a spanne brood I trowe

ffor hardely sche was nought1 vndergrowe 156

fful fetys was hir cloke as I was war

Of1 smal coral aboute hir arm sche bar

A payre of1 bedes gauded al with greene

And Jjer-on heng1 a broche of1 gold ful scheene 160

On which J>er was first1 writen with a crowned A.

And after . Amor vincit omnia.

Anojjer Nonne with hir hadde sche /

That1 was hir Chapelleyne and prestes Jjre 164

A Monk1 ]>er was a fair for ]>e maistrie

And out1 Eidere fat loued venerie

A manly man to ben an abbot1 able /

fful many a deinte hors hadde he in stable / 168

And whan he rood men might1 his brydel heere

Gynglyng1 in a whistlyng1 wynd as cleere

And eek1 as lowde as do)) Jje chapel belle

CORPUS 6

6 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS.

Ther as J>is lord was keper of1 Jje selle 172

The Eeule of* sent Maure or of seinf Beneit1 By-cause J?atf it was old and somdel streit1 This ilke monk1 leet1 olde jjinges pace And held after }>e newe world J>e space 176

He ^af1 nought" of1 j>e text1 a pulled hen That1 seith Jjat1 hunters "be nought1 holy men Ne Jjat1 a monk1 whan he is recheles

Is likned til a fyssh Jjat1 is waterles 180

This is to seie a monk1 out1 of1 his cloystre [leaf 3, back]

But1 Jjilke text1 / held he not1 worth an oystre / And I seide his opinion was good

What1 schulde he studie and make himseluen wood 184 Vpon a hook1 alwey in cloyste to poure Or swynke with his hondes and laboure As austyn bit how schal Jje world be serued Lat1 austyn haue his swynk1 to him reserued 188

Ther-fore he was a prtkasour aright1 Grehoundes he hadde swift1 as foule in flight1 Of1 prikynge and of1 huntyng1 for Jje hare "Was alle his luste for no cost1 wolde he spare 192

I seigh his sleues I-purfiled at1 Jje hond Wijj grys and fat1 J>e fynest1 of1 a lond And for to festne his hood vnder Jje chynne He hadde of1 gold wrought a ful curious pynne/ 196

A loue knotte in Jje gretter ende Jjer was/ His hed was balled Jjat1 schon as eny glas And eek1 his face as he hadde ben anoynt1 He was a lord ful fatt1 and in good poynt1 200

His eyghen stepe and rollyng1 in his hede That1 stemed as a forneys of1 a lede His bootes souple his hors in gret1 estate Now certeinly he was a fair prelate 204

He nas nat1 pale as a forpyned goost1 A fat1 swan loued he best1 of any rostt His palfray was as brown as is a berie CORPUS c

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

A ffrere per was a wanton and a merye 208

A lymitour a ful solempne man In aft pe ordres foure is non patt can So mochil of1 daliance and fair langage He hadde made ful many a mariage 212

Of1 3onge woramen at1 his owne cost1 Vnto his ordre he was a noble post1 fful wel "biloued and famulier was he Wip frankeleyns ouer al in his centre 216

And wij) worpi wommen of" pe toun [leaf 4]

ffor he hadde power of* confessioun As seyde himself* more pan a curatt

ffor of4 his ordre he was licenciatt 220

fful swetly herde he confession And plesantt was his absolucion He was an esy man to 3iue penawnce Ther as he wiste to haue a good pitaunce 224

ffor vnto a pouer ordre for to 3iue Is signe pat1 a man is wel I-schriue ffor if1 he ^af* he dorste make auant

He wiste patt / a man was repentant 228

ffor many a man so hard is of1 his herte He may nought1 wepe al-pough him sore smerte Ther-fore in stede of1 weepyng1 and preyeres Men mote 3eue siluer to pe pouere freeres 232

His typett was ay farsed ful of1 knyfes And pynnes for to }iue faire wyues And certeynly he haddo a mery note / Wel coupe he synge and playen on a rote 236

OFjeddynges he bar witterly pe pris His nekke whit / was as pe flour-delys Ther-to he was strong1 as a Champiown He knew pe tauernes wel in euery toun 240

And euerich hostiller and tapstere Bet1 pan a lazar or a Beggere ffor vnto such a worpi man as he CORPUS 7

8 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. ^CorptlS MS.

Acorded nought1 as by his faculte 244

To haue with such sek1 lazer aqueintan.ee

It is nought1 honest1 it1 may nought1 auaunce

ffor to delen with such poraile

But1 aft with Riche and sellers of1 vitaille 248

And ouer al ]>er as profyt scholde arise

Curtays he was and lowly of* seruise

Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous

He was ]>e beste begger in his hous 252

'

. . . . ; . . . . no gap in the

ffor jjough a widewe hadde nought1 a scho [leaf 4, back]

So plesant1 was his In principio

3efr wolde he haue a ferjjing1 or he wente

His purchas was wel bettre fan his rente 256

And rage he cou]?e right1 as it were a whelpe /

In louedayes jjer cou]?e he moche helpe /

ffor J>er he was not1 lich a cloysterer

With a thred-bare cope as a pore scoler 260

But1 he was lik1 a maister or a pope

Of1 double worstede was his semy-cope /

That1 rounded as a belle on the presse

Somwhat1 he lipsed for his wantounesse 264

To make his englissh sweete vpon his tonge

And in his harpyng1 whan Jjat1 he hadde songe /

His yghen twyncled in his heed aright1

As don J?e sterres in J>e frosty night1 268

This wor]?i lymitowr was cleped huberd

A marchant1 was J>er with a forked berd

In mottle and heigh on horse he satte

Vp-on his heued a fflaundrissh beuer hatte 272

His bootes elapsed faire and fetysly

His resons he spak1 ful solempnely

Schewyng1 alwey Jje encres of1 his wynnynge

He wolde Jje see were kept1 for eny finge 276

By-twixe Middelburgli and Orewelle

COllPUS 8

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

Wei couj>e lie in eschaunge scheldes selle /

This worjjy man ful wel his witte bisette

Ther wiste no wight1 that1 lie was in dette 280

So statly was he of1 his gouernance

With his bargaynes and his cheuissance

ffor soj>e he was a worjji man with-aft

But1 so]?ly to sein I not1 how men him catt 284

A Clerk1 J?er was of1 Oxenford also

That1 vnto logyk1 hadde long1 1-go

As lene was his hors as is a rake

And he nas not1 right1 fat1 1 vndertake 288

But loked holwe and J?er-to soburly jeaf 53

fful fredbare was his ouereste courtepy

ffor he had geten him no benifice

N"e was so worldly for to haue office 292

ffor him was leuer to haue at1 his bed hede

Twenty bookes clad in blak1 and rede

Of Aristotle and his philosophie

Than robes riche or fithel or gay Sautrie / 296

But1 al by Jjat1 he was a philosophre

^it1 had he but1 a litel gold in cofre

But1 al Jjat1 he might1 of1 his frendes hente /

On bokes and on lernyng1 he it / spente 300

And besily gan for fe soules preye

Of hem J>af 3af1 him wher-with to scoleye

Of1 studie took1 he most1 cure and most1 heede

Nought1 o word spak1 he more Jjan was neede 304

And Jjat1 was seyd in forme and reuerence

And schort1 and quyk1 and ful of1 heigh sentence

Sownyng1 in moral vertu was his speche

And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche 308

A Sergeant1 of1 ]>e lawe war and wys

That1 often hadde ben at J?e Parvys

That1 was also / ful riche of1 excellence

Discret1 he was and of1 gref reuerence 312

He semed swich his wordes were so wise

COllPUS 9

10 GROUP A. §1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS-

Justice he was ful often in assise By patent1 and by plein commission

ffor his science and for his heigh renown 316

Of1 fees and robes had he many oon So gref a purchaceowr was nowher non Al was fee simple to him in effecte

His purchasynge might* not* ben infecte 320

JSTo wher so besy a man as he f er nas And ^it1 he semed bisiere fan he was In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle That1 from f e tyme of1 king1 Willmm were falle 324

Ther-to he coufe endite and make a fink1 deaf 5, back]

Ther coufe no wight1 pynche at1 his writynk1 And euery statut1 coufe he plein by Eote He rood but1 homly in a medly coote 328

Gert1 with a seinf of silk1 . wif barres smale / Of1 his array telle I no longer tale A ffrankeleyn was in his compaignie Whit1 was his berd as is the dayessye 332

Of* his complexion he was sanguyne "Wei loued he by f e morwe a sop in wyne To lyuen in delif euer was his wone / ffor he was Opiournes owne sone 336

That1 held opinion fat1 plein delite Was verrey felicite parfite An houshalder and fat1 a gret1 was he Seint1 lulian he was in his contre 340

His breed his ale was alweys after oon A better envyned man was neuer noon Wif oute bake mete was neuer his hous Of1 fissh and neissh and fat1 so plenteuous 344

If snewed in his hous of" mete and drink1 Of1 alle deyntes fat1 men coude fink1 After f e sondry sesons of1 f e $ere

So changed he his mete and his sopeere 348

fful many a fat1 partrich hadde he in Mewe CORPUS 10

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CoipUS MS. 1 1

And many a brem and many a luce in stuwe Wo was Ms cooke but1 Ms sauce were Poynant1 and scharp and redy aft his gere 352

His table dormant1 . in Ms halle alway Stod redy couered aft the longe day At1 Sessions jjer was he lord and sire

fful ofte tyme he was knight1 of1 j?e schire 356

An anelas and a gisper al of1 silke Heng1 at1 his girdel whit1 as morne mylke A scherref1 had he ben and a comptour Was nowher such a wor]?i vauasour 360

An haburdaissher and a Carpenter [leaf 6]

A Webbe a Dyer and a Tapecer And jjei were closed alle in oo liuere

Of1 a solempne and a gret ffraternite 364

fful freissch and newe here gere a-piked was Here knyfes nere chaped nought1 wi]> bras But1 aft wij? siluer wrought1 ful clene and wel Here gerdles and here pouches eueridel 368

Wel semed ech of1 hem a fair burgeys To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys Euerich for Jje wisdom fat1 he can

Was schaply for to ben an Alderman 372

ffbr Cateft hadde J?ei ynough and rente And eek1 here wyues wolde it wel assente And elles certein ]>ei were to blame

It1 is ful fair to be cleped ma dame 376

And gon to vigilies al bifore And haue a mantel rialliche / bore A Cook* jjei hadde wij? hem for J>e nones To boyle Jje cMkenes with Jje maryebones 380

And poudre marchant1 tart1 and gallyngale Wel kowde he know a draught1 of1 london ale / He couj>e rost1 and se]?e and broile and frie Maken mortreux and wel bake a pye - 384

But1 gret1 harm was it1 as it f oughte me CORPUS 11

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

That* on his schyne a mormal hadde he ffor blank-manger fat made he wi)> fe beste / A schipman was J?er wonyng1 fer by weste ffor ought1 1 wot1 he was of1 Dertemouthe He rood vpon a rouncy as he coufe In a gowne of faldyng1 to j?e knee / A dagger hangyng1 in a lace hadde he / Aboute his nekke vnder his arm a-doun The hoote somer had mad his hiew al broura And certeinly he was a good felawe

fful many a draught1 of1 wyn he hadde drawe 396

ffrom Burdeaux warde whil J>e chapmen sleepe Deaf e, back] Of nyce conscience took1 he no keepe If1 J?atf he faught1 and had J?e heigher honde By water he sent1 hem horn to euery londe 400

But1 of1 his craft1 to riken wel his tydes His stremes and his daunger him besydes His herberwe and his moone and his ledmannage Ther was non such from hulle to kartage 404

Hardy he was and wys to vndurtake With many a tempest1 had his berd be schake He knew alle jje hauenes as they were ffro Gotlond to J?e Cape de fynystere 408

And euery Cryke in Bretaigne and in Spaigne His barge y-cleped was J>e Mawdeleyne With vs J?er was a Doctour of1 Phisike In al ]>is world ne was J>er non him like 412

To speke of1 Phisik1 and of1 Surgerie ffor he was grounded in astronomie He kept1 his pacient1 a ful gret1 del

In houres by his magiqwe naturel 416

Wel coujje he fortune the ascendent1 Of* his ymages for his pacient He knewe ]>e cause of1 euery maladie / Were it1 of hoot1 of1 cold or moist1 or drie / 420

And wher engendred and of what1 humour CORPUS 12

GBOUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS. 13

He was a verray parfit* practisour

The cause I-knowe and of* his harm J?e rote /

Anon he $af* ]>e sike man his bote 424

fful redy had he his appotecaries

To sende hem drugges and his letuaries

ffor ech of* hem made o]?er for to wynne

Here frendschip nas nat / newe for to gynne / 428

"Wei knew he J?e olde Escalapius

And discorides and eke Kusus

Olde ypocras haly and Galien

Serapion Eazie and auyzen 432

Auerois damascien and Constantino peafT]

Bernard and Gatisdene and Gilbertine

Of' his diete mesurable was he

ffor it1 was of* no superfluite 436

But1 of1 gret norisshing* and digestible

His studie was but litel on the bible

Jn sangweyn and in pers he clad was al

Lyned wij) Taffata and with Sendal 440

And yet1 he was but* esy of dispense

He kepte ]>at* he wan in Pestilence

ffor gold in phisiqwe is accordial

Ther-fore he loued gold in special 444

A good wif* J>er was of1 by-syde bathe

But* sche was somdel def* and Jjat* was skajje

Of* clojj-makyng* sche hadde such an haunte

Sche passed hem of1 ypres and of* Gaunte 448

In al J>e parissche wif* ne was jjer noon

}3at* to fe offryng* toforn hire schulde gon

And if* J>er dede certein wro]> was sche

That* sche was oute of* alle charite / 452

Hire couerchiefs ful fyne were of* grounde

I dorste swere ]>ei weyeden ten pounde /

That* on a soneday weren vpon hir hede

Hire hosen weren of* fyn scarlet* reede 456

fful streyt* yteyed and schoos ful moyste and newe

CORPUS 13

14: GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS.

Bolde was hir face and fair and reed of1 hewe

Sche was a worjji womman al hir lyue

Housbondes atte chirche dore sche hadde fyue 460

"Wijjouten oj?er companye in ^oufe

But1 fer-of1 needef nought1 to speke as noufe

And J?ries hadde sche "ben at leiusalem

Sche hadde passed many a strange strem 464

At1 Eome sche hadde ben and at1 Boloigne

In Galice at1 saint1 lame and at1 Coloigne

Sche coujje inoche of wandring1 by fe weye

Gat1 tojjed was sche sojjly for to seye 468

Vpon an ambler esely sche satte Deaf 7, back)

I-wympled wel and on hir heed an hatte

As brood as is a bokeler or a targe

A fote-manteft abouten hir hipes large / 472

And on hire feet1 a paire of1 spores scharpe

In felaschipe wel coujje sche laughe and carpe

Of1 remedies of1 loue sche knew par chaunce /

ffor sche coupe of1 Jjat1 art1 ]?e colde daunce 476'

A good man was ]?er of religiown

And was a poure person of1 a toun

But1 riche he was of1 holy fought and werk1

He was also a lerned man and a clerk1 480

That1 cristes gospeft trewly wolde preche

His parisshiens deuoutly wolde he teche

Benigne he was and wonder diligent

And in aduersite ful pacient1 484

and swich he was preued ofte sif>es

fful loj) were him to cursen for his tyjjes /

But1 rajjer wolde he yeuen out1 of1 doute

Vnto his poure parisshens aboute 488

Of1 his offryng1 and of1 his substance

He couj>e in litel Jnng1 haue suffisance

Wyd was his parisshe and houses fer a-sondre

But1 he ne lefte nought1 for rayn ne J>ondre 492

In seknesse nor in meschief1 to visite

CORPUS 14

GROUP A. § 1. GENEEAL PROLOGUE. CorpllS MS. 15

The ferreste in his parisshe moche and lite

Ypon his feet1 and in his hond a staf1

This noble ensample to his scheep he yaf1 496

That1 ferst1 he wrought1 and aftirward he taughte

Out1 of1 ]>e gospel he J>o wordes caughte

And J?is fugure he addede eek / Jjer-to

That1 if1 gold ruste what1 schal Iren do 500

ifor if1 a prest1 be foul on whom we truste

No wonder is a lewed man to Euste

And schame it is if1 a prest1 take kepe

A schiten schepperde and a clene schepe 504

Wei ought1 a prest1 ensample for to $yue [leaf 8]

By his clennes how fat1 his scheep schulde lyue

He sette nought1 his benefice to hire

And leet1 his scheep acombred in )>e myre 508

And ran to london vnto Seinte Poules

To seeke him a Chaunterie for soules

Or with a breferede for to be with-holde /

But1 duelte at1 horn and kepte wel his folde 512

So fat1 J?e wolf1 ne made it1 not1 miscarie

He was a schepperde and not1 a mercenarie

And pough he holy were and vertuous

He was nought1 to synful men dispitous 516

Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne

But1 in his teching1 discret1 and benigne

To drawe folk1 to heuen by fairnesse

By good ensample J>is was his bisynesse / 520

But1 it1 were ony persone obstinat1

What1 so he were of1 heigh or low estat

Him wolde he snebbe scharply for ]?e nones

A bettre prest1 1 trowe fat1 nowher non es 524

He waited after no pompe and reuerence

Ne maked him a spiced conscience

But cristes lore and his apostles twelue

He taught1 but1 ferst1 he folwed in himselue / 528

With him fer was a plowman was his broker

CORPUS 15

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

That1 hadde I-ladde of* dong1 ful many a fofer

A trewe swynker and a good was lie

Lynyng1 in pees and parfit1 charite 532

God loued he best1 wif alle his herte

At1 alle tymes fough him gamed or smerte

And fan his Neighebore right* as him selue

He wolde fressche and ferto dike and delue 536

ffor cristes sake for euery pouere wight1

Wifouten hire if1 it1 lay in his might1

His tifes payed he ful fair and wett

Bojje of1 his propre swynk1 and his catett 540

In a Tabbard he rood vpon a mere [leaf s, back]

Ther was also a Eeeue and a Mellere /

A Sompnowr and a Pardoner also

A Maunciple and my self1 fer nare no mo / 544

The meller was a stout1 carl for f e nones

fful big1 he was of1 brawn and eek1 of1 bones

That1 proued wel for ouer al far he cam

Atte wrastlyng1 he wold haue awey f e ram 548

He was schort1 schuldred a f ikke knarre

The was no dore fat1 he nolde heue of1 harre

Or breke it at1 a rennyng1 with his heede

His berd as eny so we or eny fox was reede 552

And f erto brod as f ough it1 were a spade /

Vpon f e cop right1 of" his nose he hade

A wert1 and f er-on stood a tuft1 of1 heeres

Reed as the berstles of1 a sowes Eres / 556

Hise nose-f rilles blake weren and wide

A swerd and bokeler bar he by his syde

His mouf as gref was as a gret1 fourneys

He was a Tangier and a goliardeys 560

And fat1 was most1 of1 synne and harlotries

Wel couf e he stele corn and tolle fries

And 3if he hadde a fombe of1 gold parde

A whit1 cote and a blew hood wered he 564

A Baggepipe wel coufe he blowe and soun

CORPUS 16

GBOUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS. 17

And per-with-al he brought1 vs out1 of1 toun A gentil maunciple was ]>er of* a temple / Of1 which achatours mighte take exsemple / 568

tfor to ben wyse in byeng1 of1 vitaile ffor whe])er pat1 he paied or took1 by taile Algate he wayted so in his achate

That1 he was ay biforn and in good estate / 572

Now is not1 pat1 of1 god a ful fair grace That1 such a lewed mannes witt1 schal pace The wisdom of1 an heep of1 lernede men Of1 maistres hadde mo pan fries ten 576

That1 were of1 lawe expert1 and curious [leaf 9]

Of1 which per was a dosein in that1 hous Worpi to ben Stywardes of1 Eente and londe Of1 any lord pat1 is in Tngelonde 580

To make him lyue by his propre good In honour detteles but1 if1 pat1 he were wood Or lyue as skarsly as him list1 desire

And able for to helpen al a schire 584

In any cas pat1 mighte falle or happe And 3itt pis manciple sette here alper cappt The Reeue was a sclender colerik1 man His berd was schaue as nygh as euer he can 588

His her was by his eeres ful round y-schorn His toppe was dokked lik1 a prestt biforn fful longe were his legges and ful lene I-lik1 a staf1 per was no calf1 y-sene 592

Wei coupe he kepe a garner or a bynne Ther was non auditour coupe on him wynne Wei wist1 he by pe drought1 and by pe reyne The yeldyng" of1 his seed and of1 his greyne 596

His lordes scheep his neef his dayerie His swyn his hors his stoor and his pulletrie Was holly in pis Reeues gouernynge / And by his couenant ^af1 pe rikenynge 600

Syn pat1 his lord was twenty $eer of age 2 CORPUS 17

18 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpllS MS.

Ther cou]?e no man brynge him in arrerage

Ther nas baillif* ne herde nor ofer hyne

That1 he ne knew his sleight1 and his covyne

They were adrad of- him as of1 J>e dej>

His wonyng1 was fal fair vpon an he)>

WiJ> greene trees schadewed was his place

He couj>e bettre Jmi his lord purchace 608

flul Kiche he was astored priuely

His lord he coupe plese wel subtily

To yiue and lene him of1 his oughne good

And haue a pank1 and yet1 a cote and hood 612

In 3ouJ>e he hadde lerned a good mester tieaf 9, back]

He was a wel good wrighte a Carpenter

This reeue satte vpon a ful good stof

That1 was al pomely grey and highte scot1 616

A long1 Surcote of1 pers vpon he hadde

And by his syde he bar a rusty bladde

Of1 Northfolk'was pis Eeue of which I telle

Bysyden a toun men clepen it1 Baldeswelle 620

Tukked he was as is a frere aboute

And euer he rood J>e hyndresf of oure route

A Somynour was per with vs in pat1 place

That1 hadde a fyri cherubynnes face 624

ffor Sauseflem he was with eyghen narwe /

Als hoot1 he was and leccherous as a sparwe

Wip scalled browes blak1 and piled berde /

Of* his visage children weren afferde 628

Ther nas quyk1 siluer litarge or bremston

Boras orsure ne oyle of1 Tarte noon

]STe oynemenf Jjat1 wolde dense and byte

To him might1 helpe of1 his whelkes white 632

Nor of1 )>e knobbes sittyng1 in his cheekes

"Wel loned he garlik1 oynons and eek1 leekes

And for to drinke strong1 wyn reed as blood

Than wolde he speke and crye as he were wood 636

And whan pat1 he wel dronken hadde ]>e wyn

COKPUS 18

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

Than wold lie speke no word "but?1 latyne

A fewe termes hadde he tuo or )>re

That1 he had lerned out1 of som decre 640

No wonder is he herd it1 al J>e day

And eek1 36 knowen it* Avel how jjat1 a lay

Can clepe watte as wel as can ])e pope

But1 who so cou]?e in o]>er Jring1 hiin grope 644

Than hadde he spent1 al his philosophic

Ay questio quid luris wolde he crye

He was a gentil harlot1 and a kynde

A bettre felaw schulde men not1 fynde 648:

He wolde suffre for a quart1 of wyn Ucaf 10]

A good felawe to haue his concubyn

A twelf1 moneth and excuse him atte fulle /

fful priuely eek1 a fynch couj?e he pulle / 652

And if1 he fond owher a good felawe

He wolde techen him to han non awe

In such caas of1 ])e Erchedeknes curs

But1 if1 mannes soule were in his purs 056

ffor in his purs he scholde punyssched be

Purs is J>e Erchedeknes helle seide he

But1 wel I wot1 he lyhede right1 in dede

Of1 cursyng1 ought1 eche gilty man him drede 660

ffor curs wil sle right as assoylyng1 sauith

And also Avar him of1 a Significauith

In daunger hadde he at1 his owne gyse

The yonge gerles of1 ]?e diocise 664

And knew here counseil and what1 was al here rede

A garland hadde he sette vpon his heede

As gret1 as if were for an ale stake

A bokeler hadde he made him of1 a cake / 668

With him J?er rood a gentitt pardoner

Of Rouncyuatt his frend and his comper

That1 streight1 was comen fro J>e court1 of Rome

fful lowe he song1 come hider loue tome 672

This Somnowr bar to him a stif1 burdozm

CORPUS 19

20 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS.

"Was neuer trompe of1 half1 so gretf a soun This pardoner hadde her as yelow as wax But* smothe it heng1 as doth a strik1 of flax. 676

By ounces heng1 his lokkes Jmfr he hadde / And Jjer with he his schuldres ouer spradde But* Jjinne it1 lay by culpons on and oon But1 hood for lolite werede he noon 680

ffor it1 was trussed vp in his walet1 Him Jjoughte he rood al of1 the newe get* Discheuele saf< his cappe he rood al bare Swich glaryng* yghen hadde he as an hare 684

A vernicle hadde he sewid on his cappe [leaf 10, back)

His walet1 [lay] biforn him in his lappe / Bret1 ful of pardon corner fro Eome al hoot A voys he hadde as smal as a goof 688

No berd ne hadde he ne neuer schulde haue As smothe it was as it1 ware late schaue I trowe he were a geldyng1 or a mare But1 of" his craft1 fro Berwik1 in to ware 692

!N"e was J>er such anofer pardoner ffor in his male he hadde a pilewber Which J?afr he sayde was oure lady veyle He seide he hadde a gobet1 of J>e seyle 696

That1 seinf petir hadde whan fat1 he wente Vpon the see til ihesu crist1 him hente He hadde a Croys of1 laton ful ofH stones And in a glas he hadde pigges boones 700

But1 with fese reliqes whan jjat1 he fonde A poure person dwellyng* vpon londe / Vpon a day he gaf him more moneye Than fat1 J>e person gat1 in monies tweye 704

And Jms with feyned flatering1 and lapes He made J?e person and ]?e poeple his apes But1 trewely to tellen atte J>e laste

He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste 708

Wei cou]?e he rede a lessonn or a story CORPUS 20

GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. COITUS MS. 2*

But1 alper best1 he song1 an offertory

ffor wel he wiste whan pat1 song1 was songe

He moste preche and wel affile his tonge 712

To wynne seiner as he [right] wel cowde

Ther fore he song1 so meriely and lowde /

JS'ow haue I told 3ow soply in a clause

The estat1. the array pe nombre and eeke pe cause 716

Whi pat1 assembled was pis companie

In Suthwerk* af pis gentil hostelrie /

That1 highte pe Tabbard faste by pe belle

But1 now is tyme to yow for to telle / 720

How pat1 we beeren vs pat1 ilke night* Cieaf 11]

Whan we were in pat1 Osterie alight*

And after wol I telle of1 oure viage

And aft the remenant of1 our pilgrimage 724

But ferst1 1 pray :$ow of1 your curtesie

The 36 ne rette it nought1 my vilenye

Though pat I pleinly speke in pis matere

To telle 30 w here wordes and here cheere 728

~Ne pough I speke here wordes propurly

ffor pis 30 knowen as wel as I

Who so schal telle a tale after a man

He mot1 reherse as neyh as euer he can 733

Euerich a word if1 it1 be in his charge

Al speke he neuer so rudely and large

Or elles he moot1 telle his tale vntrewe

Or feyne piiiges or fynde wordes newe 736

He may nought1 spare al pough he were his broper

He moot1 als wel seie o word as anoper

Crist1 spak< himself1 ful brode in holy writte

And wel 36 wot1 no vilenye is itte 740

Ek1 Plato seith who so can him rede

The wordes mot1 be cosyn to pe dede

Also I prey3e 3ow fo^iue it me

Al haue I not1 sef folk1 in here degre 744

Heer in pis tale as pat1 pei scholden stonde

CORPUS 21

22 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorptlS MS.

My witf is schort1 36 may wel vnderstonde Grret1 cheere maad oure ost1 vs euerychon And to ]>e souper sette he vs anon 748

He serued vs with vitailles atte beste Strong1 was J>e wyn and wel drynken vs leste A semly man our hoste he was with alle fFor to ben a marchaft in an halle 752

A large man he was with ey^en stepe A fairer burgeys is J?er non in Chepe Bold of1 his speche and wys and wel y-taugfet And of1 manhode him lakkede right1 naught1 756

Ek1 )>er to he was right1 a merie man [leaf 11, back]

And after soper pleyen he bigan And spak1 of merfe amonges ofer Binges Whan fat1 he hadde maad our rikenynges 760

And seide Jus Now lordynges trewely 3e ben to me welcome right1 hertely ffor by my trouthe if1 fat1 1 schal not1 lye I seyh not1 fis yer so mery a company e 764

At1 oones in fis herberw as is now ifayn wold I don ^ou merthe wist1 1 how And of1 a merf e I am right1 now bifought1 To don you eese and it1 schal coste nought1 768

ye gon to Caunturbury god yow speede The blisful martir quyte 3ou ^our meede And wel I woot1 as 36 gon by J>e weye ye schapen 3ou to talen and to pleye 772

ffor trewely confort1 ne merjje is non To riden by ]>e wey domb as a ston And J>er for wol I make you disport1

As I seide erst1 and do you som confort1 776

And if1 :$ou like]) aft by on assent1 ffor to stonden at1 my luggement And for to werken as I schal ^ou seie To morwe whan 36 riden by )>e weie / 780

by my fader soule fat1 is deed

CORPUS 22

GROUP A. § L GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS. 23

But1 36 be merye I wil ^eue 3ow mjn heed

Hold vp 30111 bond wi]?oute more speclie /

Our counseil was not1 longe for to seche / 784

vs fought1 it1 was not1 worj) to make if wys

And graunted him wi]?oute more avys

And bad him seye his verdit1 as him leste

-Lordynges quod he / now herknejj for ]?e beste 788

But1 take it nought1 1 prey ^ow in disdeigne

This is J?e poynt1 to speke schorf and pleigne

That1 ech of1 $ou to schorte with ^our weye

In Jris viage schal telle tales tweie 792

To Caunturbury-ward I mene it so [leaf 123

And homward he schal tellen o)>&r tuo

Of1 auentures Jjat1 whilom haue bifali

And which of1 yow J?atf berijj him best1 of1 att 796

That1 is to sein that1 telle]) in J>is cas

Tales of1 best1 sentence and most1 solas ./

Schal haue a souper at our alj>er cost

Her in J)is place sittynge by ]>is post1 800

Whan Jjat1 we comen a^ein fro Canturbury

And for to make 3ou fe more mury

I wil my seluen goodly with $ou ryde

Right1 at1 myn owne cost1 and be 3our gyde 804

And who so wol my luggement wij? seye

Schal paye al jjat1 we spende by ]>e weye

And if1 ^e vouche saf1 Jjat1 it1 be so

Tel me anon wij>outen wordes moo 80S

And I wol erly schape me ])er fore

This Jjing1 was graunted and our oj>es swore

With ful glad herte and prey3en him also

That1 he wolde vouche saf1 for to do so 812

And Jjat1 he wolde ben our gouernour

And of1 oure tales lugge and reportour

And sette a souper at1 a certein pris

And we wiln rewled ben at1 his deuys / 816

In heighe and lowe and Jms by 0011 assent

CORPUS 23

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

We ben accorded to f e luggement And f er vpon f e wyn was fet1 anon

We dronken and to reste went" echon 820

Wif outen eny lenger taryyng1 A morwe whan f e day bigan to spryng1 vp ros oure cost1 and was our alf er cok1 And gadered vs to gider all in a flok1 824

And forf we riden a litel more fan paas vnto f e wateryng1 of1 seint1 Thomas And f er our oost1 gan his hors areste And seide lordes herknej) if1 you leste/ 828

3e wot" 3our forward and I it1 $ou recorde [leaf 12, back]

If* euynsong1 and morwesong1 acorde laf see now who schal telle f e firste tale As euer mote I drynke wyn of1 ale 832

Who so be rebel to my luggement / Schal paie for att that1 by f e weie is spent* Now drawef Cut1 or fat1 we ferf er twynne he which fat1 haf f e schortest1 schal bigynne 836

Tf Sir knight1 qwod he my maister and my lord Now drawej) Cut1 for fat1 is myn acord Comef nerre quod he my lady prioresse And 30 sir clerk1 let1 be 3our schamfastnesse 840

Ne studief nought1 lay hond to euery man Anon to drawe euery wight1 bygan) And schortly for to tellen) as if was / Were it1 by auenture or sort1 or cas 844

The sof is f is the Cut1 fel to J>e knight1 Of1 which ful blife and glad was euery wight1 And telle he moste his tale as it1 was resoun By forward and by composiciown 848

As 36 han herd what1 nedej? wordes mo And whan fis good man saugh fat1 it was so As he fat1 wys was and obedient1

To keepe his forward by his free assent 852

He seide sif f e I schal begynne f e game CORPUS 24

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

What1 welcome be J>e Cutte a goddes name

Now lat1 vs ride and herknej? what I seye

And with Jmtt word we riden forjj oure weye 856

And he bigan with right1 a merye cheere

His tale anon and seyde as $e may heere

CORPUS 25

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

lam qiie domos patrias scitice post aspera gentis Prelia laurigero et&.

lilom was as olde stories tellen vs Ther was a Duk1 that highte Theseus / 860

Of1 Athenes he was / lord and gouernour And in his tyme such a Conquerour

That1 grettere was non vnder ]?e sonne [leaf id

fful many a riche Centre hadde he wonne 864

What1 with his wisdam and his chiuallerie

He conquered aft J>e regne of1 ffeminie

That1 whilom was I-cleped Scithia

And weddede J?e queen ypolita 868

And brought1 hir horn wi]> him in his centre

With muche glorie and gret1 solempnite

And eek1 hir ^onge suster Emelye

And J?us with victorie and with melodie 872

Tl_,. TIT! i ,1 • i [line erased here, apparently

Late I ])1S noble duk1 to Athenes ride the previous one repeated.]

And aft his host1 in armes him bisyde

And certes if1 it nere to long1 to heere

I wolde haue tolde fully J>e manere 876

how wonnen was Jje regne of ffeminie

By Theseus and by his Chiualrie

And of1 the grete bataille for ]>e noones

Bitwixen athenes and Amazones 880

And how asseged was Ipolita

The faire hardy quene of1 Scithia

And of1 jje fest1 jjat1 was at1 hir weddyng1

And of1 £e tempest1 at1 hir horn cornyng1 884

But1 al Jjaf Jjing1 1 moot1 as now forbere /

I haue god wot1 a large feeld to ere

And weyke ben J?e oxen in my plough

The remnant1 of1 ))e tale is long1 ynough" 888

I wol not1 letten eek1 noon of1 pis route

CORPUS 26

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

Laf every felawe telle Ms tale aboute And lat1 se now who schal J?e souper wynne And J?er I lafte I wil a3ein bigynne 892

This Duk1 of1 whom I make menciown Whan he was comen almost* to ]>e toun In aft his wele and his moste pryde

He was war as he cast1 his eyhe asyde 896

Wher j?af J?er kneled in J?e heighe weye A company of1 ladies tweye and tweye [leaf is, back]

Eche after o]>er cladde in clones blake But1 such a cry and such a woo J?ei make 900

That1 in )>is world is creature lyuynge That1 herde such anojjer weymentynge And of1 ]>is cry Jjey nolde neuer stente Til j?ei ]>e Eeynes of1 his bridel hente 904

What1 folk1 ben 36 fat1 at myn horn comynge Pertourbe so my feste wij> cryinge Quod Theseus haue 36 so gret1 enuye

Of1 myn honour that1 Jras compleigne and crie 908

Or who ha]> }ou mysboden or offended And tellejj me if1 it may ben amended And whi jjat1 36 ben closed thus in blak The eldest1 lady of1 hem alle spak1 912

Whan sche had swouned with a dedly cheere That1 it1 was routhe for to seen and heere ^[ Sche seide lord to whom fortune haj) yiuen Victorie and as a conquerour to lyuen 916

Not1 greuej) ous 3oure gloire and your1 honour But1 we beseke mercy and socour Haue mercy on our woo and our distresse Som drope of1 pite Jjurgh J>i gentilesse / 920

vpon vs wrecched wo??raien let1 30 faft ffor certes lord }>er is non of1 vs aft That1 sche nath ben a duchesse or a queene Now be we Caytifs as it1 is wel seene 924

Thanked be fortune and hir false whiel CORPUS 27

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

That1 non estaf ensureth for to ben wel

Now certes lord to abyde $oure presence /

Here in fis temple of1 the goddesse Clemence 928

We haue be waytinge al fis fourte night1

Helpe vs lord sip it1 is in f y might*

1T I wrecche which fat1 weepe and weile fus

Was whilom wyf1 of1 king Cappaneus 932

That1 starf1 at1 Thebes cursed be fat day

And alle we fat1 ben in fis array [leaf uj

And maken al fis lamentaciown

We losten aft our housbondes at1 fat1 toun 936

Whil fat1 f assege f er aboute lay

And yet1 now f e olde Creon weiloway

That* lord is now of1 Thebes f e Cite

ffulfild? of Ire and of1 Iniquite 940

He for despite and for his Tyrannie

To don f e deede bodies vilenye

Of1 aft oure lordes whiche fat1 ben slawe

Haf aft f e bodies on an heep y-drawe 944

And wol nought1 suffre hem by non assent

Neither to ben y-buried nof er y-brent

But1 makef houndes ete hem in despyt1

And with fat1 word wif oute more respitt 948

Thei fellen gruf1 and cryden pitously

Haue on vs wrecchede wommen som mercy

And lat1 our sorwe synken in fin herte

This gentil duk» doun from his courser sterte 952

With herte pitous whan he herde hem speke

Him foughte fat1 his herte wolde breke

Whan he saugh hem so pite and so mate

That1 whilom were of1 so gret1 astate 956

And in his armes he hem aft vp hente

And hem confortef in ful good entente

And swor his oth as he was trewe knight1

He wolde don so ferforfly his might1 960

Vpon f e tyrant1 hem to wreke

CORPUS 28

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

That1 aft pe poeple of1 grece scholde speke

How Creon was of1 Theseus y-seraed

As he pat1 hadde his dep ful wel deserued 964

And right1 anon wipouten more abod

His baner he displaied and forth rood

To Thebes-ward and al his host1 biside

~No nerre Athenes wolde he go ne ride 968

Ne take his ease fully half1 a day

But1 onward on his way fat1 night1 he lay iieafi4,back]

And sente anon ypolita pe queene

And Emelye hir 3onge suster scheene 972

Vnto J>e toun of1 Athenes to dwells

And for]? he ritte per nys namore to telle

The rede Statue of1 Mars with spere and targe

So schinep in his white baner large 976

That1 alle pe feelde gliteren vp and doun

And by his baner born is his pynoun

Of1 gold ful riche in which per was y-bete

The Mynataur which pat1 he wan in Grece 980

Thus rit1 pis duk1 pus rit1 pis conquerour

And in his host1 of Chiuallerie pe flour

Til pat1 he come to Thebes and alight1

ifaire in pe feeld per as he poughf to fight1 984

But schortly for to speken of1 pis ping1

With Creon which pat1 was of Thebes king1

He faught1 and slough him manly as a knight

In pleyn bataile and putte ]>e folk1 to flight 988

And by asseut1 he wan pe Cite after

And rente adoun boj>e waft and sparre and rafter

And to pe ladies he restored ageyn

The bones of* here frendes pat1 were slayn 992

To don obsequies as was po pe gyse

But it were aft to longe to deuyse

The grete clamour and pe waymentyng1

That1 the ladys made atte brennyng* 996

Of1 pe bodies and pe gret1 honour

COKPUS 29

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

That1 Theseus j)e noble conquerour

Dof to f e bodies whan f ei from him wente

But1 schortly for to telle is myn entente 1000

Whan fat1 f is worf i duk1 f is theseus

Ha]/ Creon slayn and wonne Thebes f us

Stille in f att feeld he took1 al night1 his reste

And dide with aft f e centre as him leste 1004

To ransake in f e caas of1 f e bodies deede

Hem for to streepe of1 barneys and of1 wede [leaf 15]

The pilours diden bysynesse and cure

After fe bataile and disconfiture 1008

And so bifelle fat1 in the caas f ei founde

Thurgh girt1 with many a greuous blody wounde

Tuo $onge knightes liggynge by and by

Bofe in armes same wrought1 ful richely 1012

Of1 which tuo Arcita hight1 fat1 oon

And fat1 of er knight1 highte Palamoii

Nat1 fully quyk1 ne fully deed f ei were

But1 by her cote armowrs and by here gere 1016

The heraudes knewe hem self1 in special

As f ei fat1 weren of1 f e blood real

Of1 Thebes and of1 sustren tuo y-born

Out1 of1 fe caas fe pilours han hem torn 1020

And han hem caried softe vnto f e tente

Of1 Theseus and he ful sone hem sente /

To Athenes to dwellen in prisoun

perpetuelly hem nolde he not1 Raunson 1024

And whan f is worf i duk1 haf f us y-don

He took1 his oost1 and home he rit1 anon

With laurer corouned as a conquerour

And fere he lyuef in ioye and in honour

Terme of1 his lif1 what1 needef wordes mo

And in a tour in angwissh and in woo .

Dwellen f is Palamon and eek1 Arcite

if or euere more f er may no gold hem quite 1 032

This passef $eer by yer and day by day

CORPUS 30

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGIIT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 31

Til it1 fel oones in a morwe of May

That1 Emely fat1 fairer was to seene

Than is )>e lilye vpon his stalke grene 103G

And freisscher fan J?e may wi]> floures newe

ffor wij) })e rose colour strof1 hir hewe /

I not1 which was ]je fairer of1 hem tuo

Er it were clay as was hire wone to do 1040

Sche was arisen and al redy dight1

ffor May wil haue no sluggardie on night Deaf is, back]

The seson prikej) euery gentil herte /

And make]) it1 out1 of1 his sleep to sterte 10-14

And si]?en. arise and don may obseniance

This make]) Emelye to haue remembrance

To don honour to May and for to rise

I-cloped was sche freissh for to deuyse 1 048

Hir yelow her was broyded in a tresse

By-hinde hir bak1 a yerde long1 1 gesse

And in ]?e gardyn atte sonne vpriste

Sche walkejj vp and doun and as hir liste 1052

Sche gadreth floures party whit / and reede /

To make a sotyl garland for hir heede

And as an angel heuenysshely sche song

The grete tour J?af was so J>ikke and strong 1056

Which of1 ]>e Casteli was )>e chief1 dongeon

Ther as J>e knightes weren in prison

Of1 which I tolde $ou and telle schal

Was euen ioynant1 to Jje gardein wal 10GO

Ther as J?is Emely had hir pleying1

Bright1 was j?e sonne and cler in jjat1 mornyiig1

And Palamon ]?is woful prisoner

As was his wone by leue of1 his gailler 1064

Was risen and romed in a chambre on heigh

In which he al ]?e noble cite seigh

And ek1 J?e gardyn ful of1 branches grene

Ther as J>e freisshe Emely ]je schene 1068

Was in hir walk1 and romed vp and doun

CORPUS 31

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

This sorwful prisoner this Palamown

Go]) in fe chambre Komynge to and fro

And to himself1 compleignyng1 of1 his wo 1072

That1 he was born ful ofte seide alias

And so byfett by auenture or caas

That1 jjorugh a wyndow Jjikke of1 many a barre

Of1 yren gret1 and square as any sparre 1076

He cast1 his eyghen vpon Emelya

And J?er with al he bleynf and cryed a [leaf IG]

As fough he stongen were vnto J?e herte

And with fat1 crye Arcite anon vp sterte / 1080

And seide Cosyn myn what1 eylef fe

That1 art1 so pale and dedly on to se

Why crydestow who haj) fe don offence

ffor goddes lone tak1 al in pacience 1084

Oure pn'soun for if may non ojjer be

ffortune ha]> yiue vs fis aduersite

Som wicke aspect1 or disposicion

Of1 Saturne by som constollacion 1088

HaJ> 3iuen vs f is al fough we had it1 sworn

So stood f e heuen whan fat1 we ware born

We mote endure it1 Jris is schort1 and playn

This Palamon answerd and seide again / 1092

Cosyn for sojje of1 J)is opynion

J}ou hasf a vain Imaginacion

This pn'son causede me nought to crie

But1 1 was hurt1 right1 now porugh out1 myn yhe 1096

In to myn hert1 fat1 wol my bane be

The fayrnesse of1 Jjat1 lady fat1 1 see

3onde in the gardyn rome to and fro

Is cause of1 al my crying1 and my wo 1 100

I not1 wher sche be womman or goddesse

But1 Venus is it sofly as I gesse

And J>er with al on knees a doun he fille

And seyde Venus if1 it1 be fy wille 1104

yow in fis gardeyn Jms to transfigure

CORPUS 32

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

Byfore me sorwful wrecched creature Out* of1 f is prison help f af we mowe scape And if1 so be oure destenye be schape/ 1108

By eterne world to deyen in pn'son . Of1 oure lynage haue som compassion That is so lowe y-brought1 by tyrannie And with fat1 word Arcite gan aspye 1112

Wher as fis lady romed to and fro

And with fat1 sight1 hir beaute hurt1 him so [leaf 16, back]

That if1 fat1 Palamon was wounded sore Arcite is hurt1 as muche as he or more / 1116

And with a syke he seyde pitously The freissche beaute slef me sodeinly Of1 hire fat1 rometh in f e yonder place And but1 1 haue hir mercy and hir grace 1120

That1 1 may seen hir atte leste wey I nam but1 ded f er nys no more to sey This Palamon whan he fis wordes herde Dispitously he loked and answerde 1124

Whef er seistow fis in ernest1 or in pleye Nay quod. Arcite in ernest1 by my feye God helpe me so me lust1 ful yuel playe This Palamon gar knef his browes twaye 1128

If were to Jje quoa he no gret honour ffor to be fals ne for to be traytour To me fat1 am f i cosyn and f i brof er y-sworn ful deepe and ech of1 vs til ofer 1132

That1 neuer for to deyen in f e payn Til fat1 f e def departe schal vs twayn Neither in loue for to hinder of er

Ne in non of er cas my lieue brof er 1 136

But1 fat1 f ou scholdest1 trewly forf er more In euery caas and I schal forf re fe fore This was fin of and myn also certeine I wot1 right1 wel f ou darsf if nof wif -seyne 1140

Thus arf f ou of1 my counseil out of* doute 3 CORPUS 33

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

And now J>ou woldest falsly ben aboute

To lone my lady whom I lone and serue

And euer schal til fat1 myn herte sterue 1144

Now certes fals Arcite fou schalt1 not1 so

I loued hir ferstf and tolde f e my wo

As to my counseil and my broker sworn

To forthre me as I haue told biforn 1148

ffor which f ou art1 y-bounden as a knight1

To helpe me if1 it lay in thy might1 f leaf 17 1

Or elles art1 f ou fals I dar wel sayn

This Arcite ful proudly spak1 agayn 1152

Thou schalt1 quod he be rafer fals fan I

But1 fou art1 fals I telle f e witterly

1T ffor paramour I loued hir first1 er fou

What1 wilt1 fou seyn fou wist1 it1 nought* yif now 1156

Whefur sche be a womman or goddesse

Thin is affeccion of1 holynesse

And myn is loue as to a creature

ffor which I tolde fe myn auenture 1160

As to my cosyn and to my brofer sworn

I pose fat1 fou louedest1 hire biforn

Wostow nought1 wel fe olde clerkes sawe 1163

That1 who schal 3iue a louer eny lawe f Quis legem dat amantitm*.

loue is a gretter lawe by my pan

Than may be yeue to eny erthly man

And f erfore positif lawe and such decree

Is broke alday for loue in eche degree 1168

A man moot1 needes loue maugre his hede

He may not1 fleen hit1 f ough he scholde be dede

Al be sche mayde or wydow or elles wif1

And eek1 it1 is not1 likly al Jri lif1 1172

To stonden in hir grace namore schal I

ffor wel Jjou wost1 J)i selue verreily

That1 Jjou and I ben dampned to prison

Perpetuelly vs gaigneth no Eamsoii 1176

"We stryuen now as houndes for J?e bon

COTIPUS 34

GROUP A. § 2- KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 35

They fought1 alday and jet1 here part1 was non

Ther com a kyte whil pat1 pei were so wrope

That1 bar a way pe bon bytwixe hem bope 1180

Ak1 perfore atte kinges court1 my broker

Ech man for him self1 per is non oper

Loue if1 pou list1 for I loue and ay schal

A soothly leue broker pis is al 1184

Her in pis prison mote we endure

And euerich of* vs take his auenture Peaf 17, back]

Gref was pe strif1 and long1 bitwix hem tweye

If1 pat1 I hadde leyser for to seie / 1188

But1 to pis effect it happed on a day

To telle it jou as schortly as I may

A worpi duk1 fat1 highte Perotheus

That1 felawe was vnto duk1 Theseus 1192

Syn pilke day pat1 pai were children lite

Was come to Athenes his felawe to visite

and for to pleye as he was wont1 to do

ffor in pis world he loued noman so 1196

And he loued him als tendurly agayn

So wel pei loued as olde bokes sayn

That1 whan pat1 oon was ded soply to telle /

his felaw went1 and sought1 him doun in helle 1 200

But1 of1 pat1 story list1 me nought1 to write

Duk1 Perotheus louede wel arcite

And had him knowe at Thebes per be yere

And finally at request and prey ere 1204

Of1 Perotheus wipoute ony Eaunson

Duk1 Theseus him leet1 out of prison

ffrely to gon wher pat1 him list1 ouer al

In such a gise as I }ou telle schal 1208

This was pe forward pleinly for tendite /

Bitwixe Theseus and him Arcite

That1 if1 so were pat1 arcite were founde /

Euer in his lif1 by day or night1 or stounde 1212

In eny contre of1 pis Theseus

CORPUS 35

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

And he were caught1 it was accorded f us

That1 with a swerd he scholde leese his heed

Ther was noon ofer remedie ne reed 1216

But1 take]) his leeue and homward he him spedde

Lat1 him be war his nekke lif to wedde

How gret1 a sorwe suffref now arcite

The deth he feelef Jmrgh his herte smyte 1220

He wepef . weyleth . crief pitously

To sleen himself1 he waytef priuely [leaf is]

He seide alias fat1 day fat1 1 was born

Now is my prison worse fan biibrn 1224

Now is me schape eternaly to dwelle

Nought1 in Purgatori but1 in helle

Alias fat1 euer I knew Perotheus

ffor elles hadde I haue dwelled with Theseus 1228

I-fetered in his prison eueremo

Thanne hadde I ben in blisse and not1 in woo

Only f e sight1 of1 hire whom fat1 1 serue

fough fat1 1 neuer hire grace may deserae 1232

Wolde haue y-suffised right1 ynough for me

5F Oo deere Cosyn Palamon quod he

Thin is f e victorie of1 f is auenture

fful blissefully in prison might1 fou dure 1236

In pn'soun certes nay but1 paradys

Wei haf fortune torned f e f e dys

That1 hast1 f e sight1 of1 hire and I f absence /

ffor possible is syn fou hast1 hir presence 1240

And art1 a knight1 a worf i and an able

That1 by som caas syn fortune is changeable

Thou maist1 somtyme to f i desir atteyne

But1 1 fat1 am exiled and bareyne 1244

Of1 alle grace and in so gret1 despeire

That1 f er nys erf e water fyr ne eyre

Ne creature fat1 of1 hem maked is /

That1 may me helpe or don confort1 in fis 1248

Wei ought1 1 sterue in wanhope and distresse

CORPUS 36

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

flare wel my lif1 my lust1 and my gladnesse Alias why pleynen men so in comune Of purueance of1 god or of* fortune 1252

That1 3iueth hem ful ofte in many a gyse "Wel bet1 fan fey can hemself1 deuyse Som man desiref for to haue richesse That1 cause is of1 his mordre or gret1 seknesse / 1256

And som wolde out1 of1 his prison fain That1 in his hous is of1 his meyne slain / [leaf is, back]

Infinite harmes ben in f is matiere

We wot1 not1 what1 fing1 fat1 we preyen heere / 1260'

"We faren as he fat1 dronken is as Mous A dronke man wot1 wel he haf an hous But1 he not1 which f e righte weie is f ider And to a dronke man fe weye is slider 1264

And certes in f is world so faren we "We seeken fast1 after felicite But1 we gon wrong1 ful ofte trewely

Thus may we seyn aft and namlich I 1268

That1 wende and hadde a gret1 opynion That1 if I mighte skapen fro pn'son Than hadde I ben in ioye and parfyt1 hele Ther now I am exiled fro my wele 1272

Syn fat1 1 may not1 seen ^ou Emelye I am but1 ded f er nys no remedye vpon fat1 of er syde Palamon

Whan fat1 he wiste fat1 arcite was gon 127&

Swich sorwe he makef fat1 f e grete tour Resounef of1 his yollyng1 and clamour The pure fettres of1 his schynes grete

Were of1 his bittre salte teeres wete 1 280

Alias quod, he arcita cosyn myn Of1 aft our strif1 god wot1 f e fruyt1 is fin Thou walkest1 now in Thebes at1 f i large And of1 my woo fou yernest1 litel charge 1284

Thou maist1 syn fou hast1 wisdom and manhede CORPUS 37

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

Assemble aft f e folk* of1 cure kinrede And make a werre so scharp on f is Cite That1 by som auenture or som tretee 1288

Thou maist1 haue hir to lady and to wif / ffor whom fat1 1 most1 needes leese my lif1 ffor as by weie of1 possibilite

Sitthe f ou art1 at1 f i large of* prison fre 1292

And art* a lord gret1 is fin auantage . More fan is myn fat sterue her in a kage [leaf 191

ffor I mot1 weepe and wayle whil fat1 1 lyue With aft fe woo fat1 prison may me ^iue 1296

And eek1 with peyne fat1 loue me yiuef also That1 doublef al my torment1 and my wo Ther with f e fyr of gelousie vpsterte With Inne his brest and hente him by f e herte 1 300

So woodly fat1 he lik1 was to byholde The boxtre or f e asshen deed and colde Than seide he o cruel goddes fat1 gouerne This world with bynding* of1 your word eterne 1304

And writen in f e table of1 athamaunt1 youre parlement and }our eterne graunt1 What1 is mankynde more vnto ^ou holde Than is f e scheep fat1 roukef in f e folde 1 308

ffor slain is man right1 as anof er beeste And dwellef eek1 in prison and in arreste And haf siknesse and gret aduersite And ofte tymes gilteles parde 1312

IF What1 gouernance is in f is prescience That1 gilteles tormentef Innocence And encreseth f is is al my penaurcce

That1 man is bounden to his obsmiauwce 1316

ffor goddes sake to letten of1 his wille Ther as a beeste may aft his lust1 fulfills And whan a beeste is ded he haf no peyne But1 after his deth fe man mot1 weepe and pleyne 1320 Though in f is world he haue care and wo CORPUS 38

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

TVif outen doute it may stonden so

The answere of1 f is lete I to diuines

But1 vvel I wot1 fat1 in fis world gret pyne is 1324

Alias I see a serpent1 or a f eef1

That1 many a trewe man haf do meschief1

Gon at1 his large and wher him list1 may turne

But1 1 moot1 ben in pn'son furgh Saturne 1328

And eek* f urgh luno lalous and eek1 wood

That1 haf destroyed wel neyh al fe blood [leaf 19, back]

Of1 Thebes with his waste walles wide

And venus sleep me on fat1 ofer syde 1332

ffor lalousye and fere of1 him Arcite

^[ Now wil I stynte of1 Palamon alite

And lat1 him in his prison stille dwelle

And of1 Arcite forf I wil $ou telle 1336

The somer passef and f e nightes longe

Encresceth double wise pe peynes stronge

Bof e of1 f e louer and of1 f e prisoner

I not1 which hap fe wofuller myster 1340

ffor schortly for to sein of1 Palamon

Perpetuelly is dampned to prison

In cheynes and in fettres to pe ded

And arcite is exiled vp his hed 1344

ffor euermore as out1 of1 fat1 centre

IsTe neuer he ne schal his lady se

IT yow louers aske I now f is question

Who hap fe wors arcite or Palamon 1348

That1 oon may seen his lady day by day

But1 in prison moot1 he duellen ay

That1 of er wher him list1 may ride or go

But1 seen his lady schal he neuer mo 1352

Now diuineth as }ou list1 fat1 36 can

ffor I wol telle forth as I bigan

[No gap in the MS.]

CORPUS 39

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

[PART II. No gap in the MS.]

Whan j?af arcite to Thebes comen was fful ofte a day he swelte and saide alias 1356

ffor seen his lady schal he neuere mo And schortly to concluden al his wo So mochel sorwe hadde neuer creature That1 is or schal whil fat1 f e world may dure 1360

His sleep . his mete . his drink1 is him by-raft1 That1 lene he wex and drye as is a schaft1 His yghen holwe grisly to biholde

His he we falwe and pale as ayssche colde 1364

And solitarie he was and euer allone

And waylyng1 al fe night1 makyng1 his mone [leaf 20]

And if1 he herde song1 or instrument Than wolde he weepe he mighte nought1 be stent1 1368 So feble were his spiritz and he lowe And chaunged so fat1 no man couf e knowe His speche nof er his voys f ough men it herde And in his gere for al f e world he ferde / 1372

Not1 comly lyk1 to louers maladye Of1 heres but raf er lik1 manye Engendred of1 humow malencolik1

Biforn his celle fantastik1 1376

And schortly torned was al vp and doun Bof e habite and disposickmn Of him f is woful louere daun arcite

What1 scholde I alday of his woo endite 1380

Whan he endured hadde a ^eer or tuo This cruel torment and J>is peyne and woo At1 Thebes in his centre as I seyde

Ypon a night1 in sleep as he him leyde 1384

Him f oughte fat1 f e wengede god mercuric Biforn him stood and bad him to be raerie His sleepy }erde in honde he bar vprigfrt1 An hatte he wered vppon his heeres bright1 1 388

CORPUS 40

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

Arrayed was f is god as he took1 keepe

As lie was whan fat1 argus took1 his sleepe

And seyde him Jms to Athenes schalt1 f ou wende

Ther is fe schapen of1 fi wo an ende 1392

And with fat1 word arcite wook1 and sterte

Now trewely how sore fat1 me smerte

Quod he to Athenes right1 now wol I fare

Ne for fe drede of* def schal I nought1 spare 1396

To see my lady fat1 1 loue and serue /

In hire presence I ne recche nou^t1 to sterae /

And with fat1 word he caughte a gret mirour

And saugh fat1 chaunged was al his colour 1 400

And saugh his visage al in anof er kinde

And right1 anon it1 ran him in his mynde [leaf 20, back]

Than sif en his face was so disfigured

Of1 maladie fe which he hadde endured 1404

He mighte wel if1 fat1 he bar him lowe

Lyue in Athenes eueremore vnknowe /

And seen his lady wel neigh day by day

And right1 anon he changed his array 1408

And cladde him as a poure laborer

And al allone saf1 oonly a squier

That1 knew his priuete and al f e caas

Which was desgised pouerly as he was 1412

To Athenes is he gon f e nexte way

And to f e courte he wente vpon a day

And atte gate he profred his seruise

To drugge and drawe what1 so men wol deuise 1416

And schortly of1 f is matier for to sein

He fille in office with a chamburlein /

The which fat1 was dwellyng1 with Emelye

ifor he was wys and sone coufe aspye 1420

Of1 euery seruant1 which fat1 seruef here Wel coufe he hewen woode and water bere fFor he was yong1 and mighty for f e nones And ferto he was strong1 and bigge of1 bones 1424

CORPUS 41

42 GROUP A. § 2- KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

To doon fat1 eny wight1 him can deuyse

A yeer or tuo he was in f is seruise

Page of* f e Chambre of1 Emelye f e brighte

And Philostrat1 he seyde fat he highte 1428

1T But1 half1 so wel byloued aman as he

Ne was fer neuer in court1 of1 his degre

He was so gentil of eondiciown

That1 f urgh out1 al the court1 was his lenoun 1 432

Thei seide fat1 it1 were a charite

That1 Theseus wolde enhaunce his degre

And putten him in worschipful seruise

Ther fat1 he might1 his vertu excercise 1436

And f us withinne a while his name is spronge

Bof e of his deedes and of1 his goode tonge [leaf 211

That1 Theseus haf taken him so neere

That1 of1 his Chambre he made him a squiere 1440

And gaf1 him golde to mayntene his degre

And eek1 men brought1 him out of his contre

ffro 3eer to ^eer ful priuily his rente

But1 honestly and sleighly he it spente 1444

That1 no man wondred how fat1 he it hadde

And f re ^eer in f is wise his lif1 he ladde

And bar him so in pees and eek1 in werre

Ther was no man fat1 Theseus haf derre 1 448

And in f is blisse lete I now arcite

And speke I wol of1 Palamon alite

^f In derknesse and horrible and strong1 -prison

This seuene 3eer haf seten Palamon 1452

fforpyned what1 for woo and for distresse

Who feleth double sore and heuynesse

But1 Palamon fat1 loue drenchef so /

That1 wood out1 of1 his wit1 he gof for wo 1456

And eek1 f er to he is a prisoner

Perpetuelly not1 oxmly for a ^eer

Who couf e ryme in englissh propurly

His martirdom for sofe it am not1 1 1460

CORPUS 42

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

Ther fore I passe als lightly as I may ^f It1 felle fat1 in f e seuenf e }er of1 may The f ridde night1 as olde bokes sein / That1 als fis storie tellef more plein 1464

"Were if by auenture or destinee As whan a f ing1 is schape it schal be That1 sone after f e mydnyghf Palamon By helpyng1 of a frende brak1 prison 1468

And fief f e cite faste as he may goo ffor hadde yeue his gailler drunke soo Of1 a clarre maad of1 a certeyn wyn

With nercotiks and opie of1 Thebes fyn 1472

That1 al fat1 night1 f ough fat1 men wolde him schake Tbe gailler sleep he mighte not1 awake [leaf 21, back]

And Jms he neeth as fast1 as euer he may The night1 was schorf and faste by fe day 1476

That1 needes cost1 he most1 himseluen hyde And til a groue faste f er bisyde With dredful foot1 fan stalkef Palamon ffor schortly fis was his opinion 1480

That1 in fat1 groue he wolde him hide alday And in f e night1 fan wolde he take his way To Thebes-ward his frendes for to pray On Theseus to helpe him to werray 1484

And schortly ouf er he wolde leese his lif* Or wynnen Emely to his louely wif1 / This is f effecte and his entente playn) ^[ Now wol I torne vnto arcite agayn) 1488

That1 litel wiste how neih Jjat1 was his care Til fat1 fortune hadde kaught1 him in his snare The besy larke messanger of1 day

Salueth in hir song1 J>e morwe gray 1492

And fyry phebus risef vp so bright1 That1 al J> e orient laugheth of1 fe light1 And with his streemes drieth in fe greues The seluir dropes hangyng1 in fe lecues 1496

CORPUS 43

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

And Arcita in f e court1 roial Wif Theseus his squier principal Is rysen and lokef on f e mery day

And for to doon his obseruance to may 1500

'Remembryng1 on f e poynt1 of his desir He on his courser stertyng1 as f e fir Is riden in to f e feeldes him to pleye Out* of fe court1 were it1 a myle or tweye 1504

And to f e groue of1 which fat1 1 $ou tolde' Ey auenture his weye he gan to holde / To maken him a garland of1 f e greues Were it1 of1 woodebynde or hawethorne leeues 1508

And loude he song1 a^ein f e sonne scheene [ May with aft f i floures whit1 and grene deaf 22]

Welcome be f ou faire freisshe may

I hope fat1 1 soni grene gete may 1512

And from his courser with a lusty herte In to f e groue ful hastily he sterte ^jid in a path he rometh vp and doun Ther as by auenture of1 fis Palamon 1516

Was in a busshe fat1 no man might1 him see fful sore aferd of1 his deth was he No f ing1 ne knewe he fat1 it was arcite God wot1 he wolde haue trowed it ful lite 1 520

But1 sof is seide go sif f en many ^eeres That1 feeld haf yhen and f e woode haf eeres It1 is ful fair a man to bere him euene / ffor alday meetef men at1 vnsetf steuene 1524

fful litel woot arcite of1 his felawe That1 was so neigh to herken of his sawe ffor in f e busshe he sittef now ful stille Whan fat1 arcite hadde Eomed all his fille 1528

And songen al f e Roundel lustily In to a studie he fel sodeinly As doon f ese louers in here queynte geeres Now in f e croppe and now doun in f e hreeies 1532

CORPUS 44

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

Now vp now doun as boket1 in a welle Kight1 as f e friday sofly for to telle Now it1 schinef and now it reynef faste Right1 so gan gery venus ouer caste 1536

The hertes of1 hir1 folk1 right1 as hire day Is geerful right1 so chaunge)) sche array Seelde is f e fryday al f e wike y-like

IT Whan fat1 arcite hadde songe he gan to syke 1540

And sette him doun wif outen eny more Alias quod he fat1 day fat1 1 was bore How longe luno f urgh J>i cruelte

Wiltow werreien Thebes ]je Cite 1544

Alias y-brought1 is to confusion

The blood Eoial of1 Cadme and Amphion [leaf 22, back]

Of1 Cadmus which fat1 was f e ferste man That1 Thebes bult1 or ferst1 f e toun bigan 1548

And of1 f e cite first1 was crouned king^ Of his lyiiage am I and his ofspring1 By verray ligne as of1 f e stok1 roiaft

And now I am so caytif1 and so fratt 1552

That1 he fat1 is my mortel enemy I serue him as his squier pouerly And }it dof me luno wel more schame ffor I dar nought biknowe myn owne name 1556

But f er as I was wont1 to bight1 arcite Now highte I Philostrate nought1 worf a myte Alias f ou felle mars alias f ou luno

Thus haf your ire oure lignage al fordo 1560

Saf1 only me and wrecched Palamoii That1 Theseus martiref in prison And ouer al f is to slen me vtterly

loue haf his faire dart1 so brennyngly. 1564

y-stiked f urgh my trewe earful herte That schapen was my def arst1 fan my scherte ye sleen me with }our ey3en emelye

3e ben fe cause wher fore fat I dye 1568

CORPUS 45

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

Of1 aft f e remanant / of myn of er care

Ne sette I nought1 f e montance of a tare

So fat I coude don aught* to ^oure plesance

And with fat1 word he fel doun in a traunce 1572

A long1 tyme and aftirward he vpsterte

This Palamon fat1 fought1 f af f orugh his herte

he felte a cold swerd sodeinliche glyde

ffor yre he quok1 no lenger wolde he byde 1576

And whan fat1 he had herd Arcites tale

As he were wood with face deed and pale

he sterte him vp out1 of1 f e buskes f ikke

And seide arcite false traytour wikke 1580

Now art1 fou hent1 fat1 louesf my lady so

ffor whom fat1 1 haue al f is peyne and wo Deaf 23]

And art1 my blood and to my counseil sworn

As I ful ofte haue told fe heer biforn 1584

And hast be-iaped here duk1 Theseus /

And falsly chaunged hast f i name f us

I wol be ded or elles fou schalt1 dye

Thou schalt1 not1 loue my lady Emelye 1588

But1 1 wol loue hire oonly and nomo

ffor I am Palamon f i mortel foo

And f ough fat1 1 no wepene haue in f is place

But1 out1 of pn'soun am astert1 by grace 1592

I drede nought1 fat1 ouf er f ou schalt1 die

Or f ou ne schalt1 not1 louen Emelye

Chees which f ou wilt1 or f ou schalt1 not1 asterte

This arcite with ful despitous herte 1596

When he him knew and hadde his tale herde

As fers as a leon pulled out a swerde

And seide f us by god f a[t] sittef aboue

Nere if were fat1 fou art1 sike and wood for loue 1600

And eek1 fat1 fou no wepne hast1 in f is place /

Thou schuldesf neuer out1 of1 f is groue pace

That1 fou ne schuldest1 deyen of1 myn honde

ffor I dime fe sewrte and fe bonde 1604

CORPUS 46

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

Which fat1 f ou seist* I haue maad to f e /

What1 verray fool fink* weel fat* loue is fre

And I wol loue hir maugre al f y might1

But for as moche f ou art1 a worfy knight* 1608

And wiliest to derreyne hir by batayle

Haue her my trouf e to morwe I wol nought1 fayle

Wif outen wityng* of eny of er wight

That1 heer I wol "be founden as a knight 1612

And bringen herneys right1 ynough for f e

And chese f e beste and lef1 f e worste for me

And mete and drynk1 f is night* wol y bringe

ynough for fe and clones for fi beddynge 1616

And if1 so be fat* f ou my lady wynne

And sle me in fis woode fer I am Inne [leaf 23, back]

Thou maysf wel haue f y lady as for me

This Palamon answerd I graunt1 it1 fe 1620

And f us f ei ben departed til a morwe

Whan ech of1 hem hadde leyd his feij> to borwe

Occupied out* of* alle charite

0 regne fat* wolde no felawe haue with Jje 1624

fful sof is seid jjat1 loue ne lorschipe

Wol not* his J?ankes haue no felaschipe

We fynde fat1 of1 arcite and of1 Palamon

Arcite is riden anon in to fe toun 1628

And on the morwe er it* were dayes light1

fful priuely tuo herneys haf he dight*

Bofe sufficant* and meete to darreyne

The batail in J?e feld bitwix hem tweyne 1632

And on his hors allone as he was borne

He carieth al his harneys him biforne

And in J>e groue at tyme and place y-sef

This arcite and fis Palamon ben mette 1636

To changen gan Jje colour in hire face

Eight* as J>e hunters in J>e Eeigne of* trace

That* stondejj atte gappe with a spere

Whan hunted is J?e leoun or J>e bere 1640

COllPUS 47

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

And heerep him come russhyng1 in pe greeues

And berep bope bowes and pe leeues /

And pinkep here come]? my mortel enemy

Wipoute faile he moot* be deed or I 1644

ffor eiper I mot1 sleen him atte gappe

Or he mot1 slee me if* pat1 me mys happe

So ferden pei in chaungyng1 of1 here hewe

As fer as euerich of1 hem oper knewe / 1648

Ther nas no good day ne no saluynge /

But1 streit1 wipouten word or rehersynge /

Euerich of1 hem hilp for to arme oper

As freendly as he were his owne broper 1652

And after fat1 wip scharpe speres stronge /

They foynen ech at1 oper wonder longe [leaf 2<t]

Thou mightest1 wene pat1 pis Palamon

In his fightinge were a wood leon 1656

And as a cruel tigre was arcite

As wilde bores gonne pei to smyte /

That1 frothen whit1 as foom for ire wood

Yp to pe ancle foughte pey in here blood 1660

And in pis wise I lete hem fightyng1 dwelle

And for]) I wole of1 Theseus you telle

The destenye Ministre general

That execute]? in ]>e world ouer al 1664

The purueance pat1 god hap seie bifore

So strong* it is pat1 pei pe world hadde it1 swore

The contraire of1 a ping1 by $e or nay

Set1 som tyme it1 schal falle on a day 1668

Jjat1 fallep nought1 eft wipinne a pousend 3ere

ffor certeinly oure appetites heere

Be if of1 werre or pees or hate or loue

Al is pis reuled by pe sight1 aboue 1672

This mene I now by mighty Theseus

That for to hunte is so desirous

And namly atte grete hert1 in may

That1 in his bedde per dawep him no day 1676

COKPUS 48

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

That1 he nys cladde and redy for to ride Wif hunte and horn, and houndes him besyde ffor in his huntyng1 ha]) he such delit1 That1 it is att his ioye and appetyf 1680

To ben himself* f e grete hertes bane ffor after mars he serueth now Diane Cler was f e day as I haue told er f is And Theseus with alle ioye and blys 1684

With his ypolita f e faire queene And Emelye closed al in greene On huntyng1 ben f ei riden really

And to fe groue fat1 stood ful faste by 1688

In which f er was an hertt as men him tolde Duk1 Theseus fe streighte wey haf holde / [leaf 24, back]

And to f e lannde he ridef him ful righte ffor fider was f e hert1 wont1 to haue his nighte 1692

And ouer a brook1 and so forf on his wey This Duk1 wol haue a cours at1 him or twey Wif houndes swich as fat1 him list1 to comaurcde / And whan fis Duk1 was come vnto fe launde 1696

vnder f e sonne he loked and anon He was war of1 arcite and Palamon That1 foughten breeme as it1 were boles tuo The brighte swerdes wenten to and fro 1700

So hidously fat1 with f e leste strook1 It1 semef fat1 if wolde felle an ook1 But1 what1 f ei were nof ing1 he ne woot1 This duk1 his courser with his spores smot1 1704

And at1 a stert1 he was betwixe hem tuo And pulled out a swerd and cried ho No more vp peyne of1 lesyng1 of1 3 our* hed By mighty mars he schal anon be ded 1 708

That1 smyteth eny strok1 fat1 1 may seen But1 tellef me what1 myster men 36 ben That1 ben so hardy for to lighten heere Wifoute luge or ofer officere 1712

4 CORPUS 49

50 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE, Corpus MS.

As if were in a liteft liste really

IT This Palamon answerde hastily

And seide sire what1 needej) wordes mo

We haue pe dej> deserued bo)>e tuo 1716

Tuo woful wrecches be we tuo caytyues

That1 ben encombred of1 oure owne lyues

And as f ou art1 a rightful lord and luge

NQ ^iue us neyfer mercy ne refuge 1720

But1 slee me first1 for seinte charite

But1 slee my felawe eek1 as wel as me

Or slee him [first] for pough j>ou knowest1 it lite

This is J>i mortel fo J> is is arcite 1724

That1 fro ])i lond is banyssched on his heede

ffor which he haf deserued to be ded [leaf 253

ffor J?is is he J>at com vnto J?i gate

And seyde fat1 he highte Philostrate 1728

Thus haj? he laped ]>e ful many a $eere /

And Jjou hast1 maked him Jri cheef1 squiere

And j>is is he fat* louef Emelye

ffor si]> fat* day is come fat1 1 schal dye 1732

I make pleynly my confession

That1 1 am Jnlke woful Palamon)

That1 haf J)i pn'son broke wikkedely

I am )>i mortel foo and it1 am I 1736

That1 louef so hote Emelya )>e bright[e]

That1 1 wol dye present1 in hir sighte

Wher fore I axe dej> and my luwise

But sle my felawe in J>e same wise 1740

ffor bojje haue we deserued to be slayii

IT This wor]?i duk1 answerde anon agayn

And seide Jns is a schort1 conclusioun

your owne mouf be ^oure confessiown 1744

Haj? dampned 3011 and I wol it recorde

It1 needej) nought1 to pyne 3ou with fe corde

ye schal be ded by mighty mars J>e reede

The queen anon for verrey wo?rananhede 1748

CORPUS 50

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

Com for to wepe and so dide Emelye

And aft )>e ladies of1 J?e compaignye

Gret1 pite was it as if fought1 hem. alle

That1 euer such a chaunce schulde falle 1752

ffor gentil men f ei were of* gret1 estat1 '

And nofing1 but1 for loue was f is debat1

And saugh hire bloody woundes wide and sore

And alle cryeden bofe lasse and more 1756

Haue mercy lord vpon vs wommen alle

And on here bare knees doun fei falle

And wolde haue kist1 his feet1 f er as he stood

Til atte last aslaked was his mood 1760

ffor pite rennejj sone in gentil herte /

And Jjougfr he fersf for Ire quook1 and sterte [leaf 25, backi

he haf considered schortly in a clause

The trespas of1 hem bothe and eek1 fe cause 1764

And al jjough fat1 his Ire hire gilt1 accused

3it* in his reson he hem bojje excused

As ]>us he jjoughte wel jjat1 euery man

Wil helpe himself1 in loue if1 Jjat1 he can 1768

And eek1 deliuere himself1 out1 of1 prison

And eek1 his herte hadde compassion

Of* wornme^ for jjey wepen euer in oon

And in his gentil herte he jjought1 anon 1772

And softe vnto himself he seide fy

vpon a lord jjat1 wol haue no "mercy

But1 be a leon boj>e in word and dede /

To hem Jjat1 ben in repentance and drede 1776

As wel as to a proud dispitous man

That1 wol maintene fat1 he first1 bigan

That1 lord ha]> litel of1 discrecioii

That1 in such cas can no diuision 1 780

But1 weyeth pride and humblesse after oon

And schortly whan his Ire is Jms goon

he gan to loken vp with eyghen light1

And spak1 Jris same wordes al on night 1784

CORPUS 51

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

1F The god of* loue a bsnedicite

How mighty and how grett a lord is he

A^eins his might1 J?er gaynej? non obstacles

He may be cleped a god of1 his miracles 1788

ffor he can maken at1 his owne gise

Of1 euerich herte as fat1 him list1 deuise

lo her J?is arcite and f is Palamon

That1 quytly were out1 of my pn'soun 1792

And might1 haue lyued in Thebes rially

And witen I am here mortel enemy

And J>af here dej? lith in my might1 also /

And ^it1 ha]? loue maugre here yghen tuo 1796

Brought1 hem hider boj>e for to deye

Now lokej) is not1 Jjat1 an heih folye Deaf 26]

1T Who may ben a fool but1 if1 he loue

Byhold for goddes sake pat1 sittef aboue 1800

See how J>ai bleede be fai not1 wel arrayed

Thus ha]> hire lord ]?e god of" loue y-pai^ed

Hire wages and hire fees for hire seruise

And ^it1 J?ei wenen for to ben ful wise 1804

That1 seruen loue for aught1 fat1 may bifaft

But1 ]?is is ^et1 J?e beste game of1 alt

That1 sche for wham }>ei haue J?is iolyte

Can hem J>erfore as moche thank1 as me 1 808

Sche woof na more of1 aft Jris hoote fare

By god J?an woot1 a Cockow of1 an hare

But1 al moot1 ben assayed hoot1 and colde

A man moot1 ben a fool or 3ong1 or olde 1812

I wot1 it by my self1 ful yore agon

ffor in my tyme a seruant1 was I on

And Jjerfore syn I knowe of1 loues peyne

And woot1 how sore it1 can a man distreyne 1816

As he Jjat1 hath ben caught1 often in his laas

I you foi^iue al holly J>is trespas

At1 J?e requeste of1 Jje queen Jjat1 kneelej? heere

And eek1 of Emelye my soster doere 1820

COTIPUS 62

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

And 36 schal bope anon vnto me swere That1 neuere 36 schal my coroune dere Ne make werre vpon me night1 ne day But1 ben my frendes in alle pat1 36 may 1824

I 3ou for3iue pis trespas euery del And pey him sworen his axing1 fair and wel And him of1 lordschipe and of mercy preide And he hem grauntep grace and pus he seide 1828

To speke of1 riaft lynage and richesse pough pat1 sche were a queen or a princesse Ech of1 3ou bope is worpy douteles

To wedde whan tyme is but1 napeles 1832.

I speke as for my suster Emelye /

ffor whom 36 haue pis strif1 and Jalousie [leaf 26, back]

3e wite 3oure self1 sche may not1 wedde tuo At1 oones pough 30 fighten eueremo 1836

That1 oon of1 3ou al be him lop or leef1 He moot1 go pypen in an yuy leef1 This is to sey sche may not1 haue bope Al be 30 neuer so lalouse ne so wrope 1840

And for-Jri I 3ou putte in ])is degre That1 ech of1 3ou schal haue his destine As him is schape and kerknej? in what1 wise Lo heer 3our ende of1 pat1 1 schal deuyse / 1844

IF My wil is pis for plat1 conclusion Wipouten eny replicacion If1 pat 3ow likep takep it1 for pe beste / That1 euerych of1 3ou schal gon wher him leste 1848

ffrely wipouten Raunceon or daunger And pis day fifty wykes fer ne neer Euerich of1 3ou schal bringe an hundred knightes Armed for pe lystes vp al rightes 1852

Al redy to darreyne hir by bataile And pis biheete I 3ou wipoute faile vpon my troupe and as I am a knight1 That1 wheper of1 3ou bope pat1 hap might1 1856

CORPUS 63

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

This is to sein fat1 whejjer he or J>ou

May with his hundred as I spak1 of now

Sle his contrarie or out1 of lystes dryue

That1 schal I ^iue Emelya to wyue 1860.

To whom fat1 fortune ^euej? so fair a grace

The lystes schal I maken in f is place

And god so wisly on my soule rewe

As I schal euen lugge ben and trewe 1864

30 schal non ofer eende wi]> me maken

fat1 on of1 3ou schal ben deed or taken

And if1 3ou Jrinkef fis is wel y-sayed

Sey 3our avys and holdej? }ou appaied 1868

This is 3our ende and $our conclusion

Who lokef lighty now but1 Palamon [leaf 27j

Who springe]) vp for ioye but1 arcite

Who coufe telle or who coufe it endite * 1872

The ioye fat1 is maked in f e place

Whan Theseus ha]> don so fair a grace

But1 doun on knees went1 euery maner wight1

And jjonked him wif att here hert1 and might1 1876

And namely f e Thebanes ofte sife

And ]?us wij) good hope and wij? herte blijje

They take ]>eir leue and homward gon ]?ei ride

To Thebes with olde walles wyde 1880

[PART III. No gap in the MS.]

I trowe men wold it1 deme necligence

yf1 1 for3ete te tellen J?e dispense

Of1 Theseus fat1 gof so busily

To maken vp J>e lystes ryally 1884

That1 such a noble theatre as it1 was

I dar wel seyn in ]>e world fer nas

The circuite a Mile was aboute

Walled of1 stoon and diched al wifoute 1888

Round was J>e schap in maner of1 compas

CORPUS 64

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 55

fftil of1 degrees pe heighte of1 sixty paas

Than whan a man was sette on oo degre

He lettede nought1 his felawe for to see 1892

Estward per stood a gate of1 marbel white

'Westward right1 south anoper in opposite

And schortly to conclude such a place

Was non in erpe as in so litel a space 1896

ffor in pe lond per nas no crafty man

That1 Geometric or ars metrike can

Ne purtreiour ne keruer of1 ymages

That1 Theseus ne gain him mete and wages 1900

The Teatre for to make and deuyse

And for to don his rite and sacrifise

he estward hath vpon pe gate aboue

In worschip of1 Venus pe goddesse of1 loue 1904

Don make an auter and an oratorie

And of* pe westward in rnemorie [leaf 27, back]

Of1 Mars he maked hath right1 such anoper

That coste largely of1 gold a foper 1908.

And northward in a toret1 on pe walle

Of1 alabaustre whit1 and reed coralle

An oratori riche for to see

In worschip of1 Diane of1 chastite 1912

hath Theseus don wrought1 in noble wise

But1 ^it1 hadde I forgetyn to deuyse

pe noble peyntyng* and pe purtraitures

The schap pe contienance and pe figures 1916

That1 weren in pise oratories pre

fferst1 in pe temple of1 venus maist1 pou se

Wrought1 in pe walle ful pitous to biholde

The broken sleepes and J>e sikes colde 1920

pe sacrede teeres and J>e waymerityng1

The fyre strokes of1 J>e desyring1

That1 loues seruantz in pis Kjf1 enduren

The othes pat1 here couenantz ensuren 1924

Plesant1 and hope desir fol-hardynesse

CORPUS 56

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

Beaute and youjje bauderie Kichesse

Charmes and force lesynges flaterie

Dispense bysynesse and Jalousie 1928

That1 werede of1 yalow of1 gooldes a garlond

And a cukkow sittyng1 on his hond

ffestes instrumentz karoles daunces

lust1 and array and aft J?e circumstances 1932

Of* loue which fat1 rekned and rekene schal

By ordre were peynted on fe wal

And mo fan I can make of1 mencion

ffor sothly al J>e monf of1 Citheron 1936

Ther venus haf hir principal dwellyng1

"Was schewed on ]>e wal in portreying1

Wif al Jje gardyn and J?e lustynesse

!Natf was fo^eten J>e porter ydelnesse 1940

"Ne Narcisus J?e faire of1 yore agon

Ne yet1 )>e folie of1 king1 Salomon [leaf 28]

]STe ^it1 jje grete strengfe of1 Hercules

Thenchauntementz of1 Medea and Circes 1944

!Ne of1 Turnus wi]> ]je hardy fiers corrage

The riche Crysus kaytif1 in seruage /

Thus may 30 seen fat1 wisdom ne richesse

Beaute ne sleighte strengfe ne hardynesse / 1948

Ne may wi]> venus holde champartye

fibr as hire list1 J>e world J>anne may sche gye

lo aft j>ise folk1 so kaught1 were in here lace

Til ]>ei for woo ful ofte seyde allase 1952

Suffiseth here ensamples oon or tuo

And )?ough I coufe rekne a fousand mo

The statue of1 venus glorious for to see

Was inaked fleetyng1 in J>e large see 1956

And fro J?e nauel doun al couered was

Wif wawes greene and bright1 as eny glas

0 citole in hir right1 hond hadde sche /

And on hire heed ful semely for to see 1960

A rose garlond freissch and wel smellynge

CORPUS 56

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

Aboue hir heed her donfes flykerynge

Biforn hire stoode hir sone Cupido

vpon his schuldernes wenges hadde he tuo 1964

And blynd he was as it1 is ofte seene /

A bowe he bar and arwes bright1 and keene

Whi schulde I nought1 as wel eek1 telle J?e halle

The purtraiture Jjaf was vpon fe walle / 1968

Wijnnne J>e temple of1 mighty mars j?e reede

Al peynted was )>e wal in lengpe and brede /

lik1 to pe eestres of ]?e grisly place

That1 highte J>e grete temple of1 Mars in trace 1972

In jjilke colde frosty regioun

Ther as Mars ha]) his soueraigne mansiowu

mrsf on J?e wal was peynted a foreste

In which J?er dwelled neyjjer man ne beste 1976

WiJ) knotty knarry bareyne trees olde

Of1 Stubbes scharpe and hidous to biholde/ [leaf 28, back]

In which J?er ran a Eombel in a swough"

And Bought1 a storm schulde bresten euery bough. 1980

And dounward from an huft vnder a bente

Ther stood fe temple of1 mars armypotente

Wrought1 alt of1 burned steel of1 which Jjentre

"Was long1 and streyf and gastly for to see 1984

And J?er out1 cam a rage and such a vese

That1 it made alt J>e gates for to rese

The northerne light1 in atte dores schone

ffor wyndowe on fe watt ne was J>er none 1988

Thorugh which men mighte eny light1 discerne

The dores waren att of1 Atthemant1 eteme

ychenchede ouertwart1 and endlong1

Wijj Iren towgh and for to make it1 strong1 1992

Euery piler ]>e temple to sustene

Was tonne gretf of Iren bright1 and scheene

Ther say I ferst1 ]>e derk1 ymagynynge

Of1 felony e and al J>e compassynge . 1996

The cruel Ire reed as eny glede

CORPUS 57

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

The pykpurs and eek1 Jje pale drede

The smyler wij? J?e knyf* vnder fe cloke

The schepene brennyng* wij> J>e blake smoke 2000

The tresoun of* Jje morthering1 in fe bedde

The open werre wi]> woundes aft bibledde

Contek* wij? bloody knyf1 and scharp manace

Al ful of1 schrikyng* was J?at* sory place 2004

The sleer of* himself* yet1 saugh I fere

His herte hath bafed al his here

The nayl y-dryuen in J?e schood on night1

The colde deth wij) mou]> gapende vpright 2008

Amyddes of* Jje temple sat1 meschance

With disconfort* and sory contenance

yet* saugh I woodnesse laughyng* in his rage

Armed compleint / out* hees and feers outrage 2012

The karoigne in Jje busk* wijj Jjrote y-korue

A ]>ousand y-slayn and nought* of* qualme y-storue [leaf 29]

The Tiraunt* with his preye his force thraste /

The toun destroied ]>er was noting* lafte 2016

yet* saugh I brent* J>e schippes hoppestereres

The hunte strangled wij? fe wilde breeres /

The sowe freten )>e child right* in J>e cradel

The Cook* I-scalded for al his longe ladel 2020

Nought* was forgeten by J?e infortune of* marte /

The carter ouer-Riden wijj his carte

vnder J>e wheel ful lowe he lay a doun

Ther were also of* martis diuisiown 2024

The barbour and J>e bocher and j?e smith

That* forge]? scharpe swerdes on his stith

And aft aboue depeynted in a toure

Saugh I conqueste in gret* honoure 2028

"With Jje scharpe swerd ouer his heed

Hangynge by a subtyl twyned Jjreed

Depeynted was fe slaughtre of* lulius

Of* grete Nero and of* Anthonius 2032

Al be ]?at* ilke time fei were vnborn

CORPUS 58

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

3ef was hire deth depeynted J>er biforn

By manasyng1 of1 mars right1 by figure

So was it1 schewed right in J?afr purtreiture 2036

As is depeynted in J>e sertres aboue

Who schal be slain or elles deed for lone

Suffice]? oon ensample in stories olde

I may not* re&ne hem alle Jjough I wolde 2040

The statue of1 mars vpon a carte stood

Armed and loked grym as he were wood

And ouer his heed Jjer schinej? tuo figures

Of1 sterres J?afr ben closed in scriptures 2044

That1 oon Puella fat ofer Rubeus

This god of1 armes was arrayed ]?us

A wolf1 ]>er stood biforn him at1 his feete

WiJ> eighen reede and of1 a man he eete 2048

Wi]> subtift penseft was depeynted pis storie /

In redoutyng1 of1 mars and of1 his glorie [leaf 29, back]

Now to J>e temple of1 Diane J>e chaste /

As schortly as I can I wol me haste 2052

To telle }ou aft )>e discripciozm

Depeynted ben J?e walles vp and down

Of1 huntyng1 and of1 schamefast1 chastite

Ther saugh I how wdful Calistope 2056

Whan pat1 Diane agreued was with here

Was torned fro a womman til a bere / 1 Vrsa maior

And after was sche maad J>e loode-sterre

]5us was sche peynted I can ^ou seye no ferre 2060

Hire sone is eek1 a sterre as men may se

Ther saugh I dane torned til a tree

I mene nat1 J>e goddesse Diane

But1 Penneus doughter which Jjat1 highte Dane 2064

IF Ther saugh I accheon an herte y-maked

ifor vengance Jmtf he saugh Diane al naked

I saugh how pat1 his houndes haue him caught1/

and freten him for fat1 J?ei knewe him naught 2068

yet ypeynted was a litel forpere more /

CORPUS 59

CO GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

how atthalance hounted J>e wilde bore

And Meliagre and many anojjer mo

ffor which Diane wrought1 him care and wo 2072

Ther saugh I many anofer storie /

The which me list1 nat1 drawe to memorie /

^f This goddesse on an herf ful wel hiegh seett

WiJ> smale honndes aft aboute hir feet 2076

And vnder nejje hire feet1 sche hadde a moone

Wexynge it was and schulde waiiye soone

In gaude greene hir statue closed was

WiJ> bo we in honde and arwes in a caas 2080

Hir eyhen caste sche ful lowe a doun

Ther Pluto ha]> his derke regioun

A woraman trauaillynge was hire biforn

But1 for hire childe so longe was vnborn 2084

fful pitou[s]ly lucyna gaii sche calle

And seyde helpe for J>ou mayst1 best1 of alle [leafso]

"Wel cou]?e he peynte lifly jjat1 it1 wrought1

Wijj many a floreyne he j?e hewes bought1 2088

Now ben pise listes maad an Theseus

That1 at1 his grete cost1 arraied thus

The temples and J?e Theatres euerydel

Whan it1 was don him liked wonder WB! 2092

Tf But stynte I wol of1 Theseus alite

And speke of1 Palamon and of1 arcite

The day approche]? and hir retornynge

That1 eueriche scholde an hundred knightes bringe 2096

The bataille to darrayne as I ^ou tolde

And til athenes hire couenant1 for to holde

Haj) euerych of1 hem brought1 an .C. knightes

Wel armed for ]?e werre at1 alle rightes 2100

And sikerly J?er trowed many a man

That1 neuer sij)])en J>atH ]?e world bigan

That1 for to speke of1 knighthode of1 here hond

As ferre as god haj) maked sec or lond 2104

Kas of1 so fewe so noble a companve

CORPUS 60

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

ffor euery wight1 jjaf loued chiualrie

And wolde his Jmnkes haue a passant1 name

Ha]? preyed jmfr he mighte ben of1 pat1 game 2108

A wel was him J>afr ]?er to chosen was /

ffor if* per fille to morwe such a caas

3e knowe wel J>atf euery lusty knight1

That1 louej? paramours and ha]) his might1 2112

Were it1 in Ingelond or elles where

Thei wolde here pankes wilnen to be ]?ere

To fighte for a lady benedicite

It1 were a lusty sighte for to see 2116

And right1 so ferden pey with Palamon

With him per wente knightes many on

Som wol ben armed in an habergeon

And in a brest1 plate and in a light1 lepon 2120

And some wol haue a paire plates large

And som wil haue a pruce scheld or a targe [leaf so, back]

Som wol ben armed frn his legges wel

and haue an axe and som a mace of1 steel 2124

Ther nys no newe gyse patt it1 nas olde

Armed were pei as I haue 3ou tolde

Euerich after his opynioun

Ther maystow see comyng1 wip Palamon 2128

ligurge himself1 pe grete king1 of1 trace

Blak1 was his berd and manly was his face

The cercles of1 his yhen in his heede

Thei gloweden bitwixe yelow and rede 2132

And lik1 a griffon loked he aboute

With kempe heres on his browes stoute

his lymes grete his braunes harde and strong1

his schuldernes brode his armes round and long1 2136

And as pe gyse was in his cuntre

fful heighe vpon a chaar of1 gold stood he

Wip foure white boles in pe trays

In stede of1 cote armour ouer his harnays 2140

Wip nayles yelowe and bright1 as eny golde

CORPUS Gl

G2 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

he hadde a berskynne coleblak1 for olde

his longe her was kembed byhynde his bak1

As eny rauenes fejjer it1 schon for blak1 2144

A wre]?e of1 gold arme gret1 of huge weighte

vpon his heed sette ful of1 stones brighte

Of fyne Eubies and of1 Diamantz

Aboute his chaar Jjer wente wit1 Alantz 2148

Twenty and mo as gret as eny steere

To hunten atte leon or fe deere

And folwed him with mosel fast1 y-bounde

Coleres of1 gold and torettes filed rounde 2152

An C. lordes hadde he in his route

Armed ful wel wij? hertes sterne and stoute

1F With arcita in stories as men fynde

The grete Emetreus J?e king1 of1 Inde 2156

vpon a steede bay trapped in steel

Couered in cloth of* gold diapred weel [leaf 31 j

Com ridyng1 lyk1 J?e god of armes mars

His cote armure was of1 cloj? of1 Tars 21 GO

Couched with perles whit1 and round and grete /

His sadel was of1 brent gold newe I bete

A mantelet1 vpon his schuldern hangynge

Bret1 ful of1 Eubyes reede as fyr sparclynge 2164

His crispe her lik1 rynges was I-ronne

And Jiafr was yelow and glitering1 as J?e somw

His nose was highe his eyen bright1 Cytryn

His lippes rounde his colour was sanguyn 2168

A fewe frakenes in his face y-spreynd

Betwixe yelow and somdel blak1 y-meynd

And as a leon he his lokyng1 caste

Of1 fyue and twenty ^eer his age I caste 2172

His berd was wel begonne for to springe

His voys was as a trompe thunderinge

vpon his heed he wered a laurer grene

A garland freissche and lusty for to seene 2176

vpon his hand he bar for his deduyt1

CORPUS 62

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

An Egle tame as eny lilie whit1

An C. lordes hadde lie with, him jjere

Aft armed saue her heedes in al here gere 2180

fful richely in alle maner J?inges

ffor trustej) wel Jjat1 Dukes Erles kynges.

Were gadred in jjis noble companye

ffor loue and for encrees of1 chiualrie 2184

aboute J)is king1 J?er ran on euery part1

fful many a tame leon and lepart

And in J?is wise Jjise lordes aft and some

Ben on ]?e soneday to J?e Cite come 2188

Aboute pn'me and in J>e toun alighte

This Theseus J>is Duk1 J>is worj?i knighte

Whan he hadde brought1 hem in to his Cite

And Inned hem euerich at1 his degre / 2192

He festej? hem and do]) so gret1 labour

To eesen hem and don hem aft honour peaf si, back]

That1 yet1 men wenej? J>af no mannes wit1

Of1 non estat1 ne couj?e amenden it / 2196

The menstralcye jje smiise atte feste

The grete 3iftes to J>e meste and leste

The riche array of1 Theseus Paleys

Ne who sat1 ferst1 ne last1 vpon J?e deys 2200

What1 ladies fairest1 ben or best1 daunsynge

Or which of1 hem can best1 daunsen or synge /

Ne who most1 felynglik1 spekej) of1 loue

What1 haukes sitten on J?e perche aboue / 2204

What1 houndes liggen on ]?e flor adoun

Of aft J)is make I now no menciozm

But1 alle Jjeffecte fat1 jjinkej) me ]?e beste

Now comejj ]?e poynt1 and herknej? if1 ^ou lest1 2208

^[ The sonday night ar day bigan to springe

Whan Palamon J?e larke herde synge

Al Jjough it / nere nought1 day by houres tuo

3etf song1 J?e larke and Palamon right1 jjo 2212

WiJ) holy herte and with an heigh corage

CORPUS 63

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

He ros to wenden on his pilgrimage

vnto J>e blisful Citliarea benigne

I mene Venus honorable and digne 2216

And in here houre he walkejj for]? a paas

vnto f e lystes Jjer hire temple was

And doun he knelej? and wij) humble chere

And herte sore he seyde as 36 schal heere 2220

IT ffairest1 of1 faire 0 lady myn Yenus

Doughter to loue and spouse to Vulcanus

Thou glader of* J>e mouwf of Citheron

ffor ]>ilke loue ]?ou haddest1 to adon 2224

Haue pite of1 my bittre teeres smerte /

and tak1 myn humble preier at1 Jrin herte

Alias I ne haue no langage to telle /

Theffectes ne J?e torment of1 myn helle 2228

Myn herte may myn harmes nought1 bewreye

I am so confuse fat1 1 can not1 seye [leaf 32 j

But1 mercy lady bright1 Jmf knowest1 wele

My Jjought1 and seest1 what1 harmes Jjat1 1 feele 2232

Considere al ])is and rewe vpon my soore

As wisly as I schal for euermore

Emforth my myght1 J)i trewe seruant1 be

And holden werre alwey wij? chastite 2236

That1 1 make myn avow so 36 me helpe

I keepe nought1 of1 armes for to yelpe

NQ I ne axe nought1 to morwe to haue victorie

Ne renown in Jris caas ne veine glorie 2240

Of1 pris of1 armes blowen vp and doun

But1 1 wolde haue fully possessioun

Of1 emelye and dye in )>i seruise

ffynde yow fe maner how and in what1 wise 2244

I recche naf but it1 may bettre be

To haue victorie of hem or Jjei of1 me

So Jjat1 1 may haue my lady in myra armes

ffor Jjough so be Jjat1 mars is god of1 armes 2248

youre vertue is so gref in heuen aboue

CORPUS 64

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

That1 if1 yow list1 1 schal wel liaue iny loue

Thy temple wil I worschipe euermo

An on fin auter wher I ride or go 2252

I wil don sacrifice and feeres beete

And if1 36 wol not1 so my lady sweete

Than pray I f e to morwe with a spere

fat1 arcite me furgh f e herte here 2256

Than rekke I nat1 whan I haue lost1 my lyf<

f ough fat1 arcite wynne hir to his wyf

This is f effect1 and ende of1 my preyere

yif1 me my loue f ou blisful lady deere 2260

Whan f e orison was don of1 Palamon

his sacrifise he dide and fat1 anon

fful pitously wif alle circumstances

Al telle I not1 as now his obseruances 2264

But atte laste f e Statue of1 Venus schook1

And made a signe wherby fat1 he took1 Deaf 32, back]

That1 his prayer accepted was fat day

ffor f ough f e signe schewed a delay 2268

^it1 wist1 he weel fat1 graunted was his boone

And with glad herte he went him home ful soone

The f ridde hour inequal fat1 Palamon

Bigan to venus temple for to gon 2272

vp roos f e sonne and vp roos Emelye

And to f e temple of4 Diane gan hye

Hir maydenes fat1 f ider with hir ladde

fful redily with hem f e fyr fey hadde 2276

Thencens f e clof es and f e remenant alt

That1 to f e sacrifice longen schatt

The homes fuft of methe as was f e gise

Ther lacked nat1 to do hir sacrifise 2280

Srnokyng* f e temple ful of1 clof es faire

This Emelye with herte debonaire

Hire body [wessh] with f e water of1 a welle

But1 how sche dide hire rite I dar not1 telle 2284

But1 it1 be eny f ing1 in gene?*al

5 CORPUS 66

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

And ^it1 it1 were a game to here if al

To him that* menej) wel it nere no charge

But1 it is good a man be at1 his large 2288

hire brighte heer was kempt1 vntressed al

A Corone of1 a grene oke Serial

vpon hire heed set* fill faire and mete

Tuo fyres on J?e auter gan sche beete 2292

And dede hire Binges as men may biholde

In Stace of* Thebes and ]>ise bookes olde

Whan kyndled was J?e fyr wij? pitous cheere

vnto Diane sche spak1 as 30 may heere 2296

0 chaste goddesse of1 j?e woodes greene

To whom bo]>e heuen and erjje and see is seene

Queen of1 jje regne of1 Pluto dirk1 and lowe

Goddesse of1 may denes Jjat1 myn herte hast1 knowe 2300

fful many a yeer and wost1 what* I desire

As keepe me fro J?i vengance and J?in Ire [leaf 333

That1 attheon aboughte cruelly

Chaste goddesse wel wost1 jjou Jjat1 I 2304

Desyre to ben a mayde aft my lif1

Ne neuer wol I be no loue ne wijf1

1 am J>ou wost1 ^if of1 Jry compaignie

A maiden and loue huntyng1 and venerie 2308

And for to walken in the woodes wilde

And nought* to ben a wijf1 and be wi)> childe

Nought1 wol I knowe compaignie of1 man

Now helpe me lady sij?J>e 36 may and can 2312

ffor J?e ]?re formes fat1 J?ou hast1 in the

And Palamon Jiaf ha]> swich loue to me

And eek1 arcite fat1 louej? me so sore

This grace I preye 3ow wijjoute more 2316

And sende loue and pees bitwixe hem tuo

And fro me torne awey here hertes so

That1 aft here hoote loue and here desire

And aft here besy torment1 and here fire 2320

Be queynt1 or torned in anofer place

CORPUS 66

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. G7

And if* so be ]>ou wolf not1 do me grace Or if1 my destyne be schape so

That I schal needes haue oon of1 hem tuo 2324

As sende me him that1 most1 desireth me Biholde goddesse of1 clene chastite The bittre teeres Jjat1 on my cheekes falle Syn ]>ou art1 maiden and kepere of vs alle 2328

My maydenhode Jjou kepe and wel conserue And whil I lyue a maide I wol ^ou serue IT The fires brennen vpo J?e auter cleer Whil Emelye was Jnis in hire preyer 2332

But1 sodeinly sche saugh a sighte queynte ifor right1 anon on of1 J?e fyres queynte And quiked agayn and after pat1 anon That1 oj?er fyr was queint and al a-gon 2336

And as it1 queinte it1 made a whistlinge As don Jjese wete brondes in here brennynge / [leaf 33, back] And at1 pe brondes ende out1 ran anon As it were bloody dropes many on 2340

ffor which so sore a-gast was Emelye That1 sche was ful ny mad and gan to crie ffor sche ne wiste what1 it signefied

But1 oonly for pe feer Jras hajj sche cried 2344

And weepe Jjat1 it was pite for to heere And Jjer with al Diane gan appeere With bowe in hand right1 as an hunteresse And seyde doughter stynt1 Jjin heuynesse 234S

Among1 Jje goddes heigh it is affermed And by eterne word writen and conformed Thou schalt1 be wedded vnto oon of1 Jjo Jjat1 han for J?e So mochel care and wo 2352

And vnto which of1 hem I may not1 telle ffar-wel for I ne may no lenger dwelle The fyres which fat1 on myn auter brenne Schul Jje declare ar jjat1 $e gon henne / 2356

Thin auenture of1 loue as in J)is caas CORPUS 67

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

And wif fat1 word f e arwes in f e caas

Of1 f e goddesse clateren faste and rynge

And for]? sche wente and made a vanysschynge 2360

ffor which J)is Emelye astoned was

And seide what1 amontef f is alias

I putte me in j)i proteceion

Diane and in fi disposicion 2364

And home sche go]) anon f e nexte weye

This is f effecte f er nys namore to seye

The nexte hour of1 mars folwynge f is

Arcite vnto fe temple walked is 2368

Of1 fiers mars to don his sacrifise

WiJ) aft f e rites of1 his payen wise

Wif pitous hert1 and heigh deuocion

Eight* fus to mars he seide his orison 2372

0 stronge god fat1 in fe regnes colde /

Of1 trace honoured art1 and lord y-holde [leaf 34]

And hast1 in euery regne and euery londe

Of1 armes al fe bridel in fin honde, 2376

And hem fortunest1 as f e lest1 deuyse

Accepte of1 me my pitous sacrifise /

If1 so be fat1 my youthe may deserue

And fat1 1 mighte be worthy for to serue 2380

Thy godhede fat1 1 may ben oon of1 fine

Than pray I f e to rewe vpon my pyne

ffor f ilke pyne and f ilke hoote fyre

In which f ou whilom brendest1 for desire 2384

"Whan fat1 f ou vsedest1 f i beaute

Of1 faire 3onge freissche Venus free /

And haddest1 hire in armes at1 f i wille

Al f ough f e oones on a tyme mysfille / 2388

Whan Walcanus hadde caught1 f e in his laas

And fond f e ligging1 by his wijf1 alias

ffor f ilke sorwe fat1 was in fin herte

Haue roufe as wel vpon my peynes smerte 2392

1 am yong1 and vnconnyng1 as f ou wost1

CORPUS 68

GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 6D

And as I trowe with lone offended moost

That1 euer was ony lyues creature

ffor sche pat1 doth me aft pis woo endure 2396-

~Ne recchep neuer wher I synke or fleete

And wel I woof ar sche me mercy heete

I moot1 wip strengpe wynne hire in pe place

And wel I woof wipoute helpe or grace 2400

Of1 pe ne may my strengpe nought1 auaile

Than helpe me lord to morwe in my bataille

ffor pilke fyr pat1 whilom brente J>e

As wel as pilke fir now brennep me 2404

And do pat1 I to morwe haue victorie

Myn be pe trauaile and pin be pi glorie /

Thy souerein temple wil I most1 honouren

Of1 eny place and alwey most1 labouren 2408

In pi plesance and in pi craftes stronge

And in pi temple I wil my baner honge, [leaf si, back]

And aft pe armes of1 my companye

And eueremo vnto til pat1 day I dye 2412

Eterne fire I wol byfore J>e fynde

And eek1 to pis avow I wil me bynde

My berd myn here pat1 longep longe a doun)

That1 neuer ^\f ne felte offensiown 2416

Of1 rasour nor of1 schere I wil pe yiue

And ben pi trewe seruant1 whil I Hue

Now lord haue roupe vpon my sorwes sore

If1 me pe victorie I axe pe namore 2420

IF The preyer stynte of1 Arcita pe stronge

The rynges on the temple dore pat1 honge

And eek1 pe dores clateren ful faste,

Of1 which arcita somwhat1 him agaste 2424

]3e fyres brenden vp pe auter bright1

That1 it1 gan al pe temple for to light1

And sweete smel the ground anon vp yaf1

And arcita anon his hand vp haf1 • 2428

And more encense in to pe fir he caste

CORPUS 69

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

With oj?re rites moo and atte laste The statut1 of1 mars bigan his hauberk1 rynge And with J)e soun he herd a mormoringe 2432

fful lowe and dym fat1 seyde f is victorie ffor which he 3af1 to mars honour and glorie And Jms with ioye and hope wel to fare Arcite anon vnto his Inne is fare 2436

As fayn as foul is of1 J>e brighte sonne And right1 anon such strif1 is bygonne ffor Jrilke grauntyng1 in J?e heuen aboue Bitwixe venus J?e goddesse of loue 2440

And Mars J?e sterne god armipotent That1 lubiter was besy it to stent/ Til Jjat1 J?e pale Saturnus J)e colde

That1 knewe so many of auentures olde 2444

ffond in his olde experience an arte

That1 he ful sone haj? plesed euery parte / [leaf 35]

A so]) is seyde elde ha]) gret1 auantage In eelde is bo]>e wisdom and vsage / 2448

Men may J?e olde at1 renne and nought1 a-trede Saturne anoon to stynte strif1 and drede Al be it fat1 it1 is agayn his kinde

Of1 aft Jris strif1 he gan remedye fynde 2452

My deere doughter Yenus quod. Saturne My cours fat1 haf so wide for to turne Ha]) more power fan wot1 any man

Myn is ]>e drynclyng1 in fe see so wan 2456

Myn is ]>e prison in fe derke cote Myn is ])e strangle and hangyng1 by fe frote The murmure and ])e cherles rebellinge The gronyng1 and fe priue empri'sonynge 2460

I do vengeance and plein correccion Wil I dwelle in fe signe of1 ])e leon Myn is ]>e ruine of1 ]?e hihe halles

The fallyng1 of1 fe toures and of1 fe walles 2464

vpon })e mynour and \>Q Carpenter CORPUS 70

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

I slough Sampson schakynge pe piler

And myne ben pe maladies colde

pe derke tresons, and pe castes olde 2468-

my lokyng* is pe fader of1 pestilence

Now weep namore I schal don diligence

That1 Palamon pat1 is pin owne knight1

Schal haue his lady as pou him bihight1 2472

Though mars schal helpe his knight1 ^et1 napeles

Betwixe $ow per moot1 be som tyme pees

Aft be 36 nought1 bope of1 oo complexion

That* cause]) alday swich diuision 2476

I am pin ayell redy at1 pi wille

Weepe now namore I wil pi lust1 fulfille

U" Now wol I stente of1 pe goddes aboue

Of* mars and of1 venus goddesses of* loue 2480

And telle yow as pleinly as I can

The grete effect1 for which pat I bygan tieafss, backi

[PART IV. No gap in the MS.]

Gret1 was pe feste in Athenes pat1 day And eek1 pat1 lusty sesoun of* pat1 may 2484

Made euery knight1 to ben in such plesance That1 al pat1 monday ioustne pei and daunce And spend in heigh venus seruise

But1 by pe cause pat1 pai scholde rise 2488

Erly for to seen pe grete fight vnto here reste wente pei at night1 And on the morwe whan pat day gan springe, Of1 hors and harneys noyse and clateringe 2492

Ther was in hostelleries al aboute And to pe paleys rood per many a route Of1 lordes vpon steedes and palfreys

Ther maystow seen diuisyng1 of1 harneys 2496

So vncouth and so riche wrought1 so wel Of1 goldsmythrie of1 broudyng1 and of1 steel CORPUS 71

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

\)Q scheelde bright* testeres and trappures Gold hewen helmes hauberkes cote armures 2500

lordes in paramentz on here courseres Knightes of Eetenu and eek* squieres Nayling1 fe speres and helmes boclyng1 Gydyng1 of1 scheldes wif layners lasyng1 2504

There as neede is fei were noting1 ydel The fomy steedes on fe goldene bridel Gnawen and faste f e armureres also / "Wif file and hamer pi-iking1 to and fro / 2508

yomen on foote and coraunes many oon Wif schorte staues f ikke as fey may gon Pypes trompes nakers Clariorms

That1 in fe bataille blowe bloody sownes 2512

The paleys ful of1 poeples vp and doun Here f re fere ten holdyng1 here questiown Dyuynyng1 of1 f ise Thebane knightes tuo Som seide fus som seide it schal be so 2516

Som holden with him with J?e blake berde Som wijj ]je balled som with ]?e )>ikke herde tieafse]

Som seide he loked grym and he wold fighte He ha]j a Sparth of1 xx. pound of1 highte 2520

Thus was J)e halle ful of diuinyng1 longe after fat1 J?e sonne gan to spring1 The grete Theseus jjaf of his sleep awaked WiJ> menstralcye and noyse fat1 was maked 2524

Heeld 3ef fe chambres of1 his paleys riche Til fat1 fe Thebane knightes bofen I-liche Honorably weren in to f e paleys fette Due1 Theseus is at1 f e wyndow sette 2528

Arraied right1 as he were god in trone The poepel presed fiderward fulsone / Him for to seen and don heigh reuerence / And eek1 to herkne his heste and his sentence 2532

An herald on a scaffold made an hoo Til al fe noise of1 fe poepul was I-doo CORPUS 72

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

And whan he say J?e pepul of1 noyse al stille Thus schewed he Jje mighty dukes wille 2536

The lord hath of1 his heigh discrecion Considered j?afr it1 were destruccion To gentil blood to fighten in Jns gise

Of mortel bataille now in Jns emprise 2540

Wher fore to schapen fat1 ]?ei schal not1 deye He wol his ferste purpos modifye No man ferfore vpon peyne of1 his lyf1 No maner schot1 ne pollax ne schort1 knyf1 2544

In to J?e lystes sende or j>ider brynge Ne schort1 swerd for to stoke with poynt1 bytynge No man ne drawe ne be re it by his syde No man schal to his felawe ride 2548

But1 oo cours with a scharp y-grounde spere ifoyne if1 him list* on foote himself1 to were / And he Jjaf is at1 meschief1 schal be take And nought1 slain but1 be brought1 vnto ]>e stake 2552 That1 schal ben ordeyned on eyfer syde / But1 jjider he schal be force and ]>er abyde / [leaf 36, back]

And if1 so falle J?e cheuentein be take / On eyther syde or elles sleen his make 2556

No lenger ne schal pe torneyenge laste God speede 3ou go forth and lay on faste / WiJ? longe swerdes and ^our* maces fightej) ^oui0 fille Go now your wey )>is is J>e lordes wille 2560

The voys of1 J?e poeple touchede heuene * So lowde criede ]?ei with merie steuene God saf1 swich a lord fat1 is so good

He wilnof no distinction of1 blood 2564

Vp go]? fe trompes and fe melodye And to fe listes ritte the compaignye By ordinance forugh out1 J>e cite large Hanged wij> clof of* gold and nought with Sarge / 2568 fful lik1 a lord this noble duk1 gan ryde These tuo Thebanes vpon ey]?er syde CORPUS 73

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

And after roode pe queene and Emelye / And after patt another compaignye / 2572

Of1 on and oper after here degre And pus pey passen Jmrgh out1 pe Citee And to pe lystes come pey be tyme

Itt nas nat1 of1 J>e day 36^ fullich prime 2576

Whan sette was Theseus ful riche and hye ypolita pe queen and Emelye And oper ladyes in degree aboute

vnto pe seetes presep al pe route 2580

And westward purgh pe gates vnder marte Arcite and eek1 pe hundred of1 his parte Wip baner reed is entred right1 anon

And in pat1 selue moment1 Palamon 2584

Is vnder venus Estward in pe place Wip baner whit1 and hardy chere and face In al pe world to seken vp and doun

So euene wipoute variaciown 2588

Ther nere swiche companyes tweye

fibr per was non so wys pat1 coupe seie [leaf s?]

That1 eny hadde of1 oper auantage

Of1 worpinesse ne of1 astaat1 ne age 2592

So euene were pei chose for to gesse And in to Eynges faire pei hem dresse Whan pat1 here names rad were euerychon That1 in here nombre gyle were per non 2596

Tho were pe gates schette and cryed was lowde Do now 3our deuoir yonge knightes proude IT The heraudes lefte here prikyng1 vp and doun Now ryngep trompes lowde and clarioun 2600

Ther is namore to sein West1 and Est1 In gop pe speres ful sadly in arest In gop the scharpe spore in to pe syde per seen men who can lustne and who can ryde 2604

Ther schyueren schaftes vpon scheeldes pikke He feelep porugll pe herte spoon pe prikke CORPUS 74

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

vp springe]? speres twenty foot1 on heighte Out1 gon ])e sweerdes as J>e seiner brighte 2608

The helmes J>er to hewen and to schrede Out brestt }?e blood with sterne streemes reede With mighty maces J?e bones jjei tobreste he Jmrgh ]>e jjikkest1 on Jje Jjrong1 gan ]?reste 2612

Ther stomblen steedes stronge and doun gon alle he rollej) vnder foot1 as dojj a balle he foynej) on his foot1 with his tronchown And he him hurtej? with his hors a doun 2616

he Jmrgh £e body is hurt1 and siJ?J)en take Maugre his heed and brought1 vnto jje stake As forward was right1 J>er he moste abyde Anojjer is ladde on fat oj>er syde 2620

And som tyme dojj hem Theseus to reste hem to refreissche and drynken if1 hem leste fful ofte a-day han J)ise Thebanes two Togydre ymett1 and wrought1 his felawe wo 2624

vnhorsed hajj ech ojjer of1 hem tweye Ther nas no Tygre in vale of1 Galgopheie Deaf 37, back]

Whan j>afr hire whelp is stole whan it is lite So cruel on Jje hunte as is Arcite 2628

ffbr lalouse herte vpon ]>is Palamon Ne in belmaryn jjer nys so fel leon That1 hunted is or for his hunger wood ~N& of1 his prey desire]) so ]>e blood 2632

Of1 Palamon to sle his foo arcite The lalous strokes on here helmes byte Out1 renneth blood on bo]?e here sydes reed Som tyme an ende J>er is of1 euery deed 2636

iFor or Jje sonne vnto ]?e reste wente The stronge king1 Emetreus gan hente This Palamon as he faught1 with arcite And made his sweerd deepe in fleissh byte 2640

And by J?e force of1 twenty is he take vn-yolden and drawen to J?e stake CORPUS 75

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

And in f e rescous of1 f is Palamoim

The stronge knight1 ligurge is born a down 2644

And king1 Emetreus for aft his strengf e

Is born out1 of1 his sadell a swerdes lengthe

So hitte him Palamon or he were take

But1 al for nought1 he was brought1 to fe stake 2648

his hardy herte might1 him helpe naught1

he moste abide whan fat1 he was caught1

By force and eek1 by composicion

Who sorwef now but1 woful Palamon 2652

Jpat1 moot1 nomore gon a$en to fighte

And whan fat1 Theseus hadde seen f is sighte

he cried ho namore for it is don

Ne non.schal lenger to his felaw gon 2656

I wil be trewe lugge and not1 partie /

Arcite of1 Thebes schal haue Emelye

That1 by his fortune haf hir faire y-wonne

Anon fer is a noyse of1 poepel bygonne 2660

ffor ioye of1 f is so loude and heigh wif alle /

It1 semed fat1 fe lystes scholde falle [leaf ssj

H What1 can now faire venus don aboue

What1 seif sche now what1 do]) fis queen of1 loue 2664

But1 weepef so for wantyng1 of1 hir wille

Til fat1 hire teeres in f e lystes fille /

Sche seyde I am aschamed douteles

Saturnus seyde doughter hold f i pees 2668

Mars haf his wille his knight1 hath aft his boone

And by myn heed f ou schalt1 ben eesed soone

The trompoures wif fe lowde menstralcye

The heraudes fat1 ful lowde yelle and crye/ 2672

Ben in here wele for ioye of1 daun Arcite

But1 herknef me and styiitef noyse alite/

Which a miracle f er bifel anon

This fiers Arcite haf of1 his helm y-doon 2676

And on a courser for to schewe his face

He prikef endelong1 f e large place CORPUS 76

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

lokyng1 vpward vpon J>is Emelye

And sche again him caste a frendlich yhe 2680

ifor wommen as to speken in comune Thei folwen aft j?e fauour of1 fortune/ And was al his chier as in his herde/ Out1 of1 jje ground a fir Infernal sterte/ 2684

ffrom pluto sent1 atte request1 of* Saturne/ fFor which his hors for feere gan to turne/ And leep a syde and foundred as he leep And ar jjat1 arcite may taken keep 2688

he plight1 him on J?e pomel of1 his heede That1 in j)e place he lay as he were deede His brest1 to-brosten with his sadel bowe As blak1 he lay as any cole or crowe 2692

So was ]>e blood y-ronne in his face Anon he was born out1 of1 J?e place Wij? herte soor to Theseus paleys

Tho was he coruen out1 of1 his harneys 2696

And in a bed I-brought1 ful fair and blyue ffor he was yet1 in memorie and a lyue / [leaf as, back]

And alwey cryeng1 after Emelye

Due* Theseus with aft his companye/ 2700

Is comen horn to Athenes his Citee With alle blisse and gret1 solempnete Al be it1 Jjat1 j)is auenture was falle

he nolde not1 disconforten hem alle 2704

Men seyde eek1 jjat1 arcite schal not1 dye he schal ben heled of* his maladye And of1 ano]>er jring1 Jjei were as fayn That1 of1 hem alle was J?er non y-slayn 2708

Alle were J?ei sore hurt1 and namely oon) That1 with a spere was Jjerled his brest1 boon To oj>er woundes and to broken armes Some hadden salue and some hadden charmes 2712

IFermacies of1 herbes and eek1 saue Thei dronke for J>ei wolde here lyues haue CORPUS 77

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

ffor which J>is noble Du# as he wel can

Confortej) and honourejj euery man 2716

And make]? reuel al ]>e lange night1

vnto J>e straunge lordes as it1 was right1

Ne ]?er was holden no disconfytyng1

But1 as a lustnes or a torneying1 2720

ffor soj>ly fer was no disconfiture

ffor fallyng1 nys but* an auenture

!N~e to be ladde by force to J?e stake

vnyolden and with twenty knightes take 2724

A persone alone wifouten mo

And haried for]) by arme foot1 and too

And eek1 his steede driuen for]? wi]j staues

Wif foot1 men bo]?e yomen and knaues 2728

If was arretted him no vilanye

Ther may no man clepe it1 Cowardie

ffor which anon Duk1 Theseus leet1 crie

To stynte alle rancour and enuye 2732

The gree as wel of1 oo syde as of1 ofer

And ei]?er side ylik1 as ofer broker [ieaf39]

And yaF hem 3iftes after here degre

and fully heeld he feste dayes ]>re 2736

And conueyed J?e kynges wordily

Out1 of1 his toun a iorney largely

And horn went1 euery man ]?e righte way

Ther was namore but1 far wel and haue good day 2740

Of1 fis bataille I wol no more endite

But1 speke of1 Palamon and [of] arcite

IT Swelle]? J?e brest1 of Arcite and ]>e sore

Encrece]) at1 his herte more and more 2744

The clo]j-red blood for eny lechecraft1

CorupteJ) and is in his bouk1 1-laft1

Thaf1 neyjjer veyne blood ne ventusynge

Ne drynk1 of herbes may ben his helpynge 2748

The vertue expulsif1 or animal

ffro pilke vertu cleped natural

CORPUS 78

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

Ne may J?e venym voide ne expelle/

The pipes of1 his longes gan to swelle 2752

And euery lacerte in his bresfr adoun Is schent1 with venym and corrupciown Him gaynejj neyjjer for to gete his lijf1 vomyt1 vpward ne dounward laxatif1 2756

Al is to-brusten Jjilke region Nature hap no dominacion And certeynly per nature wil not1 werche ffare wel phisik1 go bere pe man to cherche / 2760

This al and som pat1 arcita mot1 dye ffor which he sendeth after Emelye And Palamon pat1 was his cousyn deere Than seyde he pus as 30 schal after heere 2764

IT Nat1 may pe woful spirit1 in myn herte Declare a poynfr of1 alle my sorwes smerte To you my lady Jjaf I loue moost1

But1 1 "biquejje ])e seruice of1 my gost1 2768

To yow abouen euery creature /

Syn pat my lijf1 may no lenger dure Deaf 39, back]

Alias Jje woo alias pe peynes stronge / That1 1 for 3ou haue suffred and so longe / 2772

Alias ]>e deth alias myn Emelye Alias departyng1 of1 oure companye Alias myn hertes queene alias my lyf1 Myn hertes lady endere of1 my lif1 2776

What is pis world what1 axed men to haue Now with with his loue now in his colde graue Allone wipouten eny companye

ffar-wel my sweete foo myn Emelye 2780

And softe take me in ^oure armes tweye ffor loue of1 god and herknej) what1 1 seye IF I haue here with my cosyn Palamon Hadde strif1 and rancour many a day agon 2784

ffor loue of1 yow and for my lalousye And luppiter so wis my soule gye CORPUS 79

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

To speken of1 a seruant1 propurly

With, circumstances alle trewely 2788

That1 is to sein trouf e honour and knighthede Wisdom humblesse estaf and heigh kynrede ffredom and al fat1 longef to fat1 art1 So luppiter haue of1 my soule parte 2792

As in f is worlde right1 now knowe I non So worf i to be loued as Palamon That1 seruef yow and wil don att his lijf1 And if1 fat1 euere $e schal "be a wijf1 2796

fforyete nat1 Palamon the gentilman And with fat1 word his speche faile gan ffor from his feet1 vnto his bresfr was come The colde of1 def fat1 hadde him ouercome / 2800

And yet* more ouer for in his armes tuo The vital strengf e is lost* and aft ago Oonly f e intellecte wif oute more

That1 dwelled in his herte sik1 and sore / 2804

Gan faillen whan f e herte felte def

Busked his yhen tuo and failed bref [leaf «]

But1 on his lady $et cast1 he his yhe

His laste word was mercy Emelye 2808

his spirit1 changed hous and wente fere .As I cam neuer I can nought1 telle where Therfore I stynte I am no dyuinistre Of1 soules fynde I nat1 in fat1 registre 2812

NQ me ne list1 f ilke opinions to telle Of1 hem f ough fat1 fey writen wher f ei duelle Arcite is cold fat1 mars his soule gye

Now wol I speke forth of1 Emelye 2816

Schrighte Emelye and houlef Palamon) And Theseus his suster took1 anoon) Swounyng1 and bar hire fro f e cors away Whatt helpef it1 to tarien forf f e day 2820

To tellen how sche weepe bof e eue and morwe ffor in such caas womnien haue such sorwe

CORPUS 80

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

Whan Jjat1 here housbondes ben fro hem a-go That1 for J?e more part1 ]?ei sorwen so 2824

Or elles fallen in swich a maladye That1 atte laste certeinly J?ey dye Infinite ben J>e sorwes and )>e teeres

Of1 olde folk1 And folk1 of1 tendre 3eeres 2828

In aft J>e toun for dej) of J?is Teban ffor him J>er weepej? bofe child and man So gret1 weepynge was ]?er non certayn Whan Ector was brought1 al fressfr y-slayn 2832

To Troye alias the pite Jjat1 was j?ere Cracching1 of1 cheekes rendyng1 eek1 of1 here Whi woldestow ben deed ]?is wowmen crye And haddest1 gold ynough and Emelye 2836

No man mighte gladen Theseus Sauyng1 his olde fader Egeus That1 knew )>is worldes transmutaciozm As he hadde seyn it1 vp and doun 2840

loye after woo . and woo after gladnesse And scheweth hem ensample and liknesse [leaf 40, back]

Right1 as J>er dede neuer man quod, he That1 he ne lyued in erjje in soin degree / 2844

Bight1 so ]?er lyuede neuere man he seyde In al J?is world Jjat1 som tyme he ne deyde This world is not1 but1 a Jmrghfare ful of1 wo And we ben pilgrimes passyng1 to and fro 2848

DeJ> is an ende of1 euery worldly sore And ouer al Jns ^et1 seide he mochel more To J>is effect1 ful wisly to enhorte

The poeple . J>af ]?ei schulde him reconforte 2852

Due1 Theseus with aft his busy cure Cast1 now wher fat1 Jje Sepulture Of1 good arcite may best1 y-maked be And eek* most1 honorable in his degre- 2856

And at1 fe last1 he took1 conclusion That1 fer as ferst1 arcite and Palamon 0 CORPUS 81

82 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

hadde for loue f e bataille hem bitweene That1 in fe selue groue swete and greene 2860

Ther as he hadde his amorous desires his compleynt1 and for loue his hoote fyres he wolde make a fyr in which f e office ffuneral he mighte hem alt complice 2864

he leet1 anon comande to hakke and hewe The ookes olde and leyen hem on a rewe In culpons wel arrayed for to hrenne his officers with swifte foot1 fey renne 2868

And Eide anon at1 his comandement And after f is Theseus haf y-sent After a heere and it1 al ouerspradde

Wif clof of1 gold fe richest1 fat he hadde 2872

And of1 f e same suyte he cladde arcite vpon his hondes his gloues white [ Ek* on his heed a croune of1 laurer greene And in his hond a swerd [ful] bright1 and keene 2876 he leyde him bare f e visage on f e beere Ther with he weep that1 pite was to heere [leaf «]

And for )>e pepul scholde seen him alle Whan it1 was day he brought1 him in to fe halle 2880 That1 roref of1 fe crye and f e soun IT Tho com Jris woful Theban Palamon With flotery berd and ruggy asschy heeres In clofes blak1 y-dropped al with teeres 2884

And passyng1 of er of1 weepyng1 Emelye The reufullestt of aft f is companye In as moche as f e seruice scholde bee The more noble and riche in his degree 2888

Dutf Theseus leet1 for[f] fre steedes bringe That1 trapped were in steel al gliterynge And couered with f e armes of1 daun arcite vpon fese steedes greete and white 2892

Ther seten folk* of1 which on bar his scheeld Anof er his spere vpon his hondes heelde

COEPUS 82

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

The pridde bar with, him his bowe turkeys

Of* brent1 gold was pe caas and eek* pe harneys 2896

And ryden for)) a paas with sorwful cheere

Toward pe groue as 30 schul after heere

The noblest1 of1 pe Greekes pat* per were

vpon here schuldres carieden pe beere 2900

"With slake paas and eighen reede and wete

))urgn'out* pe Cite by pe maistre streete /

That1 sprad was al with blak* and wonder highe

Eight1 of* pe same is pe same is pe street y-wrye 2904

vpon Jje right* hond went1 olde Egeus

And on pat other syde duk1 Theseus

With vessels in here hand of* gold ful fyne

As ful of* hony melk* and blood and wyne 2908

Ek* Palaman with ful gret companye

And after pat* com. woful Emelye

With fire in honde as was pat tyme pe gyse

To do poffice of* funeral seruise 2912

Heigh labour and ful gret apparaillyng*

Was atte seruise and pe fir makyng* [leaf «, back]

That* wip his greene top pe heuene raughte

And twenty fadme of brede pe armes straughte / 2916

This is to sein pe bowes were so brode

Of* stree first* per was leyd many a loode

But* how pe fir was maked vp on heighte

Ke eek* pe names how pe trees highte 2920

As Ok* . fir . birch . asp . Alder . holm . popeler

Willow . Elm . plane . Assh . box . chesteyn lynde laurer .

Mapel . porn . beech . hasitt . ew . whipiltre

how pey were felde schal not* be told for me 2924

!Ne how pe goddes ronnen vp and doun

Disherited of here habitaciown

In which pei woneden in reste and pees

Nymphes ffawnes and amadries / 2928

Xe how pe beestes and pe briddes alle

ffledden for feered whan pe woode was falle /

CORPUS 83

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

Ne liow f e ground agast1 was of* f e light1 That1 was not1 wont1 to see f e sonne bright1 2932

Ne how f e fyr was couched first1 with stree / And f anne with drye stockes clouen a f re And f anne with greene woode and spicerie And fanne with cloth of1 gold and wif Perrye 2936

And garlandes hangyng* with ful many a flour The mirre ])encens with al so sweete odour Ne how arcite lay among1 al f is

Ne what1 richesse aboute his body is 2940

Ne how fat1 Emelye as was f e gyse Putte in f e fyre of1 funeral seruise / Ne how sche swounede whan maad was f e fire Ne what1 sche spak1 ne what1 was hire desire 2944

Ne what1 luwels men in f e fyre cast1 Whan fat1 f e fyr was greet1 and brende fast1 Ne how som cast1 hir sche eld and som hire spere And of1 here vestimentz whiche fat1 fey were 2948

And coppes futt of1 melk1 and wyn and blood Into fe fyr fat1 brente as it1 were wood [leaf 42]

Ne how f e Grekes with an huge route Thries ryden al f e fir aboute 2952

vpon f e left1 hond with a bowe schotynge And fries with here speres claterynge And fries how f e ladyes gon to crye Ne how fat1 lad was homward Emelye 2956

Ne how arcite is brent1 to aisshes colde Ne how fat1 liche-wake was y-holde Al f ilke nyght1 ne how f e greekes play The wake-pleyes ne kepe I nought1 to say 2960

Who wrastelef best1 naked with oyle anoyntt Ne who fat1 bar him best1 in no disioynt1 I wol not1 tellen alle how fey goon

horn til athenes whan fe play was don 2964

But1 schortly to f e poynt1 fan wol I wende And maken of1 my longe tale an ende CORPUS 84.

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

If By proces and of1 lengthe of* certeyn ^eeres

Al stynt1 is f e mournyng1 and ]?e teeres 2968

Of1 grekes by on general assent1

Than semede f er was a parlement

At1 atthenes vpon a certein point and caas

Among1 f e whiche poyntes y-spoken was 2972

To haue with, certain contrees alliance

And hane fully of1 Thebane obeissance

ffor which f is noble Theseus anon

leet1 seende after gentil Palamon 2976

vnwist1 of1 him what1 was f e cause and why

But1 in his blake clones sorwfully

he com at1 his comandement1 in hye

Tho sente Theseus for Emelye 2980

Whan fey were sette and huysf was in f e place /

An Theseus abyden haf a space

Or eny word com fro his wise breste

his ey3en sette he f er as was his leste / 2984

And with a sad visage he siked stille /

And after fat1 right1 f us he seyde his wille [leaf 42, back]

The ferste maner of1 f e cause aboue

"Whan he ferst1 maade J>e faire cheine of loue 2988

Gret1 was f effect1 and heigh was his entente

Wei wist1 he why and what1 f er of1 he mente

ffor with fat1 faire cheyne of1 loue he bonde

The fyr. fe aier. the water and fe londe 2992

In certeyn boundes fat* fei may not1 flee /

That1 same prince and fat1 same mouer quod, he

haf stablissed in f is wrecchede world a-doun

Certeine daies and dommaciown 2996

To aft fat1 bef engendred in f is place

Ouer f e whiche day fay may not1 pace

Alle mowe fey yet1 f o dayes abregge

Ther needef nought1 non aucfonte to legge 3000

ffor it is proeued by experience

But1 fat1 me list1 to declaren my sentence /

CORPUS 85

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

Than may men wel by pis ordre discerne That1 pilke mouere stable is and eterne 3004

Wel may men knowe but1 it1 be a foole Thaf euery partie darreyned from his hoole ifor nature hap nat* taken his bygynnyng* Of* no partye nor of1 cantel of* a ping* 3008

But1 of* a ping< pat* parfyf is and stable Descendyng* so til it1 be corumpable And perfore for his wise purueance

he hap so wel byset* his ordinance 3012

That* specie of* pinges and progressions Schullen endure by successions And nought* eterne wipouten any lye This maystow vnderstonden and seen at1 yhe 3016

Loo pe Ok1 pat* hap so long* a norshing* ffro pe tyme fat* if first* bygynnep to spring* And hath so long* a lijf* as $e may see Yet atte laste wasted is J>e tree / 3020

Consideref eek* how pat* pe harde ston vnder oure foot* on which we trede and goon [leaf 43]

Yet* waste]) it* as it* lip by pe weye

The brode ryuer som tyme wexep dreye 3024

The grete townes see we wane and wende ])an $e see Jjat* aft Jris ping* hap ende Of* man and woman se we wel also

Thaf needeth in oon of* |>e termes tuo 3028

That is to sein in ^oujje or elles age He moot* be deed J?e king* as schal pe page Sum in his bedd . som in pe deepe see Som in the large feeld as 36 may see / 3032

Ther helpej? nought* al go]) pat1 ilke weye Than may I sein that1 al pis ping1 moot* deye What* maketh pis but* luppiter pe king* That* is Prince and cause of* alle ping* 3036

Conuertyng* alle vnto his propre wille firom which it is darreyned sop to tille CORPUS 86

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

And heer agayns no creature on lyue

Of1 no degree auaillej? for to stryue 3040

Thanne is it1 wisdom as it1 J?enkeJ? me

To make vertue of necessite /

And take it1 wel J>att we may not1 eschewe

And nameliche pat1 to vs alle is dewe 3044

, [No gap : line left outJ]

And rebeft is to him Jat1 aft may gye And certeinly a man ha]) most1 honour To deyen in his excellence and flour 3048

Whan he is siker of1 his goode name Than haj? he doon his freendes ne him no schame And gladder oughte his frendes "ben of1 his de]> Whan wi]> honour y-yolden is vp J?e brej> 3052

Than whan his name apalled is for age ffor al forgeten is his vessellage Than is the "beste as for a worjjy fame To deyen whan he is best1 of1 name 3056

The contrarie of1 alle J)is is wilfulnesse Why grucchen we why haue we heuynesse That1 goode Arcite of1 Chiuallerie )>e flour Deaf 43, back]

Departed is wij) duete and with honowr 3060

Out of1 jjis foule prison of1 )>is lyf1 Why grucchej) heere his cosyn and his wyf1 Of1 his welfare Jjat1 louejj him so wel

Kan he hem Jjank1 nay god woot1 neuer a deel 3064

That1 bojjen his soule and eek1 him offende / And yet1 j>ei mowe her lustes nought amende What1 may conclude of1 ]>is longe serie But1 after wo I rede vs to be merye 3068

And jjanken lupiter of1 aft his grace And er we departen from Jns place I rede we make of oure sorwes tuo

O parfyt1 ioye lastyng1 euer mo 3072

And lokej) now where most1 sorwe is Inne Ther wol I ferst1 amenden and bygynne CORPUS 87

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

Suster quod he fis is my ful assent1

Wij) aft Jjauys heere of1 my parlement / 3076

That* gentil Palamon 301110 oughne knight1

That1 serueth 300 with wille and herte and might /

And euer ha]> don sij)en ye ferst1 him knewe

That1 36 schull of1 30111 grace vpon him rewe 3080

And taken him for housbond and for lord

Lene me your hond for Jris is oure acord

Lat1 see now of1 your wommanly pite

he is a kinges bro]?er sone parde 3084

And J>ough he were a pore Bachiller

Syn he hajj serued you so many a yeer

And had for 3ou so gret1 aduersite /

It1 moste ben considered leeuef me 3088

ffor gentil mercy oughte to passen right1

Than seide he jnis to Palamon J?e knight1

I trowe J>er needej) litel sermonyng1

To make you assented to jris fing1 3092

Come nere and take 3oure lady by ]>e hond

Bitwixen hem was maad anon J?e bond

That1 highte matrimoigne or mariage [leaf 44]

By aft J?e counsail and J?e baronage

And ])us wij? alle blisse and melodye

Ha]) Palamon y-wedded Emelye

And god Jjat1 al )>is world haj) wrought1

Sende him his loue fat1 haj? it1 deere bought1 3100

ffor now is Palamon in alle wele

Lyuyng1 in blisse in richesse and in hele

And Emely him loueth so tendrely

And he hir seruej? so gentilly 3104

That1 was J>er no word hem betweene /

Of1 lalousie or ony oj>er teene

Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye /

And god saue aft )>is faire companye

CORPUS 88

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

[no gap in the MS.]

^f The Millewardes tale/

fhan Jjafr J)e knight1 had Jms his tale y-told In alt j?e companye nas fer 3ong1 ne old That1 he ne seyde it / was a noble storye And worfi for to drawen in memorie 3112

And nameliche j)e gentils euerych oon) Oure Oost1 lough and swor so mot1 1 gon) This go]? aright1 vnbokeled is pe male/ lat1 se now who schal telle anoj>er tale 3116

ffor trewely J?e game is wel bygonno Now telle]) 36 sire monk* ifH 30 kunne Somwhaf to quyte with ])e knightes tale The meller ]jafr for-drunken was al pale 3120

So pat1 vnnejje vpon his hors he sat4 he nolde aualen ney]?er hood ne hatt Ne abide noman for his curtesie/

But1 in Pilates vois he gan to crye 3124

And swor by armes and by blood and bones I can a noble tale for })e nones Wif which I wol now quite ])e knightes tale Oure oost1 saugh pat1 he was drunken of ale 3128

And seyde abyde Eobyn leeue broker Som bettre man schal telle vs ferst anojjer [leaf u, back]

Abyd and lat1 vs werken friftily

By goddes soule quod he }>aV wol naf I 3132

ffor I wol speken or elles go my weye Oure oosf answerde /telle on a deuclleweye Thou art1 a fool ]?i witte is ouercome

Now herkne]? quo}) J?e meller alle and some 3136

But1 first1 1 make a protestaciown That1 I am dronke I knowe it1 by my soun And Jierfore if I speke or mys say

Wite 30 it1 }je ale of1 Suthwerk1 I 3011 pray 3140

7 CORPUS 89

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

ffor I wol telle a legende and a lyf1

Bofe of1 a Carpenter and of1 his wijf /

how fat1 a clerk1 haf sett1 f e wrightes cappe

The Eeeue answerde and seyde stynf fy clappe 3144

lat1 be f i lewed dronken harlotrie

It1 is a synne and eeke gret1 folye

To apeiren eny man or diffame

And eek1 to bringe wyfes in such fame 3148

Thou maist1 ynough of1 of er f inges sain

This dronken meller spak1 ful soone agayu

And seyde leeue broker Osewold /

Who has no wyf1 he is no Coke wold 3152

But1 I seye nought1 f erfore fat1 f ou art1 oon)

Ther been ful goode wyfes many on

......... no gap in the MS.] 3156

Why art1 f ou angry wij> my tale now

I haue a wif1 parde as wel as f ou

Yet1 nolde I not1 for f e Oxen in my plough

Take vpon me more fan ynough 3160

As demen on my self1 fat1 I were oon

I wil bileeue fat I am noon

And housbonde schal not1 ben Inquysitif1

Of1 goddes priuetees ne of1 his wijf1 3164

So he may fynde goddes foyson fere/

Of1 f e remenant1 needef nought1 to enquere

What1 scholde I more sayn but f is Mellere

he nolde his wordes for no man forbere [leaf 45]

But1 tolde his cherles tale in his manere

Me af inkef fat1 1 schal reherce hem heere

And f erfore euery gentil wight1 1 preye

Demef nought1 for goddes loue fat1 I seye 3172

Of1 yuel entent1 but1 for fat1 I moot reherse

Here tales alle be f ei bettre or worse

Or elles falsen som of1 my matiere

And fer-fore who so list1 it1 nought1 to heere 3176

CORPUS 90

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

Tome ouer J?e leef* and chees ano]?er tale

fFor $G schulle fynde ynowe grete and smale

Of* storial ping1 j^at1 touche]) gentilesse

And eek1 moralite and holyiiesse 3180

Blame]? not1 me if1 J>afr ^e cheese amys

The meller is a cherl ^e knowe wel ]}is

So was J?e Eeeue eel^ and oper mo

And harlotrie J^ey tolden bo]>e tuo 3184

Anise]? 3011 and putte]) me out of blame

And eek1 men schal not1 make ernest of game

[No gap in the J//S.]

CORPUS 91

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

Whilom per was dwellyng1 at Oxenfoord? A Kiche gnoffe pat1 gestes heeld to boorde 3188 And of1 his crafte he was a Carpunter Wip him per was dwell yng1 a pouer scoler hadde lerned art1 hut ait his fantasye Was torned for to lerne astrologie/ 3192

And coupe a certein of1 conclusions To demen "by interrogacions If1 pat1 men axed him in certeyn houres "Whan men schuld haue drought1 or elles schoures 3196 Or if1 men axed him what1 schal hifalle Of1 euery Jung1 1 may nought1 reknen alie This clerk1 was cleped heende Nicholas Of derne loue he coupe and of1 Solas 3200

And f>er-to he was sleigh and ful priue And like a mayde meeke for to see A chambre hadde he in pat1 hostellerie Allone wipouten eny companye [leaf 45, back]

fful fetisly dightf wip herbes soote And he himself1 as sweete as is pe roote Of1 licoris or any Settewale

his almagist1 and bokes grete and smale 3208

his astrelabre longyng1 for his art1 his augrym stones' layen faire a part On schelfes couched at his beddes heede His presse y-couered with a faldyng1 reed 3212

And al aboute per lay a gay sautrie On which he made a night melodye So swetly pat1 alle ]>e chambre ronge

And angelus ad virginem he songe 3216

And after pat1 he song1 J?e kinges note fful ofte blessed was his mcrie J>rote

CORPUS 92

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

And pus pe sweete clerk1 his tyme spente

After his freendes fyndyng1 and his rente 3220

This Carpunter hadde wedded a newe wyf1

Which pat1 he louede more pan his lyf

Of xviij. 3eer sche was of1 age

lalous he was and heeld hir narwe in cage 3224

ffor sche was wylde and 3ong1 and he was old

And denied him self1 ben lik1 a Cokewold

he knew not1 Caton for his witte was rude

That1 bad men wedde his similitude 3228

Men scholde wedde after here astat

ffor youpe and eelde is often in debat

But1 sipen pat1 he was fallen in the snare

He most1 endure as oper folk1 his care 3232

ffair was pis 3onge wijf1 and per wip al

As eny wesele hire body gent1 and smal

A ceynt1 sche wered barred al of1 self1

A barmclop as whit1 as morne melk1 3236

Ypon hire lendes ful of1 many a goore

Whit1 was hir smok1 and brouded al bifore

And eek1 byhynde on hire coler aboute

Of1 kolblak1 silk1 wipinne and eek1 wipoute [leaf to]

The tapes of1 hir white voluper

Were of1 pe same suyte of1 hire coler

hire filet1 brood of1 silk1 and sitt1 ful hye

and sikerly sche hadde a likerous yhe 3244

iful smal y-pulled were hire browes tuo

And po were bent1 and blak1 as any slo

Sche was ful more blisful for to see/

Than is pe newe perionette tree 3248

And softer pan ]?e wolle is of1 a wejjer

And by hir gerdul hinge a purs of1 le|)er

Tassed wij) selkH and pe?led Avijj latoun

In al pis world to seeken vp and dozm 3252

Ther is no man so wys pat1 coupe penche

So gay a popelote or swich a wench e/

CORPUS 93

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

fful brighter was )>e schynyng of1 hir hewe

Than in Jje tour J?e noble y-forged newe 3256

But1 of1 hir song it1 was so lowd and ^erne

As any swalwe chitering1 on a berne/

Ther-to sche cou]?e skippe and make a game

As ony kyde or calf1 folwyng1 his dame 3260

hir monj? was sweete as braket1 or J>e meth

Or hoord of1 appeles layd in hay or heth

"Wynsyng1 sche was as is a loly colt1

long1 as a mast1 and vpright1 as a bolt1 3264

A broche sche bar on hir loue coler

As brood as is J?e boos of1 a bocler

hire schos were laced on hire legges hye

Sche was a primerole a pygges nye 3268

ffor eny lord to liggen in his bedde/

Or ^et1 for eny good yemaii to wedde

IT Now sire and eft1 sire so bifel )?e caas

That1 on a day }>is heende Nicholas 3272

ffil wijj J)is ^onge wijf1 to rage and playe

Whil j)af hir housbonde was at1 Osenaye

As clerkes ben ful subtil and ful queinte

And priuely he caught1 hir by }>e queynte [leaf 46, back]

And seyde I wis but1 if1 ich haue my wille

ifor derne loue of1 J?e lemman I spille/

And held hir harde by ]?e haunche bones

And seyde lemman loue me wel al at1 ones 3280

Or I wol deyen al so god me saue

And sche sprong1 as a cold do]? in J?e traue

And with hir hed sche wried faste awey

Sche seide I wil nat1 kisse £e by my fey 3284

Whi labbe quod, ich labbe Nicholas

Or I wol crie out1 harrow and alias

Do wey ^oure hondes for ^oure curtesye

This Nicholas gan mercy for to crie 3288

And spak1 so faire and profred him so fast1

That1 sche hir loue graunted him atte last

CORPUS 94

GHOUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS. 95

And swor hir oj) by sent1 Thomas of1 kent1

That1 sche wolde ben at1 his comaundemettt 3292

Whan J>at sche may hir leysir wel aspye

Myn housbonde is so ful of lalousye

That1 but I \vayte wel and be priue

I woot1 right1 wel I iiam but deed quo]) sche 3296

Ye moote ben ful derne as in pis caas

Nay per-of1 kare 30 nought1 qwod Nicholas

A clerk1 hadde litherly biset1 his while

But1 if1 he coupe a carpunter begile 3300

And pus pey ben acorded and y-sworn

To wayte a tyme as I haue told biforn

Whan Nicholas hadde pis euerydel

And thakked hire aboute pe lendes wel 3304

he kist1 hir sweete and takp his Sauterie

And playep faste and make]) melody e

Than ill it ])us pat1 to ])e parissche cherche/

Cristes owne werkes for to werche 3308

This goode wijf1 wente on an haly day

hir forhed schon as bright1 as any day

So was it waissche whan sche leet1 hir werk1

Now was ])er of1 fiat chirche a parissche cleric1 [leaf 47]

The which pat1 was y-cleped absolon

Crul was his heer and as pe gold it schon

And strouted as a fanne large and brode

fful streyte and euene lay his loly schode 33 1G

hi? rode was reed his eyhen gray as goos

Wip poules wyndow coruen in his schoos

In hoses rede he wente fetisly

I-clad he was ful smal and propurly 3320

Al in a kerteti al of1 light1 waget1

fful faire an pikke ben pe poyntz y-sett

And ])er vpon he hadde a gay surplys

As whit as is J)e blosme on J)e Eys 3324

A merie child he was so god me saue

Wel coupe he laten blood or clippe or scliaue

CORPUS 95

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

And make a charter of1 lond or an aquitance

In twenty maner cou]?e he trippe and daunce 3328

After ]?e scole of1 Oxenforde J?o

And wij> his legges casten to and fro

And playen songes on a smal rubible

Ther-to he song1 som tyme a lowde quynyble/ 3332

And as wel cou]?e he pleye on a giterne

In all J?e toun nas brewhous ne tauerne

That1 he ne visited wij? his solas

Ther any gaillard tappestere was 3336

But1 soth to sein lie was somdel squaymous

Of1 fartyng1 and of1 speche daungerous

1T This absolon J?af loly was and gay

Go]? with a censer on ]?e haly day 3340

Sensyng1 J?e wyfes ofH J?e parische fast1

And many a lonely look1 on hem he cast1

And namely on ]?is carpunteres wyf1

To loke on hire him Bought1 a mery lijf1 3344

Sche was so proper and swete and swete and licorous

I dar wel sein if1 sche hadde ben a mous

And he a catte he wolde hire hente anooii)

This parissche clerk1 jris ioly absolon [leaf 47, back]

ha]? in his herte such a loue longynge

That1 of1 no wijf1 took1 he non offrynge

ff or curtesie he seide he wolde non

The moone whan it1 was night1 fill brighte schon 3352

And Absolon his giterne ha]? I-take

ffor paramoure he ]?oughte for to wake

And for]? he go]) iolyf1 and amorous

Til he com to ]?e carpunteres hous 3356

A litel after cokkes had y-crowe

And dressed him vp by a schot1 wyndowe

Thas was vpon ]?e carpenteres walle

he synge]? in his voys gentil and smalle 3360

Now dere lady if1 ]?i willes be

I prey yow J^at1 }e wil Eewe on me

CORPUS 96

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

ffol wel acordant1 to his giternyng1

This Carpenter awok1 and herde him syng1 3364

And spat vnto his wijf1 and seyde anoon) What Alison heris J?ou not absolon That1 chauntej? Jms vnder oure boures walle And sche answerde hir housbonde J>er wij> alle 3368

Yis god woof lohan I here it Query del This passe]? for]? what* wile 30 bet1 j?ar, wel fffo day to day J)is ioly Absolon

So wo we]? hire j?af him is woo bigoii 3372

he wake]? al Jje night1 and al J?e day he kembede his lokkes brode and made hem gay he wowej? hire by menes and brocage/ And swore he wolde ben hir oughne page/ 3376

he syngejj brokking1 as a nightyngale he sente hire pyment meth and spiced ale/ And wafres pypyng1 hoof out of Jje gleede And for sche was of1 town he profred meede 3380

ifor somme folk1 wol be wo?men for richesse And somme for strokes and somme for gentilnesse Som tyme to schewe his lightnesse and maystrie he pleieth heraudes vpon a scaffold hye [leaf 48]

But1 what1 auaylej) him as in jris caas Sche louejj so ]?is heende Nicholas That1 Absolon may blowe J?e buckes horn he ne haj> for his labour but1 a skorn 3388

And Jms sche make)) absolon here ape And att his Ernest1 turnej) tift a Tape ffor soj) is jns prouerbe it1 is no lye

Men sein right1 Jms alwey J?ey neighe si ye 3392

makejj ]je ferre leef1 to be loth ffor jjough jjat1 absolon be wood or wro]? By cause J?af he fer was from hire sight1 J)is neigh Nicholas stood in his light 3396

IF Now bere ye wel heende Nicholas ffor absolon may waille and synge alias CORPUS 97

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

And so bifeli it on a Saturday

This Carpimter was gon to Osenay 3400

And heende Nicholas and alison Acorded be to pis Conclusion That Nicholas schal schapen hem a wile This seely lalous housbonde to by-gyle 3404

And if1 so be pe game wente aright1 Sche scholde slepen in his arm al nyght1 fibr pis was his desyr and hire also

And right1 anon wipouten wordes mo 3408

This Nicholas no lenger wolde tarie But do]? ful softe vnto his chambre carie Bope mete and drynke for a day or tweye And to hire housbonde bad hir for to seye 3412

If1 pat1 he axed after Nicholas Sche scholde say sche nyste wher he was Of1 al fat1 day sche seigh him nought1 wip eye Sche trowed pat he was in maladye 3416

ffor for 110 cry hir mayde coupe him calle he nolde answere for noping1 pat1 mighte falle This passep forp al pilke Saturday

That1 Nicholas stille in his Chambre lay [leaf is, buck]

And eet1 or sleep or dede what1 him liste Til Sonday pat1 pe sonne gop to reste This sely carpunter hap gret1 meruayle Of1 Nicholas or what1 ping1 might1 him ayle 3424

And sayde I am adrad by seint1 Thomas It1 stondeth nat1 aright1 with Nicholas God schilde pat1 he deide sodeinly

This world is now ful tykett sikerly 3428

I seigh to day a cors y-born to cherche That1 now a monday last1 I saugh him werche Go vp quod, he vnto his knaue anon

Clepe at1 his dore or knocke with a stoon) 3432

loke how it is and telle me boldely This knaue gop him vp ful sturdily CORPUS 08

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

And at1 pe chambre dore whil pat1 he stood

he criede and knokkede as pat he were wood 3436

What1 how what1 do $e mayster Mcholay

how may ^e sleepen al pe longe day

But1 al for nought1 he herde nought a word

An hole he fond ful lough vpon a Lord 3440

Ther as pe catte was wont in for to creepe

And at1 pat1 hole he loked in ful deepe/

And atte last1 he hadde of1 him a sight1

This nicholas sat cuer capyng1 vpright 3444

As he hadde keked on pe newe moone

And doun he gop and tolde his mayster soone

In what1 array he saugh pis ilke man

This Carpunter to "blessen him bigan 3448

And seyde help vs seinte ffredeswide

A man woot1 litel what1 him schal betyde/

This man is falle with his astronomic

In som woodnesse or in som agonye 3452

I pougfrt ay wel how pat it scholde be

Men scholde not1 knowe of1 goddes priuite

3e blessed be alwey a lewed man

That1 nought1 but oonly his bileeue can [leaf 49]

So ferd anoper clerk1 with astronomic

he walked in pe feeldes for to prie

vppon pe sterres what1 per schulde bifalle

Til he was in a Marie pit1 y-falle 34 GO

he saugh nought pat1 but1 ^ifr by seint1 Thomas

Me reweth sore of1 heende Nicholas

he schal be rated of1 his studyyng1

If1 pat1 1 may by Thesu l heuene king1 [' MS. ihc1 j

Gete me a staf1 pat1 I may vnderspore

Whil pat pou Robyn heuest1 vp pe dore

he schal out1 of1 his studying1 as I gesse

And to pe chambre dore he gan him dresse 3468

his knaue was a strong1 carl for pe nones

And by pe hasp he heef1 it / of1 at1 oones

CORPUS 99

100 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

In to J?e floor J?e dore lift anon

This Nicholas sat1 ay as stille as stoon 3472

And euere capede vpward in to the ayre

This Carpunter wende he were in despaire

And hent1 him by j?e schuldres mightyly

And school him harde and cryed spitously 3476

What Nicholas what1 how looke a doun

Awake and fenk1 on cristes passiown

I crouche fe from Elues and fro wightes

Ther-wiJ? J?e night1 spelt" seyde he anon rightes 3480

Of* foure halues of1 j>e hous aboute

And on J?e fresschefold on fe dore wifouto

Ihesu crist1 and seynt1 Benedight1

Blesse ]}is hous from euery wikkede wight1 3484

ffor Je nightes verye fe white Pate noster

Where wentestow pou seinte peteris suster

And atte laste J>is heende Nicholas

Gan for to sike sore and seyde alias 3488

Schal al fe werld be lost1 eft1 sones now

This Carpenter answerde what1 seist1 fou

What1 Jjink1 on god as we doon men fat1 swynke

This nicholas answerde feche me drynke [leaf 49, back]

And after wol I speke in priuitee

Of1 certein Jnng1 Jmt1 touchej? )je and me

I wil telle it non oj>er man certeyn

This Carpenter goj> down and come]) agein 3496

And brought1 of1 mighty ale a large quart1

And whan fat1 ech of1 hem hadde dronken his part1

This Nicholas his dore faste schette

And doun fe Carpunter by him he sette 3500

And seyde lohn myn hooste leef1 and deere

Thou schalt1 vpon my troujje swere me heere

That1 to no wight1 )>ou schalt1 j?is counsieil wreye

ffor it1 is cristes counseift fat1 1 seie/ 3504

And if1 ])ou telle it man J?ou art1 forlore/

ffor Jns vengance fou schalt1 haue ferfore

CORPUS 100

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'^ TALE. Corpus MS. 101

That* if1 J?ou wreie me ]?ou schalt1 be wood

IT Nay crist1 forbede it for his holy blood 3508

Quod jjo J>is sely man I nam no labbe

Ne Jjough I seie I nam not1 leef1 to gabbe

Sey what1 J>ou wolf I schal it neuer telle

To child ne wijf1 by him Jjatt hariede helle/ 3512

Now lohan quod Nicholas I wil no^t1 lye

I haue I-founde in myn astrologie/

As I haue loked in ]?e moone bright1

That1 now a monday next at quarter night 35 1 6

Schal falle a Rayn and jjat1 so wilde and wood

That1 half1 so gret1 was neuer Nowels flood

This world he seide in lasse )>an in an hour

Schal al be dreynt1 so hidous is Jje schour 3520

Thus schal mankynde drenche and leese here lif

This Carpunter answerde alias my wijf1

And schal sche drenche alias myn alisown

ffor sorwe of* jris he fell almost1 a doun 3524

And seyde is ]?er no remedye in pis caas

Wlii 313 for gode quod, heende Nicholas

If1 poii wolt1 worchen after lore and red

Thou mayst1 no^t1 werken after pin oughne heed [leaf 50]

ffor pus seip Salamon pat1 was ful trewe

"Work1 alt by counseift and pou schalt1 nought1 rewe

And i£ pou worken wolt1 by good counseille

I vndertake m]?oute mast* or seile 3532

Yet1 schal I saue hire and pe and me/

hast1 fou nought1 herde how saued was Noe

Whan jiat1 owre lord haj? warned him biforn

That1 aft pe world with water schulde be lorn 3536

3is quod |)is Carpenter ful }ore ago

hastow not1 herd quod Nicholas also

The sorwe of1 Noe wij> his felaschipe

Or Jjat1 he mighte gete his wif1 to schipe 3540

him hadde leuer I dar wel vndertake

At1 Jnlke tyme ]?an att his wepcres blake

CORPUS 101

102 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

That1 sche hadde a scliip hir self1 allon

And ]?er-fore wost1 J?ou what1 is best1 to doon 3544

This axe]) haste and of1 an hastyf1 Jnng1

Men may nought preche or make tarying1

Anon go gete vs faste in to Jns Inne

A knedyng1 trough" or elles a kemelynne 3548

ffor eeh of1 vs but1 look1 J>at J>ey ben large

In which men mowe swymme as in a barge

And han J?er vitailles suffisaunt1

But1 for a day fy on ]?e remenaunt * 3552

The water schal aslake and gon a way

Aboute prime vpon |?e nexte day

But1 Eobyri may not1 wite of1 Jjis J)i knaue/

Ne eek1 \>y mayde gylle I may nought1 sane/ 3556

Axe nought why for j^ough ])ou axe me

I wol nought1 tellen goddes priuite

Suffice]) J>e but1 if1 Ipi wittes madde

To haue as gret1 a grace as noe hadde 3560

Thi wif1 schal I wel sauen out1 of1 doute

Go now J)i wey and speed J?e lieer aboute/

But when J)ou hast for hire and J?e and me

Y-geten vs Jiese knedyng1 tubbes J)re [leaf 50, back]

Than schalt1 Jjou hang1 hem in j?e rofH ful hye

That1 noman of1 oure purueance espye

And whan jjou jjus hast1 don as I haue seyd

And hast1 oure vitailes faire in hem y-leyde 3568

And eek1 an ax to smyte J)e corde a tuo

Whan Jjat1 J?e water come)) )}at* we may go

And broke an hole an heigh vpon Jje gable

vnto }je gardeynward ouer J>e stable 3572

That1 we may freely passen for]) oure wey

Whan pat1 ])e grete schour is gon a wey

Thanne schalt1 ])ou swy?^me as mery I vndertake

As do]) ])e white doke after his drake 3576

Than wol I clepe how alison how loon

Be merie for ]?e flood wol passe anon

CORPUS 1C2

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS. 103

And ))ou wolf sein haift maister Nicholay

Goode morwen I see ])e \vel for it is day 3580

And banne schal we be lordes aft oure lif1

Of1 alle be world as Noe and liis wijf1

But1 baf of1 oo bing I warne ]?e ful right1

Be wel auysed on bat1 ilke night1 3584

That1 we ben entred in to be schippes boord

That1 noon of1 vs ne speke nought1 a word

Ne clepe ne crye but been in his preyere

ffor if is goddes oughne heeste deere 3588

Thy wijf1 and ])ou mot1 hange fer atwynne

ffor bat1 betwixe $ou schal be no synne

No more in lokyng1 ban ber schal in dede

This ordinance is seid go god be speede 3592

To morwe at1 night1 whan men ben aft on sleepe

In to our knedyn tubbes wil we creepe

And sitten ber abidyng1 goddes grace

Go now by wey I haue no lenger space 3596

To make ofH bis no lenger sermonyng1

Men sein bus sende be wise and sev no bin**

«7 / O

Jjou art1 so wys it needeb pe nought1 to teche

Go saue oure lijf1 and bat I be beseche peaf 513

1F This seely Carpunter gob forb his wey

iful ofte he seyde alias and weylawey

And to his wijf he tolde his prmitee

And sche was warr and knew it1 bet1 ban he 3604

What1 al bis queynte cast1 was for to seye

But1 nabeles sche ferde as sche wolde deye

And seyde alias go forb bi weie anon

help vs to scape or we ben deede echon 3608

I am bi trewe verray wedded wijf1

Go deere spouse and help to saue oure lijf1

IT lo which a gret1 bing1 is affection

Men may dye of1 ymaginacion 3612

So deepe may impressions be take

This seely Carpenter bygynneb quake

CORPUS 103

104 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

him Jjenketh verraily jjat4 he may se

Noe flood come walkyng4 as J?e see 3616

To drenchen alisofi his hony deere

he weepejj waillej? maketh sory cheere/

he sykej) wij) ful many a sory swogli

And go]? and getej? him a knedyng* trough" 3620

And after a tubbe and a kemelyn

And priuily he sent1 hem to his In

And hyng4 hem in J?e roof4 in priuite

his oughne bond he made eek1 leddres J?re 3624

To clymben by Jje ronges and )>e stalkes

vnto J>e tubbes hangyng4 in J>e balkes

And hem vitailled bo)>e trough and tubbe

Wij? bred and cheese and good ale in a lubbe/ 3628

Suffisyng right1 ynough as for a day

But4 ar Jmt4 he hadde maad al J?is array

he sent1 his knaue and eek1 his wenche also

vpon his neede to london for to go 3632

And on J)e monday whan it1 drough to night4

he schette his dore wi]?oute candel light4

And dressed atl fing4 as it4 scholde be/

And schortly clomben vp aft Jjre/ [leaf 51, back]

Thei setten stille wel a forlong4 way

Now pater noster clum seide Nicholay

And Clum quod John and Clum seide alisofi

This Carpunter seide his deuociofi 3640

And stille he sitte and biddej? his prayere

Awaityng4 on the rayn if he it heere

The deth sleepe for wery bysynesse

ml on J)is Carpunter right4 as I gesse 3644

Aboute corfew tyme or litel more

ffor trauaille of his gost4 he gronejj sore

And eft4 he route]) for his heed myslay

Doun of4 Jje laddre stalkejj Mcholay 3648

And alison ful softe a doun sche spedde

"Wijjouten wordes mo ]>ey gon to beclde

CORPUS 104

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS, 105

Ther as pe carpimter is wont1 to lye

Ther was pe reuel and pe melodye/ 3652

And pus lith alison and Nicholas In busynesse of1 merpe and of1 solas Til pat pe belle of1 laudes gaii to rynge And the freres in pe chawnceft gonne synge/ 3656

This parische clerk1 pis amorous absolon ThatH is for loue alwey so wo bigon vpon pe monday was at1 Osenay

With compaignie him to desport1 and play 3660

And axed vpon caas a cloisterer fful priuily after lohn pe Carpunter And he drough him a part1 out1 of pe chirche And seyde I not1 1 saugh him heere nought1 werche 3664 Sippe Saturday I trowe pat1 he be went1 ffor tymber pere oure abbot1 hap him sent1 ffor he is wont1 for tymber for to go

And dwelle atte graunge a day or tuo 3668

Or elles he is at1 his hous certeyii Wher pat1 he be I can nought1 soply sein This absolon) ful ioly was and light1

And poughte now is tyme to wake al nyglit1 [leaf 52]

ffor sikerly I saugh him nought1 styryng1 Aboute his dore syn day bigan to spring1 So mote I priue I schal at1 cokkes crowe fful priuily knokken as his wyndowe 3676

That1 stant1 ful lowe vpon his boures walle To alison now wol I tellen alle My loue longyng1 for ^it1 I schal not1 misso That1 atte laste wey I schal hir kisse 3680

Som maner comfort1 schal I haue par fay My moup hap icched al pis longe day That1 is a signe of1 kissyng1 atte leste

Al night1 me mette eek1 1 was at1 a feeste 3684

Therfore I wol go sleepe an our or tweye And al pe night1 pan wol I wol I wake and pleye 8 CORPUS 105

106 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Whan fat1 J?e ferste cok1 haj> crowe anon

vp rist1 ]?is loly louer absolon) 3688

And him arraye]? gay and poynt/ deuyse

But1 ferst1 he chewej) grayn and likorise

To smellen swoote or he hadde kempt1 his here

vnder his tonge a trewe loue he beere/ 3692

ffor fer-by wende he to be gracious

he rowineth to fe carpenteres hous

And stille he stant1 vnder |je schot wyndowe

vnto his brest1 it1 raughtt it1 was so lowe/ 3696

And softe he coughed wij? a semy soun

What1 do ^e hoiiy combe swete alisoun)

My faire brid my sweete synamome/

Awaketh lemman myn and spekej? to me 3700

We[l] litel jjenken ^e vpon my woo

That1 for $oure loue I swete as I go

No wonder is pough fat1 I swelte and swete

I morne as do)) fe lambe after fe teete 3704

I-wys lemman I haue such loue longyng1

That1 lik1 a turtel trewe is my moornyiig1

I may not1 ete namore fan a mayde/

Go fro f e wyndow lakke fool sche sayde [leaf 52, back]

As help me god it1 wil not1 be com pame/

I loue anoj^er and elles I were to blame/

Wei bette fan J?e by Ihesu absolon

Go for]) J)i wey or I wil caste a stoon 3712

And. lete me slepe a twenty deuel way

Alias quod absolon and weyloway

That1 trewe loue was euer so yuel besette/

Than kisse me syn it may be no bette/ 3716

ifor ihtfsus loue and for J?e loue of me

Wolt1 })ou jjan go J)i way J)er-with quod sche

Ye certes lemman quod })is absolon

Than make Jje redy quod sche I come anon) 37 20

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

This absolon doun sette him on his knees

CORPUS 106

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS. 107

And saide I am a lord at1 alle degrees 3724

ffor after f is I hope f er come]? more le??zman f i grace and sweete brid J)in ore The wyndow sche vndof and fat* in hast/ liaue do quod sche com ofH and speed fe faste 3728

lest1 fat1 our neighebore f e espie This absolon gan wipe his mouf ful drye Derk1 was f e night1 as piche or as f e cole And at1 the wyndow out1 sche putte hire hole 3732

And absolon him fil no bet1 ne wers But* wif his mouf he kiste hire naked ers/ fful sauorly er he were war of1 f is/

A bak1 he stert1 and fought1 it was amys/ 3736

ffor wel he wiste a wo?7iman haf no berd he felt1 a ping1 al rough and longe y-hered And sayde fy alias what1 haue I do

Tehe qwod sche and clapfc1 f e wyndow to 3740

And absolon gof for]) a sory pas A berde a berd seide heende Nicholas By goddes corpus Jns goth faire and wel This sely absolon herde it1 euery del 3744

And on his lippe he gan for anger byte And to himself1 he seyde I schal fe quyte [leaf 53]

Who rubbef now who frotef now his lippes With dust1 with sond wif straw with clof wif cliippes But1 absolon Jjat1 seith ful ofte alias/ My soule bitake I to Saternas/ But1 me were leuere }?an al jjis toun qiiod. he/ Of1 J)is despite awroken for to be 3752

Alias quo]) he alias I ne hadde y-bleynt1 his hote lone is cold and al yqueynt1 ffor fro fat1 tyme fat1 he hadde kest1 hire ers Of1 paramours he sette not1 a kers/ 3756

ffor he was heled of1 his maladie/ fful ofte paramoures he gan diffie And weepe as dof a child fat1 is y-bete/ A softe paas he wente oner fe strete/ 3760

CORPUS 107

108 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

vntil a Smyth men clepen daun Geruays

That1 in his forge smythiej? plough harnays

he scharpep scharre and Culter bisyly.

This absolon knokkep al Esely 3764

And sayde vnto Geruays and pat1 anon)

What1 who art1 pou it1 am I absolon)

"What1 absolon for cristes swete tree

Why ryse so rape benedicite 3768

What1 eylep }ou som gay gerl god it woot

ha]) brought1 ^ou pus vpon pe viritoot

By seinte note 30 wot1 wel what I me[ne]

This absolon ne roughte nat1 a bene 3772

Of1 alt his pley no word a-gayn he gaf1

he hadde more tow on his distaf1

Than Geruays knew and sayde frend so deere

The hoote Culter in pe Chemenye heere 3776

As lene it me I haue per-wip to done/

I wol bringe if agayn ful soone

Geruais answerde certes were it1 gold

Or in a poke nobles aft vntold 3780

Thou scholdest1 haue as I am trewe smith

Ey cristes foo what1 wol 36 don per-with Hear 53, back]

Ther-of1 quod absolon be as be may

I schal wel telle it pe to morwe day 3784

And caughte pe culter by pe colde stele

fful softe out1 ap pe dore he gan to stele

And went1 vnto pe Carpenteres wal

he koughede ferst1 and knokkede per wij? al 3788

vpon pe wyndow right1 as he dede ere/

This alison answerde who is fere

That1 knokkejj as I warant1 it1 a peef1

Why nay quod he god woot1 my sweete leef1 3792

I am ]nn absolon pi dereling1

Of1 gold quod he I haue J?e brought1 a ryng1

My moder yaf1 it1 me so god me saue/

fful fyn it1 is and per- to wel y-graue 3796

CORPUS 108

GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS. 109

This wol I yiuen f e ifH f ou rae kisse

This Nicholas was risen for to pisse/

And fought1 he wolde amenden al f e lape/

he schulde kisse his ers or fat1 he scape 3800

And vp f e wyndow dide he hastily

And out1 his ers he putte priuily

Ouer f e buttok1 to f e haunche bon

And f er-wif spak1 f is clerk1 fis absolon) 3804

Spek1 swete brid I not1 wher f ou art1

This Nicholas anon leet1 flee a fart1

As gret1 as it1 hadde ben a fonder dent

That1 wif f e strook1 he was almost1 y-blent1 3808

And he was redy wif his Iren hoot1

And Nicholas in f e ers he smoot1

Of1 gof f.e skyn an hande brood aboute/

The hoote culter brenned so his toute/ 3812

And for f e suierte he wende for to dye

As he were wood for woo he gan to crye/

help water water help for goddes herte

This Carpunter out1 of1 his slomber sterte 3816

And herde on cryen watir as he were wood

And fought1 alias now comef Noweles flood [leaf MJ

And sette him vppe wif oute wordes mo

And wif an ax he smot1 fe corde a tuo 3820

And dou?^ gof al he fond neyf er to selle/

"No breed nor ale til he com to f e selle/

vpon f e floor and f er a swowen he lay

vp sterte hire alison and Mcholay 3824

and cried out1 and harrow in f e strete

The neighebowres bof e smale and grete

In ronnen for to gauren on f is man

That1 a swowen lay bofe pale and wan 3828

ffor with fat falle he brosten haf his arm

But1 stonde he moste vnto his oughne harm

ifor whan he spak1 he was anon bore do?m

With heende Nicholas and alisown 3832

COT? PUS 109

110 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

They tolden eue?y man fat1 he was wood

he was a-gasfr so of1 f e bowels flood

Thurgh fantasie fat1 of1 liis vanite

he hadde y-bought1 him knedyng1 tubbes fre 3836

And hadde hem hanged in f e roof aboue

And fat1 he preyed him for goddes loue

To sitten) in f e roof1 par companye

The folk1 gan laughen at1 his fantasie 3840

And to f e roof* fay loken and f ei cape

And torned aft his harm vnto a Tape

ffor what1 so f is Carpenter answerde

It1 was for nought1 no men his reson herde 3844

With of es grete he was so sworn a doun

That1 he was holden wood in aft fat1 toun

ffor eue?y clerk1 anon right1 heeld with of er

They seyde fe man is wood my leeue brofe?* 3848

And euery wight1 gan laughen at1 his strif1

Thus swyued was f e Carpunteres wijf1

ifor aft his keepyng1 and his lalousye/

And absolon haf kist1 hir nef er yhe 3852

And Nicholas is scalded in his toute//

This tale is don and god sane al f e route [leaf 54, back]

^[ Explicit fabula Molendinarij [No gap in the MS.']

CORPUS 110

GROUP A. § 5. REEVE'S PROLOGUE. Corpus MS. Ill

^ Here bygynnep pe Reeues tale

"TTThan folk1 hail laughen at1 pis nyce cas

Of1 absolon and heende Nicholas t c°. nj°r.

Diuerse folk1 diuersely pey seyde But1 for pe more part1 pei lough" and pleyde Ne at1 pis tale I saugh noman him greeue But1 it1 were oonly Osewold pe Reeue 3860

By cause he was of1 Carpenteres craft1 A litel Ire is in his herte laft1 he gan to grucche and blamen it1 a lite So pe ik1 q?/od he ful wel coupe I pe quyte 3864

With bleryng1 of a proud melleres ye If* pat1 me liste to speke of1 Ribaudie But1 yk1 am old me list1 not1 pley for age Gras tyme is don my fodder is forage/ 3868

This white top writep myn olde jeres myn herte is also mouled as myn heeres But1 if1 1 fare as dop an open ers

That1 ilke fruyt1 is euer lengere pe wers 3872

Til ifr be roten in mullok1 or in stree/ We olde men I drede so fare we Til we be roten can we nought1 be ripe We hoppen alwey whil pe world wil pipe 3876

ffor in oure wille per stikep euer a naile To haue an hoor heer and a greene taile As hap a leek for pough" oure might1 be gon Oure wille desirep folie euer in oon) 3880

ifor whan we may nought1 do on pan wole we speke yet1 in oure asschen olde is fyr y-reke ffoure gleedes han we whiche I schal deuyse/ Auauntyng1 lyuyng1 anger couetyse 3884

This foure sparkes longep vnto eelde Oure olde lymes now wel ben vnwelde CORPUS ill

112 GROUP A. § 5. REEVE'S PROLOGUE. Corpus MS.

But1 wil ne schal nat fallen fat1 is sof

And yet1 haue I alway a Coltes tof [leaf 55]

As many a ^eer as it is passen henne

Syn fat my tappe of1 lif1 bygan to renne

ffor sikerly whan I was born anoon

Def drough fe tappe of lijf1 and leet it goon 3892

And euer sif en ha]) so f e tappe y-ronne

Til fat1 almost1 al empty is f e tonne

The streem of1 lijf* now droppejj on f e chimbe.

The sely tonge may wel rynge and chymbe. 3896

Of1 wrecchedenesse fat1 passed is ful yore

With old folk1 saue dotage is nornore/

Whan fat1 oure oost1 hadde herde f is sermonyng1

he gan to speken as loodly as a king1 3900

he seyde what1 amounts)) aft fis witte

What1 schal we speke alday of1 holy writte

The deuel maade a reeue for to preche

Or of a Soutere schipman or a leche 3904

Sey forf fi tale and tarie nought1 fe tyme

lo deppeford* and it is halfwey prime

lo Grenewich fat1 many a schrewe is Inne

It were al tyme f i tale for to begynne 3908

Now sires quod f is Osewold f e Eeeue

I pray you alle fat1 ye nought1 }ou greeue

Thou I answere and somdel sette his houve

ffor leueful it1 is with force force of1 schouve 3912

This dronken mellere haf y-told vs heere

how fat1 bygyled was a Carpuntere/

Perauenture in scorn for I am oon

And by youre leeue I schal him quytc anoon) 3916

Right1 in his cherles termes wil I speke/

I preye to god his nekke mote tobreke

he can wel in myn ^e sen a stalke

But in his owne he can nought1 seen a balke/

[No gap in the MS.]

CORPUS 112

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 113

AT Trumpyngton nought1 fer fro Cantabregge Ther go]? a brook1 and oner pat1 a bregge vppon pe whiche brook1 per stant1 a Melle 3923

And pis is verray sop pat1 1 3011 telle [leaf 55, back]

A nieller was per duellyng1 many a day As any pecok1 he was proud and gay Pype he coupe and fissche and nettes beete And torne coppes and wel wrastle and scheete/ 3928

Ay by his belt1 he bar a long1 Panade And of1 a swerd ful trenchant was pe blade/ A loly popper bar he in his pouche

Ther \vas noman for peril durste him touche/ 3932

A scheffeld thwitel bar he in his hose Kound was his face and Camuse was his nose/ As pyled as an ape was his sculle

he was a market1 betere atte fulle 3936

Ther was no wight1 pat1 dorsf hand on him legge But1 if1 he swor he scholde anon abegge A peef1 he was forsope of corn and mele And pat1 a sleigh and vsaunt1 for to stele 3940

his name was hoote deynous Symkyn A wijf1 he hadde come of1 noble kyn The pa?*soun of1 pe toun hir fader was/ With hire he yaf1 ful many a panne of1 bras 3944

ffor pat1 Symkyn scholde in his blood allye Sche was y-fostred in a Nonnerie/ ffor symkyn wolde no wyf1 as he sayde But1 sche were wcl ynorissched and a mayde/ 3948

To sauen his estate of1 yomanrie/ And sche was proud and pert1 as is a pye A ful fair sight1 was it1 vppon hem tuo On halidayes biforn hire wolde he go 3952

CORPUS 113

114 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Wif his typef wounden aboute his heede/

And sche cam after in a gyte of1 reede/

And Symkyn hadde hosen of1 f e same

Ther dorste no wight1 clepen hire but dame 3956

Was non so hardy fat1 wente by f e way

That1 wif hire dorste or ones rage or play

But4 if* he wolde be slain of1 Symkyn

With panade or with knyf1 or boydekyn [leaf 56]

ffor lelous folk1 ben perilous eueremo

Algate f ei wolde here wyues wenden so

And eek1 for sche was somdel smoterlich

Sche was as digne as water in a dich 3964

As ful of1 hoker and of bisemare

hire f oughte fat1 a lady schulde hir spare

What1 for hire kynrede and hire nortelrie

That1 sche hadde lerned in fe nonnerie 3968

A doughter hadde f e betwixe hem tuo

Of twenty 3er wif outen eny moo

Sauyng1 a childe fat1 was of1 half1 $eer age

In cradel it1 lay it1 was a proper page/ 3972

This wenche fikke and wel ygrowen was

Wif Camoys nose and eyen grey as glas

Wif buttokes brode and brestes rounde and hye

But1 right1 fair was hire heer I wol nought1 lye 3976

IF The parson of f e toun for sche was fair

In purpos was to maken hire his hair

Bof e of1 his catel and his mesuage

And strange he made it/ of1 hire mariage 3980

his purpos was for to bistowe hire hye

In to som worfi blood of1 auncetrie/

ffor holy chirches good moot1 ben dispended

On holy cherche blood fat1 is descended 3984

Therfore he wolde his holy blood honours/

f ough fat1 f e holy chirche scholde deuoure

Gref soken hajj f is meller out1 of doute

Wif whete and malt1 of alt f e land aboute/ 3988

CORPUS 114

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 115

And nameliche per was a gret collegge

Men clepep pe Soler halle of Cantabregge

Jjere was here whete and eek1 here malt1 y-grounde

And on a day it happep in a stounde 3992

Syk1 lay pe manciple on a maladie/

Men wenden wisly pat1 he schulde dye

ffor which pis mellere stal bope mele and com

An hundred tyme more panne biforn [leaf 56, back]

ffor per biforn he stal but1 curteysly

But1 now he was a theef1 outrageously

ffor which pe wardein chidde and made fare/

But1 per-of1 sette pe meller nought1 a tare/ 4000

he crakede bost and swor it was nought1 so/

Thanne were pere ^onge scoleres tuo

That1 dwelten in pe halle of1 which I seye

Testyf1 pey were and lusty for to pleye 4004

And oonly for here mirthe and reuerye

vpon pe wardein bisily pei crye

To ^if1 hem leue but1 a litel stounde

To go to melle and seen here corn y-grounde 4008

And hardily pei dorste leye here nekke

The mellere schulde natt stele hem half1 a pekke/

Of1 corn ne by sleight1 ne by force hem Reue

And atte laste pe wardeyn yaf1 hem leue 4012

John hight1 pat1 oon and alayn highf pat1 oper

Of1 oo toun were pei born pat highte strother

ffer in the North I can not1 telle where

This alayn makep redy aft his gere 4016

And on an hors pe sat he cast1 anon

fforp gop alayn pe clerk1 and also lomi

Wip good swerd and wip bokeler by his syde

lohn knew pe wey him needede no guyde/ 4020

And atte melle pe sak1 a doun he layth

Alain spak1 first1 . alhail Symon in faip

how fares pi faire doughter and pi wyf1

Alayn welcome qwod Symkyn by my lyF 4024

CORPUS 115

11G . GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And loliii also how now what1 do ^e lieere By god qiiod lofcn Symond neede haj? no peere him bihoues serue himself1 jmt1 has na swayn Or elles he is a folf as clerkes sayn Oure manciple I hope he wil be deed Swa werkes him ay ]?e wanges in his heed And J?erfore is I come and eek1 alayn To grynde oure corn and carie it ham agayn [leaf 57]

I pray you speedes vs heithen J>at 36 may If schal be don quod Symkyn by my fay What1 wil 36 doon whil |)at it1 is in haiide By god right1 by J?e hoper wil I stande 4036

Quo]? lohan and se how gates pe corn gas Iniie 3ifr saugh I neuer by my fader kyime how Jjat1 }>e hoper wagged til and fra Alayn answerde lohn and wiltow swa 4040

Than wil I be bynej>e by my croune And se how gates ]>e mele falles a doune In-til })e trough Jjaf sal be my disporte Quod lohn in faath I may ben of1 ^our sorte 4044

I is as ille a melle as ere 36 This meller<? smylede at here nycete And Bought1 al ]>is nys don but1 for a wile They wene J)afr no man hem may begyle 4048

But1 by my Jmff yifr schal I blere here ye flbr al ]?e sleighf in here philosophic The more queinte crekes )>af j?ay make/ The more wol I stele whan I take 4052

In stede of1 flour jitt wol I yeue hem brennc/ The grettestt clerkes ben nought1 ]?e wisest menne As whilom to ]>e wolf1 |)us spak1 ]?e mare Of1 aft here arte counte I no^tf a tare/ 405 6

IF Out1 of1 jje dore he goj> ful priuely Whan J?af he saugh his time softely he lokej) vp and doun til he ha]) founde The clerkes hors per as it stood ybounde 4060

CORPUS 116

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 117

Behynde J»e mille vnder a leuesel

And to J)e hors he go]) him faire and wel

he strepej? of1 Ipe bridel right1 anoon

And whan J>e hors was laus he gynnej) goon) 4064

Toward ]?e fen fare wilde mares renne/

And forth with wehe forugh fikke and Jjorugft jjenne

This meller go]) agayn no word he sayde

But1 do]) his note and wi]> hise clerkes pleyde [leaf 57, back]

Til fat1 hire corn was faire and wel y-grounde

And whan fe mele is sakked and y-bounde

This lohn go]) out1 and fynt1 his hors away

And gan to crye harrow and weylaway 4072

Oure hors is lost1 Alayn for goddes banes

Steppe on fi feet1 com of1 man al at1 anes

Alias oure wardein has his palfray lorn

This aleyn al forgat1 bo])e mele and corn 4076

Al was out1 of1 his mynde his housbondrye

What1 whilk1 wey is he gon he gan to crye

The wyf1 cam leepyng1 inward at1 a ren

Sche seyde alias ^our hors goth in fe fen 4080

With wilde mares as faste as he may goo

Vnthank1 come on his hand fat1 bond him so

And he fat1 bettre scholde haue knyt1 J)e reyne

Alias qwod lohn Alayn for cristes peyne 4084

lay doun ])i swerd and I wol myn alswa

I is ful swift1 god wat1 as is a Ra

By goddes harte he sal nou^t scape vs baf e

Why ne had f ou put1 f e caple in J)e lathe 4088

Ilhaille by godde alayn })ou is a fonne

Thise sely clerkes han fulfaste y-ronne

Toward f e fen bof e alayn and eek1 lohn

And whan J)e Mellere seigh fat1 fei were gon 4092

he half1 a buisschel of1 here corn ha]) take

And bad his wijf go knede it1 in a cake

And seide I trowe f e clerkes weren aferd

Yet1 kan a mellere make a clerkes berd 4096

CORPUS 117

118 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

ffor aft his art1 yet1 lat1 hem gon here weye

Lo where he gop ye lat1 pe children plcye

They gete him nought1 so lightly by my croun

Thise seely clerkcs rennen vp and doun

With keep. keep, stand, stand, iossa. warderere /

Ga whistel pou and I schal keepe him heere

But1 schortly til it1 was verray night1

They coupe nought1 pough pei dede aft here might1 [ie«f is]

here capel cacche he ran alwey so faste

Til in a diche pei caught1 him atte laste

Wery and wet1 as beest1 is in pe rayn

Comep seely John and with him com]) alayn 4108

IT Alias qwod lohn pe day pat1 1 was born

Now ere we dryuen til hething1 and til scorn

Oure corn is stole men wil vs fooles calle

Bope pe wardein and oure felawes alle 4112

And namely pe meller weylawey

Thus pleynep lohan as he go]? by pe wey

Toward pe inelle and bayard in his bond

The meller sittyng1 by f e fyr ho fond 4116

ffor it1 was nyght1 and ferjjer might1 he nought1

But1 for pe loue of1 god pei him bisought

Of herberwe and of1 eese as for here peny

The mellere seyde agayn if1 per be eny 4120

Such as if is }it schal ^e haue 3oure part1

Myn hous is streit1 but1 ^e han lerned art1

3e can by argumentes make a place

A niyle brood of1 twenty foote of1 space 4124

lat1 se now if1 pis place mow suffise

Or make it rowmere with speche as is ^oure gyse

Now Symond seyde pis lohn by seint Cuthberd

As is pou mery and pat1 is faire answerd 4128

I haue herd say men sal take of tua pinges

Swilk1 as he fyndes or take swilk1 as he bryiiges/

But1 specially I pray pe ooste deere

Gete vs som mete and drynk1 and mak1 vs cheere 4132

CORPUS 118

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 119

And we wol payen trewly atte fulle

With empty handes men may naan haukes tulle

Lo heer oure siluer reedy for til spende

This meller to ]?e toun his doughter sende 4136

ffor ale and breed and rosted hem a goos

And boond here hors it scholde namore go loos

And in his owne chambre he made a beclde

With scheetes and wij? chalons faire y-spredde [leaf ss, back]

Nought* from his oughne bed ten foote or twelue/

his doughter hadde a bed al by hir selue/

Right* in J?e same chambre by and by

It1 mighte be no bette and cause why 4144

Ther was no romer herberwe in ]>e place

]?ey soupen and ]?ey speken horn of1 solace

And drynken euere strong ale atte beste

A-boute mydnyght1 wente pei to reste 4 1 48

Wei haj) J?e mellere vernysshed his heed

fful pale he was for-drunken and noi^t* reed

he yexeth and he spekej? Jmrgh J?e nose/

As he were on J>e qnakke or on ]>e pose/ 4152

To bedde he go]) and with him go)) his wijf

As eny lay he light* was and lolif*

So was hire loly whistel wel y-wette

The cradell at* hire beddes feet* is sette/ 41 50

To rokken and yeue j?e childe to souke

And whan Jmt* dronken was al in ]?e crouke

To bedde wente pe doughter right* anoon

To bedde go)) Alayn and also lohn 4160

Ther was nomore J?em needede no dwale

This meller haj? so wisely bibbed ale

That as an hors he snortej? in his slepe

Ne of* his tayl behynde he took1 no keepe 4164

his wijf* bar him a burdofi a ful strong*

Men mighten heere here routyng* a furlong*

The wenche route J? eek par compaignie

Alayn £e clerk* j)at* herde J)is melodye 4168

CORPUS 119

120 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

he pokede lohn and seyde sleepisf f ou herdestow euer slik1 a sang1 ar now lo swilk1 a couplyng1 is bitwixe hem alle A wilde fyr on fair bodies falle 4172

ho herkned euer slik1 a ferly f ing1 Ye f ai satt haue f e flonr of yft endyng1 This lange nights f er tydes me na reste/ But1 ^it1 na force al schal be for f e beste [leaf 59]

ffor lohn seide als euer mote I f riue If1 fat1 1 may yon wenche wol I swyue Som esement haf lawe schapen vs

ffor lohn fer is a lawe fat1 seith fus 4180

That1 if1 a man in a poynf be agreeued That1 in anof er he schal be releeued Oure corn is stolen sof ly it is no nay And we han had an ylle fitte to clay 4184

And syn I schal haue noon amendemewt Agayn my losse I wol haue eseme?it By goddes sale if sal nan ofir be

This lohn answerde Alayn so mot1 1 f e 4188

The meller is a perilous man he sayde And if1 fat1 he out1 of his slape abrayde he mighte don vs bof e a vilanye

Alayn answerde I counte him nought1 a flye 4192

And vp he rist1 and by f e wenche he crepte This wenche lay vpright1 and faste slepte Til he so neigh was or sche mighte spye That1 it1 hadde been to late for to crye 4196

And schortly for to seyn fey were at1 oon Now play alayn for I wol speke of1 loon This lohn lif stille a forlong1 wey or tuo And to himself1 he rnakef rouf e and wo 4200

Alias qztod he fis is a wikke Tape Now may I sayn fat1 1 is but an ape 3et haf my felaw somwhat1 for his harm he has fe myllers doughter in his arm) 4204

CORPUS 120

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 121

he auntred him and haj? his necdes spedde And I lye as a draf1 sakH in my bedde And whan f>is Tape is told anojjer day I schal be holde a daffe a Cokenay 4208

I wol arise and aunter it by my faith vnhardy is vnseely as men saith And vp he ros and softely he went1

vnto fie craditt and in his hand it hent [leaf 59, back] 4212 And bar it softe vnto his beddes feet Sone after . pe wif hire routyng1 leet1 And gan to wake and went hire out1 to pisse And com agayn and gan hir cradel mysse 42 1 6

And groped heer and }>er but sche fond noon Alias quod sche I hadde almost1 mys goon I hadde almost1 goon to J?e clerkes bedde Ey benedicite J>an hadde I foule y-spedde 4220

And for]? sche gojj til sche fe cradil fond Sche grope]? alwey former with hire hond And fond J>e bed and foughte nought1 but1 good By cause Jmt1 J>e cradel by it stood 4224

And nyste wher sche was for it was derk* But1 faire and wel sche crepe in to J?e clerk1 And lith ful stille and wolde haue caught1 a slepe "With-Inne a while J?is lohn J?e clerk1 vp lepe 4228

And on j?is goode wijf1 he leijj on sore So mery a fitte ne hadde sche not1 ful yore he prikej? harde and deepe as he were madde This loly lyf1 han jjise tuo clerkes ladde 4232

Til fat1 ]>e Jjridde cok1 bygan to synge Aleyn wax wery in J?e dawenynge ffor he hadde swonken aft pe longe nyght1 And sayde far wel Malyn sweete wight 4236

The day is come I may no lenger byde But1 euermoo wher so I go or ryde I am J)in oughne clerk1 so haue I hele Now deere lemman qwod sche go far wele 4240

9 CORPUS 121

122 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

But1 or fou go oo fing1 1 wol f e telle

Whan fat1 fou wendest1 homward by f e melle

Eight1 at1 f e entre of1 f e dore behynde

Thou schalt1 a cake of1 half* a busshel fynde 4244

That1 was y-maked of1 fin oughne mele

Which fat1 1 liilpe my sire for to stele

And goode leffiman god f e saue and keepe/

And with fat1 word almost1 sche gan to weepe [leaf coj 4248

Alayn vprist1 and fought1 or fat1 it1 da we/

I wol go creepen in by my felawe/

And fond f e cradel wif his hond anon

By god fought1 he al wrang1 1 haue mysgoii 4252

Myn heed is toty of1 my swynk1/ to nyght

That1 makef me fat1 I go nougat1 aright1

I wot1 wel by f e cradel I haue mysgo

here lith fe meller and his wijf1 also 4256

And forth he gof on twenty deuelway

vnto f e bed f er as f e meller lay

he wende haue cropen) by his felawe lohn

And by fe mellere in he creep anoon 4260

And caught1 him by f e necke and softe he spak1

he seyde fou lohn fou swyneshed awak1

ffor cristes sawle and heer a noble game/

ffor by fat1 lord fat1 called is saint1 lame 4264

As I haue fries in fis schorte night1

Swyued f e mellers doughter bolt1 vprigh[t]

Whil fou hast1 as a coward ben agast

fe false harlot1 quod fe meller hast 4268

A fals traitour false clerk1 quod he

fou schalt1 be ded by goddes dignite

Who durste be so bolde to disparage

My doughter fat1 is comen of1 such lynage 4272

And by f e frote bolle he caught1 alayn

And he hentt him dispitously agayn

And on f e nose he smot1 him with his fiste/

Doun ran f e bloody strecn vpon his briste 4276

CORPUS 122

GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 123

And in J>e floor with nose and mouth to-broke

jjei walwe as do]) tuo pigges in a poke

And vp fai gon and doim a-gayn anoon)

Til fat1 J?e meller spurned at1 a stoon 4280

And doun he fel bakward vpon his wijf1

That1 wiste nof ing1 of fis nyce strijf1

fFor sche was falle a sleepe a litel wight1

With John fe cleric fat waked hadde al f e night1 [leaf «o, back]

And with f e falle out of1 hir sleep sche brayde

help holy cros of bromeholm sche sayde/

In manus tuas lord to f e I calle

Awake Symond f e feend is on me falle 4288

Myn herte is broken help I nam but1 ded

Ther lif on vp my wombe and vp myn heed

help Symkyn for f e false clerkes fighte

This lohn starte vp as fast1 as euer he mighte 4292

And grasped by f e walles to and fro

To fynde a staf1 and sche stert1 vp also

And knew f e estris bet1 fan did fat1 lohn

And by fe wal a staf1 sche fond anon 4296

And saugh a litel schymeryng1 of1 a light/

ffor at1 an hole in schoon f e moone bright1

And by fat1 light1 sche saugh hem bof e tuo

But1 sikerly sche nyste who was who 4300

But1 as sche saugh a whit1 f ing1 in hir eye

And whan sche gan f is white f ing1 aspye

Sche wende f e clerk1 had wered a voluper

And wif f e staf1 sche drough ay ner and ner 4304

And wende han hitte ]:is alayn atte fulle

And smot1 fe meller on fe pilede skulle

That1 doun he goth and cryed harrow I dye

This clerkes beet1 him weel and lecf him lye 4308

And greyfen hem and tooke here hors anon

And eek1 here mele and on here wey fey goon

And atte Mille yet1 fai toke here cake/

Of1 half1 a busschel floui ful wel y-bake 4312

CORPUS 123

124 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Thus is }>e proude Meller wel y-"bete And haf y-lost Jje gryndyng1 of pe whete And payed for J?e soper euery dele/ Of Alayn and of lohn faf bette him weel his wyf is swyued and his doughter als/ lo swich it is a mellere to be fals And perfore pis prouerbe is seyd ful soth him far natt weene wel paf yuel do]) Qeafei] 4320

A gilour schal himself1 begyled be/ And god fat1 sittej) highe in mageste/ Saue att pis companye grete and smale Thus haue I quytte fe meller in my tale [iVb gap in the MS.]

CORPUS 124

GROUP A. § 7. COOK'S PROLOGUE. Corpus MS. 125

ri^ltie Cook* of London whil ]je Eeue spak*

ffor ioye he J?oughte he clawed him on J>e bak1 JL. ha ha quod he for cristes passioun This meller haj) a scharp conclusioun 4328

vpoii his argument of1 herbergage We[l] seide Salamon in his langage/ !Ne bryng* nat euery man in to Jiin hous ffor herberwyng* be night1 is perilous 4332

Wei oughte a man auysed for to be Whom j>afr he broughte in to his priuite I praie to god so yeue me sorwe and care If1 euere sithen I highte hogge of* of* ware 4336

herde I mellere bettre y-set a werke he hadde a lape of1 malice in jje derke/ And jjerfore if1 36 vouche sauf1 to heere/ But1 god forbede j>at* we stynte heere 4340

A tale of1 me j?afr am a pouere man I wol yow telle as wel as euer I can A litel Tape J>at* fil in oure Citee

Oure oost* answerde and seide I graunte it J>e 4344

Now telle on Eoger loke J?at* it1 be good ffor many a paste hast J?ou latyn blood And many a lakke of1 Douer hast J?ou sold That* haj) ben twyes hoot* and twyes cold 4348

Of* many pilgrym hastow cristes curs ffor of* J?y persely $it* J>ey fare )>e wors ]?at* J?ei haue eten wij? Jie stubbul goos ffor in Jjy schoppe is many a flye loos 4352

Now tel on gentil Roger by J?i name But* yet I preye J?e be not1 wro]> for game A man may say ful soth in game and play Thou seist* ful sojj q?/od Eoger by my fay [leaf ci, back] 4356

CORPUS 125

126 GROUP A. § 7. COOK'S PUOLOGUE. Corpus MS.

But1 so]? play quad play as ]?e flemyng1 seith

And )?erfore herry baillyf1 by fo feith

Be J?ou non^t1 wroth or we departen heere

Though f>at my tale be of1 an Ostelleere 4360

But1 naj^eles I wol not1 tellen it1 31^

But1 or we parte I-wys ]?ou schalt1 be quyt

And j?er wij? al he lough and made cheere/

And saide his tale as ^e schal after heere 4364

[No gap in the MSJ]

CORPUS 126

GROUP A. § 8. COOK'S TALE. Corpus MS. 127

Incipit fabula O iiijn?

A Prentys whilom dwelled in oure Citee And of1 a craft1 of1 vitaillers was he Gaillard he was as goldfynch in f»e schawe Broun as a berye a propur schort1 felawe/ 4368

Wij? lokkes blake y-kempt1 ful fetysly Daunce he couthe so wel and lolyly That he was cleped Perkyn Eeuolour

he was as ful of* loue paramour 4372

As is J>e hyue ful of1 hony sweete Wel was J?e wenche with him mighte meete At1 euery brydale wolde he synge and hoppe he louede bet1 fie tauerne pan pe schoppe 4376

ffor whan per any rydyng1 was in chepe Out1 of1 pe schoppe pider wolde he leepe Til fat* he hadde al pe sight1 y-seyn

And daunced wel wolde he not1 come ageyn 4380

And gadered him a meyne of1 his sorte To hoppe and synge and maken such desporte And pere pei setten steuene for to mete To pleyen atte dys in such a streete 4384

ffor in pe toun nas j)er no prentys That1 fairere coupe caste a paire of1 dys : Than Perkyn coupe and per-to he was fre Of* his dispense in place of* priuite/ 4388

That1 fond his maister wel in his chaffare/ ffor ofte tyme he fond his box ful bare ffor sikerly a prentys Reuelour Deaf 02]

That1 hauntej> dys ryot1 or paramour 4392

his maister schal it1 in his schoppe abeye Al haue he not1 part1 of1 j?e menstralcye ffor theft1 and riot1 pei ben conuertible Al conne he play on gyterne or Eubible 4396

COKPUS 127

128 GROUP A. § 8. COOK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Jleuel and tronthe as in a lough degre

Jjey been ful wrofe alday as men may se

This lolif1 prentys with his maister bood

Til he were neigh out of1 his prentyshood 4400

Al were he snybbed bo]?e erly and late

And som tyme lad with Reuel to Newgate

But atte last1 his mayster him bifoughte

vpon a day whan he his paper soughte 4404

Of* a prouerbe fat1 seif fis same word

Wei bette is roten appul out1 ofH hord

fan fat1 it1 rotye al f e remenant

So fare]? it by fe riotous seruant 4408

It is ful lasse harm to late it pace

f anne he schende aft" f e sef'uant} in f e place

Therfore his mayster ^af1 him a quitance

And bad him go with sorwe and with meschance 4412

And f us j>is loly prentys hadde his leue

Now lat1 him riote al J?e night1 or leue

And for J/er nys no Jjeef* wij^outen a lowke

That1 helpej? him to wasten and to sowke/ 441 G

Of jjat1 he brybe can or borwe may

Anon he sente his bedde and his array

vnto a Coupere of his owne sorte

That1 louede dys and Reuel and disporte 4420

And hadde a wyf1 fat1 heeld for contynance/

A schoppe / and swyued for hire sustynance.

[No Ireak in tJte MS.]

CORPUS 128

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 129

APPENDIX TO GROUP A.

[THE SPURIOUS TALE OF GAMELYN.]

Incipit ffabula/

Llthen & lestenep and herkenep aright1 And 30 schulle heeren of* a doughty knight1 Sire loliii of Boundys was his name he coupe of norture and inochil of game . 4

Thre sones pe knight1 hadde and with his body he hem wan The eldest1 was a moche schrewe and sone he bigan his breperen loued wel here fader and of1 him were agast1 The eldest1 deseruep his faderes curs & hadde it atte last1 8 The goode knight1 his fader lyued so yore That1 dep was comen him to and handlid him ful sore/ The goode knight1 cared sore sik1 per he lay how hise children schulde lyuen after his day 1 2

he hadde ben wyde wher but1 non housbond he was Alle pe lond pat1 he hadde it1 was verrey purchas ffayn he wolde it were dressed among1 hem alle That1 eche of* hem hadde his partH as it mighte fulle 1C Tho sente he in to centre after wise kniglites To helpen delen his londes and dressen hem to rightes he sent1 hem word by lettres pey scholden hy^e blyue If1 pey wolde speke wip him whil he was on lyue 20

CORPUS 129

130 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.

Tho f e knightes herden seek1 fat1 he lay

hadde f ei no reste neif er night1 ne day

Til f ei comen to him f er he lay stille

On his def bedde to abyde goddes wille 24

Thanne seyd f e goode knightH syk* f er he lay

lordes I 3011 warne for sof e wif outen nay

I may no lengere lyuen heer in fis stounde

if or f orugh goddes wille deth drawef me to grounde/ 28

Ther nas noon of* hem aft fat1 herde him aright

That1 fay hadden reuf e of1 fat ilke knight1

And seyde sire for goddes lone dismaye 3011 noughts

God may don boote of1 bale fat1 is now y- wrought1 32

Than spak1 f e goode knight1 sike f er he lay

Boote of1 bale god may seride I wot1 it is no nay

But1 1 beseke ^ou knightes for f e loue of1 me

Gof and dresseth my lond among1 my sones fre 36

And for f e loue of1 god delef hem nat1 amys

And foi^etef nought1 Gamelyn my 3onge sone fat1 is

Takef heede to fat1 oon as wel as to fat1 of er

Seelde 36 see ony heir helpen his brof er 40

Tho leeten fey fe knight1 lyen fat1 was not in hele [leaf GS]

And wenten in to counseift his londes for to dele/

ffor to delen hem aft to oon was here fought

And for gamely n was yongest1 he scholde haue nought1 44

Alle f e lond fat1 f er was f ai dalten it it1 tuo

And leeten Gamelyn f e ^onge wif oute lond go

And ech of1 hem seyde to of er ful loude

his bref eren mowe ^iue him lond whan he good coude 48

Whan f ei hadde deled f e lond at1 here wille

Thei camen to f e knight1 fere he lay ful stille

And tolden him anon) how f ei hadden wrought

And fe knight1 fer he lay liked it1 right1 nought1 52

Than seide f e knight1 by seint1 Martyn

ffor al fat1 30 haue don ^it1 is f e lond myn

ffor goddes loue neighebours stondef alle stille

And I wol dele my lond right1 after my wille/ 56

CORPUS 130

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 131

lohn myn eldeste sone sclial haue plowes fyue

That1 was my fadres heritage whil he was on lyue

And my myddelest1 sone fyue plowes of1 londe

That1 1 halp for to geten with my right1 honde 60

And alt myn oper purchas of londes and leedes

That1 I bequepe Gamelyn and- aft my goode steedes

And I beseke 3011 goode men pat1 lawe conne of londe

ffor Gamelynes loue pat1 my bequeste stonde 64

Thus dalte pe knight1 his lond by his day

Right1 on his dep bedde sik1 per he lay

And sone afterward he lay stoon stille

And deyde whan tyme com as it" was cristes wille 68

Anon as he was deed and vnder gras graue

Sone pe oldere broker gylede pe yonge knaue

he took1 in to his hond his lond and his leede

And Gamelyn himselue to cloven and to feede 72

he eloped him and fedde him yuel and eek1 wrope

And leet1 his londes and his houses bope

his parkes and his woodes and dede no ping1 wel

And sethen he it aboughte on his faire fel 76

So longe was Gamelyn in his broperes halle [leaf 63, back]

ffor pe strengeste of1 good pei douteden him alle

Ther was non per-Inne nowper ^ong1 ne olde

That1 wolde wrappe Gamelyn were he neuer so bolde 80

Gamelyn stood on a day in his broperes ^erde/

And bygan with his hond to handlen his berde

he fought1 on his londes pat1 layen vnsawe

And his faire Okes pat1 doun were drawe 84

his parkes were broken and his deere reued

Of1 aft his goode steedes non was him bileued

hise houses were vnhiled and fill yuel dight1

Tho poughte Gamelyn it1 wente nought1 aright1 88

Afterward cam his broper walkynge pare

And seyde to Gamely is oure mete yare

Tho wrapped him Gamelyn and swor by goddes book1

pou schat1 go bake pi self I wol not1 be pi cook1 92

CORPUS 131

132 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CoipUS MS.

how brof er Gamelyn / how answerest1 f ou now

Thou spake neuer such a word as f ou dost now

By my faif sayde Gamelyn now me finkef neede

Of1 alt f e harmes fat1 I haue I took4 neuer are heede 96

My parkes ben y-broken and my deer bireued

Of* myn armure and my steedes nought1 is me bileued

Alle fat1 my fader me biquaf al gof to schame

And fer fore haue fou goddes curs broker by fy name 100

Thanne bispak1 his broker fat rape was of1 rees

Stond stille gadelyng1 and hold right1 f i pees/

Thou schalt1 be fayn for to haue f i mete and f i wede

What1 spekest1 fou Gamelyn of1 lond of er of1 leede 104

Than seyde Gamelyn f e child fat1 was ying1

Cristes curs mote he haue fat1 clepef me gadelyng1

I am no worse gadelyng1 ne no worse wight1

But1 born ofH a lady and geten of1 a knight1 108

Ne durste he not1 to Gamelyn neer a foote go

But clepede to him his men and seyde to hem j. o

Gof and betef f is body and reuef him his wit/

And lat1 him lere anof er tyme to answers me bet1 112

Than seyde fe child yonge Gamelyn) [leaf M a]

Cristes curs mot1 f ou haue brof er art/ f ou myn

And if1 1 schal algate be beten anon

Cristes curs mote f ou haue but1 f ou be fat1 oon 116

And anon his brof er in f e grete hete

Made his men to fette staues Gamelyn to beete

Whan fat1 euerych of hem hadde a staf1 1-nomen

Gamelyn was war fo he seigh hem comen) 120

Tho Gamelyn seigh hem comen he loked ouer alt

And was war of1 a pestel stood vnder a watt

Gamelyn was light1 and fider gan he lepe

And drof1 alle his brof eres men right1 soone on an heepe

he loked as a leon a layde on good won 1 25

Tho his brof er seigh fat1 he bigan to gon

he neigh vp in til a loft1 and schette f e dore fast1

Thus Gamelyn wif his pestelle made hem agast1 128

CORPUS 132

I APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 133

Somme for gamelynes loue and some for his eye

Alt f ei drowen by halues f o he bigan to pleye

What* now seyde Gamelyn yuel mot1 fou fee

Wil ye bigynne contek1 and so soone flee 132

Garnelyn sought1 his brof or* whider he was flowe

And saugh wher he loked out1 at1 a wyndowe

Brof er saide Gamelyn come a litel neer

And I wil teche fe a play atte Bokeleer 136

his broker him answerde and sayde be seint1 Richere

Whil f e pestel is in fin hond I wol come no neer

Brof er I wel make f y pees I swere by cristes oore/

Cast1 a-way fevpestel and wraffe ]?e nomore 140

I moot1 neede sayde Gamelyn wraffe me at oones

ffor fou wolde make |)i men to breke my boones

NQ hadde I had mayn and might1 in myn armes

To haue hem driuen fro me f ei wolde haue do me harmes

Gamelyn sayd his brof er be fou nought1 wrof 145

ffor to see f e haue harm were me right1 lof

I dide it nought1 brof er but1 for a fondyng1

ffor for to loken or fou were strong1 and art1 so ^ing1 148

Com a doun fan to me and graunte me my boone [leaf 64 «, back]

Of1 f ing1 1 wol f e asken and we schul saughte soone

Doun fan cam his brof er fat1 fikel was and felle

And was swithe sore agast1 of1 fe pestelle 152

he seyde brof er Gamelyn aske me f y boone

And loke foil me blame but I it1 graunte soone

Thanne seyde Gamelyn brof er y-wys

And we schulle ben at1 on fou most me graunte fis 156

Al fat1 my fader me biquath whil he was on lyue

Thou most1 do me it haue if1 we schulle nou^t1 stryue

That1 schalt1 fou haue Gamelyn I swere by cristes oore

Al fat1 fi fader f e byquath f ough fou woldest1 haue more

Thi lond fat1 lieth laye wel it schal be sowe 161

And fine houses reised vp fat1 ben y-leyd so lowe

Thus sayde f e knight1 to Gamelyn) by mouf e

And foughte of1 falsnesse as he wel coufe 164

CORPUS 133

134 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.

The knight1 fought1 on treson and Gamelyn on noon

And went1 and kissed his broker and when fey weren at1 oon)

Alias yonge Gamelyn noting1 he ne wist1

Wif such fals tresoun his broker him kist/ 168

lifeneth and lestenef and holdef youre tonge

And $e schul heere talkyng1 of1 gamelyn f e ^onge

Ther was f er besyden cried a wrastelyng1

And fer fore fer was vp y-set1 a Earn and a ryng1 172

And Gamelyn was in wille to wende f erto

fFor to preuen his might1 what1 he couf e doo

Brof er seyde Gamelyn by seint1 Eicher

Thou most1 lene me to night1 a litel courser ' 176

That1 is freissch to f e spores on for to ryde

I moste on an Erande a litel here besyde/

By god seyde his broker of1 steedes in my stalle

Go and chese fe fe beste spare non of alle 180

Of1 steedes or of1 coursers fat1 stonden him bysyde

And telle me goode broker whider f ou wolt1 ryde

here besyde brof er is cryed a wrastlyng1

And ferfore schal be sette a Earn and a Eyng1 184

Moche worschipe it were broker to vs alle [i af646]

Might1 1 fie Earn and J?e ryng1 bryngen horn to fis halle

A steede fer was sadeled smartly and skeet1

Gamelyn dide a paire spores fast1 on his feet 188

he sette his foot1 in ])e styrop J>e steede he bistrood

And toward }>e wrastelyng1 J>e Douche child rood

Tho Gamelyn J>e ^onge was ryden out1 atte gate

The false knight1 his broker loked it after fate 192

And bisoughte ihesu crist1 J?at is heuen king1

he mighte breke his necke in fat1 wrastlyng1

As sone as gamelyn com ther fie place was

he lighte doun of1 his steede and stood on J?e gras 196

And fere he herde a ffrankelyn way lo way syng1

And bigan bitterly his hondes for to wryng1

Goode man seide Gamelyn whi makesf fou f is fare

Is fer noman fat1 may }ou helpen out1 of1 f is care 200

CORPUS 134

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 135

Alias seide f is ffrankleyn f af euer was I bore

ffor tweye stalworf e sones I wene fat I haue lore

A champion is in f e place fat* haf y -wrought* me sorwe

ffor he haf slayn my tuo sones but* if1 god hem borwe 204

I wolde ^iue ten pound by ihesu crist and more

Wif f e nones I fand a man to handqjen him sore

Goode man seide Gamelyn) wilt1 foil wel done

hold myn hors wliil my -man drawef of* my schone 208

And help my man to kepe my clones and my steede

And I wil in to f e place gon to loke if* I may speede

By god seide f e ffrankeleyn if schal be doon

I wol my self* be fy man to drawen of* J>i schoon 212

And wende fou in to f e place ihe^u crist f e speede

And drede not* of* f i clones nor of* f i goode steede

Barfot* and vngert* Gamelyn in came

Alle fat* were in fe place heede of* him fei name 216

how he dorste auntre him of* him to don his miglif

That* was so doughty a champiozm in wrastelyng* and in fight*

vp sterte f e Champioz/n rapely anon

Toward 3ouge Gamelyn he bigan to goon) 220

And seide who is ]n fader and who is pi sire/ [leaf ei b, back]

ffor sofe J?ou art1 a gret* fool J?at* foil come hire/

Gamelyn answerde f e Champiown fo/

Thou knewe wel my fader whil he coufe goo 224

Whiles he was on lyue by seint* Martyn

Sire lohn of* Boundes was his name and I Gamelyn)

ffelawe seide f e Champicwn so mote I friue

I knew wel fi fader whil he was on lyue 228

And fi self* Gamelyn I wol fat* f ou it* heere

"Whil fou were a 3ong* boy a moche schrewe f ou were/

Than seide Gamelyn and swor by cristes oore

Now I am oldere woxe fou schal t* fynde me a more 232

By god sayde jjc champion welcome mote fou be/

Come }>ou ones in myn hond schalt* fou neuer f e

It* was wel wif inne f e night* and f e moone schon

Whan Gamelyn and fe Champion togidere gonne gon 236

CORPUS 135

136 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CoipUS MS.

The champiown caste tomes to Gamelyn fat1 was preste

And Gamelyn stood stille and bad him don his beste

Thanne seyde Gamelyn to fe champiown

Thou art1 faste aboute to bringe me doun 240

Now I haue proued many tornes of1 fine

Thou most1 he seyde prouen on or tuo of1 myne

Gamelyn to f e champion yede smertly anocn

Of1 alle f e turnes fat1 he couf e he schewed him but oon

And kast1 "him on fie left1 syde fat1 f e ribbes to-brak1 245

And f arto his oon arm fat1 yaf1 a gret1 crak1

fan seyde Gamelyn smertly anoon

Schal it be holde for a cast1 or elles for noon 248

By god seyde f e champiozm whef er fat1 it be

he comef oones in fin hond schal he iieuer f e

Than seyde f e ffrankelein fat1 hadde his sone fere/

Blessed be fou Gamelyn fat1 euer foubore were 252

The ffrankeleyn seide to fe champion of1 himstod himnoneye

This is ^onge Gamelyn fat1 taughte f e f is pleye

A^ein answerde f e Champiozm fat1 liked nof ing welle

he is oure alf er maister and his pley is right1 felle/ 256

Sifen I wrastlede ferst1 it1 is y-go ful yore [leaf 65]

But I was neuere my lyf1 handled so sore

Gamelyn stood in f e place alone wif oute sirk1

And sayde if1 fer be moo laf hem come to werke 260

The champion fat1 payned him to werke so sore

It1 semeth by his continance fat1 he wol no more

Gamelyn in f e place stood stille as a stoon

[ no gap in the MS.~\ 264

Ther was non with Gamelyn wolde wrastle more

ffor he handled f e Champion so wonderliche sore/

Tuo gentil men yemede f e place

Come to Gamelyn) god ^iue him goode grace 268

And say den to him do on fin hosen and f i schoon

ffor sof e at1 fis tyme f is faire is y-done

And f anne sayde Gamelyn so moot1 1 wel fare

I haue nought1 ^it1 haluendel sold my ware/ 272

CORPUS 136

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 137

Tho sayde fie Champion so brouke I my sweere He is a fool fat1 f er-of1 bye]? f ou sellest it so deere Tho saide f e ffrankeleyn that was in moche care/ ffelawe he sayde whi lakkest1 f ou his ware/ 276

By seinf lame in Galeys fat1 many man ha]) sought1 yit1 it1 is to good chepe fat1 f ou hast1 y-bought1 Tho fat1 wardeynes were of1 fat1 wrastlyng1 Come and broughte Gamelyn fe Earn & f e ryng1 280

And sayde haue gamelyn f e Ring1 and f e Earn ffor f e beste wrastelere fat1 euer heere cam IF Thus wan Gamely f e Earn and f e Eyng1 And wente with moche loye horn in f e mornyng* 284

his brof er seigh wher he cam wif f e grete route And bad schitte f e gate and holde him wif oute f e porter of1 his lord was sore agast1

And stert1 anon to f e gate and lokked it fast1 288

Now lif ef and lestenef bof e ^ong1 and olde/ And 36 schul heere game of1 Gamelyn f e bolde/ Gamelyn com f er for to haue come In Than was it1 schett1 faste wif a pyn 292

Thanne seyde Gamelyn porter vndo f e gate/ ffor many a good mannes sone stondef f erate [leaf 65, back] Than answerd f e porter and swo^ by goddes berde Thou ne schalt1 Gamelyn come in to fis ^erde 296

Thou lixt1 sayde Gamelyn so brouke I my chyn he smot1 f e wiket1 with his foot1 and brak1 away f e pyn The porter seih f o it mighte no bettre be he sette foot1 on erf e he bigaii to flee 300

By my faif sayde Gamelyn) fat1 trauaile is lore ffor I am of1 foote as light1 as f ou f ough f ou haddest swore Gamelyn ouertok1 f e porter and his teene wrak1 And gert1 him in f e necke fat1 fe boon tobrak1 304

And took1 him by fat1 oon arm and f rew him in a welle/ vij. fadmen it1 was deep as I haue herd tello/ Whan Gamelyn f e yonge f us hadde playd his play Alle fat1 in yerde weren drewen hem a-way 308

10 CORPUS 137

138 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CoipUS MS.

Jjei dredden him ful sore for wreke fat1 he wrought1

And for f e faire companye fat1 he f icier brought

Gamelyn 3ede to f e gate and leet1 [it] vp wyde

he leet1 hem in alle fat1 gone wolde or ryde 312

And seyde 36 be welcome wif outen eny greeue

fFor we wiln ben maisteres heere and aske no man leeue

yesterday I lefte seyde ^onge Gamelyn

In my broker seler .v. tonne of1 wyn 316

I wol not1 f is companye parten a twynne

And ye wol doon after me whil ony sope is f rinne

And if1 my brof er grucche or make foul cheere

Of er for spense of1 mete and drink1 fat1 we spenden heere/

I am oure catour and bere oure alf er puree

he schal haue for his grucching1 seint1 maries curse

My brof er is a negon I swere by cristes oore

And we wol spende largely fat1 he haf spared yore 324

And who fat makef grucching1 fat1 we heere dwelle/

he schal to f e porter in to f e drawe welle/

vij. dayes and seue night1 Gamelyn heeld his feeste/

With mochel solace was fere and no cheste/ 328

In a litel toret1 his brof er lay steke

And seigh hem wasten his good but1 durst1 he not1 speke [leaf 66]

Erly on a mornyng1 on f e viije. day

The gestes come to Gamelyn and wolde gon here way 332

lordes sayde Gamelyn wil ye so hye

Aft f e wyn is not1 yet1 drunken so brouk1 1 myn ye

Gamelyn in his herte was wel woo

Whawne his gestes toke hire leue from him for to goo 336

he wolde f ei hadde dwelled lenger and f ai saide nay

But1 bitaughten Gamelyn god and good day

Thus maade Gamelyn his feeste and brought1 it1 wel to eende

And after his gestes tok1 leue to wende 340

lithef and lestenef and holdef ^oure tonge

And 36 schul heere gamen of1 Gamelyn f e ^onge

herkeneth lordynges and listeneth aright1

"YVhan aft gestes were goon how Gamelyn was dight1 344

CORPUS 138

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 139

Aft f e whil fat Gamely n held his mangerie

his "broker Bought1 on him be wreke with his treccherie

Tho Garnelynes gestes were riden and y-gon

Gamelyn stood anoon allone frend had he noon 348

Tho after fill soone wif inne a litel stounde

Gamelyn was taken and ful harde bounde

fforf com f e false knight1 out1 of1 f e sellere

To Gamelyn his brofer he ^ede ful neere 352

And seyde to Gamelyn who made f e so bold

ffor to stroyen my stoore of1 myn houshold

Brofer sayde Gamelyn) wraf f e f e right1 nou^t1

ffor it is many day go si]) fen it1 was bought1 356

ffor broker f ou hast1 had by seint1 Richer

Of1 fiftene plowes of1 lond f is xvj. ^er

And of1 alle f e beestes f ou hast1 forf bred

That1 my fader me byquath on his deth bed 360

Of1 alle fis .xvj. ^eer I yiue fe fe prow/

ffor f e mete and f e drink1 fat* we haue spended now

Thanne seyde f e false knight1 yuel mote he fee

herkne brof er Gamelyn) what1 1 wol yiue fee/ 364

ffor of1 my body brof er geten heer haue I noon

I wil make f e myn heir I swere by sein lolin [leaf 66, back]

Par ma fay seyde Gamelyn and it so bee

And f ou f enke as seist1 god ^elde it f e 368

No f ing1 wiste Gamelyn of1 his brof e>-es gile

Ther-fore he him begiled in a litel while/

Gamelyn seyde he o f biff I f e telle

Tho f ou f rewe my porter in to f e drawe welle 372

I swoor in fat1 wraf fe and in fat grete moot

fat1 fou scholdest1 be bounde bof e hand and foot

Therfore I f e bescche brof er Gamelyn

Lat1 me nought1 be forsworne brofer artow myn 376

Lat1 me bynde f e bof e hand and foote

ffor to halde myn avow as I f e bihoote

Brof er seyde Gamelyn as so mote I fee

Thou schalt1 nought1 be forsworne for f e loue of1 me 380

CORPUS 139

HO APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.

Tho maden pei gamelyn to sitte might1 he not1 stonde

Til pei hadden him bounde/ bope foot1 and honde

The false knight1 his broper of1 Gamelyn was agasf

And sente after feteres to feteren him atte last 384

his broker made lesynges on him per he stood

And tolde hem pat comen In that1 Gamelyn was wood

Gamelyn stood to a post bounden in pe halle/

Tho that1 comen in lokeden on him alle 388

Euer stood Gamelyn) euen vpright1

But mete and drink1 hadde he noon noper day ne night1

Thanne sayde Gamelyn broper by my^ hals

Now I haue aspied pou art1 a party fals 392

hadde I wist1 pat1 treson pat1 pou haddest y-founde

I wolde haue youe strokes or I hadde be bounde

Gamelyn stood bounden stille as eny stoon)

Tuo daies and tuo nightes mete hadde he noon 396

Thanne sayde Gamelyn pat stood y-bounde stronge

Adam spenser me pink1 1 faste to longe

Adam pe spenser now I beseche pe

ffor pe moche lone my fader loued pe 400

If1 pou may come to pe kayes leese me out1 of* bonde

And I schal parte wip pe of my free loiide peaf 67]

Thanne sayde adam pat1 was pe spenser

I haue serued pi broper pis .xvj. ^er 404

If1 1 lete pe gon out1 of1 his boure

he wolde say afterward I were a traitour

Adam seyde Gamelyn so brouke I myn hals

pou schalt1 fynde my broper atte laste right fals/ 408

Ther-fore broper adam loose me out of1 bondes

And I wil parte with pe of1 my free londes

vp swich a forward seide adam y-wys/

I wol do perto al pat1 in me is 412

Adam seyde Gamelyn also mote I pee

I wil holde pe couenant and pou wil lose me

Anon as adames lord to bedde was y-goon

Adam tok1 pe kayes and leet1 Gamelyn out a-non 416

CORPUS 140

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 141

He vnlokked Gamelyn bope liandes and feet

In hope of auancemewt fat1 he him biheet •

Thanne seide Gamelyn Ranked be goddes sonde

Now I am loosed bope foot1 and honde 420

hadde I now eten and drunken aright

Ther is non in pis hous schulde bynde me pis night

Adam toot Gamelyn stille as stille as eny stoon

And ladde him in to spense rapely and anoon) 424

And sette him to soper right1 in a priue stede

he bad him do gladly and Gamelyn so dede

Anon as Gamelyn hadde eten wel and fyn

And perto y-dronke wel of1 pe reede wyn 428

Adam seyde Gamelyn what1 is now py rede

ffor I go to my broker and gyrde of1 his hede

Gamelyn seyde adam it schal nou^t1 be so

I can teche pe a reede pat1 is worth pe tuo 432

I wot1 wel for sope pat1 pis is no nay

We schnlle haue a mangery right1 on sonday

Abbotes and Pn'ours many heer schal be

And oper men of1 holy chirche as I telle pe 436

pou schalt1 stonde vp by pe poste as pou were hond fast1

And I schal leue pam vnloke pat1 away pou may hem caste

Whan pat1 pei haue eten and wasshen here hondes

Thou schalt1 biseke hem alle to bringe pe outt of1 bondes 440

And if1 pei wil borwe pe pat1 were good game

Thanne were pou out1 of1 pmon and I out1 of1 blame

And if1 ech of1 hem sey to vs nay

I schal don anoper I swere by pis day 444

Thou schalt1 haue a good staff/ and I wol haue anoper

And cristes curs haue pat1 oon) pat1 faillep pat1 oper

Ya for gode seyde Gamelyn I say it1 for me

If1 1 faile on my syde yuele mote I pe 448

If1 we schulle algate assoile hem of1 here synne

Warne me broper adam whan we schul begynne

Gamelyn seyde adam by seinte charite/

I wil warne pe biforn whan pat1 it1 schal be 452

CORPUS 141

142 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.

Whan I twynk1 on pe loke for to gone

And cast1 awey pe fetteres and come to me anoon

Adam seyde Gamelyn blessed be py boones

That1 is a good counsail yeuyng1 for pe nones 456

If1 pey werne me to bringe me out* of1 beendes

I wol sette goode strokes right1 on here lendes

Tho pe sonday was y-come and folk1 to pe feeste

ffaire pei were welcomed bope leste and meeste 460

And euere as Jey atte haft dore conien In

Thay caste fair yhe on 3onge Gamelyn)

The false knight1 his broker and fill of1 trecchery

Alle pe gestes pat1 per were atte mangery 464

Of1 Gamelyn his broper he tolde hem with moupe/

Alt pe harme and pe schame pat1 he telle coupe

Tho pel were serued of1 messes tno or pre

Thanne seyde Gamelyn how seme 36 me/ 468

It1 is not1 wel se?*ued by god pat1 al made

That1 1 sitte fastyng1 and oper men make hem glade

The fals knight1 his broper pere pat1 he stood

Tolde aft his gestes pat Gamelyn was wood 472

And Gamelyn stood stille and answerde nought

But1 adames wordes he heeld in his pought1 [leaf os]

Tho Gamelyn gan speke dolfully wip alle

To pe grete lordes pat1 saten in pe halle 476

lordes he seyde for cristes passion

help to brynge Gamelyn out of1 pmon

Thanne seyde an abbot1 sorwe on his cheeke

he schal haue cristes curs and seinte maries eeke 480

That1 pe out1 of1 pn'soun beggeth or borweth

But1 euere worpe hem wel pat1 dop pe moche sorwe

After pat1 abbot1 pan spak1 anoper

I wolde pin hed were oife pey pou were my broper 484

Alle pat1 pe borwe foule moot1 pam falle

Thus pei seide alle pat1 weren in pe halle

Than seyde a pn'our yuel mote he priue

It1 is moche sorwe & and skape boy pat1 pou art on lyne 488

CORPUS 142

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 143

Ovv seyde Gamelyn so brouke I my bon

Now I haue aspied fat1 freendes haue I noon

Cursed mot1 he worthe bof e fleisshe and blood

That euere do priour or abbot* eny good 492

Adam f e spenser took1 vp f e clof e

And loked on Gamelyn and seih fat1 he was wrooth

Ad«m on f e Pantrie litul he fought1

But1 tuo goode staues to halle dore he brought1 496

Adam looked on Gamelyn and he was war anon

And cast1 awey f e feteres and he bygan to goon

Tho he cam to adam he took1 fat1 oo staf1

And bigan to worche and goode strokes yaf1 500

Gamleyn cam in to f e halle and f e spencer bothe

And loked hem aboute as f ei hadcle be wrof e

Gamelyn sprengef holy water with an ook spire

That1 somrae fat1 stoode vpright1 felle in the fire 504

Ther was no lewed man fat1 in f e halle stood

That1 wolde do Gamelyn any f ing1 but1 good

But1 stooden besyden and lete hem bof e werche

ffor f ei hadde no reuf e of1 men of1 men of1 holy cherche 508

Abbot1 or priour monk1 or chanon

That1 Gamelyn ouertok1 anon f ei ^eden doun) [leaf es, back]

Ther was non of1 hem alle fat1 wif his staf1 mette

That1 he made hem ouerfrowe and quitte hem his dette 512

Gamelyn sayde adam for sainte charite/

Pay good lyueray for f e loue of me

And I wol kepe f e dore so euer heere I masse/

Er fei ben assoiled fer schal non passe ^ 51 G

Dout1 f e nou^t1 seide Gamelyn) whil we ben in feere/

Kepe foil wel f e dore and I wol werche heere

Stere good adam and late fer none flee

And we schulle telle largely how many fer be 520

Gamelyn seyde adam do hem but1 good

Thay ben men of1 holy chefrche] draw of1 hem no blood

Saue wel f e croune and do hern non harmes

But1 breke bofe here legges and sif fen here armes 524

CORPUS 143

144 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.

Thus Gamelyn and adam wroughte right1 faste/

And pleyden with f e monkes and made hem agaste/

Thider fey come rydyng1 lolyly wif swaynes

And horn a^ein f ei were ledde in Cartes and in waynes 528

Tho f ei hadden alle y-don fan seyde a gray frere

Alias sire abbot1 what1 dide we now heere

Tho fat1 we comen hider it was a cold rede

vs hadde ben better at1 home wif water and wif breed 532

Whil Gamelyn made ordres of1 monkes and freere/

Euer stood his broker and made foul cheere

Gamelyn vp wif his staf1 fat1 he wel knew

And gerte him in fe nekke fat1 he ouerfrew 536

A litel aboue f e girdel f e riggebon tobarst1

And sette him in f e feteres f er he sat1 arst1

Sitte fere brof er seyde Gamelyn

ffor to coole fi blood as I dide myn 540

As swif e as f ei hadde wroken hem on here foon)

They askede water and wisshen anoon)

What1 sowme for here loue and somme, for awe

Alle fe seruantz serued hem of1 f e beste lawe 544

The scherreue was f enne but fyue rnyle/

And al was told him in a litel while/ [leaf 69]

how Gamelyn and adarn hadde don a sory res

Bounden and wounded men a^ein f e kinges pees 548

Tho bigan sone strif1 for to wake

And f e scherref1 aboute Gamelyn for to take

JSTow lithef and lestenef so god 31116 3ou good fyn

And 36 schul heere good game of1 3onge Gamelyn) 552

fFour and twenty 3onge rnerc fat1 helden ful bolde

Come to f e scherref1 and seyde fat1 f ai wolde

Gamelyn and adam fette be way

The scherref1 yaf1 hem leue sof as I 3ou say 556

f ei hieden faste wolde fay nought1 belynne

Til f ei comen to f e gate f er ganielyn was Inne

They knokken on f e gate f e porter was ney

And loked out1 at1 an hole as man fat was sleigh 560

CORPUS 144

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 145

The porter hadde "beliolde j?am a litel while

he louede Gaxnelyn and was adrad of1 gile/

And leet1 ]>Q wiket1 stonde ful stille

And asked hem wijwute what1 was here wille 564

ffor all J)e grete company Jjanne spat but oon

Yndo jje gate porter and lat1 vs In goon)

Than seyde ]?e porter so brouke I my chynne

3e schul sey 3our erand er 36 comen Inne 568

Sey to Gamelyn and ad«m if j?eir wille be

We wol speke to hem two wordes or J>re

ifelaw sayde ]?e porter stond ]?ere stille

And I wol weiide to Gamelyn to witen his wille 572

In wente J)e porter to Gamelyn anon)

And saide sire I warne 3011 here ben come ^oure foon)

The scherreues men ben atte gate

ffor to take 3011 boj>e schulle 30 not1 scape 576

Porter seyde Gamelyn so mote I wel ]?e

I wol allowe ]?e J?i wordes whan I my tyme see

Go a^ein to J?e gate and dwelle wij) hem a while/

And jjou schalf see right1 soone porter a gyle 580

Adam seyde Gamelyn loke £e to goone

We haue foomeii atte gate and freendes neuer oone [leaf 69, back]

It1 ben J>e scherreues men Jmt1 liider ben y-come/

Thei ben swore to-gidere Jjat* we schul be nome 584

Gamelyn saide adam hye J>e right1 blyue

And if1 1 faile £e J)is day yuel mote I friue

And we schulle so welcome J?e Scherreues men

That1 somme of1 hem schulle make here beddes in fe fen 588

Atte posterne gate Gamelyn out1 wente

And a good cart1 staf1 in his hond he hente

Adam hente soone anofer gret1 staf1

ffor to helpe Gamelyn and goode strokes he $&$ 592

Adam felde tweyne and Gamelyn felde J>re

That1 o]>er sctte feet1 on erjje and bigan to flee

What1 seide adam so euere heere I masse/

I haue right1 good wyn / drynke or 30 passe 596

CORPUS 145

146 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CoipUS MS.

Nay by god sayde pai pi drinkH is not1 good

It1 wolde make a marines brayn to lyen in his hood

Gamelyn stood stille and loked him aboute

And saide pe scherref1 come]) with a gret1 route 600

Adam seide Gamelyn what1 be now py redes

here comep pe scherreue and wil haue oure heedes

Adam sayde to Gamelyn my reed is now pis

Abyde we no longere if1 we fare amys 604

I rede fat1 we to woode goon) ar pat1 we be founde

Bettre is if per louse pan in toune y-bounde

Adam tok1 by pe hond ^onge Gamelyn

And euery of1 hem drank" a draught1 of1 wyn 608

And after token here cours and wenten here way

Tho fond pe scherreue nest1 and noon ay

The scherref1 lighte doun and went1 in to pe halle

And fond pe lord fetered faste wip alle 612

pe scherreue vnfetered him right1 soone anon

And sente after a leche to hele his regge bon

lete we now pis false knight1 lye in his care

And talke we of1 Gamelyn and loke how he fare 616

Gamelyn in to pe woode stalkede stille

And adam pe spenser likede right1 ylle [leaf 70]

Adam swore to Gamelyn by seint1 richeer

Now I see it is mery to ben a spewser 620

That1 leuere me were keyes to here

Than walken in pis wilde woode my elopes to tere

Adam sayde Gamelyn dismaye pe right1 nought1

Many good mannes childe in care is brought1 624

As pel tooke talking1 bope in feere

Adam herde talking1 of men and neigh him pought1 pei were

Tho Gamelyn vnder woode loked aright1

vij. score of1 }onge men he say wel adight1 628

Alle satte atte mete compas aboute

Adam sayde Gamelyn now haue ^e no doute

After bale comes boote porugh goddes might1

Me pinkep of1 mete and drynk1 pat1 1 haue a sight1 632

COKPUS 146

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 147

Adam lokede f o vnder woode bowgli And f o lie say mete he was glad ynougli ifor he hopede to god for to haue his deele And he was sore alonged after a good meele 636

As he saide fat1 word f e mayster outlawe Saugh Gamelyn and adam vnder woode schawe/ ^onge men seyde f e maister by f e god roode I am war of1 gestes god sende vs goode 640

^ond been tuo yonge men right1 wel adight1 And perauenture f er ben mo who so loked aright1 Arise)) vp yonge men and sette hem to me It1 is good fat1 we witen what1 men it1 be 644

vp f ei sterten .vij. fro fe dyner And metten with Gamelyn and ad«m spenser Whan f ei were neih hem fan seyde fat1 oon yeldef vp yonge men ^our bowes & your floon) 648

Thanne seide Gamelyn fat1 yong1 was of1 elde Moche sorwe mote he haue fat1 to yow hem ^eelde I corse non of er but1 right1 my selue

fey 36 fette to yow fyue f anne ye be twelue 652

f o f ei herde by his word fat1 might1 was in his arm There was non of1 hem fat1 wolde don him harm [leaf 70, back] But1 seide to gamelyn myldely and stille/ Com afore oure maister and say to him fi wille 656

yonge men seyde Gamelyn by your leute/ "What1 man is }our maister fat1 ye with be Aile f ei answerde wif oute lesyng1

Oure mayster is crouned of1 outlawes king1 660

Adam sayde Gamelyn go we in cristes name/ he may neyf er mete ne drynk1 werne vs for schame/ If fat1 he be kynde and come of1 gentil [blood] he wol yeue vs mete & drynk1 and don vs som good 664 By saint1 lame saide adam what1 harm fat1 1 gete/ I wol auenture me to f e dore fat1 1 hadde mete/ Gamelyn and adam wente forf in feere And f ei grette fe maister fat1 fey founde fere 668

CORPUS 147

148 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.

Than seyde pe mayster king* of1 outlawes What1 seeke 30 yonge men vnder pe woode schawes/ Gamelyn answerde pe king1 wip his croune he moste needes walke in woode pat1 may not1 walke in towne Sire we walke not1 heere non harm to do 673

But1 if we meete a deer to schete per to As men pat1 ben hungry and mowe no mete fynde And ben harde bestad vnder woode lynde 676

Of1 Gamelynes wordes pe mayster hadde rewpe And seyde ye schal haue ynough haue god my treupe he bad hem sitte doun for to take reste And bad hem ete and drynke and pat1 of1 pe beste 680

As pei eeten and dronke wel and fyn Than saide pat1 oon to pat1 oper pis is Gamelyn) Tho was pe maister ouf-lawe in to counseil nome And tolde how it / was Gamelyn pat1 pider was y-come 684 Anon as he herde how it was byfalle he made him maister vnder him ouer hem alle Wipinne pe pridde weke him come tydynges To pe mayster outlawe pat1 was here kynges 688

pat1 he schulde come home his pees was maad And of1 pat1 goode tydyng1 he was ful glaad [leaf 71]

Tho sayde he to his ^onge men sop for to telle Me ben comen tydynges I may no lenger dwelle 692

Tho was Gamelyn anon wipoute taryyng1 Maad mayster outlawe and crouned here king1 Tho was Gamelyn crouned king1 of1 oufr-lawes And walked a while vnder woode schawes 696

The false knight1 his broper was scherreue and sire And leet1 his broper endite for hate and for Ire Tho were his bonde men sory and noping1 gladde Whan Gamelyn here lord wolfes heed was cried and maad And sente out1 of1 his men wher pey might1 him fynde 701 ffor to seeke Gamelyn vnder pe woode lynde To tellen him tydynges the wynd was went1 And aft his good reued and his men schent 704

CORPUS 148

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 149

Whan f ei had him founden on knees fey hem setten)

And a-doun with here hood and here lord gretten)

Sire wraf f e you nought1 for f e goode roode

ffor we haue brought1 ^ou tydynges but1 f ei ben not1 goode

Now is f y broker scherreue and ha]} f e baillie 709

And haf endited f e and wolfes heed do]? f e crye

Alias sayde Gamelyn fat1 euer I was so slak1

That1 1 ne hadde broke his necke fo I his rigge brak1 712

Go]? greete]? wel mjn housbondes and wijf

I wil ben atte nexte schire haue god my lijf1

Gamelyn cam wel redy to ]?e nexte schire

And fere was his broker bo]?e lord and sire 716

Gamelyn com boldely in to f e moot1 halle

And putte adoun his hood among1 J?e lordes alle

God saue yow lordynges fat1 now heere be

But1 broke bak1 Scherreue yuel mote f ou fee 720

"Why hast1 ]?ou do me fat1 schame and vilenye

ffor to late endite me and wolues heed do me crye

Tho f oughte f e false knight1 for to ben awreke

And leet1 take Gamelyn most1 he nomore speke 724

Might1 J?er be no more grace but1 Gamelyn atte laste/

Was cast1 in to pn'son and fetered faste/ [leaf 71, back]

^T Gamelyn ha]? a brof er fat1 highte sire Oote

As good a knight1 and heende as mighte gon on foote 728

Anon jeede a messager to fat1 goode knight1

And told hi??i altogider how Gamelyn was digftt

Anon as sire Oote herde how Gamelyn was dighf

he was right sory was he nofing1 light1 732

And leet1 sadle a steede and f e way he nam

And to his tweyne brejjeren right1 soone he cam

Sire sayde sire Ote to f e Scherreue f o

We ben but1 fre breferen schulle we neuer be mo 736

And f ou hast1 pmoned f e beste of1 vs alle

Swich anof er brof er1 yuel him mote bifalle

Sire Ote seyde f e fals knight1 lat1 be f i curs

By god for fi wordes he schal fare fe wurs 740

CORPUS 149

150 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.

To f e kinges prisone he is y-nome

And f er he schal abyde to f e Justice come

Parde saide sire Ote bettre it schal be

I bidde him to maympr/s fat1 f ou graunte to me 744

Til f e nexte sittyng1 of deliuerance

And late f anne Gamelyn stande to his cnaunce

Broker in swich a forward I take him to f e

And by fi fader soule fat1 f e bigat1 and me 748

But1 he be redy whan f e Justice sitte

Thou schalf bere his luggemenfr for aft f i grete witte

I graunte wel seide sire Ote fat it1 so be

let1 deliuere him anon and tak1 him to me 752

Tho was Gamelyn deliuered to sire Ote his broker

And fat1 night1 dwelleden fat1 oon wif fat1 of or

On f e morwe seyde Gamelyn to sire Ote f e heende

Brofer he seyde I moot1 for sof e fro f e weende 756

To loke how my yonge men leden here lyf1

Whef er fey lyuen in loye or elles in strif1

By god seyde sire Ote fat1 is a cold rede

Now I se fat1 aft f e cark1 schal falle on myn hede 7GO

ffor whan f e Justice sitte and f ou be nought1 y-founde

I schal anon be take and in fy stede y-bounde [leaf 72]

Brofer sayde Gamelyn dismaie f e nought1

ffor by saint1 lame in Gales that1 many man haf sought1 7G4

If1 fat1 god almighty holde me my lyf1 and witte

I wil be fere redy whan f e Justice sitte

Thanne seide sire Ote to Gamelyn god schilde f e fro schame

Com whan f ou seest1 tyme and bryng1 vs out of1 blame 7G8

5F litheth and lesteneth and holdef 3011 stille

And 30 schulle heere how Gamelyn) hadde his wille

Gamelyn wente vnder fe woode Eys

And fond fere pleying1 yonge men of1 pris 772

Tho was yonge Gamelyn right1 glad ynougli

Whan he fond his mrn vnder fe woode bougii

Gamelyn and his men talked in feere

Arid fey hadde good game here maister to heere/ 776

CORPUS 150

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CoipUS MS, 151

his men tolden him of1 auentures pat1 pei hadde y-founde

And Gamelyn him tolde a^ein how he was faste bounde

Whil Gamelyn was outlawe hadde he no curs

Ther was no man pat1 for him ferde pe wors 780

But1 abbotes and pn'ours monk1 and Chanon

On of4 hem lefte he nought1 whan he might1 hem nom

Whil Gamelyn and his men made merges Eyue

The false knight1 his broker yuel mote he priue 784

ffor he was faste aboute bope o day and oper

ffor to hire pe queste to hangen his broker

Gamelyn stood on a day and he biheeld

The woodes and pe schawes in pe wilde feeld 788

he pought1 on his broker how he him beheet

J^afr he wolde be redy whan pe Justice seet

he poughte wel pat1 he wolde wipoute delay

Come afore pe lustice to keepen his day 792

And seide to his yonge men dighte yow ^are

ifor whan pe lustice sitte we mote be pare

ffor I am vnder borwe til pat1 1 come/

And my broper for me to prison schal be nome 796

By seinf lame seide his ^onge men and pou rede pertoo

Ordeigne how it schal be and it schal be do [leaf 72, back]

Whil Gamelyn was comyng1 per pe lustice satte

The false knight1 his broper for-yatte he not1 patte 800

To hire pe men on his quest1 to hangen his broper

Though pey hadde nought1 pat oon he wolde haue pat oper

Tho cam Gamelyn fro vnder woode Rys

And broughte with him ^onge men of1 prys 804

I se wel seyde Gamelyn the lustice is sette

Go aforn adam and loke how it spette

Adam wente in to pe halle and loked aft aboute

he seih pere stonde lordes bope grete and stoute 808

And sire Ote his broper fetered wel fast1

Tho went1 adam out of1 halle as he were agast

Adam seide to Gamelyn and to his felawes alle

Sire Ote stant1 fetered in pe moot1 halle 812

CORPUS 161

152 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.

yonge men sayde Gamelyn f is fey heeren alle

Sire Ote stant1 fetered in f e moot1 halle

If1 god yif vs grace wel for to do

he schal ifc1 abegge fat1 it broughte ferto 816

Thanne seyde Gamelyn fat lokkes hadde hore

Cristes curs most1 he haue fat1 him1 bond so sore [o SiT m*]01'68

And j:ou wolf Gamelyn don after my reed

Ther is non in f e halle schal bere awey his heed 820

Adam seyde Gamelyn we wille nought1 dooii so

We wol sle f e gultyf1 and late f e of er go

I wil in to f e halle and wif f e Justice speke

On hem fat1 ben gultyf* I wol ben a-wreke 824

late non scape at1 f e dore yonge men take yeme

ffor I wol be Justice f is day doomes to deeme

God speede me f is day at1 my newe werk1

Adam com with me for f ou schalt1 be my cleric1 828

his men answerde him and bad him don his best1

And if1 f ou to vs haue neede )>ou schalf fynde vs preste

"We wiln stande with J?e whil jjat we may dure

And but1 we werkeii manly pay vs non hur-3 832

Yonge men sayde Gamelyn so mot1 1 wel fee/

As trusty a maister ye schal fynde of1 me [leaf 73]

Right J>er fe Justice sat1 in fe halle

In wente Gamelyn amonges hem alle 836

Gamelyn leet1 vnfettere his broker out1 of1 bende

Thanne seide sire Otes his broker fat1 was heeiide

Thou haddest1 almost1 Gamelyn dwelled to longe

ffor fe queste is out1 on me fat1 I scholde hongf 840

Brof er seide Gamelyn so god yif1 me good rest

This day fey schul ben hanged fat1 ben vpon f e quest1

And f e Justice bo]?e fat1 is f e lugge man

And f e schirriue bof e f orngll him it bigan 844

Thanne seyde Gamelyn to f e Justise

Now is f y power don f ou most1 nedes arise

Thou hast1 yiuen doomes fat1 ben yuel dight1

I wil sitten in f i sete and dressen hem aright 848

COKPUS 152

APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 153

The Justice sat* stille and roos nought1 anoon)

And Gamelyn cleuede his cheke boon

Gamelyn tok* him in his armes and nomore spat

But1 ]?rewe him ouer £e barre and his arme tobrak* 852

Durste non to Gamelyn seye but1 good

ffor fered of J?e companye }?at* wipoute stood

Gamelyn sette him doun in ]?e Justices sete

And sire Otes his broker by laim and adam at his feet1 856

Whan Gamelyn was sette in j?e Justices sete/

herkne of* a bourde jrnt* Gamelyn dede

he leet* fetere ]>e Justice and his false brother

And leet* hem. come to J>e barre ]?at* oon wijj J?at' oj?er 860

Tho Gamelyn hadde Jms y-don hadde he no rest

Til he hadde enquered who was on £e quest

ffor to deemen his broker sire Otes for to honge

Er he wiste which Jjei were he J?oughte ful longe 864

But1 as sone as Gamelyn wiste wher J>ey were

he dede hem euerichon feteren in fere

And bringen hem to J?e barre and sette hem in Eewe

By my faith seide )>e Justice J?e Scherreue is a schrewe/ 868

Thanne sayde Gamelyn to ]>e Justice

Thou hast1 youe doomes of1 ]?e wors assise [leaf 73, back]

And Jje .xij. Sisours that1 weren of* pe queste

They schulle ben hanged Jris day so haue I good reste 872

Thanne seyde ]?e Scherreue to yonge Gamelyn

lord I crye J>e mercy broker art1 jjou myn)

Ther-fore saide Gamelyn haue j)ou cristes curs

ffor and }>ou were maister yet* I schulde haue wors 876

ffor to make schortf tale and nought1 to long*

he ordeigned him a queste of* his men so strong

The Justice and J>e Scherreue bej> honged hye

To weiuen with J>e Ropes and with J>e wynd drye 880

And Jje .xij Sisours sorwe haue J?at* rekke

Alle J?ey were hanged fastc by J>e nekke

Thus endeth ]?e false knight* with his treccherie

That* euer hadde lad his lyf< in falsncs and folye 884

11 CORPUS 163

154 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.

he was hanged by )>e necke and nought* by J>e purs

That1 was J)e meede pat1 he hadde for his fadres curs

Sire Otes was eldest* and Gamelyn was ying1

Wenten with here frendes and passed with pc king* 888

They made pees with pe king1 of1 pe best1 assise

The king1 loued wel sire Ote and made him Justice

And after pe king* made Gamelyn bope in est1 and west1

Cheef1 Justice of1 his fre fforest1 892

Alle his wighte yonge men pe king1 for-yaf1 here gilt1

And sippen in good office pe king1 hap alle hem pilt1

5F Thus wan Gamelyn his lond and his leede

And wrak1 hi?^ of1 his enemys and quitte hew here meede 896

And sire Ote his broker made him his heir

And sippen wedded Gamelyn a wyf1 a good and a fair

They lyueden togidere whil pat1 crist1 wolde

And sippen was gamelyn grauen vnder molde 900

And so schal we alle may per nomaw flee

God bring1 vs to J>e loye pat1 euer schal be AmcN" pour charite

[No gap in the MS.]

CORPUS 154

GEOTJP B, («- FRAGMENT II.)

§ 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK. CORPUS MS.

Owre oost1 saugh wel pat1 by pe brighte sonne .Cm.vm. The ark1 of1 his artificial day hadde roxine The ferpe part1 of1 half1 an hour and moore And pough he were nought1 deepe expert1 in lore Deaf n] he wisfr it was pe xviij.e day OFAprille pat1 is messager to May And saugh wel pat1 pe schadwe of1 euery tree Was as in lengpe pe same quantite 8

That1 was pe body erect pat1 caused if And perfore by pe schadewe he took1 his wit1 That1 Phebus which pat1 schon so cler and bright1 Degrees was xlv clombe on hight1 1 2

And for pat1 day as in pat1 latitude It1 was ten atte clokke he gan conclude And sodeinly he plight1 his hors aboute lordynges qiiod. he I warne ^ou alle pis route 1 6

The ferpe party of1 pis day is. gon Now for pe loue of1 god and of1 seint1 lohn lesep no tyme as ferforth as ye may

Lordinges pe time it1 wastep night1 and day 20

And stelep from, vs what priuely slepyng1 And what1 purgh necligence in oure waking1 As doth pe streem pat1 turnep neuer agayn Descendyng1 from pe mountayn in to playn 24

Wel can senek1 and many a Philosophre Biweilen tyme more pan gold in cophre ffor los of1 catelle may recouered be But1 los of1 tyme schendep vs quod he 28

CORPUS 155 (6-T. 129)

SIX-TEXT 130 156 GROUP B. § 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK. CoipUS MS.

It* wil nought* come agayn wifouten drede

yamore fan wile Malkyns maydenhede

Whan sche ha]? lost1 it / in liir wantonnesse

lat1 vs nought1 mowlen f us in ydelnesse 32

Sire Man of1 lawe quod he sane 36 blis

Tel vs a tale anon) as forward is

ye be submitted f urgh your free assent1

To stonde in fis cas of1 my luggement1 36

Aquitef ^ow now of1 ^oure beheste

Thanne haue 36 doon your deuer atte leste

Oost1 quod he depardeux ich assente

To breke forward is nought1 my^ entente [leaf -<4, back]

Biheste is dette and I wil holde fayn

Al my biheste I can no bettre sain

ffor swich lawe as a man yeuef anof er wight1

he schulde himself1 vsen it1 by right1 44

Thus wile oure text1 but naf eles certein

I can right1 now no f rifty tale sein

That1 Chaucer f ough he can but1 lewedly

On metris and in rymyng1 craftily 48

ha]) sayd hem in such englissh as he can

Of1 olde tyme as knowef many a man

And if1 he haue nought1 seyd hem leeue broker

In o book1 / he haf seyd hem in anof er 52

ffor he ha]) told of1 louers vp and don

Mo fan Ovide made mencion

In his Epistles fat1 been ful olde

What1 scholde I tellen hem sen f ei ben tolde 56

In youf e he made of1 Ceys and alcione

And sif f en haf he spoke of1 euerychone

Thise noble wyfes and fese louers eeke

Who so fat1 wile his large volom) seeke 60

Cleped f e seintes legende of1 Cupide

Ther may he seen fe large woundes wyde

Of1 lucresse & of1 Babilan Tisbe

The swerd of1 Dido for fe fals Ene C4

CORPUS 156 (6-T. 130)

SIX-TEXT 131 GROUP B. § 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK. CoipUS MS. 157

The tree of* Phillis for hire Demephon)

The pleynt* of1 Dyanyre and of1 Erinion

Of* Adriane and of* ysyphile

The barayne ysle stondyng* in Jje see 68

The dreynt* leander for his Erro

The teeres of* helyne and eek* }je woo

Of* Brixseyde and of* J?e ladomya

)>e cruelte of* queen medea 72

The litel children hangyng* by ]>e hals

ffor Jje lason )?at* was of* loue so fals

Of* ypmistra Penolope Alceste

youre wifhode he comendeth wij> J?e beste [leaf 75]

But* certeinly no word ne write]) he

Of* jrikke wicke ensample of Canace

That* loued hir owne brother synfully

Of* suche cursed stories I sei fy 80

Or elles of* Tyro Appoloneus

how fat* ]?e cursed king* Antiochus

Biraft* his doughter of* hir maydenhede

That1 is so horrible a tale for to rede 84

Whan he hir J>rew Jjorugh Jje pament*

And Jjerfore he of* ful auisemenft

Nolde neuer write in none of* his sermons

Of* which vnkynde abhominacions 88

ISTe I ne wil not* reherce if* J?at* I may

But* of* my tale how schal I don ]?is day

Me were loj> be likned douteles

To muses J>at* men clepen pieriedes 92

Methamorphoseos wot* what* I mene

But najjeles I recche nought1 a bene

Though I come after him with hawe bake

I speke in prose and lat* him Rimes make 96

And with Jjaf word he with a sobre chere

Bigan his tale as $e schal after heere.

CORPUS 157 (6-T. 131)

SIX-TEXT 132 158 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PROL. CorpUS MS.

[PROLOGUE OF THE MAN OF LAWS TALE.}

[There are no breaks in the MS between stanzas or PartsJ]

H Incipit ffabula.

n Hateful harm condicion of1 pouerfr With thurst1 with cold with hunger he confoundeth" To asken helpe fe schamef in fin herf If1 fou now axe wif neede art1 fou so wounded 102 That1 verray iieede vnwrappeth al f i wounde hid Maugre fin heed fou most1 for Indigence Or stele orbegge or Lorwe fi dispence 105

Thou blamest1 crist1 and seist1 ful bitterly

he mys departef richesse temporal

Thy neyghebour fou witest1 synfully

And seist1 fou hast1 to litel and he haf al 109

Par fey seistow somtyme he rekene schal

Whan fat1 his tail schal brennen in f e gleede

ffor he nought1 helpej) needeful in here neede [leaf 75, back)

H Herkne what1 is J?e menyng1 of f e wise

Bet1 is to deyen fan haue Indigence

Thi self1 neighebore wile J?e dispise

If1 J>ou be pouer far wel J?i reuerence 116

yet1 of1 J?e wise man tak1 fis sentence

Alle J>e dayes of1 pore men ben wikke

Be war ferfore or ]?ou come in fat1 prikke 119

IF If1 ]>ou be pouere J)i broker hate]? J>e

And alle J)i freendes fleen fro fe alias

O Biche marchantz ful of1 wele be

O noble prudent1 folk1 as in J?is cas 123

youre bagges ben nought1 filled with ambes aas

But with Sis Cynk1 fat1 rennef for ^our chance

At1 Cristes masse merye may 36 daunce 12G

COIU'US 158 (6-T. 132)

SIX-TEXT 133 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PROL. CoipUS MS. 159

If ye seeken lond and see for ^our5 wynnynges

As wys folk1 Jjafr knowen alle thestaf

OF regnes ^e ben fadres of1 tyjnnges

And tales bothen of pees and of1 debat1 130

I were right1 now of1 tales desolat1

Nere fat1 a marchant1 gon is many a yere

Me taught1 a tale which as ye schal heere 133

[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. 161. Europia est tercia pars mundi. [MS, leaf 76.]

1. 198. ^[ Ceptra pharonei fratrum discordia Thebe flamma pnetontis deucalionis aque in stellis priami species audacia turni sens-it; vlixeu kerculeus que vigor. [MS, leaf 76, back.]

1. 294. ^ Vnde P[t]holomeu; libra j°, Gapitulo g10 primi motus celi duo sunt quorum vnus est qui mouet totura semper ab orient/? in occidentew vno modo super orbes & cetera. Item aliter vero motus est qui mouet orbew stellarum currenciura. Contra rn.oiu.rn primuw videlicet ab Occident*? in orientera super alios duos polos & cetera. Om»es eniw. concordat! sunt quod, electiones sint debiles nisi in di- uitibws, habent enim isti lice^ debilitentur eorww electiones radicem .i. natiuitates eorum que confortat omnem planetam debilew in itinere. hue. pMlosophus. [MS, leaf 78.]

1. 421. ^[ Semper mundane leticie tristicia repentina succedit. Mundana ergo felicitas multis amaritudinttw* est respersa. Extre- ma gaudij luctus occupat audi ergo salubre cowsiliuw in die bonorz^w ne mmemor sis malorww. [MS, leaf 79, back.]

1. 771. ^f Quid turpius ebrioso cui fetor in ore tremor in corpore qui promit stulta pr0dit occulta cui mens alienatur facies tmns- format?/r nullum enim latet secretum vbi regT^t ebrietas. [MS, leaf 84, back.]

1. 925. ^f 0 extrema libidinis turpitudo que non solu?^ mentew effeminat sed eciaw corpus eneruat semper sequntur dolor & peni- tencia post & cetera. [MS, leaf 86, back.]

1. 1126. ^[ A mane vsq?/<? ad vesperam mutabitur tewpus tenewt tympanu??^ & gaudewt ad sonum organi. [MS, leaf 89, back.]

1. 1135. Qwis vnquam vnicaw diewi totam duxit in sua delecta- cione iocimdam quern in aliqua parte diei reatus consciewcie vcl impetus ire vel motus concupiscencie inde non turbauerit que?/& liuor inuidie vel ardor auaricie vel tumor superbie non vexauerit vel quern aliqua iactura vel offensa vel passio non cowmduerit. [MS, leaf 89, back.]

CORPUS 150 (6-T. 133)

SIX-TEXT 134 160 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS.

[PART L] [No break in the MS.]

IT In Surrye whilom dwelt1 a companye

Of1 Chapmen riche and f er-to sad and trewe

That1 wyde where sente here spicerie

Clones of1 gold and Satyn riche of1 hewe 137

here chaffare was so thrifty and so newe

That* euery wight1 haf deynte to chaffare

With hem and eek1 to sellen hem here ware 140

f Now fil it1 fat1 f e maistres of1 fat1 sort1

han schapen hem to Borne for to wende

Were it1 fo chapmanhode or for disport1

Non ofer message wolde fey fider sende 144

But comen hemself1 to Rome f is is f e ende

And in swich place as fought1 hem auantage

ffor here entente fei take here herbergage 147

Soiorned han fise marchantez in fat1 toun [leaf 76]

A certein tyme as felle to hire plesance

But1 so felle fat1 f e excellent renoun

Of1 fe Emperour doughter dame Custance 151

Reported was with euery circumstance

vnto fise Surrien marchantz in swich wise

ffro day to day as I schal you deuyse/ 154

1T This was f e comone voys of1 euery man

Oure emperour of1 Rome god him see

A doughter he haf fat1 syn f e world "bigan

To rekne as wel hir goodnesse as beaute 158

Nas neuer such anof er as is sche

I pray to god in honour hir sustene

And wolde sche were oFalle Europe fe queene 1G1

CORPUS 160 (6-T. 134)

SIX-TEXT 135 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS. 161

IT In hire is heigh beaute wijjoute pride [£<**/« note, p. 133.]

youjje wipoute greenehod of1 folye

To alle hire werkes vertu is hire guyde

humblesse haj) slayn in hire al tyrannye 165

Sche is a merour of1 alle curtesye

hire herte is verray chambre of1 holynesse

hire hand minis tre of4 fredam for almesse 168

11 And al J>is voys is so]) as god is trewe

But1 now to purpos latf vs turne again

Thise marchantz han doon fraught1 here schippes newe

And whan J?ay haue J)is blisful mayde sain 172

horn to Surrey be]) ]>ei went1 agayn)

And don here needes as fey han don yore

And lyuen in wele I can seye yow nomore 1 75

Now fil it1 fat1 pis marchantz stoden in grace

Of1 him fat* was )>e Sowdon of1 Surrie

ffor whan }>ei came from eny strange place

he wolde of1 his benigne curtesie/ 179

Make hem good chere and besily aspie

Tythynges of1 sundy Remes for to leere

The wondres pat1 J>ey mighte seen or heere 182

Amonges ojjer Binges specially

Thise marchantz han him told of1 Dame Custance [leaf 76, back]

So gret noblesse in ernest1 ceriously

That1 Jjis Sowdan ha]) caught so gret/ plesance 186

To han hire figure in his remembrance

And alle his lust1 and alle his besy cure

Was for to loue hire whil his lijf1 may dure 189

Parauenture in ])ilke large book1

Which fafr pei cleped Jje heuen write was

WiJ> sterres whan jjat1 he his birjje took1

That1 he for loue schulde han his de]> alias 193

CORPUS 101 (6-T. 135)

SIX-TEXT 136 162 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS.

ffor in f e sterres clerer fan is f e glas

Is writen god wot / who so cowde it rede/

The def of* euery man wifouten drede 196

^F In sterres many a wynter f er biforn)

Was write f e deth of1 Ector Achilles [.Latin note, p. iss.]

Of1 Pompe lulius or f ei were born)

The stryf1 of1 Thebes and of hercules/ 200

Of1 Sampson Turnus and of' Socrates

The deth/ but mennes wittes ben so dulle

That1 no wight1 can wel rede it1 atte fulle 203

This Sowdon for his priuey counseil sente

And schortly of1 f is mater for to pace

he haf to hem declared his entente

And seide hem certein but1 if1 he might1 bane grace 207

To haue distance wif inne a litel space

he nas but1 ded and charged hem in hye

To schapen for his lyf1 som remedye 210

IF Diuerse men diuerse f inges seiden

The argumentes casten vp and doun

Many a sotil reson forf fey leyden

They speken of1 Magiq^e and abusion 214

But1 fynally as in conclusion

They can not" seen in fat1 non auantage

Ne in non ofer weye saf1 mariage 217

1T Than saugh fey f er in such difficulte By way of1 reson for to speke al playn By cause fat1 f er was such diuersite [leaf 77]

Bitwen here bofe lawes fat1 fei sayn 221

They trowe fat1 no cristne pn'nce wolcle fain Wedde his child vnder oure lawes so sweete That1 vs was taught1 by mahon oure prophete CORPUS 162 (6-T. 136)

SIX-TEXT 137 GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipllS MS. 163

1T And he answerde raf er fan I leese

distance I wol be cristned douteles

I mot1 ben hires I may non of er cheese

I pray $ow holdef ^our argumentz in pees 228

Sauef my lif1 and bef nought Eecheles

To geten hire fat1 haf my lif1 in cure

ffor in this woo I may not* longe endure 231

1F Whaf nedef grettere dilatacion

I seie by tretys and embassadrie/

And by f e popes mediacion

And alle fe chirche and alle f e chiualrie 235

That1 in distraction of1 mawmattrie

And in encres of1 cristes lawe deere

They ben accorded so as $e schal heere/ 238

IT how fat1 f e Sowdan and his Baronage

And alle his lieges schold y-cristened be/

And he schal han Custance in mariage

And certein gold y not1 what1 qwantite 242

And herto founden sumceant1 seurte

This same accord was sworn in either syde

Now faire Custance almighty god f e gyde 245

Now wolde sommen waiten as I gesse/

That1 1 schulde tellen al f e pi^rueance

That1 f e Emperour of1 his noblesse

hath schapen for his doughter dame Custance 249

"Wei may men knowe fat1 so gret1 ordinance

May noman tellen in a litel clause

As was arrayed for so heigh a cause 252

1T Bisschoppes ben schapen wif hire for to wende

lordes ladies knightes oFrenouw

And of er folk1 ynowe f is is f e ende

And notified is f urgfr out1 f e toun [leaf 77, back]

CORPUS 163 (6-T. 137)

SIX-TEXT 138 164 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. COIpUS MS.

That euery wight1 wif gret1 deuocion

Scholde preye crist1 fat1 he f is manage

Resceyue in gree. and speede f is viage 259

IT The day is come of1 hir departyng1

I sey J>e woful lady1 fatal is come P«>]

That1 f er may be no lenger tarying1

But1 forfward fey hem dressen alle & some 263

distance fat1 with sorw is al ouercome

fful pale arist1 and dressef hire to wende

ffor wel sche seeth fer is non ofer ende 266

Alias what1 wonder is it1 fough sche wepte

That1 schal be sent1 to strange nacion

ffro freendes fat1 so tendrely hire kepte

And to be bounden vnder subiection 270

Of1 oon sche knoweth not1 his condicioii

housbondes ben alle goode and han ben yore

That1 knowen wyfes I dar say 3011 namore 273

IT ffader sche sayde f i wrecchede child Custaunce

Thy yonge doughter fostred vp so softe

And ye my mooder my souereigne plesance

Oner alle f ing1 out1 taken crist1 a lofte 277

Custance youre child hir recomandef ofte

vnto your grace for I schal to Surrie

Ne schal I neuer seen ^ou more with ye 280

Alias vnto f e Barbaric nacion I moste anon sif f en it1 is your wille But1 crist1 fat starf1 for oure Redempcion So yeue me grace his hestes to fulfille 284

I wrecche womman no fors f ough I spille Wommen are born to thraldom and penance And to ben vnder mannes gouernance 287

CORPUS 164 (G-T. iss)

SIX-TEXT 139 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS. 165

IF I trowe at1 Troye whan Purrus brat be walle

Or ylion fat1 brende Thebes Jjat1 Citee

Not1 Eome for the harme thurgll hanybal

That1 Eomayns hab venquissed tymes jjre 291

Nas herde such tendre weepyng1 for pite [leaf ?s]

As in J?e Chambre for hire departyng1

But1 forb sche moot1 wher so sche weepe or syng* 294

[Latin note, p. 133.]

IF 0 ferste moeuyng1 cruel firmament1

Wib by diuinal sweigll that1 crowdest1 ay

And hurlest1 alle fro Est1 to Occident1

That1 naturelly wolde holde anober way 298

Thy crowdyng1 sett1 be heuen in such array

Atte bygynnyng1 of1 bis fiers viage

That1 cruel mars hab slain bis mariage 301

IT Infortunat1 ascendent1 tortuous

Of1 which be lord is helples falle alias

Out1 of1 his angle in to be derkest1 hous

0. mars .0. ata3ir as in bis cas 305

0 fieble moone vnhappy been by paas

Thou knettest1 be ber bou nart1 nought1 receyued

There bou were wel fro bens now art1 bou weyued 308

IF Imprudent1 Emperour of1 Rome alias

Was ber no Philosophre in al bi toun

Is no tyme bet1 ban ober in such caas

Of1 viage is ber non election 312

Namly to folk1 of1 heigh condicion

Nat1 whan a roote is of1 a burthe y-knowe

Alias 36 ben to lewed or to slowe 315

IF The schip is brought1 bis woful faire mayde

Solempnely wib euery circumstance

Now Ihmi crist1 be with ^ou alle sche sayde

Ther nys Domore but1 far wel faire distance 319

CORPUS 165 (6-T. 130)

SIX-TEXT 14C

166 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Sche peynef hire to make good contynance

And for]? I lete hire saile in J)is manere

And torne I wille again to my matiere 322

The mooder of1 fe Sowdon welle of1 vices

Espied haj? hir sones pleyne entent

how he wol lete his olde Sacrifices

And right1 anon sche for hire counseil sent* 326

And fei ben come to knowe what1 sche ment1

And whan assembled was fis folk1 in feere [leaf 78, back]

Sche sette hire doun and seide as ye schal heere 329

IF lordes quoj> sche 30 knowen euerych on

how fat1 my sone in poynt1 is for to lete

The holy lawes of1 oure alkaron

yeuen by goddes messager Makomete 333

But1 oon avow to grete god I hete

The lyf1 schal rather out of1 my body sterte

Or makometis lawe out of1 myn herte 336

What1 scholde vs tyden of1 fis newe lawe

But1 jjraldam to oure bodyes and penance

And afterward in helle to ben drawe

ffor we reneyed mahon oure creance 340

But1 lordes wol ye maken assurance

As I schal sein assentyng1 to my lore

And I schal make vs sauf1 for eueremore 343

IF They sworen and assenten euery man

To lyue with hire and dye and by hire stonde

And euerich in J?e beste wise he can

To strengfen hire schal alle his frendes foride 347

And sche haj> Jris emprise take on honde

Which 36 schal here fat1 1 schal deuyse

And to hem alle sche spak1 in Jjis wise 350

CORPUS 166 (6-T. 140J

SIX-TEXT 141 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS. 167

11 We schulle ferst1 feyne vs cristendom to take/

Cold water schal not1 greue vs but1 a lite

And I schal swich a reuel and feste maken

That1 as I trowe I schal J>e soudon quite 354

ffor Jjough his wijf1 be cristened neuer so white

Sche schal haue neede to waissche a-way J?e reede

Though sche a ffonte ful of1 water wij? hire leede/ 357

IT 0 soudanesse roote of1 Iniquite

Virago Jjou Semyram ]>e secounde

0. serpent1 vnder femeninete

lik1 to Jje serpent1 deepe in helle y-bounde 361

0 feyned woraman al jjaf may confounde

Vertu and Innocence Jjorgh J?y malice

Is bredd in J?e as nest1 of euery vice peaf 79]

1F 0 Sathan envious syn Jrilke day

That1 Jwu were chased fro oure heritage

Wei knewestow to wommen J>e olde way

Thow madest1 Eua to bringen in seruage 368

Thow wilt1 fordon cristene manage

Thin Instrument1 so weylowey J?e while

Makest1 pou of1 wommen whan J?ou wilt1 begile 371

H This Sowdanesse whom I Jjus blame and warie

leet1 priuely hire counseil gon here way

What1 schulde I in ]?is tale lenger tarye

Sche rideth to J>e Sowdan on a day 375

And seide him Jjat1 sche wolde reneye hir lay

And cristendom of1 prestes handes fonge

Repentynge sche he])ene was so longe 378

IT Besekyng1 him to doon hire Jmt1 honour

That1 sche most1 han ]>e cristne folk1 to feste

To plesen hem I wol do my labour

The Sowdan seith I wil don at1 your heste . 382

CORPUS 167 (6-T. 141)

SIX-TEXT 142 1 68 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And knelyng1 fanketh hire of1 Jmt1 requeste

So glad he was he nyste what1 to seye

Sche kiste Mr sone and horn sche go]) hir weye 385

[PART II.}

1T Arryued heen ]?ise cristene folk1 to londe

In Surrie with a gret1 solempne route

And hastiliche J)is sowdan sent1 his sonde

ffirst1 to his mooder and alle ])e regne aboute 389

And saide his wijf1 was come out1 of1 doute

And preyde hir for to ryde agein J>e queene

The honour of1 his regne to susteene 392

IT Gret1 was jje prees and riche was Jjarray

Of1 Surriens and Eamains met1 y feere

The mooder of1 pe Soudan riche and gay

Receyued hire with also glad a cheere 396

As any mooder might1 hir doughter deere

And to pe nexte Citee fer bisyde

A softe paas solempnely ]>ei ryde 399

IF Naught1 trowe I ])e tryumphe of1 lulius [leaf 79, back]

Of1 which fat1 lukan make]? such a bost1

Was riallere ne more curious

Than was thassemble of1 fis blisful oost1 403

But1 J)is scorpion this wikkede goost1

The Sowdanesse for alle hir flateringe

Caste vnder fis ful mortally to stynge 406

1T The Sowdan comejj himself1 sone after J>is So really that1 wonder is to telle he welcome]) hire with alle ioye and blis And ])us in merthe and Ioye I lete hem dwelle 410

CORPUS 168 (6-T. 142)

SIX-TEXT "14:3 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS. 169

The fruyt1 of ]>is matiere J>af 1 telle

Whan tyme come men fought1 it for fe best1

That1 Eeuel stynte and men gon to here Rest1 413

H The tyme com fis olde Sowdanesse

Ordeyned haj> J>is feeste. of* which I tolde

And to J>e feste cristene folk1 hem dresse

In general bofe ^onge and olde 417

here may men feste and rialte biholde

And deyntees mo fan I can 3011 denyse

But1 all to deere fei bought1 it1 ar fey ryse 420

IT 0 sodein woo fat1 euer art1 Successour [.Latin note, p. 133.]

To worldly blysse spreynd is with bitternesse

The ende of1 f e ioye of1 oure worldly laboure

"Wo occupieth fe fyn of1 oure gladnesse 424

herk1 fis counseille for f i sikernesse

vpon fi glade day haue in thy mynde

The vnwar wo or harm fat1 comth behynde 427

ffor schortly for to tellen at1 oo word

The Sowdan and f e cristene euerychone

Ben al to-hewe and stiked atte bord

But1 it1 were oonly dame Custance allone 431

This olde Sowdanesse cursede crone

haf with hire freendes doon f is cursede dede

ffor sche hir self1 wolde alle f e centre lede 434

IF Ne ])er nas Surrian non Jjat1 was conuerted That1 of1 ]?e counseil of1 j?e Sowdan wot1 [leaf so]

That1 he nas al to-hewe or he asterted And circumstance han J?ei take anon foot1 hoof 438

And in a Schippe al steereles god woot Thay han hire sette and bidden hire lerne sayle Out1 of1 Surrie agaynward to ytaile 441

CORPUS 169 (6-T. 143)

SIX-TEXT 144

170 GROUP B. §2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IT A certein tresour pat1 sche pider ladde

And sop to sain vitaile gret1 plente

They han hire yeuen and elopes eek1 sche hadde

And for]? sche sailep in f>e Salte see 445

O my distance ful of1 "benignite

O emperoures yonge doughter deere

he pat1 is lord ouer fortune be py steere 448

1F Sche blissep & with ful pitous vois

vnto pe croys of1 crist1 pus seyde sche

0 cler o welful auter holy croys

Eede of1 pi lambes blood ful of1 pite 452

That1 wisshe pe world fro pe olde iniquite

Me fro pe feend and fro his clawes keepe

That1 day pat1 1 schal drenchen in pe deepe 455

1T victorious tree proteccion of1 trewe

That1 oonly worpi were for to bere

The king1 of1 heuene with his woundes newe

The white lambe pat1 hurt1 was with a spere 459

ffleemer of feendes out1 of1 him and here

On whych pi lymes feithfully entenden

Me keepe and yef1 me might1 my lijf1 tameiiden 462

IF yeeres and dayes fleet1 pis creature Thurgh out1 pe see of1 grece vnto pe strayte Of1 Marrok1 as it1 was hire auenture

0 many a sory meel now may sche bayte 466 After hire dep fulofte may sche wayte

Or pat1 pe wilde wawes wil hir dryue

vnto pe place per sche schal arryue 469

11 Men mighten [aske] whi sche lias nat1 slayn Eke atte feste who might1 hir body saue

1 answere to pat1 demande agayn Deaf so, back] he saued daniel in pe horrible caue 473

CORPUS 170 (6-T. 144)

SIX-TEXT 145 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS. 171

Ther euery wight1 saue he maister or knaue

"Was wif f e leon frete or asterte

!N~o wight1 "but1 god fat1 he bar in his herte 476

H God list1 to schewe his wonderful myracle

In hire . for sche scholde seen his mighty werkes

Crist' which fat1 is to euery harm triacle

By certein menes oft1 as knowen clerkes 480

Dof f ing1 for certein ende fat1 ful derk1 is

To inannes wit1 fat1 for oure ignorance

Ne konne nought1 knowe his prudent1 pwrueance 483

1F Now si]) sche was not1 atte feste y-slawe

Who kept1 hir fro f e drenching1 in f e see

Who kepte lonas in f e fisshes mawe

Til he was spouted vp at1 Nyniue 487

Wei may men knowe it1 was no wight1 but1 he

That1 kepte pepul ebraik1 from here drenchyng1

With drye feet1 furgh out1 fe see passyng1 490

IF Who bad f e foure spiritz of1 tempest1

That1 power han bof e to annoyen lond and see

Bof e north and south and also west1 and est1

AnoyeJ) neyf er see ne lond ne tree 494

Sofly fe comandour of1 fat was he

That1 fro fe tempest1 ay f is womman kepte

As wel whan sche wook1 as whan sche slepte 497

IT Wher might1 fis womman mete and drynke haue

Three ^eer and moore how lastef hire vitaille

Who fedde fe Egipcien marie in the Caue

Or in desert1 no wight1 but crist1 sanz faille 501

v. fousand folk1 it was a gret meruaille

With loues fyue and fisshes tuo to feede

God sent1 his foyson at1 hire grete neede 504

13 CORPUS 171 (6-T. 145)

SIX-TEXT 146

172 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IF Sche driuef forf in to cure Occean

f urghout1 oTire wilde see til atte last1

vnder an hold fat1 nempnen I ne can

if or in Xorthumburland fe wawe hir cast1 [leaf si]

And in f e sond hir schippe stiked so fast1

That1 f ennes wold it1 nought1 of1 alle a tyde

The wille of1 crisf was fat1 sche scholde abyde 511

IF The Constable of1 f e castelle doun is fare

To seen f is wrak1 and alle f e schippe he sought1

And fond f is wery womraan ful of1 care

he fond also fe tresow fat1 sche brought1 515

In hire langage mercy sche bisought1

The lyf1 out1 of1 hir body for to twynne

hire to deliuere of1 wo fat1 sche was Inne 518

IF A maner latyn corupt1 was hire speche

But1 algates f er by was sche vnderstonde

The constable whan him list1 no lengere sische

This woful womman brought1 he to f e londe 522

Sche kneeleth doun and f ankef goddes sonde

But1 what1 sche was sche wolde no man seye

if or foul ne fair fough fat1 sche scholde deye 525

1F Sche seyde sche was so mased in f e see/

That1 sche foryat1 hire mynde by hire trouf e

The constable of1 hire haf so -grefr pite

And eek1 his wyf1 fat1 fei weepen for rouf e 529

Sche was so diligent1 wif outen slouf e

To serue and plese eumch in fat1 place

That1 alle hire louen fat1 loken on hire face 532

IF The constable and dame hermengheld his wif1

"Were payens and fat1 contray euery where

But1 hermyngeld loued hir right1 as hire lijf1

And Custance haf so longe soiorned fere 536

CORPUS 172 (6-T. 146)

SIX-TEXT 147 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS. 173

In orisons wif many a bitter teere

Til IhesM haj? conuerted f urgh. his grace

Dame hermyngeld constablesse of1 J)ilke place 539

IT In alle fat1 land durste no cristene route

Alle cristene folk1 ben fled from fat1 centre

Thurgh payens fat1 conquereden heer aboute

The plages of1 fe north by land & see 543

To wales fledde f e cmtianite/ Oaf 1 1, back]

Of* olde britons dwellyng in f is Isle/

There was hire refut1 / for fe meene while 546

IT But1 yit1 nas neuer cristene britons so exiled

That1 f er nas somme in here prmyte

honourede crist/ and hethen folk1 bygiled

And neygh f e castelle swich f er dwelden jjre 550

That1 oon of* hem was blynd and might1 not1 se

But1 it1 were wif Jnlk1 eyen of1 his mynde

With whiche men seen after fat1 J>ai ben blynde 553

IT Bright1 was J>e sonne as in fat1 Someres day

ffor which fe Constable and his wyf1 also

And Custance han y-take f e righte way

Toward fe see a forlong1 weye or two 557

To pleyen and to Romen to and fro

And in here walk1 f re blynde men fey xnette

Crokede and olde with fast1 eyen y-schette 560

1T In the name of1 crist1 criede f is blynde breton

dame hermyngild! yeue me sight1 agayn

This lady wax affray ed of1 f e soun

lyst1 fat1 hir housbond schortly for to sein 564

Wolde hire for ihesu cristes loue haue slain

Til Custance made hire bold and made hire werche

The wille of1 crist1 as doughter of1 his cherch 567

CORPUS 173 (6-T. 147)

SIX-TEXT 148 174 GKOUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS.

IT The Constable wax abaisshed of1 fat sight1

And sayde what1 amountef al f is fare

Custance answerde sire it1 is cristes might1

That1 helpef folk1 out1 of1 fe feendes snare 571

And so ferforth sche gan oure lay declare

That1 sche f e Constable or fat1 it1 was eue

Conuertef and on cryst1 made him bileeue 574

f This Constable was nof ing1 lord of1 f is place

Of1 which I speke fere he Custance fond

But1 kepte it1 strongly many a wynter space

vnder .alia, kyng1 of1 all Northumberlond 578

fat1 was ful wys and worf y of1 his hond

Agayn fe Scottes as men may wel heere [leaf 82]

But1 tome I wil again to my mateere / 581

11 Sathan fat1 euer vs wayteth to begile

Saugh of1 Custance al hire perfection

And cast1 anon how he might1 quite her while

And made a yong1 knight1 fat1 dwelte in f e toun 585

loue hire so hoot1 of1 fowl affection

That1 verraily him fought1 he schulde spill

But1 he of1 hire might1 ones haue his wille 588

^T he woweth hire but it1 auailef nought1

Sche wolde do no synne by no weye

And for dispit1 he compassed in his fought1

To make hir -on schameful def to deye 592

he waytef whan f e Constable was aweye

And priuyly vpon a night1 he crept1

In hermyngildes chambre whil sche slept1 595

IT Wery for-waked in his orisons

Slepeth distance and hermercghild also

This knight1 furgn" Sathanas temptacions

Al softely is to fe bedde I-go 599

CORPUS 174 (6-T. 148)

SIX-TEXT 149 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALK CoipllS MS. 175

And kutte f e f rote of1 hermengild a tuo

And leyde f e blody knyf by dame Custance

And wente his wey f er god yeue him meschance 602

H Sone after comth fis constable horn a gayn

And eek1 Alia fat1 king1 was of1 fat1 lond

And saugh his wyf1 dispitousliche slain

ffor which ful ofte he wepte and wrong1 his hond 606

And in f e bed f e bloody knyf1 he fond

By dame Custance alias what1 might1 sche seye

ifo verray woo hir witte was alle aweye 609

11 To king1 Alia was told al fis meschance

And eek1 f e tyme and wher and in what1 wise

That1 in a schip was founde fis Custance

As heer biforn 36 han herd eer deuise 613

The kinges herte of1 pite gan agrise

Whan he seih so benigne a creature

ffalle in disese and in mysauenture [leaf 82, back]

11 ffor as f e lomb toward his deth is brought1

So stant1 fis Innocent1 bifore f e king1

This false knight1 fat1 haj> fis trayson wrought1

Beref hire an hand fat1 sche haf do fis f ing1 620

But1 naf eles f er was gret1 mornyng1

Among1 f e poeple and seye fay can not1 gesse

That1 sche hadde don so gret1 a wickednesse 623

IT ffor fey han sein hir euer so vertuous

And louyng1 hermynghild right1 as hire lif1

Of1 fis bar witnesse euerich in fat1 hous

Sauf1 he fat1 hermegild slough wif his knif1 627

This gentil king1 haf caught1 a gret1 motyf1

Of1 fis witnesse and fought1 he wolde enquere

Deppere in fis cas a trouthe for to lere 630

CORPUS 175 (6-T. 149)

SIX-TEXT 150 176 GKOUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS.

1F Alias distance f ou nast1 no champion

Ne fighte canst1 f ou nought1 so weyloway

But1 he fat1 for oure redempcion

And bond Sathan and lith yet1 fer he lay C34

So he f y stronge champion f is day

ffor hut1 vpon f e miracle kithe

Wif outen gilt1 f ou schalt1 hen slayn as swithe 637

IT Sche sitte hir doun on knees and ]>us sche sayde

Immortal god fat1 sauedest1 Susanne

ffro false hlame and f ou merciful mayde

Marie I mene doughter to seint1 Anne 641

Biforn whos child aungelis synge Osanne

If1 1 he gilteles of1 f is felonie

My socour he for elles schalt1 1 dye 644

IT haue ye not1 sein som tyme a pale face/

.Among1 a prees of1 him fat1 haf be lad

Toward his deth wher as him get1 no grace/

And swich a colour in his face haf had 648

Men mighte knowe his face fat1 was hystad

Amonges alle f e faces in fat1 route

So stant1 Custance and loketh hire aboute 651

IF 0 queenes lyuynge in prosperite [leaf 83]

Duchesses and 36 ladies euerichone

haue som routhe on hir aduersite

An emperoures doughter stant1 allone 655

Sche haf no wight1 to whom to make hir moone

0 blood real fat1 stondest1 in f is drede/

ifer been fi freendes at1 fy grete neede 658

11 This alia king1 haf such compassion

As gentil herte is fulfild of1 pite

That1 from his eyhen ran f e water don

Now hastilich do fecche a book1 quod, he 662

COllPUS 176 (6-T. 150)

SIX-TEXT 151 GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS, 177

And if1 J)is knight1 wol swere how J>at sche

This workman slough ^it1 wol we vs auyse /

Whom fat1 we wolde fat1 schal be oure lustise 665

^l A britofi book1 y-writen with eucrangiles

"Was fette and on fis book1 he swor anon

Sche giltif1 was in fe mene whiles

An hand him smot1 vpon fe nekke bon 669

That1 doun he felle at ones as a stoon

And bofe his eyen brust1 out1 of1 his face/

Tn sight1 of1 euery body in fat1 place 672

1F A vois was herd in general audience

And seyde j>ou hast1 disclandred gilteles

The doughter of1 holy chirche in heigh presence

Thus hast1 f ou doon and ^et1 1 moot1 holde my pees 676

Of1 f is merueyle agast1 was alle f e prees

As m[a]zed folk1 f ei stooden euerychone

ffor drede of1 wreche saue Custance allone 679

Gret1 was ]?e drede and eek1 ]?e repentance

Of1 hem fat1 hadden wrong suspecion

vpon J)is seely Innocent1 Custance

And for J)is miracle in conclusion 683

And by Custance mediacion

The king1 and many anojjer in J?at place

Conuerted was Ranked be goddes grace 686

IF This false knight1 was slain for his vntrouthe

By luggement1 of1, alia, hastily [leaf as, back]

And yet1 Custance haj? of1 his deth gret1 roupe

And after ])is ihesus1 of1 his mercy [! MS ih#]

Made Alia wedden ful solempnely

This holy mayden fat1 is so bright1 and scheene

And Jms haj) Crist1 made Custance a queene 693

CORPUS 177 (6-T. 151)

SIX-TEXT 152 178 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS

11 But1 who was woful if1 1 schul nat1 lye

Of1 fis wedding1 but1 Donegilde and nomo

The kinges mooder ful of1 tyrannye

hir fought1 hir cursed herte barst/ a two 697

Sche wolde nought* hir sone hadde don so

hir fought1 a despit1 fat1 he schulde take

So strange a creature vnto his make 700

IF Me list1 no^t1 of1 f e chaf1 ne of1 f e stre

Make so long1 a tale as of1 f e corn

What1 schulde I tellen of1 f e realte

Of1 mariage or which cours gof biforn 704

Who blowef in a trompe or in an horn

The fruyf of euery tale is for to seie/

Thei ete and drynke and daunce and synge and pleye 707

They gon to bedde as it was skile and right1

ffor f ough fat1 wyfes ben ful holy finges

They moste take a pacience a night1

Such manere necessaries as ben plesynges 711

To folk1 fat1 ban y-wedded hem wif rynges

And leye a litel here holynesse asyde

As for fe time it1 may non ofer betyde 714

1T On hire he gat1 a knaue child anon

And to a bisshope and his counseil eeke

he took1 his wijf1 to kepe whan he is goon

To Scotland ward his fomen for to seeke 718

Now faire Custance fat1 is so humble and meeke

So longe is gon wif childe til fat1 stille

Sche halt1 hir chambre abydyng1 at1 cristes wille 721

¥ The tyme is come a knaue child ache beer

Mauricius atte font1 ston f ei him calle

This Constable dof forf come a messagere [leaf 84]

And wrot1 to his king1 fat1 cleped was alle. 725

COKPUS 178 (6-T. 152)

SIX-TEXT 153

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS. 179

how Jjat1 j?is "blisful tyding1 is bifalle

And oj?er tydynges spedful for to seye

he take]? J?e lettre and forth he go]) his weye 728

IF This messager to don his auantage/

vnto J?e kinges moder ride]? swijje

And salueth hire ful faire in his langage

Ma dame quojj he ^e may be glad and blijje 732

And thanke god an hundred Jjousand sij>e

My lady queen ha]> child wifouten doute

To loye and blisse of* alle J>is regne aboute 735

IT lo here J?e lettres seled of1 J?is fing1

That1 1 mot1 here with al J>e haste I may

If* ye wole aught1 vnto your sone )>e king1

I am your seniant bo]?e night1 and day 739

Dongyld answerd as now at1 f is tyme nay

But* heer al nighf I wole ]?ou take ]ri rest1

Tomorwe wil I seie what1 me lest1 742

1F This messager drank1 sadly ale and wyn

And stolen weren his lettres priuyly

Out1 of1 his box whil he sleep as a swyn

And counterfeted was ful subtilly 746

Ano)>er le^re wrought1 ful synfully

vnto ]>e king1 direct1 of1 J>is matiere

ffro his Conestable as $e schal after heere 749

The lettre spak1 J?e queen deliuered was

Of1 so horrible a feendlich creature

That1 in J?e Castelle non so hardy was

That1 ony while dorste Jje/inne endure 753

The mooder was an elf1 by auenture

ycome by charmes or by sorcerie

And euery wight1 hatejj hire company o 756

CORPUS 179 (6-T. 153)

SIX-TEXT 154

180 GROUP B, § 2, MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.

"Wo was Jjis king1 whan he pis lethe hadde seyn

But1 to no wight1 he tolde his sorwes sore

But1 of1 his oughne hond he wrot ageyn

Welcome J?e sonde of1 crist1 for eueremore [leaf 84, back]

To me fat1 am now lerned in his lore

lord welcome be pi lust1 and pi plesance

My lust1 is put1 al in fin ordinance 763

IT kepeth pis child al be it1 foul or faire

And eek1 my wif1 vnto myn horn comyng1

Crist1 whan him list1 may sende me an haire

More agreable pan pis is to my liking1 767

This lettre he selep priuyly wepyng1

Which to pe messager was take sone

And forth he go]) per is nomore to doone 770

1T 0 messager fulfild of1 dronkenesse / {.Latin note, p. 133.]

Strong1 is pi brep pi lymes faltren ay

And pou biwreyest1 alle sikernesse /

Thy mynde is lorn pou iangelest1 as a lay 774

Thy face is torned in a newe aray

Ther dronkenesse regnep in ony route

Ther nys no counseil hid wipouten doute 777

11 0 donegild I haue non englissh digne

vnto ])j malice and jjy tyrannye

And ferfore to J)e feend I ]?e resigne /

lat1 him enditen of1 J>i traiterie / 781

ffy mannyssh fy o nay by god I lye

ffy feendlich spirit1 for I dar wel telle

Though pou here walke Jiy spirit1 is in helle / 784

1T This messager com]? fro J)e king1 agayn

And at1 J?e kinges moodres court1 he light1

And sche was of1 )>is messager ful fain

And plesed him in al pat1 euer sche might1 788

CORPUS 180 (6-T. 151)

SIX-TEXT 155 GEOUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS. 181

he drank1 and wel his gerdel vnderpighfr

he sleepef and he snortef l in his gyse c1 MS fn . . o

Al night1 til fe sonne gan arise 791

IF Eft1 were his lettres stolen euerich on And countrefeted letfaes in fis wise The king1 comandef his constable anon) vp peyne of1 hangyng1 on a heih luyse That1 he ne schulde suffre in no wise/ Custance in with his Eegne for tabide Thre dayes and a quarter of1 a tyde

795

[leaf 85]

798

IF But1 in fe same schip as he hire fond

hire and hire ^onge sone and alle hir gere

he schulde putte and croude fro f e londe

And charge hire fat1 sche neuer eft1 come fere 802

0 my Custance wel may }>i goost1 haue feere/

And sleping1 in J>i drem ben in penaunce/

Whan Donegild caste al fis ordinance 805

^T This messager on morwe whan he wook1

Vnto fe castel halt1 f e nexte way

And to f e Constable he fe le^re took1

And whan fat1 he fis pitous le^re say 809

fful ofte he seyde alias and weylaway

IF lord crist1 quod he how may fis lettre endure

So ful of1 synne is many a creature 812

IF 0 mighty god if1 fat1 it1 be f i wille Sith fou art1 rightful luge how may it1 be That1 fou wolf suffren Innocent/ to spille And wikke folk1 regnen in prosperite ^F 0 goode Custance alias so wo is me That1 I moot1 be f i tormentour or deye On schames def f er is non of er weye

CORPUS 181 (6-T. 155)

816

819

SIX-TEXT 156 182 GROUP B. § 2, MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS.

5T Wepen bof e ^onge and olde in al fat1 place

Whan fat1 f e king1 f is cursede lettr& sente

And Custance with a dedly pale face

The ferfe day toward hir schip sche wente 823

But1 naf eles sche take)) in good entente

The wille of1 crist1 and knelyng1 in f e stronde

Sche seyde lord ay welcome be fi sonde 826

he fat1 me kepte fro f e false blame

Whil I was on f e lond amonges yow /

he kan me kepe from harm) and eek1 fro schame

In salte see al f ough I se not1 how 830

As strong1 as euer he was he is right1 now /

In him trust1 1 and in his mooder deere Deaf 85, back]

That1 is to me my sail and eek1 my steere 833

hir litel child lay weepyng1 in hire arm)

And knelyng1 pitously to him sche seide

Pees litel sone I wol do f e non harm

Wif fat1 hir couerchef1 of1 hir heed sche breyde 837

And ouer his litel ey3en sche it leyde/

And in hir arm sche lulleth it ful faste /

And in to heuen) hir yhen vp sche caste 840

11 Moder qwod sche and mayde bright1 marie

Soth is fat1 Jmrgli wommannes eggement

Mankynde was lorn and dampned ay to deye

ffor which fi child was on a croys y-rent1 844

Thy blisful eighen saugh al his tormentf

Than is f er no comparison) bitweiie

Thy wo and any wo man may sustene 847

*f[ Thou saugh f i sone y-slayn biforn fin eyen

And ^it1 now lyuef my litel child par fay

"Now lady bright1 to whom alle woful cryen)

Thow glorie of1 wommanhod fou faire may 851

CORPUS 182 (6-T. 156)

SIX-TEXT 157 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS. 183

Thou hauen of1 reftif brighte sterre of1 day

Rewe on my child fat1 of1 ]?i gentilesse

Re west1 on euery rewful in distresse 854

IT 0 litel child alias what1 is ]?i gilt1

That1 neuer wroughtest1 synne as ^it1 par de

Why wil pin harde fader haue fe spilt1

0 mercy deere Conestable quod, sche 858

As lat1 my litel child dwelle heer witE. J)e

And if1 ]>ou darst1 nought1 sauen him for blame

So kisse him ones in his fadres name 861

f Ther with sche loke]> bakward to ]?e lond

And sayde farewel housbonde routheles

And vp sche rist1 and walketh doun Jje stronde

Toward J?e schip hir folwejj alle jje prees 865

And euer sche preiej? hir child to holde his pees

And take]? hire leeue and with an holy entent1

Sche blissej) hire and in to schip sche wente [leaf 86]

vitailled was J?e schip it1 is no drede

habundauntly for hire ful longe space

And o)>er necessaries Jjat1 scholden neede

Sche hadde ynough heried be goddes grace 872

ffor wynd and weder almighty god purchace

And brynge hir home I can no better sey

But1 in J?e see sche dryuej? for]> hir wey 875

[PART III.}

Alia Jje king1 com]? horn sone after ]>is /

vnto his castelle of1 }>e which I tolde

And axe]) wher his wyf1 and his child is

The Constable gan aboute his herte colde 879

CORPUS 183 (6-T. 157)

SIX-TEXT 158

184 GROUP B, § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And pleynly al f e maner he him tolde As ye han herd I can telle it* no bettre And scheweth fe king1 his seal and his lettre 882

And seyde lord as 36 comaunded me

vp peyne of1 deth so haue I don certein

This messager tormented was til he

Moste biknowen and tellen plat1 and plein 886

ffrom night1 to night1 in what1 place he hadde leyn

And f us by witt1 and subtil enqueryng1

ymagined was by whom fis harm gan spring1 889

IT The hond was knowe fat1 ])e lettiQ wrot1

And alle fe venym of1 fe cursed dede

But1 in what1 wise certeinly I not1

The effect1 is fis fat1 alia out1 of1 drede 893

his mooder slough fat1 many men pleynly reede

ffor fat1 sche traitour was to hire ligeance /

Thus endef olde Donegild wif meschance 896

The sorwe fat1 f is Alia night1 and day

Makef for his wyf1 and for his child

Ther is no tonge fat1 it1 telle may

But1 now wol I vnto Custance gi 900

That1 fleetef in f e see in peyne and wo

.v. yeer and more as likede cristes sonde

Ar fat1 hire schip approched vnto londe 903

IF Ynder an hef en castelle atte laste [leaf 86, back]

Of1 which f e name in my text1 nou^t1 1 fynde

Custance and eek1 hir childe f e see vp caste

Almighty god fat1 sauef al mankynde 907

haue on Custance and hir child som mynde

That1 fallen is in hethene hond eft1 sone

In poynt1 to spille as I schal telle yow soone 910

CORPUS 184 (6-T. 158)

SIX-TEXT 159

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS. 185

Doun fro pe Castelle com]) per many a wight1

To gawren on pis schip and on Custance

But* schortly fro pe castel on a night1

The lordes sty ward god yeue him meschance 914

A theef1 pat1 hadde renyed oure creance /

Com in to schip allone and seide he scholde

hir leraman be wher so sche wolde or nolde/ 917

1F "Wo was pis wrecchede womman po bigon

hir child cryede and sche cried pitously

But1 blisful marie halp hir right1 anoon

ffbr with hir strogelyn wel and mightily 921

The theef1 fel ouer bord al sodeinly

And in pe see he dreynte for vengance

And pus hap crist / vnwemmed kept1 Custance 924

0 foule lust1 of1 luxurie lo pin ende [.Latin note, p. 133.]

^sToughf / oonly pat1 pou fayntesf mannes mynde

But1 verreyly pou wolt1 his body schende

The ende of1 pi werk1 or of1 pi lustes blynde 928

Is compleynyng1 how many oon may men fynde

That1 nought1 for werk1 somtyme but1 for jjentent1

To don pis synne ben eyj>er slayn or schent1 931

1T how may pis weyke womman han J>e strengjje

hire to defende ageyn J?is renegat1

0. golyas vnmesurable of lengpe

how mighte Dauid make J>e so mat1 935

So yonge and of1 armure so desolat1

how dorst1 he loke vpon pi dredful face

Wel may men sen it1 was but1 goddes grace 938

Who yaf1 ludith corage or hardynesse

To slen him Olefernus in his tent1 [leaf 87]

And to delyueren out1 of1 wrecchednesse

The poeple of1 god. I sey for pis entent1 , . 942

CORPUS 185 (6-T. 159)

SIX-TEXT 160 186 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS.

fat1 right1 as god spirit1 and vigor sent1

To hem and saued hem out1 of meschance

So sent1 he might1 and vigor to distance 945

fforj? go]? hir schip for]> on J?e narwe mouth

Of1 lubaltar and Septe dryuyng1 ay

Somtyme west1 and som tyme north and soutn"

And som tyme est1 ful many a wery day 949

Til cristes mooder blissed be sche ay

ha]? schapen f urgh hir endeles goodnesse

To make an ende of1 alle hir heuynesse 952

11" JSTow lat1 vs stynte of1 Custance but a J?rowe

And speke we of1 J>e Eomeyn Emperour

That1 out1 of1 Surrie ha]? fe letties knowe

The slaughtere of1 cristene folk1 and deshono&r 956

Don to his doughter by a fals tray tour

T meiie J>e cursede wickede Sowdonesse

That1 at1 J?e feste let1 slen bo]>e more and lesse 959

IT ffor which f is Emperowr haj> sent1 anon)

his senatour wif real ordinance

And ofer lordes god wot1 many on

On Surriens to taken his vengance 963

They brennen sleen and bringen hem to meschance

fful many a day but1 schortly J)is is fende

homward to Eome ])ei schapen hem to wende 966

This Senatour repaireth with victorie

To Eomeward saylinge really

And mette fe schip dryuyng1 as seij? J>e storie

In which Custance sitte ful pitously 970

No fing1 ne knew he what1 sche was ne why

Sche was in swich aray ne sche nyl seye

Of1 hire astate jjough sche scholde deye 973

CORPUS 186 (6-T. 160)

SIX-TEXT 161 GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS. 187

he bringep hire to Borne and to his wijf1

he yaf1 hire and hire 3onge sone also

And wip pe Senatour sche ladde hir lyf* [leaf 87, back]

Thus kan oure lady bringen out of1 woo 977

Woful Custance and many anoper mo

And long1 tyme dwelled sche in fat4 place

In holy werkes euere as was hir grace 980

IF The Senatoures wijf hir aunte was

ButH for al pat1 sche knew hir neuer ])e more

I wil no lenger tarien in pis caas

But1 to king1 Alia which I spak1 of* yore 984

That1 for his wyf wepej) and sikep sore /

I wol retorne and lete I wil Custance

vnder pe Cenatoures gouernance / 987

IF kyng1 Alia which pat1 hadde his moder slayn

vpon a day fil in such repentance

That1 i:0 I schortly tellen schal and playn

To Rome he comep to receyuen his penance 991

And put1 him in pe popes ordinance

In heigh and low and Ihesu crist1 besoughte

fforyeue his wikkede werkes pat1 he wroughte 994

IF The fame ano purgh Rome toun is born

how Alia king1 schal comen in pilgrinage

By herberiours pat1 wenten him biforn

ffor which pe Senatour as was vsage 998

Rood him agayn and many of his lynage

As wel to schewen his hie magnificence

As to don any king1 a reuerence 1001

IF Gret1 cheere doth pis noble Senatour To king1 Alia and he to him also Euerich of1 hem dop oper gret1 honour And so bifille pat1 in a day or tuo 1005

14 CORPUS 187 (6-T. 161)

SIX-TEXT 162 1 88 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS,

This Senatour is to king1 alia go

To feeste and schortly if1 1 sclial not1 lye

distance sone is in his companye / 1008

1F Som men wolde seyn atte requeste of1 distance

This Senatour haf lad f is child to feste

I may not1 tellen euerich circumstance /

Be as be may fer was he atte leste Peaf88]

But1 so]? is f is fat1 at his moodres heste

Byforn Alia duryng1 f e metes space

The child stood loking1 in fe kinges face 1015

This alia king1 haf of1 f e child gret1 wonder

And to f e Senatour he sayde anon

Whos is fat1 faire child fat1 stondef yonder

I not1 quod, he by god and by seint1 lohn 1019

A mooder he haf but1 fader ha]? he non

That1 1 of1 woot1 and schortly in a stounde /

he tolde alia how fat J?is child was founde 1022

IT But god wot1 quod, f is Senatour also

So vertuous a lyuere in my lyf1

Ne saugh I neuer as sche ne herde of1 mo

00 worldly woramen mayde ne of1 wijf1 1026

1 dar wel sayn sche hadde leuer a knyf1 Thurghout1 hire brest1 fan ben a womman wikke

Ther is noman kowde bringe hire to fat1 prikke 1029

Now was f is child as lik1 vnto Custance / As possible as is a creature to be This alia haf f e face in remembrance Of dame Custance and fer on mused he 1033

If1 fat1 f e childes rnoder were aught1 sche / That1 is his wyf1 and priuily he sighte And spedde him fro fe table fat1 he mighte 1036

CORPUS 188 (6-T. 162)

SIX-TEXT 163

GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS. 189

IT Par fay he fought1 f e fantome is in myn hed

I oughte demen of1 skilful luggemerct

That1 in f e salte see my wyf1 is deed

And aftirward he made his argument 1040

What1 wot1 I if fat1 crist1 haj? hider sent1

My wyf1 by see as wel as he hir sente

To my contre fro fennes fat1 sche wente 1043

IF And after non horn with f e Senatour

Gof alia for to seen f is wonder chaunce

This Senatour dof alia gret1 honour

And hastily he sente after Custance 1047

But1 trustef wel hire luste nought1 to daunce peaf ss, back]

Whan fat1 sche wiste wherfore was fat1 sonde

Vimef e vppon hire feet1 sche mighte stonde / 1050

1F Whan alia saugh his wyf1 faire he hire grette /

And wepte fat1 it was reuf e for to se

ffor atte ferste look1 he on hire sette /

he knew wel verrely fat1 it was sche / 1054

and for sorwe as domb stant1 as a tre

So was hir herte schet1 in hire distresse

Whan sche remembred his vnkyndenesse / 1057

IT Twies sche swownef in his owne sight1

he wepte and him excuseth pitously

Now god quod he and his halwes bright*

So wisly on my saule as haue mercy 1061

That1 of1 youre harm) as gilteles am I

As is Maurice my sone so lik1 }oure face

Elles the feende me fecche out1 of1 fis place / 1064

IT longe was f e sobbyng1 and f e bittre peyne /

Or fat1 here wofulle hertes mighte cesse /

Gret1 was f e pite for to heere hem pleyne /

furgh whiche pleyntes gan hire wo encresse / 1068

CORPUS 189 (6-T. 163)

SIX-TEXT 164 190 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS.

I pray 3011 alle my labour to relesse

I may not1 tellen hir wo vntil to morwe

I am so wery for to speke of1 hire sorwe 1071

IF But finally whan pat1 J?e sope is wist1

That1 Alia gilteles was of1 hire woo /

I trowe an hundred tymes ben pei kiste

And such a blisse is per betwixe hem tuo 1075

That1 saue pe ioye fat1 lasteth eueremo

Ther is non lit pat1 ony creature

hap seyn or schal whil pe world may dure 1078

H Tho preyed sche hire housbonde mekely

In relief1 of* hir longe pitous pyne

That1 he wolde preye hire fader specially

That1 of1 his mageste he wolde enclyne 1082

To fouche sauf1 som day with him to dyne

Sche preyde him eek1 he scholde by no weye [leaf 89]

vnto hir fader no word of hire seye 1085

1T Some men wolde sein how fat1 pe child Maurice

Do]) pis message vntil pis Emperour

But1 as I gesse Alia was nought1 so nyce

To him pat1 was of1 so souereigne honour 1089

As he pat is of1 cristene folk1 pe flour

Sent1 eny child but it is bet1 to deme

he went1 himself* and so it may wel seme 1092

IT This Emperour hath graunted gentily To come to dyner as he him bysought1 And wel redy he lokede bisily

vpon pis child and on his doughter fought1 1096

Alia go]? to his In and as him ought1 Arrayed for pis feste in euery wise

As ferforth as his konnyng1 may suffise 1099

CORPUS 190 (6-T. 164)

SIX-TEXT 165 GROUP B. § 2, MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS. 191

II The morwe com and alia gan him dresse And eek1 his wyf1 f is Empe?*our to meete And for]) fey ryde in ioye and in gladnesse / And whan sche seigh hir fader in f e strete Sche light1 a doun and fallef him to feet ffader quod sche youre ^onge child distance Is now ful clene out1 of1 ^oure remembrance

IF I am ^oure dough ter Custance qiwd. sche

That whilom ye sent vnto Surrye

I am I fader fat1 in f e salte see

"Was putte allone and dampned for to dye

Now goode fader mercy to you I crye

Send me nomore vnto non hethenesse

But1 f onk1 my lord heer of1 his kyndenesse

1103

1106

1110

1113

IT Who can f e pitous Ioye tellen al

Bitwexe hem f re syn fey hen f us y-mette

But1 of1 my tale make an ende I schal

The day gof faste I wol no lenger lette 1117

This glad folk1 to dyner fey hem sette

In ioye and blisse at1 mete I lete hem dwelle

A f ousand fold wel more fan I can telle / [leaf 89, back]

This child maurice was sitthen Emperour

Made by f e pope and lyuede cristenely

To cristes chirche he dede gret honoz^r

But1 1 letete ! alle his story passen by [i*0] 1124

Of1 Custance is my tale specially

In olde Eomeyn gestes men may fynde [Latin note, P. m.j

Maurices lyf1 1 bere it nought1 in mynde 1127

1T This king1 Alia, whan he his tyme say With his Custance his holy wif so sweete To Engelond f ei come f e redy way

Wher as fay lyue in ioye and in quiete 1131

CORPUS i9i (G-T. 165)

SIX-TEXT 166 192 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS.

But1 litel while it lastep I $ou heete

loye of1 pis world for tyme wil nou^t1 abyde

ffro day to nyght1 it1 chaungep as pe tyde 1134

IF Who lyued euere in such delyf a day [Za#ii note, p. iss.]

That1 ne meued eyper conscience /

Or Ire or talent1 of1 som kyn affray

Enuye or pride or passion or offense / 1138

I ne say but1 for pis ende pis sentence

That1 litel while in loye or in plesance

lastep pe blisse of1 alia wip Custance / 1141

ifor dep pat1 take]) of* heigh and lough his rent

Whan passed was a yeer euene as I gesse

Out1 of1 pis world pis king1 Alia he hent

ffor whom Custance hap ful gret1 heuynesse / 1 1 45

"Now lat1 vs prayen god his soule blesse /

And dame Custance finally to seye

Toward pe toun of1 Eonie go]) hire weye 1148

To Eome is come pis holy creature

And fyndep hire freendes hoi and sounde

Now is sche scaped alle hire auenture

And whan sche hir fader hap I-founde 1152

Doun on hir knees falleth sche to grounde

Wepynge for tendirnesse in herte blipe

Sche heriep god an C. pousand sithe 1155

In vertue and holy almesdede /

They lyuen alle and neuer asonder wende

Til deth departe hem pis lif1 pey lede

And farep now wel my tale is at1 an ende 1159

Now ihesu crist1 pat1 of1 his might1 may sende

loye after wo gouerne vs in his grace

And kepe vs alle pat1 ben in pis place / Explicit1 1162

CORPUS 192 (6-T. 166)

SIX-TEXT 167 GROUP B. § 3. MAN OF LAW-SHIPMAN LI&K, CoipUS MS.

Owre oost1 vpon his stiropes stood anoon ion /<?«/ 905

And seyde goode men herkenej) euerych on This was a thrifty tale for £e nones

Sire parissche presf quod he for goddes boones 1 1 66

Telle vs a tale as was Jn forward yore I se wel pat1 ye lerned men in loore Can moche good by goddes dignete

The parson him answerde benedicite 1 170

What1 eylep J>e man so synfully to swere / Oure ost1 answerde . 0 lanekyn be ye fere I smelle a lollere in J?e wynd quod he how goode men quod cure host* herkenej? me 1174

Abyde]) for goddes digne passion ffor we schal han a predicacion This lollere heer wil prechen vs som what1 Nay by my fader soule fat1 schal he nat 1178

Seyde j?e Esquier heer schal he nafr preche He schal no gospel glosen here ne teche he leuej) all in Jje grete god he

he wolde so wen som difficulte 1182

Or springen Cokkel in oure clene corn And Jjerfore oost1 1 warne J?e biforn My loly body schal a tale telle

And I schal clynken $ou so mery a belle 1186

That* I schal waken al ]>is compaignie But1 it schal not1 ben of1 philosophic NQ Phislyas ne termes queinte of1 lawe Ther is but1 litel latyn in my nawe 1100

15 CORPUS 193 (6-T, 167)

SIX-TEXT 479

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

AT Sarray in fe land of1 Tartarye Ther dwelt1 a king* fat1 werreyed Russye Thurgh which f er deyed many a doughty man) This noble king1 was cleped kambynskan) 1 2 Which in his tyme was of* so gret renon That1 fer nas nowher in no region So excellent1 a lord in alle Jnng1

him lacked nought1 fat1 longed to a kyng1 1G

As of1 f e secte of1 which fat1 he was born he kepte his lay to which fat1 he was sworn And f erto he was hardy wys and riche And pitous and lust1 alwey y-liche 20

Sof of1 his word benigne and honorable Of1 his corage as eny centre stable cenfrrwm circuli

yong1 freissh and strong1 in armes desirous As eny bacheler of1 alle his hous 24

A fair persone he was and fortunaf And kepte alway so wel real astat1 That1 f er nas no wher swich anof er man This noble king1 this Tartre Kambynskan 23

hadde tuo sones in Eltheta his wyf1 Of1 which f e eldest1 highte Algarsyf1 That1 of er was y-cleped Camballo

A doughter hadde f is worf y king1 also 32

That1 yongest1 was and highte Canace But1 for to telle you al hire beaute It1 lyf nought1 in my tonge ne in my konnyng1 I dar not1 vndertake so heigh a f ing1 36

COKPUS 194 (6-T. 479)

SIX-TEXT 480

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Myn englissch" eek1 is insufficient

It1 moste ben a Kethor excellent1

That1 couf e his colours longyng1 for fat art*

If1 he schulde hir discryue in any part 40

I am non swich I moot1 speke as I can

And so bifelle that1 whan f is Cambynskan

haf twenty wynter born his Diademe

As he was wonte fro yeer to yeer I deeme 44

he leef fe feste of1 his natiuite Peaf9i]

Don cry en f urgh" Sarray his Cite

The laste Idus of* March" after f e ^eer

Phebus f e sonne lolif1 was and cleer 48

ffor he was neigh his exaltacion

In martes face and his mansion

In aries f e Colerik1 f e hote signe

fful lusty was fe weder and benigne 52

ffor which f e foules a^ein f e sonne sshene

What1 for f e seson and f e yonge grene

fful loude songe hire affections

hem semed han geten hem protections 56

A3ein f e swerd of1 wynter keene and cold

This Kambynskan) of1 which I haue }ou told

In Heal vestiment1 sit1 on his deys

"With dyademe ful heigh in his paleys 60

And halt1 his feste solempne and so riche

That1 in f is world ne was f er non it1 liche

Of1 which if1 1 schal telle al f e array

Than wold it1 occupye a someres day 64

And eek1 it1 needef nat1 to deuyse

At euery cours f e ordre of1 here seniise

I wol not1 tellen of1 here st?*aunge sewes

Ne of1 here swannes ne of1 here heron-sewes 68

Ek1 in fat1 lond as tellen knightes olde

Ther is som mete fat1 is ful deynte holde

That1 in f is lond men recche but1 smal

Ther nys no maw fat1 may reporten al 72

CORPUS 195 (6-T. 480)

SIX-TEXT 481

GKOUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

I wol not1 tarien yow for it1 is prime And for it1 is no fruyt1 but1 los of* tyme vnto my first1 pnrpos I wole haue my recours / And so bifelle fat1 after fe fridde cours 76

Whil fat1 f is king1 sit1 f us in his nobleye herknyng1 his menstreles here f inges pleye Biforn him atte bord deliciously

In atte halle dore al sodeinly 80

Ther com a knight1 vpon a steede of1 bras [leaf 91, back]

And in his hond a brood Mirour of1 glas vpon his thombe he hadde of1 gold a ryng* And by his syde a naked swerd hangyng1 84

And vp he rydef to f e heihe bord In alle f e halle ne was f er spoke a word ffor merueille of1 f is knight1 him to biholde fiul bysyly fey wayten ^onge and olde / 88

This strange knight1 fat1 com f us sodeynly Al armed saue his heed ful richely Salued f e king1 and queen and lordes alle By ordre as fey seten in f e halle 92

with so heigh reuerence and obeissances As wel in speche as in contenances That1 Gawayn with his olde curtesye / Though he com agayn out1 of1 fayrie / 96

Ne couf e him nought1 amende wif no word And after f is bifore f e heihe bord he with a manly vois sayde his message After fe forme vsed in his langage 100

wif oute vice of1 Sillable or of1 lettiQ And for his tale scholde seme f e bettre Acordant1 to his wordes was his chere / As techef art1 of1 speche hem fat1 it1 lere / 104

Al be it1 fat1 1 can nat1 sowne his stile Ne can not1 clymben ouer so heigh a style yet/ seye I f is fat1 as to co?muune entente Thus moche amountef al fat: euer he mente 108

CORPUS 196 (6-T. 48l)

SIX-TEXT 482

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

If1 it1 so be pat1 I haue it1 in my mynde

he seyde pe king1 of1 Arabic and of1 Inde

My liege lord on J>is solempne day

SalueJ) 3011 as he best1 can and may 112

And sendej) yow in honour of1 your feste

By me pat1 am redy at1 al your heste /

This steede of* Bras fat1 esily and wel

kan in ]>e space of1 a day nature! 116

This is to seie in .xxiiij". houres [leaf 923

Wher so yow list1 in drought1 e or in schoures

Beren youre body in to euery place /

To which youre herte wilneth for to pace 120

wijjoute wem of1 $ou Jjorugh foul or fair

Or if1 ^ou list1 to flee as hye in pair

As do]) an Egle whan him list1 to sore

This same steede schal bere ^ou eueremore 124

wipouten harm til ye be jjer you leste

Though Jjat1 $e slepen on his bak1 or reste

And torne a^ayn wip wryping1 of1 a pyn

he pat1 it1 wroughte coupe ful many a gyn 128

he waitede many a constellacon

Or he hadde do pis operacion

And knew ful many a seal and many a bond

This Mirour eek1 pat1 1 haue in my/a hond 132

hap such a might that1 men may in it see

whan per schal fallen any aduersite

Vnto youre regne or to your self1 also

And openly who is $our frend or foo 136

And ouer al pis if1 ony lady bright1

haj) set1 hire herte on any maner wight1

If1 he be fals sche schal his trayson se

his newe loue and al his subtilite 140

So openly fat1 fer schal no Jjing1 hyde

wherfore ageyn J?is lusty somer tyde

This mirour and J)is ryng1 as ye may see /

he haj? sent1 to my lady Canacee 144

CORPUS 197 (6-T. 482)

SIX-TEXT 483

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

youre excellent1 dough ter fat1 is heere

The vertu of1 f is ring1 if1 $e wol heere

Is f is . fat1 if1 hir list1 it1 for to were /

vpon hir fombe or in hir purs it here 148

Ther is no foule fat1 fleigh vnder f e heuene

fat1 she ne schal vnderstonde his steuene

And knowe his menyng1 openly and pleyn

And answere him in his langage ageyn 152

And euery gras fat1 growef vpon a roote / [leaf 92, back]

Sche schal wel knowe and whom it wol do "boote

Al be his woundes neuer so deepe and wyde

This naked swerd fat1 hongeth by my syde 156

Swich vertu haf fat1 what1 man so ye smyte

Thurghout1 his armour it wole kerue and byte

"Were it as f ikke as is a braunched oke

And what1 man fat1 is wounded wif f e stroke 1 60

Schal neuer be hoi til fat1 yow list1 of1 grace

To stroke him wif f e plat1 in f ilke place

Ther he is hurt1 f is is as moche to sayn

ye moote with fe platte swerd agayn 164

Stroke him on f e wounde and it1 wil close

This is a verray soth wif outen glose

It1 faillef nought1 whiles it1 is in youre hold

And whan fis knight1 haf fus his tale told 168

he rydeth out1 of1 f e halle and doun he light1

his steede which fat1 schon as sonne bright1

Stant1 in f e court1 stille as ony stoon)

This knight1 in to his chambre is lad anoon 172

And is vnarmed and to f e mete y-set1

The presentes ben ful richely y-fet1

This is to sein f e swerd and f e mirour

And bom anon vnto f e hihe tour 1 76

"Wif certein officers ordeyned f erfore

And vnto Canacee f e ryng1 is bore

Solempnely f er sche sitt1 atte table

But1 sikerly wif outen eny fable / 180

CORPUS 198 (6-T. 483)

SIX-TEXT 484

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

The hors of< bras fat1 may nat1 be remewed It1 stanf as it1 were to f e ground y-glewed Ther may noman out* of* f e place if dryue fFor non engyn of1 wyndas or polyue / 184

And cause why for fey can no^t1 f e craft1 And f erfore in the place f ei han it laft1 Til fat1 f e knight1 ha]) taught1 hem f e maneere To voyden him as 30 schal after heere 188

Gret1 was fe prees fat1 swarmed to and fro peaf os]

To gauren on f is hors fat1 stondef so fFor it1 so heih was and so brood and long1 So wel proporciouned for to be strong1 192

Eight1 as it1 were a steede of1 lumbardye Ther with so horsly and so quyk of1 ye As it1 a gentil poyleys courser were

ffor certes fro his tail vnto his eere 196

Nature ne art1 ne couf e him nought1 amende In no degre as al f e poeple wende But1 euermore here mooste wonder it was how fat1 it1 cowde gon and was of1 Bras 200

It1 was of1 ffaierye as f e peple semede diuerse folk1 diuersely han demede As many heedes as many wittes f er been They niurmerede as don a swarm of1 been 204

And maden skyles after here fantasyes Rehersyng1 of1 J>e olde poetries .i. ecpis pedasdus

And seyden it1 was lik1 fe Pagasee

The hors fat1 hadde wynges for to flee 208

Or elles it* was f e Grekes hors Synon That1 broughte troye to destruction As men in f ise olde gestes reede

Myn herte quod oon is eueremore in drede 212

I trowe som men of1 armes ben for Inne That1 schapen hem f is cite for to wynne It1 were right1 good fat1 alle swich f ing1 were knowe Anofer rowned to his felawe lowe 216

CORPUS 199 (6-T. 484)

SIX-TEXT 485

GROUP F. § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS,

And seyde he lyeth for it1 is raf ere lik*

An apparence y-maad by som magyk1

As logelours pleyen at1 f ese festes grete /

Of1 sondry f oughtes fus fey langle and trete 220

As lewed peple demej> communly

Of1 Binges fat1 been more maad snbtily

Than fey can in here lewednesse comprehende /

They demen gladly to fe baddere ende 224

And some of1 hem wondren on J>e miiour Deaf 93, back]

That1 born was vp vnto f e maistre tour

how men might1 in it1 suche f inges se

Anof er answerde and seyde it might1 wel be 228

Naturally by composicioiis

Of1 aungels and of sleygh reflexions

And seyde fat1 in Rome was such oon

They speke of1 alocen and vitilion 232

And of1 aristotle fat1 writen in here lyues

Of1 queinte mirours and of1 perspectyues

As knowen fey fat1 han here bookes herde

And of er folk1 han wondred on f e swerde 236

That1 wolde perce f urgh euery f ing*

And fille in speche of1 Thelophus f e king*

And of1 achilles for his queinte spere /

ffor he couf e with it1 bofe hele and dere f 240

Eight1 in swich wise as men may wif f e swerd

Of1 which right1 now ye haue youre seluen herd

They speken of1 sondry hardyng1 of1 metalle

And speke of1 medicynes f er wif alls 244

And how and whanne it1 scholde harded be

Which is vnknowe algate vnto me /

Tho speeke fey of1 Canaces ryng*

And seyden alle fat1 swich a wonder fing* 248

Of1 craft1 of1 rynges herde fey neuere lion

Saue fat1 he moyses and king1 Salomon

hadde a name of1 konnyng1 in swich art1

Thus seyen fe peple and drawen hem a part* 252

CORPUS 200 (C-T. 485)

SIX-TEXT 486

GROUP. F. §2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

But1 naf eles somme seyde fat it was

Wonder to maken of1 fern aisshen glas

And 31^ is glas not1 lik1 aisshen of1 fern

But1 for fey han knowen it so fern 256

Therfore cesef here langlyng1 and here wonder

As sore wondren some on cause of fonder

On ebbe and flood on gossomer and on myst /

And alle ping1 til J>e cause is wist1 peaf94] 260

Thus Ian glen fei and demen and deuyse

Til fat1 f e king1 gan fro his bord arise

IT Phebus haf laft1 f e angle meridional

And 3ifr ascendyng1 was f e best1 roial 264

The gentil leon wif his Aldrian

Whan fat1 f is Tartre kyng1 Kambynskan

Eos from his bord ther as he sat1 ful hye

Biforn him gof f e lowde menstralcie / 268

Til he com to his chambre of1 paramentz

Ther as fey sownen diuerse instrumentz

That1 is lik1 a% heuene for to heere /

Now dauncen lusty venus children deere 272

tfor in f e fisshe hir lady sat1 ful hye Piscis

And lokef on hem with a freendy yhe

This noble king1 is set1 vp on his troone

This straunge knight1 is fet1 to him ful sone / 276

And on f e daunce he gof with Canacee

here is f e reuel and f e lolite

That is naf able a dul man to deuyse /

he moste han knowe loue and his seruise / 280

And ben a festlich man as freisch as may

That1 scholde ^ow deuisen such array

who couf e telle yow f e forme of1 daunces

So vncouthe and such freissche continaunces 284

Swich subtile lokynges and dissimulynges

ffor drede of1 lalouseye mennes aperceyuynges

Noman but lancelet1 and he is deed

Therfore I passe ouer al fis lustyhed 288

CORPUS 201 (6-T. 486)

SIX-TEXT 487

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

I say nomore but1 in f is lolynesse I lete hem til men to soper hem dresse The stiward bit1 spices for to hye

And eek1 fe wyn in al fis melodye 292

The vssheres and f e squyers ben y-gon The spices and f e wyn is come anon They eete and dronke and whan fis hadde an eiide vnto fe temple as resoun was fey wende [leaf ot, back]

^[ The seruise doon . fey soupen al by day What needef you rehersen here aray Ech man woot1 wel fat1 at/ a kinges feste haf plente to f e meste and to f e leste 300

And deyntees mo fan ben in my knowyng1 And after souper go]? fis noble king1 To seen f is hors of bras wij> al a route Of1 lordes and of1 ladyes him aboute 304

Swich wondryng* was f er on fis hors of1 bras That1 sif f en f e grete seege of* Troye was Ther as men wondren on an hors also *

JSTe was f er swich a wondryng1 as was f o / 308

But1 finally f e king1 askejj ]?e knight1 The vertue of1 ])is courser and fe might1 And preyde him to telle his gouernance The hors anon bigan to trippe and daunce 312

Whan fat1 fis knight1 layde hond vpon his reyne / And seyde sire fer is namore to seyne But1 whan fou list1 to ryden eny where ye moote trille a pyn stant1 in his eere 316

which I schal telle you bitwen vs tuo / ye moot1 nempne him to what1 place also Or to what1 Centre fat yow list1 to ryde And whan ye come fer as yow list1 tabyde 320

Bid him descende and trille anof er pyu) ffor f er-in lif f effect1 of1 al fat1 gyn And wole doun descende and don your wille And in fat1 place he wol abyde stille 324

CORPUS 202 (6-T. 487)

SIX-TEXT 488 GROUP F. § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Jjeigh alle J>e world hadde J?e coiitrarie swore

lie schal not1 jjennes be jjrowe ne y-bore

Of1 if1 yow liste bidde him ]>ennes gon

Trille J>is pynne and he wil vanyssche anon 328

Out1 of* J)e sight1 of1 euery maner wight1

And come ayein be it1 day or night1

whan Jjat1 yow list1 to clepen him agayn

In swich a gyse as I schal to yow sayn Deaf 95] 332

Bitwixen yow and me and Jjat1 ful soone

Eyd whan yow list1 Jjer is no more to doone

Eiiformed whan j?e kyng1 was of1 jje knight1

And ha]> conceyued in his witt1 aright1 336

The maner and J>e forme of1 alle )>is Jnng1

fful glad and blijje ]?e noble doughty kyng«

Kepeyryng1 to his reuel as biforn

The brydel is in to J?e tour y-born 340

And kept1 among1 his leweles lief1 and diere

The hors vanyssht1 y not1 in what1 manere

Out1 of1 here sight1 ye gete namore of1 me

But1 J>us I lete in lust1 and lolite 344

This Kambynskafi his lordes festeynge

Til wel neigh J>e day bigan to springe IT Explicit1

pn'ma pars

^ The Stag1 of1 an hert1

IT The norice of1 digestion is slepe

Gan on hem wynke and bad hem take kepe 348

That1 moche mete and labour wol haue reste /

And with a galpyng1 hem alle he keste /

And seyde jjat1 it1 was tyme to lye a doun)

ffor blood was in his dommacion 352

Cherisshej) blood natures frend quod he

J>ey Jjanken him galpynge by tuo by ]>re

And eucry wight1 gan drawen him to his reste

As sleep hem bad ]>ey tooke if for )>e beste 356

CORPUS 203 (6-T. 488)

SIX-TEXT 489

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

here dremes schulle not1 mowe be told for me

fful were here heedes of1 fumosite

That* cause]) drem of1 which f er is no charge /

They sleepen til it1 was pryme large / 360

The moste part1 but1 it1 were Canace

Sche was ful mesurable as woramen be

ffor of1 hire fader hadde sche take hir leeue

To go to reste sone after if was eue 364

hir list1 not1 appalled for to be

fFor on f e morwe vnfestlich for to see /

And slepte hir ferste sleep and awok1 [leaf 95, back]

fFor swich a ioye sche in hir herte took1 368

Bof e of1 hire queynte ryng1 and hire mirour

That twenty tyme sche chaungeth hire colour

And in hire sleep right1 for impression

Of1 hire mirour sche hadde a vision 372

Wherfore ar fat1 f e sonne vp gan glyde

Sche cleped vp on hire maystresse bysyde

And seyde fat1 hir Jiste for to arise

Thise olde wommen fat1 ben gladly wyse 376

As is hire maystresse answerde anon *

And seyde ma dame whider wolde ye gon |

Thus erely for folk1 ben alle in reste

I wole quod sche arise for me leste / 380

No lengere sleepen but1 walken aboute

hire maistresse clepef wommen a gret1 route /

And vp fey risen wel ten or twelue

vp risef freisshe Canace hir selue 384

As rody as bright1 as fey f e yonge sonne

That1 in f e Ram . is ten degrees vpronne

Non hiher was he whan sche redy was

And forth sche walkede eesyly a pas 388

Arrayed after f e lusty seson soote

lightly for to pleye and walke on foote

Nat1 but1 .v. or .vj. of1 hire meyne

And in a trench fer in f e park1 gof sche 392

CORPUS 204 (6-T. 489)

SIX-TEXT 490

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

The vapour which pat1 fro pe erpe glood make]) pe sonne to seeme rody and brood But1 napeles it1 was so fair a sight1

That1 it1 made alle here hertes for to light1 396

What1 for pe sesoun) and pe morwenynge And for pe foules pat1 sche herde synge ifor right1 anon sche wiste what1 pey mente Eight1 by here song1 and knew alle here entente 400

// The knotte why fat1 euery tale is told If1 it1 be taryed til lust be cold

Of1 hem pat1 han it1 herkned after yore [leaf 96]

The sauour passe j? euer lenger pe more 404

ffor fulsomnesse of1 p?-olixite And by pis same resoun penkep me I scholde to pe knotte condescende

And niaken of1 hire walkyng1 sone an ende 408

IT Arnydde a tree for-drye as whit1 as chalk/ As Canacee was pleyng1 in hire walk1 Ther sat1 a ffaukon ouer hir heed ful hye That1 with a pitous voys so gan to crye 412

That1 al pe woodS resede of1 hire crye And beten hadde hire self1 so pitously / With bopen hire wynges til pe reede blood Kan endelong/ pe tree per as sche stood 416

And euer in 0011 sche cryed alwey and schrighte And with hire beek1 hir seluen so sche pighte That1 per ne was tygre ne cruel beste That1 duellep eyper in woode or in foreste 420

pat1 nolde han wept1 if1 pat1 he wepe coupe ffor sorwe of1 hire sche schright1 alwey so loupe ffor per nas neuere yit/ no man on lyue If1 pat1 1 coupe a fawkon wel descryue 424

That1 herde of1 such anoper of1 fayrnesse As wel of1 plumage as of1 geutilnesse Of1 schap of1 al pat1 mighte rekened be A fawkon pe/'egryn panne semed sche 428

CORPUS 205 (6-T. 490)

SIX-TEXT 491

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Of1 fremde londe and eumnore as sche stood Sche swounede now and now for lak1 ofH blood Til wel neigh is sche fallen fro pe tree This faire kinges doughter pis kanacee 432

That1 on hir fynger bar pe queynte ryng1 purgh which sche vnderstood wel euery ping1 That1 any foul may in his ledne sayn And kowde answere him in his ledne agayn 436

ha,]? vnderstande fat1 pis fawkon sayde And wel neigh for pe roupe almost1 sche deyde And to pe tree sche gop ful hastily [leaf %, back]

And on pis fawkon lokep pitously 440

And held hire lappe abrood for wel sche wiste / The fawkon moste falle from pe twyste / whan pat1 it1 swownede next1 for lakke of1 blood A long1 while to wayte hire sche stood 444

Til atte laste sche spak1 in pis maneere Vnto pe hauk1 as 30 schal after heere what1 is pe cause if1 it1 be for to telle That1 ye ben in pis furial peyne of1 helle 448

Quod Canacee vnto pis hawk1 aboue Is pis for sorwe of1 deth or los of1 loue if or as I trowe pise bep causes tuo

That1 causen moost1 a gentil herte woo 452

Of1 oper harm it1 redep nought1/ to speke ffor pi your self1 vpon your self1 yow wreke which pat1 prouep wel pat1 eyper Ire or drede Moot1 ben enchesofl of1 youre cruel dede 450

Syn pat1 1 se non oper wight1 yow chace ifor loue of1 god so dop your selue grace Or what1 may be your help for west1 nor est1 Ne saugh I neuer er now no bryd ne best1 460

That1 ferde with himself1 so pitously ye slee me with youre sorwe verrayly I haue of1 yow so gret compassiozm

ifor goddes loue com fro pe-tree a doun) 464

CORPUS 206 (6-T. 491)

SIX-TEXT 492

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And as I am a kinges doughter trewe

If1 fat1 1 verraily f e causes knewe

Of1 youre disease if1 it1 lay in my might1

I wolde amende it1 or fat1 it1 were night1 468

Als wisly help me grete god of1 kynde

And herbes schal I right1 ynowe fyiide

To hele wif $our hurtes hastily

Tho schrighte fis faukon yet1 more pitously 472

Than euer sche dide and fil to grounde anon

And lif on swowne deed as ony stoon

Til Canacee haf in hir lappe hire take [leaf 97]

vnto fat1 tyme sche gan of1 swowne awake / 476

And after fat1 sche of1 swowne gan abreide

Right1 in hir hawkes leodne Jms sche seyde

That1 pite renneth sone in gentil herte

ffeelyng1 his similitude in peynes smerte / 480

Is proued alday as men may it see

As wel by werk1 as by auctorite

ffor gentil herte kepej? gentillesse

I se wel fat1 ye han of1 my distresse 484

Compassion my faire Canace /

Of1 verray wommanly benignite /

That1 nature in youre principles haj) set1 «

But1 for non hope for to fare f e bet1 488

But1 for to obeye vnto youre herte fre /

And for to maken of er be war by me /

As by fe whelp chastised is f e leoii

Right1 for fat1 cause and for fat1 conclusion 492

"Whil fat1 1 haue a leyser and a space

Myn harm I wol confessen er I pace

And euer whil sche can hir sorvve tolde

That1 of er wepte as sche to water wolde 496

Til fat1 f e fawkon bad hir to be stille /

And with a sike f us sche seyde hire tille

Ther I was bred alias fat1 ilke day

And fostred in a roche of1 marfcml gray 500

CORPUS 207 (6-T. 492)

SIX-TEXT 493

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS,

So tendrely fat1 nofing1 eylede me I ne wiste nought1 what1 was aduersite Til I couf e flee fill hye vnder f e sky fo dwelte a tercelef me faste by 504

That1 semede welle of1 alle gentilnesse Al were he ful of1 treson and falsnesse / It1 is wrapped vnder humble cheere

And vnder hiew of1 trouf e and in swich manere 508

Vnder plesance and vnder bysy peyne That1 no wight1 couf e han wende he coude feyiie So deepe in greyn he dyed his colours [leaf 97, back]

Eight as a serpent hit1 him vnder flours 512

Til he may se his tyme for to byte Right1 so f is god of1 loues ypocrite Do]) so his cerymonijs obeissances

And kepte in semblant alle his obsmiances 51G

That1 sownef in to gentilesse of1 loue As in a tonibe is al f e faire aboue And vnder is f e corps swich as 30 woot1 Swich was fis ypocrite bofe cold and hoof 520

And in fis wise he serued his entente That1 saue f e feende non wiste what1 he mente Til he so longe hadde wopen and compleyned And many a yeer his seruise to me feyned 524

Til fat1 myn herte to pitous and to nyce Al Innocent1 of1 his crowned malice ffbr-fered of1 his de]> as poughte me

vpon his o]?es and his seurte 528

Grauntede him loue vpon pis condicion That1 -euer mo myn honour & renoun were saued bojje preuy and apert1

This is to sein fat1 after his dissert1 532

I yaf1 him al myn herte and my fought1 God woot1 and he fat1 of er wise nought4 And tok1 his herte in chaunge of1 myn for ay But1 sof is seyd go sethen many a day 536

CORPUS 208 (6-T. 493)

SIX-TEXT 494

GROUP F. § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

A trewe wighfr and a Jjeef1 penkej) nat1 oon

Aiid whan he saugh J>e ping1 so fer y-gon

That1 1 grauntede him fully my loue /

In swich a gyse as I haue sayd abone / 540

And yeuen him my trewe herte as fre /

As he swore he yaf1 his herte to me /

Anon Jns Tygre ful of1 doublenesse

fill on his knees wij> so deuoute humblesse 544

wij) hye reuerence and as by his cheere /

So lik1 a gentil louere of manere /

So rauysshed as if semede for )>e ioye Deaf 98]

That1 neuere lason ne paris of1 Troye 548

lason certes ne non oj>er man)

Syn lameth was Jjat1 Aldirfirst1 bygan)

To louen tuo as writen folk1 biforn

Ne neuer sij?j?e J?e firste man was born 552

Ne couj>e man by twenty Jjousand part1

Countrefete J?e sophimes of1 his art1

Ne were worjji to vnbokele his galoche

Ther doublenesse or feynyng1 scholde aproche 556

Ne so coupe })anke a wight1 as he dide me /

his manere was an heuene for to se

Til eny womman were sche neuer so wys

So peynted he and kembej? at1 poynf devys 560

As wel his wordes as his continance

And I so loued him foi his obeissance

And for J>e troupe I demed in his herte

That1 if* so were jjat1 any Jjing1 him smerte 564

Al were it1 neuer so lite and I it1 wiste

Me Jjoughte I felte dej> at1 myn herte twiste

And schortly so ferforth Jns Jjing1 went*

That1 my wille has his willes Instrument1 568

This is to sein my wille obeyede his wille

In alle jnng1 as fer as reson fille

Kepyng1 ])e boundes of1 my worschipe euere

Ne neuer hadde I jjing1 so leef1 ne leuere 572

-16 CORPUS 209 (6-T. 494)

SIX-TEXT 495

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

As him god woof ne neuere sclial no mo

This laste lengere fan a yer or tuo

IT That1 1 supposed of1 him no fing1 but good

But* fynally ])us atte laste it stood 576

That1 fortune wolde fat1 he moste twynne

Out1 of1 J?af place which Jmf 1 was Inne

Wher me was wo if is no question

I kan not1 make of1 if discripcion 580

ffor o ping1 dar I telle boldely

I knowe whaf is Jje peyne of1 dejj per by

Such harm I felte for he ne mighte beleue [leaf 98]

So on a day of1 me he tok1 his leue / 584

So sorwfully eek1 1 wende verrayly

Thaf he hadde feeled as moche harm as I

Whan paf I herde him speke and sawe his hewe /

Buf napeles I poughte he was so trewe/ 58$

And eek1 paf he repaire scholde agayn

Wipinne a litel while sop to sayn

And reson wolde eek1 paf he moste go

ffor his honour as ofte happep so 592

Thaf I made vertu of1 necessite /

& took1 if wel syn paf it / moste be

As I besf mighte I hidde from him my sorwe

And toot him by pe hond seinf lohn to borwe 596

And seyde pus lo I am youres al

Bej) swich as I haue be to yow and schal

Whaf he answerde if needep naf reherse

Who can seyn bef J?an he who can do werse 600

Whan he haj? al wel seyd fan ha]) he doon

Th erf ore byhoue]) him a wel long1 spoon

Thaf schal eten wij> a feend jms herde I seye /

So atte laste he moof forj> his weye 604

And forth he flej? til he com J>er him leste

Whan if com him to purpos for to reste /

I trowe he hadde filke texf in mynde / f gaudlnt/?0 8ingula

Thaf alle f ing1 repeyryng1 to his kynde / 608

CORPUS 210 (6-T. 495)

SIX-TEXT 496

GROUP F. § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS,

GladeJ) himself1 / pus seyn men as I gesse / Men louen of1 propre kynde newfangilnesse / As briddes doon pat1 men in cages feede / if or peigh pou night1 & day take of1 hem heede / 612

And strawe here cages faire as softe as silk1 And yeue hem sucre hony bred and mylk1 Yet1 right1 anon as pat1 his dore is vppe he wip his feet1 wil sporne doun his cuppe 616

And to pe woode he wole and wormes ete So newefangel ben pei of1 here mete

And louen noueleries ofH propre kynde [leaf 99]

No gentilesse of1 blood may hem bynde 620

So ferde pis tercelet1 alias pe day Though he were gentil born fressche and gay 'And goodly for to seen and humble and fre he saugh vpon a tyme a kyte flee 624

And sodeinly he loued pe kyte so That alle his loue is clene fro me go And ha]} his troupe falsed in pis wyse Thus hap pe kite my loue in hire seruise 628

And I am lorn wipoute remedye And wip pat1 word pis faukon gan to crye And swouned eft/ in Canacees barm

Grett was pe sorwe for pe haukes harm 632

That1 Canacee and alle hire wommen maade They nyste how pey mighte pe fawkon glade But1 Canacee home berep hire in hire lappe And softely in piastres gan hire wrappe 636

Ther as sche with hir beek1 hap hurt1 hir selue Now kan not1 Canace but1 herbes delue Out1 of1 pe grounde and maken salues newe Of herbes preciouses and fyn of1 he we 640

To helen wip pe hauk1 fro day to nyght1 Sche dop hir besynesse and alle hire myght And by hire beddes heed sche made a muwe And couered it1 with veluettes bluwe 644

CORPUS 211 (6-T. 496)

SIX-TEXT 497

GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

In signe of* trouf e fat1 is in wowmen seene

And alle wif oute f e muwe is peynted greene

In which were peynted alle f ese false fowles

As ben f ise tydifs tercelettes and owles 648

Eight1 for f e spyte were peynted hem bysyde

Pyes on hem for to crye and chyde

Thus leet I Canacee hire hawk1 keeping1

I wole nomore as now speke of1 hire ryng* 652

Til it1 come eft1 to purpos for to seyn

how fat1 f is ffaukon) gat1 hire loue ageyn

Eepentant1 as f e storie tellef vs Deaf 99, back]

By mediacioii of1 Camballus 656

The kinges sone of1 which I yow tolde /

But1 hennes forth I wol proces holde

To speke of1 auentures and of1 batailles

That1 yet1 was neuer herde so gret1 meruailles 660

ffirst1 wil I telle yow of1 Kambynskan

That1 in his tyme many a cite wan

And after wol I speke of1 Algarsif1

how fat1 he wan Theodora to his wyf1 664

ffor whan ful ofte in gret1 peril he was

!Ne hadde he ben holpen by f e hors of1 bras

And after wol I speken) of1 Camballo

That1 faught1 in listes with f e breferen tuo 668

ffor Canacee er fat1 he might1 hir wynne

And f er I lefte I wol ageyn bygynne

Appolo whirleth vp his char so hye

Til fat1 f e god mercurius hous f e slye / IT Explicit .ija

CORPUS 212 (6-T. 497)

GROUP D. FRAGMENT V.

§ 1, WIFE OF BATH'S PREAMBLE. CORPUS MS.

"Prologus vxoris de Bathe, [headline] [leafioo]

1F Prologus vxoris

Experiment1 fough non auctorite de Bathe .C°.vij°. Were in f is world is right1 ynougfr for me To speke of1 wo fat1 is in mariage

ffor lordynges syii I twelue $eer was of1 age / 4

Thanked be god fat1 is eterne alyue housbondes atte chirche dore I haue had fyue/ If1 1 so often might1 haue wedded be

But1 alle were worf y men in here degre 8

But1 me was told certein nought1 longe agones [that criste ne wente / neuere but onys] [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14.] To weddyng1 in f e Cane of1 Galile /

That1 by filke ensample taught1 he me 12

That1 1 ne schulde wedded be but1 ones herk1 eek1 lo which a scharpe worde for f e nones Besyde a welle Ihesu god and man

Spak1 in repreef1 of1 Jje Samaritan 16

Thow hast1 y-hadde .v. housebondes quod he . And fat1 ilke man fat1 now haf fe Is not1 fin housbonde f us sayde he certayne What1 he mente f er-by I can nought sayne 20

Wele But1 fat/ I axe why f e fyfte man Was non housbonde to f e Samaritan how many might1 sche han in mariage 23

I3itf hardde I neuere telle in al myn age CORPUS 213 (6-T. 334)

SIX-TEXT 335

GROUP D, § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

Vppon pis nombre diffiniciown

Men may deuyne and glosen vp and doun

Buf wel I., woof expresse wipouten lye . - -

God bad vs for to wexe and multiply e 28

That1 gentil texf can I wel vnderstonde

Eke wel I woof lie seyde myn housebonde

Schulde lete fader & mooder and take to me .^ Reiinqnet homo

pacrem & matrem &

Buf of1 noon nombre mension made he /

Of1 Bigamy e or of1 Octogamye 33

Why schulde men ))enne haue if in vilanye /

loke here pe wise man king1 Salomon)

I trOWe he hadde WyUeS mOO pan Oil U Genesis ijo- Qaamobrem

Now wolde god if leeful were to me / 37

To be refreisshed half1 so ofte as he [leaf 100, back]

"Which jifte of1 god hadde he for alle his wyues

No man hap such paf in pis world a lyue is 40

God wof pis noble king1 as to my witte

The firste night1 hadde many a mery fitte

Wip iche of1 hem so wel was him alyue

Blissed be god paf I haue wedded fyue 44

Welcome pe sixte whan paf euer he schal

ifor sippe I wille noughf kepe chaste in al

Whan myn housebonde is fro pe world y-gon

Som crystne man schal wedde me anon 48

ffor pan pe apostle seip paf I am free

To wedde a .goddes half1 wher if likep me

he Seip paf to be Wedded is no Senne 1 Melijfs est nubere quam vri

Betre is if to be wedded pan to brenne 52

Whaf rekkep me pough folk1 sey vylanye

Of1 schrewed lameth and his Bygamye /

I woof wel Abraham was an holy man

And Jacob eek1 as fer as ener I can 56

And ech of1 hem hadde wyues mo pan tuo

And many anoper holy man also

Wher can ^e say in any maner age

Thaf vs god defended mariage CO

CORPUS 214 (6-T. 33o)

SIX-TEXT 33G

CROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

By expresse word I pray yow tellef me

Or wher comaunded he virginite

I wot1 as wel as ye it1 is no drede

fe apostel whan he spekef of1 maydenhede 64

he seyde f er-of1 precepte hadde he noone

Men may counseille a wommaii to ben oone

But1 counseilling1 is no comaundemewt

he putte it1 in oure owne luggement1 68

ffor hadde god comniaunded maydenhede

f anne hadde he dampned weddyng1 with f e dede

And certes if1 f er were no seed y-sowe

virginite fanne wher-of1 scholde it1 growe 72

Poule dorste nought1 comanden at1 f e leste

A fing1 of which his mayster ^af1 him non heste [leaf 1013

The darte is sette vppe fro virginite

Ghase who so may who so rennef best1 lat1 see 76

But1 f is word is nought1 take of1 euery wight1

But1 fere as god wolde yeue it1 of1 his might1

I wot1 wel fat1 f e apostel was a mayde /

But1 naf eles f ough fat1 he wrot1 or sayde 80

he wolde fat1 euery wight1 were such as he /

Al nys nat1 but1 counseile to v/rginite

And for to be a wijf1 he yaf1 me leue

Of1 Indulgence so is it1 no repreue 84

To wedde me if1 fat1 my make deye /

Wifoute excepcion of1 Bygamie /

Al were it good no wowrnan for to touche

he mente as his body or in his couche 88

ifor peril is bof e to touche and for to assemble

3e knowe what1 fis ensample may resemble

This al and some he heeld v/rginite

More perfyt1 fan wedded in freelte 92

fi'reltee clepe I not1 but1 fat1 he and sche

Wolde leede here lijf1 al in chastite

I graunte it1 wel I haue non envye

Though maydenhede preferre Bygamye 9$

CORPUS 215 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 337

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

If likef hem to be clene in body and gost1

Of1 myn estate I wole make no boost*

ifor wel 36 knowe a lord in his houshold

ha]j not1 euery vessele of1 golde / 100

Some ben of1 tree / and doon here lord seruise

God clepef folk1 to him in sondry wise

And euerich haf of1 god a propre 3ifte /

Some fis some fat1 as him like]? schifte 104

virginite is gret1 perfection

And conscience eek1 with deuocion

But1 crist1 fat1 of* perfection is welle

Bad nought1 euery wight1 he schulde selle 108

Al fat1 he hadde and 3iue it to f e pore

And in swich wise folwe him and his lore [leafioi, back]

he spak1 to hem fat1 wolde lyue parfitly a 2£*iSi£*vJh*&

And lordynges by 3oure leue fat1 am not1 1 H^^iE ha6es

I wole bystowe fe flour of1 alle myn age 113

In charite and fruyt1 of1 maryage

Telle me also to what1 conclusion

Were membres maade of1 generacion 116

And of1 so parfyt1 wise and why y-wrought1

Tristef right1 wel fey were not1 made for nought

Glose who so wile and seye bof e vp and doun)

That1 fey were made for purgacioim 120

Of1 vryne and oure bof e finges smale

Were eek1 to knowe a femal from a male

And for non of er cause what1 seye 36 no (.

The experience woof it1 is no^t1 so 124

So fat1 f e clerkes be not1 with me wrof e

I seye f is fat1 fey maked be for bof e

This is to seyn for office and for eese

Of1 engendrynge fare we not1 god displese 1 28

Why schulden men elles in here bokes sette

That1 man schal yelde to his wijf1 his dette

Now wher-wif scholde he paye his payement

yf1 fat1 he ne vsed his seely instrument 132

CORPUS 216 (6-T. 337)

SIX-TEXT 338

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

Than were fey maade vpon a creature

To purgie vryne and eek* for engendure

But1 1 seye nought1 Jjat1 euery wight1 is holde

That1 ha]> such harneys as I to yow of1 tolde 136

To gon and vsen hem in engendrure

Thanne scholde men take of1 chastite no cure

Crist1 was a mayden and schapen as a man)

And many a seynt1 syn fat1 Jje world bygan 140

Yet1 lyued j?ey euere in parfyt1 chastite

I nel envye with no virginite

lete hem ete brede of1 pured whete seed

And late vs wyues ete barly breed 144

And yetf with barly breed Mark1 telle can C1 catchword: a leaf out;

a sheet misplaced]

Oure lord l [Ihesu refresshed? / many a man [MS Arch. Seid. B.14,

tea/ 84, 6acAr]

in suche estate as god hath cleped vs

I wol perceiver / I am nought precious 1 48

in wiffhode wol I vse myn instrument

as frely as my maker / hath hit sent

yiff I be dangerous / god yeve me sorowe

myn housbonde shal it haue both eve and amorwe 152

whan that him list / com forth and pay his dette

an housbonde wol I haue / I wol not lette

which shal be / both my dettour and my thralle

and han his tribulaciouw with-alle 156

vppon his flesshe / while that I am his wiff

I haue the power5 / durynge al my.liff Itf^SSfltf*

vppon his propre body / and not he

right thus the Appostel / tolde vn-to me 160

and bad oure housbondes / for to love vs welle

alle this sentence / me liketh euerydelle

Uppe sterte the pardoner / and that anoon now dame qwod he / bi god and bi seint lohn 164 ye ben a noble prechoure / in this caas I was abovte to wedde a wiff allaas what shulde I bye it / on my flesshe so dere yit had I lever wedde noon to yere 168

CORPUS 217 (6-T. 338) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

SIX-TEXT 339

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

abyde qfuod she / my tale is not "bigonne [MS Arch. Seia. B. HJ

nay thow shalt drynken / of another tonne

or that I go / shal sauour wers than ale iieafss]

and whan I haue tolde forth my tale 172

of tribulaciouft / that is in mariage

of which I am expert / in myn age

this is to seie / my-silff hath ben the whippe

than maistow chese / whether thow wih sippe 176

of thilke tonne / that I shal abroche

be war of hit / or thow to nygh approche

for I shal telle ensamples / mo than ten

who so that wil not / be war bi other men 180

by him simile other men corrected be

these same wordis / writeth Protholome f Prothoiome

rede in his Almageste / and take it there

dame I wol pray yow / if your0 wille were 184

seide this Pardoner / as ye bigan

telle forth youre tale / spare for no man

and teche vs yongemen / of youre practike

gladly quod she / sith it may yow like 188

but that I pray / to al this cornpanye

if that I speke / after my fantesie

as taketh nought agreff / of that I seye

for myn entente / is not / but for to pleye . 192

NOw sirs than shal I telle yow my tale as euere mot y drynke wyn or ale I shal sey soth / tho housbondes that I hadde as thre of heni were goode / and two were badde 196

the thre were goode men / riche and olde vnneth myghten thei / the statute holde in which thei were bounden vn-to me ye wot wel what I meene of this parde 200

as god me helpe / I laugh whan I thynke how pitously a nyght / I made hem swynke but bi my fay / I tolde of hit no store thei hadde me yeve here londe / and here tresore £04

CORPUS 218 (6-T. 339) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

SIX-TEXT 340

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

me nedede nought / do lenger diligence [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14]

to wynne here love / and do hem reuerence

they loued me so wel / bi god above [fea/ss, 6ac*]

that I ne tolde no deynte / of here love 208

a wise woman wol besy hir / euere in oon

to gete hir love / ye there as she hath noon

but sith" I hadde hem / holly in rnyn honde

and that thei hadde / yeve me al here londe 212

what shulde I take kepe hem for to please

but if it were my profyte / and myn ease

I sette hem so a worke / bi my fay

that many a night / thei songen welaway 216

the Bacown was not fette for hem I trowel &"&• Seid. B. 14 ex-

J tract stopsi

That1 some men haue in Essexe at1 Dunmowe ,;[ieaf 107; for 102]

I gouerned hem so wel after my lawe

That* iche of1 hem ful blisful was and fawe / 220

To bringe me gay Jjinges fro J?e feyre

They were ful glad whan I spak to hem faire iJJjjStoid*]

ffor god it woof I chidde hem spytously

Now herknej) how I bar me proprely 224

ye wyse wyues J>at? can vnderstande

Thus schulde ye speke and bere hem wrong1 on hande

ffor half1 so boldely j)er can no mail)

Swere and lye as a womman can) 228

I seye not1 f>is by wyues jjat1 ben wise /

But* it1 be whan pat1 J?ey hem rnysavyse /

A wise wijf1 schal if1 Jjat1 sche can hire good

Bere him on hond fat1 pe kow is wood 232

And take witnesse of1 hir owne mayde /

Of1 hire assent1 but herkej? how I sayde /

Sire olde kaynard is J)is fin array

Why is my neyheboures wijf* so gay 236

Sche is honoured ouer al wher sche go])

I sitte at1 horn I haue no frifty clof

What1 dostow at1 my neyhebores hous

Is sche so fair art1 fou so amerous 240

CORPUS 219 (6-T. 340)

SIX-TEXT 341

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

What1 roune 36 wif oure mayde benedicite

Sire olde lechour let1 f y iapes be /

And if1 1 haue a gossibb or a freende

Wifoute gilte }e chide as a feende 244

If1 fat1 1 walke or pleye vnto his hous

f ou comest1 home as drunken as a mous

And prechest1 on f i benche wif euel preef1

f ou seist1 to me it is a gret1 meschief1 248

To wedde a pouer woraman for costage

And if1 fat1 sche be riche of1 gret1 parage

f anne seistow fat1 it1 is a tormentrie /

To suffre hire pryde and hire malencolie / 252

And if1 fat1 sche be fair f ou verray knaue /

Thow seist1 fat1 euery holour wol hir haue / [leaf 107, back]

Sche may no while in chastite abyde

That1 is assayed vppon eche syde 256

Thou seist1 some folk1 desire vs for richesse

Some for oure schapp and some for oure fayrnesse

And some for sche can of er synge or daunce

fus saistow wernard god ^iue fe meschance 260

Some for here hondes and here armes smale

Thus gof al to f e deuel by f y tale/

f ou seist1 men may not1 kepe a castel walle

It1 may so longe assailed ben ouer alle / 264

And if1 fat1 sche be foule f ou seist1 fat1 sche

Coueitef euery man fat1 sche may see

ffor as a spaynel sche wol on him lepe

Til fat1 sche fynde som man fat1 wol hir chepe 268

!NTe non so grey goos gof f er in f e lake

As seist1 f ou fat1 wol be wif outen make

And seist1 it is an hard f ing1 for to weelde

A wight1 fat1 noman wille his f ankes helde 272

Thus seistow lorel whan f ou gost1 to bedde

And fat1 no wys man needef for to wedde

And noman fat1 entendif to f e heuene

Wif wilde f under dent1 and fyre letiene / 276

CORPUS 220 (6-T. 3-il)

SIX-TEXT 342

GROUP P. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

Mote py wicked necke be to-broke

pou seist1 pat1 droppyng1 houses and eek1 smoke

And chydyng1 wyues maken men to fle

Out1 of* here owne houses a benedicite 280

What1 eylep swich an olde man for to chyde

Thou seisf we wyues wille oure vices hyde

Til we be faste and panne we wille hem schewe

Wei may pis be a prouerbe of* a schrewe 284

Thou seisf pat1 Oxen assen hors and houndes

They ben assayed at1, diuerse stoundes

Bacynes lauours or pat1 men hem bye

Spoones stooles and swich housbondrye 288

And so ben elopes pottes and oper arrayes

But1 of1 woramen aren maked non assayes [leafios./onos]

Til pei ben wedded olde dotard schrewe

And seist1 how panne we wil oure vices schewe 292

Thou seist1 also pat1 it1 displeses me

But1 if1 pou wille preyse my beaute

And but1 pou poure alwey vpon my face

And clepe me faire dame in euery place 296

And but1 pou make a feste on pat1 ilke day

That1 1 was born and make me freische and gay

And but1 pou do to my norys honour

And to my chambre wipinne my bour 300

And to my fadres folk1 and his allyes

Thus seisf pou olde barel ful of1 lyes

And yit of1 oure apprentys lankyn

ffor his crispe heer schynynge so gold fyn 304

And for he squyeres me bope vp and doun

yet1 hastow pought1 and fals suspecion

I wil him nought1 pough pou were deed to morwe

But1 telle me pis why hydest1 pou with sorwe 308

Thy keyes of1 pi cheste away fro me /

It1 is my good as wel as pin p«rde

What1 wenestow make an ydyot1 of1 oure dame /

Now by pat1 lord pat1 called is seint1 lame 312

CORPUS 221 (6-T. 342)

SIX-TEXT 343

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

f ou schalt1 not* bof e f ough f ou were wood

Be maister of1 my body and my good

That1 oon J>ou schalt1 forgo maugre fin ey^en

What1 helpef it1 on me enquere and spy en 316

I trowe f ough f ou woldest1 loke me in f i cheste

fou scholdest1 seie wyf1 go where f e leste

Take youre disporte I wol not4 leue no tales

I knowe }ow for a good wyf1 dame Alls 320

"We loue no man fat1 takef keepe or charge

Where fat1 we go we wole be at1 oure large

Of1 alle men blessed mote he be

The wise astrologieii dann ptholome 324

That1 self f is prouerbe in his almageste

Of1 alle men his wisdam is hyeste Deaf IDS, back]

That1 rekkef not1 who haf f e world in hande

By fis prouerbe f ou schalt1 wel vnderstande 328

haue foil ynough" what1 far f e rekke or kare

how meryly fat1 of er folkes fare

ffor certes olde dotard by youre leue

ye schulle haue queynte right1 ynough at1 eue 332

he is to gret1 a nygard fat1 wol warne

A man to light1 a candeL at1 his lantarne

he schal haue neuer fe lesse light/ parde

haue f ou ynough f e far not1 pleyne fe 336

f ou seist1 also fat1 if1 f ou make vs gay

\Vif clof ing1 or with precious array

That1 it1 is peril of* oure chastite

And ^it1 with wordes foil most1 enforce me / 340

And seie f ise wordes in f e apostels name

In habyt1 made with chastite and schame

ye wo7?imen schulle apparaille you qiio<l he/

And nat1 in tressed heer and gay perre 344

As perle ne wif golde ne clof es riche

After f i texte ne after f i rubriche

I wol nof werke as mochil as a gnatfr

fou saydest1 als fat1 1 was like a catt1 -348

CORPUS 222 (6-T. 343)

SIX-TEXT 344

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

But* who so wolde senge a cattes skyn

panne wolde pe catt1 wel dwellen in his In

And if1 pe cattes skyn be slike and gay

Sche nel not1 dwelle in house half1 a day

But1 for]) sche wille or ony day be da wed

To schewe hire skyn and go a caterwrawed

pis is to say if1 1 be gay sir schrewe

I wil renne out1 my borel for to schewe

Sire olde fool what1 helpep pe to spien

They pou prey argus with his pousand yhen

To be my warde corps as he can best1

In feip he schal not1 kepe me but1 if1 me lest

yet1 coupe I make his berd so mote I pee

pou seist1 eek1 pat1 per ben pinges pree

pe whiche pinges troublen al Jns Erpe

And pat1 no wight1 may endure pe ferpe

0 leue sire schrewe ihesu schorte pi lijf1

yet1 prechest1 pou and seist1 an hateful wijf1

y-rekned is for oon of1 pis meschances

Ben per non oper maner resemblances

pat1 ye may likene ^oure parables to

But1 if1 a sely wijf1 be on of1 £o

And likenest1 wo?7imannes loue to helle

To bareyne lond per water may not1 dwelle

jjou likenest1 it/ also to wilde fyre

The more it brenneth J?e more it1 haj? desire

To consume eny ping1 pat1 brende wolde be

Thou seist1 pat1 right1 as wormes schende a tree

Bight1 so a wyf1 destroyep hir housebonde

This knowen pey pat1 ben to wyues bonde

lordynges right1 pus ^e han vnderstande

Bar I stifly myrc olde housbondes on hande

pat1 pus pey seyden in here drunkenesse

And eelf1 pat1 he hadde suspecion and lelousnesse

On lankyn and on my nefe also

0 lord pe peyne I dede hem and pe woo

CORPUS 223 (6-T. 344)

352

356

argw* hafiuit mille oc?dos.

360

Deaf 109, fen- 104]

364

368.

372

376

380

384

SIX-TEXT 345

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

fful gilteles by goddes sweete pyne ffor as an hors I couf e bof e byte and whyne I couf e pleyne and I was in f e gilte Or elles ofte tyme I hadde ben spilte 388

Who so fat1 first1 to mylle com)) ferst1 grynte I pleyned first1 so was oure werre stynte fey were ful glade to excusen hem ful blyue / Of1 f ing* which f ei agilte neuer here lyue 392

Of* wenches wolde I beren hem on honde Whan fat1 for sike fey might1 vnnef e stonde yet1 tykeled I his herte for fat he

Wende I hadde of1 him so gret1 chiertee 396

I swore fat1 al my walkynge be night1 Was for to aspye wenches fat1 he dighte [leaf 109, back]

vnder fat1 colour hadde I many a myrf e ffor alle such witte is ^iue vs in oure birf e 400

Desceipte wepyng1 spynnyng1 god haf 3iue To woroman kyndely whil fat1 f ei may lyue L^SsiSulSt And f us of1 o f ing1 1 auaunte me

At1 f e ende I hadde fe beste in eche degre 404

By sleighte or force or by som maner f ing1 As by continuel murmur and grucching* Namely a bedde hadde fey meschaunce Ther wolde I chide and do hem no plesaunce 408

I wolde no lenger in f e bedde abyde If1 fat1 1 felte his arm ouer my syde Til he hadde made his raunsom vnto me Thanne wolde I suffre him do his nycete 412

And f erfore euery man f is tale I telle Wyrane who so may al are for to selle Wif empty hande men may non haukes lure ffor wynnyng1 wolde I al his lust1 endure 416

And make me a feyned appetyt1 And 3itf in bakon hadde I neuer delit/ That1 maked me fat1 euer I wolde him chyde ffor f ough f e pope hadde sete him besyde 420

CORPUS 224 (6-T. 345)

SIX-TEXT 546

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

I wolde nou^f spare him at1 his oughne bord ffor by my troupe I quitte him word for word As helpe me verrey god omnipotent1

Jjough I right1 now schulde make my testament1 424

I ne owe him a word pat1 it1 nys quitte I brought1 it so aboute by my witte That1 he muste ^iue it1 vp as for Jje beste / Or elles hadde we neuere ben in reste 428

ffor pough he loked as a leoun 3efr scholde he faile of1 his conclusion Thenne wolde I seye now goode leef1 take keepe / how mekely lokej? wilkyn oure scheepe 432

Com ner my spouse lat1 me ba J)i cheeke 30 schulle be al pacient1 and meeke [leaf no,/orio5]

And han a sweete spiced conscience / Syn ^e so preche of1 lobis pacience 436

SuffreJ) alwey syn 30 so wel can p?feche And but1 30 do certein we schul 3ou teche That1 it1 is fair to haue a wyf1 in pees On of1 vs moot1 bowen doutelees 440

And sijjjje a man is more resonable Than woman is sire 30 moste be suffrable / What1 eyle]) 3ou to grucche jjus and grone Is if for 30 wolde haue my queynte allone 444

Whi tak1 it1 al / lo haue it1 euery del Petir I schrewe 3ou but1 36 loue me wel ffor If1 1 wolde selle my bele chose

I coujje walke as freissche as a rose 148

But1 1 wil kepe it1 for 3our owne top 30 be to blame by god I seye 3ou sop Suche maner wordes hadde we on honde Now wol I speke of1 my ferpe housbonde / 452

IF My ferpe housbond was a reuelour This is to seye he hadde a paramour And I was yong1 and ful of1 Eagerie

Styborne and strong1 and ioly as a pye 456

17 CORPUS 225 (6-T. 346)

SIX-TEXT 347

GROUP D. § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

lord how couf e I daunce to an liarpe smale / And synge ywys as eny nyghtyngale / Whan I hadde dronke a draughte of* sweete Wyn Meteling1 f e foule cherle f e swyn 460

That1 with a staf1 byraff his wif1 hir lyf1 ffor sche drank1 wyn f ough I hadde ben his wijf1 Ne schulde he nought1 han daunted me fro drynke And after wyn on venus most1 1 finke 4G4

ffor also syker as colde engendref hayl A likerous mouf moste han a likerous tail In womman violent1 is no defence

This knowen lecchoures by experience 4G8

But* lord crist1 whan fat1 if remembref me / vpon my ^ouf e and my lolyte [leaf no, buck]

It1 tykelef me about1 my% herte roote vnto fis day it1 dof myn herte boote 472

fat1 1 haue had my world as in my tyme But1 age alias fat1 al wol envenyme haf me byraft1 my beaute and my pif laf go far wel f e deuel go f er-wif 476

The flour is gon f er is nomore to telle The bren as I best1 can now moot1 1 selle But1 ^et1 to be right1 mery wol I fonde / Now forf to telle of1 my ferf e housbonde 480

I seye I hatte in herte gret1 despyt1 That1 he of1 eny of er hadde delyf But1 he was quyte by god and by sent lose I made him of1 f e same woode a crose 484

Not* of1 my body in no foul manere But1 certeinly I made folk1 such cheere That1 in his owne grece I made him frye ffor angery and for verray Jalousie / 488

By god in erfe I was his purgatorie ffor which I hope his soule be in glorie / ffor god it1 wot1 he sat1 ful ofte and song1 "Whan fat1 his scho ful bitterly him wrong1 492

CORPUS 226 (6-T. 347)

STX-TEXT 348

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

ffor per was non sauf1 god and lie pat1 wiste

In many wise where I him twiste

he deyed whan I cam fro Jerusalem

And lip y-graue vnder J>e Roode beem 496

Al nys his tombe not1 so curious

As was pe sepulcre of1 him Darius

Which pat1 appelles wroughten subtilly

If nys but1 waste to burye him preciously 500

lat1 him far wel god ^iue his soule reste

he is now in his graue and in his cheste

U Now of1 my fyfpe housbonde wil I telle

God late neuer his soule come in helle / 504

And 31^ was he to me J>e moste schrewe /

That1 feele I on my ribbes al by rewe [leaf 111, for IOGJ

And euere schal vnto myrc endyng1 day

But1 in a bed he was so freissh" and gay 508

And per-wip-al so wel coupe he me glose /

Whan pat1 he wolde han my bele chose /

pat1 pough he hadde me bete on euery boon

he coupe wynne agayn my loue anon 512

I trowe I loued him pe bet1 for he

Was of1 his loue daungerous to me

We wymmen han if1 pat1 1 schal not1 lye

In pis manere a queinte fantasye 516

Wayte what1 ping we may nought1 lightly haue

Ther-after wole we crye alday and craue /

fforbede vs ping1 and pat1 desyren we

Frees on vs faste and panne wil we flee / 520

Wip daunger outen we alle oure chaffare

Gret1 prees at1 market1 makep deere ware /

And to gret1 cheep is holde / at1 litel pris

This knowep euery woraman pat1 is wys 524

My .vf housbonde god his soule blesse

Which pat1 1 took1 for loue and no richesse /

he som tyrne was a clerk* of1 Oxenforde

And hadde left1 scole and wente at1 horn to borde 528

CORPUS 227 (6-T. 348)

SIX-TEXT 349

GROUP D, § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

Wif my gossybb dwellyng1 in cure toun God haue hire soule hir name was alisown Sche knew myn herte and al my priuyte / Bettre fan oure parissche prest1 so mote I fee / 532

To hire bywreyed I my counseil al ffor hadde myn housbonde pyssed on a wal Or don a f ing1 fat1 schulde haue cost1 his lyf1 To hire and to anof er worf y wyf1 536

And to my neece which I loue wel 1 wolde han told his counseil! euerydeH And so I dede ful ofte god it1 woof

That1 made his face often reed and hoot1 540

ffor verray schame and blamed himself1 for he hadde told to me so gret1 a pryuyte Deaf in, back]

And so it1 felle fat1 ones in a lente

So ofte tyme vnto my gossib wente / 544

ffor euer $it I loued to be gay And for to walke in march aueril and may ffrom hous to hous to herkne sondry tales That1 lankyn clerk1 and my gossibb dame alis 548

And I my self1 in to f e feldes wente myn housbond was at1 london al fat1 lente I hadde f e bettre leysir for to pleye

And for to see and eek1 for to be seye 552

Of1 lusty folk1 what1 wist1 1 wher my grace "Was schapen for to be or in what1 place f erfore made I my visitacions

To vigilies and to processions 556

To prechyng1 eek1 and to f is pilgrimages To pleyes of1 myracles and of1 mariages And wered vpon my gaye skarlet1 gytes This wormes ne fise moffes ne fise mytes 560

vppon my peril frete hem neuer a del And wostow why for fey were vsed wel 1F Now wol I tellen forf what1 happed me I seye fat1 in fe feeldes walked we 564

CORPUS 228 (6-T. 349)

SIX-TEXT 350

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS,

Til trewely we hadde such dalyance

f is clerk1 and I fat1 of1 my purueiaunce

I spak1 to him and seyde how fat1 he

If I were wydow schulde wedde me 568

ffor certeynly I seye for no bobaunce /

fat1 was I neuer ^if wif oute purueance

Of1 mariage ne of1 of er f inges eeke

I holde a mouses witte nat1 worf a leek1 572

fat1 haf but1 oon hole for to stirten to

And if1 fat1 faile fan is al y-do

[I bar him on honde / he had enchaunted me

my dame taughte me / that subtilte

and eke I seide / I mette of him al night Barker.]

he wolde haue shamed me / as I lay vpright

and al my bed was ful / of verry blood

but yit I hope / that ye shul do me good 580

for blood bitokeneth gold / as me was taughte

and al was fals / for I dremed right naughte

but as I folwed ay / my dames lore

als wel of that / as of other thinges morel ^s Ar°h; Self B- "•

J extract stops]

But1 now sire lat1 me see what1 1 schal seyn A ha . by god I haue my tale agayn Whan fat1 my ferf e housbonde was on bere I wepe algate and made sory chere [leaf 112, ./or 107] 588 As wyues mooten for it1 is vsage / And with my keuercheeff1 couered my visage But1 for fat1 1 was purueyed of1 a make / I weep but1 smale and fat1 1 vndertake 592

To chirche was myrc housbond y-born on morwe With neghebours fat1 for him made sorwe And lankyn oure clerk1 was on of1 f o As help me god whan fat* I seih him go 596

After f e beere me fought1 he hadde a paire Of1 legges and of1 feet1 so cleene and faire That1 al myn herte I yaf1 vnto his holde he was I trowe twenty wynter olde 600

CORPUS 229 (6-T. 350)

SIX-TEXT 351

GROUP D, § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

And I was fourty if1 1 schal seye sof

But1 yet1 1 hadde alwey a coltes tof

Gat1 tof ed I was and fat bycam me wel

I hadde ])e printe of1 seinf venus sel 604

As help me god I was a lusty oon)

And fair and riche and ^ong1 and wel bygon

And trewely as myn housbond tolde me

I hadde ])e beste queynte pat/ mighte be G08

[for certis I am al fully Yenerian

in feling / and myn herte is Marcian

Yenus me yaff my lust / my likerousnes

and Mars yaff me / my sturdy hardynes] C 1 2

Myn ascendent1 was Taur and Mars f erinne

Alias alias fat1 euer loue was synne /

I folwed ay myn inclinacion

By vertue of* my constellacion • C16

That1 made me I couf e not1 wif drawe

My chambre of1 venus from a good felawe

[yit haue I Mars is marke / vppon my face i

and also in another prevy place %&$%

for god so wis be / my sauaciown th/^-G. pj as

I loued neuere / bi no discressiozm

but euere folwed / myn appetite

al were he long / shorte / blak or white 624

I toke no kepe / so that he liked me

how pore he was / ne eke of what degre]

What1 schulde I seye but1 at1 f e monies ende

This loly clerk1 lankyn fat1 was so heende / 628

haf wedded me with" gret1 solempnite

And to him 3af1 1 al f e lond and fee /

That1 euere was me ^iuen fer byfore

But* afterward repented e me ful sore 632

lie nolde suffre no fing1 of1 my lest1

By god he smot1 me onys on fe lest1

ffor fat1 1 rente out1 of1 his book1 a leef1

That1 of1 fat1 strook1 my eeren woxen deef1 [leaf 112, back] G36

CORPUS 230 (6-T. 351)

SIX-TEXT 352

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

IT Stiborne I was as is a leonesse /

And of1 my tonge a veri&y langleresse /

And walke I wolde as I hadde don "biforn

ffrom hous to hous al f ougE. he hadde it sworn 640

ffor wif ful often tyme he wolde preche

And me olde romance gestes teche

how he simplicius Gallus lefte his wijf1

And hire forsook1 for terme of1 his lijf1 644

Not1 but1 for openhede he hir say

Lokyng1 out1 at1 his dore on a day

Anof er Eomayn tolde he me by name

That1 for his wyf1 was at1 a Somer game / 648

Wif oute his wytyng1 he forsook1 hire eeke

And f anne wolde he vpon his bible seeke

That1 ilke prouerbe of1 ecclesiaste

Wher he comaundef and forbedej) faste 652

Man schal not1 suffre his wyf1 to roule aboute

fan wolde he seye right1 Jms wif outen doute

Who so fat1 buldeth his hous al of1 salwes nota \>ene

And prikef his*blynde hors ouer fe falwes 656

And suffref his wijf1 go for to seeken halwes

Is worf y for to be hanged on f e galwes

But1 al for nought1 1 sette nat1 an hawe

Of1 his prouerbes ne of1 his olde lawe 660

Ne I wolde not1 of1 him corrected be /

I hate him fat1 my vice tellef me

And so don mo god woot1 of1 vs fan I

This made him with me wood al outerly 664

I nolde not1 forbere him in no caas

Now wil I seie $ou sof by seint Thomas

"Why fat1 1 rent1 out1 of1 his book1 a leef1

ffor which he smot1 me fat1 1 was deef1 668

he hadde a book1 fat1 gladly night1 and day

ffor his disporte he wolde rede alway

he clepede valery and Theofrasto

At1 which book1 he lowh alwey ful faste [leaf m.form] 672

CORPUS 231 (6-T. 352)

.

SIX-TEXT 353

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

And eek1 fer was som tyme a clerk1 in Rome /

A Cardinal fat1 highte seint1 lerome

That1 made a book1 a3ein louynian

In which, book1 eeke J?er was Terculan 676

Crisippus Trocula and helowys

That1 was abbesse nat1 fer fro Parys

And eek1 fe parables of1 Salomon)

Ovides art1 and bokes many oori) 680

And alle fise were bounde in oo volume

And euery night1 and day was his custume

"Whan he hadde leysyr and vacacioun)

ffrom ofer worldly occupacion 684

To reden in fis book1 of1 wikked wyues

he knew of1 hem mo legendes and lyues

Than ben of1 goode wyues in J>e bible /

ffor trustej? wel it1 is an impossible 688

That1 ony clerk1 wole speken good of1 wyues

But1 if1 it1 be of1 holy seintes lyues

Ke of1 non ojjer wommen neuer J?e mo

Who peynted J>e lyoun tel me who 692

By god if1 wommen hadden writen stories

As clerkes han wijnnne here oratories

They wolde haue writen of1 men more wickednesse

Than alle ]?e marke of1 adam may redresse 696

The children of1 mercuric and venus

Ben in here werkynge contrarious

Mercuric louejj wisdam and science /

And venus louej? ryot1 and dispence / 700

And for here diuerse disposicion

Eche fallef in ofres exaltacion

As J>us god wot1 mercurie is desolat

In Piscis . where venus is exaltaf 704

And venus fallej? fer mercurie is reised

Ther-fore no wo?ranan of1 no man is preysed

The clerk1 whan he is oldo and may not1 do

To Venus werk1 nought1 worjj his olde scho peaf us, back]

CORPUS 232 (6-T. 353)

SIX-TEXT 354

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

Than sitte lie doun and writ1 in his dotage / That1 woramen con not1 keepe here mariage Butt now to purpos why I tolde f e

Thatt I was beten for a book1 pardee 712

Vppon a night1 lankyn fat1 was oure syre Redde on his book1 as he satt by f e fyre Of1 Eua first1 fat1 for hire wickednesse Was al mankynde brought to wrecchednesse 716

[for which Ihesu crist / him stiff was sleyne ^f^g,' fS]B* that bought vs with his herte blood ageyne 71£^0^s 739 omit° lo here expresse of recorde / may ye fynde that woman was the loos / of al mankynde] 720

Tho redde he me how Sampson lost1 his heris Slepyng1 his lewman kit1 itt wif liir scheris Thurgh which treson lostt he bof e his eyen Tho redde he me if1 f att I schal not1 lyen 724

Of1 ercules and of1 his deyanire / Thatt caused him to sette himself1 a fyre No f ing1 for-gatt he f e penance and woo Thatt Socrates hadde with his wyues tuo 728

how fatt ancipa caste pisse on his heed This seely man satt stille as he were deed he wyped his heed no more durste he seyn Butt or fatt fundir stynte come]? a reyn 732

Of1 Phasipha fatt was f e queen of1 Grete / ffor schrewednesse him fought1 f e tale swete tfy spek1 nomore it is a grisly f ing1

Of1 hire horrible lust1 and hire likyng1 736

Of1 Clitermistra for hire leccherie Thatt falsly made hir housbonde for to dye he redde itt wif wel good deuocion

he tolde me for what1 occasion 740

Amphiorax att Thebes lostt his lyf1 Myn housbond had a legend of1 his wijf1 Eriphilem fatt for an ouche of1 golde

haf pryuyly vnto f e Grekes tolde 744

CORPUS 233 (G-T. 354)

SIX-TEXT 355

GROUP D. § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

Wher pat1 hir housbond hid him in a place

ffor which he hadde at1 Thebes sory grace

Of1 lyma tolde he me and of1 lucye 747

They bope made here housbondes for to dye [leaf IH, for 100]

That1 on for loue fat1 oper was for hate

lyma hire housebonde on euen late

Enpoysoned hadde for sche was his foo

Lucia likerous loued hir housbonde so 752

That1 for he scholde vppon hir alwey pinke

Sche yaf1 him such a loue maner drynke

That1 he was deed er if was by pe niorwe

And pus algates housbondes han sorwe 756

Than tolde he me how oon latumyus

Compleigned to his felaw arius

That* in his gardyn growed such a tree

On which he seyde pat1 his wyues pre 760

hanged hemselue for hertes dispitous

0 leeue broper quod pis arious

^if1 me a plante of1 pat1 blisful tree

And in my gardyn planted schal it be/ 764

Of1 later date of1 wyues haj) he redde

That1 han slayne here housbondes in pe bedde

And leet1 hir lecchour digfct hir al pe night1

Whan pat1 pe corps lay in pe floor vpright1 768

And some han dryuen nayles in here brayn

Whil pat1 pey sleepe and pus pey han hem slayn

Some han ^iuen poyson in here drynke

He spak1 more harme pan herte may bepynke 772

And per-wip-al he knew of1 mo prouerbes

pan in pis worlde per growen gresse or herbes Th^t™eJiMses'

Bet1 is quod he pin habitacion

Be with a leoun) or a foul dragon 776

Than with a womman vsyng1 for to chyde

Bet1 is qiiod he heihe in pe roof1 abyde

Than wip an angry wyf1 doun in an hous

They ben so wicked and cont?vmous 780

CORPUS 234 (6-T. 35o)

SIX-TEXT 356'

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

Jjey hate]? J?at* here housbondes louej? ay lie seyde a wowman cast* liir schame away Whan sche cast1 of hir smok1 and forj>ermo A fair womman but1 sche be chast1 also [leaf 114, back] 784 Is lyk1 a goldryng1 on a sowes nose "Who wolde wene or wolde suppose j>e woo Jjaf in mjn herte was and pyne And whan I saugh" he wolde neuer fyne 788

To reden on J>is cursed book1 al night1 Al sodeinly J>re leues haue I plight1 Out1 of1 his book1 right1 as he red and eeke I with my fest1 so took1 him on pe cheeke 792

Jjat1 in oure fire he fille bakward adoun And he vpstirte as do]} a wood leoun And with his fest1 he smot1 me on ]>e heed pat1 in Jje floor I lay as I were deed 796

And whan he saugh how stille J>af I lay he was agast and wolde han fledde away Til atte laste out1 of1 my swowe I brayde 0 hast1 J>ou slayn me false peef1 1 sayde 800

And for my lond )ms hastow moerdred me / Or I be deed ^it1 wol I kisse J>e And neer he come and kneled faire adoun And seyde deere suster alisown 804

As help me god I schal J>e neuer smyte Jjat1 1 haue doon it1 is Jjiself1 to wyte ffor^iue it1 me and Jjat1 1 ])e beseke /

And $iti effrsones I hitte him on J?e cheeke / 808

And seyde J^eef1 Jms mochel am I wreke Now wil I dye I may no lenger speke But1 at1 J?e laste / wij> mochel care and woo We felle acorded by vs seluen tuo 812

he ^af1 me al J>e brydel in myn hond To haue jje gouernance of1 hous and lond And of1 his tunge and of1 his hand also/ And made him breniie his book1 anon right1 )>o 816

CORPUS 235 (6-T. 356)

SIX-TEXT 357

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS,

And whan fat I hadde geten vnto me

By maistrie al f e souerainte

fan he seyde myn owne trewe wyf1 C$£1£J3*< at bott°m

Do as fou list1 fe terme of1 alle fy lif1 / [leafioib./omo]

kepe fin honour and keep eek1 myn estate /

After fat1 day we hadde neuer debate /

God help me so I was to him as kynde

As eny wijf1 from Denmark1 in to ynde 824

And al so trewe and so was he to me /

I pray to god fat1 sitte in mageste

So blisse his soule for his mercy deere

Now wol I telle my tale if1 ^e wol heere 828

1F Here endef f e prologe of1 f e gode wif1 of1 Baf e

[The Wrangle lettveen the Summoner and Friar.]

The frere lowli whan he haf herd al fis Now dame quod he so haue I ioye or blis This is a long1 preamble of1 a tale

And whan fis somnour herde f e freere gale / 832

Lo quod f e somnowr goddes armes tuo A freere wille entremette him euermo lo goode men a flye and eek1 a freere

Wille falle in euery dissche and eek1/ matiere / 836

What1 spekest1 fou of1 preambulacion What1 amble or trotte or pees or go sit1 cloun Thou lettest/ oure disport1 in fis manere / 30 woltow so fou sompnowr quod f e ffrere / 840

Now by my fay I schal er fat1 I go Telle of1 a Somnour such a tale or tuo That1 alle f e folk1 schulle laughen in fis place Now elles frere I beschrewe fy face 844

Quod fis somnour and I byschrewe me / But1 if1 1 telle f e tales tuo or f re Of1 freres or I come to Sydyngborne fat1 1 schal make fin herte for to morne 848

CORPUS 236 (6-T. 3->7)

SIX-TEXT 358

GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

ffor wel I wot1 fy pacience is gon

Oure hoste cryde pees and fat1 anon

And seyde lat1 f e womman telle hir tale /

Ye faren as folk1 fat1 dronken ben of1 ale 852

Do dame telle forf youre tale and fat1 is beste

Al redy sire quod sche right1 as yow leste

pif I have licens o]f f is worfi frere c1 MS cut away, z/ioib, w]

f1 Yis dame teUe] forf J>i tale I wol here 856

COUPUS 237 (6-T. 358)

SIX-TEXT 359

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

[l Here bigynneth] pe goode wyues tale of1 bathe [on if 101, &*]

[l ITS cut away.']

' m N olde dayes of1 pe king1 arthour

[OJf1 which fat1 britons speken gret1 honour [A]l was pis land fulfild of* fayerie [T]he elfe queen with hire ioly compaignie 860 [D]aunced wipouten in many a greene meede

• * [T]his was pe olde opynion as I rede

[I speke of many] hundred $eer ago

[But] now can noman see non elues moo 864

[For] pe grete charite and pe preyeres

[Of] lymytoures and oj>re pouere freeres

[T]hafr serchen euery land and euery streem

[A]s fikke as motes in jje sonne beem) 868

Blissynge halles chambres boures

[C]itees burghes castels hihe toures

[T]hropes bernes schipenes dayeries

This makef fat1 fer ben no fayeries 872

ffor ]?er as wont1 to walke was an elf1

Ther walke]? now pe lymytour himself1

In vndermeles and in morwenynges

And seij> his matyns and his holy finges 876

As he goj> in his lymytaciown

Wommen may go now saufly vp and do?m

In euery busch" or vnder euery tree

J>er is non oper Incubws but1 he 880

And he wol do hem but1 dishonour

And so felle it / fat1 pis king1 arthour

hadde in his hous a lusty bacheler

pat1 on a day cam rydyng1 fro ryuer 884

CORPUS 238 (6-T. 359)

SIX-TEXT 360

GROUP D, § 2, WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And happed alone as sche was born he saugft a mayden walkyng1 him biforn) Of* which mayde maugre hire heed

By verray force he refte hir naaydenhed 888

ffor which oppression was such clamour And swich pursute vnto f e king1 artour [leaf 102, for 111]

That1 dampned was fis knight1 for to be deed By cours of1 lawe and scholde haue lost1 his heed 892

Perauenture such was f e statute f o But1 fat1 f e queene and of er ladyes mo So longe preyede f e king1 of1 grace / Til he his lijf1 him graunted in f e place 896

And yaf1 him to f e queen al at1 hire wille To cheese whef er sche wolde him saue or spille The queen f ankef f e king1 with alle hire might1 And after fis f us spak1 sche to f e knight1 900

Whan fat1 sche seigh hir tyme on a day f ou stondest1 ^et1 quod sche in such aray fat1 of1 j>i lijf ^et1 hast1 fou no suerte

I graunte fe lijf1 if1 fou canst1 telle me 904

"What1 f ing1 is it/ fat1 wommen most desiren Be war and keep f i neeke bon from yren And if1 f ou canst1 nought1 telle it1 me anon $it/ wol I 3iue f e leue for to gon 908

A twelf1 monf e and a day to seeke and lere An answere sufficant/ in f is matiere And seurte wil I han or fat1 f ou pace Thy body for to yelden in fis place 912

"Wo was fis knight1 and sorufully he sikef But what1 he may not1 do al as him likef And at1 f e laste he chese him for to wende / And come a3ein right1 at1 fe yeres ende / 916

With swich answere as god wolde him purueye / And takef his leue and wendef forf his weye he seekef euery hous and euery place / Wher as he hopef for to fynde grace 920

CORPUS 239 (G-T. 300)

SIX-TEXT 361

GROUP D. § 2. WIPE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

To lerne what* f ing1 wowmen louen most4 But1 lie now couf e arryuen in no coost1 Wher as he mighte fynde in Jis matere / Tuo creatures acordyng1 in feere 1)24

Some seyden wo?/mien loue best1 richesse Some seyde honour some seyden lolynesse / [leaf 102, back] Some riche array some seyden lust1 a bedde / And ofte time to be wydewe and wedde / 928

Some seyden fat1 we be most1 yesed Whan fat1 we ben y-flatered and y-plesed he gof ful neigh f e sof e I wol nat1 lye A man schal Wynne vs best1 wif flaterie 932

And with attendaunce and wif besynesse Ben we y-lymed bof e more and lesse / And some men sein how fat1 we louen best1 ffor to be fre and do right1 as vs lest1 936

And fat1 noman / repreue vs of1 oure vice But1 seye fat1 we be wyse and nof ing1 nyce ffor trewely f er nys non of1 vs alle /

If1 eny wight1 wol clawe vs on f e galle / 940

fat1 we nyl loke or he seif vs sof Assay and he schal fynde it1 fat1 he dof ffor be we neuer so vicious wif inne

We wil be holden wys and clene of1 synne 944

And some men sein fat1 gret1 delyt1 haue we ffor to be holden stable and ek1 secre And in oo purpos stedefastly to dwelle And not1 bewreye fing1 fat1 men vs telle 948

But fat1 tale is not1 worf a rake stele Parde we woramen konnen nof ing1 hele Witnesse on Myda wil ^e heere f e tale / Ovide amonges of er finges smale 952

Setthe myda hadde vnder his longe heris Growynge vp his heed two assis eeres f e whiche vice he hidde as he best1 might' fful sotilly from euery mannes sight 956

COBPUS 240 (6-T. 36l)

SIX-TEXT 362

GROUP D, § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS,

fat1 saf1 his wijf1 fer wist1 of1 it no mo

lie loued hire most1 and trusted to hire also

he preyde hire most1 fat1 vnto no creature

Sche scholde not1 tellen of1 his disfigure 960

Sche swor him nay for al f is world to wynne /

Sche wolde do fat1 vylanye or fat1 synne Deaf ios,/or 112]

To make hire housbonde han so foul a name

ffor reproeuyng1 of1 him and foule schame 964

But1 naf eles hir foughte fat1 sche dyde

That1 sche so longe scholde a counseil hyde

hir fought1 it1 sat1 so sore aboute hir herte

That1 needely som word hir most1 asterte 968

And sif f e sche dorste tellen it no man

Doun to a mareys faste sche ran

Til sche cam f er hir herte was a fyre

And as a by tore bumlif in f e myre 972

Sche leyde hire mouf vnto f e water doun)

Bewreye me nought1 f ou water with f y soun

Quod sche to f e I telle it and nomo

Myn housebonde haf longe asses eeres tuo 976

Now is myn herte al hool now it1 is oute

I might1 no lenger kepe it1 out1 of1 doute

here may $e see f ough we a tyme abyde

Yet1 out1 it1 moot1 we mowe no counseil hyde 980

The remenant1 of1 f e tale if1 ye wol heere

Redef Ovyde and ^e may it1 leere

This knight1 of1 which my tale is specially

Whan fat1 he saugh" he mighte nought1 come ferby 984

f is is to seye what1 wommen louen most1

Wif inne his herte sorwful was f e gost1

But1 home he gof he mighte nought1 soiourne

f e day was come fat1 homward most1 he tourne 988

And in his way it1 happed him to ryde

In alle his care vnder a forest1 syde

Wher he saugh on one daunce go

Of1 ladyes xxiiij. and jiti mo 992

18 CORPUS 241 (6-T. 362)

SIX-TEXT 363

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS,

Toward f e daunce lie drowe him yerne

In hope f af som wisdam schulde he lerne

But1 certeinly or he cam fully fare /

Vanyssched was fe daunce he nyste not where / 996

No creature saugh he fat bar lyf1

Saue in fe grene he saugh sittyng1 a wijf1 [leaf 103, back]

A foulere wight1 f er may non deuyse

Agayn fe knight1 fe olde wijf1 gan arise 1000

And seyde sire knight1 here for]? ne lif no wey

Telle me what1 fat1 }e seken by ^oure fey

Perauenture it may f e bettre be /

This olde folk1 konne mochel fing1 quod sche / 1004

my leeue mooder quod f is knight1 certeyn

I am but1 ded but1 if1 fat1 1 can seyn

What1 fing1 it1 is fat1 woramen most1 desire

Cowde $e me wisse I wolde wel quyte youre hyre 1008

Plight1 me f i trouf e here in myn hand quod sche

The nexte f ing1 fat1 1 require f e

Thou schalt1 it1 do if1 if lye in f y might1

And I wil telle if }ou or it be nighf 1012

haue here my trouf e quod f e knighf I graunte

Than quod sche I may me wel auaunte

Thy lyf1 is sauf1 for I wol stonde f er by

vpon my lijf1 fe queen wole seye as I 1016

laf se which is f e proudesf of1 hem alle

Thaf weref on a kerchef1 or a calle

f af dar say nay of1 f af I schal :$ou teche

laf vs go forf wifoute lenger speche 1020

Tho rowned sche a pystel in his eere

And bad him to be glad and haue no feere

Whan fey be comen to f e courf f is knighf

Seyde he hadde holde his day as he hadde highf 1024

And redy was his answers as he sayde

fful many a noble wijf1 and many a mayde

And many a wydowe for f af fey ben wyse /

The queen hir seluen sittyng1 as lusty se 1028

CORPUS 242 (6-T. 363)

SIX-TEXT 364

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Assembled ben his answer for to heere

And afterward pis knight1 was bode appeere

And fat1 pe knight1 schal telle in audience

To euery wight1 comanded was scilence 1032

What1 Jung* pat1 worldly wowzmen louen meest1

This knight1 ne stood nat1 stille as do]? a beest1 [ieafioi,/oriis]

But1 to his question anon ansAverde /

With manly vois pat1 al pe court/ it herde 1036

My liege lady generally quod he /

Wowzman desire]? to haue soueraynte

As wel ouer hir housbonde and hire lone

And for to be in maystrie him aboue 1040

J?is is }oure most1 desyr pough 30 me kille

Do]? as you list1 I am heer at1 your wille

In al J?e court1 ne" was ]?er wijf1 ne niayde

Ne wydewe pat1 contraried fat1 he sayde 1044

But1 seyden he was wor]?y han his lijf1

And wi]? pat word vp sterte pat1 olde wijf1

Which pat1 pe knight1 saugh sittyng1 on pe grene

Mercy quod sche my souerayn lady queene/ 1048

Or pat1 youre court1 departe do me right1

I taughte pis answere vnto pis knight1

ifor which he plighte me his treupe pere

The firste ping1 I wolde of1 him requere 1052

he wolde it1 do if1 it1 lay in his might1

Byfore pe court1 pan preye I pe sire knight1

Quod sche pat1 pou me take ynto pi wijf1

ffor wel pou wost1 pat1 1 haue kept1 py lijf1 1056

If1 1 seye fals sey nay vpon py fey

This knight1 answerde alias and weylowey

I wot1 right1 wel pat1 such was my biheste /

ffor goddes loue chese a newe requeste/ 1060

Tak1 al my good and lat1 my body go

Nay pan quod sche I schrewe vs bope tuo

ffor pough pat1 1 be foule and olde and poure

T nolde for al pe metal ne for cure 1064

CORPUS 243 (6-T, 364)

SIX-TEXT 365

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

f at1 vnder erf e is graue or lif aboue

But* if1 fat I f y wyf1 were and f i loue

My loue quod he nay my dampnacioii

Alias fat1 eny of1 my naciofi 1068

Scholde euere so foule y-disparaged be

But1 al for nought1 f e ende is fis fat1 he [leaf 104, back]

Constreyned was he nedes moste hire wedde

And takef fis olde wijf1 and gof to bedde 1072

Now wolden some men seyn perauenture

That for my necgligence I do no cure

To telle 3ou f e loye and f e array

That1 at1 fe feste was fat1 ilke day 1076

To which f ing1 schortly answers I schal

I seye f er was no ioye ne feste at1 al

f er nas but1 heuynesse and mochil sorwe '

ffor priuely he wedded hire on a morwe 1080

And al day after hidde him as an owle /

So wo was him his wijf1 loked so foule

Gret1 was f e sorwe f e knight1 hadde in his fought1

"Whan he was with his wyf1 a bedde brought1 1084

he walwef and tornef to and fro

his olde wijf1 lay smylyng1 eueremo

And seide O dere housbonde o benedicite

ffaref euery knight1 fus with his wijf1 as 36 1088

Is fis f e lawe of1 king arthures hous

Is euery knight1 of1 his loue fus daungerous

I am 3our owne loue and eek1 3oure wijf1

I am sche which fat1 saued haf ^oure lijf1 1092

And certes ^it1 dede I ^ou neuer vnright1

Why fare 36 fus wif me f e ferste night

36 faren like 3, man fat1 hadde lost1 his wit

ffy what1 is my gilt1 for godes loue tel if 1096

And it1 schal ben amended if1 1 may

Amended quod, fis knight1 nay nay

That1 wil nat1 ben amended neueremo

fou art1 so lofly and so olde also 1100

CORPUS 244 (6-T. 36o)

SIX-TEXT 366

GROUP D. § 2, WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And f er-to comen of1 so lowh a kynde

That1 litel wonder is f ough I walwe & wynde

So wolde god myn herte wolde breste

Is fis quod sche fe cause of1 pure vnrestef 1104

36 • certeinly quod he no wonder is

Now sire quod sche I coufe amende al fis [leaf 105, for iu]

If1 fat1 me liste or it were dayes f re

So wel 30 mighte bere $ou vnto me 1108

IF But1 for 36 Speken Of* SUCh gentilesse IT Nofa bene de NoWlitate

As is descended out1 of1 alle richesse / fat1 f erfore schulden 36 be gentil men Such erregance nys nat1 worf an hen 1112

lo who fat1 most1 is yertuous alway Preuy and aperte and most1 endef ay To do J?e gentil dedes fat1 he can

And take him for J?e grettest1 gentil man 1116

Crist1 wole we clayme of1 him oure gentilnesse Nat1 of1 oure eldres for here olde richesse ffor fough fey 3eue vs alle here heritage ifor which we clayme to be of1 heigh parage 1120

3efr may fey not1 bequef e for no f ing4 To non of1 vs here vertuous lyuyng* That1 made hem gentil men y-called be And bad vs folwen hem in such degre 1124

Wel can f e wise poete of1 fflorence That1 highte dante speke in f is sentence Lo in swich maner ryme is dauntes tale fful seelde vp risef by his branches smale 1128

Prowesse of1 man for god of1 his prowesse / Wil fat1 of1 him we clayme oure gentilnesse ffor of1 oure eldres may we nof ing1 clayme But1 temperel fing1 fat1 we may hurte arid mayme 1132 Ek1 euery wight1 wot1 f is as wel as I If1 gentilesse were plaunted naturelly Vnto a certein linage doun f e lyne

Pryue and aperte fanne wolde fey neuer fyne 1136

CORPUS 245 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 367

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

To don of1 gentilesse fe faire office

J>ey mighten do no vylanye ne vice

Tak1 fyre and here it1 in pe derkestr hous

Bitwixe Jris and ]?e mount1 of1 Caucasous 1140

And lat1 men schette j?e dores and go fenne

^et1 wol fe fyr as faire lye and brenne [leaf io.% back]

As fough a fousand men might1 it beholde

his office naturel ay wol it1 liolde / 1144

vp peril of lyf1 til fat1 it dye /

here may ^e se wel how fat1 genterie /

Is not* annexed to possession

Siffe folk1 do nat1 here operacion 1148

alwey as do]? f e fir lo in his kinde

ffor god if wot1 men may ful often fynde

A lordes sone do schame and vilanye

And he fat1 wol haue pris of1 his gentrie 1152

fibr he was boren of1 a gentil hous

And hadde his eldres noble and vertuous

And nyl himseluen do no gentil dedes

Ne folwe his gentil ancestre ]>att ded is 1156

he nys nat1 gentil be he duk1 or eerie

ffor vyleyns synful dedes make a cheerle

ffor gentilnesse nys but1 reneute

Of1 )>in ancestres for here beaute 1160

"Which is a strong1 Jnng1 for fi persone

The gentilesse come]? fro god allone

Thanne come]) oure verray gentilesse of1 grace

It1 was noting1 byquej?e vs wij> oure place / 1164

jjinkej) how noble as seij? Valerius

Was Jjilke Tulliws hostilius

That1 out1 of1 pouert1 ros to heigh noblesse

Kedej? Senec/ and redej) eek Boesse / 1168

J>er schulde 30 seen expres fat1 it1 no dredis

That1 he is gentil Jjat1 do]) gentil dedis

And ferfore deere housebonde I ]>us conclude

Al were it1 fat1 myn ancestres were rude 1172

CORPUS 246 (6-T. 367)

SIX-TEXT 368

GKOUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

^ett may J>af heye god and so hope I Graunte me grace to lyue vertuously Thaniie am I gentil whan Jjat1 I begynne To lyuen virtuously and weyuen synne 1176

And jjer as ye of pouert1 me repreue

The hihe god on whom jjaf we bileeue [leaf i06,/orii5a]

In wilful pouert1 chese to leese his lijf1 Note de paupertate

And certes euery man and mayde and wijf1 1180

May vnderstonde ihesu heuen king1 Ne wolde not* chese a vicious lyuyng1 Glad pouert1 is an honest1 Jring1 certeyn J>is wille Senec1/ and ojjer clerkes sein 1184

Who so pat1 holfr him payed of1 his pouert1 I holde him riche al hadde he nought1 cert1 he fat1 coueytej) is a pouere wight1

ffor he wolde han pat1 nys nat1 in his might 1188

But1 he pat1 nought1 hap ne coueytep to haue Is riche al jjough men holde him but a knaue Verray pouert1 is synne proprely

luuenal seij? of1 pouert1 myrily 1192

The pouere man whan he go]? by J?e way Bifore J>e Jjeues he may synge and play Pouert1 is hatel good and as I gesse / A ful gret1 brynger out1 of1 busynesse 1196

A gret1 amender eek1 of1 Sapience To him fat1 lackej? it in pacience Pouert1 is J>is al J>ough" it1 seme alenge Possession J>af no wight1 wol chalenge 1200

Pouert1 ful often whan a man is lowe Make]) his god and eek1 himself1 to knowe Pouert1 a spectacle is as J?inke]> me

Jmrgh which he may his verray freendes se 1204

And jjerfore syn Jjat1 1 you nought1 greue Of1 my pouerte nomore me repreue Now sire of1 eelde ^e reproeue me

And certes sire Jjough" non auctorite 1208

CORPUS 247 (6-T. 368)

SIX-TEXT 369

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Were in no book1 / 36 gentil of1 honour

Seyn fat1 men schulde an old wijf1 do fauour

And clepe him. fader for 3our gentilnesse /

And auctours sclial I fynden as I gesse / 1212

Now f er ^e seyn fat1 I am foul and olde

Than drede 3011 nought1 to ben a cokewolde [leaf IOG, back]

ffor filf e and helf e al so mote I f e

Ben grete wardeyns vpon chastite 121G

But1 naf eles syn I knowe ^oure delyt1

I schal fulfille your worldly appetyt1

Chees now quod sche on of1 f ese f inges tweye /

To han me foule and olde til fat1 I deye 1220

And be to 30 w a trewe humble wijf1

And neutre 3ow displese in alle my lijf1

Or elles 30 wol haue me 3ong' and fair

And take 3our auenture of1 fe repair 1224

That1 schal come to your hous by cause of1 me

Or in som ofer place wel may be

Now chees 3our seluen whef er fat1 3ou like])

fis knight1 auysed him and sore sikej) 1228

But1 atte laste he seyde in fis manere

My lady and my loue and wijf1 so deere

I putte me in 3oure wise gouernance

Chesef 3our self1 which may be most1 plesance 1232

And most1 honour to yow and me also

I do no force f e whef er of1 f e tuo

ffor as 3ou likef it sufficef me

Jjanne haue I gote of1 3011 maystrie quod sche 1236

Syn I may cheese and gouerne as me list1

36 certes wijf1 quod he I holde it1 for best1

kisse me quod sche we be no lenger wrofe /

ffor by my troufe I wol be to yow bo]>e 1240

J>is is to sein / to be bofe fair and good

I pray to god fat1 1 mote steruen wood

But1 1 to 3ou be also sad and trewe /

As euer was wijf1 syn fat1 fe world was newe 1244

CORPUS 248 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 370

GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And but1 1 be to morwe as fair to seene

As eny lady emperice or queene /

Jjat1 is bitwen J>e estf and eek1 j?e weste /

Do wij? my lijf1 and dej) right1 as 3011 leste 1248

Cast* vp J?e curteyne loke how it is / [6o«o»»o/zeo/io6]

And whanne jjat1 ]>e knignt1 sawh al J>is [leaf 115 6]

That1 sche so fair was and so 3ong< jjerto

ffor ioye he hente hir in his armes tuo 1252

his herte bajjed in a bajj of* blisse

A J?ousand tyme a rowe he gan hire kisse

And sche obeyed him in euery Jnng1

That1 mighte doon him pleisance or likyng* 1256

And J?us ]>ey lyued vnto here lyues ende

In perfyt* ioye and ihesu crist1 vs sende

housbondes meke ^onge and freissche abedde

And grace to ouerlede hem Jjat1 we wedde 1260

And eek1 1 pray to Ihesu schorte here lyues

That1 wol not1 be gouerned by here wyues

And olde and angry nyggardes of1 dispence 1263

God send hem sone a verray pestilence IF Explic/t

CORPUS 249 (6-T. 370)

SIX-TEXT 371 GROUP D. § 3, WIFE-FRIAR LINK. CorpUS MS.

Here bygynnej? f>e prologe of* J?e ffrere /

V • 'ihis worjjy lymytour jjis noble ffrere

he made alway lowrynge cheere I vpon J>e somnour but* for honeste No vyleynes word as ^it1 spak1 he / But1 atte laste he seyde vnto J?e wijf1 Dame goode god ^if1 }ou right* good lijf1 3e han touched heer al so mote I J?e In scole matier gref difficulte 3e han seid mochel Jnng1 right1 wel I seye But1 dame heere as we ryden by J?e weye Ys nedej? nat1 to speken but1 of game And late auctoritees a goddes name To preening1 & to scole eek1 ofH clergie / But1 if1 if like vnto Jns companye I wol 3011 of1 a somnour telle a game Parde $e may wel knowe by j?e name That1 of1 no somnowr may no good be sayd I pray Jjat1 non of1 $ou be yuele payd A somnour is a romere vp and doun) WiJ) amendement1 of1 fornicaciown And is y-bete at1 every townes ende Oure host1 J?o spak1 a sire ^e scholde ben heende And curteys as a man of1 30111- as tat1 In companye we wille no debat1 / Tellej? ^oure tale and late]? J>e somno?^r be Nay quod J>e somnour lat1 him seye to me What1 so him list1 whan it com]) to my lot1 By god I schal him quiten euery grot1 I schal him telle such a gret1 honour It1 is to be a flateryng1 lymytour And eek1 of1 ful many an o])er cryme Which nedej) nat/ rehersen at J>is tyme And his office I schal him telle y-wys Oure host1 answerde pees nomore of1 j?is And afterward he seyde vnto J>e frere / T.elle for]? ^oure tale my leue mayster deere

11 Incipit1 pro- log us ffratria

1268

1272

1276

1280

1284

[leaf 115, back]

1288

1292

1296

1300

CORPUS 250 (6-T. 371)

SIX-TEXT 372

GROUP D, § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

^1 Here bygynneth J?e hilom ]>er was dwellyng1 in Couentre f ffreres tale

An erchedekne a man of1 heih degre

That1 boldely dide execucion

In punysschyng1 of1 fornicacion 1304

Of1 wichcraf1 and eek1 of1 Bawderie

Of1 diffamacion and auoutrie Of1 chirche reeues and of1 testamentes Of1 contractes and of1 lak1 of1 sacramentes 1308

Of1 vsure and Symonye also But1 certes lecchours dede he grettest1 wo They scholden syngen if1 ]>ey were hent And smale tyjjeres weren foule y-schent 1312

If eny person wolde vpon hem pleyne Ther might1 astirte him no pecunial peyne ffor smale tyj>es and eek1 for smal offrynge he made ]?e poeple spitously to synge 1316

ffor or J?e bisschop caught1 hem wij? his hook1 They weren in jje Erchedeknes book1 And ]?anne hadde he jjurgh his lurdictioii Power to don on hem correction 1320

he hadde a somnour redy to his hande [leaf ne]

A sleyere boy was non in engelande ffor sotilly he hadde his especiaile

That1 taughte him where jjat1 him mighte auayle 1324

he coude spare of1 lecchours on or tuo To techen him to foure and twenty mo ffor J>ough )?is somnour wood were as an hare To telle his harlottrie I wil not1 spare 1328

CORPUS 251 (6-T. 372)

SIX-TEXT 373

GROUP D, § 4. FEIAE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

ffor we ben oute of1 here correction They han of* vs no luresdiction We neuer schullen terme of1 aHe hire lyues Petur so ben fe wommen of1 fe Styues 1332

Quod f is Somnowr y-putt1 out1 of oure cure Pees with meschance and with mysauenture Thus seyde oure host1 and let1 him telle his tale Now telle Jj forf and late fe somnowr gale 1336

NQ sparef nought* myn oughne maister deere This false f eef1 J>is somnowr quod f e fFrere / hadde alwey bawdes redy to his hond As eny hauke to lure in Engelond 1340

That4 telle him al f e secre fat1 J>ey knewe ffor here aqueintance was nat1 come of newe fey weren his approwours priuely

he tok1 himself1 a gret1 profyt ferby 1344

his maister knew nat1 alwey what* he wan Wif outen maundement1 of1 a lewed man he coude somne on peyne of* cristes curs And fey were ynly gladde to fille his purs 1 348

And made him grete festes atte nale And right1 as ludas hadde purses smale And was a f eef1 right1 swich a f eef1 was he his mayster hadde but1 half1 his dewete 1352

he was if1 1 schal ^iuen him his laude A theef1 and eek1 a sompnowr and a baude he hadde eek1 wenches of1 his retenue That1 whefer fat1 sir Roberd or sir huwe 1356

Or lohn or Rauf1 or who fat1 it1 were neafii6, baek]

That1 lay by hem fat1 tolde it in his eere Thus was f e wenche and he of1 oon assent1 And he wolde fecche a feyned maundement1 1360

And somne hem to f e Chapitre bof e tuo And pile f e man and late f e wenche go f anne wolde he seye I schal freend for f y sake Do strike fe out1 of1 oure lettres blake 1364

CORPUS 252 (6-T. 373)

SIX-TEXT 374

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

f e far nomore as in f is cas trauayle I am f i frend f er I f e may auayle A Certein lie knew of1 briberies mo

fan possible is to telle 3011 vnto 1368

ffor in f is worlde is dogge for no bowe That1 knew an hurt1 deer from an old bite kowe Than fat1 f is sompnom* knew a sleigh lecchour Or avouter or elles a paramour 1372

And for fat1 was f e fruyt1 of* alle j)e rent Therfore on if he sette al his entent And so bifelle fat1 ones on a day

This somnour euer waytyng1 on his pray 1376

Rode for to somne an old wijf1 a ribibe ffeynyng1 a cause for he wolde bribe And happede fat1 he seigh byfore hym ryde / A gay yoman vnder a forest syde 1380

A bowe he bar and arwes bright1 and keene he hadde vppon a courtepy of1 grene / An hatte vppon his heed wif frenges blake Sire qwod fis Sompnowr hail and wel atake / 1384

Welcome quod he and euery good felawe Whider ridestow vnder fis greene schawe Seyde fis ^eman wilt1 jjou fer to day

This somnour him answerde and seyde nay 1388

here faste by quod he is myn entente To ryden for to reysen) vp a rente / It1 longej? to my lordes dewete

Art1 J>ou jjanne a baillif1 $e quod, he 1392

he dorste nou^t1 for verray filjje and schame [leaf in]

Seie fat1 he was a somnoz^r for J>e name Depardieux quod fis ^oman dere broker jjou art1 a bailly and I am anofer 1396

I am vnknowen as in fis cuntre Of1 fin aqueintance I wil preye fe And eek1 of1 breferhode if1 fat1 f ou leste I haue golde and siluer in my cheste 1 400

CORPUS 253 (6-T. 374)

SIX-TEXT 375

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

If* fat1 f e happed come in-to oure schire Al schal be fin right1 as f ou wolf desyre Graunt1 mercy quod fis somnour by my feij) Euerich in oferes hond his troufe leij) 1404

ffor to be swore brof er til fey deye and wif fat1 word fey ryden forf here weye This somnour wif fat1 was so /

As ful of1 venym ben fis wary-angles 1408

And euer enquiryng1 vpon euery f ing1 Brof er quod he wher is ^oure dwellyng1 Anof er day if1 1 scholde 3011 seche

This 3 oman him answerde in softe speche 1412

Brof er quod he fer in f e Norf cuntre Wher as I hope som tyme I schal f e se Or we departe I schal f e so wel wisse That* of* my?i hous schal t1 f ou neuer misse / 1416

Now brof er quod fis sompno?*r I 3ou pray Teche me whil we ryden by f e way / Syn fat1 36 ben a baillyf1 as am I

Som subtilte telle me feif fully 1420

In myw office how fat1 1 may most1 wynne And sparef not1 for conscience ne synne But1 as my brof er tell me how do 36

Now by my troufe brofer deere seyde he 1424

As I schal tellen f e a feif ful tale / My wages ben ful streyte and smale / My lord is hard to me and daungerous And my office ful laborious 1428

And fe?fore by extorciauns I lyue fieaf 117, back]

ffor sof e I [take] al fat1 men wil me 3iue Algate be sleigte or violence

ffrom 3eer to $er I wynne al my dispence / 1432

I can no bettre tellen feif fully Now certes quod fis sompnow so fare I* I spare not1 to take god it1 wot1

But1 if1 it1 be to heuy or to hoot1 1436

CORPUS 254 (6-T. 375)

SIX-TEXT 376 GROUP D. § 4. FBI All's TALE. CorpUS MS.

What* I may gete in counseil pmiely

No maner conscience of1 Jjat1 haue I

Ner myn extorcion I might1 no^t1 lyuen

Of* swiche iapes wii I nat1 be schriuen 1 440

Stomake ne fro conscience knowe I noon

I schrewe Jjese schriftefadres euerichon

Wei be we mette by god and by seint1 lame

Butt leeue brofer telle me jjanne )>y name 1444

Quod ]>is somnowr in )>is mene while

This 3eman gan a litel for to smyle

Broker qiiod he wiltow Jjat1 I ]>e telle

I am a steue my dwellyng1 is in helle 1448

And heer I ryde aboute my purchasyng1

To wite wher men wil ^if* me eny J>ing<

my purchace is to fette of1 alle my rente

loke how J>ou rydest1 for fe same entente 1452

To wynne good J)ou rekkesf neuer how

Right1 so fare I for ryde wolde I now

vnto J?e worldes ende for a preye

A qwod J)is somnour benedicite what1 30 seye 1456

I wende 36 were a yoman trewely

3e han a mannes schappe as wel as I

han 36 a figure Jeanne determinate

In helle }?er 36 ben in 3oure estat1 1460

.N"ay certeinly quod he fer han we noon

But1 whan vs like]) we can take vs oon)

Or elles make 3ou wene we ben schape

Som tyme [like] a man or like an ape / 1464

Or lik1 an aungel can I ryde or go [leafiis]

It1 is no wonder jjing1 Jjougfr it be so

A lousy iogulour can deceyue J>e

And par de 3if can I more craft1 j?an he / 1468

Why quod fis somnour ryde 36 jjanne or gon

In sondry schappe and nat1 alvvey in oon

ffor we quod he wille vs swich forme make

As most1 able is oure prayes for to take 1472

CORPUS 255 (6-T. 376)

SIX-TEXT 377

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

What1 make)) 3011 to ban al f is labour

fful many a cause leeue sire somonoz^r

Seyde )>is feend but1 al f ing1 haf tyme

The day is schort1 and if is passed prime 1476

And ^et1 ne wan I no f ing1 in f is day

I wil entende to wynnyng1 if I may

And nafr entende oure wittes to declare

ffor brofer myn fi witte is al to bare 1480

To vnderstonde J>ougli I tolde hem f e

But* for f ou axest1 whi labouren we

ffor somtyme ben we goddes instrumentz

And menes to do his comaundementz 1484

Whan fat1 him lisfr vpon his creatures

In diuerse acte and in diuers figures

Wipouten him we ban no might1 certayn

If1 fat1 him liste to stonden fer agayn 1488

And som time at1 oure praye ban we leue

Only J)e body and not1 f e soule greeue /

Witnesse on lob whom fat1 we dyden wo

And som tyme ban we might1 of1 bofe tuo 1492

f is is to seyn of1 soule and body eeke

And som tyme we ben siiffred for to seeke

vpon a man and do his soule vnreste

Naf his body and al is for fe beste 1496

Whan he wif stondef oure temptacion

It1 is a cause of1 his saluacion

Al be it1 fat1 it was not1 oure entente

he schulde be sauf1 but1 fat1 we wolde him hente 1500

And som tyme be we seruantz vn-to man Deaf us, back]

As f e erchebisschope seint1 Dunstan

And to f e apostles seruant/ was I

^et1 tellef me qitod fe somnour feif fully 1504

Make ^e $ow newe bodyes f us alwey

Of1 elementz f e feend answerde nay

Som tyme we feyne and som tyme we arise /

Wif dede bodyes in ful sondry wise 1508

CORPUS 256 (6-T. 377)

SIX-TEXT 378

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And speke as renabely and faire and wel

As to f e phitonessa dede Samuel /

And ^it1 wol some men say it1 was nat1 he

I do no force of1 3oure diuinite 1512

But1 o f ing1 warne I f e I wil nat1 Tape

Thou wilt1 algates wite how we be schape /

f ou schalt1 her aftirward my brof er deere

Come wher fe needef nat1 of1 me to leere 1516

ffor f ou schalt1 by fin owne experience

Come in-to f e chayer rede f is sentence

Bet1 fan virgile whil he was a lyue

Or dante also now lat1 vs ryde blyue 1520

ffor I wil holde company wif f e

Til it1 be so fat1 f ou forsake me

Nay quod f is somnow?1 fat1 schal nat1 betyde

I am a ^eman knowe is ful wyde 1524

my trouf e wil I holde to J?e as in J)is cas

ffor J?ey J?ou were ]je deuyl Sathanas

My troupe wil I holde to my brojjer

As I am sworne and eche of1 vs to oj?er 1528

ffor to be trewe broker in J?is cas

And broker we gon to oure purchas

Take pou J»y part* what1 men fe wole yiue

And I schal myn J)us may we bo]?e lyue 1532

And if1 jjat1 eny of* vs haue more fan ofer

lat1 him be trewe and parte it1 wij> his broj?er

I graunte quod fe deuyl by my fay

And wif fat1 word fey ryden forf here way 1536

And right1 at1 fentryng1 of1 f e tounes ende [leaf 119]

To which f e somnowr schop him for to wende

They say a carte fat1 charged was with hey

Which fat1 a cartere drof1 forf on his wey 1540

Deep was f e wey for whiche f e carte strood

This cartere smot1 and striued as he were wood

hayt1 brok1 hayt1 scot1 what1 spare we for f e stones

The feend quof he ^ow fecche bof e body and bones / 1544

19 CORPUS 257 (6-T. 378)

SIX-TEXT 379

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

As ferforp ly as euere were 30 foled

So moche woo as I haue for }ou poled

pe deuel haue al boj)e liors and cart1 and hey

poughte pis somnowr he schulle we haue a pley 1548

And neer pe feend he drough as nought1 ne were

fful priuely and rouned in his eere

herkne my broper herkne by py feip

herestow nat1 how pe cartere seip 1552

hente it4 anone for he hap ^iuen pe

Bope hey and carte and eek1 his caples pre /

Nay qiiod pe deuyl god not1 neuer a del

It1 is not1 his entente truste me wel 1556

Aske him piself1 if1 pou nat1 trowest1 me

Or elles stynte a while and pou schalf se

This carter pakked his hors on pe croupe /

And pey bygonne to drawe and to stoupe / 1560

haytf now qiiod he pat1 Ihesu crist1 ^ou blisse

And alle his hondywerk1 bope more and lesse /

pat1 was wel twightf myn owne lyard boy

I pray god saue pe and seinte Loy . 1564

Now is my carte out/ of1 pe slough par de

lo broper cpiod pe feend what1 tolde I pe /

here may ye see myn oughne deere broper

The carle spak1 o ping1 but1 he pought1 anoper 1568

late vs go forp abouten oure viage

here wynne I noping1 vpon cariage

Whan pat1 pey comen somwhat out1 of1 pe toun)

Jpis somnour to his broper gan to roun) 1572

Broper quod he here wonep an old rebekke [leaf 119, back]

That1 hadde almost1 as leef1 to leese hire necke

As for to ^iue a peny of1 hire good

I wil haue twelue pens pough pat1 sche be wood 1576

Or I wille sompne hire to oure office

And 31^ god woot1 of hire knowe I no vice

But1 for pou canst1 nat1 as in pis centre

"Wynne pi coste tak here ensample of/ me 1580

CORPUS 258 (6-T. 379)

SIX-TEXT 380

GROUP D. § 4, FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

This somnour clappef at1 J>e wydowes gate

Com out1 he seyde f ou olde viritrate

I trowe f ou hast1 som frere or presf wi]> fe

"VYho clappef seyde fis wijf1 benedicite 1584

God sane 3011 sire what1 is }our swete wille

I haue quod he a somonwr of1 fe here a "bille

vp peyne of1 cursyng1 loke fat1 f ou he

To morwe biforn) oure erchedekenes kne 1588

To aiiswere to f e court1 of1 certein f inges

Now lord quod sche crist ihesu heuen kinges

So wisly helpe me as I ne may

I haue ben syk1 and fat1 ful many a day 1592

I may nat1 gon so fer qiiod sche ne ryde

Buf I be deed so prikef it1 in my syde /

May I nat1 axe a libel sire somonowr

And answere ]?ere by my p?-ocutour 1596

To swich a fing1 as men wolde appose me /

^is qwod fis somno?«- pay anon lat1 se

Twelue pens to me and I wil J?e aquite

I schal no profyt* haue ]?er-by but1 lite 1600

My maister haj? J)e profyt/ and nat1 1

Come of1 and late me ryden hastily

3eue me twelue [pens] I may no lenger tarye

twelue quod sche lady seinte marie 1604

So wisly help me ouf of1 care and synne

}>is wyde world ])ough fat1 1 scholde it wynne

Ne haue I not1 xij. pens wijjinne myn holde

36 knowen wel fat1 1 am pouer and olde 1608

ky]?e 3oure almesse on me pouere wrecche Qeaf 120]

Nay J?anne quod he pe foule feend me fecche

If1 1 Jje excuse fongh ])ou scholde be spilt1

Alias quod sche god wot1 1 haue no gilt1 1612

Pay me quod he or by ]>e swete seint1 anne

As I wol here a-way fy newe panne /

ffor dette which ]?ou owest1 me of1 old

Whan fat1 ]>ou madest1 fin housbond kukkewold 1616

CORPUS 259 (6-T. 380)

SIX-TEXT 381

GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

I preyde at1 home for py correction

Thow lixt1 quod sche by my sauacion

Ne was I neuer or now wydewe ne wijf1

Somoned vnto your court1 in al my lijf 1620

Ne neuer I nas but1 of my body trewe /

vnto pe deuel blake and rowe of1 hewe

yeue I py body and my panne

And whan pe deuyl herde hir curse so 1624

vpon hir knees he seyde in pis manere

Now mabely myn owne mooder deere

It1 is ^our wille in ernest pat1 30 seye

pe deuyl quod sche fette him or he deye / 1628

And panne and al but1 he wil him repente

Nay olde stot1 pat1 is not1 my/i entente

Quo]? pis somnowr for to repente me

ffor any ping1 pat1 1 haue had of1 pe 1632

I wolde I hadde py sniok1 and euery clop

Now broper quod pe deuyl be nat1 wrop

py body and pis panne is lajn by right*

pou schalt1 wip me to helle yet1 to night1 1636

Wher pou schalt1 knowen of1 oure priuete

More pan a mayster of1 diuinite

And wip pat1 word pis foule feend him hent

Body and soule he with pe deuyl went 1640

Where pat1 somnowrs han here heritage

And god pat made after his ymage

Mankynde saue and gyde vs alle and some

And leeue pis somnour good man to bycome 1644

lordinges I coupe han told $ou quod pis frere [leaf 120, ba«k]

hadde I had leysir for pis somnour heere

After pe tixte of1 crist1 poule and lohn

And of1 oure oper doctours many oon 1648

Suche peynes pat1 3 oure hertes might1 agrise

Al be it1 so no tonge may deuyse /

pough pat I might1 a pousand wynter telle

pe peyne of1 pilke cursed hous of1 helle 1652

CORPUS 260 (6-T. 38l)

SIX-TEXT 382

GROUP D, § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

But1 for to kepe vs fro Jmt1 cursed place

WakeJ) and prayej? ihesu for his grace

So kepe vs fro J?e temptour Sathanas

herknej) ]>is word be war as in Jjis cas 1656

J?e leoun sitte in his awayte alway

To sle J?e Innocent1 if1 fat1 he may

Dispose]) ay }our hertes to wif stonde

fe feend fat1 3ou wolde make jjralle and bonde 1660

he may nat1 tempten yow ouer your might1

ffor crist1 wille be }our champion and knight1

And preyej) jjat1 ])is somnour him repente 1663

Of1 his mysdede or fat1 j?e feend him hente 11 Explicit

1F Her endej> fe ffrere his tale /

CORPUS 261 (6-T. 382)

SIX-TEXT 383 GROUP D. § 5. FRIAR-SUMMONER LINK. CoipUS MS.

This Somnour in his styrop heyhe stood [on Vpon fis frere his herte was so wood That1 lik1 an aspen leef* he quok* for Ire lordynges quod he hut1 o fing» I desire / 1668

I 3ou heseche fat1 of* 3our curtesye Si]> 36 han herde fis false frere lye As suffref me I may a tale telle

This frere hostejj fat1 he knowef helle/ 1672

And god wot1 fat1 it1 is litel wonder ffreres and feendes hen hat litel asonder ffor parde 36 han . ofte tyme herd telle/ how fat1 a frere rauyssched was in helle 1676

,In spirit1 ones hy avisiown And as an aungel ladde him vp and down To schewen him f e peynes fat1 f er were In alle f e place saugh he nat1 a ffrere [leaf 121] 1680 Of1 ofer folk* he saugh ynowe in woo Vnto fis aungel spak1 fe frere fo Now sire quod he han freres such a grace / That1 non of1 hem schal come to fis place / 1684

3is quod fis aungel many a miliown And vnto Sathanas he hadde him doun And now haf Sathanas saif he a taile Bradder fan of1 fe Caryk1 is fe saile 1688

hold vp f i tayl f ou Satanas quod he / Schew forf fin ersand lat fe frere se / Wher is f e neste of1 ffreres in fis place And er faf half1 a forlong1 wey of1 space 1692

CORPUS 262 (6-T. 383)

8IX-TEXT 384: GROUP D. § 5, FEIAE-SUMMONER LINK. CoipUS MS.

Right1 so as bees swermen out1 of* an hyue

Out1 of1 j>e deueles ers Jjey gon to dryue

Twenty fousaiid freres on a route

And foughte helle swarme al aboute 1G96

And camen a^ein as faste as Jjey mighte gon)

And in his ers fey crepeden euerichon)

he clapte his tayl a3ein and lay stille

This frere whan he loked hadde his fille 1700

vppon J>is tormentes of1 j)is sory place /

his spirit1 god restored of1 his grace /

Ynto his body a^ein and he a wok1

But1 napeles for feere ^it1 he quok1 1704

So was J>e deueles ars ay in his mynde

Jjat1 is his heritage of1 verray kinde

God saue 3ow alle saue J)is cursed frere /

My prologe wol I ende in fis manere / 1708

CORPUS 263 (6-T. 384)

SIX-TEXT 385

GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IF Here begynnep pe Somnowrs tale

LOrdynges per is in york1 scliire / as I gesse A mersshy countre called Holdernesse In which per wente a Ijmjtour aboute / To preche and eek1 to begge it* is no doute 1712 And so bifelle paf on a day pis frere Hadde preched atte cherche in pis manere And specially abouen euery ping1 [leaf 121, back]

Excited he pe poeple in his preching* 1716

To trentales and for goddes sake Ther-with men mighten holy houses make Ther as diuin seruice is honoured

Nought1 per as it1 is wasted and deuoured 1720

Ne per it1 nedep not1 for to be 3iue As to possessioners pat1 may elles lyue panked be god in wele and habundance Trentales seyde he deliuerep fro penance 1724

here frendes soules as wel olde as ^onge If1 pat1 pey ben hastily y-songe Nought1 for to holde a prest1 ioly and gay he syngep not1 but o messe in a day - 1728

Delyuerep out1 quod he anon pe soules fful hard it is wip fleisshook1 oper with oules Now speed }ou hastely for cristes sake 1732

to kepe 3ou fro peynes of1 feendes blake 1731

And whan pe frere hadde seyde al his entente "Wip Qui cum pafre forp he wente "Whan folk1 in chirche hadde ^iue him what hem leste he wente his way no lenger wolde he reste 173G

.CORPUS 264 (6-T. 385)

SIX-TEXT 386

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

scrippe and tipped staf1 tukked ful hye In euery hous he gan to pore and prye And beggej) mele or chese or elles corn) his felaw had a staf1 typped with horn) 1740

A payre of1 tabeles of1 yuory And a poyntel polisshed fetously And wrot1 ]>e names atwey as he stood Of1 any folk1 Jjat1 3af1 hem eny good 1744

Ascance Jjat1 he wolde for hem preye 3iue vs a busshel whete malt/ or reye A goddes kechil or a trippe of1 chese

Ojier elles what 3ow list1 we may nat cheese 1 748

A goddes halpeny ojjer a masse peny Oj)er 3iue vs of1 }our "bran if* 36 haue eny A dagoun of1 3 our blanket1 leeue dame [leaf 122 j

Oure suster deere here I write 3oure name 1752

Bacon or beef1 or such Jnng1 as 36 fynde A sturdy harlot1 wente hem ay behynde That1 was here hostes man and bar a sakke And what1 men ^ hem leyde it on his bakke 1756

And whan he was out1 at1 J>e dore anoon he planed awey J>e names euerychoon That1 he bifore hadde writen in his tables he serued hem with nyfles and with fables 1760

Kay J>er J>ou lixt1 Jjou somnour quod J?e frere / Pees quod oure host1 for cristes moder deere Telle for}) })i tale spare it not1 at1 al

So J>ryue I quod J>is somnowr so I schal 1764

So longe he wente hous by hous quod he Til he come to an hous J>er he was wont1 to be Eefresshed more Jmn in an .C. places Seke lay J?e bonde man) whos J?e place is 1768

And vpon a kowche lowe he lay Deus hie1 quod he / 0 Thomas frend good day Seyde jjis frere curteysly and softe

Thomas sayde he god 3elde 3ow ful ofte 1772

CORPUS 265 (6-T. 386)

SIX-TEXT 387

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

haue I vpon pis benche faren wel

heere haue I eten many a mery meel

And fro pe benche he drof1 awey pe cat

And leyde doun his potent1 and his hat 1776

And eek1 his scrippe and sette him softe a doun)

his felawe was go walked in pe toun

fforp with his knaue in-to pat1 ostelrie

Wher as he schop him pilke night1 to lye 1780

0 deere maister quod pis seeke man) how han 36 fare sipenes pat1 marche bigan

1 say 30 w nought1 pis fourtenight1 and more

God woof quod he laboured haue I ful sore 1784

And specially for py Saluacion haue I seyde many a precious orison And for oure oper frendes god hem blesse Deaf 122, back]

I haue to day don at1 $oure chirche a messe 1788

A sayd a sermon after my simple wit1 nought1 alle after pe text1 of1 holy writ4 ffor it is hard to $ou as I suppose

perfore wol I teche to $ou al pe glose 1792

Glosyng1 is a glorious ping1 certein ffor lettre sleep so as clerkes sein per haue I taught1 hem to be charitable And spende here good per it1 is resonable 1796

There I sawh oure dame a wher is sche yonde in pe yerde I trowe pat1 sche be / Seyde pis man and sche wil come anon) Ey mayster welcome be 36 by seint/ lohn 1800

Seyde pis wijf1 how fare 36 hertely pe frere arisep vp ful curteisly And hir enbrased in his armes narwe And kissep hir swete and chirkep as a sparwe 1804

Wip his lippes dame quod he right1 wel As he pat is your seruant1 eueridel I-panked be god pat1 3ou t&f* soule and lyf1 jit/ sawh I not1 to day so fair a wijf* 1808

CORPUS 266 (6-T. 387)

SIX-TEXT 388

GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

In al f e chirche god so saue me 30 god amende defautes sir quod sche Algates welcome be 30 by my fey

Gramercy dame fis haue I founde alwey 1812

But1 of1 3our grete goodnes by 30111 leeue I wolde pray 3011 fat1 30 nought1 3011 greue I wole with Thomas speken a litel f rowe fese curates ben ful necligent/ and slowe 1816

To grope tendrely a conscience In schrifte and in preching1 is1 my diligence And studye in petres wordes and in poules I walke and fisshe mennes soules 1820

To 3elde ihesu crist/ his propre rente To sprede his wordes is sette al my« entente 1T Now by ^our leeue o deere sire quod sche [leaf 123]

ChydeJ) him wel for god in trinite 1824

he is as angry as a pissemire fey fat1 he haue al fat1 he can desire fey I him wrye a night1 and make him warm And ouer him leye my legg1 or arm 1828

he groyne]) lik1 oure boor gronyng1 in sty Of er desport1 of* him right1 non haue I I may not1 plesen him in no maner caas 11" leo vous dy trescher & bien amy 0 Thomas 1832

This make]) f e feende }>is mot1 ben amended Ire is a f ing1 fat1 heye god defended And f er-of1 wol I speke a word or tuo Now maister quod J?e wijf1 or fat1 1 go 1836

What1 wol 30 dyne I wole go \er aboute Now dame quod he leo vows dye sanz doute haue I not1 of1 a Capon but1 Jje lyuere And of1 $our softe brede but1 a schyuere 1840

And after fat1 a rested pigges heed But1 fat1 1 wolde for me no beeste were deed f anne hadde I wif 3ou holly suffisance I am a man of1 litel sustenance / 1844

CORPUS 267 (O-T. 388)

SIX-TEXT 389

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

My spirit1 is fostred in pe bible pe body is ay so redy and penyble To wake pat1 my stomak1 is destroyed I pray ^ou dame pat1 ^e be nought1 anoyed 1848

pey I so frendly my counseil to $ou schewe By god I wolde not1 telle it/ but1 a fewe Now sire quod sche but1 oo word or I go my child is deed wipinne pise wikes tuo 1852

Sippen pat1 ^e wente out of1 pis toun his dejj saugh" I by reuelacion Seip pis frere at home in oure dortour I dar wel seyn pat/ er pat1 half1 an hour 1856

after his dep I sawh him born to blisse In myw avision so god me wisse

So dede our sextein and oure fermorer [leaf 123, back]

That1 han ben trewe freres . fyfty }eer 1860

They may now god by panke of1 his lone maken here lubile and walken allone And vp I ros and alle oure couent1 eeke With many a teere trillyng1 on my cheeke 1864

Wipouten noyse or clateryng1 of1 bellis Te dewm was oure song1 and no ping1 elles Saue pat1 to crist1 1 seyde an orison

Thankyng1 him of1 his reuelacion 1868

ifor sire and dame trustep me right1 wel Oure orisons ben more spirituel

And more we se of1 cristes secre pinges 1871

Than burel folk1 [though they were kynges [Hori. 1758, tea/ 109] We lyue in pouerte & in abstynence . And boreH folke] in richesse and wynnynges1 sar^ml]^' Of1 mete and drynk1 and in here foul delit/ We han pis worldes lust1 al in despit1 1876.

Lazar and Diues liueden dyuersely And dyuerse guerdon hadde pey perby Who-so wol preye he moot1 faste and be clene And fatte his soule and make his cheekes lene 1880.

CORPUS 268 (6-T. 389)

SIX-TEXT 390

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

"We fare as seif f apostil clof and foode Suffice)) vs f ey$ fey ben not1 goode The clennes and f e fastyng1 of* ous ffreres make]? fat1 crist1 acceptef oure prayeres 1884

lo moyses .xl. dayes and .xl. nyght1 ffasted or fat1 f e heihe god of1 might Spak1 wif him in f e mount1 of1 Synay With empty wombe fastyng1 many a day 1888

Receyued he f e lawe fat1 was writen Wif goddes fynger and helthe wel 36 witen In f e mont or elles er he hadde eny speche With heyhe god fat1 is oure lyues leche 1892

he fasted longe and was in contemplance And aaron fat1 hadde f e temple of1 god in gouernance And eek1 fat1 of er prestes euerichon

In-to fe temple whan fey scholden gon 1896

To praye for fe poeple and do seruise [leaf 124]

They nolden drynken in no maner wise/ No drynk1 f e which hem mighte drunke make But1 euere in abstynence to preye and wake 1900

lest1 fat1 fey deyede tak1 heede what1 1 seye But1 fey ben sobre fat1 for f e poeple preye Ware fat1 1 say no more for it1 suffisef Oure lord Rhesus / as holy god deuysef 1904

3mef ous ensarnple of* fastyng1 and prayeres Therfore we mendinantz we pouere freres Ben wedded to pouert1 and to continence To charite humblesse and also pacience 1908

To persecucion for rightwisnesse / To wepyng1 misericorde and clennesse And f e?*fore may 36 see fat1 oure prayeres I speke of1 vs we mendenante ffreres 1912

Ben to f e hihe god more acceptable Than ^oures wif }oure feste at1 f e table ffro paradys first1 if1 1 schal nought1 lye Was man out1 chaced for his glotonye 1916

CORPUS 269 (6-T. 390)

SIX-TEXT 391

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And chast1 was man in paradys certayn

But1 herkne fere what1 I schal you sayn

I haue no text1 of1 fat1 as I suppose

But* I schal fynde it in a maner glose 1920

That1 specially oure swete lord Ihesus

Spak1 f us by vers whan he seyde f us

Blessed ben fey fat1 pore in spirit/ ben

And so forf al fe gospel may 36 seen 1924

Wher it1 be like oure profession

Or hem fat1 swymmen in possession

ffy on here pompe and on here glotonye

And for here lewednesse I hem difFye 1928

Me f inkef fey ben like lovinian)

ffatte as a whale and walking1 as a swan)

As vynolent1 as botel in f e spence

here prayer is ful of1 gret1 reuerence 1932

Whan fey for soules sein fe psalme of1 dauid [leafm, back]

lo buff1 fey sain cor meum eructauit1

Who folwef cristes gospel and his lore

But1 we fat1 humble be and chaste and pore 1936

Workers of1 goddes word and eek1 auditoures /

)>erfore right1 as an hauke rype at1 a sowrs

vp springef vnto f e ayre right1 so prayeres

Of1 charitable and chaste besy freres 1940

maken here sours to goddes eeren and who

Thomas f erfore so mote I ride or go

And by fat1 god fat1 cleped is seint1 yue

Nere fou oure brofer schuldest1 f ou not1 friue 1944

In oure chapitre praye we day and night1

To crist1 fat1 he sende f e hele and might1

Thy body for to welden hastily

God wot1 quod he nofing1 fer-of1 wot1 1 1948

As- helpe me crist1 as in fewe 3eeres

haue I spended vpon diuers maner freres

fful many a pound 31^ fare I neuer f e bett1

Certein my good haue I almost1 bisett1 1952

CORPUS 270 (6-T. 391)

SIX-TEXT 392

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONEB'S TALE. Corpus MS.

ffar wel my golde for it1 is al a-go

The ffrere answerde o Thomas why dost1 f ou so

What1 neede]> 3011 diuerse freres to seche

What1 needef him fat1 haf a parfit1 leche 1956

To sechen of er leches in f e toun

3our inconstance is jour confusiown

holde 36 fen me or elles oure couent

To preye for 3011 ben insufficient1 1960

Thomas fat1 lape is not1 worf a myte

3oure maladye is for 36 han ^iuen vs so lite

A ^if1 fat1 couent1 half1 a quarter otes

A 3iue hem) one or tuo grotes 1964

A 3iue f e frere a peny and let1 him go

]STay nay Thomas it1 may no f ing1 be so

What1 is a ferf ing1 worf parted in twelue

lo eche fing1 fat1 is oned by himselue 1968

Is more straunge fen when it1 is skatered [leaf 1251

Thomas of1 me f ou schalt1 nat be flatered

f ou woldest1 cure labour haue for nought1

The hihe god fat1 al fis world haf wrought1 1972

Seif fat1 f e werkman is worf i his hyre

Thomas nought1 of1 ^our tresore I desire

As for my self1 but1 fat1 alle oure couent

To pray for ^ou is ay so diligent1 1976

And for to bulden cristes oughne chirche

Thomas if1 30 wol lerne for to wirche

Of1 buldyng1 vp of1 chirches may 36 fynde

If1 it1 be good in Thomas lijf1 of1 Inde 1980

3e ligge heer ful of1 anger and of1 Ire

With f e which f e deuyl sette 3oure ers a fyre

And chyden heere fis sely Innocent1

3oure wijf1 fat1 is so meeke and pacient1 1984

And f erfore Thomas trowe me if1 3011 list1

Ne stryue not1 wif fy wijf1 al for fe beste

And bere fis word awey now by f y feith

Touchinge such fing1 lo what1 fe wise man seif 1988

CORPUS 271 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 393

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Wif inne fin hous ne be foil no leomi) To f y subiectis do non oppressions Ne make fin acqueintance not1 for to fle And Thomas ^it1 eft1 sones say I fe 1992

Be war for hire fat1 in f y bosom slepef Be war of1 f e serpent1 fat1 so slyly crepef vnder f e grasse fat1 styngef subtilly

Be war my sone and herkene paciently 1996

That1 xx*1 f ousand men han lost1 here lyues / ffor fat1 f ei han ben spitous to here wyues Now sif ^e han so holy and so meeke a wijf1 What1 needef 3011 Thomas to make strif1 2000

f er is y-wys no serpent1 so cruel Whan men trede on his tail ne half1 so fel As wo?»inan is whan sche haf caught1 an Ire Yengance is fanne al fat1 fey desyre 2004

Ire is a synne on of1 fe grete of seuene [imf 125, back]

Abhominable vnto f e god of1 heuene And to himself1 it1 is destruction

fis euery lewed vicary or parson 2008

Can say how Ire engendref homicide Ire in sof is executor of1 pryde I couf e of1 Ire seye so mochil sorwe

My tale scholde laste til to morwe 2012

And f erfore I praye god bof e day and night1 An Irous man sende him litel might1 It1 is gret1 harm and certes gret1 pite

To sette an Irous man in heih degre 2016

IT Whilom f er was an Irous potestat1 As seif Senek1 durynge his estat Vpon a day out riden knightes tuo

And as fortune wolde it1 were so 2020

That1 oon of hem cam home fat1 of er nought1 Anon f e knight1 bifore f e luge is brought And seyde f us f ou hast1 f y felaw slayn ffor which I deme f e to def certain 2024

CORPUS 272 (6-T. 393)

SIX-TEXT 394

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And to anojjer1 knight1 comaunded he

Go lede him to Jje dejj I charge J?e

And happed as J>ey wente by J>e weye

Toward Jje place J>er as he schulde deye 2028

The knight* cam which Jjey wend hadde be deed

Thenne Jjoughten fey it1 were Jje beste reed

To lede hem bojje to jje luge a^ein

Jjey seyden lord jje knight1 ne ha]) not1 sleyn 2032

his felawe here he stant1 on lyue

^e schulle be deed quod he so mot1 1 Jjriue

Jjis is to say bojje oon and tuo and Jjre

And to Jje firste knight1 right1 Jjus spak1 he 2036

I dampned Jje jjou most1 algate be deed

And Jjou also most1 needes lese Jjin heed

ffor Jjou art1 cause why jjy Maw deyfj

And to Jje Jjridde knight1 right1 Jjus he seijj 2040

Thou hast1 not1 don Jjat1 1 comaunded Jje [leaf 120]

And Jjus he dede do slee hem alle Jjre

Irous kambises was eek1 drunkelewe

And ay delited him to ben a schrewe 2044

And so bifelle a lord of1 his meigne

That1 loued vertuous moralite

Sayde on a day vnto himself1 right1 Jjus

A lord is lost1 if1 he be vicious 2048

And drunkenesse is eek1 a foul record

Of1 any man) and namly in a lord

Ther is ful many an ey and many an eere

Awaytyng1 on a lord and he not1 where 2052

ffor goddes loue drynkej) more attemp^relly

"Wyn make}) a man to lese wrecchedly

his mynde and eek1 his lymes euerychon

The reuers schalt1 Jjou see quod he anoon • 2056

And proue it1 by Jjin owne experience

That1 wyn dojj to folk1 no such offence

Ther is no wyn byreuejj me my might1

Of1 hande ne foot1 ne of1 myn ey3en sight1 2060

20 COEPUS 273 (6-T. 394)

SIX-TEXT 395

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS*.

And for despite he dranke ful moche more

An hundred part1 fan he had don bifore

And right1 anon f is cursede wrecche

lete fis knightes sone biforn him fecche 2064

And cowmaundyng1 hem fey schulde biforn him stonde

And sodeinly he took1 his bowe on honde

And vp f e streng1 he pulled to his eere

And wif an arwe he slough fe child right1 fere 2068

Now whef er haue I a siker hond or non

Quof he is al my might1 and my witte agon

haf wyn byreued me mjn yhe sight1

"What1 schulde I telle f e answere of1 f e knight 2072

his sone was slayn f er is namore to say

Bef war f erf ore wif lordes how 30 play

Syngef placebo and I schal if1 1 can

But* if1 it1 be vnto a pouere man 2076

To a pouere man men scholde his vices telle / [leaf 126, back]

But1 not1 to a lord f ei he schulde go te helle /

Lo Irrous Sirus f ilke Percien

how he destroyed f e ryuer of1 Gysen) 2080

ifor fat1 an hors of1 his was dreynt1 f erinne

Whan fat1 he wente Babilon) to wynne

he made fat1 f e ryuer was so smal

That1 woramen mighten waden oueral 2084

lo what1 seyde he fat1 so wel teche can)

Ne he no felawe to an yrous man

!Ne wif no wood man walke by f e way

leste f e repente I wol nomore say 2088

Now Thomas leeue brof er leue fin Ire

Thou schalt1 me fynde as iuste as is a squire

holde nought1 f e deueles knyf1 ay at1 fin herte /

Thin anger dof f e al to sore smerte 2092

But schewe to me alle f y confession

Nay quod f is seeke man by seint1 Symon

I haue ben schriuen fis day at1 my curate

I haue him tolde al holly myn estate 2096

CORPUS 274 (6-T. 395)

SIX-TEXT 396

GROUP D. § 6, SUMMONBR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

It* needep nomore speke of1 it sayde he

But1 if1 me luste of1 myn humilite

3iue me penne of1 py gold to make oure cloystre

Quod lie for many a muscle and many an oystre 2100

ha]) ben our foode oure cloystre for to reyse

Whan oper men han ben ful wel af eyse

And ^it1 god wot1 vnnepes pe foundement

Parformed is ne of1 oure pauyment,' 2104

Nis nought1 a tile 31^ wipinne oure wones

By god we owen fourty pound for stoones /

Now helpe thomas for him pat1 harwed helle

Or elles moote we oure bokes selle 2108

And if1 we lacke oure predicacion

panne gop pe world al to destruccion

ffor whos wolde fro pis world vs byreue

So god me saue Thomas by 3oure leeue 2112

he wolde byreue out* of* pe world pe sonne / [leaf 127]

ffor who can teche and werchen as we konne

And pat1 is not1 of1 litel time quod he

But1 sethyns Elye was or Elyze 2116

han freres ben pat1 fynde I of1 record

In charite I-panked be oure lord

Now Thomas help for seinte charite

A-doun anon he sette him on his kne 2120

This sike man wex wel neigh" wood for Ire

he wolde pat1 J>e frere hadde ben a fuyre

TVith his fals dissiinilacion

Such ping1 as is her in my possession 2124

Quod he pat1 1 may ^iue and non oper

50 sein me pus / paf I am $our broper

$e certes quod pe ffrere trustep me wel

I toot oure dame oure lettres wip oure seel 2128

IT JSTow wel quod he and somwhat1 schal I ^iue

vnto jour holy couent1 whil I lyue

And in pin hand pou schaltf it1 han anon

vp pis condicion and oper non 2132

CORPUS 275 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 397

GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

faf f ou depart1 if so myn owne deere broker That* euery frere haue as moche as of er fis schalf f ou swere on f y profession Wifouten fraude or cauellacion 2136

I swere if quod fis frere vpon my feif And f er wif al his hond in his he leif lo heer my feij) in me schal be no lacke fan putte fin hond doun by my bakke 2140

Sayde fis man and grope wel byhynde Bynef e my buttok1 fere schalf f ou fynde A f ing1 faf I haue hidde in priuete

A fought1 fis frere fat1 schal go wif me 2144

And doun his hande he launcef vnto f e clifte he hopede fere for to fynden a ^ifte And f anne ful besy was fis frere

Abouten his tuwel gropyng1 here and fere 2148

U Amydde his hand he leet1 fe frere a fart1 t leaf 127, back j Ther is no capel drawyng1 in f e cart* fat1 might1 haue lete a fart* of1 such a sown fe frere vp sterte as if were a fers leoun 2152

A false cherl quod he for cokkes bones This hasf f ou for despite doon for f e nones f ou schalf abeye f i farte if1 fat I may his meigne which faf herden ))is affray 2156

Cam lepynge in and chased ouf f e ffrere And forf he gof wif a ful angry cheere And fette his felawe f er as lay his store he loked as if were a wilde boor 21 60

he grynded his teef so was he wrof A stourdy paas doun to f e courf he gof Wher as f er woned a man of1 gref honowr To whom faf he was alwey confessour 2164

This worf y man was lord of1 faf village fis frere cam as f ough it were in a rage Wher as fis lord saf etyng1 af his bord -vnnefes mighf fe frere speke a word 2168

CORPUS 276 (6-T. 397)

SIX-TEXT 398

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Til atte laste lie seyde god $ou se fis lord gan loke and seyde beriedicite Quod he frere lonn what maner world is fis I see wel fat1 som fing1 is arays 2172

36 loken as f e woode were ful of* f eeues Sit1 doun anon and telle me what* ^our greef1 is And it1 schal ben amended if1 fat1 1 may I haue quod he had a despifr to day 2176

God 3elde 3011 a-do?m in 3oure village f afr in fis world is non so pore a page fat1 he nolde han abhommacion

Of1 fat1 1 haue receyued in fis toun 2180

And 3itt me greuef no f ing1 so sore As fat1 f is olde cherl wif lokkes hore Blasphemed haf oure holy couent1 eeke $"ow maister quod fis lord I 3ou beseke 2184

No maister quod he but1 a seruitour [loaf ia»]

fey I haue had in scole fat1 honour God likef nou^t1 fat1 men vs Raby calle neifer in market1 ne in 3our halle 2188

No force quod he but1 telle me of $our greef sire quod fis frere an ydious mescheef1 This day betidde is to mjn ordre and to me And so par consequews to eche degre 2192

Of1 holy chirche god amende it1 sone Sire quod f e lord 30 wot1 what1 is to doone Distempre 3ou nought1 30 be my confessour 30 ben fe salt/ of1 ferfe and fe sauour 219G

ffor goddes loue 3oure pacience 30 holde Tellef me 3our greef1 and he anon him tolde As 36 han herd byfore 30 wot1 wel what1 The lady of1 f e hous ay stille sat1 2200

Til sche hadde herde what1 f e frere sayde Ey goddes moder quod sche blisful mayde Is f er nou3f elles tellef me feif fully 1T madame quod he how fenke 3ou ferby 2204

CORPUS 277 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 399 GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONED TALE. CoipUS MS.

how fat1 me fenkejj quod sche so god me spede

I say a cherl haj> don a cherles deede

what* schulde I say god let1 him neuer J?e

his seeke heed is ful of1 vanite 2208

I holde him in a maner frenesye

Madame quod he by god I schal not1 lye

but1 1 on ofer wise may ben awreke

I schal sclaundre him oueral wher I speke 2212

The false blasphemowr fat1 charged me

To parte fat1 might1 noi^f departed be

To euery man y-liche wij? meschawnce

J?e lord sat1 stille as he lay in a traunse 2216

And in his herte he rolled vp and down

how hadde fis cherl ymaginaciown

To schewe such a probleme to J?e frere

Neuer erst* er now herde I of1 such matere 2220

I trowe fe deuyl putte if in his mynde [leaf 128, back]

In ars metrik1 schal fer no man fynde

Biforn Jris day of1 such a question

Who schulde make a demonstracion 2224

J?af euery man schulde haue y-lik1 his part*

Of1 a sown or of1 a sauour of1 a fart1

0 nyce proude cherle I schrewe his face

lo sires quod J>e lord wij> harde grace 2228

Who herde euer of1 such a fing1 er now /

To euery man ylike telle me how •

It1 is a impossible it1 may not1 be

0 nyce cherle god let1 him neuer J>e 2232 j?e rublyng1 of1 a fart1 and euery soun

Nys but1 of1 eyre reuellaciotm

And fer-wif wastef litel and litel away

Jjer is no man can deme by my fay 2236

If1 Jjat1 it/ were departed equaly

What1 lo my cherle lo 31^ how schrewedely

vnto my confessowr to day he spak1

1 holde him certein a demoniak1 2240

COKPUS 278 (6-T. 399)

SIX-TEXT 400

GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Now etef 3oure mete and letef him go pleye lete him go hange himself1 a deuelweye

[ The Solution of the " Probleme " by the Lord's Squire. No break in the MS.]

Now stood f e lordes squier at1 f e bord

fat1 karf1 here mete and herde word for word 2244

Of1 alle ping1 of1 which I haue 3011 sayd

my lord quod he be]) not1 yuele payd

I couf e telle for a gowne clof

To 3011 sir frere so 30 ben nat1 wrof 2248

how fat1 f is fart1 scholde euene deled be

Among* 3our couent/ if1 it like me

Telle on quod f e lord and f ou schalt1 haue anon

A gowne clop by god and by seint1 lohn 2252

My lord quod he whan fat1 f e weder is faire

Wif outen wynd or pertourbyng1 of1 ayre

let1 bringe a cart1 whel heer in-to f is halle

But1 loke fat1 he haue his spokes alle 2256

xij. spokes haf a carte whel comunly [leaf 1293

And bringe me f anne .xij. freres wite 36 why

ffor .xiij. is a couent1 as I gesse

3oure confessour hede for his worfinesse 2260

Schal performe vp f e nombre of1 his couent1

f anne schullen fey knelen down by oon assent1

And to euery spokes ende in f is manere

fful sadly leye his nose schal f e freere 2264

3oure noble confessour fere god him saue

Schal holde his nose vpright1 vnto f e naue

f anne schal f is cherl wif bely styf1 and tou3f

As any tabour hider ben y-brought1 2268

And sette him on f e wheel right1 on f is carte

vpon f e naue and make him lete a farte

And 30 schuln se vp peril of1 my lijf1

By preof1 which fat1 is demonstrate f1 2272

CORPUS 279 (6-T. 400)

SIX-TEXT 401

'GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

fat1 equaly f e soun of1 hit1 wole wende

And eeke f e stynke vnto f e spokes ende

Saue fat1 f is worf i man }>is confessowr

By cause he is a man of1 gret honour 2276

Schal haue f e ferste fruytes as reson is

f e noble vsage of1 freres ^it1 is f is

f e worf y men of1 hem schuhi fersfr be serued

And certeinly he haf it1 wel disserued 2280

he hap to day taught vs so mochil good

WiJ) preening1 in f e pulpit* )>er he stood

fat1 1 may vouche sauf1 1 say for me

ne hadde J>e firste smelle of1 fartes fre 2284

And so wolde alle his couenfr hardily

he beref him so faire and holyly

J?e lord ]?e lady & eche man saue ]?e ffrere

Sayden fat1 lankyn) spak1 in J>is matiere 2288

As wel as euclide or protholome

Touchinge fe cherle fey seyden subtilite

And by heyh witte make him speke as he spake

he is no fool ne no demonyake 2292

And lankyn haf y-wonne a newe goune Deaf 120, tack]

My tale is doou) we ben almost* at1 towne

1T Here endef f e Somno^rs tale

CORPUS 280 (6-T. 401)

GKOUP E, FEAGMENT VI,

§ 1. THE CLEKK'S HEAD-LINK. CORPUS MS.

IT here bygennef fe prologe of1 J?e clerk1 of1 Oxe/iford!

[on leaf 12'}, back]

Sire clerk1 of1 Oxenford? onre oste sayde 30 ryde as stille and coy as doj> a mayde Were newe spoused sittyng1 atte bord This day ne herde I of1 ^oure tonge a word 4

I trowe fat1 36 studye aboute som sophime But1 Salamon saif euery fing1 haf tyme IT Pausac/o

ffor goddes sake bejj of1 bettre cheere IV nys no tyme for to stodyen heere 8

Telle vs som niery tale by ^oure fay ffor what1 man fat1 is entred in-to play he needes mote vnto J>e play assente

But1 preches natt as freres don in lente 12

To make vs for oure olde synnes wepe Ne jjat1 ]?y tale make vs not1 to sleepe IT Pausaczo

Telle vs som mery jjing1 of* auentures / ^oure termes ^oure coloures ^oure figures 16

keep hem in store til so be 36 enditen by stile as when fat1 men to kinges writen Spekef so plein at1 J?is tyme I $ou pray fat1 we may vnderstonde what1 30 say f Pausac/o

This worfi clerk1 benignely answerde Oft1 quod he I am vnder 3our 3erde 30 han of1 vs as now fe gouernance And ferfore wol I do yow obeissance 24

CORPUS 281-2 (6-T. 403)

SIX-TEXT 404

GROUP E. § 1. CLERK'S HEAD-LINK. Corpus MS.

As fer as reson axe]) hardel

I wil 3011 telle a tale which fat I

lernede afr paradovse of1 a wor]?i clerk1

As preued by his wordes and his work* . 28

he is now deed and nayled in his cheste

I pray to god to ^iue his soule reste 1T Pausac/o

ffraunces Petrake J?e laureafr poete

highte J?is clerk* whos istoiique sweete [a leaf out] 32

[enlumynede al ytaille / of Poyetrie [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14, leaf QQ

as Lynyan dide / of Philosophie

or lawe / or other arte par-ticulere

but deth that wol not suffre vs / duelle here 36

but as it were / a twynkelyng of an yghe

hem both hath sleyn / and alle shulle we dye

but forthe to tellen / of this worthy man

that taughte me this tale / as I bigan 40

I sey that he first / wight highe stile enditeth.

er he the body of his tale writeth"

a proheme / in the which discernetfr he

the mounde / and of Saluce the centre 44

and spekith of Appenyn the hilles highe

that ben the boundes / of west Lumbardie

and of the Mounte Yesulus / in special

where as the Poo / out of a wel smal 48

takith. his first spryngyng / and his sours

and holte even streighte wey / his cours

to Emel-ward / to Ferrare / and to Yenyse

the which a longe thing were / to devise 52

and trewely / as to my lugement

me thinkith it a thing / inpe?*tynent

save he wol conveye / his matiere

but this is the tale / which ye shal hiere 56

Here endith the clerke of Oxonford his prolog CORPUS 283 (6-T. 404) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

six-TExr 405 GKOUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And next folwyng bigynneth Ms tale of Gresilde .

[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14, en leaf 66]

Ther was in the weste side of ytaylle down at the rote / of Vesulus the colde a lusty playne / habuiidaunte of vitaylle where many a toure and towne / thow maist "biholde 60 that founded were / in tyme of faders olde and many a-nother / dilectable sight and Saluces / this noble contre hight 63

A Marques whilom / was lord of that londe 64

as were his worth! eldres / him bifore

and obeysaunte / ay redy to his honde

were alle his liges / both" lesse and more <jeafw, back} 67

thus in delite he lyved / and hath done yore

biloued and drad / thorugS. favour of fortune

both of his lordis / and of his comune 70

IT Therwith he was / to speken of lynage 71

the gentilest borne / of al Lumbardye

a faire persone and strong / and yonge of age

and ful of honoure / and of curtesie 74

discrete I-nough / his contre for to gye

saue in som thingis / he was to blame

and Walter was this yonge lord-is name 77

1T I blame him thus / that he considred noughte 78

in tyme comyng / what myghte him betide but on his lust present / was al his thoughte as for to havke and hounte / on euery side 81

wel nygh al other cures / lete he slide and eke he nolde / and that was worst of alle wedde no wiff / for aughte that myghte bifalle 84

CORPUS 284 (6-T. 405) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

SIX-TEXT 406

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IT Oonly that poynt / his peple bare score [Ms Arch. Seia. B. 14.]

that flokmele on a day / they to him wente

and oon of hem / that wysest was of loore

or ellis that the lord / best wolde assente 88

that he shulde telle him / what his peple mente

or ellis coude he wel / shewe suche matire

he to the Marques seide / as ye shulle hire 91

1T 0 noble Marques / youre humanite 92

assurith vs / and yevitfr vs hardynesse

as offte as tyme / is of necessite

that we to yow mow telle / oure hevynesse 95

acceptitfr now lord / of youre gentilnesse

that we with pitevous herte / to yow pleyne

and lete not youre eeris / my voys disdeyne 98

IF Al haue I nought to done / in this matire 99

more than a-nother man hath / in this place

yit for as meche / as ye my lord / so dere

haue alwey shewed to me / favoure and grace 102

I dar the better axe of yow / a space Oa/6?]

of audience / to shewe oure requeste

and ye my lord / to do right as ye leste 105

1T For certes lord / so wel vs likith yow 106

and al youre werke / and haue done that we] [A™11- Seia B. 14

J extract ends]

Ne coude nought1 vs self deuysen how [Corpus MS,. te«/i3o]

"We mighte lyue in more felicite 109

Saue o fing1 lord if1 if ^our wille be

That* for to be a wedded man ^ou leste

fen were 3oure peple in souereyn hertes reste 112

[jVb breaks in the Corpus MS between the stanzas, ,]

Bowef joure nekke vnder fat1 blisful 30k1 113

Of1 souerainte and nought1 of1 seruise Which fatf men clepe spousaile or wedlok1 And fenkef lord amonges ^oure foughtes wise 116

CORPUS 285 (6-T. 406)

SIX-TEXT 407

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

[how that oure dayes pas / in sondre gise] [Arch. Seia, B. 11]

ffor Jjough we slepe or wake or renne or ryde

Ay fleef Jje tyme and wol noman abyde 119

And Jwugll ^oure greene poughtes floure as }it 120

In crepe j? age alway as stille as stoon

And deth manacej? euery age and smyt1

In ech astat1 for ]?er askapej? noon) 123

And also certein as we knowe echoon

J?af we schulle deye as vncertein we alle

Ben of J?af day fat1 dej> schal on vs falle 1 26

1F Acceptef fanne of vs ]>e trewe entent 127

j>af neuere 31^ ne refused ^our heste

And we lord if1 fat1 30 wile assent

To chese ^ou a wijf1 in schorf tyme atte leste 130

Borne of1 J?e gentilest1 and of J>e meste

Of1 alle ]?is lond so Jjat1 if oughte seme

honowr to god and 3011 as we can deme 133

IF Delyuer vs out1 of1 al Jjis busy dede 134

And tak1 a wijf1 for hihe goddes sake

ffor if1 if so bifelle as god forbede

J?af Jjorugli 3oure dej? 3our lynage schulde slake 137

And J?af a straunge successour schulde take

3 oure heritage . o wo were vs on lyue

wherfore we pray 3ow hastily to wyue 140

IF here meke preyer and here pitous cherte 141

Made ]>e marquys herte haue pite

[ye wol quod he / myn owne peple dere] [Arch. Seid. B. H.] To J>af I neuer ersf Jjou3te streyne me 144

I me reioysed of my liberte

That1 selden tyme is founden manage [leaf iso, back]

Ther I was free I moste be in seruage 147

COHPUS 286 (6-T. 407)

SIX-TEXT 408

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IF But1 napeles I se 3our trewe entente 148

And truste vpon ^our witte and haue don ay

Wherfore with al my fre wille I wil assente

To wedde me as sone as euer I may 151

But1 per as 36 ban profred me to day

To chese me a wijf1 I $ou relesse

fat1 choys and pray $ou of* $oure profre cesse 154

1T if or I wot pat1 children often ben 155

vnlike here eldres hem byfore

Bounte com]? al of1 god not1 of1 pe stren

Of1 which pei bep engendred and y-bore 158

I truste in goddes bounte and perfore

my mariage and myn astat1 and reste

I him bitake he may do as him leste 161

1F laf me alone in chesyng1 of1 my wijf1 162

But1 1 3ou pray and charge vpon }our lijf*

That1 charge vpon my bak1 1 wil endure

pat1 what1 wijf1 1 take I pe assure 165

To worschipe hire whil bat1 hire lijf1 may dure

In word in werk* bope heere and euerywhere

As sche an Emperoures doughter were 168

IF And forpermore pis schal 36 swere pat1 30 169

A^ein my choys schulle neuer grucche ne stryue

ffor sippe I schal forgo my liberte

Af 3oure request1 as euer mote I priue 172

[there as myn herte is sett / there woH I wyve] tA^hi|jld-

And but1 30 wol assente in such manere

I pray 3ou speke nomore of* pis matiere 1 75

1T "Wip hertly wil pey sweren and assenten 176

To al pis ping1 per seyde no wight1 nay Beseking1 him of1 grace or pat1 pei wenten pat1 he wolde graunten hem a certein day 179

CORPUS 287 (6-T. 408)

SIX-TEXT 409

GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Of1 his spousaile as sone as euer he may

ffor ^ef alway pe poeple somwhat1 dredde

lest1 pat1 pis marquys no wijf1 wolde wedde 182

He graunted hem a day such as him leste [leafisi] 183

On which he wolde be wedded sikerly

And sayde he dide al pis at1 fair requeste

And pay wip humble entent ful buxomly 186

knelyng1 vpon here knees ful reuerently

him ponkyiig1 alle and Jms pay haue an ende

Of1 here entent1 and home a^ein pei wende 189

And her vpon he to his officers 190

Comande]) for pe feste to purveye

And to his priue knightes and squyers

Such charge ^af1 as him list1 on hem leye 193

And pay to his comaundemewt obeye

And ech of1 hem dop al his diligence

To do vnto J>e feste reuerence 196

[PART II.]

^ Prmia pars

ughf fer fro ]je paleys honurable 197

Wher as J>e marquys schop his mariage Ther stood a throop of1 fe Cite delitable

In which pat1 pore folk1 of1 pat1 village 200

hadden here bestes and here herbergage

And of1 here labour toke here sustienance

After pe erpe 3af* hem abundance 203

Among1 pis pore folk1 per dwelled a man 204

Which was holde pouerest1 of1' hem alle But heihe god sum tyme sende can

his gmce in to a litel oxe stalle 207

lanicula men of1 pat1 throop him calle A doughter hadde he fair ynough to sight1 H And Grisildis pis $onge mayden highte 210

CORPUS 288 (6-T. 409)

SIX-TEXT 410

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

But1 for to speke of1- verteuous beaute 211

panne was sche on pe fairest1 vnder sonne

fful pouerely y-fostered was sche

No likerous lust1 was in hire herte ronne 214

"Wei oftere of1 pe welle fan of1 pe tonne

Sche drank1 for sche wolde vertues plese

Sche knew wel labour but1 non ydel ese 217

IF But1 pougfc pis mayden tendre were of1 age 218

^et in pe brest1 of1 hire virginite [leaf m, back]

Ther was y-closed rype and scharpe corage

And in a gret1 reuerence and charite 221

hire olde pouere fader fostred sche

A fewe scheep spynnyng1 on feld sche kepte

Sche nolde not1 ben ydel til pat1 sche slepte 224

And whan sche com horn ward sche wolde bringe 225

Wortes or oper herbes tymes ofte

The which sche schredde and seth for hir lyuynge

And made hir bed ful harde and no ping1 softe / 228

And ay sche kepte hir faderes lif1 on lofte

Wif euery obeissance and diligence

That1 childe may do to faderes reuerence / 231

IT vpon Grisilde pe pouer creature 232"

iful ofte sipe pe marquys sette his ye

As he on huntyng1 rood perauenture

And whan it1 fell pat1 he might* hir aspye 235

he not1 wij> wantoun lokyng1 of1 folye

his eyen caste on hire but in sad wyse

vpon hir cheere he wolde him ofte auyse 238

^F Commendyng1 in his herte hir wommanhede 239

And eek1 hire vertu passyng1 any wight1 Of so 3ong< age as wel in cheere as in dede ffor pough pe poeple haue no gret1 insight1 242

CORPUS 289 (6-T. 410)

SIX-TEXT 411

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

In vertu lie considerd ful right1

hir bounte and disposed fat he wolde

Wedde hir oonly if* euer he wedde scholde 245

The day of weddyng1 com but1 no wight1 can 246

Telle what1 wommarc fat1 it schulde be

ffor which meruayle wondref many man

And seyde whan fey were in pryuyte 249

Wil nat1 oure lord 3 it1 leue his vanite

Wil he nat1 wedde alias alias f e while

Why wol he fus himself1 and vs begile 252

But1 nafeles fis marquys haf don make 253

Of1 gemmes sette in golde and in asnre

Broches and rynges for Grisildes sake Deaf 1223

And of1 hire clofing1 tok1 he fe mesure 256

Of1 a mayden like to hire stature

And eek1 of1 of er ornamentes alle

That1 vnto such a weddyng1 schulde falle 259

H f e tyme of1 vnderne of1 f e same day 260

Approchef fat1 f is weddyng1 schulde be

And al f e paleys but was in aray

Bofe halle and chambre eche in his degre 263

houses of1 offices stuffed wif plente

Ther maystow se of1 deynteuous vitayle

That1 may be founde as feer as last1 ytayle 266

IT This real marquys richely arrayed 267

lordes and ladyes in his companye The which vnto f e feste were prayed And of1 his retenue fe bachelrie 270

With many a soun of1 sondry melodye vnto f e vilage of1 which I tolde

In fis array fe righte wey haf holde 273

21 CORPUS 290 (6-T. 41l)

SIX-TEXT 412

GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IF Grisilde of1 fis god wot1 ful Innocent 274

fat1 for hire schapen al fis array was

To fecche water at1 a welle is wente

And comef home as sone as euer sche may 277

ffor wel sche hadde herd seyde fat1 ilke day

That* marquys sc'hulde wedde and if1 sche might1

Sche wolde fayn han seyn some of* fat1 sight 280

5T Sche fought1 1 wille wif of re may dens stonde 281

fat1 ben my felawes in oure dore and se

The marquisesse and f erfore wol I fonde

To do at1 home as sone as it1 may be 284

f e labour which fat1 longef vnto me

And fanne I may at1 leysyr hire by-holde

If1 sche f is wey vnto f e castel holde 287

II And as sche wolde ouer hire f resshfold gon 288

The marquys cam and gan hir for to calle

And sche sette doun hir water potte anon •

Bysyde fis fresshfolde of1 fis oxe stalle [leaf 122, back] 291

And doun vpon hir knees sche gan to falle

Wif sad contynance and knelef stille

Til sche had herd what1 was f e lordes wille . 294

fis f oughtful marquys spak1 vnto fis mayde 295

fful soberly and seyde in fis manere

Wher is ^our fader Grisildis he sayde

And sche wif reuerence in humble chere , 298

Answerde lord he is al redy heere

And in sche gof wif oute lenger lette

And to fe marquys hir fader sche fette 301

IT he by f e hond fan took1 fis olde man/ 302

And sayde fus whan he him hadde a syde

lanycala I neyf er may ne can

lengere f e plesaunce of1 myn herte hyde 305

CORPUS 291 (6-T. 412)

SIX-TEXT 413

GROUP E. § 2, CLEKK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

If1 fat1 f ou vouche saff1 what* so betyde f y doughter I wol take or fat1 1 wende As for my wijf1 vnto hire lyues ende 308

H f ou louest1 me I wot1 if \vel certain 309

And art1 my feif ful liege man y-bore

And al fat1 like]) me I dar wel sayn

It1 likef fe and speciallicne f erf ore 312

Telle me fat1 poynt1 as I hane sayd bifore

If1 fat1 f ou wilt1 vnto fat purpos drawe

To take me as for fi sone in lawe 315

IT The sodeyn cas ]>e man astoned so 31 6

J?att reed he wax abaystf and al quakynge

he stood vnnejje he sayde worde no mo

But1 only Jms lord quod he my willynge 319

Is as 30 wille nought1 a3eins ^our likynge

I wole no Jung1 30 be my lord so dere

But1 as }ou luste gouernej? J?is matiere 322

U ^it1 wol I quod ]ns marquys softely 323

Jjat1 in Y\ chambre I and }>ou and sche

haue a collacion and wostow why

ifor I wil axe if1 J>af hire wille be 326

To be my wijf1 and reule hire after me [leaf iss]

And al )>is schal be doon in fi presence

I wol nof speke out1 of1 fin audience 329

1F And in here chambre whil fay were aboute 330

here tretees which fat1 39 sclml after heere

f e poeple cam in to f e hous wif oute

And wondred hem in hor honeste manere 333

And tentyfly sche kepte hir fader deere

But1 outerly Grysildis wondre might1

ffor neuer erst1 ne saugh sche such a sight1 336

CORPUS 292 (6-T. 413)

SIX-TEXT 414

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

1F No wonder is pou3 pat1 sche were astoned 337

To se so gretf a geste in pat1 place

Sche neuer was to suche gestes woned

ffor which sche loked wip ful pale face 340

But1 schortly forp pis mater for to chace

This aren pe wordes pat1 pe marquys sayde

To his benigne verray feypful inayde 343

1T Grisilde he seyde 36 schule wel vnderstonde 344

IV likep to 3oure fader and to me

That1 1 3011 wedde and eek1 it may so stonde

As I suppose 36 wil pat1 it1 so be 347

But1 pese demaundes ax I first1 qiiod he

IT pat1 sippen it1 schal be don in hasty wise

Wille 30 assente or elles ^ou auyse 350

I seye pis be redy wip good herte 351

To al iny lust1 and pat1 1 frely may

As me best1 pinkep do 3ou knowe or smerte

And neuer pe to grucche it1 night1 ne day 354

And eek1 whan I say 36 ne say not1 nay

Neiper by word ne by frounyng1 contynance

Swere pis and heer I swere oure alliance 357

IF Weddyng1 vpon pis word quakyng* for drede 358

Sche sayde lord vndigne or vnworpy

Am I to pat1 ilke honour pat1 36 me bede

But1 as 36 wille 3oure self1 right1 so wol I 361

And here I swere pat1 neuer willy ugly

In werk1 ne pought1 1 nyl 3ou disobeye [leaf 133, back]

ffor to be deed pough me were lop to deye 364

IT This is ynough Grisylde myn quod he 365

And forp he gop wip a ful sobre cheere

Out1 at1 pe dore and after pat1 cam sche

And to pe poeple he sayde in pis manere 368

CORPUS 293 (6-T. 414)

SIX-TEXT 415

GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Jjis is my wyf< quod he fatf stoiidef heere

honourej? hire and louef eek1 1 preye

Who so me louef fer is no more to seye 371

And for fat1 nofing1 of1 hir olde gere 372

Sche scholde bringe in to his hous he bad

That1 wommen schulde dispoylen hire right* fere

Of1 which fis ladyes were noting1 glad 375

To handle hire clones wher Inne sche was clad

But naf eles fis mayden bright1 of1 hewe

ffro foot1 to heed J>ey closed han al newe 378

1F hire heres han fey kempte fat1 layn vntressed 379

fful rudely and wif hire fyngres smale

fay tyred hire heed fat1 longe rudely lay dressed

Of1 hire array what1 schulde I make a tale 382

Sche is now fair of* hew fat1 arst1 was pale

vnnef e f e poeple hir knew for hir fairnesse

Whan sche transmewed was in such richesse 385

IF This marquys ha]) hir wedded wif a ryng1 386

Brou^f for }>e same cause and hire sette

vpon an hors snow whyt1 and wel amblyng1

And to J?e paleys or he lenger lette 389

Wij? ioyful poeple J?at hire ladde and mette

Conueyed hire and Jms fe day fay spende

In reuel til j?e sonne gan descende 392

H And schortly forf fis tale for to chace 393

I seye fat1 to fis newe marquysesse

God haf such fauour sent1 hire of1 his grace

That1 it1 ne semed nought be kykenesse 396

That1 sche was born and fedde in ludenesse

As in a cote or in an Oxe stalle/

But1 norisshed in an emperoures halle peaf 134] 399

CORPUS 294 (6-T. 415)

SIX-TEXT 416

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS,

IF To Query wight1 sclie woxen is so deere 400

And worschipful fat1 folk1 f er sche was bore

And from hire burf e knewe liire fere by $eere

vnnef e trowede fey but1 durst1 nan swore 403

fat1 to lanicle of1 which I spat byfore

Sche doughter nas for as by coueiture

hem foughte sche was anofer creature 406

1T ffor f ough euere vertuous was sche 407

Sche was encressed in such excellence

Of1 f ewes good y-sette in heih bounte

And so discrete and fair of1 eloquence

So benigne and digne of1 reuerence

And coude so f e poeples herte embrace

fat1 ech hir louef fat1 lokef on hir face 413

IT Not1 only of1 salues in fe toun 414

Pirplissched was f e bounte of1 hir name

But1 eek1 besyde in many a region

If1 on sayde wel anofer sayde f e same 417

So spredef of* hire heih bounte & fame

That1 men and woramen als wel ^onge as olde

Gon to salice vpon hir to byholde 420

1T Thus Walter lowly nat1 but1 really 421

Wedded wif fortunate honeste

In goddes pees lyuef ful esily

At1 horn and outward grace ynough hadde he 424

And for he saugh fat1 vnder lough degre

Was ofte vertu hyd f e poeple him helde

A prudent man and fat1 is seyn ful seelde 427

IT Nat1 oonly fis Grisildis furgh hir witte 428

Coude al f e fait1 of1 wyfly homlynesse

But1 eke whan fat1 f e cas requyred it

The comun profyt1 coude sche redresse 431

CORPUS 295 (6-T. 416)

SIX-TEXT 417

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

per nas discorde rancour ne heuynesse

In al pat1 lond pat1 sche coupe appese

And wisly bringe hem alle in hertes eese 424

1T Though pat1 hire housbonde absent1 were anon [leaf 134, back]

If1 gentil men or oper of1 hire countre '

Were wrope sche wolde bringen hem at1 on

So wys and rype wordes hadde sche / 438

And luggements of1 so gret1 equite

pat1 sche from heuen sent1 was as men wende

pe poeple to plese and euery wrong1 to amende 441

1F Nat1 long1 tyme after pat1 pis Grisilde 442

Was wedded sche a doubter hap y-bore

Al hadde hir leuer haue born a knaue childe

Glad was pis marquys and his folk1 pe?*fore 445

ffor pough a mayden childe come al bifore

Sche may vnto a knaue child atteyne

.Be lykened sippe sche is not1 bareyne 448

IF Explicit ija p«7rs.

Ther felle as it bifallep tymes mo 449

When pat J>is childe had souked but a pro we This marquys in his herte longejj so

To tempte his wyf hir sadnesse for to knowe 452

Jjat1 he ne might1 out1 of1 his herte prowe IF This merueylous desir his wijf1 to assaye Needeles god wot1 he Jjoughf hir to affraye 455

he hadde assayed hire ynongh bifore 456

And fond hir euer good what1 needed it1

hire for to tempte and alway more and more

But1 as for me I seye pat1 euele it1 sitte 459

pough some men it1 preyse for a subtil witte

To assaye a wijf1 whan pat1 it1 is no neede

And putten hire in anguisscho and in dreede 462

CORPUS 296 (6-T. 417)

SIX-TEXT 418

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

f ffor which fis marquys wrought1 in fis manere 463

he com a night1 allone f er as sche lay

Wif sterne fate and wif trouble cheere

And seyde fus Grisilde quod he fat day 466

fat1 I 3ou took1 out1 of1 ^oure pore aray

And putte }ou in astat1 of1 heye noblesse

30 haue nou^f forgeten as I gesse 469

IT I seye Grisilde fis present1 dignite 470

In which I haue putte 30 w as I trowe Peaf 135]

makef ^ou nou^f for^eteful for to be

fat1 1 3ou took1 in pouer astate ful lowe 473

ffor eny wele 36 mote ^oure selue knowe

Tak* heed of1 euery word fat1 1 3ou say

f er nys no wight1 fat1 heeref it1 but1 we tway 476

IT 36 wote ^oure selue wel how fat1 30 come here 477

In to f is hous fat1 nys nat1 longe ago

And f ough to me ^e be right1 leeue and deere

vnto my gentiles $e ben nof ing1 so 480

fey say to hem it is gret1 schame and wo

ffor to be sogette and ben in seruage

To f e fat1 art1 bom of1 a smal vilage 483

11 And namely sif f e fy doubter was y-bore 484

This wordes han fey spoke douteles

But I desire as I haue don byfore

To lyue my lyf1 wif hem in reste and pees 487

I may not1 in f is cas be recheles

I mot1 do wif f i doubter for f e beste

as I wolde but1 as my gentils leste 490

IT And ^it1 god wot1 fis is ful lof to me 491

But1 naf eles wif outen ^our wetynge I wil nat1 do but fis wil I quod he

That1 je to me assent/ as in fis f inge 494

CORPUS 297 (6-T. 418)

SIX-TEXT 419

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Schewe now 3011? pacience as in werkynge

J?af 36 me hight1 and swor in 30111 village

That1 day J?afr maked was our mariage 497

IF Whan sche had herd al )?is sche nat ameued 498

Noyjjer in word ne cheere ne contynance

iFor as it semed sche was nat1 agreued

Sche sayde lord al lijj in 3our plesaunce 501

My childe and I wij) hertely obeissance

ben 3oures al and 36 mowe saue & spille

owne Jnng1 workijj after 3our wille 504

IF Ther may no J>ing< so god my soule saue 505

liken to 3ou fat1 may displesen me

Ne I desyre no Jung1 for to haue [leaf 135, back]

Ne drede for to lese saue oonly J>e 508

J>is wille is in myrc herte and ay schal be

No lengjje of1 tyme or dejj may J>is deface

Ne chaunge my corrage to anoj>er place 511

1F Glad was J?is marquys for hire answeryng* 512

But1 3 it1 he feigned as it were not1 so

Al dreery was his cheer* as his lokyng1

Whan fat1 he schulde out/ of1 )>e chambre go 515

Sone after Jns a forlong1 way or tuo

he priuely hajj tolde al his entente

vnto a man and to his wijf1 him sente 518

IF A maner se^'geant1 was J>is priue man 519

The which he feijjful often founden hadde

In Jjinges gret1 and eek1 such folk1 wel can

Don execucion of1 Jjinges badde 522

The lord knew wel fat1 he him loued and dradde

And whan )>is sergaunt1 knew his lordes wille

In to fe chambur he stalked him ful stille 525

CORPUS 298 (6-T. 419)

SIX-TEXT 420

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

1F Ma dame he sayde ^e moote for^iue it me 526

Though I do fing1 f e which I am constreyned

^e ben so wys fat1 ful wel knowe $e

fat lordes heestes mo we not1 be feyned 529

fey mowe wel be weyled or compleyned

But* men moot1 n cedes to here lust1 obeye

And so wol I fer nys nomore to seye 532

IT fis child am I comaunded for to take 533

And spak1 no more but1 out1 f e childe he hente

Dispitously and gan a cheere make

As f ough he wold han slayn it1 or he wente 536

Grisildes mot1 al soffre and consente

And as a lombe sche sittef meke & stille

And lete Jns cruel sergant1 han bis wille 539

IT Suspeccious was f e defame of1 fis man 540

Suspecte his face suspecte his word also

Suspecte f e tyme in which he fis bygan .

Alias hir doughter fat sche loued so [leafise] 543

Sche wende he wolde haue slay en it1 right1 f o

But1 naf eles sche nouf er weep ne siked

Conformyng1 hire to fat1 fe marquys liked 546

11 But1 atte laste speke sche bigan 547

And mekely sche to f e sergaunt1 preyed

So as he was a worf y gentil man

jjat1 sche moste kisse hir childe or fat1 it1 deyde 550

And in hir barm fis litel child sche leyde

Wif ful sadde face and gan J)is childe to blisse

And lulled it1 and after gan it1 kisse 553

IT And Jms sche seyde in hire benigne vois 554

ffar wel my child I schal fe neuer se

But1 sif I haue fe marked wif fe croys

Of1 filke fader blessed mote fou be 557

CORPUS 299 (6-T. 420)

SIX-TEXT 421

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

fat1 for vs deyed vpon a crosse of1 tre

j>y soule litel child I him bytake

if or J>is night1 schalf J>ou deye for my sake- 560

^T I trowe to a norice in fis cas 561

It1 hadde ben hard J?is reupe for to se

Wei might a mooder fan han cryed alias

But1 nafeles so sadde stedefast1 was sche 564

fat1 sche endured alle aduersite

And to f e sergeaunt1 mekely sche sayde

haue her a^ein ^our litel 3onge mayde 567

1T Gof now quod sche and do]? my lordes heste 568

But1 o fing1 wold I pray ^ou of1 ^our grace

fat1 but1 my lord forbad $ou atte leste

Burief Jjis litel body in som place 571

J>afr bestes ne no briddes it to-race

But1 he ne wolde no word to J?e purpos seye

But/ tok1 J>e childe and went1 vpon his weye 574

IT ]>is sergaunfr cam vnto J>is lord ageyne 575

And of1 Grisildes wordes and hir cheere

he tolde him word for word in schort1 and pleyne

And him presentej? with his doubter dere 578

Som what1 J>is lord hadde reuj^e in his manere [leaf ise, back]

But1 najjeles his purpos held he stille

As lordes don whan J>ay wol haue here wille 581

And bad j>is sergaunt1 fat1 he priuyly 582

Schulde ])is child ful ofte wynde and wrappe

WiJ) alle c/rcumstaunces tendrely

And carye it in a coffre or in a lappe 585

But1 vpon peyne his heed of1 for to swappe

Jjat1 noman schulde knowe of1 his entent

Ne when he come ne whider fat1 he went 588

CORPUS 300 (6-T. 42l)

SIX-TEXT 422

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

f But1 at1 Boloigne it1 to his suster deere 589

That1 ilke time of* Panyke was Countesse /

he schulde it1 take and schewe hir pis mateere /

Besekyng1 hire to don hire besynesse 592

This child to fostre in alle gentilnesse

And whos child pat1 it* was he bad hire hyde

ffrom euery wight1 for ought1 fat1 may betyde 595

IT pis sergaunt go]? and hap fulfild pis ping1 596

But1 now to pis markys retorne we

fFor now gop he ful ofte ymagynyng1

If1 by his wyffes cheer he mighte se 599

Or by hire word apparceyue fat sche

"Were chaunged but he neuer coude hir fynde

But euer in oon ylike sad and kynde 602

^T As glad as besy as humble in seruice 603

And eek1 in loue as sche was wont1 to be

Was sche to him in euery maner wyse

"N& of1 hir doughter nought1 a word spak1 sche 606

Accident for non aduersite

Was seyn in hire ne neuer hir doubter name

NQ nempned sche in ernest1 ne in game 609

1T Explicit iija p«rs.

IN pis astat1 per ben passed .iiij. $er 610

sche wip childe was but as god wolde A knaue childe sche bar by pis waiter fful gracious and fair for to biholde 613

And whan pat1 folk1 it1 to his fader tolde Nat1 onlich he but1 al pe centre merye [leaf 137]

Was for pis child and god pey pank1 and herye 616

IT Whan it1 was tuo ^eer old and fro be breste 617

Departed of1 his norice on a day This marquys caughte ^it1 anoper leste

CORPUS 301 (6-T. 422)

SIX-TEXT 423

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

To tempte his wijf1 ^it1 ofter if1 lie may 620

0 nedeles was sche tempted in assay But1 wedded men knowen no mesure

Whan fat1 Jmy fynde a pacient creature 623

IF "Wijf1 quod J>is marquys $e han herd of1 )>is 624

My poeple sekerly here]) heuy of1 oure mariage

And namely si]?J?e my sone "boren is

Now is it* wers J?an euer in al oure age 627

The murmur slej) myn herte and my corage

ffor to myn eeres comej> j)e voys so smerte

That1 it1 wel neih destroyed haj> myn herte 630

1T Now sey j?ey Jws whan waiter is agon 631

J>anne schal J?e blood of1 lanicle succede

And ben oure lord for ojjer haue we non

Suche wordes seij? my poeple it is no drede 634

Wel ought1 1 of1 such murmur taken heede

ffor certeinly I drede such sentence

Jjough ]?ey nought1 pleyne speke in myw audience 637

H I wolde lyue in pees if1 J>af I mighte 638

Wher fore I am disposed outerly

As I his suster seruede be nighte

Right1 so jjenke I to serue him priuely 641

)>us warne I $ou for $e nou^t1 sodeinly

Out1 of1 $our self1 for no wo schulde outraye

Be]) pacient1 and Jjerfore I $ou praye 644

1F I haue quod sche sayd Jjus and euer schal 645

1 wille no fing1 ne nyl no Jjing1 certayne But1 as ^ou liste nou^t1 greuejj me al

Jjough Jjat1 my doughter and my sone be siayne 648

At1 3our comaundemewt1 }>is is to sayne

I haue nou^t1 had no part1 of1 children tweyne

But1 first1 siknesse and after wo and peyne [leaf 137, back] 651

CORPUS 302 (6-T. 423)

SIX-TEXT 424

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS,

1F 36 ben oure lord dof wif ^our owne fing* 652

Ri^t1 as 3ou liste askef no rede at me

ffor as I lifte at1 home al my clof inge

Whan I first1 come to 3011 right1 so quod sche 655

lefte I my wille and al my liberte

And tok1 3our closing* wherfore I 3011 preye

Dof 3our plesance I wil ^our lust1 obeye 658

1F And certes if1 1 hadde prescience 659

3oure wille to knowe or 36 ^our lust* me tolde

I wolde it1 do wif outen necligence

But1 now I wot1 3our lust1 and what1 36 wolde 662

Al 3our plesauuce ferme and stable I holde

ffor wiste I fat1 my def ^volde do 3011 ese

Rigfrt1 gladly wolde I deye 3ou to plese 665

1T De)> may not1 make no comparisown 666

vnto oure loue and whan f is marquys say

fe contenaunce of1 his wijf1 he cast a down

his ey3en tuo and wondrejj fat1 sche may 669

In pacience suffre al ]>is array

And for]) he gof wi)> drery contynaunce

But1 to his herte it was right1 gret1 plesance 672

IT fis Oggel sergaunt1 in fe same wise 673

fat1 he hir dorter caughte right1 so he

Or worse if1 men worse can deuyse

haf hent1 hir sone fat1 ful was of1 beaute 676

And euer in oon so pacient was sche

That1 sche no cheere made of1 heuynesse

But1 kiste hir sone and after gan it1 blesse 679

IF Saue fis sche preyed him if1 fat1 he mighte 680

hir litel sone he wolde in erf e graue his tendre lymes delicat1 to sight1

ffro foules and fro bestes for to saue 683

CORPUS 303 (6-T. 424)

SIX-TEXT 425

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

but1 sche non answer of* him mighte haue

lie wente his wey as he no jring1 ne rouglite

But1 to Boloigne he tendrely it1 brou3te 686

IT This marquys wondrej? euer lenger j>e more [leaf iss] 687

vpon hir pacience and if1 fat1 he

Isfe hadde sojjly knowe J?er bifore

Jjat1 parfitly hir children loued sche 690

he wolde haue wende jjat1 of* som subtilte

And of1 malice or for cruel corrage

That1 sche hadde suffred J>is wij? sad visage 693

IT But1 wel he knewe next* himself1 certayne 694

Sche loued hir children best1 in euery wise /

But1 now of1 wowmen wolde I aske fayne

If J>ise assayes mighte nou^t1 suffise / 697

What1 coujje a stordy housbonde more deuyse

To proeue his wijf1 and hire stedfastnesse

And he contynuyng1 euer in sturdynesse 700

IF But1 J>er ben folk1 of1 such condiciofi 701

That1 whan Jjey haue a certein purpos take

They can nought1 stynte of1 here entencion

But1 right1 as J>ey were bounden to a stake 704

pey wil nat1 of1 fat1 firste purpos slake /

Eight1 so ]>is marquys fully haj) purposed

To tempte his wijf1 as he was first1 disposed 707

IT he waytej? if by word or contynance 708

That1 sche to him was chaunged of1 corage

But1 neuer coude he fynde variance

Sche \vas ay oon in hert1 and in visage 711

And ay J?e furjjer pat1 sche was in age

J>e more trewe if Jjat1 it1 were possible

Sche was to him more lowe and more pesible 714

CORPUS 304 (6-T. 425)

SIX-TEXT 426

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS,

IF ffor which it1 semed fus fat1 of1 hem tuo 715

f er nas but1 oo wille for as waiter liste

That1 same lust1 was hire plesance also

And god he fanked al fel for fe beste 718

Sche schewed weel for no worldly vnreste

A wijf1 as of1 hir self1 no f ing1 ne scholde

Wille in efFecte but1 as hir housbond wolde 721

f e sclaundre of waiter ofte and wyde spradde 722

That1 of1 a cruel herte he wikkedly [leaf iss, back]

ffor he a pore woraman wedded hadde

haf murdred bofe his children priuely 725

Such murmur was among1 hem comunly

No wonder is for to f e poeples eere

Ther com no word but1 fat1 fay mordred were 728

ffor which f er as his poeple fer bifore 729

hadde loued him wel f e sclaunder of1 his diffame

Made hem fat1 fey him hatede f erfore

To ben a murdrer is an hateful name 732

But1 naf eles for ernest1 ne for game

he of1 his cruel purpos nolde stente

To tempte his wijf1 was sette al his entente 735

IF Whan fat1 his dorter twelf1 $er was of1 age 736

he to f e court1 of1 Rome in subtil wise

Enformed of1 his wille and seiite his message

Comaundyng1 hem suche bulles to deuyse/ 739

In f is maner and in f is same gyse

how fat1 f e pope as for his poeples reste

Bad him to wedde anofer if1 him leste 742

IT I say he bad fay scholden countrefete 743

The popes bulles making1 mencion

fat1 he haf leue his firste wijf1 to lete

As by fe popes dispensacion 746

CORPUS 305 (6-T. 426)

SIX-TEXT 427

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

To stynte rancour and discencion

Bitwixe his poeple and him f us spak1 f e bulle

fe which fey han publisshed atte fulle 749

If The rude poeple as if no wonder is 750

Wenden ful wel fat1 it hadde be ri^fr so

But1 whan f is tyf inges come to Grisildis

I deme fat1 hir herte was ful wo 753

And sche ylike sad for euermo

Disposed was fis humble creature

To aduersite of1 fortune al tendure 756

^T Abydyng1 euer his lust1 and his plesance 757

To whom sche was ^iuen herte and al

As to hire worldly verray suffisaunce Cieafisg]

But1 schortly if1 fis story telle I schal 760

This marquys writen haf in special

A letfae in which he schewef his entente

And secretly he to boloigne it1 sente 763

f To fe erl of1 Panyke which fat1 hadde fo 764

Wedded his suster preyed he specially

To bringen home a^ein his children tuo

But1 he o finge preyed outrely 767

With alle his herte ful affectuously

fat1 he to no wight f ough men wolde enquere

Schulde nought telle whos children fat1 f ei were 770

^T But1 seye fe may den schulde y-wedded be 771

Vnto f e marquys of1 Saluce right1 anon And as f is erle was preyed right1 so dede he ffor at1 day sette he on his day is goon) 774

Toward Saluce and lordes many oon In riche array f is mayden for to gyde hire 3onge brof ei ryding1 by hir syde 777

22 CORPUS 306 (6-T. 427)

SIX-TEXT 428

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE, Corpus MS,

Arrayed was toward liir mariage 778

This freisshe mayde ful of* gemmes cleere

hir broker which fat1 vij. ^eer was of1 age

Arrayed eek1 ful freissch in his manere. 781

And f us in gret1 noblesse and wif glad cheere

Toward Saluces schapynge hire iourneye

iFro day to day fey ryden in here weye 784

IF Quarta pars. [PART V.]

AMong1 al fis after his wicked vsage 785

fis marquys ^it1 his wijf1 gan tempte more To f e outrest1 proef1 of1 hire corage

ifully to han experiment1 and lore 788

If1 fat1 sche was as stidefasfc1 as bifore he on a day in open audience fful boustously haf seid hir J>is sentence 791

Certes Grisildis I hadde ynough plesaunce 792

To han ^ou to my wijf1 for ^our goodnesse

As for ^our troupe and ^our obeissanee

Nat1 for 3 our lignage ne for ^our richesse [leaf 139, back] 795

But1 now quod he in verray so))fastnesse

fat1 in gref lorschipe if1 1 wol auyse

J>er is gret1 seruytute in sondry wise 798

IT I may nofr do as euery ploughman may 799

My poeple me constreynej? for to take

ano]?er wijf1 and cryen day by day

And eek1 Jre pope rancour for to slake 802

ConsenteJ? if fat1 dar I vndertake

And trewelich Jms meche I wil 3011 seye

My newe wijf1 is comynge by fe weye 805

11 Be strong1 of1 herte and voyde anon hire place 806

And filke doware fat1 30 broughten me Tak1 it1 a^cin and graunte it1 of1 my grace

CORPUS 307 (6-T. 428)

SIX-TEXT 429

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Retornep to ^our fadres hous quod he 809

No man may alwey haue prosperite

Wip euene herte I rede ^ou tendure

pe strok1 of1 fortune or of1 auenture 812

IT And sclie a^ein answerde in pacieiice 813

My lord seyde sche I wot* & wiste alway

how fat1 bitwixe ^oure magnificence

And my pouerte no wight1 can ne may 816

maken comparison it/ is no nay

I helde me neuer digne in no manere

To he 3our wijf1 ne ^it1 ^our chamherere 819

And in pis hous per 36 me lady made 820

5F pe hihe god take I for my witnesse

And also wisly he my soule glade

I neuer heelde me lady ne maystresse 823

But1 humble seruaunt1 to 3our worpinesse

And euere schal whil pat1 my lijff1 may dure

Abouen euery worldly creature 826

IT That1 30 so longe of1 3oure benignite 827

han holde me in honour and nobleye

\Vher as I was noujt1 worpy for to be

pat1 panke I god and $ow whom I preye 830

ffor^elde it1 ^ow per nys no more to seye peaf no]

vnto my fader gladly wol I wende

And wip him dwelle vnto my lyues ende 833

IT Ther I was fostred of a child ful smal 834

Til I be dede my lijf1 per wil I lede

A wyclewe clene in body herte and al

ffor sippe I ^af1 to ^ow my maydenhede 837

And am ^our trewe wijf1 it1 is no drede

God schilde such a lordes wijf1 to take

Anoper man to housbonde or to make 840

CORPUS 308 (6-T. 429)

SIX-TEXT 430

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IF And of1 3oure newe wyf1 god of1 his grace 841

So graunte 3011 wele and heigh prosperite

if or I wille gladly 3elden hire my place

In which I was blisful wont?1 to be 844

ffor sijjjje it1 like]) ^ow my lord quod, sche

That1 whilom weren al myn hertes reste

fat1 I schal go I wol go whan 3011 leste 847

11 But1 fer as 36 me profre swich dowayre 848

Ay I first* brought1 if is wel in my mynde

It1 were my wrecched clones no jnng1 fayre

The whiche to me were now ful hard to fynde 851

0 goode god how gentil and how kynde ^e semede by }our speche and ^our visage

fe day j>af maked was our mariage 854

Buf so]? is seyde algate I fynde if trewe 855

ffor in effecte if preuede is on me

loue is naf olde as whan }>af it is newe

Buf certes lord for non aduersite 858

To deyen in J?e cas if schal nof be

J>af euer in word or werk1 1 schal repente

J>af I 3ou ^af1 myn herte in hoi entente 861

1F My lord 30 wof fat in my fadres place 862

30 dede me strepe ouf of1 my pore wede

And richely me cladden of1 3our grace

To 3ou brought I nou3f elles ouf of1 drede 865

Buf feij) and nakednesse and maydenhede

And here a3ein 3our closing1 1 restore [leaf no, back]

And eek1 3our weddyng1 ryng1 for euermore 868

•IT The remenaunf of1 ^oure lewellis redy be 869

Wifinne 3our chanibre dar I sauely sayn Naked ouf of1 my fadres hous qiiod sche

1 cam and naked I mof agayn 872

CORPUS 309 (0-T. 430)

SIX-TEXT 431

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Al ^oure plesaunce wolde I folwe fayn But1 ^it1 1 hope if be nat1 ^oure entente That1 smokies out1 of1 ^oure paleys I wente 875

IF $e coude noi^t1 do so dishoneste a ping1 876

That1 ]>ilke wombe in which 30111 children leye

Schulde bifore J?e poeple in my walkyng1

Be seyn al bare wher fore I 3011 preye / 879

laf me not1 lik1 a worme go by jje weye

Remembre }ou myn owne lord so deere

I was ^oure wijf1 jjough I vnworjjy were 882

Wherfore in guerdon of* my maydenhede 883

Which jjat1 1 brought1 and not1 awey I bere

As vouchej? sauf1 to ^if1 me to my mede

But1 such a smok1 as I was wont1 to were 886 *

Jjat1 1 j?er wij? may wrye J>e wombe of1 here

fat1 was ^ our wijf1 and here take I my leue

Of1 }ou myn owen lord lest1 1 ^ou greue 889

1T The smok/ qiiod he jj'at1 J?ou hast1 on J)i bakH 890

lat it1 be stille and bere it1 for]? wij) J?e

But1 vnnejjes J?ilke word he spak1

But1 wente his wey for rew]?e and pite 893

Biforn J>e folk1 hir seluen strepej? sche

And in hire smok1 wij> heued and foot1 al bare

Toward hir fader hous is sche fare 896

The folk1 hir folwen wepyng1 in hire weye 897

And fortune ay J>ey cursen as Jjey gon But1 sche fro weepyng1 kepte hire eyhen dreye Ne in Jns tyme word ne spak1 sche noon 900

hire fader Jjat1 ])is tydinge herde anon Curse]) J?e day and tyine Jjat1 nature

Schope him to be a lyues creature [leaf ui] 903

CORPUS 310 (6-T, 431)

SIX-TEXT 432

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS,

1F ffor out1 of* doute fis olde pouere man 904

fat1 whan f e lord had fulfilde his corage 906

ffor euer it demed sif it1 ferst1 bigan) 905

him wolde finke it* were disparage 907

To wedde oon of1 so pore a lynage

To his astat1 so lowe to alighte

And voyde hire as sone as euer he mighte 910

1F A3ein his doughter hastely go]? he 911

ifor he by noyse of1 folk1 knew hire comyng1

And wif hire olde cote as it1 mighte be

he couered hire ful sorwfully wepynge 914

But1 on hir body might1 he it not1 bringe

ifor rude was f e clof and more of1 age

By fele dayes fan was hire mariage 917

Thus wif hir fader for a certein space 918

Dwellef f is flour of1 wyfly pacience

fat1 neyf er by hir wordes ne hir face

Biforn fe folk1 ne eek1 in here absence / 921

Ne schewede sche fat1 hire was don offence

Ne of1 hire heih astat1 f e remembrance

Ne hadde sche as by hire contynaunce 924

No wonder is for in hire gret1 astate 925

hire gost1 was euer in plein humilite

No tendre mouf non herte delicate

No pompe ne semblant1 of1 realte 928

But1 ful of1 pacience and benignite

Discrete and prydeles ay honorable

And to hir housbonde euer meeke and stable 931

H Men speke of1 lob. and most1 for his liumblesse 932

As clerkes whan hem liste can endite

Namly of1 men but as in sof fastnesse

fough clerkes preyse wo??^men but a lite 935

CORPUS 311 (6-T. 432)

SIX-TEXT 433

GROUP E. § 2. CLEIIK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

fer can no man in humblesse him aquite As wommen can ne can be half* so trewe As wommen ben but1 it1 be falle of1 newe 938

[PART VI.}

1T ffro Boloigne is f is erl of1 Panyke come / Deaf HI, back]

Of which fe fame vp sprong1 to more & lesse /

And to J?e poeples eres slle and some /

Was coup eek1 pat1 a newe marquysesse 942

he wi]> him brought1 in such pompe and richesse

That* neuer was J>er seyn wij) mannes eye

So noble array in al west1 lumbardye 945

^1 The marquys which fat1 schope and knew al pis 946

Or pat1 pis erl were come sent1 his message

ffor pilke sely pore Grisildis

And sche with humble herte and glad visage 949

nou}^ wip no swollen herte in hire corage

Cam at* his heste and on hir knees hir sette

And reuerently and wysly sche him grette 952

1T Grisildis quod he my wille is vtterly 953

)?is mayden J)att schal be wedded to me

Receyued be to morn als really

As possible is in mjn hous for to be 956

And eke fat1 euery wight1 in his degre

haue his astaf in sittyng1 and seruise

And heih plesaunce as I can best1 deuyse 959

If I haue no wommara sufficaunt1 certayn 960

J>e chambres for to arraye in ordinance

After my lust1 and J> erfore wolde I fayn

Thyn were al such maner gouernance 963

J?ou kiiowest1 eek1 of1 olde al my plesaunce

fough fin array be badde and yuel beseye

Do j?ou fi deuer atte leste weye 9C6

CORPUS 312 (6-T. 433)

SIX-TEXT 434

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IF Nat1 oonly lord fat1 I am glad quod sche 967

To do }oure lust1 but1 1 desire also

^ou for to serue and plese in my degre

Wif outen feynyng1 and schal eueremo 970

Ne neuer for no wele ne no woo

Ne schal ]?e goost1 wipinne myn herte stente

To loue ^ou best/ wif al my trewe entente 973

IT And wif fat1 word sche gan the house to dighte 974

And tables for to sette and beddes make [leaf 1423

And peyned hire to do al fat1 sche mighte

Preyinge fe chambereres for goddes sake 977'

To hasten hem and faste swepe and schake

And sche f e moste seruisable of1 alle

ha]? euery chambre arrayed and his halle 980

IT Abouten vndren gan fis erl alighte 981

And wij> him brought1 his noble children tweye

ffor wif f e poeple ran to see ]?e sight1

Of1 hire array so richely byseye 984

And fan at1 erst* amonges hem fey seye

That1 waiter was no fool f ough fat1 him liste

To chaunge his wyf1 for it1 was for fe beste 987

5T ffor sche is fairer as fey demen alle 988

fan is Grisilde and more tendre of1 age

And fairer fruyt1 betwen hem schulde falle

And more plesaunce for hire heih lynage 991

hire brof er eek1 so fair was of1 visage

That1 hem to se f e poeple haf cau^t1 plesaunce

Commendynge now fe marquys gouernaunce 994

IF 0 stormy poeple vnsad and euer vntrewe 995

Ay vndiscrete and chaungyng1 as a fane

Delityng1 ay in rombile fat1 is newe

ffor lik1 f e mone ay wexen 30 and wane 998

CORPUS 313 (6-T. 434)

SIX-TEXT 435

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Ay ful of1 clappyng1 dere y-nough a lane ^oure dome is fals 30111 inconstance wel preuej) A ful gret1 fool is he pat1 on 3011 leeuejj

1001

IF Thus saiden sadde folk1 in pat Cite 1002

Whan pat1 pe peple gazed vp and doun

ffor pey were glade right1 for pe nouelte

To han a newe lady of1 oure toun 1005

~No more of1 pis now make I mencioun)

But1 to Grisilde anon wil I me dresse

And telle hire Constance and hire besynesse 1008

1F fful besy was Grisilde in euery ping1 1009

That1 to pe feste was apertenent

Eight1 nought1 was sche abayssht1 of1 hire closing1 [if us, bio

pough it1 were rude and eek1 somdel torenf 1012

But1 with glad chere to pe gate is went

With oper folk1 to grete pe marquysesse

And after pat1 do]? for]? hire besynesse 1015

^[ WiJ? so glad chere his gestes sche resceyuej? 1016

And connyngly euerich in his degre

That1 defaute no man apparceyuej?

But1 ay Jjey wondren what1 sche mighte be 1019

fat1 in so pore array was for to se

And coude such honour & reu^rence

And worjnly J>ey preysen hire prudence 1022

IT In al j)is mene while sche ne stente 1023

Jns mayde and eek1 hir broker to comende

With alle hire herte in ful benigne entente

So wel fat1 no man coupe hire pris amende 1026

But atte laste whan pise lordes wende

To sitte doun at mete he gan to calle

Grisilde as sche was besy in his halle 1029

CORPUS 314 (6-T. 436)

SIX-TEXT 430

GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

5T Grisilde quod he as it1 were in his play 1030

how like]) fe my wijf1 and hire beaute

Right1 wel quod sche my lord for in good fey

A fairer sawe I neuer non J;an sche 1033

I pray to god 3 if1 ^ou prospe?ite

And so hope I fat1 he wil to 3011 sende

Plesaunce ynow vnto 3011* lyues ende 1036

IF 0 )>ing< beseke I 3011 and warne also / 1037

pat1 ^e prike wij> no tornientynge

fis tendre mayden as ^e han do mo

ffor sche is fostred in hire norischinge 1040

more tenderly and to my supposynge

Sche coude nought aduersite endure

As coude a pore fostred creature/ 1043

And whan Jns waiter saugh hir pacience 1044

hire glad cher and no malice at1 al

And he so often hadde don hire oifence

And sche ay sadde and constant1 as a wal [leaf H.TJ

Continuyng1 euere hire Innocence oueral

This sturdy marquys gan hire herte dresse

To rewen on hire wyfly stedfastnesse 1050

1F This is ynough Grisilde myn quod he 1051

Be now no more agast1 ne yuel apayed

I haue fy feij? and f i benignite

As wel as euer womman) was assayed 1054

In grefr astate and pouereliche arrayed

Now knowe I deere wijf1 }>y stedfastnesse /

And hire in armes toke and gan hire kesse 1057

II And sche for wonder took1 ofH hit1 no keepe 1058 Sche Jjou^te nought1 what1 Jnng1 he to hir sayde/

Sche ferde as sche hadde stirte out1 of1 hir slepe

Til sche out1 of1 hir masednesse abrayde 10G1

CORPUS 315 (6-T. 436)

SIX-TEXT 437

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Grisilde qiwd he god fat / for vs deyed

f ou art1 my wyf1 ne non o]>er I haue

]$e neuer hadde so god my soule sane 1064

IF This is fy doughter which foil hast1 supposed 1065

To be my wijf* fat1 of er feif fully

Schal be myn [heir] as I haue ay purposed

fou bare him in J)i body trewely 1068

At1 boloygne haue I kept1 hem pryuyly

Tak1 hem a^ein for now mayst fou not seye

fat1 fou hast1 lorn non of1 fy children tweye 1071

f And folk1 fat1 of er wise han sayd of1 me 1072

I warne hem wel fat1 1 haue don f is dede

ffor no malice ne for no cruelte

But1 for tassaye in fe fy wommanhede 1075

And nat1 to slee my children god forbede

But1 for to kepe hem pryuyly and stille

Til I fi purpos knewe and al fy wille 1078

IT Whan fis herde a swowne doun sche fallef 1079

ifor pytous ioye and after hir swownynge

Sche bof e hire 3onge children to hire callef

And in his armes pitously wepynge 1082

Embracef hem and tendrely kissinge [leaf 143, back]

fful like a moder wif hire salte teeres

Sche bafef bofe hire visage and hire heres 1085

IT 0 which a pytous sight1 it1 was to see 1086

hir swownyng1 and hire humble voys to heere Graunt1 mercy lord god I f anke it1 3011 quod she fat1 36 han saued me my children deere 1089

now rekke I neuer to be ded right1 heere Sif f e I stonde in ^our loue and in ^our grace No fors of1 def ne whan my spirit1 pace 1092

CORPUS 316 (8-T. 437)

SIX-TEXT 438

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS,

IT 0 tendre o dere o 3onge children myne 1093

30111 woful moder wende stedefastly

That1 cruel houndes or som foul vermyne

hadde eten ^ou but1 god of1 his mercy 1096

And ^oure benigne fader tenderly

haf don ^ou kepte and in f e same stounde

Al sodeinly sche swapte a doun to grounde 1099

IT And in hire swowne so sadly holdef sche 1100

hire children tuo whan sche gan hem enbrace

fat1 with gret1 sleighte and wif gret1 difficulte

fe children from hire arm fei gon arace 1103

O many a teer on many a pitous face

Doun ran of1 hem fat1 stooden hire besyde

vnnefe aboute. hire mighten fey abyde 1106

Walter hir gladef and hir sorwe slakef 1107

Sche rysef vp abaysshed from hire traimce

And euery wight1 hire ioye and feste makef

til sche haf caught? a^eiii hir contenance 1110

"Walter hire dof feif fully plesaunce

fat1 it1 is deynte for to se f e cheere

Bitwixe hem tuo now fey ben mett1 in feere 1113

11 This ladyes whan fat1 fey here tyme save 1114

han taken hire and in to chambre goon

And streepen hire out1 of1 hire ruyde array

And in a clof of1 gold fat1 brighte schoon) 1117

Wif a coroune of1 many a riche stoon)

vppon hire heed fey in to halle hir broughte [leaf 144]

And fan sche was honoured as sche oughte 1120

IT Thus haf fis pitous day a blisful ende 1121

ffor euery man and womman dof here might

This day in mirf e and reuel to dispende

Til on fe welken schone fe stories bright 1124

CORPUS 317 (6-T. 438)

SIX-TEXT 439

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

ffor more solempne in euery marnies sightf

Jris feste was and gretter of1 costage

Than was J?e reuel of1 hire manage 1127

IT iful many a ^eer in hih prosperite 1128

lyuen J>ise tuo in concord and in reste

And richely his 'doubter maryed he

vnto a lord on of1 J>e worjjieste 1131

Of1 alle ytayle Jmnne and pes & reste

his wyues fader in his court1 he kepej?

Til Jjat1 his soule out1 of* his body creepej? 1134

1T his sone succedijj in his heritage 1135

In reste and pees after his fader day

And fortunat1 eek1 was in mariage

Al putte he not1 his wijf1 in gret1 assay 1138

This world is not1 so strong1 it1 is no nay

As if haj? ben in olde tyme 3ore

And herknej? what1 Jns auctor seij> f erf ore 1141

This story is sayd not1 for Jjat1 wyues scholde 1142

ffolwen grisilde as in humilite

ffor it1 were importable Jjough Jjey wolde

But1 for Jjat1 euery wight1 in his degre 1 1 45

Schulde be constante in aduersite

As was Grisilde Jjerfore Petrayke writef

Jris story which he wi]> his stile endite]) 1148

;ifor sij?]>e a wo?/iman was so paciente 1149

vnto a mortel man wel more vs ou^te 'Resceyuen al in gree jjat1 god vs sente ffor grete skiles he preeuej) fat1 he ^vrou3te 1152

But1 he ne temptej) no man fat1 he brou^te As seij? seint1 lame 3if* 30 his pistil rede He preuejj folk1 alday it is no drede [leaf lu, back] 1155 CORPUS 318 (6-T. 439)

SIX-TEXT 440

GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And suffrep vs as for oure excercise 1156

Wip scharpe scorges of1 aduersite

fful often to ben betyn in sondry wyse

Nought1 for to knowe oure wille for certes he 1159

Or we were born knew al oure frelete

And for oure beste is al oure gouernance

lat1 vs panne lyue in vertuous suffraunce 1162

U But1 lordinges o word herkenep ar I go 1163

It1 were ful hard to fynde now a dayes

In alle a toun Grisildes pre or tuo

ifor if1 fat1 pey were putte to suche assayes 1166

The golde of1 hem hap now so badde layes

Wip bras fat1 pougll pe coyne be fayr at eye

It1 wolde raper berst/ a tuo pan plye 1 1 60

1F ffor which here for pe wyues loue of1 Bape 1170

Whos lijf1 and al hire helpe god mayntene

In hire maystrye and elles were it1 skape

I wolde wij> lusty herte freisshe and grene 1173

Sey 3ou a song1 to glade ^ou I wene

And late vs stynte of1 ernestful matiere

herknej) my song1 pat1 seip in pis manere 1176

IT lenvoye de Chaucere

If Grisild is deed and eek1 hir pacience And bope at1 oones buryed in ytayle

Wher fore I crye in open audience 1179

]N"o wedded man be hardy to assayle / his wyues pacience in hope to fynde / Grisildis for in certes he schal fayle / 1182

CORPUS 319 (6-T. 440)

SIX-TEXT 441

GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

0 noble wyues ful of1 heih prudence

lafr non humilite $oure tonge nayle /

Ne lat1 no clerk* haue cause or diligence 1185

To write of1 3011 a story of1 such meruaylg

As Grisildis pacienf and kynde

lest1 chychevache $ow swolwe in hire entrayle 1188

fiblwej) herto and holdej) no scilence [« leaf out]

[but euere answerith / in the contir-taille i?S^f

beth nat bidaffid / for youre innocence 1191

but sharply take on yow / the gouernaille

enpoynteth wel this lessouw / in youre mynde

for comune profit / sith hit may availle 1194

And ye Archiwivis / stondith at defence

syn ye be stronge / as is a grete Camaille

ne suffrith not / that men do yow offence 1197

and slender wivis / as feble in bataille

beith egre as a Tigre / bi-yende the se fer in ynde

ay clappith as a my lie / I yow consaille 1 200

No dreditfi. hem nought doith hem no reuerence

for though thyn housbond armed be / in maille

the wordis of thi crabbed eloquence 1203

shal persshe his breste / and eke his auentaille

in gelousie I rede eke / thow him bynde

and thow shalt make him covche / as a quailk 1206

Yf thow be feyre / there folk ben in presence

shewe thow thi visage / and thin apparaille

yf thow be foule / be fre of thi dispence 1209

to gete the frendis / ay do thi travaille

be euer of chere as light / as leff on lynde

and lete him care • wepe / wrynge and waille 1212

Here enditfc the Clerke of Oxonford his tale / ]

CORPUS 320 (e-T. 41l) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. u]

SIX-TEXT 443

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

[and next folwitfi. his tale of lanuare and May. gjg

w

"hilom ther was dwellyng / in Lumbardye a worthi knygnt / that borne was in Pa vie in which he lived / in grete prosperite

and sexti yere / a wiffles man was he 1248

and folwed ay / his bodyly delite on women / there as was his appetite as don these foolis / that ben seculere and whan he was passed sexti yere 1252

were hit for holynes / or for dotage I can not sey / but suche a grete corage had this knyght / to be a wedded man that day and night / he doth al that he can 1256

to espien where he myghte / wedded be prayng oure lord / graunte him that he myghte onys knowe / of that blisful liff that is bitwixe an housbonde / and his wiff 1260

and for to live / vnder that holy bonde with which first / god man and woman bonde noon other liff seide he / is worthe a bene for wedlok is so esy / and so clene 1264

that in this world / hit is a paradise thus seide this olde knyght / that was so wise and certeynly / as soth as god is kynge to take a wiff / hit is a glorious thinge 1268

and namely whan a man is olde / and hore than is a wiff the fructe / of his tresore than shulde he take a yonge wiff / and a feyre [/ca/ns, &a<*] on which he myghte / engender him an heyre 1272

CORPUS 321 (6-T. 443) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

SIX-TEXT 444

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

and lede his liff in ioye / and in solas [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14]

where that these bachelers / synge alas

whan that thei fyndun / any aduersite

in love / which nys but childis vanyte ' 1276

and trewely hit sit wel / to be so

that bachelers han ofte peyne and wo

on brotil gronde thei bilde / and brotilnes

they fyiiden / whan thei wenyn sikernes 1280

thei live but as a brid / or as a beste

in liberte / and vnder noon a-reste

there as a wedded man / in his estate i"

livith a liff blisful / and ordynate 1284--

vnder the yoke of mariage I-bounde

wel may his herte / in ioye and blis habounde

for who can be so boxom / as a wiff

who is so trewe / and eke so ententiff 1 288'

to kepe him sike and hole / as his make •[

for wel or wo / she wol him not forsake

she is not wery / him to loue and se?-ue

though that he lye bedred / til he sterve] CM^^f^B- H

And ^it1 some clerkes seyn it1 nys nou$t so [Corpus MS, leaf 1453,

Of1 which Theoffraste / is on of1 ]>o

"What1 fors jjei^ theofraste luste lye

Ke take no wijf1 quod he for husbandrye 1296

As for to spare in housholde J?in dispence

A trewe serua?mt do]) more diligence

]?y good to kepe ]?an Jjin owen wijf1

ilbr sche wol clayme half1 part1 al hire lijfH 1300

And if* Jjat1 J>ou be seek1 so god me saue

J>y verray frendes oj>er a trewe knaue

Wol kepe ]>e bet1 Jmn sche J?atH waytej) ay (

After Jjy good and haj) don many a day 1304

[and if thow take a wiff / in thin age oolde

fful lightly maist thow be a Cokewoolde] [Ms Arch. Seid. B. 143

To Jiis entente and an C sijjes wurse 1307'

[writeth this man / there /god his bonys cors] [MS Arch. ,

23 CORPUS 322 (6-T. 444)

SIX-TEXT 445

GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

But1 tak1 no kepe of1 alle such, vanyte Defye theofrast1 and herkne me A wyff1 is goddes 3ifte verrayly

Alle ofer maner ^iftes hardily 1312

As landes rentes pasture or comune 0]>er ofer 3iftes fat1 moebles of1 fortune fat1 passen as a schadewe on a wall

But1 drede nought if1 pleynly speke I schaH 1316

A wyf1 wil laste and in fin hous endure "Wei lenger fan f e luste to endure mariage is a ful gret1 sacrament

he which haf no wijf1 1 holde him schent 1320

he lyue}> helples and is al desolat1 I speke of1 folk1 in seculer estat1 And herkne why I say no^t1 f is for nou^t1 J>e wowman is for mannes help y-wrou3t 1324

f e hihe god when he hadde adam maked And sawe him allone hely naked God of1 his grete goodnesse sayde he f anne lete vs now make an helpe to fis manne 1328

ylike to himself1 and fen he made Eue here may 36 se and here-by 30 preue That1 wijf1 is mannes helpe and his comfort his paradis terreste and his disport1 Deaf 145, back] 1332 So buxom and so vertuous is sche fey mosten needes lyue in vnite Of1 fleisshe f ei ben and 0 fleisch as I gesse nou3tt but1 on herte in wele and in distresse 1336

A wyf i A seinte mary benedicite how might1 a man han any aduersite fat haf a wyf1 certes I can no^t1 say fe blisse fat1 is bitwexe hem tway 1340

f er may no tonge telle or herte f ynke If1 he be pore sche helpef him to swynke Sche keepif his good and wastef neuer a del And al fat1 hire housband lust1 hir likef wel 1344

CORPUS 323 (6-T. 44o)

SIX-TEXT 446

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Sche saif no^t1 ones nay whan he saif }e

Do f is saif he al redy sire seyf sche

0 blisful ordre 0 wedlok1 precious

fou art1 so mery and eek1 so vertuous 1348

And so comended and aproued eke

That1 euery man fat1 halt/ him worf a leek*

vpon his bare knees aughtt al his lijf*

fanken his god fat1 him haf sent1 a wyf* 1352

Of er preyed god him for to sende

A wijf1 to laste vnto his lyues ende

ffor f anne his lijf1 is sett1 in sikernesse

he may nou^t1 be desceyued as I gesse 1356

So fat1 he werche after his wyues reed

f anne may he boldely beren vp his heed

fey ben so trewe and so wys

ffor which if1 f ou wolt1 worchen as f e wyse 1360

Do alway so as f e wowman wol f e rede

lo how fat1 Jacob as f ise clerkes rede

By good counseil of1 his moder rebekke

Band f e kydes skyn abouten his nekke 1364

ffor which his fadres benysoii he wan

lo ludith as f e story eek1 telle can

By wys counseil sche goddes poeple kepte

And slough him Olophinus whiles he slepte [ieafi46j 1368

Lo how Abygayle by good counseil how fat1 sche

Saued hire housbonde Nabal whan fat1 he

Schulde han be slayn and loke after also

By good counseil delyuered out1 of1 wo 1372

The poeple of1 god and made him mardoche

Of1 Assuer enchaunced for to be

Ther is no f ing1 gree supe?iatiff

As seif Senek1 aboue an humble Avyf1 1376

Suffre f yn wyues tonge as Catoun byf

Sche schal comaunde and f ou schalt1 suffre yt1

And jiV sche wolde obeye of1 curtesye

A wyf1 is kepe?-e of1 fin housbondrye 1380

CORPUS 324 (6-T. 446)

SIX-TEXT 447

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Wei may pe seeke man bewayle and wepe /

Ther as per nys no wijf1 pe hous to keepe

I warne pe if1 wysly pou wilt1 wirche

loue wel py wyf1 as crisf louep his cliirche 1384

IF pou loue py self1 pou louest1 py wyf1

No man hate]? his flescfi. but1 in his lyf1

he fostrep it/ and perfore byd I pe

Chefissche py wijf1 or pou schalt1 neuer pe 1388

housbond & wijf1 what1 so men lape or pleye

Of1 worldly folk1 holde pe righte weye

pey ben so knyt1 per may non harm betyde

And. namely vpon pe wyues syde 1392

fibr which pis January e of1 which I tolde

Considerep haj> in wip his dayes olde

Je lusty fe vertuous quyete

Jjat1 is in mariage hony swete 1396

And for his frendes on a day sent1

To telle hem Jjeffect1 of1 his enteiit

•~WiJ> face sadde he haj? hem ]?is tale tolde

he sayde frendes I am hoor and olde 1400

And almost1 god wot1 at1 my pittis brinke

vpon my sowle somwhatf.rnost1 I Jjinke

I haue my body folyly dispended

y-blessQd be god Jjafrit schalben amended [leaf KG, back] 1404

if or I wol be certein a .wedded man

And pat1 in alle J?e haste pat1 I can

vnto som mayde fayr and tendre of* age

I pray you schapep for my mariage 1408

Al sodeinly for I wol no^t1 abyde

And I wole fonde aspye on my syde

To whom I may be wedded, hastely

But1 for as moche pat1 36 ben mo pen I 1412

36 schullen raper such a ping1 aspyen

pan I and wher me luste best1 allyen

But1 o ping1 warne I ^ou my frendes deere

I wol non old wyf1 haue in no manere / 1416,

CORPUS 325 (6-.T. 447)

SIX-TEXT 448

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

She schal nou^t1 passe xvj $er certayn Old fleissh and ^ong1 fleissh" fat1 wolde I han ful fayn' Bet1 is quod he a pyk1 fan a pykrelle

And bet1 fan olde "beef1 is fe tendre feelle 1420

I wol no woraman xxti $er of1 age It1 nys but* benestraw and gret1 forage And eek1 f is olde wydewes god it1 woot1 fey konne so moche craft1 on wades boot1 1424

So mochil broken harme whan fat1 hem liste fat1 wif hem schulde I neuer lyuen in reste ffor sondry scoles makef subtile clerkys Woramen of1 many a scole half1 a clerk1 is 1428

But1 certeinly a 3ong f ing1 may me gye Eight1 as men may warm wax wij? handes to-plye jjerfore I sey $ow pleinly in a clause

I wol non old wijf1 haue for )>is cause 1432

ffor if1 so were if1 1 hadde so myschaunce That1 1 in hire ne coujje han • no plesaunce Jjenne scholde I lede my lijf1 in aduoutrye And so streyt1 to j?e deuyl whan I dye 1436

Ne children schulde I non vpon hire geten ^it1 were me leuer houndes hadde me eten )>an fat1 myn heritage scholde falle

In straunge hande and Jms I telle 3ou alle [leafun 1440 I dowte nought1 1 wot1 j?e cause why men schulde wedde and forjjermore wot1 I fer spekej) many men of1 mariage

pat1 wot1 nomore of1 hit1 J?en wot1 my page 1444

ffor whiche causes men schulde take a wyf1 If1 he may not1 chaste be by his lijf1 Tak1 him a wijf1 wij) gret1 deuocioun

By cause of1 leofful procreacion 1448

Of1 children to )>e honowr of1 god aboue And nought1 only for paramowr and for loue - And for j>ei schulden leccherie eschue And }elde here dette whil J>atH it1 is newe 1452

CORPUS 326 (6-T. 448)

SIX-TEXT 449 GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Or for fat1 like man sclmlde helpe of er

In meschief1 as a soster schal do a loioper

And lyne in chastite ful heuenly

But1 sires by ^our leue fat1 am not* I 1456

ffor [god] be f anked I dar make auaunf

I feele my lemes starke and suffisaunt1

To don al fat1 a man bilongej) to do

I wofr my seluen best* what* I may do 1460

f ough I be hoor and fare / as dof a tree

fat1 blosmeth er fat1 fruyf y-waxe be

A blossemed tree nys neyf er druye ne deed

I feele me no wlier hoor but1 on myn heed 1464

Myn herte and myn lymes ben as greene

As laurere fat1 purgh f e $er is scene

And sef enes 36 han herd al myn entent

I pray 3011 to my wille fat1 36 assent1 1468

Dyuerse men dyuersely him tolde

Of1 mariages many ensamples olde

Some blamed it1 some preysed it1 certein

But1 atte laste schortly for to seyn 1472

As alday fallef altercacion

Bitwixe frendes in disputacion

f er fel a stryf1 betwixe his bref e?*en tuo

Of1 which fat on was cleped Placebo [leaf 147, back] 1476

Placebo seyde o lanuare brof er

To 3ou telle I f is tale and to non of er

fful litel need hadde 36 my lord so deere /

Counseil to aske of1 any fat1 is heere 1 480

But1 fat1 .30 be on so ful of1 sapience

fat1 3ou ne likef for 3our heigh prudence

To weyue fro f e word of1 Salomon

This word sayde he vnto vs euerychon 1484

Wirke alle f ing1 by counseil f us seyde he

And f anne schalt1 f ou nou3f repente f e

But1 f ough fat1 Salomon speke such a word

myn owen deere brother and my lord 1488

CORPUS 327 (6-T. 449)

SIX-TEXT 450

GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

So wisly god my soule bringe at1 reste I halde 301116 owne counseil for pe beste ffor broker myn of1 me take pis motyf1 I haue now ben a court1 man al my lyf1 1492

.And 3it1 god wot1 pough I vnworpy be I haue standen in ful gret1 degre Abouten lordes in ful gret1 estate

^it1 hadde I neuer wij> non of1 hem debate 1496

I neuer hem contraried trewely I wot1 wel pat4 my lord can more fan I What1 pat1 he saip I halde it1 ferme & stable I saye pe same or oper ping1 semblable 1500

A ful gret1 fool is eny counseilour pat1 seruep eny lord of1 heih honour pat1 dar presume or ones penken it/

pat1 his counseil schulde passe his lordes witt 1504

Nay lordes ben no fooles by my fay ^e haue ^oure self1 spoken here to day So heih sentence so holy and so wel

That1 I consente and conferme euery del 1508

^oure wordes alle and ^oure opynioun By god per nys no man in al pis toun) !Ne in ytaille coupe bet1 han sayd

Crist1 halde]) him of1 Jns ful wel a-payd [ieafi48] 1512 And trewely it1 is an heih corage Of1 eny man pat1 stopen is in age To take a $ong1 wyf1 by my fader kyn ^oure herte hangej? vpon a loly pyn 1516

Do]) now in pis matier right1 as }ou leste ffor fynally I halde it1 for pe beste IT lustynus pat1 ay stille sat1 and herde he right1 on pis wise to Placebo answerde 1520

Now broper myn be pacient1 1 preye Sipenes $e han sayd and herknep what1 1 seye Senek1 amonges oper wordes wyse

Scip pat1 a man him oughte right1 wel auyse 1524

CORPUS 328 (6-T. 450)

SIX-TEXT 451

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

To whom lie 3euyf his lond ofer his catel

And sefenes I aught/ auyse me right1 wel

To whom I }iue my good awey fro me

"We^niore I au^te to au^se me 1528

To whom I ^iue my body for alwey

I warne 3011 wel it1 nys no childes pley

To take a wijf1 wifoute auysement1

Men moste enquere. fis is inyn assent1 1532

"Whefer she be wys or sobre or drunkelewe

Ofer proude ~o]>er oferwey a schrewe

A chydester or a wastour of1 fy good

Ofir riche or pore or of1 maneres wood 1536

Al be it1 so fat1 no man fynde schal

None in f is worlde fat1 trottif hool in al

Ne man ne beeste suche as men conne deuyse

But1 nafeles it au^t1 ynough suffise 1540

Wif any wijf1 if* fat1 so were sche hadde

ino goode f ewes fan hire vices badde

And al f is askef leiser for to enquere /

ffor god it1 woof I haue wepte many a teere 1544

fful priuyly si]) J?af I hadde a wyf*

Preyse who so wole a wedded mannes lijf*

Certayn I fynde in hit1 but coste and care

And obseruaunces of1 alle blisses bare [leaf us, backj

And ^itt god wof my neygheburs aboute .

And namely of1 wommen many a rowte

Sayn J>afr I haue J>e moste stedefast1 wijf1

And -eek1 ))e meekest1 oon J>atf berej? lijf1 1552

But1 1 wot1 best1 wher wryngej? me my scho

^e may for me right1 as $ou like]) do

Auyse)) ^ou $e ben a man of1 age

liow fat1 ^e entren in to mariage 1556

And namely wi]) a ^ong1 wijf1 and a fayr

By him fat1 made water erfe and ayr

J)e 3ongest man fat1 is in al fis route

Is besy ynough to bringen it1 aboute 1560

CORPUS 329 (6-T. 45l)

SIX-TEXT 452

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

To han his wijfH allone truste}? to me

30 schulle no^t1 plesen hire oonly ^eres )>re

]?is is to seyn to don hire plesawnce

A wijf1 axej) ful many an obseruaunce 1564

I pray }.ou pat1 }e ne ben euyl payed

Wei qiiod Jns lanuare and hast1 J>ou al sayd

Straw for Jjyn Senek1 and for j>y p?*ouerbis

I counte nought1 a paner ful of1 herbes 1568

Of1 scole termes wiser men J>aii ]?ou

And J>ou hast1 herde assenteden right1 now /

To my purpos Placebo what1 say ^e

I say it is a cursed man quod he 1572

j?att lettejj matrimonye sikeiiy

And wij) pat1 word jmy rysen sodeinly

And ben assented fully Jjat1 he scholde

Be weddid whan him luste and whan he wolde 1576

J?e fantasy e and J>e besy curiousnesse

ffro day to day gan in j?e soule impresse /

Of1 lanuare aboute his mariage /

many fayr schapp and many fayr visage / 1580

)?er passe]) J>orgh his herte night1 be night

As whos took1 a myrour polisshed bright1

And sette it1 in a comune market1 place

J>enne scholde he se many a figure pace [leafug] 1584

By his myrour and in Jie same wise

Gan lanuare in wi]> his jjoi^t1 deuyse

Of1 maydenes whiche jmt1 dwelte besyde

he wiste nought1 wher he might1 abyde 1588

ffor Jjou} jjat1 oon ha]j beaute in hire face /

AnoJ>er stant1 so in Ipe poeples grace /

ifor hire sadnes and hire benignite

jjat1 of1 ]>e poeple grettest1 voys hadde sche 1592

And some were riche and hadde badde name

but1 najjeles bitwixe ernest1 and game

he atte laste appoynted him on oon)

And leet1 alle ojjer fro his herte gon 1596

CORPUS 330 (6-T. 452)

SIX-TEXT 453

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And ches hir of1 his owen auctorite

ffor louo is blynd alday and may not1 se

And whan fat1 he was in f e bed y-brought1

he purtreyed in his herte and in his Bought1 1600

hire freisshe beaute / and hir age tender

hire myddel smal and hir armes long1 and sklender

hire wise gouernaunce and hire grete gentilnes

hir wommanly berynge and hire sadnes 1604

And whan fat1 he was fro hire condescended

him J?ou3te his f ou^t1 might1 nou^t1 ben amended

ffor whan fat1 he himself1 concluded hadde

him Jjoirjt1 euer ofer mannes witte so badde 1608

fat1 inpossible it were to replye

a3ein his choys fis was his fantasy e

his frendes sent1 he to at1 his instance

And preyed hem to don him fat1 plesaunce 1612

fat1 hastely fey wolden don him come /

he wolde abregge here labour alle and some

Needef nomore for him to goon or ryde

he -was apoynted f er he wolde abyde 1616

Placebo cam and eek1 his freendes sone

And alf er first1 he bad hem alle a bone

fat1 non of1 hem non argumentes make

A^eins f e purpos which fat1 he haf take [leaf 149, back]

Which purpos was plesaimt/ to god sayde he

And verray ground of1 his prospmte

he sayde f er was a may den in f e toun

Which fat1 of1 beaute hadde gret1 renoun 1624

Al were it1 so sche were of1 smal degre

Suflicef him hire }ouf e and hire beaute

Which mayde he seyde schulde ben his wiff1

To lede in ese and holynesse his lijf* 1628

And f anked god fat1 he might1 han hire al

fat1 no wight1 wif his blisse parten schal

And preyed hem to laboure in f is neede /

And schaped fat1 he fayled not1 to spede 1632

CORPUS 331 (6-T. 453)

STX-TEXT 454

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

ffor f anne lie seyde his spirit1 was at1 eese

fen is quod he no f ing1 may me displese /

Saue o f ing1 prikef in my conscience

fe which I wol reherse in ^oure presence / 1636

I haue quod he herd seyd ful }ore ago

f er may no man han parfyt1 blisses tuo

f is is to say in erf e and eek1 in heuene

if or fey he kepte him fro fe synnes seuene 1640

And eek1 for euery braunche of1 f ilke tre

^it1 is f er so parfit1 prosperite

And so gret1 ese and lust1 in mariage

fat1 euer I am agast1 now in myn age 1644

fat1 1 schal lede now so mery a lijf1

[so delicate withouten wo / or striff [MS Arch. Seia.B.14;

no ffap in Corpus. J

that I shal haue myn heuen / in erthe] heere ffor sifenes fat verray heuene is bought1 so de«re 1648 Wif tribulacion and grefc1 penaunce how scholde I lyue in such plesaunce As alle wedded men dof wif here wyues / Come to fe blisse fer crist1 eterne on lyue is 1652

fis is my drede and ^it1 myn breferen tweye Assoyllef me fis question I ^ou preye lustynus which fat1 hated his folye

Answeryng1 anon ri^t1 in his lapere 1656

And for he wolde his longe tale abregge he wolde non auctorite alegge [leaf isoj

But1 seyde sire so f er be non obstacle Ofer fan fis god of1 his heih miracle 1660

And of1 his mercy may so for $ou wirche fat1 er $e han ^our ^iftes of holy chirche 30 may repente of1 wedded mannes lijf1 In which ye sayn fer is neifer woo ne strijf1 1664

And elles god forbede but1 if1 he sente A wedded man grace to repente Wei often raf er fan a sengil man

And ferfore sire fe beste reed I can 1668

CORPUS 333 (6-T. 454)

SIX-TEXT 455

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Dispeyref 3011 nou^fr hauef in memory

Paraunter sche may be 30111 purgatory

Sche may be goddes mene and goddes wliippe '

fan schal ^our soule vp to heuene skippe 1672

Swifter fan dof an arwe out1 of1 a bowe

I hope to god her-after schalt1 f ou knowe

fat1 f er nys non so gret1 felicite

In mariage ne neuer more schal be 1676

f afr 3ou schal lakke of1 ^our saluacion

So fat1 36 vse as skile is and resoun

fe lustes of1 3our wijf< attemperelly

And fat1 36 plese hir noi^f to amerously 1680

And fat1 30 kepe 3011 eek1 fro of er synne /

Myn tale is doon for my witte is f inne

Bef noi^t1 agast1 here -of1 my brof er

But1 let1 vs wade fro fis mater to anofer 1684

fe wijf1 of1 Bathe if1 30 han vnderstonde

Of1 mariage which 36 han on honde

Declared haf ful wel in litel space

ffaref now wel god haue 3ou in his grace 1688

And wif fis word fis lustyne and his brof er

han take here leue and ilke of1 hem of1 of er

ffor whan fey sawe it1 moste needes be

fey wrou3ten so by wys and sleigh trete 1692

fat1 sche fis mayden which fat1 mayus bight1

As hastely as euer fat1 sche might1 [leaf 150, back]

Schal wedded be vnto lanuarie /

It1 trowe it1 were to long1 3ou to tarie 1696

If1 1 3ou tolde of1 euery scryt1 or band

By which fat1 sche was feffed in his land

Of er for to herken of1 hire riche aray

But fynally y-comen is J?is day 1 700

That to f e chirche bof e ben fey went1

ffor to resceyue f e holy sacrament

fforf comf f e presf wif stole aboute his nekke /

And bad hire be ylike Sarra and Rebekke 1704

CORPUS 333 (6-T. 455)

SIX-TEXT 456

GROUP E, § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

In wisdom and trouf e of1 manage

And sayde his orisouns as is his vsage

And crouched hem and bad god schulde hem blesse

And made al siker ynough with holynesse / 1708

f us ben |?ey weddid with solempnite

And atte feste sittef he and sche

Wif of er worfy folk1 vpon f e deys

Al ful of1 ioye and blisse is fe paleys 1712

And ful of1 instrumentz and of1 vitayle

f e moste deyntevous of* alle ytayle

Byforn hem of1 instrumentz which a soun

That1 Orpheus ne of1 Phebes ampheoun 1716

Ne maden neuer such a melodye

And at euery cours cam lowde menstralcie

fat1 neuer loab trumped for to heere /

Neifer Theodomas $iV half1 so cleere 1720

And Thebes whan f e cite was in doute /

J3acus f e wyn hem schenkef al aboute

And venus. lawhef vpon euery wight1

ifor lanuarye was bycome here knight 1724

And wolde bof e assayen his corage

In liberte and eek1 in manage

And wij) hir fyr brond wif hire hand aboute

Paunsij) byforn fe bryde al aboute 1728

And certeynly I dar wel seyn ri^t1 f is

Emyneus fat1 god of1 weddyng1 is [leafisn

Sawe neuer in his lijf1 so mery a wedded man)

halde ])ou ]jy pes jjou poete Marcean 1732

fat1 writest1 vs fat1 ilke weddyng1 mery

Of1 hire phylologie and of1 mercurye

And of1 f e sanges fat1 f e muses song1

So smale as eek1 fin penne and eek1 fy tong1 1736

ifor to discryuen of1 f is mariage

"When tendre ^ouf e haf wedded stowpyng1 age

f er is such myrf e fat1 it may nou^t1 be write

Assayef it1 $ou self1 fen may $e wite / 1740

CORPUS 334 (6-T. 456)

SIX-TEXT 457

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

If1 fat1 I lakke or non in f is matere Mayus fat1 sitt1 wif so benigne a cheere hire to beholde it1 semed fayerye

Queene Ester loked neuer wif such an yhe 1744

On assuer so meke a look1 haf sche I may ^ou no^t1 deuyse al hire beaute But1 f us moche of1 hir beaute telle I may fat1 sche was like j?e brighte niorwe of* may 1748

ffulfilde of beaute and of1 plesaunce f is lanuarye is rauyssht1 in a traunce And at1 euery tyme he loked on hire face / But1 in his herte he gan hire to maiiace 1752

fat1 he fat1 night1 in armes wolde hir streyne harder fan euyr parys did Eleyne But1 naf eles 31^ had he grett pite

fat1 filke night1 offendeii hire moste he 1756

And fou^t1 alias 0 tender creature Now wolde god 36 mighte wel endure Al my corrage / it1 is so scharpe and kene I am agast1 36 schullen it1 nat1 sustene 1760

But1 god forbede fat1 I did al my mygnf Now wolde god fat1 it1 were waxen nyght1 And Jjat1 f e night1 wolde lasten eue-remo I wolde fat1 al fis poeple were a go 1764

And finally he dof alle his labour

As he best1 mighte sauynge his honour [leaf 151, back]

To hasten hem fro f e mete in subtil wise fe tyme came fat1 resoun was to ryse 1768

And after fat1 men daurice and dryiike faste And spices al aboute f e hous fay caste And ful of1 ioye and blisse is euery man Al but1 a squyer f at1 highte daniyan 1772

Which karf1 byforn f e knight1 many a day he was so rauysshed on his lady may That1 for f e verray peyne he was ney3 wood Almost1 he swelt* and swowned fer he stood 1776

CORPUS 335 (6-T. 457)

SIX-TEXT 458

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

As fat1 sche bare daunsyng1 in hir hand

So freisslie sche was and f erto so likand [spurious]

And to his bed he went1 him hastily

Nomore of1 him at1 fis tyrne speke I 1780

But1 fere I lete him weepe ynougfi and pleyne

Till freissche may wil rewen on his peyne

IT 0 perilous fyr fat1 in f e bedstraw bredif

0 famuler foo fafr his seruise beedif 1784

O sef'uant1 tray tour fals holy hewe

1-like to f e neddre sley^ and in Bosom vntrewe

God schilde vs alle fro ^oure iniquitance

O lanuare drunken in plesaunce 1788

0 mariage see how fine Damyan

fin oughne squyer and f yii borne man

Entendif to do f e vylenye

God graunte fe ]?in harmly foo to aspye 1792

iFor in ]>is world nys worse pestylence

Than homly foo alday in J>y presence

Parfourmed haj? ])is deuyn day his art dyurne

No lenger may ]?e body of1 him sokmriie 1796

The Orisowte as in jjat1 latitude

Night1 wij) his mantel jjat1 is so derk1 & rude

Gan for to sprede ))e mysperye aboute

ffor which departed is }>e lusty route 1800

ffor lanuare wi]? Jjank1 on euery syde

home to here houses lustily J?ei ryde / [leaf 152]

J?er as ])ey don here jjinges as hem leste

And whanne fay seye her tyme gon to reste 1804

Sone after fat1 fis hastyf' lanuare

Wol go to bedde he wol no lengere care

he drynkef ypocras clarre and vernage

Of* spices hote to encresen his corage 1808

And many a letuare hadde he ful fyii

Suche as fe cursed monk1 daun Constantyn

haf writen in his book1 of1 coytu

To eten hem alle he nas no fing1 eschewe 1812

CORPUS 336 (6-T. 458)

SIX-TEXT 459

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And fus to his priue freendes seyde he

ffor goddes loue as sone as it may be

let1 voyden alle f is hous in curteys wyse soone 1815

Men drunken and fe trauers drowe anone 1817

The bryde was brou^t1 to bedde as stille as stoon 1818

So hastede lanuer it1 moste be doon [spurious]

And whan f e bed was wif f e prest1 y-blessed

Out1 of1 fe chambre haf euery wight1 him dressed 1820

And lanuare haf faste in arines take

his freissche may his paradys his make

he lullif hire he kissef hire ful ofte

Wif f ikke brystles of1 his herd viisofte 1824

Ylike to f e skyn of1 an houndtissh scharp as brere

ffor he was schaue al newe in his manere

he rubbef) hire vpon hire tendre face

And-sayde fus alias I mot1 trespace 1828

To 3011 my spouse and ^ou gretly offende

Or tyme come fat* I wol doun deseende

But1 nafeles coiisideref fis quod he

fis nys no werkman what1 so euer he be 1832

fat1 may bof e wirche wel and hastely

fis wol be don at1 leyser parfitly

It1 is no force how longe fat1 we pleye

I trowe in wedlok1 coupled be we tweye 1836

And y-blessed be J>e ^ok1 fat1 we ben Inne

ffor in oure actis we may do no synne / [leaf 152, back]

A man may do no synne wij? his wijf1

Ne hurte himselue wij? his owene knyf1 1840

Now we ban leue to pleye vs by J?e lawe

Thus labouref lie til fat1 f e day gan dawe

And f enne he takef a soppe in fyn clarre

And vpright1 in his bedde fanne sittef he / 1844

And after fat1 he sang1 ful lowde and cleere

And kissed his wijf1 and made wantoun cheere

he was al coltissch and ful of ragerie

And ful of1 Girgoun as is a flekked pye / 1848

CORPUS 337 (6-T. 459)

SIX-TEXT 460

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

J>e slakke skyn aboute his nekke schakejj Whil fat1 he sang1 so chaunte]) he and crake]? / But1 god wot1 what1 may fou^te in hire herte / "Whan sche him saugh vp sittyng1 in his scherte 1852 In his night1 cappe and. wijj his nekke lene / Sche preysej) no^t1 his pleying1 worjj a bene Jjenne seyde he Jms my restyng* wol I take Now day is come I may no lenger wake 1856

And doun he leyd his heed and sleep til prime And aftirward whan J?att he saugh his tyme vp ryse]? lanuare but/ freissche may

holt1 hire chambre vnto ]>e ferpe day 1860

As vsage is of1 wyues for )>e beste / ffor euery labour som tyme mot1 haue reste Ojjer elles longe may he nou^t1 endure J>is is to say no lyues creature 1864

Be it of1 fissh or brid or best1 or man Now wol I speke of1 vvoful dauyan fat1 langurej) for loue as ^e schullen heere Jjerfoxe I speke to him in J>is manere 1868

I say 0 sely Damyan alias Answere to jns dernaunde as in }?is cas how schalt1 Jjou jjy lady freisshe may Telle Jjy wo sche wole alway say nay 1872

Eke if1 j?ou speke sche wole ]?y wo bewreye God be J>iu helpe I can no bettre seye .- [leaf 153]

fis sike damyan in venus fyre

So brennej) Jjat1 he deyej) for desire 1876

ffor which he putte his liff/ in aduenture No lenger might1 he in J)is wise endure But1 priuyly a penner gan he borwe

And in a le^re wrot1 he alle his sorwe 1880

In maner of1 a complaynt1 o)>er a lay vnto J>is fair and freissche lady may And in a purs of1 silk1 heng1 on his scherte he hajj y-put1 and leyd it/ at his herte/ 1884

24 COllPUS 333 (6-T. 4CO)

SIX-TEXT 461

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS,

pe more pat1 at1 noon was pilke day

That1 lanuare hap wedded pat1 freissche may

In tuo of* Taure was in pe Cancre Gliden

So longe ha)> sche in hire chanibre abyden 1888

As costume is vnto pise noblis alle

A "bryde schal noiqt1 eten in pe halle

Til dayes foure oper pre dayes atte leste

y-passed ben pen lat1 hire go to feste 1892

]?e ferpe day complef froo noon to noon

Whan fat1 pe hihe masse was y-doon

In halle sitf pis lanuare and may

As freissh" as is pe brighte someres day 1896

And so bifelle how fat1 pis goode man

Remembrep him vpon pis damyan

And sayde seinte mary how may pis be

That* Damyan entendip nou^t1 to me 1900

Is he ay sike or how may pis betyde

his squyers whiche pat1 stooden him besyde

Excusynge him be cause of1 his seknesse

Which letted him to don his busynesse 1904

I^on oper cause mighte make him care

That1 me forpinkep quod pis lanuare

he is a gentil squyer by my troupe /

If1 pat1 he deyde it were harm and roupe 1908

he is as wys discrete and secre

As eny man I wot1 of1 his degre peaf 153, back]

And perto manly and eek1 seruisable

And for to ben a prifty man right1 able 1912

But1 after mete as sone as euer I may

I wole my self1 visite him and eek1 may

To don him al pe confort1 pat1 1 can

And for pat1 word him blessed euery man 1916

That1 of1 his bounte and of1 his gentilnesse

He wolde so conforten him in his siknesse

His squyer for it1 was a gentil dede

Dame quod he pis lanuar take good hede 1920

CORPUS 339 (6-T. 46l)

SIX-TEXT 462

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

That1 at1 after mete 30 wip 30111 wommen alle

Whan ^e han ben in chambre out* of1 pis halle

That1 alle 30 gon to se pis Damyan

Do)) him disport1 he is a gentil man 1924

And tellep him pat I wil him visite

haue I no Jung1 but rested me a lite

[and spede yow faste / for I wol abide

til that ye slepe / right bi my side] [MS Arch. Seia. B. 14]

Now wip pat1 Avorde he gan to him calle

A squyer pat1 was marschal of1 his halle

And tolde him certeyn pinges what1 he wolde

This freisshe may ha)) streyt1 hir weye holde 1932

Wip alle hire wommen vnto J)is damyan

Doun by his beddes syde sat1 sche pan

Confortyng1 him as goodly as sche may

This damyan whan he his tyme say 1936

In secret1 wise his purs and eek1 his bille

In which pat1 he writen hadde his wille

haf putte in to hire hond wi))outen more

Saue fat1 he siked wonder sore 1940

And softely to hire right )ms sayde he

mercy and pat1 36 discouexep nou^t1 me

ffor I am ded if1 pat1 pis ping1 be kyd

This purs hap sche wipinne hir bosme hid 1944

And went1 hir way 36 gete nomore of1 me

But1 vnto lanure y-comen is sche

And on his beddes syde sitte ful softe

He takep hire and kissep hire ful of to [lea 154] 1948

And leyde him doun to slepe and pat1 anon

Sche feyned hire as pat* sche moste gon

per as 30 woot1 pat1 euery wight1 mot1 neede

And when sche of1 pis bille hap taken heede 1952

Sche rent1 it al to cloutes at1 pe laste

And in pe pryue softely sche it caste

Who studiep now but1 fayre freissche may

And a doun by lanuer sche lay 1956

CORPUS 340 (6-T. 462)

SIX-TEXT 463

GROUP E, § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS,

That* sleep til fat1 f e coughe liini haf awaked Anon he preyed hir to strepen hire al naked he wolde of1 hire he sayde of1 hire haue som plesaunce he seyde hire clofes dide him encombraunce I960

And sche obeyef be he leef1 or lof But1 lest1 fat1 precious folk1 be wif me wrof how fat1 he wro^te I dar to $ou nou^t1 telle Ofer whether fat1 he fou^t on paradys ofer of1 helle 19G4 But1 1 lete hem worchen in here wise Til euesong* rynge and fat1 fey moste aryse / Were if by destyne of ir by auenture Were it1 by influence or by nature 1968

Of er in constillac^on fat1 in such estat The heuene stood fat1 tyme fortunat Was for to putte a bille of1 venus werkis ffor alle fing1 haf tyme as seyn fise clerkis 197?

To any wowman for to gete hir loue I can nou^t1 say but f e grete god aboue fat1 knowef fat1 non acte is canseles

he demef of1 alle for I wol holde my pes 1976

But1 sof is f is how fat1 f is freissche may haf take such impression fat1 day On pite of1 f is sike Damyan

fat1 fro hir herte sche ne dryue can 1980

f e remembrance for to don him eese Certein f ou^f sche whom fat1 f is fing1 displese I rekke no^t1 for here I him assure

To loue him best1 of1 eny creature / Deaf 154, ba k] 1984 f ough he na more nadde fan his scherte lo pite rennef sone in gentil herte Her may 30 se how excellent1 franchise In woramen is whan fey narwe hem auyse 1988

Som tyrant1 f er is as f er ben many oon fat1 haf an herte as hard as eny stoon Which wolde han lete him steruen in f e place Wei rafer fan haue graunted him fat1 grace 1992

CORPUS 341 (6-T. 463)

SIX-TEXT 461

. §4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And hem reioysen in here cruel pryde

And reached nou^fr to ben an homicide

1F This gentil may fulfild of" alle pite

Eight* so of1 hire hond a letfae made sche 1996

In which sche grauntef him of1 hire verray grace

f er lackef nou^t1 oonly but1 day and space

"Wher fat1 sche mighte to his lust1 suffise

ffor if schal be right1 as he wol deuyse 2000

And whan sche saugfr hire tyme vpon a day

To visite f is damyan goj) faire may

And sotilly f is letfae doun sche f riste

vnder his pilwe rede iff1 him liste 2004

Sche takef him by f e hond and harde him twisto

So secrely fat1 no wight1 hit1 wiste

And bad him be al hool and for]) sche wente

To lanuare whan fat1 he for hire sente 2008

vp rysef Damyan) f e nexte morwe

Al passed was his siknesse and his sorwe

he kembif him and proynef him and pikef

he dof al fat1 fis lady lust and likef 2012

And ek1 to lanuare he gof as lowe

As euer did a dogge for f e bowe

he is so plesaunt1 vnto euery man

ffor craft1 is al who so fat1 it can 2016

fat1 euery wight1 is fayn to teche him good

And fully in his lady grace he stood

f us lete I Damyan aboute his neede

And my tale forf I wil procede [leaf 155] 2020

Some clerkes halden fat1 felicite f

Stantt in delite and f e?fore he

This noble lanuare wif alle his might

In honeste wise as longef to a knight1 2024

Schop him to lyue ful deliciously

his housynge his array al honestely

To his degre was maked as a kinges

Among1 ofir of1 his honeste finges 2028

CORPUS 342 (6-T. 464)

SIX-TEXT 465

GROUP E, §4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

lie hadde a gardyn walled al wif stoon

So fair a gardyn wofrT nowher noon

ffor out1 of1 doute I verrayly suppose

fat1 he fat1 wroot1 fe romance of1 f e rose 2032

Ne coufe of1 if fe beaute wel deuyse -,

ne pryapus ne mighte nat1 suffise

f ou$ he be god of* gardyns for to telle

The beaute of1 f e gardyn and of f e welle 2036

fat1 stood vnder a laurer alway greene

iful often tyme king1 Pluto and his queene

Preserpyna and alle hire fayerie

Disporten hem and maken melodye 2040

aboute fat1 welle and daunced as men tolde

f is noble knight1 f is .lanuare f e olde

Suche deynte haf in if to walken and to pleye

fat1 he wol suffre no wight1 to bere fe keye 2044

Saue he himself1 or of1 ]>e smale wikett

he bar alwey of1 siluer a clyket1

Wij? fe whiche whan fat1 him lust1 vnschette

And whan fat1 he wolde paye his wijf1 his dette 2048

In somer seson f ider wolde he go

And may his wijf1 and no wight1 but1 fay tuo

A f inges whiche fat1 were nou^t1 don a bedde

fey in f e gardyn parformed han and spedde 2052

And in f is wise many a mery day

lyuede f is lanuare and freissche may

But1 worldly ioye may no^t1 alwey endure

To lanuare ne to no worldly creature [leaf 155, baokj 205d

0 sodeyn happ 0 f ou fortune vnstable /

I-like to f e scorpion vnstable /

That1 flaterest1 wif fin heed whan f ou wolt1 stynge

Thyn tayl is def f 01113 fin enuenemynge 2060

0 brutel ioye 0 swete poyson queynte

0 mustier fat1 sotilly canst1 peynte

fine 3iftes vnder f e hewe of1 stedefastnesse

fat1 f ou disceyuedest1 bof e more and lesse 2064

CORPUS 343 (6-T. 466)

SIX-TEXT 466

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

"Why hast1 pou lanuare pus deceyued And haddist1 him for pi fulle frend receyued And now pou hast1 byraft1 him bope his eyen fFor sorwe of1 which desire]) he to deyen 2068

Alias pis noble lanuare pat1 is so fre Amydde his lust1 and his prosperite Is woxen blynde and al sodeynly

his dep perfore desire]? he outrely 2072

And per wip al pe fyr of1 lelousye leste fat1 his wijf1 schulde falle in som folye So brent1 his herte pat1 he wolde fayn That1 som man bope hire and him hadde slayn 2076

fibr neuer [after] his dep ne in his lyf1 Ne wolde he fat1 sche were loue ne wyf- But euer lyue as a wydewe in elopes blake Soule as pe turtil dop pat1 hap lost1 hire make / 2080

But1 at1 pe laste after a monpe or tweye his sorwe gan to swage sop to seye ffor when he wiste it/ may non oper be he paciently took1 his aduersite 2084

Saf1 out1 of1 doute may he nou^t1 forgon pat1 he nas lelous euermore in oon Which lelousie it1 was so outrageous

pat1 neiper in halle ne in non oper hous 2088

he nolde suffre hire for to ryde ne go Ne in non oper place neuer pe mo But1 if1 pat1 he hadde hond on hire alway ifor which ful ofte wepep freisshe may . [leaf i56] 2092 That1 louep Damyan so benignely pat1 sche moot1 eyper deye sodeinly Or elles sche mote han him at1 hire leste sche waytep whan hir herte wolde toberste 2096

vpon pat1 oper syde Damyan Bycomen is pe sorwfulleste man pat1 euere was. for neiper night1 nor day *N"e might1 he speke a word to freisshe may 2100

CORPUS 344 (6-T. 466)

SIX-TEXT 467

GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

As to his purpos of* no such matiere /

But1 if* fat1 lanuarie most1 if here /

fat1 hadde oon hond on hir euer mo

And nafeles by wrytyng1 to and fro 2104

And pryue signes wist* he what4 sche ment/

And sche knew of1 f e signe of1 his entent

0 lanuarie what1 mighte f e affayle /

fou mightest1 see as fer as schippes sayle . 2108

ffor a[s] good is a blynd disceyued be

As to be deceyued whan a man may se

Lo argus which fat1 hadde an C. eyen

fibr al fat1 euer he coufe poure or prien 2112

^it1 was he blent1 and god wot* so ben mo

fat1 wenyn wisly fat it nys nat1 so

Passe ouer is an ese and say nomore

This freissche may of1 which I spak1 of1 yore 2116

In warm wax haf emprynted f is clikef

fat lanuarye bar of1 f is smale wyket1

By which vnto his gardyn ofte he wente

And Damyan fat knew hire entente 2120

f e clyket1 countrefeted priuily

Ther nys no more to say but hastyly

Som wonder by his cliket1 schal betyde /

Which 30 schullen heere if1 30 woln abyde 2124

0 noble Ovyde sof saist1 f ou god wot

"What1 sleight1 is it1 f ough it be long1 and hoot

That1 he nyl fynde it out in som manere

By Pyramus and Thysbe may men leere [leaf 156, back]

f ougfi fey were kepte ful longe st^t1 ouer al

fey ben acorded rownynge f urgB. a wal

fer is no wight1 coufe han founde out1 such a slei3te

But1 now to purpos er fat1 dayes ey3te 2132

"Were passed or f e monf e of1 luyl byfille

fat1 lanuarye haf caught1 so gret1 a wille

f urgh eggyng1 of1 his wijf1 him for to pleye

In his gardyn and no wight1 but1 fey tweye 2136

CORPUS 345 (6-T. 467)

SIX-TEXT 468

GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

That1 in a morwe vnto his may sayde he Eise vp my wijf/ my loue my lady fre f e turtlis voys is herd my doufe sweete The wynter is gon with, alle his reynes weete 2140

Com forf now wij> fin eyen columbyne how fairer "ben f y brestes fan is wyne f e gardyn is enclosed al aboute

Come forf my white spouse out1 of doute 2144

f ou hast1 me wounded in myw herte 0 wyf* No spotte in f e nas in al J>y lyf* Com for]) and let vs taken oure disport I chees ])e for my wyff and my conforf 2148

Suche olde lowde wordes vsed he On damyan a signe made sche That1 he schulde go biforn wif his clyket ]?is damyan haf opened fe wyket 2152

And in he sterte and fat1 in such manere fat1 no wight1 might1 it se ne heere And stille he sitt1 vnder a bussch anon This lanuare so blynd as is a stoon 2156

Wif mayus in his hond and no wiglltt mo In to his freisshe gardyn is he go And clapte to f e wyket1 sodeynly

Now wiff1 c^uod he her nys but foil and I 2160

fat1 art1 ]>e creature Jjat1 1 best loue ifor by fat1 lord Jjat1 sitt1 vs alle aboue I hadde leuer deyen on a knyf*

Then ]>e offenden deere trewe wyf1 [leaf 157] 2164

ffor goddes sake Jjenk1 how I ]>e chees Nou3t1 for no coueytise dowteles / Eut1 oonly for fe loue I hadde to ]>e

And fough fat1 1 be olde and may nou^t1 se 2168

Be to me trewe and I wol telle $ou why Certes fre f inges scholden 30 wynne ferby ffirst1 loue of1 crisf and to ^our self1 honour And al myn heritage toun and tour 2172

CORPUS 346 (6-T. 468)

SIX-TEXT 469

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

it1 3ow makep Charges as 3ou leste This schal "be do to morwe er soimes reste So wisly god my soule "bringe in blisse And preye ^ou on couenaunt fat1 36 me kisse 2176

And pougfr pat1 I "be lelous wyte me 30 ben so deepe enprynted in my pat1 whan pat1 I considere 30111 beaute And per wip al pe vnlikly elde of* me , 2180

I may noi^t1 certes pough I schulde deye fibr-bere to ben out* of1 3our companye ffor verray loue pis is wipouten doute Now kisse me wijf1 and let1 vs rome aboute 2184

IF This freissche may whan sche pis wordes herde / Benignely to lanuarye answerde Butt first1 and forward sche bygan to weepe I haue quod sche a soule for to keepe 2188

As wel as 36 and also myn honour And of1 my wifhede pilke tendre flour Which pat1 1 haue asseured in 3our hand Whan pat1 pe prest1 to yow my body band 2192

Wher-fore I wol answere in pis manere Wip pe leue of1 3ou my lord so deere 1 p?-ay god pat1 neuer dawe pat1 day

pat1 1 ne sterue as foule as wowzman may 2196

If1 euer I do vnto my kynne pat1 schame / Oper elles I empeyre so my name / pat1 y be fals and if1 1 do pat1 lak1

To strype me and putte me in a sakk1 [leaf 157, back] 2200 And in pe nexte ryuer do me drenche I am a gentil wowmian and no wenche Why speke 36 pus but1 men ben euer vntrewe And wo?ftmen han reproef1 of1 3ou ay newe 2204

30 can non oper contynaunce I leeue But1 speke to vs as vntriste and in repreue And wip pat1 word sche saugh wher damyan Bat in pe bussh and knelen he bigan 2208

CORPUS 347 (6-T. 469)

SIX-TEXT 470

GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And wif hire fynger signes made sche fat1 Damyan schulde clymbe vpon a tree fat1 charged was wif fruyt1 and vp he wente ffor verrayly he knew al hire entente 2212

And euery signe fat1 sche couf e make Wei bet1 fan lamiarye hir owne make ffor in a letfae sche hadde told him al Of1 fis matiere how he worche schal 2216

And f us I lete him sitte in f e Pyry And lanuarye and mayus rownynge myry IT Bright1 was f e day and blew f e firmament Phebus of1 gold doun haf his stremes sent 2220

To gladen euery flour wif his warrnnesse he was fat1 tyme in Gemynys as I gesse But1 litel fro his declynacion

Of1 Cancer louys exaltation 2224

And so bifelle fat1 in a bright1 morwetyde fat1 in f e gardyn on fat1 ferf er syde / Pluto fat1 is f e king1 of1 fayerye

And many a lady in his companye 2228

ffolwyng1 his wyf1 f e queene proserpyna Which fat1 he rauyssched out1 of1 Proserpyna Whiles fat1 sche gaderede floures in a mede In Claudian 30 may fe storyes rede 2232

how in his grysly carte he hire fette This kyng1 of1 fayerie a doun him sette vpon a benche of/ toruys freissch and grene And right1 anon seyde he f us to his queene [leafiss] 2236 My wijf1 quod he fat1 may no wight1 seye nay f e experiens prouef it1 euery day f e tresoun which fat1 wowman dof to man Ten hundred f ousand tellen I can / 2240

Notable of ^our vntrouf e and brytilnes O Salamon richest1 of1 alle richesse ffulfild of1 sapience and of worldly glorie Jfiful worf y ben fyne wordes to memorie 2244

CORPUS 348 (6-T. 470)

SIX-TEXT 471

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

To euery wight1 fat1 witt1 and reson can Jms preisef he $iV f e bounte of1 man Among1 a f ousand men ^ifr fond I on But1 of1 alle wowmen fond he neuer noon 2248

f us seif f e king1 fat knowef ^oure wickednes / And Ihesus films Cyrak1 as I ges / !N"e spekef of1 3011 but1 seeldyn reuerens A wilde fuyre a corumpte pestilens 2252

So falle vpon 3 our bod yes jif to nyght1 Me se ^e nought1 fis honurable knight1 By cause alias fat1 he is blynd and old his owne man schal make him kokewold 2256

Lo wher he sitte f e lecchour in f e tree Now wol I graunte of1 myn mageste vnto f is olde blynde worf y knight

fat1 he schal han a3ein his ey3en sight1 2260

Whan fat1 his wijf1 wolde don him vylenye fan schal he knowe al hire harlottrie Bof e in repreef1 of1 hire and of er mo

^e schal quod Proserpyn and wol 30 so 2264

Now by mo moodres syres soule I swere fat1 1 schal 3euyn hire suffisaunt1 answere And alle wo?ftmen after for 3our sake / fat1 f ough fey ben in eny gilt1 y-take 2268

Wif face bold f ei scholden hemself1 excuse And here hem doun fat1 wolden hem accuse / ffor lakke of1 answere non of1 hem scholde deyen Al hadde 30 seye a fing1 wif bofe 3our ey3en [leaf 158, back], 3itt schullen we so visagen it1 hardyly And weepe and swere and chide subtyly fat1 30 schuln ben as lewed as here gees "What1 rekkef me of1 3our auctoritees 2276

I wot1 wel f is lewe f is Salamon - ffand of1 vs wommen fooles many 0011 But1 f ough fat1 he ne fond no good wo?wnian f er haf I-founde many anof er man 2280

CORPUS 349 (6-T. 471)

SIX-TEXT 472

GKOUP E. § 4, MEKCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Wowmen ful trewe ful good ful vertuous Witnesse on hem fat1 dwellen in cristes hous "Wif uiartirdom fey prouyd luV l Constance f1 MS ft]

f e Romayne lestes maken remembrance 2284

Of1 many a verray trewe wijf1 also "but1 sire ne be]) nou^fr wrof as be if so f ou} fat1 he seyde he fond no good woraman I pray 3011 take f e sentence of1 J>e man 2288

he mente f us fat1 in souerayne bounte !Nls non but god but* neyf er he ne sche Ey for verray god fat1 nys but oon

What* make 36 so moche of1 Salamon 2292

"What1 f ougfi. he made a temple goddes hous What1 f ougK he were riche and glorious So made he a temple of1 false godis

"Who mighte do a fing1 fat1 more forbode is 2296

Parde as fayr as he his name in-plastre he was a lecchour and an ydolastre And in his eelde he verry god forsook* And if1 fat1 god ne hadde as seif fe book1 2300

y-spared him for his fadres sake he scholde haue lost1 his regne sonner fan he wolde I sette nou^t1 of1 alle f e vylenye

fat1 30 of1 wommen wite a bottirflye 2304

I am a womman needes moot1 1 speke Of er elles swelle til myn herte breke ffor sif enes he seyde fat1 we ben langeleresses As euer mote I brouke bofe my tresses [leaf 159] 2308 I schal not1 spare for no curtesye To speke him harm fat1 wolde vs vilanye Dame quod f is pluto be no lengere wrof I 3iue it1 vp but1 sefens I swor myrc of 2312

fat1 1 wolde graunten him his sight1 a^ein My word schal stonde fat1 warne I f e certayn) I am a king1 it1 sitt1 me no^t1 to lye

And I (\iLod sche a queen of1 fayerye 2316

CORPUS 350 (6-T. 472)

SIX-TEXT 473

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS,

hire answere sche schal haue I vndertake

let1 vs no more wordes make 2318

[For the rest of the Tale (from MS Arch. Seld. B. 14) see the Appendix.]

CORPUS 350* (6-T. 473)

SIX-TEXT 500

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

[THE PROEM.}

IT The p[ro]loge of1 fe ffrankeleyn

Thise olde gentile britouns in here dayes [on leaf 159] Of1 diuerse auentures maden layes Rymeden in here firste "britoun tonge Whiche layes with here instrumentz fey songe 712

Ofer elles radden hem for here plesaunce And on of1 hem haue I in remembraunce Which I schal seye wij> as good wille as I can But1 sires by cause fat1 I am a burel man 716

At1 my begynnyng1 first1 1 3ou beseche hauejj me excused of1 my rude speche I lerned neuer rethorik1 certayn

f ing1 fat1 1 speke it1 mot1 be bare and playn) 720

I slepte neuer on J>e mount1 of1 pernaso Ne neuer lered Marcus Thullius ne Cithero Colours of1 Rethorik1 ne knowe I non wijjouten drede But1 suche coloures as growen in fe mede 724

Ojjir elles suche as men dye or peynte Colours of1 Rethorik1 ben me to queynte Myn spyrit1 felej> nought1 of1 such matere But1 if1 30 luste my tale schul ^e not1 here 728

T

[THE TALE.]

her was a knight1 Jjat1 loued and did his peyne 730 In amoryke fat1 cleped is Briteyne 729

To seruen a lady in his beste wise And many a labour and many* a gret1 empn'se 732

CORPUS 351 (6-T. 500)

SIX-TEXT 501

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

he for his lady wrou^fr er sche were wonne

ffor sche was on pe fairest1 vnder sonne [leaf 159, back]

And eek1 per to come of* so heih kynrede

That1 wel vnnepes durst1 pis knight1 for drede 736

Telle hire his wo his peyne and his distresse

But1 atte laste sche for his worpinesse

And namely for his meke obeissance

hap such a pite caught1 of1 his penaunce 740

That1 priuely sche felle of1 his acord

To take him for hir housbonde and hire lord

Of1 such lordschipe as men han ouer here wyues

And for to lede pe more in blisse here lyues 744

Of1 his fre wille he swor hire as a knight

pat* neuer in his wille by day ne by night/

Ne schulde he vpon him take no maystrie

A3eins hire wille ne kuype hire lalousye 748

But1 hire obeye and folwe hire wille in al

As ony louere to his lady schal

Saue pat1 }>e name of1 souereynete

That1 wolde he han for schame of1 his degre 752

Sche pankep him and wip ful gret1 humblesse

Sche sayde sire sepp en of1 your gentilnesse

30 profre me to han a large reyne

N& wolde neuer god betwixe vs tweyne 756

As in my gilt1 were eyper werre or stryf4

Sire I wil be 3our owne humble trewe wijf1

haue here my troupe til pat1 myn herte breste

Thus be pey hope in quiete and in reste 7GO

ffor o ping1 syres saufly dar I seye

That1 frendes euerich oper mote obeye

If1 pay wole longe holde companye

loue wol nought ben constreigned by maystrie 764

Whan maystrie comep pe god of1 loue anon

Betep on his wynges and fare wel he is gon

loue is a ping1 as any spiryt1 fre

Wo?ftmen of1 kynde desiren liberte 768

COKPUS 352 (6-T. 50l)

SIX-TEXT 502

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS,

And nou}^ to be constreigned as a fral And so do men if* I j>e sofe seye schal [leaf IGO]

loke who fat1 is most1 pacient1 in loue / lie is at1 his auauntage aboue 772

Pacience is an heih vertu certeyn ffor it1 venquisshef as f ese clerkes seyn Thynges fat1 Rigor schulde neuer atteigne ffor euery word men may nou^t chyde ne pleyne / 776 lernef to suffre or elles so mote I gon ^e schullen it lerne whef er ^e wole or non ifor in f is worlde certeyn no wight1 nys / fat1 he ne do}) or saif sumtyme amys / 780

Or of ir siknesse of er constillacion Wyn wo or chaungyng1 of1 complexion Cause]? ful often to don amys of er speken On euery wrong1 men may nou^t1 ben awreken 784

After J)e tyme moste be temperaunce To euery wight1 fat1 can no gouernance / j^nd ferfore haj) fis wor])y wise knight To lyue in ese suffraunce hire behight1 788

And sche to him ful wisly gan to swere That1 neuer schulde f er be defaute in here / here may men sen an humble wyse acord Thus ha]) sche take hir seruant1 and hire lord 792

Seruaunt1 in loue and lord in mariage Then was he hope in lordschipe and seruage Seruage nay but1 iu lordschipe aboue

Sefyns fat1 he haf bofe his lady and his loue 796

'.his lady certes and his wyf1 also The whiche fat1 lawe of1 loue acordef fer to And whan he was in fis prosperits

•home wif his wyf1 he gof to his cuntre 800

Kou^t1 fer fro pedmark1 fer as his dwellyng1 was Wher as he lyuef in blisse and in solas Who coufe telle but1 he hadde wedded be f e ioye fe ese and fe prosperite / 804

25 CORPUS 353 (6-T. 502)

SIX-TEXT 503

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

That1 is bitwixe an housebond and his wyf

A 3eer and more lasted J?is blisful lijf1 [leaf ieo, back]

Til fat1 ]>is knight1 of1 which I spak1 of* f us

Jjat1 of1 kynrede was cleped arneragus 808

Schope him to gon and dwelle a ^eer or tweyne

In engelond fat1 cleped eek1 was bretayne

To seche in armes worschipe and eek1 honour

ffor alle his lust1 he sette in such labour 812

And dwellej? J?ere J?e book1 saij? Jms

Now wol I stynte of1 Jns arneragus

And speken I wole of1 dorygen his wijf1

fat1 louejj hir housbonde as hire hertes lyf1 816

And for his absens wepej? sche and sikef /

As don fese noble wyues when hem like]?

Sche mournef wake]? waylef fastej) & pleynef

Desire of1 his presence hire so destreynef 820

That1 alle fis wyde world sche sette at1 nou^t1

hire freendes which ]>at knewe hire heuy J?ou3t

Conforted hire in al Jjat1 euer ]?ey mighte or may

They prechen hire }>ay tellen hire night1 and day 824

Jjat1 causeles sche sleej) hire self1 alias /

And euery confort1 possible in f is cas

p&y don to hire wij) alle here busynes /

And alle to make hire lete hir heuynes 828

By p?*ocesse as 36 knowe wel euerychon

Men may so longe grauen in ]?e ston

Til som figure Jierinne enprentyd be

So longe han fey conforted hire Jjat1 sche 832

Eeceyued hajj by hope and by reson

The empryntyng1 of1 hir constillacion

Thurgh which hire grete sorwe gan aswage /

Sche may nought alway endure in such a rage / 836

And eek1 arneragus in al J?is care

haj? sent1 his le^res home in al )>is fare

And Jjat1 he wolde come hastly a^ayn

Ofer hadde j)is sorwe hire herte slayn 840

COKPUS 354 (6-T. 503)

SIX-TEXT 504

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

hire frendes sawe hire herte gan to slake / And preyed hire on knees for goddes sake [leaf iei]

To come and rome hire in companye

Away to dryue hire derke fantasye 84.4

And fynally sche graunted pat1 requeste ffor wel sche sawe it1 was for pe beste Now stood hire castel faste by pe see And often wip hire freendes walked sche 848

hire to disporte on pe banke on heih Wher as sche many -schippe and barge seih Seylinge here cours where hem luste to go But1 31^ was pere a parcelle of1 hir wo 852

ffor to hir self1 ful often seyde sche Is per no schippe of* so many as I se Wole brynge home my lord pen wolde myn herte Al waryssche of pis bitter peynes smerte 856

Anoper tyme per wole sche sitte and pinke And caste hire eyen dounward fro pe brynke But1 whan sche saugh pe grisly rokkes blake ffor verray fere so wolde hire herte quake 860

pat1 on hire feet1 sche mighte nought1 hire sustene Thenne wolde sche sitte a doun vpon pe grene And pitously in to ])e see byholde

And sayn right1 )ms wip sorowful hertes colde 86i

Eterne god fat1 purgh py puruyaunce ledest1 pe world by certein gouemaunce In ydelnesse as men sayn 30 no ping1 make But< lord Jjese grisely feendly rokkes blake 868

That1 semen raper a foul confusion Of1 werk1 pen any fayr creacion Of1 whiche a parfyt1 god and a stable Why han 36 wro^f pis werk1 vnresonable 872

ffor by pis werke south north est1 and west1 Ther nys y-fostred man ne bryd ne best* hit1 dop no good to my witf but1 annoyep Se 36 nou3^ lorde how mankynde it destroyep 876

CORPUS 365 (6-T. 604)

SIX-TEXT 505

GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS,

An hundred pousand bodyes of1 mankynde /

han rokkes slayn al be pey noujt1 in mynde [leaf iei, back]

Which mankynde is a fair part1 of1 py werk1

That1 pou it1 madest1 y-like to pin hond werk1 880

Thenne semed it1 36 hadde a gret1 chierte

Toward mankynde but1 how pan may it be

That1 36 suche menys make it1 to distroyen

Whiche rnenys do]? no good but1 euer annoy en 884

I wot1 wel clerkes woln sayn as hem leste

By argumentz pat1 al ping1 is for pe beste

Though I ne can pe causes for sope knowe

but1 pilke god pat1 made wynd to blowe 888

As kepe my lord pis is my conclusion

To clerkes lete I al disputacion

But1 wolde god pat1 alle pe rokkes blake

"Were sonken in to helle for his sake / 892

These rokkes sleen my^ herte for feere

Thus wolde sche sayn with many a pitous teere

hire freendes sawe pat1 nas no disport

To romen by pe see but1 discomfort1 896

And schopen for to pleyen som where elles /

pey leden hire by Eyueres and by welles

And eek1 in oper places delitables

pey daunce and pleye at Chesse and at1 tables 900

So on a day right1 on pe morne tyde

vnto a gardyne paf was right1 pere besyde

In which pat1 pey hadde made here ordynance

Of1 vitaile and of1 oper puruyaunce 904

They gon and pleyen hem al pe longe day

And pis was on pe sixte morwe of1 may

Which may hadde peynted wip his softe schoures /

This gardyn ful of1 leues and of1 floures 908

And wip crafte of1 mamies hande so curiously

Arayed hap pis gardyn trayelly

That1 neuer nas per gardyn of1 such prys

But1 if1 it1 were pe verrey paradys 912

CORPUS 356 (6-1; 50o)

SIX-TEXT 506

GROUP F. §4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

The odure of1 floures and J>e freisshe sight1 /

Wolde han made ony pensyf1 herte light1 [ieafi62]

That1 euer was born / but1 if1 to gret1 siknesse /

0)>er to gret1 sorwe hyld it in distresse / 916

And after dynere gan J?ey to daunce 918

So ful it was of1 beaute with plesaunce / 917

And synge also but1 dorigen allone

Sche made alwey hire compleynt1 and hire mone 920

fFor sche ne saugh him on ]?e daunce go

jmt1 was hire housbond and hir lone also

But1 naj?eles sche moste a tyme abyde /

And with good hope sche let1 hir sorwe glyde 924

vpon ]?is daunce amonges o)>er men

Daunced a squier biforen Dorigen

That1 freisscher was and iolyer of1 array

As to my dome fan is ]>e mon]>e of1 May 928

he synge]) and daunce]) passyng1 any man

That1 is or was scenes ])is world bygan

Ther wi}) he was if1 men schulde him discryue /

On ]>e beste farynge man on lyue / 932

}ong1 strong1 right1 vertuous riche and wys

And wel biloued and holden in gret1 prys

And schortliche if1 }>e sofe telle I schal

vnwytyng1 of1 ]?is Dorigen at al 936

This lusty squyer seniaunt1 to venus

Which fat1 y-cleped was Aurelius

had loued hire best1 of1 eny creature

Tuo }eer and more as was his aduenture / 940

But1 neuer durste he telle hire of1 his greuance

Wijwmte cuppe he drank al his penaunce

he was dispeyred no Jnng1 durst1 he seye

Saue in his sawe somwhat1 wolde he wreye 944

his woo as in general compleynyng1

he sayde he louede and was biloued noting1

Of such matiere made he many layes

Songes compleigntes roundeletis virrelayes 948

CORPUS 357 (6-T. 506)

SIX-TEXT 507

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

how fat1 he durste nou^t* his sorwe telle /

That langusshif as f uyre dof in helle [leaf 102, back]

And deye seyde he moste as did Ekko

fFor narsisus fat durste nou^t1 telle hir wo 952

In ofer manere f enne 36 here me seye

Ne durst1 he nou^tf to hire his wo bewreye

Sane pe/'aduentwre som tyme at1 daunces

There 3ong1 folk1 kepen here obseruaunces 956

hit1 may wel be he loked on hire face

In such a wise as man fat1 askef grace

But1 no f ing1 wiste sche of1 his entent

Naf eles it1 happed or fey f ennes went1 960

By cause fat1 he was hire ney^ebo?^rre /

And was a man of1 worschipe and honowr

And hadde knowen him ofte tymes 3ore /

fey felle in speche ofte more and more / 964

vnto his purpos drowe aurelius

And whan he saw his tyme he sayde fus

Ma dame quod he by god fat1 f is world made

So fat1 I wiste it1 niighte ^our herte glade 968

1 wolde fat day fat1 ^oure arneragus /

"Wente on f e see fat1 I aurelius

had went1 fat1 1 schulde neuer haue come a^ain

ffor wel I woot1 my seruise is in vayn 972

My guerdon nys but1 berstyng1 of1 myn herte /

Ma dame rewef vpon my peynes smerte

ffor as wif a swerd 36 may me sle or saue

her at1 ^oure foot1 god wolde fat/ I were graue / 976

I haue as now no more leysir for to seye /

haue mercy on me swete or 36 wolen do me deye

Sche gan to loke vpon aurelius

Is f is 3oure wille quod sche and say 36 f us 980

K"euer erst quod sche ne wist1 1 what1 36 mente

But1 now Aurely I knowe 3oure entente

By f ilke god fat1 3af me soule and lyf1

Ke schal I neuer be vntrewe wyf1 984

CORPUS 358 (6-T. 607)

SIX-TEXT 508

GROUP F, § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

In word ne in werk1 as fer as I haue wit1 / I wole ben his to whom pat1 I am kny t1 [leaf 163]

But after pat1 in pleyn pus seyde sche / 988

Tak1 pis for fynal answer as for me / 987

Aurely quod sche by hihe god aboue ^it1 wol I grannie ^ou to be ^oure loue Sepyns I $ou se so pitously compleyne / loke what* day pat1 engelond is Bryteyne / 992

^e remewe alle pe rokkes ston by stoon pat1 pay ne lette schip no boot1 to goon I say whan ^e han made pese costes so clene Of* Rokkes pat1 }>er nys no ston y-sene / 996

pan wol I loue $ou best/ of any man haue here my troupe in al pat1 euer I can Is pere non oper grace quod he /

No by pat1 lord quod sche pat1 made me 1000

ffor wel I wot1 jjatt jjat1 schal neuer betyde let1 such folye out1 of1 ^our herte glyde What1 deynte schulde man haue by his lijf1 ifor to loue anoj>er mannes wyf1 1004

That1 haj? hir body whan so Jmt1 him like]? Aurelius ful ofte sore sikej) / Wo was aurely whan pat1 he jns herde / And wij? a sorwful herte pus answerde / 1008

ma dame quod he pis were impossible / Thenne mot1 1 deye on sodeyn dej? orrible / And wij> pat1 word he torned him anon po came hire oper frendes many oon 1012

And in pe aleyes romed vp and don And no ping1 wiste of1 pis conclusion But1 sodeinly bygan to reuel newe /

Til pat1 pe brighte sonne loste his hewe / 1016

ffor thorisowte hap raft1 pe sonne his light1 . pis is as moche to say as it was night1 And home pey gon in loye and in solas / Saue oonly wrecched aurelius alias / 1020

COIIPUS 359 (6-T. 508)

SIX-TEXT 509

GROUP F, § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS,

he to his hous is gon wip sorwful herte

he seip he may not1 fro his dep asterte [leaf IGS, back]

him semep he felip his herte colde

vp to pe heuene his handes gan he holde 1024

And on his knees bare he sette him don

And in his rauynge sayde his orison

ftbr verray wo out1 of1 his witte he breyde /

he nyste nor^f what1 he spak1 but pus he seyd-e 1028

Wip pitous herte hap he his compleint1 bygonne

vnto pe goddesse and first1 vnto ])e sonne

he sayde appollo god and gouernour

And euery plaunte herbe tre and flour 1032

pat1 ^euest after pi declinacion

To ilk1 of1 hem his tyine and his sesoun

And pin herborwe chaungep lowe and hei^e

lord Phebus cast1 pin merciable ey^e 1036

On wrecched Aurely jjat1 am but1 lorn

lo lord my lady hap my dep y-sworn

Wipouten gilt1 but1 pin benignite "

vpon my dedly herte haue sum pite 1040

But1 wel I wot1 lord Phebus if1 $ou leste

36 may me helpe saue my lady beste

Now vouchejj sauf1 pat1 1 may ^ou deuyse

how pat1 1 may be holpe and in what1 wyse 1044

^oure blisful suster lucyna pe schene .1. hmaiucyna.

pat1 of1 pe see is cheef goddesse & queene

Though Neptunus haue deyte in pe see

^it1 Emperesse aboueii him is sche / 1048

30 knowen wel lord right1 as hire desire

Is to be quyked and letep of1 ^oure fire

ffor which sche folwep ^ou ful besyly

Right1 so pe see desirep naturelly 1052

To folwen hire as sche pat1 is goddesse

Bope in pe see and in Byueres more and lesse

Wher-fore lord Phebus pis is myn requeste

Do pis myracle or I do myn herte to breste 1056

CORPUS 360 (6-T. 609)

SIX-TEXT 510

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Jjat1 pou next1 at1 jjis apposicioun

Which in Jje signe schal be of1 j?e leoun [leaf 164]

And preyed hire so gref a flood to brynge

That* .v. fatheme at1 Jje leste it1 ouer springe 1060

J?e hyeste rokke in armorik1 Britayne

And lete his flood endure }eres twayne

Thenne certes to my lady may I saye

holdej) 3oure hestes J?<3 rokkes ben awaye 1064

lord Phebws do J?is myracle for me

Pray hire sche go no faster cours pan 30

I say 3011 pus pray 3our suster pat1 sche go

Kone faster cours pan 36 pis 3eres tuo 1068

Then schal sche be euer at1 pe fulle alway

And springe flood lasten bope night1 and day

And butt sche fouche sauf in such manere

To graunte me my lady souerein dere / 1072

Preye hire to synken euery rokke a doun)

In to hire owne darke Region

vnder pe grounde per Pluto duellep Inne

Oper neuer more schal I my lady wynne 1076

Thy temple in Delphos wol I barf oof seeke

lord Phebus see]) jje teeres on my cheeke /

And of1 my peyne haue compassion

And wi)> pat1 word in swowne he felle a doun 1080

And long1 tyme he lay in a traunce

his broker which jjatt knew ofH his penaunce

vp caught1 him and to bedde him broughte

Bispeyred in his torment and in his Bought 1084

Lo y Jjis woful creature lete lye

Chese he for me whejjer he wol lyue or dye

Arneragus wij) hele and grett honour

As he was of1 Chyualry Jje flour 1088

Is comen home and oj>ere worjjy men

0 blisful arf Jjou Dorigen

jjaf hast1 ]?in lusty housbonde in pin armes

Jje freissche knight J>e worpy man of1 armes 1092

CORPUS 361 (6-T. 610)

SIX-TEXT 511

GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

That1 louef f e as his owen hertes lyf1

No fing1 luste he to be ymaginatyff1 [leaf IGI, back]

Of1 any wight1 hadde spoke while he was oute

To hire of1 loue he made fer-of1 no doute 1096

he nou^t entendef to no such matere

But dauncef lustif and make]) good cheere

As fus in loye and "blisse I lete hem dwelle

And of1 fe swete Aurelyus wol I telle 1100

In langure and in furious tormentz fus

Tuo 3er and more lay wrecche aurelius

Or ony foot1 on erf e he mighte gon

No confort1 in fis tyme nade he non 1104

Saue of his broker which fat1 was a cleric1

he knew of al )>is wo and of1 al fis werk1

ffor to non of er creature certeyn

Of1 fis matiere ne durste he no word seyn 1 108

vnder his brest1 he bar it more secre

Then euer did Pamphilius for Galathe

his brest1 was hole wif outen for to sene

But1 in his herte was ay fe arwe kene 1112

And wel ^e knowen J>af a sore sauure

In surgerie ful perilous is J)e cure

But* man might1 touche ]>e arwe or come Jjerby

his brofe?* wepef and waylej? priuyly 1116

Til atte laste him felle in remembraunce

That1 whiles he was at Orlyaunce in ffraunce

As ^onge clerkes fat1 ben likerous

To reden artes fat1 ben curious 1120

Seken in euery halk1 and euery herne

Particuler sciences for to lerne

he him remembref vpon a day

At1 Orlyaunce in studye a book1 he say 1124

Of1 magiqwe naturell which his felawe

That1 was fat1 tyme a bachiler of1 lawe

Al were he fere to lerne anof er craft

And priuely vpon his deske y-laft1 1128

CORPUS 362 (6-T. 61 1)

SIX-TEXT 512

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

This book1 spak1 mocliil of1 Jris operacions

Touchynge ]>e .xviij. mancions

That1 longen to J?e mone and suche folye

As in oure dayes nys nought1 worj) a flye

ffor holy chirche saijj in oure byleeue

Ne suffrej) non illusion vs to greeue

And whan Jus book1 was in remembraunce

Anon for ioye he gan for to daunce

And to himselue sayde pryuely

My broker schal be warisshed hastily

ffor I am siker pat1 per ben sciences

By whiche men maken dyuerse apparences /

Whiche as pe subtile tregetoures pleyen

ffor ofte at1 festes herde I seyen

That1 tregettours wipinne an halle large

han made in come water and a barge /

And in pe halle rowen vp and doun

Som tyme hap seined a grym leoun)

[and somtyme flouris springe / as in a mede

somtyme a vyne & grapes / white & rede]

Som tyme a castel al of1 lym and ston

And whan hem liked voyded it anon

jms semed it1 to euery mannes sight1

Kow penne conclude I Jms if1 pat1 1 migfif

At1 Orliaunce som olde felawe I-fynde

That1 hadde pe moones manciouns in mynde

Ojjer magike naturel aboue

he scholde wel make my brojjer han his loue /

ffor wi]> apparens a man may make

To mannes sight1 Jjat' alle ]>e Rokkes blake

Of1 Eritaigne were y-went1 euerychon

And schippes by J?e brinke mighte comen and goon 1160

And in such forme endure a ^eer or tuo

J>en were my broker warissched of1 his wo

pen most1 sche needes knowen hire byheste

Or elles he schal schamen hire at1 J?e leste 1164

CORPUS 363 (6-T. 612)

[leaf 165]

1132

1136

1140

1144

[MS Arch. Seld. B.14]

1152

1156

SIX-TEXT 513

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

What schulde I make a lenger tale of1 fis

Ynto his broker bedde come he is

And such confort he ^aff1 him for to gon

To Orlyaunce fat1 he vpstarte anon [leaf IBS, back] 1168

And on his way forf ward is he fare

In hope to ben y-lissed of1 his care /

When fay were come almost1 to fat1 Cite

But if1 it1 were a tuo forlong1 ofir fre 1172

A ^ong1 clerk1 romyng1 by himself1 fey mette

Which fat1 in latyn thriftily hem grette

And after fat1 he sayde a wonder f ing1

I knowe quod he fe cause of1 ^oure comyng1 1176

And er fey forf er any foote went*

he tolde hem alle fat* was in here entent1

This brytoun clerk1 him asked of1 felawes

The which fat1 he had knowen in olde dawes 1180

And he answerde him fat1 fey dede were /

ffor which he wepe ful ofte many a tere

Doun of1 his hors Aurelius light anon

And forf wif fis magicien forf is he goii 1184

home to his hous and made hem wel at ese /

hem lacked no vitayle fat1 hem might1 plese /

So wel arrayed hous as f er was oon

Aurelius in his lyf1 saugh noon 1188

He schewed him er he wente to sopere

fforestes parkes ful of1 wilde deere

[there saw he hartes / with hornys ful higfre JJIJ4A*oh' Seli

pasturynge right faire / & merilie 1 192

he saw of hem an hundred / sleyn with houndes

and sowme with arwis blede / & bitter woundes

he saw when voided were / the wilde dere

these ffaukeners / vppon a faire Eivere] 1196

And how ffaukons han f e heron slayne

Then sawe he knigfrtes iusten in a playne

And after fis he dide him such plesaunce

That he him schewed his lady in a daunce 1200

CORPUS 364 (6-T. 613)

SIX-TEXT 514

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

On which, himself1 he daunced as him Bought

And whan fis mayster fat1 fis magiqwe wrought

Sawh it1 was tyme to clappe his hondes tuo

And fare wel al oure reuel is y-do 1204

And }it/ remewe fey neuer out of1 fis hous /

Wliiles fey sawe al fis sight1 merueylous

But1 in his study f er as his bookes be

fey saten stille and no wight1 but1 fey fre 1208

To him his mayster called f anne a squiere

And seyde him fus is redy oure sopere [leafiw]

Almost1 an hour it1 is I vndertake

Sefyns I 3ou bad oure souper to make 1212

When fat1 fis worf y men wenten with me

vnto my study f er as my bokes be

Sire quod this squyer when it1 like]? }ou

It1 is al redy fey ^e wolen right1 now / 1216

Go we fen soupe quod he and for f e beste /

These auerous folk1 som tyme mote haue reste

And after souper felle fey in trete

What1 somme schulde fis maystres guerdon be / 1220

Te remewe alle f e rokkes of1 Brytaigne

And eek1 fro Geroun to f e mouf of1 Sayne

he made it1 straunge / and swore so god him saue

lasse J>an a ]>ousand pound he nolde nou^t1 haue 1224

Ne gladly for fat1 somme ne wolde he gon

Aurelius wij> blisful herte anon

Answerde Jws fy on a Jjousand pound

J)is wyd« worlde fat1 men seyn is round 1228

fat1 wolde I 3iue if1 I were lord of1 if

This bargayn is ful dryue for we be knyt /

3e schulle be payed trewely by my trouf e

But1 lokef now for no necligence or sloufe 1232

36 tary vs heere no lenger fan to morwe

Nay quod f is clerk1 haue heer my trouf e to borwe

To bedde is gon aurelius whan him liste

And wel neigh al fat1 night1 he hadde his reste 1236

CORPUS 365 (6-T. 514)

SIX-TEXT 515

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

That1 for his labour and for his hope of1 blisse

his woful herte of1 penaunce hadde a lisse

vpon f is morwe when fat1 if was day

To Britaigue toke fay J>e righte way 1240

Aurelius and f is magicien besyde

And ben descendid f er fey woln abyde

And J>is was as f e bokes me remembre

fe colde frosty sesoun of1 Decembre 1244

Phebus wax olde and hewed lik1 latoun

That in his hoote declinaciofi [leaf IQQ, backj

Schon as f e burnyd gold wif stremes bright1

But now in Scorpion a doun he light1 1248

"Wher as he schon ful pale I dar wel sayn

The bitter frostes wif f e slete and rayn

Destroyed haf f e grene in euery ^erde /

lanus sit* by f e furye wif double berde 1252

And drynkef of1 his bugle horn f e wyn

Biforn him stant1 f e braun of1 tuxed swyn

And a nowel cryej) euery lusty man

Aurelius in al fat euer he can 1256

Dof to his rnaister cheere and reuerence

And preyef him to don his diligence

To bryngen him ouf of* his peynes smerte

Or wif a swerd fat1 he wolde slitte his herte 1260

]?at subtil clerk* which fat1 roufe hadde of* J>is man

fat1 night1 and day he him spedde fat1 he ne Ian

To wayte a tyme of1 his conclusion

This is to say to make illusioun 1264

I ne can no termes of1 astrologie / 1266

By which an apparence of1 logellerie / 1265

That1 sche and euery wight1 scholde wene and seye

fat1 of1 Britaigne fe rokkes were aweye 1268

Of er elles fey were sonken vnder grounde

So atte laste whan fat1 he his tyme fonde

To make his lapes and his wrecchednes

Of1 which a supersticious cursednesse 1272

CORPUS 366 (6-T. 51o)

SIX-TEXT 516

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

his tables colletanes forj> lie brought1

fiul wel corrected ne jjer lakked no^t/

Ne his collectes ne his expans 3eres

Ne his rotes ne his oj?er geres / 1276

As hen his centrys and his argumentz

And his proportions conuenientz

fibr his equations in euery Jnng1

And hy his viij spere in his werkynge 1280

he knew how fer Alnajje was y-schoue

firo j>e hede of1 pilke fixe aries aboue Deaf 167]

That1 in j>e ixe spere considered is

fful subtilly he ealkej) al ]>is / 1284

And whan he hadde founde his firste mansion

he knewe ]>e remenaunt1 by proportion

And knewe jje arisyng1 of/ j?e mone wel

And in whos face and terme euery del 1288

And knew ful wel jje moones mansion

acordant to his operation

And knew also his o]>er obseruaunces /

fibr suche illusions and suche meschaunces / 1292

As hejnn folk vsed Jjilke dayes

fibr whiche no lenger maked he delayes

But1 Jjough his magik' for a wike or tweye /

It1 semed as alle J>e rokkes were aweye 1296

Aurelyus which J?att dispeyred is

Whe]>er he schal han his loue or fare arnys

AwayteJ) night1 and day of1 j)is myracle /

And whan he knewe J>af )>er was non obstacle 1300

J>af voyded were J?ise rokkes euerychon

Doun to J>is maistres feet1 he felle anon

And seyde I woful wrecche aurelius

jjanke ^ou lord and lady myn venus 1304

That me han holpe fro my cares colde /

And to )?e temple for]? his way ha]> holde

Where he knewe he scholde his lady se

And whan he saugh his tyme anon right he 1308

CORPUS 367 (6-T. 516)

SIX-TEXT 517

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Wif dredful herte and humble cheere /

Salued haf his souerayn lady deere /

My rightful lady quod f is woful man

Whom I most1 drede and loue as I best1 kan 1312

And lof est1 Avere of1 alle f is world displese /

Nere it1 fat1 1 for ^ou haue suche disese

That1 1 moste dye her af 3our foot1 anon

But1- not1 wolde I telle how me is wo bygon 1316

But1 certes eyf er most I deye or pleyne /

36 sleen me gilteles for ve?'rey peyne / [leaf ie7, back]

But1 of1 my def f ough 36 haue no rouf e

Auyse]) ^ou er fat1 30 lese ^our troufe 1320

Repentif }ou for f ilke god aboue /

Or 36 me sleen by cause fat1 1 ^ou loue /

fibr ma dame wel 30 wot1 fat1 30 han hight1

Nought/ fat1 1 chalenge eny fing1 of1 right1 132-i

Of1 3011 souereyne lady but1 pure grace

But1 in a gardyn 3onde at1 such a place

36 wot1 right1 wel fat1 36 behighte me

And in myn hande iny troufe plighte me 1328

To loue me best1 god wot1 36 sayde so

Al be fat1 1 vnworfy am ferto

Madame I speke it for fe honour of1 3ow

More fen to saue rnyn hertes lyf1 right1 now / 1332

I haue don so as 36 haue cowmannded me

And if1 36 vouche sauf1 30 may go se /

And as 3011 luste hauef 3oure byheste in mynde

ffor quyk1 or deed right1 fus 36 schulle nie fynde 1336

In 3ow lif al to do me lyue or deye

But wel I wot1 f e rokkes ben aweye /

he took1 his leeue and sche astoned stood

In alle hir face fer nas a drop of1 blood 1310

Sche wende neuer han comyn in such a trappe

Alias quod sche fat1 f is euer schulde happe

ffor wende I neuer by possibilite

fat1 such a muster or such a meruaile schulde be 1344

CORPUS 368 (6-T. 517)

SIX-TEXT 518

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

It1 is ajein ]>e processe of1 nature * And home sche go]? a sorwful creature x ifor verray feere vnnej^es may sche go Sche wepej) and wayle)) a day or tuo 1348

And swownej) jjat it roujje was to se But1 why it was to no wight* tolde sche ffor out1 of1 toune was gon arneragus

But1 to hir self1 sche sayde and spak1 Jms 1352

In hire compleynt as je schullen after heere WiJ> face pale and wij) sorweful cheere [leafiesj

Alias qiwd sche on j?e fortune I pleyne That vnwar hast1 wrapped me in Jn cheyne 1356

ffor which J?e eschape wot1 1 no socour Saue oorly dej? oj>er elles dishonor- On of1 ]?ese tuo bihouej? me to chese

But1 na]?eles jit1 hadde I leuer to lese / 1360

My lif1 J?an of1 my body to han a schame Oj>er knowe my self1 fals oj?er lese my name / And wij> my dej> I may be quyte y-wys haj) jjer nou^t1 many a wyf1 er fis 1364

And many a mayden y-slayn hem self alias Rajjir ])an wij) here bodyes don trespas And certes lo Jjise stories beren witnesse "Whan xxx tyrauntz ful of1 cursednesse 1368

hadde slayn Phydon in athenes atte leste ]>ey comaunded his dou^tres to areste / And bryngen hem byforn hem in dispyt Al naked to fulfille here foule delyf 1372

And in here fadres blod Jjey made hem daunce vpon fe pament1 god jeue hem meschaunce ffor whiche )>ese woful maj^dens ful of1 drede / Rajjer Jjan Jjey wolde lese here maydenhede / 1376

j?ay pryuely ben stert1 in to a welle / And dreynt hemselue as J?e bookes tell They of1 mesue lete enquere and seke Of1 lacedemye .L. maydens eeke 1380

26 CORPUS 369 (6-1. 518)

SIX-TEXT 519

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

On which fey wolden don here leccherie

But1 was f er non of1 al fat companye /

fat1 sche nas slayn and wif a glad entent

Chese rafir for to dye fan for to assent1 1384

To ben oppressed of here maydenhede

Why schulde 1 f anne to deye ben in drede

lo eke f e tyraunt1 Anstoclydes

fat1 loued a mayde fat/ hight1 Symphalides 1388

Whan fat1 hir fader slayn was on a night/

vnto f e Dyanes temple gof sche anon right1 [leaf IGS, back]

hente f e ymage with hire armes tuo

ffro which ymage wolde sche neuere go 1392

No wight1 might1 of1 hit hir armes race

Til sche was slayn in f e selue place /

Now sef yns fat1 maydens hadde such despit/

To ben defouled wif mannes foul delyt1 1396

Wei aught1 a wyf* raf er hirself1 to sle/

fan ben defouled as f enkef me

fat1 schal I sayn of1 hasdrubaldes wyf1

That/ at1 kartage byraft1 hir self1 hir lyf1 1400

ffor whan sche sawh fat/ Romayns wan f e toun

Sche took1 hir children alle and swept1 a doun

In to f e fuyr and ches raf er to dye

fan eny Romeyn did hir vilanye 1404

haf nou^t1 lucres y-slayn hir self1 alias

At1 Rome fere sche oppressed was

Of1 Tarquyn for hir fought1 it1 was a schame /

To lyue whan fat1 sche had lost1 hire name / 1408

The viij. maydens of1 Milesye also /

han slayn hem self1 for drede and for wo

Raf ir fan folke of1 gaule scholde hem oppresse /

Mo fen a fousend stories as I gesse / 1412

Couf e I now telle as touchinge f is matere

Whan habradas was slayn his wyf1 so dere

hire self1 slough and let hir blood to glyde

In habradas woundes brode and wyde / 1416

CORPUS 370 (6-T. 519)

SIX-TEXT 520

GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And seyde my body at1 f e leste way

f er schal no wight1 defoule it if1 fat1 I may

"What1 schulde I mo ensamples her of1 sayn

Siffen fat1 so many han hemselue slayn 1420

Wei raf er fan fey wolde defouled be /

I wol conclude what1 is best1 for me

[to sle my selue / than be defouled thus [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14]

I wol be trewe / to Arueragus] 1424

Of ir rajjer sle my self1 in som nianere

As Demonicious doughter dere

By cause fat1 sche iiolde not1 defouled be /

0 Cedasus if is ful gret1 pite [leaf 189] 1428

To reden how f i doughtren deyeden alias

fat1 slowe hemself1 for such a maner caas

As gret1 appetyt1 was it1 or more

The Theban mayden fat1 for Mchasore 1432

[hir selue slowe / right for suche manere woo jj^f™11- Seldt

another Theban maiden dide right so]

hire hadde wedded and y-dressed [spurious]

ffor on of1 Macedoigne hadde hire oppressed 1435

fat1 schal I sayn of1 Mcharatiffs wijf1

fat1 for such cas byrafte hir self1 hir lyf1

how trewe was eek1 to alcebiades

his loue fat1 for to deyen chees 1440

fan for to suifren his body vmbreyde be

lo which a wyf1 was Alcestem qtiod sche

What1 Emore of1 good Penolope /

Al Grece knowef of1 hir chastite 1444

Pardee of1 leodomia is write f us

That1 when at1 Troye was slayn protheselayns

No lenger nolde sche lyue after his day

The same of1 noble Porcia I telle may 1448

Wif oute Brutus couf e sche not1 lyue

To whom he hadde al hoi his herte ^iue

The parfyt1 wyfhod of1 archemesy

honoured is f urgh al f e Barbary 1452

COKPUS 371 (6-T. 620"'

SIX-TEXT 521

GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

0 teuta queen in py wyfly chastite To alle wyfes may a myrour be

£ » . . no gap in the MS : these lines

/ r . . known only in Ellesmere MS.] 1456

pus playned Dorigen a day or tweye

Purposed euere pat1 sche wolde deye

But1 napeles vpon pe pridde night1

horn cam arneragus pe worpy knight 1460

And asked hire why pat1 sche weep so sore

And sche gan weepen euer lenger pe more

Alias quod sche pat1 euer was I born

Jms haue I seyd quod he Jms haue I sworn 1464

1 told him alle as 36 han herde bifore It1 needep nou^t/ to rehersen it nomore

This housbond wip glad cheere in sondry wise /

Answerd and sayde as I schal ^ou deuyse / [leafieo.baA]

Is per ought1 elles Dorigen but1 pis

Nay nay quod sche god help me so as wis

This is to meche and it were goddes wille

36 wyf1 quod he let1 slepe pat1 is stille 1472

It1 may be wel ^it1 peraduenture to say

^e schullen 3 our troupe holden by my fay

ffor god so wisly helpe me

I hadde wel leuere y-stiked for to be / 1476

ffor verray loue which pat I to 3ou haue

Eut if* 36 schulde 3oure troupe saue

Troupe is 36 heihesfr ping1 pat1 man may kepe

But wip pat word he brast1 anon to weepe / 1480

And sayde I 3ou forbede vp payne of1 dep

That neuer whiles pe lastep lyf1 and brep

To no wight1 telle how pat1 pis matere /

As I may kepe I wole my woo endere 1484

Ne make no oontynaunce of1 heuynesse

That folk1 of1 3ou may deme harme or gesse

And forp he cleped a squyer and a mayde

Gop forp anon wip Dorigen he sayde / 1488

CORPUS 372 -(6-T. 52l)

SIX-TEXT 522

GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And bringej? hire to such, a place anon

J>ey tooke her leue and on )>air way ]>ej gon

But1 J?ey ne wiste why sche ]?ider wente

he nolde no wight1 telle hire entente 1492

[[Not in Arch. Seld. B. 14. These lines known only

in the Ellesmere MS.}

1496

no gap in the

This squyer which J>att hight1 Aurelyus

On Dorigen which Jjat1 was so amerous 1500

Of1 aduenture happed hire to mete

Amyd J?e toun right1 in J?e quyke strete

As sche was boun to gon J>e wey for]? right

Toward ]>e gardyn ]?er as sche hadde night1 1504

And he was to J»e gardynward also

ffor wel he spyed whan sche wolde go

Out1 of1 hir hous to eny maner place

But1 Jms J>ey mette of1 auenture or of1 grace 1508

And he saluyj? hire wij? glad entenfr

And axed of1 hire whider Jmt1 sche wente / [leaf no]

And sche answerde half1 as sche were mad

viito fe gardyn as myw, housbonde bad 1512

My troujje for to holde alias alias

Aurelius gan wonder of1 jns caas

And in his herte had gret compassion

Of1 hire and of1 hire larnentacion 1516

And of1 Arneragus J>e worj>y knight1

And bad hire holde al J>af sche hight1

So loj) he was his wijf1 schulde breke hir troujje

And in his herte he caste of1 jjis gret1 roujje l C1 biota over e uter\

Considerynge )?e beste on euery syde /

That1 fro his luste were him better abyde

Than don so heigh a cherles wrecchednes

fraunchise and a^ein al gentilnes 1524

CORPUS 373 (6-T. 622)

SIX-TEXT 523

GROUP F, § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

ffor which in fewe wordes sayde he f us

Ma dame seijj to ^oure lord Arneragus

fat1 sef yns I se f is grete gentilnes /

To 3011 and ek1 1 se wel ^oure distres 1528

fen 36 to me fus schulde breke 301116 troupe 1530

Certes me finkef it1 were right1 gret1 roufe [spurious 1529]

I haue wel leuer ener to sufFre wo

fen I departe fe loue betwixe 3011 tuo 1532

I 3011 relesse ma dame in to ^oure hand

Quyte euery surement1 and euery band

That1 36 han made to me as here byforn

Sifens filke tyme that $e were born 1536

My trouf e I plight1 1 schal 3011 neuer repreue

Of1 no biheste and here I take my leue /

As of1 f e trewest1 and f e beste wyf1

fat1 euer 3it/ I knew in al my lyf1 1540

But1 euery wight1 be war of1 hire byheste

On Dorigen remembref atte leste /

Thus can a squier don a geiitil dede

As wel as can a knight1 wifouten drede 1544

Sche Ranked him vppon hir knees al bare

And home vnto hire housbonde is sche fare Deaf no, back]

And tolde hem alle as 36 han herde me sayde

And be 36 siker he was so wel a-payde / 1548

Jjat1 it1 were inpossible to write /

What1 schulde I lengere of1 J> is cas endite /

Arneragus and dorigeii his wijff1

In souerayn blisse leden for]? here lyff* 1552

Neuer eft1 ne was f er anger hem betwene

he cherisschej? hire as Jjough sche were a quene

And sche was to him trewe for euermore 1555

Aurelius Jjat1 his cost1 haj) al foiiore 1557

Curse Jr J?e tyme fat1 euer he was y-born 1558

ffor certes he seij> I am forlorn [spurious']

Alias quod he alias fat1 I behight1

Of1 pured gold a fousand pound of1 wight/ 1560

CORPUS 374 (6-T. 623)

SIX-TEXT 521

GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

vnto pis philosofre how sclial I do

I se no more "butt patt I am fordo /

Myn heritage moot* I needes selle

And ben a "beggere here may I no lenger dwelle 1564

And schamen al my kynrede in pis place

But1 1 of1 him may gete bettre grace /

[but natheles / I wol of him assaye [MS Arch. Seia. B. 14]

at certeyne dayes / yere bi yere to paye] 1568

I wole ponke him of1 his grete curtesye

My troupe wol I kepe I wol nou^tt lye

"Wip herte sore he go]? vnto his coffre

And broughte gold vnto his philosophre 1572

The value of1 .v. hundred pound I gesse

And him besechep of1 his gentilnesse

To g\*aunte him dayes of1 pe remenant

And maister I dar wel make auaunt 1576

I fayled neuer my troupe as ^it1

ifor sikerly my dettes schal be quyt

Towardes $ou how euer pat1 I fare

To gon abegged in my kirtel bare 1580

But1 wolde 36 fouche sauf1 vpon suerte

Two 3ere or pre to respiten me

penne were I wel for elles moste I selle /l

[myn heritage / ther is no more to telle

this Philosophre soburly answerde

and seide thus / whan he these wordes herde

haue I nat holden couenaunt / vn-to the

yis certes / wel & trewely / q?.wd he 1588

hast thow nat had thi lady / as the liketH

no no quod, he / & sorowfully he siketh

what was the cause / telle me if thou can

Aurelius his tale / anoon bigan 1592

and tolde him al / as ye han herde bifore

hit nedith nat / to rehersen it no more

he seide Arueragus / of gentilnesse

had leuer dien / in sorow & distresse 1596

CORPUS 376 (6-T. 624)

SIX-TEXT 525

GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

than liis wiff / were of hir trouthe fals [MS Arch. Seia. B. 14]

the sorow of Dorigen / he told him als

how loth hir was / to ben a wikked wiff

and that she leuere had that day lost hir liff 1600

and that hir trouthe she swore / thorugh innocence

she neuere erst herde speke / of apparence

that made me han of hir / so grete pite

and right as frely / as he sente hir to me 1604

as frely sente I hir / to him ageyne

this is al & som / ther is no more to seyne

this Philosophre answer de / leue brother [>a/262]

eueryche of yow dide gentilly / to other 1608

thow art a squyer / & he is a knyght

but god forbede / for his blisful myght

but if a Clerke / couthe do a gentil dede

as wel as any of yow / it is no drede 1612

sir I relece the / thi thousand pounde

as thow right now / were crope out of the grounde

ne neuere er now / ne haddist thow knowe me

for sir I wol nat taken / a peny of the 1616

for al my crafft / ne nought for my travaile

thow hast I-paide wel / for my vitaile

hit is I-now / & farewel haue good day

and toke his hors / & forth he goth his way 1620

lordinges this question / than wold I axe now

whiche was the most fre / as thenketfr yow

now telleth me / er that I ferther wende

I can no more / my tale is at an ende . 1624

Here enditfr the ffrankeleyne his tale] [Arch. seia. extr. ends]

CORPUS 376 (6-T. 625) [tliis page, Arch. Sold. B. 14]

GKOUP G. FEAGMENT VIII.

§ 1. THE SECOND NUN'S TALE. COKPTIS MS.

{No breaks in the Corpus

MS betaeen the ttangat^

TAnrl TIPY+ [Arch. Seld. B.

LA11C 14,^215]

bigynneth tlie seconde nonne hir tale. &c.

(1)

The ministre and noric'e / vn-to vices 1

which that men clepen / in englissli / Idelnesse that porter of the gate is / of delices

to eschewen / and bi hir contrarie to oppresse 4

that is to seyne / bi leoful besynesse wel oughte we to don / al oure entente lest that the fende / thorugh Idelnesse vs hente . 7

(2)

ffor he that with his thousand cordes slighe 8

contenuelly vs waiteth / to bi-clappe whan he may man/ in Idelnesse aspie he can so lightly cacche him / in his trappe 1 1

til that a man be hente / right bi the lappe he nys not ware / the fende hath him in honde wel oughte vs werche / and Idelnesse with-stonde . 1 4

(3)

And though men dradden neuere / for to die 15

yit se men wel bi reson / doutelese that Idelnesse is hoten / slogardie

of whiche cometh neuere / noon encrese 18

and sithen that slouth hir holdith in a lese only for to slepe / and ete and drynke and to devouron / al that other swynke \ieaf 215, back-] 21

CORPUS 377 (6-T. 527) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14] 27

SIX-TEXT 528 GROUP G, § 1, SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS.

IF And for to putten vs / from suche Idelnesse

that cause is / of so grete confusion

I haue here don / my feithful besynesse

after the legende / in translacion 25

right after thi glorious liff / and passion

thow with thi garland / wroughte of rose and lylye

the mene I / maide / and martir / scynt Cecelye . 28

(5)

IF And thow that floure art / of virgyiies alle 29

of whom that Bernard / list so wel to write to the at my bigynnyng / first I calle thow comforte of vs wrecches / do me endite 32

thi maidens deth / that was thorugh hir merito the eternal liff / and of the fende victorie as men mow after rede / in hir storie . 35

(6)

1F Thow maiden and moder/doughter of thi sone] j^Jj^fJJj Thou welle of* mercy synful soules cure [leaf 171]

In whom jjaf god for bounte chees to wone Thou humble and heih ouer Query creature 39

Thou nobledesf so ferre oure nature That* no desdeyn J?e makere hadde of1 kyiide his sone in blood and fleissch to clofe and wynde 42

1F "Wifinne J?e cloystre blisful of1 fine sydes 43

Took1 mannes schap J>e eterne loue and pees

That of1 J>e trine compas lord and gyde is

Whom erj>e and see and heuene out ofH reles 46

Ay herien and Jjou vtVgine wemmeles

Bare of11 j)y body and dwelledest/ mayde pure

The creatour of1 euery creature 49

COKPUS 378 (6-T. 628) [part, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

SIX-TEXT 529 QROUP GK § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CoipUS MS.

(8)

IT Assembled is in f i magnificence 50

"Wif mercy goodnesse and with such pite

fat1 f ou art1 f e sonne of* excellence

^sToi^tf only helpest1 hem fat1 pray en fe 53

But1 ofte tyme of1 fin benignite

tful frely er fat1 men fin helpe beseche

foil gost1 byforn and art1 here lyfes leche 56

(9)

IF Now help f ou meke and blisful faire mayde 57

Me flemyd wrecche in f is desert1 of1 galle Thenk1 on f e wowman Canane fat1 sayde That1 whelpes eten some of1 f e ctomm.es alle 60

fat1 from here lordes table ben y-falle And f ough fat I f e viiworf y sone of1 cue be synful 3 it1 accepte my byleeue 63

(10)

Aiid for fat1 feif is deed wif oute werkes 64

So for to worchen ^if1 me witte and space

fat1 I be quyf from place fat1 most1 derk1 is

0 f ou fat1 art1 so fair and so ful of1 grace 67

Be myn aduocate in so heih a place

Ther as wif outen ende is longe Osanna

Thou cristes moder and doughter of1 Anna 70

And of1 fin light1 my soule kepe in prison 71

That1 troubled is by f e contagioun

[of my body / & also hi the wighte [MS Arch. Seid. B. H]

of ertbely lust / & fals affeccion] 74

0 heuene o refute 0 saluacion [leaf 171, back]

Of1 hem fat1 ben in sorwe and in destresse /

Now help for vnto my werk1 1 wol me dresse, / 77

CORPUS 379 (6-T. 529)

SIX-TEXT 530 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS,

(12)

pray I 3011 J?af reden jjaf 1 write 78

uej) me for I do no diligence Jjis ilke story subtil to endite

ffor bope haue I J>e wordes and J)e sentence / 81

Of1 hem J?af atte seyntes reuerence / The story wroofr & solewen hir legende And pray I 3011 J>afr 36 woln my werk1 amende 84

(13) [THE TALE.]

ffersfr wolde I 3011 J?e name of1 seinfr Cecile 85

Expoune as men may in here stories se

If is to say on englissli heuene lylye

ffor pure chastnesse ofH virgiiiite / 88

0])er for sche witnesse hadde of1 honeste

Of* greue of* conscience and ofH good fame

The soote sauour lilye was hire name 91

(14)

OuJ>er Cecile is to say J)e way to blynde 92

ffor sche ensample was by good techynge

Or elles . Cecile is as I writen fynde

Is ioyned by a maner conioygnynge 95

Of1 heuen and lya and heiher in figuringe

The heuen is set1 for Bought1 of1 holynesse

And lya for hire lastyng^ busynesse / 98

(15)

Cecile may eek1 be sayd in Jns manere 99

"VVantynge of1 blyndnesse for hire grete light

Of* sapiens and for hir jjeAves clere

0|)er elles Jns maydenes name bright/ 102

Of* heuen and leos come]? for which "by right1

men mighte ]>e heuene of1 poeple hire calle

Ensample of1 goode and wise werkes alle 105

CORPUS 380 (6-T. 530)

SIX-TEXT 531 GROUP GK § 1, SECOND NUN*S TALE. Corpus MS.

(10)

ffor leos poeple in englisscli is to say 106

And right1 as men may in Jns lieuene se J?e sonne and moone and ]?e sterres euery way Right1 so gostly in J?is may den fre 109

Seyen ]?e feij? of1 magnificence

And ekyng1 of' helj)e and of1 sapience [leaf 172]

And sondry werkes bright1 of* excellence / 112

(17)

And right1 as )>is philosophres wryte 113

That1 heuen is swyft1 round and brynnyng1 Right1 <so was faire Cecile Jje whyte

fful swift1 and besy euer in good werkyng1 116

And round & hool in good perseueryng And brenne euere in charite lighte / Now haue I declared $ou what1 sche highte 119

(18)

This mayden bright1 Cecile as hire lyf1 saij? 120

Was comen of1 Eomayns and of1 noble kynde And so for]? fostred vp in ]>e faij)

Of1 crist1 and bar his gospel in hire mynde 123

Sche neuer cessede as I writen fynde Of1 hire prayere and god to loue and drede Besechinge him to kepe hire maydenhede / 126

(19)

And what1 Jus mayden schulde vnto a man 127

y-wedded be fat1 was ful 3ong< of1 age "Which J?at y-cleped was valerian

And ]?e day was comen of1 hire manage 1 30

Sche fil deuoute and humble /in hire corage Ynder hire robe of1 gold fat1 sat1 ful faire And next1 hire fleissh sche clad hire in an haire 133

CORPUS 381 (6-T. 631)

SIX-TEXT 532 • GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS,

(20)

And whiles fe Orgies maden melodye 134

To god allone fus in herte sang1 sche

O lord my soule and eek1 my body gye

Vnvvemmed lest1 fat1 I confoundid be 137

And for his loue fat1 deyde vpon a tre

Euery secounde or f ridde day sche faste

Ay byddyng1 in hire orisons ful faste 140

(21)

The night1 com and to bedde sche nioste gon 141

Wif hire hottsbonde as often is f e manere And pryuely sche sayde to him anon

0 swete and wel biloued spouse dere 144 Ther is a counseil and $e wolde it here /

Which fat1 right1 fayn I wol vnto ^ou sayn

So fat1 $e me assure it1 nought1 to bewrayn [ifi72,bk] 147

(22)

Valerian gan faste / vnto hire swere 148

That1 for no cas ne f ing1 fat1 mighte be

he scholde for no f ing1 neuer bywreyen hire

And fanne at1 erst1 fus to him sayde sche 151

1 haue an aungel which fat1 louef me

That1 wif gret1 loue whef e?- so I wake or slepe

Is redy ay my body for to kepe 154

(23)

And if1 fat1 he may felen out of1 drede 155

[that ye me touche / or loue in vilonye [MS Arch. Seia. B. 14]

he right anoon wol sle yow / with the dede

and in youre youthe / thus shul ye die 158

and if that ye / in clene loue me guye]

he wolde }ou loue as me for ^our clennesse

And schewe $ou of1 his ioye and his brightnesse 161

CORPUS 382 (6-T. 632)

SIX-TEXT 533 GROUP G. § 1, SECOND NUN*S TALE. CorpUS MS.

(24)

valerian corrected as god wokle 162

Answerde a3ein if1 1 schal truste to f e /

let* me fat1 aungel see and him biholde

And if1 fat it a verray aungel be 165

Thanne wol I don as f ou hast1 preyed me

And if1 f ou loue smoker man for sof e /

Eight1 wif ])is swerd I wol sle ^ou bofe 168

(25)

Cecily answerde anon in fis wise 169

If1 fat1 3ou luste fat1 aungel schul 36 se

So fat1 36 trowe on crist1 and $ou baptise

Go]) for]? to via apia quod sche 172

fat1 from. ])is toun ne stant1 by myles J>re /

And to £e pouere folkes fat1 fere dwelle /

Sey heni riglit1 fus as fat/ I schal 3011 telle / 175

(26)

Telle hem fat I Cecile 3011 to hem sent 176

To schewen 3ou f e goode vrban f e olde

ffor secre needes and fro good entenf

And whan fat1 36 seint vrban han byholde / 179

Telle him f e wordes wliiche fat1 I 3011 tolde /

And whan fat1 he haf purged 3ou from synne

fanne schal 30 see fat1 aungel er 30 twynne 182

(27)

Valerian is to fat1 place y-gon 183

And right1 as him was taught1 by his lernyng1

he fond f is holy Yrban f er anon

Among1 fese seyntes buriels lotying1 .i.iatitaws 186

And he anon wif oute tarying1 [leaf ITS]

Dide his message and whan he hadde tolde

Yrban for ioye gan his handes vpholde 1 89

CORPUS 383 (0-T. 633)

SIX-TEXT 534 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND KUN's TALE. CoipUS MS.

(28)

The teeres from his eyhen leet1 he falle / 190

Almighty god 0 Ihesu crist qiwd he

Sowere of1 chaste counseille and herde of1 vs alle

pe fruyt1 of1 pilke seed of1 chastite / 193

fat1 pou hast1 sowe in Cecile tak1 to pe

Lo y-like a busy bee wipoute gyle

The seruej) ay pin oughne pralle Cecile 196

(29)

IT ffor pilke spouse pat1 sclie tok1 but1 now / 197

fful like a fiers leon sche sendep heere /

As meke as eny lambe was to jow /

And wip pat1 word anon per gan apeere / 200

An olde man clad wip white elopes cleere

And hadde a book1 wip letfaea of1 gold in honde

And gan biforn Valerian to stonde 203

(30)

Valerian as deed fel doun for drede 204

"Whan he him saugh and him vp hente po And on his book1 right1 pus he gan to rede /

0 lord o feip o god wipoute mo1 J£t lamentat1 207

n f • , ^ i P i ^11 [is the next line\

Or cristendom and iader or al also

Abouen alle and oner alle euery where

This wordes alle with golde writen were / 210

(31)

"Whan pis was rad pan sayde pis olde man 211

leeuest1 pou pis ping1 or no sey ^e or nay

1 leeue alle pis ping1 pan pis [quod tho Valerian gg ^"^ for sother thing than this /] I dar wel say 214 Vnder pe heuene no wight/ ne penke may

po vanyssched pe olde man he nyste where

And pope vrban him cristned right1 pere 217

COKPUS 38-1 (6-T. 634)

SIX-TEXT 535 GROUP G. § 1, SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS.

(32)

Valerian go]? horn and seinfr Cecile 218

Wijjinne his chambre an aungel stande

J>is aungel hadde of1 Rose and of1 lylie

Corounes tuo J?e which he bar in hande 221

And fersf to Cecile as I vnderstande /

he ^af1 Jjatf oon and after gan he take Deaf 173, back]

J>at( ofer to Valerian hire make 224

(33)

With body clene and wij> vnwemmyd Jjot^t / 225

kepejj ay wel J>is corounes quod, he

firom paradys to ^ou haue I hem brou^t1

Ke neuer more schiille )>ey roten be 228

U Ne leese here swete sauour trustej? me

JSTe neuere wight1 schal seen hem wij> his yhe

But1 he be chaste and hate vilonye / 231

(34)

And |>ou valerian for J>ou so sone 232

Assentedest1 to good counseil also

Sey what1 j?e luste and J>ou schalf haue J?y bone /

I haue a broker quod valerian Ipo 235

J>af in ])is world I loue no man so

I pray $ou Jjatf my broker may han grace

To knowe fe troufe as I do in J>is [place] 238

(35)

The aungel answerde god like]) ^oure requeste 239

And boj>e with )?e palme of1 martirdome

30 schulle come vnto Jje blisful feste

And wif Jjat1 word Tiburce his broker come 242

And whan pat* he ]?e sauour vndernome

"Which J?af j?e roses and j?e lylies caste /

W i)?inne his herte he gan to wondre faste / 245

CORPUS 385 (6-T. 635)

SIX-TEXT 536 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN*S TALE. CoipUS MS.

(36)

And seyde in fis tyme I wondre of1 fe ^eere 246

Whenne fis swote sauour come]? so /

And Rosis and lilyes fat1 I smelle heere

ffor fough I hadde hem in myn hondes tuo 249

The sauour might in me no deppere go

f 3 swete smelle fat1 in myn herte I fynde

ha]? chaunged me al in anofer kinde 252

(37)

valerian sayde tuo corounes han we 253

Snow whit1 and Rose Reed fat1 schynef cleere

Which fat1 fin yhe haf no might* to see

And as fou smellest1 hem forugh my preyere 256

So schalt1 jjou seen hem leeue broker deere

If1 it/ so be fat1 fou wolf wif outen slouf e

Bileeue aright1 and knowe verray troufe [leaf 174] 259

(38)

Tiburce answerde saist1 fou fis to me 260

In sofnesse or in drem herkne ^e fis

In dremes (\iiod valerian han we be

vnto fis tyme broker myn y-wys 263

But1 now at1 erste oure troufe dwellyng1 is

how wost1 J>ou quod Tiburce and in what1 wyse /

Quod valerian fat1 1 schal fe deuyse / 266

(39)

J?e aungel of1 god haf me fe troufe y-taught 267

Which thou schalt1 seen if1 fat1 f ou wolt1 reneye

f e ydolis and be clene and elles naught1

And of1 fe miracles of1 fise corounes tweye 270

Seint1 ambrose in his preface lust to seye

Solempnely f is noble doctor deere

Comendif it/ and saif in fis maneere 273

CORPUS 386 (6-T. 636)

SIX-TEXT 537 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CoipUS MS.

(40)

The palme of1 martirdom for to receyue 274

Seint1 Cecile fulfilde of1 goddes ^ifte

f e worlde and eek1 hire chambre gan sche weyue

Witnesse Tiburce and Cecyles schrifte/ 277

To which god of1 his bounte wolde schifte

Corounes two of1 floures wel smellynge /

And made f e aungel hem f o corounes brynge 280

(41)

IT fe mayde haf brought fise men to blisse aboue 281

The world haf wist1 what1 it1 is worf certeyn

Deuocion of1 chastite to loue

f o schewed him Cecile open and pleyn 284

That1 alle ydolis nys but1 f ing1 in veyn

ffor fey ben dombe and f er-to fey ben deue

And charged him his ydolis for to leue 287

(42)

If Who fat1 fis trowef not1 a beste he is / 288

Quod }>o Tiburce if1 jjat1 I schal not1 lye

Sche gan ]?anne kisse his breste and fat herde )>is

And was ful glad he coufe troupe aspye 291

This day take fe for myii allye

Seyde fis blisful mayde fair and deere

ffor after fat1 sche sayde as ^e may heere 294

(43)

Lo right1 so fe loue of1 crist1 quod sche [leaf 174, back] 295

made me fin brof eres wyf1 right1 in fat1 wyse

Anoon for myn allye here take I f e

Sif enes fat1 f ou wolt1 fine ydolis despise C1 #»* spilt over thepaffe]

Go with |?y brof e?* now and f e baptise /

And make J>e clene so fat1 f ou mayst1 beholde

fe aungels face of1 which fy brofer tolde 301

CORPUS 387 (6-T. 537)

SIX-TEXT 538 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

(44)

Tiburce aiiswerde and seyde broker deere 302

fferst telle me whider I schal and to what man

To whom quod he com for]) with right good cheere

I wol J>e lede vnto J>e pope vrban 305

To Yrban broker myn Valerian

Quo]? J)o Tiburce wilt1 J)ou me fider lede

Me J>inkeJ> J)afr it were a wonder dede 308.

(45)

IT Remenest J>ou nou}^ vrban quod he J>o 309

That is so ofte dampned to be deed

And wone]> in halkes to & fro /

And dar nou^t1 ones putte for]) his -heed 312

Men schulle him brenne in a fir so reed

If* ])at he were founde if1 fat men might1 him spye

And we also fafr bere him company e 315

(46)

And whiles we seken J)ilke diuinyte 316

J>at is y-hyd in heuene priuely

Algate y-brent in pis world schul we be

To whom Cecile answerde bodyly 319

Men mighte drede wel and skilfully

J)is lyf1 to lese myw owne deere broker

yif1 J)is were lyuynge oonly and non o])er 322

(47)

But* ))er is bettere lyf* in o])er place 323

)>at neuer schal be lost ne drede J>e nought*

"Which goddes sone vs tolde forugh hi8 grace

[that the- fadris sone / hath al thing wrought CMS Arch^ Seid.

and al tnat wrought is / with a skilful thought

the goost that from the fader / gan precede

hath souled hem / withouten eny drede . 329

CORPUS 388 (6-T. 538)

SIX-TEXT 539 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'tt TALE. Corpus MS.

(48)

5F By worde & bi myracle / godis sone [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14]

whan lie was in this world / declared here

that ther was other liff / there' men may wone

to whom answerde Tyburce / 0 suster dere 333

ne seidist thow right now / in this manere

ther nas but 0 god / lord in sothfastnesse

and now of thre / how maist thow bere witnesse . 336

(49)

1T That shal I telle quod, she or that I go] ££^;^-B- M

Bight1 as a man haj> sapiences Jjre /

Memorie Ingenie and Intellecte also

So in o beynge of1 diuynite / 340

Thre pe/'sones right1 wel J>er may be

Tho gan sche him besyliche preche /

Of1 cristes come, and of1 his peynes teche [leaf 175] 343

(50)

And many poyntes of* his passion 344

how goddes sone in J?is world was wipholde

To do mankynde pleyn remission

That1 was y-bounde in synne and cares colde 347

Al J?is ping1 sche vnto Tiburce tolde

And after J)is Tiburce in good entent

To pope vrban wij? Valerian he went 350

(51)

which Ranked god and wij? glad herte & light1 35 1

he cristned him and made him in ]>at place

Parfyt1 in his lyuynge goddes knight1

And after ]>is Tiburce gat such grace 354

Jjatf euery day he seyh in tyme and space

fe aungel of1 god and euery maner bone

Jjaf he god asked if was sped fui sone 357

COKPUS 389 (6-T. &39)

SIX-TEXT 540 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CoipUS MS.

(52)

IF It1 were ful hard by ordre for to seyn 358

how many wondres ihesu for him wro^t1

But1 atte laste to telle schort1 and pleyn)

fe sergeaunt1 of1 fe toun of1 Eonie hem sought1 361

And hem byforn Almache f e prouost1 brought1

Which hem opposede and knew al here ententt

And to fe ymage of1 lubiter he hem sent / 364

(53)

And sayde who so wol not1 Sacrifise 365

Swap of1 his heed f is is my sentence heere /

Anon f ise martires fat1 1 $ou deuyse /

On Maximius fat1 was an ofncere / 368

Of1 f e Prefectis and of1 Corniculere

hem hente and when he for]) f e seintes ledde

himself1 he weep for pite fat1 he hadde 371

(54)

f Whan maximine hadde herde fe seintes lore / 372

he gat1 hem of1 f e tormentoures leue /

And hadde hem in his hous wif oute more

And wif here prechyng1 er fat1 it/ were eue 375

fey gonne from f e tormentowrs to reue /

And from Maximitf* and from his folk1 ilkon

fe false feif to trowe in god allon 378

(55)

Cecile cam whan it1 was woxen night1 [leaf 175. back] 370

Wif prestes fat1 hem cristned alle in feere

And aftirward . whan day was waxen light

Cecile hem sayde wif a sobre chere 382

Now cristes owne knightes leeue and deere

Castef alle a wey f e werkes of1 derknesse /

And armef 3011 in armure of1 lightriesse 385

CORPUS 390 (6-T. 510)

SIX-TEXT 541 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN's TALE. CorpUS MS.

(56)

^e han forsope ydon grete "bataiLe 386

^oure is doon ^oure feip han ^e conserued

Gop to pe coroune of* lyf1 pat1 may noi^tt faille

pe rightful luge which pat1 36 han [served Wf ^^ 389

shal yeue hit yow / as ye han it] deserued

And whan pis ping1 was sayd as I deuyse

men ladde hem forth to don pe sacrifise / 392

(57)

But1 whan pey were vnto pe place y-brou^t / 393

To telle schortly pe conclusion

fey nolde encense no sacrifice right no^t1

But1 on here knees fey setten hem adoun 396

Wip humble herte and sad deuocion

And losten bofe here hedes in f e place

here soules wenten to f e kyng1 of1 grac6 399

(58)

This maximius faf say pis ping1 betyde / 400

Wip pitous tales tolde it/ anon right1

pat1 he here soules saugh to heuen glyde

With aungels ful of1 clernes and of1 light1 403

And wip his word conuerted many a wight1

ffor which Almachus dede him so to bete

Wip whippe of1 leed til he his lyf1 gan lete / 406

(59)

Cecile him took1 and buried him anon 407

By Tyburce and Valerian softely

Wipinne hire heryinge place vnder pe ston

And after pis Almachius hastily 410

Bad his mynistres fecchen openly

Cecile so sche mighte in his presence

Do sacrifice and lubiter encense 413

CORPUS 391 (6-T. 541)

SIX-TEXT 542 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS.

(60)

But fey conuertid forugfi. hire wise lore 414

"Wepteii sore and ^auen credence /

Vnto hire word and cry den more and more [leame]

Crist1 goddes sone wifouten difference 417

his verray god f is is alle oure sentence

fat1 haf so good a seruant1 him to seme

f u& wij) oo vois we trowe f ey$ we sterue 420

(61)

Almachius fat herde al f is speking* 421

Bad fecche Cecile fat1 he might1 hir se

And alf er first1 lo f is was his askyng1

What1 maner wowman artow f o quod he / 424

I am a gentil woraman born quod sche /

I aske quod he f ou$ it f e greue

Of1 fin rdigion and of1 Jnn byleeue 427

(62)

"VVhi )>aniie bygan ^oure question folily 428

Q^;<9d sche jjat1 woldest1 tuo answers conclude /

In oo demaunde ^e askide lewedly

Almachie answerde to fat1 similitude / 431

[of whens cometh thin answere / so Tude] [MS Arch. Seid. B. 141

Of1 wheraies quod sche . whan fat1 sche was refreyned

Of1 conscience and of good feij) vnfeyned 434

(C3)

Almachius sayde takest1 fou non heede / 435

Of1 fin answere and sche him answerde Jms

3oure might1 quod sche litel is to drede /

ffor euery mortel mannes power nys 438

But1 y-like a bladdre ful of1 wynd y-wys /

fFor wif a neldis poynt/ when fat1 is blo\ve

may al f e bost1 of1 it1 be leyd ful lowe / 441

CORPUS 392 (6-T. 542)

SIX-TEXT 543 GROUP G, § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS.

(64)

fful wrongfully bigan ]?ou quod he 442

And 31^ in wrong* is j?in perseuerance

Wost1 ]>ou nou^t1 how oure mighty pn'nces fre

Ben Jms comawndid and maken ordinannce 445

That euery cristne wight1 schal han pena7^nce

But1 if* pat1 he his cristendom wij>-seye

And gon al quyt1 if1 he wol it1 receyue 448

(65)

1T 3oure princes erren as ^oure noblen dotfi 449

Quod po Cecile / and a wood sentence

$e make vs gulty and it nys nou3t so])

ffor 30 pat1 knowen wel oure Innocence 452

ffor as moche as we don a reuerence [leaf 176, backj

To crist1 . and for we here a cristene name

^e putte on vs a cryme and eek1 a blame 455

(66)

But1 we pat1 knowen pilke name so 456

ifor vertuous we may it1 not1 say

Almachie answerde chese on of1 jjise tuo

Do sacrifice or cristendom reneyne 459

pat1 J>ou mow now skapen by pat1 wey

At1 which j?e holy blisful mayde

gan for to laughe and to ]>e luge sche sayde 462

(67)

0 luge confuse in J>y nycete 463

"Wolt1 jjou pat1 1 reneye Innocence /

To make me a wicked wight1 quod sche

loo he dissimilej) here in audience / 466

he stare]? and AvoodeJ) in his aduertence

To whom almachius 0 Vnseely wrecche /

Ne wost1 J?ou nought1 how fer my might1 may strecche 469

28 CORPUS 393 (6-T. 543)

SIX-TEXT 544 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS.

(68)

hap nought1 oure mighty prince to me y-^ouen 470

^e bope power and auctorite /

To make folk1 to deyen and to lyuen

Why spekest* pou so proudly penne to me 473

I ne speke if nou^t* but1 stedefastly quod sche /

Nought* proudly for I say as for my syde

I hate dedly Jjilke vice of1 pryde 476

(69)

IT And if* pou drede no^tt a sop to heere 477

pan wol I schewen al openly by right*

That* pou hast/ maad a ful gret* lesyng* heere

pou sayst* py princes han ^eue pe might* 480

Bope to sleen and eek* for to quike a wight*

pou ])at* ne mayst* but* oonly lyf* here byreue

pan nast* perto neyper power ne leeue 483

(70)

But* pou mayst* see fin princes han pe maked 484

Ministre of* dep for if* pou speke of* mo /

pou lyest* for py power is ful naked

Do wey py boldenesse/ seyde almachius po 487

And sacrifice to oure goddes or two [leaf 177]

I ne recche nou^tt what* wrang* pat* pou me profre - .

ffor I can suffre it* as a philosophre 490

(71)

But* pilke wronges may I nought* endure 491

pat* pou spekest* of* oure goddes here quod he /

Cecile answerde 0 nyce creature

pou saydesf no word syns pou speeke to me 494

pat* I ne knewe perwith py nycete

And pat* pou were in euery maner wyse /

A lewed officer and a vein lustise 497

COEPUS 394 (6-T. 544)

SIX-TEXT 545 GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN S TALE. CorpUS MS,

(72)

Jjer lackejj noting1 to |>in vtter ylien 498

Jjat1 J?ou nart1 blynd for Jjing1 Jjat we seen alle

That1 is a ston yt1 men wel may aspyen

That like ston a god Jjou wilt1 it calle 501

I rede J>e let1 ]>in hond vpon it1 falle

And taste it1 wel and stoon J>ou schalt* it fynde /

Syns Jjatf )>ou sixt1 it nought1 wij? pin y^en blynde / 504

(73)

It is a schame pat1 J?e poeple schatt 505

So skorne Jje and lawhe at1 }>y folye /

ffor comunely wommen woot1 it wel oner al

jjat1 mighty god is in his heuene8 hihe 508

And J>ese ymages wel J>anne maysf Jjou aspye

To J?e ne to hemself1 may ]?ey not1 profyte

ffor in here effecte J?ey be not1 worj) a myte 511

(74)

J)is and such olper wordes seyde sche / 512

and he wax wroj? and bad j)ey schulde hire lede /

home to hire hous and in hire hous quod he

Brenne hire in a fire wi]> fla?ftmes reede 515

And as he bad right1 so was don in dede

And in a bathe Jiey gan hire faste scheten

And night1 and day gret1 fuyr vnder Jjey beetyn 518

(75)

Al J>e longe night1 and eek1 ]?e day also / 519

ffor alle J>e fuyr and eek1 J?e ba]?es hete /

Sche satte al colde and felt1 of1 it/ no wo

Ne made hire a drop nou^t1 for to swete / 522

But1 in jjat1 baj>e hire lyf1 sche moste lete /

ffor he Almachie wij? ful wikked entenf [leaf 177, back]

To slen hure in pe bath his sonde sent 525

CORPUS 395 (6-T. 54o)

SIX-TEXT 546 GROUP G. § 1, SECOND NUN's TALE. Corpus MS,

(76)

J?re strokes in Jje necke lie smot1 hire J?o 526

The tormentowr but* for no maner chaunce he might1 not1 smyten al hire necke a tuo And for per was Jmf tyme an ordynaunce 529

That no man scholde do man such penance J>e ferjje strook1 to smyten softe or sore [>is tormentowr ne durste nomore 532

(77)

But1 half* ded wij? hire necke koruen fere / 533

he laft1 hir lye and in his wey he went1 J>e cristne folke whiche abouten hire were / "Wi)> scheetes home ful faire hire hent1 536

Jjre dayes lyued sche in jjis torment And neuer cessed hem J?e feij? to teche J>att sche hadde fostred hem sche gan to preche 539

(78)

AncUhem sche ^aff1 hire moebles and hire Jnng1 540

And to \>Q pope vrban bitok1 hem J>o / And sayde Jjus I askede Jjis of1 heuen king1 To haue respyf J?re dayes and no mo / 543

To recomande to 3011 er jjatt I go f ise soules lo and jjat1 1 rnighte do wirche here of* myn hous perpetuelliche a chirche 546

(79)

Seint vrban wif his deaknes priuely 547

The body fette and buried it by nighte Among1 his ojjere seintes honestely

hire hous J>e chirche of1 seinfr Cecile highte 550

Seynt1 vrban halwed it1 as he wel mighte In j>e which in to J?is day in noble wyse / Men don to cryst1 and to his seintz semise 553

H Here endej) Seinf Ceoiles Tale /

CORPUS 396 (6-T. 546)

SIX-TEXT 547 GROUP G, § 2. 2NDNUN-CAN.-TEOMAN LINK. CoipUS MS.

w

\onieafvn, back] ^ Hie1 incipit1 fabula Canonic! 'han ended was f e lyf1 of* seint1 Cecile Er we fully hadde ryden fyue myle At1 Boghton vnder f e blee . vs gan atake / A man fat1 clofed was in clones blake 557 And vnder fat1 he hadde a whit1 surplys

his hakeney fat1 was al pomel grys [leaf 1 78]

So swette fat1 it1 wonder was to see

If semed he hadde priked myles fre 561

f e hors eek1 fat1 his ^oman rood vpon

So swette fat1 vnnef e mighte he gon

Aboute f e peytrel stood f e foom ful hi3e

he was of1 fome al flekked as a pye % 565

A male twyfold on his croper lay

It1 semed fafr he caryed lytel aray

Al light1 for somer rood fis worfy man

And in myn herte wondren I bygan 569

What1 fat1 he was til fat1 1 vnderstood

how fat1 his cloke was sewed to his hood

ffor which whan I longe hadde avised me /

I demed him som chanon for to be / 573

his hat1 hyng1 at1 his bak1 doun by a las /

ffor he hadde ryde more fan trot1 or pas /

he hadde ay priked lyk1 as he were wood

A clote leef1 he hadde vnder his hood 577

ffor swot1 and for to kepe his heed from hete

But1 it/ was ioye for to seen him swete /

his forhed dropped as a stillatorie

Were ful of1 plaunteyne and of* peritorie 581

CORPUS 397 (6-T. 647)

SIX-TEXT 548 GROUP G. § 2, 2ND NUN-CAN.-TEOMAN LINK. CoipUS MS.

And whan j>afr lie cam he bigan to crye 582

God saue quod he jjis loly companye

ffaste haue I priked quod he for ^oure sake

By cause pat1 1 wolde ^ou ouertake / 585

To ryden in }>is merye companye

His 3oman eek1 was ful of1 curtesye

And sires now in J?e morwe tyde /

-Out1 of1 3oure ostellerye I say3 ^ou ryde 589

And warned heer my lord and my souerayn

Which Jjat1 to ryde wij? ^ou is ful fayn

ifor his disport1 he louej) daliaunce

ifrend for J>y warnyng1 god ^iue J?e good chaunce 593

Sayde cure oost1 certes it1 wolde seeme /

Thy lord were wys and so I may wel deme / [leaf 178, back]

he is ful iocunde also dar I lay

Kan he ought1 telle a merye tale or tway 597

WiJ? which he glade may Jns companye

Who sire . my lord '. 36 36 wijjoute lye

he can of merjje and eek1 of1 lolite

Nought1 but1 ynough also sire trustej? to me 601

And 36 him knewe als wel as do I

30 wolde wondre how wel and Jjriftyly

he couj>e werke and jrnt1 in sondry wyse

he haj) take on him many sondry aprise ' 605

Which were ful hard for eny Jmt1 is heere /

To bringe aboute but1 Jjey of1 him it1 lere /

As homely as he ryt1 amoiiges ^ou

If1 ^e him knewe it1 wolde be 3oure prow / 609

36 nolde not1 forgon his aqueintance

ffor mochil good I dar leye in balance

Al Jjat1 1 haue my possession

he is a man of1 heigh discrecion 613

I warne ^ou wel he is a passynge man

Wel quo)) oure host1 1 pray ]?e telle me jjan

Is he a Clerk1 or noon telle what1 he is

JSTay he is gretter jjan a clerk1 y-wys 617

CORPUS 398 (6-T. 648)

SIX-TEXT 549 GROUP G, § 2. 2ND NUN-CAN.-YEOMAN LINK. CorpUS MS.

Seyde 36 3oman and in wordes fewe 618

Ost1 and of his craft1 somwhat1 I wol ^ou schewe I say my lord can such a sotilte

But1 alle his crafte 30 may not1 wite at1 me 621

And somwhat1 helpe I yti to his worchinge That1 al f is ground which fat1 we ben on rydynge Til fat1 we come to Caunturbury toun he coufe al clene turne it/ vp se doun) 625

And paue it1 al of1 siluer and of1 gold And whan f is 3oman hadde f us y-told vnto oure hoost1 // he seyde benedicite fis fing1 is wonder merueylous to me 629

Sif ens fat1 f i lord is of1 so heigh prudence / By cause of1 which men scholde him reuerence / Deaf 179] That1 of1 his worschipe rekkef he so lyte his ouer sloppe / nys no^fr worj) a myte / 633

As in effecte to him so mote I go It1 is al baudy and to-tore also "VVhi is fi lord so sluttissche I f e prey And is of1 power better clones to bey 637

If* fat1 his dede acorde wif ]>y speche Telle me Jjat and fat1 1 J?e byseche / Why quod J>is 3eman wherto aske 36 me / God help me so for he schal neuer y-the 641

But1 1 wol not1 avowe J>afr I say And ferfore kepe it secre I 3ou pray he is to wys in faij> as I bileeue

And fat1 is ouer doon it1 nyl not1 preue 645

And right1 as clerkes sein if is a vice / Wherfore in fat1 1 holde him lewed and nyce ffor whan a ma[n] haf ouer gret1 a witt fiul often it happef to mysvsen it1 649

So dof my lord and fat me greuef sore God it* amende I can seye now no more Ther-of1 no fors goode 3oman quod oure hoost1 Sif ens of1 f e connyng1 of f y lord f ou woost 653

CORPUS 399 (6-T. 549)

SIX-TEXT 550 GROUP G. § 2, 2ND NUN-CAN. -YEOMAN LINK. CoipUS MS.

Telle how he do]) I pray J>e hertely 654

Sifens fat1 he is so crafty and so sly

Wher dwellen ^e if1 to telle be

In Subarbes of1 a toun quod, he 657

lurkyng1 in hernes and in lanes blynde

Where J>ise Robbers and feeues be kynde

holden here preuy ferful resydence

As fay fat1 dur nat1 schewe here presence 661

So fare we if* I schal saye f e sof e

3if quod oure hoste laf me talke tof e

Why art1 f ou discoloured on f y face

Peter quod he god ^iue hit* harde grace 665

I am so vsed in f e fyre to blowe

That1 it hajj chaunged my colour as I trowe [leaf 179, back]

I nam nat1 wont1 in myrour to prye

But1 swynke sore and lerne to multiplye 669

We bloundren euer and pouren in f e fyr

And for al fat1 we faillen of1 oure desir

ffor euer we lacken oure conclusion

To moche folk* we ben but1 Illusion 673

And borwe gold be it1 a pound or tuo

Or ten or twelue or manye sommes mo

And make hem wenen atte leste weye

fat1 of1 a pound we cou]?e make tweye 677

3if is it1 fals and ay we han good hope

It1 for to don and after it1 we grope

.But1 jjat1 science is «o fer vs biforn

We mowe not1 al jjough" we hadde it1 sworn 681

It1 ouertake it1 1 slyt1 awey so faste [' a second it tcratcht out]

It1 wole us make beggeres atte laste

Whil J?is ^oman was ]ms in Jns talking1

J>is chanon drough him ner and herde alle Jnng1 G85

Which Jjat1 J?is pman spak1 for suspecion

Of1 mennes speche euere hadde J>is Chanon

ffor Caton seith he fat1 gulty is

DemeJ) alle fing1 be spoke of1 him ywys 689

CORPUS 400 (6-T. 550)

SIX-TEXT 551 GROUP G, § 2. 2ND NUN-OAN. -YEOMAN LINK. Corpus MS.

By cause of1 pat1 he gan so neigh to drawe / 690

his 3oman . pat1 he herde alle his sawe /

And pus he sayde vnto his ^oman po

holde now py pees and speke wordes no mo / 693

fibr if1 pou dost1 pou schalt1 it dere abye

Thou sclaundrest1 me here in pis compaignye

And eek1 discouerest1 pat1 pou scholdest1 hyde

$ee quod oure hoost1 telle on what1 so betyde 697

Of1 alle pis pretyng1 recche I nat1 a myte

I faip quod he no more do I but* a lite

And whan J)is Chanon say it1 wolde iiafr be

But1 his ^oman wolde telle his priuyte 701

he fledde away for verray sorwe and schame /

A quod ]>e ^oman here schal aryse a game [leafiso]

Al J>att I can anon right/ wol I telle

Sijjens he is gon J>e foule feend him quelle / 705

ffor neuer her after wol I wij> him mete

ffor peny ne for pound I ^ou biheete /

he paf me broughte ferst1 vnto pat game /

Er ]?af he deye sorwe haue he and schame 709

ffor it1 is ernestf to me by my fay])

That1 feele I wel what so eny man saij? /

And ^if for al my smert1 and al my greef1

ffor al my sorwe labour and mescheef1 713

I coupe neuer leue it in no* wyse

Now wolde god my witt/ mighte suffise

To tellen al pat1 longej) to pat art1

But1 napeles ^it1 wol I telle a part1 717

Sypens pat1 my lord is gon I wol not1 spare

Such ping1 as I knowe I wol declare /

I No break in the MS.~\

CORPUS 401 (e-T. 551)

SIX-TEXT 552

GROUP G, § 3, CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

[THE PREAMBLE.]

With J>is chanon dwelled haue I seuen And of1 his science am I neuer J>e neer 721

Al pat1 1 hadde I haue y-losf Jjerby And god wot1 so haue many mo J?an I J?er I was wont1 to be right1 freissch and gay Of1 closing1 and of1 good array 725

Now may I were an hose vpon myn heed And wher my colour was bo]>e freissh and reed Now is it1 wan and of1 a ledene hewe

Who so it vseth sore schal he re we 729

And of my swynk1 ^it1 blered is myn y^e lo which auauntage it is to multiplye That1 slydynge science haj? me maad so bare That1 I haue no good where jjat1 euer I fare 733

And ^it1 1 am endetted so J?er by

Of1 gold fat/ I haue borwed trewely

Jjat1 whil I lyue I schal it1 quite neuere /

lat1 euery man be war by me for euere 737

What maner man J?at caste]) him J?erto

If1 he continue I holde his Jjrifte y-do [leaf iso, back]

So help me god per-by schal he not1 wynne

But1 empte his purs and make his wittes ]>inne 741

And whan he porugh his madnesse and folye

haj> lost1 his owne good jjorugh lepardye

jjanne he excite]? oj>er men ferto

To lese here good as himself1 ha]> do 745

ffor vnto schrewes loye it is and ese

To haue here felawes in peyne and disese

CORPUS 402 (6-T. 652)

SIX-TEXT 553

GROUP G. § 3, CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

Thus was I ones lerned of1 a clerk1

Of* fat1 no charge Iwol speke of* oure werk1 749

Whan we ben ]?ere as we schulle exercise

Oure eluysshe craft1 f we semen wonder wise

Oure termes ben so clergeal and so queynte

I bio we J>e fuyr . til f af myn herte feynte 753

What1 scholde I telle eche proporcion

Of1 Binges whiche pat1 we worchen vppon

As on fyue or sixe vnces may wel be

Of1 siluer or of1 som oper quantite 757

And besye me to telle ^ou J>e names

Of1 Opymenf brent1 bones yren squames

Thaf in to poudre grounden ben ful smal

And in an erfen pot1 how J?at put1 is al 761

And salt1 y-put1 in and also paupere

Bifore ]>ise poudres J>af I speke of1 here

And wel y-couered wi]> a laumpe of* glas

And of1 muche ofer ping1 what1 fat1 f er was 765

And of1 f e pot* and glas englutyng1

That1 of1 f e aier mighte passe no fing»

And of1 f e esy fyr and smert1 also

Which Jmf was mad and of1 ]?e care and wo 769

Jjat1 we hadde in oure matiers sublymynge

And amalgamynge and Calcenynge

Of1 quyk1 syluer y-cleped mercurie crude

ffor alle oure sleightes we can nou^t conclude 773

Oure orpymed and sublimed mercurie

Oure grounde litarge eek1 on ]?e porphirie [leafisi]

Of1 ech of1 ])ise of vnces a certayn

Nou^t1 helpef vs oure labour is in vain 777

Ne-eek* oure spirites ascenciown

JSTe eek1 oure matieres fat1 lyn al fixe a do/m

Mowen in oure werkynge no Jnng1 vs auayle

ffor lost1 is alle oure labour and trauaile 781

And al ]>e cost1 on twenty deuele wey

Is lost1 also which we vpon it1 ley

CORPUS 403 (6-T. 553)

SIX-TEXT 554

GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

]?er is also many anojjer J?ing/

J?att is to oure crafte aperteynyng1 785

J>ough I by ordre hem here ne reherse can

By cause Jjat1 I am a lewed man

rjit1 wol I telle hem as ]>ey come to mynde

Though I ne kan nat1 sette hem in here kynde 189

As boole armonyak1 verdegres Boras

And soiidry vesseles made of1 erjje and glas

Oure vrinales and oure descensories

Violes creseletes and sublimatories 793

Concurbites and Alembykes eeke

And o]>er swiche deere ynough a leeke

Nat1 needej? it/ to rehersen hem alle

"Wateres Rubysynge and boles galle 797

Arsynek1 Sal armonyak1 and Brymston

And herbes coujje I telle eek1 many oon

As Egrymoyne Valerian and lunarie

And ojjer suche if1 pat1 me luste tarie 801

Oure laumpes brennyng1 bo]?e night1 and day

To bringe aboute oure craft1 if1 J?af we may

Oure fornays eke of1 Calcynacion

And of1 watres albyncacion 805

vnslekked lyin chalk1 and glaire of* an ey

Poudres dyuers aisshes dong1 pisse and cley

Seryd pokettes Sal petre and vitriole

And diuerse fyres made of1 woode and cole 809

Salt1 tartre Alcaly and Salt1 preparat

And combust1 matieres and coagulat [leaf i si, back]

Cley maad wij? horses or mannes heer and oyle

Of1 tartre alym glas berme wort1 and argoyle 813

Rysalgar and ojjer matieres enbykynge

And eek1 of1 oure matieres encorporynge

And eek1 of1 Siluer Citrynacion

Oure sementynge and fermentacion 817

Oure Ingotes testes and many mo

I wol }ou telle as was me taught1 also /

CORPUS 404 (6-T. 564)

SIX-TEXT 555

GROUP G. § 3, GAEL-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS,

J>e foure spirites and J>e bodyes seuene /

By ordre ofte as I herde my lord neuene 821

The fyfte spirit quyk1 siluer called is

J>e seconde orpiinent . ]>e Jjridde y-wys

Sal armoniak1 and J?e ferjje bremston

The bodyes seuene eek1 lo hem heere anon 825

Sol gold is and luna siluer we threpe /

Mars yren mercurie quyk syluer we clepe

Saturnws leed and lubiter is tyn

And venus Copur by my fader kyn 829

This cursede craft1 who so wol exercise

he schal no good han jjat1 may him suffise

ffor alle J?e good he spendej? J?er aboute

he lese schal Jjer-of1 haue I no-doute 833

Who so J^at1 list1 to outen his folye

let1 him come for]} and lerne to multiplie

And euery man pat1 ha]? aught1 in his cofre

lat1 him appere and wexe a philosophre 837

As-scaunce Jjat1 craft1 is so light1 for to lere

Nay nay god woof al be he monk1 or frere /

Preste or Chanon or eny o])er wight

Jjough he eitte at1 his book1 bo]>e day and night 841

In lernyng1 of1 Jns eluyssfi. nyce lore /

Al is in veyn and par de moche more

Is to lerne a lewed man pis sotilte

ify speke noujtt Jjerof1 for it/ wol not1 be 845

Al cowde he letterure or coupe he non

As in effecte he schal fynde it al on [leaf 132]

ffor bojje tuo by my saluacioi1

Concluden in multiplicaciof 849

I-liche wel whan ])ey han alle y-do

This is to seyn ]?ey faille bo]>e tuo

^it1 format1 1 to moche rehersaille

Of1 watres corosif1 and of1 lymaille 853

And of1 bodyes mollificacion

And also of1 here induracion

CORPUS 405 (6-T. 655)

SIX-TEXT 556

GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS,

Oyles ablucion and metalle fusible

To tellen alle wolde passen ony bible 857

fat1 owher is wherfore as for f e beste

Of* alle f ise names now wole I me reste

ffor as I trowe I haue :$ou told ynough

To reysen a feende loke he neuer so rougli 861

A nay let1 be f y philosophies ston

Elixir cleped we sechen faste echoon

ffor hadde we him fan were we syker ynough"

But* vnto god of* heuene I make avow 865

ffor alle cure craft1 whan we han al y-do

And al oure sleighte / he wol not1 come vs to

He haf vs maad spende moche good

ffor sorwe of1 which almost1 we wexen wood 869

But1 fat1 good hope crepef in oure herte

Supposyng1 euere f ough we sore smerte

To be releuyd by him aftirward

Supposyng1 and hope is scharp and hard 873

I warne ^ou wel if is to seken euere

f af future temps haf maad men disseuere

In trust1 f er-of1 fram al fat1 euer fey hadde

jit1 of1 fat1 art1 fey coufe not1 wexe sadde 877

ffor vnto hem it is a bitterswete

So semef it1 for ne hadde fey but a scheete

Which fat1 fey mighte wrappe hem In a night

And a bak1 to walken in by day light1 881

fey wolde hem sellen and spenden on f is craft1

They can nou^t1 stynte til no f ing1 be laffr [leaf is-2, back]

And euermore wher fat1 euer fey gon

men may hem knowe by smel of1 Bremston 885

ffor al f e world fey stynken as a goot

here sauour is so Rammissh" and so hoot1

That1 fough" a man from hem a myle be

That1 sauour wol enfecte him trustef me 889

lo f us by smellyng1 and by f red bare array

If1 fat1 men list1 f is folk1 fey knowe may

CORPUS 406 (6-T. 656)

SIX-TEXT 557

GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

And if1 a man wol aske Mm priuely

Why fey ben clof ed so vnfriftily 893

Right1 anon fey wole rownen in his eere

And seye if1 fay aspyed were

Men wolde hem sle by cause of1 here science

lo f us f is folk1 bytrayen Innocence 897

Passe ouer f is I go my tale vnto

Er fen f e pot1 be on f e fyr y-do

Of1 metals wif a certein quantite

My lord hem tempref and no man but he 901

Now he is gon. I dar say boldely

ffor as men sein he can do craftily

Algate I wot1 wel he haf such a name

And }it ful ofte he rennef in f e blame 905

And wite 36 how ful ofte it1 happef so

The pot1 tobrekef and far wel alle is go

fise metals ben of1 so gret1 violence /

Oure walles may not make hem resistence 909

But1 if1 fey were wrou^t1 of1 lym and ston

fey percen so and jjoru^ Jje wal ]?ey gon

And some of1 hem synken in to j?e ground

Jms haue we lost1 by tymes many a pound 913

And somme are scatered al J?e floor aboute

Somme lepen in to J>e roof1 wi]>outen doute

pough Jjat1 )?e fende nought1 in oure sighte him schewe

I trowe fat1 he wi}> vs be J>at schrewe 917

In helle wher |?at he is lord and sire /

~Ne is Jjer no more woo ne angur nor Ire [leaf issj

Whan fat1 oure pot1 is broke as I haue sayd

Euery man chit1 and halt1 him yuel payd 921

Som seyde it1 was long1 on J?e fyr makyng1

Somme sayde nay it1 was on J>e blowyng1

fan was I fered for fat1 was myn office

Straw (\uod f e fridde 36 ben lewed and nyce 925

It1 was not1 tempred as it1 oughte be /

Nay qiiod fe ferfe stynt1 and herkne me

CORPUS 407 (6-T. 567)

SIX-TEXT 558

GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

By cause oure fyr was nat1 made of1 bech

pat1 is pe cause non oper so peecli 929

I can not1 telle wher-on it is a long1

But1 wel I wot1 grefr stryf1 is vs among1

What1 q^od my lord per is uomore to done /

Of pise periles I wil be war eft1 sone / 933

I am right1 syker pat1 pe pot1 was erased

Be as be may be ^e no ping1 amased

As vsage is let1 swope pe floor as swype

Pluk1 vp $our herte and be ^e glad and blipe 937

The mullok1 on an heep y-swoped was

And on pe floor cast1 a kaneuas

And al pis mullok1 in a Syue y-prowe

And y-sifted and y-plucked many a pro we 941

Parde qu-od oon som what* -of1 oure metal

^et1 is per heere pough we haue not1 aii

And pough pis ping1 myshapped haj> as now

Anojjer tyme it may be wel ynow 945

vs moste putte oure good in aduenture /

A marchant1 parde may not1 ay endure /

Trustnej) me wel in his prosperite

Som tyme his good is drowned in Jje see / 949

And som tyme come]? it1 sauf1 vnto J?e londe

Pees quod my lord j?e nexte tyme I wol fonde

To bringe oure crafte alle in anojjer plyt1

And but1 1 do sires lat1 me haue ]>e wyte 953

Ther was defaute in somwhat1 wel I woot1

Anojjer seyde ]>e fyr was ouer hoot1 [leaf iss, back]

But1 be it1 hoot1 or cold I dar seye pis

Jjat1 we concluden euereinore amys / 957

We faille of1 pat1 which pat1 we wolde haue /

And in oure madnesse eueremore we raue

And whan we ben togidere euerich on

Euery man semep as wys as Salomon 961

But1 alle ping1 which pat1 semep as pe goolde /

Is nat golde as I haue herd it1 tolde /

CORPUS 408 (6^T. 558)

SIX-TEXT 559

GROUP G, § 3. CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

!N"e euery appul J?afr is fair af ye

N& is not1 good what1 so men clappe or crye / 965

Eight1 so lo fare]) it* amonges vs

he J>af seme]) J?e wysestt by Ihesus

Is most* fool whan it1 come]? to )>e preef1

And he J>af seme)) trewesf is a jjeef1 969

That schul ^e knowe er j>af I fro 3011 wende /

By fat* I of1 my tale haue maad an ende

[No break in the MSJ\

29 CORPUS 409 (6-T. 659)

SIX-TEXT 560

GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

[THE TALE.]

Ther is a chanoun) of1 Keligicwn

Amonges vs wolde enfecte al a toun - 973

f ough it1 as gret1 were as was Nynyue /

Koine Alisandre . Troye and of re f re

his sleightes and his infinite falsnesse /

f er coufe noman writen as I gesse / 977

f ough fat1 he mighte lyuen a f ousend ^eer

In alle f is world of1 fal[s]nesse nys his peer

ffor in his termes he wole him so wynde

And speke his wordes in so sleigh a kynde 981

Whan he commune schal wif ony wight1

What1 he wol make him dote anon right1

But1 it1 J>e feend be as his seluen is /

fful many a man haj? he "begyled er J>is 985

And wile if1 fat1 he may lyue a while /

And 3itf men ryden and gon ful many a myle

him for to seeke and haue his aqueyntance

Nou^f knowyng1 of1 his false gouernance / 989

And if1 ye lust1 to ^iue me audience

I wol it1 tellen here in 3oure presence [leaf isi]

But1 worschipful Chanon religious

Ne demej) nou^t1 fat1 1 sclaundre ^our hous 993

Al fough my tale of1 a Chanon be

Of1 euery ordre som schrewe is parde

And god forbede fat1 alle a compaignie

Scholde rewe a synguler mannes folye 997

To sclaundre ^ou it1 is not1 myn enterit1

But1 to correcten fat1 mys I-ment1

COEPUS 410 (6-T. 660)

SIX-TEXT 561

GROUP G, § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

This tale nas nat1 oonly told for 3011

But* eek1 for oper mo 30 wot1 wel how 1001

That1 amonges cristes apostles twelue

Ther was no traytowr but1 ludas himselue

panne why scholde pe remenant1 alle haue blame

That1 gulteles were by 3011 sey I pe same 1005

Sauf1 oonly pis if1 36 wiln herkne me

If1 ony ludas in }oure couent1 be

Kemeuep him by tyrne I ^ou rede

If1 schame or losse may causen ony drede 1009

And be]) no ping1 displesed I ^ou pray

But1 in pis caas herkneth what1 I say

IN london was a prest1 an annueler That per-Inne dwelled hadde many a }eer 1013 Which was so plesant / and so se?*uisable / Ynto pe wyf1 wher he was at1 pe table That1 sche wolde suffre him no ping1 for to pay ffor bord nor closing1 wente he non so gay 1017 And spendyng1 sillier had he right1 ynough per-of no force I wol precede as now / And telle for]? my tale of1 J?e Chanon pat1 brou3te Jjis prest to confusion 1021

This false Chanon cam vpon a day vnto }>e prestes chambre per he lay BysechingJ him to lene him a certeyn

Of1 golde and he wold quite it1 him ageyn 1025

lene]) me a mark1 quod Ire but1 dayes fre And at1 my day I wol it1 quite pe [leaf is*, back]

And if1 so be fat1 fou fynde me fals

Anoper day hang1 me vp by fe hals 1029

This prest1 him tok1 a mark1 and J)af as swipe And pis Chanoun him panked often sipe And took1 his leue and wente forth his wey And atte pridde- day broii^fr his money 1033

And to pis prest1 he took1 pis gold a3ein Ther-of1 pis prest1 was glad and fayn

CORPUS 411 (6-T. 561)

SIX-TEXT 562

GROUP G. § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Certes quod he no f ing1 anoyeth me

To lene a man a noble or tuo or fre 1037

Or what1 f ing1 were in my possession

Whan he so trewe is of1 condition

fat1 in no wise he breke wole his day

To swich a man I can neuer say nay 1041

What1 quod fis Chanon scholde I be vntrewe

!Nay fat1 were fing1 fallen al of1 f e newe

Trouf e is a f ing1 fat1 1 wol euer kepe /

Vnto fe day in which fat1 1 schal crepe 1045

in to my graue and elles god forbede

Bileeuef fis as siker as is ^onre Crede

God f anke I and in good tyrne be it sayd

fat* fer was neuer man ^it1 euel payd 1049

ffor gold ne siluer fat1 he to me lente

.N~e neuere falshede in myn herte I mente

And sire quod he now of1 my priuyte

Sifens 30 so goodlich haue ben to me 1053

And kif ed to me so gret1 gentilnesse

Somwhat1 to quite with 3oure kyndenesse

I wol 3ou schewe and if1 ^ou lest1 to leere /

I schal it1 schewe to $ou anon right1 heere 1057

how I kan worchen in philosophic

Takef good heed 36 schuln seen wel at1 ye

That1 1 wol don a maystry ar I go

30 quof fe prest1 / 36 sire and wil 36 so 1061

Marie fer of1 1 pray 3ou hertily

At1 30111*6 comaundemerit1 sire trewely [leaf issj

Quof f e Chanon and elles god forbede

lo how fis feef1 coufe his seruise beede 1065

fful sof it1 is fat1 such profred seruise

Stynkef as witnessen f ise olde wise

And fat1 ful sone I wol it1 verefye

In fis Chanon is roote of1 alle treccherie 1069

fat1 eueremore delyt1 haf and gladnesse/

Suche feendly f oughtes in his herte impresse /

CORPUS 412 (6-T. 562)

SIX-TEXT 563

GKOUP G. § 4. CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

how cristes poeple lie may to meschief1 bringo

God kepe vs from his fals dissimilynge 1073

What1 wiste )>is prest1 \vij> whom fat1 he deltc

Ne of1 his harm comynge no jnng1 he felte

O sely prestt o sely Innocent

WiJ? coueytise anon J?ou schaltf be blent1 1077

0 graceles ful blynd is J?y conceyt1

No jnng1 artow war of1 J?e deceyt1

Which fat1 j?is fox y-schapen ha]? to fe

his wyly wrenches fou mayst1 nou^tt fie 1081

Wher-fore to go to J>e conclusion

fat1 referrej? to fi confusion

vnhappy man anon I wol me hi^e

To telle )>in vnwitte and J>y folye 1085

And eek* ]?e falsnesse of1 jjat1 ofyer wrecche

As ferforj? as my connynge wol strecche

This Chanon was my lord ^e wolde weene

Sire oste in faith and by jje heuen quene 1089

If was anojjer chanoun and naf he

That1 can an hundred fold more sotyltee

he haj? bytrayed folkes many tyme

Of1 his falsnesse it/ dullej? me to Eyme 1093

Euer whan I speke of* his falshede

ffor schame of1 him my chekes wexen reede

Algates jjey bygynne for to glowe

ffor reednesse haue I now right1 wel I knowe 1097

In my visage for fumes diuerse

Of1 metals whiche ^e haue herd me reherce i>afi85, back]

Consumed and wasted han my reednesse /

Now take heede of* Jns Chanons cursednesse 1101

Sire quod he to J>e prestf latf ^oure man gon

ffor quyk1 siluer fat1 we it1 hadde anon

And latt him bringe vnces tuo or J>re

And whan he come]) as faste schul ^e see 1105

A wonder Jnng1 which ^e say neuer ar Jns

Sire (\uod ]>e prest1 it1 schal ben don y-wys

CORPUS 413 (6-T. 563)

SIX-TEXT 564

GROUP G, § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

he bad his seruant fechen him) his f ing1 And he al redy was at1 his biddyng1 1109

And wente him for]? and cam anon agayn Wif f is quyk1 siluer schortly for to sayn And tok1 f is vnces f re to f e Chanon

And he it leyde faire and wel a doun 1113

And bad f e se?'uant coles for to bringe fat he anon mighte go to his worchinge The coles right1 anon weren y-fette

And f is chanon tok1 out1 a crosselette 1117

Of his bosom and schewed it1 f e prestf This Instrument1 quod he which fat f ou seest Tak1 in fin hond and put1 f iself1 Iper Inne Of1 fis quyk1 siluer an vnce and here bygynne 1121

In f e name of1 crist1 to wexe a Philosophre Ther ben ful fewe which fat1 1 wolde profre To schewen hem f us mochel of1 my science ffor 30 schuln seen heere by experience 1125

fat1 f is quyk1 siluer I wol mortefye Bight1 in ^oure sight1 anon wif oute lye And make it1 as good siluer and as fyn As fer is ony in ^oure purs or myn 1129

Or elles where and make it malliable/ And elles holde me fals and vnable Amonges folk1 euere to appere

I haue a poudre here fat coste me deere 1133

schal make al good for it1 is cause of1 all My connynge which fat1 1 ^ou schewe schaH rieaf ISG]

Yoydeth ^oure man) and lat1 him be f e?*oute / And schitte fe dore whiles we ben aboute / 1137

Oure pryuyte fat1 noman vs espie "Whiles we werken in f is philosophic / Al as he bad fulfilled was in dede /

This ilke seruanf anon right1 out $ede 1141

And his maistrer schitte f e dore anon) to here labour speedily fey gon

CORPUS 414 (6-T. 564)

SIX-TEXT 565

GROUP G. §4. OANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALK Corpus MS.

Tins prest1 afr ])is cursed chandns byddyng*

Vpon J>e fire anon sette J>is ]>ing* 1145

And blew J?e fyr and busyed him ful faste

And j)is chanon in to J>is Crosselet1 caste

A poudre not1 1 wher-of1 Jmt1 if was

I-maad o}>er of1 chalk1 o]?er of4 glas 1149

Or som what1 elles was not1 worj? a flye

To blynde wij> fis prest1 and bad him hye

Jjise coles for to coucheii al aboue

J>e cresselet1 for in tokne jjat1 I J?e loue 1153

Quo]) Jns Chanon J>ine hondes tuo

Schulle worche alle jnng1 which as schal be do

Graunt mercy quod J>e prest1 and was ful glad

And couchede coles as J?e Chanon bad 1157

And whils he besy was J>is feendly wrecche

)?is false Chanofi J3e foule feend him fecche

Out1 of1 his bosom took* a bechene cole /

In which ful sotilly was maad an hole 1161

And Jjer Inne put1 was of1 siluer lymaille

An vnce and stopped was wij?oute faille

This hole wij? wex to kepe jje lymaille In

And vnderstondejj pat1 ]?is false gyn 1165

Was not1 made Jjere but1 it was maad bifore

And o]?ere Binges I schal telle more /

here aftirward which jjat1 he wijj him broughte

Er he cam ]>er to begyle him he Jjoughte 1169

And so he dide er J?ey wente a twynne /

Til he hadde torned him cou]?e he not1 blynne Deaf isc, back]

It1 dullej? me whan fat1 1 of1 him speke

On his falshede fayn wolde I me wreke / 1173

If1 1 wiste how . but1 he is heer and Jjere /

he is so variaunt1 fat1 he abyt1 no where /

But1 take]) heed now sires for goddes loue

He took1 his cole of1 which I spak1 aboue 1177

And in his hond he bar it1 priuely

And whiles J>e prest1 couchide busily

CORPUS 415 (6-T. 665)

SIX-TEXT 566

GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

The coles as I tolde ^ou er J>is /

This Chanon sayde freend 30 don amys 1181

This is nougnt1 couched as it1 oughte "be

But1 sone I schal amenden it1 quod he

Now lat me medle f envif but a while

ffor of* 3ou haue I pite by seintt Gyle 1 1 85

36 ben rignt1 hoot1 1 se wel how 36 swete

haue heer a clof and wype awey ]>e'wete

And while fat1 f e prest1 him wyped has

This Chanon took1 his cole I schrewe his fas 1189

And leyde it1 vppon abouen f e myddeward

Of1 f e Crosselet1 and blew wel aftirward

Til fat1 f e coles gonne faste brenne

Now 3if* vs drinke quod fe Chanon fenne 1193

as swif e it1 schal be wel I vndertake

Sitte we doun and let1 vs merie make

And whan f e Chanons bechene cole

Was brent1 alle fe lymail out1 of1 fe hole 1197

In to f e Crosselet1 anon fel doun

And so it1 moste neede by reson

Syns it1 so euene aboue couched was

But1 ferof1 wiste no fing1 fe presfr alias 1201

he denied alle J>e coles liche goode

ifor of* J?e sleight1 no Jnng1 he vnderstoode

And whan Jris alkamistre say his tyme

Rise)) vp sire prest1 and stondej) byme 1205

And for I wot1 wel Ingot1 haue 30 non

Go)) walkef for)) and bring1 a chalk1 ston [leaf is?]

ifor I wol make it1 of1 J)e same schappe

fat1 is an Ingot1 if1 1 may haue happe 1209

And bring wif 3ou a bolle ofer a panne

fful of1 water and 36 schul see fanne

How fat1 oure busynesse schal happe & preeue

And 3itf for 36 schul haue no mysbyleeue 1213

]N"e wrong1 conceyt1 of* me in 3oure absence

I wol not1 ben out1 of1 3oure presence

CORPUS 416 (6-T. 566)

SIX-TEXT 567

GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

But* go with. 3011 and come with 3011 agayn

The chambre dore schortly for to sayn 1217

fey opeynd and schette and wente for]? here weye

And for]) wif hem fey caryed f e keye

And comen agayn wif outen eny delay

What1 scholde I tarie al fe longe day 1221

he took1 f e chalk1 and schoop it* in f e wyse

Of1 an yngot1 as I schal 3011 deuyse

I say he took1 out1 of1 his owne sleeue

A teyne of1 Siluer euele mote he cheeue 1225

Which fat1 was but1 an vnce of1 weight

And take]) heede now of1 his cursed sleight

he schop his Ingot1 in lengf e and in brede

Of1 fe theyne wif outen eny drede 1229

So slyly fat1 fe prest1 it not1 aspyde

And in his sleeue again he gan it1 hyde

And from fe fyre took1 vp his matiere /

And in to fe Ingot1 it1 putte wif merye cheere 1233

And in to f e watir vessel he it1 caste

Whan fat1 him liste and bad f e prest1 as faste

loke what1 f er1 is / put1 in fin hond and grope

Thou schalt1 fynde fere siluer as I hope 1237

What1 deuyl of helle schuld it1 elles be

Schafyng1 of1 siluer siluer is parde

he putte in his hond and took1 vp a teyne

Of1 sihrer fyn and glad in euery veyne 1241

Was f is prest1 whan tie saugh fat1 it was so

Goddes blessyng1 and his modres also [leaf is?, back]

And alle halwes haue 30 sire Chanon

Seyde fe prest1 and I here malison 1245

But1 and ^e vouche sauf* to teche me

f is noble crafte and f is sotilte

I wol be ^oure in alle fat1 euer I may

Quof fe Chanon ^it1 wol I make assay 1249

The seconde tyme fat1 ^e mowe take heede

And ben expert1 of1 f is and in ^oure neede

CORPUS 417 (O-T. 567)

SIX-TEXT 568

GROUP G. § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. .Corpus MS.

Anoper day in myn absence /

J?is discipline and pis crafty science 1253

IT let1 take anoper vnce quod he po

OF quyk1 sillier wipoute wordes mo

And do perwip as ^e lian don ar pis

Wip pat1 oper which pat1 now siluer is 1257

pis prest1 him busiej) in al pat1 he can

To don as pis Chan5n pis cursede man

Comaundep him and faste blew pe fire

fFor to come to peffecte ofH his desire 1261

And )>is Chanon right1 in pe mene while

Al redy was pis prest1 eft1 to begyle

And for a contynaunce in his hond bar

An holough stikke tak1 heede and be war 1265

In pe ende of1 which an vnce and no more

Of1 siluer lymaile put1 was al bifore

Was in his coole and stopped wip wex wel

if or to kepe in his lymayl euery del 1269

And whiles ]?is presf was in his businesse

This Chanon wij> his stikke gan him dresse

To him anon and his poudre caste In

As he dede er Jje deuel out1 of1 his skyn 1273

him torne I pray to god for his falshede

ffor he was euer fals in ope and dede

And wif his stikke aboue pe crosselette

fiat1 was or deigned wij? Jmt false gette 1277

he sterej? ]?e coles til it1 relente gan

The wax agayn J>e fyr as euery man [leaf iss]

But1 it1 a fool be woot1 wel and moot1 neede

And al J>af in ]?e hole was out ^ede 1281

And in to J>e Crosselet1 hastily it1 fel

The prest1 supposede noting1 but wel

But1 busyed him faste and was wonder fayn

Supposyng1 nou^t1 but1 troupe so]? to sayn 1285

he was so glad I can nou^t1 expresse

In no maner his merpe and his gladnesse

CORPUS 418 (O-T. 568)

SIX-TEXT 569

GROUP G, § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And J?e chanon he profred eft1 sone

Body and good 36 qttod j?e Chanon soone 1289

j?ough pore I be crafty jjou schalt/ me fynde

I warne J>e ^it* is per more behynde

Is j?er eny coper here Inne seyde he

36 sire qiwd Jje prest1 1 trowe ]>er bee 1293

Elles go bey som and fat as swithe

Now sire go for]? J>y way and hy the

And went his way and wijj pis coper he cam

And pis Chanon in his hond it nam 1297

And of1 pat1 coper weyde out1 but* an vnce

Al to symple is my tonge to pronounce

his moustre and his wit1 pe doublenesse

Of* pis Chanon roote of1 Cursednesse 1301

he semyd freendly to hem pat1 knewe him nought1

But1 he was feendly bope in werk1 and po^t1

It* wyriep me to telle of1 his falsnesse

And napeles ^et1 wol I it1 expresse 1305

To pat1 entent pat1 men may be war perby

And for non oper cause trewely

he putte pis vnce of* coper in to pe Crosselette

And of1 ]?e fyur as swijje he hap it1 sette 1309

And kast1 in poudre and made jje prest1 to blowe

And in his worching1 for to stoupe lowe

As he dide erst and al nas but1 a Tape

Right1 as him liste Jje prest1 he made his ape 1313

And afterward in to j?e Ingot1 he it caste

And in fe panne putte it1 atte laste / [leaf iss, back]

Of1 water and in he put1 his owne hand

And in his sleeue as 36 byforn hand 1317

herde me telle he hadde a siluer teyne

he slyly took1 it1 out1 J?is cursed heyne

vnwetyng1 J>is prest1 of1 his false craft1

And in ]>e pannes botme he haj) it1 laftf

And in J>e water romblej) to and fro

And wonder pryuyly tok1 it1 vp also

CORPUS 419 (6-T. 669)

SIX-TEXT 570

GROUP Gr. § 4. CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

f e coper teyne nought1 knowyng1 fis prest/

And hidde it1 and hente him by fe breest1 1325

And to him spat and f us sayde in his game

Stowpef a doun by god 30 ben to blame

helpef me now as I dide 3011 whiler

Put1 in 3oure hand and lokef what is fer 1329

fis prest1 tok1 vp fis siluer teyne anon

And f anne seyde f e chandn let1 vs goii

Wif f ise f re teynes whiche fat1 we haue wrought

To som goldsmith and wite if1 it be ought1 1333

ffor by my faif I nolde for myn hond

But1 if1 f ei were siluer fyn and good

And fat1 as swif e proued schal it be

Vnto fe goldsmith wif fise teynes J>re 1337

fey wente and putte Jjise teynes in assay

To fyr and hamer might1 no man say nay

But1 ]?ey were as hem ou^te for to be

Jjis sottide prest1 who was gladder fan he 1341

Was neuer bryd gladder a3eins J?e day

Ne nightyngale in fe seson of1 May

"Was neuere non fat1 liste better to synge

Ne lady lustiere in Carolynge / 1345

And for to speke of1 loue and wowmanhede

Ke knight1 in armes don an hardy dede

To stonden in grace of1 his lady deere

fan hadde fis prest1 fis craft1 to lere 1349

And to f e chanon f us he spak and sayde

ffor fe loue of1 god fat1 for vs alle deyde / [leaf 189]

And as I may deserue it1 vnto 3ow

What1 schal fis receyt1 coste tellef now / 1353

By oure lady quod f e chanon it1 is deere

I warne 3ou for saue I and a frere /

In Erigelond f er can no man it make

No fors quod he now sire for goddes sake 1357

What1 schal I paye tel me I 3011 pray

I-wys quod, he it/ is ful deere I say

CORPUS 420 (6-T. 670)

SIX-TEXT 571

GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Sire at1 oo word if1 fat1 f e list1 it haue 36 schulle paye fourty pound so god me saue 1361

And ne were f e frendschipe f af 30 dide er fis To me 30 scholde paye more y-wys This prest1 f e somme of1 .xl. pound anon . Of1 nobles fette and took1 hem euerychon) 1365

To fis chanon for fis ilke receyt1 Al his worchinge was fraude and deceyf Sire prest1 he seyde I kepe for to haue no loos OF my craft* for I wolde it were kept1 cloos 1369

And as 36 louef me kepef if secre ffor and men knewen al my subtilte By god men wolde haue so grefr envye To me by cause of my philosophie 1373

I scholde be deed f er were non of er weye God it1 forbede quod f e preesf what* seye 3efr hadde I leuer spenden al jje good Which J>af I haue and elles waxe I wood 1377

fan jjat1 30 schulde falle in such mescheef1 ffor 3oure good wil sire haue 30 right1 good preef1 Quo]? J>e chanon and sire wol gmunt mercy he wente his way and neuer J>e prest1 he sey 1381

After jjatt day and whan fat J>is prestt scholde maken assay at1 swich tyme as he wolde Of* J)is receyf far wel if wolde not1 be lo Jms byiaped and bygyled was he 1385

jms make}) he his introduccion

To bringe folk1 to here destruccion [leaf isa, back]

Considerej) sires how fat1 in eche astate Bitwixe men and gold Jjer is debate 1389

So ferforj) fat1 vnnefes J>er is non This multiply3ing1 blendef so many oon fat1 in good faif I trowe fat1 it1 be

fe cause grettest1 of1 fis skarsete 1393

This philosophises speken so mystily In fis craft1 fat1 men can not1 come f erby CORPUS 421 (6-T. 571)

SIX-TEXT 572

GROUP GK § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS,

ffor ony witte fat men ban now a dayes

fey may wel chitre and Tangle as don fis layes 1397

And in here termes sette lust1 and peyne

But1 to here pwrpos schul fey neuer atteyne

A man may lightliche lerne if1 he haf ought

To multiplye and brynge his good to nou^tt 1 101

lo such a lucre is in Jus lusty game

A mannes merf e it wol tome alle to grarne

And empte also grete and heuye purses

And make folk1 to purchacen curses 1405

Of1 hem fat han f erto here good y-lenf

O fy for schame fey fat1 haue be brent

Alias can fey nat1 fle f e fyres hete

$e fat1 it1 vsen I rede 36 it1 lete 1409

lest1 36 lese al for bet* fan neuer is late

Neuer to f riue were to longe a date

jjougB. ^e prolle ay 36 schulle it neuer fynde

^e ben as bolde as is bayard J?e blynde 1413

J?att blundreth for]? and peril castejj he non

he is as bold to renne a-gayn a stoon

As for to go bysydes in j)e weye

So fare 36 J)af multiplie I seye 1417

If1 J>af 3oure y3en may not1 seen aright

lokej? jjat1 3 cure niynd lakke nought1 his sight

ffor Jjough 36 loke neuer so brode and stare /

36 schulle nat1 wynne a myte in j^afr chaffare 1421

But1 wasten al fat1 36 may Eappe and renne

Wifdrawe f e fir lest1 it1 so faste breime [leaf 190]

Medlef nomore wij) fat1 art1 I mene

ffor if1 30 doon 3our frift1 is gon ful clene / 1425

And right1 as swithe I wol 3ou telle heere

What1 fat1 f e philosophres sein in f is rnatere

lo f us seif arnold of1 f e newe toun

As his Rosarie makef mencioun 1429

he seif right1 f us wif outen eny lye

f er may no man mercurie mortifie

CORPUS 422 (6-T. 672)

SIX-TEXT 573

<JROUP Gr. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS,

But" if1 it1 be wif his brof eres knowleching1

how fat1 he which fat first1 seyde fis fing1/ 1433

Of1 Philosophies fader was hermes /

he saif how fat1 f e dragon douteles

Ne dye]) not1 "but1 if he be slayn

Wif his brofer and pat1 is for to sayn 1437

By f e dragon mercurie and non ofer

he vnderstood fat1 bremston were his brof er

fat1 on of1 Sol and lima were y-drawe

And f erf ore sayde he tak1 heed to my sawe 1441

lat1 no man busye him fis art1 for to seche

But1 he fat1 f e entencion and f e speche

Of1 philosophres vnderstonde can

And if1 he do he is a lewed man 1445

ffor fis science and fis connyng1 quod he /

Is of1 jje secre of1 Secrees parde

Also J>er was a disciple of1 Plato

That1 on a tyme sayde his mayster to 1449

As his book1 Somer wil bere witnesse

And j>is was his demaunde in sojjfastnesse

Telle me j?e name of1 J?e pryuy stoon

And plato answerde vnto him anon 1453

Tak1 J?e stoon fat1 titanos men name

Which is fat1 quod he magnasia f e same /

Seyde Plato 366 Sire and is it Jms

This is ignotum per ignocius 1457

What1 is magnasia goode sire I pray

It1 is a water fat1 is maad I say [leaf 190, back]

Of1 elementes foure quod Plato

Tel me fe roche goode sire quod he fo 1461

Of1 fat1 water if1 it1 be $our wille

Nay nay qtiod. Plato certeyn fat1 1 nylle.

f e Philosophres were sworn echon

fat1 fey scholde discouere it to no mon 1465

Ne in no book1 it1 write in no manere

ffor vnto crist1 it1 is so leef1 and deere

CORPUS 423 (6-T. 673)

SIX-TEXT 574

GROUP G. § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

fat1 he wil nat fat1 it1 discouered be

But1 where it1 like]) to his deite 1469

Man to enspire and eek1 for to defende

Whom fat1 him like]? lo f is is f e ende /

Thanne conclude I f us sif ens fat1 god of heuene

Ne wole nat fat1 fe Philosophres neuene 1473

how fat1 a man schal come vnto f is stoon

I rede as for f e beste lat1 it1 goon

ffor who so maketh god his aduersarie

As for to worche eny fing1 in contrarie / 1477

vnto his wille certes neuer schal he f riue

f ough" fat1 he multiplie terme of1 his lyue

And fere a poynt for ended is my tale

God sende euery trewe man boote of1 his bale amew 1481

CORPUS 424 (6-T. 574)

GKOUP C, FRAGMENT

§ 1, THE DOCTOR'S TALE. CORPUS MS.

If The doctour of1 phisik'

THer was as tellej) vs Titus lyueus A knight1 Jjat1 cleped was v^rgineus ffulfilled of honoures and worj>inesse And strong1 of1 frendes and of1 grett richesse 4 A doughter he hadde by his wyf1 And neuere hadde he mo in alle his lyf1 ffair was Jns mayde in excellent1 beaute Abouen euery wight1 Jjat1 man may se 8

ffor nature hajj with souerein diligence fformed hire in so gret1 excellence As Jjough sche wolde say lo I nature

Thus can I forme and peinte a creature 12

Whan J>atf me list1 who can me countrefete [leaf 1913

Pigmalion nou^t1 jjough he alwey forge and bete Or graue or peynte for I dar wel sayn Apollus 3ephirus schulde worche in vayn 16

To graue or paynte or forge or bete ^if1 J>ey presumede me for to countirfete ffor he J>af is J>e formour principal

ha]) maad me his viker general 20

To forme and peynte ech erjjely creature Right1 as me lyst1 for al Jjing1 is in my cure •vnder ]>e moone fat1 may wane and waxe And for my werke no Jnng1 wol I axe 24

30 CORPUS 425 (6-T. 303)

SIX-TEXT 304

GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

My lord and I ben fully at1 acord

I made hire to J?e worschip of1 my lord

So do I alle myn ofre creatures

Of1 what1 colour J?ey be or what* figures 28

Thus seme]) me fat1 nature wolde say

This mayde was of1 age .xij. ^eer and tway

In which fat1 nature haf such delyt1

ffor right1 as sche can paynte as lily whit1 32

And rody as rose right1 wif such peynture

Sche peynted haf f is noble creature /

Er sche was born vppon hire lymes fre

Were also bright1 as such colours scholde be / 36

And Phebus dyed haf his tresses grete

like to f e stremes of1 his boornyd hete

And if1 Jmt1 excellent1 was hire beaute

A f ousend fold more vertuous was sche 40

In hire ne lakkef no condicion

fat1 is to preise as by discrecion

As wel in body as gostf chaste was sche

ffor which sche floured in virginite 44

Wif alle humilite and abstinence

Wif alle attemperance and pacience

Wif mesure eek1 and beryng1 of1 array

Discret1 sche was in answering1 alway 48

fough sche were wys as Pallas dar I seyn [leaf 191, back]

hire faucond eek1 ful woramanly and pleyn

None counterfeted termes hadde sche

To seme wys but1 after hire degre 52

Sche spak1 and alle hire wordes more and lesse

Sownyng1 in vertue and in gentillesse

Schamefast1 sche was in maydens schamefastnesse

Constant1 in herte and euere in busynesse 56

To dryue hire oute of1 hire slogardye

Bachus hadde of1 hir mou]) no maystrie

ifor will and fought1 doon venus encrece

As men in fyr wol casten oyle or grece / 60

CORPUS 426 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 305

GROUP C, § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS,

And of1 hire owne vertue eonstreyned

Sche haf ful ofte tyme hire seek1 feyned

ffor fat1 sche wolde flee f e company e /

Wher likly was to treten of1 folye 64

As is at1 festes . Reueles . and at1 Daunces

That1 ben occasions of dalyaunces

Suche f inges maken children for to be

To sone rype and bolde as men may se 68

Which is ful perilous and ha]? ben 3 ore

ffor al to sone may sche lerne lore /

Of1 boldenesse whan sche is a wijf1

And ^e maystresses in ^oure olde lyf1 72

fat1 lordes doughtres han in gouernance /

"Ne take]? of1 my word no displesance

f inges fat1 ben sette in gouernynges

Of1 lordes doughtres only for tuo Jnnges 76

Ouf er for 36 han kept1 ^our honeste /

Of er ^e han falle in frelete

And knowen wel ynough f e olde daunce

And konne forsake fully meschaunce 80

fFor euermo f er-fore for cristes sake /

kepe)> wel f o fat1 30 vndertake

A f eef1 of1 venyson fat1 haf forlaft1

his likorousnesse and alle his theues craft1 84

Kan kepe a forest1 best1 of1 ony man [leaf 102]

Now kepef hem wel for and 30 wil 30 can

lokef wel to no vice fat1 36 assente

lest1 36 be dampned for joure yuel entente 88

ffor who so dof a tretour is certayn

And takef heed of1 fat1 fat1 1 schal sayn

Of1 alle tresoun suffreyn pestilence

Is whan a wight1 betrayef Innocence 92

30 fadres and 30 modres eek1 also

f ough 3e haue children be it oon or mo

3oure is f e charge of1 alle here sufferance

"VVhil fey ben vnder 3oure gouernance 06

CORPUS 427 (6-T. 305)

SIX-TEXT 306

GROUP C. § 1, DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS,

Bef war fat1 by ensample of* 301116 lyuynge

Owfer by necligence in chastysynge

fat1 fey ne pmssche I dar wel seye

If1 fat1 fey don ^e schulle ful sore abeye 100

vnder a schepperde softe and necligent

f e wolf1 haf many a sclieep and lamb torenfr'

Sufficeth oon ensample now as heere

flbr I moot1 torne a^en to my mateere / 104

This mayde of1 which I telle my tale expresse /

Sche kepte hir self* hir needed no maistresse

ffor in hire lyuyng1 may dens mighte rede /

As in a book1 euery good word and dede 108

fat1 longef to a mayde verfcuous

Sche was so prudent1 and so bountyuous

ffor which out1 sprong1 f e fame on euery syde

Bof e of1 hire beaute and of1 hire bounte wyde 1 12

fat1 f urgh" f e loiid fey preised hire echone

That* louede vertu saue envye alone

fat1 sory is of1 of er mennes wele

And glad is of1 his sorwe and vnheie 116

The doctour makef f is discripcion

f is mayde wente on a day in-to f e toun

Toward f e temple wif hire mooder deere

As is of1 ^onge maydens fe maneere 120

Now was f er a Justice in f e toun [leaf 192, back]

That1 gouernour was of1 fat1 region

And so bifelle f is luge his yhen caste

vppon fis mayde hire ful faste 124

As sche cam forthby f er f e luge stood

Anon his herte chaungef and his mood

So was he caught1 wif beaute of1 fis mayde /

And to himself1 ful priuely he sayde / 128

This mayde schal be mjn for ony man

Anon f e feend in-to his herte ran

And taught1 him sodeynly by what1 sleighte

fe inayde to his purpos wynne he mighte 132

COKPUS 428 (6-T. 306)

SIX-TEXT 307

GROUP C, § 1, DOCTOR'S' TALE. Corpus MS.

ffor certes by no force ne by no meede

him fought/ he was not1 able for to speede /

ffor he was strong1 of* frecndes and eek1 sche

Cdnfermed was in such souereyn beaute 13G

f afr wel he wiste he might1 hire neuer wynne

As for to make hire wif liire body synne

ffor which wif gref deliberacion

he sente after a clerk1 in-to fe toun 140

The which he knew for subtil and for bold

This luge vnto fis clerk1 his tale haf told

In secre wise and made him to assure /

he scholde telle it1 to no creature 144

And if1 he dide he scholde leese his heed

Whan assented was fis cursed reed

Glad was f e luge and made glad cliere /

And }af him 3iftes precious and deere / 148

Whan schapen was al fis conspiracie

ffrom poynt1 to poynt1 how fat1 his leech erie

Parformed schulde be ful subtilly

as 36 schal here aftirward openly 152

horn gof fis clerk1 fat1 highte Claudius

fis false luge fat1 highte Apius

So was his name for it is no fable /

But1 knowen for an historial fing1 notable 156

The sentence of4 it1 so)) is out* of1 doute tieaf 193]

J)is false luge go)) now faste aboute

To hasten his delyt1 al fat1 he may

And so bifell<? sone after on a day 1GO

fis false luge as telle J) vs J>e story

As he was woned sat1 in his consistory

And 3af1 his domes vpon sondry cas

This false clerk1 cam for)) a wel good paas 164

And seyde lord if1 fat1 it1 be }our wille /

As dof me right1 vpon fis pitous bille

In which I pleyne vppon virginius

And if1 fat1 he wol seyn it1 is not1 fus 168

CORPUS 429 (6-T. 307)

SIX-TEXT 308

GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

I wol proue it1 and fynde good witnesse

That1 sof is fat1 my bille wol expresse

f e luge answerde of* pis in his absence

I may not1 jiue diffinityf1 sentence 1", 2

let1 don him calle and I wol gladly heere

Thou schalt1 haue right and no wrong heere

Virginius cam to wite f e luges wille

And right1 anon was rad fis cursed bille / 176

The sentence of1 it1 was as 30 schul heere

To 3ou my lord sire Apius so deere

Schewef ^oure pouere seruant Claudius

how fat1 a knight1 called v^rginius 180

A^ens f e lawe a^eins alle equite

holdef expres a^eins f e will of1 me

my seruaunt1 which fat is my f ral by right

Which from my?i hous was stolen on a night 184

Whils sche was ful ^ong1 1 wol it1 preue

By witnesse lord so fat1 36 $ou not1 greue

Sche is nought1 his doughter what1 so he say

"Wherfore my lord fe luge to }ou I pray 188

^elde me my f ralle if1 fat1 it1 be 30111- wille

lo f is was al f e sentence of1 f e bille

Virgineus gan vpon f e clerk1 biholde

But1 hastily er he his tale tolde / 192

he wolde haue defended it1 as scholde a knight ['-cat n s, back]

And by witnesse of1 many a trewe wight

That1 al was fals fat seyde his aduersarie

This cursed luge wolde no lenger tarie / 196

Ne here a word more of1 v/rgineus

But1 ^af1 his luggement and seyde f us

I deme anon f is clert his sernaunt haue

]>ou schalt1 no lenger in fin hous hire saue 200

Go bring1 hire forth and put1 hire in oure warde

f is clerk1 schal haue his f ral f us I awarde /

And whan fis worf i knight1 vzVgineus /

furgh fe assent1 of1 f e luge apius 204

CORPUS 430 (6-T. 308)

SIX-TEXT 309

GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Moste by force his deere doughter ^yuen vnto pe luge in lecchorie to lyuen he goj) him horn) and sette him in his halle And leet1 anon his deere doubter calle / 208

And with a face deed as ayssches colde vppon hire humble face he gan biholde Wip fadres pite stiking1 porugh his herte Al wolde he not1 from, his purpos conuerte 212

Doughter quod he virginea by py name per ben tuo weyes oper dep or schame That1 pou most* suffre alias fat1 1 was bore ffor neuer pou deseruedest1 wherfore 216

To deyen with a swerd or wip a knyf1 0 deere doughter endere of1 my lijf1 Which I haue fostred vp wip such plesaunce pat1 pou ne were out1 of1 my remembrance / 220

0 doughter which pat1 art1 iny laste wo / And in my lijf1 my laste ioye also 0 gerame of1 chastite in pacience

Tak1 pou pi dep for pis is my sentence / 224

ffor loue and nat/ for hate pou most1 be deed My pitous hond moot1 smyten of1 pin heed Alias pat1 euer Apius pe say

pus hap he falsly iugged pe to day 228

And tolde hire al pe cas as $e bifore Deaf 194]

han herd it1 nedep not1 to telle it more Mercy deere fader quod pis mayde

And wip pat1 word sche hope hire armes layde 232

Aboute his necke as sche was woned to dc pe teeres barsten out1 of1 hire eyen tuo And sayde goode fader schal I dye

Is per no grace is per no remedye 236

No certes deere doubter mjn quod he panne 31^ me leue fader myn quod sche My dep to compleigne a litel space

ffor p«?-de leffa ^af1 his doubter grace 240

CORPUS 431 (6-T. 309)

SIX-TEXT 310

GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS.

ffor to coinpleyne ar lie hir slough alias

And god it* wot1 noping1 was hire trespas

But* pafr sche ran hire fader first1 to see

To welcome him wip grefr solempnite 244

And wip pat1 word sche felle on swown anon)

And after whan hir swownyng1 was agon

Sche rise]) vp and to hire fader sayde /

Blessed he god pat1 I schal deye a mayde 248

^if1 me my deth er pat1 1 haue a schame

Do]) wip ^our child ^our wil a goddes name

And wip pat1 word sche prayej) him ful ofte

pat1 wip his swerd he schulde hir smyte softe 252

And wij) pat1 word on swoune doun sche fel

hir fader wij) ful sorweful herte and fel

hire heed of1 smoott and by pe top if hente

And to pe luge he ^ it1 to presente 256

As he sat* in his doom in consistory

Whan J>e luge it1 say as saip J)e story

He had take him and honge him also faste

But1 right anon al J>e poeple in J)raste 260

To saue pe knight for roupe and for pite

ffor knowen was pe fooles Iniquite

The poeple anon hadde suspecte in pis ping1

By maner of pis clerkes chalangyng1 264

That* it1 was by passenfr of Apius [leaf 194, back]

They wisten wel pat1 he was lecchorous

ffor which vnto pis Apius pey gon

And casten him in prison right1 anon 268

Wher as he slough himself1 and Claudius

pat1 seruant1 was vnto pis Apius

Was demed for to honge vpon a tre

But/ virgineus of1 his grete pite 272

Prayde for him pat1 he was exiled

And elles certes he hadde be bygyled

The remenant1 were honged more & lesse

paf consented were to his cursednesse 276

CORPUS 432 (6-T. 310)

SIX-TEXT 311 GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOJl's TALE. CorpUS MS.

Here may men se how synne liaj) his meryt /

Be war for noman wot1 how god wol smyt1

In no degre ne in which maner wise

The worm of1 conscience wol arise 280

Of* wicked lyf1 J>ough it1 so preuy be

Jmt1 noman woof of1 it1 but1 god and he

Whejjer he be lewed man or lered

he not1 how soone J?att he may ben afeered 284

]?er-fore I rede 3011 J>is counseil take

fforsakej) synne er synne 3011 forsake

COBPUS 433 (6-T. 311)

SIX-TEXT 312 GROUP C. § 2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK. Corpus MS.

[on leaf 194, back]

Prologus

288

Owre oost1 gan for to swere as he were wood harrow qwod he by nayles and by blood This was a cursed f eef1 a fals Instise As schamful def as herte can deuyse So falle vpon his body and his bones [*]

f e deuyl I bekenne him al at ones [*] 292

Alias to deere boughte sche hire beaute Wherfore I say fat1 alle men may se That1 $iftes of1 fortune or of1 nature

Be]) cause of1 def of1 many a creature 296

hire beaute was hire def I dar wel sayn Alias so pitously as sche was slayn But* her of1 wil I not1 precede as now \8puriouti\

Men haue ful often more harm fan prow 300

But1 trewely myii owne mayster deere [leaf 105]

This is a pitous tale for to heere But1 naf eles passe ouer is no fors

I pray to god so saue fin gentil cors 304

And fin vrynals and fin lurdanes Thyn ypocras and fin Galianes And euery box ful of1 fin letuarie

God blesse hem and oure lady seinte marie 308

So mote I f e f ou art1 a propre man And ylike a prelat1 by seint Runyan Sayde I nou^t1 wel can I nou^fr speke in terme But1 wel I woot1 fou dost1 my^ herte to erme 312

That1 I almost1 haue caught a Cardyacle / By Corpus bones but1 if1 1 haue triacle Of er elles a draught1 of1 moyste and corny ale / Or but1 I heere anoon a merye tale / 316

CORPUS 434 (6-T. 312)

SIX-TEXT 313 GROUP C. § 2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK. CoipUS MS.

Myn herte is lost1 for pite of1 J>is mayde J>ou belamy lofin Pardoner he sayde

es right anon •< eint Eunyon 320

re at1 Jns ale stake

.2 nke and eten of1 a Cake

£ J?ise gentils bygonne to crye

£Q lie vs of1 no rybaudye 324

s

^ ortal Jring* pai^ we may leere

Jj* Jjenne wol we gladly heere

o* 1g wys qiiod he but I moot ]>ynke

(^ honest1 jjing1 whil fat1 I drinke 328

CORPUS 435 (6-T. 313)

SIX-TEXT 314 GROUP C, § 3. PARDONERVS PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

1bygynne)) fe Pardoneres tale folwynge

Cm xvj?

LOrdynges quod he in chirches whan I preche I peyne me to hane an hauteyn speche I ryng1 it* out1 as round as gof a belle ffor I can al by rote fat1 I telle 332

My teeine is alway oon and euer was

est1 Cupiditas E1 ^ «{« ^ '•

fat1 1 come

A fenne my bulles schewe I alle and some [leaf 195, back] Oure liege lordes seal is my patent f afr schewe I first* my body to warant That1 no man be so bolde ne prest1 ne clerk1 me to destourbe of1 cristes holy werk1 340

And after fat1 telle I forf my tales Bulles of1 Popes and of1 Cardinales Of1 Patriarkes and bisschoppes I schewe And in latyn I speke wordes a fewe 344

To saffran wif my predicacion And for to stere men to deuoicon fanne schewe I forf my lange cristal stones I-crammed ful of1 cloutes and of1 bones 348

Relikes fey ben as wenen fey echone fan haue I in latoun a schulder bone Which fat1 was of1 an holy iewes scheep Goode men say I takef of my wordes keep 352

If1 fat1 f is bon be waisshe in any welle If1 kow or calf1 scheep or oxe swelle That1 eny worme haf y-bite or stronge Touche he f is boon anon he schal be sounde 356

CORPUS 436 (6-T. 314)

SIX-TEXT 315

GROUP C. § 3, PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

And ^ifr also I seye forfermore Of pokkes ofH scabbes and of1 euery sore Schal euery scheep be hool J>afr of Jns welle DrinkeJ) a draught1 and take keep what I telle 360

Wole euery wight1 er fat1 fe cok1 him crowef And do fing1 fat1 him owe]) ffastynge drinke of1 f is welle a draught As filke holy iewe oure eldre ous taught 364

his bestes and his store schal multiplye And sires also it1 helef lelousie And fey a man be falle in gelouse rage Let1 make wif fis water his potage 368

And neuer schal he more his wijf1 mystreste fey he in sof e a defaute by hire wiste Al had sche taken prestes tuo or f re

heer is a myteyn eek1 as $e may see [leaf IDG] 372

he fat1 his bond wol putte in fat1 myteyne he schal haue multiplyyng1 of his greyne When he haf sowen be it whete or ootes So Jjatt of pens o)>er elles of grootes 376

And men and wowmen o jjing1 warne I 3011 If any wight1 be in j?is chirche now That1 haj? don synne orrible fat1 he

Dar nought1 for schame schriuen be 380

Or eny womman be sche ^ong1 or old fat1 ha]? y-maad hire housbonde kokewold Such folk* schuln haue no power ne grace To offre to my relikes in Jns place 384

And who so fyndej) him out of such blame jjey wole come vp and offre in goddes name And I assoile him by J?e auctorite

Which J>af by bulle was y-graunted me 388

By J)is gande haue I wonne euery ^ere An hundred mark1 serenes I was pardonere I stande lik1 a clerk1 in many a pulpette And. sche we lewed poeple and doun fey sette 392

CORPUS 437 (6-T. 315)

SIX-TEXT 316

GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

I preche so as ^e haue herd byfore

And telle an hundred Tapes more /

jjenne peyne I me to strecche forj) my nekke

And Est1 and west1 vpon J>e poeple I bekke 396

As do]? a dowfe sittyng1 vpan a berne

myn handes and my tonge gon so 3 erne

Jjat1 is if ioye to se my busynes

Of1 auarice and such oj>er cursednes 400

Is al my prechinge to make hem fre

To ^iue here pans and namely vnto me

ffor myn entent1 is nou^t1 but1 for to wynne

And noting1 for correccion of1 synne 404

I rekke neuer whan pat1 fey ben beried

Jjough Jjat1 here soules gon a blake beryed

ffor certes many a predicacion

SowneJ? ofte tyme of1 yuel intencioii [leaf 1%, back] 408

Sowme for plesaunce of1 folk1 and for flaterie

To ben auaunced by ypocresye

And sorame for veynglorie and somme for hate /

ffor whan I dar no^t1 o]>erwise debate 412

Jjarine wil I stynge hem with my tonge smerte

In preening1 so fat1 J>ei schal no^tt asterte

To be diffamed falsly if1 ])at he

hajj trespassed to my bre]?eren oj)er to me 416

ffor Jjough I telle nou^t1 his propre name

Men schal wel knowe J?att if is J>e same

By symony and by ojjer circumstaunces

Jjus quyte I folk1 J>af doj? vs displesaunces 420

J?us spitte I out my venym vnder hewe

Of1 holynesse to seme holy and trewe

But1 schortly my ft en tent I wil deuyse

I preche of1 no Jung1 but1 of1 coueytise 424

Jjerfore my teeme is jitt and euer was

Eadix malomm est1 cupiditas /

Thus gan I preche a^eins J?e same vice

Such Jjat1 I vse and pat1 is auarice 428

CORPUS 438 (6-T. 316)

SIX-TEXT 317

GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.

That1 Jjough I mj self1 be gulty in J>af synne

^.it1 kan I make o]>er folk1 for to wynne

ffrom auarice and sore to repente

But1 Jmt1 nys nought my principal entente 432

I preche no jnng1 but1 for coueityse

Of1 Jns matiere I ought1 ynough suffise

Jjenne telle I of1 ensamples many on

Of1 olde stories longe tyme agon 436

ffor lewed poeple louen tales olde

Whiche jjinges can jjey wel reporte and holde

What trowe 30 whiles jjat1 I may preche

And wynne gold and siluer for I teche 440

That1 1 wol lyue in pouert1 wilfully

Nay nay I jjought1 it1 neuer trewely

ffor I wol preche and begge in sondry landes

ffor I wole do no labour wijj my/t handes [leaf 197] 444

And make basketes and lyue jjerby

By cause I wol not1 beggen ydelly

I wole none of1 ]>e aposteles countrefete

I wole haue money chese and whete 448

Al were it1 ^euen of1 ]?e porest1 page

Ojjer of1 J>e porest1 wydewe in a village

Al scholde here children sterue for famyne

Nay I wol drynke J?e likour of1 J?e vyiie 452

And haue a loly wenche in euery toun

But1 herknej) lordynges in conclusion

^oure liking1 is Jjat1 I schal telle a tale

Now I haue drunke a draught1 of1 corny ale 456

By god I hope I schal telle }ou a Jung1

J^at1 schal by resoun ben at1 ^our liking*

ffor )>ough my selue be a vicious man

A more-ille tale ^it1 1 $ou telle can 460

Which I am wont1 to p?-eche for to wynne

Now holde ^oure pees my tale I wol begynne

CORPUS 439 (6-T. 317)

SIX-TEXT 318

GBOUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

I

N fflaundres whilom was a companye / OF 3ong< folk1 pat1 haunteden folye 464

As Ryot1 hasard stewes and tauernes

1 t1-1 /« a

1 Where as why]? harpes lutes and gyternes

They daunce and pleye at dyse bojje day and night1

And eeten also and drunken ouer al here might1 468

Jjorugh which J?ey doon }>e deueles sacrifise

Wijjinne ]?e deueles temple in cursed wyse

J>e Superflues abhominable

here o]?es ben so grete and dampna[b]le / 472

fat1 it1 is grisly for to here hem swere

Oure blessed lordes body they to-tere

hem Jjoughte lewes rent/ him nought ynough

And ilke of1 hem at1 ojjer synnes lowh 476

And right1 anon J?enne come tomblisteres

ffetys and smal 3ong) fruytesteres /

Syngers with harpes bawdes wafereres

Suche ben verray ]?e deueles officers [leaf 197, ba-k] 480

To kyndle and blowe J?e fyr ofH leccherie /

That1 is annexed to glotonye /

The holy writ1 take I to witneSSe / If Nolite hiebriari vino in

That1 leccherie is in wyn and drunkenesse if quo eat luxuria

Lo how fat1 drunken loth vnkyndely 485

lay by his doughtres tuo vnwetyngly

So drunke he was he nyste what1 he wrought1

And ferfore sore repente him oughte [spurious] 48 7 b

heroudes who so wole fe stories seche * 488

Jjer may 36 lerne and by ensample teche [spurioui] 4886

CORPUS 440 (6-T. 318)

SIX-TEXT 319

GROUP C, § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,

Whan he of wyn was replet1 at1 his feste 489

Right1 at4 his owen table ^af his heste

To slen f e Baptist1 lob/m fill gulteles

Senek1 saif eek1 goode wordes douteles 492

he sei]j he can no difference fynde

Bitwix a man fat/ is out of his mynde

And a man fat1 is drunkelewe

But* fat1 wodnesse is fallen in a schrewe 496

Perseueref lenger fan dof drunkenes

0 glotenye fill of1 cursednes

0 cause fersf of1 oure confusion

0 original of oure dampnacion 500

Til crist1 hadde brought1 out1 wif his blood agayn

lo how deere and schortly was to sayn

Aboute was f e cursed vilanye /

Corrupte was al fis world furgh glotenye 504

Adam oure fader and his wyf1 also

ffro paradys to labour and to wo

"Were dryuen for fat1 vice it1 nys no drede

ffor whiles fat1 adam fasted as I rede 508

He was in paradys and whan fat1 he /

Ete of f e fruyte defended on a tre

Anon he was out1 cast1 to woo and pleyne

0 glotonye on fe wel oughte ous pleigne 512

0 wiste a man how many maladyes

ffolwef of excesse and of glotenyes [leaf IDS]

he schulde be f e more mesurable

Of his diete sittyng1 at1 fe table 516

Alias f e schorte f rote f e tendre mouf

Makef fat1 Est1 and West1 north and souf

In erf e in aier in water men to swynke /

To gete a glotoun mete and drynke 520

Of f is matiere o poule wel canst1 f ou entrete

Mete vnto wombe and wombe eek1 vnto mete

Schal god discryuen bof e as poule saif

Alias a foul f ing1 is it1 by my faif / 524

31 CORPUS 441 (6-T. 319)

SIX-TEXT 320

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

To say >is word and fouler is >e dede

When men so drynke]? of J?e white and Jje rede /

fat1 of his J?rote he make]? his pryue

jmrgh' jjilke cursed superfluite 528

The apostel wepyng1 saij) ful pitously

Ther walken many of1 which ^ou told haue I

I say it now wepyng1 wijj pitous voys

Ther ben enemys of1 cristes croys 532

OfH which Jje ende is dej> Jje wombe is here god

0 wombe o holy o styiikynge kod

ifulfilde of1 dunge and of1 corupcion

At1 eyfer ende of1 J?e foule is fe soun 536

How gret1 cost1 and labour is to fynde

J?ise cookes how ]?ey scampe and streyne and grynde /

And turnen substaunce in-to accident

To fulfille al J>y likerous talent1 540

Out1 of1 ]>e harde bones knokken Jmy

J?e mary for jjay caste nought1 away

J?af may go jjurgh" J>e golet1 softe and swoote

Of1 spicerie of* leues bark1 and roote 544

Schal ben his sause y-maad by delyte

To make him ^it1 a newer appetite

But1 certes he J>af hauntejj suche delices

Is deed whiles Jmf he lyuej) in J>e vices 548

A leccherous ping1 is wyn and drunkenes /

Is ful of1 stryuyng1 and of1 wrecchednes [leaf 198, back]

0 drunken man disfigured is J?i face

ffoul is J?i bre|) foul art1 j>ou to embrace 552

And Jmrgh )?in drunken nose seme]? ]?i soun

As fough jjou seydest1 ay Sampson Sampson

And ^it1 god woot1 Sampson drank1 neuer no wyn

Thow fallest1 as it1 were a stiked swyn 556

Thyn tunge is lost1 and alle J>in honeste cures

fibr drunkenes is verray sepultures

Of1 mannes wit1 and his discrecion

In whom fat1 drynke haj? dominacion 560

CORPUS 442 (6-T. 320)

SIX-TEXT 321

Gitoup C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,

He can no counseil kepe it1 is no drede

Now kepe 3011 fro ]?e white and fro Jje rede

Namly fro fe white wyn of* lepe

fat1 is to selle in ffischstret1 or in Chepe / 564

This wyn of1 Spayne crepe)? subtilly

In ojjer wynes growyng1 faste by

Of1 which ])er rysej? such fumosite

fat1 whan a man haf drunken draughtes fre / 568

And weiiej? fat1 he be at1 home in chepe

he is in spayne right1 at1 f e toune of1 lepe

Nought1 at1 f e Eochel ne at1 Burdeux toun

And fenne wolen fey sayn Sampsoun Sampsown 572

But1 herknef lordinges o word I $ou prey

That1 all f e souerein actes dar I say

Of1 victories in f e olde testament*

fat1 jjurgh verray god J)att is omnipotent1 576

Were don in abstinence and in pray ere

lokej? Jje bible and J?ere 30 may it leere

lokej? attyla j?e grete conquerour

Deyed in his sleepe wij> schame and dishonour 580

Bledyng1 ay at1 his nose in drunkenes

A Capitayne schulde lyue in sobernes /

And ouer al Jns avise ^ou right1 wel

"What1 was comaunded vnto lamuel 584

Nought1 Samuel but lamuel say I /

liedej) ]?e bible and fyndej) it1 expressely [leaf 199]

Of1 wyn 3euynge to hem Jjat1 han iustice

Nomore of1 J)is for it1 may wel suffice 588

AJSTd now Jjat1 1 haue spoke of1 glotonye Now wole I defende ^ou hasardye hasard is verray mooder of1 lesynges

And of1 disceipt1 cursed forswerynges 592

Blaspheme of1 crist1 and mansleynges also Of1 batayle of1 tyme and of1 o]>er mo It1 is repreff1 and contrarie to honour fifor to be holde a comune hasardour 596

CORPUS 443 (6-T. 321)

SIX-TEXT 322

GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,

And euer pe hyer he is of* astate

]>e more he is y-halden desolate

If1 fat1 a prince vse hasardrye

In alle gouernaunce and alle polesye 600

he is as by comun opynyon

y-halde f e lasse in reputacion

[Stilbon that1 was holde . a wise ambassatow

"Was sent1 in-to Corynthy . with ful grete honour]

fFro Calydonye to maken him alleaunce

And whan he cam him happede fis chaunce

fat1 alle f e grettesf fat1 were of* f is lande

Pleying1 at1 f e hasard he hem fande COS

ffor which as sone as fat1 mighte be

he stal him home a^ein to his cuntre

And sayde f er I wol nought lese my name

I ne wol nought1 take on me so gret1 diffame 612

3011 to alleye to none hasardoures

Sendef of erwise embassetoures

ffor by my trouf e me were leuer deye /

fan I to ^ou schulde hasardoures alleye / 616

ffor 36 fat1 ben so glorious in honoures

Schal nou^t1 aleye ^ou wij? hasardoures

As by my wille ne as by my trete

))is wise Philosophre sayde to me 620

loke jjou vse no pley of1 dees in Jmi hous

loke eek1 fat1 to fe king1 Demetrus

Sente him a payre of1 dees of1 gold in scorn

ffor he hadde vsed hasardye }>er byforn [leaf 199, back] 624

ffor which he helde his glorie and his renown

At1 no value of1 reputaciown

lordes mighten fynden oj>er manor pley

honeste ynough to dryue fe day awey 628

w wol I speke of1 ofes false and grete A word or tuo as ofer bookes entrete Gret1 sweryng1 is a fing1 abhominable

And fals swerynge is more reprouable 632

CORPUS 444 (6-T. 322)

SIX-TEXT 323

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

pe hihe god forbad sweryng1 at1 al Witnesse at1 Matthew but1 in special Of1 sweryng1 saip pe holy leromie

pou schalt1 swere so]) pin. opes and nought1 lye / 636

And swere in doome and eek1 in rightwisnesse But1 ydel sweryng1 is a cursednesse Bihold and see pat1 in pe ferste table / Of1 heyhe goddes hestes honurable / 640

how pafr pe secounde heste of1 him is pis / Take nought1 my name in ydelnesse amys / lo raper he forbedep such sweryng1

Or Omycyde or eny oper cursed ping1 644

I say as by ordre pus it1 standep This knowep pat1 his hestes vnderstandej) how pat1 pe secounde heste of1 god is pat1 And forpermore I wol pe telle al plat1 648

•'fat1 vengeaunte schal nou^t1 parte fro his hous pat* of1 his othis is so outrageous By goddes precious herte and his nayles And by his blood pat1 is in hayles 652

Seuen is -my chaunce and pin is fyue and Jrre / By goddes armes if1 pou falsly pleye me pis dagger schal purgh pin herte go

pis fruyt1 comep of1 pe bicched bones tuo 656

fforsweryng1 Ire falsnes homicyde Now for pe loue of1 crist1 pat1 for vs dyde leuep ^oure opes bope grete and smale ffor cristes sake and herkne to my tale [leaf 200] 660 pise ryetoures pre of1 which I telle longe er pryme ronge eny belle Were sette hem in a tauerne for to drynke / And as pey sate pey herde a belle clynke / 664

Byforn a corps was caryed to his graue pat1 oon of1 hem gan calle to his knaue / Go bet1 quop he and axe redyly "What1 corps is pis pat1 passep faste by / 668

CORPUS 445 (6-T. 323)

SIX-TEXT 324

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And loke pat1 pou reporte his name wel Sire quod pis boye it1 nedep neuer a del It1 was me told er }e came here to oures He was parde an old felawe of1 ^oures 672

Al sodeynly was he slayn to night / ffor-drunke as he sate vp his benche vpright1 Ther came a pryue peef1 men cleped dep pat1 in his cuntre al pe poeple slep 676

And with his spere he smof his herte a tuo And went1 his way wipouten wordes mo And maister er ^e come in his p?-esence / 680

he ha)) a pousend slain pis pestilence / 679

Me pinkep it1 were necessarie / ffor to be war of1 such an aduersarie / Bep redy for to mete him euermore /

pus tauglite me my dame I say no more / 684

By seinte mary seyde pis tauernere pe child saip sop for he ha]) slayn to ^ere Hens ouer a myle wipinne a gref village Bo]?e man and womman child and page 688

I trowe his habitacion be pere / To ben auysed grefr wisedom it were / Er pat1 he dede a man dishonour

3e goddes armes quod pis ryetour 692

Is it/ such peril wip him for to mete I schal him seeke by wey and eek1 by strete I make avow to goddes digne bones

Herkne felawes we pre ben alle ones Qeat 200, back] 696 let1 eche of1 vs halde vp his hand to oper And eche of1 vs bycome operes broper And we woln slee pis false traytour dep He schal be slayn he pat1 so many slep 700

By goddes dignite er it1 be night1 To-gidre haue pese pre here hertes hight To lyue and deye ilk1 of1 hem to oper As pough he were his owen sworne broper 704

CORPUS 446 (6-T. 324)

SIX-TEXT 325

GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,

And vp fey sterte al drunken in f is rage

And for]? fey gon toward pat1 village

Of1 which f e tauerner haf spoke byforn

And many a grisly of f enne haue fey sworn 708

And cristes blessed body fey torent

Deth schal be deed if1 fat1 we may him hent/

Whan fey han goon nought fully a myle /

Eight1 as fey wolde haue treden ouer a style 712

And olde and a pore man with hem mette

f is olde man ful rnekely hem grette

And seyde f us now lordes god }ou se

fe proudest1 of1 fese ryettoures fre 716

Answered agayn what1 carle wif harde grace

Why art1 f ou al forwrapped saue f y face /

Why lyuest1 f ou so longe in so gret1 age /

fis olde man gan loke in his visage / 720

And sayde f us for I can nought1 fyiide /

A man f ough fat1 I walked in-to ynde /

Neyf er in Cite ne in village

That1 wol chaunge his }oufe for myrc age 724

And f erfore moot1 1 haue myn age stille

As lange tyme as it1 is goddes wille /

Ne def alias nel nought1 haue my lyf1

Jms walke I lyk1 a resteles kaytyf1 728

And on f e ground which is my moodres gate /

I knokke wif my staff1 erly and late

And saye leeue mooder lete me Inne

Lo how I wanse fleisscfr and blood and skyn [leaf 201] 732

Alias whan schullen myne bones ben at1 reste

Moder with 3011 wolde I chaunge my cheste

That1 in my chambre lange tyme haue be

$e for an here clout/ to wrappe me 736

But1 ^itt to me sche wole nou^t1 do fat/ grace

ffor which ful hale and welked is my face

But1 sires to $ou it nys no curtesye

To speken vntil an olde man vilenye 740

CORPUS 447 (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 326

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

But' he trespace in word of er elles . in dede

In holy wryt1 36 may ^oure self1 wel rede /

A^eins an olde man hoor vpon his heede /

36 schullen aryse wherfore I ^iue ^ow rede 744

Ne do]? nou^t1 to an olde man non harrne now

No more fat1 men dede to 3ow

In age if* f afr 30 so longe abyde

And god "be wif 3011 whef er 36 go or ryde 748

I mot1 go f ider f er as I haue to go

Nay olde cherl by god f ou schalt1 no^f so

Sayde f is olde hasardour anon

fou fartest1 nought1 so lightly by seint1 Ion 752

fou spake right1 now of1 f ilke traitour def

fat1 in f is cuntre alle oure frendes sleef

haue heer my trouf e as fou art1 his aspye /

Telle wher he is or fou schalt1 abye 756

By god and by f e holy sacrament/

ffor so]?ly jjou art1 on of1 his assent1

To slen vs 3onge folk1 jjou false ]?eef*

Now sires if1 jjat1 it be to 3ou so leef1 760

To fynde dejj turne vp )>is croked wey

ffor in fat1 groue I lafte him by my fey

vnder a tre and J?ere he wole abycle

Ne for 3oure bost1 he nyl him no fing1 hyde 764

Se 36 fat1 Oke right1 fere 36 schuln him fynde

God saue }ou fat1 bo^t1 a3ein mankynde.

And 3ou amende f us sayde f is olde man)

And euery of1 f ise ryetoures ran [leaf 201, back] 753

Til fey came to f e tree and f er fey founde

Of1 floryns fyne of1 gold y-coyned rounde

Wel neih a seuen buscheles as hem fought1

No lenger fenne after def fey sought1 772

But1 eche of1 hem so glad was of1 f e sight1

ffor fat1 f e floryns so faire ben and bright1

That1 doun fey sette hem by f e precious horde

The worste of1 hem he spak/ fe firste worde 776

CORPUS 448 (6-T. 320)

SIX-TEXT 327

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Bref eren quod he take keepe what1 I say My witte is gret1 f ough fat1 I bourde and play f is tresour ha]) fortune to vs ^iuen

In merfe and lolyte oure lijf* to lyuen 780

And lightly as it1 come)) so wole we spende Ey goddes precious dignite who wende To day fat1 we schulde haue so fair a grace But1 mighte ])is golde be caryed fro J)is place 784

home to myn hous oj)er elles vnto 3oures ])anne mighte we seye fat1 it/ were al oures / f enne were we in heih felicite

but1 trewely by day it1 may nought1 be / 788

Men wolde say fat1 we were f eues stronge And for oure oughne tresour don vs honge J)is tresour nioste y-karied be by night1 As wysly and as sleighly as hit1 might1 792

Wherfore I rede let1 loke among1 vs alle Be drawe and let see wher j)e cutte wol falle he fat1 haf f e cutte wif herte blythe

Schal renne to toune and fat ful swythe 796

To brynge vs breed and wyn ful pryuyly And tuo of1 ous schuln kepe ful subtilly f is tresour wel and if1 he wol noughtt tarien Whan fat1 it1 is night1 we woln fy tresour carien 800

By on assent1 wher as vs luste best fat1 oon of1 hem broughte in his feste And bad hem drawe and loke on whom it wol falle And it1 fille on f e ^ongeste of1 hem alle [leaf 202] 804 And forf toward f e toun he wente anon And also soone as he was y-gon fat1 on of1 hem spak1 f us vnto fat1 of er f ou wost1 wel fat1 foil art1 myn owen sworne brof er 808 Thyn prophyte wol I telle f e anon f ou wost1 wel fat1 oure felawe is gon And heere is gold and fat1 ful gret1 plente That1 it1 schal departed be among1 vs fre 812

CORPUS 449 (6-T. 327)

SIX-TEXT 328

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

But* naf eles if1 1 can schape it/ so

fat1 it1 departed were among1 vs tuo

had I nougRt1 don a frendes turne to f e

fat1 ofer answerde I not1 how fat mighte be 816

I woot1 wel fat1 f e gold is oure tuo

What1 schulde we seye what1 schulde we do

Schal it1 be counseil sayde f e firste schrewe /

And I schal telle in wordes fewe 820

What1 we schulii doon and bringe it1 wel aboute

I graunte quod fat1 of er out of1 doute

fat1 by my trewjje I wol f e no^t1 bewreye

Now quof f e firste fou wost1 wel we be tweye 824

And tweyne of1 vs schuln strenger ben fan oon

loke whenne he is sette and j?anne anon

Aryse as fou woldest1 wif him pleye

And I schal renne him f urgh f e sydes tweye 828

Whiles fat1 fou struggelist1 wif him in game

And wif f y dagger loke fou do f e same

And f enne schal al f is gold departed be

My deere freend bitwixe fe and me 832

f enne may we bof e oure lustes fulfille

And pleye atte dys right1 at1 oure owen wille

And f us accorded ben f ese schrewes tweye

To sleen f e f ridde as $e herde me seye 836

f is 3ongest1 which fat1 wente to f e toun

fful ofte in herte he rollef vp and doun

f e beaute of1 f ese floreynes newe and bright1

O lord quof he if1 so were fat1 1 might1 [leaf 202, back] 840

Al f is tresour wynne to my self1 allone

f er nys no man fat1 lyuef vnder f e trone /

Of1 god fat1 scholde lyue as mery as I

And at1 fe laste fe feend oure enemy 844

Putte in his f ou^t1 fat1 he schulde poyson beye

With which he mighte sleen his felawes tweye

fifor why f e feend fand him in such lyuyng1

That1 hadde leue him to sorwe brynge 848

CORPUS 450 (6-T. 328)

SIX-TEXT 329

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

ffor pis was vtterly his entent1

To slen hem bope and neuer to repent

And for]? he go]) no leiiger nolde he tarye

In-to ])e toun vnto a potycarie / 852

And preyde him pat1 he him wolde selle

Som poysoun fat1 he might1 his rattes quelle

And eek1 per was a polkat1 in his hawe

pat1 as he sayde his Capons had y-slawe / ^ 856

And sayde he wolde wreken him if1 he might1

Of1 vermyn pat1 distroyed him by night1

pe apotykaries answerde pou schalt1 haue

A ping1 fat1 als god my soule sane 860

In al ])is world per nys no creature

pat1 eten or drunken ha]) of1 ])is confecture

Nought1 but1 pe mountaimee o£ a corn of1 whete

pat1 he ne schal his lylH anon forlete 864

36 sterue he schal and pat1 in lasse while /

penne pou wolt1 gon a pace nought1 but1 a myle

pis poysoun is so strong1 and so vyoleiit1

pis cursed man hap in his hand y-hent1 868

pis poysoun in a box and sepenes he ran

In-to pe nexte strete vnto a man

And borwed him large botelles pre

And in pe tweyne pis poyson poured he 872

pe pridde he keped clene for his drynke

ffor al pe night1 he schop him to swynke

In karying1 of1 pe golde out1 of* pat1 place

And whan pis ryetour wip sory grace [leaf 203] 876

had felled wip him his grete botelles |>re

To his felawes a^ayn repayrep he

What1 nedep it1 to sermone per-of1 more

ffor right1 as pay hadde cast1 his dej? afore 880

Right1 so pey haue him slayn and pat1 anon

And wheime pat1 pis was don pen spak1 pat1 oon

Now let1 vs drynke and sytte and make vs mery

And afterward we wolen his body bery 884

CORPUS 451 (6-T. 329.)

SIX-TEXT 330

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And aftirward it1 happed hem per cas

To take j?e hotel jjer-in J>e poyson was

And drank1 and ^af1 his felawe drynke also

fFor which anon J?ey storuen bo]?e tuo 888

But1 certes I suppose Jmt1 Auycenne

Wrot1 neuer in no Canoun ne in no fenne

Mo wonder sorwes of1 enpoysonyng1

Thus hadde Jjise wrecches tuo here endynge 892

Thus ended hen Jns Omycides tuo

And eek1 J?e false enpoysonere also

0 cursed synne ful of1 cursednes

0 traytours Omycyderes o wikkednes 896

0 glotenye o luxurie 0 hasardye J>ou hlasphemer of1 crist1 wij> vilenye And o}>es grete of1 vsage and of1 pryde

Alias mankynde how may it hetyde 900

ferto jrin creatour / which Jjat1 J?e wrought1

And wij) his precious blood j>e bought1

]>ou art1 so fals and so vnkynde alias

Now goode men god for^iue ^oure trespas 904

And ware $ou fro J>e synne of1 auarice /

Myn holy pardoun may ^ou alle warische

So jjat1 ^e offre nobles or sterlinges

0))er elles seluer spones broches and rynges / 908

BoweJ) ^oure hed vnder fis holy bulles

Come)) vp ^e wyues offre]? ^oure wulles

3oure name I entre here in my rolle anon)

In-to ]?e blisse of1 heuen schul ^e gon [leaf 203, back] 912

1 ^ou assoille by myn heih powere

36 jjat1 woln offre as clene and eek1 as cleere

As ^e were born and sires lo jms I preche

And Ihesn crist1 Jiat1 is oure soules leche 916

So graunte 3ou his pardoun to resceyue

ffor jjat1 is best1 I wol 3ou nou3t disceyue

But1 sires o word forgat1 I in my tale

I haue reliqes and pardon in my male 920

CORPUS 452 (6-T. 330)

SIX-TEXT 331

GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,

As faire as eny man in Engelond "Whiche were me y-^oue by f e popes hond IfH eny of1 ^ou wole of deuocion

Offren and haue myn absolucion 924

Come]? for]? anon and knelef doun heere And 36 schuln haue my pardon fat1 is deere Of er elles take]) pardoun as 36 wende Al newe and freissche at1 euery tounes ende 928

So fat1 36 offren alway newe and newe / Nobles and pens which fat1 ben good and trewe It1 is an honour to euerich fat1 is heere fat1 36 may haue a suffisaunt1 pardonere 932

To assoille 3ou in cuntre as I ryde ffor auentures which fat1 may betyde ffor peraduenture f er may falle on or tuo Doun of1 his hors and breke his necke a tuo 936

loke which a suerte it1 is to 3011 alle fat1 1 am in 3our felaschipe y-falle fat1 may assoille 3ou bof e more and lasse Whan fat1 fe soule schal fro fe body passe / 940

I rede fat oure hooste schal begynne ffor he is most1 envoluped in synne Comef forf sire Ost1 and offref first1 anon And fou sehalt1 kisse fe relikes euerychoon 944

30 for a grote vnbokel anon f y purs Nay nay quod he fenne haue I cristes curs Let1 be quod he it1 / schal noi^t1 be so f eche fou woldest1 make me kesse fin olde breche [leaf 2043 948 And swere it1 were a relyk1 of a seint1 f ough it1 were wif fyn foundement1 depeynt But1 by f e Crosse which fat1 seint1 Eleyne fand I wolde I hadde fine coyllons in myn hand 952

In stede of1 relikes of er of1 seintuary let1 cutte hem of1 1 wol f e helpe hem cary fey schuln be schryned in an hogges tord fis pardoner answerde nou^t1 a word 956

CORPUS 453 (6-T. 331)

SIX-TEXT 332

GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,

So wrof he was he nolde no word say

Now quod oure Oost1 I wil no lenger play

Wif fe ne with non ojjer angry man

But1 right1 anon fe worjjy knight4 bygan 960

Whan fat1 he saugh fat1 al f e poeple l[ough]

Komore of1 J>is for it is right1 ynough

Sire pardoner be mery and glad of1 cheere

And }e sire Oste J?af ben to me so deere 964

I pray 3011 fat1 }e kisse fe pardoneere

And pardoner I pray J?e fat1 fou drawe fe neere

And as we dide let1 vs laughe and pleye 967

Anon fey kisse and ryden forf here weye IF Explicit1, fabula.

Pardonarii

CORPUS 454 (6-T. 332)

GROUP B, 0- FRAGMENT III)

§ 4. THE SHIPMAN'S TALE.

If Here bygynne]> J?e schipmannes tale

AMarchaunt1 whilom dwelled at1 Seint1 Denys Cam That1 riche was for which men heelde him wys XV1J * A wyf1 he hadde of1 excellent1 beaute And compynable and reuerent1 was sche Which is a Jnng1 fat1 cause]) more dispence fen worf is alle fe cheere and reuerence 1196

That1 men haue doon at1 festes and at1 daunces Suche salutaciouns and contynances Passef as do]) f e schadewe on a wal

But woo is him fat1 paye moot1 for al 1200

])e sely housband algates he moste paye he moot1 vs clof e and vs arraye As for his owen worschipe richely

In which aray we daunce lolyly 1 204

And if1 fat1 he nou^t1 may per aduenture [leaf 204, back]

Or elles luste no suche spenses endure / But1 JjenkeJ) it1 is waste and y-loste /

Thenne moot1 anof er payen for oure coste 1 208

Or lene us golde and fat1 is perilous ])is noble marchand held a noble hous fifor which he hadde alday gret1 repayre ffor his largenesse and for his wyf1 was fayre 1212

fat1 wonder is but1 herkenej) to my tale Amonges aH his gestes grete and smale / fer was a monk1 a fair man and a bolde I trowe a J)ritty wynter he was olde / 121G

That1 euer in oon was drawyng1 to J)e place Jns ^onge monk1 fat1 was so fair of1 face CORPUS 455 (6-T. 168)

SIX-TEXT 169

GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

A^ueynted was so wif f is goode man Sifenes fat1 here firste knowleche bygan 1220

That1 in his hous as ffamuler was he As it is possible eny frend to be And for as mekel as f e goode man

And eek1 fis monk1 of which fat1 1 bygan 1224

Were bof e tuo y-born in o village The monk1 him claymef as for cosynage And he a^ein he saif nought1 ones nay But1* was as glad fer of1 as foul of day 1228

ffor to his herte it was a gref plesaunce fus ben fay knitte wif eterne alliaunce / And ilke of1 hem gan of er for to assure / Of broferhode whiles fat1 here lyf may dure 1232

fire was daun lohn and namely of dispense As in fat1 hous and ful of diligence To do plesaunce and also grefr costage / he nought1 forgat1 to ^iue fe leste page / 1236

In al fat1 hous but1 after here degre He 3af f e lord and sejnns al his meyne / Whan fat1 he came som maner honest1 f ing1 ffor which fey were al glad of his comyng1 1240

As foul is fayn whan sonne vp arise]? [leaf 205]

Namore of fis as now for it1 suffisef But1 so bifeH fis marchaund vpon a day Schop him to make redy his array 1244

Toward fe toun of Bruges for to fare To byen fere a porcioun of ware ffor which he haf to Parys sent1 anon) A messanger and preyed haf doun Ion 1248

That1 he schulde come to seint1 Denys and pleye Wif him and with his wyf a day or tweye Or he to Bruges wente in aH wyse

This noble monk1 of which I $ou deuyse 1252

haf of his abbot1 as him lust1 licence By cause he was a man of heih prudence CORPUS 456 (6-T. 169)

SIX-TEXT 170

GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And eek1 an officer out1 for to ryde

To see here graunges and here bernes wyde 1256

And vnto seynt1 Denys he come]? anon Who was so welcome as my lord daun lohn Oure deere cosyn ful of1 curtesye

Wip him brought1 he a lobbe of1 maluesye 1260

And eek1 ano]>er ful of1 good vemage And volatille as ay was his vsage And pus I lete hem ete and drynke and pleye This marchand and pis monk1 a day or tweye / 1264

The pridde day pis marchand vp arise}) And on his needes sadly him avisep And vp in to his countourhous go]) he / To rekne wij) himselue wel may be 1268

Of* pilke }eer how pat1 it1 with him stood ' And how pat1 he despended hadde his good And if1 fat1 he encresed were or non

his bokes and his bagges many oon 1272

he ley]) bifore him on his countyng1 bord fful riche was his tresour and his hoord ffor which ful faste his counterhous dore he schette And eek1 he nolde noman schulde him lette 1276

Of1 his acountes for pe mene tyme [leaf 205, back]

And J)us he sitte til it1 was passed pn'me Daun lohn was rysen in J)e morne also / And in J)e gardyn walke]) to and fro 1280

And ha]) his pinges sayde deuoutely pis goode wyf1 cam walkynge pryuely In to J)e gardyn per he walkep softe

And him salueth as sche hap don ofte 1284

A mayden childe came in hire companye Which at hire luste may gouerne and gye ffor }it vnder pe ^erde was pe mayde

0 deere Cosyn myn daun lohn sche saydo / 1288

What1 eylep $ou so rape to aryse

c[uod he it1 aughte ynough suffise 32 CORPUS 457 (8-T. 170)

SIX-TEXT 171

GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

ffyue houres for to slepen on a nyght But1 it1 were for an olde palled knight 1292

As ben fese wedded men fat1 lye and dare As in a forme sitte alway an hare Were al forstraught1 wif houndes grete and smale But1 deere neece why "he 36 so pale / 1296

I trowe certes fat1 oure goode man haf 3ou laboured serenes f e night1 bygan fat1 3ou were neede to resten hastily

And wif fat* word he lough ful meryly 1300

And of1 his owne fought he wax al reed This fayre wyf1 gan to schake hire heed * And sayde f us 36 god wot1 al quod sche Kay cosyn myn if stant1 nou^t1 so wif me / 1304

ffor by fat1 god fat1 3aff/ me soule and lyf* In aH f e rewme of ffraunce is f er no wyf *•

That1 lasse lust1 haf to fat1 sory pley

ffor I may synge alias and welawey 1 308

fat1 1 was born but1 to no wight1 quod sche Dar I nou^t1 telle how it stant1 wif me Wherfore I f enke out1 of1 f is lond to wende Or elles of1 myself1 to make an ende / 1312

So ful am I of1 drede and of1 care (leaf 200]

This monk1 bygan vpon f is wyf1 to stare And sayde alias my neece god it1 forbede That1 36 for eny sorwe or ony drede 1316

ffordo 3oure self1 but1 tellsf forf 3oure greef1 Peraduenture I may in 3our rnescheef1 Counseile or helpe and f erfore tellef me AH 3oure annoye for it1 schal be secre 1320

ffor on my portos I make an oth fat1 neuer in my lijf1 for leef1 ne lof !Ne schal I of1 no counseil 3ou bewreye The same a3ein to 3ou quod sche I seye 1324

By god and by f is portos I swere fey men wolde me al to peeces tere

CORPUS 463 (6-T. I7l)

SIX-TEXT 172

GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Ne schal I neuer for to go in to helle Bewreye a word of1 jnng1 fat1 30 me telle / 1328

Nought1 for no cosynage ne alliaunce But1 verreily for loue and affiaunce Thus ben fey swore and her-vpon y-kiste And ilk1 of hem tolde ofer what1 hem liste 1332

Cosyn quod sche if I hadde a space As I haue non and namely in fis place fanne wolde I telle a legende ofH my lyf1 What1 1 haue suffred sethens I was a wyf» 1336

Wif myra housband and feign he be ^our cosyn Nay quod fis monk1 by god and by seint1 Martyn he nys no more cosyn vnto me

fan is fis leef1 fat1 hangef on fe tre 1340

I clepe him so by seintf Denys in ffmunce To haue f e more cause of acqueyntaunce Of1 3ou which I haue loued specially

Abouen aH: wommen sikerly 1344

This were ynougfr on my profession TelleJ? ^oure greef1 lestH J?af he come a-doun And hastef $ou and go]) 3oure wey anon My deere loue quod sche 0 daun lohn 1348

fful leef* me were ])is counseil to hyde Reaf 206, back]

Buf out* it1 mot1 it1 may no lenger abyde myn housbond is to me J>e worste man fat1 euer was sifenes fe world bygan 1352

But1 sij>enes I am a wyf* it1 sit nou^t me To telle no wight1 of1 oure pryuyte Neyfer a bedde ne in non ojw place God schilde I scholde telle it1 for his grace 1356

A wyf1 ne schal nat1 seyn of1 hire housband But1 all honour1 as I can vnderstande Saue vnto }ou Jms moche telle T schal As help me god he nys nou^t1 worj) at1 al 1360

In no degre )>e value of1 a flye But1 3 it me greuej) most1 his nyggardye CORPUS 459 (6-T. 172)

SIX-TEXT 173

GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And wel 3 e woot1 pat1 wowmen naturelly Desyren pinges seuen as wel as I 1364

pey wolden pat1 here housbandes scholde be hardy and wys riche and per-to fre And buxum to his wyf1 and freissch a bedde But1 by pat1 like lord pat1 for vs bledde 1368

fibr his honour my selue to arraye A sonday next1 1 moste paye An hundred ffrankes or elles am I lorn 3ef were me leuer fat1 1 were vnborn 1372

penne me were don a sclaunder or vilenye And if1 myn housbande eeke might aspye I nere but1 lost1 and perfore I ^ou preye lene me pis somme and elles mot1 1 deye 1376

Daun lohn I say lene me pese hundred frankes Par de I wol not1 fayle pe my pankes If1 pat1 3ou luste to do fat1 1 3ou pray ffor at1 a certein day I wole 3011 pay 1380

And do to 3ou what1 plesaunce and seruise That1 I may do right1 as 3ou lust1 deuyse And but1 1 do god take on me vengaunce As foule as hadde genylofi of ffraunce 1384

This gentil monk1 answerde in pis manere [leaf 207]

Kow trewely myn owen lady deere I haue quod he on 3ou so gret1 a roupe That1 1 3ou swere and plighte 3ou my troupe 1388

That1 whan 3oure housbonde is to fflaundres fare I wol delyuer 3ou out1 of1 pis worldes care / ffor I wol bringen 3ou an hundred frankes And wip pat1 he caught1 hir by pe schankes 1392

And hire enbraced harde and kissed ofte Gop now 3oure weye quod he al stille and softe And let1 vs dyne as sone as euer 30 may 5 ffor by my chilyndre it1 is pn'me of1 pe day 1396

Gop now and bep as trewe as I schal be / Now elles god forbede sire quod sche

CORPUS 460 (6-T. 173)

SIX-TEXT 174

GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And for]? sche gof as gelous as a pye

And bad f e cokes Jatf fey sclmlde hem hye 1400

So fat1 men niighte dyne and fat anon

vp to hir housbonde is f is wyf1 y-goii

And knokkef at his countour* boldely

Quy la quod he peter it1 am I 1404

Quof sche what1 how longe wol 36 faste /

how longe tyme wol 36 rekne and caste

3oure sommes }oure bokes and ^oure Binges

fe deuyl haue part1 on aH suche rekenynges 1408

3e han ynough parde of1 goddes sonde

Come doun to day and lete 3oure bagge stonde

Ne be $e nought1 aschamed fat1 Daun lohii

Schal fastyng1 al fis day elenge gon 1412

What1 lete vs heere masse go we dyne

Wyf1 quod fis man ful lytel canstow dyuyne

The curious busynesse fat1 we haue

ffor of1 vs chapmen so god me saue 1416

And by fat1 lord fat1 called is seint1 yue

Skarsly amonges twelue tweye schuln f riue

Continuelly lastyng1 vnto oure age

We may wel make chere and good visage 1420

And dryue forf f e world as it may be Oeaf 207, back]

And kepen oure estate in priuite

Til we be deed or elles fat1 we pleye

A pylgrymage or gon out1 of1 fe weye 1424

And f erfore haue I gret1 necessite

vpon f is queynte worlde to auyse me

ffor euermore we mote stande in drede

Of1 happe and fortune in oure chapmanhede 1428

To fflaundres wol I go to morne at1 day

And come a3ein as sone as euer I may

ffor which my deere wyff1 I f e beseke

As be to euery wight1 buxom and meke 1432

And for to kepe oure good be curious

And honestly gouerne wel oure hous

CORPUS 461 (6-T. 174)

SIX-TEXT 175

GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

fou hast1 ynough in every maner wyse

That1 to a thrifty housbonde may suffise 1436

The lakkef non array ne no vitayle

Of* Siluer in ])i purs fou mayst1 nou^t1 fayle

And wif fat1 word his countour dore he schette

And doun he go]) no lenger nolde he lette 1440

And hastyly a masse was f er sayde

And speedly f e tables were layde

And to f e dyner faste fey hem speede

And richely fis monk1 fe Chapman fedde 1444

And after dyner daun John soburly

This Chapman took1 a part1 al pryuyly

he seyde him f us cosyn it1 standef so

fat1 wel I see to Bruges wolle 36 go 1448

God and seinf austyn spede 3011 and gyde ,

I pray ^ou Cosyn wysly fat1 36 ryde

Gouernef 30U also of* ^oure dyete

And temperally and namely in Jns hete 1452

Bytwixe vs tuo needef no straimge fare

fFare wel cosyn god schilde 3ou fro care

If1 eny f ing1 f er be by day or by niglit1

If1 it1 ligge in my power and my might1 1456

That1 $e me wol comaunde in eny wyse [leaf 208]

It1 schal be doon right1 as 36 wil deuyse

0 Jnng1 er fat1 36 gon if1 Jjaf it1 may be

1 wolde preye 3ou for fe loue of1 me 1460 An hundred frankes for a wyke or tweye

ifor certeyn bestes pat1 1 moste beye

To store with a place fat1 is owres

God helpe me I wolde fat1 it1 were 3owres 1464

I schal nought1 fayle suerly of1 my day

Nought1 for a f ousand frankes a myle way

But1 lete f is f ing1 be secre I 3ou preye

3e schulle be payed wher fat1 1 lyue or deye 1468

And fare now wel myn owen cosyn dere

Graunt1 mercy of1 3oure cost1 and of1 3oure chere

CORPUS 462 (6-T. 175)

SIX-TEXT 176

GROUP B. § 4, SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

This noble marchaunt1 gentilly anon

Answerde and sayde 0 Cosyn daun lohn 1472

Now sikerly pis is a smal requeste

My gold is ^oures whan pat1 euer ^ou leste

And nought1 oonly my gold but1 my chaffare

Tak1 what1 ^ou leste god schilde pat1 ^e spare 1476

But1 o ping1 is 36 knowe it wel ynougn"

Of1 chapmen pat here monee is here plough

We may creaunce whiles we haue a name /

But1 goldles for to be it1 is no game 1480

Pay it1 a3ein whan it1 lip in ^our ese

After my might1 ful fayn wolde 1 3ou plese

pise hundred frankes he fette forp anon

And pryuyly he took1 hit1 to daun lohn 1484

No wight1 in al pis world wist of1 jris lone

Sauyng1 pis marchaunt1 and daun lohn allone

fey dranken and roined out1 to pleye

Til patf daun lohn ryde)) to his abbeye 1488

pe morne came and for]) pis marchaunt1 rydep

To fflaundres ward his prentys wel him gyde]>

Til he cam in to Bruges meryly

Now go}) pis marchaunt1 faste and bysyly 1492

Aboute his neede and byep and creauncep [leaf 208, back]

he neyper pleyep at1 j)e dys ne daunce})

But1 as a marchand schortly for to telle

he leetf his wyf1 and per I lete him dwelle 1496

pe sonday next1 pe marchaunt1 was agon

To seint1 Denys I-comen is Daun lohn

"Wip croune and berde freissch and newe schaue

In al pe hous per nas so lite a knaue 1500

Ne no wight1 elles pat1 he nas fayn

ifor pat1 my lord doun lohn was come agayn)

And schortly to here poynt1 for to gon)

pis fayre wyf1 acordep to daun lohn 1504

And for pis hundred ffrankes he schulde al night1

haue hire in his armes bolt1 vprighf

CORPUS 463 (6-T. 176)

SIX-TEXT 177

GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And pis acorde parfourmed was in dede

In myrpe al night1 / a busy lyfH pey lede 1508

Til if was day pat1 daun lofin went1 his way

And bade pe meyne far wel haue good day

ffor non of1 hem ne no wight1 in pe touii

hap of1 daun lohn right1 non suspecioun 1512

and for]) he rydep home to his abbay

Or wher him luste no more of1 him I say

This marchauntt whan pat1 ended was pe ffayre

To seint1 Denys he gan for to repayre 1516

And wip his wyf1 he make)) feste and chere

And tellep hire pat1 chaffare is so deere

pat1 needes moste he make a Cheuesaunce

ffor he was bounden in a reconysaunce 1520

To paye xx pousand scheldes anon

.ffor which pis marchaunt1 is y-wont1 to gon

To borwe of1 certeiii frendes pat1 he hadde

A certeyn frankes and some wip him he ladde 1524

And whan pat1 he was come in to pe toun

ffor gret1 chierte and gret/ affeccioun

vnto daun lohn he ferst1 him go]) to pleye

Nought1 for to borwe of1 him no money e 1528

But1 for to wite and se of1 his welfare [leaf 209]

And for to tellen him of1 his chaffare

As frendes don when pey ben mette in feere

Daun lohn him make]) feste and mery cheere 1532

And he him tolde a^ein ful specially

how he hadde brought1 ful wel and graciously

Ranked be god al hool his marchaundise

Saue pat1 he moste in aH maner wyse 1536

Maken a cheuysance as for his beste

And penne he schulde be in ioye and reste

Daun lohn answerde certes I am fayn

pat1 36 in hele be come home agayn 1540

And if1 pat1 1 were riche as haue I blisse

Of1 twenty pousand scheldes scholde 36 nou^t* misse

CORPUS 464 (6-T. 177)

SIX-TEXT ITS

GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

ffor 36 so kyndely pis oper day

Lente me golde as I can and may 1544

I J>anke 3011 by god and by seint1 lame

But1 napeles I took1 vnto oure dame

3oure wyf1 at1 home pe same gold a3ain

vpon 3oure benche sche wot1 it1 wel certain 1548

By certein toknes pat1 I can hire telle /

Now by 3oure leue I may no lenger dwelle

Cure abbot1 wol out1 of1 pis toun anon

And in his companye mot1 I gon 1552

Gret1 wel oure dame myn owen nece swete

And fare wel dere cosyn til we mete

This marchaunt1 wip pat1 was ful war and wys

Oeaunsed hap and eek1 payed in Parys 1556

To certein lumbardes redy in here hand

J)is so?7wne of gold and gat1 of1 hem pe band

And home he go]? mery as popyngay

ffor wel he knew he stood in such aray 1560

pat1 needes moste he wynne in such a viage

A pousend frankes abouen al his costage

his wyf1 ful redy rnette him atte gate

As sche was wont of1 old vsage algate 1564

And al pat1 night1 in niirpe pey besette / [leaf 209, back]

ffor he was riche and clerly out1 of1 dette

Whan it1 was day pis marchant1 gan enbrace /

his wyf al newe and kissed hire on hire face 1568

And vp he gop and makep it1 wonder tough

No more quod sche by god 36 haue ynough

And wantounly a3ein wip him sche pleyde

Tille atte laste pat1 pis marchant1 seyde 1572

By god quod he I am a litel wrop

Wip 3ou my wyf1 pough it1 be me loth

And wote 30 why by god as pat1 1 gesse '

ffor ye haue made a maner straungenesse 1576

Bytwixen me and my cosyn daun lohn

$e schulde haue warned me er I hadde gon

CORPUS 485 (6-T. 178)

SIX-TEXT 179

GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

fat1 lie hadde 3011 an hundred frankes payed

By redy tokne and he him held yuel payed 1580

for fat* I to him spak1 of* cheuysaunce

Me semed so as by his contynaunce

But1 naf eles by god and heuen king1

I foughte nought1 to axe of1 him) no fing1 1584

I pray f e wyf1 ne do no more so

Telle me alway er fat1 1 fro f e go

If1 eny dettour haf in myn absence

I-payed fe leste furgh fin necligence 1588

I might1 him axe a f ing1 fat1 he haf payed

fis was nas nough affered ne affray ed

But1 boldely sche seyde and fat1 anon

Mary I diffye fat1 false monk1 daun John 1592

I kepe nought1 of1 his tokenes neuer a deel

he tok1 me certein gold f is wot1 1 wel

What1 euele f edam on his monkes snowte /

ffor god it1 wot1 1 wende wifouten doute / 1596

fat1 he hadde 3oue it1 me by cause of1 $ou

To do fer wif myn honour and my prow

ffor cosynage and eek1 for bele chere

fat1 he haf had fulofte tyme heere l

But1 sefins I see I stonde in such disioynt1 [leaf 211]

I wol answere ^ou schortly to f is poynt1

3e haue mo slakker dettours fen am I

ffor I wol paye }ow wel and redily 1604

ffro day to day and if1 so be I fayle

I am 3our wyf1 score it1 vpon my tayle

And I schal paye as sone as euer I may

ffor by my troufe I haue on myrc array 1608

And nought1 on waste bestowed euery del

And for I haue bestowed it1 so wel

To 3oure honour for goddes sake I say

As.be nought1 wrof but1 lete vs laughe and play 1612

3e schuln my ioly body haue to wedde /

By god I nyl nought1 paye 3ou but1 a bedde

CORPUS 466 (6-T. 179)

SIX-TEXT 180

GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.

fibr^iue it* me myn owen spouse deere /

Turne hiderward and make]) bettre cheere 1616

This marchaunt* seyh J?er was no remedye

And for to chyde it* nere but* folye /

Sejnns fat1 fe J?ing* may nought* amended be

Now wyf* he sayde and I for^iue if J?e 1620

But* by J>in lyf1 ne be no more so large

kepe bet* my good J>is 3iue I ]>e in charge /

Jms endef now my tale and god vs sende

Toylyng*'ynough vnto oure lyues ende 1T Explicit* 1624

Here endef }>e schipmannes tale

COKPTJS 467 (6-T. 180)

SIX-TEXT 181 GROUP B, § 5. SHIPMAN-PRIORESS LINK. CoipUS MS.

|i/%/ El seyde by corpus domiuus

T T JSTow lange mote f ou sayle by fe coste

Sire gentil mayster gentil marynere /

God 3iue j?e monk1 a fousand last1 quade 3ere / 1628

A ha felawes bef war of* such a Tape /

f e monk1 putte in ]>e mannes hood an ape /

And in his wyues eek1 by seint1 austyn

Drawef no monkes more in to ^oure In 1632

But1 now passe ouer and let1 vs seke aboute

Who schal now telle ferst1 of1 al J>is route

Anojjer tale and wij? fat1 word he sayde

As curteysly as if hadde ben a mayde r^af 211, back]

My lady prioresse by ^our leue

So fat1 1 wiste I schulde ^ou nought1 greue /

I wolde deme fat1 ^e telle schulde

A tale next1 if1 so were fat1 36 wolde 1640

Now wole 36 fouche sauf1 my lady deere /

Gladly quof sche and sayde in f is manere

CORPUS 468 (6-T. 181)

SIX-TEXT 182

GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.

[No gaps between the stanzas.']

, Here begynneth f e tale of1 Alma redemptoris f e prioresses Tale. If Prologe

OIF Domine doraim/s noster lord oure lord fin name how merueilous Is in f is large word y-spredde qiiod she ffor nought1 only fyn laud precious

Parfourned is by men of1 dignite 1646

But1 by f e mouth of1 children fin bounte Parformed is for on oure brest1 soukynge Som tynie schewen fey fin heryynge 1649

IT Wherfore in laude as I can best1 or may

Of1 f e and of f e white lyly flour

Which fat1 f e bar and is a mayde alwey

To telle a story I wol don my labour 1653

Nought1 fat1 I may encrece hire honour

ffor sche hireself1 is honour and f erto roote /

Of bounte next1 hire sone of1 soules boote 1656

IF 0 mooder mayde 0 mayde moder fre

O busch vnbrent1 brennyng1 in moyses sight1

That1 rauyschej? doun fro j?e deytele

Jmrgh fin humbles ]?e gost1 fat1 in J>e alight1 ] 660

Of1 whos vertu whan he in fin herte alight1

Conceyued was J?e fadres sapience

Help me to telle it1 in fin reuerence 1663

IF Lady fin bounte and fin magnificence fin vertu and fin gret1 humilite Ther may no tonge expresse in no science ffor som tyme lady er men preye to fe 1667

f ou gost1 biforn and fin benignite And getest1 vs to light1 f urgh fin prayere To gyden vs vnto fin sone so clere [leaf 212]

CORPUS 469 (6-T. 182)

SIX-TEXT 183

GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.

My connyng1 is to wayk1 o blisful queene

ffor to declare fin grete worf inesse

That1 1 ne may f e weighte nought1 susteene /

But1 as a childe of1 xij nionthe elde or lesse 1674

That1 can vnnef es any word expresse /

Right* so fare I and f erfore I 3011 preye

Gydef my song1 fat1 1 schal of 3011 seye 1677

[THE TALE.]

Ther was in a cite in a gref cite Amonges cristen folk1 and lewerye Susteyned by a lord of fat1 cuntre ffor foule vsure and lucre of* vilanye 1681

hatful to crist1 and to his companye And furgli )>e strete men mighte ryde or wende ffor if was fre and open at1 euery ende 1684

A lytel scole of1 cristen folk1 f er stood

Doun at1 f e furf er ende in which f er were

Children an heepe y-come of1 cristes blood

That1 lered in fat1 scole 3ere by 3eere 1688

Such maner doctrine as men vsed fere

This is to say to syngen and to rede

As smale children don in here childhede 1691

Among1 f is children was a wydewes sone

A litel clergoun vij 3er of age

That1 day by day to scole was his wone /

And eek* also wher he saugn" the ymage / 1695

Of cristes mooder hadde he in vsage

As him was taught1 to knele a doun and seye

his aue marie as he gof by fe weye 1698

CORPUS 470 (6-T. 183)

SIX-TEXT 184

GROUP B. § 6, PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Thus haj> J>is wydewe hire litel child y-tau^t1

Oure "blisful lady cristes mooder deere /

To worschipe ay and he forgat1 it1 nought1

fFor sely child wol alday sone lere 1702

But1 ay whan I remembre me on ]>is matere

Seynt1 Nicholas stant1 euer in my p?*esence

iFor he so 3onge to crist1 dede reuerence 1705

1T This child his litel book1 lernynge [leaf 212,

As he sat1 in J>e scole at1 his primere

he alma redemptoris herde synge /

As children lerned here antiphoner 1709

And as he durste he drough" him ner and neer

And herkned ay Jje wordes and Jje noote /

Til he j?e firste vers coupe at by roote / 1712

wiste he what1 pe latyn was to say ffor he so ^ong1 and tender was of1 age / But1 on a day his felawe gan he preye . To expounen him pis song1 in his langage / 1716

Or tellen him why pis song1 was in vsage / This preyde he him to construe and declare / fful ofte tyme vpon his knees bare / 1719

his felawe which pat1 elder was pan he

Answerde him pus pis song1 1 haue herd say

Was maked of1 oure blisful lady fre

hire to salue and eeke hire for to pray 1723

To ben oure helpe and socour whan we deye

I can no more expounde in pis matiere

I lerne song1 1 can but1 smale gramere / 1726

IF And is pis song1 ymade in reuerence

Of1 cristes mooder sayde pis Innocent

Now certes I wol don my diligence

To konne it1 er Cristemas be went1 1730

CORPUS 471 (6-T. 184)

SIX-TEXT 185

GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.

f ougft fat1 I for my prymer schal be schent

And schal [be] beten fries in an houre

I wol it1 konne oure lady to honoure 1733

5F his felawe taught1 him homward pryuyly

ffro day to day til he couf e it by roote

And f enne he sang1 it1 wel and boldely

ffro word to word acordyng1 to fe note / 1737

fries on a day it1 passef f urgh his f rote /

To scoleward and homward whan he went1

On cristes moder sette was his entent/ 1740

As I haue sayde f urghoutt f e lewerie

This litel childe as he came to and fro [leaf 213]

iful meryly fen wolde he synge and crye /

On alma redemptoris euermo 1744

The swetnes haf his herte perced so

Of1 cristes mooder fat1 to hure to preye

He can nought1 stynte of1 syngynge by fe weye / 1747

IF Oure firste foo f e serpent1 Sathanas

That1 haf in lewes his waspes neste

vp swalle and sayde 0 Ebrayke poeple alias /

Is fis a fing1 to $ou fat1 is honeste / 1751

fat1 suche a boy schal walken as him leste /

In ^oure despite and syngen of1 such sentence

Which is a,3ein oure lawes reuerence / 1754

IT ffro f ennes forth f e lewes han conspired

This Innocent1 out1 of fis world to chace

In homicidie f er-to han fey hyred

fat1 in an aley had a pryue place i758

And as f e childe gan forby for to pace

fis cursed lew him hente and heeld faste

And cutte his frote and in a putte him caste/ 1761

CORPUS 472 (6-T. 185)

SIX-TEXT 186

GROUP B, § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.

1T I say fat1 in a wardrobe fey him drewe /

Wher as f ise lewes purgen entraille

0' cursed folk1 of1 heroudes al newe /

What1 may ^oure euyl entent1 3011 auayle / 1765

Mordre wole out1 certain it1 wol nought1 fayle

And namely fere honour of1 god schulde sprede

fe blood out1 cryef on 3our cursed dede 1768

IF 0 martyr sonded to virginite

Now maystow syngen folwyng1 euer in oon

The white lanibe celestial quod he /

Of1 which fe grete eutmngelist1 seint1 lohn 1772

In Pathmos wrot1 which seif fey fat1 gon

Byforn f is lambe and synge a song1 al newe

fat1 neuer fleisschly wowmen fey knewe 1775

IF f is pore wydewe waytef al fat1 night1

After f is litel childe but1 horn cam he not^f

ffor whom as sone as it1 was dayes light1 [leaf 213, back]

Wif face pale for drede and busy fought 1779

Sche haf at1 scole and elles wher him sought1

Til fynally sche gan so fer aspye

fat1 he was seyn last1 in fe lewerye 1782

IT With moodres pyte in hire brest1 enclosed

Sche gof as f ougfi. sche were half1 out1 of*1 mynde /

To euery place where sche^haf supposed

By lyklyhede hire childe for to fynde 1786

And euer on cristes moder meke and kynde

Sche cryed and at1 f e laste f us sche wrought1

Among1 fe cursed lewes sche him sought1 1789

Sche freynef and sche preyef pitously

To euery lewe fat1 dwelt1 in filke place

To telle hire if1 hire child went1 hem by

They sayden nay but1 fiiesus1 of1 his grace [' MS i

33 CORPUS 473 (6-T. 186)

SIX-TEXT 187

GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.

in hire fought1 wif -in a litel space fat1 in fat1 place after hire sone sche cryede fer he was caste in a putte besyde 1706

IF 0 grete lord fat1 performed fin laude

By mouf of1 Innocence lo here J>y might1

This gemme of1 chastite f is Emeraude

And eek1 of1 martirdome fe ruby bright1 1800

fer he wif f rote y-korue lay vpright1

he alma redemptoris gan to synge

So loude fat1 al fe place gan to rynge 1803

IT The cristen folk1 fat1 f urgh f e strete went

In comen for to wondren on f is f ing*

And hastely fey for f e prouost1 sent

he came anon wif outen eny taryyng1 1807

And herief crist1 fat1 is of1 heuen king1

And eek1 his mooder honour of1 mankynde

And after fat1 fe lewes let1 he bynde 1810

This childe wif pitous lamentacion

vp taken syngyng1 his song1 alway

And with honour and gret procession /

They carien him to fe next1 abbay [leaf 214]

his moder swownyng1 by f e bere lay

vnnef es mighte f e poeple fat1 was fere

This newe rachel bringe fro his bere 1817

Wif torment1 and with schameful def ilkon This prouost1 dof f is lewes for to sterue That1 of1 f is moerdre wiste and fat1 anon he nolde non such cursednesse obserue / 1821

Euel schal haue fat1 euel wol deserue f erfore with wilde hors he dede him drawe And after fat1 he hynge him by fe lawe 1824

.. CORPUS ,471 (6-T. 187)

SIX-TEXT 188

GROUP B, § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IF Vpon f is beere ay lif f is Innocent1 ,

Biforn f e chief1 auter whiles masse last1

And after fat1 f e abbot1/ wif his couent

hadde spedde him for to burye him als fast 1828

And whan fey halywater on him cast1

3itf spak1 f e child when spreynt1 was f e holy water

And sang1 0 alma redemptoris mater 1831

IF This abbot1 which fat1 was an holy man

As monkes be?^ or elles oughten to x be C1 ? to later-]

This ^onge childe to coniure he bigan

And sayde 0 deere childe I hailse fe 1835

By vertu of* f e holy trinite

Telle me what1 is f y cause for to synge

Sifenes fat1 fy frote is kutte at my semynge 1838

1F My Jjrote is cutte vnto my nekke bon

Sayde fis childe and as by way of1 kynde

I schulde haue deyed 36 long1 tyme agon

But1 iliesu crist1 as 36 in bookes fynde 1842

Wol fat1 his glorie laste and be in mynde

And for fe worschipe of1 his moder deere /

3etf may I synge 0 alma lowde and cleere 1845

1F This welle of1 mercy crystes mooder swete

I loued alwey as after my konnyng1

And whan fat1 1 my lyff1 schulde Icte

To me sche cam and bad me for to synge 1849

This anteme verraily in my mynde deynge [leaf 211, back]

as 30 haue herd and when fat1 1 hadde songe

Me fought1 sche leyde a greyn vpon my tonge / 1852

IF Wherfore I synge and synge moot1 certein In honour of1 f e blisful martir fre Til of1 my tonge of* taken is f e greyn And after fat1 sayde sche fus to me 185G

CORPUS 475 (6-T. 188)

SIX-TEXT 189

GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.

My litel childe now wol I fecclie pe .

Whan pat1 py grein is fro J)y tonge y-take

Be nought1 a-gast1 I wol pe nought1 forsake 1859

IT pis holy monk1 pis abbot1 him mene I

his tunge out1 caught1 / and took1 awey pe greyn

And he 3af1 up pe gost1 ful softely

And when pis abbot / hadde pis wonder seyn 1863

his salte teeres stiyked doun as reyn

And gruff* he fell al plat1 vnto pe grounde

And stille he lay as he hadde ben y-bounde / 1866

IF pe couent1 eek1 lay vppon pe pauyment1

Wepyng1 and herying1 cristes moder deere

And after pat1 pay ryse and for ben went1

And toke awey pis martir fro his bere / 1870

And in a tombe of1 marbiH stones clere

Enclosen pey his litel body swete

Ther he is now god leue vs for to inete 1873

1F 0 $onge hewe of1 lincolle slayn also

Wip cursed lewes as it1 is notable

ffor if nys but1 a litel while ago

Preye eek1 for vs we synful folk1 vnstable 1877

That1 of1 his mercy god so merciable

On vs his grete mercy multiplye

fFor reuerence of1 his mooder marie AnieN 1F Explicit1 //

CORPUS 476 (6-T. 189J

SIX-TEXT 190 GBOUP B. § 7. PRIORESS-THOPAS LINK. CoipUS MS.

M W 7 ban seyde was ]>is tale euery man %/%/ As sober was pat1 wonder was to se T T Til Jjafr owre Oste Tape J?o bygan

And fenne at1 erst1 be loked vpon me 1F Chaucere

And sayde ]?us what1 man art1 J?ou quod be

Thou lokest1 as J>ou woldest1 fynde an hare / [leaf 215]

ffor euer vpon J?e ground I se Jje stare 1887

>

Approche ner and loke meryly

Now ware $ou sires and let1 J)is man ban place

be in Jje waste is schapen as wel as I

This were a popetf in armes to embrace 1891

ffor any womman smal and fair of1 face

he seme]) eluyssch by his contynaunce

ffor vnto no wighf doj> he dalyaunce 1894

Say now somwhat1 sejjins oj>er folk1 ban sayd

Telle vs a tale of1 merj>e and pat1 anon

Oste quod I ne be nought1 yuel a-payde

ffor oj?er tale certes can I non 1898

But1 of1 a Ryme I lerned longe agon

3e Jjat1 is good quod he schuln we here

Som deynte Jring1 me J>inkeJ> by his cheere . 1901

CORPUS 477 (6-T. 100)

SIX-TEXT 191 GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. CoipUS MS.

[No gaps between the stanzas in the

Here bygynneth J>e tale of1 Chaucer of1 sire Thopas

Cam xixra [Fytte L]

LEsteneJ) lordes in good entenfr And I wol telle verramenf Of1 miracle and solace 1904

Al of1 a knight1 was fayr and genf In bataille and in tornament1 His name was sire Thopace 1907

I-born he was in ferre cuntre

In fflaundres al be3onde J>e se

At1 poperyng1 in J?e place 1910

his fader was a man ful fre

And lord he was of1 fat1 centre

As if was goddes grace 1913

Sire Thopas was a doughty swayn

Whyf was his face as Payndemayn

his lyppes reed as Rose 1916

his robe is like Scarlet1 en grayn

And I 3011 telle in good certayn

he hadde a semely nose 1919

his herd his heer was lik1 saffroun

That1 to his gurdel straughtf a-doun [leaf 21?, back]

his schoon of1 Cordewayne / 1922

Of1 Bruges were his hosen broun his robe was of Ciclatoun

That1 coste many a layne 1925

CORPUS 478 (6-T. 19 1)

SIX-TEXT 192 GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. CorpUS MS.

he cou]>e hunte at1 wylde deer

And Eyde an haukynge by ]?e ryuer

WiJ> gray goshauk1 on honde 1928

Ther to he was a good archer

Of1 wrastlyng1 was J?er non his peer

Ther any man schulde stonde 1931

fful many a mayde bright1 in bour

They mourne for him paramour

When J>ey were bet1 to slepe 1934

But1 he was chaste and no lecchour

And swete as is Jje bremble flour

J?af bere]> pe rede hepe 1937

11 And so byfeH vpon a day

ffor sojje as I $ou telle may

Sire Thopas wolde out1 ryde 1940

he worj?e vpon his steede gray

And in his hande a launcegay

A long1 swerd by his syde 1943

he prikej) jmrglL a fair forest1

Ther Inne is many a wilde beest1

3e boj>e bucke and hare 1946

And as he prikej) north and Est1

I telle 3ou him hadde almestf

Betydde a sory care 1949

Ther springen herbes grete and smale The lycoris and ]>e Setuale

And many a clowe Gylofre 1952

And notemuges to put1 in ale Whejjer it1 be moyst1 or stale

Or for to leye in Coffre 1955

CORPUS 479 (6-T. 192)

SIX-TEXT 193 GROUP B, § 8. SIR THOPAS. CoipUS MS.

The briddes syngen it1 is nou^t1 nay

The sperhauk1 and J?e popyngay [leaf 210]

That1 loye it1 was to heere / 1958

The Jjrostilkok made eek1 his lay

The woode dowfe vpon ]>e spray

Sche sang1 fill loude and cleere 1961

Sire Thopas feli in loue longyng1

And whan he herde J?e prustel syng1

And priked as he were wood 1964

his faire steede in his prikynge

So swette Jjaf men might him wrynge

his sydes were al blood 1967

Syre Thopas eek1 so wery was

ffor prykyng1 on J?e softe gras

So fers was his corage 1970

That1 doun he leyde him in Jjat1 place

To maken his steede som solace

ffor he was so sauage 1973

0 seynt1 mary benedicite

What* eylejj fis loue at1 me

To bynde me so sore 1976

Me dremed al J>is night1 parde

An elf1 queen schal my lemman be

And slepe vnder my gore 1979

An Elf1 queene wol I loue ywys

ffor in pis worlde no man is

Worjjy to be my make 1982

in toune

AH oj?re wowmen I forsake And to an elf1 queen I me bytake By dale and eek1 by downe 1986

CORPUS 480 (6-T. 193)

SIX-TEXT 194:

GROUP B, § 8. SIR THOPAS. Corpus MS,

In to his sadel lie cam anon

And prikejj ouer stile and ston

And elf1 queene for to aspie 1989

Til he so longe haj> ryden and gon

That1 he fond in a priue woon

The cuntre of fayrye 1992

IT So wylde fibr in J>af cuntre nas J?er non [leaf 216, back]

[ no gap in the MS.]

wijf1 ne childe / 1996

Til him J>er cam a loly geaunt1

his name was cleped sire Olyphaunt

A perilous man of1 dede 1999

he seyde child by Termagaunt

But1 if1 J?ou prike out1 of1 myn haunt*

Anon I slee ]>in steede 2002

1F WiJ> mace

here is Jje queene of* fayerye WiJ> harpe and pype and Synphonye dwellynge in J>is place / 2006

The childe seyde so mote I )>e

To morne wol I meeten J?e

When I haue myn armure 2009

And 3itf I hope par ma fay

That1 j?ou schalt1 wij> J)is launcelay

Abeyen it1 ful sore 2012

1T J?urg£ Jjine mawe / Schal I perce if1 1 may Or it1 be fully pryme day ffor heere feu schalf be slawe / 2016

CORPUS 481 (6-T. 194)

SIX-TEXT 195 GROUP B, § 8. SIR THOPAS. CoipUS MS.

Sire Thopas drow a bak1 ful faste J?is geaunt1 at* him stones caste / Out1 of1 a felle staf1 slynge But1 faire askapej? child Thopas And al it1 was jmrgn" goddes gras And Jmrgh his faire berynge

2019

2022

^it1 lestenej) lordes to my tale/ Murier J?en ]?e nightyngale ffor now I wole 3ou roune / how sire Thopas with sydes smale / Prykyng* ouer downe and dale / Is come a}ain to toune

2025

2028

his mery men comaunded he / To maken him bojje game and glee ffor needes moste he fight1 Wij) o geaunt1 with hedes ]>re ffor paramowr and lolyte • Of1 on fat1 schon ful bright1

2031

[ffo back to leaf 210

2034

Do come he seyde myne menstrales And gestours for to telle vs tales / Anon in myn armyng1 Of1 Romances fat1 ben realles / Of* popes and of1 Cardynalles / And eek1 of1 loue lykyng*

2037

2040

They fette him fersf fe * swete wyn

[ ...... C^^^««/

in a later Hand,

c1 wrongly dotted under \

.]

..... Tio gap in the MS.] And lycoryus and eek1 comyn sucre J?af is trye

CORPUS 482 (6-T. 196)

2046

SIX-TEXT 196 GROUP B. § 8, SIR THOPAS. CoipUS MS.

He dede next1 his white leere

Of1 cloj> of1 lake fyn and clere

A breche and eek1 a scherte 2049

And next* his scherte an aketoun)

And ouer Jjat1 an habergoim

ffor persyng1 of* his herte 2052

And ouer Jjat1 a fyn hauberk1/

Was al y-wrought1 of1 lewes werk1

fful strong1 if was of plate 2055

And ouer Jjat1 his cote armure /

As whyt1 as is a lyly flour

In which he wole debate 2058

his schelde was al of1 gold so red

And Jjer Inne was a boores heed

A charbokil him 1 besyde jyjwj Jg^ 2061

And J?er he swore on ale and breed

That1 J?e geaunt1 schulde be deed

betyde what1 betyde 2064

his lambes were of1 quyrboyly

his swerdes scheme of1 yuory

his helme of1 latoun bright1 2067

his sadel was of1 ruel bon

his bridel as J>e sonne schon

Or as J>e mone so light1 2070

his spere was of1 fyn Cypres

That1 bedej) werre and no fing1 pees [>*<* 0/^/210]

The heed ful scharpe y-grounde 2073

his steede was al dappel gray

It1 go]) an ambel by Jje way

fful softely and rounde 2076

CORPUS 483 (6-T. 196)

SIX-TEXT 19 i

GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Corpus MS.

In londe

Lo lordes myne heere1 a fytte p ys, put in by a. later hand] If* 30 wole eny more of* hitte To telle if wol I fonde 2080

[Fytte II.}

Now halde 301110 moupe par charite

Bo}>e knight* and lady fre

And herknej? to my spelle 2083

Of* bataile and of* cliiualry

And of1 ladyes lone drery

Anon I wol 3011 telle 2086

Men speke of Eomance of* prys

Of1 horn child? and of1 ypotys

Of* Beuys and sire Gy zo&b

Of* sire libeus and pleyndamour

But* sire Thopas he here]? jje flour

Of* real chiualry 2092

his goode steed al he bestrod

And forj> upon his way he glod

As sparcles out* of* J?e bronde 20y5

vpon his crest* he bar a tour

And \er Inne styked a lily flour

God schilde his corps fro schonde 2098

And for he was a knight* aunterous he nolde slepen in non hous

But* liggen in his hood ziui

his brighte helme was his wanger And by him baytej) his destrer

Of* herbes fyne and goode 2104

CORPUS 484 (6-T. 107)

SIX-TEXT 198

GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Corpus MS.

elle

. . . . no gap in the MS.] 2108

COHPUS 485 (C-T. 198)

SIX-TEXT 109 GROUP B. § 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK. Corpus MS,

~"1k ~T~0 more of1 Jns for goddes dignite {.on leaf 210,

\^ Quo]) oure hoste for J?ou makesf me -i^- 1 So wery of1 ]?y lewednes

That* also wisly god me bles 2112

Myn eres ake of1 fin darsty speche l> <>» <° ^«/2i?]

Now such a rymere Jje deuel y beteche This may be wel rym dogereH quod he Why so quod I why wilt1 j>ou lette me 2116

More of1 my tale fan anofer man Sevens it1 is J?e beste Kym I can By god quod he pleynly I j?e say

jjou schalf no lenger rymen heere to day 2120

Thow dosf nought1 elles but1 dispendesf tyme Sire at1 0 word J?ou schalt1 no lengere ryme Let1 se whefer fou canst1 telle ought1 in geste Or telle in prose somwhat1 at1 ]>e leste 2124

In which J>er be som merfe and som doctrine Gladly quod I by goddes swete pyne 1 wol 3ou telle a litel fing1 in prose

Jjaf oughte like ^ou as I suppose / 2128

Or elles certeyn 36 ben to daungerous If is a moral tale vertuous Al be if tolde somtyme in sondry wyse Of1 sondry folk1 as I schal 3ou deuyse 2132

As ]>us 30 wote euery euawngeliste Thaf tellejj vs of1 ihesu criste Ne saij? nou3f al fing1 as his felawe doj> Buf natheles here sentence is al soj> 2136

And aH acorden as in here sentence Al be fer in here tellyng1 difference

CORPUS 486 (8-T. 199)

SIX-TEXT 200 GROUP B. § 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK. COIpUS MS.

ffor some of1 hem seyn more and some lesse

Whan J?ey his pytous passioun expresse 2140

I mene of1 mark1 matheu luke and lohn

But1 douteles here sentence is al on

Therfore lordinges all I 3011 beseche

If1 fat1 30 Jnnke I varie in my speche 2144

As Jms if1 jjaf I telle somwhat1 more

Of1 prouerbis jjen 30 haue herd byfore

Comprehendit1 in Jjis litel tretis heere

To enforce with Jjeffecte of my matiere 2148

And pough I nadde1 J>e same wordes saye p ,£f*i J1 JiJ^JJ^]

As 36 han herd 3^ to alle 3ou I praye

Blame J? me nought1 for as in my sentence

3e schal nought1 fynde mochil difference / 2152

ffro ]>e sentence of1 J?e tretys lyyte 2 [2 nte in a later AUM]

After ]?e which )?is mery tale I wryte

And3 herkene what1 1 schal seye ^Ksrfnaanofh^hS\in

And let1 me telle my tale I 3011 preye / 2156

CORPUS 487 (6-T. 200)

SIX-TEXT 201 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS,

[There are no line-numbers or breaks between the paragraphs in the MS. Tyrwhitt's breaks are kept here to prevent slight differences in the Six Texts throwing out many lines.~\

[Corpus MS, on leaf 217, back.]

If Cm. xxm.

Here bygynnep Chauceres tale of1 Melibe and his wyf1 Prudence and his doughter Sapience

[2157]

A^ong1 man whilom called Melibe mighty & riche bigate vpon his wyf1 fat1 called was Prudence . a doughter which J?att cleped was Sapience [2 1 58] IT vpon a day felle fat1 he for his disporte is went1 in to fe feeldes him to pleye [2159] his wyf1 and eek1 his doughter haj> he lefte wijrinne his hous of1 which J>e dores weren faste schette . [2160] ffoure of* his olde foos han it aspyed . and setten ladderes to }>e walles of* his hous and by fe wyndowes ben y-entred [2 161] 51" and beeten his wyf1 and wounded his doughter with fyue mortaille woundes in .v. sondry places. [2162] jjis is to say in hire feet1 in hire hand, in hire eeres in hire nose in hire mouj> 1F and laften hire for deed and wenten here wey

[2163] 51 When Melibews retourned was a^ein in-til his hous and sawe al J>is meschief1 IT he y-like a mad man rendyng1 his elopes gan to weepe and crye

[2164] 1F Prudence his wyf1 as ferforj? as sche dorste bysought1 him of1 his weepyng'for tostynte [2 165] IF but nou^f for-J>y he gan to wepe and crye euer lenger fe more

[2166] IT This noble wyf1 prudence remembred hire on J?e sentence of1 Ovide in his bok1 J?af cleped is J?e remedy of1 loue where he saijj [2167] he is a fool Jjat1 distourbej) ]>e mooder for to wepe in fe de]> of1 hire childe til sche haue wepte hire fille as for a certein tyme [2168] Then schal man don his diligence -wiih amyable wordes hire to comforte and to prcye hire of1

CORPUS 488 (6-T. 201)

SIX-TEXT 202 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

hire wepyng1 for to stynte [2169] IF ffor which" resoun fis noble prudence suffred hire housbond for to weepe and crye as for a certeyn space [2170] IF And when sche saugh hire tyme sche seyde him in fis wyse IF Alias my lord quod sche why make 30 ^oure self for to be ylike a fool [2171] ffor sofe it1 apertynef nou^t1 to a wise man to maken such a sorwe [2172] IT 3oure doughter wif fe grace 1of god schal be warisshed and askape [2173] IT And alle were it1 so fat1 sche right1 now were deed f 30 oughte nou^fr as for hire def 3oure self1 to destryue [21 74] 1F Senek1 saif f e Wiseman schal nou^t1 take to gret1 discomfort1 for fe def of1 his children [2175] but1 certes he schulde suffre if in pacience as wel as he abydef fe dej) of* his owen propre persone

[2176] 1F This Melibeus answerde anon and sayde 1F What1 man quod he schulde of1 his wepyng1 stynte fat1 haf so gret1 a cause for to weepe [2177] IF Ihesws cn'st1 cure lord himself" wepte for J?e dej? of1 lazarus his freend [2178] 1F Prudens answerde 1F certes wel I woof a-tempre weepyng* is nou^t1 defendid vnto him Jjaf sorwful is among1 folk1 in sorwe 5F Buf it1 is rafer y-graunted him to wepe [2179] IF The apostel Poule . vnto Jje Eomayns write]? . Man schal reioyse wij> hem fat1 maken ioye IF And weepen wij? suche folk1 as wepen [2180] 1F But Jjough a-tempre wepynge be y-gmunted Outragous weepyng1 certes is defended [2181] IF Mesurable wepyng1 schulde be considered after J?e lore Jjat1 techej) vs Senek f Senek/ [2182] IF Whan fat1 J>i freend is deed let1 nought1 fin yen to moyste ben of1 teeres ne to druye *{[ Al fough f e teeres comen of1 fin eyen let1 hem nou^t1 fallen [2183] IF And whan fou hast1 forgoii fi frende I rede fou do f y diligence to gete f e anof er . and f is is more wiser fan for to wepe for f yn freend f e which fat1 fou hast1 lore *[ ffor fer-in is no boote [2184] 1F And ferfore if1 fou lust1 gouerne f e by Sapience f putte awey sorwe of1 3oure herte. [2185] 1F Kemembref 3011 fat1 Ihesus Cyrak1 / seif 5 ih«t»

34 CORPUS 489 (6-T. 202) C1 leaf 218]

SIX-TEXT 203 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. COIpUS MS.

a man fat1 is loyous and glad in herte hit1 him con- seruef florisching1 in his age IF But1 sofly sorwful herte make]) his bones dryue [2186] IF he saif eek fus U fat1 sorwe in herte slef ful many a man) [2187] Sa- lamon. seif fat1 right1 as moughtes in fe schepes flees annoyef to f e clof es and f e smale wormes of1 f e trees IT Eight1 so anoyef sorwe to fe herte [2188] IF Wherfore we ou3t as wel in f e def of1 oure children as in fe losse of1 oure good haue pacience

tiob [2189] IF Eemembref ^ow vpon fe pacient1 loh.

whan he hadde lost* his children and his temperel sub stance / In his body endured and suffred many a greuous temptac?'on IF 36^ sayde he ]?us [2190] 1F Oure lord quod he haj) }oue it1 me 5F Oure lord ha]) byreft1 it me Eight1 so as oure lord ha]) wolde right1 so be it don. y-blessed be J?e name of oure lord [2191] 1F To )>ese afore finges Melibeus answerde to his wyf1 dame Prudence / Alle fine wordes quod he ben sofe and ferto pro- ffitable 5F But1 trewly myn herte is troubled wij? Jns sorwe so greuously fat1 1 not1 what1 to done [2192] IF let1 calle qwoc? Prudence fin trewe frendes alle and fin lynage whiche fat1 ben wise Telle hem f yn [caas] l and herkne what1 fay say in counseillynge and 3ou gouerneth f er after here

Salomon sentence [2193] Salomon saif werk1 alle fing1 by counseil and f ou schalt1 neuer repente f e

[2194] IF Thenne by fe counseil of1 his wyf1 dame Pru dence f Melibezte' let1 callen a gret1 congregaciofi of folk1 [2195] [...... no gap] olde and 3onge and

some of1 his olde enemys reconsiled as by here semblant in to his loue and in to. his grace [2196] 1F And fer-wif-al f er come somme of his olde neyghebo^rs and fat1 deden him reuerence more for drede fan for loue as it1 happef ofte [2197] 1F Ther comef also ful many subtile flaterers and wyse aduocatis lerned in f e lawe

[2198] And whan fis folk / togidre assembled were '. This Melibews in sorwful wise schewed hem fis caas

CORPUS 490 (6-T. 203) [i leaf 218, back]

SIX-TEXT 204 GROUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.

[2199] IF And by fe manere of* fis speche he bar in his herte a cruel yre redy - to don venge- aunce vpon his foos And sodeynly desired fat1 fe werre schulde begynne [2200] 1F But1 nafeles jit1 asked he here counseil vpon fis matere [2201] A Surgien by licence and assent of1 suche as were wyse vp ros vii- to Melibeus and sayde as 36 may heere

[2202] Sire quod he as to vs surgiens aperteynef to euery wight1 fe beste fat1 we can were as we ben wif holde IT And to oure paciences fat1 we do no damages [2203] f erf ore it happef many tymes and ofte fat1 when tuo men haue euerich wounded ofer 0 same Surgien helej) hem bofe [2204] 1T Wherfore vnto oure art1 it1 nys nou^t1 pertynent1 to norische werre ne parties to supporte [2205] IT But* certes as to fe warisshyng1 of1 ^our doughter be it1 so fat1 sche is perilously wounded f we schulde do so ententyfly busynes fro day to night1 fat1 wif f e grace of1 god sche schal be sound and hool as sone as it1 is possible [2206] IT Alle men in fis same wyse answerden and f e Phisiciens . saue fat1 fay say den a fewe wordes more [2207] fat1 right1 as maladies ben heled by fe contraries Right1 so schal men warissche werre by vengaunce [2208] his neyghe- burs fulle of1 enuye his feynede freendes fat1 semed reconsiled his flaterers [2209] maden sernbla?mt of1 wepyng1 enpeyred and engregged meche of1 his matiere in preysynge gretly Melibeus of1 might1 of1 power of1 riches and of1 frendes despysynge fe power of1 his aduersaries [2210] and sayden outrely fat1 he anon) schulde awreken him on his enemys and begynne werre

[2211] IT Vp ros fanne an aduoket1 fat1 was wys and sayde by leue and by counseil of1 of ere fat1 were wyse 1T And sayde [2212] lordynges the neede for f e which we t>en) as sembled in f is place is a ful heuy f ing1 and an heigh matiere [2213] by cause of1 fe wrong1 and of1 fe wikkednesse faf haf ben don and eeke by resoun) of1 fe grete damage / CORPUS 491 (6-T. 204)

SIX-TEXT 205 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

in tyme comynge ben possible to 1falle for fis same cause [2214] and eek1 by resoun Of1 fe grete richesse and power of* fe parties bofe [2215] IF ffor fe whiche resouns it1 were a grefr perile for to erren in fis matiere // [2216] wherfore melibeus fis is oure sentence we counseile $ou abouen alle finges fat1 right1 anon fou do fi diligence in kepyng1 of1 fi propre person© in suche a wyse fat fou ne wante none aspye ne wacche fi body for to saue [2217] IF And after fat1 we counseile fat f ou sette in fin hous sumsauntt garnysoun IF So fat1 fey may as wel fy body and fin hous defende [2218] IF But1 certes for to meve werre ne sodeinly for to do vengeance IF We may nou^t1 deme in so litel tyme fat1 it1 were profit able [2219] wherfore we asken leysir and space to haue deliberacion in fis cas to deme [2220] for fe commune prouerbe saif f us . he . fat1 sone demef sone schal repente [2221] IF And eek» men say fus faf filke luge is wys fat1 sone vnderstandef a matiere and lugef by leysyr [2222] IF ffor al be it1 so fat1 alle taryynge be anoyful f algates if nys nou^t1 to reproue in ^euyng1 of luggementz ne in vengaunce takynge whanne it1 is suffisaunt1 and resonable . [2223] and fat1 schewed oure lord ihesus crist1 by en- sample IF ffor when fat1 fe wowman was taken in aduoutrye was brought1 in his presens to knowe what1 schal ben don with hire person© ^[ Al be it1 so fat1 he wiste wel himself1 what1 fat1 he wolde answere ' ^it1 ne wolde he nou^t1 answere sodeinly but1 he wolde haue deliberacion and in fe ground© he wrot1 twyes [2224] ^F And by fis cause we axen deliberacion And we schullen fanne by fe grace of1 god counseile fe finge fat1 schal be profitable

[2225] ^f Vp sterte fenne fe 3onge folk1 atones f and f e moste partye of1 fat1 company haue scorned fis olde wise ma?z and bygonne to make noyse and sayden [2226] right1 so IT as whiles fat1 yren is hoot men schulden smyte IF Eight1 so men schulden wreken here wronges whiles

COlirUS 492 (6-T. 205) [Ueat'219]

SIX-TEXT 206

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.

fay ben freissche and newe IT And with lowde voys fey cryden werre werre

[2227] vp ros fe on of1 fe olde wise and with his hande he made a contynaunce fat1 fey schulde halden hem stille and ^iuen hem audience [2228] IF lordynges quod he fer is ful many a man fat1 crief werre werre fat1 wot1 ful litel what* fat1 werre amountef [2229] IF werre at1 his bygynnyng1 haf so gret1 an enteryng1 and so large IF That1 euery wight1 may entre when him likef . and lightly fynde werre [2230] ^f But1 certes to what1 ende fat1 schal f er-of1 bifalle it1 nys nou^t1 lightly to knowe [2231] 1F whan fat1 werre is ones bygonne f er is ful many a childe vnborne of1 his moder fat1 schal sterue 3ong1 by cause of1 filke werre Of er elles lyue in sorwe and deye in wrecchednesse [2232] IF And ferfore er fat1 eny werre be bygonne men rnosten Jhan gret1 counseil and good deliberacioii [2233] 1F And when fis olde man wende to enforcen his tale by resofi wel neih alle at1 ones bygonne for to ryse for to breken his tale / and beden him fuloften of1 his wordes for to abregge [2234] ^[ ffor sofly he fat1 prechef to hem fat1 luste nought1 his wordes ne his sermon hem annoyef [2235] - IF ffor Ihesus Cirak1 saif fat1 musyke in wepynge is «j ih*mi cirak / annoyous f ing1 f us moche is to sayn as moche annoyef to speke bifore folk1 to whiche his speche annoyef f as it1 is for to syngen byforn him fat1 wepef [2236] IF And when fis wise man saugh fat1 him wantede audience f al schamfast1 he sette him doun a^ein . [2237] ffor Salomon seif . fer ^ Salomon as f ou mayst1 haue non audience f enforce f e iiou^t1 to speke [2238] IF I se wel quod fis wyse man fat1 fe commune prouerbe is sof fat1 good counseil wantef . whan it is most1 nede

[2239] IF 3ifr hadde fis Melibeus in his counseilL? many folk1 fat1 priuely in his eere counseled him certein f ing1 . and counselled him f e contrary in general audience

[2240] *j[ When Melibeus hadde herd fat1 fe gretteste

CORPUS 493 (6-T. 206) [i leaf 219, back]

SIX-TEXT 207

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.

party of1 his counseil were acorded pat1 lie schulde make werre i anon he consentede to here counseilyng IT and fully affermed to here sentence [2241] 1F Thannedame Prudence whan pat1 sche saugh" how pat1 hire housbonde schope him for to wreke him on his foes and to begynne werre IF Sche in ful humble wyse whan sche saugh" hire tyme / seyde him in pise wordes [2242] IF My lord qiwd sche I 3011 beseche as hertely as I dar and can U ~N& haste ^ou nou^fr1 to faste IF And afore alle guerdouns 31^ me audience [2243] ^ ff°r Pieres Alphons. saip 1F 0 who so dop to pe good oper harme haste pe nought* to quyten hit IF ffor in pis wise py frend wole abyde and 1pm enemy schal pe lengere lyue in drede [2244] 1F The prouerbe saip pat1 he haste]? him wel pat1 wisly can abyde IF and in wicked haste is no profyte

[2245] ^ This melybe answerde to his wijf1 IF ^F Prudence I purpose nought1 quod he to werke by py counseille for many causes and resons 1F ffor certes euery wight1 wolde halde me fenne a fool [2246] IF This is for to say IF If1 1 for Ipj counseillyng1 wolde chaunge Jnnges pat1 ben ordeynf and affermed by so many wyse [2247] 1F Sec- oundly I say pat1 alle wommen ben pikke and none goode of1 hem alle ffor of1 a Jjousend men saip Salomon I fand a good man But1 certes of alle wommen fond I neuer good womman [2248] 1T And also certes if I gouerned me by j>y counseil it1 schulde seme pat1 I hadde 30110 to ]?e ouer me pe maystrie 1F and god forbede pat1 it1 so were [2249] 1F ffor Ihems Cyrak1 'saip. pat if1 pin wijf1 haue maistrief sche is contrarious to hire housebonde [2250] IF and Salomon saip IF Neuer in py lyf1 to py wyf1 ne to py childe ne to py freende ne 3iue no power ouer pi self1 1F ffor bettre it1 were pat1 pin children asken of py persone pinges pat hem needep 1F pen pou [be] pi self1 in pe handes of1 pin children [2251] 1F And also if1 1 wole wirche by pi counseylyng1 f certes my counseille moste som tyme be secree til it1 were tyme pat1 it1 moste be

CORPUS 494 (6-T. 207) ['leaf 220]

SIX-TEXT 208 GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.

knowe and fis ne may nought be doo [2252. For it is written, ' f e langelry of wo?ranen can huyde Binges fat1 fey wot1 nou^f [2253] Furthermore, the philosopher saith, ' in wikked counseil, wommen venquysshef men ; ' and for these reasons I ought not to make use of thy counsel. (See Prudence's answers to Reasons 4^5, 'below.)'] [2254] 1F When dame Prudence ful debonerly and wif alle pacience hadde herde alle fat1 hire housbonde liked for to say : Then asked sche of1 him licence for to speke and sayde in fis wise [2255] IF My lord qiiod sche . as to 3oure ferste resoun it1 may lightly ben answerde IT ffor I say fat1 it1 nys foly to chaunge counseille when f e f ing1 is chaunged Of er elles when fe fing1 semef ofer weyes fenne if semef aforn [2256] 1F And more ouer I say fay fat1 30 haue sworn and behight1 to parfourme ^oure emprise \_et tu la laissoies a fa ire (Le Menagier de Paris, i. 193)] by iuste cause f men schulde nou^t seyn f erfore fat1 ^e were a lyere ne forsworn [2257] IT ffor fe book1 seif fat1 fe wise man makef no lesynge when he tornef his corage / to fe bettre [2258] IT And if1 it1 be so fat1 ^oure emprise be establissht1 and ordeyned by gret1 multitude of1 folk 1F ^et1 far f e nought1 acomplyse filke ordyiiaunce but1 $ou like [2259] IF ffor fe troufe of1 finges and for profite ben raf er founde . in fewe folk1 fat1 ben wise / and fulle of1 reson fen by gret1 multitude of1 folk1 fer eue?y man cryef and clateref when him likef 1T sofly such multitude nys nought honeste [2260] and as to fe secounde reson wher as ^e sayn fat1 alle wommen ben wikke f Saue 3oure grace ffor certes ^e despysef alle wommen in f is wise, and he fat alle despisef all dispysef as seif fe book1 [2261] IT And Senek1 seif fat1 who so wole haue sapi ence . schal no man dispreyse 1F But1 he schal gladly teche f e science faf he can wifouten presumpsioun or pryde [2262] and suche finges fat1 he nought1 ne can he schal nou^t1 be asshamed to lere him) and to enquere of1 lasse

CORPUS 495 (6-T. 208)

SIX-TEXT 209

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.

folk1 pan of1 himself1 [2263] IT And sire pat1 per hap ben ful many a good womman may lightly be proued [2264] 1F certes sire oure lord ihesu crist1 nolde neuer han descended to be borne of1 a womman if1 alle womnien hadde be wicke [2265] 1T And after pat for pe grete bounte pat1 is in wowmen oure lord Thesus when he was rysen fro dep to lyfe appered raper to womman pan to his apostels [2266] 1F and pough pat1 Salomon saip pat1 he ne fond neuer womman good it1 ifolwep nought perfore pat alle wommen ben wikke [2267] IF For pough pat1 he ne fonde no good womman Certes many anoper man hap founden many a womman ful good and trewe [2268] Or elles perauenture pe entent1 of1 Salamorc was pus pat1 as in souereyn bounte he fande no womman [2269] This is to say pat1 per nys no wight1 pat1 hap parfyt1 bounte saue god allone as he himself1 recordep in his euaun- gelist1 [2270] 1T For per nys no creature so good that1 him ne wantep som what/ of1 pe perfeccion of1 god pat1 is his makere [2271] IF The pridde resoun is pis 30 say pat1 if1 36 gouerne 3011 by my counseil hit1 schulde seme pat1 30 hadde 3oue me pe maystry And pe lordschip of1 3oure persone // [2272] Sire saue 3oure g?-ace hit nys nought1 so IT For if1 so were pat no man schulde be counseled but1 oonly of1 hem pat1 hadde lorschipe and maystrye of1 his persone men nolde nought be counseiled so ofte. [2273] For soply pilke men pat1 askep counseil of1 a purpos IF 36^ hap he free wille wheper he wol do after pat1 counsel or no [2274] IF And as to 3oure fourpe reson per as 36 sayn pat1 pe langelry of wommen can huyde pinges pat1 pey wot1 noi^t1 IF As who saip pat1 a wo?nman can nought1 huyde what1 sche wot1 [2275] 1F Sire pese wordes ben vnder- stonde of1 wo??imen pat1 ben langleresses and wicked [2276] of1 whiche wommen men sayn pat1 pre pinges dryuep a man out1 of1 his hous . That1 is to say Smoke droppyng1 of1 Rayn and wickidde wyfes [2277] And

CORPUS 496 (6-T. 209) C1 leaf 220, back]

SIX-TEXT 210 GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

swiclie woramen saij> Salamo??/ fat1 he were bettre to dwelle in desert1 fan with, a womman fat is ryetous [2278] And sire by ^oure leue fat1 am nought* I [2279] IT For 36 haue ful ofte assayed my grete Cilence and my grete pacience and eek1 how wel fat he can huyde and hele finges fat1 men oughten secrely to huyden [2280] 11" and so]) as to 3oure fifte * reson wher as 30 say fat1 in wikked coun- seil wowmen venquysshef men 11 God wot1 filke reson stant1 heere in no stede [2281] If For vnderstandeth now 30 axeth counseil for to do wikkednes [2282] and if1 36 wolen werke wikkednesse and ^onre wijf1 restreynejj filke wikked p^rpos and ouercome 3011 by reson and by good counseil i [2283] certes 3oure wyf1 oughte rafer to be preysed fen to be blamed [2284] If This scholde 36 vnder- stande fe philosophre fat1 saif In wicked counseil wowmen venquysshen here housebondes [2285] IT and Jjere as 36 blamen alle wommen & here resons f I schal schewe 3011 by many .ensamples Jjat1 many wo?nmew han ben fill goode and 36^ ben and here counsel holsome and profitable [2286] IF eeke some men han sayde fat1 J>e counselyng1 of1 wo??zmen is eyfer to deere or elles to lytel of1 pris [2287] H But1 al be it1 so fat1 ful 'many womman is badde and here counseil vile & noi^tt worj) f 3ef han men founde many a good wo??iman and ful discret1 and wys in counselyng1 // [2288] lo Jacob jnirgh fe goode counseil of* his moder Eebekka wan jje benyson ofH his fader and J>e lordschipe ouer alle his breferen . [2289] ludith jmrgh hire goode counseil delyuered ]?e Cite of1 Buphelye in which sche dwelte out1 of1 )?e lande of* Olyuerne fat1 hadde it1 al byseged and wolde han al destruyet1 it1 [2290] IF Abegayle delyuered Nabal hir housbonde fro Dauid J>e king1 fat1 wrolde han slayn him and appaysede ]>e yre of1 ]>e king1 by hire witte and by hire goode counseil- yng1 [2291] 1T1[ Ester by hire counceil enchaunced gretly fe poeple of1 god in fe Regne of1 Assueres ]>e king1 [2292] and fe same bounte. in good counselling* of1

CORPUS 497 (6-T. 210) P leaf 221]

SIX-TEXT 211 GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CorpllS MS,

many a wownian may men telle [2293] IF And furfermore whan fat1 oure lord had created Adam oure forme fader '. he sayde in fis wise / [2294] If nys nought1 good to be a man allone IT Make we an helper semblable to him self. [2295] IF Here may 36 see fat1 if fat1 wowman were nou^t1 good and hire counseil good and profitable f [2296] Oure lord god of1 heuene ne wolde neuer han y-wroujtt hem ne called hem f e helper of* man [ . . . . - . , . . -« no gap."] [2297] ^F And fer sayde ones a clerk1 in tuo vers /

what1 is bettre fan a good laspre [

* V; . no gapJ\ wisdom [2298] And what1 is bettre fan wisdam woraman and what1 is bettre fan wowman fat1 is a good womman no fing1 [2299] IF And sire by many of1 of er resons may 36 seen fat1 many wo?wmen ben goode and eek1 here cou?*seil good and profitable [2300] 1F And f erfore sire if1 30 wiln truste to my counseil f I schal restore ^ou 3oure doughter hool and sound [2301] 1F And eek1 fat1 1 wol to 3011 don so moche fat1 36 schuln haue honour in f is caas

[2302] IF When melybe had herde fe wordes of1 his wijf* Prudence f he sayde fus [2303] fat1 fe wordes of1 Salamon is sof 1F For he saif fat1 wordes fat1 "ben' spoken .discretly by ordynauwce ben hony combes ffor fey 3iuen swetnesse to fe soule and holsomnes to fe body [2304] IF And wyf1 by cause of1 fine swete wordes and eeke for I haue y-proued and sayd fin grete sapience and fin grete troufe I wol gouerne me by fyn counseyl in alle f ing1

[2305] 1F Now sire qiwd dame Prudence and sefenes 30 fouche sauf1 to be gouerned by my counseil f I wol enforme 3011 how fat1 30 schuln gouerne 3oure self1 in chesyng1 of1 3oure counseilowrs [2306] 1F 30 schuln ferst1 fourme alle ^oure wekes mekely bysekeii to f e hihe god fat1 he wol ben 3our counseilour [2307] And schapef 3011 to such entent1 fat1 he 3iue 3011 counseil and confort as tanghte Thobye Ho his sone [2308] at alle tymes. thou schalt/ blesse

CORPUS 498 (6-T. 21l) [i leaf 221, back]

SIX-TEXT 212 GEOUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS, CoipUS MS.

god and preyen him to dresse / pine weyes . and loke also pat1 pine counseiles ben in him for euermore [2309] 1F Seint1 lame saip IF If1 any of1 3ou haue neede of1 Sapience f aske it1 of1 god [2310] IF And afterward penne schnllen 36 take counsel in 3oure self1 and examyn wel ^oure owne pou^tes of1 swiche pinges as 3011 penkep pat1 is best1 for ^oure profyt [2311] f And penne schulle 36 dryue fro ^oure hertes pinges pat1 ben contrarious to good counseil [2312] pat1 is to say . Ire . Coueytise . and hastynes .

[2313] ffirst1 he pat1 askep counseil of himself1' certes

he moste be wipouten Ire [ [23T4]

no gap in the MS."] and wrappe in

himself1 he wenep alwey pat1 he may do ping pat1 he may not do [2315] IF And secoundly he pat1 is Irous

and wrop he [ [231^] no gap

in the MS.'] may nought1 wel counseille [2317] IF The pridde is pis. pat1 he pat1 is Irous and wrop as saip Senek1 ne may nought1 speke but1 blameful pinges [2318] And with pilke vicious wordes he sterep oper folk1 to anger and to Ire [2319] And eek1 sire 30 moste drede coueytise out1 of1 3oure herte . [2320] ffor pe apostel seip pat1 coueytise is pe roote of1 alle harmes. [2321] And trusteth right1 wel pat1 a coueytous man ne can nought1 deme ne penke but1 only to fulfille pe ende of1 his coueytise. [2322] and certes pat1 ne may neuer be acomplised . ffor euer pe more habundance pat1 he hap of1 richessef pe more he desirep [2323] IF And sire 36 moste also driue out* of 3owr hertes hastynes [2324] IF For certes 36 may nou3t1 deme for pe beste a sodeyn pought1 pat1 fallep in 3oure herte 1F But1 36 moste avise 3ou on hit ful ofte [2325] 1F ffor as 36 haue herd here biforn pe comune proverbe is pis That1 he pat1 sone demep sone repentep //

[2326] Sire 30 ne be no^t1 alwey in ylike disposicion [2327] ffor certes soni ping1 pat1 some tynie semep to 3011 pat1 is good for to do . Anoper tyme it1 semep

to 30U pe COntrarie . [^ great Ut ?« now omitted in Corpus.']

CORPUS 499 (6-T. 212)

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS.

SIX-TEXT 213

Corpus MS.

[Laud MS 600, leaf 233]

[2328] [When ye lian taken couwseile in jour self1 And han denied bi good deliberacion siche fing as you semi]) best [2329] IF fanne rede I / you that ye kepe it secre / [2330] bewrie not jour counseile to no pe?*sone. bot it so be. fat ye wene sikerli fat furgh jour bewrieng / jour condicion shal be to you pe more profitable [2331] IF For Ihesus Sirac saip IF K"eifer to fi foo ne to f i frende . discouer not f i secre ne f i foli . [2332] for fai wol yeue you audience and loking and supportacion in pi presence and scorne in pi absence. [2333] IF Anoper clerc saif fat scarsli shalt fou finde any persone fat mai ,kepe counseil secreli . [2334] ^ The book saij) while fou kepest fi counsail in fin hert fou kepist it in fi prison / [2335] and whan fou bewriest f i courasaile to any wight / he holdef f e in his snare ./ [2336] And ferfore you is better hide jour counsaile. in jour hert / fan p?'«ien him to whom ye haue bewried jour counseil fat he wol kepe it clos and stille . [2337] IF For Seneca saif if so be. fat fou ne maist not . fin owne counseile hide . How darst fou praien any of er wight / f i counseil secreli to kepe. [2338] IF Bot nafeles if fou wene sicurli / fat fi bewriyng1 of fi cou/zsaile to a pe?*sone wol make fi condicion to stonde in a better plite . Then shalt fou tellen him fi counseil in pis wise [2339] 1F First fou shalt make no semblant / where fe were leuer werre or pees . or f is . or pat . ne shew him not f i wille / and fin entent [2340] IF For trust wel fat comurcli fise couwseilows . ben Caterers And [2341] namely fe counseil- lours of grete lordes. [2342] for fei enforcen hem alwei. rafer to speke plesant wordes. enclynyng to fe lordes p Laud MS, leaf lust1 fan wordes fat ben trewe . and profitable . [2343] ' IF And ferfore men sai fat fe riche man haf selden good co\in- saile / bot he haue it of himself [2344] IF And aftir fat fou shalt considre f i frendes and f i enemyes . / [2345] And as touching fi frendes. pou shalt con- CORPUS 600 (6-T. 213) [this page, Laud coo]

233, back]

SIX-TEXT 214 1 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

sidre whiclie of hem. beth most faijjful and most [LaudMseooj wise, and eldest and most approued in couwseilyng [2346] and of hem shalt J>ou axe J?i cour^saile as j^e caas requireth

[2347] IT I / sal ]>at first ye shul clepe to youre COUTI- saile / youre frendes Jat ben trewe./ [2348] For Salamoii sai)> / for right as J?e hert of a man delitij? in sauowr. J>at is soote / right so ]>e courcsaile of your1 trewe frendes / yeuej? swetnes to J?e soule [2349] ^1 He saij? also per mai noting be likned to J>e trewe frende / [2350] 1T For certes gold ne siluer be not so moche worj? . as J?e good wille of a trewe frende / [2351] and eke he saij? j>at a trewe frende . is a stronge defence / who pat it findej? . certis he findep a gret tresowr [2352] 1F pene shul ye eke considre / if }>at youre trewe frendes ben discrete and wise / for pe book saip . axe pi counsaile alwai of hem pat ben wise . [2353] And bi pis same resoun. shul ye clepe to youre counsaile of youre frendes J)at ben age. siche as haue sai sightes and ben expert in mony pinges. and ben approued in counseling . [2354] for ])e book saij? Jjat in olde men is ]>e sapience, and in longe time )>e prudence [2355] H And tullius saij) j?at grete Binges ben not ' aye accompleed bi streng]?e ne bi delyuernes of bodi. bot bi good counsail. bi auctorite of persones and bi science. J?e whiche J?re Binges ben not feble bi age./ bot certes Jmi enforcen to en- cresen dai by dai. [2356] and jmn shul ye kepe j>is for *a general rewle IT First shul ye clepe to youre couwsaile a fewe of jour frendes jjat ben especial [2357] ^ F°r Salamon saij? mony frendes haue J)ou. bot among a J?ousand chese ]?e on to be J)i conseil- lour I [2358] For al be it so }>at Jjou first ne telle ]?i counseil bot to a fewe. fou maist aftirward telle it to moo folk / if it be nede. [2359] bot loke alwey pat Jn courcseilours haue ]>i[l]k fro condiciourcs . fat I / haue said CORPUS 501 (6-T. 214) [this page, Laud 600.]

GROUP B,^§ 10. MEL1BEUS.

SIX-TEXT 215 MS.

[laud MS]

[Laud MS ex tract ends]

[Corpus MS, on Iecif221, back]

before, fat is to sai fat fei be trewe and olde. and of wis experience. [2360] 1F And wirke not alwey in euery nede / bi on counsellor/1 allone. For somtyme behouef it be counseilid bi many. [2361] IT For Salamon sai]?. Saluacion of f inges is . where as f er ben many couttselers .]

[2362] Now haue I tolde ^ou of1 which folk1 ^e scholde be counseled NOw wol I teche $ou which counseil ^e owe to eschewe [2363] fferst1 30 schuln eschewe f e counseilyng1 of1 fooles . Salomon sai]? take no coun seil of1 a fool ffor he wol cownseile but1 after his owne luste and his affections [2364] ^F The book/ sai]? fat1 ]?e proprete of1 a fool is ]?is ^T he trowef lightly harme of1 euery wight1 and lightly trowe]? a bounte in himself1 [2365] IF Thou schalt1 eke eschewe fe counseling1 of1 alle flaterers whiche enforcen hem rafer to preysen ^oure persoiie by flaterye fan for to telle ^ou fe sof- fastnesse of1 f inges

[2366] IF Wherfore Tullius sai]? among1 alle fe pestilence xj?at ben in frendschipe fe grettest1 is flaterie 1F And ferfore is it1 more nede fat1 f ou eschewe and drede flaterers fan any ofer poeple / [2367] The book1 saif fou schalt1 rafer [drede and] fle fro fe swete wordes of1 flaterynge & preysyng1 fen fro f e egre wordes of1 fy frend fat1 saif fe fin sofes [2368] Salomon saif fat1 fe wordes of1 a flaterer is a snare to cacche Innocence [2369] IF he saif also . he fat1 spekef to his frend wrordes of1 swetnes and of1 plesance '. settef a nette biforn his feet1 to cacche him [2370] IF And f erf ore Tullius saif Enclyne nou^t1 fin eeres to flaterers Ne take no counseil of1 wordes of1 flaterie / [2371] and Catori saif IF Avise fe wel and eschewe fe wordes of1 swetnes and of1 plesaunce [2372] IF And eet fou schalt1 eschewe fe counsellyng1 of1 fine olde enemys fat1 be reconsiled [2373] The book1 saif fat1 no wight1 retournef saufly in to fe

CORPUS 602 (6-T. 215) ['leaf 222]

SIX-TEXT 216

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.

grace of1 his olde enemy [2374] IT And Isope saif ^1F Ne truste nou^t1 to hem to whiche som tyme fou hast1 had werre / or enmyte ne telle hem no^t1 fi cownseille [2375] IF And Senek1 tellef f e cause why it1 may nought1 be saith he fat where long1 tyme fuyr haf endured fat1 fer dwellef som tyme vapour of1 hete [2376] IF And f erfore saif Salamon) in fin olde foo truste fou neuwe [2377] ffor sikerly fough fin enemy be reconsiled and makef fe chere of* humilite and lowtef to fe wif his heed ne truste him neuere [2378] ffor certes he makef filke feyned humilite more for his profyt1 fan for eny humilite or for eny loue of1 fin persone by

[ no gap] such

feyned contynance The which victory he might1 haue by stryf1 or werre [2379] And Petre Alfouns saif. make no felaschipe wif fine olde enemyesf ffor if1 fou do hem bounte fey wollen peruerten hit1 to wickednesse [2380] And eeke fou most1 eschewe f e counseilyng1 of1 hem fat ben fin seruantz and beren the gret1 reuerence ffor perauenture fey seyn it1 more for drede fan for loue [2381] IT And f erfore saif a Philosophre in fis wise 1F Ther nys no wight1 parfytly trewe to him f af he to sore dredef [2382] ^F And Tullius saif 1F Ther nys no wight1 so gret1 of1 eny emperowr fat1 longe may endure / but1 if1 he haue loue of1 fe poeple and drede [2383] IF Thow schalt1 eschewe also fe counseiling1 of1 folk1 fat ben drunkelewe for fey ne can no counseile huyde. [2384] Salamon saif fer nys no pryuyte fer as regnef drunkenes [2385] IF 36 schullen han also in suspecte to f e counseling1 of1 such folk1 as counseile $ow a fing1 priuily and counseile 3011 a f ing1 fat1 is contrarie openly * [2386] ffor Cassidory saif fat it1 is a maner sleighte to hyndre his enemy when xhe schewef to don a fing1 openly and werkef priuily f e contrarie [2387] IF Thou schalt1 haue also in fin suspecte f e conselynge of1 wikked folk1 [, . , . . . .no gap] fat is alwey ful

CORPUS 603 (6-T. 216) C1 leaf 222, back]

SIX-TEXT 217 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.

of1 fraude [2388] and Dauid saip pat1 blisful is pe man pat1 ha]) nought1 folwed pe counseling1 of* schrewes [2389] 1T Thow schalt1 also eschewe pe cownseilling1 of1 3ong1 folk1 ffor here counseilyng1 nys nougf rype as Salomon saip

[2390] IT Now sire scenes I haue schewed ^ou of1 which folk4 36 schuln take counsel and of1 which folk1 30 schuln folwe pe counsel / [2391] Now wol I teche ^ou how 36 schuln examyn ^oure counsel after the doctrine of1 Tullius [2392] in pe examynyng1 penne of1 ^oure counseilo?/r 36 schuln considere many pinges [2393] IT Alj>er first1 pou schalt1 considere pilke ping1 pat1 pou pzwposest1 and vpon what1 ping1 pou wolt1 han counseH pat1 verray troupe be sayde and conserued pis is to say telle trewly pin tale [2394] 11 For he pat1 saip fals may [not] wel be counselled in pat caas of1 which [he lyeth] [2395] ^1 And after pis pou schalt1 consideren pe pinges pat acorden to pat1 pou pz^rposest1 for to be by pin counseil- ours if1 reson acordep perto [2396] 1T And eek1 if1 pi might1 may atteyne perto IT And if1 pe more part1 and pe bettre part1 of1 $oure coimseilours acorden perto or no . [2397] pen schalt1 pou considere what1 ping1 schal folwe of1 here counseilinge . as hate pees werre grace profyt1 other damage and many oper pinges [2398] And in alle pinges pou schalt1 chese pe beste and weyfe alle oper pinges [2399] IF Thenne schalt1 pou considere of1 what1 roote it is engendred pe matier of1 pin counseil and what1 fruyt1 it1 may conceyue and engendre [2400] pou schalt1 eek1 considre alle pese causes for pe whiche pey ben spronge [2401] 1T and whan 36 haue examyned ^oure counseil as I haue sayde and which partie is pe bettre and more profitable and hast1 aproued it1 by many wise folk1 and olde [2402] panne schalt1 pou considere if1 pou mayst1 performe hit1 and make of1 hit1 a good ende [2403] IF For certes reson wol no^fr pat any man schal begynne a ping1 but1 if1 he inighte performe hit1 as him ow3te [2404] If NQ no wight1 schulde

CORPUS 604 (6-T. 217)

SIX-TEXT 218 GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS,

taken vpon him so heuy a charge fat1 he mighte [not] bere it1 [2405] 5F For fe prouerbe saif he fat1 to mochel enbracef distreynef litel [2406] IF And Caton saif IF Assay such fing1 as fou hast1 power to done leste fe charge oppresse fe to sore fat1 fe bihouej) to weyue fing1 fat1 fou hast1 bygonne '[2407] IT And if1 so be fat1 fou be in doute. wher fou maist1 performe a fing1 or nonf chese rafer for to suffre fan for to bygynne [2408] IF And Pieres alphouns saith If1 fou hast1 might1 to don a fing1 of1 which fou most1

repente it is bettre [ [2409] , ••;'•£.

wo 0rap] halde fi tunge 1stille fan

for to speke [2410] IF Then may I vnderstonde by stronger resouns fat1 if1 fou hast1 power to performe a werk1 of1 which fou schalt1 repente fe IF Thenne is it1 bettre fat1 fou suffre fan bygynne [2411] wel seyn fey fat1 defenden euery wight1 to assaye a f ing1 of1 which he is in doute wher he may performe it or non [2412] 1F And after when ^e haue examynd ^oure conseiH as I haue sayd biforn and knowe wel fat1 36 may per forme 3oure emprise f conferme it f enne sadly til it be at1 an ende

[2413] IF Now is it1 reson and tyme fat1 I schewe 3ou whenne and where-fore fat1 ^e may chaunge ^oure counsel- owrs wifouten ^oure reprofe [2414] IF Sofly man may chaunge his purpos and his counseili if1 fe cause cesseth or whan a newe cause betydef [2415] 1F For fe lawe seif vpon finges fat newely betyden) bihouef newe cofiseiU [2416] 1F And Senek1 saif IF If1 fin counseil come to fe eeres of1 fin enemysf chaunge fi conseiH [2417] [Apres, Ten pent changier son conseif] if1 so be fou fynde fat1 by errour or by ony ofer cause harme or damage may betyde [2418] IF Also of1 fin counsel be dishoneste ofer elles come of1 dishoneste cause f chaunge fin counsel [2419] IF For fe lawe saif/ fa# alle bihestes fat1 ben dishoneste ne ben of1 no value .

35 CORPUS 505 (6-T. 218) I1 leaf 2231

SIX-TEXT 219 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS, CoipUS MS,

[2420] and eek1 if1 so be fafr it be impossible ofer may no^t1 gladly be performed ofer kepte

[2421] And take fis for a general reule / fat euery counsel fat1 is enformed so strongly fat1 it1 may nought* be chaunged for no condition fat1 may betydef I say fat1 like consel is wicked.

[2422] 1F Melibeus whan he hadde herd fe doctrme of1 his wijf1 dame prudence f he answerde in fis wyse . [2423] Dame quod he as ^ef vnto fis tyme 36 han wel taught1 me as in generalle how I schal gouerne me and in fe chesyng1 and in fe wifholdyng1 of my counseilo&rs . [2424] But1 now wolde I fayn fat1 36 wolde condescende in special [2425] and telle me how fat1 like]) 3ou or how fat1 semef 3ou by oure counseil- lowrs fat1 we haue chose in fis present1 neede

[2426] IT My lord quod sche I beseche 3ou in al humbles fat1 36 wolde nought1 wilfully reproeuen a3ein myn resons ne distempre 3oure herte fough I speke fing1 fat1 3ou displese [2427] IT fFor god woot1 as in myn entent1 I speke it1 as for fe beste for 3oure honoz^r and for 3our profyt1 eeke [2428] IF And sofly I hope fat1 3oure be- nignite wol take it1 in pacience [2429] IF and trustef to me wel fat1 3oure counsel in fis cas ne scholde no^t1 as to speke proprely be called a counselynge but1 a mocioun or a meuyng1 of1 folye [2430] In which counseil 36 haue herde in many a sondry wise

[2431] 1T fferst1 and forfward 36 han herd in f e assem- blyng1 of1 3our counsellours [2432] IT fFor ferst1 30 schulde haue cleped 1a fewe folk1 to 3oure counseille IT And after fat1 36 might1 haue schewed it1 to mo folk1 if1 it1 hadde be rieede . [2433] B11^ certes sodeinly 36 han cleped to 3oure coun seil a gret1 multitude of1 poeple fulle chargaunt1 and ful annuyous for to heere [2434] IT And also 36 haue herde furthere as 30 schulde only haue cleped to 3oure counselle 3oure trewe frendes olde & wise [2435] ^ 3e nan cleped also straunge folk1 3ong1 folk1 fals flaterers and enemys

CORPUS 506 (6-T. 219) C1 leaf 223, back]

SIX-TEXT 220 GKOUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

recoiisiled and folk1 J?at don ^ou reuerence wipouten loue / [2436] and eek1 also 30 haue herd for 36 han brought wij) ^ou to 3oure counseil. Ire. coueytise and hastines [2437] J>e whiche j?re Jjinges "ben contrary to euery good counseil and honest1 & profitable [2438] J)e whiche J)re Jnnges 36 han noi^tf anyntesched oj?er destruyed hem neyjjer in 3oure self1 ne in 3oure / counceillours as 36 aughte [2439] 1T 3® han herde also for 36 han schewed to 3oure counseillours 3oure talent1 3oure affeccion to make werre anon for to do vengeauiice [2440] And Jjey haue aspied by 3oure wordes to what1 fing1 36 ben enclyned [2441] IF and perfore haue j)ey rafer counseled 3ou to 3oure talent1 jjan to 3oure profyt1 [2442] 36 han herde also for seme]) it / suffice)) to han ben coun- celed by J)is counceillowrs oonly and wij) litel auyse [2443] where as in so grete and in so heih a neede it1 haj) be necessarye mo counselors and mo deliberacions to parforme 3oure emprise [2444] IF 3® ha11 ner(l also f°r 36 han herd nought1 3oure counsel in f>e forseyde manere ne in dewe manure as })e cas requyre)) [2445] 1F 36 haue herd also for 36 haue maad no dyuysion betwixe ^ ........... no gap] 3oure trewe

frendes and 3oure feyned coiicelozirs [2446] ^T Ne 30 haue nou3t1 knowe J)e wille of1 3oure trewe freendes olde and wise . [2447] but1 36 haue cast1 alle here wordes in an hoche potte and enclyned 3oure herte to J)e more part1 and to J)e

grettere nombre [ [2448]

no gap

in the MS.] of fooles J)enne of1 wise men. [2449] 1T And j)erfore jje counselynge ^at1 ben at congregacions and mul titudes of1 folk1 J)er as men take more reward to J)e nombre J)en to Sapience of persones f [245.0] 30 seen wel fat in suche councelynges fooles haue J>e maystrie [2451] IT Melybe answerde and sayde a3ein I graunte wel jjaf I haue herd [2452] IT But1 ))er as J)ou hast1 tolde me J>er biforn fat1 he nys nought1 to blame J>at chaungej) his coun-

CORPUS 607 (6-T. 220)

SIX-TEXT 221 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

ceiloures for certein caas and for certein and iuste cause [2453] I am. al redy to chaunge myne counceilours right1 as f ou woldesfr deuyse [2454] IF ffor f e prouerbe saith fat1 for to don synne is mannyssch But1 certes for to perseueren longe in synne is werkes of1 f e deuel .

[2455] 1To fis sentence answered anon dame Pru dence and sayde . [2456] examynef quod sche 3oure coii- selle and let1 vs se fe which of* hem haf spoke more resonably and taught1 3011 best1 conseil [2457] IF And for as moche as fat1 examinaczon is necessary. let1 vs begynne at1 surgiens and at phisiciens fat1 first1 spaken of1 fis matiere [2458] IT I say fat1 Phisiciens & surgiens haue sayd ^ou in ^oure cofisel discretly as hem oughte [2459] & in here speche sethens ful wisly fat1 to f e office of1 hem apperteynef to don to euery wight1 honour and profyt1 and noujf for to ennoye [2460] and after here crafte to don gret1 diligence vnto f e cure of1 hem whiche fat1 fey haue in here gouern- aunce [2461] and sir right1 as fey han answered wisly and discretly f [2462] Eight1 so. rede I fat1 fey ben heighly and souereynly guerdount1 for here noble speche [2463] and eek1 for fey schulleii more do fe ententyf1 busynes in f e curacion of1 fin doughte?* deere [2464] IF ffor al be it so fat1 fei ben ^ourc freendes f ferfore schuln 30 nou^t1 suffre fat1 fey serue ^ou for nought [2465] IF But1 36 aughte f er after guerdon hem and payen hem here largesse [2466] IF and as touchynge fe proporcion which fat1 fe phisiciens encreseden in fis caas IF This is to sayn [2467] fat1 in maladyes is fat1 a contrary is warisshed by anofer contrarie [2468] IF I wolde fayn knowe how 36 vnderstode filke text1 and what1 is 3oure sentence [2469] *fi" Certes quod Mellibew* I vnderstande it in fis wise. [2470] Eight1 as fey haue done me a cont?*ary f so schuld I don hem anof er . [2471] 1F ffor right1 as fey haue venged hem vpon me i and don me wrong1 ' Eight1 so wol I venge me vpon hem)

CORPUS 508 (6-T. 221) [i leaf 224]

SIX-TEXT 222

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.

and don hem wrong1 [2472] and fenne haue I cured a contrary by anof er

[2473] ^ 1° 1° quod dame prudence how lightly is euery man enclyned to his owne desir to his plesaunce [2474] ^T Certes quod sche fe wordes of1 fe phisicien ne schulde nou^tt be vnderstande in fat1 wise [2475] ff°T certes wikkednesse is noujtt contrary to wickednes ne vengeance is noujtt contrary to veng- aunce ne wrong1 to wrong1 [mats sont semblabhs . [2476] Et pour ce, vengence par vengence, ne injure par in jure, n'est pas cure (Men. i. 206-7)] [2477] But1 euery of1 hem encrese]) and engreggef ofer [2478] IT But1 certes J)e wordes of1 J?e phisicien schullen ben vnder- stonde in fis wise [2479] ^ ®°r g00^ an(^ wicked- nesse ben tuo contrarious IT And pees and werre venge ance and sufferance discord and acord and many ofer finges [2480] IT But1 certes wickednesse schal ben y-warisched by goodnes . discord by acord . werre by pees and so for]) and ofer Binges [2481] IT And herto acordef seinf Poule ]?e appostel and in many place [2482] he saij) 1F Ne ^eldej) nou^t1 harm for 1 harm ne wicked speche [pour mesdit] [2483] But1 do wel to hem pat1 don j)e harme and blesse hem Jjat1 saij? to fe harme [2484] And many o]>er places he amonysschef pees and acord [2485] ^T But* now wol I speke of1 fe coun- seil which was y^oue vnto 3ou by men of1 lawe fe wise folk1 and olde folk1 [2486] fat1 sayden alle by on acorde as 36 haue herde biforn [2487] IT That1 oner alle finges 30 schullen don ^oure diligence to kepe 3oure persone and to warmstore ^oure hous [2488] IF And fay sayden also fat1 in fis caas 30 oughten to wirchen ful avisily and wif gret1 deliberacion [2489] IT And sir as to fe first poynt1 fat1 touchef vnto fe kepyng1 of" 3oure persone [2490] 36 schullen vnderstande fat1 he fat1 haf werre schal euermore deuoutely and mekely preyen biforn alle finges [2491] fat1 Ihesus crist1 of1 his mercy wole

CORPUS 609 (6-T. 222) [i leaf 224, back]

SIX-TEXT 223 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS,

haue him in his proteccion and ben his souerein helpynge at1 his neede [2492] ffor certes in fis world nys no wight1 fat1 may be counseled ne kepte sufficiauntly wif- outen fe kepyng1 of* oure lord ihesus crist1 [2493] To fis sentence aecordef f e prophete dauid pat1 saif . [2494] If* god ne kepe fe cite in ydel wakef he fat1 it1 kepef [2495] IF Now sir fenne schnlle 30 quyte fe kepyng1 of1 3oure pe?'sone to pure trewe frendes fat1 ben aproved and y-knowe [2496] and of1 hem schuln 36 asken helpe pure persone for to kepe 1F ffor Caton saif ^F If1 fou hast1 neede of helpe '. aske it1 of1 fin frendes [2497] ffor fer nys non so good a phisicien as fin trewe freend [2498] and after fis fenne schulle 36 kepe 3011 fro alle straunge folkH and fro lyeres And haue alway in suspecte here companye [2499] IF ffor pieres alphouns saif IF Ne take no companye by fe way of1 straunge man but it so be fou haue knowe him of1 lengere tyme . [2500] and if1 so be fat1 he falle in to fin company per- aduenture wifouten fin assent1 [2501] enquere fenne as subtilly as fou canst1 of1 his conu6?-sacion and of1 his lyf* byfore and feyne fy way seynge fou woldest1 go f ider as fou woldest1 noi^t go. [2502] and if1 he beref a spere holde f e on f e right1 syde of1 him . and if1 he beref a swerde holde fe on fe left1 syde of1 him. [2503] and fenne schul 36 kepe 3011 wisly fro alle such manere of1 poeple as I haue saydepu here bifore and hem and here coun sel eschewe [2504] And after fis fenne schulle 36 kepe 3ou in such manere [2505] fat1 for any presumpcioun) of1 pure bodily strengf e fat1 36 ne dispise nought1 ne accounts nou3t fe might1 of1 3oure aduersary so lyte fat1 30 lete fe kepynge of1 3oure pe?*sone for 3oure presumpcion [2506] ffor euery wysman dredef his enemy [2507] IF And Salamon saif wel fool is he fat1 of1 al haf drede [2508] 1F ffor l certes he fat1 furgh hardynesse of1 his herte and furgh fe hardynes of1 himself1 haf so gret1 presumpcion him schal yuele betyde [2509] 1F Thenne

CORPUS 510 (6-T. 223) ['leaf 225]

SIX-TEXT 224 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipllS MS,

schuln 36 euermore encountrewayte enbusschement3 and alle espyaile . [2510] ffor as saif fe wise man

[ no gap in the MS '.] [25ii]hene

fallef in to no periles fat1 periles eschewef [2512] ^F And al be it/ so fat1 fou seme fat1 fou be in secre place ^ef schalt1 fou alwey don diligence in the kepynge of fin persone [2513] fis is to say. Ne be nou^t1 necligent1 to kepe fin persone nought1 only fro fin grettest1 enemy . but1 only fro fin leste enemy [2514] Senek1 saif a man fat1 is wel auysed he dredef his leste enemy [2515] Ovide seif fat1 fe lytel wesel wol sle ]?e grete bole and jje wilde hert1 [2516] And }?e prouerbe sal]) fat1 a luytel forne may greeue a king1 ful sore IT And a litel hound wol holde fe wilde bore [2517] 1T But1 nafeles I say nought1 Jjou schalt1 be so coward fat1 fou doute wher as is no drede [2518] IT The bok1 saif that1 some men haue gret1 lust1 to disceyue but1 31^ fey drede to be de-

sceyued [2519] [ no gap in the MS.]

And kepe fe fro fe company of1 Scorners [2520] IF ffor f e book1 saif fat1 scorners ne makef no companye but1 flee here word as venym

[2521] f Now as to fe secounde poynt1 where as 3oure wise counceilowns counseiled 3ou to warmstore 3oure houses wif gret1 diligence [2522] II I wolde fayn knowe how fat1 36 vnderstande f ilke wordes and what1 is 3oure sentence .

[2523] Mellibeus answerde and sayde Certes I vnder stande in fis wise fat1 I schal warmstore myn hous wif toures suche as haue castelles .and ofer maner of1 edifices & armure and archers [2524] betwen which f ing1 if1 I may my persone and myn hous so kepe and defende fat1 myn enemys schuln be in drede myw hous for to approche .

[2525] to fis sentence answerde anon prudence

warnysshing1 qiiod sche of1 heihe toures and of1 heihe edifices

appertynef somtyme to pryde [2526] And eek1 men make

heihe toures [et les grans edifices a grant travail et a grans

CORPUS 511 (6-T. 224)

SIX-TEXT 225

GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Corpus MS,

is, et quant elles sont faites, elles ne valient riens se elles ne sont defendues par sages et par bons amis loyaux, et a grans missions (Le Menagier, i. 209)] [2527] 1F And vnderstande wel fat1 f e grettest1 and f e strongest1 garnyson fat1 riche man may haue / as wel to kepen his persone and his goodes is [2528] fat1 he [be] biloued

TTTuiiiws wif his subiectes and with his neihebours [2529] 1F ffor

fus saif Tullius That1 \er is a maner garnyson fat1 no man may venquysschen ne discomfite and fat1 is [2530] a lord to tbe loued of1 his cite3eins and of1 his poeple

[2531] ^F Now sire as to fe fridde poynt1 where as 3oure olde and wise counseiloures sayden IF fat1 3ou ne oughte nou3t1 sodeinly ne hastely proceden in f is neede [2532] But1 fat1 30 oughten purueyen and apparayle 3ou in f is caas wif gref diligence and with gret1 deliberacion [2S33] ^ Trewely I trowe fat1 fay sayden right1 wisly

tTuiiiiw. and right1 sof [2534] IF ffor Tullius saif In euery

neede er fou begynne it appcwayle fe with gret1 diligence. [2535] fenne say I fat in vengaunce takyng1 in werre in 1bataille and in warnestoringe [2536] er fou bygynne ^F I rede fat fou apparayle fe fer to IF And do it1 wif gret1 deliberacion [2537] IF ffor

fTuiiiw*. Tullms saif. fat1 lange apparaylinge biforn fe bataile

f Cassidonw makef schort1 victory [2538] tF And Cassidorus saif fe garnyson is stronger whan it1 is long1 tyme avised

[2539] But1 now lete vs speke of1 fe counseil fat1 was acorded by oure neyheboures suche as don 3ou reuerence wifouten loue [2540] 3oure olde enemys recon- siled 1F 3oure flaterers [2541] fat1 counceleden 3ou cer- teyn finges pnuely and openly counseileden 3ou fe contrarie [2542] IF The 3onge folk1 also fat1 counselled }ou to vengen }ou and to maken werre anon . [2543] IF And certes sire as I haue sayde byforn f 30 haue gretly y-erred to han y-cleped suche maner of1 folk1 to 3oure counselle [2544] IF Whiche counseiloures / ben ynough reproued by f e resons aforn sayde [2545] 1F But1 nafeles let1 vs now descende to

CORPUS 512 (8-T. 225) P leaf 225, back]

SIX-TEXT 226 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.

pe special 36 schuln ferst1 proceden after pe doctrme of1 Tullius [2546] IT Certes the troupe of1 pis inatier eyper of1 pis counseil nedep not1 diligently enqueren [2547] 5T ffor it1 is wel wiste whiclie pey ben fat1 doon 3011 pis trespas & vilenye [2548] and how many trespasoures and in what* manere pey han don to 3011 al pis wronge and alle pis vilanye [2549] IT And after pis panne schullen 30 examine 36 secounde condicion pe which pat1 Tullius addeth in pis matiere [2550] IT ffor Tullius puttep a ping1 which pat1 he clepep consentynge pis is to say [2551] who ben pay and whiche ben pay and how many pat1 consenten to pin counseil in pin willefulnesse to don hasty vengeance [2552] 1F And let1 vs concidre

also who ben pay and how many ben pay [

. . . no gap] pat1 consenten to ^oure aduersaries [2553] And certes as to pe ferste poynt IT hit1 is wel knowen whiche ben pay pat1 consenten to oure hastyf1 wilful- nesse [2554] 1T ffor trewely alle po pat1 counselen ^ou to maken sodeyn werre ne ben nought1 3oure frendes [2555] 1T let1 se now whiche ben pey pat1 ^e holden so gretly ^oure frendes as to ^oure persone [2556] IF ffor al be it1 so pat1 ^e ben mighty and rychef certes 30 ben but1 allone [2557] 1F ffor certes 30 ne han no childe but1 a doughter [2558] ne 36 han no breperen ne cosyns germayns ne non oper neih kynrede [2559] IT Wherfore 3oure enemys scholden stinte to plede wip ^ou ne to destruye 3oure persone. [2560] 36 knowen also pat1 3oure richesse moot1 ben dispended in diuerse partyes [2561] & when pat1 euery wight1 liap his partel pey woln take but1 litel rewarde to vengen py dep [2562] 1T But1 pin enemys ben pre and pey haue many children breperen cosyns and oper neyh kynrede [2563] 1T And pough" so were pat1 pou haddest1 slayn of1 hem two oper .iij. 30^ dwellen pere ynowe to l awreken here dep and to slen pin persone [2564] 1T And peih so be pat1 3oure kynrede be more siker and stedefast1 pen

CORPUS 513 (6-T. 226) [Ueaf226j

SIX-TEXT 227 GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.

pe kyn of1 ^oure aduersary [2565] 1F ^et1 neuer pe les kynrede is but* after kynrecle pey ben but1 litel sibbe to 3011 [2566] ^F And pe kyn of1 ^oiire enemys ben neigh sibbe to hem IF And certes as in pat1 lie condicion is bettre pen is ^oures [2567] IF penne let1 vs consideren also of1 pe counseilynge of1 hem pat1 counseleden }ou to taken sodeyn vengeance wheper it1 acorde to reson or non . [2568] and certes ^e knowen wel nay. [2569] ffor as by right1 and reson per may no man take vengaunce of1 no wight IF But1 pe lugge pat1 hap lurdixion of1 hit [2570] whan it1 is graunted him to take pilke vengeaunce hastely or at- temperelly as pe lawe requyrep [2571] ^F And ^et1 more ouer of1 pilke worde pat1 Tullius clepep consenting1 f [2572] pou schalt1 consente if1 pin mighte & pin power may consente and suffice to pin wilfulnesse and to pin counseiloures [2573] IF And certes pou mayst1 wel say pat1 nay [2574] IF ffor sikerly as for to speken proprely we may do no ping1 but1 oonly such ping1 as we may doon rightfully [2575] 1F And certes rightfully ne may $e take no vengawnce as of1 ^oure propre auctorie [2576] IF Then may $e seen pat1 ^oure power ne co?zsentep nou^t1 ne acordep nou^t1 with ^our willefulnesse [2577] Now lete vs examine pe pridde poynt1 p«f Tullius clepep consequent [2578] Thou schalt1 vnderstanden pat1 pe vengaunce pat1 pou p^rposest1 for to take is conse quent1 [2579] And perfore fallep anoper vengaunce . Peril . and werre and opre damages wttftontoi nombre of1 whiche we ben nou^ Avarre as at1 pis tyme [2580] IF And as touchinge pe forpe poynt/. pat Tulliw* clepep en- gendrynge [2581] 1F pou schalt1 considere pat1 pis wrang1 which pat1 is don to pe is engendred of1 pe hate of1 pin enemys [2582] and of pe vengeance takynge IF And vpon pat1 wolde engendre anoper vengeance and mochel sorwe and wastyng1 of1 richesse as I sayde er

[2583] IF Now sir as touchinge to pe poynt1 pat Tullius clepep causes which pat1 is pe laste poynt [2584] IF Thou

CORPUS 514 (6-T. 227)

SIX-TEXT 228 GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

schalt1 vnderstande j^at1 ]?e wrong1 j?af Jjou hast1 receyued ha]? certein causes [2585] whiche J>afr clerkes clepen Oriens- et1 Officiens and causa longinqua and causa propinqua 1F This is to sayn J>e ferre cause [et la prou- chaine ; [2586] la loingtaine est Dieu qiti est cause de toutes causes [2587] la promlicdne, est tes trois ennemis (Le Men. i. 212)] [2588] accidental was hate [2589] The causes material ben J?e .v. woundes of1 J?in dorter [2590] IF The cause formale is J?e inaner of1 here worchinge fat1 brou^ten laddres and clomben in at1 Jjine wyiidowes / [2591] 1F The cause final was for to slee jnn doubter it1 latted nought1 in as moche as in heni was [2592] ^F But1 for to speken of1 J?e ferre cause as 1whatl ende J>ey schullen come Or what1 schal betyden of1 hern in Jns caas ne can I nou^t1 deeme . but1 by coniectyng1 and by supposynge [2593] ffor we schuln suppose \yiCi1s avendronf] to a wicked ende. [2594] by cause J?e book1 of1 decrees saith IF Selden or wij? gref peyne ben causes bro^tf to an ende when J>ey ben baldly bygonne

[2595] Now sir if1 men asked me why }?af $e suffren men to don $ou ])is vilenye Certes I can not1 wel answere as for no sojrfastnes [2596] ITor J>e appostel sai)) jjaf Jie sciences and J?e luggementz oi1* oure lord god ben mighty and deepe [2597] IF Ther may no man co?wprehende ne serche hem sufficiently [2598] 1F ISTaJjeles by certeins presumpcions & coniectynges I halde and bileeue [2599] J^at1 god Jjat is ful of1 Justice and of1 rightwisnesse haj> sufficed ]?is bytyde by iuste cause resonable

[2600] ^F ]?in name is mellibe })is is to say a man Jjatf drinkej) hony [2601] IF Thou hast y-drunke so meche hony of1 J?e swete temperel richesses and delices & hon- ures of1 ]>is world [2602] jjat1 J>ou art1 drunken and hast1 for^eten oure lord ihu crist1 Jnn creatour [2603 1 IF Thou hast1 nou^t1 don to him such honow as f>e oughte [2604] 1F Ne ))ou hast* nou^t1 wel take heede to

CORPUS 616 (6-T. 228) [Meaf 226, back]

SIX-TEXT 229 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS,

fe wordes of1 Ovide fat1 saif [2605] vnder fe hony of1 fe goodes of1 fin body is hyd f e venyni fat1 sleef fe soule [2606! IF And Salcwwn saif 1F If1 fou hast1 founden liony ete of1 hit1 what1 suffice]? [2607] ^F ffor if1 foil ete of* hit1 out of mesure / f ou schalt1 spewe and be needy and pore [2608] ^F And peraduenture cr/st1 hath fe in spite and haf turned away fro fe his face and his eres of1 misericorde [2609] and also he haf suffred fat1 fou hast1 ben y-punyssht/ in fe maner fat1 fou hast1 y-trespast1 [2610] IF Thow hast1 don synne a^eins oure lord ihu cmt [2611] IF ffor certes f e fre enemys of1 man- kynde fat1 is to say fe neisscfL . fe ffeend. and fe worlde [2612] IF fou hast1 suffred hem to entre in fin herte wilfully by fe wyndowes of1 fy body [2613] and hast1 nou^t1 defended fe sufficeaiitly a^eins here defautes and here tewptacions So fat1 fay haue wounded fi soule in fyue place. [2614] 1F this is to sayn fe deedly synnes fat1 ben entrede in to fin herte by fine .v. wittes [2615] And in fe same manere oure lord ihesn crisf haf and wolde and haf suffred fat1 fine fre enemys ben entred in to fin hous by fe wyndowes [2616] and han wounded fine doughtres in f e forseyde manere

[2617] IF Certes quod Mellibe I se wel fat1 fat1 ^e en force }ou mochel by wordes to ouercome me in such a manere fat1 1 schal now vengen me of1 mjn enemys [2618] Schewynge me f e pe/iles and fe eueles fat1 mighten ffalle of1 fis vengeance [2619] IF But1 who so wolde considere in alle vengances J f e periles and eueles fat1 mighte sewe of1 vengance takynge f [2620] a man wolde neuere take vengance and fat1 were harmef [2621] ffor by fe veng- aunce takynge ben fe wickede men disseuered fro f e goode men [2622] IF And fo fat1 han wille to don wicked- nesse restreynen here wickede purpos whan fey seen f e punysschyng1 and f e chastysing1 of1 trespasours

[2623] [And to this answered dame Prudence : ' Certes/ said she, '1 grant you that from vengeance come many

CORPUS 616 (6-T. 229) [i leaf 227]

SIX-TEXT 230

GKOUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.

benefits as well as many evils : [2624] yet vengeance be- longeth not to " a singuler persone," but only to the judges, and to those "Who have jurisdiction over evil - doers.'] [2625] If And ^it1 say I more fat1 right1 as a singuler persone synnef in takinge vengance of1 anof er man f [2626] Eight1 so synnef fe lugge if1 he take no vengance of hem fat1 it1 han desserued // [2627] ffor Senek1 saif fus fat1 mayster is good fat1 reproeuef schrewes [2628] 1f And as Cassidory saif. A. man dredeth to don outrages '. whan he woof and knowef fat1 if displesef fe luge and f e soueraignes [2629] 5f And anofer saif f e lugge fat1 dredeth do don right1 make]? schrewes [2630] 1f And seint1 Poul fe appostel saij) in his epistle whan he write]? vnto f e Eomayns that1 f e luges beren nought J?e spere wifouten cause. [2631] but1 fay beren it to punysschen f e schrewes and f e mysdoers and for to de- fende f e goode men [2632] If If1 30 woln f enne take vengance of1 3oure enemys f 36 schuln retourne or haue ^oure recours to fe luge fat1 haf fe lurdexion vpon him [2633] & he schal punyssche hem as f e lawe axef and requyref

[2634] If A quod Mellibe fis vengance likef me nofing1 [2635] If I befinke me now how fortune haf norisched me fro my childhode and haf holpen me to passe many a straunge pas [2636] If Now wol I assayen here trowynge w^t/i goddes grace and helpe fat1 sche schal helpe me my schame for to venge

[2637] If Certes quod Prudence if1 36 woln worche by my counseillef 36 schuln nou3t assaye fortune by no way. [2638] Ne 36 schuln nought1 lene ne borwe vnto hire after f e word of1 Senek1 [2639] ffor finges fat1 ben folily doon and fat1 ben in hope of1 ffortune schulu neuere come to a good ende [2640] If and as fe same senek* seif If The more clere and f e more schynynge fat1' fortune is i f e more brutel and fe sonnere y-broke sche is [2641] If trustef no^t1 in hire for sche nys nof ing1 stedefast1 ne stable [2642] ffor when f ou trowest1 to be most1 siker or seure of1 hire

CORPUS 517 (6-T. 230)

SIX-TEXT 231 GROUP B. § 10. MBLIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

helpef sche wol fayle fe and disceyue fe [2643] ^ And wher as $e sayn fat1 fortune haf norisslied ^ou fro £oure childhode [2644] I say $ou fat1 in so mochel scliuln 30 f e lasse trusten in hire and in hire witte [2645] ^ ^Of Senek1 saif that1 what man is norisched by fortune f sche make]) him to gret1 a fool [2646] IF Now fenne sevens 36 desire and aske vengance IF And f e vengance fat is doon after fe lawe and biforn fe lugge ne like]) ^ou nought1 [2647] and J)e vengance fat1 is don in hope of1 fortune is peril ous and vncerteyn [2648] IF Thenne haue ^e non ofer remedy e but1 for to haue ^oure recours vnto fe soueraign luge fat1 vengef alle vilanyes and wronges [2649] IF And he schal venge ^ou after fat1 fin self1 witnessef

[ ] [2650] leuef fe vengance to me

and I schal don hit1

[265 1 ] 11 Mellibe answerde 11 If1 1 ne venge me nou^t1 of1 fe wrong1 fat1 men han doon to me [2652] 5F I schal sompne or warne hem fat1 han don fis vilanye to me and alle ofre to don me anofer vilanye [2653] IF ffor it is writen IT If1 f ou take no vengance of1 an olde vilanye '. f ou somp- nest1 fin aduersarie to don fe a newe vylanye [2654] [Et ainsi, par souffrir Ten me feroit tant de villeides de toutes pars] fat1 I mighte neyf er bere it1 lie .sus- tene [2655] and so schulde I be ouersette and halden ouer lowe [2656] IF ffor men sayn 1F In mochil suffrynge schullen many finger falle vnto fe whiche fou schalt1 not1 mowe suffre

[2657] IF Certes quod Prudence I graunte fat1 ouer mochil suffrance / is nought1 good [2658] IF But1 ^et1 ne folwef it1 nou^t1 fer-of fat euery pe?-sone to whom men don vilanye take of1 it1 vengance [2659] ffor fat1 apper- tenef and longef al only to fe luges ffor fey scliuln venge fe vilenyes and fe iiiiuries [2660] and ferfore fo tuo auctoritees fair ^e han sayde aboue ben oonly vnderstanden in fe luges [2661] 1F ffor whan fey suffren ouer mochil fe wronges and vilanyes ben don

CORPUS 518 (6-T. 23l) C1 leaf 227, back]

SIX-TEXT 232 GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

wifouten punysscliinge [2662] fay sompne nou^t a man only for to do iiewe wronges but1 fay comaunden it1 [2663] 1F Also a wise man saif fat1 fe luge fat1 cor- rectef no^t f e synnere cornaundef and biddef him to do synne [2664] IT And f e souerains and f e luges / mighten in here lande so mochel suffren of1 Jje schrewes and mysdoers [2665] fat1 fey schulden "by such suffraunce / by proces of1 tyme wexen of1 suche power and might1 fat1 fey schulde putte oute f e luges and f e soueraignes from here places [2666] and at1 f e laste maken hem leesen here lordschipes

[2667] 1F But1 let1 vs now putte fat1 36 han leue to vengen 3011 [2668] IF If1 36 ben nou^t1 of1 might1 and power as now to vengen ^ou [2669] ffor if 36 woln maken comparison vnto f e might1 of1 3oure aduersaries IF 36 schullen fynden in many f inges fat1 I haue schewed 3ou ben f is fat1 here condicion is bettre pan 3oures [2670] IF And jjerfore say I fat it1 is good as now fat1 36 suffre and be pacient1

[2671] IF fferfermore 36 knowen fat1 after fe commune sawe it is a woodnesse a man to streyne1 a^eins a

stryue]

stronger or a more mighty man fen is himself1 [2672] IF And for to stryue wif a man of1 euene strengfe fat1 is to say 2wif a strong1 man as he is it1 is peril [2673] IF And for to stryue wif a waykare man it1 is folye . [2674] and f erf ore schulde a man fle stryuyng/ as mochel as he mighte [2675] ^[ As Salomon saith IF It1 is a gret1 worschipe to kepyn him fro noyse and stryf1 [2676] IF And if1 it1 so bifalle or happe fat a man of1 grettere might1 and strengfe fan fou art1 do fe greuaunce [2677] study and busy fe rafer to stille fe same greuaunce fan for to venge fe [2678] IF ffor Senek1 saif fat1 he puttef him in gret1 perils fat1 stryuef wif a gretter man fan he is himself1 [2679] ^F And Catoun saif if1 a man of1 heyer astate or degre or more mighty fen fou do fe annoye or greuance Suffre him [2680] for he fat1 ones haf greued fe

CORPUS 519 (6-T. 232) [t leaf 228J

SIX-TEXT 233

GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.

may anofer tyme releue fe and helpe fe [2681] IF ^it* sette I cas 36 han bofe might1 and licence to vengen 3011 [2682] I say fat1 fer ben many finges fat1 schuln restreynen ^ou of1 vengannce takinge [2683] and make 3011 for to encline and for to suffice and for to haue pacience in fe wronges fat1 han be don to 3011 [2684] IF ffirste and forfward if1 36 woln concider fe defautes fat1 ben in 3oure owne persone [2685] for whiche defautes god ha]? suffred 3ou to haue fis tribulacion as I haue sayde 3ou here byforn . [2686] IF ffor fe Poete saif fat1 we oughten paciently taken fe tribu- lacioiis fat1 come]? / to vs when we f enken and consydren fat1 we han disserued to han hem [2687] IF And seint1 Gregory saij> 1F fat1 whan a man consideref wel fe nombre of1 his defautes and of1 his synnes [2688] fe peynes and fe tribulacions fat1 he suffref semen fe lasse vnto him [2689] 1F And in als mochel as him fenk- ef his synnes fe more heuy and greuous. [2690] IF In so moche semef his peyne fe lighter and fe esyer vnto him [2691] IF Also 36 owen to encline and to bowen 3oure herte to taken fe pacience of1 oure lord Ihmi crisf as saif seinfr Petre in his Epistles [2692] 1F Ihesu crisf he saif haf suffred for vs and 3euen ensample vnto euery man to folwe and to sewe him [2693] ffor he dede neue?* synne ne neuere ne came a vileyns word out1 of his mouf [2694] when men cursed him he cursed hem nought1 IF And when men beten him he manased hem nought1 [2695] ^ Also fe grece pacience whiche seintes fat1 ben in paradys . han had in tribulacions fat1 fey han suffred wifoute^ eny desert1 or gilte [2696] aughte mochel to stere 3ou to pacience [2697] [Apres, moult te doit endiner a patience] [2698] considerynge fat1 fe tribulacions of1 fis worlde but1 litel while enduref and soone passed ben and goon [2699] IF And fe loye fat1 man sekef to haue by pacience in tribulacion is perdurable / after fat1 fe

CORPUS 520 (6-T. 233)

SIX-TEXT 234

GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.

apostel saif in fe epistle [2700] *H The ioye of* god he seif is perdurable fat1 is to sayn 1euer lastynge [2701] IF Also trowef and belieuej) stedefastly fat1 he is nought1 wel ynorissht1 ne wel y-taughf fat1 can nou^t1 haue pacieiico

[ no gap\ [2702] IF ffor salamon saif

fat1 fe doctrine of1 fe witte of1 man is knowen by pacience [2703] IF And in anofer place he saif IF he fat1 is pacient1 gouernef him by gret prudence [2704] IF And ^et1 Salamon saif fe angry and fe wrafful man makef noyse 1F And fe pacient1 man attempereth him and stillef him. [2705] he saif also IF It1 is more worf to be pacient1 fen to be right1 strong1 [2706] And he fat1 may haue fe lordschipe of1 his owne herte is more to prayse fen he fat1 by his force and strengf e takef grete cites [2707] IF And ferfore seif seint1 lame in his Epistle fat1 pacience is a gret1 vertu of1 perfection

[2708] IF Certes quod Mellibe I graunte ^ou dame Prudence and pacience is a gret1 vertu of1 perfeccion [2709] IF But1 euery man may not1 haue fe perfection fat1 36-. sechen [2710] ne I am nought1 of1 fe nombre of right1 par- fyt1 men [2711] IF ffor myn herte may neuer ben in pees vnto f e tyme it1 be venged [2712] IF and al be if so fat1 it1 was gret1 peril to myn enemys to don a vilanye in takinge vengaunce vpon me [2713] IF ^ett token fey non heede of1 f e perille IF But1 fulfilleden here wikkede wille and here corage . [2714] and ferfore me f enkef fat1 men ou^ten not1 to reproue me f ough I putte me in-to a litel peril for to auenge me [2715] 1F And fough I do a gret1 excesse fat1 is to say f ough I do a vengance outrage by anofer

[2716] 1F A quod dame prudence 30 seyn $oure wille and as $ou likef [2717] IF But1 in no caas of1 f e world a man ne scholde nou^t don outrage ne excesse for to vengen him [2718] ^F ffor Cassidory saif fat1 as euel dof he fat1 auengef him by outrage as he fat1 dof fe

36 CORPUS 621 (6-T. 23-4) [» leaf 228, back]

SIX-TEXT 235 GKOUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS,

outrage [2719] and ferfore 30 schullen vengen 3011 after f e ordre of1 right1 fat1 is to sayn by f e lawe and [nought] by excesse ne by outrage [2720] IF Also if* 30 woln vengen 3011 of* fe outrage of1 3oure aduersaries in o]>er manere fenne riglit comaundef f ^e synnen [2721] ^F Therfore saif Senek1 fat1 a man schal neuer vengen schrewedenesse [by schrewedenesse] // [272 2] And if1 36 say fat1 right1 axef to defende violence by violence and fightynge by fyghtynge [2723] 1F Certes 36 say so]) when f e defens is don right1 anon wif outew interualle or wifoutew taryenge or delay [2724] for to defenden him and nought1 for to vengen him [2725] 1F And it1 bihouef fat1 a man putte such attemperance in his defense [2726] fat men han no cause ne matier to reproeuen him fat1 defende]) him of1 excesse and of1 outrage [ . . .

no gap.] [2727] IF Par de 30 knowe wel

fat1 30 make?i non deffense / as now for to defende 3ou But1 for to venge 3ou [2728] and so sewef it1 fat 30 haue no wille to do 3oure deede attemperelly [2729] and ferfore me fenkif Jfat pacience is good IF ffor Salamoii saif fat1 he fat1 is nought1 pacient1 schal haue gref harme

[2730] IF Certes quod Mellibe 1F I g?'«unte wel fat* whan a man is vnpacienf and wrof of1 fat1 fat1 touchef him no^t1 and fat1 appertienef nought1 vnto him f ough hit harme him it1 is no wonder [2731] IF ffor fe lawe saif fat1 he fat1 is coupable fat1 entermetef him or medelef him wif suche fing1 as apperteynef no^t1 vnto him [2732] 1F And Salomon saith fat1 he fat1 entremetef him of1 fe noyse or f e stryf1 of1 anof er man is ylike to him fat1 takef an hound by fe eeres [2733] 1F ffor right1 as he fat takef a straunge hounde by f e eeres is of erwhile y-byten wif f e hounde / [2734] Right1 in f e same wyse is fe reson fat1 he haue harme fat1 by his inpacience medlef Jiim of1 f e noyse of1 anof er man wher as it apperteynef nou^t1 vnto him [2735] IF But1 30 knowen wel fat fis dede fat

CORPUS 522 (6-T. 235) [' leaf 229]

SIX-TEXT 236 GEOUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS,

is to sayn my grief1 and my^ disese touclie)) me rigfrtt neigli [2736] and perfore pough I be wrop and in- pacienf it1 is no meruaylle [2737] IT And sauynge ^oure grace I can nou}f se paf it1 mighte gretly liarme pougll I toke vengance [2738] IF ffor I am richer and more mighty pen myn enemys ben [2739] ^ And we^- knowe 30 pat1 by monye and by hauyng1 grete posses sions ben alle pe pinges of1 pis world gouernede [2740] ^F And SalamoT?. saip . alle pinges obeyen to moneye

[2741] IF "Whan Prudence hadde herd hire housbande to auaunten him of1 his richesse and of* his moneye and dispreys- inge of1 power and his aduersaries IF IF Sche spake and sayde on pis wise [2742] IF Ceitis deere sir I graunte 3011 pat1 36 ben riche and mighty [2743] IF And pat1 pe richesses ben goode to hem pat1 han wel y-geten hem and pat1 wel can vsen hem [2744] IF ffor right1 as pe body of1 man may nought1 lyue wipoute pe soule ^F No more may if lyue wz't/^outen tempe?'ele goodes [2745] and by rich esse may a man geten him grace [2746] ^F And perfore saip Pamphilles If1 eny gaddes doughter he saip be riche . Sche may cheese he saip of1 a pousand men [which she will for her husband [2747] and of the thousand] IF oon wol nought1 forsaken hire lie refusen hire [2748] 1F And pis Pamphilles saith also IF If1 pou be ri3f happy IF pat1 is to say . If* pou be right1 riche pou schalt1 fynden a gret nombreof1 felawes and frendes [2749] IF And if1 pin fortune chaungep pat1 is if1 pou wexe pore f ffare wel frendschipe and felaschipe [2750] 1F ffor pou schalt1 ben allone wipoutew any companye but1 if1 if be pe companye of1 good folk1 [2751] IF And 3if saip pis Pamphilles more ouer / pat pey pat ben pralle & bonde of1 linage schuln ben maad worpy and noble by J>e richesses. [2752] 1F And righf so as "by richesses per comen many goodes IF Righf so by pouerf comep many harmes and eueles. [2753] ffor gret pouerf con- COKPUS 623 (6-T. 236)

SIX-TEXT 237 GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

streignef 1a man to don many eueles . [2754] And fer- fore clepef Cassidore Pouert1 . fe mooder of1 ruyne [2755] J^tt ig ^0 saJ lp& moder of ouerf rowing1 or fallyng1 doun [2756] IF And f erf ore saith Pieres alphouns 1F On of1 fe grettest1 aduersary of* fis world is [2757] when a freo by kynde or of1 birfe is constreigned by pouert1 to eten fe almes of1 his enemy [2758] IF And fe same saif Innocent1 in oon of1 his bookes. fat1 sorwfulle and myshappy is f e condicion of1 a pouere begger [2759] 1F if or if1 he axe nought1 his mete he deyef for hunger [2760] ^f And if1 he axe he deyef for scliame IT And algates necessite constreignef him to axe [2761] ^T And ferfore saij) Salamon j^at1 bettre is to deye Jmi to haue such pouerf [2762] ^F ^et1 saij? Sala mon fat1 bettre is to deye of1 bitter dej? J?an for to lyue in suche wyse [2763] IF By J>ese resons fat1 I haue sayde vnto }ou and by many of er resons fat1 I koufe say [2764] 1F I graunte 3011 fat1 richesse ben good to hem fat1 geten hem wel and to hem fat1 wel vsen fe richesses [2765] ^F And f erf ore wol I schewe 3ow how 30 schuln haue 3ou [en acquerant Rid i esses et en amassant icelles (MS Eeg. 19 C vii, leaf 140, back.)]

[2766] 1F fferst1 30 schuln geten hem wifouten gref desire by good leysir sokyngly and no^t1 ouer hastily [2767] IF ffor a man fat4 is to desyringe to gete richesse f abandonef him ferst1 to fefte and to alle ofer eueles [2768] IT And ferfore saif Salanio?*"1F he fat1 hastef him ouer busyly to waxe ryche schal ben non Innocent [2769] 1F he saif also faf }?e richesse fat1 hastely comef to a man 1F sone and lightly gof and passef fro a man [2770] 1F But1 fat1 richesse fat1 comef lytel and litel waxef alwey and multiplief [2771] And sir 36 schuln gete richesse ynough" by 3oure witte and by 3oure trauayle vnto 3oure profyt/ [2772] and fat1 wifoute^ wrang1 or harme doynge to ony ofer persone [2773] ^F ffor fe lawe

CORPUS 624 (6-T. 237) [i leaf 229, back]

SIX-TEXT 238 GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.

saip pat1 per make]? no man himself1 ryche if1 lie do harm to anope/' wight1 [2774] [car la loy dit que mil ne se face riche au dommage cPautruy (Le Menagier de Paris, tome i. page 222)] [2775] ^ And Tulliws saip IF pat1 no sorwe ne no drede of1 dep ne no ping1 pat1 may falle vnto man) [2776] is so mochil a3eins nature IF as a man to encresce his owne profyt1 to pe harme of anoper man [2777] IF And pou$ pe grete men and pe riche men geten richesse more lightly pen pou [2778] 36^ schalt1 pou no^t1 ben ydel ne slowe to don pin profyt IF fFor pou schalt1 in alle wise flee ydelnesse [2779] IF fFor Salamon saip pat1 ydelnesse techep man to don many eueles [2780] IF And eek1 he saip pat1 he pat1 trauaylep and busyep him to tylyen his lande schal eten breed [2781] but he pat1 is ydel and castep him nought1 to no busynesse ne occupacion schal falle in-to pouert1 and deye for hunger [2782] IF and he pat1 is ydel & slowh can neuer fynde couenable tyme for to doon his profyte [2783] fFor * per is a versifiour pat1 saip pat1 pe ydel man excusep him in wynter by cause of1 pe grete colde IF And in somer by cause of1 pe grete hete [2784] IF ifor pise causes saip Caton IF wakep and enclynep 3ou nought1 ouer mochil for to slepe ^F fFor ouermoche reste norisshep and causep many vices [2785] IF And perfore saip Seint1 lerom) IF Dop some goode deedes pat1 pe deuyl which is oure enemy ne fynde ^ou vnoccupied [2786] IF fFor pe deuel ne takep no^t1 lightly vnto his worch- inge suche as he fyndep y-occupyed in goode werkes

[2787] IF Thenne pus IF In getynge riches f 30 mosten flee ydelnesse [2788] •[[ and afterwarde 36 schuln vse pe richesses pe whiche 30 han geten by 3oure witte and by 3oure trauayle [2789] in suche a manere pat1 men halden 3ou not1 to scars ne to sparynge ne to fool large pat1 is to say oner large a spender [2790] IF fFor right1 as men blamen an auerous man by cause of1 his skarste and pinking1 [2791] in pe same wyse is he to blame

CORPUS 625 (6-T. 238) C1 leaf 230]

SIX-TEXT 239 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.

fat1 spendef ouer largely [2792] IF And ferfore saif Caton IT vse fine riches fat1 fow hast1 y-geten [2793] in such manere fat1 men han no matiere ne cause to clepe fe wrecche ne chynche [2794] IF ffor it is gret1 schame to a man to haue a pouere herte and a riche purse [2795] ^ ne saty a-^so J76 goodes fat1 f ou haste y-geten vse hem by mesure fat1 is to sayn spende mesurably [2796] IF ffor fey fat1 folily wasten and dispenden fe goodes fat1 fey han [2797] whan fay haue no more propre of1 here owne f fey schapen hem to take fe goodes of1 anofer man [2798] IF I say fanno fat1 he schal flee auarice [2799] vsynge ^oure richesso in suche a manere that men say not fat1 ^oure richesses ben y-buried [2800] but* fat1 30 han hem in ^oure might1 and in ^oure weldynge [2801] ffor a wise man reprouef fe auerous man and saif fus in tuo vers [2802] IF wherto and why burief a man his goodes by his auarice and knowef wel fat* needes moste he dye [2803] 1F ffor def is f e ende of1 euery man as in fis present1 lyf1 [2804] IF And for what1 cause or encheson ioignef he him or knettef he hem so faste vnto his goodes [2805] fat1 alle his wittes mowen nou^t1 disseueren him or departen him fro his goodes. [2806] and knowef wel or owghte to knowe fat1 whan he is deed he schal no^t1 bere out1 of1 fe world wif him [2807] IF and ferfore saif seint1 Austyn fat1 fe auerous man is likned vnto helle [2808] IF fat1 fe more it1 chewef fe more desir it1 haf to swelwe and deuoure [2809] IF And as wel alle 30 wolde eschewe to ben y-cleped an auerous man or a chynche [2810] 1F As wel schulde 30 gouerne ^ou and kepe ^ou in such a wyse fat1 men clepe 3ou no^t1 to large [2811] 1F ferfore Tulliws asaif IF The goodes he saif of1 fin hous schulde not1 ben hydde ne kepte in cloos but1 fat1 fay mighte ben opened wif pitee and with debonairtee [2812] fat1 is to say to 3euen hem part1 fat han gret1 neede [2813]

CORPUS 626 (6-T. 239) [i leaf 230, back]

SIX-TEXT 240

GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.

1F l^e fine goodes schullen not1 ben so opene to ben eue?y mannes goodes [2814] 1F afterward in getynge of1 ^our richesses IF And in vsynge hem 30 schuln alway haue f re finges in ^oure herte [2815] [c'est assavoir, Dieu, conscience, et bonne fame, et renommee. [2816] Tu dois doncques avoir Dieu en ton cuer (Le Menagier, i. 224)] [2817] 1F And for no richesse $e schuln doon no f ing1 f af may be displesaunce to god fafr is ^oure creatour and ^oure maker [2818] 11 ffor after f e word of1 Salamow IF hit1 is bettre to haue a luytel good wif fe loue of1 god. [2819] fan to haue mochil good and tresour and lese fe loue of1 his lord god [2820] IF And fe prophefe saif . fat» better it is to ben a good man and haue lytel good and tresour. [2821] fan to be halden a schrewe and to haue gret1 richesse [2822] IF ^ef say I * forfermore ]>«f ^e schuln don ^oure busynesse to geten ^ou richesse [2823] So fatf ^e geten hem wij> good conscience [2824] IF And J?e appostel saijj jjaf Jjer is no J?ing< in ]>is world of1 which we schulden haue so gret1 ioye f as when oure conscience here}) vs good witnesse [2825] IF And J?e wise man saij? IF The substaunce of1 a man is ful good when synne is nought in mannes conscience [2826] IF Aftirward in getyng1 of1 ^oure Richesses and in vsynge of1 hemf [2827] }e moste haue grett busynesse and gretf diligence that1 3oure goode name be alwey kepte and conserued [2828] IF ffor Sala- mow saij) 1F faf better it is and more auaylejj a man to haue good name J?en to haue grete richesses [2829] IF And ]?erfore he saijj in anojjer place *[[ Do gret1 diligence saij) Salamon in kepyng1 of1 fin frende and of1 J?in goode name [2830] 1F ffor it schal lenger abyde with J?e fan eny tresour be it* neuer so precious [2831] 1F And certes he schulde no^t1 be cleped a gentil man fat1 after god and good conscience alle f inges lefte fat1 he ne dof his busynesse 'ne diligence to kepen his good name [2832] IF And Cassidorie saif fat1 it1 is signe of1 a good herte whan a man louef and desyref to haue a good name

CORPUS 627 (6-T. 240)

SIX-TEXT 241 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. COIpUS MS,

[2833] ^ ^-n(i foibre seif seint1 austyn fat1 \er ben tuo finges fat1 ben necessary and needfulle [2834] 1F And fat1 is good consciens [2835] to fin owne persone

inward and good loos ffor fin neyhebour outward [2836] IF And he fat1 trustef him so mechel in his goode conscience [2837] fat1 he displesef and settef it1 at1 no^t1 his good name or loos and rekkef nou^t1 fat he kepef nou^t1 his good name nys but1 a cruel cherle

[2838] IF Sire now haue I schewed ^ow how 36 schuln doon in getynge of1 richesse and how 36 schuln vsen hem [2839] IF And I se wel fat1 for fe truste fat1 36 han in richesse 36 wollen moeue bataile xand werre [2840] IF I counsele 3ou fat1 36 begynne no werre in truste of1 3oure richesses IF ffor fey sufficen nou3f werres to meyn- tene [2841] 1T And ferfore saif a Philosophre 11 That1 a man desiref and wol algates han werre schal neuer haue sufficaunce [2842] IF ffor fe richere fat1 he is f e gretter despenses moot1 he make if1 he wole haue wor- schipe and victory [2843] IF And Salamon) saith fat1 f 6 grettere richesse fat1 a man haf f e more dispendoures he haf [2844] IF And deere sir al be it1 so fat1 for 3oure richesses 36 may han moche folk1 [2845] IF 36^ byhouef it1 nought1 ne it1 is no^t1 good to begynne werre wher as 30 may in ofer manere haue pees vnto 3oure worschipe and profyt1 [2846] 1F ffor fe victories of1 Batailles pat1 ben in fis world lif nou3f in gret1 nombre of1 multitude of1 poeple ne in fe vertu of1 rnanf [2847] but1 it1 lith in fe wille and in })e hande of1 our lord ihesu crist1 // [2848] And ferfore ludas Makabeus which was goddes knight1 [2849] when he schulde fighten a3eins his aduersaries fat1 hadde a gretter nombre & a gretter mul titude of1 folk1 and strenger fen was f e poeple of1 Macha- bee [2850] 1T 3efr he recomforted his litel companye and sayde right1 in fis wise [2851] IF As lightly quod he may our lord god almighty 3eue victory to fewe folk1

CORPUS 628 (6-T. 24l) [i leaf 231]

SIX-TEXT 242 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

as to many folk1 [2852] ^F ffor fe victory of* bataile comef nou3t by gret1 nombre of1 poeplef [2853] but1 it1 conief fro oure lord of heuene // [2854] 1F And deere sire for as mocliil as fer is no man certein if* it1 be worfy faf

god 3eue him victory [ •'•».'.

no gap in the MS.] or not^f . after

fat1 Salo?fton seif [2855] IF f erf ore euery man scliulde gretly drede werres to begynne [2856] 1T And by cause fat1 in batailles scliuln fallen many periles [2857] 1F And happef of erwhile fat1 as sone is f e grete man slayn as f e litel man [2858] IF And as if is writen in fe seconde book1 of1 kynges IF The deedes of1 batailles ben aduenturous and vncertein [2859] fFor as lightly as is oon y-hurt1 wif a spere as anofe?*. [2860] and ferfore is gret1 perile in \verre IF Therfore schuldew men flee and eschewe werre in as mechel as a man may goodly [2861] 1F ffor Salanio?i saij) IF he fat1 louef perill f schal falle in perille

[2862] IF After fat1 dame prudence hadde spoken in fis mane?'e IF Mellibe answerde and sayde [2863] IF I se wel dame Prudence fat1 by 3 oure faire wordes and by 3 oure resoiis fat1 \vous mettez avant, que] f e werre lykef ^ou nofing1 [2864] 1F But1 1 haue not1 ^ifherde 3oure wyse coun sel how I schal do in fis neede .

[2865] Certes c^uod sche I counseile }ou fat1 30 acorde wif ^oure aduersaries and fat1 30 haue pees wif hem [2866] IF ffor seint1 lame saif in his Epistles fat1 by concord and pees fat1 smale richesses waxen grete [2867] IF And by debat1 and discord f e grete richesses fallen !doun [2868] IF And 30 knowen faf oon of1 fe grettest1 and most1 souerayn fing1 fat1 is in fis world is vnite and pees [2869] ^f And f erf ore sayde oure lord Ihesu cmt1 to his appostles in fis wyse [2870] 1F Wel happy and blessed ben fay faf louen and purchacen pees ffor fey ben cleped f e children of1 god [2871] IF A quod Mellibe now I se wel fat1 30 louen nou3f mjn hono?t?' ne my worschipe [2872] IF 30 knowe wel fat1 my»

CORPUS 629 (6-T. 212) [l leaf 231, back]

SIX-TEXT 243 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS,

aduersaries han bygonne fis debaat and brigge by here outrage [2873] IF And 36 seen wel fat1 fey neuer queren no preyen me nought1 of1 peesNe fey ask en me nou^t1 to be recon- silede [2874] IF Wole 36 fanne fat1 I go meke me and obeye me to hem . and crye hem mercy f [2875] ff°r so)>e fat* were not1 my worschipe [2876] IF ffor right1 as men sayn fat1 ouer greft homlynesse1 engendref despysyng So fare]? it1 by to gret1 humilite and mekenesse c1 corrected]

[2877] 1T Then bygan dame prudence to make sem- blaunt1 of1 wraffe and sayde [2878] 1F Certez sire saue 3our grace IF I loue ^our honour and ^our profyt1 as I do myn owne and euer haue doon [2879] ne 3e ne noon of er ne saugh neuer f e contrarye [2880] 1F And ^ef if1 I hadde sayd $e schulde haue purchaced J>e pees and fe reconsiliacion f I nad nought1 mochel mystaken me ne y-sayde amys [2881] 1T ffor J?e wise ma?i saith. ]?e dis- sencion bygynnej? by anojjer man and ]>e reconsilynge begynne]) by finself [2882] IT And J?e prophe^e saij> IF fflee schrewednesse and do goodnesse [2883] 1T Seche pees andfolwe it1 as mechil as in ]?e is / [2884] IT jet1 saij? he nought IT 3ef schuln ^e ra]?er pursewe to ^our aduersaryes for pees pan J?ey schuln to $ou [2885] IF ffor I knowe wel fat1 30 ben so harde y-herted pafr 36 wolen don no ping1 for me [2886] IF And Salamow sai]> f" fat he fat1 haj? euer an hard herte f atte laste he schal myshappe and mystryde

[2887] 1F Whan Mellibe hadde herde dame Prudence make semblant of1 wraffe IF he sayde in fis wyse [2888] *[F Dame I pray 3ou fat1 36 ben nou3^ displesed of1 f inges fat1 1 say 3ou [2889] ffor 30 knowe wel fat1 1 am angry and wrof and fat1 is no wonder [2890] 1F and fo fat* ben wrof witen not1 wel what1 fey doon ne what1 fay sayn [2891] ^F Wherfore fe prophefe saif fat1 / troubled eyen han no cleer sight1 [2892] IF But1 sittef and counseilef me right as 3ow liste . ffor I am redy to doon right1 as 36 woln desire [2893] f And if1 30 reproeuenmeof1 my folye IF I am f e more halden to loue 3ow and to preysen

CORPUS 630 (6-T. 243)

SIX-TEXT 24:4 GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS,

3ou [2894] 1F fFor Salamorc saif IF lie fat1 reprouef him fat doof folye f [2895] lie schal fynden grettere grace fan he fat1 disceyuef him hy wordes

[2896] 1T Then sayde dame Prudence IF I make no semblaunt1 of* wraf f e/ lie of1 anger but1 for 301110 owne profyt1 [2897] IT ffor Salo?fton saif IT he is 1more worf fat re- prouef or chidef a fool for his folye schewing1 him semblant1 of* wraffef [2898] fan he fat1 supportef him / [ .... no gap\ in his mysdoynge & laughef at1 his folye [2899] IT And fis same Salomon saif afterward fat1 by fe sorwful visage of1 man fat1 is to say by sory and heuy contynaunce of1 a man [2900] fe folk1 correctef and amendef him self*

[2901] IF Than sayde Mellibe IF I schal nou^t1 konne an- swere vnto so many resons as 36 puttef to me and schewef [2902] Sayef schortly ^our wille and 3oure coun- seil and I am al redy to fulfille and parforme

[2903] IF Thenne dame Prudence discouered al hire wille vnto him and sayde [2904] 1F I counseile }ou quod he abouen alle fing1 fat* 30 maken pees betwixen god and 3ou [2905] and bef reconsiled vnto him and vnto his grace [2906] IF ffor as I haue sayde 3ou here-byforn god haf suffred 3ou to haue fis tribulacion and disese for 3oure synnes [2907] and if1 36 doon as I say 3ou god wol sende 3oure aduersaries vnto 3011 [2908] and maken 3oure aduersaries fallen at1 3oure feet1 . redy to doon 3our wille and 3oure comaundeme?zt [2909] ^Ffifor Salomon saif whan f econ- diciofl of* man is plesaunt1 and likinge vnto god // [2910] he chaungef fe hertes of1 mannes aduersaries and con- streignef hem to besechen him of1 pees and of1 grace [2911] 1F And I pray 3ou let1 me speke wif 3our aduersaries in priue place [2912] IF ffor fey schuln nou}^ knowe fat1 if be 3oure wille or 3oure assent1 [2913] and fenne whan I knowe here wille and here assent1 IF I may counsel 3ou f e more seurly

[2914] IF Dame quod Mellibe dof 3oure wille and

CORPUS 631 (6-T. 244) [Meaf232]

SIX-TEXT 245

GKOUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.

ijoure likynge [2915] 51 fFor I putte me holly in 301110 disposicioii and ordinance

[2916] IF Thenne dame Prudence whan sche saugft pe goode wille of hire housbonde sche delyuered and took1 a-vys in hire self1 [2917] penking1 how sche mighte bringe pis neede. vnto a good conclusion and to a good ende [2918] IF And whan sche saugh hire tyme sche sente for pe aduersaries to come vnto hire in-to a priue place [2919] and schewed wysely vnto hem pe grete goodnesse pat1 come]) of pees [2920] and pe* grete harmes and pmles fat1 ben in werre [2921] IF And sayde to hem in a goodly manere hou pat1 hem 1F aughte to haue gret1 re- pentaunce [2922] of pe Iniury and wrong1 pat1 pey hadden doon to Mellibe hire lord and vnto hire and vnto hire doughter

[2923] IF And when pey herd en pe goode wordes of dame Prudence. [2924] pey weren so supprised and rauysscht1 and hadden so gret1 ioye of hire pat1 wonder was to telle [2925] ^[ A lady quod pay 36 han schewed vnto vs pe blessyng1 of swetnesse after pe sawe of dauid pe prophete [2926] IF fFor pe reconsilyng1 which we ne ben nou^f worpy to haue in no manere [2927] ^F But1 we oughten requiren hit1 wip gret1 contricion & 1humilite [2928] ^e of ^oure grete goodnesse han presented vnto vs [2929] ^" Now se we wel pat1 pe science and pe connynge of Salomon is ful trewe . [2930] fFor he saip pat1 swete wordes multiplyen and encrescen freendes and maken schrewes to be debonaire and meeke

[2931] IF Certes quod pay we putten oure dede and aH oure matiere and cause al holly in ^oure goode wille [2932] and ben redy to obeye to pe speche of pe comaunde- me?2f of my lord Mx3llibe [2933] IF And perfore deere and benigne lady we preyen 3ou and besechen 3011 as mekely as we conne and mowen [2934] pat1 it1 like vnto ^oure grete goodnesse to fulfille in dede ^oure goode wordes [2935] ^F fFor we considren and knowlechen

CORPUS 632 (6-T. 215) [Meaf 232, back]

SIX-TEXT 246 GROUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

fat1 we han offended and y-grened my lord Mellibe out1 of1 reson and mesure [2936] so f erf or]) jjaf we be nou^t1 of1 power to maken him amendes [2937] ^F And ferfore we oblige vs and oure frendes for to don alle his wille and his comaundeme^it [2938] IF But1 perauenture he haf such heuynesse and such wraff e to vs ward by cause of1 oure offense [2939] IF That1 woln enioygne vs such peyne fat1 we may not1 bere ne sustene [2940] IF And ferfore noble lady we beseche to ^oure woimmanly pite [2941] to taken such avisemewt/ in fis neede fat1 we ne oure freendes ne "ben nou^t1 disherited Jmrgh oure folye

[2942] 1F Certes quod Prudence 1F It1 is an hard f ing1 and right perilous [2943] fat1 a man putte him al outrely in fe arbitracioii and luggemefzt1 and in fe might & power of1 his enmys [2944] IF ffor Salamorc saif IF leeuef me and ^euef credence to fat fat1 I schal sayn IF I say yeuere peple and gouernours of1 holy chirche [2945] to fin sone to fin wyf1 [a ton frere] and to fin freende [2946] [ne donne puissance sur toy en toute ta vie [2947] Se il a doncques deffendu que Ten ne donne . . . a frere ne a ami (Le Menagier, i. 230)] fe might1 of1 his body [2948] IF By a strenger reson he defendef and forbedef a man to }iue himself1 vnto his enemy [2949] IF And nafe- les I counseile $ou fat1 30 mystruste nou^t1 my lord [2950] 1F ffor I wot1 wel and knowe wel fat1 he is debonaire and meke large & courteys [2951] and no fing1 desirous of1 good ne coueytous to hauerichesse [2952] 1F ffor fer is no fing1 in fis world fat1 he desiref saue worschipe and honour [2953] 1F fforfermore I knowe wel and I am right1 seur fat1 he schal nofing1 do in fis neede wz't/iouten my counseil [2954] IF And I schal so worchen in fis cause by fe g?-ace of1 oure lord god fat1 30 schuln ben reconsiled vnto vs

[2955] IF fenne sayden fey wif oo voys IF Worschipful CORPUS 638 (6-T. 246)

SIX-TEXT 247 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.'

lady we putten vs and oure goodes al fully in ^oure wille and disposicioii [2956] and [been] redy to come what1 [day] 3011 like]? vnto ^oure noblesse to lymyten vs or to assignen vs [2957] for to maken oure obligation and bond as strong* as it1 like]? vnto ^oure goodnesse [2958] fat1 we may fulfille )>e wille of1 ^ou and of1 my lord Mellibe

[2959] 1F Whan dame Prudence hadde herd J>e an- sweres of1 Jjese men f sche bad hem gon ayayn pryuyly [2960] 1F And sche l retourned a^ein to hire lord Mellybe and tolde him how sche fond hisaduersariesful repentaunt1 [2961] and knowlechinge ful reuerently and lowely here synnes and here trespaces and how fey weren redy to suffre alle peyne . [2962] requyrynge and preyng1 him of1 mercy and pite

[2963] IF Thenne sayde Mellibe : he is wel worfy to haue pardon and for^euenesse [qui ne - excuse point son pechie, [2964] mais le recongnoist et s'en repent et demande indulgence; [2965] car Seneque dit la est remission (Le Menagier, i. 231)] wher as confession is [2966] 1F ffor confession is neighebor to Innocence [2967] IT And he saith in anof er place 1F he fat1 haf schame for his synne and knowlechef it [...... no gap\

1F And f erf ore I assente and conferme to haue pees [2968] IF But1 it* is good fat1 we do it1 110113 fr wijjouten ]>e assente and wille ofH oure freendes

[2969] IF Then was Prudence right1 glad and loyeful and sayde [2970] 1F Certes sire qiiod sche ^[ ^e han goodly and wel answered [2971] IF ffor right1 as by counseil assent and helpynge of1 ^oure frendes ^e han ben styred to vengen $ou and make werre i [2972] Eight1 so wi£- oute?z here counseil schulle^e nought1 acorde )?ougli ^e ne haue pees wij> ^oure aduersaries [2973] IF ffor }>e lawe saith ^F J?er is no jjin.g1 so good by way of1 kynde as Jnng1 to ben vnbounden by hym jjat1 it was y-bounde

[2974] IF And fenne dame Prudence wij>outen delay or taryinge sent anon messagers for hire kyn and for hire olde frendes whiche fat were trewe and wyse [2975]

CORPUS 634 (6-T. 247) [Ueaf233]

SIX-TEXT 248 GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpllS MS.

1F and tolde hem "by ordre in f e presence of1 Mellybe al fe matiere as if is abouen expressed and declared [2976] 1F and prey den hem fat1 fey wolden yeuen hire a wyse coun- seille H what1 "best1 were to doon in f is matiere [2977] IF And whan mellibeus counseil hadde taken here avys and good de- liberaczon oFf eforsayde matiere [2978] and hadden examyned it1 by gret1 busynesse and gret1 diligence [2979] fey ^euen ful counseil for to haue pees and reste [2980] And fat1 Mellibe schuldereceyue hit1 with good herteof his aduersaries to for^iuenes and mercy

[2981] 1F And whan dame Prudence hadde herde fe assent1 of1 hire lord Mellibe and f e counseil of1 hire frendes [2982] acorded wif hire wille and entencion [2983] sche was wonderly glad in herte and sayde [2984] IF Ther is an olde prouerbe qitod sche saif fat1 fe goodnesse fat1 fu mayst1 do fis day do it1 [2985] and abyd it/ nought1 ne delay it1 nought1 tiltomorwe [2986] 1F And ferfore I counseile fat1 ^e sende ^oure messagers whiche fat1 ben discrete and wise [2987] vnto ^oure aduersaries / tellynge hem in ^oure bihalue [2988] if1 fey wolen trete of1 pees and acorde [2989] fat1 fey schapen hem wifouten delay or taryynge comynge to vs [2990] IF which fing1 performed was in dede [2991] and whan fese trespasoures and repentynge folk1 of1 here folyes fat1 is to say fe aduersaries of1 Mellibe [2992] hadden herde what1 fese messangeres J sayden vnto hem ; [2993] fey weren ful glad and ioyfulle and answerden ful mekely and benygnely [2994] ^eldynge graces and fankes to here lord Mellibe and to alle his companye [2995] IF and schopen hem wifouterc delay to go wif fe messangeres and obeye to f e comaundement of1 here lord Mellibe

[2996] IF And riglif anon fey token here wey to Mellibe [2997] f And toke fe so?rane of1 here trewe wordes and frendes to maken feif for hem and for to "ben here borwes [2998] IF And whanne fey comen to

CORPUS 635 (6-T. 248) [l leaf 233, back]

SIX-TEXT 249 GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

])Q presence of1 Mellibe 1F he seycle hem Jjese wordes [2999] IT It1 .stant1 Jms quod Mellibe and soj) if is j>af 30 [3000] causeles and wifouten skile and reson [3001] han don grete Iniuries and wronges to me and to my wyf Dame Prudence and to my^ doughter also [3002] IT ffor 36 han entred in-to niyn hous by vyolence [3003] and han doon suche outrage J}af alle men knowen wel pat1 30 han disserued J?e dep [3004] IF And perfore wil I knowen and wyten of1 ^ou [3005] wheper pat1 36 wollen putte pe punysscheme^t1 and chastisyng1 and pe vengauwce of* pis outrage in pe wille of1 me and my wyf1 dame Prudence or ^e wolii nou^f

[3006] IT Thenne J?e wisest1 of hem J?re answerde for hem alle and sayde [3007] sir quod he we knowen wel J>af we ben vnworjjy to come to ^oure court1 of1 so grefr a lord and of1 so worj>y as 30 ben [3008] ffor we han so gretly mystaken vs and han offended and agult1 in such a wise a^eins ^our heighe lordschipe . [3009] ^at1 trewly we han deserued J?e deth [3010] IT But1 ^it1 for )>e grete goodnesse and debonairte pat alle pe world witnessejj of1 ^oure persone [3011] IT we submitten vs to ]?e excellence and benignite of1 ^oure gracious lordschipe [3012] and ben redy to obeye to alle ^our comaundementz [3013] besechynge 3011 Jmt1 of1 ^oure mercyable pite. 30 woln considre oure grete repentaunce and lowe submission [3014] and to graunte vs for^euenesse of* oure outragous trespas and offence [3015] 1F ffor wel we knowe fat1 ^oure liberalle grace & mercy strecchej) fer]?er in-to good nesse J?an don oure outrageous gultes and trespaces in-to wickednesse. [3016] al be hit1. Jjat1 cursedly and damp- nably we han gult1 a3eins 3 oure hey he lordschipe

[3017] IF Thenne Mellibe took1 him vp fro J?e grounde ful benygnely [3018] and receyued here obligations and here bandes by here o]?es vppon here plegges and here borwes [3019] and assigned hem a certeyn day to retournen vnto his courtes [3020] IT ffor to accepte and receyue J?e sentences and

CORPUS 536 (6-T. 249)

SIX-TEXT 250 GROUP B. § 10, JIELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.

f e luggementesf afr Mellibe woldecomande to ben don on hem by f e causes a-forn sayde / [302 1] whiche f inges ordeyned f euery man retournede l to his hous

[3022] 1F And when fat1 dame Prudence saugh" hire tyme sche f[r]eyned and axede hire lord mellibe [3023] what1 vengance he f o^fr to take of* his aduersaries

[3024] To which mellibe answerde and sayde 1F Certez quod he I fenke and pz^rpose fully [3025] to dis- herite hem of1 al fat1 fay han ^F And for to putten heni in exile for euere

[3026] IF Certes quod Dame Prudence fis were a cruel sentence and mochel a^eins reson [3027] IF fior 36 ben riche ynougfr and han no neede of1 ofer mennes good [3028] and 36 mighte lighfrly geten ^ou a coueytous name [3029] which is a vicious ping1 and ougiite [be] eschewed of1 euery man [3030] 1F ffor after fe sawe of1 fe appostel Coueitise is roote of1 alle harmes [3031] 1F And ferfore it were bettre to lese so mochel good of* 3oure owne fan for to take of* here good in pis manere [3032] ^F ffor better it1 is to leese good wij? worschipe Jjenne it is good to wynne worschipe wij> vilanye and schame [3033] IF And euery man oughte to don his busynesse and to geten him a good name [3034] IF and 3ef schal he nou3t* only kepen him in kepyng1 of1 his good name [3035] 1F But1 he schal also enforcen him alwey to don som ping1 by which he may renouelle his good name [3036] ^F ffor it1 is write fat1 f e olde goode loos or good name of1 a man is sone goon and passed when it is no^t1 newed and re- nouelled [3037] IF And as touchinge fat1 36 sayn fat1 30 woln exile 3oure aduersaries [3038] fat1 fenkef me mochil a3eins reson and out1 of1 rnesure [3039] IF Con- sideref fe power fat1 39 han 3ouen 3ou vpon hemself1 [3040] and it1 is writen. fat1 he is worfy to lesen his priuilege fat1 misvsef it1 IF The might1 and f e power fat1 is 3ouen him . [3041] And I sette caas fat1 30 might1 annoye hem fat1 peyne by right1 and by lawe [3042] which I

37 CORPUS 637 (6-T. 250) [i leaf 234]

SIX-TEXT 251 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.

trowe 36 may noti^t do [3043] I say ne ne mighte putte it1 to execucion perauenture [3044] and peime were it1 likly to retorne to pe werre as it1 was byfom [3045] 1F And perfore if* 36 woln fat1 men do 3011 obeis- sance f 30 moste deme more curteisly [3046] pis is to sayn 36 moste ^iue more esy sentences and lugementz [3047] 1F for it is writen pat1 he fat1 most1 courteisly comaundeth f to him men most1 obeyen [3048] IF And per- fore I pray 3011 pat1 in pis necessite and in pis neede f 30 casten perfore to ouercome 3oure herte [3049] IF ffor Senek1 saip 1F he pat4 oones ouercomep his herte f ouercome]? twyes [3050] 1F And Tullius saij) IT Ther is no ping1 so comendable in a gret lord [3051] as whan he is debon- aire andmeekeand appesejjhimmeekely [3052] IF And I pray 3011 Jjat1 30 woln forbere now to do vengance [3053] in such a manere . pat1 3oure goode name may be kepte and conserued [3054] and J>af man may haue a cause and matiere to preyse 3ou of1 pite and of1 mercy [3055] and Jjaf 36 han no cause to repente 3ou of1 ping1 pat1 36 doon) [3°56] ^T ffor Senek1 seip f he ouercomep in euel manere pat1 repentep him of1 his victory [3057] U Wher- fore I pray 3ou let1 mercy be in 3oure herte [3058] to peffecte and pe entenf paf god almighty haue mercy vpon 3ou in his laste luggemewt [3059] [Car saint Jacques dit en son epistre: jugement2] IF wip- oute^ mercy schal be to him pat1 hap no mercy of1 anoper wight1 [a Le M6n. i. 235]

[3060] IF Whan mellibe had herde pe grete skiles and resons of1 Dame Prudence and of1 hire wise informacions and techingesf [3061] his herte gan enclyne to pe wille of* his wyf1 consyderyng1 to pe trewe entent1 [3062] cow- formed him anon IF And assented fully to worchen after hire counseil . [3063] and pankep god of/ whom procedeth all goodnesse pat1 him sente a wyf1 of1 so gret1 discrecion [3064] IF And when pe day came pat1 his aduer- saries schulde apperen in his presence f [3065] he spake

CORPUS 538 (6-T. 251) [i leaf 234, back]

SIX-TEXT 252 GROUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.

to hem ful goodly and sayde to liem in pis wise/ [3066] 1F Al be it1 so fat1 of 301116. pruyde and by presumption and folye 11 and of1 3oure necligence and vnkiwnynge [3067] 36 han mysborn 3011 and trespassed to me /./ [3068] 3ef for as meche as I se and byholde 3oure grete humilite [3069] and J>att 36 ben sory and repentauntt of1 3oure gultes f [3070] it1 constreignetli me to do 3011 grace and mercy [307 1] 1F Wherfore I receyue 3011 vnto my grace/ [3072] and fo^iue 3011 outrely alle j?e offenses Iniuries and wronges j>at 30 han doon a3eins me and myne [3073] to J>is efFecte and to ]?is ende / pat1 god of1 his endeles mercy [3074] wol at1 pe tyme of1 oure deyinge fo^iuen oure gultes pat1 we han trespastf vnto him in pis wrecchede world // [3075] II ffor douteles if4 we ben sory and repentauntf of1 pe synnes and gultes pe whiche we han trespassed in pe sight1 of1 oure lord god f [3076] he is so fre and so mercy- ful [3077] pat1 he wol fo^iuen vs oure gultes [3078] and bryngen vs to Jnlke blisse fat1 neuer haj> ende . To which blisse he vs bringe That blood on crosse for vs gan springe Qui cum pafre /

IT Here ende]) Chaucers tale of Mellibe //

CORPUS 539 (6-T. 252)

SIX-TEXT 253 GROUP B. § 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK. CoipUS MS.

Prologus Monaclii

Ion tea/ 234,

Whan ended was J>e tale of1 Mellibe And of1 Prudence and hire benignite 3080

Cure hoost1 sayde as I am feyjjful man And By J?e precious corpus Madryan I hadde leuer j?an a barel ale

Thai? goode leef1 my wyf1 had herd J)is tale 3084

ffbr sche nys no ping1 of1 such pacience As was J?is Mellibeus wyf1 Prudence

By goddes bones whan I bete my knaues . [leaf 235]

Sche bringej) me J?e grete clobbed stanes 3088

And cryej) sle fe dogges euerychon And breke bojje bak1 and bon And if1 Jjat1 any neyghebour of1 myne Wol nou^t1 in chirche to my wif1 enclyne 3092

Or be so hardy to hire to trespace Whan sche come]> home sche rumpeth me ]>e face and cryef false coward wreke J?in wyf* By corpus bones I wol haue J?y knyf1 3096

And Jjou schalt1 haue my distaf1 and go spynne ffro day to nighf right1 fus sche wol begynne Alias sche saijj fat1 euer I was y-schape To wedde a melksop or a coward ape / 3100

That1 wil ben ouerled wij> euery wight Thou darstt nou^t1 stonde by J>y wyf1 aright1 This is my lyf1 but1 if1 J>atf I wolde fight1 And out1 at1 J>e dore anon I mot1 me dight1 3104

Or elles I am lost1 but if1 Jmf I Be like a wilde leon fool hardy I wot1 wel sche wol do me slee som day Som neihebore and Jjanne I go my way 3108

ffor I am perilous wij? knyf1 on honde / Al be it1 J>af I dar hire noi^t1 wifstonde /

CORPUS 540 (6-T. 253)

SIX-TEXT 254 GROUP B. § 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK. CoipUS MS.

ffor sche is bigge in armes by my feip That1 sclial lie fynde pat hire mysdop or seip 3112

But1 lat1 vs passe away fro pis matiere / My lord sire monk1 he saip be mery of1 cheere / ffor ye schul telle a tale trewely

Lo Eouchestre stant1 here faste by 3116

Ryd for]) myn) owne lord brek1 no^t1 our game But1 by my troupe I knowe nou^t1 ^oure name / Wheper I schal calle $ou my lord daun lohn Or Daun Thomas or elles Daun Albon 3120

Of1 what1 hous be $e by your fader kyn I vowe to god pou hast1 a ful fayr skyn It1 is a gentil pasture per pou gost1 [leaf 235]

Thou art1 no^t1 like a penant1 or a gost 3124

Yppon my feip pou art1 som officer Som worpy Sexteyn or som Celerer ffor by my fader soule as to my dome Thou art1 a maister whan pou art at1 home 3128

No pouer cloysterer ne no pouer novys But1 gouernour wyly and wys And per-with-al of1 brawnes and of1 bones A wel faryng1 persone for pe nones 3132

I pray to god ^iue him confusion That1 ferst1 J?e brought1 in to religion Thou woldest1 haue ben a tredefoul aright1 Haddest1 J>ou as gret1 leue as j>ou hast1 might1 3136

To perfourme al J?y lust1 in engendure / Thou haddest1 bygeten many a creature Alias why werest1 J?ou so wyd a Cope God ^if1 me sorwe and I were a Pope 3140

Nou^t1 oonly J>ou but1 euery mighty man Though he were schore heyhe vpon his pan Schulde haue a wyf1 for al pis world is lorn Religion hap take vp al pe corn 3144

Of1 tredyng1 and we borelle men ben schrimpes Of1 feeble trees per comep wrecched ympes CORPUS 641 (6-T. 254)

SIX-TEXT 255 GROUP B. § 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK. CoipUS MS.

This make]? Jjat1 oure heires ben so sclendre And feble fat1 fay may not1 wel engendre 3148

This make]? fat1 oure wyfes wol assay Eeligious folk1 for fey may bettre pay Of1 venus payement1 fen mowen we

God woof no lussheburghes paye 36 3152

But1 bef nought1 wrof my lord f ough f af I play fful ofte in game a sof I haue herd say This worf y monk1 took1 al in pacience And sayde I wil do al my diligence 3156

As fer as sownef in to honeste To telle ^ou a tale or tuo or f re

And if* }ou liste herkne hiderward [leaf 2.%]

I wol ^ou seyn fe lyf1 of1 seinf Edward 3160

Or elles tregedys first1 wol I telle Of1 whiche I haue an hundred in my selle Tregedye is for to telle a certein story e As olde bookes maken memorie 3164

Of1 hem fat1 stood in gret1 prosperite And is y-falle out1 of1 heigh degre In-to miserie and endej) wrecchedly

And j>ey ben vercefyed comenly 3168

Of1 sixe foote whiche jjat1 men clepen examytron In proce eek1 ben endited many oon And eek1 in metre in many a sondry wyse Lo ]?is aughte }ou ynough suffyse 3172

Now herkne]) if1 $ou liste for to heere But1 first1 1 3ou beseche in ]>is mateere / Jjough I by ordre telle no^t1 fese Jjinges Be it1 of1 Popes Empenwrs or Kynges 3176

And after here ages as men writen fynde But1 telle hem some bifore some behinde As it1 come]) now to my remembrance Haue]) me excused of1 myn ignorance ^f Explicit

prologue mcwttchi

CORPUS 642 (6-T. 255)

SIX-TEXT 256

GROUP B. § 1.2. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Here tellef J)e monk1 // De casibws virorwm illustriu?n

H C'n xxj'»

[No breaks between the stanzas in the MS.]

I Wol bewayle in maner of1 Tregedye The harme of1 hem }?af stande)} l in heih degre ^afer in ihe And fellen so Jjaf )?er nas no remedye margin}

To bringen hem out1 of1 here aduersite 3184

ffor certein when fat1 fortune lust1 to fle Ther may no man of1 hire j>e cours wijjholde / [2Lat nonis truste on blyn[d] prosperity 2] p-* later, in mar gin] Be)) war by J}is ensamples 3ong1 and olde 3188

[Lucifer.]

At1 lucifer J>ough he an aungel were IF Pn'mo de lucifero And nought a man at1 him I wol begynne ffor ]?eigh fortune may non aungel dere ffrom heih degre 3ef felle he for his synne 3192

Doun in-to helle wher as he 36^ is Inne 0 lucifer brightest1 of aungeles alle

Now art* J}ou Sathanas jjat mayst not1 twynne [leaf 236, back-i Out1 of1 rniserie which j?ou art1 y-falle 3196

De Adamo [in margin.]

[LO Adam in the felde of/ Damascene . [Hari. MS 1758, z<?a/is4] With goddis/ owne finger/ wroght/ was/ he . And not bi getyng/ of/ mannes/ sperme vnclene . And welte aH Paradis/ sauyng/ oo tre . 3200

Had neuyr/ worldly man so hye degree . As/ Adam had tilt he for his/ gouernaunce . Was/ dryuen out/ of/ his/ hye prospmte . To labour/ an to helle & to myschaunce .] [Hari. extract ends]

CORPUS 643 (6-T. 266)

SIX-TEXT 257

GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

[Sampson.]

IT Lo Sampson which was anniweiate By ]?angel long1 er his natiuite / And was to god almighty consecrate

And stood in nobles whiles he mighte se 3208

Was neuer such anojjer as was he To speke of1 streng^e and Iperio hardyncs But1 to his wyues tolde he his secre Thurgh which he slougli himself1 furgfi. wrecchednes 3212

1T Sampson f is noble and mighty champion

WiJ?outen wepen sauf1 his handes tweye

he slough and al to-rente £e leoun

Toward his weddyng1 walkyng1 by J>e weye 3216

his false wyf1 cou]?e him so plese and preye /

Til sche his counseil knewe and sche vntrewe

Ynto his foos his counseil gaii bewreye

And him forsok1 and took1 anojjer newe 3220

IT An hundred foxes tok1 Sampson for Ire

And alle here tayles he togyder bond

And sette ]>e foxes tayles alle on fuyre

ffor he in euery tail haj? putt1 a brond 3224

And J?ey brent1 alle jje cornes in J>af lond

And eek1 here Olyues and here vynes eeke

A ))ousend men eek1 he slough wij> his hond

And hadde no wepne but1 an asse cheeke 3228

IF Whan ]>ey were slayn so )?ursted him Jjat1 he Was wel neigh lorn for which he gan to preye That1 god wolde of1 his peyne haue som pite [leaf 237]

And sende him drinke or elles most1 he deye / 3232

And of1 Jns asse cheeke jjat1 was so druye Out1 of1 a wang1 too]) sprang1 anon a welle Of1 which he drank1 ynough schortly to seye Thus hilpe him god as Indicium can telle 3236

CORPUS 544 (6-T. 257)

SIX-TEXT 258

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

1f By verray force at* Gasan on a night1

Maugre philistiens of1 Jmt1 Cite

The gates of1 J>e toun he ha]> vp plight1

And on his bakke y-karyed hem ha|) he 3240

heighe on an hille where as men mighte se

O noble almighty Sampson leef1 and deere

That1 strong1 and noble ha]? be /

In alle ]>is world ne hadde ]?er ben J?y peere 3244

IT This Sampson neuer cyder drank1 ne wyn

Ne on his heed came Kasour non ne scheere

By precepte of1 J>e messanger deuyn

if or alle his strengfe was in his here 3248

And fully twenty ^eer by 3ere

he hadde of Israel J>e gouernafice

But1 after soone schal he wepe many a teere

ffor wommen schuln bringe him to meschance 3252

1T Vnto his lemman Dalida he tolde

That1 in his heeres alle his streng])e lay

And falsly to his fomen sche him solde

And slepyng1 vpon hire barme vpan a day 3256

Sche made to clippe or schere his here away

And made his foomen alle his crafte aspyen

And whan Jjat1 J>ay him fond in such aray

They bonde him faste and putte out1 his eyen 3260

IT But1 er his heer was y-clipped or y-schaue Ther was no bond Jmt1 might1 him bynde Buf now is he in prisoun putte in a Caue Where as Jjey made him at1 ]>e querne grynde 3264

0 noble Sampson strongest1 of1 mankynde 0 whilom lugge in glorie and in richesse Now maystow wepe with }>in eyen blynde [leaf 237, back]

Sepenes J?ou art1 fro wele falle in to wrecchidnesse 32C8 CORPUS 545 (6-T. 258)

SIX-TEXT 259

GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

^F The ende of1 Jns Caytiffe was as I schal seye

his foomen made a feste vp-on a day

And made him as here fool biforn hem pleye

And jjis was [in] a temple of1 gref aray 3272

But1 at1 J?e laste he made a foul affray

ifor he tuo postes schook1 and made hem falle /

And doun fel temple and al J?er if lay

And slough himself1 and eek1 his foomen alle 3276

IF This is to say J>e princes euerichon

And eek1 a fousand bodyes were fey slayn

Wi]> fallyng1 of1 fe grete temple of1 stoon

Of1 Sampson) ne wol I no more sayii . 3280

Be]? war of1 Jns ensample olde and playn

That1 noman telle here counseil to here wyues

Of1 such fing1 as fay wolde haue secre fayn

If1 faf it touche here lymes or here lyues 3284

[Hercules. .]

IF Of1 Ercule pe soueraign) conquerour IF De Ercule

Syngen his werkes lewede and heih renown ffor in his tyme of1 strengfe he bar J?e flour he slough and rafte fe skyn fro J?e leown 3288

he of1 sent1 arwes leyde J?e boost1 a doun he arpyes slough fe cruel briddes felle he golden apples rafte J?e dragoun he drough out1 Serberois J?e hound of1 helle 3292

IF He slough Jje cruel tyraunt Buserus

And made his hors to frete him fleissh and boon

He slough J>e verray serpent1 venymous

Of1 Achilles tuo homes brark1 he oon 3296

And he slough Cacus in a Cave of1 ston

He slough J>e geaunt1 Anteus ]?e stronge /

He slough j>e grisly boor and faf anoon

And bar j>e heed vpon his necke longe 3300

CORPUS 646 (6-T. 259)

SIX-TEXT 260

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IT Was neuer wigh"f sif en f e world bygan

f af slough so many monstres as dede he

Thurgh" out1 fis wilde world his name ran [leaf 238]

What1 for his strengfe and for his bounte 3304

And euery Reeme went he for to see

He was so strong1 fat1 no man might1 him lette

And bof e f e worldes ende saith trophe /

In stede of1 bowndes he a piler sette 3308

1F A lewman hadde fis noble Campion

Thaf highte Deianyre freissh as may

And as f e clerkes maden mencion

Sche haf him sent a scherte freisch and gay 3312

Alias fis scherte and weylaway

Enuenymed was subtily wif alle

Thaf or f af he had wered it half1 a day

If made his boones fro his fleissch to falle / 3316

IF Buf naf eles some clerkes hire exusen

By oon f af highte Nessus f af if maked

Be as be may I wol hire nougfrf accusen

Buf on his bakke fe scherte he weres al naked 3320

Tille f af his fleissh was fro f e venym blaked

And whan he saugh non of er remedye

In hote coles he haf himself1 y-raked

ffor wif no venym deyned he to dye 3324

1T Thus starf1 f is worf y mighty hercules

Lo who may truste on fortune ony f rowe

ffor him f af folwef alle f is world of1 prees

Er he be war is ofte y-leyd ful lowe 3328

fful wys is he f af himself1 can knowe

Bef war for when f af fortune lusf to glose /

Than waytef sche hire man doun to Jjrowe

By such a way as he wolde lesf suppose // 3332

CORPUS 647 (6-T. 260)

SIX-TEXT 261

GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

[Nebuchadnezzar.]

IF The mighty trone )>e precious tresor II De Eege Nabu- The glorious septir and realle mageste godonosore That1 hadde j>e king1 Nabugodonosor

WiJ) tunge vnnefie may discryued be 3336

he twyes nam Ihemsalem ]>e cite / The vessel of1 J?e temple he wijj him ladde 1T At1 Babiloyne was his souerain see / [leaf 233, back]

In which his glorie and his delit1 he hadde / 3340

The fayrest1 children of1 fe blood royalle

Of lertisalem he dede do gylde anon

And maked eche of1 hem to ben his j^ralle

Among1 alle o)>er Daniel was oon 3344

That1 was fe wisest1 childe of1 euerychon

ffor he )>e dremes of1 j?e king1 expowned

"VVher as in Caldey clerk1 was fer non

That1 wiste to what1 fyn his dremes sowned 3348

1T This proude king1 leet1 make a statue of1 golde

Sixty cubites longe and seuen in brede

To which Image bo]?e ^onge and olde

Comaunded he to lowte and haue in drede / 3352

Or in a fourneys ful of1 na??zmes rede

He schal be brent1 Jjat1 wolde nought1 obeye

But neuere wolde assente to Jjat1 dede

Danyel ne his 3onge felawes tweye - 3356

^[ This king1 of kynges proude and elatt

he wende god Jjat1 sitte in mageste

Ne might1 him nought1 byreue of1 his estate

But1 sodeinly he lost1 his dignite 3360

And like a beeste him seemed for to be

And ete hey as an oxe and lay J?er oute

In reyn wij) wilde bestes walked he

Til a certein tyme was come aboute 3364

CORPUS 648 (6-T. 2Cl)

SIX-TEXT 262

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS

11 And ylike an Egles fef eres were his heres

And nayles like briddes clawes were /

God releeued him at1 certeyn 3eeres

And ^af1 him witte and fanne wif many a tere ' 3368

he f ankede god and euer his lyf1 in feere

Was he to don amys or more trespas

And or fat1 y-leyd was on his beere

he knew wel fat1 god was ful of* might1 and grace 3372

\Bclshazzar. ~\ his sone which fat1 highte Baltyzar IF De Ealtazar dz'cft

f af heeld be regne after his fader day Ee^'5 ^abugodo-

nosor filio he by his fader coufe nou^t1 be war

ffor prowd he was of1 herte and of1 array 3376

And eek1 an ydolatre was he ay

his heilie astate asseured him in pryde

But1 fortune caste him doun and f er he lay

And sodeinly his regne gan deuyde / 3380

IT A feste he made vnto his lordes alle

vpon a tyme he made hem blif e be /

And f enne his officeres gan he calle

Goode bringeth forth fe vesselles qtiod he 3384

Which fat1 my fader in his prosperite

Out1 of1 Jje temple of1 lerwsalem byrafte

And to oure heihe goddes fanke we

Of1 honour fat oure eldres wif vs lafte 3388

IF His wyf1 his lordes and his concubynes Ay drunken whiles here appetyte laste / Out1 of1 fis noble vesseles sondry wynes / And on a wal fis king1 his eyhen caste 3392

And saugtl an hande armies fat/ wrot1 ful faste ffor feer of1 which he quook1 and siked sore This hande fat Baltazar made so sore agasf Wrot1 mane techel pharos and no more 3396

CORPUS 649 (6-T. 262)

SIX-TEXT 263

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

11 In al pat1 lond inagicien was per non

That1 coupe expoune what1 pis lettre ment1

But1 Daniel expouned it1 anon

And sayde king1 god to pi fader sent1 3400

Glory and honour Kegne tresor and rent

And he was prowde and no ping1 god ne dradde /

And perfore god gret1 wreche vpon him sent

And him byrafte pe regne pat1 he hadde 3404

IF He was out1 cast1 of mannes companye

Wip asses was his habitacion

And eete hey as a beeste in wete and drye

Til pat1 he knew by grace and by resoun 3408

That1 god of1 heuen hap domynacion

Ouer euery regne and euery creature

And penne hadde god of1 him compassion [leaf 239, back]

And him restored his regne and his figure 3412

IF Eke pou pat1 art1 his sone art1 proud also

And knowest1 alle pis pinges pryuyly

and art1 rebell to god and art1 his foo

Thou drank1 eeke of1 his vessels boldely 3416

Thy wyf1 eek1 and py wenche synfully

Drank1 of1 pe same vessels sondry wynes

And heryed false goddes cursedly

Ther fore to pe schapen gref pyne is / 3420

IF This hand was sent fro god pat on pe wal Wrot1 mane techel phares truste me Thin regne is doon pou weyest1 not1 at1 al Deuyded is py regne and it1 schal be 3424

To Medes and to Perses ^euen quod he And pilke same night1 pe king1 was slawe And Daryus occupieth his degre

They he pe?*to nad neype?- right1 ne lawe 3428-

CORPUS 660 (6-T. 263)

SIX-TEXT 264

GJIOUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IT Lordynges lier-by ensample may }e take

How fat1 in lordschipe is no sikernesse

ffor whan fortune wole a man forsake

He berej? a-wey his regne and his richesse / 3432

And eek1 his freendes bo)>e more and lesse

And what1 man hajj freendes Jmrgh fortune

Mishap wole make hem enemys I gesse

This prouerbe is ful so]) and ful co?7imune 3436

[Zenobia.~\

IT Cenobya of1 Palymere J>e queene IF De Cenobia Paly-

As writen Persiens of* hire noblesse nierie regina

So worjjy was in armes and so keene

That1 no wight1 passed hire in hardynesse / 3440

lie in lynage ne in oj>er gentillesse /

Of1 kinges blood of1 Pe?*ce sche descended

I saye fat1 sche nad no^t1 most1 fairnesse

But1 of1 hire schap sche might1 nought1 ben amended 3444

IT ffro hire childhode I fynde fat1 sche fledde

Office of1 wommen and to woode sche wente

And many a wilde hertes blood sche schedde [leaf 240]

With arwes brode Jjat1 sche to hem sente / 3448

Sehe was so swyfte Jjat1 sche anon hem hente

And whan fat1 schs was elder sche wold kille

Leouns luperdes and beres alto-rent1

And in hire armes welde hem at1 hire wille 3452

IF Sche dorste wilde bestes dennes seeke

And rennen in J>e mounteinz al J?e night1

And slepe vnder a bussche and sche coujje eeke

Wrastlen by verray force and verray might1 3455

Wijj any }ong< man were he neuer so wight1

Ther mighte no Jnng1 in hir armes stonde

Sche kepte hir maydenhed fro euery wigfrt1

To no man deyned hire to be bonde / 34(50

CORPUS 651 (6-T. 264)

SIX-TEXT 265

GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

1F But1 atte laste hir freendes lian hire maryed

To Odenake a Prince of1 fat1 Citfe

Al were if so fat sche hem longe taryed

And }e schuln vnderstonde how fat1 he 3464

Hadde suche fantasies as hadde sche

But naf eles whan fey were knette in feere

They lyueden in ioye and in felicite

ffor sche of1 hem hadde of er leef1 and deere / 3468

[Saue oo thyng/ that/ sche wolde neuyr/ assente .] I?*"1- Ms

By no wey fat1 he schulde by hire lye

But1 ones for it/ was hire pleyne entent

To haue a childe f e world to multiplye 3472

And al so sone as sche might aspye

That1 sche nas no^t1 wif childe wif fat1 dede

Thanne wolde sche suffre him don his fantasye

Eftsone and nou^t1 but ones out1 of1 drede / 3476

IF And if1 sche were wif childe at1 f ilke caste

No more schulde he pleye f ilke game

Til fully fourty dayes were paste

Thenne wolde sche ones do suffre him fe same 3480

Al were fis Odenak1 wilde or tame

he gat1 nomore of1 hire for f us sche sayde

It1 was to wyfes lecchery and schame /

In ofer caas if1 fat1 men with hem playde [leaf 2*0, back]

IF Tuo sones by fis Odonak1 had sche

The whiche sche kepte in vertu and lettrure

But1 now vnto oure tale turne we /

I saye fat1 worschipful creature 3488

And wys f erwith and large wif mesure

So penyble in f e werre and curteys eeke

No more laboure mighte in werre endure

Was non fey alle fis world men schulde seke 3492

CORPUS 652 (6-T. 265)

SIX-TEXT 266

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

1T Hire riche aray mighte nought1 be told

As wel in vessel as in hir clofinge

Sche was al cladde in perry e and in goolde

And eek1 sche lefte nought1 for non huntynge 349(>

To haue of4 sondry tonges folk1 knowynge

Whan fafr sche leyser hadde and for to entende

To lerne bookes was al hire likynge

How sche in vertu might1 hir lyf dispendo 3500

[And schortly of/ this/ storie for to entrete .]

1T So doughty was hire housebande as sche

That1 fey conquered many regnes grete

In f e orient1 wif many a fair Cite 3504

Apportienant vnto f e mageste

Of1 Rome and with strong1 hand heeld hem faste

Ne neuer might1 here fomen don hem fle

Ay whiles fat1 Oedenak1 dayes laste 3508

IF Here batayles who so luste hem for to ride •

Agayn Sapor f e king1 and of er mo *

And how fat1 al f is prices felle in • dede •

Why sche conquered and what title had ferto 3512

And after of1 hire meschief1 and hire woo

how fat sche was beseged and y-take

let1 him vnto my mayster Petrarke go

That1 writ of1 fis ynougS. I vndertake 3516

1T Whan Odenake was deed sche mightily

The regnes huld and wij) hir propre hand

Agayn hire foos sche faught1 trewely

That1 Jjer nas king1 ne Prince in al Jjat land 3520

That he nas gladde if1 fat1 he grace fand [leaf 241]

That sche ne wolde vpon his land werrey

With hire fey made alleyance by band

To ben in pees and lete hir ryde and pley 3524

38 CORPUS 653 (6-T. 266)

SIX-TEXT 267

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IF The Emperour of Rome Claudius

Ne him byforn J?e Remain Galien

Ne dorste neuer be so coragius

Ne non Ermyne ne non Egipcien 3528

Ne Surrien ne non arabien

Wijnnne fe feeld fat1 dorste with hire fight

Lest1 fat1 sche wolde hem wif hir handes sleen

Or with hire meyne putten hem to flight 3532

[IN kynges/ abite wente hir/ sones/ two .]

As Eyres of1 here regnes alle

And hermanno and Thymalao

Here names were as Perciens hem calle 3536

But1 ay fortune haf ay in hir hony galle

This mighty queene may no while en-dure

{fortune out1 of1 hire regne made hire falle

To wrecchednes and to mysauenture 3540

1T Aurelion whan fat1 f e gouernance

Of1 Rome cam in-to his handes tweye

he schoop vpon )>is queen to do vengance

And wij) his legiouns he took1 his weye 3544

Toward Cenobye and schortly for to seye

He made hir flee and at1 J>e last1 hir bent

And fetered hire and eek1 hir children tweye

And wan jje lond and home to Rome fey went 3548

1F Among1 Jjese o]?er jnnges fat1 he wan hire char J>af was wij> gold wrought and perre This grete Romayn Jjis aurelian

Ha]j wij) him ladde for fat1 men schulde se 3552

Byforn his tryumphe walkej) sche "Wif gilte cheynes on hire necke hangyng1 Corouned sche was as after hire degre And ful of1 perre charged hire clofing1 3556

CORPUS 654 (6-T. 267)

SIX-TEXT 268

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS,

^T Alias fortune sche fat1 whilom was

Dredful to kynges and to empmmres • [leaf 241, back]

Now gauref al pe poeple on hire alias •

And sche fat1 helmed was in starke stoures • 3560

And wan by force townes strong1 and toures •

Schal on hire heede were a vytremyte

And sche fat1 bar f e septre ful of1 floures

Schal bere a distaff1 hir costes for to quyte 3564

[Peter the Cruel, of Spain.] 11F 0 noble o worfy petre glorie of1 Spayne ^f De Petro

Whom fortune helde so heyh in mageste ^27ne

^j Kege Wei oughte men fin pitous def complayne \\ wrongly marktbm

, , -, n margin, by a later

Thy bastard brober made be to fle corrector, to follow a

(De nero &c).

And after at a sege by subtilte

fow were betrayed and lad to his tent1 3570

Wher as he wif his owen hand slough f e

Succedyng1 in fy regne and in fin rent' 3572

IF The feeld of1 snow wif f e egle blak1 f er-Imie ^[ Bertheuw Caught1 wif f e lymrodde coloures as f e gledes Clayky^ he brew fis cursednes and al fe synne Mawirtr

The wicked neste was werker of1 bis needes ^ertranddu Guescim,

& his cousin Sir Oliver

Nought Charles Olyuer fat1 ay tootgod heede de Mauny> h 3579'] Of1 troufe and honour but of1 armorekke 3578

Genyloun Olyuer corupte for meede Broughtest1 fis worfi king1 in such a brekke 3580

[Peter of Cyprus.']

11 Worfy Petre king1 of1 Cypre also IT De petro regis

fat1 alisaundre wan by heigh maystrie IF Cypri

fful many an hef en wroughtest1 jjou ful wo

Of1 which fin owen liege had enuye 3584

And for no f ing1 but1 for fin Chiualrie

They in fin bedde han slayn f e by f e morwe

Thus gan fortune gouerne and gye

And out1 of1 ioye bringe men in-to sorwe 3588

CORPUS 555 (6-T. 268)

SIX-TEXT 269

GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

[Bernabo Visconti, of Milan.]

IT Of Melane greti barnabo viscounte ^f De Barnabo

God of delite and scourge of lumbardye vicecoimYe

-trru v ij ^ T f j? * / H Mediolano /

Why schulde nou^t1 1 pin fortune acounte /

Seppen in estaat1 pou clombe were so hilie 3592

Thin broper sone pat1 was pin double allye

ffor he fin neuew was and sone in lawe [leaf 242]

Wipinne his prison made pe to deye

But why ne how wot1 1 pat1 pou were slawe // 3596

\Ugolino, Count of Pisa J\

1F Of pe erl hugelyne of1 Pyse pe langour ^f De hugylyno

Ther may no tunge telle for pite Comite Pisano-

But1 lytel out* of1 pyse stanf a toure

In Avhich toure in prison putte was he 3600

And wij? him ben his litel children fre

The eldest1 skarsly .v. ^er was of age

alias fortune it1 was gret1 cruelte

Suche briddes for to putte in such a kage 3604

H Dampned he was to deyen in ]?at prison

ffor Roger which pat1 bisschop was of pyse

Hadde on him maade a fals suggestion

Thurgh which J>e poeple gan on him aryse 3608

And putten him to pryson in swich wyse

As 36 haue herde and mete and drynk1 he hadde

[ no gap in the MS.]

And J?er-wi]>-al it1 was ful pore and badde 3612

IF And on a day bifelle fat1 in J?at oure Whan pat1 his mete was wont1 to be brought* The Gailler schutte fe dores of J>e toure He herde it wel but1 he saugh it nought1 3616

And in his herte anon per felle a pought J?af pey for hunger wolde don him deyeii Alias quod he alias pat1 1 was wrought1 j)er-wi]> pe teeres felle fro his eyen 3620

CORPUS 556 (6-T. 269)

SIX-TEXT 270

GROUP B. . § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IT his $onge sone jjat1 Jjre ^eer was of1 age

vnto him sayde fader why do 36 wepe

When wil j?e Gaylere bringen oure potage

Is J?er no morsel bred pat1 $e do kepe 3624

I am so hungry Jjafr I may nought* slepe

Now wolde god pat I might1 slepen euer

Thanne schulde non hunger in my wombe crepe

)>er nys no ping1 sauf1 bred pat me were leuer 3628

IT Thus day by day pis childe gan to crye

Til in his fadres barme a doun it lay

And sayde fare wel Fader I mot1 deye peaf 242, back]

And kissed his fader and deyde pe same day 3632

And whan pe woful fader ded him say

ffor wo his armes tuo he gan to byte /

And sayde alias fortune and welaway

Thyn fals wheel my wo I may al wyte 3636

H His children wende pat1 it1 for hunger was

pat1 he his armes gnowe and nought for wo

And sayde fader do nou^t1 so alias

But* raper ete pe fleissch vpon ous tuo 3640

Oure fleissch pou ^af1 vs take oure flessch vs fro

And ete ynough right1 pus to him pay sayde /

And after pat1 wipinne a day or tuo

They leyde hem doun right1 in his lappe and deyde / 3644

Himself1 dispeyred eek1 for hunger starf4

Thus ended is J)e mighty erl of* Pyse

ffro heih estate fortune fro him karf1

Of1 J)is tregetrye it1 ought1 ynough suffise/ 3648

Who so wol heere it1 in a lenger wise

Redej> J>e grete poete of1 ytayle /

That1 highte daunte for he can if deuyse

ffro poynt1 to poynt1 nou^t1 o word wol he fayle 3652

CORPUS 557 (6-T. 270)

SIX-TEXT 271

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

[Nero.] 1 IF Al pougli pat1 Nero was as vicious De nero

A e j i j_. 1-1 f i i i C1 uyonoty markt .a. &# a

AS eny leend bat1 lib fill lowe adOMn later corrector, to go before

J Peter of Spain.]

3ef ne as tellep vs Swetheneus

This wilde world hap in Subiecciown 3656

Bope Est1 and west1 and Septemptriown

Of1 Rubies Saphires and of perlis white

Were alle his elopes brouded vp and doun

ffor he in gewmes grete gan delyte 3660

1F More delicate more pompous of" array

More proud was neuer emperour pan he

Jjat1 ilke clop pat1 he had wered a day

After pat1 tyme he nolde it neuer se 3664

Nettes of4 golde pred hadde he gref plente

To fissche in Tybre when him leste to pleye

his lustes were as lawe in his degre iieaf243]

ffor fortune as his freende wolde him obeye 3668

IT He Rome b rente for his delicacye

The senatoures he slougli vpon a day

To heere how pat1 men \rolde weepe and crye

And slougli his broper and by his suster lay 3672

His mooder made he in pitous aray

ffor he hire wombe slitte to byholde

Where he consceyued was so weylaway

Jjat1 he so litel of his moder tolde 3676

IF No teere out1 of his eyhen for pat1 sight1

Ne came but1 sayde a fair womman was sche

Gret1 wonder is pat1 he coupe or might1

Be domesman) of1 hire ded beute 3680

The wyn to brynge po comaiided he

And drank1 anon . non oper wo he made /

Whan might1 is ioygned vnto cruelte

Alias to deepe wole pe venym wade 3684

CORPUS 558 (6-T. 27l)

SIX-TEXT 272

GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IF In ^oujje a mayster hadde pis empez-our

To teche him lettrare and curtesye

ffor of1 moralite lie was jje flour

As in his tyme but1 if1 bookes lye 3688

And whiles his mayster hadde of* him maystrye

He made him so konnyng1 and so souple /

That1 longe tyme it1 was or tyrannye

Or any vice dorste in him vncouple 3692

If This Seneka of which I deuyse

By cause nero hadde of1 him such drede

ffor he for vices wolde him chastise

Discretly as by word and nought by drede 3696

Sire wolde he sayn an Emperour moot1 neede

Be vertuous and hate tyrauntrye

ffor which he him in bathe made to blede

In bojje his armes til he moste dye 3700

IT This nero hadde eek1 of a costummance

In pupe a3eins his mayster for to ryse

Which aftirward him fought a gret1 greuaunce [leaf 243, back!

Therfore he made him deye in ]>is wise 3704

But1 naj?eles pis Seneke )>e wise /

Chees in a bathe to deye in pis manere /

Raper pan han anoper tormentrye

And pus ha]) Nero slayn his mayster deere 3708

IT Now felle if so Jjat1 fortune lust1 no lenger

Jje heihe pryde of1 nero to cherissche

ffor jjough he were strong1 ^et1 was sche strenger

Sche jjoughte Jms by god I am to nyse 3712

To setten a man fat1 is fulfilde of1 vice

In heigh degre and emperour him calle

By god out1 of1 his sete I wol him tryce

When he lest1 wenej> sonnest1 schal he falle 37 1C

CORPUS 659 (6-T. 272)

SIX-TEXT 273

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

5F The poeple ros vpon him on a night1 fibr his defaute and whan he if aspyed Out1 of1 his dores anon he haf him dighfr Allone and fer he wende han ben allyed he knokked faste and ay f e more he cryed f e faster schutten fey f e dores alle Tho wiste he wel he hadde himself1 begyled And went1 his way no lenger dorste he calle /

IT The poeple cryed and romhled vp and down fat1 wif his eeres herde he how fey sayde Wher is f is false tyraunt1 f is Neroun ifor fere almost1 out1 of1 his witte a brayde And to his goddes pitously he sayde ifor socour but1 it1 mighte nought1 betyde ifor drede of1 f is him f oughte fat1 he deyde and ran in to a gardyn him to huyde

5F And in f is gardyn fond he cherles tweye And saten by a fuyre ful grete and rede And to f e cherles twey he gan to preye To slen him and to gurden of1 his hede That1 to his body whan fat1 he were dede Were no despite y-done for his deffame / Himself1 he slough he coufe no better reed Of1 which fortune lough and hadde a game

3720

3724

3728

3732

3736

[leaf 244] 3740

[Hoi of ernes.]

IF Was neuer Capitayn vnder a king1 ^[ De Olipherno

fat1 regnes mo putte in subieccio?m

!Ne strenger was in feeld of1 alle f ing1

As in his tyme ne gretter of1 Renown 3744

Ne more pompous in heigh presumpciown

Then Olyferne which fortune ay keste /

So likerously and ladde him vp and down

Til fat1 he hed was er fat1 he wiste / 3748

CORPUS 660 (6-T. 273)

SIX-TEXT 274

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

1F Bought1 oonly fat1 f is world had of* him awe /

ffbr lesyng1 of1 Richesse and liberte

But1 he made euery man reneye his lawe /

Nabugodonosor was lord sayde 3752

.Non of er god schulde honoured be

A^eins his heste no wight1 dar trespace /

Saue in Bethulya a strang1 Cite

Where Elyachim a prest1 was of1 fat1 place 3756

If But1 take keepe of1 f c def ofH Olypherne

Amydde his hoste he drunke lay a nyght1

Wif inne his tente large as is a berne /

And ^et1 for alle his pompe and alle his might1 3760

ludith a wo?ftman as he lay vpright1

Slepyng1 his heed of1 smot1 and fro his tent /

fful pryuyly sche stal fro euery wight

[ .... ^ . . no gap in the MS.] 3764

[AntioclmsJ\

IT What1 needejj it1 of1 king1 antiochus ^f De antiochio

To teUe his heihe and real mageste illustn.

his heighe pmyde his werkes venymous

fFor such anojjer nas neuer non as he 3768

RedeJ) which Jjat1 he was in Machabe

And rede]) fe proude wordes Jjat1 he sayde

And why he felle fro his prosperite

And in an hulle how wrecchedly he deyde 3772

IF ffortune him hadde enhaunced so in pruyde

fat1 verrayly he wende he mighte atteyne

vnto J?e sterres vpon euery syde 3775

And in a balaunce to weye vche mountayne / [leaf 241, back]

And alle J?e floodes of1 fe see restreyne

And goddes poeple hadde he most1 in hate

Hem wolde he sle in torment1 and peyne /

Wenyng1 fat1 god ne might1 his pruyde abate 3780

CORPUS 561 (6-T. 274)

SIX-TEXT 275

GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

^T And for fat1 Mchamour and Thymothee

Wif lewes were venquyscht* mightily

Vnto f e lewes swich an hate hadde he

That1 he hadde greythed his chaar ful hastily 3784

And swor and sayde ful dispitously

•vnto lemsalem he wolde eft1 sone /

To wreke his Ire on hit1 ful cruelly

But1 of1 his purpos he was lette ful sone / 3788

IT God for his manace him so sore smot/

Wif inuisible wounde ay vncurable/

That1 in his guttes karf1 so and bote

That1 his peynes were importable 3792

And certeynly f e wreche was resonable

ffor many mannes guttes dede he payne

But1 fro his pourpos cursed and dampnable

ffor alle his smerte he nolde him nought1 restreyne 3796

H But1 bad anon apparaylen his Oste

And sodeinly er he was of1 hit/ ware

God daunted alle his pruyde and alle his boste

ffoi he so sore felle out1 of1 his chare 3800

That1 hurt1 his lymes and his skyn totare

So fat1 he ne mighte go ne ryde

But1 in a Chayer men aboute him bare

Al forbrused bofe bak1 and syde 3804

IT The wreche of1 god him smot1 so cruelly

That1 in his body wickede wormes crepte

And f er-wif-al he stank1 so orribly

That1 non of alle his meigne fat him kepte / 3808

Whef er so fat1 he wook1 or elles slepte /

Ne mighte nought/ fe stynk1 of1 him endure

In f is meschief1 he weyled and eek1 wepte /

And knewe god lord of1 euery creature [leaf 245] 3812

CORPUS 562 (6-T. 275)

SIX-TEXT 276

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

1F To alle his host1 and to himself* also

fful wlatsom was ]?e stynke of1 J?is Careyne

No man ne mighte him bere to ne fro

And in his stynke and in his horible peyne 3816

He starf ful wrecchedly in a mounteyne

Thus haj? Jjis robbour and Jjis homicide

That many a man made to weepe and pleyne

Such guerdon as bilonge)) vnto pruyde / 3820

[Alexander the Great.]

, r Kegis Macedonia

IT The story of1 alisaundre is so commune ^[ De alexandro

Thaf euery wighf faf ha> discreciown

. . „ . . .

haj) herd somwhat1 or al or his fortune

This wilde world as in conclusion 3824

He wan by streng]?e or for his heigh renown

They weren glad for pees vnto him sende

The pruyde of1 man and beste he leyde a doun

Wher so he cam vnto j?e worldes ende 3828

IT Comparison might neuer jit/ be maked

Betwix him and anoj^er conquerowr

ffor alle fis worlde for drede of him ha]) quaked

he was of1 knighthede and of1 fredam flour 3832

ffortune him made ])e heier ofH hure honour

Saue wyn and wommen no fing1 might1 aswage /

His heihe entenf in armes and labour

So was he fulle of louynge corage 3836

IT What1 pite were it1 to him J>ey I 3011 tolde

Of darius and an .C. ]>ousand mo

Of kinges princes dukes eerles bolde

Which he conquered and broujf hem in-to woo 3840

I say as fer as man may ryde or goo

)3e worlde was his what1 schulde I more deuyse

ffor J)ough I write or tolde jou euermo

Of his knignthode he mighte nought* suffise 3844

CORPUS 663 (6-T. 276)

SIX-TEXT 277

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IT Twelf1 ^eer lie regned as sai]? Machabe

Philippes sone of1 Macedo he was /

That1 first1 was king1 of1 Grece J>e Centre /

0 wor])y gentil alisandre alias [leaf 245, back] 3848

fat1 euer schulde falle such a caas

Enpoysoned of1 Jnn folk1 J?ou were

Jjyn . S fortune ha]> torned in-to an aas

And jet1 for J)e ne weep sche neuer a tere 3852

If Who schal men ^eue teeres to compleyne

The dej? of1 gentilesse and of fraunchise

jjat1 alle )>e world weeldid in his demeygne /

And ^et1 him jjoughte it1 might1 not suffise / 3856

So ful was his corage of1 heigh emprise

Alias who schal me helpe to endite

ffals fortune and poyson to despise

J>e whiche tuo of1 al Jns wo I wite 3860

[Julius Caesar.]

IT By wisedom manhede and by labour ^f De lulio Cesare.

ffro humbleheed and fro Royal mageste

vp ros he lulius ])e Conqueror?*

That alle fe Occident by land and fee 3864

By streng]?e of hand or elles by tretee

And vnto Rome made hem tributarie

And serenes of Rome J>empmwr was he

Til j^at1 fortune wax his adueraarie 3868

IF 0 mighty Cesar fat1 in Tessalye

A3ens Pompeus fader j?in in lawe

That1 of1 ]>e Orient1 hadde al J?e chiualrye

as ferre as jjat1 ]?e day begynnej) dawe 3872

J?ou J?orugh fip. knighthode ]?ou hast1 hem take and slawe /

Saue fewe folk1 j?af wij? Pornpeus fledde /

Jmrgh which Jiou puttest1 al )>e Orient in awe

Thanke fortune fat1 so wel J?e spedde 3876

CORPUS 661 (6-T. 277)

SIX -TEXT 278

GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

IF But now a litel while I wol bewayle /

J>is Pompeus J?is noble goueniour

Of1 Rome which J?afr fleigh at1 J?is batayle

I say on of1 his men a fals tiaytour 3880

His heed of* smoot/ to wynne him fauowr

Of1 lulius and him J?e heed broughte

Alias Pompeye of1 J?e Orient1 conquerowr

That fortune vnto such a finye broughte Deaf 246] 3884

IF To Rome a^ein repayrej? lulius

WiJ? his triumphe laureate ful hey^e

But1 on a tyme Brutus Cassius

That1 euer had of1 his heigh estaat1 enuye 3888

fful priuily had maad conspiracie

Ageing j)is lulius in subtil wise

And caste J?e place in which he schulde deye

WiJ? boydekyiines as I schal 3011 deuyse 3892

IT J3is lulius to J>e Capi thole went

vppon a day as he was wont1 to goon

And in J?e Capitolye anon him hentt

This false brutus on his foule foon 3896

And stiked him wij> boydekynnes anon

WiJ) many a wounde and J?us ]?ey leet/ him lye

But1 neuer gronte he at1 no stroke but oon

Or elles at1 tuo but1 if1 his story lye 3900

IT So manly was J)is lulius of1 herte

And so wel loued estaatly honeste

That1 jjough his dedly woundes so sore smerte

His mantel ouer his hepes caste he 3904

ffor noman schulde seen his pn'uyte

And as he lay as deyinge in a traunce

And wiste vm'ily Jiat1 deed was he

Of1 honeste ^et1 hadde he remembrance 3908

CORPUS 665 (6-T. 278)

SIX-TEXT 279

GROUP B, § 12, MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS,

^[ Lucane to ])is story I recomende And to S weton and to Valerius also That* of ]?is story write]? word and ende how Jjat1 Jjese grete conqueroures tuo ffortune was ferst1 freend and sipen a foo No man ne truste vpon his fauour longe But1 haue hire in awayte for eueremo Witnesse on alle )>ise conqueroures stronge

[Cresus.]

IT This riche Cresus whilom king1 of lyde Of1 whiche Cresus Cyquus sore him dradde 3etf was he caught* amyddes alle his pryde And to be brent1 men to J>e fuyre him ladde But1 such a reyn doun fro J?e walken schadde J?att slough j)e fuyr and made him to askape But1 to be war 36^ no grace he hadde Til fortune on J>e galwes made him gape

IF Whan he askaped was he can not1 stynte ifor to begynne a newe reyne a^eiii he wende wel for fatf fortune him sente Such happe ^at1 he escaped Jmrgh J>e rayn That1 of* his foos he mighte not1 be slayn And swich a swefne vppan a night1 he mette Of which he was so proud and eek1 so fayn That1 in vengaunce he alle his herte sette

H Ypon a tree he was as Jjat1 him jjoughte There lubiter him wisshe boj?e halse and syde And Phebus eek1 a fair towayle him broughte To druye him wij) and Jjerfore wax his pryde And to his doughter ]?at stood him besyde Which Jjat1 he knew in heigh sentence abounde lie bad hire telle him what1 it1 signefyed And sche his dreemes bygan right1 ]?us expounde

CORPUS 666 (6-T. 279)

3912

3916

Cresus. 3919

[leaf 246, back]

3924

3928

3932

3936

3940

SIX-TEXT 280

GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.

1F The tree quod ache J?e gahves is to mene

And lubiter bitoknej? snow and rayn

And Phebus wij? his towayle so clene

Tho be j?e sonne stremes for to sayn 3944

Thou schalf an honged be fader certayn

Reyn schal jje waissche and sonne schal £e druye

J?us warned him ful platte and ful playn

His doughter Jjatf called was Phanye / 3948

IF An honged was Cresus ]>e proude king1 His roial trone might* him nought auayle Tegedie is non o]>er maner Jnng1

Ne can synnynge crye ne by-wayle 3952

But1 J?afr fortune alway wol assayle / "Wijj vnwar strook* ]?e regnes that* ben proude ffor whan men trustej) hire ]?an wol sche fayle And couere hire brighte face wij> a cloude [leaf 247] 3956

IF Explicit/

CORPUS 567 (6-T. 280)

SIX-TEXT 281

GROUP B. § 13. MONK-NUN'S-PRIEST'S LINK. Corpus MS.

IT Here begynnej) j)e prologe of1 J?e nonne prestes tale

[on tea/ 247]

HO quod J?e knighf goode sire nomore of* fis jjaf ^e han sayde is right1 ynougfi ywis And meche more for litel heuynesse

Is right1 ynough to meche folk1 as I gesse / Ll°0^s'^fsf 3960 [I sey for me . if is a grete disease CMS Reg. HD.XV, if275,bk"\ Where as men han bien . in grete welth and ease To here of1 theyr sodayn falle alas

And the contrary is loy . and grete solas 3964

And whan a man hath bien in pouer estate And clymbitli vp . and wexith fortunate And ther abyditfi. * in prosperite \ieajmi

Swiche thyng1 is gladsom . as it1 thynkyth me 3968

And of1 swiche thynges . were goodely for to telle Ya quod oure host1 . be seynf poulis belle Ye say right soth . this monk* be clappid lowde He spak1 how fortune . was coue?'ed? with a clowde 3972 I not1 neuer what1 . and als of1 a tregedye Eight1 now ye herd . and parde no remedye Is if for to be-wailen . and compleyn

Thaf . thaf is don . and als if is a peyn 3976

As ye have saycJ . to here of1 hevynesse Sir monke nomore of1 this . so god? yow blisse Yowre tale anoyeth . al this company Swiche thyng1 is naf worth a boterflye] [MS Reg. extract ends] ^oure tales don vs no desporf ne game Wherfore sir monk1 Doun Pieres by $our name I pray 3011 hertely telle vs som whaf elles ffor siker nere clynkyng1 of1 $oure belles / 3984

CORPUS 568 (6-T. 281)

SIX-TEXT 282

GKOUP B. § 13. MONK-NUN'S-PRIEST'S LINK. Corpus MS.

fat1 on 3oure brydel hangef on eue?y syde /

By heuene king1 fat1 for vs alle dyde

I schal for f is falle down for slepe /

Al f ough f e slough hadde neuer ben so depe 3988

fan hadde ^oure tale be told in vayn

ffor certeinly as f ese clerkes sayn

"Wher as a man may han non audience

Nought1 helpef it to tellen his sentence 3992

And wel I woot1 f e substance is in me /

If1 eny f ing1 schal wel reported be

Sire say somwhat1 of1 huntyng1 1 }ou pray

Nay quod j?e monk1 1 haue no lust1 to play 3996

Now lete anojjer telle as I haue tolde

Jjanne spak* oure Ost< wij) ruyde speche and bolde

And sayde vnto jje nonnes prest1 anon

Come ner sire presf com hider sir lohn 4000

Telle vs such ping1 as may oure hertes glade

Be mery J>ough J>ou ryde vpon a lade /

What1 Jjough fin hors be hagged foul or lene

If1 he wol serue f e rekke f e nought1 a bene 4004

Loke fat1 fin herte be mery euermo

}is Ost1 quod he so mote I ryde or go

But1 1 be mery I-wys I wil be blamed

And right1 anon he haf his tale tamed 4008

And f us he seyde to vs euerychon

This swete prest1 f is goode man sir lofin . IT Explicit

prologus

39 CORPUS 669 (6-T. 282)

SIX-TEXT 283

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Cam xxijin

IT Here begynnej) )>e nonnes prestes tale of1 J?e kokke & his vij. hennes

Pouere wydewe somdel stope in age [leaf 247, buck]

Was whilom dwellyng1 in a narwe cotage 4012

Besydes a groue standyng1 in a dale

This wydewe of1 which I telle 3011 my tale

Sejjins Jnlke day fat1 sche was last/ a wyfH

In pacience ladde a ful simple lyf1 4016

ffor litel was hire catelle and hire rent

By housbondrye of1 such as god hire sent1

Sche fand hire self1 and eek1 hire doughtren tuo

)>re large sowes hadde sche and nomo 4020

Thre kyn and eek1 a scheep J>afr highte malle

fful sooty was hire bour and eek1 hire halle

In which sche eet1 ful many a sklender mel

Of1 poynanf Sause hire needed neuer a del 4024

No deynte morsell passed hire prote

Hire dyete was acordant to hire cote

Eeplecion ne made hire neuere seeke

A-tempree diete was alle hire Phiseke 4028

And excersise and hertes suffisance

The gowte letted hire no Jjing1 to daunce

Ne Poplexie ne schente not hire heed

No wyn ne drank1 sche neyjjer whit ne reed 4032

Hire bord was serued most1 wij) whit and blak

Milk1 and brown breed in which sche fond no lak

Seynd bacon and somtyme an ey or tweye

ffor sche was as it1 was a maner deye 4036

A gardyn sche hadde enclosed alle aboute

"Wij? stikkes and a druye diche wifoute

In which sche hadde a cokk1 j?afr highte Chaunteclere

In alle J>e land of1 crowyng1 nas his peere 4040

CORPUS 670 (6-T. 283)

SIX-TEXT 284

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

his voys was merier pan pe mery Orgon

On masse dayes pat1 in pe chirche gon

Wei sikerer was pe crowyng1 in his logge

pan is a clokke or eny abbay orlogge 4044

By nature he knew eche assenciOn

Of1 equinoxial ofH pilke toun

ffor whan degrees .xv. were discendid [leaf 218]

penne knew he pat1 it1 might nought ben amended 4048

His cambe was redder fen pe fyn coralle

And batailled as it1 were a castel walle

Ylike asure were his legges and his toon

His byle was blak1 and as pe let1 it1 schon 4052

His nayles whitter pen pe lily flour

And ylike burnysscht1 gold was his colour

This gentil cokke hadde in his gouernance /

.vij. hennes for to doon his plesance 4056

Whiche weren his sustres and his paramoures

And wonder ylike to him as of* coloures

Of* which pe fairest1 hewed on pe prote

"Was cleped faire damisel pertelote 4060

Curteys sche was discrete and debonaire

And companable / and bar hire self1 so faire

Sipens pilke day pat1 sche was seuenyght olde

fat1 trewely sche haj> )?e herte in holde 4064

Of1 chaunteclere loken in euery lij>

He loued hire so )>atf wel was him jjerwith

But1 such a ioye as if was to heere hem synge

Whan pat1 J>e brighte sonne gan to springe 4068

In swete acorde my leef1 is fare in londe /

fFor Jjilke tyme as I haue vnderstonde

Beestes and briddes coupe speke and synge

And so bifelle pat1 in a dawenynge / 4072

As Chaunteclere among1 his wyfes alle

Satte on his perche pat1 was in pe halle

And next1 him sat1 pis faire Pertelote

pis Chaunteclere gan gronen in his prote 4076

CORPUS 571 (6-T. 284)

SIX-TEXT 285

GROUP B. § 14, NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

As a man fat4 is in his dreme drecched sore And when fat1 Pertelote ]ms herde him rore Sche was agast/ and sayde herte deere "What1 eylef 3011 to grone in f is manere 4080

36 ben a verray sleper fy for schame / And he answerde and sayde f us ma dame / I pray 3011 fat1 36 take it not1 to greef1 [leaf 2*8, back]

By god me mette fat1 1 was in such mescheef1 4084

Eight1 now fat1 $et myn herte is sore afright Now quod he my sweuene reed aright1 And keepe my body out1 of1 foul pn'sozm Me mette fat1 1 romed vp and down 4088

Wif inne oure 3erde wher as I saugh a beeste Was lik1 an hound and wolde han made areste / vpon my body and wolde han had me deed His colour' was betwixe whit1 and reed - 4092

And tipped was his tail and bof e his eeres Wif blak1 vnlik1 f e remenant of1 his heeres his snowte smal with glowyng1 eyen tweye 3etf of1 his look1 for feer almost1 1 deye 4096

This caused me my gronyng1 douteles Avoy quod sche // ffy on 3ou herteles Alias quod sche f ffor by fat1 god aboue Now haue 36 lost1 mjn herte and al my loue 4100

I can nought1 loue a coward by my feif ffor certes what1 so eny wo?7iman seif We wolle alle desyren if1 it mighte be To haue housbondes hardy wise and fre 4104

And secre ne no nyggard ne no fool Ne him fat1 is agast1 of1 euery tool Ne non auauntour by fat1 god aboue

How dorste 30 say for schame vnto 30111-6 loue / 4108

That1 eny f ing1 might1 make 3ou aferd C1 not in Reg. is c 2, 7/228] Han 30 no mannes herte and han a herd Alias and konne 30 be agast1 of1 sweuons [Nothyng1 god wote . but vanite in sweuene is !] ^ CORPUS 572 (6-T. 285)

SIX-TEXT 286

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Sweuenes engendren of1 replexiones p not in Reg. is c 2]

[And off of* synne . and of1 complexiouns l] [MS Reg. 17 D xv]

When humowrs ben to habundaunt in a wight

Certes ]?is dreme which 36 han herd to nyght 4116

Cometh of1 J>e grete superfluite

Of1 3oure reede colre sire parde

Which cause]? folk1 to dremen here dreemes

Of1 arwes and of1 fuyre with reede leemes 4120

Of1 reede bestes j>af woln hem byte [leaf 24,9]

Of1 Contelle and of1 whelpes grete an lyte

Right1 as he humour malencolie

Cause]? many a man in slepe to crye 4124

ffor feere of1 beres and of1 boles blake

Or elles blake deueles woln hem take

Of* o]?er humours cou]?e I telle also

J?att worken many a man in sleep ful woo 4128

But I wol passe as lightly as I can

Lo Caton which j?afr was so wys a man

Sayde he nou^tt J?us ne do no force of* dremes

JSTow sire quod sche whan we^flee fro J?e beemea 4132

ffor goddes loue as take]? som laxatif*

Vp pml of1 my soule and of1 my lyf1

I counceile ^ou j?e beste I wol not1 lye

j?af bo]?e of1 colre and of1 malencolye 4136

36 purge 3ou and for 30 schuln nought tary

]?ough ]?af in J?is toun is non apotecary

I schal my self to herbes techen 3ou

That1 schal ben 3oure hele and 3oure prow 4140

And in ]?e gardyif J?o herbes schal I fynde

The whiche han of1 here proprete by kynde

To purgen 3ou byne]?e and eek1 aboue

ffo^ete]? nou3t1 J)is for goddes owne loue 4144

36 ben ful Colrik1 of Compleccion

Were ]?e sonne in his ascencion

Ne fynde 3ou replete and 3oure humors hote

and if1 it1 do I dar wel leye a groote 4148

CORPUS 673 (6-T. 286)

SIX-TEXT 287

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS,

That1 ^e schuln haue a feuer terciane

Or an agu fat1 may ben ^oure bane

A day or tuo 30 schuln haue digestyues

Of* wormes er 36 take ^oure laxatyues 4152

Of* laureole Centure and of1 fumytere

Or ellis of1 Ellebore Jjat1 growe)> J>er&

Of1 Catapuce or of* gaytres buryes

Of1 herbe yue growyng1 in oure ^erde J>er mery is 4156

Pek" hem vp right1 as fey growe and ef hem In [leaf 249, back]

Be mery housbande for 3oure fadres kyn

Dredef no dreem I can say ^ou no more

Ma dame quod he gramercy of1 ^oure lore 4160

But* na)>eles as touching1 dann Catown

That1 haj? of1 wisdom such a grefr renown

By god men may in olde bookes reede

Oon of1 fe'grettest1 auctour out1 of1 drede 4164

Of1 many a man more of1 auctorite

fenne euer Caton was so mote I Jje

That1 alle fe reuers sein of1 his sentence

And han wel founden by experience 4168

fat1 dreemes ben significacions

As wel of1 ioye as of1 tribulac^ons

fat1 folk1 enduren in J)is lyf1 present

Ther needej) nou^t1 to make of1 J)is non argument1 4172

The verray preef1 schewej? it in dede

On of1 J>e grettest1 auctour J?af men rede

SaiJ? jjus Jjat1 whilom tup felawes went

On pylgrimage in a ful good entenf 4176

And happed so fey camen in-to a toun

Wher as ]?er was such congregacion

Of1 poeple and eek1 of1 streight1 herburgage

That1 J?ey ne fand as moche as a cotage / 4180

In which Jjey bo)>e might1 y-logged be

Wherfore ]?ey mosten of1 necessite

As for Jjat1 night1 departe of1 companye

And vche of1 hem go]) vnto his ostelrye 4184

CORPUS 674 (6-T. 287)

SIX-TEXT 288

GROUP B, § 14, NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And took1 his loggynge as it1 wolde falle

That1 oon of* hem was logged in a stalle

fferre in a ^erde wi]> oxen of1 J?e plough

faf o]?er man was logged wel ynough 4188

As was his aduentnre or his fortune

Jjat1 vs gouernej? alle as in comune

And so bifelle it1 lange er it was day

jjis man mette in his bedde \er as he lay 4192

how Jjat1 his felaw gan on him to calle [leaf 250]

And sayde alias for in an oxe stalle

This night1 schal I be mourdred per I lye

Now help me deere broker er I dye 4196

In alle haste come to me he seyde

This man out1 of1 his sleep for feere abrayde

But1 whan jjat1 he was wakened out1 of his slepe

he turned him and tok1 of1 Jns no kepe / * 4200

Him fought1 his dreem was nought/ but1 vanyte

Jms twyes in his sleping1 dremed he

And at1 J?e Jjridde tyme ^et1 his felawe

Came as him fought1 1 am now y-slawe 4204

Byholde my bloody woundes deepe and wyde /

Arys vp erely in fie morne tyde /

And at1 Jje west1 gate of1 pe toun quod he

A carte fulle of1 dunge Jjere schalt1 )>ou se / 4208

In which my body is hidde ful pryuyly

Do J>ilke carte aresten boldely

My golde caused my murdre sojj to sayn

And tolde him euery poynt1 how he was slayn 4212

WiJ? a ml pitous face pale of1 hewe

And truste wel his dreem he fand ful trewe

ifor on J>e morwe as sone as it1 was day

To his felawes In he tok1 J>e way 4216

And whan he com vnto J?is Oxe stalle

After his felawe he bigan to calle

The Ostiler answered him anon

And sayde sire ^oure felawe is y-gon 4220

CORPUS 675 (6-T. 288)

SIX-TEXT 289

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

As sone as day he wente out* of1 fe toun

This man gan falle in gret1 suspecion

Remembryng1 on his dreemes fat1 he mette

And for]? he go]) no lenger wolde he lette 4224

Ynto f e west* gate of1 fe toun and fonde

A dung1 carte as he wente to dunge fe londe /

fat1 was arrayed in fe same wyse

As ^e han herde fe deede man deuyse 4228

And wij? an hardy herte he gan to crye £ieaf 250, back]

Vengaunce and Justice of1 Jris felonye

My felawe murdred is fis same night

And in Jns cart1 he lyf gapyng1 vprighf 4232

PCrie oute on be mynistris quod he CM7S ^1. 7333 (Shirley's), * J leaf 113, col. 1. AW w

»at shulde kepe and rewle fis citee %£&

Harrow alias here lith my felaw slayn) ka/285.]

What shuld I more vn-to this tale sayn) 4326

};e peple out sterte / & caste fe carte to grounde

And in the medil of the donge J>ei fozmde] [Hari. extract ends]

The deede man J?att murdred was al newe

0 blisful god Jjat1 art1 so iuste and trewe / 4240 Lo how Jjat1 J?ou bywreyest1 murdre alway

Murdre wole out1 fat1 se we day by day

Mordre is so wlatsom and abhomiriable

To god Jjaf is so iuste and resonable 4244

That1 he wol not1 sunre it1 hiled be

They itt abyde a 3eer or tuo or fre

Mordre wole out1 Jris is my conclusion

And right1 anon ministres of1 J>e toun 4248

And hente )>e cartere and sore him pyned

And eek1 fe osteller so ferre engyned

That ]>ey beknewe here wickednesse anon

And weren hanged by J>e nekke boon 4252

Heer may men see fat1 dreemes ben to drede

And certes in J>e same book1 1 rede

Eight1 in fe nexte chapitre I rede of1 fis

1 gabbe nouglit/ so haue I ioye & blis 4256

CORPUS 676 (6-T. 289)

SIX-TEXT 290

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Tuo men fat1 wolde han passed f e see ffor certein cause in-to a ferre cuntre If1 fat1 f e wynde nad y-be contrary

J^at1 made hem in a Cite for to tary 4260

That1 stood ful mery vpon an hauen side But1 on a day a^ens f e euen tyde The wynd gan chaurige and blowen as him leste lolyf1 and glad fey wenten vnto reste ~- 4264

And casten hem ful erly for to seyle But1 herkne fat1 oo man felle in gret1 pereyle That1 oon of1 hem in slepyng1 as he lay Him mette a wonder dreme a^eins f e day 4268

Him fought1 a man stood by his beddes syde And him comanded fat1 he schulde abyde And seyde him fus if1 f ou to morwe wende Oeaf25i]

Thou schalt1 be draynt1 my tale is at1 an ende 4272

he awook1 and tolde his felawe what1 he mette and prayed him his viage for to lette As for fat1 day he prayde him to abyde his felawe fat1 lay by his beddes syde 4276

Gan for to laughe and scorned him ful faste No dreme quod he may myrc herte agaste Jjat1 1 wol lette for to do my f inges

I sette nou^t1 a straw by f y dremynges 4280

ffor sweuenes ben but1 vanytes and Tapes Men dreme alway of1 owles and of1 apes And of1 many a mase f er-wif-aH

Men dremen of1 f ing1 fat1 neuer was ne schal 4284

But1 sifenes I se fat1 fou wolt1 here abyde And fus forslowf en wilfully f e tyde God wot1 it1 rewef me and haue good day And thus he took1 his leeue and went1 his way 4288

And er fat1 he hadde half1 his cours y-sayled Not1 1 nought1 why ne what1 meschaunce it1 ayled But1 casuelly f e schippes botme rent1

And schip and man vnder f e water went1 4292

CORPUS 677 (6-T. 290)

SIX-TEXT 291

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

In sight1 of1 of er schippes him besyde

fat1 wif him seyled at1 f e same tyde

And f erfore he seyde Pe?*telote so deere

By suche ensamples olde maist1 f ou leere 4296

fat1 no man schulde be to recheles

Of1 dremes for I say f e dowteles

That1 many a dreem fol sore is for to drede

Lo in f e lyf1 of1 Seinf kenelme I rede 4300

fat1 was kenulphes sone f e noble king1

Of1 Mertenrike how kenelme met1 a ping1

A litel er was nmrdred on a day

His murdre in his avision he say 4304

His norice him expouned eury del

His sweuene and bad him for to kepe him wel

ffor treson but1 he was seuen ^eer old [leaf 251, back]

And f erfore litel tale haf he told 4308

Of1 eny dreem so holly was his herte

By god I hadde leuer fan my scherte

fat1 ^e hadde herde his legende as haue I

Dame pertelote I say 3011 trewely 4312

Macrobeus fat1 writ1 f e avisioun

In affryke of1 f e worf y Cyprioun

Affermef dremes and saif fat1 fay ben

"Warnyng1 of1 finges fat1 men after seen 4316

And furf ermore I pray 3011 lokef wel

f e olde testament of1 Daniel

If1 he heeld dreemes of1 any vanyte

Eeede eek1 of1 loseph and f er schuln ^e see 4320

Whef er dremes ben som tyme I say not1 alle

Warnyng1 of1 finges fat1 schuln after falle

Loke of1 Egypt1 f e king1 Daun Pharao

His baker and his botiler also 4324

Wher fey ne felten noon eifecte in dremes

Who so wol seche f e acte of1 sondry Eemes

May rede of1 dreemes many a wonder f ing1

Lo Cresus which fat1 was of1 lyde king1 4328

CORPUS 678 (6-T. 29l)

SIX-TEXT 292

GROUP B. § 14, NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS,

Mette lie 110113^ Jjafr he sat1 on a tree

Which signified he schulde anhanged be

Lo here adromacha Ectores wiff1

That1 day fat1 Ector schulde lese his lyff1 4332

Sche dreemed on fe same night1 byforn

How fat1 f e lyff1 of1 Ector schulde be lorn

If1 filke day he went1 in-to Eatayle

Sche warned him but1 it might1 nou^t1 auayle 4336

He wente for to feighten neuer fe les

But1 he was slayn of1 oon achilles

But1 jnlke tale is al to long1 to telle

And eek1 it is neigh day I may no^t1 dwelle 4340

Schortly I say as for conclusion

fat1 1 schal haue of1 jns auision

Of1 aduersitees and I say forfermore [leaf 252]

That1 1 nel telle of1 laxatifs no store 4344

ffor fey ben venymous I wot1 right1 wel

I hem diffye I lone hem neuer a del

Now let1 vs speke of1 myrf e and stynte al f is

Madame pertelote so haue I blis 4348

Of1 o f ing1 god me haf sent1 large grace

ffor when I se f e beaute of1 $our face

36 ben so skarlet1 reed aboute 3oure eyen

It1 make]) alle my drede for to deyen 4352

ffor al so siker as In principio

Mulier est1 howwVds confusio

Ma" dame ]>e sentence of1 f is latyn is

'Wowiman is mannes ioye and al his blys 4356

ffor whan I feele a night1 ^oure softe syde

Al be it fat1 1 may nought on ^ou ryde

ffor Jjat1 oure perche is maad so narwe alias

I am so fulle of1 ioye and solas 4360

That1 1 diffye boj>e sweuen and dreeni

And wij> fat1 word he neigh" doun fro fe beem

ffor it1 was day and eek1 his hennes alle

And wij> a chukke he gan hem for to calle 4364

CORPUS 679 (6-T,. 292)

SIX-TEXT 293

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS,

IFor lie had founde a corn lay in pe }erde

Real he was nomore aferde

He feperede pertelote twenty tyme

And tradde as ofte er it were prime 4368

He lokep as it1 were a grym lyotm

And on his toos he romed vp and down

Him deygned nou^fr to sette his feet1 on grounde

Ay chukked he whan he hadde a corn y-founde 4372

And to him panne ranne his wyfes alle

))us real as a prince in his halle

leue I pis Chaunteclere in his pasture

And after wol I telle of1 his aduenture 4376

When pe monpe in which pe world bigan

pat1 highte march when god ferst1 made man

"Was complete and passed were also [leaf 252, back]

Sepins marche bygan pritty dayes and tuo 4380

Bifelle pat1 Chaunteclere in alle his pryde

his seuen wyues walkyng1 him bysyde

Caste vp his eyen to pe brighte sonne

That1 in pe signe of Taurus was y-ronnef 4384

Twenty degrees . and oon and somwhaf more

He knew by kynde and by non oper lore

That1 it1 was pryme and crew wip blisful steuene

The sonne he sayde is clumben vp on heuene 4388

xl. degrees and oon and more y-wys

Madame pertelote my worldes blys

Herkne how pese blisful briddes synge

and see pe freisshe floures how pay springe 4392

iful is mjn herte of1 Reuel and solace

But1 sodeinly him fel a sorwful case

ffor euer pe latter ende of1 loye is sone ago

And comunly often tyme it1 fallep so 4396

And if1 a Rethor coupe faire endite

He in a Croniqwe mighte saufly write

As for a souereyn notabilite /

Now euery wise man herkene to me 4400

CORPUS 580 (6-T. 293)

SIX-TEXT 294

GKOUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

This story is also trewe I vndertake As is J?e book1 of launcelot1 J?e lake J?at* wowmen heelde in ful grefc1 reuerence Now wol I torne a^ein to my sentence 4404

A kolle fox ful of1 sleigfrte and iniquite T.iafr in fe groue had woned ^eeres jjre By heih ymaginacion aforn caste

fe same night1 jmrghout1 J?e hegges braste 4408

I:\-to J?e yerde J>er Chaunteclere J>e faire "Was wont1 and eek1 his wyfes to repayre And in a bedde of1 worstes stille he lay Til it1 was passed vndern of* j?e day 4412

Wayting1 his tyme on chaunteclere to falle As gladly doon J?ese homicydes alle [leaf 253]

That1 in awayte ligge to murjjre men

O false murdrour roukyng1 in ]>y den 4416

O newe scariote and newe Genyloun) ffals dissimulour 0 greke Synon That1 broughtestf Troye outrely to sorwe O Chaunteclere acorsed be j^at1 niorwe 4420

Jjat1 )?ou in J?e ^erde fley^e fro ]?e beemes Thou were ful wel y-warned by fin derems That1 ]>ilke day was perilous to J>e

But1 pat1 at1 god afore wot1 moot1 needes be 4424

After ]?e opynyon of certein clerkes Witnesse on him fat1 any clerk/ is That1 in scole gret1 altercacion

In ]ns matiere and gret1 disputeson 4428

And hajj ben of1 an hundred fousand men But I ne can nou^t1 bulte it to ]?e bren As can fe holy doctour augustyn

Or Boece or J>e Bisschoppe Bradwardyn 4432

Whejjer jjat/ goddes wille afore wetyng1 StreyneJ) me needely for to don a Jnng* Needly clepe I simple necessite

Or elles if1 J>e free choys be gmunted me / 4436

CORPUS 681 (6-T. 294)

SIX-TEXT 295

GROUP B, § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

To do fat1 same ping1 or to do it nou^t

f ough god forwot1 it1 er it1 was y-wrought1

Or of1 his wetyng1 streignef neuer a del

But1 by necessite condicionel 4440

I wol not1 haue to doone of1 such matiere

My tale is of1 a cokk1 as }e schuln after heere

That1 took1 his counseil of1 his wyf1 wif sorwe

To walke in-to fe ^erd vppon f e morwe 4444

That1 he had mette f e dreem as I ^ou tolde

Wowmens counseiles ben ful ofte colde

"Wommans counseil brought1 vs ferst1 to wo

And made adam fro paradys to go 4448

f er as he was ful mery and wel at1 ese /

But1 for I not1 whom if might1 displese [leaf 253, back]

If1 1 councel of1 wommen wolde blame

Passe ouer I seyde it1 in my game 4452

Eede auctours wher fey trete of1 such matiere

And what1 fay sein of1 wommen 36 may heere

These ben f e cokkes wordes and nought myne

I can non harme of1 no wowman devyne 4456

ffayre in f e sande to baf e hire merily

lif pertelote and alle hire sustres by

A^ein J>e sonne and Chaunteclere so fre

Sange meriere fan )>e mere-may de in fe see 4460

ffor Physyalogus saij> witteiiy

How fat1 fey sungen wel and merily

And so bifelle as he cast1 his ye

amonges f e wortes vpon a butterflye 4464

He was war of1 f is ffox fat1 lay ful lowe

1F !N"o f ing1 ne luste him f anne for to crowe

But1 cryed anon kok1 kok1 and vp he sterte

As man fat1 was affray ed in his herte 4468

ffor naturelly a beste desire f to fle

ffro his contrarye if1 he may it1 se

fey he neuer hadde seye it erst1 wif his ye

This Chaunteclere when he gan him espye 4472

CORPUS 682 (8-T. 296)

SIX-TEXT 296

GROUP B, § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS,

he wolde han fledde but1 fat1 Jje fox anon

Sayde gentil sire alias what* wol 36 doon

Been 36 affrayed of1 me pat1 am ^oure freende

Certes sire fen be 36 vnheende 4476

IfH I. to 3011 wolde harme or vilanye

I am nought1 come 3oure councel to aspie

But1 trewely f e cause of1 my comynge

Was oonly to herkne how fat1 36 synge / 4480

ffor trewely 36 han as mery a steuene

As any aungel ha]) pat1 is in heuene

Ther-with 36 han in Physike more felynge

fat1 hadde boys or eny fat1 can synge 4484

My lord 3oure fader god his soule blesse

And eek1 3oure mooder of1 hire gentilnesse [leaf 254]

han in mjn hous I-ben ful wel at eese

and certes sire ful fayn wolde I 3ou pleese 4488

But1 for men speken of1 syngyng1 1 wolde seye

So mote I brouke myne eyen tweye

Saue 3ou I ne herde neuer man so synge

As dide 3oure fader in fe niorwenynge 4492

Certes it was of* herte al fat1 he sange

And for to make his voys f e more strange

He wolde so peyne him fat1 wif bof e his eyen

He moste wynke so lowde he dide cryen 4496

And standen on -his typtoos fer-wif-al

And strecche for]? his nekke long1 and smal

And eek1 he was of1 such discrecion

That* f er was no man in no region 4500

That him in song1 or wisdam mighte passe

I haue wel rad daun burnelle the asse

Among his vers fer was a kok1

ffor a prestes sone 3af) him a knok1 4504

Ypon his legges whil he was yong1 and nyce

He made* him for to leese his benefice

But1 certein f er is no comparison

BetAvixe fe wisdam and discrecion 4508

CORPUS 683 (6-T. 296)

SIX-TEXT 297

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Of1 ^oure fader and of1 his subtilte

Now syngef sire for seinte Charite

Let1 see conne 36 $oure fader countrefete

fis Chaunteclere his wynges gan to bete 4512

As man fat1 couf e his treson not1 aspye

So was he rauysscht1 wif his flaterye f Note bene

IF Alias 30 lordes many a fals flatour

Is in 3oure Court1 and many a losengour 4516

fat1 pleasen }ou more by my feif

Then he fat1 sof fastnesse vnto ^ou seif

Redef ecclesiastre of1 flaterie

Bef war 36 lordes of1 here treccherie 4520

This Chaunteclere stood heye vpon his toos

Strecching1 his necke and huld his eyen clos [leaf 254, back]

And gan to crowe lowde for f e nones

And daun Russel sterfr vp al at1 oones 4524

And by fe gargage hente Chaunteclere

And on his bak1 toward the woode him bere

ffor ^efr was pere noman J?atH him sewed

0 destyne fat1 mayst not1 ben eschewed 4528

Alias fat1 Chaunteclere fel fro J>e bemes

Alias his wyf1 ne roughte nought1 of1 dremes

And on a friday felle al fis nieschaunce

0 venus fat1 art1 goddesse of1 plesawnce 4532

Sef ines fat f i seruant was f is Chaunteclere

And in fin seruise dede al his powere /

More for delite fan f e world to multiplie

Why woldestow suffre him / on fin day to dye 4536

O Gaufrede deere maister souerayn

That1 whan f y worf y king1 Eichard was slayn

Wif schotte compleynedest1 his def so sore

Why ne hadde I now fin sentence and fin lore 4540

The friday for to chyde as deden 30 /

ffor on a ffriday schortly slayn was he

f enne wolde I schewe 3ou how fat1 1 couf e pleyne

ffor Chaunteclere and for his peyne 4544

CORPUS 684 (6-T. 297)

SIX-TEXT 298

GROUP B. § 14, NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS,

Certes such cry ne lamentacion "Was of1 ladyes* maade whan yleon Was wonne and Purris wif his streighte swerd Whenne he hente king1 Pryam by fe herd 4548

And slayn him as seyde Enneydos As maden alle f e hennes in f e cloos Whan fey hadde seye of1 chaunteclere f e sight* But1 soueraynly dame Pertelote schright1 4552

fiul lowder fen dede hasdrubaldes wyff1 Whan fat1 hire housbonde hadde lost1 his lyff1 And fat1 f e Eomayns had berud Cartage Sche was so fulle of torment and of1 Rage 4556

fat1 wilfully in to f e fuyr sche sterte

And brend hir selue wij> a stedefast1 herte [leaf 255]

O wofulle hennes right1 so cryede $e

As whan fat1 Nero brende f e Cite 4560

Of1 Rome cryden f e Senatowrs wyfes ffor fat1 here housbondes schulde leese here lyues Wi]?outen gilte Nero haj? hem slayn

1T Now wole I turne vnto my tale agayn 4564

This seely widewe and hire doughtres tuo Herden J?e hennes crien and make woo / And out1 at1 J?e dore sterten pay anon And sawe Jje fox toward Jje groue goon 4568

And bar vpori his bak1 J?e kok1 away And cryden out harrow and weloway A ha J>e fox and after him fay ran

And eek1 with staues many anofer man 4572

Ran colle oure dogge Talbot1 and Garlond And Malkyn wij> hire distaf* in hire hond Ran cow and calf1 and eek1 Jje verrey hogges Sore aferde for berkyng1 of1 J?e dogges 4576

And schowtyng1 of1 men and of1 wommen eeke fey ronne so her hert1 fey fought tobreeke They yelleden as feendes don in helle The dokes cryden as men wolde hem quelle 4580

40 CORPUS 685 (G-T. 298)

SIX-TEXT 299

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Out1 of1 f e huyues come f e swarm of1 bees

f e gees for feere flowen oner f e trees

So hidous was f e noyse a benedicite

Certes he lakke strawe and his meynee 4584

Ne maden neuere schoutes half1 so schrille

Whan fat1 fay wolden eny flemyng1 kille

As fat1 like day was maad vpon f e ffox

Of1 bras fey bronghte beemes and of1 Box 4588

Of1 home and boon in whiche fey pouped

And f er-wif al fey schriched and fey schouted

It1 semed as fat1 heuen schulde falle

Now goode men I pray ^on herknef alle 4592

Lo how fortune turnef sodeinly

The hope and eek1 fe pruyde of1 here enuye [leaf 255, back]

This Cok1 fat1 lay vpon f is foxes bak1

In alle his drede vnto fe fox he spak1 4596

And sayde sire if1 1 were as 36

3ett schuld I say as wis god helpe me

Turnef a^ein 36 proude cherles alle

A verray pestilence vpon $ou falle 4600

Now am I come vnto f is woodes syde

Maugre 3our heed f e cok1 schal here abyde

I wole him ete in feif and fat1 anon

The ifox answerde in feif it1 schal be don 4604

and [as] he spak1 fat1 word al sodeinly

This Cok1 brak1 fro his mouf delyuerly

An heigh vpon a tree he Heigh anoon

And whan f e fox saugh fat1 he was goon 4608

Alias qiiod he 0 Chaunteclere alias

I haue quod he don to 3ow a trespas

In als moche as I made 3ou afferd

"When I 3ou hente and brought out1 of1 fe 3crd 4612

But1 sire I dede it nought in no wicked entent1

Come doun and I schal telle 3ou what I ment

I schal 3ou seye sof god helpe me so /

Nay fanne <\uod he I schrewe vs bofe tuo / 4616

CORPUS 686 (6-T. 299)

SIX-TEXT 300

GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.

And ferst1 I schrewe my self1 bo]>e blood and bones

If1 jjou begile me ofter fan ones /

Thou schalt1 nomore wif fin flaterye

Do me to synge and wynke wif myn ye 4620

ffor he fat1 wynke)) whan he schulde se

As wisly god let1 him neuer f e

Nay quod f e fox god }iue him meschaunce

That1 is so vndiscret1 of1 gouerna^nce 4624

fat1 ianglef whan he schulde haue pees

Lo suche it is for to be recheles /

and necligenf and trustef on flaterye

But1 30 fat1 halden f is tale a folye 4628

As of1 a fox and of1 a colt1 and an hen

Take]) J>e moralite goode men [leaf 256]

ffor seint1 poule saij) / alle fat1 writen is

To oure doctrine / it is y- writen y-wis 4632

Take]) J)e fruit/ and letej) J?e chaff be stille

Now goode god if1 J>af it1 be J)in wille /

As seif my lord so make vs alle goode men

And bringe vs alle to his heihe blisse ameN 4636

Here endej) fe Nonne prestes tale

CORPUS 587 (6-T. 300)

GEOUP H. FEAGMENT IX,

§ 1, THE MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. CORPUS MS.

[o« zea/256] Here folwef fe P/ologe of1 fe man- 1F ciples tale Cam xxiij"3

WOt1 30 not1 wher fer stant/ a litel toun Which fat1 is cleped Bobbe vp and down vnder f e Blee in Caunterbery way

Ther gan oure Oste for to lape and play 4

And sayde syres what1 donne is in f e myre Is no man for preyer ne for huyre That1 wole awake oure felawe be-hynde / A f eef1 might1 him ful lightly robbe and bynde 8

Se how he nappef se for goddes bones J)af he wol falle fro his hors at1 ones Is fat1 a Cook1 of1 london wif meschance Do him come forth he knowef his penance ^. 12

ffor he schal telle a tale by my fey Al fough it be nought1 worj) a hotel hey Awake ]?ou Cook1 quod he god ^iue ])e sorwe What eylej) )>e to slepe by jje morwe 16

hast1 J?ou had fleen al night1 or art1 jjou drunke Or hast1 jjou wij> som quene al night1 y-swunke So fat1 Jjou mayst1 nought1 holden vp ]?in heed This Cook1 fat1 was ful pale and no fing1 reed 20

Seyde oure Ost1 so god my soule blesse As fer is falle on me such heuynesse Not1 I nou3t1 why me were leuer to slepe Then fe beste galon of1 wyii in Chepe 24

CORPUS 588 (6-T. 576)

SIX-TEXT 577

GROUP H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Corpus MS.

Wei qiiod J?e maunciple if1 it1 Jje may don ese 25

To ]?e sir Cook1 and to no wight1 displese Which Jmt1 heer rydejj in J)is companye / And Jjat1 oure host1 wole of1 his curtesye 28

I wole as now excuse Jje of1 J>in tale [leaf 256, back]

ffor in good feij) ]?i visage is ful pale Thin eyen dasewen sojjly as me j>inke]? And wel I woot1 J?i brej? ful soure stinkej) 32

That1 schewejj wel pou art1 nought1 wel disposed Of1 me certeyn ])ou schalt1 nought1 ben y-glosed Se how he goneth lo his drunken wight1 As Jjough he wolde vs swolwe anon right1 36

hald clos Jjin mou]? man by pyn fader kyn The deuyl of1 helle sette his foot1 ]?erin This cursed breth wol infecte vs alle

ffy stynkynge swyn fy foule mote j?e falls 40

Take)} heede sires of1 Jus lusty man Now sweete sire wole 36 iuste at1 Jje van Ther-to me penkej? 36 ben wel y-schape I trowe Jjat1 36 haue drunken wyn ape 44

And Jjat1 is whan men pleye wijj a straw / And wij) his speche Jje Cooke wax alwraw And on J>e maunciple bygan he nodde faste ffor lakke of1 speche and doun jje hors him caste 48

Wher as he lay til pat1 men him vp took1 This was a fayr Chiuacheef1 of1 a cook1 Alias he ne hadde holde him by his ladel And er Jjat1 he a3ein were in his sadel 52

Ther was a gret1 schowuyng1 bo]?e to and fro To lifte him vp and mochil care and woo So vnweldy was ]>is sely pallede goste And to Jje maunciple Jjenne spak1 oure Oste 56

By cause jjat1 drynke haj> dominacion Vpon Jjis man by my Sauacion I trowe he lewedly wolde telle Ms tale ffor were it1 wyn or olde or moysty ale 60

CORPUS 689 (6-T. 577)

SIX-TEXT 578

GROUP H, § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Corpus MS,

That1 lie haf drunke he spekejj so in his nose / 61

And fnesej) faste and eek1 he ha]) fe pose lie hath also to don more fan ynough To kepe him and his capel out* of1 J>e slougn" 64

And if1 he falle fro his capil eft1 sone / Peaf 257]

Thenne schulle we alle haue ynough to doone In liftyng1 vp his heuy drunken cors

Telle on fin tale of1 him make I no fors 68

But1 ^it1 maunciple in feif f ou art1 to nyce Thus openly to reproue him of1 his vice Anof er day he wole perauenture

Eeclayme f e and bringen f e to lure 72

I mene he speke wole of1 smale f inges And for to pynchen at1 fine rekenynges That* were not1 honeste if1 it1 come to pref1 No qiiod f e maunciple fat1 were a gret1 meschief1 76

So might1 he "bringe me in to f e snare Yet1 hadde I leuer payen for f e mare Which he ryt1 on fan he schulde wif me stryue I wol not1 wraf f e him so mote I jjryue 80

fat1 Jjat1 1 spak1 1 seyde it1 in my "bourde And wite $e wel I haue heer in my gourde A draught1 of1 wyn ye of1 a rype grape And right1 anon 36 schullen seen a good lape * 84

This Cook1 schal drynke J>er-ofH if1 1 may vp peyne of1 my lyf1 he wol not1 say nay And certeinly to tellen as it/ was

Of1 ]>is vesseH J?e Cook1 drank1 faste alias 88

"What1 needej) it1 he drank1 ynough aforn And whan he hadde pouped in his horn To ]>e maunciple he took1 J?e gourde again And of1 Jjat1 drynke J?e cook1 was wonder fayn 92

And jjanked him in such wise as he cowde Then gan oure Oste to lawhe wonder lowde And sayde I se wel it1 is necessarie

Where fat1 we goon good drink1 wij> vs to carie 96

CORPUS 590 (6-T. 578)

SIX-TEXT 579

GROUP H, § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Corpus MS.

flbr Jjatt wol tourne rancour and disese 97

To acord and lone and many a word to peese O Bachus y-blessed be Jjy name

J?at so canstf tome ernest1 in to game 100

Worschipe and Jjonke be to ]>y deite [leaf 257, back]

Of* Jjafr matiere ne gete 36 nomore of1 me Tel on j)i tale J?ou manciple I J?e preye Wei sire quod he now kerknej? what1 I seye IF Explic/t

prologus

CORPUS 691 (6-T. 679)

SIX-TEXT 580

GROUP H, § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS,

w

[on fee/257, &o<*] Incipzfr fabwla

"han phebus dwelde heer in )>is er]?e adoun As olde booke maken menciozm 106

he was J?e moste lusty bachiler Of/ alle Jje world and eek* fe best1 archeer he slough Phyton J?e serpent/ as he lay

Slepyng1 agayn f e sonne vpon a day

And many anofer noble worjjy dede /

He wij? his bo we brought as men nowe rede 112

Pleyen he coujje of1 euery menstralcye

And syngen fat1 it was a melodye

To heeren of* his cleere voys J)e soun

Certes Jje king1 of* Thebes amphyown 116

That1 wif his syngyng1 walled jjat1 Cite

Cowde neuer syngen half1 so wel as he

Therto he was ]?e semlyeste man

Jjafr is or was si])en }>e world bygan 120

What1 needej) it1 his fetures to discryue

ffor in ]?is world was non so fair on lyue

he was J>er-wiJ) fulfild of1 gentilnesse

Of1 honour and of parfyte worjjinesse 124

This Phebus fat1 was flour of* Bachelrye

As wel in freedam as in Chiualrie

ffor disporte in signe eek1 of1 victorie

Of1 Phyton so as tellej) vs J>e storye 128

Was worjjy to beren in his hond a bowe /

Now hadde J>is Phebus in his ho us a crowe

Which in a cage he fostred many a day

And taught1 it1 speke as fat1 men teche a lay 132

CORPUS 592 (6-T. 680)

SIX-TEXT 581

GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

was Jris Crowe as is a snow whit1 swan 133

And countrefeted j?e speche of* euery man he cowde when he schulde telle a tale Ther-wijj in al J?e world no nightyngale 136

Ke cou]>e by an hundred jjousend deel [leaf 258]

Syngen so wonderly meryly and weel Now hadde J>is Phebus in his hous a wyf1 Which j>af he loued more pan his owne lyfH 140

And nighf and day dyd euer his diligence Hir for to plese and don hire reuerence Saue oonly if* Jje soj) J?af I schal sayn Gelous he was and wolde haue kept1 hire fayn 144

ffpr him were lo]> by-lap ed for to be And so euery wight1 in such degre But1 al for nou^t1 for if auaylej? nou^t1 A good wyff1 jjat is clene of1 werk1 and fought 148

Schulde nought1 be kepte in non awayte certain And trewely J>e labour is in vayn To kepe a schrewe for it wol nou^t1 be This halde I for a verray nycete 152

To spille labour for to keepe wyues Thus writen olde Clerkes in here lyues But1 now to purpos as I first1 bigan

This wor)>y Phebus do]? al j?afr he can 156

To plesen hyre wenyng1 by such plesance And for his manhode and his gouemance That1 no man schulde haue put him fro hir grace But1 god it1 woot/ jjer may no man enbrace 160

As to distreyne a Jnng1 which jjat nature Haj) naturelly sette in a creature Take eny bryd and put it1 in a kage

And do al ])in entent and )>y corage 164

To fostre it tendrely wij) mete and drinke Of1 alle deyntees jjat1 J>ou canst1 by))inke Arid keepe it/ also clenly as jjou may Al Jiough his cage of1 golde be neuer so gay 168

CORPUS 693 (6-T. 681)

SIX-TEXT 582

GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

^et1 haj) J>is bridde by .xx. fousand folde • 169

Leuer in a fforest1 Jjat1 is wilde and colde

Gon ete wormes and such wrecchedenesse

ffor euer jjis bridde wol doon his busynesse 172

To eskape out1 of1 his cage when he may [leaf 253, back]

his liberte ]?e bridde desire]) ay

Let1 take a catte and fostre him wel wij? melk1

An tendre fleissch and make his couche of1 selk1 176

And let1 him seen a mous go by J>e walle

And anon he weyuej? milke fleissche and alle

And euery deynte fat1 is in fat1 hous

Such appetyt1 haf sche to ete a mous 180

Lo he[re] haf luste his dampnacion

And appetyt1 flemyth diserecion

As f e wolf1 haf also a vyleyns kynde

The lewedeste wolf* fat1 sche may fynde 184

Of1 lest1 of1 reputacion J?atf wol sche take

In tyme whan hire luste to haue a make

Alle Jjise ensamples speke I by ]>ese men

That1 ben vntrewe and noting1 by wommen 188

ffor men han euere a likerous appetyfr

On lowere Jjing1 to parforme here delytt

Then on here wyfes ben fay neuer so fayre

Ne neuer so trewe ne so debonaire 192

ffleissche is so newefongul wij? meschance

That1 we ne konne in no Jung1 han plesance

That1 sowne)) in to vertu eny while

This Phebus which Jjat1 fought1 vpon no gile 196

Desceyued was for alle his lolite

ffor vnder him anofer hadde sche

A man of1 litel reputacion

Nought1 worj) to Phebus in comparison 200

The more harm it1 is it1 happej) ofte so

Of1 which Jjer come]? mochil harme and wo

And so bifelle whan Phebus was absent1

His wif1 anon haj> for hir lemman sent1 204

CORPUS 594 (6-T. 682)

SIX-TEXT 583

GROUP H, § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS,

Hire lemman certes f is is a kauissch speche 205

ffor^iuef it me and fat1 1 30 u beseche

The wyse Plato saif as ^e may rede

f e worde moot1 need acorde wif f e dede 208

^if1 men schal telle proprely a fing1 [leaf 259]

The word moot1/ cosyn be to f e workyng1

I am a boystous man riht1 f us say I

Ther is no difference trewely 212

Betwix a wyf1 fat1 is of* heih degre

If1 of* hire body dishoneste sche be

And a pouere wenche othir fan f is

If1 it1 so be fey werke bo)?e amys 216

But1 fat1 f e gentil is in staaf aboue

Sche schal be cleped his lady as in loue

And for fat1 of er is a pouer womman

Sche schal be cleped his wenche or his lemman 220

And god it1 woot1 rnyrc owne deere brof er

Men leyn fat1 oon as lowe as lijj fat1 o]>er

Eight1 so betwixe a titles tyraunt1

And an outlawe or a feef1 erraunt1 224

The same I say fer is no difference /

To alisaundre was tolde fis sentence /

That1 for fe tyraunf is of1 grettere might

By force of1 meyne for to sleen down right1 228

And brenne hous and home and make al playn

Lo ferfore is he cleped a Capitayn

1F And for fe outlawe haf but1 smal nieigne

And may not1 doon so gret1 an harm as he 232

Ne bringe a Centre to so gret1 mescheef1

Men clepen him an outlawe or a feef1

But1 for I am a man not1 texted wel

I wol not1 telle of1 Tytus neuer a deel 236

I wol go to my tale as I began

Whan Phebus [wyf] hadde sent1 for hire lemman

Anon fey wroughten alle here lust1 volage

This white crowe fat1 heng1 ay in f e kage 240

CORPUS 596 (6-T. 683)

SIX-TEXT 584

GKOUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

Bihelde hire werk* and seyde neuer a word 241

And whan J?at home was come Phebus ]?e lord

This crowe sange cokkow cokkow cokkow

What1 bryd quo]* Phebus what* song1 syngest* foil 244

Ne were f ou wont1 so meryly to synge [leaf 259, back]

fat* to mjn herte it1 was a reioisschinge

To here f i voys alias what1 song1 is f is

By god quod he I synge nought amys 248

Phebus quod he for al f i worj)inesse

ffor alle f y beaute and f yn gentilnesse

ifor alle f i song1 and al f i menstralcye

ffor al fi waytyng1 blered is fin ye 252

Wif on of1 litel reputacion

Nought1 worf to f e as in comparison

f e mountance of* a gnatte so mote I f riue

ffor on f y bed fy wyff / I say him swyue 256

What* wole 30 more ]>e crowe anon him tolde

By sadde tokenes and by wordes bolde

How fat* his wyf* hadde doon hire leccherie

him to gret* schame and to gret* vilanye 260

And tolde him ofte he say it* wij> his eyen

J?is Phebus gan awayward for to wryen

him fought* his sorwful herte brast a tuo /

His bowe he bente and sette ]?er-Inne a floo 264

And in his Ire J?an haj) he his wif* y-slayn

This is J?effecte J>er is nomore to sayn

ffor sorwe of* which he brak* his mynstralcye

Boj>e harpe and lewte gyterne and Sawterye 268

And eek* he brak* his arwes and his bowe

And after J?at* J)us spak* he to ])e crowe

Traytour qiwd he wi]) tonge of* Scorpion

Thou hast* me brought to my confusion 272

Alias J?at* I was wrought* why nere I ded

0 deere wyf* o gemme of* lustyhed

That* were to me so sadde and eek* so trewe

Now lyes j)ou deed wijj face pale of* he we / 276

CORPUS 696 (6-T. 684)

SIX-TEXT 585

GROUP H. § 2, MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

fful gulteles fat1 durst1 1 swere ywys 277

O rakel hound to don so foule amys

0 trouble witte .0. Ire recheles

That1 vnauysed smytest1 gulteles / 280

0 wan-truste ful of1 fals suspecion. [leaf 2603

Where was f y witte and f i discrecion

0 euery man be war of1 rekelnesse

Kev trowe noting1 wif outen strong1 witnesse 284

Smyt1 no^t1 to sone er fat1 f ou wite why

And be auysed wel and soburly

Or 36 doon eny execucion

Ypon 3oure Ire for suspecion 288

Alias a J>ousand folk1 han rakel Ire

ffully fordoon or brought1 hem in f e myre

Alias for sorwe I wil my selue slee

And to fe crowe 0 false feef1 sayde he 292

1 wol f e quyte anon f y false tale

f ou songe whilom lyk1 a nightyngale Now schalt1 f ou false f eef1 f i song1 forgon Eeke fin white feferes euerichon 296

!Ne neuer in alle f i lyue schalt1 f ou speke Thus schal men on a traitour ben awreke Thou and fin hospreinge euere schuln be blake Ne neuere swete noyse schul }e make / 300

But1 euer crye agayn tempest1 and reyn In toknyng1 fat1 f urgh f e my wyf1 was slayn And to f e crowe he sterte and fat1 anon And pulled his white feferes euerychon 304

and made him blak1 and reft1 him alle his song1 And eek1 his speche and out1 at1 f e dore him slonff vnto f e deuel which I him betake /

And for f is caas ben alle crowes blake 308

Lordynges by f is ensample I 3ou preye Bef war and takef keepe what1 fat1 30 seye Ne tellef neuer no man) in 3 our lyfF/ how fat1 anofer man haf dight1 his wyf1 312

CORPUS 697 (6-T. 585)

SIX-TEXT 586

GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

He wole }ow haten mortelly certein 313

Daun Salomon as wise clerkes sein

Techep a man to kepe his tonge wel

But1 as I sayde I am nought text1 wel 316

But napeles Jms taughte me my dame [leaf 250, back]

My sone penk1 on pe erowe a goddes name

My sone keepe wel pi tonge and kepe py frende

A wikked tonge is worse pan a feende 320

My sone ffrom a feend men may hem blesse

My sone god of1 his endeles goodnesse /

Walled a tonge wi]> teep and lippes eeke

ffor man schulde him auyse what1 he speeke 324

My sone ful ofte for to mochel speche

ha]? many a man be spilt1 as clerkes teche

But* for litel speche auysily

Is no man schent1 to speke generally 328

My sone py tonge schuldest1 pou restreigne

At1 alle tyme but1 whan pou dost1 py peyne

To speke of* god in honour and preyere

The ferste vertu sone if1 pou wolt1 lere 332

Is to restreyne and kepe wel pi tunge

Jjus lernen children whanne pey ben ^onge

My sone of mochel spekyng1 euel auysed

Ther lasse spekyng1 hadde ynougfr suffised 336

Comep mochil harm pus was me told and taught

In mochil speche synne wantep naught

Wostow wher-of1 a rakil tonge seruep

Eight1 as a swerd forkuttep and forkeruep 340

An arm a tuo my deere sone right so

A tunge kuttep frendschipe al a tuo

A ianglere is to god abhominable /

Eede Salamon so wys and honorable / 344

Rede Dauyd and his psalmys red senekke

My sone speek1 nought* but1 wip pin heed pou bekke

Dissimule as pou were defe if1 pat1 pou heere

A Tangier speke of1 perilous mateere / 348

CORPUS 598 (6-T. 586)

SIX-TEXT 587

GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.

J?e flemyng1 sai]> and lerne it if1 Jje leste 349

Jjat lytel langelynge cause]) mechel reste My sone if* ]?ou no wickede word hast1 seyd ]>e far no^t1 drede for to be bywreyd 352

But1 he fat1 ha]) myssayd I dar wel sayn [leaf 26i]

he may by no way clepe his word agayn Thing1 fat1 is sayde is sayde and for]) it1 go]) Though him repente or be him iieuer so loj) 356

he is his fralle to whom faf he ha]) sayd A tale of1 which he is now yuele payd My sone be war and be nou^t auctour newe Of tydynges whefer fay ben fals or trewe 360

Wher so fou come amonges heihe or lowe Kepe wel fy tunge and fenk1 vpon J)e crowe Explicit1

fab?da rnawcipii

CORPUS 599 (6-T. 687)

GKOUP I. FKAGMENT X.

§ 1. THE BLANK-PAKSON LINK.

[.This it really a link between some unwritten Tale and the Parson's. It has been made into the Manciple-Parson Link (or Yeoman-Parson by the Christ-Church MS) by Chaucer' » copiers, though not meant for it.']

CORPUS MS.

Here bygynnef fe prologe of1 fe parson [

By fat1 f e maunciple hadde his tale ended Cam xxiiijm The sonne fro f e souf syde is descended So lowe fat1 he was nought4 to my sight Degrees xxix as of1 highte / 4

Ten of1 f e clokke it1 was so as I gesse / ffor xj foote a lytel more or lesse My schadwe was at1 filke tyme as fere / Of1 suche feet1 as my lengf e parted were / 8

In six foote equal ofH proporcion Ther-wif f e mones exaltacion I mene libra alwey gan ascende

As we were entryng1 at* a thropes ende 12

ffor wij> oure Oste as he was wont1 to gye As in f is caas oure ioly companye / Sayde in f is wise lordynges euerychon Now lakkef vs no tale more fan 0011 16

ffulfild is my sentence and my degre Who wile now telle a tale let1 se Almost1 fulfilled is mjn ordynaunce

I pray to god so 3iue him right1 good chance 20

fat1 tellef f is tale to vs lustely Sire prest1 quod he art1 f ou a vicary Or art1 f ou a person say sof by f y fey Be what1 foil be ne breke nought1 oure pley 24

CORPUS 600 (6-T. 589)

SIX-TEXT 590 GROUP I, § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK. Corpus MS.

ffor euery man saue f ou haf told his tale 25

ynbokele and schewe vs what1 is in f y male [leaf 201, back]

ffor trewely me f enkef ~by f y cheere

Thou scholdest1 knette vp wel a grot1 matiere 28

Telle vs a fable anon for cokkes bones

This person answered al at1 oones

Thou getesfr fable non y-tolde for me

ffor Poule fat1 write J? vnto Thimothe 32

Repreuef hem fat1 wayuen sof fastnesse

And tellen fables and such wrecchednesse

Whi schulde I schewen draff1 out1 of* my feste /

Whan I may schewen whete if1 fat1 me leste 36

ffor which I saye if1 fat1 foil luste to heere

Moralite and vertuous matiere

And f enne fat* }e woln $iue me audience

I wol ful fayn at1 cristes reuerence / 40

Don ^ou plesaunce lefful as I can

But1 trustef wel I am a sothryn man

I can nought geste rom ram ruf1 by lettrc

Ne god wot1 rym holde I but1 lytel bettre 44

And f erfore if1 3011 luste I wol nought1 glose

I wol $ou telle a mery tale in prose

To knitte vp al f is feste an ende

And ihesii for his grace witte me sende 48

To schewe 3ou f e wey in f is visage

Of1 f like pc^'fyt1 glorious pilgrimage

That1 highte lerusalem Celestial

And if1 30 vouche sauf1 anon 30 schal 52

Bygynne vpon my tale for which I preye

Telle $oure avis I can no bettre seye

But1 naf eles fis meditacion

I putte it ay vnder correction 56

Of1 clerkes for I am nought text1 wel

I take but1 f e sentence trustel wel

f erfore I make protestacion

That1 1 wol stonde to correction 60

41 CORPUS 601 (6 T. 590)

SIX-TEXT 591 GROUP I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK. CoipUS MS.

Vppon fis word we han assented sone C

[for as hit semed / hit was for to doone gj^]1- Seld- B- H>

to enden / in som ve/'tuous sentence

and for to yeve him space / and audience 6r4

and bad oure Oste / he shulde to him say

that alle we / to telle his tale him pray

oure Oste had the wordes / for vs alle

sir prest quod, he / now faire yow befalle 68

sey what yow luste / and we wol gladly here

and with that worde / he seide in this nianere

telleth qwod he / youre meditacioun

but hasteth yow / the sonne wol a-doun 72

beth fructuous / and that in litel space

and to do wel / god sende yow his grace .

Here endith the person his prolog] ^f^Ao' B l*

CORPUS 602 (6-T. 691) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

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).

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' (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 destourbe/i 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). [ii. not given.]

iii. 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 in hell against (1) ' Honours, (2) delices, and (3) richesses' (p. 611) ; poverty in 4 things : no treasure, food, clotliing, or friends (p. 602) ; and no delights of the 5 senses. The pain shall be eternal (p. 603). Hell 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}. 43 (FOR CORPUS eoa)

592 SIX-TEXT

CONTENTS OP PARSON'S TALE. PART 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).

PART II (no. v. continued).

B. CONFESSION (THE 2ND REQUISITE FOR PENITENCE)

(p./612— 679). B. Confession. § 1. (1. 317) 'what is confession' (p. 612).

§ 2. ' wheither it oghte nedes be doon or noon ' (p. 672-9). § 3. 'whiche thynges been couenable to \eway Confession' (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 ski. St Paul

and St Jerome's temptations (p. 614-15).

1.6. How Shi 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, /3. deadly (or mortal).

a. 1. Venial Sin denned. It skips into Deadly Sin. (Simile of the drops of water into a vessel's hold drowning the ship ;) (p. 616). ft. 1. Deadly Sin defined (p. 617).

a. 2. Of divers small venial sins, hardly thought sins (p. 617- 18) ; eating, drinking, talking, top much ; using your wife too much ; not visiting the 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. j3. 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 CORPUS 603 a)

592 SIX-TEXT

CONTENTS OF 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. Tne 'outrageous array of Women ' (p. 623).

/3. 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).

8. 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 : 1 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) : defined 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 harm : 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-

631). Love is the medicine that casts out the venom of

bour' (p. 630). 3 Remedies of Love, against 3 deeds of Hate

(p. 631).

Lnvy from man's heart (p. 631).

iii. IRE or ANGER (p. 631-42), and its 2 lands : 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.

3 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 tlie monks and friars, &c., in the Prologue and middle Tules. If this is not change of man, it's change of mood.

* Chaucer must have seen plenty of these when he was pnge, valet, and squire. s Compare Chaucer's Gentleness, &c. 6 Compare Clerk's Tale, Part VI, st. 135.

(FOR CORPUS 603 I)

SIX-TEXT 592 CONTENTS OF 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. Lying (p. 638), and its 6 kinds.

5. Flattering. How Flatterers are the Devil's Nurses, his

Enchanters and Chaplains (p. 639).

6. Cursing that comes 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. Betray ing 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 CORPUS 604)

SIX-TEXT 592 CONTENTS OF PARSON^ TALE. PART II.

v. AVARICE (p. 651-57). The difference between Avarice and Coyet- ousness (p. 651) ; and between an Idolater and an avaricious man (p. 652). Of Covetousness, and lords' extortion from their bondmen : "humble folk been Cristes freencles" (p. 652-53). The Duty of lords to their 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 Witness, 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 ; b. 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. evU 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 ; 6. 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 : a. eating and drink ing ; long sleeping ; b. 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, (?.]

Sin is in heart, mouth, deed, by the 5 Wits (p. 672). (FOR CORPUS 604 a)

SIX-TEXT 592 CONTENTS OF 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 kind of sin (fornication or homicide) ; 3. the place it was committed in (as in a church, by a priest) (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 sinner 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. that the shrift be to a discreet

Eriest ; 9. that the shrift be not made for vain-glory, but for 3ar 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 3RD 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 (chiefly 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 b. consequent over- confidence in Christfs 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 m goodness (p. 683). The fruit of Penance (p. 683-4).

EPILOGUE.

The Author's Leave-taking, and Lament over, and Withdrawal of, his Siuful Books, &c. (p. 684-85).

(FOR CORPUS G04£)

SIX-TEXT 593

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS, 605

[There are no breaks in the MS. TyrwhitVs are kept here to prevent slight differences in the texts throwing the Six-Text out of gearj]

[Arch. Seld. B. 14, leaf 268, Bodleian Library.]

[And

next folowyng bigynneth his tale.

[75]

L75J

0

kure swete lord god of heuen / that no man wol perisshe / but wol that we come alle to the knewleche of him / and to the blisful liff that is perdurable / [76] amonestetfi vs bi the prophete lerome that seith in this wise / f Jerome . Btate [77] stonditfr vppon the weyes and seetfi and axetfc of olde pathes / that is to seie *of olde sentences / whiche is the good weye / [78] and walketB in that weye / and ye shulle fynde refresshynge / for youre soules // [79] Many ben the weyes spiritual that leden folke to oure lord ihesu criste and to the regne of glorie // [80] Of whiche weyes ther is a ful noble weye / and a ful couenable weye / whiche may not fayle to man ne to woman / that thorugh synne hath mysgoon / fro the right weye of Jerusalem celestial / [81] and this weie is cleped penaunce / of whiche men shulde gladly herken and enqueren / with al here herte / [82] to wete what is pen aunce / and wherfore it is clepect penaunce / and in how many manere ben the accions of worchinge of penaunce / [83] and how many spicis ther ben of penaunce / and whiche thinges apperteyne and bihoven to penaunce / and whiche thinges distorben penarace / A-RCII. SELD. B. 14 (for Corpus 605) (6-T. 503)

SIX-TEXT 5*J4

606 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

f Ambroses. [84] Seint Ambrose seith that penaunce is the

pleynynge of man for the gilt that he hath don and no more to do any thing / for whiche him aught to pleyue / [85] And som Doctor seith / penaunce is the weyment- ynge of man that sorowith. for his synne / and peynetfr him-selff for he hath mys-doiw / [86] penaunce with" certeyne circurnstaunce / is verry repentaunce of man that halt him-selff in sorow and other peyne for his giltes / [87] And for he shal be verry penitent / he shal first biwailen the synne that he hath dourc / and stedf astly purposen in his herte to haue shrifft of mouthe / and to don satisfaccion / [88] and neuere to do thing for whiche him ought more to waile / or to compleyne / and to con- tenue in goode werkes / or ellis his repentaunce may nat

Tisodorua. availe / [89] For as seint Isidor seith / he is a laper and a gabber and no verry repentaunte / that efft-sone doth thing / for whiche him ought to repent [90] weping / and nought for to stinte to do synne / may not availe [91] but natheles men shulde hope / that at euery tyme that a man f alleth be it neuere so offt / that he may arise thorugh pen aunce if he haue grace / but certeynely Jit is grete doute /

t Gregorie [92] ffor as seith seint Gregory / vnnethes ariseth he oute of his synne / that is charged with the charge of euel vsage / [93] And ther-fore repentyng folke that stinte for to synne / and forlete synne / or synne for-lete hem / Holy ciiirche holt hem seker of here saluaciouft [94] And he that stinteth and verrily repenteth him in his last ende / Holy chirche yit hopeth his saluacion bi the grete mercy of oure lord ihesu for his repentaunce / but taketh the seker weye that is certeyne //

[95] And now sithen I haue declared yow whatS. thinge is penaunce / Now shulne ye vnderstonde that ther ben thre accions of penaunce / [96] The first is if a man be baptized after that he hath don f Austyne synne / [97] seint Austyn seith / but he be penitent for his olde synful liff / he may nat bigynne / the newe

ARCH. SELD. B. 14 (for Corpus 606) (6-T. 594) [l leaf 209]

SIX-TEXT 595

GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. 607

clene liff / [98] for certes if he be baptised withoute penaunce of his olde gilte he resceivith the marke of baptime / but not the grace ne the remission of his synnes / til he haue verry repentaunce // [99] Another defaute is this / that men don dedely synne / after that thei haue received baptime / [100] The thrid defaute is / that men fallen in venial synnes / affter here baptime /

•jAustyne fro day to day / [101] therof seith Seynt Austyne / that the penaunce of goode and humble folke is the penaunce of euery daie //

[102] The spices of penaunce ben thre / that oon of hem is solempne / Another corawne / And the thride prive / [103] Thilke penaunce that is so lempne is in two maners / as is to be put out of holy chirche in lente for slaughter of children / and suche manere thinge / [104] Another is whan a man

LI Seiden extract hath synned openly1] 2of* which synne J?e fame is openly

["corpus begins] spoken in J?e contre U And Jjenne holy chirche by lugge- merat1 destreignej? him for to do penance open. [105] Som penance is fat1 prestes enioygnen me communly in certein caas as for to gon perauenture naked in pylgrimage or bare foot* [106] H Pruie penaunce is J>ilke j>atf men don alday for priue synnes of1 whiche we schryuen vs pryuyly and resceyuen priue penance

[107] U Now schalf J>ou vndersta?ide what1 byhouej? and is necessarie to verray perfyte penawnce H and J>ese standen on j)re Jjinges [108] U Contn'cion of1 herte 11 Con fession of mou)> // and Satisfaccion [109] 11 ffor which

fGresostomw* saijj lohn Gresostomz«5 H Penitence destreignej) man to a^cepte benignely euery peyne fat1 is him enioyned wijj contric^on of* herte and schrift1 of1 mow]) wij? satis- faccion and in werching1 of* alle maner humilite [no] H And J?is is fruytful penytence a^ein J?re Binges in whiche we wraj>)>en oure lord ihesu cn'st1 [in] ])is is to sayn by delyt/ in Jinking1 By rechelesnesse in speking1 H By wicked synful worching1 [112] H And a^eins fise

ARCH. SELD. B. 14, AND CORPUS 607 (6-T. 695) [2 Corpus, leaf 262]

SIX-TEXT 596

608 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.

wikkede gultes is penitence faf may be likened vnto a tre

[113] U The rote of* Jus tre is contricion fat* huydef him in f e herte of* him faf is verray repentant* Eight* as fe roote of* a tree huydef him in fe erfe [114] H Of1 fe roote of* contricion springef a Btalke fat* beref braunches and leues of* confession and fruyt* of* satisfaccion [115] U ffor whiche crisf saif in f e gospelle Dof digne fruyt* of* penitence U ffbr by fis fruyte may men knowe fis tree and nou$f by f e roote fat* is hidde in f e herte of* a man) ne by f e braunches ne by f e leeues of* confession [I][6] ^ And f erf ore oure lord ihesu cn'sf saif fus U By fe fruyf of* hem schuln 30 knowe hem. [117] of* fis roote springef a seed of* grace fe which seed is mooder of* sikernesse and fis seed is egre and hoof [118] II fe grace of* fis seed springef of* god forough fe re membrance of* fe day of* doome and on f e peynes of* helle [119] U Of* fis matiere saif Salamon 1T fat* in fe drede of* god man forletef his synne [120] IT The hete of* fis seed is fe loue of* god and fe desirynge of* fe ioye perdurable [121] fis hete drawef fe herte of* man to god and dof him hate his synne [122] U ffor sofly fer is no fing1 fat* sauouref so wel a childo as f e mylk1 of* his norice If ne no f ing* is to him more abhom- inable fen filke mylk* whan it is medled wif ofer mete [123] 11 Eight* so synful man fat* louef his synne him semef fat* if is to him mosf sweete / of* any fing* [124] U buf fro faf tyme faf he louef sadly oure lord ihesu cn'sf and desiref fe lyff perdurable fer nys to him more abhominable [125] U ffor sofe f e lawe of* god is f.e loue of* god U ffor which .dam'd. fe prophete saif H I haue loued fy lawe 1and hated wikkednesse & haten. he faf louef god kepef his lawo and his word [126] H This tree saugh" fe prophete Danyel in spirif vpon f e auysion of* Nabugodonosor when he coun selled him to do penitence [127] U Penaunce is fe tre of* lyf* to hem faf if resceyuen And he faf haldef him

CORPUS 608 (6-T. 696) [Ueaf 202, back]

SIX-TEXT 597

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS, 609

rerray penitent1 is blessed after fe sentence of1 Salomon. Salomon

[128] H In fis penitence or contricion man schal vn- derstonde .iiij. fingesf fat1 is to say what1 is cowtricion And whiche ben fe causes fat1 meuen a man to con tricion and how he schulde be contrite and what1 con tricion avayled to fe soule [129] fanne it1 is fus fat1 contricion is fe verray sorwe fat1 a man resceyuef in his herte for his synnes wif sadde purpos to schryuen him) and to do penaunce / and neuer more to don synne [130] and fis sorwe schal ben in fis maneres as saif Seint1 Bernard U hit1 schal be greuous and heuy and ful Bernard™ scharp and poynant1 in herte [131] U ffirst1 for a man haf agilt1 his lord and his creatour 11 And more scharp and poynant1 for he haf agult1 his fader celestial [132] U And 3ett more scharp and poynant U ffor he haf wraf f ed and agilt1 him fat1 bought1 him fat1 with his precious blood haf deliuered vs fro fe bandes of1 synne and fro fe cruelte of1 f e deuel and fro f e peynes of1 helle

[133] U These causes fat1 oughten to rneuen a man to con tricion ben yj 11 ffirst1 a man schal remembre him of1 .vj. causes his synnes [134] but1 loke fat filke remem brance be to him no delyte by no wey : but1 gret1 schame & sorwe for his gulte H ffor lob saif U Synful men don lob werkes worfy of1 coni essioun) . [135] II And f erf ore saif Ezechie U I wol remembre me alle f e ^eres of1 my lyff1 in bitternesse of1 myn herte U [136] And god saif in f apocalips U Kemembref $ow fro whennes fat1 30 ben falle II ffor biforn fat1 tyme fat1 36 synned 30 were fe children of1 god and lymes of1 fe regne of1 god [137] U But1 for ^oure synne 30 ben waxe fralles and foule and membres of1 f e feende / hate of aungeles sclaundre of1 holy chirche and foode of1 f e false serpent* perpetuel mateere of1 f e furye of1 helle [138] 11 and fat1 more foul and abhom- inable ffor 30 trespassen so often tyme as dof fe hound fat1 tornef to eten his spuyng1 [139] and 3ef

CORPUS 609 (6-T. 597)

SIX-TEXT 598

610 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.

ben 36 foulere for ^oure longe continaunce in synne and 3oure synful vsage for whiche 36 ben roten in ^oure synne as a beeste in his dnnge [140] Suche manor of1 fortes maken a man haue schame for his synne •ehiei and no delite as god saif by fe prophete Ezechiel

[141] 1T 36 schuln remembre ^ow of1 $oure weyes and fey schuln displese $ow sof ely U Synnes ben f e weyes fat1 leden folk4 to helle

[142] H The seconnde cause that1 oughte to make a man to haue disdeyne of1 synne is fis fat1 as saij> seint1

Pet™, petre who so Jdof synne is fralle of1 synne and

synne puttef a man in gret1 fraldom [143] and fer- fore saif fe prophete Ezechiele I wente sorwful in desdeyn of1 myself* Certes wel aughte a man haue disdeyne of synne and wifdrawe him fro fat1

Seneka fraldom and vilenye [144] 1T And lo what1 saif Seneca

in fis matiere he saif fas Though I wiste fat1 neyf er god ne ma?z ne schulde neuere knowen it/f ^et1 wolde I haue disdeyne for to do synne. [145] And fe same Seneka seif H I am born to grettere finges fan to be f ralle to my body .

[146] More fralle may no man ne no womman make of1 his bodyf fan ^eue his body to synne [147] U And were it1 fe foulest1 cheerl or fe foulest1 wowmaft faf lyuef and lest* of value ^et1 is he changed and most1 foule and more in seruitute [148] euer fro fe heiher degre fat1 man fallef fe more is he fralle and more vnto god and to f e worlde vile and abhomin- able [149] H 0 goode god wel aughte men haue disdeyne of1 synne. seffen fat1 furgh synne fer he was free now is he maked bonde / [150] and f erf ore seif seint1 austyn U If1 fou haue desdeigne of1 fy seruant/ if1 he agilt1 or synned . haue fou f anne disdeyne fat1 fou fi self1 schuldest1 do synne [151] Take reward of1 fy value fat1 fou ne be to foul to fin value ne self1 [152] H Alias wel oughten fey fanne haue disdeyn to be

CORPUS 610 (6-T. 698) P leaf 263]

SIX-TEXT 599

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. Gil

seruant} and fralle to synne and sore ben aschamed of1 hemself* [153] H fat1 god of1 his endeles goodnesse haf set1 hem in heih astate or ^euen hem wif strengfe of1 body hele. beaute. prosperite / [154] and bought* hem fro fe deth wif his herte blood fat1 fay so vnkyndely a^eihs his gentilnesse quyten him so vileynesly to slaughter of1 here owne soules [155] IT 0 goode god ^e woramen fat* ben of* so gret* beaute Remembreth }ou of* f e prouerbe of* Salamon II he seif [156] he likenef a fair woraman ])at* is a fool of* hire body y-like to a rynge of* golde fat* werith in f e groyne of* a sowe [157] If ffor right* as a sowe wrote]? in Query ordure so wrote]? sche hire beaute in stynkynge ordure of* synne

[158] IT The fridde cause fat* oughte to meuen a man t iij» caw«« to contricion is drede of* fe day of* doome and of* f e horrible peynes of* helle [159] H ffor as seinf lerom sai]? U At* euery tyme ]?at* me remembrej) of* ]?e day of* doome I quake. [160] ffor whan. I ete or drinke or do what* so I do f euere seme]? me ]?at* pe trompe sownej? in myw eere . [161] Eise]) vp fat* ben deede and come]) to J?e luggemewt* [162] of* goode god mechel aughte a man to drede such a luggemewt* fere as we schuln ben alle as seif seint* Poule byfore fe strete of* oure lord ihesu crist* [163] wher as he schal maken a general con- gregacion wher as no man may ben absent* [164] ffor certes fere ne auaylef non essoyne ne excusacion [165] 'And noi^t1 only fat* oure defautes schullen ben y-Iuged IT but* eek* fat* alle oure werkes schuln openly ben knowen [166] and as fat* saif Seint* bernard. fer ne schal no pledynge auayle ne no sleighte we schullen 3euen rekenyng* of* euery ydel word [167] 11 Ther schuln we haue a lugge fat* may nought / be deceyued ne corupt*. And why f ffor certes alle oure foughtes ben discouered as to him ne for prayere. ne for meede he wil not* ben corrupte [168] U And f erf ore saith Salamow 11 The wraffe of* god wol nought* ben corrupte And f erf ore saith Salamow f ewreche

CORPUS 611 (6-T. 599) C1 leaf 263, back]

SIX-TEXT 600 612 GROUP I, § 55. PARSONS TALE. CoipUS MS,

of1 god ne wol nought1 spare no wight1 for praier nc for ^ifte U And perfore at1 pe day ofH doom per nys non hope to eskape

Anseimw* [x^9] Wherfore as sei|) Anselme U fful gret1

anguyssche schuhi pe synful folk1 haue at* pat1 tyme [i 70] U Ther schal be pe sterne and pe wroth luge sitte aboue And vnder him pe orrible putte of1 helle to de- struye him pat1 mot1 byknowe his synnes whiche synnes openly ben schewed byforn god and biforn euery creature [171] and on pe lift1 syde moo deeueles fan pe herte may pinke for to harye and to drawe pe sinful soules to pe pyne of1 helle [172] and with Inne pe hertes of1 folk1 schal be pe bytyng1 Conscience U And wipoute for]) schal be pe world al brennyng1 [173] 11 Whider schal penne pe wrecched synful soule fflee to huyde him f Certes he may nou3f huyde him . he moste come forp and schewe him [174] 1T ffor certes as saip seint1 lerom // The erpe schal caste him out1 of1 him and pe see also and pe aier also pat1 schal ben ful of1 pondir clappes and lightenynges [175] IT Now soply who so wol remembre him of1 pese pingesf I gesse pat1 his synnes schal nought1 turne him in to delyte but1 to gret1 sorwe for drede of1 pe peyne of1 helle [176] and per-

.iob. fore saip lob to god If Suffre lord pat1 I may a while

byway le and wepe er I go and weepe wipouten retournyng1 to pe derke lande couered wip pe derknesse of1 dep [177] to pe land of1 mysese and of1 derkenesse where as is schadewe of1 deth wher as per nys non op<?r or dinance but1 grisly drede pat1 euer schal laste [178] U Lo heere may 30 seen pat1 lob p?*eyede respite a while

exenwium to bywepe and wayle his trespas U ffor sooply oo day of1

respite is bettre pan alle pe tresour of pis world [179] IT And for as moche as man may quyte himself1 biforn god by penitence in pis world and nought1 by tresour IT perfore schulde he preye to god to ^iue him respyt1 a while to byweepen and byweylen his trespas // [180] IT ffor certes al pe sorwe pat1 a man mighte make fro pe Begynnyng1

CORPUS 612 (6-T. 600)

SIX-TEXT 601

GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS, 613

of* f e world nys but1 alytel f ing1 at1 f e regarde of1 f e sorwo of1 hello [181] If The cause why fat1 lob clepef helle fe lond of1 derknessesf [182] vnderstondet/fc fat1 he clepejj it1 lande of1 erf e IT ffor it is stable and neuer schal faile 1derknes H ffor he fat1 is in helle haf defaute of1 light1 material [183] If ffor certes fe derke light1 fat1 schal come out1 of1 f e fuyre fat1 euer schal brenne schal turne / him al to peyne IT fat1 is in helle ffor it1 schewef him to f e Orible deueles fat1 him tormenten [184] couered wif f e derknesse of1 def [ .............

no gap in the MS.] ben f e synnes fat1 f e wrecchede man haf don whiche fat1 distourben him to se fe face of1 god Right1 as a derk1 clowde bitwixen hous and f e sonne- [186] lond of1 myssese by cause fat1 fer ben fre maneres of1 defautes a^eins fre finges fat folk1 of fis world han in fis present lyf1 fat1 is to say honoures delices and richesse [187] a3eins honour han fey in helle / schame and confusion [188] 11 ffor wel 30 wite fat* men clepen honour fe reuerence fat1 men don to man IT But1 in helle is non honour ne reuerence 11 ffor certes nomore reuerence schal be do to a king1 fan to a knaue [189] IT ffor which god saif by textwa f e prophet e lerem/e U Thilke folk1 fat1 me despysen schuln leremie / ben in despite [190] II Honour is eek1 cleped gret1 wor- schipe f er schal no wight1 seruen of er U But1 of1 harme and torment, honowr is eek1 cleped gret1 dignite and heigh- nesse U But1 in helle schullen fey ben alle fortrodenof1 deueles [191] as god saif U fe Orrible deueles schuln gon & comen vpon fe heedes of1 dampned folk1 11 And fis is for as meche as f e heyer fat1 fey weren in fis present1 lyff/f fe more schuln fey ben abated and defouled in helle [192] U a3eins fe riche of1 fis world schullen fey haue mysese of1 pouerte and fis pouert1 schal bo .iiij. finges [193] IT In defaute of1 tresour of1 which

CORPUS 613 (G-T. OOl) lHeaf264]

SIX-TEXT 602

614 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.

dominits per moysen

da«id

Dauid saif IT The riche folk? fat* enbraceden and Oneden in al here herte to tresour ofH f is world schullen slepe / in f e slepyng1 of1 def as no fing1 schuln fey fynden in here handes of1 alle here tresour [194] II And more ouer fe myseyse of1 helle schal ben in defaute of mete & drinke [195] ffor god saif fus by moyses 11 fey schuln be wasted wif hunger and fe briddes of helle schuln deuoure him wif bitter def and fe galle of fe dragon [ .......... no gap in the MS.}

here morselte [J96] and forfer ouer here mysayse schal ben in defaute of clof ing1 H ffor fey schuln be naked in body as of clofing1 saue f e fuyre in whiche fey brenne and ofer filfes [197] and naked schuln fey ben of soule of alle maner vertues which fat* is fe clofing1 of soule U Where be fenne fe gay robes and fe softe schetes and fe smale schertes. [198] lo what saif god of hem by fe prophete. Isaye H That1 vnder hem schuln be strawed mouthes 11 and here couertours schuln ben of wormes of helle [199] 1T and furfer ouer here mysayse schal ben in defaute of freendes U ffor he is nought1 pouere fat1 haf goode freendes U But1 fer is no freend [200] U ffor neifer god ne creature schal be frend to hem and euerych of hem schal haten ofer xwif dedly hate [201] U fe sones of fe doughtren schullen rebellen a^eins fader and mooder and kynredes a^ein kynrede and chyden and despisen euerich of hem ofer bofe day and nighfr as god saif by fe prophete. Michias. [202] and fe louynge children fat1 whilom loueden so fleissly euerich ofer U Wolden euerich of hem eten ofer if fay mighte [203] U ffor how scholde f eylouen hem to gydere in f e peynes of belle U Whan fey hateden euerich of hem ofer in f e prosperite of f is lyf [204] U ffor truste wel here fleisschly loue was deedly hate as saif f e prophet .dauid. . U Who so fat1 louef wikked- nesse he hatef his soule [205] U And who so hatef his owen soule U certes he may loue non ofer wigfrf

CORPUS 614 (6-T. 602) [i leaf 264, back]

SIX-TEXT 603

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. 615

in no manere [206] U And f erf ore in helle is no freiidschipe U but1 euer fe more fleisshly kynredes faf ben in helle f fe more cursyng1. fe more chyd- yng1 and fe more dedly hate fer is among1 hem [207] II and furfer ouer fey schullen haue defaute of* alle maner delites U ffor why delices ben fe appetites of1 fe .v. wittes U as sight1, heeryng1. smellyng1. Sauor- yng1 . and touching1 . [208] but1 in helle here sighte schal be ful of1 derknesse and of1 smoke and ful of1 teeres and here heerynge ful of1 waymentynge and of1 gruntynge of1 teef as saif ihesu cn'sf [209] here nose frillies schuln ben ful of1 stynke IT And as saif Isaye f e prophefe 11 here sauorynge schal be ful of1 bitter galle [210] and touching1 of1 here body ycouered wif fuyre fat1 neuer schal be quenched And wif wormes fat1 neuere / schullen deyen as god saif by f e mouj? of1 Isaye [211] U And for as moche as fey schuln nou3f wene isayo fat4 fey may deyen for peyne and by here def flee fro peyne fat1 may fey vnderstonde in fe word of1 lob fat1 saif . fer as is fe schadewe of1 def [212] 1T Certes a schadewe haf fe liknes of1 fe fing1 of1 which it / is schadewe 11 buf schadewe nys nought1 f e same fing1 of1 which if is schadewe [213] II right1 so faref fe peyne of1 helle hit1 is y-like def for f e anguyssche orrible And why H ffor if peynef hem euere as f ough men schullen deyen) anon But1 certes fey schuln nought1 deyen [214] U fFor as saif seinf Gregory to wrecchede Caytyf s synful schal ben def wif outen def and ende wifouten ende H And defaute wifouten faylinge [215] H ffor here def schal alway lyue IT And hero ende schal eueremorebegynne. and here def ante schal nought1 faile [216] U And f erf ore saif Seint lohn ioha«n«» euown- euawngelist1 U They schullen folwe def and fey schuln nought1 fynden him U and fey desiren to deye and def schal flee fro hem [217] U And eek1 lob saif fat* in helle lob is non ordre of1 reule. [218] and al be if so faf god haf created alle fing1 in right ordre and no fing1 wif- 43 CORPUS 616 (6-T. 603)

SIX-TEXT 604

GIG GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.

outen ordre U But1 alle finges ben ordeigned 1and nom- bred U jet nafeles fey fat1 ben dampned ben no fing1 in ordre ne holden non ordre [219] U ffor fe erfe schal bere hem no fruyt1 [220] ffor as fe prophefo saij) Dauid. god schal destruye fe fruyt1 of1 fe erthe as fro hem NQ water schal jeue hem no moysture ne fe aier no refreissching1 . ne fuyr no light1 [221] 11 ffor as saif seint1 Basile U The brennyng1 of1 fe fuyr of1 fis world schal god jeuen in helle to hem fat1 ben dampned [222] U But1 fe light and fe clernesse schal be jouen in to heuene to his children U Right1 as f e goode man Belief fleissfi to his children and bones to his houndes [223] U And for fey schullen haue non hope to eschape saif

Iob lob. at1 fe laste fat fer schal horrour and grisly drede

dwelle wif outen ende [224] II horrour is alway drede of1 harme fat1 is to come . and fis drede schal euere dwello in fe hertes of1 hem fat1 ben dampned U And ferfore han fay lorne alle here hope for .vij. causes [225] U ffirst1 for god fat1 is here luge schal be wifoutera mercy to hem. ne fey may nought1 please him ne non of1 his halwes ne fey may $yue no fing1 for here raunson [226] ne fay haue no voys / to speke to him. ]STe fey may nou^fr flee fro peyne . ne fay haue no goodnesse in hem fat1 fay may schewe to delyuere hem fro peyne

Salomon [227] And f erf ore saif Salomon H The wikkede man

deyef . and whan he is deed f he schal haue non hope to eskape fro peyne [228] H Who so schame wel wolde vn- derstande fese peynes and befinke him wel fat1 he haf disserued filke peynes for his synnes Certes he schulde haue more talent1 to syke and to wepe. fen for to syngen and to pleye [229] U ffor as seif Salomon U Who so fat1 hadde f e science for to knowe f o peynes fat1 ben establissched and ordeyned for synne f he wolde make sorwe. [230] filke science as seif seint1 austyn makef a man to weymenten in his herte

[231] U The .iiijc. poynt1 fat1 oughte make a man

CORPUS 61G (6-T. 604) [Meaf2G5J

SIX-TEXT C05

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. 617

haue contricion is f e sorweful remembraunce of1 f e good fat/ he haf lost/ to doon heere in erfe and eek1 fe good fat* he ha]? lorn [232] U Sofly fe goodo werkes fat1 he haf losttf eyfer fey ben fe goode werkes fat1 he wrought1 er he felle in to dedly syiino U Or elles f e goode werkes fat1 he wrought1 whil he lay in synne [233] U Sofly fe goode werkes fat1 he dide biforn fat1 he fylle in synne ben alle mortefied and astonyed and dulled by fe ofte synnynge // [234] fat1 ofer goode werkes fat1 he wroughte whiles he lay in synne fey ben outerly deede as to f e lyff1 /perdurable in heuene [235] U fenne filke goode werkes fat1 ben mortefyed by often synnyng1 whiche goode werkes he dide whiles he was in charite ne mowen neuere quyken a^ein wifouten verray penytence [236] II And ferof1 saith god by fe mouf of1 Ezechielle fat1 is Jfe rightful man re- tourne a^ein from his rightwisnesse and to wirche wikked- nesse schal he lyue [237] nay. ffor alle fe goode werkes fat1 he haf wrou^t / ne schuln neuer ben in remembrance ffor he schal deye in his synne [238] H And vpon filke chapitre seif Seint1 Gregori fus fat1 we schulde vnder- stande fis principally [239] fat1 whenne we doon deedly synne it1 is for nought farcne to reherse or drawe in to memorie f e goode werkes fat1 we han wrought1 byforne [240] U ffor certes in fe werkinge of1 dedly synne / f er is no triste / to no good werk1 fat1 we han don toforne fat1 is to sayn as for to haue ferby fe lyff1 per durable in heuene [241] [ . . ,

no gap in the MS.] whan we

han contncion [242] U But1 sofely fe goode werkes fat1 men don whiles fat1 fey ben in dedly synne for as mocho as fey weren don in dedly synne fey may neuer quiken a3ein [243] H ffor certes fing1 fat1 neuer haf lyff1 may neuere quyke U And nafeles al be it1 fat1 fey ne auailen nought1 to han fe lyff1 perdurable? ^et1 auailen

CORPUS 617 (6-T. 605) [» leaf 265, back]

SIX-TEXT 606

€18 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.

fey to abreggen of f e peyne of1 helle or elles to geten tempers! richesse [244] U Or elles fat1 god wol fe rafere enlumyne and lightne fe herte of1 fe synful maw to han repentance. [245] and eek1 fey auaylen for to vsen a man to doon good werke fat1 fe feende haue fe lesse power of1 Ms soule [246] U and fus fe curteyse lord ihesu cn'st1 ne wol fat1 no good werk1 be loste II ffor in somwhat1 it* schal auayle [247] If But1 for as moche fe goode werkes fat1 men don whiles fey ben in good lijf1 ben al mortefyed by synno folwynge II And eek1 sef enes alle f e goode werkes fat1 men doon whiles fey ben in dedly synne ben outrely deede as for to haue f e lyff1 perdurable f [248] wel may fat man fat1 no good werk1 ne dof Synge f ilke newe f reissche song1 . lay tout* perdu mon temps & mon labour [249] U ffor certes synne byreuef a man goodnesse and nature and eek1 fe goodnesse of1 grace [250] If ffor sofe f e grace of1 f e holy gost1 faref as fuyr fat1 may nou^t1 ben ydel ffor fuyr faylef anon as it forlesef his wirch-

inge [ no gap

in the MS.] [251] fenne lesef fe synful man fe goodnesse of1 glory fat1 oonly is benight1 to goode men fat1 labouren and werken [252] 11 Wel may he be sory fenne fat* oweth alle his lyf f1 to god as lange as he lyueth haf lyued and eek1 als longe as he schal lyue fat1 no goodnesse ne haf to paye wif his dette to god to whom he owef alle his lyff1 [253] U ffor truste wel he schal 3iue acountes as saif seint1 Bernard of1 alle f e goodes fat1 han ben ^ouen him in f is . present1 lyff1 ,/ and how he haf hem dispended [254] nought1 so moche f at1 /fer schal nought1 perissche an heer of1 his heede ne a moment of1 an houre ne schal not1 perissche of1 his tyme fat1 he ne schal ^iue of1 hit1 a rekenyng1

[255] U The vte. fing1 fat1 oughte meue a man Jto contricion is remembrance of1 fe passion fat1 oure lord ihesu crist1 suffred for oure synnes [256] H ffor as saif seint1 Bernard U Whil fat1 I lyue I schal haue remeni-

COllPUS 618 (6-T. 606) [MeafHWJ

SIX-TEXT 607

GROUP 1, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. 619

brance of* f e trauailes fat1 oure lord ihesu mst1 suffred in prechinge [257] his werynesse in trauaillynge. his tempt- acions whan he fasted his longe wakinges when he prayed his teeres when fat1 he wepte for pite of1 good peple [258] If fe woo and fe schame and fe filthe fat1 men seyden to him ofte foulo spittyng* fat1 men spitten on his face U of* fe buffettes pat* men ^euen him U of* fe foule mouthes and of1 fe re- preues pat* men to him say den [259] II Of1 fe nayles wif fe whiche he was nayled to fe cros and of1 alle f e remenantf of1 his passion fat1 he suffrede for my synnes and no fing< for his gilte [260] IT And 30 schuln vnder- stonde fat1 in mannes synne is euery maner ordre of1 ordinance turned vp so doun [261] ffor it is sop fat1 god and reson and sensualite and fe body of1 man ben so ordeyned fat1 euerich of* fise. .iiij. finges/ schulde haue lordschipe ouer fat1 ofer [262] and fus god schulde haue lordschipe ouer reson and reson ouer sensualite and sensualite ouer fe body of1 man [263] U And sofly whan man synnef f al fis ordre of* ordinance is turned vp so don [264] IT And f erf ore f anne for as moche as f e reson of1 man wol nought1 be subget1 ne obeissant1 to god fat1 is his lord by right1 f f er- fore leesef it1 fe lordschipe fat1 it1 schulde haue in sensualite and eeke ouer fe body of1 man [265] IT And whi U ffor sensualite rebellef fanne a^ein reson And by fat1 wey lesef reson his lordschipe ouer sensualite and ouer fe body [266] U ffor right1 as reson is rebelle to god Eight1 so is bofe sensualite rebel to reson and fe body also [267] U And certes fis ordinance and fis rebellion oure lord ihesu m'st1 aboughte vpon his precious body ful dere herkenef in which wise [268] H ffor as meche fanne is resoun rebelle to godf fer- fore is man worfi to haue sorwe and to be deed [269] 11 This sufired oure lord ihesu for man after fat1 he hadde be betrayed of1 his disciple and destreyncd &

CORPUS 619 (6-T. 607)

SIX-TEXT 608

620 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.

bounde so fat* fe blood brasf out1 at* euery nayl of1 his handes as seij> seint1 Austyn [270] U And forfe?-more for as moche as resoii of1 man wol nought1 daunte sensu- alite whenne it* may H Therfore is man worf y to haue schame and f is suffrede oure lord ihesu cn'st* for man when fey spetten in his visage / [271] U And furfer more for as moche fanne as fe caytiff* body of1 man is rebello bof e to reson and to sensualite U fe?ibre it1 is worfy f o def [272] U And fis suffred oure lord ihesu cn'st* for man vppon f e crosse where as f er was no part1 of1 his body fre wifouten gret* peyne and bitter passion / [273] and al fis suffrede ihesu cmt* fat1 neuer forfeted

[

. . no gap in the MS.] U To mechil am I peyned for fo same finges 1fat) I neuer deserued and to mochil defouled for frendschipe fat* man is worfy to haue. [274] And fer- fore may fe synful man wel say as saif seint Bernard.

Acursed be f e bitternes [

. . . . » . . no gap in the MS.] [275] U ffor certes after fe diuers discordaunces of1 oure wikkednesse was f e passion of* Ihesu cn'st* y-ordeyned in diuerse f inges [276] as fus Certe} synful mannes soule bytraysed of* fe deuel by coueytise of* temperel prosperite / and scorned by disceyte when he chesef flesschly delites / and $et* is he tormented by inpacience of aduersite U And bispette H By seruage in subiectiown of* synne U And atte laste if is slayn fynally [277] for this disordynance of* synful man was ihesu cn'st* first* by trayed U And after fat* was he bounde fat1 came for to vnbynde vs of* synne and of* peyne [278] U Thanne was he by-scorned fat* only schulde be honoured in alle f inges of* alle finges [279] fenne was his visage fat* oughte be desired to be seyn of* alle mankynde in which visage aungeles desiren to loken. vileynesly byspette [280] U Thenne was he scourged fat* nofing* hadde gilt* U and fynally fenne was he crucified & slayn [281] U Thenne was he acompliced fe

CORPUS 620 (6-T. 608) C1 leaf 266, back]

SIX-TEXT 609

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. 621

wordes of1 Isaye U he was wounded for

cure mysdedes and defouled by oure vileynies [282]

U Now sefenes fat1 ihesu msfr took1 vpon himself1 fe

peyne of1 alle oure wickednesses! Mochil oughte synful

ma??, bywepe and bywayle fat1 for his synnes goddes sone

of1 heuene schulde alle fis peyne endure [283] U The sixte

f ing1 fat1 oughte meue a man to contn'cion is f e hope vj» ca«m do con-

of1 .iij. finges. fat1 is to sayn. for^euenes of1 synne

[. ...... . no gap in the MS.] and fe glorie of1

heuene wif fe which god schal guerdon man for his

goode deedes* [284] H and for as moche as ihesu cmt*

$euef vs fese ^iftes of1 his largesse and of1 his souereyn

bountef f erf. ore is he cleped Ihesus nazarenws rex

iudeorwra [285] Ihesus is for to sayn sauyowr of1 sa-

uacion on whom men schuln hope to haue for^euenesse of1

synnes which fat1 is proprely sauacioun of1 synnes

[286] H And f erf ore sayde fe aungel to loseph U fou

clepest1 his name ihesus fat1 schal saue his poeple of1 hero

synnes [287] U And her of1 seif seint1 Petre U Ther nys

non ofer name vnder heuene fat1 is ^oue to any man

by which a man may be saued but1 only by ihesus [288]

nazerenws is as moche to seyn as florissching1 in

which a man schal hope fat1 he fat1 ^euef him remission

of1 synnes schal }iue also him grace wel to do IT ffor

in fe flour is hope of1 fruyf in tyme comynge. and in

for^iuenesse of synnes is hope of1 grace wel to do [289] H I

was at1 f e dore of1 fin herte / saif ilic and cleped for to

entre U he fat1 openef to me schal haue for^iuenesse oF

synne / [290] I wol entre to him by my grace and

soupe wif him by fe goode werkes fat he schal doon

whiche werkes ben fe foode of1 god and he schal soupe

with1 [2me bi the grete ioye / that1 shal be yove to him || [29 1] [i Corpus MS.

Thus shal man hope for his werkes of penaunce / [f Arch. Seia. B.

god sholde yeve him his regne as he bihoteth him / in the J

gospel /

[292] Now shal man vnderstonde / in which

CORPUS, p. 621, AND SELDEN B. 14 (6-T. 609)

SIX-TEXT 610

622 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

manere shal be his contricion || I seie that hit shal be vniuersale & totale / this is to seine a man shal be verry repentaunt / 1for alle his synnes that he hath done / in delite of his thought for delite is ful perilous / [293] ffor ther ben two manere of consentynges / that oon of hem is cleped consenting of affeccioura / whan a man is meved to do synne / & deliteth him longe for to thenke on that synne / [294] he hath reson that perceivetfc wel that hit is synne ageynste the lawe of god / [ . . . ., . .

no gap in the MS.] al though

his reson ne consente nat to do the synne in dede / [295] yit seine somme doctours / that suche delite that duellith longe is ful perilous / al be it neuer so lite / [296] And also a man sholde sorowe for al that euer he hath desired ayeines the lawe of god with perfite consentynge of resouw / ffor ther-of is no doute / that hit is dedly synne / in consentynge / [297] ffor certes ther is no dedly synne / but hit is first in man-is thoughte / & after that in his delite / and so forthe in-to consentynge / & in-to dede / [298] wherfore I seie that many men repente hem neuere of suche thoughtes / & delites / ne neuere shriven hem of hit / but only of the dede || of grete synnes outwarde || [299] wherfore I seie that suche wikked delites / & wikked thoughtes / ben subtile begillours of hem that shullen be dampned / [300] More-ouere a man oughte to sorowe for his wikked wordes / as wel as for his wikked dedes || ffor certes the repentaunce of a singuler synne / and nought repent of al his other synnes or ellis repente him of alle his other synnes / & nat of a singuler synne / may nought availe || [301] ffor certes almyghti god is al good / And therfore he for-yevith al / or elles right nought / [302] Austyne. And herof seith seint Austyne / 1 wote certeynly [303] that god is enemy to euery synne / And how than he that observith . oo synne shal he haue foryeuenesse of tho SELDEN (for Corpus 622) (6-T. 610) P leaf 276]

SIX-TEXT 611

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 623

remenaunt of his other synnes / Nay f [304] And f either ouere contricion sholde be wonder sorowful / & ang- uysshous / & therfore yevith him god pleynly his mercy / And therfore whan my soule was anguysshous withinne me / I had remembraunce of god / that my pray ere myghte come to him / [305] fforther ouere contricion must be contenuel / & that man haue sted- fast p^£rpos to shriven him / & for to amende him of his liff / [306] ffor sothely whiles contricion lasteth man may 1haue hope of foryeuenesse / And of this cometh hate of synne / that distroyeth synne in him selff / & eke in other folke / as to his powere / [307] ffor whiche seith Dauid / ye that louen god / hateth wikkednesse / ffor trusteth wel to love god / is for to love that he loueth / & hate that he hatetft ||

[308] The laste thing that men shulle vnderstonde in contricion is this / wherof avayleth" contricion / I seye that somtyme contricion delyuereth" a man from synne / [309] off whiche that Dauid seith / I seye quod. Dauid that is to seie / I purposed fermely to shrive me and thow lord relesedist my synne / [310] And right so as contricion availeth nought withoute sadd pwrpos of

shriffte / [ no gap in the MS.]

or satisfaccion withoute contricion / [311] And more-ouere contricion distroyeth the prison of helle / & maketh weyke & febleth" the strengethes of the deueles / & restoreth" the yifftes of the holy goste & of alle goode vertues / [312] & clensith the soule of synne / & delyuereth the soule fro the peyne of helle / & fro the companye of the deuel / & fro the seruage of synne / & restoreth to alle goodes espirituels / & to the companye of communyon of holy chirche / [313] And ferther-ouere hit makyth him that was whilom the sone of synne / & Ire / to ben the sone of grace / & alle these thinges ben prevecl bi holy writte / [314] And therfore he that wol sette his entent to these thinges / he were ful

SELDEN (for Corpus 623) (6-T. 61l) C1 leaf 276, back]

SIX-TEXT 612

624 GROUP I, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

wise / ffor sothe he sholde nought than in al his liff haue corage to synne / but yeve his "body / & al his herte to the sendee of Ihesu criste / & therof don him homage / [315] ffor sothly oure swete lord Ihesu criste he sparith vs so dehonerly in oure folies / that if he ne had pite of man-is soule / a sori songe myghte we alle synge /

Explicit prima pars penitencie / If & seqwitur secwida.

T

Ihe secunde parte of penaunce / is confession / that is signe of contricion / [317] Now shulle ye vnderstonde what is confession / And whether hit oughte nedes to ben or noon / & whiche thinges ben couenable to verry confession /

[318] ffirst shalt thow vnderstonde that confession is verry shewynge of synnes to the preste / [319] That is to sey verry / that he mote confessen him / of alle the condicions that be-longen 1 to his synne / as f erf orth as he can / [320] al mote be seide / & no thircg excused ne hidde / ne for-wrapped / & nought auaunte him of his goodo werkes / [321] And fer-ther-ouere it is necessarie to vnder stonde / whens that synnes springen / & how thei encresen / and whiche they ben

f Pouie. [322] of the springyng of synnes / as seith seint Poule

on this wise / That right as bi a man synne entred in-to this world first / & thorugh that synne deide / right so thilke deth entreth in-to alle men that synneden [323] And this man was Adam / bi whom the synne entred in-to this world / whan that he breke the commaundemeftt of god / [324] And therfore he that first was so myghti / that he sholde nat haue deide / bi-cam suche oon that he most nedes deye / whether he wolde or noon / & al his progenye that is in this worlde / that in thilke manere synnen 1 1 [3 2 5 ] Loke that in the estate of innocence / whan Adam & Euo

SELDEN (for Corpus 624) (6-T. 612) P leaf 277]

SIX-TEXT 613

GROUP I. §2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 625

naked were in paradise / & nothing ne hadden shame of here nakednesse / [326] how that the serpent that was moste wyly of al other bestes that god had maked seide to the womman || Commaunded god to yow / ye sholde nought eten of euery tre in paradise / [327] The woman answerde / of the fruyte quod she of the trees in paradise we feden vs / but sothly of the fruyte of the tre that is in the myddel of paradise / god forbede vs / for to eten ne to touche it / lest perauenture we sh olden deye / [328] The serpent seide to the woman / nay nay / ye shol not deye of deth / ffor sothe god wote / that what day ye eten therof youre eyghen shul open / & ye shul be as godes knowynge goode & harme / [329] The woman saw that the tre was goodo to fedynge / & faire to the eyghe / & dilectable to the sighte / she toke of the fruyte of the tre & ete of it || & yaf it to hir housbond & he ete / And anoon the eyghen of hem bothe opened / [330] And whan that they knewe / that thei weren naked / thei sowed of fyge leves in nianero of breches to hiden here membres || [331] Here may ye so that dedly synne hath first suggestion of the fende / as shewitB. here bi the adder / & affterward the delite of the flesshe / as shewith here bi Eua / And f Adam, affter that the consentinge of the reson / as shewith bi Adam / [332] ffor trusteth Jwel though so were that the fende tempted oon / that is to seie / the flesshe /And the flesshe had delite in the beaute of the fruyte defended || yit certes til that reson / that is to seie Adam con sented to the etyng of the fruyte / yit stode thei in the higfte state of Innocence || [333] Off thilke Adam toke we thilke synne origynal / for of him flesshely discended ben we alle / & engendred of vile & corrupte matire / [334] And whan the soule is put in-to oure body / right anoon is con- tracte original synne / And that was erst but only peyne of concupiscence / is afterward both peyno & synne / [335] And therfore ben we alle I-borne sones of

SELDEN (for Corpus 625) (6-T. 613) C1 leaf 277, back]

SIX-TEXT 614

626 GROUP I, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

wrathe & of dampnacion perdurable / if it nere baptymo that we receiven / whiche bynemytll vs the culpe / but for sothe the peyne dwellitn" with vs / as the temptacion / whiche peyne hight concupiscence / [336] And this concupiscence whan it is wrongfully disposed / or ordey ned in man / hit makith him coueite couetise of flesshely synne bi sight of his eyghen/and toerthely thinges/And ekecoueitiseof highnesso bi pride of herte /

[337] Now as for to speke of the first coueitise / that is concupiscence after the lawe of oure membres / that weren lawfully maked / & bi rightful iuge- ment of god / [338] I seie for-asmeche as man is nought obeisaunt to god / that is his lord / Therfore is his flesshe to him disobeisaunte / thorugh concupiscence / [

[339] ....'.'..'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.

. . . . no gap in the MS.] hit is impossible but he be distempered somtyme / & noyede in his flesshe to synne / [340] & this thing may nought faile / as longe as he leuetfi. / it may wexe feble & faile / bi vertu of baptime / & bi the grace of god / thorugh penaunce / [341] but fully shal it neuere quenche / that he ne shal so?ft- tyme be meved in him silff || but if he were refreynede bi p «vj sikenesse / 1 of bi malifice of sorcerie / or colde drynkes /

frouie. [342] fior what seith seint Poule / The flesshe coueiteth

ayeine the spirit / & the spirit ayeine the flesshe / thei ben so contrarie / & so striven / that a man may nought don alwey / as he wolde / [343] The same seith seint Poule / after his grete penaunce in water & in lande / In water bi night & bi daie in grete perile / & grete peyne / In lande in famyne / thruste / in colde and in 2 clothes wantynge/& ones stoned almost tothedethe [344] yit seide he alas I caytiff man / who shal delyuer me fro the prison •fierome of my caytiff body / [345] And seint lerome whan he

longe tyme had woned in deserte / where as he had no companye but bestes / where as he had

SELDEN (for Corpus 626) (6-T. 614) [2 leaf 278]

SIX-TEXT 615

GROUP! §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 627

no mete but erbes / & water to his drinke / ne no bedde but the naked erthe / ffor whiche his flesshe was blak as an Ethiopen for hete & nygh distruyed for colde / [346] yit seide he that the brennynge of lecherie boiled in al his body / [347] wherfore I woote wel sekerly that thei ben disceived / that seine / that thei ne ben nought tempted in here body / [348] wittenesse of seint lame thappostel / that seith that euery wight is tempted in his owne con cupiscence / that is to seie / that eueryche of vs hath matire & occasion to be tempted / of the norisshinge of synne that is in his body || [349] And therfore seith seint lohn %iohnEua«g. the Euangelist if that we seyne that we ben withouten synne we disceiven oure silff / & trouthe is nought in vs / [350] Now shol ye vnderstonde in what manere synne wexeth & encreseth in man || The first thing is the norisshinge of synne / of which I spak of biforne thilke flesshely concupiscence / [351] And after that cometh the suggestion of the Deuel / this is to seie the deuel-is bely / with which he blowitfi. in man / the fire of flesshely concupiscence / [352] And after that a man bi- thinketh him / whether he wol do or noon thilke thinge / to which he is tempted || [353] And than if a man with-stande / & weive the firste entisinge of his flessh / & of the fende / than is hit no synne / And if so be that he do nat so / than felith he anoon / a flamme of delite / [354] & than is hit goode to be- ware & kepe him wel / or elles he wol falle anoon / in-to consentynge of synne / & than wol he do hit / if he may haue tyme and place |[ [355] And of this matire seith Moyses bi the deuel in this manere / The fende seith I wol chace & pursue man bi wikked suggestiones / & I wol hente him / bi movynge or sterynge of synne / And I wol departe my prise or my preye bi de- liberacion / & my lust shal be accomplesshed in delite / I wol drawe my swerde in consentynge / [356] ffor 'certes right as a swerde depa?*tcth a thinge in two peces || Right

SELPEN (for Corpus G27) (6-T. 615) [i leaf 278, back]

SIX-TEXT GIG

628 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

so consentynge departeth" god fro man / And than wol I sle him with myn honde / in dethe of synne / thus seith the fende / [357] ffor certes than is a man al dede in soule / and thus is synne complesshed bi teinpt- acion / bi delite / & bi consentinge / and than is synne cleped actuel /

[358] Ffor sothe synne is in two maneres / outlier it is venial synne / or dedly synne / Sothely whan man louotli any creature / more than ihesu criste oure creatoure / than is it dedly synne / And venial synne is if man loue ihesu criste lesse than him oughte || [359] ffor sothe the dede of this venial synne / is f til perilous / ffor hit amennseth" the loue that men sholde haue to god more & more / [360] And therfore if a man charge more him silff / with many suche venial sinnes / certes but if it so be / that he som- tyme discharge him of hem bi shriffte / thei may ful lightly amennse in him al the loue / that he hath to ihesu criste / [36 1] & in thiswise skippith venial synne / in-to dedly synne || ffor certes the more that a man chargeth his soule with venial synnes / the more is he enclyned to falle in dedly synne / [362] And therfore lat vs not be necligent to prouerbium . discharge vs of venial synnes / tfor the prouerbe seith That many smale makith a grete / [363] And herke^ this ensample / A grete wawe of the see / cometh somtyme with so grete a violence / that hit drenchith the shippe /

. [in And the same harme doth somtyme / the smale dropes

n lute /iuttti.~\

of water / that entren thorugh a litil crevise / in-to the thurroke / & in-tq the botme of the shippe / if men be so necligent / that men ne discharge hem nought be tyme || [364] And therfore al-though ther be a difference bitwene these two causes of drenchynge / algates the shippe is dreynte || [365] Right so farith hit somtyme of dedly synne / & of anoyous venial synnes / whan thei multiplie in a man so gretly / that thilke worldly thinges that he louetfr / thorugh whiche he synneth venially / is as grete in his herte / as the loue of god or more / [366]

SELDEN (for Corpus 628) (6-T. 616)

SIX-TEXT 617

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 629

And therf ore the loue of euery thinge / that is not bisette in god / ne don principally for godis sake / al-though a man loue it lasse than god / yit is it venial synne / [367] And dedly synne is / whan the loue of any thinge Jweyeth in the herte of a man / as meche as the loue of god or more / [368] Dedly synne as seith seint Austyne f Austyno is whan a man turnetn" his herte from god / whic[h]e that is verry souereyne "bounte / that may nat chaunge / & yevith his herte to a thinge that may chaunge / & flitte || [369] And certes that is euery thinge saue only god of heuen || fibr sothe is / if that a man yeve his loue / the whiche that he owith al to god / with al his herte / vn-to a creature / certes as meche of his loue as he yevith [....] to that creature / so meche he birevith from god / [370] & ther- fore doth" he synne / ffor he that is dettour to god / ne yeldeth nought al his dette to god / that is to seine al the loue of his herte /

[371] Now sithen that a man vnderstondeth generally whiche is venial synne || Than is it couenable to tellen of special sinnes whiche that many a man perauenturo denietn" hem no synnes / ne shriven hem nat of the same thinges / & yit natheles thei ben synnes / [372] sothely as these clerkes writen / this [is]2 to seine / [2 a word (is?)

erased here.]

that euery tyme that a man etetfi. or drinketB more than sufficeth to the sustenaunce of his body / in certeine he doth" synne / [373] And eke whan he speketfi. more than hit neditfi. / it is sinne || Eke whan he herkeneth nought mekely the compleynte of the pore || [374] Eke whan he is in hele of body & wol nought faste / whan other men faste withouten cause resonable || Eke whan he slepetfr more than him nedith || or whan he cometfi bi thilke encheson late to chirche / or to other good werkes of charite / [375] Eke whan he vsith his wiff / withouten souereyne desire of engendrure to the honour of god / or for thentent to yelde to his wiff the the (sic) dette of his body / [376] Eke whan he wol nought visite thesike/or prisoners whan he may ||

SELDEN (for Corpus 629) (6-T. 617) C1 leaf 279]

SIX-TEXT 618

630 GROUP I, §2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

Eke if he loue wiff or cliilde or any worldly thinge / more than reson requirith / Eke if he fiatre or blandisshe / more than him oughte / for any necessite || [377] Eke if he amennsetli or withdrawith the almes of the pore || Eke if he apparaileth his mete more deliciously than nede is / or ete hit to hastily bi likerous- nesse || [378] Eke if he telle vanitees at the chirche or

tydeiwordes. in godes seruise / or that he be a talker of ydel wordes of folie / or of vilonye / for he shal yelde accou[m]ptes of it at the daie of dome / [379] Eke whan he biheteth or assureth" to do thinges / that he may not * performe || Eke whan that bi lightnesse of folie misseietrl or scorneth his neighbour / [380] Eke whan he hath any susspecion of thinge / there as he woote of it no soth- fastnesse || [381] These thiwges & mo withouten nombre

t Austyne. ben synnes as seith seint Austin

[382] Now shul men vnderstonde that al be it so / that noon erthely man may eschewe al venial synnes / yit may he refreyne him bi the brennynge loue that he hath to oure lorde Thesu criste / & bi praiere / & bi confession / & other goode workes / so that it shal but litel greve / [383] ffor as seith seint Austyne || If a man loue god / in suche manere / that al that euere he dothe is in the loue of god / or for the loue of god verrily || ffor he brennethinthe loue of god || [384] loke howmeche meche that a drope of water that fallith in a furneys ful of fire anoyeth or grevith / so meche a venial synne isvn-toaman/thatis perfite intheloveof ourelordihesu criste || [385] Men may also refreyne venial synne / bi the resseivinge of the precious body of ihesu criste / [386] bi resseivinge eke of holy water / bi almes-dede / bi the general confession of the Confiteor at the masse / & at the Complyne / and bi blissinge of Busshopes / and of prestes & bi other goode werkes /

SELDEN (for Corpus 630) (6-T. 618) C1 leaf 279, buck]

SIX-TEXT 619

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 631

De septem peccatis mortalibi^s & eorwm &c

[387]

w is it bihouely thinge / to tellen whiche ben

the .vij. dedly synnes / that is to seyne cheveteynes of synnes / but alle thei renne in Ooles / but in dyuers maners / Now ben thei cleped cheveteynes / for-as-meche as thei ben cheff / & of hem springen alle other synnes / [388] of the rote of these .vij. sinnes / than is pride the general rote of alle harmes / ffor of this rote springen certeine branches / as Ire / Enuye / accidie / or slouthe / Auarice / or couetise to comune vnderstondiwg / Gloteneye / & Lecherie / [389] And eueryche of these cheff synnes hath his branches & his twigges / as shal be declared in here chapitres folwynge /

[Of Pride, and its Twigs.1]

[390] And though so be that no man can vtterly telle the nombre of the twigges & of the harmes that comyn of pride / yit wol I shewe a parte of hem as ye shul vnderstonde [391] || There is Inobedience || Avauntynge / Ypocrisie || Despite || Arrogaunce/ Imprudence || Swellinge of

herte || Insolence || Elacion || [

. . . no gap in the MS.] Partinacie || Veynglorie || &

many a-nother twigge that I can nat declare || [392] Ino-

bedient is he / that disobeyetfc for dispite to the commaunde- «f inobedient

ment of god / & to his souereynes / & to his gostly

fader || [393] Auauntour is he that bosteth of the harme f Auauntour

or of the bounte / that he hath don / [394] ypocrisie is

he that hideth him / to shewe him / suche as he is / and

shewitfi him suche as he is not || [395] Dispitous t Dispitous

is he that hath disdeine of his neighbours / that is to

seine / of his euen cristen / or hath dispite to do / that

him oughte to do || [396] Arrogaunt is he / that thinketh if Arrogaunt.

that he hath thilke bounte in him / that he hath nought / or

44 SELDEN (for Corpus 631) (6-T. 619) [Ueaf280]

herte .

TI lusoicnt . 1 Eiacion t impacient IContymax T[ Presumption

t irreuerent f pertynacy •I vayngiorie

SIX-TEXT 620

632 GROUP!, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

wenetR that he sholde haue hem bi his desertes / or ellis that he weneth that he be that he nys nought / [397] In- pudent is he that for his pride hath 'no shame for his synne || [398] Swelling of herte is he / whan a man reioyseth him / of harme that he hath don || [399] Inso- lent is he / that dispisetfi. in his iugement alle other folke / as to the regarde of his value / & of his coimynge / & of his spekynge / & of his berynge || [400] Elacion is / whan he may neither suffre to haue maister ne felawe || [401] Impacient is he / that wol nought be taughte ne vnder- nome of his vice / & bi striff werreth trouthe wetingly / & maynteneth his folie || [402] Contymax is he that thorugh his indignacion / is ayeins eueryche autorite or power of hem that ben his souereynes || [403] Pre- sumpcion is he / whan a man taketh an emprise / that him ought not to do / or ellis he may it not do / & that is called surquidrie || Irreuerent is whan a man doth not honour / there-as him oughte to do / & waiteth to be reuerensed || [404] Pertynacy is whan a man defehditn" his folie / & trusteth to meche his owne witte || [405] Vayneglorie is for to haue pompe / & delite in temporel richesse / & glorifieth hem in worldly estates || [406] langelynge is / whan a man speketh to meche r/ to fore- folke- & clappeth" as a Mille / & taketh no kepe what he seith

1[4°7] an(^ yit *s there a prive spice of pride / that waiteth first to be halowed / er he wol be saluwed / al be he lasse worth than that other is perauenture / & eke waiteth or desireth" to sitte or to go above / him in the weie / or kisse pax / or be ensensed / or go to offringe / to fore his neighboure || [408] & suche [ . . .

» ..... no gap in the MS.] a proude desire to be magnified / & honoured bifore the peple ||

[409] Now ben ther two maners of pride / that oon of hem is withinne the herte of man / & that

SELDEN (for Corpus 632) (6-T. 620) C1 leaf 280; buck]

SIX-TEXT 621

GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 633

other is withoute / [410] off whiche sothely the for-

seide thinges & mo than I haue seide ape?-tynent to

pride / that is in the herte of man / And therto other spices

of pride ther ben withoute / [411] but natheles oon

of these spices of pride is signe of that other || Eigh.t

as the gay levesel at the tauernes is signe of the wyne /

that is in the seler || [412] And this is in many thinges /

as in speche / & in contena?zces / & in outrageous aray of

clothinge / [413] ffor certes if it nadde be no synne /

in clothinge /Criste wold nought so soone haue noted & spoke of

the clothinge / of thilke riche man in the gospel || [414] And

as seint Gregorie seith That precious clothe is cou- fGregorie,

pable / for the derth of hit / & for his softenesse / &

for his strangenesse / & for his disgisinesse / & for the super-

fluyte / or for the inordynaunte scantnesse / [. . . [415]

no gap in the MS.]

[416] As to the first synne /that is in superfluyte of clothing whiche that makith hit so dere / to harme of the peple / [417] nat onely the coste of enbroudyng / the degise endentyng or barryng / owndyng / palyng / or bendynge / & semblable waste of clothynge / in vanite || [418] But ther is also costlewe furrynge in here gownes / so meche pounsyng of cheseles to make hooles / so meche daggynge of sheres / [419] forth with the superfluyte in lengthe of the forseide gownes / trail ing in the donge / & in the myre / on hors & eke on foote / as wel of man / as of womman / that al thilke trailynge is verrily as in effecte wasted & consumed / thred- bare & roten / with donge / rather than it is yoven to the pore / to grete damage of the forseide pore folke / [420] & that in sondry wise || this is to seie / the more that clothe is wasted / the more mot hit coste to the peple /for the scarsenesse || [421] *And forther-oue/! if it so be that thei wolde yeven suche pounsed &

SELDEN (for Corpus 633) (6-T. 62l) C1 leaf 281]

SIX-TEXT 622

634 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

dagged clothinge / to the pore folke / it is nought conuenient to were for here estate / ne sufficeaunt to bete here necessite / to kepe hem from thedistemperaunce of the colde firmament || [422] On that other side to speke of the disordinat scantnesse of clothing / as ben these cutted sloppes or hanse lynes that thorugh" here shortnes ne coueren not there shameful membres of man / to wikked entent / [423] Alias some of hem shewen the shappe & the boce / of the orrible swollen membres / that semetft I-like to the maladie of hirnya in the wrapping of here hoses/ [424] and eke the buttokes of hem that faren / as it were the hinder parte of a she Ape / in the ful of the moone / [425] And more-ouer the wreched swolle membres / that thei shewe thorugh disgisyng / in departynge of here hoses white & rede / semeth that halff here privy membres were flayne / [426] And if so be that thei departen here hoses in other colours / as is white & black / or white & blewe / or blak & rede / & so f orthe / [42 7] than semeth hit as bi variaunce of coloure / that halfF the partie of his priue membres ben corrupte / bi the fire of seint Antoriye or bi Cancre / or bi suche other meschaunces / [428] Yit of the hinder parte of here buttokes / it is ful orrible to se / ffor certes in that partie of here bodie / there as thei purgen here stinkynge ordure / [429] that foule parte shewe thei vnto the peple / proudely / in dispite of honeste / whiche honeste Ihesu crist & his frendes obserued to shewe in his liff / [430] Now as to outrageous aray of wommen / god woot though" the visages of hem semen ful chaste / & debonayre / yit notefien thei in there araye / in atire of likerousnesse & pride / [431] I seie nat that honeste in clothinge of man / & woman is vncouen- able / But certes the superfluyte / or the disordinat scantnesse of clothinge / is reprovable / [432] Also the synne of an ornement / or apparaile / as in thinges that apperteynen to ridynge / as in to many delicate horses that ben hold- SELDEN (for Corpus 634) (6-T. 622)

SIX-TEXT 623

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 635

en for delite / that ben so faire fatte / and costelewe / [433] And also many a vicious knave I-mayntened 1bi- cause of hem // And in to curious harneyse / as in sadels cropers / peitresles / bridles couered with precious clothinge & riche barres / & plates / of golde & of siluer / [434] ffor whiche god seith bi Zakarie the prophete / I wol confounde the riders of suche horses / [435] This folke taken litel rewarde of the ridynge of god-is sone of heuen / & of his harneys whan he rode vppon the Asse / & had noon othir harneys but the clothes of his pore disciples / NQ we rede nat that euer he rode on other beste / [436] I speke thus of the sinne of superfluite / & nat for the resonable honeste / whan reson it requirith // [437] And forther ouere / certes pride is gretely notefied in holdynge of grete meyne / whan thei ben of litel profite / or right of no profite / [438] & namely whan meyne is vileynous & damage- ous to the peple / bi hardynesse of high lordshippe or bi wey of office // [439] ffor certes suche lordes sellen than here lordshippes to the deuel of helle / whan thei sustene the wikkednesse of here meyne // [440] Or elles whan these folke of lowe degre / as tho that holden hosteleries / & that is many manere of folke / that susteynen theffte / for here Ostelers / & that is in manere of disseites / [441] thilke manere of folke ben the flyes of felonye that fole- wen the hony/ or elles the houndes that folowen the careyne / suche forseide folke strangelen spmYuely here lordshippes // [442] ffor whiche thus seith Dauid the prophete wikked dethe mote come to thilke lordshippes / & god yeue that thei mo we descende a-doun) in-to helle / ffor in here houses ben iniquitees & shrewdenesse & not god of heuen / [443] And certes but if thei do amende- ment / right so as god yaff his beneson to kyng Pharao bi the service of lacob / and to Laban bi tho seruise of Joseph right so god wol yeue his malison to suche lordshippes / as susteyne the wikkednesse / of here seruauntes / but thei

SELDEN (for Corpus 635) (6-T. 623) [' leaf 281, back]

SIX-TEXT 624

636 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

coine to amendement // [444] Pride of the table apperetfi eke ful offte / for certes riche men ben cleped to festes & pore folke ben put aweye / & rebuked [445] also in excesse of diners metes & drinkes / & namely suche manere of bake l metes & dissli metes / brennynge in wilde fire / & peynted & castelled with papire / & in semblable waste / so that hit is abusion for to thenke / [446] & eke in the grete preciousnesse of vessel & curiousite of mynstralcie / bi the whiche a man is stered the more to delites of luxurie / [447] if so be that he sette his herte the lasse on oure lord Ihesu criste / certeyne it is sinne / And certeynely the delites myghten be so grete in this case that men myghte lightly falle bi hem in-to dedly synne // [448] The espices that sourden of pride / sothely whan thei sourden of malice ymagened / avised or a fore caste / or elles of vsage ben dedly synnes it is no doute / [449] And whan thei sourden bi freelte vn- avised sodenly / & sodenly withdrawe ageyne / al be thei greuous synnes / I gesse that thei ben nought dedly / [450] Now myghte men axe / wherof that pride sourdeth & springeth / & I seie somtyrne hit springetfi. of the goodis of nature / & somtyme of the goodis of fortune / and somtyme of the goodis of grace / [451] Certes the goodis of nature / stonder, in the goodis of bodye / or goodis of soule / [452] Certes the goodis of bodye / ben hele of bodie / strengthe / delyuernesse / beaute / genterie / ^franchises / [453] Goodis of nature of the soule / ben goodis with sharpe vnderstondynge / subtile engyne / vertu naturel / good memorie / [454] Goodis of fortune ben richesse / high degrees of lordshippes / preisinges of the peple // [455] U Goodis of grace. Goodis of grace ben scienses / power to suffre / Bpm'ftiel travaile / benyngnitees / ve?*tuous contemplacion / with-stonding of temptacion / & semblable thinges / [456] of whiche foreseide goodis / certes hit is a ful grete folie a man to pride him in any of hem alle // [457]

SELDEN (for Corpus 636) (6-T, 624) C1 leaf 282]

^| Goodia of nature.

f Goodis of fortune

SIX-TEXT 625

GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 637

Now as for to spcke of godis of nature / god wot that somtyme we haue hem in nature / als meche to oure damage / as to oure profite [458] And for to speke of hele of bpdie / certes it passeth ful lightly / & eke hit is ful offte encheson of sikenesse of the soule / ffor god woot the flessh is a ful grete enemy to the soule / and therfore the more the bodie is hoole / the more ben we in perel to falle / [459] Eke for to pride him / in his strengthe of bodie / hit is an highe folye / ffor certes the flesshe coueiteth ageine the spirit / *and ay the more stronge the flessh is / the soriere may the soule be / [460] And ouer al this / strengthe of bodie / & worldly hardinesse / causith ful offte many a man to perel & meschaunce / [461] Eke for to pride him in his gentrie / is a ful grete f olie / ffor often tyme the gentrie of the bodie / bigynneth the gentrie of the soule / and eke we alle ben of on fader & of on moder / & alle we beii of oo nature roten & corrupte / riche & pore / [462] ffor sothe a manere of gentrie it is to preiso that apparellith mannes corage / with vertues & moralitees / & makith him cristes childe / [463] ffor trusteth wel that oner what man / that synne hath maistrie / he is verry chorle to synne /

[464] Now ben ther general thinges of gentillesse / as eschewynge of vices / or rebaudrie '/ & s^ruage of synne / In worde / in werke / & contenaunce / [465] & vsyng vertu / curtesie / and clennesse / & to bo liberal / that is to seie large bi mesure / ffor that that passith mesure / is folie & synne / [466] Another is to remembre him / of bounte / that he of other folke hath" receivede / [467] Another is to be benigne / to his goode subiectes / wherfore as seith Seneca / ther nys nothing more f Seneca, couenable to a man of high estate / than debonarte

& pite / [468] And there [ no gap in

the M8.] bees whan thei chese hem a kyng / thei chesen him that hath" no prikke to stynge with // [469]

SELDEN (for Corpus 637) (6-T. 625) C1 leaf 282, back]

SIX-TEXT 626

638 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

Another is a man to haue a noble herte / & a diligent to atteyne to highe vertues thinges / [470* see after 471 ; and note the transposing of the clauses in 472 . . . .

• •'•*» no gap in the MS.]

[471] Certes also who that prideth him / in the goodes of fortune / he is a ful grete foole / ffor somtyme is a man a fill grete lorde bi the morowe / that is a wrecche & a caitiff / or it be night / [*47o] Now ce?*tes a man to pride him in the goodes of grace / is eke outragious folie / ffor the yifftes of grace / that shold haue turned him to goodnesse / & to medicyne / turneth" 1 Gregorie . hi?ft to venym & to confusion / as seith" seint Gregorie / [472] And somtyme the delites of man ben the cause of his grete maladie of whiche he deyeth" / And somtyme the riches of a man is cause of his dethe / [473] Certes the commendacion of the peple is sum- tyrne ful fals / & f ul brotel for to truste also / this daie thei preise to morne thei lakke / [474] God woote desire to 1haue commendacion eke of the peple hath caused deth to many a besy man / [475] Now sithens that so is that ye haue vnderstonden what is pride / & whiche ben the spices of it / & whence pride sourdeth" & springeth"

. Remedium contra peccatum superbie.

Ow shal yevnderstonde/whic[h]eis theremedieayeines JL i the synne of pride and that is humilite or mekenesse / [477] that is a vertu / thorugti whiche a man hath verry knewleche of him silff / & holdith" of him silff / no pris ne deynte / as in regarde of his desertes considring euere his freelte // [478] Now ben ther thre maners of humilite / as humilite in herte / Another humilite is in mouthe / The thride is in werkes / [479] The humilite in herte / is in foure maners / that on is whan a man ne holdith him silff nought worth bifore god of heuen / Another is whan he dispisitix

SELDEN (for Corpus 638) (6-T. 626) C1 leaf 283]

SIX-TEXT 627

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 639

noon other man / [480] The thride is / that he rekketh nat though men holde him nought worthe / The ferthe is whan he is nat sory / of his huniyliacion / [481] Also the humilite of mouthe is in foure thinges / In attempre speche / & in humble speche / and whan he biknowith with his owne mouth that he is suche / as him thinketh that he is in his herte / another is whan he preisith the bounte of another man / & no thing therof amennsith [482] humilite / Eke humilite in werkes is in foure manors / the firste is whan he puttetH other men biforne him / the seconde is / to chese the loweste place oner al / the thrid is gladly to assente to good counsaile / [483] the fourthe is gladly to stonde to the worde of his soueraignes / or of him that is in highere degre than he / & this is a grete werke of humylite //

De inuidia .

[484]

Affter pride wol I speke of the foule synne of envie / whiche that is / as bi the wordes of the Philosophre sorovve of other mannes prosperite / and after the worde of seint Austyne / hit is sorowe of other mennes lAustyne, wele / & ioye of othe[r] men-is harme / [485] This foule synne is platly ayeine the holy goste / [ . . . . ,

no gap in the MS.] yit natheles

for-asmeche that bounte apperteyneth" properly to the holy gost / And envie cometh properly of malice / ther- fore it is properly ayeines the bounte of the holy goste // [486] Now hath malice two l spices / that is to seie hardnesse / & wikkednesse / or elles the flesshe of a man /that is so blindethat he considreth nought that he is in

synne / [ no gap in the MS.] whiche

is the hardnesse of the deuel // [487] That other spice of malice is / whan that a man werreieth" trouth / whan that he woote that hit is trouth / & eke whan he werreieth the grace that god hath yive / to his

SELDEN (for Corpus 639) (6-T. 627) [' leaf 288, back]

SIX-TEXT 628

640 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

neighbour / and al this is bi envie / [488] Certes than is envie the worste synne that is / ffor sothely alle other synnes ben sumtyme ayeines .0. special vertu I [489] but certes envie is ayeines alle special vertues / & ayeines al goodnesse / for it is sory of al the bountees of his neighbour / And in this manere it is diuerse from al other synnes / [490] ffor wel vnnethe is ther any other synne / that hit ne hath sum delite in him silf F / saue only envie / that euer hath in him selff angvisshe & sorowe / [491] The spices of envie ben these / ther is first sorowe / of other mennes / goodnesse / & of here pros- perite / whiche is kindely matire of ioye / than is envie a synne ayeins kynde / [492] The secounde spice of envie / is ioye of other men-is harme / & that is properly like to the Deuel / that euer reioyseth" him of man-is harme / [493] Of these two spices cometB. bagbitynge /[.... no gap in the MS.~\ or detraccion hath twey spices / as thus / Somme man preisith his neighbour / bi a wikked entente / [494] for he makitH alwey a wikked knotte at the laste ende / alwey ho makith a butte at the laste ende / that is digne of more blame than worth is al the preisinge / [495] The secounde spice is / that if a man be good / & doth & seith al £hing ,to .good entente / The bagbiter wol turne al the goodnesse vp so doun / to his shrewede entente / [496] The thride is to amennse the bounte of his neigh bour / [497] The ferthe spice of bagbityng is this / That if men speke goodnesse of a man / than wol the bakbiter seie perfay / suche a man is better than he / in dispreisinge of him that men preise / [498] The .v. spice is this / for to consente gladly & herken the harme that men speke toft other folke / this is ful grete / & ay encresetfi. after the wikked entente of the bakbiter || [499] Affter bakbityng cometn" grucchinge or murmuracion / & somtyme it springetJi Jof inpacience ayeines god / & somtyme ayeines man /

SELDEN (for Corpus 610) (6-T. 628) P leaf 284]

SIX-TEXT 629

GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 641

[500] ayeines god it is / whan a man / groccheth ayeines the peyne of helle / or ayeines pouerte / of losse of catel / or ayeines reyne or tempest / or ellis grucchen for shrewen haue prospmte / or good men ad- uersite / [501] & al these thinges sholde men suffre paciently / for thei comen bi the rightful rugement and ordynaunce of god / [502] Somtyme cometh" grocching of avarice as ludas grucched ayeines the Magdaleyne / whan she anoynted the hede of oure lorde Ihesn criste / with hir precious oynement / [503] This manere murmur is suche / as whan men grocchen of goodnesse / that hem silff don / or that other folke don / of here owne catal / [504] Somtyme cometh mwrmur of pride / as whan Symon the Phareseie grucched ayeines the Magdaleyne / whan she approchede to Ihesu criste / & wepte at his feete for hir synnes / [505] And somtyme hit sourdeth" of envie / whan men discoueren a man-is harme / that was priue / or bereth him on honde thinge that is fals // [506] Murmur is eke offte amonge seruauntes / that grucchen whan here souereynes bidden hem to don leueful thinges / [507] and for als meche as thei dar nat openly ayeine seie the commaundement of here souereignes / yit wol thei seie harme / & grucche / & murmur priuely for verry dispite / [508] whiche wordes men clepen the Deuels Pater noster / though so be that the deuel had neuere Pater nostei / but that folke yeve hit suche aname // [509] Somtyme hit cometh of Ire / or of pride & hate / that norishethrankour in herte / as afterward I shal declare / [510] Than cometh eke bitternesse of herte / thorugh whiche bitternesse euery good dede of his neighbour / semeth to him bitter & vnsauerie / [511] than cometh discorde / that vnbindeth al manere of frendeship^d / Than cometh scornynge of [ ; . . no gap in the MS.] his neigh bour / al do ho neuere so wel / [512] Than Cometh" accusynge as whan a man sekith occasion to anoyen his accusyngo. SELDEN (for Corpus 641) (6-x.

SIX-TEXT 630

642 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

neighbour / whiche that is like the craffte of the deuel / that waiteth both day & night to accusen vs alle // [513] Than cometh malignite / thorugh whiche a man / 1anoyeth his neighbour priuely if he may / [514] & if he may nat algate his wikked wil ne shal nat wante / as for to brenne his hous priuely / or openly / or slen his bestes / and semblable thinges

Remedium contra peccatum Invidie.

wol I speke of the remedie ayeines this foule synne of envie / ffirst is the loue of god principal / And louynge of his neighbour as him silff / ffor that on may nat be withouten that other / [516] And trusteth wel / that in the name of thi neighbour thow shalt vnderstonde the name of thi brother / ffor certes alle we haue but 0 fader flesshly & O moder / that is to seine Adam & Eve / And eke 0 fader spirituel that is to seie god of heuen / [517] thi neighbour artow holden to loue & willen al goodnesse / And therfore seith god / loue thi neighbour as thi silff / that is to saluacion bothe of bodie & of soule / [518] And more-ouere thow shalt loue him in worde / & in benigne amonesshing & chastising / & comfort him in his anoyes / & pray for him with al thin herte / [519] and in dede thow shalt loue him in suche wise / that thow shalt do to him in charite / as thow woldist hit were don to the in thin owne persone / [520] And therfore thow ne shalt do to him no damage in wikked worde / ne harme in his bodie / ne in his catel / ne in his soule / bi entisinge of wikked ensample / [521] thow shalt [not] desire his wiff / ne noon of his thinges / vnderstonde eke that in the name of thi neighbour is com prehended his enemy / [522] Certes a man shal loue his enemy for the commaundement of god / & sothly thi frende shalt thow loue in god / [523] I seie thin enemy shalt thow loue for godis sake / bi his commaunde-

SELDEN (for Corpus 642) (6-T. 630) [Meaf 284, back]

SIX-TEXT 631

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 643

ment / ffor if hit were reson that man sholde hate his enemy / ffor sothe god wolde nat receive vs to his lone / that ben his enemyes / [524] ayeines thre manere of wronges that his enemy doth to him / he shal do thre thinges / as thus / [525] ayeines hate & rankour of herte / he shal lone him in herte / ayeine chiding & wikked wordes / he shal praie for his enemy / ayeine the wikked dede of his enemy / he shal don him bounte // [526] ffor criste 1seith / loue youre enemyes / & praye for hem that speke yow harme / & eke for hem that yow chasen / & pursewen / & doth bounte to hem that yow haten / Lo thus commaundeth vs oure lorde Ihesu criste / to do to oure enemyes / [527] ffor sothe nature drivetK vs to loue oure frendes / And perfay oure enemyes han we more nede to loue / than oure frendes / And thei that more nede haue / certes to hem shulde men do more good- nesse / [528] And certes in thilke dede haue we remem- braunce of the loue of Ihesu criste / that deyed for his enemyes / [529] And for-asmeche as that loue is the more grevous to performe / so meche is more the grete merite // And therfore the louynge of oure enemyes hath confounded the venym of the Deuel / [530] ffor right as the Deuel is discomfited bi humilite / Eight so is he wounded to the dethe / bi the loue of ouro enemyes / [531] Certes than is loue the medicyne that chaseth out the venym of envie / from man-is herte / [532] the spices of this pas shulne be more largely declared in here chapetles folowynge /

De Ira.

[533]

Affter envie wol I declare the synne of Ire / for sothely who that hath envie vppon his neighbour anoon comunely he wol fynde him a matire of wrathe / in worde or in dede / ayeines him to whom he hatfc envie // [534] And as wel cometti Ire / of pride

SELDEN (for Corpus 643) (6-T. 63l) C1 leaf 285]

SIX-TEXT 632

644 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

as of envie / ffor sothely lie that is proude or envious / is lightly wrothe /

[535] tnis synne of Ire after the discrivyng of

f Austyne seint Austyne / Is wikked wil / to ben avengede / hi worde / or hi dede / [536] Ire after the Philosophre / is the feruent blood of a man / I-quiked in his herte / thorugh whiche he wolde harme to him that he hateth / [537] ffor certes the herte of a man / bi enchaufynge & mevynge of his bloode / wexeth so trouble / that he is out of al iugement of reson / [538] But ye shul vnderstonde that Ire is in two maners / that on of hem is goode / that other is wikked / [539] The goode Ire is / bi lelousie of goodnesse thorugh the whiche a man is wrothe / with wikkednesse / & ayeins wikkednesse / And ther- fore seith th[e] wise man / that Ire is bett than pleye / [540] this Ire is with debonairte and hit is wrothe / with- outen bitternesse / nought wroth l ayeines the man / but wrooth" with" the rnisdede of the man / as seith the

1 Dmiid. prophete Dauid / Irascimini & nolite peccare / [541] Now

Iniscimini &

noiite pecc»re &c vnderstonditfi. that wikked Ire is in two maners / that is to seine / sodeyne Ire / & hastiff Ire withouten avisement / & consentyng of reson / [542] the menywg and the sens / of this is that the reson of a man ne co?i- sente nat to that sodeyne Ire / & than is hit venial / [543] Another Ire is ful wikked / that cometh" of vilony of herte avised & cast biforne / with wikked wille to do vengeaunce / &* therto his reson consentith / & sothely that is dedly synne / [544] This Ire is so dis- plesaunt to god / that hit troublyth his hous / & chasith the holy goste out of mannys soule / & wasteth" & di- stroieth the likenes of god / that is to seie / the vertu that is in man-is soule / [545] & putteth in him the like nes of the Deuel / & bynemeth the man from god that is his rightful lord / [546] This Ire is a ful grete plesaunce to the Deuel / for hit is the deuels furneys / that is enchafed with the fire of helle / [547] ffor certes

SELDEN (for Corpus 644) (6-T. 632) [Meaf 285, buck]

SIX-TEXT 633

GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 645

right so as the fire is more myghti to distroye erthely thinges / than eny other element / Eight so is Ire myghti to distroye alle spirituel thinges / [548] Loke how that fire of smale gledes / that ben almoste dede vnder asshen wolne quiken ayeine / whan thei ben touched with brymston / Eight so wol Ire euer more quiken ayeine / whan hit is touched bi the pride that is couered in man-is herte / [549] ffor certes fire ne may not come out of nothinge / but if hit were first in the same thing naturelly / As fire is drawe out of flyntes with steeli / [550] And right so as pride is offten tyme mater of Ire / Eight so is rancoure / norice & keper of Ire / [551] Ther is a manere tre as seitfi. seint Isodre / that whan men make fire of that tre / & couere the coles of hit with asshen / sothly the fire of hit wol lasten al a yere / or more / [552] And right so farith hit of rancoure / whan he is ones conceived in the hertes of som men / certes hit wol laste perauenture from on Esterday / til another [. . no gap in MS.] or more / [553] But certes that man is ful fer from the mercy of god / al thilke while ||

[554] In 1this foreseide deuels fforneys / thei forgen .iij. shrewis Pride that ay blowith & encresitR the fire bi chidinges & wikked wordes / [555] Than stondeth Envie & holdeth the hote Iren vppon the herte of man / with a peire of longe tonges of longe rancour / [556] And than stondeth the synne of contumelie or striff / & cheste / & bateretn, & forgeth bi vileynes reprovynges / [557] Certis this cursed synne anoyetfr both the man him-silff / & eke to his neighboure / ffor sothly al-moste al the harme / that any man doth to his neighboure / cometh of wrathe / [558] ffor certis outrageous wratthe doth al / that euer the deuel him commaunditH / ffor he ne sparith" neither criste / ne his swete moder / [559] And in his out rageous anger & Ire / alias alias / ful many on that tyme felith in his herte ful wikkedly /

SELDEN (for Corpus 645) (6-T. 633) C1 leaf 286]

SIX-TEXT 634

646 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

both of criste / & of alle his halowes / [560] Is nat this a cursed vice / yis certis alias / hit bynemeth from man his witt / & his reson / & al his debonayre liff spirituel / that shulde kepe his soule / [561] Certes hit bynemeth eke god-is diwe lordshippe / & that is man-is soule / & the loue of his neighboure / hit strivith eke alday ayeines trouthe / hit reuyeth him the quiete of his herte / & subuertethe his soule /

[562] Off Ire comen these stinkynge engendrures / ffirst hate that is olde wratthe / discorde thorugh which a man forsaketh his olde frende / that he hath louede ful longe // [563] And than cometh werre / & eue?y manere of wronge that man doth to his neighboure in body or in cateH [564] Off this cursed synne of Ire cometh eke manslaughter / And vnderstondeth wel that homycide that is manslaughter / is in diuerse wise / Some nianere of homicide is spirituel / & some is bodily / [565] Spirituel manslaughter is in .vj. thinges / ffirst bi

H lohn . hate as seith seint lohn / that he that hateth his brother

is an homicide // [566] homicide is eke bi bakbityng / of

•R Salomon. whiche bakbiters seith Salomon / that thei haue two swerdis with the whiche thei slen here neighboures / for sothly as wikked it is to byneme him his good name / as his liff / [567] Homicide is eke in yevinge of wikked consail bi fraude / as for to yeve consail to 1areise wrongfully custurnes & tallages / [568] of whiche seith

H Salomon Salomon / Lyoun rorynge / Bere hungry / ben like to cruel lordshippes / in withholdyng or abreggyng of the sheepe / or of the hyre/orof the wages of seruauntes / orellisin vsure / or in withdrawynge of almesse / fro the pore folke / [569] for which the wise man seith / ffedith him that almoste deyeth for hungre / for sothly but if thow fede him / thow sleest him / And alle these ben dedly synnes / [570] Bodyly manslaughter is whan thow sleest him with thi tonge / in other manere as whan thow commaundist to ele a man / or ellis yevist him consail to sle a

SELDEN (for Corpus 64.6) (6-T. 634) C1 leaf 286, back]

SIX-TEXT 635

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 647 ,

man / [571] Manslaughter in dede is in .iiij. maners / that on is bi lawe / right as a lustice dampnetn" him that is coupable / to the dethe / but lat the lustice be war that he do hit rightfully / & that he do it nat for delite to spille bloode / but for keping of rightwis- nesse / [572] Another homicide is don for necessite / as whan a man sleeth another in his defendaunt / & that he ne may non otherwise escape from his owne deth / [573] but certis if he may escape with- outen deth of his aduersarie / & sleeth him he doth synne / & he shal bere penaunce / as for dedly sinne / [574] Eke if a man bi caas or auenture shete an arowe / or cast a ston / with the whiche he sleeth a man hit is homicide / [575] Eke if a woman bi necligence ouerlithe hir childe in hir slepinge hit is homicide & dedly synne / [576] Eke whan a man distourbeth the con- cepcion of a childe / or maketh a woman bareyne bi drinkyng of venemous herbes thorugh whiche she may nat conceive / or sleeth a childe bi drynkes / or ellis putteth certeyne material thinges in hir secre place to sle the childe / [577] or ellis doth vnkyndly synne / bi the whiche man or woman shedith there nature in manere or in place / there as a childe ne may nat be con ceived / or ellis if a woman haue conceived / and hurt' eth hir silff & sleeth hir childe / yit is it homicide / [578] what seie we eke of women that mordren there children for drede of worldly shame / certes an horrible homicide / [579] Homicide is eke if a man ap- procheth to a woman bi desire : of lecherie bi the whiche the childe is perisshed / or ellis smyteth a woman wetingly / thorugh whiche she lesith hir childe / alle these ben homi cides & horrible dedly synnes / [580] yit cometh ther of Ire many mo synnes / as wel in worde / as in thought / & in dede / as he that arecceth vppon god / or blameth god of thinge / of whiche he is him-silff gilty / or dispisitB. god & alle his halowes / as don these cursed hasardours /

4£ SELDEN (for Corpus 647) (6-T. 635) [Meaf287J

SIX-TEXT 636

648 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

in diuerse centres / [581] this cursed synne don thei / whan thei felen in here herte ful wikkedly of god & his halowis / [582] Also whan thei treten vnreuerently the sacrament of the auter / Thilke syiines ben so grete / that vnnethes may hit ben relessed but that the mercy of god / passith his workes / hit is so grete / & be so benygne / [583] Than cometh of Ire attrie anger / whan a man is sharply amonesshed in his shriffte to for- lete synne / [584] than wol he be angry and answere hokerly / & angerly / or defende & excuse his synne bi vnstedfastnesse of his flesshe / or ellis he. dide hit / for to holde companye with his felowes / or ellis he seith the fende entised him / [585] or ellis he dide hit for his youthe / Or ellis his complexion is so coragious / that he may nat forbere / Or ellis hit is his destenye / as he seith \n-to a certeyne age / Or ellis he seith hit cometh him of gentilnes of his auncetres / & semblable thinges / [586] Alle these manere of folke so wrappen hem / in here syiines / that thei ne wol nought delyueren hem-silff / ffor sothly no wigfrte that excusith" him of his synne wilfully / may not be delyuered of his synne / til that he mekely biknowe his synne / [587] Affter than cometh sweringe / that is expresse ayeines the commaundement of god / & this bifallith offte of anger & of Ire / [588] God seith thow shalt not take the name of thi lord god in veyne ne in ydel / Also cure lord ihesu seith bi the wordes of seint Mathewe /

[ no gap in the MS.~\ [589] Ne wille ye

nought to swere in no manere / neither bi heuen for it is godis trone / Ne bi the erthe for hit is the benche of his feete / Ne bi lerusalem for it is the Cite of a grete kynge / Ne bi thin hede / for it 1 is nat thin owne / for thow maist nat make an heere white rie blak / [590] but seith bi youre ye / ye & nay / nay / And what that is more it is euel / thus seith criste / [591] ffor cristes sake ne swerith nought so synfully / in dismembringe of criste / bi soule

SELDEN (for Corpus 648) (6-T. 636) [Ueaf 287, back]

SIX-TEXT 637

GROUP!, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 649

herte / bones / & body / ffor certes it semeth that ye thenke the cursed lewes dismembred him nought I-nough / [ . . no gap in the MS.] but ye dismembren him more / [592] And if so be the lawe coni- pelle yow to swere / than shul ye reule yow after the lawe of god in youre swerynge / As seith seint lerome in .iiij.the chap- n Jerome,

itle / [ no gap in the MS.] Thow

shalt kepe .iij. condicions / thow shalt swere in trouthe / in dome / & in right wisnesse / [593] this is to seyne thow shalt swere sooth / for euery lesing is ayeines criste / ffor criste in verray trouthe / And thenke wel this / That euery grete swerer / nat compelled lawfully to swere / tfre wounde shal nat departe from his hous / whiles he vsith suche vnlawful swerynge / [594] Thou shalt swere eke in dome / whan thow art constreyned bi the Domes- man to wittnesse the trouthe / [595] Eke thou shalt nat swere for envie ne for fauour / ne for mede / but for trouthe & rightwisnesse the declaracion of hit to the wourshippe of god / & to helpinge of thin euen cristen / [596] And therfore euery man that taketh the name of god in ydel / or falsly swerith with his mouthe / or ellis taketh on him the name of criste to be called a cristen man / & levith ayeins cristes levynge & his techinge / alle thei taken godis name in ydel / [597] Loke eke what seith seint Peter fpetms. Actuum .iiijto. Non est aliud nomen sub celo / Ther act .inj'°. nys noon other name seith seint Peter vnder heuen / I-youen to men in whiche thei mo we be saued / that is to seine / but in the name of Ihesu criste / [598] [ . . . .

no gap in the MS.] As seith seint Poule / n Pauie.

[ no gap in the MS.] that in the

name of Ihesu euery kne of heuenly creatures / or erthely / or of helle shulle bowe / for hit is so higfc & so wourshipful / that the cursed fende in helle sholde tremble for to hire hit nempned / [599] Than semeth hit that men that sweren so horribly bi his

SELDEN (for Corpus 649) (6-T. 637)

SIX-TEXT 638

650 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

Missed name / that thei dispisen it more boldely than diden the cursed lewes / or ellis the deuel that tremblith whan he hyrith his name /

[600] Now certis sithe that sweringe "but if hit be lawfully don / is so highly defended / meche xwors is forsweryng falsly / And yit nedeles

[601] what seie ye of hem / that deliten hem in swering / & holde hit a gentrie / or a manly dede / to swere grete oihes / And what of hem that of verry vsage ne sease nat to swere grete othes / al be the cause nought worthe a strawe / certes this is an horrible synne/ [602] swering sodonly withoute avisement is eke a synne / [60 3] No w lat vs go to thilke horrible & cursed swering / of adiuracion & coniuracion / as don these false en- chauntours / & nigromansours in basins ful of water / or in a bright swerde / in a cercle / or in a fire / or in a shelder- bon of a shepe / [604] I can not seyne but that thei don cursedly / & dampnably / ayeines criste / & al the feith of holy chirche /

[605] what seie we of hem that bileven on divynailles / as bi flight or bi noyse of briddes / or of bestes / or bi sorte bi nigromancie / bi dremes / bi chirkyng of doores / bi gnawynge of rattes / or crakyng of housus / & suche manere of wrecchednesse / [606] certis al this thinge is defended bi god & holy chirche / for whiche thei ben acursed til thei come to amendement / that in suche filthe setten here bileve / [607] Charmes for woundes / of maladie of men or of bestes / if thei take any effecte / hit may be perauenture / that god suffrith hit / for folke sholde yeve the more feith & reuerence to his name /

[608] Now wol I speke of lesinges / whiche gener ally is fals signifiaunce of wordes / in entente to disceiven his euen cristerc [609] Some lesinge is of whiche ther cometh noon auantage to no wighte / And some lesinge turneth to the ease and profite of a man / & to

SELDEN (for Corpus 650) (6-T. 638) P leaf 288]

SIX-TEXT 639

«ROUpI. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 651

damage of another man / [610] Another lesinge is for to saue his liff / or his catel / Another lesing conieth of delite for to lye / in whiche delite thei wolne forge a longe tale / & peynte hit with al circumstaunces / wher al the grounde of the tale is fals / [611] Some lesinge cometh for he wol sustene his worde / Some lesinge cometh of rechelesnesse withouten avisement / & sem- blable thinges /

[612] Late vs now touche the vice of flaterynge / 1 fflaterynges . the whiche ne come thnat gladly/but fordrede/orforcouetise/ [613] fnaterie lia genially wrongeful preisynge / fflater- ers ben the deuelis norices / that norisshen his children with my Ike of losengerye / [614] ffor soth Salomon seith t Salomon, that flaterie is worse than detraecion / ffor somtyme de- traccion maketh an havteyne man / to be the more humble / for he dredith detraecion // But ceries flaterie makith a man to enhansen his herte & his contenaunce / [6 1 5] fflaterers ben the deuelis enchauntours / for thei maken a man to wene of him selff be like / that he is nat like / [616] thei ben like to ludas that bitrayed [. . . * . . no gap in the MS.] a man to selle him to his enemy / that is to the deuel / [617] fflatrers ben the deuels Chapeleynes . that singen euere Placebo / [6 1 8] I reken flaterie in the vice of Ire / ffor offt tyme if a man be wroth with a-nother than wol he flatere som wight to sustene him in his quarel /

[6 1 9] Speke we now of suche cursinge as cometh T cm-synge out of Irons herte / Malison may be seide generally / euery maner powere of harme / suche cursing birevith a man fro the regne of god / As seith seint Poule [620] thattPouie. suche cursinge wrongef ully / retorneth of tyn tyme ayeine to him that cursith / as a bridde retorneth ayeine to his ow[ne n]este / [621] And ouer al thing men oughte [MS. rubbed.] to eschewe to curse here children / & yeven to the deuel there engendrure / as fer forth as in hem is / certis hit is a grete perille & a grete synne //

SELDEN (for Corpus 661) (6-T. 639) E1 leaf 288, back]

SIX-TEXT 640

652 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

•If Chidynge. [622] Late vs now speke of chidynge & reproclie

whiche ben grete woundes in man-is herte for thei vn-sewen the seemes of frendeshippe in inennes lierte / [623] ffor certis vnnethes may a man ben pleynly accorded with him / that hath him openly reviled / & reproued & disclaundred / this is a ful grysely synne / as criste seith in the gospel / [624] And take kepe now that he that reprovith his neighbour / outher he reprovith him bi some harme of peyne that he hath in his body / As Mesel . Croked harlott / or bi some synne that he dothe // [625] Now if he reprove him bi harme of peyne / than turneth the repreff to Ihesu criste / for peyne is sent bi the rightwis sonde of god / & bi his sufiVraunce / be it Meselrie or mayme / or maladie. [626] And if he reprove him vncharitably / of synne / as thow holour thow dronkelewe harlott / & so forth / than apperteyneth that to the reioysing of the deuel / that euer hath ioye that men don synne / [627] And certis chidynge may not come but of a vileyns herte / ffor after the

f ex habundancia habundaunce of the herte speketh the mouthe ful offte / ' [628] And ye shul vnderstonde that loke bi any wey / whan any man shal chastise another / that he be war of chidinge or reproving / ffor truly but he be wer / he may ful lightly queken the fire of anger & of wratthe / whiche that he sholde quenche / and pe?'auenture sleth him that he myghte chastise with benyg-

f Salomon. nite / [629] ffor as seith Salomon the amyable tonge / is the tree of liff / that is to seyne of liff espirituel / And a dislave tonge / sleth the spirites of him that reprovith / and eke of him that is reproved / [630] Lo what seint Austyne seith / ther is nothing so like the

f Pauie. deueles childe as he that offte chideth / seint Poule seith

eke / I seruaunt of god bihove nought to chide / [631] And how that chiding is a vileyns thing bitwix al mane?*e folke / 3it is hit ce?'tis most vncovenable bitwixe a man & his wiff / for there is neuer reste /

SELDEN (for Corpus 652) (6-T. 640) [i leaf 289]

SIX-TEXT 641

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 653

And therfore seith Salomon / An hous that is vncou<sred

in rayne & droppinge / & a chidynge wiff ben I-like

[632] a man that is in a droppinge hous in many

places / though he eschewe the droppinge in o place /

yit it droppetfi. on him in a-nother place / so farith hit bi

a chidinge wiff / but she chide him in o place / she

wol chide him in another / [633] And therfore better is

a morssel of brede with ioye / than an hous ful of

delites with chidinge / seith Salomon [634] seint l Salomon

Poule seith / 0 ye women be ye subiectes to youre

housbondes / as bihovith in god / And ye men lovith youre

wives / as Colonisences .iii°. IF Ad coiomsen-

ses .iij«.

[635] Affterward speke we of scornynge / whiche is a wikked synne / and namely whan he scornyth a man for his goode workes / [636] ffor cartes suche scorners faren I-like the foule toode that may nat endure to smelle the swete sauoure of the vyne / whan it flourith / [637] l These scorners ben partynge felawes with the deuel / for thei haue ioye whan the deuel wynneth / &sorowe whan he leseth" /that istoseyesauacionof soule / [638] thei benaduersaries to oure lord ihesu criste / for thei haten that he loveth / that is to seie sauacion of soule /

[639] Speke we now of wikked consail / ffor he that wikked consail yeuetfr is a traytoure / for he disceivitfr IF wikked con-

saille .

him that trusteth in him / vt Achitofel de Absone / But natheles yit is his wikked counsail first ayens him selff / [640] ffor as seith the wise marc Euery fals levyng man hath this properte in him selff / that he that wol anoye another man / he anoyeth first him selff / [641] And men shul vnderstonde / that man shal nat take his counsail of fals folke / ne of to angry folke / ne of grevous folke / ne of folkethat louen to meche specially here owne profite / ne to meche wordly folke / & namely in con- saillynge of soules /

[642] Now cometh the synne of hem that sowen & maken discorde / amonges folke / whiche is a synne that TDiscorde.

SELDEN (for Corpus 653) (6-T. 61l) C1 leaf 289, back]

SIX-TEXT 642

654 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

criste hateth vtterly / and no wonder is / for he deyed to make concorde / [643] & more shame do thei to criste / than dide thei that him crucified / ifor loueth better that frendeshippe be amonges folke / than he dide his owne body / whiche that he yaff for vnitees / therfore ben thei likened to the Deuel / that euere is a-boughte to make discorde /

\Doubietonge. [644] Now cometh the synne of double tonge / suche as speken faire bifore folke / & wikkedly be-hynde / or ellis thei maken sembelaunt / as though thei spake of goode entencion / or elles in game & pleye / & yit thei speken of wikked entent /

f bi-wreiynge. of [645] Now conieth biwreiynge of consail / thorugh" the

consaille .

whiche a man is defamed / certes vnnethe may he restore the damages /

t Manace [646] Now cometh" manas that is an open folye / ffor

he that offte manassith / he thretith more than he may do ful offt tyme /

1 ydel wordes. [64 7 J Now cometh ydel wordes / that is withouten

profite / of him that speketh the wordes / & eke of him that herkeneth the wordes / or ellis ydel wordes ben tho that be nedeles / 1or withouten entente of naturel profite / [648] And al be hit that ydel wordes ben som- tyme venial synne / yit sholde men doute hem / for we shul yeue rekenynge of hem / biforne god /

[649] Now cometh langelynge that may nat be with outen synne / as seith Salomon hit is a signe of aperte folye / [650] And therfore a Philosophre seide / whan a man asked him how men sholde please the peple / And he answerde & seide / do many goode workes / & speke f e we langelynges /

[651] And after this cometh the synne of Tapes that ben the deuels Apes / for thei maken folke to laughe at here iaperye / as folke don at the gaudes of an Ape / suche iapes defenditB. seint Poule // [652] Loke how that vertuous wordes & holy / conforten hem

SELDEN (for Corpus 654) (6-T. 642) C1 leaf 290]

f lapes.

SIX-TEXT 643

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 655

that travaile in the seruiee of criste / Right so conforten the vileyns wordes & knakkes of iapers hem / that travailen in the seruice of the deuel / [653] these ben the synnes that comen of the tonge / that comen of Ire / And other synnes many mo .

Kemedium contra peccatum Ire .

[654]

rilHe remedie ayeines Ire / is a vertu that men

JL clepen Mansuetude that is debonairte / & eke another vertu that men clepen Pacience / or ellis sufferaunce /

[655] Debonairte withdrawith & refreynetS the sterynges & the mevynges of man-is corage in his herte / in suche manere that thei ne skippe nought out bi anger / ne bi Ire / [656] Suffraunce suffreth swetly alle the anoysaunces / & the wronges / that men don to a man outwarde / [657] seint lerome seith thus of Debonairte that hit doth noon harme to no wighte / ne seith for noon harme that men him don ne seyne / he ne eschaungeth nat ayeines his resoii / [658] This vertu cometh somtyme of nature / ffor as seith the Philosophre / a man is a quike thinge bi nature / debonaire & tretable bi goodenesse / But whan debonairte is enformed of grace / it is the more worthe /

[659] Pacience that is another remedie ayewst Ire / hit is a vertu that suffreth swetly euery mannys goodnesse / & is nat worthe for noon harme / that is don J vnto him / [660] the Philosophre seith that Pacience is that vertu that suffreth debonairly alle the outrages of aduersite and euery wikked worde / [66 1] this vertu maketh a man I-like to god & maketh him his owne dere childe as seith criste / This vertu disconfiteth thin enemy / And therfore seith the wise man / If thow wolt venquysshe thin Enemy lerne to suffre / [662] And thow shalt vnderstonde / that a man suffreth .iiij. manere SELDEN (for Corpus 655) (6-T. 643) C1 leaf 290, back]

SIX-TEXT 644

656 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

of greuaunces in outwarde thinges / ayeines the whiche .iiij. he mote haue .iiij. manere of paciences /

[663] The first greuaunce is of wikked wordes /thilke gre- naunce suffred oure lord ihesu. criste/ withouten grucchinge f ul paciently / whan the lewes dispised him & reproued him ful offte / [664] suffre thow therfore paciently / ffor the wise man eke seith / If thow strive with a fool / though the fool be wroth or though he laughe algate thow shalt haue no reste // [665] That other grevaunce outwarde is / to haue damage of thi catel / There ayeines suffred criste ful paciently / whan he was dispoyled of al that he hadde in this liff & that nas nought but the clothes / [666] The .iij. greuaunce is to a man to haue harme in his body / that suffred criste ful paciently in al his passion / [667] The ferthe greuaunce is an outragious labour in werkes / wherfore I seie that folke that maken here seruauntes to travaile to grevously or out of tyme / as on halydayes / sothly thei don grete synne / [668] Here ayeines suffred criste ful paciently & taught vs pacience / whan he bare vppon his blessed shildres the croys vppon the whiche he sholde suffre dispitous deth / [669] Here may men lerne to be paciente / ffor certes nought onely cristen men ben pacient / for the loue of ihesu criste & for guerdon of the blisse of heuen / & of the blisful liff that is perdurable / But certes the olde paynemes that neuere were cristen com- menden & vsen the vertu of pacience /

[670] A Philosophre vppon a tyme that wolde haue beten his disciple for his grete trespace / for whiche he was gretly ameved / & brought a yerde to scoure the childe / [671] And whan the childe sawe the yerde / he seide to his maister / Jwhat wol ye don / I wol bete the qwod the maister for thi correccz'on / [672] ffor sothe quod the childe ye oughte firste correcte youre silff / that haue lost youre pacience for the gilte of a childe / [673] ffor sothe quod, the maister al weping thow

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GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 657

seist sothe / haue thow the yerde my dere sone & correcte me for myn impacience/ [674] Off pacience cometli obedience thorugh the whiche a man is obedient to criste / & to alle hem to whiche he oughte to be obediente in criste / [675] And vnderstonde wel that obedience is perfite / whan men doon gladly and hastyly with good herte entirely al that he shulde don / [676] Obedience generally is to performe the doctryne of god / & of his soueraignes to whiche him oughte to be obeissaunt to al manere of right wisnesse /

De accidia .

[6?7j

Affter the synnes of Envie & Ire / now wol I speke of the synne of accidie / for envie blyndeth the herte of a man / And Ire troubletfr a man / And accide maketh him he vie / thoughtful,/ & wrawe / [678] Envie & Ire maken bitternesse in herte / whiche bitternesse is moder of accidie / & bynemeth him the loue of al goodnesse / than is accidie the anguysshe of a troubled herte / And seint Austyne seith / It is anoye of goodnesse / & anoye of harme / [679] certis this is a dampnable synne / for it doth" wronge to Ihesu criste / in-asmeche as hit bynemeth the seruice that men don to criste with al diligence / as seith Salomon / H Salomon . [680] But accide dottL no suche diligence / he doth" al thing with anoy / & wrawnesse / slaknesse & excusacion / & with ydulnesse & vnlust / ffor whiche the booke seith / Acursed be he that doth the seruice of god necligently / [68 1] than is accidie Enemy to euery estate of man / ffor certis thestate of man is in .iij. maners / [682] The first estate is the estate of Innocencie as was thestate of Adam bifore or he fel in-to synne / in whiche estate he was holden to werche / as in heriyng & honouryng of god / [683] Another estate is the estate of synful men / in whiche estate men ben holden

SELDEN (for Corpus 657) (6-T. 645)

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658 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

to laboure / in praiyng to god for amendeinent of here synnes / & that he wol graunte hem to arise out of here 1synnes / [684] Another estate is thestate of grace/ in whiche estate he is holde to do workes of penaunce / & certis to alle these thinges is accidie enemy & con- trarie / for he loueth no besynesse at al / [685] Now certis this foule synne accidie is eke a ful grete enemy to the liflode of the body / for it hath no purviaunce ayeines temporel necessite / for hit is for sleuthed / for slougged & distroyed alle goodes temporelles bi rechelesnesse /

[686] The fourthe thing is / that accide is like hem that ben in the peyne of helle / bicause of here slouthe / & of here hevynesse / ffor thei that ben dampned ben so bounde / that thei ne mow nat wel do / ne wel thenke / [687] Off accide cometh" first / that a man is anoyed / & encombred to do any goodnesse / & maketh that god hath abhomynacion of suche accide as seith seint lohn) /

IT siouthe. [688] Now cometh sleuth, that wol nat suffre noon

hardenesse / ne no penaunce / ffor sotfr slouth. is so tender & so delicate / as seith Salomon that he wol suffre noon hardnesse ne penaunce /And therfore he shendith al that he doth [689] ayeines his roten herted synne of accide / And slouth sholde men excersise & vse hem selff to don good workes & manly / & vertuously cacchen corage wel to don / thenk- yng that oure lord ihesu criste quiteth euery goode dede / be it neuere so lite / [690] vsage of labour is a

f Bernard grete thing / ffor hit maketh as seith seint Bernarde / the laborer to haue stronge armes / & harde senowes / & slouth maketh a man feble & tendre / [691] Than cometh drede to bigynne any goode workes / ffor certes he that is enclyned to synne him thenketh it is so grete an emprise / for to vndertake to do workes of goodnesse / [692] and casteth in his herte that the

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SIX-TEXT 647

GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 659

circunstaunces of goodnesse ben so grevous & so chargeable for to suffre / that lie dar nat vndertake to don workes of goodnesse / as seith seint Gregorie /

[693] Now cometh wanhope / that is dispeire of the IF wanhope . mercy of god / that cometh somtyme of to meche out- ragious sorow / And somtyme of to meche drede / ymagen- ynge l that he hath don so meche synne / that hit wold nat availe him / though he wolde repent him / & for sake synne & do good / [694] thorugh whiche dispeire or drede /he habundith his herte to euery manere synne /as seith seint Austyne / [695] whiche *dampnable synne if it contenue vn-to his ende / hit is cleped synnynge in the holy gost / [696] this orrible synne is so perilous / that he that is dispeired ther is no felonye ne no synne that he douteth for to do / as shewed wel bi ludas / [697] Certes abouen alle synnes / than is this synne most displesaunce to crist / & most aduersarie [698] to god / sothly he that dispeirith him / is like the cowarde Champion recreant / & seith creant withouten nede / Alias alias nedeles is he recreant / & nedeles dispeired / [699] ffor certes the mercy of god is euere redy to the penitente / & is above alle his workes / [700] Alias can nat a man bi-thinke him on the gospel of seint Luke . xvmo. where as criste seith / That as wel shal 1 luce .xvm°. ther be loye in heuen vppora a sinful man / that doth penaunce / than vppon nynety & nyne . that [. . . . no gap in the MS.] nedith no penaunce / [701] loke ferthermore in the gospel / the loye & the feste of the goodman that had lost his sone / whan his sone with repentaunce was retourned to his fader / [702] Can thei nought remembre hem that as seith seint luke . xiij°. Capitwlo / how that the theff seide that was f luce .xiij°. c°. honged bi-side ihesu cristes side / lord remembre on me whan thow comest vn-to thi kingdome / [703] ffor sothe seide criste / to day thow shalt be with me in Paradise [704] Certes ther is noon so orrible synne of

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SIX-TEXT 648

660 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

man / that it ne may in his liff be distroyed bi penaunce / thorugfr vertu of the passion & the dethe of criste / [705] Alias what nedith a man than to be dispeired / sitheii that his mercy so redy is / & so large / Aske & haue /

U sompnoieneia [706] Than Cometh" soinpnolence that is sloggy slombrynge / whiche maketh a man hevy & dul in body / & in soule / & this synne cometh of slouthe / [707] And certes the tyme that Jbi wey of reson men sholde nought slepe bi the morowe but if ther were cause resonable / [708] ffor sothely on the morowe tide is most couenable a man to seie his prayeres / & for to thenke on god / & for to honoure god / & to yeve almes to the pore that first comen in the name of criste / [709] Lo whath seith Salomon who so wol bi the morowe awake & seke me / he shal fynde

fneciigenoe me / [710] Than cometh necligence or rechelesnesse- / that recketh of nothinge / And how that ignoraunce is the moder of al thing /that toucheth harrne/Certes necligence is the norice / [711] necligence doth no force whan he shal do a thinge / whether he do it wel or badly /

[712] Off remedy of these two synnes / as seith the wise man / That he that dredith god / sparetS. not to don / that him oughte to don / [7 1 3] & he that loueth god / he wol do diligence to please god / bi his workes / and habunden him selff with al his niyghte wel for to don /

tydeinesse. [714] Than cometh ydelnesse / that is the yate of al harme / An ydel man is like to a place that hath no walles / there As deuels may entren bi euery side / or shete at him at discouert bi temptacion on euery side / [715] this ydelnes is the Thorroke of alle wikked & vileynes thoughtes / & of alle Tanglis / triflis / & of al ordure / [716] Certes the heuen is yeven to hem that

f Dauid wol laboure & nought to ydel f olke / Eke Dauid seitfr /

thei ne be nat in the laboure of men / ne thei ne shal

nat be whippede with men / that is to seie in purgarie /

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SIX-TEXT 649

GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 661

[717] Certes than seineth hit that thei shul be turmented / with the deuel in helle / but if thei don penitence /

[718] Than cometh the synne that men clepen tarditas / as whan a man is to latrede or to tariyng / or f tarditas he wol turne to god / & certis that is a grete folye / he is like him that fallith in the diche & wol nought arise / [719] as this vice cometh of fals hope that he thenketh that he shal leve longe / bu[t] that hope failith f ul offte /

[720] Than cometh laches that is he/ that whan he IT Laches, bigymieth any goode werke / a-non he wol forlete it & stynte / as don thei that haue any wight 1to gouerne / & ne taken of him no more kepe / anoon as thei fynde any contrarie or any anoye / [721] these ben the newe shepperdes that laten here shepe renne weti[n]gly to the wolff that is in the breres / or don no force of here owne gouernaunce / [7 2 2] Of this cometh pouerte / and distruccion bothe of spirituel & of temporel thinges / Than cometh a mane?*e of coldnesse / that f resith at the herte of man / T coidenesse . [723] Than cometh vndevocion/thorugh the whiche a man is blente / as seith seint Bernarde and suche langour in soule / that he ne may neither rede ne synge/in holy chirche / ne hire ne thenke of no deuocion / ne travaile with his hondes in no goode workes / that hit nys to him vnsaverie / & al appalled / [724] than wexeth he sore & slowe & slombri & soone wol be wrothe / & soone is he enclyned to hate & to envie [725] Than cometh the synne of wordly sorowe / whiche that is cleped tristicia / that sletR a man as seint Poule / [726] ffor certis suche sorowefPouie wercheth to the dethe of the soule & of the bodie also / fforther ouere than cometh. that a man is anoy ed of his owneliflf / [727] wherfore suche sorowe shortetfi ful offte the liff of men / or that here tyme come bi wey of kynde /

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SIX-TEXT 650

662 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

[728]

Remediuw contra peccatum Accidie .

geyns this orrible synne of accidie / & the branches of the same / ther is a vertu that is cleped

1 ffortitudo.. ffortitudo / or strengthe / that is an affeccion thorugh whiche / a man dispisith al maner of noyous thinges / [7 2 9] this vertu is so myghti & so vigorous / that hit dar withstoiide myghtily & wisely kepe him selff from perellis that ben wikked / and wrestle ayeines the assavte of the deuel / [730] ffbr hit enhaunseth & enforseth the soule / right as

f ffortitudo. accidie abateth hit / & makith hit feble / for this ffortitudo may endure bi longe suffraunce / the travailes that ben couenable /

[731] this vertu hath many spices [. . no gap in MS.] The first is cleped / Magnany my te / that is to seie l grete corage / ffor certis ther bihoueth grete corage ayeines accidie / lest that hit swolowe the soule / bi the synne of sorowe / or distroye hit bi wanhope / [732] this vertu maketh folke to vndertake harde thinges / & grevous bi here owne wille / wisely & resonably / [733] And for- asmeche as the deuel ntetfi. ayeines man / more bi queyntise & bi slighte / than bi strengthe / therfor* a man sholde with-stonde him / bi witt / & bi reson & with dis-

Iffidesspes. cression / [734] Than ben ther the vertues of feith / & hope in god / & in his seintes / to atcheuen & accomplisshe goode werkes / in the whiche he purposeth fermely

1 securitas to contenue / [735] Than cometh" surete or sekernesse / & that is / whan a man ne doutetfr nat to travaile in tyme comyng to performe the grete workes of goodnesse / that he

t Magnificencia hath bigonne/ [736] Than cometh magnificence/that is to seie/ whan a man doth & performeth grete werkes / & that is the ende / whi that men sholde do goode werkes / for in the accomplisshircg of grete & goode werkes lithe the grete guerdoun / [737] Than is ther

t constancia. Constaunce / that is stablenesse / of corage / & this sholde be in herte / bi stedefast feith / & in

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GROUP I. §2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 663

the nioovthe / & in berynge / in chere / & in dede / [738] Eke ther ben mo special thinges / & remedies / ageyns accidie in diuerse werkes / & in consideracion of peynes of helle / & of the ioyes of heuen / & in the truste of the grace of the holy goste / that wol yeve him myght to performe his goode entente /

De Auaricia .

[739]

Affter accidie wol I speke of avarice / & of couetise / of the whiche synne / as seith seint Poule / that the rote of alle synnes is couetise / Ad Tymotheum .vj.to [740] ffor sothely whan the herte of a man is confounded in hit selff / & troubled / and that the soule hath loste the comforte of god / than seketh he an ydel solace of wordly thinges /

[741] Avarice after the discripcion of seint Augustyne / T Austyne, Is a likerousnesse in herte to haue erthely thinges / [742] Somme other folke seie / Hhat auarice is / for to purchase many erthely thinges / & nothing yeve to hem that haue nede / [743] And vnderstondith wel that auarice nys nat onely in londe ne in eatel / but som- tyme in science / and in glorie / & in euery manere of outragious thinges / is auarice & couetise / [744] And the difference bitwixe auarice & couetise is this / Couetise is for to coueite suche thinges as thow hast nought / And auarice is to withholde & kepe /. suche thinges as thow hast withouten rightful nede / [745] sothely this auarice is a synne that is ful dampnable / ffor al holy writt curseth hit / & speketh ayeines that vice / ffor it dothe wronge to Ihesu criste / [746] for it bireueth him the loue that men to him owen / and turnetfi. hit bakwarde ayeines al reson / [747] & maketh" that the auericious man / hath more hope in his catel thaw in Ihesu criste / & doth more obseruaunce in keping of his tresour* / than he doth to the seruice of ihesu criste [748] And therfore seitH

46 SELDEN (for Corpus 663) (6-T. 661) C1 leaf 294, back]

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664 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS,

Puule

^ Exodi c°.

seint Paule / Ad Ephecios / v.to tliat an auarious man is thral to ydolatrie /

[749] what difference is bitwixe an ydolastre / & an auarous man / But that an ydolastre perauenture ne hath but oon mavmet or two / And the auarous man hath many / ffor certis eueryfloreyne or noble in his cofre is his Mavmet / [750] And certis the synne of Mavmetrie is the first thing / that god defendith in the ten commaund- ementes/as berith witnesse in Exodi c° (blank] [751] thow shalt haue no fals godis / bifore me / ne thow shalt make to the no grave thinge / thus is than an auarous man that loueth" his tresour* bif orne god / An ydolastre [752] thorugh his synne of avarice / & of couetise / comen these harde lord-shippes / thorugh whiche men ben distroyed / bi tallages Custumes & cariages / more than here duete or reson is / and eke take thei / of here bonde- men amersementes / whiche myghte more resonably be 1cleped extorcions than mercymentes / [753] of whic[h]e mercimentes & raunsons of bondemen / some lordis Stewardes seyne that hit is rightful / for-asmeche as a Cherle hath no temporel thing / that hit ne is here lordes as thei seie / [754] But certis thes lordes don wronge / that thei bireve here bonde folke thinges / that thei

1 Austyne neuer gaff hem / Augusti[n]%s de Ciuitate dei libro nono / [7 5 5 ] sothe is that the condicion of thraldom / & the first

1 Genesi« qu*nto cause of thraldom is for synne / Genesis quinto /

[756] thus may ye se that the gilte deservith thraldom / but nat nature / [757] wherfore these lordes ne shulde nat meche glorifie hem in here lord-shippes / sithen that bi naturel condicion thei ben lordis ouer thrallis / but for that / that thraldom cam first bi deserte of synne / [758] And ferther oner there as the lawe seith / that temporal goodes of bonde folke / ben the goodes of here lordshippes / ye that is to vnderstonde / the goodes of the Emperour5 to defenden hem in here right / but nat for to robben hem ne reven hem / [759] And therfor1

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GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 665

seith Seneca / Thi prudence sholde leve benygnely with Ifseneca. thi thrallis / [760] thei that thow clepest tlii thrallis / ben godis peple / ffor humble folke ben cristes frendes / thei ben contubernyal with the lorde /

[761] Thenke eke that of suche seede as Cherles springen / of suche seede springen lordes / as wel may the Cherle be saued / as the lorde / [762] The same dethe that takeththe Cherle / the same dethe takith the lorde /wherf ore I rede do right so with thi cherle / as thow woldest thi lord dide with the / if thow were in his plighte / [763] Euery sinful man is a cherle to synne / I rede IT Consiiium . the lorde thow werche in suche wise / that thi cherles rather loue the than drede the / [764] I wot wel ther is degre / aboue degre / as reson is / & skele that if that men don here devoyre there as hit is due // But certes extorcions & dispites of youre vnderUynges is dampnable /

[765] and therfore vnder-stondith wel / that conquerou[r]s or tirauntes maken ful offt thralles of hem that ben borne / of as roial blood / as ben thei that hem conqueren / [766] This name of thraldom was neuere erst couthe / til that Noye seide / that his sone Cayme shulde be thral to his brother for his synne / n Cayme cause of [767] what seie we than of hem that pelyn & don extorcions to holy chirche / Certes the swerde that men yeveii first to a knyght whan he is newe dubbed / signefieth that he sholde defende holy chirche / & nought robbe it / & who so doth is traitour to criste / [768] as seith seint Austyne / thei ben deuels wolvis that strangelyn the shepe of ihesu criste / & don worse than wolves / [769] ffor sothly whan the wolff hath ful his wombe / he stintetE. to strangelyn shepe / but sothely the pilours & the distroy- ours of holy chirche goodes ne don nat so / for thei ne stinte neuer to pilen / [770] Now as I haue seide / sithen so is that sinne was first cause of thraldom / than is it

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T semus smio- rum

1 Disceite.

SIX-TEXT 654

666 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

thus / that thilke tyme that al the world was in synne / than was al the worlde in thraldom & subieccion) / [771] But certis sithen the tyme of grace cam / god ordeyned / that some folke shold be more high in estate & degre / than some / and some folke more lowe / And that eueryche sholde be serued in his estate / & in his degre / [772] And therfore in some contrees there they ben thrallis / whan thei haue turned hem to the feitft / thei maken here thralles free / out of thraldom / And therfore certis the lord owitfi. to his man / that the man owith to his lorde / [773] The Pope clepeth him silff seruaunt of the seruauntes of god / But for-asmeche as the estate of holy chirche / ne myghte nat haue be kept / ne the comen profite ne myght nat haue be kept ne pees ne reste / in erthe / but if god had ordeyned that some men hadde higher degre / & some men lower1 / [774] And therfore was souereynte ordeyned / to kepe and mayntene / & de- fende here vnderlircges / & here sub1iectes in reson / as fer- forthe as it lith in here powere / and nat to distroye hem / ne confouiide / [775] wherfore I seie / that suche lordes as ben like wolves / that devoured the possessions or the catel of pore folke wrongefully withouten me?*cy or mesure / [776] thei shullen resceiven bi the same mesure / that thei haue mesured to pore folke / the mercy of Ihe-su criste / but if hit be amended / [777] Now cometh disceite bitu[i]xe marchaunt & marchaunt / And thow shalt vnder- stonde that marchaundise is in many maners / that oon is bodily & that other is gostly / that oon is leful & honest / that othere is dishoneste & vuleful / [778] Of thilke bodyly marchaurcdise that is leful & honest is this / that there as god hath ordeyned / that a Eegne or a contre is sufficiaunt to him silff / than it is honest & leful / that of the abundaunce of this contre / that men helpe another contre that is more nedye / [779] And therfore ther mote be marchauntes to bringe from that oon contre / to that othere / here march-

SELDEN (for Corpus 666) (6-T. 654) C1 leaf 295, backj

SIX-TEXT 655

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 667

aundise / [780] That other marchaundise is that / that men

haunte with fraude / & trecherie / & disceite / with

lesinges / & fals othes / is cursed & dampnable /

[781] Espirituel marchaundise is properly Symonye /

that is ententiff desire to bye thinge espirituel / that is

thinge that apperteyneth to the seintuarie of god / & to

the cure of soule / [782] This desire if it so be / that a

man do his diligence to performe hit / al be it though his

desire ne take noon effecte / yit is it to him a dedly

synne / & if be ordrede he is irregulere / [783] Certis

Symonye is cleped of Symon Magus / that wolde haue 1 Symon Magua

bought with the temporal catel / the yifftthat god hadde yeuen

bi the holy gost / to seint Peter / & to thappostles /

[784] And therfore vnderstondith / that both he that

sellith & he that bietfr thinges espirituels ben

cleped symonyals / be hit bi catel be hit bi procuryng /

or bi flesshly praiere / of his frendes / or of his spmftiel

frendes / [785] 3nesshely frendes / in two maners / as bi

kynrede / or as bi other frendes / or of spmYuel frendes /

Sothely if thei praie for him that is nat able / & worthi it

is symonye / iff he take that benefice / & if he be worthi &

able hit nys noon / [786] The other manere is whan a man

or a woman praie for folke to avaunce hem / onely for

wikked flesshely affeccion / that thei haue vn-to the persones/

& that is in soule Symonye / [787] but certes in seruices

for whiche men yeven thinges espw'^uels vn-to here

seruauntes / hit mot ben vnderstonde / that the seruice

mot be honeste / & elles nat / And eke that hit be

withouten barganynge / & that the persone be able /

[788] ffor as seith seint Damasie / Alle the synnes of the 1T

worlde / at the regarde of this sinne / ben as thinge of nought /

ffor it is the grettest sinne that may be / after the sinne

of Lucifer & of Antecriste / [789] ffor bi this sinne god

forlesith the chirche & the soule / that he bougfite with

Ms precious bloode / bi hem that yeuen chirches to hem

that ben nat digne / [790] ffor thei putten in theves that

SELDEN (for Corpus 667) (6-T. 655) I1 leaf 296]

SIX-TEXT 656

668 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

stelen the soule of Ihesu criste / & distroyen his patry- moigne / [791] By suche vndigne prestes / & curates haue men the lasse reuerence of the sacramentes of holy chirche / And suche yeuers of chirches putten out the childerne of criste / & putten in-to the chirche the deuels owne sones / [792] thei sellen the soules / the lomhes thei kepen to the wolff that strangelith" hem / and therfore shul thei neuer haue parte of the pasture of the lombes / that is in the blisse of

thasardrie. heuen / [793] Now cometh hasardrie / with his appur- tenaunce / as tahles / Eavfles / of whiche comen disceite / & flas othes / Chidinges / & al ravynges / blasphemynge / & reuyynge of god / & hate of his neighbours / wastynge of goodes / misspendynge of tyrne / & somtyme man slaughter / [794] Certis hasardours ne mowe nought be withouten gretesynne/ whiles thei hauntenthatcraffte/[795] Off Avarice cometh eke lesinges / thefft / f als witnesse l ffals othes /and ye shul vnderstonde / that these ben grete synnes / & expresse ayeines the commaundeme/ites of god as I haue seide / [796] ffals witnesse is in worde & in dede eke / In worde / as for to bireve thi neighbors good name / bi thi fals wittnesse / or bireve him his catel / or his heritage bi thi fals wittnessinge / whan thow for Ire / or for mede / or for envie / berest fals witnesse / or accusest him / or excusest him bi thi fals wittnesse / or *ellis ex-

f waryow cusest thi selff falsly // [797] "War yow questemongeres &

questernongeres . . ~

notories / Certis for fals wittnessinge was busanna in grete sorowe & peyne & many another mo / [798] The sinne of thefft is eke expresse ayeines godis heeste / & that in two maners / Corporel & spmYuel / [799] [Corporel] as for to take thi neighboris catel / ayeines his wil / be hit bi force / or bi slighte / be it bi mette or bi mesure / [800] bi stelinge eke of fals enditementes vppon him / And in borowynge of thi neighboris catel / in that entente neuere to pay / & semblable thinges / [80 1] Es- pm'fuel thefft is sacrilege / that is to seie in hurt-

SELDEN (for Corpus 668) (6-T. 656) P leaf 296, back]

SIX-TEXT 657

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 669

ynge of holy thinges / or of thinges sacrede to criste / in two maners / bi reson / of the holy place / as chirches or chirchehawes / [802] ffor eue?*y violente sinne that men don in suche places may be cleped sacrilege / or euery violence in semblable place / Also thei that withdrawen falsly the rightes that longen to holy chirche / [803] And playnly & generally is sacrilege to yeve holy thinge / fro holy place / and vn holy thinge out of holy place / Or holy thinge out of vn- holy place /

Eemedium contra Auariciam.

NOw shul ye vnderstonde / that the relevynge of Auarice is .mesericorde / & pite largely taken / And men myght axe whi / that misericorde & pite / is the releuynge of Auarice / [805] Certes the auarouse man / shewith no misericorde ne pite / to the nedeful man / ffor he delitetB. him in the kepinge of his tresoure / & not in the restoringe ne relevinge of his euen cristen / & therfore speke I first of misericorde [806] 1Than is misericorde as seith the Philosophre a vertu bi whiche the corage of a man is stored / bi the mysese of him that is mysesed / [807] vppon the whiche misericorde folwitE. pite / in performynge of charitable workes / of misericorde / [808] And certes this mevitfi. man to misericorde of Ihesu criste / that yaff him silff for oure gult / & suffred dethe / for misericorde / & foreyaff vs oure original sinnes / [809] & therbi relesed vs fro the peyne of helle / & amennshed the peyne of purgatorie bi penaunce / And yevitS. grace wel to do / And at the laste the ioye of heuen / [810] the spices of misericorde ben as for to leue / & for to yeve / & eke for to foryeve / & relese & haue pite / in herte / & to haue compassion of the mischeff of thi

SELDEN (for Corpus 669) (6-T. 657) C1 leaf 297]

SIX-TEXT 658

670 GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

euencristen / & eke chastice there as nede is / [811] Another manere reinedie ayeins auarice is resonable largesse / but sothely here bihovith the con- sideracion of the grace of Ihesn criste / & of his temporel goodes / & eke of the goodes perdurable that criste yaff vs / [812] & eke to haue remembraunce of the dethe that he shal resceive he note whanne / & eke that he shal forgon al that he hath / saue only that / he hatE. dispendid in goode workes /

[813] But for-asmeche as sorame folke ben vnmesur- able / men oughten eschue foole largesse that men clepen waste / [814] Certis he that is foole large ne yevith nought his catel / but he leseth his catel / Certes what thinge that he yevith for vaynglorie / as to mynstralles / & to folke for to bere his renoun in the worlde he hath don synne & noon almes / [815] Certis he leseth foule his goode / that ne seketh" nothinge with his goode but synne / [8 1 6] he is like an hors that seketh rather to drynke droupy water or troubly / than for to drinke water of the clere welle / [817] And for-asmeche as thei yeuen there as they shulde nat yeuen / to hem apperteyneth that malison that crist shal yeue at the day of dome to hem that shulle be dampnede

A'

De gula.

[8 1 8]

ffter auarice cometli glotenye / whiche is expresse eke

ayeines the commaundementes of 1god / glotenye is vnmesurable appetite to ete / or to drinke / or ellis

p appetite em***] to don I-noughe / to the vnmesurable 2 & discorde covetise to ete & ,to drinke / [819] This sinne cor- rumppeth al this worlde / as is wel shewed in the synne of

ITPauie Adam & of Eue / Lo eke what seith" seint Paule / of

gloteneye / [820] Many folke of whiche

SELDEN (for Corpus 670) (6-T. 668) P leaf 297, back]

SIX-TEXT 659

GROUP! §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 671

I haue oft seide to yow / & now I seie it wepinge / to hem that ben enemyes of the croyce of criste / of whiche the ende is dethe / and of whiche here wombe is here god / & here glorie in confusion of hem that sc devouren erthely thinges / [821] he that is vsante to this synne of glotenye / he ne may no synne with-stande / he moste be in the seruage of alle synnes or vicis / for it is the deuels horde there he hideth him inne & resteth" / [822] this synne hath many spices / The first is dronkenesse / that is the sepulture of manis reson / & ther- fore whan a man is dronke he hath loste his reson / & this is dedly synne / [823] but certis whan a man is nought wonte to stronge drmke / ne perauenture ne knowith. nat the strengthe of the drinke / or hath feblenesse in his hede/or he hath travailled thorugh whiche hedrynketh the more / al be he so sodenly caughte with drynke / it is no dedly synne but venial / [824] The seconde spice of gloteneye is / whan the spirite of man waxeth al trouble for dronkenesse / & birevith him the discresion of his witt / [825] The thride spice of glotenye is whan a man devoureth his meete / & hath 110 rightful manere of etynge / [826] The ferthe is whan thorugh the grete abund- aunce of his meete / the humores of his body ben dis- temperede / [827] The .v. is foryetefulnesse / bi to mechel drynkynge / for whiche somtyrne a man for-yetith bi the morowe / what he dide at eve or on the night biforne /

[828] In other manere ben discrived the spices of glotenye / affter seynt Gregorie / The first is for to ete fore tyme / The .ij.de is whan a man geteth him to delicate meete / [829] The .iij.de is whan a man taketh to mechel ouere mesure / The .iiij. Jis the curiouste / with grete entente to make & apparaille his meete / The .v. is to ete to gredily / [830] These ben the .v. fyngeris of the Deuels honde / bi the whiche he drawith folke to synne /

SELDEN (for Corpus 671) (6-T. 659) ['leaf 298]

SIX-TEXT 660

672 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. Kemedium contra gulam.

p3i]

Ageynes glotenye is remedie / the abstinence of his body / as seitfc Galienus / but that holde I nat meritorie / if he do hit onely for helthe of the bodie / seint Austyne wolde that abstynence were don for vertu / & with pacience / [832] Abstinence he seith is litil worthe / butif aman haue goode willetherto/ And but if he be enforced bi pacience and bi chaste / & that men do it for godis sake / & in hope to haue the blisse of heuen /

[833] The felowes of abstinence ben Attempe?*- aunce / that holditn" the ineene in al thinges Eke shame that eschewith" al dishoneste / Suffisaunce that seketh no riche metes / ne drinkes / ne doth no fors of noon outrageous apparaillynge of meete / [834] Mesure also that restreyneth bi reson the dislave appetite of etinge / Sobernessealso that restreyneth the outrageousnesse of drinke/ [835] Sparynge also that restreyneth the delicate ease to sitte longe at his meete / & sofftly / wherfore somme men stonden of here owne wil / to eten here meete at the lasse leyser /

De luxuria.

[836]

Affter glotenye / than cometh lecherie / ffor these two sinnes ben so nygh cosyns / that often tynie / thei wil nat departen / [837] god woot this sinne is ful displesaunt to god / for he seide him selff / do no lecherie / And there he putte grete peynes ayeines this sinne in the olde la we / [838] yff a wo man thral were taken in this sinne // she sholde be beten with stanes to the dethe / And if she were a gentil- woman she sholde be sleyne with stones / And if she were a busshopes doughter / she sholde be brente / bi godis commaundement / [839] fforther-ouere / for the synne of lecherie god dreynte al the worlde at

SELDEN (for Corpus 672) (6-T. 660)

SIX-TEXT 661

GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 673

dilivio / And after that he brente .v. Citees / with thonder lighte / and 1sanke hem in-to helle /

[840] Now lete vs speke than / of thilke fonle stinkyng synne of lecherie / that men clepen advoutrie / of wedded folke / that is to seie if that oon of hem be wedded or ellis bothe / [841] seint lohn seith that advoutrers IT seint lohan , shulle ben in helle / in a stynkynge brennynge fire of brymston / for here lecherie / In brernston for the stinkynge of there ordure / [842] Certes the brekynge of this sacrament is an horrible thinge / hit was made of god him selff in paradise / & conformed bi Ihesu criste / as seith seint Mathew in the gospel! / A man shal lete ^Mathewe. fader & moder / & take him to his wiff / & thei shul be two in oo flesshe / [843] this sacrament bitoke- neth the knyttynge to geder of criste / and of holy chirche / [844] And nat onely that god forbade advoutrie in dede / but eke he commaunded that thow shuldist nat coveite thi neighbors wiff / [845] in this heeste seith seint Austyne is forboden al manere of couetise to do lecherie / Lo what seith seint Mathew quinto capitulo / in the T Mathewe. gospeH / That who so seeth a woman to couetise of his luste / he hath don lecherie with hir / in his herte / [846] here may ye sen / that nat onely the dede of this synne / is forboden / but eke the desire to don) that synne / [847] This cursed synne annoyeth greuously hem that hit haunteth / & first to here soules / ffor he obligeth hit to synne & to the peyne of detfr / that is perdurable / [848] vn-to the body annoyeth it greuously also / for hit drieth him / & wasteth him / & shendetfi. him / & of his blode he maketh sacrifice to the f ende of helle / hit wasteth eke his catel / & his substaunce / [849] And certis if it be a foule thinge / a man to wasten his catel on a woman / yit is it a fouler thinge / whan that for suche ordure / wemmen dispenden vppon men here catel & here substaunce / [850] this sinne as seith the prophete birevith man & woman here gode fame / & al here honour / And it is ful plesaunt to the deuel / for therby

SELDEN (for Corpus 673) (6-T. 661) C1 leaf 298, back]

SIX-TEXT 662

674 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

wynneth he the most partie of 1this worlde / [851] And right as a Marchaunt deliteth him moste in chaffare that he Jiath most auantage of / Eight so deliteth the f ende in this ordure /

[852] this is that other honde of the Deuel / with .v. fyngeres to that kaccheth the peple to his vilonye / [853] The first fynger is the fool lokyng of the fool man / & of the fool woman / that sleth / Eight as the Basilicok sleth folke bi the venym of his sight / for the couetise of the eyghen folwith the couetise of the herte/ [854] The .ijde. fynger is the vileynes touchinge in wikked f Salomon. manere / and therfore seith Salomon / that who so toucheth & handelith" a woman / he farith I-like him that handelith the Scorpion that stingetS. & sodenly sleth / thorugh his envenymynge / And who so toucheth warme picche/hit fouleth his fyngers/[855]The.iij. fyngeris foule wordes that farith like fire that anoon brenneth the herte / [856] The iiij. fynger is the kissinge / & trewely he were a grete foole that wolde kisse the mouthe of a brennynge Oven / or of a forneys / [857] & more fooles ben thei that kissen in vilanye / for that mouth is the mouthe of helle / & namely these olde dotardes houlours / yit wol thei kisse / though thei may nat do & smater hem / [858] Certis thei ben I-like houndes / if or an hounde whan he cometh bi the rosiere / or bi other beautees / though he may nought pisse / yit wol he lifft vp his legge / & make a con- tenauwce to pisse / [859] And for that many men wene that thei may nat synne / for no licorousnesse that he dothe with his wiff / Certis that oppinioii is fals / god wote a man may sle him selff with his owne knyff / & maken him dronken with" his owne tonne / [860] Certes be it wiif / be it childe / or any other erthely thinge / that he loueth bif ore god / hit is his mavmet / & he is an ydolastre / [861] A man sholde loue his wiff bi discresion paciently & attemporally / & than is she 2as it

[Meaf299] SELDEN (for Corpus 674) (6-T. 662) [2 leaf 299, back]

SIX-TEXT 663

GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 675

were his suster / [862] The .v. fynger of the deuels

honde is the stingkyng dede of lecherie / [863] Certes the .v.

fyngers of glotenye the fende putteth in the womb e of a man/

And with the .v. fyngers of lecherie he gripeth him M

the reynes for to throwe him in to the furneys of

helle / [864] there as thei shul haue the fire & the wormes

that euere shal laste / & wepinge / & wailynge /

sharpe hunger / & thruste / griselynesse of deuels /

that shullen al to treden hem withouten respite / & with-

outen ende / [865] Off lecherie as I seide sourden

diuerse spices / as fornicacion that is "bitwix man

& woman / that ben nat maried / & this is dedly

sinne & ayeines nature / [866] Al that is enemy &

distruccion to nature / is ayeines nature / [867] Pe?-fay the

reson of a man tellith him wel that it is dedly

synne / for-asmeche as god forbade lecherie / And seynt

Paule seith / yeueth him the regne that is due to no wight U

but to hem that don dedly synne / [868] Another syime

of lecherie is / to bireven a maiden of hir maidenhede /

ffor certis he that so dothe / he taketh a maiden out

of the highest degre that is in this present liff / [869] &

birevith hir thilke precious fruyte / that the booke clepetfr

the hundrede fruyte / 1 can nat seie it / in noon other wise in

englissh / but in latyn hit hight / Centes[i]mus fructus / IT Centes[i]mus

fructus •

[870] Certes he that so dothe / is cause of many damages & vilonyes mo than any man can reken / Eight as he sonityme is cause of al the damages that bestes don in the felde / that breken the hegges or the clausure / thorugh whiche he distroyeth that may nat be restorede / [871] ffor certis no more may maidenhede be re stored / than an arme that is smeten from the body / may retorne ayeine to wexe / [872] she may haue mercy this woote I wel / if she do penaunce / but neuere shal hit be / that she nas corrupte / [873] And al be it so that I haue spoken somwhat of advoutrie/ 1it is goode to she wen mo perilles that longen to aduoutrie / fifor to eschewe the foule

SELDEN (for Corpus 675) (6-T. 663) C1 leaf 800]

SIX-TEXT 664

676 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

synne of [874] aduoutrie/in latyn it is for to seie/approching of other menis wivis / thorugh" whiche tho that whilom were first oo flesshe / abunden here bodies to other persones/ p75] Off this synne / as seith the wise man / folowen many harmes / ffirst brekyng of feitfr / & certis in the feitfc is the keye of cristendom / [876] & whan that feith is broke & lorne / certis cristendom stondith in vayne & withouten fruyte / [877] this sinne is eke a theffte / for theffte generally is / to reve a wighte his thinge ayeines his wille / [878] Certes this is the fouleste thefft that may be / whan a woman stelith hir body from hir housbond / & yivith hit to hir holour to defoule hir / & stelith hir soule from criste / & yivith hit to the deuel / [879] this is a fouler thefft than forto breke a chirche &• stele the chaleys / ffor these aduoutres breken the temple of god spiritually / & stelen the vessel of grace / that is the body & the soule / ffor whiche criste IPouie. shal distroien hem as seith seint Poule / [880] sothely

of this thefft dovted gretely Joseph" / whan that his lordis wiff praide him of vilonye / whan he seide lo my ladi how my lorde hath taken to me vnder my warde al that he hath in this worlde / ne nothing of his thinges is out of my power / but onely ye that ben his wiff / [88 1] and how sholde I than do this wikkednes / & synne so orrible ayeines god / & ayeines my lorde / god hit forbede / Alias al to litel is suche troutfi. now I-founde / [882] The thridde harme is the filthe thorugh whiche thei breken the commaundement of god / & defoulen the auctor of here matrymoigne that is criste / [883] ffor certis in-so-meche that the sacrament of mariage is so noble / & so digne / so meche hit is the gretter synne to breke hit / ffor god made mariage in Paradise in the state of Innocence / to multiplie 1mankynde to the sendee of god / [884] & therfore is the brekyng therof the more greuous / of whiche breking cometh" fals heires ofte tyme / that wrongefully occupien other menis heritage / & therfore wol criste put

SELDEN (for Corpus 676) (6-T. 664) I!1 leaf 300, back]

SIX-TEXT 665

GROUP I, §2. PAKSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 677

hem out of the regne of heuen / that is heritage to goode folke / [885] Of this brekyng cometfr oftyn tyme / that folke vnwar weddew or synnen / with here owne kynrede / & namely thilke harlottes that haunten bordels / of these foole wemmen that mowe be likened to a comune gouge / where as men purgen there ordure / [886] what seie we eke of poytowrs that leven bi the horrible synne of putrie & constreinen wommen to yelde hem a certeyne rente of here bodily putrie / y somtyme of his owne wiff / or his childe / as don these baudes / Certes these ben cursed synnes / [887] Vnderstondith eke that advoutrie is sette gladly in the ten commaundementes / bituexe theffte & man slaughter / ffor it is the grettest theffte that may be / ffor it is the theffte of body & of soule / [888] & hit is like homycide / for it kerveth a-two & breketh a-two hem that first were made Oo flesshe / & therefore bi the olde lawe of god / thei sholde be sleyne / [889] But natheles bi the lawe of ihesu criste that is the lawe of pite / whan he seide to the womman that was founden in advoutrie / & sholde haue ben sleyne with stones / after the wil of the lewes / as was there lawe / Go quod ihesu criste & haue no more wille to synne / or willen to do no more no synne / [890] sothely the vengeaunce of advoutrie is awarded to the peyne of helle / but if it be distorbled bi penaunce / [891] yit ben ther mo spicis of this cursed synne / as whan that oon of hem is religious / or ellis both / or of folke that ben entred in-to order / as subdiacone / & deken / or preste / or hospitelers / & euer the higher that he is in order / the gretter is the synne / [892] The thinges that gretly agregen here synne / is the brekyng of here avo we/ of chastite/ that thei made whan thei resceivede order / [893] And forther ouere sotfi. it is / that holy order is tresour acheff of god / & his especial signe & marke of chastite / to shewe that thei ben loyned to chastite / whiche that is the most precious liff that is / [894] And eke these ordred folke ben specially entitled to god / & of the SELDEN (for Corpus 677) (6-T. 666) P leaf 301]

SIX-TEXT 666

678 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

special meyne of god / ffor whiche whan thei don dedly synne / thei ben the special traytours of god / & of his peple / ffor thei leven of the peple / to praie for the peple / And while they ben suche traitours / here praiers availen nat to the peple / [895] H Prestes ben as Aungels / as bi

fpauius. the dignite of here misterie / but for sothe seint Poule

seith. / that Sathanas transformeth him in an Aungel of light / [896] sothely the preste that haunteth dedly synne / he may be likened to the Angel of derkenesse / transformed / in the Angel of light / he semeth an Angel of light / & but for sothe he is an Angel of derkenesse / [897] suche prestes ben the sones of Belye as she with in the boke of kynges / that thei weren the sones of Belial / that is the deuel / [898] Belyal is to seyne withouten lugge And so faren thei / hem thenketh thei ben fre / & han no lugge / no more than hath a fre Boole / that taketh whiche kow that him liketh in the towne / [899] Eight so faren thei bi wommen / ffor right as a fre Boole is I-nouglL for al a toune / Eight so is a wikked preste corrupt / I-nough for al a parissh / or for al a centre / [900] these prestes as seitB. the booke / ne conne nat the mynysterie of presthode to the pepel / ne god knowith hem nought / thei holde hem nat a-paide as seith the booke / of soden flessh" that was to hem offred / but thei toke bi force the flessfr that is rawe / [901] Certes right so these olde shrewis/ ne holde hem nat a-paide of rested flessh/ & soden flessh / with the whiche the peple feden hem with

f prestes woi grete reuerence / but thei wol haue rawe flessh / as men-is

haue raweflesshe. ....

wivis & here doughtrera / [902] And certis these women that consenten to here harlotries / don grete wronges to criste /& to holy chirche / And to alle halowes / & to alle soules / ffor they 1bireven him alle these that sholden wourshipe criste / & holy chirche / & pray for alle cristen soules / [903] And therefore haue suche prestes & here lemmans eke that consenten to here lecherie / the malison of al • cristen courte / til thei come to amendement /

SELDEN (for Corpus 678) (6-T. 666) L1 leaf SOI, back]

SIX-TEXT GG7

GBOUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 679

[904] The thride spice of advoutrie / is bitwene a man and his wiff / & that is whan thei take no rewarde in here assemblynge / but onely to here flesshly delite / as seith seint lerome / [905] and rekken of nothings butfierome. that thei ben assembled / bi-cause that thei ben I-mariede al is good I-nougfr / as thenkith to hem / [906] but in suche folke the deuel hath power1 / as seide the Aungel Eaphael to Tobye / ffor in al here assemblynge thei putten oute ihesu criste of here herte / & yeven hem selff to al ordoure / [go^JThe.iiij. spice of advoutrie is the assemblyngof hem that ben of here kynrede / or of them that ben of oon affinite / or ellis with hem with whiche hir fader or here kynrede hath deled in the synne of lecherie / this synne maketfi hem I-like to houndes / that taken no kepe to kynrede / [908] And certis perentela is in two maners / outher gostly outher flesshly / gostly is to delen with here gossebes / [909] ffor right so as he that engendreth the childe is the flesshly fader /right so is his gossebe his spirituel fader/ ffor whiche a woman may no lasse synne assemble with hir gosseb / than with hir owne flesshely brother / [910] The .v* spice is that abhomynable synne of whiche that no man vnnethes oughte to speke ne write / natheles hit is openly rehersed in holy writte / [911] this cursednes don men & women in diners entente / & in diuers manere / but though that holy writte speke of orrible synne / certis holy writte may nat be defouled / no more than the sonne that shyneth on the mexen / [9 1 2] Another synne peHeyneth vn-to lecherie / that cometh in sleping / & this synne cometh offte to hem that 1ben maydens / & eke to hem that ben corrupte / & this synne men clepen pollucion / that cometh in .iiij. maners / [913] somtyme of a languysshinge of body for the humours ben to ranke / & to habundaunte in the bodie of a man / Somtyme for the infirmite & for the feblenes of the vertu retentiff / as phisike maketh mension / Somtyme for surfete of mete & drinke / [914] And somtyme of

47 SELDEN (for Corpus 679) (6-T. 667) [Meaf302]

SIX-TEXT 668

680 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

violent thoughtes that ben enclosed in man-is mynde whan he gooth" to slepe / whiche may nat be withouten synne / ffor the whiche men muste kepe hem wisely / or ellis thei may synne greuously

^[ The remedie ayeines lecherie

Ow cometli the remedie ayeinest lecherie / & that is generally chastite / & continence / that re- streynetn" al the disordeine mevynge that cometli of flesshly talentes / [916] & euer the gretter merite shal we haue / that moste restreyneth the wikked enchau- fynges / or ordour of this synne / And this is in two maners / that is to seie chastite of mariage / & chastite of widewhode / [917] Now shalt thow vnderstonde that matrymouye is lefful assemblynge of man & of woman / that receiven bi vertu of sacrament / the bonde thorugh" whiche thei may nat be departed in al there liff / that is to seyn whiles that thei leven bothe / [918] This is as seith the booke a ful gret sacrament / god made hit as I haue seide in Paradise / & wolde him selff be borne in mariage / [9 1 9] And for to halowen manage/ he was at a wedding / whereas he torned water vn-to wyne / whiche was the firste miracle that he wrougHte here in erthe / bifore his disciples / [920] Trewe effecte of mariage clensith fornicacion / & replesshitfi. holy chirche of good lynage / for that is the ende of mariage / & hit changith dedly synne / in-to venial synne / bitwex hem that ben wedded / & makith the hertes al oon / of hem / [. . .no gap in the MS.] as wel as the bodies / [921] this is verry mariage that was established bi god or that synne bigan / whan naturel lawe / was in his right po^nte in Paradise/ And hit was ordeyned that oo man/ sholde haue butoo woman/ And oo woman sholde haue butoo H Austyne . man / as seith- seint Austyne bi many resons /

[922] ffirst for that mariage is figured bitw[i]x god &

SELDEN (for Corpus 680) (6-T. 668) [Meaf 302, back]

SIX-TEXT 669

GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 68 i

holy chirche / And that other is / for that a man is the hede of the woman / algate bi ordinaunce hit sholde be so / [923] ffor if a woman had mo men than oon / than sholde she haue mo hedes than oon / & that were an " oriibla thing^ bifore god / And eke oo woman inyghte nat please to many folke attones / And al&o there shulde neuere be pees ne reste / amonges hem / ffor eueryche wolde axe his owne thinge / [924] And ferther oner no man shulde knowe his owne en- gendrure / ne who sholde haue his heritage / And the woman sholde be the lesse biloued fro the tyme that she were comune to many men /

[925] Now coineth how that a man sholde bere him with his wiff / And namely in two thinges / that is to seie / in suffraunce & in reuerence / & that shewed criste whan he made first woman / [926] ffor he made hir nought of the hede of Adam / ffor she sholde nat cleyme to grete lordship^e / [927] ffor there as the woman hath the maistrie / she makith to meche disaray / there nedetR noon ensamples of this / thexpmence day bi day oughte I-nough suffice / [928] Also certis god ne made nat woman of the foote of Adam / ffor she sholde nat be holden to lowe / ffor she can nat paciently suffre / but god made woman of the ribbe of Adam / ffor woman sholde be felowe vn-to man / [929] A man sholde bere him to his wiff / In feith / In trouthe / & in love / as seitfr seint Poule / that a man sholde love his wiff / As criste loueth f Pouie holy chirche / that loued hit so wel that he deyede for hit / so sholde a man for his wiff If hit were nede /

[930] Now how that a woman sholde be subiecte to hir housbonde / that tellitfr seint Peter / ffirst in obedi- ence / [931] and eke as seitft the Deere / A woman as longe *as she is a wiff / she hatR noon auctorite to swere / ne to bere wittnesse / withoute leve of here housbondes / that is here lorde / algate he sholde be so bi reson / [932] She sholde eke serve him in al

SELDEN (for Corpus 681) (6-T. 669) [MoafSOS]

SIX-TEXT 670

682 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

honeste / & ben attempre of hir array I woot wel that thei shulde sette al here entente to please here hous- bondes / but nat bi queyntise of here array / [933] seint tierome. lerome BeitS. that wives that ben apparelled in silke & in precious purpul / ne mowen nat clothen hem in ihesu liohon. criste / Loke what seitfi. seint John eke in this matere

IGregorie. [934] seint Gregorie seitfr eke that no wight seketfc precious array but onely for vaynglorie to ben honoured the more biforn the peple / [935] hit is a grete folie a woman to haue feire array outwarde / & hir silff to be foule inwarde / [936] A wiff sholde eke be mesurable in lokynge / & eke in berynge / & in laughynge / & discrete in al hir wordes / & in hir dedes / [937] And aboven al wordly thinge she sholde loue hir housbonde with al hir herte / & to him be trewe of hir bodie / [938] so sholde an housbonde eke be trewe of his bodie to his wiff/ffor soth al the bodie of the wiff is the housbondes/so sholde hir herte be / or ellis ther is bitwex hem two / as in that no perfite mariage / [939] Than shal a man vnder- stonde / that for thre thinges a man & his wiff mowe flesshly assemble The first is / in entente to engen- drure of children to the seruice of god / for certis that is the cause fynal of matrymony / [940] A-nother cause is / to yelden eueryche of he?w to other the dette of here bodies / for neither of hem hath powere of his owne bodie / The thirde cause is to eschewe lecherie / & vilonye / The ferthe for-soth is dedly synne / [941] As to the first it is meritorie / the seconde also / ffor as seith the Deere / that she hath the merite of chastite / that yeldeth to hir housbonde the dette of hir bodie / ye though hit be ayeinst hir likyng & the lust of hir herte / [942] The thride manere is venial synne / & trewly scarsly may any of these ben withoute venial synne / for the corupc^on & for the delite / [943] The ferthe manere is/ for to vnderstonde 1as is the assemble onely for amorous loue / & for noon of the forseide causes / but

SELDEN (for Corpus 682) (6-T. 670) C1 leaf 303, back]

SIX-TEXT G71

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 683

for to accomplissh thilke brennyng delite / & thei recke neuere how offte / sothly hit is a dedly synne / And yit witn" sorowe some folke wol peyne hem to do more than here appetite suffisith /

[944] The secounde manere of chastite is to be a clene wedowe & to eschewe thenbrasing of man / & desire thenbrasing of ihesu criste / [945] these ben tho that haue ben wives & haue forgon there hous- bondes / And eke women that haue don lecherie / & ben releued bi penaunce / [946] And certes if that a wiff couthe kepe hir chaste in al / bi licence of hir housbonde / so that she neuere yaff noon occacion that he agilt hit were to hir a grete merite / [947] these manere of women that observen chastite moste be clene in herte / as wel as in bodie / & in thought / & mesurable in clothinge / and in contenaunce / abstyneftte in etynge / & in drinkinge / in spekyng<? / & in dede / & than is she the vessel or the boiste / of the blissed Magdaleyne / that fulfilled holy chirche ful of good odoure / [948] The thredde manere of chastite / is virginite / & hit bihovith that she be holy in herte / & clene in bodie / than is she spouse to ihesu criste / & she is the liff of aungels / [949] she is the preising of this world / & she is as these martirs in Regalite / she hath in hir that no tonge may telle / [950] virginite bare oure lorde / ihesu criste / & virginite he was him selff /

[951] A-nother remedie ayeines lecherie / is specially f

. , , iii- • i contra luxuriam,

to withdrawe suche thinges / as yeven occasion to that

vilonye / as is ease / & etynge / & drinkinge / if or ceHis whan

the pot boylith" strongelie / the beste remedie is / for to with- 1 noto b«n«

drawe the the (sic) fire/ [9 5 2] sleping longe in grete quiete

is eke a grete norice to lecherie /

[953] Another remedie a-yeines lecherie is that a

man or a woman eschue the companye of hem bi

whiche he douteth to be tempted / ffor al be it so that the

dede be with-stonde / yit is ther grete temptacion /

SELUEN (for Corpus 683) (6-T. 671)

SIX-TEXT 672

684 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE, Selden, for Corpus MS.

T Sampson ,

T Dnuid . T[ Salomon .

[954] sothely a white wal / al-though it brenne nat fully / bi stik^nge of a candel / yit is the wal blak of the ligfite [955] 1ful offte tyme / I rede that no man truste in his owne perfeccion / but he be stronger than Sampson / or holiere than Dauid / & wisere than Salomon /

[956] Now that I haue declared yow as I can the .vij. dedly synnes / & some of here braunches / & here remedies / sothely if I couthe I wolde telle yow the ten comaundemetttes [957] but so high adoctryne I lete to divines / but natheles I hope to god thei ben touched in this litil tretise eueryche of hem alle /

De secunda parte penitencie .

[95^]

IVTOw for-asmeche as the seconde partie of penauwce

JL l stonte in confession of monthe / as I bigan in the chapitre / I seie seint Austyne seith" / [959] synne is euery worde / & euery dede / & al that men coveiten ayeines the lawe of ihesu criste / And this is for to synne in herte / in mouthe / & in dede / bi the .v. wittes / that ben / sighte / hirynge / smellynge / tasty nge 1 prima circum- or sauerynge / & felynge / [960] Now is hit good to

stuncia peecttti

vnderstonde the circumstances that aggregen mechel euery synne / [961] thow shalt considre what thow arte that doist the synne / whether thow be male or female / y[o]nge or olde / gentil or thral / fre or smiaunte / hoole or sike / wedded or sengle / ordred or vnordred / wise or foole / clerke or seculere / [962] if she be of thi kynrede bodily or gostly or non / if any of thi kynrede haue synned with hir or non / & many mo thinges /

[963] That other circunstaunce is this / whether hit be don in fornicacion / or in aduoutrie or non / or in ceste or non / maiden or non / in manere of homicide or non / orrible grete synne or smale / & how longe thow hast contenued in synne / [964] The thride circunstaunce is the place where as thow hast don synne / whether in other

SELDEN (for Corpus 684) (6-T. 672) [HeafSOl]

SIX-TEXT G73

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE, Selden, for Corpus MS, 685

men-is hous or in thin owne / in felde or in chirche

or in chirchehawe / in chirche dedicate or non /

[965] ffor if the chirche be halo wed / & a man or a woman

spilt his kynde bi wey of synne with-inne that place / or bi

wikked temptacion the chirche were enterdited / til it were

reconsiled bi the 1busshoppe / [966] And if he were a

preste that dide suche a vilonye / the terme of al his liff he

shulde neuere singe masse / & if he dide / he shulde IT war ye preste

do dedly synne at euery tyme that he songe masse /

[967] The ferthe circunstaunce is / bi suche mediat- f quarta.

ours / as be messangers as for enticement / or for

consentement / to bere company with felowshippe / ffor

many a wrecche for to bere cowpanye / wil go to the

deuel of helle / [968] ffor they that eggen / or con-

senten to the synne / ben partyners of the sinne / &

of the dampnacion of the synne /

[969] The .v is how many tymes f quinta .

he hath synned / if it be in his mynde / & how offte that he hath falle / [970] ffor he that oft fallith in synne / dispisith the mercy of god / & encresith his synne / & is vnkynde to god / & he wexetfr the more feble ,to withstonde synne / & synnetfr the more lightliere / [971] & the latter arisith / & is the more eschue to shriven him / & namely to him that hath be his con- fessour / [972] ffor which e that folke whan that they falle ayeine in here olde folies / outher thei forleten here olde conf essours / al vtterly / or ellis thei departen here shrifft / in diuers places / but sothely such departed shrifft deservith no mercy of god of his synnes / [973] The .vj. circun- f Sexta. staunce is this / whi that a man synneth as bi temptacion / & if him selff procure that temptacion / or bi the ex- ityng of other folke / or if he synne with a woman bi force / or bi hir owne assente / [974] or if the woman mavgre hir hede hath be enforsed or noon / this shal she telle / ffor couetise or for pouerte / & if hit was hir procurynge or non / & suche manere

SELDEN (for Corpus 685) (6-T. 673) C1 leaf 304, back]

SIX-TEXT 674

686 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

jseptima. harneys / [975] The .vij. circunstaunce is / in what manere he hath don his synne / & how that she hath suffred folke to don to hir / [976] & the same shal the man telle pleynly / al circunstaunces / & whether he hath synned with conrnne bordel women or non / [977] or don his synne in holy tymes or non / In fast- ynge tymes or non / or biforn his shriffte or after his latter shriffte / [978] & hath pe?*auenture / broken Hher-fore his penaimce enioyned / bi whos helpe / & whos consaille / bi sorcerie & craffte / al moot be tolde / [979] al these thinges after that thei ben grete & smale engregen the conscience of man / And eke the preste that is thi lugge may the better ben avised in his iugement / & in yevinge of thi penaunce / & that is after thi contricion / [980] ffor vnderstondeth wel / that after the tyme that a man hathe defouled his baptyme bi synne / if he wil come to saluaeion / ther is noon other wey but bi penau?zce & shrifft / & bi satisfaccion / [981] And namely bi tho two / if ther be a confessour to whiche he may shrive him / & the thridde if he may haue liff to performe hit /

[982] than shal a man loke & considre / if he wol make a trewe & profitable confession / ther' moste be .iiij. condiciones therinne/ [983] ffirst hit most be in

t Ezecinei sorowful bittemes of herte / As seith the kyng Ezechiel To god I wol remembre me alle the dayes & yeres of my liff in bitternesse of myn herte / [984] This condicion of bitter- nesse hath .v. signes / The first is that confession mote be shamefaste / nat for to couere ne to hide his sinwe / but for he hath agilt his god / & defouled his soule /

^Austyne [985] & here-of seith seint Austyne / the herte travaileth for shame of his synne / & for he hath grete shamefastnes / he is digne to haue grete mercye of god [986] Suche was the confession of the Puplicane that wolde nat heve vp his eighen to heuen / for he had offended god of heuen ifor whiche shamefastnes he had anoon the mercy of god / [987] And therfore seitfr

SELDEN (for Corpus 686) (6-T. 674) P leaf 305]

SIX-TEXT 675

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 687

seint Austyne / that suche shamefast folke / ben next

for-yevenesse & remission / [988] That other signe is

humylite of confession / of which seith seint Peter /IT Peter.

humbleth yow vnder the myght of god / the honde of god

is myghti in confession / ffor ther-bi god foryevith the

tlii synnes / for he alone hath the power / [989] & this

humylite shal be in herte / & in signe outwarde / ffor

right as he hath humilite to god in his herte / Eight so

sholde he humble his body outwarde to the preste that sitteth

in godis place / [990] ffor l whiche in no manere / sithen that

criste is souereyne / and the preste meene & mediatour1 bi-

twex criste & the synnere / & the synnere is the laste

bi wey of reson / [991] than sholde nat the synnere sitte

as highe as his confessour / but knele biforn him / or at

his feete / but if maladie distorbe hit / ffor he shal nat take

kepe who sitte there / but in whos place that he sitteth /

[992] A man that hath trespased to a lorde/and cometh to

axe niercy / & maketh his accorde/Andhe sette him doun) anoon

bi the lorde / men wold holde him outrageous / & nat

worthi so sone to haue remission ne mercy / [993] The

.iij. signe is that thi confession shulde be ful of teres if

ye may / & if ye may nat wepe with youre bodily eyghe /

lete thin herte wepe / [994] suche was the confession

of seint Peter ffor after that he had for-sake ihesu criste / TPetrus.

he went out & wept ful bitterly / [995] The .iiij.

signe is that he lett nat for his shame to shewe

his confession / [996] suche was the confession of the

Magdaleyne / that spared for no shame of hem that were 1 Magdaieyne.

at the fest for to go to oure lorde ihesu criste / & biknowe

to him hir synne / [997] The .v. signe that a man

be obeisaunt or a woman to resceive the penaunce that

is to him enioyned / ffor certis ihesu criste / for

the giltes of oo man was obediente to the deth //

[998] The secunde condicion of verray confession / is that hit be hastily don) / ffor certis if a man had a dedly wounde / euer the lenger that he tarieth to warisshe

SELDEN (for Corpus 687) (6-T. 675) C1 leaf 305, back]

SIX-TEXT 670

688 GKOUP! §2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

him-selff / the more wold hit corupte / & haste him to his dethe / & eke the wounde wolde be the wers to hele / [999] And right so faritfr hit bi synne / that longe tyme is in a man vnshewed // [1000] Certis a man ought hastily to shewe his synnes / for many causes / As for drede of dethe that cometh offte sodeynly / & is in no certeyne what tyme hit shal be / ne in what place / And eke the drecching of oo synne / drawith in another synne / [1001] 1and eke the lenger that he tarieth / the ferther is he from criste / & if he abide in-to his laste day /ful scarsly may he shrive him / or re- membre him on his synnes / or repente him / for the grevous maladie / of his dethe / [1002] And for-asmeche as he hath na in his liff / herkened ihesn criste / whan he hath spoken vn-to him /he shal crienvn-to oure lord ihesucrist at his laste day/ & scarsly wol he herken to him / [1003] And vnderstonde that this condicion most haue .iiij. thinges / thi shrifFt moot be purveide biforn) & avised / for wikked haste doth no profite / & that a man can shrive him of his synnes / be hit of pride or of envie / & so forth with the spices & the circurastaunces / [1004] & that he haue comprehended in his mynde / the nombre & the gretnesse of his synnes / & how longe that he hath leyne in synne / [1005] & eke that he be contrite / of his synnes / & in stedfast purpos bi the grace of god / neuere effte to falle ayeine in synne / & eke that he drede & contrewaite him-selff / that he fle the occaciouws of synne / to whiche he is enclyned / [1006] Also that thow shalt shrive the of alle thi synnes to oo man & nat a parcel to oon / & a parcel to another / that is to vnderstonde / in entente to departen thi confession / as for shame or drede / for hit is nought but strangelyng1 of thi soule/ [1007] ffor certis Thesn criste is al good / in him is noon imperfeccion / & therfore outher he foryevith al pe?*fitly / or ellis neuera- dele // [1008] I seie nat if thow be assigned to thi penitencere / for certeyne synne that thou art bounde to. shewe to him / al the remanent of thi synnes / of whiche

SELDEN (for Corpus 688) (6-T. 676) [J leaf 306]

SIX-TEXT G77

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 689

thou hast be shriven to thi curate / but if it like the of thin humilite / this is no departing of shrifft / [1009] ne I seie nat there as I speke of diuision of confes sion / if that thou haue licence for to shrive the to a discrete / & an l honest preste / & where the liketh" / bi the licence eke of thi curate / that thou ne maiste wel shrive the / of al thi synnes / [1010] but lat no blot be bihynde / lete no synne be vntolde / as fer as tho\v hast remem- braunce / [ion] And whan thow shalt be shriven to thi curate / telle him eke of al thi synne that thou hast don / sithen that thou were last I-shriven / this is no wikked entente of division of shrifft /

[1012] And also the verray shrifft axeth" certeyne con- dicwms / mrst that thou shrive the bi thi fre wil / nat constreyned / ne for shame of folke ne for maladie / or suche thinges / ffor it is reson that he that trespaceth with his fre wil / he moot bi his fre wil confesse his trespace / [1013] noon other man shal telle his synne but he him selff / ne hene shal nat nay it ne denye his synne / ne wretthe him ayeines the preste / for his amonesshynge to lete his synne / [1014] The secunde condicion is / that thi shrifft be lawful that is to seie / that thou that shrivist the / & eke the preste that hireth" thi confession / ben verray in the feith of holy chirche // [1015] And that a man be nought dispeired / of the mercy of ihesu criste / as Cayme or ludas / [1016] and eke a man most accuse him of his owne trespace & nat another / but he shal blame & witen him-selff of his owne malice / & of his synne / & noon other / [1017] but natheles if that another man be occacion of his synne / or entiser of his synne / or if the estate of a persone be suche / thorugh whiche his synne is aggreged / or that he ne may nat pleynly shriven him / but he telle the persone / with whiche he hath" synned / than may he telle it [1018] so / that his entente be nat to bagbite the persone but onely to declare his con fession /

SELDEN (for Corpus 689) (6-T. 677) L1 leaf 306, back]

SIX-TEXT 678

690 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS,

[1019] Thow shalt nat eke make no maner lesinges in thi confession / for humilite perauenture to seie that thou hast don synnes / of whiche thou were

fAustyne. neuere gilti / [1020] if or seint Anstyne seitfc if thow bi cause of humilite makest lesinges of 1thi selff / though thow ne were nat in synne biforne yit art thow than in synne thorugfc thi lesinges [1021] Thow most eke shewe thi synne / bi thi nowe propre mouthe / but if thou be wexe dome / & nat bi no letter / ffor thou that hast don the synne / thou shalt haue the shame in confession / [1022] Thow shalt nat eke peynte thi confession / bi faire & subtile wordes / to couere the more thi synne / ffor than bigilest thou thi selff & nat the preste / thou most telle it platly be it neuere so foule / ne so orrible / [1023] Thow shalt shrive the eke to a preste that is discrete / to counsaile the / And eke thou sha[l]t nat shrive for vaynglorie / ne for ypocresie / ne for no cause but onely for the dovte of Ihmi criste / & the hele of thi soule / [1024] Thow shalt nat eke renne to the preste al sodeynly to telle him thi synne / as whos tellith" a lape or a tale / but avisily / & with grete deuocion / [1025] And generally shrive the offte / if thou offte falle / offte' arise bi confession / [1026] And though thou shrive the offter than ones of thi synne / of whiche thow hast be shriven it is

lAustyne. the more merite / And as seith seint Austyne / thou shalt haue the more lightly relesynge / & the grace of god / both of synne & of peyne / [1027] And certis ones a yere at the leste weye hit is lawful for to be houselede / ffor certenly ones a yere alle thinges renovellen /

Be satisfaccione .

[1028]

l^TOw haue I tolde of verry confession that is the

-L 1 secunde parte of penaunce /

SELDEN (for Corpus 690) (6-T. 678) L1 leaf 307]

SIX-TEXT 679

GBOUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 691

[1029] the .iij. parte of penaunce is satisfaccion / & that stant most generally in almes & in bodily peyne / [1030] Now ben ther .iij. manere of almes / Contricion of herte / that a man openeth. him selff to god / Another is to have pete of the defaute of his neighbours / And the thride is in y evyng good counsaile / & comforte gostly & bodily / where men haue nede / & namely in sustenaunce of man-is foode / [1031] & to take kepe of that 1 that a man hath nede of / off these thinges generally he hath nede / of foode / of clothing / & herborugh / he hath nede also of charitable counsaille / & visityng in prison / & maladie / & sepulture of his dede bodie / [1032] and if thou maist nat visite the nedeful with thi persone / visite hem bi thi massage / & thi yifftes / [1033] these ben the general almes & workes of charite / of hem that han temporal riches / or discrecion in counsaillyng / Off there workes shalt thow hyre at the day of dome /

[1034] these almesses shaltow don of thin owne propre thinges / & hastily & privily if thow maiste / [1035] but natheles if thou maiste nat don hit priuily / thou shalt nat f orbere to do almes neuer a dele though men se hit / so that it be nat don for thanke of the world / but onely for to haue the thanke of oure lorde ihesucriste / [1036] ffor as wittnessith Seint Mathew. quinto c&pitulo I A Cite

Capitwlo .

may nat be hidde that on a mountayne sette / ne men lighte nat a lanterne & put it vnder a busshel / but men sette hit on a candelstike / to lighten the men in the hous / [1037] Eight so shal youre lighte lighten a-forne men that thei mowe seen youre goode workes / & glorifie / youre fader that is in heuen /

[1038] Now as for to speke of bodily peyne / it stonte in praieres / in wakynges / in ffastinges / & in vertuous

SELDEN (for Corpus 691) (6-T. 679) L1 leaf 307, back]

SIX-TEXT 680

692 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

techinges of orisons / [1039] ye shul vnder-stonde that orisons / or praiers is for to seie / a pitous wil of herte / that redressith hit in god / & expressith it "bi wordes / outwarde to renewe harmes / & to haue thinges espirituel & durable / & somtyme temporal thinges /

f Pater nostev . off whiche orisons / certis in the orison of the Pater noster / hath ihesu criste enclosed most thinges / [1040] Certis it is privileged of thre thinges in his dignite / ffor whiche it is more digne / than any other praiere / ffor that ihesu criste him selff maked / [1041] and it is shorte / for it sholde be couthe more lightly 1and for to withholde hit the more esily in herte / & helper hem selff the offter / with the orison / [1042] And for a man sholde be the lasse wery to seie hit / And for a man may nat excuse him to lerne hit / for it is shorte & so esie / And for hit comprehendith in hit selff / alle good praiers / [1043] The exposicion of this holy praiere / that is so excellent & digne / I bitake these maistres of Theologie / saue thus meche wol I seyne / that whan thou praieste that god sholde foryeve the thi giltes as thou foryeuest hem that agilten the / Be ful wel war / that thou be nat out of charite / [1044] This holy orison amennsith eke venial synne / & therfore hit apperteyneth specially to penaunce /

[1045] This praiere most be trewly seide / & in verry feith // & that men praie to god / ordinatly / dis- cretly / & devoutely / And alwey a man shal putte his wil / to be subiette to the wil of god / [1046] this orison most eke be seide / with grete humblesse / & ful pure / honestly & nat to the anoysaunce of any man or woman / hit most eke be contenued with the workes of charite / [1047] hit availeth eke ayeines the vices of the soule / ffor as

TI lerome seith seint lerome / bi fastynge ben saued the vices of the

flesshe / & bi praiers the vices of the soule /

[1048] Affter this thow shalt vnder-stonde / that bodily peyne stonte in waking / for ihesu criste seith / waketli and praietft / that ye ne entre in to wikked

SELDEN (for Corpus 692) (6-T. 680) P leaf 308]

SIX-TEXT 681

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 693

temptacion / [1049] ye shul vnder-stonde eke that fast- ynge stonte in thre thinges / in forberynge of bodily meete / and drinke / & in forberinge of worldly iolitees / And in f or- beringe of dedly synne / this is to seie / that a man shal kepe him fro dedly synne / with al his myght /

[1050] And thou shalt vnderstonde eke that god ordeyned fastinges / & to fastinges apperteynen .iiij. thinges [1051] largenesse to pore folke / gladnesse of herte espirituel / nat to be angry / ne anoyed / ne to grucche for he fasteth / & also at resonable houre for to eete bi 1mesure / that is for to seie / A man shulde nat eten in vntyme / ne sitte the lenger at his table to ete / for he fastetfc /

[1052] Than shalt thou vnderstonde that bodily peyne stante in disciplyne or teching / bi worde / or bi writynge / or bi ensample / also in weryng* of heires or of stamyne / or of haberions on here naked flesshe / for cristes sake / & suche manere penaunces / [1053] but war the wel thatsuche penaunces on thi flessh / ne make nought thin herte bitter/ or angery / or anoyed / of thi selff / ffor better it is to caste awaie thin heire / than for to caste a-wey the swettnesse of oure lorde ihesu criste / [1054] And therfore seit[h] seint Poule / Clothetfi. yow as thei that ben chosen of god / in herte of misericorde / debonairte / suffraunce / & suche manere of clothinge / of whiche ihesu criste is more apaiede / than of heire / or of haberiou'/i /

[1055] Than is his disciplyne / in knokkynge of thi breste / in schourginge with yerdes / in knelynges / in tribulacions / [1056] in sufferinge paciently wronges / that ben don to him / And eke vnpacient sufferaunce of maladies / or lesinge of worldly catel / or of wiff / or childe / or other frendes /

[1057] Than shalt thou vnderstonde / whiche thinges distourben penaunce / and that is in .iij. maners / And that is drede / shame / & wanhope / that is desperacion / [1058] And for to speken first of drede / ffor whiche he

SELDEN (for Corpus 693) (6-T. 68l) C1 leaf 308, back]

SIX-TEXT 682

694 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.

wenetS that he may suffre no penaunce / [1059] there ayeines is remedie / for to thenke that bodily penaunce is but shorte / litel / at the regarde of the peyne of helle / that is cruel & so longe /that it lasteth withouten ende /

[1060] Now a-yeines the shame that a man hath to shriven him / and namely these ypocrites / that wolden be holde so perfite / that thei haue noon nede to shriven hem / [1061] Ayeines that shame / shal a man thenke / that bi wey of reson / that he / that hath nat ben a-shamed / to do foule thinges / Certis him oughte nat to ben a-shamed to don faire thinges / & goode thinges / & that is confessions / [ 1 06 2] A man shulde eke thenke / that god seetfi. & woot wel thi thoughtes / 1& al thi workes / to him may nothing1 be hidde ne couered / [1063] men shulde eke remembre hem of the shame that is to come at the day of dome to them that ben nat penitente / ne shriven in this present liff / [1064] ffor alle the creatures in heuen erthe & in helle / shulle se appertely al that they hiden in this worlde /

[1065] Now for to speke of the hope of hem that ben so necligent & slowe to shrive hem / hit stante in two maners / [1066] that on is that he hopetfr to live longe / & for to purchase meche riches for his delite / & than he wol shrive him / & as seitfr he may as him semetfr tymely I-nough come to shriffte / [1067] Another is of the surquidrie that he hath in the hope of cristes mercy / [ i o 6 8] And ayeines the first vice he shal thenke / that oure liff is in no sekernesse / & eke that al the riches in the worlde is in auenture & passinge as a shadowe on a wal // [1069] And as seitfi. seint Gregorie / that hit apperteynetfc to the grete rigritwisnesse of god / that neuere shal the peyne stinte of hem / that neuere wolde withdrawe hem fro synne here thankes but euer contenue in synne / for that perpetual wil to do synne / shullen thei haue perpetual peine //

[1070] Wanhope is in two maners / The first wan- hope is in the merci of criste / That other is that thei

SELDEN (for Corpus 694) (6-T. 682) C1 thoughtes repeated; leaf 309]

SIX-TEXT 683

GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 695

thenke / that thei myghte nat longe perseuere in good- nesse / [1071] The first wanhope cometh of that he demeth that he hath synned so gretly / so offte / & so longe lien in synne / that he shal nought be sauede / [1072] Certis ayeines that cursed wanhope he shulde thenke / that the passion of ihesu criste is more stronge for to vnbynde / than synne is for to bynde / [1073] Ayeines the seconde wanhope [

[1074] . . no gap in the MSJ\ that he demeth that he shulde nat longe perseuere in goodnes / he shal thenke that the febelnesse of the Deuel may nothing don but if men wil suffre him / [1075] & e^e ne s^al have strengthe of the helpe of god / & of al holy chirche & of the protections of Aungels / if hem luste //

[1076] Than shul men vnderstonde what is the f ruyte of penaunce l as after the worde of ihesu criste / hit is the endeles blisse of heuen / [1077] there ioye hath no contrariouste of woo / ne greuaunce / there al harmes ben passed of this present liff / there as is the sekernesse from the peyne of helle / there as is the blisful companye that reioysen hem euermore / eueryche of otheris Ioye / [ i o 7 8] there as the body of man that whilom was foule & derke is more clere than the sonne / there as whilom the bodi was sike freyle feble & mortal / is immortal / & so stronge & so hole / that there may nothings empeire it / [1079] there as neither is hungre / thrust / ne colde / but every soule replenesshed with the sight of the perfite knowynge of god / [1080] this blisful regne may man purchace bi pouerte espirituel / & the glorie bi lowe- nesse / the plente of ioye bi hungre & thruste / & the reste bi travaile / & the liff bi deth / & mortificacion of synne /

[i leaf 309, back, and last] 48 SELDEN (for Corpus 695) (6-T. 683)

SIX-TEXT 684

696 GROUP! §2, PARSON'S TALE. Seld.&Hatt.,forCorp.MS.

To thilke liff lie vs bringe that bought vs with his pre cious bloode . Amen /

Here enden the talis of Caunturbury / And next thautour taketh leve.

[1081

N

^1081]

'Ow preye I to hem alle that herken this litil tretis or reden / that if ther be any thing in hit that liketn" hem / that therof thei thanke oure lord ihesu criste / of whom procedetfi. al witte & al goodnesse / [1082] And if ther be any thing that displesen hem / I preie hem also that thei a-recte hit / to the defaute of myne vnconnynge / & nat to my wil that wolde ful fayne haue seide better if I hadde connynge / [1083] ffor oure booke seith / al that is writen is writen for oure doctryne / & that is myne entent / [1084] wher-fore I biseke yow mekely for the mercy of god / that ye preie for me / that criste haue mercy on me / and foryeve me my gultes / [1085] & namely of my translaciones / & endit- ynges of worldly vanytees / the which I revoke in my re- traccions / [1086] As is the booke of Troylus / the booke also of ffame / the booke of .xxv. ladies / the booke of the Duchesse / the booke of seint Valenty pHattonHS.1, [xday of pe parlement of briddes // The Tales Caunter-

Ieaf275,back]

of ]>e leon) / And many anofer boke if thei were in my remembraunce / & many a songe / & many A lecherous tayl . IT Of J>e which Crist for his grete mercy for-yeue me ]>e syn . [1088] IT But of the translac^on of Boece de consolacion and o)>er boke} of legendes of Seintes & Omelies / And moralite & deuoc^on / [1089] That thank I oure lorde lesu Crist & his blisful moder and al the seinte} in heuen [1090] Biseking hem fat J>ei fro hen forthe vnto my lyres ende send? me grace to "bewaile my giltes / And to stodieu) to ]?e sauaciourc of my soule IT And graunte me space of verrey penitence IT Con-

SELDEN AND HATTON (for Corpus 696) (6-T.

SIX-TEXT 685

GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hatton, for Corp. MS. 697

fessioiw and satisfaccioiw to don in this present life [1091] J?orgh pe benigne grace of him Jjat is king of kinges & prest ouer alle prestes . jjat bought vs with the precious blode of his hert / [1092] so )?at I may ben oon of hem at ))e day of dome . J?at shullen be saued? And he that wrote this boke also / Amen. Qui cum

patre &C.1] P Hatton

extract ends.}

-E-

[late hand'] 0 Mater Dei T I H Memento Mej [late han^ Pertinet Thoma Heed ciuis Londoniar1

[late hand} EleiSOn

[Two blank leaves scribbled over.] End of Selden MS.

HATTON (for Corpus 697) (6-T. 686)

SIX-TEXT 301

GROUPS. §15. NUN 's PRIEST'S END-LINK. Chr.Ch,, for Corpus.

APPENDIX (to Group B, p. 587).

[Christ Church MS. 152.]

f Sire Nonnes preest oure boost seyde a none

y-blessed be thy breth & euery stoone

Tbis was a mery tale of Chaunteclere

But be my trouthe if tfiou. were seculere

Thow woldeste bene a tredefoul a rigbt

ffor if tbow haue corage as tho\i haste mygbt

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. 8]

with Brasile ne with Greyne of Portyngale /

JSTow sire faire falle yow for youre tale

And af tir 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

CHKISTCHURCH (for Corpus 608) (6-T. 301)

699

COKPUS MS. APPENDIX

OF SECTIONS, WOODCUTS, ETC., NOT IN THE CORPUS MS.

PAGE

1. End of the Merchant's Tale, Group E, § 4, 1.

2319-2418, from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14, Bodleian Library. (See p. 350 above.) ... l*-3*

2. The Merchant's End-Link, Group E, § 5, from

MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14, Bodleian Library. ('Twould have followd p. 350 (or p. 3*) above, had it been in the Corpus MS.) ... ... 4*

3. The Clerk-Merchant-Link, Group E, § 3, p. 442

Six-Text, from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14. ('Twould have followd p. 320 above, had it been in the Corpus MS.) ... ... ... 5*

4. The Squire's Head-Link, Group E, § 1, p. 478

Six-Text, from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14. ('Twould have come next before p. 194, instead of the Merchant-Shipman Link, p. 193, had it been in the Corpus MS.) ... 6*

5. The Squire-Franklin Link, Group E, § 3, p. 498-9

Six-Text, from the Laud MS. 600, Bodleian Library. ('Twould have followd p. 212 above, had it been in the Corpus MS.) 7*

6. Woodcuts of the 23 Tellers of the 24 Canterbury

Tales, from the Ellesmere MS.1

7. 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 Chast ity, from MS. Gg. 4, 27 in the Univ. Libr., Cambridge.

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. 700.

700

Six-Text Order	of Tales.	Ellesmere MS. Order.
	Group		Group
1. Knight 1		1. Knight i
2. Miller		2. Miller 1
3. Reeve [ '"	...	3. Reeve j	. A
4. Cook j		4. Cook j
6. Man of Law "		5. Man of Law ...	. B.
6. Shipman		6. Wife of Bath -j
7. Prioress	B	7. Friar j>	. D
8. Chaucer	• • • • • • -D	8. Sum'ner J
9. Monk		9. Clerk \
10. Nun's Priest J	10. Merchant/	. E
11. Doctor 1 12. Pardoner/	C	11. Squire | 12. Franklin /	. F
13. Wife of Bathi	13. Doctor j
14. Friar	\ ...D	14. Pardoner/	. C
15. Sum'ner	j	15. Shipman "1
16. Clerk \		16. Prioress
17. Merchant j		17. Chaucer > ... .	. Bz
18. Squire 1		18. Monk
19. Franklin /		19. Nun's Priest j
20. Second Nun	1	20. Second Nun ^
21. Canon's Yeoman j "*	21. Canon's Yeoman j '
22. Manciple	H	22. Manciple	. H
23. Parson ...	I	23. Parson	. I

SIX-TEXT 473

GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Arch. Seld, B. 14. 1*

1.

END OF THE MERCHANT'S TALE. [for sotfi. I wol no lenger yow contrarie now lete vs turne ageyne to lanuarie 2320

that in the gardeyne / with his fresshe May syngeth ful meryere / than the popyngay ^[ yow loue I beste / and shal and other noon so longe aboute the aleyis / is he goon 2324

til he was comyn / ageyns the Perye where as this Damyan / sitteth ful merye an high amonge the fresshe levis grene this fresshe May / that is so bright and shene 2328

gan for to sike / and seide alias my side now sir quod, she / for augftt that may bitide I moste haue of the perys / that I se or I mot dye / so sore longeth me 2332

to eten of the smale peris grene helpe for hir loue / that is of heuen quene I telle yow wel / a woman in my plighte may haue to fruyte / so grete an appetite 2336

that she may dye / but she hit haue alias quod he / that I nad here a knaue that coude clymbe / alias alias quod he that I am blynde / ye sir no fors quod she 2340

but wolde ye vouchesaff / for godis sake the pery with-inne youre armes to take for wel I woot / that ye mystrute me than shulde I clymbe / wel I-now quod she 2344

so I my fote myght sette / vppon youre bak for soth quod he / in me shal be no lak myght I yow helpen / with myn herte bloode he stoupitfi. down / and on his bak she stoode 2348

and caughte hir bi a twiste / and vp she goothe ladyes I pray yow / be ye not wroothe I can not glose / I am a rude man Oa/iso, back]

and sodeynly / anoon this Damyan 2352

CORPUS i* (e-T. 473) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

474 SIX-TEXT

2* GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Arch. Seld, B. 14,

gan pulle vp the smok / and in he thronge CMS Arch. Seia. B. H:

and whan that Pluto saw / that grete wronge

to lanuarie he gaff ageyne / his sight

and made him se / as wel as euer he myght 2356

and whan that he / had his sight agayne

ther was neuer man of thing / so fayne

but on his wiff / his thought was eue?'mo

vp to the tre / he caste his eyghen two 2360

and saw how Damyan / his wiff had dressed

in suche manere / hit may not ben expressed

but if I wolde speke / vncurteysly

and vp he gaff / a roryng and a cry 2364

as doth the moder / whan the childe shal dye

oowte helpe alias / harrow he gan crye

0 stronge lady stoure / what doist thow

and she answerde / sir what eylith yow 2368

haue pacience and resouw / in youre mynde

1 haue yow holpen / on bothe youre eyghen blynde vp perel of my soule / I shal not lyen

as me was tavght / to hele with youre eygSen 2372

was nothing bet / to make yow se than strogle with a man / vppon a tre god woot I did hit / in ful good entente stride quod he / ye algate in hit Wente 2376

god yeve yow both / on shames deth to dien he did the so / I sigh it with myn eyghen and ellis be I honged / by the hals

than is quod she / my medicyne al fals 2380

•for certeynly if that ye myghten see ye wolde not seye / tho wordis vn-to me ye han som glymsyng / and no parfite sight I se quod he as wel / as euer I myght 2384

thonked be god / with both myn eyghen two and bi my trouthe me thoughte he did the so ye mase mase goode sir / quod she [^a/isi]

this thanke haue I / for I haue made yow se 2388

CORPUS 2* (6-T. 474) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

SIX-TEXT 475

GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Arch. Seld. B, 14. 3*

alias quod, she / that euer I was so kynde [MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] now dame quod he / lete al passe out of mynde com down my lef / and if I haue myssaide god helpe me so / as I am euel apaide 2392

but bi my fader soule / I wende haue seyne how that this Damyan / had bi the leyne and that thi smok / had leyne vppon thi brest ye sir quod she / ye may wene as yow lest 2396

but sir a man / that wakith out of his slepe he may not sodeynly / ne wel taken kepe vppon a thing / ne sen hit parfitly

til that he ben a-dawed / verrily 2400

right so a man / that longe hath blynde I-be ne may not sodeynly / so wel I-se first whan his sight / is newe com ageyne as he that hath / a day or two I-seyne 2404

til that youre sight / I-stabled be a while ther may ful many a sight / yow bigile beth war I pray yow / for bi heuen kyng ful many a man wenyth / to se a thing 2408

and hit is al another / than hit semeth he that mysconceivith / mys demeth and with that worde / she lepe doun fro the tre this lanuarie / who is glad but he 2412

he kissith hir / and clippith hir / ful ofte and on hir wombe / he stroketh hir ful soffce and to his paleys hoom / he hath hir lad now goode men I pray yow / to be glad 2416

thus endith here my tale / of lanuarie god blesse vs / and his moder seynt Marie . Amen .2418 Here enditS the Marchauntis tale of lanuarie and May.]

CORPUS 3* (6-T. 475) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. u]

476 SIX-TEXT

4* QKOUP E, § 5, MERCHANT'S END-LINK. Arch. Seld. B. 14.

[Arch. Seld. MS B 14, on leaf 131.]

[and bigynneth the Squyers prologe

By godis mercy / seide oure ost tho now such a wiff / I pray god kepe vs fro 2420

lo whiche slighthis / & sotilteis [z«a/isi, »ac*]

in women ben / for thei be besy as beis to vs sely men / for to disseive

and fro a sotlL / euer wol thei weive 2424

bi this marchauntis tale / hit previth wele but douteles as trewe as any stele I haue a win0 / though" she pore be

but of hir tonge / a labbyng shrewe is she 2428

and yit she hath an hepe / of vicis mo therof no force / lete al such thingis go but woot ye what / in consail be hit seide me re with sore / I am to hir I-teyde 2432

for & I sholde reken / euery manere vise whiche that she hath / I-wis I were to nyse and cause whi / hit sholde reported be and tolde to hir / bi some of this mayne 2436

bi whom it nedith not / to declare syn women conne outere suche cheffare and eke my witt / sumsith" not ther-to to tellen al / ther-fore my tale is do] 2440

CORPUS 4* (e-T. 476) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

SIX-TEXT 442 GROUP E. § 3. CLERK-MERCHANT LINK. Aich. Seld. B. 14. 6*

3.

[MS. Arch. Seld. B. 14, leaf 114, lack.} [And next folwith the Marchauntis prolog

Weping and waylyng / care and other sorowe I knowe I-now on even / and on morowe quod, the marchaunte / and so done other mo that wedded be / I trowe that hit be so 1216

for wel I woot / hit farith so bi me I haue a wiff / the worst that may be for though" the fende / to hir coupled were she wolde him ouer-macche / I dar wel swere 1220

what shulde I yow rehers in special hir high malice / she is a shrewe at al ther is a longe / and a large difference bitwixe Gresildis grete pacience 1224

and of my wiff / the passing cruelte were I vnbouwden / also mot y the I wolde neuer efte comyn / in the snare we wedded men liven / in sorowe and care 1228

a-say who so wol / and he shal fynde that I sey sothe / bi seint Thomas of ynde and for the more parte / I sey not alle god shilde that it sholde / so bi-falle 1232

a goode sir oste / I haue wedded be this monthes two / and more not parde and yit I trowe / he wolde al his live wiveles han ben / though men wolde him rive 1236

in-to the herte / ne coude in no manere Oa/iisj

tellen so meche sorowe / as I now here couthe telle / of my wivis cursidnesse now qwod oure oste marchaunt / so god yow blesse 1240 syn ye so mechel knowen / of that arte ful hertely I pray yow / telle vs parte gladly q?wd he / but of myn owne sore for hevy herte / I telle may no more 1244

Here endith the Marchaunt is prolog CORPUS 5* (6-T. 442) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

478 SIX-TEXT

6* GROUP F. § 1. SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK. Arch, Seld. B. 14.

THE SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK. [MS. Arch. Seld. B. 14, on leaf 131, bach]

[Sqiiyer com nere / if that youre wille be and sey somwhat of loue / for certis ye konne theron / as mecli as any man nay sir quod he / but I wol sey as I can with herty wil / for I wol not rebelle ageyne youre lust / a tale wol I telle haue me excused / if that I speke a-mys my wil is good / & lo my tale is this

Here endith the Squyers prolog]

CORPUS 6* (6-T. 478) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]

SIX-TEXT 498 GROUP F. § 3, SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK. Laild MS. 600. 7*

5.

[Laud MS 600, leaf 171.] [Here begyimejj j?e prolog of }>e frankeleyn

In faijj squier )>ou hast j>e wel I-quytt And gentilli I praise wel J?i witt Qwod jje frankeleyn considering ]?i you]?e So felyngli jjou spekest sir I aloujje 676

As to my dome ]>er is noon jjat is here Of eloquence shal be ]>i pere

[yf J>at J)0u lyve / god yeve J>e gode chaunce [Haistweii MS] And in vertue / send1 the contynuaunce] 680

ffor of J>i speche I haue gret deynte I haue a sone and bi J?e Trinite I had leuere pan xxti pounde worj? lond |)ough it right now were fallen in my honde 684

Ye ar a man of suche discrecion As ]mt ye ben fy vpon possession But if1 a man be vertuous w/tA-a]

I haue my sone snybbed and yut shal 688

ffor he to vertu listej) not entende But for to pleie at dies and to despende And lese al jjat he haj> is his vsa,ge

And he haj> leuere talke wij> a page 692

))an to commune wi]> any gentil wight Where he might lerne gentilnesse a-right Strawe for youre gentilnesse qwod our host What frankeleyn parde wel J>ow wost Frankeleyn 696

J5at eche of1 oF (sic) you mot tellen atte leste A tale or too / or breken his beheste Ueafm, &a<*]

JOat knowe I wel q?/od J>e ffrankeleyn certeyn Frankeleyn

I praie you not hauej? me in desdeyn 700

CORPUS 7* (6-T. 498) [this page, Laud 600]

499 SIX-TEXT

8* GKOUP F. § 3. SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK. Laud MS. 600.

}2ow to Jns man I speke a worde or too

Telle on Jji tale wifouten wordes moo

Gladli sir host qwod he I wol obeie

Vn-to youre wille now herkenej? what I seie 704

I wil you not contrarie in no wise

As ferre as fat my wittes wil suffise

I praie to god fat it mai plesen you

Jpan wot I wel fat it is good Inow] 708

CORPUS 8* (6-T. 499) [this page, Laud GOO]

DRAWINGS OF THE 23 TELLERS

OF THE

24 CANTERBURY TALES,

COPIED FKOM THE ELLESMERE MS,

AND CUT ON WOOD,

BY

JHr OTL f&. 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 Teller 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 MILLERS.

Ellesmere MS, leaf 88, back.

CM)

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. Elfesmere MS, leaf 51.

THE REVE. Elletmere MS, leaf 4f>.

THE WYF OF BATHE. Ellesmere J/S, tea/76.

CO

THE MAN OP LAWE.

Ellesmere MS, leaf 54, back.

THE FRERE. Ellegmere MS, leaf 80, back.

THE SOMONOUR.

Ellesmere MS, leaf 85, back.

(JO

THE CLERK OF OXENFORD. E Ilex-mere MS, leaf 92.

THE SHIPMAN.

Ellesmere MS, leaf 147, back.

THE PBIORESSE.

Ellesmere MS, leaf 152, back.

CHAUCER. Ellesmere MS, leaf 157, back.

THE MONK.

Kllp»mrre MS, Ifiif 17:;.

THE NONNE8 FREEST.

Ellesmere MS, leaf 188.

PR Chaucer Society, London

1901 cPublicationsD

A3

etc.

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