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Full text of "Dan Michel's Ayenbite of inwyt, or, Remorse of conscience. : In the Kentish dialect, 1340 A.D"

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4fri'5intte&  to  t^cltlnmii 

OF  THE  ^^ 


BY 


r/^ /cffo 


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^U^nhlii[  of  Jntrnt 


or, 


gt[mom  4  (&(imtjmct 


IN  THE  KENTISH  DIALECT,  1340  A.D. 


EDITED  FROM  THE  AUTOGRAPH  MS.  IN  THE  BRITISH  MUSEUM,  WITH  AN 

INfRODUCTION  ON  THE  PECULIARITIES  OF  THE  SOUTHERN  DIALECT 

AND  A  GLOSSARIAL  INDEX, 


mCHAUD    MOEEIS,  ESQ. 


LONDON: 

PUBLISHED    FOR    THE   EARLY  ENGLISH    TEXT   SOCIETY, 
BY  N.  TEUBNER  &  CO.,  60,  PATERNOSTER  ROW. 

AND   FOR  THE   PHILOLOGICAL    SOCIETY,  BY 
ASHE  II  &  CO.,  LONDON  AND  BEllLIN. 

MDCCCLXVI. 


^0 


JOHN    CIIILDS    AND   SOV,    PRINTERS. 


PREFACE. 


About  tlie  same  time  that  Eichard  Rolle  the  hermit  completed 
the  Pricks  of  Conscience  for  the  use  of  his  unlearned  countrymen  in 
the  Iforth  of  England,  Dan  Michel,  of  Northgate,  Kent,  furnished 
the  Southern  folk  with  a  devotional  manual,  bearing  the  quaint  but 
thoroughly  English  title  of  the  Ayeuhite  of  Tnwijt  (the  again-biting 
of  the  inner  wit),  or  the  Remorse  of  Conscience. 

The  Pricke  of  Conscience  is,  as  its  author  tells  us,  draAvn 
out  of  divers  books,  but  the  Ayenhite  of  Imoyt  is  a  literal  trans- 
lation of  a  French  treatise,  entitled  Le  somme  des  Vices  et  de  Vertices, 
and  sometimes,  but  incorrectly,  styled  Li  lihres  roiaux  de  Vices  et  de 
Vertus ;  Lelivre  des  Commandemens  ;  La  somme  le  roi ;  Le  miroir 
du  monde.  It  was  composed  in  the  year  1279  for  use  of  Philip 
the  Second  of  France,  by  Frere  Lorens  (or  Laurentius  Gallus,  as  he 
is  designated  in  Latin),  of  the  order  of  Friars  Preachers. ' 

Two  copies  of  the  French  treatise  are  preserved  in  the  British 
Museum  collection — Cotton  MS.,  Cleopatra,  A  v.,  and  Royal  MS., 
1 9,  c.  II.,  the  former  of  which  has  been  frequently  consulted  and  found 
useful  in  explaining  some  few  difficulties  in  the  English  text. 

Mr  Stevenson  notices  two  English  prose  versions  much  later  than 
the  one  here  printed. 

The  earlier  copy,  written  in  a  Midland  dialect  about  the  year 
1400,  or  perhaps  a  little  earlier,  is  contained  in  Additional  MS.  17013, 

'  No  intimation  of  this  is  given  in  the  Translator's  preface.  He  speaks  of  tlie 
work  as  his  own  production.  See  pp.  1,  262.  Mr  Bond,  of  the  British  Museum,  found 
it  to  be  a  translation,  and  pointed  out  to  the  Editor  of  the  Roxburgh  Club  the  MSS. 
containing  the  original  French  version.  (See  Ayenbite  of  Inwyt,  p.  vii-ix,  edited 
by  the  Rev  Jos.  Stevenson,  M.A.,  1855.) 


PREFACE. 

and  is  entitled  j)e  hoc  of  vices  and  vertues.  The  other,  in  the  Bod- 
leian Library,  MS.  283  (formerly  MS.  E.  7.7),  may  be  referred  to 
about  the  year  1440,  or  perhaps  a  little  later,  and  is  entitled  The 
'imrrour  of  the  worlde  that  some  calleth  vice  and  vertn. 

The  next  prose  version  was  made  by  Caxton,  who  calls  his  Avork 
Tlie  hooh  royal,  or  The  hook  for  a  kyng} 

It  was  probably  suggested  by  Chaucer's  Persones  Tale,  which  is  an 
adaptation  of  some  chapters  of  the  French  treatise,'^  to  which  it  is  of 
course  much  superior.  The  poet  has  introduced  much  original  matter, 
as  in  the  chapter  on  Pride,  where  he  speaks  of  "inordinate  scantiness 
and  superfluity  of  clothing,"  and  his  treatment  of  the  subject  differs 
considerably  from  his  author  :  thus  Chaucer  makes  the  remedium  in 
each  case  immediately  follow  the  description  of  any  particular  sin. 
Frere  Lorens  treats  the  remedia  separately,  as  so  many  gifts  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

In  the  Persones  Tale  there  occurs,  but  once  only,  the  curious 
phrase  "  the  schipe  (or  the  hyre  or  the  wages)  of  seruauntes,"  in 
which  the  term  schipe  is  explained  by  the  words  hyre  or  wayes 
(probably  an  addition  of  the  scribe's).  Tyrwhitt  and  subsequent 
editors  have  left  the  word  unglossed,  and  its  meaning  was  not  so 
clearly  evident  until  I  had  found  the  following  corresponding  phrase 
in  the  Ayenhite  of  Inwyt:  "  pe  ssepe  of  hare  sergons,"  the  pay  of 
their  servants.' 

As  T  have  not  succeeded  in  finding  the  word  in  any  English 
•writer  of  the  13th  or  14th  centuries,  I  am  inclined  to  think  that 
Chaucer  was  not  altogether  ignorant  of  Dan  Michel's  version. 

For  some  years  past  a  new  edition  of  the  Ayenhite  of  Inwyt  has 

1  Mr  Stevenson  does  not  appear  to  have  known  of  the  existence  of  any  metrical 
English  versions  of  Frere  Lorens'  work.  They  were  probably  more  abundant  than 
tho  prose  translation.  A  copy  in  the  Northern  dialect,  ascribed  to  Ilampole,  is 
preserved  in  Cotton  i\IS.  Tib.  E  vii.  (and  a  later  fragment  among  the  Sion  College 
MSS.),  which  seems  to  have  given  rise  to  several  dialectical  versions,  among  which 
may  be  mentioned  Harl.  MS.  435,  MS.  Bodl.  48,  MS.  Langb.  5,  MS.  More  215, 
MS.  Singer.  See  Examinalion  of  the  "  Remarks  on  the  Glossary  to  tlie  Anticnt 
Metrical  Romance  of  Havelok  the  Dane,"  &c.  (p.  30.) 

»  Tyrwhitt  and  subsequent  editors  have  been  altogether  in  the  dark  as  to  the 
original  of  this  talc. 

•■^  sf:cpe  is  Kentish  for  schipe,  for  in  this  dialect  an  e  is  constantly  put  for  a 
jS'orthern  and  Midland  i. 


PREFACE. 

been  greatly  needed,  and  both  "Wright  and  Thorpe  have  at  different 
times  proposed  its  repubhcation.  The  Eoxburgh  Club  edition  is  both 
scarce  and  high-priced,  and  therefore  entirely  out  of  the  reach  of 
ordinary  students  of  Early  English.  Moreover,  it  is  much  to  be 
regretted  that  Mr  Stevenson  has  considerably  lessened  the  value  of 
his  edition  of  so  important  a  work  by  suppressing  the  English  author's 
Preface  and  Table  of  Contents,  as  well  as  two  little  treatises  following 
the  larger  work,  which,  being  included  in  the  Contents,  should  have 
been  printed,  or,  at  any  rate,  some  reason  assigned  for  their  omission. ' 

From  the  Manuscript  itself  we  learn  that  tlxeAi/enbite  of  Ttiwijt -wa-s 
completed  "ine  pe  yeare  of  oure  Ihordes  beringe  (birth)  1340,"  "  ine 
J?e  eue  of  jje  holy  apostles  Symon  an  ludas,"  by  Dan  Michel  of 
I^orthgate,  a  brother  of  the  Cloister  of  Saint  Austin  of  Canterbury. 
We  cannot  but  regret  that  no  more  information  is  afforded  us  of  one 
who  so  thoroughly  identified  himself  "with  the  country-folk  among 
whom  he  dwelt  as  to  choose  this  homely  "  English  of  Kent,"  in  pre- 
ference to  a  less  provincial  form  of  English,  adopted  by  other  South- 
ern writers,  in  which  he  might  teach,  as  he  himself  says,  old  and 
young,  parents  and  children,  to  eschew  all  manner  of  sin,  and  to 
preserve  a  conscience  void  of  all  impurity. 

Of  all  the  English  works  written  in  the  14th  century,  the  Ayen- 
hite  of  Inioyt  is,  unquestionably,  the  most  important  and  valuable 
that  has  hitherto  been  published ;  and  we  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to 
Mr  Stevenson  who  first  called  attention  to  its  pliilological  pecuHar- 
ities. 

Much  uncertainty  attaches  itself  to  most  of  our  Early  English 
works  of  this  period  as  to  authorship,  date,  and  dialect — particulars  of 

'  Mr  Stevenson  has  wrongly  translated  his  author's  title.  Ayenhite  of  Inwit 
does  not  mean  Redemption  of  the  Soul.  Dan  Michel  uses  Wi]pbegge  in  the  sense  of  to 
redeem,  and  the  substantive  formed  from  this  is  u-i])begginge  (AVicliffe  has  Ayenbying), 
and  the  correct  term  for  soul  is  zauel.  Many  of  the  mistakes  in  the  Text  and 
Glossary  to  the  Eoxburgh  edition  might  have  been  avoided  by  a  reference  to  the 
French  MSS.  Thus  Mr  Stevenson  prints  tene  (=tin)  for  teue  (yesterday  evening), 
and  explains  vendonginge  as  manure  instead  of  uendage,  or  sale ;  russole*  he  glosses 
as  reeds,  instead  of  cakes  cooked  in  the  frying-pan.  With  a  boldness  not  to  be  com- 
mended, he  occasionally  alters  his  author's  language,  and  in  printing  \>erne  (a 
genuine  0.  E.  form)  for  ]>esne,  he  teaches  us  how  rigidly  Editors  of  Early  English 
works  should  adhere  to  their  MSS. 


PllEFACE. 

the  greatest  importance  to  tlie  philologist  who  seeks  to  gain  any- 
clear  notions  of  Early  English  Grammar ;  but  with  rare  good  fortune 
the  Ayenhite  of  Inwyt  comes  to  us  as  a  philological  monument,  the 
value  of  which  is  not  diminished  by  any  uncertainty  on  these  points. 
And  as  such  it  must  ever  be  regarded  as  the  standard  of  comparison 
for  the  language  of  the  14th  century,  by  which  a  clearer  knowledge 
of  Early  English  inflexions  may  be  gained  than  has,  hitherto,  been 
possible  by  means  of  the  scanty  materials  within  our  reach. 

As  a  small  contribution  towards  a  more  systematic  investigation 
of  Early  English  Grammar,  the  editor  of  this  volume  has  endeavoured 
to  place  before  the  reader  the  chief  characteristics  of  the  Southern 
dialect,  and  the  points  of  diff'erence  between  it  and  Northern  English. 
He  felt  he  could  not  do  better  than  avail  himself  of  the  present 
opi^ortunity  for  discussing  these  matters,  in  the  hopes  that  others 
may  be  induced  to  devote  some  attention  to  this  subject,  so  that 
the  future  historians  of  our  language  will  have  no  cause  to  endorse 
the  opinion  of  no  mean  authority,  "  that  there  is  not  a  general 
agreement  of  scholars  on  many  cardinal  points  of  English  inflection, 
and  mdeed  that  no  thorough  systematic  and  comprehensive  attempt 
at  the  investigation  of  these  questions  has  yet  been  made." 

EICHARD  MOREIS. 
Tottenham,  Dec,  1866. 


I.   DESCEIPTION  OF  THE  MANUSCRIPT. 


The  Arundel  MS.  57,  containing  the  Ayenhite  of  Imcijt,  is  a 
folio  copy,  written  on  vellum,  and  is  the  autograph  of  the  author. 

The  printed  catalogue  thus  describes  the  other  contents  of  the 
volume  : — 

1.  "Versus  Gylde  de  prophetia  Aquile,"  fol.  4.  b.  Incip.  Tolle 
cwput  Martis  bis. 

2.  Ejusdeni  "  Versus  Northmannie,"  fol.  4.  b.  Incip.  Anglla 
transmittet  leopardum  liUa  Gcdli. 

3.  "  Expositio  versuum  Gyldne  de  prophetia  Aquilic  et  Heremitte," 
fol.  5.     Incip.    Continetur  infer  dicta  heremite  satis. 

4.  Thomas  de  Erseldoune's  prophecy  of  King  Edward  II.,  fol. 
8.  b. 

Thomas  de  Erseldoune  escot  &  dysur  dit  au  Key  Alisandre  le 
pro-oles  de  suthdites  du  Rey  Edward  ke  ore  est  ka\int  yl  fast  auestre- 
To  ny3t  is  boren  a  barn  in  Kaerneruani  fat  ssal  wolden  fe  out  ydlis  ylc 
an  J)e  kyng  Alesand^-e  acsede  hwan  ssal  fat  be.  Jje  menstral  3ede  hwan 
banockes  bourne  is  y-det  myd  nia/inis  bonis,  hwan  hares  kendlef  in 
hert])  staues  hwan  laddes  wenddej)'  leuedes  hwan  me  ledej?  men  to 
sella  wytj)  rapis  hwan  Rokys  burjj  is  no  bur))  hwan  men  gyven  an 
foln  of  tuenti  pou«d  for  an  seme  of  hwete.  E.  ssel.  uordo.  P.  for^. 
vi3t  and  strengpe  of  al  Mi3t.     Er  M.  fri  croked  xl.  alle  bi  hoked. 

Ssel  diuerse  an  daunce  fet  neuir  wes  .y.  mad.  ine  fronee. 

5.  Les  prophecies  de  Merlyn,  fol.  8.  b. 

6.  Prologus  in  Evangelium  S.  Matthsei,  fol.  97. 

7.  Evangelium  S.  Matthsei  cum  expositione  perampla,  fol.  98, 


II.     SPECIMEN   OF   THE   FRENCH   TEXT, 

FROM  COTTON  MS.  CLEOPATRA  A  V,  FOL,  177  B.' 

On  list  en  la  uio  ties  peres  que  .i.  saint  howmie  conta  comment 
il  estoit  deuenu  moine  e  disoit  quil  auoit  este  63  dun  paien 
qui  estoit  prestre  as  ydoles  .  e  quant  il  estoit  enfes  vne  foij  entra  on 
temple  auoec  son  pere  repostement.  Iloec  uit  .i.  grant  diable  qui 
sasist  sor  .i.  faudestuel  e  toute  sa  niaisnee  enuiron  lui.  Iloec  uint  .i. 
des  princes  e  laoura.  Lors  li  demanda  cil  qui  seoit  ou  throne  dont  il 
uenoit  .  e  il  respondi  quil  uenoit  dune  terre  ou  il  auoit  esmeu  e  por- 
chace  mout  de  guerres  e  mout  de  troubles  si  que  mout  de  genj  i 
estoient  mort  .  e  mout  de  sane  i  estoit  espandu3.  Le  mestre  demanda 
en  comhien  de  tens  il  auoit  ce  fet :  e  il  respondi  en  .xxx.  iors.  Cil 
li  dist  en  tant  de  tens  as  si  poi  fet  .  lors  co??imanda  quil  fust  batuj  e 
nial  menez  ^  apres  celui  uint  .i.  autre  q?/i  ensuit  laoura  com  le 
premier.  Le  mestre  li  demanda  dont  il  uenoit :  Cil  respondi  quil 
uenoit  de  la  mer  ou  il  auoit  fet  mout  de  tempestes  mout  de  niefs 
trisees  .  e  mout  de  gen3  neej.  ^  Le  mestre  demanda  en  comhien  de 
tens.  II  respondi  en  .xx.  iours.  Cil  dist  en  tant  de  tens  as  si  poi 
fet.  ^  Apres  uint  le  tier3  qui  respondi  qil  uenoit  dune  cite  ou  il 
auoit  cues  noces  .  e  iloec  auoit  esmeu  e  pourchace  tenco/2S  e  mellees 
si  que  mout  de  gent  i  estoient  mort  .  e  enseur  quetout  il  auoit  occis 
le  mari.  Le  mestre  li  demanda  comhien  de  tens  il  auoit  mis  a  ce  fere. 
II  respondi  que  .x.  iors.  Lors  co?;mianda  quil  feust  bien  batu  por  ce 
qil  auoit  tant  demore  a  ce  fere  san3  plus.  ^  Audarrein  uint  .i.  autre 
deuant  le  prince  e  laoura  .  e  cil  li  demanda  dont  uiens  tu.  II  re- 
spondi quil  uenoit  del  hermitage  ou  il  auoit  este  .xl.  an3  pour  tempter 
.i.  moine  de  fornicacion  cest  pecche  de  luxure  .  e  tant  ai  fait  que  cele 
nuit  lai  uaincu  .  e  tresbuche  en  eel  pecchie.  ^  Lors  sailli  sus  le 
mestre  e  le  baisa  e  acola  e  li  mist  la  corone  en  la  teste .  e  le  fist  seoir 
iouste  lui .  e  li  dist  que  grant  chose  auoit  fet  e  grant  proesce.  ^  Ore 
disoit  le  preudo??tme  que  quant  il  out  ce  oi :  e  ce  ueu  il  pensa  que 
g}-ant  chose  estoit  de  moine  e  par  cele  acheson  estoit  il  deuenu 
moine. 

'  For  translation  see  pp.  238 — 240  of  (he  present  work. 


CORRECTIONS. 

Introduction,  pageiii,  1.  25;  fov  jrfvvincicdistics  Yeadprovincialisms 
Page  viii,  foot  note  2,  1.  4  ;  for  occia'  read  occurs 

—  xxviii,  foot  note  ;  for  cmcl  read  to 

—  xxxviii,  1.  5  ;  for  tite  Jje  read  ttte  we 

Page  128,  1.  21  ;  for  in  prisone  read  ine  prlsone 

—  140,  side  notes,  1.  31  ;  for  a^s  is  to  its,  <^-c.,  read  assccssin  to 
his,  ^-c. 

Page  159,  foot  note  •  for  ansicerie^  read  an^uene}^ 

—  184,  1.  12;  for  icely-liolpe  read  icel  y-holpe 

—  187,  1.  24;  [(?i]a?/mo/i^.  The  MS.  may  be  right.  Palsgrave 
has  aymant. 

Page  194,  1.  19  ;  for  hebbe]>  read  habbep 

—  223,  1.  21 ;  for  liarten  read  herten 

—  231,  1.  11 ;  for  ivy-oute  read  ivylJpyoute 

—  244,  1.  11  ;  for  zayte  read  2av/[«]fe 

—  246,  1.  3  ;  for  yuelded  (so  in  MS.)  read  yuelde 

—  246,  1.  7  ;  for  na-^  read  7ia-^\t\ 

—  253,  1.  25  ;  for  zayte  read  zay\)i\te 

—  262,  1.  13;  for  inmyttte  read  inwytte 

—  265,  1.  8  from  bottom  ;  for  i-yuolliche  read  ryl^t^uolliche 

—  269,  I.  9  from  bottom  ;  for  broken  read  bropren 

—  270,  1.  4 ;  for  tieh'^n  read  ide-^en 

—  251,  1.  2  from  bottom  ;  'huer  Jjet  Z*' speAr  of  J?e  wyttes,"  &c. ; 
is  sjyek  at  first  sight  looks  like  either  an  error  for  ich  sp)ek  =  I  spake, 
or  is  ])-speke  =.  is  spoken.  The  is,  however,  I  believe  to  be  an  old 
and  genuine  form,  corresponding  to  the  modem  provincial  es,  I. 

Margery.  Wull  ye  eat  a  couust  o'  brid  and  chezee,  cozen 
Andra  1 

Andreic.  No,  es  thankee,  cozen  Margery ;  vor  es  eat  a  crub  as  cs 
come  along  ;  bezides  es  Avent  to  dinner  jest  avore. — Well,  bet,  cozen 
Margery,  whot  onser  dest  gi'  ma  to  tha  quesson  es  put  vore  now-reert. 

{An  E'xmoor  Courtship.) 


GEAMMATICAL  IXTEODUCTIOJ^. 

SOME     CHARACTERISTICS     OF     THE     SOUTHERN     DIALECT     DURING     THE 
EARLY    ENGLISH    PERIOD  (1250  TO  1340). 

In  considering  the  characteristics  of  the  Southern  dialect,  we 
shall  not  compare  it  with  the  Midland,  which  presents  us  with  no 
one  typical  form,  hut  with  the  Northern  or  JSTorthumbrian,  the  gram- 
matical forms  and  inflexions  of  which  are  more  uniform  and  constant. 
This  appears  to  be  the  only  mode  of  obtaining  a  clear  conception 
of  the  great  and  distinctive  featui'es  of  these  two  extensive  forms  of 
our  ancient  sjDeech,  and  it  is,  perhaps,  the  best  means  we  could  adopt 
to  enable  us  to  draw,  as  closely  as  possible,  the  line  of  demarcation 
between  the  dialects  formerly  spoken  in  the  Xorth  and  South  of  this 
country. 

We  shall  discuss  these  peculiarities  of  dialect  under  the  folloAving 
heads  : — 

I.   Orthographical  Differences. 
II.  Grammatical  ,, 

III.  Lexicographical  „ 

I.  Orthographical  Differences. 
A.  Consonants. 
1.  Cli  for  K.  The  Southern  dialect  prefers  the  soft  sound  ch  to 
that  of  k.  ^    The  following  examples  may  be  added  to  those  contained 
in  Preface  to  Hampole. 


Southern. 

Northern. 

Southern. 

Northern. 

chele 

kele  (cold) 

smech 

smek  (smoke) 

crouch 

crok  (cross)  2 

smach 

smak  (taste) 

chef 

caf  (chaff) 

zech 

sek  (sack)  ^ 

cherl 

carl  (churl) 

^  "We  find  in  the  Sn  dialect  durchede  for  derknesse,  darkness. 
'  Exists  in  English  crooTt^  crutch.  ^  Cp.  sack  and  satch-el. 

b 


il  GRAMMATICAL    INTRODUCTION. 

In  the  twelfth  century  we  find   lolach  =  wlak  ==  /»7.-(3(-warni)  ; 
hack  ==  heck;  stream  ;  folcli,  folk,  people. 

In  Wiltshire  and  Devonshire  we  may  hear  the  following  remnants 
of  this  proimnciation  : — 
blatch  =  black      pritch,  prutch  =  prick      patch  (=  pitch)  =  pick 

The   pronominal   and    adjectival   forms  each,    such,  and  lohich, 
were  represented  thus  in  the  two  dialects  : — 


Southern.  Northern, 

ech  I  .j^ 

uch ) 


Southern.  Northern, 

swuch  \ 

zuych  >  swilk 

such     / 


whuch  whilk 

The  Semi-Saxon  forms  in  the  Southern  dialect  were 
eleh         sivelch         and  loelch 

The  Midland  forms  are  mostly  like  the  Southern  with  respect  to 
the  substitution  of  ch  for  Jc,  but  a  preference  is  given  to  the  i  sound, 
e.  g.  ijcJi,  swich  (sich),  wich. 

Adjectives  in  the  Southern  dialect  ended  in  -licit  (sing.),  and 
-Uche  (pi.),  and  Adverbs  in  -It die  ;  but  in  the  Northumbrian,  when 
the  final  -e  had  no  grammatical  functions,  the  distinction  between 
Adjectives  and  Adverbs  could  not  well  be  kept  up,  so  that  the 
terminations  -Uch  and  -Jiclie  were  represented  by  -lie  {-UTx,  Uke), 
and  -ly.^  We  have  a  trace  of  the  double  adverbial  form  -lilce  and 
-ly  in  the  Ormulum. 

2.  V  for  F.  The  use  of  v  for  /',  as  vinger  for  finger,  visch  for 
fisch,  &c.,  is  another  well-known  peculiarity  of  the  old  Southern 
dialect,  which  has,  however,  gradually  become  disused  in  the  Eastern 
division  of  the  Southern  coiinties  (in  Kent  and  Sussex).  In  the 
xivth,  and  up  to  the  middle  of  the  xviith  century,  this  usage  was 
well  marked.  2 

We  never  find  the  v  for  /  in  any  ^N'orthumbrian  production. 

4.  Z  for  S.  The  Ayenbite  is  the  only  work  of  the  xivth  century 
that  contains  examples  of  the  use  of  z  for  s,  as  mtge  for  siiige,  zour 

'  'lij  is  of  course  a  later  form. 

-In  one  or  two  instances,  as  vetch  =  ieich,  vat  =•  hi,  we  have  retained  the 
Southern  and  provincial  form. 


GRAMMATICAL    INTRODUCTION.  Ill 

for  sour,  &c.  But  while  this  pronunciation  is  well  marked  in 
modern  Southern  dialect,  as  spoken  in  the  Southern  and  Western 
counties,  Ave  find  no  trace  of  it  in  the  chronicle  of  Robert  of  Gloucester. 
The  modern  Kentish  vernacular  has  dropped  this  peculiarity, 
though  it  seems  to  have  been  common  enough  in  Kent  as  late  as  the 
middle  of  the  seventeenth  century. 

4.  In  the  present  dialect  of  the  South  of  England  (as  spoken  in 
"Wiltshire,  Devonshire,  and  Somersetshire)  we  find 


birsh 

=:  brush 

hirch        =:  rich 

dird 

=  dread ^ 

hirn          =  run 

dirsh 

=  thrush 

hirsh        =  rush 

gurt 

=  great 

"We  have  several  good  instances  of  this  metathesis  in  the  literature 

of  the  xiiith  and  xivtli  centuries. 

Southern. 

Northern. 

Southern.                      Northern. 

heme  (berne) 

=  brenne(burn) 

curlle                    =  crulle  (curl) 

barnde 

=  brende(burnt) 

fersch  (versshe)  =  fresch  (fresh) 

berste 

=  breste  (burst) 

forst                      =  frost 

barst 

=  brast    (burst, 

gers                      =  gres  (grass) 

2:)rpt.) 

thirlle                   =  thrille(pierce) 

burde  (birde) 

z=z  bride      (lady, 

therste                  =  threste(thirst) 

woman) 

yrne                      =  rinne  (run) 

curd 

=  crud  (curd) 

orn  (arn)              =  ran 

5.  PS  for  SP  Haps  =  hasp,  waps  =  wasp,  are  well-known 
modern  Southern  provincialistics,  but  with  the  exception  of  C7-i/w  for 
crisjJ  (in  Wright's  Fragments  of  Popular  Science)  I  know  of  no 
ancient  examples. 

6.  G  for  Y.  The  Southern  dialects  in  some  few  instances 
retained  a  g,  which  in  the  I^orthern  became  softened  into  y,  as  in 
the  modern  English  buy  and  say. 

Southern.  Northern.  i  Southern.  Northern. 

begge  bye  I  segge  saye 

7.  B  for  V.  The  Southern  forms  libbe,  habbe,  and  hehbe,  were 
represented  by  the  Xorthern  h're,  hare,  and  heve  (heave). 


'  Cf.  Lrid  =  bird,  still  in  use  in  the  North  of  England. 
b2 


GRAMMATICAL    INTRODUCTION. 


B.    Vowels. 

1.  0  for  ^.  I  have  previously  pointed  out  in  the  preface  to 
Hampole  the  suhstitution  of  o  in  the  place  of  a  in  words  of  Anglo- 
Saxon  origin. 

Southern.  Northern.  Southern.  Northern. 

bon  ban  lore  lare 

bor  bar  (bare)  &c.  &c. 

horn  ham 

But  we  also  find  the  following  forms  in  the  Southern  literature  of 
the  xivth  century,  which  are  never  met  with  in  any  pure  jSTorthum- 
brian  production  : — 


con 

==  can 

hond 

=  hand 

lond 

=  land 

mon 

=  man 

stonde 

=:  stand 

honge 

= 

hang 

lome 

zir 

lame 

plont 

= 

plant 

schome 

= 

shame 

stronde 

.  strand 

In  Wiltshire,  Gloucestershire,  and  Somersetshire  we  still  find 
examples  of  this  pronunciation  in  liond  (hand),  lond  (land),  dovli 
(dark),  lovk  (lark),  apple  (apple). 

The  Ayenbite  contains  fewer  examples  of  this  than  most  speci- 
mens of  the  Southern  dialect,  and  in  some  few  instances  a  preference 
is  given  to  the  a  sound,  as 

hlawe  (blow)  knawe  (know)  mawe  (mow) 

zange  (song)  zmve  (sow) 

Tiiis  preference  of  o  to  a,  which  is  also  found  in  some  of  the 
]\Iidland  dialects,  evidently  explains  the  following  curious  forms : 


Midland.           '     Northumbrian. 

Midland. 

Northumbrian. 

fro         =       fra  (from) 

slo 

=       sla  (slay) 

flo         =       fla  (flay) 

thore 

=       thare  (there) 

gove      =       gave 

Avore 

=       ware  (were) 

ond       =       and  (anger) 

30 

=       ya  (yea) 

^  for  A.     In  some  few  Avords 

we  have  e  in 

the  Southern  dialect 

where  the  Northern  prefers  a. 

Southern.                 Northern. 

Southern. 

Northern. 

a3en            agan  (gan,  gain)  = 

here 

hare  =  hair 

against 

reven 

raven 

GRAMilATICAL    IXTRODUCTIOX. 


Southern. 

Xorthern. 

Southern. 

Northern. 

bern 

barn  =  bairn, 

sle 

sla  ==  slay 

(child,  son) 

stre 

stra  i=  straw 

cle 

claw  (clar) 

wepen 

wapen  =  weapon 

ern 

am  ==  eagle 

36 

yha  =  yea 

fle' 

fla    =flay 

The  following  forms  seem  to  come  under  this  head : 

Southern. 

Northern. 

Southern. 

Northern. 

blein 

blain 

grein 

grain 

clei 

clai  =  (clay) 

greithe 

graithe  =  (prepare) 

dei* 

dai  =  (day) 

hei 

hai  =  (hay) 

ei3t 

aght  =  (eight) 

kei 

kai  =  (key) 

eye  (eie)      agh  =  (awe) 
With  these  we  may  compare  the  j\lidland  forms  of  the  N'orth- 

•umbrian  personal  pronouiis  : 

Midland  thei,  their,  theim,  for 

ISTorthern         thai  (tha),         thair  (thar),  thaim  (thain) 

The  Southern  preterites  of  one  class  of  strong  verbs  often  take  an 

e  when  the  ^Northumbrian  has  a. 


Southern. 

Northern. 

Southern. 

Northern. 

ber 

bar  =  bore 

spek 

spak  =  spoke 

brek 

brak  =  broke 

swer 

swar  =  swore 

gef 

gaf  =  gave 

In  the  modern  dialect  of  Sussex  we  find  fleg  =  flag ;  ?ie?ig  = 
hang ;  meish  =  marsh ;  reg  =  rag.  In  Devonshire,  kej)  =  cap  ; 
kerning  =  carping. 

The  Old  Frisian  language  presents  us  with  similar  forms,  as, 
,9fe/=  stafl' ;  bend  =  band  ;  iceter  =  water. 

Not  only  has  the  Ayenbite  preserved  similar  forms  in  which  a  is 
replaced  by  e,  but  it  presents  us  with  a  far  larger  number  than  any 
other  Southern  composition. 


bend       =  band 
berk       =  bark 
bleddre  =  bladder 
blest       =  blast 


leste  =:  last 

mentle  =  mantle 

mere  =^  mare 

merss  =  marsh 


^  Jle,  sle,  may  stand  for  Jlea  and  slea. 

*  In  Dorsetshire  dai/  and  zvhei/  are  pronounced  de,  whe,  &c. 
Dorset  Grammar  in  Philolog.  Soc.  Proceed.,  1864,  p.  12. 


See   Outlines  of 


VI 


GRAMMATICAL    IXTRODUCTIOX. 


bren 

=  bran 

ssel 

=  shall 

bres 

=  brass 

ssede 

=  shade 

chef 

=  chaff 

ssepe 

=  shape 

clepper 

=  clapper 

strepe 

=  stripe 

creft 

=  craft 

stef 

=  staff 

ele 

=  awl 

threl 

=  tliraU 

eppel 

=  apple 

treppe 

=  trap 

esshe 

=  ash 

vet 

=  vat 

gled 

=  glad 

weter 

=  water 

hedde 

=  had 

zed 

=  sad 

keste 

=  kast  (i«/.) 

zeterda} 

'=  Satiu'day 

leddre 

=  ladder 

Aw  for  Ai 

(A.S.  ag)  : 

Southern. 

Northern. 

Southern. 

Northern. 

fawe 

fain 

y-flawe 

flain  (flayed) 

hawel 

hail 

y-slawe 

slain 

TJ  for  I.  In  the  works  of  the  Southern  writers  of  the  tliirteenth 
and  fourteenth  centuries  we  fhid  the  words  fist,  lull,  thin,  sin,  &c., 
written /«s#,  hul,  thini,  thunne,  sun,  &c. 

Our  modern  pronunciation  coincides  generally  with  the  Northern 
dialects,  in  wliich  this  substitution  of  m  for  i  was  unknown. 

In  Wiltshire  we  may  still  hear  Hunk  (=  hluik),  spark ;  frum 
(N.  frim),  fresh ;  hud,  hide ;  huz,  his ;  Iujj,  Hp  :  putcher,  pitcher ; 
vur,  fire ;  whuch,  which. 

In  the  Old  Kentish  of  the  Ayenbite  an  e  takes  the  place  of  the 
Southern  u  and  the  ISTorthern  i. 


Southern. 


(a)  Western. 

(b)  Eastern. 

hul 

hel 

kunde 

kende 

kusse 

kesse 

munde 

mende 

put 

pet 

rug 

reg 

vur 

vere 

&c. 

&c. 

Northern. 

hil 

kinde 
kisse 
minde 
pit 

rig  (back) 
fire 
&c. 


GRAMMATICAL    IXTRODUCTION. 


In  the  following  list  of  words  taken  fr<jm.  the  Ayenbite,  the  e 
represents  u  or  i. 


bele 

=  boil  (bile) 

mclk 

=  milk 

bestle 

=  bustle 

niende 

=^  mind 

besy 

—  busy 

pet,  pett 

e=  pit 

bredale 

=:  bridale 

prede 

=:  pride 

bredgroine  =bridegroom 

reg 

=  rig  =  ridge  = 

brenge 

=  bring 

back 

gelt 

=  guilt 

skele 

=  skill 

hel 

=  liill 

steck 

=  stick 

kechene 

=  kitchen 

stef 

=  stiff 

ken 

=  kin 

stenge 

=  sting 

ken 

=  kine 

selk 

=  silk 

kende 

=  kind 

strepe 

=  strip 

kesse 

■=.  kiss 

velthe 

=  filth 

keth 

=  kith  =  cuth   or 

vere 

=  fire 

couth    in   va\- 

zelf 

=  self 

couth. 

zenge 

=  singe 

kete 

=  kite 

zenke 

=  sink 

leme 

=r  limb 

zenne 

=  sin 

luelle 

=  inill 

We  find  in  O.Frisian  hrenga,  to  bring,  stek,  stick,  together  with 
the  double  forms  hlenda  and  hlinda,  heljxc  and  hiljpa. 

In  the  modem  Kentish  and  Sussex  dialects  we  meet  with  knet  = 
knit ;  meece  =  mice ;  melk  =  milk ;  j;'e^  =  pit ;  whelst  =  whilst. 
This  use  of  e  for  i  stiU  prevails  in  some  of  the  Southern  counties. 

In  "Wiltshire  we  find  peg  =  pig  ;  steel  =  stile  ;  stenk  =  stink,  and 
the  published  specimens  of  the  Exmoor  dialect  contain  the  following 
examples : 


bed 

= 

bid 

ded 

did 

desk 

= 

dusk 

drenk 

= 

drink 

meend 

= 

mind 

mence 

= 

mince 

peg 

= 

pig 

prent 

= 

print 

preck 

=  prick 

rep 

=  rip 

theng 

=  thing 

trem 

=  trim 

veest 

=  fist 

zed 

=  sad 

zeck 

:=  sick 

YIU.  GRAMMATICAL    INTRODUCTION. 

In  some  few  instances  we  have  retained  the  Southern  orthography 
with  the  JSTorthern  pronunciation :  husij  =  the  ISTorthern  hysij,  just 
as  dizzy  =  the  Southern  dusi. 

Biiihl,  guilt,  &c.,  in  Southern  orthography  were  Avritten  hidde, 
gidt,  and  in  the  ISTorthern,  hyJde,  gyJt,  &c.  In  stint  and  stunt  both 
dialectal  forms  have  been  preserved. 

The  0  in  hop  and  slope  seem  to  have  arisen  out  of  a  u  sound,  since 
the  older  Southern  forms  were  Imppe  and  sliqipe,  corresponding  to 
the  Northern  Mpjje  and  shpj^e. 

5.  Eo  for  E.  The  Editor  of  the  Ormulum,  in  pointing  out  some  of 
the  dialectical  peculiarities  of  his  author,  notices  the  use  of  the  simple 
vowel  e  for  the  compound  eo.  In  no  specimen  of  the  Northumbrian 
dialect  do  we  ever  find  the  employment  of  the  compound  vowel. 
Thus  the  Southern  forms  breoste  (breast)  ;  clieose  (choose)  ;  creope 
(creep)  ;  deop  (deep) ;  lease  (lose)  ;  neose  (nose)  ;  teen  (anger) ; 
weoved  (altar),  &c.,  are  in  Northern  orthography  hrcste,  chese,  crepie, 
dep,  lese,  nese,  tene,  weved,  &c. 

Occasionally  in  the  Southern  dialect  the  eo  is  written  ?/,  as  dupie 
for  deope,  durJc  for  deorl;  imdk  for  rneolk  ;  duere  for  deore  (dear). ' 
Cp.  Vul  tor  feol,  fell,  and  Jndd  for  heold,  held. 

In  the  printed  examples  of  the  Herefordshire  dialect  ue  often 
takes  the  place  of  eo,  as  hue  (they),  for  heo  ;  htiere  (their)  for  heore  ; 
Jiuern  (them)  for  heoni ;  Imen  (to  be)  for  heon  ;  huere  (bear)  for  heore  ; 
duere  (dear)  for  deore  ;  Inierte  (heart)  for  heorte,  &c.'^ 

In  Kemble's  paper  on  the  North  Anglian  dialect,  we  are  told  that 
the  West  Saxon  eo  was  represented  in  Kentish  ]\Ianuscripts  by  iu,  io, 
ia,  and  ie. 

We  find  some  traces  of  this  in  the  Kentish  specimens  of  the  xivth 
century,  for  in  the  Ayenbite  ie  or  ye  is  constantly  employed  for  eo.^ 

^  This  may  account  for  the  modern  pronunciation  of  lese  (lose)  and  ehese  (choose) 
=  the  Sn  leose  and  c/ieose. 

-  Since  writing  the  above  I  have  found  both  forms  in  Trevisa's  translation  of 
Iligden's  Polychronicon  (Cotton  MS.  Tiberius  D.  vii.  written  in  the  Sn  dialect, 
probably  of  Gloucestershire),  e.  g.,  heo  and  htie,  she ;  ]jeos  or  ])ucs,  this,  these ;  tte 
perhaps  occur  more  frequently  than  eo,  as  thuef,  thief;  witescli,  for  ivcosch,  washed. 

3  The  modern  Kentish  dialect  has  i/y  (used  by  Shoreham)  for  ble  (A.S.  bleo), 
colour,  likeness.  In  the  Ayenbite  and  Slioreham's  poems  we  find  b>/  for  beo,  be  ;  vri/ 
for  freo,  free;  ffl>/  for  ffleo,  glee  ;  z>/  for  seo,  see  ;  ffr>/Jtond  for  greyhound,  &c. 


GRAMMATICAL    INTRODUCTION. 


Kentish. 

Ordinary  Southern  form, 

bryest 

breost  (breast) 

chiese   \ 
chyese 
chyew  / 

cheose  (choose), 

cryepe 

creope  (creep) 

(liepe  1 
dyepe  j 

deope  (deep) 

diere  \ 
dyere  ) 

deore  (dear) 

lieniy  ; 
lyerny  ) 

leorne  (learn) 

liese   ) 
lyese  ) 

leose  (lose) 

Ordinary  Southern  form, 
leove  (lief,  dear) 

neode  (need) 

theoster  (darkness) 

teone  (anger) 


Kentish, 

lieve 

lyeve 

niede  ^ 

nyede  j 

thiester  ) 

thyester ) 

tiene 

tyene 

wieued  ) 

I    weoued  (altar) 
"vvyetied  ; 

■\vied  weod  (weed) 

vyend         feond  (fiend) 

ATyend       freond  (friend) 

Many  preterites  in  eo  take  ie,  as  liield,  Mid,  held,  Melp,  hiljp,  helpied. 

6.  In  the  South-west  of  England  at  the  present  day  such  words 
as  cart,  card,  and  garden,  are  pronounced  as  Icyart,  kyard,  gyarden. 
Here  the  ya  represents  the  original  West  Saxon  ed,  which  in  modern 
English  is  represented  by  a.  In  Somersetshire  calf,  grape,  leap, 
leave,  are  j)ronounced  Jceave,  greap,  leap,  leave.  In  the  Eastern 
division,  as  in  Kent  and  Sussex,  we  may  hear  beam,  deaic,  gdut  (geat), 
li'eaf,  tdust,  for  heam,  dew,  gate,  calf,  taste.  (See  Outhnes  of  Dorset 
Grammar  in  Philolog.  Soc.  Proceedings,  1864,  pp.  12,  13,  14.) 

We  have  no  trace  of  tliis  in  Robert  of  Gloucester,  Lives  of  the 
Saints,  &c.,  but  in  the  works  of  Shoreham  and  Dan  Michel,  we  find 
abundant  evidence  (as  the  following  examples  will  shoAv)  that  the  old 
Kentish  folk  of  the  fourteenth  century  retained  the  ancient  West 
Saxon  pronunciation,  for  ea  is  written  yea,  ya. 


■=.  beam 


bread 


byeam 

byam 

bryead    \ 

bryad      ) 

cheak  =  cheek 

cleape         =  clepe  (call) 

chyeaste  \ 

chieaste  j 

cheap  =z  cheep 


■=.  strife  cheaste 


dyad    | 

dyead  j 

dyeath 

dyeaf 

dyeau 

dyau 

hyealde 

healde 

heaued 


=  dead 

=  death 
=  deaf 

=:  dew 

=  hold 
=  head 


GRAMMATICAL   INTRODUCTION. 


hyeap  ^ 
hyap    ) 

=  heap 

sealve 
sleawth 

=  salve 
=  sloth 

heaw 

=  hue 

speark 

=  spark 

lyeaf 

=  leaf 

sseaw 

=  show 

Iheape 

=  leap 

theaw 

=  virtue 

leawde 

=  lewd 

threape 

=  dispute 

reave 

=  rob 

tyear 

=  tear 

schreaw 
sealt 

=  shrew 
=  salt 

vealde    \ 
vyealde  J 

=  fold 

The  Kentish  j^reterites  hea-^  (bent) ;  cheas  (chose)  ;  leas  (lost) ; 
Jeat  (hoived)  ;  stea-^  (ascended)  ;  zeald  (sold) ;  teald  (told),  correspond 
to  the  ordinary  Southern  he'^,  dies,  les,  let,  ste'^,  teld  (told). 

Sometimes  the  initial  ea  is  represented  by  y,  as  yald,  old  ;  yarm, 
arm  ;  yarn,  ran ;  year,  ear  ;  yeast,  east ;  yerne,  run  ;  yerthe,  earth ; 
yestre,  easter. 

With  these  we  may  compare  the  modern  Southern  provincialisms 
yarm  =  arm  ;  yarth  ■=  earth  ;  yeat  =  eat ;  yeast  =.  east,  &c. 

7.  The  only  old  Kentish  forms  corresponding  to  the  modern  buoy 
(boy),  cwoaf  (coat),  &c.,  are 

guos   =  goose 
ZU0I3  =  (the  Dorset  zull)  := 
plough 


buon 

=  bone 

guode 

=  good 

guo 

=  go 

GRAMMATICAL  PECULIARITIES. 


NOUNS. PLURALS   IN    £.V, 


The  Onnulum,  wliicli  is  of  Midland  origin  and  abounds  in  i!^orth- 
ern  forms,  contains  scarcely  any  plural  nouns  terminating  in  the 
syllable  e7i,  while  the  Ancren  Rewle,  St  Marherete  and  La3amon's 
"Brut,"  written  in  the  Southern  dialect,  abound  in  them. 

In  the  longest  and  best  specimens  of  the  ^Northumbrian  dialect 
of  the  early  English  period,  I  have  not  succeeded  in  finding  more 
than  three  or  four  plural  noims  in  en,  as  eglien  (eyes),  oxen,  and 
nclion  (shoes).  But  in  Southern  works  of  the  same  period  they  are 
almost  as  plentiful  as  in  the  earlier  (Semi-Saxon)  stage  of  the 
language.'^ 

The  following  list  of  Southern  plurals  in  en  might  no  doubt  be 
augmented,  as  they  contain  such  forms  only  as  have  come  under  my 
own  observation ;  they  all,  however,  serve  to  corroborate  the  statement 
made  as  to  the  frequent  use  of  this  inflexion. 


addren 

adders 

aldren 

elders 

applen 

apples 

arwen 

arrows 

assen 

asses 

axen 

ashes 

ayren 
eyren 

1 

eggs 

*  beden 


petitions 


been 

bees 

*  bellen 

bells 

bemen 

trumpets 

*  benen 

prayers,  boons 

bischopen 

bishops 

*  blissen 

blisses 

blomen 

blooms  (flower) 

blosmen 

blossoms 

bollen 

boAvls 

*  bougeren 

heretics 

^  The  modern  dialect  of  the  South- -western  counties  still  exhibits  a  fondness  for 
this  termination,  as  housen,  peasen,  neiffhbottrhooden. 

»  All  words  marked  thus  (*)  occur  in  the  Ayenbite  (1340) ;  those  marked  with 
a  dagger  occur  in  Shoreham. 


GUAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 


Lronden 

*  brotliren 
brethren 
browen 
bruggen 

*  Lryesten 
breosten 

calveren 

*  carten 

*  cellen 
cerclen 
clianibren 
clieoken 
cheo3en 

*  cherclien 
churclien 

*  children 

*  clauen 
cleen 
clouden 
cneon 
colveren 
condlen 
corden 
crabben 

*  crouch  en 
crowen 

dawen 
deden 
deovelen 
develen 

*  dyeuelen 

*  diaknen 


brands 

brothers ' 

brows 
bridges 

breasts 

calves 

carts 

cells 

circles 

chambers 

cheeks 

daws  (choughs) 

churches 

children 

claws 

clouds 

knees 

doves 

candles 

cords 

crabs 

crosses 

crows 

days 
deeds 

devils 

deacons 


doggen 

*  do^tren 
dou3tren 
doren 

*  dropen 
droppen 

*  earen 
eren 

*  yearen 

*  eddren 

*  elmessen 
elven 
enieten 
eveten 
eyren 

*  ejen 
eyen 

ferden 
t  verden 
fasten 
festen 
flon 
fon 

*  von 

gomen 
gloven 

*  halewen 
hal3en 
hattren 

hawen 


dogs 

daughters 
doors 
drops 

ears 

adders 
alms 

elves 
ants 
newts 
eggs 

eyes 

troops,  armies 

fasts 

arrows 

foes 

men 
gloves 

hallows,  saints 

clothes,       gar- 
ments 
haAvs 


1  hretheni  and  chlldern  occur  in  Early  Eng.  writers. 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 


*  heaveden 
heveden 
lielen 

*  liennen 
heren 

*  hesten 

*  honden 
houndeii 
tounten 
huden 
hiinten 
hurten 
lieorten 

*  lierten 
hynen 

t  joyen 

*  kempen 

*  ken 
kine 
keyen 
knotten 
kressen 

*  lanibren 
lanipen 

*  lompen 
longon 

*  lenden 
lesen 

*  lippen 
t  loken 


heads 

tents 

hens 

shirts  of  horse- 
hair 

hests,       com- 
mands 

hands 

hounds 

hunters 

hides 

hunters 

hearts 
servants 

joys 

warriors 

cows 

keys 
knots 


lambs 

lamps 

lungs 

loins 

meadows 

lips 

locks 


lomen 

medpn 

*  messen 
misdeden 

*  modren 
monen 
mnylen 
mylen 

neddren 

*  nettlen 

*  nykeren 

*  nykken 
nonnen 
noten 

peren 

*  pesen 

*  pinen 
precken 

rabben 

*  reven 
roden 

*  roten 
rothern  ^ 
rutheren 


saulen 
*  zaulen 

scheon  shoes 

schrewen         shrews 
schiren  shires 


looms 

rewards  (meeds) 

masses 

misdeeds 

mothers 

moons 

mules 

miles 

adders 

nettles 

syrens 

necks 

nuns 

nuts 

pears 
pease 
pains 
stings 

turnips 

sheriffs,  reeves 
roods  (crosses) 
roots 

rothers,  oxen 


souls 


'  In  Cott.  MS.  Tib.  D.  vii.  rotheron,  oxon,  clnjldroii,  are  written  for  rutheren, 
oxm,  children-. 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 


schoperden 

sheplierds 

t  tren 

>     trees 

sennen 

'\ 

treon 

) 

*  zennen 

sins 

trappen 

1    traps 

sunnen 

) 

*  treppen 

scheten 

scholdren 

schiddren 

1 

sheets 
shoulders 

unclen 
weden 

uncles 

weeds  (clothes) 

scourgen 

/ 

scourges 

*  wellen 

wells 

scurgen 

wenchen 

girls 

t  sibben 

relations 

wepnen 

weapons 

siden 

; 

sides 

*  werren 

wars 

*  zideii 

wetheren 

wethers 

sinuen 
sithen 

sinews 
times 

widuen 
*  Avodewen 

1    widows 

sithen 

scythes 

t  woken 

weeks 

snaken 

snakes 

*  womben 

wombs 

snoden 
sorewen 

pieces 
sorrows 

*  wonden 
wunden 

[     wounds 

sostren 
sustren 

1 

sisters 

*  wrecchen 
wTethen 

wretches 
wreaths 

spannen 
*  spearken 

spans 
sparks 

*  wychen 
wichen 

witches 

sporen 

spurs 

*  wyngen 

) 

*  stableii 

stables 

wengen 

\     wings 

stappen 

steps 

wingen 

) 

steden 

steeds 

Avj'ken 

weeks 

*  sterren 
steorren 

1 

stars 

t  wyken 
*  wysen 

offices 
Avays,  modes 

swopen 

whips 

*  ympen 

branches 

tiden 

times 

*  vetheren 

feathers 

tliien 
*  tongen 
tungen 

thighs 
tongues 

*  vle3en         ) 

flies 
vli^en          ) 

*  vorbisnen         examples 

tongen 

tongs 

*  toknen 

tokens 

3erden 

1    rods 

t  ton 

toes 

juvden 

GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  XV 

The  wliole  of  these  do  not,  of  course,  belong  to  the  n  declension. 
Benen,  deuelen,  doren,  honden,  sunnen,  srmlen,  originally  ended  in 
-a;  brother  en,  dolitren  (do-^tren),  heavedxii,  modren,  sustren  {sos- 
tren),  terminated  in  -ii ;  and  calveren,  childeren,  lyren,  lambren,^ 
formerly  ended  in  -ri/.. 

The  A.-Saxon  plural  vowel  inflexions  -a,  -?/.,  &c.,  were  repre- 
sented in  the  Semi-Saxon  by  -e,  and  in  the  Early  English  period  by 
-en. 

The  Northumbrian  forms  corresponding  to  the  Southern  bretheren , 
childeren,  kine,  were  brether,  childer,  kye. 

The  A.S.  plural  lendenu'^  (loins)  became  lenden  in  Southern 
English;  the  JSTorthern  dialect  employed  the  form  lends,  for  which  they 
formed  a  singular,  lend,  which  is  not  to  be  found  in  any  pure 
Southern  writer. 

Occasionally  the  -en  is  represented  by  a  final  -e,  as  asse  = 
assen,  asses  ;  honde  =  honden,  hands  ;  lij)];)e  =  lippen,  lips  ;  sterre  = 
sterren,  stars  ;  stede  ■=^  steden,  steeds. 

Dr  Guest,  in  the  second  volume  (p.  75)  of  the  Philological 
Society's  Proceedings,  has  noticed  these  forms,  but  considers  them  as 
Northern  forms.     His  statement  is  as  follows : — 

"  Anglo-Saxon  nouns  belonging  to  the  n  declension,  as  steorra,  a 
star,  steda,  a  steed,  assa,  an  ass,  &c.,  generally  formed  their  plural  in 
-an,  as  steorran,  stedan,  ossen,  &c.  But  in  the  Northern  dialect  they 
substituted  a  vowel  for  the  ending  -an;  and  it  is  probable  that  these 
Northern  plurals  are  represented  by  the  sterre,  stede,  asse  of  the 
following  examples : — 

(1)  The  fifte  3er  he  gan  argument 

Of  the  sterre  and  of  the  firmement. 

(Sevyn  Sages,  197.) 

(2)  "VMii  kyng  other  eorl  cam  on  hjon  to  weorre,^ 
Quyk  he  lokyd  in  the  steorre. — {Kanij  Alls.  76.) 

(3)  As  y  you  sey  bothe  heore  stede 

Feollen  to  grounde  dede. — (A".  Alis.  2263.) 

1  Zambre  =  lambs,  occurs  in  the  Ormulum. 

2  The  sinff.  does  not  occur  in  A.S.  authors. 

"  The  -e  in  tveorre  represents  the  -en  in  the  infinitive. 


XVI  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

(4)  And  afftyr  fyftene  hundiyd  asse 
Bar  wyn  and  oyle,  more  and  lasse. 

(B.  a  de  Lion,  6453.)" 

'  The  three  works  from  which  the  quotations  are  made,  adds  Dr 
Guest,  are  strongly  marked  with  the  peculiarities  of  the  !N'orthern 
dialect. 

They  certainly  do  contain  some  I^Torthern  peculiarities,  but  not  its 
distinctive  peculiarities.  The  Seven  Sages  and  the  Eom.  of  King 
Eichard  are  in  a  Midland  dialect,  and  K.  Alisander  is  in  the  dialect 
of  a  locality  where  hoth  Southern  and  Midland  forms  were  em- 
ployed. 

The  substitution  of  a  vowel  for  the  -an  (as  ego  :=  eyes ;  ivitgo, 
witrju  =  projihets)  was  undoubtedly  a  characteristic  of  the  I^orthern 
dialect  during  the  ninth  and  tenth  centuries  ;  but  is  not  to  be  found 
in  any  ITorthern  writer  of  the  thirteenth  and  fourteenth  centuries. 

The  substitution  of  -e  for  -n '  is  Southern  rather  than  Northern, 
as  the  folloAving  examples  will  show  : — 

The  nijtingale  bigon  the  speche 
In  one  hurne  of  one  breche 
And  sat  upone  vaii'e  boje 
Thar  were  abute  hlosme  ino^e.^ 

[Owl  and  Nightingale,  p.  1.) 

Berne  :=.  Bemen  (trumpets). 

The  engles  in  the  dai-red 

Blewedh  heore  heme. — (JRelig.  Poems,  p.  68.) 

Angles  .   .  blcAve  here  hemen. 

{Lives  of  Saints,  Harl.  MS.  2277,  fol.  11  b.) 

'  The  use  of  final  -e  for  -n  is  quite  common  in  the  Southern  dialect,  not  only  in 
the  plurals  of  nouns,  but  also  in  the  preterite  plural,  infinitive  mood,  and  gerund 
of  verbs.  In  addition  to  these  we  find  such  forms  as  aT^e  =  a^n  (again) ;  o^e  =  oyn 
(own) ;  neo-^e  =  ncoyn  (nine)  ;  bhse,  blosmen  (blossoms) ;  seove  =  scoven  (seven). 

2  Blosme  ino^e  =  flowers'  enough  =  many  flowers.     Iiio-^e  is  the  plural  of  iiio-^, 
enough.     The  pi.  Blosmen  occurs  much  later,  as  in  the  following  extract;— 
Lenten  yo  come  with  love  to  toune 
With  blosmen  ant  with  briddes  roune 
That  al  this  blisse  bringeth.— (<S^fc.  of  Lyric  Poet.  p.  43.) 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  XVll 

Browe  =.  Browen  (brows). 

(1)  On  heu  hire  her  is  fayr  ynoh, 

Hire  broive  broune,  hire  e^e '  blake. 

{Sjpec.  of  Lyric  Poet.  p.  28.) 

(2)  Hyre  he^e  ^  havieth  wounded  me  y-"wisse 

Hire  bende  hroicen  that  bringeth  bUsse. — {rjid.  p.  39.) 
CldrcJie-=^  Chirchen  (churches). 

(3)  Horn  let  wurche 
Chapeles  and  chirche. 

(K.  Horn,  p.  39,  E.  E.  Text  See.) 

(4)  Tliat  folc  hi  gunne  quelle 

And  clmrchen  for  to  felle. — {Ihid.  p.  2.) 
Breste  =  Bresten  (breasts). 

Ther  to  me  aneleth  the  wyttes  fy^f, 
And  fe^et,  and  hrede  and  lenden. — (Shorehnm,  p.  43.) 
He  het  that  me  scholde  hire  lede :  to  the  tonnes  ende 
And  hire  hreosten  fram  hire  bodie,  with  kene  hokes  rende. 

{8t  Katherine,  p.  76.) 
Crowe  ■=.  Croioen  (crows). 

An  hwanne  heo  habeth  me  of-slahe, 

Heo  hongeth  me  on  heore  hahe, 

Thar  ich  a-schewele  pie  an  croice 

From  than,  the  thar  is  i-sowe. — {Old  and  N.  p.  55.) 

Wenestu  that  haueck  bo  the  Avorse 

Thoj  croioe  bigrede  him  bi  the  mersh, 

And  goth  to  him  mid  hare  chirme, 

Eijt  so  hi  wille  wit  him  schirme. — {Hid.   p.  304.) 

Seint  Edmund  &  his  felawe:  as  hit  was  ofte  here  wane 
In  a  day  fram  Lenkenore  :  wende  to  Abyndone 
As  hi  come  in  a  gret  faleye :  blake  monekes  he  sej 
As  hit  crowen  &  clioi^en  were :  fleo  bi  their  anhej. 

{&t  Edmund,  p.  76.) 

*  e^e  and  he^e  =  e^en  =  eyes. 
c 


XVIU  GRAMMATICAL   PECULIARITIES, 

Dede  ■=.  Deden  (deeds). 

My  gode  deden  tuetli  fol  smalle. 

{SjMc.  of  Lyric  Poet.  p.  99.) 

Of  myne  deden  fynde  y  non  god. — (Ibid.  p.  99.) 

"WTien  we  bueth  dempned  after  ur  dede, 

A  domesday,  when  ryhtes  bueth  tolde, 

When  we  shule  suen  thy  wounde  blede, 

To  speke  thenne  we  bueth  unbolde. — (Ibid.  p.  100.) 

Fewe  gode  dede  ich  habbe  ido. — (St  Brandan,  p.  27.) 

J^je  =  EyM  (eyes). 

.     ,     .     .     syththe  bifore  here  e-^e 
lie  wende  up  to  hevene  as  hi  alle  ise3e, 

(MS.  Harl.  2277,  fol.  23.) 

Gret  fur  heo  let  make  bifore  here  aire  eje 

(Ibid,  fol.  40.) 

Hyre  he-^e  haueth  wounded  me  y-wisse. 

(Spec,  of  Lyric  Poet.  p.  39.) 

Ke  sholde  he  vor  bothe  his  636 
So  don,  jif  he  the  bet  ne  se^e. 

(Oivl  and  Nightingale,  1.  381-2,  p.  14.) 

Hyre  eyyn  aren  grete  and  gray  ynoh. 

(Sjpec.  of  Lyric  Poet.  p.  34.) 

Fere  =:  Per  en  (companions), 

Coveytise  myn  keyes  here 

Nithe  ant  onde  were  rax  fere 

That  bueth  folkes  fyle. — (Sjjec.  of  Lyric  Poet.  p.  49.) 

Hi  weren  ure  ifere. — (Moral  Ode,  p.  25.) 

This  bosteres  &  this  lieres  as  hi  sitteth  bi  here  fere 
Bringeth  wimmen  in  sclaundre 

(Harl,  MS.  2277,  fol.  18  a.) 

Tnejferen  he  hadde 

That  he  with  him  ladde. — (King  Horn,  p.  92.) 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIA.RITIES.  XIX 

See  K.  Horn,  p.  3. 
Herte  ■=.  Herten  (hearts). 

Ac  liy  habbetli  liire  herten  zuo  arered  ine  God  that  hi  ne  prayzeth 
the  wordle. — {Ayenhite,  pp.  142,  152.) 

The  they  were  on  fote  bothe, 

They  foughte  togedre  Avith  heorte  ^vrot]^e. 

(7v.  Alis.  p.  302.) 

Gret  ioye  hi  ha,dde  in  here  liurte  that  hi  mi3te  this  iseo. 

{St  Brcmdan,  p.  7.) 
Here-=.  Her  en  (hair  shii-ts). 

He  werede  harde  here, — {St  BeJcet,  p.  75.) 

The  nioder  werede  harde  here :  for  onre  louerdes  lone 
Fram  the  schuldre  to  the  hele. — {St  Edmund^  p.  71.) 

])is  children  .     .     .     werede  here  here  frie  a  Avyke. 

{Ihid.  p.  72.) 

And  euere  as  heo  hem  sende  clothes  :  as  heo  hem  mijt  iAvynne 
Thexvfith  heo  w-olde  heren  sende, — {Ibid.  p.  72.) 
Henne  =  Hennen  (hens). 

The  voxe  hird  amang  al  menne 
And  tolde  the  wolf  with  the  brode  crune 
That  on  him  send  gees  and  henne  • 
That  other  geet  and  motune. 

{Camden  Society's  Polit.  Songs,  p.  198.) 
Honde  =  Honden  (hands). 

We  ne  thore  no3t  this  kny3tes  seide  :  do  bi  the  as  we  wolde 
For  the  kyng  ous  het  the  bringe  him  :  thyn  honde  faste  ybounde. 

He  makede  hem  al  a3en  hire  wille  :  his  honden  faste  bynde 
&  ladde  him  forth  harde  ynou3  :  his  honden  faste  bihynde. 

(;S^^  Cristo]pher,  p.  63.) 
.     .     .     .     he  het  his  men  anon 
Seint  Andreu  scourgi  so  :  tho  that  him  oke  ech  bon 
And  siththe  bynde  him  lionde  &  fet. — {St  Andrew,  p.  100.) 

'  Hennen,  hens,  occurs  in  the  Ayenhite. 
c  * 


XX  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

Y-fetered  were  ys  legges  under  his  horse  wombe  y 
Bothe  with  yrn  ant  with  stele  mankled  were  ys  honde. 

[Politic.  Songs,  p.  218. 

He  smot  doixn  is  heued 

.     .     .     is  7tom7e»  gon  he  wrynge. — (/&icZ.  p.  193.) 

Mony  frenshe  wyf  wryngeth  hire  lionde. — (Ibid.  p.  188.) 

Sone,  y  se  thi  bodi  byswongen 

Fet  ant  honden  thonrhout  stongen. — {Lyric  P.  p.  81.) 

.     atte  last  hi  founde 
The  forme  of  onre  louerd  in  a  Rode  :  ibeten  and  ibounde 
Inailled  thurf  fet  and  honde:  as  our  louerd  wiihyyi ivounde  (wounds) 
That  hadde  the  gywes  ido  :  god  3yA^e  hem  harde  stounde  (blows). 

{The  Jews  and  the  Cross,  p.  43.) 

Lo7ne  =  Lomen  (tools). 

At  eve-song  even  neh 
Ydel  men  ^et  he  seh 
Lomen  habbe  an  honde. 

{Spec,  of  Lyric  Poet.  p.  41.) 

This  other  swore  alle  ant  some 

That  er  wer  come  with  lo7ne 

That  so  nes  hit  nout  ryht. — {Ihid.  p.  42.) 

Mede  =  Meden  (good  deeds). 

Middel-erd  for  men  wes  made 

Un  mihti  aren  is  meste  mede. — {Ibid.  p.  22.) 

Schreire  =  Schreiven  (wretches,  villains). 
Gywes  hatieth  oure  leuedi  moche  :  and  hire  suete  sone  also 
That  is  isene  in  manie  dede  :  that  the  schrewen  habbeth  ido. 

{The  Jews  and  the  Cross,  p.  42.) 

The  king  hadde  al  to  fewe 
To-3enes  so  vele  schrewe. 

{King  Horn,  p.  2,  E.  E.  Text  Soc.) 

Sterre  =  Sterren  (stars). 

Ine  the  Apocalyps  Sent  lohan 

I-se3  ane  wymman  wyth  Sonne  by-gon 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  XXI 

«• 

Thane  mowe  al  onder  hyre  ton 

I-crouned  wyth  tuel(f)  sterre 

Sycli  a  leuedy  nas  nevere  non 

Wyth  thane  fend  to  werre. — (Shoreham^s  Poems,-p.lS3.) 

And  the  cours  of  the  steorren 

In  heom  he  juggeth  al  his  weorren. — (^K.  Alis.  p.  67.) 

By  the  mone  and  by  the  sterren 

Hy  connen  ingge  alle  icerren. — {Ihid.  p.  203.) 

He  loked  and  kneowe  in  the  sterre 

Of  alle  this  kynges  theo  grete  weorre. — {Ihid.  p.  113. 

Him  tho3te  that  ther  stod  a  treo  :  ri3t  tofore  his  bedde 
That  anon  to  the  sterren  tilde :  and  wel  wide  spredde. 

{St  Kenelm,  p.  51.) 

Hereof  36  ssolle  understonde  that  in  the  firmament  beth 
Planetes  yliche  clere  sterren  sevene  as  3e  seth. 

{R.  of  Gl.  fol.  39.) 

Hwat  canstu  wrecche  thing  of  storre 
Bute  that  thu  bi-haitest  hi  feorre. 

{Old  and  Night,  p.  45.) 

Thah  thu  iseo  the  steorre  al  swa 

Nortu  the  Avisure  neauer  the  mo. — (Ibid.  p.  46.) 

The  Sonne  and  monne  and  many  sterren 

By  easte  aryseth  swythe /en'e??. — {Shoreham,  p.  137.) 

Soule  =  Soulen  (souls). 

Oure  dettes  byeth  oure  zennes  that  we  habbeth  ydo  wexe  ojie 
our  zcmlen. — {Ayenhite,  p.  88.) 

And  lete  us  hatie  the  woh 

And  luvie  the  ri3te 

And  bringe  ure  saicle 

To  heoveriche  li3te. — {Relig.  Songs,  p.  80.) 

To  there  blisse  us  bringe  god,  the  rixlit  abuten  ende 
Thenne  he  ure  soide  unbint  of  licames  bende. 

{Moral  Ode,  p.  34.) 


XXU  GRAMMATICAL   PECULIARITIES. 

Alle  halewene  sotde  glade  beoth  :  that  in  lieuene  beoth  ido 

That  siiyeth  oure  loverdes  way  :  and  for  him  schadde  also 

Here  blod  for  his  suete  loue.  — (St  Dunstan,  p.  39.) 

Shvldre  =  Shuldren  (shoulders). 

A  suetly  suyre  heo  hath  to  holde, 

With  armes,  shuldre,  ase  mon  wolde 

Ant  fyngres  feyre  forte  folde. — {Lyric  Poems,  p.  52.) 

A  strong  rop  ther  was  siththe  above  :  fram  the  sclmldre  ido 

To  his  buttok  of  hors  her  :  to  holde  hit  faste  to. 

{St  Edmund,  p.  75.) 

Up  here  scliiddren  hi  nouie  this  holi  bodi  anon. 

{St  Beket,  p.  125.) 

Tlieo  delfpis  wonetli  hire  byside 

A  strong  best  of  gret  pryde, 

They  haveth  sclmldren  on  the  rygge, 

And  eke  as  scharpe  as  sweordis  egge. 

(A^  Alls.  p.  272.) 
Sytlie  =  Syihen  (times). 

In  a  wyndou  ther  we  stod,  we  custe  us  fyfty  sythe. 

{Spec,  of  Lyric  Poet.  p.  91.) 

For  pL  see  Glossary  to  Ayenbite,  s.v,  Zypen. 

Tunge  =  Tungen  (tongues). 

O  tyme  a  Seint  Petres  dei,  gret  feste  with  here  tunge 

In  the  see  hi  makede  of  Seint  Peter,  and  here  servise  sunge. 

{St  Brandan,  p.  20.) 

Tongcn  occurs  in  the  Ayenbite,  pp.  22,  142. 

Lunge  =  Lungen  (lungs). 

Nu  schal  for-rotien 

thine  teoh  and  tlii  tunge 

Thi  mahe  and  thi  milte, 

tlii  livre  and  thi  lunge 

And  thi  throte-bolle 

That  thu  mide  sunge. — {Relig.  Songs,  p.  76.) 

Also  in  a  man  hys  body 

Seme])     ....     aer  in  jje  longon. 

{Trevisa,  1387.  Cott.  MS.  Tib.  D  vii.) 


GRAMMATICAL   PECULIARITIES.  XXlll 

Wede  =z  Weden  (garments). 

I-luved  ich.  habbe  gomeu  and  gleo 
And  prude  and  feire  wedei — {Relig.  Songs,  p.  66.) 
Nolde  ich  3even  enne  peni  for  his  weden  alls. — {Ibid.  p.  71.) 

The  kyng  of  Mantona  and  his  knyghtes 
Buth  y-armed  redy  to  fyghte 
In  bruny  of  stel  and  riche  iveden 
They  doth  go  swithe  on  steden  (steeds). 

{K.  Alls.  p.  57.) 
Woimde  =  Woundxn  (wounds). 

"Wide  were  is  wounde 

He  tholede  harde  stounde. — [Lyric  Poems,  p.  97.) 

Sone  y  wil  with  the  fouiiden, 

Y  deye  y-wis  for  thine  loounden, — (Ibid.  p.  82.) 

His  deope  wounden  bledeth  fast. — [Ibid.  ]).  112.) 
The  iconden  bledde  al  longe  ni3t. 

{StiBeket,  p.  113.) 
Ac  overcome  nas  he  no3t,  thai  is  tvounden  dedliche  were. 

(B.  of  Gl  fol.  67.) 

&  he  let  him  lede  in  to  an  yle,  vor  to  hele  is  icounde, 
&  deide  as  the  beste  kni3t  that  me  wuste  evere  yfoimde. 

{Ibid.  67  b.) 
See  other  example  under  Honde,  Honden,  p.  xx. 
Tonge  =  Tongen  (tongs). 

He  sat  longe  and  bitho3te  him  :  longe  hou  hit  were 
He  bitho3te  him  ho  hit  was  :  he  dro3  forth  his  tonge 
And  leide  in.  the  hote  fur  :  and  spac  faire  longe 
Forte  the  tonge  was  al  afure  :  and  siththe  stille  ynou3 
The  devel  he  hente  bi  the  nose. — {St  Dunstan,  p.  36.) 

Tho  come  ther  suche  schrewen  mo  wel  thicke  bi  eche  side 
With  tangen,  and  with  hameres  berninge  meni  on. 

{St  Brandan,  p.  22.) 
Sunne  ■=.  Sunnen  (sins). 

Godemen,  for  godes  luve, 

bileveth  eoure  sunne. — Belig.  Songs,  p.  83.) 


.V  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

^ai !  Nai !  hi  shalle  wel  avinde 
That  hi  mid  longe  wope  mote 
Of  hore  sunnen  bidde  bote, 
Ar  hi  mote  euer  kume  thare, 

{Owl  and  N.  p.  30.) 

Wyke  z=.  loolcen  (weeks). 

Tuelmonth  &  elleue  icyke  :  alle  this  maidenes  were 
At  Eome  with  this  hoH  pope. — {The  11,000  Virgins,  p.  68.) 
In  thyssere  joye  we  scholde  by-louken 
Al  hyre  joy  en  of  vourti  luolcen 

The  wyles  he  3ede  with  chyld. 

{Shoreham,  p.  121.) 

The  following  are  additional  examples  of  plurals  in  -e ; — 
The  water  was  ful  of  longe  recde  (reeds). 

{K.  Alis.  p.  210.) 

Ac  wat  etestu,  that  thou  ne  li^e, 

Bute  atterco2?pe  (spiders),  and  fule  vli-^e  (flies) 

An  wormes. — {Owl  and  N.,  p.  21.) 

Ah  thah  my  Hf  me  bed  at-schote, 
The  3et  ich  mai  do  gode  note, 
Me  mai  upone  smale  sticke 
Me  sette  a  wude  ine  the  thicke, 
An  swa  mai  mon  toUi  hun  to 
Lutle  briddes  and  i-vo. 
An  swa  me  mai  mid  me  bi-3ete 
Wel  gode  brede  to  his  mete. 

{Owl  and  N.  p.  56.) 

Of  drawing  of  bowes  and  stikke  (sticks) 
Theo  eyr  bycam  tho  trouble  and  thikke. 

(A'.  Alis.  p.  168.) 
They  haueth  no  wolle  to  spynne 
Heore  clothis  buth  of  bestis  skynne  (skins). 

{Ibid.  p.  279.) 
Ne  hy  ne  han  boures  ne  halles 
Ne  casteles  with  lieiffhe  walles 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  XXV 

Bot  in  trowes  and  in  denne  (dens) 

And  in  roches  lioled  withinne 

Thereinne  is  her  wonyghing. — [K.  Alis.  p.  244.) 

This  venym  creopith  under  my  rihbe  (ribs) 
That  y  may  no  longer  libbe. — [Ihid.  p.  324.) 

The  kynedom  of  heuene  ten  maidenes  iliche  is 

That  is  ech  maner  folc  that  ne  -wilneth  no3t  amis 

No  folie  of  flesches  wille  ac  thurf  the  ten  heste  (commandments) 

Lede  hys  lyf  in  clennisse. — {Harl.  2277,  fol.  11  a.) 

After  numerals,  in  the  older  stages  of  the  language,  the  gen.  pi. 
is  properly  used,  but  in  14th-century  English  the  pi.  is  often  used. 
Of  the  hul  of  Olyvet  sone  hi  wende  adoun 
To  the  bor^  of  lerusalem,  and  bilevede  in  the  toun 

A  jjousend  stapjpe  (paces)  ther  bituene 

A  Jjousend  stappen  of  such  pas  a  myle  nojt  hit  is. 

{Harl.  MS.  2277,  fol.  24.) 

Of  plurals  in  e  representing  older  forms  in  -an,  -a,  -u  {ru),  numerous 
examples  might  be  selected  from  the  Southern  literature  of  the  earlier 
part  of  the  1 3th  century. 

II. GENITIVE    SINGULAR   OF    FEMININE    NOUNS    IN    -E    (REPRESENTING 

OLDER    FORMS    IN    -AN   OR    -E. 

The  ^Northern  dialect  during  the  thirteenth  and  fourteenth  cen- 
turies seems  to  have  adopted  the  termination  -es  as  the  inflexion  of 
the  genitive  singular  for  nouns  of  all  genders.  The  Southern  dia- 
lect, following  the  usage  of  the  older  stage  of  the  language,  formed 
the  genitive  of  masculine  and  neuter  nouns  in  -es,  but  of  feminine 
substantives  in  -e. 

Suete  Ihesu,  king  of  blysse 

Myn  liuerte  loue,  min  Inierte  lisse 

Thou  art  suete  myd  y-wisse 
*  Wo  is  him  that  the  shal  misse. — {L]jric  Poems,  p.  57.) 

Suete  Ihesu  min  huerte  lyht 

Thou  art  day  with-oute  nyht. — (Ibid.  p.  57.) 

For  loue  thou  8636  thin  keorte  blode.^ — (Ibid.  p.  G9.) 


Xxvi  GRAMMATICAL   PECULIARITIES. 

Thin  heorte  lone  thou  sendest  us. — {Lyric  Poems,  p.  f  3.) 
The  suert  is  at  myn  herte  grounde. — {Ibid.  p.  8L) 

Suete  Ihesu  min  huerte  "bote 

In  myn  huerte  thou  sete  a  rote 

Of  thi  iouQ>— {Lyric  Poems,  p.  57.) 

Suete  Ihesu  min  Imerte  gleem 
Bryhtore  then  the  sonne  beem 
Ybore  thou  were  in  Bedlehem. — {lUd.  p.  57*) 

Suete  Ihesu  my  soide  fode 

Thin  werkes  bueth  bo  swete  ant  gode. — {Ihld,  p.  58*) 

Ihesu,  do  me  that  for  for  thi  name 

Me  Hketh  to  dre3e  pyne  ant  shame, 

That  is  thy  so^de  note  ant  frame 

Ant  make  myn  herte  milde  ant  tame. — {Ihid.  p.  71.) 

So  that  Barint  the  olde  man  ri3t  at  his  hurte  grounde 

Wei  wepinge  bigan  to  teUe  what  he  er  founde. — {St  Brandan,  p.  2.) 

The  wonde  swelth  an  aketh 

So  doth  the  naddre  stenge. — {Shoreham,  p.  104.) 

And  (the  devele)  dede  hym  in  an  addre  icede 
That  best  was  of  mest  sclireuhede  of  aUe  beste. 

{Ihid.  p.  158.) 

At  the  iooke  end  spake  the  ermyte 
And  askede  the  munke  of  the  spyryte. 

{Roh.  B.  Hand.  Syn.  p.  61.) 

Hit  is  gode  monne  i-wone 
A  was  from  the  worlde  frome. 

{Or.  N.  p.  17,  1.  476.) 

An  nime  jeme  of  chirchc  stevene 

Hu  murie  is  the  blisse  of  hovene. 

{Owl  and  N.  p.  25.) 
Heo  mai  hire  guld  at-wende 
A  rihte  weie  thurh  chirche  bende. — {Ibid.  p.  49.)] 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  XX\ 

But  tha^  the  prest  hys  messe  do 

Inne  dedleclie  semie  corse 

Thet  sacrement  man  be  thou  syker 

For  hym.  nys  najt  worse  ;  For  loke 

The  sacrement  nys  na[3t]  the  wors 

Tha9  that  ludas  hyt  toke. — (Shoreham,  p.  27.) 

Thre  maner  peyne  man  fangeth 
For  hys  iie7i7ie  nede. — (Ibid.  p.  37.) 

To  wake 
Hy  thet  slepeth  ine  serine  slep 
Amendement  to  niaky, — (Ibid.  p.  51.) 

An  hors  is  strengur  than  a  mon ; 

Hit  berth  on  rugge  grete  semes, 
An  dra3th  bivore  grete  temes 
An  tholeth  bothe  ^erd  and  spure 
An  stont  i-teid  at  midne  dure. 

{Owl  and  N.  p.  27.) 
The  justise  het  his  men  openy  thovene '  (the  oven's)  mouth. 

{Harl.  MS.  2277,  fol.  96  a.) 
Craddok  erl  of  Cornwaile  is  avis  sede 
That  a  senatour  of  rome  yhote  maximian 
Was  of  the  kunde  of  this  londe,  a  suithe  noble  man 
Vor  he  was  Leoflines  sone  that  Eleyne  uncle  was 
The  gode  Constantines  sone  moder,  vor  non  betere  nas. 

{R.  of  Gl.  fol.  32.) 
Seynt  Jame  the  gode  man  ri^t  is  to  habbe  in  mone 
Seint  Johnes  brother  the  evangelist  Godes  aunte  sone 
His  moder  was  oure  leuedi  soster, 

{Harl  MS.  2277,  fol.  97  a.) 
In  godhed  toke  he  then  way 
That  to  helle  gates  lay. 

{Harrowing  of  Hell,  p.  15.) 

*  This  word  is  marked  masculine  by  Boswortb. 


s:xviii  grammatical  peculiarities. 

Thou  wilt  me  bringe  to  helle  detli. 

{Lyr.  Poems,  p.  103.) 

Tho  the  nabbeth  god  idon  &  therinne  beth  ifunde 

He  scullen  falle  swithe  rathe  in  to  helle  grunde 

Thaer-inne  he  scullen  wunie  buten  ore  and  ende 

ISTe  brecth  never  eft  Crist  helle  dure  to  lese  hem  of  bende. 

{Moral  Ode,  p.  27,  11.  90,  91  ) 

Ac  helle  king  is  oreles  with  tha  the  he  mai  bride. 

{lUd.  p.  29,  1.  109.) 

Sone  so  the  quene  fader  Corineus  was  ded 
He  vorsoc  is  owe  wif  and  astrild  made  quene. 

{R.  of  Gl  Cott.  MS.  Calig.  A  xi.  fol.  11.) 

Conan  the  quene  cosyn  he  clupede  tho  al  stille. 

{Ihid.  fol.  33  h.) 

Modred  is  neveu 

y  crouned  him  sulve  king  thoru  the  quene  rede 

{R.  of  Gl.  fol.  61  a.) 

This  wes  on  oure  lecedy  even. 

{Polit.  Songs,  p.  219.) 

This  umnne  weole  (delight  of  joy)  y  wolefor  gon 
Ant  wyht  in  wode  be  fleme. — {Lyr.  Poems,  p.  44.) 

Fram  dethe  to  lyve  he  aros  thurf  oure  levedi  lore.^ 

{Saints,  p.  59.) 
The  gode  for-horede  the  fend 

Wyth  hys  hlaundynge  stevene  (with  the  voice  of  his  flattery). 

{Shoreham,  p.  59.) 

Ac  Edward  the  other  adde  thre  children  bi  is  wive 
An  sone  that  het  Edward  &  dojtren  also  tu.eye 
Margarete  &  Cristine  that  gode  wimmen  were  beye 
This  gode  children  a3te  be  evermore  in  munde 
Vor  Engelond,  3if  hii  nere,  were  3ut  out  of  kuude, 
As  3e  mowe  ihure  her  afterward  in  king  Henries  lif 

'  Chaucer  has  "  our  lady  veyl."     See  Prologue  and  Cauterhury  Tales,  I.  695. 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  XXIX 

How  Engelond  com  to  kunde  ^en  thoru  the  gode  quene  Mold  iwis 
That  thes  Margarete  do3ter  was,  Mold  the  gode  quene. 

{R.ofGl  fol.  91  h.) 

He  fond  Horn  in  arme 
On  Rymenhilde  barme. 

(A'  Horn,  1.  706,  E.  E.  T.  Soc.) 

The  word  bigan  to  springe 

Of  Rymenhilde  weddinge. — (Ibid.  1.  1018.) 

He  dude  Horn  inn  late 

Ei3t  at  halle  gate. — (Ibid.  1. 1074.) 

A. Sax.  ceddre,  a  vein.' 

Ich  haue  the  leten  eddre  hlod. 
(Of  the  vox  and  of  the  woK  a  fable.    Relig.  Antiq.  p.  272.) 

Leove  moder,  quath  Lucie  :  if  thu  leovest  in  holi  churche 
And  the  wordes  of  the  godspel :  &  wold  ther-after  wurche 
Thurf  tuocliinge  of  Seint  Agace  Tumbe  :  thu  wost  hoi  anon. 

(Lives  of  Saints,  p.  102,  1.  33.) 

Seint  Lucie  com 
To  Seinte  Agace  holie  Tumbe  &  hire  moder  with  hire  nom, 

(Ibid.  p.  102,  1.  36.) 

To  Seinte  Lucie  norici  he  wende  :  and  eschte  hire  faste 
What  Lucie  were  so  onbicome  hire  god  awei  to  caste. 

(Ibid.  p.  103,  1.  59.) 

&  Constantin  Eleijne  son  ^e,  witeth  wel  Eome  nom 
&  sut/it/ie  Maximan  that  of  hor  beyre  blod  ich  com. 

(R.  of  Gl.  fol.  60  a.) 

Eichard  due  of  Normandie  Emme  brother  the  quene 
Adde  an  sone  that  het  Eoberd. — (Ibid.  99  a.) 

A  (on)  Seinte  Marie  dai  in  the  leynte  biheveded  [were]  bothe  ifere. 

(Harl.  MS.  2277,  fol.  98  b.) 

Crist  ycleped  heuene  lomb  com  to  saynt  Ion. — (Relig.  Antiq.  p.  87.) 
1  Clene  ora  out  the  vei/ne  hlod.— {Harl.  MS.  2277,  fol.  14  a.) 


XXX  GRAMMATICAL   PECULIARITIES. 

Ihesu  Crist  heouene  king 

3ef  us  alle  god  endyng 

That  bone  biddeth  t\iQ.—{Lyr.  P.,  p.  59.) 

Ihesu  for  thi  niu  chela  myht 

Thou  graunte  us  alle  heuene  lyht. — (Ibid.  p.  60.) 

Helpe  me  Jieuene  queue,  for  thyn  ever  ycham. — (Ibid.  p.  93.) 

Suete  Ihesu  of  JSTazareth 
Thou  do  us  heuene  mede. — {Ibid.  p.  112.) 
See  Lives  of  Saints,  p.  103,  1.  67  ;  p.  107,  1.  202. 

III.      GENITIVE    PLURALS    IN    -E^^E. 

No  trace  of  the  Genitive  plural  in  -e7ie,  'Cn  (A. -Sax.  ena),  is  to 
be  found  in  the  Ormulum,  the  Bestiary,  or  Genesis  and  Exodus, 
although  examples  of  this  inflexion  are  common  enough  in  La3amon, 
Seinte  Marherete,  and  other  Southern  writers  of  the  Semi-Saxon 
period.  It  is  entirely  absent  form  any  pure  specimen  of  the  Northum- 
brian dialect  of  the  14th  century,  but  is  frequently  employed  by 
Southern  writers  as  late  as  a.d.  1387. 

Apostlene  veet  :=.  feet  of  the  apostles. 

The  hym  with  a  touwayle-schete  Ihesu 

After  soper  by-gerte 
And  water  inta  bacyn 
Myd  a  wel  mylde  herte," 

And  Avesschte 
Al  his  apostlene  veet 
Thos  ordre  forthe  he  lesschte. — (SJwreJiam,  p.  51.) 

Here  god  hi  solde  stiUe 

And  to  thapostlen  fet  hit  caste. 

(Harl  MS.  2277,  fol.  25  b.) 

Da^en  ende  =  end  of  fourty  days. 

At  fourty  da-^en  ende, — (Shorehain,  p.  126.) 

Deovlene  fere  =  the  companion  of  devils. 
Ich  wisse  men  mid  mine  songe, 
That  hi  ne  sunegi  nowiht  longe  ; 


GRAMMATICAL   PECULIARITIES.  XXXI 

I  bidde  horn  that  heo  i-swike 
That  heom-seolve  ne  hi-swicke  : 
For  betere  is  that  heo  wepen  here 
Than  elles-hwar  to  been  deovlene  fere. 

[Old  4'  N.  p.  32.) 
Develen  prynces  =  princes  of  devils, 

Seue  develen  prynces  beth. — (Shorehain,  p.  109.) 

Englene  songs  =  songs  of  angels. 

Go  we  aUe  thene  wei  .  for  he  lis  "wulle  bringe 
Mid  tho  faire  fewe  men  .  beforen  heuene  kinge 
Ther  is  aire  meruthe  mest .  mid  englene  songe. 

{Morcd  Ode,  p.  33,  1.  177.) 

E'^ene  wepynge  =  weeping  of  the  eyes. 

Therfore  thy  schrifte  man  schel  be  wythoute  stoneynge, 

Myd  herte  I03,  and,  jef  thou  my3t, 

Myd  thyn  e^ene  wepynge. — {Slioreham,  p.  35.) 

Feenden  mestrye  ==  power  of  the  fiends  ;  fenden  jewyse  =  judg- 
ment of  fiends  (devils), 

Schelde  ous  wanne  we  deade  beth 

Fram  dXio,  feenden  mestrye. — {Ibid,  p.  84.) 

I-schelde  ous  wanne  we  dede  beth, 
Fram  alle/e?^(:?e^^e  jewyse. — [Ilnd.  p.  85.) 

FoweJen  Parays  =  Parish  of  Fowls. 

Ther  is  oure  gode  procuratour  that  moche  god  ous  haveth  ido 

Ii;  the  Fowelen  Parays  and  ine  the  Lond  of  Schep  also. 

{St.  Brandan,  pp.  16,  17,  11.  353,  365,  379.) 

Bestyn  hyng  =  king  of  beasts. ' 

That  hestyn  kyng 
Hys  kynde  may  he  noght  forgo. — (Odavian,  p.  177.) 

Doggen  s  of  dogs. 

A  dasyn  of  doggen 

Ne  myhte  hiredrawe. — {Polii.  Songs,  p.  239.) 

'  Treviaa  (1387)  has  besione  (or  hestoun)  kynde. — {Cott.  MS.  Vesp.  D  vii,  fol.  52  h.) 


XXXU  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

Gromene  =  cf  grooms  (men), 

Gobelyn  made  is  gerner 

Of  gromene  maw. — {Pullt.  Songs,  p.  238.) 

Jewene  Imve  zzz  law  of  the  Jews. 

To  ^Q  jewene  lawe. — {Cott.  Vesp.,  D.  vii,  fol.  148  h.) 

Gyivene  wille  =  will  of  the  Jews. 

Pilatus  thurf  the  gyivene  wille  :  Tiim  demde  therto. 

{Life  of  Pilate,  p.  11 4,  1.  103.) 

Gyiuene  falsliede  =^falsehood  of  the  Jews. 
Whan  thou  underjete,  quath  themperour  :  the  gywene  falshede 
Whi  naddestou  ispeke  ther  a3e  :  and  desturbed  the  lithere  dede. 

{Life  of  Pilate,  p.  116,  1.  200.) 

Eeg  regum,  that  is  kyngene  kyng. — {Cott.  Vesj).,  D.  vii,  fol.  282  h.) 

Proplietene  =■  of  the  prophets. 

The  man  that  healdeth  thys  tAvo 

Of  charyte  the  heastes 

Al  he  folueth  the  lawe  of  gode 

And  proplietene  gestes. — {Shoreham,  j).  92.) 

Alle  soulen  day  ■=.  Day  of  All  Souls  or  All  Souls'  Day. 
&  eke  quath  thangel  that  thou  telle  the  pope  her-of  sone 
That  me  holde  alle  soulen  day  as  ri3t  is  to  done 
&  as  wide  as  holi  churche  that  he  makie  his  heste 
The  morwe  after  alle  halewen  day  '  that  me  holde  thulke  feste 
That  ech  man  ententifliche  as  forth  as  he  may 
For  alle  the  soulen  in  purgatorie  hidde  thulke  day. 

{Harl.  MS.  2277,  fol.  145  a.) 
Alle  sotden  day  an  urthe  rijt  is  to  holde  heje. — {Ibid.) 
Soueni3t  he  bilevede  ther:  for-to  alle  Soulen  day. — {St  Beket,  p.  58.) 

Soulen  =.  Of  Soul. 
Ther  Cometh  two  maner  soiden. — {Ha^-l.  MS.  2277,  fol.  131.) 

1  Alle  Halewen  day  =  All  Hallows'  Day  =  All  Saints'  Day.  (See  Life  of  St 
Dunsian,  p.  39,  1. 181,  where  phrase  Alle  halewene  soule  glad  beoth  =  all  the  souls 
of  the  saints  are  joyful.) 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  XXXlll 

Spousebrecliene  seme  =.  words  of  adulterers. 

These  spousebreclien  sawe. — {Sliorelmm,  p.  62.) 

Tren  rynde  =  The  bark  of  trees. 

Schipes  they  haven  y-hote  pyrates 
In  the  water  is  heore  gates  : 
Whan  hit  is  ebhe,  up  they  "buth 
"Wlian  hit  is  flod,  y-scheot  they  beoth 
Heo  buth  ymad  of  oysers  y  fynde 
And  y-bounde  al  with  tren  rynde. 

{King  Alls.  p.  255,  1.  G187.) 

Wermene  mete  ■=.  Meat  of  worms. 

Huet  is  man  bot  velthe  and  a  zechvol  of  donge,  loermene  mete. 

{Aijenhlte,  p.  216.) 

Tliornene  croune  ■=^  Crown  of  thorns. 
Hy  to-steke  hys  SAvete  hefed 
Wyth  one  tliornene  coroune. — (Shoreham,  p.  85.) 

See  also  Had.  MS.  2277,  fol.  13  b. 

Occasionally  we  find  -e  as  well  as  -ene,  as  the  sign  of  the  genitive 
plural,  as  in  the  following  examples  : 

Bole  liuden  =  Hides  of  bulls. 

Hi  leten  hem  di^te  a  gret  schip,  and  above  it  al  bi-caste 
With  hole  huden  stronge  ynou  ynailed  (therto  faste). 

{St  Brandan,  p.  5.) 

Bugle  ^  marine  hlisse  =  Bliss  of  angels  and  men. 

He  (God)  one  mai  &  seal  beo  engle  &  manne  blisse. 

{Alond  Ode,  p.  33,  1.  189.) 
Alle  halewe  =  Of  all  Saints. 

a  church  he  let  rere 

Of  oure  loverd  &  alle  haleice:  in  thulke  place  there 

Six  hondred  3er  &  fyve  :  oure  loverd  ther  bifore 

Of  Marie  his  swete  moder  :  an  urthe  were  ibore 

The  church  that  was  of  oure  levedi  &  of  alle  lialeioen  ifonde 

Stont  3ut  &  is  icleped  Marie  la  rounde. 

{Harl.  MS.  2277,  fol.  144.) 


XXxiv  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

Aire  devele  wet  =z  The  way  of  all  Devils. 

&  this  tuei  enchantours  to  grounde  hem  overcome  ' 
&  dryve  hem  an  aire  devele  wey. 

(Harl.  MS.  2277,  fol.  121  a.) 

hi  also 

Schiille  gon  an  aire  devele  wei  bote  god  nyme  3eme  ther  to'. 

{Ibid.  fol.  145  h.) 
Vyf  myle  wei  =z  The  way  of  five  miles. 
In  pais  hi  wende  forth  here  wey  :  &  the  bodi  with  hem  toke 

Vyf  myle  wei  hi  were  awend  :  er  thothere  awoke. 

(Lives  of  Saints,  p.  56.) 

Twenty  myle  weyes  =  Tlie  ways  of  twenty  miles. 

Twenty  myle  Aveyes  and  mo 

No  myght  men  astryde  go 

Bote  he  step  ondede  men, 

In  dale,  in  downe,  in  wode,  in  fen. 

(/i.  Alls.  p.  183,  1.  444G.) 
Mamie  lif-=.  life  of  men. 

Alle  manne  lif  :=.  the  live  of  all  men 

We  scullen  aire  inaime  ^  lif  icnawe  ther  also  ure  owe. 

{Moral  Ode,  p.  27, 1.  82.) 
Alle  cldlde  =  of  all  children. 

The  eldeste  soster  of  hem  jjreo  oiire  levedi  swete  &  mylde 
Bar  oure  loverd  Ihesu  Crist  best  of  alle  cliilde. 

{Harl.  MS.  2277,  fol.  37  a.) 
Alle  thing e  ■=.  of  all  things. 

Fairest  of  alle  thinge. — {Ibid.  fol.  38  a.) 

(See  Moral  Ode,  p.  33,  1.  177.) 

Aire  heme  ■=  of  all  children. 

Marie  cleophee 

Hadde  tuei  hoHe  sones  bi  hire  loverd  Zebedee 

Seint  Jame  the  holi  man  &  seint  Johan  the  wangelist 

That  was  aire  heme  best  mid  our  loverd  Ihesu  Crist. 

{Harl.  MS.  2277,  fol.  35  h.) 

1  Manne  as  the  gen.  pi.  is  used  by  Trevisa  (a.d.  1387)  in  Cott.  MS.  Yesp.  D 
vii,  fol.  286  a. 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  XXXV 

V.  Traces  of  the  genitive  singular  nouns  in  -e  are  not  very 
common,  and  tliey  are  remnants  either  of  the  n  declension  or  of 
that  class  of  masculines  in  -u  or  -o,  which  made  the  genitive  singular 
in  -a. 

EXAMPLES  : 

"  How  he  lepte  with  myght  and  niayne 
on  the  stede  hack." 

{Rom.  of  Oct  avian,  p.  217,  1.  144G.) 

In  is  wode  rage  he  wende 
Vor  to  av.ax'ke '  is  uncle  deth. 

{R.  of  Gl.  Cott.  MS.  Caluj.  A  xi,  fol.  65  a.) 

Bidde  we  seinte  Marie 

For  hire  milde  mode, 

For  the  teres  that  heo  wep 

For  hire  sone  hlod. — (Relig.  Poems,  p.  84.) 

Ich  cristni  the  in  the  vader  name 
And  sone,  and  Holy  Ghostes. 

(Shoreliavi's  Poems,  p.  10.) 

Fowel  for  tlii  false  sawe 

For  bsddi  (I  forbid)  the  this  wode  schawe  ; 

Thou  fare  into  the  filde. — {Relig.  Antiq.  p.  245.) 

"\\^lil  y  wes  a  clerc  in  scole,  wel  much  el  y  couthc  of  lore, 

Ych  haue  tholed  for  thy  love  woundes  fele  sore  ; 

Fer  from  liom  ant  eke  from  men,  under  the  icode  gore. 

{Lyr.  Poems,  p.  91.) 
He  let  his  schup  stonde 
And  3ede  to  londe  ; 
His  folc  he  dude  abide 
Under  loude  side. 

{K.  Horn,  p.  29,  1.  1024,  E.  E.  T.  S.) 

^  Marsh  treats  itnele  (and  quene)  as  following  under  the  same  rule  as  brother, 
mocler,  dorter,  wliich  dropped  the  genitive  inflexion  in  A.-Saxon  writers. 

d2 


XXXVl 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 


Atliulf  heo  sede  he  blithe 

And  to  Horn  tliou  go  wel  switlie 

He  is  under  wude  bo^e 

And  with  him  kni3tes  ino^e. — (Ihid.  p.  35,1.  1227.) 


ADJECTIVES. 

The  adjective  in  the  Southern  dialects  retains  most  of  the  older 
inflexions.  In  the  !N"orthern  dialects  the  distinction  between  the 
definite  and  indefinite  forms  of  the  adjective  is  not  preserved,  and 
the  final  -e  in  the  plural  is  for  the  most  part  disregarded. 

I.     DECLENSION    OF    THE    ADJECTIVE. 
I.     DEFINITE   FORM. 

God  (good),  the  gode  (the  good). 


SINGULAR. 

PLURAL. 

irasc. 

Fern. 

Neut. 

Nom. 

gode 

gode 

gode 

ISTom. 

goden  \ 
gode    i 

Gei 

1  of  all  genders 
gode    ) 

Gen. 

godene  ) 

>  seldom 
gode      ) 

Dat. 

goden  1 
gode    j 

>> 

j> 

Dat. 

goden  ) 
gode     •' 

Ace. 

goden 
gode 

gode 

gode 

Ace. 

goden  \ 
gode    ) 

II. 

INDEFINIT 

E  DECLENSION. 

God( 

good). 

SINGULAR. 

PLURAL. 

Masc. 

Fern. 

Neut. 

Nom. 

god 

god 

god 

Noil 

I.  &  Acc.    gode 

Gen. 

godes  ^ 

godre 

2    godes 

Gen. 

godre 2 

Dat. 

1  gode 
(  goden 

godre 

2  gode 

Dat. 

i  gode 
v  goden 

Ace. 

godne 

gode 

god 

'  The  genitive  form  of  the  indefinite  adjective  is  more  often  used  in  indefinite 
and  demonstrative  words  than  in  other  adjectives. 
-  Seldom  used. 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  XXXVll 

He  (God)  wythstent  the  j^rouden. — (Shorchavi,  p.  107.) 

And  fe  children  ham  lovie  togidere  and  beuly  fe  uela3rede  of  po 
greaten. — (Ayenbite,  p.  139.) 

Vor  Jjerne  dyaf  hi  clepie])  lyf  and  fane  dya])  Jjet  is  to  fe  guoden 
heginnynge  of  Hue  hi  hit  clepie j)  Jjan  eiide. — [Ihid.  p.  72.) 

Alsuo  tek])  ])e  writinge  Jjet  me  ssel  zeche  red  ate  yecdden  and 
najt  mid  fe  yonge,  fe  ne  byejj  na3t  yproued  in  nyedes  ac  mid  J)e 
yealde  Jjet  habbejj  yzoje  and  yproued  jje  jjinges,  ])et  is  Jjet  wyt  and 
fet  red.  Vor  fan  jjet  Roboam,  Salomounes  zone,  vorlet  fane  red 
of  fe  yecdden  guode  men,  vor  fane  red  of  yonge  he  vorleas  f e 
gratteste  del  of  his  kingdome. — {Ibid.  p.  184.) 

For  3yf  thy  wyl  rejoth  more 
In  enyes  hunnes  thynges 

Eote  yn  God  ....  thou  ne  anourest  God  aryjt. 

(Shoreham,  p.  95.) 
Vuolf  quad  the  vox  him  tho 
Al  that  thou  havest  her  bifore  ido, 
In  thouht,  in  speche,  and  in  dede, 
In  euche  otheres  Jcunnes  quede 
Ich  the  for3eve  at  thisse  nede. 

(Relig.  Antiq.  p.  277.) 

Herbi  f  ou  mi3te  wel  understonde, 
J?at  on  his  areu,  fat  of er  schonde, 
To  stele  to  ojieres  mannes  bedde. — {Oivl  ^  N.  p.  51.) 

Bysshopes  and  barounes  to  the  kynges  pes, 
Ase  men  that  weren  fals,  fykel  and  les, 
Othes  hue  him  sworen  in  stude  ther  he  wes. 
To  buen  him  hold  ant  trcAve  for  alles  cunnes  res. 

{Camden  Society's  Polit.  Songs,  p.  214.) 

And  what  may  f  e  dyches  be 

But  hire  f  olemode  poverte 

Jjat  nones  hunnes  assaylyng 

Ne  may  derve  f  e  tour  for  no  f ing. 

(Castel  of  Love,  1.  855.) 


XXXviii  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

Ures  formes  faderes  gult  we  abigget  alle. — {Moral  Ode,  p.  28.) 

jjes  worlde  lis  Aviile  fordrenche 
Mest  alle  men  he  jiveS  drinke  of  one  deofles  scenclie 
He  sceal  him  cunne  sculde  wel,  jif  he  him  nele  screnche 
Mid  ealmiMies  godes  luve  ute  f  e  us  biwerien 
Wid  (from)  fes  loreoches  worldes  luue,  fat  he  ne  mawe  us  derien. 

{Ihld.  p.  32.) 

Elche  rune  he  ihurd  &  he  wot  alle  dede 

He  ]5iu-<5-sih<5  elclies  mannes  j?anc  jjat  seal  us  to  rede. 

{Hid.  p.  25.) 

He  is  elclies  godes  ful. — {Ihid.  p.  33.) 

Ther  com  to  ous  a  3ung  man  suythe  fair  and  hende, 
He  welcomede  ous  everechon  mildeliche  and  suete 
And  nemnede  ev&reches  owe  name  and  wel  myldeliche  ous  gan  grete. 

{St  Brandan,  p.  3.) 

The  fox  so  godne  ne  can  (knows)  nanne 
The  (though)  he  kunne  so  vele  wrenche. 

Oiol^N.^.  28.) 

Ich  wot  hwo  schal  beon  anhonge, 

Other  elles/M???e  deth  afonge. — {Ibid.  p.  41.) 

And  hit  is  grat  wonder  thet  hi  loketh  zuich  ane  fiehlene  castel  as 
hare  fyeble  bodye  aye  zuych  ane  strangne  vend  ase  is  the  dyeuel  of 
helle. — {Ayenhite,  p.  227.) 

Vor  alsuo  ase  the  angles  of  heuene  habbeth  grat  glednesse  of  ane 
zene3ere  huanne  he  him  repenteth  and  deth  penonce  vor  his  zennes, 
alsuo  the  dyevelen  ham  gledieth  huanne  hi  mo3e  overcome  and  do 
valle  into  zenne  ane  guodne  man ;  and  the  more  thet  he  is  of  grat 
stat  and  the  parfiter,  the  more  heth  he  the  gratter  glednesse  huanne 
he  him  may  gyly,  ase  the  vissere  heth  more  blisse  vor  to  nime  ane 
grains  visse  thane  ane  littlene. — {Ibid.  p.  238.) 

Non  yzij  ane  yongne  boryeis  and  ane  newene  kni3t.  Mochel 
habbeth  thos  of  vele  tho3tes,  newe,  diverses,  and  wylvolle. — {Ibkl. 
p.  IGl.) 


GKAMxMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  XXXIX 

Of  alle  tliise  yefthes  (of  kenae,  of  hap,  and  of  grace)  we  ssel  thonki 
god  and  servi  vor  thet  hi  cometh  alle  of  Mm.  Tha^les  the  proude 
hise  zelth  to  the  dyevele  vor  thane  vaJsne  peny  of  ydele  blisse. 

(Ai/enbite,  p.  24.) 

tha3  me  godne  sckele  hem  telle, 

!N"an:;t  hyt  ne  ganth  (avails). 

{Slwreham^ s  Poems,  p.  135.) 

I  wylle  me  ssrive  and  ich  wille  zigge  alle  mine  zennes  aye  me, 
na3t  of  othren,  ne  ayens  otTiren  as  doth  the  ypocrites. — (Ai/enbite,  p. 
175.) 

Efterward  the  ssrifte  ssel  by  yhol  na^t  to-deld  ine  vele  ssriveres. 
Vor  me  ssel  zigge  al  to  o;^e?^,  na3t  o  del  to  onen  and  thet  other  del  to 
anothren,  vor  god  ne  taketh  none  heda  of  ziiiche  tales, — (Ibid.  p.  175.) 

Hit  is  more  zenne  in  one  stede  thane  ine  anothren. — [Ibid.) 

Thanne  ssel  he  verst  yzy  the  zeue  dyadliche  zennes,  of  Tiuychen 
Ave  habbeth  above  yspeke,  and  yholHche  of  eclien  him  ssrive  be  than 
thet  he  him  yvelth.  gelty,  no-thing  to  hele,  nothing  wyth-zigge,  na3t 
him  to  defendi  ne  nenne  othrenne  wray. — [Ibid.  p.  175.) 

Hy  ne  thencheth  ne  studieth  bote  ham  zelve  to  avonci  and  othren 
to  harmi.  Thet  w^t  is  the  develes  wyt  ase  zayth  Saint  Jacob,  thet 
eche  daye  him  vondeth  othren  to  barmy. — [Ibid.  p.  82.) 

For  byre  poer  nys  non3t  y-lessed 
Ac  toup  alle  othren  hys  y-blessed. 

{Shoreham,  p.  127.) 

To  nonen. — {Ayenbite,  p.  121.)  To  echen. — {Ibid.  p.  122.) 

To  alien.— {Ibid.  p.  145.)  Be  enne  (by  one).— {Ibid.  p.  129.) 

He  wile  deme  evrinne  be  his  dedes. — {Ibid.  p.  134.) 
In  the  herte  of  evrichen. — {Ibid.  p.  146.) 

II.  Inflected  Article  (Definite), 

In  the  Ormtdum  the  definite  article  is  tininflected,  the  only 
remnant  of  the  older  inflexions  being  the  i)hrase  (still  retained  at  the 


xl 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 


present  day)  '  for  than  anes '  =  for  the  nonce.  So,  too,  in  the  ISTorth- 
ern  dialect  during  t]ie  E.  Eng.  period  the  article  remains  the  same 
for  all  genders  and  cases — but  net  in  the  Southern  dialect,  in  which 
the  masculine,  feminine,  and  neuter  forms,  and  some  case  endings,  were 
preserved  as  late  as  the  middle  of  the  foiu'teenth  century,  if  not  much 
later. 

In  the  Nortliern  dialect  that  is  the  demonstrative  adjective ;  in 
the  Southern  it  is  the  neuter  of  the  definite  article. 


Ace 


Ncut. 


Noni.  and  Ace.     j)o,  feo,  J)a. 


Gen. 
Dat. 


fare, 
fan. 
fane. 


EXAMPLES 


Zueche  tyeares  drivef  ]iane  dyevel  uram  fe  herte  as  \et  weter 
cachchef  ]iane  hond  out  of  fe  kechene. — {Aijenhlte,  p.  171.) 

be  fise  virtue  (pacience)  fe  guode  overcome])  alle 

his  vyendes,  ]5a7^e  dyevel,  fe  wordle  and  fe^vless. — {Ihid.  p.  167.) 

Vor  huanne  man  him  berjj  hate  to  J»e  torment  and  f  e  zaule  and 
\et  bodi,  zuo  fet  fe  man  ne  may  slepe  ne  non  rest  habbe,  ofer  huyl 
him  benimf  f««e  mete  and  ^ane  drinke  and  makef  him  valle  inc  ane 
fevre  ofer  ine  zuiche  zor3e  fet  he  nimf  \iane  dyaf. — {Ihid.  p.  31.) 

fos  he  lyest  al  his  time  and  fe  nijt  and  \iane  day. — [Ihid.  p.  52.) 

Loko  f et  fou  hal3i  Ipayie  day  of  fe  Sabat. — {Ihid.  p.  7.) 


These  forms  are  seldom  used  after  1300. 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  xH 

serve  fine  sseppere  fet  him  restede  ^ane  zevende 

day  of  workes  jjet  he  hedde  ymad  ine  \>e  zix  dayes  bevore. 

(Ibid.  p.  4.) 
Go  we  pene  narewe  wei  &  ])ene  wei  grene. 

(Moral  Ode,  p.  32.) 

Ri3t  so  hit  farj)  hi  pcm  iingode 

j)at  no3t  ne  suf  to  none  gode, 

And  is  so  ful  of  uvele  wrenche, 

Jjat  him  ne  mai  no  man  at-prenche, 

And  can  wei  fawe  fursstere  wai 

And  pane  bri^te  wei  lat  awai. — [Owl  <^  N.  p.  9.) 

Tho  hit  was  Eve  thane  Sonedai  the  deueleu  come  blaste, 

{St  Brandan,  p.  27.) 

The  thrid  dai  than  aniorow  grisful  hit  sal  be  to  loke. 

{Early  Eng.  Poems,  p.  9.) 

And  so  he  lay  al  thulke  tynie  :   and  also  thane  friday. 
He  let  clipie  the  Saterday  the  freres  bifore  him  alle 
And  bed  aUe  godne  day. — {Lives  of  Samts,  p.  39,  1.  198.) 

Ofte  heo  gaf  hem  mede 
For  to  faste  thane  fridai :  to  watere  and  to  brede. 

{Ibid.  p.  71.) 

And  God  zayf  ine  his  spelle  Jiet  huo  fet  zene-^e])  aye  pane  holy 
gost  he  ne  ssel  nevre  habbe  merci  ine  pise  wordle  ne  ine  pe  ojjre. 

{Ayenbite,  p.  28.) 
To  quendride  his  lipere  soster  anon  he  gan  Avende 
And  tolde  here  al  pe  lijjere  cas  :  fram  bigynninge  to  pan  ende. 

{Lives  of  Saints,  p.  53,  1.  198.) 

He  com  of  pan  adel  eye. — Oicl  ^  N.  p.  5,  1.  133.) 

Also  hit  is  bi  paji  ungode 

jjat  is  icumen  of  fule  brode. — {Ibid.  p.  5,  1,  129.) 

Ine  po  manere  and  ine  po  vorbisne  hep  pe  jjri  states  of  Godes 
zone  ine  erjie,  huiche  pe  holy  gost  let  and  conduejj,  aze  zay))  Sainte 
Tanel— {Ayenbite,  p.  122.) 


Xlii  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

Seynt  Jame  seythe  that  oreyson 

Of  tlier  holy  byleve 

Of  hiis  siknesse  helthe  wynthe, 

****** 

That  no  fend  schal  reve  the  heljje. 

{Slioreham's  Poems,  p.  41.) 

Ich  am  that  ly3t 

Of  alle  ther  wordle  rounde  aboute. 

{lUd.  p.  49.) 

.     .     .     ther  mot  atter  spousynge 
Be  ry3t  asent  of  hothe, 
Of  man  and  of  titer  \yymman  eke. — [Ibid.  p.  57.) 

byternesse  of  mode 

That  hiis  tliare  saide  galle. — {Ibid.  p.  92.) 

Therthe  schok,  the  sonne  dym  bycom 
In  thare  tyde. — {Ibid.  p.  86.) 

Therforc  nas  helle  nau^t  yschet, 

N'e  develyn  therinne  naujt  ydut, 

Ine  thare  crybbe. — [Ibid.  p.  157.) 

j3o  stod  on  old  stoc  far  beside, 

]3ar  Jio  ule  song  hire  tide, 

And  was  mid  ivi  al  bi  growd  ; 

Hit  was  ]iare  hide  earding-stowe. — {Old  Sf  N.  p.  2.) 

}5e  ni3tingale  hi  isc3, 

And  ]3U3te  wel  wl  of  ]iare  hale. — {Ibid,  p,  231.) 

Wostn  to  fan  man  was  ibore  1 

To  fare  blisse  of  hovene  riche. — {Ibid.  p.  25.) 

]5e  wranne,  for  heo  cnfe  singe, 

War  com  in  fare  more3eiing 

To  helpe  fare  ni3tegale. — {Ibid.  p.  59.) 

Of  fisse  riche  (heaven)  we  f enchet  oft 

&  of  fe;-e  (helle)  to  selde. — {Moral  Ode,  p.  32.) 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  xliii 

To  pere  blisse  us  bringe  god.     f  e  rixlet  abuten  ende. 

(Moral  Ode,  p.  34.) 

Ill  Slioreliam's  poems  we  have  an  example  of  the  pi.  dative  pane. 

For  ase  \vymman  com  of  the  ryb 
Of  the  maiiiies  ry^t  syde, 
So  holyche  spouse  of  God 
Sprange  of  tha7ie  "vvondeii  wyde. 

{ShoreJ/can,  p.  80.) 

III.  Many  of  the  older  forms  of  this,  wholly  unknown  in  the 
Northern  dialect,  are  preserved  in  tlie  Southern  until  a  very  late 
period.     It  appears  to  have  been  declined  as  follows. 


SINGULAR. 

'Masc.  Fern.  Neut. 


feos,  fios, 


(  PCOS,   pOS,  ^ 

Norn.  ]jes,']pis,     [y^^^x        J  P« 


Gen.    Jjises,  jjisse,        fises. 

j?ise, 
]:isen, 


Dat.    '^.    '     [         Jiisse,         fise 


.  bisne,  besne,  \     . 

Ace.  [  bisse,      bis. 

berne/'^  ; 


ISTom.  peos,  fes,  fos,  J)is,  jjise. 

Gen.    jjise,  jjisse. 
Dat.    fise,  J)isen. 

Ace.    jjes,  f)ise. 


Jjerne/'^ 

])es  bo3  he])  monie  tuygges. — {AyenMte,  p.  41.) 

&  wiJ)}Tine  a  lytel  stounde  pes  man  fat  semede  so  coldc  &  a  fylo 
mesel  werj)  whyt  &  fayx  &  sty^  up  in  to  pe  aer. 

(Cotton  MS.  Vesp.  D  vii,  fol.  145  a.) 

])es  "William  regnede  fryttene  3er  a  monf)  lasse. 

(Ihkl.  fol.  145  a.) 

\)es  Odo  wastede  &  destruyede  jje  kyng  hys  rentes  and  escheytes. 

(Ihid.) 
J3es  Edward  was  veyr  of  body. — (Ihid.  fol.  291  h.) 

J3es  (=  this  man,  i.e.  Lotharius)  was  a  lettrede  man. 

(Ihid.  fol.  280  h.) 

'  Retained  as  late  as  1387.  ^  Eetaiuedas  late  as  1340. 


Xliv  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

In  hys  vurde  jer  fes  (Honorius)  cliangedo 
Jje  coj)es  of  freres  carmes. 

{Cotton  MS.  Vesp.  D  vii,  fol.  288  h.) 

]5es  seyJe  Jiat  he  was  Ihesus  Crist. — {Ihkl.  fol.  283  h.) 

peas  Corsa  liadde  a  hole. — {Ibid.  fol.  28  h.) 

pues  niayde  was  ywedded  to  Robert  de  Brui3. — {Ibid.  fol.  284.) 

He  lay  by  Ipues  mayde. — {Ibid.  fol.  272  a.) 

}?areuore  jje  kyng  caste  to  wedde  ])2(es  wynche. — {Ibid.) 

peos  (tliese)  fre  lawes. — {Ibid.  fol.  45.) 

pues  (tliese)  uorsede  men  ....    chese  J)e  uorsede  Edward  ]je 
eldere  to  be  here  lord.— {Ibid.  fol.  289  b.) 

pues  voure  breddes  (birds)  quajj  fe  kyng  help  my  vonre  sones. 

{Ibid.  270  b.) 

On  helle  is  unger  &  Jierst,  vuele  tiio  ifere 

pos  pine  poliede  fo  J)e  were  mete  nithinges  here, 

{3Ioral  Ode,  p.  29.) 

Sculde  liini  elc  man  Jje  wile  he  mai  of  \)0S  helle  pine. — {Ibid.  p.  31.) 

peos  hule  abod  fort  (until)  hit  was  eve.  — {Owl  ^  N.  p.  2.) 

Ac  lete  Ave  awei  fo-s  clieste. — {Ibid.  p.  7.) 

Heo  bigan  to  sike  sore  :  and  in  tho3te  stod 

Alias  heo  seide  that  ich  scholde  tliisne  day  evere  abide. 

{Lives  of  Saints,  p.  51.) 

Wend  he  seide  whan  thu  horn  coniest  to  Edward  3oure  kyng 
And  sai  him  that  he  for  was  love  he  3af  tliisne  ring 
Him  sende  here  his  ring  a3en  and  thonkede  him  also. 

{Ibid.  p.  106.) 

Mid  graate  wille  Ich  habbe  \erne  paske  yvvylned,  jjet  is  to  zigge 
^erne  dyaj),  Jjise'  ssame,  yise  wendinge. — {Ayenbite,  p.  133.) 

perne  =  \esne,  is  peculiar  to  the  Kentish  dialect,  and  occui's  in  the 
poems  of  Shoreliam.2 

'  \}ise  shows  that  ssame  and  wendinge  are  feminine  nouns. 
-  For  thou  areredst  theme  storm. — (Sliorcham,  p.  161.) 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  xlv 

Of  pisen  we  habbef  yajre  vorbysne. — {AyenUte,  p.  218.) 

In  ])ise  bene  (fern.)  fet  we  dof  to  godc  we  bezeclie])  ane  yef fe  of 
fe  holy  gost—{rbid.  p.  89.) 

Tldssere  (gen.  and  dat.  sing,  fern.),  A.S.  \issere  ;  Tlussere  (gen. 
and  dat.  pi.),  A.S.  J)/6'.i^era  occur  in  Shorehani's  poems. 

To  thyssere  joyen  (joys)  scholle  be  y-leyd  (placed)  alle  the 
joyen  that  mo^e  (may)  be  yseyd  (named). — {Slioreham,  p.  126.) 

To  thyssere  joye  longye  (belong)  scholle  aUe  the  joyen  that 
hyre  (to  her)  folle  (may  befall)  of  hyre  chylde  God. — {Ihid.  p.  123.') 

6.  The  plural  of  Adjectives  (mostly  of  Eomance  origin)  in  -es^  as 
loateres  principales,  is  unknown  to  the  liorthern  dialect. 

IV.    Degrees  of  Comioarison. 

Adjectives  ending  in  -lich  (sing.),  -liclie  (pi.),  often  form  the  com- 
parative in  -Inker  or  -loker  (Kentish  -laker).  This  inflexion  is 
unknown  in  the  N^orthern  dialect,  in  which  the  affix  -lich  becomes  -Ilk 
(-like)  -ly,  and  the  distinctions  between  the  singular  and  plural  forms, 
as  well  as  that  between  the  adjective  in  -llcli  and  the  adverbial  in 
-liche,  are  lost  sight  of. 

The  afiix  -lich  has  not  given  us  the  more  modern  -ly.  It  is  pro- 
bable that  this  latter  form  has  arisen  from  -li'r/  (thus  barley,  originally 
herlic,  is  corrupted  into  herlig  and  herley). 

Traces  of  this  corruption  occur  in  the  Ormulum,  in  which  we  meet 
with  the  double  endings  of  adjectives  and  adverbs  in  -like  and  -Z/3. 

V.    Numerals, 

Some  Southern  numerals  (ordinals) end  in  -the,  as  seofetlie  (sevethe), 
seventh ;  ei'^tethe,  eighth ;  neo^ethe  (nithe),  ninth ;  tethe  (tethe), 
tenth.2 

The  corresponding  Northern  numerals  end  in  -nde,  -nd,  as  sevend, 
arJdande,  negliend,  tend,  and  are  doubtless  of  Danish  origin. 

The  Kentish  dialect,  like  the  old  Frisian,  prefers  -nde  to  -tlie. 

1  See  pp.  53,  96,  121,  127  of  Shorehara's  poems, 
*  The  forms  in  -nth  are  Midland  varieties. 


Xlvi  GRAMMATICxVL    PECULLVRITIES. 

1.  Dropping  of  the  final. -n. 

Seoven  (seven),  neo-^en  (nine),  in  the  Southern  dialect,  frequently 
drop  the  final  -?i,  as  seove  (sove) ;  neo-^e,  neje. 

VI.    Adjectives  2^Gadlar  to  the  Soidhern  dialect. 

\)ilJc,  ])ilke,  ])u,lk,  ])ulke  (older  forms,  pellich,  jiellicJie)  =  this, 
these,  such-like,  are  not  employed  by  Northern  writers.  They  are 
still  retained  in  the  modern  provincial  dialect  under  the  form  thick, 
thuck,  thicky. 

Bather,  bathers  (of  both),  same,  twin  (two),  thrin  (three), 
slike,  silk,  sic  (such),  ])ir,  ])er,  pere  (these),  are  luiknown  to  Southern 
writers. 

PEONOUNS. 

Our  pronouns  are  substantially  N'orthern  ones.  The  Southern 
dialect  had  many  pronominal  forms  which  never  occur  in  any 
Northern  writer. 

The  following  table  exhibits  most  of  the  Southern  forms,  in  use 
during  the  xiiith  and  xivth  centuries  : — 

I.  The  personal  pronouns  are :  Ich  (I),  jitt,  ])0U  (thou),  he  (he), 
heo  (she),  hit  (it). 


SINGULAR. 

DUAL. 

PLURAL 

Nom. 

Ich,  uch, 

fU,  J30U. 

Nom. 

wit. 

we. 

Gen. 

min,  mi, 

J)in,'  J)i. 

Gen. 

unker, 

ure,  ur. 

Dat. 
Ace. 

!  me, 

Ipe. 

Dat. 
Ace. 

'  unc,        \ 

unk,       j 

\  hunke,  ) 

ous,  us. 

Gen. 


Norn.      get,  git,  36,  ye. 

gunker,  (  eower, 

inker,  I  3ure,  youre. 

Dat.         gunk,  f  eow,  ow,  ou. 

Ace.        ink,  ( 30U,  yow. 


'  min  and  j^m  are  used  before  words  beginning  with  a  vowel  i'mi  and  pi  before 
a  consonant.  They  follow  the  declension  of  the  adjective,  making  in  the  oblique 
cases  mine,  ]>ine';  minen,  \>lHen,  &c. 


GRAMMATICAL   PECULIARITIES. 


xlvii 


Nom. 

Gen. 
Dat: 

Ace. 


SINGULAR. 

Masc.        Fern.       Ncut. 
|-lieo,  1 

'^^^'      I  hit, 

i^y'  ht. 

he,      I 
-hue,  J 


ha,     \ 
he, 


his,       liire,      his. 

him,      hire,     him. 

i(  hire,  n  ,  . 
hme,  (  ^^        hit. 
^"™'(his,   )''• 


Xom.      hi,  hii,  heo,  hue. 

( liire,  here,  heore, 
( huere,  hor. 
Dat.        heom,  huem,  hem,  horn. 

Aoc.        lii,  his,  hise. 


Icli^  or  Ucli  is  still  retained  in  the  modern  Southern  dialects 
under  the  forms  Uch  and  utclnj,  and  occasionally  contracted  into  cli 
(as  cliam  =:  I  am,  cliell,  chill,  I  will).  Eohert  of  Gloucester  fre- 
quently writes  Icholle  =  Icli  wolle,  I  will ;  Ichot  =  Icli  wot,  I  know. 
Ic,^  Ik,  I^  are  corresponding  Northern  forms. 

/  occasionally  occurs  in  the  Southern  dialect:  (1.)  before  verbs 
commencing  with  a  dental  or  nasal,  as  /  nam,  I  am  not ;'  /  not,  I 
know  not ;  (2.)  after  verbs,  as  most!,  I  must ;  icollij,  I  will. 

Thritti  wynter  and  thridde  half  yer 
Havy  woned  in  londe  her. 

{Harrowing  of  Hell,  p.  15.) 

Thou  miht  Avyten  in  thy  lay 

That  mine  icollii  have  away. — (Ibid.) 

Thah  men  to  me  han  onde, 

To  love  7iidi/  noht  wonde 

Ne  lete  for  non  of  tho. — (Lyric  Poems,  p.  29.) 

Yhere  thou  me  nou,  hendest  in  lielde 

Navy  the  none  harmes  to  hethe. — (Ibid.  p.  37.) 


'  lu  the  earlier  periods  of  the  language,  Ic  is  the  ordinary  form. 

'  Many  editors  have  incorrectly  printed  ie  instead  of  ich  for  the  contraction  1' 


xlviii  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

Mosti  rydeii  by  Eyljbesdale 
Wilde  wynimen  forte  wale. 

{Lyric  Poems,  p.  33.) 

Ne  sixtu  wel  ieham  aliue,  icholle  segge  liou  it  is. 

{R.  of  Gl.  fol.  51  a.) 

Hii  verde  ichot  as  gydie  men  mid  loan  no  red  nas. — (Ibid.) 

Icholle  sulle  min  (lif)  dere  ynou. — {Ibid.  fol.  67  b.) 

Thulke  Woden  adde  a  wyf  that  ycluped  was  Dame  Frye 
A  Latin  Dame  Venus  as  ichabhe  ysed  nou  tuye. 

{Ibid.  fol.  69  a.) 

An  liendy  hap  ichabbe  y-hent 
IcJiot  from  lienene  it  is  me  sent. 

{Lyric  Poems,  p.  28.) 
See  Lyric  Poems,  p.  94. 

Vor  icham  mid  min  fon  in  eche  half  biset 

&  3if  ichom  may  ouercome.  thorn  30U  the  bet 

Ich  3on  woUe  mid  me  at-holde  and  in  gret  richesse  30U  do. 

{R.  of  Gl.  fol.  39.) 

For  'wohiy,  mdni,  hi  sul  fle  and  that  in-to  the  pine  of  helle. 

{Early  Ear/.  Poems,  p.  12.) 

II.  A  or  Ha  =:  He. 

This  form  is  very  common  in  aU  the  Southern  dialects,  but  never 
occurs  in  any  ISTorthern  writer.  It  is  still  preserved  in  the  modern 
provincial  dialects  of  the  South  of  England. 

Moi  belovad  be  loik  a  raw  or  a  yoong  hart :  Zee  !  a'  stand'th 
behind  our  wall  a'  look'th  voath  at  th'  winders,  zhowing  hiszel  droo 
th'  lattice. — {Song  of  Solomon,  Somersetshire  version.) 

Tha  voice  uv  ma  beluvid !  behold  lia  com'th  laipin  apin  tha 
mowntins. — {Song  of  Solomon,  Devonshire  version.) 

Every  body  kneows  owld  Barnzo,  as  wears  his  yead  0'  one  zide. 
One  night  a  was  coming  whoame  vrom  market,  and  veil  off's  lios  into 
the  road,  a  was  zo  .dr^ink. — {Akermanh  Wilfsliire  Tales.) 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIAHITIES.  xHx 

Trevisa  uses  a  as  an  indefinite  of  the  3rd  pers.  pro.  =  he,  she, 
it,  tliey. 

Hy  (tliey)  habhejj  no  wodes  Jjerfore  a  makeji  ham  fuyr  of  tomes. 

{Cott.  MS.,  Vesp.  D  vii,  fol.  28.) 

j?ar  buj)  also  cicade  bryddes  fat  synggejj  atto  beste  &  habbej)  a 
pipe  opon  onder  Jje  jjrote  &  synggejj  betre  whane  fe  heiied  is  offe  pan 
whyle  hyt  ys  on  &  betre  whanne  a  hep  deed  fan  whyle  pay  bu]j 
alyve.— (//>«/.  fol.  29  h.) 

He  ran  home  to  uore  &  prayede  hys  wyf  fat  hue  wolde  helpe  for  to 
saue  hym  fat  as  moche  as  hue  my^te  hue  scholde  make  here  self  uoul, 
bote  a  dude  fe  contrary,  &c. —  (Ibid.  fol.  222.) 

Yn  f is  ylond  growef  a  ston  fat  hatte  gagates  ;  .  .  .  .  a  ys  ablak 

as  gemmes  buf a  brennef  yn  water,  &c. — (Trevisa,  quoted  in 

Morris'  Specimens  of  Early  Evglisli,  p.  334.) 

Also  for  ys  yn  f e  cop  of  an  hul  a  buryel ;  everych  man  fat  comef 
&  metef  fat  buriel  a  schal  fynde  hyt  evene  ry3t  of  hys  onne  meete  & 
^ef  a  pylgrym  of  er  eny  wery  man  kneolef  f  erto,  anon  a  schal  be  al 
fersch  &  of  werynes  schal  he  feele  non  nuy. — {Ihid.  p.  337.) 

This  pronoun  is  used  by  Robert  of  Gloucester  and  Shoreham. 
King  Arthure  a^en  f  e  brest  is  felawe  verst  ahitte, 
A^en  f e  brust  fat  a  vul  &  ne  mi3te  no  leng  sitte. 

(R.  of  GL,  Cott  MS.,  C(dig.  A  xi,  fol.  57  /^.) 

Ac  a  deythe  (dies)  and  he  not  (knows  not)  wanne  (Avhen). 

(Shoreham' s  Poems,  p.  3.) 

In  the  foreheved  the  crouche  a  set  (setteth). — (Ibid.  p.  15.) 

Ha  (Crist)  grade  'hely'  to  hys  fader. — (Ibid.  p.  86.) 

Dan  Michael  uses  only  the  older  form  fla '  =  he. 

Ha  beat  (beats)  and  smit  and  (both)  wyf  and  children  ase  ha 
were  out  of  his  wytte. — (Ayenbite,  p.  30.) 

1.  Hine  (ace).  Him. 
In  the  Southern  dialect  hine  is  found  as  late  as  1340.     It  still 

'  In  the  older  stage  of  the  language,  called  Semi-Saxon,  ha  =  she  and  tlicy. 


1  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

exists  in  the  modern  provincial  dialects  of  the  South  of  England 
under  the  forms  -en  or  -U)i.  ^o  trace  of  this  accusative  is  to  be  found 
in  any  I^orthern  writers  ;  nor  is  it  used  in  the  Ormulum,  one  of  the 
earliest  of  Midland  productions,  "where  its  place  is  supplied  by  the 
dative  hhn. 

EXAMPLES. 

A  kni3t  wyth  one  scharpe  spere 

Stang  hi/ne  i  the  ry3t  syde. — (SJioreham^s  Poems,  p.  86.) 

})G  dyevel  Jjerto  proprelich  uondej)  fane  man  :  fet  he  Mne  my3te 
wyjjdra^e  uram  po  loue  of  God. — (Aijenhife,  p.  IIG.) 

j)e  Avrechche  ne  j^engj)  of  him  jjet  Jiiiie  halt. — (Ibid.  p.  128.) 

Third  Personal  Pronoun,  Feminine. 

The  Southern  personal  pronoun  of  the  3rd  person  is  Heo,  which 
occasionally  takes  other  forms,  as  Hi  (Kentish),  as  hue  (South 
Western).  Heo,  He,  Hue,  is  used  as  late  as  1387.    See  extracts,  p.xlix. 

The  corresj)onding  ISTorthern  form  is  See  or  Sho  (Midland  Sche), 
which  seems  to  have  arisen  out  of  the  older  (or  A.S.)  Seo  or  Sio,^ 
and  gradually  to  have  crept  into  the  Southern  dialect  towards  the 
end  of  the  xivth  century,  for  we  find  it  once  or  twice  in  Trevisa's 
translation  of  Higden's  Polychronicon  (1387),  where  heo  or  hue  is  the 
ordinary  form.^ 

"  Siborea  made  gret  mone  to-fore  Judas  of  here  wrechehede  lyf  & 
sorouful ;  how  heo  hadde  yput  here  yonge  sone  in  to  fe  stremes,  how 
heo  lost  here  hosbond  sodeynliche  &  how  shee  was  ymaryed  ajenes 
here  wylle."— ((7o«o?^  MS.,  Vesp.  D  vii,  fol.  137  a.) 

Hi  or  hy,  her,  ace,  is  used  as  late  as  1327-77. 

The  ni3tingale  hi  ise3  (the  owl) 
And  hi  bihold  and  over-sej. 
An  thu3te  wel  wl  of  thare  hule 
For  me  hi  halt  lodlich  and  fule. — {Owl  ^  N.  p.  2.) 

1  .Ze  =  she,  occurs  once  in  the  Ayenbite,  p.  102.  In  the  story  of  Genesis  and 
Exodus  (E.  Midland  dialect)  sye  [sge)  occurs  several  times. 

2 1  do  not  find  an  earlier  instance  of  the  use  of  she  in  any  pure  Southern  writer. 
It  should  be  noticed,  perhaps,  that  such  a  form  as  seo  or  sio  would  not  become  she 
but  se  i^iQ)  or  si  (zi)  ;  but  she  arises  out  of  a  form  like  sceo  or  sea. 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  H 

And  [thu]  lerdest  hi.  to  don  sliome 

An  unri3t  of  hire  liconie. — [Owl  tj-  N.  p.  36.) 

Senne  (=  fern.)  hys  swete  and  lyketh, 
Wanne  a  man  hi  deth 
And  also  soure  hy  bryketh  (=  brooketli) 
Wane  lie  venjaunce  y-setli. 

(Shoreh aril's  Poems,  p.  102.) 
To  liealde  Jii/  (erthe)  op  hyt  nys  no  ned. — (Ibid.  p.  13G.) 

Personal  Pronoun,  3nl  Person  Plural. 

Hit,  Hi,  Heo^  =  they  ;  heore,  hure,  huere,  hor,  hare  =  their,  heoni 
(liuem,  hem,  horn,  ham)  =them,  are  Southern  forms  (retained  as  late 
as  1387),  the  corresponding  Xorthern  ones  being  Thai  (tha),  thai)' 
(thar),  thaim  (tham).^ 

Hi,  them,  is  retained  as  late  as  1327-77  by  Shoreham. 

EXAMPLES. 

Ac  he  that  ine  sanle  is  Strang, 

That  he  with-stent  hi  alle, 
And  hardeliche  hert  othre  men, 

Adoun  that  hi  ne  falle. 

ac  stonde. — (Shoreham's  Poems,  p.  14.) 

Anon  J)e  foend  fondeth  hi/  so, 

And  he  ne  spareth  nanne. — (Ihid.  p.  16.) 

See  also  pp.  92,  94,  97,  112. 

The  forms  hor  and  hom  are,  perhaps.  Western  and  South-western 
forms.     The  Kentish  dialect  employs  hare  (hire)  and  ham. 

Hise  (His,  is),  (ace.)  =  them. 

Until  I  saw  the  Midland  version  of  Genesis  and  Exodus,  I  was 
under  the  impression  that  hise  (is)  =  them,  was  pecidiar  to  the  South- 
ern dialect.     But  though  it  makes  its  appearance  in  some  of  the  Mid- 

^  He  ^  they  (East  Midland)  seems  to  have  arisen  out  of  Hia  or  ITie. 

2  Their,  Theim  (them),  are  Midland  varieties.  \>e^,  ]pe]^r,  occur  in  the  Ormulum. 
\>ci  occurs  in  an  East  Midland  MS.,  Trin.  Col.,  Camb.  (xiiith  cent.),  and  in  the 
Story  of  Genesis  and  Exodus.     \)ni/  is  used  occasionally  by  Trevisa. 

e  2 


lii  GRAMMzVTICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

land  dialects,  having  Southern  tendencies,  it  is  never  employed  by 
any  I^orthern  writer. 

Dr  Guest  has  shown  that  this  pronoun  answers  to  the  Gothic  ins, 
ace.  of  eis.  The  oldest  form  of  the  pronoun  in  English  appears  to 
have  been  lies. 

EXAMPLES. 

\)o\\  zayst  jjet  J)ou  hest  zixti  year,  f»e  dyaji  h  ise  he])  and  neuremo 
Ills  nele  fie  yelde. — [Aijenblte,  p.  71.) 

God  ne  hejj  hede  of  kueade  yeffes  ac  he  his  louej?  trewe  and  guode. 

{Ihkl  p.  192.) 

Alast  thanne  that  he  [God]  is  vader  be  kende  and  be  rijte,  he 
loveth  thet  he  heth  ymad,  ase  zayth  the  boc  of  Wysdome,  and  is 
zuete  and  milde  and  zuo  loveth  and  dra3th  vorth  his  children,  and 
ham  deth  hare  prou,  and  betere  thanne  hi  conne  devisi ;  and  he  h  is 
byat  and  Ms  chasteth  hnanne  hi  misdoth,  vor  hare  prou  ase  guod 
vader  and  bletheliche  he  his  ondervangth  huanne  hi  cometh  to  hym. 

{Ihid.  p.  100.) 

Of  France  &  of  ojire  londes  fat  we  wonne  mid  ure  mi3te. 
We  mowe  segge  fat  we  nabbeth  to  ansuerye  no3t  mid  ri3te. 
Whan  hii  vorsoke  is  &  vor  slewj»e  &  to  none  defense  ne  come 
j)o  Ave  Jjoru  chiualerie  out  of  hor  poer  is  nome. 

(R.  of  Gl.  fol.  60  h.) 

Tho  caste  this  gode  molde  hire  mantel  of  anon 
&  gurde  aboute  hire  middel  a  vair  linne  scete 
&  wess  the  meseles  vet  .  echone  ar  heo  lete 
&  wipede  is  nessce  afterward  .  &  custe  is  wel  suete. 

{Ihid.  fol.  123  h.) 

3ef  he  hys  (Godes  hestes)  breketh  and  so  byloefth, 

Hys  saule  schal  he  spylle. 

3ef  thou  hys  halst  man,  God  the  seith, 

Ha  wole  be  the  so  kende, 

He  wole  be  fo  to  thyne  fon. 

And  frend  to  thyne  frende. — (Shoreham's  Poems,  p.  90.) 

Ten  hestes  haueth  yhote  God, 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  liil 

He  liys  wrot  (and)  Moyses  by-toke. 

In  ston  ich  Avot  that  he  hys  wrot, 
In  tokne  of  sykernesse. 

{Shoreliam^ s  Puems,  p.  92.) 

Hise  (hys,  is),  (ace.)  =  her. 

Tlie  Gotliic  Si  =  she,  makes  gen.  izos,  dat.  izai ;  a  cognate  root  is 
probably  preserved  in  the  Southern  form  Jits  =z  her. 

}5ulke  soide  (fern.)  nyme]?  his  (■=:  herself)  in  and  bilevej)  iwis 
In  Jje  childes  brayn  anhe3  fat  is  fe  sonle  fat  hext  is. 

{Pojndar  Science,  p.  140.) 

And  3yf  man  halt  ase  hys  wyf 

After  the  gelt  [as]  hys  spouse, 
Tha3  he  by  hyre  ne  ligge  noii3t. 
Other  halt  hys  ine  hys  house, 
In  tome, 
N'e  schal  liy  nau3t  departed  be 
Pram  hyni  for  hordome. 

{Shm^eham! s  Poems,  p.  77.) 

Ho  (who)  halt  ys  (erthe)  o^l.—ilhid.  p.  136.) 

Josephes  llievdy,  tho  hy  vand  alone  him,  Td  wold  do  him  zene3i 
mid  hire,  ac  he  him  vledde  ase  wys  and  hise  vorlet. 

{Ayenhite,  p.  206.) 

The  guode  man  mid  the  rede  of  his  wyue  yeaf  his  cou  to  the 
preste  thet  wes  riche.  the  prest  hi  nom  blethliche  and  hise  zente  to 
the  othren  thet  he  hedde. — (Ibid.  p.  191.) 

Mochel  is  defouled,  mid  the  vet  of  voUeres,  the  robe  (fern.)  of 
scarlet,  er-than  thet  the  kuen  his  do  an. — (Ibid.  j).  167.) 

Thervore  the  dyevel  playth  ofte  mid  the  zene3ere  ase  deth  the  cat 
mid  the  mouse  (fern.),  thanne  he  his  heth  ynome,  and  huanne  he  heth 
mid  hire  longe  yplayed  thanne  he  his  eth  (eateth). — (Ibid.  p.  179.) 

And  of  Alisondre  me  ret  thet  he  yaf  ane  cite  (fern.)  to  onen  of  his 
sergons  an  huanne  the  ilke  hise  wolde  forzake,  vor  thet  grat  thing  him 


liv  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

tho3te  to  nime  zuych  yefthe ;  Alisondre  answerede  and  zayde  '  Icli  ne 

loky  najt  thet  "belongeth  the  to  nimene  ac  nie  to  yeue.' 

(Ayenhite,  p.  195.) 
See  also  p.  203. 

He  wende  him  worJ»  to  chirche,  &  hivore  the  rod  com, 

&  mid  mek  herto  pitosliche  is  kinges  croime  {=■  fern.)  nom 

&  sette  is  vpe  fe  rode  (fern.)  lieved  (head  of  the  Cross). 

{R.  of  Gl  fol.  93  fl.) 

Possessive  Pronouns. 

The  forms  urs  (ours),  yhures  (yours),  hirs  (hers),  thairs  (theirs), 
appear  frequently  in  Northern  works  written  during  the  earlier  part 
of  the  xivth  century ;  and  from  the  fact  that  the  Ormulum,  whose 
tendencies  are  ^Northern,  uses  ])e'^'^rs  (theirs),^  we  may  reasonahly 
suppose  that  these  forms  were  in  use  much  earlier.  The  Southern 
corresponding  forms  wore  tire,  eoicere,  yire,  hire,  here.  The  I^orthern 
dialect  has  also  such  forms  as  alliy's  and  bathers  =  Southern  aire  (or 
alder),  of  all,  and  heire,  of  both. 

In  the  Lord's  Prayer  in  the  Northern  version  of  the  Cursor 
Mundi  we  have  the  phrase  '  fader  wes.^  In  a  Southern  Avork  of  about 
the  same  date  we  have  the  corresponding  phrase  '  fader  oitre.^ 

The  following  examples  will  illustrate  the  use  of  the  possessive 
pronouns  in  the  two  dialects. 

On  of  hem  wile  fi^te 
A3en  [other]  thre  kni3tes 
3ef  other  thre  slen  ure 
Al  this  lond  beo  :^oure  ; 
3ef  we  ure  on  ouercometh  ■^oure'^  three 
Al  this  lond  schal  ure  beo. — (King  Horn,  p.  3,  E.  E.  T.  S.) 

A  man  of  thair  gains  an  of  ur 
If  urs  mai  him  win  in  stiu', 
That  thai  be  urs  &  thair  airs  (heirs)  ; 
If  thai  Avin  U7's  that  we  be  thairs. 
(Northern  version  of  Cursor  Mundi,  Cott.  MS.  fol.  42.) 

'  In  some  Midland  writers  we  find  heres  and  horcs  =  theirs. 
2  A  Northumbrian  could  say  youn  three. 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  Iv 

Some  few  JMiclland  dialects  employ  the  forms  ouren,  youren, 
heren.  This  seems  to  have  arisen  from  the  adjectival  use  of  these 
forms.    (In  the  Ayenbite  we  find  thinen  and  Tdren  in  the  dative  case.) 

Demonstrative  and  Relative  Pronouns. 

The  nominative  jje  is  seldom  used  in  the  Southern  dialect  after 
1250,  \et  or  ])at  being  the  ordinary  relative  in  all  dialects.  Shoreham 
uses  fe  occasionally/  and  many  other  Southern  writers  preserve  the 
dative  and  accusative  forms,  thane,  than  (that),  whan,  wan  (which, 
what),  never  employed  by  iSTorthern  Avriters. 

EXAMPLES. 

Therefore  thys  tale  rymetli 
Hon  men  in  senne  beth, 
And  hou  senne  ly-ljnneth 
Than  that  to  senne  hym  deth. 

(Shoreham^s  Poems,  p.  104.) 

To  wyte  (know)  thanne  wat  God  ha3t  (=:  hot  =  bids) 
Is  eche  man  wel  y-halde  (bound). — (Ibid.  p.  91.) 

And  3et  for  al  ])an  bi  is  dale,  thoru  hor  Infer  mode 
Hii  bro3te  oure  louerd  Ihesa  Crist  to  defe  on  the  rode. 

(R.  of  Gl.,  Cotton  MS.  fol.  2'^  h.) 

An  hwanne  heo  habbeth  me  of-slahe, 

Heo  hongeth  me  on  heore  hahe 

Thar  ich  a-schewele  pie  an  crewe 

From  than,  the  thar  is  i-some. — [Owl  4"  N.  p.  55.) 

The  thridde  condicion  thet  ssel  by  in  elmesse  is,  thet  me  (one) 
ssel  yeue  largeliche  he  than  (according  to  that)  thet  me  heth  huerof 

1  The  sixte  heste  scheweth  wel 
The  sothe  to  al  mankenne, 
The  dede  y-do  in  lechery 
Ilys  ry^t  a  dedleche  senne. 
And  elles  ncre  hy^' nau^". 
Forbode  amange  the  hestes  tenne  ; 
TJie  that  seggeth  hys  nys  naujt, 
So  hare  wyt  is  al  to  thenne. 

(Shoreham' s  Poems,  p.   99.) 


Ivi  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

the  wyse  zaytli  '  Yef  to  God  he  than  thet  he  heth  the  y-ycue.' 

(Ayenblte,  p.  195.) 

The  ilke  thet  is  zuo  he3e  arise  ine  prosperite  thength  in  his  herte 
verst  to  the  dignete,  efterward  to  his  prosperite,  efter  than  to  his 
richesse  efterward  to  his  lostes  thet  his  body  heth,  efter  than  to  the 
greate  ve]a3rede  thet  him  vol3eth. — (Ibid.  p.  24.) 

The  thridde  werre  thet  the  wrethvolle  heth  is  to  than  thet  byeth 
onderhim,  thet  is,  to  his  Avyve  and  to  his  mayne. — (Ibid.  p.  30.) 

Hit  is  a  perilous  ziknesse  thet  ne  may  na^t  tholye  thet  me  liira 
take,  and  to  than  thet  alle  medicines  went  in  to  venim. — (Ibid.  p.  22.) 

ISTou  ich  the  habbe  ssortliche  yssewed  huyche  byeth  the  lyttle 
guodes  and  the  midel  guodes  ;  nou  icli  the  wylle  ssewy  huet  ys  the 
zotlie  guod  ari3t,  thet  maketh  tha7i  thet  hise  heth  guod ;  and  -vvyth- 
oute  ham  non  ne  wes  nevre  ari3t  guod. — (Ibid.  p.  79.) 

Saynt  Ion  ase  we  habbeth  yzed  toparteth  zeue  overcomeingges 
and  zeue  crounes,  thet  is  to  zigge,  zeue  maneres  of  medes  thet  God 
behat  to  tha7i  thet  ouercometh. — (Ibid.  p.  170.) 

Two  kuynden  he  (Crist)  haf,  wo  witen  bi  J?o« 

)5at  he  is  sof  God  and  sof  mon. — (Castel  of  Love,  p.  60.) 

Tho  hule  one  wile  hi  bi-tho3te 
And  after  than  this  word  uj)-bro3te. 

(Owl  ^  N.  p.  8.) 
Telstu  bi  me  tlie  wurs  for  than 
That  ich  bute  anne  craft  ne  kan. — (Ibid.  p.  28.) 

Ich  not  hu  mai  eni  freo  man 

For  hire  sechen  after  than 
3ef  he  biwencth  bi  htcan  he  lai 

Al  mai  the  luve  gan  awai. — (Ibid.  p.  52.) 

Ac  after  than  the  he  haved  idon  .  he  seal  ther  beon  idemed. 
Blithe  mai  he  thanne  buen  .  the  god  haved  iquemed. 

(Moral  Ode,  p.  27.) 
Efterward  thench  hou  velezithe  thou  best  yby  onbo3sam  to  thine 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  Ivii 

vadcr  and  to  thine  nioder  and  to  than  to  huam  thou  ssoldest  bou3e 
and  here  hoiioiire. — (Ayenlite,  p.  21.) 

This  zenne  [of  prede]  is  yhounde  ine  tJian  thet  be  his  o;ene 
mouthe  him  yeljith  other  of  his  wytte,  other  of  his  kenne,  other  of  his 
workes,  other  of  his  prouesse,  &c. — (Ihid.  p.  22.) 

An  sum  sot  mon  hit  tihth  thar-to 

Mid  alle  than  that  he  mai  do.— {Owl  ^  N.  p.  49.) 

Wostu  to  tlian  man  was  ibore 

To  thare  bHsse  of  hovene-riche. — [Ihid.  p.  25.) 

Evre-ilc  man  mid  than  the  he  haved  mai  biggen  heuene-riche. 

{Moral  Ode,  p.  24.) 

.     .     bi  than  36  wite  than  ende. 

{Lives  of  Saints,  p,  72.) 

Anon  so  hi  se3e  the  monekes  come,  hi  gonne  to  singe  ymone, 
A3en  hem  with  gret  melodie,  as  hit  were  for  tlian  one. 

{St  Bixmdan,  p.  17.) 
This  holi  man  makede  loudere  song  as  hit  for  tlian  one  were. 

{Ihid.  p.  21.) 

Thyse  byeth  the  tuelf  articles  of  the  Cristene  Byleve  thet  ech  man 
Cristen  ssel  yleve  stedevestliche  (vor  otherlaker  he  ne  may  by  ybor3e) 
liuanne  he  heth  wyt  and  scele  ;  and  ther-of  byeth  tuelf  by  the  tale 
of  the  tuelf  Apostles  thet  hise  zette  to  hyealde  and  to  loky  to  alle 
thon  '  thet  wyleth  by  ybore. — {Ayenhite,  j).  11.) 

The  vifte  article  zuo  is,  thet  ha  wente  into  helle  efter  his  dyathe 
vor  to  dra3e  thannes  and  to  delivri  tlie  zaules  of  the  hoH  vaderes  and 
of  alle  thon  thet  vram  the  gininnge  wordle  storve  in  zoth  and  guode 
byleave,  and  ine  hope  thet  hi  ssolden  by  ybor3e. — {Ihid.  p.  12.) 

And  thet  he  is  ase  the  ymaymed  ate  porche  of  the  cherche  thet 
ne  heth  none  ssame  vor  to  sseawy  alle  liis  maimes  to  alle  thon  thet 
ther  guoth  vor  thet  me  ssolde  habbe  of  him  j^ite. — {Ihid.  p.  135.) 

He  naveth  bute  one  woning 
That  his  bischopen  much  el  scheme, 
1  \>on  is  plural. 


Iviii  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

All  alle  than  tliat  of  his  nome 

Habbeth  i-hert  and  of  his  dede.— (OwZ  S,-  N.  p.  Gl.) 

The  stone  upe  whan  ich  sitte  that  maketh  me  sitte  above 
In  a  wei  ich  him  fond  ligge,  ther  no  neod  nas  to  ston. 

{St  Brandan,  p.  27.) 

IchoUe  the  make  of  this  lond  kyiig  thou  ssalt  yse 
.     &  this  lond  al  be  thin  :  &  the  othre  bruteine  be 
Vor  honour  of  bruteyne  to  ^oan  thou  addest  kunde. 

{R.  of  Gl.  foL  34.) 

Ac  a3en  somer  the  emperour  tho  he  adde  al  an  lioiide 
Wende  hom  towards  Eome  and  mid  gret  love 
Nom  with  liim  the  erl  of  Kent  thorn  loane  he  was  above. 

[Ibid.  fol.  23.) 

He  let  at  Eome  an  stronge  dich  make  al  aboute 

&  deop  ajen  Constantin  &  a3en  is  route 

Vor  to  holde  hom  ther,  thorn  wanne  hii  come  with  oute. 

{Ibid.  fol.  31  b.) 

Tho  adde  he  al  is  wille  vor  tvanne  it  was  al  ido. 

(Ibid.  fol.  38.) 

This  were  lo  ure  faderes  of  ivcm  we  beth  siiththe  yconie 
That  with  such  treyson  abbeth  this  lond  thus  ynome. 

(Ibid.  fol.  42  b.) 

Hwat  senile  we  beren  biforen  us. 
mid  ivan  senile  we  him  iquemen. 

(Morcd  Ode,  p.  25,  1.  48.) 

To  ivcm  were  lii  i-borene 

The  scuUe  ben  to  dethe  idemd  &  evre  mo  forlorene. 

(Ibid.  p.  25,  1.  53.) 

Ac  heo  nas  no^t  ahwar :  to  whan  hire  hurte  drou^. 

(Seinte  Margarete,  p.  25.) 

By  iy3te  toknynge  thou  ert  the  hel 

Of  ^oan  spellede  D  any  el. 
Thou  ei't  Emaus,  the  ryche  castel, 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  lix 

Tliar  restetli  alle  werye  ; 
Ine  the  restede  Emanuel, 

Oi  tvany^  speketh  Ysaye. — (Shoreham,  p.  133.) 

Seint  Dunstan  com  liom  a3en  ;  &  faire  was  iinderfonge 
Ladde  his  abbey  al  in  ptees,  fram  whcm  he  was  so  longe, 

(Lives  of  Saints,  p.  37.) 
"We  scolden  alle  us  bi-thenche  oft  and  wel  ilome 
hwet  we  beth  and  to  than  we  senile  &  of  loan  we  come. 

(Moral  Ode,  p.  32.) 

VERBS. 

Present  Tense,  Indicative  Mood. 

For  the  various   dialectical  forms   in    the  present  tense  of  the 

Indicative  Mood,  the  reader  is  referred  to  Early  Eng.  Allit.  Poems, 

Introduction,  pp.  xx.-xxi. ;  Genesis  and  Exodus,  Introduction,  pp. 

xvii.,  xxvii. 

Third  Person  Singidar  in  -th. 

Jennings,  in  his  Observations  on  the  Dialects  of  the  West  of 
England,  notices  the  fondness  for  the  inflexion  -th  (not  -eth),  instead 
of  -es,  in  the  3rd  per.  sing,  indie.  This  may  be  illustrated  in  the 
following  passage  from  the  Song  of  Solomon  in  the  Devonshire 
version  : 

A  comHh  jumpin  upon  the  mountains.  He  stan'th  behaine  our 
woll.  He  leukHh  voath  vrem  the  kezment  an'  shoici'th  his  zel  ta  th' 
lattice.— (Ch.  ii.  8,  9.) 

In  the  Southern  dialect  of  the  Early  Eng.  period  we  find  the 
same  fondness  for  the  inflexion  -th.  In  many  cases  it  distinguishes 
the  singular  from  the  plural,  as  ])lnh'^  =a2:)I)ears,  ]>inlve]i  =  appear. 

Ac  thanne  he  (the  dronke)  heth  yslepe,  and  comth  to  him  zelue 
thanne  he  yvelth  his  kuead  and  Ttnauth  his  folye  and  him  playneth  ' 
of  his  harm. 

Aten  onde  the  zenejere,  ase  zayth  Salamon  is  ase  the  ilke  thet 
depth  amide  tlie  ze  and  thet  ssip  spilth  and  he  ne  najt  hit  iie-velth 
ne  none  drede  ne  lieth. — (Ayenhite,  p.  128.) 

'  For  tvanc  ?  ~  Tlaynetli  has  p^nyny  for  the  infinitive,  and  therefore  does 

not  suiter  contradiction  ;  its  plural  would  be  playnieth. 


Ix  GRAMMATICAL    rECULIARITIES. 

Preterite  Tense,  Singular  Number,  Indicative  Mood. 

The  preterite  tense  ^  (first  and  third  persons  singular)  of  regular 
verhs  terminates  in  -de,  as  lovede,  hopede,  &c.  There  is  no  final  -e  in 
the  singular  of  vrregxdar  verbs,  e.  g.  slow  (=  slew),  smot  (=  smote). 
In  ]N"orthern  writers  we  often  meet  with  such  forms  as  sloglie  (slew), 
snuite  (smote),  which  in  the  Southern  dialect  would  be  considered  as 
plurals. 

Second  Person  Singular,  Preterite  Indicative  of  Irregidar  Verhs. 

In  the  oldest  English  or  A.S.  period  the  second  person  of  irregular 
verbs  ended  in  -e,  as  lieolde  =  heldest,  droge  ■=■  drcAvest.  Those  that 
change  the  vowel  of  the  preterite  plural,  admit  of  vowel  change  in 
the  2nd  pers.  sing.,  as  hu7ide  (boundest),  drife  (drovest),  clufe 
(cleavedst  or  clovest). 

The  Southern  dialect  of  the  Early  English  jDcriod  has  numerous 
examples  of  this  final  -e  in  the  2nd  pers.  sing.,  but  it  is  exceedingly- 
rare  in  ISTorthern  writers.  Dr  Guest  has  already  pointed  out  that  the 
author  of  the  Ormulum  exhibits  a  tendency  to  omit  this  -e,  as  badd 
=  baddest. 

Enes  thu  sunge,  ic  wod  wel  ware 

Bi  one  boure,  and  woldest  lere 

The  lefti  to  an  iivel  luve 

An  sunge  bothe  lo^e  and  buve 

An  lerdest  hi  to  don  shome. — (Ow;Z  ^  N.  y>-  36.) 

Thar-to  jjou  stele  in  a  day 

And  leidest  thar-on  thy  fole  ey. — (^Ihid.  p.  104.) 

Sloice  thu  the  holi  prophete  :  to  wrothere  hele  dudestu  so. 

{Pilate,  p.  IIG.) 

Ihesu  for  loue  thou  stehe  on  rode. 
For  loue  thou  se-^e  thin  lieorte  blod. 

{Lyric  Poems,  p.  69.) 

Thu  i^eue  vis  weole  and  wunne 
Thu  brohtest  dai,  and  Eve  nijt. 

{Relig.  Songs,  p.  65.) 
'  It  is  thus  distinguished  from  the  past  participle  which  ends  in  -ed. 


GRAMMzVTlCAL    PECULIARITIES.  Ixi 

Ich  wille  speke  toAvard.  the 

Also  thu  sjjeke  toward  me. — {Owl  ^-  N.  p.  20.) 

And  levedy,  the  was  wel  wors, 
Tho  (when)  that  thou  se^e  in  dede 
Thy  leue  childe  reulyche  y-nome 
And  ase  a  thef  forth  e  lede. 

(Shoreham's  Poems,  p.  83.) 

Preterite  Tense,  Plural  Number,  Indicative  Mood  of  Regidar  Verbs. 

The  plural  of  the  preterite  in  the  Southern  and  Midland  dialects 
terminates  in  -en.^ 

The  -n  is,  however,  frequently  dropped,  as  in  the  following 
examples  : — - 

&  alle  the  men  that  hiifounde  hii  slowe  as  hii  come. 

{R.  of  Gl.  fol.  34.) 
And  the  peces  floiue  ahoute 

And  smyte  on  this  lithere  men  .  wel  harde  to  the  grounde. 

{St  Katherine,  p.  96.) 

Hi  norae  ken  hokes  of  ire  :  and  hire  flesche  to-gnowe. — {Ibid.) 

In  norjjhumberland  hi  bigonne  &  ther  hi  slo:}e  to  grounde. 

{Ibid.  p.  87.) 

&  hi  seje  hire  (the  cou)  sitte  a  dai  in  the  valeye  ther-doune. 

{St  Kenelm,  p.  54.) 

Voioel  change  in  the  Plural  Preterite  of  Irregular  Verbs. 

The  Southern  dialect,  as  in  the  older  stages  of  the  language, 
changes  the  vowel  of  the  preterite  pi.  of  that  class  of  verbs  repre- 
sented by  binden  (to  bind),  driven  (to  drive),  eleven  (to  cleave),  in 
which  the  vowel  of  the  pret.  pi.  is  the  same  as  the  past  participle. 
The  Northern  dialect  does  not  furnish  us  with  any  examples  of  this 
vowel  change. 

And  (hi)  yeueth  ham  to  sterue  vor  the  loue  of  him  (Crist)  thet 

1  The  Northern  dialect  has  no  inflexion  in  the  sing,  or  pi.  pret. 


Ixii 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 


starf  VOX*  ham,  other  ine  the  londe  beyende  the  ze  other  ine  anothre 
stede. — {Ayenhlte,  p.  1G5.) 

Ha  wente  into  helle  ....  to  delivri  the  zaules  of  the  holi  vaderes 
and  of  alle  thon  thet  vrani  the  giningge  of  the  wordle  starve  in  zoth 
and  gnode  byleaue,  &c. — (Ihid.  p.  12.) 

Alle  hi  storuen  in  zor^e  ine  the  desert. — {^Ihid.  p.  G7.) 

And  hor  either  a^en  other  gaderede  hor  ost  vaste 
So  that  hii  come  and  smite  an  bataile  atte  laste. 

{R.  of  Gloucester,  Cott.  MS.,  Calig.  A  xi,  fcl.  29.) 

For  meni  men  yjve  oure  louerd  god  :  that  were  of  gode  thojt 
To  susteynie  his  apostles.— (/wtfas  Iscartot,  p.  110.) 

Preterite  forms  of  Regular  Verbs  pemiliar  to  the  Southern  dialect. 

1.  Some  few  verbs  in  the  Southern  (and  in  some  of  the  Midland 
dialects)  ending  in  -die  or  -ge  often  make  their  preterites  and  past 
participles  in  -nte  (-nde)  and  -nt  (-nd). 


Inf. 

Tret. 

Past  VavK 

clenche  (fasten) 

^  cleinte 
( clente 

icleint 
iclent 

drenche  (drown) 

dreynte 

idreynt 

menge  (mix) 

/■  meinde 
(  meynde 

imeind 
imeynd 

quenche  (quencli) 

queynte 

iqueynt 

senge  (singe,  toast) 

seinde 

iseind 

sinke  (sink) 

seinte 

iseint 

springe  (sprinkle) 

(  spreynte 
(  spreynde 

ispreynt 
ispreynd 

2.  The  preterites  of  such  verbs  as  drede,  lede,  sprede,  &c.,  were  in 
the  Northern  dialect  dredde,  ledde,  spredde,  forms  which  are  also 
found  in  the  Southern  idioms,  but  in  the  latter  dialects  avo  often 
find  a  change  of  vowel,  as 

Inf.  Pret. 

clothe  I 

clethe  ) 

drede  (dread)  dradde 

grede  (cry)  graddc 


cladde 


Past  Part, 
iclad 

idrad 
igrad 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 


Ixiii 


Inf. 

Pret. 

Past  Part. 

ledo  (lead) 

Lxdde 

ilad 

leve  (leave) 

lafte 

ilaft 

reve  (bereave) 

rafte 

iraft 

schede  (shed) 

schadde 

ischad 

sprede  (spread) 

spradde 

isprad 

swelte  (die) 

SAvalto 

iswalt 

threte  (threaten) 

thratte 

ithrat 

Infinitive  Mood  in  -en  ;  Gerund  in  -enne  or  -ene. 

The  JSTorthern  dialect  drops  the  -en^  of  the  infinitive,  which  is 
retained  by  the  Southern  and  Midland  dialects.  The  -n  is  mostly 
dropped,  and  the  final  -e  strongly  sounded  represents  the  older 
inflexion  -an,  as  hreoiye,  to  creep,  Tjeue,  to  give.^ 

The  gerundial  infinitive  in  -enne  or  -erie  (originally  in  -anne  or 
enne)  survived  as  late  as  1340.  It  more  often  takes  the  inflexion  -e 
of  the  infinitive.' 

Ich  ne  loky  na3t  Jjet  belongej)  fe  to  nimene  ac  me  to  yeue. 

{Ayenhite,  p.  195.) 

He  ous  yef  Jj  his  blod  to  drinke  and  his  vless  to  etene. 

(Ibid.  p.  146.) 

The  inflexion  -enne  of  the  gerundial  infinitive  being  pronounced 
very  much  like  the  present  participle  in  -inde  or  -ejide,  is  very  often 
confounded  with  it,  and  before  the  date  at  which  La3amon's  Brut 
was  written  we  find  the  participle  in  -inde  or  -ende  doing  duty  as 
the  gerund  ;   thus,  to  helpinde  :=.  to  lielpenne,  to  help. 

When  the  -inde  or  -ende  became  -inge  or  -ing  the  mistake  still  held 
its  ground,  as  we  find  late  in  the  xivth  century  such  forms  as  to 
Icepynge  ■=zto  kepene  =to  keep,  &c. 


1  In  the  Northern  dialect  we  meet  with  many  verhs  ending  in  -en,  but  they  are 
not  to  be  regarded  as  infinitives,  but  rather  the  earliest  examples  of  such  forms  as 
light  en,  darken  (=  to  make  liglit,  to  make  dark),  &c. 

*  This  full  form  -en  is  frequently  used  by  poetical  writers  as  a  conyenient  rhym- 
ing syllable. 

^  What  some  writers  have  called  the  long  forms  of  the  infinitive  used  by 
Chaucer,  as  to  done,  to  slcme,  are  in  reality  gerundial  infinitives. 


Ixiv  GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 

Damascus  ys  to  menyiig  schedyng  blod, 

(Trevisa,  1387  Cotton  MS.,  Tib.  D  vii,  fol.  9  a.) 

Hy  (they) tau^te  ham  to   hontijng  and  to  sclietyng. 

(Ibid.  fol.  15  a.) 

Also  he  hadde  sum  tyme  yuonge  to  kepynge  his  dou3ter  of 
Frauns,  vor  a  scholde  marye  here  to  his  sone. — [Ibid.  fol.  272  a.) 

Jpues  men  wonede  under  fe  hulles  of  Jude  ....  and  wente 
(turned)  to  robbyngc  &  reuynge. — (Ibid.  fol.  281  b.) 

Infinitives  in  -ie  or  -y. 

Infinitives  in  -ie,  -ye,  or  -y^  (from  older  forms  in  i-an),  are  exceed- 
ingly common  in  the  Southern  dialect  as  late  as  1387.  N^o  trace 
whatever  of  this  inflexion  is  to  be  found  in  any  Northern  work,  and 
though  met  with  in  the  West  Midland  are  of  rare  occurrence  in  the 
East  Midland  dialect  of  the  xivth  century.  They  are  still  retained  in 
some  of  the  modern  dialects  of  the  South  of  England.^ 

"  Chell  whistley  and  zing  and  capery  vor  oil  yow  cheesen." 

(Ex/mour  dialed.') 
Present  Participles. 

The  present  participle  in  the  Soutlfern  dialect  terminates  in  -inde, 
in  the  Northern  in  -ande  (-and)  :  as  Southern  lovinde,  Northern 
lovande  (lovand). 

As  early  as  the  beginning  of  the  xivth  century  we  find  a  tendency 
in  some  of  the  Southern  and  Midland  dialects  to  use  the  form  in 
•inge  (-ing)  instead  of  -inde  or  ende.^ 

In  Trevisa's  translation  of  Higden's  Polychronicon,  written  1387 
(Cotton  MS.,  Tib.  D  vii),  there  are  no  examples  of  particij)les  in 
-ende  ;  all  end  in  -inge  or  ing. 

In  the  Northern  dialect  the  -and  was  employed  as  late  as  the 
xviith  century. 

1  Many  verbs  adopted  from  the  Romance  dialects  took  this  inflexion,  as  chasty 
=  chastise  ;  crouny,  to  crown;  sovy,  to  save,  &c. 

2  Dr  Baraes  has  shown  that  they  still  exist  in  Dorsetshire,  as  viowy,  to  mow  ; 
zawy,  to  sow. 

*  -end  is  a  Midland  form,  and  is  frequently  used  by  Gower  ;  -ande  (-and)  was 
adopted  in  some  of  the  Midland  dialects,  and  is  most  frequently  employed  by  East 
and  West  Midland  writers.     The  participial  form  in  -ing  is  no  doubt  a  corruption 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  IxV 

Past  Part/'ci2)les. 

1.  In  the  Southern  dialect  up  to  a  very  late  period  the  i-  or  y- 
(A.S.  ge)  was  retained  as  the  prefix  of  the  past  participle  :  as  idemd, 
judged  ;  iJwte,  called. 

iS"o  instances  of  this  prefixal  element  is  to  be  found  in  any 
!N"orthern  writers.  In  Midland  works  with  Northern  tendencies,  like 
the  Ormulum,  the  ^'-'  is  frequently  dropped. 

The  modern  Southern  dialects  have  corrupted  this  prefix  into 
a,  as  ayete  =^  eaten  ;  abroke,  broken. 

2.  Past  Participles  of  Strong  or  Irregular  Verbs  originally  ended 
in  -eti :  as  ihroTcen,  broke ;  icorven,  cut;  ifaren,  gone.  Southern  writers 
frequently  omit  the  -??,,  as  in  the  following  passages.^ 

pe  tyding  to  fe  contasse  sone  was  ycome, 
]pat  hire  louerd  was  aslawe  &  fe  castel  ynome. 

(R.  of  a.,  Cotton  MS.,  Calig.,  A  xl,  fol.  51  «.) 

ycome  =  yeomen  (come)  ;  ynome  =  ynomen  (taken). 

But  when  the  participle  is  used  adjectivally  in  the  plural,  the 
full  form  is  often  retained,  as  yhoundene  (bound),  yhrokene  (broken) . 

Northern  writers  never  omit  the  -n,  and  instead  of  ycome, 
ynome,  &c.,  write  comen.  nomen,  &c. 

Negative  Verbal  Forms. 

The  Northern  dialect  makes  but  little  use  of  negative  forms, 
which  are  very  common  in  Southern  writers. 

nam,  am  not ;  nis,  is  not. 
«es,was  not ;  nere,  were  not. 

of  -inde,  and  not  of  -ende  or  -ande.  As  before  observed,  there  is  good  evidence  for 
supposing  that  the  sounds  of -2«(^e  and  -i)ige  (and  -en;  see  G.nesis  and  Exodus, 
p.  xxxviii.)  were  closely  related  ;  in  fact,  we  find  kervynge  (=  Jccrvinde  ==  cutting) 
rhyming  with/y«rfe. 

"  He  hath  in  his  front  strong. 
An  horn  foure  feet  long, 
So  as  Y  in  'bo'k.QS  fynde 

No  rasour  is  so  kervynge."  —[K.  Alys.,  11.  6551-2.) 
'  This  y  or  i  is  frequently  found  :  1.  in  other  parts  of  the  verb,  as  yleve,  to  believe ; 
yknau]},  knows    {Aycnbiic).      2.   In   nouns,   as  y-flon,  arrows;   yvon,   foes;    ihede 
(prayers).     3.  In  adjectives,  ?&yredy,  ready;  ywer,  wary  {Ayenbite).     4.  In  ad- 
verbs, as  ylome,  frequently;  ymene  (in  common). 

-  All  Trevisa's  past  participles  of  strong  verbs  end  in  -e. 

f 


Ixvi 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES. 


nabhe,  have  not ;  neth,  hath  not. 
nade,  had  not ;  not,  knows  not. 
nost,  knowest  not ;  niiste,  knew  not. 
mile,  nile,  will  not. 

Verbal  prefixes  peculiar  to  the  Southern  dialect. 

1.  An  (a),  as  anginne  [anginne),  to  begin.  Angrise  {agrise),  to 
terrify.  Anhete,  to  inflame,  kindle.  Anhitte,  to  strike.  Anlwnge 
to  hang.     Anlikng,  to  compare.^ 

2.  Of :  (a.)  for  (negative),  ofyinche  =  for  think,  repent ;  of-guo  = 
forgo ;  of-holde,  withhold.'^  (b.)  for,  as  in  ofseche,  seek  for ;  ofsende, 
send  for, 

3.  At  (A.S.  cet),  as  ot-herste,  burst  from ;  at-ioite,  English  at-wit, 
reproach; 3  at-route,  to  advance, 

A  d  verbs. 

The  Southern  dialect  retains  numerous  adverbial  forms  un- 
known to  the  Northern  speech. 

1.  Adverbs  in  -e  :  as  («.)  longe  (for  a  long  time)  ;  unrl'^te,  wickedly 
(b.)  ene,  tide,  thrie*  (Northern  anes,  f ivies,  thries^)  =  Semi-Saxon 
enen,  tiveien,  thrien,  A.S,  cene,  twiwa,  thryiva.  (c.)  henne,  hence; 
thenne,  thence  ;  whenne,  Avhance  ;  =  hennene  (lieonene,  heonnen)  ; 
whanene  {ivliannen,  wannen) ;  thanene  (tliennen)  s=  A.S.  henn-an, 
thanon,  hwanon.^ 

2.  Adverbs  in  -es,  as  alles,  altogether  ;  willes,  willingly  ;  thonkes, 
willingly  (as  his  thonkes  ==  he  being  willing)  ;  unthonkes,  un- 
Avillingly. 

3.  Adverbs  in  -en,  ferren,  selden,  whilen  (=  also  ferre,  selde, 
loliile).  The  Northern  forms  end  in  -nm  or  -am,  as  ferrum,  selduin, 
wliilom. 

1  In  the  Soutlicrn  dialect,  such  verbs  as  ago,  awake,  arise,  are  exceedingly 
common,  but  scarcely  ever  occur  in  any  Northern  works. 

2  of-serve  occurs  in  Southern  writers  for  deserve. 

3  Chaucer  uses  at-renne  and  at-rede  (to  run  from,  out-run  ;  get  rid  of,  out-wit). 
*  neode,  uede,  occurs  for  nedes  =  needs,  of  necessity. 

5  These  forms  are  not  unknown  to  the  Southern  dialect. 

«  Towards  the  middle  of  the  14th  century  these  forms  became  hennes,  thennes, 
whennes  {whannes).  The  corresponding  Northern  forms  are  hethen,  thethen, 
vhethen  {quetJien). 


GRAMMATICAL    PECULIARITIES.  Ixvii 

4.  Adverbs  in  -vxif,  as  alwat,  alhnef,  until,  neirmt,  nearly.* 

5.  Ac  (but)  ;  el-  (also) ;  so — so  (as — as)  ;  forte  {for  to),  until.^ 

6.  Dropping  of  e,  as  03^?,  aije,  again ;  siththe,  sethtJie,  since, 
afterwards. 

Pr-eposittons. 

The  following  forms  are  peculiar  to  the  Southern  dialect. 

1.  A7i,^  on,  in  (before  a  vowel) ;  a  (before  a  consonant)  :  e.  g.  An 
erfie,  in  earth ;  an-ende,  lastly ;  a7i-he^,  on  high ;  a-It/ve,  alivo  • 
a-slepe,  asleep.'* 

The  JS'orthern  dialect  prefixes  on :  as  on-live,  alive ;  on-loft,  aloft ; 
on-slepe,  asleep  ;  on-slante,  aslant,  &c. 

The  preference  for  on  explains  the  curious  IS'orthern  forms, 
obove  (above) ;  omang  (among) ;  olike  (alike)  ;  onan  (anon). 

2.  Fram,  from  (Xorthern /ra  ;  Midland /ro). 

3.  3Iid,  mide  (Northern  witli). 

4.  Top>pe  (Kentish),  above.^ 

'  -gate,  as  in  algate  (algates),  thusgafe,  swagafe,  is  unknown  to  the  Southern 
dialect. 

2  Sum,  as  ;  tvarne,  unless ;  utwith,  without ;  imvith,  M'ith ;  fonoith,  before,  are 
not  used  by  Southern  writers. 

3  An  is  used  by  Southern  writers  as  a  separate  word,  as  well  as  a  prefix.  It  is 
still  known  in  Sussex,  where  the  peasants  say,  "Put  your  hat  any 

*  The  a  is  still  preserved  in  anon  =  in  one  (minute),  a-htmting,  a-building,  &c. 
5  a<  =:  to  ;  til,  to,  are  not  found  in  the  Southern  dialect. 


f  2 


SUMMARY  OF  DIFFERENCES 


BETWEEN 


NOETHEEISr  AXD   SOUTHERX   DIALECTS. 
A.D.  1250—1340. 


I.    ORTHOGRAPHICAL    DIFFERENCES. 


SOUTHERN. 

NORTHERN. 

PAGF 

Hw,  Wh 

Qw, 

Qu 

Specimens   of  E. 
English,  p.  xvi 

Ch 

K 

i 

V 

F 

ii 

z 

S 

iii 

0 

A 

iv 

E 

A 

iv-v 

U  (or  E) 

I 

vi 

Eg  (le,  Ue) 

E 

viii 

Ea  (Ya,  Ye) 

E  or 

A 

ix 

Uo 

0 

X 

II.    GRAMMATICAL   DIFFERENCES. 


SOUTHERN. 

Large  number  of  plurals 

in  -671  (-n) 
Unknown 

Plurals  in  -Ten 

Plurals  in  -e 

Genitive     singular      of 

feminine  nouns  in  -e 
Genitive  plural  of  nouns 

in  -ene  and  -e 
Adjectives  retain  many 

of  the  older  inflexions 

j)a,  })o  (fem.),  the 

J5es  (masc),    Ipeos,  ])iies 

(fem.),  this 
Beye,  both,  gen.  jjI.  heire 


NORTHERN. 

Very  few  plurals  in  -eji 

(-en) 
Brether,     childer,     ky, 

hencl 
'Uviknovra. 
Unknown 
Unknown 

Unknown 

Adjectives  drop  all  the 
older  inflexions,  ex- 
cept a7<?er  and  hailier 

Unkno^vn 

Unknown 

Unknown 


XV 
XV 
XXV 


xl 
xliii 

xl 


i 


NORTHERN    AND    SOUTHERN    DIALECTS. 


Ixix 


SOUTHFRN'. 

NOKTIIERX. 

PAGE 

p"J,  j)et,   neuter  of  the 

\)at,    a     demonstrative 

xl 

article 

pronoun 

Atten,       Attan,       Atte 

Unknown 

xl 

(niasc.) 

After  (fern.),  at  the 

Unknown 

xl 

Unknown 

])er,  ]iir,  Ipere,  their 

xlvi 

Unknown 

})as  (those) 

xlvi 

Unknown 

Slik  (sic),  such 

xlvi 

Idi,  Uch,  I 

Unknown.    Ik    and    / 
used  instead 

xlvi 

A,  Ha,  he 

Unknown 

xlviii,  xlix 

Hi,  He,  Heo,  Hue,  she 

Unkno'wai.     Sco,    sclio, 
sho,  used  instead 

li 

Hine  (ace.),  him 

Unknown 

li 

Hi,     Hit,     Heo,    Hue, 

Unknown,  pa, ^ ay,  used 

K    • 

they 

instead 

Heo,  Here,  Hire,  Hor, 

Unknown.     ])air,   par, 

li 

Heore,  Huere,  their 

used  instead 

Hetn,  Horn,  Ham,  Heom, 

Unknown.    ])am,  paim, 

li 

Huem 

used  instead 

His,  Hise,  Is,  them 

Unknown 

liii 

His,  Is  (ace),  her 

Unknovrn 

liii 

Ure       (Owe),       eower 

Unknown.  Urs,  yhoures. 

liv-v 

(i/oure),    here    (hire). 

\aires    {\iairs),    used 

ours,  yours,  thehs 

instead 

Wan  (wliich) 

Unknown 

h^ii 

-ejj  in  all  persons  of  the 

-es  in  all  persons  of  the 

ILx 

pi.  pres.  indie. 

pi.  pres.  indie. 

-e,  -est,  -e\  (-}»),  the  in- 

-es in  all  persons  of  the 

See    Early   Eng. 

flexion  of   the    sing. 

sing.  pres.  indie. 

Allit,     Poems, 

pres.  indie. 

pp.  XX,  xxi 

-ede,  -edest,  -ede,  the  in- 

Xo   inflexion     in     the 

See  Ibid. 

flexion   of   the  sing. 

sing,    past   indie,  of 

past  indie,  of  regular 

strong  verbs 

or  weak  verhs 

-e,  the  ending  of  the  2nd 

No  inflexion  in  the  2nd 

Lx 

pers.  past  of  irregular 

sing,    past   indie,    of 

or  strong  verbs 

irregular  verbs 

Change    of     vowel    in 

Unknown 

Lxi 

pret.    pi.     of    strong 

verbs 

Infinitives  in  -en,  -e 

Infinitive  ending  drop- 
ped 

Ixiii 

Gerundial       Infinitives 

)>                       5> 

Ixiv 

in  -ene 

Gerundial       Infinitives 

5>                      J) 

Ixiv 

in  -ing 

Ixx 


NORTHERN    AND    SOUTHERN    DIALECTS. 


SOUTHERNo 

Infinitives  in  y  or  ei 

-in.de  or  {-inge)  the  end- 
ing of  the  present 
participle 

y-  prefix  of  the  past 
participle 

-n  dropped  in  past  par- 
ticiple 

Schal  (ssel),  ssolde, 
scholde 

par/  (need),  \erfte, 
perste  (needed) 

\)onkes,  willing ;  trn- 
\)07ikes,  unwilling 

Henne,  pewie,  liwanne, 
hence,  thence,  whence 

Unknown 

Unknown 

Adverbs  in  -e,  as  ene, 
twie,  thrie,  neode,  nede, 
once,  twice,  thrice, 
needs 

Adverbs  with  prefix  an- 

Unknown 


Unknown 


NORTHERN. 

Infinitive  ending  drop- 
ped 

-ande  {-and),  the  ending 
of  the  present  parti- 
ciple 

y-  omitted  as  the  sign 
of  the  past  participle 

-n  never  dropped  in 
past  participles 

Sal  (shall),  sw/tZ  (should) 

\)ar,  per,  purt 
Unknown 

Hepen,  pepen,  tvhepen, 
(quepen),  used  instead 

Mtm,  mon  (shall) 

Ha  (have),  ma  (make), 
ta  (take) 

Unknown 


Unknown 

Sum  (as),  fra  (from),  til 
(to),  at  (to,  sign  of 
infinitive),  at  (that), 
warne  (unless) 

Affixes,  -gate,  -linges 


Ixiv 
Ixiv 

Ixv 


See  Hampole's  P. 
of  Consc.  p.  xxiv. 


Ixvi 


Ixvi 


See  Hampole's  P. 
of  Consc.  p.  xxiv. 
Ixvi 


Ixvii 
Ixvii 


Ixvii 


III.    LEXICOGEAPHICAL   DIFFEEE:N'CES. 

The  differences  in  the  vocabularies  of  the  Northern  and  Southern 
dialects  may  be  discussed  at  a  future  j)eriod  under  the  following  heads  : 

I.  Words  peculiar  to  the  Southern   dialect,  e.g.,  dene,  a  dean, 
valley  ;  more,  a  root ;  zuoIt,,  a  plough,'  &c. 

II.  Words  peculiar  to  the  Northern  dialect,  e.g.,  hrathe,  "vvrath  ; 
fel,  a  hill ;  wll,  astray,  &c. 

III.  Double  forms,  one  of  which  is  found  in  the  Southern  dialect 
and  the  other  in  the  iJ^orthern,  e.g., 


SOUTHERN. 

NORTHERN. 

SOUTHERN. 

NORTHERN. 

ey 

eoo 

1WC,  looke 

tcaylve  (weake) 

snihhe 

snaipe'^  (snub) 

&c. 

&c. 

1  Flowjh  does  not  occur  in  A.S.  writers  ;  and  Southern  authors  of  the  thirteenth 
and  fourteenth  centuries  employ  it  only  in  compound  terms,  as  plovj-land,  &c. 

2  Snaipe  and  wayke  are  evidently  Norse  forms. 


OUTLINES  OF  KENTISH  GEAMMAE. 

(a.d.  1327—1340.) 

NOUNS.     ■ 

1.  Gender.  The  genders  of  Nouns  are  the  same  as  in  the  older 
stages  of  the  language. 

2.  Declension.     Nouns  may  he  divided  into  four  declensions. 

DIVISION    I. 

Nouns  of  the  n  declension,  containing  masculine,  feminine,  and 
neuter  suhstantives  ending  in  -en  or  -e  (originally  in  -a  or  -e)  and 
forming  the  plural  in  -en  (originally  in  -an). 

DIVISION    II. 

Class  i.  Nouns  (originally  feminine)  ending  in  a  consonant  and 
forming  the  plural  in  -en  (originally  in  -a). 

Class  ii.  Nouns  (originally  feminine)  ending  in  -e  (originally  in  -u) 
and  forming  the  plural  in  -en  (originally  in  -a). 

DIVISION    III. 

Class  i.  Nouns  (originally  neuter)  ending  in  a  consonant  and 
having  the  singular  and  plural  alike. 

Class  ii.  Nouns  (originally  neuter)  ending  in  a  vowel  (originally 
in  -w,  -e,  or  -u),  together  with  some  few  ending  in  a  consonant  and 
forming  the  plural  in  -en  (originally  in  -u). 

DIVISION    IV. 

Class  i.  Nouns  (originally  masculine)  ending  in  a  consonant  and 
forming  the  phiral  in  -es  (originally  in  -as). 

Class  ii.  Nouns  (originally  masculine)  entiing  in  a  vowel  and 
forming  the  plural  in  -en  (originally  in  -%i). 


OUTLINES    OF    KENTISH    GRAMMAR. 

DIVISION    I. 

E.E.  SINGULAR. 

Masc.  Ft-m.  Keid. 

jS'om.     Sterre  (star),  tonge  (tongue),  e^e  (eye). 


Ixxiii 


Gen. 

Sterre, 

tonge, 

630. 

Dat.  \ 
Ace.  ] 

Sterre, 

tonge. 

e^e. 

E.E. 

PLURAL. 

Masc. 

Fern. 

Neut. 

JSTom. 
Ace. 

Sterren, 

tongen, 

63  en. 

Gen. 

Sterrene, 

tongene, 

e3ene 

Dat. 

Sterren, 

sterren, 

e3en. 

In  like  manner  are  declined : — bee,  pi.  been;  cliircJie,  pi.  chirchen; 
eare,  ere  (ear),  pi.  earen,  even;  Jlo  (arrow),  pi.  Jlo7i;  fo  (enemy),  pi. 
fo)i;  gome,  game  (man),  pi.  gomen;  to  (toe),  pi.  ton;  ivise  (manner), 
pi.  icisen;  icoA'e,  loulce  (week),  pi.  icolien. 


DIVISION  II. CLASS    I. 


SINGULAR. 

Nom,    Zauel  (soul). 
Gen.     Zaule. 
Dat. 


Ace. 


Zaule. 


PLURAL. 

I^om.   Zaulen. 
Gen.     Zaulene. 
Dat. 


Ace. 


Zaulen. 


Tlius    are    declined  : — ben    (prayer),  pi.    benen;   edder    (adder),    pi. 
eddren;  zgn  (sin),  pi.  zynnen.     Nl'^t  (night),  ic^t  (wight). 


CLASS    II. 


ISTom.  Dore  (door). 
Gen.    Dore. 
Dat. 


Ace.  j 


Dore. 


^N'om.  Doren. 
Gen.    Dorene. 
Dat. 
Ace. 


Doren. 


To  this  declension  belonged  originally  cu,  con  (cow),  pi.  kun,  keri 
(kine). 


Ixxiv 


OUTLINES    OF    KENTISH    GRAMJIAR. 


DIVISION  II. 
SINGULA  U. 

Nom.  and  Ace,  Hors  (horse). 
Gen.  Horses. 

Dat.  Horse. 


-CLASS  I. 

PLURAL. 

iSTom.  and  Ace.  Hors. 
Gen.  Horse. 

Dat.  Horse. 


After  the  same  manner  are  declined  : — Jms  (house) ;  der  (deer) ;  ba-ii 
(child)  ;  spel  (story)  ;  ssejj  (sheep) ;  2vif  (woman,  wife)  ;  yer  (year). 


CLASS    II, 
SINGULAR. 

Nom.  and  Ace.  Ssip  (slii])), 

Gen.  Ssipes, 

Dat.  \ 

Ace.  ^'^'' 


traw 

trow 

trowes, 

trauwes 

trawe, 

trowe. 


(tree). 


Nom.  and  Ace.  Ssipen, 


Gen. 

Dat. 

Ace. 


Ssipene, 
Ssipe, 

Ssipen, 


itrauwen, 
trowen, 
tren. 

trauwene, 
trowene, 
trene, 

itrauwen, 
trouwen, 
tren. 

In  the  same  way  are  declined : — dyevel  (devil)  ;  vet  (vat) ;  heved, 
heaved  (head) ;  Uin  (limb) ;  riehe  (kingdom) ;  token  (sign) ;  so7-we 
(sorrow) ;  iconder  (marvel)  ;  werre  (war).  Calf,  child,  ey  (egg),  lamb, 
form  their  plural  in  -ren  (originally  -rii),  as — Calvren  (A.S.  cealfru) ; 
children,  childern  (A.S.  cildni)  ;  eyren  (A.S.  cegni) ;  lambren  (A.S. 
lamhru). 

DIVISION    III. CLASS    I. 


E.E. 

SINGULAR. 

E.E. 

PLURAL. 

N'om.  and  Ace. 

Del  (part). 

Nom. 

Deles. 

Gen. 

Deles. 

Gen. 

Delene. 

Dat.  \ 
Ace. ) 

Dele. 

Dat.^ 
Ace.  ) 

Deles. 

i 


OUTLINES    OF    KENTISH    GRAMMAR. 


Ixxv 


Thus  also  are  declined  : — day ;  engel  (angel)  ;  veld  (field) ;  moutli 
(mouth) ;  Mncj ;  ston  (stone)  ;  icey  (way).  Viend  (enemy),  vriend 
(friend),  are  used  as  plurals,  the  older  forms  being  fynd  or  feond, 
frynd  ov  freond.  Winter  has  the  pi.  winter  and  ivinters;  got,  gayt 
(goat),  makes  the  pi.  geet.     Vader  drops  the  -es  in  the  genitive  case. 


CLASS    II 
E.E.  SINGCLAR. 

!N'om.  and  Ace.  Sone,  Sune  (son). 
Gen.  Sone,  Sune. 

Dat.  ^ 

Sone,  Sune. 


Ace. 


E.E.  PLURAL. 

Nom.       Sonen,    Sunen   (Sune, 

Simes). 
Gen.         Sonene,  Sunene. 
Dat.         Sonen,  Sunen. 
Ace.         Sone,  Sune  (Sonen). 


In  the  same  manner  are  declined : — dorter  (daughter),  pi.  do^tren; 
vioder  (mother),  pi.  modren;  r other  (ox),  pi.  rotheren;  zoster  (sister), 
pi.  zostren.  Brother,  moder,  dorter,  are  indeclinable  in  the  genitive 
singular.     Brother  makes  the  plural  brothren. 

Case  endings. — a.  The  dative  singular  of  all  the  declensions  is 
denoted  by  a  final  e.  Words  ending  in  /  change  it  into  v  before 
adding  e.  N"om.  wyf ;  Dat.  wyve.  ISTouns  having  a  short  vowel 
before  d,  t,  double  these  letters,  as — IS'om.  bed;  Dat.  bedde. 

b.  The  A.S.  dative  pi.  -um,  in  some  few  cases,  is  denoted  by  -e; 
in  the  majority  of  instances  it  is  the  same  as  the  nomuiative. 

ADJECTIVES. 

For  declension  of  Adjectives  see  p.  xxxvi. 

PEOXOUNS. 

I.    PERSONAL    PRONOUNS, 

The  personal  pronouns  are  :  Ich  (I),  \)0U  (thou),  he  (he),  hi  (she), 
hit  (it). 

SINGULAR. 

Nom.  Ich.i  pn,  fou. 

Gen.     min,  mi.  pin,  Jji. 

Dat. 


Dat.  \ 
Ace.  j 


J,e. 


PLURAL. 

we.  ye. 

oure.         yoiire. 
ous,  us.     you. 


'  This  pronoun  is  still  preserved  in  the  South-Western  dialects  under  the  forms 
Uch  and  Utchy. 


Ixxvi 


OUTLINES    OF    KENTISH    GRAMMAR. 


E.E. 

SINGULAR. 

Masc. 

Fern. 

Nnd. 

Kum. 

ha, 
Ue, 

^lii, 

\  hit. 

Gen. 

his, 

hire. 

his. 

Dat. 

him, 

i  hire, 
(  hare. 

him. 

Ace. 

I  hine, 
(  him. 

/  hire, 

hi, 
'  his. 

)  hit. 
i  it. 

Nom. 

Gen. 

Dat. 
Ace. 


hi. 

hire, 
hare. 

ham. 

hi,  his,  hise,  ham. 


The  personal  pronouns  are  frequently  used  reflectively  ;  as,  Ich 
vie  7'este,  I  rest  myself. 

Self  is  declined  like  an  adjective  (in  the  oblique  cases,  selve  sing. 
and  pi.) ;  so  that  we  easily  understand  such  forms  as  IcJi  slJf  =  I 
myself;  \iu  silf  =  thou  thyself;  (Ich)  me  sijlf  ■=  I  myself,  where 
self  is  placed  after  the  dative  of  the  personal  pronoun.  Cp.  Fr.  moi- 
meme,  lui-meme,  &c. 

II.    POSSESSIVE    PRONOUNS. 

The  possessive  pronouns  are  identical  in  form  with  the  genitive 
case,  e.g.  oure  =  our,  ours,  of  us ;  youre  =  your,  yours,  of  you ; 
hare  =  their,  theirs,  of  them. 

III.    INTERROGATIVE    PRONOUNS. 

Ilasc.  and  Fein.  Keut. 

Nom.  hua.  huet. 

Gen.     huas.  huas. 

Dat.     huam.  huam. 

Ace.     huan,  wan.  huet. 

VERBS. 

Moods. — There  are  four  moods  :  Indicative,  Subjunctive,  Impera- 
tive, and  Infinitive.  Besides  the  ordinary  infinitive  there  is  a  gerund 
(used  after  to)  ;  infin.  comen,  to  come ;  ger.  to  comene.  This  dis- 
tinction between  the  two  forms  is  not  always  preserved. 

Tenses. — Only  two  tenses  are  formed  by  inflection — the  present 
and  the  past. 


OUTLINES   OF    KENTISH    GRAMMAR.  ,     Ixxvii 

Participles. — ^The  present  participle  ends  in  -inde;  the  past 
participle  has  the  prefix  i-  or  y-  (unless  the  verb  commences  with 
one  of  tlie  follomng  prefixes  :  a-,  at-,  hi-,  he-,  for-,  vor-,  of-,  to-,  un-, 
wiy). 

There  are  two  conjugations  of  verbs,  the  Strong  (or  irregular), 
and  the  "Weak  (or  regular) . 

I.  AYEAK  VERBS. 
CLASS    I. 

INFINITIVE  MOOD — Lovien,  loven,  to  love. 


INDICATIVE    MOOD. 


PRESENT. 


Singular.  Plural. 

1.  Lovie,  love  Lovieth,  loveth 

2.  Lovest  Lovieth,  loveth 

3.  Loveth  Lovieth,  loveth 


PKET. 


Singular.  Flitral. 

1.  Lovede  Loveden 

2.  Lovedest  Loveden 

3.  Lovede  Loveden 


SUBJUNCTIVE    MOOD. 
PRESKXT.  j  PRET. 


Singular.  Plural. 

Lovie,  love       Lovien,  loven 


Singular.  Plural. 

Lovede  Loveden 


IMPERATIVE    MOOD. 

Sing.     Love.  Plural,  (a.)  Lovie]?,  love|) ;  (h.)  Lovie,  love 

(followed  by  the  pronoun). 

Gerund.  To  lovienne,  lovene. 

Pres.  Part.       Lovdnde. 

Past  Part.       Lloved,  Y-loved. 

Like  lovie,  to  love,  are  conjugated  clepie,  to  call;  herie,  to  praise; 
Iwpie,  to  hope;  makie,  to  make  ;  scliunie,  to  shun;  tholie,  to  suffer. 


CLASS    II. 

INFINITIVE 

MOOD — Hyere,  to  hear. 

PRE 

?ENT. 

PRET. 

Singular. 

Plural. 

Singular. 

Plural. 

1.  Hyere 

Hyerej) 

1.  Hyerde 

Hyerden 

2.  Hyerst 

Hyere  Jj 

2.  Hyerdest 

Hyerden 

3.  Hyerj) 

Hyerejj 

3.  Hyerde 

Hyerden 

Ixxviii 


OUTLINES    OF    KENTISH    GRAMMAR. 


SUBJUNCTIVE    MOOD. 


PRESENT. 

PRET, 

Singular.                       Tlural. 

Singular.                   Plural. 

Hyere                  Hyeren 

Hyerde             Hyerden 

IMPERATIVE    MOOD. 

Sing.  Hyer.  PJural.  (a.)  Hyerejj  ;   (h.)  Hyere  (followed  by 

the  pronoim). 
Gerund.  Hyerene. 

Pres.  Part.       Hyerinde. 
Past  Part.        Yhyerd. 

1.  In  the  3rd  pers.  smg.  indie,  of  verbs  having  t  or  d  for  the  last 
syllable,  t  is  often  used  for  -teth  or  -deth,  as  gret,  cries  ;  let,  liinders ; 
let,  leads ;  zent,  sends  ;  ireiit,  turns,  &c. 

2.  If  the  root  of  the  verb  ends  in  d  or  t  doubled,  or  preceded  by 
another  consonant,  the  de  or  te  of  the  past  tense,  and  -d  or  -t  of  the 
past  participle,  are  omitted :  e.  g.,  loende,  to  turn ;  pret.  wende,  pp. 
wend ;  lette,  to  hinder ;  pret.  lette,  pp.  ylet. 

The  following  verbs,  among  many  others,  belong  to  this  class  : — 


INF, 

PRET. 

PAST  PART. 

Calle,  to  call 

calde 

ycald 

Deme,  to  judge 

demde 

ydemd 

Deppen,  to  dip 

depte 

ydept 

Hede,  to  hide 

hedde 

yhed 

Kefe,  to  show 

kedde 

yked 

Lende,  to  lend 

lende 

ylend 

Ssrede,  to  clothe 

ssredde 

yssred 

Some  verbs  of  this 

class  have  double  forms 

for  the  preterite  and 

past  participle. 

INF. 

PRET. 

PAST  PART. 

Glebe,  ) 

„,          [to  clothe 

Glofe,  ) 

\  cledde 
'  cladde 

■  yclad 
,  ycled 

Dele,  to  deal 

j  delte 
1  dalte 

(  ydelt 
\  ydalt 

Grede,  to  cry 

/  gredde 
1  gradde 

(  ygi'ed 
(  ygrad 

OUTLINES    OF    KENTISH    GRAMMAR.  Ixxix 

INF.  PEET.  PAST    PAKT. 

-r,    1      ,       T   .  ( redde  yred 

Kede,  to  advise  <  '' 

.  ( radde  ATad 

c       ,     ,  ,  (  spredde  yspred 

feprede,  to  spread  In 

(  spradde  sprad 

e      ,        ,  .  ( swelte  yswet 

oweten,  to  sweat  ' 

( swalte  .  ysAvat 

Cacclie   (catch)    and   techen   (teacli)    make   tlie    preterites    cai^fe 
and  ta-^te. 

Hahhe,  to  have,  is  thus  conjugated  : 

Indie.  Pres.  Sing.  1.  hahhe ;  2.  hest ;  3.  he]). 

„         „  PI.  1.  hahbep  ;  2.  hahhe]);  3.  hahhe]). 

Indie.  Pret.  Sing.  1.  hedde  ;  2.  heddest ;  3.  hedde. 

„         ,,  PL  1.  2.  3.  hedde  (lieddeii). 

CLASS    III. 

INDICATIVE  MOOD — TelUn  (A.S.  tellan),  to  tell. 

PRESEXT.  PRET. 


Singular.  Plural. 

1.  telle  telle]) 

2.  telst  telle]} 

3.  teljj  telle]) 


Singular.  Plural. 

1.  tealde  tealden 

2.  tealdest  tealden 

3.  tealde  tealden 


SUBJUNCTIVE    MOOD. 
PRESENT, 

Sing,  telle  Plur.  tellen 

PRET, 

Sing,  tealde  Plur.  tealden 

IMPERATIVE    MOOD. 

Sing,  telle.  Plur.  (a.)  telle]) ;  (h.)  telle. 

Gerund.  to  tellene. 

Pres.  Part.        tellinde. 
Past  Part.         y-teald,  ytald. 

To  this  class  belong  the  following  verhs  : 

Begge,  buy  bojte  ybojt 

Brenge,  bring  bro3te  ybro3t 


Ixxx 


OUTLINES   OP    KENTISH    GRAMMAU. 


Seclie,  seek 
Zelle,  sell 


sojte  ysojt 

(  zealde  yzeald 

^  '  zaldft  yzald 

Werclien,  work  ^10316  ywrojt 

Jpenclien,  seem  pojte  j]>o^^ 

Z'lgge  {zegge),  to  say,  makes   2nd  per.  sing.   pres.  indie,   zayst 
(zeayst) ;  3rd,  zayde  {zef:Lyde). 
Wille,  will,  makes  pres.  indie. 

1.  wille  2.  ^ollt  3.  idle  (sing.) 

1.   2.   3.  idlle]!  (plural). 

Preterite     1.  wolde         2.  iDoldest  3.  uiolde  (sing.) 

1.   2.   3.  vjolden  or  loolde  (plural). 

II.  STRONG  YERBS. 

(j^o  change  of  vowel  in  the  preterite  plural.) 
Infinitive,  HeaUW  (to  hold). 

INDICATIVE    MOOD. 


PRESENT. 
Singular.  Plural. 

1.  Healde  Healde]) 


2.  Healdest  (Halst)    Healde]? 

3.  Halt  HealdeJ) 

SUBJUNCTIVE    MOOD. 


Singular. 

1.  Hield 
Hild 

2.  Hielde 

3.  Hield 


PRESENT. 

Singular.  Plural. 

Healde  Healden  (Healde) 


Singular. 

Hielde 


Plural. 

Hielden 

Hielden 
Hielden 


Plural. 
Hielden  (Hielde) 


Sino;.  Heald. 


IMPERATIVE    MOOD. 

Plural,   {a.)  Healde])  ;  (b.)  Healde. 

Gerund.  Healdene. 

Prest  Part.       Healdinde. 


]  Yhealde. 
)  Yhyealde. 


Verhs  of  this  division  fall  under  three  classes  : 
'  Also  written  ITyealde. 


OUTLIXES    OF    KENTISH    GRAMMAR. 


Ixxxi 


CLASS   I. 

PRESENT. 

PRET. 

PAST  PART. 

(a.)  Bere,  bear 

ber 

ybore 

Bidden,  bid,  ask 

bed 

yboden 

Bihote,  promise 

bihet 

bihote 

Breke,  break 

brec 

ybroken 

Ete,  eat 

et 

yyete  (=  y-yeate) 

Fonge,  take 

veng 

yvonge 

Voryete,  forget 

voryet 

voryete 

Zitte  (sit) 

( zet  1 
Izat) 

izete 

Speke  (speak) 

spek 

yspeke 

Wreke  (thrust  out) 

wrek 

/  ywreke 
(  ywroke 

(b.)  Come 

com 

ycome 

Xeme,  take    • 

nom 

CLASS    II. 

ynome 

Bete,  beat 

byet 

ybyeten 

Cnowe,  know 

kneu 

yknowe 

YaUe,  fall 

yil 

yvalle 

Lhepe,  leap 

/•  hliep  \ 
Uilip    i 

CLASS    III. 

yhlope ' 

Dra3e,  draw 

dro3 

idra3e 

A^'are,  go 

vor 

ivare 

Hleje,  laugh 

hlo3 

ihlo3e 

Vorzake,  forsake 

vorzoc 

vorzake 

Slea,  sle,  slay 

SI03 

isla3e 

Ssape,  create 

ssop 

issape 

Stonde,  stand 

stod 

DIVISION    II. 

ystonde 

(Change  of  vowel  in  pret.  plural.) 
Infinitive.  Binde,  to  bind  ;  Drive,  to  drive. 


'  Does  not  occur. 


Ixxxii 


OUTLINES  OP   KENTISH   GRAMMAR. 


INDICATIVE    MOOD. 


PRESENT, 

Singular. 


Flural. 


Singular. 


Plural. 


Bii 


2.  Binst,  Drifst    ,'  Bindejj, Drive]) 

3.  Bint,  Driijj     ) 


1.  Bond,  Drof         >,  _,        ,     , 

/  Bounden' 

2.  Bounde/  Drive  >  ^^  • 

I  Driven 

3.  Bond,  Drof        ) 


SUBJUNCTIVE   MOOD. 
PRESENT.  PRET. 

Singular.  Flural.  Singular.  Plural. 

Binde,  Drive.  Bounden,  Driven  |  Bounde,  Drive.     Bounden,  Driven 

IMPERATIVE   MOOD. 

Sing.  Bind,  Drif.      Plural,  (a.)  Bindejj,  Drive]) ;  (h.)  Binde,  Drive. 

Gerund.  Bindene,    Drivene. 

Present  Part.  Bindinde,  Drivinde. 
Past  Part.        Ybounde,  Ydrive. 

The  following  verbs  belong  to  this  division  : 


CLASS    I. 

PRESENT. 

, PRET. 

PAST   PART. 

(a.)  Binde,  bind 

bond 

ybounde 

Biginne,  begin 

bigon 

bigonne 

Delve,  dig 

dalf 

ydolve 

Drinke,  drink 

dronk 

ydronke 

Terne,  (=  eorne) 

(  orn    1 
(  yarn  ) 

y  yerne  (=  iurne) 

Vinde,  find 

f  vond  \ 
V  vand  ) 

yvounde 

Vijte,  fight 

vo3t 

yvo3te 

Helpe,  help 

halp 

yholpe 

Zinge,  sing 

' zang  \ 
zong  ) 

izonge 

(&.)  Berje,  protect 

bor3 

yborje 

Kerve,  cut 

carf 

ycorve ' 

Sterve,  starve, 

die 

starf 

ystorve 

Yelpe,  boast 

yalp 

yyolpe 

'      1  The  older  fonns  are:    2nd  sing,  hunde ;  1.  2.  3.  pi.  hmiden  ;  zinge,  to  sing, 
makes  2nd  pers.  pret.  zunge  ;  1.  2.  3.  pi.  zungen. 


OUTLINES    OF    KENTISH   GRAMMxVR. 


Ixxxiii 


CLASS   II. 

PKESENT. 

PBET. 

PAST  PAKT. 

Abide 

abod 

abide 

Else 

ros 

yrise 

Ssrive,  shriue 

ssrof 

yssrive 

Smite 

smot 

ysmite 

Strive 

strof 

ystrive 

Write 

"wrot 

CLASS   III. 

ywrite 

Bede,  offer 

byead  (=  bead) 

ybode 

Cliyese,  choose 

cheas 

ychose 

Cyepe,  creep 

creap 

ycrope 

Vly,  flee,  fly 

vleaj 

yvlo3e 

Lyese,  lose 

[  lyeas 
( leas    . 

ylore 

Schete,  shoot 

(  ssat    \ 
\  sseat  1 

j^ssote 

Lute,  \ 
Lote,  ) 

leat 

ylote 

Le^en,  lie 

le3 

( ilo3en 
'  ilowen 

Ssete,  shut 

sset 

issete 

Zi,  see 

ze3 

/  iso3e 

( ize3e 

isode 

Sethen,  seethe,  boil 

seath 

Buwen,  ; 

bea3 

t  ibo3en 
( ibowen 

Lute,  \ 
Lote,  j 

leat 

ilote 

Loken,  lock 

leac 

iloke 

Stigen,  ) 

„,.            ascend 

St,i?p,n. 

stea3 

isti3e 

Ixxxiv  OUTLINES    OF    KENTISH    GRAMMAR. 

General  Remarks  on  the  Strong  {or  Irregular)  Conjugation. 

1.  If  the  base  of  a  verb  ends  in  -e  or  -ie  the  -e  or  -ie  is  the  -e  of 
the  inflexions  in  the  present  indicative  and  imperative,  as  vW^  = 
flees ;  zep  =  sees. 

2.  Verbs  having  -d  or  -t  as  the  final  letter  of  the  root-syllable, 
take  -t  instead  of  -de^  or  -tei,  as  the  personal  inflexion,  as  bint  = 
bindeth,  binds ;  grint  =:  grindeth,  grinds  ;  halt  =  holdeth,  holds  ; 
rit  =1  rideth,  rides  ;  stont,  stent  =  standeth,  stands. 

3.  The  2nd  and  3rd  pers.  are  frequently  contracted  thus  :  est  = 
eatest ;  hinst  =z  bindest ;  drinkp  =  drinks ;  drifp  =z  drives. 

4.  Verbs  whose  base  originally  terminated  in  g  often  retain  it 
under  the  form  3  in  the  2nd  and  3rd  pers.  sing,  indie.  :  as  dra^en,  to 
draw  ;  dra^st,  drawest ;  dra-^]),  draws  ;  i^li,  to  fly  ;  vli-^st,  fliest ;  vli-^'\p, 
flies ;  wri,  to  cover ;  ivri'^]),  covers. 

5.  In  some  verbs  the  vowel  is  changed  in  the  3rd  sing.  pres. 
indie,  as  healden,  to  hold;  halt,  holds;  hoten,  to  command;  hat, 
commands ;  stonden,  to  stand  ;  stant,  stands. 

ANOM.iLOUS  VERBS. 

1.  03e?^,  owen,  to  own;  1st  and  3rd  sing.  pres.  indie.  03;  oyn  ; 
pret.  03^6. 

2.  Am  is  tlie  1st  pers.  sing,  of  the  old  infinitive  wesan,  to  be. 
The  other  persons  are  as  follows  : — 2nd  pers.  pres.  indie,  art ;  3rd, 
is  ;  pret.  1st,  ives  ;  2nd,  luere  ;  pi.  weren,  were. 

3.  Bi,  to  be  ;  ger.  hyenne.  1st  pers.  pres.  indie,  hi ;  2nd,  best  ; 
3rd,  heth  ;  1st,  2nd,  and  3rd  pers.  pi.  beth  ;  imper.  pi.  beth. 

4.  Canne,  to  be  able,  to  know;  1st  sing.  pres.  indie,  con  ;  2nd, 
const  ;  3rd,  con  ;  pi.  connen  ;  pret.  cidlie,  couthe. 

5.  Daren,  to  dare.  1st  sing.  pres.  indie,  dor,  der ;  2nd,  darst  ; 
3rd,  dar  ;  pi.  dorren,  dorre  ;  pret.  sing,  dorste. 

6.  Do,  to  do;  ger.  doenne.  1st  sing.  pres.  indie,  do  ;  2n^,dest; 
3rd,  deth  ;  pi.  doth  ;  pret.  dede  ;  imp.  doth. 

7.  Guo,  to  go;  ger.  guonne.  1st  sing.  pres.  indie,  go  ;  2nd,  gest  ; 
3rd,  geth  (pi.  guoth)  ;  pret.  yede  ;  imp.  guotli  ;  pp.  iguo. 

8.  Mowen,  to  be  able,  may;  1st  sing.  pres.  indie.  may{mai)  ;  2nd, 
mi'^t ;  3rd,  may  {mat)  ;  pi.  mo%en  ;  pret.  mio^te. 


OUTLINES    OF    KENTISH    GRASIMAR.  IxXXV 

9.  1st  sing.  pres.  indie,  mot,  may,  must;  2nd,  most ;  3rd,  mot, 
mut ;  pi.  moten  ;  pret.  moste. 

10.  1st  sing.  pres.  indie,  ssel,  sliall ;  2nd,  sselt ;  3rd,  ssel  ; 
pi.  ssollen,  ssolle  ;  pret.  ssolde. 

11.  Wlteri,  to  know.  1st  sing.  pres.  indie,  wot;  2nd,  wast;  3rd, 
wot ;  pi.  witetli ;  pret.  loistc  ;  imp.  sing,  ivite ;  pi.  witeth. 

Negative  Forms. — Am,  have,  ivllle,  loiten  (know),  take  negative 
forms,  as  nam,  am  not ;  n!s,  is  not ;  nes,  was  not ;  nedde,  had  not ; 
nele,  will  not ;  7iot,  knows  not ;  neste,  knew  not. 

ADVERBS. 
Many  adverbs  with  the  prefix  y  are  preserved,  as  yvere,  together  > 
Home,  iholliclie,  entirely ;  ymone,  together ;  yrnene,  together. 

PEEPOSITIONS. 

Atte,  Atten  (dat.  masc),  at  the  =  at  Ipayi,  at  ]>erie  ;  Atter  (dat.  fern.), 
at  the  =  at  pere  ;  Mytter  (dat.  fem.),  with  the  =  myd  pere, — are  used 
by  Shoreham  (see  pp.  34,  57,  64). 


CONTENTS. 


Author's  Preface 
Table  of  Contents 
Prologue  (Yore-speche)    .  . 

The  Ten  Commandments. 

The  first  Commandment.  . 

,,  second  „ 

„  third  „  (Mosaic  4th). 

„  fourth  „  „       5th . 

„  fifth  „  ,,       6  th  . 

„  sixth  „  „        7th  . 

„  seventh  „  ,,       8th  . 

„  eighth  „  „       9th  . 

„  ninth  „  (1st  half  of  10th) 

„  tenth  „  (2nd  half  of  10th) 

The  Creed. 

The  twelve  Articles  of  the  Christian  belief 
1st  Article  :  written  by  St  Peter  .  . 
,,  St  John  .  . 


2nd 
3rd 
4th 
5th 
6th 
7th 
8th 
9th 

10th 
11th 
12th 


St  Jacob,  brother  of  John 

St  Andrew 

St  Philip 

St  Thomas 

St  Bartholomew 

St  Matthew 

St  Jacob,  brother  of  Simon  and 

Jude 
St  Simon 
St  Jude  .  . 
St  Matthias 


PAGE 
1 
1 

5 


9 
9 

10 
10 
11 


11 
12 
12 
12 
12 
12,13 
13 
13 
13 

13 
14 
14 
14 


The  Seven  Deadly  Sins. 

Of  the  vision  that  Saint  John  the  Evangelist  saw     .  .         .  .   14,  15 
(Of  the  beast  that  came  out  of  the  sea  with  seven  heads 

and  ten  horns)     .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         .  .  .  .   14,  15 


CONTENTS. 


Ixxxvii 


The  tokens  of  the  Heads  of  the  Beast  .  . 

(The  seven  heads  =  seven  deadly  sins,  and  the  ten  horns 
=  breaking  of  the  ten  behests) .  . 
The  First  Head  of  the  Beast — Pride  and  its  Seven  Boughs 
The  First  Head  of  the  Beast  is  Pride  .  . 
(Pride  caused  the  fall  of  Lucifer) 

The  Might  of  Pride         

(Pride  is  the  devil's  own  daughter)  .  . 
How  one  shall  classify  the  seven  boughs  of  Pride  .  . 
The   First   Bough  of  Pride — Untruth ;     its  three  twigs  are 
Foulness  (crime),  madness,  apostasy     .  . 
Second — Despite  (contempt) 
(Three  kinds  of  Despite :  a.   Not  praising  those  deserving 
it ;  h.  [N'ot  gi^ang  honour  to  whom  it  is  due ;   c.  Dis- 
obedience to  those  to  whom  obedience  should  be  given) 
The  Third  Bough  of  Pride — Arrogance  or  Overweening 
This  sin  shows  itself  in  six  ways — in,  1.   Singularity;  2 
Prodigality  (extravagance)  ;  3.  False  strife ;  4.  Boast- 
ing (yelping) ;  5.  Scorn ;  6.  Opposition 
The  Fourth  Bough  of  Pride — Foul  Desire  (Ambition) 

Ambition  is  the  devil's  frying-pan     .  . 
The  Fifth  Bough  of  Pride — Idle  Bliss  (Vain  glory)  . 
Idle  Bliss  is  the  dcAdl's  penny 
It  has  three  small  boughs 

God's  gifts — 1.  of  nature;  2.  of  fortune  ;  3.  of  grace 
The  devil  tries  man  in  three  ways     .  . 
The  Sixth  Bough  of  Pride — Hypocrisy  .  . 

Three  kinds  of  Hypocrisy  :   1.  foul  ;  2.  foolish  ;  3.  subtle 
The  Seventh  Bough  of  Pride — Foul  Dread  and  Shame 
The  Second  Head  of  the  Beast — Envy .  . 
Envy  is  a  poisonous  adder 
It  poisons  heart,  mouth,  and  works  of  man 
The  envious  man  sins  in  a  threefold  manner 
Three  states  of  the  envious     .  . 
The  Siiis  against  the  Holy  Ghost 

(Overweening,  Despair,  Obstinacy,  Impenitence,  Strife. 

Opposing  truth) 

The  Third  Head  of  the  Beast — Hatred 

The  four  wars  of  the  Hater    .  . 

The  seven  t\vigs  of  Hate  :  Chiding,  Wrath,  Hate,  Strife, 

Vengeance,  Murder,  Deadly  War         .  . 
The  horrors  of  war 
The  Fourth  Head  of  the  Beast — Sloth .  , 
The  devil's  advice  to  the  slothful 
The  six  vices  of  Sloth  prevent  good  beginning  and  good 
amendment 


PAGK 

15 

15 
16 
16 
16 
16 
17 
17 

17 
19 


20 
21 


21,  22 
22 
23 
23 
23 
23 
24 
25 
25 
25 
26 
26 
26 
27 
27 
28 
29 

29 
29 
29 

30 
30 
31 
31 

31,  32 


Ixxxviii 


CONTENTS. 


9.  Wicked  Craft  ;  10.  Wicked 


2.   Covert 


PAGE 

32 
33 
33 

33,  34 
34 


Forgetfulness  springs  from  Sloth 
The  peril  of  Slackness 
The  six  joints  of  Sloth  that  bring  a  man  to  his  end  .  . 

1.  Disobedience;  2.  Impatience ;  3.  Miirmuring ;  4.  Sorrow 

5.  Desire  of  Death  ;  6.  Despair 
The  Fifth  Head  of  the  Beast — Avarice 

Avarice,  a  great  schoolmistress         .  .  .  .  ;  , 

The  Eoots  of  Avarice  :   1.  Usury  ;  2.   Theft ;  3.  Robbery 
(witli    violence)  ;    4.    False     Claim  ;    5.     Sacrilege 

6.  Simony  .  . 
■       7.  Fraud  ;  8.  Chaffer 

Games 
Usury  and  Usurers  (seven  kinds  of)  .  . 

The  Second  Bough  of  Avarice — Theft  .  . 

Four  kinds  of  thieves   (1.   The   open  thief; 
3.  Privy  ;  4.  Accessory) 
Tlie  Third  Bough  of  Avarice — Robbery  .  . 

The  roots   of  Avarice  :   1.   Evd.  executors  ;  2.   Unfaithful 
guardians 
3.    Harbouring    of    robbers  ;    4.    Dishonest    debtors  ^ 
5.  Robbery  of  underlings   by  prelates  ;  6.  Oppression 
of  the  poor  by  provosts  and  beadles     .  . 
TheFourtli  Bough,  of  Avarice — False  Claim  (or  False  Accusation) 

Seven  kinds  of  false  challengers 
The  Fifth  Bo^lgh  of  Avarice — Sacrilege  .  . 

Seven  kinds  of  sacrilege 
The  Sixth  Bough  of  Avarice — Simony  .  . 

The  six  twigs  of  Simony 

How  lewd  (lay)  men  may  be  guilty  of  Simony 
The  Seventh  Bough  of  Avarice — Depravity     ,  . 

To  tlris  sin  belong  Heresy,  Witchcraft,  &c. 
The  Eighth  Bough  of  Avarice — Chaffer  .  . 

Seven  kinds  of  Chaffering 
The  Ninth  Bough  of  Avarice — -Unlawful  Traffic  (Wicked  Craft) 

This  sin  is  practised  by  foolish  women,  heralds,  and  soldiers 
The  Tenth  Bough  of  Avarice — Gambling  (Wicked  Games)  .  . 
A  Tale:   1.  Of  a  knight  who  swore  by  God's  eyes  ;  2.   Of 
an  archer  who  shot  at  God 
The  Sixth  Head  of  the  Beast — Lechery 

The  devil  tempts  man  to  this  sin  in  five  modes  :   1 .  Foolish 
sight ;    2.   Foolish  words  ;  3.   Foolish  handling ;    4. 
Foolish  kissing  ;  5.  Foolish  deed  .  .  .  .  .  .  46 

Two  kinds  of  Lechery  :  a.  of  heart  (its  four  steps).  .  .  .  46,  47 

I).  Lechery  of  body  (five  sorts)  .  .  .  .         .  .         .  .         47 

Fourteen  kinds  of  Adultery    .  ,  .  ,  .  .         .  .  .  .  48,  49 

The  Seventh  Head  of  the  Beast — Sins  of  the  Mouth  and 

Tongue     .  .         .  .         .  .         . .         .  ,         .  .         . .         50 


34 


34 

35 

35,  36 

37 

37,  38 
38 

38 


39 
39 

39,  40 
40 
41 
41 

41,  42 
42 
43 
43 
44 

44,  45 
45 
45 
45 

45,  46 
46 


CONTENTS. 


Ixxx 


PAGE 

1.  The  sin  of  gluttony             '.  50 

The  glutton  often  comes  to  the  gallows        .  .         .  .          .  .  51 

Five  kinds  of  gluttony  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  ,  51,  52 

1.  Eating  before  time               .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  51 

2.  Immoderate  eating  and  drinking  .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  52 

Gluttony  like  the  kite             .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  53 

Hypocrites  are  the  devil's  martyrs     .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  53 

Dispute  between  the  belly  and  purse  of  the  glutton           .  .  53 

The  tricks  of  the  devil            .  .          .  ;          .  .          .  .          .  .  54 

3.  A  hasty  running  to  meat,  like  the  hound  after  the  hare  55 

4.  Extravagance  (three  kinds  of)       .  .          .  .         .  .          .  .  55 

5.  Undue  auxiety  about  eating  (three  kinds  of)      .  .          .  .  55 

Jests  and  jokes  form  the  glutton's  entrees   .  .         .  .          .  .  56 

The  tavern  is  the  devil's  chapel         .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  56 

The  devil's  miracles     .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  56 

The  tavern  is  the  devil's  castle          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  57 

The  Si)is  of  the  Tongue  (ten  kinds  of)  .  .          .  .          .  .         .  .  67 

In  idle  words  man  may  sin  in  five  ways       .  .          .  .          .  .  58 

Of  the  Sin  of  Boastmg    .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  ^         .  .  58 

The  boaster  is  God's  thief      .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  59 

Five  kinds  of  boasting             .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  59 

The  boaster  is  like  the  cuckoo,  he  can  only  sing  of  liimself  59 
Affected   humility — Many   folk   make    themselves    devils 

so  that  they  may  be  esteemed  angels    .  .         .  .          .  .  59 

Of  Flattery          60 

Flatterers  the  devil's  nurses  .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  60 

The  Five  Boughs  of  Flattery             .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  60 

1.  Inconsiderate  praise;   2.  Exaggeration;  3.   Assumption 

of  virtues  ;  4.  Singing  placebo  .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  60 

5.  Excusing  another's  faults  .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  61 

Flatterers  like,  1.  Mermaids  ;  2.  The  adder  Serayn  ;  3.  The 

hygena  ;  4.  The  farrowed  sow  ;  5.  Dimg  beetles         .  .  61 
Five  Boughs  of  Evil-speaking            ..          ..          ..          ..61,  62 

Leasings    .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  62 

The  liar  is  like,  1.  Chaff  among  corn ;  2.  The  devil ;  3.  The 

chameleon  (that  hath  wind  only  in  his  guts)  .  .          .  .  62 

Three  small  twigs  of  leasing  .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  62,  63 

Of  the  Sin  of  Lying         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  63 

Swearing  and  forswearing  (perjury)               .  .          .  .         .  .  63 

Seven  modes  of  swearing       .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  63-65 

Strife         65 

Strife  like  the  devil's  works  .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  65 

Seven  boughs  of  Strife           .  .          .  .         .  .          .  .          .  .  65,  66 

The  cliider  is  like,  1.  A  hedgehog;  2.  A  snarling  dog       .  .  66 

Slandering  and  slanderers      .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  66 

Of  Murmuring,  that  is,  of  him  that  dare  not  be  answered  (be 

reprimanded)        .  .          .  .          .  .         .  .         .  .          .  .  67 


xc 


CONTENTS. 


For  this  sin  the  Israelites  lost  the  Land  of  Promise 

Two  boughs  of  Murmuring     .  . 

The  Songs  of  Heaven  and  the  Songs  of  Hell 
Of  Opposition  (withstanding)     .  . 

Four  boughs  of  Opposition    .  . 
Of  Blasphemy 

Blasphemers  are  like  mad  hounds 

FOE  TO  LEARN  TO  DIE 

Death  is  a  separation  and  departure  .  . 

Man's  life  but  a  point  compared  with  Eternity 

The  Songs  of  Hell 

We  have  not  our  years — death  has  them,  and  will  not  give 

them  up    .  . 
Death  a  separation  of  soul  and  body 
Three  kinds  of  death  .  . 

What  is  death  1  

Go  out  of  thyself  into  the  other  worlds  (heaA^en,  hell,  and 

purgatory) 
The  Torments  of  Hell 
Of  Purgatory    .  . 
The  Bliss  of  Paradise  .  . 
The  holy  man  is  like  the  greyhound 

HOW  ONE  SHALL  KNOW  GOOD  AND  EVIL     .  . 

The  beginning  of  good  life  is  to  seek  virtue 
Of  Temporal  Goods  (gifts) 

(The  small  goods,  the  goods  of  time,  the  goods  of  fortune) 
Of  the  Lesser  Goods 

The  middle  goods  are  the  gifts  of  nature  and  of  teaching 

{a.  beauty,  strength,  &c.  ;  h.  learning,  good  manners) 

Of  the  True  Goods  .  .         .  . 

Grace,  virtue,  and  charity      .  . 

What  the  old  philosophers  thought  to  be  the  greatest  good 

Dame  Charity  the  queen  of  virtues  .  . 
Of  three  kinds  of  Good   .  . 

(Honourable,  desirable,  and  profitable)         .  . 

True  Virtue  combines  all  three 
Of  Virtue 

Six  things  are  desired  because  they  are  honourable 

The  Lynx  can  see  through  a  wall 

Beauty  soon  fades 

Beauty  of  the  Soul 
Of  Wit  (wisdom)  and  of  Clergy  {learning)     .  . 

Those  who  love  this  world  think  the  moon  to  be  the  sun. 
and  mistake  a  glass  for  a  sapphire  ;  they  are  like,  1 
children  ;  2.  like  a  pregnant  woman  avIio  prefers  i 
sour  apple  to  a  wlieateu  loaf 


PAGE 

67 
67 
68 
68 

68,  69 

69,  70 
70 
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71 

71 

72 
72 
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73 
73 

73,  74 

75 
75 

76 
76 
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76,  77 
78 

78,  79 
79 
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79,  80 
80 
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80,  81 
81 
81 
81 
81 


82 


CONTENTS. 


XCl 


Tlieir  wit  is  the  devil's  wit     .  . 

True  Vii'tue  and  True  Prowess 

Foolish  Undertaking  .  . 

He  that  is  without  virtue  hath  no  courage ;  like  a  child  he 
prefers  a  mirror  to  a  kingdom   .  . 

Virtue  makes  a  man  as  bold  as  a  lion 
Might         

Man's  lordship .  . 

Virtue  makes  a  man  to  be  master  of  himself  .  . 

Freedom     .  . 

Three  sorts  of  freedom  (of  nature,  of  grace,  and  of  bliss) 

1.  Free  will .  . 
Deadly  sin  bereaves  man  of  this  freedom    .  . 

2.  Freedom  of  grace — Those  who  possess  this  care  not  a 

button  for  the  world  .  . 

3.  Freedom  of  bliss  is  possessed  by  those  who  have 

passed  from  this  world 
NohlUty : 

True  nobility  springs  from  the  gentle  heart  .  . 

It  does  not  spring  from  the  body 

For  all  are  descended  from  one  mother,  i.  e.  earth  and  mud 

Our  true  Father  is  God 

True  nobility  consists  in  being  like  God 

It  begins  in  grace  and  is  completed  in  bliss  .  . 

jSTone  need  be   prond  of  earthly   nobility,   for  the  earth 

nourishes  hogs  as  well  as  kings 
Gentle  Good 

ISTo  good  (gifts)   truly  honourable  but  virtue  and  charity, 

that  is,  the  love  of  God  .  . 
Charity  is  good  chalfer — never  loses  but  ever  wins 
Charity  is  God's  penny 
Of  two  kistfid  (desirable)  goods 
The  five  wits  (senses) 
Spiritual  gifts  the  best  (peace  of  heart,  mastery  of  devils 

bliss  of  conscience) 

The  Oil  of  Bliss  

Of  Virtue  more  esjyeckdlij 

The  soul  of  a  good  man  like  a  fair  garden,  of  wliich  God  is 

the  gardener 
Of  three  things  needful  to  the  Earth 
1.  Good  mould  ;  2.  moisture  ;  3.  heat 
The  Tree  of  Life 
The  root — the  love  of  God  ;  the  wood — the  flesh  of  Christ ; 

the   rind — Christ's  fair   conversation  ;    the   saj) — His 

tears,  sweat,  and  blood  ;  the  leaves — His  holy  words ; 

the  flowers — His  holy  thoughts  ;  the  fruit — His  twelve 

apostles  ;  the  boughs — the  whole  elect 


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90 
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91,92 

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94 
95 
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95,  96 


XCU  CONTENTS. 


The  Sermon  on  the  Momit  specifies  the  seven  boughs  of 

the  Tree  of  Life  .  .          .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  96 

In  it  we  find  the  sum  of  the  JS^ew  Law       .  .          .  .          .  ,  97 

The  Well  of  God's  grace  and  its  seven  streams      .  .          .  .  97 

In  the  Lord's  Prayer  we  pray  for  the  seven  gifts  of  the 

Holy  Ghost           98 

The  Prologue  of  the  Holy  Pater  Noster           98 

The  Lord's  Prayer,  the  first  thing  we  teach  a  child           .  .  98 

It  is  short  in  words,  and  long  in  meaning    .  .          .  .         .  .  99 

God  cares  not  for  sleek  and  smooth  words  .  .          .  .         .  .  99 

Here  heginneth  the  Pater  Noster           .  .         .  .          .  .         .  .  99 

'  Our  Father,'  &c 99 

Of  the  sweet  name  of  Father.  .  .  .         .  .  .  .  .  .  99-101 

Why  we  say  'Father  our,'  and  not  '  Father  mine'             .  .  101 

Of  adoption 101-3 

Of  the  word  'our'            102-3 

'That  art  in  Heaven' 103 

'That  art'  asserts  God's  existence,  .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  103 

God  alone  is  everlasting          .  .         .  .          .  .         .  .          .  .  104 

Of  the  words  Father,  our,  art,  Heaven        .  .         .  .         .  .  104-5 

T/w  First  Petition  of  the  Holy  Pater  Noster  .  .         .  .          .  .  105 

The  preface  is  as  the  ingoing  (prelude)  of  the  fiddle          .  .  105 

There  are  seven  notes  in  this  song  of  the  Pater  Foster     .  .  105 
The  seven  petitions  obtain  the   seven  gifts   of  the  Holy 

Ghost 105 

The  three  first  make  man  holy ;  the  other  four  make  him  to 

abide  in  righteousness     .  .         .  .          .  .         .  .         .  .  105 

Man's  holiness  like  the  Trinity  (for  there  are  three  things 

in  the  soul — thought,  understanding,  and  will)           .  .  105 

'Hallowed  be  thy  :N'ame' 106 

In  this  petition  we  ask  the  gift  of  wisdom  .  .          .  .          .  .  106-7 

The  Second  Petition  of  the  Holy  Pater  Noster           .  .         .  .  107 

'Thy  kingdom  come'              .  .          .  .          .  .         .  .         .  .  108 

In  this    petition  we  ask  for  the  gift   of  understanding, 

whereby  man  may  see  and  correct  his  faults     .  .         .  .  108-9 

The  Third  Petition  of  the  Holy  Pater  Noster 109 

'  Thy  wiU  be  done,' &c 109 

In  this  petition  we  ask  for  the  gift  of  good  counsel  .  .  109-10 

The  Fourth  Petition  of  the  Holy  Pater  Noster          .  .         .  .  110 

'  Give  us  this  day,'  &c.            110 

What  may  the  son  ask  of  father  better  than  bread?           .  .  110 
In  this  petition  we  ask  for  the  everlasting  bread — the  food 

of  the  soul            110 

The  bread  of  the  altar  is  to  be  eaten  ravenously,  and  with- 
out chewing,  for  it  is  the  true  body  of  Christ            .  .  Ill 
Christ  left  us  this  bread  as  his  last  bequest .  .         .  .         .  .  112 


CONTKNTS. 


XClll 


It  is  more  nutritious  than  all  other  bread  .  . 

The  Fifth  Petition  of  the  Holy  Pater  Roster  .  . 

'  Forgive  us  our  trespasses,'  &c. 

Our  debts  are  our  sins — the  interest  is  Hell-pain    .  . 

The  Court  of  Mercy  and  the  Court  of  Doom  (Justice 

In  this  petition  we  ask  the  gift  of  knowledge         .  . 
The  Sixth  Petition  of  the  Holy  Pater  Noster .  . 

'  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation  '  .  . 

The  devil — the  tempter 

The  devil's  temptations  are  like  the  blows  on  the  back  of  a 
knight,  whereby  he  is  ennobled  and  honoured 

In  this  petition  we  ask  for  help  and  pity    .  . 

"We  do  not  seek  to  be  delivered  from  temptation,  but  only 
to  be  aided 
The  Seventh  Petition  of  the  Holy  Pater  Noster 

'  But  deliver  us  from  evil,'  i.e.  Deliver  us  from  the  devil  and 
his  sleights 

In  this  petition  we  pray  for  tlie  gift  of  fear 
The  Seven  Gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost 

Seven  spirits  and  seven  gifts  received  in  baptism 
Wherefore  they  are  called  Gifts.  . 

They  are  called  gifts  for  three  reasons  :   1.  for  their  dignity 
and  worth 

2.  They  remain  with  us  for  ever  ;  3.  They  are  given  through 
love 
Wherefore  they  are  called  Gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost    .  . 

Works  of  might  are  the  works  of  God  the  Father  .  . 

Works  of  Avisdom  belong  to  the  Son 

Works  of  goodness  belong  to  the  Holy  Ghost         .  . 

The  Holy  Ghost  is  the  well,  the  gifts  are  the  stream 
JVherefore  Man  is  Saved- 

1.  Man  is  saved ;  2.  by  eschewing  evil  and  doing  good 

The  gift  of  dread  causes  us  to  flee  from  evil,  and  the  other 
six  gifts  enable  us  to  do  good    .  . 

Dread  is  the  door-keeper,  the  watch  of  the  castle  or  the 
weed-hook  of  the  gardener         .  . 

Three  stages  of  people  in  heaven       .  . 

Of  the  gifts  peculiar  to  these  states  .  . 
Of  the  Three  First  Virtues         

Belief,  hope,  charity  are  called  godly  virtues 

Three  things  cause  a  man  to  love  another  . 
Of  the  Four  Cardinal  Virtties    .  . 

Prudence,  Temperance,  Strength,  Equity     . 

These  virtues  are  the  four  toAvers  in  the  four  corners  of  the 
good  man's  house 
Of  the  Office  of  the  Four  Virtues  .  . 

Prudence  (three  offices  of) 


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117 

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124 
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124 


CONTENTS. 


Temjjerance  (three  offices  of) 
Strength  (three  offices  of) 
Rigldfulness  {Equity)  .  . 
Philosophy  the  love  of  wisdom 

The  old  philosophers  put  false  Christians  to  shame 
The  four  cardinal  virtues  are  four  kinds  of  loves    .  . 

Of  the  Gift  of  Dread      .  .         .  .         

Dread  rouses  the  sinner 

The  sinner  is  like,  1.  a  drunkard  ;  2.  one  bound  in  irons  and 

fetters,  who  dreams  of  feasts  and  weddings  instead  of 

the  gibbet 

The  Holy  Ghost  is  the  Good  Physician 

The  tliree  questions  the  Angel  asked  Hagar  in  the  wilderness 

Pour  questions  put  to  the  sinner  by  the  Holy  Ghost  are  like 

four  strokes  of  thunder 
How  Mildness  (Meehiess)  waxeth  in  the  heart 

Pear  strips  the  heart  of  its  pride  and  confidence    .  . 
The  tree  of  meekness  is  set  beside  the  well  of  the  fear  of  God 
Of  the  Steps  of  Meekness 

1.  To  know  one's  defects ;  2.  to  bewail  one's  sins ;  3.  to 
confess  and  slirive  our  sins ;  4.  to  acknowledge  our 
unworthiness ;  5.  to  hear  willingly  of  our  imperfec- 
tions ;  6.  to  endure  reproach  willingly ;  7.  to  desire  to 
be  accounted  vile 
Of  the  Seven  Boughs  of  Meekness 

The  Pirst  Bough  of  Meekness  is  to  honour  God  as  a  child 
doth  its  master    .  . 
The  Second  Bough  of  Meekness 

Is  to  praise  others  (for  three  reasons) 

Of  Meek  HeaH 

The  meek  keep  their  virtues  behind  their  back,  their  defects 

before  their  face 
Of  an  holy  courteousness 

The  meek  man  blames  himself  in  three  ways  .  . 

The  Fourth  Bough  of  Meekness 

Is  to  love  poverty  (for  three  reasons) 
This  is  shown  in  three  ways 
The  Fifth  Bough  of  Meekness 
Is  to  serve  others  joyfully 

Meekness  is  the  mother  of  obedience 
Of  Obedience  {Biixonmess) 

Of  the  seven  ornaments  of  obedience 
Holy  simplicity  is  the  good  daughter  of  meekness 
The  meek  man  is  like,  1.  the  star  Saturn ;  2.  the  mill-ass  ; 
3.  the  sun 
The  Sixth  Bough  of  Meekness 

Is  to  avoid  praise  and  flattery  .  .  


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141 

141 


CONTENTS. 


XCV 


PAGE 

The  meek  man  despises  the  Avorld — but  loves  solitude. 

He  is  like  a  modest  virgin         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  142 

The  Seventh  Bough  of  Aleelmess 

Is  steadfast  belief        .  .         .  .         .  ,         .  .         .  .         .  .  143 

Belief  is  like  a  grain  of  miistard  seed        .  .          .  .          .  .  143 

Four  kinds  of  love               .  .          ,  .          .  .         .  .         ,  .  144 

Of  the  Virtue  of  Love      .  .          .  .         .  .         .  .          .  .         .  .  144 

Pity  is  an  antidote  to  envy     .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  144 

"Why  Christians  should  be  united      .  .          .  .          .  .         .  .  145-6 

TheBoucjhs  of  Love         .  .         .  .         .  ,         .  .         .  .         .  .  146 

Love  shows  itself  in  seven  different  ways    .  .          .  .          .  .  146-7 

Nature  teaches  us  to  seek  "  the  common  profit  "    .  .         .  .  147 

On  the  right  mode  of  administering  correction        .  .          .  .  148 

The  friendship  and  teaching  of  Christ          .  .          .  .         .  .  149 

The  First  Sfej)  of  Equity  {Right fidness) 

Is  to  know  one's  seK  .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  150 

The  gift  of  Avisdom  is  the  Prior  in  the  cloister  of  the  soul  151 
The  two  sides  of  the  heart  (1.  Understanding  and  Will; 

2.  Eeason  and  Affection)             .  .          .  .            .          .  .  151 

The  four  offices  of  Eeason       .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .         .  .  151-2 

The  faculties  of  the  Will         .  .          .  .          .....          .  .  153 

The  union  of  Eeason  and  Will          .  .  153 

The  Second  Step  of  Equity 

Is  to  hold  the  body  in  subjection     .  ,          .  .          .  .          .  .  154 

The  five  wits  (senses)  should  be  under  the  authority  of  the 

Eeason      .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  154 

The  Third  Step  of  Equity 

Is  to  observe  discretion  in  the  use  of  temporal  things        .  .  154 
The  Fourth  Step  of  Equity 

Is  to  follow  the  example  of  good  men          .  .          .  .         .  .  155 

Novices  like  young  greyhounds     .  .          .  .         .  .          .  .  155 

^sop's  fable  of  the  Hound  and  the  Ass       .  .          .  .          .  .  155-6 

The  Fifth  Bough  of  Meekness 

Is  to  avoid  the  follies  of  the  foolish 156 

Fools  and  Sinners  are  not  to  be  derided,  but  to  be  pitied  156 

The  bad  man  may  be  good  to-morrow      .  .         .  .          .  .  157 

The  Sixth  Step  of  Eqidty 

Is  to  keep  an  eye  upon  the  devil's  snares  and  devices       .  .  157 

The  spirits  of  men  are  like  a  mirror    '     .  .         .  .         .  .  158 

The  devil  puts  thoughts  into  the  heart    .  .         .  .         .  .  158 

The  Seventh  Step  of  Equity 

Is  to  keep  God  always  before  us        159 

Of  the  Boughs  of  Equity             159 

The  Boughs  of  Equity  are  seven  in  number  :  1.  Obedience  ; 
2.  Love  ;  3.  Meekness  ;  4.  Prowess  ;  5.  Liberality  ; 
6.  Chastity  ;  7.  Sobriety  159-60 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

This  world  is  called  the  Vale  of  Tears          .  .         .  .         .  .  160 

Six  kinds  of  tears  are  shed  by  good  men     .  .          .  .          .  .  161 

Of  the  Gift  of  Strength 161 

Life  of  man  may  be  compared  to  knighthood  or  to  citizenship  161-2 

The  gift  of  Strength  enables  a  man  to  endure  the  hardships 

of  this  world        .  .          .  .          .  .          .  ,          .  .          .  .  162 

Prowess  strips  man  of  sloth  and  idleness         .  .          .  .          .  .  163 

The  Divisions  of  Virtue  (Prowess)         .  .          .  .         .  .          .  .  164 

1.  Magnanimity  ;    2.  Affiance  ;    3.  Security  ;    4.  Patience  ; 
5.  Steadfastness ;  6.  Magnificence ;  7.  Hunger  and  thirst 

of  righteousness    .  .         .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  164 

The  First  Step  of  Prowess 

To  despise  the  world              .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  164-5 

The  Second  Step  of  Proivess 

IsBeHef           ." , 165 

The  Third  Step  of  Prowess 

Is  Confidence  (or  Security)     .  .         .  .          ,  .         .  .          .  .  166-7 
The  Fourth  Stej)  of  Prowess 

Is  Patience       .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  167 

Patience  is  acquired  by  trial,  just  as  the  cup  of  gold  has 
to  undergo,  the  strokes  of  iron  ere  it  is  fit  to  place  on 

the  king's  table     .  .         .  .         .  .          .  .         .  .          .  .  167 

The  Fifth  Step  of  Proioess 

Is  Steadfastness  or  Constancy           .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  167-8 

The  Sixth  Step  of  Proivess 

Is  Perseverance  or  Magnificence        .  .          .  .          .  ,          ,  .  168 

The  Boughs  of  Proivess              .  .         .  .          .  ,         ..         ..  169 

Seven   Boughs   of  Prowess ;   for  in   seven   battles   seven 

crowns  may  be  obtained  .  .         ,  .         .  .         .  .  169-70 

The  First  Fight 170 

Is  against  deadly  sin   .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  170-1 

Of  the  Mejjentance  of  King  David         .  .         .  .          .  .          .  .  171 

David  repented  in  tears  and  sighs    .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  171 

The  sinner  must  so  sorrow  that  his  heart  shall  melt  to  tears  171 

The  sinner  is  the  murderer  of  his  own  soul             .  .          .  .  171 

The  sinner's  bed  is  the  soul   ..         ..          ..          ..          ..  171 

Of  Shrift 172 

Of  the  six  conditions  of  Shrift          .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  172 

1.  Let  the  sinner  look,  a.  to  the  Shriver  and  seek  a  good 

confessor ;  b.  to  his  own  sins  before  he  comes  to  shrift  172 

2.  Shrift  must  not  be  delayed    .  .         .  .          173 

3.  Let  shrift  be  made  openly      .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  174 

4.  Let  shrift  be  made  without  reservation        .  .         .  .          .  .  174 

Let  the  sinner  tell  first  the  deadly  sins  he  has  committed  175 
And  how  often  he  has  fallen  into   sin,  and  with  what 

members  he  has  sinned  ,.         ..         ..         ..         .,  176 


CONTENTS. 


XCVll 


5.  Let  shrift  be  made  meekly  and  timidly 

6.  Shrift  must  be  made  often,  for  eight  reasons 
Five  things  disturb  shrift 

Of  Penance 

Penance  must  be  made  by  fasting,  alms,  and  prayers 
The  sinner's  contest  with,  1.  sin;  2.  with  his  own  heart 

3.  With  his  flesh  ;  4.  with  the  world  ;  5.  with  Dame  Fortune 

6.  With  the  limbs  of  Antichrist 
Of  the  Gift  of  Counsel  and  of  the  Virtue  of  Mercy 

This  gift  bestows  forethought  and  foresight 

Seek  good  advice 

Seven    steps    of  the    tree  of   Mercy — that  is,    the 

things  that  lead  to  mercy.      1 .  I^ature 
2.  Grace  ;  3.  Behests  of  Holy  Scripture 
The  devil  a  "  shut-purse  " 

4.  The  liberality  of  Christ ;  5.  the  honour  of  God  (the  Story 

of  St  Martin)  ;  6.  Dread  of  Doom 

7.  The  Seed  of  Mercy 
The  Stories  of  St  Germain,   John  the  Almoner,    and  St 

Boniface 
The  poor  man  who  gave  his  one  cow  to  the  Priest 
Of  the  Goodness  of  Alms 

Three  things  to  be  considered  in  Almsgiving 

1.  Give  not  of  thy  unlaAvful  gains  .  . 

2.  Give  not  to  ribalds  and  minstrels         .  . 

3.  Give,  a.  ungi'udgingly    .  . 
h.  Without  delay 
c.  Liberally ;  d.  Willingly 

Despise  not  the  poor  .  . 

Alms  alone  will  not  save  a  man 

Cursed  are  the  unmerciful 
The  Gift  of  Understanding  and  of  the  Virtue  of  Chastity 

1.  Life  Active,  and,  2.  Life  Contemplative 
Martha  a  type  of  the  first 
The  Gift  of  Understanding  is  given  by  the  Holy  Ghost 

The  Holy  Ghost  enlightens  the  soul  .  , 

He  purifies  the  soul  from  the  filth  of  lechery 

A  lecher  is  no  better  than  a  beast     .  . 
Of  the  Seven  Stejjs  of  Chastity  .  . 
L  Have  a  clear  conscience  ;    a.  True  Shrift 

Jordan  signifies  '  the  Stream  of  Judgment ' 

h.  A  remembrance  of  Christ's  passion 

The  adder  of  brass  betokens  Christ  .  . 

II.  Abstain  from  foul  words 
Foul  words  denote  a  filthy  heart       .  . 

III.  Guard  all  the  wits  (senses)  of  the  body 

U 


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204 


CONTENTS. 


The  five  senses  are  the  five  gates  of  the  city  of  the  heart, 

whereby  the  devil  oft  enters      .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  204 

IV.  Austerity  of  Life 204 

Lusts  mar  chastity      .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  204 

Jeremiah's  girdle  denotes  chastity     .  .         .  .          .  .         ,  .  205 

Great  meats  nourish  lechery  ..         ..         ..          ..         .,  205 

V.  Avoid  the  fellowship  of  the  wicked           .  .         .  .         .  .  205 

VI.  Be  occupied  with  good  Avorks        .  ,         .  .         .  .          .  .  206 

Idleness  the  ruin  of  8odom    .  .          .  .          .  .         .  .         .  .  206 

VII.  Offer  good  prayers  to  God            207 

Prayer  a  shield  against  lust    .  .          .  .         .  .         .  .          .  .  207 

Prayers  are  shored  uj)  with  four  posts          .  .          .  .          .  .  207-8 

Ask  not  what  is  improper  for  thee  to  have .  .  ,  .  .  .  208 
Let  the  sinner  take  heed  to  the  poor  beggars  that  exhibit 

their  infirmities  before  men  in  order  to  obtain  alms  .  .  208 

God  will  not  give  thee  a  pear  or  apple  as  one  doth  a  child  208 

Ask  all  things  in  the  name  of  Christ           .  .         .  .          .  .  209 

Devotion  of  heart  is  necessary  to  prayer      .  .          .  .          .  .  210 

It  is  no  use  to  move  the  lips  while  the  heart  is  dumb  .  .  210 
Prayer  without  devotion  is  like  a  messenger  without  letters 

of  recommendation          ,.          ..          ,.          ..         ..  211 

Pray  especially  to  God  on  Sunday    .  .          .  .         .  .          .  .  212 

The  Sunday  is  more  holy  than  the  Saturday           .  .         .  .  213 

Of  the  great  festivals   .  .          .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .          .  .  213 

An  answer  to  those  who  say  '  We  cannot  always  be  praying '  213 
And  '  if  all  days  be  mass  days  and  holy  days,  how  then 

should  we  sow,  reap,  mow,'?  &c.  .  .  .  ,  .  .  214 
Let  great  lords  and  ladies  lay  aside  their  dignity  when  in 

church       . 215 

Ladies  should  take  pattern  of  Queen  Hester  .  .  .  .  216 
They  should  not  be  busy  about  decking  their  heads  with 

gold  and  silver     .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  216-17 

The  two  wings  that  bear  prayer  to  God  are  fasting  and  alms  217 

Come  not  empty-handed  before  God             .  .          .  .          .  .  218 

The  parable  of  the  Ten  Virgins         .  .          .  .          .  .         .  .  218 

Moses  overcame  Amalek  by  prayer  .  .         .  .         .  .         .  ,  219 

The  prayers  of  many  are  more  effective  than  those  of  one 

man  .  .  .  .  .  ,  . .  .  .  ,  .  .  .  219 
The  Seven  Boiiglis  of  Chastity  are  according  to  the  states  of 

men  in  this  world            .  .         .  .         .  .          .  .         ,  ,  219 

1.  Chastity  of  those  who  have  preserved  their  maidenhood; 

2.  Chastity  of  those  who  lost  their  maidenhood  before 

marriage    .....         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  220 

3.  Chastity  of  married  folk     .  .         .  ,         .  .         .  .         .  .  221 

The  three  cases  in  which  the  deed  of  spousehood  may  be 

sinless        222-23 


CONTENTS.  CXIX 

PAGE 

The  proper  times  for  abstaining  from  the  deed  of  spousehood  224 
The  elephant  will  not  dwell  with  his  wife  while  she  is 

with  child 224 

i.  Chastity  of  widowhood         ..         ..         ..         ..         ..  225 

Three  things  to  be  observed  in  this  state     .  .         .  .         .  .  226 

).  The  Fifth  Bough  of  Chastity  is  unmarried  life       .  .         .  .  227 

The  devil  tries  to  steal  the  treasure  of  maidenhood            .  .  227 
"Why  tlie  life  of  maidens  is  to  be  praised     .  .         .  .         .  .  227-28 

Maidenhood  like  a  white  robe           .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  228 

Three  spots  defile  the  white  robe      .  .         .  .          .  .         .  .  228 

Eich  robes  often  hide  a  poor  and  naked  conscience           .  .  229 

Maidenhood  like  a  lily           230 

The  flower  of  maidenhood  and  its  six  leaves  .  .         .  .  230-32 

The  tliree  grains  of  the  lily     ..          ..          ..         ..         ..  233 

Virginity  most  fruitful  in  good  works          .  .          .  .          .  .  234 

6.  The  Sixth  State  of  Chastity  is  of  Hooded  Clerks  .  .         .  .  235 

The  girdle  of  chastity 236 

The  wickedness  of  the  minister  impairs  not  the  efiicacy  of 

the  sacraments      .  .          .  .         .  .          .  .          .  .         .  .  237 

7.  The  Seventh  State  of  Chastity  is  the  State  of  Religion,  i.  e. 

of  those  who  are  dedicated  to  God       .  .         .  .         .  .  238 

The  devil  is  most  anxious  to  cause  the  '  religious  '  to  fall 
into  sin,  just  as  the  fisherman  has  greater  joy  in  taking 

a  great  fish  than  a  little  one      .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  238 

Here  lies  a  Tale  of  the  devil-princes'  reports  of  their  evil 
deeds  to  a  great  devil  who  sat  upon  a  folding  stool ; 
and  how  one  devil  had,  after  forty  years'  trial,  tempted 
a  monk  to  commit  fornication,  for  which  he  was 
hugged,  kissed,  and  crowned  by  the  '  great  devil,'  his 

master 238-39 

Eeligion  is  like  a  desert          .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  240 

True  poverty  the  hoard  of  the  religious  man           .  .          .  .  241 

The  story  of  Lot's  wife  and  its  lesson           .  .          .  .          .  .  242 

'  Religious  folk '  that  seek  temporal  riches  put  the  plough 

before  the  oxen    .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  243 

The  pure  of  heart  shall  see  God        .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  243-44 

Of  the  Gift  of  Wisdom.     Of  the  Virtue  of  Temperance  and 

of  Sobriety           .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .          .  .         .  .  245 

Wisdom,  the  last  and  greatest  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  makes 

man  to  know  God  perfectly       .  .         .  .         .  .         ,  .  245 

The  glue  of  love          .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  246 

The  spirit  drags  down  the  flesh         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  247 

In  the  great  tavern  (heaven)  one  shall  drink  to  the  full  of 

God's  sweetness  .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  247 

Sobriety  springs  from  wisdom            .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  248 

Death  seizes  the  glutton  suddenly,  '  as  one  taketh  a  fish  by 

the  cheek'            248 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Wine  drowns  the  glutton       ..         ..         ..         ..         ..  248 

The  mouth  is  the  chief  gate  of  the  castle  of  the  heart       .  .  249 

All  creatures  teach  man  sobriety       .  .          .  .         .  .          .  .  249 

Sobriety  must  be  exercised  in  good  deeds,  as  fasting,  vigils, 

&c.             250 

Of  the  high  rock  (Christ)  and  the  well  of  love       .  .         .  .  251 

Of  the  Seven  Steps  of  Sobriety  .  .         .  .         .  .          .  .          .  .  252 

1.  Measure  (moderation)  in  the  understanding        .  .          .  .  252 
Unbelievers  overstep  moderation — they  seek  a  natural 

reason  in  what  transcends  the  understanding.  .         .  .  252 

The  understanding  should  be  subject  to  belief   .  .          .  .  253 

2.  Moderation  in  the  lusts  and  desires  of  the  will  .  .         .  .  253 
Control  the  will  with  the  bridle  of  sobriety        .  .         .  .  254 

3.  Moderation  in  Avords           .  .          .  .          •  .          .  .          .  .  254-55 
Weigh  thy  words  in  the  balance  of  discretion    .  .         .  .  255 

4.  Moderation  in  hearing        .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .          .  .  256 

Flatterers  and  liars  are  plentiful,  but  there  is  great  dearth 

of  those  who  adhere  to  truth     .  .          .  .          .  .          .  .  256 

'  Of  the  adder  called  in  Latin  Aspis  '           .  .          .  .         .  .  257 

5.  Moderation  in  clothing  and  precious  robes         .  .         .  .  258 

Excess  is  a  sin          .  .          .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  258 

The  wearing  of  clothes  comes  of  the  sin  of  our  first  parents  258 
ISTature  has  given  man  no  clothes  of  which  to  be  proud,  like 

the  tail  of  the  peacock  and  the  comb  of  the  cock  '     .  .  258 

6.  Moderation  in  Conduct 259 

The  child  of  a  hundred  years  shall  be  accursed              .  .  259 

7.  Moderation  in  Meat  and  Drink 260 

The  virtue  of  sobriety  is  above  all  other  virtues             .  .  260 

He  who  hath  this  virtue  is  joined  to  God  by  charity    .  .  260 

Of  rest  in  God         260-61 

The  Ayenbite  of  Inwyt  is  written  in  the  English  of  Kent  262 

Date  of  its  completion        .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  262 

Pater  Noster         " 262 

Ave  Maria 262 

Creed         .  .         ..       _ .  .  262-3 

For  to  shake  atvay  heaviness  and  dread,  and  turn  them  into  the 

love  of  God  (Sermon  on  Matthew  xxiv.  43)         .  .         .  .  263 

The  Father  of  the  House— the  Will  of  Eeason      .  .         .  .  263 

The  House — Conscience          ..         ..         ..         ..         ..  263 

The  Thief— the  Devil             263 

Door-keeper — Prudence          ..         ..         ..         ..         ..  263 

Dread,  the  messenger  of  death           ..         ..         ..         ..  264 

Dread's  description  of  hell 264-5 

Love  of  Everlasting  Life — a  messenger  from  heaven         .  .  266 
Description  of  heaven             .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  266-69 

Difference  between  Men  and  Beasts       .  .         .  .         .  .         .  .  270-71 


AYENBITE  OF  INWYT. 


AUTHOE'S  PEEFACE. 

Aye  Jje  uondi[7i]gges  of  fe  dyeule  :  zay  Jjis  fet  uol^e]?.  "  Zuetc  iesu 
jjin  lioly  blod  /  pet  jjou  sseddest  ane  Ipe  rod  /  uor  me  and  uor  man- 
kende :  Icli  bidde  fe  hit  by  my  sseld  /  aiioreye  pe  wycked  uend  : 
al  to  mi  lyues  ende  .  zuo  by  hit." 

pis  boc  is  dan  Michehs  of  jSTorthgate  /  y- write  an  enghs  of  his 
03ene  hand.  Jjet  hatte  :  Ayenbyte  of  in^vyt.  And  is  of  Tpe  boc- 
house  of  saynt  Austines  of  Canterbeii  .  mid  pc  lettres  :  C  :  C  : 

Holy  archan[g]le  Michael 

•  l\/r  f^     ■     f^     ■  Saynt  gabriel  .  and  Eaphael. 

•  lf±     •     \J     ■     \J     •  Ye  brenge  me  to  po  castel. 

j)eY  alle  zaulen  varefi  wel. 

Lliord  ihe^'u  almi3ti  kyng  .  jjet  madest  /  and  lokest  alle  Jiyng. 
Me  jjet  am  jji  makyng  :  to  |)ine  blisse  me  fon  bryng.     Amen. 

Blind  .  and  dj^af .  and  alsuo  domb.     Of  zeuenty  yer  al  iiol  rond. 
N"e  ssolle  by  di'aje  to  pe  grond  :  Vor  peny  /  uor  Mark  /  ne  uor  pond. 

TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 

|pise  byej)  pe  capiteles  of  pe  boc  uol3inde  /  And  hjep  y--\viyte  to 

vynde  y-redHche  /  by  pe  tellynge  of  algorisme  /  ine  huyche  leave  of  pe 

boc  ])et  hy  by.     And  ine  huyche  haK  of  pe  lyeaue  be  tuaye  lettres  of 

pe  abece.     j)et  is  to   wytene  .A.  and  .b.       .A.  bctocnejj  jjc  ueiste 

half  of  .  pe  leave  .b.  pe  ojserhalf. 

1 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


])e  uore-speclie    of  \)ise  boc   uol- 

3ynde  .1.  a. 
pe  xierste  godes  heste  .1.  a. 
pe  ojjer  godes  heste  .1.  a. 
pe  J^ridde  godes  heste  .1.  a. 
pe  uevpe  godes  heste  .1.  b. 
pe  vifte  godes  heste  .Lb. 
Jpe  zyxte  godes  heste  .2.  a. 
pe  zeuende  godes  heste  .2.  a. 
pe  e3teiide  godes  heste  .2.  a. 
Jje  ne3ende  godes  heste  .2.  b. 
pe  teiide  godes  heste  .  2.  b. 
pe  tuelf  articles   of  pe   cristene 

beleaue  .2.  b. 
Of  pe  sseawynge  jjet  sayn  Ion  pe 

godspellere  yze3  .3.  b. 
}?e^toknen  of  pe  heaueden  of  pe 

beste  .3.  b. 
)3etuerste  heaued  of  pe  beste  .4.  a. 
Hon  me  ssel  to  dele  /  pe  zeue  bo3es 

of  prede  .  4.  b. 
pe  ofer  bo3  of  p/v'de  .5.  a. 
Jpe  jjridde  bo3  of  prede  .5.  b. 
pe  vevpe  bo3  of  prede  .  6.  a. 
pe  vifte  bo3  of  prede  .  6.  a. 
pe  zixte  bo3  of  pi-ede  .7.  a. 
pe  zeuende  bo3  of  prede  .7.  a. 
J?et  ojjer  heaued   of  pe  beste    of 

helle  .7.  a. 
Jpct  Jjridde  heaued   of  pe  queade 

beste  .8.  a. 
pe   uerjje   heaued    of  pe  queade 

beste  .8.  b. 
pe   vyfte   heaued   of  pe   queade 

beste  .9.  b. 
pe  oJ)cr  l!03  of  riaiaitise  .10.  b. 


pe  jjridde  bo3  of  ai;arice  .10.  b. 
pe  verfe  bo3  of  auarice  .11.  a. 
pe  Yjite  bo3  of  auarice  .11.  b. 
pe  zixte  bo3  of  auarice  .11.  b. 
pe  zeuende  bo3  of  auarice  .  1 2.  a. 
pe  e^tinde  bo3  of  auarice  .  1 2.  b. 
pe  ne3ende  bo3  of  auarice  .12.  b. 
pe  tende  bo3  of  auarice  .12.  b. 
j?e  zyxte  heaued  of  pe  beste  .  1 3.  a. 
pe  zeuende  heaued  of  pe  queade 

beste  .14.  a. 
Of  pe  ze?«ie  of  yelpinge  .  1 7.  a. 
Leazinges  .18.  a. 
Of  pe  zenne  of  lye3ynge  .18.  b. 
Cheaste  .19.  a. 
Of  grocliinge  .19.  b. 
Of  wy])stondynge  .20.  a. 
Vor  to  lyerny  sterue  .20.  b. 
Hou   me   ssel  knawe  guod   and 

knead  .22.  b. 
Of  tymlyche  guodes  .22.  b. 
Of  pe  lesse  guodes  .23.  a. 
Of  pe  zojje  guodes  .23.  b. 
Of  Jjri  maneres  of  guode  .23.  b. 
Of  uirtne.23.  b. 
Of  wyt  /  and  of  clergy e  .24.  a. 
My3te  .25.  a. 
Yrydom  .25.  b. 
Noblesse  .26.  a. 
Gentyl  guod  .26.  b. 
Of  tuo  lostuolle  guodes  .27.  a. 
Of  vhtue  more  specialMche  .28.  a. 
Of  jjri   j)inges   nyeduolle  /  to    pe 

erjje  .28.  b. 
pe  uore-spechc  of  pe  holy  pater 

nost(!r  .29.  1). 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Hyer  begyn])  jjet  holy  pate?'  nos 

teri  .30.  a. 
\)e  uerste  bene  of  pe  holy  pate 

noste/-  .31.  b. 
}5e  ojjre  bene    of  jje   holy   pate 

noster  .32.  b. 
j)e  Jjridde  bene  of  pe  holy  pate 

noste?'  .33.  a. 
Jpe  uerjje  bene  of  jje  holy  pate 

noste?'  .33.  a. 
J3e  vifte   bene  of  jje  holy  pate 

noste?'  .34.  a. 
])G   zixte  bene    of  jje  holy  pate 

noste?'  .35.  a. 
]5e  zeiiende  bene  of  J^e  holy  pate, 

noste?'  .35.  b. 
\)e   zeue  yefjjes    of  pe  holy  gost 

.36.  a. 
Htieniore  hy  bye]?  y-cleped  yef  J)es 

.36.  b. 
Hueruore  hy  bye])  y-cleped  yef  J)e 

of  pe  holy  gost  .36.  b. 
Hueruore  is  man  y-bor^e  .37.  a. 
Of  J3e  J)ri  uerste  uirtues  .37.  b. 
Of  pe  uour  u/?-tues  cardinales. 
Of  pe  office  of  pe   uour  u^?"tues 

.38.  a. 
Temperance  .38.  a. 
Stre[n]g])e  .38.  a. 
Ei3[t]uobiesse  .38.  a. 
Of  pe  jefpe  of  di-ede  .83.  b. 
Hou  niyldenesse  "svext  ine  herte 

.39.  b. 
Of  Jie  stapes  of  Myldenesse  .40.  a. 


Of  pe  zeue  bo^es  of  Myldenesse 

.41.  a. 
j)e  o)5er  boj  of  Mildenesse  .41.  b. 
Of  mide  herte  .41.  b. 
j)e  uerjje  boj  of  IVIildenesse  .42.  b. 
j)e  vifte  boj  of  IVIildenesse  .42.  b. 
Of  bo3samnesse  .43.  a. 
\)e  zixte  boj  of  IMildenesse  .  43.  b. 
}5e    zeuende   boj    of    Jklildenesse 

.44.  a. 
Of  pe  u/?-tue  of  loue  .44.  b. 
j)e  bo3es  of  louerede  .45.  a. 
j)e   uerste   stape    of    ri3tuolnesse 

.46.  b. 
j)e  ofer  stape  of  ri3tuoluesse  .47.  b. 
pe   fridde    stape    of  ri3tuolnesse 

.48.  a. 
J5e   uBTpe    stape    of    ri3tuohiesse 

.48.  a. 
pe    vifte    stape    of    rijtuohiesse 

.48.  b. 
j)e    zixte    stape    of   ri3tuolnesse 

.48.  b. 
\)e  zeuende  stape  of  ri3tuolnesse 

.49.  a. 
Of  pe  bo3es  of  ri3tuolnesse  .49.  b. 
Of  pe  yefjje  of  stre[n]g]3e  .50.  a. 
Jje  todelinge  of  u/?'tues  .51.  a. 
pe  ofer  stape  of  prouesse  .51.  b. 
pe  fridde  stape  of  prouesse  .51.  b. 
pe  ver])e  stape  of  prouesse  .51.  b. 
pe  vifte  stape  of  prouesse  .52.  a. 
pe  zixte  stape  of  prouesse  .52.  a. 
pe  bo3es  of  prouesse  .52.  b. 


1  MS.  nostwcr. 
1   * 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 


pe  iierste  vi3t  .53.  a. 

Of  J)e   iiorj3encliinge  of  Jje  king 

daiiij)  .53.  a. 
Of  ssiyfte.53.  b. 
Of  yno3'bote  .56.  a. 
Of  Jje  yef  jje  of  red/  and  of  uw-tue 

of  merci  .97.  a. 
Of  Jje  guodes  of  elmesse  .60.  a. 
J3e  yef  Jje  of  onderstondi[TC]ge .  and 

of  Jje  uiVtue  of  chastete  .62.  a. 
Of  ])e  zeue  stapes  of  chastete  .63.  a. 
)?e  zeue  bo3es  of  chastete  .68.  b. 


J?e  vifte  bo  3  of  chastete  .70.  b. 

Hyer  lyjj  a  tale  .74.  b. 

Of  jje   yeffe    of  -wysdome.     Of 

jje     UM-tue    of    te?;2perance. 

And  of  sobrete  .76.  b. 
Of  pe  stapes  of  sobrete  .79.  a. 
Pate/'  nostej'  .  Aue  maria  .  Credo 

.82.  a. 
Vor  to  ssake  a-way  heiiinesse  an 

drede  .82.  b. 
Huet  is  betuene  man   and   best 

.84.  b. 


THE    TEX    BEHESTS. 


J?E    UORE-SPECHE.  p^^,„^^ 

[Fol.  1.  a.] 

Almi^ti  god  /  yaf  ten  hestes  /  iiie  ]>&  la;e  of  iewes  /  God  gave  Moses 

J)et  Moyses  onderuing  /  ine  fe  lielle  of  Synay  /  ine  tuo  ten  upon  two  ta- 

tables  of  ston  /  jjet  were  i- write  /  mid  godes  vingre  .  and  *^ "  ^  °"®' 
hini-zelf  /  efter  Ms  beri??ge  /  ine  his  spelle  /  het  hise 

liealde  /  and  loki  /  to  ecli  man  /  jjet  wile  by  y-bor3e  .  and  wiioso   breaketh 

,.  oni  !•  IP  these   behests  let 

nuo  jjet  agelt  /  ine  enie  of  jje  like  hestes  ;  him  ssel  jjerof  lum  repent  theie- 
iior-]?enche  /  and  him  ssriiie  /  and  bidde  god  merci  /  yef 
he  vryle  by  yboi^e. 

bis  boC  is  y write  /  ^  This  book  is  wiit- 

"  ten    for   Euglish- 

uor  englisse  men,  jjet  hi  "vvyte  /  men,  that    they 

1  ,  .  n      1  1  •  may  know  how  to 

noil  hi  SSOlle  nam-zelue  SSnue,  shrive  and  cleanse 

1  T-r  11  /•         >•       T  them  in  this  life. 

and  maki  ham  kiene  /  me  bise  hue. 

'        .     •'  This   book  is 

]5is  boC  hatte  huo  ])et  writ  /  named  by  its  au- 

thor 
ATENBITE  OF  INWTT.  Ayen-bite  of 

auerst  byeb  /  be  hestes  ten  /  inwyt  (Remorse  of 

•^    J    I    I  I  Conscience), 

fet  loki  SSolle  alle  men.  First  are  the  Ten 

Behests    that    all 
men  should  keep. 
j)E    UERSTE    GODES    HESTE. 

be  uerste  heste  bet  god  made  /  and  het :  is  bis.   "  bou  The  First  Com- 

'  r       n  I  r  >  mandment, 

ne  sselt  habbe  /  nele  godes."  ])et  is  to  zigge  /  "  ))0U  ne 
sselt  habbe  god  /  bote  me  .  ne  worssipie  /  ne  servd.  And 
J)oii  ne  sselt  do  jjine  hope  /  bote  ine  me."  Vor  jje  ilke  / 
J)et  deji  his  hope  /  he3liche  ine  ssepjje :  zene3ej)  dyad- 
liche  .  and  dej)  aye  J)ise  heste.  Zuiche  byej?  ]?e  ilke  /  jjet 
^  The  foUoiving  lines  are  written  coittimwtisly  as  prose  in  the  MS. 


O  THE    SECOND    COMMANDMENT. 

worssipejj  jje  momenes  .  and  make])  hire  god  /  of  ssepj)e  / 
huicli  pet  hit  by. 

they"sh7who  too         "'^^'®  i'^^®  ^^^^^  /  ^^^'^^3^]>  f^  /  ]>^^  *o  nioche  /  louiej) 

much  love  their  J^i^e  "uod.  gokl  .  obei  zeluBi  .  ober  obre  binges  erbhche. 
goods  (wealth).  ^  ?.  r         r      r     o  r 

Huo  jjet  /  ine  jjise  Jjinges  ageltej? :   zettej)    zuo   moche 

liire   herte  /  and   liire    hope :    Jjet  hi   noiyetej)  /  hire 

ssepere  .  an  letej)  hini  /  fet  alle  Jjise  gnodes  ham  lenjj. 

And   jjeriiore  /  hi  ssolden  him  serui  /  and  Jjonki  /  and 

toppe  alle  Jjinges  /  lonie  /  and  worssipie  /  alzuo  po  tekj)  / 

J)is  uerste  heste, 

]2B    OJJER    GODES    HESTE. 

The  secomi  Com-         jje  ofer  lieste  /  ys  jjelHch.    "  jjon  ne  sselt  nime  /  godes 

mandment.  •  i    t  d  •  • 

name  :  m  ydel.  pet  is  to  zigge  :  "  fou  ne  sselt  zuerie  / 
nor  na3t  /  and  \vyJ)-oute  gnode  scele  .  "  pet  oure  Ihord 
hmi-zelf  /  ous  uorbyet  /  ine  his  spelle.  pet  me  ne  zuerie  / 
ne  by  pe  heuene  /  ne  by  pe  erpe/  ne  by  oj?re  ssepjje  . 
Swear  not  except  pa,  les  ine  guode  skele  /  me  may  zuerie  /  wyb-onte  zenne  . 

for  judgment,  or  .  i        r     -,   i     o  ' 

other  good  cause,  ase  me  dome  /  huer  me  oksej)  /  oJ)[erJ  /  oi  zo|ie.  ojjer  out 
of  dome  /  in  ofre  guode  skele  .  and  clenliche  /  and  skel- 
uolHche.  Ine  non  ojjre  manyere  /  ne  is  no  ri^t  to 
zuerie.  And  feruore  /  huo  ])et  zuerejj  wijj-oute  skele  / 
jjane  name  of  om^e  Ihorde  /  and  nor  na3t  :  yef  he  zuere]? 
uals  /  be  his  wytinde  :  he  him  uorzuerrj)  .  and  de|)  /  to 
ayans  /  Jjise  heste  .  and  zuerjj  dyadliche  .  uor  he  zuerj)  / 
ayens  inwyt  .  fet  is  to  onderstonde  /  huanne  he  liim 

sweann:;  lightly  uorzuerj)  /  be  Jjojte  /  aiid  be  longe  fenchinge.  Ac  pe 
ilke  Jiet  zueref  zo])  /  be  his  A\'3'tinde  /  and  alneway  uor 
na^t  .  oper  uor  some  skele  kueade  /  najt  kueadhche/ 
ake  li^tliche  /  and  ■vvyf-oute  sclondre  :  zuere])  lijtliche  . 
jjajles  pe  wone  /  is  kueaduol  /  and  may  wel  "wende  /  to 
zenne  dyadliche  /  bote  yef  him  ne  loki.     Ac  pe  ilke  / 

swearing  iiideous-  ])et  zuere])  hidousHcho  be  god  /  ojjer  by  his  haljen  /  and 

ly  is  deatly  sin.        i.,i  ,/         i  ,   i  •  in  / 

iiim  to-bre3p  /  and  zayp  him  sclondres  /  jjet  ne  ojep  na3t 
to  zigge :  pe  ilke  zene3e]3  dyadliche.     JSTe  he  ne  may 


THE    THIRD    COMMANDMENT.  » 

liabbc  skele  :  fet  he  him  111036  excusi.    And  ]>&  ilke  j^et 
mest  him  woiiej)  to  zuerie  :  mest  zene^elp. 

pE    }3RIDDE    GODES    HBSTE.  T^g    Thinl  Cum- 

,  1     1   ■    ;    mandment. 

j)G  frickle  heste  /  is  Jjelhch  .  "  Loke  /  ]jet  Jjou  hal3i  / 
pane  day  /  of  Jje  sabat;    [Zeterday],"  jjet  is  to  zigge.        [Foi.i-b.]     , 
J30u  lie  sselt  do  /  ine  pe  daye  /  of  fe  sabat  [Zeterday]  / 
fine  nyedes  /  ne  fine  workes  /  fet  fou  ini3t  do  /  ine  ofre 
dayes.     Ac  fon  sselt  fe  resti  /  nor  betere  /  fe  yeine  to  Rest  the  seventh 

,.,,/  ,  ..  /  T  .  j_i/t.  ^^y '"  P™y  to  and 

bidde/  and  to  servi  fine  ssepere  /  f  et  him  restede  /  pane  serve  God. 

zenende  day  /  of  workes  /  f  et  he  hedde  yniad  ine  f  e  zix 

dayes   benore  .  ine  hnichen  he  made  the  wordle  /  an 

ordaynede  [di3te.].     fis  heste  /  iioluelf  gosthche  /  him 

fet  lokef  /  be  his  mi3te  :  f e  pays  /  of  his  inwyt  /  god  uor 

to  servi  /  more  holylaker.     ba/me  bis  word  /  zeterday  /  Saturday  or  Sab- 
bath means  rest, 
fet  f e  inrie  /  clepef  sabat  .  is  ase  moche  worf  :  ase  reste. 

)5is  heste  /  ne  may  non  loki  gosthche :  fet  by  ine 

in-wyt  /  of  dyadhche  ze?ine  .  Yor  zuich  inwyt  /  ne  may 

by  ine  reste  /  ber  hnyle  /  f  et  hi  is  /  ine  zuich  state.    And  instead  of  it,  Holy 

.-,,,,    Church  sets  Sun- 

ine  f e  stede  /  of  f e  sabat  /  fet  wes  straytuche  y-loked  /  day  in  tiie  New 

ine  fe  yalde  la3e  :  zet  hoh  cherche  /  fane  sonday  /  to  j^^jy .'"  ^'^  ^^' 

loky  /  ine  f  e  newe  laje  .  vor  onre  lliord  /  aros  /  uram 

dyaf e  to  lyue  /  fane  zonday.    An  f eruore  /  me  ssel  hine 

loky  /  and  uref  ie  /  zo  holyliche  /  and  by  ine  reste  /  of 

workes  /  ope  f  e  woke  .  and  more  of  workes  /  of  se?me  . 

and  yeue  him  more  /  to  gosthche  workes  /  and  to  godes 

sernise  /,  and  f  enche  /  ane  liis  sseppere  /  and  him  bidde  / 

and  f  onky  /  of  his  guode.    And  huo  /  f  et  brekf  fane  and  whoso  breaks 

,  j_  J.     1    1        /    Sunday  and  otlier 

zonday/  and  f  e  of  re  11630  lestes  /  f  et  byef  y-zet  to  loky  /  higii  feasts,  sins 

ine  holy  cherche  :  Z8ne3ef  dyadliche  /  uor  he  def  /  aye 

fe  heste  of  god.    to-uore  yzed  .  and  of  hoH  cherche/ 

bote  yef  hit  by  /  uore  zome  nyede  /  f  et  holi  cherche 

grantef .  Ac  more  zene3ef  /  f  e  ilke  /  f  et  dispendef  fane  and  worse  if  he 

zonday  /  and  f  e  festes  ine  ze/nie  /  and  ine  hordom  /  and  and  whoredom. 

in  of  re  zennes  /  aye  god.     )?ise  f  ri  hestes  /  di3tef  ous  /  to 

gode  specialliche. 


y  THE    FOURTH    AXD    FIFTH    COMMANDMEXTS. 

The  Fourth  Com-  Ug    uERbE    GODES    HESTE. 

mandment.  ^ 

[Foi.  1.  b.]  jjg  uerjje  heste  /  is  fellicli .  "  Worfissipe  jjine  uader  / 

and  ])ine  moder  .  nor  ]ju  sselt  libbe  ])e  lenger  ine  yerjje." 

)?is  heste  /  ous  amoneste]?  /  Jjet  we  ous  loky  /  jjet  we  /  ne 

Wrath  not  thy  Fa-  Avrej?])!  iiadei  /  lie  iBoder  /  wytindeliche  .  And  huo  fet 

ther  or  Mother.  .  ,  -,   -,  ■  ■,        /ii-  •      ^      i 

onwor])e])  /  his  uader  /  and  his  inoder  /  be  his  -wj'tinde  / 

oJ)er  ham  missayf/  oJ?er  wrejjej?  /  mid  kueade  :  zenejetli 

dyadhche  /  an  brekjj  Jjise  heste. 

We  shouui  honour         Ine  jjise  ilke  heste  /  is  onderstonde  /  fe  worjjssipe  / 

thers  and  the  over-  fet  we  ssolle  here  /  to  oure  uaderes  /  gosthche.   jjet  is  to 

Church    °  ^         \\&m.  I  Jjet  habbej)  /  J)e  lokingge  /  oiis  to  teche  /  and  ous  to 

chasti  /  ase  byejj  /  fe  ouerhnges  /  of  holy  cherche.     And 

who  have  the  care  j,q  j^g^^  habbejj  /  jje  lokinge  /  of  oure  zaules  /  and  of  oure 

bodyes.     And  huo  fet  nele  /  bou3e  to  ham  /  Jjet  habbejj 

Jje  lokinge  of  him  /  huanne  hi  teche])  Jjet  giiod.     ))et  me 

Disobedience  to     is  y-liyaldo  to  douc  :    zenejcb  kueadhche.     and  zuych 

them  is  a  deadly  i  •     •      ;    t        m-   i 

sin.  may  by  /  ]je  onbo3samnesse  :  Jjet  lut  is  /  dyadiich  zenne. 

Tlie    Fifth    Com-  }5E  VIFTE    GODES    HESTE. 

mandment. 

Thou  Shalt  slay  no         jje  vifte  heste  /  IS  bellich  /  "  bou  ne  sselt  /  slaje  nenne 

man, 

man."    )?is  heste  uorbyet  /  jjet  non  ne  ssel  /  sla3e  ojjren  / 
neither  for  venge-  x\.ov   a   wreldiige  .  ne  uor  his  guodes  .  ober  uor  obre 

ance,  nor  for  his 

goods,  for  this  is  "wyckede  skele .  uor  Jjet  is  zenne  dyadiich  .  fables  uor  to 

it'is  right  to  slay  8^36  ])e  iiiisdoeres  /  ri3t  uor  to  done  /  and  loki  /  and 

lis  oers.        ^^^^  ^^^^  gnode  skele.     hit  is  guod  rijt  /  by  ])e  k^e  /  to 

[Foi.  2.  a.]       l^i^''^  \^^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^  I  ^^^^  yhyealde  is  ferto. 
In  this  behest  is         1^16  jjis  lieste  ys  uorbodc  /  zenne  of  hate  /  and  of 

forbidden  the  sin  ,/  ir>  ■•  -ir  1  i/i  •j.*  1 

ofhate,wrath,and  ^rejjo  /  and  of  grat  ire  .  Vor  alse  zayjj  /  fe  Avriting .  jje 
T^^'b^th  r-h  r  ^^^®  /  J"^^  hate])  his  brojier  :  he  is  /  niansla3])e  /  ase  to 
is  a  man-slayer,  hig  wylle  /  and  zene^Q])  dyadhche  .  and  ])e  ilke  /  fet 
To  bear  long        here  til  lo??ge  ■\\Te])e  /  ay  ens   o])ren  .  vor  zuicli  wre])e  / 

wrath  against  .  ,  .  .  in-ii  ••  / 

others  is  a  deadly  lo?^ge  yhyealde  /  and  bjniealde  me  herte  :  is  me  "\vre})e  / 
and  ine  hate  :  })et  is  dyadiich  zenne.  and  aye  ])ise 
heste.  And  yet  zene3e])  he  more  /  f>et  de])  /  o])er  por- 
chacc])  /  ssame  /  o])er  harm  /  to  o]>ren  :  wrongliche.   ofior 


sm 


THE    SIXTH    AND    SEVENTH    COMMANDMENTS.  y 

is  ine  rede  /  and  ine  lielpe  /  uor  to  do  liarmi  o]?ren  /  liim 

to   a-\vreke  .  jja^les  \Yre])e  /  ofer  onworjjnesse  /  fet  gejj  Harm  done  nn- 

,  ..  ,  willingly  to  others 

li^tliclie  /  ^v}'■j30l^te  greate  wille  /  an -wiliinge  /  nor  to  is  not  a 'deadly  sin. 
liarnii  oj?ren  :  ne  is  na3t  dyadlicli  ze?me. 

[Fol.  2.  a.] 
j)E    ZIXTE    CODES    HESTE.  The   Sixth    Com- 

mandment. 

r;    be    zixte   lieste  /  is   bellicli.     "  bou   ne   sselt  do  /  '^^ou  shait  do  no 

'  I  J  J  I     whoredom,  nor  de- 

non  hordom."     bet  is  to  zisjoe  /  jjou  ne  sselt  nait  "wylni  sire  fleshly  feiiow- 
uelajrede  ulessKch  /  wjlp  olpve  ma/nie  wjt  men's  wives. 

Ine  bise  lieste  /  ons  is  uorbode  /  alle  ze«ne  of  ulesse  /  ^his  behest  for- 

r  I  I  I     biddeth  lechery, 

fet  me  clepeb  generalliche  /  lecherie.     J)et  is  on  /  of  J?e  which  is  one  of  the 

deadly  sins, 

zeiien  dyadliclie  zennes.  pa^  jjer  by  zonie  bronches  /  fet 
ne  bye])  na3t  dyadlicb  ze??ne.  ase  bye])  manie  arizinges 
of  vlesse  /  ])et  me  ne  may  na3t  al[/]e  bevly.  and  ])o  me 
ssel  najti  /  and  wylidraje  /  ase  moche  /  ase  me  may.  some  branches  of 

which,  as  arisings 

na^t  uor  to  norici  his  /  ne  porchaci  /  o})er  be  to  moche  of  the  flesh,  are 

not  deadly  sins. 

mete  /  ofer  drinke  /  o])er  be  euele  fortes,  to  longe  y- 
hyealde.  olpev  be  kueade  takinges.  Vor  ine  sniche  ])inges  / 
me   may  habbe  /  harm    of  zaule.      Ine    ])ise  heste  is  in  this  behest  are 

forbidden  all  sins 

uorbode  /  alle  zennen  a-ye  kende  /  ine  huet  manere  /  hy  against  kind  (na- 
bye])  y-do  /  o])er  ine  his  bodie  :  ofer  ine  o])ren. 

)PE    ZEUENDE    CODES    HESTE. 


ture). 


The  Seventh 
Commandment. 


j)e  zeuende  heste  /  is  feUich.     "  j)oii  ne  sselt  do  /  Thou  shait  do  no 
none  ])ief])e."     )?is  heste  ous  uorbyet  /  to  nimene  /  and 
of-hyealde  /  o])re   ma?me    fiing  /  huet    Ipet   hit   by  /  be 
Avj^ckede  skele  /  aye  Ipe  wyl  of  lii???-  /  ])et  hit  03]). 

Ine  bise  heste  is  uorbode  /  roberie  /  biefbe  /  stale  /  This  behest  for- 

•»  '  I    r       T     I  I     bidfietli    robbery, 

and  gauel  /  and  bargayn  -wyb  obren  /  uor  liis  03011  to  theft,  stealing, 

usury,  bargain. 

habbe.  And  fe  ilke  /  J)et  de])  /  aye  fis  heste  :  is  yhyalde 
to  yelde.  ])et  he  hep  /  of  ojire  ma«ne  kueadhche  /  yef 
he  wot  to  liuam.  And  yef  he  not :'  he  is  yhyalde  /  to 
yeue  hit  uor  godes  loue.     ober  /  to  done  by  be  rede  of 

.  He  th.it  withhold- 

holi  cherche.     Vor  he  pet  wyfhalt  /  o])re  ma??ne  Jung  eth  other  men's 
mid  wrong  /  be  kueade  skele  :  zene3e])  dyadliche  :  bote  deacnj-r""*^  ' 


The  Eighth  Com- 
mandment. 


10  THE    EIGHTH    AND    NINTH    COMMANDMENTS. 

yef  he  hit  yelde  /  per  ha  ssel  /  yef  he  hit  wot  /  and  111036 
hit  do.    ojjer  yef  he  ne  dejj  /  by  J)e  rede  of  holy  cherche. 

j)K   E3TENDE    CODES    HESTE. 

Thou  Shalt  bear         J5e  e3teiide  heste  /  is  felHch.      "  J^ou  ne  sselt  zigge  / 

no    false    witness  ,  ,  ,  ,  .  .    ,         „ 

asjainst  thine  even-  none  iialse  wytnesse  /  aye  pine  emcristen. 

TMs"  beiiest  for-         "^^^^  f^^®  ^^^^^  I  °^^^  ^^  iioibode  /  jjet  we  ne  lye3e  /  ne 

biddeth  lying  and  Q■^^^  norziierie  :  ne  ine  dome  /  ne  Avyboute  dome  /  uor  to 

lorswearing.  i  o  j  i 

do  harmi  j?ine  emc/'/sten  .  and  Jjet  me  ne  lede  nenne 

in  wytnesse  /  nor  to  anipayri  his  guode  los.     ofer  liis 

grace  /  pet  he  hejj  /  nor  Jjet  is  dyadhch  ze??ne.    To-ayens 

Against  this  be-  jjise  heste  doj)  J)o  /  pet  miszigge])  guode  men  /  behinde 

who  are  guilty  of  ham  /  be  hire  wytinde.     and  by  kueadnesse.     Jjet  me 

the  sins  of  "  de-  ,  /.   i    ,  •  i  i        /  i       •    , 

traction,"  clepejj  /  pG  zGHJie  01  dctraccion  .  and  jjo  also  /  fet  heriep 

pe  kueade  /  and  hire  dedes  /  of  hire  kueadnesse  /  and  of 
hire  folies  ywyte  f'opev  yzo^e  /  ojser  yherd  .  fet  is  zenne 
of  blondi[«.]gge  /  o|)er  of  lozengerie  /  hua/me  me  hit  zayj) 

and  of  flattery  and  to  uore  ham.     ojier  ualsliede  /  ojjer  lyesinges  /  hua??.ne  he 

of  treachery.  t  p   ;  • 

fet  me  spekj?  oi  /  ne  is  na3t  p^-esent.     vor  alle  J)0S  byep 


[Fol.  2.  b.] 


ualse  wytnesses. 


The  Ninth  Com-  Jpg    NE3ENDE    GODES    HESTE. 

mandment. 

Thou  Shalt  not  IftQ  ne3eiide  heste  /  is  fellich.      ")3ou  ne  sselt  na3t 

covet   thy    neigh-  i-/i-  i  1  n  i-  !•/•  i- 

bour'swife.  Avyiui  /  jjiue  ney3bores    wyl.     ne  his  Avylni  /  me  fine 

Thou  Shalt  not       liertc . "  J5et  is  to  zigge  /  J)ou  ne  sselt  iia3t  co??senti  /  to  do 

consent  to  do  sin  /        •  1    ,  •         i      i 

with  tiiy  body.       ze^ne  /  mid  Jjine  bodye. 

])is  heste  uorbyet  /  to  Avylni  mid  wyl  of  herte  /  to 
liabbe  uela3rede  ulesslich/  mid  alle  wyfmen  /  ^  out  of 
spoushod.  And  pe  kueade  tocnen  wijjoute  /  jjet  hjep 
ymad  /  uor  to  dra3e  ze«ne  /  ase  byejj  /  kueade  wordes  /  of 
zuyche   manere.     ojjer  yef  Jjes  /  ojier  kueade   takinges. 

The  difference  be-  Aiid  be  difference  of  bise  heste  /  mid  be  zixte  /  aboue 

tween    the    ninth 

and  sixth  Com-      yzcd  :  zuo  is/])et  pG  zixtc  hestc  uorbyet/ fie  dede  wyjj-oute. 
ac  bis  uorbyet  /  be  grantinge  wybinne.     Vor  be  g/'ant- 

The  sixth  forbids  ^  J        I   r      o  ojr  r      » 

the  outward  deed,  inge  /  to  liablDC  uelatredc  ulesslich  /  mid  wyfmen  /  jjet  ne 

the  ninth  forbids    .  i-n  itti/t 

the  inward  con-  IS  na3t  liis  be  spouse  :  ys  zenne  dyadhch  /  bo  pe  dome  / 
"■  1  MS.  nci'/bores.  2  ]yfg_  loyfwem. 


THE    TENTH    COMMANDMENT.  11 

of  godes  spelle  /  fet  zayjj.  "  Huo  fet  zi3]5  ane  \^^fman  / 
and  Avylne])  Ms  ine  lierte  :  he  hejj  y-zeiie5ed  /  ine  hyre  : 
ine  Ms  herte  ."  pet  is  to  zigge  :  wjp  aperte  wTrliii[H]gge  / 
and  inid  Jjo^te. 

]5E    TENDE    GODES    HESTE.  ^^^  ^- 

be  tende  heste  /  is  bellich.     "  bou  ne  sselt  na^t  ^vyMi  Thou  shait  not  de- 

■•  I         r  1        J.    /  1    X       sire  the  thing  that 

ping  /  pet  is  pine  nixte."     pis   heste  iiorbyet  /  ^Tyl  to  is  thy  neighbour's. 
hahhe  opre  nianne  ping  /  hy  w}^ckede  scele. 

Ine  pis   heste /is    uorbode  enuie  /  of  opre  manne  ;^.,SL':;r;, S 
cuode.     ober  of  obre  mawne  grace  .  Vor  pe  ilke  enuie  /  which  comes  co- 

b  r  J  o  J  vetousness.adoad- 

comp  of  kneade  couaytise  /  nor  to  habbe  pet  giiod  /  oper  ly  sin. 

pe  ilke  g?-ace  .  pet  he  y-zi3p  ine  opren.     And  pe  ilke 

couaytise  /  huawne  pe  cowsenteme«t  /  and  pe  p03tes  per- 

to :    is   dyadlich  ze7?ne.     and  aye  pise  heste.     J3a3les  / 

li3te    couaytise  /  to    habbe    opre    nla?^ne    ping  /  by  ^ 

guode  scele  :  ne  is  no  ze?me  .  and  yef  per  is  /  em  kuead  Any  evil  arising 

arizinge  /  wyp-oute  w}dle  /  and  ^vyp-oute  grantinge  /to  Tin/but  inhere  be 

harmi  opren  :  hit  ne  is  no  ze/me.     and  yef  per  is  ze^zne  :  iy"{,j'^t 'figj,"' 

hit  is  li3t  ze??ne. 

j)is  byep  pe  ten  hestes  /  huer-of  pe  pri  uerste  /  ous  These  are  the  Ten 

.  .  Behests,    whereof 

di3t  wel  to  god  .  j)e  opre  zeuen  /  ous  di3t  to  oure  nixte.  the  tiiree  first  di- 
Jjise  ten  hestes  /  byep  to  echen  /  pet  hep  scele  /  and  elde  /  ti,e otherseven  to 
yhyealde  to  conne  /  and  to  done  .  Vor  huo  pet  dep  per-  °"'  "''"°'  ""'' 
teyens  /  be  his  wytinde  :  zen3ep  dyadliche. 

}3E    TUELP    ARTICLES  /  OF    )2E    CRISTENE    BELEAUE.  The  Twelve  Arti- 

cles of  the  Chris- 

byse  byeb  be  tuelf  articles  /  of  be  cnstene  byleue  /  tian  Belief, 
pet   ech  man  c?'?'sten  /  ssel  yleue   stedeuestHche.     iior  articles  of  the 

.    Christian  belief, 

cperlaker  /  he  ne  may  by  ybor3e  /  huanne  he  hep  ^v5't  / 

and  scele.     And  berof  byeth  tuelf  by  pe  tale  /  of  pe  "bythetaieofthe 

^  -^  "^     ■*  '  '       twelve  apostles." 

tuelf  apostles  /  pet  hise  zette  to  hyealde  /  and  to  loky  /  to 
alle  pon/  pet  wylep  by  ybor3e.  Jpa/nie  pe  uerste  /  be-  The  first  belongs 
longep  to  pe  uader.  pe  zeuende :  to  pe  zone,  the  uerpe  /  the  seven  loiiow- 
to  pehon  gost.  uor  pet  is  pe  bygmnmge/  oi  the  beleaue:  and  the  remaining 
yleue  ine  pe  holy  tr/nite.  pet  is  ine  pe  uader  /  and  ine  ^j^^gj"  *'"^  ""^  ^ 
^  wi/  in  MS. 


12  THE    ARTICLES    OF    THE    BELIEF. 

fie  zone  /  and  ine  J>e  holj^  gost.  on  god  /  an  pvi  persones. 
Alle  Jjise  articles  /  byejj  ycontyened  ine  pe  credo.  /     Jjet 
pe  tueK  apostles  made  .  liu.er-of  /  ech  zette  his. 
The  first  article  be  uerste  article,  ys  bellich.     "  Iclr  heleue  ine  god  / 

(of  the  Father)  .     .    ,  ,  . 

was  set  by  St       J)e  iiader  almi3ti  /  sseppere  /  of  heuene  /  and  of  erjje."  j?is 

article  zette  sapite  peter. 
The  second  article         he   ober  article  /  belongeb  to   be    zone  /  aze  to  his 

(of  the  Son's  God-  \  .  '  ,  . 

iip.ad)  was  set  by  godliede  /  j)et  is  to  zigge  /  Jiet  he  is  god  .  and  is  pellich  . 

■  "  Ich  beleue  ine  yesu  crist  /  oiire  Ihord  /  godes  zone  pe 

Tiader  /  in  alle  j^inges  /  pet  helongej?  to  pe  godhede  /  an 

is  onlepi  Jjing  /  mid  pe  uader  :  bote  of  pe  persone  /  jjet  is 

ojjer  /  panne  pe  persone  of  pe  uader  ;  Jpis  article  zette  / 

[Foi.  3.  a.]       sayn  Ion  pe  godspellere. 

The  third  article         he  bridde  article  /  and  the  vifte  /  bet  uobeb  efter  / 

and  the  fifth  treat  '  '  (     ^ 

of  the  Sou's  man-  beloiigejj  to  pe  zone  /  ase  to  pe  mawhode ;   Jset  is  to 

zigge  /  ase  fet  he  is  man  dyadlich  .  panne  mid  pe  Jjridde 

of  his  conception  article  /  is  ycontened  /  j^et  he  Aves  y-kend  /  of  pe  holi 

and  birth.  /         ■,       ■,  'n  ->      -%r      ■         i  ■ 

gost  /  and  y-bore  of  fie  mayde  Mane,  pet  is  to  onder- 
stonde  /  fiet  he  wes  y-kend  /  ine  fie  Mayde  Marie  /  be  f5e 
dede  /  and  by  fie  uirtii  /  of  fie  holi  gost  /  and  nofiing  /  of 
dede  /  of  man.  And  the  mayde  Marie  /  blefte  eure 
Tiiis  article  was  mayde  /  an  yhol  Ije-uore  /  and  efter.     J?is  article  zette 

set  by  Jacob,  t        i     i  t  t       , 

St  James' brother,  zayn  lacoD  /  sayii  ionnes  brofier. 

The  fourth  article         Ift^  uerfie  article  /  belowgefi  to  his  passion  .  fiet  is  to 

sSn^''"'""^^''  zigge  /  fet  he  folede  djap  onder  pouns  pilate  /  f)et  Aves 
paen  /  and  demere  /  ine  fio  time  /  ine  ierusalem  :  by  fie 
romayns.  Onder  fo  demere  /  wes  lesu  crist  y-demd  / 
wjp  A\Tong  /  to  fie  biddinge  /  of  fjri  kueade  ieus/and  y- 

and  was  set  by  St  do  a  rodc  /  and  dyad  /  and  y-do  in-to  lierieles.     )?is 

Andrew.  .  ^ 

article  zette  saynt  andreu. 

Tiie  fifth  arti-  j)e  vifte  article  /  zuo  is  /  fjet  ha  wente  into  lielle  / 

"  Harrowing  of     efter  liis  dyafie  /  iior  to  dra^e  fia?aies  /  and  to  deliuri  fie 

"^''"  zaules  /  of  pe  holi  naderes  .  and  of  alle  fion  /  ])et  uram  fie 

ginni[w]gge/of  fie  Avordle  storue  /in  zofi  &  guode  byleaue/ 

and  ine  hope  /  f  et  hi  ssolden  by  y-bor3e  /  be  him  /  uor  pe 

zenne  /  of  the  nerste  manne.   Hit  behouede  /  f  et   alle 


THE    ARTICLES    OF    THE    BELIEF.  13 

■\venten  /  i/ito  helle  and   jjere    abyde   pe   guode  /  ine  in  heii  abode  the 

zikere  hope,  jjet  iesu  crist  /  godes  zone  /  ssolde  come  /  his  of  de'uverance. 

to  deliiiri  /  be  fet  he  hedde  behote  /  be  his  prophetis. 

And  uor  J30  scele  /  wolde  he  /  efter  his  dyaj)e  /  wende  in  to 

helle  .  bet  is  to  onderstonde,  /  ine  bo  half  /  bet  were  be  The  wicked  were 

^  '  /  J-  I    r  -^       left  in  hell,  there 

haljen  .  N^ajt  ine  Jio  half :   pet  were  ]je  uorlorene.     j^et  to  abide  for  ever. 
weren  dyade  /  ine  hire  ze/me  /  and  in  hire  niisbileiie. 
And   ]jo    ne    droj    he  na3t .  nor  hi  byej)  uorlore  /  uor 
enremo.     jpis  article  /  zette  saynt  phihppe.  This  article  set  st 

pe  sixte  article  is  /  of  his  arizinge  .  bet  is  to  wytene  .   The  sixth  is  of 

Christ's  resurrec- 

pet  jjanne  jjridde  day  /  efter  his  dyajje  .  uor  to  uoluelle  J?e  tion, 

writinges  :  he  aros  urani  dyajje  /  to  Hue  .  and  sseawede 

him  /  to  his  deciples.  and  ham  prouede  /  his  arizinge  : 

ine  uele  nianeres  /  be  uourti  dajes.     bis  article  /  zette  ^"'^  "'^^^  set  by  st 

'  7  i  I  Thomas. 

saynt  tliomas. 

)?e  zeuende  article  is.  J3et  fane  uourta3te  day  /  efter  his  The  seventh  arti- 

arizinge  /  huanne  he  hedde  y-yete  /  mid  his  deciples,  to-  after^Ms  rising"'*'^ 

uore  ham/al  apertehche  /steaj  into  heuene  /  pet  is  aboue  /  into  heaven?*^'^'* 
alle  ssepjje  /  jjet  ys  ine  heuene  /  al  to  godes  ri3t  half  /  jje 

uader  /  huer  he  him   made.      j)is  article  /  zette  seynt  This  article  set  st 

,       ,11  Bartholomew. 

bartholomeu. 

j)e  e3tende  article  is.  pet  he  ssel  come  /  ate  daj^e  of  The  eighth  article 
dome  /  to  deme  jje  dyade  /  and  pe  libbinde  .  pe  guode  /  co'me'at  dooms, 
ande  pe  kueade  .  and  yelde  to  echen  /  be  Jjet  he  hef  of-guo  S  S*!"'  ''''''^ 
I  ine  jjise  wordle.     }?ise  byeth  pe  artikles  /  jjet  belongejj 
to  be  zone,   bis  article  zette  seynt  Matheu  be  godsspeUere.   ^'    Matthew  set 

'^  _  -^  r     fo  1  this  article. 

pie  ne^ende  article  /  and  pe  jjri  laste  :  belongeb  /  to  be  The  ninth  article 

...  .  1 1 .   1  ^""i  the  three  last 

hoh   gost.    and  is  fellich.      "  Ich  beleue  /  ine  pe  hoU  belong  to  the  Hoiy 

gost."  Jjis  article  aksejj  /  pet  me  leue  /  pet  pe  hoh  gost  / 

is  pe  yefpe  /  and  pe  loue  /  of  pe  uader  /  and  of  pe  zone  / 

huerof  comp  /  alpe  guod  of  grace  .  and  pet  he  is  /  onlepi  The  Holy  Ghost  is 

,     ,-  ....  tlie  sift  and  love 

god  /  an  onlepi  ping/  mid  pe  uader  /  and  pe  zone  /  bote  of  the  Father  and 

,  ,  .  ,  Son. 

pe  persone  /  pet  is,  oper  /  pa/nie  pe  persone  of  pe  uader  / 

and  /  of  pe  zone.    }5is  article  sette  /  saynt  lacob  /  zaynte  '^■"s  ='""''«  ^^^  ^' 
Simones  and  saynte  ludes  broper.  ^  ^^ 

\>e   tende    article   is    pelhch.       "  Ich    y-leue    holy  The  tenth  article 


14  ST  John's  vision  of  the  beast. 

treats  of  the  fei-  cherch  geiieralliclie  /  and  be  mennesse  of  liabeii"/  bet  is  to 

lowship  of  saints.  °  '  ->  j        i  i 

zigge  :  \q  uelajrede  of  alle  fe  lial;en  /  and  of  alle  fie 

guode  men  Jjet  byejj  /  and  ssolle  "by.  al  to  Jjb  ende  of  J)e 

wordle  /  and  weren  zejjjje  ])e  giniii[«]gge,  to  gidere  /  ine  \q, 

III  this  article  are  byleaue  of  lesu  crist.     And  ine  bise  article/  byeb  onder- 

uiiderstood  the 

seven  sacraments,  stonde  /  J)e  zevB  sac^'emeiis  /  jjet  byejj  ine  holy  clierche . 
Jjet  is  to  "wytene.  cristninge  .  (:o?iferniinge.  Jje  sacrament 
of  Jte  wyefde.  ordre.  spoushod.  jje  holy  ssrifte.  and  \q 

This  article  set  St  Jaste  :  aiioylinge.     bis  article  zette  sayn  simoun. 

Simon. 

The  eleventh  arti-  J5e  enlefte  is.  to  loue  :  J)e  lesnesse  of  zenne.  J)et  god 
iiessof  sins.  yef])  be  J3e  viVtne  /  of  liis  holi  sac7'(?mens  /  fet  byef  ine 

St  Jude  set  this  j^qJj  clierche.     j?is  article  zette  sayn  lude. 

article. 

The  twelfth  article         Jje  tuelfte  article  is  .  to  leue  /  be  general  arizinge  of 

is  to  believe   the 

general  rising  of  bodye.  and  fct  lif  /  ■vvyjj-oute  ende.  ]?et  is  )je  bhsse  of 

the  body,  and  life  ,  i-iii,p 

without  end,         paradis.  fet  god  ssel  yeve  to  ham  /  fet  hit  habbep  oi- 

gno  /  be  guode  beleaue :  and  be  guode  workes.     )?is 

and  everlasting      article  /  yofb  to  onderstonde  /  his  confravie.     bet  is  /  be 

liunishment    pre-  i    ^      j  i  j  j 

pared  for  the  for-  pine  /  wj])-oute  ende  /  jjet  god  he])  agrayjjed  /  to  J?e  uorlo- 

rene.     )?is  article  /  ssel   by  onderstonde  /  ine   zuyche 

By  it  we  under-  niaiiere  :  bet  ech  /  by  he  guod  /  by  he  kued  /  ssel  by  ate 

stand  that  both  ^  I      J  o  I      J  .  . 

good  and  bad  shall  daye  of  dome  /  arered  uram  dyajje  /  to  lyue  /  ine  his 
ward  in  the  body  ojene  bodye  /  huer  he  ssel  habbe  an.  and  onderuonge 
have  deserved  in  liis  medc  /  ine  bodye  /  and  ine  zaule  /  be  |)et  he  he])  of- 
*'  '^    ®'  guo  /  ine  J)ise  hue.     an  fieruore  /  ssolle  fe  guode  /  at  fo 

daye  /  ine  bodye  /  and  ine  zaule  /  by  in  hf  /  Avyf-oute 
ende.    and  the  kueade  :  uoiiore  eiu'emo  /  ine  bodye  and 
This  article  was  j-^-^g  zaule.     bis  article  zette  saynt  Mabbi. 

set    by   St     Mat-  •'  J  rr 

thew. 

Of  the  vision  of  St  Of    )3E    SSEAWYNGE   ]3ET    SEINT    IoN    }pE 

John. 

GODSPELLERE    YZEj. 

St  John  saw  a  Mi  Ihord  sanyn  Ion  /  ine  ])e  boc  /  of  his  -sseawyinges. 

beast  come  out  of  -  -,    i  ,  t  ,     i  ■,    ,  -i 

the  sea,  J^et  IS  y-cleped  /  pe  apocanjjse  :  zuo  zayp  /  pet  he  yze^  a 

best  /  ])et  com  out  of  the  ze .  wonderliche  ydi3t.    and  to 

i-.aving a  leopard's  moche  dreduol.     Vor   jjet  bodi  of  lie  beste  :    wes  ase 

body,  a  bear's  feet, 

a  lion's  throat,  lipard.  ])e  uct  /  wcren  of  here.  ]ie  ])rote  /  of  lioun. 
heads  and  ten        and  hit  hedde  /  zeve  heauedes  .     and  ten  homes  .  and 


THE    HEADS    OF    THE    BEAST. 


15 

surmount- 
by  ten  crowns. 


opc  the  ten  homes,    ten  corounes.    And  jzej  saint  Ion.   ^^^y', 

fet  jje  ilke  kueade  best  /  hedde  mijte  /  of  him-zelve  /  to  J^' JjJ'Jf  J';'^' 

vhte  /  wyb  be  hahen  /  an  his  to  ouercome  /  and  to  oner-  ^eif  to  figiit  with 

?      I       <'  t   f  -^        I  I  and  overcome  the 

maistri.    J5is  ilke  best  /  zuo  wonderuol  /  and  zuo  y-coun-  saints, 
trefeted  /  and  dreduol :  betocneb  /  bane  dyenel  /  bet  com  This  beast  be- 

'  '   '   '  /IP   tokeneth  the  devil, 

out  of  J3e  ze  /  of  helle  /  Jjet  is  uol/  of  alle  zor3e  /  and  oi  whocomethoutof 
alle  biternesse.     Jpet  bodi  of  Jje  beste  /  ase  zayjj  saynt  j^jg  ^,^11^3  are  de- 
Ion  .  zuo  wes  ylich  /  to  fe  lipard .  nor  Jjet  ase  Jje  lipard  /  ^^^^^^  spots*  ms 
hejj  diners  coliirs  :  zuo  hejj  ))e  dyenel  diverse  maneres  /  ^ear'f  ftet  ^^  "^'^ 
of  waytinges  /  and  of  contac  /  nor  to  gily  /  an  nor  to 
uondi  fe  uolk.    Jje  u.et  weren  ilich  /  jje  u^et  of  here,   vor 
alse  J3e  bere  /  jjet  hej)  fe  stre[n]g])e  ine  fe  net  /  and  ine 
Jje  arnies  /  halt  strangUche.  and  bint  /  j^et  he  hejj  /  onder 
his  net  /  and  pet  he  beclepj)  :  alsuo  dej?  |)e  dyevel  ham  / 
fet  he  hejj  beclept  /  and  ouerjjrawe  be  zenne.     )3e  j^rote  '"s  cruelty  by  the 
Aves  of  Uon .  nor  his  greate  cruelete  /  pet  al  wyle  uor-  for  the  devil  win 

for-swallovv  all. 

^uelze. 

bE    TOKNEN    OF    bE    HBAVEDEN    OF    IjE    BESTE.  The  tokens  of  the 

'  •*  heads  of  the  beast, 

J3e  zeue  heauedes  /  of  pe  beste  of  helle  :    byej)  pe  ,^^^  ^^[.^^  'j'^^^,^ 
zeuen  hauedliche  zennes.     be  huichen  /  be  dyeuel  dra^b  are  the  seven  dead- 

I    >  ''  ■"      ly  sins. 

to  him  /  ase  al  be  wordle.     Vor  onneabe  yualb  /  bet  me  i^^ery  one  fails  in- 

ne  ualp  /  in-to  pe  prote  /  of  zome  :  of  pe  zeue  heauedes.  some  of  the  seven 
And  peruore  /  zayji  wel  saynt  Ion  :  pet  hit  hedde  mi3te  / 

ave  be  hal  en.     vor  in  erbe  /  ne  ys  zuo  hoU  man  :    bet  ^^^0"° '« ^o  holy  as 

"^      '  r     I  J  ■'to  avoid  all  sins. 

ni03e  /  parfitHche  beuly  /  alle  pe  maneres  of  zenne.  pet 
of  pise  heuedes  zeue  comep  /  A^yp-oute  special  praiilege 
of  grace  /  alse  hit  wes  /  ine  pe  mayde  Marie  /  oper  ine 
zome  obren  /  be  special  grace  /  bet  he  hedde  of  god.   be  '^^^  i"  ''o'""^  be- 

r  I    r        t^  G  I    r  01        tokeneth  the  guilts 

ten  homes  of  pe  beste  /  betoknep  /  pe  geltes  of  pe  ten  of  the  10  behests. 

hestes  /  of  our  Ihorde  /  pet  pe  dieuel  purchacep  /  also 

moche  ase  may  /  by  pe  zeuen  /  beuore  yzed  zennen.    )5e  The  10  crowns  are 

the  10  victories  he 

ten  corounes  aboue  /  betoknep  /  pe  ouercomi«ge  /  pet  hit  hath  over  sinners, 
hep  aboue  /  alle|  zenuoUe  /  uor  pet  /  he  dep  his  agelte  /  ine 
pe  ten  hestes. 


16  THE    FIRST    HEAD    OF    THE    BEAST. 

The  first  head  of  Uj,,j,    uerste    HEAUED    OF    bE    BESTE. 

the  Beast.  •*  ' 

The  first  head  is  Jpet  uei'ste  lieaiied  /  of  jje  beste  of  lielle :  ys  prede.  fet 

2nd  Envy,  oJiGT  /  is  enuie.     ])e  jjridde  /  wrejie.     Jje  iierjje  /  sleau]je  / 

4th  Sloth,'  f  et  me  clepe);  /  ine  clergie  :  accidye.   jje  vifte  /  icinge.  in 

6th  Giuttonj'r^^'  cle[r]gie  /  auarice.    ojjer  couaytise.  Jje  zixte  /  glotounye. 

7th  Lechery.  j^g  zeuende  leclierie  /  ojjer  luxurie.  Of  jjise  zeue  heauedes  / 

com])  ech  manere  zenne.  and  fernore  /  hi  bye]?  y-cleped  / 

These  are  all  head-  liaved-zennes.  noT  Jjet  hi  hye])  /  heaued  /  of  alle  kueade  / 

ning  of  all  wicked"  ^1^*-^  of  ^^^  zennes.     and  ginni?/ge  /  of  alle  kueade.     he 

"*^^-  hy  dyadliche  /  he  hy  nenial.     Jeanne  /  ech  of  fe  ilke 

And  first  we  will  zeuen  him  to-delj?  /  ine  uele  halues.     And  iierst  /  we 

talk  of  pride,  the        .„    ,        .  /       p    ,  n  ^        i  v    .  ,. 

first  sin,  willej)  ziggc  /  01   ])e  zeiinc  oi  prede  /  nor  J»et  wes  pe 

uerste  zenne  /  and  jje  aginni??ge  /  of  alle  kueade.     vor 

which  was  com-  prede  /  hrek  uerst  uelar^ede  /  and  ordre  /  huanne  lit^here 

mitted  by  Lucifer,    -^  '  ,  . 

Jje  angel  /  vor  his  greate  uayrhede  /  an  liis  greate  "svyt : 
"vvolde  hy  ahoue  /  j^e  ojjre  angeles  /  and  hi?«  wolde  emni  / 
to  god  /  J3et  hine  zo  uayr  /  an  zuo  guod  :   hedde  y-mad. 

wherefore  he  and  And  Jjeruore  /  he  vil  uraiu  hevienc  :  and  hecom  dyeuel. 

heaven.  and  lie  /  and  al  his  uela^rede.     Hym  anliknej)  /  alle 

proude  /  fet  uelajrede  /  and  ordre  of  men  /  onde]?  /  and 

Like  him  are  all  hrekj)  /  hua?aie  hi  wylle])  /  by  aboue  ojjren.     and  more 

themselves  above  by  alozcd  /  and  y-preyzed  /  Jeanne  eni  o]ier  /  Jiet  betere 

others. 

byejj  "worj). 

The  Might  of  bfi    MYJTE    OF    PREDE. 

Pride.  -^ 

Pride  biindeih  big  zeune  of  prede  /  ys  to  dreduol.     nor  hi  ablent 

men, 

men.     zuo  j?et  hi  ham-zelve  /  ne  knawejj  /  ne  ne  zye]5. 
so  that  they  are  Jiet  is  jje  wel  Strang  /  and  Jje  wel  special  aid  /  to  jjc 

beguiled  by  the 

devil  wiiethertiiey  dyculc  /  huer-of  he  be-gjdejj  /  fe   heje    men  /  and  Jje 

wise,  hardy.' or   '  uayrc  /  and  Jje  riche  /  and  ]je  wyse  /  and  J^e  hardi  /  and  ])e 

but"especiaiiy        worjjuoUe.     And  generalliche  /  ecli  manere  of  uolk.     ac 

great  lords,  specialliche  /  jje  greate  Ihordes  /  zuo  jjet  hy  ham  zelue  / 

ne  knawyjj  /  ne  yzej?  /  liire  niisdedes  /  ne  liire  fohes  /  ne 

hire  "vvyttes.  J)anne  is.  hit  /  fe  meste  periluse  ziknesse  / 

J)et  is  of  oj^ren.   Vor-zo))e  /  he  is  ine  grat  j^erii  /  to  huam  / 


THE    SEVEN    BOUGHS    OF    PRIDE.  17 

alle  t/v'acle  /  went  in  to  venyni.  Also  deb  techinge  /  and  to  whom  teaching 

'  and  chastisement 

chastisement  /  to  ]?e  proude.    Vor  fe  more  /  fet  me  him  profitetu  not. 
wyQjJiiunJj  /  and  hlamej)  /  and  chaste J3 :  jje  more  /  he  him 
AYreJjejj.     and  jje  more  him  were]?. 

Prede  /  is  be  dyeulesoje  dojter  /  bet  he  J)  /  grat  del/  Pride  is  the  devil's 

own  daughter,  and 

ine  his  kende.     Prede  werrejj  "wyjj  god  /  of  his  guode.  wars  against  God. 

,  111  ...  It  is  king  of 

and   god  /  Jirau])    doiin   prede  /  and   werrejj    wij)    mm.  wicked  practices. 
Prede  /  is  king  /  of  wyckede  jjeawes.     Hy  is  jje  lioiin  /  (jevourg  aii°" 
pet  al  iiorziielj).     Prede  astrujj  /  alle  ])e  guodes  /  an  alle       [FoI.  4.  b.] 
))e  graces  /  and  alle   j^e  gnode  workes  /  fet  hyejj    ine 
manne.     Vor  prede  /  makej)  of  elmesse  /  zenne.    and  of 
iitrtues  /  vices,  and  of  guode  workes  /  hiier-of  me  ssolde 
begge  heuene  :  make])  wynne  helle. 

Jjis  zenne  /  is  Jje  nerste  /  ])et  asaylej)  /  j^ane  kni3t  /  oure  This  sin  is  the 
Lhord  /  and  hua?^'  last  let.     Vor  huanne  he  he])  /  alle  our  Lord,  and  was 

,  .  1,1/  the  last  to  abandon 

o})re  kuedes  ouercome :  fanne  hvii   asaylep  prede  /  pe  him. 
st[r]anglaker. 

HOU    MB    SSEL    TO-DELE    }3E    ZEUB   BOJES    OF    PREDE.  The  Seven  Boughs 

-^  of  Pride. 

J3is  zenne  liim  to-del])  /  and  spret  /  ine  zno  nele 
deles  /  ])et  onnea])e"/  me  may  hise  telle.  Ac  zeuen 
pn'ncipals  doles  /  fer  bye)),  pet  bye])  /  ase  zeue  bo5es  / 
Jiet  guo])  out  /  and  bye])  y-bore  /  of  ane  wyckede  rote. 

jjanne  /  pe  uerste  bo3  of  prede  :  is  /  ontreu])e.     pe  i.  untmth, 

.  -,  ^  ■  o    ^^-  I^espite, 

ojier  :  onwor])hede.     pe  fridde  :  ouerwem??,ge.     fet  we  "^  m.  presumption, 
clepeb  /  presumcion.  pe  uerjie  folebajTie.  ])et  we^  clepie])  /  iv.  Ambition, 

.    ,      ,  T  .  .    .        V.  Idle-bliss, 

ambicion.     pe  vifte  :  ydele  basse,     pe  zixte  :  ypocrisie.  vi.  Hypocrisy, 
pe  zeuende  :  wyckede  drede.     To  fiise  zeue  di3tinges  /  ^^ead. 
belonge])    alle   pe   zennes  /  fet  by])   y-bore   of    prede. 
Ac  ech  of  ])ise  zeue  bo3es  /  he])  uele  smale    tuyegges. 
p)e  uerste  bo3  of  prede  /  pet  is  /  ontreu])e.    he  him  to- 
del])  /  in  pv\  Httle  bo3es.    huer-of  pe  uerste  /  is  kuead.  The  three  twigs  of 
bo  ober  :  worse,     be  bridde  /  allierworst.     be  on  is  voul-  i.  Fouihood, 

■'■^  .  II-  Foolislmess, 

hede.     pe  ofer  :  wodhede.    pe  J)ridde  :  renoyrye.    Voul-  iii.  Apostasy. 
hede  :  generaUiche  /  is  ine  eche  zenne.    vor  no  zenne  /  i-  Fouihood 
ne   is  /  Avy])-oute   uoulhede.     and    zuo   beginne])  /  alle 

1  lni;u/(  r  -  me  ? 

2 


18  OF    INGRATITUDE    AND    FOLLY. 

zennes  /  be  voulliede.     Ac  Jse  uoulhede  /  pet  we  spekej? 

of  hier  specialiche  /  fet  com]?  of  prede.     and  is  a  man- 

yere  /  of  ontreupe  :  is  a  vice  /  pet  is  y-cleped  /  ine  clergie  : 

or  Ingratitude  is  ingratitude  /  Ipet  is  uoryeti[??]go  of  god  /  and  of  liis  guodes. 

to  forget  God  and 

Ills  gifts.  pet  me  ne  jjonkej)  mm  najt  /  ase  me  ssolde  do.     ne  him 

ne  yeldejj  jjonkes  /  of  his  guodes  /  pet  he  ous  he])  ydo. 
He  is  a  great  Vor-zobe  he  is  wel  vileyn  /  and  ontrewe  /  au.oreye  his 

vilain  that  never   ._,,  i;i-i  t  it- 

returns  thanks  for  Ihord  /  jjet    alio   guod  /  him  hej)   y-do.       and  Mm   ne 

kindness  received.    ,       -,     ,     ,  ,  Tiii-zi  i  i 

jjonkej)  /  ac    uoryet :    and  yeit  mm  /  Jviiead  nor  guod. 
Such  viiany  do      and  vileynye  /  uor  corteysye.     pe   ilke   vileynye  /  dej) 

those  who  do  not  ,    ,  ,  n        ;  i  i  •  i     i      p 

thank  God,  man  to  god  /  huaiine  he  /  ne  befengj)  him  najt  /  oi  pe 

guodes  /  fet  God  liim  hej)  y-do  /  and  him  deJ)  ahieway. 
and  na^t  him  ])onke])  /  ac  raj)re  him  /  ofte  werre])  /  ine 
fet  /  fet  he  use])  kueadHche  /  and  aye  godes  wil. 

but  use  iiis  gifts  jpet  is  wel  grat  vileynie  /  ase  me  fingj)  /  ])et  grat  guod- 
nesse  /  onderua[w]gJ)  /  and  ne  dayne])  1133 1  /  to  zigge  :  grat 
fank.  And  yet  liit  is  more  grat :  huanne  /  me  him 
uorza3])  /  o])er  huanne  /  me  him  uoryet.     ac  pe  ilke  /  is 

and  each  day  re-  to  grat :   huauiie  echedaye  /  onderuangj)  pe  guodnesses  : 

turn  evil  for  good. 

and  echedaye  /  yelt  kuead  /  uor  guod. 
We  have  no  gifts         J)e  ilke  /  ])et  j)anne  wel  fengj)  /  and  ofte  lokede  /  to 
gitn^us,  bfthey  fe  guodcs  /  fct  god  him  hej)  ido  /  and  dej)  alneway  :  and 

of  nature,  of  for-  ,  ^^  ^^^  ^^^  /  |^g  ^^  j^^i,  .  j,g^  ^^^  ^^  J^gj,  /  J^^  J^^^^ 
tune,  or  of  grace.  '  a  i  j        >  ^-i  j  / 

y-yeve.  ne  guodes  of  kende  :  ase  uayi'hede.  and  \\e\pe. 
an  strengfe  of  hodye.  ari  sle3J)e.  and  natm-el  wyt  / 
auoreye  pe  zaule.  ne  guodes  of  auenture.  ase  richesses. 
worssipe.  and  he3nesse.  ne  guodes  of  grace,  ase  hyj) 
Let  us  thank  God  ii/?'tues.    and  guode  woi'kes.    wel  ssolde  he  jjonki  god  : 

for  all  his  gifts  to 

us.  of  alle  his  guode.    vor  guodnesse  :  oj)er  aksej). 

II.  Folly  or  mad-  jje  oj)er  /  outreujie.  j)et  com])  of  prede  :  is  wodhede. 
The  man  is  out  of  Hie  halt  auc  man  wod.  J)et  is  out  of  his  wytte  /  ine 
Ins  wits,  huam  :  skele  is  miswent.    j)anne  wext  ari^t  /  pe  ilke  fol. 

[Foi.  5.  a.]  ^^^  miswent.  and  wel  yzed  /  wod.  j)et  ■v\^tindeliclie  / 
who  misuses  his  and  hardilichc  /  pe  guodes  /  pet  ne  hyej)  na^t  his.  ake 
whereof  behoveth  hjep.  his  Ihordes  guodes.  huer-of  /  him  heliouej)  / 
him  yield  account,  j,^j,f^j^yp]^p  /  yg^^^    rekeiiiiige  /  and    f-cele.       pet    is    to 


THE    SECUND    BOUGH    OF    PRIDE.  19 

wytene  /  jje  guodes  /  of  suo  grot  pris  /  and  pe  timliche 

guodes  /  j?et  he  hejj  /  ine  lokinge.  pe  mVtiies  of  pe  bodie  / 

and  jje  Jjojtes  /  pe  consexiteme)is  /  and  pe  willes   of  pe 

zanies  /  waste])  /  and  despendejj  /  ine    folyes  /  and   ine 

outrages  /  to-uore  Jje    e3en  /  of  his   Ihorde,  an  hbn  ne  and  thinketh  not 

poruayjj  /  ol  lus  rekeninge.     and  wel  wot  /  fet  rekeni  oning. 

him  behouejj.    an  ne  wot  /  liuanne.    ne  Jjane  day.    ne  pe 

onre.      Zuych  folie  /  is  wel  y-cleped  /  onwythede.     Of  of  suou  vices  the 

.-,.,,  11/  1  great   i)i-oud  men 

zuicne  vices  /  bye]5  nolle  /  pe  greate  proude  men  /  J?et  usejj  are  fuii. 
kueadhche  /  pe  greate  guodes  /  fet  god  ham  heJj  ylend. 

])e  firidde  ontreujje  J)et  com]?  of  prede  :  ys  renayrie.  m-  Apostasy. 

He  ys  wel  renay  /  Jjet  /  ]?et  land  Jjet  he  halt  of  his  Ihorde  /  He  is  an  apostate 

-dej)  in-to  pe  hond  of  his  uyende.     and  dej)  him  man-  loid-s  land  to  lus 

hode.     Zuych  ze?ine  make]?  ech  fet  zene'yep  dyadliche.  ^"^™^' 

nor  jjanne  alzo  moche  ase  of  him  is  he  dejj  manhode  to  as  doetii  he  who 

,1  i;  11  ,1.  -1  -,-■  P'^y^  homage  to 

pe  dyeule  /  and  becomj)  his  J^rel.     and  hiin  yelt  al  fet  the  devii. 

he  halt  of  god  /  and  bodi  /  and  zaule.    and  ojjre  guodes. 

Jjet  he  dej)  to  fe  seruice  of  pe  dyeule.     And  alba:  he  ^"<=i>  a  one  is  only 

......  .  Clnistian  in  name 

by    be  his  ziggmge  cnsten  :  he  renay jj   be   dede  /  and  and  not  in  deeds. 

ssewe])  Jjet  he  ne  is  na^t.     Ac  speciaUiche  ine  jjri  man- 

eres  is  man  ycleped  reney.     and  uals  cristen.    ojjer  nor  False    christians 

,,■,  t     1    jyi    I  1     J   -I  11/  1  -,  ^''^  those  who  sin 

Jiet  he  ne  belet  J3  /  Jjet  he  ssolde  /  ase  dep  pe  bougre  :  and  against  their 

pe  heretike  /  and  pe  apostate.    J)et  reneyejj  hire  bileaue.  ^vtS^L*^!  Ind 

0])er  nor  jjet  he  agelt  pe  byleaue  fet  he  bylef ]?.     Alsuo  ^''"''®^- 

do])  pe  uorzuorene.     and  pe  le3ers  of  pe  byleaue.     0])er 

belef  ])  more  ])anne  he  ssolde.    ase  do]j  pe  deuines  /  and 

pe   wiclien  /  and    pe   charmeresses  fet  worke])    be   pe 

dyeules    crefte.     and   alle    jjo    ])et   ine    zuyche   ]3inges  suehmensin 

jlenep   and  do])  hire  hope :    zene^e])  dyadhche.      Vor  foT  tlfe'y  sin 

alle  zuiche  ]3inges  hjep  aye  pe  byleaue.     and  jjcruore  as^i''^'^ 'i"' •^'^i'"''- 

his  uorbyet  holy  cherche.     ))ise   bye])  pe  manieres  of 

on-treu])e  /  fet  is  pe  uerste  boj  of  prede. 

pE    0])ER    BO^    OF    FREDE. 

pe  o])er  boj  /  ])et  com]?  out  /  of  be  stocke  /  of  prede  :  The  second  Bough 

_  of  Pride  is  Despite 

zuo  is  onworfnesse  [despit]  /  fet   is  /  wel  grat   zenne.  (Contempt). 

■2  « 


20  THE    THREE    KINDS    OF    CONTEMPT. 

And  ])a3  hit  by  zuo  /  Jjet  no  zenne  dyadlicli  /  by  wijj- 

oute  onworJ)nesse  /  of  god.  alneway  be  jjet  /  Jiet  we  spekeji 

There  are  three  gf  onworbliede  /  hver  specialliche  /  ine  bri  maneris  /  me 

sorts  of  this  sin.  j  i       o  i.  i  j  i 

I.  Not  praising      j^^av   zened  /  be    bise    zenne.     Ober    nor    bet  /  me   ne 

others  as  they  de-  "^  .  .  ■ 

serve.  prayze])  /  ojjren  ari3t  /  ine  berte  /  ase  me  ssolde.     Ojjer 

II.  Not  to  honour  uor  bet  /  me  ne  berb  najt  worssipe  /  and  reuerence  :  fer 

and  reverence  r^  i  -, 

where  one  siiouid.  ])et  me  ssolde.    0))er  nor  jjet  /  fet  me  ne  boujji  na3t  ari3t : 

obedience  to  those  to  ham  /  ])et  me  ssolde  /  ri3tuolliche  bou^e. 

ThTnk\ow  often         ^^u  ])ench  ri3t  wel  /  ine  j^ine  herte  /  hou  ofte  /  j^e 

Traise'd  other's,       l^est  y-do  /  fe  ilke  zonne  /  >et  Ipon  best  /  ine  >ine  herte  : 

])&   illve  /  J)et  more  bye])  worji  /  jjanne  j?ou  /  onAvorjjest. 

nor  zome  graces  wy))onte  /  )jet  god  /  J»e  heji  y-yeve.  ojjer 

uor   noblesse  /  ofer  uor  prowesse.     ojjer  uor  richesse. 

ojjer   uor   wyt.      ojjer   uor   uayi'hede.      ojjer   uor   ojjre 

guodes  /  huet  pet  hi  by  :  hueruore  /  fou  ])e  prayzest  / 

more  jjanne  J)e  ssoldest.     and  ojjren  lesse. 

how  thou  hast  fail-         Efterward  /  bench  hou  uele  zibe  bou  best  /  Htel  ybore 

ed  in  givmg  due 

honour  to  God,  to  worjjssipe  /  and   reuerence  /  to    ham  /  jjet  Ipou  ssoldest. 
saints,  and  His      Auerst  /  to  god.     and  to  liis  modcr.     and  to  his  hal  en. 

and  to  J3e  angles  of  heuene.     Vor  ]?er  ne  is  non  /  to-yans 

huani  /  ]?et  jioxi  ne  hest  agelt  /  ine  onwor[j5]nesse  [des  pit]. 

ojjer  be  onworjjnesse  /  fet  ])ou  hest  /  ofte  zijjes  /  euele  / 

and  Avi'ojie  /  y-loked  hire  festes. 
and  how  many  Efter  fiaii  Jjeiicli  /  liou  uele  zi])e  /  J)0u  hest  misserued 

badly  seized ''om-  oure  Ihoi'd  Jcsu  crist.    oJ5er  ine  fet  /  pet  pou  ne  hest  na3t 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  "blebeliclie  /  v-liyerd  his  seruise.     ne  y-zed  his  benes.    ne 

in  not  hearing  ser-  j  i  -j      <i 

mons,  yhyerd  sermons,     and  huanne  pe  ssoldest.     yhere  his 

and  in  jangling      messe  /  ober  his  sermon  /  at  cherche  :  jjou  iangledest  / 

and  jesting  at 

niass.  and  bourdedest  /  to-uor  god.   and  ine  pet  /  pu  liere  him  / 

litel  worpssipe. 
Think  too  how  Eftcrward  /  hou  pou  hest  uelezipe  /  htel  ybore  worp- 

little  honour  thou         .  ,,it  i      p  ^  ■    j_    i  ■,  ,  t   •, 

hast  shown  to  the  ssipe.     to  pe  bodye  /  01  J  esu  crist  /  pa^aie  pou  hit  yzeje. 

whln°thou  salest  ^f^^'  > ^"'^®  /  > °"  ^^'^  oiideruinge.     ine  pet  /  pet  pou  nere 

or  receivedst  it,  j^^-t  /  digneliche  y-di;t  /  be  ssrifpe.      and   by  vorpen- 

"areSft"'"'  t-hjiige.     Opcr  b.e  auenture  /  pet  wors  is  :    pet  pou  hit 


angels, 

[Fol.  5.  b.] 


THE  THIRD  BOUGH  OF  PRIDE.  21 

onde^ui?^ge  ine  dyadlich  zewne  /  be  bine  wjiiinde  /  jjet  is  iief.nvi  and  by 

shrift  and  repent- 

grat  oiiworjjnesse.  [despit.]  anee. 

Eft^rward  /  to  pine  zuete  uela3e  /  and  to  fine  /  guode 
lokere  /  jjin  angle.  ]?et  alneway  /  jje  lokejj.  hou  nele 
ssanies  /  jjou  hest  him  y-do  /  ine  jjet  /  jjou  dedest  /  jjine 
zemies  /  Leuore  lii??i. 

Efterward  jjench /hou  uelezi]5e/j3ou  hest  y-by/on'bo3-  Think  how  often 
sam  to  jjine  nader  /  and  to  j?ine  nioder.  and  to  ]5an  /  to  disobedient  to  tiiy 
hua;/i  pou  ssoldest  hou5e  :  and  here  homir.  Yef  >ou  ;f't7ou"ir«m's 
wylt  /  ine  bise  nianere  /  recordy  bi  lif :  bou  sselt  ysi  bet  ^^'^"'^'^  ^^^  ^'''•^' 

'  -^  _  '  •'    ■"  ^  J       r        thou  Shalt  see  that 

J30u  hest  /  more  zibe  y-zenead  /  ine  zuyche  manere  /  of  t^ou  hast  sinned 

.  .  ■■  '  more  times  than 

prede  /  jjet  is  ycleped  /  onworjjnesse  [despit]  :  pet  jjou  /  thou  canst  num- 
ne  kanst  na^t  telle. 

j)E    iij    BO3    OP    PiJBDE. 

)?e  bridde  boj  of  prede :  is  /  arrogance,  bet  me  clei)eb  /  The  third  Bough 

'  '  '     oi  Pride  is  Arro- 

opwenmge  /  o])er  opniminge.  jjanne  pe,  man  /  wenj)  ganee,  or  Upween- 
more  /  of  him-zelue  /  fa/me  he  ssolde.  )?et  ys  to  zigge  :  a  man  is  guiity  of 
Jjet  wenjj  by  /  more  worjj :  f a?me  he  by.  of er  more  thlniTetMoomuch 
may:  fa/aie  he  mo3e.  ofer  more  conne :  J3a?me  he  ofothert^''*"'^'^^* 
can.  ofer  wenJ)  by  more  worj?.  ofer  more  mo3e.  oJ?er 
more  conne  :  J3a?me  eny  ofer.  }5is  ze??ne  /  is  Jje  strengfe  / 
of  pQ  dyeule.  vor  he  lokej?  /  and  norissejj  /  alle  pe,  greate  This  sin  nourish- 
gostHche  ze?mes.  jpis  ze?jne  hi???.  sseaAvejj  /  ine  iiele  sptituai^lns^"^^^' 
maneres.  ober  be  dede  /  ober  be  speche.  ac  nameliche  /  ^'"f, !'"  showeth 

'  111.  I    itself  m  SIX  ways. 

ine  zix  maneres.  fet  is  to  "wytene  /  ine  onlepihede.  uor  pe  i.  singularity. 

,       /         ,     ,  ,  ,  ,  ,   The  proud  and  tlie 

proude  /  and  pe  ouerwenere  /  wenef  more    by  worjj  /  overweener  win 

ofer  conne  :  more  panne  enie   ofre.      and  ne   daynejj  Hfotherf"  ^°  '^^ 
na3t  do  /  ase  ofre  /  pet  more  byejj  worjj  /  ]5a??ne  he  by.  ac 
rajjre  /  -wile  by  /  onlepi  ine  his  dedes.     J?et  is  pe  nerste 
ze?ine  /  be  huam  ouerweninge  is  ine  dede. 

J?e  ojjer  is  /  fol  niminge  /  of  greate  spendinge.  fet  me  ii.  Prodigality, 

clepej)  p?'odigalite.  huawne  he  dej)  /  to  moche  despense.  spending' of  ** 

ofer  /  of  his  03en  :  ofer  /  of  o>re  ma??ne  :   uor  to  by  /  y-  TSed  and""'" 

praysed.  and  Jjeruore  /  jjet  me  hi???  hyalde  /  pe  more  large  /  I^iberaUnd"'" 

and  pe  more  corteys.  ^°^- 


22 


OF    BOASTING,    SCORN,    AND    AMBITION. 


III.  False  Strife.         ])e  jjriclde  kuead  /  jjet  comjj  of  ouerweninge  :  ys  fole 

This  is  to  support  .      .  p         i  •  n  ;  n   i 

a  thing  we  know  opnimiiige  01  uals  strii.     ase  zayf  /  balomon.  pet  is  to 
"^■'         zigge.  huo  jjet  niimjj  /  a  uals  strif  anliand  /  and  wot  wel  / 
pet  hit  is  uals.  and  hit  uol  ej). 

IV.  Boasting  j)q  uerjje  tuyg  /  of  jje  ilke  bo3e  /  huer-by  /  pe  proude  / 
The  boaster  is  the  sseawejj  piede  /  of  his  herte  :  is  yelpingge.     bet  is  /  wel 

Cuckoo,  lie  can 

only  sing  of  him-  iioul  ze??ne  /  and  to  god  :  an  to  Ipe  wordle.    j)e  yelpere  is 

self 

[Foi.  6  a]       P^  cockou.     ])et  ne  kan  /  na^t  zinge  /  bote  of  hi?H-zelue  : 
This  sin  is  seen  in  Vjig  ze??ne  is  vbounde  ine  ban  /  bet  be  his  o^ene  nioube  / 

those  who  yelpeth       _  ''  . 

of  their  own  wit,  him  yelpb.    ober  of  his  wytte.     ober  of  his  ke??ne.     ober 

descent,  works,  or  .  _ 

prowess.  of  his  woi'kes.    ojjer  of  his  pronesse.     Ac  he  hir»,  doble]) 

He  sinneth  ine  ham  /  Jjet  ])e  yelpere  /  and  jje  lozenionr  /  zechejj  / 

others  tcTextoi       '^^^  I'edej?  /  and  yefj)  ham  of  his  /  uor  ham  to  praysi. 

him,  and  to  lie  and  i  ,-  n  •>  t.xi-/  j  i.      • 

boast  of  his  noble-  ^nd  uoi  to  zigge  of  ham  :  ])et  hi  /  ne  dorre  na^t  zigge. 


ness. 


and  uor  to  lye^e  of  ham  :  and  te  grede  hare  noblesse. 


V.  Scorn.   This  is         jje  vifte  out-kestiiige  /  of  j)e  like  stocke  /  is  scorn. 

the    wont   of  the  .  r     -\      i  i  ■ 

proud,  who  scorn   V  or  jjct  IS  ]iQ  woiie  /of  ))e  proude :  ouer-wen[erJe  /  )5et  him 

those  they  see       HG  is  na^t  yno3  /  to  ouwor])!  /  iue  his  herte  /  jje  ofre. 

=  ang  1 .        ^^^  ^^  habbej)  na^t  /  jje  graces  /  Jjet  he  wenj?  habbe. 

ac  make])  /  his  bisemers  /  and    his   scornes.     and  jjet 

wors  is  :  bisemerejj  and  scorneji  pe  guode  men.     and  of 

ham  /  Jiet  he  yzi^J)  /  wende  to  guode.     jjet  is  wel  grat 

By  their  evil         zcMiie.     and  wel  dreduol.     Ac  /  uor  hire  eii^le  tongen  : 

tongues  they  pre- 

vent  much  folk      hi  miswcude])  /  moche  uolk  /  to  done  wel. 

from  doing  well.  ;       n     i 

VI.  Opposition  )?e  zixte  kestinge  out  /  of  the  illce  bo^e  :  is  wyjj- 
The  proud'"over-  stoiidinge.  )5et  is  /  hua?^ne  jje  man  wy])stant  /  to  alle 
eXrpi'Littn,  ^^^  =  fet  guod  /  him  wolde.  Vor  >e  proude  /  ouer- 
chastening,  or  ad-  ^eucrc  :  yef  me  him  wijinimj)  :  he  hi??^  defende]).     yef 

me  him  chaste])  :  he  is  wroj).     yef  me  Yam  wel  ret.     he 
This  sin  is  a  peril-  j^g  left)  neiiue  /  bote  his  oaene  wyt.     Hit  is  a  perilous 

ous  sickness,  si/ 

since  all  medicines  zikuessc  /  ])et  ue  may  ua^t  ])olye  :  ])et  me  hi??i  take,   and 

turn  into  venom. 

to  ])an  /  ])et  alle  medicines  :  went  in  to  uenim. 

}2E    iiij.    BO3    OF    PREDE. 

If'pn°dTl^ro?i  )5e  uerpe  bo^  of  prede  /  is  fole  Ti^dninge.  \ei  me 
Desire  (Ambi-       clcpef)  /  ine  clcrgie  :  ambicion.     ])et  is  /  kuead  Avilninge 


THE    FOURTH    AXD   FIFTH    BOUGHS    OF    PRIDE.  23 

he-se  to  cliue.   bis  ze?me  /  is  be  dyeiiles  pa«ne  /  of  helle.  This  sin  is  the 

-'  '  I         r        J  i.  I  devil's  pan  of  heU. 

huerinne  /  he  makef  liis  sriinges.     )?es  bo3  him  spret  /  Tiiis  bough 

iiie  uele  nianyeres  /  arijtlialf  /  and  alefthalf.      Vor  pe  and  left. 

ilke  /  jjet  wylnej)  /  heje  to  cliue  :  to  zome  /  ha  wyle  On  the  one  side  it 

.  •    ;•■     IP    appears  in  flattei-y 

queme.     and  feroi  wexep  /  uele  zennes :  ase  ari3thaJi.  and  simulation, 

Jjet  is  to  wytene  :  loze«gerie.  simulacion.  folliche  yeiie  : 

uor  Jjet  me  ssel  hxm  hyealde  /  corteys  /  and  large.     To  on  the  other  in 

/  slander 

ojjren  /  ha  wyle  harniy.    and  jjerof  com]?  Jje  ze?me  /  a- 

lefthalf.     ase  to  niiszigge  /  to  ham  /  jjet  he  wyle  harmi :  an^i  evii  win ; 

him  uor  to  anhe^i.  and  him  arerej)  hlame  /  and  w}"lnejj  / 

Jjane  dyaj)  /  of  jjan  /  j^et  halt  /  Jjet  he  wen]?  come  to  / 

and  bezuykynges.     and  eiiel  red  ;  co?zspiracions.      strif.  •"  deceit,  treach- 

•^     -^     ^  .  ery,    bad    advice, 

and  uele  ojjre  ze?mes  /  Jiet  Avexe]?  /  of  ]?ise  queade  bo3e.    conspiracy,  and 

strife. 
)?E    V.    BO3    OF    PREDE. 

])B  uifte  bo3  of  prede  /  is  ydele  bhsse.  jjet  is  /  fole  /  The  Fifth  Bough 
likinge  /  of  fole  heryinge.  j3a?^ne  he  uelj)  /  ine  liis  herte  "idie-bUs's)  ^"'  ^ 
wytindeliche  /  of  jjet  he  is  /  ojjer  wenj)  by.  yhered  /  of  ^®  that  loves  to 
zome  j?inge  /  jjet  he  he]?  ine  him  /  ojier  wen])  habbe. 
and  wyle  by  yhered.  j^erof  /  huerof  /  he  ssolde  herie  robbeth  God  and 
god.  And  feruore  /  ydelebhsse  /  benim])  god  /  and  Sh 'is^nts ;  for 
steljj  /  ])et  his  is.  Yor  of  alle  oure  guodes  :  he  ssel  °haiihaTth?"^ 
habbe  be  worbssipe  /  and  be  heryinge.     and  we  /  be  worship  and  hon- 

AVynny[«]gge.  »se  of  them. 

Ydelebhsse  :    is  jje  grete  wynd  /  |)et  JirauJ?  doiui  /  idie-Wiss  is  a 
|)e  greate  tours  /  and  Jje  11630  steples  /  and  jie  greate  ^ig^down  great 
beches  /  ine  wodes  /  jjrau]?  to  grounde.     an  fe  greate  p^esfand  greaf "^" 
halles  /  make])  to  resye.     ])et  bye])  /  ]3e  he3e  men  /  and  ^^^<=^''  in  woods. 
J)et  bye])  /  mest  wor]>.     jpet  is  J)e  dyeules  peni  /  huer-  it  is  the  deviVs 
mide  he  bay])  /  aUe  fe  uayre  pane-wor])es  /  ine  the  heTuyetii  gooT 
markatte  /  of  ])ise  wordle  /  fet  bye])  /  Jie  guode  workes.  ^^"^  ^" 
And  uor  J)et  /  ])er  bye])  /  \vi  manere  of  guodes  /  J)et 
man  he])  of  god.     and  ])et  J»e  dyeuel  /  Avjde  begge  /  mid 
his  pans  :  Jieruore  /  hi???  to-del])  ])is  bo3  /  ine  fri  manere  /  it  spreadeth  inio 

three  small 

smaie  bo3es  /  huer-of  wexe])  /  ecli  manere  ze?nie  /  ]iet  no  boughs, 
clerek  /  ne  kan  telle.      J3e  ilke  pri  manere  guodes  /  J)et 


24 


OF    THREE    KINDS    OP    GOODS. 


Tiie  goods  that  v.e  ^611  heb  of  god.    bveb  /  be  giiodes  of  kende.    be  guodes 

have   of  God    are  r         &                J    Y  I    r     b                                           r      o 

1.  goods  of  nature,  of  Iiap.     jje  giiodes  of  grace.     )?e  kendeliche  guodes  / 

2.  goods  of  fortune,  . 

3.  goods  of  grace.  Dye])  Jjo  /  J)et  1116  clepej?  /  by  kende.    o])er  /  aye  pet 
The  kindly  goods  i^^^j    .  ^j^gj,  /         t,g  ^aule.  Auorve  bet  bodi  :   ase  belbe. 

are  those  pertain-  d          j        i      d      r                                  •/      r                                          i 

ing  to  the  body  or  uayrbede.   stiengjie.    prouesse.    noblesse,    guode  tonge. 

Tiie  bodily  goods  guode  rearde.     Auorye  fe  zanle  :  ase  clier  wyt.    wel  uor 

are  heal  til,  beauty,  i           -i                 ;          i                               i       / 

strength,  prowess,  to  niiderstoiide.     and  sotil  wy^t  /  wel  uor  to  vjaide  / 

t'ongue'!'and"good  gu.ode  oiiderstondiiige  :  wel  to  ofhealde.  And  ]?e  u/rtues 

TheTTrHuai  ^^  kende  /  huerby  /  som  ys  kendeliclie  :  more  j)a?me 

poods  are  clear  ober.     ober  larger  /  ober  milder  /  ober  graciouser.     ober 

and  subtle  wit  and  •*                 '               o       i       r                         /      r        o               ^                  j 

a  good  under-  atempres.      and  wel  y-ordayned.      Of  alle  ])ise  yefjies. 

standing.  ii         j? 

For  all  these  gifts  me  ssel  Jjonki  god  /  and  serui  /  nor  jjet  hi  come])  alle  oi 

wem,ghttotha„k  j^^^^_       ^.^^^^g    ^^  p^^^^^  I  j^gg    ^^^^    ^^    jg    ^yg^^jg    I  ^^Q^ 

?r:;Sueththlm  f'^^^e  lialsne  peny  /  of  ydele^  blisse.      and  werre>  ofte 

to  the  devil  for  the  „q^  I  ^f  alle  lus  guodes.     liuer-of  /  he  ssolde  bonki  god. 

false  penny  of  idle-  &         '                              °                                        '                            r              o 

bliss.  And  liuo  })et  nim])  wel  yeme  /  ine  alle  ])ise  guodes  of 

kende  /  ])et  ich  liabbe  /  ssortliche  y-tald  ;  by  liit  zertne  / 

be  ydele  bhsse  /  ine  to  uele  maneres  /  fet  /  ech  may 

betere  y-zy  /  yiie  hi»?--zelue  /  yef  he  wyle  /  wel  studie  : 

]3et  o])re  iie  conne  hi»i  zigge. 

The  goods  of  for-  J?e  guodes  of  hap  :  bye})  he^nesses.  richesses.  delices. 

h"ighnes^s^  riches,  ^-ud  prosperites.  huerof  me  ]>engj)  /  in  uele  maneres.   Vor 

dejights,' prosper:  j^^^nne  fe  Iheuedi  of  hap  /  he]j  hire  hue3el  y-went.     to 

When  the  lady  be  manue  /  and  arered.     and  yzet  to  be  lieabe  of  hare 

of    fortune    turns  >                        '                                                 ^                   x             ji 

her  wheel  to  man,  huejel  /  ase  [jje]  ^  iiielle  to  })e  wynde.  and  ])ere  he^e  y-cliue. 

him  all  the  twelve  jjere  blawet)  /  alle  Jje  tuelf  wyiides  :  of  ydele  blisse.   Vor 

winds  of  Idle-bliss, 

huanne  ])e  ilke  /  }>et  is  zuo  lie3e  arise  /  iiie  prosperite  / 

and  in  his  pros-  ])eng])  in  his  herte  /  uerst  /  to  Jje  dignete.  efterward  /  to 

his  dignity,  pros-  his  prosperite.     efter])an  /  to  his  richesses.     efterward  / 

fustsf'  fellowship,  ^0  ^is  lostes  /  fet  his  body  he]>.     efter]:an  /  to  ]:e  greate 

his '^'manners!' Ms  «ela3rede  /  fct  Mm  uol3e]).      efterward  /  to  ]>&  uayre 

ridings,  and  mayiie  /  bet  lii??z  serueb.     efterban  /  to  his  uayre  man- 

abundance  of  fair  -j          i    i                               j                    j         i                           ^ 

robes;  eres.    efterward  /  to  his  uaire  ridinges.    efte[r]ward  /  to 

to  the  decking  of  \iQ  plente  /  of  uayre  robes,  efterfan  /  to  ]3e  di3tinge  /  of 

his  house,  and  to  ,  .      ,                 ,           ,                    p  i      ,       /          t       ,                            i 

his  ease;  his  house  /  wyp  eyse  oi  loste  /  and  opre  manere  har- 


1  MS.  ycMele.  2  j, 


e  is  incorrectly  erased  in  MS. 


THE    SIXTH   BOUGH    OF    TRIDE.  25 

neys  /  fet  zuo  moche  is  uajT  /  and  noble,     efterward  / 

to  be  greate  presens  /  and  to  be  greate  festes  /  fet  me  to  great  feasts, 

'  and  to  his  good 

him  make))  oiieral.     efterjjan  /  to  Ms  guode  los  /  and  to  fame. 

his  prayzinges  /  Jjet  oueral  ule]?.     )?us  him  ioissef  and  J^?;",,^,' ;°„;£; 

hir/i  glorifieb  be  wreche  /  ine  his  herte.  zuo  bet  he  not  /  "^at  he  knoweth 

°  ■*    ■•  '  •'  not  where  he  is. 

huer  he  ys.  Jjise  byef  pe  yefjjes  /  fet  comep  of  ydele 
bhase,  Ipet  is  to  wj^tene  xij.  maneres  of  nondinge  of  ydele 
blisse.  fet  habbej?  ])0  :  ine  he3  stat.  ojjer  ine  fe 
wordle.     oJ)er  ine  religion,     ojjer  clerk,     ofer  lewed. 

be  guodes  of  grace,  byeb  nirtues  /  and  giiode  workes.  The  goods  of  grace 

are  virtues  and 

iVnd  aye  Jjise  giiodes  /  ofte  blauj)  fe  strangiaker  /  ydele  good  works: 

blisse.  and  ofte  neljj  J?e  gi-eatte  traues  /  and  fie  he3este. 

J?et  byej)  /  fe  meste  guode  men.      And  sselt  j-wyte  / 

fet  yne  n/rtues  /  and  ine   guode  workes  :    uonde])  fe  tJIfg^ji^'lj^^jJl^gQ^ 

dyeuel  /  be  ydele  blisse  /  ine  fri  maneres.     \)e  on  /  zuo  ^^ays. 

is  /  ine   herte  /  wj^finne  /  hua?me   me   yherj?  /  oi   Ipe  l  » •  7.  a.] 

guodes  /  J)et  me  dej?  /  prmeliche.  ase  of  benes.  ojjer/  of  man  thii"  wmseif 

priu6  workes.    and  wen])  fe  man  /  by  betere  mid  god  :  ^,^17^11';^°'^ 

banne  he  by.     be  ober  /  zuo  ys  /  huawne  he  heb  /  ane  ^nd.  He  causes 

T  J         i  I        I  'J      I  II  him  to  be  pleased 

fole  bhsse  ine  lli?^^  /  of  bet  /  he  yherb  /  ober  y-zi^b  /  at  hearing  himself 

'  •*  J     /       J  yi     •     praised  as  a  good 

of  his  guode  nameco])hede.  and  fet  he  is  ypraysed.  and  man. 
y-hyealde  uor  guod  man.    ])e  jjridde  zuo  is  /  hua«ne  he  ^^^  c^sj"  ami 
wilneb  /  and  zekb  /  and  porchaceb   los  /  and   name-  ^^^i'  ^  soo^  name 

'I  '     '  ^  '  '  not  for  God's  sake, 

cou])hede.    and   in    zuiche    onderstondinge   /   de])    his  butfortheworurs. 
guodes  /  na^t  uor  god  properliche  :  ac  uor  \q  wordle. 

)5E    ZIXTE    BO3    OP    PREDE. 

be  zixte  bo:  of  prede  :  is  -VT^ocr/sye.   bet  is  a  ze??ne  /  '"'^  ^^'^".i  ^°"sh 
fet  make))  to   sse^n^y  /  jje  guod  wyf)-oute  /  Jjet   ne  is  crisy. 
na3t  /  Avyf-inne.       J2a«ne  byef    \o  /  ypocntes  /  fet  StTsUopSnd 
make))  ham  guode  men  /  and  ne  bye]?  na3t.     ])et  make]?  *°g^^^°°J^"'"^^"* 
more   strengfie  /  to  habbe  Jiane   name  of  guod  man  : 
]ja?me  ])e  zo])nesse  :  and  \q  holinesse.     And  ]>is  liire  to-  kindTof  hypocrisy 
del])  /  ine  fry.     Vor  fer  is  /  an  ypocrisye  /  uoul.     and  subt'ie!^""''^**'  ^" 
anofre  /  fole.  and  fe  fridde  /  sotil.     ])o   bye])  /  uoule  ^^^^-f^^.^^^ho  do 
Ypoo-rtes  /  bet  dob  /  h\Te  uoulhedes  /  ine  halkes  :  And  t^"'"-  f""'  ^^^^^  *" 

J  1  /    r  T  I       J  I  corners ; 


26  THE  SEVENTH  BOUGH  OF  PRIDE. 

and  such  men  our    sseaAvejj  ham  giiocle  /  to-uore  ]3e  uolke.     Zuiclie  clepejj  / 

Lord  comiiaresto  niT-i  i  ■,  ,         -,  i 

painted  and  gilded  oui'e  lliorcl  :  berieles  ypeyiit.  and  y-gelt.  ])o  ojej)  / 
TtefooUsh  hypo-  ^ole  jpocn'tes  /  fiet  71103  ham  lokejj  klenhche  /  to  J)e 
bodrcSe!''so  as  "b^dje  /  and  do]?  manie  penoncea  /  an  guode.  prmci- 
men'-'«nrfhe°/  PalHche  :  uor  ])e  los  /  of  pe  wordle.  nor  ])et  /  me  halt 
maice  false  money  }^q^d;i  I  guode  men.     bo  bveb  wel  foles.     nor  /  of  guod 

out  of  good  metal.  '    '^  r  J    r  /  c^ 

The  subtle  hypo-  metal :  hj  make])  /  nalse  moneye.     j)o  hyeb  ypocr/tes  / 

crites  aspire  to 

dignities,  and  hide  sotyls.  Jiet  sotilliche  /  "wyllej)  hcjc  cline.  and  stele])  /  fe 

their  evil  disposi-  i  t  -,        ^  tti;i 

tion,  dmgnetes  /  and  Ipe  baylyes.     Hy  do]?  /  al  pet  guod  man 

gain  their  posi-  ssel  do  :  zuo  pst  no  man  /  ne  may  his  knawe  /  al-hnet 
ti^emsSir"  >a»ne/],et  lii  by],  uol  wexe  /  and  he3e  yclme  /  ine 
their  true  colours,  dyngnetes.  And  Ipatiiie  j  ssewej)  hy  ])e  kneades  /  Jiet 
were  /  y-hole  /  and  yroted  /  ine  J^e  herte.  Jiet  is  to 
and  exhibit  their  wytene  :  prede.  anarice.  malice,  and  o]jre  kneade  dedes. 

pride,  avarice,  and 

malice.  huer-Dy  me  knan])  aperteliche  :     Jiet  /  ])et  tran  /  nes 

nenre  guod.  and  ])et  hit  wes  /  al  fayntise  /  and  ypocr^'sie  : 
al  ])et  he  hedde  beuore  y-ssewed.  ]peruore  /  hit  is  zop 
yzed.  "  l^e  sselt  Jjou  nenre  y-Avyte  /  huet  man  ys  : 
alhnet    he  ys  /  Jier  he  wyle  by." 

J5E    ZEVENDE    BOj    OF    PREDE. 

The  Seventh  J)e  zeuende  bo3  /  of  prede  /  ys  /  fol  drede  /  and  fole 

Bough  of  Pride  is 

foul  dread  and  ssame  /  liuane  me  let  /  wel  to  done  /  nor  Jje  wordle  / 
i.^e.  when  one  f  et  me  ne  by  /  yhyealde  ypocrite  /  ne  papelard  /  huer 
woTw  more  timn  "^6  dret  more  ])e  wordle  :  ])a»ne  god.  ])e  ilke  ssame  / 
^°^-  com]5  of  kneade   kuemynge  /  fet   me   wyle   kneme  / 

This  sin  is  the       ijg  kueade.     And  lieruore  /  is  hy  do3ter  of  prede.     and 

daugliter  of  pride,   '  r  I  >■'         :>  i- 

and  maketh  men  be  zcuende  bo2  /  hcjUche.     and  makel)  ofte  /  lete  liet 

to  forsake  God  and   '  J  l  }  i  i  j 

please  the  world,    guod  to  done  :  and  do  ]jet  knead  /  uor  to  kueme  kuead- 
liche  to  ]»e  wordle. 

The  Second  Head  ,  ,  /  i. 

of  the  Beast  of  )?ET    0])ER    HEAUED  /  OF    )5E    BESTE    OF    HELLE. 

The  second  head         Jjet    ojier   lifiaued  /  of  Jie  IvueQ-de  beste  :    is    ennie. 

of  the  beast  is  i  i  ;  t     /  -r'        ■        /    • 

Envy,  an  adder      })et   IS   \e   eddre  /  fet   al  /  enuenyme]).       Jinnie  /  is 

thalpoisonetli  all.  n;,,!-,  i,  ■       \      t-    ■,         -\  t 

Envy  is  death's  uioder  /  to  \%  dyafe.  vor  by  fe  enuie  /  ol  \q  dyeule  : 
thfdekri  "e^nvy  com  dya]j  /  to  ]?e  wordle  /  ])et  is  \q  ze»ne  /  >et  mest 
fhe  worir^  '"'°  f^^i?*  /  i^ake])  man  /  iHch  Jje  dyeule  :    his  uader.     Yor 


OF    THE    SIN    OF    ENVY.  27 

pe  dyeuel  /  ne  hate])  /  bote  ojjres  guod.   and  ne  lone))  /       ^^^^_  ^  ^  -| 
bote  obres  harm,    and   zno  deb  /  be  ennions.     fe   en-  The  envious  man 

•'  dislikes  to  see  the 

iiions  /  ne  may  ysy  /  j)et  gnod  of  ojjren  /  na??more  /  prosperity  of  other 
panne  pe  oule  /  ofer  pe  calouwe  mous  /  pe  bri3tnesse  /  just 'as  the  owi  and 
of  j)e  zoniie.  j)e  ilke  ze?me  /  hi?;?,  to-delj?  /  ine  j)ri  brightness  o^  the 
bo^es  /  he3Hche.  A' or  pe  ilke  ze??ne  /  anuenyme])  /  ^^1";  sin  is  divided 
alberuerst  /  be   herte  /  of   be    eniiious.  and  efterward  /  into  three  boughs. 

r  I    r  I  r  /it  poisons,  l.  the 

bane  moub  and  efterward  /  be  workes.     be  herte  of  be  I'eart,  2.  the 

^  '  '   '  _  ■•       mouth,  3.  the 

enuious  /  ys  enuenymed  /  and  suo  miswent.     ])et  he  ne  works  of  man. 

,  ,,  I  1  •     T  •  ,  ■       1    I   '^'^^  envious  heart 

may/  ofre  ma??ne  guod  /  yzj^  /  ))et  hit  hi???  ne  uorJ)ing|)  /  cannot  bear  to  look 

W}'j)inne  Jie  herte.    and   dem])  kueadHche.    and  j)et  he  mai^s'^hapifiness. 

yzi3J)  /  o]}er  fiet  /  he  yher|)  :  wimp  hit  to  kueade  "wytte  / 

and   of   al  /  make])   liis    harm,     zuo  moche  /  ])et  to  fie 

herte  /  of   pQ   enuious  /  ])03tes  uenimouses  /  of  uals 

dom  /  bet  me  ne  hise  may  telle.     Efterward  ba??ne  /  be  '"iien  the  envious 

If  "^  X  /    X       ynan  heareth  of 

enuious  y-her])  /  opev  yz}']>  /  ofiremaj^ne  kued  /  huet  ])et  ai'other-s  misfor- 

hit  by  /  o]>er  kuead  of  bodye  /  ase  dya])  /  ojier  ziloiesse.  poverty,  &c., 

o]>er   kuead   of  auenture  [hap],  ase  pouerte  /  ofer   ad- 

uersite.  opev  kuead  gosthch  /  ase  hua??ne  he  yher])  /  fet 

zome  /  ])et  me    hyelde  guode  men  :    ys   y-blamed  /  of 

zome  vice.     Of  fielliche   Jjinges  /  hi??i   glede])    ine  his  ^e  rejoiceth  in  his 

herte.     Efterward  /  hua??ne  he  yzi3])  /  o])er  yher])  /  pe 

guod  of  of)ren.    by  hit  /  guod  of  kende  /  ofier  guod  of 

hap  /  o]ier  guod  of  g?'ace  /  huerof  Ave  habbe])  /  aboue  y-  ^°  ™en's  happ-- 

speke  :    ])a??ne  him  com])  /  a  zoi^e  to  pe  herte  /  ])et  he  him  to  be  sorrow- 

.  ,  TIT  /  ful  in  lieart. 

ne   may  by   me   reste  /  ne  maky  glednesse  /  ne   uayr 

se??iblant.     K"ou  bou  mi3t  ysy  /  bet  be  venimouse  herte  /  Thus  the  envious 

heart  sinneth  in  a 

of  pe  enuiouse  /  zeue-i^ep  generalliche  :  ine  fri  maneres.  threefold  manner, 
ine  ualse  demynges.  ine  awai^ede  glednesse.  ine  worse  1.  in  false  deem- 
zor3es.    alsuo  he   zene-t^ep  by  pe  mou])e.     Vor  hit  be-  2.''in  wicked  giad- 
houe])  /  ])et   zuich  wjoi  /  yerne  by  >e  teppe  :  ase  pev  ^n  worse  sor- 
is  /  ine  be  tonne.     And  uor  bet  /  be  herte  /  wes  uol  of  ™"'-. 

I  '  I        I    J  I  jle  sinnetli  also  by 

uenym  :   hit  behoueli  /  bet  hit  Iheape  /  out  be  pe  \\\o\\pe.  the  mouth, 

.  /  .    for  his  heart  be- 

}5anne  of  fie  mo[?<]fie  /  of  fie  enuious  /  comefi  out  /  fin  ing  fuii  of  venom, 
manere  wordes  uenimouses.  huerof  spekf)  dauifi  /  ine  the  the'^mouth,*\'n  the 
sautere.  pet  "  pe  mou])  /  of  pe  enuious  :   is  uol  of  cor- 


form  of   eurslnj; 


28 


THE    VENOM    OF    THE    ENVIOUS. 


tSe'ry'''""^  siiige  /  and  of  biterhede  /  an  of  bezuykynge."  Of 
corsynge  :  nor  Ipe  gnodes  of  oj?ren  /  he  niissay])  /  and 
hise  lessejj  /  alsemoclie  /  ase  be  may.  Of  byterbede  : 
nor  J)e  kueades  /  of  ojjren  /  be  bise  nioreji  /  and  arerej?  / 
be  bis  mi3te.  Of  bezuykyinge.  vor  al  ])et  be  jz^]>  /  ojier 
yher]5 :  lie  went  bit  to  Iviieade  /  and  bit  deiuft  /  ualslycbe. 

The  envious  hath  Efterward  /  pe  enuious  /  bejj   fri  mane?'es  /  of  uenini 

tliree  manners  of.  ,,  it,/-  it-  ii 

venom  in  deeds,  me  clede  :  Rse  be  nep  /  me  niouj^e  /  and  me  berte. 
uor  kende  /  of  Jje  enuious  :  is  to  wij^dra^e  /  and  uor  to 
destrue  /  be  bis  mi3te  :   alle  guod  /  by  bit  bte  /  by  hit 

The  envious  man  lesse  /  by  bit  uoldo.     J?a?me  is  he  /  of  fe  kende  /  of  Ipe 

is  like  the  basi-        -i  t  i      i       /  t      j       ;  i 

lisk,  no  greenness  baseiycoc.  uoT  110  greubede  /  ne  may  yleste  /  beuore 
J^_  as  e  ore  liyjn^  ne  ill  gerse  /  ne  in  busse  /  ne  in  trauwe.  J5a?uie 
Com  has  three  ^J  p^  godspelle  :  fet  corn  he]3  jjri  stas.^  uor  liit  is  uerst 
inThe'gra'ss  after-  ^^®  ^'^®  gerse  /  eftsiward  :  ine  yere.  efterward  /  is  uol  of 

ward  it  is'^fuu'of  ^^^  I  ^^^  ^^  ^"^P^"  ^^^^°  i'^'^  ^^'^J'  ^°^^®  /  J'®*  l^abbef 
fi'^i'^-  guod  ginninge  /  wel  uor  to  Kbbe  /  and  to  profiti  /  and 

1.  The  envious  bye]5  ase  iue  gerze.  J)e  ilke  /  hxm  paynejj  /  jje  enuious  / 
quench  the  begin-  uor  te  kueuche  /  yef  he  may.  )pe  ojjre  bye))  /  ase  ine 
«mfhfse!st"'''  yere  /  fet  wel  floure>  /  ine  guode  /  and  profitej).  by  bit 
°*^Hrtries  to  ^°  ^^^  '  "^fe^  to  ))e  woidle.  and  J)o  rebelej)  /  ]je  enuyous  / 
slander  and  to       ^or  to  sseiide  /  and  to  destrue  :  be  liys  iiii^te.     be  obre 

destroy  those  '  J  i  >         r 

flourishing  in        bye  J)  uol-mad  /  and  ine  grat  stat  /  and  do]?  niocbe  guod  / 

goodness.  i/i  titt  ii/ 

[Foi.  8.  a.]  to    god  /  and   to    fe   wordle.      Vor  jjet  guode  los  /  to 

r;w  and  bftlemess  ^batye  :  and  byi-e  guodes  to  lo3y  /  J?e  enuious  agrayf  ejj  / 

rS^birefin  '-^lle  his  gynnes.     Yor   fe  more  /  f et  J,e  guodes  bye> 

goodness.  greate  :  be  more  zoraeb  /  be  enuious.     bis  ze'rtne  /  is  zuo 

Tliis  sin  is  very  .  :>  r  I   r  i 

perUous,  and         perilous  :    jjet  onneajje  /  me  may  /  come  /  to  ri3te  uor- 

against  the  Holy  . 

Ghost.  Jjencbmge.     v  or  fet  hi  ys  coniraxiowa  /  to  J)e  holy  goste  / 

He  who  sinneth     jjet  is  Avelle  /  of  alle    guode.     And  god  zayb  /  ine  his 

against  the  Holy  n       /  i 

Ghost  shall  nei-  spellc  /  Jjet  buo  Jjet  zQwe^Q^p  /  aye  fane  holy  gost  :  be  ne 

ther  have  mercy  in  -.  i,    i  i  •/•!.•  n       /  •         i 

this  world  nor  in  ssel   nsure    habbe   nierci  /  me  pise  wordle  /  ne  me  J)e 

tMstin"emnot"be  ^f^'e.  uor  bs  zBne^e])  j  of  his  03ene  kueadnesse.  and  nie 

repented  of.  ggel   ine  Jjet  /  liollyche  onderstonde.     A^or  J)er  ne  is  / 

no   zemie   zuo    grat  :    jjet    god    ne    uoryef  J?  /  ine    Jjise 

1  stapes  ? 


SINS    AGAINST    THE    HOLY    GHOST.  29 

wordle  /  yef  man  him  uor])ingJ)  /  and  byt  merci  /  nor  There  is  no  sin  so 

fe  zenne.  fet  werrej)  /  be  his  mi3te  /  Jie  grace  /  of  fe  does  not  forgive 

holy  gost.  ine  fet  he  werre])  /  ojjreniawne  guod  gosthch  /  indse"ekfor'''''"* 

ase  pe  yewes  /  werrede  Jesu  crist  /  uor  jje  guodes  /  jjet  ™ercy. 
he  dede. 

j)E    ZEiVNEN    AYE   ])E    HOLY    GOST. 

And  fou  sselt  pvyte  /  ))et  fer  bye  J)  zix  zermes  /  j^et  The  six  sins 

byejj  speciaUiche  /  ayens  pe  holy  gost.     pet  is  to  wy-  Ghost. 

tene  /  ouerweninge.  pet  makep  to  moche  sprede  /  pe  merci  i-  Overweening. 
of  our  lliorde  /  and  litel  prayzep  /  his  ri3tuolnesse.  and 

peruore  /  zene3ep  moche  uolli  /  ine  hope.     j)e  oper  is  /  H-  wanhope  (de- 
wanhope.  pet  benimep  god  /  his  merci  /  as  ouerweninge  : 

his  ri3[t]uolnesse.  J5e  pridde  is  /  -wj'jjjjstojzdinge.  pet  is  /  m.  Opposition 

harduesse   of  herte.    hua?me  man  /  is  y-hert  /  ine  his  heart). 
kueadnesse  /  pet  me  ne  may  /  him  wende  /  and  na3t  ne 

wyle  /  hym  amendi.     ])e  uerpe   is  /  onworphede  /  of  iv.  Despite  of 

.  ,  penance   (impeni- 

penonce.     j)et  is  huarine  man  /  ordaynep  ine  his  herte  /  tenee). 

bet  he  /  hi»i  ne   ssel  najt  uorbenche  /  his  ze/me.     be  v.  stri-sang 

^  '  I  .  against  the  Holy 

vifte  is  /  to  werri  pe  grace  /  of  pe  holy  gost :  me  opren.  Ghost  in  others. 

J)e  zixte  is  /  to  werri  zopnesse  /  be  his  wytinde  /  and  vi.  warring 

.      .  against  truth,  and 

speciaUiche  /  pe  zopnesse  /  of  pe  cristuie  beleaue.     Alls  especially  against 

,  r,  1     1  ,  the  Christian  he- 

pise  ze/ines  /  byep  aye  pe  guodnesse  :  oi  pe  holy  gost.  iief. 

and  byep  /  zuo  greate  /  pet  onneape  /  comep  to  ri3te  uor-  against"  the  Hoiy 

T  .  ,    .  I  1        t    ^         I  1  Ghost,  and  are  so 

penchmge.  and  peruore  /  byep  hy  /  onneape  uoryeue.  great  as  not  to  be 

repented  of. 
}5E    J5RIDDE    HEAUED    OF    }?E    KUEADE    BESTE. 

])Q  pridde  heaued  /  of  pe  beste  /  is  hate.     Ac  pou  The  third  head  of 

.         .  the  e\al  beast  is 

sselt  ywyte  /  pet  per  is  an  hate  /  pet  is  uirtue.     pet  pe  hate, 

guode  man  hep  /  aye  pet  kuead.     An  opre  /  pet  is  ze?7ne  is  virtuous,  but^ 

wel  grat.    pet  is  felhede  /  of  herte.    huerof  comep  /  uele  ^ess)  of  heart'is  a 

bo3es.     and  he3liche  :  uour.     by  pe  uour  werreres  /  pet  ThTllter  has 

pe  feloun  hep.     )?e  uerste  is  /  to  hi?«-zelue.     uor  huarane  Theist'iilvur^' 

man  /  him  berp  hate  /  to  pe  torment  /  and  pe  zaule  /  hi™seif,  as  when 


for  fear  of  tor- 

menl 

self. 


and  pet  body  /  zuo  pet  man  /  ne  may  slepe  ne  none  menthekiiisbim- 
reste  habbe.      Operhuyl  /  him  be-nimp  pane  mete  /  and 
pane  drinke.      and  makep  him  ualle  /  ine  ane  feure  / 


30  •  THE    THIRD    HEAD    OF    THE    BEAST. 

ojjer  ine  ziiiche  zor^e  :  Ipet  he  nimj)  /  Jjane  dyaj?.     j)et  is 

a  ver  /  ])et  waste]?  /  alle  Jje  guodes  /  of  jje  house.     }3e 

The  2nd  is  with      obre  weiTe  /  bet  be  feloun  heb  :  bet  is  to  gode.     Vor 

God,  because  of  "^  I    r         r  Y       T  o 

some  sickness  or  ^vl'eJ3e  /  aiid  felounje  /  op-berej)  /  and  nimj)  zuo  /  ojier- 
of  friends^  &c.  huyl  /  jje  herte  of  jje  felle  /  uor  zome  aduersite  tinihch  / 
ojjer  uor  ziknesse  /  ojjer  uor  dyaji  /  of  urendes.  oJ)e[r]  uor 
zome  misual  /  ))et  his  wyl  /  ne  is  na3t  y-do  :  jjet  ha 
grochej)  /  aye  our  Ihord.  and  euele  jjonkej)  god  /  and 
his  hal3en  /  and  zuerej?  /  and  blasfemej)  /  aye  god  /  and 
The  3rd  is  with      his  haben.     be  bridde  werre  /  bet  be  wrebuolle  heb.     is 

tliosewhoare  -^  '  .  . 

under  him,— his     to  jjau  /  pet  hycj)  ondcT  him.     Ipet  is  /  to  his  wjme  /  and 

wifeandhishouse-    ,      ,  .  ,  /  •         ,      i        i  j_    i     i- 

iioid.  to  his  mayne.     ;.  Vor  pe  man  /  is  ojjerhiiyi  zuo  out  /  oi 

He  beatetii  his  ^^^  wytte  :  fet  ha  beat  /  and  smit  /  and  wyf  /  and  cliil- 
rndbreake?hiots  ^reu  /  and  mayne.  and  brek)?  potes  /  and  coppes  /  ase 
and  cups  as  if  he  ^i^  ^ere  /  out  of  his  wvtte.     and  zuo  he  is.     be  uerbe  / 

were  out  of  his  '  •'  •<  j      / 

^"^-  is  werre  /  wyb-oute  /  to  his  nejybores  /  and  to  his 

Tlie4thiswar  I         J  r  I  ?J  I 

with  his  neigh-  nixte  /  jjet  bye])  alle  /  aboute  him.  And  of  ])ise  bo^e  / 
Of  this  bough        wexeb  zeuB  smale  bo2es.     Vor  huanne  wrelie  arist  /  be- 

springeth  7  small 

twigs:  tuene  tuay  men  :    pev  is  uerst   chidi??ge  /  and  Jia/me 

2.  Wrath.  3.  Dis-  wre]»e  /  ])et  blef))  ine  herte.     effterward  /  wvelpe.     efter- 


cord. 
i.  Sti 
of  vengeance. 


Tsti-ife.  5.  Desire  Ward  /  com])  ofte  strif.    efter  wylninge  of  wa-eche.  efter- 


6  Mansiauo-hter.   Ward  /   o])erhuil  mansla3te.     and  efterward  /  ojjerhuil 

7.  Deadly  war.      ^erre  dyadhcli  /  be-tuene  ])e  urendes  /  huerof  com])  / 

ofte  /  to  moche  kuead  /  and  pe;ils  /  pet  ne  mo3e  /  iia3t 

War  produces       "by  amended.     Vor  hua?«ie  per  is  werre  /  betuene  tuaye 

many  horrors,  as 

the  death  of  many  meii  :  hit  yual])  ofte  /  ])et  per  bye])  moche  uolke  dyade  / 

innocent  folk,  the 

destruction  of       bet  ne  habbeb  ne?ine  gelt,     cherchen  tobroke.     tounes 

churches,  the 

burning  of  towns,  tiorbemd.     abboyes.      priories,      bernes  destrud  /  and 

the  rain  of  barns, 

the  disinheritance  men  /    and  wyfiiieu  /  aiid    children   deserited  /  and 

and  exile  of  men, 

women,  and         y-exiled.     aiid  loudes  destrud,     and  to  moche  /  of  obre 

children,  lands 

destroyed,  &c.  hariiies  /  Jiet  bye])  y-do  /  be  pe  encheyson  /  of  fan  /  ])et 
hi  bye])  yhealde  /  uor  te  amendi  /  ]iet  /  fis  purchace]). 
and  pe  Ihord  /  and  alle  })o  /  ])et  bye])  to  ham  helpinde. 
an  ine  zuyche  nyede.  and  ])eruore  hy  bye];  /  ine  greate 
balance  /  of  hyre   hel])e  /  of  zaule.     uor   hi   ne   mo3e 


THE  FOURTH  HEAD  OF  THE  BEAST.  ,31 

amendi  /  ne  jelde  :  pe  harmes  /  jjet  lii  liabbej)  ydo.  and 
hit  belioue))  yelde  :  opev  hongy. 

j)E  uer]3e  heaued  of  ]je  kueade  beste  of  helle. 

)?et  uerpe  heaued  /  of  ]je  wyckede  beste  /  is  onhist-  The  fourth  head 

,-.,  .  of  the  wiclied 

hede.  pet  is  onlosthede  /  and  tyene  to  do  wel.   pis  ze?ine  /  beastof  heiiis 

his  a  to  knead  rote  /  Jjet  kest  /  uele  kneade  bo3es.     j)is  do  good,  and  a 

onlosthede  /  Jjet  is  sleujje  /  make])  fet  man  hej)  /  kneade  p™"''"'*^^  *°  ° 

aginnynge  /  and    more    kueade  /  amendi?^ge  /  and    to  ™ked"root  that 

■wors  endi?ige.     Kueade  anginnynge  /  he]?  fe  sleuuoUe  :  ^^^l^ ^'^^  "^'^ 

be  zix  ze?mes.     j)e  uerste  is  bonnehche.  hua?zne  be  man  '^lotii  makes  men 

liave  bad  begin- 

louej)   hte  /  and  Iheuchche  oure  lliord  /  Jiet  he  ssolde  ning,  bad  ameud- 

1  /I  -ITI  1  n  I  l-/r.ni  '"»'  ^'"^  WOrSe 

louye  /  bernindekche.  and  jjeroi  com})  /  Jiet  he  is  /  lyeble  ending. 

and.    Iheuc  /  to    alle    guodes  /  to    done,     pe    ojjer    is  lovetii  our  Lord 

ar3nesse  /  ])et  is  tyene  /  of  herte  /  jjet  is  ]?et  bed  /  to  ])e  lj!^j,'„iy"'^   ^''^^' 

dyeule  /  huerine  /  he  him  resteb  /  and  zavb  to  be  ma??ne  /  '^-  "'^  '^  timid  in 

■^  '  '  ^  '  J  r        r  I  iieart,  is  loth  to 

and  to  ]je  Ay}"fma?me.      '  )pu  best  y-by  /  to  zofte  y-dra3e  do  penance,  and 

.  ,  .  .  falleth  into  the 

uorjj.  j)ou  art  to  liebble  /  of  co wpleccioun.   pou  ne  mijt  lusts  of  tiie  flesh. 

najt  do  /  ])e  greate  penonces.     jjou  art  to  tendre.     jjou  to  \>&  oniosti.] 
ssoldest  by  anhaste  dyad.'    and  j^eruore  fe  wrechche  / 

\am  let  ualle  to  done  jje  lostes  /  of  his  ulesse.    )3e  jjridde  3.  Tiie  idle  man  is 

is  ydelnesse.  J?et  is  a  zenne  /  pet  de]j  moche  kuead  /  ase  devil  first  to  think 

zayf  /  >e  wyti??ge.     Vor  hua^ne  >e  dyeuel  /  uynt  >ane  wUCSdesir; 

man  ydel :  he  hine  de>  /  to  worke.  and  dej,  hi»^  uerst  /  Jt^tttd 

jjenche    kuead.    and    efterward  /  to    wylni    uileynies  /  ^°^°  "^^^^  '"* 
ribaudyes  /  lecheries  /  and  his  time  lyese  /  and  manye 
guodes  /  J3et  he   mi3te   do.     huerof  /  he    mi3te   -wynne 

paradis.     J5e  uerjje  is  /  heuinesse.  hua/uie  ])e  man  /  is  i.  The  heavy  man 

zuo  heui  /  jjat  ne  lone])  /  bote  to  ligge  /  and  resti  /  and  and  siep°e.  *^'  "^^^ ' 

slepe.     o])erhuil  hy  bye);  /  3^103  awaked  /  to   nyedes  /  "'ifour  masJes 

fet  hi  hedden  leuere  /  lyese  vour  messen  :  ])a?zne  ane  tl^^an  a  sweat  or  a 

zuot  /  ojjer  ane  slep.     ]5e  vifte  is  /  wyckednesse.  bet  is  5.  Thew-ckedsiug- 

1  /  T      •  /         T  1  sard  wiU  not  try 

nuanne  jje  man  /  hji  me  ze?me  /  and  yvelj)  pe  uondinges  /  to  amend  his  evil 

of  ])e  dyeule  /  and  of  his  ulesse  /  J)et  him  asaylej)  /  and  ^''^^^' 
be  ri3te  kueadnesse  :  nele  arere  fet  heued  to  gode  /  be 
zor3e  /  ne  grede  /  harou  be  ssrifte.  ne  arere  fie  honden. 


32  OF    SLOTH    AND    FORGETFULNESS. 

[Foi.  9.  a']        be    satisfacioun.     [dedbote].     j)Q   ilke    anlikne])  /  J^ane 
He  is  like  thei        ssrewe  /  bet  lieb  leiiere  rotye  /  in  a  prison  /  uoiil  /  and 

shrew,  who  would        .-.,  iii;  n     i  /xT 

rather  rot  in  stmkinde  :  jjaHne  to  habbe  /  ]>e  pyne  oi  stapes  /  to  cliue 
theToubie  to'''^''  uor  his  outguoinge.  j)e  zixte  /  is  litel  \vyl  [ar3nesse]. 
f^l  ""*  ^^  Ine  fise  ze?ine  /  bye])  ])o  /  J?et  hebbe])  drede  /  of  na3t  / 
ntT^wii'uireL-  f®^  ^^  done  /  na3t  aginne  /  wel  to  done,  nor  hi  babbeji 
eth  to  begin  to  do  ^j-qi^q  j,et  god  /  bam  wyle  fayly  /  bet  is  be  drede  /  of  be 

good,  for  fear  that  r&/  J  J   J    I    r  T  IT 

God  will  fail         meteres.    fet    habbejj    drede  /  of    hare    metiwges.      ])o 

him. 

This  is  the  dread  anUkneJ)  fan  /  ])et  ne  dar  na3t  guo  /  me  fe  pe])e  uor  fane 

of  the  dreamers,  i-i-i  aijii-ii/ 

that  are  terrified  sneggB  /  J)et  sseawej)  hun  his  hornes.    And  to  pe  cliiide  / 
HeisUketho^^     fet  ne  dar  na3t  guo  his  way  /  uor  fe  guos  fet  blaujj. 
goLffor'Sr  o°f         }5is^^  VJ'  fe  zix  vices  /  fet  benyinef  fe  mamie  / 
a  snail,  or  like     g^gd  gi/znynge.    Vor  obre  zix  vices  /  ne  may  be  sleawolle 

children  afraid  of°<'"'&  '  '  "^   ' 

a  goose  that  blow-  habbe  guod  aginnynge  /  ofer  amendement.  }5et  byef 
There  are  six  vices  techches  /  of  kuead  seriont  /  fet  niakej)  /  jjet  non  guod 

that  prevent  good  ,  .,  /•,!•  •        i-\ 

beginning  and  man  /  ne  ssel  ms  onderuonge  /  m  to  Ins  sermce  /  hua/nie 
amen  en.  he  is  sleuuol.  [ontrewe.]  onssriuel.'  uoryetinde.  slak.  and 
Untruth.   The      fallinde.     be  uerste  vice   is  /  ontreube.     Vor   huanne 

sinner  believes  the 

devil  rather  than  god  /  zet  ine  jje  herte  of  man  /  guod  wyl  /  wel  to  done  : 
[pe  dyeuies  red :  ])a?ine  comjj  J3e  dyeuel  /  and  him  zayj)  /  '  Jiou  hit  sselt 
0  e  on  rewe.  ^^  ^  recouri  /  fiou  art  yong  /  and  Strang  /  fou  sselt 
libbe  long.'  and  zuo  he  him  /  onwonejj  fe  dyeuel  wel 
Sloth.  This  is  a     uor  to   donc.     Efterward  /  comf  sleufe.     uor  he  /  fet 

vice  that  all  are  i        -i  • ,       •  -i         /  ■, 

besmuttedwith.     wel  dej)  /  and  dej)  hit  auerst :  hit  ms  no  wonder  /  pa,^ 

he  hit  do  /  sleuuolhche.      J?et  is  a  uice  huerof  al  j>e 

Few  folk  are  as      wordlc  is  besmet.  huo  fet  nimj)  wel  hede.     Vor  hte 

diligent  as  they  .-  -  /.ii  tt  i      i    •  .ji-i        i/ 

arehoidentobe.     uolk  fer  byef  /  J»et  by  diligent  /  me  fet  hi  byej)  / 

yhyealde  to  done  /  auorye  god  /  and  hire  nixte. 
Forgetfuiness.  Efter    sleaube  /  is    uoryetinge.     Vor    huo    bet    ys 

The  slothful  is  ^     '  .  i     c 

loth  to  shrive,  and  sleauuol :  ofte  uoryct.  Vor  fise  tuo  ze?mes  /  of  uoryet- 
wHins^^  ^         ynge :  hit  yualf  ofte  /  fet  he  ne  can  him  ssriue.     Vor 

liuaHue  fe  man  /  is  sleuuol  /  hiwi  to  ssriue  :  he  uoryet 
True  shrift  is  ne-  his  lackes  /  and  his  zennes  /  fet  is  grat  peril.  Vor  non 
ness^'^^  °  orgive-  ^^  ^^^  habbe  /  uoryeusnessB  :  wyf-oute  /  zofe  ssrifte. 

Jjet  berf  /  uorjjenchinge  /  of  herte.  beknaulechinge  /  of 
*  onssriuen  ? 


THE    PERIL    OF    SLACKNESS.  33 

moujje  /  bo3saninesse  /  ine  dede  /  pet  is  ameiidi^ge  :  and  an.i  protiuees  re- 

,     ,,  pentunce,   confes- 

dedbote.     per  ne  ys  non  zuo  guod  man  /  fet  yef  he  sion,  obedience, 
yze3e  wel  /  his  ojene  lackes  /  jjet  he  ne  ssolde  uynde  /  sSacUo'n!^ 
yno3  uor  to  zigge  eche  daye  /  ine  his  ssriffje.    Ac  sleuj^e. 
and  uoryeti?^ge  :  blende])  ]je  zene3eres.  pet  hi  ne  zjep 
najt  ine  pe  hoc  /  of  hire  inwytte. 

J?E    PERIL    OF    SLACNESSE.  The  peril  of  slack- 

ness. 

Efterward  /  com])  slacnesse  /  jjet  conij)  /  of  pe  de-  slackness  eometii 

„  ,  .  of  default  of  cour- 

laute  /  01    herte  /  and   of  kueade   wone.    jjet  bint  zuo  age  and  of  evil 

pane  man  /  fet  onnea])e  /  he  hi/?t  jefp  j  to  done  wel. 

ojjerhuil  hit  comb  /  of  onconnyndehede  :    and  of  fole  sometimes  it 

comesof  ignorance 

hete.  huerby  pe  man  /  op  let  zuo  his  herte  /  and  his  and  of  foui  heat. 

body  /  be   uestinges.    and   be   wakinges.    and  by  ojjre 

dedes.   zuo  Jjet  he  ual])  ine  fyeblesse  /  and  ine  zuiche 

ziknesse  :  pet   he    ne    may   najt    t^'cmayly  /  ine   godes 

seruice.  and  to-ual];  /  ine  pa,  slacnesse  /  ]jet  he  ne  he]? 

smak  /  ne  deuocion  /  wel  to   done.     Efterward  /  comb  Aftenvards  com- 

eth  weariness, 

werihede   /  pet  make])  pane  man  /  weri  /  and  worsi  /  that  maketh  man 

uram  daye  /  to  daye  /  al-huet  he  is  /  al  recreyd  /  and 

defayled.     And   fis    is  /  pe   zixte  vice  /  of  pe  kueade 

sergonte.  Jjet  he  faylej)  /  er  pan  he  come  /  to  pe  ende  / 

o])er  to  his  terme.     And  me  kan  zigge  :  huo  ])et  serue])  / 

and  na3t  uol-serue]) :  his  ssepe  /  he  lyest. 

)3E    6    POYNS    OF    SLEUJPE  :    )jET    BRENGeJ)    MAN    TO    HIS       The  six  points  of 

sloth  that  bring  a 
E^DE.  man  to  death. 

And  yet  eft  /  pev  bye))  /  zix  poyns  /  kueade.  huerby 
sleube  /  brengej)    man  /  to   his    ende.     )5e    uerste   is  /  J-  Disobedience, 

_         as  seen  in  a  reluct- 

onbo3samnesse.  h.nanne  pe  man  /  nele  do  /  pet  me  him  ance  to  do  pen- 

,  .  1  •  1  •  /  ance. 

zayj)  /  me    penonce.   ojier   me    nim   hat   zom])ing  /  ])et 

hi?H  f>ing])  hard,  he  him  excuse]) :  ])et  he  hit  ne  may       ^-^^^  g  ^  j 

do.  opex  yef  he  hit  onderuangj) :  he  hit  de])  /  opev  htel  / 

o])er  na3t.     p)e  opev  poynt  /  is  inpacience.  uor  ase  he  ne  2.  impatience  of 

control  and  cor- 

may  /  no  ])ing  here  /  be  bo3samnesse.  he  ne  may  folye/  rection. 
be  paciense.  zuo  ])et  non  /  ne  dar  to  hi?w  speke  /  of  his 

3 


34 


THE    FIFTH    HEAD    OF    THE    BEAST. 


3.  Grudging  or      p-uode.      be    biidde  /  is    uroclivn^e.     Vor   hiiawne   me 

murmuring  '  '  i  o  ^     a 

against  good  ad-  spekb   to   him  I  HOT  liis   "node  :  he  him   wrebeb  /  and 

visers ;  this  causes  '  '  *-  j     j    / 

4.  Sorrow  and       grocliejj.  and  \\\m  jjing]) :  jjct  me  hi/?i   onworjjej?.   and 

weariness  of  life, 

wiiicii  leads  to  the  ))erof  he  ualjj  /  in-to  zor3e  /  jjet  is  /  Jie  uerjje  vice.  jAn  zuo 
moche  /  hi??i  oiierge]^  /  fe  ilke  zor^e  /  J)et  al  /  j^et  me 
hi??i  zayj)  /  al  J^et  me  \v\m  dejj  /  al  j^et  he  yherji  /  al  |)et 
he  zijjj :  al  hit  lii?/i  tienep.  and  zuo  he  iialj?  /  in-to 
zor3e  /  and  into  tyene  to  lihhe  /  zuo  J)et  hi??i-zelf  /  hi??i 

5.  Desire  of  death,  haste))  /  and  Avylue])  /  his  dyaj).  and  Jiis  is  Jje  vifte  vice. 

6.  Despair  is  the  Eftep  alle  bise  zorjuoUe  poyns  of  sleube  /  hi??i  yefb  be 

devil's  deadly  '  '  -^•'  T     I  J      r    T 

stroke;  dycuel  /  Jjanc  strok  dyadlych  /  and    dejj    hxm  /  into 

it  causes  a  man  to  Avauliope.   beruoie  he  porchaceb  /  his   dyab  /  and  him- 

commit  suicide.  'i    >    i 

zelue  /  sla3]7.  ase  despayred.  and  hi??i  yef))  /  alle  kuead- 
nesses  /  to  done  /  and  hi7?^  ne  dret  na3t  /  to  do  ze«ne  / 
huet  jjet  liit  by.  To  zuich  ende  /  let  sleaujje '  Jiane  man. 
Jpise  bye]),  xviij.  poyns.  ]jet  fe  dyeuel  /  |)rau])  /  ope  fane 
sleuuolle.  hit  ne  is  no  wonder  /  j)a3  he  lyese  jjet  geme. 

The  fifth  head  of  1^^^    VIFTE    HEAUED    OF    ]?E    BESTE. 

the  beast  is  the  Vjg^;  m'xHq  heaued  /  of  be  beste  /  beuore  y-zed.  is  the 

sin  of  avarice  and  '  i  i  i  <i 

covetousness,  the  ze«ne  /  of  auaiice  /  and  of  couaytyse  /  bet  is  rote  /  of 

root  of  all  evil.  '  '  J    J        I    t  t 

This  is  the  great  alle  kucadc.  ase  zayj)  zaynte  paul.  )5et  is  Jie  maystresse  / 

schoolmistress  ,.i,/  ■  i/in  •/ 

and  teacher  of  all,  pet  hep  /  ZUO  greate  scoie  /  Jjet  alle  guojj  frm  /  uor  to 

for  all  study  in        i  •  i      /   i  j.-  -vr  m  c 

the  school  of  lyerni.  ase  zayp  /  pe  wrytmge.  Vor  alle  manere  of 
ImlTki^st  Ik-  ^^*^^^  /  studie))  ine  auarice/  and  greate  /  and  sniale.  kinges. 
lates,  clerks,  lewd  py-glates.  clerkes.  an  lewede.  and  religfious.     Auarice  / 

and  religious.  '■  °  ' 

Avarice  is  disor-  is  disordeiie  loue.     ZUO  disordene  /  hvm  ssewej)  /  in  J»ri 

showeth  itself  in  maueres  generalliche.  ine  wynrijmge  :  boldeliche.  ine  of- 

1.  Winning.  liealdinge :  streytliche.  ine  spendinge  :  scarsliche.    )?ise 

I.  Sghiiss"^'  ^y^\'  l'*^  f I'i  ^0)^^  prmcipales  :  fet  of  J?ise  rote  wexej). 
Of  the  root  of  Ac  specialliche  /  and  propreliche  /  of  j?e  rote  of 

avarice  come  -         ;  ,         ,     /  -,  ,  -,  i         ■, 

many  small  roots  auaricc  /  guoj)  out  /  manye  smale  roten.  pet  ojeJp  /  wel 
deadly  sinsT  greate  /  dyadliche  ze??nes.  J5e  uerste  is  gauelinge.  j)e 
a.'Robbm-y.'^'''"'  ofer/J'yefK  )Pe  fridde  /  roberye.  J3e  uerfe  /  chal- 
t  sSiegr'  ^^'8*5-  ^^  ^'^^^^  /  sacr/lege.  )3e  zixte  /  symonye.  ])e 
6.  Simony.  zeueiide  /  kuedhedes.    J5e  e3tende  is  /  ine  chapfare.    pe 

1  MS.  sseaujje 


THE    FIRST    BOUGH    OF    AVARICE.  35 

ne^encle  is  /  Avycked  creft.     jpe  tende  is  /  ine  kiiade  7.  wickedness. 

uolke.     And  ech  of  Jiise  smale  roten  /  lu?»   to-del])  /  9.  wkked"  craft, 

ine  uele  manyeres.  10.  wickedgames. 

barene  be  nerste  rote  /  bet  is   s^uelinse.     him  to-  i-  usury  has  7 

^  '    '  00  outcastings,  for 

delj)  /  ine  zeuen  /  outkestiy^ges.     Vor  ber  byeb  /  zeue  there  are  7  kinds 

of  usurers. 

manere  gaueleres  :  lenynde.  jjet  lenej)  zeluer.  nor  ojjren. 

And  aboue  ]je  catel :  ninieb  be  hejbes.    ober  iue  pans,  some  lenders 

(mortgagees)  lend 

ojjer  me  nors.     ojjer  ine  corn,     ojjer  ine  wyn.     ojjer  ine  silver  in  return  for 

n,p,  ,,  !••  /•  Till        cattle,  com,  and 

irut   01  pe  grounde  /  fet  m  nimej)  /  me  wedde   dyade.  fmitsofthe 

wyJ3-oute  rekenynge  /  jjet  frut  ine  paynge.     And  fet  ^™""  " 

Avors  ys  :  hi  wyllejj  rekeny  tnyes.   ojjer  firies  Jjet  yer.  uor 

to  do  arise  jjet  gauel.    and  ivyllej?  /  yet  habbe  yef  J)es 

aboue  /  uor  eclie  terme.  and  makeb  /  ofte  /  of  be  gauel :  '^^^^  ''''^^^^y  '"■ 

_ '  '  J  I  I  I     CI  crease  the  rate  of 

prnicipale  dette.       Jjise  byej)   gaueleres   kueade  /  and  interest, 
uoide.     Ac  j?er  is  ano])er  lenere  corteys.    fet  lenej?  /  The  courteous 
Avy]3-oute     chapfare    makiinde.      alneway    in    he3iiige.  SouSifer. 
ojjer   ine    pans.     o))er   ine    liors.      o)jer   ine    coupes    of 
gold,     ojjer  of  zeluer.    oj?er   robes,     ojjer  tonnen  mid 
wyn  /  ojjer  ine  uette  zuyn.    seruices  ulesslicbe.    of  hors.       [Foi.  10.  a.] 
of  cartel!,   ojjer  prouendres  to  ham  /  o])er  to  hare  child- 
ren,  ojjer  ine  o])re  ])inges.  and  oueral  to  gauel  /  huanne 
me  hit  nimjj  /  by  Jje  skele  /  of  jje  lone.     J)is  is  jje  nerste 
manere  /  of  gauelynge  /  ]5et  is  ine  leninge  kueadliche. 
)pe  ojire  manere  /  of  gauelynge  /  is  ine  fan  /  Jjet  ne  2.  The  second 
lene])  na3t  /  to  hare  persone.  ac  J)et  hire  uaderes  /  and  \%  js  the  withho"fung 
uaderes  of  hare  wyues  /  ofier  hare   eldringes  /  habbejj  '•'"  P^'^^^^^^e. 
yporchaced  /  be  gauelinge.    hit  of  hyealde])  and   nollejj 
hit  na3t  yelde.     )3e  fridde  manere  of  gavelinge.    is  ine  3.  The  third 
ham  /  Jjet  habbejj  onworj?  /  to  lene  of  hire  hand  :  ac  hi  master  money- 
do]?  lene  /  hare  sergons.    oJ?er  oj^re  men  /  of  hire  pans.  o"th^/^sin  the 
J)ise  byeb  be  mayster  gaueleres.       Of   be  ilke  zemie  ne  fe^it  "jen  are  not 

''    I    t  -i  ^  I  free   who  support 

bye])  na3t  \q  he3e  men  quit  /  fiet  hyealde])  and  sostene])  the  Jews. 

iewes  and  ])e  caorsins.   fet  lene])  /  and  destrui])  /  fe  con- 

traye  /  and  hy  nyme])  ]ie  medes  /  and  \q  greate  yef])es  / 

and  o]jerhuil  /  jje  ronsounes  /  ]iet  bye])  of  fe  guodes  / 

of  >e  poure.     )5e   uer])e  manyere  /  is  ine  ham   /  ],et  f^Ilthr™ 


36  CHAFFER    AND    CHAFFERERS. 

lend  other  men's  leneb  /  of  obremaime  zeliire  /  ober  borjeb  /  to  litel  cost: 

silver  obtained  at  '    '  '  '       '  . 

small  cost,  so  as  uor  to  leiiG  /  to  g^'otter  cost.      j)ise  bye])  /  litle  gaiiel- 

interest.  ercs  /  jjet  lyeriie]?  /  ziiych  uoul  creft.     j)e  vifte  manere 

usurer  that  teach-  IS  /  ine  clicapfare  /  huanne  me  zelj)  /  fet  fing.    huet  J^et 

craft!^^ '  ""  hit  by  :   more  ])anne  hit  by  worfi  /  uor  jjane  time,    an 

5.  Chaffer  is  to  sell  ^^^  ^^^_^,^  •_,  j  ^^  time-zcttcre  ontrewe.    huawne  he  jzi^]) 


a  thing  for  more 
than  it  is 
the  time. 


than  it  is  worth  at  jjg^  uo\k  /  mest  nyediiol.     jjanne  wyle  he  zelle  /  fe 


derrer  tuyes  /  ofer  fries  zuo  moche  /  j^ane  Jjet  Iping  /  by 

1.  The  chafferers  worJ».  Zuych  uolk  /  dof  to  moche  kuead.  Yor  hire 
higi'rmwuo  ^  '"'^  time-zettinge  /  hi  destnieji  /  and  make])  beggeres  /  pe 
po\erty.  kny^tcs  :    and  pe   he3emen  /  J)et  uol3eJ3  fe  tornemens. 

2.  They  lend  and  jjet  hy  betake])  /  hyre  londes  /  and  hare  eritage  /  ine 
which  they  know  Aved.    and  dead   wed  /  })et  na3t  him  ne  aquytte]).     j)e 

will  not  be  re-  ;   ,      i  •  / 

deemed.  ojire  zene  e])  /  to  begge  ])e  fmges  /  ase  corn.    o])er  wyn. 

3.  They  buy  things  ober  obcrbing  /  lesse  be   be  hakiedele   /  ba?ine  hit  his 

at  half  their  value      r  r      r      o  i  r  IT 

and  sell  them        wor]).    uor  pe  pans  /  f)et  he  pay])  beuore.    and  ])anne  j 

twice  or  thrice  the    ,.,,,,  ;  i         - 

dearer.  lilt  zelle])  /  haiii  ayen  /  tuyes  zuo  moche  /  o])er  ])ries  :  ])e 

derrer.     )5e  oJire  begge])  ])e  Jiinges  /  hua?«ie  hi  bye])  lest 

4.  They  buy  corn  ^yorb  to  greate  cheape  /  ine  herneste  /  bet  corn,   ine  uen- 

cheap,  and  sell  \i  '  '^  ^      '  '    "^ 

when  it  is  scarce ;  donginge  :   })et  wju.   opve  cheapfares  nor  to  zelle  ayen  / 

and  they  desire  i-i  ; 

the  dear  time  so  al-liuet  111  bye]?  /  mcst  diere.    and  -wilnej)  /  fane  dyere 

as  to  sell  the  ,  .  ,  ,  ^^      ,        -,  i  ,  /  .     , 

dearer.  tiiiic  /  uor  to  zelle  ])&  derrer.     pe  ofre  /  pet  corn  agerse. 

andvhfes''"nr'"  ]>^  ^iiies  in  flouiinge  /  hua/me  fet  hi  byef  /  of  uaire 
flounshmg  eon-      gsewynge.   be  zuiche  uorAverde  :   Ipet  hi  habbe  /  huet  cas 

6.  They  use  fraud  yualle  :  hire  catel  sauf.     he  zixte  mane?'e  /  is  of  lian  / 

in  their  merchan-    "^  i  s         i 

dise.  fet  take])  liire  pans  to  marchons  /  be  zuo  fet  hi  by 

uela3e  /  to  fe  wynnynge.  and  na3t  to  fe  lere.  ofer  fet 
hi  betake])  /  hire  bestes  /  to  fe  haluedele  /  be  zuo  fet  hi 
by  /  of  fer  pris.  fet  is  to  zigge  /  fet  yef  hi  steruef  / 
ine   mene-time  :   do   ofre  ine  hare   stede  /  ase  moche 

7.  They  take  ad-  woi'f.     \)Q  zcueude  manere  /  is  ine  fan  /  fet  do])  /  hare 

vantage  of  the  ne-  /    •  i 

cessities  of  their     pourc  ne33eboures  /  me  hare  nyedes.    and  uor  fet  hi 

poor  neit,  i       ,    |^g^i-ji-jgjj  j  \yr^T^^  y-leud  /  a  lytc  zeluer.  ofer  corn,    ofer  ydo 

zonie  cortaysye.     And  huawne  hy  hise  yzef  poure  /  and 

nyeduol  :    fa/^ne  makef  hy  /  mid  ham  /  marcat  /  to  do 

hire  niedes.   and  fe  pans  /  ])et  hi  token  beuore  /  to  fe 


THE    SECOND    BOUGH    OF    AVARICE.  37 

poure  nia/?ne.    ober  him  lende  /  a  lite  corn.  /  lii  habbeb  ^^•^  take  tin-ee- 

■"  I  I  J     penny  worth  of 

jjri  i)anewoi']5es  of  "worke  :  uor  ane  peny.  work  for  a  penny. 

.  ^  [Fol.  10  b.] 

pE   Oj?ER    BO3    OF    COUAYTISE. 

j)e  ojjer  bo3  of  auarice  :  ys  jjyef  fe.  fet  is  nynie  /  ofer  The  second  bough 
of  healde  /  opve  niarene  Jiinges  /  wyjj  wrong  /  and  on^vy-  theft,  that  is,  to 

•      T       /  1  11       /      f>  n         1  A       1  take  and  withhokl 

tmde  /  and  "wy])-oiite  wylle  /  of  pe  Ihorde.    And  jjet  me  other  men's  goods 
may  do  /  ine  uour  maneres  be  fe  manire  of  fyeues.    Vor  Four  kinds  of 
Jjer  ys  :  a  fyef  open,    and  a  ))yef  ywre3e.    a  ])ief  prme.  i.'open.' 2.  covert. 
andafyef  uelaje.  ^J^^'-  *•  ^'^^ 

})e   Jjyef  co??nnun  /   and   open  /  bye]?  po  /  jjet  be  1.  The  open  thief 
zuiche  crefte  /  libbe]?.    of  hua??z  me  dej?  dom  /  liuawne  wi^en  caught. 
me  hise  nymf.     Of  zuichen  fier  byejj  /  uele  maneres. 
ine  londe  /  and  ine  ze.     be  bvef  y-wre je  /  is  bet  steleb  -■  Tiie  siy  thief 

'  J        TJ         ^  :>     IT  I    stealeth  in  corners 

ine    halkes   /    and   yAvry^eliche    greate    jjinges   /   ober  great  or  smaii 

things,  by  strife, 

little   /  be  liire  vijtinge.     ojjer  be  traysoun.     ofer  be  treason,  or  craft, 
queayntise. 

)3e   prme   byeues  byeb   bo  /  bet  ne  steleb  najt  /  of  s.  Tiie  privy  tiiief 

is  great  or  small. 

onconjje.    ac  of  priues.     And  of  zuichen  :  jjer  byej)  /  of 

greate  /  and  of  smale.  )3e  greate  /  byeb  of  be  kueade  /  and  The  great  ones  are 

'  I  J         t  I  j^jjg  reeves,  pro- 

J)e  ontrewe  renen.    proiios.    and  bedeles.    and  seruons.  vosts,  beadles,  and 
Jjet  stele  jj  /  fe  amendes.    and  wyfdrajej?  fe  rentes  /  of  that  steal  tines  and 

i-ni  11  ,  /•  TT  1     •         hold  back  the  rents 

hire  Ihordes.    and  rekenep  more  /  me  dedes.    and  me  of  their  lords. 

spendinge.     an    lesse  /  ine   onderuonginge.      and  ine 

rentes.     Zuyche  byeji  /  \q  greate  officials  /  bet  byeb  /  They  make  the 

expenditure  great 

ine  J)e  house  /  of  riche  men.   Jiet  make])  pe  greate  spend-  and  the  income 
inges.    and  yeuep  largeliche  /  ]?e  guodes  of  hare  Ihordes  /  and  are  liberal 

,,n  j_i/n  ,ji  n  with  their  mas- 

■wy]j-oute  hare  Avytende  /  and  wy]j-onte  hare  wylle.  ter's  goods. 

To  jjise  zertne  belongeji  /  Jje  ze??nes  of  be  w}iie.    bet  To  this  sin  belong 

theslnsof  thewife 

de]j  zno  moche  /  be  hare  ze?me  /  jjet  fe  cliildren  /  Jjet  hi  who  wrongeth  her 

,,         ,T'i,;i  1         I'l  kind  by  spouse- 

wot  M^el  /  pet  hi  hep  /  be  spousbreche  :    berjj  away  jje  breach, 
kende.     Zuych  is  be  zenne  /  of  be  wyne  bet  be  gnodes  /  ^'^^  ^^'''^  steaieth 

''  '  I  r  J         r       r     o  /    her  lord's  goods  to 

of  hire  Ihorde  stelf>.   nor  to  yeue  /  hare  kenne.   ofier  uor  give  to  her  kin. 
to  done  /  into  kuead  us.     And  of  ham  /  of  religion  / 
|3et  bye])  ojeneres.   uor  hi  behotej)  to  libbe  /  wy[jj]-oute 
o^ninge. 


38  THE    THIRD    BOUGH    OF    AVARICE. 

The  little  thieves         J)e  opve  bye]?  /  ])e  little  Jiyeues.   J)et  stelej)  /  ine  fe 

steal  bread,  .  /iiiii,- 

wine,  their  neigh-  house  :    bread,    wyn.    an  ojjre   fmges  /  huyche  pet   ni 

hens,  and  garden  ^y.    ojjer  of  hii'e  ne3ebores.    hire  capons.    he?men.    frut 
of  hire  garclins.    oJ>er  ojire  Jjinges  /  huet  fet  hit  by. 

Such  are  those  ZuycliB  bye])  ])0  /  fiet  of  hyealdej)  /  fe  finges  /  Jiet  hi 

they  find,  knowing  vinde]).  and  wytej)  wel  /  liuas  }>et  hi  bye}),  and  nolle})  hise 

longs."™ '*^'^'  na3t  yelde.      Vor  yef  fe  vinst  /  and  na3t  ne  yelst :  pou 

thiandtt:  hit  stelst.     And  p^  hi  ne  wyte  /  hnas  fet  hi  bye>  :  hi 

not  the  owner,  we  j-^g  ssoUe  /  nait  beruore  /  hit  of  healde.    ac  hi  ssollen  do 

must  take  the  ad-  i  j     i  i 

vice  of  Holy         be   be  rede  /  of  holy  cherche  /  ober  be  hire  ssrifte- 

Church. 

uaderes. 

4.  The  thief  ]je  })yenes  be  nela3rede  /  bye])  }fo  /  ])et  parte})  /  of  Ipe 

taketh  of  the  theft  })yef})e  /  o])er  nor  uela3rede  /  ojjer  by  yef})e  /  o})er  be 

purchase ;  he  con-  beggiiige.    o])er  iiie  opro  maiiyere.     Efterward  /  })0  Ipet 

eth,  and  defendeth  consentc})  /  o]}ev  rede})  /  o])er  hoti})  /  hit  do.      And  })0 

})et  defende})  pe  }iyeues  /   oper  sostene})  his  /  in  hare 

queade  /  o})er  his  onderuonge})  /  in  to  hare  house  /  ojiev 

in  to  his  londe  /  mid  hare  Ipjeflpe.     Efterward   /   Ipe 

The  coiTupt  judge  kueade  domesmen  /  fet  hise   soffre]).    o})er  be  yef})es. 

soiy. "     '^'^^^'      o}'6r  be  biddynges.    olpcv  be   olpre  kueade  skele.    and 

nolle}).   o})er  ne  dorre  /  ri3t  do. 

)?E    JJRIDDE    BO3    OF    AUARICE. 

Ill  The  third  ^®    fridde    bo3    of   auarice :    is    roberye.    })et    he]) 

bough  of  avarice  -^gig  sniale  Toten.    be  uerste  is  /  ine  kueade  exequitours  / 

IS  robbery,  that  '  '  ' 

hath  many  smaU  of  bekuydes.     J5e  o})er  is  /  ine  kueade  lordes  /  by  he 

1.  Evu  executors    kny3t  /  ober  ober  /  bet   be-ula3eb  /  be  poiu'e  men  :   bet 

of  bequests. 

hi  ssolden  loki.    be  tayles.    be  tornees.     be  lones.     be 

2.  Unfaithful        kueado  ■vvones.    be  amendes.    be  ])reapnynges.     olper  be 

guardianship.  ;  t  n 

o})re  wones  /  Ipet  hy  zeche}).    oper  bejjenche})  /  hou  hi 

mo3e  habbe  /  of  hiren.     Ine  })ise  ze/me  bye})  /  Tpe  greate 

Unlawful  posses-    pj-mces.    ober  barouns.    bet  be  hare  stre??gbe  /  nimeb  ])e 

sion  of  othermen's      _        .  "-/'// 

castles,  lands,  and  cites.   Tpe  casteles.    })e  londes.    })e  baronyes.    and  be  obre 

baronies.  ,  ;  i         . 

riche  men  /  ])et  hare  poure  ne3eboures  /  benune])  mid 
strengfe  /  londes  /  vines  /  ofer  o])re  }iinges.  and  nime}) 
ary3thalf  /  and  alefthalf   /   fet   no  })ing  /  ne  may  ham 


THE  FOURTH  BOUGH  OP  AVARICE.  39 

ascapie.      pe  fridile  is  /  ine  robberes  /  and  kueade  her-  s.  wicked  imr- 

111/  bouring  of  rob- 

berjeres  /  pet  berobbejj  /  pe  pilgrimes  /  an  pe  marchons  /  bers. 

and  o]>re  waynerindenien.     pe  uerjje  /  is  ine  ham  /  jjet  4.  unpaid  debts. 

nolle])  paye  /  fat  hi  ssolle.  and  Jjet  hi  of hea[/]de])  /  mid 

wrong  /  pe  ssepes  /  of  hare  sergons.    ojjer  of  ham  /  Jjet 

do])  hare  niedes.  pe  v-ifte  is /ine  Jiise  greate  p?'ela[te]s/])et  5-  Robbery  of 

1         •  /TIT  /  T  T      T  underlings  by 

benime])  /  and  robbe])  /  hire  o^derlinges  /  be  to  moche  prelates, 

procuringe.  o])er  be  zome  onri^tuolle  ninii^ges  ])et  hi  do]) 

in  to  uele  maneres.       );o  bye])  pe  wolues  :  ]3et  urete]>  pe  who,  Uke  wolves, 

....  T      T    T  devour  the  sheep. 

ssep.     pe  zixte  is  /  ine  zuyche  reuen.    pronost.   bedeles.  e.  oppression  of 
ofre  mesteres  men  /  huiche  ])et  hy  bye}),    fet  make])  pe  provoste,  LT^  ^' 
greate  robbynges  /  and  pe  wronges  /  ope  pe  pouxe.    and  ^®^*^^'^^- 
beggej)  /  pe  greate  eritages.     per  bye])   zuo   uele  oftre 
maneres  /  of  roberies  :  J)et  long  ])ing  /  hit  were  to  zigge. 
ac  zome  bye])  y-contined  /  ope  psii  j  ])et  bye])  yzed. 

J;e    UERJPE    BO3    OF    AUARICE. 

pe  iierbe  bo2  of  anarice  /  is  acsynge.    bet  is  to  yerne  ^^-  tiw  fourth 

■'  .  I  J     o        r  J  jjQ^gj^  pf  avarice 

opo^  obre  /  mid.  Avrong.  to  ]»ise  zewne  belonge])  /  al  ])et  is  false  claim. 

I  [ope  ?] 

barat.    alle  iialshedes.    and  alle  gyles  :  fet  comef  /  ine  Dame  Avarice 
plait.     Ine  ])is  clergie  /  he})  dame  anarice  /  uele  scolers.  scho\a"rin  this 
and  of  clerkes  :  and  of  leawede.    and  specialliche  /  zeue  7°khidJof  folk '' 
manyeres  of  uolke.    bet  alle  /  bus  studieb.     pe  uerste  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^*u'^y- 

■'  ,  ^  .         '    ^     ^  /  T        T  T       ^-  ^^^'^  plaintlfifs 

bye])  /  pe  ualse  playneres  /  pet  make}»  /  pe  ualse  bezech-  that  seek  corrupt 
inges.  and  zeche})  /  pe  ualse  demeres.  and  lang  time,  and  justice,  °  '^  ^^ 
be  ualse  wytnesses.    be  ualse  playteres.    be  ualse  lettres  "^"'1  ^'""6  f^^^se 

■"  -^  ■"  1.      k/  T  Witnesses. 

uor  to  greui  o}!ren.  and  trauaylef  }iet  uolk  /  myd  "^vrong. 

ober  be  cr/stene  cort.     ober  be  leawede  cort.     be  obre  2.  The  pretended 

^5^  ^  •»         r        gxiles. 

bye])  /   pe  ualse  yulemde  /  fet  vlye]).     and  na^t  pet  / 

fet  ri3t  is.    and  zeche})  ^v^'})setti[n]gges  and  respit.    uor 

to  bynune  opveii  /  hare  03en.     pe  ])ridde  byef»/  pe  ualse  3.  False  witnesses. 

wytnesses.       }»ise   make}>    /  pe   ualse    mariages.       })ise 

benime})  /  pe  heritages.     })os  do})  /  zuo  moche  kuead  / 

and  liarmes  /  fet  non  /  ne  may  his  amendi.     and  al  })is 

hi  dob  /  be  hare  greate  couavtise.       jpe  uerbe  byeb  /  be  *■  False  accusers, 

^',  ®  -^  '  r        J    r  I    r      gustainers  of  false 

ualse  plaiteres  /  ftet   onderuonge})   /   an  sostinet  /  pe  causes. 


40  THE    FIFTH    BOUGH    OF    AVARICE. 

liaise  causes  /  be  liare  Avytinde  /  and  hise  beclepie]?  nor 
ssepe  /  and  nor  yefj^es.  fet  hi  nyme]?  ari3thalf  /  and 
alefthalf.  and  ofte  lyese  /  )je  gnode  playntes  /  he,  hare 
kueadnesse  /  olpev  nor  onconynghede  /  oper  be  sleawjje  / 
!['*"}'?]  niiswendej)  jje  ri3tes  /  and  do3*  alle  jje  wronges  /  uor 
masters  of  guile,    hare  couaytisB  /  ase  ])o  fet  bye]?  mayst/'es  of  gjde  /  and 

dispute  and  of 

accusation.  01   contak  /  and  of  be-uelynge.     j)e  vifte.     byej)  /  Jte 

5.  False  notaries,    ualse  notaryes  /f)et  make  J)  jje  ualse  lettres.     and  ualse]) 

J)e  celes.     make])  jje  kueade  libelles.     and  to  iiele  ojjre  / 

6.  False  judges,     ualshedes.      be  obre    byeb   /   be    ualse   demeres.      bet 

who  are  influenced  •<  j  t'    x     /      / 

by  love  or  by  hate,  ham  zelue  hongejj  /  more  of  one  half  /  jjanne  of  anojjre/ 

be  jeipes  j  ojier  be  behotinges  /  ojjer  be  byddinges  / 

fFoi  a  bi       ^J"^^  ^'^^^  \o\\Q.      ojier  uor  ^vxejje  /  ofer  uor  drede.     and 

onbyndejj  ]je  playntes  /  mid  wrong.     And  do]j  maki  Jje 

greate  costes  /  and  nimejj  /  Jie  greate  yefjjes  /  o]?erhuyl  / 

who  sell  their        of  be   on  :  obcrhuil  /  of  be   obren  /  oberhuyl  /of  on  / 

dooms  (verdicts),  -^  •'^  I  r  r  I      y  J     I  I 

and  wrongfully      and  of  ojjre.   and  zellejj  /  hare  domes,   ojjer  ham  /  letejj 

use  the  poor.  «       i     i  ;  / 

yworjie.     And  do)?  /  to  Jie  poiire  men  /  greate  harmes  / 

7.  False  coun-       jjet  111  ue  moje  amendi.       j?e  ojire  bye])  /  ])e  kueade 

sellers. 

bezide-zitteres  /  ])et  yeue])  ])e  kueade  redes  /  to   J)e  de- 
meres /  and  make])  lyese  f)e  playntes  :  uor  ])e  sendees  / 
All  the  aforesaid  Jiet  liy  liabbe}).     Alle   J)e  persones  /  beuore  yzed  /  byef 
to  restore  what      y-hyealde  to  yelde  /  pet  hi  habbe})  y-het  kueadhche  /  of 
fuUy  withheld!"^'  o])ren.     and  hare   harmes  /  ])et  pe  ofre  habbe])  y-het  / 
be  ham. 

}?E    VIFTE    BO3    OF    AUARICE. 

V.  The  fifth  bough         Ug  yifte  bo2  of  auaricB  /  is  sac?'/lege.     Sacrilege  is  : 

of  avarice  is  sacri-  ■'  /  o  o 

lege,  that  is,  to       huamie  lue  brec]i.    o])er  bleche]).    o])er  dra3])  uoulhche  / 

break  or  steal  the  /      p    t      1         1     •^  i 

things  of  Holy  ])e  lioly  ]>inges.  o})er  ])e  men  /  of  holy  cherche.  o])er 
])e  y-hal3ede  stedes  /  Jjct  bye])  apropred  /  to  guodes 
seruise.  and  ])et  de]»  do  /ofte  /couaytise  ine  uele  manures. 

1.  Abuse  of  the      Verst  /  hiia»ne  me  dra3]3  uoulliche  /  Jiet   bodi  of  oure 

Lord's  body. 

Ihorde  /  aze  do])  ])e  ereges.      and  ])e  "wyclien.     and  ])e 

2.  Abuse  of  the      kueade  prestes  /  uor  to   wynne.     Alsuo   ich   zigge  /  of 

other  sacraments.  '^ 

3.  Destruction  or  J)e   ofrc   sacremeus.     Efterward  /  hua;me   me  brec])  / 

theft  of  holv  ,  ,  ,         ,  ITT         /,        ^      ^        ^        ,  • 

things.  o])er  stel])   /  oper  (u:<iyp  uouUicho  /  pe  nal3ede  pmgcs. 


THE    SIXTH    BOUGH    OF    AVARICE.  41 

j)e  crouchen.     Jje  calices.     J)e   creyme.     fe   corporeaus. 
pe  yblissede  uestemens.     and  ojjre  /  yblissede   Jjinges. 
Eftf'rward  /  hua?;ne   me  bernjj.     oj^er  brekjj   clierclies.  i.  Burning  and 
ojjer  lioli  stedes.    cherchtounes.    ojjer  hous  of  relygioun.  churches,  reii-n- 
oj>ev  liua;me    me   dra3],  fo  /  out  /  fet   vle>  to    holy  drIwfn'ouAtse 
clierche.     ober  into  cherchtounes.     uor  to  by  y-borje.  ^;_^°  '^'>^"<^  'f'^e^ 

/  J     J  7        sanctuarj-  therein. 

Efterward  /  hua??ne  me  make])  medles  /  ine  cherche  /  5.  Disputes  in 
zuo  >et  far  ys  /  blod  yssed.     o>er  hua»ne  me  de>  /  SZod.tllr 
ze??ne  of  lecherie.     Eftenvard  /  hua?nie  me  layb  hand  /  of  lechery. 

'_  ''  -•  '     6.  Laying  violent 

me  kueade  /  ine  clerk.     oJ5er  ine  man  /  ober  ine  ^yy£-  ^^^^^^  on  cierk  or 

/      n         T    •  -r^  p  T    1  ^  ^'"^  c""  ""Oman  of 

man  /  01  rehgion.     Eiterward  huanne  me  stel)).     ojjer  religion. 
hevp  I  be  kueade  skele  /  out  of  holy  stede  /  ybHssede  wessed  thfngs 
>inges/oj,er  onbHssede  /  huet  >et  hit  by.     Of  >ise  S^atS^^lt 
zewnes  /  ne  byej?  najt  kuytte  fo  /  fet  pe  guodes  of  holy  ^"u^'/jhe^^^ds 
cherche.       be    patremo-VTie   of   lesu   cri'st   /  despendeb  of  Holy  church, 

^  .  whohideththe 

me  kueade  us.     Xe  j?o  najjemo  /  ])et  benimej)  /  o])er  of  property  of  the 

hyaldejj     mid     -\^To[n]  g  /  o))er   mid    strengfe.       ojier  ,,-ithhoid  rents" 

hedej)  jje  ]?inges  /  f  et  bye]?  apropred  /  to  holy  cherche.  mhes!^^'  ""'^ 

ojjer    liise   payeji    kueadhche.     ase    fe    rentes,     jjo    of- 

frendes.   jje    tendes.        and   Jje    ojjre   ri3tes   /    of  holy 

cherche.      Of  bise  zelue  ze?aie  /  ne  byeb  najt  kuytte  /  They  are  not  quit 

,       ^   ^  .       .  ,  ,  01  ^^o  ^■■e=>k  Sun- 

J50  fet  breke])  ]je  zondayes  /  and  Jje  festes  /  fet  bye])  to  days  and  festivals, 
loki.     Yor  ])e  holy  day  /  he]?  his  "STidom  /  ase  habbejj 
]je  holy  stedes.     Jjise  byep  \q  smale  bo^es  fet  wexe])  of 
]ie  bo^e  of  sacrilege. 

)?E    .Vj.    BO3    OF    AUARICE. 

]je  zixte  bo^  of  auarice  /  is   symonye.     ])et  is  zuo  ^"^-  Ti>e  sixth 

11/  T     1  ;  ■,  ^  bough  of   avarice 

ycleped  /  uor  ane  -v^ychche  /  fet  hette   Symoun  /  ]jet  is  simony. 

wolde   begge  /  of  seynte  peter  fe   apostel  /  ]>e  gi-ace  / 

nor  to  do  miracles  /and  byad  grat  g-uod.     and  ])emore  / 

hi  bye])  y-cleped  /  Symoniaks  :  alle  \o  /  ])et  wylle])  simoniacs  are 

zeUe  /  o]5er  begge  /  ])e  gostliche  >inges.     fet  is  amang  /  lurspt^uai"  " 

alle  ]5e  dj^adhche  ze/mes  :  on  of  fe  grateste.     And  ])es  g^j^f^;  ,^^j,j 

bo3   /  heb  manie   tuygges.    }?e  uerste  is   in  ham  /  bet  ™''"y  '''■*s^  ' 

"  '    '         \.  Selling  and 

zelle])  /  o]ier  beggefi  /  })e  holy  ordres  /  ojier  fet  body  of/  buying  of  holy 


42 


DIVERSE    CASES    OF    SIMONY. 


orders,  or  the  sa- 
craments. 

2.  Preacliing  for 
pence. 

[Fol.  12.  a.] 

3.  Purchasing  and 
obtaining  corrupt- 
ly the  dignities  of 
Holy  Church. 


4.  Giving  away 
for  gifts,  &c.,  the 
benefices  of  Holy 
Church. 


5.  Letting  and 
changing  of  bene- 
fices. 

6.  Causing  men  to 
go  into  religion  by 
market. 


Lewd  (lay)  men 
should  keep  them 
from  this  sin, 
which  they  may 
commit  in  3  ways: 
1st,  by  helping 
their  km  to  obtain 
dignities  of  the 
Church. 
2nd,  by  giving 
away  benefices. 
3rd,  by  causmg 
their  kin  to  go  in- 
to religion. 


Three  kinds  of 
gifts  make  si- 
mony. 

1.  Gift  of  hand. 

2.  Gift  of  mouth. 
8.  Gift  of  unclean 
service. 


oiire  Ihorde  /  opev  j?e  ojjre  sacremens  /  of  lioly  clierclie. 
pe  opev  is  ine  ha?«.  /  jjet  zelle]?  /  godes  word,  and  pre- 
chej)  prmcipalliche  /  nor  pans.  ])g  jjridde  is  ine  ham  / 
Jjet  be  yefjjes  /  o])er  be  behotinges  /  ojjer  be  biddingges 
dreduolle  /  ojjer  nlessliche  /  make]?  zuo  nioche  /  pet  hy  / 
oJ)er  ojjre  :  bye])  ichose  /  to  dyngnetes  of  holi  cherclie. 
ase  bye}>  bissopriches.  abbayes.  o])er  denyes.  o]3er 
ojtre  dingnetes  /  ]jet  me  make]?  /  be  chyezinge.  j)G  ueilpe 
is  ine  ham  /  pet  be  yefpes  /  oper  be  behotinges.  oper  be 
biddinges  dreduolle  /  oper  be  seruise  na3t  clene  /  yeue]) 
pe  proiiendres.  and  pe  parosses.  oJ)er  opre  benefices 
of  holy  cherche.  j)e  vifte  is  ine  ham  /  fiet  be  niarkat 
niakinde  :  letep  hare  benefices  /  ojier  chongep.  )5e 
zixte  is  ine  ha»?.  /  pet  be  markat  niakinde  :  guop  in-to 
religion,  and  ine  ham  /  pet  ine  zuiche  mane;'e  /  liis 
ondernongep. 

Vele  per  byep  opre  zennes  /  and  of  diners  cas  /  ine 
symonye.  Ac  lii  belongep  more  /  to  klerekes  :  pawne 
to  leawede.  And  pis  bok  is  more  ymad  /  nor  pe 
leawede  :  parane  nor  pe  clerkes.  pet  habbep  pe  bokes. 
Ac  alneway  hit  is  nyed  /  to  leawede  men  /  pet  lii  ha??^ 
loki  /  nram  pise  zewne  :  ine  pri  cas.  ))e  on  is  /  hua?me 
hi  wyllep  helpe  hare  ken  /  oper  hare  iiryendes  /  an  hejy 
ine  dingnetes  /  of  holi  cherch.  ])e  opre  hua??ne  hi 
yeuep  pe  j)ronendres  oper  benefices  /  pet  byep  of  hare 
yefpe.  ])g  pridde  /  hna?me  hi  yeldep  hare  children  / 
into  relig[i]on.  Ine  pise  pri  poyns  /  yef  hi  yenep  /  oper 
ondernongep  yefpes  /  oper  kneade  biddingges  /  oper 
kueade  semises  :  hi  mitten  zone  nalle  in  to  pise  ze?uio 
of  s}anonie.  Vor  ase  ziggep  pe  holi  writes,  per  byep 
pri  maneres  of  yefpes.  pet  makep  symonie.  yefpe  of 
hand.  yefpe  of  monpe  /  ase  biddinges.  yefpe  of 
seruise  na3t  clenlich.  Ich  clepie  onclenlich :  hua?ine 
pe  semises  byep  y-do  /  nor  onclenhche  cause,  oper 
prmcipalliche  :  nor  ping  gosthch. 


THE    SEVENTH    BOUGH    OF    AVARICE.  43 


pE    ZEUENDE    BO3    OF    AUARICE. 

be  zeuend  boj  /  of  auarice :  ys  Avyckedhede.  Ich  clepie  "^ii-  The  seventh 

■'  '  -JO  bough  of  avarice 

wyclikedhede  :    hua?me   be  man  /  is  zuo  wykhed  /  and  iswicicedness,  i.e. 

when  one  is  so 

zixo  nioche  dyeuel :  fet  lii??i  ne  dret  najt  /  to  done  /  ane  wicked  that  he 
greate  zewne  /  dyadlich  /  and  orrible.     ofer  grat  harm  /  great  and  homWe 

,,  /  T,  ;,  /il,-  deadly  sin  or  hann 

to  o]jren  /  nor  a  lite  wayn  /  ojjer  nor  ixrenie  /  to  nun.  ^^  0^,;^,.^  ^^^  ^^ 
J3es  b03  /  hef  manye  tnygges.  J)e  nerste  is.  hnanne  /  ™  S^rf  " 
eny  nor  drede  /  of  ponerte.     ober  nor  couaytise  /  nor  to  manifoW: 

"^  I  ^  >  •'  '  \.  Apostasy,  as 

Wynne  :  uorzaib  [renayb]  god  /  and  be  cr/stene  bileane.  becoming  Heretic, 

.  Jew,  or  Saracen. 

and    becom|)    bongre.      oJ>er   ien.      ojier   sarasin.     To 

bise  ze?zne  /  belon^eb  /  be    ze7^ne  :    of  ham  /  bet   nor  To  this  sin  be- 

'  '  n   X   I    f  ,    I  longetli  the  sin  of 

pans  /  makeb   to  clepie  /  bane   dyenel.     and  make]?  ]je  those  who  make 

enchantments, 

enchanntemens.      and   make  Ji    to   loky  ine    Jie   znord.   who  look  in  the 

,  f>       1         ;  "'^il  °^  t^is  thumb 

oper  me  jje  nayle  /  oi   pe  jjoume.     nor  to    oi-take  /  pe  for  to  take  thieves, 
byenes.     ober  nor  obre   bino^es.     And  of  ham  alsno  /  ^^^  "^  *'^«™  ^^° 

'•^  '  r         r      o  I     that  by  witchcraft 

fet  make]?  /  ober   porchaceb   /  be  charmes  /  ober  be  cause  those  in 

spousehood  to 

wychecreft.  o|)er  be  kueadnesse  /  hnet  Jjet  hit  by.  ]jet  hate  one  another, 
nolk  /  jjet  byejj  ine  sponshod  /  togydere  /  ham  hatiej). 
ojjer  ne  mo3e  habbe  nela3rede  /  Jie  on  wy))  )5e  ojjre  /  be 
sponshod.  Ojjer  Jiet  nolk  /  Jjet  ne  byeji  na3t  ine  spons- 
hod :  loniej)  ham  togidere  /  folhche  :  and  be  zewne.  ])e 
ojjer  is  /  Jie  ze«ne  /   of  grochinge  /  and  of  traysonn  2-  onidging  and 

P  .  ,  ,  treason,  when  a 

LbezujMvnigeJ.    hna?nie   )3e  man  /  nor  ^^'5mnynge.     oJ?er  man  for  profit 
nor  mede  /  def  jjing  /  hner  by  lii  dra3e]3  ofre  /  to   ])e  Srbrsw'oM 
dya]?e.     ojjer  be  znorde.     ojjer  be  nenjmi.     o];er  ine  ojjre  """^t^?"!,  t,-, 
manere  /  hnet  Jiet  hit  by.     ])q.   jjridde  /  is   jje  ze?zne  of  s.  Buming  of 

,  111  towns  or  houses ; 

ham  /  jjet  nor  Avynnynge  /  berneji  ho  us.  tonnes,   casteles.   destruction  of 
cites.  o])er  cherchen.   ojjer  destine])  jje  vines.  o])er  comes,   harm  to  others 
ofer  doj)  ofre  harmes  nor  mede.     ])&  nerj^e  is  fe  ze?me  4°s",^g'^iiscord, 
of  ham  jjet  zawejj  discord,     and  p?/rchace])  fe  stryfs  /  ^-r^^^'f^'o^er^to 
and  ])e  vrerres  in  cites  /  ojjer  ine  capiteles  /  ojjer  be-tuene  ^*  gainers  there- 


Jie  he3emen  /  nor  Jjan  ])et  hi  wenej)  f  e  more  to  Avynne 
mid  strif  ine  ])e  werre  :  Jjawne  ine  pays.  ])q  vifte  is  Jie 
ze?me  of  renen.  of  pronostes.  of  bedeles.  of  sergons. 
Jiet  accuseji  /  and  c[h]alenge))  Jiet  ponre  nolo  /  and  ha»^ 


44 


THE    EIGHTH    BOUGH    OF    AVARICE. 


I[™.!/H)i;?] 


To  this  sin  belong- 
etli  the  sin  of 
false  judges, 
false  plaintiff's, 
and  false  wit- 
nesses. 


VIII.  The  eighth 
bougli  of  pride  is 
chaffer,  i.e.  a  sin- 
ning for  speedy 
gain. 

It  is  seen  in  7 
modes : 

1.  To  sell  as  dear 
as  possible,  but  to 
buy  at  the  cheap- 
est. 

2.  To  lie,  swear, 
and  perjure,  in 
order  to  sell  goods. 

3.  To  defraud  in 
weights  and  mea- 
sures, 

a.  buying  by  the 
greatest  weight 
and  selling  by  the 
least; 

6.  selling  by  short 
weight,  as  the 
tavemers  do  who 
fill  the  measure 
with  scum ; 
c.  increasing 
fraudulently  the 
weight  of  goods. 

i.  To  sell  to  time. 


5.  To  sell  a  differ- 
ent article  than 
was  at  first  bar- 
gained for. 

6.  To  hide  the 
faults  of  a  thing, 
as  horse-dealers 
do. 

7.  To  make  a  thing 
look  better  than  it 


do])  raymi^  /  and  kueadliche  lede  nor  a  lite  wynnynge 
Jiet  hi  liabbejj  be-zide. 

to  fise  zenne  belongeji  |)e  zeiine  of  iialse  domesmen  / 
and  of  ualse  playteres  /  and  of  iialse  wytnesses.  of 
hnam  we  habbej)  aboue  y-speke.  Ine  manye  ojjre 
maneres  is  ydo  fe  zewne  of  wyckednesse.  Ac  lang  Jjing 
hit  were  to  zigge.  and  betere  may  ech  man  rede  fe 
ilke  zenne  /  and  j)e  o]?re  /  ine  Jje  boc  of  his  inwyt  : 
jjanne  ine  ane  ssepes  scinne. 

J?3    E3TENDE    BO3    OF    AUARIGE. 

\)e  e^tende  bo^  of  auarice  /  is  chapfare  /  hiierinne 
me  zene^ej)  /  ine  uele  maneres  /  nor  timlich  wynnynge. 
and  nameliche  /  ine  zeue  maneres.  }?e  uerste  is  /  to 
zelle  pQ  jjinges  /  ase  dyere  /  ase  me  may.  And  to  begge  / 
as  guodcheap  /  ase  me  may.  )?e  ojjer  is  :  lye3e.  zuerie. 
and  iiorzuerie  /  ]>&  he3ere  to  zelle  /  hare  chapuare.  pe 
fridde  manere  is  /  Jtet  me  dej)  ine  wy^tes.  and  ine 
mcsures.  and  Jjet  may  by  /  ine  Jiri  niane?'es.  ])e 
uerste  :  hna?me  me  he)?  /  diuerse  wy3tes  /  ojjer  diuerse 
mesures.  and  beggej)  /  be  jje  gratteste  wy3tes  /  ojtev  be 
Jie  gratteste  mesures  :  and  zelleji  by  jje  leste.  ])g  ofre 
manere  is  /  hua??ne  me  he]?  /  ri3tuolle  wy3tes  /  and  ri3t 
nolle  mesures  /  and  zellejj  ontreweliche  /  ase  doj)  Jiise 
tavernyers  /  pet  uelleji  fie  mesure  /  myd  scome.  )?e  Jjridde 
manere  zuo  is  hua??ne  Jio  /  Jjet  zelle])  be  Avy3te  /  purcha- 
ce])  /  and  make})  zuo  moche  fet  /  pet  ])ing  /  pet  me  ssel 
we3e  /  ssewe])  more  heuy.  ])e  nevpe  manere  /  to  zene3i  in 
chapfare  :  is  to  zelle  /  to  tyme.  of  })isen  /  we  habbe]) 
yspeke  aboue.  j)e  vifte  manure  is  :  ofer  ])ing  zelle  : 
panne  me  hep  /  y-sseawed  beuore.  Ase  dof  ])ise 
scriueyns  /  })et  ssewe])  guode  lettre  /  ate  ginnynge. 
and  efterward  /  make])  wycked.  j)e  zixte  is  :  hede  /  pe 
zo])nesse  /  of  fie  ])inge  /  fiet  me  wyle  zelle  /  ase  do])  / 
pe  romongours  of  hors.  J3e  zeue?2de  is  /  maki  /  por- 
chaci  /  J)et  /  })et  ])ing  /  }iet  me  zelfi  /  make])  nor  to  ssewy 


NINTH  AND  TENTH  BOUGHS  OF  AVARICE.  45 

betere  /  J5a«ne  hit   by.     ase  do]?  /  bise  zelleres  of  clob.  is,asdociothseii- 

.  .  ers,  who  choose 

pet  ciiiesejj  /  pe  jjyestre  stedes  /  huer  hi  zellejj  /  hare  dim  places  to  se:i 

1    ,  T  1  I  /  •     /  •  their  cloth  in. 

clojj.      ine  uele  opre  nianeres  /  me  may  zeneji  /  me 
chajDfares.     Ac  long  Jjing  /  hit  were  to  zigge. 

j)E    NE^ENDE    BO3    OF    AUARICE. 

Jpe  ne3ende  bo^  of  aiiarice  :  is  ine   kueade  creftes.  ix.  The  ninth 
ine  pise  /  zenejep  moche  uoik  :  me  uele  mane?"es.    ase  in  wicked  crafts. 
j)ise  fole  wyfmen.    J3et  uor  a  lite  wynnynge  :  hy  yueb  Thus  siimeth  foui 

,"  .,  .-.,  women, 

nam  to  ze?«ie.     ALzuo  fise  hysians  /  and  Tpise  kempen  /  and  champions 
and  vele  ojjre  /  Jjat  uor  pans  /  oj^er  uor  timHch  profit  /  give  them  "r 
yuejj  ham  /  to   crefte  /  na^t  oneste.     fet  ne  may  na3[t]  /  '^''"""''^  "''"• 
by  do  :  wy]j-oute  zenne.    an  of  ]jan  ])et  hit  do]? :  and  of 
ham  /  Jjet  hise  sostyenejj. 

pE    TENDE    BO3    OF    AUARICE. 

\)e  tende  bo3  /  of  auarice  :    bye  J)  kueade  gemenes.  x.  The  tenth 

,  ,        „  ,  bough  of  avarice 

ase    byep  jje  gemenes  of  des.     and  of  tables,     and  of  is  wicked  games, 
o],re  huyche  huet  >et  hy  by  /  huer  me  play],  uor  pans.  aToTt^bfefrs 
ojjer    uor   ojjer  /  timelich    wynnynge.     Zuyche   kuade  fo,  p™  ^'''^""' 
gemenes  /  specialliche   of  des  /  and   of  tables  :    bye]?       [FoI.  is.  a] 
uorbode  /  be   ri  te  /  uor  manye    ze?mes  /  ])et  uol3e]5  "  canseth  many 
zuyche  gemenes.    j)e  uerste  is  /  couaytise  uor  to  wynne  /  i-  covetousness 

1  .         T  T        /  1  ■  1  ,  .        ;  to  win  and  despoil 

and  uor  to  dispoyly  /  his  uela3e.     pe  o]5er  is  /  gaue-  one's  feiiow. 

,  /  J       1 P  ,  2'  Cfeat  usury,  as 

lynge  to  grat.     ase  ne3en  /  uor   tuelf.      na3t  uor    ane  nine  for  twelve, 
mon])e.  ne  to  e3te  da3es  :  ac  ine  one  zelue  day.      pe  ^°'  *  ^'°^^^  ^^' 
]jridde  is  /  to  mori  lyeasynges  /  and  ydele  wordes.    and  3.  Lies,  idle 
]jet  wors  is  :  greate  blasfemies  of  god  /  and  of  his  hal3en.  blasphemies  of 
hueruore  /  god    him   wvepelp.    ase    oftezi]5es  /  he   he])  fa'intT'^  °^  "'^ 
ynome  /  to  Hte  wreche.     Vor  oferhuyl  /  ham  miswent 
fe  uisage  /  ])et  beuore  :  behinde 

.A    TALE.  A  tale  of  a  knight 

.  who  swore  by 

A  kny3t  wes  /  ])et  zuor  /  be  godes  e3en.    an  haste  /  God's  eyes. 

■!•  I  IT  •  ,,Ti  1  -,  I  His  eye  leapt  upon 

Ills  on  e3e  /  Ihip  ope  ]jet  cheker.     An  archer  /  uor  pet  the  checker. 
he  hedde  ylore  ate  geme  :  nom  his  bo3e  /  and  ssat  an  ^rot^at'ooT''" 


46  THE    SIXTH    HEAD    OF    THE    BEAST. 

found  his  arrow     he?  /  ave  srod.     bane  morzen  /  huanne  lie  zet  /  ate 

on  the  checker 'aU         ^    /       ^       o  ^  y  i  i 

bloody.'  geniene  :  liis  arowe  /  vil  ope  )jet  clieker  /  al  blody. 

4.  Bad  example.  pQ  vcrjje  IS  /  JjG  Icueacle  uorbysiie.  pet  lie  j?et  playjj  : 

5.  Loss  of  tune,     yefjj  to  ofreii :  jjet  y-zye]?  pet  geme.     \)e  vifte  /  in  lere 

of  time  /  pet  me  ssolde  be  zette  /  ine  guode  workes. 

And  manye  ojjre  zennes  :  jjet  long  Jjing  /  hit  were  to 

He  that  wiimeth  zigge.     0  jjing  /  ich.  ne  ssel  na^t  uoryete.  pet  /  pe  ilke  / 

should  give  liber-  ,         i  j.     /    •  i  p 

ally  for  God's  pet  wynjj  :  ne  ne  may  na3t  /  me  guode  manere  oi- 
healde  /  Jjet  lie  wyn])  /  ac  ssel  bit  y[e]ue  /  nor  godes 
If  it  be  got  by  loue.  bote  yef  pet  liit  by  /  ine  zuyclie  mane/'e  :  fet  he 
it  should  be  re-  hit  hedde  /  uiid  barat  /  ojjer  be  stre??g])e.  ase  pe  ilke  / 
stored  to  the  loser.  ^^^  ^^^  ^^  ^^^^^  p^^^^  j  ^^  stre[n]gJ5e.     Ine  jjet  cas  / 

he  ssolde  hit  yelde  to  lum  /  J?et  hit  he])  ylore.     Alsno 

ich  zigge  :  of  jjet  me  "svyn))  /  ine  tornenie»t. 

These  other  j)ise  bye  J)  pe  bo^es  /  of  auarice  /  yno3  per  hjep  oj^re. 

belong  more  to  Ac  liy  hjep  /  niore  to  clerekes  :  ))a??ne  to  J^e  lea^vede. 
derks"  than  lewd  j^^^^  ^-^  ^^^^  j  -^  ^^^^^  ^^^^.^^^^  y  ^^^^,  ^^  kawede  :  >a«ne 

iior  pe  clerkes  /  jjet  connej?  pe  writinges. 

)5E    ZIXTE    HEAUED    OF    )5E    BESTE. 

The  sixth  head  of  j)e  zixte  heavied  /  of  pe  kueade  beste  :  is  lecherie  / 
lechery,  i.  e.  too  j^et  is  to  moche  loue  /  and  desordene  /  ine  lost  of  lenden  : 
Sveandiult.  opev  j  ine  nlessHch  lost.  Of  fise  ze?2ne  uondejj  pe 
t^tMslSi'l^T^  dyenel  /  in  vif  maneres  /  Ase  zayf  saynt  gregorie. 
modes,  in—  Auerst  /  ins  fole  zijbe.     efterward  /  ine  fole   wordes. 

1.  Foul  sight.  '  ^'  ' 

2.  Foul  words.       efterward  /  ine  fole  takinges.     efterward  ine  fole  kess- 

3.  Foul  handling.  ' 

4.  Foul  kissing,     inges.     efterward  /  me  com])  to  pe  dede.     Vor  of  fole 

5.  Foul  deed.  t        /   ■ 

zi^Jie  :  me  com])  to  pe  speche.  and  uram  pe  speche  /  to 

pe  handlinge  nram  pe  han[d]linge  :  to  pe  kesinge.  uram  pe 

kessmge  :  to  pe  dede.     And  ]ious  sotilliche  /  make])  pe 

This  sin  is  divided  dyeucl  /  guo  uram  on  to   o])er.     p)ls  ze?me  /  Iwn  to- 

1.  Lechery  of        del]»  /  uerst  ine  tuo  maneres.  uor  pev  is  lecherie  /  of 

2.^  Lechery  of        lierte  :  and  lecherie  of  bodie.     J3e   lecherie  /  of  herte  : 

Thfiechery  of       ^uo  he])  /  vour  stapcs.     Vor  pe  gost  /  of  fornicacion  / 

heart  hath  four      j,g^  serue})  /  of  pe  ucre  /  of  lecherie  /  becleppe'  pe  herten  : 

1.  Foul  thoughts,  make])  uerst  /  come  pe  f)03tes.  and  pe  likinges.  and  pe 

1  <o  has  been  erased  in  the  MS.  before  becleppe. 


THE    SIX    OF    LECHERY.  47 

yniaginacions  /  of  ze?me  /  to  herte  :  and  make])  jjenche. 

Efte/'ward  /  be    herte  blefb  /  ine   be   boites.    an  sno  2.  DeUght  in  foui 

thoughts  without 

delite)).  yet  ne  dejj  he  na3t  /  fe  dede  nor  no  fing.     And  actual  commis- 

ine  j?ise  bleuinge  /  and   ine  pe  ilke  lost :  is  Jjo   ofer 

stape  /  jjet  may  by  /  dyadhch  ze?me.     J?e  greate  ze«ne 

may  by  /  pe  lost,     pe  jjridde  /  stape  /is  Jje  graiinti[n]gge  3.  Consenting  of 

/»!  /I/.  i/ir>  nil  1        ^^^  heart,  reason, 

01  herte  /  and  of  Ipe  scele  /  and  01  fe  wylle.  And  zuyche  and  wiu. 
granti??ges  :  byeji  alneway  /  deadlich  zenne.     Efter  pe 
gmntiwge :  comb  be  wj'lnynge.  and  be  greate  hete  bet  *.  Desire  and 

great  heat  to  sin, 

hy  habbej)  uor  to  zenejy.  and  doj?  more  fa/me  tuenti       [FoI.  is.  b.] 
zennes  /  yne   J)e   daye  /  ine  zijjje   of  leuedys  /  and  of  caused  hy  the 

,  PI         sight  of  fair  ladies 

maydynes  /  Jjet  sse^vej)  ham  /  uajre  \di:^t.  pet  oite  hy  quaintly  adorned, 

sseawej)  /  and  di5tej)  ham  /  pe  more  qwaynteUche  /  and 

pe  more  honestehche  /  uor  to  maki  musi  /  pe  foles  to 

ham.  and  ne  wene])  na3t  /  grathche  zene3y  :  uor  jjet  hi 

ne  habbej)  no  wyl  /  to  do  pe  dede.     Ac  uor-zo])e  :  h}" 

zene^e))  /  wel  grenousliche.    Vor  be  pe  anchey.soim  /  of 

ham  :  byeb   uorlore  /  manye  zaules.     And   ber  byeb  /  who  thus  bring 

•^    ^  I  "  r  .^    r  I    many  folk  to  sin. 

moche  uolk  /  y-do  to  dyaj)e  /  and  to  zenne.     Vor  ase 

zayb  /  be  uorbisne.  '  leyedi  /  of  uaire  dijtinge  :  is  arblast  /  Ladyof fairadom- 

•^'11  I  70  /    jng IS 'arbalest  to 

to  pe  tour.'    Tor  hi  ne  hef  leme  /  ine  hire  bodye  :   J)et  the  tower. 

ne  is  /  a  gryn  /  of  pe  dyenle.  ase  zay])  Salomon.     }5a/me 

behoueb  hit  /  yelde  scele  /  ate  daye   of   dome  /  of  be  Ladies,  who  wit- 

'  I    "  I  "  '  ■>       tingly  cause  folk 

zaules  /  pet  be  Jie  ancheaysoun  /  of  ham  /  bye])  uorlore.  to  sin,  shall  be 

.      ,  ,   called  to  account 

j?et  IS  /  to  onderstonde  :  huanne  hi  jeuep  encheysoun  /  at  doomsday. 
uor  to  zene3y  /  be  hare  wytinde. 

Lecherie  of  bodie.  him  todel])  :  ine  lecherie  of  e3en.  Lechery  of  bodyis 

of  yearen.  of  mou])e.  of  honden.  an  of  alle  pe  "svyttes  /  ery  of  eyes,  ears, 

of  pe  bodye.    And  speciaUiche  :  of  pe  uoule  dede.  And  ^d^wite  (^nis). 

hue'  is  hit  uoul  dede  ze])])e  hit  is  kendehch  ?     uor  fet  !['"«' •'=iiow.] 
god  /  hit  uorbyet  /  ine  his  spelle.  and  his  apostel  panel : 
pet  pus  zayp.  'ech  manhabbe  his  o^ene :  uor  fomicacion.' 

pet  ys  to  zigge  :  his  03ene  wji.   To  po  ze/me  /  belongep  /  To  tws  %m  be- 

11,,.  ;i  -I         I  ,     ,         1  1  ■  ■         ,  1    longeth  drunken- 

alle   pe  pmges  /  huer-by  /  pet   uless   him   anst  /  and  ness  and  gluttony, 
Tvylnep  /  zuiche  dede.  ase  byep  pe  mochele  drinkeres.  bed-ciothes^and 
and   eteres.    pe   zofte  l>ed.  elopes  likerouses.   and  aUe  ^^^^f'^'^y- 


48 


THE  BRANCHES  OF  LECHERY. 


The  sin  of  the 
deed  of  lechery  is 
divided  into  many 
boughs. 
1.  The  1st  is  of 
those  who  live  to- 
gether out  of  the 
bonds  of  wedlock. 


2.  Adultery  with 
common  women. 


8.  Single  men 
living  with 
widows  or  the 
contrary. 

4.  Adultery  with 
single  women. 

5.  Adultery  with 
married  women 
(or  spouse- 
breach). 


This  sin  is  doubled 
when  both  parties 
are  man-ied. 

6.  Unnatural  sin, 


for  which  God 
smote  to  death 
Onan,  Jacob's 
nephew. 


[Fol.  U.  a.] 


7.  Adultery  of  a 
man  with  his  god- 
mother or  his 
goddaughter. 


manyere  eyse  /  of  bodye  /  out  of  nyede.  and  special- 
liche  :  ydelnesse. 

j)G  ze?zne  of  dede  /  of  lecherie  :  him  to-del])  /  ine  uele 
bojes  /  be  pe  stat  of  ]?e  persones  /  J5et  hit  dojj.  and  ge])  an 
hej  /  uram  kuede  /  to  worse.  J5e  uerste  is  of  man  /  o\>ev 
of  Avyfman  /  Jjet  ne  habbe]?  /  nenne  bend,  ne  of  wodewe- 
hod.  ne  of  spoushod.  ne  of  ordre.  ne  of  religioun.  ne  of 
ofire  niane?-e.  J)et  is  J)e  uerste  ze?me  dyadlich  :  in  dede  / 
of  lecherie.  }?e  oj?er  is  /  to  wyfmawne  co7nm.une.  J?is 
ze??ne  /  is  more  hard  :  uor  hi  is  /  more  aid.  and  uor 
fet  /  zuyche  Avj'fmen  /  bye]?  ojjerhuyl  wyues.  olper  of 
relig[i]on.  and  ne  uorzake))  ne«ne.  ne  uader  /  ne  bro]jer. 
ne  zone  /  ne  ken.  pe  Jjridde  is  /  of  man  sengle  /  mid 
wodewe.  ojjer  ayeward.  )?e  uer])e  is  /  wi])  sengle  wii- 
man.  j)e  vifte  is  /  mid  wyfman  ymarissed.  |)et  is  fe 
zenne  /  of  spousbreche.  Ipet  is  wel  kuead.  uor  jjer  is  / 
brekinge  of  treujje  /  pet  j)e  on  ssel  here  /  to  pe  ojjre. 
efterward  pev  is  /  a  sacrilege  /  hua«ne  me  brecjj  /  jje 
sacrement  /  of  spoushod.  hit  yualj5  oj?erhuyl  /  deserte- 
soun  /  of  eyr  /  and  ualse  mariages.  )3is  ze«ne  /  him 
dobblej)  ojjerhuil  /  hua/me  hi  is  /  of  man  y-spoused  : 
wyjj  Avymman  fet  hep  housebounde.  )5e  zixte  is  / 
hua?me  pe  man  /  hej?  his  03e  ^Tyf  j  dej?  ping  /  pet  is 
uorbode  /  and  disordene  /  aye  kende  of  man.  and  ordre. 
and  of  spoushod.  And  mid  03ene  zuorde  :  man  may  / 
him-zelue  sle.  Alsuo  may  he  /  mid  his  03ene  wyue  / 
zene3i  dyadHche.  jjeruore  smot  god  /  to  euele  dya])e 
onam  /  iacobis  neuu.  And  pe  dyeuel  /  ))et  hette  asmo- 
deus  /  astranglede  /  pe  zeue  houseboundes  /  of  pe  holy 
mayde  /  sare.  fet  zejjfie  wes  /  yonge  thobyes  wyf.  Vor 
alle  pe  sacremens  /  of  holi  cherche  /  me  ssel  vsi  / 
clenliche  /  and  mid  /  greate  worjjssipe.  \ie  zeuende  is 
of  man  /  to  his  godmoder  /  ojjer  to  his  goddo3ter.  oper 
of  godsone  /  to  the  children  of  his  godzyb  /  ojjer  of  his 
godzybbe  /  uor  ]jo  children  /  ne  mo3e  na3t  come  /  to- 
gydere  :    Avyjj-oute   dyadlich   ze?nie  /  ne    be    spoushod. 


ADULTERY    AND    ITS    BRAXCHES.  49 

j)(i  cjtende  is  of  man  /  to  his  keniie.  and.  be  ilke  zenne  /  s.  Adultery  of  a 

man  with  his  own 

arist :  and  lo3ejj.  be  j?et  pe  kenrede  /  is  nye3  /  ojjer  iier.  uin. 

J?e  ne^erede  is  /  of  pe  ma??ne  /  mid  jje  kenne  /  of  his 

wjiie.  ojjer  aye  ward  /  of  be  wyue  /  mid  be  ke?aie  /  of  9-  Adultery  of  a 

man  with  the  kin 

hare   housebounde.     ])q   ilke  ze?nie  /  is  Avel  dxeduol.  of  his  wife,  or  the 

^^        ,  /   1  1  1       ;  1  p    wife  with  her  hus- 

V  or  liuanne  fe  man  /  hep  uela3rede  /  myd  enye  wyi-  band's  kin. 
mane  :  he  ne  may  nawmore  /  be  spoushod  '  /  habbe 
none  /  of  hire  ke/nie.   and  yef  he   /   enye   nimjj :  pe 
spoushod  /  ne  is  na3t.      And  yef  he  /  nimp  wyf :  and 
efterward  /  of  pe  half/  of  hire  ke?me  :  ha  lyest  /  pe  ri3t  / 
])et  he  hedde  /  to  his  wyue  /  ine  zuo  moche  /  pet  he  ne 
may  /  efterward  /  wonye  mid  him  /  bote  hy  /  hit  ne 
bidde   beuore.     j)e  tende  is  of  wyfmen   to  clerkes  y-  lo.  Adultery  of 
hoded.      jpis  ze?nie  /  anhe3e]3  :  and  1036]).  by  pe  hodes.  hooded  clerks, 
and  pe  worjjssiphede.     pe  enlefte  is  /  of  man  /  of  pe  11.  Adultery  of  a 
wordle  /  to  wyfman  /  of  reHgioun.  ojjer  ayeanward  /  of  with  a  woman  of 
wj^fmanoffe  wordle  /  to  man  /  of  reUgioun.     J5e  .xij.  is  coiurary.*"^ 
of  man  /  of  religioun.  and  of  wyfman  /  of  religion,  and  ^''  Adultery  of  a 

10  J  I  o  man  of  religion 

bis  ze?me :  an-he3eb  /  and  lo3eb.  be  be  stat  /  of  be  per-  ""'^^  ^  '^°™^''  "^ 

■'   ^    I  J   J  I  I  I       i.  religion. 

sones  /  fet  hit  dob.     \)e  .xiij.  is  of  prelas  /  bet  ssolden  is.  Adultery  of 

prelates. 

bi   ncnesse   /    and    uorbysne  /   of  holynesse  /  and  of 

kle?inesse  /  to  al  pe  wordle.     })e  laste  /  is  mest  uoul  /  i*.  The  last  sin  is 

1     11    T  /  •  -n        too  foul  to  be 

an  lodlakest   /    jjet  ne   is  na3t  /   to  nemny.     pe  ilke  mentioned. 

zemie  /  is  aye  kende  /  pei  pe  dyeuel  tek]?  to  man.  oper 

to  w}^man  /  ine  uele  maneres  /  jjet  ne  byej)  na3t  /  to 

nemni  /  nor  pe  materie  /  Jjet  is  to  moche  /  abomynable. 

Ac  ine  ssrifjje  /  hit  ssel  ne?nni  /  pe  ilke  /  to  huam  /  hit 

is   be-ualle.      A^or  asemoche  /  ase   pe  zenne  /  is  more  Those  guuty  of 

this  sin  stand  in 

uoul/  and  more  grz'slich  :  pe  more  is  worjj  /  pe  ssrifte.  need  of  shrift. 

Vor  pe  ssame  /  |)et  me  hep  /  of  pe  zigginge  :  is  grat  del  / 

of  be  penonce.     bis  ze?ine  /  is  zuo  onworb  to  ^ode  :  bet  Thissinissohate- 

'  '  ^  -^         ful  to  God,  that  he 

he  dede  rine  /  uer  berninde  /  and  bernston  stinkinde  /  aid  rain  burning 

...  /f.,  /IP  1  1  I     -n  fire  and  stinking 

ope  pe  Cite  01  sodome  /  and  01  gomorre.  and  azenkte  /  vii  brimstone  upon 
cites  /  in-to  helle.     J5e  dyuel  him-zelf  /  fet  hit  por-  m°oiTji?" 

1  ^IS.  npuoshod 
4 


50  THE    SEVENTH    HEAD    OF    THE    BEAST. 

•  cliace])  :  help  ssame  /  liua/nie  man  hit  deJ3.  and  Jje  eyr  / 
is  anuenynied  /  of  Jje  dede. 

J3E    ZEUEXDE    HEAUED   OF    ])B   BESTE. 

The  seventh  head         \)e  zeuende  lieaued  /  of  ])G  kueade  beste  :  zuo  is  / 

of  the  beast  is  the  „  ,  /.ii.  i./ii. 

sin  of  the  moutii.  ])Q  zenne  01  Jje  nioufe.  and  ]?eruore  /  ])et  jje  moup  /  hep 
uvo  offices!  one  to  ^^^^  officGS.  huerof  /  fe  on  belongejj  /  to  jje  zuel3  /  ase 
toTaS? "'""""'  to  P^   ^ete  /  an  to   fe  drilike.     j)G  ofer  /  zuo  is  in 

speche.     j2eruore  /  him  to-dclj?  /  J»e  ilke  zenne  :  in  tuo 

deles  /  prmcipalliche.  J3et  is  to  wytene :  in  zewne  of 
iience  we  have  sin  glotounye  /  jjet  is  ine  mete  /  and  in  drinke.  and  ine 
sin  of  evil  speech.  ze«ne  /  of  kueade  tonge.  fet  is  /  ine  fole  spekinge. 
I.  Sin  of  gluttony.  And  ueist  /  zigge  Ave  /  of  )je  ze?me  /  of  glotounye.  jjet  is 
great  power  by  ^  vice  /  J)et  fe  dyeuel  /  is  moche  myde  ypayd.  and 
this  sin.  moche  /  onpay]?  god.     Be  zuych  zenne  /  hejj  jje  dyeuel  / 

wel  grat  mi3te  /  in  nia;me.  Huer-of  /  we  redejj  ine  jje 
[Foi.  14.  b.]      godspelle  /  j^et  god  /  yaf  yleaue  fe  dyeulen  /  to  guo  in 

to  J)8  zuyn.  and  J»o  hi  weren  /  ine  ham  :  hise  adreynten  / 
Gluttons  lead  the   ine  be  ze.  inc  tokuinge  :  bet  be  glotouns  /  lede])  lif  /  of 

life  of  swine,  and 

the  devil  hath       zuyn.  aiid  jjc  dyeuel  he])  yleaue  /  to  guo  in  ham  :  and 

leave  to  go  into  i;-  /f>iii  ii  ; 

them,  hise  adrenche  /  me  fe  ze  /  oi  helle.  and  ham  /  to  do  ete 

so  that  they  eat  ,  ,j.i'j.i  ii-i  ■,    i^ 

till  they  burst.and  ZUO  moche :  pet  hi  to-cleue.  an  zuo  moche  drinke  :  Jjet 

drink  till  they  are    i        i  i  t_    t. 

drowned.  %  ^1^??*  adrenchef. 

Hua??ne  fe  kempe  /  hep  his  nela^e  /  yueld  /  and 
hhn  halt  /  be  ])e  frote  /  wel  onneajje  /  he  arist.  Alsuo 
hit  is  of  J)an  /  Ipet  Jje  dyeuel  halt  /  be  jja  ze??ne.  and 

The  devil  by  this    Jjeruorc  blcj^eliche  /  he  yern])  /  to  fe  frote  :  ase  jie  wolf  / 

sin  holdeth  a  man 

by  the  throat  and   to  Jic  sscpc  /  him  uoT  to  astraugli  /  ase  he  dede  to  euen  / 

strangleth  him.  i    ,        a   ^  i  •  -i         ,  ,  i     ,    •      ,  •  ; 

and  to  Adam  /  m  paradys  terestre.      pet  is  Jje  vissere  / 
of  helle  /  jjet  nym]?  fane  viss  /  bi  fe  j^rote  /  and  by  ]>& 
cliinne.     jpis    ze?ine   /  moche   mis-payj)    god.     Vor   ])e 
The  glutton  glotoun  /  makcjj  to  grat  ssame  /  hua/nie   he  make])  / 

a  sackful  of  dung,  lus  god :  of  aue  zeclic  /  uol  of  dong  /  fet  is  of  his 
i.e.hib  e  y.  "vvombe  /  ]5et  he  louej)  more  /  Jiawne  god.  and  ine  him 
God  bids  him  fast,  ylcfth  /  and  him  serue}?.  God  him  hat  neste  :  ]>o 
eat  umg  andVte™  wojj^be  zay])  /  '  ])ou  116  sselt  /  ac  et  longe  /  and  a-tmyt.' 


THE    SINS    or    THE    MOUTU.  51 

God  him  liat  be  J>e  morgan  arise  :  J33  wo»iLe  zayjj  /  '  ]>o 
no  sselt  /  ich  am  to  iiol  /  me  behoue])  to  slepe  /  Jie 
clierclie  nys  non  hare  /  hy  abyt  me  Avel.'  And  hua?me 
he  arist :  he  begynjj  his  maty  11s  /  and  his  benes  /  and  his  After  risin-  he 

,  thinks  of  wliat  he 

oreysones.  and  zayjj.  '  a  /  god  /  huet  ssolle  we  /  ete  to  day.  shau  eat. 

huader  me  ssolle  /  eny  J)ing  iiynde  /  ]iet  by  worf?' 

Efter  jjise  matynes  :  come];  jje  laudes.  and  [he]  zayj).     '  A, 

god  /  huet  we  hedde  /  guod  wyn  yesteneuen  /  and 

giiode  metes.'     And  efterjjan  /  he  bewepj?  his  ze«nes  :  Tiien  he  thinks 

of  yesterday's 

and  zayjj.   '  Alias  he  zayjj  /  ich  habbe  y-by  nyej  dyad  to  good  wine,  but 

ni3t.  to  Strang  /  wes  pet  wyn  /  teue.     J?et  heaued  /  me  aching  head. 

aklp.    ich   ne   ssel   by   an    eyse :    al-huet  ich    habbe  / 

ydronke.'    Jpous  to  fe  kueade  zayjj.    }pis  ze??ne  /let  man 

to    ssame.       Vor   aljjeruerst   /    he   becomj)    tauernyer. 

ba?2ne  he  playb  ate  des.   ba?ine  he  zelb  his  o^en.   ba^ne  The  glutton  often 

'  .  T  ?  I  comes  to  the  gal- 

he  becomj)    riband,  holyer.  and   )jyef.   and    ])a«ne  me  lows. 

hine  anhongeb.      bis  is  bet  scot :   bet  me  ofte  payb.  ^his  is  the  shot 

'^   I         '  >  I  i-     ^  r  he  often  pays, 

Jpis  ze«ne  liim  to-delb  /  ase  be  saynt  gregorye.  ine  This  sin  spreadetn 

out  Into  5  boughs. 

vif  bo3es.  Vor  ine  vif  maneres  /  me  zene3ej)  /  be  mete  / 
and  be  drinke.  0 j^er  nor  \ei  j  pet  me  eth  /  and  dryngjj : 
to-uore  time,  ojjer  /  to  lostuoUiche.  ojjer  /  out  of 
mesure.  o])er  /  to  ardontliche.  Ojjer  /  to  plentyuous- 
liche.     ])e  uerste  bo3  fawne  /  of  J)ise  ze«ne  :  is  to  ete  /  1.  Eating  before 

1  J.-  ij  ^    ,•         1   • ,    ■       I      r-  I   .     ,    1      ,     time,  and  yielding 

beuore  time,  and  to  uoul  Jjmg  hit  is  /  of  man  /  jjet  hep  to  lecuery  of 

age :  huawne  he  /  ne  may  abyde  /  time  /  to  etene.  and  '''"°*'' 

of  grat  lecherie  /  of  frote  /  hit  com]),   pet  man  /  j)et  is 

Strang  /   and    hoi    of    bodye.     wyJ)-oute    ancheysoun 

sceluol.  to-uore   ri3te  houre  /   jernp  to   pe  mete  /  ase  asdothadumh 

dej)   a  best  doumb.     And   uele   ze?«ies  come])  /  of  ])0 

ilke  wone.      J?a»ne  hit  com])  /^  pet  zuych  a  man  zayj).  a  man  guilty  of 

pet  he  ne  may  neste.  ne  do  penonce.     Vor  he  hep  pet  fa'st.bTcausrMs 

yzed.    '  ich  habbe  /  a  to  kuead  heaued.'     And  he  zayp  SS  wo^sSis 

zop.    nor  he   hep  hit  zuych  ymad.    and   kuead    herte  heart  becomes 

alzuo  /  pet  hep  ymad  pet  kuead.   and  him  hep  y-do 

breke  '  /  pe  uestinges  /  pet  is  grat  zewne.   and  yef  he     1  [ms.  bro7ce.:\ 

him  damnede  /  be  him  zelue  :  per-of  no  strengpe.     Ac 
4  * 


52  IMMODERATE    EATING    AND   DRINKING. 

He  will  have  fei-    he  wvle  liabbe  uela-jes  /  bet  dob  ase  lie  deb.  hiiiclie  he 

lows  like  himself.  "^  pit  ..... 

dra3j»  /  uram  wel  to  done  and  let  his  mid  him  j  in-to 

helle.     Vor  he  deji  ham  /  breke  hare  uestinges.  and  do 

[Foi.  15.  a.]      hare  glotounyes.  huer-of  hi  ham  /  Avolden  loki  :  yef  jjer 

nere  /  kneade  nela^es.      Vor  jje  drinkere  /  and  J)e  hor- 

whom  he  causes     lii^g  /  amaiig  Jie  ojjre  kueades  /  Jiet  hi  dojj :  prr>p?-eliche 

'"  ^'"'  one  ze7*ne  /  jjet  is  ]je  dyenles  /  hua??ne  hi  wy]j-dra3e])  to 

do  wel.     Hy  ziggej)  /  ))et  hi  ne  mo^e  na3t  neste.   ac  hy 

lye3e]j.     Vor  litel  loue  of  god :  ham  hejj  jjet  /  y  do 

He  loves  the  idle    zigge.     Vor  yef  hi  loueden  zuo  moche  /  Jje  zojje  ioye  of 

more  than  the       licuene.  ase  hy  do])  /  Jje  ydele  blisse  /  of  fis  wordle  :  ase 

ruejoyo  iea\en.  j^^  uestej)  /  uor  \iQ  timliclie  nyedes  /  al-huet  ni3t :  ase 

wel  /  hi  mi3ten  ueste  /  huet  non  /  uor  god  :  yef  hihi??i  / 

He  is  as  the  child  zuo  moclie  loiiede.     Ac  hy  byejj  /  ase  is  fet  child.   ]jot 

have  bread  in  his   Avyle  alneway  /  habbe  J)et  bread  /  ine  his  hand.     And  Jje 

sselt  conne  /  Jjet  ase  me  zene3ej)  /  ine  to  raj^e  arizinge  / 

uor  to  ethene  :  and  alsno   me  zene3e])  :  late  to  soupi. 

Some  sin  by  sup-   jja^ne  bet  uolk  /  bet  late  louieb  to  soupi  /  and  to  waki 

ping  late,  and  '  '  '     '  >  '■      ' 

rising  late.  he  ni3te.  and   waste])  fane  time  /  ine  ydelnesse.   and 

late  guof  to  bedde  /  and  arise])   late  :  zene3e])    /  ine 

Tiiey  waste  their    -^i^^q  manercs.      Verst :  ine  J)et  hi  waste})  /  J)ane  time. 

time,  and  turn 

night  into  day.  and  liiiie  miswendej>  /  huawne  hi  make])  /  of  ]je  ny[3]t : 
Such  folk  are  ao-  (Jay.  and  of  })e  daye  /  ni3t.  Znych  uolk  /  god  acorse])  / 
be  ])e  prophete.  Vor  me  ssel  be  daye  :  wel  /  do.  and  be 
nijte  /  herie  god  /  and  bidde.  ac  huo  Jjct  lyf  a  bedde  / 
huarane  he  ssolde  arise,  slepe  he  mot :  hua?2ne  he  ssolde 
bidde.  and  his  se/niise  yhere  /  and  god  herie.  and  ])os 
he  /  lyest  al  his  time  /  and  \q  ni3t :  and  fane  day. 
They  play  at  evil    Efterward    /   iiie   zuyche    wakinges  :    me   deb    manye 

games,  as  dice :  1.1  o  i  -i 

kueades.  ase  playe  ate  ches.   ofer  ate   tables,  and  me 

zay])  /  manye  bisemers.   and  folyes.   and  ])us   waste])  / 

So  they  wrath       jje  wreclie  liis  time  /  and  his  ^v}'ttes  /  and  his  guodes. 

God,  and  harm 

their  bodies  and     and  wrefef  god.  and  liarme])  his  bodi  /  and  more  ])e  zaule. 
]?e   ober  bo3  :  is  of  mete  /  and  of  drinke  /  be  to 

2.  Immoderate 

eating  and  drhik-   moclie  /  and  wijj-oute  mesure.     )3e  ilke  byef  /  prop/'e- 


ing. 


liclie  glotounes  /  ])et  al  uorzuel3e]5  /  ase  def  ])e  kete  of 


GLUTTONS    ARE    LIKE    THE    KITE.  53 

liis  sperriiige.      Hit  is  grat  wyt  /  to  loki  mesure  /  ine  Gluttons  are  like 

mete  /  and  ine  drinke  /  and  gratheljje.  uor  mocheuolk  loL^it'spLrotv" 
steruejj.  and  ofte  per  come]?  /  greate  ziknesses.     Ac  huo 

fet  wyle  Jjise  mesure  lyerny  :  he  ssel  ywyte  /  and  onder-  one  man  lives  by 

stonde  /  fet  Jjer  hjep  /  nele  maneres  to  libbe  /  ine  pe  by  m' Juuy'a^"' 

wordle.     j)e  uerste  libbeb  /  be  be  ulesse.     be  ober  be  /  ^'"'^'^  ^^  '"^  p'^^' 

,..-.,                                 JIT                          J         r               I  sie^  a  fourth  by 

his  lohuete.      pe  jjridde  /  be  his  fisike.     )3e  uerbe  /  be  his  honesty,  a 

•1-                i.   4.  '          -u         T        I   ^  fifth  by  his  sins, 

nis  onestete.      pe  vilte  /  be  fan  jjet  hare  ze??nes  acse)?.  and  a  sixth  by  the 

J3e  zixte  be  pe  goste  /  and  be  pe  loue  of  god.  oodf" "' 

j)o  ])et  libbef  be  pe  ulesse  /  ase  zajp  zaynte  paid  /  Those  that  live  by 

-i.-,,.               -                     -,■■,/  ^^^  ^*^^  ^^''y  their 

m  siA^ep  Jure  zaulen.  uor  hi  make])  /  of  hare  ■vvombe  :  souls  and  make 

hare  god.     pe  ilke  /  ne  hyealde]?  scele  /  ne  mesure.  and  god."  ^  ^ ' '""" 
])eruore  /  hi  ssolle  habbe  /  ine  pe  ofre  wordle  /  pine 
"vvy])-oute  mesure. 

pe  ilke  bet  libbeb  be  hare  iolyuete  :  wylleb  hvealde  /  Those  who  live  by 

'                    '                            ''                     J        r      J                I  their  jollity  know- 
hire  fole  uela3redes  :  zuo  fet  hi   ne  conne  /  ne  hi  ne  no  moderation. 

11103  e  /  healde  mesure. 

J3o  pet  libbe])  be  ypocr/sye  /  jjet  byeb  /  be  dyeules  Those  that  live  by 

hypocrisy  are  the 

martires.     hi   habbe])   /    tuo    mesures.     uor    pe    tuaye  devil's  martyrs. 

dyeiden  /  pet  tornie/^te])    fane    ypocWte :  bye])  moche 

ayder/ayens  o]3ren.  }?e  on  him  zayj).  'ethyno3  /  al-huet/ 

fou  art  uayr  /  and  uet.'  pe  ofer  him  zay]) :  '  fou  ne  sselt. 

ac  fou  sselt  ueste  /  al  liuet  fou  art  /  bleche  and  Ihene.' 

JSTou  behoueb  /  to  habbe  /  tuo  mesures  /  ane  little  /  and  "^^^^  "''*  temper- 

'    '                           '                                   '                           '  ately  before  the 

ane  scarse.  fet  he  use])  /  touore  pe  uolke.     And  anobre  world,  but  immo- 

T            11               ,     ,   1                    ;  derately  when 

guode  and  large.  ]5et  he  use])  /  ])et  non  ne  j-zj^p.  pes  ne  none  sees  them, 

halt  na3t  /  pe  r^te  mesure.  pe  ilke  /  pet  couaytyse  ledef  /  [FoI.  is.  b.] 
habbef  zuyche  mesure  :  ase  pe  pors  wyle.  fet  is  Iheuedi  / 

and  hotestre  /  of  pe  house,  panne  ssolle  we  betuene  pe  oftentimes  there 

It,                 T/f.,         1,                  -i-i-i  is  a  strife  between 

porse  /  and  pe  wombe  /  of  pe  glotoune :  habbe  a  uajT  the  purse  and 

strif    pe  wombe  zayf.  '  ich  wylle  by  uol.'  pe  purs  zayf  /  ^i°™^f  '^' 

'  ich  Avylle  by  uol'  pe  wombe  zayj)  /  '  ich  wylle  ]5et  fou  Sbffuirso^ 

ete.  and  drinke  /  and  bet  bou  despendi.'      And  be  purs  ^''^^  ^^^  p""«- 

'               '        '                 ^                                   r      I  The  one  says  I 

zajp  :   'foil  ne  sselt  na3t.  ich  wille  bet  ])oii  loki  /  and  win  eat  and  spend, 

the  other  says 

wy])dra3e.      Alias  /  huet  ssel  he  do  /  fes  wi-eche  /  fet  is  thou  shait  not,  i 

,,                    .                       11111              m  will  that  thou 

prel  /  to  zuyche  tuaye  kueade  Ihordes.     Tuo  mesures  /  save  and  retrench. 


54  THE    DEVIL    TAKES    MAN   BY    THE    THROAT. 

niakej)  he  wy^te  ymad.  J)e  mesnre  of  wombe  /  in  of)rc- 

ma?me  house  guode  /  and  large.     And  j>e  niesure  of  the 

purse  /  of  his.  jjet  is  zor3uol  and  scarse. 

Those  that  live  by         )?o  J>et  libbef)  be  fisike  :  hy  healdej?  pe  mesure  /  of 

by  phys^ic.*^"    ^     jpocras  /  Jjet  is  Hte  /  an  strait,  and  hit  iual]?  ofte.  )jet  fe 

ilke  /  jjet  be  fisike  leuej)  :  be  fizike  sterf  jj. 
Tiiose  living  by  jjo  Jiet  libbejj  be  hyre  onestete  :  Jje  ilke  hyealde])  / 

their  honesty  eat 

at  proper  times,  pe  uiesure  of  scele.  andlibbejj  worssipliche  /  to  fe  wordle  / 
jjet  etej)  ine  time  /  and  ine  oure.  and  nime])  mid  guode 
vrylle  :  Jiet  hi  habbe]^  /  and  cortaysliche  /  an  gledliche. 

Those  living  by  j)o   ]jet   libbe])    be    pan   I  J)et   hare    ze?znes  oksef). 

their  sins  are  iit,-i  j  ^  i  ^ 

dieted  by  penance,  hyealdep  zuiche  manere  /   and  niesure  /  ase  me  ham 

charge])  /  ine  penonce. 
Those  living  by  Jjq  jjgt  libbc))  /  be  f  6   goste.  bye])  fo  /  J^et  ine  pe 

those  that  use  all   lone  of  god  Avonyclt.  to  liuam  be  holy  gost  tekb  /  to 

things  aright,  in 

reason  and  moder-  hyealde  ordre  /  an  sckele  /  and  mesure.     j3o  ])ethabbe]) 

pe  Ihordssip  /  ope  pe  bodyes  /  ])et  is  zuo  y-ta^t  /  Jiet  he 

ne  acsej)  /  none  outtrage.  and  de})  /  ])et  pe  gost  hat  / 

"vvy[])]-oute  gi^ochinge  /  and  wifi-oute  Avijjzigginge. 

Thus  we  see  that  Xqu  mi3t  ])0U  ysi  /  uor  Jiet  Ave  habbeji  hyer  yzed  / 

many  tricks  by      Jiet  uele  giuues  /  hep  pe  dyeuel  /  uor  to  nime  Jiet  uolk  / 

■wliich  to  talce  man 

by  the  throat.        be  pe  jjTote.  uoT  uerst  /  he  sseawe])  ham  /  pe  wyiies  / 
First,  he  showeth  and  Jie  metcs  /  Jiet  hjep  uayre  /  and  likerouses  /  ase  he 

bim  wine  and 

meats,  dede  /  to  euen  pane  eppel.     And  Jiet  /  yef  hit  him  ne  is 

na^t  AvorJ) :  he  him  zayji.   '  eth  /  an  drink  ase  Jie  ilke  / 

tells  him  to  do  as  and  Jie  ilke.  uelajrede  Jie   behoueb    hyeafllde.  yef    be 

others  do, 

Avylt  /  Jjet  me  ne  storue  pe  imjt.  and  Jiet  me  pe  /  ne 

hyaldeuorpapelard.'  ojier  he  him  zayJi.   'Jie  heljieof  Jiine 

and  to  keep  his      bodye  /  bou  sselt  loki.  uor  huo  bet  ne  heb  helbe  :  he 

body  in  health  -J      i    r  j  r  r 

and  strength  by     ne  hcji  najt.     Xe  by  na^t  mansla3Jie  /  of  Jie  selue.  Jiou 

proper  susten-  .  .  i       /-\  i       i  • 

sselt  to  June  bodye  :  Jie  sostmonce.      OJier  he  hirn  zay]?. 


ance. 


The  devil  says,      c  ]^^j^-^  yg^^g  j  of  jjg  guodes  /  fet  Jiou  dcst  /  ojier  mi^t  do. 

and  so ser\e  God.  jjon  ne  est  /  na3t  uoT  JiB  lost  /  of  Jiyue  bodye  :  ac  to 
serui  god.  Jiou  sselt  /  Jiine  strengjie  loki  to  god.  ase 
zayj)  dauiji.'  pise  sceles  /  byeji  zuo  cleniinde  /  pei  pe 
wyscste  /  and  Jie  holyist[e]  man  :  bypjj  ojjorhuyl  /  beca3t. 


THE  THIRD  BOUGH  OF  GLUTTONY.  55 

be  bridJe  boj  of  bise  zcHiie  is  /  to  uerliche  yerne  /  ^-  Tiie  third 

^  ■'  ^  '  J  I     ^ough  is  a  strong 

to  pe  mete  /  ase  de]3  Ipe  liond  :  to  fe  lies,  and  )je  more  /  yearning  for  meat. 

jjet  is  /  Jje  ilke  uerlichliede  :  ]je  more  /  is  fe  ze«ne.  A^or 

ase  liit  ne  is  /  no  zenne  j  uor  to  habbe  ricbesses.     Ac 

liis  /  to  moche  louye.     Alsuo  /  bit  ne  is  no  zewne  /  uor 

to  ethe  /  ]je  guode  metes  :  ak  etbe  bis  /  to  uerlicbe  / 

ober  disordenelicbe.      Etbe   metes   /  byeb  guode  /  to  To  eat  meats  is 

good,  provided 

guode.  and  to  bam  :  jjet  be  scele  /  and  be  mesure  /  bis  they  are  eaten 
vsejj.  and  liise  nimej?  /  mid  jse  sause  /  of  fe  drede  /  of  the  dread  of  our 
oure  Iborde.     Vor  me  ssel  /  eurenio  babbe  drede  :  fet 
me  /  ne  mys-njone  /  be  ouerdede.  and  me  ssel  berye       C^"'-  ^''-  ^■'^ 
god.  and  yelde  bjTU  bonkes  /  of  his  yef  bes.     And  be  ^y  the  sweetness 

'  '  "J       I  Qf  t;],g  meat  we 

fe  zuetnesse  /  of  jje  mete  /  J)et  wyf-oute  /  ne  may  by :  me  should  think  ou 

.  God's  sweetness. 

ssel  jjencne  /  godes  zuetnesse.  and  to  ])e  like  mete  :  fet 
uel]3  ])e  berte.  Jjeruore  me  ret  /  ine  bous  of  religion  / 
ate  mete  :  uor  jjet  /  bua?me  ])et  bodi  /  nymJ5  bis  mete  / 
of  one  half :  fet  ]je  berte  /  nyme  his  of  oj^er  half. 

be  uerbe  boj  /  of  bise  ze?me  /  of  ban  bet  /  to  noble-  *•  Tiie  fourth 

,  I  '^        1^       I  bough  is  tlie  • 

liche  wyllej)  libbe.  jjet  despendejj  /  and  AvasteJ)  /  uor  to  spending  and 
uelle  hare  glotonye  /  hwer-of  an  hondred  poure  /  mi3ten  in  order  to  live 
libbe  /  and  yno3licbe  by  ueld.      Zuicli  uolk  zenejej?  ine  suciffoik  sin  in 
uele   manures.     Yerst :  in  greate    despenses   /    fet   lii  """/  ^^at^ex- 
niakejj.  efterward  /  ine  fan  /  Jjet  hi  /  hit  vsejj  /  ine  to  g'Tn  intem  er- 
grat  bete  /  and  ine  to  grat  lost.     And  afterward  /  ine  ance. 

•11,,.,,.,  3-  In  vanity;  they 

])e  ydele  basse  /  jjet  hi  habbe]).       Vor  hit  ne  is  na^t  /  like  to  boast  of 
onlepiliche  lecherie  /  of  zuelj  :  ac  hit  is  /  wel  ofte  uor 
host  /  fet  hi  zechejj  /  zuo  riclie  metes  /  and  makef>  /  zuo 
uele  mes.  huer-of  /  ofte  /  come])  /  uele  kueades. 

])Q  vifte  bo3  is  /  fe  bysibede  /  of  glotuns  /  bet  ne  5.  The  fifth  bough 

^,  IT      /'pi  '*  ^^^  anxiety  of 

zeclie])  /  bote  to  ])e  delit  /  of  bare  zuel^.   Jiise  bye])  pro-  gluttons, who  seek 
preliche  /  lechurs  /  ])et  ne  zecbej)  /  bote  fet  lost  /  of  the^s!vaUow.°^''°^ 
hare  zuel^.      Ine  fri  ]jinges  /  nameliche  /  li])  ])e  ze?me  /  tLle  ^1^6^: 
of  zuyche  uolke.  Verst  /  ine  fe  greate  bysibede  /  ))et  by  '•  ^"  ""^'"s^""^ 


habbej)  /  to  porcbaci  /  and  to  a^raibi.     Efterward  /  mid  ^-  «reatiustii 

'  or  /  the  use  of  thei 

grat  lost  /  fet  by  habbe])  /  ine  })e  us.     Efterward  /  ine  property, 
pe  biisse  /  fet  in  habbe])  /  me  fe  recordinge.     And  buo  recording  and 


56 


THK  TAVERN  THE  DEVILS  SCHOOL. 


deavours-to  make  jjet  mijte  telle  /  huycliB  bysinesse  hi  dob  /  to  ban  /  bet 

ofone  meat  many   '  ^  I  J  J  y   I  r         I    r 

disguised  messes,  hare  nietes  /  by  wel  ag/'oy})ed.   and  ech  to  his  o^ene 

smac.  and  hon  hy  mo^e  maki  /  of  one  mete  /  uele  mes 

And  wiien  the       desgysed  /  uor  hare  uoule  lost.     And  hua??ne  be  mes  / 

mess  comes  on, 

one  after  the         byejj  y-conie  /  on  /  efter  ]?e  o])er:  ])artne  byejj  ])e  burdes  / 

other,  it;  ^  • 

and  ]?e  trunes  /  uor  entremes.   and  me  ])ise  manere  /  ge]) 
jests  and  jokes      jje  tyme.   be  Avreche  him  uoryst.   be  seele  slepb.   f>e  ma3e 

form  the  entries. 

[a  piaynte]       grct  /  and  zayjj.      '  Dame  Zuel^  /  f)o  me  ssast.  ich  am 

The  gkitton  says, 

"tiiough  my  belly  ziio  uol:  J)et  icli  to-cleuG.     Ac  fo  tonge  ]je  lyckestre  / 
let  this  dish  h-hxi  ansiierej)  :  and  zayj).  *  jja^  J)ou  ssoldest  to-clene  :  ich 

rirterthe  Tielle  na3t  lete  askapie  /  ))is  mes.'  Efter  Jie  lecherie/  \)dt 

iTeat'in'^'a.mes^    ^^  "^®  etinge  :  com])  jje  blisse  /  jjet  is  hie  fe  recorder, 
the  wish  of  the      Eftcrward  /  hi  wesseb  bet  hi  liedden  /  nykken  of  crane. 

gluttons.that  they  '  '^   '^  '       '' 

had  the  neck  jf  a  and  Avombe  of  COIL  nor  bet  be  mosseles  /  blefte  lenger  / 

crane  and  tlie 

belly  of  a  cow.       ine  JjB  JjTote.  and  more  mi3ten  uorzuel^e. 

The  sins  of  glut-  Nou  ]50u  hcst  y-hyerd  /  Jje  ze«nes  /  jset  come]?  of 

arise  commonly     glotounye  /  and  '  of  Iccherie.  and  Jjeruore  /  ))et  zuyche 

in  the  tavern,  that  /-,  ti;-,  ,j^-  n 

well  of  sin,  ze?aics  /  arizejj  co;;nnunliche  /  me  tauerne  :  pet  is  weile 

of  zc;me.  Jperuore  /  ich  wylle  a  lite  take  /  of  jje  zc;aies  / 

]?et  byej)  y-do  /  ine  jje  taut'/'ne.     )?e  tauerne  /  ys  ))o 

very  cla°i"eiofthe  ^^^^^  ^^  J"^  dvoulo  /  hucrc  /  his  dcciplos  studic]?.   and 

*^'^^''''  his  05ene  chapele  /  fer  /  huer  me  dejj  /  his  seruese.  and 

}>er  huer  he  make])  /  his  miracles  /  zuiche  ase  behoue])  ^ 

to  Jje  dyeule.  At  cherche  /  kan  god  /  his  uirtues  sseawy. 

and  do  liis  miracles,  fe  blynde:  to  lijte.  fe  crokede  :  to 

ri3te.     yelde  fe  wyttes  of  J»e  wode.     Jie  speche :  to  })e 

When  the  glutton  dombe.  Jje  hicrfe  :  to  ])Q  dyaue.     Ac  fe  dyeuel  deJj  al 

[Foi.  16.  b.]      ayenward  /  ine  j)e  tauerne.    Vor  hua?^ne  J)e  glotoun  gejj 

u7rightTwiiei?he  hi  to  fe  tauerne  /  ha  gef  opri3t.    huajzne  he  coin]?  a-yeii  : 

oanntt'support      ^6  ne  heJ3  uot  jjet  h.wi  111030  sostyeni  ne  here.     HuaMue 

whe.f he  enters     l^^  pei'^^  ge>  =   lie  y-zyc>  /  and  y-herj)  /  and  spec>  wel  / 

he  can  see,  hear,    ^^^^^  ondcrstaiit.     hua«  he  coiiib  ayen :    he  heb  al  bis 

and  speak  well ; 

when  he  departs    xiorlore  /  ase  be  ilke  bet  ne  heb  wyt  /  ne  scele  /  ne  onder- 

he  has  lost  all  '  '  '  . 

these,  and  has  no   sto?<dinge.     Zuychc  bye])   fe  miracles   pet    ])e   dyeuel 

reason  or  under-  .-,,  ,  ,i  iii  i,t 

standing.  make}).     And  huet  lessouns  per  he  ret.  aile  uelpe  he 

de~niScies.    tck})  ]jer.  glotouuye.  lecherie.  zuerie.  uorzuerie.  Iye3e. 

1  MS.  «dn  -  MS.  hohom^ 


THE    SINS    OF    THE    TONGUE.  57 

miszigge.  reneye  god.  euele  telle,  contacky.  and  to  uele 

ofre  manyeres  of  zennes.     J?er  arise])  fe  cheastes.  Jje 

strifs.  JJB  mansla3])es.     fer  me  tekjj  to  stele :  and  to 

hongi.     jie  tauerne  is  a  dicli  to  fieues.  and  fe  dyenles  The  tavern  is  a 

castel  uor  to  werri  god  /  an  his  lial3en.  and  Ipo  fet  jje  and  thedeviiT' 

tauenies  sustyenef  :  byej)  uela3es  of  alle  f e  ze??nen  fet  aga/nsfGlVIua 

bye])  y-do  ine  hare  tauernes.  and  uor  zo])e  yef  me  ham  ""  ^^'"''^• 

zede  /  o])er  dede  /  asemoche  ssanie  to  hire  nader  /  ofer  to 

hare  moder.   ofer   to  hare  gronies.   as   me  de])   to  hire  sustainers  of 

ni  T  11  taverns  are  acces- 

tiader  oi  heuene.  and  to  oiire  Iheuedy.  and  to  fe  lial3en  series  to  aii  the 

jy  T  111-         111  ••  i'.  1    ^'"s  ^one  in  their 

01  paradis.  mochel  hi  wolden  ham  wrejii.  and  o])er  red  tavern  i. 
hi  wolden  do  fer  to  |)a«ne  hi  do]). 

\)E    ZENNES    OF    j^E    TONGE.  The  sins  of  the 

tongue, 

Huo  Jiet  wyle  conne  and  we3e  ])e  ze?mes  of  jpe  tonge  : 
hit  hehouef  '  fet  he  conne  Ave3e  /  and  ayenwe3e  /  fet  it  behoveth  each 
Avord  hujxh  Ipet  hit  by.  and  huer-of  hit  com}) :  and  huet  re-weigh  each 
kuead  hit  dep.     Vor  hit  y-nal])  fet  /  pet  Avord  is  ze/me  cometh  and  wiiat 
ine  hym.  uor  ]>et  hit  is  kuead.    And  yef  hit  by-ualf  fet  '"^  ''''°''''- 
hit  by  ze«ne  uor  pet  hyt  gep  out  of  kueade  herte.    And 
of  heauede  hit  biual])  /  fet  pe  speche  is  grat  zenne  /  uor 
J)et  hi  de])  grat  kuead  /  p^  hy  by  uayre  and  ysmo])ed. 
Nou  sselt  ])ou  ywyte  /  fet  pe  kueade  tonge  /  is  fet  trau  The  evil  tongue  is 
J)et  god  acorsede  in  his  spelle  /  uor  fet  he  ne  uand  na3t  God!becauiri'!e''' 
bote  leaues.     }»et   ine   holy   writ   bye])    onde[r]stonde  ^°u"f  ""'"ir^'-' 
worcles.     And  alsuo  ase  hit  is  Strang  ])ing  to  telle  /  alle  ^°  ^''y-  words. 
pe  lyeaues  of  pe  trauwe  :  alsuo  liit  is  Strang  fing  uor  to 
telle  pe  ze/aies  fet  of  pe  tonge  come]).  An  ])ise  ten  bo3es  we may,  amongst 
we  nioje  alsuo  newni :  ydelnesse.  yelpinge.  blondinge.  JTamet^en boughs: 
todra3inge.     lyesynges.    vorzueriinges.    stryfinge.     gro-  idieness.boastmg, 
cliinge.     wy])stondinge.     blasfemye.  *'""'  'y'"!?'  pe''- 

\)e  ilke  Jiat  ham  yeue])  /  to  moclie  to  ydele  Avorddes.  grudging,  oppo- 

sition,  blasphemy. 

hi  zeche})  grat  harm  /  fet  hi  ne  aparceyue])  na3t.  vor 
hy  lyesef  Jiane  time  precious,  huer-of  hi  ssolden  haT)be 
eftsone  disete.  and  uorlyeseji  pe  guodes  fet  hi  ])enche}) 
to  done  /  and  ssolden  do.  and  nimefi  pe  tresor  of  pe  herte. 
»  MS.  bo/wwp 


58  THE   SINS    OF   THE   TONGUE, 

Those  who  give     and  liise  iielb  a-yen  mid  ydelenesse.  lii  onwrij)  fane  pot. 

themselves  up  to 

idle  words  un-       and  ]je  ule3en  vlye])  Jjerin.  hi  hise  clepiej)  /  ydele  ^yordes/ 

cover  the  pot  so  i-t  t-i  p  /ii  n/ 

that  the  flies         ac  111  lie  Dycjj.   ac  ni  Dye]?  of  grat  cost  /  and  Jiarniuolle  / 
One  calls  them      and  peiilous.   asB  J)0  ))et  enitej)  Jie  lierte  of  hire  giiode. 

idle  words,  but  ,  i,t-  i         •  ^         ^    i  i  ,;i  jy 

they  are  not  so,      ^nd  uelj)  his  ayen  /  mid  ydelnesse  /  as  Jjo  /   mier-ol 

harmful  ^"'^  behouejj  yelde  rekemnge  of  echen  beuor  god  /  ate  daye 
of  dome,  ase  god  zay]j  ine  his  spelle.  Hit  ne  is  na3t 
lite  ping  /  ne  ydelenesse  /  liuer-of  hit  behouej)  rekeni. 

And  in  the  high     and  yelde  scele  ine  J)e  he3e  cort  /  ase  beuore  god  /  and 

Tl:i::Xr'  al  >e  baronage  of  heuene. 

given  oftiera.  jj^g  i,q  y(Jele  wordes  me  zenejeb  ine  vif  maneres.  Vor 

In  idle  words  one  i      -J  J    > 

simiethin  five       ber  byeb  zonie  wordes  ydele  /  liuer  of  jse  tonges  byefi  zno 

ways: 

1.  The  tongue  is    noUe  /  j?et  speke]j  beuore  /  and  behjnde.  pet  bye  J)  ase 

Bometimes  full,  i,       / 

[Foi.  17.  a.]       Jje  cleper  of  pe  melle  /   pet  ne  may  him  na3t  hyealde 

clapper" of  a  mill,   stille.     And  yef  hi  spekp  bisye  wordes  of  ham  pet  zno 

blepeliche  tellep  tidyinges.   pet  zettep  ofte  hare  lierte  to 

The  after-tellers     mesayse   of  ham  pet  his  ylierep.  and  makep  pe  efter 

fools  and  liars.      tellei'es  ofte  by  yhyea[l]de  foles  andiiorlye3eres.    Efter- 

2.  Idle  tales  and    -yyard  byep  pe  tales  /  and  pe  uayre  zigginges.  liuer-of  hi 

habbep  nioche  of  ydele  blisse  /  po  pet  hise  conne  sotil- 
liche  zigge  /  nor  pe  herkneres  do   wel  lhe33e.     Efter- 

3.  Jests  and  jokes  Ward  byep  pe  bourdes  /  and  pe  trufles  uol  of  iielpe  /  and 

full  of  filth  and  ofp,.  ,,  i,ii  i  i 

lies,  01  leazinges.  pet  me  clepep  ydele  wordes.     Ac  uorzope 

stinking  and  foul   hit  ne  byep.  ac  hy  byep  Avel  stinkinde  /  and  wel  uoule. 

words.  ,  /  T   • 

4.  Mocking  and     Ett(^;*ward   bjTp  pe  bisemeres  and  pe  scornes  /   pet  hi 
scorn  o  goo  ziggep  ope  pe  gnode  men.  and  ope  alle  ham  pet  wyllep 

do  wel  /  peruore  :  pet  hi  niy3ten  his  dra3e  to  hare  corde. 

and  iiram  pe  gnode  pet  hi  liabep  y-('o?zceyued  W3^pdra3e, 

Jjet  ne  byep  na3t  ydele  wordes.     Vor  pou  art  ase  nian- 

Thouartasaman-  slajbe  /  vcf  bou  be  bine  tonge  /  Avybdra:st  ane  man  / 

slaughter,  if  thou  ^i"      /     ■'         r  T  o      i        j  r         ?  I 

causestany  opcT  a  cliild  wel  to  donc.   and  god  pe    can   asemoche 

one  to  do  wrong,  in  t      i  ^  ii- 

by  thy  tongue.  pank  :  ase  wolde  pe  kyng  /  yet  pe  lieddest  ysla3e  his 
zone  /  oper  his  tresor  ystole. 

of 
boasting. 


°f*®''"°^  Op  Jje  zea^ne  of  yelpinge. 


Efterward  comp  pe  ze»iie  of  yelp}Tige  /  pet  is  Avel 


OP    FIVE    KINDS    OF    BOASTIXG.  59 

grat  /  and  wel  uoul  /  -wel  uals  /  and  ^vel  vilepi.   Hi  is  wel 

grat :  Vor  huo  pet  yelp]? :  he  is  aperteliche  godes  jjyef.  He  that  boasteth 

and  him  ^YJle  henyme  his  hlisse  /  ase  we  zede  hyer- 

beuore.     fet  is  a  wel  uals  ze?me.     Yor  Jje  guodes  huerof  For  a  nttie  wind 

■1-,  ,,  ,.  T.i  T^ie  loseth  heaven. 

ne  mi^te  wynne  pe  heuene  :  hi  yeue]?  nor  a  litel  wynd. 

And  ziio  hit  is  a  wel  uoul  ze?me.      Vor  pe  wordle  zelf  /  The  worui  itself 

•t            1     1,              n  ^            ^                 -1                   1                 .  holdoth  him  to  be 

nam  Jialt  uor  lol.  and  uor  vilayn  and  uor  nice.  a  fooi. 

Ine  ]jise  bo3e  hjep  vif  leaues.   Jiet  bye  J)  vif  manere  in  this  bough  are 

PI-                   i'\      •                   ■            rn-              •                 n     ■  ^^'^  leaves : 

ot  yeipmges.     On  is  preterit.  |)e[t]  is  to  zigge  :  of  jjinge  i.  Past-boasting 

ypased.     pet  is  pe  zennc  of  |)an  /  fet  zuo  blej^eliche  prowess,&c!' 
recordejj  hare  dedes  /  and  hare  prowesses,  and  jjet  hi 

wenef  liabbe  /  o))er  wel  ydo  :  oper  Avel  yzed.     j)e  ober  2.  Present-boast- 

„                       '         .  ing  of present 

is  of  present  fet  is  to  zigge  :  of  nou.  fet  is  pe  zenne  of  riches,  nobleness, 

jjo  :  jjet  na3t  ne  dojj  gledhche.  ne  ham  ne  payej)  wel  to  °^'^^°'"^^^- 

done  /  ne  wel  zigge.  bote  ase  me  his  yzy^Jj  /  ojjer  yherjj. 

Jjise  /  ine  dede  /  ojjer  ine  speche  /  and  ine  zinginge  :  hi 

yelpejj  /  and  zellej)  uor  na^t :  al  fet  hi  do]).     To   ])an 

belongef  pe  zenne  of  zuichen  fet  yelpe]?  of  pe  guodes 

fet  hi  habbef  /  o]7er  fet  hi  wenef  habbe   /  of  hare 

noblesse,  of  hare  richesse  /  of  hare  prouesse.     Hy  byefi 

ase  J>e  coccou  /  f>et  ne  can  zinge  /  bote  of  him  zelue.  J5e  These  boasters  are 

.  ,  ,       .                                    n       •                                                         ■                      1  ''^e  the  cuckoo. 

pridde  is  pe  zenne  01  ])ise  ouerweneres  fet  ziggef.  ich  3.  overweening— 

wille  do  ]iet  /  and  fet.  ich  wj^lle  awreke  forre.  ich  wille  one  wTif do.^^  ^^ 

maki  pe  belles  and  pe  danes.     j)e  uerbe  is  more  sotil  *•  Blaming  what 

is  right  in  others. 

Jjet  is  of  fan  Jiet  ne  mo^e  uor  ssame  ham-zelue  praysi. 
ac  al  fet  oJ»re  dof  /  and  ziggef  :  altogidere  uayrliche 
blamye])  ase  ri^t  na^t  ne  him  prayse]?.  to  fet  hi  conne 

do  and  zigge.     j)e  vifte  is  yet  more  sotil  /  of  ham  bet  5.  Affected 

.                                   .                     .  humility. 

huanne  hi  wille]i  f>et  me  hise  praysi  /  and  hi  nolle])  Many  folk  say 

.,.,           -I  •  T  •,           1                       ,/          1          1  ''"'''  t'^ey  are 

zigge  apertehche :  hi  hit  make])  a  na3t  /  and  make]i  zuo  wicked  and  sinful, 
moche  ham  milde  /  and  zigge})  /  J)et  hi  bye})  zuo  kueade  / 

and  zuo  zenuol  /  and  zuo  onconnynde  :  frisijje  more  /  [Foi.  17.  b.] 

panne  hi  by.  vor  bet  me  .ham  hereb  /  and  hyealde  :  uor  so  that  one  may 

■■                          ^                 r                                        r  I                  J  hold  them  in 

wel  bo3sam.  'Alias' zay])  saynt  bernard  'huet  fer  is  bier  esteem. 

zor3Uolle  yelpinge.'     Hy  make])  ham  dyeulen :  uor  fet  SvesTvnJ.'ir' 

me  halt  ham  uor  angles.     Hy  makel)  ham  kueade  :  uor  ^^^^  they  may  be 

o                    J                 r  accounted  angels. 


60 


FLATTERERS,    THE    DEVIL's    NURSES, 


Others  seek 
spokesmen  to 
praise  and  extol 
their  virtues. 

Of  flattery. 

Flatterers  are  the 
devil'snurses.who 
give  suck  to  his 
children  and  sing 
them  to  sleep. 
They  smear  the 
way  of  hell  with 
honey. 

There  are  five 
boughs  of  this  sin 
1.  Praising  hastily 
what  is  well  said 
or  done. 


2.  Exaggeration 
of  trifles, 

where  there  is 
more  of  lies  than 
truth. 


3.  Assumption  of 
goods  and  graces. 
The  folk  who  as- • 
sume  so  much 
:ind  so  deceive 
many  are  called 
charmers. 


4.  SingingjiZflcebo 
to  every  word  or 
deed,  be  it  good  or 
bad ;  or  echoing 
all  that  is  said  by 
others,  be  it  good 
or  bad. 


fet  me  ssolde  liis  liyealde  nor  good,  ne  more  me  ne 
may  ham  wre]?! :  Jia^ne  iior  to  zigge  /  uor  zofe  pou 
zayst  zo|).  To  fan  belongejj  ])e  zemie  of  ham  Jjet  zechi]) 
spekemen  ham  uor  to  praysi.  and  uor  to  grede  hare 
noblesse  /  be  huas  moujje  hi  speke])  /  and  fe  more 
hardyhche.  j 

Of  bloxdinge, 

pe  blonderes  /  byef  ])e  dyeules  noriches.  fet  his 
children  yeuejj  zouke  /  and  do])  ham  slepe  ine  hare 
ze?me  be  hare  uayi'e  zang.  Hy  smerie])  fane  way  of 
helle  mid  hony  /  ase  me  dej)  to  fe  here  /  wot  Jet  J?e 
zene3ere  hine  ssolde  guo  fe  hardylaker.  pis  zenne  him 
to-deljj  :  ine  vif  deles,  fet  byej>  ase  vif  leaues  :  ine  fise 
bo3e.  J3e  uerste  ze?me  is  of  fyse  blonderes.  fet  hua??ne 
hi  yzej)  fet  he  /  ofer  hy  /  fet  hi  Avyllef  beuly  /  habbejj 
wel  yzed.  ojjer  fet  he  help  wel  ydo  :  an-haste  him  zigge]? 
to  him-zelue  /  uor  fet  ha  he}?  ydele  blisse.  Ac  liis  kuead 
nolle])  hi  hi???  na3t  telle,  pe  ofer  ze/me  is  /  hua??ne  fe 
litle  guodes  fet  hire  children  fet  hi  dof  zouke  /  ydo  / 
ojter  yzed  :  hy  leuef  /  and  dobblef  /'  and  more]?  hit  of 
hiren  /  al-huet  fer  is  more  of  lyeasinge  /  ])a??ne  of  zof. 
And  feruore  hi  byef  ycleped  ualse  wytnesses  ine  holy 
Avrit.  pe  fridde  ze??ne  is  /  hua??ne  hi  doj)  onderstonde 
]pe  ma??ne  /  ofer  fe  wyfma?ine  /  fet  he  help  ine  him 
manie  guodes  /  and  g?*aces  /  huer-of  he  ne  help  none 
and  feruore  his  clepef  holy  writ  :  charmeres.  uor  hy 
becharme])  zuo  moche  fane  man :  fet  he  ylef  [f]  ham  more  / 
jianne  him  zelue.  fet  he  yleff  bet  fet  he  yher])  :  ])a??ne 
fet  he  yzi3t.  and  fet  hy  ziggef  of  him  :  panne  fet  hi  use]). 
pe  uerf e  ze??ne  is.  f et  hua??ne  hi  alle  zingef/' Placebo.'  fet 
is  to  zigge  :  'mi  Ihord  zayf  zof.  mi  Ihord  def  wel.'  and 
wendef  to  guode  /  al  ]:iet  Tpe  guodeman  def  /  opev  zayf . 
by  hit  guod  by  hit  kuead.  And  feruore  hy  byef  ycleped 
ine  fe  writinge :  ecko.  fet  is  fe  rearde  fet  ine  fe  11630 
helles  comf  ayen  /  and  acordef  to  al  fet  me  him  zayf. 
by  hit  guod  /  by  hit  kuead.   by  hit  Z(if  /  by  hi    uals. 


SIXG    MEN    TO    SLEEP    IN    SIN.  61 

J?e  vifte  ze??.no  is  /  hua«ne  jje  blondere  defendej?  /  and  5.  Defending, 
excuse]?  /  and  wryeji  pe  kueades  /  and  Ips  zeniies  /  of  ham  hiding  faults  of 
fat  he  wyle  ulateri.  and  Jseruore  zm^che  bye  J?  ycleped  ine  Thoseguiity  of 
writinge:  tayles.     Yor  hi  wrejj  Jje  ueljjcs  of  ze?aie  of  ^Ws^^^in  are  called 
riche  men  /  uor  zom  timlich  guod.  hueruore  lii  byef 
anlicned^to  fe  tayle  of  fe  uoxe  /  be  hare  barat  /  and 
uor  hare  bezuykinge  of  tedra3}Tige. 

Blondere  /  and  misziggere  :  byeb  of  one  scole.    bise  Flatterers  and 

mls-sayers  are 

byej)  pe  tuo  nykeren  J)et  we  uynde])  ine  bokes  of  kende  li^e  Nykers  or 

/.  T_      ,  -TT-       1        ,  „  Mermaids, 

01  bestes.  V  or  hy  bye]?  a  ssewynge  of  fe  ze  /  pet  me 
klepejj  nykeren.  pet  habbe]?  bodyes  of  w^^fman  /  and 
tayl  of  uisssse.  and  clauen  of  am.  and  zuo  zuetelich 
zinge])  /  fet  hi  make])  slejje  pe  ssipmen  /  and  efterward  who  sing  sailors 

to  sleep,  and  tlieu 

his  uorzuel3J5.  j)et  byej?  pe  blonderes.   fet  be  hare  uayre  swaiiow  them, 
zang  /  make])  slepe  Jjet  uolk.  and  ine  hare  ze??ne.  hi  They  are  like  the 

adder  Serayii, 

resemble])  an  eddre  /  ])et  hatte  serayn.  Jjet  jevnp  more       [Foi.  is.  a.] 
zuyjjere  /  panne  hors.   and  oberhuyl  vleb.  and  habbeb  tii^^t  runneth 

'  '     swifter  than  a 

])et  uenym  zuo  Strang  :  ])et  no  triacle  ne  is  pex  to  na3t  horse, 

wor]).     Vor  mpxe  com])  pe  dya])  :  ])a»ne  me  \\e\p  fane 

byte.  j?et  bye])  pe  missiggeres.   of  hua??2  Salomon  zay])  / 

pet  hi  byte])  /  ase  eddren  ine  bezuykinge.  an  fiet  uenim 

sla3])  ])ri  /  in  one  stroke,   fane  fet  zayf.  ])ane  fet  Ihest. 

and  fane  /  of  huam  he  missay }).   \)et  is  be  felhste  best  ""^  ^''^  ''*'*^' 

•*  Hyane,  who  un- 

J)et  me  clepef  hyane.  fet  ondelf])  fe  bodies  of  dyade  graves  dead 

,  IT-  ,    ,  .      ,    -1  /  ,  men's  bodies  and 

men  /  and  luse  etep.     )5et  bye])  fo  /  fet  bytef  and  etef  eats  them. 

J)e  guode  men  of  religion  /  fet  bye])  dyade  to  fe  wordle. 

Hi  bye])  more  feller  /  fawne  helle.  fet  ne  uorzuyl])  / 

bote  kueade.  Ac  hi  yernef  op  to  fe  guode.  hueruore  hy  They  are  like  the 

byef  anlicned  to  fe  ZG3e.  hua«ne  hi  hef  yuar3ed  /  Avel  Soltesmlnin 

blef  cliche  byt  men  :   yclofed  mid  huyt.     Hy  byef  ase  ^i'Sj  the  beetles 

be  Ihapwynche  /  bet  ine  uelbe  of  man  /  makeb  liis  nest  /  '^^'  '°^'®  'i""^- 

'  IT  I    There  are  five 

and  zuo  restef.  ]3et  byef  fe  ssarnboddes  ])et  beulef  pe  boughs  of  evil 
floures.  and  louief  f  et  dong.     And    fes    bo3    hef  vif  i!' Fhldfug  of  lies 
leaues.  J)e  uerste  is  /  hua??ne  me  vint  lea3inges.i  and  fe  oth^ers!"" '°  "''""^ 
kueades  uor  ofren  to  arere  blame,    pie  opex  is  /  hua?2ne  ^"  ^^'""^  '""^ 

'  hazing es  ? 


62 


LIARS   ARE   LIKE   THE   SCORnOX. 


increasing  the 
report  of  another' s 
wrong-doing. 
3.  Turning  good 
into  evil. 


4.  Speaking  evil 
of  otliers, 


for  when  one 

siiealceth  good  of 
another,  some  one 
will  find  some- 
thing amiss. 


They  are  like  the 
scorpion,  fair  as 
to  its  head,  but 
whose  tail  is 
poisonous. 
5.  False  and  un- 
true grudging  of 
others'  deeds. 


fet  kuead  jjet  he  ylierjj  of  oj^ren  /  lie  hit  teljj  uorf>  /  and 
hit  moreJ3  of  his  o^en.  }?e  ])ridde  is  hua»ne  he  kueuc])  / 
and  dej)  to  na3te  /  alle  pe  guodes  Jjet  J5e  man  dejj  /  and 
hise  deJ3  hyea[l]de  to  ane  kueade.  J?es  eth  Jjane  man  al 
yhol.  pG  ojjre  ne  etejj  hihe  na^t  al  /  ac  hyt  /  and  nimjj 
a  stech.  and  jjis  is  ]5et  uerj?e  lyeaf  of  Jjise  boje  /  jjet  is 
proprehche  ycleped  todra^ynge.  Vor  he  to-drajjj  /  and 
toheau))  eche  daye  zom  stech  of  guode  /  jjet  he  yhyer]) 
of  ofren.  Vor  huanne  me  zayjj  guod  of  ofren  touore 
him  :  alneway  he  vint  /  and  zet  ames.  Yor  zolpe  he 
zayj)  :  pet  is  zo]j.  he  is  wel  guod  man  /  and  ich  hine 
louie  moche  /  ak  he  hejj  zuich  a  lac  ine  him  /  and  pet 
me  iiorJ)ing|).  J?es  is  pe  scorpionn  jjet  make])  uayr  mid 
J)e  heauede.  and  enueyinejj  mid  pe  tayle.  )pe  vifte  is 
hua/me  he  miswent  /  and  went  to  pe  worse  half,  al  Jiet 
he  yherj)  /  ojjer  yzi3|)  /  fiat  me  may  wende  to  guode  / 
and  to  kueade.  and  feruore  is  he  uals  demere  /  and 
outrewe. 


Lying. 

Lying  makes  a 
man  false. 


The  liar  is  among 
men  as  chaCf 
among  corn. 

The  liar  is  like 
the  devil. 

The  liar,  like  the 
devil,  changeth  in 
many  ways  the 
folk  to  beguile- 

He  is  like  the 
chameleon,  that 
liveth  by  air,  who 
with  all  sorts  of 
colours  has  none 
of  his  own. 

[Fol.  18.  b.] 
In  this  bough  are 
three  small  twigs. 


Leazyxges. 

Leazinge  ualsej)  Jjane  man  /  alse  me  ualsej?  pe  kinges 
sel  /  o))er  pe  popes  bulle.  and  jjeruore  fet  me  make]) 
ualse  monaye  and  berj)  ualse  lettres  :  ha  ssel  by  demd 
ase  nalsere  /  ate  daye  of  dome.  })e  lye3ere  is  aniang  pe 
men  :  ase  pe  ualse  peny  amang  pe  guode.  ase  ])et  chef : 
amang  pe  corn,  pe  lye3ere  is  ylich  pe  dyeule.  ])et  is 
his  uader.  ase  god  zajp  ine  his  spelle.  Vor  he  is 
lye3ere  /  and  uader  of  leazingas  /  ase  he  ])et  made  pe 
uerste  leazinge.  and  yet  he  hise  make])  /  and  tekj)  eche- 
daye.  j)e  dyeuel  him  ssewe])  ine  uele  ssef])es.  and  him 
chonge])  in  uele  wysen  /  fet  uolk  uor  to  gyly.  Alsuo 
de])  pe  lye3ere.  hueruore  he  is  ase  pe  gamelos  ])et  leue]) 
by  pe  eyr  and  na3t  ne  hef  ine  his  roppes  bote  wj^nd. 
and  he])  ech  manere  colour  /  ])et  ne  hep  non  liis  03en. 

Ine  fise  bo3e  bye])  ])ri  smale  tuygges  :  Vor  per  hjep 
leazinges  helpinde  and  leazinges  hkynde.   and  leazinges 


OF    THE    SIN    OF    LYING. 


63 


deriyiide.  and  in  eclien  is  zenne.     Vor  ase  zayb  saynt  ^-  Lies  helping. 

■'  •''•'%.  Lies  pleasing, 

austin.  asenioche  ase  lie  jjet  1703])  /  be  his  leazi^ge  /  de])  3-  Lies  hurtful, 
guod  to  ojjren  :  alneway  he  def)  his  03ene  harm  /  ]5a?me  1.  The  first  sin 

.  T     T     •      T       1  k  1         •  &oe&  harm  to  the 

Jje  leazmges  helpmde  byefi  zenne.  Ac  fe  leazmges  man  who  is  guilty 
likinde.  byejj  more  grat  ze/me  /  ase  bye])  J)e  hye3inges  2!  The  second  sin 
of  be  loze/aour.  and  of  be  gememen  /  and  of  be  scorneres.   'sseeninflatterers 

>  J     o  I  r  and  scorners  who 

fet  ziggej)  fe  bysemeres.  and  fe  lezinges.  and  fe  lhe5-  lie  to  please  folk. 

inges  uor  to  solaci  ])et  uolk  /  ine  ziggynge  /  and  ham  to 

harkin  :  is  ze^ne.  hit  ne  is  non  drede.    Ac  be  lyazinges  3.  The  third  sin  is 

deadly,  whether 

deriynde  :  byej3  dyadlich  ze?^ne.  huanne   me  his  zayjj  it  be  in  thougiit 
wytmdenche  /  and  be  |)03te  •  /  uor  to  do  harm  to  ojjren.      j-i  ms  bojto] 

To  J)ise  bo3e  belongejj  alle  ualshedes  /  and  jje  gyles  /  to  this  bough  be- 

and  ))e  contackes.  ]?et  me  de])  in  al  fe  wordle  nor  o])ren  ^^^^^  ^^j  ^^^^, 

to  gyly  and  harmy.  ofer  ine  zanle  /o])er  in  bodye.  ofer  ^*,^rm Others" 
ine  guodes.  ofer  ine  los  /  huych  ])et  hit  by. 

Of    ]JE    zenne   of    LYE3INGE.  Of  the  sin  of 

lyin^. 

Kvead  tiing  hit  is  to  lyeje  /  ac  more  ze;me  hit  is  hi;?t  ^'^^^'^y  '^  "•"■■se 

■"^    Z'  "^    ?     /  than  lying. 

zelue  uorzuerie.  and  feruore  oure  Ihord  hit  ziio  moche 
norbyet.  Perilous  J»ing  hit  is  to  zuerie.  ac  na3t  uor 
])an  /  ])et  ine  no  poynt  me  ne  may  zuerie :  wy]i-oute 
ze«ne.  ase  zayb  be  bougre.     Ac  uor  ban  bet  ofte  zuerie  :  Swearing  leads  to 

"^ '    '  °  r         r  forswearing. 

niakeb  ofte  uorzuerie  /  and  ofte  zene3i.     Yor  ine  zeue  There  are  seven 

modes  of  swear- 

maneres  me  zuere]).   Verst  hua/nie  me  zueref  boldliche  /  ing : 

...r-T  /         111.T1  1-.  ;  !•  ^'^^'^  swearing. 

pet  IS  [inj  onworpnesse/  and  blepeliche.  fet  hit  Jiing]»/ ])et 

hi?«  hit  like])  to  zuerie.  fieruore  hit  uorbyet  saint  lacob. 

'  ne  zuerie])  na3t :  bote  hua7me  hit  is  nyed.'  ac  ])et  wyl :  ?•  Needful  swear- 

is  be  lecherie  ^  uor  to  zuerie.  Efte?'ward  huare  me  zuere])  3.  Light  swear- 
ing. 
Ii3thche  /  ]>et  is  uor  iia3t  /  and  wyf-oute  scele.  ])et  is    [2  ms.  uucherui 

uorbode  ine  fe  o]»re  heste  of  ])e  la3e  /  ])et  god  wrot  ine 

be  tables  of  ston  /  mid  liis  viHgre.     Efterward  hua?aie  *•  Habitual  swear- 

■•  '  ing. 

me  zuere])  be  wone  :  ase  at  eche  worde.     Yor  ]3er  bye]) 

zome  zuo  euele  yta3t  :  ])et  hi  ne  conne  noting  /  zygge 

"wvb-oute  zueriynge.     Jpise  habbeb  sod  in  to  gr«t  on-  Hab'tuai swearers 

■\vorJ)hede.  hua«ne  al  day  /  and  uor  na3t  /  him  clepie])  to  tempt. 

wytnesse  /  of  al  ])et  hi  ziggef.     Yor  zueriinge  ne  is  non 


64 


FOOLISH    AXD    FALSE    SWEARING. 


5.  Foolish  swear- 
iiift,  as  in  sudden 
pain. 


in  rash  promises, 


in  bold  assertions 
without  being 
certain  of  tlie 
truth, 


ill  promising  what 
one  cannot  fulfil ; 
and  swearing  by 
the  sun,  moon, 
one's  head,  &c. 


[Fol.  19.  a.] 


This  is  worship- 
ping the  creature 
instead  of  the 
Creator. 


6.  Swearing  by 
God  and  his 
saints. 


Those  guilty  of 
tliis  sin  are  worse 
than  the  Jews  who 
crucified  Christ. 


It  is  a  wonder 
how  Christendom 
beareth  them. 


ofer  fiiig :  fanne  to  clepie  god  to  wytuesse.  and  liis 
nioder  /  and  his  hal3en.  Efte?-ward  huaHiie  me  zuere]j 
foUiche.  and  fet  jnallp  ine  uele  maneres.  Oj?er  liuaHne 
me  zuere])  he  tyene  /  and  sodaynlyche  /  huer-of  hvm 
uorfing])  efterward.  0))er  hiia?me  me  zuerej)  nor  fiing 
Jjet  me  ne  may  na3t  liealde  ■\\'}"J)-oute  ze/aie :  zuich  oj) 
me  ssel  breke  :  and  do  penonce  nor  fane  fole  o]j.  Ojjer 
hua«ne  me  zueref  zikerliche  /  of  finge  fiet  me  nis  na3t 
ziker  /  yet  faj  hit  by  zoji.  Ofier  hnanne  me  behat 
zikerliche  fet  me  na3t  not  /  yef  me  hit  may  noluelle. 
Ojjer  hua?zne  me  zuere])  be  fe  sseppinges  /  ase  me  zayf. 
be  pe  zonne  fet  ssin]?.  by  Ipet  uer  Jiet  bern]).  ofer  by 
myn  heiied.  ofer  by  myne  uader  zanle.  ojjer  oJ»re  pane 
ylych.  Zuyche  ofes  god,  uorbyet  in  his  spelle.  Vor 
fiet  ich  ssel  maky  ziker  :  ich  ne  ssel  na3t  dra3e  to 
wytnesse  /  bote  jjane  he3e  zoj).  fet  is  god  fiet  al  wot. 
na3t  pe  clene  ssepjjes  /  Jjet  ne  byejj  bote  ydelnesse.  And 
hua/nie  ich  his  zuerye  be  ])03te  :  ich  here  ham  ane 
worjjssippe  /  j>et  ich  ssolde  here  to  god  onlepi.  Ac 
hua?aie  me  zuere])  be  pe  '  godspelle  :  me  zuerej)  be  him  / 
pet  pe  Avordes  byej)  /  and  byep  ywryte.  And  huanne  me 
zuerej)  be  j)e  holy  relikes  /  and  be  jje  hal3en  of  paradis  : 
me  zuerej)  be  ham  /  and  be  god  Ipet  ine  ham  wonej). 
Efterward  huawne  me  zuerej)  vileynliche  by  god  /  and 
by  his  hal3en.  ine  j)ise  zenne  /  byej)  j)e  cristene  worse  / 
j)anne  j)e  sarasyn.'  j»et  nolden  zuerie  ine  none  manere  / 
ne  nolden  j>olye  /  pet  me  zuore  beuore  ham  /  zuo  vileyn- 
lyche  /  be  lesu  crist :  ase  doj)  pe  cristene.  Hi  byej) 
more  worse  j)a?zne  j)e  gyewes  :  pet  hine  dede  a-rode.  Hy 
ne  breken  non  of  liis  buones.  Ac  j)ise  him  tobrekej) 
smaller  :  pamie  me  dej)  j)et  zuyn  ine  bocherie.  jjise  ne 
uorberef)  na3t  oure  Iheuedi.  and  j)ise  his  tobrekej)  more 
vileynlaker :  and  hire  /  and  pe  oj)re  hal^en  /  fiet  hit  is 
wonder  :  hou  fie  c/v'stendom  hit  fiolej).  Efte/'ward 
hua?me  me  zuerej)  ualsliche.  oj)er  hua/nie  me  berf)  ualse 
'  It  niav  be  read  pu 


THE    SEVEN    BOUGHS    OF    STRIFE.  65 

wj-inesse.     ojjer    me   zueref   uals    /    -svytindelj'clae.  ine  7.  False  swearing 

.  and  false  witness- 

huyche  manyere  /  fet  me  zuerejj  oj^er  openliche  /  oJ3er  ing. 

stilleliche  be  art  /  ofer  be  soph.ist/7"e.     Vor  ase  pe  ri3te 

wrytes  ziggej)  /  god  fet  louejj  Mueknesse  /  and  zo))-  God  loves  meek- 

/  1  ,  ,  1  ,    ,  ,(11  ness  and  truth. 

nesse  /  yne  ziiycne  wytte  onderuangj)  pane  o])  /  and  onder- 
stant  fet  word  :  ase  he  Kit  onderstant  /  pet  ne  feng]) 
na3t  bote  guod.  and  pet  miiekliche  /  and  wyjj-oute  stryf 
bit  onderstant. 

Mochel  is  grat  godes  myldenesse.   bua?me  znyche  Great  is  God's 

,  -.J?,-  i.i.1-  J.,  1         ,.  •      mildness,  when 

men  pet  zueriep  oi  finge  fet  hi  -wytejj  wel :    Jjet  ne  is  men  swear 
na3t  zojj.  oJ)er  behotejj  jjing  :   jjet  hi  nele  '   na3t  heakle.  ^^^^flnoiui}  .q 
fet   pe   dyeuel   hi??i   ne   astranglej)    hastelyche.      Vor  For  when  one 

1  1  ,  1  T     1  ,  1  says, "  So  God  me 

nua?^ne  he  zayp  :    zuo  god  me  helpe.      ofer  zuo  god  me  help,"  and  if  he  lie 
loky.     and  he  lye3e :  he  dej)  h.hn  out  of  pe  helpe  /  out^oflhe  paif of 
and  of  lokynge  of  god.   nou  ssolde  he  be  ri3te  /  lyese  ^°'^'^  mercy, 
"wyt  /  and  onderstondi??ge  /  and  body,  and  gnodes.  and 
zaule  /  and  al  jjet  he  halt  of  gode. 

j?e  laste  bo3  of  jjise  zenne  is  :  hua«ne  man  agelt  his  The  last  bough  of 
treu])e  /  and  Jtet  he  hep  behote^  /  and  y-granted.  ofer  manskineth  *"* 
be  Ms  treu>e.  oj^er  be  his  of  e.  Vor  trenpe  jlo^e  /  and  ^fd'aJaStT^''' 
ojj  ybroke  :  is  ase  hit  were  al  on.  TMS.bohote] 

ChEASTE.  strife. 

Saynt  augustin  zayji.  Jiet  noting  zuo  moche  ne  ys  strife  is  like  the 
ylych  to  pe  dyeules  dedes  :  ase  cheaste.     Jjes  ^  meyster  saith  Augustine, 
huer-of  ne  is  non  drede  :    pay))  moche  Jje  dyeule  /  and 
na3t  ne  payj)  god.  fet  ne  loue])  bote  pays  /  and  onynge. 

bes  boj  hi»i  to-delb  ine  .vii.  obre  bo3es.    Huer-of  be  There  are  seven 

'  ■'  r  d       r  ?  T      boughs  of  contest: 

uerste    is :    strif.      )pe  ober  /  chidinge.       }5e  bridde  /  i-  ^^ife. 

2.  Chiding. 

missigginge.      J5e  uerjje  /  godelinge.      }3e  uifte  /  at^vji;-  s.  evu  speaking. 

,  .  4.  Slandering. 

mge.     pe  zixte  /  freapninge.      pe  zeue/^de  /  vnonynge  5.  Reproaching. 

TT  I         1  1  •    ,     1  /I  6-  Threatening. 

arere.       Huanne  pe  dyeuel  yzi3p  loue   /   and    onjTige  7.  Discord, 
amanguolke:  moche  hit  him  uorfingj?.    and  uor  ham  HJe%'lTeetve"''' 
maki  vnonynge  :  he  makeb   blebeliche  his  miste  ham  ^""^  concord 

''     °  '  '  ^  among  men, 

uor  to  do  striui.     And  pe    dyeuel  beginjj  fet   uer  of  he  tries  to  raise 

2  It  is  not  clear  whether  \>es  or  jjt's  is  the  MS.  reading.  _  . 

5 


66  THE    SEVEN    BOUGHS    OF    STRIFE. 

which  is  followed  tyene  /  and  euel  wyl  nor  to  becleppe.     ba;me  efter  bet 

by  noise,  as  when      "  '  ''  ±  i  j  j 

one  says  to  the      sti'if  /  and  be  clieaste  :  comb  be  novse  /  and  be  cheaste. 

other,  "  So  it  is,"  '  '^  r  r  J       I  r 

"It  is  not  so,"       Al  /  alsuo  huanne  me  aly^t  Jjet  uer  :  Ihap]?  jjet  smech 
"  It  was  not  so."    after  Jie  layt.      Stryf  /  and  cheaste  /  and  hua?me  j^e 

on  zay)?  to  fe  ojiren  :   '  zuo  hit  is.'  'zno  hit  ne  is.'  'zuo 

hit  wes  '  /  'zno  hit  nes.' 

2.  Chilling  is  Chidingc  is  :    hua?aie  eyder  lyexnej)  o]?ren  /  ojjer 

lying  one  against  .       . 

another.  grcatc  woi'des.      Liter  j^an  comeji  Jje  myssiggmges.  ))et 

[Foi.  19.  b.]      is   hna??ne  Jje  on    peynejj  J)a??noJ>ren  /   and   zigge])  jje 

3.  An  evil  speaker  greate  felonyes.     Vor  jjer  is  a  feloun  fiet  he]?  fie  tonge 

has  a  tongue  i  •      i  ,  pi  /    , 

sharper  than  a      moie  kemmde  :    pa7me  rasour.    more  znyiter  /  pa?aie 


razor. 


arwe  ulyinde.  and  more  boryinde  :  Jjanne  zouteres  eles. 
He  is  like  the  zuyche  men  bye  J)  anlykned  to  ])e  porn-hog.  pet  ys  al 
hog),  with  its  °  y wry^e  myd  prikyinde  eles.  and  hit  is  to  moche  fel  / 
ourrightTnd  iTtt.  ^'^^^  7-0\iQ  hit  is  wrojj.  And  ])a?/ne  hit  is  of-tyened  :  he 
He  is  like  a  fierce  ^^'^^  out  his  cles  of  his  bodye  :  ari3thalf  /  and  a  lefthalf. 
dog  that  barks      Alsno  he  is  aiilikned  to  be  felle  dogge.   bet  byt  /  and 

and  bites  at  every  ■>  ^o        i  ''      ' 

^"'^y-  beberkj)  alle  po  pet  he  may. 

4.  Slandering.  Eftfrward  comep  pe  godeUuges.     Jpet  is  hna??ne  pe 

on  godelep  pa?me  oprene.  And  pet  is  zuo  grat  zenne  /  pet 
pe  wrytynge  zayp  :  pet  huo  pet  godelep  his  emcr/sten  : 

Slanderers  are  lie  ys  acorsed  of  god.  And  saynte  j)aid  zayp.  pet  ziiych 
uolli  ne  ni03e  habbe  godes  ryche.     And  Salomon  zayp. 

Their  mouth  is  as  pet  hare  nioup  is  :  ase  pe  wy3te  pet  ualp  ine  hot  weter. 

faiieth  ilito  hot      Ip^^  ^^st  liyer  ■/  and  per  :  and  scoldep  alle  po  pet  byep 

rnr^''"""feraboute. 

5.  Reproaching  a  Efterpan    coRicp    pe    Avypiiymynges  /  pet  byet  yet 

man  for  his  sins,  ,  ,  t  ,         ,  /      , 

lollies  poverty,     i^ore  grrtttcr  zc/uie.  huaHiie  me  atwyt  ane  man  /  oper 

poor  kin,  &c.         j-^jg  ze»nes  /  oper  his  folies  /  oper  his  ponerte  /  oper  his 

poure  ken  /  oper  opre  lac  '  pet  is  ine  lii?«. 

6.  Threatening  is         Efterward  ZUO  comep  pe  preapnynges  /  and  beginnep 
wars.  ^       °       pe  medles  /  and  pe  werres.     Ac  aboue  alle  pise  ze/mes 

pet  we  habbep  hyer  ynemned  :  j^asep  pe  ze;me  [of] 
Above  all  the  sins  j^^m  /  bet  be   hare   kueade    tonge  /  sostyeneb  /  and 

already  named,  is  .  o      /  J  r    I 

the  sin  of  those      arerep  pe  strifs  /  and  pe  euele  wjdles  /  betuene  ham 

who  by  their  evil 

^  dcfante  has  been  erased  in  the  MS. 


OF    THE    SIN    OF    MURMURING.  67 

bet  bveb  uryenJes  tomdere.  and  bo  bet  miswendeb  bet  tongue  arear  and 

I           -J    I        ■^                     <=>                           >       '                               '    '  sustain  strife  and 

})ays.  and  fe  onynges.     God  hate]?  uioche  zuycli  uolk  evil  wiii. 
and  zuo  zayjj  \q  "vvritinge. 

Of    GROCHINGE.    IPET    is    op    U\M   bET    NE    DAR    NA2T  Ofgrudfe'ingor 

'                                     '                                     ^  murmuring. 

AXSUERIE. 

Ofte  we  liit  yzeb  come  /  bet  be  ilke  bet  ne  dar  an-  some  men  wiii 

•J      '                 I    r        r                 X  not  be  remmded 

suerye  /  ne  cliide.  bet  he  beginb  to  groclii  betuene  his  of  their  faults 

"^      '                             ^                     o      r           o  without  grudging 

teJ5.  and  grunny.     Vor  efter  fe  chyaste  :  we  zettej)  fe  and  grunting. 

ze?^ne  of  grochinge.     Hon  grat  is  fe  ze»ne  :  ous  ssewef 

wel  \q  wreche  jjet  god  kan  nyme.    ase  recordefi  holi 

wryt.     Yor  bise  ze?me  /  onleak  be  erbe  /  and  uorzuah  For  this  sin  un- 

datan  and  abyron.  and  villen  doun  al  knic  in-to  helle.  and  swallowed 

,                                                              11,  Dathan  and 

An  uor  po  zewne  /  zente  god  a  uer  /  fet  uorbernde  kore  :  Abiram. 

and  alle  his  uela3es.     CC.L.  of  jje  gretteste  of  godes  ost 

ine  desert.  Vor  be  ilke  ze?me  uorlore  be  yewes  bet  land  ^or  this  sin  the 

■^                       '  Jews  lost  the  land 

of  beheste  /  jjet  god  hain  hedde  behote.  zuo  fet  of  zix  of  Promise, 

/-I,                  i;                    11111            /                n                  11  ^o  that  out  of 

•  U.  Jjousond  /  jjet  god  hedde  ykest/  out  of  fe  freldome  the  six  hundred 

ofjje  kinges  of  egipte.  and  fet  he  hedde  yloked  :  uourti  care^outoV" 

year  ine  desert  /  niyd  Jie  nianne  of  lieuene.  ne  yede  in-  ^^^'' 

to  J)e  holy  londe  /  bote  tuo  /  wyfioute  mo.   bet  hetten  only  two  (Caieb 

.                        .  and  Joshua)  lived 

calef :  and  losue.  ac  alle  hi  stornen  in  zor3e  :  ine  J)e  to  enter  canaau. 
desert, 

}5is  ze«ne  he),  tuaye  bo3es.     Vor  fe  on  :  is  grouch-  ^^.^'^Mr 

inge  aye  god.  and  be  obre  aye  man  regneb-      bis  ze?ine  mu»"ing  against 

,      ,                ^                      rrJ                        or         J'  (joj     2.  Murmur- 
is  ine  uele  maneres  /  ase  ine  sergons  aye  hire  Ihordinges.  i"?  against  man. 

Tills  sin  is  seen 

ine  wyfme?z :  aye  hare  leuedis.   and  ine  children  /  aye  in  many  ways, 

hare  uaderes  /  and  hare  modren.     Ine  poure :   aye  J>e  against  their 

•    1                 1,111                        ,1            i              Ti               1  masters,  women 

riche.  and  pe  freiles  :  aye  fe  kny3tes.     Ine  leawede  :  against  their 

aye  Jje  clerkes  /  and  aye  Jje  prelas.  and  fe  cloystrers  :  '°jfinst  ulei7" 

aye  fe  abbottes.  and  fe  p?'iours  :  and  hire  officials  /  ase  Parents,  &c. 

subprfor.  and  j^e  ojjre.  And  wext  pe  grochinges  ine  alle  ^Foi.  20.  a.] 

zuyche  persones  :  ober  of  onboasa/zaiesse  uor  ban  bet  me  This  is  the  result 

of  disobedience, 

is  to  hard  ine  liestes.  ofier  ine  sleauj^e  /  uor  fet  me  is  to  sloth,  or  impa- 

ti6nc6. 

sleuuol.    ojjer  of  inpacience  /  uor  fet  me  ne  deji  na3t 

alle  fe  ■s\ylles.  ofer  of  enuie.   ofer  of  felonie.   uor  jjet 

5  * 


G8 


THE    DEVIL  S    SONGS    OF    HELL. 


Man  desires  to  be 
God's  master,  and 
if  he  has  not  his 
will,  he  murmurs 
against  Him, 
and  singeth  the 
devil's  song. 


The  Holy  Ghost 
maketh  hischosen 
sing  of  the  sweet 
songs  of  heaven. 

The  devil  maketh 
his  disciples  sing 
the  song  of  hell, 
i.e.,  grudging. 


They  murmur 
against  God  for 
every  adversity 
that  befalls  them. 

What  wonder  is 
it,  if  God  take 
vengeance  upon 
such  folk ! 


Of  opposition 
(rebellious  con- 
duet). 

Withstanding  is 
worse  than  grudg- 
ing. 

This  sin  is  seen  in 
those  who  will 
bow  to  none. 


whose  hearts  are 
rebellious  to  God 
and  man. 

Tliis  sin  hath 
four  boughs, 
that  appear  in  the 
rebellious. 


me  auoncej)  more  fe  on  :    jja/nie  Jie  ojjre.  and  manye 
olpre  kueade  roten. 

Grochinge  aye  god  he]j  yet  nou  yno3  mo  enchey- 
souns.  Yor  man  Ipet  help  uorlore  g?*ace  /  and  Jiolemod- 
nesse  :  he  wyle  hy  mayster  ope  god.  zuo  /  Jjet  /  al  god 
de|)  ine  erjje  :  bote  yef  lie  hit  ne  do  al  to  his  wylle :  an 
haste  he  grochejj  aye  god.  and  zyngjt  ])et  pate?'  noster. 
to  tokne.  Vorzofe  ac  ]>&  dyeides  zang.  Vor  ase  fe  holi 
gost  tekjj.  and  make]?  his  ychosene  zinge  ine  hare  herten 
Jie  ziiete  zonges  of  heuene.  J^et  is  of  fe  graces  of  al  Jjet 
he  def».  and  of  al  ]>et  he  us  zent.  Alsuo  fe  kueade  gost 
make])  his  deciples  zinge  jja?ine  zang  of  helle.  fiet  is 
grochinge.  Jtet  eure  ssel  yleste  ine  helle.  in  al  fet  god 
de]j  /  bote  hit  by  al  to  hire  wylle.  Vorzojje  mochel  is 
zuych  a  man  fol  /  ant  out  of  his  wyte  /  pet  wyle  pet  me 
him  yelde  scele  /  of  al  fet  he  hef  ydo  /  yef  me  hbn  zent  / 
aduersete.  pouerte.  ziknesse.  dyere  time.  rayn.  dru3j)e. 
yef  me  yef])  him  j  and  benym})  hit  ofren.  bote  yef  hit 
ne  by  do  al  to  his  wylle :  he  hhn  niym])  anhaste  to 
grochi  aye  god  /  and  him  euele  ])onke]).  huet  wonder  is 
hit  /  ])a3  god  him  awrek])  of  zuyche  uolke  /  ])et  wylle]) 
him  benyme  his  Ihordssip  /  and  his  wyshede. 

Of  wy)2stondyngb. 

Kvead  ])ing  is  grochinge  :  ac  more  is  wors  /  wyf)- 
stondinge.  wyfstondynge  is  a  zewne  /  ])et  com])  of  Jie 
herte  fiet  is  rebel  /  and  hard  /  and  rebours  /  and  dyuers. 
Jiet  alneway  Avyle  pet  his  wyl  by  do  /  and  his  zyggi??ge 
by  yhyalde.  pet  wyle  /  pet  alle  pe  opre  /  bou3e  to  him. 
and  he  ne  bou3e  to  nonen.  }5is  is  pe  harde  herte  : 
huer-of  Salomon  zayp.  pet  he  [ne  may  na3t  fayly  :  of 
kued  ende.  And  ase  per  is  grochinge  aye  god.  and  aye 
man  :  alsuo  is  zuych  herte  rebel  to  god  /  and  to  man. 

)?is  zenne  hep  vour  bo3es.  Vor  zuyche  herten  byep 
rebours  /  and  rebels  /  red  /  to  leue.  to  done  godes  heste. 
chastinge  polye.  and  techinge   onderuonge.     Yef  enye 


THE    CONDITION    OF    THE    REBELLIOUS.  69 

of  liare  iiryendes  ham  wylle])  rede,    and    hare   iireme  i.  They  rebel 

,.■,,,  against  the  advice 

ssewy.  na3t  nam  noilejj  ynere.  rajjre  uor  fet  lii  nabbe]?  ofMonds. 
yspeke.  hi  do])  f e  more  blejjelaker  fe  contrarye.    To  fe  2.  xiiey  are  rebei- 
rede  of  oure  Ihorde :  ofte  hi  bye))  rebel  /  yef  me  ham  christ.^^'"^*' 
ret  fling :  fet  by  to  helfe  to  hire  zaules.    ne  nofyng 
nolle])  do   /  er])an  me  gabbe])  of  ham.     And  fos    hy  3.  They  are  rebels 
bye])  rebels  /to  fe  heste  of  oure  Ihorde  /  to  huam  hi  bests  of  our  Lord, 
bye])  yhyealde.  and  zuo  moche  ham  zet  beuore  J)e  dyeuel 
of  toknen.  o])er  of  fyeblesse.  opev  of  elde.  ofer  of  ye^efe. 
ojjer  of  o])re  kueade  sceles.   fiet  alast  :  hi  ne  do])  na^t. 
Efterward  hnawne  me  his  chaste])  /  and  wy))nym]).  hi  '^'^ey  excuse 

themselves  when- 

ham  defende])  ase  fie  bor  /  zuo  fiet  hare  folyes  ne  be-  ever  corrected. 

knawef).  and  fie  more  fiet  hi  ham  excusefi :  fie  more  wext 

fie  ze?me.     And  zuo  hit  is  hua?me  god  his  beat  /  and  ^j^^j^  ^^^  ^■^^^^_ 

chaste]),  and  maugre  hy  wytef.  and  zyggej)  ofte.  on])ank  ®"''"^ "'"'  beateth 

fan  :  and  pe  ofren  /  '  huet  wyle  god  me  do.  huet  habe  ^vu  against  Him. 

ich  him  misdo  1 '     Jjos  dep  fe  fol.  and  fet  him  ssolde 

by  triacle  :  to  him  went  in  to  nenym.  and  be  medecine  : 

.,  J  r  [Fol.  20.  b.] 

him  yef])  fiane  dya]).     Efterward  fer  byefi  zonae  of  zuo  4.  They  listen  to 

diners  wjt  /  fet  none  guode  techinge  ne  onderuonge]).  but^fontwSir^' 
ak  alneway  weryeti  hare  sentense  huet  bet  hit  by.   zuo  o^™P]a'is,and  so 

^  >j    r  r  J  tall  into  error. 

fiet  ofte  hi  ualle])  ine  errour.  and  ine  ualse  02:)inions.  and 
ine  eresye.  and  ine  euele  byleaue. 

Of    BLASFEMYES.  or  blasphemy. 

Blasfemyes  is  ase  zayb  saynt  austin.   ober  huawne  Blasphemy  is  to 

'^  ^r         J  r  believe  or  say  of 

me  ylef])  and  zayf  of  god  fiing  :  b(!t  me  ne  ssel  yleue  /  ood  what  one  does 

,        .  not  or  should  not 

ne  healde.  ojjer  me  ne  lef])  na3t  fet  nie  ssolde  yleue.  Ac  believe, 
speciallyche  we  clepie])  liyer   blasfemye  :    huanne   me  specially  is  this 
missayf)  of  god  /  a?«l  of  his  hal3en.  ofer  of  the  sacre-  sp"eak  evn'ofljod, 
mens  of  holy  cherche.       J?is   ze?aie  ys  ydo    ine    uele  ™ramentsr"'' 
maneres.   Ofier  hua«ne  me  hit  zay])  be  ])03te.  ase  do])  fe  ^nb'n ''^*"''*  ^'"^ 
bougres  /  and  fe  mysbyleuinde.     Ofier  me  hit  zayf)  uor 
couaytise  to  wynne.  ase  do])  fise  charmeres  /  and  fise 
Avyche?^.     Ofier  hua?zne  me  hit  zay])  be  tyene  /  and  be    ^^  .^  ^^ 
despit   ase  do])    fise   playeres  /  ]5et   zuo   uyleynHche  who  wickedly 


70 


FOR    TO   LEARN    TO    DIE, 


break  chrisfs       tobrekej)  lesu  ciistes  body,    and  ziio  iiileynliche  mis- 

siggej)  of  god  an  of  his  blissede  moder  /  J»et   hit  is 

These  folk  are  like  dreduol  and  zorje  to  hyere  /  and  Iheste.     Jjise  byeb  ase 

mad  hounds,  that 

bite  and  know  not  Avode  houndes  /  fet  bite  J)  and  ne  knawej)  najt  hare 
Ihord.  )pis  zerene  is  zno  grat :  J)et  god  his  awrekj)  ofer- 
huyl  aperteliche  ase  we  habbej?  yzed  beuore  /  fo  we 

This  sin  God  has    speke  of  wyckcde  nolkc.     Of  bise  zenne  zayb  god  ine 

declared  shall  not      ^  '  ?  . 

be  forgiven.  his  spelle  /  jjet  liit  ne  ssel  by  noryene :  ne  ine  J>ise 

wordle  ne  ine  J)e  oJ)re. 
Of  the  10  sins  of  jsj'qu  we  habbeb  ytald  ten  manere  ze?mes  of  be  tonge. 

the  tongue, 

the  1st  is  idleness  Jja??ne  is  Jje  iiersto  :  ydelnesse.  and  fe  laste  :  blasfeniie 

and  the  last  bias-  i  •       .  n    i  i        • 

phemy;  and  be  cas  hit  is  Jiet  balomon  zayf.  J»et  fe  beginnynge 

folly,  the  end        of  Jje  kueado  tonge  :  is  folie.  and  fe  ende  :  to  knead 


error. 


erroiir. 


Here  end  the  Hyer  ende)j  jje  zeue  dyadhche  zennes  /  and  alle  hire 

seven  deadly  sins.  ii-it/ti-  •       •^  i 

bo^es.  and  hno  ]7et  wel  hiw.  stude  dej? '  me  fise  boc  :  he 
No  man  can  keep  niyjte  moche  profiti  /  and  lyerny  /  and  knawe  eche 

himself  quit  of 

them  uidess  he  manyere  of  ze??ne  /  and  hi?«-zehie  wel  ssryue.  Vor  non 
ne  may  hi??z  wel  ssrine  /  ne  hi»i  loki  uram  zewne  :  bote 
he  his  ne  knawe.  Xon  ssel  J)a?me  \e.  ilke  /  Jjct  ine  Jtise 
boc  ret.  yzy  diligentliche  to  by  yssrine.  and  hi//i  loky 

Of  those  sins  that  be  his  my^te.     Of  ojjre  zewnes  Jiet  he  ne  is  na3t  gelti : 

he  hath  not  com- 
mitted, let  him      lie  ssel  herye  god  and  hi??i  bo3saniliche  Jjonky.  jjet  Mxtn 

thank  God  for  pre-  ■,  ,  11  ■, 
serving  him  from  hejJ  yloked. 
them. 

For  to  learn  to  VOR    TO    LYERNY    STERUK. 

die. 

Learn  to  die,  so  as         Onneabe  sterf  /  bet  ylyerned  ne  lieb.     Lverne  to 

to  be  able  to  live.  '  I    T         J    J  r  - 

\_Note  wel  i^ erne     steruo  :    ba?me  sselt   bou  conne  Hbbe.       Vor  non  wel 

capitele.'] 

He  is  a  wretch      libbe  ne  ssel  conne  :    Jiet  to  steriie  ylyerned  ne   hej). 

who  cannot  live 

nor  dare  die.         And  Jjc  like  ary^t  is  ycleped  "WTechche  :  j?et  ne   can 

lybbe  /  ne  ne  dar  sterne. 

Yef  Jjou  wylt  libbe  viiliche.  lyerne  to  sterue  gled- 

liche.     Yef  Jjou  me  zayst  /  hou  me  hit  ssel  lyerny  :  ich 
This  life  is  but      ^i*  wyle  pe  zigge  an  haste.     }3ou  sselt  yivyte  fet  Jjis 

aTemiSioir'"''  -^y^-  ^^  ^^  ^°*^  ^^^^-  ^^"^  ^^^^^  ^^  ^  wendinge.  and  fet 

1  MS.  studedcjj 


WE    ARE    EVER    DYING.  71 

ech  wot.  and  Jjeruore  me  zay|)  of  ane  ma«ne  hiianne  lie 
sterfjj  :  he  went.  And  hua/aie  he  is  dyad  :  he  is  ywent, 
Jpis  1}^  alsuo  ne  is  bote  a  wendynge.  nor  zojie  /  nor  zojje  : 
a  wendinge  wel  ssort.  Yor  al  Ipet  Ij-f  of  ane  nia?me/jja3  au  the  life  of  a 
he  leuede  a   jjousond  year  :  pet   ne  ssolde  by  /  bote  Uv^ed  a  thoufand^ 
onlepy  prikke  :  to  >e  zj^],e  /  of  >e  o>re  Ijaie  /  fet  enre  S:Z;'.:ll 
wyfoute    ende    ssel   yleste.    ojjcr   ine  2013 e  :    ofer  ine  *||^"''®'^''''°''' 
bHsse  /  wyfoute  endynge.  ^j,^,  ,^  ^^ 

Jjis  ous  "wj^tnesset  wel  J?e  kjTig.  fe  erl.  pe  prince,  pe  This  bear  us 

witness  kings, 

emperour.  jjet  jje  blysse  of  fe  wordle  :  hedden  zomtyme.  earis,  princes,  &c., 
nou  ine  helle  :  wepej)  /  and  grede]?.  yelle])  /  and  zor^ej).  bit°fn"the'woS 
'A.  alias  :  hnet  is  ons  worf  oure  pouer.  worfssippe.  ""^ayenZ'l'en'' 
noblesse,  richesse.  blisse.  and  host,    al  hit  ys  \^vent  /  [P^'^'^ngo/heiie.] 

•J       '1  I     "  Alas !     they 

Avel  rabre  ba?zne  ssed  :   ober  uojel  nlyinde.  ober  quarel  say,  "ourbiiss  is 

'         '  f  7  J  '  ^  a.\\  gone  like  a 

of  arblaste.     And  J?ous  gej?  al  oure  lyf.     ISTou  we  were  shadow, 

,  -  we  were  born,  and 

ybore  :  and  an  haste  dyad,  ne  al  oure  lyf:  nes  na3t  bote  died  in  haste; 

a  lyte  prikke.  nou  Ave  byej?   ine  zor^e  Avy]?-oute  ende. 

Oure  blisse  /  is  ywent  in-to   wop.  oure  karoles :   into  our  bliss  is  tum- 

zOr3e.  gerlo«des.   robes,   playinges.   messinges.   and  alle  Lid°ourcrrois^' 

guodes  byef  ous  yfayled.'     Zuyche  byef  Ipo  zonges  of  Srare"i;e' 

helle.  ase  }>e  writinge  ous  teljj.   ous  uor  to  sseAvy  :  Jjet  ^o"ss"'''>'^"- 

jjis  lyf  /  ne  is  bote  a  wendynge  :  wel  ssort.    and  fis 

wordle  :   ne  is  bote  wendynge.  and  libbe  ne  is  bote  '  a      [>  ms.  botoi 

wendynge.     j)anne  ne  is  libbe  :   bote  sterue.  and  pet  is  To  live  is  but  to 

zoj?  /  ase  pater  nostcr.   A^or  hua??ne  ])ou  begonne  libbe  :  when  we  begin 

anliaste  fou  begonue  to  sterue.   And  al  fin  elde.  and  al  todTe!' ''^''^^"' 

fine  time  /  pet  ys  j'guo  :    pe  dyaf  pe  hej?  ywonne  :   and 

halt.     J?ou  zayst  fet  fou  best  zixti  year,    pe  dyab  hise  We  say  we  have 

1      ,  ■■  ...  ,  ,  sixty  years,  but 

hep.  and  neuremo  his  nele  pe  yelde.     jjeruore  is  fet  death  has  and 
Avyt  of   pe  wordle  folye.      And  pe  clerk  zyinde  :    ne  uiem"^'*'^^"' 
yz}3]5  na3t.  Day  and  ni3t  /  makej)  0  fing.  and  pe  more  fet 
hit  makejj :  pe  lesse  zuo  knawejj.   alneway  steruef  :  and 
hi  ne  conne  sterue.     Vor  day  /  and  ny3t :  fou  sterfst  / 
as  ich  pe  habbe  yzed. 

Yet  eft  ine  oJ»re  manere  /  ich  pe  teche  fise  clergie. 


72  DEATH    PARTS    SOUL   AXD    BODY. 

Death  is  a  separ-   j,et  bou  coime  ^vel  libbe  :  and  wel  sterue.    Xou  yhyer  : 

ation  of  the  soul 

and  body.  and  ondeistand.   fe  dyaf  ne  is  bot  a  todelinge  of  fe 

zaiile  :  and  of  fe  bodye.  and  Jjet  ech.  wel  'wot.  Xou  oiis 

Caton  the  Wise      tekj)  fe  "wj'SG  catoiui.     '  Lveme  vre'  zayj)  he  '  to  sterue. 

tells  us  to  separate  it 

the  ghost  from  todele  we  Jjaiie  gost  of  Jie  bodie  ofte.  )?et  deden  Jie  ineste 
often*'so"^did  the  ""^'se  of  fise  philosoplios  jjet  ])is  lif  zno  niocbe  hateden  / 
who^h^^no  g'race  ^^'^  f^  Avordle  :  zno  nioche  onworfede.  and  zno  moche 
ckriS'^^"*^  wjlnede  lyf  na3t  dyeadHcli.  pet  hi  westen  be  hare 
■wylle.  ac  hit  nes  ham  na^t  worj).  Vor  hi  ne  hedden 
non  grace  j  ne  fe  beleane  of  iesu  crist.  Ac  ]je  holy  men 
SpeTtwo^""^  fet  louie])  god  /  and  yleuejj  /  \ei  of  fri  dyeafes  /  habbej? 
deaths.  j,g  i^^^j  ypased.     Yor  ])er  is  dyaj)  to  ze/me  :    and  dyad 

dya\>es.]  to  te  wordle.     Xou  abydeb  bane  bridde  dyeab.   bet  is  be 

There  is  a  death  '^  .       r  T  r  J      T      T  r 

to  sin  and  a  death  todi^tinge  of  j)e  zaule  :  and  of  Jje  bodie.      Betnene  ham 

The  third  death  is  aiid  p^/'adys  ne  is  bote  a  Ij^te  W03  /  fat  hy  ageltejj  be 

the3frorthe  >enchinge  /  and  be  \rylnynge.  and  yef  fet  bodi  is  of  Jjis 

Auttie wall  ^^^^ •  f®  heite  /  and  jse  gost :  is  of  ojjerhalf.     }?er  hy 

Beparates  them  habbeb  hvi'e  bleuinge  /  as  zavb  saynte  paul.  hire  solas. 

from  Paradise.  J       ^  o     /  ^  r         ■^  r 

Their  thoughts      hjrp,  bhsse.  and  hire  confort.  and  alle  hire  lostes.   and 

are  in  heaven, 

and  they  hate  this  jjeruore  :  hy  hatyej)  ))is  lyf:  f>et  ne  is  bote  dyajj.  and 

life  and  desire  -,      -,    t\  -r-r  •      -i  ii 

death.  Ayj'lneJ)  Jjane  dyaJ)  bodylich.      v  or  ])et  is  damezele  bere- 

blisse  /  fet  ])e  dyajj  /  ^pei  alle  Jje  hal3en  coronne])  /  and 
dojj  [zettejj]  in  to  blisse. 
inwtisdya\i.^  Dyab   is  to  guodenien  :  ende  of  aUe  kueade.  and 

Death  to  good  ^    j-  o 

men  is  end  of  all    gate  /  and   ingTioyiige  :   of  alle  guode.     DyaJ>   is    f  e 

evils  and  com-  ,         tip       t^      i/-         e  ^• 

inencement  of       Stream  :  fct  todel])  /  dyajj  /  and  lyt.     JJyajJ  /  is  ot  pis 

every  blessing.         ^^^^  ^.^  ^  ^^  ^^^^  ^^-^^       ^^  ^^  ^^^.^^    ^^  y^^^  ^,^^^^^  ^^^ 

of  fis  half  jje  streme  yzj'e]?  zno  bri3te :  of  oferhalf  hi 
The  wise  of  this     na3t  ne  yzejj.  an  peruore  his  clepeji  fe  ■vvritinge  :  foles  / 

world  are  fools  "  t-i-tp»i 

and  blind,  and  yblent.      \  or  feme   dyaji  :  hi  clepie])   lyt.     And 

fane  dyaf  /  fet  is  to  fe  gnoden  /  beginnynge  of  line  : 

for  they  call  death  M  hit  clepie])  /  fan  ende.      And  feruore  hy  hatyef  zno 

IhJ/cithe'end.  ^i^oche  fane  dyaf.  Yor  hi  nj-tef  hnet  hit  is.  ne  of 
[Foi.  21.  b]  of  erhalf  f  e  streame  ne  habbef  na3t  ybleued.  and  na3t 
ne  Tvot :  f  et  out  ne  gef . 

If  thou  wut  know         J3a»ne  yef  f  ou  wylt  yyijie  huet  is  guod  /  and  huet  is 


SEND    THY    THOUGHTS    INTO    HELL.  73 

knead  :  ano  out  of  bi  zelue.  guo  out  of  be  wordle.  lierne  ^i^at  is  good  and 

^  °  '  what  is  evil,  go 

to  sterue.  todel  bine  zaule  uram  be  bodye  te  bojte.  zend  out  of  thyself, 

'  .  ,  .  divide  thy  soul 

fine  herte  in-to  pe  ofre  Avordle :  fet  is  to  nenene.  into  from  the  body.and 
helle  /  in-to  purgatorie.  fer  J»on  sselt'  yzy  :  huet  isguod  into  the  oti°e"^*  * 
and  huet  is  kuead.     Ine  helle  fou  ssel[t]  yzi  mo  zor3es:  ven%eu"and*pur- 
fawne  me  mo3e  deuisy.     Ine  p?<rgatorie  /  mo  tormens  ^atory. 
Jja?zne  me  ni03e  jjolye.     Ine  paradys  /  more  blisse  Jja/me 
me  moje  wvlny.     Helle  be  ssel  teche  /  liou  goda-wrekb  Heu  shall  teadh 

^         -J      -^  r  /  o  r    thee  how  God 

dyadlych   ze?me.       Purgatorie  :  fe    ssel    seawy   /  hou  avenges  deadly 
god  clenzejj  veniel  zewne.     Ine  lieuene   fou  sselt  yzy  purgatory  shau 

Ti  I     ^  -J.  I  1  111  i_i.    show  thee  how 

openliche    /    hou   u^rtues    /  and   guode    dedes :    byep  venial  sin  is 
he3liche  yolde.     Ine  ]jis  fri  finges  :  is  al  fet  is  nyed  f^^^^en  thou 
"wel   to    -vvvtene   hou   me  ssel  co?ine  libbe  /  and   "wel  ^^lau  see  how  good 

•J  '  deeds  are  re- 

Sterue.  warded. 

Xou  loke  eftzone  a  lyte  /  and  ne  tyene  fe  na3t  /  to  Forget  thy  body 

J)ise   Jjri  f inges.   uorpet    fou   lyernest  to  hatye  zenne.  to  heu  in'^t'hy'iifc- 

Voryet  fi  body  /  ones  a  day.  guo  in-to  helle  ine  fine  nou'ntoTt  atThf 

libbmde  :  f et  f ou  ne  guo  /  ine  fine  steruinge.     J?is  def  ^^f^:^^  ^^^„^^ 

of te  f e  holi  man  /  and  f e  wyse.     ]5er  fou  sselt  yzy  :  al  There  shait  thou 

see  the  absence  of 

f  et  herte  hatef.  and  bevly3f .  and  defaute  of  alle  guode.  aii  that  is  good, 
yno3  of  alle  kueade.  ver  bernynde.  brenston  stinkinde.  evii :  burning  fire, 
te???peste  brayinde.  voule  dyeiden.  honger.   and  f  orst :  8tone"foui"™'iis, 
fet   me    ne  may   na3t    stonchi.    dyuerse    pines  /   and  ''"|n^*'^,*^"f*' 
wepinges.  and  zor3es  :  mo  J)a?me  herte  mo3e  f  enche  /  ^""^  sorrow, 
ne  tonge  telle,  and  eure  ssel  yleste  wyf-oute  ende.  And  wherefore  this 

sorrow  is  called 

feruore  is  fe  ilke  zor3e  wel  ycleped  :  dyaf   wyf-oute  death  withoutend, 
ende.     And  hua?me  f ou  yzixt  fet  hit  behouef  zuo  dyere 
abegge  onlepy  dyadlich  ze?me  :  fe  woldest  f e  rafre  lets 
be  vla3e  quik.  })a?aie  fou  dorstest  /  to  onelepi  dyadliche 
ze?me  co??senti. 

Efterward  guo  in-to  pwrgatoriie.  ber  bou  sselt  yzi  be    W  pxir(jat<yrw.-\ 

"  1        o  J        I  d        J       Afterwards  go  in- 

pines  of  be  zaules  /  bet  hyer  hedden  uorbenchinge  /  ak  to  purgatory, 

■•  _  _  and  see  the  pains 

nere  na3t  uolliche  yclenzed.  nou  hi  dof  fer  /  fe  leuinge  of  those  who  were 

...  -    not  here  fully 

of  hare  penonce  /  al-huet  fet  hi  byef  /  bn3te  /  and  cleansed  of  their 
clene.  ase  hi  weren  ate  poynt  /  and  ate  time  /  hua?me  hi 
1  MS.  sselelt 


74  OF    VENIAL   OR    LIGHT    SINS. 

Their  penance  is     yedeii  out '  of  jje  welle  of  ci'istninge.  Ac  fe  ilke  penonce 

grisly  and  liard.  .  ,     t     i         i 

ys  Avel  grislich  and  hard.      Vor  al  fet  eure  ])oleden  pe 

All  that  martyrs    holy  martires.  ofer  wj^fmen  fiet  traiiayle]?  of  childe  /  of 

women  with  child,  zoi^G  :  116  ys  hote  a  l3ejj  iiie  chald  weter  :  to  fe  reward 

coidVatertncom-  of  ])G  fornayse :    hiierinne  berne])  fe  zaules.  al-huet  hi 

furnaceri'ereilr    "l^yef  yclenzed.  ase  gold  al  yclieiized''^  ine  fe  vere  /  me 

they  burn.  ^^  ^^^^  ^esse  IpaniiG  yclenzed.      Y or  J^et  uer  is  of  zuyche 

kende  /  al  pet  hit  vint  ine  fe  zaule  of  gelte  of  dede.  of 

speche.  of  Ipo-^te  /  fet  yerne]?  to  ze«ne :  ofer  lite  /  oj^er 

moche :  al  uorbernfi  /  and  clenzef.  and  per  byep  ypunyssed, 

Venial  sins  are       and  a^vreke  :  alle  uenyal  ze??nes.  fet  ive  clepiep  :  litle 

dooft!'"^    '^  ^^  ze?mes.  pet  we  doj)  ofte  /  and  smale  fole  J)03tes.  wordes 

ydele.  trufles.  scornes.  and  alle  opre  ydelnesses.  al-hiiet 

hi  by  worpe  :  to  gtio  iii-to  heuene.  Imer  ne  gep  in  na3t  / 

The  fire  of  purga-    "bQ^e  hit  bv  rijt  bri:t.      bet  ilke  uer  dredeb  bo.   bet  by 

tory  is  dreaded  by  J        ?  7  J  ^  j    j         j 

those  who  keep      hare  myste  ham  lokeb  nram  dyadlich  zenne.  and  lokep 

holy  their  souls  ,,■,  iiii  ti  i. 

and  bodies.  liolyliche  hare  herten.  and  hare  bodyes.  and  hare  moupes. 

[Foi.  22.  a.]       ^^_j^  ^^  ^-^  wyttes  nram  alle  ze?me.  and  zuo  libbep  /  ase  hi 

ssolden  echedaye  to  dome  come  to-uore  god.  And  peruore 

None  may  live       bet  iion  nc  may  Hbbe  wyb-oute  ze^me.  Yor  ase  zayjj  Salo- 

without  sin, 

for  good  men  mon  :  zeuczipe  a  day  /  ualj?  pe  gnode  man.   and  peruore 

a  day,  be  holy  ssrifte  /  and  be  tyeares  /  and  be  benes  :  hi  dop 

tTars.^and  priiyers  l^^rc  mi3te  liani  zeluB  to  arcre  /  and  to  amendi.  and  ham 

they  amend  their  |             denie  :  bet  hi  onderstonde  to  nobi  bane  laste 

lives,  and  are  not  /  ■'     ' 

lost  at  the  day  of    (Jqjj^^^  Yqj.  ^^^q  hjgj.  hj^^,  denib  zobliclie  :  liwi  ne  worb  no?i 

doom.  '        ' 

hede  to  by  uorlore :  ate  daye  of  dome.  And  pus  me  lyerne]) 

kuead  to  knawe  /  an  to  benly  /  and  alle  zewnes  to  hatye  / 

and  grat  and  snial.  and  onderstonde  pe  holy  drede  of 

Holy  dread  of  God  god  /  pet  is  beginiiyiige  of  guod  lif :  and  of  alle  gviode. 

of  go'odTife.""'"  -^c  hit  ne  is  iia^t  yno^  to  leto  pe  kueades  :    bote  me 

We  must  learn       lycriiy  pet  guod  to  doiie.  and  bote  yef  me  zeclie  pe  ^xiv- 

not  only  to  eschew    ,  ,  ,  ,      i  •   j_         t  i  i       i. 

evil,  but  learn  to     tucs  /  uor  Avyp-outc  liani :  iion  ari3t  wei  ne  lenep.  panne 

'^'^  "°°^'  yef  pou  ^vylt  lyerny  wel  to  libbe  be  u/rtne  :    lyerne  zuo 

ase  icli  pe  habbe  yzed  /  to  sterue.  Todel  pine  gost  nram 

Divide  thy  soul      ujj-^g  bodye  /  be  bojte  /  and  be  wyliii«ge.  guo  out  of 

from  thy  body  by     •'  J       I  f    }        i  ^  o        o 

"'o"ei't.  1  MS.  oiwt  3  MS.  ychmzed 


OF    THE    BLISS    OF    PARADISE.  75 

Jjise  "wordle  steruinde.  guo  in-to  Jje  londe  of  Jje  libtynde  /  Go  out  of  this 

.      .  -,  ,  world  dying,  and 

J)er  no?z  ne  sterf  [Jj]  /  ne  yealde]?.  fet  is  me  paj-adys.  per  go  into  tiie  land  of 

1  1     ,       TT  -1        /  1  I     I  1  tlie  living, 

me  lyernejj  A\^el  to  libbe  /  and  wyt  /  an  corteysye.  nor 

fer   ne   may   gno    in:  no  mdeynye.      J?er  is  blisfoUe  ^^^J^^,f^^^'^°-^ 

nelajrede  of  god.   and   of  angles,  and  of  liaben.     ber  where  is  the  bliss- 
ful communion  of 

opwexejj    alle   gnodes.   nayrliede.    ricliesse.    worJ)ssipe.  ood,  of  angeis, 

.  ,  .  .      and  of  saints, 

blisse.  n^rtue.  loue.  Avyt.  loye  wyjjoute  ende.    )?er  ne  is  where  is  neither 

noft  ypocr/sye.  ne  barat.  ne  blondinge.  ne  discord,  ne  strife,  flattery, 

eniiye.  ne  honger.  ne  f  orst.  ne  hete.  ne  cliele.  ne  kuead.  hu,^°er'  IT 

ne  zor3e.  ne  drede  of  vyendes.  ac  alnoAvay  festes  and 

kinges  bredales.  zonges.  and  blisse  wyfoute  ende.     )5e 

ilke  blisse  is  zuo  grat  :  bet  hiio  bet  liedde  ytake   ber  of  The  Miss  is  so 

great  that  one 

ennelepi  drope  /  of  ])e  leste  finge  fet  Jjer  ys  :   lie  ssolde  drop  would  in- 

by  of  ])Q  lone  of  god  ziio  dronke  :  pet  al  pe  blisse  of  J)ise 

wordle  /  ln-»i  ssolde  by  /  drede  :    and  wo.      Eycliesses  :  f°  ">"♦■  "'''^es  and 

'  "^    '  ^  honour  would  be 

dong.  worfssipes  :    tioiiDiede.  and  ))e  ilke  to  greate  lone  accounted  woe  and 

pet  he  ssolde  liabbe  to   come  per  :  him  ssolde  by  an 

hondred   poiizen  zipe  pe  more  hardiliche  hatye  ze?zne. 

and  lonie  u/rtues.  pet  is  al  pe  drede   of  belle,  liuer-of 

icli  babbe  beiiore  ispeke.     Vor  lone  is  more  stranger :  i-ove  is  stronger 

than  fear, 

parene  drede.  And  pa??ne  is  pet  lyf  viayr  /  and  oneste  : 
pa?me  me  beuly^t  /  pet  knead  /  and  me  dep  pet  gnod. 
najt  nor  drede  /  nor  to  by  yspild  :  ac  nor  be  wylnynge  and  the  love  of 

■'  '  J    .r    i  r         .!      J    o      God  will  keep  us 

of  henene.  and  nor  pe  loue  of  god.  and  nor  pe  greate  from  sin. 

clennesse  :  pet  ii/rtne  bep.  and  giiod  lyf.      And  pe  ilke 

pet  lone  ledep  :  he  zekp  rapre  /  and  lesse  him  costnep  / 

pa?me  him  pet  seruep  god  :  be  drede.     Jpe  hare  yernp.  The  hare  run- 

111  1,,  iii,,i        neth,  the  grey- 

pe  gryhond  hym  nol3ep.  pe  on  be  drede :  pe  oper  be  hound  foiioweth. 

wylnynge.     pe  on  vly3p  :  pe  oper  hyne  dryfp.     })e  holy  JiJnneth  a^tTe 

man  yernp  ase  grihond.  pet  habbep  alday  hare  030  /  to  ina'^°""fs'e  eis 

henene  :  huer  hi  yzyep  pe  praye  :  pet  hi  drinep.       And  fo,.''e^t''Jj]''„7i'^g]gg 

peruore  by  noryetep  alle  opre  gnodes.  ase  dep  pe  gentyl  ^^  doth  the  hound 

bond  :  hua?ine  ha  zyp  his  praye  /  tonore  his  e3en.  fore  his  eyes. 

)?is  is  pet  lyf  /  of  pe  Avel  loniynde.  of  gentil  herte  /  This  is  the  life  of 

and  affayted.  pet  zuo  moche  lonyep  n?'rtne :  and  hatyep  gentle  heart, 
zewne.  pet  yef  hi  weren  zykere  /  pet  me  no  ssolde  his 


76 


OF    GOOD    AND    EVIL. 


comie  I  ne  god  ne  ssolde  liis  awreke  :   ham  ne  daynede 

[Foi.  22.  b.]  na3t  /  to  do  ze/me.     Ac  al  hare  fenchinges  /  and  al  hare 

■who  shall  have  wyllis  :  hire  herten  clenHche  loki  /  and  agrayjji  /  Jjet  hi 

the  bliss  of  Para- 
dise, by  worjji :  to  hahbe  J)e  blisse  of  paradys.  hiier  no  cherl 

where  no  churl  ,  .       ,  ,  ,        p  i  , 

nor  thief  shall  1^6  ssel  come  m  /  ne  uals.   ne  J>yei.  ne  proud,  nor  pe 


enter. 


worse  ssolde  by  pe  nelajrede. 


How tokuow  good  HOU    ME    SSEL    KNAWE    GUOD    AND    KUEAD. 

and  evil. 

To  live  aright  one         ]^ou  ich  Jjc  habbe  ysseawed  /  hou  me  tekjj  wel  to 

sterue  /  and  lede  guod  lyf.    Ac  jjou  sselt  yvvj^te  /  fet  fe 

begynnynge  nor  to   come  to  gnode  lyue  :  is  to  zeche 

and  know  what  ia  ui'rtue.  jjct  is  |)et  me  knaAve  /  najt  onlepilyche  hnet  is 

what  is  wrong.       zenxiQ  j  and  huet  is  elmesse  :    ac  fet  me  conne  ri3t  wel 

knawe  /  and  deme :  huet  is  kuead  /  and  huet  is  guod.  and 

nor  to  dele  J)et  zoj^e  guod  :  uram  Jie  o|)ren.  and  J)et  greate 

A  thing  that  one     guod  /  uram  J)e  little.      Yor  Jjing  fet  me  ne  knauj?  na3t 

nZ'fdotdt".  Be  is  yhated  /   ne  ywylned.     And  feruore  sselt  fou 

^"^^-  y^vj'te  be  fan  fet  ]>&  Avrytinges  zyggej? :   Jjet  fer  byejj 

zeue   smale   yeffes   of  god  /  fet  me  clepe]?   fe  smale 

guodes.  on  lite  /  an  ojier  grat  /  and  zojie.     An  onlepi- 

liche  bye])  guodes  ari3t.  huerof  al  fe  wordle   ys  nye3 

begyled  [ftezuyke].     Vor  hi  yeuej)  fe  greate  guodes  :  uor 

This  world  is  as  a  Jie  little,  ofcr  fe  lesse  /  uor  J)e  httle.  ofer  fe  greate  /  uor 

many^'forchaV     fe  Icssc.     Vot  fis  wordle  is  ase  a  fayre  /  huer  bye]) 

re":-aTJeofT      mauyc  fole  chapmen,  fet  of  aUe  ])inges  /  hi  knaAvef  fe 

things.  propre  u/rtue  and  tiet  worl).  bet  ous  tekj)  be  holy  gost  / 

The  Holy  Ghost       ^       '^  '  '      '  T  T  -i    ^  i 

teacheth  us  to        and  no?^  ober  maister.     He  ous  tekJ)  to  knawe  \q  greate 

know  the  precious  .  -i  i 

things  from  the      ])inges  uraui  fe  little,  fe  preciouses  /  ura?«  pe  viles.  pe 
from  the  sour.       zucte  /  uram  \q  zoure. 

Timely  (temporal)  Of    TIMLICHE   GUODES. 

goods. 

The  small  goods  Hy  clepie])  fc  smale  guodes  :  fe  guodes  of  time  /  fe 

are^ those  of  for-  ^^^^^^^  of  fortuHc  [hap],  and  J)e  leuedy  fortune  :   went 

fcweTturneth  ^^^re  hue3el  eche  daye  /  and  benym})  /  and  yefj).  and 

her  wheel  each  y^Q^A:  fct  is  aboue  :  beucfe.  fet  bye  J)  pe  smale  stones  of 

some  and  taking  gies  ssvnynde.  and  l)e  conioun  his  bay))  uor  rubys.  uor 

away  from  others-    ^  •>     ^  r  •!  i 


OF    TEMPORAL    GOODS.  77 

safyrs.  ofer  uor  emeroydes.      fet  bye]?  as  iueles  to  chil- 

deren.   pet  god   ous  yefj)  /  ous  to  solas,  and  nor  oure  God  gives  us  time- 

loue  :  to  dra3e   to  lii/«.   uor  ])et  lie  wot  pet  we  bye]?  fort  us. 

fyeble   /    and   tendre.    and  hyealde  we  ne  mo3e  liis. 

efterward  /  wayes  of  pouerte  /  of  zor^e  /  and  of  martire- 

ment  /  ase  deb  be  guode  godes  kny3t.  pet  pane  kyngdom  Riches  are  not  the 

true  happiness. 

of  heuene  paynep  be  stre?2gpe  to  wynne  be  nis  prouesse.  For  were  it  so, 

Clirist  would  then 

)5a?me  pise  ne  byep  :  ne  grete  guodes  /  ne  smale  ary3t.  be  a  tool,  that 

J?a?«ne  wes  a  fol  lesu  crist  goddes  zone,  pet  cheas  pouerte.  annifame,  fnd 

and  ssame.  an  efterward  :  he  uorzok  /  blisses,  worpssipes.  Sl^°and"?chel°°" 

and  richesses  :  yef  pet  byep  pe  zope  guodes.     Jpanne  ne 

byep  na3t  /  alle  zope  guodes  ine  heuene.     )5a?^ne  ne  is 

na3t  god  parfitliche  yblyssed  :    pet  ne  vzep  na3t  zuyche 

cuodes.     ba»ne  is  frod  ontrewe  /  and  onkende  /  bet  bise  God.  would  be  un- 

^  '  °  '  .  I    J       J  true  and  unkind. 

guodes  benymp  his  urendes.  and  hise  yefp  more  large- 

liche  :  to   his  yuo.   yef  pet  byep   zope  guodes  :  pa«ne  the  saints  and 

wise  clerks  were 

Averen  foles  alle  pe  hal3en.    and  alle  pe  wyse  clerkes.  aii  fools. 

and  pe  greats  filosofes.  pet  pise  guodes  beulo3e  /  and 

onworpede  /  ase  dong.       Yef  pet   byep    zope   giiodes : 

pa?me  lye3p  god  /  pet  lye3e  ne  may  :  and  holy  Avryt.  *»"?  ^°^  ■>^o"i<i  tie 

pet  hise  clepep  /  leazinges.  and  ssed.  and  metinges.  and 

uanites.  nettes.  and  bendes.  and  pe  dyeules  grines.  and  The  gifts  of  for- 

pet  IS  zop  /  aze  pater  nosfer.      Vor  pet  byep  pe  dyeules  devirs  snare 

1  T         ,  1  .  ,  T  1        whereby  he  be- 

gmnes.  liuer-by  pe  zaules  me   a  pousond  maneres  he  guiieth  souls. 
gylep  /  and  nymp  /  and  bynt  /  and  halt.  [^"'-  ^s-  a.] 

Ac  pe  wyse  chapman  /  pet  is  pe  guode  man  /  pet  pe  The  wise  chnp- 

11  ill!  Till-  /  1    ^'"^  know  the 

holy  gost  aly3t.    be  zope  beknaulechmge  /  pet  ouer  al  worth  of  each 

him  knaup  /  huet  ech  ping  is  Avorp  /  and  yzy3p  hit  ri3t     ^^' 

wel.     Hi  onderstondep  /  pet  al  pe  wordle  ne  is  na3t  a 

guod  snode  :  uor  ma?mes  herte  to  uelle.  and  pet  per  is  They  see  that 

moche  kuead  :  and  litel  of  guod.     And  peruore  huo  pet  in  the'worid!^° 

lokep  pe  perils  /  and  pe  kueades  pet  per  byep  /  and 

Avytep   pet  hit  is  zop  :  pet  hi  conne  zigge.  he  pet  ne 

yefp  /  pet  he  louep  :  he  ne  nymp  /  pet  he  wylnep.     Hy 

makep  to  god  ane  handuol.  uor  hi  yeuep  be  wordle  :  uor 

They  give  up  the 

heuene.  na3t  /  uor  al.  hor  :    uor  gold,  and  letep  al  uor  world  for  God, 


78 


OF    THE    LESSER    GOODS, 


and  become 
poor. 


There  are  others 
wlio  make  good 
use  of  riches, 


who  hold  them  in 
little  esteem. 


They  serve  God 
witli  their  wealtli. 


They  see  their 
own  feebleness 
and  their  defects. 


They  would  rather 
forsake  all  the 
world's  goods 
than  retahi  them 
without  the  love 
of  God. 


god.  ricliesses.  lostes.  worjissipes.  and  becoine])  poiu'e. 
j)et  is  Jje  uayi'iste  lyf  /  an  fe  zykeriste  :  jjet  is  ine  ])ise 
wordle. 

J5e  olpve  bye])  /  pet  yzejj  /  ])et  ine  iiele  maneres  Id 
mo3e  do  hare  prou  /  of  guodes  of  time.  Jiet  me  may  hise 
liabbe  :  ak  na3t  to  moclie  louye.  Vor  god  ne  hat  na3t  / 
al  to  lete.  by  bise  ofbyealdefi :  ac  Htel  liise  prayzejj.  bi 
hise  uzejj  :  ac  btel  bis  louye]).  ase  dede  saynt  Abraham, 
lob.  and  dauij).  and  iiele  o])re.  pet  pe  perils  beidoje  :  and 
deden  hire  profit  /  of  pe  guodes  pet  god  ham  lende  :  hi 
coupen  begge  heuene.  hi  coupen  hire  ze»nen  uorbegge. 
and  helpe  hare  nyxte.  Hi  copen  more  louye  god  /  and 
herye  /  and  ponki.  "vvorpssipie.  drede.  and  yleue.  uor 
pe  greate  perils  liuer  bi  byep  /  and  ham  zelue  pe  more 
bou3e  /  hua/aie  bi  yzep  hare  fieblesse  /  and  hire  poure 
loue  /  and  hare  defautes.  liua>?ne  pane  strayte  way  ne 
dorren  guo.  hua;?ne  zuo  lyte  wyllep  uor  god  polye  /  and 
yeue  /  pet  zuo  moche  polcde  /  and  let  uor  ham  /  yef  hi 
wel  ham  wytyep  /  ak  st[r]ang  hit  is.  Yor  liit  is  wel  li3ter 
ping  :  alle  pe  guodes  of  pe  wordle  lete  /  at  on  tyme  uor 
god  :  pa«ne  his  ofhyealde  /  and  na^t  louye. 


Of  the  less  goods. 

The  middle  goods 
are  of  kind  and  of 
teaching. 
Of  kind  are  beauty, 
strength,  &c. ; 
of  teacliing  are 
learning,  good 
mannei's,  &c. 


These  do  not 
make  men  fully 
good, 

for  many  philoso- 
phers, clerks, 
kings,  &c.,  that 
had  much  of  such 
goods,  are  now 
damned  in  hell. 


Of  J?e  lesse  guodes. 

J5e  midel  guodes  /  byep  of  kende  :  and  of  techinge. 
Of  kende  :  ase  ua}Thede  of  bodye.  prouesse.  strengpe. 
zuyfthede.  myldenesse.  clyer  Avyt.  sle^pe.  owderstond- 
ynge.  and  alle  zuyche  guodes  pet  kende  berp.  Be  tech- 
inge :  ase  grat  clergye.  ine  alle  opre  guodes :  pet  me 
wynp  be  studye  /  oper  be  guode  wone  /  ase  byep  guode 
peawes  /  and  zome  u/vtues.  Ac  pise  ne  byep  najt  yet 
arijt  pe  zope  guodes  :  uor  hi  ne  makep  na3t  pane  /  pet 
hise  hep  uollyche  guod.  Vor  manye  filozofes  /  oper  of 
greate  clierkes^  /  and  of  kynges  /  and  of  e?»,perours  / 
pet  hedden  moche  of  zuyche  guodes  :  byep  ydampned 
ine  helle.  Efterward  /  zuyche  guodes  yefp  oure  Ihord 
'  MS.  cherhes 


OF    THE    TRUE    GOOD.  79 

alsuo  to  his  iiyeudes :  ase  lie  deb  to  liis  uryendes.  to  our  Lord  giveth 

such  goods  to  His 

sarazyns  /  and  to  iialse    cristeue  :    ase  to    jje    guode.  enemies. 

Efterward  /  liit  ne  is  na3t  zoj)  guod  /  Jjet  faylef  /  and 

J»et  me  may  lyese  wylle  he  nolle  he.  and  Jiet  j?ieues  ne 

mo3e  stele,  ne  robhere  benime.  alneway  ate  ende  :  dyeaj) 

his  benymjj.       Efterward  /  zojje  guodes    helpef   eche 

daye  /  and    ne    harmeji    neure.       Ac  uorzojje    ziiyche  True  goods  never 

guodes  /  and  zuiche  graces  Avyjjoute  :  uop  oite  kuead  /  Mere  outward     ' 

and  harmef   ham  /  f  et  hise  habbe>  /  bote  hi  hise  ne  i^li^^l^^ytuse 

wel  usy.     And  hua/me  hi  ham  yelpeb  /  ober  hi  ham  "« to  become 

J  •!      i-    I   I       J  proud  and  boast- 

prodejj  /  and  ojjren  hy  onworfiefi.    Vor  Jie  ilke  to  huam  fui- 

god  heb  yyeue  pe  ilke  graces  /  and  Jie  ilke  guodes  /  J^et  if  we  do  not  use 

aright  God's  gifts 

ich  habbe  beuore  ynemned  god  uor  to  serui.  and  helpe 
his  nixte.  bote  yef  he  hit  ne  vsy  treueliche :  he  ssel 
bv  ine  be  more  gratter  torment,  and  straytlyche  hi?/i  ^e  ^'laii  receive 

J  r  o  *^      ^  the  greater  tor- 

behoue])  rekeni.  and  yelde  scele  to  god  /  ate  daye  of  ment. 
dome.^  of  Jjet  he  hej?  ydo.  and  of  fet  he  hep  ywonne  / 
of  jje  guodes  fet  god  him  liejj  ylend  :  uor  to  mory. 

Of    J?E    ZOjpE    GUODES.  Of  tlie  true  goods, 

'Noil  ich  jje  habbe  ssortliche  yssewed  /  huyche  byejj 
pe  lyttle^  guodes  /  and  jje  midel  guodes:  nou  ich  pe  The  true  goods 

.  make  hira  good 

wylle  sse^vy  huet  ys  jje  zo])e  guod  ari3t  :  Jjet  make]?  fian  that  hath  tuem. 

J)et  hise  hep  :  guod.  and  wy})-oute  ham :  non  ne  wes 

neure  ari3t  guod.  ])et  guod  me  clepeji  :  godes  grace,  and 

u/rtue.  and  charite.  Grace  :  uor  Jjet  he  yaf  /  heljje.  and  They  are  grace, 

virtue,  and  clia- 

lyf.  and  zaule.  uor  Avyjj-oute  jjise  guodes :  pe  zaule  is  rity. 

dvead.     Vor  ase  bet  body  is    dyead    wyboute   zaule:  The  soui  is  dead 

•J  T  J  J  ^  I  witliout  the  grace 

alzuo  is  pe  zaule  :  Avyjioute  godes  grace.     Hy  is  ycleped  of  God. 
mrtue  :  uor  Jjet  hy  "vvorjjssipej)    Jie  zaule    myd    guode  she  is  called  vir- 

,.  Tx-  T  Ti-i'       tue,  for  she  hon- 

workes  /  and  mid  guode  jjewes.   Hy  is  ycleped  charite  :  ours  the  soul  with 
uor  Jiet  hy  ioyne])  pe  zaule  to  god.  uor  charite  ne  is  non  |°°  ; Jcaiied 
o])er  Jiing  :  panne  dyere  onhede.  fet  is  pe  ende  /  fet  is  ^o-ne'th'the^soiu 
pe  perfeccion  /  and  pe  guodhedde  /  huer-to  we  ssolle  ous  t°  ^°^- 
dra3e.     Moche  Averen  pe  egypciens  deceyued.  J>et  is  to 
zigge  /  pe  yealde  filozofes  jjet  zuo  byzylyche  desputede  /  The  old  phiioso- 

1  Tirr.     ,  o  iiro    ,   7,7  phers  Set  the 

1  MS.  (lomo  2  MS.  li/l(le 


80 


THREE    KINDS    OF    GOODS. 


greatest  good  in 
lust  of  flesh, 
or  ill  riches,  or  in 
honest  life. 
But  St  Paul  says 
that  dame 
Charity,  the  queen 
of  virtues,  is  the 
greatest  good. 


Wlien  all  other 
goods  fail  this 
faileth  not. 


Of  three  manners 
of  good. 


There  are  three 
sorts  of  goods. 

1.  Honourable. 

2.  Pleasant. 

3.  Profitable. 
Of  the  goods  of 
the  world. 
None  desire  them 
unless  they  be 
either  honourable, 
pleasant,  or  pro- 
fitable. 

The  proud  seek- 
eth  the  first,  the 
covetous  the  , 
third,  and  the 
lustful  the  second. 
Virtue  combines 
the  honourable, 
the  pleasant,  and 
the  profitable. 


Virtue  is  honour- 
able: 

Six  things  are 
desired  because 
[Fol.  24.  a.] 
they  are  honour- 
able : 

1.  Beauty,  2.  wit, 
S.  prowess, 
4.  might,  .'■>.  free- 
dom, G.  nobleness. 


and  zo^ten  huet  wes  Jje  he^este  guod  ine  fise  lyiie.  ne 
neure  ne  niy3ten  hit  vynde.  Vor  zonie  hit  zette  ine  loste 
of  ulesse.  Jie  ojjre  :  ine  richesses.  and  olpre  /  ine  oneste 
lyf.  Ac  fe  greate  filozofe  saynte  pawel.  jjet  wes  ynome 
in  to  j)e  Jjridde  heuene  /  and  pasede  alle  fe  ojjre  filo- 
zofes  /  ous  proueji  he  uele  skeles.  Jiet  J)e  he^este  gnod 
ine  jjise  lyue  :  ys  pe  kuen  of  ui'rtues  dame  charite.  Vor 
]ie  zay])  wyjj-oute  hire  :  non  o]jer  guod  /  ne  is  worjj. 
and  huo  jjet  Jjis  he])  :  he  help  alle  J)e  ojjre.  and  hua/zne 
alle  fe  ojtre  guodes  fayleji  :  Jiis  ne  fale])  najt.  and 
ahone  alle  fe  o]?re  greate  guodes  pet  hyef  :  Jjys  is  jje 
Iheuedy.  ]?a??ne  is  Jjis  pit  gratteste  guod  :  jjet  is  onder 
heuene. 

Of    j)Rl    MANERES    OF    GUODE. 

And  hueruore  wylt  ]jou  pet  guod  /  pet  is  ycleped 
ri3t  n/rtue  more  louie  /  and  zeche  ahoue  alle  ojjren  : 
]jis  ich  wylle  yet  eft  /  his  worJj  ssewy.  Me  can  todele 
jjri  manere  guodes.  guod  /  vrorfssiplich.  guod  /  lostuol 
and  guod  :  uremuol.  na?anore  ne  is  of  giiodes.  ne  zo])e. 
ne  ydele.  hote  J)ise  Jjri  nianeres.  and  j?et  Jiou  yzist  open- 
liche.  Of  pe  guodes  of  Jie  wordle  /  fet  non  ne  Avylne])  / 
ne  louejj  no])ing  /  hote  yef  he  wene :  fet  hit  hy  him 
■vvorjjssipuol  /  ojier  lostuol.  ojier  ure»iuol.  ])e  proude  : 
zekj)  fling  worjjssipuol.  J?e  couaytous  :  ])ing  ure7?iuol. 
j?e  lostuol :  fing  lykynde.  And  alle  pet  pise  zechep 
ydelliche  :  is  ine  mrtue  /  zopliche.  Vor  u/rtue  is  ping 
wel  worpssipuol.  lostuol.  and  ure??iuol. 

Of  u/iJTUE. 

Jjct  ui'ytue  is  worpssipuol :  pet  my^t  pou  ysy  ine 
pise  manere.  Zyx  pinges  byep  ine  pise  wordle  moche 
ywylned  /  nor  pet  hit  pingp  pet  hy  hyep  moche  worp- 
ssipuol. uayrhede.  wyt.  prouesse.  my3te.  vridom.  and 
nohlesse.  )3ise  hyep  zix  wellen  of  ydelnesse.  Jja/me 
ydele  hlisse  is  to  moche.     Vayrhede  /  is  ping  mochel 


OF    WIT    AND    OF    CLERGY.  81 

yloued.  uor  jjet  is  j^ing  moclie  yworjjssiped.     And  na3t 

uorjjan  uayrliede  ]>ei  jje  e^e  of  jie  bodye   jzj^lp  /  and 

louejj.  is  jjing  uals  /  ssort.  and  ydel.     Vals  :  yef  he  ne  is  Beauty  appeals  to 

uayr.  ne  Ipe  ilke  uayr.  ac  cure  e3en  bye  J)  fyeble  /  pet  ne    ^^  ^^''' 

zyej)  bote  pet  skin  wy  b-oute.     ])anne  hno  bet  hedde  be  Had  we  the  eye  of 

'  '       the  lynx,  we 

zy3J5e   ase  hejj  Jje  lynx   /   jjet  me  clepef    oferlaker  :  should  see  each 

leucernere.  Jjet  yzyjj?  jjorj  fane  Aval  alouer.  lia  ssolde  yzy  fuu  of  dung. 

openliche  /  j^et  non  uayr  body  /  ne  is  :  bote  a  liuyt 

zech  nol  of  donge  stynkinde.  and  ase  a   donghel  be- 

snewed.     Efterward  bis  uayrliede  is  ssort.  uor  zone  hit  beauty  soon  fails 

and  withers. 

fayle])  and  ualomve]?  ase  ]jet  flour  of  fe  uelde  /  anon  ase 
fe  zaule  hxm  todel]?.  al  jje  uayrliede  Jjet  /  Jiet  body  he]) : 
J3e  zaule  hit  yeaf.  and  uor  Jje  zaule  he  hit  heb.    ]2eruore  He  is  a  foci  that 

.  rejoiceth  on  ac- 

he IS  fol  /  j)et  of  uayrhede  of  bodie  him  gledej>.     Ac  jje  count  of  his  fair- 

uayrhede  of  Jie  zaule:  is  uayrhede  ari^t  /  fet  alneway  Beauty  of  the  soul 

wext  and  neiu-e  ne  ssel  fayly.    J3et  is  f e  zofe  uap-hede  /  rsTketd'aod'^and 

hueruore  J)e  zaule  to  god  like])  /  and  to  jje  angles  jjet  *^®  angeis. 

yzejj  fe  herte.     )3is  uayrhede  yelt  /  and  yef])  /  to  jje  ^*  ^^<^*^  erace  to 

zaule :  grace,  and  uw'tue.  and  loue  of  god.  uor  hy  re- 

fornie])  /  and  agrayjie])  /  and  hi??i  yelt  his  ry3te  pryente. 

fet  is  ])e  yniage  of  his  sseppere  /  ])et  is  uayr  \vy])-oute  The  fairest  thing 

co/rtpa?'ysoun.  and  ])et  best  him  anlykne]) :  mest  is  uayr.  soui  that  hath  pcr- 

.  fectly  its  right 

pa^me  pet  uap-este  J»ing  ])et  ys  onder  god  :  is  ])e  zaule  /  shape. 

Jiet  he])  parfitliche  his  ri3te  sseppe  /  and  his  ri3te  bri3t- 

nesse  /  colour  of  flour.   bri3tnesse  of '  zo?me.  ssep])e  of       [i  ms.  os] 

man.  lykynge  of  preciouse  stones.     And  al  ])et  ])e  636  of 

herte  yzy})  of  uayr  :  is  uoidhede  and  uel])e  /  to  ])e  zyjfe  Nothing  in  the 

of  him.  and  al  ])et  me  may  onder  gode  Jjenche  of  uayr  :  compared  to  it. 

hit  ne  may  na3t  by  ycomparisoned  to  him. 

Of    WYT    /    AND    OP   CLEREGYB.  Of  wit  and  of 

leai-ning. 

Cleregye  and  wyt  /  bye])  ]iinges  moche  yworfssiped.  ciergy  and  wit 
Ac  yef  ])ou  wylt  by  wys  ari3t.  and  he3e  cleregye  lyerny  :  honoured, 
make  fet  ])ou  habbe  ])et  zo])e  godes  guod.  fet  is  /  grace  /  God's  grace  is  the 

I       .    ,  ,     J.  ■     ,  ,  1  1  1  ''™6  wisdom  that 

ana  ut^'tue.  uor  pet  is  pe  zope  wysdom.  ])et  aly3t  fe  herte  eniighteneth  the 
of  man.  ase  defi  ])e  zowne  ]3e  wordle.     Jjis  wyt  pase])  fe   ^^^^  °  "''"" 


82  THE  world's  wit  is  folly. 

This  wit  passeth  "vvyttes  of  ])&  Avordlc  /  asc  cle])  ])G  zowue  :  J)e  brytnesse  of 

world,  wiiich  is  J^e  moiie.     Yor  yef  wyt  of  Ipe  wordle  ne  is  bote  folye 

^"*  "^  ^'  ase  zayjj  fe  wrytinge  /  and  cliildhede  /  and  onwyt.  folye 

Tiiose  who  love  ine  liani :  bet  be  "wordle  louyeji  /  and  hire  iiayrliede  / 

the  world 

think  the  moon  to  Jjet  hi  nc  conne  yknaAve  /  Tpane  day  :  uram  fe  ny3t.  ne 
deme  betuene  grat  j  and  snial.  betuene  precious  /  an 
vil.  Hy  wene])  of  jje  mone  :  fet  hit  by  fe  zo?me.  nor 
lii  wene))  of  jje  worjjssipe  of  fie  wordle  :  fet  hyt  by  Jie 
zo))e  blisse.  of  ane  epple  :  an  hel.  nor  hi  wenej)  by  jje 
wordle  :  fet  hit  by  wel  grrtt  ])ing.  jjct  to  fie  zi3fie  of  fe 

They  mistake  a     hcuene  ne  is  bote  an  eppel.     hy  Avenef  of  a  gles  :  fet 

glass  for  a  sap- 
phire, hit  by  a  safir.  nor  hi  wenej)  fet  hare  niy3te  /  and  hare 

strengfie  :  by  wel  grat.   f  et   more  is   brekynde  /  and 

They  live  like       fyeble  :  f a/zne  gles.  Efter  fe  chi[l]dhede  /  f  et  Jje  wyt  of 

oniy'uTeir'^^r'  K  wordle  /  and  ]>o  f  et  bye],  zno  wyse  to  loky  f  et  body  / 

'^'"-  and  to  eysy  /  and  to  delyty  /  fet  libbejj  ase  children. 

In  such  folk  is      f  ct  lie  zechejj  bote  hare  wyl  to  done.     In  zuych  uolk  is 

^%oi  '1  b  "■       skele  dyad,  and  feruore  /  hi  libbej)  ase  bestes.  nor  hare 

They  are  like  a      wyt  is  al  mysweiit  /  and  cornpt.  ase  fe  zuel3  of  f)e  zyke  / 

who  pretfsa"^'^''  of^r  of  fc  wyfinan  grat  inyd  childe.  fet  more  hi  uynt 

sour  apple  to  a       gmak  in  ane  zonre  epple  :  ba?aie  ine  ane  huetene  Ihone. 

wlieaten  loaf.  ^  ' 

and  fiet  child  in  ane  cole  :  fiamie  ine  ane  gnode  mete. 
They  cannot  be-     Alsuo  zuych  nolk  116  111036  ylenc  /  fiet  fier  by  more 

lieve  that  there  is-,T  1  1  ^       ,     1  •  1  ,  •    1  ij_n-         i 

more  bliss  in  serv-  '^hsse  /  aiid  lost  /  inc  god  to  scrui  /  and  to  louie  :  fia7?ne 

ing  God  than  in       ^        -[  .  j       ^   j  j      ^        ^^^^   j^j  ^^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^^^^    / 

servmg  their  own  f  J  I 

^"^'^-  betnene  zuete  /  and  byter.     Efterward  /  fis  wyt  /  is 

oiiAvyt.  ine  fan  fiet  byef>  ziio  iiioche  sotyl  ine  kuednesse 

to  uynde  /ine  ofjren  to  gyly  /and  deceyui.  ofier  be  playt  / 

o]?er  be  strengfie  /  ofer  be  barat.  fet  hy  ne  fenchef)  /  ne 

studief)  /  bote  ham  zelue  to  auonci :  and  ofiren  to  harmy. 

Their  wit  is  the     Jjet  w"3"t  is  fie  dyeules  Avyt  /  ase  zayf  saint  iacob  /  fiet  eche 

that  each  day        dayc  \\\m  uoiidcfi  /  ofreii  to  harmy.     Ac  fie  zofe  wyt  / 

to  do  wrong. '^"     ]>^^  ^^  holy  gost  tckfj  to  godcs  uryciides  /  is  ine  knanynge 

wyf -onte  Avyfinimynge  /  fet  ech  f)ing  is  worf.  hit  ssewefj 

world  is  idle,         f et  fe  wordle  is  ydel :  ine  byinge.  vyl :  ine  worf .  biter  : 


ITS    RICHES    ARE    M'ORTHLESS.  83 

in    smac.    bot    be    blisse    of   be    wordle  :    is    ydel.    be  its  nches  are  viie, 

and  its  lusts  are 

richesses  :  vil.  Ipe  lostes  :  bitere.  ijitter. 

Efte/nvard  he  yefjj  to  y-iiele  /  J^et  fe  loue  of  god  /  t^'[,';i' ^'.^  of ™ 
and  u/rtue  /  is  zoj)  jjing  /  and  of  pris.     Zop  :  nor  hi  worth; 
nohieljj  jje  herte  /  and  norisset  /  and   sostyenejj.   of 
pris  :    uor  me  may  god  /  an   al  fet   he   heji  :    begge. 
Zuete :  uor  bet  is  be  ma?^ne  /  bet  alle  bise  binges  makeb  jt  rendereth  sweet 

'  '  I    '  J  X      o  X    labour,  sorrow, 

zuete.  zuynch.  zor3es.  tyeaers  /  and  AvepiHges.  ssames.  J-eai-s,  and  weep- 

martires.  and  alle  pinen.  and  al  Jiet  me  may  Jienche.  )5et 

is  jje  zuete  sucre  /  and  of  guod  ssmak.  and  J)et  is  fe 

wyt  /  and  jje  A\^fsdom  /  |)et  f)e  writinge  clepej)  /  Avor]?-  it  is  the  wit  and 

ssipuol  wysdom  /  liuerof  wext  zojje  blisse  ine  inwyt.        honourable. 

Efter  uw'tues  /  an  charites  :  he  yefj)  zofie  prouesse.    izo\)e  prouesse.} 
|)a;me  j)er  nys  prowesse  ari^t  :  bote  ine  godes  kny^tes  /  True  prowess 
fet  Ipe  holy  gost  help  y-dobbed  /  and  y-armed  /  mid  uw'tu  /  God's  knights. 
and  mid  charite.     Ine  j)rouesse  byeb  bri  binges  to-deld.  i"  this  prowess 

-  are  boldness, 

hardyesse.  strengjje.  an  stedeuestnesse.     Non  ne  is  ary^t  strength,  and 

preus:  Jjet  jjise  ])ri  jjinges  ne  hep.  fet  ne  ys  hardy  /  and  ^  *^  "^^  "'^'"' 

zyker  /  to  greate  finge  ondernime.  Strang  /  and  my3tuol  / 

uor  to  uol3y.  zed  /  and  stable  :  uor  to  uol3y.  Ac  wyjj-oute 

Avyt  /  and  wy])-oute  porueyonce  :  ne  byej)  na3t  worj?  non 

of  jjise  jjry  ]?inges.  Vor  ase  zayjj  Ipe  boc  of  be  art  of  kny3t-  in  quarrels  an 

•,-,,.  error  may  be 

hod  /  iiie  opre  quereles  hua?me  me  mysnym))  hou  pet  rectified, 

hit  by  uounde  myd  amendeine?it.  Ac  errour  ine  batayle  /  mistake  may  not 

ne  may  na3t  by  amended,  uor  hi  is  anon  aAvreke.  ^'^  ^"^'^  "''■ 

Eole  op-nymynge  is  huer  lite  profit  lijj.  and  moche  "PoU  opnimin'je.-i 
cost,    and   of   peril,    and  of   payne.     Zueche  byejj   pe  The  world's 
opnymynges  /  ])et  me  clepej?  prou^.  and  hardi  /  ine  fise  p^^^J-^^^ '^  p*^"'" 
wordle  /  j^et  body  /  and  zaule  brengej?  in-to  ze?aie  /  and 
pe  guodes  also  /  and  ine  peril  /  and  ine  payne  /  uor  a 
lyte  lost  to  habbe  :  bet  mochel  is  ydel  /  and  litel  ylest, 

...  ,  p,  -^  I  J  [iMS.  OS] 

Ac  uirtue  make))  man  of  ^  greate  herte  /  and  of  wyse  virtue  makes  a 

,  .  ,  .  man  bold  in  heart 

opnymynge  pmne  hi  make])  man  ])et  ne  is  bote  erpe  /  so  that  he  aspires 
zuo  hardi  /  bet  he  dar  opnyme  :  be  regne  of  heuene  to    °  ZT^''^° . 

"^  70  [-pol_  25.  a.] 

■vvynne.  and  alle  pe  dyeulen  /  jjet  bye))  zuo  stronge  /  to  heaven. 
6  * 


84 


THE    GREATNESS    OF    VIRTUE. 


onercome.     )pis   opnimynge  :   is  guod  /  and  wys.  liuer 

pev  is  lytel  peril  /  and  litel  of  pyne.  and  blisse.  and 

He  who  is  without  worjjssipe  wyJ3-oute  niesure.     Huo  pet  ne  he  J)  u/rtue  : 

virtue  hath  no  ,  ,  i   i        ,       /  i  -n  ^  i       i         /« 

great  courage,       -liB  ne  hep  grat  lierte  /  ase  hep  Jie  like  fiet  hej)  drede  ot 

adversities  of  the  n^jt.     Zuyclie  bycj)  J)o  jjct  zuo  moche  dredejj  j>e  kueades 

^°'   ■  and  1pp.  aduersetes  of  pe  wordle.  and  pet  hablie])  drede 

nor  to  lyese  :  pet  hi  ne  ni03e  na3t  longe  hyealde.  ha  nep 

na3t  grat  herte  pet  hit  yefp  uor  na3t.   ase  dop  po  pet 

yeuep  hare  herten  to  lonie  pe  guodes  of  fortune  /  pet 

ine  zope  :  ne  byep  na3t  /  to  pe  zi^pe  of  pe  zope  gnodes  of 

He  is  as  a  child      blisse.     )ja?me  zuych  iiolc  byep  ase  is  pet  child  /  pet 

who  likes  amirror  , 

better  than  a  king-  louep  more  ane  sseawere  :  pa?me  ane  kingdom,  aneppel  : 
Virtue  maketh  a  ]>^nne  al  his  kende.  Ac  n/j-tue  yefp  gr-at  herte  ari3t. 
and"tode"pise the  ^^r  viirtue  makep  Wynne  henene  :  and  onworpi  pe 
^^'°''''^-  Avordle.  grat  berdone  of  penonce  to  here,  and  alle  pe 

kueades  of  pe  wordle   onderbere.  and  gledliche  polye. 

and  nor  god  to  leste  /  to  alle  pe  asaylynges  of  pe  dyeule 
Eo  that  he  is  no  wydstoiidc.  And  asc  zaj'p  pe  wyse  seneke.  Na3t  ne 
adversity  than  habbep  iiiorc  of  my3te  aye  u/rtues  /  kueade  mysfalles  / 
of  rain.'"  ^  '°^*  ^H-*!  zoi^es  /  ne  al  pet  fortune  may  preapny  /  an  do  : 
Virtue  makes  a  more  pa?nie  per  byep  dropen  of  rayn  ine  pe  ze.  Virtue 
a  lion,  strong  as''  makep  mail  hardi  /  ase  lyoun.  Strang  /  ase  olyfont. 
st'^ea^dfiftTs'^'the'^  stedeuest  and  lestinde  /  ase  pe  zonne  /  pet  alneway 
^""'  yernp  /  and  ne  is  neure  wery.    pa?ine  per  ne  is  prowesse  : 

bote  uirtue. 

Might.  MY3TE. 

No  true  lordship  Alsuo  per  lie  is  noii  zope  Ihordssip  :  bote  ine  uw-tue. 

but  in  virtue. 

A  grat  Ihord  he  is  :  pet  to  huam  al  pe  wordle  seruep. 
[Mannes  Ihord-     Zuych  Ihordssip  /  yefp  mail  grace  and  UM'tue.     Vor  hi 

zet  man  spirituellyche  ine  his  ri3te  stat  /  huerinne 
Man  was  made  to  he   wes   uerst  yiuad.     j)e  man  wes  ymad  ine  zuyche 

rule  over  all  crea-  .  ,  ,     .  i        n        i      • 

tures,  worpssipe  /  and  me   zuyche  Ihordssipe  :    pet  he  wes 

Ihord  of  alle  sseppes  /  pet  were  onder  lieuene.  and  to 
huam  :  alle  pinges  bo3en  /  and  to  huam  noping  ne 
my3te  derye.  and  pet  is  pe  ri3te  stat  to  man  and  to  his 


MIGHT    AND    FREEDOM.  85 

Ihordssip.     Ac  fis  lliordssip  lie  leas  be  zenne.  ne  lie  hit  bnt  he  lost  this 
na3t  ayen  ne  mi3te  awynne  :  bote  be  u«-tue.    Ac  u/rtue  virtue  puts  aii ' 
arere])  Jjaiie  man  an  lie^  :  and.  lii»i  dej?  fe  wordle  onder-  undfr'iiiffoot. 
not  /  and  him  dej)  wende  to  lieuene. 

Virtue  make])  fiane  man  /  more  ari3t  Ihord  of  fe  virtue  makes  a 

,  man  more  a  lord 

wordle  :  panne  by  fe  kyng  /  of  his  regne.      V  or   of  pe  tiianistheking 

guodes  of  Jie  wordle  /  he  hejj  ase  nioche  ase  his  herte    ^  ^^  '^^^^' 

wyliiej).     per  is  his  wone  /  and  his  sustinonce  /  and  al 

Jiet  he  -wyle  habbe  /  more  ynoj  /  Jja?aie  habbe  fe  kyng. 

uor  al  fet  habbe])  pe  guode  /  and  fe  kuede  :  al  hit  is 

his.     Vor  of  zxio  moclie  make])  his  prou  /  and  of  al  hire  i'  '•au^es  him  to 

enjoy  all  things. 

god  /  and  fonke]).  and  more  lone])  /  and  drede])  /  and 
seruej).  ine  fet  he  jz^p  j  and  knauji  /  pei  alle  ssep])es 
byej)   \Tnad   hi»^  uor   to  serui.       Efterward  /  he   heb  He  is  emperor  of 

■J    r     -J  I  r    himself,  i.e.,  of 

anofre  empire  /  uayr  /  an  grat  /  wyfioute  fet  non  ne  ys  "^i^  ^°'^^  ^"'^ 

ary^t  Ihord.  uor  he  is  eniperour  of  him-zelue.  pet  is  of 

his  bodye  :  and  of  his  herte.  huiche  he  demfi  /  and  halt 

ine  guode  payse  /  liuerof  he  de])  his   wyl.     Vor  his 

herte  is  zuo  bhbe  to  be  wjdle  of  gode  :  ])et  al  bet  god  ms  heart  is  al- 
ways in  peace,and 

de])  :  al  hit  is  him  uajnr.  and  ferby  heji  he  alneway  :  Jje  his  bodyis  govern- 

,.  T,  nn  ed  by  tlie  will  of 

herte  me  peyse.  and  fet  body  gouerne)>  be  pQ  wylle  of  God. 

god  /  and  al  fet  god  de])  to  his  bodye  :  he  yelt  fonkes  /      [FoI.  25.  b.j 

and  hym  pay]),  and  ])et  is  pc  Ihordssip  /  pet  mVtue  jeip  He  gives  thanks 

to  fan  pet  hit  he]).      Huerof  spec])  senekes  ])et  zayj).  gifts. 

Ase  moche  worjissipe  /  and  grat  empirete'  of  pe  kpige  / 

by  empe/'our  of  by-zelue.  A  god  uele  byel)  J)er  kynges  /  There  are  many 

kings  and  empe- 

and  of  barouns  ine  pe  wordle  /  ])et  habbe])  casteles  /  rors  that  have 
cites  /  and  regnes  /  fet  ne  habbe])  na^t  fis  lliordssip.  who  have  not  this 
)?et   of   hare   herten  :  ne  bye])  na^t  Ihordes.  ])et  hyse    "'^  ^  '^" 
tormente])  ofte.  ofer  be  yre  /  o])er  be  euel  wil.  o])er  be 
couaytyse  /  o])er  be  wylny[ii]gges.  fet  liy  ne  mo^e  \\^t 
uoluelle. 

VrIDOM.  Freedom. 

Efterward  /  no?i  ne  he])  uridoni  :  bote  he  habbe 
grace  /  and  u/ytue.     }?a?me  yef  ])ou  wilt  coiine  huet  is  JortroT freedom, 
'  Soin'MS. 


86 


FREE-WILL    COMES    FROM    GOD. 


iiridoin  ari3t.  panne  sselt  jjou  onderstoncle  Jjct  Ipe  man 

1.  of  kind  (nature),  lieb  bri  maiieres  of  uridom.   be  one  of  kende.  be  obre  of 

2.  of  grace,  3.  of  -^   "^  '  ^         ^ 

bliss.  grace  /  fe  ])ridde  of  blisse. 

1.  Free-will  to  do  pe  iierste  is  uri-wyl  /  huer-by  he  may  cliyese  /  and 

good  or  evil. 

do   /  uryliche  o])er  Jiet  guod   oper  fet  kuead.     )?erne 
This  freedom        uridom  lie  halt  of  god  zno  uriliche  Jiet  non  ne  may  him 

comes  from  God, 

and  the  devil  can-  do  wiang.  ne  alle  JjB  dyeulen  of  helle  ne  mojen  mawnes 

not  influence  man  ,  •    ,        i  ■       i  •  n  -vt 

against  his  will,  wyl  stiengj)!  to  do  0116  ze?me  wyJ)-oute  his  wylle.  V  or 
yef  man.  dede  ])et  kuead  to-yeans  wylle  :  liit  nere  non 
zenne.  Yor  non  ne  zene^ejj  iiie  J>et  he  ne  may  na3t 
bevly.  ase  zayf  saynt  aiistyn.  vridoni  liabbej)  alle  men. 
ac  hit  is  yboiinde  ine  children  /  and  ine  foles  /  and  yne 
wj^tlease  /  Jjet  ne  habbe])  nenne  skele  /  huer-by  hi 
co?jne    chyese :    fet    guode   ura?«    ]?e   kueade.      )?erne 

Man  loses  bis  free-  uridom  be  man  benymb  hini-zelue  ine  grat  del.  liuanne 

dom  when  he  sin-  ^       i  o 

neth  deadly,  he  zene-^e])  dyadliche.  nor  him-zelue  zellp  :  nor  fane  lost 

of  pe  zewne.  and  him-zelue  yelt  to  jje   dyeule  /  and 

and  becometh  the  becoiiij)  his  J>rel  to  fe  zewne.   zuo   fet  he  ne  may  hit 

devil's  thrall.  m       ; 

uorjjrawe  to  his  wylle  /  Jjet  he  hep  ymad  zyker  :  bote  pe 
grace  of  god  him  helpe. 

2.  Freedom  of  |)e  oJ)er  uridoiii  is  pe  ilke  /  j^et  liabbe]?  pe  guodemen 
Those  bave  this  in  jjise  wor[d]le  /  fet  god  hef  yvryd  be  grace  /  and  be 
grace°anrvi°tue  ^rrtue  /  uraiii  pe  freldome  of  pe  dyeule  and  of  ze?me  : 
slaves  of  sur        f  ^^  ■'^^  ^^^  ^y^f  frelles.   ne  to  gold  /  ne  to  zeluer  /  ne  to 

hare  caroyne.  ne  to  pe  guodes  of  fortune  /  Jiet  pe  djap  : 

ne  may  beiiime.     Ac  hy  liabbej)  hire  herten  zuo  arered 

They  care  not  a     ine  god  :  bet  hi  110  prayseb  be  wordle  :  bote  ane  botoun. 

button  for  the  .  -i       ^      r  r 

worid,  and  dread    and  111  lie  drcdcj?    kyng.   ne   erl.   ne  no?^   niisual.   ne 

earl,  nor  life  nor     jioucrte.  no  ssame.  ne  djap.  uor  hi  hjep  half  deade.  and 

habbe])  pe  herten  zuo  to-deld  uram  pe  loue  of  pe  wordle  : 

f  et  hi  abidej5  and  wylnej)  jjane  dya]?  /  ase  dej)  pe  guode 

but  desire  death     workman  his  ssepe.   and  pe  lezere  liis  lieruest.  and  J>o 

as  the  reaperlongs 

for  harvest.  fot  byejj  ine  WO  of  ze  :  guod  port,  and  pe  prisons  :  hare 

deliureonse.   and  pe  pylgrym  :  his  contraye.  and  pise 
hjep  stedeuestliche  vri  /  ase  me  may  by  ine  J)ise  Avordle. 

They  dread  no-        ^^       .  .  ,  ,  ..  -i,  i  ni, 

thing  but  God.       VOT  hi  116  Icue])  /  116  dredef  nojjiiig  bote  god.  and  byep 


NOBILITY  OF  THE  GENTLE  HEART.  87 

inc  greate  pays  of  lierte.  uor  hy  hys  habbef  yzet  ine 
god.  and  byej)  nye3  ine  paradys  be  wylnynge.  And  ]>& 
ilke  vrydom  :  com])  of  grace  :  and  of  uiVtue. 

Ac  vet  eft  bis  viidom  :  ne  is  bote  breldom  /  to  be  3.  The  third  fvee- 
zy^fie  /  of  fe  Jjridde  uridome.  jjet  habbej?  J)0  jjet  bye])  than  the  other 
nye3  deliured  /  of  bodye  /  and  of  al.  and   myd  gode  ^^  ^ 

byeJ)  /  nou  ine  liis  glorie.     fise  byef  zo]jliche  vry.  nor 
hy  bye],  delynred  of  aUe  ^yo  /  of  drede  /  of  dea],e  /  and  ^^^^l^ 
of  zemie.  of  Avanhope.   of  gyle,   and  of  he  wordle.   of  delivered  tvom  aii 

i-  aj  I  yfQQ^  from  dread 

zorje.  and  of  alle  pyne  of  hertc  /  and  of  bodye  :  wyb-  of  death,  from  sin 

->  ^-^  '  "^        _         •*      and  sorrow,  for 

oute  comynge  ayen.  of  kuyche  binges  /  non  ne  is  ury  they  are  now  iu 

glory. 

ine  })ise  wordle  :  liuet  hi  is  y-do. 

Noblesse.  ^°^''^'''^- 

Hvo  Jiet  ])ano})reue  urydom  hner-of  ich  habbe  yspeke 
niyite  habbe  :   to  greate  noblesse  hit  ssolde  come.     j)e  True  nobility 

'  Cometh  of  the  geu- 

zoJ)e   noblesse  /   com])   of  Jje  gentyle   herte.      vorzojie  tie  heart. 

non  herte  ne  is  gentyl :  bote  he  louie  god.  ])a?aie  f»er  ne 

is  non  noblesse  :  bote  to  serui  god  an  louye.  ne  vyleynye:  The  gentle  heart 

loves  God  and 

bote  ine  Tpe  contraiie.  pet  is  god  to  wrefi  /  and  to  do  hates  sin. 
ze?^ne.       Kon  ne  ys  ari^t   gentyl  /  ne  noble  /  of  lie  Noonehoideth 

J  y       ^         J       I  I  r      right  nobility 

gentilesse  of  fe  bodye.     Yor  ase  to  jje  bodye  :  alle  we  from  the  body ; 
bye])  children  of  one  moder.  Jiet  is  of  erfe  :  and  of  wose.  drenofone 
hner-of  we  nome  alle  :  uless  and  blod.  of  ])0  zide  :  non  ^rth^ndmud. 
ne  is  arizt  gentil  /  ne  vri.     Ac  onre  ri^e  nader  /  is  our  nght  father 

?     °  '  ''  '  IS  King  of  heaven, 

kyng  of  henene  /  fet  made  ])et  body  of  ])e  er])e.  and 
ssop  ])e  zanle  to  his  anlycnesse  an  to  his  fourme.  An 
al  ase  hit  is  of  ])e  nader  nlesslich  fet  mochel  is  blife  / 
hua;/ne  his  children  him  bye])  ylych.  al-zno  liit  is  of 
oure  nader  gostlich  /  })et  be  wrytinges  /  an  be  his  zondes  / 
ne  let  nast  ous  to   somony  /   and  bidde  /  bet  we  zette  «"'i  ^^^  ^®"*  ^''.'l 

?  ''I  '    '  son  Jesus  Christ 

payne  :  to  by  hi'/?z  ilich.  and  ])eruore  he  ous  zente  his  to  bring  us  the 

true  pattern, 

blissede  zone  Ihesu  crist  in-to  er])e  /  uor  to  brenge  ous  whereby  we  are 

,  ,      1  •  /    formed  to  His 

J)e  zo})e  uorbisne  /  huer-by  we  byef  yssape  to  his  ymage  /  image  and  fair- 
and  to  his  uayrhede  /  ase  bye])  fo  ])et  wonye]»  ine  his 


6o  OF    TRUE    NOBILITY. 

heje  cite  of  lieiiene.      J2et  tyej)    fe    angles  /  and   Ipe 

lial^en  of  paradis  /  huer  ech  is  pe  more  lie3  /  and  pe 

more  noble  /  pe  more  prop?'eliche  pet  he  berjj  pe  ilke 

The  holy  man  in    uayre  jniage.       And  feruore    pe   holy    man   ine   jjise 

this  world  endea- 

vourstoknowand  wordle  dejj  al  his  herte  /  and  al  his  payne  to  knawe 

love  God.  ,  AinT-i 

god  /  and  louye.       And   of  lure  herte  :  alle  zenne  to 
The  more  the        waynye.     Vor  pe  more  fet  fie  herte  is  clene  /  and  pe 

heart  is  clean,  r.  p   -r 

the  more  openly    nayrer  :   zuo  moche  he  jzj^p  pe  face  of  lesu  crist  Jje 

heseeththefaceof  tt  ,,  ,,ii-  ,  ti 

Jesus.  more  openuche.  and  pe  more  fet  he  his  jzj^p  openliche  : 

pe  more  he  him  louej)  pe  stranglaker.  pe  more  he  hi??i 

liknej)  p?'opreliche.     And  ]jet  is  pe  zope  noblesse  /  fet 

makef   ous  godes  zones.     And   Jjeruore  zayjj  ri3t  wel 

saynd  ion  pe  apostel.  uor  J3a?me  we  ssolle  by  godes 

children,  and  we  ssolle  by  him  ylich  propreliche  hnanne 

In  paradise  we      we  him  ssolle  yzy  /  ase  he  ys  openhche.  fet  ssel  by  ine 

openly  as  He  is.     liis  blyssc  :  hua?me  we  ssolle  by  ine  paradys.  uor  hyer 

as  in  a  glass  HG  zjp  11011  /  onwry3e  pe  uayrhede  of  god  /  bote  ase  hit 

^'  by  ine  ane  ssewere.  ase  zayjj  sainte  panel.     Vor  jja?7iie 

we  him  ssolle  yzy  face  to  face  clyerlyche. 

True  nobility  be-  j)q  zobo    iioblesse   panne   of  mail   begjTib    hyer   be 

gins  in  grace  and 

is  completed  in      gracc  /  and  be  uz'rtue.  and  is  nolueld  ine  blysse.      j)ise 
noblesse  makej)  pe  holy  gost  ine  herte  Jiet  he  clenzejj 
ine  cle?inesse  /  and  aly^t  ine  zojsnesse.  and  uoluelj)  ine 
charite.     J)ise  hjep  pe  fri  greteste  gnodes  :  fet  god  jeip 
pe  angles,  ase  zayJj  saint  denys.  huer-by  hy  hjep  yliche 
This  nobility  the    to  hare  sseppcrc.     And  fus  workej)  Jie  holy  gost  ine  pe 
eth  in  the  heart,     hcrteu  of  guode  mcii  be  g?'ace  /  and  be  u//-tue  /  huer- 
by  hy  byejj  ymad  to  pe  ymage  /  and  to  pe  anlycnesse  of 
He  raiseth  men  up  god  /  asc  hit  may  by  iiie  ])ise  Ijiie.  uor  he  his  arere]?  zuo 
ine  god  /  and  his  beclepjj  zuo  ine  his  lone  /  J)et  al  hare 

[Foi.  25.  b.]      \Tyl  I  and  al  hare  onderstondinge  is  /  pet  is jjet 

is  hare  bejjenchinge  jjet  is  ywent  ine  god.  ]jis  loue  and 

fis  wylnynge  /  Jjet  ioynej?  /  and  one])  zuo  pe  herte  to 

so  that  their  will    god  :  jjet  he  ne  may  o))er  |jing  wylny  :  ofer  p&nne  god 

will.  wyle.  uor  hi  ne  habbej)  betuene  god  and  ham  :  bote  on- 

lepi  wyl.  aud  jiawne  to  pe  ymage  /  and  to  pe  anliknesse 


VIRTUE  AND  CHARITY  ARE  TRUE  GOODS.  89 

of  god.  ase  me  may  habbe  in  erjje.  and  pet  is  fe  grat- 
teste  noblesse  /  and  fe  liejeste  gentilesse  /  Jiet  me  may 
to  liopye  :  and  cKue.     A.  god  /  hou  liy  hjep  uer  uram  Far  from  God  are 

.        ,  I  1       1     I  T         ^  n         ■^^        those  who  are  SO 

pise  ne3nesse  /  po  pet  make]?  Iiani  zuo  quaynte  oi  j^eilke  proud  of  their  no- 

poiire  noblesse  jjet  lii  liabbej?  of  hare   moder  pe  expe  j  the'e^arth^^ 

fet  berj)  and  norysse]?  azewel  pe  liogges  :  ase  hy  def  jje  hogfL"weufa'''' 

kinges.  and  liy  ham  yelpejj  of  hare  gentylete  /  nor  Jjet  ^''"gs- 

hy  wenejj  by  of  gentile  woze.   and  pe  ilke  ke^zrede  :  hy 

conne  rijt  wel  telle.     And  pe  ojjre  zyde  hy  ne  lokef 

na3t  /  huer-of  ham  comp  pe  zojje  noblesse  /  and  pe 

gentil  kenrede.     Hy  ssolden  loki  to  hare  zojje  uorbysne  we  should  look  to 

VaesvL  crist  /  fet  mest    louede  /  and   worssipede  his  jesus  Christ, 

moder  :  ]ja?zne  eiire  dede  eny  ober  man.  and  alneway  who  has  said  that 

His  mother  and 

hua??ne  me  hi»i  zede.  '  sire  :  ]ji  moder  /  and  Jji  cosyn  /  His  cousins  are 

,  "  tliose  who  do  the 

pe  aksej).  He  ansuerede.  '  huo  ys  my  moder  /  and  huo  wiu  of  God. 
byej)  wrpxe  cosynes  ?  hno  f»et  def  fie  wyl  of  myne  iiader 
of  heuene  :  he  is  my  broj^er  /  and  my  zoster  /  and  my 
moder.'  Vor  fis  is  pe  noble  zyde  /  and  pe  gentyl 
kende  /  Jjer-of  comj)  /  and  wext  ine  herte  :  zojje  blisse  / 
ase  of  pQ  ofren  ydele  noblesse  :  wext  prede  /  and  ydele 
blisse. 


Gentyl    GUGD.  Oentle  Good. 

Xou  ich  be  habbe  al  iiolliche  ysseawed  bet  ich  leue.  There  is  nothing 

worthy  of  hon- 

pet  per  ne  is  non  guod  ary^t  worjjssipuol :  boteui'rtue  /  our  except  virtue 

,  and  charity. 

and  charyte.  pet  ys  uayr  lone  of  god.  )pet  fier  ne  is  non 
ojjer  guod  profitable.  J5is  ous  wytnessej)  saynte  paul. 
pet  zayp  alsuo.  '  Yef  ich  hedde  zuo  moche  wyt  ine  me  / 
J?et  ich  coupe  alle  clergyes.  alle  speches.  and  speke  alse  Learning,  speech, 

,  11-1  1         liberality,  &c.,  are 

wel  ase  my3te  man  /  oper  angel,  and  ich  coupe  godes  worthless  without 

prtuites  /  and  his  redes,  and  yef  ich  betoke  my  body  to 

sla3e.  and  yeue  al  pet  ich  habbe  to  pe  poure.  and  dede 

by  miracle  pe  helles  Iheape  uram  one  stede  /  to  anopre. 

bote  yef  ich  ne  hedde  pe  u/rtue  of  charite  :  al  hit  nere 

me  najt  worb.'     ISTou  nim  hede  bet  zaynte  paul  bet  me  if,  as  st.  Paul 

■'  '  r  J  i.  r  g^yj,^  j,jggg  grg^j 

ssel  wel  yleue.  ous  hep  hyer  ynewined  /  pe  meste  gentile  possessions  profit 


90 


CHARITY    IS    GOOD    CHAFFER. 


notliing  v/ithout 
charity. 


how  shall  less 
goods  avail  ? 


Who  that  most 
hath,  is  worth 

most. 


[Fol.  27.  a.] 


How  shall  we  say- 
that  those  do  good 
who  shallhereafter 
be  damned  in  hell^ 
because  they  have 
abused  the  gifts  of 
God? 

Bodily  works  and 
spiritual  deeds 
are  nothing  with- 
out charity. 


Charity  is  good 
chaffer.that  every, 
where  wins  and 
never  loses. 


guocles  /  J)et  man  may  do  /  and  Jiet  mest  were  ywoned  : 
to  by  woYp.  and  proliti.  ])et  byej?  [fe]  porueyonces  of 
bodye.  and  sla^Jje  to  folyo.  helpe  poure.  to  Avende  fane 
zenuoUe.  and  connyuge.  an  speches.  and  [he]  zayj?  Jjet  alle 
Jjise  guodes  wyjj-onte  charite  :  ne  byef)  na3t  worj).  and 
yef  Jiise  guodes  ne  byej5  na^t  worj)  :  liou  ssolde  lesse 
guodes  by  wor]5 1  ]5is  pi-zelf  jje  my3t  yzy  be  skele  jjet 
liyer  beuore  me  lie|)  yzed.  zuo  moche  is  worjj  pe  man : 
ase  is  worj?  his  land.  Jset  is  ase  zoj)  /  ase  pater  noster. 
Huo  fet  wel  onderstaret.  hou  /  and  huer-by  /  ])g  man  is 
Avor})  /  of>er  na^t  /  ojjer  zomdel  /  olpev  more  ojjer  lesse  / 
and  fet  ne  is  non  drede  /  Jiet  /  Jjet  ne  by  charite  /  and 
J)e  loue  of  god.  Vor  huo  Jiet  mest  hep  :  mest  is  wor]). 
and  huo  fet  lest  hej) :  lest  is  worj).  and  huo  fet  na3[t]'  ne 
he]?  :  na3t  ne  is  worJ).  Vor  huo  moclie  J)e  man  het  of 
timliche  guodes  /  ase  bye))  /  gold/  an  zeluer.  an  richesses. 
oJ)er  guodes  gostliche.  ojjcr  kendeliche  /  ase  bye])  /  creft  / 
and  queyntyse.  wyt  /  and  clergye.  strengpe  /  and  prou- 
esse.  and  ojjre  guodes.  Hou  ssel  ich  zygge  ]?et  hi  do]? 
guod  /  ]3a«ne  he  ssel  by  Jie  more  zoruollaker  yda?;med  / 
uor  pet  he  his  benotej)  na^t  ari3t.  of  Jje  guodes  pet  god 
him  hedde  ylend  uor  to  wiwne.  Efterward  yef  he  dej? 
workes  bodylyche  /  as  dop  pise  zuynkeres  /  and  pise 
gememen.  Opor  yef  lie  dep  Avorkes  gostliche.  ase  byep 
uestinges.  benes.  ssrede  pe  jjoure.  here  pe  here,  yef  he  is 
wyp-oute  charite  :  zop  uor  to  zigge  :  hit  ne  is  hi??i  na;t 
worp.  A^or  peruore  /  pe  more  mede  to-uore  god  \nm  no 
worp  pe  rapre  /  yef  he  sterfp  Avyp-oute  charite  :  y-damned 
ha  worp.  Ac  pe  ilke  pet  hep  u/rtue  and  charite  guode  / 
of  al  pet  god  him  zent  iiio  pise  Avordle  /  of  al  he  dep  his 
nyede.  and  of  al  he  wynp  :  grace  of  blysee. 

Charite  is  a  guod  chaj)fare  /  pet  oueral  wynp  /  and 
none  time  ne  lyest.  alle  pe  guoda  paneworpes  hy  bayp. 
and  dep  alneway  his  nyede.  and  najt  uorpan  :  hy  hep 
alneAvay  hire  peny  ayen  /  pet  is  p  _■  loue  of  herte  /  pet  is  pe 


OF    TWO    PLEASING    GOODS.  91 

codes  peiiy  /  liuer-mide  me  tayb  /  alle  be  guodes  of  be  Theioveofthe 

O  y       J    I  Jy  I  .  .  heart  is  God's 

wordle  /  and  alneway  ha  blefj)  nor  euremo   /  me  ))e  penny,  wherewith 
purse.      Loue  liej?  ine  eche  stede  liis  zales.      Cliarite  the  goods  of  the 
vi-jnj)  ine  eclie  finge.   and   playntes.    and  liy  lief    f»e 
maystrie  :  ine   alle  batayles.     Hi  deb  /  bet  asemoche  charity  is  ever 

"^  J     ;     J  uniform  in  her 

is  worb  to  onenen  neste  enne  day :  ase  to  anofren :  al  conduct. 

ane  lenten.     Hi  dej?'  /  Ipot  ase  nioclie  is  worjj  o  peny  to 

onen  ]?et  lia  yefj?  :  ase  to  anojjren  :  an  liondred  pond. 

Zygge  a  pater  noster  :  ase  to  anofiren  a  sautyer.  and  pet 

ne  is  nor  non  ojjre  skele  :  bote  nor  Jjet  /  Jiet  zno  mocbe 

is  -vvorjj  Jje  man  /  zno  moche  byef  worjj  his  workes.  Vor 

J)3  more  jjet  he  hej)  zope  lone  :  fe  more  he  "wynj?  eche 

daye.     Lone  is  fe  wy3te  ine  fe  balance  [zayf]  saynt  Love  is  the  weight 

Michel,   nor  non  ofer  J)ing  ne  may  we3e  :  hua?aie  me 

comp  to  nime  ech  his  ssepe  :  bote  loue  and  charite.  and 

bernore  ich  zipri^e  /  bet  ber  ne  is   non  guod  profitable  There  is  no  profit- 

y  ao     I   r        r  or  aWe  good  but  love 

aperteliche  /  and  a  ri3t   speke  :  bote  imjr  loue  /  and  and  charity. 
charite. 

Of    tug    LOSTUOLLE    guodes.  Oftwolustful 

(pleasing)  goods. 

Ase  god  made  man  of  body  an  of  zaule  :  alzuo  he 
hi/?i  hep  y-yeue  tuo  manere  guodes  lostuoUe  /  nor  his 
herte  to  lii?;i  dra^e.  ine  huychen  byep  alle  pe  zope  lostes. 
pe  uerste  guod  wyj-oute  :  byep  pe  vif   Av;yi;tes   of  fe  J;^^;';^;'^!? 
bodye.  be  zy^pe  be  hyerfe.  /  be  smellinge.  be  zuel3page.  t'ody 
and  be  takynge.     bise  nif  Avy tes  /  byeb  ase  uif  condwys  /  ^"^^  ^^  ^^'^  '^^^^\ 

J     ri  J  J  I      d     s  d     I     jjgig  ^jiei-eby  the 

huerby  ])e  lostuolle  guodes  of  pe  wordle  guojj  in-to  fe  lustfui  goods  enter 

.,  ,  li,  ,ij_;   t'ls  heart  and  de- 

herte  uor  to  dehti  /  and  nor  ham  zouke  to  jje  zope  lostes  /  ught  it. 
pet  bye  J)  ine  god  to  louie.   Vor  al  fie  lost  of  pise  wordle  / 
pet  habbep  pe  vif  wyttes  /  ne  byep  bote  a  drope  of  deau  /  ^^^^^"f/j^ig®^' 
to  be  zisbe  of  be  welle.  ac  of  be  greate  ze  /  huer-of  alle  world  are  only  a 

1  ■>'  '  s      ^  I  drop  of  dew, 

bise  guodes  comeb.  be  drope  of  be  deawe  hua?ine  me  his  compared  with tho 

•*  °  s     s  i-  I  ^  well  and  the  great 

zykp  auer  :  anlyknep  to  ane  stone,  of  pris.   ac  hua?aie  sea  of  God's  wess- 
me  wenp  hine  nime  :  he  ualp  agrund  /  and  to  na^te 
becomp.     Alsuo   pe   plapnges  of  pe  wordle  /  and  pe       [FoI.  27.  b.] 
'  MS.  de^ 


92 


SPIRITUAL    GIFTS    THE    BEST. 


The  lusts  of  the 
flesh  are  but  as 
dreams  that  come 
and  go. 


The  wise  men 
long  for  the  love 
of  God. 


The  more  they 
see  the  sweet 
drops,  the  more 
they  desire  to 
come  to  tlie  well. 


Themoreoneloves 
the  sweetness  of 
the  world,  the  less 
one  desires  the 
sweetness  of  God. 


They  are  fools 
and  worse  than 
beasts  who  think 
the  body  to  be 
greater  than  the 
eoul. 


Spiritual  gifts 
are  the  best,  as 
peace  of  heart, 
victory  over 
devils,  and  joy  of 
the  soul. 


Such  bliss  is  not 
to  be  compared 
with  the  lusts  of 
the  world. 


lostes  of  pe  vif  wyttes  liua/me  me  liise  })engj)  /  and 
sseppej)  /  and  sseawe]?  moclie  of  pris  :  ac  lina?aie  me  liise 
halt :  alle  hi  byej)  uorlore  /  and  hecomej)  najt  /  and 
metinges.  )3ench  of  fe  lost  of  uernyere  /  and  of  metinge 
of  nj^t  /  J50U  sselt  ysy  fet  hit  is  al  on.  an  haste  gwolp  : 
and  zone  come)?,  ine  none  manere  uelle  ne  may.  and  ])et 
ine  one  drope  is  zuo  moche  zuetnesse  /  fet  hy  ssel  Ly  fe 
zuetness  of  al  ]?e  welle.  And  feniore  ]>&  wyse  and  j^e 
holy  man'  ine  fise  Avordle  /  ine  al  Jjet  hi  zyej)  and 
smackej)  of  fe  guodes  lostfolle  of  jjise  wordle  :  lieryej? 
god.  and  Ipe  more  Avylne])  Ipo  loue  of  him.  and  pe  more 
Jjet  hy  yzeJ3  Ipe  zuete  dropes  :  pe  more  hy  wylnej)  to 
come  to  pe  welle.  And  jjeruore  Jjet  hi  wytejj  wel  /  fiet 
J)e  more  me  lone))  jjane  drope  :  pe  more  me  nor-yet  pe 
welle.  and  Jie  more  jjet  lykej?  Jie  zuetnesse  of  pe  wordle  : 
pe  lesse  me  wylnef  /  pe  zuetnesse  of  god.  ])eruore  myd 
alle  Jje  honden  jjet  hy  mo3e  /  hi  nemejj  and  usef.  pe 
lostes  ulessliche  /  and  pe  pieces,  fet  be  pe  vif  wyttes 
come)). 

A.  god  hou  hi  hyep  foles  /  and  more  panne  a  best. 
J>et  wytep  /  pet  /  jjet  body  of  man  :  is  pe  meste  poure 
makynge.  and  pe  vileste  |)et  is.  and  pe  spirit  of  man  :  is 
pe  zaule.  and  ys  pe  nobleste  fing  /  an  pe  hejeste  ssepjje 
jjet  may  by.  and  na3t  uorjjan  /  hy  ino3e  wene  /  |)et  more 
byejj  zuete  /  and  lostuoUer  /  Jie  guodes  pet  coniejj  by  pe 
bodye  :  parmo  po  pet  comep  be  pe  goste.  pet  byep  zope 
guodes  /  and  clene  /  and  lestynde  /  and  mo3e  pe  herte 
velle  and  uoluelle.  Zueche  guodes  yefp  god  to  man 
ine  pise  wordle.  huanne  he  yefp  pays  of  herte.  and  pe 
maystr/e  of  his  vyendes.  and  blisse  of  inwyt  hua?ine  he 
uoluelp  pe  herte  of  loue.  and  of  blisse  gostlych  /  and 
hi??^  adrengp  of  ane  zuetnesse  wonderuol.  zuo  pet  he  ne 
may  him  hyealde  /  ne  hi»i-zelue  yuele.  Of  zuyche 
blisse  /  and  of  zuyche  loste  /  no  liknesse  /  ne  non  com- 
parisoun  ne  may  by  yuounde  ine  yoyes  /  and  ine  lostes 
of  pe  wordle  /  pot  ne  byep  bote  dropen  to  pe  zi^pe  of  pe 


THE    WELL    OF    SWEETNESS. 


93 


welle  of  zuetnesse.     bet  is  be  welle  huer-of  oure  Ihord  The  true  bliss  is 

■•  tlie  well  whereof 

spekb  ine  his  spelle.     'Huo  pet  ssel  drinke'  he  zayjj  /  *  of  our  Lora  speaks  in 

r  -\  1M11  11/  the  gospel. 

peAveterepetichwyUeyLeJuehun :  hi'  ssel  become  a  welle/ 
]}et  him  ssel  do  Iheape  /  iii-to  pe  lyue  eurelestyiide.'  ])et 
is  pe  welle  of  blisse  /  and  of  zuetnesse.  of  lyue  /  a[n]d 
of  charite.  fet  may  uoluelle  fe  herte  /  and  non  opev 
])ing  ]?et  is.  Of  jjise  welle  liedde  dauij)  y-nome  /  pet 
zede  ine  his  sautere.    '0.  god   /  hou  is  nou  grat  /  pe  ofthis  well  David 

speaks  in  the 

mochelhede  /  of  pine  zuetnesse  pet  pou  lokest  to  pme  Psaiter. 
seruinde  /  and  vefst  to  bine  uryendes.'  And  uorzope  huo  wiioso  should 

I  J  t  -J  '  taste  the  sweet- 

bet  hedde  wel  ytasted  and  ysmacked  pe  ilke  zuetnesse  ness  that  God 

.  giveth  to  His 

pet  god  yefp  to  his  urendes  :  he  ssolde  onworpi  alle  pe  friends. 

lostes  /  and  alle  pe  blissen  of  pise  wordle.  and  wolde 

chise  /  and  of healde  be  gostliche  blisse  /  and  ssolde  by  ^o«w  '^"^pise  aii 

/  /      o  '  "     the  lusts  and 

ase  pe  ilke  /  pet  boutep  pet  mele  /  pet  to-delp  pet  flour  blisses  of  the 

.  world. 

urani  pe  bren.  and  ase  pe  ilke  pet  makep  pe  oyle  /  pet       [Fo1.28.  a.] 

nimp  pe  pure  grece  :  and  let  pet  greate  draf.    Vor  blisse 

of  herte  bet  comb  of  god  to  louie  bet  is  zobe  blisse  and  Joy  of  heart  is 

r  r  o  I  I  ^  the  true  bliss, 

ziker  /  ase  zavb   be  uorbisue.   bet  non  ne  heb  zikere  which  comes  of 

I  -'''     I  ^  -f  love  to  God. 

blisse  /  bote  yef  hi  come  of  loue.     And  m  pe  wntyngge 

ha  clepep  uile^  /  oure  Ihord  by  be^  pe  profete  /  pet  zayp. 

'  Ich  wylle'  zayp  he  'vile^of  blisse  uorwepinge.  alle  blisse  / 

clene  /  and  zobe  of  herte  /  uor  wop  of  penonce.'  Of  pise  with  the  oil  of 

oyle  byep  ysmered  /  po  pet  god  hep  ymad  kynges  /  and  cream)  aii  true 

Cliristians  ai-e  he- 

Ihordes  of  pe  wordle  /  and  god  zeli.  and  pawne  is  pe  man  smeared. 

ziker  cristen  /  huaHuehe  is  ysmered  myd  pise  holy  crayme. 

Vor  of  crayme  :  is  yzed  crist  :  and  of  crist  :  cristendom. 

And  huo  pet  is  ysmered  mid  pise  oynement :  pet  is  pe  The  ointment  is 

blisse  /  and  pe  loue  of  god.  he  leuep  me  god  :  and  god  of  God. 

ine  hi??i.  ase  zayp  saint  Ion  pe  apostel.  and  pet  lif  is  of 

cristene.  pet  is  ari3t  to  speke  /  lif  of  man.     pet  is  guod 

lyf  and  yblyssed  pet  cristene  ssolle  yleue  /  and  wylny  to  xiie  christian 

.  life  is  the  good 

zeche  :  to  habbe  pet  lyf  eurelestinde.  uor  he  ne  is  na3t  ufe, 
alyue:  ac  ine  langour  /  pet  echedaye  leuep  ine  bysyhede  /  ^^^  each  day 
ine  pontes  /  ine  zor3es.  ne  pet  ne  is  na3t  lyf  of  man  :  ac  S  j,;^/^- 
of  child  /  pet  nou  wepp  /  nou  lhe3p  /  and  nou  is  wel  an  rows. 
1  he  ?  -  "Written  for  oijlc  ^  So  in  MS. 


94  man's  soul  is  like  a  gardex. 

Neither  is  it  the     eyse  :  and  nou  is  euele  aneyse.  nou  is  wroj)  /  nou  is  ine 

life  of  man,  but  of  .         ,  ,. 

a  child,  who  alter-  payse.  nou  me  blisse.  nou  me  zorje. 

weeps.  *"^^^  ^°  J?a7me  huo  Jjet  wyle  lede  guod  lif :    zeclie  J^et  lie 

habbe  /  pet  zolpe  guod.  and  Jja/aae  ssel  he  babbe  lyf 
worpssipuol  lyf.   lostuol.  and  p?-ofitable.  and  jianne  lie 

Whoso  seeks  true  ssel  libbe  asB  a  man.  bet  is  to  zigge :  zikerlyclie.  bollycbe. 

happiness  shall  _ 

have  honourable    -vvysliclie.  aiid  blisuolHche  AA'y[b]-oute  zorje.  and  to  zuicbe 

life,  life  pleasant 

and  profitable.       lyue  iiic  coiuj) :   ojjer  be  grace  /  ojjer  be  u/rtue.  and  na^t 
ojjerlaker. 

Of    U/ijTUE    MORE    SPECIALLICHE, 

We  have  now  con-         I^ou  icli   be  liabbe  aboue  yssewed  generalliche  be 

sidered  generally  ^  ^  a  j 

the  dignity, worth,  diuguete  /  and  be  worb  /  and  be  guodiiesse  :  of  ui'rtu  / 

and  goodness  of  °  '  r  r  I  r     &      .  / 

virtue,  and  of  charite  :  and  hueruore  me  ssel  hise  zecbe.     Yor 

which  leads  to  joy,  gi'at  ureiue  ]jer  com])  his  uor  to  habbe.  blisse.  worjissipe/ 

evei-iasting.  '  ^     ^^^  ^J^  eurelestiiide.       Ac  uor  ])an  /  ))et  me  ne  knau]) 

na3t  zuo  wel  Jiet  fing  ine  general  /   ase  me   dej)   in 

special  :  Jjcruore  hyer  ys  myn  ywyl  to  spekene  of  u/rtue 

more  openliche.    zuo    j^et    ecli  Jjet  wylle  ine  J)ise  boc 

studye  :  mo3e  his  lyf  ordeyni  be  u/rtue  /  and  be  guode 

It  is  not  enough  to  dedes.     Vor  ojierlaker  litel  hit  hbn  ssolde  by  wor]?  to 

good,  unless  we      conue  jjct  guod  :  bote  me  hit  dede.     Vor  ase  zayj)  sayiit 

He  sinnetii  who     iacob.     He  fct  cau  guod  /  and  ne  defi  hit  na3t  :  ]jer  is 

his  belief.  ze«ne  /  ycf  he  niisdej).     Fol  he  is  Ipet  can  jjane  rijte 

way  /  and  be  his  wytinde  mysgej). 
The  Holy  Writ  Hg  holv  wi'it  co??iparisoiieb  be  zaule  and  of  be  guode 

compares  the  soul  '  ^  j.  /    /  /      o 

of  the  good  man     nia?me  /    ail    of  be   ffuode   Avyfma?nie  :   to   ane    uayre 

or  woman  to  a  fair  /  /        o  ^  -j 

garden,  gardyiic  uol  of  grenliede  /  and  of  uayre  trawes  /  and  of 

full  of  greenness,     o         >'  c)  ' 

fair  trees,  and  of    guod  fi'ut.     Huerof  god  zayjj  iiic  ])G  boc  of  loue.     '  My 

good  fruit.  ''  T      ^  I  1 

zoster  /  my  le/zanan  /  J)ou  art  a  gardm  besset  /  myd  tuo 

ssetteles.'  Jiet  is  Jie  grace  of  god  /  and  of  angles.     )5eriie 

This  garden  set-     gardyn  zette  ])G  greate  gardyner  /  jjet  is  god  J»e  uader  / 

teth  the  great 

gardener,  God  the  liuawue  lie  iilicsse)?   IpG  hcrte  /  aucl  make])  zuete  /  and 

Father, 

tretable  /  ase  wcx  ymered.   and  ase  land  guod'   and 
[Foi.  28.  b.]       agrayfed  /  and  worfii  Jiet  by  by  yzet  mid  guode  ympen. 
rtSie'heart.""     J^©  Hke   ympcu  bye])    Ipe  uw-tues  /   fet    pe  holy  gost 
'   i/deffud  (digged)  has  been  erased. 


THREE    THIXGS    XEEDFUL    FOU    THE    ExVRTH.  95 

be-deaAvejj  mycl  his  grace.     Godcs  zone  Jiet  is  fe  zofe  The  branches  are 

zonne  be  pe  m'rtne  of  his  clernesse  :  de))  ham  Avexe  an  ed  by  the  grace  of 

,  ,  ,  „ ,  the  Holy  Ghost. 

hej  /  and  pronte. 

Of    bRI    biNGES    NYBDUOLLE    TO    bs    ERbB.  Of  three  things 

J'         ■>'  '  '  needful  to  the 

J5yse  )3ri  jjinges  bye])  nyeduolle  to  alle  ])e  f>inges  Jjet  rGood mould. 

in  pe  erjje  wexef.     Guod  molde.  wocnesse  norissynde.  niois'ture.  "'^ 

and  renable  hete.  wydoute"  fise  Jjri  finges  gostliche  /  ne  ^ea^'''"'"*''''' 

mo3e  fe  ympen  of  luVtue  /  ne  wexe  /  ne  here  fmt.  >ise  J^lj^^'^le  boughs 

finges  /  niakef  fe  grace  of  pa  holy  gost  mid  herte.  and  f^J^'frultl'"^ ""' 
hi  dejj   al  greny  /  and  flouri.   and    here  frut.  and  hi 
make))  alsuo  /  alse  a  paradis  erplich  to  lykerous.  uol  of 
gnode  tranes  /  and  of  frut  /  and  precious.     Ac  ase  god 

zette  paradvs  erblich  uol  of  guode  traAves  /  and  of  frut.  As  God  set  in 

i-  J  I  °  '  Paradise  the  tree 

and  amydde  zette  a  trau  /  bet  me  clepeb  :   bet  trau  of  of  ufe  amidst 

^  other  good  trees, 

lyue.  hueruore  ])et  his  frut  hedde  nyede  to  loky  fet  lyf  / 
to  fan  jjet  hit  ssolde  ete  /  Avyjjoute  steruinge  /  and 
Avyjjoute  zyknesse.  and  A^yf-oute  ealdinge.  and  Avyf-oute 

fvehlesse.     Alsuo   deb  gostliche  to  be  herte  be  greate  so  God  hath  set 

■^  '     ^  T  r      ^  the  tree  of  life 

gardyner.     Jiet  is  god  J>e  nader.      Vor  he  heji  y-zet  ]>e  amidst  the  tree  of 

traAves   of  u/rtue  /  and  amydde   fiet  trau   of  lyue.  Jjet 

is  lesu  crist  /  pet  zayj)  ine  his  spelle.      '  He  fet  eth  my  ^'J^^*J^^'  -^^""^ 

ulcss  /  and  drmgj)  my  blod  :  he  he])  lyf  eurelestinde.' 

)pis  trau  grene])  and  uayxefi  be  his  uiVtue  :  alle  fo  ine 

paradis.     Be  be  n/rtue  of  bise  traAv^e  AV^exeb  /  florisseb  /  This  tree  causes 

■^  '  '  .  others  to  flourish. 

and  niakeb  frut  :  alle  be  obre  traAA^es.     Ine  bise  traAve  al 

'  '         '  '  The  tree  is  to  be 

hit  YS  guod  al  bet  ber  is.      bis  trau  is  to  aloAve  /  and  to  praised  for  its 

"^      °  -■         ■■  '  root,  its  wood,  the 

louie  /  uor  manye   binges.     Vor  J)e   rote.     Vor  ])ane  flower,  the  smeii, 

the  leaves,  the 

Avode.     Vor  bet  flour.     Vor  bane   smel.     Vor  be  leaues.  fruit,  and  its  fair 

'^  '  '  ,  seed. 

Vor  bet  frut.     And  uor  his  uayre  ssed,     ]?e  rote  of  j)ise  The  root  of  the 

traAve  /  pet  is  pe  Avel  greate  loue  /.  and  to  moche  chante  God,  which 

of  god  pe  uader  /  hueruore  he   ous  louede  zuo  moche  /  wicked  thraiis  by 

-,,-,,-,  1  f   T  •  1  1  ths  blood  of  his 

pet  uor  his  kueade  prel  to  begge  :  he  yat  ins  Avel  guode  good  son. 

,,.         ,,.  1J1        It        /  lii.  i-  Of  this  root  spealjs 

zone,  and  aim  delmrede  to  pe  dyape  /  and  to  torment,  the  Prophet.wheu 

Of  pise  rote  spekp  pe  profete  /  and  zayp.  pet  '  a  yerd  ssel  shaUgooutof  the 

guo  out  of  pe  rote  of  yesse.'  pet  Avord  is  Avorp  ase  moche  /  '°''  "    '''''''^' 
1  So  in  MS. 


96 


THE    TREE    OF    LIFE  :     ITS    BOUGHS. 


The  wood  is  the 
flesh  of  Christ. 
The  pith  was  His 
holy  soul. 


The  rind  was  His 
fair  conversation. 
The  sap  was  His 
tears,  sweat, water 
and  blood. 


The  leaves  were 
His  holy  words, 
the  flowers  His 
holy  thoughts, 
the  fruit  his 
twelve  apostles. 


Thebough9,inone 
sense,  are  all  the 
elect. 


In  another  sense 
they  are  His  vir- 
tues andexaniples, 
which  he  showed 
to  His  private 
friends. 


[Fol.  29.  a.] 


when  on  the 
mount  He  opened 
His  mouth  and 
said  : — 

"  Blessed  be  the 
poor  of  spirit, 
for  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  is 
theirs,"  &c.,  &c., 
&c. 


These  are  the 
seven  boughs  of 
the  tree  of  life. 


ase  a  becleppinge  of  loue.  j)et  wode  /  fet  is  Ms  prc- 
ciouse  uless.  j)e  herte  of  J)o  traue  :  wes  fe  holy  zaule  / 
Ine  huani  wes  /  fe  preciouse  yolk  of  Jie  wysdonie  of 
god.  ])e  rinde  /  Aves  fe  uayre  corauej'sacioun  /  wyfoute. 
Jpet  zep  :  of  fo  traiie  /  and  Jje  tyeres  /  weren  uour  wel 
p?'eciouses  J^inges  /  and  of  ri^t  greate  nfrtue  /  f)et  of  his 
p?-eciouse  lemes  yourne.  \)et  Averen  tyeares.  zuot.  weter. 
and  blod.  ])e  lyeaues  :  weren  Jje  holi  wordes  /  J)et 
helden  of  alle  zycnesses.  J5e  floures  :  weren  jje  holy 
J)03te3  /  fet  alle  weren  uayre  and  oneste  /  and  berinde 
frut.  J3et  frut  /  weren  Jjb  tixelf  apostles  /  fet  al  fie  wordle 
iiedde  an  norissede  be  hare  techinge  /  and  by  hare 
norbisne  /  mid  hare  guode  dedes  /  and  Jie  benefices. 
)?e  bo3es  /  of  J)o  traue  /  ine  one  wytte  /  bye))  alle  Jie 
ychosene  fet  euere^  were,  and  Jiet  bye  J),  and  fet  ssolle 
by.  uor  ase  he  zede  to  his  apostles.  '  Ich  am'  he  zede  'fe 
vyne  /  and  ye  byef  J»e  bo3es.'  Ine  anojire  wyt  :  J)e  bo3es 
weren  fe  uayre  u/rtues  /  and  fe  gloriouse  uorbysnes  / 
jjet  he  ssewede  be  dede  /  and  to3te  be  moiife  fet  weren 
\)G  u/rtues  uol-do  and  nolle  of  fe  zofe  guodnesse  /  ])et  he 
ssewede  to  his  priue  urindes  /  fet  weren  Ipe  tuelf 
apostles  /  Jjet  he  ledde  in-to  ane  he3e  helle.  priuelyliche. 
J)er  he  zet  ase  zay]5  Jiet  godspel  /  and  his  deciples  aboute 
hi»i.  )2a»ne  he  openede  his  mouf)  /  and  his  trezor  fet  he 
hedde  ywre^e  ine  his  herte.  and  ham  fus  zeayde. 
Yblissed  byef  fe  poure  of  goste  /  uor  fe  kyngdom  of 
heuene  is  hyre.  Yblissed  hjelp  Tpe  mylde  :  uor  hi  ssolle 
by  Ihordes  of  pe  er])e.  Yblissed  bye])  Ipo  ])et  liyer 
wepe])  /  uor  hi  ssolle  habbe  J)et  confort  of  god. 
Yblissed  fo  fet  liabbe))  honger  and  J)orst  of  ri3t.  uor  hi 
ssol  by  uolueld.  YbHssed  bye])  fe  merciuolle  /  uor  hi 
ssolle  uynde  merci.  Yblessed  byef  fe  clene  of  herte  / 
uor  hi  ssole  yzi  god  aperteliche.  Yblissed  bye])  ])e 
paysyble  /  uor  hi  ssolle  by  ycleped  godes  zones.  j)ise 
byef)   fe  zeue  bo3es  of  fe  trawe  of  line  /  of  godes  zone 

lesu  crist. 

'  MS.  euerfe 


SEVEN    RULES    OF    HOLY    LIFE.  97 

Ine  pe  ssede  of  ]jise  trawe  /  him  ssel  gtiocl  herte 
sseduy  /  and  yzy  fe  ilke  uayre  130363  jjet  berej)  pet  frut 
of  Hue  eurelestinde.   Ine  fise  zeue  wordes  is  beloke  alle  in  these  seven 

1  /in  p-n  TO.  n   words  are  in- 

iie3nesse  /  and  alle  perieccion  01  grace  and  of  ^^^rtue  of  eluded  aii  higu- 
zojje  biyssedhede.  asemoche  ase  me  may  habbe  in  jjise  uon  of  grweami 
wordle.  and  liabbe  and  onderstonde  :  ine  Jje  ojjre.   }pise  bus"fu|*nel™'' 
byej)  fe  zeue  ruieles  of  holy  lyf  /  jjet  fe  zofe  Salomon  These  are  the 
tek])  to  his  chUdren.     jpis  is  fe  zofe  filozofie  /  fet  fe  jY;^«"™ie^°'ho'y 
mayster  of  angles  tekj)  to  his  deciples.     Ine  Jjise  zeue  in  these  seven 
wordes  bye])  besset  ase  ziggej)  fe  hal3en  /  al  fe  suHime  Te'suaTofThe''" 
of  pe  newe  ^e  /  j^et  is  ],e  la3e  of  loue  /  and  of  zuet-  ^^^rorandsvi 
nesse.       hy  is  wel  yzed  newe  :    uor   lii  ne  may  najt  "^^^• 

■^  ?      It  is  called  new 

yealdy  /  ase  dede  Jje  yealde  la3e  to   be  yewes.    hi  is  i>ecause  it  never 

.  shall  become  old. 

zofliche  newe  /  and  desgised  uram  ojjre  la3es.     La3e  is 

yzed  feruore  jjet  hy  hare-zelue  ne  bynt.    ake  fe  opve 

byndejj  /  and  ])is  onbynt.     jpe  ojjere  charge]) :  and  fis  in  the  old  law  we 

oncharge]).     j)e  opm  ])reapne])  :  and  J)is  behot.     Ine  fe  strifeUmtcurl^S; 

o>re  to  strif :  ine  pise  to  pays.     Ine  ])e  o])re  to  uor-  JTro^srp'ac;, 

zuerie  :  ine  ]iise  to  loue.     Ine  ofre  corsynge :  ine  ])ise  ""'^  Wessings. 

blissi?zge.  })anne  is  pys  /  al  uol  of  blissinge.  and  feruore 

hi  bye])  yblyssed  po  pet  hyse    healde])  zayp  Salomon. 

Vor  J)e  ilke  pet  his  hep  :  he  hep  ywonne  pet  trau  of 

Hue.     Hueruore    pise    zeue    pinges    touore  yzed  byep  These  seven 

Till-  1  1  11-,  things  mal<e  a 

yeleped  blyssmges.    uor  hy  makep    man  yljlyssed  me  mauWessedin 

•  •  n  1        •         ,  •        1  1  this  life,  and  more 

pise  wordle  ase  man  may  by  me  pise  lyue  :  and  more  blessed  in  the 
yblyssed  ine  pe  opre.  °^^^'^- 

N"ou  best  pou  yherd  huo  is  pet  trau  of  lyue  /  pet  is 
amydde  paradis  /  pet  god  zet  ine  pe  holy  zaule.    Ine  pe      , 
ssede  of  pise  trawe  /  wexep  /  and  p?-ofitep  /  and  berep 
frut.  pe  traw  of  ufrtue  pet  god  pe  uader  /  pet  is  be  God  watereth  ti  0 

.  .  I     r  r       trteof  virtue  fn  m 

greate  gardyner  /  zet  me  pe  gardyne  /  and  his  weterep  "le  well  of  His 
of  pe  weUe  of  his  groce  /  pet  his  dep  greny  /  and  wexe  /  ^'^'"^^' 
and  profiti.     An  hise  halt  ine  grcnehede  /  and  ine  lyue.  "^'^'^  "■<^"  '^ 

,       -i,  T,      ,  ,11.  divided  into  seven 

pe  like  welle  hym  todeJp  me  zeue  streames.  pet  byep  pe  streams, 
zeue  yefpes  of  pe  holy  gost/  pet  weterep  al  pane  gardin.  Te'vet'gTfts'ofthe 
Nou  loke  pe  greate  cortaysie  of  oure  zuete  maystre  lesu  Eidthf  great 


98  THE    HOLY    PxVTER    NOSTER  : 

courtesy  of  God     ci'ist  gocles  zone  /  fet  com  to  j)e  wordle  to  zeche  /  an  to 

in  sending  His  '".  , 

Son !  souy  /  Jiet  /  Jiet  wes  iioiiore.     Vor  Ipet  he  wyste  wei 

He  saw  our  weak-  ,  /    ;         t  n      t  ^  ^  i 

ness,  and  inability  ouiG  pouertc  /  and  oure  ije  DiessG.  and  uor  oure  ze?«Tes  / 

to  eome'u)  grace"^   ^^'*^  ^'^^-       -^^  ^^  '^^^  ^^^  ^®   ™°36    ^^^3*    ^^'^^^  /  ^^^    ^"^^^^ 

[Foi.  29.  b.]       ayen.  ne  out  of  ze«ne  guo,  ne  uz'rtue  to  zeche  /  ne  come 

to  ]?e  blissede  lyue  /  ])et  is  of  his  g?-ace  and  of  his  yef]?e 

Therefore  He  pro-  ne  comb.     Jjeruore  he  najt  ne  let  ous  uor  to  somoni  / 

raised  us  His 

gifts,  if  we  would  jjet  "we  hjTU  byddc  and  hezeche  his  yefjjes.   And  moche 

but  ask  for  tliem.  n  i  t  i  •         • 

ous  behat :  |)et  yef  we  hym  bezeclnj)  fing  Jiet  ous  is 

guod  :  fet  we  hit  ssolle  habbe.     And  more  he  ous  dej) 

Christ  is  our         of  cortaysye.     Vor  he  is  oure  playtere  /  J)et  ous  makejj 

pleader,  and  ^        i         ■>  -i 

makes  interces-     oure  bezechiuge  :  Jiet  we  ne  coujie  na3t  maky  /  yet  he 

[IMS. OS]       nere.     )5e  bezechinge  fiet  he  ous  made  of'    his  uayre 

He  gave  us  tiie      yblessede  nioube  :  uayre.   f^uode.   ssorte.  an  cleuiynde  : 

Pater  Noster,  "^  r  J  o  ^  J 

wherein  are  seven  jjet  wes  fet  pate/'  noste/'.  huerinne  bye])  zeue  bezech- 

for  the  seVen  gifts  inges  /  be  huicheu  we  bezechej)  oure  guode  uader  of 

Ghost.  heuene  /  J)et  he  ous  yeue  fe  zeue  yef jjes  of  fe  holi  gost  / 

Jjet  hi  ous  delyuri  of  fe  zeue  dyadliche  zennes  /  and 

hise  strepe  of  al  of  oure  herten.  and  ine  hare  stede  : 

zette  and  uorfdra^e  /  jje  zeue  u??-tues  /  Jjet  ous  lede  to 

jje  zeue  blissinges  of  perfeccion  /  and  of  holy  lyf  huerby 

we  mo3e  habbe  Jje   zeuen  behestes  f)et  he    make])    to 

We  shall  now        l^ig  ychosene.     Huerof  oure  onderstondinge  is  niyd  fe 

first  speak  of  these 

seven  petitions,  holy  gostos  helpB.  Yerst  speke  of  \q  zeue  benes  of  J)e 
seven  virtues  that  pattT  noste?'.  Efte?'ward  :  of  fe  zeue  u«'tues  fet  bye]) 
seven^deadiy  shis.  ayens  J)e  zeue  dyadliche  ze?^nes  /  huer-of  we  habbe}) 
aboue  yspeke.  J5e  zeue  benes  bj^e})  /  ase  zeue  uayre 
maydenes  /  ])et  ne  lete])  na3t  uor  to  Ihade  of  fe  zeue 
to  water  the  seven  streames  1)8  au{k\e  weteres  uor  to  wetery  ])e  zeue  trawes 

trees  that  bear  the 

fruit  of  life  ever-    Jiet  bere])  fict  fruyt  of  liue  eurelestinde. 

The  preface  of  the  hg    UORE-SPECHE    OF    bE    HOLY    VAIER    NOST£;if. 

Pater  Noster.  ' 

The  Pater  Noster         Hvanue  me  zet  a  child  to  lettre.  ate  begynnynge 

is  tlie  first  thing  _^ 

we  teach  a  child,    me  \i\m  tek])  liis  patt'/'  noste?\     Huo  fet  of  ])ise  clergye 

We  must  know  .  i  -i  i 

it  if  we  would  be    wyle  conne  :   be-come  made  ase  a  child,  uor  to  zuyche 
m     ascu  len.    g(.Q|g.j.g    ^^j-jj    Q^^pg    g^^ode    mayster    lesu    crist   /    fise 


The  seven  peti- 
tions are  as  seven 
maidens  who  are 
ever  lading  water 


ITS    SEVEN    PETITIOXS.  99 

clergie  /  pet  is  pe  uayreste  /  and  most  behofsam  Jjet 

is.  liuo  pet  wel  hit  onderstant  and  of-halt,     Vor  ziiyclie  The  mere  letter  of 

the  prayer  is  the 

Avenep  hit  wel  conne  and  onderstonde  :  J)et  neuerte  ne  rind. 
couj?e  bote  pe  lynde  A\7]5oute  /  jjet  is  pe  lettre  /  J^et  is 
guod.     Ac  litel  is  worjj  to  pe  Z3'3])e  of  pe  newen  fet  is 
■\yy])inne  zuo  zuete.     Hit  ys  wel  ssort  ine  wordes  :  and  This  prayer  is 

,  ,  .  short  in  words 

wel  lang  me  wytte.     Li3t  to  zigge  /  an  sotil  to  onder-  and  long  in  wit, 

stonde.  J5is  bene  /  pasejj  alle  ofre  /  ine  fri  finges.  ine  buTharrtrundcr- 

dignete  /  in  ssorthede.  an  ine  guodnesse.     J?e  dignete  '*'""^' 

is  /  ine  fian  fet  godessone  hit  made.      To  god  pe  uader 

ine  worde.     God  pe  holy  gost  /  fet  is  fet  me    acsej). 

He  wolde  j)et  hit  were  ssort  /  uor  jjet  non  ne  ssolde  Godwiiiedittoba 

1  .  ,  .  -  short,  that  none 

mm  Averye  :  hit  uor  to  lyerny.     An  uor  jjan  jjet  non  ne  should  be  wearied 
ssolde  him  tyeny  hit  uorto  zigge  gledliche  /  an  ofte.  '"  ^''''"""=  "• 
And  uor  to  ssewy  /  fet  god  pe  uader  ous  yhyerj)  wel 
zone  :  hua»ne  we  him  biddejj  mid  guode  herte.  uor  he  God  does  not  earo 

■t      ,  IIP!  n        1  fo''  smooUi  and 

ne  hep  none  hede  ol  longe  ryote  of  tales  y-slyked  /  ne  rhymed  words, 
y-rymed.  Vor  ase  zayjj  sant  gregorye.    Zojjliche  bidde  / 
ne  is  na^t  to  zygge  uayre  wordes  /  and  y-slyked  myd  Prayer  does  not 
moujje  :    ake    keste  playntes  and    dyepe    zykynges  of  woTds.'bitof 
herte.     j)e  worj,  /  and  >e  profit  of  >ise  bene  :  is  zuo  STghingsof 
grat  /  pet  he  beloukjj  ine  ssorte  wordes  /  al  pet  me  may  *'""  ''^'''"*- 
wylny  of  herte.     An  to  bydde  wel  to  done,  fet  is  Jjet       t^'"'-  ^o-  a.j 
me  by  delyured  of  alle  kueade  :    and  uolueld  of  alle 
guode. 

HyER    begin]?    J?ET    VATEM    NOSTEi?.  Here  begins  the 

Pater  Noster. 

j)vs  begin)  fet  pate?-  nostp.r.     '  Vader  oure  /  fet  art  "Our  Father  that 
ine  heuene.'  Loke  hou  oure  guode  spekeman  /  and  oure  BeVo"id howour 
zuete  mayster  lesu  crist  /  f et  is  fe  wysdom  of  god  pe  fesusSiT''"'' 
uader  /  and  kan  aUe  la3es  /  and  pe  wones  of  his  cort  pe  pTeS  wisely? 
tekf  wel  to  playty  /  and  ^v^-slyche  /  and  sotilliche  /  an  l"^^^^'^^'  ''"'^ 
ssortliche  to  speke.     Vorzojje  )jis  uerste  Avord  bet  bou  The  sweet  name 

4.    I         n  ■!•,     •  1  ^  1       ,  of  Father  givetli 

zayst  /  yet  liit  is  wel  onderstonde  /  and  yuol3ed  /  hit  us  hope  to  re- 
pe  ssel  yeue  al  fine  playnte.     Vor  saynt  bernard  jjus  tTti^nf  ""'" "" 
zAjp.     j)et  pe  bene  fet  begynj)  be  pe  zuete  name  of  pe 
7  * 


1 00  GOD    IS    OUR    FATHER  :    WE    ARE 

xiader.  yefjj  oiis  hope  to  ondcruonge  alle  cure  byddynges. 
J?is  zuete  word  /  vader  /  jjet  al  fe  remenont  make]? 
zuete  /  J)e  sseawe])  j^et  J)ou  sselt  yleue.  and  fe  somone]) 
to  J)an  Jiet  fou  sselt  do.  and  Jjise  tuo  jjinges  souef)  man : 
liTia^ne  lie  ylefj;  wel  /  and  a-ri3t.  an  he  dej?  efterward  / 
When  thou  caiiest  ijgt  ho  ssel.       Hua/aiB    bou  him  clepest    na<ler  /  boii 

God  the  Fatlier,       '  '^  . 

thou  acknowiedg-  hcknaust  fet  lie  is  Ihord  of  house.   |)e.t  is  of  hei;ene  / 

est  that  He  is  n     /  n       •  /  t  11      / 

Lord  01  the  and  of  Bvpe.  and  heaued  /  and  ginnynge  /  and  welie  / 

huerof  alle  sseppes  /  and  alle  guod  coniej?.   and  Jius  jje 

And  since  He  is     heknaust  his  mi3te.  Efterward  /  zejijje  pet  he  ys  nader  / 

Father,  He  is  also  .  ,  ,  -,  1  ±       i  ■ 

the  provider  for  lie  IS  di3tere  /  and  gon^?'nour  /  and  porueyour  /  to  his 

Hi's  children!  i!  e.  niayiie.  ail  nameliche  of  his  children  /  fet  is  of  man  / 

otman,  ^^^  hiiiL-zelf    he])  y-mad    and  yssape  /  to    his    anlik- 

and  loves  those  nesse.  and  J3us  pon  heknaust  his  wysdoni.   Alast  panne 

made!  *  ^^  ^  ]>^^  ^6  is  uader  be  kende  /  and  be  ri^te  /  he  louep  pet  he 

He  rewards  them  heb  ymad  /  ase  zayp  pe  hoc  of  Avysdome.  and  is  zuete 

and'chasteneth  aiid  milde.  and  zuo  louep  /  and  dra^p  uorp  his  children. 

them  when  they  _,-,  i.,  ii,  ,  i- 

misdo.  and  ham  dep  hare  prou.    and  betere  pa?me  lu   conne 

deuisi.  and  he  his  byat  /  and  his  chastep  liua??ne  hi 

misdop  uor  hare  prou  ase  guod  uader  /  and  blopuliche 

he  his  onderua[n]gp  /  hua?me  hi  comep  to  hym. 

The  word  Father  Nou  ich  pe  sseawy  pa»ne  pis  word  pet  pou  zayst  : 

Tee'XlTs"^'   vader.  his  mi3te.  his  ^VJ^sdom.  his  guodnesse.     He  pe 

might,  wisdom,     "jjebenob    of   oberhalf    b^    zeliie.    bine    noblesse,     bine 

and  goodness,  j       or  r  t  '  ■> 

but  of  thy  noble-    nayrliede.  pine  richesse.    More  gratter  noblesse  ne  may 

ness,  fairness,  and 

riches.  icli  liabbc  :  pawne  to  by  zone  to  ane  zuo  greate  emperur 

Greater  nobility 

could  none  have  pet  is  god.  Morc  grrttter  richesse  ne  may  by  :  pa?aie  to 
Il!Tieat -m  em-  l^J  kyug  of  alle  ping.  More  gratter  uayrhede  ne  may 
peror,  that  is,        ^^  .  j^g^^^^^g  ^^  "j-jy  ]^i„^  r^y^^^^  ylich.     Huych  uayrheds  is 

zuo  grat  :  pet  hit  pasep  po3t  of  man  /  and  of  angle. 
Let  the  word  }?a?nie  pis  word  /  uader  /  pe  bepengp  pet  pou  art  zone. 
t^!le'of  thy  duty  uor  pet  pou  pe  paynest  him  uor  to  by  ylych.  ase  guod 
v^rdTa  good  *°'  zone  ssel  by  ylich  his  guode  uader.  pet  is  to  zigge  :  pet 
pou  by  bold  /  and  of  grat  wyl  /  and  Strang  /  and  mi3tuol 
wel  to  done,  and  pet  pou  by  wys  /  and  y-wer  /  large  / 
and  cortoys  /  zuete  /  and  milde  clene  and  wyp-oute 


father. 


SONS    BY    ADOPTION.  101 

uilevnye  /  ase  he  is.  ami  bet  bou  liatye  zenne  I  and  f'ee  that  thou 

hate  sin  as  God 

uoiilliedes  /  and  kueadhedes  ase  lie  dejj.   zuo  Jjet  J)on  Joes, 

najt  ne  do  aye  kende.  ]?is  vord  J>aHne  pe  de]?  bej)enche  / 

at  alle  j^e  times  ]?et  j^ou  zayst  J)et  pater  noste?' :  fet  yef      [^o^-  so.  b.] 

Ipow  art  ari^t  zone  :  jjoii  sselt  \\\m  anlykny  be  kende.  be 

heste.  and  be  ri3te.  and  jjon  him  sselt  lone.  Avorjissipe. 

and  reuerence.  drede.  sernice.  and  bo3saninesse.     Nou  and  so  act  as  a 

good  son  and 

fench  Jja/ine  hua?ine  fou  zayst  Jji  pater  noster  /  jjet  J)ou  true, 

by  \\im  a  guod  zone  and  trewe  /  yef  J}on  wylt  ]5et  he  fe  whose  "on  thou 

by  guod  nader.  an  niilde.  ']3ench  huas  zone  jjou  art':  me  Nmvthou  seest 

zayj)  to  ]?e  newe  kny3te  hua?me  he  gej)  into  J)e  torne-  ^^^^^  ^"^^^'  ^I^a^ 

me»,t.  j^ou  bou  vzyxt  wel  hou  bis  uerste  word  is  zuete.  iiow  it  admonishes 

/         "^    -^  '  thee  to  be  bold 

and   hou  hit  fe  amonestej)   jjet    J50u  by  bold    and  of  and  of  a  good 
guode  "vvjdle.  and  hit  ]iq  telvj)  huych  ]io\\  sselt  by. 

JN'ou  icli  be  acxy  hueruore  bou  zayst  '  nader  oure.'  !^''-^l"'®  ^^^  „ 

J  <J  r  J  "  Father  our, 

and  na^t  'uader  myn'?  and  Jjet  J70u  him  uela3est  mid  Jje  /  ''"<^i  "^t  "  Father 
hua/me  fou  zayst:  'yef  ous'  /  and  ne  zayst  na3t  'yef  me.' 
Ich  wile  J)e  zigge  yef  })0U  wylt.  Non  ne  ssel  zigge  / 
uader  min.  bote  jje  ilke  jjet  ys  his  zone  be  kende  wy])- 
oute  gynnynge  /  wyjj-oute  ende  /  fe  zof)e  godes  zone. 
Ac  we  ne  byej?  na3t  his    zones  be  kende  /  bote  ase-  We  are  not  God's 

sons  by  nature, 

moche  pet  we  byej)  ymad  to  his  anliknesse.  ac  alsuo  but  by  adoption. 

byej)  fe  sarasyns.  ac  we  bye  J)  his  zones  be  gr«ce  and  by 

adopcion.  Adopcioun  zuo  is  a  word  of  la3e.  nor  by  be  Adoption  is  a  term 

of  law. 

Ia3es  of  J)e  emperurs  /  liua?nie  an  he3  man  ne  liejj  no 
child :  ha  may  chiese  J)et  child  of  a  guod  man  yef  he 
wyle.  and  niaki  hi??i  his  zone  be  adopcioun.  fet  is  be 
auoerie.  zuo  fet  he  ssel  bi  yhealde  uor  his  zone  auoud  / 
and  ssel  here  his  eritage.     jjise  grace  god  ous  made   be  ^od  adopted  us 

'       without  any  de- 

uader  wyjioute  oure  ofseruinge.  ase  zayjj  saynt  panel,  serving  on  our 
Hua?me  he  ous  dede  come  to  Jje  cr/stenedome  we  were  Before  we  were 
poure  and  naked  /  and  child '  of  yre  /  and  of  helle.  poor' Mi<ed,"na 
}?anne  huanne  we  ziggejj  '  vader  oure.'  and  we  zigge]?  /  '^^[^ms.  ciiiudi 
'yef  ous.'  we  gaderejj  alle  oure  brofren  raid  ous  of -adop- 
cion /  fet  byejj  children  of  holy  cherche.  be  f e  byleaue 
jjet  hi  onderui??ge  ine  cr/stnynge. 


i  apart 

B  0 

only, 


102  WHAT    "our"    teaches    US. 

God  giveth  net  ]^oii  ous  sseweb  /  huer-of  bis  -word  /  oure.  be  larcresse  / 

only  to  one,  but  ^  '  r  I  r  o  I 

to  many.  and  Jje  cortaysye  /  [of]  god  oure  uader.  jjet  ous  yef j) 

more  blefeliclie  /  yno3  /  panne  lyte  and  to  uelen  : 
farene  to  onen  allone.       Huer-of   saynt  gregorie  zay)?. 

T&e  candle  that  is  '  fe  bene  /  fe  inore  ))et  lii  is  co??nnun  :  jje  more  liy  is 

set  in  the  hall  full  ,  ,  ii-ii  t  ,    ■,     ,  ,     i 

of  people,  "worp.  ase  pe  candele  is  betere  bezet  jjet  seruefi  to  aue 

let^apart  for"the"'  ^^^^^"^  ^^''^  ^^^^  of  ^^ol^  :  J)a?^ne  zy  Jjet  ne  serue]?  /  "bote  to 

use  of  one  man       oulepy  ma?nie.'    }5is  word  liat  ous  to  yelde  jjonkes  myd 

al  oure  herten.  of  ]?ise  grace  pet  he  ous  hef  ydo  /  huer- 

by  we  bye])  bis  children  /  and  his  eyrs.  and  pet  moche 

ardontliclie  louye  oure  ealde  bro])er  lesu  crist  /  Jiet  ous 

iiela3ej)  wy]3  him  ine  his  g?Y<ce. 

Tiiis  word  Father  u^g  -yyortl  OUS  amonesteb  bet  we  loki  ine  oure  herte 

teaches  us  that  '    ' 

this  adoption  is  a   holylycho  bane  holy  gost  bet  is  oure  wytnesse.      pis 

pledge 

adopcion  is  ase  weddes  /  ase  zayj)  saynte  paul  /  huer- 
that  we  shall  be     by  we  byb  zikere  /  fet  we  ssolle  habbe  pe  eritage  of  oure 

sure  of  our  heri-  •  n  i  n  t  • 

tage.  uader.  Jjet  is  pe  blysse  of  paradys.  jjis  word  ous  tekj? 

It  teacheth  also  ^j^^  2ay])  fet  we  hjep  alle  bro]3ren  /  grat  /  and  smal  / 
brethren,  great      pourc  and  riclie.  hcj  /  aiid  loj  /  of  one  uader  /  and  of 

and  small,  rich        -^  J  i  ^  i  i 

and  poor,  high       ouc  uioder.  ])et  is  of  gocl  /  and  of  holy  cherche.   and 

and  low,  •  i        •  i  -i 

non  ne  ssel  ojjren  onworjji :  ac  louie  ase  brojier.  and  pe 
and  that  ive  Oil  ssel  helpe  p^iiwe  o])re  :  ase  dof  pe  lemes  of  pe  zelue 

pray  for  one  an-  bodye.  and  ecli  biddc  uor  ojiren  ase  zayjj  saint  locob. 
HnlbsoT  the  same  ^"^^  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^  '^^^^'^  ureiiie  wel  grat.  Vor  hua/ine  fou 
^°^^'  zest  fine  bene  ine  pe  uela3rede  of  al  holy  cherche  :  uor 

on  paternoster  fet  fou  zayst  /  ]30  wynst  mo  panne  an 

hondred  Jiousond. 
It  teaches  us  to  )?is  word  /  oure.  ous  tek])  to  hatye  f  ri  J?ing  name- 

pride,  wrath,  and  Hclie.  Prcde.  vmepe.  and  auarice.  Prede  :  dejj  man  out 
avarice,  ^£  uek^rede.  uor  he  wyle  by  aboue  alle  opren.   Wre]30  : 

dejj  man  out  of  uela3rede.  uor  llua?^ne  he  werre])  wyjj 

enne  :  he  Averre])  AvyJ)  alle  pe  ofre.     Auarice  :  deji  man 
wiiich  bring  men  out  of  uela3rede.  vor  hi  nele  ne  him  /  ne  his  finges  / 

out  of  fellowship. 

co?«muny  mid  ofren.     And  ])eruore  ziiych  uolk  ne  hab- 
The  word  "our"    \,qU  part  /  ine  be  holy  pater  noster.   bis  word  /  '  oure '  : 

shows  that  God  is         ••    -^  '  ^  "^    -^  ' 

ours,  ous  ssewef    fet  god  is   oure  :  yef  Ave  wyllej).  and  pe 


V/HICH    ART    IN    HEAVKX. 


103 


iiader.  and  be  zone,   and  be  holy  gost.   bet  is  yef  we  if  we  keep  His 

••  .         commaudmeuts. 

loke])  his  hestes.  and  zuo  zayjj  ine  fe  godsspelle  saint 
Ion. 

'  Yader  onre  /  pet  art  ine  heuene.'  Hua/aie  ich  zigge  /  "Thf  ^rt  in  hea- 
'  bet  bou  art  ine  heuene  '  :  ich  zigge  tuo  bing.   bet  he  is  Here  we  assert 

J         ■■  _  that  God  isa  King, 

kyng  /  and  J»et  he  is  at  paradis.     Alsiio  hua«ne  ich  and  tiiat  He  is  in 

zigge  /  '  fet  art  /  ine  heuene'  :  ich  zigge  J>et  he  is  /  and 

fet  he  is  ine  heuene.     Me  vint  ywryte  ine  fe  opre  boo 

of   f  e  la3e.  f  et  god  him  ssewede  to  Moyses  ine   ane  ^t',",';;  jjl,, 

helle  /  and  him  zede.  guo  in-to  egipte  /  and  zay  to  be  He  made  known 

/  °  o  J.        /  "^  ••       to  hun  his  name, 

kynge  faraon  of  mine  half/  fet  he  pe  delyuri  mi  uolk  "Iam." 

J)e  children  of  y[s]rael/of  J5e  freldome/huerine  he  hise 

halt.  '  Ihord '  /  zayde  moyses.   '  yef  me  aksef  liuet  is  fi 

name,  huet  ssel  ich  zigge  1 '     '  Ich  am  /  fet  am.'  zayde 

god.     IS^ou  ziggef  pe  lialjen  /  and  Jje  guode    clerkes. 

bet  amang  alle  be  he;e  names  of  oure  Ihorde  :  bis  is  be  Tins  is  the  first 
r  o  r         :>  r  i      a^d  ti,g  most, 

uerste  /  and  jje  mest  propre.  and  fet  mest  ari3t  ous  proper  name  of 

our  Lord. 

tekjj  uor  to  knaAve  /  fet  /  fet  god  is.     Vor  alle  fe  opre 

names  huer  hi   spekef  of   his  guodnesse.  and  of   his  ^'gakofHis 

wysdome.   ober  of  his  miite.    ober  he  is  zuich  /  and  goodness, 

•^  T  }  I  I  wisdom,  &c., 

zuich.  he  is  fe  ri3t  guod.  fe  ri3t  trewe.  fe  ri3t  wys.  jje 
ri3t  nii3ti.  and  uele  ofre  maneres  of  sj)eches  pet  me 
zavb  of  \am.  bet  ne  ziffgeb  prop?*eliche   be  zobe  of  be  but  these  terms 

•'J  -f  oorii  r  Y  r      do  not  assert  the 

hyinge  of  god.     Ac  Ave  pet  bycp  greate  /  an  hoystoyse  existence  of  God. 
to  spekene  of  zuo  heje  binge  /  speke  wq  of  god  /  zuo  /  AVe  speak  of  God 

^  .   .  o        /  /     after  the  manner 

ase  Ave  conne  deuisi  ane  man  /  of  liuam  me  ne  kan  na3t  of  men, 

his  name  /  ase  me  zayp.  he  is  k3aig.  he  is  erl.  he  is  zuo 

grat.  zuo  uayr.  zuo  large,  and  uele  of  zuyche  pi?zges  / 

huer-by  me  may  yA\'yte  hou  pet  hit  by  pe  man  knaAA'e. 

Ac  lie  ziggep  na3t  ari3t  his  name  /  ase  aa'b  spekep  of 

god  :  uele  Ave  uindep  of  Avordes  /  pet  ous  sseAvep  huet 

pet  hit  bi  of  hi??i.    Ac  per  ne  is  non  zuo  propre  ^  ase  pis  but  there  is  no 

word  so  proper 

Avord  /  '  pet  art.   pet  zuo  propreliche.  zuo  ssortliche.  zuo  as  these  words, 
cleuiyndelyche.  zuo  sotilliche  /  pe  names  ne?«nep  /  ine 
zuo  moche  /  ase  onderstondinge  hi?H  may  strechche. 
Yor  god  is  ase  pe  ilke  /  pet  one  is  /  ase  zayp  saint  lob. 
1  MS.  p;-oprce 


104 


GOD    ALONE    IS    EVERLASTING. 


God  alone  is,  for 
He  is  everlasting, 
without  begin- 
ning and  without 
end. 

He  is  true  and 
truth  above  all 
things. 

[Fol.  31.  b.] 


He  alone  is  firm, 
and  fast,  and  un- 
changing. 


without  end, 
without  begin- 
ning, "  without 
was,  without 
shall  be." 

There  is  nothing 
that  one  may  bet- 
ter believe  than 
that  God  is. 
Nota  pit  wet. 
We  cannot  know 
what  God  is, 


and  it  is  enough 
for  us  to  say, 
"  Dear  Father, 
that  art  in  hea- 
ven." 

He  is  the  oldest, 
tlie  most  known, 
the  most  beloved, 
and  the  most  hon- 
oured. 


The  word 
"Father"  bids  us 
■worship  God ;  the 
"our,"  to  love 
God ;  "is,"  to 
dread  God ; 


He  one  is  /  ari^t  to  spekene.  uor  lie  one  is  /  eureles- 
tinde  /  wyjjoute  beginnynge.  and  \vyJ)-oute  ende.  Jjet  me 
ne  may  zigge  :  of  non  o]>ve  l^ing.  Efte?'ward  lie  one  is 
zojjliclie.  uor  he  is  zoji  /  and  zojinesse  aboue  alle  Jjinges 
yssape.  and  zno  byej)  alle  ssepjies  ydele  and  ydelenesse. 
And  ase  zayjj  Salomo[ii]  and  na3t  to  Jje  zj-^jie  of  him.  and 
to  na3te  ssolden  come :  bote  yef  he  his  ne  sostyenede 
be  his  uw'tue.  Ate  laste  he  one  is  zetnesse  an  iiestnesse 
ine  onelepi  poynte  -wyf-onte  lii??i  to  trobli  /  \vyJ5-0ute 
hi??i  to  cliongi  /  wyf-oute  him  remue  ine  none  manere. 
ase  zajp  saynt  lacob.  Alle  ofre  finges  bye])  chonginde  / 
ine  eche  manere  of  hare  kende.  J?anne  is  he  propre- 
liche  yclieped^  :  fet  art.  Yor  he  is  zopliche  wy]j-oute 
ydelnesse  /  zetnesse  /  Avif-oute  enye  clionge  eure  to 
yleste  :  wyf-oute  ende.  -vvyjj-ont  heaued.  wy])-oute  /  wes. 
"vvyJ)-oute  /  ssel  by.  uor  fer  ne  is  no  gelt. 

N"ou  J)0u  sselt  onderstonde  zuo  Jiet  fer  ne  is  na3t 
Jjet  me  mo3e  betere  ywyte  /  Ipanne  Jjet :  f»et  god  is.  Ac 
fer  ne  is  no])ing  zuo  Strang  to  conne  /  ase  huet  /  and 
liuet  J)ing  is  god.  )?er-uore  ich  fe  rede  wel  /  Tpet  pon 
ne  musy  na3t  to  moclie  /  hit  uor  to  zeche.  uor  J)OU 
my3test  ly3tliche  guo  out  of  J»e  ri3te  waye.  Hit  is  ynoj 
uor  fe  /  Jjet  J>ou  zigge:  'lyeue  uader  fet  art  ine  heuene.' 
ZoJ)  hit  is  pet  he  is  oueral  yhered.  ine  erjje,  ine  ze.  ine 
helle.  ase  he  is  ine  heuene.  Ac  nie  zajp  he  is  ine 
heuene  /  uor  fet  he  is  fe  eldeste  /  and  pe  meste  yknawe  / 
and  fe  meste  beloued  /  and  fie  meste  y\vorJ)Ssiped. 
Efterward  he  is  ine  heuene  gostliche  /  pet  is  ine  holy 
bodyes  Jjet  byeJ)  he3e.  clyre.  and  cleiie.  ase  is  pe 
heuene.  uor  ine  zuyche  herten :  he  ys  aid.  and  yknaAve. 
and  ydred.  and  y^vorpssiped  and  yloued. 

l!^ou  hest  Jjou  yherd  pise  uour  wordes.   Pater  nosier 

qui  es  in  celts.     J?et  uerste  pe  somonep  /  to  worpssipie 

god.  )?et  oper  :  to  louie  god.    ]>e  pridde  :  to  drede  god. 

Vor  pa3  he  by  uader  oure  :  alneway  he  ys  bezide  /  and 

1  MS.  has  ycheped 


THE    lord's    prayer  :    ITS    PREFACE.  105 

na3t  clionginde.     pe  uerjie  ]je  to  strengjii.  nor  asemoche  " heavm,"  to  em- 
ase  he  is  zuo  lie3  /  and  J30u  zuo  I03.  yef  fou  ne  art  bald  /  courage  us. 
and  of  guode  -w^^lle  :  fou  ne  sselt  na3t  come  /  hner  he 
wonej).    j)et  uerste  word  ous  ssewej)  J?e  langnesse  of  his  The  ist  showeth 
eureolemnge.     Jiet  oj^er  :    Jie  brede  01  his  charite.      ]je  the  breadth  of  His 
Jjridde :   fie  dyepnesse  of  his  zo))liede.     J)e  nerjie  :    ])e  the  deepness  of ' 

1  p  T  .  j_/TT  ij_ii  11-  His  faithfulness  ; 

he3nesse  01  his  mageste.     Hno  pet  hep  wel  fise  uour  4th,  tiie  highness 
finges  zofiliche  A^^^foute  drede  he  ssel  by  yblyssed.  °     '*  ^'^^^^  ^' 

bE    UERSTB    BENE    OF    ])E    HOLY    PAT£iJ    N0ST£iJ.  .  The  1st  petition 

'  of  the  Holy  Pater 

IS'ou  hest  J30u  yherd  fe  iiorespeche  of  fe  holy  pater  ^o^*^'^'"- 
noster.     fet  is  ase  ane  inguoinge  of  \>e  vifele.   ey  god  /  The  preface  of  ti^e 
huo  ])et  coufe  wel  al  Jjane  zang  :    lion  he  ssolde  vinde  as  the  beginning 
Tiayre  notes.     Vor  hit  ne  is  no  drede  fet  ine  Jte  zonge  / 
J)et  Jie  A\^'sdom  of  god  made  /  fe  ilke  Ipet  tek]5  Jje  uo3eles 
zynge  :  ne  help  uele  notes  sotUes  /  and  zuete  /  Ipa-^  per 
by  lyte  lettre.     Ine  bise  zonge  byeb  zeue  notes,      bet  in  this  song  are 

seven  notes,  that 

bveb  be  zeue  belies.      bet  porchaceb  be  zeue  yefbes  of  are  tiie  seven  pe- 

•^    '^  r  r         IT  II  J      I  titions  tliat  buy 

be  holy  gost.     bet  strepeb  be  zeueii  haued  ze?mes  of  jje  the  seven  gifts  of 

_  _  the  Holy  Ghost. 

herte.  and  hi  zettej)  /  and  norissefi  ]je  zeuen  u/rtues.  be 
huychin  me  comfi  to  fe  zeue  blissinges.  Of  j^ise  zeue 
benes  /  be  bri  uerste  :  makeb  man  holy  /  aze  moche  ase  The  three  first 

_         make  man  holy, 

man  may  by  ine  bise  wordle.     J»e  uour  efterward  hi??i  the  other  four 

make  him  stead- 
make])  stedeuestlyche  :  ri3tuol.  Al  Jje  holynesse  of  man/  fastiy  righteous. 

J)et  is  ymad  to  \e  pnage  of  fe  tr/nite  /  fet  is  be  J)ri       [Foi.  32.  a.] 

Jjinges  \ei  byej)  ine  \e  zaule.  befenchinge.  onderstond- 

ynsre.  and  wyl.  ine  bet  bet  be  zaule  bi  stedeuestliche  The  three  things 

"^     ^  "^  .  .        .  that  are  in  the 

yclenzed  ine  be  Avylle.  stedeuestliche  ali3t  ine  be  onder-  soui  are  thought, 

understanding, 

stondinge.  stedeuestHche  }aiestned  in  god.  mid  god  ine  and  win, 

be   bebenchinge.     and    be  more  \e  zaule  onderuangj)  and  the  more  the 

soul  receiveth 

plenteliche  fise  Jjri  3ef])es  of  god  :  and  hy  more  prop?'e-  plentifully  these 
liche  ne3le[c]))  /  to  his  ri3te  uayrhede  of  his  keiide.  Jjet  is 
to  \e  anlicnesse  of  jje  uader  /  and  of  Jie  zone  /  and  of  fe 
boly  gost.     J)et  is  hua7^ne  god  Jie  uader  hi?/i  co?^ferme]) 
his  bejjenchinge.    god  fie  zone  hi??i  aly3t  his  onde[r]- 


106 


HALLOWED    BE    THY    NAME. 


the  more  is  man 
iu  the  likeness  of 
the  Trinity. 


"Hallowed  he  thy 
name." 

By  these  words 
we  show  that  our 
principal  desire  is 
to  have  God's 
name  liallowed 
and  confirmed  in 
us. 


In  this  1st  peti- 
tion we  ask  for 
the  gift  of  wis- 
dom. 


which  enables  us 
to  taste  tlie  sweet- 
ness of  God. 


The  word  "  holy  " 
signifies  clean :  it 
is  as  much  as  to 
say  that  we  are 
dipt  in  blood  and 
confirmed. 


Wisdom  hallnw- 
eth  the  heart  of 
man  in  five  ways  : 
By  1.  Purification. 

2.  Cleansing. 

3.  Hallowing. 


4.  Dipping  in 
blood. 


stoudinge.  god  fe  holy  gost  hep  yclensed  his  AvyL  ])ise 
pTi  fiinges  Ave  bezechej)  iiie  ])e  J^ri  uerste  heues  of  J)e 
pate;'  noster. 

Hua^ne  we  ziggej)  /  sanctijicehvc  noinen  tiuim..  we 
sseweji  to  oure  guode  iiader  corteysliche  cure  pmicipal 
desyr  pet  we  ssolle  eure  habbe.  pet  is  pet  his  name  by 
yhal3ed  and  yco?2fermetl  ine  ous.  pa??ne  hnamie  we 
ziggep  /  scmctificetav  noinen  tuuiw  :  pet  is  tozigge.  'sire  / 
pis  is  oure  he^e  wyl  /  pis  Ave  bezechip  toppe  alle  ping  / 
pet  pin  holy  name  /  pet  is  pi  guode  los  pi  knaidecliinge  / 
pi  beleaue  /  by  y-fo»fermed  ine  ous.' 

Ine  pise  uerste  bene :  Ave  bezechep  pe  uerste  and 
pe  principal  yefpe  of  pe  holy  gost  /  pet  is  pe  yefpe  of 
wysdom  /  pet  uestnep  /  and  co«fermep  pe  herte  in  god. 
and  his  ioynep  zuo  to  hi???, :  pet  hi  ne  may  by  ondo  / 
ne  to-deld.  "Wysdom  is  yzed  of  smac  /  and  of  smacky. 
Vor  huawne  peman  onderuangp  pise  yefpe  :  he  zuel3[p]  / 
and  smackep  /  and  uelp  pe  zuetnesse  of  god.  Ase  me 
uelp  pe  zuetnesse  of  pe  guode  Avyne  ate  zuel^  /  betere 
pa?ine  to  pe  zi^pe.  Ac  to  pan  pet  pou  ondersta??st  betere 
huet  is  to  zigge  /  '  pi  name  by  yhal^ed  ine  ous  : '  pou 
sselt  yAA^yte  pet  pis  Avord  /  holy  /  is  ase  moche  Avorp  : 
ase  /  klene.  ase  Avypoute  erpe.  ase  yhal3ed  to  godes 
seruice  /  ase  y-dept  ine  blod  /  ase  yco?;fermed.  Ine  pise 
uyf  mane?'es  hal3ep  pe  gost  of  AAysdom  /  pe  herte  of 
man.  Verst  he  his  Avypep  /  and  clensep  /  ase  dep  pet  uer 
[pet]  clenzep  and  finep  pet  gold.  Efterward  he  dep  away 
al  pe  ilke  uelpe  /  of  alle  erpliche  loue.  and  of  alle  Avylle 
of  ulesse.  and  makep  to  comene  al  out  of  smak.  al  pet 
me  wes  yAvoned  byuore  to  louie.  ase  pet  weter  is  out  of 
smak  to  pan  pet  is  ywoned  to  pe  guode  Avyne.  Eft<??'- 
ward  he  hi???  hal^ep  of  al  to  godes  seruice.  nor  he  dop 
him  al  aAvay  of  alle  Avrepe.  and  dep  hi?rt  al  penche  of 
god.  and  to  louie  /  and  serui.  Ase  pe  cherche  is  yhal3ed 
to  godes  seruice.  zuo  pet  me  ne  ssel  oper  ping  do 
perinne  :  pa?aie  pe  se?'uice  of  god.     Efte?'Avard  he  depp 


THY    KINGDOM    COME. 


107 


inc.  blod.     Yor  he  luse  zet  in  ane  zuo  berni[n]de  lone  / 

and  one  zuo  zuete  deuocion  of  lesu  crist.     fet  liuattne 

he  f  eng])  ine  him  /  and  his  passion  :  he  ys  alsuo  ydept  / 

and  al-suo  dronke  of  j?e  preciouse  Islode  /  fet  lesu  c/7'st 

ssedde  uor  him  :    ase  is  a  zop  of  hot  bryead  hnaniie  nie 

hit  potej)  in-to  wyn.     pet  is   a  newe  C7'istninge.      Vor 

depe  and  cnstni  :  is  al  on.     Efterward  he  hi??i  uestnejj  6.  confirming  in 

zuo  ine   god  /  pet  no  ping  ne  may  him  to   parti  ne       [FoI.  32.  b.i 

onioyni.  j)amie  The]  wyle  bis  word  nou  zigge  :  '  bin  name  "  Tiiy  word  be 

hallowed  in  us," 

hj  yhahed  ine  ous.'  bet  is  to  zigge  :  '  yef  ous  bane  gost  of  means, 

give  us  the  spirit 

"vvysdora  /be  huam  bi  we  zuo  yclensed  ase  gold,    and  of  wisdom, 

whereby  we  may 

yuayred  of  alle  uelbe  /  huer-by  we  ssolle  by  zuo  uol  be  renewed  and 

fastened  in  God, 

dronke  of  pine  loue  :  pet  alle  opre  zuetnesses  /  ssolle  by 
ous  bytere  :  be  huam  we  ssolle  by  zuo  yyeue  to  pe  /  an 
to  pine  seruise  :  pet  neure  mo  of  opren  we  ne  maky 
strengpe.  be  hnam  by  we  na3t  wypoute  more  yAvesse  : 
ac  zuo  moche  ydept  yne  gr«yne  /  and  ynewed  and  eft 
ycristned  ine  pe  bloode  of  lesu  c?-/st  be  deuocioun  of 
ueste  loue  /  huer-by  pe  name  of  oure  uader  by  zuo 
yuestned  ine  ous :    pet  he  by  oure  uader  and  we  his  so  that  nothing 

.  IT-  ™^y  separate  us 

zones  /  and  his  eyrs.  zuo  yuestned  pet  no  ping  pet  mo3e  from  God, 

beualle  ne  mo3e  ous  ondo  of  pe  ilke  uestnesse  /  ne  of 

pise  g?'«ce.'  Wei  is  hit  gnit  grace  of  god  h[u]amie  pe  wyl 

is  zuo  yroted  ine  god  huich  /  ne  may  to  cryepe  uor  none 

uondi«ge.      Wei  g?'«tter  ping  his  hua?zne  me  is  zuo 

yiiestned  ine  pe  loue  and  adrayngt  in  pe  zuetnesse  of  and  nothing  com- 

-  fort  us  but  the 

god.  pet  no  solas  ne  no  coraort  me  ne  cnderuangp  :  bote  grace  of  God. 
of  him.  Ac  y-yeue  is  pe  herte  parfitliche  and  jco7i- 
fermed.  uor  pe  memorie  is  zuo  cleuiynde  ine  him  :  pet 
ne  of  no  ping  penche  /  bote  ine  him.  And  pet  we 
byddep  hhn  huanne  we  ziggep :  sancti/icetuv  nomen 
tmim.  '  Ihord  pi  name  by  y-hal3ed  ine  ous.' 

]?E    Oj5EE    BENE    OF    j)E    HOLY    PAT£iJ    NOSTER.  The  second  peti- 

tion of  the  Pater 

Adiieniad  rec/num  fuum.    bet  is  be  obre  bene  of  pe  Noster,  "Thy 

'  ■>         '  '       kingdom  come." 

pater  noster.  huer  we  byddep  /  pet  godes  regne  come  Here  we  pray  for 


108 


GOD  S    REIGN    WITHIN    US. 


God's  reign  to 
couie  within  us, 
wiiicli  is  brougiit 
about  by  tlie  spirit 
of  understanding, 
that  enliglitenetli 
the  heart. 


and  showeth  man 
his  many  faults. 


to  ous  /  and  by  wyf-inne  ous.  Oure  Ihord  zayji  ine  liis 
spelle  to  his  deciples.  '  fe  regne  of  god  :  is  nou  \vy])-iiiiie 
you.'  I^oii  onderstand  wel  liou  Jiet  may  by.  Hua??ne 
god  yefj)  ane  grace  fet  me  clepejj  /  Ipe  gost  of  onder- 
stondinge  to  jje  lierte.  ase  deji  Jje  zo?aie  fet  dejj  away 
j>e  fyesternesse  of  ]?e  ny3t  /  and  waste]?  Ipe  cloudes  /  and 
f  e  liore  urostes  Li  jje  mor3en.  Alsuo  waste]?  \)e  holy  gost 
alle  ])e  fyesternesses  of  Ipe  herte.  and  hiHi  ssewe])  his 
ze?mes  /  and  his  defantes  /  zuo  ])et  j>e  ilke  wende  by  al 
klene.  paime  wynde]?  hi  zuo  uele  defantes.  and  of 
motes,  and  of  doust  wy]3-oute  tale.  Ase  Ipe  zo7ine  byam 
ssewe]5  his  motes  /  and  pet  doust  pet  hjep  henepe  ine 
pe  house.  Efterward  he  him  eft  ssewej)  of  ofire  half  na3t 
Avy})-oute  more  fet  /  J?et  is  wy])-inne  Iuh?,  /  ac  ]jet  /  ]?et 
is  bene]3e  pe  helle.  and  f)ct  /  fet  is  aboue  Imn  ine 
heuene.  ]?et  /  fiet  is  aboute  him  j  alle  uayre  ssepjies : 
]3ct  alio  herye]?  god  /  and  hwi  wytnessef  hou  god  is 
guod  and  almi3ti.  wys.  and  uayr.  grat  and  milde. 
zuete.  and  pe  more  me  zy3t  pe  sseppi?^ges  bri3te  :  pe 
more  hit  is  wynynde  hi?rt-zelue  to  yzyenne.  Ac  he 
yzy3]7  /  pet  he  ne  is  clene  /  ne  ^Yorp\  him  to  zyenne  : 
]3a?me  anhet  pe  guode  herte  and  trewe  /  and  him  wrefej) 
to  him-zelue.  jja/me  nymji  he  his  pic  /  and  his  spade  / 
and  begin]?  to  delue  /  and  to  myny.  and  gep  in-to  his 
herte.  )3erinne  he  vint  zuo  uele  zennes  /  and  vices  / 
and  zuo  uele  defantes  /  and  zuo  moche  doust  /  and 
tr/bulaciouns  of  herte  /  and  of  ]303tes  /  and  of  wyckede 
wylles  /  J)et  he  him  wre]5ej)  /  and  zor3eJ).  and  nimp  a 
wycked  wy\  to  hi»?-zelue.  zuo  Jiet  he  begin]?  pe  herte 
[Foi.  33.  a.]  to  clensi  to  J?e  zo]?e'  /  and  to  keste  out  alle  pe  uelfies 
fet  hhn  benim]?  pe  zi3]?e  of  god  ine  him.  and  fet  he  dej? 
mid  pe  spade  of  zojje  ssriffe.  Ac  huanne  he  he]?  longe 
ymyned  /  and  he  he]?  /  alle  his  uel]?es  ykest  out :  pa,nue 
uint  he  pays  /  and  reste  /  and  solas  /  and  Idisse  /  zuo 
]?et  him  fing]?  ]?et  al  pe  wordle  by  an  helle  to  pe  lok- 
1  MS.  zo]>o 


He  seeth  that  he 
is  not  clean  nor 
worthy  of  seeing 
God, 


so  he  begins  to 
cast  out  the  in- 
ward filth  which 
deprives  him  of 
the  sight  of  God. 


Then  he  finds 
peace,  rest,  solace, 
and  bliss. 


THY    WILL    BE    DONE.  109 

inge  of  pe  ilke  clyernesse  /  and  of  pe  ilke  pays  :   fet  he 
iiint  ine  liis  herte.  and  Jiet  we  oxej)  :  hua?zne  we  zigge]) 

Adueniad  regnum.  tuum.  jjet  is  to  zigge  :   '  Leue  nader  /  "  Thy  kingdom 

ylyky  \q  /  fet  J^e  lioly  gost  ous  wiUe  aly3te  Jje  lierte  /  afto  say.^'Deaf 

and  clensi  and  zuojje  /  al-hnet  lii  ty  wor])i  god  nor  to  Ho'iy'^Ghos  ""^ 

y-zy.   and  Jjet  he  wile  come  and  wonie  ase  kyng  /  and  o^r  helns^  ^"''^'^^ 

ase  Ihord.    and  gouernour  /  and  hotere.    zi:o  bet  al  be  ^°  ^^^^  ^°^  ^^'j" 

O  /  r  J  come  and  dwell 

herte  by  his  /  and  he  by  kyng.  and  euremo  w^e  hi?«  mo3e  ■^^'t'l"^  as  King 

yzy.  nor  bet  is  lyf  wyb-onte  ende.  and  godes  riche  liabbe  Gods  kingdom  is 

-J    ''  I  ''  -J  t  o  as  a  treasure  hid 

wyb-inne  OUS.'     beruore  zayb  oure  Ihord  in  his  spelle  :  i"  a  fieui,  that  is 

■^-f  •'  "^ '  ^  greater  than  all 

J)et  godes  riche  is  ase  on  tresor  in  Jje  iielde  yhed.  fet  is  ti^e  worui. 
ine  herte.  Jjet  is  gratter  Jiarme  al  jje  Avordle. 

)5E    ]5RIDDE    BENE    OF    JjE    HOLY    VXIER   NOSTEiJ.  The  third  petition 

of  the  Pater 

Fiat  uoluwtas  tua  I  sicut  in  celo  tS*  {71  terra,     bis  Noster. 
is  J)e  jjridde  bene  huerinne  we  bydde])  oure  uader  of  done,"  &c. 

.  .  We  here  pray  that 

heuene  /  jjet  his  wyl  by  ydo  ine  ous  :  ase  hit  is  ydo  me  we  may  obey  G.^d 

;  ^  as  do  the  holy 

heuene.  jjet  is  ase  J)e  holy  angles  01  heuene  /  J)et  byejj  angeis  in  heaven, 

zuo  ali3t  /  and  yuestned  ine  god  :  Jjet  hi  ne  m03e  of  er 

J)ing  wylny  /  bote  Jjet  god  wille.     )?is  bene  we  ne  111036  but  this  we  cannot 

habbe  :  bote  yef  we  ne  habbe  /  fe  yef jje  of  red.  ])et  is  of  coimsei. 

fe  fridde  yefjje  of  pe  holy  gost  /  jjet  oiis  tekjj  his  036116 

guod  Avyl.  and  fet  he  ous  w^ende.   oure  Avrechide   wil  /  given  us  by  the 

IT-  f"  ;i  1  1  J.1  Holy  Ghost  to 

and  hise  conferniy  /  al  to  fie  11636  guode.  zuo  fet  he  ne  conform  oiu-  win 

hef  ne  036116  wyt  /  ne  036116  wyl.    ak  his  ojene  onlepi- 

liche  •  /  fet  hi  by  Iheuedy  of  al  f e  herte  yhoUyche.   and 

iiiaki  ine  ous  al  fet  hi  wyle  ase  hi  niakef  ine  angles  of 

heuene  /  f et  niakef  echedaye  liis  wil  wyf-oute  misniiii- 

yiige  /  and  wyfoute  wyfzigginge. 

Nou  best  fou  ylierd  fe  fri  uerste  benes^  of  fe  pater  in  these  throe 

,  ,  -, .  _  petitions  of  tlie 

noster.  f et  byef  f  e  Iie3est6  /  and  fe  dmgneste.    ine  fe  Lord's  prayer, 

uerste  /  we  aksef  fe  yeffe  of  wysdoni.     Ine  fe^  ofre  :  gift  of  wisdom, 

fe  yeffe  of  onderstonduige.     Ine  f e  fridde  /  f et  guode  3  good'couuseir' 
red.  ase  ich  fe  habbe  aboue  yssewed.      Jjise  f ri  finges 
"w^e  ne  byddef  /  na3t  nor  fet  we  hise  habbef  ine  f ise 
'  MS.  onlepihiche             -  MS.  bcnenes             "  MS.  o|7e 


110  THE    TRUE   MEAT    IS 

We  cannot  have  lyue  dyadlich  parfitlyche.  ak  we  sseawef  to  o[u]re  iiader 

oftheli  toTiiir  oiu-e  wylles  /  pet  hjelp  /  ojjer  ssoUe  by  /  to  J^an  fet  pise 

^'^^'  pri  loenes  by  ine  ous  ymad  /  and  uolueld  ine  pe  lyue  eure- 

The  remaining  lestiude.     ])G  opve  voiir  pet  comep  efte[r]ward  we  willep 

four  petitions  are  .  j.tt,4. 

necessary  to  us  in   speke  aiie  opre  spBche.      A^or  we  ziggep  aperteiiche  to 

this  mortal  life.  -   ,  , 

oure  iiader  '  yef  ous.  uoryef  ous.  wyte  ous.  delyure  ous. 
bote  pise  vour  benes  of  \dm  we  ne  liabbe  :  we  byep 
dyade  /  an  euele  betake  ine  pise  wordle.  Tor  lii  byep 
ous  nyeduolle  ine  pise  lyue  dyadlich. 

The  fourth  peti-  j)E    UER)3E    BENE    OF  JPE    HOLY    PATEiJ    NOST^iJ. 

tion  of  tlie  Pater 

Noster.  Pcoism  nostruvo.  cotidianum  da  nobis  hodle.  Mocbel 

"  Give  us  this  day 

our  daily  bread."    Q^g  ^gj-j,  q^^^q  guode  uiayst'?;-  /  to  spekene  myldelycbe  / 

and  wysliche.    hua7ine  he   ous  tekp  to  zigge.     Vayre 

uader  /  oure  bryad  of  eche  daye  /  yef  ous  to  day.  Huet 

What  may  the       may  pe  zone  betere  acsy  to  his  uader  :  pa?me  bread  wyp- 

faThe?  hetter'than  oute  uiore  /  uor  pane  day  to  endy  ?     He  ne  acsep  none 

''"''[Foi.  33.  b.]       outrage  /  ne  wyn.  ne  uless.  ne  uiss.  [ac]  bread  wypoute 

f'Jr wine.fleshir  uiore  [he]  byt.  najt  uor  ayer  /  ne  na3t  uor  al  pe  woke,  ac 

itis  a  great  thins   wyp-oute  more  :    pane  day  to  endy.     I^ou  hit  pingp  pet 

u  mataS- f    ^^^^  by  wel  litc  piug  pet  we  acsep  :  ac  uor  zope  hit  is  wel 

light  request,         ^^^^  y^^^^^     Hua?^ne  me  bit  pe  broperhede  /  and  pe 

uela3rede  /  and  part  /  and  ri3t  /  ine  alle  pe  guodes  of  pe 

house.     Alsuo  hit  is  huose  pet  smackep  of  pise  breade. 

He  hep  pe  broperrede.  and  part  /  and  uela3rede.  and  ri3t. 

and  ine  alle  pe  guode  dedes  pet  byep  ine  heuene.     }?et 

for  we  ask  for  the   ^g  T,et  bread  of  be  ilke  holy  couent.  )3et  bread  of  heuene. 

everlasting  bread  '  '  i      j?  i 

that  preserves  the  j^et  bread  of  angles,  pet  bread  lostuol.  pet  bread  of  lyue 
eurelestinde.  Vor  hit  yefp  guod  lyf  /  and  lokep  pe 
zaule  wyp-oute  steruinge.  Huer-of  zop  zayp  ine  pe 
godspelle.  '  Ich  am  pet  bread  of  lyue  /  pet  com  doun 
uram  heuene.    huo  pet  ssel  ete  of  po  breade  :  he  ssel 

This  is  true  meat,   eure  lybbe  wyp-oute  steruinge.'  pet  bryad  is  mete  ari3t. 

Iii'til'hunger  of     uor  hit  stouchep  al  pane  honger  of  pe  wordle  /  and  uelp 

tiie  world.  ^^^^^  ^^^  l^g  j^gjj  ^^^^^  I  2T^io  ne  (lep  non  oper  mete.      )?et 

It  is  the  bread  and  18  pct  bread  and  pe  mete  /  pet  pou  nymst  /  of  pe  sacrs- 


THE    BODY    OF    CHRIST.  Ill 

ment  of  be  wyeiiede   /  bet  bou  sselt  ete  ziiybe  /  and  meat  taken  of  the 

'  "^  I     i         I  •)  r      I  sacrament  of  the 

glotounliche  /  ase  tekjj  Jie  writinge  /  ase  deji  Jie  lecher-  altar, 

ous  Jjane  guode  mete  :  fet  ojjerlmil  uorzuel3]j  jjane  guode 

siiode  /  wy])-oute  chewynge.    J3et  is  to  zigge  /  fet  fou 

sselt  nyine  j?erne  mete  mid  greate  wylle  of  herte  /  and 

mid  gvat  lost.     And  J)OU  hit  sselt  ase  hit  by  uorzuel^e  / 

Avy]?-oute  chsTvynge.  and  Jjet  is  to  zigge.  yleue  ine  grat  / 

bet  /  bet  hit  is  be  zobe  bodi  of  lesu  crist.   and  be  zaide.  and  tiie  true  body 

■^       '    ^  -^  '^  "  of  Jesus  Christ. 

and  ])e  godhede  /  al  to-gydere  /  Avyjj-oiite  to  zeche  :  hou 
hit  may  by.  Vor  god  may  more  do  :  J)a?me  man  mo^e 
onderstonde.  Efterward  me  ssel  feme  mete  eft  chy  ewe  /  one  should  chew 

this  meat  again  as 

ase  fe  oxe  J)et  gers  fet  he  he])  norzuolje.     ]3et  is  to  the  ox  the  grass 

that  he  has  swal- 

zigge  jjet  me  ssel  recordi  zueteliche  and  smalliche  be  lowed. 

little  stechches  /  alle  jje  guodnesses  of  oure  Ihorde  and 

al  jjet  lesu  crist  folede  ine  erjje  nor  ous.     And  JjaHue 

vint  ])e  lierte  ]jane  ri^te  smac  of  ])e  ilke  mete,  and  onder- 

ua[n]gj)  ane  wel  greate  hete  of  Jje  loue  of  god,  and  ane  wel 

greate  \v;^dnynge  to  do  yno^  an  to  ))olye  uor  hi?«  al  ))et  he 

mi3te.  and  al  jjis  de])  fe  u^Vtue  of  ]?o  breade.  Vor  Jiet  is  fet  This  bread  com- 

bread  j^et  conforte]?  and  strengjjej?  ]je  herte  /  to  Jjet  hy  by  strengthens  the 

wel  Strang  uor  to  bolye  /  and  do  gr«t  bing  uor  godes  things  for  the  love 

loue.      Ac  fet  ne  may  na3t  by  wj^Jj-oute  \q  uerjje  yefjje 

of  Jie  holy  gost  /  |)et  is  y-cleped  Jje  yef J)  of  strengjje  /  j^et 

armej?  godes  kny^t  /  and  hi?/i  dep  yerne  to  by  martired. 

and  niakeb  ham  le^^e  betuene  be  tormens.     IS'ou  mi^t  Thus  when  we 

ask  bread  we  ask 

J)ou  wel  yzy  hou  corteysliche  /  hua/«ie  Ave  acsej)  fet  ilke  for  strength. 

bread  :  we  acseJ)  fane  yeffe  of  stre[n]gf)e.     Vor  ase  fet 

bread  bodylich  /  sostenejj  and  strengfej)  fet  bodi  :  alsuo 

jje  yeffe  of  stre[n]gj)e  /  make])  fe  herte  Strang  to  folye  / 

and  to  done  gr«t  fing  uor  god.      )?et  ilke  bread  we  hit  This  bread  we  call 

,       .  ;  1  •  IP  1  1     •  ours,  for  it  is 

clepiyjj  oiu'e  /  uor  hit  wes  ymad  of  oure  do3e.  yblissed  made  of  our 
by  fe  guode  Avyfman  :  fet  of  hiren  fet  flour  fer  to  dede.        [FoI.  si.  a.] 
bet  wes  be  mayde  Marie,  and  yfryd  ine  be  ]>anne  of  be  blessed  by  the 

>  -J  J      J  r      I  Y      g,„)j  maiden 

crouche  /  ase  he  zayb  ine  be  sautere.    uorzobe  uorzobe  '^•■''■y. 

'      _  •!  T  r  r  ^       and  fried  in  the 

yfryd  ine  his  03ene  blode.  uor  fet  dede  he  /  ine  Jje  greate  pan  of  the  cross, 
wylle  of  his  loue  /  fet  he  hedde  to  ous.    And  f et  is  fet 


112 


TUB    BREAD    OF    THE    ALTAR. 


It  is  bread  twice 
baked. 

It  is  ours  because 
Christ  left  it  to 
us  as  His  last  re- 
quest. 


It  is  our  daily 
bread,  because 
each  day's  dole 
is  given  us  by 
God. 


Each  day  it  is 
necessary  to  us, 


and  each  day  one 
shall  take  it  either 
at  the  sacrament 
of  the  altar,  or  by 
right  belief. 


It  is  bread,  not 
for  churls,  but  for 
noble  hearts, 
cleansed  and 
washed  by  shrift. 


It  is  sure  sub- 
stantial bread, 


surpassing  all 
other  substances 
in  virtue  and 
dignity. 


iDiead  tuies  y-bake  /  liuermide  he  astorejj  his  ssip.  Jiet 
is  holy  cherche  /  nor  to  pasy  jje  greate  ze  /  of  jjise 
perilouse  AvortUe.  Hit  is  oure.  uor  he  hit  ous  let :  at 
his  yleaue  nymynge  /  and  at  his  laste  hequide  /  lesu 
crist  pe  wel  large  /  ase  meste  greate  tresor  :  fet  he  ous 
mi3te  lete.  and  hit  ous  yaf  ase  J)et  uayreste  iowel  /  J)et 
he  ous  mi^te  yene.  and  fet  we  hit  ssolde  loky  :  uor  his 
lone.  Hit  is  uorzofie  oure  /  uor  nojjing  ne  may  /  hit  ous 
benime  toyens  oure  Avylle.  We  hit  clepie]?  oure  bread 
of  echedaye.  fet  is  to  zigge  /  of  eche  daye.  uor  pet  is  pe 
echedayes  dol  /  pet  god  j^efjj  to  his  wel  Avilynde :  fet 
eche  daye  dojj  his  seruice  /  and  ziggej?  his  oares.  ])et  is 
to  alle  guode  herten  /  j^et  eche  daye  zueteliche  be  zope 
lone  make]?  memorie  /  and  bejjenchinge  of  his  passion. 
pet  greate  of  Jje  p^-ouendre  /  we  nimejj  ine  oure 
heruest  ine  heuene  /  hua??.ne  we  Imn  ssolle  ysy  onwry3e  / 
ine  his  uayrhede  /  ase  he  is.  Hit  is  ysed  jjeruore  eche- 
dayes :  fet  eche  daye  /hit  is  ous  nyeduol.  and  echedaye 
me  ssel  hit  nyme  /  ofer  ate  sacrement  of  ])e  wefde  /  ase 
dojj  pe  prestes :  ojjer  gostliche  be  ri3te  byleaue.  J3et 
bread  is  wel  precious  /  an  wel  noble  /  and  wel  ydi^t. 
])et  is  kynges  mete  /  huerinne  bye])  ech  manyere  lyk- 
inges  /  and  alle  guode  sinackes  /  ase  zayj?  ])e  hoc  of 
wysdome.  ])et  ne  is  na3t  mete  to  gronies  /  ne  to  yeue. 
ne  to  piecaille.  ne  to  cheuaille.  ne  to  clierles.  ac  to 
noble  herten  and  gentil.  an  cortays.  and  clene.  pet  is 
to  J)e  herte  J)et  is  gentil  be  grrtce.  noble  /  be  guod  lyf, 
yclensed  /  and  ywesse  be  zolpe  ssrifte.  Of  pise  mrtue 
spekp  saynt  matheu  pe  wangeliste  /  and  hit  clepep  ziker 
bread  substanciel.  pet  is  to  zigge  :  pet  pasep  /  and 
ouergep  alle  substances  /  and  alle  sseppes  be  ver.  ine 
uiVtue  /  and  ine  dingnete  /  and  ine  alle  opre  maneres  of 
worp.  ne  me  ne  may  betere  write  /  ne  more  yno^  : 
paHue  wit  substances.  Me  zayp  pet  mete  is  pe  mi3[t]- 
violler  /  Ipanne  he  hep  yno3  of  niy3te.  and  of  noriss- 
inge.  and  pe  more  pet  he  is  norissinde  :  me  zayp  pet  he 


FORGIVE    US    OUR    DEBTS.  113 

is  Ipe  substancieler.  and  jjere-uore  ]jet  ine  J^ise  breade  is 

lucre  uiVtue  /  and  of  guod  /  and  of  nort^we  /  panne  me  and  contains  more 

„  ,1/,  .  ,  I     ■,     ,    T  ■,     •      nutriment  tlian 

ino3e  fenche  /  ojjer  zigge.  ne  zayf  me  na3t  Jjet  hit  is  anything  else. 

substanciel.  alsuo  me  zayjj  Jjet  hit  is  ope  substance  / 

fet  is  /  u/rtuous  /  and  substanciel  aboue  onderston- 

digge  /  and  wenynge.     jpet  bread  we  byddejj  to  oure  we  pray  for  this 

uader.  and  him  we  biddejj  /  fet  he  hit  ous  yens  to-day.  TsXiumT 

ine  jjise  daye  /  ]pet  is  ine  fise  dyadliche  Hue.  zuo  fet  ^"'*'- 

we  mo3e  maky  ane  guode  iornee  /   and   to  abyde  fe 

gledlaker  oure  ssepe.     j)et  is  fe  peny  fet  he  yefj)  to  his  This  is  the  penny 

1  /  1  r    n  .     •  in  *^'"1  gives  to  His 

workmen  /  liLuJa?me  euen  com]5.  fet  is  fe  ende  of  pe  workmen  when 

i-  evening  Cometh, 

j)E    VIFTE    BEN^E    OP    J?E    HOLY    FATEB    NOSTBR.  The  5th  petition 

of  tlie  Pater 

Dimitte  nobis  debita  nostra,  sicut  et  nos  dimittimus  Noster. 

,  .  "  Forgive  us  our 

deoitonous   nosivis.       Ine  J^ise  bene    we  biddej?    oure  trespasses,"  &c. 
uader  of   heuene  /  j^et  he  ous  wylle    uoryeue  /  oure  Forgive'^uTour 
misdedes  /  ase  we  uoryeuejj  to  ham  :  fet  ous  mis-do]?.  ''*'^''' 
ofer  habbejj  mis-do.  faraie  zigge  we  J)us.   '  Leue  uader  /       CFoi.  34.  b.] 
uoryef  ous  oure  dettes  :  ase  we  uoryeue  b  oure  dettours.'  as  we  forgive  our 

_  debtors. 

(Jure   dettes:    byejj  oure  ze?aaes  /  f  et  we  habbeb  ydo  om- debts  are  our 

1  .  1  sins, 

wexe  ope  oure  zaulen.  Jjet  is  pet  beste  wed  of  fe  house. 
j)e  zenuoUe  be  one  ze«ne  dyadlich  /  pet  zuo  zone  is 
y-pased  /  ase  to  j^e  loste  /  ojjcr  ase  to  pe  dede  /  is  the  interest  of 

-IT,,  ,  -,.  ,  ,  wliich  is  hell  pain. 

y-0 bilged  to  zuo  ane  greate  gauehnge  :  jjet  he  ne  he]) 
mi3te  to  hit  endi.  fet  is  to  pe  pine  of  helle  /  fet  is 
"^^'f-oute  ende.     Efterward  /  he  ssel  to  gode  /  bet  he  ^°  ™^'"'  °°^^^ 

'  make  suflBcient 

he]j  ywrefed  /  zuo  grat  amendes  :  ]3et  he  ne  he  J)  mi3te  amends  for  one 

11  -vr-  ii-i  11  deadly  sin, 

uor  to  yelde.  Vor  me  ai  his  lyue  pa^  ha  leuede  an 
hondred  year  ofier  more  :  he  ne  ini3te  na3t  do  uolueh 
linde  penonce  of  one  dyadliche  ze;aie  /  yef  god  Avolde 
usy  to  yelde  dom.     And  ]3eruore  hit  behoue})  to  yerne  therefore  it  he- 

,  IP  •  11-11  hovethhim  to  run 

to  pe  cort  01  merci  and  bidde  merci  /  and  aksy  uoryeue-  to  the  court  of 

nesse.     Vor  be  pe  ri3te  of  pe  cort  of  dom  /  pe  zene-  ™"''^' 
3ere  ssolde  by  demd  /  and  yco?ide?»ned  to  dya]5e  eure- 

lestinde.     Jjeruore  oure  guode  mayster  lesu  c?'/st  ous  for  't  ti-.e  rourt 


11. 


BEAR    NO    ILL-WILL    TO    ANT. 


of  justice  we 
should  be  doomed 
to  death  everlast- 
ing- . 


If  we  do  not  for- 
give others,  God 
will  not  forgive 
us. 


Wherefore  in  thy 
prayer,  see  thou 
hast  no  wicked 
will,  cast  out  all 
wrath,  evil,  and 
hate. 


Think  hnw  Christ 
forgave  Ms  ene- 
mies who  crucified 
him. 


It  is  no  great 
thing  to  return 
good  for  good, 


but  since  we  are 
God's  childnen. 


we  ought  to  for- 
give one  another, 
and  love  our  ene- 
mies, and  pray  for 
them. 


tekj)  zuo  to  oxi  iioryeuenesse  and  quittinge  hua?;ne  Ave 
bicldejj  oiire  guode  iiader  pet  is  zuete  and  niilde  /  nor  to 
y[e]uene :  large  and  corteys  /  J^et  he  ous  uory[e]ue  oure 
misdedes. 

Ac  nim  wel  liede  hou  jjon  bidde.  '  Voryef  ous  oure 
misdedis  /  ase  we  uoryeuejj  to  ham :  jjet  ous  habbe]) 
misdo.'  Yor  yef  we  ne  uoryeue])  to  ham  jjet  ous  habbejj 
ini[s]do  :  god  ne  uoryefj)  na3t  ous  oure  misdedes.  ase 
he  him-zelf  zayjj  ous  /  ine  Ipe  godspelle.  J5a?me  he  jjet 
zay])  his  pater  noster  /  and  lie])  ine  his  herte  hate  / 
wrefe  /  ojjer  wyckedhede :  he  bit  more  aye  him-zelue  : 
fiawne  uor  hi?/i-zelue.  Vor  he  bit  god  /  jjet  he  ne 
uoryeue  hi?«  na^t  /  hua/aie  he  zayj).  '  uoryef  me  :  ase  ich 
uoryeue.'  and  uor  ))et  at  alle  J»e  times  Jiet  Jjou  zayst  pi 
pater  noster  beuore  god  pet  yzi^p  pine  herte  :  pou  sselt 
uoryeue  pine  wyckede  wil  /  and  keste  out  of  pine  herte  : 
alle  -wrepe  /  and  alle  hate,  and  euelwyl.  operlaker  pi 
bene  is  more  aye  pe  :  pa?aie  uor  pe.  Yef  hit  pe  pingp 
Strang  ping  and  kuead  uor  to  uoryeuene  /  pin  euel  wyl 
to  ham  pet  pe  hatiep  /  oper  pet  pe  kuead  Avillep  /  huer 
he  al  misdep  :  pench  pet  god  uoryaf  his  dyap  to  ham 
pet  him  dede  ape  rode  /  pe  uor  to  yeue  uorbisne  /  uor 
to  uoryeue  to  ham  /  pet  pe  habbep  misdo  /  and  more 
yet  eft :  ham  guod  do  :  yef  hi  habep  nye[de]  to  pe.  Yor 
ase  he  zayp  ine  his  spelle.  IS"e  is  hit  najt  grat  ping  ne 
grat  ofseruinge  aye  god  to  do  guod  to  ham  pet  ous  dop 
guod.  ne  to  louie  po  pet  ous  louyep  1  Yor  pet  dep  pe 
paen  /  and  pe  sarasyn  /  and  opre  zene3eres.  Ac  Ave  pet 
byep  godes  children  be  byleaue  and  be  grace  /  and  Ave 
byep  cristene  ynemned  of  lesu  crist  /  and  we  byep  eyrs 
mid  him  of  pe  heritage  of  paradys  /  of  ous  to  uoryeue 
pe  on  to  pe  opre  /  and  louye  oure  uyendes.  pet  is  to 
zigge  hare  persones.  an  bidde  uor  ham  /  and  do  ham 
guod  yef  hy  habbep  nyede  and  pou  hit  mi3[t]  do.  Yor  pus 
he  hit  hat  ine  his  spelle.  Jja^ne  ssolle  we  onlepiKche 
hatye  pe  ze??nes  /  and  louie  pe  zaules.  pet  byep  ymad 


ALL    ARE   MEMBERS    OP    CHRIST.  115 

to  pe  anliknesse  of  oure  lorde.     Alsuo  ase  a  leme  of  pe 

bodye  /  louej)  and  uorberj)  an  ofer.  yef  o  leme  blechejj  We  are  aii  one 

an  ofer  be  cas.  fe  ojjer  najt  h.i?n  awrecj?  Jjeruore.     We  body  in  chnst 

Jesus. 

byejj  al  o  body  ine  lesu  crist  /  ase  zayj?  pe  apostel.  and 
feruore  we  ssoUe  edi  louye  ojjer  /  and  najt  hatie  /  ne 
harnii  mid  wrong  /  on  /  be  ober.      Huo  bet  oj^erlaker  whosohateth  an. 

.  other  is  a  mur- 

dej)  :  he  is  mansla3te  /  and  hi?rt-zelue  amniie])  ase  zayjj  derer. 
f  e  wry  tinge.     Zuych  can  zigge  liis  pater  noster  :  bi??^ 
were  betere  fet  he  were  stille.  nor  he  let  his  domes- 
man  :  ayens  hi??i. 

Ine  Jiise  bene  jjet  we  do])  to  gode.  we  him  bezeche])  in  tus  petition 

p/^6  ask  God  for 

one  yeffe  of  pe  holy  gost  /  Jjet  is  y-cleped  /  fe  jeipe  /  the  gift  of  know- 
of  connynge.  fet  make])  jjane  man  ine  fo^te  and  nol  of   ^  ^^' 
"vvytte.     bes  gost  him  sseweb  hnet  he  is.  and  ine  huet  '^'hereby  man 

•^  '         •->  I  sees  what  he  is, 

pe?il  he  is.  and  hua^nes  he  com]?,  and  huyder  he  gef.  and  in  what  perU 

be  is, 

and  fet  he  dejj.  and  pQ  niisdede  Jjet  he  hej)  ydo.  and 
hou  moche  /  he  heJ)  hyer  ywonne.  and  hon  moche  he 
ssel.     And  hua/nie  he  yzist  bet  he  ne  heb    huermide  and  seeing  Ms 

own  imperfec- 

endy  :  J)a?aie  hi??i  dejj  pes  gost  wepe  /  and  grede  merci  tions,  lie  asks 

to  god  /  and  zigge.     '  Lhord  /  uoryef  me  mine  dettes. 

J)et  byej)  myne  ze?znen.     Vor  ich  am  mochel  ine  dette 

ayen  Jje  /  and  nor  pe  queades  fet  ich  habbe  ydo.  and 

nor  Jje  guodes  fet  ich  habbe  noryete  /  and  ylete  to  done. 

bet  ich  myjte  /  and  ssolde  habbe  ydo.     And  nor  bo  and  forgiveness 

••  -J  J       I  -J  •"       for  his  great  sins 

guodes  pet  J)0u  me  hest  ydo.  and  pine  greate  guod- 
nesses  pet  ich  habbe  eche  daye  onderuonge  /  huyche 
ich  habbe  kueadliche  yvzed  /  and  pe  kueadHche 
yserued.  And  peruore  lliord  ich  ne  habbe  huer-of 
maki  pe  yeldinge  :  noiyef  me  pet  ich  pe  ssel.'     Hua/me  When  he  knows 

his  faults, 

pes  gost  hi?n  hep  zuo  aly3t  /  pet  he  knanp  his  defantes  : 

and  pawne  him  dep  keste  out  of  pe  herte  alle  wrepe  /  he  casts  out  iii- 

,,,,,.,  i/n  will  from  his 

and  aile  hate  /  and  al  to  uoryeue  his  euele  ywyl  /  yef  heart, 

per  is  eni.  and  yef  per  ne  is  :  he  is  ine  wylle  and  ine  and  then  is  he  iWe 

porpos  nor  to  uoryeuene  mid  herte  /  yef  me  him  misdeb.  *°  ^^^'  "'p^^^^'^- 

"^  '  "^  '      forgive  us  our 

And  pa?me  may  he  zigge  wel.   '  Vayre  uader  uoryef  ous  misdeeds  as  we  ('o 

.  to  them  that  have 

oure  misdedes/ase  we  dop  to  ham :  pet  ous  habbep  misdo.'  wronged  us." 
8  * 


116  LEAD    US    NOT    INTO    TEMPTATION. 


The  6th  petition  }5E    ZIXTE    BENE    OF    j)E    HOLY    PATER    NOSTEiJ. 

of  the  Pater 

Noster.  Et  716  iios  inducas  in  temptacione\'\\.    ])e  ybernde  : 

"  And  lead  us  not  ,  i  -n  i         i  n      •      • 

into  temptation."  ucp  clret.   and  f 6  like  fet  ofiermiyl  yualle  is  iii-to  ze?me. 

dreads  the  fire,      liua?nae  ])e  ze?aie  liiin  is  uory[e]ue:  he  is  ]?e  more  milde  : 

and  J»e  more  dreduol  /  and  fe  more  he  hej)  grater  drede 

so  the  sinner  who  of  iiondi7?ge.  J5eriiore  hit  he  hier  to  hiiam  god  his  mis- 
is  forgiven  is  n      i  ii-ii 

afraid  of  falling     dedes  uoryeijj  /  Jjet  he  hme  loky  iiram  ayen-iialhnge. 

Et  ne  nos  inducas  in  tem2:)tacionem..   pet  is  to  zigge. 

'  Vayre  zuete  uader  /  ne  led  ous  na3t  in-to  uondinge.'  J?e 
The  devil  is  the     dyeuel  is  Jje  iiondere.  vor  hit  is  his  creft  /  huer-of  he 

tempter,  .  , 

seruejj  me  godes  house  /  nor  to  prom  pe  newe  kny3tes. 

and  yef  jje  nondinge  nere  giiod  and  uremuol  to  guode  / 

god  )jet  al  make])  nor  oure  guode  /  nolde  na3t  Jjolye  pet 

but  when  he  beat-  hi  come.    Ac  ase  zay])  sant  hernard.  huanne  pe  uondere 

cth  our  backs,  it,,  i  , 

he  is  makini;  our  OUS  knokejj  ope  pane  reg :  he  ous  ssepp  oure  corounes 
rX?on™dubs  Of  hlisse.  Ase  fe  ilke  >et  ope  >e  regge  of  >e  guode 
a  knight,  by  knvjte  /  siiiit  and  beat  /  him  ssept  his  los  :   and  his 

Bmiting  and  beat-  J  j        I  i  J. 

ing  upon  the  back,  "biigse.     he  dveuel  berto  propreliche  uondeb  bane  man  : 

The  devil  tries  to  J  J  f  i.       i  r  r 

draw  man  from  pet  he  hiue  my^te  wyp-dra^e  uram  pe  loue  of  god. 
}5eruore  hit  sainte  pawel  his  deciples  /  pet  hi  hy  yzet 
ase  tours,  yroted  ase  trawes  :  in  loue.  zuo  pet  non 
uondinge  hi?7i  ne  moje  refye  /  ne  rocky,      beruore  ine 

IFol.  35.  b.]  ""  )  J       /  .  ,  ,       , 

In  this  petition      pise  hezechiuge  we  acscp  help  of  gode  ine  oure  hatajde  / 

Todtn  our^iie.  ^nd  pe  yefpe  of  pite.  pet  is  a  grace  pet  bedeawep  pe 

as  well  as  the  gift  };^gj.{;g  ^ud  makcp  his  zuete  and  reupeuol.  and  makep 

his  al  become    grene  /  and  berp  yno^  frut  of   guode 

workes  wyp-oute  and  wyp-inne  erpe  /  strengpi  his  roten 

ine  pe  erpe  of  libbende.  pet  is  ase  pet  guode  mortyer  / 

huer-of  me  makep  pe  guode  walles  sarzineys  pet  me  ne 

may  na3t    breke  /  ne    mid    pic  /  ne    mid  mongenel. 

We  say, "  Sweet    )5a?ine  hua/me  we  ziggep.  et  ne  7ios  inducas  in  tempf- 

Father,  make  our         .  ,     ,    •      ,         •  ^  -it  i.  j        I         ^ 

hearts  fast,  so  acionem.  pet  is  to  zigge.  '  Vayre  zuete  uader  /  make  oure 
Ition  may^hake  hcrteu  ucste  /  au  stedeucst  /  pet  hi  ne  ssake  uor  none 
we'do' not  pray  ^londynge  pet  to  hare  comp.'  We  ne  byddep  na3t  /  pet 
not  to  be  tempted,  ^^g  ^^  ssolle  by  uoiided  :  Vor  pet  were  a  fole  bezech- 


BUT    DELIVER    US    FROM    EVIL.  117. 

iiige  /  and  ssamuol.  Ase  fe  zone  of  a  guod  man  fet 
ssel  by  a  neAve  knj^t  him  l)ezek|>.  '  Leue  uader  icli  pe 
bidde  pet  fou  me  loki  Jjet  icli  ne  guo  neuremo  :  ne  to 
ioustes  /  ne  to  tornemens.'     "We  wylle]?  wel  pet  we  by  but  we  desire  to 

be  tempted,  for 

yuonded.  vor  hit  is  oiu'e  ureme  ine  uele  nianeres.  nor  that  is  our  profit, 

we  byejj  pe  more  ymylded  /  and  pe  dreduoller  /  and  pe 

more  wys  ine  alle  Jjinges.   and  pe  more  worjj  /  an  pe 

more  asayd.     Vor  ase  zayjj  Salomon.   Ze  fet  ne  hejj  jjise 

uondinges  :  he  ne  may  nojjing  wel  co?aie.  bote  ase  me  for  otherwise  we 

can  know  notliing 

kan  pe  batayle  of  troye  /  be  hyere-zigginge.     Yor  he  ne  of  these  trials, 
may  hi;?i-zelue  yknawe  /  ne  hi??j  uestni  ine  pe  strengjje  nor  learn  how  to 

p..  1/1  Til  1  1-      fortify  ourselves 

of   his  nye?zdes  /  ne  hare  sotylhede.  and  hou  god  is  against  the  fiend. 

trewe  to  pe  nyede  /  his  uryend  nor  to  helpe.  ne  of  hou 

iiele  zewnes  /  ne  of  hou  uele  perils  /  he  hef  pe  ofte 

yloked.   and  uor  alle  fiise  skeles  /  he  ne  ssel  na3t  ari^t 

conne  god  louie  /  ne  hi?n  Jjonki  of  his  guode.     Ac  we 

liini  biddeb  bet  he  loky  oure  herten  /  bet  hi  ne  guo  in-  '^^'e  entreat  God 

'    '  _        •'  ^  that  our  hearts 

to  uondynge  /  jjet  is  fet  hi  ne  consenti.     Vor  al  fet  is  may  not  consent 

of  ous  :  we  hjep  zuo  j)oure  /  and  zuo  fyeble  /  j^et  we 

ne  mo^e  na3t  ane  time  of  pe  daye  folye  pe  asaylinges 

of  pe  dyeule :  wyjj-oute  pe  help  of  oure  Ihorde.     And 

hua?me  he  ous  fayleb  :    we  guob  ber-in.      Hua?zne  he  when  He  he!peih 

us  then  we  fight 

OUS  helpj)  :  we  wypstondep.    and  we  nj^tep  /  and  we  and  overcome, 
ouercomejj.     And  Jjeruore  we  zigge)).    '  Lyeue  uader  ne 
led  ous  na3t  in-to  uondinge.  J)et  is  ne  jjole  na^t  /  ])et  we 
go  in-to  cowsentinge.' 

])E    ZEUENDE    BEXE    OF    ])E    HOLY    VATEB    NOSTi'iJ.  Tlie  7th  petition 

of  the  Pater 

Sed  libera  nos  a  malo  I  amen.     Sa\Tit  austin  zayb.  ^"f'*'';  ,. 

'  J  •' •>       "But  dehverus 

Jjet  pe  ojtre  vices  ous  make]?  o]5er  pe  kueade  to  done  :  f^n^  ^vii." 
ober  be  guodes  lete  to  done.     Ac  al   bet  me  heb  ydo.  au  the  gifts  we 

r        r     o  y  rJ^  haveofGod, 

and  alle  pe  yefjjes  pet  he  hej)  j'-porchaced  :  prede  is  ine  pride  seeks  to  de- 

wille  to  destrue  /  and  to  benime.    An  jjeruore  h[u]a/aie 

god  hej)  y-yeue  to  man  jjet  he  him  hej)  ybede  ine  fise 

zeue  benes  beuore  yzed.  fane  uerst  hit  is  nyed  uorzojie : 

pet  he  him  delyuri  of  pe  kueade  /  and  of  his  aspiinges.  ^^herefore  we  ask 


118 


SEVEN    GIFTS    OF    THE    HOLY    GHOST. 


God  to  deliver  us 
from  evil. 


We  entreat  to  be 
delivered  from 
the  devil  and  his 
sleights. 

We  pray  for  the 
gift  of  fear,  so 
tliat  we  may  be 
delivered  from  all 
sins. 

[Fol.  36.  a.] 


And  feruore  comjj  alast  jjis  bene  /  ase  fe  efter-warde  / 
fet  zayjj  pons.  Sed  libera  nos  a  malo.  amen.  Ipet  is  to 
zigge :  'Lyeue  nader  deliure  o[u]s  of  jje  kneade.  pet  is  to 
zigge :  of  pe  dy[e]uele.  and  of  his  sle^jjes.  fet  we  ne  lyese 
be  prede  /  pe  guodes  :  |)et  Jjou  ous  best  y-yeue.'  Inne 
f ise  bene  we  him  biddej)  /  fet  he  ous  yeiie  Jie  yef jje  /  of 
drede.  hiier-by  we  ssolle  by  delyured  of  pe  kueade  /  and 
of  alle  ojjer  kuead.  j)et  is  of  alle  zene  /  and  of  alle 
pe?'ils  ine  fise  wordle  :  and  ine  pe  of>re.     Amen. 

Nou  best  ])0U  y-herd  pe  notes  /  J)et  me  kan  noty  ope 
J?ise  zonge  pet  god  made,  fet  is  fet  pater  noste?'.  iN'ou 
loke  jjet  ])ou  bit  conne  Avel  zinge  ine  fine  herte.  Vor 
grat  guod  pe  ssel  beualle  :  yef  f)ou  zuo  dest. 


The  seven  gifts 
of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

It  behovetli  us  to 
speak  with  rever- 
ence of these 


1.  We  shall  say 
what  are  the  gifts, 

2.  why  they  are 
so  called, 

8.  why  gifts  of  the 
Holy  Ghost, 

4.  why  seven,  and 
neither  more  nor 
less, 

5.  what  good  they 
do  us. 


A  blissful  bridal 
was  made  in  the 
womb  of  Mary 
when  God's  Son 
espoused  our  flesh 
and  nature. 

Many  fair  gifts 
He  brought  to  his 
Bpouse. 


Christ  was  the 
flower  of  Naza- 
reth. 


])E    ZEUE    YEFJJES    OF   ))E    HOLY    GOST. 

Efter  pe  zeue  benes  fet  byef  y-contyened  ine  bob 
pater  noster  :  ous  be-bouej)  to  spekene  mid  greate  reuer- 
ence  /  of  zuo  be3e  matiere  /  ase  of  pe  zeuen  holy  yefjjes 
of  pe  holy  gost  /  ase  be  hi???zelf  ous  ssel  teche.  And 
uerst  we  wyllej)  zigge  :  buyche  hjep  pe  yefjjes.  Efter- 
ward  h[u]eruore  hi  byejj  y-cleped  /  yef jje.  and  huereuore 
yefjje  of  pe  holi  gost.  Efterward  hueruore  per  byej) 
zeuen  /  ne  mo  /  ne  les.  and  efterward  of  pe  guodes  fet  hi 
ous  dojj.  Wone  is  and  cortayzie  /  Jiet  h[u]a?me  man  is 
ricbe  /  and  worfii  /  and  noble  /  and  com])  to  his  spouse  / 
and  be  bise  louej)  mid  al  his  herte  and  hire  brengj)  of 
bis  ioiax.  Ysaie  pe  profete  yze3  ine  goste  pe  ilke  blis- 
uolle  bredale  /  Jjet  wes  ymad  ine  fie  womhe  of  pe  blisfolle 
mayde  marie  /  bua?«ie  godes  zone  nom  /  and  sj^ousede 
oure  zoster  and  oure  uless.  oure  manbode  /  and  oure 
kende.  Yef  we  teliejj  pe  ioiax  and  pe  uayre  yefjies  fet 
be  bro3te  mid  him  uor  to  yeue  to  his  spouse  /  and  to 
his  eldringes  /  and  zayde  fous  Jje  zuete  profete  wel 
corteisliche.  '  Of  pe  rote  of  iesse  ssel  guo  out  a  yerd  / 
fet  ssel  here  fet  flour  of  nazaref.'  J?et  is  to  zigge  :  fet 
flour  /  of  flours.     Vor  nazarej)  :  is  asemoche  worjj  /  ase 


WHY    THEY    ARE    CALLED   GIFTS.  119 

floiu-  /  and  grace,  ase  moclie  ase  cos.  and  ope  fet  flour  : 
hbn  ssel  resti  fe  holi  gost.  fe  gost  of  ^vysdome  :  and  of 
onderstondinge.  fe  gost  of  strengpe  :  and  of  mVtue.  jje 
gost  of  wytte  :  and  of  pite.  ]>&  gost  of  godes  drede.  fise 
byeb  be  graces  huer-of  he  was  al  uol  /  uram  be  time  bet  From  His  birtu 

•^  .  He  was  full  of  all 

he  wes  onderuonge  in-to  fe  wombe  of  his  moder.  ase  Jje  graces, 

/    as  the  sea  is  full 

greate  ze  is  uol  of  wetere  /  and  welle  oi  alle  weteres  /  of  water. 

zuete  /  an  zalte.  huer-of  hi  weteref  al  Tpe  wordle.  Alsuo 

wes  he  ase  zayj)  sayn  Ion  /  zuo  uol  of  grace  and  of 

zobe  /  Jjet   of  his  iiolhede  :  we   nime])   al.     ))ise  zeue  And  we  partake  of 

His  fulness. 

gostes  /  and  fiise  zeue  yefjjes  we  onderuongej)  al  /  mid  we  receive  these 

..  1  T       TT   1  ,  ^    holy  gifts  with 

J)e  holy  cristni^ge.     Ac  ase  fe  graces  bodiiiclie  pet  god  uoiy  christening. 

yefjj  to  fe  childe  /  ine  wytte  /  ine  guodnesse  /  and  ine 

strengpe  /  and  ine  oJ)re  graces  fet  he  yefj)  to  his  wyUe. 

to  echin  he  hi??^  sseweb  Htel  /  and  litel.  ase  bet  child  f^  ''""^'  "^  ^  ^^^^ 

J  I  >  degree, 

wext  /  and  com])  uor]).  Alsuo  is  he  in  his  graces  gost- 
liche  be  |)an  fet  ech  profitej)  ine  guode  /  and  agrayjie]) 
his  herte  /  and  him  yef  b  to  gode  :  be  ban  bet  god  \nm  ^'^^  in<='-easins 

/  J      r  o  I         r        o  more  and  more  in 

yefb  more  /  and  more  of  grace.     And  bet  sseAveb  bis  those  who  use 

J      J  I  °  '  '     '        them  aright. 

yefjje  be  worke  /  pe  on  :  ine  Jie  on.   and  fe  ojier  /  ine  Jje 

o]jei'.  ase  liit  lykejj  fe  holy  gost  /  pet  his  todelp  to  his 

wiUe.  ase  zaynte  paul  zayp.     J^amie  ine   ous  beginnej?  These  graces  be- 
gin low  and  rise 

pise  graces  ase  pe  m'7'tues  ine  I03.  and  ssewep  an  hej.  high. 

And  pet  is  of  drede.     Jja?me  ine  wysdome.     Vor  drede 

is  beginninge  of  -wysdom.  ase  zayb  dauid.     Ac  ine  him  Pearls  thebegin- 

"  °  "^  '  ning  of  wisdom. 

weren  echedaye  alle  pe  g?-aces  /  and  alle  pe  u//'tues  wel 

uoUiche  wyp-oute  enie  mesure.  and  peruore  his  zet  pe       t^^'^i-  s^.  b.] 

profete  dounward  /  ech  yefpe  be  pe  ordre  of  hare  ding- 

nete.     Alsuo  ase  zeue  benes  byep  yzet  beuore  be  pe 

ordre  of  hare  dingnetes.  pe  he3este  beuore.  and  pe  lo3este 

efterward. 

HUERUORE    HI    bye);    Y-CLEPED    YEF]^ES.  Why  they  are 

called  gifts. 

bise  graces  byeb  yhote  yefbes  uor  bri  skeles.    Verst  i-  These  graces 
■•        °  J   r  J  J     r  r  ^  ^^^  ^^^^ea.  gifts 

uor  hare  dingnete  and  hare  Avorp.     yef  me  yefp  ine  pe  for  their  dignity 

.  and  worth. 

kinges  cort  ane  robe  to  ane   childe  /  oper  ane  poure 


120  THE    TRUE    NATURE    OF    A    GIFT. 

manne  :   aue  dissuol  of  ijesen  /  jjet  ne  is  no  Jiiug  Jjet  by 

worJ)i  to  hj  ycleped  yefjje  of  kyng.      Jjeruore  saynt 

iacob  clepej)  alle  Jje  ofre  giiodes  Jiet  god  jeip  /  and  tim- 

Aii  other  gifts  are  liche  /  and  gostliche.   nau3t  yef bes  :  ac  y-yeue.  fet  by 

changing  and  i  •      i       ; 

going.  cnongmde  /  and  giioinde.      Ac  fise  graces  he   clepe]) 

given  to  us  by  God  yef|)es  uolueld.     Yoi  lie  his  ne  yef])  to  nonen  :   fat  he 

ne  yeff)  hiwi-zehie.     J3e  oper  scele  is  /  iior  pet  Jje  ofre 

2.  other  graces  g?'aces  /  and  J)e  oTpre  guodes  he  ous  leii])  uor  to  usy  iue 
fn'thisiife.bT'  >ise  line.  Ac  jjise  byef  yeffes  ari3t  wy})-oute  wypnym- 
remrin^vuruT     J^ge  /  and  wyf-oute  lere.     Yor  liua«ne  fe  of  re  ssolle 

fayli  /  ]}ise  ssolle  ous  bleue.    ]5a?me  byef  hi  zuo  propre- 
liche  oure  :   Jjet  we  his  ne  ino3e  na^t  lyese  wylle  "we 

3.  They  are  given    nolle  Ave.  ase  we  nio3e  jje  ojjie.     )je  Jjridde  scele  and  Jie 

by  love. 

hejeste  is.  uor  Jjer  byej»  yefjjes  clenliche  be  lone,  and  |)ou 

wost  wel  fet  yefjje  lyest  Jjane  name  of  yefjje :  hua??ne 

hit  ne  is  na3t  y-yeue  clenliche  be  loue.    Vor  hua?2ne  fe 

A  gift  becomes       yeuere  he])  zi3]ie  to  his  03ene  prou  :  fet  ne  is  no  yef])e  : 

giver  has  an  eye     ac   TalpYQ   is   cliapuare.     Huawiie   he    yzy3])    guodnesse 

to  his  own  profit.  ,  ,      ,  ■         /  ,     ,  •  p,        i         t  -j.   ■ 

OHderuonge  /  o])er  seruice  /  pet  ne  is  no  yeipe  /  ac  hit  is 

ra])re  dette  y-yolde.     Ac  hua^ne  Jie  yeffe  com])  p?'opre- 

A  gift  comes  from  liche  and  clcnliche '  of  be  welle  of  loue  wili-oute  ijrou. 

the  well  of  love,  '  ' 

without  reward,  wy])-oute  ycf])e.  wy])oute  drede.  wy])-onte  enie  dette  : 
J3a??ne  is  hit  ari3t  ycleped  /  jefpe.  Huerof  pe  filosofe 
zsijp.  fet  yef])e  /  is  yeuynge  :  wyfoute  ajen-jeipe.  ])et 
is  \vy[])]-oute  onderstondinge  of  ayenyef])e.   ac  wyfoute 

God  gives  us  His    more  :  uor  to  zeche  loue.     Ine  zuyche  manere  god  yef]) 

gifts  for  the  love 

He  hath  to  us. ;  OUS  liis  yeffes  clenliche  /  uor  pe  loue  ]3et  he  he])  to  ous  / 
and  uor  to  gaderi  oure  herten.  and  oure  loue.  and  uor 
])ise  scele  :   p>'oj)reliche  hi  bye])  y-cleped  /  yef])es. 

Why  they  are  HUERUORE  HI  BYeJ?  Y-CLEPED  YEF)PE  OF  J)E  HOLY  GOST. 

called  gifts  of  the 

Holy  Ghost.  ^p  hueruore  hi  byef  y-cleped  /  jeipe  of  fie  holy 

1.  Works  ot  might  g^gj; .  h-^niiG^  vef be  of  be  uader  /  and  of  lie  zone,  uor  alle 

belong  to  the  '^  ■»  J      r  r  I  r 

Father:  works  of  1^]^^  dedcs  /  and   liire  yef  bes  bye])   co???mun.  (?)  })er-to 

wisdom  to  the  '  J      r  J    r  \  '   ' 

Son:  works  of       \)\-q\,  tuave  sccles.     \iQ  oue.  uor  ))an  pet  ase  Avorkes  of 

goodness  to  the  d    t  j  '  j  j 

Holy  Ghost.         niy3te  /  bye])  appropred  to  fie  uader.  and  pe  workes  of 
1  MS.  chenliche  ^  more  ]panne  ? 


WHEREFORE    MAN    IS    SAVED.  121 

wysdom  /  to  jje  zone  :  alsuo  Jje  ^vorkes  of  guodnesse  :  to 

J3e  lioly  gost.  vor'  guodnesse  is  /  ase  zay})  sanyt  denys  /       ['  ms.  wor] 

to  lere  him-zelue.     A-^or  yef  a  man  yeff)  Jiet  him  na3t  ne 

costnejj :  fet  ne  is   najt  grat  guodnesse.     Ac  uor  jje 

holy  gost.  be  pjse  zeue  yef Jjes  /  spret  him-zelue  ine  oure  These  gifts  spread 

herten  /  ase  zayjj  zainte   paul  /  ase  be  zeue  streames.  by  seven  streams. 

])eruore  hi  bye])  propreliche  y-cleped  yefpes  of  fe  holy 

gost.     A^'or  he  is  be  welle.   hy  byeb  be  streames.     And  The  Hoiy  Ghost  is 

be  ober  scele  is  /  uor  bet  be  holy  gost  is  p?'opreliche  be  are  the  streams. 

^^  I  r        r  J    o  II  Y      2.  TheHoIyGh.ist 

loue  /  bet  is  betuene  be  uader  /  and  be  zone,  and  beruore  is  the  love  be- 

'  ••         _  '  I  r  T  tween  the  Father 

bet  loue  is   be   propre  /  and  be  uerste  /  and  be  hejeste  ami  son. 

''  r       i       1         '  r  /  -"^    .       -^  Love  is  the  high- 

yefjje  :  j^et  man  may  yeue  /  Jiet  ari3t  yefj).   and  ine  fise  est  of  all  gifts. 

yefjje  :  me  yef]?  /  alle  J^e  ofre.  and  wyboute  Jjisen  :  non 

ober  yef  be '  ne  is  na^t  arijt  y-nemned  yef  be.   beruore  is  The  Holy  Ghost 

is  gift  and  giver, 

arijt  be  holy  gost  prop?'eliche  /  yef  be  /  and  yeuere.  Yor  for  he  giveth  and 

is  given. 

he  \\\m  yef  J7 :  and  is  y-yeue.     Ine  echen  of  fuse  zeuen       [Foi.  sr.  a.] 
Jiet  he  yefj)  uor  to  co»fermi  oure  loue  to  his  /  fet  hi 
by  feruent  /  and  guod  /  and  zo])e  /  and  clene. 

HUERUORE    IS    3IAN    Y-BOR^E. 

Vor  tuo  J»inges  is  ])e  man  yborje.  be  fe  be-uliynge  why  man  is 

saved. 

of  kueade  :  and  do  Jiet  guode.     jjet  kueade  beuly  /  and  i.  By  eschewing 
hatie  :  ous  de])  fie  yeffie  of  drede.     ]5e  ofre  zix  dofi  ous  2.  By  doing  good. 
fie  guodes  to  done.     J;e  yeffie  of  drede  is  Je  doreward  causes  us  to  flee 
to  fie  greate  fireste.  fiet  is  to  zigge  :  to  Je  greats  fireap-  The  other  six  gifts 
ninge  of  godes  dom  /  and  of  Je  pine  of  helle.  fet  is  good.^"^ 
eehedaye  /   aredy  and   arise.    Jet  is    Je   wayte  of    Je 
castele  /  Jet  neure  ne  slepj.  Jet  is  ]Je  wyed  hoc  of  fe  ^'^hfdoor-*^'^*'"^ 
gardine  fet  uorde]?  al  Jet  kueade  gers.     )3et  is   Je  hor-  ^^rwatchofthe 
dyer  bet  lokeb   be  herte  /  and  alle  be  'guodes  bet  byeb  castie, 

•J        '  1     >  I  JO  -■  "^    -^    the  weed -hook  of 

ferinne.     )3e  ojre  zix  yefjes  /  ous  makef  Je  guodes  to  the  garden. 
done. 

ISTou  sselt  bou  ywyte  /  bet  ase  be  brisTtlnesse  of  be  The  sun  gives 

r         J      -^        l_    '^  f  -"-J  J-      light  to  the  world. 

zo?me  bet  bou  izixt  yefb  liit  to  be  Avordle  and  u//'tue  /  and  virtue  and 

^        '  J       s       J  I  strength  to  all 

and  stre?igje  to  alle  Je  Jinges  Jet  wexej  and  comej  to  things  in  it; 

...  so  the  Holy 

])e  wordle.   alsuo  def»  Je  holy  gost  Jet  ali3t  in  lieuene  ohost  gives  light 


122 


STATES    OP    HEAVENLY    BEINGS. 


to  those  who  are 
in  grace. 
There  are  three 
stages  of  folk  in 
heaven. 

1.  The  nearest  to 
God  see  and  hear 
nhn. 


2.  The  middle 
ones  are  like 
barons  and 
bailiffs. 


?,.  The  lowest  are 
as  Serjeants  (serv- 
ants). 


So  are  there  three 
states  of  God's 
sons  on  earth. 


1.  Those  who  live 
by  God's  behests. 


2.  Those  who 
have  their  hearts 
in  heaven  and 
their  bodies  on 
earth. 


3.  The  third 
govern  them- 
selves and  others 
by  God's  behests. 


The  two  first  of 
these  six  gifts 
(knowledge  and 
pity) 

belong  to  those  of 
the  first  state. 
The  two  middle 
ones  (counsel  and 
strength)  belong 
to  those  of  the 
second  stage. 
The  two  last 
(understanding 
and  wisdom)  be- 
long to  those  of 
the  highest  state. 


and  ine  erjje  alle  po  pet  hjep  in  grace  /  and  men  /  and 
angles.  And  al  alsiio  ase  ine  lieuene  /  hep  Jjri  stages 
of  nolke  /  ase  zayt  saynt  denys.  liuer-of  pe  on  is 
lie^ere.  pe  ojjer  men.  pe  ])ridde  lowest,  pe  he3este  /  byej) 
ase  )30  /  ])et  hjep  of  pe  kinges  consayle.  pise  bye]? 
alneway  mid  god  pe  nixte  panne  pe  ojjre  /  and  jzjep 
and  yherejj  /  and  hivi  :  and  his  p?-2mtes.  ])e  men 
[midliste]  /  hjep  ase  pe  barouns  /  and  pe  baylifs  ))et 
gouernejj  and  wytyejj  pe  kingriche  /  and  giiojj  /  an 
comejj.  and  lyerniep  of  pan  of  pe  consayle.  an  pet  hi 
hotep  and  makep  hit  do  opren.  })e  lo3este  /  byep  ase 
sergons.  and  po  pet  byep  ine  office  /  and  habbep  pe 
mestyeres  /  and  dop  pe  offices  /  and  pe  messages  ase 
me  ham  zayp.  In  po  manere  /  and  in  po  uorbysne  hep 
he  pri  states  of  godes  zone  ine  erpe.  Hiiiche  pe  holy 
gost  /  let  /  and  condnep  /  ase  zayp  sainte  panel.  ])e  on 
stat  is  of  pan  /  pet  byep  ine  pe  wordle  and  libbep  be 
godes  hestes.  and  be  pet  hi  lenep  /  and  yhyerep  of  hyre 
ouerlynges.  )5e  oper  stat  is  of  pe  stedeneste  /  pet  of  al 
habbep  pe  herten  ont  of  pe  wordle  /  pet  ysyep  god  ase 
moche  ase  me  may  ine  pise  lyne.  and  habbep  hire  con- 
uersacion  ine  heuene  /  and  pe  bodyes  ine  erpe.  and  pe 
herten  mid  god.  pe  pridde  byep  ine  pe  middel  stat  / 
pet  gouernep.  wel  /  oper  ham  /  oper  opre.  and  libbep 
be  pe  hestes  of  god.  )?ise  pri  maneres  tekp  pe  holy 
gost  /  and  let  /  and  gouernep  /  be  pise  zix  yefpes.  and 
ham  to-delp  pise  g?-aces  to  echen  to  liis  wylle  ase  zayp 
pe  apostel.  J5e  tuo  uerste  of  pise  zix  yefpes  /  belangep 
to  pan  /  pet  byep  of  pe  nerste  stat.  j)e  yefpe  of  con- 
nynge  :  ham  tekp.  And  pe  yefpe  of  j)ite  :  makep  hain 
to  bidde.  j)e  tuo  midleste  /  belo??gep  to  ham  of  pe 
middel  stat.  j)e  yefpe  of  red  :  ham  gouernep.  And  pe 
yefpe  of  strengpe  :  uoluelp  pe  nyedes.  J?e  tuo  laste  / 
belongep  to  ham  of  pe  he3este  stat.  J2e  yefpe  of  onder- 
stondinge  :  his  aly^t.  J?e  yefpe  of  "wysdom  /  hise  makep 
stedeuest  /  and  his  co?^fermep  /  and  ioyuep  to  god.    An 


BELIEF,    HOPE,    CHARITY.  123 

opev  skele  per  is  /  hueruore  .pev  hjep  zeuen.     Vor  jje 

holy  gost  be  fise  zeue  yef]?es  :  bestrep])  Jie  zeue  zeiines  The  seven  gifts 

,      T        .  11  /  1  •  ^'''■'P  away  the 

uram  pe  nerte.  and  plontej)  /  and  nonssef  zeue  uo'tues  seven  sins  from 
co??,[t]raries  /  jjet  make]?  man  stedeuestliche  yblyssed.       [Foi.  sr.  b.] 
J5ise  byejj  pe  guodes  /  pet  pe  holy  gost  makef  ine  herte 
huer  he  descendeb  be  bise  zeue  yef bes.     Ac  erban  ich  ^  ^i"  no^  speak 

'of  seven  other 

decendi  to  pe  mVtues  J)et  byeb  con[t]raTies  to  be  zeue  virtues,  wiiereof 

three  are  godly 

zewnes  :    ich  pe  wylle  speke  ssortliche  /  of  zeue  o])re  and  four  cardinal, 
uw-tues.  huer-of  pe  fri  hjep  yclieped'  :  godliche.  and 
pe  uour  bye])  y-cleped  cardinals. 

Of   ]3E   pRl    UERSTE    U/iJTUES.  Of  the  three  first 

virtues. 

])e  Jjii  uerste  clepe])  saynte  paul :  beleaue.    hope.  Belief,  hope,  and 
and  charite.  and  bye])  ycleped  /  godliche.     Vor  fet  hi  gokiy,  they  direct 
ordayne])  hare  herten  to  god.     Beleaue  /  ase  zajp  saynt  By  be'ifef  w°e  ac- ' 
austin  :  ous  zet  onder  god.   and  hi  ous  de])  beknawe  /    °"^  e  ge    o  . 
and  to  byknawe.  to  pe  Ihorde  /  of  huam  we  healde])  al 
])8t  we  habbe]).   of  guode.     Hope  :  zajp.   hi  ous  arere])  Hope  raises  us  to 
to  god  /  and  ous  make])  Strang  /  and  hardi  /  nor  to  on- 
dernime  uor   lii??i  ])et  hi    ])et   j)ace])    ui'rtue   of   man. 
Charite.  f)is  zajp.  hi  ous  ioyncb  to  god.  Vor  charite  ne  charity joineth  us 

to  God. 

IS  o])er  ])ing  bote  dyere  oninge.  uor  hi  de])  of  pe  herte 
and  of  god :  al  on.  ase  zajp  saynyte  Pol.  Beleaue  / 
y-zi3t  ine  gode  pe  hejeste  zojjnesse.  Hope,  cuerlyche 
hejuesse.    and   ouerliche  mageste.     Charite.    ouerliche  ft  three  things 

one  loveth  a  man. 

guodnesse.     jjise  fri  ui'rtues  bye])  to-deld  be  fri  degres  i.  Having  heard 

J.  ,  TT       1    •   .  •  1         .  ^ .  ^°™*'  sreat  good 

Oi  loue.      V  or  pTi  ])inges  me  lone])  ane  man.     0])er  uor  of  him. 

,,  1,11,  ir.1-  ^  2.  Having  learnt 

pet  me  hep  y-lierd  grat  guod  of  mm.     Oper  uor  fet  me  great  good  of  him. 
onderstant  grat  guod  of  hi??z.     Ofer  uor  pet  me  hep  on-  ceived  gieat  good 
deruonge  grat  guod  of  him.     \)[se  Jiri  maneres  of  loue  :  °    ^^' 
bye])  ine  ])ise  firi  mrtues.     Loue  of  beleaue  :  hjerp  ine 
dede.    Loue  of  hope  :  uelb  bane  smel  /  and  zekb.    Loue  These  three  kinds 

^  '    f  I  J  of  love  are  m 

of  charite  :  nim]).  and  zik]).   and  zuel3})  /  and  halt.  ^hese  three  vir- 

1  MS.  i/cheped 


124  FOUR    CARDINAL    VIRTUES. 


Ofthefourcardi-  Of    j)E    UOUR    U/JJTUBS    CARDINALES. 

nal  virtues. 

Of  Jje   iiour   u/rtues    cardinales  spekejj  mocne    fe 


God  giveth  and 
teacheth  us  thei 
a  hundred  times 
better  tlian  tlie 
old  pliilosopliers 


teacheth  us  tiiera   yeaUe  philosofes.     Ac    fie    holi   gost  liise  yefj?  /  and 
better  than  tiie      [jgjjj,  J  j^etere  an  liondredsijje.  ase  zayj)  Salomon  ine  fe 
boc  of  wysdome.     Of  J)ise  uour  mrtnes  f»e  uerste  me 
1.  Sleight  (Pru-      clepe])/sle3])e — .  ]>e  oper  tempe?'ance.  fe  Jiridde/strengfie. 

dence).    2.  Tem-  ,  r-,n  -it-  •    ,  it 

iierance.  fe  uerjje  /  dom  [ri3tuolnesse].     pise  uour  mrtues  byep 

Doom  (Justice),     y-cleped  cardinals,    nor  fiet  hi  byej)  liefest  amang  fe 

dinai  virtues?'^'^     UM'tues  /  huBi-of  ])G  yealde  filosofes   speke.      Vor  he 

jjise  uour  u/vtues  fie  man  gouernef  lii?«-zelue  ine  fise 

wordle.  ase  fe  apostles  gouernef  holy  cherche  be  his 

1.  Prudence  keeps  cardinals.     Slcjbe  :    lokeb  bane  man  bet  he  ne  by  be 

niau  from  being  ■''  '     '  ' 

beguiled.  none  slesbe  of  be  kueade  y-OTled.      Temperance,    bet 

2.  Temperance  7r  r  J   OJ  x  i 

preserves  man       he  TIG  by  be  none  kuede  lone  amerd.     Strengbe.  bet  he 

from  being 

marred  by  wicked  ne  by  be  tyene.  ober  be  drede.  ober  be  zorse  :  ouercome. 

love. 

3.  Strength  bears    bise  bi'i  hyeldef)  man  ine  guod  stat  aiiorye  hi???-zelue. 

him  up  against 

sorrow.  Doiii.   liine  zet  ine  ordre  and  ine  ri^t  stat  a-yens  of  re. 

Vor  hi  ye.lt  to  echen  al  fet  his  is.  Jpise  byef  f e  uour 

These  are  the  four  tours  ine  fe  uour  coriiyeres  of  fe  house  of  fe  guode 

towers  that  make  /,,  t,.,i  •^  ti  cni 

the  house  of  the     majiiie  /  fet  makcfi  fet  hous  ziker  and  Strang.     !bie3]3e  : 
and'^steong'*'"'       ^it  werejj  wyjj  jjet  yeast  be  porueynge  aye  fe  perils, 

Te??^pera?^[ce]  /  aye  fet  zouf).  aye  fe  wykkede  hetes. 

Strengf .   aye  fet  norf .  aye  f e  wyckede  cheles.   Justice. 

ay[e]  fe  west,  a-ye  f e  Avyckede  raynes. 

Of  the  office  of  the  Qp    Jje    OFFICE    OF    bE    UOUR    U/iJTUES. 

four  virtues. 

Thesefour^virtuea         J^^^^    uoiir    ui'rtues    habbcf    diuersc    offices  /    and 

offlce^.^^^"^^"         mochel  ham  diuersef  ine  hire  workes  /  ase  zayf  an  aid 

filosofe  fet  hette  platoun  ine  his  boc  fet  he  made  of  f e 

uour  u/rtues.  and  hise  to-delf  Avel  sotilliche.   and  zayf. 

Prudence  hath      fet  sle3f  e  lief  f  ri  officcs.  uor  be  f  ise  uwiue  al  fet  man 

direct  man'ar'ight  tlcif  /  and  zayf  /  and  f engf.   al  lie  di3t  /  and  let  /  and 

word,  and^deed.     Tculef  to  f  e  lyne  of  scele.  ne  nof  ing  he  nele  do  :  bote 

ri3t  and  scele.   And  ine  alle  his  workes  he  him  porueyf 

fet  hi  by  do  /  by  f e  ordinance  /  and  by  f e  Avylle  of 


SLEIGHT,    TEMPERAXCE,    STRENGTH,    DOOM.  125 

god  /  Jjet  al  y-zi^jj  /  and-  clem]?.  A  grat  Uiord  ssokle  lie 
hj  ase  me  fingji  /  jjet  J)ise  onelej)i  uzVtue  liedde  :  and 
be  fise  fri  jjinges  Iwn  gouernede. 

TEMP£iJANOE.  Temperance. 

pe  u/rtue  of  te/?zperance  hef  fri  offices.     Vor  herte  '^eranre  hath*^^'"' 
pet  pise  office  hep  ne  wyle  /  ne  ne  wyliiep  ping :  pet  ^^'^^  °®<=^^- 
makep  to  uorpenclie.     Ine  none  pinge  lie  ne  agelt  pe 
la3e  to  louie  zikerliclie.  and  onder  him  of  scele  lie  zet  / 
and  dret  alle  pe   couaytises  of  pe  wordle.     ])et  is  to 
zigge.  lie  bet  lieb  bise  u//'tue.  he  him  loki  /  bet  he  ne  it  keeps  man  from 

°°  J  X    J  I    ■>  bemg  marred  by 

by  amerd  be  bise  bri  biiifjes  bet  be  wordle  ssent.  ase  tuesmoftue 
zayb  saint  Ion.  ze?me  of  ulesse  :   and  prede  of  herte.   '>eart,  and  the 

■*  covetousness  of 

couaytise  of  pe  wordle.  the  -world. 

StRENgJPE.  strength. 

j)e  nirtno  of  strengpe  /  hep  alsuo  pri  offices.     Vor  .troSam. 
huo  pet  pise  mVtue  hep  :  he  him  a-rerep   an  he^  a-boue  ™e  pe^J-uroftii'u^ 
pe  perils  pet  byep  ine  pe  wordle.   ISTo  ping  lii??i  ne  dret  /  '^°'-'^'^- 
bote  vileynie. 

Aduersete  /  and  prospe^-ite  /  he  berp  /  and   polep 
Avyp-onte  wepinge.  ne  ari3tlialf  ne  alefthalf.  "VVel  ssolde 
he  by  gtiod  kny3t  /  pet  uie  pise  pri  pinges  were  wel  y- 
proued.     pise  pri  u/rtues  armenp  /  an   ordaynep.  and  JhrTfaTitils  of 
agraypep  man  /  ase  to  pri  deles  of  pe  herte  /  pet  me  son/love^'^'r' 
cliepep  •   scele.    loue.  and  strengpe.     Prudence  /  lokep  s'^i'<=°sth. 
pane  scele  ^  /  pet  hi  ne  bi  beca3t.    Temperance  /  lokep 
pane  loue  /  pet  hi  ne  by  amerd.     Strengpe.  lokep  pet 
wyl :  pet  hi  ne  by  ouerconie. 

E13TUOLNESSE.  Rightfulness. 

Rijtuolnesse^.    makeb  bane  man  ordeneliche  libbe  Rig'itfuiness 

-'  '     '  makes  man  to 

amang  obren.     Vor  ase  zayb  platoii.   bis  is  be  u/rtue  /  nve  orderly 

°     J  J  r  i  r  r  1     among  others, 

pet  makep  pet  pe  man  a-yens  echen  dep  pet  he  ssel  do.   to  yield  reverence 
Vor  hi  yelt  reuerence  to  ham  pet  byep  a-boue.  loue  to  1^"^^*^°^^  ^^'""^ 

'  MS.  chepefj  ^  MS.  sclele  3  MS.  pi3tuolnesse. 


126  'the  necessity  of  charity. 

IndTo^howlmd-  ^^^^^  f®^  ^^'^f  bezide.  grace  to  liam  Jjet  bye])  benefe. 

nertrhim'"  ^^'  '^'^  ^^^^  ^°^^  UM'tues  yclo  /  is  jje  man  wor])i  pet  be  by 
gouernour  uerst  of  bim-zelue.  and  efterward  of  ofren, 
Ine  fise  nour  uiVtnes  ham  studede  fe  yealde  filozofes 
f)et  al  fe.  wordle  onworJ)ede  /  and  uorlete  /  nor  uirtue 
to  zecbe  and  wysdom.  and  feruore  hi  Avere  y-cleped  : 

Philosophy  sig-      filosofes.      Vor  filozofe  is  ase  moche  worb  :  ase  lone  of 

nifies  the  love  of 

■wisdom.  Avysdome.  A.  god  bon  bit  ssolde  ous  ssende  and  astonie  / 

The  old  phiioso-    liua?aie  bo  bet  weren  ijaenes  /  and  \vyb-ont  lase  v-Avrite 

phers  who  strove  •"       ■■  '  ^ '  J     J 

to  climb  unto  the  ijet  najt  ne  conbe  of  be  zobe  grace  of  god  /  ne  of  be 

Hill  of  Perfection    '  ^  I  Y  r       ^o  O         I  V 

by  strength  of       holy  gost :  ne  wenden.  hi  clinen  in  to  be  belle  of  per- 

tbeir  own  virtue,      «.«■,. 

put  so-called         leccion  of  huo  be  strengjie  be  hire  036110  u/rtue  /  and 

Christians  to  -  - 

shame,  who,  hav-  110  daynede  na3t  to  loki  ope  jje  wordle.     And  Ave  bet 

ing  the  true  '^e-        -i        ,.,/,,,  , 

lief,  yet  wallow  in  byej)  c?7steiie  /  and  haboet  J)e  zojje  beleaue  and  comie 

the  mire  of  this        ,i,n  -,-,-,-,-, 

world.  be  hestes  ot  god  and  habbeb  be  grace  of  be  holy  gost. 

[Fol.  38.  b.]    '   ,^   „  . 

Yet  we  yzeje  fet  we  mi3te  more  me  one  daye  pj-ofiti  / 

J)a?me  hi  ne  mo3e  ine  one  yere  y-liol  /  we  walewej?  ase 

Wherefore  saith     zuyn  hyer  benebe  /  ine  bise  wose  of  bise  wordle.   bernore 

St  Paul,  that  the  ; 

pagans  doing  the   zayj)  sanynto  paul  /  fet  fie  payens   bet  byeb  wyb-oute 

law  without  the      -t  i  ^    -i 

law  shall  judge  us  la3e  /  and  do))  J)e  la3e.   ate  daye  of  dome  :  hi  ssolle  ous 

tliat  have  the  law  , 

and  do  it  not.  dcmo  /  j)et  liabbet  |)e  la3e  /  and  na3t  bise  do]).  Ac  nor 
])aii  ])et  hi  ne  hedden  na3t  ri3te  byleue  /  ne  fane  holy 
gost  /  ne  none  lu'rtue.  ne  lyf  /  ne  zo})e  beknawynge  :  hi 

Virtue  without      ne '  111030  y-wy  to  hou  moche  bet  hi  weren  uayre  /  nor  ase 

charity  is  like  a  ?     J       ^  r  J        I 

dead  coal  or  dead  moclie  aso  for  is  bo-tuene  dyad  col  /  and  qnyk  /  man 
dyp.d  /  and  man  libbinde  :  ase  moche  ])er  is  be-tuene 
UM-tue  ])et  is  wy])-oute  charite  /  ])et  is  Ipe  guodnesse  / 
and  ])e  wor])  /  and  ])et  lyf  of  pe  o])re  n^rtues.     Huer-of 

The  four  cardinal   sayiit  austin  hua?^ne  he  spec])  of  J)ise  nour  uiVtues  /  he 

virtues  are  four  _  j-       t  r  i 

kinds  of  loves.  his  to-dolf)  be  uouT  mane?'es  of  loue.  and  be  nour  finges 
])et  zof)  loue  make]).  j)anjie  he  zayJ)  /  ])et  Jie  mrtue  of 
love  of  the  heart  pi'udcnce  :  is  pG  louo  of  hcrte.  ])et  wyslyche  uorlet  /  al 
IkerauthatTnay  f^t  him  may  derie  :  and  chyest  al  fet  him  may  helpe. 
J'*''™-  and  habbe  bet  he  loue])  /  ])et  is  god.     he  mrtwe  of  te^n- 

Temperance  en-  ■"  j    i    j  o  j 

abies  man  to  give  perauco  is  he  louo  of  he  herte  /  liuerbv  he  hi?>i  vef  b  v- 

himself  wholly  to  ^  '  '  -'  J      r  J 

God.  1  MS.  «0 


THE    GIFT    OF    DREAD.  127 

holliclie  and  wyjjoute  corrupcion  to  Jjet  ha  loue]?  /  pet  is 

to  god.     pe  ii/rtue  of  stre?;g|)e  /  is  pe  loue  of  lierte  /  strength  enables 

huer-by  he  folej?  strongliche  alle  finges  Jjet  111036  come  /  things. 

uor  bet  he  louejj.     lustice  /  is   be  loue  of  herte  /  luier-  Justi-e  is  the  love 

whereby  he  serves 

by  he  serueji  onlepiliche  and  wyjj-oute  more  /  to  fet  he  God  and  putteth 

,,,...,-,  .,  ,  all  other  things 

louep.  pet  IS  to  god,  and  uor  zuo  moche  dejj  onder  uot  under  foot. 

aUe  ofre  |)inges.  j)anne  dom  zet  man  /  ine  his  ri3te  stat. 

pet  is  aboue  aUe  binges  /  and  onder  god.  Wyb-oute  bise  Without  these 

four  virtues  non« 

uour  u»-tues  non  ne  may  cliue  in-to  be  helle  of  perfec-  may  ciimb  unto 

^-^        -  ,     ,  T  1  ,,,.-,-,  theHiUofPerfec- 

cion.      Vor  huo  pet  wyle  zuo  he3e  clyue  /  him  behouej)  tion. 

ate  uerste  Jigt  he  habbe  prudence  /  Jiet  hi»i  makie  to 

onworpi  pe  wordle  /  and  strengjie  jjermide  /  fet  him 

yeue  grat  herte  /  of  g?'at  ])ing  to  onderuonge.  and  uol3i. 

Of  ojjerhalf  Jjet  he  habbe  temperance  /  uor  Jiet  he  ne 

by  to  moche  y-charged.  and  ri3tuolnesse  J)er-mide  /  Jjet  is 

pe  ri3te  pej).  and  hi?7i  ssewy  godes  riche.  ase  god  dede 

to  lacob.  ase  zayjj  jje  boc  of  wysdome.     Huo  J»et  Jjise  whoso  had  these 

uour  uirtues  nii3te  zuo  habbe  /  he  ssolde  by  Avel  per-  blessed  and  per 

feet  /  and  yblissed  ine  fise  wordle  /  and  more  ine  pe  world,  and  more 

opve.     Vor  he  ssolde  by  ine  payse  of  herte.    and  ine 

blisse  gostlych  /  na3t  ne  sso[l]de  liim  faily  /  ac  wexe  ine 

god  Jjet  he  ssolde  habbe  ine  hhn  /  ine  huam  he  him 

ssolde  lyky. 

ISTou  Ave  ayen  comeb  to  oure  kende.   and  bidde  we  Let  us  pray  the 

'  Holy  Ghost  to 

mid  al  oure  herte  /  bane  holy  gost  /  bet  tekb  be  hertes.  teach  and  show  us 

'    ^  J    o  /    r  r  r  how  He,  by  these 

jjet  he  by  oure  auocat  /  and  ous  teche  to  sseawy  hou  he  gifts,  strippeth 

.  the  seven  sins 

be  Jiise  zeue  yeijjes  :  bestrepej)  pe  zeue  ze?^nes  of  oure  from  our  hearts, 
herten.  and  he  zette  /  and  norissy  pe  zeue  uiHues. 

Of    bE    YEFbE    OP    DREDE.  Of  the  gift  of 

■"  '  dread. 

j)e  yefjje  of  drede  :  is  pe  uerste  /  of  pe  yefjjes.  fet  The  gift  of  dread 
kest  out  alle  jje  ze/ines  of  pe  herte.  ase  we-  habbe])  yzed  the  sins  from  the 
beuore  wel  propreliche.     He  bestrepb  be  rote  of  prede.  it  strippeth  the 

■"    •"_  root  of  pride,  and 

and  zet  in  his  stede  :  be  u/rtue  of  mildenesse.     l^ou  setteth  in  its  stead 

^  .  [Fol.  39.  a.] 

loke  and  onderstand  wel  hou.   be  zene3ere  bet  slep])  ine  the  virtue  of 

meekness. 

dyadliche  ze?ine  /  is  ase  pe  ribaud  and  dronke  /  fet  hejj  The  sinner  is  like 

the  drunkard. 


128  THE  sinner's  unconsciousness. 

who  knows  not      al   uorlore  ill  Ipe  tauerne  /  and  is  zuo  naked  and  zno 

hi3  nakedness  and 

poverty.  poure  :  jjet  he  ne  lie]?  na3t.  ac  najt  he  hit  ne  neljj  ne 

playne]?.     Ac  he  wen]?  by  a  wel  greet  Ihord. 

Ac  fanne  he  hejj  y-slepe  /  and  conif  to  hi?»-zelue  : 
panne  he  yuelp  his  kuead  /  and  knaup  his  folye  /  and 

The  first  good  that  hi???,  playiieb  of  his  harm,      bet  is  bet  uerste  giiod  bet 

the  Holy  Ghost  '  . 

doth  to  the  sinner  pe  holy  gost  de]j  to  ]}e  zene3ere  /  hua?ine  he  him  uisitejj. 

his  senses"  Vor  he  hi???  yelt  his  wyttes  /  and  his  onderstondinge  / 

80  that  he  may      and  him  breng])  ayen  to  hi??i-zekie.    zuo  Jjet   he   hi??* 

has  faiTen!^^  ^^      knaujj  /  and  hi??i  reuertej)  huet  guodes  ne  hej?  iierlore  / 

and  how  waste-     ^nd  inc  huct  poucrte  he  is  y-ualle  be  his  ze??ne.  ase 

sqnand'ere'tihis      dede  jje  guode  mannes  zone  pet  his  eritage  wastede  and 

leniage.  dispe??dede  ine    ribaudie    and    leuede    lecherusHche  / 

alhuet  hi??z  behouede  to  loki  zuyn.  ase  oure  Ihord  ous 

make])  |)ise  uorbysne    ine    his    spelle.      Atenende    pe 

zenejeres  ^  ase  zayji  Salomon  is  ase  pe  ilke  J)et   sleji]) 

amide  pe  ze  /  and  Jiet  ssip  spilj?  /  and  he  na3t  hit  ne 

The  sinner  is  as     ne\p  j  lie  iioiie  dredc  ne  hej).     Ac  hua??ne  pe  lioly  gost 

irons  and  fetters,    hi???  awakcj) :  J)a??ne  ynelj)  he  and  zi3j)  his  pe?'il  /  and 

guarded,  as  was     begin  J)  to  habbe  drede  of  hi??^-zelue.     And  yet  eft  pe 

St  Peter  in  .  ,        -n         t     j    •      •  •  •  i 

Herod's  prison.      zene3ere  IS  ase  pe  like  pet  is  me  p?-?sone  m  ysnes  and 
The  wretch  in  6  uetcres  /  and  ine  greate  lokinge  /  ase  wes  saynte 

thinketh  not  of  .         ,  ,  .  ,  ,     , 

the  gibbet,  but  peter  Hie  hcrrodes  prisone.  and  pe  wrechche  ne  j?eng]) 
dreameth  that  he  of  hi??z  J)et  hiiie  halt :  lie  of  pe  gibet  j^et  lli??^  abit.  ac 
and  weddings.  slepj)  and  met  fet  ha  gej)  to  festes  and  to  bredales.  Ac 
a3'the°auge/ti'iar  p^  gvcice  of  pe  holy  gost  is  ase  pe  angle  Jjet  awakede 
ard  delivered  Mm  zaynte  pctien  /  and  \\\m  deliurede  of  pe  hand  of  herrode. 
Herod,  fo*!-  he"  ^  ^^'^'^  ^^^  awakcj?  Jjane  zene3ere  /  and  hi???,  deliurej)  of  pe 
ne^and  deiivexs"  ^'^^^^^  ^f  pe  dyeulc.  Ateende^  pe  zene3ere  is  ase  pe  ilke 
poweTofUie'*'  l^^*  '^^'^^^l'  ^J  Strang  /  an  hoi  /  and  he  hej?  fane  dyajj 
Thl'sinner  ween-  o^^^^^^r  liis  clojjes.  Yor  he  \\ep  pe  kuede  humours  and 
"^-et  he  hlthX ath  coiTuptes  iiie  pe  bodye  /  liuer-of  lie  ssel  sterue  \vy]3-inne 
under  his  clothes,  j^j-^g  moiijje.  aiid  lie  weiif  libbc  yet  uourti  yer  /  ase 
zayj)  elyuans  ine  uers  of  Jie  dya])e.  Do  away  pe  scoffes 
The  Holy  Ghost     aiid  pe  scomes.  uor  zuich  me  wrikjj  onder  his  clobes 

is  the  good  physi- 
cian. })et  weiij)  by  Strang  and  hoi.   Ac  pe  lioli  gost  is  fie  guode 

'  zcucyre  ?  -  Atenende  ? 


THE  sinner's  sickness.  129 

leclie  /  )?et  amaystrej)  his  ziknesse  /  and  clionge])  liis  that  masters  the 
humours,  and  hi???,  yefjj  zuycli  a  byter  medecine  :  jjet  g\vetrman  such 
him  help,  and  him  yefjj  pet  hf.      Alsuo  troblejj  oure  t\''^"t''hTaieih"' 
Ihord  pe  herte  jjet  he  \vyle  hele.  ase  zayjj  daui]?  in  pe  ^}'^  ^^^'"^'^ 
sautere.  and  him  wyb-nynib'  /  and  deb  him  come  ay  en  om- Lord  troubles 

J  r     J      r     I  r  J  the  heart  that 

hi?n-zelue  to  knawe  /  ase  he  dede  adam :  oiu-e  uerste  ^e  wiu  heai. 
uader  efter  pe  zenne  |)o  he  him  hedde  /  ama??g  pe  traAves 
of  paradys.  Hueruore  he  him  zede  :  'ada?/i  huer  art  bou'?' 

•'  Three  questions 

)?ri  obre  acsi??gges  made  he  be  enne  of  his  angles  to   be  asked  tiie  augei 

of  Hagar,  when 

jjierne  [of]  saynt  abraha??i  /  fet  hette  agar  j)o  hi  ulea3  uram  she  fled  from  her 
hare  llieuedi.  Agarhezayde/'hua/^nescomstjjou.  Huj^der  i.  whence  comest 

.,  ttjti.         nil-.-  •  1..11       thouP  2.  Whither 

gest  pou.  Jluet  dest  pou  i   pise  pri  acsmges  make]?  pe  holy  goest  thou  ? 

,,,  1  1  111  111-3.  What  dost 

gost  to  pe  zene3ere  huanne  he  awake Ji  and  arerej)  and  mm  thou? 
openejj  pe  e^en  of  jje  herte.  and  him  yelt  his  wyttes  and  Tjjg^g^^'jj'l.gg'''-' 
his  onderstoudinge.    '  Huer  art  bou  1 '  zayb  he  :   bet  is  to  questions  the 

^  r  J  r  r  Holy  Ghost  puts 

zigge :  '  Yzij-  wrechche  ine  hiuche  zorjes  /  and  ine  huiche  *■«  ^^'^  s'™*"" 

when  he  awaketh 

perils  jjou  art  in  Jjise  wordle.     Vor  jjou  art  ase  pe  ilke  him  and  openeth 

his  eyes. 

fet  slepjj  me  pe  ssipe  /  fet  is  yspild  /  and  na3t  hit  not  "Look,"  he  says, 
ne  onderstant  his  peril.'  '  Huamies  comst  poul '  fet  is  to  thoVIn  "'^'^" 
zigge  :  '  Loke  wrechche  bi  hf  ca'  arrieres  /  uor  bou  comst  ^f"^  and  seeiiow 

""  '  I  '  thou  oomest  nxau 

uram  pe  tauenie  of  pe  dyeule  /  huer  jjou  best  /  J?i  lif  "-e  Jevii's 

y-wasted  /  and  y-lore  jjine  time  /  and  alle  pe  guodes 

jjet  god  pe  hedde  y-yeue.'     'Huet  dest  fou?'  pet  is  to  g.^  how  brittle 

zigge  :  'Ysy  hou  pow  art  fyeble  /  and  brotel  /  and  a-  and  feeble 

uorye  jjet  body  /  and  a-uorye  Jje  zaule.   fou  wenst  by  ^^^  jj^^  tj,y 

hoi  /  and  Strang,   ac  par  auentwre  fou  best  pe  humours  [^^  th^'to'^* 

ine  pe  bodye  fet  pe  ssoUe  lede  to  pe  dyafe.     And  ine  "^^ath. 

pe  zaule  Jjou  best  kueade  jjeawes  /  jjet  pe  ssolle  lede  to 

pe  dyafe  of  belle  :  bote  fe  gmce  of  god  :  fe  ne  werie.'  ^ook  and  under- 

Efte/-ward.  '  buider  gest  bou  f   bet  is  to  zigge  /  'wrechche  stand  that  thou 

bench  /  and  loke  /  and  onderstand  /  bet  bou  gest  to  be  and  shait  fail 

■^  '  '  /    /         X         o  J       into  the  hand 

dyajje.  oJ?er  J)ou  sselt  ualle  ine  pe  hand  of  herrodes  /  ofthedevii. 
jjet  is  pe  dyeuel  /  and  to  bis  mayne.'  And  jjeruore  zay]? 

.  L-^ofte  wel  hyerr^ 

pe  guode  man.     '  Man  may  longe  bis  lyues  wene  /  and  Man  thinks  his 

pji'1,1-  1  1  L     •      L.      life  ^^'ill  ''e  long, 

otte  hi?/i  iye3ep  his  wrench,  ase  uayr  weder  went  m-to  i,ut  ottgn  jg  j,e 
1  nnj\>-nyn\>  in  MS.         2  go  \^  MS.         '  ta  in  MS. 


I 


130 


HOW    MEEKNESS    GROWS    IN    THE    HEART. 


All  shall  drink 
of  deatli's  drink, 


wherefore  repent 
thee,  ere  thou 
fall  from  tliy 
bench. 

Thou  fjoest  into 
heU  where  is  fire, 
brimstone,  and  a 
thousand  ever- 
lasting pains. 


These  four 
questions  are 
like  four  strokes 
of  thunder,  that 
astound  and 
terrify  the 


How  mildness 
waxeth  in  the 
heart. 
The  four 
thoughts  above 
mentioned  strip 
the  garden  of 
the  heart  of  the 
four  roots 
of  pride. 
These  roots  are 
the  four  horns 
that  God  showed 
to  Zechariah  the 
prophet. 

The  four  smiths 
are  the  four  afore- 
said thoughts. 


When  man 
thlnketh  whence 
he  cometh,  and 
understandeth 
and  knoweth  the 
poverty  and  vile- 
ness  of  his  birth, 
[Fol.  40.  a.] 


then  the  grace  of 
God  enables  him 
to  feel  his  own 
unworthiness. 


rcne  /  and  iierliclie  makeji  his  blench.  )?er  ne  is  no])er 
king  ne  kuene  /  fet  ne  ssel  drinke  of  deajjes  drench, 
maw  jjeruore  Jie  he])ench  /  er  jjou  ualle  of  jji  bench  /  ])i 
zenne  aquench.'  Jjou  gest  to  fe  dome  /  huer  )30U  sselt 
uinde  :  jjane  domes  man  zuo  sterne  /  and  zuo  stout  /  an 
zuo  strayt  /  an  zno  nii3tuol.  fou  gest  in-to  helle  /  huer 
J)ou  sselt  yuinde  :  ver.  and  bernston.  and  a  fousond 
pinen  /  fiet  neure  ne  endej?  fe  u.or  to  pini.  And  Jious 
de])  J)e  holy  gost  to  ]je  zene^ere  /  Jje  e3en  openi  and  [he] 
yzyj)  a-boue  /  and  benejje  /  and  beuore  /  and  be-hynde. 
)?ise  byeji  uour  strokes  of  Jjondre  /  ]jet  astonej)  jjane 
zene3ere  /  and  makeji  ssake  /  and  habbe  drede.  And 
Jjise  uour  to  z^ye,  /  byejj  Jie  uour  smale  roten  of  Ipe  rote 
of  mildenesse.  J?et  Ipe  yefjje  of  drede  zet  ine  Jie  herte  of 
Jie  zene3ere  hua?nie  god  liim  uisitej). 

HOU    MILDENESSE    WEXT    INE    HERTE. 

j)e  uour  J)03tes  be-uore  ysed  strepe]?  of  J»e  gardine  of 
Jie  herte  /  fe  uour  rotin  of  prede  fet  jjer  bye|).  huer-of 
Jie  proude  wenj)  /  of  azemoche  ase  can  habbe.  ojier 
azenioche  he  is  of  mi3te.  ojier  azemoche  ase  he  can 
conne.  ojier  ase  moche  ase  can  by  worji.  Jiise  byeji  Jie 
uoru"  homes.  Jiet  is  to  zigge :  Jie  uour  cornardyes  J»ct 
amerrej)  Jio  contraye  /  J)et  god  ssewede  to  zakarie  Jie 
P'/'ofete.  Ac  Jie  uour  smijies  Jiet  he  hiin  ssewede  efter- 
ward  /  fet  comen  after  fe  uour  homes  to  uelle  :  byejj 
Jie  uour  Ji03tes  be-uore  yzed.  Yor  huawne  Jie  man  Jiengji 
huawnes  he  comji  /  and  onderstant  and  knauji  his 
pourehede  /  Jie  vilhede  /  Jje  brotelhede  of  his  beringe  / 
hou  he  wes  beyete  in  zenne  /  and  of  zuo  uoule  matere 
y-mad  And  y-ssape.  and  ine  zuo  poure  house  y-her- 
ber3ed.  ine  zuo  greate  pouerte  y-bore.  and  rajire  dyad 
to  Jje  zaule  :  Jia?me  yliore  to  jje  wordle.  in  huiche 
zor3es  he  wes  y-norissed.  ine  huet  trauail  he  hej) 
yleued.  hou  he  he]j  his  time  uorlore.  and  he  yzi3j» 
Jiane  gTeate  heap  of  liis  ze?mes.  and   Jie  guodes  Jiet  he 

he  J)  uorlete  to  done.     pa)ine  hi?«  dej)'  Jie  grace  of  god 
'  MS  de^ 


THE    TREE    OF    MEEKNESS.  131 

yuele  mid  herte  :  fet  lie  ne  is   na3t  worb.     Efterward  Afterwards  when 

...  ,    he  thinketh 

hua»[ne]  he  fengj;  liner  he  ys  /  and  7-213])  fise  wordle  /  wa^t  he  is,  that 

,.  •!,  -IT  liioi  j>  this  world  is  bwt 

pet  lie  IS  bote  an  exii  and  a  dezert  uoi  01   iyons  an  01  a  desert  fuii  of 

lipars.  a  forest  nol  of  )jyeues  an  of  calketreppen  /  and  of  forestXii^'of 

grilles,  ane  ze  nol  of  storm  /  and  of  peril,  a  fornays  anhet  ""e'^es, 

mid  uer  of  ze«ne  and  of  zor3e.  a  iield  of  uiy3t  huerinne 

him  be-houej)  eure  to  libhe  ine  werre  and  wy3te^  mid 

dyeulen  fet  zuo  nioche  bye  J)  wyse  /  and  sotil  /  and 

Strang.  J?a«ne  hi;^  de>  fe  grace  of  god  yuele  to  zo>e  /  IShis  own" 

and  to  aparce'iuy  his  onconnynge  /  and  Jiet  he  ne  can  y«^i^"«ss  and 

na3t.     Ate  laste  h[ii]a/me  he  fengf  and  onderstant  his 

zennes  and  his  defautes  ase  he  is  nol  of  zennes  and  ydel 

of  alle  guode.   |)a»ne   him  yefjj  J)e  holy  gost  y-uele  his 

poiirehede  /  and  ])et  he  ne  hep  na^t.  Efterward  hua?aie 

he  j-zi^p  be-iiore  hi7?i  huiderward  he  gejj.  and   he  y- 

zy^p  peaie  dyajj  to  huam  noii  ne  may  wyjjstonde,  he 

yzi3j)  his  demere  god  /  zuo  ri3tuol  be  huas  hand  him  thought  of  ids 

be-houejj  guo.  he  J-zi-^p  pe  pinen  of  helle  /  liuiche  no«  shows  wm  Ms 

ne  may  ascapie.  panuG  yef])  him  god  iuele  j^et  nia;mes  Thus  theris^the 

mi3te  ne  is  na3t  /  and  Jjet  he  ne  may  na3t.     IIua?ine  he  f,'""^J  o^l'^h-it'" 

y-zi^j)  p'dnne  /  and  uelj?  /  and  onderstant  ])et  he  ne  is 

najt  worj)  /  fet  he  na3t  ne  hej).   J)et  he  na3t  ne  dej?  / 

and  fet  he  ne   dej)  na3t  /  and  jjet  he  ne  may  na3t. 

panne  begin]?  he  uor  to  byeniie  poure  of  s^^irit.     Ine 

bise  uour  bojtes  /  byeb  be  uour  bo^es  of  be  rote  of  pe 

■^  r    ->         I      ■J    r    r  ?  r  -^      The  tree  of  meek- 

trawe  of  mildenesse.    j)is  trau  is  yzet  bezide  pe  welle  of  ness  is  set  beside 
godes  drede.    huer-oi   hit  is  echedaye  y-wetered  /  me  God's  fear. 

,  I  ■  1    J.  •     ■  111  J  •         The  seven  virtues 

wyntre  :  and  me  zomere.  pet  is  me  wykkednesse  and  me  ^^.^  gg^.^,^  g^^pg 
guodnesse.     Nou  sselt  jjou  conne  fet  ecli  of  ))ise  zeuen  cmrbeThto good 
u/rtues.  huerof  ich  onderstoncle  to  spekene  of  his  stapes.  ""^^6^  ^^'^ 

-^  ^  good  deeds. 

huer-by  profite])  an  clif}?  /  and  wext  ine  pe  herte.   and  virtue  growetii 

,.,  ,  -^  as  high  as  a  palm, 

his  dedes  /  and  his  guode  ))eauwes  /  liuerby  hy  hare  a  cypress,  era 
ssewej)  wyjj-oute.      Vor  u/rtue  wext  an  he3  ase  palme  /  ^nj  spreadeth 
o]jer  ase  cipres.    ofer  ase  cedre.   and  panne  spret  and  ^ndTe^ff '^  "^'^''^ 
keste  his  bo3es  :  an  ech  half. 

'  ut/^fe  ? 
9  * 


132 


THE    STEPS    OF    MEEKNESS. 


Of  the  steps  of 
meekness. 


This  virtue,  hath 
seven  steps. 


The  first  step  is 
to  know  one's 
poverty  and 
defects,  and  to 
feel  one's  own 
unwortliincss 
and  vileness. 


Some  kiioic  their 
faults  but  do  not 
feel  them. 

The  second  step 
is  to  feel  and 
bewail  one's  sins, 
and  to  endeavour 
to  get  rid  of  the 
sorrow  and 
sickness. 


The  third  step  of 
meekness  is  to 
confess  and  shrive 
and  cleanse  our 
hearts  of  sin. 


The  fourth  step 
is  to  desire  to 
make  known 
one's  un- 
worthiness. 


The  fifth  step  is 
to  hear  willingly, 
gladly  of  our  own 
failings  and 
imperfections. 


The  sixth  step  is 
a  willingness  to 
endure  reproach. 


Of  ))e  stapes  of  mil[d]hede. 

Of  jje  u/^-tue  of  mildenesse  spec])  saynt  ansalin.  and 
zayj)  fet  M  he]?  zeue  stapes  huerby  liy  clif)j  an  lie^  /  al- 
huet  fet  hi  come  /  to  perfeccion.  l!^ou  onderstand  wel 
hou.  }3e  uerste  stape  of  mildenesse  /  is  to  knawe  his 
ponrehede.  and  his  defaute.  Yor  ase  zayjj  saynt 
hernard.  Mildenesse  is  jje  uiHue  jjet  makej)  fane  man 
hiw^-zelue  to  onworpi  /  and  healde  uor  vil.  Hua?ine  he 
\\\m  knan])  zojjliche.  )3is  kaiaiilechinge  wext  of  noiu' 
roten  beuore  yzed.  Ac  j?er  bye]?  zonie  jjet  wel  conne 
hyre  defautes  and  hire  pouerte  /  ac  na3t  hit  ne  uelejj. 
jperuore  is  Jje  ojier  stape  :  piele  /  and  playni  his  de- 
fautes and  his  poiierte.  And  Jiet  he  yuele  his  zor^e  and 
his  zicnesse  /  he  yernjj  blejiehche  to  j)e  fisiciane  /  and 
zai])  jjet  he  y-neljj  fe  kueade  humours  ine  ]je  bodye. 
bli])e  he  is  hua;ine  jjet  he  may  his  purgi  and  keste  out. 
and  Jjeruore  is  Jje  J)ridde  stape  of  myldenese  /  his  zennes 
and  his  kueade  wylles  blejjehche  beknawe  /  and  ssriue  / 
and  his  herte  clensi.  Ac  J)er  bye|)  zome  Jjet  beknawe]) 
hare  defautes  /  and  y-uele})  /  and  zor3Uolle  byef  /  and 
wel  ham  sriuej».  Ac  hi  nolden  anone  manere  fet  o])re 
hit  ^vyste  hou  hy  do)).  }?eruore  fe  uer]?e  stape  is  of  Jiise 
u/rtue  :  wyhii  to  by  y-knawe  /  and  y-healde  uor  uyl  / 
and  onwor]).  Ac  ])er  byef  eftsone  some  ])et  wel 
yk[n]awe])  and  uelej?  /  and  zigge])  here  defautes  /  and 
ziggej)  wel :  ich  am  a  kuead  /  and  zenuol  /  and  zuych  / 
and  zuych.  ac  yef  an  oJ)er  hi???,  zede  :  uorzo])e  fet  is 
zo])  /  ]3et  })0U  zayst  :  zor^uoUe  hi  wolden  by  /  and 
wolden  by  Avrojje  to  ]>q  dya]3e.  )3eruore  is  })e  vifte  stape 
of  fise  trawe  /  yhere  blefehche  of  him-zelue.  and  fet 
me  Yarn  zigge  his  defautes.  and  Jiet  is  ])et  saynt  bernard 
zay]?  /  pet  Jie  zojie  milde  :  wyle  by  hyalde  uor  vyl. 
na3t  ase  milde  y-praysed.  ]peruore  is  ]?e  zixte  stape 
hua?me  Jje  man  Jiole])  in  ])olemodnesse  ]3et  he  by  uoul- 
liche  y-dra3e  /  and  ase  pe?*sone  onwor])lych  /  ase  dede 


THE  PEBFECTION    OF    MEEKNESS.  133 

be  !?uo(le  king  dauid  /  bet  bolede  ziieteliclie  /  and  Iheste  as  did  David  when 

^     °  °  /   J-       J-  ^  I  ^  Shimei  tlirew 

ane  sergont  jjet  hette  semey  /  J)et  \\\m  Jireii  mid  stones  /   stones  at  him,  and 

spoke  evil  of 

and  hi;?;,  niissede  /  and  laiin  zede  al  jjet  he  conpe  of  uoul.    him. 

Yet  eft  ])er  is  a  stape  /  hueri?nie  is  fie  nolle  of  pe?'fec-   Tiie  seventh  step 

.  ,  .  ,isa  willingness  to 

cion  01  J)ise  Ui?*tne.     pet  is  Avjdny  to  zojie  /  and  mid    he  esteemed  viie, 
herte  ^vylny  ^vyjj-onte  fayntise  :  to  by  y-hyealde  vjd  /  JeitmitedV''^^ 
and  villiche  to  hy  y-dra^e.     )3et  is  ari3t  ponerte  of  gost.   Thisistmepoverty 

1       -m  111        PI  •KT      111-  /  of  spirit  and  meek- 

and  mi[ljdehede  oi  herte.     Moche  louede  fise  ponerte  ))e  ness  of heait. 

riche  king  of  heuene.  huawne  zno  uer  he  com  hit  nor 

to  zeche  /  ase  iiram  henene  :  to  fe  erjje.     "Wei  he  hit 

lonede  ine  herte  /  fo  he  hit  zno  dyere  bo3te  /  fet  al  fet 

he  hedde  /  and  J)e  robe  of  his  regge  he  yaf  /  nor  ]jet  he 

Aves  zoJinoUiche  poure.     Mochel  he  lonede  mildenesse  /  Much  did  chnst 

,  ._  love  meekness 

hua?me  pe  uke  ]5et  nenre  ze?me  ne  dede.  fe  ilke  ine  when  he  came 

hnam  nes  nenre  defaute  /  him  dede  amang  fe  j^yenes.  rauramongst' 

fet  Aves  amang  adames  zones  /  and  him  cloj^ede  mid  fe  t'^e  sons  of  Adam. 

clofe  of  jje  zennoUe  /  and  of  ])e  misdoere  /  nor  fet  he 

Aves  villiche  y-dra3e  ase  a  j^yef.     Huernore  he  zede  to 

his  apostles  ]je  ni^t  of  fie  sopiere  /  mid  gr«ate  AAdlle. 

Ich  habbe  feme  paske  y-Avylned.  jset  is  to  zigge :  jjerne 

dyajj.  fiise  ssame.  Jjise  Avendinge.     Non  he^ere  ne  may 

Jjis  trail  arise.      And  hiio  jjet  Avere  al-to  J?ise  stape  of 

mildenesse  y-cHne  :   AAr^f-oute  drede  :    he  ssolde  by  y- 

blissed  ine  fise  Avordle.     Vor  be  ilke  bet  bis  zede  :  ne  Christ  teaeheth  us 

to  be  meek,  and  to 

may  lye3e   /  Jjet  ])e  he3este  zo])  zaij)  mid  his  moufe.  leamofHim, 

'  Y-blissed  byef  jje  poiire  of  gost.'  And  hou  jjet  ]?is  by  / 

he  him  sseAA-ej)  hna??ne  he  zede.      '  Lyerne])  of  me  :  and 

na3t  of  ojjren  /  nor  to  by  milde  of  herte  ase  ich  am.  ^o  *'»»*  ^'e  may 

find  rest  for  our 

and  jjon  sselt  uinde  reste  to  fine  zaule.'    ]5is  reste  is  jjis  souls, 
bhssinge.     Ac  huych  fet  hit  is  /  ne  hnet  hit  hatte  /       ^j,^,  ^^ 
non  ne   Avot :  bote  he  f et  hit  nimf.     J5a7aie  yef  fon  wiJthouilt 
Avylt  yAvyte  huet  fet  is  :  do  fi  mi3te  of  fine  herte  zno  "th!tep'of 
moche  ouercome  /  bet   bon  by  y-cHne   to   be   zenende  ""i'i"ess,  then 

'     ■•  ••  "^     "^  •"  thou  mightest  ga- 

stape  of  mildenesse.  and  fawne  f  on  mi3t  friiyt  gaderi  ther  fruit  and  eat 

jj,  n -,•         I  ■.  "  of  the  tree  of  life. 

and  ete  ol  fe  traAve  of  hne  /  ase  god  zayf  ine  f e  boc  of 
zi3])e. 


134  SEVEN  BOUGHS  OF  MEEKNESS. 


Of  the  seven  ^F    ]5E    ZEUE    BO3ES    OF    Mi[l]dENESSE. 

boughs  of  meek-  r\    j.      p    1        ±  p-it 

ness.  Uvt  01  fe  trawe  ot  mildenesse  wexej?  zeuc   00368. 

1.  To  honour  God,  1-101  jjis  iiiVtue  hwi  sseawej?  ine  zeue  inane?-es.  be  god  to 

2.  to  praise  others,  ,       •     •         i  ,  ,  -i        t  ■  i  , 

3.  to  despise  one's  woipssij^ie.    be   opreii  to  prayzy.     be  him-zehxe  to  on- 
seif,4.toiovepo-  -^yoriji^  \,q  pourelicde  to  louie.  be  blebeliclie  to  serui.  be 

verty,  5.  to  minis-  J  ^  J 

terjoyfuiiy,  6.  to    lieriynQ;o  to  byuly.    be  him-zelue  of  al  /  ine  god  y-leue. 

betiee  praise,  7.  to  J     b  J       J  ^  /  &         J 

be  in  good  belief.    Jpe  zojje  inilde  :  worjjssipej)  god  in  fri  maneres.    Vor  ho 

ylefjj  simpleliche.     He  jjonkej?  treweliche.     He  him  bit 

The  man  truly      dcuouteliche.    He  lii??i  woissipeb  uerst  /  ine  bet  he  lii?7i 

meek  honours  God  '  '  ' 

as  a  child  doth  its  lefjj  simjDlehche  of  al  fet  he  zayb.  ase  deb  be  Htel  child 

master. 

his    mayster.     and  nor  Jjis    skele  /  heJ3  oiire  byleaue 

merite.     J?a?me  huo  fet  Avel  ylefjj  :  god  grf<t  worjjssipe 

He  believes  His     hxm  dejj.  alsHo  aso  he  dejj  to  jje  niawne  worj^ssipe  jjet 

simple  word,  and     -l  •-,    o     -,-,.-         -,  -,  ,  .  ■,. 

that  is  the  begin-    liiHi  lei])  be  his  Simple  woi'do.  and  jjet  IS  Jje  beginnynge 

doing.'  to  done  wel  /  fet  is  nyeduol  to  alle  pan  /  J)et  \v3dle]) 

ham  boiier^e.'  ase   zaijj  zainte  paul.  Jjet  me  ylefjj  god 

ope  his  simple  worde  jjet  al  is  zoj)  fet  he  zay]).   onlepi- 

hche  nor  jjet  he  zayj?  wyji-oute  ojjre  skele  to  zeche.  and 

The  heretics  will    ^vyjj-oute  ojjre  proeue  zeche.     Vor  Jjet  bye])  fe  bongres 

without  good        and  pe  heretiks  proude  norlore.     nor  hi   nolle])  ylene 

evidence.  god  :  wy^i-onte  guod  wed.  j)et  is  to  ziggene  :  bote-yef 

hi  y-zy  knik  scele  /  ac  hi  ha?/i  hyealdep  /  and  zigge]) 

ase  ]3e  gauelere  he  hi??^  halt  to  pe  ^vynnynge  fa^nie  to  pe 

Of  this  disbelief     simple  worde  ne  wyle  nonen  yleue.     And  ))erof  byef» 

comes  all  manner  ni  ^  /ni?'T_i- 

of  heresies.  y-come  alle  pe  maneres  01  eresye  /  and  01  misbeleumge. 

Vor  ])e  blynde  proude  /  ])et  hare  "wj^t  w-ylle])  emni  to 
godes  wysdome  /  hi  nolle])  y-lene  ])ing  ])et  god  zayj)  / 
bote-yef  me  ne  betoke  ham  guod  wed.    fet  is  to  zigge  : 

True  believers        ojier  fiane  quicke  scele  /  o])er  aperte  miracle.     Ac  we 

have  a  hundred 

times  more  faitii     J)et  \q  ri^tc  byleaue  hyealde])  /  yleue])  betere  an  hon- 

in  God's  word  than      t-,. ,■,.,,  ,■,  ,  i, 

in  any  miracle]       drcd  zi])e  mm  ])et  HO  may  na3t  lye3e  :  ])a?me  we  ne  dop 

ley  may  see.        ^^  miracle  /  ne  scele  /  ne  hi?n-zelue  pet  we  yzej).     God 

zay])  he  wile  deme  euri??ne  /  be  liis  dedes.  and  of  eche 

ydele  worde  /  pe  behouep  yelde  scele  to  \\\m  /  ate  daye 

of  dome.    )3e  milde  pet  pis  yherp  /  hit  ylefp.  and  dret  / 

1  hou-ie  ?  ox  bor-ie  ? 


OF    TRUE    MEEKNESS.  135 

an  dep  payne  to  loky  Ms  lierte  /  and  his  nioup  /  and 

alle  his  workes.    Efterward  Jje  zo])e  mikle  /  Jjonkej?  god  The  truly  miw 

.  .        ,.         ,  ,;    thanketh  God  for 

trewehche  of  alle  his  guodes  /  jjet  he  him  hejj  y-do  /  aii  His  gifts  that 
and  Jjet  he  him  def  echedaye  /  and  jjct  he  vryle  do.  of  Him/""'*' 
Efterward  ase  we  habhejj  y-sseawed  /  ine  J^e  zigginge  of 
prede.      Vor  jje  milde  is  ase  fe  poure  man  /  fet  of 
little  ehnesse  :  help  greate  blisse.  and  yelt  fonkes  mid 
herte  /  to  his  guod  doere.   ba«ne  huaHne  be  milde  /  ne 

'  ,  for  all  that  ho  re- 

yzijjj  ine  him  na3t  /  hner-bi  he  hi  worfy  to  fie  breade  ceiveth  comes  of 

,■,-.-,  ^■   T        I  1  •   1      I  ^    pure  grace  and  of 

fet  he  et  /  he  be-knau]j  trewehche  /  and  j-zi^p  /  and  gift. 

onderstant  /  and  ylef))  /  ])et  al  hit  is  of  klene  grace  / 

and  of  yefjje.  and  na3t  of  him.  al  fet  god  him  zent  / 

and  yefjj  /  and  lenjj.     And  uor  pet  he  ne  lefjj  na3t  of 

him-zelue  /  of  Jje  guodes  of  his  Ihorde  /  pet  be  his  hand 

pasep  :    pernore  is  pe  sergont  trewe  /   ase    zayp    sant 

bernard.      Efterward  pe  zobe  milde  worp  ssipep  god  /  He  prays  to  God 

meekly,  with  true 

and   him   byt   mildeliche.  pet  Ms  to  zigge  mid  zope  tears  and  simpu- 
teares  /  pet  comep  of  godes  grace  /  and  mid  ri3tuolle       ^^^^^ ^^  {^^ 
omnge  of  herte.     Vor  hit  Mm  pingp  /  pet  he  is  ase  pet  for  it  seems  to  him 

I         J  ,  that  he  is  as  the 

child  pet  is  echedaye  beuore  Ms  maistre  /  and  na3t  can  child,  that  is  each 

-..-.  ^  ,11  1  -ij-j-        day  before  his 

Ms  lessoiin.     Oper  pet  he  by  ase  ys  pe  ponre  me  dette.  master  and  know- 
pet  is  y-ualle  me  pe  hand  of  gaueleres.  and  na3t  ne  hep  l^^^° 
huermide  Mt  may  endy.     Oper  pet  he  by  ase  is  pe  pief  or  ju^g  ^  thief 
yproued  /  and  y-nome  and  mid  mo  pa^ne  an  hondred  fii"n  a  hx^dred 
misdedes  pet  hep  Me3  pe  wyppe  ine  pe  nykke.  And  pet  ZX',:^::; 
he  is  ase  be  y-maymed  ate  porche  of  be  cherche  /  pet  "ear  his  neck. 

r      J  >'  ^  -»  '    -■  He  IS  like  the 

ne  hep  none  ssame  nor  to  sseawy  alle  his  maimes  to  maimed  at  the 

church-porch,who 

aUe  pen  pet  per  guop  /  uor  pet  me  ssolde  habbe  of  mm  hath  no  shame  to 
pite.     Yef  pou  wilt  pa?me  lyerni  god  to  bidde.   and  to  [„  exdte  the  pity 
aouri  ari3t :  pise  uour  hit  wytnessep.  pet  child,  he  pet  ^vL  enter? 
is  ine  dette.  pe  pyef.  and  he  pet  is  ymajTned. 

bfl    obER    BOJ    OF    MILDENESSE.  The  second  bough 

■^  of  meekness. 

Wone  is  of  pe  zope   milde  opren  to   herie  /  and  The  meek  in  heart 
praysy.  and  poty  hi7n  uorp  /  an  worpssipij.    Praysy  ine  hearotherspraised 


herte  /  herie  ine  moupe.  and  be  dede  :  worpssipe  /  here. 


and  honoured. 


13G  OF    THE    MEEK    HEART. 

He  is  like  the  bee    He  is   ase  ])e  smale  ule^e   Jjet  makej)  Jjet  liony.  and 

that  seeketh  the  ,  ipt 

flowery  fields  and  beuly3j)  stencli.  aiid  zekJ3  fe  ixeldes  ynoured.  and  oi  pe 
floures  zoucj)  jjane  deau  huerof  hi  make  J)  Jiet  hony  uor 
Ms  hons  to  astori.     pet  dejj  ]je  milde  herte  fet  na3t  ne 

Hetakethnoheed  nymj)  hede  of  stench..  ne  of  ))e  lackes  of  ojjren.  ac  alio 

of  other  men's  iin  tiiiiJ 

faults.  Jje  guodes  Jjet  ofre  naoDeJ)  y-rewarded.  and  iouep.  and 

here]),  and  prayzej)  and  co?iceyue]j  fe  zuetnesse  :  of 
deuocion.  hueruore  his  "bodi  is  ondo  :  and  his  in-svyt 
nolneld.  '  Vor-zo])e  zoj)  hit  is  y-bore  of  stones  and  of 
nlyntes/kan  he  zouke  j?e  oly  /  and  fet  hony  :V  ase  ous 
tekj)  Jie  sauter.  Vor  he  ne  wille  ne;nie  zuo  kuead  /  ne 
zuo  hard  /  ne  zuo  zenuol :  Jiet  he  ne  can  dra3e  mate>ie  : 
He  praiseth  others  god  uor  to  herie.  Ine  his  herte  he  prayzej)  o])re  /  ine 
1.  He  beiieveth      fri   niaiieres.      Vor    he   ylef j)    more    olpmmamie   wyt  : 

other  men's  wit        ,  ,  .  tt  -i      i     ^    i  -i      j?       i  i  • 

more  than  his  ])a7me  his  03en.  He  Avile  J)et  j)e  Avii  ol  o])ren  bi  more 
2^He  desires  the  J-^o  :  fawne  his.  He  hi???  fye])  more  in  o])res  Uirtue  : 
will  of  others  to     i,j^,^-^g  [j^q  j-^jg^     ^1  i,e  cojitmrve  deb  be  proude  /  ase  we 

be  toUowed  more      •»  J  ki  t   r      j.  i 

than  his.  hahbej)  be-Hore  yssewed.     Efte?'ward  he  here])  /  and 

more  in  others'      prayseb  be  obre  be  speche.  fe  giiodes  jjet  opre  doj)  /  and 

virtues  than  in  his 

own.  habbe])  :  he  hise  he-^ep  /  and  Jiere]).    ])e  kueades  :  he 

Themeekexcuseth  Jiig  excuseb  /  and  lojeb.  and  lesseb.   be  myddelguodes  : 

and  palliates  the  '    '  ^   '  I      f  J  <=> 

faults  of  others,      he   onderstant  ine  guodc  /  and  went  alneway  in- to  ])e 

guode  half.     And  jjet  is  aye  J)e  jjri  qneade  techches  of 

The  proud  man,     j)e  misziggeres  /  jjet  arerej)  ])et  quead  :    an  loje])    Jiet 

on  the  contrary,  .  .  .         .  - 

delights  to  hear  of  guod.  and  ])e  middel  jjinges  ouerfirawe])  and  mis-wend- 

defects.  6}».      Be  dede  he  worjjssipefi  eurinne  /  and  praysej)  ase 

nioche  ase  he  ssel  and  may  do.  Avyji-oute  misdo.  j?et  ne 

de])  na3t  fe  proude.   ac  al  j)e  contrarie  /  ase  we  habbe]) 

be-uore  y-sscAved.   ine  fe  chapitele  of  prede. 

Of  meek  heart.  Of    MILDB    HERTE. 

The  meek  heart 

keeps  all  his  vir-  "Woue  is  of  niildc  herte.   bet  alle  his  guodes  he  heb 

tues  behind  his  j  "j  j 

back,  and  his  de-    bchindc  his  Tcggc.   and  alle  his  queades  :    beiiore  his 

fects  before  his  «  p  /  f> 

eyes.  e3en.     An  ferof  com])  /  ])et  of  asemoche  ])et  he  prayze]) 

[  o .  ..  a.]      -p^yQ^Q  }pQ  Qijpg  .  j,g  more  he   hiwi-zelue  misprayseb.     He 

He  is  like  the  CO-  r        r  r  i      j      r 

vetous  man,  he      is  ase  ])e  wel  couaytouse  wrechche  /  fet  alneway  he]i 


THERE    IS    A    HOLY    PRIDE.  137 

p^t  eje  to  J)e  guodes  :  fet  opve  liabloeji  /  and  do])  alneway.  hath  an  eye  to  the 
and  make])  alneway  se?/iblont :  fet  lie  ne  lief  najt.  Vor  (for  there  is  a 

.  holy  covetousness 

asemocne  ase  per  is  an  holy  prede  :  akuo  pev  is  an  holy  andahoiyenvy). 

coueytise  /  and  an  holy  enuye.     Hit  is  ase  hit  is  of  fe 

litel  childe  /  pet  is  pe  hinges  zone  /  and  ejT  of  pe  Iciiig- 

riche  ]»et  wepji  ine  his  Crete,   and  na3t  ne  kan  of  his 

he3nesse  /  ne  of  liis  richesse.   He  is  ase  ])et  simple  ssep.  He,  like  the  simple 

.  n         1  sheep  in  whom  all 

me  hua»i  al  hit  is  guod  and  profitable,  and  wolle.   and  is  good  and  i)rofit- 
skin.  and  uless.   and  melk.  and  friit.   and  dong.  and  ne  flesii,  miik,  fruit, 
wen])  /  and  ne  kan  na3t.  ne  na3t  ne  fengf.     Ine  fise  ^'LtirAoS? 
mane?'e  zayb  saynt  abraham  be  greate  patn'arche.  bet  he  ^J^'^^f"^- 

•J  J         J  TO  sr  I  In  this  manner 

nes  bote  esssse  and  doiist    And  saynt  lob.   bet  wes  zuo  ^''''"t  J"^  speaks 

of  himself  as  but 

moche  grat  to  fe  wordle.  and  holy  ine  god  /  ])et  zayde  ash,  sparks, 

n  -,  •  1  ^ttj  -11,  T  t  filth,  stench,  ver- 

01  him-zelue.     '  Huet  am  ich  bote  esssse.  and  spearken.  min,  wind,  sha- 

ji  ij.1  111  1       dow,  and  smoke. 

and  hor.  and  stench,  wermes.  wynd.  ssed.  and  smech. 
peX  pe  wynd  ber])  and  gadere])  draye.  fet  to  na3t  ne  is 
wor]) :  bote  to  pe  uere.'     And  alsuo  ase  pe  zo])e  milde  As  the  true  meek, 

,  i-itj;  1-1  ;i    °"8  praises  others 

here])  pe  opre  and  nud  herte  /  and  mid  mou])e  /  and  iti  a  threefold 

mid  dede.  ase  we  habbe])  ysed.  alsuo  he  blame])   him-  so  in  three  ways 

zelue  ine  })ise  fri  mane?-es.  he  \\\m  fing])  pe\,   leromes  ^^  blames  himself 

zay])  of  lii?/;zelue.  pei  yef  he  eth  /  ofer  yef  he  driiic])  / 

yef  he  wakef  /  yef  he  slep])  /  pet  pe  ilke  orible  bosyne 

him  went  to  pe  yeare  :  'com  to  fine  dome.'  And  feruore 

pe  illie  pet  nele  na3t  by  fer  ydemd  :  he  ne  endi   neure 

hiere  :    lii?rt-zelue  to  deme  and  damni.    wib-nyme  his  anti  coiKiemns  his 

■"       ''  deeds,  words,  an.l 

dedes.  and  his  Avordes.  and  his  J)03tes.  and  clensi.  and  thoughts. 
telle,  and  weje.  and  wyberweje.  and  wyb-nime.  Vor  he  ^^  ^^"^  "^"^ 

■'  "^  '  ■'  '' '  chaflf  tlian  corn  in 

y-zi3})  more  yno3  of  chef :  fa/aie  of  corn.     And  ])eruore  '"» lif^*. 

fet  he  ne  by  y-demd  ine  pe  cort  of  ri3te  /  ne  he  nele 

na3t  lete  ne  smal  ne  gr«t  /  pet  ne  ssel  by  examened  / 

and  y-zed  /  and  y-demd  /  ine  be  cort  of  merci.     het  is  f"'^  '>^;.^amines 

•J  I  ''  IT  >'^"    -^^    himselt  in  the 

ine  holy  ssriftte  ine  pe>  cort.  liuo  acounte])  ari3t :  he  is  '':°"'''  "^  ''°'^' 
al  quit.     Ac  ine  pe  cort  of  ri3te  /  fet  ssel  bi  ate  daye  of 
dome  /  huo  fet  ssel  a3t  :    him  behoue])  paye.  ne  neure  bedamnedT/thf 
aq?r/tti  he  ne  may.  and  feruore  ha  ssel  by  ydammed.  !j|^«"rt  of  Risw  .it 
Vor  he  mot  yelde  :  ofer  hongy.     A.  alias  huet  ssel  pe 


138 


THE  FOURTH  BOUGH  OF  MEEKNESS. 


Woe  to  the  man 
whose  neck  shall 
then  be  loaded 
with  deadly  sin. 


The  sinner  must 
shrive  liim  gladly 
and  oft. 


He  must  doom 
himself  as  a  thief 
to  the  gibbet  of 
penance. 


The  fourth  bough 
of  uieeliness. 
[Fol.  42.  b.] 

The  true  meek  one 
loveth  poverty, 


for  three  reasons  : 

1.  For  the  perils  of 
riches, 

2.  for  the  virtues 
in  poverty, 

3.  for  God  loved 
poverty. 


Grod  hears  the 
prayers  and  de- 
sires of  the  poor, 
and  is  their  refuge 
and  safety. 
God  is  Fatlier  to 
the  poor. 

Christ  blessed  the 

poor, 

and  cursed  the 

riuh. 


The  world  does 
not  believe  that 
poverty  is  blessed. 


ilke  paye :  fet  ua^t  ne  hej)  Lote  Jjane  nhicke  y-carkcd 
niid  ze?aie  dyadlich  ?  Hue  jjet  onderstode  and  yuelde 
J)ise  ])inges  /  lie  him  wolde  liyealde  /  and  wyj^draje 
iiram  scornes  and  urani  leazinges  /  Ipet  he  hejj  yuounde  / 
aye  Ipe  zojje  niilde  /  J?et  god  drede]?.  ]5et  uor  fan  hy 
wylloft  ham  loki  clenliclie  /  liy  ssriiiejj  ham  blejjeliche  / 
and  ofte.  Ac  htel  is  worjj  to  niaky  guod  dom :  bote 
jje  demere  ne  by  efterward  yprayzed  trewehche.  and 
feruore  al-zuomoche  ase  ])e  zojje  milde  /  make]?  of  Idm- 
zelue  gnod  dom  /  ine  zor^e  of  herte.  and  ine  ssrifte  of 
monjje.  and  zuo  dej)  be  dede  zoj?  dom.  Vor  he  him 
demlp  ase  ane  fyef.  and  he  him  dejj  zojjliche  to  fe 
gybet  of  penonce  wyjj-oute  slacnesse  /  and  wyf-oute 
ypocrysye. 

j)E  uerJ?e  B03  OF  mt[l]denesse. 

Hvo  J)et  hate])  prede  :  he  louelp  pouerte  J?et  zet  j>e 
herte  lo^e  /  and  ])eruore  alle  zofe  milde  louyef  pouerte  / 
and  byejj  poure  of  gost.  fe  zojje  milde  louej?  pouerte 
uor  Jjri  sceles.  Vor  J)e  perils  fet  bye])  ine  richesses. 
Vor  pe  guodes  fet  bye])  in  guode  pouerehede.  And 
uor  ])et  god  louede  zuo  moche  pouerte  \>o  he  wes  ine  Ipe 
wordle  /  and  yet  hit  loue])  /  ase  fe  holy  wrytiMge  wyt- 
nessef  in  uele  stedes.  |?a?me  zay])  he  in  fe  sautere  / 
J)et  he  y-her])  Ipe  benes  /  and  fe  wylles  of  ])e  poure.  and 
ham  poruay])  /  and  agray])e]?  hare  lyfno])  zueteliche  / 
and  mid  guod  sauour.  and  he  is  hire  refu  /  and  ha?ft 
ssel  souy.  lob  zayp  /  pet  god  is  pe  uader  to  pe  poure. 
and  ham  he]»  y-yeue  mi3te  /  o])ren  to  iuggi.  And  oure 
lord  ate  biginnynge  of  his  uayre  sermon  zayj).  '  ])et  y- 
blyssed  bye])  pe  poure :  and  a-corsed  bied '  pe  riche  /  })et 
habbe]>  hyer  hire  paradis.'  Ac  fie  zo])e  paradys  /  he]) 
he  y-yeue  pe  poure.  zuo :  })et  hi  hit  mo3e  yeue  /  and 
zelle.  Ac  pe  wordle  nele  y-leue  /  fiet  god  zigge  zo])  / 
fet  pouerte  by  fing  y-bhssed.  Ac  ])et  is  of  pe  rede  of 
god  pe  uader.  ])eruore  Icsu  crist  zay])  ine  his  spelle. 
1   bk\^} 


THE    FIFTH    UOUGil    OF    ilEEKNESS.  139 

'  Vayre  uader  ycli  yekle  Jie  Jjonkes  and  heriynges.  pet  Jjise 
Jiinges  y-hed  /  and  y-hole  best  :  to  fe  Avyse.  and  hise 
hest  y-sseawed  to  be  milde.'     be  niilde  his  y-zyeb  /  and  ^iie  meek  man 

''  ^  _  d      df   I  jj,^,gg  poverty  a 

wel  his   yleueb   /  and  louieb   /   an  hondredzibe  more  hundred  times 

more  than  the  nig- 

pouerte  :   J3a«ne  f>e  nijjing  dej)  hia  richesse.     Ine  fri  sard  his  wealth. 

,  ,  This  he  shows 

Jjmges  ssewej)  pa  man  /  ])et  he  lone]?  pouerte.     Hua/me  intiireeways. 
he  louej)  and  halt  blejjeliche  pa  uela3rede.   and  fet  lyf.  ^  ^^  j^^,^^  ^^^^ 
and  be  wones  of  be  poure.     Hire  uela^rede  he  loueb  /  ''"^'^^  communion 

■'  '        '^  ■'  '    '     witli  the  poor,  as 

ase  iesii  crist  dede  jjer  hiiils  ha  wes  ine  ]je  wordle.    Yor  Christ  once  did, 

kende  wyle  fet  pQ  lambren  louie  ham  togidere  /  and 

beuly  ]je  wolues.  and  ]je  children  \vAm  louie  to-gidere. 

and  beuly  jje  uela3rede  of  jje  greaten,    and  fe  milde 

hawi  louie  to-gidere  /  and  become  uela3es  to-gidere.  Lif  ^"^^  ''of  the 'great' 

of  poure  man  is  poure.  uor  he  ne  ze3|)  /  ne  metes  of  grat  ^"'^  "'^'^• 

pn's  /  ne  robes  out  of  scale,  ne  non  host  hi '  ne  zechejj  /         [ »  Ae  ?  ] 

ne  ine  robes,    ne  ine  ridinges.  ne  ine  maine.    ne  ine 

festes.  ne  ine  uelajredes.     Blibe  he  is  yef  he  heb  his  :  ^i^''  '^  '^^  ^^  ^^ 

■^  /  >/  /  have  his  susten- 

sostino/ice.   ac  he  soffrejj   and  honger  /  an  jjorst.  and  ^nce. 

chald  and  hot.  and  cheastes  /  and  manye  biternese^. 

and  alle  zuiche  finges  fet  fie  kueade  poure  deji  /  and 

})oleJ7 :  wille  he  nolle  he.     jpe  zojje  milde  wilne])  /  and  2.  He  suffers  and 

jjolejj  gledliche  uor  god.    a-last  hit  is  wone  of  fe  poure  meekly  for  God. 

ma;zne  /  jjet   yef  he   ne  he])   na3t  /  ne  na3t  ne  may 

.  .  3.  He  has  no  shame 

Wynne:  henehejjnone  ssame  to  acsi.      And  fe  zojie  to  ask  for  what  he 
milde:  beggej)  echedaye.  ])e  benes  and  ]?e  oreysons  of  "ifd  hogs  each  day 
guode  uolke  /  and  of  uryendes  of  god.  huer  he  wen])  £,^1'  i"''^'"' '° 
mest  of  guode.   and  more  he  be-lef))  ine  hare  helpe  : 
])a»ne  he  do  ine  his  03ene  guodes. 

I,  The  fifth  bough  of 

}3E    VIFTE    BO3    OF    MILDEXESSB.  meekness. 

Meekness  loves 

Prede  /  loue})  wel  11036  stcdes.   Mildenesse  :  ])c  1030.   low  places. 
}3is  is  ])e  dyamod^  of  noble  kende.  ])et  nele  na3t  sitteine  that  needs  not  to 
gold,   ac  ine  poure  metal  ase  yzen.     And  zuo  hit  is  of  ThrconUs  ever 
fe  hyeape  of  huete  y-})orsse.   })e  cornes  bye])  benefe  /  a|°st"hau ' fan' 
and  ])et  chef  a-boue.  Ac  oure  Ihord  ssel  ua?mi  his  com  /  J^'^  '■°™  ^^ 

'  I     Doomsday. 

ate  daye  of  dome  /  ase  zayj)  fet  godspel.  and  ssel  frav/e       [^"i-  *3.  a.] 
»   So  in  MS. 


140 


OF    THE    ORNAMENTS    OF    OBEDIENCE. 


The  chaff  shall  go 
into  the  fire. 


The  meek  man 
prefers  low  places, 
and  follows  the  ex- 
ample of  Christ 
and  His  sweet 
mother. 


MeoUness  is  the 
mother  of  obedi- 
ence, 


and  bedeckethher 
witli  all  her  orna- 
ments. 


Jiet  chef  in-to  Tpe  uere  :  and  f)et  corn  in-to  fe  greynere. 
j)e  more  Jjet  /  Jjet  gold  is  clene  :  Jje  more  hit  wec|).  and 
f>e  more  ])et  hit  is  heui  :  Jie  ra))re  hit  ualj?  to  fe  botme 
And  pe  more  Ipet  Jie  man  is  milde  :  fe  more  he  lone}) 
1036  stedes.  ase  dede  lesu  crist  and  his  zuete  moder  / 
J)et  ous  yeaue  norbisne  to  serui  and  to  bon3e.  na3t  wyJ3- 
onte  more  to  Jje  gratteste  :  ac  to  Jie  leste.  and  ]?e  mora 
jje  seruise  ys  onwor]?  :  ]?e  ble])elaker  j^e  milde  him  di^j) 
jperto.  )3eruore  Avyle  teche  oure  Ihord  lesu  crist  /  pe 
net  to  wesse  to  his  poure.  jjaHue  mildenesse  /  is  moder 
p?"opreliche  /  of  bo3sa??^nesse.  and  hire  norissejj  /  and 
tekjj  /  an  lokejj  /  Jjet  lii  ne  by  y-coru??iped  /  ne  by 
ydele  blisse  /  ne  be  20136  /  ne  be  grochchinge  /  ne  be 
03ene  \\^tte  /  ne  be  03ene  wille.  ne  ine  o])re  manere. 
Hy  hise  agrayjiejj  and  azet  :  mid  alle  hire  oiirneme?zs. 


Of  obedience. 

There  are  seven 
ornaments  of  obe- 
dience. 

That  is,  thnt  one 
obey,  1.  readily,  2. 
gladly,  3.  simply, 
4.  cleanly,  5.  ge- 
nerally, 6.  swiftly, 
7.  willingly. 
The  meek  obedi- 
ent one  is  like  a 
sailor  ever  ready 
to  obey  the  cap- 
tain. 

He  is  as  obedient 
as  the  ass  is  to  its 
master. 


David  preferred 

(iod's  behests  to 

gold  or  precious 

stones. 

He  obeys  simply, 

as  doth  the  horse 

or  the  sheep. 


Holy  simplicity  is 
the  character  of 
meekness. 


Of    BO3SAMNESSE. 

J?e  ournemens  of  bo3sa/??nesse  :  byejj  zeuen.  ])et  ys  : 
Jiet  me  bou3e  prestliche.  gledliche.  simpleliche.  kle??- 
liche.  generalliche.  zuyftliche. '  and  wiluolliche.  )3e  milde 
y-zyjjj  beuore^  his  e3en  :  jjet  he  ys  j)onre  and  naked,  and 
ne  liej)  niede  bote  nor  him-zelue.  and  Jieruore  he  is 
ahieway  agrayjjed  /  ase  byej)  Jie  ssipmen  ine  ssipe.  fet 
ase  zone  ase  he^  y-hyerjj  pane  smite  of  Jie  lodes-mavaie  : 
hi  yernej)  /  hi  Iheapef  ase  wode.  ])e  milde  bou3j3  gled- 
liche /  uor  he  is  ase  pe  hassasis.  J)et  ys  blijje  huaHne  he 
hej)  pe  heste  onderuonge  of  his  maistre.  J^et  pe  perils  / 
and  ]3e  pinen  /  an  ])ane  dyap  he  onderuang}?  pevwjp  j 
mid  to  greate  l)lisse  uor  Jie  loue  ])et  he  he])  to  pQ  obedi- 
ence. Jjeruore  zayde  dauij?  ine  p&  sautere.  ]jet  he  louede 
betere  po,  hestes  Jiet  god  him  made  :  Jjanne  he  dede  / 
g(dd  /  ojier  stones  of  pr/s.  J?e  milde  him  bou3j)  al 
simpleliche  ase  dej»  J>et  hors  /  oJ)er  Jiet  ssep  /  Jiet  Jie 
ssepherde  let  huer  ha  wyle  /  Jiet  ne  zayj)  neure  huer- 
uore  guo  ich  hider  :  more  Jia«ne  Jiider.  A^or  one  of  pe, 
guode  do3tren  Jjct  mildenesse  he}) :  is  holy  simplesse. 
1   Zni/fihche  in  MS.  -   bo-uore  in  MS.  ^  hi? 


THE    SIXTH    BOUGH    OF    MEEKNESS.  141 

be  milde  is  wel  trewe  to  g;oil  I  ase  is  a  rruod  Iheuedi  to    The  meek  man  is 

'^        I  <='  true  to  God. 

hire  Ihorde.  pet  nelo  to  noneu  qixenie  folliche  bote  to 
hare  lliorde  onlepiliche.  and  Jjeruore  non  ne  bou3]j  zuo 
clienliche  ^  /  ne  mid  zuo  clene  onderstondinge  :  ase  dej) 
bezobe   niilde.     bet   ne  hateb  bote  nor  to   kueme  be  ^e  seeks  not  to 

■"  •■  ••  ,  ■•  •>        please  the  worla. 

"wordle.  Efterward  be  milde  is  wel  zuift  and  wel  ingnel  /  "e  is  swift  to 

obey  God,  and 

hua?me  ui'rtue  of  obedience  and  fie  "\vyl  of  god  /  mid  his  slow  to  obey  his 

ouerimg  mm  berj?.     Ac  hua«ne  his  03ene  wyl  him  berjj 

and  let  him.  he  is  slac  an  sleuuol  wel  to  done.     Ase  is 

J?e  sterre  pet  hatte  satwrne  make]?   ]jet  asemoche  yernfi  He  is  like  the 

in  onelepi  daye  mid  pe  firmament   ase  pe   firmament  ^t^''^'**"™- 

hine  let  :  ase  he  dejj  ine  jjritti  yer  ine  his  o^ene  sercle  / 

and  ine  his  03ene  yerninge.     Ate  laste  pe  milde  boii^f 

generalliche  oueral  Jjer  he  ylefj)  ]3et  he  queme  to  god  / 

and  ine  alle  binges  ase  deb  be  asse  of  be  melle.   bet  ase  He  is  like  the 

''  ^  ^  mill-ass  that  will 

blejjehche  berjj  bare  :  ase  huete.   and  lyad.  ase  J)et  corn,  as  lief  cany 
to  Jje  poure  :  ase  to  pe  riche.     Efte/'ward  pe  milde  is    '"  ^^  '^^  '^°'^"' 
wel  Strang,    nor  he   chongej)  his   strengjje  mid  godes       [FoI.  43.  b.] 
strengfe.  ase  zayjj  ysaye  ];e  profete.  Jjeruore  nis  he  na3t :  "^Lnge"  hi!"' 
|)et  ne  may  here.     Vor  god  berf  and  him  and  his  ber-  God"s^ltren'°-th 
done  /  hueruore  he  bo3]5   wij)   guode  wille  and  bleui?i- 
deliche.  nor  he  ne  is  neuremo  weri  /  ne  pe  zonne  fet  He  is  like  the 
god  let  /  and  breng],  uor]).   and  fe  more  ha  leuej?  /  pe  ^^  a^y."' '^  "'^■"' 
more  him  wext  his  stre[n]gj)e.  alsuo  ase  pe  litel  amote. 
l^on  ini3[t]  fou  wel  y-zy  /  hou  mildenesse  pe  tekj?  wel  to 
serai  /  and  parfitKche  bou3e. 

1,  The  sixth  bouKh 

J?E    ZIXTE    BO3    OF    MILDENESSE.  of  meekness. 

j)G  greate  maister  of  mildenesse  lesu  crist   bo  he  chnstwasthe 

great  master  of 

hedde  y-preched  /  and  y-ued  jjet  uolk  /  and  pe  zike  /  meekness. 

and  pe  ymanied  y-held.  ])o  he  iilea3  aboue  pe  uolk  in-to 

Jie  helle  /  uor  to  by  ine  bedes  /  ous  uor  to  teche  to  He  taught  us  to 

avoid  praise  and 

beuly  J)et  ios  and  pe  biondmgges.  and  Jjeruore  pe  trewe  flattery, 
herte  niilde  /  ase  hiin  pineb  to  done  wel  hua/me   he  "'''erefore  the 

'      _  ^         '  mild  heart 

bou3j).  alsuo  him  paine])  to  be-uly  Ios  /  of  lii/zt-zelue  strives  to  befly 
ausuerie    uor    fane    wynd    of  ydele   blisse  /   and    pet 
1  MS.  chenUche 


142 


THE    SIXTH    BOUGH    OF    MEEKNESS. 


His  trust  is  in 
a  roek. 


Tills  rock  is  Clirist. 


Our  Lord  is  a 
dove-cot, 
wherein  resteth 
the  meek  lieart. 


In  recording  tlie 
life  of  Clirist,  the 
mild  heart  forgets 
all  his  sorrows. 


He  desires  to  be 
lost  to,  and  for- 
gotten by  the 
world. 


When  alone  he  is 
with  his  two 
best  friends, 
with  God  and 
himself. 


He  takes  delight 
only  in  what  is 
pleasing  to  God. 


Thus  the  soul 
loves  solitude  and 
quietness. 
Modesty  is  one  of 
the  fairest 
daughters  of 
meekness. 

A  maid  in  love 
hath  great  shame 
v/hen  she  is 
espied. 


gaderej)  uor  jje  rage  /  and  uor  j^e  te?)rpeste  of  euele 
tongen  /  ine  }»e  ssede  of  fe  roclie.  ase  zayj?  ysaye.  j)e 
like  roclie  is  lesu  cr/st  him-zelf.  fet  his  reste  /  and 
bri[3]tnesse  to  fe  milde.  jjer  lii??i  reste])  pe  ircliouon.  ase 
zay])  Jie  sauter.  fet  by  f e  milde  herten  y-carked  mid 
fornes  of  ssarpnesse  of  penonce.  An  jset  is  fet  coluer- 
hous  /  huerinne  restejj  and  him  def  fe  colure  oure 
Ihord.  \)et  byej)  fe  milde  lierten  and  simple  uor  Jje 
ii03eles  of  praye.  pet  bye])  pe  dyenlen.  Hna?me  Ipe 
milde  herte  /  hep  zuo  moche  y-do  /  pet  he  is  y-guo  in- 
to pe  hole  of  po  roche  ase  pe  colure  ine  his  coluerhous. 
pet  is  huawne  he  recordep  pet  lif  of  iesu  cr?'st  /  and  his 
holy  passioun  :  uor  pajme  he  uoryet  alle  his  zor3es  / 
and  praysep  lite  al  pet  pe  wordle  hep.  and  is  worp.  and 
may.  Herte  pet  pis  hep  a-sayd  /  na3t  ne  williep  more  / 
pawne  uor  to  by  uorlore  /  and  uoryete  to  pe  wordle. 
j)e  wordle  is  him  prisoun.  onhede  /  paradis.  Vor  ase 
zayp  pe  wyse  of  him-zelue.  pet  he  ne  is  neuremo  lesse 
allone  /  bote  huarene  he  is  one.  ne  more  ine  niedes  : 
bote  huanne  he  is  ydel.  Vor  he  ys  pawne  mid  his 
tuaye  beste  urie[n]des.  pet  is  mid  hi»i-zelue  /  and  mid 
god.  ])ev  tretep  he  of  his  greate  quereles  hueruore  alle 
opre  niedes  him  pingp  trufles.  per  he  him  to  god  /  and 
god  to  him  /  be  holy  p03tes  /  and  be  stedeuest  wil. 
J?er  he  uelp  '  pe  greate  zuetnesse  of  confort  /  pet  god 
yefp  ine  prme  stedes  /  to  pan  pet  him  dredep.  ase  zayp 
pe  sauter.  and  parene  alle  speches  /  and  alle  wordes  liim 
tyenep  /  and  greuep  /  bote-yef  hi  ne  by  to  god  /  oper  of 
god  /  oper  uor  god.  )3ous  biginp  pe  zaule  to  louie  on- 
hede /  and  stillehede.  and  pa?zne  him  wext  ine  herte 
ane  holy  ssamnesse  /  pet  is  one  of  pe  uariste  dopter^  of 
mildenesse.  Vor  al  ase  a  mayde  pet  be  greate  loue 
louep  /  hep'^  grat  ssame  hep^  pa?zne  lii  is  aspid  /  and  y- 
herp  pet  me  spekp  :  of  hire,  alzuo  hep  pe  ilke  huawne 
hi  y-hyerp  pet  me  spekp  of  hire  :  and  of  pe  guodes  pet 
god  him  hep  y-do.  And  na3t  uor  pan  hi  dep  ase  dep 
1  An  s  has  been  cancelled  before  u.         -  So  in  MS. 


THE    SEVENTH    COUGH    OF    MEEKNESS.  143 

J>e  ilke  inayde  strongliclie  opnome  of  loue.^  nor  liuet  jjct  and  she  seekeUi 

,  retired  places. 

jje  wordle  zigge  /  ojjer  co«ne  speke  :  alneway  zecjj  hi  jje       [Foi.  u.  a.] 
lialkes  and  jjo  derne  stedes.  ase  fe  ilke  pet  ne  zecj)  bote  so  dotu  tiie 
uor  to  by  y-rauissed  ase  wes  say[n]te  paul.  ruymec  . 

bE    ZEUENDE    B02    OF    MILDENESSB.  ^'"^  seventh 

•*      /  ''  bough  ot 

Of  bise  aouayntonce  and  of  bise  priuite  be  ilke  holy  meekness. 

r  i-      J  Y         r  I  J     ,j,]jg  jjpjy  g^jjj 

zaule  be-ginb  to  habbe  of  god  be-tnene  hire  /  and  an  is  proud  of 

her  acquaintance 

holy  prede.      Vor  hna»ne   hi  is  y-reaued  /  |)a?me   to  withood. 
heuene  /  hi  lokej?  ope  Jje  erjje  uram  uer  /  ase  zayj?  ysaye  /  ^i»e  looks  upon 
and  hise  yzyjb  z[ii]o  lite  to  jje  zi^jje  of  J)e  gratnesse  of  f>e  afar,  and  sees  its 

littleness. 

heuene.  zuo  y-zic]:  Jje  ilke  greate  nayi'hede  /  zuo  dim  / 
to  fe  zi^Jje  of  fe  grate  bri^tnesse  /  zuo  emti.  to  jje  zy^^q 
of  fo  greate  blisse  :  jjawne  onworjjcj)  and  mispraysej)  to 
be  zobe  al  bet  he  heb  ine  be  wordle  of  richesses  and  of  The  world's  riches 

•'■'■'  '  '  and  honour 

worbssipe  /  of  uayrhede  /  of  noblesse,  zuo  moche  \{\m  appear  to  her 

utterly  worthless, 

J)irtng]j  J)et  hit  is  ase  Jie  play  of  cliildren  a-niidde  jje 
strete  /  huer  y-no^  hi  trauayle]?  and  na3t  ne  wy?2nej;. 
Hi?«  hit  bingb  bet  hit  is  al  \vynd  /  and  nietinge  /  and  and  as  wind, 

'         >     >  '      ^  dream,  and  lies. 

lyesynge  /  ase  zayj)   salomo/?.     And  ]ja?aie  he  be-ginji  Then  she  begins 

Ti       ;  T     TT  T         •  1     ;  to  die  to  the 

ari3t  to  sterue  to  Jje  wordle  /  and  libbe   me  god  /  ase  world  and  she 

,  .       ,   ,  •     1  •  f  ,        becomes  poor 

zayJ)  zaynte  paul.     And  J3a?me  is  hi  zuo  poure  oi  gost :  of  spirit. 

fet  hi  ne  hejj  na^t.     Vor  god  hi?/i  he]?  zuo  his  03ene 

gost  y-reaued  and  be-nome.    and    ayen  y-ueld    of   his 

03ene  /  ase  he  dede  Jje  apostles  at  lokes.     )pa?aie  hi»i 

yef])  ]je  holy  gost  ane  zuo  greate  herte  :  fet  ne  pros-  i'forThe  worid, 

perite  /  ne   aduersete  of  fe  wordle  hi  ne  prazejj    ane 

nliote.     Ane  zuo  greate  zikernesse  of  inwyt  :  bet  hardi-  ^"^  prefers 

®  .  death  to  life. 

liche  abit  jjane  dya]?.   ane  zuo  greate  hope  hejj  ine  god  : 

Jjet  Jjer  ne  is  na3t  /  jjct  lii  ne  dorste  ninie  anhand   uor  she  is  ready  to 

J)e  loue  of  god.  Vor  lii  hejj  jjo  byleue  huer-of  god  spekjj  thhig  for'thr'^'*^ 

ine  pe  godspelle.   J)et  is  ase  J)et  zed  of  mostard  huerby  hi  ^^^^^^-^  fg  i\er 

may  bote  to  be  stones  an  to  be  belles  /  and  hi  hi;/i  i^l^'^^J'I.^.'™' 

J  I  r  I  This  beliet  is  as 

bouieb.   bet  zed  o  mostard  is  wel  smal  /  ac  hit  is  wel  ^^^  srain  of 

^   •*  '  mustard-seed, 

Strang  /  and  wel  bitinde.   u.or  hit  is  hot  ine   be  uer  be  spoken  ofiu  tiie 

gospel. 

degre  /  ase  ziggejj  Jjise  fisiciens.  be  hete  :  me  onderstant  / 
1  MS.  has  lone. 


144 


THE    VIRTUE    OF    LOVE. 


The  first  kind  of 
love  is  to  love 
only  oneself. 
The  2n(l  is  to 
begin  to  love  God. 
The  3vd  is  to 
know  God  better 
and  to  love  Him 
for  his  goodness. 
The  4th  is  to  be 
so  possessed  with 
love  as  to  love 
God  only. 
This  last  love 
hath  the  true 
meek  one. 
The  poor  of 
spirit  are  blessed 
in  this  world. 


Hope  makes  the 
meek  men  to  be 
kings  of  heaven. 

[Fol.  44.  b.] 
The  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  theirs 
by  behest  and 
heritage. 


The  full  posses- 
sion shall  take 
place  in  the  next 
world. 


Of  the  virtue 
of  love. 

Dread  makes  the 
heart  mild(meek). 

Pity  maketh  it 

sweet  and 

merciful. 

It  is  an  antidote 

to  envy. 


It  bestrips  the 
root  of  envy  from 
the  heart. 

It  produces  the 
root  of  good  lovei 


from  whence 
comes  a 
fair  tree. 


loue.  )?e  uerste  stape  of  lone  aze  zay|5  saynt  be[r]nai'(:l 
is  /  hua;nie  J)e  man  ne  can  na3t  lonie  :  iDote  liim-zelue  / 
and  his  036110  guod.  j)e  olper  hua?me  lie  begin])  god  to 
lonie.  ac  hit  is  nor  his  03ene  gnod.  ])e  Jjridde  / 
hna?zne  he  knanj)  betere  god  /  and  hi«i  lonejj  j)ropre- 
liche  nor  his  guodnesse.  ])e  nerjje.  hua?me  he  is  zno 
ynome  of  pe  holy  lone  /  pet  he  ne  lonie  ne  him-zelne  / 
ne  god  : '  bote  nor  god.  j)a7ine  hyer  let  zoj^e  mildenesse 
f»ane  man.  Xon  mi3t  Jiou  y-wyte  openliche  hou  pe  ponre 
of  gost  bye])  y-blissed  ine  ])ise  wordle.  Vor  hi  ham 
bye])  zno  moche  ylo3e(l  /  and  emti  /  })et  hire  gost  is  al 
to  na3te  be-come.^  and  pe  holy  gost  hop  })et  hons  ayen- 
yneld  ])et  is  Ihord  of  pe  herte.  and  uelp  zno  moche  ])8t 
hi  Help  pe  mylde.  })8t  hi  his  make])  king  of  heiiene  / 
be  holy  hope  /  and  be  zikernesse  of  inwyt.  And  ])er- 
nore  zay])  onre  Ihord  fet  pe  kingdom  of  heuene  is  hare  / 
na3t  wy])-onte  more  be  beheste  :  ac  be  saysyne  zykere 
ase  pe  ilke  pet  begin])  to  ondernonge  fet  frut  and  fie 
rentes  hon  hi  ssolle  by  y-blissed  ine  pe  o])re  wordle.  ]pet 
ne  may  non  parfitlyche  y-wyte  /  al-hnet  he  is  pev.  Vor 
herte  of  man  dyadlich  /  ne  may  hit  Jienche  /  ne  mou]) 
denisi. 

Of  )?e  u/ktue  of  loue. 
j)e  nerste  jetpe  of  pe  holy  gost  :  make])  pe  herte 
milde  and  dreduol.  and  Jieruore  he])  he  ])ane  name  /  pe 
yeipe  of  drede.  ]5e  o])er  make])  pe  herte  znete  and  milde  / 
and  pitens.  and  ])eruore  he  hatte  :  pe  yetp  of  pite.  )5et 
is  propr-eliche  a  dyan  /  and  a  triacle  a-ye  alle  kiiead- 
nesse  /  and  nameliche  aye  ]3et  uenim  of  ze/me  of  ennie  / 
huerof  we  habbe])  beuore  y-speke.  Yor  J)is  jetpe  be- 
strep])  pe  rote  of  ennie  of  pe  herte  /  and  hire  hel]) 
zikerliche.  j)anne  pe  herte  ])et  ondernangji  fiise  jetpe  / 
ondernangji  ane  znete  dean  /  ])et  his  make})  springe  /  ane 
zofte  rote  /  and  wel  y-te«2pred  /  fiet  is  gnod  loue.  ]?a?nie 
])er  wext  a  trau  nair  and  he3  and  wel  berinde  frnt.  pet  is 
1  (jHod?  -l)o-come\n'^\B. 


ALL    SHOULD    LIVE    IN    UNITY.  145 

a  guod  u?"/'tue  and  uayi-  /  fet  me  clepeb  ine  latin  /  ma/i-   winch  is  caUed 

"  Sweetness  of 

suetudo  /  ojjer  beningnitas.  pet  is  zuyetnesse  of  lierte.  heart." 
pet   makej)    man    zuete    and   milde  /  manhede  :    and 
charitable,  louiinde  /  and  lonerede  /  nor  hi  dej)  man 
parfitliche  louie  his  nixte  ase  him-zelue.     J3is  tran  hejj  This  tree  hath 
zeue  stapes  /  hnerby  hit  clyfjj  an  hej.    Jje  ilke  zone  which  we  cfimb 
stapes  ous  sseawejj  saynte  paul  /  Jjer  he  ous  amonestej)  **"  '"^'*" 
and  bit  /  Jjet  we  do  oure  payne  /  jjet  we  by  al  on  ine  god. 
Jjet  is  Jjet  we  habbe  one  herte  /  and  enne  gost  /  an  one  We  should  try  to 

,  .  ,         ,  ,       ,  . .      -  ,    be  all  one  in  heart 

ioue  m  god.     pe  uerste  scele  hueruore  we  ssoile  by  al  and  spirit. 

on.   and  pe  he^e  /  and  pe  lo3e  /  and  pe  riche  and  pe 

poure  /  is  nor  j^an  /  Jjet  we  alle  habbe j)  enne  uader  ine  Because,  ist,  we 

1  I  •  ^  111  Ti  ^  •      ^^^^  °"^  Father, 

heuene  /  fet  is  god  Jiet  ous  made  alle  comunliche  to  ms  that  is,  God, 
anlicnesse  an  to  his  ymage.     Jjernore  panne  pet  we  alle  in  ws  own  uke- 
habbe))    enne    sseppere   /  Jjet    ous   made   alle    of   one  "®^^' 
materie  /  and  hej)  yssape.   and  to  onelepi  ende.    Jjet  is 
fet  we  by  al  on  ine  hbn  /  ase  he  zayj)  ine  his  spelle. 
Mochil  is  grat  scele  fet  we  to-gidere  louie.  nor  ech  best 
ase  zayJ)  salomouns  louej)  his  anliche.     pe  o])er  scele  is  secondly,  we  are 
uor  we  byejj  alle  cristene  ine  one  cnstenedome  /  and  ^jjg  Christendom 
riche  and  poure.  Jjet  is  Jjet  we  byef  alle  y-wesse  of  one- 
lepi le^e.   bet  wes  mid  lesu  cristes  preciouse  blod.  and  and  are  aii  washed 

.  with  the  blood  of 

ybo3t  mid  onelepi  moneye.   and   asemoche  costnede  pe  Christ. 
on  :  ase  pe  ojier.   Moche  ssel  pmine  pe  on  louie  pe  oj?er 
and  worssipie  /  j^et  god  he)) '  zuo  moche  yloued  and  y-  ['  ms.  he^] 
prayzed  /  and  ymad  of  suo  greate  dingnete.     pe  firidde  Thirdly,  we  aii 

,  iiTn  1     ^  II  have  one  belief, 

scele  /  uor  jjet  we  healdeji  alle  one  beleaue  /  and  we  and  are  bound  by 

byejj  alle  ybounde  mid  one  la^e  jjet  is  al  uolueld  /  ase 

zaij)  sainte  paul  ine  fise  worde.      '  Lone  pine  nixte  ase 

J)i-zelue.'      Of  jjise  dette  ne  is  non  (\uit  /  uor  jjing  pet 

he  dep.  Jjise  dette  ssel  ech  to  ojjren.  and  hue  mest  his      [FoI.  45.  a.] 

yelt :  mest  he  ssel.     pe  uerpe  scele  is.  uor  we  habbep  Fourthly,  we 

1.111,  •  i,>i  1  11  n       liave  one  Lord  of 

enneiepi  Ihord  /  pet  is  god  of  huam  we  hyealdep   aUe  whom  we  aii  hold 
and  body  /  and  zaule  /  and  al  pet  we  habbep.  alle  he  goui,  °  ^  ^° 
hep  imad  co??imunhche  /  alle  ybojt  co?«inunliche  /  to 
alien  porueyp  communhche  /  and  alle  ssel  deme  corn- 

10 


146 


THE    BOUGHS    OF    LOVE. 


and  by  whom  we    muiiliclie  /  and  alle  medi  largeliche  /  jjo  }jet  habbef  y- 

all  shall  be  pun-  tit  •  i  i  j 

ished  or  rewarded,  liyealde  his  hestes  /  and  ]30S  ssolle  by  to-gidere  yloned 
Fifthly,  we  are      treweliche.     j)e  vifte  scele  is  /  nor  \)et  we  bye])  alle 

all  fellow-soldiers  .  .,  ,p  ni  ii-i-j./3 

ill  the  host  of  our  uela3es  me  fe  ost  ot  cure  iliorde.  and  tiis  kni3tes  /  and 
amfaii  look  for  ^^^^  soudeuTS  /  jjot  aUs  we  abyde))  on-lepi  ssepe  /  ])et '  is 
one  reward.  j^g  ]3iigge  wijj-oute  endo  /  huer  Jje  lone  and  fe  nela3rede 

ssel  by  noldo  and  y-cowfermed  /  Jjet  hier  ssel  by  wel  y- 
sixthiy,  we  all      hote.     j)e  zixte  scele  is  nor  ])et  we  libbejj  alle  of  one 

live  by  one  spirit,  iiti  t> 

goste  gostliche  /  ase  we  libbej)  of  on  eyr  bodylicn.     Be 
and  are  all  God's    ba  goste  we  byeb  alle  godes  children  be  adopcion  /  Jjet 

children  by 

adoption.  is  be   anouerie  /  and  children  of  holy  cherche  /  brojier 

germayn  of  nader  and  of  moder  /  be  ane  broferhede 
gostlich  /  Jiet  asemoche  is  worfi  betere  :  jja/me  J)e 
brojjerrede  nlesslich.   ase  pe  gost  is  more  worjj :  fawne 

Seventhly,  we  are  Tjgt  bodi.     be  zeuende    scele  is  nor  bet  we  byeb  alle 

all  limbs  of  one        -*  i  ^    j 

body,  whereof       leniBS  of  One  bodyc.  huerof  lesu  cr^'st  is  bet  heaned  / 

Christ  is  the  head. 

We  all  uve  on  the  and  wB  byej)  JJB  lemes.  jjet  we  libbej»  alle  of  onelepi  mete. 

is,  the  flesh  and      ]5et  is  of  Jje  holy  uless  and  of  fe  holy  blod  of  lesu  cr/st 

Christ?  "^^^^  j'et  ous  zno  nioche  lonef  /  and  zuo  moche  halt  ous  worjj  : 
jjet  he  ous  yefjj  his  blod  to  drinke  /  and  his  uless  to 
etene.  peruore  zuo  ofte  sainte  paul  def  ous  to  be-j5enche 
Jjise  loue  /  fet  he  ous  ssewe]).  Yor  more  quia  scele  / 
ne  more  uayrer  uorbisne  he  ous  ne  may  sseawy  of  zoJ>e 

Seven  steps  of       louerede.     Yef  fou  wilt  wel  fenche  to  fise  zeue  sceles. 

pity.^^""^  ""*  "^  J'O^i  sselt  Adnde.  zeue  stapes  of  loue  /  pet  come])  of  })e 
jefpe  of  pite. 

The  boughs  of  j)^    BO3ES    OF    LOUEREDE. 

love. 

ofthis  stock  come         Of  })ise  stocke  wexe])  zeue  bo3es.     Vor  fise  uw'tue 

seven  boughs,  .  i  ,     ,  i 

for  this  virtue  Is     hi??z  ssewc])  luc  zeue  mauercs.  ase  me  knau])  pane  loue 

seen  in  seven  ,,-i,  ,i  p,ii 

w^ays.  Jjet  IS  be-tuene  pe  lemes  of  fe  bodye  me  zeue  manyeres. 

1.  One  limb  for-     Verst  ])G  ou  leme  uorber})  /  and  lokeJ>  an  o])er  /  fiet  me 

bears   and  bears  ^i-  ■     -1       /  •  ■    1  i  ■    1  x.       i  •  •   j. 

the  defects  of  an-  11^3^  ^1"^  misdo  /  ne  ang/'isi  /  ne  harmi  /  be  his  nu3te. 
°'^''®"'"  and  ine  ])ise   we  onderstonde])  ^  fe   i?mocerace  fet  we 

We  should  do  to     ssolle  loki  ])&  OU  a-ye  pe  olpve.     Vor  })is  heste  is  y-write 
would bTdlne by.  ^^^  ]>e  herte  of  eurichen.   pet  fou  ne  do  to  ojjren  :  pei  / 
pet  ]30U  nolde&t  pet    he  pe  ne  dede.  ne  pm  ri3t  hand 
MIS.  be  I,  ~  order  St  ondi)>  MS. 


ALL  ARE  LIMBS  OF  ONE  BODY.  147 

dede  to  bine  left  hand.     Efterward  be  on  leme  boleb  2-  One  Umb  does 

■•  t  J         I    jjot  wreak  its 

ziietliche  '  /  of  jje  ojjre  Jjet  he  him  dej?  of  angWce  /  and  spite  on  another. 

na3t  him  ne  aw[r]ec3]j.    ne  non  arizinge   of  wrejje  ne 

uelj5  jje  leme  fe  on  aye  ]je  ojjer  /  ne  ne  of-hyealde]).  Ine 

J?isen  we  onderstondejj  to  uolueUe  mildenesse  fet  he]) 

jjri  stapes.  J3e  uerste  is  ])et  man  him  ne  awreke  na3t.  )?e 

o])er  pet  me  ne  hyealde  najt  ire  longe.  )?e  jjridde  /  Jjet  3.  The  limbs 

T  .    .  £•    •         I  p   1     i  1  •      obey  their  head 

man  ne  ueie  none  arizmge  01  u'e  /  ne  01  hate  aye  his  (i.  e.,  the  iieart 
nixte   uor    na^t   Jjet   he    dej?.       Efterward   jje    lemes  ^"  t'eeye). 
boii3ej)  aUe  to  hare  ouerling.     Vor  M  do])  alle  mid  hare 
mi3te  jjet  jje  herte  acsej?  /  and  ))et  e3e  ham  tekjj.     Ine  g  ^^^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^ 
ban  we  onderstondeb  be  u^rtue  of  bo:jsamnesse  huerof  stand  the  virtue 

•'  '    '  ■'  of  obedience. 

we  habbejj  beuore   y-speke  /  fet  he  ssel  bi  ine  loue       [Foi.  45.  b. 
agrayjjed  /  and  ine    charite  /  ase  zaijj    zaynte  peter. 
Efterward  jje  on  leme  helpjj  and  seruejj  jje  ojjren  wyjj-  4.  one  Umb  helps 
onte  grochi/ige  and  wyjj-oute  wyjjzigginge  /  and  wyfi-  otiier  wiiungiy 
oute  auarice.     Ine  jjisen  we  onderstondejj  jje  u^>tue  })et  j„  tifis^we'see  the 
me  clepejj  charite.     jjawne  a  man  hua??ne  he  help})  and  virtue  of  chanty, 
\n.m  a-corde]j  blejieKche  jie  ojjre  mid  j)e  helpe  jiet  god  whereby  one  man 

,.,  ,1-  1     I      ■,         1    1  ■,  f  -I   ■  helps  his  fellow 

hi?/i  hej)  y-yeue.  0 jjer  him  ret  /  ojier  tekf)  /  01  his  wytte  christians  by  his 

jjet  he  he}».     Ojjer  yefj)  andto-deljj  largeUche  uor  god  ms  riches,  or  ws 

jje  guodes  jjet  he  hejj.   Ojjer  he  chastejj  and  di3t  })e  foles  a""'0"ty. 

be  })e  autorite  jjet  lie  hej>.      Ac  j)a/aie  zayji  me  jjet  he  is 

uol  of  charite.     And  jjoiis  hit  hat  zaynte  peter  /  jiet  jje 

gtiodnesse  jjet  god  ous  hejj  y-lend  jiet  we  hise  di3te  to 

oure  nixte.     jjawne   tulles  jje  filozofe  zayjj.    'wessolle  The  philosopher 

jjenche  jjet  al  })et  is  ine  jje  wordle  and  wext :  al  hit  is  shoiUd  aii  seek 

ymad  man  to  helpe.  an  }»e  man  uor  to  helpe  jje  on  /  jje  profit,^""""''" 

ojjren.  bye}>  beyete.'  'do  we  jjajine'  zayji  he  /  '  jjet  :  huer- 

uore  we  bye}»  ybore  /  and  jjet  kende  ous  tekj>.    and  as  Nature  teach- 

zeche  we  alle  jjet  commun  profit.'     Vor  ase  zayjj  zaynte 

paul.  '  we  byejj  alle  lemes  of  onelepi  bodye.'  Eftenvard  /  5-  ah  the  limbs 

■*  feel  what  is  done 

alle  jje  lemes  ueleji  /  and  dra3ej)  to  ham  jiet  me  deji  to  to  one  of  them,  be 

echen  /  by  hit  guod  /  by  hit  kuead.  by  hit  blisse  /by 

hit  zor3e.  hua?ine  me  smit  jiane  uot  :  pe   movijj  zayji  / 

jjou  me  blechest.     Be  Ijan  we  onderstondejj  be  uw'tue  By  this  we  under- 

■*  '  ■    •  stand  the  virtue 

10    • 


148  THE  TRUE  MODE  OF  CORRECTION. 

of  pity,  that  hath  of  zojje  pite  /  fet  we  ssolle  habbe  commmAiche  j  Jjet 

hejj  tuaye  offices  /  ase  zay]j  zante  paul.     Blisuol  sselt 

the  one  to  be  glad  uq^  -j^y  /  ^q   uq   truodes    bet    obre  habbeb   /    and   dob. 

of  others' prosper-    r  ^    /  r       o  r  t  i  j 

ity,  and  to  be  sor-  Zor juol  sselt  boFul  by  /  to  be  kuedes  bet  ofre  uelef  and 

rovvful  for  others'     ^       ^   ^^  \    ,        c,  \  ■        ■^     i     ^  11 

woe.  do]).  Efterw^ard  /  yef  fe  on  leme  is  zik  /  ofer  y-wonded  : 

Liuie  othS  ''    alle  pe  of  re  hiw  helpej)  to  fet  he  by  held.    Ine  f  ise  we 
^®''^''"  onderstoFnldeb  be  uiVtue  of  doni  /  and  of  amendement. 

In  this  we  under-  L    J       i    i  ' 

stand  the  virtue  wijj-oute  huam  /  jjct  body  of  holy  cherche  ne  may 
amendment,  yleste.  Voi  J)e  leme  uorroted  ssolde  ssende  jje  hole. 
Huo  Jjet  wile  panne  conne  hou  he  ssel  his  broker  chasti. 
and  we-ieani  how  his  nixte  /  ojjer  his  seriont  wyfnime  /  and  punissi :  nime 
to  reprove,  cor-      |  ^  ^   hlm-zelue  /  huawne  on  leme  is  zik  /  ober  y-wonded. 

rect,  and  punish  /  I     J       -J 

the  faults  of  one    j-^q^  moche  zorje  heb   be  herte   and   grat  compassion 

another.  ;>  s     s 

y-uel]).   and  be  fe  greate  lone  fet  he  hej?  ine  him  /  he 

Mm  def  ])e  hand  wel  zueteliche.  And  aze  zayjj  senekes  / 

ase  of  Jje  bodye  /  alsuo  of  \q  herte  me  ssel  zueteliche  Jie 

Faults  should  be    -\vonden  ao;raybi.     Vor  of  zobe  loue  /  and  of  grat  com- 

eorrectedby  o      Jr  r  I  o 

love  and  com-  passion  ssoUe  J)e  amendes  by  y-do.  and  mid  greate 
First,  we  should  drede  he  ssel  fe  honden  do  ferto.  Verst  he  ssel  ]?erto 
of  sweet  Itoo-"^  do  fe  smeringes  /  and  fe  piastres  of  zuete  warningges. 
aftirwardsthe  Efterward  yef  fet  ne  is  na3t  wor>  :  fe  pondres  efter- 
wtake^^  °^  ^^^^  ward  and  prekiinde  /  of  harde  wyjjniminge.  Efte^-ward 
Next,  the  deeds  of  t,g  (jedes  of  techinge.  and  yef  he  ne    deb   wyb-oute 

teaching.  >  a  •/  j  ^  , 

Then,  if  these  fail,  empapement :  panne  behouejj  come  Jjet  ziiord  hit  uor  to 
roi!;i"of"xcom- '  dele  /  of  er  be  manzinge  /  of  er  be  hotinge  out  of  con- 
munication.  trayc.  of  er  him  do  uram  liim-zelue.  Efterward  f  e  lemes 

7.  The  limbs  hon-  worssipeb  be  on  /  be  ober.  and  uorberef.  uor  ase  zayf 

our  one  another,  T   i  i    f  •  /         j 

and  have  a  kindly  zay[n]te  paul.  we  ssolle  here  ech  of  ren  worf  ssipe  /  and 
[Foi.  46.  a.]  reuerence.  and  nameliche  f  o  /  f  et  habef  mest  nyede  :  of 
feeling  for  each  uorberinge.  fo  byef  fe  meste  foles  /  and  fe  fyebleste. 
The  good  man  zuiche  me  ssel  mest  uorbere.  j?a?me  fe  guode  man  and 
wltrfooisT^  ^  f  e  wyse  beref  /  and  uorberef  alneway  f  e  foles  /  and  f  e 
as  the  hones  bear   fiebles  /  asc  f  e  buones  beref  f  e  tendre  uless.  and  f  e  pos[t] 

the  tender  flesh.  ,  •      •  ,  •     •  ,     ,  t 

fet   hous.       pis  IS  aye  f e  missiggeres  f et  zuo  moche 

gredef  blef cliche  f e  kueades  /  and  f e  defautes  fet  hi 

8.  The  limbs  pro-  zyef  iuc  of  Ten.     Eftcrward  f  e  on  leme  weref  fet  of  er 

tect  each  other. 


THE    FRIENDSHIP    OF    CHRIST.  149 

ate  nyede  /   and  liim.  zet  uor  him.  uor  ate  niede  me 

y-zi^J)  huo  is  urend.     Huawne  pe  on  uot  slyt :  jje  oper  when  the  one  foot 

..  .  ,  -       slips  the  other 

mm  helpjj.  An  haste  hua??ne  me  wyle  smite  J)et  heaued  :  helps  it. 

J3e  hand  hire  dejj  be-uore.    Ine  Jjisen  we  onderstondejj  /  in  this  we  uuder- 

.  -.,.      stand  pure  love 

uoluelde  /  and  clene  lonerede.    jjeruore  zay]?  god  m  his  and  friendship. 

spelle.   '  Jiet  more  louerede  ne  may  by  :  fa/me  zette  his 

zaule  uor  liis  urend.'     Jpise  urendrede  ous  ssewede  lesu  This  friendship 

11-      Christ  showed  for 

crist  fe  zolpe   urend  Jjet  uor  ous  layde  his  zaule  and  his  us. 
body  to  ]je  dyafe.  and  fet  dede  he  ous  uor  to  yeuene 
uorbysne.  ase  zayj)  zaynte  peter  /  and  sain  Ion  zayjj.  wherefore  we 

ought  to  be  wiU- 

yef  god  layde  his  zaule  uor  ous :  and  we  ssolle  legge  ing  to  give  our 

,  .  •J'  souls  for  our 

oure  zaules  uor  oure  brofren  /  Jjet  is  uor  oiire  nixte.  yet  brethren. 

we  byejj  a  ri3t  leme  of  fe  bodie  /  huerof  is  jjet  heaued. 

Huo  ))et  jjise  m'rtue  hedde  /  ich  wolde  zigge  openliche 

])e[t]  he  ssolde  by  Jje  ri3te  yblissed.    }pis  is  J)e  u^Hue  fet  tws  virtue  Christ 

oure  guode  maister  lesu  crist  ous  to3te  /  f)o  he  zede.  said— 

'  YbHssed  byeb  be  milde  :  uor  hy  ssolle  by  in  sayzine  of  "Blessed be  the 

'  .  .  mild,  for  they 

jje  erjje.'  ]3et  is  to  onderstonde  ine  j)ri  mane/'es.  Verst  /  shaii possess  the 
of  J5e    londe  of   jje  hbbinde  Jjet   is   god   zelf  /  Jjet    is  i.  They  shau  have 
woniynge  of  Jje  libinde  /  Jjet  is  of  jje  hal^en  /  and  of    °       ^®^ 
guode  men.     Ase  Jje  erjje  is  woniynge  of  bestes  and  of 
men.  And  Jieruor  Jjet  god  J)et  is  Jje  land  of  Jje  libbinde :  who  is  the  land 

11  ,.         ii.,.,.  .  ,.  1  of  the  living.^ 

he  hej)  his  y-blissed  m  his  saysme.  uor  hi  ne  makejj 
none  stre[n]gj3e  Jjet  quemejj  god  ine  hire  sayzyne  /  ase  zayJ) 
Jje  sauter.     J?e  milde  zayjj  /  he  ssel  habbe  Jjet  land  ine  None  shau have 

11  1  ,  .  ,     /   .     J  1    this  possession 

kende.  and  saynt  augMstm  zuo  zayJj  /  Jjet  now  ne  ssel  unless  they  are 

habbe  god  ine  possession.      Vor  hi  byeJj    ri^tuolliche  hearts?     ^^ 

Ihordes    of    hii-e    herten.     ac    ire   /   and   felonie    liis 

amaystrejj.  )pe  milde  amaistrejj  Jje  queade  Jjeawes.    And  The  meek  man    " 

betere  is  worjj  /  Jjet  zayJj  Salomons  /  huo  J)et  ouercomjj  habits. 

wel  his  herte  :  Jja?me  Jje  ilke  Jjet  nimj)  be  stre[n]gjje  / 

casteles  and  cites.     Efte?  ward  /  Jje  milde  byeJj  lliordes  2.  The  meek  are 

lords  of  earthly 

01  Jje  erJje  /  Jjet  is  of  erj^liche  guodes.     Vor  yef  hi  hise  goods. 
lyezel)  :  hi  ne  wrejjejj  ham  nast  /  ne  ne  troubleb.  Ac  bo  They  grieve  not 

'  -^   ^  ^  ■'^  ^      at  the  loss  of 

Jjet  ham  wrejjej)  hua?ine  hi  hise  lyezejj  /  hi  ne  ne  byej)  them, 

najt  Ihordes  :  ac  rajjre  Jjrelles.  and  Jjeniore  he  zayJj  /  hit  ^^^  are  not  slaves 


150  THE    FIRST    STEP    OF    EQUITY. 


to  worldly  pos-      is  ri^t  /  pet  ])o  Jjet  habbej)  hier  pe  timliclie  guodes  and 

gostliche  /  and  hani-zelue  ine  possessioun.  Jjet  hi  habLe 

ine  fe  ende  :  fet  land  of  fe  libbinde  /  fet  is  god  him- 

The  poor  shall       zelf  iiie  possessioun.     Ac  nou  onderstand  and  loke  / 

anTt'eTe^k  the  ^t  /  >et  god  yef>  to  fe  poure  f e  heuene.    and  to  ]>e 

land  where  the  -^j^  .    .  ^^  j^^^    /  ^^^^  gg^^g  ^      1,^  13^^^^^    ^nd    be  felle 

"  bitter  and  feU  r  1  ''    >  ' 

shall  beunknown.  -v^yjjonte  /  Ine  ])Q  zoi^e  of  helle. 

[Fol.  46.  b.] 
The  first  step  of  )?E    UERSTE    STAPE    OF    BI3TUOLNESSB. 

Theist"giftofthe  J?e  uerste  yeffe  of  jje  holy  gost/makej)  man  milde/ 
Sakrth'man  ^nd  dxeduol,  j?e  ofer  him  make])  zuete  /  and  pitous, 
tt**9^nd  iteous  J^^  J^idde  hi??i  make])  hri^te  to  zyenne  /  and  nol  of 
and  the  3rd  full  of  -^yytte.  and  feiuore  hit  hatte  :  fe  yef J)e  of  wytte. 
Vor  he  make))  man  wytuol  /  and  wys.  and  ame- 
This  last  gift  cast-  surej)  alle  fing.  )3es  yefj)e  hnawne  he  com])  in-to  ])e 
of  ir*  *^' '°°'  ^erte  :  bestrep])  and  kest  out  fe  rote  and  ])e  ze?2ne  of 
that  driveth  a        ire  /  and  of  felonye  /  ]»et  trouble])  Jie  herte  /  and  make]) 

man  out  of  his 

wits.  }>ane  man  al  oute  of  wytte.  zuo  fet  he  no  ping  ne  yzi3]). 

This  gift  eniight-  ne  uor  him  /  ne  uor  o])ren  to  lede.     Ac  pes  yeffie  ah3t 

that*n is'no't b'^     Jje  herte  of  ech  half  /  zuo  fet  hi  ne  may  by  y-gyled  of 

gulled.  nonen.     Ase  fe  yef])e  of  pite  him  make])  innocent :  zuo 

])et  he  nele  gyly  nenne.     )?a?me  saint  Ion  zay])  ine  ])e 

boc  of  zi3])e  ine  goste.     j?et  ])e  holy  man  fet  wes  uol  of 

])ise  goste  /  wes  uol  of  e3en  be-uore  and  be-hinde.    And 

The  good  men       an  angel  ssewede  to  zacarien  fe  profete  ane  ston  huer- 

sights."  iii6  werin  zeue  e^en.  ])et  bye]?  fe  zeue  zi3j)es  fet  fe  guode 

For  they  see  into  men  habbe]).     Vor  hi  zye])  bri3thche  /  and  ine  hare 

all  about  them,      hertcu  /  and  al  abo[u]te  ham.  ])et  is  to  zigge.  be-ne])e  / 

and  aboue  /  be-uore  /  and  behinde  /  and  of  ri3t  half  /  an 

This  gift  is  the  "  of  left  half.  )5es  yef])e  is  fe  maister  of  workes.  ])et  is  to 

zigge  /  of  ])e  mrtues  of  man.   uor  he  dep  al  to  wylle.  and 

itTs  the  line,  rule,  to  ])&  Huc  /  and  to  ])e  reulc  /  and  to  pe  leade  /  and  to 

Jie  leuele.  He  nim])  uerst  liis  pr^cke.  and  his  boune  and 

pet  is  pet  pe  -wyse  zayp.     '  Of  al  pet  pou  sselt  beginne  : 

loke  pane  ende.   and  to  huet  heauede  pou  sselt  come.' 

It  makes  the  line    Efterward  /  he  halt  his  line,  uor  he  ne  hep  beuore  be 


THE    TWO    SIDES    OF    THE    HEART.  151 

rijte  way  /  and  be  ri3te  onderstondiwge.  na^t  ase  Jje  of  conduct  to  be 

eddre  /  ojjer  ase  pe  uox.   Efte?-ward.  he  dej)  al  be  reule  / 

Jjet  inakejj  fane  wal  emne  /  and  man  be  J»e  comvxune 

lyue  of  pe  guode  /  wy]j-oute  vinde  newe  hedes.     Efter- 

ward  he  proueb  ofte  his  work  mid  lead,  uor  he  nimb  i*  ^^^^^  t^e  life 

'  _  _  _  of  the  good  even 

hede  bet  his  tour  /  ne  hongi  /  ne  stoupi  /  ne  ari3[t]half  and  uniform. 

.,  .It  makes  him  firm 

be  prospente  :  ne  aleithalf :  be  aduersite.    pes  yeife  is  and  upright 

pnonr  ine  ])e  cloystre  of  Jje  zaule.  fet  lokej)  fe  ordre  /  ^d^dvwsity!"  ^ 

and  def  hi  loki  oiieral.     Verst  ine  pe  herte  [Jjet]  hef  tuo  ^'^ff^i'^*''^ 

zides.  J5e  onderstondinge.  and  Jjet  wyl.  Jje  skele  /  and  cloister  of  the 

be  afFeccionn.     Hiia?ine   bise  tuo  ziden  /  acordej? :  hi  The  heart  hath 

two  sides  : 

makej)  wel  zuete  melodie  /  and  moche  uayr  seruice.  pet  i.  The  mider- 

,  If-   standing  and  will. 

IS  hua?uie  wyl  wyle  /  al  fet   onderstondinge  tekp  oi  2.  The  reason  and 

guode.   and  guod  wil  uelj)  :  fet  scele  onderstant.  nou  wiien  these  ac- 

onderstand  wel  fise  tuo  ziden  /  fet  byeji  ine  Jte  zaule  /  g^'jet  melody  ^'* 

hou  hy  ssolle  acordi.   Ine  be  one  zyde  byeb  uour  lokes  /  i"  each  sideiare 

four  locks. 

and  ine  pe  ofre  :  uour.     Vor  Jje  skele  he]?  uour  offices..  Beason  hath  four 

offices : 

jjet  is  uor  to  acsy.     Vor  to  deme.     Vor  to  bejjenche.   1.  To  question, 
And  to  ssewy  jjet  hi  onderstant  be  worde.   And  pe  ilke  3]  to  bethink, 
yefjje  te^  fane  scele  /  fet  hi  ssel  lyerni  /  and  acsy.  thought^words. 
and  ine  huyche  ordre  /  and  ine  huiche  manere  /  and  to   '^^^f  ^'/'^  (doom) 

•^  I  I  teacheth  reason 

huet  ende.     And  bet  is  Avel  grat  nied.     Vor  to  misdo  ^'^^  ^°  ^^am  and 

.  to  ask, 

ine  zuiche  finges  /  is  wel  perilous.   He  def  fane  sck[e]le 
onderstonde  /  and  to  lyerni  bet  /bet  is  nieduol  and  a"<i  what  is  need- 

'  ''  r       I   r  ful,  profitable,  and 

profitable  /  and  oneste.  and  hire  wyfdra^f  of  fe  eon-  honest. 
^rarie.     A.  god  hou  me  lyest  fane  time  and  costni[n]gge       ^^°^-  *''•  *-J 
uor  to  lyerni  fiag  f et  na^t  ne  is  worf  bote  to  ydele 
bhsse  /  ober  to  zerene  Ac  be  holy  gost  be  bise  yefbe  By  this  gift  the 

'       '  r  J     &  r  J      r       Holy  Ghost  teach- 

tekb  liatliche.  and  makeb  man  lyerni  ordeneliche  /  bet  ^^'^  ™an ^^ii"* '^ 

•^       -^  X  ^  IT        most  needful  for 

is  mest   nyed  to  fe  zaule   to  fe  loue  of  god.  and  al  the  soui  to  leam, 

makef  to  done  ine  ri3te  onderstondinge  /  and  to  ri3te 

ende  /  bet  is  be  worssipe  of  god.   and  uor  be  profit  of  ^'""  "'*^  iionour  of 

his  zaule.  and  uor  to  helpe  his  nixte.     Efterward  he  p^'o^'- 

def  fane  skele  wel  to  zeche  fet   zofe  of  finges.  and 

nameliche  hou  lii  ssel  beleue.     Wel  beleue  is  hua?me  ^^  teaches  the 

soul  right  belief, 

me  belef f  simplehche  al  fet  god  made,  zayf .  and  hat  /  ti»at  is,  to  believe 


152 


THE    OFFICES    OF    REASON. 


without  doubt 
whatever  God  ha8 
made,  said,  or 
commanded. 

True  belief  is  not 
hasty  or  slow. 
It  examines  and 
desires  right  judg- 
ment. 

It  does  not  meddle 
with  matters  that 
do  not  belongto  it. 


This  gift  enables 
reason  to  distin- 
guish between 
good  and  evil, 

between  little 
goods  and  the 
greater. 


It  causes  man  to 
remember  all 
needful  things 
past. 

To  understand 
things  present,  to 
see  the  things 
to  come. 

It  makes  man  to 
speak  or  to  be 
sUent  in  season ; 


so  that  each  word 
is  of  its  right 
weight,  neither 
too  much  nor  too 
little. 


Throw  not  pearls 
tefore  swine. 


■wyjj-oute  to  moche  acsi  /  and  wyjj-oute  to  zeche  Jie  red 
of  god  /  and  pe  dyepnesse  of  his  domes  /  and  Tpe 
lie3nesse  of  his  mageste  /  and  Jje  skele  of  his  ojjes.  Wei 
beleue  is  /  hua?me  me  ne  lefjj  ne  to  rafe.  ne  to  late,  ne 
to  alle  /  ne  to  nonen.  nor  J)e  on  and  fe  oJ?er :  zuo  is 
nice  /  ase  zayjj  seneke.  Efterward  wel  acsi :  wile  wel 
deme.  Wel  to  denie  be-longe])  fet  me  na^t  ne  anfermi  : 
bote  me  hit  habbe  wel  of-acsed.  and  J»a?^ne  bote-yef  me 
by  ziker  :  Jjet  me  ne  entremetti  to  deme  ])ing  J)et  na3t 
to  Mm  ne  belongejj  /  ase  bye])  Ipe  finges  anliyalde.  Jje 
onderstowdinges  of  herten  /  of  Jjinges  jjet  ne  moje  torni 
to  Ipe  rijthalf  /  and  to  fe  lefthalf  /  fet  me  his  onder- 
storade  arijt  ine  ]je  guode  half.  j)anne  fes  gost  /  be  fise 
yefjje  /  makejj  fane  scele  wel  to  deme  /  and  knawe 
arijt.  and  to  destincti  be-tnene  Jje  gnode  jjinges  and  Jje 
kueade.  be-tuene  pe  greate  kueades  and  fe  lesse.  be- 
tuene  fe  little  guodes  /  and  ])e  more.  Vor  he  de])  ech 
Jjing  praysy  /  ase  hit  is  be  ri3te  worjj.  Efterward  he 
dej)  fane  scele  bejjenche.  nor  he  be-fengf  to  Jie  mawne  / 
al  fet  him  is  nyed  /  ase  god  zayJ3  ine  his  spelle.  j)e 
finges  J)et  byef  y-pased  /  he  hise  dej?  befenche.  j)e 
finges  Jet  byej)  present  /  he  def  his  onderstonde  /  and 
to  y-zy.  fe  finges  fet  byef  to  comene  :  he  def  pornay  / 
and  ordayny.  and  fise  byejj  fe  fri  deles  of  fe  u/rtue  of 
prudence  be  fe  filosofe.  Efte/Tvard  he  make]?  fane 
scele  be  mesnre  speke  /  and  blef  ehche  by  stille.  and 
speke  onnefe.  zno  fet  fe  speche  come  rafre  te  f e  uile  : 
fawne  to  fe  tonge.  fet  hi  by  y-we^e  ase  guode  moneye 
and  y-proued.  ase  zayf.  Salomon,  f et  is  fet  hi  by  of 
guode  matire  /  ase  of  guod  metal,  and  of  gnode  ssepf  e  / 
f  et  is  of  guode  manere  y-speke.  and  hi  habbe  his  ri3te 
wy3te  /  and  his  ri3te  tale,  fet  is  fet  fer  ne  by  ne  to 
moche  /  ne  to  lite  /  and  fet  hi  by  wel  bezet.  uor  guod 
moneye  /  ne  guod  word  /  me  ne  ssel  na3t  y[e]ue  nor 
na3t.  Huerof  zayf  ous  god  ine  his  spelle.  fet  we  ne 
f  rauwe  na3t  oure  pre-ciouse  stones  to-uore  f  e  zuyn.  pes 


THE    FziCULTIES    OF    THE    WILL. 


153 


yefjje  acorde])  /  and  ordeynef  /  jje  ofer  half  of  ]je  herte.    ™^|^^  governs 
beFtl  is  be  wvl  /  huerof  ber  byeb  uour  deles.    Lone.  The  wui  hath 

r    ^  -i  r  •"       I  .      I  four  faculties, 

Drede.  Blisse.   and  zor^e.   fet  is/   fet  he  liabbe  Jiet  he  love,  dread,  wiss, 
ssel  /   and  ase  he  ssel  /  and  asemoche  ase  me  sseL  when  these  four 
and  Jjet  me  yleue  alsuo  fet  me  ssel  /  and  ase  me  ssel  j^^jftion,  t'herthey 
and    ase    moche  j  ase    me    ssel.       HiiaMne   fise   uour  '"'e"  tempered. 
deles  hye])  atamed   /  Jjanne  zayj;  me  fet  fe   man   is 
attempre.  Ase  me  zayJ?  of  one  rote  /  ojjer  of  one  herbe  / 
jjet  hi  is  attempre  /  hua?zne  hi  is  ne  to  chald  /  ne  to 
hot  /  ne  to  wet.  Alsuo  ase  to  fe  bodye  of  man  /  comejj      [Foi.  47.  b.] 
aUe  eueles  nor  be  destempringe  of  Jjise  uour  q?/ahtes  /  As  aii  toduy  evils 

arise  from  the 

ofer  of  ))ise  uour  humours  :  alzuo   01  Jje  herte  01   pe  "distempering" 
mawne  come])  alle  ]>e  uices  /  and  alle  jje  zeranes  be  J)e  humours, 
distemperance  of  Jjise  jjeawes.     Huanne  fise  tuo  ziden  fr^m the "dfstlm' 
of  Jje  herte  bye)?  acorded  and  y-ordayned.  fet  is  fe  ^^'^^^rtiies '^''^ 
scele  and  J)et  wyl.   ])a?me  is  ])e  man  ordine  wyj)-inne 
him-zelue.     )?et  byeb  be  tuo  roten  of  ])e  rote  of  ane  wel  The  roots  of  the 

tree  of  "  right- 

uayre  trawe.  fet  is  of  ane  wel  uayre  uw'tue  fet  me  fulness "  are  a 

.  T   1        /         J.    weU-ordered  rea- 

clepej)  ri3tuolnesse.     Ki3tuolnesse  is  propreiiche  /  pet  son  and  a  subdued 

me  de])  be  dome  ri3tuol  and  trewe  /  ne  to  nesssse  /  ne  to  '^ 

hard  /  wyb-oute  boujinge  to  be  one  half  /  ne  to  Jje  Rightfulness  is 

.  true  and  uniform 

ojjren.  Huawne  me  gejj  uorjj  onlepihche  /  and  a-rijt  ase  conduct. 

line.     Vor  rijtuolnesse  ne  is  ober  bing  bote  oninge  /  it  is  nothing  else 

_        *^  _  ,  than  union  and 

Jjet  is  trewjie.     Huo  J)et  hej)  Jjise  mVtue :  he  is  guod  truth, 

iustise  and  wys.  uor  he  ne  dej)  nojjing  bote  hit  by  wel  yi^ue  is  a  good 

ofacsed  and  y-trid  /  ase   ssel   do   J)e   guode   demere.  '"'d  ^^^e judge. 

Jpawne   J)e   uerste  stape   of    Jjise   utrtue  is   /   Jiet    Jje  The  first  step  of 

this  virtue  is  that 

man  by  guod  demere  of  his  o^ene  herte.  uor  he  ssel  a  man  he  a  good 

.      .       X-  1/1  x.-      •  i  1  1  judge  of  his  own 

guo  m-to  hl??^-zelue  /  and  ysy  his  mwyt  and  wel  ex-  heart, 
andni  his  ])03tes  /  and  his  wylles  Jjet  hi  bi  guode  :  ojjer 
kueade.  and  al  ordayny  to  Jie  lokinge  of  scele  /  zuo  Jjet 
J)e  w^l  and  Jje  scele  :  by  of  one  onynge.     Yor  ase  zayjj  virtue,  saith  st 
sain  bernard.   'uzHue  ne  is  non   oJ)er  Jjing  :    bote  Jie  union  of  reason 
onynge  of  scele  /  and  of  wille.'  J)et  is  huanne  wyl  comj)  ^  °  '^^   • 
wyjj-oute  wyfiziggi/jge.  speke  /  and  maky  /  and  do  to  that  is,  when  the 
worke  J)et  scele  zayjj  /  and  ssewej)  /  and  tekj).  ^  reason. 


154  THE    SECOND   AND    THIRD    STEPS    OF    EQUITY. 

The  second  step  Jje    ObER   STAPE    OF    RI^rTluOLNESSE. 

of  rightfulness.  '  '  -"-J 

The  second  step  Of  j)ise  mVtue  ]je  ojjer  stape  is.  jjet  me  by  ri^tuol  dem- 

is  to  hold  the  ,         ,.  .  -,-,•-,        i         t  p-  i. 

body  in  proper  ere  /  and  healde  n3tuolliche  /  Jje  line  ot  ri3te.  betnene 
su  jec  ion.  j^^^  _   ^^^  ^^^^  ^  onder  him.  J>et  is  his  bodi  ]jet  he  he]) 

to  loki.  huich  he  ssel  zuo  norissi  :  Jjet  he  moje  serui  / 
Reason  should  be  and  ZUO  teche  /  and  chasti :  ]jet  he  wyle  bou3e.  Vor 
tween  the  spirit  \^  scelc  ssel  by  ase  a  trewe  arbytres  be-tnene  jje  goste 
an  t  e  es  .  ^^^  ^^  ulesse  Jjet  byej)  alneway  strfuinde.  jjet  ssel  lold 
So  that  the  spirit    bet  lijt  /  of  one  half:   and  of  obre.     Ine  zuiche  manere 

be  lord  of  the  '  ^     i  i 

body.  Jiet  ]je  gost  by  guod  Ihord  /  and  Jjet  body :  by  guod 

For  there  is  great  s^rgont.  :N"ou  is  hit  g^'ot  nyed  to  hyealde  in  fise  half 
need  that  moder-  oueral  rijtuolnesse  /  and  mesure  /  ine  mete  /  and  ine 

ation  should  be  -^  '  ' 

observed  in  meat,  drinke  /  and  ine  clo  binge  /  and  ine  hosiynge  /  and  ine 

drink,  and 

clothing.  ssoinge.   and  ine  alle  jse  Jjinges  fet  /  fet  bodi  acsejj. 

.  Yor  hit  wel  ofte  bou3])  more  to  /  to  ^  moche  :  far^ne  to 

The  five  wits  of     ]je  litle.     Efterwaid  hit  behouej?  fe  vif  wyttes  of  ]je 

under  the  author-  bodie  wel  lede  /  and  rede,  be  scele  /  and  be  rit3nol- 

lyo  leason.         nesse  /  ZUO  Jiet  ech  serui  of  liis  office  wyjj-oute  zewne  / 

and  wyjj-oute  wyjjniminge.     Ase  jje  63611 :   to  zyenne. 

|)e  yearen  :  to  hyere.     )3e  nase  :  to  ssmelle.     })e  moujj : 

to  zue[l]3e  /  and  to  sspeke.  )3e  honden  /  and  al  jjet  body  : 

When  these  five    to  vele.      Hua^me  Jjise  vif  wyttes  byeb  wel  y-loked 

wits  are  well  .  i      -n  /  t 

guarded,  then  is     j)a?2.ne  IS  ]je  castel  ziker  /  and  ysset.     jpet  byeji  j?e  gates 

the  castle  secure,        n,  iij.ii,  i  i  i  ,•/, 

for  they  are  the  ^i  \q  zaiue.  jjet  bye])  J)e  wyndowes  huerby  com])  m  /  ])e 
of  fhe\"o^J.''"^'"''  dya])  ofte  to  ])e  zaule  /  ase  zay])  ])e  profete. 

The  third  step  of  )3E   jjRIDDE    STAPE    OF    RI3[t]u0LNESSE. 

rightfulness. 

[Foi.  48.  a.]  J5e  fridde  stape  of  fise  u^Hue  is.  ])et  \q  man  by 

The  third  step  of  gnod  demere.  and  hyea[l]de  ri3tnesse  be-tuene  \i\m  :  and 
man^miges  be-'''  \^'^  j'st  is  beuore  hi?».  ])et  bye])  \q  ])inges  of  time  /  ])et 
^nd'the'th'togs  destrue])  ofte  and  bodi  and  zaule  /  hua?me  me  de]»  ferto 
that''is'bet'ween  ^°  moche  /  ase  do])  fe  nijjinges  and  fe  coua}i;ous.  and 
himself  and  tern-  alle  bo  bet  be  wordle  louieb  to  moche.  bet  habbeb  zuo 

poral  possessions.  j       j         t  j  i  r 

The  covetous  are    ^e  herten  engrmed  ine  be  dyeules  nette  /  ase  zayb  lob.  bet 

ensnared  in  the 

devU's  nets.         to  tiwHche  [eyse]  ^  /  and  to  nyedes  wyf-oute  /  ])et  to  hare 
'  eyse  or  lost  seems  wanting  here  to  complete  the  sense. 


THE    FOURTH    STEP    OF    EQUITY.  155 

herten  hi  ne  111036  guo  in  /  ne  liare  lif  ordayny.     )pa?me 

hit  jaalj)  fet  hit  is  zojj  /  ]jet  senekes  Jje  wyse  zayjj  /  jjet  au  sin  who  take 

.,,-„.                                              .           „  more  care  for  the 

"we  be  Jjan  zene-^p  aile  /  and  loriuons  Jjet  01  J)e  pames  01  things  of  life  than 

Jje  line  ech  fenche  /  and  is  soigneus.  ac  of  al  pe  line  to  °^  ^^    e  1  se  . 
ordayny  non  ne  Jjencjj  /  ne  stude]).     Xon  is  J)a?me  wel 

g?*at  nied  pet  me  ne  do  na^t  to  moche  fe  herte  ine  Jtise  set  not  the  heart 

f  inges  AvyJ3-onte.    Yor  lino  )?et  him  dej?  to  moche  ferto  :  ward  things,  lest 

he  ualp  in  Tpe  hate  /  and  ine  fe  couaytise  of  Jje  wordle  /  covetoirsneTs,"^ '  ^ 

fet  is  pe  rote  of  alle  nices  /  ase  we  habbe])  be-uore  lulices!" '°°' °^ 
y-ssewed 

j)E    UER)3E    STAPE    of    RI3TUOLNESSE.  The  fourth  step  of 

„     .            .             .                                      .  rightfulness. 

J5e  uerjje  stape  of  |)ise  mj-tue  is.     )?et  man  clierHche  -rjjg  f^^^j^  ^^  ^j. 

yzi  ane  his  ri3thalf  jjet  is  jjet  he  nime  hede  to  ham  fet  hee"to  tholfwho 

byejj  guode  /  jjet  bye]?  ase  ane  his  ri3t  zyde.  and  fet  of  ^^^  sood,  and  foi- 

]je  guode  /  and  of  Jje  wyse  /  he  nime  wyt  /  and  uorbysne.  ample. 

Ac  ine  ])ise  zide  hit  be-honeb  hyealde  ri3tnolnesse  and  Discretion  is  here 

.                                                                                     "^  very  needful. 

discrecion.     Vor  al  nolc  ne  mo3e  na3t  gno  be  one  waye.  aii  folk  have  not 

ne  alle  pe  guode  /  ne  alle  pe  wyse  /  ne  habbejj  na3t  one-  nor  have^he"''^' 

lepi  grace,  alsuo  ase  fe  lemes  of  jje  bodie  /  ne  habbef  iKnelffid''"'^^ 

na3t  onelepi  office,  and  jjerof  hjep  uele  herten  nouices 

of  Jjan  /  ase  zajp  pe  boc  of  collacions  of  holy  uaderes  / 

fet  drajt  of  pe  perfeccion  of  uiVtue.     Vor  hua?^ne  hi 

jzep  ane  man  wel  y-mad  Jjet  wyle  p?-ofiti  ine  on  stat  /  Some  novices  en- 

.         •                                                      1            -n    .     /          1    1  •             11  deavour  to  follow 

ojjer  me  one  grace  :   anon  hy  mllej)  /  and  him  y-lyche  the  special  virtues 

wyUef  by.     And  hua«ne  hi  eft  jzjep  anofrene  /  fet  °"°°  ^'^^y^^r^, 
ine  anojjer  stat  /  dej)  manie  guodes  :   alsuo  hi  wyllej? 

and  yernejj  efter.  an  alsuo  to  pe  jjridde  /  and  to  be  and  so  attain  to 

,       ;          ,                       ,                        ,  J              ,       -1  none. 

uerjje  /  ne  to  nonen  ham  ne  zettejj.     )3o  byejj  ase  is.  jje  They  are  like  the 

yonge  grihound  /  >et  is  yet  al  nouis  /  Jjet  yemj)  efter  thTfunrafter '"^ 

eche  beste  /  jjet  jexnp  beuore  him.  and  ne  make])  bote  ^  sels!""'*  '^''* 

him  weri  and  his  time  lyese.     j?erof  zet  ysopes  pe  fable  lexempUm.] 

of  pe  Kttle  hounde  and  of  pe  asse.  pe  bond  at  eche  time  ThefeWeofthe 

jjet  he  yhyerjj  [Jjet]  his  Ihord  comef  horn,  he  jemp  to-yens  ^^ '"^  "^^"""^  """^ 

him  /  and  Uiapb  aboute  his  zuere.  and  be  Ihord  him  The  hound  wei- 

■"  comeshismaster's 

make])  uayr  chiere  /  and  him  frotej)  /  and  makeb '  him  home-coming  by 

,,.,,„  fawning  and  rub- 
'  nuiker  in  MS. 


156  THE    FIFTH    STEP    OF    EQUITY. 

biiig  and  fair  greate  feste.  pe  asse  him  be-J)03te  /  fous  ssolde  ich 
do  /  and  zuo  wolde  mi  Ihord  me  louie.  Betere  lie  ssolde 
me  maki  ioye  /  pet  ich   serui   eche  daye  jjawne  jjise 

The  ass  attempts  hounde  bet  him  serueb  of  najt  1  hit  nes  nasftl  longe  efter- 

to  follow  the  dog's  '^  ^  '  . 

example,  ward  Jjct  Jje  asse  ne  yze3  liis  Uiord  come  horn  :  he  negm]) 

and  throws  his  ,  i    i  • 

feet  about  his  to  Iheape  /  and  yer«]j  to-yens  \i\m.  and  mm  fraujj  pe 

and  is  weu  bekten  net  ahoute  liis  zneve  /  and  beginjj  zinge  grat-liche.     J2e 

forhispams.  geigons  jjet  hit  y-ze^e  /  nome  stenes  /  and  byete  ])ane 
asse  rijt  to  fe  nolle.     And  J)erof  fet  he  wende  habb[e] 

By  such  fables  worjissipe  /  and  guod  :  he  hedde  ssame  and  harm.     Be 

[Foi.  48.  b.]  zneche  fables   wes   y-woned   fe  -wyse   man  teche   his 

taugTuhiT'irouse-  niayne  /  and  be  Jjise  uorbisne  /  he  ham  ssewede  fet  hi  ne 

nott  desire  vir-  ssolle  na3t  wylni  to  >e  graces  hner  hi  ne  mo3e  na3t 

tues  that  were  be-  ^^^^  ^q_   ^^^  Vp^  -jj^e  ^elue  tekb  salomon.  'zone'  zayb 

yond  theirpowers.  '  •»  ''  ' 

Wherefore  take     j^g   /  <■  j^e  arere  najt  bine  e^en  to  richesses '  /  bet  is  to 

heed  of  whom  '  ^      j  /  it 

thou  takest  pat-     graces  bet  be  ne  mi3t  najt  come  to.     }?eruore  hit  is  grat 

tern. 

nyed  to  habbe  discrecion  pet  me  zi  -of  huam  me  may 
uorbysne  nime. 

The  fifth  step  of  J)E   VIFTE    STAPE    OP    RI3TUOLNESSB. 

rightfulness. 

It  is  necessary  Alstio  hit  is  grat  nycd  pet  pe  man  yzy  bry[3]te  ane  his 

see  clearly  right     left  half  and  pet  is  pe  vifte  ioyel  /  and  pe  vifte  stape. 

and  left  of  him.  tii;i 

On  the  one  side  he  nor  he  ssel  yzy  pe  foles  and  pe  kueade  /  pet  byep  ase 

sees  fools  of  whom        ti^iiiji  ii»»  -ij-i 

he  should  have      ^  P^  ^^^^  hall,  uor  by  hyp  a  pe  worse  zide.  to  ham  me 
^'*y'  ssel  nime  hede  uerst  /  nor  pan  pet  he  habbe  pite  an  cmn- 

and  should  avoid    passionn.    Efterward  uor  pet  me  be-uly3t  hire  folye  /  and 

their  follies.  ,  .  -         .  , 

Solomon  took       hire  uorlyczmge  /  ase  zayp  pe  wyse  salomow.   'Ichwente 

gard  and  his        he  zayp  '  be  pe  nine  /  and  be  pe  ueldes  of  pe  fole  sleii- 

°'"^^"  nolle,  and  ize3  pet  al  lii  weren  noUe  of  nettlen  and  of 

pornes  /  and  of  pise  uorbisne  ich  habbe  y-nome  wyt  / 

and  po[r]ueyonce.'  uor  me  kan  zigge  :  pet  zofte  he  him 

chastep  :  pet  be  opren  hi??z  chastep.     Efterward  /  uor 

Discretion  is  here  pan  pet  me  louep  more  god  /  be  huam  man  is  qm't  of 

necessary.  -  i       i  •,   t     i 

zuycne  zennes.    Ac  mocne  hit  behouep  me  pa  zyde  /  to 
We  must  pity  and  loki  ri3tuolnesse  /  and  discrecion.     Yor  huawne  ich  yzy 

not  deride  fools 

and  sinners,         pane  fol  and  pane  zene3ere  /  ich  ssel  habbe  pite  /  and 


THE    SIXTH    STEP    OF    EQUITY. 


157 


mid  jjolyinge.  and  na3t  niaki  jjerof  bisemers  an  scornes. 

Ich  ssel  alneway  hatye  be  zenne :  and  louie  be  kende.  Let  us  hate  sin 

J  <)       '  '  but  love  the  sin- 

and  wel  me  behouejj  to  loky  fet  ich.  ne  wille  ine  mine  ner. 

herte  nenne  deme.  ne  me  anlicny  to  nonen.  nor  jja^  he 

by  kuead  to  day:  he  may  by  s^od  to  morse,  and  zuich  The  had  man  may 

•^  J  J       J    ^  ^  l,e  good  to-nior- 

is  to  day  guod  :  ha  may  by  kuead  to  mor^e.     Efterward  row. 

ich  me  ssel  ase  moche  ase  ich  may  wyb-oute  misdoinge  Try  by  kind 

'J        "J  1  "-       actions  and  words 

a-yens  ha??^  paye.  and  co«.decendre  ine  dede  /  and  ine  to  win  uie  sinner 

J  ^   <>  backtoUod. 

speche  /  ham  uor  to  wynne  to  god.  and  \vyj5-dra3e  uram 
ze?^ne.  Vor  ase  zayjj  senekes  /  and  saynt  gregorie.  '  we 
ne  mo3e  najt  /  fo  pet  biej)  yualle  :  a-rere.  bote-yef  we 
wylle  hou  pet  hit  by  to  ham  bou^e.' 

bE    ZIXTE    STAPE    OF    RIJTUOLNESSE.  The  sixth  step  of 

■^  rightfulness. 

J3e  zixte  stape  is  /  pe  zixte  630  :  pet  habbep  pe  guode  The  sixth  step  is 

,.,.,,,.,  .  ,    tlie  sixth  eye  tliat 

men.  pet  is  pet  m  yzy  bri3tliche  be-hinde  pe  grmes  and  the  good  have, 
pe  dyetdes  giwnes  /  pet  byep  ous  ase  be-hinde.     Yor  pe  the^evii's  sifares. 
vyend  ous  y-zi3t  /  and  we  hi?/i  ne  more '  ysy.     Oure 
vyendes  :   pet  byep  pe  dyeulen  /  pet  byep  wel  stronge  o«r  enemies  are 

the  devils,  that  are 

and  wyse  /  and  sotile  and  soigneus  ous  to  gyly.     Vor  strong,  wise,  snb- 

.  .  tie,  and  busy  us  to 

hy  ne  zuykep  neure  ni3t  ne  day  /  ac  alneway  biep  me  beguUe. 

way  tinge  uor  ous  to  gily  be  hare  crefte  /  an  by  hire  They  never  cease, 

•^         '-'  o    ti  I  ^  J  l,ut  are  always  m 

ginnes  /  huerof  hi  uzep  more  pawne  a  posend  maneres.  wait  to  deceive  us. 

and  ase  zayp  saint  gregorie.     )?e  dyeuel  yzi3p  wel  sotil- 

liche  be  stat  of  be  mawne  /  and  his  manyere  /  and  his  The  devu  knows 

ill  J  I  what  IS  man  s  be- 

co?rtplexioun  /  and  to  huet  vice  he  ys   mest  bou3inde.  setting  sin. 
oper  be  kende  /  oper  be  wone.   and  of  po  half  him  Some  he  assails 

[Note  hyer  wel.  ] 

asaylep  stranglakest.   pane  colrik  :    mid  ire  :    and  mid  with  anger  and 

T  1  1,  .•  .,.,.,,  ,  .,    discord,  others 

discord,      pane   sangMinien  :    mid  lolmete  /  and   mid  with  luxury, 

luxurie.      Jjane   fleumatike  :    mid    glotonye  /   and   be  ""'"^ '"'"' ""^y- 

sleaupe.  ^     );ane   melanconien  :  mid  enuie  /   and  mid  [Foi.  49.  a.] 
zor3e.     And  peruore  hi??i  ssel  enrich  more  defendi  of  po 

Therefore  man 

hall  huer  ha  yzi3p  pet  his  castel  is  mest  fyeble  /  and  must  defend  the 
aye  pe  ilke  vice  ui3te  /  huer  ha  zi3p  pet  he  is  mest  wscastie. 
asayled.  ine  zuyche  guod  /  pet  he  /  ne  spari  nerene.  uor 

'  ?  mo^e  =  may. 
2  At  bottom  of  page  are  the  catch  words  and  mid  slen\,e. 


158  THE    SIXTH    STEP    OF    EQUITY. 

he  is  hardy  /  and  bold,  ase  fe  ilke  Jjet  assaylejj  godes  zone 
his  Ihord  lesu  exist.  '  Yef  ]jou  [wosf]  '  /  zede  oure  lliord  to 
iob  /  '  ine  hou  uele  wyzen  he  hhn  desgyzejj '  /  alsuo  ase 

The  spirits  of  J^^  ^^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^  ^°^  ^"^^^   ^^^-       ^^^  ^^®  ^^yf  ^^T'^^ 

men  and  angels      clenvs.  '  alflle  be  angles  and  be  guode  and  be  kueade  /  and 

are  a  spiritual  ''  LJro  ro  r  i 

mirror.  alle    fe  gostes   of  men  byejj   ase   a   ssewere   gostlich. 

The  soul  receives  panne  ase  a  ssewere  onderua[n]gJ3  anhaste  alle  jje  ssepfes 
jects  be  it  sleeping  ^h^.  jje  prientes  Jjot  coniej)  hi7H  be-uore  :  alsuo  dejj  jje 
orwa-ing.  ^^^^  ^£  ^^  ma/me  /  by  hit  slepinde  by  liit  wakinde. 

One  mirror  will     ]^ou  nim  hsuine  ane  mirour  and  zete  liine  to-ayens  an 

reflect  the  forms  ■• 

seen  on  another,     ojjren.  an  liaste  alle  jje  ssepjjes  jjet  byef)  ine  jje  onen  ])on 

sselt  yzy  ine  fe  ofren.'     Ine  zuyche  wyse  me  zay])  f>et 

Divers  forms  are    fe  dyeuel  ssewe])  to  fe  goste  zuiche  sseppirages  and 

reflected  from  the         •   ^        n  -i  ii  ti-.,i,;  t 

devil  upon  the       zuiche  ttgures  asB  he  wyle  huawne  god  hit  jjolej?  /  and 

man,         ^^  zaule  hit  onderuangj)  al  a-ye  his  wyl.  and  ojierhuil  hit 

just  as  one  re-        ^^  ase  to  Jie  j^o^te  /  oj)GT  ase  to  Jje  ymaginacion  ase  a-ye 

ofJbjl'cTirthe"^  ^^i  "^^yl  /  ^^^  be-houej)  to  zyewne  and  o[n]deruoHge  ine  pe 

pearl  of  the  eye.     perle  of  Jje  eje  Jje  ssepfe  of  J)e  jjinge  fet  is  him  be-iiore. 

!N"ou  is  liit  a  wel  grat  grace  of  god  /  and  a  wel  grat 

yefjje  of  fe  holy  gost  /  onderstonde  wel  pe  spcches  alle  / 

of  J)e  dyeule  /  and  knawe  wel  alle  Jje  uisages.     Vor  ase 

It  is  a  difficult       zayjj  sajQit  bernard.  hit  is  wel  sotil  fiiig  /  and  strang  to 

Kiiish  betwee'n  the  co??ne  /  distiiicti  be-tuene  J)e  ])03tes  Jiet  Jie  herte  fengj) : 

heart  midihose     ^^^^  P^  f®^  f ^  ^^^^^ '   ferinno  zet.     Hua?^ne  he  com]) 

set  there  by  the      g^gg  uela3e  /  ojjer  ase  uriend  /  ojjer  ase  chapman,  and 

They  may  easily    ggeweb  be  zewnes  /  hou  hi  byeb  likinde.  and  lostuolle  / 

recognize  some  of 

the  devil's  li^tKche  me  may  hit  knawe.     Ac  hua?zne  he  comb  ine 

thoughts,  I 

but  others  are        gysc  of  angle  /  and  ssewejj  Jjet  guod  :   nor  to  dra3e  to 

more  subtle  and       ,,,  -,,,•  ,j  at 

dangerous.  kueade.     pa?2ne  is   pe  temptacion  mest  Strang.     And 

Jjereuore  zayjj  saynt  Ion.  }3et  me  ne  leue  na3t  jje  gostes  / 
ac  bet  me  hise  prouy  erjian  jjet  me  hise  onderuonge.  zuo 

One  must; try  the  -i  ^  • 

'ghosts "ere one  doj)  ])0  /  fet  make))  hire  srifteuader  guod  /  and  holy 

man  /  and  wys  /  and  wel  yproued  ine  zuiche  jjinges 

timHche  /  to  huawi  hi  ssewe  J)  ofte  /  and  grat  /  and  snial  / 

alle  Jje  Jio3tes  fet  to  j)e  herte  comej?  and  guode  /  and 

1  This  word  is  necessary  to  the  sense. 


receive  them. 


THE    SEVENTH    STEP    OF    EQUITY.  159 

kueade.     Vor  ase  zayj?  Solomons.  '  y-blyssed  he  is  :  jjet  "  Blessed  is  he," 
alnewayis  dreduoL'  and  ine  an  ofre  stede  zayjj  he.   'Do  « thatauvays^is 
be  red  al  Jjet  jjou  dest  /  and  efterward  hit  ne  ssel  pe  "^"^  '°'*^' 
uorjjenche.' 

J3E    ZEUENDE    STAPE    OP    RI3TUOLNESSB.  The  seventh  step 

of  rightfuhiess. 

be  zeuende  stape  /  is  be  zeuende  eje.  bet  hit  hehoueb  The  seventh  step 

'      .  -^       ^  '     is  the  seventh 

habbe  pet  wile  haboe  fuse  uiVtue.     j?et  is  pe  ilke  ]jet  an  eye  that  one  ought 
hej  lokejj  /  jjet  hej)  god  alneway  to-uore  him.     Of  jjan  and  which  hath 
zajp  oui-e  Uiord  ine  his  speUe.     'Yef  fine  e^e  is  simple  fore  S'"'''^' ^" 
and  clene  :  al  bi  bodi  ssel  by  clyer  and  brijt.     And  yef  if  the  eye  is  dim 

^  ■'       ■'  -*  "^         thy  body  will  be 

Jjin  e3e  is  wycked  and  dym  :  al  |)i  bodi  ssel  by  ))yestre  dark. 

and  dim.'     bet  is  to  zisge  /  yef  bin  onderstondinge  of  iftheunderstand- 

j  00     I    J         I  o  uig  IS  clean  and 

fine  herte  is  clen  •  and  simple  /  and  gejj  norjj  fane  ri3te   simple, 

way  ase    streng  al  a-midde  fise  stapes  alle  /  fet  we 

habbeb  y-nemned  /  be  hyap  of  bine  workes  ssel  by  uavr  t^^y  ^o""!^"  "'"Hje 

.  /XJi-r  J        J      fair  and  clean. 

and  clier  /  and  lykinde  to  god.     And  yef  fe  onder- 
stondi[n]gge  is  wi-ong.  ofer  yef  hy  tuystef  of er  wyf went       C^°'-  *9-  ^•'^ 
ayen  ase  def  f  e  q?^arteus  al  f  e  inwyt  ssel  by  biestre  /  without  right 

''    >  I     understanding 

and  f  e  hieap  of  im-tues.     Yor  wyf -oute  ri3tiiolle  onder-  aims  become  sin. 

stondinge  :   elmesse  be-comf  ze?ine  /  and  n/rtue  vice. 

J?e  onderstondinge  is  simple  /  f  awne  f  e  maw  def  guode 

workes  ri3tuolliche  uor  god.     Hy  is  wrang  /  huanne  he  '^^^  understand- 

,  .  IP  '"^  's  wrong  when 

hise  def  nor  fank  of  fe  wordle  /  ofer  nor  ydelebhsse.  it  tries  to  please 

-TT      ,  ,         .  -  the  world  instead 

Hy  tuystef  me  tuo  :  huawne  me  wylnef  of  one  half  to  of  God. 
god  :  and  of  of  erhalf  to  f  e  wordle.     Ac  lii  went  ayen  : 
ase  def  f  e  cerceans  hua7^ne  f  e  man  zekf  his  03ene  note 
in  a]  f et  he  def.     JSTou  best  fou  y-herd  f e  zeue  staples 
hnerby  fis  trail  cliff  an  1193. 

Of    ]3E    BO3ES    OF    RI3TUOLNESSE.  Of  the  boughs  of 

rightfulness. 

\)Q  bo3es  of  fise  trawe  :  byef  fe  zeuen  principals  There  are  seven 
u/rtiies  /fet  ansuerief  2  to  fe  zeue  vices,  ase  def  bo3sam-  f.Tbedience. 
nesse   a-ye  prede.      Lone  :    a-ye   enuye.       Mildenesse  :  3;  ^^l^^^^ 
a-ye  felhede.     Prouesse  :  a-ye  slacnesse.     Largesse  :  a-ve  *•  P^wess. 

°  >'        5.  Liberality. 

scarsnesse.     Chastete  :  a-ye  lecherie.     Sobrete  a-ye  glo-  6.  chastity. 

,  -,„  .  ^         ,        .     ,,  7.  Sobriety. 

Written  clene  in  MS.  2  Written  answerie\>  in  MS. 


160 


THE    VALUE    OF    DISCRETION. 


These  seven  vir- 
tues leadeth 
aright  tlie  ghost 
of  wisdom. 


Biscretion  is  the 
carter  of  virtues, 
and  the  rudder  of 
the  ship,  that  is, 
the  soul. 


Without  dis- 
cretion virtue  be- 
comes vice. 

These  seven  vir- 
tues before  men- 
tioned are  the 
boughs  of  equity, 
and  they  produce 
the  fruit  of  good 
works. 


"  Blessed  be 
those,"  said 
Christ,  "  who  in 
all  things  hold  to 
discretion." 


He  does  not  say 
blessed  be  they 
who  sin  not, 


but  "  blessed  be 
they  who  weep," 


that  is,  who  see 
and  know  their 
faults, 

and  are  sorrowful 
because  of  their 
sins. 

The  world  is  call 
ed  the  vale  of 
tears. 


because  none  may 
live  without  tears, 
that  hath  the  gift 
of  wit. 


tounye.  Jjise  zeues  uw-tues  lokej?  and  ledejj  wel  ri3te 
and  wel  zikerliche  jjane  gost  of  wytte  Jjet  hise  let  be  pQ 
waye  of  ri3tuolnesse.  ase  zayj)  salonio?i.  be  huiche  waye  : 
discrecion  and  scele  /  Jjet  is  Jje  cartere  of  mVtues.  ase 
zayjj  sant  bernard.  and  j^e  rojjer  of  ])e  ssipe  of  Jje  zaule 
his  let  and  breng))  uorji.  |)et  hi  ne  guo  na3t  amis  ari3tlialf 
ne  alefthalf.  and  jjus  lii  profitej)  and  wexejj  and  bere]) 
frut  to  ]5e  nolle.  )?eruore  Jiawne  fet  pe  uiVtue  of  ri3tuol- 
nesse  /  be  discrecionn  h.hn  ssewej)  ine  alle  jje  workes  of 
ojjre  mrtues.  and  wyjjoute  fise  /  aUe  J»e  ojjre  ui'rtues 
lyezej)  Jjane  name  of  uw'tue  :  and  become])  nices.  Zigge 
ich  wel  /  pet  in  on  wjt  j  Jjise  zeue  m/'tues  be-uore  yzed 
byej)  fe  bo3es  of  ri3tuolnesse  and  al  j)et  frut  of  guode 
workes  Jjet  of  ham  wexeji  /  belongejj  to  fise  trawe. 
l!^ou  onderstan[d]  wel  hou  Jjegreate  maister  of  uw-tues  ous 
spek])  of  ])ise  uw't[u]e  /  nor  hi  ne  is  na3t  ine  his  reule. 
'  Yblessed  byeji  j)o  fet  ri3tuolnesse  hiealdej?  oueral  /  and 
ine  alle  finges  habbe]?  discT'ecion  and  mesure  Avy]j-oute 
misnimynge.'  Vor  we  ne  habbejj  hire  onnea]?e  y-wonne. 
Yor  non  ne  is  Jjet  ne  misniniji  ine  uele  maneres.  And 
Jjeruore  ous  conioriep  wel  zueteliche  oure  zuete  maiste[r] 
lesu  crist  hua/me  he  ne  zayf  na3t.  'y-blissed  byej?  ]jo  ])et 
ne  zene3ej)  ne  misnimejj  /  ac  doji  al  be  ri3tuolnesse  /  and 
be  lingne.'  Ac  he  zayj)  wel  cortayshche  nor  to  coHforti 
Jje  zenuolle.  '  YbHssed  bye  J)  Jjo  pat  wepe])  /  nor  liy  ssoUe 
by  co?i!forted.'  Jjet  is  to  zigge  :  fo  byej)  ybhssed  :  jjet 
yzyej)  and  onderstondejj  and  knawej)  wel  hire  defautes  : 
ine  alle  Jjise  zeue  poyns  of  ri3tuolnesse  Jiet  we  habbejj 
hier  y-nemned  /  and  feruore  wepej)  and  bye])  zor3uol 
fet  hi  uinde])  zuo  ofte  onri3t  /  huer  hi  ssolden  healde 
and  uinde  ri3tuolnesse.  Vor  feruore  is  ])e  wordle 
y-cleped  ])e  dane  of  tyeares.  and  non  ne  may  ine  fe 
wordle  libbe  :  wyf-oute  tyeares  ])et  he])  onderuonge  fe 
yef])e  of  "vvyt  /  huerof  we  habbe])  yspeke.  jjanne  be- 
houe])  ase  zay])  Salomon,  uor  huo  fet  mest  can  /  and 
mest  zyj])  ])e  201303  and  ]>e  kueades  of  }>e  wordle :  )>e 


THE    GIFT    OF    STRENGTH.  161 

more  lie|j  zoi^e  to  his  lierte  /  and  tyeares  /  and  wepinges.       [FoI.  50.  a.j 
And  Jjus  beginj)  Jjis  wordle  to  tyeny .     And  be  more  bet  sorrow  causes 

man  to  dislike  the 

tyenej)  jjis  lif :  jje  more  me  wyLnejj  Jjet  ojjer.      And  world, 
ferof  wexejj  ofre  tyeres  nor  ))e  wylninge  of  J)e  ojjre  Hue.  and  to  desire  the 
JSTou  sselt  Jjou  fus  fenche.     Zix  maneres  of  tyeres  pet  six  manner  of 
pe  holy  man  he]j  ine  fise  wordle  be  >e  yefjje  of  wytte.  IheddeTh!"'^''"'"" 
J?e  uerste  come])  of  jjet  me  zy3t  pet  me  he])  god  ofte  i;ruL*^o?GoTr 
ywre])ed  be  ])03te  /  be  speche  /  and  be  dede.     j)e  oJ)er  ^'"f^- 
com])  ])erof  ])et   me   yzhp  be  greate   torme«s    hidouse  come  because  of 

the  torments 

an  eurelestinde  of  helle.     Huerof  ech  man  ssel  habbe  ofheii. 

gr«t  drede.     j)e  ])ridde  wexe])  of  pe  kueades  /  ])et  me  3.  The  sufferings 

.,,,  of  the  good. 

yzi3])  pe  guode  poiye.     pe  uer])e  come])  01  pe  zennes  fiet  4.  The  sins  of  the 
pe  kueade  do]),     pe  vifte  nor  fise  line  fet  tyene])  /  and  ^' weakness  of 
uor  pe  o])re  ])et  de])  auerst.     )3e  zixte  com])  of  deuo-  ^^g^i,!fofth^ 
cioun  and  of  grat  plente  and  of  blisse  of  be  p?'esense  of  °*^«''- 

'^  ^  r     r  g   Devotion  and 

lesu  crist  /  and  of  be  uelinoje  of  be  holy  gost.  and  bise  wiss  caused  by 

.  ,  '^  o  r  J    o  r  the  presence  of 

bye])  ari^t  ybhssed  ])et  zuo  wepe])  /  nor  loi  ssolle  by  Christ  and  the 
y-conforted  ase  za.jp  pe  writinge.     Alsuo  ase  pe  norice  as  the  nurse  com- 
conforte])  ])et  child  fet  wep]).  uor  hi  wype])  pe  ejen  /  SfeyTsSe' 
and  hi7?i  kest  /  and  lii  de])  hi»i  le^e  be  streng]3e.  alsuo  '^'''^'''^  ''^^^• 
ssel  do  om'e  Ihord  to  ham  fet  wepe])  ine  ])ise  wordle  ase  so  om-  Lord  com- 

.  forts  the  moum- 

ich  habbe  yzed.     Vor  he  wyle  zuo  wypi  hare  e3en  /  ])et  ers. 
nem'emo  ne  ssolle  wepe  /  ne  ne  ssolle  yuele  kuead  ne  Evermore  shall 

they  be  with  God, 

zor3e.     Ac  euremo  ssolle  by  myd  god  ine  paise  and  ine  in  peace,  laughing, 

,      .  -I    ■        1  T  1  *nd  bliss. 

Ie3mge  and  me  bhsse  wy])-oute  ende. 

Of    j)E    YEFJJE    OF    STRENG]5E.  Of  the  gift  of 

strength. 

IS'ou  we  habbe))  yspeke  of  jeipes  and  of  uiHues  /  We  have  spoken 

.,  ,.,,•         ,  11T1T  .,  ,  already  of  the 

fet  goueme])  Jio  fet  me  pe  wordle  hbbe])  mid  pe  lo3este  virtues  which 
of  >ri  states  /  huerof  we  habbe])  beuore  y-speke.     Xou  fh7w™rS.°'' '" 
ssolle  we  mid  pe  helpe  of  pe  holy  gost  speke  of  pe  Now  we  shall 
yeffies  and  of  pe  u//"tues  ])et  more  propreliche  belonge])  virtues  which  be- 
to  ham  >et  >e  wordle  onworfe])  /  and  to  pe  he^e  heUe  1^!  despl^the 
of  pe?'feccion  wyliie]).     Of  ])an  zay])  propreliche  lob.  Life^of^anon 
fet  lyf  of  man  ope  pe  erbe  :   is  ase  knyhlthod.      Vor  earth  is  as  knight- 

■■  ^■'-'  hood  or  as  citizen. 

ma?mes  1}^  ine  pe  er])e  :   is  ase  borgeysye.     Xou  yzi3  ship. 

il 


162 


THE    GIFT    OF    STRENGTH. 


Much  has  the  one 
of  new  and  diverse 
thoughts, 


and  strives  to  be 
rich  and  esteem- 
ed. 

The  knight  de- 
sires to  act  court- 
eously and  liber- 
ally, 

and  to  purchase 
fame  and  high 
station. 

Some  men  keep 
from  great  sins, 
do  penance,  &c., 
and  it  sufficeth 
them  if  they  may 
bo  saved  at  last. 

Others  are  dis- 
gusted with 
worldly  perils, 
sins,  and  pains, 
and  have  no  peace 
of  mind. 

[Fol.  50.  b.] 
They  see  no 
treasure  to  be 
compared  to  God's 
love, 

and  had  they 
God's  love,  peace 
of  heart,  and  joy 
of  soul,  they 
wouldthink  them- 
selves more  than 
emperors. 


Wlien  God  gives 
man  the  gift  of 
strength. 

He  gives  him  a 
new,  noble,  and 
liardy  heart, 

that  enables  him 
to  endure  all  the 
world's  threaten- 
ings. 


He  only  is  ^v^se 
who  despises 
harm  for  his 
friend,  i.  e.  God. 


ane  yongne  boryeis  and  ane  neweiie  kni^t.  Mochel 
habbej)  Jjos  of  uele  jj03tes  newe  diuerses  and  wyluolle. 
])e  borgeys  wylne])  to  chapfari  /  an  to  wynne  and  to 
gaderi.  and  ])e  ende  of  bis  wylle  is  al  ])erto  :  fet  ba  by 
ricbe  ine  guodes.  and  ine  bis  toune  y-worJ)ssiped.  ])e 
kny^t  newe  /  gej)  al  anojierne  way.  Yor  he  wilnej? 
corteysyes  to  done  /  an  largelicbe  yeue  /  and  kny[3]tbod 
to  lyerny  and  gno  to  armes.  kueades  to  polye  /  ssewy 
prouesses.  porcbaci  los  /  and  ine  heje  stat  cline.  J?ise 
tuo  states  we  zyeji  apertelicbe  ine  tuo  mane?*es  of  uolke. 
hnerof  j)e  on  is  /  ])et  wel  bam  wylleji  nram  greate  zenne 
loki  /  do  penonce.  yeiie  ebnesse.  byealde  godes  hestes  / 
and  of  boly  cherche  and  wel  bam  hit  were  yno3  /  yef  hi 
mi3te  ate  ende  be  •  zuo  moche  by  y-bor3e.  j)ise  byej?  ine 
guod  stat  /  and  wel  ham  mo3e  soui.  ])e  ojjre  byejj  to 
hnam  Jiet  ]je  wordle  anoyj)  nor  Jje  perils  and  fe  ze?nies 
and  de^  pinen/buerof  hi  is  al  uoL  zno  Jjetnon  ne  may 
habbe  pays  of  herte  /  ne  stedeuest  in^vyt.  Hi  jzep  of 
ofer  half  Jjet  jjer  ne  is  no  tresor  J)et  nio3e^  by  Avor]?  to 
godes  lone,  no  znyetnesse  zuo  gr«t :  ase  pays  of  herte. 
no  blisse  of  jje  wordle  j^et  by  wor])  /  to  pe  blisse  of 
klene  inwyt.  zuo  ba??i  Jjingjj  and  wel  hit  is  zo])  /  Jjet 
huo  pet  Tpise  Jjri  Jjinges  may  -vvinne  :  he  ssolde  by  more 
panne  emperour.  ac  jjet  is  zuo  grat  J)ing  pet  ueawe  pev 
byejj  zuicbe  /  pet  dorre  ))ise  niminge  maki.  ac  hua?zne 
god  yefj)  to  pe  ma?^ne  fise  grace,  and  pe  ilke  yefjje  fet 
me  clepej)  pe  gost  of  strengjje.  he  hym  yefJ)  ane  newe 
herte  /  ane  noble  herte  /  and  bardi.  Noble :  uor  to 
onwor])i  al  fiet  pe  wordle  mai  behote  /  and  yeue. 
Hardyesse  nor  to  Jiolie  alle  pe  kueadnesse  Jiet  pe  wordle 
may  Jjreapni.  And  of  jjise  hardiesse  spekjj  oure  uader 
hua?me  he  zede.  j)et  '  yblysse]?  byef>  ))o  Jjet  habbe]? 
honger  and  jjorst  /  of  ri3tuolnesse.'  Salomon  zayjj.  pet 
'  be  is  ri3tuol  /  jjet  onwor])eJ3  bis  harm  /  uor  his  uryend'  / 
jjet  is  uor  god  /  Jjet  is  ri3t  urend.  And  saint  bernard 
zayjj.  '  he  ne  is  na3t  ri3tuol  /  fet  ne  yzi^p  na3t  ine  his 

1  bo  MS.  2  So  i,i  MS.  3  more  ? 


THE    VIRTUE    OF    PROWESS.  1G3 

herte :    and  ueljj  /  and  onderstaiit  /  pet  he  is  yeldere. 

and  a-yens  god  of  treu]?e  /  toppe  alle  fing.'    )5e  ilke  pet  Man  is  a  debtor 

zojjliche  -wylnejj  mid  al  his  herte  to  yelde  Jiise  dette  to 

gode  /  j>e  ilke   is   of  jjan  /  huerof  onre   lliord   spekjj 

huanne  he  zede.     )?et  >e  ilke  byef  yhlissed  /  j^et  habbe];  b,,,,,^^  ,,.,  y,,,^ 

honger  /  and  borst :  uor  riatuolnesse.  he  ne  zavb  nait  /  "^^*  lounger  and 

^       '  -^  -'  J  r         >     I     thirst  after  right- 

'  y-blissed  hi  hyej)  po  pet  habbejj  /  ojjer  pet  do]?  ri^tuol-  eousness, 
nesse :  ac  fo  |)et  habbe))  honger  and  Jjorst.'     A^or  fis 

rijtuolnesse  ne  may  by  yhyealde  /  ne  fis  dette  ne  may  Tiiis  riehtfuincss 

by  nolhche   y-yolde  /  ine   >ise  wdle.      Ac  ine  >ise  ^btainS  ?n  S!? 

wordle   hi  is  y-'wylned   /  and  ine    be   obre   /  y-payd.  ■"'•"■^''• 

''*'  '  '  '         I     -J   >-    "J         Itis  desired  here 

j2eruore  ne  zayb  nast  cure  guode  Diord  and  mayster.   and  got  in  the 

other  world. 

'  po  byejj  yblissed  fet  Jjise  ri3tuolnes3e  ssolle  do  /  and  ))et  chnst  does  not 

jjise  dette  ssolle  yelde.'     Ac  he  zayjj  wel  cortayslaker  /  Messed  who  have 

ase  he  fet  wot  oure  poiierte.    'Ybhsse])i  byejj  pe  ilke  ""1'"^^"""'"" 

jjet  of  fise  ri3tuolnesse  /  habbejj  honger  /  and  |)orst.' 

Vor  he  ne  aksejj  na3t  J^et  w^e  him  yelde  hyer  his  dette  / 

ac  hit  is  liiwi  yno2  /  yef  we  habbeb  giiod  w\l  to  yelde.  'Jut  those  are 

'^  '  .  ^  ^  "  ''  blessed  who  desire 

j)is  wylninge  hua?me  hi  is  zoji  in  herte  /  behouej)  Jjet  he  it  in  their  hearts. 

hit  ssewy  be  dede.   Vor  ase  zayf  Salomon.  '  non  ne  may 

bet  uer  ine  his  bosme  hede  /  bet  his  robe  ne  berne.'    bis  '^^•^  ^^^^^^  '^^• 

'   '  '         hibits  itself  in 

ssewynge  ne  may  bi  wy])-oute  mrtue  /  and  wyb-oute  virtue  and  in 

prowess. 

prouesse.     Vor  be  wytnesse  /  ne  by  jjlaytinge  :  me  ne 

prouejj  na^t  jjet  he  by  guod  kny^t  /  ac  be  moche  dede  Thegood  knight 

of  armes  /  and  be  moche   bohynge  /  and  to   y-leste.   ^"^^^^^  ^y  ^i*  ^^^^^ 

/  r       J     O      /  J  ofanns. 

And  ])et  is  pe  uerjje  n^'rtue  /  ])et  pe  holy  gost  yefj)  to 

be  ma?me  uor   to  strepe  of  al :   in  al.    be  uerbe  vice.   PJ'o^'ess  sti-ips 

^  '  man  of  sloth  and 

pet  is  pe  ze?nie  of  sleawjje   and  of  onlosthede.      )3is  iiUeness. 

UiVtue  is  of  zuo  greate  dignete  /  jjet  amang  alle  pe  ojjre 

UiVtues  /    J3is  one  berji  propreliche  be  hi?«-zelue  ])ane 

name  of  /  uw-tue.     Vor  uzrtue  /  and  prouesse  is  al  on.   J;°/,en'un"r  "  "" 

bise  UM'tue  /  god  yef b  to  his  sergons  /  huawne  he  his  ^^  '^*  '^''^  ^' 

.         ,  '  o  /  Pentecost  to  His 

wile  maki  knijtes  /  ase  he  dede  to  his  apostles  at  lokes.   apostles, 

of  hua»i  we  redejj  /  pet  hi  weren  zuo  dreduol  /  pet  hi 

ne  -  dorste  guo  out  of  hare  house  /  alhuet  hi  weren  mid  ^''^^  nevertheless 

^  '  Wf 


'  So  in  MS.  -  no  in  MS. 

11  * 


were  timid  and 
cautious. 


164 


THE    FIRST    STEP    OF    PROWESS. 


\)i&e  u/ytue  yarmed.     Ac  more  lii  yeden  ledinde  blisse  / 
[Pol.  51.  a.]       hiia«ne  me  dede  ham  ssame  and  hardnesse. 


The  division  of 
virtue  (prowess). 

The  old  pliiloso- 
phers  divided 
this  virtue  into 
six  parts. 

Our  Lord  added 
a  seventh  point. 

1.  Magnanimity. 

2.  Affiance. 
8.  Security. 

4.  Patience. 

5.  Stedfastness. 

6.  Magnificence. 

7.  Hunger  and 
thirst  of  right- 
eousness. 


Magnanimity  is 
highness,  great- 
ness, nobleness  of 
will,  and  of  great 
aspirations. 

[I  deUs .?] 
The  first  division 
of  it  is  prowess — 
a  noble  contempt 
of  difficulties. 


The  second  is 
rationalenterprise 
of  difficult  things. 


He  who  has  this 
virtue  thiriks  but 
little  of  the  cares 
of  the  world, 

counting  them 
no  more  than  a 
spider's  web. 


Solomon  truly 
said,  "  AUis 
vanity." 

The  world  is 
vanity,  and  full 
of  vanity. 


j)E    TO-DELINGE    OP    U/iJTUES. 

j)e  filozofes  J)et  of  jjise  ufrtues  dro^en  /  hi  to-delden 
fise  UM'tues  iiie  zix  deles,  fet  hjelp  ase  zix  stapes  / 
liuerby  ])ise  u/rtues  cliuejj  /  and  profitef.  Ac  oiire 
master  j)et  made  fe  filozofes  /  and  filozofie.  pet  is  lesu 
crist :  he  zet  /  jjane  zeuende  poynt.  })e  uerste  poynte 
of  prowesse  /  hi  clepiej)  /  magnanimite.  j)3  ojjer  : 
fiaunce.  )3e  jjridde  :  zikernesse.  j)e  iierjje  :  Jiolyinge. 
j)e  nifte  :  stedeuestnesse.  pe  zixt  :  magnificence.  j)e 
zeuende  pet  onre  mayster  zette  :  hatte  honger  and  Jjorst 
of  ri3tiiolnesse.  jjise  wrtnes  me  ne  may  na^t  p?'opre- 
liche  ne?>mi  ase  onderstondi??ge  hise  to-di^t  /  ine  latin. 
Magnanimite  is  he^nesse.  gratnesse.  and  noblesse  of 
wylhede  /  luierby  pe  man  is  hardi  ase  lyon  /  and  of 
greate  niminge.  j)is  u/rtue  hep  tuo  delles.'  greate  jjinges 
onwor])i.  and  wel  grater  to  nime  an  hand  /  and  to 
chiese.  Of  pe  uerste  dele  :  zayjj  zaynt  austin.  Prowesse 
is  /  huanne  corage  onwor])e])  /  al  Jiet  ne  is  najt  in  his 
pouer.  \)et  is  al  fet  he  may  lyese  /  wylle  him  nolle 
him.  And  seneke  zajp.  '  amang  wordleHche  finges  /  no 
fing  ne  is  g?'at  /  bote  herte  /  ])et  greate  Jjinges  onwor|)e]).' 
Of  pe  ofre  dele  zayji  pe  filozofe.  ])et  '  magnanimite  /  is 
renable  niminge  of  he3e  fynge  /  and  dreduol.'  Huo  fet 
fise  u/vtue  he]) :  he  jzi-^p  pe  wordle  uram  uer.  ase  zayjj 
ysaye.  pe  profete.  And  jjus  hi??i  fingji  al  pe  wor[d]le  Ute  / 
ase  a  sterre  hit  fiincj)  to  ous.  Iftsmne  al  pe  wordle  /  and 
alle  pe  bisyhedes  /  and  pe  greate  niedes  of  j^e  wordle 
hi»i  JiingJ)  ase  na^t.  and  jjeruore  hise  ne  prayzej?  na3t  / 
bote  ase  pe  web  of  pe  spijire.  )5a;/ne  Salomon  hua?aie  he 
hedde  al  pe  wordle  y-went.  and  of  alle  Jjinges  /  and  of 
foles  /  and  of  wyse  ystr/ued.  he  zayde  his  dom  ine  zuiclie 
manere.  '  ydelnesse.  ydehiesse.  ydelnesse.  and  al  Jjet  ich 
izi :  is  ydelnesse.'  fet  is  to  zigge  /  pe  wordle  is  ydel- 
nesse.  and  zuo  hi  is  al  uol  of  ydelnesse.     And  pe  man 


THE    SECOND    STEP    OF    PROWESS.  165 

hi»?-zclf  iior  hviam  be  wordle  is  v-macl :  ziio  is  al  ydcl-  This  ufe  flies  as  a 

.      ■^.  "^  "^  shadow. 

nesse.  uor  ine  him  is  alle  manere  ydelnesse  /  ase  zaij?  its  cares  are  as 

jje  sauter.  ydelnes.se  /  be  steruinge.     Vor  his  lyf  uli3]) 

ase  ssed.  ydelnesse  /  be  bysihede.     Vor  jjise  bysyhedes 

bye])   ase  meteles.     Ydelnesse  /  be  kueadnesse.     Vor  Thefirst  step  then 

,  .  ,  ,  .  .      .  of  this  virtue  is 

ze/ine  nim  makep  more  na3t  /  Jjawne  jjing  jjet  is  ine  fe  to  despise  the 

worddle.     j^on  is  jja/me  Jje  uerste  del  of  jjise  u/rtue. 

J?et  hi??^  dej)  fie  wordle  onworjji  /  ase  habbejj  ydo  ine 

ariere  and  fe  filozofe  payen.   and  Jje  holy  cr/stene  man. 

)?e  o])er  del  is  zno  /  ]jet  hi  make])  Jjane  way  of  perfec-  The  second  is  to 

cion  to  nimene.  and  Jjet  lyf  jjet  zno  moche  ssewej)  ssarp  /  the  way  ofper- 

,      J       ,  ,  .  .  .  fection,  that  lead- 

an  clreauol  to  chiese.     }3et  is  Jje  way  jjet  let  iii-to  Jje  eth  to  uie  hiu  of 

helle  of  god.  Jjet  is  ine  jje  stat  of  perfeccion.     Jjet  is  Jje 

way  of  pnue  red  /  of  om-e  Ihorde  /  jjet  he  ssewede  to 

his  apostles  ine  Jje  helle  /  huerof  j)is  bok  spek]).  )3erne  This  way  choose 

way  chy[e]zej)  ])o.  to  hnam  ne  is  na3t  yno^  to  loki  /  jje  only  keep  God's 

hestes  of  god  /  huerto  hi  bye])  y-hyealde.   and  wylle])  ^''^^^^^^' 

noluelle  his  redes  /  huer  hi  ne  bye})  na3t  be  dette  y- 

hyealde  /  ase  bye]>  ])o  /  ])et  lete])  al  ])et  hi  habbe])  :  uor  but  forsake  aii 

Tirni  ;  ^  n  ^  •  *^^®y  \\a,\e  for  His 

god.  and  y[ejue])  ha??i  to  sterue  /  uor  fe  lone  oi  m.m  :  ])et  sake, 

starf  uor  ham.  o])er  ine  ])e  londe  be-yende  ])e  ze  /  o])er       [FoI.  51.  b.] 

ine  ano]ire  stede.     And  ase  do])  ])o  /  ])et  uoiiete])  /  and  both  goods  and 

al  onworfie])  uor  god.   and  guodes.   and   uryendes.  and  selves. 

ha?n-zelue.  and  niake]>  hani-zelue  ]irelles  of  o])ren  ]»et  They  become  the 

weren  vry.    and  make])   ham-zelue  poure  :    fet  weren  and  endure 

riche  :    o])er  my3ten  by.    hy  do})   ham  to  folye  gr«t  p"^'**'^- 

ssarpnesse  /  bet  hedden  ine  be  wordle  :  greate  lostes.   They  put  them- 
selves to  great 
ase  bye])  manie  /  }'et  bye})  ine  religion,   and  of  herte  /  hardships, 

and  of  bodie.     Vor  litel  is  wor])  to  by  ine  rehgion  /  as  many  do  who 

have  entered  a 

ofer  ine  ssarpnesse  of  penonce  /  yef  ])e  herte  ne  is  na3t  religious  order. 
})erto.     Vor  fe  clo}»inge  /  ne  make})  na3t   fane  monek.  '^''''^^  1°  "^*^  ■  j^. 
ne  })e  amies  bane  kny3t :  ac  be  guode  herte  /  and  be  but  the  good 

heart  and  the 
dedes  of  prOUeSSe.  deeds  of  prowess- 

l3E    0I5ER   STAPE    OF    PROUESSE.  The  second  step 

of  prowess. 

)5c  ober  stape  of  ])ise  u^rtue  is  :  beleaue.     Vor  huo  The  second  step 

is  to  believe. 

pet  ho})  })ane  guode  way  ynome  /  hit  be-houe])  })et  he  Belief  enables 


166 


THE    THIRD    STEP    OF    PROWESS. 


man  to  pursue 
tlie  good  path, 

and  to  withstand 
the  assailings  of 
the  devil,  world, 
and  the  flesh. 


The  flesh  says, 
I  cannot  forsake 
my  old  habits. 
The  world  pur- 
sues him  like  an 
escaped  thief. 
The  devil  says, 
"Wretch,  what 
wilt  thou  do  ?  " 


God's  new  knight 
undergoes  these 
assaults. 

By  stedfast  belief 
he  fears  not, 

for  whom  God 
will  help  none 
may  harm. 


him  hyealde  vestliclie  ine  his  wylle  /  and  IpQt  lie  liaLbe 
guode  beleaiie  ine  god  /  pet  he  hwi  uoluelle  fet  lie  liejj 
agoiine.  J5ise  UiVtue  hi  clepiejj  /  beleaue.  hi  is  w^el 
nyeduol  a-ye  Ipe  asaylinges  of  j?e  wordle  /  of  ]>e  ulesse. 
and  of  pe  dyeule.  pet  stranglaker  asaylejj  fane  man  ate 
a-gynni«ge.  j)et  uless  him  zayjj.  ych  ne  may  polye  Jiis 
lyf  /  ne  mine  ealde  wones  lete.  Jpe  wordle  zekj)  after  / 
uor  fan  to  wyJ3dra3e  /  ase  me  zekji  ane  Jjyef  hna?me  he 
is  ascaped  of  Ipe  pr/sone.  j)e  dyeuel  hi???,  zayf.  '  "wrechche 
hnet  Avyltoii  do  /  hueruore  J>e  yelst  fe  zuo.  Vor  fou 
mi3test  fe  oferlaker  wel  w^ytye.'  )5ise  byef  fe  uerste 
asaylynges  /  J»et  godes  newe  kny3t  jjolejj :  fet  fengj?  to 
Avynne  fe  regne  of  heuene.  Ac  hua/uie  he  him  yefj)  to 
god  be  guode  an  stedeueste  be-leaiie  /  he  ne  hejj  none 
hede.  Vor  he  is  f  e  treweste  urend  /  J»et  may  /  and 
can  /  and  wyle  /  his  03ene  loki.  and  hnani  fet  god  wile 
lielpe  :  no  fing  him  ne  may  derie. 


The  third  step  of 
prowess. 

The  third  step  of 
jirowess  is  se- 
curity (or  confi- 
dence), 
whereby  one 
dreadeth  not  the 
perils  before  one's 
eyes. 

The  Holy  Ghost 
causes  man  by 
this  gift  to  under- 
take great  things. 


He  makes  him 
confident  as  a 
lion. 

As  the  new 
knight  desires 
tournament,  so 
does  he  desire 
peril  and  death. 
St  Agace  went 
to  torment  as 
joyfully  as  if  to 
a  wedding. 


}?E    }?RIDDE    STAPE    OF    PROUESS[e]. 

pe  fridde  stape  of  pronesse  :  is  zikernesse.  zyker- 
nesse  ase  zayf  Ipe  filozofe  is  a  Ui'rtiie  /  hnerby  me  ne 
dret  na3t  fe  kuedes  /  ne  fe  perils  /  fet  bief»  beuore  hare 
e3en.  And  fet  is  fe  jjridde  guod  /  fet  fe  yefjje  of 
strengfe  dej).  Vor  Ipe  holy  gost  /  hna?ine  he  hef  y- 
armed  his  kny3t  of  his  ^^^Vtue  :  iiefst  he  him  yeff  noble 
herte  /  greate  finges  to  nimene.  Efterward  he  him  yef j) 
ane  greate  hete  /  and  a  gr«t  wyl  to  nol3y  /  and  grat 
hope  uor  to  uoluelle.  Efterward  he  makej)  hi???-  ziker 
ase  lyoun.  zuo  fet  he  ne  help  drede  /  ne  of  perils  /  ne 
of  pinen  /  ne  of  dyafe  /  ne  of  torment,  ac  he  his 
wiliiej)  /  ase  dej)  Jie  newe  kny3t  Ipe  torneme??s.  an  suo 
dede  Ipe  martires  ase  hit  fingji  ine  hare  Hue.  huer-of  we 
redej)  of  zaynte  agase  /  Ipet  mid  greate  blisse  hi  yede 
to  torment  alsuo  ase  hi  yede  to  feste  /  ofer  to  a 
bredale. 


THE   FOURTH    AND    FIFTH    STEPS    OF    PROWESS.  167 


j)E    UER}5E    STAPE    OF    PROUESSE.  The  fourth  step  of 

prowess. 

Ase  fe  holy  gost  make]?  his  laiy3t  ziker  uor  to  abide 
be  tormens  and  be  zorjes  bet  byejj  to  comene.     Alsuo  The  Hoiy  Ghost 

makec  his  knight 

he    hbn   make])    Strang    and    Jjolyinde.     nor   to   folye  strong  and 

hua?^ne  hi  comejj.    and  jjet  is  J?e  uerjje  stape  jjet  hi  ^^  ^^^ ' 

clepiejj  /  pacience.  be  fise  nw-tne  /  Jje  guode  onercomj? 

alle  his  uyendes.  jjane  dyeuel.  Tpe  wordle.  and  ]?et  nless.   so  that  he  may 

and  al  J?et  hi  ni03e  zigge  and  do.     Yor  Jjet  is  fe  sseld  "i^emi'eT  '^ 

of  gold  /  to  him  fet  nor  godes  loue  Tpolep  /  jjet  hi??i       [^°'-  ^^-  ^-^ 

^VT^])  of  eche  half  /  ase  zayjj   fe  sauter.  zuo  J>et  no 

strok  /  ne  anay  him  breke  Jse  herte.    )pise  u//-tue  non  ne 

heb  :  bet  ne  heb  bi  nonded.     Vofrl  tr^■b^llacion  :  makeb  Patience  must  be 

'        '  '  L  J  J     acquired  by  trial, 

pacience.     Ase  zayjj  za}Tite  panl.  ase  ])et  ner  :  make])  for  the  fire  hardens 

the  tile, 

jje  te3ele  /  hard.     Wyf-oute  fise  nfrtne  non  ne  is  y- 

proued.  ne  bet  gold  ne  may  by  wyb-oute  ner  y-clensed.  and  gold  is  puri- 
fied by  it. 
wyf-oute  pacience  :  non  ne  hep  nictorie.     Vor  huo  Jiet 

lyest  pacience  :    he  is  ouercome.    wy|5-oute  ijacience  : 

non  ne  comb  to  pe?'feccion.     )?erof  we  yzeb  uorbisne  /  Patience  is  ne- 
cessary to  per- 
ate  leste  ine  alle  fe  mestyeres  Jiet  nie  dep  mid  hand,   feetion. 

Moche  boleb  be  conpe  of  gold  of  strokes  of  yzen  /  erjjan  The  cup  of  goui 

bears  strokes  of 

M  by  yzet  ope  pet  bord  of  pe  kinge.  and  pe  chalis  er  iron  ere  it  is  set  on 

ha  by  ybhssed  /  and  y-zet  ope  })ane  weued.     Moche 

foleji  pe  tonne  of  greate  strokes  /  er  me  do  Jjrin  Jjet 

guode  wyn.     Mochel  is  defouled  mid  pe  net  of  nolleres  The  scarlet  robe 

pe  robe  of  scarlet  /  erfan  fet  pe  kuen  his  do  an.     And  ihe°fcettf'the^ 

ase  uele  mist  bou  to  ban  vinde  uorbisnes  :  ase  ber  byeb  fti"ers  ere  the 

y     '  >  s  ^    t     queen  puts  it  on. 

workmen  at  j^aris  of  aUe  mestyeres.     Be  jjise  uw-tue  is 

Strang  be  man  /  ase  pet  ysen  Jjet  alle  metals  a-dannteb.   Ry  this  virtue  is 

man  sfrength- 

Of  grat  ptri's  ase  fet  gold  /  fet  j^e  more  hit  is  ine  uere  :  ened, 


Jie  more  hit  is  clene  /  and  clyer  /  and  tretable.   ase  pe 

salamandre  bet  leueb  ine  be  uere.   and  ase  be  viss  bet  as  the  saiamandei 

/  _  '  '      _  '  ■'in  the  fire,  or  the 

ine  pe  trauaihnde  wetere  :  hi???.  baj)e]j  and  norissef.  fish  in  the  water. 


J3E   VIFTE    STAPE    OF    PROUESSE.  Tlie  fifth  step  of 

prowess. 

be  vifte  stape  of  bise  n/rtu  is  ycleped  Constance.  The  fifth  step  is 

•*  ^        i  called  constancy. 


168 


THE    SIXTH    STEP    OF    PROWESS. 


by  which  man  is 
established  as  a 
tower. 


and  by  which  lie 
secures  victory, 


and  overcomes 
vain-glory. 


The  devil  over- 
throws man  by 
adversity  or  by 
idle  bliss. 


Virtue  consists  in 
following  a  mean 
between  good  and 
evil. 


The  sixth  step  of 
prowess. 

The  sixth  step  of 
prowess  is  mag- 
nificence. 


This  virtue  Christ 
calls  persever- 
ance, 

by  which  the  good 

knight  endures 

to  the  end. 

All  other  virtues 

fight,  but  this 

wins. 

[Fol.  52.  b.] 


He  who  perse- 
veres to  the  end 
shall  be  saved. 


Tlie  virtue  of  the 


j)et  is  a  u/rtue  fet  make]?  jje  lierte  Strang  and  stedeuest 
ine  god  ase  a  tour  yzet  ope  ane  stronge  roche  /  and  ase 
a  traw  yroted  ine  guod  land  /  jjet  hit  ne  ssake  nor 
nenne  wynd  /  Jiet  may  come  ne  blawe  /  fet  is  ine  no 
cas  J3et  moje  come  /  ne  guode  ne  kueade.  wy])-onte. 
jjise  Mvrtue  /  no??  ne  comj;  to  ui[c]torie.  nor  huarene  godes 
kny^t  he))  ido  zome  prowesse  :  ))a?ine  him  asaylej)  fe 
dyeuel  be  ydele  blisse.  and  fawne  is  fe  batayle  ine  Jie 
herte  pe  stranger  nor  him-zelue  to  onercome  /  jjet  he  ne 
ualle  be  ydele  blisse  :  jja^me  alle  j?e  uerste  uondinge  / 
ne  wes.  Huerof  dauid  zajp  ine  jje  sautere  /  J)et  pe 
dyenelouerfrau)?  jje  wel  stronge  of  lefthalf  be  adnersite  / 
and  Jie  wel  stronge  a  ri3thalf :  be  ydele  blisse.  ))ise 
u/rtue  preysejj  moclie  seneke  fet  zayf.  jjet  fer  ne  is 
u/rtue  bote  Jie  ilke  Jjet  gej)  norj?  proudliche  be-tuene  Jje 
one  auentM?-e  and  pe  ojjre  /  pet  is  be-tuene  fe  guode 
and  fe  kueade.  and  grat  onworjjnesse  of  on  an  of 
ojier. 

pE    ZIXTE    STAPE    OF    PROUESSE. 

j)e  zixte  stape  of  prouesse  /  hi  clepiej)  /  magnificence, 
jjise  uiVtue  hi  descrmej?  f)ous.  Magnificence  is  hi 
zigge])  of  heje  nyede  y-blissede  bleuinge.  )?ise  uirtue 
oure  greate  filosofe  Tesu  crist  clepeji  /  perseuerance.  be 
huam  pe  guode  godes  kny[9]t  jjolejj  ]?o  kuedes  /  and  ylest 
al  to  Jie  ende  ine  J)o  he^e  waye  of  pi?rfeccion  pet  he  hep 
ynome.  Of  J)ise  u^-tue  zayf  zaynte  paul.  pet  alle  pe 
uirtnes  yernefi  :  ac  J)is  wjnp  Jtet  zuord.  alle  hy  vi3tej)  : 
ac  J)is  hej)  pe  iiictorie  and  pe  coroune.  Alle  werchej)  : 
ac  J)is  berj)  away  ])ane  ssepe  aneuen.  Vor  ase  zayji  oure 
Ihord.  huo  fiet  blefj)  al  to  pe  ende  :  he  ssel  by  bor^e  / 
and  non  ofer.  More  uorj)  ne  couj^en  pe  filosofes  lede 
pe  u/rtue  of  prowesse.  Ac  pe  deciplis  of  oure  mayster 
lesu  c?7'st  /  guoj)  yno^  more  uorj?.  Vor  ase  zayj) 
Salomon,  huawne  hi  habbef)  al  asuwuned  /  J)a?ine  uerst 
ha??^  f>ing])  /  Jjet  hit  is  al  to  aginne.     pe  m'rtue  and  pe 


THE  BOUGHS  OF  PROWESS.  169 

prouesse  of  bo  filozofes  wes  al  uor  be  uices  to  oiiercome  /  old  philosophers 

was  to  overcome 

and  to  zeche  fe  ui'rtues.     Ac  jje  prouesse  of  hal^en  nor  vice, 

.  but  the  prowess 

to  ouercome  jje  uices  and  pe  u/rtues  to  zeche.  and  Jserto  of  the  saints 

pnncipalliche  uor  to  healde  ri3[t]uolnesse  /  an  treujje  hold  righteous- 

auoreye  lesu  cnst.     He  ne  is  na^t  ri3tiiol  /  jjet  ne  yelt  "^^^  '^"'^  ^'^^^^' 

jjet  ha  ssel :  be  his  nii3te.     And  uor  zojje  mochel  is  we  owe  our  lives 

rijtuol  jjing  /  and  scehiol  /  jjet  ich  yeue  mi  Hf  /  and  mi  died  for  us, '° 
dyeajj  /  uor  hhri  fet  his  lif  and  his  dyeajj  /  yaf  uor  ous. 

And  asemoche  ase  he  is  worjj  betere  Jja?me  ich:  zuo  and  his  life  was 

moche  ich  am  yeldinde  be  ri3te  ri3tuolnesse.  ase  zay])  umn  o^urs"""^ 

saynt  anselm.  jjise  ri3tuokiesse  '  ich  may  wylny  /  ac  ich  /  we  may  desire 

ne  now  ojjer  /  ne  mo3e  hier  hit  yelde  /  ne  uolliche  hit  buf  areTnaWe  t^ 

paye '  /  ase  we  habbejj  be-uore  y-zed.  And  Jjeruore  is  pe  ^°  ^°' 
zeuende  stape  of  fise  UM'tue  /  jje  ilke  pet  oure  mayster 
lesu  crist  dej)  Jjerto  /  huerto  Jje  filozofes  ne  mi3te  come  / 

po  he  zede.   '  yblessed  byejj  ])o  :  fet  habbe])  honger  and  Blessed  are  they 

Jjorst  of  ri3tuolnesse.'     j)anne  byejj  j)o  ari3t  y-blissed  /  thirst^aftfrright- 

Jjet  pe  zix  stapes  of  prowesse  byej)  ycliue  /  and  habbejj  anTwho'have 
honger  /  and  forst  /  and  grat  wyl  pe  zeuende  stape  / 
be  hare  my3te  cliue. 


climbed  the  six 
steps  of  prowess. 


J3E    BO3ES    OF    PROWESSE.  The  boughs  of 

prowess. 

Ine  j?ise  trawe  ase   ine  pe  ojjren  /  we  vindeb   zeue  in  ti"s  tree  are 

,  -j^        .  p      .  seven  boughs, 

bo3es.      V  or  me  zeue  maneres  of  vi3t  :  pev  come])   zeue  for  in  seven 

^  -,      ,  .  .  battles  there  are 

maneres  ouercomemges.  and  be  )jise  zeue  ouercommges  :  as  many  victo- 

hi  Wynne])  zeue  maneres  of  corounes.  fet  hjep  zeue  which  gain  seven 

medes.  huerof  saynt  Ion  spekf  ine  pe  apocalipse.     Vor  '^'"'"''"^• 

ase  zay])  saynt  bernard.     'Mochel  is  lie  fol  /  and  ouer-  Heisafooiwho 

•     J       I  i_    1  I         J  •  -,  .  ,  thinks  to  have  the 

weninde  /  fet  wy])-oute  ouercominge  abit  to  habbe  pe  crown  without  the 

coroune.    and  huo   wy])-oute   vi3t  :    wen])    habbe   pe  ''"'*°'^' 
maystrie.'    huerof   zaynte    paul   zay]).       j)et    neiu-e   to 
coroune  ne  ssel  come  :  fet  triewehche  ne  vi3t.  trewe- 

liche  /  fet  is  to  zigge  :  be  pe  la^e  of  pe  uelde  of  pe  y-  The  custom  in 

prouede  /  fet  wes  y-woned  to  byewne  fe  ealde  manere  Lme  wirthi?:- 

at  rome.  j)et  pe  ilke  ])et  to  pe  uelde  him  dede  /  uor  to  He  who  desired 

habbe  los  :  ouercom  alle  J)o  fet  pe  mayste?-  of  fe  uelde  /  h'Tto^oferc'lt: 


170 


THE    FIRST    FIGHT. 


all  whom  the 
master  of  the 
field  sent  against 
him. 

This  master  is 
Christ,  and  he 
knows  the  might 
of  each, 

and  suffers  us 
not  to  he  tried 
above  our 
strength. 

They  that  over- 
come shall  have 
seven  kinds  of 
rewards. 


The  first  fight. 
[Fol.  53.  a.] 

The  first  fight  of 
the  Christian  is 
against  deadly 


The  hold  heart 
finds  it  au  easy 
task  to  gain  the 
victory. 


He  that  falleth  in 
this  fight  hath 
more  need  of 
strength 
than  he  that  is 
standing. 

As  the  fish  goes 
into  tlie  net  will- 
ingly, so  man 
goes  into  sin, 

but  he  may  not 
go  out  of  himself. 


The  arms  of  pen- 
ance enable  man 
to  overcome  in 
this  fight. 

Three  points  to 
be  observed  in 
true  penance. 
1 .  Repentance  of 
heart. 


dede  come  ayen  him.  ]2e  mayste/'  of  |)C  uclde  / 
is  lesii  c?'/st  /  Jiet  asayj)  liis  newe  kny^tes  ase  hit  is 
y wi'ite  ine  jje  hoc  of  ki7?,ges.  J5es  mayster  is  wel  trewe 
ase  zayjj  zajoite  paiil.  and  kan  uol  wel  Tpe  ini3te  of 
eclien  /  he  ne  Jjolef)  pet  no  vyend  oiis  xiondy  oner  oiire 
nii^te.  ne  no??  adue?'sari  ons  asayli  /  Jiet  Ave  ne  nio^e 
ouerconie  :  yef  we  AvilleJ)  mid  his  helpe.  )5et  ine  J)e  vi^t 
ons  wext  oure  strengfe  /  ase  zayjj  zaynte  panel.  Saynt 
Ion  ase  we  habbej?  yzed  /  topartef)  zene  onerconiei[n]ggos. 
and  zene  corounes.  ];et  is  to  zigge  :  zeue  maneres  of 
medes  /  J)et  god  be-hat  to  jian  j  J^et  onercome]?. 

|PE   UERSTE  V13T. 

)3e  nerste  ui3t  J)et  fe  cristene  habbefi  :  is  a-ye 
dyeadlich  zenne.  ine  jjis  vi^t  nenre  ne  is  onercome  :  |)et 
nele  to  se?me  consenti.  he  onercomj)  Jiane  Aa3t  /  Jiet  is 
Avel  li3t  to  onercome  to  Jje  bolde  herte.  and  lang  and 
riotoiisc  to  J)e  sleauuolle  /  and  to  fe  onlosti  /  fet  byejj 
slacke  to  godes  seniice.  ])et  ne  bye])  ne  wel  chald  be 
poer.  ne  wel  hot :  ine  J)e  lone  of  god  /  ase  zay])  saint 
Ion.  \)Q  ilke  J)et  nalji  an  is  ouerconie  ine  fise  vi3tinge  : 
hej)  more  strenger  to  done  hi??z-zelue  to  do  arere  /  and 
hi?»-zelue  to  werie.  J)a?nie  Jie  ilke  Jiet  is  stondinde.  nor 
he  ne  heji  none  mi3te  hi???-zelue  to  arere  :  bote  god 
\\\m  hyalde  Jte  hand  be  his  grace.  Vor  ase  viss  ge])  in  / 
be  hi??i-zelue  and  be  Iris  Aville  in-to  fe  nette  :  alsno  Jje 
man  geji  in  /  be  hi??i-zelne  and  be  Iris  wylle  in-to 
ze?me.  Ac  out  ne  may  he  na3t  guo  :  Avyjj-oute  oure 
Ihordes  helpe  /  jjet  him  yefjj  hua??ne  he  wyle  /  and  fe 
armes  of  penonce  /  huerby  he  may  onercome  his  y-uo. 
)5et  is  jje  armure  Jjet  fe  apostel  zainte  paul  het  to  nime 
ine  ]?ise  vi3ti«ge  /  uor  man  on-armed  :  ne  is  na3t  AvorJ? 
ine  vi3t.  Nou  sselt  f  ou  conne  Jjet  to  Jian  ])et  \q  man 
by  wel  y-armed  uor  to  ouerconie  po?'fitliche  ze?me.  hit 
behoue]?  Jiet  he  habbe  Jri  fing  Jet  byej  ine  zoje  penonce. 
Jje  nerste  Jing  is  :    uorjenchinge  of  herte.      ])e  ojier : 


KING  David's  repentance.  171 

ssrifte  of   mouj^e.    j)e  fridde  :    is  yno^aniendement  be  2.  shnft  of 
dede.      Of  J)ise    ])ri    ))inges   is  y-hol :    fe   hauberk  of  3.  Amendment  in 

deeds 

penonce.      Yef 'J)e  on  of  J)ise  fri   Jiinges  fayle])  :    fe  if  one  of  these 
armiu'e   is  al  uals  /  and  he   J>et  hit  berf  :   ouercome.  the  armour^is''' 
Vor>encliinge  :  acsej?  grat  70130  and  greate  zykinges  of  Repentance  de- 
hei-te  /  nor  bet  he  heb  y-^vrebed  his  sseppere.     And  be  ™andeth  great 

'  -'  I   -J  T  X  A  /       sorrow  and  deep 

more  pet  me  him  hejj  y-wrefed  :  fe  more  gratter  ssel  by  sigWngs  of  heart. 
jje  zorje. 

Of    j)E    U0R)?ENCHINGE    of    KYNG    DAUI)?.  Of  the  repentance 

of  Icing  David. 

J50US  uorbmtebe  kyng  dauib  ase  he  zaj'J)  ine  J)e  sauter.  David  says  in  the 

1      -n  Psalter,  I  will 

'  Ich  zuynke  and  trauayh  me  mine  zykinges.  and  ^viile  wesse  wash  my  bed 
eche  ni3t  mi  bed  and  mine  couche  mid  mine  teares.'  )?e  ilke 
jjet  god  hej3  y-wrejjed  be  dyadHche  ze?zne  :  he  ssel  zor3y  The  sinner  (in 
mid  dyepe  herte  /  zuo  fet  fe  herte  melte  al  in-to  tyeares  /  so  sorrow  that  his 

T    ■      ,  ,  1-1  ±        ■1  •  1    heart  shall  melt 

and  m-to  greate  zor3es.   and  mid  greate  zikinges  me  ssel  into  tears, 
grede  to  god  merci  /  ase  his  Jjyef  /  ase  his  mansla3))e  /  and  cry  mercy  to 

T'l  1  ^   J.  X.    t.     r  i-i.j.'x,i.i?i,n        God  as  a  thief  and 

ase  his  bezuykere  :  fet  hep  oiserued  pet  gibet  01  helle.  a  murderer. 
pe  zene3ere  is  godes  fief  nor  fe  guodes  of  his  Ihorde  The  sinner  is  a 
Jjet  ne  byej)  him  bote  ylend  uor  to  wpme.     J3et  byejj 
be  guodes  of  kende  /  and  of  grace  /  and  of  hap.   huerof  because  he  hath 

••      ^^  /  O  /  i  foolishly  and 

hi?«.  behoueb  /  rekeninge  /  and  scele  yelde  wel  strayt-  eviiiy  spent  the 

gifts  and  graces 

liche.    He  hise  hej?  folliche  y-spe?^ded  ine  eiiele  wones  /  of  God. 

and  al  ylayd.to  an  hazard.     Efterward  he  is  moyrdrer  He  is  a  murderer 

of  the  king's 

of  fe  kinges  do3ter.  fet  is  of  his  03ene  zaule  pet  wes  daughter,  that 

godes  do3ter  be  grace,  fet  he  he])  ysla3e  be  dyadlich  gJui. 

ze??ne.     Efterward  he  is  godes  beznykere.  nor  pe  castel  He  is  a  traitor  to 

of  his  herte  /  and  of  his  bodye  /  jjet  god  hi??i  hep  ytake  sold  ws  soui  to 

to  loki :  he  hep  yolde  to  his  yuo  dyadHch  /  J^et  is  pe  *'*®''^"^- 

dyeuel.     Wei  Jia?me  he  ssel  g?'at  zor3e  habbe  fet  is  in 

zuich  poynt.  and  ofte  mid  his  teares  his  bed  wesse.  fet  ^vherefore  the 

.     ,..  T  p  ■  IT  f>in  i   sinner  should 

IS  his  mwyt.  hueroi  pe  iienimouse  eddi'e  01  heile  sest  wash  his  bed,  that 
geus.  ziieche  tyeares  driiiej)  jjane  dyeuel  uram  pe  herte  :     ' 
ase  fet  bote  weter  cache]?  Jjane  bond  out  of  pe  kechene.  After  repentance 
Efter  pe  uorpenchinge  ssel  come  Jje  ssrifte  pet  is  pe  guode  t^g  gooddiain"  ' 
chomberier  J)et  clenzep  fet  hous  and  kest  out  al  Jje  uelfe      t^oi-  ^-  ^-^ 


172 


SIX    CONDITIONS    OF    SHRIFT. 


berer  that  cleans-  mid  JJG  besme  of  fe  toiige.  liuerof  spekb  daiiid  iue  ])e 

eth  the  house.  „  .  r  t 

sautere.  q  meditat\x%  sum  cwm  co[?'](ie  meo  ^  excercehar 
4'  scojjebam  S2mitmn  meum.. 


There  are  six  con' 
ditions  of  shrift. 


1.  That  it  be 
made  wisely, 
(a)  to  take  heed 
to  whom  one 
makes  shrift, 


and  to  seek  a  good 
confessor. 


one  who  hath 
power  to  absolve 
and  enjoin  pen- 
ance. 


(6)  Who  that  will 
wisely  shrive 
him   must  think 
of  his  sins  before 
he  comes  to  con- 
fess tliem. 


The  sinner  shall 
go  into  house, 
that  is,  his  heart, 


and  there  he  shall 
remain  and  see 
all  his  defects, 


and  shall  think  of 


Of  }5e  ssrifte. 
I^ou  onderstand  wel  hier  hou  me  ssel  by  yssriue  / 
ferto  Jiet  be  ssrifte  by  worjj  to  ))e  heljje  of  zaule.  J^erto 
beboue))  zix  condicions.  )?e  uerste  is  jjet  hi  bi  ymad 
wyslyche.  Jjis  wyt  is  ine  tuo  jjing.  Jje  uerste :  fet  me 
nime  hede  to  buam  he  ssel  him  ssriue.  Efterwar[d] 
huerof.  Saynt  austin  zayfi.  uor  jjet  me  dejj  uor  te  bevly 
fane  dya]j  of  fe  bodie  :  me  ssel  do  uor  to  askapie  Jjane 
dyajj  of  J)e  zaule.  ]5e  zike  uor  to  be-uly  Jjane  dya]?  / 
and  uor  to  habbe  heljje  /  zekj)  ble))eKche  Jjane  beste 
fisician  and  jjane  wyziste  Jiet  he  may  habbe.  Alzuo 
zayjj  saynt  aug7/stin  /  |)et  hou  fet  wille  wyshche  him  be 
rede  /  and  grace  auoreye  god  uynde  :  he  ssel  zeche 
zuych  ane  co?ifessour  :  jjet  conne  bynde  /  and  onbynde. 
)5et  is  jjet  he  conne  wel  y-knawe  zenne  /  an  fane  zene^ere 
wel  rede.  And  fet  he  habbe  power  \\hn  to  asoyli  /  and 
him  penonce  to  anioynj  be  Jje  zenne.  Qid  lolt  confiteri 
pBccata  sua  ut  inuenkd  gircciam  :  querat  sacavdotem.  qm 
sciat  ligare  ^  soluexe  /  ^c. 

Efterfan  huo  fet  him  wisliche  wyle  ssriue  /  he  ssel 
mid  wylle  Jjenche  and  his  zennes  auore  J?et  he  come  to 
ssrifte  /  and  al  his  herte  zeche  /  and  his  inwyt  /  hou  he 
heJ3  god  /  and  his  yblyssede  moder  /  and  his  hal3en 
ywrefed.  and  mid  greate  drede  al  his  lyf  befenche  /  ase 
dede  fe  guode  king  ezechie  /  fet  zayde  fus.  '  Ich  wylle 
bejjenche  alle  mine  yeres  /  ine  biternesse  of  mine  zaule.' 
j)e  zene3ere  ssel  guo  in-to  his  house  /  pet  is  in-to  his 
herte.  najt  pasindeliche  ase  Jie  iogelour  jjet  ne  blefjj  na3t 
blejiehche  in  his  house,  uor  he  ne  he]j  no  worse  hous 
Jjajzne  his  03en.  Ac  fer  he  ssel  bleue  /  and  ysy  alle 
his  defautes  huerof  he  ssel  yelde  rekeninge  /and  skele 
to  god  /  an  to  his  preste.  fet  is  to  his  ssrifteuader.  An 
ssel  fenchc  of  hi?7?-zelue  ase  pe  ilkc  jjet  hef  day  uor  to 


DO    NOT    DELAY    SHRIFT.  1  I  6 

rekenv   of   liid   onderuoncfincfe  and  of    his   spe??din"es  the  account  to  be 

•^  ^     °  ...  rendered  to  God. 

beuore  his  Ihorde.  J5a?2ne  he  ssel  him  diligenthche 
penche  beuore  /  and  izy  Jtet  ^vrit :  of  his  inwyt.  jjet  he 
ne  faly  ine  his  rekeninge.  Yor  yef  he  failej?  at  his 
rekeninge  :  god  nele  na3t  faly  at  his.     Huarme  me  he])  wiien  he  hath 

...  PI-  /I  1  /I    seen  in  how  many 

diligentliche  y-po3t  oi  his  zewnes  /  and  yzo3e  hou  /  and  ways  he  hath 

-1  1  i,iij  ijji,  wratlied  God,  and 

me  nou  uele  maneres  he  hejj  god  y-wre])ed.  and  hou  how  wickedly 
uelezybe.  and  hou  kueadliche  he  heb  yzenejed.  and  hou  and  long  he  hath 

'' '  I    •!  }  Sinned, 

lo?zge  ybleft  ine  be  zerane.     banne  ssel  he  hi??^  of  al  **>""  ^^"'i  ^« 

■•  hastily  shrive  him 

hastehche  ssriue.  ofaii. 

And  bis  is  be  ober  cowdicion  bet  ssel  by  ine  ssrifte.  2.  Do  not  delay 

shrift. 

Jpe  kyng  damd  aros  at  niidni3t  hi?/i  uor  to  ssriue  ase  he 
zayJ3  ine  pe  sautere.  Onneajje  abod  he  ane  monjje  /  ne 
alhuet  half  a  yer.  And  j^e  wyse  ine  ojjre  stede  ine  fe 
writinge  zay])  Jjus.    '  !Ne  abyd  na3t  jje  to  wende  to  god  /  Delay  is  very 

-,  J     J       T  /  1        1  T  perilous  for  many 

ne  zech  na3t  to  lenge  /  ne  beuly.  and  na3t  ne  uerste  reasons, 
urani  daye  to  daye  /  uor  jje  abidinge  is  wel  perilous  uor 
nianye  skeles.'    Non  tardea  conueTti  ad  dominmn  neque 
differas  de  die  in  diem.    Suhito.  n\a7n\.  ueniet  ira  illius  I 

•"  _  _       _  "-J  '  [Fol  54.  a.] 

6f  in  tempore  uindicte  perdet  te.     Verst   uor   fe   con-  (o)Sinisabuming 

.  .  fire,  and  can  only 

dicion  of  ze;me.  uor  zenne  is  a  uer  berninde  jjet  ne  may  be  quenched  by 

na3t  by  y-kuegt  bote  be  tyares  of  ssrifte.     And  mochel 

ssolde  he  by  fol  jjet  ze3e  his  hous  berne  :  Jjet  nolde  an 

haste  yerne  to  be  wetere.     Efterward  zenne  is  wel  g7xit  ('')  ^»" '« ^  ^''^at 

sickness,  and 

ziknesse  :  and  Jje  ssrifte  is  J)e  medecine.     And  uorzojje  shrift  is  the  medi- 
he  praizej)  lite  his  heljje  /  J)et  him-zelue  jzi^])  zik  al  to 
pe  dya])e  /  and  na3t  ne  wilnej)  zone  to  by  hoi.     Efter- 
ward J)e   dyajj    Jiet  is  yredy  /  and   oueral   aspif)    jjane  M  Death  may 
zene3ere   /  him   ssel   sterie    zone    hi?«    to    ssrive.    uor  ner  before  he  has 

.  .  ,  shriven  himself. 

he  not  ne  Jjane  tmie  /  ne  fane  day  /  ne  Jse  oiu'e  : 
huawne  jje  dyeaj)  ssel  come,  pet  ofte  ondernimj?  Jjane 
zene3ere  huer  he  ne  nimj)  none  hede.  And  uorzojje  huo 
pet  "wyste  huet  day  he  ssolde  sterue  :  he  hine  wolde 
agraybi  ase  zone  ase  he  mi3te.     Eftenvard  yef  be  zene3-  (d)  The  sinner  is 

■^  in  great  peril  in 

ere  j-zi^p  wel  jjet  peril  huer  hit  is  :  uor  he  is  ine  pe  the  prison  of  sin, 

n  PI  Pin;    i"  tlie  throat  of 

prtsone  01  zeTine  /  me  pe  Jjiote  of  pe  lyone  of  helle  /  theUonofheU. 


174 


GOD    KNOCKS    AT    THE    SINNERS    DOOR. 


and  of  pe  dragoune  Jiet  him  wyle  uorzuel^e  /  lie  wolde 
(c)  Delay  may  oc-  grede  to  god  be  ssrifte  aze  zone  aze  he  nii3te.    Efterward 

casion  the  loss  of.  iiiiii- 

everlasting  life,     jet  he  yze3e  jje  greate  guodes  J?et  he  het'  uorlore  be  his 

ze?aie  /  ])e  guodes  eurelestinde  /  and  Jje  guodes  gostliche/ 

his  time  /  and  him-zelue  /  jjet  al  may  habbe  ayen  be 

ssrifte  :  mochel  ssolde  he  by  fol  bote  yef  he  him  hastede 

(/)  The  mercy  of    te  habbe  hit  ayen.     Efterward  J?e  merci  of  god  fet  him 

the  simier's  door    abyt  /  and  ssofjj  at  his  dore  /  aze  zayj?  Jie  apocahpse  : 

shrift!  '^"  "'"  °    -^^  ^^^-l-  ^^^^  hasti  to  ssriue.     Vor  azemoche  aze  god  abyt 

more   fane  zene3ere  :  jje  more  he   hi?)i  smit   J)e  more 

fellaker  :  hua«ne  he  hi??j  jzi^])  onlosti  and  sleauuol.    Ase 

|)e  ssyetere  /  jje  more  fet  he  dra^t  his  bo^e  :  fe  harder 

he  smit.    And  uorzojje  he  he]?  his  03ene  bo3e  y-bent  and 

adra3e  /  ase  zajp  pe  sautyer  /  uor  to  sla3e  Jjane  zene3ere  / 

(g)  He  who  delay,  -bote  yef  he  him  ne  wytye.     Efterward  be  ilke  bet  late 

eth  shrift  oft  "^  -^    -^  r  r 

forgetteth  iiis  ham  ssriuejj  /  uoryet  ofte  his  ze?znes  /  zuo  pet  onnyeajje 
hit  beualjj  Jiet  he  by  wel  y-ssriue.  uor  he  uoryet  manye 
zewnes  /  huerof  he  neure  him  ssel  be-jjenche.  and  zuo 
hi??i  ne  ssel  neure  uorj)eiiche  /  ne  neure  by  ssriue.     and 

3.  siirive  openly,    |,g^;  ^g  ^q  j^^^  -^qI  prpat  peril.     Efterward  huawne  he  is 

clearly,  and  •'  o  i 

nakedly.  beuore  his  ssrifteuader  /  he  ssel  hi)?^  ssriue  openliche. 

jjet  is  to  zigge  Jjet  he  ssel  zigge  his  ze?mes  clyerliche  and 
nakedliche  /  zuo  pet  pe  ssriuere  izi  openliche  pe  lierte  / 

As  the  sick  man     aiid  be  ondei'stoiidi^gB  of  hi?«  bet  hi??*  ssril'b.     Vor  be 

must  make 

known  his  sick-     zike  ssel  ouwri  his  ziknesse.  uor  ojjerlaker  pe  fizicien  ne 

ness  to  the  phy-  .  -  ,       i      n  ,  i 

Bioianifhewouid   may  na3t  wel  werche.  ne  pe  leche  ne  may  na3t  werclie 
eco\er,  ^^^.^^  ^^  ^^^^  j  bote-yef  he  yzi  his  wonde.     And  j^eruore 

zayj)  boeice  pe  wyse  /  jjet  '  yef  jjou  wilt  jjet  pe  leche  pe 
hele  :  hit  be-houej)  jjet  fou  onwri  |jiiie  wonde.'  ])a?ine 
pe  truont  pe  ssel  teche  to  by  ssriue  /  jjet  ssewej)  hare 
pouerte  and  hare  ziknesse/and  doj?  ])etuo[u]leste  beuore/ 
so  must  the  sin-     uor  to  habbe  be  elmesse.    Alzuo  ssel  be  zene3ere  onwri  / 

ner  show  his  sins 

for  to  have  mercy,  and  sseawy  his  zewnes  :  uor  to  habbe  merci.  an  ])is  is  pe 

Jjridde  coHdicion  jjet  ssel  by  ine  ssrifte.     Efterward  po 

i.  Shrive  wholly,   zene3ere  hi???  ssel  ssriue  yhollyche  /  ]3et  is  pe  uerpe  cun- 

great  and  small.'     dicion.     Vor  he  ssel  zigge  alle  his  ze?mes  /  and  greate 

and    smale  /  and    pe    aboutestondinges    of   pe   ze??iies. 


EXCUSE    NOT    THY    SINS.  175 

j)anne  ssel  he  uerst  yzy  fie  zeue  dyadliche  zennes  j  of  Teii  first  the 

,  ,  1111  1  seven  deadly  sins. 

liuycnen   we  habbejj   aboue  y-speke.  and  yholliclie   of 

eclien  lii?^  ssriue  he  jjan  Jjet  he  him  y-iielj?  gelty.  no  bing  Excuse  not  thy- 

to  hele  /  no  Jjiiig  wyjjzigge.    na3t  hi??i.  to  defendi.   ne  others. 

ne?me   oj^renne  wi-aye.     And  jjus  him  ssrof  dauijj  fet 

zayde  ine  jje  sautere  '  Ich  wylle  me  ssriue  and  ich  wills 

zigge  alle  mine  ze?znes  aye  me.'  na3t  of  o]5ren  /  ne  ayens 

ojjren  ase  do])  Jje  ypocr/tes  /  jjet  do])  ])et  uayreste  wy])-  Be  not  as  the 

oute  /  fet  telle])   hire  guodnesses  /  and   wrye])    hare  hiTe°theh-lin''gf 

kueadnesses.    and  Avraye])   fe   o])re  /  and  ])erof  ])et  hi 

bye])  mest  hani-zelue  gelti.  ])et  y-zye])  ])et  mot  ine  ])e  that  see  the  mote 

,  /I  ,  ,    ,  p,         ■         t  •  in  others'  eyes, 

o])res  e3e  /  and  ne  yzyef  na3t  ])ane  relter  me  hire  03ene  but  see  not  the 

„„r7'u  ij»-  o    ,  in/.,     rafterin  their  own 

636.     Zuyche  weren  ])e  farizeus  of  fe  godspelle  /  ])et  eyes. 

zayde  his  guodnesses  /  And  onwor])ede  fane  publycan 

])et  mildehche  byet  his  bryest  ine  fe  te/^zple  /  and  hi?«- 

zelue  demde  beuore  god  /  and  zojte  merci  :  and  zede. 

'  Lhord  god  haue  merci  of  me  zenuolle.'    And  ])us  \\\m 

ssel  deme  fe  zenejere  be-uore '  god  /  na3t  uor  to  lessi  his  Tiie  sinner  shaii 

/  j_  •  1  ""^  ^T  ''O  lessen 

ze/mes  /  ac  uor  to  mon  and  we3e  wy])oute  lyeasLnge.  ws  sins  before 

Efterward  ])e  ssrifte  ssel  by  yhol  /  na3t  to-deld  ine  uele 

ssriueres.     Yor  me  ssel  zigge  al  to  onen.  na3[t]  o  del  to  one  must  confess 

It,,,-,-,,  to  one  shriver, 

onen  /  and  fet  ofer  del  to  an-ofren.  uor  god  ne  tak])  none  and  not  to  many, 
hede   of  zuiche   tales.     Efterward  me   ssel  zigge  na3t  Confess  not  only 

1       .,.   ,  ,  thy  sins,  but  the 

onlepilicne  ])e  ze?ines  /  ac  fe  aboutestondmges  alle  ])et  circumstances 

,   ,  -TT       .  ■  ...  that  increase 

more})  fe  zennes.    Vor  ])e  zerme  is  gratter  me  one  marene  :  them. 
])a?me  ine  ano])ren.  ase  ine  man  of  religion  :  ])a?ine  ine  sin  is  greater  in 

,  ,     .  one  person  than 

ane  secuier.  and  me   ane  prelat  :  ])a?^ne  ine  ane  lo3er.  anotber-more 

I       n        1  ,  .  .        ,  Jielnous  in  one 

me  ane  greate  iliorde  :  ])a7ine  m  ane   snnple  ma?zne.  place  than  in  an- 

Efterwuard  /  hit  is  more  ze«ne  ine  one  stede  :  ])a??ne  "'  ^^' 

ine  anoj)ren.     Ase  in  holi  cherche  /  o])er  ine  o])er  holy 

stede.    Efterward  ine  one  time  ])a?me  in  an-ofre  /  ase  in 

lenten  /  o])er  in  ane  he3e  messedaye.    Efte?-ward  hua?me  and  worse  at  one 

me  zene3e])  wytindeliche  /  me  zene3e])  more  yno3  /  ])a?zne  othrr! 

onknawyndliche.  Efterwar[d]  me  ssel  zigge  \q  cc?^dicion  ^eii  the  condition 

n  ,  1  • .    •  "f  t"®  sinner, 

ot  J)e  zenne.  uor  hit  is  more  ze«ne  me  wyfman  yspoused  / 
fanne  in  ane  sengle.  o})er  ine  man  /  o])er  ine  wyfman  of 

1  ho-uorc  in  l\rS. 


176 


OP    GHOSTLY    AND    FLESHLY    THOUGHTS. 


and  whether  the 
sin  be  an  unnatu- 
ral one. 

Say  how  often 
thou  liast  fallen 
into  sin,  and  liow 
long  thou  hast 
remained  therein. 


Confess  whether 
thou  hast  resisted 
sin, 

and  relate  the 
cause,  the  man- 
ner, and  the 
temptation. 


Afterwards  one 
shall  pass  on  to 
tlie  limbs  where- 
with one  hath 
Binned. 

(Shrift  must  be 
made  of  "  ghostly 
and  fleshly 
thoughts.") 


[Fol.  55.  a.] 


Take  heed  first 
to  the  head, 
whereon  one  set- 
teth  great  value, 
as  do  ladies  who 
curiously  deck 
themselves  out. 


who  make  great 
horns  of  their 
hair, 

and  who  wash, 
comb,  and  pore 
into  mirrors. 


religion,  ine  ane  preste  ojjer  in  ane  dyakne.  nor  pQ 
lie3ere  fet  hjelp  Jje  hodes  :  jje  gratte[r]  is  jje  zenne. 
Efterward  yef  jje  zenne  is  a-ye  kende  /  ojjer  kendeliche. 
Efte?'\vard.  lion  ofte  lie  hejj  ynalle  into  ze?me  /  and  lion 
longe  he  liej)  y-blened  ferine.  Efterward  me  ssel  zigge 
yef  lie  ne  hefi  na3t  yxi03te  aye  ])e  uondinge.  olpav  yef  lie 
hej)  y-porcliaced  Ipe  zenne.  ofer  yuo3te  ine  ]?e  nondinge. 
Yor  per  byejj  some  Jjet  ne  abide])  na^t  pe  uondinge  /  ac 
liis  porchacej)  /  and  zuo  lii  nallej).  Efterward  /  J)e 
cause  and  pe  uondinge  pet  com])  to  do  zenne.  me  ssel 
zigge  and  alle  fie  ofre  causes  /  and  pe  aboutestondiwges 
]jet  mo^e  mori  pe  ze?me. 

Efterward  me  ssel  zigge  and  yerne  by  pe  lemes 
huermide  me  beji  y-zene^ed.  Verst  me  ssel  guo  to  pe 
lierte  /  and  zigge  his  ])03tes  huyche  ftet  hi  by  /  o])er 
ulessliche  /  ofer  gostliche.  Gostliche  :  ase  aye  pe 
bylene  /  ofier  of  ydele  blisse  /  o])er  of  enuie.  o]>er  of 
WTe])e.  ofer  of  o]jre  mane?'e  huerof  pev  is  to  moche.  J?e 
ulessHche  belonge]?  to  lost  /  an  to  wylninges.  zuo  me 
ssel  wel  loki  ine  alle  ])ise  ])03tes  yef  pev  is  cowsentinge  / 
o])er  lang  bleuinge  ine  pe  lostes  /  Jiet  is  oferhuil  ase 
moche  wor]) :  ase  to  consenti.  And  of  alle  zuiche  ])03tes 
he  ssel  him  ssriue. 

Efterward  /  me  ssel  nime  yeme  /  yef  me  hep  y- 
zene3ed  be  pe  lemes  of  pe  bodie.  uor  me  kan  zene3i  ine 
uele  maneres.  Yerst  be  pe  heauede.  hneran  me  zet  ofte 
grat  cost  /  ase  do])  })ise  leuedis  /  ])et  zuo  curiouseliche 
agrayfie]*  hire  heaueden  mid  j)reciouse  agray])inges  uor 
klene  ydele  bhsse.  uor  to  liki.  and  nor  to  dra3e  ze?aie. 
Hueruore  hi  zene3e])  ofte  kueadliche.  and  nanieliche  ])o 
f)et  make])  zuo  greate  homes  of  hare  here  /  o])er  of  opren  / 
Jiet  hi  semble])  Avel  fole  wyfnien.  Y1103  ])er  is  of  ydel- 
nesse  aboute  hire  lieaued  /  to  kembe  /  to  wesse  /  ine 
trossinge  /  an  ine  sseweres  pouringe.  huerof  god  mochel 
him  wrepe]).  Of  ])ise  ydelenesse  /  ne  bye])  na3t  quitte 
pe  men  fiet  do])  zuo  grat  payne  ham  to  kembe  and  to 


THE    FIFTH    CONDITION    OF    SHRIFT,  177 

poiii'i  ine  sseaAveres  and  iue  hai'e  here  wel  to  croki  an  to  wholly  free  from 

this  vice,  for  they 

bleue  he  streng])e  /  to  fan  |jet  lii  habue  nayr  dorilot  /  also  pore  ftito 

.      .  1  PI  1  /  -I      n        ■   ^  11  mirrors,  and  take 

pet  IS  me  tokne  oi  kneadiiesse  /  and  oi  zuiche  ydeienesse  great  pains  to  cmi 

T  .  n     1  •  their  hair. 

ni  ssoile  nam  ssrnie. 

Efte?'ward  me  ssel  yerne  to  jje  vif  wittes  of  Jjb  bodie  /  Look  to  the  five 

buerby me  zene3e]3  ^  wel  ofte.  ojjer  be  fe  e3en  ine  fole  zi3j5e.  ^herebrone^sin- 

ofer  be  pe  yearen  ine  folliche  to  biere  /  and  y-here  blejje-  j^ffg^j^g- *|J®  ^P 

liche  be  miszigfo-eres.  and  be  blonderes.  and  be  scorneres.  the  ears  in  fooUsh 

r  oo  r  r  hearing,  by,the 

and  pG  lye3eres.  and  o]jre  folyes.    Ojjer  be  pe  monjje  /  ine  mouth  in  evu 
folliche  to  spekene.  ine  to  moche  ethe  /  and  to  moche  the  nose  in  de- 

1    •    1         /-v  11-  iM        •       lighting  in  good 

drinke.  Ojjer  be  pe  nase  /  me  to  moche  mm  to  uky  m  smeiis, 
guode  smelles.     Ojjer  be  fole   takinges  and  inhoneste-  ^y  fo„i  handling.  ■ 
Hche  /  o])er  ine  him-zelue  /  oJ)er  ine  his  "s^'inie.  Jjet  he  hef. 
ojjer  ine  ojjren  Jiet  wors  is  /  bi  hit  man  /  bi  hit  "vvyfman. 

Alsuo  he  him  ssel  ssriue  of  mochel  hede  Jiet  me  dejj  Also  shall  one 
ine  ssredinge  to  bedde  and  to  regge  /  and  hosiinge  and  great  regard  to 
ssoinge.  and  of  alle  ofre  finges  Jjet  he  bejjengjj.     And  and'bafk,  Lsing, 
J)OUS  is  pe  ssrifte  y-hol  hna?zne  me  zayj)  alle  pe  lackes  ®^°^"^s. 
greate  and  smale.     And  ])is  is  pe  uerjje  coredicion  :  Jjet 
ssel  by  ine  ssrifte. 

\)e  vifte   cc»??dicion  zno   is  fet  me  ssel  by  y-ssrine  5.  shrift 
mildehche.  uor  pe  zene3ere  spek]?  to  god  fet  yzi3))  his  ^"ekiy^  ™^  ^ 
herte.     pmme  pe  ssriiiere  ne  is  bote  jjet  yeare  of  god. 
and  pet  ha  yher])  /  he  not  na3t  ase  man :  ac  ase  god. 
And  jjeniore  ssel  pe  zene3ere  him  mildi  ase  moche  ase  The  shnver  is  an 
ha  may  beuore  god  /  and  zigge  his  ze/mes  mid  greate  Therefore  shall 
drede.  and  ssel  his  zemies  aUe  keste  out  touore  him  /  the  sinner  confess 

/     his  sms  with  great 

ase  zayb  be  Aviiti^ge.     Ase  me  belt  nol  a  pot  of  wetere.   •^'''l^'^'  ,    , 

"'•'•''-'  -■■  and  as  water  shaU 

hua/?ne  j)et  weter  is  y-sset  :  Jjer  ne  blefj)  no  colur.  ase  ine  ^^®  '^^^t  them  out. 

melk.  ne  smel  ase   ine  wyn.  ne  smac  :  ase  ine  bony. 

Alzuo  me  ne  ssel  of hyealde  of  pe  zenne  zeppe  he  liit  hejj 

yzed  ine  ssrifte  /  ne  jjet  colour  /  ]jet  is  pe  kueade  mane?'e  He  must  let  no- 

,  .  ,  .  ^  ...  thuig  remain  that 

Jjet  me  he  J)  yhet  /  oper  me  speche  oper  me  zi3jje  /  ojjer  has  the  colour  of 
ine  kueade  uela3rede  to  uol3y  /  o]5er  ine  oJ?re  ))inge  jjet  Afterwards  he 

1,1  n  TM'i.  1  1  1    i     I  1      must  forsake  the 

hep  colour  01  zenne.     Mterwava  me  ssel  lete  pane  smak  "smack"  of  sin 

1  MS.  ^ene^ep 
12 


178 


THE    SIXTH    CONDITION    OF    SHRIFT. 


and  nevev  think 
pleasantly  of  his 
past  sins. 


[Fol.  55.  h.] 
He  shall  think  of 
his  sins  with  great 
dread,  sorrow,  and 
shame. 

He  shall  after- 
wards fly  from 
the  "  smeU,"  and 
listen  no  more  to 
sinful  speech. 


6.  Shrift  must  be 
made  often,  for 
many  reasons. 


a.  To  ensure 
greater  purity  of 
life. 

b.  For  the  abso- 
lution of  "venial 
sins." 

c.  To  drive  away 
the  devil. 


d.  To  learn  to 
shrive  well,  for 
practice  makes 
perfect. 

e.  To  prevent  for- 
getfulness  of  our 
sins. 

/.  Because  one 

knoweth  not 

whether  shrift 

has  ever  been  weU 

performed. 

g.  To  get  greater 

meed  of  God. 


h.  To  bethink  of 
sins  unconfessed. 
[  Vif];>inges]destor- 
hei>  ssrifte.] 


Five  things  de- 


of  ze?aie.  ycf  he  of  halt  jjane  sniak  of  zeraie  pet  }ieiig]) 
of  pe  zenne  jjet  he  hejj  y-do  /  and  h.[m  lykejj  wel  ine 
jje  j)03te  and  is  ypayd.  Ac  he  ssel  Jjeiiche  of  liis  zennes 
mid  greate  drede  and  mid  greate  zor^e  of  herte  /  and 
him-zehie  ssende  ine  him  zekie  /  and  habbe  gi'eate 
ssame  to-uore  god  /  and  uest  wil  Jjet  neiu'emo  to  zenne 
ne  ssel  wende  ayen  pa,-^  me  ssolde  hine  al  to-heawe. 

Efterwai'd  me  ssel  lete  and  be-uly  fane  smel.  ])ev 
byej)  zome  pet  wel  uoiietej)  pe  zenne  :  ac  blejjeliche 
hi  here])  ferof  speke.  Ac  he  fet  him  wel  uorjjing]?  : 
he  ne  ssel  na^t  ferof  yhere  speke  /  jjet  he  ne  ssolde 
habbe  wlatiinge. 

jpe  zixte  coredicion  fet  ssel  by  ine  ssrifte  is  /  ])et  me 
ssel  ofte  by  yssriue  nor  manie  skeles.  Yerst  /  nor  to 
zeche  pe  more  grace  of  clennesse  /  ase  J)et  hne  cloj)  jjet 
is  y-hnyted  be  ofte  wessinge.  Efte?'ward  nor  pe  zennes 
uenials  hnerine  me  ualp  ofte.  and  huo  Jiet  ofte  him 
beuel]?  :  ofte  he  him  ssel  wesse.  Alsuo  ase  liit  behouej) 
ofte  fet  ssip  lliade  out  fet  weter  ])et  alneway  gefi  in. 
Efterward  nor  to  cachie  and  uerri  jjane  dynel  urani  him. 
j)e  nojel  him  nerrej)  blejjeliche  uram  Jja;ines  hner  me 
brekj)  liis  nest,  and  nrain  Jjawnes  huer  me  him  beni??^j) 
Ins  eyren.  Efte?'ward  /  nor  to  lyerni  him  wel  to  ssriue. 
uor  wone  :  make])  maister.  ase  hit  ssewe])  ine  ])ise  o])re 
creftes.  Efterward  /  nor  ])et  me  noryet  ofte  pe  zennes  j 
])eruore  me  ssel  ofte  by  y-ssriue  and  telle.  Efte?'ward  / 
nor  fiet  me  not  yef  me  he])  wel  yby  yssriue  /  oJ)er  uor- 
Jienchinde.  zuo  me  ssel  ofte  wi?ine  ayen  /  ])et  me  he]) 
lesse  yno^  y-do.  Efte?'ward  /  lii?«-zelue  pe  more  uor  to 
bouje  /  and  uor  to  habbe  pe  more  niede  of  god.  jperuore 
me  acsede  ane  abbotte  /  hueruore  he  him.  ssrof  zuo  ofte. 
and  he  ansuerede  /  *  feruore '  he  zede  /  '  ])et  ich  habbe 
alneway  drede  /  pet  ich  ne  am  na3t  wel  y-ssriue.  Efter- 
ward /  ich  nie  be])enclie  ofte  of  some  finges  pet  ich  ne 
habbe  na3t  yzed.  and  ])eruore  pet  be  pe  ssrifte  ich  me 
arere  alneway  pe  more  milde.' 

Nou  best  })ou  yherd  hou  me  ssel  by  y-ssriue.  nou 


HOW    SHRIFT    IS    HINDERED.  179 

])ou  sselt  y-wyte  Ipet  vif  ])inges  specialliche  destorbejj  stroyeth  true 

.^  shrift. 

zope  ssrinpe. 

pe  uerste   is  -ssanie.  ]?et   lie  ne  dar  iia3t  zigge  his  i.  shame,  which 

.  prevents  confes- 

zenne  uor  ssame  /  and  Jjet  dep  jje  dyeuel  /  jjet  mm  zet  sion. 
beuore  be  ssanie  /  him  nor  to  ssette  jjane  monb.  ase  deb  The  devu  acts 

'  '  .  .  lilce  the  thief  who 

J?e  jjyef  pet  Jjranjj  fane  little  bal  in-to  pe  hondes  frote  tiirows  a  uttie 

1  1  ,     -I         ^  Tr/>  111-  ^^11  i"'0  t^® 

jjet  he  ne  ssel  na^t  berke.      Vor  oi  zuyche  kende  is  pe  hound's  mouth,  to 
ilke  litel  bal  :  fet  makejj  |)ane  bond  donib  hua;aie  me  ijarkin'™  "^""^ 
liit  Jjraw])  in-to  pe  jjrote.     Ac  pe  zene3ere  ssel  feiiche 
Jjet  fie  ssame  jjet  me  heji  ine  pe  ziggenge  of  pe  ze?me  :  is  The  shame  of 

T  -TIP,  T1  1T1         T1        confession  is  a 

grat  del  of  Jje  amendmge.     Jiitt^rward  he  ssel  blejjeiiche  great  part  of 

T-i  Tii?  j.T,ii.  L  amendment. 

drinke  a  hte  of  ssame  :  uor  to   beuly  pe  greate  ssame. 

fet  pe  zene3eres  abide]?  ate  daye  of  dome  huanne  ech  of 

pe  wordle  ssel  yzi  his  o^ene  ze/men.     pet  ojjer  J)ing  is  2.  a  wicked  fear 

wycked  drede  uor  to  do  greate  penonce.  jjanne  pe  dyeuel  ance. 

deb  in-to  be  eare  of  be  zenejere  :  '  bou  ne  niiat  na^t  lete  some  sinners  are 

■•  ....  like  tlie  horse 

fine  wones '  /  ziiich  uolk  is  y-Hch  jje  horse  fet  hejj  drede  that  is  afraid  of 
of  his  ssede  /  and  uorzojje  hit  ne  is  bote  ssed  al  fet  me 
may  do  of  penonce  ine  fise  wordle  /  to  pe  zi3]3e  of  pe 

pine  of  helle  /  ofer  of  p?wgatorie.     )3e  fiidde  /  kueade  3.  wicked  love  of 

lone  /  fet  pe  dyeuel  hej)  zuo  fane  zene3ere  uorzoke  /  the'sinner  to  sleep 

fet  he  louef  zuo  his  lost  /  fet   he  liit  nele  lete.  zuo  g^fne  InMsmth. 

f engf  fet  uor  na3t  he  hi???  ssriff .  zuo  he  slepf  ine  his  [-pp,  55.  a.] 

zerene  :  ase  def  fet  zuyii  ine  pe  wose.     j)e  uerbe  fing  4..  Hope  of  long 

life 

is  /  hope  of  la??g  lif.  feruore  fe  dyeuel  zayf.     'fou  art 

yong  man  /  f  on  sselt  lil)be  lo/?ge  /    Arere  f  e  /  and  do 

fi  wyl  /  fou  sselt  wel  come  fer  to  fe  to  ssriue.'     Ac  he  whereby  the  sin- 

iie  zi3j)  na3t  fane  dyaf  f et  him  waytef  /  and  f et  bine  ^eath, 

wile  nime  :  rafre   fanne  he   ne  wene.     Vor   god   f et  *ooneftlrnhe 

behot  uoryeuenesse  to  hi??i  f  et  uorf  ingf  :  he  ne  behat  weeneth. 

hi?)i  na3t  to-mor3e  /  ase  zayf  saynt  g?'egorie.     jjeruore 

be  dyeuel  playb  ofte  mid  be  zenesere  ase  deb  be  cat  mid  The  devu  plays 

■'•'  ■i-'r  r  7  r  r  ^i^l^  ^,,jg  sinner 

f  e  mous  f  a?^ne  he  his  hef  ynome.  and  hua?me  he  hef  as  the  cat  doth 

•11-1  IT  T         T  •         ii  1  •jr'i      with  the  mouse. 

mid  hire  longe  yplayd  :  f  awne  he  his  eth.     pe  viite  5.  Despair, 
f ing  is  /  wanhope  huerine  f e  dyeuel  clef  fane  zene3ere. 
Ac  he  ssolde  fenche  fet  god  uoryeff  li3thche  to  ham  /  think'that  Godls 
12* 


180 


HOW    PENANCE    IS    TO    BE    MADE. 


more  willing  to      J)et  iiorjjingj).   and  more  is  "blej^elaker  uor  to  yeue  uor- 

forgive  than  we  ,  ^        i     • 

to  ask.  yeuenesse  :  panne  we  nor  to  aksi. 


Of  amendment 
(penance). 
Amending  miist 
be  made  by  fast- 
ing, alms,  and 
prayers. 

He  must  obey  the 
shriver,  as  the 
sick  man  his  phy- 
sician. 


The  sinner  has 

to  fight  against 
sin. 


1.  And  first 
against  the  death 
of  sin, 

which  may  be 
overcome  by  pen- 
ance. 


2.  The  second 
fight  is  a  wrestling 
with  one's  own 
heart,  as  to  pen- 
ance and  what 
life  to  lead. 

Some  are  over- 
come in  tliis 
battle, 


for  they  are  as 
the  weatlier-cock, 
that  tm-uetli  with 
the  wind. 


3.  The  t'-iird 


Of  YN03BOTE. 

After  Jje  ssrifte  com))  yno3bote  /  ])et  is  ]?e  amendinge 
Jjet  me  ssel  do  bi  Jie  wille  /  and  bi  Jje  rede  of  pe  ssriuere  / 
Jjet  ssel  deme  fe  amendes  be  pe  geltes.  ofer  ine  nest- 
inges.  oj?er  ine  elmesse.  oj^er  ine  benes.  oJ)er  ine  ojjre 
Jjinges  /  ase  be  J>an  Jjet  jje  ze?me  acsejj.  And  fe  zike 
ssel  blejteliche  bou3e  to  Jie  fisicien  nor  to  babbe  heljje. 
And  pet  gnode  chi[l]d  deji  ble|)eliche  pe  heste  of  his 
uader  gostUch.  nor  Jje  gnod  of  his  zanle. 

Noil  hest  Jjou  yherd  pe  jjri  finges  fet  helejj  Jjet 
hanberk.of  penonce  hnermide  god  armejj  his  newe  kny^t 
uor  to  onercome  pet  vi3t  jjet  he  hej?  aye  zewne.  And  he 
ssel  onercome  fise  vi^tinge  :  he  ne  hep  hede  of  pane 
ojjrene  djap  /  ase  zayjj  sajn  Ion.  J?e  nerste  dyajj  of  pe 
zanle  is  pe  djap  of  ze??,ne  Jiet  me  onercome]?  be  penonce. 
huerby  me  askapejj  jjane  ojjrene  djap  ])et  is  pe  djap  of 
belle  pet  sterne  ne  may.  Ipet  is  pe  nerste  bo3  of  pe 
tra-we  of  pronesse.  Hno  Jjet  onercomep  pane  vi3t  /  he 
ouercomp  ane  oprene.  Hua?i  pe  man  hi?^  iiorpingp  of 
his  ze»ne :  pane  com[p]  per  a  newe  wrestli/zge  to  his  03ene 
herte  hnet  penonce  he  ssel  do  /  and  hnet  lif  he  ssel  lede. 
and  nele  per  byep  zuyche  pet  ine  po  vi3t  byep  onercome. 
Vor  ase  god  zayp  ine  his  spelle.  non  [h]y  lenep  /  non  lii 
mislenep.  non  hi  wyllep  /  non  hi  ne  wyllep.  non  hi  pro- 
posent  /  non  Mt  is  betere.  Jpernore  lii  byep  ase  pe 
wedercoc  pet  is  ope  pe  steple  /  pet  him  went  mid  eche 
wynde.  Ac  hnajine  pe  man  sernep  god  and  strengpep 
his  herte  ine  his  gnode  wille.  panne  if  pe  ilke  vi3t  oner- 
come. an  pamae  makep  him  god  Strang  and  stedenest 
ase  a  pos[t]  ine  his  te«?-ple  /  pet  is  holy  cherche  /  ase 
zayp  saint  Ion.  pis  is  pe  oper  ouerconiinge  and  pe  ssepe 
pet  he  hi?»  kepp. 

Efter  pise  wrestHnge  comp  pe  pridde  /  pet  pe  man 


DAME    FORTUNE    AND    HER    WHEEL.  181 

liejj  to  his  03ene  ulesse  /  Jjet  moehel  him  playne])  and  '^^''^i^fj^  ^'"^ 
groche]) / huajme  hi'  begin])  to  uele  fe  harnesses  and  )je        [^  he?:\ 
smartnesses  of  penonces.    and  moehel  ha  vi3t  nor  to 
come  ayen  to  his  yealde  wones.     J5et  nles  is  Jjet  kueade  ^i^jc,  resisteth 
^VY£  huerof  spekj)  salomo.  Jtet  hno  fet  mest  dej?  hare  p''"''"''®- 
Avil :  be  worse  lii;?i  is.    and  be  more  hi  is  ayen  him.  _  , 

'  r  J  [Pol.  56.  b.] 

And  huo  bet  him  let  onercome  be  his  nlesse.  he  is  ine  He  who  is  over- 
come by  his  flesh 
a  wel  zor^nol  Jjreldome  and  wel    vil.     And    fet   wes  is  in  Rorrowfui 

betokned  ine   samson  ]je  stronge  /  ]jet  uor-fan  Jjet  he  and  that  was  be- 

1,1.  T  p  1  11-      tokened  in  Sam- 

let mm   onercome  be  ane  wyima?zne  :  he  uorieas   his  g^^  ti,g  strong, 

her  of  his  heanede  hnerinne  wes  his  greate  strengfe.  an^eyef ofhis''"' 

and  Jje  e3en  of  Ms  heanede  :  and  ))e  strengjje  of  his  j'j^'^'^L^'nrt^if  7 

bodie.     and    nil    into    fe    honden    of  his    jnio    /   J?et  iiis^ody. 

hi???,  deden  grinde  ate  querne  ssamnoUiche.     Al  fis  deji 

]je  dyenel  gostliche  to  Jjan  jjet  him  let  onercome  be  his 

nlesse.   Huo  bet  berne  vi^t  ouerco???b  '  god  hi??i  behat  be  „  ,,^  ^, 

r        '  ^  TO  r      ['US.  ouerconiyj 

huyte  robe  of  chastetee  and  of  innocence  /  ase  zayjj  jje 

apocaHpse. 

Efter   bise   niitinge    comb    be   wordle    and    dame  5.  After  this  fight- 
ing Cometh  the 

fortune  mid  al  hare  huejel  /  Jjet  asaylej)   J>ane  man  a  world,  and  dame 

ri3t  half  and  a  left  half  /  Jjet  bye])  tuo  wel  greate  ^heei. 

■vd3tinges  huer  moclie  uolk  is  ouereome  a  ri3t  half  and  a 

left  half  /  ase  zay])  fe  sauter.     Vor  more  is  Strang  Ipe 

uondinge  ])et  com})  of  worjjssipes  /  of  richesses  /  of 

lostes  :  })et  ]>&  dyeuel  byet  /  and  dep  beuore  :  panne  by 

])e  ilke  fet  com])  be   aduersete  /  ase  of  pouerte  /  of 

zycnesses  bet  god  zent.    And  be  ilke  bet  ouercoml)  l)ane  H"  overcometh 
■'  r      o  r  r  r  r         this  fight  who 

uerbe  vijt  :    bet  is  huo   bet  uHab    and  onworbeb  mid  despiseth  the 

r  ^         f  r  7r  r    r  world's  honour. 

herte  fe  wor])ssipe  of  ])e  wordle.  god  him  behat  wor])- 

ssipe  and  he3nesse  ine  heuene.     Vor  he  him  Avyle  do 

zitte  mid  him  ine  his  trone  /  ase  zay])  fe  apocalipse. 

To  him  ])et  ssel  onercome  ])ane  vifte  vi3t  ])et  is  aleft-  J^ercomladytrf 

half :  fet  is  aduersete  of  ])ise  wordle  :  god  hi??i  behat  fie  ^^'^y- 

ma?ine  bet  is  y-hed.  ])et  is  be  greate  zuetnesse  an  be  ^°^  ^^l^  '''""■  ^ 

I  J  J  s       ^  >       mised  the  great 

greate  likinge  of  pa?-adis  /  ])et  non  ne  him  may  benyme.  sweetness  of  Para- 
Vor  be  })e  ma??ne  })et  wes  zuo  zuete  /  fet  ech  uand 


182 


PRIDE    WAS    THE    RUIN    OF    LUCIFER. 


6.  The  sixth  fight 
is  against  the 
wickedness  of  tlie 
world, 


against  the  limbs 
of  Antichrist, 


the  destroyers  of 
martyrs  and 
Christian  men. 
['  M.S.  bouore.] 
The  limbs  of  this 
beast  (Antichrist) 
are  wickedprinces 
and  rulers. 


He  who  trusts  in 
God  shall  over- 
come this  fight, 
and  aU  his  foes. 


[Fol.  57.  a.] 

The  devil  assails 
the  good  man  by 
vanity  and  pre- 
sumption. 


Lucifer  fell  low 
on  account  of  his 
pride. 

Wherefore  a  man 
should  be  cau- 
tious, 

for  the  ship  is 
often  destroyed 
close  by  the 
haven. 


ziiycli  smac  :  ase  he  wolde.  is  onclerstonde  /  jie  greate 
ziietnesse  /  ))et  greate  lost  /  jjet  god  horde])  /  and 
wytej)  /  to  ham  Jjet  oiiercomej)  J>e  adiiersetes  of  fise 
wordle.  J5e  zixte  vi3t  fet  is  wel  Strang  /  is  a-ye  pe 
kueades  Jjet  byef  ine  jjise  wordle  /  Jjet  byej)  fe  lemes  of 
anticrist  pet  werrej)  J»e  giiode  men  be  hare  stxengpe  / 
ase  deden  ine  ealde  time  pe  tyrans  pe  martires  /  pe 
eretiks  :  pe  gnode  cristene  men  /  and  ssolle  do  ine  pe 
ende  of  pe  wordle.  pe  lemes  of  anticrist  Jjet  ssolle  werri 
zno  pe  guode  cristene  /  J)et  onnea])e  ssel  by  eny  J)et  dor 
by-knawe  Jiet  by  c?'/sten  /  nor  pe  strengfe  of  anticrist 
and  of  his  lemes.  \)et  is  pet  best  fet  sayn  Ion  yze^  Jjet 
werrede  pe  hal^en  Imerof  we  habbe])  beiiore'  yspeke. 
pe  lemes  of  j)ise  beste  ham  sseawe]?  nou  ine  kiieade 
pr?'nces  /  and  ine  kueade  ouerlinges  /  J?et  be  hare  greate 
couaytise  /  defoiilent  and  be-uleaj?  /  and  ethejj  [h]  are  on- 
derhnges  /  zuo  fiet  pe  gtiode  men  jjet  byej?  onder  ham 
habbe])  yno3  to  folye  /  and  ynoj  of  zor3es  /  and  of 
greate  niisual.  Ac  pe  ilke  ])et  al  nim])  ine  |)olmodnesse 
ase  dede  iob.  and  him  lefj)  al  ine  god  :  ouercomji  })is 
vi3t.  and  to  fan  ])et  hit  ouercom})  /  god  hi??^  behat  fet 
he  hijn  wyle  yeue  mi3te  /  oner  his  yno  /  ase  zajp  zaint 
Ion  ine  pe  apocahpse.  Efter  alle  Jiise  vi3tinges  com]) 
pe  laste  fet  mest  is  Strang.  Vor  pe  dyuel  ])et  mocliel 
is  kueduol  /  and  sotil  hna??ne  he  jzi^p  ])et  pe  man  is 
ycliue  ope  ])ane  hel  of  pej-feccioun.  and  he  he])  alle  pe 
vd-^tes  beuore  yzed  ouercome.  ])a?me  he  asayle])  him  be 
ydele  blisse  and  be  presnmcion.  Yor  him  ])ing])  fet  he 
is  a  wel  guod  man  /  and  wel  mid  gode  /  nor  ])et  he  he]) 
zuo  moche  y-do  /  and  yfoled  nor  hi?n.  Hueruore  he 
ixal])  oferhuil  uram  zuo  he3e  :  zuo  1036  /  ase  dede 
lucifer.  And  J»eruore  hit  is  grat  nyed  /  ])et  pe  man  by 
wys  /  and  ywer  hhn  uor  to  werie  uram  ydele  blysse  ])et 
make])  pe  efterwarde.  Vor  ine  pe  ende  /  hp  ofte  pe 
accombringe.  and  nyxt  pe  hauene  :  spil])  ofte  pet  ssip  / 
J)et  ge])  zikerliche  ine  pe  he'^e  ze.     Jjeruore  hit  behouej) 


THE    GIFT    OF    COUNSEL.  183 

fiet  he  agrayjji  his  zayl  /  jjet  is  his  onderstondinge  to  fe 
hauene  of  heljje  /  jjet  is  to  lesiis  crist  /  be  fe  wynde  of 
stedeuest  loue  /  and  of  gTat  -wyhiinge  of  god.   pis  is  jje  Let  the  soui  be 

.   guided  by  the 

ende  of  ri^tuohiesse  /  huerof  we  hahbejj  ahoue  yspeke  /  windofsted- 
jjet  comjj  of  ]je  yef|)0  of  streiigjje  /  and  of  J)e  ui'rtiie  of 
prowesse.   aze  pe  guode  kni^t  and  orped  /  jjet  hef)  giiod 
herte  and  hardi  /  and  hefi  y-by  ine  \iele  jjrestes  mid  The  good  knight, 

,  .  .  .  desiring  to  exhibit 

grat  \vil  /  and  g?'at  honger  to  ssewy  his  strengpe  me  his  skin  and  cour- 

,  ,.  ...  ;i-  j_i-  1    age,  obtaineth  re- 

torneme?is   opev  me  vi3tmges  /  him  nor  to   aiosi.    and  ^^wn  in  the  tour- 

uorzojje  huo  pet  hejj  grat  loue  of  god  and  grat  honger  /  ""^"nent. 

and  grat  wilninge  of  his  hel]5e.  he  ouercomf  li3tlyliche 

jjise  laste  vi^t.    Vor  he  nele  ne  na3t  ne  wyhiej)  ine  Jjise 

Hue  bote  pet  is  to  Jie  worpssipe  and  to  Jie  bhsse  of  god  / 

and  heljjB  of  his  zaule.  And  huo  pet  pis  ui3t  ouerconip  /  He  who  over- 

1  •,,  11  ^-iT  1(1  ,    1^  Cometh  this  last 

he  wmp  pe  mede  hueroi  samt  Ion  spek  /  huer  pet  oiire  fight 

Ihord  zayde  ine  pe  apocahpse  /  '^to  him  pet  ssel  ouer- 

come.  ich  wylle  him  yeue  to  ethe  of  pe  trawe  of  hue 

pet  is  amidde  paradys.'   pet  is  lesu  crist  pet  yefp  lyf  shall  receive  the 

,.,,,  .  ,,  -,  Til  •  IT  gift  of  everlasting 

eureiestmde  /  huer  by  aile  pe  hal3en  hbbep  me  pe  busse  ufe, 

of  paradis  and  byep  alle  nolle  and  uolueld.     And  pet 

is  pe  bhssinge  pet  oure  guode  mayster  behat  ine  his 

spelle  to  Ms  guode  kni3tes  hua7?ne  he  zede.   'yblissed 

byep  po  pet  habbep  honger  and  porst  of  ri3tuolnesse'  / 

pet  is  of  god  to  serui  and  to  louie  /  uor  hi  ssolle  by  and  be  fuied  with 

uolueld  of  pe  frut  of  pe  trawe  of  Hue.     pet  is   pe  ende  tj-ee  of 'life. 

and  pe  guodnesse  of  pise  mVtue  pet  is  yclei^ed  prowesse 

huerto  ous  lede  pe  yefpe  o  strengpe. 

Of    JpE    YEfJJE   of    red  /  and    of    U//JTUE    of    MERCI.         Of  the  gift  of 

counsel  and  of  the 

Ase  pe  holy  gost  yefp  strengpe  and  wyl  of  greate  ^■i'"t"e  of  mercy, 
pinges  to  onderuonge  :  alsiio  he  yefp  red  /  huerby  me 
comp  to  guode  heauede  and  to  guode  ende  of  pet  me 
ninip  an  hand.     )3et  is  a  grat  grace  pet  pe  holy  gost  The  gift  of  coun- 

n      /  -11  PP111  1  selisa  great 

yefp  /  pet  is  ycleped  pe  yeipe  oi  red.  huerby  pe  man  hep  grace  of  the  Hoiy 
grat  bezyinge  /  and  grat  bepencliinge  in  pet  he  nymp  itguidethman 
an  hand.     And  pet  he  ne  by  to  hastif  ine  his  niminges.   '^"^ht. 


184  SEEK    GOOD    ADVICE. 

Vor  ase  zayjj  fe  filozofe  /  '  greate  jjinges  byejj  y-do  /  na3t 

be  strengfe  of  "bodie  ne  be  amies  :  ac  be  guod  red.' 
Hasty  counsel  is  And  aiiojier  ziio  zayj)  fet  liette  soc?'ates  /  fat  '  of  hastif 
ptntance''^  '"'      ^®^^  '  ^^^^  uorjjiiigjj  efte[r]ward.'  and]5eruore  zay])  salomoH. 

'  ISe  do  na^t  "vt^^Ji-oiite  guod  red.  and  efter  fe  dede  hit 

ne  ssel  na3t  Jje  iiorjjenche.' 
This  grace  show-  Jjis  grace  Mm  ssewej)  ine   man  ine   J»ri   maneres. 

ways.  Verst  to  zeche  blejjeliehe  guod  red.    )5ous  redde  tobye  / 

advice^^^  ^°        his  zone.     '  Yayre  zone '  zayf  he  /  '  zech  euremo  red  of 

"vv^^se  men.'  And  Salomon  fus  zayj).  'fer  no  guod  red 
Folk  fau,  says       ne  ys  :  fet  uolk  to-ualj)  /  and  is  al  onzauwed.   ae  hi  is 

Solomon,  for  _  .  , 

want  of  counsel,     woly  -holpe  hua?me  jjer  is  moche  guod  red  wjlpmne. 

'Ac  loke'  Ipe  zayji  Jje  ■v\Tytiuge  '  uram  kueade  rederes.  and 

Beware  of  false      ne  akse  no  red  at  foles  /  nor  hi  ne  louieb  /  bote  fet 

advisers,  and  ask 

no  counsel  of  ham  likej).  na^t  Ipet  paye]?  god.'  Alsuo  tekji  Ipe 
Seek  ad  vice  of  the  writinge  /  ])et  me  ssel  zeche  red  ate  yealden  /  and  na3t 
enced.  *''^^"'  mid  jje  yonge  Jje  ne  bye])  na^t  yproued  ine  nyedes.  Ac 
mid  Jje  yealde  jjet  habbej?  yzo^e  and  j'proued  fe  Jiinges  / 
Rehohoam  lost  a    bet  is   bet  wyt  /  and   bet  red.     Yor  ban  bet  roboam 

great  part  of  his  t  ^     i  j 

kingdom  through  salomowues  zoue  /  uorlot  fane  red  of  Jie  yealden  guode 
adriM!™^  ^         iTien  /  uor  Jjane  red  of  yonge  :  he  uor-leas  Jjet  gratteste 

del  of  his  kingdome. 

He  who  hath  this         Efteward  /  huo  ])et  help  Jiise  yef jje  /  he  onderzekjj 

Jie  redes    )jet  me   him   yefj)  /  and  fengj)    mid   greate 

IS  not  easily  led      bejjenchinge  :  fet  is  grat   bezyinge  :  yef  me  him  ret 

counsel  of  others,  ^el  /  and  trewehche  /  na3t  li3tliche  yleue  to  J>e  rede  / 

olper  to  J)e  ziggenge  of  one  marme  /  ne  of  tuaye  /  hou 

moche  Jjet  hi  by  his  priues  /  and  his  urendes.     Huerof 

seneke  zede.  jjet  'wys  man  exameneji  pe  redes  /  and  ne 

ylefj)  na3t  li3tliche.  uor  Jje  ilke  Jiet  ylefjj  li3tHche  :  uint 

but  foUoweth  only  ofte  Jjet  me  him  gylejj  /  and  misret.'     Efterward  /  huo 

])et  J)is  yefjje  hep  /  he  bo3J3  to  guod  red  Jjawne  he  hit 

hej)  yuounde.     Vor  na3t  he  zek]?  red  /  fet  ne  hep  no 

wyl  to  do  la3e.     Huerof  Salomon  zayjj.     )?et  'hit  ])ingj) 

to  pG  fole  pet  he  is  ine  ri3te  waye.     Ac  pe  wyse  zayj?. 

on  red  is  to  zigge.  uor  pe  wjse  bou3])  to  guod  red  /  |jet 


^ 


CHRIST    THE    ANGEL    OF    COUNSEL.  185 

\)e  foles  onwor))eJj.'  )pe  meste  profitable  red  fet  me  may  which  fools  de- 
habbe  /  is  be  red  of  oure  guode  maistre  lesu  crist  Jjet  is  The  most  profit- 

i  T         3    able  advice  is  that 

J)e  wysdom  of  god  Jje  uader  of  htiam  comj)  ai  guod  red  of  our  good  Mas- 

[aiid]  ous  breng])  iiram  heuene  /  jje  ilke  fet  is  fe  angle  of     ' 

red  /  ase  zay|j  Jie  \vriti/?ge.  pot  is  pet  red  pet  he  ous  yefjj 

ine  his  speUe  hua;me  he  zede.   '  yef  fou  wj'lt  by  parfit : 

guo  and  zel  al  pet  ])ou  best  /  and  yef  hit  pe  poure  uor 

godes  lone,  an  com  efter  me  /  and  )jou  sselt  habbe  grat 

hord  ine  heuene.'     Yzi3  and  Jjench  hno  yefj?  jjane  red. 

uor  .bet  is  ase  zayde  be  wj^sdom  of  god  pe  uader.   be  He  is  the  angei  of 

counsel, 

angel  of  red  /  J>et  is  zo])  god  /  and  zoj)  man  /  jjet  com  true  God  and  true 

ine  erjje  pe  uor  to  rede  /  and  pe  uor  to  teche  Jiane  way  ,yho  came  on  to 

and  ]jane  ri3te  pejj  to  guonne  into  paradis.  ])et  is  pe  ^anThe  wa/to"^ 

pej)  of  pouerte  /  huerby  let  pe  holy  gost  J>o  fet  he  ah^t  i''"'™'^!*''' 

of  ]je  jefpe  of  red.     Zop  liit  is  j^et  ine  oJ)re  manere  / 

and  be  ojire  waye  hi  mo3e  ham  som.   ase  be  pe  waye  of 

pe   hestes    of    oure   Lhord    lesu    crist    loki :    ase    ine 

spoushod  /  ojjer  ine  wodewehod  /  and  ine  richesses  of 

pe  wordle  hua/aie  me  his  uze])  wel.  Ac  pe  holy  gost  be 

pe  yefjje  of  red  /  let  and  dia:^p  uorj)  more  ri3tuolliche 

and  more  zikerhche  be  pe  pejje  of  zojje  pouerte  /  huer-  by  the  path  of 

by  me  onworjjejj  and  dej)  onderuot  pe  wordle  and  alle    ™''P''^®' ^" 

couaytyse  /  uor  pe  loue  of  god. 

)5es  yefjje  of  red  bestrep))  pe  zenne  of  auarice  and  of  ^Jj ^eSrofeth'"'" 
couaytise  /  and  zet  a  wel  uajT  trau  /  bet  is  be  u/rtue  of  avarice  and  covet- 

■^  ousness,  and  pro- 

merci  /  jjet  is  zor3e  and  Jjolemodnesse  of   obrema?zne  ™otes  sorrow  and 

patience. 

Kuead  /  and  of  oJ)rema??ne  misdede.     J3et  trau  he))  zeue  The  tree  of  mercy 

1  11-j  1  r.  !,■■  hath  seven  steps, 

stapes  huerby  hit  wext  and  prontejj.'    J5et  byef  ])e  zeue       [Foi.  58.  a.] 
finges  jjet  moche  ledejj  man  to  merci  /  and  to  habbe  seven  thingTwhioh 
Jjolemodnesse  of  ojjre  manne  kueade.     j)et  uerste  ])ing  ^^'"^  *°  mercy, 
jjet  ssel  man  sterye  to  merci  :  is  kende.  uor  ase  zayb  be  i-  Nature, 
boc  J3et  spekjj  of  kende  of  bestes.   '  no  uo3el  ne  eth  of  No  fowl  eateth 
ojjren  yef  he  is  of  his  kende.'     Efte?'ward  pe  ilke  zelue  kind, 
boc  zayj).  Jjet  'on  mere  dra3))  uor)j  jjet  colt  of  anojjre 
huawne  hi  is  dyad.'  Efterward  me  he))  moche  yzo3e  and 
'  MS.  po)i/iie\> 


186 


OUR  PARENTS  :  GOD  AND  THE  CHURCH. 


The  wolf  protect- 
eth  'for-cast' chil- 
dren from  other 
beasts, 

wherefore  a  man 
should  pity  the 
sin  of  another  of 
his  own  kin. 


2.  Grace. 

We  are  all  limbs 
of  one  body,  and 
one  limb  natural- 
ly bears  with  an- 
other. 

We  are  all  bought 
with  one  price, 
with  the  blood  of 
Christ. 


We  are  all  child- 
ren of  one  Father, 
by  belief  and  by 
grace. 


3.  The  Scriptures 
exhort  us  to  be 
merciful. 


The  oil  feeds  the 
fire  in  the  lamp. 
The  lamp  is 
mercy. 

As  the  oil  up- 
riseth  in  the 
lamp  above  all 
other  fluids, 
so  does  mercy 
above  aU  other 
virtues. 


When  mercy  fail- 
eth  the  love  of 
God  faileth. 


yproued  /  and  is  ine  jjo  boc  yuonde.  j^et  j>e  wolues 
dra3e]5  uorji  ]?e  children  fet  byejj  nor-kest  /  and  were]) 
his  nram  ojjre  bestes.  Wei  ssel  |)a??ne  a  man  liabbe 
pite  /  and  Jjolemodnesse  of  jje  kueade  of  j?e  ojjre  fet  is 
him  anlich  ine  kende.  )?et  alle  we  byejj  of  one  kende  / 
and  of  one  ssepjje.  and  to  one  norbisne  yinad  /  ase  we 
habbej)  y-zed  be-uore.  j)e  ojjer  jjing  jjet  ssel  man  dra^e 
to  merci  /  and  to  jjolemodnesse  of  ojjre  mamie  kuead  / 
Jjet  is  grace,  nor  alle  we  byejj  lemes  of  o  body  /  pet  is 
of  holy  cherche  be  grace,  and  o  leme  hep  kendeliche  of 
anojjren  :  jjolemodnesse.  Efterward  alle  we  hjep  wi)i- 
bo3t  of  one  zelue  pris.  pet  is  mid  Jje  blisuolle  blode  [of] 
lesn  crist  pet  he  ssedde  nor  ons  ine  pe  rode  /  ons  nor 
to  wijj-begge  nram  pe  dyajje  enrelestinde.  Hna?ine 
godes  zone  wes  panne  zuo  renjjeuol  /  zuo  uol  of  merci 
auoreye  ons  :  wel  ssoUe  we  habbe  reujie  /  and  Jiole- 
modnesse  pe  on  of  pe  o]jre.  helpe  /  and  soiicouri  pe  on 
pe  ojier.  Efterward  /  alle  we  hjep  children  of  [on]  uader 
and  of  moder  be  byleaue  and  be  grace,  nor  we  hjep 
godes  children  and  of  holy  cherche.  and  pe  on  brojjer 
ssel  helpe  Jie  oJ»ren  :  pajijie  he  jzi^p  his  niede.  nor  ate 
niede  :  me  jzi'^p  hnet  pe  nrend  is.  )5e  Jiridde  jjing  Jjet 
ssel  moche  man  sterie  to  merci  :  is  pe  heste  of  pe  holy 
writinge.  Jjet  rede])  and  hote]?  j?e  workes  of  mersi  aboue 
alle  ojjre  workes.  Hnerof  pe  wise  Salomon  zajp  /  'y- 
wyte  ]je'  zayj)  he  /  'jjet  |)in  heued  ne  by  na3t  wijjoute 
oyle.'  Vor  be  oyle  is  y-nor]5ed  Jiet  uer  ine  pe  lompe. 
and  ine  lompe  is  onderstonde  merci  ])et  ssel  by  euremo 
ine  J)ine  heuede  /  fet  is  ine  herte.  And  al  ase  jje  oyle 
oj:)  arist  ine  Jie  lompe  /  alle  pe  ojjre  woses  :  aLsuo  merci 
alle  pe  oJ»re  nw'tnes.  An  alsuo  ase  pe  oyle  norissej)  and 
lokej)  J)et  ner  ine  pe  lo»;pe.  and  huaHne  hit  faile|)  :  jjet 
uer  is  y-kuenct.  alzno  hua??ne  merci  faylefi :  pe  lone  of 
god  failej) :  ase  saynt  Ion  zayji.  '  Huo  jjet  yze^e  his  brojjer' 
zayJ)  he  '  habbe  niede  and  mezayse  /  and  he  [ne]  hi??i  yefjje 
[sset]  pe  dore  of  his  herte'  /  Jiet  is  to  zigge  /  'huo  Jiet  ne 


THE    DEVIL    A    SHUT-PURSE.  187 

he])  reufe  and  lii?/t  ne  help  J)  yef  he  may  /  hoii  is '  he  God's  love  is  not 

.,..,,  „,  ™  him  that  help- 

zayj>  /  '  godes  loue  me  mm  ?    /  ase  yef  he  zede  /  )}et  ne  eth  not  his 

may  na3t  by.     Vbr  j)e  oyle  of  merci  is  y-faled  ine  fe  need. 
lompe  of  his  herte. 

Efterward  jje  guode  tohie  to^te  his  zone  /  and  zayde  The  good  Tobie 

,  ,  Tr  ,  .  •       1  ,  •    .  I-  ,  T        1     taught  his  son  to 

pus.        V  ayre  zone  bi  merciuoi  as  pe  nu3t.  yet  pou  hest  be  merciful  and  to 

yno3  of  guode  :  yef  largeliche.  and  yef  pou  hest  Hte  :  ^'''''^^siy. 

of  Jjo  litle  yef  gledhche.'     And  ouxe  Lhorde  lesu  cn'st  Christ  said,  ■•  Go 

zayf  ine  Ms  spelle.   '  guo  zayj)  he  and  zel  al  pet  fou  Strand  give°t 

hest  /and  yef  hit  pe  poure.'  fet  is  pe  uirtue  jjet  pe  holy  '° *^« poor." 
writinge  ret.  more  generalhche.     Vor  fet  is  pe  u/rtue 

fet   god   mest   is    mid  ypayd    ase   zajp    pe   writinge.  [Foi.  ss.  b.] 

Huer-of  god  zayjj  be  pe  p?'ofete.   '  ich  wille  he   zayjj  AsGodsaith,  "i 

merci  :  and  na3t  sacrifice.'  and  saint  austin  fus  zayJ?  /  rndnotLTrmce." 
fet  '  fer  ne  is  no  j?ing  ])et  make])  man  zuo  by  beloued 
mid  god  :  asepite.'    Vele  men  makef  to  god  sacrefices  / 

of  uesti??ges  /  of  peregn'nages  /  of  ssarpnesses  of  bodve  /  ^°"®  ™«"  *■■« 

.  '  "^      '     wiUing  enough  to 

ac  uor  to  do  elmesse  /  hi  bye])  straite  and  wrechchen.  fast  and  perform 

Efterward  fer  bye])  manie  men  to  huam  god  hep  large-  sparing  of  their 

liche  y-yeue  of  timhche  guodes.  and  make])  sacrefices  "  ™^' 

na3t  to  god:  ac  to  be  dyeule  /  ober  to  be  wordle  /in  Many  men  so 

.     °  .  foolishly  spend- 

fet  hi  despende])  foUiche  hare  guodes  ine  ydebiesses  ing  their  money 

uor  host  of  pe  wordle  ac  uor  to  yeue  uor  god  :  hy  bye])  the  devu. 
harde  ase  an  [di]  a;yTnont. 

Efterward  ase  merci  likep  to  god  alsuo  hit  ne  likeb  ^^rcy  is  dis- 

.  .  ^  pleasing  to  the 

nofmg  to  pe  dyeule.     Vor  ])et  is  pe  armure  huer-by  he  devu, 
is  pe  xapve  ouercome  /  ase  zajp  a  glose  ope  be  sautere.  ^o""  '*  ^^  the 

armour  whereby 

Vor  he  ne  may  na3t  folye  fane  guode  smel  of  pe  ilke  he  is  soon  over- 

.   ,  come. 

smerieles    namore  ])a7?ne  pe  boterel  panne  smel  of  pe  He  cannot  endure 

vine.      Zuych  smel  ne  mi3te  na3t  Judas  folye  fo  pe  ointment  of  ^* 

magdalene  smerede   lesu  cristes  net  mid  pe    precious  "uc^smeii  Judas 

smerieles.    Vor  him  ])03te  fet  hit  wes  ])ing  uorlore.  and  '°"''^  "°*  ''''''^'■ 
he  betere  louede  fet  zeluer  ine  his  porse  be  his  couay- 

tise.     Of  zuiche  uolke  is  Ihord  a  dyeuel  and  mavster.  T^e  lord  of  the 

''  "  unmerciful  is  the 

fet  is  ine  helle.   bet  is   y-cleped  :    ssette-pors.   pet  an  '^^vii,  who  is  a 

.  .  very "  shut- 

hermite  y-ze3  /  ])et  zede  Jiet  he  hedde  J)et  mestieruor  to  purse." 


THE    LIBBBALITY    OP    CHRIST. 


4.  The  liberality 
of  our  Lord. 
God  giveth  liber- 
ally to  all, 
for  the  sun  shineth 
upon  the  good 
and  the  evil. 


wherefore  we 
should  be  kind 
and  court  eous  to 
one  another. 


The  son  should 
be  like  the  father. 


The  merciful  are 
God's  sons. 

5.  Thehonour  of 

God. 

He  who  honours 

God  wDl  do  good 

to  the  poor. 


The  poor  ai-e  the 
little  liousehold 
of  our  Lord. 


He  who  honours 
the  poor,  honours 
God, 


as  was  seen  by 
St  Martin,  who 
gave  his  mantlo 
to  a  poor  man. 
[Fol.  59.  a.] 


6.  The  dread  of 

doom. 

Doom  without 

mercy  shall  be  to 

tliose  who  do  not 

t  he  works  of 

mercy. 


ssette  jje  porses  of  fe  Avrechchen  /  ])et  hi  ne  ssolle  by 
open  to  do  elmesse. 

j)e  nerjie  fing  fet  ssel  man  sterie  to  merci  /  is  ]je 
greate  largesse  of  oure  Ihorde  /  Ipet  yefj?  largeliche  to 
alien  /  he  fet  /  Jiet  hy  byeji.  ase  zay];  saint  lacob.  and 
makejj  J>e  zonne  ssine  ope  Jje  guode  /  and  ope  ]?e 
kueade  /  ase  he  zayjj  ine  his  spelle.  Yor  J»a'/?ne  lino 
Jjet  is  ziio  large  to  ous.  nor  he  ous  yef))  al  fet  Ave 
habbe])  of  gnod  :  we  ssolle  by  large  and  cortoys  /  fie 
on  /  a-ye  fe  ojjre  /  and  helpe  jje  on  /  fe  ofre.  nor  fus 
he  ons  hat  ine  his  spelle  po  he  zede.  '  byef  uol  of  merci 
ase  youre  nader  is.'  fe  zone  ssel  by  ylich  Jje  nader  o]jer 
he  is  onkende  be  zaynte  peter.  And  jjeruore  zayde  fe 
wyse  ine  pe  writinge.  'by  merciuol  and  reujjenol  to  fe 
naderlyese  /  ase  hire  nader  /  and  hire  moder.  and  Jjoiis 
J50u  sselt  by  godes  zone.' 

pe  vifte  Jjing  Jjet  ssel  man  sterie  to  merci  /  is  :  worj?- 
ssipie  god.  Vor  ase  zayjj  Salomon.  j)e  ilke  worjjssipejj 
wel  god  oure  Ihord  :  fet  de]j  gnod  to  J)e  poiu'e.  nor  fet 
me  ham  delp  :  me  hit  dej)  to  god  /  ase  hi??^-zelf  hit  wyt- 
nessej)  ine  his  spelle.  'J5et  Jjou  best  y-do  he  zayjj  to 
onen  of  mine  ponre  :  fou  hit  best  y-do  to  me.'  ])e  poure 
bye])  Jie  little  mayne  of  onre  Ihorde.  yef  J50u  worjissipes 
fe  ponere  Jjou  worjjssipes  god.  Vorhuo  jjet  worjjssipe]) 
fe  mayne  :  he  worssipej?  pe  Ihordes  sergont.  and  hno 
fet  deJ)  ssame  to  jje  maine  :  he  deJ?  ssame  to  fe  sergond. 
Of  Jiisen  we  habbeji  uayre  uorbysne  ine  mine  Ihorde 
sant  martin  to  huam  god  him  ssewede  Jje  ni3t  efterward 
Jiet  he  todelde  his  mentel  to  fe  ponre  /  and  wes  bene- 
alde  ine  Ipe  mentle  /  and  zede.  to  his  angles.  '  Martin 
yet  non  y-primsened  me  lieji  yssred  mid  fiise  clo])e.' 

j)e  zixte  Jiing  Jjet  ssel  moche  sterie  ane  man  to 
merci :  is  ]>&  dred  of  dom.  Yor  ase  zayjj  saint  iacob. 
'  dom  wy])-onte  merci  /  ssel  bi  do  to  jjan  :  J^et  ne  dej) 
workes  of  merci.'  Yor  ase  god  zayde  in  his  spelle. 
'  Huawne  me  com))  to  jje  dome  /  pe  dom  ssel  by  yeue  aye 


ACCURSED    ARE    THE    UNMERCIFUL.  189 

bo  bet  ne  liabbeb  y-do  be  workes  of   merci.'  uor  god  God  wui  turn  the 

'       '  r    ^  J  .  .  deaf  ear  to  the 

ham  wile  do  pet  dyaue  eare.  and  j?eroi  hit  ne  is  no  unmerciful. 

wonder  /  to  fan  J>et  anhaste  makej)  ham  dyaxxe  to  fe 

poure  /  ase  liit  sseAveJ?  ine  fe  godspeUe.  ine  Ipe  uorhisne  This  Christ  show- 

/  1  I  ed  us  in  the  par- 

ol Jje  nche  marene  /  fet  onworfede  pane  lazre.  nor  pet  able  of  nives  and 

he  him  wernde  his  elmesse  :  god  him  wernde  ane  drope 

of  weter  /  per  he  wes  ine  uere  of  helle.     Alsuo  to  Jje 

fole  may  denes  fet  ne  hedde  non  oyle  ine  liire  lonipen  / 

god  ham  ssette  Jje  gate  of  jje  sposayles  /  and  ham  zede. 

ich  not  hiio  y[e]  byeji.  zuo  J3et  liy  hlefte?i  wyJ)-onte.  j)i\s  The  covetous 

he  ssel  do  ate  day  of  dome  to  wrechchen  and  to  Jje  way  to  Paradise 

couaytous  /  Jjet  ne  ssolle  habbe  Jje  ledinge  of  me[r]ci  /  ^    °°"^  ^^' 

fet  let  fe  zaules  in-to  paradis  /  and  ham  make))  way  to 

comene  to-uore   god.   ase   zayj)    fe   wrytinge.    ase    me 

make])  way  and  ohde])  pe  gate  ble]?eliche  to  fan  fet 

brengjj  nayr  present.    Vor-zojje  ari3t  acorsed  ssel  by  fet  but  cursed  shall 

they  be  that  turn- 

urnni  reufe  went  fane  reg  at  fo  daye.     Vor  god  ssel  ed  their  backs  on 
yeue  dom  wel  dreduol  /  fet  ssel  by  zuo  nest  and  zno  ^^'^^^' 
stable  /  and  uor  alle  time  y-co?ifermed  /  ne  neure  ine  Christ  shall  give 

,  doom  as  a  king, 

none  tmie  wyfcleped.     pes  dom  yzed   beuore  /  ssel  he 
do  ase  king,  fawne  ssel  he  keste  his  greate  manzinge 
as  fe  he3e  bissop  an  souerayn  pope.     Vor  king   he  is  :  and  cursing  as  a 
and  bissop  /  ase  zayf  f  e  writinge.     Yor  he  nom  kende  sovereign  pope, 
of  man  of  kinges  keraid  /  and  of  bisssoppes.     j)e  ilke  for  He  took  the 
amanzinge  sel  by  ope  alle  f  o  uolke  /  fet  ssole  by  a  left-  king,  and  of 
half  /  non  ne  worf  uorbore.     )5et  ssoUe  by  fe  kueade  ThisTursing  shau 
huiche  he  ssel  miszigge  uor  hare  on-trewf  e.  and  f  us  he  {"eftTand"^  °"  '^^ 
ssel  ham  zigge.     '  Guof  ye  acorsede  in-to  fe  greate  uere  "Go,"  he  shall 
eurelestinde  ine  helle  f  e  stinkinde  /  and  fyesterness  of  into  everlasting 
ssed  /  fet  is  agrayfed  to  fe  dreduolle  dyuele  /  and  to  the'(^'%^ii  ami  ids 
his  uela3es  /  fet  habbef  ymad  his  messages.'     A.  alias  /  ^®'^°^^^- 
fes  dom  fa^  hit  by  wel  ssort  :  uor-zofe  hit  ssel  by  wel  This  doom  shall 
zorjuol  and  hard.     Huanne  he  his  ssel  wreke  out  of  liis  rowfui. 
uela3rede.     Mochel  is  to  drede  zuo  harde  to-delinge. 

j)G  zeuende  fing  fet  ssel  moche  man  sterie  to  merci :  7.  The  seed  of 

,„.n  11/  1-      nierey  beareth 

IS  a  zed  f  et  betere  makef  frut  me  Ihene  land  /  fartne  hit  good  fruit. 


190 


THE    VIRTUE    OF    CHARITY. 


Mercy  multiplieth 
temporal  riches. 


St  Germain  liad 
given  all  his 
money  to  the 
poor. 


except  three  pence 
retained  by  one' 
of  his  deacons, 
who  was  told  to 
give  them  also  to 
the  poor. 
The  deacon  gave 
only  two  pence 
away. 

IFol.  59.  b.] 
St  Germain  dis- 
covered the  fraud 
by  receiving  two 
hundred  instead 
of  three  hundred 
pence  from  a  rich 
knight. 


A  rich  gentleman 
was  robbed  by 
thieves  of  aU  that 
he  had, 

and  he  complain- 
ed to  John  the 
Almoner,  who 
ordered  his  stew- 
ard to  give  him 
fifteen  pounds  of 
gold, 

but  the  servant 
gave  only  five. 
A  gentle  widow 
sent  John  five 
hundred  pounds. 


and  he  told  his 
servant  that  if  he 
had  given  the 
15  pounds,  our 
Lord  would  have 
sent  him  1500 
pounds  b3'  the 
good  woman. 


do  ine  uette.  Hon  merci  multipliejj  Ipe  timliclie  guodes. 
liyer-of  we  liabbejj  iiele  uayre  uorbisnen.  hucrof  ich 
wille  hier  zome  telle.  Me  ret  of  saint  germaiii  of 
ancerne.  }?et  Ipo  he  com  uram  rome  /  ate  ont-guoinge 
of  melane  he  acsede  at  onen  of  his  diaknen  yef  he 
hedde  eny  zeluer,  and  he  ansuerede  Jjet  he  ne  hedde 
bote  Ipvi  pans,  uor  say[n]t  germayn  hit  hedde  alyeue  to 
poiiren.  J3a«ne  he  liim  het :  Jjet  he  his  ssolde  yeue  to 
pe  poure.  uor  god  hedde  yno3  of  guode  huerof  he  hise 
uedde  uor  jjane  day.  pe  dyacne  mid  greate  pine  and 
mid  greate  grocliinge  yeaf  jje  tuaye  pans  /  and  ofhild 
fane  jjridde.  |?e  sergont  of  ane  riche  kni3te  Mm 
bro3te  ane  his  lliordes  haf  tuo  hondred  pans.  j)o 
clepede  he  his  dyacne  and  hitn  zede  /  Jiet  he  hedde 
benome  J)e  poure  ane  peny.  and*yef  he  hedde  yeue 
pane  jjridde  peny  to  Jte  poure  :  pe  kni3t  him  hedde 
yzent  :  J3ri  hondred  pans. 

Efterward  me  ret  ine  pe  lyue  of  Ion  pe  amoner  Jiet 
"vves  zuo  ycleped  uor  pe  greate  elmesses  jjet  he  dede. 
A  riche  ientilman  wes  y-robbed  of  fieues  /  zuo  fet  hvm 
na3t  ne  blefte.  He  him  com  to  playni  to  pe  uorzede 
ma?me.  and  he  him  zede  his  cas.  he  hedde  greate 
reu])e  Jterof.  and  het  his  desspendoure  J?et  he  him  yeaue 
uyftene  pond  of  gold.  j)e  spendere  be  his  couaytise  ne 
yeaf  bote  vyf.  An  haste  a  gentil  wymman  wodewe 
zente  to  pe  uore  yzede  Ion  /  uif  hondred  pond  of  gold. 
po  he  clepede  his  spendere  /  and  him  acsede  hou  moche 
he  hedde  y-yeue  to  pe  kni3te.  he  ansuerede :  vyftene 
pond.  j)e  holy  man  ansuerede  :  Jjet  nay.  he  ne  hedde 
bote  vyf.  and  hua-wne  he  hit  wiste  /  pe  ilke  zelue  fet 
liis  hedde  onderuonge  /  zuo  zayde  to  his  spendere.  jjet 
yef  he  hedde  y-yeue  pe  viftene  pond  jjet  he  hedde  y- 
hote  :  oure  Ihord  lii«i  hede  yzent  be  pe  guode  wyfman  : 
a  Jjouzond  and  vyf  hondred  pond.  And  hua«ne  he 
acsede  ate  guode  wyfman  jjo  he  hedde  hise  ycleped 
hou  moche  hi  hedde  him  y-lete  /  hi  andzuerede  /  jjet 


THE    GOODNESS    OF    ALMS.  191 

uerst  lii  liedde  y-write  ine  hare  testament  /  jjet  hi  him 

let  a  bousend  and  vvf  hondred  pond.     Ac  hi  lokede  which  was  the  sum 

^  ^1  she  had  at  first  left 

afterward  ine  hare  testame?«t  and  lii  yzej  be   bousend  wm  in  her  win, 

"       ■>    '        '  but  the  1000 

pond  defaced  of  hire  write  /  and  zuo  ylefde  ])e  guode  pounds  was  after- 
wyfman  /   ])et  god    wolde    J)et   hi    ne    zente  bote   vif  faced. 
hondi'ed. 

Efterward    saint   gregori   telj?    fet    saint   "boniface  st  Boniface  show- 

,,1  T-ii/T  •,  .11        ed  great  kindness 

nrani  pet  he  wes  child  /  he  wes  zuo  piteuous  :  Jjet  he  to  the  poor,  for 
yaf  ofte  his  kertel  and  his  sserte  to  jje  poure  uor  god.  often  bJatelf by 
baj  his  moder  him  byete  ofte   beruore.     ba?me  be-vil  J^^s  mother. 

'     ■"  'lit  On  one  occasion, 

bet  /  bet  child  yzej   manie  poure  bet   hedden  mezeyse.  ^'^  mother  being 

•"        '    ■"  "J      ^  i.  J  d  absent.he  emptied 

he  aspide  fet  his  moder  nes  na3t  fer.   an  haste  he  yarn  "le  gamer  for  the 
to  ]je  gerniere  /  and  al  ])et  liis  moder  hedde  y-gadered  and  his  mother 

,  •,,  11-,  P  1  T-      ^^^^  nearly  out  of 

uor  to  pasi  pet  yer  :  he  hit  yaf  jje  poure.  and  ]jo  his  her  wits,  but  sud- 
moder  com  and  Avyste  fe  ilke  dede  :  hy  wes  al  out  of  prayer  of  the 
hare  wytte.  J?et  cliild  bed  oure  Ihorde  :  and  fet  gernier  belte  fufi!™'' 
wes  au  haste  aluol. 

Efterward  ber  wes  a  poure  man  ase  me  zayb.   bet  ;*■  poor  man  hear- 

■•  ^  J  r      r        mgthat  a  gift  to 

hedde  ane  cou  /  and  yhyerde  zigge  of  his  preste  ine  his  <^od  is  requited 

I  J     -^  *^»  1  a  hundred-fold, 

p/'echinge  /  ])et  god  zede  in  his  sj)elle  jjet  god  wolde 
yelde  an  hondi-eduald  al  fet  me  yeaue  uor  him.  jje 
guode  man  mid  ]je  rede  of  his  -vvyue  /  yeaf  his  cou  to  gave  his  cow  to  a 

rich  priest,  who 

his  preste  ))et  wes  riche.   ))e  prest  liis  nom  blefieliche  /  took  it  home  with 
and  liise  zente  to  Jie  ojjren  jjet  he  hedde.     )5o  hit  com  among  ms  other 
to  euen  :  Jje  guode  ma?2nes  cou  com  hom  to  Ms  house  AtTventide  the 
ase  hi  wes  y-woned  /  and  ledde  mid  hare  alle  fe  prestes  fameb'a™c^b?i^  - 
ken  al  to  an  hondred.      bo  be  guode  man  y-zea  bet  /  '"s  with  her  an 

'         ■'        °  ^        7    r        /     liundred  cows  be- 

he  Jjo3te  ]3et  jjet  wes  Jjet  word  of  be  godspelle  bet  he  longing  to.the  rich 

priest. 

hedde  y-yolde.   and  hi?/i  hi  weren  yloked  beuore  his 

bissoppe  aye  fane  prest.     )3ise  uorbisne  ssewej?  wel  jjet  Mercy  is  good 

11  1-1.  ,j-i-i        chaffer  and  mul- 

merci  is  guod  chapuare.  uor  hi  dejj  wexe  :  jje  timliche  tipUeth  temporal 
guodes.  ^''°'^''- 

Of    )5E    GUODNES    of    ELMESSE,  Of  the  goodness 

of  alms. 
XT        1        ,    ,  111  P  ,  n  •      CFol.  60.  a.] 

JN  ou  nest  pou  y-hyerd  J^e  00368  01  pe  trawe  ot  merci.  Many  bestow 
ac  uor  Jjan  jjet  moche  uolk  bye})  /  })et  hare  elmesse  jiet  and  uleieseiy. 


192  THREE    CONDITIONS    OP    ALMSGIVING. 

Abns  should  be     hv  clob  :  hi  Ivezeb  /  and  hare  obre  giiodes.  uor  hi  ne 

given  to  the  need-       ''J  J         r  I  r         o 

fill,  and  should      doj)    na3t  asG  hy  ssolde.   beruore  ich  be    -vvyle  ssea-\r\r 

he  made  pleasing 

to  God.  ssortliche  /  hou  me  ssel  maky  elmesse  :  to  J)an  ]jet  hi 

by  behofsaw.  and  Jjet  hi  Hky  god. 
In  almsgiving  )?a;?ne  hiio  bet  ssel  do  ehnesse  :   hel  ssel  loki  bri 

three  things  are 

to  be  considered,    finges.     Verst  :  huerof  he  dej)  elmesse.  uor  he  hit  ssel 

1.  A  man  must  clo  of  his  o^ene  /  and  na3t  of  ojirema/aie.  and  j^erof  fet 
fonjsto Sand  ^^  ^^f  of  guode  Avynnynge  and  trewe.  god  ne  he]?  hede 
t'Sntag  to'an-"  ^^  kiieade  yef|)es.  ac  he  his  loue>  trewe  and  guode. 
other.  Elmesse   bet  is  y-do  of  byefbe.   of  tol.    of  robbino-e.   of 

Alms  given  of  r  J  rJ      r  & 

theft,  toll,  rob-       gauelyuge.  ober  of  obre  kueade  gaderinge  :  hit  ne  Hkeb 

bing,  usury,  are  _  ■"  ■'  . 

not  pleasing  to  no])i??g  god.  Huerof  ])e  writinge  zayjj.  '  j)ou  ne  sselt 
na^t  maky  none  saerefice  to  god  of  oxe  /  ne  of  ssep  / 
Jjet  by  spotty,  uor  god  he]j  grat  wlatiynge  /  of  zuych 

Hewhomaketh     sacrefice.'  and  J)e  wyze  zay])  in  fe  writinge.  '  jje  ilke  J?et 

sacrifice  to  God  of  i     /      o 

the  goods  of  the  make  J)  sac7'«rice  to  god  /  of  fe  guodes  of  jje  poure  :  he 

iras'he  who  slay-  de])  ase  ]>Q  like  jjet  ssla3t  j5et  child  be-uore  his  uader.' 

fore  totttfe?'  ^^<1  ^^T^^  austin  fus  zai])..  '  huet  yefjje  is  ])et '  he  zayf. 

That  is  not  gift  « i,g|;  ^^  ^^   j^^^^i,    aledhche  /  and    be    ober   hit  lyest 

which  one  taketh      r        r  r     o  I  ft  J 

readily  and  the      wepi/ideKche  :  % '  and  beruore  ssel  ech  loki  huerof  he  deb 

other  loseth 

weepingiy.  elmesse. 

2.  Look  to  whom  Efte^-^^ard  he  ssel  loky  to  huam  he  hit  dej).  J^a/nie 
good.   '  fe  "\ATitinge  zayjt.     Loke  to  huam  ]jou  sselt  do  guod. 

do  guod  to  Jje  guode.  ])et  is  to  fan  :  ])et  J)ou  Avenst  by 
Give  to  the  good  guod.  and  ne  yef  na^t  to  fe  ssrewe.  ne  ne  loke  na^t 
shrew  and  the  J»ane  zene3ere.  Jjet  is  to  zigge  :  fet  Jjou  ne  sselt  na3t 
sinner,  yeue  to  Jie  kueade  /  be  fe  scele  of  his  kueadnesse.    ase 

do)>  J30  Jjet  yeue|5  Jie  ribaus  /  and  menestrals  /  uor  hare 
that  is  to  say,  as    wj^kkednesse. '  ne  oberlaker  hi  nolden  ham  yeue  na3t. 

the  rewardof  their 

wickedness,  J»et  IS  wel  grat  ze??ne  ase  ziggej)  ))e  hal3en.     Ac  huo  jjet 

as  one  giveth  to       ,  i?.     /  .  i  i  t  ,       / 

ribalds  and  min-    ham  yeip  /  na3t  uor  hare  kueadnesse  :  ac  uor  reujje  / 

and  uor  Jjolemodnesse  of  hare  pourehede  /  and  of  hare 

Nevertheless  alms  wyues  /  and  of  hare  children,  yef  hi  hise  habbe]).    ojjer 

them  on  account     of  hire  uadcr  /  o])er  of  hire  moder.    ojjer  uor  o]jre  guode 

ieupo\ery.     gjjgjg  ^  g^gg  jj^g  ^jqj,  ^;q  wyj)dra3e  lU'am  zQnnQ  :  he  dej? 

1  MS.  wylJeednesse. 


GIVE    ALMS    TO    THE    FATHERLESS.  193 

wel.      ba«ne  elmesse  y-yeue  to  be  poure.   and  more  to  Give  aims  to  the 

'  poor,  and  especi- 

ham  jjet  byejj  ri3t  poure  of  herte  /  and  of  wyl.   fet  aiiytothepoor 
habbej)  ylete  nor  g6d  j?et  hi  hedden  /  ofer  pet  hi  nii3te  to  the  fatherless, 

111  1     i    ,        t     j_  1        ,  ,  n  n  to  widows,  and 

nabbe.     pet  po  pet  ne  byep  na^t  poure  oi  wylle  :  ac  other  necessitous 

poure  of  nyede :  wel  ich  habbe  ]je  eft  /  y-zed.     And  P'*''^°"'" 

alneway  me  ssel  ham  blejjeliche  yeue  /  and  nameliche 

to  )je  poure  ssamueste.  and  to  fe  uaderlease.  an  to  wyf- 

men  wodewen.  and  to  ojjre  nieduolle  /  Jiarene  me  yzi^]) 

jje  nyede  /  and  me  Mt  mo^e  do.   and  zuo  me  is  y-healde 

to  be  oncoube  /  aboue  alle  obren  me  is  y-hyealde  :  to  Above  au  shall 

■•  '      '  '  .  one  help  his 

uader  and  to  moder  /  hua?^ne  me  j-i^\  hare  nyede.  parents  m  their 
Vor  ])e  kende  liit  tekjj  /  and  god  Mt  acsejj  /  and  hat. 

Me  ret  of  jje  heyrone  J)et  he  dra^J)  uorjj  his  uader     [.a%oriisne.] 
and  liis  moder  hua?ine  hi  byeJj  ealde  /  and  ne  mo^e  Nature  teacheth 

us  to  do  good  to 

ham  na^t  porchaci.     )3eruore   kende  tekjj  ]?et  me  ssel  our  father  and 

guod  do  to  uader  and  to  moder.  and  huo  ]jet  hit  ne  de]? : 

he  is  onkende.  and  zene3ej)  a-ye  kende  /  and  a-ye  god. 

Jjet  hat   to  worjjssipie  uader  and  moder  /  and  peruore       [Foi.  bo.  b.] 

hit  is  wel  ri3t   ])et  hit  misualle  to  him  and  to  hare 

fet  dej)  harm  uader  ofer  moder  /  ase  hit  is  manye  zijje 

yualle. 

Efterward  me   ssel  ysy  hou  me  ssel  do  elmesse  /  ^-  Consider  how 

'to  give  alms,  and 

and  jje  manere  his  uor  to  yeuene.     Vour  co?idicions  be  the  manner  of 

.    .  n      1        •  1  1  •  giving  them. 

Jje  writmge  ssolle  by  me  elmesse.     }pe  uerste  is  fet  me  i.  Give  giadiy  and 
hise  yeue  gledHche  and  mid  guod  herte.  uor  god  lokeji  ^      ^^' 
more  )?e  herte  :  jjawne  fe  honden.     Huerof  saynt  gre- 
gorie  zayb.  bet  god  ine  his  sacrement  ne  lokeb  na3t  hou  God  looketh  not 

to  the  gift,  but  to 

grat   ))ing  me  yeue  /  ac  mid  huet  herte.  ase  hit  ssewej)  the  heart  of  the 

wel  in  jje  godspelle  of  fie  poure  wyfman  J»et  ne  hedde 

bote  tuaye  uerjjinges  Jiet  hi  ofFrede  to  fe  te?«ple.  Huerof 

oiu'e  Ihord  zayjj  /  jjet  hi  hedde  more  y-layd  :  ]ja??ne  alle 

J»e  ojire  jjet   hedden  y-layd  greate   })inges.     Vor  more 

like})  ojierhuil  to  god  an  alfpeny  })et  a  poure  yefjj  gled-  ^'^^  ^^  is  better 

liche  uor  god  :  l)a?me  a  riche  man  yeaue  an  hondred   poor  man's  half- 
penny than  the 
marc  grochindehche  and  mid  zor3e  of  herte.  and  }?ernore  nch  man's  hun- 

zay j)  j)e  wyse  ine  jje  writinge.  '  make '  he  zayj) '  uayre  chiere ' 

13 


194 


DELAY    NOT    IN    THY    ALMS-GIVING. 


There  are  some 
BO  discourteous  to 
the  poor. 


that  they  accom- 
pany their  alms 
with  many  twit- 
tings  and  up- 
braidings. 


2.  Give  thy  alms 
soon  and  hastily. 


Say  not  to  thy 
friend,  "Go,  and 
come  again  to- 
morrow." 


Make  no  delay, 
when  thou  hast 
it  in  thy  power  to 
give. 


"  Nothing,"  says 
Seneca,  "is  so 
dearly  bought 
as  what  one  hath 
by  delay." 


Give  thy  offerings 
to  God  whUe  thou 
livest, 

for  death  waiteth 
for  none. 


Give  thy  alms 
for  the  love  of 
Christ. 


and  glede  ine  alle  jjine  yeffes.'  And  zaynte  paul  zuo 
zayj)  ])et  '  god  louej)  moche  jjane  yeuere  fet  is  gled  and 
corteys.'  And  zome  Jjer  bye]?  zno  uyleyne  to  Jje  poure 
huawne  hi  ham  yeuejj  enye  ehnesse  /  an  haste  his 
miszigge])  uoulliche  /  and  his  clepyej?  truons  /  and  ha??i 
ziggejj  zno  uele  atnytinges  /  and  of  folyes  er  jjan  hi  ham 
a^t  yeue  /  Jjet  wel  is  worf  Jjet  zeluer.  pe  ilke  ehnesse  / 
ne  payjj  najt  god.  and  Jjereuore  zayJ)  J)e  wyse  ine  fe  writ- 
inge.  '  bou3  fin  eare  he  zayJ)  '  to  Jie  poure  /  wy]j-oiite 
zoi^e  /  and  hijn  ansuere  mildehche.' 

J)e  o))er  fing  j?et  hehouejj  ine  ehnesse  is.  jjet  me  hit 
do  zone  and  hasteUche.  jjerof  Salomon  zayj).  'ne  zay 
na3t  to  fine  nrende  /  guo  /  and  com  ayen  to  mor^e  / 
and  Jjanne  ich  wylle  fe  yeue  :  huarene  Jiou  him  rai^t  an 
haste  yeue.'  And  ine  anojjre  stede  he  zayf.  '  ne  leng 
na3t  fine  yeffe  uram  f e  nyeduolle.'  fet  is  to  zigge  / 
'ne  make  him  na^t  abyde  :  huawne  fou  mijt 
an  haste  yeue.'  Jjet  is  aye  uele  riche  /  fet  makef 
grede  fe  poure  fet  hebbef  to  done  mid  ham.  and 
zuo  moche  his  dof  abide  /  zuo  uele  zife  hit  behouef 
ham  bidde  and  bezeche  /  beuore  er  hi  wyllef  a3t  do  / 
fet  to  moche  hy  ham  zellef  j?e  guodnesse  fet  hi 
ham  willef  do.  Vor  ase  zayf  senekes.  '  N"o  fing  ne 
is  zuo  diere  y-bo3t :  ase  fet  me  hejj  be  biddinge.'  And 
jjis  is  fet  me  zayf  ine  atwytinge.  '  Dyere  ha  bayf  :  fet 
byt.'  And  fous  ssel  ech  man  wel  do  zuyf [t]liche  uor  his 
zaule  Jjerhuyle  fet  ha  leuejj  /  and  hoi.  \)anne  f e  wyse 
zayf  ine  fe  writinge.  '  Vayre  zone  '  he  zayf  '  do  guod  of 
finen :  yef  fou  best  huerof.  and  offre  to  god  worfi 
offringe  ferhuyls  fet  fou  leuest.  Vor  fe  dyajj  ne  abyt 
na3t.'  And  ine  anofre  stede  he  zayjj.  '  do  guod  to  fine 
uriende  :  to-uore  f e  dyaf e.'  f et  is  to  fine  zaide  /  to 
huam  f  ou  sselt  do  guod  to-uore  fine  dyaf  e.  of  er  to 
fine  trewe  urende  /  f et  is  lesu  crist  to  huam  f ou  sselt 
guod  do  to-uore  fine  dyaf  e  /  doinde  ehnesses  uor  f  e  loue 
of  lesu  crist  to  his  poure.      Vor  f  et  me  def  f  e  poure  : 


GIVE    ALMS    LIBERALLY.  195 

me  dep  hit  to  him.  ase  he  zajp  me  liis  spelle.     J5anne  Uoi.  ei.  a.] 

J)e  ebnesse  pet  me  yefj)  ine  lyue  /  and  ine  heljje  /  more  Aims  given  in 

'    Ml               -in                T                  AT  life-time  are 

IS  worjj  :  Jjawiie  Jje  like  Jjet  is  y-do  eiter  pe  deajje.    Alsiio  more  worthy  than 

ase  pe  lanterue  jjet  me  berf  be-uore  pe  ma/zne  /  him  let  death5"*"^ 

bet  /  and  more  zikerlaker  /  panne  pe  like  jjet  me  berj)  a  lantem  camed 

,     ,          ,                                   11,                                                           •  before  a  man  is 

beh}Tide  pe  regge.     And  feruore  ous  amonestejj  samte  better  than  one 

paul  Jjet  we  do  guod  /  Jjerhuyle  jjet  we  libbe]?.   H[ti]a?aie  ^a^! 

a  riche  man  ssel  come  to  ane  toune  /  ojjer  to  ane  cite. 

he  zent  his  messagyers  be-uore '  uor  to  nime  guod  in.  [i  us.  lo-uore] 

ojjer  oferlaker  he  mi^te  wel  fayly  :  guod  in  uorto  habbe. 

be  guode  forriers  bet  nimeb  and  agraybeb  bet  hous  of  Oir aims  are  our 

>        °                                 '                    I                o     Jr   r   r  good  forerunners, 

paradys  to  be  riche  manne  :  byeb  be  elmessen  bet  ha  that  prepare  for 

^        -^           r                                 J  r  r                      r  usthehouseof 

dej?  ine  his  Hue.     J3e  elmessen  Jjet  byejj  y-do  efter  pe  Paradise. 

dyajje  :  hjep  ase  pe  hewe  recreyd  jjet  late  com])  hom. 

zuo  jjet  pe  Ihord  is  oferhuil  euele  y-herberjed. 

Jpe  jjridde  condicion  Jjet  ssel  by  in  elmesse  is  /  pet  3-  Give  liberally. 

me  ssel  yeue  largeliche  be  pan  pet  me  hep  huerof.  pe 

^vJse  zayp.  'yef  to  god  /  be  pan  pet  he  hep  pe  y-yeue.'  iftbouhast 

And  thobye  zayp  alsuo.  '  be  pine  mi3te  by  reupeuol  /  abundantly ; 

and  merciuol.     Yef  pou  best  moche  guod  :  yef  large-  but  if  iittie,  give 

liche.  and  yef  pou  hest  lite  :  yef  perof  blepeliche  /  and  teousiy. 

corteishche.'    j)anne  ech  ssel  yeue  efter  his  nii3te  /  and  "after his ^'^^ 

be   pet /pet  god  him  hep  y-yeue.     Me  vint  of  ane  Z^Mrg^vea 

kiuge.    to  huam   a   poure  acsede  ane  peny.    he   hym  "ty  to  one  of  his 

*->                                       ^                                          sr      J                   u  servants,  who 

ansuerede  /  pet  zuich  a  lite  yefpe  ne  wes  najt  uor  ane  would  refuse  it 

.  on  account  of 

king.     And  of  ahsondre  me  ret.  pet  [he]  yaf  ane  cite  /  to  the  greatness  of 

onen  of  his  sergons.  an  hua/me  pe  ilke  hise  wolde  uor-  The  king  said  to 

zake.  uor  pet  /  grat  ping  hivi  po^te  /  to    nime    zuych  n^what  improper 

yefpe.     Ahsondre   ansuerede  and  zayde.  '  Ich  ne  loky  but  forme  to  *' 

na3t  pet  belongep  pe  to  nimene  :  ac  me  to  yeuene.'  ^^^®-" 

J3e  uerpe  coredicion  is  /  pet  pe  elmesse  by  y-do  mid  an^m^th^r^^f ' 

wille  /  and  mid  condicion.  pet  me  ne  zeche  none  ydele  """'^■ 
blisse  /  ne  pet  me  ne  onworpi  pe  poure.  to  huam  pet  me 
hit  yefp.  ne  uor  elmesse  pet  me  dep  ine  dyadHch  zenne. 

me  heb  presumpcion  uor  to  by  y-borae.     Zom  uolk  per  some  folks  give 

r  i^               ^                               J   J           7                                    I  alms  and  desire 

byep  /  pet  yef  hy  dop  elmesse :  hi  willep  pet  alle  hit  that  au  should 
13  * 


19G 


BESTOW  THY  ALMS  SECRETLY. 


hear  of  tlieir 
charity. 


Christ  hath  com- 
manded us  to 
give  our  alms 
secretly  and 
without  ostenta- 
tion. 


Good  works  may 
be  done  before 
the  folk,  for  good 
example's  sake. 


so  that  God  may 
be  glorified. 


The  alms-giver 
must  not  despise 

[Fol.  61.  b.] 
the  poor  reci- 
pient. 


Some  folk  despise 

the  poor, 

and  speak  largely 

and  proudly  to 

them. 


[a  tokne  \>et  iob 
wes  king.] 
Job  was  not 
ashamed  of  poor 
men. 


The  fellowship  of 
the  poor 


wyte.  Ac  fe  wyse  zayjj  /  jjet  me  do  jje  ebnesse  iii-to 
jje  greade  of  pe  poiire.  Vor  ase  zayjj  saynt  gregorie. 
*  liit  is  y-no3  to  pe  guode  mamie  /  fet  yef  lie  hit  zent  /  of 
liuam  lie  onderstaiit  his  ssejie  to  habbe.'  And  jjeruore 
zayj)  oure  lliord  ine  liis  spelle.  '  Hua?2ne  ]30u  dest  ehnesse. 
ne  "wyte  iia^t  J>i  left  hand  :  huet  dej?  pi  ri^t  hand,  zuo 
jjet  J?in  ehnesse  by  y-hed.  and  fi  uader  of  heiiene  Jjet 
izy3t  jjinhedinge  :  hit  pe  halt.'  J5et  is  to  zigge.  panne 
Jjou  sselt  do  ehnesse  :  loke  J)et  ydele  blisse.  ]jet  is  to 
onderstonde  be  jje  left  half,  ne  by  najt  y-mengd.  Ac 
do  his  in  ri3te  wone  /  and  ri^te  onderstondinge.  Jjet  is 
onderstonde  by  jje  ri3t  half.  Ich  ne  zigge  na3t  pet  me 
ne  ssel  do  pe  guode  workes  ojjerhuil  to-uore  pe  uolke  / 
uor  to  yene  guode  uorbysne  /  hueruore  god  by  yhered  : 
and  y-]3onked.  Vor  ]?us  him  zayjj  oure  lliord  ine  his 
spelle.  Jjet  we  maki  oure  guode  dedes  to-uore  pe  uol- 
kerede  /  jjeruore  Jiet  god  by  y-hered  and  y-glorefied  na3t 
uor  pe  los  of  uolke  ase  dejj  pe  ypoc/'ite.  and  jjeruore 
zay])  saint  gregorie  /  Jjet  me  do  his  Avorkes  aperteHche  / 
jjet  pe  onderstondinge  bi  ri3tuol  bezide. 

Efterward  huo  jjet  wyle  do  elmesse  /  he  hit  ssel  zuo 
do  /  Jiet  he  na3t  ne  onwor])i  Jje  poure  to  hnam  jjet  he 
hit  dejj.  )peruore  zayj)  jie  profete.  '  ]^e  onworjje  na3t '  he 
zayj)  '  j)i  uless.  fiet  is  pe  poure  j>et  is  ilich  pe  J  and  of 
zuiche  keiide  of  uless  and  of  blod  ase  fiou  art.  and  of 
zuiche  wose.'  Zom  uolk  byej)  jjet  onworjjejj  jje  poure  / 
and  ne  daynejj  na3[t]  to  speke  to  ham.  and  yef  hispekej) : 
gratliche  and  proudhche  hi  si^ekej).  Zuo  ne  dede  na3t 
iob  /  jjet  zede  /  jjet  [he]  ne  onworjjede  neure  J3e  guoinde  / 
vor  jjet  hi  weren  naked,  ac  rajjre  ham  yaf  clojjinge  / 
and  mete  and  drinke.  Jpe  holi  man  pa^  he  were  king  / 
and  he3  man  /  ne  hedde  none  ssame  of  pe  poure  /  ase 
doj)  zome  greate  lliordes  of  fise  wordle.  pet  wel  doj) 
elmesse  to  poure  /  ac  alnewayhis  habeji  ine  onwor[j3]nesse 
uor  hare  pourehede.  And  yef  hi  weren  ri3tuolliclie 
milde  ;  hi  ssolden  betere  louie  jie  uela3rede  of  poure 


HAVE    PITY    ON    THY    OWN    SOUL.  197 

men/  Jjet  byejj  poure  uor  god.  Jset  hise  mo3e  wel  edefie  is  often  to  be 
be  uorbisnes  and  be  wordes  /  pet  of  manie  ricbe  men  hi  of  richmen.'^^' 
habbe]?  aboiite  ham  /  hner  jjer  ne  is  bote  covay[ti]se  / 
ulaterie  /  yelpinge  /  ^and  ham  makejj  lete  moche  wel  to 
done  /  and  make))  ham  moche  kuead  to  done  /  be  hare 
euele  rede. 

EftejTvard  fer  bye])  som  uolk  pet  do]?  yno^  elmesse  /  some  folk  give 

1  1  .  1    ,    ,  ,    ,        T  1  enough  alms,  and 

ac  alnewey  hi  ne  lete  j)  na3t  to  done  hare  greate  ze?ine.  yet  forsake  not 

J?e  ilke  elmesse  ne  ssel  his  na3t  ber3e.     Yor  yef  hi  sinsr^'^^^'"^"^^ 

steruej)  ine  zuich  stat :  hire  elmesse  ne  ssel  ham  na3t  Aims  alone  win 

Av^^tie  /  j)et  hi  ne  ssolle  by  uor-lore.     panne  zuich  uolk  ^°  ^^^^ "  ™^' 

byej)  ase  Jje  ilke  J)et  of  one  half  make])  jjet  hous  /  and 

of  o])er  half  he  hit  brekj).     And  feruore  zajp  pe  writ- 

inge.     'Yef  J)ou  wilt  kueme  god  :  haue  uerst  reuj)e  /  if  thou  wiit  please 

1  •/!?.•  ^  1  •■,-,■,    (^od,  have  first 

and  nierci  /  ot  fine  zaule.  uor  huo  j)et  is  kuead  and  mercy  upon  thy 

ontrewe  to  him  :  to  huam  ssel  he  bi  guod  and  trewe  V  ""^^  ^°"'' 

z&jp  pe  writiage  :  ase  yef  he  zede.  [he]  ne  may  na3t  ^  by      [i  ms.  n<i\>q 

guod  and  trewe  to  ofren  :  fet  to  hi??z-zelue  is  kuead. 

And  J)eruore  saint  austia  zayj?.    '  Huo  |)et  wile  ri3tuol-  Let  aims  be  pre- 

liche  do  elmesse  :  he  ssel  beuore  agiwne  at  lii?7izelue.  ^^^f  ^^  ""^p^"'" 

uor  he  ssel  more  louie  his  03ene  zaule  :  J)a?2ne  anofres  : 

uor  god.'  I^on  ne  wolde  zigge  ])et  yef  he  were  reuJ)euol  / 

and  uol  of  merci  /  jjet   ne  ssolde  habbe  reuj)e  of  his 

moder  poure  and  zik.  hou  moche   he   hedde  reufe  of 

ojjren.    Alzuo  ich  zigge  /  pe  ilke  Jjet  ne  is  na3t  reufeuol  He  is  not  merci- 

ne  uol  of  merci  /  J)et  ne  he])  pite  of  his  zaule  :  hua?2ne  pity  on  his  own 

he  wot  ])et  hi  is  zik  to  pe  dyafe  /  ])et  is  ine  dyadlich  S  Jeath!  ""^ 

zenne. 

'Nou  ich  habbe  pe  y-no3  y-ssewed  of  pe  trawe  of 
merci.  pe  stapes,  pe  bo3es.  and  ])et  frut.  fet  com])  ine 
fise  wordle  /  and  ine  pe  o])re.  of  pe  frut  of  fise  trawe 
ous  spek])  daui])  ri3t  wel  ine  pe  sautere  /  pev  he  zajp 
])Ous.  'yblyssed  bye])  ])o  ])et  ham  yeue])  to  >e  poure  /  b,,,^,^  i,^  ^^^^^ 
and  to  pe  nieduolle.'   ])et  is  to  zigge  :  bet  ne  abit  naat  :  that  give  to  the 

,  poor  and  needful, 

al-wet  pe  poure  him  bit  /  ac  Ta])re  hmi  yeip  wy])-oute  without  delay, 
aksinge.     Yor  me  wes  ywoned  to  zigge  /  and  zoji  hit  cUatfon.  °" 


198 


BLESSED  ARE  THE  MERCIFUL. 


is.  fet  to  mo[c]he  bay]?  /  pet  hjt.  Ne  \>e  ilke  ne  lie]) 
herte  to  yetieiie  :  pet  ne  yefp  er  me  acsi.  pe  like-  dep 
wel  pet  yefp  to  pe  poure  pet  acsep.  ac  he  dep  bet  :  pet 
yefp  wypoiite  aksinge.  And  of  pan  zayp  pe  sauter. 
'Y-blissed  is  pe  ilke  pet  onderstant  to  pe  poiire.'  and 
Imeruore  is  he  y-blissed  1  he  zayp  efte?'ward  ine  pe  illce 
ners.  pet  god  him  wyle  delinri  in  pe  kueade  daies  of  his 
livered  fi-om  his     y^^Q_  i,g^  gggi  \,{  9,^6  dayo  of  doniB  bet  ssel  by  hard  and 

foes  at  the  day  of  -  '  ''  ,  i    /  . 

doom.  knead  to  pe  wickede  /  pet  ssolle  by  y-damned  /  nor  pe 

workes  of  merci  /  pet  hi  ne  habbep  na3t  ydo.     Jjawne 
pe  demere  ssel  ham  zigge  at  po  daye.  'guop  ye'  acorsede  / 
in-to  pe  nere  of  helle  /  mid  alle  pe  dyenlen  /  pet  yon  is 
y-di3t  nram  pe  ginnynge  of  pe  wordle.     Vor  ich  hedde 
honger  /  and  porst  /  ye  ne  me  yeaue  mete  /  ne  drinke  / 
ich  wes  zik  /  pon  ne  come  na3t  to  me.'     And  ptis  he 
ssel  ham  attwyte  :  pe  workes   of  merci  /  pet  hi  na3t 
and  shau  be  given  habbep   y-do.    and  pernore  hi   ssolle  bi  betake  at  po 
daye  :  to  hare  ynon.  pet  byep  pe  dyeulen  of  helle.     Of 
hnam  pe  rewpenoUe  /  and  po  pet  dop  ham  to  pe  poure  / 
and  to  pe  workes  of  merci.  ssoUe  bi  betake  at  po  daye  / 
and  ssolle  by  do  in-to  sayzine  of  pe  riche  of  heuene  /  ase 
zayp  oure  Ihord  ine  his  spelle.     Vor  he  ssel  zigge  to  pan 
pet  habbep  y-do  pe  workes  of  merci/  'comep  pe'  yblissede 
of  mine  nader  /  ondernongep  pe  riche  of  henene  /  pet 
is  to  you  y-dy3t  /  nram  pe  ginynge  of  pe  wordle.     Vor 
pet  ye  habbep  y-do  to  mine  poure  :  ye  hit  habep  me  y- 
do.'     Grat  worpssipe  god  ham  ssel  do  /  pawne  he  ham 
ponkep  /  of  pe  workes  of  merci.  and  he  ham  ssel  y[e]ue  : 
pet  lyf  wyp-oute  ende.     And  pernore  he  zayp  ine  his 
spelle.     '  YbHssed  byep  pe  merciuolle  :  nor  hi  ssolle 
habbe  merci.'  wot  pet  hi  habbep  ylengd  /  pet  lyf  of  pe 
poure  be  hare  ehnesse.  Wel  hit  is  ri3t  /  and  skele  /  pet 
god  ham  yeue  pet  lyf  wyp-oute  ende  /  pet  is  /  and  ssel 
by  wyp-oute  ende.   and  pernore  pet  hi   habbep  y-het 
reupe  /  of  lesu   cnstes  lemes  ine  pe  erpe  /  and  liise 
habbep  y-loked  /  and  y-conforted  ine  hare  nyede.     Hit 


[Fol.  62.  a.] 


The  mei'ciful 
shall  be  blessed, 


and  shall  be  de- 


The  unmerciful 
shall  be  cursed 
[1  MS.  J>e] 
and  driven  from 
God's  presence. 


over  to  their  foes, 
the  devils. 


The  merciful 
shall  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  hea- 
ven, 

[1  MS.  J?e] 


and  for  their  alms 
shall  obtain 
mercy. 

They  shall  have 
everlasting  life. 


OF   THE    GIFT   OF    UNDERSTANDING.  199 

is  wel  skele  Jjet  me  do  ham  ate  ends  merci  /  and  fet  me 
his  dehuri  of  alle  kueadnesse  /  of  alle  nyede.  and  ]jet  and  Christ  shaii 
ssel  he  do  /  hua7me  he  ssel  yexie  pe  bHsse  eurelestinde  /  for  ever, 
mid  merci  his  let  uorjj  /  and  his  ssel  herber^i. 

)5B    YEFJPE    of    ONDERSTOiVDINGE.  AND    OF    JjE    U/iJTUE    OP    Thegift  of  under- 

,  standing,  and  of 

CHASTETE.  the  virtue  of 

Holy  Writ  ous  tekj?  /  tuo  maneres  of  Hues,  huerhy  Thwe  are  two 
me  com])  to  jje  Hue  wyjj-oute  ende.     )5e  uerste  is  yhote  "hereby  one' 
workuol  [actiue]  /  uor  jjet  hi   is   ine  zuynch  of  guode  i°f™t'ithout'end 
workes  /  and  makeb  man  onderstonde  to  be  profit  of  "^^^  ^^^^  '^  ^^^^"^ 

'  '       '^  — a  life  of  good 

him-zelue  /  and  of  his  emcWsten.      J3e  ojjer  is  y-hote  works. 

,ir,  i-T  1  •    •  in  1  "^^^  second  is 

resteuol  [cowtemplatiuej.  uor  Jjet  m  is  reste  /  of  workes  contemplative— 

"wyJj-oute  /  and  ne  dej)  him  u&^t  bote  to  god  uor  to  the  soui  seeks  to 

knawe  /  and  louie.    hueruore  hy  his  ydel  of  nyedes  aiidTo°forget°aii 

wy]j-oute  /  and  ase  aslepe.     Ac  hi  is  awaked  wyfine  to  *'^''' 

Jjenche  of  god  /  and  him  louie  /  and  na3t  ne  wylni : 

bote  \n.m  to  habbe  /  and  uor  him  /  alle  ojjre  Jjinges  / 

dejj  ine  uoryeti?2ge.     Vor  hi  is  of  al  y-robbed  /  and  y-  and  desires  to  be 

,  ,  ,       ,  111  separated  from 

pi^t  me  god.  and  wylnejj  uor  to  by  to-deld   uxam  fe  the  moi-tai  body, 
dyadHche  bodye  :  uor  to  by  alneway  mid  lesu  crzst  /  christ. 
ase  zai]?  zainte  paul. 

)?e  uerste  Hf  is  ine  Jje  vi3tinge  /  ine  fe  uelde  of  The  first  life  is  in 
guode  workes  /  huer  Jje  knyjt  Hernef  /  ham  proue|)  /  ceidofgood 
and  alosejj.  }je  ofer  his  reste  wyjj  god  ine  Ipe  chombre  of      [Foi.  62.  b.] 
clene  inwyt.     }?e  uerste  onderstant  to  uede  god  /  mid  with  God'^in  the* 
be  mete  of  guode  workes.     be  ober  onderstant  to  by  chamber  of  a  pure 

I  <-'  'I  •}     conscience. 

yued  /  and  yueld  of  god  be  zojje  conioxi  gostlich.  Jjawne 

be  uerste  is  be-tokned  be  marben  /  bet  wes  bisy  uor  to  Martha  is  a  type 

■»  -"^         '    ••  *^  of  the  first  life, 

uede  oure  Ihord  /  ase  zayjj  |jet  godspel.  Jje  ojjer  is  be-  and  Mary  of  the 
tokned  be  Marie  /  Jjet  hire  zette  ate  uet  of  lesu  c?'2st  / 
and  Iheste  his  wordes.  ))e  uerste  is  way  /  and  inguo- 
inge'  to  pe  ojjren.  Yor  non  ne  may  come  to  ]je  Hue 
restuolle  :  bote  he  by  uerst  wel  y-proved  ine  Hue  by- 
zye  /  ase  zayj)  sain  gregorie.  |?e  yefjjes  /  and  Jje  u/rtues 
huerof  we  habbej)  y-speke  aboue  be-longejj  /  to  Jje  uerste 
Hue  Jjet  is  ycleped  workuol.     Jpe  tuo  laste  huerof  we 


200 


LIFE    ACTIVE   AND    CONTEMPLATIVE. 


The  gift  of  under- 
standing and  wis- 
dom belongeth  to 
the  life  contem- 
plative. 


To  this  life  belong 
also  a  right 
knowledge  of 
God  and  a  stedfast 
love. 


The  gift  of  under- 
standing given 
by  the  Holy 
Ghost, 


is  a  light  and  a 
grace  of  bright- 
ness which  en- 
ables man  to 
know  his  Maker, 

and  those  spirit- 
ual matters  per- 
tauiing  to  the 
help  of  the  soul. 

This  gift  is  called 
Ught,  for  it 
cleanseth  the 
understanding  of 
the  darkness  of 
pride  and  of 
spots  of  sin, 


and  enables  man 
to  know  clearly 
and  surely  God 
his  Creator, 


The  sick  eye  may 
not  see  clearly, 
neither  may 
man's  under- 
standing perceive 
spiritual  truths 
without  being 
first  purified  by 
the  Divine  light. 


ssolle  speke  mid  ])e  helpe  of  gode  and  of  jje  lioly  gost. 
Jjet  is  to  wytene  /  fe  yefffe  of  onderstondinge  /  and  pe 
yefjje  of  wisdom  :  belonge]?  to  jje  ojjre  line  Jjet  is  y-hote 
restuoL  Jpet  lif  is  ine  tuo  jjinges  /  ase  we  halbtej)  atoue 
y-zed.  j)et  is  to  wytene  /  ine  ri3te  knawlechinge  of  god  / 
and  ine  stedeueste  loue.  Jje  loue  of  onderstondinge  leth. 
to  stedeuestnesse  of  ri3te  knaulechinge.  Jpe  yefjje  of 
wysdom  /  leth  to  stedeuestnesse  of  loue. 

Nou  we  willejj  zigge  uerst  of  jje  yefjje  of  onder- 
stondinge /  be  ]jan  jjet  Jje  holy  gost  wile  ous  teche.  j)es 
yefjje  jjet  is  y-hote  yefj^e  of  onderstondinge  /  ne  is  ojjer 
fing  /  be  jje  hal3en  /  and  bi  jje  maistres  /  bote  a  ly3t 
and  a  grace  of  bri3tnesse  /  pet  j)e  holy  gost  zent  in-to 
\)e  herte  /  huerby  onderstondinge  of  man  is  arered  iior 
to  knawe  Ms  sseppere  /  and  Jje  gostHche  Jjinges  fet  ne 
mo3e  na3t  by  y-zo3e  bodilich  ine  alle  Tpe  ])inges  pet  be- 
longejj  to  ))e  helpe  of  zaule.  mid  skele  kendehch  ne  on- 
derstondinge of  man  of  him  /  ne  uor  him  /  ne  may 
come.  J?es  god  is  y-cleped  ly3t.  Vor  he  clenzej?  pe 
onderstondinge  of  man  /  of  Jjiesternesse  of  prede  /  and 
of  spottes  of  zenne.  Vor  ase  pet  li3t  bodilich  dep  away 
piesternesse  and  makep  bri3tliche  izy  pe  pinges  bodihch : 
alsuo  pis  h3t  gostlich  clenzep  pe  onderstondinge  of 
man  /  al  to  pan  pet  he  mo3e  bri3tliche  ysy  /  and  pet  he 
mo3e  knawe  bri3tHche  and  zikerliche  /  ase  me  may  y- 
knawe  ine  pise  dyeadliche  line  god  his  sseppere  / 
and  pe  sseppinges  gosthche  /  ase  biep  pe  angles  /  and  pe 
zaulen.  pet  belongep  to  pe  helpe  of  zaules.  ase  byep  pe 
articles  of  pe  beleaue  /  huerof  we  habbep  beuore  y- 
speke  ine  ane  stede  be  him-zelue.  Jpis  knawynge  nis 
bote  in  inwyt  wel  yuayred  /  and  wel  yclenzed.  Vor 
ase  pe  zike  e3e  ne  may  na3t  wel  yzi  bri3tnesse.  alsuo  pe 
onderstondinge  of  man  ase  moche  ase  in  him  is  /  ne 
may  ysy  /  ne  knawe  pe  pinges  gostliche  /  bote  he  by 
wel  yclenzed  /  of  alle  lac  of  uelpe  /  be  zope  byleaue  / 
pet  clenzep  pe  herten  /  ase  zayp  pe  writinge.     Ac  pe 


LECHERY    DEFILES    THE    SOUL.  201 

yefbe  of  be  holv  gost  /  huerof  we  spekeb  bier  /  iiol- 

1  .  ",1/1.1  •         1       X       /  J       The  Holy  Ghost 

niakejj  jjise  uayrhede  /  and  Jjise  cie/messe  me  lierte  /  to  enlightens  the 

jjet  his  lioly  zaule  /  fet  is  y-clenzed  /  and  ali^t  /  mid 

jjise  li^te  of  onderstondinge  :    nii3te    ysy   and  knawe 

god  /  and  al  Jjet  lii?/i  is  niede  /  and  guod  to  liis  ybor^- 

inge  /  and  jjet  is  Jje  blissinge  /  huerof  god  spekjj  ine 

his  spelle  /  jjo  he   zede.  'yblissed  byej)  po  :  jjet  byejj  The  clean  of 

1  I'  T       j_      I  1  •  n  1-         1-  1  heart  shall  see 

clene  oi  herte  /  uor  hi  ssoile  ysy  god  ine  hiw-zelue   ase  God  as  He  is,  by 

he  is  be  byleaue  alyjte  /  and  y-strengjjed  be  pe  yef]?e  the  gift  of"under- 

of  ondersto/indinge.'     Vorzojje  efter  Jje  dyeajje  /  iae  ^''''''^'"s- 
paradis  hi  ssollen  yzy  him  /  al  aperteliche  /  wizage  /       [Fqi.  gs.  a.] 
to  visage. 

J3a?me  zayjj  zaynte  paul.  fis  yefjje   dejj  away  alle  This  gift  puts 

ueljje  of   herte  /  and  hire  clenze])  parfitHche   of  alle  the  heart,  but 
lackes  /  and  specialliche  of  jje  lacke  of  pe  zenne  of 

lecherie.     Vor  huo  jjet  is  be-ueld  mid   po  lac  :  he  is  For  who  is  defiled 

1T111  /IT  1  PI  with  this  sin  has 

ri3tuoliiche  yblent  /  and  he  J?  ylore  J»e  e3en  of  Jje  herte  /  lost  the  eyes  of 

skele  and  onderstondinge  /  zuo  pet  he  ne  may'y-knawe 

his   sseppere  /  ne  Jjinges  jjet  wende])  to   pe  heljje   of 

zaule.     Ac  is  ase  best  fet  ne  hej)  wyt  ne  skele  ine  him. 

panne  dauij)  zayj)  ine  pe  sautere.  fet  man  to  huam  Jjet 

god  hej)  y-do  zuo  grat  worjjssipe  j)et  liine  made  to  his 

ymage  and  to  his  anliknesse  huerby  he  may  y-knawe 

god  and  habbe  /  J)et  he  ne  he])  y-do  none  beste  :  heb  and  is  no  better 

than  a  beast. 

ZUO  uoryete  his  sseppere  /  an  pe  guodnesse  Jset  he  hej) 
lii?^  y-do  /  j)et  he  is  become  ilich  to  fole  bestes  /  ])et 
lie  habbej)   none   onderstondinge.     jje  ze?me  bet  mest  Lechery  makes  a 

man  like  to  foul 

make])  man  uich  to  uoule  bestes  /  and  to  uel])e  :    is  beasts. 

zenne  of  lecherie.  huerof  we  habbej)  be-uore  y-zed  jier 

we  speke  of  ze?ine.    be  yefjje  hanne  of  onderstondinge  /  Thegiftofunder- 

"      >       '  o     /     standing  strips 

])et  is  of  evpe  speciaUiche  /  to  bo  uel])e  bestrepb  of  be  the  heart  of  this 

sin. 

herte  pe  zenne  of  lecherie  /  an  he  tekj)  uayrhede  and 
cle^nesse  /  huerof  wext  a  wel  uayr  traw.  jiet  is  pe 
uirtne  of  chastete  /  huerby  me  com])  to  jio  greate 
blissinge  })et  god  be-hat  to  ])an  jjet  lokej)  clennesse  of 
lierte  :    huawne  he    zede.   '  ybHssed  hi  by  pe  dene  of  ?'«ssed  are  the 


203 


THE    SEVEN    STEPS    OP    CHASTITY. 


pure  of  heart,         herte  uor  M  ssolle  yzy  god.'  uor  bet  hi  ssolle  habbe  be 

for  they  shall  see  j    j   a  i  i 

God.  e^en  of  herte  wel  yclenzed  and  wel  ali3t  of  fe  yefjje  of 


onderstondinge. 


Of  the  seven  steps 
of  chastity. 


I.  A  clean  con- 
science. 

Without  an  un- 
defiled  mind 
there  is  no  chas- 
tity pleasing  to 
God. 


He  who  consents 
to  evil  thoughts 
is  not  chaste, 
though  he  be 
far  from  the 
deed. 


Three  things  tend 
to  produce  purity 
of  lieart. 
The  first  is  to 
hear  joyfully  the 
word  of  God. 


The  second  is 
true  shrift,  wliich 
is  the  laver  in 
which  one  shall 
oft  wash. 

Bear  in  mind  the 
story  of  Naaman's 
washing  in  Jor- 
dan seven  times. 

Jordan  signifies 
the  stream  of 
judgment,  and 
betokens  slirift, 
in  which  man 
shall  judge  him- 
self with  great 
sorrow  of  heart, 
and  repentance, 
so  that  a  stream 
of  tears  run  from 
his  eyes. 


Of  )5e  zeue  stapes  of  chastete. 

)?ys  traw  wext  and  profitej)  /  and  clifjj  ase  dof  fe 
ojjre  to-uore  yzed  /  be  zeue  stapes.  Jje  nerste  stape  is 
clene  inwyt  /  Jiet  is  fe  rote  of  ])ise  trawe  uor  wy])-oute 
clene  inwyt :  no  chastete  ne  lykef  to  god.  J?is  chastete  / 
Jjis  clewnesse  /  J?is  purte  /  acsej)  fet  me  loki  ])e  herte 
uram  euele  J503tes  /  Jjet  hi  na3t  ne  coTzsenti  /  and  of 
kuede  wiku[n]gges.  Vor  hue  fet  him  consentejj  to  kueade 
wylles  /  and  to  Jje  kueade  ]303tes  of  his  herte  :  he  ne  is 
na^t  chast.  jja^  he  by  uer  uram  jje  dede.  uor  be  pe 
cowsentinge  wyjj-oute  more  :  he  ssolde  by  uorlore  yef 
he  sterf  ferinne. 

)pri  finges  moche  byej)  wor}?  to  loki  J?e  cle^inesse  of 
herte.  J?e  uerste  is  /  blefeHche  y-hyere  J)e  wordes  of 
god  /  and  his  spelles.  Huerof  oure^lliord  zayjj  ine  his 
spelle/to  his  deciples.  'ye  byejj'  he  zayf  'alle  clene /be 
fe  wordes  fiet  ich  you  habbe  yzed.'  Yor  godes  word  is 
ase  a  uayr  ssewere  /  ine  huam  me  yzi3t  alle  J?e  lakkes  of 
\q  herte.  Jjet  ojjer  Jjing  is  zojje  ssrifte  Jjet  is  J»et  lauor  / 
huer  he  hi?w  ssel  ofte  wesse.  )pe  writinge  zayj)  ine  fe 
bok  of  kinges.  fet  elyseu  fe  profete  het  to  naaman  ])et 
wes  mezel  /  fet  he  him  wesse  ine  Jie  flom  Jordan  zeue- 
zi])e  uor  to  by  clene  of  his  euele.  And  jjo  he  jjer  wes 
ywesse  :  \o  wes  he  al  klene  and  al  hoi  of  his  euele.  Jje 
flum  iordan  Jjet  is  ase  moche  wor]) :  ase  stream  of  dom  / 
and  be-toknejj  ssrifte.  huer  man  ssel  hi??i-zelue  deme 
mid  greate  zorje'  of  herte  /  and  mid  greate  repentonce  / 
ziio  Jjet  0  stream  of  tyeares  :  yerne  be  ]?e  cowdut  of  J)e 
e^en.  and  zuo  fe  mezel  ssel  bi  al  hoi  and  clene.  Jjet  is 
Jje  zene3ere  /  yef  he  him  Avesst  zeuezyjje  /  Jjet  is  to 

'  MS.  zor\>e 


KEEP  THE  MOUTH  FROM  FOUL  WORDS.  203 

zigge  /  of  alle  his  zennes.  And  Jjeruore  zayjj  saynt 
bemard.  '  loue  ssrifte  :  yef  fou  wilt  habbe  uayrhede. 
Vor  ssrifte  ne  is  na^t  Avyjj-oute  uayrhede.' 

Jpet    bridde   jjing  is  /  bejjencliinge  of  lesu  cmtes  The  third  thing 

is  a  remembrance 

pine.     Vor  no  uondinge  /  none  euele  J)03tes  ne  mo^e  of  Christ's  pas- 

bleue  ine  herte  :  jjet  ofte  recorde])  Jjane  dyajj  and  jje 

pine  of  lesu  cr/st.     Vor  bet  is  he  armure  jjet  be  dyeuel  for  that  is  the 

ai-mour  most 

diet  mest  ase  jje  iike  be  huam  he  wes  ouercome  /  and  dreaded  by  the 

be  huam  he  lyeas  his  nii3te.     J?et  is  ous  betokned  in  fe 

writinge  of  be  eddre  of  bres  bet  Moyses  be  be  heste  of  This  is  betokened 

in  the  Scriptures 

oure  lliorde  arerede  ope  Jje  pole  zuo  he^e  :  )5et  al  ]jet  uolk  by  the  adder  of 

hise  yzej.     And  alle  J)0  pet  his  yze3e  :  weren  y-held  of 

jje  prekiynges  of  fe  eddren.     j)e  eddre  of  bres  arered 

ine  Jje  pole  :  be-toknejj  fet  body  of  lesu  cnst  y-hanged  The  adder  denotes 

ine  Jje  rode.     j)et  wes  ]je  eddre  wy})-oute  uenym  huerof  Christ. 

wes  y-mad  fe  triacle  of  oure  helpe  /  to  ham  fet  byejj 

y-smite  /  and  enuenimed  of  fe  prekyinges  of  jje  uenim- 

ous  eddrei  of  helle  /  J)et  i^  >e  djuel     Loke  be  zo>e  j^^l^^^^'lt 

belyaue  ine  fe  eddre  of  bres.     pet  ys  to  zigge  /  fet  he  se"en*thaur" 

benche  of  be  pinen  of  lesu  cnst  and  anhaste  he  ssel  *°  "^^^^^  ^^^  ^^' 

'  sion  of  Christ. 

by    hoi  /    and    by   y-uryd    of    jje    uondinges    of  J3e 
dyeule. 

J3e  ober  stape  huerby  bis  traw  clyfb  and  profiteb.  n.  Keep  the 

f  •'•^  ''    '^  rr     mouth  from  foul 

IS  to  loki  jjane  mouj)  uram  uoule  wordes  /  Jjet  wendeji  words, 
to  ribaudye  and  to  onclewnesse.  uor  be  zuych  blest  and  which  oft 

.  .  kindle  the  fire 

be  zuych  wynd  :  is  ofte  aquyked  Jjet  uer  of  lecherie.  of  lechery. 

Huerof  jje  writi??ge  spekj).  fet  'word  of  fole  wyfman  / 

is  berninde  ase  uer.'     An  zaynte  paul  bus  zayb.   bet  'be  Evil  words  of 

11  1  r  r  ^  n  i       J  T       fgyj  ^gmen  mar 

Kueade  wordes  ot  lole  wyTiae?i :  amerrej)  guode  Jjeawes.    good  v-irtues. 

And  feruore  huo  ]>et  wyle  loki  chastete  :  hit  behouejj 

fet   he  him  loki  uram  zuyche  wordes.     Vor  huo  bet  Hewhowiiisay 

'         and  listen  to  fold 

ble[J)e]liche  hise  zayjj  /  oj?er  blebeUche  his  yherb  :  he  ^or^s  is  not 

7  1  ,    i   1  .  •■  chaste. 

ssewejj  wel  ])et  he  ne  is  na3t  chast.     Vor  jjer  ne  may 

go  oute  of  ]je  uete  :  bote  zuych  ase  fer  is  inne.     Yef  ]je  "^*;^fg^°'''^'  ^': 

wordes  byeb  uoule  and  lodliche  /  bet  is  apert  tokne  bet  ^'s'l  "^at  there 

,  nil,,,  ^         is  filth  in  the 

po  uoumede  and  Jje  lodhchhede  bye))  ine  fe  herte.  Vor  iieart. 


204 


GUARD    THE    BODILY    SENSES. 


be  J3e  moclielliede  of  Jje  herte  :    Jje  moiij)   spekjj.  pet 
zayj?  our  Uiord  ine  liis  spelle. 
III.  Guard  all  the         j)e  biiclde  stape  is  wel  to  loki  alle   be  wyttes  of  be 

wits  of  the  body — 

the  eye  from  foul  bodje  /  ase  jje  63611  urani  fol  zy3jje.   pe  earen  /  to  liyere 

sights, 

the  ear  from  foul  fole  wordes.  Jje  lioiiden  ura[in]  wyckede  takinges.  j>e 
the  hands  from  i^SLse  i  uram  to  luoche  lostiioUe  smelles.  jjane  niouj) 
wicked  handimg,  ^^pam  to  lostuolls  metes  /  and  ine  gnode  smackes.  jjise 

These  are  the 
five  gates  of  the 

"'if  "'.''^'j^®''''''    gejj  in  ofte  ine  pe  vif  Jjerles  of  pe  house  /  huerby  pe 

devil  oft  goeth 
into  the  heart. 


bye])  Jje  vif  gates  of  pe  cite  of  pe  herte  /  huerby  pe  dieuel 


dyeuel  ofte  gef  in-to  Jje  herte  /  ase  zayjj  pe  profete. 
Vele  guode  men  and  stronge  habbejj  by  y-nome  and 
ouercome  /  be  pan  pet  hi  ne  lokede  najt  wel  Jjise  gates. 
And  yef  jjou  "wylt  habbe  uorbisnes  :  pench  pet  non  ne 
Samson,  David,     wes    strenger   pajme    sanison   fortin.    ne   wiser   panne 

and  Solomon  were         ,  .,  ,  i       •  i  t        i 

overcome  through  salomon.  ne  niore  niiider  pamie  dauid.  and  alneway 
thesegates"^  uillen  be  wyfuieu.  Ac  uorzope  yef  hy  hedden  wel 
yenid  pe  gates :  pe  uyend  ne  hedde  na^t  ynome  zuo 
st  Gregory  says,  greate  casteles.  Vor  ase  zayj)  saint  gregorie.  '  pe  tour  of 
heart  may  not  be  P^  herte  ne  may  na^t  by  nome  bote  pe  gates  by  opene 
gaterbTopTnto     *°  f^  °^^  *^^  P^  dyeule.'     Huerof  yealde  filozofes  hem 

the  devil's  host.' 


[  Fol.  64.  a.] 


Philosophers  of 
old  fled  into 
deserts  to  pre- 
serve their  chas- 
tity. 

The  bodily  wits 
are  as  a  horse 
without  a  bridle, 

but  a  chaste 
lieai't  restrains 
them  with  the 
bridle  of  reason. 

IV.  Let  the  flesh 
be  governed  by 
the  spirit. 

The  lusts  and 
pleasures  of  the 
heart  mar  chas- 
tity. 


uledden  in-to  uerre  stedes  in-to  dezert.  peruore  pet  hi 
ne  mi3ten  yzy  /  ne  yhere  /  ne  uele  /  ping  huerby  pe 
strengpe  of  hire  workes  uledde  away  /  ne  huerby  hi 
ssolden  lyese  hire  chastete.  J?e  opre  peruore  pet  hi  nere 
ine  zewne  to  penche  of  filozofie  /  hy  presten  out  hare 
e3en  of  pe  herte  /  pet  hi  ne  ze3en  ping  pet  ham  mi3te 
wypdra3e  uram  hire  cojztemplacion.  )5a?2ne  pe  bodiliche 
wyttes  byep  ase  pet  hors  pet  yernp  -wT^p-oute  bridle  ziio 
pet  hit  dep  ualle  liis  Ihord.  Ac  pe  herte  chaste  /  ham 
ofhalt  mid  pe  bridle  of  skele.  IS'ou  ich  habbe  pe  yzed 
pane  skele. 

j)e  uerpe  stape  is  ssarpnesse  of  Hue  to  do  his  uless 
onderuot  pet  is  wrang  to  pe  goste  /  ase  zayp  zaynte 
paul.  Vor  huo  pet  wile  quenche  pet  uer  of  lecherie  : 
he  mot  do  away  pe  ali3tynges  pet  norissep  zuych  ver. 
pet  biep  pe  lostes  and  pe  eyses  of  pe  herte  /  pot  bernep 


ESCHEW    LUSTFUL    MEATS.  205 

and  ali^tej)  pet  uer  of  lecherie  /  and  anierrej)  chastete. 
Jjawne  saint  bernard  jjous  zayjj  /  fet  chastete  sjDilj)  ^be  Jeremiah's  girdle 
lostes.     J5e  wxitinge  zayjj  /  pet  leremies  brechgerdel  /  len'besirthr'' 
rotede  bezide  Jje  wetere.     Vor  chastete  /  >et  is  onder-  S'tefcukstity, 
stonde  /  and  betokned  be    be   brechgerdle  :    bet  uor-  which  is  marred 

'  •>  o  *  by  foul  lusts  ; 

rotede  /  ine  pe  wetere  of  uoule  lostes.     And  Jjeruore  /  and  therefore  we 

huo  jjet  wyle  him  loki  iiram  berninge  :  he  ssel  do  a-  ^"ay.'tTfesting, 

way  Jje  ilk  brondes  /  be  wyj)dra3inges  of  mete  /  and  of  ^"-i  ^^  P'^"^nc«-' 
drinke  /  and  be  ssarpnesses  of  his  bodie.     Huer-of  Jje 

writinge  zayjj.  Jjet    pe  children    Jjet    weren  y-norissed  The  children  who 

mid  greate  metes  /  nolden  na^t   ethe  of   jje  lostuolle  -"ustfurmTat?- 

metes  /  weren  y-bor3e  ine  fe  fornayse  of  babyloyne.  ::uhe'furnIcfof 

huerby   is    onderstonde  :    ze?ine    of  lecherie  /  Jjet   is  ^''^^lo"- 
yquenct  mid  uorberinge  of  mete  and  of  drinke  /  and  be 

ssarpnesse   of  lyne.     Ac   pe   greate   metes  /  and  ))et  Great  meats 

stronge  wyn  /  alijtejj  and  norissej)  lecherie  /  ase  oyle  asTiror  grJasT 

ojjer  grese  ali3tej3  and  st[r]engjie])  fet  uer.  "^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^'^^' 

pe  vifte  stape  is  be-uly  kueade  ■uela3rede    and  pe  v.  Avoid  the  fei- 

enchesons  of    ze?ine.     Moche   uolk   byef   y-ualle   ine  vrilked^" 
zewne  be  kueade  uela3rede  jjet  na3t  elles  ne  hedden 

yualle.    Ase  pe  leuayne  zoureb  bet  do3  and  hit  dra^b  to  for  it  mars  a 

^  man's  good  fame. 

smac ;  alsuo  Jje  queade  uela3rede  amerjj  jjet  guode  los 

of  pe  mawne.     A  roted  eppel  amang  jje  holen  :  make))  a  rotten  apple 

rotie  pe  yzounde.  yef  he  is  longe  per  amang.     A  quic  mliyind^'*''' 

col  bernirade   ope  ane  hyeape  of  dyade  coles  :  hit  his  °"®^- 

zet  alle  auer.   Huerof  pe  sauter  zayf.   '  jpou  sselt  by  holy 

mid  pe  holy,  and  poui-e  mid  pe  poure. '  ase  yef  he  zede. 

ye  f  pon   wilt  loki  fine  kle?^nesse  and  fine  chastete  : 

beuH  pe  uela3rede  of  fe  kueade.     Vor  yef  fou  louest  pe  ifthouiovest  the 

uela3rede  of  pe  queade  :  jjou  sselt  by  zuych  ase  hi  byef.  w^XdThou  shait 

Vor  huo  J5et  louef  uela3rede  of  fol :  hit  behouejj  Jjet  he  J^^^"'''^ ''^  ^^^^y 

by  fol.  jjet  zayj)  pe  wyse   ine  be  writinge.     Alsuo  be-  ^''"^^  ''^e  very 

.  .  appearance  of 

houej)  hitn  beuly  pe  encheysones  of  ze?ine  /  ase  speke  evii,  and  go  not 

1 .   I        ,       „  .  into  temptation. 

j)riueucne  to  wylman  m  stede  suspecton  :  wyj)  one. 
Vor  j)et  yefj)  ofte  encheysoun  to  zene3y  hua?ine  me  he|? 
fane  time  and  fane  stede.    Huer-of  we  redef  ine  f e  boc 


206 


BE    OCCUPIED    WITH    GOOD    WORKS. 


The  story  of 
Amon,  king 
David's  son. 


Avoid  those  things 
that  lead  to 
lechery. 

[Tol.  64.  b.] 


Lot  was  com- 
manded not  only 
to  leave  Sodom, 
but  all  its 
bounds. 

So  one  must  for- 
sake lechery,  and 
the  temptation 
leading  to  it. 
The  moth  flieth 
about  the  candle 
until  it  is  burnt. 


VI.  Be  occupied 
with  good  and 
honest  works. 

The  devil  tempt- 
eth  the  idle  man. 
Idleness  is  the 
mistress  of  much 
wickedness. 
['  steppe  P] 


<' Wherefore," 
says  St  Jerome, 
"let  the  devil  al- 
ways find  thee 
employed." 


Sodom  fell  into 
sin  through  pride, 
idleness,  and 
plenty. 


of  kinges.  jjet  amon  jjet  wes  dauij)  is  zone  :  huawne 
he  hild  his  zoster  /  on  :  to  one  /  pnueliche  ine  his 
chombre  /  he  hise  uorlay.  Josepes  Iheuedy  jjo  hy  nand 
alone  him  j  hi  wolde  do  him  zene3i  mid  hire,  ac  he  hi?/i 
nledde  /  ase  wys  /  and  hise  uorlet.  )?eruore  zayjj  zainte 
paul.  heuly  fornicacion.  Jjet  is  to  zigge  /  jje  encheysons 
j)et  moje  lede  to  zerene  of  lecherie.  Vor  me  ne  may 
na3t  betere  ouercome  ze?zne  of  lecherie  /  ne  loki 
chastete  :  fawne  to  by-nly  fe  encheysones  of  ze?^ne. 
)?eruore  jje  angle  zede  to  lot  /  fet  he  ssolde  guo  out  of 
j?e  cite  of  sodomme  /  and  alle  fe  boundes.  Vor  hit  ne 
is  na^t  yno3  to  lete  J?e  kueade  uela^rede  ne  ]je  z&nnQ  : 
bote  he  ne  lete  Jje  markes  of  zenne.  J?et  is  to  zigge  : 
fe  encheisons  of  zewne.  Me  couJ?e  zigge.  zuo  longe  gejj 
])et  pot  to  jje  Avetere  :  jjet  hit  com])  to-broke  hom.  and 
zuo  long  uli3jj  J)e  ulindre  aboute  jje  candle  :  Jjet  hi 
bernj).  Alsuo  me  may  zuo  moche  zeche  fe  enchesouns 
of  zenne  /  Jjet  me  ualjj.  J?a??,ne  huo  J)et  wyle  him  loki  / 
uram  berninge  he  ssel  him  wyj)dra3e. 

])Q  zixte  stape  is  /  to  by  ine  nyedes  of  guode  workes 
and  oneste.  Vor  Jje  uyend  Jjet  neure  ne  /  slepjj  / 
hua?me  he  uint  man  ydel  and  sleawol  guod  uor  to  done  / 
he  him  dejj  ine  his  niedes  /  and  dejj  hi?^  ste?7?pe  '  H3tHche 
in-to  zewne.  )3a?ine  Jje  writinge  zayj)  /  Jjet  idelnesse  / 
J)et  is  to  zigge  /  sleujje  and  onlosthede  wel  to  done  /  is 
maystresse  of  moche  quead.  And  Jieruore  zayjj  zaynte 
paul.  'I^e  yef  na3t'  zayJj  he  'stede  to  Jje  viende.'  J?et  is 
to  zigge  :  ne  by  na3t  ydel  /  J)et  Jie  uiend  ne  uinde  stede 
Jje  uor  to  uondi.  Vor  he  is  ydel  of  guod  workes  :  Jjet 
yefjj  stede  to  Jje  zaule  hire  uor  to  uondi.  Jjeruore  zayJj 
sai?«t  gerome.  '  Do  alneway  zome  Jjinges  of  zome  guode 
workes  /  zuo  Jjet  Jie  dyeuel  Jje  uynde  alneway  workinde. 
uor  huo  Jiet  is  ydel  /  he  him  ne  may  na3t  longe  hyalde 
Jjet  he  ne  ualle  in-to  zemie.'  J?a?2ne  Jie  profete  zayj».  uor 
Jiet  wes  J)e  zewne  of  sodome  /  Jjet  prede.  ydelnesse.  and 
plente.  Jjet  is  to  zigge  /  Jjet  hi  ethen  /and  uorzuol3e  / 


AND    OFFER    PRAYERS    TO    GOD.  207 

and   na3t  ne    dede.  hiier-by  hy  uillen  in-to   jje  uoule 

zenne  ]?et  na3t  ne  is  to  nemni.  alsuo  de])  moche  \iolc  Much  folk  lose 

Jjet  lyesej)  hare  tinte  /  and  Mne  bezette})  ine  ydelnesse  /  nggg^  in'^eTts, 

and  ine  to  moche  of  metes  an  drinkes  /  and  ine  fole  ^"S/^lf''''' 

pieces,  ine  childhedes  /  ine  lijthedes  /  ine  zonges  /  ine  |fj^'^y>  ^^°'^°f^' 

karoles  /  and  ine  tables  /  in  ches  /  and  ine  obre  fole  ^iiess,  and  other 

'  III  fQuj  games, 

gemenes.     Ine  znyche '  li3thedes  waste jj  hare  time,  and  and  so  fau  into 
Jjeruore  hi  uaUeJj  li3[t]liche  ine  moche  uonl  zerene  /  and 
ofte  in-to  Jie  pette  of  helle.  fet  is  ate  pricke  of  pe 
dyajje  /  huerof  he  ^  ne  nimjj  none  hede.  [ '  hi .?] 

Jje  zeuende  stape  is  guode  benes  to  god  /  Jiet  moche  vii.  Ofifer  good 

,    ,  n  /  n  T   1  n  prayers  to  God. 

is  worp  to  ouercome  alie  zenne  /  and  nanieliche  ze?me  oi 

lecherie.     J5a?me  saynt  ambroyse  zayj?.  '  holy  bene  is  a 

guod  sseld  /  a-ye  alle    Jje  berninde  gauelockes   of  j)e 

dyeule.'  and  ysidre  zayf.  Jjet  /  jjet  his  remedie  aye  alle  Holy  prayer  is  a 

zenne.    to   him   jjet   yernjj    to    holy  benes  /  an  haste  fgainst  lust. 

huanne  be  vyend  asayleb  be  herte.    Vor  wone  to  bidde  :  ^'  '^  powerful 

'         "^  J      r  r  before  God,  for  it 

aquencb  alle  be  asaylinges  of  ze?me.     Holy  bene  is  wel  is  shored  with 

■*  four  things,  as 

mi3[t]uol  auoreyegod.  uor  hi  is  y-ssored  /  mid  uour  jjinges  with  four  posts, 
ase  mid  uour  poss[t]es. 

J5e  nerste  is  ri3te  beleaue  huer-of  zayb  oure  Ihord  ine  i-  The  first  is 

1  •  n  T         1  -1  trueheUef. 

his  spelle.  '  In  al  fet  jjou  acsest  me  jjine  benes  /  haue  Have  a  good 

guode  beleaue  /  and  uest  hope  ine  god  :  and  Jjou  sselt  andthy  prayere 

habbe  /  fet  Jjou  acsest.'     Saint  Jacob  zayJ?.  Jjet  me  acsy  ^       ^  answere  . 

to   god  /  ueste   bileue  /  wyf-oute    drede.  uor   huo    ]?et  He  who  is  with- 

1,1.  ,  J,  ,  I  ■,    i_  ,      11    i  1  •  1        out  faith  is  as  the 

dret :  he  is  ase  pe  ■wa3e  oi  pe  ze  /  pet  pe  wynd  let  hider  wave  of  the  sea, 

and   Jjider.     And  Jjeruore   he  fet  gej)  'yerninde  /  and  ^^^^  ^^  ^ 

talyinde  /  ne   Jjengf  na3t  aye  god.     )?e  oJ>er  jjing  fet      [Foi.  es.  a.] 

ssel  by  ine  bene  is  hope  uor  to  habbe  jjet   me  byt. 

Huer-of  fe  sauter  zayJ).  haue  guode  hope  ine  god  /  and  2.  Have  good 

he  fe  wile  do  jjet  Jjou  liim  acsest.     And  Jjeruore  zede  he  thou  askest  for. 

ine  ane  ojjre  stede.     *  Lord  haue  merci  of  me  :  uor  min 

herte  hopeJ>  ine  Jje.'     Grat  hope  ous  yefjj  him  uor  to 

bidde  /  zuo  Jjet  he  ne  zayde  na^t  /  ine  behotingge  /  Jjo 

he  zede  ine  Jje  godspelle.  '  huo  Jiet  acsej)  :  he  nimj».  and 

huo  Jjet  zekjj  :  he  vint.  and  huo  J)et  clepeji  :  god  hi?7i 


208  HOW  PRAYER  SHOULD  BE  OFFERED. 

Ask  wisely,  diii-     openeb.'  bet  is  to  onderstonde  /  hue  bet  acseb  /  wj'sliche. 

gently,  and  perse- 

veringiy,  liuo   ))et   zecj)  /  diligentliclie.  and   liuo    J>e[t]    clepeji  / 

bleiiindeliche.     Hua?me  Jjise  fri  finges  byejj  ine  hire 

skele.  wyt.  diligence,  and  pe?'senerance  :  god  ham  y-herjj 

and  God  shall  hear  an   haste.  wyt  :  pet    Jioii    acsi   wisliche.     Moche  uolk 

prayers.  acse])  /  fet  ne  hyej)  na^t  y-herd  /  nor  hi  makej?  kuead- 

liche  hire  acsinge.     Huerof  saint  Jacob  zayj)  to  fan  fet 

ne  wytejj  huet  hi  acsejj.      '  j)ou  acsest '  he  zayji  '  to  god 

Some  ask  more      ^fte  /  ac  najt  ne  onderua[n]gst.'  zome  aksejj  to  he3  ])ing  / 

for  them'^as'did     ^^^o^^  Jja?me  ham  behone])  /  ase  dede  fe  tuaye  apostles 

the  apostles  John  gaint  Jon  /  and  'saint  Jacob,  bet  acsede  bet  on  of  ham 

and  James,  '  ^  ' 

zete  ane  jje  ri^thalf  of  onre  Ihorde  ine  his  regne  /  and 

Jie  ojjer  ane  his  lefthalf.     Hi  ne  acsede  na^t  "wishche  ac 

who  were  re-         rajjre  hit  ])03te  grat  presumcion.     And  Jjeruore  he  ham 

Lord  for  their       ansuredc  ouTC  Ihord  hardhche  and  ham  zede.     '  Ye  ne 

presumption.        -^yytej)  huet  yc   acsejj.'     j)amiie  huo  pet  wile  wj'sliche 

Let  no  man  be       bidde  god  /  yef  he  him  loke])  tiram  presuwipcion  /  opev 

theTharisMs"^^    i'®*  ^®  ^®  wcnc  gTcate  Jjinges  of  him-zelue  ase  dede  pe 

[ifariseuri      farisen'  fet  yalp   ine  his  benes  /  and  onworjjede  Jiane 

pubblycan.     Ac  mildehche  me  ssel  to  god  bidde  /  and 

but  let  him  pr.ay    loim-zelue  dcme  benore  god  jjet  yzi^j?  pe  herten  of  pe 

meekly  before 

God.  uolke.  and  wot  hare  eueles  /  and  liire  lackes  /  and  Avot 

Take  heed  to  the  huet  ham  is  nyed  /  betere  panne  ham-zelue  conne.    Nim 

how  they  exhibit  liede  to  pe  jjourc   triions  /  hou  hi  ssewe])  hire  eueles  / 

order  to  excite  ^^^  hsiTG  defautes  /  iior  to  maki  jjet  uolk  /  to  habbe  pe 

P'*^'  more  reujie   of  ham.     Alsuo  me  ssel  do  to-uore  god  / 

So  shall  one  show  mildehche'ssewyhis  lackes  /  and  his  zennes  jjere  recordy  / 

meekly  before 

God  his  lacks       uor  to  habbe  grace  and  uoryeuenesse.     J5e  ojjre  by]?  Jjet 

and  sins.  .  .  .-  tti/ 

Other  folk  pray  ^®  conne  acsi  bote  jjmges  libbmde  and  little  /  ase  bye]? 
*^Tft*s''™^°'''^  fe  guodes  of  time.  God  fie  wyle  wel  gratter  jjinges 
but  God  will  not  yeue.  He  nele  pe  yeue  pere  /  ne  eppel  /  ase  me  de]? 
o^an  appi^  arone  ^1^6  cliilde.  ac  grcatc  Jjinges  he  wile  |jet  jjou  him  acsi. 
doth  to  a  child,      jj-j^ggg  jjg^  jjg  ^^  profitable  /  to  heljje  of  zaule  /  ase 

his  grace  and  his  blisse.  Vor  huo  fet  acsep  to  god 
richesses  /  worjjssipes  /  he3nesses  /  oJ>er  dyeajj  of  his 
yuon :  he  zent  to  gode  uoide  benes.  and  jjeruore  he  ne 


ASK    NOT    FUll    TEMPORAL    GIFTS.  209 

liierb  his  najt.     jperuore  zay  b  zaint  austiii.     '  iS"e  onder-  He  desires  us  to 

ask  what  is  pro- 

staiid  na3t'  lie  zay]) '  of  god  uor  greate  ])iuges  /  pe  guodes  fitaWe  to  the 

pet  he  yefjj  /  alsuo  wel  to  pe  kueade  /  ase  to  pe  guode.'  Temporal  gifts 

T  ,  .  1  ,      1  T  1  ,  are  bestowed  upon 

he   wyie   zigge.  me    ne    ssel    na3t    hyealde   uor  greate  the  evil  as  well  as 

j^inges  /  jje  guodes  pasmde   fet  god  yefj)  /  alsuo    and  "P""*^  egoot, 
more  yet  to  pe  kueade  :  panne  to  pe  guode  /  and  jjeruore 

his  yefj)  god  to   pe  wyckede  :  fet  pe  guode  lierni  to  wherefore  the 

,  „  11/  good  should  not 

onworjji   fet   he    yet])    to  pe  kueade  /  ase  zayjj  zaynt  set  great  store  by 

austin.     '  Hua?me  ])ou  bist  panne  god'  /  zayji  saynt  ani- 

broyse  /  '  acsejj  grat  jjmg  /  J5et  byejj  jjo  jjet  euremo  ileste]) 

wyjj-oute  ende  /  na3t  pe  jjinges  pasinde.     Vor  jje  like 

bene  ne  com])  na3t  to  gode.'     )5eruore  ous  tek];  oure       [fo1.65.  b.] 

guode  mayster  lesu  crist  /  uorrl  to  acsi  wysHche.  and  we  must  ask  aii 

ous  ssepj)  oure  acsinge  fo  he  zede.   '  Yef  ])ou  acsest  eni  name  of  Jesus. 

J)ing  to  mine  uader  /  ine  mine  name  :  he  hit  pe  wile 

yeue.'     Yef  he  hit  acsef)  mid  pe  name  of  lesu  crist  / 

])et  acsef)  fet  behoue])  •  to  hel])e  of  zaule.    Vor  lesu  /  is  Jesus  signifies 

asemoche  wor])  :  ase  helpe.     And  liuet  f)ing  ssolle  we  [i  ms.  bohmie];)} 

panne  acsi :  he   ous  tek])   ine   his  spelle  fo  he  zede. 

'  Verst  ocse])  godes  riche/and  his  ri3tuobiesse.  and  alle  "Seek first," 

]?ise  timliche  ])inges  :  ])ou  sselt  habbe  to  auontage.'  Vor  "God's  kingdom 

ase  me  can  zigge  /  'to  ])e  meste  niede  :  me  ssel  ahieway  eousness""'&c. 

yerne.'     We   habbe])  niede  of   tuo    ping,  [of  gostliche  we  should  yearn 

.  '  for  the  greatest 

guodes  /  and  of  timhche  guodes.     Ac  wel  more  nyede  gift, 

we  habbeb  of  gostliche  guodes.  and  beruore  we  ssolle  for  we  have  more 

need  of  spiritual 

his  uerst  and  prmcipalliche  bidde.   and  god  his  wile  than  of  temporal 

ous  yeue  /  and  ous  wile  do  auontage  of  pe  o])re  guodes  / 

fet  bye])  pe  timhche  guodes.     "We  ne  ssolle  na3t  maki 

of  pe   o])re    [seconde]    guodes  pymcipals  /  ase   dofi   pe 

couaytouse  /  fiet  ne  zecheji  o])er  lif  /  bote  fiet  /  fiet  ham 

failef  /  and  ham  ascape])  wille  hi  nolle  hi.     Ac  pe  riche 

of  heuene  is   pet  Uf  eurelestinde :  we  ssolle  bidde  be  whei^efore  let  us 

■•  pray  for  life  ever- 

ofseruinges  of  guode  workes.     And  ])et  is  ])et  god  zayf.  lasting, 

'bidde])  uerst  godes  riche/and  his  ri3tuolnesse.'  bet  is/  and  power  to  do 

1  J  1  ;  1  1  -1  ^°°'^  works, 

do  guode  workes  /  huerby  me  may  come  to  ])o  riche  ])et  whereby  one 

neure   ne   ssel  faili.  an  huo   ])us  hit  bit :  god  de])  him  God's  kingd°  m. 

14 


210  PRAY    WITH    THINE  HEART. 

auoiitage  of  pe  timliche  guodes.  uor  he  Iiise  liim  yefjj 

to  his  wone  yno3liche.  uor  na3t  ne  lackejj  to  ham  fet 

The  covetous  men  louie]?  god  /  and  dredejj  /  ase  zayjj  fe  Avritinge.     Ac   Ipe 

never  satisfied.      couaytouse  of  Ipe  wordle  :  J)e  more  j?et  hi  habhefi  /  Jje 

lesse  hi  hahbef.  huo  fet  mest  he]?  of  mapie  /  and  mest 

hi??^  faile))^  of  mete,  and  Jiet  mest  he]?  hors  :  mest  him 

faylej)  gromes  and  stablen.     And  sain[te]  lerome  zayjj. 

J5et  '  to  Jje  wreche  fayle]? :  Tpet  he  he  J)  /  and  jjet  he  ne]5.' 

I^OVL  Jjench  fajme  hua?me  Jjou  woklest  bidde  god 

and  acsi  wisliche  /  and  diligentliche  /  pet  is  ententif- 

liche  /  and  persenerantliche  :  and  he  pe  wille  y[e]ue  : 

Jiet  pe  hest  niede   to   jji  profit  /  an  to  heljje  to  fine 

zaule. 

3.  Let  there  be  pe  fridde  Jjing  J)et  ssel  by  ine  bene  :  is  deuocion  of 

devotion  of  heart   t       ,       i  ,     ,   •      •  iij.j.  i/  ,         j.      i      i_ 

in  thy  prayer.  herte  /  Jjet  IS  to  arere  pe  herte  to  god  /  wyJ?-onte  J)03te 
ine  o]3re  stede.     Jpa?me  oure  Ihord  zayj)  /  'huawne  jjou 

Say  thy  prayer  in  sselt  bidde  god  /  be-tuene  J)ine  te]j.'  fet  is  to  zigge  /  ine 
fine  herte.  ssete  pe  dore  ope  pe.  Jet  is  to  zigge  :  do  out 

andputoxitaii      alle  Jjo^tes  ulessKchc  /  uoule  /  and  wordleliche  /  and 

thou^t".'  °  2^10  bide  fine  uader  of  heuene  ine  halke.  Saynt 
cijjr/an  fous  zayf.  fet  alle  Jj03tes  ulessliche  and 
wordlehche  me  ssel  dijte  uranx  pe  herte  /  jjet  wyle  god 
bidde.  zuo  f et  his  herte  ne  f enche  to  ofre  finge  :  bote 
to  fet  he  ssel  bidde.   'hou'  zayf  'he  /  wenst  fou  /  fet 

We  pray  truly      g^^  j>^  y-here  /  hua^ne  fou  ne  hierst  nat  f  i  zelue  1 ' 

noughleile"^  °^  And  ysidre  zayf .  '  f  a?me  /  we  biddef  zof  liche  /  huanne 
we    fenchcjj   nawerelles.'      And    saint    augwstin    zayf. 

What  good  is  it     '  Huet  is  hit  worf   to   sterie   and    to   beate  al  day  fe 

to  move  the  lips,  .  •111,11  iiw 

while  the  heart  is  iippeu  /  hua??ne  f  e  herte  IS  al  domb  ?    zuych  difference 

ase  fer  is  be-tuene  pe   cheue  and  pe  corn  /  be-tuene 

The  voice  of         bren  and  flour  of  huete  /  betuene  pe  uelle  and  f  e  beste  : 

chaff^and  bran.      ZHyclie  difference  is  betune  f e  rearde  of  f  e  bene  /  and 

pe  deuocioun  of  pe  herte.   God  ne  is  najt  goth  ^  to  uede 

mid  leaues.   alsuo  fe  bene  f et  is  y-wri^e  ine  leaues  of 

wordes  /  wyf-oute  deuocion  of  herte  /  ne  Hkef  na^t  to 

1   MS.   saik\>  -  got  ?  =  goat 


The  devotion  of 
the  heart  is  the 
corn  and  flour  of 
wheat. 


PRAY    WITH    A    DEVOUT    HEART.  211 

god  /  ac  rajjre  him  mis-pay ]j  /  and  him'  went  pet  yeare  /  [i  ms.  hin] 
pet  he  hit  ne  yhiere.  uor  he  ne  onderstant  na3t  zuiche  [Foi.  66.  a.] 
speche.     Huo  bet  bit  "od  wyb-oute  deuocion  of  herte  :  ^e  who  prays 

^  J  o  ^  /  without  devotion, 

he  spekb  to  god  patroyllart.   ase  be  ilke  bet  spekb  half  addresses  God  as 

'■        r  ^         I.  <;  I  f  1.        J  ^jjg  j^jjj  speaketli 

engHs  and  half  urenss.     he  spekjj  to  god  mid  moujje  :  half  English  and 

1/1  ^        1  1     half  French. 

ac  ]je  herte  spekj)  oJ?re  speche  /  hua?aie  he  peng_p 
elleshuer.  )3a??ne  hit  fe  fingjj  fet  zuych  uolk  /  ])et  ziio 
biddejj  god  :  him  scornejj.  ase  he  J?et  wile  scornj  ane  Such  folk  scorn 

God  as  one 

dyaue  :    he   wagge])   fe  lippen  onlepiliche  and  make])  mocks  a  deaf 
semblont  to  spekene  :    and  na^t  ne  zayjj.     To  zuiche  to  such  God 

n  1,  1.11  All  ij.    tumeth  the  deaf 

uolke  makep    god  pet  dyeaiie  eare.     Ac  pe   bene  pet  g^r. 

com])  /  of  jje  dyepnesse  of  fe  herte  :   Jjo  yherjj  oure 

Ihord.     Vor  ase  zayj?  J)et  godspel.   '  god  is  a  gost.  and 

feniore  huo  ])et  wile  by  yhierd  of  god  :  hit  liim  behouef  God  is  a  spirit, 

]jet  he  bidde  ine  goste  /  and  in  zojie.'     Dauijj  ous  tek])  prayed  to  in  the 

to  bidde  god  deuoutliche  ine  Jje  sautere  /  po  he  zede.  ^^"^ ' 

'  Ihord  mj  bene  bi  ydi3t  beuore  J)e  :  ase  ]5et  stor.'     Jjet 

stor  huaraie  liit  is  ope  be  uere  smelb  zuete.  alsuo  deb  Prayer  of  a  fer- 
vent heart  is 
Jte  bene  :  huawne  hi  com  b  of  bernide  herte  of  be  loue  like  the  incense 

f>      1   /         -         1  1  11  1  '*''  *''^  *^''^- 

01  god  /  smeijj  wel  zuete  to-uore  god.  oferlaker  jje  bene 

ne  comjj  najt  beuore  god  /  bote  hi  come  of  fe  herte, 

ase  Jje  messager  pet  none  lettres  ne  brengjj  /  oper  Jjet  Prayer  without 

devotion  is  a  mes- 
ne is  na3t  Avel  yknaAve  :  ne  com])  na3t  li3tliche  touore  senger  without 

-•,.  ,  ,  1        -\  •  I  ■  ■  .       letters  of  recora- 

pe  kmge.   bene  -wyjj-oute  deuocion  /  is  messagier  wy))-  mendation. 
oute    lettres  /  and   wy])-oute   knawlechinge.   huo    fet 
zuych  messager  zent  to  cort  :  euele  ha  de])  his  niedes. 
Vor  ase  me  zayj?  co??imunhche.  huo  ]jet  fol  zent  :  fol 
abyt.     Huo  jjet  wyle  J3a?me  zofliche  bidde  god  :    he 
ssel  to  god  grede  mid  dyepe  herte  /  ase  dede  dauid  ]?et  Pray  to  God 
zede  ine  jje  sautere.  '  Uiord  god  yhyer  mine  bene  and  heart. 
mine  rearde  pet  ich  grede  to  pe  /  mid  pe  dyepnesse  of 
herte.'     J?e  hete  of  loue  :  is  J>e  gredinge  of  herte  /  pet 
zayp  saynt  aug?/stin.   Jpe  ilke  rearde  and  pe  ilke  gred- 
inge /  him  likep.  na3t  rearde  uor  to  telle  tales.     Saint 
gregorie  zaip.  pet  zopliche  bidde  god  :    is  biter  zobb-  of  bltTer  mft-^  ^ 
Inge  of  uorpenchinge.  pet  is  to  zigge  /  of  zor3e  /  and  of  gp^.^""^  °^  "^^ 
14  * 


212 


PRAYER    DRIVES    AWAY    THE    DEVIL. 


and  not  of  smooth 
words. 


Suchprayerdrives 
away  the  thieves, 
that  is,  the  devils. 


God  gave  the 
water  of  tears 
to  quench  the  fire 
(lust)  of  our 
hearts. 


The  peril  of  sin  is 
like  the  peril  of 

waters, 

and  the  tempest 
of  death. 


We  should  pray 
God  to  preserve 
us  fi'om 

1.  the  thieves  of 
heU, 

2.  covetousness, 

3.  evil  thoughts. 


Pray  specially  to 
God  on  Sunday  in 
church. 


[Pol.  66.  b.] 

We  forsake  the 
works  of  the 
week  in  order  to 
serve  God  better 
on  tliat  day. 
Some  pray  to  be 
seen  of  men. 


and  others  pray  so 
loud  as  to  dis- 
turb those  near 
them. 


repentonce  of  herte  /  keste  to  god.  na3t  Avordes  afaited 
and  y-sliked  iieleuold.  Zuych  gredinge  cachej)  jje 
fyeiies  /  fet  hjep  fe  dyeulen  ]jet  ous  AvayteJ)  ous  to 
robbi.  and  jjeniore  ssoUe  we  ofte  grede  to  god  /  jjet  he 
ons  loki  uram  Ipo  Jjieues.  Alsuo  ssolle  we  strangliche 
grede  to  god  /  fet  he  ons  loki  uram  jjo  jjyenes.  and 
uram  Jie  uer  of  couaytise  /  and  of  lecherie  /  jjet  he  ous 
yeue  pet  weter  of  tyeares  uor  to  quenche  zuich  uer  /  jjet 
hit  ne  berne  oure  herten.  Alsuo  ssolle  we  grede  aye  fe 
foles  of  euele  fenchinges  /  Jjet  ouerguo])  ofte  Jje  herte. 
fet  Jje  herte  ne  spille  be  grauntinge.  )5eruore  gredde 
dauij)  to  god  ine  Jje  saute**,  pet  zede.  Ihord  /  y-wyte 
me  uram  fe  peril  of  weteris  /  jjet  is  nie^  y-guo  in-to 
mine  herte.  And  Jie  deciples  of  oure  Ihorde  po  hi 
yze3en  Jje  tewipeste  of  fe  dyajje  ope  ham  gredden. 
'  Sire  /  y-wyte  ous  /  uor  we  spille]?.' 

Yor  ])0  Jjri  Jjinges  jjet  icli  habbe  hier  y-zed  /  me 
ssel  ofte  grede  to  god  /  Jjet  he  ous  "svytie  uram  ])ise  pri 
perils  /  of  jje  jjyeues  of  helle  /  uram  pe  uere  of 
couaytise.  of  foles  and  of  kueade  fortes  /  and  uram 
viondi[n]gge. 

ISTou  sselt  fou  conne  /  jjet  ine  eche  time  /  and  ine 
eche  stede  :  mi3t  Jjou  bidde  to  god.  ac  speciaUiche 
and  more  deuouteliche  nie  ssel  hi?/i  bidde  at  cherche  / 
Jiane  zonday  /  and  ine  festes  jjet  biejj  iset  god  uor  to 
bydde.  herie  /  and  worjjssipie.  and  Jieruore  me  let  of 
bodiKche  workes  of  pe  woke  /  uor  betere  to  onder- 
stonde  to  bidde  god.  serui  /  herie  /  and  worssipie. 
)3er  bye])  tuaye  manere  benes  /  on  ])enchinde  ine  herte  / 
])et  me  may  oueral  bidde.  an  o})er  ine  speche  of  mou]5e. 
]3et  me  ssel  bidde  ine  oneste  stedes  /  na3t  ine  longaynes 
ase  do])  pe  ypocrites  /  ])et  ham  sseawe])  wy[])]-oute  /  and 
na3t  wi])-ine.  and  alsuo  pev  biej)  oJ>re  })et  grede])  hare 
benes  zuo  Ihoude  fet  fo  ])et  bye])  y-hende  /  byeji 
desstorbed  of  hare  deuocion  be  ham  /  and  ])enche]) 
zuych   ich    am.     And    Jieruore   to    zuichen   zay])    god. 


SUNDAY    MORE    HOLY    THAN    SATURDAY.  213 

Vor-zojje  iclx  zigge  to  yow  :  ye  liabejj  onderuonge  youre 

mede.     Yef  god  het  /  zuo  straytlic[h]e  loki  fane  zeter-  if  a  man  was 

'  .  stoned  for  gathei'- 

day  /  me  pe  yealde  la3e  /  j^et  he  made,  ane  man  /  to  ing  wood  on  the 

stene  /  to-uore    al   fe   uolke  /  uor   fet   he   hedde  y-  ^'^^^'''^^y- 
gadered  /  a  lite  wode  /  fane  zeterdey.  huet  ssel  he  do  / 

of  fan  /  fet  dof  /  greate  ze?«ies  /  fane  zonday  /  and  what  shall  he 

p.;  1  J,,  J  ■  •  11  ;t    done  to  him  who 

me  testes  /  and.  wastef  fane  time  m  ydeinesse  /  and  commits  great 
ine  folies.  and  worse    dof    ine  festes  :  ,fa?aie  in  of  re  ^'ay?"*  ^ 
da3es.     Vorzof  e  hi  ssolle  by  more  y-pined  /  and  more 
y-da?«ned  ine  f  e  of  re  wordle  :  f  anne  geus  /  f  et  breken  For  the  Sunday 

1  i      1  -IT  1         •  11  '^  more  holy 

hare  zeterday.      Vor  fe  zonday  is  more  holy:  fawne  fe  than  the  Satur- 
zeterday.  ^^' 

Also  byef  f  e  festes  prmcipals  /  f  et  byef  yzet  ine  The  great  festi- 

1111/  1        1-11/1         1/  ^^^^  ^'"®  ^^^  ^p^^'* 

holy  cherche  /  uor  god  to  bidde  /  and  f  onki  /  serui  /  for  worshipping 

herie  /  and  worf  ssipie.   of  f  e  greate  guodnesses  f  et  he 

f  e  hef  y-do  /  ase  holy  cherche  record ef.     Ine  zuyche  Christmas  re- 

festes  ase  at  c?'/stesmesse  /  his  beringe  /  hou  he  wea  y-  Christ's  binh, 

1  /r>,  1  aj  III-  --  /I  Easter  of  his  up- 

bore /  01  f  e  mayde.     At  yestre  /  Ins  oparizmge  /  hou  rising,  Ascension 

he  aros  urarn  dyafe  /  to  Hue.     Ate  assencion  /  hou  ha  heaven?'"^"''" 

stea3  to  heuene  /  ine  zi3f  e  /  of  aUe  his  apostles.     At  JJ^^^^^J^^f/^ 

lokes  /  hou  he  zente  fane  holy  gost :  ope  his  apostles,     the  Hoiy  Ghost. 

Alsuo  f  er  byef  yzet  f  e  festes  of  hal3en  /  ine  holy  There  are  the 

i  ,         ,  ...  -1/1    feasts  of  saints, 

Cherche  /  uor  to  worf  ssipie  /  an  uor  to  serui  god  /  and  ^^ich  must  be 
herie  /  and  his  hal3en  /  of  f  e  miracles  f  et  he  dede  uor  o^^«'^'<^'^- 
ham.   uor  to  uestni  oure  beleaue.     And  f  eruore  /  we 
ssolle  f  e  festes  of  hal3en  loki  /  and  bidde  /  f  et  hi  ous 
helpe  auoreye  oure  Ihord  lesu  crist  j  fet  zuo  moche  his  Let  us  pray  that 
worssipef  /  ine  heuene  /  and  ine  erf  e.     )?anne  zene3ef  fore  God. 
he   wel  kueadliche  /  fet  ne  lokef  f e  festes.     Vor  he 
def  aye  godes  heste.  and  of  holy  cherche. 

Ac  zome  mi3te  zigge.   '  lyeue  sire  /  me  ne  may  na3t  some  might  say, 

"  One  cannot  al- 

alneway  bidde  god  /  ne  by  at  cherche.  huet  knead  is  way  he  praying, 

hit  /  yef  ich  guo  playe.  and  solaci.  f er-huile  fet  ich  chm-ch." 
m.e  solaci  /  an  playe  :    iche  ne   f  enche    none  ma/ine 

kuead.'   To  ban  ich  wille  ansuerie  liatliche.  uor  al  bane  ah  time  not 

■"  ■'  '  given  to  Giod  is 

time  /  fet  f ou  bezest  in  fole  gemenes  /  in  ydeinesse  /  'ost  time. 


2U 


THK    CHURCH    A    HOUSE    OF    PRAYER. 


He  loseth  a  great 
thing  that  loseth 
bis  tiiue. 


for  he  loseth  the 
good  that  he 
might  do  in  that 
time. 

[Fol.  07.  a.] 

Be  occupied  in 
good  works,  for 
time  is  short, 
and  we  know  not 
when  we  shall 
die. 


Another  may 
say,  "  If  all  days 
are  to  be  mass 
days  and  holy, 
how  then  should 
we  sow,  reap, 
mow,  &c.  P  " 


The  answer  I 
leave  to  those 
better  able  to 
answer  it  than  I. 


When  at  church 
a  man  should  re- 
member that  the 
place  is  holy. 


It  is  a  house  of 
prayer. 


and  ine  niedes  /  Jjet  ne  bye  J)  na3t  i-di3t  to  god  :  Jjou  his 
lyest.  Vor  jjou  sselt  ywyte  /  pet  al  j^ane  time  /  pet  Jiou 
ne  Jjengst  na^t  a  god  :  Jjou  liise  sselt  rekeni  uor  na3t. 
J)et  zay])  an  lial3en.  jjet  is  to  onderstonde  /  hua«ne  J50ii 
ne  jjengst  /  bote  to  ydelnesse  of  jjinge  /  fiet  ne  is  ydi3t  / 
ine  none  nianer  to  god.  And  uorzofe  lie  liest  grat 
jjing  /  jjet  liest  his  time  /  zuo  zay]?  senekes.  uor  he  lyest 
jje  guodes  jjet  he  ssolde  do  /  ine  zuo  moche  time  /  ase  he 
lyest  ine  jje  playes  /  and  ine  ydelnesse.  and  pet  ne  is 
na3t  wyjj-oute  zenne  /  to  liese  jjane  time  /  in  queade 
wones.  Vor  god  \vile  acsi  rekeninge  /  ate  daye  of  dome. 
|}is  zayjj  saint  ansehn.  And  jjeruore  me  ssel  alneway 
wel  do  /  and  wel  bezette  fane  time  /  ine  guode  workes  / 
ase  moche  /  ase  me  may  /  j)er-huile  jjet  he  leuej?.  uor  pe 
time  is  ssort  /  ase  zayjj  pe  writinge.  ne  non  ne  wot  / 
hou  longe  he  hit  ssel  habbe.  uor  non  ne  wot  /  hua?me 
he  ssel  sterue  /  ne  huamne  he  ssel  paci. 

An  ojjer  may  zigge.  '  Yef  hit  were  suo  /  Jjet  alle 
da3es  ine  pe  yeare  were  messeda3es  /  and  y-hote 
hyealde  be  holy  cherche.  huo  panne  ssolde  erye  /  and 
zawe.  ripe  /  and  mawe.  and  ojjre  erJjHche  workes  to 
done  /  huer-by  men  ssolle  hbbe  1 '  feme  ansuere  ich  lete 
to  ham  :  fet  betere  conne  ansuerie  /  panne  ich.  Huo 
fet  wyle  Jja^ne  loki  pe  festes  /  ase  he  ssel :  he  him  ssel 
loki  to  done  fing  /  fet  to  gode  ne  is  na3t  likinde  /  ne 
to  his  hal3en.  and  wel  to  bezette  fane  tune  /  in  god 
to  bydde  /  herie  /  and  fonki  of  his  guode.  y-here  his 
sermons  /  and  onderstonde  to  alle  guode  workes.  Alsuo  / 
huawne  at  cherche  /  man  hi?>i  ssel  habbe  /  wel  oneste  / 
and  do  worf  ssipe  /  an  reuerence  /  to  god.  and  to  his 
hal3en  /  uor  pe  stede  is  holy  /  and  is  y-zet  /  to  bidde 
god.  na3t  uor  to  iangli  /  uor  to  1110336  /  ne  uorto  trufly. 
]?a«ne  oure  sire  zayf .  *  Min  hous  /  is  hous  of  bene.'  and 
f eruore  me  ne  ssel  ofer  fing  do  /  ne  zigge  :  bote  f et 
hueruore  hit  is  y-zet.  fis  zayf  saynt  austin.  j)e  ilke  fet 
ssel  come  to-uore  pe  kinge  ine  his  chombre  /  uor  zome 


LAY    ASIDE    PRIDE    IN    CHURCH.  215 

grace  to  bidde  /  lie  hi??i  loki  wel  to  zigge  fmg  /  fet 
na3t  ne  liki  fe  kinge.     Wel  more  lie  hm  ssel  loki  /  jje  ^  jg  q^^'^  ^^^^. 
like  fet  com]?  to  cherche  /  pet  is  godes  clionibre  /  and  house'lnd''wl 
godes  hous  /  to  done  /  and  to  zigge  /  to-uore  god  /  and  ?J*.°"''^  f'^y  '^^'''""^ 

°  '  '  oo     /  o         /  Him  only  what 

to-uore  his  angles  /  bingj  bet  him  ne  liki.     God  nele  is  pleasing  to 

°   _      '_   ^      ®    ^  Him. 

iia^t  jjet  me  maki  his  hous  marcat  /  ne  bofe  /  huerout 
he  wrek  /  Jjo  jje  zyalde  /  and  bo3te  /  ine  fe  temple,  uor 
he  nele  /  fet  me  maki  uorewerdes  /  ne  noyses  /  ne 
nyedes  seculeres  /  beriniie.  ac  rabre  %\'ile  /  bet  me  on-  wherefore  pray 

/    '  '  '    '  devoutly,  and 

derstonde  /  to  hidde  god  deuouteliche  /  and  him  herie  /  thank  God  for 

-  all  His  gifts  to 

and  ])onki  oi  al  his  guode.     ]Der  nie  ssel  wyj)-clepie  his  thee, 

herte  to  hhn  j  and  do  al  out  /  alle  seculere  niedes. 

yemere  ])03tes.  and  J)enche  an  liis  sseppere  /  and  ane  and  think  of  His 

liis  guode  guodnesses  fet  god  him  hejj  y-do.  and  him  ^°° 

def  co?/imiinliche.  record!  his  zewiies  /  and  his  lackes  / 

and  him-zelue  mildi  /  to-uore  god  /  and  bidde  uoryeue- 

nesse  /  and  grace  /  him  to    loki    uram    ze;me.     and  Pray  for  forgive- 

11-  •  it;i  1  1  11  ness,  and  for 

bleumge  me  guode  hue  /  al  to  fe  ende.     pere  ssolle  ]ie  grace  to  live 
greate  Ihordes  /  and  fe  greate  Iheuedyes  uoryete  hare    °  ^' 
blisse  /  hare  uii3te.  hare  dingnete.  and  hare  he3nesse.  in  church  great 
and  J^enche  fet  hi  bye]?  beuore  hare  demere  /  Jiet  ssel  should  lay  aside 
Ills  zette  to  skele  /  of  ])e  guodes  fet  he  ham  het  y-do.       "^  '^"'  ^' 
of  J5e   dingnete  /  huer  he   his  he])  y-zet.  hou  hi  hit 
habbej)  y-used.   and  ham  ssel  yelde  be  hare  ofgoinge. 
|?eruore  hi  ssollen  Jjer  /  h&m  moche  mildi  to  god  /  na3t 
glorifie  hare  he3nesse  /  ne  of  hare  uajTe  di3ti?zge  /  ne  of 
hare  uayre  robes  /  to  fe  uorbysne  of  kinge  daui])  /  Jiet  ''"'J'  '"^^  David, 
hedde  uoryete  his  dingnete  /  j^o  he  bed  god  /  and  on-  selves  before 
worjjede  him-zelue /  touore  him.   '  Ich  am'  he  zede  'a  lite 
werm  /  and  no  man.'  and  ine  Jjet  /  he  bekneu  /  his 
bolemodnesse.  his  pourehede  /  and  his  uoidhede.     Vor  ^^^"  '^  '''^®  ^ 

'  worm, 

ase  jje  werm  is  uoul  /  and  lite  /  Jjing  oiiAvorJi  /  and  wext 

al  naked  /  of  fe  erjje  /  al-siio  is  man  /  uoid  ])ing  of 

hi?«-zelue.  uor  hua?ine  he  yede  /  in-to  ]ie  exil  of  ])ise  naked  and  worth- 

wordle  :  na3t  he  ne  bro3te  :  ne  na3t  ne  ssel  here  aAvay. 

al  naked  he  com  :  and  al  naked  he  ssel  guo.     J5a??ne       [Foi.  67.  b.] 


216 


QUEEN    HESTER,  A    PATTERN    TO    LADIES. 


filth,  a  sack  full 
of  dung,  and 
meat  for  worms. 


Great  ladies 
should  take  pat- 
tern by  Queen 
Hester, 


and  should  leave 
their  fine  robes 
at  home. 


God  is  disgusted 
with  those  who 
rejoice  in  these 
things,  and  desire 
to  please  fools. 


God  is  pleased 
with  a  mild 
heart  and  a  pure 
conscience. 

Women  should 
come  to  church 
with  clean  cloth- 
ing and  not 
dressed  above 
their  station. 


They  should  be 
meek  and  shame- 
faced. 


They  should  not 
be  too  busy  about 
decking  their 
heads  with  gold 
and  silver, 
for  at  church 


saint  bernard.  zayjj.  '■  liiiet  is  man  /  bote  neljje  /  and  a 
zecli  iiol  of  donge  /  wermene  mete?'  He  is  wel  uoiil  an 
stinkinde  zed  ine  fe  byetinge.^  a  zech  uol  of  donge  ine 
his  liue.  mete  to  wermes  /  ine  his  dyajje.  Alsuo  fe 
gi'eate  ^  Iheuedyes  /  fet  comef  zuo  idi3t  mid  gold  /  mid 
zeluer  /  mid  stones  of  pWs  /  and  mid  robes  of  grat  cost  / 
to  cherche  be-uore  god  /  hy  ssolden  nime  norbisne  of 
Jje  qnen  hester  /  J>et  dede  of  hire  constonse  robes  /  and 
hire  ojire  agraijiinges  /  Jjamie  hi  com  to  cherche  /  to 
bidde  god  /  and  hire  to  lo3y  /  and  bekneu  hare  poure- 
hede  to-uore  god  /  and  zayde  to  god.  '  Ihord  J)ou  wost 
Jiet  ich  hatie  jje  toknen  of  prede  /  and  \q  blisse  of 
agraj^Jiinges  /  and  of  ioyaus  /  fet  me  behonej?  do  /  ope 
mine  heauede  ine  g?Y(t  wlatiynge.'  Yorzojje  /  and  ziio 
he]5  god  grat  wlatiynge  /  to  ham  /  f)et  ine  j^ise  J)inges 
habbe]j  blisse  /  and  ham  agTayJ»e])  /  ham  nor  to  ssewy  / 
and  to  paye  Jje  foles.  God  ne  hej)  na^t  to  done  mid 
zuyche  payinges  /  ine  his  cherche.  ac  of  milde  herte  / 
and  of  clene  in"\v}ii.  Zainte  panel  tekjj  ri3t  wel  /  hou 
])e  gnode  wyfmen  /  ham  ssolle  agrayj^i  /  hna?^ne  hi 
come)?  to  cherche  /  to  bidde  god.  He  zayjj  pet  hi  ssolle 
habbe  clenliche  clo]?inge  /  Avyji-oute  to  moche.  fet  is  to 
onderstowde  :  be  Jian  pet  pe  Avyfman  is.  Vor  pet  /  pet 
is  to  moche  ine  one  wyfman  /  ne  is  na3t  to  moche  ine 
anopre.  More  behouep  to  ane  kuene  /  pa??ne  behouep 
to  ane  borgayse  /  oper  to  ane  simple  wyfman.  Efter- 
ward  he  tekp  /  hniche  byep  of  simple  zi3pe.  pet  is  to 
zigge  /  milde  /  and  ssamneste  /  na3t  pe  bolde  /  ne  pe 
na3t  ssamueste  /  ase  byep  pe  fole  wyfmen  /  pet  gxiop 
mid  stondinde  nhicke  ^  /  ase  hert  ine  launde  /  and 
lokep  azide  /  ase  hors  of  grat  cost.  Efte^-n^ard  /  he 
nele  na3t  pet  hi  bi  to  bysi  /  of  hare  heaueden  to  agraypi 
mid  gold  /  and  mid  zeluer  /  and  mid  preciouse  stones. 
And  he  wile  yet  eft  /  pet  at  cherche  /  pet  hi  habbe  / 

'  For  'beyetinge.'  2  ]\jg_  gyctatc, 

3  MS.  reads  nihelcc 


THE    TWO    WINGS    OF    PRAYER.  217 

hare  lieaueden  'v-wve-ie  I  zuo  bet  non  ue  bi  ine  kuede  their  heads  should 

"J  J     I  f  be  covered. 

jjo^tes  uor  ham.   and  fet  hi  ne  yeue  none  enchesoun  / 

to  penche  quead  /  to   ham  /  Jjet   hise  ysyejj.      Ac    hi 

ssollen  bi  ydi3t '  ase  he  zayj)  /  ase  gnode  wyfmen  /  Jjet      [i  ms.  ydi/t] 

sseawej)  fe  guodnesse  of  hare  herten  /  be  guode  dedes  / 

and  jjeruore  zayjj  saynt  Ambroyse.     '  Hno  fet  wyle  by  He  who  desires 

yherd  ine  his  benes  :  he  ssel  do  away  uram  him  /  alle  be  iieard,  must 

put  away  all 

toknen  of  prede  /  and  he  ssel  boiX3e  to  god  /  be  zojje  tokens  of  pride. 
bo3samnesse  /  uor  to  sterie  god  to  merci.'     Yor  ase  he 
zayj).  '  pronduol  clojjiwge  /  ne  wynjj  na3t  of  god.  ac  yefjj 
encheisoun  /  euele  to  deme  /  of  fan  ojjer  of  hire :  J»et  hit 
berjj.' 

I^ou  ich  J)e  habbe  y-ssewed  /  fri  J)ing  /  fet  ssol  by 
ine  bene,  beleane.  hope,  and  deiiocionn.     Ac  to  fan  fet  Two  wings  are 

It  o  t-  t        f         1  1/         T  •  needed  to  bear 

fe  bene  /  by  parntliche  licuol  to  gode  /  and  worfi  to  the  prayer  to 

bi  y-herd  :  hit  behoue])  /  fet  uerfe  fing.  fet  is  jjet  him 

behouejj  /  tiio  wyngen  /  fet  hit  here  touore  god.     J?ise 

tuo  wyagen  /  bye  J) :  nestinge  /  and  elmesse.     Jjernore  /  They  are  fasting 

fe  angle  zayde  to  tobye.  fe  bene  is  guod :  hua?me  hi  without  these  it 

hejj   mid  hire  /  elmesse  /  and  uestinge.   and  ^vyji-onte  God."°    ^ 

J)ise  tvio  jjinges  :  bene  ne  may  na3t  /  vly  to  gode.  ac 

ze«ne  amerf  and  hi??^  wd]jdra3J)  ayen.     Jperuore  fou  sselt 

y-wyte  /  fet  ine  tiio  mane/'es  is  bene  amerd  /  ase  zayj? 

ysaye.     Vor   bet  me  ne  let  najt  euele  to  done.     And 

"'''•'  ^  [Fol.  68.  a.] 

feruore  /  fet  me  nele  uoryeue  /  his  misdedes  /  ne  his  i"  prayer  there 

must  be  no  ill- 

euele  y^vyl.  Yor  alsuo  ase  fe  smeryeles  /  ne  is  na3t  worf  /  wui  in  the  heart. 

to  hele  jje  wonde  /  ne  non  ofer  fing  /  fer-huile  fet  /  fet 

yzen  is  ferinne :  alsuo  hit  ne  is  na3t  worj)  /ne  na3t  ne  pro- 

flte])  J3e  bene  /  to  him  fet  hit  zayjj  :  fer  huile  fet  he  is  / 

ine  dyadlich  zewne.  ne  ase  longe  ase  he  hejj  /  quednesse 

ine  his  herte.    And  feruore  zayJ)  fe  profete.    '  Arere  we  Therefore  saith 

oure  herten  /  and  oure  honden  to  god  /  J?et  ophebbej)  ••  BaiseTe'^our 

oure  benes  be  guode  workes.'    And  fe  apostel  tekjj  /  handstoOod'that 

bet    me    arere  /  clene    honden    ine    bene,     be    clene  "p^'^'^^*"!  our 

'  I  j»>.-     V,  v-i  v^   prayers  by  good 

honden  /  bet  byeb  be  clene  benen  /  bet  bycb  y-do   ine  '"^^^^■" 

^    '    ^  -J    r    r  I    r  J    r  J  The  dean  hands 

clene  inwyt.     Yor   God  ne  yherf   na3t   fe  bene  /  Jjet  ^'^^  f'l"  •''ean 


218 


UNCLEAN    PRAYERS    LIKE   BLOODY    HANDS. 


God  ivill  not 
listen  to  prayers 
from  a  filthy 
soul,  that  Is,  from 
those  with  bloody 
hands. 

They  have  bloody 
hands  who  ill-use 
the  poor. 


They  eat  bloody 
morsels,  for 
which  they  shall 
pay  hard  scot 
in  the  other 
world. 


He  who  will  be 
heard,  must  not 
come  before  God 
empty-handed, 


but  must  bear  a 
present  of  good 
works. 


We  read  in  the 
gospel  that  the 
gate  was  shut 


maidens  whose 

lamps  were 

empty. 

God  hears  those 

that  have  their 

lamps  full  of 

oil. 


that  is,  whose 
hearts  are  full  of 

pity. 


Prayer  thus 


cemjj  of  inwyt  uol  of  iiel])e  /  and  of  ze«ne.  )3a?me  he 
zayj)  he  Ipe  profete.  '  Hiia?nie  J?e  multepliest  fine  benes  : 
ich  nelle  none  y-here.  ixor  Jiine  honden  byeji  al  blody.' 
Huo  byej)  po  /  fet  liabbe]5  ]>e  honden  blodi  :  bote  \)0  / 
fet  be-iileaj)  fe  poure  uolk  /  ]?et  byej)  onder  ham  /  and 
benimejj  ham  hire  guodes  be  strengjie  1  Hy  habbe])  hare 
honden  al  uol  of  blode  /  of  Jje  poure.  uor  hi  benime]) 
ham  hare  lyf  /  and  hare  sostinonce  /  be  hare  couaytise 
and  be  hire  roberie.  and  make])  fe  greate  to  mochel- 
hedes  /  and  etejj  J)e  blodi  snoden.  Huerof  hi  ssolle 
paye  hard  scot  /  ine  Jie  ojjre  wordle  /  bote  Ipe  vmtinge 
ne  lye3e  /  fiet  zayj>.  Jiet  god  vryle  acsi  /  J)et  blod  of  ]?e 
poure  :  of  hare  honden.  panne  hit  behoue])  ];et  hi 
yelde  :  ojjer  jjet  hi  hongi.  Vor  ase  me  zayj)  :  '  ojier  yelde  : 
ojjer  hongi.'  And  feruore  god  ne  yhyerjj  na3t  zuich 
uolk  /  uor  hi  ne  bye  J)  na3t  worjji.  Huo  fet  wyle  Jia??ne 
by  yherd :  ne  come  najt  beuore  god  /  mid  zuorde 
adra3e  /  and  mid  blodi  honden  /  ne  ydel  honden.  ])et  is 
to  zigge  :  in  Avyl  to  zene3i  /  ne  mid  lac  of  ontreujje  /  ne 
ydel  of  guode  workes.  uor  Jjus  zayJ)  oure  Ihord  ine  his 
spelle.  '  J)ou  ne  sselt  na3t  sseawy  Jje  /  beuore  me  :  ydel- 
honded.'  ])e  ilke  com])  to-uore  god  /  mid  ydele  honden  : 
fet  com])  hi»i  to  bidde  /  Avyj)-oute  makiynge  of  presont 
to  god  /  of  guode  workes.  uor  ayens  ])an  /  ha  sset  his 
gate  :  ))et  him  bit  /  and  na3t  ne  brengji.  Of  j^isen  we 
habbej)  ane  uorbisne  /  ine  pe  godspelle  /  J)et  zayj).  pet 
j)e  gate  was  y-sset  /  aye  pe  fole  maydines  /  fet  hedden 
hare  lonfpen  ydel.  and  god  ham  zede.  '  ich  ne  knawe  you 
na3t.'  ))et  is  to  zigge :  '  ich  not  huo  ye  byef.'  Vor  god  ne 
knauj)  bote  J)0  :  J)et  him  trewliche  seruej)  /  fet  habbej) 
hare  lompen  uol  of  oyle  :  ase  hedden  pe  wyse  maydenes. 
Jjet  is  to  zigge  :  ))et  habbej)  hare  herten  uol  of  pite  /  and 
hit  ssewej)  be  guode  dedes.  Zuich  uolk  he  y-herj)  /  and 
to  zuiche  uolk  he  openej)  his  gates  /  uor  he  onderuangji  / 
blejieliche  hare  benes. 

jSTou  ich  zigge  panne  /  jjet  bene  j)et  is  yssoreil  mid  / 


PRAYER    SHORED    WITH    FOUR    POSTS.  219 

bise  uour  poss[tles  /  ase  ich  habbe  beuore  yzed  :  ys  wel  shored  with 

'  r         \.  J        I  ^  these  four  posts 

mistuol  be-uore  god.  uor  he  ssel  habbe  ly^tliche  of  him  /  al  is  powerful  before 

J3et  he  help  niede  /  by  hit  to  Jje  bodie  /  by  hit  to  fe  zaule  / 

ase  "wytnesseJ3  jje  writi?zges.  panne  saint  lacob  zay]).  fet  The  prayer  of  a 

.  good  man  is  able  • 

mochel  is  worf  bene  of  guod  man.  uor  m  is  AvorJ)  uor  to  hale  to  heai  the  sick- 

))e  zike  /  of  bodie  /  and  of  zaule.    Huerof  hi??i-zelf  zede.  ijo^y. 

yef  he  is  ine  zenne  :  hit  ssel  him  by  uory[e]ue.     J?e 

"writinge  zayj).  ])et  Moyses  ouerconi  amalec  /  and  al  his  Moses  overcame 

ost  /  na3t  be  ui3t :  ac  be  his  holy  biddinges.  uor  ase  prayer.   ^ 

zayJ)  an  holy  man.  more  is  worj)  an  hal3en  /  and  may 

biddinde  :    Jjane  uele  jjousond  of  zenejeres  :    ui^tinde.       [Foi.  68.  b.] 

J3e  bene  of  a  guod  man  /  openef  Jie  heuene.  hou  ssolde  The  prayer  of  a 

he  / bote  ouercome  fe  vrfckede  ine  er>e.  A  guodald  ^^%'  ^°;:;Vr'°'""'''" 

porchacej)  more  of  heuene  /  ine  one-lepi  oure  biddinde  : 

Jjawne  ssolde  do  /  a  Jjouzond  kny^tes  /  of  J)e  londe  in  lang 

time  /  be  hare  armes.  And  beruore  hit  is  guod  /  to  zeche  wherefore  it  is 

'  _  good  to  seek  the 

be  benes  of  guode  men.  and  specialliche  of  men  of  re-  prayers  of  good 

men. 

Hgion  /  fet  byejj  to-gydere  /  god  uor  to  serui  /  and  uor 
to  bidde  uor  ha??i  /  J?et  do))  ham  guod.  Vor  yef  fe  bene 
of  ane  guode  manne  /  is  moche  worj)  be-uore  god  /  ase  The  prayers  of 

,    many  are  more 

zayj)  J3e  writinge  :  more  is  wor])  /  and  may  :  Jje  bene  /  effective  than  the 
of  uele  guode.     Vor  ase  zayj)  an  hal3en.  Hit  ne  may  ^an!'^ 
na3t  by  /  Jjet  J)e  bene  of  uele  guode  men  :  ne  is  y-herd. 
be  benes  of  a  couent  /  byeb  rabre  yherd  of  be  abbotte  :  The  prayers  of  a 

'  I       J    r        r         J  I  convent  to  the 

bajine  b  e  bene  of  one  moneke.  alsuo  yher Ji  god  rajjre  jje  abbot  are  sooner 

"  .  heard  than  the 

benes  of  fan  ])et  byeJj  to-gidere  him  uor  to  serui.    pa?2ne  prayer  of  one 
he  zayj)  ine  his  speUe.  '  yef  tuo  of  ous  /  one])  ham  to- 
gidere  /  me   uor  to   bidde  :  Al   fet  hi  bidde])  /  mine 
uader  :  [he]  ham  Avile  do.' 

)5E    ZEUE    BO3ES/    OF    OHASTETE.  The  seven  boughs 

of  chastity. 

Nou  ich  habbe  yzed  be  zeue  stapes  /  huer-by  clif  b  /  ^he  seven 

->  '  ^         I  J  r   I     boughsofchastity, 

and  wext  /  and   profiteli  /  liet  trail  of  u/rtue  /  and  of  are  seven  states 

of  men  in  this 

cha[s]tete.     !Nou   behoue])    to    zigge  /  of  ])e  bo3es  /  of  world. 
J)ise  trawe  /  Jtet  byej)   zeuen.  be   \e  zeue  states  /  of  J)e 
stapes  of  uolke  /  pet  bye])  ine  J)ise  wordle. 


220 


THE    SEVEN    BOUGHS    OF    CHASTITY. 


The  first  state  is 
of  those  that  are 
whole  of  body, 
and  have  well 
kept  tlieir  maid- 
enhood. 

In  marriage  one 
shall  observe 
chastity  of  heart 
and  of  body. 
Children  should 
have  good 
guardians, 

lest  they  be  mar- 
red by  foolish 
companions. 


Children  should 
be  chastened  and 
taught  while 
young  to  practise 
good  manners. 


Such  form  as  the 
shoe  takes  at 
first  it  evermore 
keeps. 


The  other  state 
is  of  them  that 
have  lost  their 
chastity. 

[1  So  in  MS.] 


[Fol.  69.  a.] 


Even  in  this 
state  chastity 
should  be  ob- 
served by  having 
a  fast  purpose 
to  abstain  from 
sin, 
and  the  flesh 


\)e  uerste  stat  /  is  of  fan  Jjet  "bye])  yhole  of  bodie  /  and 
liabbef  wel  yloked  hire  maydenliod.  Ac  alneway  /  hi 
ne  bye])  na3t  y-bounde  Jierto  /  fet  hi  ne  bi  ine  mariage. 
Ine  Ipet  stat  /  me  ssel  loki  chastete  /  J>et  is  clennesse  of 
herte  /  and  of  bodie.  )3eruore  pe  children  of  riche  men  / 
ssolle  habbe  guode  lokeres  /  and  oneste  /  ]jet  hi  by 
be-zide  ha?«.  /  and  Jjet  hi  bi  dihgent  ham  wel  to  teche  / 
and  loki  uram  ze?nie  /  and  uram  kueade  uelajrede. 
Vor  Jie  fole  uela^redes  /  amerref  ofte  children,  and  hare 
te[c]hinge.  Jjet  kueade  uolk  /  jje  wordes  of  kueadnesse  / 
of  ribandie  /  fe  fole  takinges  /  and  inhoneste  ine  zenna 
of  lecherie.  and  ojjerhuil  of  po  lecherie  /  fet  is  aye 
kende.  }5erof  anojjre  time  we  habbe])  yspeke  ine  ])e 
chapitle  of  nices.  an  ])eruore  hit  ne  behoue])  na3t  to 
reherci.  nor  ])e  ilke  kende  ne  is  na3t  uayr.  And  ])eruore 
me  ssel  J)e  children  chasti  /  and  wel  teche  /  and  bi  bezide 
ham  Jierlmile  pet  hi  bye])  yonge.  And  wonye  his  to 
hyealde  pe  guode  techinges.  Vor  ase  zay])  Salomon.  '  pet 
child  lyerne])  ine  Iris  je-^epe  :  he  hit  wjle  healde  ine  his 
elde.'  And  ]>&  filozofe  zay]).  '  Hit  ne  is  na^t  lite  ])ing  /  to 
wonie  guod  /  oper  kuead  /  ine  his  ye^ej^e.'  Vor  ase  me 
zay}).  '  Huo  pet  tek})  colte  endaunture  :  hyalde  hit  wyle 
])erhnyle  hit  ilest.'  Zuiche  fourme  ase  pe  sso  takf  ate 
ginnynge  :  he  halt  euremor  ine  fet  stat.  Jjawne  hep 
chastete  nyede  of  guode  lokinge.  uor  oferlaker  hy  ssel 
zone  by  uorlore. 

j)G  o])er  stat  is  of  ham  fet  bie])  na3t  clene  of  bodie  / 
and  habbe})  hare  chastete  uorlore  /  and  hare  maydenhod  / 
er  })an  hy  weren  euerte  •  ymarissed  /  ne  y-bounde  mid 
bende.  huo  may  ham  A^'^'})nyme  uorte  bi  y-marissed.  and 
alneway  hy  bye})  y-ssriue  and  uorjjenchinde  of  hare 
ze?mes.  Ine  }»o  stat  me  ssel  loki  chastete.  Vor  huo  }iet 
is  ine  })et  stat :  he  ssel  habbe  nest  porpos  /  and  wyl  / 
])et  neure  mor  ne  ssel  ayen  yerne  to  pe  ze??ne  of  his 
bodye.  ac  rafre  he  him  ssel  loki  be  his  mi^te.  wy])-oute 
}>et  /  fet  he  hi???-  mo  e  marissi  yef  he  wyle.     And  huo 


MARRIAGE    A    STATE    OF    GREAT    DIGNITY.  221 

bet  wvle  iue  bet  stat  loki  his  cliastete  ;  hit  behoueb  bet  should  be  render- 

r  J  r  >    >         ed  chaste  by 

he  defouly  and  chasti  his  uless  be  hardnesse  of  nest-  severity  of  fast- 

/         1    1  '  1^-       -       1.         r.        1  e   t.-        iiig,  andbypen- 

mges  /  and  be  penonces.     Jjis  is   fe  oper   003   01  pise  ances. 

tra^ve. 

Jje  Jjridde  is  of  ham  Jjet  byejj  y-bounde  be  mariage.   The  third  state 

comprehends 

ine  J)0  stat  me  ssel  loki  chastete  /  out-ynome  j?e  dede  01  those  bound  by 

sponshod.    Vor  hi  ssolle  loki  hare  bodi  Jje  on  to  Jje  opre  xhey  should 

klenliche  and  trewehche  /  wyji-oute  do  onri^t :  j?e  on  to  jj^p^mity'and  ^** 

fe  o>ren.  and  jjet  acsef  jje  la^e  of  spoushod.  >et  Jje  on  *o:;t\'lileother. 

here  to  be  ojjren  laje  and  trewjje  of  his  bodie.     Yor  For  man  and 

wife  being  bound 

femuyle  fet  hy  byejj  y-uestned  to-gidere  be  spoiishoil  by  marriage  are 
Jje  on  to  jje  ojjre  /  hi  byejj  0  body  /  ase  zayj)  fe  writinge.     *       ^' 
and  feruore  ssel  ]je  on  lonye  Jje  ojiren  /  ase  him-zelue. 
Yor  ase  hi  bye  J)  on  body,  hi  ssolle  by  on  herte  be  wherefore  they 
trewe-loiie  /  ne   na/^nore  ha/?t  to-dele  /  be  herte  ne  be  heart  by  true 
bodie  jjerhuUe  fet  hi  libbef.    Jjeruore  hi  ssolle  loki  hare  ^°^®' 
bodyes    clene.    and    chastliche   out-ynome    jje   dede   of  wives  shall  love 
spoushod.  and  Jieruore  zayjj  zay[n]te  paid,  pet  Jje  wyues  be  chaste  and 
ssolle  louie  hare  Ihordes  /  and  worssipie.  and  deuoute-  ^°  *'■ 
liche  by  cliast  and  sobre.  chaste  to  loki  hare  body  uram  Chaste  in  their 

„   .  -,  .  .  ,     .         bodies  and  sober 

opreii  ]3a«ne  01  hare  Ihordes.  sobre  me  mete  and  me  in  meat  and  in 

drinke.    nor  to   moche  drinke  /  and    to    moche  ethe :      " 

is  grat    aH^tiftge  to    fe  uere   of  lecherie.     Alsuo  ssel  The  man  shall 

not  give  his  body 

Jje  man  loki   his  body  clerdiche   jjet   he  ne  yeue  liit  toother  women. 

na^t  to  ojire  -\vyfmen  /  bote  to    his.     Spoushod  is    a 

stat   Jjet   me   ssel  wel  klenliche  /  and  wel  holylyche  Marriage  is  a 

.  ...  „  state  of  great 

loki    uor   manie    skeles.    uor   hit    is    a    stat   01  greate  authority, 
autorite.   uor  god  hit  made  ine  pyradis  terestre  ine   be  and  was  ordained 

in  Paradise. 

stat  of  cle/messe.    erjjan  man  liedde  y-zene^ed.      And 

jjeruore  me   ssel   hit    holyliche   loki  /  uor  jjane  skele 

Jiet  god  hit  made  /  and  uor  fane  stede  huer  hit  wes 

ymad.     Efterward  /  hit  is   a   stat    of  greate    dignete.   it  is  a  state  of 

uor  god  wolde  by  bore  of  Avyfman  yspoused.  Jjeruore  pe  ^^^     ^°'  ^' 

mayde  marie  made  of  spoushod  hii'e  mentel :  hueronder  For  God  was  born 

wolde  by  godes  zone  bi  y-cowceyued  /  and  y-bore.   Under  woman. 

fo  me?ztle  wes  y-hole  uram  pe  dyeule  /  |)e  p?-mite  /  and 


Tl'l  HOW    MARRIAGE    MAY    BE    SINLESS. 

Under  her  mantle  he  red  of  ouie  scele  /  and  of  oiire  helbe.  beruore  bamie 

was  the  secret 

of  the  soul's  help    me  ssel  hit  worjjssipie  and  clenliclie  loki.     Efter  J>et  me 

hidden  from  the  .     ■       .  . 

devil.  ssel  hit  lold  holyliche  /  nor  his  holynesse.^  uor  hit  is  on  of 

It  is  a  holy  state,    jje  sacremens  of  holy  cherche.  and  betokneb  be  spoushod 

being  one  of  the 

sacraments ;         J^et  is  be-tuene  liolj  chei'che  :  and  lesu  cr^'st  and  betuene 
so  what  was  before  god  /  and  Jje  zaiile.     )?awne  jjet  stat  of  sponshod  is  zuo 

deadly  sin,  be-         ,,  -  ,  .-  .,,.. 

came  no  sin  in  holy  and  suo  honeste  :  ))et  ])e  dede  fet  wes  dyadnch  ze?zne 

marnage.  ^^^  q£  spoushod  /  is  wy)j-oute  ze?«ne  ine  spoushod.  and 

na3  onlepiliche  wyjjoute  zewne  :  ac  hit  mai  by  to  merite 

He  hath  great  uor  to  wjTine  J)et  lif  wyjj-oute  ende.     And  jjou  sselt 

do  the*^deed"oT  J^^te  fet  ine  jjri  cas  me  may  do  ])e  dede  of  spoushod 

marriage  without  -^yyjj.Q^^^g  ze?Hie.  and  he  mai  habbe  grrtt  merite  ase  to  jje 

zaiile. 
The  deed  of  ])Q  uerste  cas  is  huanne  me  dej)   ]je  ilke  dede  ine 

be  siniesTfirst'*  wylle  uor  to  liabbe  cliild  to  serni  god.  uor  ine  zuiche 

to  be^et^chiidre"  onderstoudinge  wes  uerst  spoushod  yzet.     J3e  ojjer  cas 

to  serve  God.  j^  .  ]^^^a„ne  Jje  on  yelt  to  fe  ofre  his  dette  /  fawne  he 

the  one  y'ieideth  hit  aksejj.  and  jjerto  ssel  sterie  dom  :  fet  yelt  to  echen 

d'ebt  whenhe'°  ^^^^  ri^t  huanne  he  hit  aksef  and  bit  be  moufe  /  ojjerbe 

asketh  it.  tokuB  ase  dof  jje  -vvyfrnen  Jiet  bye])  ssamuest  zuich  Jjing 

[Fol.  69.  b.]  .  .  1        -n        ,     ,  1   ,     .  ,  ,     , 

uor  to  acsi.     pe  like  pet  uorzakp  pane  oprene  pet  acsep  : 

The  one  hath  a;     zqw^q]).'^  uor  he  dej)  him.  wrang  of  liis  ojene  finge.  uor 

body  oTthe^         f^  *^^  ^^^  ^^3^  ^^^  \^  bodie  of  ])Q  oJ)re.    Ac  he  fet  acsejj 

°^^^^-  Jjet  he  ssel :  he  deJ)  wel  and  ari3t.  hua?ine  he  hit  deJ)  ine 

J?o  onderstondinge  he  ofseruej)  auoreye  gode.  uor  ri3t 

Thirdly,  when  it    hxm  dti^t  jjerto  /  and  na3t  lecherie.     J3e  Jjridde  cas  is 

away  lechery  from  hua?ine  me  hit  acsej)  his  wyue  of  ]50  dede  /  uor  to  loki 

hire  uram  ze«ne.  nameliche  hua9^ne  he  yzi3]j  jjet  hi  is 

zuo  ssamuest  /  Jjet  hi  nolde  neuremo  acsi  hare  Ihorde  of 

zuiche  Jiinnge.  and  ylefj)  fiet  lii  ssolde  ualle  blejjeliche 

in-to  zQnwQ  /  ojjer  li3tliche  bote  yef  me  hire  ne  acsede. 

In  this  there  is      ^'^0  )jet  ine  J)0  onderstoiidinge  /  yelt  /  ojjer  acseji  zuiche 

dette  :  he  ne  zene3[eji]  na3t  /  ac  rajire  ofseruej?  auoreye 

god.  uor  pite  him  stere]?  fet  to  done.    Ine  jjise  jjri  cas  / 

ne  is  no  ze?2ne  ine  jje  dede  of  spoushod. 

1  MS.  lolymsse  '  MS.   zem-iei 


no  sin,  but  rather 
merit. 


sin 
God  is  exceediriE 


OF    SIN"    IN    MARRIAGE.  223 

Ac  ine  ojjre  cas  me  may  zeneji  /  oJ)er  li3tliche  /  oJ)er  On  the  other 

■,       T,.   1  1  .,,.,.  .  .       hand,  one  may 

clyaaliclie.   ana  speciaJiiche  me  pvi  cas.     pe  uerste  is.  sin  in  three 

hua?me  me  ne  zakp  ine  ziiicli  dede  :  bote  Jje  leclierie  and  The  first  is  when 

his  lost,  and  ine  Jjo  cas  me  may  zene3i  /  li3tliche  /  and  to  saUsfy\us°t? 

deadliche.     Li3[t]iiclie  /  hua?me  Jie  lost  ne  pasej)  na3t 

J)e  markes  /  ne  J)e  zetnesses  of  spousliod.  |)et  is  to  zigge  / 

huanne  Jje  lost  is  zuo  y-led  mid  scele  /  bet  be  ilke  bet  is  The  sin  is  venial 

.  if  it  is  temperate, 

me  Ipet  stat  nolde  najt  fiet  Jjmg  do :  bote  ine  his  wjnie. 
Ac  hua?me  Jje  lecherie  and  fe  lost  is  zuo  grat  ine  his  wyiie 
fet  scele  is  y-blent  /  and  ase  moche  wolde  do  he  ine  otherwise  it  is 

n      ■  deadly. 

hire  :  J^a^  hy  nere  na3t  his  Avyf :  me  pet  cas  is  ])e  ilke 

ze?aie  dyadlich.  uor  zuich  lecherie  gejj  ouer  fie  markes  of 

spoushod.  hiierof  god  hi?«  wrejjejj  ofte  to  zniche  uolke  /  with  such 

and  yefj?  ojjerhuil  g/'«t  mi^te  to  ]?e  dyeiile  ha??^  uor  to  ly^^rath' 

slea  /  ase  me  zayjj   of  saren'  ragiielis  do3ter  /  J^et  wes       ['  sareun 

yonge  tobies  wyi.  ]>et  hedde  y-het  zeue  housboundes  / 

Jjet  alle  were  y-sla3e  of  jje  dj^eule  :  pe  uerste  ni3t  jjet  hi 

wolden  ligge  by  hire.    Jjeruore  pe  angel  zayde  to  tobyen 

jjet  hise  ssolde  liabbe  to  wj'ue.    '  leh  pe  wyle  zigge '  he  The  devu  hath 

.  Ill  power  over  those 

zayde  /  '  me  huet  violc  pe  dyeuel  hej?  my3te  /  ine  J^an  jjet  who  give  them- 
doj)  out  god  /  zuo   out   of  hare  harten  /  and   of  hare  lusts,^ "'' 
Ji03tes.  Jjet  ne  jeuep  ham  na3t  /  bote  to  hare  lecherie  to 
uoluelle  /  ase  an  hors  deb.  ober  a  nude.'  and  beruore  ham  ^s  a  horse  or  a 

1        .  .  mule. 

bemmjj  god  oJierhuU  hare  frut  /  zuo  jjet  hi  ne  mo3en 
habbe  no  child.  Yet  hi  mo3e  zene3i  dyadliche  ine 
anofre  manire.  jjet  is  to  wytene  /  hua/«ie  pe  on  dej? 
aye  kende  /  and  ojjerlaker  panne  kende  of  man  acse])  / 
ne  la3e  of  mariage  acsejj  /  ne  oueryernjj.  zuich  uolk 
zene3ej3  more  gratliche  /  panne  opm  beuore  yzed.     Ac  Those  that  in 

marriage  have 

po  pet  m  hare  spoushod  lokep  pe  drede  of  oure  Ihorde  /  the  fear  of  our 

111,11  1  11  ,.  Lord,  please  God. 

and  lokep  klene  hare  spoushod  ase  hit  is  yset.  zuych 
uolk  paye])  god. 

pe  ober  cas  huer  me  may  zenejy  be  spoushod  /  is  '^^^  °*^®^  "^^"^  "^ 

>/  ^.^  J.  /  gjj,  ijj "  spouse- 

huanne  man  gejj  to  his  wyue  ine  time  bet  he  ne  ssolde  ^°°'-^ "  ^^  «'^'^"  ^ 

.  man  goeth  to  his 

na3t  guo.     pet  is  hua?2ne  hi  is  ine  pe  ziknesse  bet  ^VJi-  wife  in  a  time 

1     11     ,  -.   ,  ,       ,  that  he  should 

men  habbef  co?»munliche.  zuo  fet  he  his  na3t  ne  spare]?  not  go. 


224 


THE    ELEPHANT    AND    HIS    WIFE. 


God  hath  forbid- 
den this  improper 
fellowship, 
for  in  such  state 
are  oft  begotten 
the  crooked, 
blind,  lepers, 
deaf,  dumb,  &c. 

[Fol.  70.  a.] 


Also  they  shall 
abstain  from  the 
deed  in  holy 
times  such,  as  in 
great  and  solemn 
feasts, 

and  in  times  of 
fasting  appoint- 
ed by  the  church. 


[2like6eZeinMS.] 


Also  when  the 
woman  lieth  in 
childbed,  or  is 
near  her  time. 

Kings,  earls,  and 
barons,  have  at 
such  times  their 
chambers  to  them- 
selves, 

or  they  go  to 
their  castles, 
and  therefore 
they  have  such 
fair  children. 

The  elephant 
will  not  dwell 
with  his  wife 
while  she  is  with 
child. 


huawne  he  wot  J)et  hi  is  m  zuich  stat.  zene3e]5  gratliche 
and  uor  fan  jjet  god  uorbyet  /  jjet  man  ne  habbe  uela3- 
rede  mid  liis  \vyue.  ine  zuich  stat  /  and  uor  ]je  peril  of 
his  children.  Vor  ase  zayjj  saint  gregorie.  ine  zuych 
stat  bye])  ofte  beyete  Jje  crokede  /  fe  blynde  /  and  fe 
mezels.  fe  dyaue  /  Jjb  doumbe  /  pe  ssornede '  /  Jje  scallede. 
and  men  and  wyfmen  fet  habbe])  o])ere  zyknesses  in  hare 
bodie  Ipanne  hi  come])  to  manhod  ase  goutes  /  and  beles. 
and  olpre  ssrewede  eueles.  ]?eruore  J)e  wifman  ssel  wel 
zigge  to  hire  Ihorde  huawne  hi  ys  ine  ziiych  stat  /  ])et  he 
abyde.  and  hi  alsuo  abyde ;  ferhuile  hi  is  ine  fe  ylke 
stat.  Alsuo  hi  ssoUen  to-gidere  spari  uram  f>e  dede  of 
spoushod  :  ine  holy  times  /  ase  ine  greate  festes  and 
solemnes  /  to  yeue  ham-zelue  pe  betere  god  uor  to  serui. 
Alsuo  in  times  of  uestinge  of  holy  cherche  hi  ssoUe  abide 
mid  ])0  dede.  najt  uor])an  Jiet  liit  by  ze?zne  zuych  ])ing 
to  done  ine  zuiche  time,  and  ine  zuiche  onderstondinge 
me  may  hit  do.  Ac  ojjerhuil  hit  is  fet  me  ssel  abide  / 
fet  me  mo3e  hit  do  wy])-oute  ze?^ne:  uor  bete?-e^  to  habbe 
of  god  ])et  me  him  bit  /  ase  zay])  sajoit  austin.  Alsuo  ine 
time  fet  ]>&  wyfman  lyf  a  chi[l]dbedde  /  o])er  nyej  uor 
to  childi.  he  ssel  him  loki  uram  fe  dede  of  spoushod  / 
uor  onestete  /  and  uor  peril  }ret  mi3te  by.  ]3eruore  ]jise 
kinges  /  erles  /  barouns  /  and  o])re  Ihordes  habbe])  hare 
chambren  be  ham-zelue  uram  hare  wyues  ine  zuiche 
time.  o]jer  hi  wende])  to  yzy  hare  kasteles  /  ofer  hare 
o])re  stedes.  and  Jjeruore  hi  habbe])  zuo  uayre  children 
and  zuo  cliene^  of  bodye.  Me  uint  ine  ])e  hoc  pet  spekj) 
of  kende  of  bestes.  fet  Ipe  elifans  nele  na3t  wonye  mid 
his  wyue :  ])erhuyle  fet  hi  is  mid  cliilde.  and  man  be 
scele  ssel  bi  more  antempred  ])a?ine  a  best,  and  feruore  he 
ssel  more  him-zelue  ine  ]jo  stat  J)olye  /  and  ine  ])0  time. 
Ac  alnewey  /  ich  ne  zigge  na3t  fet  yef  he  de])  pe  dede 
of  spoushod  ine  fo  time  be  guode  cause  /  and  ine  guode 
onderstondinge  /  huerof  god  is  deniere  yef  hit  is  ze?zne. 
1  Looks  like  ssor«e(^  in  MS.  ^  MS.  chene 


CHASTITY    NECESSARY    TO    WIDOWHOOD.  225 

j)Q  bridde  cas  is  /  hueriiie  me  may  kueadliclie  zene3i  The  thira  case  is 

■^  .  when  the  deed  is 

ine  h.is  spoushod_ :  is.  ine  holy  stede.  nor  me  holy  stedes  done  in  hoiy 

pl3.C6S 

ase  ine  cherchen  pet  bye  J?  apropred  nor  god  to  bidde  and  that  are  set  apart 

1  1  J.    1      1        T     T         r  11  for  the  service  of 

hym  seruy.  me  ne  ssel  na3t  do  pe  dede  oi  spoushod  nor  q^  , 

worjjssipe  of  Ipe  stede.     And  hiio  Jjet  ine  znyche  stede 

ne  lokej)  him  na^t  jjo  dede  nor  to  do  :  he  zene^e])  nor  fe 

scele   of  fie  stede  jjet  godes   nless  and  his  blod  hyej) 

y-sacred  inne.  nor  znich  Jiing  mai  by  ze?aie  in  one  stede  / 

and  ine  one  time:  Jjet  ne  is  no  ze?zne  ine  ojire.  J)e'  uerjje        [i  ms.  )>«•] 

stat  is  of  ham  fet  habbej)  yby  ine  sponshod  :   ac  dyaj) 

hejj  to-deld  Jje  on  uram  fe  ojjere.     And  Jje  ilke  jjet  is 

ybleued  ine  lyue  he  ssel  Mm  loki  chastHche  ase  longe  chastity  shall 

ase  he  is  ine  fe  stat  of  wodewehod.  fet  is  a  stat  Ipet  widowhood. 

zaynte  paul  prayzej?  moche  /  Ipet  zay]?  to  wodewon.  'huo 

Jjet  guod  is  :  he  hi?>i  hyealde  ine  fet  stat.  and  yef  hit 

hi?n  na^t  ne  lyke|)  :    he  him  vrym.     Vor  betere   and  it  is  better  to 

more  holy  fing  is  to  "v^'jui  :  Jja^ne  him-zelne  berne.'   j)G  turn. 

ilke  bern])  /  fet  to  ze??ne  graunte]?.     Vor  he  zet  his  He  burnetii  that 

ij,  Ti  ,,  .,.  .,  PIT-        consents  to  sin. 

herte  be  wjme  and  be  wilninge  to  pe-.  neve  ot  lecherie. 

Ac  more  hit  were  worj?  him  to  w}n.ii  /  f)a/me  hi??izelue   They  who  are 

p.,  ,  li.i--j.  iiii>    bound  by  vows 

01  zniche  uere  uorberne.  and  pet  is  to  onderstonde  ot  ^^  remain  widows 
ham  ]?et  byep  ine  fe  stat  of  simple  wodewehod.  na3t  of  ^^"hOTj"deadi 
fan  ])et  byej?  ine  pet  stat  y-bonnde  be  heste  pet  ne  mo^e  ^^"• 
na3t  ham  spousy  /  wyJ)-oute  deadlich  ze?me  /  efter  pe       [FoI.  70.  b.] 
beheste.     Ac  alneway  yef  pe  beheste  is  simple  /  ])et  is  if  the  behest  is  a 

,  .    .       -,  •T1/1  ;    private  one, 

to  zigge  /  huawne  hi  is  do  pnueuche  /  and  wyjj-onte  /  its  violation 

sole???nete.  J)a3  hit  by  zno  fet  ha  zene3i  dyadliche  /  fet  ance. 

efter  znych  ane  beheste  him  sponsej)  :  alneway  he  may 

bleue  ine  his  spoushod  /  yef  fer  ne  is  non  oper  destorb- 

inge.     Ac   he   ssel   do  penonce  /  nor  pe  beheste.     Ac 

huanne  be  beheste  is  sole??ipne  /  ase  be  hand  of  p?*elat  /  if  the  behest  be 

solemn,  as  by  tlie 

ofer  be  profession  of  rehgion.  oJ»er  be  holy  ordre  /  ]?et  handofapre- 
me  hej)  ondernonge  /  ase  sudyakne  /  o]?er  dyakne  /  ojjer    ^  ' 
prest.     hanne  bo^  spoushod  ne  is  na3t.  ac  rabre  hit  be-  U  n 

'-  .  .  /  the  sin  is  deacRy, 

houe|?  /  to  dele  jjo  /  ]jet  ine  zniche  manyre  /  comej)  to-  and  the  marriage 

gidere  /  nor  hi  ne  mo3e  na3t  by  soued  ine  znych  stat.   solved. 
15 


226 


THE  TURTLE  DOVE  A  PATTERN  TO  WIDOWS. 


The  turtle  dove 
teacheth  us  to 
keep  tlie  state  of 
widowhood. 


Three  things 
belong  to  this 
state. 

1.  The  fellowship 
of  suspected  per- 
sons should  be 
avoided. 


St  Paul  reproves 
young  widows  for 
being  idle, 

and  fond  of 
gossiping  in 
theliouses  of 
others. 


2.  God  should  be 
devoutlj'  served. 


as  one  readeth 
of  Anna,  the 
good  widow  who 
served  God  in  the 
temple  day  and 
night. 

3.  Sharpness  of 
meats  by  which 
lust  may  be 
quenched. 


The  heart  is 
drowned  in  the 
water  of  lusts  of 
this  world. 


The  clothing  of 
widows  should 
be  humble. 

They  should 
imitate  the  ex- 
ample of  Judith, 


To  loki  Jjet  stat  of  wodeweliod  /  me  ssel  sterie  fie 
uorbisne  of  J»e  tnrle.  Vor  ase  zayj)  fe  boc  /  of  kende 
of  testes,  efter  Jiet  ]>e  turle  lie]?  ylore  liare  make  :  hi  ne 
ssel  neuremo  /  habbe  uela3rede  /  mid  ojjren.  ac  alneway 
hi  is  one  /  ami  be-uly^t  /  fe  uelajrede  of  ojjren. 

j)vi  jjinges  belongej)  moche  /  to  ham  J)et  byej?  ine  Jie 
stat  /  of  wodewehod.  J?e  uerste  is  lii??i-zelue  kepe  /  and 
prmehche  bi  ine  his  house.  na3t  nor  to  uoljy  pe 
nela3redes  suspicionses.  Jjerof  we  habbej)  uorbisne  of 
ludit  /  fet  wes  wodewe  /  and  hi  wes  a  uayr  wyfman  / 
of  huam  me  ret  ine  fe  writinge.  pet  hi  hild  hare  ine 
hare  boure  be-sset  mid  hare  maydenes.  Huerof  zaynte 
pauel  wyj)-nimj)  pe  yonge  wyfmen  wodewen  /  J»et  were 
ydele  /  and  bysye  to  guo?zne  /  an  to  comene  /  ganghnde  / 
and  to  moche  spekinde.  ac  bisset  hy  ssollen  by  ine  hare 
house  /  and  yeue  ham  guode  workes  to  done  /  ase 
sajmte  paul  tekjj. 

J5e  ojjer  jjing  is  /  yeue  ham  to  bidde  god.  and  blejje- 
liche  bi  at  cherche  ine  deuocion  /  and  ine  tyares  /  ase  me 
ret  ine  pe  godspelle  of  saint  luc.  fet  pe  ilke  guode 
wodewe  /  fet  hette  anne  /  Jjet  hy  ne  to-delde  hire  na3t  / 
uram  Jie  temple,  and  seruede  god  ni3t  /  and  day.  ine 
benes  and  ine  uestinges. 

\}e  Jjridde  jiing  is  /  ssarpnes  of  metes.  Vor  ase  zayj) 
saint  bernard.  pjs  spiljt  ine  lostes.  alsuo  ase  he  spilj)  ine 
pe  wetere  /  fet  zuo  longe  he  may  by  fer  onder  :  fet  he 
lyest  fet  lif.  'Non  ne  may  habbe  his  heaued.  jjet  is  his 
herte  /  longe  ine  pe  wetere  /  of  lostes  of  j^ise  wordle  / 
Jjet  he  ne  ssel  lyese  fet  lyf  /  Jjet  is  pe  grace  of  pe  holy 
gost.  be  huam  pe  zaule  leuejj  ine  god.  To  fo  stat 
belongej) :  ase  1036  clo])inge.  na3t  proud  /  ne  bisiuol  /  to 
pe  uorbisne  of  iudit.  pet  let  liire  uayre  robes  /  and  hare 
riche  agrayjjinges  /  Jjo  liire  Ihord  Aves  dyad,  and  nom 
clofinge  of  wodewehod  /  onworj)  /  and  I03  /  and  more 
wes  tocne  of  wepinge  /  and  of  zor3e  :  panne  of  goye.  and 
of  ydele  blisse.     jjeruore  J)et  hi  ledde  chastete  /  and  hi 


THE    FIFTH    BOUGH    OF    CHASTITY.  227 

hit   wolde  loki   al  hare  lif.     Hy  hire  ssredde  mid  ])e  who  clothed  her- 

here  /  and  iieste- eche   daye.    and   hi   wes   uajr  j  and  fasted  each  day. 
yong  /  riche  /  and  w;^'s  /  ac  guodnesse  of  herte  /  and 
lone  of  chastete  :  hit  hire  dede  do.    And  fus  ssel  libbe  : 
jjet  wyle  loki  chastete  ine  ]jo  stat.     Jjis  is  fe  nerjje  boj 
of  fise  trawe. 

}3E    VIFTE    BO3    OF    CHASTETE.  The  fifth  bough 

of  chastity. 

be  uyfte  bo2  of  be  traAve  of  chastete  :  is  maydenhod.  ^he  fifth  bough 

'          ''                7          >                                                                 •>  of  the  tree  of 

and  f)et  is  jje  uifte  stat  /  of  ham  jjet  lokejj  /  and  habbe]?  chastity  is 

1                   11-             I          -i   1               1                   •                n;ii.  maidenhood 

ameway  loki?2ge  /  and  bye))  alneway  me  wylle  /  to  loki  (single  ufe). 
al  hare  lyf  /  hare  bodyes  yhoUiche  /  wyjj-oute  enye  cor- 

rnpcion  /  uor  \q,  lone  of  god.     Jjis  stat  is   moche  to  This  state  is 

alowe  /  uor  his  dingnete  /  nor  his  nayrhede  /  and  nor  praised  for  its 

his  guodnesse.     Vor  his  dignete  :  uor  jjet  stat  make])  anTits'goodness. 

j)ane  jjet  hit  wel  lokejj  /  anlyke  to  J)e  angles  of  heuene  /  For  its  dignity— 

for  those  In  this 

ase  ziggej)  fe  hal3en.    Ac  fos  moche  habbe])  fe  maydmes  state  are  like  to 

more  ])a?<ne  fe  angles,  uor  fe  angles  libbe])   \r}'])oute  ^^  *"^*  ^" 

ulesse :  ac  ])e  maydines  habbe])   ouerconiinge   of  hare 

ulesse.  and  hit  is  grat  wonder  ])et  lii  lokef  znich  ane 

fieblene  castel  /  ase  hare  fyeble  body  /  aye  zuych  ane 

strangne  uend  /  ase  is  \q  dyeuel  of  helle  /  fiet  ahieway  The  devii  is  al- 
ways trying  to 

zee])  gmnes  /  huerby  he  may  nime  fane  castel  uor  to  take  the  castie 

robbi  ])et   tresor  of  niaidenhod.     |pet  is    fet   tresor  /  treasure  of  maid- 

huerof  oure  Ihord  /  spek])  ine  his   sj)elle  /  ]50  he  zede.  ®'^°°'^- 

fet  '  fe  kingriche  of  heueue  /  is  anlycned  /  to  fe  tresor  /  Christ  speaks  of 

fet  is  y-hed  /  ine  J)e  uelde.'     ])et  trezor  y-hed  ine  fe  of  the  field. 

uelde  :  is  maydenhod  y-hed  ine  bodie  /  bet  is   ase   a  The  field  is  the 

body,  which 

ueld  /  fet  me  ssel  erye  /  mid  penonce  /  and  zawe  mid  should  be  eared 

guode  workes.    )3et  trezor  is  anlikned  /  to  fe  kingriche  and  sown  witu 

of  heu[e]ne  /  uor  ])et  hf  of  maydines  /  is  anlyloied  to  \q  ^"^ 

line  of  heuene  /  ])et  is  ])et  lyf  of  angles.     Huer-of  oure 

Ihord  zay))  ine  his  spelle.  ])et  ine  fe  oprisinge  /  ne  ssel 

by  non  spousynge  /  ase  fer  is  hyer.  ac  hi  ssollen  by  ase 

]je  angles  of  heuene. 

Efterward  fet  stat  is  to  praysy  /  uor  his  uayrhede.  For  its  beauty— it 
15  * 


228 


THE    BRIGHTNESS    OF    CHASTITY. 


is  the  fairest 
state  on  earth. 


Solomon  associ- 
ates brightness 
with  chastity. 


Sinless 

chastity  is  fair 
and  bright  above 
other  virtues. 

['  MS.  Iikende2 


Maidenhood  is 
the  wliite  robe 
wherein  a  spot  is 
sooner  discovered 
than  in  any  other 
cloth. 

It  should  be  pre- 
served from  fllth, 
blood,  and  fire. 
The  filth  is  the 
covetousness  of 
the  world. 

None  may  please 
God  who  seek 
to  please  the 
world,  that  is, 
God's  foe. 


[2  So  in  MS.] 


One  sign  of 
pleasing  the 
world  is  the 
decking  of  the 
body. 

[Fol.  71.  b.] 

Fairness  without 
is  often  gained 
by  the  loss  of 
purity  within. 


uor  pet  is  fe  uariste  stat  fet  is  iiie  ei'J?e  /  madeuhod 
cleiiliche  yloked.  Huerof  Salomon  zayf  ine  his  boc  of 
Ayysdome.  '  O.'  zay])  lie  /  'hiiet  is  uayr  chastete  /  kenrede 
mid  bri3tnesse.'  lie  zet  ri3t  wel  bri3tnesse  mid  chastete. 
nor  J)a?ine  is  uayr  c[h]astete  /  and  majdenhod  /  hua?me 
hi  is  bri3t  be  guode  hue  /  and  oneste.  Ase  fe  bri^t- 
nesse  of  fe  zo?me  makejj  Jjane  uayre  day  :  alsuo  fe 
bri3tnesse  of  grace  /  and  of  giiode  Hue  :  make])  Ipe 
maydenhod  ua}T  /  and  likinde  '  to  god.  Huerof  saynt 
lerome  zayjj  /  ))et  mochel  is  uajT  and  bri^t  /  to-uore 
j?e  oJ)re  u/?-tues  /  maydenhod.  hua??ne  hi  is  wyjjoute 
lac  /  and  wyjj-oute  ueljje  of  ze?me.  Yor  huo  fet  is  yhol 
of  bodie  /  and  uoul  ine  herte  :  is  ase  J?e  berieles  yhuited  / 
Jjet  is  uayr  wyjj-oute :  and  wyjj-iwne  uol  of  stench. 
Maydenhod  is  fe  huite  robe  /  huerinne  jje  spot  is  uouler 
and  more  yzyenne  /  ))a«ne  in  anojjer  cloj).  J)et  ssel  by 
wel  yloked  uram  fri  spottes.  uram  hor.  uram  blod.  an 
uram  ver.  j)ise  jjri  spottes  be-uelejj  moche  J)is  huite 
cloJ).  Ipe  spot  of  hor  :  is  fe  couaytise  of  Ipe  wordle  /  Ipet 
ne  ssel  na3t  by  ine  his  herte  /  pelp  \Ayle  queme  god  ine 
Jje  stat  of  maydenhod.  uor  non  ne  may  y-queme  god  / 
and  to  his  jxio  j  ase  zayj*  sainte  gregorie.  And  J>e  ilke 
him  ssewejt  /  J?et  he  ne  is  na3t  godes  vrend :  fet  wjde 
kueme  J)e  wordle  /  ))et  is  godes  uend.  Jjeruore  saint 
Ion  zayjj  /  J)et  '  huo  jiet  wyle  by  urend  to  J)e  wordle  :  he 
ssel  by  uend  to  god.'  and  sainte  paul  zay  J),  'yef  ich  w}'Ue 
queme  to  Jie  uolke  of  ))e  wordle  :  ichc'^  ne  ssel  na3[t]  by 
lesu  cr/stes  se/iont.' 

O  tocne  /  J?et  me  wyle  kueme  Ipe  wordle  is  :  jje 
agraypinge  aboute  ])et  body,  uor  non  ne  wolde  neure 
mor  zeche  /  uairhede  /  ne  bisihede  of  robes  /  ne  of 
agrayfinge  :  bote  yef  he  ne  wende  to  by  yzo^e  of  pe 
uolke.  Ac  huo  Jjet  "wile  zeche  zuich  uayrhede  "vv;}"]j-oute  : 
he  lyest  ]?e  uajThede  ■w^'j^-inne  /  huer-by  me  kuem])  god. 
)5eruore  sajmt  bernard  zayJj  to  ham  J)et  zechij?  jje 
coustouse  robes  /  and  Jje  uajTe  agrayjjinge  uor  to  kueme 


BAD    WOKDS    MAR    GOOD    ilAXXEKS.  229 

pe  wordle/and  ham  uor  to  ssewy.  'j?e  do3tren'  he  zayjj 
'  of  babilonie  /  Jjet  is  of  co«fusioii  /  zechej)  hire  hlisse  / 
and  hit  ssel  wende  ham  in-to  co?2fuzioii  /  and  to  ssame 
eurelestinde  /  bote  yef  hi  ham  ne   Avj-tie.'     '  Hi  ham  Purple  clothes 

,,T  ,.,  ;i-i  1/   ^^"^  '^•^^  robes 

cioJ?e]>   he  zayJj  /  '  mid  pourpre  /  and  mid  uayre  robes  /  often  hide  a  poor 

and  costuolle  /  and  onder  Jje  uayxe  robes  /  is  ofte  pet 

in^ivyt  /  poure  /  and  naked.     And  hi  hise  aK3tej)  ^jp- 

oute  /  mid  stones  /  and  mid  broches  of  gold  /  and  of 

zeluer.     Ac  hi  bye])  ealde  /  and  uoule  /  beuore  god  / 

be  kueade  jjeawes.'     Ac  saint  bemard  zayJj  /  and  spekj) 

of  ham  pet  zuo  ham  ssewejj  /  ine  wykkede  onderstond- 

inge  /  and  doj)  more  farme  hare  stat  acsej).     Ac  al  pe 

blisse  of  pe  kinges  dojter  of  blisse  /  ase  zayj)  daui))  /  is  Aiithejoy  of 

,  /.,-,.  ,  ,.  ,  ,  the  king's 

wj'p-irtne  /  me  holy  inwyt  /  and  me  uayre  uirtues  huer  daughter  of  bUss 

-  -  J  •         /  ->      1  ,        1  141    consists  in  a  holy 

per  ne  is  no  couajiise  /  bote  nor  to  kueme  god.     And  and  nndeflied 
jjos  pe  spot  of  pe  hore  :  ne  beueljj  hit  na3t.  ™™'^ 

And  Jjos  me  ssel  "nytye  in  fet  stat  /  uram  pe  spotte  The  white  robe 
of  blod.     j)et  is  of  fortes  /  and  of  ulessHche  wylninges.  from  biooi, 
Huerof  saint  lorome  zay>.   Jjet  fe  ilke  maydenhod  is  SJ^t^''"^ 
sacrefice  and  ofringe  to  lesn  erist :  ])et  ne  is  na^t  be- 
smetted  ine  herte  mid  kueade  ])03tes.  ne  ine  ulesse  :  of 
lecherie.   ase  hi/Hzelf  zayji.   '  Xa3t  ne  is  worj)  maidenhod  Maidenhood  of 
of  bodye  :  pev  Jjet  is  uel]je  of  herte.'   Ase  Jiet  fnit  ne  is  without '^purit^'of 
na3t  guod  /  J3a3  hit  by  wel  uayr  Avijj-oute  /  hua/ine  hit  is  ^^'^' 
uorroted  and  wermethe. 

Efterward  he  ssel  him  loki  ine  jjet  stat  uram   pe  The  robe  must 

.  .        ,     ,  ,       p    1  1     ,  ,     ,  ,  ,    be  preserved  from 

spotte  pet  comp  or  pe  uere.     Jjet  uer  Jjet  zengj)   and  the  spot  of  fire. 
bemji  ofte  pe  huyte  robe  of  chastete  /  and  of  mayden- 
hod :    is   blej)eliche  zigge  /  oJ)er  to  Iheste  wordes  Jjet 
mo3e  sterie  to  zenne.     Vor  ase  zayJj  zaynte  paul  /  and 
eftzone  we  hit  habbejj  aboue  y-zed.   '  J3e  kueade  wordes  :  Bad  words  mar 
amerrej)  Jje  guode  Jieawes.'     And  Jjeruore  zayJi  senekes.  ^      mannei^, 
'  loke  Jje  uram  uoule  wordes  jjet  ne  byejj  na3t  honeste.'  they  destroy 

-r-r       1  T  .  r  n  rt-  modesty, 

\  or  huo  Jiet  him  y[e]fj)  to  uoule  wordes  hi  ham  ssolle  na3t 
ssamie  and  afrounti  /  J»et  is  te  zigge  /  hi  lyezejj  jje 
ssame  /  and  uallej)  Jie  li3tlaker  in-to  ze«ne.  and  f»ereuore 


230 


MAIDENHOOD    A    FAIR    AND    WHITE    LILY. 


and  burn  or  singe 
the  soul. 


Mtiiclenhood  is 
like  the  lily,  fair 
and  while. 


St  John  the 
evangelist  was 
the  most  beloved 
disciple  of  oiu- 
Lord, 

[Fol.  72.  a.] 


because  of  his 
maidenhood. 


Maidenhood  well 
rooted  in  God's 
love, 

is  preserved  from 
temptation. 

The  flower  of 
maidenhood  hath 
six  leaves.  - 
Tlie  first  leaf  is 
holiness  and 
purity  of  body. 
[}  loyouote  inMS.^ 


The  second  leaf 
is  purity  of  heart. 


huo  Jjet  \vyle  loki  clenliclie  J)ane  huyte  kertel  of  madcii- 
hod. :  him  beliouej)  him  loki  uor  to  speke  /  ofer  to 
y-liiere  wordes  zuyche  /  huerof  he  may  him  heme  / 
ojjer  he-zenge.  )pe  pnue  cat  hezeng]:  ofte  his  sciii  /  and 
zuo  ne  dej)  na3t  ]>g  wyhle  cat.  Maydenhod  amang  jje 
opve  u/?-tues  is  anhkned  to  Jie  lylye  pet  is  wel  uayr  and 
huyt.  jperuore  oure  Ihord  zay]?  ine  pe  writinge  he 
salomo?^nes  moujje.  '  My  leniman  is  ase  jje  lylye  amang 
pe  fornes.'  Oure  Ihordes  le??mian  special  is  yloued  / 
J)et  lokejj  maydenhod.  Vor  J»et  is  a  nfvtue  hiierhy  zanle 
ondeniangj)  specialhche  more  lone  /  and  Jie  fauour  of 
onre  Ihorde  lesu  ci-ist.  j)anue  saint  Ion  Jie  ewangelist 
J)et  wes  mayde  /  wes  amang  pe  apostles  /  pe  meste 
helouede  of  oure  lliorde.  and  him  ssewede  oure  Ihord  pe 
meste  tokne  of  louerede  /  ase  hit  sseweji  ine  pe  god- 
spelle.  And  zuo  ha  wes  ycleped  amang  pe  ojjre 
decip[l]es  :  Jie  deciple  /  Jiet  lesu  c?-/st  mest  louede.  na3t 
uorjjan  /  Jiet  he  ne  louede  wel  Jie^  ojire  /  ac  Jiane  more 
specialliche  uor  Jie  maydenhod.  J3is  hlye  flour  lokej)  liis 
uayrhede  amang  Jie  Jiornes  of  uondi[n]gges  of  Jie  ulesse. 
Vor  Jiet  uless  is  ase  a  donghel  /  Jet  ne  carkeji  asemoche 
ase  is  of  hi?».-zelue  /  hote  Jiornes  /  and  netlen.  Jiet  hyej) 
kueade  meniynges  /  Jiet  ofte  prekieji  Jiane  gost.  Ac  Jie 
flour  of  maydenhod  ne  hej  hede  of  Jio  Jiornes.  uor  hi  is 
wel  y-roted  ine  godes  lone  /  Jiet  hire  wereji  uram  Jie 
Jiornes  of  uondinge. 

J)is  flour  hit  ssel  habhe  zix  leues  /  and  Jiry  grayns 
of  gold  aboue  wyjiinne.  j)e  uerste  lyaf  is  yholnesse  / 
and  cle«nesse  of  bodye.  Jiet  is  to  zigge  /  Jjet  Jiet  body 
by  y-hol  /  wy[ji]-oute '  ueljie  of  lecherie.  Vor  yef  a  mayde 
were  uorlaye  be  strengjie  /  and  a-ye  "vvyl :  hi  ne  ssolde 
na3t  Jieruore  lyese  hare  maydenhod  /  ne  Jie  mede  of 
hare  maydenhod.  Jperuore  sainte  lucie  zayde  to  pe 
tiront.  '  Yef  Jiou  me  beuelst  aye  mi  wyl :  my  chasthede 
hit  ssel  by  me  y-dobbled  /  ase  to  Jie  coroune  of  bhsse.' 
J?et  ojier  lyaf  is  cle?inesse  of  herte.     Vor  ase  zajp  saint 


THE    MEEKNESS    OF    MAIDENHOOD.  231 

leronie.  Na3t  ne  is  worjj  to  habbe  maidenhod  of 
bodye  :  fet  hef  wyl  to  by  y-spoused.  He  spekp  of  fan 
jjet  babbef  behote  maidenbod.  Vor  huo  Ipet  lie])  be- 
hote]|mayden]iod  ojser  chastete  to  loki  /  he  ssel  loki  his 
herte  chastliche  /  and  clenliche.  pe  fridde  lyeaf  is  ^'^^^"1^2^*'"''' 
mildenesse.  Vor  maydenhod  proud  :  ne  quern]?  nojiing 
god.  And  feruore  zayjj  saint  bernard.  '  Hit  is  wel  uayr 
Jjing  :  Jjet  hef  nii[l]denesse  mid  maidenhod.  and  wel 
stranglaker  kuemj)  to  god  fe  ilke  zaule  to  huam  mil- 
denesse yefj)  los  to  maydenhod.  and  maydenlaod  / 
uayrejj  mildenesse.'  Ich  dar  wel  zigge  /  fet  wyfoute  ^gg\°^g  ™^^\'^'jj 
mildenesse  /  be  maydenhod  of  marie  /  ne  hedde  neure  of  Mary  would 

'    ■■  "^  not  have  been 

y-quemd  to  god.  uor  w;)']3-oute  madenhod  /  we  mo3e  by  pieasuig  to  God. 
v-bor2e  :  and  najt  ^ry-oute  mildenes.     be  uerbe  lyeaf  of  The  fourth  leaf 

J  >  7         ■/  J  I       o  is  the  fear  of 

]je  floui-  of  hlye  of  maydenhod  :  is  drede  of  god.     Vor  God. 

J)o  Jjet  bye))  zofliche  maidines  /  hi  were  y-woned  to  bi 

dreduol  /  and  ssamuest.  and  hit  nis  no  wonder  :  uor 

lii  bare  J)  a  wel  precious  tresor  ine  a  wel  fyebble  uet. 

)5a?^ne  Jje  mayde  marie  wes  alneway  by  hire-selue  /  and 

hedde  greate  drede  /  \>o  pe  angel  ssewede  him  to  hire. 

Ac  f  e  drede  of  god  /  is  f  e  tresoriere  /  f  et  /  >et  tresor  '^^^^^ 

of- madenhod  lokej)  /  fet  fe  dyeuel  me  may  hit  stele,  ofthe  treasury  of 

u  or  lii  lokej)  Ipe  gates  of  fe  kastele  :  huer  fet  tresor  is 

be-sset.     be  gates   of  be  kastele   huer  maydenhod  is :  J'^'^  sates  ofthe 

i'       o  r  -J  treasury  are  the 

byej)  ])G  gates  of  fe  herte.     j)e  like  gates  lokej)  /  pe  gates  of  the 
drede  of  oure  Ihorde  /  ])et  lii  ne  by  opene  to  fe  viende  The  fear  of  God 

.   locks  these  gates 

be  ydele  bysyhede  of  z^])e  /  of  hyerfe  /  and  ot  speche  /  so  that  they  are 

„  .  .  ,  ,  .    .  T  •    •     not  open  to  the 

ojjer  of  guomges  me  uela3redes  suspiciouses.  uor  bisi-  ^^^^^^ 

hede  is  specialUche  to  yzy  /  and  to  hyre  pe  ydelnesses 

of  fe  wordle  /  hy  bye))  ofte  way  to  ze/me  of  lecherie. 

jjawne  me  ret  ine  fe  writinge  /  fet  lacobbes  do3ter  / 

))o  hi  yede  muzi  uor  bysihede  uor  to  ysy  \)q  wymen  of 

fe  contraye  huer  Jjet  hi  wes.     Hi  wes  y-rauissed  of  fe      [Foi.  72.  b.] 

pj-mces  zone  of  be  cite  /  and  uorlaye.     And  Jjeruore  whowiiipre- 

■•■  11^'  serve  virginity 

huo   bet  wyle  loki  maydenhod   hi?/j    behoueji    moche  must  withdraw 

1         •    •!      1  A       T    ''^^  "''^  from  idle 

wyjjdraje  his  wyttes  uor  to  zye?me  ydele  bisihede.   And  business. 


232  THE    PARABLE    OF    THE    TEN    VIRGINS. 

])ct  me  dejj  be  lioly  tbede  of  oure  Uiorde  jjet  me  dret 

alday  to   wrejji.     )?et  is    pet  wjt  of   J>e  uif  maydines 

liuerof  oure  Ihord  lesu  crist  spekji  ine  his  spelle  fo  lie 

The  kingdom  of     zede.     j)et  j)e  kiiigriclie  of  lieiiene  is  anlikned  to  ]>&  ten 

heaven  is  likened  n  ,  -n  ii.i  ■£ 

to  the  ten  madmes.  liueroi  Jje  vil  were  wyse.  and  pe  opre  mi  were 

Tewerewise''"' foles.      He    clepe])    liier-ine    fan    of    J^e    kingriclie    of 
foolish'^  "'^'^^'^^       heuene  :    Jioly  chercbe.   fet  is   bier   benejje.  hueriune 
bye])  guode  /  and  kueade  /  of  foles  /  and  of  wyse.  ])et 
byeji  lenies  of  lioly  chercbe  /  by  fe  byleaue  of  c?'{sten- 
The  five  wise  are    dom.     ))e  vif  wyso  bctokneb   bo   bet  wel  lokef>  /  and 

those  that  control  i     i  i 

the  five  wits  of  lede])  pe  vif  wyttes  of  fe  bodie.  huerof  Ave  habbe]) 
beuore  yspeke.  pe  vif  foles  be-tokne]?  po  :  pet  folHche 
his  lokejj. 

The  fifth  leaf  is  Vjet  vlffce  leaf  is  ssarpnesse  of  hue.     A"or  huo   bet 

"  sharpness 

(austerity)  of  wyle  wel  loki  liis  maydenhod  :  him  behouej)  wel  vpys- 
hche  his  uless  ouercome  /  and  do  onderuot  /  be 
uestinges  /  be  wakiinges  /  and  be  benes.   Ssa[r]ppnesse 

which  is  a  strong  of  hue  /  is  ase  a  Strang  heg  uor  to  loki  bane  gardin  of 

hedge  surround- 
ing the  garden  of    pe  herte   uram  kuede  bestes.   J?et   bye  J)   Jie   viendes   of 

helle  /  pet  hy  ne  mo3e  na3t  in.  J»et  ne  wylne[j3]  na^t  bote 

stele  :  fet  tresor  of  maydenhod.  and  Jjeruore  ssel  fet 

tresor  by  wel  be-sset  /  and  wel  y-do  op  /  Jjet  liit  ne  by 

uorlore.  uor  huo  ))et  hit  lyest :  neure  ne  ssel  hit  habbe 

ayen.  nawmore  jjawne  pe  lompe  hua?^ne  hi  is  to-broke  / 

ne  may  by  y-held. 

The  sixth  leaf  is  J?et  zixte  leaf  is  /  bleuinge  /  Jjet  is  stedeuest  wyl  to 

constancy  ii- 

(stedfastuess).       loki  ])et  me  he])  behote  to  god.     panne  saynt  austm 

"  roiiovv\ht'laib  zay])  ine  pe  bok  of  maydenhod.  and  spek])  to  maydines  / 

aS^is'^Jesus        ^^^  ^^yP  f^^-     ^013^}'  fet  lamb  of  mildenesse  /  ])et  is 

Christ."  jggij  c7"/st  /  lokiude  uestliche  /  })et  ])ou  best  behote  to 

god.    do  hardihche  alsuo  moche  ase  pe  mi^t.    J)et  pe 

guodnesse  of  maydenhod  ne  spille  ine  pe.  uor  ])ou  ne 

mi^t  do  no  j)ing  huerby  hit  com])  ayen :  yef  ])ou  hit 

liest.  ase  we  pe  habbe})  y-zed  uorbysne  of  pe  lompe.    And 

study  persever-  . 

ance,  for  it  win-     Saint  bemard  ])us  zay]).     Stude  ])ou  to  bleue.  uor  hi 

neth  the  crown  of  /  ,     ■  n  1 

heaven.  One  /  wyu])  pe  corouiie  01  heuene. 


VIRGINITY    MUST    INCLUDE    THE    LOVE    OF    GOD.  233 

pise  zix  leues  beuore  yzed  uayi'e]?  moche  fe  lylye  of 
maydenliod.  ac  hit  behouej)  Jjet  jjis  flour  Kabbe  ^yJj)- 
inne  Jjri  cornes  of  gold.  Jjet  betoknej?  jjri  maneres  to 
loiiie  god.  Vor  maydenliod  wyJ3-oute  Jje  loue  of  god  /  virginity  without 
is  ase  jse  lonipe  wy]j-oute  oyle.  panne  pe  fole  maydenes  is  a  lamp  witiiout 
uor  fet  hi  ue  uelden  na3t  hare  lo?Hpen  mid  Jje  oyle : 
weren  basset  wy])-oute  uram  jje  bredale.  And  Ipe  wyse 
maydines  jjet  wel  nelden  hyre  lomjjen  of  pe  oyle : 
yeden  in  mid  jje  bredgome  to  pe  bredale. 

J?e  fri  maneres  to  louie  god  /  pet  hjep  be-tokned  The  three  grains 
be  jje  Jiri  cornes  of  jje  lilye :  sajTit  aiistin  tekjj  po  he  eth  how  to  love 
zede  jjus.     j5ou  sselt  louye  god  mid  al  fine  onderstond-  ^jfj^'  ^^^  ^^^^^.^ 
inge   wyb-oute  errour.     niid  ale   bine    wvUe  vrvb-oute  ^t'*"*^"?'  ^i"' 

,       /  .  '  "^  "^ '  and  thought. 

vv^yjjziggi^ge.    and  mid  al  Jjuie  bejjenchinge   wyjj-oute 
uoryetinge.       Ine   zuyche    manyere    is  godes    anlyche  in  such  manner 

,       ,  ,    .  ,  ,  •    T  .  ^^  God's  likeness 

uoiueid  ine  manne  /  by  pe  px\  dingnetes  jjet  bie  ji  me  jje  fulfilled  in  man 

zaide.     jpet  is  to  wytene.  onderstondinge.  bejjenchinge.  properties  of  the 

and  wyl.     Hua«ne  jjise  jjri  jjiuges  byejj  wel  ydi^t  to  ^°" ' 

god  ine  firi  maneres  /  ase  zayj)  saint  austin  /  panne  byejj       [FoI.  73.  a.] 

jje  jjri  cornes   of  jje  lilye  wel  y-gelt  mid   jje  golde  of 

charite    jjet   yefjj    uayrhede    /   and   guodhede    to   alle 

Ui'rtues.  uor  wij)-oute  jjo  golde  /  no  u/rtue  ne  is  be-uore 

god.     Ojjerlaker  spekjj  saynt  bernard  of  jje  maniere  to  st  Bernard 

louye   god.     And  jjus  zayjj.    '  0.  jju  jjet  art  eri&ten  /  i^e  God  ^^ 

lyerne  hou  jjou  sselt   louie    god  /  pet    is    lesu  crhV 

Lierne  him  to  louie  /  vrysliche.  zuetehche.  stran[g]liche.  wisely,  sweetly, 

T   1  -ITT      T   1  J  1  1    strongly,  and 

and  stedeuestliche.      Wysliche  :  pet  jJou  ne  by  y-stered  stedfastiy. 
be  none  prosperite.     Strongliche  :  jjet  jjou  ne  by  ouer-  be  not'^inoved  by  ** 
come  /  be  none  aduersete.  and  jJus  is  uayr  jjet  flour  of  stror"'^that 
be  lylye  of  maydenhod  /  hua/me  hi  is  zuvch  /  ase  we  "*°"  ^*  ^°^  o^^""' 

r        J   J  •!  I  J         I  comebyadver- 

habbej)  y-zed.  And  jjet  is  pe  ojjer  scele  huer-by  pe  stat  ^'^y- 

of  madenhod  /  is  moche  to  praysy  /  jjet    is    uor   liis 
uayrhede. 

J?e  jjridde  scele  huerby  hit  is  to  alowe  /  is  uor  his  '^\^  "!'''<^  ""'^''^o" 

•*  ''  I  why  virginity  is 

guodhede  /  and  uor  be  note  bet  berof  comb.     Vor  may-  *»  '^^  praised 

°  .     '  '^  Y       r  r  J      is  for  its  good- 

denhod  is  a  tresor  of  zuo  grat  worj) :  jjet  liit  ne  may  nesg. 


234 


THE    PRUITFULNESS    OF    VIRGINITY. 


Nothing  is 
worthy  of  being 
compared  to  the 
chaste  heart. 


Virginity  brings 
forth  most  fruit. 
Maniage  thii-ty- 
fold, 

widowhood  sixty- 
fold, 

and  virginity  a 
hundred-fold. 


[i  bolcmge\>  and 
bouore  in  MS.] 

In  marriage  one 
shall  keep  the  ten 
behests. 

In  widowhood 

one  shall  keep 
the  ten  behests, 
and  six  works  of 
mercy. 


The  number 
hundred  betoken- 
eth  a  round  num- 
ber, and  is  the 
fairest  of  all 
figures. 

It  betokeneth  the 
crown  wherewith 
the  wise  maidens 
crowned  them- 
selves, 

[2  Originally  the 
passage  stood 
thus,  were  mid 
y-crouned] 


for  they  have  a 
special  crown 
above  the  crown 
of  bliss, 


by  /  be  nonen  y-zet  a  pr/s.  j)anne  pe  writinge  zayf. 
)?et  no  fing  ne  is  wovlpi  to  be  ylykned :  to  Jje  chaste 
lierte.  and  is  to  onderstonde  specialliche  :  of  ]>e  chaste 
maydenhod.  uor  maidenhod  aboiie  alle  ojjre  states  ber]) 
jjet  gratteste  frut.  j5o  pet  byej?  ine  spoushod  yef  hit 
lokej)  ase  hi  ssolden  :  hi  habbejj  Jjet  J5iitta3te  frut.  Jpo 
Jjet  byej)  in  wodewe-hod  :  habbej)  fet  zixtia^te  frut.  ])o 
fet  lokejj  maydenhod  :  habbeji  Jiet  hondr[ed]a3te  frut. 
Vor  zuo  zayjj  oure  Ihord  ine  his  spelle.  Jiet  /  fiet  zed 
fet  vil  into  pe  guode  londe  :  fructefide  of  one  half  to  jje 
J)ritta3te.  of  ojjer  half  to  zixtia3te.  and  of  fe  Jjridde 
half  /  to  Jje  hondreda3te.  j)ise  fri  nombres  of  fritti.  of. 
Ix.  and  of  an  hondred  :  belongej)  ^  to  Jie  Jiri  states  beuore  ^ 
yzed.  pe  tale  of  fritti  /  pet  is  of  jjrisijje  ten  :  belongej? 
to  pe  stat  of  spoushod.  huer  me  ssel  loki  pe  ten  hestes 
ine  pe  byleaue  of  Jje  t^v'nite.  j)e  tale  of  zixti  Jjet  is  wel 
gratter  /  J»et  is  of  zixzife  ten.  be-longe])  to  pe  stat  of 
wodewehod.  uor  in  zuych  stat  me  sse[l]  lold  pe  ten 
hestes.  and  mid  J»an  me  ssel  do  pe  zix  workes  of  merci  / 
huer-of  we  habbej?  aboue  y-speke.  Ac  Jje  tale  of  an 
hondred  fet  is  femeste  of  pe  Jjriuol-do.  uor  hibetoknejj 
ane  rounde  figure.  J»et  is  pe  uayreste  amang  alle  pe 
oJ)re  figures.  Vor  ase  ine  pe  rounde  figure :  pe  ende 
went  ayen  to  his  ginninge  /  and  make))  ase  ane  coroune  : 
alzuo  Jie  tale  of  an  hondred :  ioyne]?  pern  ende  to  pe 
gi?zninge.  uor  tenzife  ten  :  make))  an  hondred  /  jjet  be- 
toknej)  pe  coroune  jjet  pe  wjse  maydjTies  :  ham 
cororuiede.^  And  pa^  hit  by  zuo  fet  ine  pe  stat  of 
spoushod.  and  ine  pe  stat  of  wodewehod  /  me  may  wel 
Wynne  pe  coroune  of  bHsse  /  and  more  habbe  of  merite 
auoreye  god  :  psme  uele  madines.  Vor  manie  pev  byej) 
ine  paradis  of  ham  ))et  habbe)»  yby  ine  spoushod  /  and 
ine  wodewehod  /  fet  more  byej)  nier  god  :  panne  manye 
maydines.  ac  alneway  habbej)  pe  maydines  ane  specials 
coroune  :  aboue  jje  coroune  of  bhsse  /  jjet  is  pe  coroune 
to  alle  pe  hal3en.     Vor  fiet  pe  maydines  habbe))  ane 


THE    SIXTH    STATE    OF    CHASTITY.  235 

speciale  ouercomynge  of  liare  ulesse.   nor  to  uol^y  fie 

lamb  of  mildenesse  /  huyder  hit   gejj  /  to    liiiam   lii       [Foi.  73.  b.] 

Ibyej)    y-spoused.      and    liabbej)    ylete     pe    ulessliche  for  they  have 

,  ,  ,  .  ,     ,  .  ,  overcome  in  an 

sposayles  /  uor  to   by  mid   mm   ate   sposayles   sure-  especial  manner 

1      . .     ^  the  lusts  of  the 

lestinde.  Aesh. 

J3e  tende '   stat  huer  me  ssel  loki  cbestete  /  is  of  The  sixth  state  of 
clerkes   y-hoded  /  ase  byejj   sujjdealoies  /   dyaknes  /  hoodeo'eierks, 
prestes  /  and  bissoppes.     Alle  fos  byef  y-hyea[l]de  to  ;',es~:,who 
loki  chastete  /  nor  manye  sceles.     Verst  /  uor  bet  hod  '"'*  bound  to 

I  <J  I  r  preserve  chastity 

bet  hi  habbeb  onderuonge  /  bet  acseb  alle  holinesse.  for  many  reasons. 

^  ^  .  First,  because 

j)anne  ]>et  sacrement  is  zno  he^  and  zno  holy  /  pet  po  their  hood  de- 

jjet  hit  onderuongejj  /  bye]?  ybounde  to  chastete  to  loky.  ness.  * 

Jjet  neuremo  hi  ne  mo3e  ham  do  to  spoushod.     Efter-  secondly,  their 

ward  nor  hare  office  ]?et  hi  habbejj.  nor  hi  bye))  y-di^t.  God*  '^ 

propreHche  to  serni  god  ine  his  tewple  at  his  wenede. 

and  handle])  /  and  be-takej)  to  hare  honden  pe  j)inges 

pet  byej)  y-hal3ed.  ase  pe  nesseles  ybhssed.  pe  chalis.  to  handle  sacred 

pe  copereans.  and  fet  more  is  grat  J)ing  wyj)-onte  com-  and"^above  aii 

parisonn  :    bet  bodi  of  onre  lords  lesn  cn'st  /  bet  be  the  body  of  our 

■•  I    f         T       Lord  Jesus 

prestes  sacrej)  /  and  ondernongej)  /  and  betake])  o])ren.     Christ. 

JSTon  hi  ssolden  panne  by  wel  klene  /  and  wel  holy  / 
nor  fane  scele  of  pe  Ihorde  to  huam  hi  serue])  /  fet  is 
holy  /  and  hate])  alle  nelfe.     Jeanne  he  zajp  ine  pe  The  Scripture 
writinge.   '  Bye])  holy  /  uor  ich  am  holy.'  uor  to  zuiche  fori'amhoiy.'^' 
Ihorde  /  zuich  maine.     Vor  fie  scele  of  fie  stede  huer  hi 
seruef)  /  fiet  is  fie  cherche  /  fiet  is  holy  /  and  y-hal3ed 
god  to  seruy.     Me  uint  ine  pe  writinge  /  fet  amang  pe  Among  the 
paenes  fie  prestes  fiet  lokeden  chastete  ine  fie  temple  /  observe  chastity 
weren  to-deld  uvam  pe  ofiren  /  fet  hi  ne  loren  hire  ^^  «tempe. 
chastete.     Mochel  ssollen  bi  more  clene  wjp-oute  com- 
pansoun  /  and  more  chast  fie  cmtene  prestes  /  fiet 
sernye])   me   godes    te?/iple   /   f)et   is   y-hal3ed   /   and 
apropred  god  to    serni.     Yet    eft   hi   ssoUe   by  more  christian  priests 
clene  /  and  more  holy  /  uor  fiet  hi  seruef)   at  godes  more  chaste, 
borde  of  his  coupe  /  of  his  breade  /  and  of  his  ^vJ'n.e  / 
[1  So  in' MS.  :   read  zizte  ?] 


236 


THE    GIRDLE    OF    CHASTITY. 


for  they  serve  at 
God's  table. 


St  Paul  exhorts 
Christian  bishops 
to  be  chaste. 


This  chastity 
was  betokened  in 
the  Old  Law  by 
the  girding  of 
the  loins. 


The  g  irdle  is 
chastity. 


Aaron  and  his 
children  were 
clothed  in  linen 
girdles. 


Before  the  linen 
"  kirtle  "  is  white 
it  must  be  beaten 
and  washed ; 
so  must  the  flesh 
be  disciplined  by 
penance.- 


The  kirtle  must 
have  above  the 
white  girdle  of 
chastity. 

[Fol.  74.  a.] 


The  linen  kirtle 
betokeneth  chast- 
ity of  heart. 

The  girdle  above 
denotes  chastity 
of  body. 


and  of  his  mete.  Godes  table  is  jje  wyeued.  J?e  coupe 
is  fe  clialis.  his  bread  and  his  wyn  :  ])et  is  liis  propre 
bodi  and  his  propre  blod.  Mochel  ssolle  lii  J?a?me  by 
clone  and  holy  /  J30  Jjet  zuiche  seruice  dojj.  jjanne 
sainte  panl  zayj).  hit  behoue))  fet  J)e  bissoppes  /  and  jje 
ojjre  ministres  of  huani  he  heji  y-speke  /  fiet  byej)  Ipe 
ministres  of  holy  cherche  /  by  chaste. 

J)is  chastete  wes  be-tokned  iiie  f>e  yealde  la3e  Imer 
god  het  to  ham  Jjet  ssolden  ethe  of  jje  lombe  /  jjet  be- 
toknede  Jjet  bodi  of  lesu  cn'st  /  fet  lii  gerten  wel  hare 
lenden.  j)e  gerdel  huermide  jie  ministres  of  holy 
cherche  /  ssolle  ham  gerde  /  ope  fe  lenden  :  is  chastete  / 
jjet  wyJ3-dra3jj  fe  lecherie  of  hare  ulesse.  j)o  god  het 
to  aaron  /  Jjet  wes  prest  and  bissop  /  J)et  alle  his  chil- 
dren weren  yclofed  ine  linene  kertles  /  and  y-gert 
aboue  mid  huite  linene  gerdles.  Aaron  and  his  chil- 
dren /  ])et  serueden  ine  fe  tabernacle :  be-toknej?  /  jje 
ministres  of  holy  cherche  /  Jjet  ssol  by  y-clojjed  mid 
linene  kertles  /  of  chastete  /  jjet  is  be-tokned  be  jje 
huite  ulexe.  Vor  ase  linene  kertel  erfan  hi  by  huyte  : 
uelezijje  hi???,  behouejj  Jjet  he  by  ybeate  /  and  y-Avesse  : 
And  alsuo  hit  be-houej)  /  ]?et  uless  beate  /  and  wesse  / 
be  dissiplines  /  and  be  hardnesses,  and  ofte  wesse  his 
herte  of  kueade  lostes.  and  of  kueade  \A^lnynges  /  be 
zofe  ssrifte  /  er  pan  me  mo^e  habbe  pane  huite  kertel 
of  chastete.  Ac  pes  kertel  ssel  habbe  pane  huyte  gerdel 
aboue.  pet  is  to  zigge  /  pet  chastete  ssel  bi  straytHche 
y-loked  /  and  wel  wyp-dra^e  be  abstinence  [uorberinge]  / 
ase  moche  ase  scele  berp  /  pet  is  pe  bocle  of  pe  gerdle. 
Operlaker  me  may  zigge  /  pet  pe  linene  kertel  /  be-tokn- 
ep  chastete  of  herte.  pe  gerdel  aboue  /  be-tocnep 
chastete  of  bodie  pet  ssel  wypdra^e  pe  lostes  of  pe 
ulesse  uor  to  loki  pe  chastete  of  pe  zaule.  j)is  ilke  selue 
is  ous  betokned  /  ine  pe  aube  /  and  ine  pe  gerdle  aboue  / 
pet  pe  ministres  of  holy  cherche  dop  an  /  hua«ne  hi 
ssolle  serui  at  godes  wyeuede.     Vor  hi  ssolle  by  chaste 


CLERKS    SHOULD    OBSERVE    CHASTITY.  237 

wvljine  ine  be  lierte  /  and  -tt^'b-Giite  ine  bodye.    Mocliel  Very  foul  is  the 

'' '  '  '  '' '  _  "^  _  spot  of  lechery  in 

is  uoul  be  spot  of  ze?ine  /  and  nameliche  of  lecherie  /  the  ministers  of 

•*         ^        '  '  '     the  church, 

ine  jje  ministres  of  holy  clierche.  Vor  hi  biejj  Jje  630 
of  holy  cherche  /  ase  zayjj  J»e  ^Titinge.  Yor  ase  jjet 
626  let  bet  body  /  and  \\\ni  sseweb  his  way  hnerby  hit  for  they  are  the 

eyes  of  Holy 

ssel  guo  :  alsuo  ssoUe  jje  prelas  /  and  jje  ojire  ministres  cimrch. 

of  holy  cherche   sse^vy  jjane  way  of  helj^e  to   oJ)ren. 

Jpanne  alsuo  ase  J)e  spot  fet  is  wel  uouler  ine  fe  e^en  /  as  the  spot  is 

.  „.,  ,  .  L     £  fouler  in  the  eye 

J)a?nie  me  ojjre  iemes  01  pe  bodye  :  alsuo  is   pe  spot  01  than  in  the  other 

lecherie  more  uouler/  and  more  perilous  ine  clerkes  so  is  lechery  more 

and  ine  prelas  :  jsawne  ine  leawede  uolke.     Efterward  /  and'^reutes'^^han 

hy  byejj    fe    sseawere  of  holy  cherche  /  huerine  Jiet  in'ewdfoik. 

lewede  uolk  loke])  /and  nimej)  uorbysne.     Ac  hua??ne 

fe  sseawere  is  bri3t  me  zijjj  wel  fane  spot  /  and  fe 

ueljje  fat  is  ine  ])e  ssewere.     Ac  jje  ilke  Jjet  ine  zuich  a 

ssewere  na3t  ne  lokej)  /  he  ne  zikji'  na3t  his  03ene  spot  /        [i  aijfjp] 

ne  ]?et  me  de])  mid  jje  sseawere  Jiet  is  uoul  an  dim.     Ac 

hua?jne  fe  ilke  sseawere  is  wel  bri3t  and  clene  :  ]5a?^ne 

may  me  wel  y-zy  /  and  wel  y-knawe  liis  spottes.    Alzuo 

hua/?ne  jje  prelat  is  of  guode  Ijiie  /  and  of  guod  los. 

jja?^ne  he  ssel  nime  uorbisne  of  guode  lyue.    Efterward.  Prelates  should 

be  pure  and  holy, 

hi  ssolle  by  wel  klene  /  and  wel  holy,    uor  fet  hi  for  they  haiiow 

clenze])  /   and   hal3e])   fe   ojjre.      Vor  ase  zayjj   sajTit  ' 

gregorie.   'fe  hand  )jet  is  uoul  /  and  behorewed  /  ne 

may  ojjremawne  uelfe  do  away.'  and  jje  writinge  zayjj. 

bet  be  ilke  bet  is  uoul :  ne  may  nenne  obrenne  kle?zsy.  '^"t  the  foul  are 

not  able  to  cleanse 

And  J)et  is  to  onderstonde  :  ase  moche  ase  faylej)  of  his  others. 

merits.    Yor  Jje  sacrement  jjet  is  y-mad  be  fe  ministre  / 

be  )je  hand  of  Jje  kueade  ministre.   ne  is  na3t  lesse  worjj 

ine  lii??i-zelue  /  ne  lesse  uiHuous  /  ne  Jje  lesse  mi3tuol  / 

uor  to  hal3y  ham  Jjet  liit  onderuongejj.     Yor  yef  hit  on- 

deruongejj  be  l)e  hand  of  ane   guode  miuistre.  uor  Jje  The  wickedness 

of  the  minister 

kueadnesse  of  Jje  ministre  /  ne  apayrejj  na3t  Jje  sacre-  impaireth  not 

,  the  virtue  of  the 

ment  /  ne  Jie  guodnesse.     Ac  alneway  Jje  kueadnesse  of  sacrament. 
Jje  ministre  /  may  anpayri  Jje  ojire  be  kueade  uorbysnen. 
and  J»e  guodnesse  edefie  /  be  uorbisne  of  guode  lyue. 


238 


THE    SEVENTH    STATE    OF    CHASTITY. 


Ministers  should 
be  ail  example  of 
chastity  to  theirl 
flocks. 


The  seventh  state 
is  the  state  of 
religion. 


Those  who  are 
dedicated  to  God 
must  always  ob- 
serve_chastity, 

[Fol.  74.  b.] 


for  their  state 
is  one  of  per- 
fection. 


The  devil  strives 
most  to  tempt 
them  to  sin. 


for  he  has  greater 
j  oy  over  the  fall 
of  a  good  and 
great  man  than 
over  many  others, 

as  the  fishennan 
hath  greater  joy 
to  take  a  great 
fish  than  a  little 
one. 


)?eruore  jjawne  liuam  fet  hi  hal3e]j  /  and  dense])  jje  ojjre 
ine  fet  hi  ministrej)  |je  sacremens  of  holy  cherche  :  hy 
ssolle  by  pe  more  holy  /  and  more  clene  /  J»a?ine  fe 
o])re.  Vor  yef  hi  byej)  queade  :  hi  ssolle  by  fe  more 
y-harmed  /  J)a«ne  jje  o])re.  j)is  is  Jie  zixte  stat. 
hner  me  ssel  loki  chastete.  and  Jje  zixte  boj  of  Jjise 
trawe. 

])e  zeuende  stat  hner  me  ssel  loki  chastete  :  is  Jje 
stat  of  religioun.  uor  fo  Jjet  byeJ)  ine  fet  stat  /  habbejj 
to  god  behote :  fet  hi  ssolle  libbe  eiiremor  chasteliche. 
And  Jjeruore  hy  bye])  y-hyealde  /  and  y-obliged  be 
ziiych  beheste.  fet  nenremor  hi  ne  mo^e  by  spoused  / 
ze])])e  hi  byef  profes.  And  huo  pet  him  dep  s]3ousy : 
fe  sponshod  ne  ssel  by  na3t.  and  feruore  hi  ssolle  do 
greate  payne  /  and  grat  diligence  wel  to  loki  hare 
chastete  /  and  uor  hare  stat  /  pet  is  stat  of  holy  pe?'fec- 
cion.  ])et  pe  more  J)et  /  fet  stat  is  holy  :  be  zuo  moche 
is  pe  ze??ne  pe  more  /  and  pe  more  uoul.  Jpe  uouler 
fet  is  pe  spot :  pe  more  he  is  yzyenne  ine  pe  huyte  robe. 
And  huo  fet  he3est  ualp :  pe  zorer  he  him  blechef. 
And  uor  to  ouercome  hire  aduersarie  fet  is  pe  dieuel  / 
fet  mest  Imn  paynej)  uor  to  uondi  and  to  do  ualle  fo  of 
religion,  and  more  is  gled  huanne  he  his  may  ouer- 
come :  panne  of  eni  o]ier  stat.  Yor  alsuo  ase  pe  angles 
of  heuene  habbe])  grat  glednesse  of  ane  zene3ere 
hua/ine  he  him  repente])  /  and  dej)  penonce  uor  his 
zewnes  ;  alsuo  pe  dyeulew  ham  gledie])  hua?^ne '  hi  mo3e 
ouercome  /  and  do  ualle  in-to  zewne  ane  guodne  man. 
And  pe  more  Jiet  he  is  of  grat  stat  /  and  pe  i^arfiter : 
pe  more  hef  he  pe  gratter  glednesse  /  hua?2ne  he  him 
may  gyly.  Ase  pe  ^dssere  hep  more  blisse  uor  to  nime 
ane  gratne  viss  :  ])ane  ane  littlene. 


Here  lieth  a 

tale. 

One  readeth  in 

the  lives  of  the 


Hyer  ly])  a  tale. 
Me  ret  ine  Hues  of  holy  uaderes  /  fet  an  holy  man 

1  MS.  \>uannc 


HOW   A    PAGAN    BECAME    A    MONK.  239 

tealde  /  hou  he  com  to  "by  monek  /  and  zede.  hoii  bet  i^oiy  fathers 

that  a  holy  man 

he  hedde  y-by  ane  payenes  zone  /  Jtet  wes  a  prest  to  jje  toia  how  he  be- 

.  came  a  monk. 

monienettes.     And  po  he  wes  a  child  :  on  time  he  yede  He  was  a  pagan 
into  ]je  temple  mid  his  uader  pn'ueliche.     )?er  he  yze3  whenaXudhe 
ane  gratne  dyeuel  fet  zet  ope  ane  uyealdinde  stole  /  and  temp°ie  oV"  ^^^ 
al  his  mayne  aboute  him.     ber  com  on  of  be  prmces  :  Mahomet, 

■^  '  '        ^  and  there  he  saw 

and  leat  to  hi?n.     j)o  he  Mm  aksede  be  ilke  bet  zet  ine  a  great  devii  sit- 
ting on  a  folding- 

pe  stole,  hiia/mes  he  com.  and  he  ansuerede  /  fet  he  stooi,  and  aii  his 
com  uram  ane  londe  huer  he  hedde  arered  and  ymad  Mm. 

/         T  ...  ;  ,     ,  1        One  of  his  princes 

manye  werren  /  and  manye  vi3tinges  /  zno  fet  moche  came  and  toid  him 

uolk  weren  yssla3e  /and  moche  blod  Jjer  y-ssed.     ])e  'fy^^lJ'^r]'^^]^  a 

mayster  hi??^  acsede  ine  hou  moche  time  he  hedde  Jjet  caused  in  so  days, 

y-do.  and  he  ansuerede:  'ine  britti  daaes.'  he  him  zede/  His  master  the 

devil  ordered  him 

'Ine  zuo  moche  time  /  hest  zuo  lite  y-do  V     j5o  he  het  to  be  weii  beaten, 

,  because  in  so 

]jet  ha  wer  ri3t  wel  ybeate  /  and  euele  y-dra^e.     Jitter  much  time  he  had 

J>an :  com  anojser  jjet  alsuo  to  hi??i  leat  ase  fe  uerste. 

)3e  mayster  hi?».  acsede :  hua??nes  ha  com.  He  ansuerede  /  Another  came 

and  said  tliat  in 

j?et  he  com  uram  fe  ze.  huer  he  hedde  ymad  manye  20  days  he 

,  .  ,11/1  1  n     had  caused  tem- 

te?wpestes.    uele   ssipes   to-broke    /    and    moche    uolk  pests  and  ship- 
adrey[n]ct.  j)e   maister   acsede  ine  hou  lo?zg  time,  he  "^^^^  ^' 
ansuerede  /'ine   tuenti  da3es.'     He  zayde  /  '  Ine  zuo  He  too  was  re- 

1  •  1  T  1       )       T-i  /»  1  buked  for  his 

moche  time:  hest  zuo  htey-do?      Efterward  com  pe  idleness. 
bridde.  bet  ansuerede  /  bet  he  com  uram  ane  cite  huer  a  third  came  and 

related  how  at  a 

he  hedde  y-by  at  ane  bredale  /  and  per  he  hedde  arered  wedding  he  had 
and  y-mad  cheastes  /  and  strifs.  zuo  pet  moche  uolk  discord,  and' 
Jjer  were  y-sla3e.   and   Jjer-to  :    he   hedde  ysla3e   jjane  ^ys^'^^  "^ 
hosebounde.     ])g  maister  him  acsede  hou  long  time  he 
zette  fet  uor  to  done.     He  ansuerede  fet  ine  ten  da3es. 
j3o  he  het  ]}et  he  were  wel  ybyate.  uor  jjet  he  hedde  for  which  he  was 
zuo  longe  abide  f  et  to  done :    A\d]3-oute   more.       Ate  beSr  S" 
lasten  com  an-ober  to-uore  be  prmce.  and  to  him  he  oolong  about  it. 

•'•'■'■  At  last  there 

bea3.     And  he  him  acsede  /  huannes  comst  fou.     He  ^^^  another, 
ansuerede  pet  he    com  uram    pe   ermitage  /  huer   he  who  said  he  came 

■1111  ,.  ,  1.  ipi>'      from  an  hermit- 

nedcle  yby  uourti  yer  uor  to  uondi  ane  monek  ol   lorni-  ^^^  where  he 
cacion  /  bet  is  be  zenne  of  lecherie.  and  zuo  moche  ich  ^^^'^  '^f "  ^'i. 

'    '  '  years  temptmg  a 

habbe  y-do  bet  ine  bise  nyjt  ich  hine  habbe  ouercome  /  ^""'^  *»  commit 

'••'■>  I     fornication,  and 


240 


RELIGION    IS    LIKE    A    DESERT. 


[Fol.  75.  a.] 
was  ultimately- 
successful. 
Tlie  devil  kissed 
this  prince,  and 
placed  a  crown 
on  his  head  and 
praised  him  for 
his  prowess. 


Thus  we  see  how 
glad  the  devil  is 
when  he  may- 
cause  a  man  of 
religion  to  fall 
into  sin. 


Our  Lord  went 
into  the  desert  to 
be  tempted. 


Religion  is  a 
desert  hard  and 
dry. 


Wlioso  will  avoid 
lechery,  must 
withdraw  from 
the  lusts  of  the 
flesh. 


He  who  will  take 
a  castle  must 
withdraw  the 
meat  and  the 
water  so  as  to 
starve  his  foe. 


The  castle  of  the 
womb  may  not 
withstand  the 
spirit  when  it  is 
star\'ed  by  fast- 
ings and  absti- 
nence. 


and  y-do  him  iialle  in-to  Jie  ze?me.  J5o  lliip  op  pe 
mayster  /  and  him  keste  /  and  be-clepte  /  and  dede  pe 
coroime  ope  his  hened  /  an  dede  him  zitte  he-zide  him. 
and  to  him  zede  /  fet  he  hedde  grat  fing  y-do  /  and 
grat  prowesse.  j3o  zayde  J^e  guode  man  /  Jjet  huawne 
he  hedde  Jjet  y-hyerd  /  and  pet  j-zo^e  :  he  Jjo^te  /  jjet  hit 
were  grat  jjing  to  hy  monek  /  and  be  po  encheysoun 
he  hecom  monek. 

Ine  J)ise  tale  me  may  ysy  /  ))et  greate  glednesse  hal)- 
beJ3  pe  dyeiden  hua?aie  hi  mo3e  do  iialle  ane  man  of  re- 
hgion  in-to  ze?me.  Vor  hua?me  Jiet  a  man  is  y-giio  in- 
to religion  /  he  is  ase  pe  ilke  Jiet  gejj  in-to  pe  iielde 
nor  hi?/i-zelue  /  to  ni3te  w}'J>  fiane  dyenel.  )5a?me 
hua?ine  oure  Ihord  wolde  by  uonded  of  pe  dyeule :  he 
yede  in-to  desert,  nor  Jie  desert  of  religion :  is  ueld  of 
uondinge.  Religion  is  ycleped  desert,  uor  alsuo  ase  pe 
desert  is  hard  and  draye  /  and  uer  uram  alle  men : 
alsuo  ssel  by  pe  stat  of  religion  hard  /  and  draye  be 
hardnesse  of  line.  Jiet  is  a  Strang  heg  aye  pe  wyckede 
bestes.  and  a  Strang  armure  a-ye  fane  uyend.  j)is  is 
remedie  aye  ze??ne  of  lecherie.  nor  huo  J?et  wyle  quenche 
J)et  uer  of  lecherie  ine  him-zelue :  he  ssel  wyj3dra3e  pe 
brondes.  fet  bye|)  pe  lostes  of  pe  ulesse  /  ,J)et  pe  guode 
rehgious  ssel  wy]3dra3e  of  his  ulesse  /  be  uestinges  /  be 
wakiinges  /  be  dicipKnes.  ojjer  oj?erlaker  Jjet  uer  ne  may 
na3t  by  y-quenct.  Huo  Jjet  wyle  ane  cite  ojjer  ane  castel 
nime :  he  ssel  asemoche  ase  he  may  /  w^jpdva-^e  pe 
metes  /  and  Jjet  weter  /  uor  to  asterue  his.  Yor  huawne 
Jie  castel  is  asterued  :  he  ne  naay  hym  hyealde  aye  his 
yuo.  Alsuo  pe  castel  of  pe  wombe  Jjet  is  pe  strengfe  of 
pe  ulesse  /  ne  may  hi9?i  hyealde  aye  Jjane  gost :  paiine  he 
is  asterued  be  uestinges  /  and  be  wyj)dra3j(es.  })e  stat 
of  religion  ssel  by  zuo  yuerred  uram  pe  wordle  :  Jjet  pe 
ilke  fet  is  ine  J»et  stat  /  ne  uele  na3t  huerof  he  ssel  by 
dyead  to  pe  Avordle  /  and  libbe  to  god.  ase  zayjj  zainte 
paid.  ])et  alsuo  ase  pe  ilke  fet  is  dyead  bodilich  /  hep 


TRUE  POVERTY  IS  A  TREASURE.  241 

ilore  alle  his  bocliliclie  -v^yttes  /  f e  zi3|)e  /  fe  hyerfe  /  pe 
speche.  jjane  ziielj,  /  Jjane  smel  /  and  pe  uelinge.  alsuo 
ssel  by  be  religious  zuo  dyead  ase  to  pe  wordle  :  Jjet  he  The  religious 

should  be  dead  to 

nojjing   ne   uele   Jjet  belongejj  to  zenne.  jjet  he  111036  the  world. 

zojjliche  zigge  jjet  word  /  fet  pe  apostel  saiiite  paul  st  Paui  held  the 

zayde  of  him-zelue.   ')3e  wordle'  he  zayji  'is  y-creicefyed  hateful,  as  one 

to  me :  and  ich  to  pe  wordle.'  he  wolde  zigge  fet  al  erocifieTor^hang- 

alsuo  ase  pe  wordle  him  hild  uor  uyl  /  and  uor  wlatuol  /  ^'^^["J"  '"^  ""^' 

ase  me  dejj  enne  y-honged :  alsuo  hed  he  pe  wordle 

uor  \'il  /  and  uor  wlatuol  /  ase  me  hejj  Jjane  :  fet  is  y- 

crz/cified  ojjer  anhonged  uor  his  misdede.     Alsuo  ssel 

pe  like  Jjet  is  ine  stat  of  perfeccion  /  pe  wor[d]le  hatie.  He  that  is  in  a 

jjet  is  to  zigge :  pe  couajiiise  /  and  pe  kueadnesse  of  pe  ha^teth  the  covet- 

wordle  /  pet  he  ne  uele  na3t  be  loue  and  be  wyhiinge.  °"  rid,*^*  ° 

zuo  jjet    his  co;^uersacion  by  al  ine  heuene.  ase  zay]) 

zainte  paul  of  him  /  and  of  ham  Jjet  hjep  ine  stat  of 

perfeccion.    'Om-ecowuersacioun' hezayb  'is  ine  heuene.  for  their  conversa- 
tion is  in  heaven. 

uor  J3et  body  is  ine  pe  evpe.  pe  herte  is  ine  heuene  be 
loue  /  and  be  wylninge. 

Man  rehgious  ne  ssel  nobing  o^en  habbe  ine  erbe.  f^°^-  '^^-  ^-^ 

''-'■'  J         The  religious  man 

Ac  he  ssel  maki  liis  hord  ine  heuene.  ase  zay b  om'e  shall  make  ws 

hoard  in  heaven. 

Ihord  me  his  spelle.  '  Yef  j)ou  ^v}dt'  he  zayjj  'by  parfit : 
guo  and  zele  al  fet  Jjou  best  /  and  yef  hit  pe  poure  uor 
godes  loue  /  and  zuo  pe  sselt  habbe  Jjin  hord  ine  heuene.' 
Mawnes  hord  of  religion:  ys  zobe  pouerte  bet  comb  of  The  man  of  re- 

°  'J  r      1  r  r  ligion's  hoard  is 

guode  wylle  /  ase  zayb  an  haben  ine  be  lyues  of  uaderes.  true  poverty, 

wherewith  one 

Yor  pouerte  is  pei  menet  /  huermide  me  bay])  pe  riche  buyeth  the  king- 

n        T  r.   dom  of  heaven. 

01  heuene.  Hueruore  oure  Ihord  zay]).  pet  pe  poure  of 
sprit  bj^e))  y-blissed.  Vor  pe  riche  of  heuene  :  is  hare. 
Yorzofe  huo  Jjet  is  poure  of  spmt  /  pei  is  of  wj'lle.  He 
ne  zekj)  ine  fise  wordle  /  ne  lostes.  ne  richesses,  no 
worbssipes.  ac  rabre  uoryet  al  /  uor  god.     And  zuo  ssel  The  good  reiigi- 

ous  man  seeks  to 

do  pe  guode  religious  /  Jjet  wile  cliue  into  be  belle  of  ciimb  unto  the 

hill  of  perfection, 

perfeccion.     J3a?ine  pe  angel  zayde  to  lot  /  po  he  wes 

y-guo  out  of  sodome.  'ne  trost  pe  na3t  ine  jje  stede  pei 

J30U  best  ylete.  ac  ywyte  Jje  ine  pe  helle  of  perfeccion.' 

16 


242 


EEGRET    NOT    THE   WORLD. 


for  he  trusts  not 
to  tlie  world. 


Lot's  wife  looked 
back  to  the  burn- 
ing city,  and  was 
changed  into  an 
image  of  salt. 

Lot's  wife  be- 
tokeneth  those 
whose  bodies  are 
in  the  cloisters 
but  their  hearts 
in  the  world. 


They  have  only 

the  clothing  of 

religion. 

The  image  of  salt 

betokeneth  wit 

and  discretion. 


Our  Lord  exhorts 
his  disciples  to 
remember  Lot's 
wife. 


He  who  sets  hand 
to  the  plough  and 
looketh  behind  is 
not  worthy  of 
heaven. 

Those  dedicated 
to  God  should 
ever  have  the 
eyes  of  their 
[Fol.  76.  a.] 


Vor  hue  Jjet  is  y-giio  out  of  pe  co/mersacion  of  Jje  wordle  : 
he  ne  ssel  him  na3t  trosti  /  ne  hyealde  besyde  fe  wordle 
be  wylle  /  ne  be  wilninge.  Ac  him  asoyny  ase  moche 
ase  he  may  /  al  huet  he  is  iue  Jjc  helle  of  perfeccion  / 
and  pev  me  ssel  abide  to  his  heljje  /  wyjjoute  lokinge 
ayen.  Lottes  wyf  lokede  behinde  hire  /  jje  cite  jjet 
ber[n]de  hueroiit  hi  wes  i-guo.  and  Jjeruore  hi  w^es 
ychonged  in-to  an  ymage  of  zalt.  Lottes  wyf  /  be- 
toknejj  ham  /  zeppe  pet  hi  bye])  igiio  out  of  jje  wordle  / 
and  bye]?  yguo  into  rehgion.  wende]>  ayen  be  wille  and 
be  wyhii?2ge  /  pet  habbef  hare  body  ine  cloystre  /  an 
zettep  hare  herten  ine  pe  wordle.  Jjos  anlykneji  pe 
ymage  of  zalt  /  ]jet  ne  he])  bote  Jie  lyknesse  of  man.  and 
hit  is  hard  /  and  chald  ase  a  ston.  Alsuo  hjep  ])et 
uolk  chealde  ine  pe  loue  of  god  /  and  hard  wy]j-oute 
wetnesse  of  pite  :  and  of  deuocion,  j)a??ne  hi  ne  habbe]) 
bote  pe  clojiinge  of  hare  religion.  ])e  ymage  fet  wes  of 
zalt  /  be-tokne])  ine  pe  writi??ge  :  wyt  /  and  discrecion. 
uor  ase  fet  zalt  yefj)  smac  to  pe  mete :  alsuo  ssel  man 
habbe  wyt.  and  discrecion  ine  his  dedes  /  and  ine  his 
wordes.  j)e  ilke  ymage  panne  of  zalt  ssel  y[e]ue  wyt  / 
and  onderstondiwge  /  and  uorbysne  :  to  ham  of  religion, 
pet  habbe])  uorlete  pe  wordle  /  pet  hy  ne  wende  ayen  to 
])an  ])et  hi  habbe]»  y-lete.  And  peruore  zajp  oure  Ihord 
in  his  spelle  to  his  deciples  /  Jjet  liim  uol3ede.  'be])enche]) 
you  he  zai])  of  lottes  wyue.'  j)et  is  to  zigge  /  ne  loke]) 
na3t  to  ])et  ye  habbe])  y-lete  uor  me.  pet  ye  ne  lyese  pet 
lyf  of  grace  and  of  blisse :  Alsuo  ase  lottes  wyf  / 
uorlyas  pet  lif  of  pe  bodye  /  uor  pet  hi  lokede  to  pan  / 
pet  hi  hedde  y-lete.  j)amie  oure  Ihord  zayp  ine  his 
spelle.  J?et  pe  ilke  pet  zet  pe  hand  ape  ZU0I3  and  lokep 
behinde  him :  ne  is  na3t  worpi  to  pe  riche  of  l^euene. 
Vor  alsuo  ase  pe  ilke  pe  let  pe  ZU0I3  lokep  alneway 
beuore  him  /  uor  to  lede  wel  liis  znol^  :  Alsuo  ssel  do 
he  pet  zet  pe  hand  to  pe  ZU0I3  of  penonce  oper  of  reli- 
gion :  alneAvay  ssel  habbe  pe  e3en  of  his  herte  /  pet  is  to 


DESIRE    SPIRITUAL    BLESSINGS.  243 

zigff^e  be  onderstondiuge  and  be  vryl  to  ban  bet  is  be-uore  :  ^^'^^  directed  to 

''^     ^  °  r         J  r        r  everlasting  bllss, 

and  na3t  to  jjan  -Jjet  is  behynde.  |)et  is  to  pe  guodes  and  not  to  tem- 

.  HIT  •  1  poral  goods. 

eurelestmde  pet  ssoilett  by  be-uore  me  pe  nerte.  na3t  to 
pe  timliche  guodes  /  Jjet  ssoUe  by  behynde.  And  pus 
dede  zajTite  paul  jjet  zede  /  Jjet  be  hedde  uoryete  Jjet  /  st  Paul  always 

directed  his  un- 

fet  wes  benmde.  jjet  wes  pe  wordle  and  al  Jie  couaitise  derstanding  and 
fet  pev  is  /  jjet  be  ne  prayzede  na3t  /  and  yede  alneway 
beuore  him.     Vor  be  bedde  alneway  bis  onderstondinge 
and  bis  ^vyl  to  beuene.     Ac  mocbe  uolk  of  religion 
zettejj  pe  ZU0I3  be-uore  pe  oksen.  uor  uele  pev  hjep  and  Many  religious 
jjet  is  bire  barm  Jjet  more  zechep  pe  timlicbe  finges  /  porai  things  and 
and    dop  beuore  /  fet   ssolde  by  bebynde.  J?e  timlicbe  before\he°ofen. 
guodes  beuore :  pe  eurelestinde.   and  pe  gostliche   be- 
hynde.   Zuyche  religious  byejj  ine  wel  grat  penl  of  hare 
uorlyezynge.  uor  hi  ne  babbej)  bote  pe  clofinge  of  hare 
religion.     To  pe  uorbysne  of  zainte  paul  /  ssel  pe  guode  st  Paul  exhorts 
religious  /  uoryete  pe  wordle  /  and  lete  his  behinde  hi//i.  "everlasting 
and  pe  guodes  eurelestinde  alneway  habbe  beuore  bis  1°^^^^  them'^^^ 
e3en.  and  alneway  guo  lU'am  nirtue  /  to  uiVtue  /  alhuet  and  go  from 
he  comj)  to  pe  mont  ioye.  jjet  is  /  to  pe  belle  of  blisse  until  they  come 
eurelestinde.  huer  he  ssel  clyerliche  izy  god.  and  him  eveHasthig°biiss. 
ssel  louie  parfitliche.  and  worjjssipie  euremo.     j)et  is  pe 
blissinge  huer  pe  yeffe  of  onderstondinge  let  J3o  Jjet 
lokej)  clerenesse  of  herte  /  and  of  bodye  /  ase  we  babbejj 
aboue  y-sseawed.     And  feruore  zayj?  oure  Ihord.     pet 
yblissed  byeJ5  pe  clene  of  herte.  uor  by  ssolle  clyerliche  "  Blessed  be  the 

,,.,,,,..  ,        .  1  1  •   1  clean  of  heart, 

ysy  god.     pe  iLke  bnssmge  begin])  hyer.  uor  hi  byep  for  they  shau 
yclenzed   of  Jjiesternesse  /  of  errour  to  pe  onderstond- 
inge /  and  of  spottes  of  ze??ne  /  ase  to  pe  'wylle.     And 
Jjeruore  hi  y-zyej)  god  be  byyleaue  ali3te  /  of  pe  bri3tnesse  They  shall  see 
fet  com]?  of  pe  yef j)e  of  onderstondinge  /  huerby  me  y,y  the  gift  of 
knau])  his  sseppere  /  and  al  ]jet  belongejj  to  beljje  of  ^^  ^'^^'^^  '^°' 
zaule  wyJ)-oute  drede  /  w;)' J)-oute  comparer  /  wy])-oute 
chancelier.  and  ine  pe  byleue  of  lesu  cn'st  huer  hi  byejj 
zuo  to-gidere  /  and  yzet  uestliche  /  fet  hi  ne  ni03e  bam 
to-dele  ;  uor  dyaj)  /  ne  uor  torment.     And  jjeruore  hi 
16  * 


244 


IN    HEAVEN    ALL   IS    BEAUTIFUL. 


The  pure  of  heart 
are  blessed  in  this 
mortal  life. 


for  they  see  God 
clearly  with  the 
eyes  of  their 
heart. 


This  blessing 
shall  be  perfected 
in  the  life  ever- 
asting, 


when  they  shall 
see  God  face  to 
face. 


[Fol.  76.  b.] 

In  heaven  there 
is  all  beauty, 
sweetness,  and 
goodness ; 


wherefore  think 
on  things  above, 
and  consider  how 
desirable  is  that 
buss  which  com- 
prehends all 
others. 


God  is  the  highest 

good: 

of  Him  come  all 

goods,  as  the 

streams  of  the 

well. 

He  is  greatly 

blessed  who  with 

his  naked  visage 


byej)  ylDlissed  /  jje  clene  of  herte  /  ine  fise  lyue  dyad- 
lich.  uor  hi  habbe])  Jje  e3en  of  hare  herten  /  and  J?e 
onderstondinge  of  hare  wylle  /  zmo  clene  /  and  zuo  clyer  / 
fet  hi  zye3'  god  /  and  yleuej)  be  stronge  beleaue  /  and 
zikere.  ase  zayjj  oure  Ihord  to  saint  thomas  fe  apostel. 
'Vor  fet  Jjou  me  best  y-zo3e  :  Jjou  me  best  yleued.  Ac 
Jjo  ssolle  by  yblissed  :  jjet  me  ne  y-ze3e  and  me  yleue]?.' 
Ac  fis  blissinge  ssel  by  uolueld  /  ine  fe  line  enreles- 
tinde.  huer  jje  clene  of  herte  Jjet  bier  ssolle  ysy  him  be 
byleaue.  ac  alneway  Jiiesterliche.  hi  ssolle  y-zi  face  wyjj 
face  :  al  aperteliche  /  ase  zayj)  zayte  paul.  J)et  is  Jje 
blissinge  of  angles  /  and  of  hal3en  of  poradis.  Jjet  yzy 
god  ine  Jje  face  /  yknawe  enne  god  ine  J)ri  persones.  to 
ysy  cherliche  ine  Jjo  sseawere  hneri?zne  alle  Jjinges  byejj 
bri3te  /  mid -Jje  lombe  /  and  Jie  hal3en  ham  wondrejj  / 
and  ham  y-zyef).  and  nolle  ne  mo3e  by  :  him  an  to  loki. 
Vor  Jjer  is  alle  uayrhede  /  alle  znetnesse  /  alle  guo[d]- 
nesse.  welle  of  lif  eurelestinde  /  and  al  Jiet  herte  may 
vfjlnj  I  and  of  guod  desiri.  Ac  ich  zigge  lite,  nor 
ase  zayJj  Jje  writinge.  '  ne  e3e  dyeadlich  ne  may  najt 
ysy.  ne  eare  hihere.  ne  ma?znes  herte  Jiencbe.  Jjet 
god  hejj  agrayjjed  to  his  uriendes.'  )?a«ne  sant 
ansalm  zayji.  'Man  arere  al  J)ine  onderstondinge  Jjer 
aboue  /  an  Jjench  ase  moche  ase  Jje  mi3t  /  hnet  /  and 
hou  moche  grat  /  and  hno  moche  lostuol  /  is  Jjet  guod  / 
Jjet  heJj  Jje  ioye  and  Jjane  lost  of  alle  guode.  and  na3t 
zuych  lost  /  ne  zueche  blisse  /  ase  me  nint  ine  sseppinges  : 
ac  asemoche  more  :  ase  Jje  sseppere  is  more  Jja?2ne  Jje 
sseppinges.'  IS'on  zayJj  he  /  'mannes  makinge  huet 
y-zyxt  Jjou  foleant  uor  to  zeche  diuerse  guodes  to  J)ine 
zaide  and  to  Jjine  bodye.  Loue  wel  on  guod  huer  byeJj 
alle  guodes  /  and  liit  is  }tio3.  Jjet  is  hi?n-zelf  Jjet  is  he3est 
guod  of  huam  comejj  alle  Jje  oJ)re  /  ase  Jie  streames  /  of 
Jje  welle.'  Vorzojie  he  ssel  by  wel  yblissed  zayJ)  saynt 
austin  /  Jjet  wyjj-oute  none  nakede  uisage  onwri3e  ssel 
yzy  Jje  blisse  of  god.  and  ssel  by  y-went  ine  anhcnesse 
1  For  zyejj. 


OF    THE    VIRTUE    OF    TEMPERANCE.  245 

of  pe  blisse  huer  he  ssel  ysy  god  ase  lie  is.  liiiych  zisbe  shall  see  God 

,  PIT  ^""^^  ^^  H^  '^• 

IS  coroune  wyj?oiite  eiide  /  and  al  fe  ssepe  oi  nal3en. 

pet   ssel   by  al  pe  guod  of  man  /  zayj)  hu^e  de  saint 

uictor.  aiioreye  ])ane  man  fet  he  made  ine  bodye  and  ine 

zaule  /  uor  pan  Jjet  man  him  y-zej  mid  jje  e3en  of  pe 

bodie  ine  his  manhode.  and  pe  zaule  hwi  yzif  ine  his 

godhede.  ztio  ))et  he  uand  zuetnesse  /  and  lost  ine  his 

sseppere   wj^jj-ine  /  and    wyjj-oute  /  "vvyf-inne  :   ine   pe 

godhede.  wyfoute  :  ine  pe  manhode.  jjet  ssel  by  pe  blisse 

of  man  /  bet  ssel  by  his  ioye  /  and  his  lost  /  and  lif  "^^'^  ^'s^*  ^^^ 

I    '  -  ''      '  '  be  the  great  joy 

eurelestinde  pe  ilke  yblissede  zi3|)e.     pet  is  pe  blissinge  of  life  everlasting. 
yef  hit  onderstondejj :  J30  jjet  lokej?  cle/messe  of  herte 
and  of  bodie. 

Or    pE   YEFJ5E    OP    WYSDOME.       Of    j)B    UJiJTUE    OF  Of  the  gift  of 

^  wisdom. 

TEJV/PEiJANCE.    AND    OF    SOBRETE. 

be  laste  yef  be  /  and  be  meste  /  and  be  hejeste  :  is  be  "^^^  1*^*  ^^  ^""^ 

■*  J      r     I  r  I  r  :>  r      the  greatest  is 

yef  j)e  of  wysdom.  Jjet  is  a  grace  jjet  jje  holy  gost  yef  j)  to  wisdom, 
be  co?2templatiue  herte.  huerby  he  is  ynome  of  jje  lone  ^^y  which  the 

■'  _  heart  is  possessed 

of  god.  jjet  he  najt  ne  "vvylnejj  /  ne  ne  ze^jj  ojjer  jjing  /  with  the  love  of 

I  ^  1T1/-1-  ^^  only. 

jjawne  mm  to  zye?me  /  and  to  habbe  /  me  him  uor  to 

likni  /  mid  liim  uor  to  bleue.     Jjis  is  J)et  greate  of  pi?r-  tms  is  the  step 

1      •  1  p  p         ^  of  perfection. 

feccion  /  jje  ende  of  co?^te??^placlon.  J5e  yef  jje  of  onder- 
stondinge  huerof  we  habbe})  aboue  yspeke  /  makejj 
knawe  god  /  and  pe  gostliche  jjinges  ase  be  zi3}je  /  and 
be  simple  lokinges.     Ac  be  yef  be  of  wysdom  /  makeb  to  tws  gift  makes 

^  °  I      •'      I  ''  I  •'us  to  know  God 

yuele  god  /  an  to  y-knawe  ase  be  zuelj.  jjanne  wy^sdom  perfectly, 

ne  is  ojjer  jjing  /  jja??ne  knaulecliinge  smackinde  /  jjet  is 

mid  smac  and  mid  grat  lost  of  herte.  uor  ojjerlaker  he 

knaulj  wyn  /  Ije  ilke  jjet  hit  yzij jj  ine  a  uayr  gles.  ojjer-  as  one  knoweth 

■^  wine  by  seeing  or 

laker  jje  ilke  jjet  hit  drincjj  /  and  taste  jj  /  and  smackejj.  tasting  it. 

Ac  pe  filosofes  yknewen  god  be  writinge  /  ase  be  ane  The  phUosophers 

knew  God  by 

ssewere  huerinne  hy  lokede??.  be  skele  and  be  onder-  writing,  as  by  a 

,  -  . ,    ,  .      mirror; 

stondinge  of  his  mi3te.  his  uayrhede  /  his  wyt.  and  his 
guodnesse  /  erjjan  hi  y-ze3en  pe  sseppinges  jjet  he  hejj 
ymad  zuo  greate  /  zuo  uajTre  /  zuo  guode  /  and  zuo  wel 


246 


THE    STEPS    OF    THE    LADDER    OF    PERFECTION. 


and  by  the  works 
of  nature,  and  by 
natural  reason, 

[Fol.  77.  a.] 


but  never  byj 
love  or  devotion. 


The  gift  of  wis- 
dom joineth 
man's  heart  to 
God  by  the  glue  of 
love. 


and  there  he 
feedeth,  resteth, 
and  is  nourished, 
and  forgettetli  all 
his  labours  and 
desires  (carnal 
and  earthly). 

This  is  the  last 
step  of  the  ladder 
of  perfection. 


The  steps  of  this 
ladder  are  the 
seven  gifts  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 
By  these  steps 
climb  the  angels. 


going  from  virtue 
to  virtue. 

Having  reached 
the  highest 
step, 


there  is  a  greater 
need  for  meekness 
and  self-abase- 
ment. 


y-ordayiied.  |?a/me  lii  knewen  wel  be  zy3])e  and  be 
uorbisne  /  and  be  simple  zi^Jie  of  onderstondinge  /  and 
of  kendelich  skele.  Ac  neitre  na3t  ne  yuelded  /  ne 
ne  nii3te  y-uele  be  zuel^  of  ri^te  loue  /  ne  by  deuocion. 
Alsuo  fer  byej)  uele  cnstene  clerkes  /  and  leawede  / 
Jjet  wel  liam  yknewe  be  byleaue  /  and  be  "wrytinge.  Ac 
nor  pet  hi  babbejj  Jjane  znelj  na^  wel  y-dijt  be  ze/ine 
hi  ne  moje  no  Jjing  yuele  na?^more  psMne  pe  zike  iiint 
smak  ine  pe  guode  mete,  pe  jefpe  of  wysdom  /  ))et  Jje 
holy  gost  zet  ine  herte  /  zikerliche  uayrejj  /  and  dense])  / 
of  alle  ueljje  of  zewne  /  and  arerej?  ziio  fane  gost  of  man  : 
Jjet  he  him  ioinej)  to  god  /  be  a  giu  of  loue  /  zuo  Jiet  he 
is  al  on  mid  god.  per  he  him  neth.  jjer  he  hiw^  norissejj. 
Jjer  he  hirn  uettejj.  per  he  him  lostej).  jjer  he  him  restej). 
pev  he  hi7n  slepj).  jjer  he  uoryet  al  his  trauail  /  alle  his 
wylninges  xilessliche  /  and  erjiliche  /  and  him  zelue  / 
jjet  he  hi??^  ne  befengj)  of  na^t :  bote  of  fet  he  loxiep  / 
and  ])et  is  god  onlepiliche.  Jpis  is  pe  laste  stape  /  of  jje 
Iheddre  of  perfeceion  /  Jjet  lacob  yze^  ine  his  sslepe  /  jjet 
tok  pe  heuene  /  huerby  pe  angles  of  oure  Ihorde  lesu 
cnst  cKue  op  :  and  doun.  pe  stapes  of  jjise  Iheddre : 
hjep  pe  zene  yefjjes  of  pe  holy  gost  /  huerof  we  habbejj 
y-speke.  Be  po  zeue  stapes  cliuejj  pe  angles.  Jjet  byejj 
jjo  fet  habbef  hare  herten  to  heuene  /  jjet  ledej)  lyf  of 
angle  ine  erpe  /  be  uayrehede  /  and  be  clewnesse  /  fet 
habbej)  hare  herten  in  heuene  be  wylnynge.  huanne  hi  guo]? 
and  profite))  uram  u/rtue  to  u/rtue  /  al  huet  hi  yzyep  god 
aperteliche  and  herieji  parfitliche.  Ac  huarme  hi  hjep 
y-cliue  op  al  to  pe  laste  stape  :  oferhuil  hit  behouejj  guo 
doun  be  lojnesse.  Vor  ase  moche  ase  man  is  more 
pr?rfit :  pe  more  he  is  milde  /  and  pe  lesse  hi??i-zelue 
praysejj.  ferof  me  kan  zigge  :  he  ))et  is  mest  worp  :  he 
him  mest  lojej?.  panne  pe  guode  parfite  mann  ssel  by 
ase  fet  trau  fet  is  y-karked  mid  frut  /  Jje  more  hit  bou^ 
to  pe  gritnde.  Ine  anofre  manire  me  may  onderstonde  / 
J)ct  pe  angles  yeden  doun.  nor  pe  guode  men  fet  ledej) 


HEAVEN  A  GREAT  TAVERN.  2i7 

lif  of  angel  an  erbe  /  be  hire  holyhede  /  huawne  hi  byeb   it  behoveth  those 

leading  the  life  of 

y-cliue  op  to  pe  ]ie3este  stape  of  cowtemplacion  /  huyder  angeison  earth 

J)e  yefjje  of  wysdom  his  let  /  Jjet  is  alsuo  y-goyned  to 

god  /  jjet  he  uoryet  al  jjet  is  onder  god  /  he  Jje  greate 

znetnesse  pet  ])e  herte  uelj)  /  Jiet  is  alsuo  iroted  ine  god  . 

fet  he  lyest  alle  ojjre  lustes.  ziio  ham  hehouej)  oferhuyl 

guo  doun  of  J)ise  zuetnesse  /  of  jjise  reste  /  of  jjise  loste  / 

ixram  his  zuete  bryesten   of  solas,  huer  god  ha.m  dejj 

zouke  ine  J)e  co/?te???placion  to  fe  "n^orkes  of  pe  bysye  to  descend  to  the 

i/T  P1111  IT  n        works  of  this 

l}aie  /  hiieroi  we  habbej)  aboue  y-speke.  huer  pe  pariite  busy  ufe. 
abide  ssolle  /  and   uor   hare   note   gostlich  /  and   uor 
ojjren. 

Anojjer  scele  j^er  is  /  hueruore  hit  behouef  guo  domi 
of  jjo  ilke  zete  of  co?itemplacion  /  huer  pe  gost  of  wisdom 
wonep.     Vor  jje  corrupcion  of  pe  ulesse  is  zuo  grat  pet  The  corruption 

,  .  .,.,.  ,  -..-,  ,-  ,.        of  tlie  flesh  is  so 

Jje  gost  ne  may  ine  pise  hue  dyeadlich  longe   bleue  /  in  g^eat, 

zuo  he^  stat  of  co«te?r(placion.  ne  yuele  pe  ilke  greate  ^^y  notions* 

zuetnesse  /  bet  paseb  alle  lostes  bet  me  may  yuele  ine  remain  in  so  high 

'    f         r        ^  '  "^    -^  a  state  of  eou- 

pise  wordle  /  ase  jjo  wytep  pet  liit  habbep   y-proued.  tempiation. 
Jjeruore  pe  ayenwj^te  of  pe  ulesse  /  is  zuo  heuy  /  pet  he  The  flesh  drags 
dra3p  pane  gost  a-doun  wylle  he  /  nolle  he.  and  peruore 
pe  ilke  greate  zuetnesse  pet  pe  herte  co??te?/?platif  uelp  / 
be  pe  yefpe  of  wysdome  ine  pise  dyadhche  Ijnie.  ne  is       [Foi.  77.  b.] 
bote  a  litel  zuel3  /  huerby  me  smack ep  hou   god   is  in  this  earth  the 
zuete  /  and  zofte  as  me  tastep  and  smackyp  pet  wyn.  taste  of  God's 
erpan  me  drincp  his  nolle.     Ac  hua?me  me  ssel  come  ^ut  Vhen'he  shaii 
in-to  be  greate  taue?-ne  /  huer  be  tonne  is  be-take.  bet  is  '^°™^  '"*°  "'® 

•TO  II  r  great  tavern 

ine  pe  line  eurelestinde.  huer  pet  god  of  loue  /  and  of  (heaven), 

pays  /  is  /  of  blisse  /  and  of  lostes  /  and  of  solas  /  ssel 

bi  zuo  abandones  to  echen  /  pet  alle  ssolle  by  nolle. 

Ase  zayp  pe  sauter.     )3et  al  pe  wylninge  of  pe  herte  he  shaii  drink  his 

ssolle  be  uolueld  per.  hua?nie  god  ssel  do  come  ope  his 

urendes  ane  ulod  of  pays  /  ase  zayp  pe  p?'ophete.  huerof  for  God  shau 

hi  ssolle  by  zuo  uol  dronke  /  pet  hi  ssolle  by  alle  dronke  /  ^^nds^a  flood  of 

of  pe  greate  plente  /  pet  is  ine  pine  house  /  and  his  sselt  J'/itf^^ijj^.j,  „n 

do  drinke  of  pe  ulode  of  pine  zuetnesse  /  and  of  pine  ^^^^  ^«  '^™"'^- 


248 


SOBBIETY   COMES   OF    WISDOM. 


To  win  this  bless- 
ing one  shall  live 
soberly  in  this 
world. 


Sobriety  cometh 
of  wisdom. 


Gluttony  produces 
sickness  and 
often  death. 


Death  seizes 
gluttons  suddenly, 
as  one  doth  the 
fish  by  the  cheek. 


Dmnkenness  de- 
prives man  of  his 
freedom. 


The  drunkard 
loses  his  reason, 
and  the  wine 
drinketh  (drown- 
eth)  him. 


The  glutton 
makes  a  god  of 
his  belly. 


out  of  which  go 
filth  and  stench. 


likinge.  fet  mid  fe  is  ]>e  welle  of  lyue.  pet  is  pe  welle 
eiirelestinde  /  f»et  alneway  kuel3  •  /  and  fayly  ne  may. 
pet  is  god  zelf  /  pet  is  welle  of  Hue  /  and  stenie  ne  may. 
huerof  arist  /  and  gep  donn  abone  alio  pe  lial^en.  pet 
byep  /  and  ssolle  bi  ine  paradis  /  a  ulod  of  blisse  •/  of 
lost  /  and  of  pais,  ztio  grat  /  pet  alle  po  pet  perof  drinkep  : 
hi  byep  dronke.  J)et  is  pet  pays  and  pe  blissinge  pet 
ssel  by  ine  pe  wordle  pet  is  cominde  bire  uor  to  wyne  / 
and  habbe  /  me  ssel  iibbe  sobrelicbe  ine  pise  wordle. 
ase  zayp  saynt  aiistin.  Vor  no?i  ne  dringp  of  pise 
stremes  of  pais  :  pet  ne  is  dronke  of  pe  plente  of  blisse  : 
pet  ne  lokep  sobrete.  pet  is  pe  xu'rtue  pet  pe  yefpe  of 
-wysdom  zet  ine  herte  /  aye  pe  tomochelliede  of  glotunye. 
Yor  wysdom  tekp  sobrete  /  ase  Salomon  zayp.  Sobrete 
is  a  traw  wel  precious,  uor  bit  lokep  pe  lielpe  of  pe  zaule 
and  of  pe  bodie  ase  zayp  pe  writinge.  Of  glotonye  of 
mete  and  of  drinke  to  moclie  :  comep  uele  greate  zik- 
nesses.  and  ofte  pe  dyap.  Vor  be  to  mocbe  drinke  and 
ethe  :  sterfp  moche  uolk  /  and  pe  dyap  his  nimp  sodayn- 
hche  /  ase  nie  nimp  pane  viss  by  pe  cheake.  pet  is  to 
zigge  /  pe  morsel  ine  pe  moiipe. 

Jjise  u/rtue  me  ssel  loky  toppe  alle  pinges.  uor  pe 
guodes  pet  hi  dep  to  pan :  pet  his  wel  lokep.  Verst  / 
sobrete  lokep  be  skele  /  and  to  pe  onderstondinge  hire 
uridom  /  pet  dronkenesse  hire  be-nymp.  Vor  pe  ilke 
pet  is  dronke  /  is  zuo  y-nome  of  wyn  :  pet  he  lyest 
skele  /  and  onderstondinge  /  and  is  ase  adrayngt  ine 
wyin.  and  huanne  he  wenp  drinke  pet  wyn :  pet  wyn 
dryngp  him.  J?e  oper  guod  pet  sobrete  makep  is  pet  hi 
deliurep  pane  man  of  to  uoul  preldom.  pet  is  of  pe 
preldome  of  pe  wonibe.  Vor  pe  glotoun  /  and  pe  to 
moche  nimere  of  metes :  makep  of  hare  womben  hare 
god.  ase  zayp  zaynte  paul.  Vorzope  moche  he  him 
onworpep  :  pet  seruep  to  ane  zuiche  uoule  Ihorde  /  ase 
to  his  wombe.  huerof  ne  may  go  out :  bote  uelpe  and 
stench.  Ac  sobrete  lokep  man  ine  his  Ihordssip.  uor 
1  For  kuel)?. 


THE  MOUTH  THE  GATE  OF  THE  HEART.  249 

be  gost  ssel  by  Ihord  ouer  bet  body,  and  bet  body  ssel  The  spirit  should 

be  lord  over  the 

seriii  to  pe  goste.     J?e  fridde  guod  Jjet  sobrete  maked  body. 

is  fet  hi  loki  fe  gate  of  pe  castele  aye  fane  ost  of  fe      [FoI.  77.  a.] 

dyeule.  fet  is   f>e  nioujj  pet  is  pe  mayster  gate  of  pe  The  mouth  is  the 

master-gate  of  the 

castele  of  pe  herte  /  pet  pe  dyeuel  asaylejj  ase  mocne  castie  of  the  heart. 

ase  he  may.     Ac  sobyete  him  werj)  pe  gate  /  jjet  is  jje 

moiijj.     And  huarene  pe  gate  of  pe  moujje  is  open :  jje 

gest  of  zenne  gejj  in  li3liche  /  and  nor  na3t  he  vijt  ayen 

pe  ojjie  zennes  /  jset  na^t  wyfhalt  his  tonge.     Huo  f et 

hejj  Jjise  ui'rtue :  he  hej;  of  his   bodye  pe   Ihordssip. 

Alsuo  ase  me  ouerconifi  fet  hors  bi  pe  bridle,  sobrete  sobnety  is  first 

assailed  in  the 

hep  pe  iierste  batayle  ine  pe  ost  of  n/?-tnes  /  and  lokejj  /  host  of  virtues. 

and  were]?  pe  ofre  u/rtues.     |3anne  pe  dyeuel  nondede 

uerst  /  ase  be  pe  moujje  /  of  oure  Ihorde    Jjo  he  him  The  devu  tempted 

zede  /  Jjet  he  ssolde  maki  of  stones  bread.     Alsuo  he  the  mouth. 

asaylede  fane  uerste  man  be  pe  nioufe  /  and  him  ouer- 

com.  uor  he  him  openede  pe  gate  of  his  castele  /  J)o  he 

hi??i  co?2sentede  to  pe  uondinge.     To  loki  sobrete  ous 

tekf  /  kende.    writinge.  an  alle  ssepfe.    kende  /  fet 

amang   pe   bestes  /  man  hejj  jjane  leste  moujj   be  pe 

bodie.     Efter  man  to  Jje  ojjre  lemes  y-dobled  /  ase  pe  Man  hath  some 

e3en  /  [and]  earen  /  ac — he  ne  he)j  bote  enne  moujj.  Ine  ^ut  he  has  only 

Jjet  ous  tekj)  kende  /  fet  me  ssel  ethe  lite  /  and  drinke  °"*  ™°'^'  ' 

lite,  uor  kende  is  mid  lite  y-payd.  and  be  to  moche 

of  mete  /  is  ofte  y-ueld  doun.     pe  wi-itinge  ous  tekjj 

sobrete.  ine  uele  manyeres  /  and  be  manye  uorbysnes  / 

ase  mo3e  ysi  /  fo  fet  connejj  pe  writinge  onderstonde  / 

an  bo   bet  yzveb   be  Hues  of  haben.     Efterward  /  alle  au  creatures 

r       r       J    J    r    r  ?  '  teach  us  sobriety. 

ssepfes  techej)  sobrete.  uor  ine  alle  ssepfes  /  he])  god 
yzet  ri3te  mesure  /  ase  zayj?  Salomon  ine  pe  holy  writ- 
inge.      Sobrete   ne   is  ober   bing  ba?me   to  loki   ri3te  Sobriety  is  a  mean 

"  J         '       ^    '  ■'        between  too  much 

mesiu-e.  fet  alneway  halt  fane  middel  ine  to  moche :  and  too  uttie. 
and  to  lite,  be  fan  f et  scele  a-li3t  be  grace  tekf .     Vor 
ine   f ise  timliche  guodes  /  f et  /  fet  is  to  moche  to 
onen :  is  to  lite  to  anof ren  /  and  fet  /  fet  is  to  moche 
to  ane  poure  ma?me  :  to  ane  riche  ma»ne  hit  Avere  ofte- 


'  be  well  ordained 
to  God," 


250  OBSERVE    MODERATION    IN    FASTING. 

zijjes  to  lite.     Ac  sobrete  and  temperance  j  zet  ouer-al 
Eveninfastiiigs,    mesiire.  Alsuo  ine  gostliche  guodes  :  ase  ine  uestinges  / 

watchings,  &c.,  _  . 

sobriety  must  be  ine  wakiinges  /  ine  dissiplines  /  and  ine  ojjre  dedes  of 
ui'rtue  /  jjet  bye  J)  y-do  nor  god  /  an  uor  note  of  fe 
zaule :    zet  mesure.  zuyche  ase  scele  acsej).     ))e  ii^'rtue 

The  virtue  of        of  te?wperance  and  of  sobrete.    Jse  ilke  mVtues    loke]) 

temperance  must  ...  ,     . 

be  observed  in  all   mesure   sceluoUe.    na3t   onlepiliche   ine  mete  and  me 

drinke :  ac  in  alle  uw-tues.  ase  zay[J)]  saynt  bernard. 

for  it  moderates     ^o^  j'isB  ut/'tue  zet  alle  Jje  jjojtes.  alle  ]je  willes.  alle  fe 

wliSVnSires   steriynges  of  ))e  herte.  and  aUe  ipe  wyttes  of  fe  bodye  / 

of  the  body.         outnime  jje  lliordssip  of  ri3te  scele,  ase  zayjj  tullins  fe 

wyse.  zuo  fet  a  li3te  scele  be  Jje  yefjje  of  wysdome  / 

halt  ine  pese  fe  lliordssip  of  J)e  herte  /  and  of  fe  bodie. 

The  end  of  all       and   jjet   is   fe    ende    and   fe    onderstoiidinge  of   alle 

SarTandSy"""  ui'rtues  )jet  ])e  herte  and  fet  body  by  wel  y-ordayned  to 

god.  zuo  fet  god  onlepiliche  by  he^  Ihord.  ine  zuyche 

manere  jjet  al  by  ine  his  bo3sainnesse  al  fet  he  hejj  ine 

Jje   regne  of  bodye  and   of  J)e  zaule.  and  ])et  make]? 

sobre  loue  of  god.  jjet  zet  of  al  /  fe  herte  in-to  ]>e  wille 

of  god.      J2awne  zaynt  austin  zayf.    jjet  ]3e   uw'tue  of 

tempf'rance  and  of  sobrete  /  is  alone  fet  is  yloked  to 

and  be  withdrawn  god    y-hollyche   w}^))-oute   corrupcioii.     and   ous  wyj?- 

this  world.  dra^f)  urani  fe  loue  of  hier  benejie.   Jjet  is  |)e  loue  of 

[Foi.  78.  a.]       jjise  wordle  /  ]3et  trouble]?  fe  herte  of  man  /  and  hise 

zet  ine  zor^e.  and  him  benimji  ri3tuollB  knaulechinge  of 

god  /  and  of  hi«^-zelue.      Alsuo  ase  me  ne  i\^^  na^t 

The  love  of  God     bri3tliche  ine  ]je  wetere  ystered.     Ac  fe  loue  of  god/ 

peace.  fet  is  wel  y-clensed  of  alle  erjdiche  loue  /  and  of  alle 

ulessliche  willes  zet  fe  herte  ine  pais.     Vor  hi  him  dejj 

and  zet  ine  his  03ene  stede.  fet  is  ine  gode.  }5er  he  him 

restej).  fer  he  is  in  pais,  ne  ne  hejj  blisse  /  ne  reste : 

Our  Lord  saith       ^^^®  j'^''-     }3a?me  zayj)  oure  Ihord  ine  his  spells.   'J)OU 

"Thou  Shalt  be  in  gggj^  i^y  jj^g  t^Ytuayl  iiie  bise  wordle.  ac  ine  me  bou 

travail  m  this  u  j  r  i 

world,  but  in  me    gselt  vinde  reste.'     And  saynt  austin  zede.     'Lhord: 

shalt  thou  find 

rest."  min  herte  ne  may  by  ine  pais :    alhuet  hi  restej?   ine 

jje.'     J)e  ilke  loue  ne  wext  na3t  of  erjje  /  ne  of  mares. 


CHRIST    A    HIGH    ROCK.  251 

Of  jjise  wordle.     Ac  hy  com])  doiin  of  be  he^e  roclie  This  love  cometu 

down  from  the 

hueroppe   lii   ys  yzet    and   y-mad    J»e    greate    cite    of  high  rock  (Jesus 

paradis  /  and  Jjb   cite  of  holi   cherche.      j)et  is  lesu 

crist  I  ope   huam  byejj  y-set    and  yniad  uestliclie  be 

gxxode  bileaue.  fe  stronge  casteles.  Jjet  byej)  fe  lierten 

of  giiode  men.     Of  Jjo  he3e  roche  com])  doun  fe  welle  or  tins  rock 

of  lone  ine  herte  fet  is  wel  y-clenzed  nor  fe  loue  of  jje  ofioveintothe 

wordle.     )3e  ilke  welle  is  zuo  clier  and  zno  y-zendred  /    ^^ ' 

Jjet  jje  herte  bire  y-knaujj  /  and  y-zi^jj  hire  zelue  and 

hire  makiere.  alsno  ase  me  yzi3})  ine  ane  uayre  welle 

wel  yze/zdred.    ope  J50  welle  Jje  herte  restej)  efter  ])e  By  that  weii  the 

trauayl  of  gnode  workes  /  ase  we  redej)  of  lesu  cri'st  after  its  labour  of 

onre  Ihord.     jjet  jjo  he  hedde  zno  moche  y-guo  fet  he  ^°° 

wes  al  weri  /  he  hi???  zette  and  restede  ope  ])e  welle.   |pe 

ilke  welle  boue  fet  guode  herte  /  he  Jjet  hi???,  wille 

ber3e  /  hi???  restej*  is  ])e  loue  of  god.     J?e  ilke  welle  is  This  well  is  sweet 

zuo  zuete  and  of  zuo  guod  smac  :  fet  jje  ilke  Jjet  ferof 

dringj)  /  uoryet  aUe  ofre  zuetnesses  and  ojjre  smakkes. 

)5e  ilke  weUe  ne  uel])  na3t  fane  fauc  ne  }je  erfe  /  ne  it  is  pure  and  un- 

f     •  Ti      /         1  1        •  t    "defiled, 

fane  merss  01  jjise  wordle  /  and  feruore  hy  is  zuete  and 

of  guod  smac  to  drinke.  uor  ase  moche  ase  be  welle  ^"^^  wholesome  to 

drink. 

yuel])  lesse  of  fe  erjie :  zuo  moche  hi  is  ]>o  holer  and 

be  betere  of  to  drinke.     bet  is  be  welle  of  -^Ttte  and  of  ^^ '» the  weu  of 

^  '  '  •'  wit  and  of 

wysdome.  uor  jje  ilke  fet  ferof  dringjj  /  he  knauj)  wyt  wisdom, 

and  whoso 

and  ^vysdom  and  velf  /  and  smackejj  fe  greate  zuet-  drinketh  thereof 

,,..  -,      I  J,.-,!  ,  J.       !>  knoweth  wit  and 

nesse  pet  is  me  god  /  and  pet  is  pe    he3este  wyt  01  wisdom, 
man :  wel  to  knawe  his  sseppere  /  and  hi???  louie  mid 
al  his  herte.      Vor  wyfoute  fise  filosofie  /  alle  ojjre 
wyttes  ys  folye. 

Zuych  wyt  zet  be  holy  gost  ine  herte  /  ba??ne  he  such  wit  the 

.  Holy  Ghost 

him  jeij)  fane  yeffe  of  wisdom  /  fet  is  herte  of  gost-  giveth, 

liche  bHsse  /  and  hire  adraynkf    /  and  makef   him 

dronke  of  holy  loue.     Huet  wyt  is  f  et  /  f  et  f  e  holy 

gost  zet  in-to  fe  herte  wel  y-clenzed  :    f  et  ich  liabbe  and  setteth  it  in 

^   ■        ^  1/1  -in  '^®  heart, 

hier  be-uore  y-ssewed  /  huer  fet  is  spek  of  fe  Avyttes  of 
f e  zaule  /  ate  ginninge  of  fe  dra3]5e  of  u?>tue.   and  fer- 


252 


THE    FIRST    STEP   OF    SOBRIETY. 


to  make  it  sober, 
meek,  and  patient, 


None  may  live  in 
this  world  witli- 
out  "  some 
fighting  of  tempt- 
ation." 


[Fol.  79.  a.] 


The  good  lieart, 
when  it  hath 
well  fought, 

returns  to  itself 
and  resteth  in 
God. 


uore  icli  paci  fe  ssortlaker.  jjet  gostliclie  wyt  jjet  conijj 
of  stedeuest  loue  of  god.  make]?  J?e  herte  sobre  /  and 
zofte  /  and  alle  Jjinges  a-mesure])  /  zruo  jjet  fe  herte  fet 
is  ine  znich  stat  is  ine  payse  /  ase  hi  may  by  ine  jjise 
dyadliche  Hue.  Vor  ine  Jjise  wordle  /  non  ne  may 
libbe  Avy]j-oute  torment  /  and  wy])-oute  zome  vi3tinge 
of  te???ptacion.  Jjet  god  zent  ofte  nor  to  nondi  Ms 
kny^tes.  and  uor  j?an  Jjet  hi  co'/?.ne  nsy  of  armes  of 
u/j'tue.  uor  ojjerlaker  hi  ne  mo^e  by  guode  knyjtes. 
)?a?me  me  couJ)e  maky  pe  tornoymens  ine  time  of  pays. 
Ac  huanne  pe  guode  kny^t  het  ouercome  fet  tornoy- 
mewt :  he  went  ayen  to  his  house.  J?er  he  hi??z  restejj 
al  in  eyse.  Alsuo  dejj  jje  guode  herte  hua??ne  hi  hej) 
wel  yuo^te  and  hejj  oiiercome  pet  tornenoyme?it  of 
uondinges :  ha  com])  ayen  to  him-zelue  /  and  him 
restej?  ine  god.  Jjet  him  cowfortejj  efter  pe  trauayl  /  zuo 
Jjet  he  Jjer  uoryet  al  his  trauayl.  and  ne  Jjengjj  bote  of 
god.  huer  he  uint  al  Jjet  he  wilnej>.  Jjet  is  Jjet  frut  Jjet 
Jje  traw  of  sobrete  berjj  /  Jjet  comjj  of  Jje  jetpe  of  wys- 
dom  /  ase  ich  habbe  aboue  yzed. 


Of  the  steps  of 
sobriety. 


Moderation  shall 
be  observed  in 
five  things. 


1.  Set  bounds  to 
the  understanding 
and  to  belief. 

Those  overstep 
moderation  who 
ai-e  unbelievers, 

[1  misbylefinde .?] 

and  measure  be- 
lief by  their  un- 
derstandings. 


Of  Jje  stapes  of  sobrete. 

Ase  ich  habbe  aboue  yssewed  /  sobrete  ne  is  ofier 
Jjing  /  bote  to  loky  rijte  mesure  ine  alle  Jjiwges.  Ac 
specialliche  :  ine  vyf  Jiinges  me  ssel  loki  mesure.  Jjet 
byejj  alsuo  ase  zeue  stapes  huerby  wext  and  profitejj  Jjet 
traw  of  sobrete. 

Jje  uerste  stape  of  sob^-ete  is  /  Jjet  me  zette  mesure  in 
his  onderstondinge.  spacialHche  to  Jje  articles  and  to  Jje 
poyns  of  Jje  beleaue.  Jje  ilke  ouergejj  mesure  /  Jjet  wyle 
zeche  kendelich  skele  /  ine  Jjan  Jjet  is  aboue  onderstond- 
inge /  ase  dojj  pa  bougres  /  and  J)e  misbylefde.^  J)et 
wyllejj  mesuri  Jje  beleaue  be  hare  onderstondinge.  ac  hi 
ssolden  mesuri  hire  onderstondinge  and  hare  skele  to  pe. 
mesure  of  Jje  beleaue  /  Jjet  god  ous  hejj  y-yeue.  And 
Salomon  zayde  to  his  zone.    '  Vayre  zone  /  do  in-to  Jjine 


THE   SECOND    STEP    OF    SOBRIETY.  253 

wytte  niesure.'    j)et  is  to  zigge  /  fet  ]?oii  ne  bi  na3t  /  of  Man  should  not 

,  ...  .be  overweening 

zuo  o^ene  "wytte  /,ne  na^t  ziio  ypi^t  m  Jjine  ouenvemnge  :  and  seif-confl- 

fet  J)0u  ne  flechclai  /  uor  to  leue  to  guod  red.  and  jjet 

j)Ou  ne  lete  Jjin  03ene  wyt  /  uor  to  bouje  to  fe  wyser 

panne  fou.    And  specialliche  to  Jje  articles  of  Jje  beleaue 

me  ssel  lete  his  o^ene  wyt  /  and  his   onderstondinge  He  should  set  ins 

.  understanding  in 

ilechchi  /  and  zette  ine  Jjreldom  of  jje  beleaue  /  ase  zay])  thraldom  to  belief, 
zayte  paul.  na^t  uor  to  apeluchier  ne  zeche  kendelich 
scele.  huer  he  non  ne  hej?  /  ase  doj)  jje  bysye  /  ojjer  pe 
malancohen  /  jjet  byej)  ylich  jjan  jjet  zek^^  jje  cra/«nieles 
ine  jje  russoles.  oj)er  jjan  jjet  zekjj  jjet  uel  ine  jje  aye  / 
ojjer  jjane  knotte  ine  pe  resse. 

Jje  ojjer  stape  is  /  jjet  me  zette  mesure  ine  jje  loste  2.  set  measure  in 

the  lust  and  the 

and  mid  pe  likinge  of  jje  wille  /  jiet  me  ne  hi??i  ne  aslaky  pleasure  of  the 

na3t  to  moche  jjane  bridel  to  yerne  to  lostes  of  jje  ulesse  / 

ne  to  jje  couaytise  of  jjise  wordle.     J3awne  jje  wyse  zayj) 

ine  jje  writ[i]nge.  '  'Ne  uol^e  najt  he  zayjj  jje  couaitises  ne  foUow  not  the 

pe  wylninges  of  jjine  herte  /  and  jje  miswende  to  do  jji  thine  heart. 

wyl  /  Jjet  Jjou  hit  ne  uoluelle  najt.  and  yeld  guod  skele. 

uor  yef  jJou  dest  to  jjine  herte  his  vfjl :  Jjou  makest 

blisse  to  jjine  vyendes  /  jjet  byejj  jje  dyeulen  of  heUe.' 

uor  alsuo  ase  jje  ilke  Jiet  makejj  blisse  to  his  uo  /  ayens 

huam  he  ssel  ui3te  /  hua?me  he  hi?/i  yelt  to  hi?H  ouer- 

come.     Yef  he  him  yelt  ouercome  to  jje  dyeule  jjet  hi??^  consent  not  to 

co72sentejj  to  his   euele  wylninges.     j5eruore  zayjj  zayte  tions!^  ssugges 

peter  jje  apostel.  *  icli  you  helsny  /  Jiet  ye  ase  oncoujje  / 

and  pilgrimes  /  you  loki  uram  wilninges.'     Jje  ilke  Jjet  Travellers  in  a 

.  .  strange  country 

IS  pilgrim  and  ine  oncoujje  contraye  /  huer  byejj  manye  are  watchful  for 

jjyeues  an  robberes  jjet  aspiejj  jje  pilgr?'ms  /  and  wajrtejj      [FoI.  79.  b.i 

jje  wayes :  ham  lokejj  moche  /  jjet  lii  ne  ualle  ine  jje 

honden  of  jjyeues.  and  jjengjj  hou  he  may  guo  zikerliche. 

Alle  be  guode  men  ine  bise  wordle  byeb  oncoube  and  ^^  sood  men  are 

r      o  I  J    r  r  like  pilgrims. 

pilg?'ims.     Hi  byeJ)  oncoujie  /  uor  hi  byejj  oute  of  hare 
controye.  J)et  is  paradys.  jjet  is  jje  contraye  /  and  heritage 
to   guode  men.     Hi  ne  byejj   jjenchinde   bote   uor   to  Their  heritage  is 
uoluelle  hire  iornayes  /  al  huet  hi  come})  to  hare  eritage  /  "^^^^  ^^^' 
1  For  zekjj. 


254 


THE   THIRD    STEP   OF    SOBRIETY. 


The  good  pil- 
grims choose 
good  society, 


and  pursue  their 
journey  by  right 
belief  and  true 
love. 


They  have  no  fear 
of  thieves,  that  is, 
the  devil  and  his 
host. 


Belief  and  love  of 
God  lead  them 
aright. 


The  heart  is  like 
a  bird. 


and  is  liable  to  fly 
into  the  snare. 


Control  thy  will, 

as  one  doth  the 
horse  with  a 
bridle. 


Sobriety  is  the 
bridle. 


Observe  modei'a- 
tion  in  words. 


fet  is  J)e  cite  of  paradis  /  jjet  pe  guode  pilgrmis  zechejj.  ase 
zayj)  zaynte  paid.  Jjetne  habbejj  /  ne  nolle])  habbe  Jie  eri- 
tage  hier  in  fise  wordle.  Zuyche  pilgn'ms  pet  wiUeJ?  guo 
zikerliche  :  hi  do])  ham  ofte  ine  guode  iiela3rede  /  and 
ine  zikere  guoinge.  ]?e  guode  uela3rede  pet  let  zikerliche 
and  guo])  ri3tuolliche  /  is  byleaue  /  and  loue.  beleaue  / 
let  pane  way  to  pilg?-mies.  ac  loue  his  berf.  zuo  ])et  pe 
way  ha??^  greue])  lite  /  ofer  na^t.  Huo  ])et  he})  zuyche 
uela3rede  :  he  ne  he])  of  ])yues  none  drede  ]»et  wayte])  pe 
wayes.  ]jet  hjep  dyeulen  ])et  nime])  and  robbe]»  alle 
])0  /  fiet  none  zuiche  uela3rede  ne  habbe]).  j)et  bye])  })0 
])et  wylle])  do  hyere  /  hyre  lostes  :  ])et  \ia.m  do])  in-to  pe 
honden  /  and  in-to  pe  gn'nes  of  pe  dyeide.  Beleaue  / 
and  loue  of  god.  of-halt  pe  herte  /  and  his  wy])dra3t 
uram  queade  })03tes  /  and  uram  fole  '  lostes  /  ])et  he  ne 
consenti.  Alsuo  ase  me  ofhalt  ])ane  uo3el  be  pe  ges  / 
])et  he  ne  vly  to  his  wylle.  j)e  herte  is  ase  is  pe  U03el 
fet  wolde  vly  to  liis  wylle  /  and  bote  hy  by  ofhealde  / 
be  pe  ges  of  beleaue  /  and  of  loue  /  hy  uly3])  perilous- 
liche  /  zuo  pet  hy  hyi-e  spil])  /  and  nalp  ofte  into  pe 
grines  /  of  pe  uo3elere  of  helle.  fet  is  pe  dyeuel  /  ])et  ne 
"^^'ylne])  /  bote  to  nime  fane  U03el.  jjeruore  pe  guode 
man  and  pe  wyse  /  wy])dra3e])  hare  wyl  /  and  hare 
lostes  /  and  hare  })03tes.  be  te?/^perance  and  be  sobrete 
Huerof  senekes  zay]».  '  yef  ])ou  louest  to  bi  sobre  /  and 
ate?/?pre  :  wyfscore  /  and  wy])dra3  fine  willes  /  and  zete 
ane  brydel  to  ])ine  couaytises.'  Vor  alsuo  ase  me  wjp- 
halt  fet  hors  by  pe  bridle  fet  hit  ne  guo  na3t  to  his 
wille  :  alsuo  me  ssel  ofhyealde  pe  herte  be  pe  briddJe  of 
sobrete  /  J)et  hy  ne  yeue  hire  na3t  /  to  pe  wille  ne  to  pe 
couaytise  of  fise  wordle. 

j)e  fridde  stape  of  sobret6  is  /  zette  and  loki  mesure 

ine  wordes.     Huerof  Salomon  zajp.    j)et  '  pe  wyse  /  and 

pe  wel  yto3te  /  tem])xep  /  and  mesuref  his  wordes.'  And 

saynt  lerome   zayf.    fet  'mid   ueawe  wordes   /   is  y- 

1  MS./o/o 


GOVERN    THE    MOUTH    AND    TONGUE.  io5 

proued  mawnes  lyf.'     pet  is  to  zigge.  by  fe  wordes  nie  By  words  may 

,  1  ,  n  -XT        *''*^  follies  and 

may  yknawe  jie  lolyes  /  and  Jje  wyttes  ot  men.      Vor  wisdom  of  man  be 

ase  me  knau])  pet  zuin  "be  fe  tonge  /  yef  liit  ys  hoi. 

oJ)er  aboue  y-zawe.  and  feruore  zayj)  Jje  wyse  ine  pe 

"writinge.  pet  '  pe  wordes  of  pe  wyse  byej?  y-we3e  ine  pe 

waye.'     ])et  is  to  zigge  /  bet  be  ATyse  ssel  zuo  we3e  pe  weigh  thy  word 

.  .  .  In  the  balance  of 

wordes  me  pe  waye  of  skele  and  of  discrecion  ]jet  pev  ne  discretion. 

by  na3t  to  wyj)-nyniene.   ^nie  iiolk  byej?  /  ]jet  ne  moje 

ha?/?  na;t  hyalde  stille  /  ne  na3t  ham  loki  /  Jjet  hi  ne  zigge  / 

by  hit  zojj  by  hit  leazinge.     pet  hjep  ase  pe  melle  wyjj- 

oute  schise.   Jjet  alne-way  went  be  Jie  yernynge  of  pe 

wetere.     Yor  hi  habbe})  ase  uele  wordes  /  ase  pev  com]? 

of  weter  to  pe  melle.     Ac  pe  wise  zettej)  pe  schise  of  The  wise  setteth 

disc?'ecion  /  nor  to  of  healde  fet  weter  of  fole  wordes.   cretion  to  keep 

and  to  uele.  Jjet  hi  ne  guo  be  pe  melle  of  pe  tonge.  Jper-  fo^oUsh  words!'  ° 

iiore  zayj)   Jie  wyse  ine  pe  writinge.     'Yzi3  jjet  weter      [Foi.  so.a.] 

yerne.'     j)et  is  to  zigge  :  hald  Jjine  wordes  ine  pe  scluse 

of  discrecion.  nor  ase  zayj>  Salomon.     '  Hno  j^et  let  guo 

])et  weter  to  liis  Aville :  he  is  ofte  cause  of  strif  /  and  of 

chidinge  /  and  of  manie  kuedes  /  fet  comej3  of  kueade  Manyeviiscomeof 

tonge.'  ase  ich  habbe  be-uore  yzed  /  ine  pe  chapitele  of 

uices.  huer  ich  spek  of  pe  zenne  of  pe  tonge.     Jjeruore 

zayjj  wel  pe  wyse  ine  pe  writinge.   'do'  zayjj  he  '  /  fine 

wordes  ine  wave  /  and  snod  bridel  ine  bine  moube.  and  Take  heed  that 

•'      '  °  ■*  '  thou  fall  not  by 

nim  hede  fet  Jjou  ne  ualle  be  fine  tonge  be-uore  fine  thy  tongue. 

no  :  fet  pe  asspief.'    An-of  er  zayf.    '  Do  to  fine  mouf  e  /  Put  a  door  and 

a  dore  and  a  loc.   and  to  fine  wordes :  a  waye  and   a  mouth. 

yok.'   Huo  f  et  ne  we]f  his  wordes  ine  f  e  waye  of  disc/'e- 

cion.  and  ne  of  halt  na3t  his  tonge  by  f  e  bridle  of  skele. 

f  et  ssel  of  hyealde  f  e  tonge  of  kueade  wordes.   he  ualf   He  who  does  not 

11/    guard  his  tongue 

li3tliclie  me  f  e  honden  ot  his  uon.  f  et  byef  f  e  dyeulen  /  wui  fail  into  the 

f  et  oueral  ous  aspief  /  and  waytef .     HuaHne  f  e  von  /  t^Jdev^u.  '^  °^' 

f et  vi3tef  aye  fane  castel  /  yef  hi  vyndef  f e  gate  oppe  : 

hi  guof  in  li3tHche.  alsuo  f e  dyeuel  f et  ui3t  wyf  fane 

castel  of  f  e  herte  /  huawne  he  uint  f  e  gate  oppe  /  f  et  The  mouth  is  the 

is  f e  mouf  /  he  nimf  li3tliche  fane  castel.   And  f  eruore  ^'^  ^  ° 


256  BE  CAREFUL  OP  WHAT  THOU  HEAREST. 

zayde  rlaiii]?  ine  fe  sawtere.  '  Icli  sette  guode  lokinge  to 
Reason  has  the      Jje  moiijje  aye  niine  yno '  /  jjet  is  jje  dyeuel.    pe  lokinge 

care  of  the  mouth.  /  •       i     i  i    t  • 

01  j>e  vaoiipG  j  Jjet  is  skele  and  discrecion.  fet  examenep 

J)e  wordes  /  erfan  hi  gno  out  ate  moj^e.     jjis  is  ]je  vijt 

huerof  jje  wyse  spekjj  ase  ich  habbe  aLoue  yzed  /  liner 

Weigh  weu  thy      xnB  ssel  weje  bet  word  er  hit  by  yzed.     And  bon  sselt 

words  ere  they  be  -^     '  . 

spoken.  jwyte  /  J)et  zojjnesse  halt  J)ise  ri3tuolle   waye.      Vor 

zojjnesse  acorde])  Jse  onderstondinge  of  fe  herte :  and 
Jjet  word  of  J^e  nionjje  /  as  hit  is  ine  \>g  herte.  j)\s  waye 
lie  ssel  hongi  of  jjis  half  /  ne  of  yend  half  /  arijthalf  ne 

Be  not  afraid  to     aleftlialf.     ])et  uor  noiie  p?7"ue  lone  of  man  ne  of  wyf- 

speak  the  truth, 

man.  ne  uor  timhch  note,  ne  nor  hate  of  ofren :   me 

ne  ssel  lete  to  zigge  zo]?  /  huer  jjet  me  ssel  /  and  hua?zne 

and  speak  not       \i[\,  ig  nved.  ne  leazinges  /  ne  nalsnesse  /  me  ne  ssel 

falsely  to  please         _  ^  o        /  / 

any  one.  zigge  uor  ne?me  man. 

Ase  me  ssel  loki  mesure  ine  wordes  :  alsno  me  ssel 
Be  careful  of  what  Iq^  mssure  iiie  hverbe.     Yor  asewel  me  may  zene^y  ine 

thou  hearest.  J      r  j  ?j 

kuede  hyerj^e :  ase  ine  kueade  speche.     ];a?ine  fe  ilke 

Jjet   yhyerjj    blejjeliche   missigge  ojjren  :    ys  partiner  / 

If  thou  hearest      and  uelase  of  be  zewne  of  ban  bet  he  yherb.    bet  non  ne 

with  pleasure  /  \  -^         -^  *^       ,  t   i 

evil  of  another,      wolde  zigge  blejjeliclie  knead  of  ojjren  /  nameliche  to- 

thesin  of  the        ^^0^^  greate  men  /  bote  yef  he  ne  wende  jjet  hit  likede 

slanderer.  ^^  j^^^  j^^^  j^^  hyerjj.     }3a?ziie  an  hal3en  zayjj.  jjet  'non 

ne  ssolde  by  misziggere  :  bote  jjer  by  an  hyerere.'     }per- 

nore    salomo/i   zayjj.   '  jje  norjjene  wynd  /  to-jjraujj  jje 

raynes    /    and    jje   lourinde    chiere :  Jie    wordes    of  jie 

Great  men  should  missiggere.'  jpise  greate  men  hi  ssolden  wel  ham  loki  /  }»et 

consider  well  what 

they  hear.  hi  hierej)  /  and  jjet  hi  leuej).  jiet  hi  vindej)  veaAve  /  fiet 

Flatterers  and       zoj)  ham  zigge.     Ac  iilatom's  /  and  lye^eres  /  byeji  to 

liars  are  plentiful, 

grat  cheap  me  hare  cort.   )?e  meste  dierjje  jjet  is  abonte 

but  few  are  truth-  ham  /  is  of  zojjiiesse  /  an  of  trewjje.  and  jjeriiore  hi  byej) 

[Foi.  80.  b.]      ofte  y-giled,     jjet  hi  yherejj  blejjehche  /  and  y-lenejj 

li3tliche  jjet  me  ham  zayjj  and  j»et  ham  likejj.  Senekes 
Great  men  have     zayJj.      Jjet  Jjer  ne  lackejj  to  greate  Ihordes :  bote  zob 

great  need  of  -i  T         T        T  r  o  r 

those  who  ziggeres.     Vor  hi  habbejj  lye3eres  /  and  vlatours  :  to 

fearlessly  speak 

the  truth.  greate  cheape.  and  veawe  zojj  ziggeres.     Me  ssel  habbe 


THE  WICSED  TONGUE  IS  THE  ADDER  OF  HELL.        257 

Jje  earen  opene  /  uor  to  liyere  ble)?eliche  /  jje  guode 

wordes  /  jjet  byejj  worjj  to  fe  help  of  zaule.  and  y-sset :  S'^'J'  thy  ears  to 

to  fole  wordes  /  ydele  /  and  queade.  jiet  moje  do  harm  : 

and  ne  mo^e  do  guod.     Jjeruore  fe  Avyse  zayj?  ine  ]>e 

Amti??ge.     '  Stoppe  fine  earen  mid  ]5ornes.  and  ne  hyer  ^'^"p  ^^^™  ^^'''^' 

na^t  fe  queade  tongen.'  fe  queade  tonge :  is  tonge  of 

eddre  of  helle  /  Jjet  fe  misziggeres  berejj.  and  enuenime]) 

\)o  J)ct  his  y-herejj.     Aye  zuyche  tongen  me  ssel  stoppi 

be  yeren  mid  bornes  /  mid  be  drede  of  oure  lorde  /  that  is,  with  the 

,  '  '       ,         '  '    fear  of  the  Lord. 

ojjer  mid  |)e  fornes  huermide  god  wes  y-corouned  /  nor 
bebenchinge  of  his  passion:  Vor  huo  bet  heb  drede  of  For  who  that 

-f  °  5  .  .  feareth  God  will 

god  /  and  befenchinge  of  his  passion :  he  nolde  na3t  not  listen  to  uars 

T1T1  1  ••  in  I  1^  1      ^"'^  flatterers. 

blejjeliche  y-hyere  fe  misziggeres  /  ne  liatours  /  ne  lole 
wordes  /  ne  lodliche.     In  anofre  manere  me  may  on- 
derstonde  fis  word.      '  Stoppe  fine  yeren  mid  fornes.' 
J)e  fornes  j?et  prikiejj  /  be-toknej?    harde  wordes  and 
prekiinde  /  heruore  me  ssel  "\v}^J»nime  Jje  missiggeres  / 
and  maki  his  stille  and  sse^vy  semblont  fet  me  ne  hierj) 
his  na^t  blefeliche.     )per  is  an  eddre  jjet  is  y-hote  ine  The  asp  cioseth 
latin  /  aspis.  J?et  is  of  zuiche  kende  /  fet  hi  stoppejj  fet  and  the^other" 
on  eare  mid  erfe  /  and  fet  ofer  mid  hare  tayle  /  fet  hi  tjlatshema'^not 
ne  yhere  fane  charmere.     }3e  ilke  eddre  ous  tekf  a  wel  ^®^  *^®  charmer 
grat  wyt  /  f et  we  ne  hyere  na3t  fane  charmere  /  f et  is  jj^g  1;^^^  ^nd 
fe  lye3ere  /  and  fe  flatour.  fet  ofte  b^charmef  fe  riche  S";2r\latone 
men.     Ac  huo  fet  stoppef  fet  on  eare  mid  erf  e  /  and  ™"st  beware  of. 

He  who  stops  his 

fet  of  er  mid  f  e  tayle  :  he  ne  ssolde  habbe  none  hede  to  ears  win  not  be 

bi  be-charmed  of   fe  dyeule  /  ne  of  kueade  tongen.  flattery; 

J3e  ilke  stoppef  fet  on  eare  mid  erf e  :  fet  f engf  fet  he  and  wiu  twnk  of 

,  .      the  earth  from 

is  of  erf  e  /  and  to  erf  e  ssel  come,   and  zuo  f  enche  ma  whence  he  came, 

uovdhede  and  his  ziknesse.  hueruore  he  him  ssel  moche 

mildi :  and  na^t  hxm  praysy.     )?et  of  er  eare  stoppi  mid 

fe  tayle  /  uor  to  bef  enche  of  fe  dyafe  /  fet  him  ssel  and  of  death  that 

,,.  TT,,,  t  I  ■    ^  •  I    will  overtake  him. 

wel  astonie.  Huo  fet  fus  coufe  stoppi  his  earen:'  He  who  thinketh 
he  nolde  yhyere  blefeliche  zigge  /  ne  recordi  fing :  fet  ^f^^^t  us^en\o 
ssolde  misliki  god.  and  zuo  ssolde  he  by  wel  ytempred  /  words^dispieasing 

'  ifS.  erarcH 
17 


258 


THE   FIFTH    STEP    OF    SOBRIETY. 


Moderation  in 
clothing  is  tlie 
fifth  step  of 
Sobriety. 
Excess  is  a  sin, 


wherefore  we 
should  not  be  over 
busy  in  adorning 
ourselves. 


He  is  a  foo!  and 
chUdish  that  is 
proud  of  liis 
clothing. 


The  wearing  of 
clothes  comes  of 
the  sin  of  our  first 
pai'ents. 

[Fol.  81.  a.] 


Under  fair  robes 
there  is  often  a 
dead  soul. 

Nature  has 
adorned  the  pea- 
cock and  cock. 


Nature  has  given 
man  no  clothes  of 
which  to  be  proud. 


St.  Paul  says  that 
women  shall 
adorn  themselves 
with  propriety. 

Many  poor  might 
be  sustained  by 
the  number  of 
robes  tliat  one 
woman  wears  in  a 
year, 


and  amesured  iiie  liyerj^e  and  ine  lliestinge.     And  pis 
is  j)8  iierjje  stape  of  sobrete. 

}5e  uifte  stape  is  /  to  loki  mesure  of  ssredinge  of 
p?'(^ciouse  robes  /  liuerof  me  pasej)  moclie  mesure  /  and 
make])  moche  oiierdoinges.  and  Jjeraore  Jiet  oiierdede  is 
grat  zewne  /  and  uelezi])e  ancliesonn  to  zene  ine  ofren. 
jjeruore  me  ssel  ine  znyclie  jjinges  loky  raesiu-e.  Yor 
kit  is  to  moche  of  p?'/s  and  to  mocke  kysy  agrayjjinge 
ne  were  ze?zne :  onre  Ikord  ne  speke  na3t  zuo  stefliche 
ine  his  spelle  a-ye  jje  queade  riche  /  fet  zno  oite  ham 
ssredejj  /  ase  of  to  zofte  bougeren  and  of  to  moche  of 
pn's  ponrpre.  0.  moche  is  he  fol  iiorzojje  /  and  child  of 
wytte  /  fet  of  his  ssredinge  is  proud.  Me  ssolde  him 
wel  hyealde  fol ;  jjet  were  proud  to  here  ]>&  ssredinge. 
Jjet  ne  ssolde  by  bote  a  tokne.  and  a  bcjjenchinge  of  jje 
ssame  of  his  uader  /  and  of  his  03ene.  j)es  wone  of 
robes  nes  yuounde  /  bote  uor  pe  zenne  of  oure  uei'ste 
uader  xior  to  wry  his  confusion  /  and  oure.  Hua«ne 
me  yzijjj  here  ane  bpie.  Jjet  is  tokne  pet  Jjer  is  wyfine 
a  dyad,  alsuo  hit  y-ualJ3  ofte  /  pet  onder  pe  uayre 
robes :  is  pe  zaulo  dyad  be  ze?me  /  and  nameliche  ine 
pan  pet  ham  gledyep  /  and  predep.  Yef  pe  pokoc  him 
prette  uor  his  uayre  tayle.  and  pe  coc  uor  his  kombe  / 
hit  ne  is  no  wonder  pet  kcnde  ham  hep  y-yeue  /  an 
dop  be  hare  kende.  Ac  man  oper  wyfman  /pet  hep 
wyt  and  skele  /  and  wot  wel  pet  kende  ne  hep  na3t  y- 
yeue  hi«i  pet  ilke  ssroud  /  he  ne  ssel  hiin  na3t  prede  : 
of  pe  ssredinge  of  his  bodye.  ne  of  pe  quayntises  of  his 
heuede.  Jjeruore  zayp  pe  wyse  ine  pe  writinge.  '  ne  glede 
pe  na3t  ine  uayr  ssroud.'  And  zaynte  paul  pus  zay[p]. 
J)et  pe  wyfmen  hi  ssolle  ham  agraypi :  mid  sobrete.  pet 
is  to  zigge  :  be  mesure  /  and  wyp-oute  ouerdoinge  /  be 
pe  stat  /  pet  pe  wyfman  acsep.  Vor  zope  pet  ne  is  na3t 
Avyp-oute  ouerdoinge.  pot  on  wyfma??.  ssel  habbe  uor 
hare  body  ine  one  yere  zuo  uele  payre  of  robes  /  and 
of  diuerse  maneres  /  huerof  manye  poure  mi3ten  by 


THE   SIXTH    STEP    OF   SOBRIETY.  259 

sostened  of  ban  pet  is  to  moclie.     Ac  yet  eft  yef  hi  but  they  are  not 

given  to  tlie  poor, 

weren  ate  ende  y-^eue  nor  godes  loue  to  Jje  poure  :  yet  but  to  the  disso- 
hit  were  zomfing.   ac  lii  bye]?  ofte  y-yene  to  rybaus  J)et 
is  wel  grat  ze».ne.     j5eruore  me  ssel   loki  niesure  ine 
zuyclie  J5inge  be  Ipa  stat  jjet  fe  persone  acsejj  ase  ich 
habbe  aboiie  y-zed. 

])e  zixte  stape  of  temp^^rance  and  of  sobrete  is  /  Ipet  The  sixth  step  of 

Temperance  is 

ecli  loki  guode  mesnre  ine  liis  contenonce  /  and  ine  bis  moderation  in 

1        •  1  -tT    n  11  1     conduct. 

bermge.     pamie  seneke  zay};.      Yet  |) on  art  sobre   and  Take  heed  that 
ate7??pred  /  imn  foil  bede    fet    Jje  steriynges  of  jjine  ^J^thear^tV/not 
berte  ne  of  J»ine  bodye  /  ne  by  noule  ne  onwor]?i.     Vor  ^'^"'  •"^  '^'^^y- 
of  J)e  discordance  of  jje  herte  :  conip  Jje  discordance  of 
pe  bodio.     Zome  per  byej)  zuo  cbildhedi  /  and  of  zuo  Some  are  so 

,  childish  that  they 

nice  manere  /  Jiet  hi  make])  ham-zelue  to   by  hyealde  cause  tiiemseives 

f.  1  TT-j.  1  1  ij.  ^  •         I         I,,-      to  be  looked  upon 

loles.     Kit  becomjj  wel  to  man  of  worssipe  /  and  jjet  is  ^^  foois 
ine  grat  stat  /  fet  he  hj  v,rcl  ordine  /  and  amesured  ine  Look  that  thy 

ni.TT         ;  ,.         ni-         ••  -\      1}  deeds  be  well  or- 

alle  Ins  dedes  /  and  m  alie  his  ziggmges.  and  oi  uayre  deved,  so  that  none 

contenonce  to-iiore  alle  men  /  zuo  Jiet   non  ne  ni03e  ^^ 'gximpie^'^^ 

nime  of  him  kueade  uorbisne  /  ne  jjet  he  ne  by  yheakle 

nor  fol  /  ne  uor  child.     Vor  ase  zayjj  a  grat  filosofe. 

'  child  of  elde.   child  of  wytte.   and  child  of  Jieawes  : 

bye])  al  on.'     J3e  Avritinge  zayp  fet  /  fet  child  of  an  Thechiuiofan 

.  .  hundred  years 

hondred  year:  ssel  by  acorsed.     pet  is  to  zigge.   pet  pe  shall  be  accursed, 

ilke  pet  hep  nolle  elde  /  and  lenep  ase  a  child  :  ssel  by  andyetiseiuidish. 

acorsed  of  god.     )3awne  zaynte  paul  zayde  of  hi??z-zeliie. 

'  j3o  ich  wes  child :  ich  dede  ase  a  child,  ich  po3te  ase 

a  child,    ac  zeppe  ich  com   to  elde  of  uol  man  r  ich 

uorrletl  alle  mine  childhedes.'      Vor  huo  bet  halt  aid  Hewhohoidetu 

L         J  •'an  old  man  a 

man  uor  child :   he  bine  halt  uor  fol.     And  peruore  cwi'i  hoideth  him 

a  fool. 

zayp  zaynte  paul.  '  iSTe  by  na3t  child  of  wytte.  ac  ine 
queadnesse  by  lite.'  ISom  is  hit  pa?ine  guod  ping  and 
oneste.  p?'ofitable  /  and  worbssipuol  to  man  an  to  -svyf-  ^'"■'^'^'^  man  and 

i.  I  r       i.  •!        woman  shall  so 

man  /  and  nameliche  to  grat  uolk.  bet  hi  loki  sceluolle  "'•'i<^''  "'eu-  oon- 

mesure  /  ine  berynge  /  ine  contenonce  /  and  pet  hi  by  decorous,  profit- 
able, and  honour- 

Avel  ordyne  oueral.  and  be-uore  god  /  and  be-uore  pe  aWe  before  God 

A       T       •      •  -  p      •        i  and  man. 

uolke.     And  pis  is  pe  zixte  stape  oi  pise  trawe. 
17  * 


260 


THE    SEVENTH   STEP    OF    SOBRIETY. 


Observe  moder- 
ation in  meat  and 
drink. 


[Fol.  81.  b.] 

Load  not  the 
heart  with  the 
sins  of  gluttony 
and  drunken- 
ness. 


Of  excess  in  meats 
and  drinks  see 
the  chapter 
wliere  the  sin  of 
gluttony  is  treated 
of. 


Moderation  is  to 
be  found  in  all 
virtues. 


It  is  a  fair  tree, 
and  its  fruit  is 
peace  of  heart. 

He  who  hath  this 
virtue  is  joined  to 
God  by  charity, 
and  is  separated 
from  the  world's 
love, 

and  so  he  resteth 
in  God  and  hath 
comfort  and  bliss. 


Such  bliss  setteth 
the  Holy  Ghost  in 
the  heart  that  is 
perfected  by  the 
virtue  of  sobriety. 


})Q  zeuend  sta]De  is  /  to  loki  mesure  ine  mete  and 
ine  drinke.  Vor  ouerdede  of  mete  and  of  drinke  :  dej> 
moche  tarm  ine  bodie  and  ine  zaule.  ase  ich  habbe  be- 
nore  yzed.  Jjeniore  zayjj  oiire  Ihord  ine  his  spelle 
'  !Nime]j  ye  liede  /  J)et  yoiire  herten  /  ne  by  ygreued  / 
ne  y-charged  of  glotoimie  /  ne  of  dronkehede.'  )?et  is  to 
zigge  /  jjet  Jjou  ne  do  oiierdoinge  of  mete  and  of  drinke. 
Sobrete  lokej)  mesiue  ine  mete  and  ine  drinke.  Ipet  me 
ne  maki  ouerdoinge.  Of  pe  ouerdoinges  fet  me  wes  y- 
woned  to  do  ine  drinke  and  ine  mete  /  ich  habbe  yno3 
yspeke  ine  Jje  dra3})e  of  vices  hua?2ne  fet  ich  spek  of  Tpe 
ze?me  of  glotunie  /  to  huam  f)is  u/rtue  huerof  ich  habbe 
yspeke  /  zuo  is  contrariG  specialKche.  and  j^ernore  ich 
nelle  nanmore  hyer  speke. 

l^ou  hest  jjoii  y-herd  fe  stapes  huerbi  Jjis  traw  wext 
and  note]),  and  yef  ]?ou  wylt  ywyte  fe  bo3es  of  fise 
trawe :  yzi^  alle  fe  o)jre  u/rtues  /  jjet  bye])  y-contynent 
ine  Jjis  hoc.  and  fon  sselt  yuinde  oueral  jjise  u»'tu. 
Vor  ase  ich  habbe  yzed  aboue  /  and  y-ssewed.  J^is 
vi/rtue  zet  mesure  in  alle  pe  xi/rtues.  hueruore  ich 
zigge  /  J)et  alle  J>e  ojjre  m'/'tues  bye]?  bo3es  of  fise.  nor 
hy  hyre  ssewej)  ine  alle  fe  oj^re  bo3es.  ]5et  traw  berjj 
wel  nayr  frut.  and  wel  smakinde.  pet  is  j^ais  of  herte. 
ase  ich  habbe  aboue  yzed.  Vor  huo  fet  he])  fise 
uiVtue :  he  hep  pe  herte  zuo  to-deld  uram  pe  loue  of  pe 
wordle  /  and  zuo  y-yoyned  to  god  be  charite.  fet  is 
charite :  loue  of  god.  Vor  hi  zet  alle  ofre  ])inges  ine 
uoryetinge  Jjet  ne  bye])  na3t  ydy3t  to  god.  And  ine 
zuyche  manyre  pe  herte  him  reste])  ine  god.  huer  hi 
he])  al  liire  confort.  hire  bhsse  /  and  hire  lost,  fet 
pase])  alle  o])re  lostes.  Zuych  comfort  /  zuych  lost  /  set 
pe  holy  gost  ine  herte  pet  is  uolmad  ine  pe  u^Vtue  of 
sobrete  /  ])et  com])  of  pe  yef])e  of  -^^^sdome  /  ase  ich 
habbe  aboue  yzed.  Vorzo])e  he  fet  zuich  pays  of  herte 
mi3te  habbe  /  and  yuele  :  he  ssolde  liim  resti  ine  god  / 
fet  is  pe  ende  /  and  pe  uoluellinge  /  and  pe  so?»me  of 


TRUE    PEACE    OF    HEART.  261 

his  wylni?zges.  lie  ssolde  bi  y-blissed  iiie  jjise  wordle  / 

and  ine  be  obre.  uor  he  ssolde  habbe  y-wonne  be  ilke  The  peaceaWe  are 

■>         -f  ^  J  blessed  and  are 

bhssinge  Jjet  god  behat  ine  his  spelle  to  ham  jjet  Jjise  called  God's  sons. 

ilke  pais  lokede  "o^Jj-oute  brekinge.  uor  he  zayp  fet  hi 

byej)  ybhssed  fe  paysible.    nor  lii  ssolle  by  y-cleped 

godes  zones.    )?o  byep  payzible  /  fet  zayjj  zaint  austin  /  Those  are  peace-; 

pet  alle  fe  steriinges  of  fe  herte  ordajTieJ)  /  and  zette))  tJJVmotions? 

onder  be  Ihordssipe  of  ri^te  scele  and  of  be  goste.     j)os  the  heart  by  the 

lordship  of  reason, 

byejj  ari3t  y-cleped  children  /  uor  hi  berejj  J)e  anlik- 
nesse  of  hire  uader  /  Jjet  is  Jje  god  of  loue  and  of  pais, 
aze  zayJj  zainte  paul.  and  lpa7ine  pays  and  loue  of  god  /  Peace  and  the  love 

.  -,  ^  of  God  make  man 

IS  pet  pmg  pet  mest  make  J)  man  anlikni  to  god.  and  pe  uke  God. 

co?i[t]rarie  to  pe  dyeule  pet  is  godes  uo.     EfterAvard  / 

hi  byep  y-cleped  godes  zones,    uor  hi  uol3ep  al  hare 

uader  wel  nier  pa?2ne  eni  oper.  uor  pays  /  and  loue  /  him 

uoljep  more  nyer  :  panne  eni  oper  u/rtue.     Efterward  /  are  called  God's 

Ml,,  T  n  -.  •  1  T  -I       sons  because  they 

dop  pe  workes  oi  hire  uader.   uor  god  ne  com  m-to  ^o  God's  works. 

pise  wordle  /  bote  tomaki  pays  be-tuene  god  and  man.  t^l'J'woriTto'"''' 
be-tuene  man  and  angle.  be-tueFnel  man  and  liimzelue.  ™''''®  ^t^^^®  "'^^ 

'-'  L      J  God  and  man. 

j)a.nne  po  he  wes  ybore  /  pe  angles  zonge  uor  pet  pays       [Foi.  82.  a] 

pet  god  hedde  y-br03t  in-to  erpe.    and  peruore  pet  pe 

uolk  ne  ssolde  zeche  bote  pays.     }?eruore   panne  pet  hi 

byep  godes  zones  /  hi  byep  ybhssed  ine  pise  wordle  God's  sons  are 

be  special  g?'ace.     Ac  pe  ilke  bhssinge  ssel  by  uolmad  world  by  special 

hua??ne   lii    ssolle    by    ine    payzible    possession    of  pe  buuheir  wiss  is 

eritage  of  hire  uader  /  bet  is  of  be  riche  of  lieuene  huer  perfected  in 

/    J  J  heaven, 

hi  ssolle  by  ine  zikere  pays,  ine  pese  uoldo  /  huer  alle 
lostes  ssolle  by  uolueld.  huer  ne  may  by  no  kuead  / 
ne  zorse  /  ne  aduersete  /  ne  defaute.   ac  abundance  /  where  is  no  sin, 

sorrow,  or  adver- 

and   plente  of  alle  guode.    bHsse  and   ioye   wyp-oute  sity, 

ende.      J)et  ssel  by  pais    worpssipuol  /  lostuol  /  and  everlasting  peace. 

eurelestinde.     Pais  pet  pasep  /  and  ouergep  wj^t.  ase 

zayp  zaynte  paul.     And  zeppe  pet  hi  pasep  alle  -wj'ttes : 

hi  pasep  alle  wordes.     Vor  herte  non  ne  may  penche  /  ma"teii'of  th^^ 

ne  niannes  tonge  telle  :  huet  ping  is  pet  pais  pet  god  K';eatnessofthis 

hep  behote  his  urendes.     And  peruore  ich  ne  ssolde  by 


262 


THE    LORD  S   PRAYEK    AXD    BELIEF, 


Aviierefore  I  were   bote  a  Avlaifere  lie  zigge  fiPxg  to  j?e  nolle.     And  feruore 

a  mocVer  to  .   ,  ,.  .  ,..,.,,  ,.         . 

attempt  to  de-       icli  neile  non  more  zigge.  ac  hier  icli  wiile  eudi  mine 
fuH.  ^ " '"  ^"^^       niatire.     To  pe  blisse  of  oure  lliorde  /  to  huam  by  alle 

Avorjjssipe.  fet  ous  lete  wonie  ine  liis  uela3rede  /  huer 

is  lif  enrelestiinde. 


This  boo'.c  is  come 
to  an  end, 
May  God  his  bliss 
us  send  ! 

Tiiis  boo':  is 
written  in  the 
Ei'.glisli  of  Kent 
for  lewd  men,  for 
fathers  and 
mothers,  &e., 
to  lieep  tliem  from 
sin,  so  that  their 
consciences  maybe 
undefiled. 
The  author's 
name  signifies 
'  Who  as  God,' 
and  may  God 
give  liim  the 
bread  of  angels 
and  receive  his 
soul  when  dead. 
Amen. 


N.S.    This  book 
was  finished  in 

the  Eve  of  the 
Holy  Apostles 
Simon  and  Judas, 
by  a  brother  of 
the  cloister  of  St. 
Austin  of  Canter- 
bury, in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  1340. 

[pater  nosier.] 
Our  father  that 
art  in  heaven,  &c. 


[aue  Maria  ] 
KaU  Mary ! 


[credo.] 


)?is  boc  is  ycome  to  \ie  ende  : 
Heuene  blisse  god  ous  zende.    Amen. 

Kou  icli  mile  jjet  ye  ywyte  liou  hit  is  y-went : 
jjet  Ipis  boc  is  y-^\^■ite  mid  engliss  of  kent. 
))is  boc  is  y-mad  nor  lewede  men  / 
Vor  uader  /  and  nor  moder  /  and  nor  o|)er  ken  / 
ham  nor  to  ber3e  uram  alle  manyere  zen  / 
)?et  ine  hare  inwyttte  ne  bleue  no  uonl  Aven. 
'  Huo  ase  god '  is  his  name  yzed  / 
jiet  fis  boc  made  god  him  yeue  J?et  bread  / 
of  angles  of  henene  and  Jjerto  liis  red  / 
and  ondernonge  his  zaule  huanne  jjet  he  is  dyad. 
Amen. 

Ymende.  Jiet  J)is  boc  is  uolueld  ine  fe  ewe  of  pe 
holy  apostles  Symon  an  ludas  /  of  ane  brojjer  of  J>e 
cloystre  of  sanynt  austin  of  Canterberi  /  Ine  j>e  yeare 
of  cure  Ihordes  beringe.   1340. 

Vader  oiu'e  jjet  art  ine  heuenes  /  y-hal^ed  by  J)i 
name,  cominde  Jji  riche.  y-worjje  J)i  Avil  /  ase  ine 
heuene :  and  ine  erjje.  bread  om'e  echedayes :  yef  ous 
to  day.  and  uorlet  ous  oure  yeldinges  :  ase  and  we  uor- 
letejj  oure  yelderes.  and  ne  ous  led  na3t :  in-to  uoiid- 
inge.  ac  vri  ous  uram  queade.  zuo  by  hit. 

Hayl  Marie  /  of  ])onke  uol.  Ihord  by  mid  j)e.  y- 
blissed  jjou  ine  wymmen.  and  y-blissed  jjet  ouet  of 
fine  wombe.  zuo  by  hit. 

Ich  leue  ine  god  /  uader  almi3ti.  makere  of  heuene  / 


HOW    TO    SHAKE    AWAY    HEAVINESS.  263 

and  of  erbe.      Aiid  ine  iesu  cr/st  /  liis  zone  on-lepi  /  i  b.-iieve  in  God 

'  IP   'I'e  Father  M- 

oure  Ihord.  fet  ydcend  is  /  of  jse  holy  gost.   y-bore  of  mighty,  siaker  of 

nr      ■     -tr       ^  11  -11.  11  heaven  and  earth, 

Alane  Mayde.  y-pyned  onder  poiins  piiate.   y-nayied  a  ^^^  ^^  jes„3 

rode.   dyad,    and  be-bered.    yede  donn  to  belle.    Jjane  ^'^"^'''^c. 

|)ridde  day  a-ros  uram  ])e    dyade.     Stea^  to  beuenes. 

zit  a]3e  rijt  half  of  god  Ipe  uader  al-nii3ti.    Joannes  to 

coniene  be  is  /  to  deme  be  quike  /  and  be  dyade.     Ich  i  believe  in  the 
'  r     i.  I  r       J  jjyiy  Qhost,  &c. 

y-leue  ine  Jie  holy  gost.  holy  cherche  generalliche. 
Me?niesse  of  hal3en.  Lesnesse  of  zewnes.  of  nlesse 
arizinge,  and  lyf  eurelestinde.  zuo  by  hjt.  j-j.^,j  gj  t,.] 

Uor  to  ssea^yJ  Ipe  lokpige  of  man  v/y>-i«ne.  fellyche  Z^^^,,  , 
ane  norbysne  /  oui-e  Ihord  ihfeni  crist  zayb.   '  bis  uorzobe  =i"<i  *i''<=<ie :  and 

•^  I  J  r         i  r       jjyg  ^-ende  /  into 

ywyte]?.    ]jet  yef  ])e  uader  of  Jie  house  wj^ste  huyclie  loueofgod.] 
time  Jje  ]jyp.f  were  coniynde :  uor-zo]je  he  wolde  waky  /  the'hous'eknew  a 
and  nolde  najt  folye  Jiet  me  dolue  his  hous.'     Be  J»ise  he'wouirJatc™" 
uader  of  house  me  may  onderstonde  /  be  wyl  of  skele.  '*"'^  ^'''"'^  "^'^ 

■^  /    J-  J  house. 

to   huam   be-longeb   moche   mayne.      j5ojtes.  and   his  The  Father  of  the 

house  is  the  will 

besteriinge.  "wj't.    and  dedes  /  ase  wel  vv^Ji-oute  :  ase  of  Reason,  that 

,  "  hath  many  at- 

Avjr]3-inne.  Jset  is  to  zigge  /  huych  mayne  /  to  moche  tendants,  as 

slac  /  and  -wylles  uol  ssel  by  :  bote  yef  fe  ilke  uaderes  emotions',  sense, 

stefhede  hise  strajmy  /  and  ordayny.     Vor  zoj^e  yef  he  ThS'^'ervants  win 

hym  a  lyte  of  his  bysyhede  wyjj-dra^jj :  liuo  may  zigge  /  ^f^  slothful  unless 

hou  boates.   ejeu.   earen.  tonge.  and  alle  obre  wyttes  :  active. 

If  the  reason  is 

become])    wylde.      Hous.    is    inw^yt  /  in    huychen   jje  idle,  the  thoughts, 

uader  of  house  "wonejj.  })o  hord  of  uirtues  gaderej).    Vor  become  wild, 

huych   hord  :   fet   iUte    zelue   hous    ne   by   y-dolue  /  i,„vit,°oTspTrit.* 

he^lyche  he  wakeb.   ber  ne  is  naat  on  byef :  ac  uele.   ac  '^^"^  house  is 

7  J  r      '  ?  T  J  undermined  not 

to  eche  uutue  :  ech  vice  waytejj.     Jjajles  hejlyche  by  ^  °"®  ^'^^'^'^  ^"^^ 
be  byeue  :  is  onderstonde  be  dyeuel.  a-ye  huam  and  his  The  chief  thief  is 
kachereles  /  jje  ilke  zelue  uader  /  fables  yef  he  ne  were  are  his  catchpoics. 
na3t  onlosti :  his  hous  mid  greate  strengfie  wolde  loky. 
])Q  uader  of  jje  house  /  ate  uerste  guoinge  in:  he  zette  The  Father  of  the 
sle3J)e  /  to  by  doreward.  Jjet  y-knaujj  huet  is  to  uorlete :  sieight  (Prudence) 
and  huet  ys  to  wylny.  huet  nor  to  bessette  out  of  fe  keeper. 
house,  huet  uor  to  onderuonge  into  ]>e  house.     Nixt  stren^SpoL 
ban:  ha  zette  strengb*?.   bet  be  vyendes  /  bet  slejbe  zent  t^e dev-iis and 

J  '-''         I        I         'J  I   r  }i  support  Prudence. 


264  PEUDENCE   THE   SOUL's   DOOR-KEEPER. 

to  zygge  /  to  keste  out :  strengjje  wyjjdro^e.  jjet  his 
mSand^Je'T  ^°^^®  ^^^^^  w^^])-dvo^e :  and  \ry])-zGde.  Ki3tnesse 
to  yacii  its  own  uorzojje  ssel  zitte  aiiiydde  /  fet  echen  liis  03611  yefjj. 
At  what  time  tiie   Hueruore  :  huyclie  time  be  byef  is  comynde  /  me  not. 

thief  will  come 

one  knoweth  not.   ac  eche  tyme  me  ssel  drede.  )5ise  zuo  y-di3t :  na3t  longe 

to  ]>e  wakynde  fe  slep  of  zeiine  iDenymJ).     Vox  al  Jiet 

Sleight  lets  some    lyf  is  to  waky.     Zome  messagyers  sle^be  ssel  lete  in. 

messengers  in  to  o^  ^j 

give  warning.        ])et  zouie  Jjinges  mo3e  telle  /  Ipet  me  may  a-waki  myde. 
The  messenger  of  jjus  be  messagyer  of  dyabe  acseb  inguoynge  :  he  is  on- 

Deatli  demands 

an  entrance,         deruonge.  Me  him  acsejj  '  huo  he  ys.  hiiannes  he  com)). 

and  claims  a  ., 

dead  silence,  and  huet  he  hej?  ysoje.      He  ansueref.     he  ne   may  na3t 

"?am  Dread,  and  zigge  :    hotc   yef  ]>eT   by    he3liche    clom.     Huych   y- 

De™hofs  graunted:  fus  he  begyn>.      'Ich  am  drede  /  and  be- 

yo™'"^  "'^°"  jjenchinge  of  dyafe.   and  dyajj  comyde  :  ^   ich  do  you  to 

I' comynde?]  wyteue.'     Sle3])e  specj)  uor  alle.  and  acsej).     '  And  huer 

" Where t! Death?  ^^  ^°^  f®  ^^^  ^J^l?-  ^nd  huaunc  ssel  lie  come f    Drede 

TOine"?  "'^^  '^*  zayj).   '  Ich  Avot  wel  jjet  he  ne  abyt  na3t  to  comene  /  and 

Dread  answers,  nygi   he   is.   ac    bane    day   /   ober    bane    t\Tiie    of  his 

"  Slie  delays  not,        "^    '  ^  J     /        r  r  J 

but  Is  nigh  at        comynge  :  ich  not.'     Sle3]3e  zayj>.     '  And  huo  ssel  come 
and  a  thousand      myd  h}Te  ? '     Drede  zayjj.      '  A  J^ouzend  dyeulen  ssolle 

devils  shall  come  .,..  ,,  ■  ■>   ^  i  i       -\     ^  i 

with  her,  come  mid  hire,  and  brenge  mid  ham  /  greate   bokes  / 

book^""^  ^^^^*      and  bernynde  liokes  /  and  chajaien  auere.'  Sle3j?e  zayj). 
burning  hooks,      'And  liuet  Avylleb  hy  do  mid  alle  ban?'     Drede  zayb. 

and  fiery  chains.  J        x       -J  J  'J  i 

In  the  books  are     '  Ine  Jie  bokes  bye])  y- write  alle  Jje  ze??nen  of  men.  and 

Bins.  hise  brengej)  /  pet  be  ham  hi  nio3e  ouercome  men.    of 

huychen  fe  zewnes  perinne  byej)  yAvryte.  pet  byej)  to 

The  hooks  draw     hare  ri3te.     Hokes  hi  brengep  /  pet  po  pet  byep  to  hare 

the  souls  out  of  ii,,^,ni 

the  bodies,  n3te  ouercoiiiep  :  hire  zaulen  be  strengpe  :  01  pe  bodye 

chains  are  they  dra3ep  out.  and  hisB  byiidep  mid  pe  chaines  /  and  in 

iSeu""  ''"'''"  to  helle  hise  dra^ep.'     Sle3pe  zayp.     '  Hua?mes  comste  ? 

[Foi.  83.  a.]  Drede  zayp.     '  Vram  helle.     Sle3pe  zayp.    '  And  huet  is 

comes  from  hell,  hcUe.  and  huet  yse3epe  ine  helle  1 '    Drede  zayp.    '  Helle 

TuS;  w^ati  is  ^d  /  Avyp-oute  metinge.    dyep  /  Avyp-oute   botme. 

bottomless.  y^^  q£  brenc  on-bolvinde.      Vol  of  stenche  /  Avy-oute 

lull  01  fare  mtoler-  i      •/  i        <j 

able,  and  of  sor-     cojHparisoun.  ber  is  zorjc.  ber  is  byesternesse.   ber  ne  is 

row  and  darkness.      '      '^  '  ?       s  s  -i  s  ^ 

non  ordre.  per  is  groniyngo  wyp-oute  ende.  _per  ne  is 


THE    TORMENTS    OP    HELL-PAIN.  265 

non  hope  of  gniode.  non  wa»trokiyiio;e  of  kueade.    Ecli  There  is  no  hope 

i-  o  JO  of  good,  and 

jjet  jjerinne  is  :  hate Jj  him  zelue  :  and  alle  oJ>ren.     J?er  abmidanceofuis. 

ich  yze^  alle  manyere  tormens.  jje  leste  of  alle  /  is  more 

panne  alle  ]?e  pynen  pet  moje  by  y-do  ine  |)ise  wordle. 

per  is  wop.  and  grindinge  of  teb.    ber  me  gep  iiram  There  is  weeping 

.  aud  gnashing 

chele  in  to  greate  liete  of  nere.   and  bnofe  onpolyinde.  teeth. 

J3ere   alle   be    uere  /   ssolle    by   uorbernd.     and    myd  The  soui  shall  be 

tormented  by  the 

wermes  ssolle  by  y-wasted  /  and  najt  ne  ssolle  wasti.  wonnofCon- 

scicncG, 

Hire  wermes  /  ne  ssolle  na3t  sterue.  and  hare  ver  ne 
ssel  neure  by  ykiienct.  ISTo  rearde  ne  ssel  pev  by  y- 
hyerd  /  bote,  wo :  wo.  wo  hy  habbej? :  and  wo  hy 
gredej).  j)e  dyeules  tormentors  pynej).  and  to-gydere 
hy  byejj  y-pyned.  ne  neure  ne  ssel  by  ende  of  pyne : 
o]jer  reste.     Jjellich  is  helle  /  an  a  fousend  zyjje  worse.  Heii  is  even  worse 

.,,..,  .  111/  1  ,  1-,  than  all  this  by 

And  pis  ich  yze3  me  lieile  /  and  a  pousendzipe  more  a  thousand  times, 
worse.  )?is  ich  com  nor  to  zygge  you.'  Sleabe  zayb.   '  God  Prudence  says, 

"O  God,  what 

wet  ssolle  we  do.      Nou  brojiren  and  zostren  y-hyreji  shaUwedo?" 

my  red.   and  yuejj  youre.     Bye])  sle3e.     an  AvakeJ?  ine  Be  watchful 

youre  bedes  /  porueynde  guodes.   na^t  onlyche  beuore  ^^  prayerful, 

gode :  ac  be-uore  alle  men.'     bolemodness  zayb.     'Do  Patience  says, 

°  '  J  T  "  Work  God  s 

we  to  worke  godes  nebsseft  /  ine  ssrifte   /  and  ine  likeness  in  shrift 

'  '  and  in  psalms." 

zalmes :  glede  we  hyni.  bye])  sobre  /  and  wakye])  / 
uor  youre  uo  fe  dyuel  /  ase  pa  lyoun  brayinde  ge]) 
aboute  ban :  bet  he  wyle  uor-zuebe.'     Strengbe  zayb.  strength  says, 

^  -^  .  OY  JY     ".Withstand  the 

*  Wyfstonde])  hym  :  stronge  ine  byleaue.     Bye})  glede  devil  by  belief. 
ine  god.     Clo])e})  you  mid  godes  armes.   pQ  hauberk  of  aothe  you  with 
ry^t.  fane  sseld  of  beleaue.  nyine])  Jiane  hebn  of  helfe. 
and  pQ  holy  gostes  ziiord :  ])et  is  godes  word.'  Ry3[t]nesse  Equity  says, 

**  Live  soberly." 

zayj).  '  Lybbe  we  sobreliche.  ryuoUyche  an  bonayrelyche. 
Sobrelyche  :  ine  ous  zelue.  ry3tuollyche  :  to  oure 
emcristen.  bonayrelyche  :  to  god.  ])et  we  nolle})  fet  me 
do  to  ous  zelue :  ne  do  we  hyt  na3t  to  o}iren.  and  fet 
we  wj'lle})  pet  me  do  to  ous  zellue :  do  we  hit  to  o})re  pmdence  says, 

1  ,        ,     J     •         •   J  I       rti      1  •  c  i^        •      "Another messen- 

men.    and  uor  zofe  fet  is  ri3t;      ble3})e  zay}).     '  Jjer  is  gg^  awaits  with- 
anoper  w;y^p-oute  pe  gates  uap-.  and  gled.  hit  ])ingp  fe  he  ""t."  Equity  com- 
bre[n]g})glednesse.'  Ry3[t]nesse  zay}>.  'onderuonge}>hym.  received.  ' 


266 


THE    SOULS    MESSENGERS. 


The  messenger 
enters  and  says 
that  he  is  '  Love 
of  evei'lasting  life.' 


He  asks  for  silence 
and  peace. 


Equity  says  that 
his  demand  is 
just. 


The  messenger 
says  that  he 
coines  from 
heaven. 


and  that  lie  has 
seen  God  as  in  a 
mirror. 

[Fol.  83.  b.] 
"Isaw  llieinefl'able 
and  i)idivisible 
majesty  of  the 
Holy  Trinity  : 

thelight  therefrom 
dazzles  the  eyes, 
and  surpasseth  all 
sense. 


I  saw  Christ  on 
God's  right  hand. 


and  He  bears  the 
wounds  and 
tokens  of  his 
passion  in  Iiis 
body. 

Next  to  Christ 
I  saw  the  Virgin 
Mary, 

[1  godes  ?  or 
zones  ?] 


who  was  inter- 
ceding for  us. 


be  033  lie  ous  ssel  gledye.  uor  fies  ilke  uerste :  gi'at- 
lyclie  he  ous  he])  y-mad  of-dret.'  Sle3|)e  zayj?  to  jje  messa- 
gere.  '  Guo  in.  and  huo  ))ou  art.  and  hua?nies  J)ou 
comst.  and  huet  fou  liest  yzo3e  :  zay  ous.'  j)e  mes- 
sagyr  zay]).  'Ich  am  loue  of  lyue  eurelestynde.  an 
"wybiynge  of  ])e  contraye  of  heuene.  Yef  ye  me  wylle]) 
y-here  :  habbe])  amang  you.  clom  /  and  reste.  ]S[a3t 
uor  zo])e  amang  gredynges  and  noyses  :  ych  ne  may  by 
yherd.'  Ei3[t]uolnessezay]».  '  Yef  welongegodes  drede/ 
and  be-]>enchinge  of  dya]»e  were  stille  :  ry3t  hit  is  /  fet 
\>e  sj)ekinde  /  wel  more  Ave  by  stille.'  Wylningge  of  ]ie 
IjTie  ■wy])-oute  ende  /  zay]).  '  jperuore  byeji  stille  /  and 
yhere]i  niyd  wylle.  Ich  come  m-am  heuene.  and 
])elliche  ])inges  ich  y-ze3  ]>ev.  fet  no  man  ne  may 
dyngneliche  zigge.  }3a3les  zom])yng  ich  wylle  zigge  : 
ase  ich  may.  Ich  yze3  god.  ac  be  ane  sseawere  ine 
ssede.' 

'  Ich  yze3  Ipe  ilke  onspekynde  /  an  on-todelinde 
mageste  of  ])e  holy  trinyte.  be-gynnynge  /  ne  ende  ne 
help.  Ac  and  ly3t  per-inne  wone])  /  ])et  me  ne  may  na3t 
come  to.  Vra?;i  Ipo  Ij^te  bye})  y-])orsse  mine  e3en  /  and 
Jje  zy3])e  ftyester.  Hyt  ouerge])  uorzo])e  alle  wyttes  / 
and  alle  zj^lpes.  ]>e  ilke  bry3[t]nesse.  and  ]>e  ilke  uolnesse. 
])a3les  a  lytel  ich  yze3  oure  Ihord  iesu  crist  /  ine  ri3t 
half  zittinde.  fet  is  to  zygge  :  ine  ]»e  lyuo  wy])-oute  ende 
regnynde.  J5a3  he  ouer  alle  sse2i})es  by  zuo  uayr  :  ])et 
ine  hi?«  "wj^lne])  Ipa  angles  to  zyeiine.  Yet  nou  Ipe 
Avounden  and  Tpe  toknen  of  pe  passion  he  he})  ine  his 
bodye.  huermyde  he  ous  bo3te.  be-uore  pe  uader  uor  ous 
stant  uor  to  bydde.  Ich  y-ze3  nyxt  iesu  crist  pe  ilke 
blisfolle  mayde  /  and  moder  pe  ilke  zodes^  /  and  oure 
lliordes  iesu  cristes  /  myd  alle  wor|)Ssipe  and  reuerence  / 
y-nemned  marie  /  ine  pe  Avonderuolle  trone  zittynde  / 
aboue  alle  pe  holy  ordres  of  angles  /  and  of  men  :  an- 
he3ed.  hire  zone  iesus  uor  ous  byddinde.  and  to  huam 
hi  is  uol  of  merci.     Ac  pe  ilke  Avonderuolle  mageste  / 


THE    VIRGIN    MARY    INTERCEDES    FOR    MAN.  267 

and  |)e  bi  i3tnesse  of  pe  mocler  /  and  of  pe  zone  :  ich  ne 

niy^te  najt  longe  polye  /  icli  wente  myne  zi^Jje  uor  to  ^!^t  t^* tiw''o,"fr 

yzi  /  jje  ilke  holy  ordres  of  pe  gostes  :  pet  stondef  be-  of  bUssfui  spirits. 

xiore  god.  of  huichen  pe  eurelestiiide  holynesse  of  pe 

zi^pQ  of  god  /  an  of  pQ  lone,  ne  hit  ne  ssel  lessi :  ne  hit 

ne  ssel  endi  /  ac  enre  wexe  and  blefjj.     Ac  na3t  po,  ilke 

degrez  /  and  dingnetes  /  heryinges  alsuo  /  huyche  \ijvQ 

makyere  hy  berejj  no  man  uollyche  jjenche  /  ne  na^t  ne 

may  by  ynoj  to  telle,     berefter  be  pro  fetes  ich  y-zej.  Thereafter  i  saw 

•^      J   -^       y  >  ..  .  the  propliets  and 

and  pQ  pat/7'arkes  wonderlyche  giediynde  ine  blisse.  uor  patriarchs 

J)et  hy  yze3en  ine  goste  :  uolueld  hy  yzejj.  pai  ine  longe 

anoy  onderuynge  /  ]?et  ouet  of  blysse  wyjj-oute   ende 

chongeden.     Ich  y-ze3  pe  apostles  ine  tronen  zittynde.  andthe apostles 

pQ  tribj  /  and  pe  tongen  /  alle  preste.  and  of  poure  /  ^'  "'^°" 

and  of  zyke  :  zuo  blisuolle  and  holy  /  of  cure  Ihord  iesu 

crist  /  and  zuo  he38  /  ynoj  alneway  ich  am  wondrinde. 

Ich  y-ze3  /  ac  uollyche  ich  ne  myr3lte  al  yzy  /  be  innumer-  i  saw  the  innu- 
merable fellow- 
able  uela3rede    of   pe   holy  martires  /  mid  bKsse  and  ship  of  the  holy 

/  11  r>  •  /   martyrs. 

worjjssipe  /  y-corouned.  pel  be  pe  pmen  of  jjise  tmie  / 
huyche  lii  beren  to  po  blisse  /  fet  wes  ysseawed  ine 
ham :  hy  come  ferto.  Hyre  holynesse  /  and  hyre 
blysse:  long   time    ich   me    lykede.     Ich   yze3   to    be  i  saw  the  blessed 

heap  of  confessors 

blyssede    heape    of    coftfessours.  amang    huam  /  men  and  teachers  of  , 

apostles  /  and   techeres  /  pet  holy   cherche    mid   hare 

techinge  wereden.  and  alsuo  lu'am  alle  heresy e  /  "\vy  [Jij-oute 

wem  habbe]}  yclenzed  :  sseawejj.  and  hy  uele   liabbej) 

y-ta3t.  ssynejj  ase  sterren  /  ine  eurelestynde  "w^' [jjj-oute 

ende.     J5er  bye]?  Monekes  pet  uor  claustres  /  and  uor  Therewere  monks 

,         ,  I .  ,  ,        /  ,  ,  ,  that  shine  clearer 

strayte  ceilen.  wel  moche  /  an  clyerer  jjanne  pe  zonne  :  than  the  sun. 
habbej)  wonyinges.  Vor  blake  and  uor  harde  kertles  / 
huyter  Jjane  pe  snaw.  and  of  alle  zofthede  /  and 
nesshede  /  clo|)inge  habbejj  an.  Vram  hare  e3en  /  god 
wype])  alle  tyeres.  and  ])ane  kyng  hy  ssoUe  ysy  ine  hys 
uayrhede.  iUast  /  to  pe  uela3rede  of  may  dynes  ich 
lokede.  of  huychen  /  blysse  /  ssepbe  /  agraybinge  /  and  fellowship  of 

maidens, 

melodya.  huyche    none    mannes   speche  :   dingnelyche 


268 


THE    GREAT    JOYS    OF    HEAVEN. 


and  heard  tlieir 
fair  son^. 


[Fol.  84.  a.] 

Sleight  inquires 
of  the  messenger 
concerning  the 
life  of  the  blessed. 


He  is  told  that 
they  live,  enjoy, 
love,  rejoice, 
praise,  are  swift, 
and  are  in 
security. 


They  live  an  ever- 
lasting life  free 
from  all  pain. 

Their  life  is  the 
sight  of  the 
Trinity. 


They  taste  of 

God's  counsel  and 

dooms,  and  learn 

the  causes  of 

things. 

They  love  God 

with  an  infinite 

love. 

They  rejoice  in 

God  and  of  their 

holiness. 


They  have  as 
many  blessings  as 
companions. 


and  their  joy  is 

incomparably 

great. 


may  telle.  Aud  hy  zonge  Jjane  zang  :  fet  noii  ojier  ne 
may  zynge.  Ac  and  ])e  zuete  smel  ine  hare  regyon  / 
ziio  zuete  ys  :  pet  alle  manyre  zuete  smelles  ouercomj). 
And  to  hare  benes  :  oure  Ihord  arist.  to  alle  ofren  : 
zittinde  he  Ihest.'  Sle3}?e  zay]).  '  Hyt  lykef  fet  pou 
zayst.  Ac  uor  of  echen  of  pe  holy  ordres  /  wondres 
fou  hest  y-zed  :  we  hyddejj  fet  })ou  zigge  ous  /  huet  is 
hare  dede  in  mennesse  /  and  huet  is  fe  co?zuers[ac]ion  of 
uela3rede  :  zay  ous.'  })e  Avylny[njgge  of  ]>e  lyue  -wyjj-oute 
ende  zayjj.  '  Vor  zojje  ich  wylle  zygge.  J3e  dede  of  alle 
ine  mennesse  /  ys  zeueuald.  Hy  lybbejj.  hy  smacke]?. 
hy  louyejj.  hy  bye])  glede.  hy  heryejj.  hy  byejj  zuyfte.  hy 
byej)  zikere.'  Sle3J3e  zayj?.  '  ])^  ich  zomdel  J»is  onder- 
stonde  :  uor  ham  jjet  Ihesfce])  /  of  echen  zay.'  Wylnynge 
of  pQ  lyue  Avj^-oute  ende  zayjj.  '  Zuo  by  hyt.  Hy  lybbe]? 
be  lyue  wyJ)-oute  ende.  wy]j-oute  enye  tyene.  wy-oute 
enye  lessinge.  wyjj-oute  enye  wy))stondynge.  Hyre  lyf 
is  Jse  zy^jje  and  jje  knaulechynge  of  ]je  holy  trinyte.  aso 
zayj)  oure  Ihord  iesus.  fis  is  fet  lyf  wyf-oute  ende  /  fet 
hy  knawe  jje  zoj^e  god  /  and  huam  fe  zentest  iesu  crist. 
and  jjeruore  ylyche  hy  byej?  /  uor  hy  y-zyeji  :  ase  he  is. 
Hy  smackejj  pe  redes  and  fe  domes  of  god.  Hy 
smackej)  pe  kendes/and  pe  causes/ and  j?e  begynny[n]ges 
of  alle  Jtynges.  Hy  louyej)  god  ivyji-oute  enye  com- 
parisoun.  uor  Jjct  by  wjte])  huerto  god  his  hej)  y-bro^t 
uorjj.  hy  louyej)  ech  oJ)ren  :  ase  ham  zelue.  Hy  bye]) 
glede  of  god  onzyginde.  hy  bye])  glede  of  zuo  moche  of 
hare  03ene  holynosse  :  and  uor  fet  ech  loue])  o])ren  ase 
hi??;  zelue.  ase  moche  blisse  hej)  ech  of  o])res  guode  :  ase 
of  his  03ene.  )?eruore  by  ziker  /  uor  eurych  hep  aseuele 
blyssen  :  ase  he  hep  uela3es.  and  aseuele  blissen  to 
echen  :  ase  his  03ene  of  alle.  and  feruore  eureich  more 
loue])  vrypoute  comparisoun  god  :  Jiet  hym  and  opra 
made  /  ]ianne  him  zelue  /  and  alle  ofre.  More  hy  bye]) 
glede  "wy])-oute  gessynge  of  godes  holynesse  :  fanne  of 
his  ojene  /  and  of  alle  opre  myd  hym.     Yef  ])anne  on 


THE    CONDITIOX    OF    THE    BLESSED. 


269 


onneajje  njanjj  al  his  Llisse.  lioii  ssel  he  nynie  zuo  iiele 

and  zuo  manye  blyssen  ?     And  beruore  hit  is  yzed.  guo  The  command  is, 

'J  -J  I  .^  u  •  Go  mto  the  bliss 

into  Jje  blysse   of  fyne  Ihorde.  na3t  pe  ToHsse  of  f>ine  ofthjLord.' 

Ihorde  /  guo  in  to  f  e.  uor  hy  ne  may.     Jjerefter  /  hy 

heriej)  god  AvyJ)-oute  ende  /  wy])-oute  werynesse.  ase  hyt 

is   y-wryte.     Lhord  /  y-blyssed  by  Jjo  ])et  wonyeji  ine 

fyne  house  /  in  "wordles  of  "wordles  :  ssolle  herye  ]je. 

Zuyfte  hy  bye)),  uor  huer  ]?et  ]je  gost  wyle  by  :  uorzojje  They  are  swift, 

TTi        n  ry    ^  i         and  the  body  goe3 

J)er  IS  ]?et  body.     Alio  hy  byejj  myL^Jtuolie.    Zykere  hy  ^here  the  spirit 

byej)   of  zuyche  lyue.  of  zuo  moche  wysdome.  of  zuo  xhey  are  secure 

moche  loue.  of  zuo  moche  blysse.  of  zuyche  heryinge.  of  a"),*!  on'ovg °*^  ^^^* 

zuyche  holynesse.    fet  non   ende.    non  lessynge.    non 

uallynge  doun  ssolle  habbe.     Lo  alyte  ich.  habbe  yzed 

to  you.  of  ])an  ])et  ich  yze;  ine  heuene.     l^B.-'^i  uor  zo]je 

ne  may  zigge  /  ase  ich  yze3  /  ne  na^t  ase  hy  bye]?  :  ne 

myjte  ysy.'  Sle3]>e  zayj).  'Vorzojte  ine  heuene  we  onder-  strength  asks, 

stondej)  fet  jjou  were,  and  zo)3  fing  fer  fou  yse^e.  and  separate  as  from 

zoj)  J)ou  best  y-zed.'     Strengjje  zayf .     '  Huo  ssel  ous  to- 

dele  uram  cristes  loue  1  tribulacion.  o)3er  zor3e.  and  ofire. 

zykere  byeb.  uor  nober  dyab  /  ne  lyf.  and  obre.'     Eyjt  Right  says,  Turn 

^  -^    '^  '^  -^    '^  '  -^  ^.'"out  the  messenger 

zayj).    '  Do])  out  fane  uerste  messagyer.  hyt  ne  is  na^t  Dread, 

ri3t  J)et  he  bleue  ine  pe  house  /  myd  f>e  ry3tuolle.     Vor       [FoI.  84.  b.] 

ry3[tluolle  loue  :  deb  out  drede.'  Strengbe  zayb.  '  guo  out  forioveofOod 

.  1       1       -r\      1      putteth  out  fear. 

drede.  Jjou  ne  sselt  na3t  by  me  oure  stedes.  Drede 
zayj).  '  Huet  habbe  ich  mis-do.  do.  do.  ich  uor  guode 
zede.'     Teniperaucia  zayb.     '  Broben  and  zostren  /  ich  Temperance  com- 

'-  J  T  T  I  niands  Dread  to 

zigge  to   you.    naHuiore   smacky  /  ])a«ne   be-houeji.   ac  go  out  wiiungiy. 

smacke  to  sobrete.  J5ou  drede  /  guo  out  myd  guode  Avylle. 

Jjole  fane  dom  /  fet  ri3t  hep  y-demd.   be  auenture  fe 

my3t  eft  by  onderuonge.  yef  wylnynge  of  lyf  wyf-oute 

ende  /  oferhuyl  let  of.'    j5e  makyere  zayf.     ])ns  /  fus  /  Thus  let  us  cast 

,  .   ,       ,  -  ,  ,  oflffearand  receive 

nou   ssel   eurich   nys   heuynesse  /  ssake   a-Avay  /  uram  tiieioveoftiie 
drede  /  to  f»e  loue  of  fe  heuenelyche  contraye  him-zelue  aom.''"^^  '""^" 
Avende.    Zuo  by  hit. 


270 


DIFFERENCE    BETWEEN    MEN    AND    BEASTS. 


Understanding 
distinguishes 
between  a  man 
and  a  beast. 
Glorify  thee  not 
in  other  things. 
Flies  surpass  thee 
in  swiftness. 

The  peacock  is 
fairer  than  thou. 
God's  image  con- 
sists in  thought 
and  understand- 


Man's  light  con- 
sists in  purity  of 
thought. 
The  untrue,  the 
evil,  thieves,  &c., 
are  dark. 

Light  exists,  but 

we  go  away  from 

it. 

Sin  makes  us 

blind. 


The  world  is 
blind  and  wicked. 


Christ  died  for  us, 
and  yet  was  with- 
out sin. 


Suffer  patiently 

and  with  a  good 

will. 

God  made  angels 

as  well  as  small 

worms. 

The  one  is  worthy 
of  heaven,  the 
other  of  earth. 


Yet  wouldst  thou 
reprove  God  if  he 
place  the  worm  in 
heaven  ? 

But  God  is  not  to 
be  reproved. 


Nammore  ne  is  be-tuene  ane  manne  /  and  ane  beste  : 
bote  ine  onderstondynge.  J:^a^t  of  o]?re  ])inge  ne 
glorefye  fe.  Of  n/rtnes  Jie  prest  fe  /  of  bestes  J»ou  sselt 
by  ouercome.  Of  zuyfthede  fe  prest  J?e  /  of  uelejn  Jjb 
worst  ouercome.  Of  nayrliede  ]>e  prest  ])e  :  bou  moche 
uayr  is  ine  fa  ne])eren  of  Ipe  pokoce  /  hnerof  art  fou 
more  worjj  1  of  godes  ssepfie.  Hucr  is  godes  ssepjje  1 
Ine  fencbinge  /  and  ine  onderstondinge.  Yef  J)ou 
jjanne  jjernore  art  betere  Ipanne  a  best  /  nor  pet  J)0u  best 
Jjencbinge  /  btierby  J)ou  onderstans[t].  fet  a  best  ne  may 
onderstonde.  );er-iiore  uorzojje  :  man  is  more  betere  / 
fa/me  a  best.  Li3t  of  man  is  ly3t  of  jjo^tes.  Lijt  of 
jjo^tes  aboue  ])03tes  is.  and  onergeJ»  alle  ]?03tes.  Yet 
eft  .0.  men  /  ne  bye])  na^t  Jjyestre.  ne  byej)  najt 
ontrevve.  onrijtnole.  queade.  robberes.  VvTecben.  lonieres 
of  Ipe  wordle.  }3ise  uor  zojje  byeji  fyesternesse.  Ly3t 
ne  is  na3t  awaye  :  ac  ye  bye]?  awaye  /  nram  ly^te.  j)e 
blynde  ine  jje  zo»ne  :  be])  Jie  zonne  present,  ac  he  is 
nram  ]»e  zonne.  }?eruore  ne  bye})  na3t  ])yestre.  Yet 
eft.  f>e  "vvordle  Jjyestre.  nor  fe  lonyeres  of  Ipe  wordle. 
byep  fiyestre.  and  fie  wordle  is  quoad,  uor  po  pet  Avonye]? 
ine  wordle  bye])  queade.  ase  a  quoad  hous.  na3t  pe 
walles  :  ac  ])o  pet  wonjep  perinne.  Yet  eft.  crist  ne 
hedde  no  pyng  hueruore  he  ssolde  sterue  :  and  dyad 
he  is.  pou  best  hueruore  :  and  to  sterue  pan  best 
onworj)  1  wylne  myd  guod  wylle  to  ])olye  :  be  pjne  of- 
seruynge  /  fiet  he  Jjolede  myd  guode  wylle.  })et  he 
Avolde  delyury  /  nram  pe  dya])e  eurelestinde.  Yet  eft. 
be  huam  ])et  angel  is  ymad  :  be  him  is  ymad  pe  smale 
werm.  Ac  pe  angel  is  worpj  to  pe  heuene  :  pe  werm 
to  pe  er])C.  ]0e  ilke  ])et  made  :  he  dy3te.  Yef  he  dcdo 
pane  smale  werm  in-to  heuene  :  pe  woldest  hym  \yjp- 
nyme.  Yef  he  Avolde  maki  angles  of  uoule  stynkynde 
ulesse  :  fou  woldest  hym  Avy])nyme.  And  na3t  uorfian  : 
nyxt  ])an  de})  god.  and  ])a3les  he  no  is  na3t  to  wy])- 
n^anene.     Vor  alle  men  of  ulesse  ymad  :  huet  hjep  hy 


RAISE    THY    HEART    TO    GOD.  271 

bote  wermes  1  and  of  wcrines  /  he  makeb  angles.      Yet  Men  are  worms, 

and  of  worms 

eft.  liuych  herte  me'  arere]5  :  ech  may  y-zy.  pet  najt  be  Goa  makes 

anguls. 

neuynesse  of  ulesses  wylle  beuore  ygreued  /  auore  ualjj  / 

ere  hit  by  arered.     Ac   ech  him  zekie  y-zy  bere  /  Jje  The  heart  must 

1  i?T'i  11  ,1  ii.he  lightened  and 

heuynesse  of  his  ulesse  :  yxie  -^^l  be  wyj)dra3ynge.  fet  so  raised  to  God. 

he  clensy  :  Jiet  he  arere  to  god.  zuo  by  liit.  Hayl  godes 

moder  Marie  /  Mayde  uol  of  fonke  /  god  by  myd  ]jg  / 

y-blyssed  by  J)ou  /  ouer  alle  wyfmen.     And  y-blyssed 

by  oure  Lhord  iesus  /  fet  zuete  ouet  /  of  ])yne  wombe 

yblessed.  zuo  by  liit.     Mayde  /  and  moder  mykle.  nor  Maid  and  Mother 

,'„.  1-11  ,.  1  -ivr.i  mild,  me  thiU  am 

loue  01  pine  chude  :  pst  is  god  an  man  :  Me  pet  am  zuo  sov.-iid  from  sin 
\yylde  /  uram  zonne  J30U  mo  ssykle  :  ase  ich  J)e  byddc  ™*  ^ "°'"'  '  ''''^"" 
can.  amen. 


NOTES. 

Page  1,  1.  3,  wijched.  The  definite  form  wyckede  is  required 
after  the  definite  article. 

Page  1,  1.  15,  dm^e.  The  prefixed  y  is  omitted  on  account  of 
the  preceding  bj/. 

Page  6,  1.  2,  huich  .  .  .  by,  whatsoever  that  it  may  be;  1.  9, 
topi^e  =  ahove.  This  preposition  is  frequently  used  by  Shoreham,  and 
seems  pecidiar  to  the  Kentish  dialect  j  1.  18,  ofee])  =  acseJ3  =  demands, 
requires  ;  o])  of  zolpe,  oath  of  truth. 

Page  8, 1.  6,  be  Ms  loytlnde  =hy  his  willing  =  he  being  willing  = 
willingly;  1.  23,  and — a??^  both — and;  1.  25,  yhyealde  =  holden=. 
bound. 

PafTe  9,  1.  12,  arizinges  is  used  to  translate  the  0.  Pr. 
moeuementes;  1.  17,  taldnges,  touchings,  handlings,  0.  Fr.  atouche- 
men-^. 

Page  10,  1.    1,  ssel  =  owes.     It  has  this  sense  occasionally  in 
Chaucer  ;  1.  15,  ywyte  .  .  .   yherd,  known,  seen,  or  heard. 
Page  11,  1.  2,     his  =  hev. 

Page  13,  1.  19,  al  to,  0.  Fr.  iusqua ;  1.  20,  huer  .  .  .  made 
\zitte\.     The  Fr.  is  ou  il  se  sist ;  1.  24,  of-guo,  deserved. 

Page  14,  1.  22,  huer  .  .  .  an  =  Fr.  ou  il  aura  vescua ;  11.  28,  30, 
sseawynge  renders  the  Fr.  revelacion,  vision. 
Page  16,  1.  33,  W2jttes  =  wytes,  faidt. 

Page  17,  1.  24,  ouenveninge,  Fr.  sourqiiidrie  ;  1.  25,  folebayrie  = 
over-boldness;  1.  26,  ydele  blisse  =  FT.  veynglorie ;  1.  32,  voidhede, 
Fr.  vileynye  =  crime,  disgrace. 

Page  18,  1.  4,  ingratitude  :=  0.  E.  unkyndenesse. 
Pao-e  19,  1.   12,  renay  ^=  renegate,  apostate.     The  Midland  copy 
reads  '  he  may  tvel  be  cleped  renegate  ; '  1.  2,  me  lokinge,  in  custody ; 
1.  10  from  bottom,  deuines  =  dem'neres. 


NOTES.  273 

Page  20,  1.  16,  pe,  the  reflexive  pronoun  =  thou  thyself. 

Page  21,  1.  16,  op  weninge  =  upiveening  ;  ojMwiinge^^^iqytakmg, 
enterprise,  and  hence  presumption.  The  Fr.  text  has  sorquidance 
(O.E.  surquidrie)  and  presumpcion.  See  p.  22,  1.  2,  where 
opniminge  translates  Pr.  emprise;  1.  18,  worth,  Pr.  valoir;  1.  19. 
may,  Pr.  pooir ;  1.  20,  moy.,  Pr.  puet;  conne,  Pr.  savour;  1.  21, 
can,  Pr.  set;  mo:^e,  pooir;  1.  22,  conne,  Pr.  savour;  1.  26,  onlep)i- 
Aec?e  =  singularity,  cf.  1.  onlepi,  singular,  1.  30.  It  often  signifies 
only,  alone. 

Page  22, 1.  18,  onioor])i,  Pr.  despire  =  despise,  cf.  onworpnesse  and 
onioor]ihede  ^=^  Pr.  despit ;  1.  20,  hisemers,  mockings,  derisions,  Pr. 
gas;  1.  21,  iismerep,  Pr.  moke;  1.  31,  take  =^teke  :=m.?ij  teach. 

Page  23,  1.  2,  frihiges  ^^irjings.  Pr.  fritures.  Stevenson 
printed  sriinges,  and  it  is  apparently  so  in  the  MS. ;  1.  3,  ar^thalf 
and  alefthalf=  our  modem  expression  right  and  left  =  on  both  sides  ; 

I.  6,  folliche  yeue  =  Pr.  folement  doner,  to  give  foolishly  (or  as 
Chaucer  would  say,  fool-largely)  ;  1.  16,  fole  heryinge,  fooHsh  prais- 
ing =  flattery,  Pr.  vaine  loenge  ;  1.  17,  ^//^erec?  =  praised,  from  hcry, 
herie,  to  praise,  Hne  19  ;  1.  24,  ?/(^eZe&Zz5se  =  vain-glory. 

Page  24,   1.   4,  aye  =  again  =  Pr.  ou  devers,  auorye  =  de  par ; 

II.  7,  8,  wyt  icel .  .  .  of-healde.  Wit,  well  for  to  devise  (discern) ;  good 
memory  well  to  retain;  1.  11,  atempres=^"Ev.  attempre,  tempered, 
moderated,  contented ;  1.  23,  Iheuedi  hap,  Dame  Portune ;  1.  24, 
hare  htie^el,  her  wheel ;  page  25,  1.  34,  sotil,  Midi.  Vers.  sU^he ; 
1.  35,  uoulliedes,  Pr.  ordures,  halkes,  Pr.  repostaiUes. 

Page  26,  11.  18,  19,  ne  sselt  .  .  .  by.  'Thou  shalt  never  learn 
what  man  is  until  he  is  where  he  desires  to  be  ; '  1.  22,  let,  ceaseth  ; 
1.  23,  papelard,  Pr.  papelart,  flatterer,  deceiver. 

Page  27,  1.  4,  calomoe  mous,  the  bat.  Pr.  chauue  soriz ;  1.  29, 
aicar^ede  =  Pr.  maloite,  schrewd,  wicked. 

Page  28,  1.  34,  hollyche,  Pr.  sainement  =  sauiglement  =  enticre- 
ment. 

Page  29, 1.  30,  tverreres  =  werres  =  Avars. 

Page  30,  1.  20,  '  effterward  ivrepe,'  ivre^e  is  an  error  for  liate. 
The  Pr.  text  has  haine. 

Page  31,  11.  4,  5,  onlusthede,  Pr.  paresce;   tyene,  Pr.  anui;  1.  10, 

18 


274  NOTES, 

fownZtc^e  =  thinness,  scantiness.  TheFr.  text  has  tenuites,  and  the 
Midland  MS.  reads  tendernesse.  Jjonneliche  should  evidently  bo 
\enneleche  ox  J)/««e?ec'7ie  =  thin-ness,  the -ZecAe  being  the  same  ter- 
mination as  in  knowledge,  O.E.  hirnoleche ;  1.  11,  Iheiidiclie,  Fr. 
tenurement,  Mid.  Vers.  slaMy.  Stevenson  printed  Iheneliche.  Cf. 
Iheuc  in  1.  13. 

Page  32,  1.  17,  onssriuel,  Fr.  perreceus.  This  word  does  not 
occur  in  Bosworth's  A.  Sax.  Diet.  It  seems  to  be  =  un-shrifel, 
Mid.  Vers,  reclieles,  negligent,  careless,  from  A.  S.  serif  an,  to  care  for; 
1.  17,  slei,uoUe  =  sIev])-uoUe,  slothfid,  see  sleatcolle  in  1.  13;  1.22, 
omvoneth,  Fr.  desacoustume ;  on-ioone  therefore  comes  from  the  O.E. 
tvone,  habit,  custom,  Avont,  and  signifies  to  cease  to  do  what  has  been 
customary  or  habitual;  1.  23,  Efterward  .  .  .  sleuuolliche.  The 
Fr.  has  '  Apres  vient  negligence,  car  qui  bien  fait  delaiement  nest  pas 
merueil  le  sil  le  fait  ncgliiaument.'  Here  we  see  cnievst  =  Fr. 
delaiement  =  delayingly,  from  A.S.  fyrst,  delay,  respite. 

Page  33,  1.  12,  op-let  =  Fr.  sormaine,  fr.  surmener,  '  7nal  mener, 
maltraiter '  (Eoq.). 

Page  34,  1.  27,  vynnynge  holdeliclie,  Fr.  en  aquestier  ardaument ; 
of-liecddi.nge  streytlicke,  Fr.  en  retenir  restreignaument ;  1.  31, 
gaiielmge,   Fr.  usure  ;  1.  34,  Icuedliedes,  Fr,  malignites. 

Page  35,  1.  7,  ])e  Jie:^j)es,  Fr.  les  montes;  cf.  Jie^inge,  profit,  1.  16 ; 
1.  9,  loedde-dyade  =  mortgage,  Fr.  gage  mort,  see  dead-zved,  p.  36  ;  11. 
16,  17,  chap/are  makiinde  =  coYenant  (bargain)  making  ;  1.  24,  lene]) 
na^t,  &c.,  i.e.  lendeth  not  themselves. 

Page  36,  1.  6,  time-zettere  ontrewe.  Fr,  has  termoiors  desloiaus  ; 
1,  20,  vendonginge,  Fr,  vendenges,  vendage,  vending,  sales. 

Page  37,  1,  20,  seruons.  The  Fr,  serums  shows  that  this  word 
shoiild  be  seruons  (constables). 

Page  38,  1,  27,  tayles,  cornees.  Fr,  tailles,  coruees.  The  latter 
term  signifies  a  duty  on  beasts  and  corn  ;  1,  30,  of  hircn  =  du  leur  r= 
of  theirs. 

Page  39, 1.  5,  sse^oes,  payments,  wages,  Fr.  loier ;  1.  8,  niminges,  Fr. 
exactions  ;  1,  11,  mesteres  men,  officials ;  1,  15,  ac  ..  .  yzed,  but  some 
are  continued  (above  that)  in  addition  to  that  that  is  here  related ; 
1,  17,  ycrne  =  erne  =  earne,  run  ;  1,  2?>,ptlayneres,  Fr,  playntif, Z^e^e^/i- 


NOTES.  275 

inges,  Fr.  peticions ;  1.  25,  playteres,  Fr.  auocas ;   1.   28,  yulemde  r= 
fugitives  ;  1.  28,  wylpsettingges,  exceptions  =  Fr.  bar  res. 

Page  40,  1.  7,  ^e-^^eZyrtr/e  =  defiling  =  false  accusations ;  1.  20, 
hezide-zitteres,  Fr.  asseseurs ;  11.  23,  24,  yhet  =  yhed  ^=  hsid, 
Fr.  eu;  1.  33,  ereges  =  ^r.  A  ere^es  =  heretics,  Stevenson  explains 
this  wrongly  as  witches. 

Page  42,  1.  7,  denyes  =  Fr.  deenez,  deaneries. 

Page  44, 1.  2  from  bottom,  romongours,  Fr.  masMgiions  =  maqui- 
nons,  fraudulent  dealers,  from  0.  Fr.  ramander,  baisser  le  prix. 

Page  45,  1.  9,  liysians  =  Fr.  Mziaiis,  heralds.  Kempen  =  Fr. 
champions. 

Page  47,  1.  26,  he  hare  loytlnde.     Fr.  a  son  escient. 

Page  48,  1.  1,  out  of  nyede  =  unnecessarily. 

Page  51,  L  11,  teue.  Stevenson  printed  fe???,  as  if  ^  tin;  but 
teue  =  to-eue  =  yesterday  evening,  and  it  translates  the  Fr.  dersoir. 

Page  52, 1.  13,  Imet  non  ==  cd-huet  non  =  until  noon.  Fr.  iusqua- 
none.     Cf  cd-huet  ni-^t,  p.  52,  1.  12. 

Page  56,  1.  8,  ssast  =^  ssla^st,  slayest/  1.  19,  ich  tvylle  a  lite  take 
of  the  zennes,  &c.,  I  will  a  little  touch  of  the  sins,  &c. 

Page  57,  1.  1,  euele  telle,  Fr.  misconter;  contad'y,  Fr.  bareter. 

Page  63,  1.  10,  for  a-mes  read  a  vies  =  'Fr.  mes. 

Page  66,  1.  19,  godelinges,  Fr.  maudiscons;  cf.  godelinge,  p.  65, 
=  Fr.  maudire  ;  1.  28,  atwyt,  blame,  the  word  reprotie'\p  has  been 
erased  in  the  MS. 

Page  87,  1.  12,  hicet  hi  is  y-do=  until  they  do  them;  huet  = 
al-huet  =  until ;  is  =  his  =  them.     Fr.  tant  soit  parfais. 

Page  96,  1.  14,  in  07ie  wytte  =  in  one  sense. 

Page  101,  1.  6,  ]iou  sselt  loue,  &c.  =Thou  owest  him  love,  &c. ; 
1.  16,  ?<e/«3es^  =  joinest,  cf  uela^^e,  accessory;  uela^rede, -p.  102,  com- 
panionship, fellowship.     See  p.  102,  1.  12,  where  MeZrt^e])  =joineth. 

Page  103,  1.  24,  hoystoyse,  O.E.  hostimse,  boisterous,  blustering. 
This  is  the  earliest  approach  to  the  form  bosteous  or  bostous,  which 
has  given  rise  to  boisterous. 

Page  104,  1.  16,  uor  jjer  ne  is  no  gelt.  The  Fr.  text  has,  car  il 
nia  nul  trespas  sement. 

Page  106, 1.  29,  out  of  smaJc  =  out  of  taste  =  disagreeable. 

18  * 


276  NOTES. 

Page  108,  1.  10,  w i/iide])  =tiy7ide])  =  fi.n(\.etl\. 

Page  111,  1.  32,  of  h  1-7-671,  of  herself. 

Page  112, 1.  15,  greafe,  Fr.  gros  ;  1.  25,  piecaille  ne  to  che7iaille  = 
cattle  nor  to  dogs.  The  MS.  reads  cheuaiUe,  which  is  evidently 
wrong.  The  translator  seems  to  have  been  unable  to  render  these 
French  terms  into  English. 

Page  113,  1.  4,  ojye,  above.     The  Fr.  has  so7'  (sur). 

Page  116,  1.  21,  re/ye,  Fr.  movoir;  ne  rocJiy,  Fr.  croullcr;  move 
nor  render  unsteady ;  7'ocky  =  to  rock,  and  is  equivalent  to  the 
0,E.  ivagge  =  wag. 

Page  120,  1.  31,  Ac  .  .  .  zone ;  7nore  is  wanted  before  ])a7i7}e, 
as  the  construction  is,  But  wherefore  are  they  called  gifts  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  ?«ore  than  gifts  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son  ? 

Page  121,  1,  23,  fe  yef\e  of  drede  is  fe  doreward  to  pe  great e 
jireste,  The  gift  of  dread  (fear)  is  the  doorkeeper  to  the  great  crowd ; 
1.  23,  uordey,  Fr.  esterpe.     The  Midland  MS.  reads  '  drawef  up.' 

Page  123,  11.  14,  15,  M  ous  delp  heknaice  and  to  byJmaire,  she 
causes  us  to  know  and  be  known.  Byknawe  =  by  yknawe  =  be 
known;  1.  21,  dyere OTihige,  precious  union.  Chaucer  has o?ie(im  =^ 
united  (pret.  pi.)  ;  11.  31,  32,  Love  of  hope  feeleth  the  smell  and 
seeketh.  Love  of  Charity  taketh,  and  seeth,  and  swalloweth,  and 
holdeth ;  1.  32,  zih])  =  zi3j3  =  sees,  ztiel^lp  ==  Fr.  gouste,  tasteth. 

Page  128,  1.  21,  ysnes,  irons,  fetters,  from  ysn  =  h:onj  1.  2  from 
bottom,  7vn'k])  =  wn^])  =  hideth. 

Page  129,  1.  20,  ca  ariieres.  The  IVfid.  MS.  renders  this  phrase 
by  to-fore  ;  1.  34,  '  Man  may  lo7ige,'  &c.  This  quotation  occiu-s  in 
the  Eeligious  Poems  printed  by  Wright  in  the  Owl  and  Nightingale. 

Page  130,1.  22,  cornardyes  =  cosnardies,  deceits. 

Page  131,  1.  4,  calket7-e2')i')en,  Fr.  pieges,  see  Glossary;  1.  5, 
anliet,  Fr.  embrasee  ;   1.  7,  tvy^te,  uy^te  =  fight. 

Page  132,  1.  21,  a7ione  is  a-none  =  in  no. 

Page  134,  1.  16,  bouer-^e  is  for  &or3e  =  save,  not  for  botc^e^^ 
bo-^e,  bow,  be  obedient. 

Page  135,  1.  25,  jje  tvy\i^eine  the  7rylike  =^  the  halter  (rope)  round 
the  neck. 

Page  137,  1.  3  from  bottom,  ssel  a^t,  owes  auglit  (anything). 


NOTES.  277 

Page  139,  1.  14,  ze-^p  =  zel-p,  seeketh  ;  cf.  ?<7ecj)  (1.  2,  p.  140)  for 
we^p  ='  weigheth.    ' 

Page  140,  1.  25,  ?iassasls.  Thus  the  word  stands  in  the  Fr.  and 
Eng.  text.     It  is  our  modern  word  assassin. 

Page  141,  1.  6,  Ingnel,  0.  Fr.  ignaus,  O.E.  delyuere,  active. 

Page  143,  1.  11,  y-zi'cj)  =  y-zi3]j  =  seeth ;  1.24,  at  loke^  =  ed, 
Wliitsuntide  (Pentecost),  seep.  163,  1.  3  from  bottom.  Lo^-Sunday 
=  Whitsunday,  occurs  in  Shoreham's  poems. 

Page  147, 1.  2,  angrice,  Fr.  angoisse  ;  1.  3,  aw[/*]ec3jj  =  aivreJip  = 
wreaketh,  avengeth. 

Page  150,  1.  4  from  bottom,  houne  =  vvde,  line.  This  is  tho 
word  in  the  Fr.  text.  D.  Michel  was  evidently  unable  to 
translate  it.  The  Midland  MS.  for  pricke  an  houne  reads  merk  and 
lyne. 

Page  154,  1.  1  from  bottom,  \eyse\.     The  Fr.  text  has  eas. 

Page  155,  1.  3,  zene-^'p  is  here  plural,  and  should  be  written 
zene-^ej) ;  1.  3,  foruions  is  the  0.  Fr.  foruokms. 

Page  161,  1.  14,  dep  auerst,  putteth  in  delay.  See  uerste  =  to 
delay,  respite,  cause  delay.  See  p.  173,  1.  16  ;  1.  20,  be  streng\)e  = 
forcibly,  by  force;  cf.  no  strengthe  =  O.'E.  no  fors  =  no  matter; 
1.    34,  Vor  =  or. 

Page  167,  L  25,  er])an  pet  pe  kuen  Jus  do  an  =  ere  that  (before) 
that  the  queen  putteth  it  on ;  his  =  her,  and  refers  to  robe,  which 
is  considered  as  feminine. 

Page  171,  1.  5  from  bottom,  sest  geus  ;  so  the  words  stand  in  the 
Fr.  text.  The  Mid.  MS.  translates  geus  by  euele  pieces  (evil 
plays). 

Page  173,  1.  22,  ^-^Me^/^  =  y-kue(n)gt  =  O.E.  ykueynt=^ 
quenched.     Cf.  dreijnt  =  drenched,  &c. 

Page  178,  1.  24,  uor  wone  makep  maister.  This  passage 
literally  signifies  '  for  habit  makes  master,'  and  is  equivalent  to  our 
phrase,  '  practice  makes  perfect ; '  cf.  page  181,  1.  4,  where  ?/eaZ(/e 
wones  =  old  habits. 

Page  182,  1.  16,  '  be-uleap  and  ethep  \7i\are  onderlinges,  flay  and 
eat  their  subjects  :  be-tdeap  =  be-idea-^ep  =  be-JJayep  =  flay,  fleece, 
rob. 


278 


NOTES. 


Page  184,  1.  12,  loely-liolpe  =■  wel  ^/-/w/^je  =  well-liolpen  (suc- 
coured). 

Page  187,  1.  24,  \_di\(:ujmont.  The  MS.  has  aymont,  hut  the  Fr. 
text  shows  that  diaymord  =  diamond,  is  the  correct  reading. 

Page  193,  1.  4,  ])et  (for  fe?^  .?)  fo  =  than  those. 

Page  194,  1.  10  from  bottom,   and  ?wl  =  and  [is]  yhol  =  and  is 


Page  195,  11.  9,  10,  in  =  inn,  lodging. 

Page  196, 11.  1,  2,  in-to  Jje  greade  o/ ]je  j?o?<re  =  unto  (at)  the  sui:)- 
plication  of  the  poor ;  1.  8,  hedinge  =  secresy  ;  cf.  O.E.  hidlinges, 
secret  places. 

Page  198,  1.  23,  '  comejj  pe '  should  be  come))  ye.  The  participle 
yhUssede  is  plural,  the  singular  being  yUissed ;  cf.  acorsede,  in  1. 
11. 

Page  203,  1.  5,  ne  =  nor,  seems  wanted  after  uondinge. 

Page  204,  1.  \i,  fort  in.  This  word  is  taken  out  of  the  French 
text. 

Page  205,  1.  21,  liit  dra^])  to  smac,  maketh  it  tasty. 

Page  207,  1.  9  from  bottom,  talyinde,  Fr.  contant. 

Page  210,  1.  3  from  bottom,  God  ne  is  na-^t  goth  to  uede  mid 
leauGs,  God  is  not  a  goat  to  be  fed  with  leaves. 

Page  231,  1.  14,  wy-oute  =  u-yj)-oute,  without. 

Page  237,  1.  16,  zikp  =  zi^],  =  sees. 

Page  241,  1.  9,  hed,  an  error  for  Jieald,  held,  esteemed. 

Page  244,  1.  21,  hihere,  an  error  for  ihere,  hear. 

Page  247,  1.  2  from  bottom,  and  Ms  sselt  do  drinJce,  and  thou 
shalt  cause  them  to  drink. 

Page  248,  1.  2,  Jmel^  =  quel]?  =  welleth,  springeth,  or  tcelts  up. 

Page  249,  1.  2,  maked  =  make])  =  makes.  The  preterite  would  be 
makede;  cf.  p.  248,  1.  29. 

Page  251,  1.  2  from  bottom,  is  S2)ek  =  ich  spek,  I  spake. 

Page  252,  1.  31,  mishylefde  =  mishylefinde  =  unbelieving  (ones) 
=  unbeHevers.  Chaucer  has  misleved  =  misheleued  =  -imscvQani ; 
but  myshyleuinde  occurs  on  page  69  of  this  work. 

Page  253,  1.  10,  zeklp  =  zek^  =  seeketh;  1.  11,  uel  ine  ],e  aye  = 
the  skin  in  the  egg.     The  Mid.  MS.  reads  '  straw  in  the  esrcr.' 


'-00* 


NOTES.  279 

Page  254,  11.  16,  19,  ges,  0.  Fr.  .ges.  Liens  pour  attaclier  les 
oiseaux  de  proie  (Eoquefort). 

Page  254,  1.  23.  The  pronoun  hare  (their)  seems  to  require 
men  instead  of  mwi. 

Page  264,  1.  12,  he^Uche  clom,Si  profound  silence  ;  1.  14,  comyde 
may  be  an  error  for  comynde  =  coming  (  =  is  about  to  come),  or  for 
corneal  =  comes  =  is  coming  ;  1.  22,  chmpien  auere,  chains  of  fire  ; 
auere^^SL  fire;  1.  30,  comste  =c,o\\\Q^t  thou;  1.  32,  y/A^e^cJje  = 
2/se3e-J?e  =  what  didst  thou  see  ;  1.  Si,  brene  on-polylnde,  intolerable 
burning. 

Page  265,  1.  1,  locmfroJciynge  ^^lack ;  tcan==\n\,  as  in  O.E. 
xcantrust,  loanliope,  &c.  ;  trockiynge  =  failure,  want.  The  wan 
seems  to  be  intensitive;  1.  18,  yue^  youre  ^  yeue])  yeare  =  giyeth. 
ear;  youre  would  signify  yours;  1.  27,  hehn  o/ 7^ eZjje  =  helmet  of 
salvation  ;  1.  29,  ryuollyche  =  ry^hoollyche  =  rightfidly,  righteously ; 
1.  35,  hit  ]>inr/'p  Jje  =hit  ])inglp  pet,  it  appeareth  that. 

Page  266,  1.  1,  6e  cas  =  per-haps,  per-chance  ;  1.  2,  of-dret  =  of 
dread  ==  adread,  afraid;  1.  6,  wylnynge  of  pe  contraye  of  heuene  = 
desire  of  the  kingdom  (country)  of  heaven  ;  11.  9 — 11,  Yef .  .  .  stille. 
If  we,  on  account  of  '  God's  Dread '  and  '  Bethinking  of  Death,'  were 
still  (silent),  right  it  is  that  thee  speaking  (whilst  thou  art  speaking) 
we  should  be  much  more  silent;  L  13,  7nyd  wylle  ==  ^YiU.mgly  ;  L  20, 
Ac  and,  but  also  ;  U.  25,  26,  ine  ri-^t  half  zittinde,  on  the  right  hand 
sitting ;  1.  31,  zodes  =  zones  =  of  the  son. 

Page  268,  11.  13, 14,  ^pa^  .  .  .  zay.''  Though  I  understand  some- 
what of  this,  (yet)  for  them  that  listeneth  tell  (in  detail)  of  each  (of 
these  particulars,  i.e.  how  they  live,  enjoy,  &c.,  see  11.  11,  12)  ;  1.  30, 
by  ziker  ^=\liy'\  %[e]j]  ziker ;  they  are  in  security;  1.  32,  ase  his 
c^ene  of  alle  =  as  is  piossessed  by  all. 

Page  269,  1.  2  from  bottom,  supply  a7id  before  to. 

Page  270,  1.  4,  \e  lyrest  })e  =  thou  pridest  thyself;  ^iele-i,n 
is  an  error  for  uU-^en  =  flies ;   pe  worst,  thou  shalt. 


GLOSSAEIAL   ODEX. 


A!  ah!  51,  71. 

A,  on,  a  pe,  on  the,  12,  64,  114, 
156,  214. 

Abandones,  free,  247. 

Abatye,  Fr,  ahatre,  to  abate,  less- 
en, 28. 

A.b.c.e.,  1. 

Abegge  (jDiet.  aho-^te),  to  suffer  or 
atone  for,  pay  for,  73.  It  cor- 
responds to  the  later  English 
able;  A.S.  a-hicgan. 

Abide,  ^^9.  delayed,  239. 

Abyd,  imp.  delay,  173. 

Abide,  Abyde,  await,  remain,  51, 
113,  194  ;  endure,  166  j  refrain, 
242  ;  A.S.  abldan,  hidan. 

Abide,  Abyde  {jjI.  pret.),  abode, 
13. 

Abide]?,  Abydef,  remaineth,  72, 
86;  look  for,  await,  (jj/.)  146, 
179. 

Abidinge,  delay,  173. 

Abit,  Abyt,  abideth,  waiteth  for, 
awaiteth,  128,  143,  194,  169, 
211  ;  bear  with,  174. 


Ablent,  bhndeth,  16;  ahlende,  to 
make  blind,  occurs  in  E.  of 
Gloucester,  208  ;  Chaucer  uses 
hiende,  pret.  yhlent,  in  the  same 
sense. 

Abod  {pret.  of  Ahijde),  abode,  de- 
layed, 173. 

Abomynable,  49. 

Abot,  Abotte,  abbot,  178,  219; 
Abbotes,  67. 

Aboue,  above,  13,  15,  35. 

Aboute,  about,  30. 

Aboutestondinges,  circumstances, 
174,  175. 

Abstinence,  236. 

Abundance,  261, 

Abyde.    See  Abide. 

Ac,  but,  6,  10,  16,  et  }xissim. 

Accidye,  sloth,  16. 

Accombringe,  destruction,  ruin, 
182.  The  root  of  this  word  is 
comber,  as  in  encumber,  Du. 
Jcomber,  loss,  adversity.  Ger. 
kummer,  trouble.  0.  Fr.  en- 
combrer,  to  hinder,  vex,  annoy. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


281 


Acorded,  accorded,  united,  153. 

Acordej),  agreeth,  '60,  1-47,  151, 
153  ;  luiiteth,  256. 

Acordi,  to  accord,  agree,  151, 152. 

Acorsed,  j^jj).  accursed,  66,  138. 

Acorsede,  j>re/.  accursed  ;  57,  j^P- 
pi  189,  198. 

AcounteJ?,  counteth,  137. 

Acquayntonce,  acquaintance,  143. 

Acsede,  asked,  178,  190,  208, 
222,  239. 

.  Acsest,  askest,  207,  209. 

Acsejj,  siiig.  asketh,  demandeth, 
prays  for,  require th,  53,  54,  99, 
109,  180,  209,  221,  pi  111, 
116,  imjy.  209. 

Acsi,  Acsy,  Acxy,  to  ask,  de- 
mand, require,  inquire,  claim, 
101,  110,  139,  151,  198,  209, 
214. 

Acsinge,  asking  petition,  ques- 
tion, 208,  209. 

Acsinges,  Acsingges,  askings,  ques- 
tions, petitions,  129. 

Acsynge,  false  claiming,  Fr.  chal- 

enge,  139. 
Active,  199. 

Adauntejj,     tametli,     167 ;     Fr. 
doinpter,donter,  to  tame,  daunt, 
subdue. 
Adopcion,  Adopciomi,    adoption, 

101,  102,  146. 
Adoim,  downwards,  247. 
Adra3e,  2?^.  drawn,  174,  218. 
Adrayngt  =  adreynt,  p)p.  drown- 
ed, drenched,  107,  248. 


AdraynkJ)  =  maketh  drink,  251  ; 

A.S.    a-drencan,     to     drench, 

drown,  pret.    drencfe,  pp.  ge- 

drenced. 
Adrenche,  to   drown,    50.     A.S. 

adrencan. 
AdrencheJ),  drowneth,  50. 
Adreng]?,  gives  drink,  92. 
Adreynct,  drowned,  239. 
Adreynten,  pi  pret.  drowned,  50. 
Aduenture.  See  Auenture. 
Aduersari,  Adversarie,  109,  170, 

238. 
Aduersete,  Aduersite,  Adversetes, 

27,  30,  68,  84,  125,  168,  181, 

182. 
Afaited,    feigned,    212;     0.  Fr. 

af alter. 
Affayted,  trusting,  75. 
Affeccioun,  affection,  151. 
Afrounti,  to  be   offended,    229 ; 

Fr.  affronter  (from  Lat.  frons, 

the  forehead). 
Age,  5. 
Agelt,  sinneth,  trespasseth,  offend- 

eth  or  sinneth  against,  trans- 
gress, 5,  19,  65,  125. 
Kgeli,  pp.  sinned,  20. 
Agelte,   to   sin,  commit  trespass, 

15 ;    A.S.   agyltan,   to  offend, 

sin  against. 
Ageltef),  pi.  sin,  6,  72. 
Agerse  ==  a  gerse,    in  grass,    36  ; 

A.S.  gers,  gcers. 
Aginne,   Agynne,    to   begin,    32, 
168,  197.  A.S.  agynnan. 


282 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Aginnynge,  Aginninge,  Agyn- 
ninge,  beginning,  16,  31,  166, 
197. 

Agonne,  ^^2;.  begun,  165. 

Agrayjjed,  pp.  prepared,  14,  56, 
89,  244  ;  ready,  140  ;  estab- 
lished, 147. 

Agrayfejj,  directs,  orders,  advises, 
81,  119,  125,  138,  140;  deck, 
pi.  176,  195,  216. 

Agrayjji,  to  prepare,  set  in  order, 
array,  dress,  direct,  55,  76, 
148,  173  ;  to  ornament,  216, 
258  ;  to  set  (sail),  183  ;  O.K 
greida,  to  make  ready. 

Agrayfinge,  sh.  adorning,  229, 
258. 

Agrayjtinges,  decorations,  orna- 
ments, 176,  216,  226. 

Agrund,  on  the  ground,  91. 

Ak,  Ake,  but,  6,  18,  55,  62,  69, 
97.     See  Ac. 

Akse,  ask,  184. 

Aksede,  asked,  239. 

Aksejj,  asketb,  demands,  re- 
quires, 13,  18,  103,  109,  163, 
208,  222. 

Aksinge,  asking,  197,  198. 

Aksy,  ask,  113  ;  see  Acsl,  acsy. 

Ak])  achetli,  51. 

Al,  adj.  sing,  all,  13  ;  sing.,  15. 

Al,  adv.  quite  ;  al  uol,  qiute  full, 
191  ;  al  ripe,  quite  ripe,  28  ; 
al  quic,  quite  alive,  67. 

Al  alsuo,  just  as,  (SQ. 

Alast,  lastly,  last,  69,  118. 


Aid,  old,  16,  48,  104,  124,219. 
Alday,  Aldaye,  adv.  all  day,  75. 
Ale=Alle,  233. 
Alefte,  on  the  left.     Alefthalf,  on 

the    left    side    (on    the    othei' 

side),  23,  38. 
Alfpeny,  halfpenny,  193. 
Algorisme,    calculation,    compila- 
tion, numbering,  1. 
Alhuet  =  until,  unto,  26,  33,  36, 

51,  74,  109. 
Alijt,  Aly^t,  enlighteneth,  light- 

eth,  77,  81,  88,  105,  115,  121, 

122,  185,  249;  kindleth,  66. 
Ali3t,  Aly3t,  J.1/;.  enlightened,  105, 

109,  201. 
Ahjte,  Aly3te,  to  enlighten,  109; 

A.S.  alihtan,  to  enlighten. 
Alijte,  Mj-i,ie,p)p.  pi.  enhghtened, 

201,  243. 
Ali3te]j,  enlighteneth,  204,  205  ; 

maketh  bright,  beautiful,  229. 
Ali3tynge  =  alighting,  jenkindling, 

incitement,  221. 
Ali3tynges,  passions,  204. 
AUe,  adj.  p)l.  all,   1,  5,  6,  10,  et 

p)assim. 
AM.&,  p)ron.  all,  10,  11. 
Alien  (to),  all,  145,  188. 
Allone,  alone,  142. 
Almi3ti,  almighty,  1,  5,  12. 
Almoner,  190. 
Alneway,  always,  84,  178. 
Al  on,  the  same,  all  one,  259. 
Alose]),  make  famous,  199. 
Alosi,    to    render    famous,  -    re- 


I 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX, 


283 


nowned,  183.  Cf.  O.E.  los,  fame, 
Fr.  los. 

Alouer,  everywhere,  81. 

Alouwe,  Alowe,  to  praise,  to  be 
praised,  95,  227,  233  ;  0.  Fr. 
alouei;  to  praise,  from  Lat. 
Icnis. 

Alozed,  famed,  16. 

Alse,  as,  8,  15. 

Alse-moclie-ase,  Also-moclie-ase, 
Alzo-moclie-ase,  as  much  as, 
15,  19,  28  ;  A.S.  alsivd,  also ; 
for  the  form  alse,  cf.  O.E. 
wlio-se  =  who  so. 

Alsuo,  Alzuo,  also,  51,  57. 

AlJ)a3,  although,  19. 

Aljjeruerst,  first  of  all,  27,  51. 
Alper  =^  aller,  A.S.  cclre,  geii. 
pi.  of  all. 

Aljjerworst,  worst  of  all,  1 7. 

Al-to,  unto,  1,  13,  14,  215. 

Altogidere,  all  to  gather,  59. 

Al-wet  =  all  met,  until,  unto,  197. 

Aly3t,  Aly3te.      See  Ali3t,  Ah3te. 

Amang,  among,  65,  103. 

Amanzinge,  cursing,  excommuni- 
cation, 189  ;  O.E.  amanse,  to 
curse,  from  A.S.  amansumian, 
lit.  to  disjoin,  and  hence  to 
excommmiicate. 

AmaystreJ),  mastereth,  overpower- 
eth,  129. 

Ambicion,  17,  22. 

Amended,  2'>P-  30. 

Amendement,  32,  83,  148. 

Amendes,     amercements,     fines. 


debts,    37,    38,   113;    amends, 

corrections,  147,  148,  180. 
Amendi,  to  amend,   30,   31,   39, 

40,  74. 
Amendinge,  amendment,  31,  170, 

179,  180. 
Amerd,  marred,  spoiled,  124, 125, 

217  ;    O.H.  Ger.    marrjan,    to 

hinder,  make  void;  Du.  merren, 

to  obstruct. 
Ainerrejj,   p)^-    i^^^^>    spoil,    130, 

203,  204,  220,  229. 
Amerjj,  Amerrjj,  205,  217. 
Ames,  a  but  162. 
Amesured,  moderated,  tempered, 

258. 
Amesui-ej),    moderates,    tempers, 

252. 
Amidde,  Amide,  amid,  128,  143. 
Amoneste]),    admonishes,  8,  101, 

102,  128,  145,  195. 
Amote,  ant,   emmet,    141  ;   A.S. 

cemet. 
Ampayri,    impair,    10 ;    Fr.    em- 

pirer,   to  make  worse,  from  Fr. 

2ns,  pire,  worse  ;  Lat.  pejor. 
Amydde,  95.     See  Amidde. 
An,  and,  4,  6,  7,  8,  et  pjassim. 
An,  Ane,  A,  p)rep).  on,  in,  1,  7, 14, 

51,  156,  214. 
An,   adv.    on,    167,    244;     A.S. 

and  0.  S.  an. 
An,  Ane,  art.  a,  11,  14,   15,   18, 

25,  29,  31,  37,  43,  50,    et  pas- 
sim; ace.  161. 
Ana3t,  nought,  59. 


284 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Ancheaysoun,  Ancheysoun,  rea- 
son, cause,  47,  258,  259  ;  Fr. 
enchaison. 

And  =an,  if,  G5. 

Andzuerede,  answered,  190. 

Ane,  one,  117. 

Aneuen,  at  last,  168. 

Anfernii,  affirm,  152. 

Ajiginnynge,  beginning,  31. 

Angle,  angel,  20,  21. 

Angles,  angels,  20,  21. 

Angrice,  hurt,  harm,  146. 

Angrisi,  terrify,  hurt,  harm,  146. 
A.S.  agrysan. 

Anhand,  in  hand,  22,  164. 

Anhaste,  in  haste,  31,  45,  60,  68, 
70,  189. 

Anhej,  on  high,  high,  85,  95, 
125;  vipwards,  45,  46. 

Anhe3e]3,  increases,  is  increased, 
49. 

Anhe3i,  exalt,  elevate,  raise,  23 ; 
from  O.E.  lie-^,  high;  A.S.  heg, 
heah,  high. 

Anhet,  heated,  kindled,  108,  131 ; 
A.S.  On-limtan,  to  heat,  in- 
flame. 

Anhonged,  hanged,  241,  cf.  Eng. 
an-hanged. 

AnhongeJ),  hangeth,  51. 

Anhongi,  to  hang ;  A.S.  an- 
?i6n,  to  hang, 

Anhyaldi,  Anhyealde,  2^2^-  =  <^'^- 
healde  =  an  -  halden,  with- 
holden,  forbidden,  152. 

Anioynj,  to  enjoin,  172. 


Anlich,  Hke  to,  186. 

Anliche,  Anlyche,  image,  like- 
ness, 145. 

Anlicned,  Anlycned,  Anhkned, 
Anlykned,  compared,  likened, 
like  to,  61,  66,  101,  227,  232. 

Anlicnesse,  Anhknesse,  Anlyc- 
nesse,  Hkeness,  87,  88,  100, 
101,  105,  111,  145,  201,  244; 
A.S.  an-lic  nes, 

Anlicny,  Anlykny,  to  be  like  to, 
resemble,  101  ;  compare,  157, 
261. 

Anlilaiejj,  AnlykneJ),  is  like  to, 
16,  32,  81 ;  compareth,  91  ; 
are  hke  to,  242, 

4nlyke,  alike,  227.  i 

Anone,  in  none,  132. 

Anojjerne  (ace),  another,  162. 

AnoJ)re,  def.  another,  25,  175. 

Anojjren,  Ano]?rene  (ace),  an- 
other, 91,  155,  175,  186,  249. 

Anojjres,  anothers,  197. 

Anoy,  sb.  267. 

Anoylinge,  anointing  14. 

AnoyJ),  annoyeth,  162  ;  It.  an- 
no/are, from  Lat.  in  odio. 

Ansuere,  answer,  194,  214. 

Ansuerede,  Ansurede,  answered, 
178,  208,  239. 

Ansuere)),  answer,  56,  264. 

Ansuerie,  Ansuerye,  Answery, 
to  answer,  67,  213. 

Ansuerie  J),  159. 

Ant,  and,  68. 

Anterapered,     attempered,     224. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


285 


The  author  seems  to  confound 
the  an  in  this  '  word  with  the 
an  or  a  in  anliongi,  anhey,  &c. 

Anpayri,  impair,  237. 

Anuenymed,  envenomed,  poi- 
soned, 50. 

AnuenymeJ),  poisons,  27. 

Aparceiuy,  to  jDerceive,  131. 

Aparceyuejj,  perceive,  57. 

ApayreJ),  impairs,  237. 

Apeluchier,  253, 

Apert,  Aperte,  open,  clear,  plain, 
11,  134,  203. 

Aperteliche,  openly,  13,  26,  59, 
70,  96,  162,  201,  244. 

Apocahpse,  14,  183. 

Apostate,  19. 

Apostel,  41,  213. 

Apropred,  appropriated,  40,  41, 
120,  235. 

Aqueme,  to  please.     See  Queme. 

Aquench,  imp.  quench,  130. 

Aquencji,  quencheth,  207. 

Aquitti,  acquit,  set  free,  137. 

Aquyked,  2'i>.  kindled,  203,  from 
quyk  =  quick,  alive. 

Aquyttejj,  acquit,  release,  pay, 
36. 

Arblast,  Arblaste,  arbalast,  47,  71. 

Arbytres,  arbitress,  154. 

Archangle,  1., 

Archer,  45. 

Ardontliche,  ardently,  51. 

Aredy,  Already,  ready,  121. 

Arere,  raise  up,  elevate,  stir  up, 
excite,  31,  61,05,74,  178,179, 


210;  /w^x  156,  217;s»/y.  217. 
Arerede,  Arered,  iiret.   and  2W- 

raised,   14,   24,   86,  200,  203, 

239. 
Arere Jj,  raiseth,  23,  85, 129 ;  raise, 

pi.,  66,  125;  exaggerate,  136. 
Ar^nesse,  timidity,  slowness,  32  ; 

A.S.  earg,  inert,  timid,  evil. 
Arijt,  Ary:5t,  aright,  70,  74. 
Ari3t-half;    Ary3t-half;    on    the 

right  side,  on  the  one  side,  on 

this  side,  23,  38,  40. 
Ai'ise,   inf.    35  ;    imp.   51  ;    p)p. 

arisen,  24,  121. 
Arisejj,  sing,  ariseth,  52  ;    arise, 

2jI.,  57. 
Arist,  ariseth,  lusteth,  30,  47,  49, 

50,  186. 
Arize,  arise.     See  Arise. 
Arizejj,  arise,  p)l.,  56, 
Arizinge,    resurrection,     13,    14; 

rising,  52  ;   lustful  emotions  or 

desires,  11;  emotion,  147. 
Arizinges,  lusts,  9. 
Armes,  162,  165,  265. 
Arme]),  armeth,  25,  111,  180. 
Armure,  170,  203,  240, 
Arn,  eagle,  61  ;  A.S.  earn. 
Aros,  arose,  7,  13,  173. 
Arrogance,  21. 
Art,  65. 

Article,  12  ;  articles,  252. 
Arwe,  arrow,  66, 
Asayd,  tried,  essayed,  117,  142, 
Asayled,  j:>p,  assailed,  157, 
Asaylede,  prct.  assailed,  249. 


28G 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Asaylef,  assailetli,  17,  31,  157, 
166,  168,  181,  182. 

Asayli,  to  assail,  169 

Asaylinges,  assaults,  84, 117,  166, 
207. 

Asay}>,  essay eth,  168. 

Ascaped,  escaped,  166. 

AscapeJ),  Askapef,  escapetli,  flee 
away,  180,  209,  210. 

Ascapie,  Askapie,  escape,  56, 
131,  172. 

Ase,  as,  6,  7,  8,  et  i:)assim. 

Ase-moche-ase,  as  much,  as,  9, 
97. 

Ase-wel,  as  well,  256. 

Aslaky,  to  slacken,  253. 

Aslepe,  asleep,  199. 

Asoyli,  absolve,  172. 

Asoyny,  to  strive,  busy,  242. 

Aspid,  Aspide,  espied,  seen,  142, 
191. 

AspieJ),  Asepie]?,  look  after, 
watch,  253,  255. 

Aspiinges,  watchings,  spyings, 
117. 

Aspijj,  spieth,  173. 

Assencion,  213. 

Asterue,  kill  (by  depri^dng  of 
food),  240. 

Asterued,  starved,  enfanushed, 
240. 

Astonef,  astonish,  130. 

Astonie,  astonish,  126,  257  ;  as- 
tonish is  Fr.  estonner  (Lat.  at- 
tonare,  to  thunder  at),  to  as- 
tonish, amaze  ;  but  astonie,  0. 


E.  stoimie,  to  dull  the  senses, 

is  from  the   A.S.    stimian,   to 

strike,  stun. 
Astorejj,  victualeth,  112. 
Astorie,    store   up,  victual,    136. 

E.  of  Gloucester  uses  as-tore,  to 

store   (a  place),   11.    375,   385  ; 

Fr.     estorer,    to    erect,    build, 

garnish;  Lat.  instaurare,  to  re- 
pair, renew. 
Astranglede,  strangled,  48. 
Astranglejj,  strangleth,  65. 
AstrangK,  to  strangle,  50. 
AstruJ),  destroys,  17  =ast)-ude])1 

A.S.     strudan,    to    rob,    spoil, 

ravage. 
Asummed,  reached  the  sunmiit, 

completed,  168. 
Atamed,  subdued,  152. 
Ate,  at,  13,  14,  et  passim. 
Ate-laste,  lastly,  104. 
Atempres,    Attempre,   temperate, 

moderated,  24,  153,  254. 
Atenende,  Ate-ende,  lastly,  128, 

162. 
Ate-uerste,  firstly,  127. 
Afe,  on  the,  242. 
Atrayt,  O.Fr.  atrayt,  continuously, 

protractedly,  50. 
Atuy tinge,  blame,  reproof,  194. 
Atuy tinges,  reproaches,  194. 
AtAvyt,     reproacheth,    reproveth, 

66. 
At^vyte,    Attw^te,    to    reproach, 

reprove,  twit,  198  ;    AS.  cet- 

toitan,  wttan,  to  blame. 


GLOSSABIAL   INDEX. 


287 


Atwytinge,  reproaching,  twitting, 

65,  194. 
Auarice,  16,  34,  38,  102,  147. 
Aube,  priest's  vesture,  236.    This 

word  is  the  same  as  alh,  a  white 

robe. 
Auenture,  adventure,  hap,  chance, 

18,  20,  27,  168. 
Auer,  a-fire,  on  fire,  205. 
Auere,  fiery,  264. 
Auerst,  delayingly,  in  delay,  32, 

161 ;  A.S.  fyrst,  first,  a  space  of 

time,  delay,  respite. 
Auerst,    adv.    first,    5,    20,    32, 

46. 
Auocat,  advocate,  127. 
Auoncejj,  advanceth,  68. 
Auonci,  to  advance,  82. 
Auontage,  advantage,  209,  210. 
Auore,  before,  271. 
Auoreye,  Auorye,  towards,  "\nth, 

before,    against,  as  regards,  as 

to,  1,  18,  24,   124,    129,  168, 

172,     186,     207,     213,     222. 

Auoreye  =  auore-aye;  auore  = 

before;  aye  =  again,  towards. 
Auoud,    avowed,    acknowledged, 

101. 
Auouerie,  Auoerie,  adoption,  101, 

146  ;  Fr.  avouer,  to  avow;  Lat. 

advocare. 
Autorite,  authority,  147,  221. 
Awakede,  woke,  128,  199. 
Awar3ede,  shrewd,  wicked,  cursed, 

27  ;  A.S.  awerged,  acciu'sed. 
Awrecjj,  A-mrekf,  -ttTeketh,  taketh 


vengeance,    punishes,    68,    73, 

115,147.     ^eeWreke. 
AA\^reke,  jpjj-  punished,  74,  83. 
A^vreke,   avenge,  punish,   9,    59, 

76. 
Awrekinge,  vengeance,  8. 
Awynne,  regain,  85. 
Ayans  =  ayens,  against,  6. 
Ajdev  =  either,  each,  53. 
Aye  =  ay 671,  against,  1,  5,  6,  7,  et 

passhn;  as  to,    24  ;    towards, 

146. 
Ayeanward,  on  the  contrary,  49. 
Ayen,   back,    again,  36,  56,  58, 

85 ;  against,  170. 
Ayen-bite,  remorse,  1. 
Ayens,  against,  6,  18,  29,  98,  115  ; 

towards,  156,  163. 
Ayen-uallinge,    apostasy    (again- 

falHng),  116. 
Ayen- ward,  Aye-ward,  on  the  con- 
trary, 48,  49,  56. . 
Ayen-Ave3e,  again-weigh,  consider, 

57. 
Ayen-Avy3te,  down-bearing,  247. 
Ayen-yefte,    Ayen-yefjje    (again- 

gift),  recompense,  120. 
Ayen-yerne,   recur,  run  to,   220. 

See  Yeme. 
Azenkte,  ^^re^.    caused   to    sink, 

49. 
Azet,  setteth,  setteth  out,  140. 
Aze  wel,  as  well,  89. 
Azide,  aside,  216. 
A3t,  ought,  194. 
A3t,  owe,  137. 


288 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


B 

Bal,  ball,  179. 

Balance,  balance,  peril,  30,  91. 

Bald,  for  heald,  bold,  105. 

Barat,  bargain,  also  fraud,  deceit, 
39,  46,  61,  75,  82;  O.Fr. 
bareter,  to  lie,  cheat,  beguile  ; 
Sp.  barata7\  to  truck,  exchange. 

Bargayn,  unfair  dealing,  9;  O.Fr. 
harguiner,  to  chaffer,  also  to 
■wrangle,  haggle. 

Baronage,  58. 

Baronyes,  38. 

Baroun,  38. 

Barouns,  38,  85. 

Baselycoc,  basilisk,  28  ;  Gr. 
(iaaCkioKOQ,  a  king.  This  form 
of  the  word  is  used  by  Chaucer 
in  the  "  Persones  Tale." 

Batayle,  battle,  83,  .117,  167, 
249. 

Batayles,  91. 

Bajjejj,  bathes,  167. 

BayHfs,  bailiffs,  122  ;  Lat.  hajulus, 
Mid.  Lat.  bajula,  1,  a  bearer  ; 
2,  a  nurse  ;  3,  a  tutor.  From 
bajulus  comes  Fr.  bailK. 

Bayly es,  the  jurisdiction  of  a 
bailiff  (a  term  once  applied  to 
persons  holding  high  offices,  as 
regents,  &c.) ;  hence  a  king- 
dom, 26. 

Bay]),  buys,  23,  76,  90,  91,  194, 
241.    See  Begge,  to  buy. 

Be,  by,  1,  6,  7,  8,  et  passim ;  for, 


13;  though,   12;    A.S.   be,  bi, 

big. 
Beat,  beateth,  30,  69,  116. 
Beate,  to  beat,  210,  236. 
Bea3,  bowed,   239  ;   A.S.   bugan, 

beogan    {p)t.     beah,     beag,  j^P- 

bogen,  hug  en). 
Becajt,  j)2X    beguiled,    ensnared, 

54,  125. 
Becharme,  charmeth,  257. 
Beches,  beech  trees,  23. 
Beclepief,  Beclepj),  embraceth,  88. 
BeclepieJ),  ^^Z.  plead  for,  40. 
Becleppe,   to  embrace,  clip,   46  ; 

A.S.  be-dypimn. 
Becleppe,  to  raise  a  clatter,  66 ; 

A.S.    clappan,' to  clap,  move; 

cf.  O.E.  clappe,  talk. 
Becleppe]),  clasps,  embraces,  15. 
Becleppinge,  embrace,  96. 
Beclept,  2>i?.  embraced,  15. 
Beclepte,  pret.  embraced,  240. 
Becom,  became,  6,  240. 
Become]),  pi.  become,  78,  92. 
Becom J»,  becomes,  19,  43,  51,  91. 
Bed,  prayed,  191,  215  ;  A.  S.  boid, 

pret.  of  biddan,  to  pray. 
Bed,  31  ;  obliq.  cas.  bedde,  111. 
Bedeawe}),    bedewe}),  moisteneth, 

95,116. 
Bedele,  messenger,  37. 
Bedeles,   39,    43;    A.S.   bijdcl,  a 

preacher,  messenger;  Eng.  bea- 
dle. 
Bedes,  prayers,  141  ;  A.S.   bed,  a 

prayer. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


289 


Begge,   to  buy,    17,    23,   36,   41, 

44,    78,    83 ;    to'  redeem,   95 ; 

A.S.  hycga7i,  to  buy. 
Beggeres,  beggars,  36. 
Beggef ,  buys,  36,   44,  139;  buy, 

iL  39,  41. 
Begginge,  buying,  38. 
Beginne,  to  begin,  150. 
Beginncjj,    ph     begin,     17,     66, 

119. 
Beginnynge,  Begynnynge,  begin- 
ning, 70,  72,  76,  97. 
Begin J5,  Begyn]?,  begins,  51,  65, 

67,  88,  99,   108,  131,  181. 
Begynne}),  pi.  1 7. 
Begonne,   2   pers.   pret.   sing,  bc- 

ganst,  71. 
Begyled,  pp.  beguiled,  76. 
Begyle)),  beguiletli,  16. 
Bebat,  promises,    64,    170,    179, 

181,  183,  201 ;    A.S.    heUtan, 

to    promise,  vow  (pret.    helidt, 

pp.  heliaten). 
Bebeste,  promise,   vow,   67,  144, 

225  ;  A.S.  hiluGS. 
Bebestes,  pi.  of  behest c,  98. 
Bebinde,  Bebynde,     bebiiid,    10, 

45,  130. 
Bebofsam,  needful,  99,  192;  A.S. 

heliSfian,  to  behove,  to  need. 
Beborewed,  defiled,  dirtied,  237. 
Behot,    promises,    97,    179.     See 

Behat. 
Bebote,  inf.  to  promise,  162. 
Bebote,  pp).  promised,  13,  65,  67  ; 

vowed,  231. 


Bebotcjj,   promisetb,  40,   42 ;  pi. 

promise,  65. 
Bebotinge,  entreaty,  207. 
Behotinges,  p)l.   of  heliotinge,  40, 

42. 
Behouede,  pret.  behoved,  128. 
Behouejj,  belioveth,  58,  79. 
Beknaulechinge,     confession,     ac- 
knowledging, 32,  77. 
Beknaust,  confessest,  100. 
Beknawe,    helinoiv,    confess,     69, 

123,  132  ;    A.S.  he-cndwan,  to 

know. 
BeknaAve]?,  pjl.  acknowledge,  132. 
Beknawynge,  knowledge,  126. 
Bekneu,  acknowledged,  215,  216. 
Beleaue,  Beleue,   Byleaue,  belief, 

2,    11,    14,   19,   29,   72,    106, 

123. 
Beleaue,  Beleue,  Bileaue,  believe, 

12,  13,  151,  203. 
Belefj),  beheveth,  19,  139,  151. 
Beloke,  comprehended,  97;    A.S. 

beliican,  to  lock  up,  enclose. 
Beles,    boils,     224 ;     Du.    huile, 

boil,  swelling. 
Beleuinge,    abiding,     continuing, 

176.    See  Bleue,  Bleuinge. 
Belongef,  appertain  to,  12,  17. 
Beloukf,  includes,  99. 
Bench,  130. 

Bend,  bond,  tie,  48    (tie   of  mar- 
riage), 220. 
Bendes,  bonds,  77 ;    A.S.  bend,  a 

bond,  band. 
Bene      (/),      prayer,       petition; 


19 


290 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Loneii,    pi.   prayers,    petitions, 
3,  99,  102,  114.     A.S.  hen. 
Benefices,  42,  96. 
Benefices,  benefits,  96. 
Benes,  prayers,   petitions,  25,  51, 

74,  90,  97,  105,  180. 
Benefe,  beneath,  108,  126. 
Benime,  Benyme,  to  rob,   deprive 
of,  steal,   39,    59,   68,   79,  86, 
117,  181.     See  Nime,  Nyme. 
Benimjj,    Benymf,    Benimef,  Be- 
nyme]?,  3rd  jJers.  sing,  and  jd- 
of  henime,  23,  29,   32,  38,   39, 
G8,  76,  77,  79,  86,  108,  218, 
223,  248. 
Benome,  taken  from,  143. 
Benotejj,  employs,  uses,  90  ;  A.S. 
7ioti(,,  nse  ;  hi-niotan,  to  enjoy ; 
notian,  make  nse  of,  employ. 
Bequide,  beqnest,  will,  112;  A.S. 
he-cwedan,  to  bequeatli ;   cicide, 
a  testament,  judgment. 
Bekuydes,  bequests,  wills,  38. 
Berdone,  burden,  84,  141. 
Berc,  a  bear,  14,  15,  60. 
Bere,    to    bear,    8,    21,    56,    83, 
118;  Avear,  90;  enjoy,  possess, 
101. 
Bere,  1*-^  p.  sing,   bear,   64 ;    2nd 
J),  sing,  borest,  20  ;    suhj.  pres. 
may  bear,  217. 
Bere,    barley,    141;     A.S.    here; 
barley  =  bere  +  lie  (older  forms, 
harllc,herelicli)  ;  the  //c^A.S. 
leac  =  pla]it,  leek;  cf.  garlicJi, 
Itondocli  (old  form  heinlic). 


Bere-blisse,  Bear-bliss,  72. 
Beref»,   BerJ),   bears,  produces,   8, 
20,  29,  78,  88,   97,   195,  217  ; 
pi  bear,  97,  231. 
Berieles,     tomb,     sepiilchre,     12, 
26,   228;    A.S.     hi/rgeh,  a  se- 
pulchre. 
Berinde,  bearing,  96,  144. 
Beringe,  birth,  130,  213. 
Beringe,  burial,  5. 
Berke,  to  bark  at,  179. 
Bernde,  burnt,  242. 
Berne,  to   burn,    163,    173,  225  ; 

sidtj.  pres.  212. 
Bernes,    barns,     30 ;    A.  S.    hern, 
{=  here-ern,    a  store-house  for 
barley). 
Berne]),   Bern]),   sing,    burns,   pi. 

burn,  43,  74,  204,  206,  229. 
Bernide  =  Berninde  =  burning, 

211. 
Berninde,  Bernynde,  burning,  49, 

73,  107,  173,  203,  205,  207. 
Bernindcliche,  ardently,  31. 
Berninge,  sh.  birrning,  205,  206. 
Bernston,  brimstone,  49,  130. 
Berobbe}),  pil.  rob,  39. 
Ber3e,  save,  preserve,  197,  251. 
Besme,  broom,  172  ;   A.S.  hcsma, 
a  broom,  hesoni ;   hesmas,  rods  ; 
S.  Prov.  Eng.  hissam,  the  heath 
plant. 
Besmet,    Besmetted,    defiled,   be- 
smutted,    32,    229;     A.S.    he- 
sinifan,  to  besniut,  defile. 
Besnewed,    made  white  as  snow. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


291 


81 ;    hesnewed  seems  to  stand 

for  hesneaived.     ' 
Besset  =  be-sliut,    enclosed,    94; 

included,  97;    A.S.  seyttan,  to 

lock  iqx 
Besset,   shut,   231  ;   kept  secure, 

232.   See  Ssete,  to  enclose,  263. 
Best,    beast,    4,    14,    51 ;     obliq. 

case,  teste,  2,  14,  15. 
Besteriinge,  emotions,  263. 
Bestes,  beasts,  82. 
Bestrepe]),  Bestrep]?,  root  up,  123, 

127,  144,  150,  185,  201  ;  A.S. 

hestnjpan,  to  strip. 
Bet,  better,  195. 
Betake,  j9j;.  assigned,  198;  taken, 

247  ;  A.S.  hetc'ecan,  to    assign, 

commit. 
Betakejj,  j;?.  assign,  36;  give,  235. 
Betere,    better,    7,    16,    24,    100, 

102. 
Betocneji,  Betoknef,  sivri.  and  pi. 

betokeneth,  betoken,   15,    203, 

222,  236. 
Betoke,    suhj.    should    give,    89, 

134. 
Bctokned,  2'>P-    betokened,     199, 

203,  236. 
Betoknedc,  ^jref.  betokened,  236. 
Betuenc,    Betune,    between,    66, 

210. 
Befi,  bath,  74 ;  A.S.  heed,  hepian, 

to  bathe. 
Bo])onch,  tm2}.  remember,  hethhiJi, 

130,  146. 
Bejjenche,  remind,  101  ;  bethink, 

19 


174,  178;  repent,    172;    A.S. 
be])encan. 

BeJ)cnche]3,  iiuj).  bethink,  con- 
sider, 81,  242. 

Befenchinge,  hefJmiJiine/,  memory, 
remembrance,  105,  188,  203  ; 
repentance,  thought,  fore- 
thought, 183,  184,  233. 

Bejjengjj,  hethinJcs,  remembers, 
considers,  reminds,  18,  100, 
152,  177,  246. 

Be])03te,  bethought,  156. 

Beualle,  befall,  107,  118. 

Beualle,  j)j9.  befallen,  49. 

Beualf,  befaUs,  174. 

Beuealde,  bcfolded, -wTapped,  188; 
A.S.  befecdclen,  befolded. 

Beuelef,  i?/.  defile,  228. 

Beuelst,  defilest,  230. 

Beuel)),  defileth,  178,  229;  A.S. 
hefukin,  to  defile;  hefyled,  de- 
filed. 

Beuelynge,  defamation,  false  ac- 
cusation. It  signifies,  literally, 
defiling,  40. 

Beuil,  befell,  191. 

Beula3ef),  flay,  hence  to  fleece, 
rob,  plunder,  38  ;  A.S.  hefleem, 
pret.  hefiog,  to  flay. 

BeuleaJ),  pi.  heuleeiy.^,  rob,  fleece, 
182,  218;  see  Beula3e]5. 

Beulejj,  ^?.  avoid,  61. 

Beuliynge,  be-flying,  eschewing, 
avoiding,  121. 

Beulo^e,  pil.  j^re/.  avoided,  re- 
nounced, 77,  78. 


292 


GLOSSABIAL    INDEX. 


Beiily,    Eeiili,   to  fly   from,    flee, 

avoid,  9,   15,  60,  74,   86,  121, 

139,     178,     179,    205;     A.S. 

hefleon  (hefleogan),  to  flee  away, 

escape. 
Eeiily^]?,    Beuly3t,    avoideth,    73, 

75,  136,  226. 
Bewepe,  to  weep. 
BewepJ),  beweepeth,  51. 
Beyende,  beyond,  165. 
Beyete,  begotten,  130,  147,  224; 

A.S.    he-getan  (pt.    hegeat,   pp. 

hegeaten),  to  beget. 
Bezeche,  beseech,  194. 
Bezechef),   Bezeclii]?,  2)1.  beseech, 

98,  106,  115. 
Bezechinge,  petition,  97,  116. 
Bezechingcs,  petitions,  97  ;    com- 
plaints, 39. 
BezekJ?,  beseecheth,  117. 
Bezenge,  singe,  230;  A.S.    hcsen- 

gan,  to  singe. 
Bezengjj,    singes,   230. 
Bezet,  placed,  beset,  102,  152. 
Bezest,  besettest,  213. 
Bezette,    inf.    to   beset,     occupy, 

214. 
Bezettefi,  besetteth,  207. 
Bezide,  beside,  105,  126,  220,240. 
Bezuyke,  px>-   beguiled,  76  ;  A.S. 

beswican,  to  beguile,   deceive ; 

O.E.  sioiJce,  to  deceive,  swiJcere, 

a  deceiver. 
Bezuykere,  traitor,  171. 
Bezuykinge,  Bezuykyinge,  treason, 

28,  43  ;  deceit,  61. 


Bezuykiinges,  Bezuykynges, 

frauds,  23,  61. 

Bezyinge,  be-seeing,  forethought, 
183,  184. 

Bi,  be,  49,  105,  135,  136,  163, 
177,  220. 

Bide  =  hldde,  ivq).  pray,  210. 

Bidde,  Ave,  let  us  pray,  127  ;  2nd 
pers  sid)j.  114. 

Bidde,  Bydde,  pray,  entreat,  sup- 
plicate, 1,  5,  7,  49,  52,  87,  99, 
194,  207,  209,  210,  211,  212; 
A.S.  hiddan. 

Bidde]?,  prayeth,  211. 

Bidde]?,  Byddef,  pi.,  pray,  99,  113, 
114,  116,117,  210,  219;  imp. 
209. 

Biddinde,  praying,  219. 

Biddinge,  command,  12  ;  en- 
treaty,  194. 

Biddinges,  Biddynges,  commands, 
38,  42;  prayers,  219. 

Bicd,  Bie]5,  Bye]?,  are,  138,  157, 
200,  204. 

Bihote.     See  Behote. 

Biginnynge,  beginning,  138. 

Bileaue,  Byleaue,  Byleue,  belief, 
19,  176,  186. 

Bint,  binds,  15,  33. 

Bisemere,  scorn;  pi.  hisemcres, 
hisemers,  mockings,  derisions, 
22,  52,  58,  156 ;  A.S.  hlsnwr, 
reproach,  mockery. 

Bisemere]?,  mocketh,  22;  A.S. 
bismerian,  to  mock,  insult. 

Bisihede,  care,  228. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


293 


Bisiuol,  busi-ful,  officious,  226. 

Bissop,  bishop,  189. 

Bissopes,     Bissoppes,     Bissoppo, 

189,  191,  236. 
Bissopriches,  bishopricks,  42. 
Bist,  biddest,  209. 
Bisye,  busy,  officious,  58. 
Bisyliede,    Bysiliede,     Bysybede, 
labour,    care,    164,    228  j    pas- 
time, 231. 
Bit,   Byt,   prayeth,    asketh,    110, 
114,  116,  134,  209,  211,  218, 
222. 
Bit,  biddeth,  116,  145. 
Bite,  sb.  bite,  morsel,  223. 
Biter,      Byter,    sing,    bitter,    82, 

211. 
Bitere,  jjZ.  bitter,  83. 
Biterliede,  Byterbede,  bitterness, 

28. 
Biteruesse,    bitterness,    15,    139, 

172. 
Bitejj,  jj^  bite,  70. 
Bitiude,  biting,  pungent,  143. 
Biualjj,  befalls,  57. 
Blame,  23. 

Blame Jj,  blameth,  17,  137. 
Blamyejj,  2^1  blame,  59,  79. 
Blasfeme)),  blaspheme,  30. 
Blasfemie,  to  blaspheme,  70. 
Blasfemies,    Blasfemyes,   blasphe- 
mies, 45,  69. 
Blasfemye,  blasphemy,  57,  69. 
Blauf,  puffs,  32. 
Blawe,  bloAv,  168. 
Bhawejj,  2'1  blow,  24. 


Bleche,  pale,  53  ;  A.S.  bide,  pale  ; 

bUecan,  to  fade,  bleach.      The 

root  still  exists  in  bJUjlit. 
Blechest,  hurtest,  147. 
Bleche]),  injures,  defaces,  40, 115  ; 

harms,     injures,     238 ;     A.S. 

hlmco,    spotj    blatcli,   a  blotch. 

Shorehani  uses    blulnie,   to   be 

disfigured. 

The  thriddc  day  he  (Christ)  aros  a3cyn 
Of  the   throu2    (tomb)    ther   men   liine 

Icyde,  ill  tokene 
That,  man,  thi  body  arise  schel 
Of  dcithe  naumore  to  blokne.  (p.  4.) 

Blefde,  Blefte,  remained,  12,  59, 
190. 

BlefJ)  =  bi-leveth,  remains,  abides, 
30,47,91,  177;  A.S.  be-Ufan 
(pret.  bel'efde),  to  leave. 

Bleften,^;Z.  remained,  189. 

Blench,  change,  130;  Blench  is 
the  soft  form  of  blinlh. 

Blende]),  ^;Z.  make  l)liud,  33 ; 
A.S.  blendian,  to  blind. 

Blest,  blast,  203;  A.S.  bh'ed, 
blast. 

Ble])eliche,  joyfully,  quickly,  read- 
ily, 20,  50,  65, 100,  102,  177. 

Ble])elaker,  more  quickly,  readily, 
69, 140, 180;  A.S.  blide,  blithe, 
joyfid. 

Bleue  =  bileue,  to  remain,  con- 
tinue, endure,  120,  203,  225, 
245  ;  persevere,  232  ;  remain 
in  (curl),  177  ;  A.S.  belief  an,  to 
leave.   See  Blefde,  Blefte.     The 


294 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


O.E.  h'deve,   hcleve,  signifies  to 

remain,  abide,  continue. 
Bleuindeliclie,  pcrseveringly,  l-il, 

208. 
Eleninge,    abiding,    continnance, 

dwelling,  47,  72  ;  perseverance, 

constancy,  215,  232. 
Elisfolle,  blissful,  75,118. 
Blisse,    Blysse,  Blysce,  /.    bliss, 

14,71,  90. 
Blissede,  adj.  def.  blessed,  70,  87. 
Blissen,  blessings,  blisses,  93. 
Blisses,  blessings,  77. 
Blissinge,  blessing,  97,  183,  243. 
Blissinges,  blessings,  97. 
Blisuol,  blisful,  148. 
BHsuolle,    def.   f.    blisful,     118, 

186. 
Blisuolliclie,  blisfully,  94. 
Blijje,    glad,     87,     132;     ready, 

eager,  85. 
Blod,   blood,    1,  41,    87;    oUiq. 

case,  Mode,  hloodc,  107,  111. 
Blody,  bloody,  46. 
Blondere,     flatterer,      one      who 

speaks  hiandhj,  01. 
Blonderes,  flatterers,  GO,  61,  177. 
Blondinge,  flattery,  10,  57,  75. 
Blondingges,  141.    "WithWcmfZ- 

ing  ne  ■with,  boste."  Shorebani's 

Poems,  p.  14. 
Blynde,  p?.  blind,  56. 
Blyssedhede,  bliss,  97. 
Blyssinges,  blessings,  97. 
Boc,  book,  1,  2,  5,  14,  70,  124. 
Bochcrie,  butchery,  slaughter,  64. 


Fr.  honchcr,  from  hoc,  a  goat. 
Boc-house,  lil)rary,  1. 
Bocle,  buckle,  236. 
Bodi,  body,  236. 
Bodilich,  bodily,  200. 
Bodiliche,     Bodylyche,     adj.    jd. 

bodUy,  90,  119,  212. 
Bodye,  body,  10,  14. 
Bodyes,  bodies,  8. 
Bodylich,  adj.  sing,  bodily,   72 ; 

corporeal.  111,  146. 
Bok,  book,  42. 
Bokes,  books,  42,  61. 
Bolde,  ^j?.  bold,  forward,  216. 
Boldeliche,  adv.  boldly,  34,  63. 
Bontejj,  bolteth,  sifteth,  93  ;    cf. 

S.  Prov.  Eng.  hunt,  to  sift  corn  ; 

Eng.  hunting,  from  Bret,  hunta, 

Eng.  hunt,  to  knock,  push. 
Bor,  boar,  69. 
Bord,  Borde,  table,  235. 
Bore,  j)jA  born,  221. 
Borgesye,  citizenship,  161. 
Borgeys,  Borgeyse,   burgess,   citi- 
zen, 161,  216. 
Boryeis,  citizen,  161. 
Boryinde,     jDiercing,    66;     A.S. 

horian,  to  bore. 
Borje]?,  take  in  jiledge,  36. 
Bosmc,  bosom,  163. 
Bost,  beast,  71. 
Bosync,  sound,  137  ;  A.S.  hyscn, 

command. 
Bote,  but,  only,  except,  5,  22,  65, 

72. 
Botcrel,  toad,  187. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


295 


Bote-yef,    except,    6,    7,    10,  of 

passim. 
Botme,  bottom,  140  ;  A.S.  hotm. 
Botoun,  button,  86,  134. 
Bouer3e  =  bor3e,  save,  134. 
Bougeren,  heretics,  258. 
Boiigre,  heretic,  19. 
Bougres,  heretics,    09,    134   (it  is 

derived  from  the  Bulgarians,  a 

Slavonian  tribe). 
Boundes,  limits,  207. 
Boune,  O.Fr.  a  reed,  nde,  150. 
Bourdedest,  jestedest,  20. 
Boiire,   chamber,  22G  ;  A.S.  hur. 
Bou3e,   to   obey,  be   obedient  to, 

bow  to,  8,  20,  21,  G8,  140. 
Bou3e]5,  pi.    obey,   143 ;   sltj.  68  ; 

A.S.  hugan,  to  bend. 
Bou3inde,  prone,    lit.  bending  to, 

157. 
B0U3,  imp.  obey,  194. 
Bou3inge,  sh.  bending,  inclining, 

153. 
B0U3J),  inclineth,  154  ;   obeys,  20, 

140,141. 
B03,  bough,  2,  3,  4,  17,  65 ;  bo3e, 

ohliq.  case,  22,  23,  58. 
Bo3es,  boughs,  3,  4,   17,   65,  68, 

191,  219. 
Bo3e,  bow,  45. 
Bo3en,  lyret.  pi.  obeyed,  84. 
Bo3sam,  obedient,  59.     This  word 

still   exists,    in    huxom,    O.E. 

hoglisam,  hiighsom. 
Bo3sandiche,  obedientlj^,  70. 
Bo3samnesse,  obedience,  101,140, 


147,  217. 
Bo3te,  bought,  133. 
Bo3]7,  B0U3J3,  obeys,  184. 
Boystoyse,  boisterous,  103. 
Brayinde,  howling,  roaring,  73. 
Bread,  bread,  113;  ohliip  c.  bread e, 

113,  235. 
BrecJ)  =  breaks,  40. 
Brech-gerdel,  a  girdle,  205. 
Bredale,  bridal,  wedding,  118,  223. 
Bredales,  marriages,  75. 
Brede,  breadth,  105. 
Bredgome,  bridegroom,  233. 
Brek,  broke,  1 6. 
Breke,  to  break,  51,  52,  116. 
Breken,  ^j^.  ^;?.  broke,  64,  213. 
Brekejj,  ^;Z.  break,  41. 
Brekf,  breaks,  7,  8,  16,  41,  178. 
Brekinge,  breach,  48,  261. 
Brekynde,  brittle,  breaking,  82. 
Bren,  bran,  210. 
Brenge,  imp.  pi.  bring  ye,  1. 
Brenge,  to  bring,  87. 
Brengejj,  pi.  bring,  33,  83. 
Brengp,  brings,    118,     128,    141, 

218. 
Brenston,  brimstone,  73. 
Bres,  brass,  203. 
Bridel,  ohliq.  case,  bricUe,  249, 254. 
Bri3t,  bright,  pure,  74. 
Bri3te,  adj.  pi.  pure,  73,  108. 
Bri3te,  adv.  clearly,  72. 
Bri3tliche,  brightly,  ck'arly,   150, 

200. 
Bri3tnesse,  Bry3tncsse,  brightness, 

81,  82,  143,  200. 


29G 


GLCSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Broclies,  brooclies,  229. 
Bronch.es,  "branches,  9. 
Brondes,  hrands,  205,  240. 
Brotel,  brittle,  129  ;  A.S.  hreotan, 

to  bruise,    break  ;     0.    K'orse, 

h'iota. 
Brotelhede,   brittleness,    poverty, 

130. 
Brojierhede,  Brojjerrede,  brotlier- 

hood,  110,  146. 
Brojjren,  brethren,  101,  102,  149. 

This  form  is  used  by  Sborehani. 
Bro3te,  brought,  118,  190. 
Bryad,  bread,  107,  110,  111. 
Bryest,  breast,  175. 
Bryesten,  breasts,  247. 
Buones,  bones,  64,  148. 
Burdes,  jests,   56 ;    Fr.  hourde,  a 

jest ;  Bret,  hourd,  deceit,  joke. 
Busse,  bush,  28. 
By,  to  be,  7,  14,   88  ;    is,   7,  14, 

16,  85  ;  are,  9. 
Byad,    offered,    41  ;     A.S.    head, 

from  heodan,  to  offer. 
By  at,  beateth,  100. 
Bydde,  Bidde,  to  pray  for,  98,  99, 

113,  114. 
Byddynges,    Byddinges,   prayers, 

petitions,  100  ;    entreaties,   40. 
Byddef,  pi.  pray,  107,  109,  113, 

116,  117,  118. 
Bj^eam,  beam. 
Byenne,  to  be,  131, 169. 
Byet,  Bye]),  are,  1,  3,  6,  8,  66,  imj)- 

188. 
Byet,  begetteth,  181, 


Byete,  suhj.  beat,  191. 
Byetinge,  begetting,  216, 
Byginninge,  beginning,  11. 
Byinge,  being,  82,  103. 
ByknaAve,    acknowledge,   confess, 

123,  182. 
Bylef]),  beheveth,  19. 
Byleue,  Byleaue,   belief,   11,    12, 

19,  69,  101,  112,  114. 
Bynime,  rob,  deprive  of,  39. 
Bynt,    ByndeJ),    bindeth,    binds, 

77,  97. 
Byrie,  bier,  258. 
Bysemeres,  scorns,  derision,  63. 
Bysi,  busy.     See  Bisye. 
Bysihede,    Bysyhede,     diligence, 

care,  anxiety,  55,  93  ;    occupa- 
tion, amusement,  231. 
Bysihedes,  occupations,  165. 
Bysinesse,    labour,   trouble,   care, 

56. 
Bysye,  pi.  busy,  officious,  226. 
Byt,  bites,  61,  62,  66. 
Byt,  biddeth,   prayeth,   29,   110, 

135. 
Byter,  bitter,  sour,  82,  129. 
Bytere,i;Z.  150. 
Byteji,  pi.  bite,  61. 
ByJ)  =  byef,  are,  17,  26,  102. 
Byuealde,  befolded,  8. 
Byuly,  avoid,  134. 
Byzylyche,  busily,  79. 

Cachie,  catch,  to  drive  out  or 
from,  178;  0.  Fr.  chacier, 
cacliicr ;    cf     modern    phrase 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


297 


*  caught  off.'  See  Glossary 
to  '  Genesis  'and  Exodus.'' 
'  Caccliyn,  away,  fugo,  agito, 
atigo,  effugo.'     Pr.  Parv. 

Calices,  chalices,  41. 

Calketrepi^en,  pits  or  snares,  131  ; 
A.S.  calca-trij)pa,  trap,  snare  ; 
of.  Fr.  clumsse-trapiye,  caltrap, 
tribulus,  murinus  (AYr.  Yoc. 
140),  K.  Alys,  1.  60,  70.  See 
note  on  this  word  in  Pronip- 
toriuin,  vol.  i.  j).  59. 

Calowe-nrous,  bat,  27  ;  A.S.  calu, 
caluw,  bald  ;  O.H.  Ger.  chala- 
wer,  bald.  The  bat  is  some- 
times called  a  reremoiise,  from 
the  A.S.  hrere,  raw. 

Can,  knows,  58,  94,  135. 

Candele, /.  candle,  candelle,  102 
206. 

Caorsins,  Sarasins,  usurers,  35. 

Capiteles,  chapters,  1. 

Capiteles,  capitals,  43. 

Capons,  38. 

Cardinales,  Cardinals,  adj.  pi.  car- 
dinal, head,  3,  123,  124. 

Cardinals,  sh.  124. 

Carkejj,  produces,  230. 

Caroyne,  camon,  86. 

Carten,  carts,  35. 

Cartere,  carter,  160. 

Cas,  case,  chance,  as  in  he-cas  = 
perchance,  36,  42,  70,  115. 

Castel,  Castele,  castle,  1,  43, 
121,  154  ;  pi.  casteles,  149. 

Catol,    Avealth,    35,    36;     O.Fr. 


catel,  cliatel  ;  Lat.  capitale. 
Cause,  224. 
Cedre,  cedar,  131. 
Cellen,  cells,  267. 
Chacejj,  drives,  171. 
Chald,   Cheald,  cold,  cliilled,  47, 

138,    152,    170;     A.S.    ceahl, 

cdld,  cold. 
Chalenge,  false  claim,  34. 
ChalengeJ),  j^Z.  accuse,  43  ;   O.Fr. 

cJialemjler  ;     Lat.    calumniari. 

See   Glossary  to  Hamjjole's  P. 

of  C. 
Chalis,  chalice,  167. 
Chambren,  chambers,  224. 
Chancelier,  chancellor,  243. 
Chapele,  chapel,  56. 
Chaj)fare,  Chaj)uare,   chaffer,   un- 
fair dealing,    34,    35,    44,   90, 

120  ;  pi.  cheapfares,  36,  45. 
Chajjfari,    vb.    to    chaffer,    trade, 

162 ;     A.S.     cedj),    a  bargain, 

sale  ;  cedpjian,  to  buy  ;  feriati, 

to  bear,  carry. 
Chaj^itele,  Chapitle,  chapter,  136, 

220. 
Chapman,    merchant,     77,    158; 

pi.  chapmen,  76. 
Chapuare,  chaffer,  191. 
Charge]),  loadeth,  97  ;    see  R.  of 

Gl.  13,  416. 
Charitable,  145. 
Charite,  79  ;  pi.  charites,  83. 
Charmeres,  charmers,  69. 
Charmes,  43. 
Chast,  Chaste,  chaste,  203,  221. 


298 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Chastete,  Chastetee,  4,  159,  181, 

202. 
Cliastef,   chastise,   17,    69,    100, 

U7,  156. 
Chasthede,  chastity,  230. 
Chasti,   to   chastise,    chasten,    8, 
148,  15S,  221  ;    O.Fr.  clmstier. 
Chastinge,    chastening,    chastise- 
ment, 68. 
Chastisement,  17. 
Chastliche,    chastely,    in    pmity, 

221. 
Chaynen,    Chaines,  chains,   214, 

264. 
Cheake,  cheek,  248. 
Chealde,  xjI.  cold,  242. 
Cheap,  cheape  market,  36  ;   '  grat 
cheap,'   '  greate  cheape,'  abund- 
ant, plentiful,  256.    CtcJieej); 
pretium.     Pr.  Parv. 
Cheapfare,  chaffer,  35,    36.     See 

Chapfare. 
Cheapfares,  chaffers,  bargains,  36, 

45. 
Cheas,  chose,  77. 
Cheaste,  chiding,   strife,  30,   65, 
%% ;    pi.    cheastes,    57,    138; 
A.S.  ceast,  strife,  dispute,  con- 
tention.      Sec    Piers    Plough. 
1.  8946. 
Chef,  chaff,  62,  137,  138;    oUiq. 
case,   cheue,   210;   A.S.    ceaf  ; 
O.  Dutch  A;a/. 
Cheker,  chess-board,  45,  46. 
Chcle,  chill,  cold,  75  ;    A.S.  ccle  ; 
O.H.Ger.  chuoHrpl  Cheles,  124. 


Chenaille,  CFr.  dogs,  112. 
Cherche,  church,  7,  8. 
Cherchen,  churches,  30,   43. 
Cherchetounes,  church-toAvns,  41. 
Cherl,    churl,    76;     A.S.    ceod ; 
0.  Dutch   keerl  (vir,  rusticus)  ; 
2]il.  cherles,  112. 
Ches,  chess,  52. 
Cheue,  chaff,  210.    See  Chef. 
Chewynge,  sh.  chewing.  111. 
Chide,  67. 
Chidinge,  sh.  chiding,   strife,   30, 

65,66. 
Chiere  =  chere,   cheer,  155,  193  ; 
O.Fr.    cltere,   countenance,   en- 
tertainment, cheer. 
Chiese,    Chise,    Chycse  =  clieose, 
86,  93,  101,  165  ;  A.S.  ceosan, 
to  choose  ;  O.Sax.  Icioscm. 
Chiese]),  j;?.  choose,  45. 
Child,  veut.  58,   84  ;  ohliq.   case, 

childe,  82. 
Childbedde,  224. 
Childhede,  childhood,  82. 
Childhedes,  childishnesses,  207. 
Childi,    to   bring    forth  a    child, 
224.     See  Orm.  156.     Childin, 
parere  (Pr.  Parv.). 
Chinne,  chin,  50. 
Chise,  choose,  93. 
Choniberier,  chamberer,  171. 
Chombre,  chamber,  room,  215. 
Chonge,  change,  104. 
Chonge]),     changeth,      129  ;    2>l. 

change,  42. 
Chongi,  to  change,  104. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


299 


Cliongincle,  clianging,   104,   105, 

120. 
Cliyaste  =  clieaste,  strife,  G7. 
Chyese,  choose,  86. 
Cliyest,  chooseth,  126. 
Cliyewe  =  cheoive,  to  chew,  111; 

A.S.    ceowan,    O.H.  Ger.  cJiiu- 

wan,  to  chew. 
ChyezeJ),  j;?.  choose,  165. 
Chyezingo  =  cheosinge,    election, 

42. 
Cite,    city,    49  ;     pi.    cites,    43, 

149. 
Clauen,    claws,     61  ;    A.S.    eld ; 

O.Sax.  clawa  ;  O.H. Ger.  cldoa  ; 

pi.  cMawen,  claw. 
Claustres,  cloisters,  267. 
Clone,  clean,  pure,  73. 
Clenlich,    Clcnlicho,    adj.    clean, 

45,  216. 
Clenliche,   cleanly,   in  purity,   6, 

48,  76,  120,  138. 
Clennesse,  purity,  75,  201,  202. 
Clensi,  Clensy,  to  cleanse,  purify, 

75,  137,  271  ;  A.S.  da-mian. 
Clenze]),   cleanseth,   73,   74,    88, 

106,  171. 
Clepede,  called,  190. 
Cleper,    clapper  (of  a  mill),  58  ; 

O.Dutch,     MepiJcn^       pulsare, 

sonare. 
Clepest,  callest,  100. 
ClepeJ),   calls,  17,  21,  22,  26,  58, 

72,  78,  79,  81,  168. 
Clepie]),  i^Z.  call,  69,  72,  74,  112, 

164. 


Clepie,  to  call,  42,  43,  64  ;    A.S. 

deopian,  dypian.,  to  call. 
ClepiyJ)  =  depi/e]i,  call.   111. 
Cleregye,  Clergie,  Clergye,  clergy, 

learning,   16,    18,   71,  78,    81, 

90. 
Clergyes,  sciences,  89. 
Clerek,  Clierk,  clerk,  scliolai',  23, 

25,  49,  78. 
Clerekes,  Clerkes,  Clierkes,  scho- 
lars, 39,  42,  46,  78. 
Clernesse,    clearness,    brightness, 

95. 
Cleuiinde,     Cleuiynde,    cleaving, 

persistent,  lasting,   convincing, 

54,    98,    107;   A.S.     denfian ; 

O.H. Ger.  ddehen,  cleave,  stick 

to. 
Cleuiyndeliche,  completely,  103. 
Cliepeji  =  clepej),  calls,  125. 
Cliene,  clean,  224. 
Clier,  Clyer,   Clyre,  clear,  24,  78, 

104,  159,  167  ;  O.Fr.  der. 
Clierliche,  Clyerliche,  clearly,  88, 

155,  174,  243. 
Clif}),    Clyfjj,    climbs,    131,    132, 

145,  219  ;    A.S.   difan,  to  ad- 
here to  ;    0.1^.  klifa,  scandere. 

Cf.    O.E.    daveren,  to   climb ; 

Dutch  Idaveren  ;    Dan.   Idavre, 

to  climb, 
Cliue,  Clyue,  to  climb,  23,  26,  89, 

127,  162. 
GMwen,  j)ret.  pil.  climbed,  126. 
CliueJ),  pjJ.    climb,    ascend,    164, 

246. 


300 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Cloni,  silence,  266.     See  Cloinsed, 

in  Glossary  to  Hampole. 
Clo}),  cloth,  45  ;  ohllq.  case,  clofe, 

188;  j:;Z.  clothes,  47,  128. 
Clojjede,  ^^^.  clothed,  133. 
Clofejj,  imp.  clothe,  265. 
Clojjinge,  sh.  clothing,  154,  165. 
Cloystre,  cloister,  151,  242. 
Cloystrers,  67. 
Clyerer,  clearer,  267. 
Coccou,  Cockou,  cuckow,  22,  59. 
Col,    coal,   ohliq.   case,    cole,   82, 

126,  205  ;  i^l.  coles,  205;  A.S. 

col. 
Collacious,  155. 
Colour,  Colur,  Colurs,  15,  62,  81, 

177. 
Colrik,  157. 
Colt,  Colte,  185,  220. 
Colaer,   Coliire,   dove,  142  ;  A.S. 

culfre,  a  dove,  pigeon  ;  O.E.  pi. 

colueren. 
Coluer-hous,  dove-cote,  142. 
Com,  came,  26;  wij).  sing.  185. 
Come,  inf.  to  come,  87,  98  ;  stihj. 

pi.  93,  116;  inijhj^l.  137. 
Conien,  2)1.  p^ret.  came,  130. 
Comene,  gerund,  to   come,    106, 

152. 
Comejj,  2J?.  come,  27,  91,  92. 
Cominde,  Comynde,  coming,  264. 
Comyde=Comynde,  coming,  264. 
Commiin,  Comun,  Commune,  com- 
mon, 37,  48,  102,  147. 
Communliche,     commonly,    1 45, 

146. 


Communy,  to  share,  102. 

Comparer,  243. 

Comparisoun,  81,  92,  235. 

Compassion,  148. 

Complexion,  157. 

Conist,  comest,  239. 

Comste,  comest  thou,  264. 

Com  J),  Come]?,  cometh,  come,  18, 
19,  26,  51,  87,  89,  161. 

Comunliche,  commonly,  145. 

Comynge-a3en,  return,  87. 

Conceyue]),  conceiveth,  136. 

Condecendre,  condescend,  157. 

Condicion,  173. 

Condicions,  conditions,  172. 

CondueJ),  leadeth,  122. 

Confermi,  Confermy,  confirm,  109, 
121. 

ConfermeJ),  confirm,  105,  106, 
122. 

Conferminge,  confirming,  1 4. 

Confessour,  172. 

Confort,  comfort,  96,  142. 

Conforted,  160. 

Conforte)),  comforts,  111,  160, 
161. 

Conforti,  to  comfort,  160. 

Confusion,  Confuzion,  229. 

Conioun,  76. 

Conne,  inf.  to  know,  can,  he  ahle, 
21,  70,  73,  94,  98,  104,  117, 
130,  148;  pi.  46,  58,  59, 
82,  86,  100,  126,  132;  2nd 
p)ers.  118;  A.S.  cunnan. 

Connej),  j^Z.  know,  249. 

Connynge,  knowledge,  115,  122. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


301 


Consayle,  122. 
Consentede,  pret.  249. 
Consentemens,        Consentement, 

consent,  11,  19. 
Consent!,  to  consent,  10,  73, 117, 

170,  176. 
Consentinge,  117,  176. 
Conspiracions,  conspiracies,  23. 
Constance,  constancy,  167. 
Contac,  Contak,  contest,  dispute, 

15,  iO;2yl.  Contakes,  63. 
Contemplacion,  204,  247. 
Conteniplatif,  Contemplatiue,  199, 

247. 
Contrario,     Contraryo,     contrary, 

14,  136,  151. 
Contraries,  123. 
Contrarious,  28. 
Contraye,  country,  130. 
Conuersacioun,  96,  112,  241. 
Coppes,  cups,  30. 
Corage,  courage,  164. 
Corde,  58. 
Corn,  62,  140;^?/.  cornes  (grains), 

233. 
Cornardyes,  deceits,  130. 
Cornees  (O.-Fr.),  customs  or  duties 

on  corn  and  cattle,  38. 
Cornyeres,  corners,  124. 
Coroune,  crown,  168,  169. 
Corounede,  j;?.  croA\Tied,  234. 
Corounes,  crowns,  15,  116,  169. 
Corsinge,  Corsynge,   cursing,  28, 

97. 
Cort,  court,  137,  256. 
Cortays,    courteous,    112;    O.Fr. 


cortois. 
Cortayseliclie,  Corteisliche,  courte- 
ously,   106,    118,    160,     195. 

Comp.  Cortayslaker,  163. 
Cortaysie,     Cortaysye,    courtesy, 

civility,  36,  97,  98. 
Corteys,    courteous,   21,   22,   35, 

113.    See  Cortays. 
Corteysye,     Corteyzie,     courtesy, 

75,  118;  jj?.  corteysyes,  162. 
Cortoys,  courteous,  100,  188. 
Corrupcion,  227. 
Corupt,  82. 
Cost,   58,   113,   119,   137,   176  ; 

0. Dutch  Jiost,  siunptus,  expen- 

sum. 
Costes,  expenses,  40. 
Costnede,  cost,  145. 
Costnej),  costeth,  75,  121. 
Costningge,  expense,  151. 
Costuolle,  dear,  expensive,  229. 
Cosyn,  Cosyne,  cousin,  89. 
Cou,  cow,  56  -,231.  Ken,  191. 
Couaitise,   Couaytise,   Couaytyse, 

covetousness,   2,    11,    16,    34, 

125,  154. 
Couaytous,  Couaytouse,  covetous, 

80,  136,  154,  197. 
Couche,  171. 
Couent,  convent,    110,   219.   Cf. 

Covent  Garden. 
Coueytise,  covetousness,  137. 
Coupe,  cup,  pi.  coupes,  35. 
Coustouse,  expensive,  dear,  228 ; 

O.Fr.  const,  expense,  cost. 
Cou])e,  coidd,knew,  105, 126, 133. 


302 


GLOSSAKIAL    INDEX. 


Cou])en,  Copen,  j;Z.  could,  knew, 
78,  1G8. 

Crammeles,  crumbs,  grains,  253. 

Crane,  56. 

Crayme,  Creyme,  chrism,  cream, 
41,  93. 

Credo,  creed,  12. 

Craft,  oUiq.  case,  craft,  art,  power, 
35,  45,  90,  lie,  157;  A.S. 
craeft,  O.Fris.  kreft. 

Creftes,  handicrafts,  178. 

Crete,  cradle  (cf.  mod.  Eng. 
crate),  137.  Crate  is  generally 
derived  from  Lat.  crates,  wicker 
or  hurdle  work.  It.  crate,  a 
hurdle ;  but  crete,  a  cradle,  may 
be  from  A.S.  crata,  a  cart. 

Cristen,  sing.     Christian,  93. 

Cristendom,  Cristendome,  Chris- 
tendom, christening,  Chris- 
tianity, C4,  101,  145. 

Cristene,  sing.  clef,  form,  Chris- 
tian, 165. 

Cristene,  j??.  Cliristian,  79,  93, 
114,  145. 

Cristesniesse,  Christmas,  213. 

Cristni,  to  cliristen,  baptize,  107. 

Cristninge,  christening  14,  74, 
107,  119. 

Crokede,  j:*/.  crooked,  224. 

Croki,  to  crook,  curl,  177. 

Crouche,  cross,  111. 

Crouchen,  crosses,  41. 

Cruclete,  15. 

Cryepe,  =  creope,  creep,  move, 
107  ;   A.S.  creopian. 


Curiouseliche,  curiously,    careful- 
ly,  176. 

Dales,  days,  198. 

Damezele,  damsel,  72. 

Damnede,  51. 

DamneJ),  condemns,  115. 

Damni,  condemn,  damn,  137. 

Danes  =  deanes,  vales,  dales,  39, 

59  ;  dean,  A.S.   den,  denn.,  is  a 

common  element  in  local  names 

in  the  S.  of  England. 
Dar,  dare,  32,  67,  70,  83. 
Daye  (obliq.  case  of  day),  7,  13, 

14. 
Dayes,  days,  7,  13, 
Daynede,  deigned,  76,  126. 
Dajne]),  deigneth,  18,  196. 
Dajes,  messe  da3es,  days,  214. 
Deade,  j>?.  dead,  86. 
Deadlich,  deadly,  47,  223. 
Deadwed,  mortgage,  36. 
Deajje    (ohliq.    case),    death,    87, 

129  ;  deafes  (gen.  sing.),  130; 

A.S.  dead. 
Deau,  dew,  91,  136,    144;  A.S. 

dcaw. 
Deawe  (ohliq.  case),  dew,  91. 
Decende)),  dcscendeth,  123. 
Decendi,  to  descend,  123. 
Deccyned,  deceived,  79. 
Deceyui,  to  deceive,  82. 
Deciple,  disciple,  13,  96. 
Dedbote,  satisfaction,  amend,  32, 

33;  A.  S.  deed-hot. 
Dede,   did,   put,    jilaced,   caused. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


303 


78,  86,  114,  133,  211,  216. 
Dedo,  sb.  deed,  10',  12,  21,  74. 
Deden,  j»'e^.  j>Z.  did,  caused,  made, 

72,  78,  181. 
Dedes,  deeds,  10,  73,  137. 
Dedest,  didst,  21. 
Defaced,  obliterated,  190. 
Defayled,  wearied,  overcome  (with 

weariness,)  33. 
Defaute,  lack,  Avant,  33,  73,  261  ; 
2)1  defautes,  73,  78,  108,   131, 
132. 
DefendeJ),    defends,  excuses,   22, 

61. 
Defendej?,  j:)?.  defend,  excuse,  38, 

69. 
Defendi,  to  defend,  157. 
Befouled,  defiled,  167. 
Defoulent,  defileth,  182. 
Defouli,  defile,  221. 
Degres,  Degrez,  degrees,  123,  267. 
Del,  deal,  part,  17,  86,  175  ;  A.S. 

di'el. 
Dele,  to  separate,  76  ;  A.S.  dcelan. 
Deles,  Delles,  divisions,  parts,  1 7, 

50,  60,  153;  properties,  125. 
Delices,  delights,  24. 
Delitejj,  deligliteth,  47. 
Deliti,  Delyty,  to  delight,  82,  91. 
DeKure,  imp.  deliver,  110,  118. 
Deliured,    Delyured,  ^yp.   deliver- 
ed, 87,  118. 
Deliurede,  j;re^.  delivered,  95, 128. 
Deliuri,  Delyuri,  to  deliver,    12, 

13,  103,  117,  198. 
Deliurejj,  delivcreth,  128. 


Deliureonse,  liberty,  86. 
Delles,  parts,  164. 
Delue,     delve,     dig,     undermine, 
108  ;  A.S.  delf-an,  to  dig,  delve. 
Delyty,  to  delight,  82. 
Delyury,  to  deliver,  270. 
Demde,  judged,  175. 
Deme,  to  deem,  judge,  decide,  dis- 
criminate, 13,  74,  76,  82,  126; 
A.S.  deman,  to  judge. 
Demere,  judge,  12,  62,  131,  138  ; 

A.S.  demere. 
Demeres,  judges,  39,  215,  227. 
Dem]),  judgeth,  deemeth,  27,  28, 

74,  125,  138. 
Demynges,  opinions,  censures,  27. 
Denyes,  deaneries,  42. 
Depe,  to  dip,  106  ;  A.S.  depan. 
Depf,  dippeth,  107. 
Derie,   to  hurt,   126,    166;  A.S. 
derian,  derujan,  to  hurt,  harm, 
annoy. 
Deriynde,  hurtful,  injurious,  63. 
Derne,  secret,  143  ;  A.S.  dijriie. 
Derrer,  dearer,  36. 
Derye,  to  hurt,  injure.    See  Derie. 
Deryinde,  hurtful,  injurious,  63. 
Des,  dice,  45. 
DescendeJ),  descends,  123. 
Descriue]?,  ^vZ.  describe,  168. 
Deserited,  disinherited,  30. 
Desert,  Dezert,  67,  131,  240. 
Desertesoun,  desertion,  48. 
Desgised,  distinguished,  97. 
DesgyzeJ),  disguiseth,  158. 
Desiri,  to  desire,  244. 


304 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Desordene,  inordinate,  46. 

Despayred,  34.    ' 

Despendi,  to  spend.  DespendeJ), 
spendeth,  19,  41,  53,  187. 

Despense,  spending,  cost,  21,  55. 

Despit,  contempt,  despising,  de- 
spite, 19,  20,  21,  69. 

Desputede,  79. 

Desspendoiire,  ahnoner  (trea. 
surer),  190. 

Dest,  dost,  118,  129,  159. 

Destempringe,  distemj)ering,  153. 

Destincti,  distinguish,  152. 

Destorbe,  disturb.  Destorbed, 
disturbed,  212.  Destorbef,  dis- 
turbs, 179. 

Destorbinge,  disturbance,  225. 

Destrud,  destroyed,  30. 

Destrue,  to  destroy,  28,  117. 

Destruej),  Destrui]?,  destroyeth, 
destroy,  35,  36,  "43. 

Detraccion,  10. 

Dette,  debt,  35,  120,  135,  222. 

Dettes,  debts,  113,  115. 

Dejj,  doeth,  causeth,  placetli,  31, 
58,  67,  97,  102  ;  *  def  aye,' 
break etb,  doth  against,  57. 

Deuines=  deuineres,  di"\T.ners,  19. 

Deuisi,  deuise,name,  tell,  73, 100, 
103,  144. 

Deuocion,  Deuocioun,  33,  107, 
136,  210,  226. 

Deuouteliche,  devoutly,  134,  211, 
215,  225. 

Diaknen,  deacons,  190. 

DiajTuont,  diamond,  187. 


Dich,  ditch,  57. 
Diciplines,  240. 
Diere,  Dj^ere,  dear,  beloved,  36, 

44;  dearly,  194. 
Dierjje,  dearness,  scarcity,  256. 
Dieuel,  Dyeuel,  devil,  15. 
Difierence,  10,  210, 
Digneliche,  wortliily,  20. 
Diligence,  238. 
Diligent,  32,  220. 
Diligentliche,  diligently,  70. 
Dingnete,  dignity,  24,  112,  119, 

145. 
Dingnetes,   Dyngnetes,  dignities, 

26,  42. 
Dingneste,  worthiest,  109. 
Dingnelyche,   worthily,  projicrly, 

267. 
Discord,  43,  75,  157. 
Discordance,  259. 
Discrecion,  242,  256,  255. 
Disete=Disese,  sorrow,  grief,  57. 
Disordene,   inordinate,   immoder- 
ate, unrestrained,  34,  48. 
Disordenliche,  immoderately,  55, 

259. 
Dispendede,  expended,  128. 
Dispendejj,  )  pass  the  time,  sjjend, 
Despendef,  J       7. 
Dispoyly,  sj)oil,  rob,  45. 
Dissiplines,  disciplines,  236,  250. 
Dissuol,  dishful,  120. 
Distemperance,  distempering,  153. 
Diners,  obstinate,  68. 
Diners,  Diuerse,  diverse,  different, 

15,  42,  124,  244. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


305 


Diuerses,  pi.  various,  162. 

Diuersejj,  diifers,  124. 

Di3t,  orderS;  directs,  prepares,  11, 

24,  124,  147,  222. 
Di3te,    to    order,    direct,    ordain, 

separate,  put  from,  210  ;    A.S. 

dllit,    a   disposing,    ordering; 

dlhtan,  to  order,  arrange. 
Dijte,  should  distribute,  147. 
Dijtere,    director,     100  ;      A.S. 

dihtere. 
Di^te]),  j;/.  direct,  adorn,  7,  47. 
Di3tinge,    decoration,    adorning, 

24,  47,  215. 
Dijtinges,  divisions,  17. 
Do,  put,  cause,  210;  247. 
1)0,  pp.  done,  68,  124. 
Dobblejj,   doble]),   doubleth,    22, 

48. 
Doere,  doer,  135. 
Doinde,  doing,  194. 
Dol,  division,  112.     See  Del. 
Doles,  divisions,  17. 
Dolue,  should  delve,  break  into, 

263. 
Dom,    ohliq.    case,  Dome,  doom., 

judgment,  opinion,   6,  10,   13, 

37,  74  ;  justice,  equity,   113, 

124,  127,  148  ;  A.S.  dom. 
Domb,  dumb,  1,  179. 
Dombe,  j;Z.  dumb,  56. 
Domes,  verdicts,  40. 
Domesman,  judge,  115. 
Domesmen,  judges,  38,  44. 
Done,  to  do,  to  be  done,  8,  9,  11, 

Q^,  74. 


Dong,  ohliq.  case,  Donge,  dung, 
61,  75,  77,  81,  137,  216. 

Donghel,  dungliill,  81,  230. 

Dore,  door,  210,  255. 

Doreward,  doorkeeper,  121,  263. 

Dorilot,  177. 

Dorre,  Dorren,  pi.  dare,  22,  32, 
78. 

Dorste,  jj?.  durst,  143. 

Dorstest,  durst,  73. 

Dojj,  pi.  doth,  place,  set,  cause, 
69,  72,  73. 

Doimib,  Doumbe,  dumb,  51,  224. 

Doust,  dust,  26,  108. 

D03,  dough,  205. 

Dojter,  daughter,  26. 

Dojtren,  daughters,  140. 

Draf,  dreggs,  93. 

Dragoune,  174. 

Draye,  dry,  137,  240. 

Draje,  to  draw,  lead  to,  lead  out, 
10,  12,  77,  79,  137,  186. 

Dra^e,  p^;.  drawn. 

Dra3jj,  draweth,  leadeth,  15,  43, 
100;  taketh  away,  40,  41; 
treats,  45. 

Dra3ejj,  j?Z.  draw,  lead,  43,  147. 

Dra3]5e,  treatise,  251,  260. 

Drede,  fear,  4,  32,  74. 

Drede,  doubt,  105. 

Dredejj,  pi.  dread,  fear,  74,  84, 
86,  138. 

Dreduol,  dreadful,fearful,  cautious, 
tunid,  14,  15,  16,  22,  70,  144. 

Dreduolle,  j^l.  fearful,   116;  ter- 
rible, 42,  70  ;  horrible,  189. 
20 


306 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Dreduoller,   more    fearful,   more 

cautious,  117. 
Drench,  sh.  drink,  130. 
Drenche,    to    drink;     3rd    smg. 

Bring]?,  251,  248. 
Dret,  dreadeth,  26,  34,  116,  125, 

203. 
Drinkeres,  drinkers,  47. 
Drincf,  drinketli,  137,  245,  247. 
DrinkJ),  drinketli,  95,  251. 
Drinke]),  2^1  drink,  248. 
Dronke,  i^j).  drunken,   75,   107, 

127,  247. 
Dronkehede,  drunkenness,  260. 
Dronkenese,  drunkenness,  248, 
Drope,  drop,  75,  91,  92,  189. 
Dropen,  drops,  84,  92. 
Dropes,  drops,  92. 
Droj,  drew,  led  out,  13. 
Dro3en,  treated,  164. 
Dru3jje,  drought,  68. 
Dryff,  driveth,  75. 
Dryngj),  drencheth,  248. 
Dyacne,  deacon,  190. 
Dyad,  Dyead,  s.  dead,  12,  71,  82. 
Dyad,  dead,  126. 
Dyade,  j9?.  dead,  13,  30. 
Dyade,  obliq.  case,  263. 
Dyadlich,   Dyeadlich,  s.    mortal, 

deadly,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  12,  73, 

110,  144. 
Dyadliche,   Dyeadliche,  ^9?.    and 

clef,  form  of  the  adj.,  9,  70, 

113. 
Dyadliche,      Dyeadliche,      adv. 

deadly,  6,  7,  86,  225. 


Dyaf,  deaf,  1. 
Dyakne,  deacon,  225. 
Dyaknes,  deacons,  235. 
Dyamod,  =  Dyamond,  diamond. 
Dyaf,  Dyeajj,  ohliq.  case,  Dyafe, 

dyeafe,  7,  12,  13,  23,  27,  69, 

70,  71,  72,  86,  95. 
Dyau,  deau,  dew,  144. 
Dyaue,  Dyeaue,  deaf,  189,  211, 

224. 
Dyead,  dead,  240. 
DyeadUch,  mortal,  244,  247. 
Dyere,  dear,  precious,  36,  68,  79, 

123. 
Dyere,  adv.  dearly,  73,  133,  194. 
Dyep,  Dyepe,  deep,  211,  264. 
Dyepenesse,  deepness,  depth,  105, 

211. 
Dyenel,  devil,  15,  65. 
Dyeuele,  ohliq.  case,  1,  16,  19,  86. 
Dyeides,  devil's,  77. 
Dyeulen,  Dyeules,  devils,  17,  73, 

83,  86. 
Dyuers,  obstinate,  hard,  68. 
Dyuerse,  pi.  divers,  73. 
Dy3te,  disposed,  ordained,  270. 

Ealde,  def  old,  169  ;  A.S.  eald, 
'    old.     See  Aid. 
Ealde,  ^jZ.  old,  102,  166. 
Ealdinge,  heooming  old ;  95,  A.S. 

ealdian,  to  grow  old. 
Eare,  ear,  189. 
Earen,  ears,  204,  249. 
Ech,  oUiq.    case  Eche,  each,   11, 

12,  17,  18,  62,  71,  104. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


307 


Echedaye,  each  day,  16, 
Echedayes,  adv.  daily,  112, 
Echen  (of,  to,  ine),  each,  11,  13, 

63,  119,  121,  122,  124,   125, 

147. 
Eddre,    adder,  serpent,    26,    61, 

150  ;  A. S.  nceddre. 
Eddren,  serpents,  61,  203. 
Edefie,  197. 
Eft,  Efte,  again,  12,  13,  33,  71, 

80. 
Efter,  after,  66. 
Efter|)an,  afterwards,  24. 
Efterward,  afterward,  24,  25. 
Eftsone,  Eftzone,  eftsoon,  73,  229. 
Elde  age,    old  age,    11,   69,    71, 

220;  A.  S.  eldo,  yldo. 
Eldeste,  eldest,  6,  104. 
Eldringes,  elders,  35,  118;  A.S. 

ealdor,  an  elder. 
Eles,  O.E.  oioels,  awls,   66  ;  A.S- 

cbI,   dl,   awel,   an  awl,  needle, 

hook. 
Elifans,  elephant,  224. 
Elleshuer,  elsewhere,  211. 
Ehiiesse,  alms,  17,  76. 
Ehnessen,  jj?.  alms,  198. 
Emcristen  =   O.E.     evencristen, 

feUow-christian,  10,  199  ;  A. S. 

ejn.  (in  comp.)  even. 
Emeroydes,  emeralds,  77. 
Emne,  even,  151 ;  A.S.  euDie. 
Emni,  to  make  equal  to,  16  ;  A.S. 

emnian. 
Emparement,    hecoming     worse, 

148. 


Emperour,  Emperur,  71,  78,  100, 

101. 
Empire,  Empirite,  empire,  85. 
Emti,  empty,  143;  A.S.  emtig. 
Emtejj,  empties,  58. 
Enchauntemens,      enchantments, 

43. 
Encheysones,  Enchesons,  causes, 

205,  206. 
Enclieysoun,  Enchesoun,  Enchei- 

soun,  Encheyson,  reason,  cause, 

68,  205,  206,  217. 
Endaunture,  taming,  220. 
Ende,  end,  death,  33,  68. 
Endi,  Endy,  to  end,  1 10,  1 1 3, 1 15. 
Endinge,  death,  end,  31,  71. 
Enghs,  EngUsh,  1. 
Enghsse,  pi.  5. 
Engrined,    ensnared,    entrapped, 

154.     See  Grine. 
Eni,  Eny,  sing,  any,  16,  21,  89, 
.   115  ;  ohliq.  case,  enie,  119. 
Enie,  Enye,  ^:>Z.  any,  5,  21,  68. 
Enlefte,  eleventh,    14,  49  ;  A.S. 

endlufon,      eleven ;     endlyfta, 

eleventh. 
Enne,  ace.  one,  129,  244  ;   A.S. 

(kn,  one. 
Ennelepi,   single,   75,    the   same 

145 ;    A.S.    cenlejng,    dnlqng, 

each,  every,  singular. 
Ententiflyche,  attentively,  210. 
Entremes,  entrees,  56. 
Entremetti,  meddle  with,  152. 
Enuenimed,  Enuenymed,  poison- 
ed, 27,  203. 


20* 


308 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Enuenymejj,  Enueymejj,  poisons, 

26,  62. 
Enuie,  Enuye,  envy,  7,    16,   26, 

67,  75. 
Enuious,  sing.  27. 
Enuiouse,  pi.  27. 
Eppel,   apple,  oUlq.    case,   epple, 

64,  82,  84. 
Ereges,  O.Fr.  heretics,  40. 
Eresye,  heresy,  69. 
Eretiks,  heretics,  182. 
Ermitage,  hermitage,  250. 
Eritage,   heritage,    36,    39,    101, 

102. 
Erl,  earl,  71,  86. 
Erles,  224. 
Errour,  69,  70. 
Erjjan,  before  that,  160. 
Erfe,  earth,  2,  5,  12,  67,  89. 
Erjjhch,  earthly,  terrestrial,  75. 
ErfHche,  i^Z.  earthly,  6,  149,  250. 
Erye,   Erie,  to    ear,    214  ;  A.S. 

ei'ian,  till,  plough,  ear. 
Esssse,  ash,  137. 
Est,  eatest,  54. 
Et,  imp.  eat,  50. 
Ete,  to  eat,  50,  51,  95. 
Etene,  to  eat,  51,  146. 
Eteres,  eaters,  47. 
Etef,  pi.  eat,  54,  61. 
Eth,  eateth,  51,  52,  53,  95  ;  imp 

54. 
Ethe,  Ethene,  to  eat,  ^1,\11. 
Ethen,  i^ret.  'pl.  ate,  206. 
Etheth,^??.  eat,  182. 
Etinge,  eating,  56. 


Euel,    Euele,    sing,     evil,     85  ; 

disease,  202. 
Euele,  pl.   evil,  wicked,    20,  66, 
69;   adv.  badly,  wickedly,  68, 
110. 
Eueles,  evils,  ills,  diseases,   153, 

224. 
Euelwyl,  malice,  114. 
Enre,  ever,  48,  71. 
Eiirebleuinge,  eternity,  105.    See 

Bleue. 
Eurich,  Eurych,  every,  268. 
Eureichen,  Eurichen,  ace.    every 

one,  146. 
Eurelestinde,  everlasting,  95,  97, 

104. 
Euremo,  evermore,  5,  13,  14,  55, 
Eurinne,  ace.  everyone,  136. 
Ewangehst,  230. 
Examenejj,  examines,  184,  256. 
Examined,  137. 
Examini,  to  examine,  153. 
Excuse]?,  excuses,  excuse,  33,  61, 

69. 
Excusi,  to  excuse,  7. 
Exequitours,  executors,  38. 
Exil,  215. 

Eyder,  either,  each,  66. 
Eyr,  62. 

Eyren,  eggs,  174.     See  Aye. 
Eyrs,  heirs,  102,107. 
Eyse,  ease,  pleasure,  48,  24,  94. 
Eyses,  pleasures,  204. 
Eysy,  to  ease,  please,  82. 
E3e,  eye,  75,  81. 
E3en,  eyes,  19,  75,  81. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


309 


Ey3te,  eight,  45, 

E^teude,  E3tende,  feiglith,  2,  10. 

Failej),  foils,  186. 

Faili,  to  fail,  209. 

Failiude,  failing,  slothful,  32. 

Faly,  to  fail,  173. 

Fauc,  scythe,  251. 

Fauour,  230. 

Fayle]?,  sing.  &  j^l-  fails,  fail,  33, 

68,  171,  210. 
Fayl^,  to  fail,  32,  195. 
Fayntise,  deceit,  26. 
Fel,  fierce,  savage,  66. 
Felhede,  fierceness,  29,  159. 
Fellaker,  more  fiercely,  174. 
Telle,  def.  fierce,  6Q,  50;  fierce  one, 

30;  superl.  Felliste,  61. 
Feller,  fiercer,  61. 
Felonie,  Felonye,   felony,   crime, 

30,  67,  149,  150. 
Felonyes,  crimes,  QQ. 
Feloun,  felon,  wretch,  29,  30. 
Feruent,  121. 

Feste,  feast,  entertainment,  156. 
Festes,  feasts,  7,  26,  41,  213. 
Feure,  fever,  29. 
Fiaunce,  affiance,  confidence,  trust, 

164. 
Fiebble,  Fyehle,  feeble,  31. 
Fiebles,  feeble  ones,  148. 
Fieblene,  ace.  feeble,  227. 
Filosofe,    Filozofe,     philosopher, 

164,  126. 
Filosofie,  philosophy,  164. 
Figure,  234. 


Fisician,  Fisicien,  physician,  143, 

172. 
Fisike,  Fizike,  physic,  53,  54. 
Flatour,  flatterer,  257. 
Flatours,  flatterers,  257. 
Flechchi,  to  flinch,  waver,  253. 
Fleumatike,  phlegmatic,  157. 
Flom,  Flum,  95,  202,  stream. 
Flour,  flower,  230. 
Flour,  210. 
Flourejj,  flowers,  28. 
Flouringe,  bloom,  flowering,  36. 
Fol,  Fole,  fooHsh,  22,  23,  26,  46, 

64,  68. 
Fol,  fool,  59,  205. 
Foleant,  foolish,  244. 
Folebayrie,  O.Fr.  ambition,  17. 
Foles,  fools,  86,  164,  212. 
FoHe,  folly,  70. 
Folies,  Folyes,  10,  16,  52,  &Q. 
Folliche,  fooHsh,  23,  43,  64. 
Folliche,  foolishly,  141. 
Fornayse,  furnace,  205. 
Fornicacion,  4,  6,  47. 
Forre,    O.Fr.   doubly,    59.     Tliis 

word  is  adopted  from  the   Fr. 

text. 
Forriers,  harbingers,  195. 
Fourme,  form,  87,  220. 
Friinges,  fryings,  23. 
Frotejj,  suh.  rubs,  155. 
Frut,  fruit,  38. 
Fructefide,  234. 
Fyeble,  feeble,  157. 
Fyeblesse,  feebleness,  33,  69. 
Fyebleste,  feeblest,  148. 


310 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Gabbe]),    pi.  talk,   chatter,    69  ; 

A.S.  gahhan,  to  scoff. 
Gadere]j,pZ.  gather,  101. 
Gaderi,  to   gather,  collect,    120, 

133. 
Gaderinge,  gathering,  192. 
Gamelos,  chameleon,  62. 
Ganghnde,  jangling,    chattering, 

226. 
Gardin,  Gardyne,  94,  97. 
Gardins,  38. 
Gardyner,  94. 
Gauel,  usury  (exorbitant),  9,  35; 

A.S.  gafol,  tax,  tribute. 
Gaueleres,  money-lenders,  usurers, 

35,  36,  135. 
Gauelinge,  Gauelynge,  usury,  34, 

35. 
Gauelockes,  fetters,  207. 
Gelt,  sin,  trespass,  guilt,  30,  104  ; 

Gelte,  ohliq.  case,  74;    Geltes, 

oflfences,  15. 
Gelti,  Gelty,  guilty,  175. 
Genie,   game,  gambling,   34,  45, 

46. 
Gememen,  gamblers,  63. 
Gemene,  game,  play,  46. 
Gemenes,  games,  45,  213. 
General,  14. 
Generalliche,  generally,  9, 14,  16, 

17. 
Generalliche,  catholic,  14. 
Gentil,  Gentyl,  2,  75. 
Gentilesse,  nobility,  89. 
Gentylete,  89. 
Gentile,  j>?.  89. 


Gerde,  gird,  236. 

Gerdel,  girdle,  236  ;    ohliq.  case, 

gerdle,  j)l.  gerdles,  236. 
Gerlondes,  garlands,  71. 
Germayn  (brojjer),  146. 
Gernier,  Gerniere,  garner,  191. 
Gerse,  Gerze,  grass,  28,  121.    See 

Agerse. 
Gerten,  2)1.  girded,  236,  254. 
Ges,  a  short  strap  with  ring  at- 
tached   round    the  feet   of  a 

hawk,    254 ;    Fr.   geds,   from 

Lat.  jacere,  to  cast. 
Gest,  goest,  129,  130. 
Gest,  guest,  stranger,  249. 
Gef,  goes,  56,  57. 
Gibet,  gibbet,  128. 
Gily,   Gyly,   to  beguile,  deceive, 

15,  157,  238. 
Ginnes,  snares,  54,  77,  131  ;  Fr. 

engin,      engine,      instrument ; 

O.Fr.  engin,  fraud,  craft. 
Ginninge,  Ginninyge,   Ginnynge, 

beginning,   12,  14,  16,  28,  32, 

100. 
Gled,  glad,  265  ;  pi.  glede,  268. 
Glede,  to  rejoice,  265. 
Glede]),   rejoiceth,   gladdens,  27, 

81. 
Glediejj,  j>Z.  be  glad,  rejoice,  238. 
Glediynde,  rejoicing,  267. 
Gledlaker,  the  more  gladly,  113. 
Gledliche,  gladly,  54,  59,  187. 
Glednesse,  gladness,  27,  238,  265. 
Gledye,  to  gladden,  rejoice,  266. 
Gledyejj,  rejoice,  258. 


GLOSSAEIAL   INDEX. 


311 


Gles,  glass,  76,  82. 

Glorefye,  270. 

Glorifie]),  glorifies,  glories,  25. 

Close,  187. 

Glotonye,     Glotunye,     gluttony, 

248. 
Glotoun,  glutton,  50,  53,  248. 
Glotoune,  Glotounes,  50,  52,  55. 
Glotounliche,  gluttonly,  111. 
Glotounye,    Glotunye,     Glotony, 

16,  50,  52,  55,  157. 
Glu,  cement,  246. 
Godelejj,  pi.  slander,  QQ. 
Godelinge,  slander,  evil  speaking, 

65. 
Godelinges,  slanderers,  ^^. 
Godhede,  12. 
Godspelle,  gospel,  28,  50. 
Godspellere,   Godsspellere,   evan- 
gelist, 2,  12,  13,  14. 
Gost,  Goste,  ghost,  spirit,  12,  54  ; 

Gostes,  jjZ.  159. 
Gostlich,  sing,  spiritual,   27,  29, 

87. 
Gostliclie,  j9?.  7,  8,  21,  41. 
Gostliche,  ghostly,  spiritually,  7. 
Goth=(7of,  goat,  210. 
Goye,  joy,  226. 
Graate,  great,  133. 
Grace,  10,  15  ;  graces,  17,  79. 
Graciouser,  24. 
Grante]?,    Grauntejj,     grants,    7, 

225. 
Grantinge,   Grauntinge,  granting, 
consent,  10,  11,  47,  211,  212. 
Grantinges,     Grauntinges,     con- 


sents, 47. 
Grat,  great,  17,  18,  19. 
Grater,  Gratter,  greater,  36,   79, 

116. 
Grateste,   Gratteste,  greatest,  41, 

44,  88,  140. 
Gratliche,  greatly,  47,  156. 
Gratne,  ace.  great,  238. 
Grayns,  230. 

Greate,  Greatte,  ^9?.  great,  19,  25. 
Greaten,  dot.  pi.  great,  139. 
Gredden,  J??,  cried,  212. 
Grede,  cry,  boast,  22,   31,   212; 
A.S.  grcedan,  to  cry,  call,  say. 
GredeJ),  proclaim  aloud,  148. 
Gredinge,   cry,  212;    Gredynges, 

talking,  chattering,  266. 
Grene]?,  becomes  green,  95. 
Grenhede,  greenness,  28,  94,  97; 
Greny,  to  become  green,  95,  97. 
Grese,  205. 

Gret  =  gredeth,  crieth,  56. 
Greuejj,  grieves,  142. 
Greui,  to  grieve,  39. 
Greuousliche,  grievously,  47. 
Greynere,  garner,  140. 
Grihond,    Gryhond,    greyhound, 

75. 
Grines,  snares,  77.     See  Gryn. 
GrisHch,  horrible,  49,  74. 
GrocheJ),  murmurs,  30,  34,  68. 
Grochi,  to  murmur,  grudge,   67, 

68. 
Grochindeliche,  grumblingly, 

grudgingly,  193. 
Grochinge,  Grouchinge,  murmur- 


312 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


ing,   2,    34,   43,   54,    57,  67. 
Grochinges,  67. 
Gromes,  men,  grooms,  210  ;  A.S, 

guma,  a  man  ;  O.E.  gome. 
Grond,  Grounde,  Grunde,  ground, 

1,  23,  34,  246. 
Groniynge,  groaning,  264. 
Grunny,  to  grunt,  groan,  67. 
Gryhond,  greyhound,  75. 
Gryn,  snare,  trap,  47  ;  A.S.  gri7i. 
Guo,  go,  32,  60. 
Guod,    Guode,    sh.    good  ;  ■  also 

goods,  wealth,  money,  5,  6,  10, 

13,  14,  41,  61. 
Guod,    adj.    good ;    ohliq.    case, 

guode,  2,  6. 
Guoden,  dat.  pi.  72. 
Guodcheap,  cheap,  44. 
Guod-doere,  benefactor,  135. 
Guode,  })l-  good,  10,  51  ;  def.  2. 
Guodes,  goods,  2,  4,  18,  247. 
Guodhede,  goodness,  79,  233. 
Guodne,  ace.  good,  238. 
Guodnesse,  goodness,  18,  29,  99. 
Guodnesses,  pi.  18. 
Guoinde,  going,   passing,   tempo- 
ral, 120;  wayfarer,  196. 
Guoinge,  sh.  going,  254  ;  ptl-  G^^^o- 

inges,  231. 
Guonne,  to  go,  226. 
Guos,  goose,  32. 
Guoj),  pi.  go,  7,  34,  52. 
Gyly,  deceive,  238. 
Gynnes,  plans,  devices,  28.      See 

Ginnes. 


Ha,  he,  10,  12,  23,  30,  49,  56. 
Habbe,  to  have,  5,  7,  9,  10,  11. 
Habbe,  \st  p)ers.  sing,   have,   24, 

71. 
Habbejj,  pi.  have,   8,  14,  22,  25, 

32. 
Haf  =  half,  behalf.     See  Half. 
Half,  side,  hand,  1,  13,  72. 
Halke,  corner,  retreat,  210  ;  A.S. 

heal,  angle,  corner  ;  Halkes,  pi. 

143. 
Halle,  hall,  102. 
Halt,   holdeth,  esteems,  15,   18, 

19,    23,    26,     128;    observes, 

196. 
Haluedele,  half-part,  half,  36. 
Halues,  halves,  divisions,  16. 
Hal3ede,  hallowed,  40. 
Hal3en,  holy  ones,  saints,  6,  13, 

14,  72. 
Hal3en,  holy  one,   97,   72,  219  ; 

A.S.  halga,  a  saint. 
Hal3e]j,  hallows,  106,  237. 
Hal3i,  Hal3y,  to  hallow,  7,   237  ; 

A.S.  lidlgian. 
Ham,  them,  5,  8,  13,  14,  50. 
Ham-zelue,  themselves,  5,  16,  40. 
Hand,    fern.     149;    ohliq.    case, 

Honde  ;  pA.  Honden,  235. 
Handle]),  handle,  235. 
HandKnge,   handling,    touching, 

46. 
Hap,  fortune,  chance,  76. 
Hard,  Harde,  severe,  189. 
Harder,  174. 
Hardi,  Hardy,  16,  83,  123. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


313 


Hardiesse,  Hardyesse,  boldness, 
83,  162. 

Hardiliche,  Hardyliche,  boldly, 
hardily,  18,  75,  143,  208,  233. 

Hardnesse,  severity,  hardship, 
236,  240. 

Hardylaker,  more  boldly,  60, 

Hare,  her,  76,  181. 

Hare,  their,  theirs,  72,  73,  144. 

Hare,  to  them,  116, 

Harkni,  to  hearken,  63. 

Harmi,  Harmy,  to  harm,  9,  10, 
11,  23,  63,  82, 

Harmuol,  HarmuoUe,  injurious. 

Harnesses  =  hardnesses,  hard- 
ships, 181. 

Harten  ==  hearten,  hearts,  223. 

Hassassis,  assassin,  140. 

Haste.    See  An-haste. 

Hastede,  made  haste,  174. 

Hasteliche,  hastily,  173. 

Hasti,  to  hasten,  174. 

Hastif,  hasty,  183,  184. 

Hat,  commands,  8,  78. 

Hateden,  ^Z.  hated,  72. 

Hatie,  to  hate.     See  Hatye. 

Hatie)),^j?.  hate,  43,  114. 

Hatte,  is  called,  1,  133,  150. 

Hatye,  to  hate,  73,  74,  101. 

Hatyej),  pi.  hate,  72. 

Hauberk,  171. 

Haued,  head.     See  Heaued. 

Hauedliche,  capital,  15, 

Haued-zennes,  head  sins,  deadly 
sins,  16. 

Hauene,  haven,  183. 


Hazard,  171. 

Healde,     hold,     keep,     observe, 

esteem,  5,  53,  65,  132,  160. 
Healdejj,  j^Z.  hold,  145. 
Heap,    Heape,    collection,  quan- 
tity, 130;   assembly,  267. 
Heaued,    ohliq.    case,    Heauede, 

head,  1,  2,  16,  57. 
Heaueden,  Heaudes,  heads,  2,  14, 

15,  16. 
Hed  =  hield  =  held,  241. 
Hedde,  had,  7,  13,  14,  15. 
Hedde,  hid,  129. 
Hedden,  had,  31,  77,  126. 
Heddest,  hadst,  58. 
Hede,  heed,  caution,  32,  155. 
Hede,  to  hide,  44,  163, 
Hede]),  ph  hide,  41. 
Hedinge,  secrecy,   196.      Eobert 

of  Gloucester    used    Tnidinge, 

secrecy.  Cp.  O.E.  hidels,  hiding 

place,  lair, 
Heg,  hedge,  232,  240. 
Hel,  obliq.  case,  Helle,  hill,  5,  82, 

103. 
Held,  healed,  148. 
Helden,  j:>7.  healed,  96. 
Hele,  heal,  129. 
Hele,  to  hide,  175.     Helef,  j:>?. 

cover,    180;     A.S,    helan,    to 

cover, 
HeUe,  heU,  13,  15. 
Helles,  hills,  59,  143. 
Helm,  helmet,  265, 
Helpe,  to  help,  42,  102, 
Helpe,  sb.  helpe,  65. 


3U 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Helpinde,  helping,  30,  62,  63. 

Help]?,  helps,  147. 

Helsny,  entreat,  253  ;   A.S,  heal- 

sian,  1. 
Helt,  covereth,  177. 
Heljj,  heals,  144. 
Heljje,  salvation,  265. 
Hennen,  hens,  38. 
Her,  iinp.  hear,  181. 
Her,  ohliq^.  case,  Here,  hair,  181. 
Herberjeries,      innkeepers,    har- 

boTirers,  39. 
Herber^i,  to    harbour,    entertain, 

199. 
Here,  hair,  176,  177.     See  Her. 
Here,  hair  cloth,  227. 
Heresye,  267. 
Herejj,  pi.  hear,  59. 
Here]),  praises,  136. 
Heretike,  19. 
Heretiks,  134. 
Herie,  Herye,  to  praise,   23,  52, 

55,  78,  212;  A.S.  herian. 
HerieJ),  ^9?.  praise,  10. 
Heriynges,  praises,  39,  267. 
Herkneres,  hearkeners,  listeners, 

58. 
Hert,  hart,  216. 
Herte,  heart,  3,  6,  8,  10. 
Herten,  hearts,  46,  68. 
Heruest,  harvest,  86. 
Herye,  to  praise,  78. 
Heryef,  ^;Z.  praise,  108,  268. 
Heryinge,    Heriynge,  praise,  23, 

134. 
Heryinges,  praises,  honours,  267. 


Hes,  hare,  55. 

Hest,  (thou)  hast,  20,  21,  31,  71. 

Heste,  behest,  command,  2,  5,  6, 

7,  8,  9  ;  A.S.  lues. 
Hestes,  behests,  commands,  5, 11, 

15,  103,  234. 
Het,  hath,  90,  174. 
Het,    commanded,  5,   239  ;  A.S. 

hdtan    (pret.    hc'ef),    to    com- 
mand, ordain. 
Hete,   heat,  55.      Hetes,    heats, 

124. 
HeJ),  hath,  9,  10,  11,  13,  14,  15. 
Hette,    Hetten,  vi^as  called,    41, 

48,  67,  124,  184. 
Heued,  Heaued,  head,  31. 
Heiiedes,  heads,  15. 
Heuene,  heaven,  6,  12,  13. 
Heuenelyche,  heavenly,  269. 
Heuenryche,  Heaven-kingdom. 
Heui,  Heuy,  heavy,  31,  44,  140. 
Heuinesse,  heaviness,  4,  31. 
Hewe,  cry,  195. 
Heyrone,  193. 
He^,    sing.    He^e,    clef,  form   & 

2^1.  high,  7,  16,  23,  25,  48,  60. 
Heje,  adv.  high,  23,  24,  26. 
Hejemen,  great  men,  nobles,  36. 
He3ere,  higher,  44,  122,  133. 
Heje  se,  the  high  (open)  sea,  182. 
Hejeste,  Hejest,  highest,  25, 109, 

247. 
He^eJj,  exalts,  exaggerates,  136. 
He3inge,  profit,  usury,  35. 
He3liche,  chiefly,  principally,   5, 

26,  27  ;  profound,  264. 


GL0S8AR1AL    INDEX. 


315 


He3nesse,    Liglmess,    exaltation, 

97,  105  ;  height,  89. 
Rednesses,     highnesses,     exalted 

stations,  24,  208. 
He3]je,  height,  24. 
He^jjes,  profits,  35. 
Hi,  she,  7,  16,  28,  37. 
Hi,  they,  3,  8,  12,  13,  20. 
Hider,  hither,  140. 
Hidouse,  horrible,  161. 
Hidousliche,  horribly,  6. 
mealde]),  2)1  hold,  160. 
Hier,  here,  18,  116. 
Hiere,  Hihere,  to  hear,  177,  244. 
Hieref,  p?-  hear,  256. 
Hierine,  herein,  232. 
Hierst,  hearest,  210. 
Hierjj,  hears,  209. 
Hierjje,  hearing,  54. 
Hild,  held,  206,  226. 
Him,  himself,  5,  6. 
Him-zeLf,  5,  6,   34  ;  obliq.   case, 

Him  zelue,  15,  21,  22,  24,  38. 
Hine,  him,  7,  16,  31,  52. 
Hire,  theni,6,10, 13,16, 19,32, 35. 
Hire,  gen.  her,  24,  37,  49,  217. 
Hiren,  (of)  her,  111. 
Hiren,  theirs,  38,  60. 
His,  Hise,  them,  5,  11,   15,    17, 
24,  26,  27,  28,  32,  36,  37,  38, 
40,  55,  58. 
His,  Hise,  her,  54,  58,  64,  97. 
Hit,  it,  1,  8,  et  passim. 
Hoc,  hook,  121. 

Hod,  Hode,  consecration    hood, 
235. 


Hodes,  hoods,  49. 

Hogges,  hogs,  89. 

Hokes,  hooks,  264. 

Hoi,  whole,  healthy,  51,  129. 

Hole,  pi.  whole,  148. 

Holen,  whole  ones,  205, 

Holer,  more  wholesome,  251. 

Holinesse,  Holynesse,  25,  49. 

Holly che,  wholly,  entirely,  28. 

Holylaker,  more  holily,  7. 

Holyer,  whoremonger,  51 ;  O.Fr. 

holder. 
Holyhede,  holiness,  247. 
Holyliche,  Holy ly che,  hoHly,  74, 

102,  221. 
Holyiste,  holiest,  54. 
HolyNviyt,  77. 
Hond,  hand,  ohiiq.  case,  Honde, 

19. 
Hond,  hound,  oUiq.  case,  Hounde, 

55,  75,  155,  156  ;  ^jZ.  Hondes, 

Houndes,  70,  179. 
Honden,  hands,  31,  47. 
Hondred,  hundred,  55,  234. 
Hondreda3te,  hundredth,  234. 
Hondredsife,   Hondredzijje,  hun- 
dred times,  124. 
Hondreduald,  hundredfold,  191. 
Honeste,    honest,    decent,    222, 

229. 
Honestliche,   fairly,    beautifully, 

47. 
Honger,  hunger,  75. 
Hongef,  ^3?.  hang,  40. 
Hongi,   Hongy,   to   hang,    to  be 

hanged,  31,  57,  137,  218.     - 


316 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Hony,  honey,  60. 

Hope,  trust,  expectation,    desire, 

5,  6, 12,  19,  29. 
Hopejj,  trusts,  207. 
Hopye,  to  hope,  89. 
Hor,  filth,  228  ;  ohliq.  case,  Hore, 

229  ;  A.S.  Horu,  filth. 
Hord,  treasure,  185,    241 ;  A.S. 

Heord. 
Horde]),  treasures  up,  182. 
Hordom,  whoredom,  79. 
Hordyere,    treasures,   121  ;  A.S. 

Heordere. 
Hore-uroste,  hoar  frost. 
Horling,  whoremonger,  .52. 
Homes,  14,  15,  32. 
Hors,  iieut.  horses  ;   ohliq.   case, 

Horse,  35,  140. 
Hosebound,  husband,  239. 
Hosiynge,      Hosiinge,      wearing 

hosen,  154,  177. 
Hot,  139. 
HoteJ),    commands,     122.        See 

Behat. 
Hotere,  commander,  lawgiver,  109. 
Hotestre,  hostess,  53. 
Hotinge,  exihng,  banishment,  148. 
Hon,  how,  2,  3,  17. 
Hous,    ohliq.    case,    House,   pi. 

Houses,  41,  43,  172. 
Housebonde,  Housebondes,  48. 
Huader,  whether,  51. 
Huam,  whom,  which,  9,  16,   18, 

20,  148. 
Huan,  whom,  17. 
Huanne,  when,  6,  8,  11,  103. 


Huannes,  whence,  115,  264. 
Huas,  whose,  38,  60,  101. 
Hue,  how,  47. 
Huer,  where,  6,  13,  14. 
Hueran,  whereon,  176. 
Huer-by,  whereby,  24,  26. 
Huerine,     Huerinne,    Huerynne, 

wherein,  23,  31,  44,  109. 
Huermide,  wherewith,  23,  176. 
Huer-of,  whereof,  13,  16,  17,  24. 
Hueronder,  where  under,  221. 
Hueroppe,  where  up,  251. 
Hueruore,  where  for,  3,  80,  123. 
Huet,  what,  whatever,  4,  9,  20, 

26,  27,  34. 
Huet,  lo  !  51,  59. 
Huete,  wheat,  139,  141. 
Huetene,  wheaten,  82. 
Hue3el,  wheel,  24,  76. 
Huich,    Huych,   which,    whatso, 

such ;     2)1-     Huiche,    Huyche, 

6,  38,   45,  52,  57,   100,   107, 

115. 
Huichen,     Huychen,     dat.     pi. 

which,  7,  15,  91,  98. 
Huider,    Huyder,   whither,    115, 

129. 
Huiderward,  whitherward,  131. 
Huile,  Huyle,  while,  whilst,  7. 
Huils,  whilst,  139. 
Humours,  129. 
Huo,  who,  5,  7,  8,  10,  24. 
Huose,  whoso,  110. 
Huyt,  white ;  pi.  Huyte,  Hwite, 

181,  228. 
Hy,  she,  17,  26. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


317 


Hy,  they,  1,  3,  16. 

Hyalde,  hold,  21, '54,  206,  220. 

Hyane,  hyena,  61. 

Hyap,  Hyeape,  heap,  139,  159. 

Hyealde,  to  hold,  esteem,  53,  54, 
58,  138,  154;  to  be  observed, 
11 ;  contain,  225  ;  j)res.  suhj. 
23,  59  ;  pret  suhj.  147,  166. 
See  Healde. 

Hyealdejj,  j)?.  support,  35 ;  be- 
lieve, 134;  hold,  145. 

Hyelde,  _pZ.  held,  27. 

Hyeldejj,  ^j7.  hold,  124. 

Hyer,  imiJ.  hear,  257. 

Hyer,  here,  66,  163. 

Hyer-be-uore,  herebefore,  59. 

Hyere,  to  hear,  70,  154. 

Hyerere,  hearer,  256. 

Hyere-zigginge,  hearsay,  117. 

Hyerj),  hears,  256. 

Hyerjje,  hearing,  231,  240,  256. 

Hye3inges,  exaggerations,  63. 

Hyre,  to  hear,  231. 

Hyre,  their,  theirs,  72,  96. 

Hysians,  heralds,  45. 

langli,  to  talk,  chatter,  214. 
langledest,  chatterest,  20, 
Icinge,  itching,  avarice,  16. 
Idi  t,    ordered,    directed,     214  ; 

decked,  216. 
lentilmen,  gentlemen,  190. 
Iguo,  gone,  242. 
leu,  Jew,  43. 
IlesteJ),  lasteth,  209. 
Ilich,  ihche,  like,  87,  202. 


like,  same,  88. 

Ilore,  lost,  241. 

Imad,  made,  145. 

Ine,  Inne,  in,  203. 

Inguoinge,  entrance,  prelude,  72, 

105. 
Inhonest,  dishonourable,  220, 
Inhonestliche,  indecently,  177. 
Innocence,  141,  181. 
Inpacience,  impatience,  67. 
InAvyt,  Inwytte,  conscience, 
logelour,  172. 
loie,  Toye,  joy,  75,  156. 
loliuete,  lolyuete,  joUity,  53. 
loine,  loyne,  77,  88. 
lornaye,  journey,  253. 
IoisseJ5,  loyssej),  rejoices,  25. 
loyaus,  jewels,  206. 
lowele,  loyel,  jewel,  112,  156. 
Irchouon,  urchin,  hedgehog,  142. 
Ire,  anger,  147. 
Iroted,  rooted,  247. 
lualj?,  befalls,  54, 
luele,  to  feel,  131. 
lueles,  jewels,  77, 
luggi,  to  judge,  130. 
lustise,  justice,  153. 
Izi,  Izy,  to  see,  164,  173,  243. 
Izy3t,  sees,  196. 
Izej,  saw,  158. 

Kan,  can,  knows,  22,  99  ;  Kanst, 

21. 
Karoles,  carols,  71, 
Kechene,  kitchen,  171. 
Kembe,  to  comb,  177, 


318 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Kenipe,    soldier,    champion,    pi. 

Kempen,  45,  50. 
Ken,  Kenne,  kin,  22,  37,  42,  48, 

m. 
Ken,  kine,  191. 
Kende,  Kennd,  kind,  nature,  18, 

37,  61,  189. 
Kendelich,  Kendeliche,  natural, 

24,  47,  90. 
Kenrede,  kindred,  89. 
Kessinge,    Kesinge,   kissing,  pi. 

Kessinges. 
Kest,  kisses,  46,  90,  161. 
Keste,  to  cast ;  Keste,  cast,  ■pret. ; 

Kest,  casts,  66,  99,  171. 
Keste,  kissed,  245. 
Kestinge,  casting,  22, 
Kete,  kite,  52. 

Klene,  clean,  pure,  chaste,  5,  106. 
Klenliclie,  cleanly,  chastely,   26, 

140. 
Klennesse,  cleanness,  purity,  205. 
Klensy,  to  cleanse,  235. 
Klerek,  clerk,  42. 
Knaulechinge,       Knawlechinge, 

knowledge,  106,  132,  200. 
KnawJ),  knows,  26,  pi.  Knawe)j, 

70. 
Knewen,  pi.  knew,  246. 
Knijt,  Kny^t,  knight,  36. 
Kny3thod,  knighthood,  82,  161. 
Knotte,  knot,  253. 
Kuead,  Kued,  Kueade,    Kuede, 

adj.    bad,  wrong,    sinful,    sh. 

sin,    evil,    wickedness,    6,    8, 

11,    14,    17,    38,   39,  51,  p?. 


Kueades,  Kuedes,  17,  26,  52. 
Kueadhedes,     Kuedhede,    evils, 

sins,  101. 
Kueadlich,    Kueadliche,    Kued- 

liclie,  wickedly,  badly,  sinfully, 

5,  6,  8,  9,  40,  41. 
Kueadnesse,      Kuednesse,      sin, 

wrong,  10,  40. 
Kueaduol,  Kueduol,  sinful,  182. 
Kueme,    to     please,     21,     197; 

KuemJ),    pleases,    228.       See 

Queme. 
Kuemynge,  pleasing,  26. 
Kuen,  Kuen,  Quen,  queen,  80. 
Kuel3  =  kueljj,  wells  up,  248. 
Kuenche,  to  qiiench,  204. 
Kuenc]?,  quenches,  62. 
Kuik,    Quik,    Kuikke,    Quicke, 

alive,  living,  evident,  67,  98, 

134,  146. 
Kuit,  kuyt,  quit,  free,  pi.  Kuytte, 

kuitte,  41. 

Lac,  fault,  62. 

Lackes,  faults,   defects,    32,  33, 

136,  177,  defilement,  201. 
Lacke]?,  fails,  210. 
Lamb,  ohliq.  case,  Lonibe,   232, 

236  \pl.  Lambren,  lambs,  138. 
Lang,  long,    ohliq.   case,   Longe, 

99,  170,  218. 
Langnesse,  longness,  length,  105. 
Langour,  93. 

Large,  liberal,  21,  23  ;  Larger,  24. 
Largeliche,  largely,  liberally,  37, 

77,  147 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


319 


Largesse,   liberality,     102,    159, 

188. 
Laste,  Lasten,  (ate)  at  last,  49, 

239. 
Laudes,  51. 
Launde,  plain,  216. 
Layde,  laid,  149. 
Layt,  liglit,  6Q. 
Lay]),  lays,  41. 
La^e,  law,  5,  7,  169. 
La3es,  laws,  97. 
Leads,  lead  (plumb-line),  150. 
Leas,  lost,  85. 
Leat,  bowed,  239. 
Leaue,  obliq.  case    of    Leaf,   1  ; 

Leaues,  57,  59. 
Leawede,  Lewede,  lewd,  laymen, 

39,  42,  46,  237. 
Leazinge,  lie,  62. 
Leazings,  Lezinges,  lies,  leasings, 

2,  58,  62,  63. 
Leajinges  =  leazinges,  lies,  61. 
Leche,  physician,  surgeon,  129. 
Lecherie,   9,  17,  41 ;   Lecheries, 

31. 
Lecherous,  111. 
Lechurs,  55. 
Lecherusly,  128. 
Lechi,  to  heal,  174. 
Led,  imp.  lead,  116,  262. 
Ledde,  pi.  led,  96. 
Lede,  to  lead,  pass,  44. 
Lede]),  2^?.  lead,  pass,  use,  50,  53. 
Ledinde,  leading,  enjoying,  168. 
Lefthalf,  leftside,  152. 
LefJ),  liveth,  69,  134. 


Lef]),  believes,  182. 
Legge,  to  lay,  149.  A.S.  lecgan. 
Leme,  limb,  47, 115;  Lemes,  6,  9. 
Lemman,  beloved,  230. 
Lenden,    loins,    46,    236.   A.S. 

lendenu. 
Lende,  lent,  37. 
Lene,  to  lend,  35. 
Lenere,  lender,  35. 
LeneJ),  pi.  lend,  35,  36. 
Leng,  imp.  delay,  194. 
Lenge,  to  delay,  prolong,  173. 
Lenger,  longer,  56. 
Leninge,  sh.  lending,  35. 
Lenten,  175. 
Lenjj,  lends,  6,  135. 
Lenynde,  lending,  35. 
Lere,  loss,  36,  46. 
Lesse,  Les,  less,  2,  28,  90,  118. 
LesseJ),    lessen,    depreciate,    28, 

136. 
Lesse,  to  lessen,  175,  267. 
Lessoiin,  135;  Lessouns,  56. 
Lest,  Leste,  least,  36,  44,  84,  90. 
Lesnesse,  forgiveness,  14,  263. 
Lessynge,  diminution,  lessening, 

268. 
Leste,  to  endure,  84. 
Lestynde,  lasting,  84. 
Let,  lead,  51,  115,  185. 
Let,  letteth,  31,  181. 
Let,  leaves,   ceases,  17,  26,  97, 

111,  212,  269. 
Lete,  to  let,  permit,  56,  73. 
Lete,  to  leave,  forsake,  give  up, 

74,  78,  117,  165. 


320 


GLCSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Letef,  let,  j;Z.  40,  42. 

LeteJ),  forsake,  leave,  6,  77,  165. 

Lettre,  lettres,  1,  40. 

Leth,  leadeth,  200. 

Leuayne,  leaven,  205. 

Leue,  Leuej),  60,  86,  89. 

Leue,  dear,  beloved,  113. 

Leve,  Leue]?,  live,  lives,  54,  62, 

74,  93,  141. 
Leuede,  lived,  71. 
Leued,  Leuedy,  jd.  Leuedys,  47, 

67. 

Leuere,  rather,  liever,  31. 

Leuest,  livest,  194. 

Leueth,  lives,  214. 

Leuinge,  remainder,  73. 

Lewed,   Lewede,  layman,  laity, 

25. 
Lezere,  gleaner,  86. 

Lezinges,  lies,  63. 

Le3e,  to  laugli,  161. 

Le3ers,  liars,  19. 

Le3inge,  laughing,  161. 

Le33e,  to  laugh.  111.  See  Lhe33e. 

Lhade,  to  lade,  178. 

Lhapwynche,  lapwing,  61. 

Lhapjj  =    Iheapjj,  leaps,  jumps, 

m,  155. 
Lheape,  to  run,  spring,  jump,  27, 

89,  93,  156. 
Lheape]),  pi.  leap,  run,  140. 
Lhene,  lean,  53,  189. 
Lhest,  listens,  61,  268. 
Lheste,  to  listen,  70,   133,  199, 

229. 
Lheste]),  j^l.   268.      AS.  Ihistan, 


to  listen. 
Lhestninge,  listening,  258. 
Lheuc,    slow,    loath,    31.       A.S. 

tvloec,  slack,  remiss. 
Lheucliche,      lukewarmly,    slow, 

31. 
Lheuedi,  Lheuedy,  lady,  24,  53, 

57,  64. 
Lheuedy es,  ladies,  215. 
Lhe3inges,  laughter,  63. 
Lhe3]),  laughs,  93. 
Lhe33e,  to  laugh,  58,  214.    A.S. 

Idilian  (pret.  hloh). 
Lhip,  Ihiep,  leapt,  45. 
Lhord,    lord,    master,    husband, 

obliq.       case,      Lhorde  ;      j)?. 

Lhordes,  1,  6,   7,  20,   37,  54, 

221. 
Lhordinges,  lords,  67. 
Lhordssip,  Lhordssipe,   lordship, 

54,  68. 
Lhoude,  loudly,  212. 
Lhoue,  obliq.  case,  loaf,  82. 
Libbe,  Libbef,  live,  28,  32,  34, 

53,  70,  74. 
Libbinde,  Libinde,  living,  13,  73, 

74,  149. 
Libelles,  40. 
Licnesse,      Liknesse,      likeness, 

pattern,  49,  92. 
Licuol,  pleasing,  delightful,  217. 
Liese,  lose,  214. 
Lierne,  imp.  learn,  73. 
Lierni,  to  learn,  209. 
Lif,  obliq.  case,  Line,  life,  72. 
Ligge,  to  lie,  31,  223. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


321 


Likerouses,  pleasant,  delightful, 
47,  54. 

Likejj,  pleases,  is  pleasing,  63, 
187. 

Liki,  to  please,  215. 

Likinde,  Likynde,  pleasing,  62, 
63,  126,  214. 

Likinge  [pi.  Likinges),  pleasure, 
delight,  23,  46,  248. 

Likne]),  resembles,  88. 

Likni,  to  dehght  in,  245. 

Liky,  to  delight  in,  177. 

Line,  Linene,  linen,  178,  236. 

Lingne,  line,  160. 

Lioun,  lion,  17. 

Lipars,  leopards,  131. 

Lippen,  lips,  210,  211. 

Lite,  little,  28,  31,  43. 

Litel,  little,  29. 

Li]),  Heth,  31,  55,  83. 

Li3Kche  =  li3tliche,  easily,  249. 

Li3te,  light,  little,  11,  99. 

Li3te,  Li3te,  light,  270. 

Li3ter,  easier,  78. 

Li3thedes,  levities,  207. 

Li3tlaker,  easier,  sooner,  229. 

Li3tliche,  Li3tyliche,  easily,  quick- 
ly, venially,  6,  9,  63,  115,  183, 
255. 

Loc,  lock,  255. 

Lodesmanne,  pilot,  140. 

Lodlakest,  most  loathsome,  49. 

Lodliche,  ohscene,  257. 
Lodlichhede,  loathsomeness,  203. 
Loke,  look,  behold,  97,  129. 

Lokede,    kept,    18,    204,    235  ; 


looked,  242.     See  Loki,  Loky, 
observed. 
Lokeden,  jpl.  looked,  245. 
Lokere,  guardian,  21 ;  pi.  Lokeres, 

220,  222. 
Lokes,  locks,  151. 
Lokes,    "Whitsunday,    143,    163, 

213. 
Al  here  joyen  a  lok  Sounday, 
And  alle  the  that  me  aspye  may^ 
That  hyre  and  (on)  erthe  fella, 
Al  fram  Crystes  ascencioun 
Al-wat  (until)  comthe  hyre  assumpcioun 
To  thyssere  loungy  schelle. 

Shoreham's  Poems,  p.  127. 

Lokest,  keepest,  93. 

Lokef,  look,  26,  89. 

LokeJ),  keeps,  213,  248. 

Loki,   Loky,   to  keep,    be   kept, 

observe,  keep   guard,    beware, 

keep  from,  protect,  save,  5,  7, 

8,  11,  39,  41,  42,  53. 
Loki,  Loky,  look,  43,  89  ;  regard, 

consider,  195  ;   A.S.  locian. 
Lokinde,  keeping,  observing,  232. 
Lokinge,  Lokynge,  Lokingge,  care, 

custody,  aAvard,  decision,  8,  19, 

65,  128,  158; '  to  fe  lokinge  of,' 

as  regards,  108,  109. 
Lokinge  (ayen),  looking  back,  242. 
Lokinges,  looks,  242,  245. 
Lombe,  lamb,  236. 
Lompe,  ohliq.  case  of  Lamp,  233. 
Lompen,  lamps,  189,  218,  233. 
Londe,  ohliq.  case  of  Land,   37  j 

pi.  Londes,  36. 
Lone,  loan,  35,  36. 
Longaynes,  corners,  212.    • 


322 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Longe,  adv.  long,  205. 
Longe,  on  account  of,  266. 
Loren,  lost,  235. 
Los,  fame,  26,  28,  63,  116,  141, 

Fr.  los. 
Losengeri,  deceit,  lies,  10,  23. 
Lost,  ohliq.  case  Loste,  pi.  Lostes, 

lust,  desire,  pleasure,   24,    46, 

72,  78,  82,  91,  92. 
Loste]5,  pleases,  246. 
Lostuol,  lustful,  pleasing,  pleasant, 

desirable,  80,  94,  110,  244. 
Lostuolle,      Lostfolle,     pleasant, 

desirable,  91  ;  delicious,   158, 

204. 
Lostuoller,  more  pleasant,  92. 
LostuoUiclie,  greedily,  51. 
Louede,  Loueden,  loved,  52,  230. 
Louerede,  love,  3,  145,  146. 
Loui,    Louie,    Louy,    Louye,    to 

love,  6,  31,  55,  62,  et  passim. 
LouieJ),  Louyejj,  loves,  love,  6,  61, 

78,  210,  270. 
Louiinde,  Louiynde,  loving,   75, 

145. 
Louriinde,  louring,  256. 
Louyeres,  lovers,  270, 
Lozeniour,  liar,  22. 
L03,  Lo3e,  low,   105,    138,   139, 

140;  comp.  Lo^er,  175  ;  superl. 

Lojeste,  119,  122. 
Lo3e]3,    diminislies,    is    lessened, 

humbles,  49,  136,  246. 
Lojnesse,  humility,  246. 
Lo3y,  to  lower,  lessen,  depreciate, 

humble,  28,  216. 


Luxurie,  157. 
Lyad,  lead,  141. 
Lyazinge,  leasing,  lies,  63. 
Lyckestre,  lickster;  translates  Fr. 

lecher  esse,  56. 
Lyeaf,  leaf,  62.  . 
Lyeas,  lost,  203. 
Lyeasinge,  lie,  60,  175. 
Lyeaue,  leaf,  1. 
Lyeaues,  leaves,  57,  96. 
Lyerne,  Lierne,  imp.  learn,  70,  72, 

233. 
Lyernest,  learnest,  73. 
Lyerne  J),  LyernieJ),  learn,  36,  53, 

74,  75,  122,  133. 
Lyerni,  Lyerny,  to  learn,  2,  34, 

70,  99,  135,  161. 
Lyase,  to  lose,  40,  57. 
Lyesinges,  lies,  10,  57. 
Lyest,  loseth,  33,  49,  62,  129. 
Lyeue,  ohliq.  case  of  Lief,  dear, 

117,  213. 
Lyexne]?,  lie's,  66. 
Lyezef,  lose,  117,  149. 
Lyeje,  lie,  218, 
Lye3ejj,  Lye3e]j,  lie,  belie,  10,  22, 

44,  52,  56,  63,  129,  133. 
Lye3inge,  lying,  63,  143. 
Ly3ere,  liar,  58,  62,  256, 
Lye3]),  lies,  63, 
Lyf,  life,  70,  71 ;  ohliq.  case,  Lyue, 

93. 
LyfnoJ),    livelihood,    sustenance, 

138. 
Lykede,  delighted  in,  267. 
Lykerous,  pleasant,  95. 


GLOSS ARIAL    INDEX. 


323 


LykeJ),  is  like,  81. 

Lyke]),  d.elig-lits,  178. 

Lyky,  to  dcliglit  in,  127, 

Lykynde,  pleasing,  80. 

Lykyngc,  likeness,  81. 

Lykynges,  pleasures,  112. 

Lylye,  230. 

Lynx,  81. 

Lyte,  little,  36. 

Lyj),  lies,  52. 

Ly3tliche,  lightly,  easily,  104. 

Mageste,  majesty,  266. 
Magnaniitie,  163,  164. 
Magnificence,  164,  168. 
Maimes,  maims,  sores,  135. 
Maine,  INIayne,  retinne,  servants, 

household,  139. 
Maister,  master,  i^l.  maistres,  76, 

200. 
Make,  masc.  mate,  226. 
Maked  =  malxe]i,  makes,  249. 
Maki,   Maky,  to  make,  27,   40, 

44,  47,  154. 
Makiere,  Makyere,  maker,  creator, 

251,  267. 
Makiinde,  Makinde,  making,  35, 

42. 
Makynge,     Makiynge,    making, 

creation,  creatiu'e,  1,  92,  218. 
Malancolien,  Melancolien,  melan- 
choly (one),  253. 
Malice,  26. 
Man,    ohliq.    case    Manne,    })!. 

]\Ien,  gen.  pi.  Manne,  8,  9,  11, 

21,  24,  31. 


Manere,  Maniere,  Manire,  Many  ere 
{jyl.  Maneres,  Manyeres),  man- 
ner, mode,  way,  6,  14,  15,  19, 
21,  23,  37,  146. 

ISIanhede,  Manhod,  INIanhode, 
manhood,  homage,  12,  19,  118, 
145. 

Manie,  Manye,  2'?.  many,  26,  31, 
165. 

jMankende,  mankind,  1. 

Mansla3j)e,  Mansla3te,  2)1.  Man- 
slajjjes,  manslaughter,  homi- 
cide, 8,  30,  54,  57,  115. 

Manzinge,  excommunicate,  curs- 
ing, 148,  189.  See  Amanzinge. 

Marcat,  Markat,  market,  ohliq. 
case,  Markatte,  23,  36,  42. 

Marchons,  merchants,  36,  39. 

Mares,  marshes,  250. 

Mariage,  Mariages,  39,  148. 

Marissi,  to  marry,  220. 

Markes,  hounds,  limits,  223. 

Martire,  Martires,  53,  73,83,  166. 

Martircd,  111. 

Martirement,  martyrdom,  77. 

Materia  =  Matiere,  matter,  49, 
118,  136. 

Matyns,  51. 

Maugre,  69. 

Ma  we,  to  mow,  214. 

Mayden,  pi.  Maydenes,  Maydines, 
12,  15,  48,  98,  118,  218. 

Maydenhod,  maidenhood,  228, 
231. 

Mayne,  family,  household,  domes, 
tics,  30,  129. 


21 


324 


GLOSSAUIAL    INDEX, 


Mayster,  Maystre,  master,  35,  68, 

97. 
Maystresse,  mistress,  34,  206. 
Maystrie,  mastery,  91,  92,  169. 
Maje,  maw,  stomach,  56. 
Me,  one,  they,  17. 
Made,     reward,     payment,     pi 

Medes,  35,  42,  90,  169. 
Medi,  to  reward,  146. 
Medicine,  Medicines,  22,  69. 
Medles,  quarrels,  41,  66. 
Meduol,  meritorious. 
Mele,  meal,  flour,  93. 
Melk,  mUk,  137,  177. 
Melle,  mill,  24,  58,  141. 
Melodie,  Melodya,  151. 
Melte,  melted,  171. 
Memorie,  104. 
Menestrala,  minstrels,  192. 
Menet,  mint,  241. 
Menetime,  meantime,  36. 
Meniynges,  meanings,  thoughts, 

230. 
Mennesse,     communion,    fellow- 
ship, 14,  268;  A.S.  ge-mcknnes. 
Mentel,  mantle,  188,  221. 
Merci,  Mersi,  28,  29,  137. 
Merciuol,  merciful,  189. 
Mere,  mare,  185. 
Merite,  merit,  134. 
Merss,  marsh,  251. 
Mes,  mess,  dish,  55,  56. 
Mesayse,  Mezayse,  Meseyse,  un- 
easiness, sorrow,  poverty,  185, 
191 ;  to  displease,  58. 
Messager,  Messagier,  Messagyer, 


messenger,    pi.      Messagieres, 
Messagyers,  151,  195,  211, 
Messages,  122,  189. 
Messe,  mass,  20. 
Messe-daye,  mess-day,  175. 
Messen,  masses,  31,  32. 
Messinges,  messes,  dishes,  71. 
Mest,  adv.  most,  23,  26. 
Meste,  adj.  most,  72,  89. 
Mesteres,  officials,  39. 
Mestier,  craft,  187. 
Mestyeres,   offices,    122  ;  works, 

operations,  167, 
Mesure,   Mesures,    measure,  mo- 
deration, 44,  51,  52,  53,  252. 
Mesure]?,  moderates,  254. 
Mesuri,  to  moderate,  252. 
Met,  dreams,  128. 
Metal,  139. 
Metals,  167. 
Mete,  Metes,  meat,  food,  meats, 

9,  29,  51. 
Meteles,  dreams,  164, 
Meteres,  dreamers,  32, 
Me  tinge,  dream,  143. 
Metinges,  dreams,  32,  77,  92. 
Meyster,  practice,  65. 
Mezel,    leper,    202  ;    Mezels,  pi. 

224. 
Mid,  Myd,  Myde,  with,  hy,  5,  10, 

12,  43,  44, 
Middel,  Midel,  Mydle,  mean,  78, 
136,    249  ;    svperl.    IVIidliste, 
122. 
Middelguodes,        Myddelguodes, 
middle  goods,  136. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


325 


Milde,  Mylde,  meek,  133  ;  com}?. 
JVIilder,  24,  204. 

Mildehede,  Myldehede,  meekness, 
110,  133. 

Mildeliche,  Mildelyche,  meekly, 
135. 

Mildenesse,  Myldenesse,  meek- 
ness, 65,  131. 

Mildi,  to  make  mild,  become 
meek,  177. 

Miracle,  Miracles,  56,  134. 

Misbeleuing,  unbelief,  134. 

Misbileue,  unbelief,  13. 

]\Iisbylefde,  Misbyleuinde,  un- 
believing, 69,  252. 

Misdede,  misdeed,  j:/Z,  Misdedes, 
113,  114,  135. 

MisdeJ),  misdoes,  acts  wrongly, 
114. 

Misdo,  sin,  err,  19,  113,  115, 
136. 

Misdoere,  8,  132. 

Misdoinge,  157. 

Misdojj,  pi.  misdo,  sin,  100. 

Misfalles,  sh.  misfortunes,  84. 

Misgejj,  goes  ivrong,  94. 

Misleueejj,  disbelieve,  180. 

MisHki,  displease,  257. 

Misnim]),  mistakes,  errs,  160. 
See  JS'ime. 

Misnimynge,  error,  109. 

MispayJ),  displeases,  50. 

Misprayse,  mis-praise,  136. 

Mis-ret,  advises  badly,  mis-advise, 
184. 

Mis-say]),      Mis-zayf,      mis-says, 


slanders,  defames,  8,  28,  62,  69. 

Mis-sede,  Mis-zede,  slandered, 
defamed,  132,  133. 

Mis-serued,  served  badly,  20. 

Mis-sigge,  Mis-zigge,  mis-say, 
slander,  defame,  57,  189.  See 
Zigge. 

Mis-sigger,  Mis-ziggere,  slan- 
derer ;  pi.  Mis-siggeres,  Mis- 
ziggeres,  256,  257. 

Mis-sigge]),  Mis-zigge]),^?Z.  slander, 
10,  70,  193. 

Mis-sigginge,  Mis-zigginge,  mis- 
saying,  slander,  defamation, 
65,  QQ. 

Misual,  misfortune,  30,  86,  182. 

Misualle,  to  turn  out  badly,  mis- 
befall,  193. 

Miswende,  to  turn  aside,  go 
astray,  253;  ^jZ.  Miswendef,  22, 
40,  52,  67, 136  ;  sing.  Miswent, 
18,  27,  62. 

Mis-ziggere,  slanderer ;  pi.  Mis- 
ziggeres,  61,  136,  177. 

Mi^t,  mightest,  57,  179. 

M.\i^iQ,vh.  might,  31  -jjpl.  Mi3ten, 
42,  52,  55. 

Mi3te,  sh.  miglit,  7,  15. 

Mi3ti,  niighty,  103. 

Mi3tuol,  powerful,  130,  237. 

Mo,  more,  118,  135. 

Moche,  Mochel,  much,  great,  7,  9, 
21,  57,  119,  181  ;  to  moche, 
exceedingly,  14. 

Mochelhede,  Moclielnesse,  great- 
ness, fulness,  abundance,    ex- 


326 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


travagance,  93,  117,  204,  218. 
Moder,  mother,  8,  89. 
Modren,  mothers,  67. 
Molde,  mould,  95. 
Momenes,  Momenettes,  idols,  6, 

239. 
Mono,  moon,  82. 
Monek,  Moneke,  monk,  219,  239. 
Moneye,  Monaye,  26,  62. 
IMongenel,  a  warlike  instrument 

for  battering  down  walls,  116. 
More,  more,  greater,  7,  18. 
More]),  increases,  exaggerates,  28, 

60,  175. 
Mori,  Mory,  to  increase,  45,  79, 

175,  176. 
Morsel,  jjZ.  Mosseles,  24,  56,  248. 
Mortyer,  mortar,  116. 
Morten,  morning,  46,  108. 
Mostard  (seed),  143. 
Mot,  may,  must,  52,  137. 
Mot,  Mote,  speck  ;  jjL     Motes, 
.    108,  175. 
MoJ>e,  mouth,  256. 
Moydrer,  murderer,  171. 
Mo3e,   Mo3en,  may  be  able,   10, 

15,  21,  31,  86,  92. 
Muekliche,  meekly,  65. 
Multepliest,  218. 
Multipliej),  190. 
Musi,  Musy,    Muzy,  to  wonder, 

muse,  amuse,  47,  104,  231. 
Myde,  with,  50. 
Myny,  to  mine,  dig,  108. 
Mysnyme,    mistake,    55.       See 

JS^ime. 


Mj'SnymJ),  mistaketh,  83. 
]\Iys-sigginge,  slander,  defamation, 

66. 
My3ten,  2^?.  might,  58,  165. 
My3test,  mightest,  104. 
My3tuol,  mighty,  83  ;  j>/.  my3t- 

uoUe,  269. 

K'akedliche,  nakedly,  openly,  174. 

IS'amecofhede,  ^N'amecoujjhede,  re- 
nown, fame,  25  ;  A.S.  nam- 
cti^,  renowned. 

iS'ameliche,  especially,  21,  44. 

Namore,  Nanmore,  no  more,  27, 
49,  187. 

JS'ase,  nose,  204. 

IsTaturel,  natural,  18. 

Najjemo,  neverthemore,  41. 

jSTayle,  nail,  43. 

:Na3  =  na3t,  not,  222,  246. 

]Sra3t,  not,  18. 

Nawerelles,  nowhere  else,  210. 

Nebsseft,  image,  likeness  ;  A.S. 
neh,  face. 

Nele,  ISTelle,  ne  lolle,  will  not, 
31,56,71. 

ISTemej)  =  nime]),  takes,  92. 

Kemnejj,  names,  103. 

Kemni,  Xemny,  to  name,  men- 
tion, 49,  57,  164;  A.S.  nemnan. 

jSTenne,  ace.  none,  22,  30,  48. 

Nere,  were  not,  20,  86, 

]^es  =  we  ices,  was  not,  26,  66,  72. 

Nesshede,  delicacy,  softness,  267. 

Netlen,  Nettlen,  nettles,  156, 
230. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


327 


ISTette,  Nettes,  net,  nets,  77,  170. 
Nejj,  hath  not,  84,  210. 
Neuerte,  never-to,  never  yet,  99. 
Neure,  never,  26. 
N'eiu^emo,  nevermore,  71. 
Newehedes,  novelties,  151. 
IS'evven,  (of  the)  new,  99. 
Il^ewne,  ace.  new,  162. 
!N'e3ehores,N"e3eboures,  Xe^ybores, 

Nejjehores,  neighbours,  30,  36, 

38. 
!N'e3en,  nine,  45. 
]Sre3ende,  ninth,  38,  45,  49. 
!N"e3lec]j,  approaches,   105  ;   A.S. 

iiGali-lcecan,  to  approach. 
Nhesse,  ]S"esssse,  soft,  153  ;  A.S. 

Jimesc,  soft,  delicate,  nesh. 
Nliessejj,  makes  soft,  94. 
Khicke,  neck,  138,  216. 
Nice,  foolish,  59. 
Mede,    Kyede,    business,    need, 

necessity,emergehcy,j?Z.  Niedes, 

Nyedes,    30,    31,  36,  39,    52, 

63,73,  95,  142,151,152,168. 
Nieduol,      NieduoUe,      needful, 

necessitous,  36,  95,  110,   112, 

134,  151,  193. 
Nie3,  ]S'ye3,  nigh,  near,  51,  76. 

Conqy.  Nier,  Nyer,  nearer,  234. 
Nim,  wi2?.  take,  54. 
!Nime,   Nyme,  should   take,    55, 

148,   155  ;   A.S.   niman  (pret. 

nam). 
Nime,  Nyme,  to  take,  37,  67,  77. 
Mmene,  to  take,  165,  166,  195. 
Nimere,  taker,  248. 


NimeJ),  pi  take,  35,  38. 

Mminge,  ISTyminge,  taking,  un- 
dertaking, 21,  164;  exactions, 
39. 

Mminges,  undertakings,  183. 

Mm]j,  Nymjj,  takes,  22,  24,  30, 
32,  37,  49,  50. 

Nijjinges,  niggards,  154. 

Nixt,  K"ixte,  Nyxte,  next,  neigh- 
bour, 30,  78,  79,  122,  182. 

]Sri3t,  ]Sry3t,  night,  51,  52;  ohliq. 
case,  Ni3te,  52. 

Noble,  87. 

Nobleliche,  nobly,  55. 

Noblesse,  nobleness,  20,  22,  24, 
59,  60. 

Nobleste,  92. 

Nolde,  sing.,  Nolden,  ^;?.,  would 
not,  64,  132,  173. 

Noldest,  wouldst  not,  146. 

Nole,  Nolle,  Nolle]?,  will  not,  35, 
38,39,59,60,64,79,134,209. 

Nom,  took,  45,  87,  88. 

Nome,  ^^'i^'.  taken,  204. 

Nome,  i?Z.  took,  97. 

Non,  None,  no,  none,  29,  64. 

Non,  noon,  32, 

Nonen,  none,  68,  134,  152,  157. 

Norice,  nurse,  161. 

Noriches,  nurses,  60. 

Norissede,  nourished,  96. 

Norisse]),  Norisset,  nourisheth, 
21,  83,  140,  167. 

Norrissinde,  Norrissynde,  nourish- 
ing, 95,  112. 

Norissinge,  nourishing,  112. 


328 


GLOSSARIAL    IXDEX. 


Norissy,  JSTorrisi,  to  noiirisli,  127, 

154. 
I^orture,  112,  113. 
Norjjene,  nortliern,  256. 
Not  =  tie  wot,  knows  not,  25. 
!N"otaryes,  40. 
Note,    profit,    247,    25 G  ;     A.S. 

notu,  nyt,  utility. 
Note]),     flourishes,     260  ;     A.S. 

notlan,  to  use,  enjoy. 
Nojjer,  neither,  130,  134. 
Nojjing,  not-at-all,  no  wise,  192. 
Noty,  to  note,  118. 
Nou,  now,  87. 
Noyse,  &Q  ;  Noyses,  266. 
Novices,  155. 
No  vis,  novice,  155. 
Nykeren,  mermaids,  syrens,  61. 
Nykke,  neck,   135;  j;?.   Nykken, 

56. 
Nymst,  takest,  110,  111. 
Nytej),  ne  witeth,  knoAV  not,  72. 

0,  one,  186. 

Obedience,  140. 

Ofacsed,  questioned,  tried,  153. 

Ofdret,  afraid,  266. 

Office,  offices,  122, 124,  125. 

Official,  37. 

Offre,  offer,  194;  Offrede,  offered, 

193. 
Ofguo,  deserved,  13, 
Ofguoinge,  deserving,  merit,  215. 
Of  halt,  restrains,  refrains,  178. 
Ofhealde,     Ofhyealde,    to    keep 

hack,    withhold,    restrain,    re- 


frain, 9,  24,  38,  46,  177;  pp. 

254. 
Ofhealde}),       Ofhyaldejj,       keep 

back,  withhold,  38,  39,  41,  78. 
Ofhealdinge,  sh.  withholding,  34. 
Ofhild,  restrained,  190. 
Ofrendes,  offerings,  41. 
Ofringe,  offering,  229. 
Ofserved,  deserved,  131. 
Ofseruejj,  deserves,  222. 
Ofseruinge,  deserving,  merit,  114. 
Oftake,  overtake,  43. 
Oftyened,  very  angry,  66. 
Oksen,  oxen,  243. 
Oksejj  =  aJiseth,  ask,  demand,  54, 

109. 
Oly,  oil,  136. 
Olyfont,  elephant,  84. 
On,  one,   9,  48 ;  '  al  on '   =  the 

same,  15. 
Onarmed,  unarmed,  170. 
Onbint,  Onbynt,  luibinds,  97. 
Onblissed,  unconsecrated,  41. 
Onbo3sam,  disobedient,  21. 
Onbo3samnesse,  disobedience,  33. 
Onbynde,  unbind,  172. 
OnbyndeJ),  ^>/.  unbind,  40. 
OnchargeJ),  unloads,  97. 
Onclenlich,      Onclenliche,       un- 
cleanly, imi^ure,  42. 
Onclennesse,  uncleanness,  203. 
Onconnynde,  ignorant,    unlinoio- 

ing,  59. 
Onconnynge,  ignorance,  131. 
Onconnynghede,         Onconnynd- 

hede,  ignorance,  33,  40. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


329 


Oncoufe,  uncouth,  strangers,   37, 

193,  253. 
Ondelfjj,  digs  up,  61. 
Onder,  under,  12. 
Onderbere,  su2:)port,  S-t. 
Onderlinges,  underlings,  subjects, 

39. 
Onderninie,  undertake,  83,  123. 
Ondernimjj,  surprises,  173. 
Onderstanst,  understandest,  270. 
Onderstant,  understands,  56,  129, 

130. 
Onderstonde,  to  understand,  1 4  ; 

undertake,   131;  pp.    14,  57; 

p7'et.  Understod  ;  suhj.    Under- 

stode,  138  ;  imp.    Understand, 

129.     Onderstondejj,  j^Z.  79. 
Onderstondinge,         Onderstond- 

ingge,  understanding,  24,   56, 

113. 
Onderuangjj,    receives,    33,    65, 

143. 
Onderuinge,      Onderuynge,     pi. 

received,  101,  267. 
Onderuonge,  to  receive,  14,  100; 

pp.  received,  14. 
Onderuonge]?,  p)l.  receive,  38,  42. 
Onderuonginge,  receipts,  income, 

37,  172. 
Onderuot,  underfoot,  85,  184. 
Onderzek]),  searches  out,  184. 
Ondej),  opens,  189. 
Ondo,  undo,  106,  107,  136. 
One,  alone,  103,  104. 
Onen,  dat.  one,  101,  102,  190. 
Onest,  honest,  decorous,  decent, 


45,  214. 
Onestete,  decency,  53,  224. 
Onejj,  unites,  88. 
Onhede,  unity,  oneness,  solitude, 

79,  142. 
Oninge,  Onynge,  luiion,  concord, 

65,67,  135,  153; iJ?.   Onynges, 

67. 
Onjoini,  unjoin,  107. 
Onkende,  unkind,  unnatural,  188. 
Onknawyndliche,    unknowingly, 

175. 
Onleak,  unlocked,  oj^ened,  67. 
Onlepi,    Onlepy,    Onelepi,    one, 

same,  single,    12,    13,   14,  21, 

73,  88,  101. 
Onlepihede,  singularity,  21. 
Onlepiliche,    Onlepilyche,     only, 

55,  76,  175. 
Onlosthede,  disinclination,  sloth, 

31,  153,  163. 
Onlosti,  idle,  170,  174. 
Onlyche,  only,  265. 
Onneafes,     Onnyeafe,     scarcely, 

hardly,  15,  18,  19,  28,29,174, 

182. 
Onpayjj,  displeases,  50. 
Onri3t,  unright,  39,  221. 
Omi3tuol,     Onri^tuolle,     wrong, 

unlawful,  39,  270. 
Onssriuel,  careless,  32. 
Onspekynde,  ineffable,  266. 
Ontodelinde,  indivisible,  266. 
Ontrewe,  untrue,  unfaithfid,   dis- 
.  honest,  18,  36,  37,  270. 
Ontreujje,  untruth,  17,  218. 


330 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Ontreweliche,  untruly,  dishonest- 
ly,  44. 

On])ank,  displeasure,  69. 

Onfoliynde,  Onjjolyinde,  intoler- 
able, 265.     See  j?olie. 

OnwoneJ),  discontinues,  32. 

OnworJ),  sh.  shame,  displeasure, 
adj.  poor,  hateful,  mean,  35, 
49,  132,  215,  270. 

Onwor))e,  imjp.  despise,  196. 

Onworjjede,  desj)ised,  77. 

On\vor])est,  despisest,  20. 

OnworjjeJ),  despises,  8,  34,  79. 

Onworjjhede,  contempt,   29,  175. 

Onwor])i,  unworthy,  to  hold  un- 
worthy, despise,  22,  64,  84, 
162  ;  A.S.  unioor'^ian,  to  dis- 
honour. 

Onworjjlych,  unworthy,  132. 

Onworjjnesse,  contempt,  9,  168. 

Onwri,  discover,  lay  bare,  174. 
See  "Wraye,  Wri. 

OnwriJ),  opens,  58. 

Onwri^e,  uncovered,  244. 

Onwry3e,  openly,  88,  112. 

Onwyt,  foUy,  82,  83. 

Onwythede,  foUy,  19. 

Onwytynde,  unwittingly,  37. 

On-zauwed,  unsaved,  lost,  181. 

Onzyginde,  invisible,  268. 

Op,  Ope,  up,  above,  over,  upon, 
39,  54,  236,  240. 

Oparizinge,  ascension,  213. 

Opbere,  upbear,  support,  30. 

Openede,  opened,  96. 

Openi,  to  open,  130. 


Openliche,  openly,  65,  73. 

Ophebbejj,  heave  (lift)  up,  217. 

Opinions,  69. 

Oplet,  to  starve,  33. 

Opniminge,    Opnymynge,   under- 
taking, enterprise,  22,  83,  84. 

Opnome,  uptaken,  possessed,  143. 

Oppe,  open,  253. 

Oprisinge,  resurrection,  227. 

Opri3t,  upright,  56. 

Op  J>et,  upon  that,  so  that,  232. 

Opweninge,     overweening,     pre- 
sumptuous, 21. 

Opwexeth,  grow  up,  increase,  75. 

Ordaynede,  7. 

Ordaynejj,    OrdeyneJ),    29,    123, 
153,  260. 

Ordayni,  Ordeyni,  to  set  in  order, 
subject  to,  94,  152,  263. 

Ordenliche,  Ordeneliche,  orderly, 
temperately,  125,  151. 

Ordinance,  125. 

Ordine,   orderly,   not   inordinate, 
153,  259. 

Ordre,  order,  48. 

Oreysonne,     Oreysonnes,    prayer, 
prayers,  51. 

Orible,  Orrible,  horrible,  43,  137. 

Orped,  valiant,  183. 

Ost,  host,  67. 

Ojj,  oath,  6,  64  ;  ohllq.  case,  ojje, 
65  ;  x>l-  ojjes,  64. 

Ojjer,  or,  9,  10. 

Ojjer,  other,   second ;  pi.  ojjre,  6, 
89. 

Oferlaker,  otherwise,  91,  94. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


331 


Ojjerhuil,    Ojjerhuyl,   sometimes, 

21,  30,  40. 
Ojjren,  dat.  pi.  136, 
Ojjrene,  Ojjrenne,  ace.  other,   8, 
9,  10,  11,  21,  27,   28,  29,  30, 
66,  175. 
Oiieral,  everywhere,  25,  35,  173. 
Ouercom,  overcame,  169. 
Ouercome,  inf.  167,  168. 
Ouercominge,  victory,  169. 
Ouercom]),  overcomes,  117,  149, 

169. 
Ouer-dede,  excess,  55. 
Ouerdoinge,  excess,  258,  260. 
Ouergejj,  overgoes,  surpasses,  34, 

112,252. 
Ouerguo]),    pi.    surpass,    overgo, 

212. 
Ouerliche,  Ouerlyche,  above,  123, 
Ouerlinge,    ruler,    8,    122,    141, 

147. 
Ouer])rauf,  overthrows,  168. 
OuerJjra.we]j,  jj^.  overthrow,  136. 
Ouerwenere,  presumptuous  (one), 

21,  22  ;  xjl.  Ouerweneres,  59. 
Ouerweniiide,  overweening,  169. 
Ouerweninge,    presumption,    17, 

21,  29. 
Ouer-yern|),     transgresses,     over- 
runs, 323.     See  Yerne. 
Ouet,  fruit,  27. 
Oule,  owl,  27. 
Oure,  hour,  54. 
Oure,  our,  ours,  19. 
Oures,  prayers,  112. 
Ournemens,  ornaments,  140. 


Ous,  us,  117. 

Outguoinge,  outgoing,  190, 
Outkestinge,  out-casting,  offshoot ; 

pi,  Outkestinges. 
Outnime,    Outynome,    Outnome, 

except,  221,  250. 
Outrage,  Outtrage,  extraordinary 

thing,    excess,     extravagance ; 

pi.  outrages,  19,  54. 
Oxi,  to  ask,  114. 
Oyle,  oil,  93. 
Oynement,  ointment,  93. 
03e,  03en,  O^ene,  own,    17,   21, 

22,  28,  39,  48. 
03eneres,  projDrietors,  owners,  37. 
03ninge,  possession,  37. 
O3J),  owneth,  9. 

Paci,   Pasi,   to  pass,   pass  away, 

191,  214. 
Pacience,  166. 
Paneworjje,  pennyworth,  90. 
Pans,  pence,  190. 
Parfite,  perfect,  185. 
Parfitlyche,  perfectly,  144. 
Parti,  to  part,  107. 
Partiner,  partner,  253. 
Pasinde,  passing,  temporal,  209. 
Pasindeliche,  temporally,  172. 
Passion,  Passioun,  142. 
Patroyllart,  provincial,  211. 
Paye,  to  please  {sing,   pay]),  p>l. 

paye])),  182,  216. 
Payenes,  pagans,  235. 
Payinges,  pleasings,  216. 
Payse,  peace,  162. 


332 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Paysible,  Payzible,  peaceable,  261. 

Penonce,  penance,  221. 

Peregrinage,  pilgrimage,  187. 

Perilousliche,  perilously,  254. 

Perle,  pearl  (of  tlie  eye),  158. 

Perseiierance,  208. 

PerseuerantHclie,  perseveringly, 
210. 

Pese,  peace,  261. 

Tesen,  2)1.  pease,  120. 

Pette  (obliq.  case  of  2)et),  pit,  207. 

Pe]),  Pefe,  path,  127,  185. 

Pilgrime,  253. 

Pine,  torment;  pi.  Pinen,  tor- 
ments, 130,  131,  265. 

Pineji,  torments,  141. 

Piteus,  Pitous,  piteous,  merciful, 
144,  150. 

Plait,  pleading,  law-suit,  39. 

Piastres,  148. 

Playneres,  plaintiffs,  39. 

Playni,  to  complain,  132,  190. 

Play  teres,  advocates,  39. 

Playtinge,  pleading,  162. 

Playty,  j^lead,  99. 

Plente,  plenty,  161. 

Plenteliclie,  plentifully,  105. 

Ple3es,  plays,  sports,  207,  214. 

Poer,  power,  170. 

Pokoc,  Pokoce,  peacock,  257, 270, 

Pond,  pound,  190. 

Porchacejj,  176,  219. 

Porchaci,  Purcliaci,  to  purchase, 
obtain,  or  earn  a  living,  193, 
195. 

Porpos,  purpose,  209. 


Pors,  Porse,  purse,  187,  188. 

Poruaye,  Porueye,  to  foresee,  pro- 
vide for,  152. 

Poruayejj,  Poruey]),  provide  for? 
distribute,  145. 

Poruayjj,  provides  for,  138. 

Porueynde,  taking  thought  for, 
265. 

Porueyonce,  prudence,  156. 

Possessioun,  149,  150. 

Posst,  Posste,  post,  148,  207. 

Poty,  to  put,  135. 

Poudres,  powders,  148. 

Pouer,  power,  164. 

Pouer,  Poure,  poor,  jjZ.  Poueren, 
190. 

Pouerehede,  poverty,  138. 

Pourehede,  poorness,  130,  216. 

Pouri,  to  pore,  177. 

Pouringe,  lookinge,  177. 

Pourpre,  purple,  229. 

Poyns,  points,  160. 

Praysy,  Prayzy,  to  praise,  134, 
135,  152,  227 ;  pi  lyres.  Prazef, 
143;  jvef.  Prayzede,  243. 

Prechinge,  191. 

Prede,  pride,  258. 

PrekieJ),  prick,  230,  257. 

Prekiinde,  pricking,  148. 

Prekiynges,  Prekyinges,  prick- 
ings, stings,  203. 

Prelat,  prelate,  pi  Prelas,  1 75. 

Presense,  presence,  161. 

Present,  Presont,  189,  218. 

Preste,  proudest,  267 ;  pridest, 
270. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


333 


Prestliclae,  readily,  140. 
Presumcion,  182,  195. 
Prette,  prided,  258. 
Preus,  brave,  83. 
Pris,  value,  price,  234. 
Priueliclie,  secretly,  225. 
Prode]),  pi.  pride,  79. 
Profiti,  to  profit,  126. 
Prou,  profit,  85. 
Proudliche,  proudly,  168. 
Prouduol,  proud,  217. 
Prouesse,  Prowesse,  162,  164. 
Prous,  bold,  hardy,  83. 
Provi,  to  prove,  158. 
Pryente,  print,  mark,  81. 
Punissi,  to  puiiish,  148. 
Purgi,  to  purge,  132. 
Purte,  purity,  202. 

Qualites,  153. 
Quarel,  arrow,  71. 
Quaynte,  gay,  89. 
Quayiiteliclie,  gaily,  47. 
Quead,  Qued,  bad.    See  Kuead. 
Queayntese,  Qeyntise,   craft,   de- 
ceit, 38,  90. 

Queme,  to  please.     See  Kueme. 

(^uemej),  please,  149. 

QuemJ),  pleases,  231. 

Quen,  queen.     See  Kuen. 

Quereles,  quarrels,  83,  142. 

Querne,  mill,  181  ;  A.S.  eiceorn. 

Quic,  alive,  living.     See  Kuic. 

Quit.     See  Kuit. 

Ptage,  141. 


Easour,  razor,  6G. 

Rajje,  early,  soon,  52 ;  coiJi}).  Rafire, 

rather,  sooner,  61,  71, 120, 140. 
Eaymi,  to  accuse,  44  3  A.S.  reo- 

mian,  to  cry  out. 
Eearde,  speech,  sound,  24,  211  ; 

A.S.  reard. 
Eebel,  rebellion,  68. 
Eebele,  v.  rebel,  28. 
Eebours,  rebellious,  68. 
Eecorde,  142,  203. 
Eecorder,  55. 
Eecordi,  Eecordy,  to  record,  call 

to  mind,  21,  59,  208. 
Eecordinge,  55. 
Eecreyd,  recreant,  195. 
Eed,  Eede,  counsel,  advice,  con- 
spiracy, 23  ;  2)1.  Eedes,   9,  10, 

23,  89,  165, 183,  184. 
Eedde,  advised,  184. 
Eede,  to  counsel,  38,  104,  154. 
Eederes,  advisers,  184. 
Eefornie,  81. 
Eefter,  rafter,  175. 
Eefye,  to  move,  shake,  116  ;  A.S. 

reajian,  to  seize. 
Eeg  {ohllq.    case,   Eegge),  back, 

116,  133,  177;  A.S.  rig. 
Eegne,  reign,  kingdom,  85. 
Eegne,  to  reign,  67. 
Eekeiu,  Eekeny,  to  reckon,   35, 

37,  173,  214. 
Eekeninge,  Eekenynge,  account, 

35,  171,  214. 
Eeligioun,  41. 
Eelikes,  64. 


334 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Eemedie,  207. 

Eemenont,  remnant,  100. 

Remue,  to  remove,  104. 

Eenable,  reasonable,  95,  163. 

Renay,  Eeney,  apostate,  19. 

Eenaye,  Eeneye,  deny,  forsake, 
disbelieve,  19. 

Eenayrie,  apostasy,  19. 

Eene,  rain,  130. 

Eenoyre,  Eonoyrye,  unbelief,  apo- 
stasy, 17. 

Eentes,  revenue,  37,  41,  144. 

Eepente,  238. 

Eepentonce,  201. 

Eesemble,  59.  " 

Eespit,  39. 

Eesse,  a  rush,  253;  A.S.  resce. 

Eeste,  to  rest,  7,  31,  119,  260. 

Eestede,  7. 

Eesteuol,  Eestuolle,  contempla- 
tive, 199. 

Eesye,  to  quake,  resound,  23. 

Eet,  advises,  22,  184,  187. 

Eet,  reads,  147,  231. 

Eeule,  rule,  150, 

Eeule,  to  rule,  124. 

Eeujje,  Eewfe,  mercy,  pity,  186, 
189. 

Eeufevol,  merciful,  116,  186, 188, 
195. 

Eeven,  sheriffs,  reeves,  37,  39, 
43. 

Eeverence,  20. 

Eeverte,  128. 

Eeward,  regard,  74. 

Eewjjeuolle,  merciful,  198. 


Eibaud,  ribald,  51,  127. 

Eibaudie,  Eibaudy,  ribaldry, 
128,  203,  220. 

Eibaus,  pi.  of  Eibaud,  a  ribald, 
192. 

Eiche,  kingdom,  197  ;  A.S.  r'yce. 

Eichesse,  riches,  24,  77. 

Eidinges, "ridings,  24. 

Eine,  rain,  49. 

Eiotouse,  170. 

Eipe,  to  reap,  214. 

Ei^t,  Eijte,  Eyjte,  right,  8. 

Elites,  40. 

Ei3tuol,  just,  equitable,  44,  105, 
135,  196. 

Ei3tuolliche,  equitably,  right- 
fully, 196,  201. 

Eijtuolnesse,  Ei3tnesse,  rightful- 
ness, righteousness,  3,  29,  124, 
154. 

Eobbere,  robber,  39,  79. 

Eobbi,  to  rob,  39. 

Eobbynges,  thefts,  39. 

Eoberie,  Eoberye,  robbery,  9,  34. 

Eobes,  24. 

Eoche,  rock,  142." 

Eocky,  to  rock,  116, 

Eod,  rode,  cross,  1,  114. 

Eomongours,  horse-dealers,  44. 

Eond,  round,  1. 

Eonsoune,  ransom,  35. ' 

Eoppes,  entrails,  62;  A.S.  roppa^. 

Eote,  root,  34,  95  ;  X)l.  Eoten, 
34,  35,  68,  116.    ._ 

Eoted,  rotten,  205. 

Eofer,  rudder,  160. 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


335 


Eotie,  Eotye,  to  rot,  decay,  32, 

205. 
Euby,  76. 
Euieles,  rules,  97. 
Eussoles,  rissoles,  cakes  made  in 

the  frying-pan,  from  O.Fr.  r'ts- 

soler,  to  fry,  253. 
Eybaus,  259. 
Eyclie,  kingdom,  &&. 
Eynde,  rind,  99. 
Eyote,  rote,  99. 
Ey3tnesse,  righteousness,  26G. 
Ej^-uolliche  =ry3t-uolliche,  right- 

fuUy,  265. 

Sahat,  sabbath,  7. 

Sacrefices,  187. 

Sacrement,  2^?.  Sacremens,  14,  40, 

48,  238. 
Sacref,  makes  sacred,  235. 
Sacrifice,  187. 
Sacrilege,  34,  40. 
Safyr,  sapphire,  76. 
Salamandre,  167. 
Sanguine,  157. 
Sanynt,  Saynt,  saint,  262. 
Satisfaccion,  32. 
Savour,  138. 
Sauf,  safe,  36. 
Sause,  sauce,  55. 
Sautere,  psalter,  27. 
Sayn,  Sanyn  (for  Scujnt),  saint,  1, 

2,  12,  14. 
Saysine,  Sayzine,  possession,  144, 

149. 
Scallede,     having    the    scall    or 


scab,  224. 
Scarse,  scant,  53,  54. 
Scarsliche,  niggardly,  34, 
Scarsnesse,  niggardliness,  159. 
Scele,   Sckele,  skill,   reason,   11, 

12,  18,  53,  54. 
Sceluol,  Sceluolle,  skilful,  reason- 
able, 51,  169,  259. 
Scin,  Scinne,  skin,  44,  137,  230. 
Sclondre,  slandre,  6. 
Scluse,  Sluice,  255. 
ScofFe,  scorn,  ridicule,  128. 
Scolde,  to  scald,  66. 
Scole,  school,  34. 
Scolere,  scholar,  39. 
Scome,  scum,  44. 
Scorne,  ^)Z.  Scornes,  22,  74,  128. 

Scorne,  to  scorn,  22. 

Scornere,  2)1.  Scorneres,  63,  177. 

Scorni,  to  scorn,  211. 

Scorpioun,  62. 

Scot,  payment,  51  ;  A.S.  scmt. 

Scriveyns,  scriveners,  44. 

Seculeres,  ijl.  Seculeer,  215. 

Semblef,  j^Z.,  resemble,  176. 

Semblont,  pretence,  27,  137. 

Sengle,  single,  48,  175. 

Sentense,  opinion,  69. 

Sercle,  circle,  141. 

Sergond,  Sergont,  Seriont,  ser- 
vant, officer,  pi,  Sergons,  Se- 
rious, 32,  33,  35,  39,  188. 

Sermon,  Sermoun,  20,  138. 

Servi,  Seruy,  to  serve,  5,  6,  24, 
54,  79,  225. 

Servise,  7,  20. 


336 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Seruons   =  seriions,      servants, 

officers,  37. 
Simple,  134. 

Simjileliche,  simply,  134. 
Simplesse,  simplicity,  140. 
Simulacion,  23. 
Skele,  reason,  cause,  6,  7,  8,  38  ; 

pZ.  Skeles,  80,  117. 
Skeluol,  reasonable. 
Skeluolliche,     reasonably,     with 

reason,  6. 
Slac,  slack,  sIoav,  32. 
Slacnesse,  slowness,  idleness,  33, 

138,  159. 
Sla3e,   to   slay    (3rd  jyers.    sing. 

Sla3f),  8,  34,  61,  89,  174. 
Sla3])e,  slaughter,  death,  90. 
Sle,  Slea,  to  slay,  48,  223. 
Sleaujie,  Sleawjie,   Sleufe,  sloth, 

16,  31,  34,  40,  67,  157,  163. 
Sleauuol,     Sleauuolle,     Sleawol, 

slothful,  170,  174. 
Slep,  slee]:),  31,  264. 
Slepe,  to  sleej),  29,  51. 
SlepJ5,  sleeps,  56,  127. 
Slepinde,  sleeping,  158. 
Sleuuol,     Sleawolle,     Sleuuolle, 

slothful,  31,  32,  34,  67. 
Sleuuolliche,  slothfully,  32. 
Sle3e,  adj.  prudent,  265. 
Sle3f)e,   sleight,   craft,   prudence, 

18,  78,  118,  124,  265. 
Slyt,  slides,  149. 
Sniac,   Sniak,   taste,   relish,    33, 

82,83,  106,  245;  j^Z.  Smackes, 

112. 


Smackinde,     tasting,     relishing, 

245,  260. 
Smacky,  to  taste,  247,  269. 
SmakeJ),  taste,  relish,  92,  106. 
Smal,  small,  74,  137;  pi.  Smale, 

23,  130. 
Smalliche,    adv.   minutely,    HI  ; 

A.S.  smealice. 
Smel,  smell,  123,  177.      ' 
Smerie,  to  smear,  anoint,  60;  A.S. 

smerian. 
Smeringe,  anointing,  148. 
Smeryels,     Smeriels,     ointment, 

187,  217;  A.  S.  smirels. 
Smit,  smites,  30,  116. 
Smite,  sound,  voice,  140. 
Smijjes,  carj)enters.  * 

Smot,  smote,  48. 
Snaw,  snow,  267. 
Snegge,  snail,  32  ;  A.S.  sneg-el, 

snail. 
Snode,    morsel,    77,     111  ;    j:»?. 

Snoden,  218  ;  A.S.  sru'd,  from 

snidan,  to  cut. 
Sobre,  254. 

Sobreliche,  soberly,  248,  265. 
Sobrete,  sobriety,  4,  254. 
Sodaynliche,  suddenly,  64,  248. 
Soffre,  suffer,  139. 
Soigneus,  busy,  155. 
Solaci,  to  please,  63,  213. 
Solas,  solace,  72,  108. 
Solemnes,  pi.  Solemn,  224. 
Solempne,  solemn,  225. 
Somblont,  pretence,  211. 
Somme,  sum,  261. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


337 


Sonioni,  to  summon,  87,  104. 
Sopliistrie,  65.     ' 
Sopiere,  supper,  133. 
Sostene,  Sostyne,  to  sustain,  35, 

38,  39,  45,  56,  57,  104. 
Sostinonce,  54,  139. 
Sotil,  subtle,   crafty,  2)1-  Sotyls, 

26,  59,  82,  99. 
SotiUiche,  subtlely,  26,  46,  99. 
Sotylhede,  subtlety,  117. 
Soucouri,  to  succour,  186. 
Soudeurs,  soldiers,  146. 
Soupi,  to  sup,  52. 
Soverayn,  189. 

Sovi,  Sovy,  to  save,  98, 162,  226. 
Spacialliche,  specially,  252. 
Spade,  108. 

Spari,  to  spare,  abstain,  157,  224. 
Speche,  speech,  21. 
Special,  15,  16,  94. 
Specialliclie,  specially,  2,  7,  16, 

69. 
Spek,  spake,  251. 
Speke,   to  speak,  33  ;  2>rd  pers. 

sing.  Spekjj,  Spec]),  speaks,  10, 

34,  56,  126  ;  jjI.  Spekejj,  18. 
Spekeman,  spokesman,  60,  99. 
Spekenne,  to  speak,  94,  103,  104, 

109. 
Spekinde,  speaking,  226. 
Spekinge,  speaking,  speech,  50. 
Spelle,  story,  gospel,   5,   6,   57, 
■   58,  109. 
Spendere,     expender,    treasurer, 

190. 
Spendinge,  expense  ;  pi.  Spend- 


inges,  21,  34,  37. 
Sperringe,   a  sparrow,   52 ;  A.S. 

spearioa. 
Spille,  to  destroy,  232  ;  Srdpers. 

sing.  Spil|),  182,  212. 
Spirituallyche,  spiritually,  14. 
Spijjre,  spider,  164. 
Sposayles,     espousal,     wedding, 

189,  235. 
Spotty,  blemished,  faulty,  192. 
Spousbreche,  adultery,  37. 
Spouse,  10,  118. 
Spousede,  espoused,  118. 
Spoushod,  marriage,  10,  43,  185. 
Spousy,  to  marry,  225. 
Spousynge,  marriage,  227. 
Sprede,  to  spread,  29. 
Spret,  spreads,  23,  131. 
Ssake,  to  shake,  4,  116. 
Ssame,    shame,  8 ;   pi.    Ssanies, 

21,  82. 
Ssamie,  to  be  ashamed,  229. 
Ssamnesse,  shame,  142. 
Ssamuest,     Ssamueste,     modest, 

193,  216,  222. 
Ssamuol,  shameful,  117. 
Ssamuolliche,  shamefully,  181. 
Ssarnbodde,  sharn-bude,  a  dung 

beetle;  A.S.  scearn,  dung,  61. 
Ssarp,  sharp,  165. 
Ssarpnesse,   sharpness,    penance, 

142,  165,  186. 
Ssast  =  ssla^st  =  sla^st,  slayest, 

56. 
Ssat  =  sseat,  shot,  45. 
Sscawere,  a  mirror,  84,  177. 


22 


338 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Sseawiuge,  revelations,  appear- 
ance, 2  ;  pi.  Sseawynges,  14. 

Sseawy,  ssewy,  to  show,  56,  73, 
100;  pt  SseaweJ),  21,  26, 
110;  pret.  Sseawede,  13. 

Ssed,  Ssede,  shade,  shadow,  77, 
95,  97,  137. 

Ssedde,  shed,  1,  107. 

Sseduy,  to  take  shade  or  shelter, 
97. 

Ssefjjes  =  ssepfies,  forms,  62. 

Ssel,  (1.)  shall,  2,  5,  104  ;  (2.) 
owes,  ought,  113,  115,  145, 
214. 

Sseld,  shield,  1,  167. 

Sselt,  Shalt,  5,  129. 

Ssende,  to  destroy,  confound, 
ruin,  28,  126,  148;  Zrd  pers. 
sing.  p)res.  Ssent;  A.S.  S'-endan. 

Ssep,  Ssepe,  sheep,  50,  88,  137, 
192. 

Ssepe,  reward,  pay,  liire,  33,  40, 
86,  113,  146;  ^;Z.  Ssepes, 
wages,  39.  Chaucer  uses  Shype 
(Parson's  Tale)  in  the  same 
sense  ;  cp.  A.S.  sceojopa,  a 
treasury. 

Ssepinges,  forms,  creatures,  64, 
108,  245. 

Sseppere,  creator,  6,  7,  18,  145. 

Ssepf,  giveth  reward,  209. 

Ssopjjc,  creatiu'e,  form,  5,  6,  81, 
151,  270;  p)l.  Ssepjjes,  13, 
64,  84,  112;  A.S.  scepixin,  to 
form ;  sceaft,  creature. 

Ssevte,  shirt,  190. 


See 


See 


60, 


Sset,  shuts,  186,  218. 

Ssette,  to  shut,  179,   188;  jJ^'et- 

Ssette,  189. 
Ssette-pors,  a  shut-purse,  187. 
Ssetteles,  hars,  94 ;  A.S,  scyUel, 

lock,  bar,  bolt. 
Ssrewees,  mirrors,  176. 
Ssewy,  to   show,  44,  69. 

Sseawy. 
SseAvynge,  appearance,   36. 

Sseawinge. 
Ssine,  to  shine,  188. 
SsinJ),  shines,  64. 
Ssip,  Ssipe,  ship,  112,  129. 
Ssipmen,    shipmen,    sailors 

140. 
Ssmak,  taste,  83. 
Sso,  shoe,  220. 
Ssoinge,  shoes,  154. 
Ssofjj,  shoves,  174, 
Ssolde,  should,  1 2  ;  2nd  jjer.  sing. 

Ssoldest ;    3rd  pi.  Ssolden,  6, 

12,  20. 
Ssolle,  SsoUen,j:>?.  shall,  1,  3,  5,  8. 
Ssop,  created,  87. 
Ssornede,  scabby,  224.  >See  Ssarn- 

bode. 
Ssort,  Ssorte,  short,  brief,  81,  98, 

99,  189. 
Ssorthede,  brevity,  99. 
Ssortlaker,  more  briefly,  252. 
Ssortliche,  briefly,  24,  79, 99, 123, 
Ssrede,  to  clothe,  90,  258  ;  A.S. 

scrydan,  to  clothe. 
Ssredinge,  clothing,  177,  258. 
Ssrewe,  MTctch,  32. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


339 


Ssrifte,  Ssryfte,  Ssrifjjc,  shrift,  4, 

14,  20,  31,  32. 
Ssrifj),  shrives,  174. 
Ssvine,  2^-2^-  shriven,  174. 
Ssriuere,  confessor,  174. 
Ssriufteuader,     father    confessor, 

38,  155. 
Ssrive,  Ssryve,  to  shrive,  confess, 

5,  32,  70,  132. 
Ssrof,  shrove,  confessed,  178. 
Ssroud,  covering,  dress,  258. 
Ssyetere,  shooter,  archer,  174. 
Ssylde,  to  shield,  271. 
Ssyne,  to  shine,  267. 
Ssynynde,  shining,  76. 
Stable,  83. 
Stablen,  stables,  210. 
Stages,  122. 
Stale,  stealing,  theft,  9. 
Stape,  step,  3,  47  ;  j^^-  Stapes,  32, 

46. 
Stas  (pi.  of  Stat),  states,  28. 
Stat,  state,  7,  28,  48. 
Stea^,  ascended,   13,  213 ;    A.S. 

stigan  (pret.  stall),  to  ascend. 
Stech,  Stechche,  piece,  pi.  Stech- 

ches,  62,  111  ;  A.S.  sticce. 
Stede,  place,  7,  140. 
Stedeuest,  stedfast,  84,  116,  232. 
Stedeuestliche,  stedfastly,  11,  86, 

105,  233. 
Stedeuestnesse,  stedfastness,  83, 

164. 
Stef,  staff,  p>l.  Steues,  156. 
Stefliede,  stiffness,  strength,  263. 
Stefliche,  strongly,  258. 


Stele,  to  steal,  79  ;  2nd  per.  sing. 
Stelst,  38  ;  ^rd  sing.  Stel]),  23, 
37 ;  pi.  Stelef,  26,  37. 

Stempe,  to  stumble,  206.  Stumpe 
occurs  in  this  sense  in  Owl  and 
ISTightingale. 

Stench,  stink,  248. 

Stene,  to  stone,  213. 

Steple,  23,  180. 

Sterie,  to  stir,  direct,  endeavour, 
173,  186. 

Sterre,  star,  164. 

Sterren,  stars,  267. 

Sterue,  to  die,  2,  70,  143  ;  pi.  2nd 
sing.  Sterfst,  71 ;  Zrd  sing. 
Sterfjj,  54,  71 ;  2,rd  pi.  Ster- 
ue]?, 36,  71  ;  suhj.  p>ret.  Storue, 
54  ;  pret.  Sterf,  70. 

Steruinde,  dying,  75. 

Steruinge,  death,  10,  73,  95,  165. 

Steve,  staff,  156.     See  Stef. 

Stillehede,  solitude,  142. 

Stilliche,  secretly,  65. 

Stinkinde,  Stynkynde,  stinking, 
32,  49,  81,  189. 

Stole,  stool,  239. 

Ston,  stone,  1  ;  pil.  Ston&s,  140. 

Stonchi,  to  staunch,  73,  110. 

Stondinde,  standing;  170;  stiff, 
216. 

Stoppi,  to  stop,  257. 

Stor,  incense,  211  ;  A.S.  stor. 

Storue,  Storuen,  died,  12,  67. 
See  Sterue. 

Stoupi,  to  stoop,  bend,  151. 

Strait,  Strayt,  Strayte,  54, 78, 130. 


22 


340 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Straitliche,    Straytliche,    Streyt- 

liche,  straitly,  strictly,   7,   18, 

34,  171. 
Strang,  strong,  1 6 ;  pi.  Stronge, 

83. 
Stranger,  stronger,  168. 
Stranglaker,   more  strongly,    17, 

25,  88,  116. 
Stranglakest,  most  strongly,  157. 
Strangliche,  strongly,  firmly,  15, 

T>7    519 
Strayny,  to  restrain,  263. 
Strechche,  to  stretch,- 103. 
Streme,  Streame,  stream,  72. 
Strenger,  stronger,  170. 
Strengpe,  force,  3,  45,  161  j    no 

strengjie  ==  no  fors,  no  matter, 

51. 
Strengfi,  to  strengthen,  86,  180. 
Strepe,  to  strip,  98,  105. 
Strif,    Stryf,   strife,   dispute,    23, 

57,  Q^. 
Striui,  to  strive,  dispiite,  65. 
Striuinde,  striving,  154. 
Stryfinge,  strife,  57. 
Strok,  stroke,  34. 
Stude,  Studie,  Studye,  to  study, 

24,  34,  70,  78,  232. 
Substance,  -113. 

Substanciel,  Substancieler,  113. 
Sudyakne,     Sufdeakne,    subdea- 

con,  225,  235. 
Suspiciouses,  pi.  suspicious,  226. 
Sustyene]),  j->Z.  sustain,  57. 
Symoniaks,  41. 
Symony,  34,  41,  42. 


Tables  (commandments),  5. 
Tables,  games  of  hazard,  45,  52. 
Take,  to  give,  22  ;  touch  upon, 

56  ;  2)rd  sing.  Takjj,  175. 
Takinges,    touchings,    handlings, 

9,  10,  46. 
Tale,  number,  estimation,  11,  108, 

234. 
Talyinde,  tale-bearing,  207. 
Tauerne,  56. 
Tauernyer,  a  tavern-keeper,  44  ; 

a  tavern-goer,  51. 
Tayles,  duties,  toUage,  38. 
Te,  to,  172. 
Tealde,  told,  239. 
Techches,  habits,  bad  habits,  32, 

136. 
Teche,  to  teach ;  ^rd  sing.  TekJ), 

6,  49  ;  pi.  TecheJ),  8. 
Techinge,  teaching,  68. 
Tedra^jTige,  detraction,  61. 
Telle,  to  number,  reckon,  17,  21. 
Telleres,  narrators,  58. 
Tellinge,  numbering,  1. 
Tel]),  tells,  62. 
Temperance,  4,  124. 
Tempeste,  73. 
Tempreji,  tempers,  254. 
Tende,  tenth,  2,  11,  13. 
Tendes,  tithes,  41. 
Tendre,  tender,  77,  148. 
Teppe  (obliq.  case  of  Tep),  a  taji, 

27. 
Terestre,  50, 
Terme,  33. 
TeJ),  teeth,  67. 


GLOSSARIAL    IXDEX. 


341 


Teue  =  to  eue,  yesterday  even- 
ing, 51. 

Te^ele,  tile,  167. 

Tidyinges,  tidings,  58. 

Tiene,  to  annoy,  weary,  34.  See 
Tyeni. 

Tinilich,  Timliche,  timely,  tem- 
poral, 19,  30,  44,  52. 

To,  too,  6. 

To-ayens,  against^  6,  10,  26,  158. 

To-brekeJ),  j)!.  break  in  pieces,  64. 

Tobre3j),  breaks  in  pieces,  6. 

Tobroke,  broken  in  pieces,  30. 

Tocleue,  burst  in  pieces,  50,  56. 

Tocne,  Tokne,  a  token,  sign,  226. 

Tocnen,  Toknen,  tokens,  signs, 
10,  69,  216. 

Todele,  to  divide,  separate,  dis- 
tinguish, distribute,  2,  17,  80  ; 
Todel  (imjA)  73,  74;  ^x  To- 
deld,  83,  86;  pret.  Todelde, 
226,  164  ;  To-dele  we,  let  us 
depart,  72. 

Todelinge,  division,  separation,  3, 
72,  189. 

To-del]j,  divides,  separates,  dis- 
tingidshes,  16,  17,  119. 

To-di3t,  explained,  rendered,  164. 
See  Dijte. 

Todi3tinge,  division,  72. 

To-drajinge,  detraction,  57,  62. 

To-dra;)),  detracts,  depreciates,  62. 
Togidere,  Togydere,  together,  43, 
67. 

To-heawe,  to  hew  to  pieces,  62  ; 
to-lieau]j,  curtails. 


Tokne,  token,  Q^,  177. 
Toknen,  tokens,  signs,  2. 
Tokninge,  sign,  50. 
Tol,  toll,  192. 
To-moche,  very  much,  14. 
Tomochelhede,  excess,  248. 
Tonge,  tongue,  24,  50. 
Tongen,  tongues,  22,  142. 
Tonne,  a  tun,  barrel,  27,  167. 
Tonnen,  tuns,  35. 
Toparte,  to  divide,  distribute,  170. 
Toppe,  above,  6,  106,  163. 
Torment,  5&.  29,  79  ;  jA.  Tormens, 

73,  166,  167. 
Torm.ente,  v.  53. 

Tornement,  Tornoynient,  a  tour- 
nament, 46,  101,  117,  252  ;  j^l- 
Tornemens,  Tornoymens,  166, 
252. 
Tojjan,  to  that,  56. 
Toualjj,  falls  back,  perishes,   33, 

184. 
Tounes,  towns,  30. 
Touore,  before,  7. 
Tour,  tower,  23,  47. 
Toyans,  Toyeans,  Toyens,  against, 

towards,  20,  86. 
To^te,  taught,  96,  149. 
Trau,      Traw,      Traue,      Trawe, 
Trauwe,  tree,  28,  57,  95,  201, 
202. 
Trauail,  sh.  labour,  130. 
Trauailinde,  running,  167. 
Trauayli,  to  labour,  oppress,  33, 

39,  171. 
Traues,  Trawes,  trees,  25,  94,  95. 


342 


GLOSSARIAI,    IN'DEX. 


Traysoim,  treason,  37. 

Tresor,  Trezor,  treasure,  57,  96. 

Tresoriere,  treasurer,  231. 

Tretable,  tractable,  94,  167. 

Trete,  to  treat,  142. 

Trewe,  true,  101. 

Treueliche,    Treweliclie,    Triewe- 

liclie,  truly,  79,  134,  169. 
Treufe,  Trewjje,  truth,  troth,  221, 

256. 
Triacle,    remedy,    medicine,    17, 

144. 
Trobli,  Troubli,  to  trouble,  104, 

150. 
Trone,  throne,  266. 
Trossinge,  tressing  of  hair,  176. 
Trost,  imp.  trust,  241. 
Trosti,  to  trust,  242. 
Trufles,  jests,  56,  58. 
Truont,  a  beggar,  174  ;  2)1.  Tru- 

ons,  194. 
Tuay,  Tuaye,  two,  1,  30,  67. 
Tuelf,  twelve,  2,  11. 
Tuelfte,  twelfth,  14. 
Tuo,  two,  2. 
Turle,  turtle  dove,  226. 
Tuyes,  Tuies,  twice,  35,  36. 
Tuyg,  a  twig,  22  ;  _/9Z.  Tuygges, 

Tuyegges,  17,  41. 
Tuyste,  to  twist,  159. 
Tyares,    Tyeares,    Tyeres,    tears, 

74,  83,  173,  267. 
Tyene,  anger,  grief,  disinclination, 

31,  66,  124;  A.S.  teona. 
Tyeni,  Tyeny,  to  grow  weary  of, 

73,  99,  142,  161 ;  A.S.  teonan. 


Tymlich,  Tymliche,  temporal,  2. 

Tyrans,  tyrants,  182. 

)3a,  /.  the,  that,  33, 

jjan,  dat.  that  (man),  23. 

)3an,  those,  21,  265. 

)?ane,  )3anne,  ace.  the,  27,  34,  66. 

J5ank,jthanks,  18. 

)?anne,  than,  then,  when,  12,  16, 
18,  20,  30. 

))annes,  thence,  12. 

)?a3,  though,  9. 

)?a3les,  yet,  nevertheless,  6,  8,  9. 

]3e,  thou-thyself,  54.  . 

]5eauwes,  )5eawes,  practices,  habits, 
17,  78,  131  ;  A.S.  \edw. 

j)ellich,  jjelliche,  this,  these,  such, 
7,  8,  9,  10,  27,  266  ;  A.S. 
}pylUc,  ])i/lc,  the  like.  It  is  pro- 
bable that  the  pi.  jieUiche,  O.E, 
jjcZA-e,  has  been  confounded  with 
A.S.  \)a  ylca,  the  same. 

jjenche,  to  think,  47,  55  ;  imp. 
Thench,  20  ;  ))engst,  2nd  per. 
sing.  214  ;  3rd  s.  J?eng]?,  18, 
65,  92. 

Jjencliinde,  thinking,  212. 

Jjenchinge,  thought,  6,  72,  212. 

jper,  there,  where,  1,  5,  6,  58. 

Jperhuile,  ]5erliuils,  Jjerhuyl,  whilst, 
139,  217. 

jperles,  windows,  204  ;  A.S.  \6rel, 
a  hole. 

}5ermide,  thereAvith,  127. 

jjerne,    for  \)esne.,   ace.   this,   94, 

111,  113,  214. 
Jjerteyens,  there-against,  11, 


glossakial  index. 


343 


J?os,  m.  this,  53,  65,  150. 

Jjet,  rel.  that,  1,'U,  19. 

J3et,  the  article  neuter,  the,  2, 14, 

16,  19,  181. 
Jpet  o])er,  second,  IG. 
Jjet-to-]?an,  in  order  that,  170. 
Jjewes,  customs,  habits,  79. 
)3ider,  thither,  140. 
Jjiefjje,  theft,  9. 
Jjierne,  a  maid  servant,  129. 
}5iesterliche,  darkly,  244. 
Jpiesternesse,  darkness,  201. 
)3iestre,  dark,  159  ;  A.S. feos^er. 
)5inc]j,  Jpingjj,  appears,  18,   108, 

143,  164. 
jpinen  (of),  tliine,  194. 
Jpis  {dat.   jjise,   Jjisen),   2,   6,   7, 

44,  121. 
Jjis,  Jjise,  )3es,  these,  1,  7. 
])o,f.  the,  that,  1,  12,  13. 
j)o,pI.  the,  those,  8,  9,  13. 
Jjo,  when,  141. 

j3ole,  imp.,  suffer,  endure,  117. 
Jjolemodnesse,    patience,     endur- 
ance, 68,  132,  183,  185. 
j3olie,  }?olye,  to  suffer,  endure,  12, 

22,  33,  74,  162;  A.S.  poUan. 
Jjoliynge,    Jjolyinge,     endurance, 

suffering,  157,  163,  164. 
Jjolynde,  enduring,  167. 
}pon,  those,  11,  12,  135. 
Jjondre,  thunder,  130. 
Jjonke,  )ponkes,  thanks,  18,  55, 

262. 
Jjonki,  )3onky,  to  thank,  6,  7. 
j3orn-hog,  hedge-hog,  66. 


Jporst,  thirst,  73,  96. 

Jpor^,  through,  81. 

J?os,  Jjous,  thus,  39,  184. 

)?oume,  thumb,  43, 

Jjousend,  jjouzen,    )5ousond,    67, 

75,  77,  268. 
}5o3t,  ]503te,  thought,  6,  9. 
)5rauwe,  Jjrawe,  to  throw,   139, 

152. 
J5rawjj,  ]?rau]j,    throws,    17,    23, 

179. 
Jpreapni,  )preapny,  to  threaten,  re- 
prove,   97,    162,    184  ;    A.S. 

preajyian. 
)3reapninge,   Jpreapnynge,   tlireat- 

ening,  38,  65,  66,  72. 
J3rel,    ^??.    )?relles,    thrall,    slave, 

19,  67,  86,  87. 
)3reldom,      Joreldome,       slavery, 

bondage,  86,  87. 
Jjrestes,  crowds,  hosts,  183. 
Jjreu,  threw,  133. 
|?ri,  three,  2,  3,  7  ;  Jjrisife,  tliree 

times,  234. 
jpridde,  third,  2,  12. 
Jpries,  thrice,  35,  36. 
)?rin,  therein,  167. 
]?ritta3te,  thirtieth,  234. 
]3ritti,  thirty,  141,  234. 
Jjrote,  throat,  14. 
)5yef,    obliq.    case,    )?yeve,    thief, 

37,  263  ;  jj?.  Jpyeues,  37. 
Jjyefjje,  theft,  38,  192. 
jpyester,  }3yestre,  dark,  45,  264, 

266,  276  ;  A.S.  peoster. 
Jjyesternesse,  darkness,  189. 


344  GLOSSARIAL    INDEX 

Jjyues  ==  )?yevies,  thieves,  254. 


Uader,  ftither,  pi.  Uaderes,  155. 

Uadeiiease,  Uaderlyese,  father- 
less, 188,  193. 

XJair,  Uayr,  Uaire,  Uayre,  fair, 
16,  27,  81. 

Ualle,  to  fall,  29,  31. 

Ual]),  falls,  Q,Q  ;  Ualle]),  ^;7.  fall, 
69. 

Ualouwe,  to  fade,  81. 

Uals,  Ualse,  false,  6,  10,  18. 

Ualse,  to  forge,  40,  62. 

Ualsere,  a  falsifier,  62. 

Ualshede,  falsehood,  10,  39,  63. 

Ualsliche,  Ualslyche,  falsely,  28, 
64. 

Ualsne,  ace.  false,  24. 

Uand,  found,  57,  181. 

Uanite,  vanity,  77. 

Uanni,  to  fan,  winnow,  139. 

Uare,  to  fare,  1. 

Uayre]?,  becomes  fair,  95  ;  makes 
fair,  232. 

Uayrhede,  beauty,  16,  18,  75. 

Uayrliche,  fairly,  smoothly,  1, 
59. 

Ueawe,  few,  162,  254. 

Uedde,  fed,  96,  190. 

Uede,  to  feed,  199. 

Uela3e,  fellow,  participator,  ac- 
cessory, 36,  37,  67. 

Uela3e,  to  join,  share,  participate, 
101,  102,  256. 

Uela3rede,  fellowship,  commu- 
nion, 9,  10,  14,  38. 


Ueld,  Uelde,  Uelden,  filled,  55, 
233. 

Ueld,  Uelde,  field,  81,  131. 

Uele,  Uelen,  many,  5,  13,  102, 
103  ;  nehsipe,  uelezipe,  many 
times,  20,  257  ;  ueleuald,  many 
fold,  212. 

Uele,  to  feel,  154,  180. 

Uelinge,  feeling,  241. 

Uelle,  skin,  210. 

Uelle,  to  fiU,  77,  92. 

Uelle]?,  pi  fill,  44. 

Uelf,  feels,  23,  25,  131. 

Uelf,  fills,  58. 

Uel>e,  filth,  56,  61,  81. 

Uend,  Uiend,  Uyend,  enemy, 
fiend,  devil,  1,  et  i)cisslm. 

Uendonginge,  vendage,  sale,  36. 

Uenial,  Uenyal,  16,  73. 

Uenim,  Uenym,  17,  22. 

Uenimouse  (pZ.  Uenimouses),  27, 
171. 

Uer,  Uere,  fire,  30,  65,  66,  74. 

Uer,  far,  133,  143. 

Uerliche,  suddenly,  hastily,  55, 
130. 

Uerliclilrede,  haste,  55  ;  A.S.  fch\ 
sudden  ;  fckrlice,  suddenly. 

Uerre,  far,  distant,  204. 

Uerri,  to  put  at  a  distance,  re- 
move, 178  ;  A.S.  feorrian. 

Uers,  verse,  128. 

Uerst,  Uerste,  first,  1,  2,  31. 

Uerste,  to  delay,  173  ;  A.S.  fyrd, 
interval ;  fijrstan,  to  give  re- 
spite. 


GL0S8ARIAL    INDEX. 


345 


VevpG,  fourth,  2,  3. 
Uerfinge,  farthing,  193. 
Uest,  Ueste,  fast,  50,  91,  178. 
Ueste,  to  fast,  51,  52. 
Uestemeiis,  vestments,  41. 
Uestinges,  fasts,  33,  51,  52. 
Uestliche,  fast,  finn,  166,  252, 

243. 
Uestnesse,  firmness,  stability,  104, 

107. 
Uestni,    to    fasten,    strengthen, 

establish,  106,  117,  213. 
Uet,  feet,  14,  15. 
Uet,  Uette,  fat,  35,  53. 
Uete,  obliq.  case  of  Uet,  a    vat, 

vessel,  199. 
Ueteres,  fetters,  128. 
Ueth,  feedeth,  241. 
Ueferen,  feathers,  270. 
Uettejj,  pi  fatten,  241. 
Uice,  27. 
Uif,  five,  46. 
Uifte,  Uyfte,  fifth,  2. 
Uil,   Uile,   Uyl,   Uyle,  vile,  82, 

132,  180. 
Uil,  fell  {pi  UiUe,  Uillen),   16, 

67,  98. 
Uilayn,  Uileyn,  Uileyne,  wicked, 

disgraceful,  vile,  59,  194. 
Uile,  VUe,  oil,  93. 
Uile,  wiU,  152. 
Uiles,  2)1  vile,  76. 
UilejTiie,    Uilejoieye,     UilejTiye, 

disgraceful    conduct,    wicked- 
ness, 18,  31,  75. 
Uileynlaker,  more  wickedly,  64, 


Uileynliche.  Uileynlyche,  wick- 
edly, 64,  69. 

Uilhede,  vileness,  130. 

Uilliche,  vilely,  shamefully,  133. 

Uinde,  Uynde,  to  find ;  2nd 
liers.  sing.  Uinst ;  ?>rd  pers. 
sing.  Uint,  38,  39,  74,  207. 

Uingre,  finger,  5,  63. 

Uisage,  45. 

Uiss,  Uisse,  fish,  50,  110,  170. 

Uissere,  fisherman,  60,  238. 

Uijjele,  fiddle,  105. 

Ui3t,  Uiy3te,  fight,  131,  169. 

Ui3te,  to  fight,  15,  157. 

Ui3tinde,  fighting,  219. 

Ui3tinge,  fighting,  fight,  37,  170, 
181. 

Ulateri,  to  flatter,  61. 

Ulatours,  flatterers,  256. 

Ula3e,  p)2J.  flayed,  73. 

Ulea3,  fled,  130,  141. 

Uledde,  Uledden,  fled,  204. 

Uless,  Ulesse,  flesh,  9,  31,  47, 
80,  110,  180. 

Ulesslich,  Ulessliche,  Ulesslyche, 
fleshly,  carnal,  10,  35,  42,  87, 
176. 

Ule]),  flies,  flieth,  25,  41. 

Ule3e,  fly,  136. 

Ule3en,  flies,  39,  58,  270. 

Ulindre,  moth,  206.  This  is  con- 
nected with  flitter  and  flutter. 
Cp.  Prov.  E.  flinder,  flitter, 
fragment;  Prov.  Gev.  flandem,. 
to  flutter. 

UIi3)),  Uly3J),  flies,  165,  206,  254. 


346 


OLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Ulod,  Ulode,  flood,  247. 

Uly,  to  fly ;  Ulye)),  lol.  fly,  flee, 

254. 
Ulyinde,  flying,  66,  71. 
Ulynte,  flint,  136. 
Unonynge,  discord,  65. 
Uol,  Uolle,  fuU,  complete,  1,  28, 

44,  96,  156,  160,  259. 
Uolc,  Uolk,  folks,  people,  15,  43, 

122. 
Uoldest,    completest,    270.      See 

Uoldo. 
Uoldo,  perfect,  perfected,  28,  96, 

234. 
Uolhede,  fulness,  complete,  119. 
Uolkerede,  people,  196, 
Uolle,  Uolnesse,  fulness,  133,  266. 
UoUeres,  fullers,  167. 
Uollictie,  UoUyche,  fully,  73,  78, 

267. 
TJolmad,  perfect,  28,  260. 
Uolserue,  to  serve  fully,  33. 
Uolueld,  Uoluelde,  fulfilled,  88, 

96,  149. 
UolueUe,  to  fulfil,  64,  93. 
TJoliiellinde,  perfect,  88,  113. 
Uoluellinge,  completion,  260. 
Uolueljj,  fulfils,  7,  83,  122. 
Uoljejj,  follows,  12,  24,  36. 
XJol3i,  Uol3y,  imp.  Uol3e,  follow, 

74,  83,  166. 
Uoljinde,    Uol3ynde,    following, 

1,2. 
Uon,  foes,  255. 
Uondere,  temper,  116. 
Uondi,  TJondy,  to  tempt,  15,  46, 


116,  170;  A.ii.  fandiau. 
Uondinge,  Uondynge,  Uondingge, 

temptation,    1,    25,     31,    116, 

168,  176. 
Uor,  for,  1,  2. 
Uorbegge,  to  atone  for,  78. 
Uortere,  to  forbear,  abstain,  148. 
Uorberinge,     forbearing,    al^stin- 

ence,  148,  205. 
Uorberne,  to  consume,  225. 
Uorberned,  Uorbernde,  consumed, 

burnt,  30,  67,  265. 
UorbernJ),  consumes,  74. 
UorberJ),    forbears,    bears    with, 

115. 
Uorbisne,     Uorbysne,    j>Z.    Uov- 

bisnen,  example,    46,   47,    87, 

89,  237  ;  A.S.  forehi/sen. 
Uorbode,  forbidden,  8,  9,  45. 
Uorbyet,  forbids,  6. 
Uordejj,  does  away  with,  destroy, 

121.     See  Uordo. 
Uore-yzede,  aforesaid,  190. 
Uorkest,  cast  forth  (as  dead). 
Uorlay,  lay  with,   ravished,  230, 

231. 
Uorleas,  lost,  181,  184. 
Uorlet,    forsakes,     forsook,     left, 

184,  259. 
Uorlete,  to  leave,  forsake,  forgive, 

126,  165,  262;  A.S.  forMtan. 
Uorlore,  lost,  ruined,  11,  14,  128. 
Uorlorene,  pi.  lost,  ruined,  13,  14. 
Uorlyese,  to  lose,  57. 
Uorlyesinge,    Uorlyezinge,    loss, 

156,  243. 


OLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


347 


Uor-roted,  Uor-rotede,  rotten,  de- 
cayed, 148,  205. 

Uorspeche,  prologue,  preface,  2, 
105,  165. 

Uorte,  for  to,  until,  220. 

Uorjj,  forth,  119. 

Uorfan,  because,  181. 

Uor])enclie,  to  repent,  forthink, 
5,  29,  125,  159. 

Uorfenchinde,  repenting,  4,  20, 
28,  32,  178. 

Uorjjenchinge,  repentance,  73. 

Uor])ing]3,  repents,  27,  29,  62. 

Uorjjrawe,  overthrow,  86. 

Uorwerde,  bargain,  36  ;  A.S. 
foreioeard. 

Uoryaf,  forgave,  114. 

Uoryef,  imp.  forgive,  110,  114. 

Uoryefj),  forgives,  28,  112,  179. 

Uoryet,  forgets,  18. 

Uoryet,  imx).  forget,  73. 

Uoryete,  to  forget,  6,  46,  for- 
gotten, 115. 

Uoryete]?,  ^yl.  forget,  6,  78. 

Uoryetinde,  forgetful,  32. 

Uoryetinge,  forgetfulness,  18,  32, 
33. 

Uoryeue,  to  forgive,  29. 

Uoryeuenesse,  forgiveness,  32, 
113,  179. 

Uorzake,  to  forsake,  48,  195. 

Uorzak]),  Uorzajjj,  forsakes,  18, 
43,  221. 

Uorzede,  aforesaid,  190. 

Uorzok,  forsook,  77. 

Uorzoke,  forsaken,  179. 


Uorzojje,  forsooth,  16,  79. 

Uorzual3,  devoured,  67. 

Uorzuel3e,  to  devour,  15,  56, 
111,  174,;^;.  Uorzuel3ejj,  52. 

UorzuelJ),  Uorzuel^j),  devours,  17, 
111. 

Uorzuerie,  perjure,  forswear,  6. 

Uorzueriinge,  perjury,  57. 

Uorzuol3e,  jjp.  devoured.  111,  206. 

Uorzuorene,  perjured,  19. 

Uorzuylj),  devours,  61. 

Uot,  foot,  56,  127. 

Uoul,  Uoule,  foul,  22,  25,  35. 

Uoulhede,  crime,  disgrace,  dis- 
honour, 25,  75. 

Uoulliche,  foully,  wickedly,  41, 
194. 

Uounde,  pp.  found,  83. 

Uour,  four,  3. 

Uourta3te,  fortieth,  4,  13. 

Uourti,  forty,  13,  67. 

Uox,  fox,  151. 

Uoje],  bird,  71,  178. 

Uo3elere,  fowler,  254. 

Uo3eles,  birds,  105. 

Uram,  from,  7,  12. 

Ureme,  advantage,  profit,  43,  69, 
94,  117;  A.S./yeme. 

Uremuol,  advantageous,  bene- 
ficial, 80. 

Urend,  Uriend,  Uryend,  friend, 
30,  67. 

Urendrede,  friendship,  149. 

Urete,  to  eat,  devour,  39. 

Ure])ie,  to  keep  free  or  holy ;  A.S. 
freodi<in,  fridkm. 


348 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Uri,  to  deliver,  262. 

Uri,  Ury,  free,  86. 

Uridom,  Urydom,  freedom,  1,  41, 

85,  87. 
Uriliche,  Urilyche,  freely,  70,  86. 
Urind  =  Uriend,  friend,  96. 
Uriwyl,  free  will,  86. 
Urostes,  frosts,  108. 
Us,  use,  55. 

Usi,  Usy,  to  use,  48,  79. 
Uyealdinde,  folding,  239. 
Uyend,  enemy,  devil,  75,  117. 
Uynde,  to  find,  1,  31,  invent,  24. 
Uynt,  finds,  31. 
Uyjte,  to  fight,  117. 

Waki,  Waki,  to  watch,  52,  263. 

AVakinde,  waking,  watching,  158. 

Wakinge,  vigil,  33,  52,  232. 

Walewe,  to  wallow,  126. 

Wanhope,  despair,  29,  34. 

Wantrokiynge,  lack,  want,  265  ; 
A.S.  trucan,  to  fail,  abate. 

Waste,  19. 

"VVayn,  profit,  advantage,  43. 

Waynye,  to  diminish,  88;  A.S. 
wanian. 

AVayte,  to  watch,  lie  in  wait, 
121,  179. 

Way  tinge,  watching,  15. 

Wa3e,  wave,  206  ;  A.S.  ivceg. 

Wed,  pledge,  36,  102,  113;  A.S. 
weed. 

Wed-dyad,  Wedde-dyad,  mort- 
gage, 35. 

Weder,  weather,  129. 


Wedercoc,  vane,  180. 

Wefde,  altar,  112.     See  Wyefde. 

Wei,  very,  16,  22. 

WeUen,  wells,  80. 

Wel-wdynde,  well-wisher,  friend, 

112. 
Wende,  Wenden,  thought,  108. 
Wende,  to  turn,  go,  6,  13,  con- 
vert, 90. 
WendeJ),  pi.  turn,  go,  60. 
Wendinge,  Wendynge,  departure, 

separation,  70,  71. 
Wene,  to  think,  179. 
Wene]),i?Z.  think,  21. 
Wenst,  weenest,  129. 
Went,  turns,  69,  180. 
Wen]),  thinks,  21,  22,  128. 
Wenynge,  thought,  113. 
Wepindeliche,  weepingly,  192. 
Wepjj,  weeps,  93. 
Wereden,  protected,  266. 
WereJ),  guards,  124. 
Werejj,  becomes  weary,  1 7. 
Weri,    Wery,     (1)    to     become 

weary,  33,  99.     (2)  weary,  84. 
Werie,  to  guard,  129,  182  ;  A.S. 

iverian. 
Werihede,  weariness,  33. 
Werm,  reptile,  worm,  137,  215, 

216. 
Wermene,  of  worms,  216. 
Wermethe,  worm-eaten,  229. 
Wernde,  denied,  189;  A.S.  vyr- 

nan,  to  refuse. 
Werre,  war,  30,  43. 
Werren,  wars,  239. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


349 


Werreres  =  loerres,   wars,  strife, 

29. 
WerreJ?,  wars  against,  opposes,  17, 

18. 
Werri,  to  war  against,  oppose,  29, 

57. 
"Werye,   to   defend,    protect,    69, 

170. 
Wes,  was,  7,  past  existence,  104. 
"Wesse,  to  wash,  171. 
Wessinge,  washing,  178. 
Wesst,  washes,  202. 
Westen,  knew,  72. 
Weter,  water,  QQ,  74,  98. 
"Wetery,  to  water,  96,  98. 
Weued,  altar,  167.    See  Wyefde. 
Wexe,  to  grow,  95  ;  grown,  26. 
Wexe]),  jjZ.  grow,  increase,  23. 
Wext,  grows,  3,  18. 
Weyuerindenien,  wayfaring  men, 

travellers,  39. 
"VVeje,  to  weigh,  44,  91,  255,  256, 
Wej]),  weigheth,  255. 
Wichen,   AA^ychen,    witches,    19, 

40. 
"Wile,    Wyle    {Zni  pers.   sing.), 

wm,  pi  Wille]?,  16. 
AVillinge,  willingness,  9. 
Wilni,  Wylny,  to  desire,  35,  36. 
WiluoUiche,   willingly,   tinlfuUi/, 

140. 
"Winne,  to  profit,  90. 
Wisliche,  Avisely,  210. 
WiJ)-begge,  redeem,  186. 
AVi)3-bo3t,  redeemed,  186. 
AVijj-cleped,  recalled,  189. 


AVijjdra3e,  to  withdraw,  28. 

AVlafFere,  a  silly  babbler,  262. 

Wlatiinge,  Wlatiynge,  disgust, 
178,  192,  216;  A.S.  tclatian, 
grieve,  loathe. 

Wlatuol,  hateful,  disgusting,  241. 

Wod,  Wode,  mad,  56,  140. 

Wode,  wood,  23,  96. 

AVodewe,  widow,  48,  190. 

AV^odewen,  AVodewon,  Avidows, 
193,  225. 

AVodewhod,  widowhood,  48,  185. 

AVodhede,  madness,  rage,  17,  18. 

A\^oke,  week,  7,  212. 

A^^olde  (2)1  A\^olden),  would,  16, 
52. 

AVoldest,  wouldst,  73. 

AVolle,  wool,  137. 

AVombe,  belly,  AVomben,  j;Z.  53. 

AYonde,  wound,  174,  217. 

AVonden,  wounds,  148. 

AVonderliche,  AYonderlyche,  won- 
derfully, 14,  267. 

AVonderuol,  AVonderuoUe,  won- 
derful, 15,  266. 

AVondrinde,  wondering,  266. 

AVone,  habit,  custom,  6,  22,  38  ; 
A.S.  ivune. 

AVoneJ),  accustoms,  7. 

AVonie,  AVonye,  to  dwell,  48,  54, 
87,  109;  to  accustom,  220; 
A.S.  wunian. 

AVoniynge,  AVonyinge,  dwelling, 
abode,  149,  267. 

AA^op,  weeping,  71,  93,  265;  A.S. 
vx>p. 


350 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Wordle,  world,  7. 

Wordleliclie,  worldly,  164,  210. 

"Workinde,  working,  206. 

Workuol,  active,  199. 

"Wors,  worse,  20. 

Worsi,  to  become  worse,  33. 

Worjj,  *is  wor]),' signifies,  7 ;  avails, 

206. 
"WorJ>,  shall  be,  74. 
Worjj,  WorJ^e,  worthy,  fit,  23,  74. 
Worjj,  value,  82. 
"Worjie,  to  be  worjje  =  to  avail, 

90. 
Worjjssipe,  Worssipe,  honour ;  sb. 

worship,  8,  18,  20,  75,  104. 
Worjjssipie,  Worssipie,  to  honour, 

worship,  5,  6,  8,  75, 
Worjjssiphede,    honour,    esteem, 

49. 
Wor))ssiplich,    honourable,  80. 
Worjjssipliche,  WorssipKche,  hon- 
ourably, 54. 
Worjjssipuol,  honourable,  80,  83, 

259. 
Worjjuolle,  honourable,  16. 
Wose,  Woze,  mud,  87,  89,  186; 

vapours,  186  ;  A.S.  7mse. 
Wot,  knows,  9,  10. 
"VVounden,  Avounds,  266. 
"VVo3e,  wall,  72. 
Wrang,  wrong,  208. 
Wraye,  to  bewray,  betray,  175  ; 

A.S.  tvregan. 
Wrechchen,    Avretchos,   niggards, 

187,  188,  189. 
Wreche,  Wreche,   a  wretch,   25, 


30,  31,  70,  129. 
Wreche,  vengeance,  45. 
Wrek,  thrust  out,  189,  215  ;  A.S. 

wrcscan,  to  exile  (pret.  \orckc). 
Wrench,  craft,  deceit,  129. 
WreJ)  =  Wre3)5,  hides,  61. 
Wrefe,  wrath,  8,  30. 
Wrefejj,  is  angry,  17,  34. 
Wrejji,  Wreffi,  to  make  angry, 

be  angry,  8,  60,  232. 
Wrejjuolle,  angry,  enraged,  30. 
Wrikjj,  Wri^jj,  hides,  128. 
Writ,  writes,  5. 
Wrongliche,  wrongfully,  8. 
WroJ),  angry,  22. 
Wrofe,  badly,  20. 
Wry,  hide,  cover,  258  ;  AS.  wri- 

gem. 
Wryef,  hide,  61,  175. 
Wychche,  witch,  41. 
Wychecreft,  witchcraft,  43. 
Wychkedhede,         Wyckedhede, 

wickedness,  43,  114. 
Wyed-hoc,  weed-hook,  hoe,  121. 
Wyefde,  Wyeued,  altar,  14,  236; 

A.S.  tceqfod. 
Wyf,  neuf.  wife,  woman,  9,  181. 
Wj^man,  woman,  10,  11. 
Wyfmen,  Wymmen,  women,  10, 

32. 
Wylhede,  will,  164. 
WyUes,  desires,  138. 
Wyllesuol,  vnlM,  263. 
Wy Uie J),  ^?Z.  desire,  142. 
Wylni,  Wylny,  to  desire,  9,  10, 

11,  34,  243. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


351 


^Vj'lninge,  Wylnynge,  desire,  11, 

22,  30,  47,  72,  85,  176. 
Wyluolle,  wilful,  willing,  162. 
Wyn,  wine,  27. 
"Wyngen,  wings,  217. 
"Wynne,  gain,  obtain,  sing.   2nd 

X>ers.  Wynst,  ^rd  j^ers.  Wynf, 

17,  46,  102. 
"VYynnyngge,  gain,  23,  24. 
Wynynde,  prevailing,  108. 
Wypi,  to  wipe,  161. 
Wysen,  modes,  62. 
"Wysliede,  wisdom,  68. 
"Wysliclie,  wisely,  94,  172. 
Wyste,  knew,  98,  173. 
Wyt,  Wytte,  Avit,  wisdom,  sense, 

11,  16,  52,  53. 
Wyte,  to  chide,  blame,  69  ;  A.S. 

ivitan. 
Wyte,  AVytene,  to  learn,  to  know, 

to  wit,  1,  5,  39,  72  ;  A.S.  tcitan. 
Wytie,  Wytye,  to  keep,  preserve, 

keep  from,  to  heed,  212,  229  ; 

to  guard,  122,  166,  174. 
Wytinde,  Wytynde,  knowing,  'by 

his  wytinde,'  he  being  aware, 

knowingly,  6,  8,  21. 
"Wytindeliche,  knowingly,  8,  18, 

65,  175. 
Wytleas,  witless,  86. 
Wytnesse,  witness,  10,  13. 
"Wytte,  out  of  his  wytte,  oiit  of 

his  wits,  G8. 
"Wytuol,  intelligent,  wise,  150. 
"Wyjjclepie,  to  recall,  215.      See 

Clcpie. 


"WyJ)dra3e,  to  withdraw,  abstain, 
cease,  forbear,  9,  52,  53,  138. 

Wyjjdrajes,  abstinences,  240, 

"Wyjjdrajinge,  abstinence,  205. 

"Wyfdrajst,  withdrawest,  58. 

"Wy])dra3]5,  withdraws,  151,  254.' 

"Wy]3dro3e,  should  withdraw,  264. 

"Wyfierwe^e,  re- weigh,  137. 

Wyfhalt,  withholds,  9,  249. 

"Wyfinne,  within,  10. 

"Wyjjnime,  "Wyfnyme,  "Wyfni- 
mene,  to  blame,  reprove,  err, 
137,  220,  255,  270. 

"Wyfniminge,  "Wyfnymynge,  re- 
proof, error,  82,  120,  148,  154. 

"Wyfnim]?,  "Wyjjnym.|j,  reproves, 
17,  22,  69,  129. 

"Wyjjnymynges,  reproaches,  66. 

"Wyjjscore,  separate,  254, 

"Wyjjsettingges,  exceptions,  39. 

"Wyjjstant,  withstands,  ojjposes, 
22. 

"Wyfistonde,  to  oppose,  84,  265. 

AVy])stondinge,  opposition,  2,  22, 
29,  268. 

Wy>]je,  rope,  135. 

"Wyjjzigge,  deny,  contradict,  175. 

"Wyjjzigginge,  denial,  contradic- 
tion, 52,  109,  153,  233. 

Wyui,  to  wive,  marry,  228. 

Wy3te,  weight,  44. 

Yaf,  gave,  5,  50,  79. 
Yalde,  old,  7. 

Yalp,  boasted,  208  ;  A.S.  giljjan 
(pret.  gealp). 


352 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Yarmed,  armed,  83,  164. 
Yarn,  ran,  191. 
Ybake,  baked,  112. 
Ybeate,  beaten,  236. 
Ybede,  asked  for,  117. 
Ybernde,  burnt  (one),  116. 
Yblent,  blinded,  72,  201,  223. 
Ybleued,   remained,    dwelt,    72, 

225. 
Yblissede,  pi.  blessed,  consecrated, 

41. 
Ybore,  born,  17. 
Ybor^e,  saved,  protected,  3,  5,  41, 

121,  205;  A.S.  beorgan,to  save, 

protect  (pret.  heorh,  pp.  gebor- 

gen). 
Ybor^inge,  salvation,  201. 
Ybounde,  bound,  22,  145. 
Ybo3t,  bought,  144. 
Ybro3t,  brought,  269. 
Yby,  been,  31,  178. 
Ybyate,  beaten,  239. 
Ycarked,  loaded,  138,  142. 
Ycharged,  loaded,  127,  260. 
Ychonged,  changed,  242. 
Ychosene,  i^l.  chosen,  68. 
Yclenzed,  Yclienzed,  cleansed,  74, 

267. 
Ycleped,  Yclieped,  called,  3,  18, 

73,  104. 
Ycliue,  Yclyue,  climbed,  26, 133; 

Du.  kleveren,  to  climb. 
Ycome,  come,  262. 
Ycomparisoned,  compared,  81. 
Yconceyued,  conceived,  221. 
Yconfermed,  Yconfirmed,  1 06, 146. 


Ycontined,  continued,  39. 

Ycontyened,  Ycontinent,  con- 
tained, 118,  260. 

Ycorouned,  crowned,  267. 

Ycorumped,  corrupted,  140. 

Ydammed  ==  Ydamned,  damned, 
137. 

Ydampned,  damned,  78. 

Ydel,  in  vain,  empty,  5,  131. 

Ydel-blisse,  vain  glory,  17. 

Ydel-honded,  empty-handed,  218. 

Ydelliche,  in  vain,  80. 

Ydelnesse,  idleness,  vanity,  48, 
74,  164. 

Ydemd,  deemed,  judged,  12,  137. 

Ydept,  dipped,  106. 

Ydi3t,  Ydy3t,  prepared,  ordered, 
20,  112,  197;  decked,  47, 
217. 

Ydo,  done,  30. 

Ydobbed,  dubbed,  83. 

Ydobled,  Ydobbled,  doubled, 
230,  249. 

Ydolue,  broken  through,  263. 

Ydra3e,  drawn,  31  ;  treated,  133. 

Ydred,  afraid,  104. 

Ydronke,  drunk,  51. 

Yeaf,  gave,  81. 

Yealde,  old,  79,  97. 

Yealde]?,  grows  old,  75. 

Yealden,^;?.  old,  184. 

Yeare,  ear,  137,  211. 

Yearen,  ears,  154. 

Yeast,  east,  124. 

Yeden,  went,  74,  166,  233. 

Yef,  imj).  give,  101. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


353 


Yef,  if,  5,  21. 

Yefst,  givest,  93. 

Yefjj,  gives,  22. 

Yefjje,  gift,  3,  4,  24,  35. 

Yeld,  imj).  pay,  253. 

Yelde,  to  yield,  give,  pay,  restore, 

1,  18,  31,  38. 
Yeldere,  debtor,  163,  262. 
Yeldinde,  indebted,  169. 
Yeldinge,  debt,  115,  262. 
Yelpe,  to  boast,  79,     See  Yalp. 
Yelpere,  boaster,  22. 
Yelpingge,   Yelpinge,   boast,    22, 

58,  59. 
Yelp]?,  boasts,  22,  34,  59. 
Yelst,  restoredst,  paidest,  38, 166. 
Yelt,  pelds,  restores,  gives,    18, 

81,  124,  253. 
Yeme,  take  care  of,  preserve,  7  ; 

A.S.  gyman. 
Yeme,  care,  notice,  heed,  24,  54, 
Yemere,  sad,  215  ;  A.S.  geomor, 

sad. 
Yend,  yonder,  256. 
Yer,  year,  1,  110. 
Yerd,  rod,  stem,  95, 
Yere,  ear,  28. 
Yeren,  ears,  48,  257. 
Yeme,  to  desire,  74. 
Yerne,  to  run,  27,  39,  55  ;  A. 8. 

yrnan,  to  ran  (pret.  am  ;  pp. 

urnen). 
Yerninde,  running,  207. 
Yerninge,  running,  255  ;    revolu- 
tion, 141. 
Yernjj,  runs,  50,  51,  75,  84,  204. 


YerJ)e,  earth,  8. 

Yesteneuen,  j^ester  evening,  51. 

Yeue,  to  give,  7,  23,  212. 

Yeuene,  ger.  to  give,  114, 

Yeuere,  giver,  120,  194. 

Yeuynge,  giving,  120. 

Yexilid,  exiled,  20, 

Y%led,  failed,  71. 

Ylloured,  flowery,  136. 

Yfryd,  fried,  111. 

Ygelt,  gilded,  233. 

Ygelt,  sinned,  trespassed,  26. 

Ygert,  girded,  236, 

Ygoyned,  joined,  247. 

Ygraunted,  granted,  264, 

Ygreued,  grieved,  260. 

Yguo,  gone,  142. 

Ygyled,  beguiled,  124. 

Yhal3ede,    hallowed,     40,     106, 

235. 
Yh  armed,  harmed,  238. 
Yhealde,     Yhyealde,      Yhyalde, 

bound,    holden,  esteemed,  32, 

68,  69. 
Yhed,  hidden,  109,  139,  227. 
Yhende,  near,  212. 
Ylierber3ed,    harboured,    lodged, 

130,  195. 
Yherd,  heard,  97. 
Yherc,  to  hear,  20. 
Yhered,    praised,   honoured,   23, 

96,  104. 
Yherjj,  hears,  25,  27,  56. 
Yhet,  had,  40,  177. 
Yhoded,  hooded,  consecrated,  49, 

235. 


23 


354 


GL0S3AEIAL    IXDEX. 


Yhol,  Yhole,  whole,  62, 12G,  171, 

220. 
Yhole,  hidden,  26,  109,  221. 
YhoUiche,     Yhollyche,    wholly, 

109,  127,  227. 
Yholnesse,  wholeness,  230. 
Yholpe,  holpen,  helped,  184. 
Yhote,  called,  118,  199. 
Yhuyted,  Yhuited,  made  white, 

178,  228. 
Yhyalde,  Yhyealde,  hound,  8. 
Yhyer,  im}).  hear,  72. 
Yhyerd,  heard,  20. 
Yhyere,  to  hear,  257. 
YhyereJ),  J)?,  hear,  122. 
Yhyer  J?,  hears,  62. 
Ykarked,  loaded,  246. 
Ykend,  conceived,  12,  263. 
Ykest,  cast,  108. 
Yknau]?,  knows,  251. 
Yknawe,  to  know,  82  ;  known, 

104. 
Ykuegt= Ykuenct,  quenched,  173. 
Ykuenct,  quenched,  186,  265. 
Yleaue,  permission,  50. 
Yleaue-nymynge,       leave-taking, 

112. 
Ylefde,  believed,  191. 
Yleft,  remained,  173. 
Ylefjj,  believes,  60,  69,  222. 
Ylef]),  remains,  50. 
Ylend,  gave,  lent,  19,  36,  90. 
Ylengd,  prolonged,  198. 
Ylest,  lasts,  endures,  83,  168. 
Yleste,  to  last,  persevere,  2  8,  68, 

71. 


Ylete,  left,  forsaken,  115, 193,235. 

Yleue,  to  live,  93. 

Yleue,  to  believe,  11,  19,  69,  72, 

82,  242. 
Yleued,  believed,  242. 
Yleued,  lived,  130. 
Ylich,    Ylych,     alike,     like,   pi. 

Yliche,  62,  65,  88. 
Ylke,  same,  224. 
Yloked,  kept,  guarded,  protected, 

awarded,  7,  20,  67,  70,  191. 
Ylore,  lost,  45,  129,  226. 
Ylo^e,    lied,    lessened,   humbled, 

65,  144. 
Ylyerned,  learned,  taught,  70. 
Ylykned,  likened,  234. 
Ylyky,  to  please,  109. 
Ymad,  made,  7,  84. 
Ymage,  87. 

Ymarissed,  married,  48,  220. 
Ymaymed,  crippled,  135,  141. 
Ymengd,  mixed,  196. 
Ymerd,  purified,  94. 
Ympen,  branches,  94,  95. 
Ymylded,  meekened,  117. 
Ymyned,  mined,  108. 
Yne,  in.     See  Ine. 
Ynemned,  named,  66,  79,  266. 
Ynewed,  renewed,  107. 
Ynome,   seized,  taken,    45,    144, 

204. 
Ynorissed,  nourished,  130,  205. 
Yno3,  enough,  22. 
Yno5amendment,  repentance,  171. 
Yno3bote,  restitution,  penance,  4, 

180. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


365 


Yno3liclie,  sufficiently,  abundant- 
ly,  55,  210.   ' 

Yobliged,  bound,  113. 

Yok,  yoke,  255. 

Yolde,  2W-  of  Yelde,  requited,  73. 

Yonge,  young,  48. 

Yongne,  ace.  young,  162. 

Yordayned,  ordained,  24. 

Youre  =  Yeare,  ear,  265. 

Yourne,  ^j?.  ran,  96.    See  Yerne. 

Ypasid,  jDast,  59,  113. 

Ypayd,  pleased,  50,  177;  payed, 
163. 

Ypeynt,  painted,  26. 

Ypined,  Ypyned,  tormented,  suf- 
fered, 213,  263. 

Ypi3t,  establislied,  confirmed, 
199,  253. 

Ypocrisie,  17,  26. 

Ypocrite,  26. 

Yporcliased,  purchased,  35. 

Ypraysed,  praised,  21. 

Yprimsened,  clothed,  adorned, 
188. 

Ypunnyssed,  punished,  74. 

Yqueme,  please,  228.  See  K ueme. 

Yquenct,  quenched,  205,  240. 

Yrauissed,  ravished,  143,  231. 

Yre,  wrath,  101. 

Yreaued,  taken  away,  1 43. 

Yredliche,  readily,  1. 

Yredy,  ready,  173. 

Yroted,  rooted,  107,  230. 

Yrymed,  rhymed,  99, 

Yserued,  deserved,  115. 

Ysej,  saw,  156,  264. 


Yse3e  Jje,  sawest  thou,  264. 

Ysi,  to  see,  21,  54. 

Yslaje,  slain,  58. 

Ysliked,  Yslyked,  made  sleek  or 

smooth,  99,  212. 
Ysmaked,  ysmacked,  tasted,  93. 
Ysmered,  smeared,  anointed,  93. 
Ysmo])ed,  smoothed,  57. 
Ysnes,  irons,  128. 
Yso^e,  seen,  264. 
Yspeke,  spoken,  69,  87. 
Yspild,  destroyed,  75,  129. 
Yspoused,  espoused,  married,  221. 
Yssape,  made,  87,  100. 
Ysseawed,  Yssewed,   shown,  44, 

76,  109. 
Yssed,  shed,  239. 
Ysset,  shut,  154. 
Yssored,  shored,  207,  218. 
Yssred,  clothed,  188. 
Yssruie,  shriven,  70. 
Ystole,  stolen,  58. 
Ystrengjjed,  strengthened,  201. 
Ystriued,  disputed,  164. 
Ysyej),  pi.  see,  217. 
Ytake,  taken,  75. 
Ytald,  told,  24,  70. 
Ytajt,  Yto3te,  taught,  54,  254. 
Ytempred,  tempered,  257. 
Yjjoled,  suffered,  182. 
Yjjonked,  thanked,  196. 
Yjjorsse,  thrashed,  139  ;    struck, 

266. 
Yualle,  might  befaU,  36  ;    f alien j 

157. 
Yualjj,  falls,  causes,  befalls,  258. 


356 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


Yuar3ed,  farrowed,  61 ;  A.S./e«r/?, 
a  farrow,  litter. 

Yviayred,  made  fair,  107,  200. 

Yue  =Yeue,  give,  271. 

Yued,  fed,  141. 

Yueld,  felled,  struck,  50,  143, 
249. 

Yuelded  =  Yuelde,  filled,  246. 

Yuele,  to  feel,  83,  92,  131. 

Yueljj,  feels,  31,  128. 

Yuerred,  removed,  240.   See  Yerri. 

Yuestned,  confirmed,  strength- 
ened, 105,  107,  109,  221. 

Yuef,  imjy.  give,  265. 

Yuinde,  to  find,  30,  48,  64,  130. 

Yulemed,  fugitive,  39. 

Yuo,  foe,  foes,  76,  171. 

Yuoljed,  followed.     See  Uolzi. 

Yuon,  foes,  197. 

Yuonde,  found,  186. 

Yuonded,  tempted,  117. 

Yuorfed,  nourished,  186  ;  A.S. 
fordian,  to  aid,  assist. 

Yuounde,  found,  92. 

Yno-^te,  j)I>.  fought,  176. 

Yuryd,  set  free,  86;  delivered, 
293. 

Yvzed,  used,  115. 

Ywent,  turned,  24,  88 ;  gone,  164 ; 
come  to  pass,  262. 

Ywer,  wary,  100. 

Ywesse,  washed,  107,  112,  236. 

Ywetered,  watered,  131. 

Ywonded,  wounded,  148. 

Ywoned,  wont,  90,  106. 

Yworfe,  be,  become,  262  ;   come 


(to  nothing),  40. 
Yworjjssiped,    worshipped,    hon- 
oured, 81. 
Ywrethed,  made  angry,  161,  171. 
Ywre3e,  YAvri3e,  hidden,  covered, 

covert,  37,  96,  210.   See  Wrij. 
Ywryte,  Avritten,  217, 
Ywry3e,  covered,  66. 
Ywryjeliche,  secretly,  37. 
Yvryl,  will,  94,  217. 
Ywylned,  desired,  76,  80. 
Ywyte,    to   learn,  notice,    know, 

24,  29,  57,  70;p2^.  known,  10. 
Ywyto,    preser^^e,    212  ;    guard, 

241.     See  Wytie. 
Yyeue,  given,  20,  79. 
Yyolde,  paid,  restored,  120,  163, 

191. 
Yyoyned,  joined,  260. 
Yzawe,  sawn,  255. 
Yzed,  said,  20,  34,  39,  74  ;  called, 

93. 
Yzen,  Ysen,  iron,  139,  167,  217. 
Yzendred,  purified,  251. 
Yzene3ed,   Yzen3ed,   sinned,   21, 

173,  221. 
Yzet,  set,  ordained,  7,  167  ;   set, 

131,  213. 
YzeJ),  see,  36,  72. 
Yze3,  saw,  2,  118;  j)Z.  Yze3e,  126, 

156. 
Yze3e,    sawest,    20  ;     suhj.    saw, 

33. 
Yzejen,  pi.  saw,  212. 
Yzi,  Yzy,  Ysy,  to  see,  24,  27,  70, 

73,  157. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


357 


Yzist,  Yzixt,  Yzyxt.  seest,  73,  80, 

101. 
Yzi^,  see,  185. 
Yzijt,  Yzijl?,  Yzy3]3,  sees,  22,  25, 

81,  85,  lU,  115,  130,  157. 
Yzo3e,  seen,  10,  173,  18-4. 
Yzyenne,  to  see,  to  be  seen,   108, 

228,  238. 
Yzyejj,  YzyzJ),  sees,  see,  53,  56. 
Yzyef),  Yzyjj,  Yzej),  sees,  see,  27, 

46,  72,  75. 

Zalt,  salt,  242. 

Zang,  song,  60,  61,  68. 

Zaule,  soiil,  14,  105. 

Zaulen,  Zanies,  souls,  1, 113,  264. 

Zawe,  soAv,  43,  214. 

Zay,  say,  1,  8,  103. 

Zayde,  said,  103,  185. 

Zayl,  sail,  183. 

Zaynte,  Zaynt,  saint,  12,  13. 

Zayst,  say  est,  70,  102. 

ZayJ),  says,  6,  14. 

Ze,  sea,  14,  37. 

Ze,  he,  117. 

Zeade,  Zeayde,  said,  96. 

Zech,  Zeche,  sack,  50,  81,  216. 

Zeche,  to  seek,   22,  38,  74,.  94, 

184;  imp.  Zech,  184. 
Zed,  sad,  firm,  83. 
Zed,  seed,  143,  216. 
Zede,  said,  59,  89. 
Zekjj,  seeks,  123,  184. 
Zele,  seU,  241. 
Zelf,  self,  59. 
Zelle,  to  seU,  36,  138. 


Zellere,  seller,  45. 

Zellef,  pi  seU,  36. 

Zel]j,  seUs,  24,  36,  51. 

Zelue,  self,  same,  41,  45,  102. 

Zeluer,  Zelure,  silver,  6,  35,  36. 

Zen,  sin,  262. 

Zende,  to  send,  imp.  Zend. 

Zene^ere,  sinner,  33,  60,  114. 

Zenejejj,  sins,  4,  6,  8,  19. 

Zene^i,  to  sin,  20,  45,  63. 

ZengJ),  singes,  229. 

Zenne,  sin,  2,  6,  15. 

Zennes,  Zennen,  sins,  7,  9,  115. 

Zent,  sends,  3;y?  sing.  73. 

Zenuol,  ZenuoUe,  sinful,   15,  59, 

90,  113. 
Zep,  sap,  96. 
Zet,  sets,  7,  62,  124. 
Zet,  sat,  96. 
Zete,  imp.  place,  254. 
Zeterday,  Saturday,  7,  213. 
Zetnesse,  stability,  104. 
Zetnesses,  bounds,  223. 
Zette,  to  set,  place,  appoint,   6 ; 

joret.  appointed,  ordained,   11, 

12,  13,  95;  sat,  199. 
ZeJ)]3e,  since,  afterw^ards,  14,  47, 

48,  100,  242. 
Zeue,  seven,  3,  4,  14. 
Zeuende,  seventh,  2,  3,  7,  9. 
Zeuenti,  seventy,  1. 
Zeuezijje,  seven  times,  201. 
Zeueuald,  sevenfold,  268. 
Zej,  saw. 

Zeje,  should  see,  173. 
Ze3en,  pi.  saw,  204. 


358 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX, 


Zi,  see,  156. 

Ziden,  sides,  151. 

Zigge,  to  say,  4,  5,  6,  7,  16,  91. 

Ziggere,  sayer,  134, 

Zigginge,  Ziggingge,  saying,  19, 
49,  58,  135. 

Zik  {loh  Zike),  sick,  148, 

Ziker,  Zikere,  certain,  sure,  con- 
fident, 13,  64,  93,  94,  268, 

Zikerliche,  securely,  confidently, 
certainly,  64,  94,  125,  182; 
comp.  Zikerlaker,  194. 

Ziknesse,  sickness,  16,  22. 

Zik  J),  sees,  123. 

Zinge,  to  sing,  22,  267. 

Zijje,  time,  20,  21,  74. 

Zittinde,  Zittynde,  sitting,  266. 

Zix,  six,  21. 

Zixsi))e,  Zixzijie,  six  times,  133, 
234. 

Zixte,  sixth,  2,  3,  32. 

Zixti,  sixty,  234. 

Zixtia3te,  sixtieth,  234. 

Zi3j),  sees,  11,  34. 

Zi3]3e,  sight,  46;  revelation,  133. 

Zobbinge,  sobbing,  211. 

Zoft,  soft,  31,  47. 

Zofthede,  softness,  delicacy, 

Zom,  Zome,  some,  7,  15. 

Zomdel,  somewhat,  90,  268. 

Zomping,  something,  33, 

Zomere,  summer,  131. 

Zonday,  Sunday,  7,  41, 

Zondes,  messengers,  8  7 ;  A.  S.  sand, 
message. 

Zone,  son,  11,  12,  48. 

Zone,  soon,  42. 


Zonges,  songs,  68. 

Zonne,  sun,  27,  81, 

Zonnebyam,  sunbeam,  108. 

Zop,  sop,  107. 

Zorer,  sorer,  238. 

Zorjuol,       Zor3uolle,       Zoruolle, 

sorrowful,    poor,    34,   54,    59, 

132,  147, 
Zor3e,  sorrow,  anger,   15,  27,  70, 

194. 
Zor3uollaker,    Zoruollaker,    more 

sorrowful,  90. 
Zor3y,  to  sorrow,  be  angry ;   2>rd 

sing.  Zor3e)),  71,  108. 
Zoster,  sister,  89. 
Zostren,  sisters,  265. 
ZoJ),  Zofie,  true,  truth,  2,  6,  12, 

32,  76,  79. 
Zo])hede,  truth,  105. 
Zo])liche,  truly,  74. 
Zo))nesse,  truth,  fidelity,  29,   44, 

65. 
ZoJiuoUiche,  truly,  133. 
Zojjziggere,  soothsayer,  a   speaker 

of  truth,  256. 
Zoucjj,  sucks,  136. 
Zouke,  suck,  60,  91. 
Zoure,  sour,  76,  82,  227. 
ZoureJ),  sours,  205. 
Zoutere,  shoemaker,  66. 
Zou)),  south,  124. 
Zo3ten,  sought,  80, 
Zuech,  Zueche,  such,  156,  244, 
Zuel3,  swallow,  taste,  50,  55,  82  ; 

A.S,  sivelgan,  to  swallow. 
Zuel3j),  swallows,  106,  123. 
Zuel3ynge,  taste,  91. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


359 


Zuere,  neck,  156  ;  A.S.  siceora. 

Zuere,  swear,  6. 

Zuerie,  Zuerye,  to  swear,  7,   44, 

56,  64. 
Zueriinge,    Zueriynge,    swearing, 

63. 
ZuerJ),  swears,  6. 
Zuete,  sweet,  1,  68. 
Zuetliche,  sweetly,  61,  111. 
Zuetnesse,  sweetness,  55,  92. 
Zuicli,    Zuyct,    Zuiche,    Zuyclie, 

Zuichen,  such,  8,  10,  14. 
Zuo,  so,  1,  14,  86. 
ZU0I3,  plough,  242  ;    A.S.  sulh,  a 

plough. 
Zuor,  swore,  45. 
Zuord,  Zuorde,  sword,  43,  48. 
Zuot,  sweat,  2,  31,  96. 
Zuyetnesse,  sweetness,  145. 
Zuyn,  swine,  126. 
Zuynkere,  toiler,  90. 
Zuyft,  swift,  141,  268. 
Zuyfter,  swifter,  &Q. 
Zuyfthede,  swiftness,  78. 
Zuyftliche,  swiftly,  140. 
Zuynch,  toil,  83. 
Zuynche,  to  toil,  swink,  171. 


Zuyjje,  hastily.  111. 

Zuyjjer,  faster,  61. 

Zwope,  sweep,  109. 

Zy,  she,  102. 

Zyalde,  sold,  215. 

Zycnesse,  Zyknesse,  sickness,  95, 
96. 

Zyenne,  to  see,  150,  231. 

Zyejj,  ^:/Z.  see,  1 6. 

Zye3  =  Zjq]),  see,  244. 

2ygge,  to  say,  69. 

Zyinde,  seeing,  71. 

Zyke,  sick,  82,  266. 

Zyker,  Zykere,  secure,  75,  78. 

Zykf)  =  Zy3]),  sees,  91. 

Zykynges,  sighs,  99,  171. 

Zynge,  to  sing,  105. 

Zy]j,  see,  75,  88. 

Zy^t,  sees,  161. 

Zy^te,  sixth,  2. 

Zyuetnesse  =  Zuyetnesse,  sweet- 
ness, 93. 

ADDITIONS. 

Brene,  burning,  264. 
Dorilot,  head-dress,  177. 


JOHN    CHILDS   AND   SON,   PRINTERS. 


d^arlji  d^njlislj  ^t%t  S>md^. 


Third  Annual  Report  of  the  Committee.     January,  1867. 


Once  more  the  Committee  have  the  pleasing  task  of  announcing  to  the 
Members  the  still  continuing  success  of  the  Society.  Since  its  first 
year  its  annual  income  has  more  than  quadrupled  {1521.  to  681 Z.)  ;  its 
yearly  issue  of  Texts  has  nearly  trebled  (4  to  11)  ;  its  members  have 
nearly  trebled  (145  to  409),  and  never  before  has  any  Society  of  a  like 
kind,  in  any  year,  given  to  the  public  such  a  variety  and  amount  of  the 
records  of  early  English  thought  and  work.  During  tlie  past  year  the 
Society's  Texts  of  1864  and  1865  have  nearly  all  gone  out  of  print"  ;  and 
the  Committee's  order  to  the  printers  for  future  issues  has  consequently 
been  raised,  first  from  500  to  750,  and  then  from  750  to  lOUO  copies. 
Moreover,  the  past  year  has  been  signalised  by  the  direct  co-operation 
of  two  of  the  older  Societies  —  the  Philological  and  Camden  —  with  our 
own  in  the  production  of  certain  of  our  Texts,  and  by  the  efforts  of  the 
Kent  Arch^ological  Association  to  circulate  the  Society's  edition  (Mr. 
Morris's)  of  the  most  important  monument  of  the  early  Kentish  dialect, 
The  Ayenbite  of  Inwyt.  Could  this  co-operation  be  carried  further, 
each  Society  offering  yearly  to  all  the  others  with  similar  aims  a  share 
in  such  of  its  publications  as  those  other  Societies  might  severally 
choose,  a  great  boon  would  be  conferred  on  students  ;  each  Society 
would  lighten  the  cost  of  publication  to  its  own  members,  and  largely 
extend  the  circulation  of  the  books  it  produced,  and  which  it  should 
wish  to  see  in  the  hands  of  as  many  readers  as  possible. 

*  As  future  Subscribers  are  sure  to  want  these  back  Texts,  the  Committee 
have  opened  a  separate  Reprinting  Fund,  to  which,  until  all  the  Texts  that 
need  reprinting  are  reprinted,  they  will  cany  all  subscriptions  for  1804-5-0, 
as  well  as  the  amount  received  for  reprinted  Texts  and  for  the  Texts  of  1806 
now  in  hand.  Mr.  Wheatley  wiU  receive  and  enter  the  names  of  those  pre- 
sent and  future  Members  who  will  undertake  to  buy  the  Texts  of  any  back 
year  when  reprinted;  and  as  soon  as  the  number  of  promises  reaches  the 
amount  required  for  reprinting  the  Texts  of  any  one  year,  they  will  at  once  be 
sent  to  press,  and  issued  to  the  Members  subscribing  for  them.  The  Texts 
of  1804  will  cost  about  V2QI.  to  reprint  (of  which  30/.  may  be  looked  on  as 
already  provided),  and  the  Texts  of  1805  about  300/.  If  200  fresh  Members 
to  take  the  back  Texts  can  be  obtained  during  this  year,  as  they  should  be, 
the  reprinted  Texts  of  both  1804  and  1805  can  be  issued  in  1867.  No  sub- 
scriptions for  any  current  year  will  be  carried  to  this  Reprinting  Fund,  as 
the  Committee  will  adhere  to  the  plan  which  has  alone  enabled  them  to 
produce  so  many  Texts  as  they  have  done,  that  of  spending  each  year's  sub- 
scriptions for  the  benefit  of  those  who  contribute  them. 


The  Committee  declare  their  intention  of  thus  offering  the  Society's 
Texts  to  other  Printing  bodies,  and  appeal  to  them  to  do  the  like  to 
the  Early  English  Text  Society. 

Another  most  gratifying  circumstance  in  the  past  year  has  been 
the  marked  success  of  the  examinations  at  Universities  and  Colleges 
for  the  Society's  prizes  of  two  years'  issues  of  its  Texts*.  The  winners 
of  these  prizes  were, — 

Winners.  Examiners. 

E.  F.  Rumsey,  Brasenose.     T 

A.  H.  Sayce,  Queen's.  r      Rev.  Prof.  Bosworth,  Oxford. 

F.  C.  Channing,  Corpus.       -^ 

George  F.  Drapes.  Prof.  Ingram,  Trinity  Coll.,  Dublin. 
—  Bayles.  „    Brewer,  King's  Coll.,  London. 

J,  D.  Fitzgerald.  „     Morley,  Univ.  Coll.,  London. 

Harold  R.  Hopwood.  „    Greenwood,     Owen's      Coll., 

Manchester. 
Thomas  Stewart  Ormond.  „     Masson,  Edinburgh. 

J.  M.  Campbell.  „    Nichol,  Glasgow. 

John  F.  Ewing.  ,,    Baynes,  St.  Andrew's. 

F.  Lawrence  Rentoul,  „    Craik  (the  late),  Belfast. 

L.  P.  O'Connor.  „    Moffett,  Galway. 

Michael  Burke.  „    Rushton,  Cork. 

So  far  as  the  Committee  can  judge  fi-om  the  reports  of  the 
different  Professors  to  them,  and  from  the  answers  of  some  of  the  Stu- 
dents that  have  been  sent  up  to  them,  they  look  on  the  stir  which  the 
Society  has  thus  given  to  the  study  of  our  early  Literature  in  so  many 
centres  of  intellectual  life  as  one  that  will  produce  the  best  results,  es- 
pecially now  that  the  publication  of  Mr.  R.  Morris's  Early  English 
Extracts  (in  the  Clarendon  Press  Series)  puts,  for  the  first  time  in  the 
history  of  the  language,  a  trustworthy  text-book  and  guide  into  learners' 
hands.  The  generous  way  in  which  the  Professors  have  responded 
to  the  Society's  call,  giving  often  extra  lectures,  and  always  extra  ex- 
aminations, for  the  Prizes,  calls  for  special  acknowledgment  on  our 
part.  Already  one  School  has  followed  the  example  of  our  Col- 
leges. To  the  Rev.  Edwin  A.  Abbott,  Head-master  of  the  City  of 
London  School,  belongs  the  credit  of  having  introduced  Piers  Plow- 
man as  a  class-book  for  his  highest  form,  and  of  having  insisted  on  a 
thorough  training  in  English  throughout  his  School.  This  is  the  be- 
ginning, the  Committee  trust,  of  a  general  knowledge  of  English  his- 
torically by  Englishmen,  and  they  have  gladly  added  to  their  list  of 
annual  prize-receivers  this  City  School. 

Two  other  events  the  Committee  also  allude  to  with  pleasure  :  1.  The 
publication  of  an  accurate  Text  from  the  best  MS.  of  each  of  Chaucer's 
Poetical  Works  by  Mr.  Richard  Morris  (though,  unfortunately,  without 

*  Though  there  are  not  now  two  years'  issues  in  hand  for  next  season's 
prizes,  the  nimiber  of  12  Texts  given  will  be  kept  up. 


the  collation  and  notes  that  the  editor  desired  to  add) ;  and,  2,  The 
undertaking  to  edit  Bishop  Percy's  long-hidden  folio  MS. — the  foun- 
dation of  his  ce]ehvated  Reliques  —  by  three  members  of  the  Society, 
Professor  Child,  Mr.  Hales,  and  Mr.  Furnivall.  It  was  only  the  entire 
absorption  of  the  Society's  limited  resources  by  works  already  in  the 
press,  and  its  consequent  inability  to  meet  a  call  for  600Z.  in  six 
months,  that  prevented  the  manager  of  the  Percy  scheme  from  making 
it  part  of  the  Society's  ordinary  work,  and  the  Committee  from  un- 
dertaking it.  As  it  is,  the  print  of  the  MS.  will  be  obtainable  by 
members  of  the  Society  at  half  the  cost  to  non-members,  and  the 
Committee  give  notice  that  they  will  consider  the  Arthur  and  other 
Romances  in  the  Percy  folio  as  part  of  the  Society's  Texts,  and  as  not 
needing  reproduction  in  the  Society's  series  to  which  such  Romances, 
&c.  belong.  The  completion  by  the  Surtees  Society  of  their  edition 
of  the  text  of  the  Lindisfarne  and  Rushworth  Gospels  is  also  matter 
of  congratulation  ;  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  Glossary  to,  and 
Treatise  on,  the  dialect  of  these  inestimable  Northern  remains,  pro- 
mised by  their  latest  editor,  will  soon  follow  the  works  themselves. 
Lastly,  the  Committee  call  attention  to  the  assignment  by  Mr.  Henry 
Bradshaw,  to  Barbour,  the  author  of  The  Brus,  of  two  works  hitherto 
unknown  to  be  written  by  him  :  1.  Fragments  of  a  Troy-Book,  mixed 
up  with  some  copies  of  Lydgate's  Troy-Book  ;  and,  2,  nearly  40,000 
lines  0^  Lives  of  Saints.  Should  no  other  Society  print  these  before 
our  own  is  ready  to  undertake  them,  they  will  be  issued  among  the 
Early  English  Text  Society's  publications  in  due  course.  The  Anglo- 
Saxon  Book  of  Martyrs  that  Mr.  Cockayne  has  just  claimed  as  King 
Alfred's,  is  to  be  printed  by  that  gentleman  in  his  Shrine. 

Turning  now  to  the  Society's  special  work — the  issue  of  Texts — 
the  Committee  note  that  in  its  first  class,  Romances,  during  the  last 
year  four  books  have  been  issued,  two  of  which  are  printed  from 
unique  MSS.  for  the  first  time  ;  Merlin,  Part  II.,  Kyng  Jlorn,  part  of 
Floris  and  Blanch eflour,  and  Partenay.  The  G^awm?2e  Poems  were  kept 
back  by  their  editor's  other  engagements  ;  but  they  are  now  ready  for 
press,  and  will  be  sent  to  it  forthwith. 

In  the  Society's  second  class — Dialectal  works  —  the  event  of  the 
year  has  been  the  issue  of  the  first  great  monument  of  the  Kentish 
dialect,  in  1.340  a.b.,  the  Ayenbite  of  Imvyt,  not  mutilated,  as  in  the 
former  edition,  but  complete,  and  with  an  almost  exhaustive  glossary 
and  a  treatise  on  the  dialect  by  Mr.  Richard  Morris.  The  same  dialect 
has  received  further  illustration  from  the  early  treatises  edited  by  Mr. 
Cockayne,  the  latter  of  which  —  Hali  Meidenhad — .has  also  brought 
into  bright  relief  a  passage  in  the  life  of  English  girls  in  1220-30  A.D., 
unequalled  in  interest  by  any  known  publication  of  the  time.  The 
Northern  dialect  has  been  illustrated  not  only  by  the  continuation  of 
the  works  of  Schir  David  Lyndesay  of  the  Mont,  Lord  Lyone  Kyng  of 
Armes,  with  his  eloquent  denunciation  of  the  wrongs  of  his  time,  but 
by  the  first  treatises  of  the  Society's  complete  edition  of  Hampole's 
works,  accompanied  by  the   unique  and   much-desired  Life   of  the 


Hermit*,  edited  by  Mr.  Perry,  whom  we  thank  for  thus  re-creating  for 
us  this  old  Englisli  worthy. 

Into  the  third,  or  Religious  class  of  the  Society's  Texts,  fall  as  well 
the  Ayenbite,  Seinte  Marherete,  Hali  Meidenhad,  and  Hampole  tracts, 
already  alluded  to,  as  the  Assumption  of  the  Virgin,  edited  by  Mr. 
Lumby,  and  the  Religious  Poems,  edited  by  Mr.  Furnivall.  By  these 
the  superstitions  and  faith  of  our  forefathers  have  been  illustrated  ;  and 
of  one  Poem,  carefully  annotated  by  Mr.  Wm.  Rossetti,  The  Stacionx  of 
Rome^  a  second,  and  earlier  text — discovered  after  the  issue  of  the  first 
— will  be  published. 

Though  the  fourth  and  Miscellaneous  class  received  last  year  no  such 
accession  as  the  Wrighfs  Chaste  Wife  brought  to  it  in  the  year  before, 
yet  the  printing  of  the  Political  Poems  from  the  Lambeth  MS.  306 
has  at  least  proved  the  wisdom  of  having  gleaners  after  Government 
labourers  in  the  field  ;  and  The  BoJce  of  Quintessence  has  exhibited  some 
of  the  oddities  in  the  rise  of  that  science  which,  as  modern  Chemistry, 
commands  the  admiration  and  respect  of  men.  The  Piers  Plowman 
extracts  have  cleared  the  way  for  Mr.  Skeat's  complete  edition  of  the 
poem,  and  are  a  guarantee  to  members  and  the  public  that  all  care  will 
be  used  in  securing  the  best  texts,  and  in  collating  them  with  the 
others  next  in  value. 

On  the  whole,  while  the  Committee  look  back  with  some  satis- 
faction to  the  results  of  the  past  year,  they  cannot  but  feel  how 
much  more  might  have  been  effected  if  the  generality  of  members 
had  exerted  themselves  to  procure  new  subscribers  in  the  way  that 
a  few  of  their  body  have  done.  Among  these,  the  Committee  de- 
sire publicly  to  thank  the  Local  Secretary  in  Manchester,  Mr.  John 
Leigh,  who,  although  he  had  in  the  first  half  of  the  year  obtained 
twelve  new  subscribers,  on  the  issue  of  Mr.  Furnivall's  Circular 
in  June  promised  at  once  to  obtain  twelve  more  subscribers :  and  did 
so.  Our  Publisher,  too,  has  been  very  zealous  in  the  Society's  behalf; 
and  his  list  numbers  33  subscribers.  Now  this  is  working  for  editors, 
as  editors  work  for  members ;  and  when  once  this  spirit  animates  the 
whole  of  our  subscribers,  a  real  beginning  Avill  be  made  to  the  work 
the  Society  has  set  itself — the  bringing  to  light  the  whole  of  the 
hidden  springs  of  the  noble  Literature  that  England  calls  its  own. 
The  Society's  is  the  first  resolute  attempt  at  this  colossal  work,  as  a 
whole,  and  it  rests  simply  in  tlie  hands  of  our  members  whether  the 
work  shall  be  done  or  not.  The  present  year  should  see  the  Society's 
income  of  last  year  at  least  doubled,  for  the  revenue  from  the  sale  of 
past  years'  Texts  is  now  exhausted,  and  then  the  way  will  be  clear-]-. 

The  Texts  that  can  be  produced  this  year,  if  funds  enough  are 
supplied,  are  no  less  thari  thirty-two  in  number.  Of  these,  three  have 
already  left  the  press  J,  and  are  issued  to  members  with  this  Report. 

*  A  revised  impression  of  the  Vita  ct  Legenda  will  be  issued  to  members 
forthwith. 

f  We  want  also  Editors  in  Oxford  and  Edinburgh. 

I  Immediate  payment  of  the  present  year's  subscriptions  is  required,  in 


Seven  more  are  in  the  press,  and  thirteen  more  are  ready  to  go  to  press 
at  less  than  a  month's  notice :  so  tliat  the  work  is  well  forward.  The 
whole  list  of  thirty-two  is  as  follows,  and  the  subscriptions  received 
will  determine  how  many  of  them  will  be  sent  out  within  the  year :  — 

The  Stacions  of  Rome,  and  the  Pilgrims'  Sea-Voyage  and  Sea-Sickness,  with 
Clene  Maydenhod.  Edited  from  the  Vernon  and  Porkington  MSB.  &c.  by 
F.  J.  Fm-nivall,  Esq.,  M.A.     Is. 

Hymns  to  the  Virgin  and  Christ ;  the  Parliament  of  Devils  ;  and  other  Reli- 
gious Poems.  Edited  from  the  Lambeth  MS.  853,  by  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Esq., 
M.A.     Ss. 

Dan  Jon  Gaytrigg's  Sennon ;  The  Abbaye  of  S.  Spirit ;  Sayne  Jon,  and 
other  pieces  in  the  Northern  Dialect.  Edited  from  Robert  of  Thorntone's 
MS.  (ab.  1460  a.d.)  by  the  Rev.  G.  Perry,  M.A.     2s. 

Levins's  Manipulus,  1570  ;  the  earliest  Rhyming  Dictionary.  To  be  edited  by 
Henry  B.  Wheatley,  Esq.  [In  the  Press. 

Piers  Plowman's  Vision  ;  the  earliest  Version  from  the  earliest  MS.  Collated 
throughout  with  three  other  MSS.  of  the  same  (or  earliest)  type.  To  be 
edited  by  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.  [In  the  Press. 

Piers  Plowman's  Crede.  To  be  edited  from  the  MSS.  by  the  Rev.  W.  W. 
Skeat,  M.A. 

Various  Poems  relating  to  Sir  Gawaine.  To  be  edited  from  the  MSS.  by 
R.  Morris,  Esq.  [In  the  Press. 

Mirk's  Duties  of  a  Parish  Priest,  in  verse.  To  be  edited  for  the  first  time  from 
the  MSS.  in  the  British  Museum  and  Bodleian  Libraries  (ab.  1420  a.d.) 
by  E.  Peacock,  Esq.  [I»  the  Press. 

The  Babees  Boke,  the  Children's  Book,  Urbanitatis,  The  Bokes  of  Norture  of 
John  Russell  aud  Hugh  Rhodes,  the  Bokes  of  Keruyng,  Cortasye,  and 
Demeanour,  &c.,  with  some  French  and  Latin  Poems  on  like  subjects. 
To  be  edited  from  Harleian  and  other  MSS.  by  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Esq. 
M.A.  [Ill  the  Press. 

The  Knight  de  la  Tour  Landry,  1372.  A  Father's  Book  for  his  Daughters. 
To  be  edited  from  the  Harleian  MS.  1764  by  Thomas  Wright,  Esq. 
M.A.,  and  Mr.  William  Rossiter.  [In  the  Press. 

Palladius  on  Husbondrie;  the  earhest  English  Poem  on  Husbandry.  To  be 
edited  from  the  unique  MS.  in  Colchester  Castle  (ab.  1425  a.d.)  by  the 
Rev.  Barton  Lodge,  A.M.     Part  I.  [In  the  Press. 

Cursor  Mundi,  or  Cursur  o  Worlde,  in  the  Northern  Dialect.  To  be  edited 
from  the  MSS.  in  the  British  Museum  and  Trinity  College,  Cambridge, 
by  Richard  Morris,  Esq.     Parti.  [Copied. 

Merlin,  Part  III.     To  be  edited  by  H.  B.  Wheatley,  Esq.  [Copied. 

Sir  David  Lyndesay's  Works,  Part  III.    To  be  edited  by  F.  Hall,  Esq.,  D.C.L. 

Mayster  Jon  Gardener,  and  other  early  pieces  on  Herbs,  &c.  To  be  edited 
from  the  JNISS.  by  W.  Aldis  Wright,  Esq.,  M.A.  [Copied. 

Early  English  Homilies  (ab.  1220-30  a.d.)  from  unique  MSS.  in  Lambeth 
and  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  Libraries.  To  be  edited  by  R.  Morris, 
Esq.  [Copied. 

CathoUcon  Anglicum.  An  English -Latin  Dictionary  (a.d.  1480).  To  be  edited 
from  Lord  Monson's  MS.  by  H.  B.  Wheatley,  Esq.  [Copied. 

Chaucer.  The  Household  Accounts  of  Ehzabeth,  wife  of  Prince  Lionel,  in 
which  Chaucer  is  mentioned ;  with  the  other  Documents  relating  to  the 
Poet.  To  be  edited  by  E.  A.  Bond,  Esq.,  Keeper  of  the  MSS.  in  the 
British  Museum. 


order  that  the  printers'  bills  for  these  Texts  may  be  discharged ;  and  the  Com- 
mittee again  request  each  Member  to  direct  his  Banker  to  pay  his  subscrip- 
tion on  every  first  of  January  to  the  Society's  account,  at  the  Regent  Street 
Branch  of  the  Union  Bank. 


English    Guilds,  their   Statutes   and    Customs,   with   an   Introduction   and 

an  Appendix  of  translated  Statutes.     To  be  edited  from  the  MSS.  1389  a.d., 

by  Toulmin  Smith,  Esq.  [Copied. 

Chaucer's  Prose  Works.     To  be  edited  from  the  MSS.,  with  an  Essay  on  the 

Dialect  of  Chaucer,  by  E.  Morris,  Esq.;  and  a  Treatise  on  the  Poet's 

Pronunciation,  by  Alexander  J.  Ellis,  Esq.,  F.R.S.  \_PrepariiH/. 

Poems  on   Manners  and  Morals  in  the  Northern  Dialect,  from  a  unique  MS. 

in  the  Cambridge  University  Library.     To  be  edited  by  the  Rev.  J.  R. 

Lumby,  M.A.  [Copied. 

The  Alliterative  Romance  of  the  Destruction  of  Troy,  translated  from  Joseph 

of  Exeter.     To  be  edited  from  the  unique  MS.  in  the  Hunterian  Museum, 

Glasgow,  by  the  Rev.  G.  A.  Panton.  [Copied. 

The  Lay-Folks  Mass-Book,  and  other  Poems.   To  be  edited  from  aEoyal  MS. 

&c.,  by  the  Rev.  Frederick  Simmons.  [Cuj)ied. 

Lives  of  St.  Juliana  and  St.  Katherine,  and  other  early  pieces  before  1250  a.d. 

To  be  edited  from  the  MSS.  (with  a  translation)  by  the  Eev.  O.Cockayne, 

M.A.  [Copied. 

The  Romance  of  William  and  the  Werwolf.     To  be  edited  from  the  unique 

MS.  in  King's  Coll.  Library,  Cambridge,  by  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A. 

[Ready  for  Press, 
The  Romance  of  Sir  Generides  in  Ballad  Metre,   from  the  unique  MS.  in 

Trin.  Col.  Library,  Cambridge .  To  be  edited  by  W.  Aldis  Wright,  Esq.  M.A. 
Cato,  Great  and  Little,  with  Proverbs,  &c.,  from  the  Vernon  and  other  MSS. 

To  be  edited  by  Mr.  Edmund  Brock.  [Copied. 

The  Rewle  of  Saint  Benet,  in  Anglo-Saxon  and  Early  Enghsh,  &c.,   also  in 

Northern  verse  of  the  loth  century.    To  be  edited  from  early  MSS,  and 

the  Cotton  MS.  Vesp.  A.  xxv.  by  R.  Morris,  Esq. 
An  Old  English  Bestiary  of  ab.  1250  a.d.     To  be  edited  from  an  Arundel  MS. 

by  R.  Morris,  Esq.  [Copied. 

The  Harrowing  of  Hell.     To  be  edited  from  MSS,  in  the  Bodleian  Library, 

&c.,  by  R.  F.  Weymouth,  Esq.,  M.A.  [Copied. 

Hampole's  Translation  of,  and  Commentary  on,  the  Psalms,  from  the  Northern 

MSS.  in  Sidney  Sussex  Coll.  Cambridge,  and  No.  10  in  Eton  College 

Library,  Ac.     To  be  edited  by  R.  Morris,  Esq. 
Le  Venery  de  Twety  and  of  Mayster  John  Giffarde,  and  the  Mayster  of  Game. 

From  MSS.  Cott.  Vesp.  b.  xii.,  Harl.  5806,  &c.     To  be  edited  by  Alfred 
Sadler,  Esq. 

A  glance  at  the  List  above  will  show  what  important  and  in- 
teresting conti-ibutions  will  be  made  to  our  Literature  if  only  the  first 
twenty  of  these  books  can  be  produced  this  year ;  a  new  Romance,  the 
continuation  of  a  second ;  the  first  collection  of  the  Statutes  of  our 
Guilds,  and  the  fullest  collection  yet  made  of  tracts  on  the  Meals  and 
Manners  of  our  early  times,  illustrating  the  social  condition  of  our 
ancestors  ;  the  duties  of  the  Parish  Priest ;  the  labours  of  the  Husband- 
man ;  the  work  of  the  Gardener  ;  the  warnings  of  the  Divine  ;  a  Father's 
Counsel  to  his  Daughters,  enforced  by  quaintest  tales  ;  traces  of 
Chaucer  (with  a  discussion  of  his  dialect  and  pronunciation)  ;  the  rise 
of  our  great  Piers  Plowman;  the  story  of  the  World  ;  —  surely,  these, 
with  much  most  valuable  material  for  the  historian  of  our  language 
(among  it,  evidence  of  a  new  stage  in  the  development  of  our  tongue), 
are  worth  an  effort  to  produce  during  the  year  ;  and  each  member 
must  settle  with  hinaself  whether  he  will  make  it. 


List  of  Texts  for  Puhlication  in  future  years : — 

I.   ARTHUR  AND  OTHER  ROMAKCES. 

The  Romance  of  Arthour  and  Merlin.  From  the  Auchinleck  MS.  (ah. 
1320-30  A.D.),  and  the  Lincohi's  Inn  and  Douce  MSS. 

The  History  of  the  Saint  Graal  or  Sank  Ryah  By  Henry  Lonelich,  Skynner 
(ah.  1410  A.D.)  To  be  re-edited  from  the  unique  MS.  in  the  Library  of 
Corpus  Christi  Coll.,  Cambridge,  by  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Esq.,  M.A. 

SjT  Thomas  Maleor's  Mort  d' Arthur.  To  be  edited  from  Caxton's  edition 
(8145  A.D.),  with  a  new  Preface,  Notes,  and  a  Glossary. 

The  Arthur  Ballads. 

The  Romance  of  Sir  Tristrem.     To  be  edited  from  the  Auchinleck  MS. 

The  English  Charlemagne  Romances,  from  the  Auchinleck  MS.,  Lansd. 
388,  &c. 

A  Charlemagne  Romance  in  Southern  verse  (ab.  1377  a.d.)  :  from  MS.  Ash- 
mole  33.     To  be  edited  by  the  Rev.  J.  Hoskyns  Abrahall,  M.A. 

The  Romance  or  Legend  of  Sir  Ypotis.     From  the  Vernon  and  other  MSS. 

[_Copied. 

The  English  Alexander  Romances.      Chevalere  Assigne. 

The  Early  English  Version  of  the  Gesta  Romanorum.  To  be  edited  from  the 
MSS.  in  the  British  Museum  and  other  Libraries. 

II.       DIALECTAL  WORKS  AND  DICTIONARIES. 

The  Gospel  of  Nicodemus  in  the  Northumbrian  dialect,  To  be  edited  for  the 
first  time  from  Harl.  MS.  4196,  &c.,Cotton-Galba,  e.  ix.,by  R.  Morris,|Esq. 

Lives  of  Saints,  in  the  Southern  dialect.  To  be  edited  from  the  Harleian  MS. 
2277  (ab.  1305  a.d.),  by  R.  Morris,  Esq. 

Barbour's  Lives  of  Saints  (in  the  Northern  Dialect).  From  the  MS.  in  the 
Cambiidge  University  Library. 

A  Series  of  Early  English  Dictionaries. 

A  little  Dictionary  for  Children  (W.  de  Worde),  or  a  shorte  Dictionarie  for 
yonge  beginners  (1554),  by  .J.  Withals.  (The  earliest  edition,  to  be  col- 
lated with  the  succeeding  editions.)     To  be  edited  by  Joseph  Payne,  Esq. 

Abcedarium  Angiico-latinum,  pro  Tyrunculis,  Richardo  Huloeto  exscriptore. 
Londini,  1552.     To  be  edited  by  Danby  P.  Fry,  Esq. 

An  Alvearie,  or  Quadruple  Dictionarie  in  Englishe,  Latin,  Greeke,  and  French, 
by  John  Baret.     (The  edition  of  1580  collated  with  that  of  1573.; 
Also,  Latin-English, — 

Herman's  Vulgaria,  1519,  1530.     To  be  edited  by  Toulmin  Smith,  Esq. 

IIL       MISCELLANEOUS. 

The  two  later  and  differing  Versions  of  Piers  Plowman,  in  separate  editions. 

To  be  edited  from  the  MSS.  by  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.     [Preparing. 
Early  English  Poems  from  the  Vernon  MS.     To  be  edited  by  F.  J.  Furnivall, 

Esq.,  M.A.  \_Part  copied. 

The  Rewle  of  the  Moon,  and  other  Poems  illustrating  Superstitions.     To  be 

edited  from  MSS.  by  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Esq.,  M.A.  [Part  copied. 

Vegecius  of  Knyghthod  and  Chyualrie,  from  MSS.  in  the  Bodleian  and  British 

Museum.     To  be  edited  by  Danby  P.  Fry,  Esq.  [Cojned. 

The  Siege  of  Rouen.     From  Harl.  MS.  2256,  Egerton  MS.  1995,  Hari.  753, 

Bodl.  124,  &c. 
Lydgate's  Tragedies  of  Bochas,  or  Falles  of  Princes.    From  the  fine  Harleian 

MS.  1766. 
Lydgate  and  Burgh's  Secreta  Secretorum.     From  the  Sloane  MS.  2464. 
Lydgate's  Translation  of  Boethius,  a.d.  1410;  Pilgrim,  1426;  Siege  of  Thebes, 

1448-50,  and  other  Poems. 
Hugh  Campden's  Sidracke.     From  MS.  Laud,  g.  57  ;  Hari.  4294,  &c. 
Occleve's  Unprinted  Works. 
Occleve's  De  Regimine  Principum,  from  Arundel  MS.  38. 


8 

Gawain  Douglas's  ^neis.     To  be  edited  by  F.  Hall,  Esq.,  D.C.L. 
Barbour's  Brus,  to  be  edited  from  the  jMSS.  by  J,  Peile,  Esq.,  M.A.,  and  the 

Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.  [Preparing. 

Barbour's    Troy-Book.      The   Fragments  in    the  MSS.    of  the   Cambridge 

University  Library,  and  the  Douce  Collection. 
The  Siege  of  Jerusalem,  the  Nightingale,  and  other  Poems,  from  MS.  Cot. 

CaKg.  A.  ii.,  Addit.  MS.  10,036,  &c. 
Lauder's  remaining  Poems.     To  be  edited  by  F.  Hall,  Esq.,  D.C.L. 
Early  Lawes  and  Ordinances  of  Warre.   To  be  edited  by  the  Rev.  F.  Simmons. 
George  Ashby's    Active  Policy  of  a  Prince,  from  MS.  Mm.  iv.  42,  in  Camb. 

Univ.  Library. 
Peter  Idle's  Poems,  from  the  MS.  se.  iv.  37,  in  C&rab.  Univ.  Library. 
Adam  Davie's  Poems,  from  MS.  Laud.  i.  74,  and  Hale's  MS.  150. 
A  Collection  of  Early  Tracts  on  Grammar.     To  be  edited  (chiefly  from  MSS. 

for  the  first  time)  by  H.  B.  Wheatley,  Esq.  \^Part  copied. 

Some  of  Francis  Thynne's  Works.     To  be  edited  from  the  MSS.  by  G.  H. 

Kingsley,  Esq.,  M.D. 
Froissart's  Chronicles,  translated  out  of  Frenche  into  our  maternall  Englyshe 

Tonge,  by  Johan   Bourchier,  Knight,  Lord  Berners.     To  be  edited  by 

Henry  B.  Wheatley,  Esq. 
Skelton's  Translation  of  Diodorus  Siculus,  oute  of  freshe  Latin,  that  is,  of 

Poggius  Florentinus,  containing  six   books.     To  be  edited  for  the  first 

time  from  the  unique  MS.  in  the  Library  of  Corpus  Christi  Coll.,  Cam- 
bridge. 
William  Harrison's  Description  of  England,  fx'om  Holinshead. 
The  English  Works  of  Sir  Thomas  More. 

IV.       BIBLICAL  AND  RELIGIOUS. 

The  Psalms  called  Schorham's.     To  be  edited  from  the  unique  MS.  (ab.  1340 

A.D.)  in  the  British  Museum,  by  R.  Morris,  Esq.  {Copied. 

Eoberd  of  Brunne's  Handlyng  Synne  ;  a  treatise  on  the  sins,  and  sketches  of 

the  manners,  of  English  men  and  women  in  a.d.  1303.     To  be  re-edited 

from  the  MSS.  in  the  British  Museum  and  Bodleian  Libraries,  by  F.  J. 

Furnivall,  Esq.,  M.A. 
Amon  and  Mardocheus,  or  Haman  and  Mordecai.     From  the  Vernon  MS. 
The  Old  and  New  Testament  in  Verse.     To  be  edited  from  the  Vernon  MS. 

by  R.  Morris,  Esq.  [Copied. 

The  Stories  of  Lazarus,  Susanna  and  the  Elders,  &c.    From  the  Vernon  MS. 

To  be  edited  by  J.  W.  Hales,  Esq.,  M.A.  [Copied. 

The  History  of  Adam  and  Eve.     From  MS.  Harl.  1704.     Edited  by  S.  W. 

Kershaw,  Esq. 
Trevisa's  Translation  of  Fitzralf's  Sermon.     From  MS.  Harl.  1900. 
Medytacions  of  the  Soper  of  our  Lorde  Iliesu,  &c.,  perhaps  by  Robert  of 

Brunne.     To  be  edited  from  the  Harl.  MS.  1701  (ab.  1300  a.d.),  &c.,  by 

F.  J.  Furnivall,  Esq. 
Hampole's  remaining  Works. 
Guillaume  de  Deguilleville's  Pilgrimage  of  the  Sowle,  translated.     From  MS. 

Cott.  Vitel.  c.  xiii. 
Lydgate's  Life  of  St.  Edmund.     From  the  presentation  MS.  to  Henry  VI. 

Harl.  2278. 
William  of  Nassyngton's  Treatise  on  Sins,  &c. 
John  de  Taysteke's  Poem  on  the  Decalogue,  1357  a.d.    From  MS.  Harl.  1022. 

*^*  All   Complaints   as  to   the   Non-delivert/    of  Texts  should    be   made 
to  the   Publishers. 


The  Committee  invite  offers  of  voluntary  assistance  from  those  who  may 
be  willing  to  edit  or  copy  Texts,  or  to  lend  them  books  for  re-printing  or  for 
re-reading  with  the  original  MSS. 


LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS. 


COMMITTEE   OF   MANAGEMENT  : 

DANBY  P.  FRY,  ESQ.  RICHARD  MORRIS,  ESQ. 

FREDERICK  J.  FURNIVALL,   ESQ.  H.  T.  PARKER,  ESQ. 

FITZEDWARD  HALL,   ESQ.  REV.  GEORGE  G.  PERRY. 

REV.  J.  RAWSON  LUMBY.  REV.  WALTER  W.  SKEAT. 

HENRY  B.  WHEATLEY,  ESQ. 

(With power  to  add  Workeri  to  their  number.) 

HONORARY    SECRETARY  : 

HENRY  B.  WHEATLEY,  ESQ.,   53  Berners  Street,  London,  W. 

bankers: 

THE  UNION  BANK  OF  LONDON,  REGENT  STREET  BRANCH, 

14  Argyll  Place,  W. 


Abeahall,  Kev.  John  Hoskyns,  Combe,  near  Woodstock. 

Adam,  A.  Mercer,  Esq.,  M.D.,  Boston,  Lincolnshire. 

Adams,  Dr.  Ernest,  Anson  Road,  Victoria  Park,  Manchester. 

Adams,  G.  E.,  Esq.  (Rouge  Dragon),  Heralds'  College,  E.C. 

Addis,  John,  Jan.,  Esq.,  Rustington,  Littlehanipton,  Sussex. 

AiNswoRTH,  Dr.  R.  F.,  Cliff  Point,  Lower  Broughton,  Manchester. 

Akroyd,  Edward,  Esq.,  Bank  Field,  Halifax. 

Alexander,  George  Russell,  Esq.,  Glasgow. 

Alexander,  John,  Esq.,  Dowanhill,  Glasgow, 

Alexander,  Walter,  Esq.,  29  St.  Vincent  Place,  Glasgow. 

Allon,  Rev.  Henry,  10  St.  Mary's  Road,  Canonbury,  N. 

Amert,  J.  Sparks,  Jun.,  Esq.,  Druid,  near  Ashburton,  Devon. 

Amhurst,  VVra.  A.  Tyssen,  Esq.,  Didlington  Park,  Brandon,  Norfolk, 

Angus,  Rev.  Joseph,  D.D.,  Regent's  Park  College,  N.W. 

Ardaseer  Cursetjee,  Esq. 

AsHER  &  Co.,  Messrs.,  13  Bedford  Street,  Covent  Garden.  W.C.  (4  sets.) 

Athenaeum  Club,  Waterloo  Place,  S.W. 

Atkinson,  Rev.  J.  C,  Danby  Parsonage,  Grosmont,  York. 

Austin,  Frederick  Stephen,  Esq.,  39  Princess  Street,  Manchester. 

Austin,  Stephen,  Hertford. 

Babington,  Rev.  Professor  Churchill,  B.D.,  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge 

Backhouse,  John  H.,  Esq.,  Blackwell,  Darlington. 

Bain,  J.,  Esq.,  1  Haymarket. 

Baker,  Charles,  Esq.,  II  Sackville  Street,  W. 

Banks,  W.  S.,  Esq.,  Wakefield. 

Bahon,  Rev.  J.,  Rectory,  Upton  Scudamorc,  Warminster,  Wilts. 

Baynes,  Thos.  S.,  Esq.,  19  Queen  Street,  St.  Andrew's,  Fife. 

Beard,  James,  Esq.,  The  Grange,  Burnage  Lane,  near  Manchester. 

Belfast,  The  Library  of  Queen's  College. 

Benecke,  Dr.,  Berlin. 

Bently,  Rev.  T.  R.,  12  St.  John  Street,  Manchester. 

Besly,  Rev.  Dr.  John,  The  Vicarage,  Long  Benton,  Newcastle-on-Tyne. 

Bickerton,  G.,  Esq.,  28  Torphichen  Street,  Edinburgh. 

BiDDELL,  Sidney,  Esq.,  Farm-hill  House,  Stroud,  Gloucestershire. 

Birmingham  Library,  Union  Street,  Birmingham. 

Birmingham  Free  Central  Library,  Ratcliff  Place,  Birmingham. 

Blackman,  Frederick,  Esq.,  4  York  Road,  S. 

Bladon,  James,  Esq.,  Albion  House,  Pont  y  Pool. 

BoHN,  Henry  G.,  Esq.,  York  Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

BoiLEAU,  Sir  John  P.,  Bart.,  20  Upper  Brook  Street,  W. 

BoswoRTH,  Rev.  Professor,  D.D.,  20  Beaumont  Street,  Oxford. 

Bowman,  Henry,  Esq.,  Victoria  Park,  Manchester. 

Bridgman,  W.  D.  J.,  Esq.,  D.C.L.,  Woolwich  Common,  S.E. 

Britton,  John  James,  Esq.,  5  Park  Road,  Newcastle-on-Tyne. 

Brothers,  Alfred,  Esq.,  St.  Ann's  Square,  Manchester. 

Buchanan,  Dr.  Robert,  Prince's  Street,  Greenock. 

Buckley,  Rev.  Wm.  Edw.,  Rectory,  Middleton  Cheney,  Banbury. 


]0 

Bote,  The  Marquis  of,  Christ  Church  College,  Oxford. 
Buxton,  Charles,  Esq.,  M.P.,  7  Grosvenor  Crescent,  S.W. 
Cambeidge,  Christ's  College. 

„  Trinity  College  Library, 

„  Trinity  Hall  Library. 

Carlyle,  Dr.,  The  Hill,  Dumfries,  N.B. 
Chalmers,  .James,  Esq.,  Aberdeen. 

Chalmers,  Richard,  Esq.,  1  Claremont  Terrace,  Glasgow. 
Chamberlain,  Professor  J.  H.,  Grange  House,  Birmingham. 
Chappell,  William,  Esq.,  Sunninghill,  Staines. 
Cheetham,  Rev.  S.,  King's  College,  London,  W.C. 
Cheltenham  College  Library. 

„  Permanent  Library,  18  Clarence  Street,  Cheltenham. 

Chesterton,  Miss  E.,  12  Kensington  Palace  Gardens,  W. 
Clark,  E.  C,  Esq.,  Trinity  College,  Cambridge. 
Clark,  Rev.  Samuel,  The  Vicarage,  Bredwardine,  Hereford. 
Cohen,  Arthur,  Esq.,  6  King's  Bench  Walk,  Temple,  E.C. 
Colebrooke,  Sir  T.  E.,  Bart.,  37  South  Street,  Piccadilly. 
Coleridge,  Miss  Edith,  Hanwell  Rectory,  Middlesex. 
Coleridge,  J.  Duke,  Esq.,  Q.C.,  1  Brick  Court,  Temple,  E.C. 
Combe,  Thomas,  Esq.,  University  Press,  Oxford. 
Constable,  Archibald,  Esq.,  34  Royal  Terrace,  Edinburgh. 
Cosens,  Frederick,  Esq,  Larkbere  Lodge,  Clapham  Park. 
CowPER,  Joseph  Meadows,  Esq.,  Davington,  Faversham. 
Coxhead,  Albert  C,  Esq.,  47  Russell  Square,  W.C. 
Craig,  Rev.  John  S.,  Maryport,  Cumberland. 

Crewdson,  Thos.  Dilworth,  Esq.,  8  Cecil  Street,  Greenheys,  Manchester. 
Croston,  James,  Esq.,  Waterloo  Road,  Cheetham,  Manchester. 
Crouch,  Walter,  Junr.,  20  Coborn  Street,  Bow. 
Crowther,  Joseph  S.,  Esq.,  22  Prince's  Street,  Manchester. 
Dalton,  J.  N.,  Esq.,  6  Green  Street,  Cambridge. 
Dana,  C.  S.,  Esq.,  United  States. 

Davies,  Rev.  John,  Walsoken  Rectory,  near  Wisbeach. 
Davies,  Robert,  Esq.,  The  Mount,  York. 
De  la  Rue,  Warren,  Esq.,  110  Bunhill  Row,  E.C. 
De  la  Rue,  W.  Frederick,  Esq.,  110  Bunhill  Row,  E.C. 
Devonshire,  The  Duke  of,  Devonshire  House,  Piccadilly. 
Dickinson,  F.  H.,  Esq.,  Kingweston  House,  Somerton,  Somerset. 
DoDDS,  Rev.  James,  The  Abbey,  Paisley,  N.B. 
Donaldson,  David,  Esq.,  Grammar  School,  Paisley. 
Donaldson,  Rev.  John,  Edinburgh. 

D'Orsey,  Rev.  A.  J.,  B.D.,  9  Upper  Seymour  Street  West,  Hyde  Park,  W. 
DowDEN,  Edward,  Esq.,  8  Montenotte,  Cork. 
Dowson,  Alfred  C,  Esq.,  High  Dock,  Limehouse,  E. 
Drake,  W.  H.,  Esq.,  2  Newton  Terrace,  Faversham. 
Drew,  Alfred,  Esq.,  2  Raymond  Buildings,  Gray's  Inn,  W.C. 
Dublin,  King's  Inn  Library,  Henrietta  Street. 

,,        Right  Rev.  Richard  C.  Trench,  Archbishop  of,  Dublin. 
DuEiEN,  W.  M.,  Esq.,  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge. 
Earle,  Rev.  J.,  Swanswick  Rectory,  Bath. 
Eastwick,  Edward  B.,  Esq.,  38  Thurloe  Square,  S.W. 
Edinburgh  University  Library. 
Eisdell,  Miss  S.  L.,  Colchester. 

Ellis,  A.  J.,  Esq.,  2  Western  Villas,  Colney  Hatch  Park,  N. 
Elt,  C.  H.,  Esq.,  1  Noel  Street,  Islington. 
Euing,  William,  Esq.,  209  West  George  Street,  Glasgow. 
Evans,  Sebastian,  Esq.,  145  Highgate,  near  Birmingham. 
Eyton,  J.  Walter  K.,  Esq.,  40  Portsdown  Road,  Maida  Hill,  W. 
Fairbairn,  Rev.  James,  Edinburgh. 
Fergus,  Dr.,  30  Elmbank  Street,  Glasgow. 
Field,  Hamilton,  Esq.,  New  Park  Road,  Brixton  Hill. 


11 

Fitch,  J.  G.,  Esq.,  Heworth  House,  York. 

Fletcher,  John  Shepherd,  Esq.,  Lever  Street,  Piccadilly,  Manchester. 

FoAED,  James  T.,  Esq.,  5  Essex  Court,  Temple,  E.G. 

FoGO,  David  T.  Lawrie,  Esq.,  145  West  George  Street,  Glasgow. 

FoRSTEK,  John,  Esq.,  Palace-gate  House,  Kensington,  W. 

FuEETHY,  Mr.  Frederick,  Working  Men's  College,  London. 

Feoggatt,  Thomas,  Esq.,  Burnage  Lane,  near  Manchester. 

Fry,  Danby  P.,  Esq.,  Poor  Law  Board,  Whitehall. 

Fry,  Frederick,  Esq.,  Wellington  Street,  Islington. 

FuRNivALL,  F.  J.,  Esq.,  3  Old  Square,  Lincoln's  Inn,  W.C. 

Gee,  William,  Esq.,  High  Street,  Boston. 

GiBBS,  Captain  Charles,  2nd  Regiment. 

GiBBs,  H.  H.,  Esq.,  St.  Dunstau's,  Eegent's  Park. 

GiBBS,  William,  Esq.,  Tyntesfield,  near  Bristol. 

Gilbert,  J.  T.,  Esq.,  Royal  Irish  Academy,  Dublin. 

Gillett,  Rev.  Edward,  Runham  Vicarage,  Filby,  Norwich,  Local  Sfc. 

GiEAUD,  Francis  F.,  Esq.,  South  House,  Faversham. 

Glasgow  University  Library. 

Glen,  W.  Cunningham,  Esq.,  Poor  Law  Board,  Whitehall. 

Glennie,  J-  Stuart,  Esq.,  C  Stone  Buildings,  Lincoln's  Inn,  W.C. 

GoLDSTiJCKEB,  Professor,  14=  St.  George's  Square,  N.W. 

GoLDTHORP,  J.  D.,  Esq.,  Wakefield. 

Gordon,  Rev.  Robert,  14  Northumberland  Street,  Edinburgh. 

Grahame,  W.  F.,  Esq.,  Madras  Civil  Service. 

Green,  Rev.  Henry,  Knutsford,  Cheshire. 

Greg,  Louis,  Esq.,  9  Rumford  Street,  Liverpool,  Local  Sec. 

Greg,  Mrs.  E.  H.,  Quarry  Bank,  Wilmslow,  Cheshire. 

Grey,  George,  Esq.,  County  Buildings,  Glasgow. 

Griffith,  Rev.  H.  T.,  North  Walsham,  Norfolk. 

Griffith,  Robert  W.,  Esq.,  Quay  Street,  Cardiff. 

Geoome,  Rev.  Robert,  Monk  Soham  Rectory,  Wickham  INIarket. 

Guest,  Edwin,  Esq.,  LL.D.,  Master  of  Caius  College,  Cambridge. 

Guest,  John,  Esq.,  Moorgate  Grange,  Rotherham. 

Guild,  J.  Wylie,  Esq.,  Glasgow. 

Guildhall,  Library  of  the  Corporation  of  London,  E.G. 

Haigh,  Rev.  Dr.,  Bramham  College,  near  Tadcaster. 

Haines,  Frederick,  Esq.,  178  Prospect  Place,  Maida  Hill  East. 

Hales,  J.  W.  Esq.,  7  Crown  Office  Row,  E.G. 

Halkett,  Samuel,  Esq.,  Advocates'  Library,  Edinburgh. 

Hall,  B.  H.,  Esq.,  Troy,  New  York. 

Hall,  Fitzedward,  Esq.,  D.C.L.,  18  Provost  Road,  Haverstock  Hill,  N.V." 

Halliwell,  J.  0.,  Esq.,  6  St.  Mary's  Place,  West  Brompton,  S.W. 

Hamilton,  Andrew,  Esq.,  47  Rumford  Street,  Manchester. 

Hamlen,  Charles,  Esq.,  27  Virginia  Street,  Glasgow. 

Hanson,  Reginald,  Esq.,  37  Boundary  Road,  N.W. 

Haeeis,  William,  Esq.,  Stratford  Road,  Camp  Hill,  Birmingham. 

Harrison,  W.,  Esq.,  Galligreaves  Hall,  near  Blackburn,  Lancashire. 

Hart,  Howard,  Esq.,  Troy,  New  York. 

Hayes,  Francis  B.,  Esq.,  United  States. 

Heai.es,  Alfred,  Esq.,  Doctors'  Commons,  E.G. 

Herford,  Edward,  Esq.,  The  Knolls,  Alderley  Edge,  near  Manchester. 

Herford,  Rev.  W.  H.,  33  Wood  Street,  Greenbeys,  Manchester. 

Hewitt,  Thomas.  Esq.,  Bella  Vista,  Queen's  Town,  Cork  tiarbour. 

HoDGKiN,  Mrs.,  West  Derby,  Liverpool. 

Hodgson,  Shadworth  H.,  Esq  ,  45  Conduit  Street,  Regent  Street,  W. 

Hoets,  J.  W.  Van  Rees,  Esq.,  1.00  Adelaide  Road,  N.W. 

Hopkins,  Hugh,  Bookseller,  6  Royal  Bank  Place,  Glasgow. 

Hopwood,  J.  R.,  Esq.,  Trinity  College,  Cambridge. 

Hoenbuckle,  J.  W.,  Esq.,  London  Hospital. 

Horwood,  Alfred  J.,  Esq.,  New  Court,  Middle  Temple,  E.G. 

Howard,  Hon.  Richard  E.,  D.C.L.,  Stamp  Office,  Manchester. 


12 

Hutchinson,  Captain  E.  E.,  13  Holland  Terrace,  Holland  Eoad,  Kensington. 

Hyde,  James  John,  Esq.,  10  Lomas  Buildings,  Bull  Lane,  Stepney,  E. 

India  Office  Library,  Cannon  Eow. 

Ingleby,  C.  Mansfield,  Esq.,  LL.D.,  Valentines,  Ilford,  E. 

Jackson,  E.Steane,  Esq.,Tettenhall  Proprietary  School,  near  Wolverhampton. 

Jackson,  Eev.  S.,  Magdalen  College,  Cambridge. 

Jeffery,  Counsell,  Esq.,  30  Tredegar  Square,  Bow  Eoad,  E. 

Jenner,  Charles,  Esq.,  Easter  Duddingston  Lodge,  Edinbui'gh. 

Johnson,  Prof.  Q.  J.,  243  Hagley  Eoad,  Birmingham. 

Johnson,  S.  G.,  Esq.,  Faversham. 

Johnson,  W.,  Esq.,  Eton  College,  Windsor. 

Jones,  C.  W.,  Esq.,  Gateacre,  near  Liverpool. 

Jones,  J.  Pryce,  Esq.,  Grove  Park  School,  Wrexham. 

Jones,  Thomas,  Esq.,  Chetham  Library,  Manchester. 

Jordan,  Joseph,  Esq.,  Bridge  Street,  Manchester. 

Kershaw,  John,  Esq.,  Cross  Gate,  Audenshaw,  Manchester. 

Kersley,  Eev.  Canon,  LL.D.,  Middleton  Vicarage,  King's  Lynn. 

Kett,  Eev.  C.  W.,  17  St.  George's  Square,  Eegent's  Park  Eoad,  N.W. 

King,  W.  Warwick,  Esq.,  29  Queen  Street,  Cannon  Street  West,  E.C. 

Kitchin,  Eev.  G.W.,  Walton  Manor,  Oxford. 

KiTSON,  James,  Esq.,  Elmete  Hall,  Leeds. 

Laing,  David,  Esq.,  Signet  Library,  Edinburgh. 

Latham,  Henry,  Esq.,  34  Beaumont  Street,  Oxford. 

Leckie,  Thomas,  Esq.,  M.D.,  29  Upper  Southwick  Street,  Hyde  Park,  W. 

Leigh,  John,  Esq.,  Whalley  Eoad,  Whalley  Eange,  Manchester,  Local  Sec. 

Lippincott,  Messrs.  J.  B.  &  Co.,  Philadelphia  (5  sets). 

Lodge,  Eev.  Barton,  Colchester. 

London  Library,  12  St.  James's  Square,  S.W. 

LuARD,  Eev.  Henry  Eichards,  4  St.  Peter's  TeiTace,  Cambridge. 

Luck,  Frederick  George,  Esq.,  West  Farm,  East  Barnet,  Herts. 

Luck,  Michael  George,  Esq.,  Acre  Wharf,  Lambeth. 

LuMBY,  Eev.  J.  Eawson,  St.  Mary's  Gate,  Cambridge. 

Lushington,  E.  L.,  Esq.,  Park  House,  Maidstone,  and  Glasgow. 

Mac  Donald,  George,  Esq.,  12Ear]e's  Terrace,  Kensington,  W. 

Mac  Douall,  Professor  Charles,  LL.D.,  Queen's  College,  Belfast. 

Mackenzie,  John  Whitefoord,  Esq.,  16  Eoyal  Circus,  Edinburgh. 

M'Laughlin,  Captain  E.,  E.A.,  28  Maryon  Eoad,  Charlton. 

Macmilean,  A.,  Esq.,  Bedford  Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

Macmillan,  Messrs.,  Cambridge. 

Madden,  Sir  Frederick,  K.H.,  25  St.  Stephen's  Square. 

Malleson,  William  T.,  Esq.,  Duppa's  Hill  Common,  Croydon. 

Manchester,  The  Duke  of,  Kimbolton  Castle,  St.  Neot's. 

Manchester,  The  Lord  Bishop  of,  Mauldreth  Hall,  near  Manchester. 

Markby,  Eev.  Thomas,  Trinity  Hall,  Cambridge. 

Marsh,  His  Excellency  George  P.,  Florence. 

Martineau,  Eussell,  Esq.,  British  Museum,  W.C. 

Mayor,  Eev.  John  E.  B.,  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge. 

Medley,  Eev.  J.  B.,  Tormarton  Eectory,  Chipping  Sodbury. 

Medlicott,  W.  G.,  Esq.,  Longmeadow,  Massachusetts,  U.  S. 

Melbourne  Public  Library,  Victoria. 

Melbourne  Untversity,  Victoria. 

Monk,  F.  W.,  Esq  ,  Faversham. 

Monson,  The  Lord,  Burton  Hall,  Lincolnshire. 

Moreshwar,  Mr.,  3  St.  George's  Square,  Primrose  Hill,  N.W. 

Morris,  Eichard,  Esq.,  10  Stamford  Eoad,  Page  Green,  Tottenham. 

MuiR,  John,  Esq.,  If!  Eegent's  Terrace,  Edinburgh. 

MiJLLER,  Professor  Max,  64  High  Sti'eet,  Oxford. 

Munby,  Arthur  J.,  Esq.,  6  Fig  tree  Court,  Temple,  E.C. 

Muntz,  G.,  Esq.,  Albion  Tube  Works,  Birmingham. 

Murdoch,  James  Barclay,  Esq.,  33  Lynedoch  Street,  Glasgow. 

Napier,  George  W.,  Esq.,  Alderley  Edge,  near  Manchester. 


13 

Nash,  D.  W.,  Esq.,  Ethnological  Society,  St.  Martin's  Place. 

Neaves,  Lord,  7  Charlotte  Square,  Edinlmrgh. 

Newcastle-upon-Tyne,  Literary  and  Philosophical  Soclety. 

NiCHOL,  Professor,  University,  Glasgow. 

Nichols,  John  (jough,  Esq.,  25  Parliament  Street,  Westminster. 

Noble,  Benjamin,  Esq.,  74  Union  Street,  Greenock. 

Norfolk  and  Norwich  Literary  Institution,  Norwich. 

Norman,  J.  Manship,  Esq.,  Dencombe,  Crawley,  Sussex. 

NoRRis,  Edwin,  Esq.,  6  Michael's  Grove,  Brompton,  S.W. 

Ogle,  Messrs.  Maurice  &  Co.,  Glasgow. 

Owen's  College  Library,  Manchester. 

Paine,  Cornelius,  Jan.,  Esq.,  Oak  Hill,  Snrbiton,  Surrey. 

Panton,  Rev.  G.  A.,  Crown  Circus,  Dowanhill,  Glasgow,  Local  Sec.     (2  sets.) 

Parker,  H.  T.,  Esq.,  3  Ladbroke  Gardens,  W.     (11  sets.) 

Patterson,  W.  S.,  Esq.,  Glasgow. 

Payne,  Joseph,  Esq.,  4  Kildare  Gardens,  Bayswater,  W. 

Peace,  Maskell  VVm.,  Esq.,  Wigan,  Lancashire. 

Peacock,  Edward,  Esq.,  Bottesford  Manor,  Brigg,  Lincolnshire. 

Peacock,  William,  Esq.,  Sunniside,  Sunderland. 

Peel,  George,  Esq.,  Soho  Iron  Works,  Manchester. 

Peile,  John,  Esq.,  Christ's  College,  Cambridge, 

Penfold,  Hugh,  Esq.,  Library  Chambers,  Middle  Temple. 

Penzance  Public  Library. 

Perceval,  Charles  Spencer,  Esq.,  64  Eccleston  Square,  S.W. 

Perry,  Rev.  George  G.,  Waddington  Rectory,  Lincoln. 

Picton,  James  A.,  Esq.,  Dale  Street,  Liverpool. 

PococK,  Charles  Innes,  Esq.,  Hastings  Terrace,  Jersey. 

Prange,  F.  G.,  Esq.,  2  Grove  Park,  Lodge  Lane,  Liverpool. 

Priaulx,  Osw.  De  Beauvoir,  Esq..  8  Cavendish  Square,  W. 

Pritchard,  James,  Esq.,  Lendel  Place,  Paisley  Road. 

Putnam,  G.  Phelps,  Esq.,  United  States. 

Qdaritch,  Mr.,  15  Piccadilly,  W. 

Raine,  Rev.  James,  York. 

Ranken,  Rev.  W.  A.,  Cuminestown,  Turriff,  N.B. 

Reilly,  Francis  S.,  Esq.,  22  Old  Buildings,  Lincoln's  Inn,  W.C. 

Reynell,  Charles  W.,  Esq.,  8  Hotham  Villas,  Putney. 

RiviNGTON,  John,  Esq.,  12  Lower  Seymour  Street,  W. 

Roberts,  Mr.  Robert,  Bookseller,  Boston. 

Rossetti,  W.  M.,  Esq.,  166  Albany  Street,  N.W, 

Royal  Library,  Windsor  Castle. 

RuMNEY,  Robert,  Esq.,  Ardwick  Chemical  Works,  near  Manchester. 

RusKiN,  John,  Esq.,  Denmark  Hill,  Camberwell.    (10  sets.) 

Russell,  Thomas,  Esq.,  14  India  Street,  Glasgow. 

St.  Andrew's  University  Library. 

St.  David's,  Rt.  Rev.  Connop  Thirlwall,  Bp.  of,  Abergwili  Palace,  Carmarthen. 

Salisbury,  E.  R.  G.,  Esq.,  Glan  Aber,  Chester. 

ScHWABE,Edm.  S.,  Esq.,  Oak  End, Halliwell  Lane,  Chetham  Hill,]\Ianchester, 

Schwabe,  F.  S.  Esq.,  Rhodes  House,  Middleton,  near  Manchester. 

ScoTT,  James,  Esq.,  The  Lochies  House,  Burntisland,  N.B. 

Scott,  William  B.,  Esq.,  33  Elgin  Road,  Kensington  Park  Road,  W. 

Shields,  Thomas,  Esq..  Scarliorough. 

Simmons,  Rev.  Frederick,  Dalton  Holme,  Beverley. 

Sinclair,  James  B.,  Esq.,  324  Dumbarton  Road,  Glasgow. 

SioN  College,  President  and  Fellows  of,  London  Wall,  E.C. 

Skeat,  Rev.  Walter  W.,  22  Regent's  Street,  Cambridge. 

Slack,  John,  Esq.,  Croft  Lodge,  Rothesay. 

Slatter,  Rev.  John,  Streatley  Vicarage,  Reading. 

Smith,  Mr.  Alexander,  214  New  City  Road,  Glasgow. 

Smith,  Charles,  Esq.,  Faversham. 

Smith,  Toulmin,  Esq.,  Wood  Lane,  Highgate. 

Snelgrove,  Arthur  G.,  Esq.,  London  Hospital,  S. 


14 

Snell,  Rev.  W.  M,,  Corpus  Cliristi  College,  Cambridge. 

Spaek,  H.  King,  Esq.,  Greenbank,  Darlington. 

Sprange,  a.  D.,  Esq.,  12  Princes  Street,  Bayswater,  W. 

Stanley,  The  Lord,  23  St.  James's  Squai-e,  S.W. 

Stephens,  Professor  George,  University  of  Copenhagen,  Denmark. 

Stevenson.  Rev.  Professor  William,  D.D.,  37  Royal  TeiTace,  Edinburgh, 

Stewart,  Alexander  B.,  Esq.,  Glasgow. 

Stirhup,  Mark,  Esq.,  G2a  Mosley  Street,  Manchester. 

Stockholm  Royal  Library. 

Stokes,  Whitley,  Esq.,  Calcutta. 

Storr,  Rayner,  Esq.,  Bariki  House,  Upper  Norwood. 

Strathern,  Sheriff,  County  Buddings,  Glasgow. 

Stubbs,  Rev.  Professor  W.,  Vicarage,  Navestock,  Essex. 

Sunderland  Subscription  Library. 

Symonds,  Rev.  Henry,  The  Close,  Norwich. 

Taylor,  Thos.  F.,  Esq.,  Highfield  House,  Pemberton,  near  Wigan. 

Tennyson,  Alfred,  Esq.,  D.C.L.,Faringford,  Isle  of  Wight. 

Tew,  Rev.  Edmund,  Patching  Rectory,  near  Arundel,  Sussex. 

Thompson,  Frederic,  Esq.,  Wakefield. 

Thorpe,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Harnbill  Vicarage,  Faversham. 

TiMMiNS,  Samuel,  Esq.,  Elvetham  Lodge,  Edgbaston,  Bii'mingham. 

ToD,  John,  Esq.,  11  Rumford  Street,  Liverpool. 

Toole,  The  Very  Rev.  Canon,  Bedford  House,  Hulme,  Manchester. 

Trollope,  T.  a.,  Esq.,  Florence. 

Troy,  New  York,  Young  Men's  Association. 

Trcbner  &  Co.,  Messrs.  00  Paternoster  Row.  (33  sets.) 

Turner,  Robert  S.,  Esq.,  1  Park  Square  West,  Regent's  Park,  N.W. 

Tyssen,  John  R.  D.,  Esq.,  9  Rock  Gardens,  Brighton. 

Vernon,  George  V.,  Esq.,  Old  TrafFord,  Manchester. 

Vizard,  John,  Esq.,  Dursley,  Gloucestershire. 

Wakefield  Book  Society. 

„  Mechanics'  Institution. 

Wai.es,  George  W.,  Esq.,  Boston,  U.S. 
Ward,  Professor  A.  W.,  Owen's  College,  Manchester. 
Ward,  Hariw,  Esq.,  British  Museum,  W.C. 

Watson,  Frederick  Elwin,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  Norwich,  Surrey  Street,  Norwich. 
Watson,  Robert  Spence,  Esq.,  Moss  Croft,  Gateshead  on-Tyne. 
Watts,  Thomas,  Esq.,  British  Museum,  W.C. 
Wedgwood,  Hensleigh,  Esq.,  1  Cumberland  Place,  Regent's  Park. 
Weymouth,  R.  F.,  Esq.,  Portland  Grammar  School,  Plymouth. 
Whalley,  J.  T.,  Esq.,  14  Marsden  Street,  Brown  Street,  Manchester. 
Wheatley,  Henry  B.,  Esq.,  53  Berners  Street,  W.,  Hon.  Sec. 
Wheeler,  D.  H.,  Esq.,  17  Henrietta  Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 
Whitaker,  J.  Esq.,  10  Warwick  Square. 
White,  George  H.  Esq.,  8  Bishopsgate  Street  within,  E.C. 
White,  Robert,  Esq.,  11  Claremont  Place,  Newcastle-on-Tyne. 
Whitney,  Henry  Austin,  Esq.,  United  States. 
Whittard,  Rev.  T.  Middlemore,  The  College,  Cheltenham. 
Wilbraham,  Henry,  Esq.,  Chancery  OfBce,  Cross  Street  Chambers, Manchester. 
Wilkinson,  Dr.  Alexander  E.,  10  Lever  Street.  Piccadilly,  Manchester. 
Williams,  Sydney,  Esq.,  14  Henrietta  Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C.  (4  sets.) 
Wu.LiAMSON,  Rev.  William,  Rood  House.  Widcombe  Hill,  Bath. 
Wilson,  Edward  J.,  Esq.,  6  Whitefriar  Gate,  Hull. 
Wilson,  Lestock,  P.,  Esq.,  37  Wigmore  Street,  W. 
Wilson,  Richard  M.,  Fountain  Street,  Manchester. 
Wilson,  Thomas,  Esq.,  Crimbles  House,  Leeds. 
WiNwooD,  Rev.  H.  H.,  4  Cavendish  Crescent,  Bath. 
Wren,  Walter,  Esq.,  Wiltshire  House,  Brixton,  S. 
Wright,  W.  Aldis,  Esq.,  Trinity  College,  Cambridge. 
Wright,  Thomas,  Esq.,  14  Sidney  Street,  Brompton,  S.W. 
Young,  Alexander,  Esq.,  138  Hope  Street,  Glasgow. 


15 


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The  Subscription  is  ^1  Is.  a-year,  due  in  advance  on  the  1st  of  January, 
and  should  be  paid  either  to  the  Society's  Account  at  the  Union  Bank  of 
London,  14  Argyll  Place,  Eegent  Street,  W.,  or  by  post-office  order  (made 
payable  to  the  Chief  Office,  London)  to  the  Hon.  Secretary,  Henry  B. 
Wheatley,  Esq.,  53  Berners  Street,  London,  W. 

The  Publications  for  1864  and  1865  are  out  of  print,  but  a  few  copies 
remain  of  No.  4, — Sir  Gawayne  and  the  Green  Knight,  ab.  1320-30,  edited  by 
R.  Morris,  Esq.,  10s. ;  and  No.  5,  Of  the  Orthographic  and  Congruitie  of  the 
Britan  Tongue,  be  Alexander  Hume,  ab.  1617  a.d.,  edited  by  Henry  B. 
Wheatley,  Esq.,  4s.  (No.  1  is  Early  English  Alliterative  Poems,  ab.  1320-30 
a.d.  ;  2,  Arthur,  ab.  1440  a.d.  ;  3,  Lauder  on  the  Dewtie  of  Kyngis,  &c., 
1556  A.D. ;  6,  Lancelot  of  the  Laik,  ab.  1500  ;  7,  Genesis  and  Exodus,  ab.  1250  ; 
8,  Morte  Arthure,  ab.  1440;  9,  Thynne  on  Chaucer's  Workes,  ab.  1598;  10, 
Merlin,  ab.  1450,  Pt.  I.;  11,  Lyndesay's  Monarche,  &c.  1552,  Pt.  L;  12, 
The   Wright's  Chaste  Wife,  ab.  1462.) 

The  Publications  for  1866  (of  which  only  a  few  copies  remain)  are  — 

13.  SEINTE   MARHERETE,  \,e  Meiden  ant  Martyr.     Three  Texts  of  ab.  a.d. 

]'300,  1310,  1330.  First  edited  in  18G2  by  the  Rev.  Oswald  Cockayne, 
M.A.,  and  now  re-issued.     2s. 

14.  THE  ROMANCE   OF  KYNG  HORN,  FLORIS  AND  BLANCHEFLOUR, 

AND  THE  ASSUMPTION  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN.  Edited 
from  the  MS.  in  the  Library  of  the  University  of  Cambi'idge  by  the  Rev. 
J.  Rawson  Lumby,  M.A.     3s.  6rf. 

15.  POLITICAL,  RELIGIOUS,  AND  LOVE  POEMS,  from  the  Lambeth  MS. 

No.  306.  and  other  MSS.     Edited  by  F.J.  Fuenivaxl, Esq.  M.A.     7s.  Qd. 

16.  A  TRETICE  IN  ENGLISCH  breuely  drawe  out  of  Jje  Book  of  Quintis  essen- 

cijs  in  Latyn,  \}at  Hermys  jpe  prophete  and  king  of  Egipt,  after  ]pe  flood  of 
Noe,  fadir  of  Philosophris,  hadde  by  reuelacioun  of  an  aungil  of  God  to 
him  sente.  Edited  from  the  Sloane  MS.  73,  by  F.  J.  Furnivaix,  Esq. 
M.A.     Is. 

17.  PARALLEL    EXTRACTS    FROM    TWENTY- NINE    MSS.    OF     PIERS 

PLOWMAN,  witli  comments,  and  a  Proposal  for  the  Society's  Three-text 
edition  of  the  Poem.     By  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.     Is. 

18.  HALI  MEIDENHAD,  ab.  1200  a.d.     Edited  for  the  first  time  from  the  MS. 

(with  a  translation),  by  the  Rev.  Oswald  Cockayne,  M.A.     Is. 

19.  SIR  DAVID  LYNDESAY'S  MONARCHE,    Part  II.,  the  Complaynt  of  the 

King's  Papingo,  and  other  Minor  Poems.  Edited  from  the  first  editions  by 
FiTZEDWARD  Hall,  Esq.  D.C.L.     3s.  6d. 

20.  SOME    TREATISFS    BY    RICHARD    ROLLE    DE    HAMPOLE.      Edited 

from  Robert  of  Thorntone's  MS.  ab.  1440  a.d.,  by  the  Rev.  G.  Perry.  M.A.  1$. 

21.  MERLIN,  or  the  Early  History  of  Arthur.     Part  II.     Edited  by  Henry  B. 

Wheatley,  Esq.     4s. 

22.  THE  ROMANCE  OF  PARTENAY  OR  LUSIGNAN.     Edited  for  the  first 

time  from  the  unique  MS.  in  the  librarj-  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  by 
the  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.     6s. 

23.  DAN  MICHEL'S  AYENBITE  OF  INWTT,  or  Remorse   of  Conscience,  in 

the  Kentish  dialect,  1340  a.d.  Edited  from  the  unique  MS.  in  the  British 
Museum  by  Richard  Morris,  Esq.     10s.  6c/. 


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