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SEP     5  1951 


II^r31  1973 


^ercp  ^ocwtp. 


EARLY  ENGLISH  FOE'l  RY, 
BALLADS, 

AND    POPULAR    LITERATUllE 
OF   THE   MIDDLE   AGES, 

EDITED   FROM   ORIGINAL   MANUSCRIPTS 
AND   SCARCE   PUBLICATIONS. 

I  r  '}  i\  \> 
^x  O  o  J  u 

VOL.    XX VIII. 


LONDON. 
PRINTED   FOR   THE   PERCY   SOCIETY, 

H\   1.   in«;H.\KOX,   ciT.   QIKKN   SlHK.Kl. 
I.I^•COLN  S-INN-riELI)S. 

M.DOCC.LI. 


\\o  \ 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  XXVIII. 


AN  ANGLO-SAXON  PASSION  OF  SAINT  GEORGE. 

EDITED    BY   THE    REV.    C.    HARDWICK. 

A  POEM  ON  THE  TIMES  OF  EDWARD  II. 

EDITED    BY   THE    REV.    C.    HARDWICK. 

THE  POEMS  OF  WILLIAM  DE  SHOREHAM. 

EDITED    BY   T.   WRIGHT,    ESQ. 

THE  TRIALL  OF  TREASURE. 

EDITED    BY   J.    0.    HAI.I.IWELI.,   ESQ. 


AN 


ANGLO-SAXON     PASSION 


ST.  GEORGE 


MS.  IN  THE  CAMBRIDGE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY. 


EDlTIil),  WITH  A  TRANSLATION,  BV 

THE  REV.  C.  HARD  WICK.  M.A. 


:i,LOW  OF  ST.  CATHAfilNE  S  UALL. 


LONDON: 
PRINTED     FOR    THE     PERCY     SOCIETY, 

BY  RICHARDS,  iOO,  ST.  MARTIN'S  LANI'. 

MDCCCL. 


President. 
THE  RIGHT  HON.  LORD  BRAYBROOKE,  F.S.A. 

Council. 

THOMAS  AMYOT,  Esq.,  F.RS.,  F.S.A. 

WILLIAM  HENRY  BLACK,  Esq. 

W.  DURRANT  COOPER,  Esq.,  F.S.A. 

T.  CROFTON  CROKER,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  M.U.I.A 

J.  H.  DIXON,  Esq. 

FREDERICK  WILLIAM  FAIRHOLT,  Esq.  F.S.A. 

W.  D    H.\GGARD,  Esq,  F.S.A. 

•TAMES  ORCHARD  HALLIWELL,  Esq  ,  F.R.S.,  F.S.A., 
Honorary  Secretary. 

.SIR  EDWARD  BULWER  LYTTON,  Bart. 

JAMES  PRIOR,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A. 

WILLIAM  SANDYS,  Esq.,  F.S.A. 

C.  ROACH  SMITH,  Esq.,  F.S.A. 

RICHARD  JOHN  SMITH,  Esq. 

THE  REV.  J.  REYNELL  WREFORD,  F.S.A. 

THOMAS  WRIGHT,  Esq.  M.A.,  F.S.A.,  Treasurer. 


PREFACE. 


It  has  been  affirmed  in  works  of  considerable 
reputation  that  the  subject  of  the  following 
'  Passion""  was  almost  wholly  unknown  to  our  fore- 
fathers till  the  period  of  the  Crusaders,  when  he  is 
said  to  have  interposed  in  behalf  of  the  Christians 
during  the  expeditions  of  Richard  I. 

This  statement  is,  however,  untenable,  as  will 
be  seen  by  referring  to  the  notices  of  St.  George, 
which  belong  to  Anglo-Saxon  history.  The 
language  of  the  present  poem  is  of  itself  sufficient 
to  convince  us  of  his  general  recognition  in 
England  even  before  the  Norman  conquest.  The 
MS.  was  perhaps  executed  somewhat  later,  but 
the  author  of  it  was  none  other  than  vElfric, 
archbishop  of  York,  who  presided  over  that  see 
between  the  years  1023  and  1051.  This  fact  has 
been  ascertained  by  collating  the  Cambridge 
MS.  with  a  volume  of  '  Lives  of  Saints,'  in  the 


11  PREFACE. 

Cotton  library  (Julius,  E,  vii),  unquestionably  the 
work  of  ^Ifric,  as  we  learn  from  the  preface. 
He  also  informs  us  that  he  had  already  translated 
two  volumes  of  the  same  kind,  to  meet  the  wishes 
of  the  English  people,  while  this  third  was  chiefly 
undertaken  for  the  gratification  of  the  monks. 
The  pages  which  relate  to  St.  George  agree 
almost  literatim  with  the  text  of  the  following 
Passion. 

Nor  is  this  the  earliest  vestige  of  St.  George 
in  Anglo-Saxon  literature.  We  find  him  in  a 
'  Marty rology' surviving  in  Corpus  Christi  College, 
Cambridge  (No.  cxcvi,  p.  12),  given,  it  would 
seem,  by  bishop  Leofric  to  the  Cathedral  Church 
of  Exeter,  early  in  the  eleventh  century.^     He 

*  I  transcribe  this  Passion  at  length:  "On 
]?one  ];reo  and  twentigo"(San  dajg  j^rcs  mon'Ses 
(Eostor-month  or  April)  byS  sancte  Georius  tyd 
J^aes  se'Selan  martyres,  j^one  Datianus  se  casere 
seofen  gear  myd  unasecgendlicum  wytura  hyne 
j^reatode  J^at  he  Cryste  wi^soce:  and  he  njefre 
hyne  ofei'-swy^an  no  myhte.  And  |)a  refter  |>am 
seofon  gearum  het  he  hyne  beheafdian.  pi  he  J?a 
waes  gelaed  to  )?fere  behcafdungc  ]?a  com  fyr  of 
hcofcnum  and  forbaernde  |?onc  hajScnan  casere 
and  ealle  ]>a  ]?c  myd  hym  ajr  tyntrcgdon  J>one 
halgan  wer.    And  sancte  Georius  hym  to  Dryhtne 


PREFACE.  Ill 

has  also  a  j)lace  in  the  Anglo-Saxon  '  Ritual  of 
the  Church  of  Durham,'  published  by  the  Surtees 
Society,  and  assignable  to  the  beginning  of  the 
ninth  century.*     A  still  older  channel  by  which 

gebaed  and  ]?us  cvvae^,  '  Haelend  Cryst,  onfoh 
mynuni  gaste;  and  ic  J>e  bydde  J^at  swa  hwylc 
man  swa  myn  gemynd  on  eorSan  do,  J>onn  afyrr 
fram  Jjaes  mannes  huse  aelce  untrumnysse,  ne  hym 
feond  ne  sce^^e  ne  hunger  ne  man-cwealra ;  and 
gif  man  mynne  nama  naeme^  on  senigre  freced- 
nysse  oS5e  on  sae  oSSe  on  oSrum  sy^  saete,  ]?onne 
fylge  se  ]?ynre  myld-heortnysse\  pa  com  staefen 
of  heofenum  and  cwae'S,  '  Cum  ];u  geblotsode,  and 
swa  hwylc  man  swa  on  oenigre  stowe  and  freced- 
nysse  mynne  naman  J»urh  J?e  cygS,  ic  hyne  gehyre.' 
And  sySSan  J>yses  halgan  weres  mihta  waeron 
oft  mycele  gecy  Sed.  Pa  maeg  on-gy tan  seSe  rasped 
sancte  Arculfes  boc,  ]?at  se  man  wses  stranglice 
gewytnod,  se^Se  geunarode  sancte  Georius  anlyc- 
nysse,  and  se  waes  wy^  hys  feondum  gescyld 
betweox  mycelrc  frecednysse  seSe  hym  ];ain  an- 
lycnysse  to  ]?yngunge  gesohte."  In  p.  15,  there 
is  a  commemoration  of  Alexandra,  who  is  men- 
tioned in  some  legends  of  St.  George  as  the  queen 
of  Datianus. 

*  p.  52. — The  prayer  runs  thus:   God,  5v  ^e 
vsig   eadges   Georg'   ^rpvres    ^ines    earnvngv   j 


IV  PREFACE. 

the  Anglo-Saxon  Church  might  have  become 
acquainted  with  St.  George,  is  the  Gregorian 
Sacramentary,  once  very  generally  used  in  our 
island.  It  is  true,  questions  have  been  raised 
touching  the  genuineness  of  the  '  Preface,'  where 
St.  George  is  commemorated  by  name  ;  but  other 
evidence  is  not  wanting  to  prove  that  he  was 
already  known  to  Gregory  the  Great,  and  there- 
fore to  the  Roman  missionaries,  who  took  part  in 
the  conversion  of  the  Saxons.  For  among  the 
letters  of  St.  Gregory,  there  is  one  in  which  he 
gives  orders  for  the  repair  of  a  church  dedicated 
in  honour  of  St.  George.* 

But  all  doubts  as  to  his  early  introduction 
among  our  Anglo-Saxon  forefathers  are  removed 
by  the  testimony  of  Adamnan,  whose  treatise 
'  de  Situ  TerraD  Sanctse'  (ed.  Ingolstadt,  1G19) 
supplies  the  following  curious  information.  It 
appears  that  Arculf,  the  early  traveller,  on  his 
return  to  his  bishopric  in  France,  was  carried  by 
adverse  winds  to  lona  (a.d.  701).  At  his  own 
dictation,  a  narrative  was  made  ^^  his  interesting 
pilgrimage ;  and  among  other  p.u'ticulars  we  are 

"Singvnge  gigladias,  gilef  rvmlice,  '^te  iSa  ^e  his 
vcl-fremnis'  vc  givga'S,  gefc  giselenisnc  gefes  ve 
gifylga.^' 

*  Lib.  ix,  Indict,  iv,  ep.  Ixviii. 


PREFACE.  V 

told  (lib.  iii,  c.  4) :  "  Aliam  quoque  de  Georgia 
martyre  certam  relationeni  nobis  S.  Arculfus 
intimavit,  quam  expertis  quibusdam  satis  idoneis 
narratoribus  in  Constantinopoli  urbe  indubitanter 
didicit."  In  proof  of  the  sanctity  of  the  martyr^ 
he  subjoins  a  most  singular  story  touching  a  man 
who  vowed  his  horse  to  St.  George,  as  he  vva& 
proceeding  on  some  perilous  expedition.  Having 
returned  in  safety,  he  wished  to  commute  the 
offering  by  the  payment  of  a  sum  of  money. 
Whereupon  the  saint  showed  his  deep  displeasure 
by  causing  the  animal  to  become  restive,  when 
his  rider  had  mounted  for  his  departure;  and 
after  several  ineffectual  attempts,  and  the  promise 
of  some  extra  shillings,  the  vow  was  at  length 
literally  fulfilled  by  leaving  the  horse  behind.  The 
moral  which  this  story  inculcated  on  the  Anglo- 
Saxons  is  then  stated  by  Adamnan :  "  Hinc 
manifesto  coUigitur,  quodcumque  Domino  conse- 
cratur,  sive  homo  erit  sive  animal  (juxta  id  quod 
in  Levitico  scriptum  est)  nullo  modo  posse  rcdimi 
aut  mutari." 

From  the  sa^iC  source  Bede  most  probably 
derived  the  information  contained  in  his  Mar- 
tyrology,  for  he  was  well  acquainted  both  with 
the  travels  of  Arculf*  and  the  book  of  Adamnan, 


*  Hist.  Eccl,  lib.  v,  c.  15-17. 


vi  PREFACE. 

which  latter,  indeed,  he  has  epitomised.  The 
notice  at  ix  Kalend.  Maii,  is  as  follows  :  "  Natale 
S.  Gcorgii  martyris,  qui  sub  Datiano,regePersarura 
potentissimo  qui  dominabatur  super  septuaginta 
reges,  multis  miraculis  claruit,  plurimosque  con- 
vertit  ad  fidem  Christi,  simul  et  Alexandram 
uxorem  ipsius  Datiani  usque  ad  raartyriura 
confortavit.  Ipse  vero  novissime  decollatus  mar- 
tyrium  explevit,  quamvis  fjesta  passionis  ejus  inter 
apocryplms  connumerentur  scriptums.^' 

This  last  clause  will  throw  light  upon  the 
language  at  the  opening  of  the  Anglo-Saxon 
Passion.  It  is  there  stated  that  heretical  accounts 
of  St.  George  were  not  uncommon  in  the  Western 
Church  ;  and  that  the  compiler  of  the  present 
legend  undertook  it  with  the  hope  of  preserving 
the  faithful  from  all  further  imposition.  In  what  the 
heresy  of  those  legends  consisted  we  are  unable 
to  ascertain  precisely,  for  the  first  mention  of 
them,  which  occurs  in  a  catalogue  of  spurious 
writings  drawn  up  at  Rome  in  495,  does  no  more 
than  enumerate  one  relating  to  St.  George.  It 
may  however  be  conjectured,  with  considerable 
probability,  that  the  ground  of  condemnation  was 
an  allusion  respecting  St.  Athanasius,  who  appears 
to  have  been  foisted  into  the  narrative  at  a  very 
early  period.  As  in  our  own  legend,  he  is  made 
to  play  the  part  of  a  magician  in  aid  of  the  tyrant 


PREFACE.  Vll 

Datianus ;  and  since  his  adversaries  were  in  the 
habit  of  taxing  him  with  sorcery,  there  is  reason 
to  suspect  that  the  corruption  of  the  legend  is 
due  to  Arian  malice.  This  at  least  has  been  the 
opinion  of  many  writers  who  have  investigated 
the  story  of  St.  George,  including  Baronius, 
Heylin,  and  the  Bollandists.  They  also  maintain, 
that  the  confusion  of  our  saint  with  the  Cappado- 
cian  George,  who  lived  nearly  a  century  later,  has 
resulted  from  similar  interpolations.*  However 
this  may  be,  it  is  clear  that  the  author  of  the 
legend  from  which  our  Anglo-Saxon  text  has 
been  derived,  reproduced  several  of  the  Arian 
elements,  notwithstanding  his  zeal  to  vindicate 
the  saint  from  all  heretical  misconstructions.  This 
feature  of  the  Passion  will  be  found  not  the  least 
curious. 

I  may  add,  in  conclusion,  that  the  accompa- 
panying   version   claims    no    merit   beyond    that 

*  The  main  channel  by  which  this  corruption  was  per- 
petuated, seems  to  be  a  manuscript  written  in  Lombardic 
characters,  and  referred  to  the  seventh  century.  Baronius 
speaks  of  that  legend  of  St.  George  as  "  multis  procul  dubio 
repertam  mendaciis",  and  the  Bollandists  as  "  non  tantum 
fide  sed  etiam  lectione  indignissima."  They  affirm,  how- 
ever, that  the  basis  of  the  legend  was  historical,  and  that 
it  was  subsequently  expui-gated  l)y  collation  with  the  pui'er 
accounts  of  the  Eastern  Chui'ch. 


Vlll  PREFACE. 


of  a  literal  correctness,  and  that  the  few  various 
readings  are  drawn  from  the  Cotton  MS.  to  which 
I  have  before  alluded. 


St.  Catharine's  Hall,  Cambridge, 
June  29,  1850. 


0.  H. 


ANGLO-SAXON 
PASSION  OF  ST.  GEOKGE. 


PASSION  OF  ST.  GEORGE. 


GEDWOL-menn  awrlton 

gedwyld  on  heora  bocum* 

be  J^am  halgan  were 

J>e  is  gehaten  Georius.* 

Nu  wylle  we  eow  secgan 

J?at  so'S  is  be  J>am* 

]>at  heora  gedwyld  ne  derief 

dicrellice  aenigum. 

Se  halga  Georius 

waes  in  hae'Senum  dagum 

rice  ealdormann* 

under:}:  |?am  re"(Sam  cascre  Datianus§* 

on  jjffire  scire  Capadocia. 

]ni  het  Datianus 

]>a.  hfe]7enan  gcgaderian* 

*  A  corruption  of  Georgius  very  common  in  Anglo-Saxon 
and  Anglo-Norman  MSS.  Instances  also  occur  in  which 
Georgius  has  been  confounded  with  Gregorius.       t  Derige. 

X  Under  ^am  rcbam  casere  ]>e  wtcs  Datianus  geciged. 

§  The  Greek  Acts  generally  read  Diocletianus,  of  which 


PASSION  OF  ST.  GEORGE. 


Misbelievers  have  written 

Misbelief  in  their  books. 

Touching  the  saint 

That  Georius  hight. 

Now  will  we  teach  you 

What  is  true  thereabout, 

That  heresy  harm  not 

Any  unwittingly. 

The  holy  Georius 

Was  in  heathenish  days 

A  rich  ealdorman. 

Under  the  fierce  Caesar  Datlanus, 

In  the  shire  of  Cappadocia. 

Then  bade  Datianus 

The  heathen  assemble 

Datianus  may  be  a  corrupted  form.  Heylin  has  endeavoured 
to  prove  that  the  Datianus  here  mentioned  was  Galerius 
Maximinus,  a  native  of  Dacia. — Hist,  of  tSt.  George, -p.  Wd, 
seqq. 

b2 


PASSION    OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

to  his  deofol-gyldum 

his  Drihtne  onteonan' 

and  mid  manegum  ];eowracum 

l^at  man-cyn  geegsode* 

]>at  hi  heora  lac  geoffrodoii 

])am  leasura  godum  mid  him. 

]7a  geseah  se  halga  wer 

J^aara  hse^enra  gedwyld* 

hu  hi  ]7am  deoflum  onsaigdon 

and  heora  Drihten  forsawon. 

]7a  aspende  he  his  feoh 

unforht  on  ielmyssum* 

hafenleasum  mannum 

]?am  Haileude  to  lofe" 

and  wear's  Jjurh  Crist  gebyld 

and  cwai^  to  )?am  casere* 

Omnes  dii  gentium  [demonia*] 

Dominus  autcm  cudos  fecit. 

Ealle  J^ajra  hej^enra  godas 

syndon  gramlice  deoflirf 

and  ure  Drihten  soSllce 

geworhte  heofonas. 

)>ine  godas  casere 

syndon  gyldene  and  sylfrene' 

sttc'nc  and  treowc:}: 

getreowleasra  manna  hand-gcweorc* 


*  Supplied  from  Cotton  MS.  t  deofla. 

+  btajncnc  and  trcowene. 


PASSION   OF  ST.  GEORGE. 

At  his  devil-offerings§ 

His  Lord  to  blaspheme ; 

And  with  many  threatenings 

(So)  frightened  the  people, 

That  they  offered  their  gifts 

To  the  false  gods  with  him. 

Then  witnessed  the  saint 

The  heathens'  delusion, 

How  they  were  worshipping  devils. 

And  despising  their  Lord. 

Then  spent  he  his  wealth 

Cheerful  in  alms. 

On  shelterless  men, 

to  the  praise  of  the  Saviour ; 

And,  through  Christ,  waxed  courageous, 

And  quoth  to  the  Cassar, 
"  Omnes  dii  (gentium  dwmonia 

Dominus  auiem  ccelos  fecit.\\ 
'  All  the  gods  of  the  heathen 

Are  furious  demons ; 

And  our  Lord,  in  sooth, 

Fashioned  the  heavens.' 

Thy  gods,  O  Ca3sar, 

Are  of  gold  and  silver, 

Of  stone  and  of  tree. 

Of  untrue  men  the  hand-work  ; 

§  I.e.  idolatry.  ||  Ps.  xcv,  5,  ed.  Vdg. 


PASSIOX    OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

ant!  ge  him  weardas  setta'S 

^e  hi  bewaciaS  \vi5  j^eofas* 

hwset  ^a  Datianus 

deoflice  geyrsode' 

ongen  J^one  halgan  wer 

and  het  hine  secgan* 

of  hwilcere  byrig  he  wpere 

o^'Se  hwa^t  his  nania  wa^re. 

J>a  andwyrde  Georius 

pnm  arleasan  and  cwse^*     , 

Ic  eoin  soSlice  Cristen 

and  ic  Criste  ]?eowie.* 

Georius  ic  eom  gehaten 

and  ic  habbe  ealdordora* 

on  minum  gcarde'f' 

]>e  is  gehaten  Capadocia' 

and  me  bet  lica'cS 

to  forl?ctcnne  nu* 

J>ysne  hwilwendlican  wurcSmynt 

and  jws  wuldorfyllan  Godes* 

cyne-dorae  gehyrsumian 

on  haliirre  drohtnunjje. 

])a  c\v;o(S  Datianus 

]m  dwclast  Georius* 

genealre'c  nu  anrcst 

and  geoffra  ])ine  lac* 

}7ani  unoferswijjcnduiu  Ajiullinc 

scJSc  socSlice  nia'g" 

j7eowige.  t  earde. 


PASSION   OF  ST.  GEORGE. 

And  ye  station  guards  for  them, 

Who  may  them  watch  against  thieves." 

Whereupon  Datianus 

Devilishly  raged 

Against  the  holy  man, 

And  bade  him  declare 

Of  which  borough  he  was, 

Or  what  was  his  name  ? 

Then  answered  Georius 

The  sinner,  and  quoth, 
"  I  am,  truly,  a  chi'istian. 

And  to  Christ  am  in  thrall. 

My  name  is  Georius, 

And  I  rank  as  an  ealdorman 

In  my  own  pi'ovince, 

That  is  hight  Cappadocia  ; 

And  me  it  better  liketh 

To  forfeit  at  once 

This  temporal  honour. 

And  the  glorious  God's 

Empire  to  follow 

In  pureness  of  living." 

Then  quoth  Datianus, 
"  Thou  art  astray,  O  Georius, 

Therefore  come  first 

And  offer  thy  gift 

To  unconquered  Apollo, 

Who  doubtless  is  able 


PASSION'   OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

J;inre  nytennysse  geniiltsian 

and  to  his  man-r?eclene  gebigan. 

Georius  J^a  befran 

])oue  feondlican  Casere* 

hwaSer*  is  to  lufigenne 

o|?]?e  hwam  lac  to  ofFrigennc" 

|7am  hselende  Criste 

ealra  worulda'f'  alusend'J 

o]>]>e  Apolline 

ealra  deofla  ealdre. 

hwa3t  ]?a  Datianus 

mid  deoflicum  graman* 

het  ]7one  halgan  wer 

on  hengene  ahebl)an*§ 

and  mid  isenum  clawimi 

clifrian  his  lima* 

and  on-tendan  blasan|| 

ict  bam  his  sidan^' 

and  het  hinc  ]>a.  si^San 

of  Jjsere  ceastre  ahcdan* 

and  mid  swinglum  prcagan 

and  mid  sealtan*  gnidan' 

ac  se  halga  wer 

wunode  ungedcrod. 

]?a  het  so  Cascrc 

hlne  on  cwcnitcrnf  don* 


*  hwas^cr.  t  worulJia.  X  alysend. 

§  ahscbban  (which  is  prohahly  the  true  reading). 


PASSION   OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

Thy  folly  to  pardon, 
And  to  his  allegiance  to  bend." 
Georius  then  asked 
The  fiend-like  Ca?sar, 
"  Whether  one  should  love, 
Or  to  which  offer  gifts, 
To  the  merciful  Christ, 
Everlasting  Kedeemer, 
Or  else  to  Apollo, 
Of  all  devils  the  chief?" 
Whereupon  Datianus, 
With  devilish  fury. 
Gave  order  the  saint 
In  prison  to  hold, 
And  with  iron  claws 
To  harrow  his  limbs, 
And  set  torches  on  fire 
At  both  sides  of  him  : 
And  bade  him  thence  forth 
From  the  city  to  lead, 
And  with  scourges  chastise, 
And  rub  (him)  with  salt. 
Notwithstanding  the  saint 
Uninjured  abode. 
Then  ordered  the  Cicsar 
Him  in  prison  to  lay, 

II  blysan.  If  sidum. 

*  sealte.  f  cwcartcrnc. 


10  PASSION   OF  ST.  GEORGE. 

and  het  geaxlan  ofer  eall 

sumne  seltewne  dry. 

]?a  geaxode  ]7at 

Athanasius  se  dry'' 

and  com  to  ]?am  Casere 

and  hine  caflice  befran* 

hwi  hete  Su  me  fcccan 

J?us  fcerlice  to  ]?e' 

Datlanus  andwurde 

Athanasius  J?us' 

miht  ]>u  adwsescan 

|7a?ra  Cristenra  dry-craeff 

]?a  andwyrde  se  dry' 

Datiane  ]?us* 

hat  cuman  to  mc 

J)one  cristenan  man* 

and  ic  beo  scyldig 

gif  ic  his  scin-crrcff 

ne  mreg  mid  ealle  adwscscan 

raid  minum  dry-crsefte. 

])a  fscgnodc  Datianus 

])at  he  funde  swylcne  dry'' 

and  het  of  cwearternc  hcdan 

]?one  Godes  cempan* 

and  cwffi^  to  ]mm  lialgan 

mid  lietclicum  mode 

for  ~Sc  Geori 

ic  begcat  J^isne  dry 


PASSION   OF  ST.  GEORGE.  11 

And  inquire  above  all 

For  some  eminent  mage. 

Then  news  thereof  heard 

Athanasius,  the  mage, 

And  he  came  to  the  Cicsar, 

And  inquired  of  him  quick, 
"  Why  badest  thou  fetch  me 

Thus  suddenl}'  to  thee  ?" 

Datlanua  answered 

Athanasius  thus : 
"  Canst  thou  extinguish 

The  Christians'  magic  ?" 

Then  answered  the  mage 

To  Datian  thus : 
"  Bid  come  unto  me 

The  Christian  man, 

And  I  am  a  sinner 

If  I  his  illusion 

Do  not  quite  extinguish 

By  means  of  my  magic." 

Datianus  was  fain 

That  he  found  such  a  mage, 

And  bade  lead  from  prison 

The  champion  of  God  ; 

And  quoth  to  the  saint 

In  vehement  mood, 
"  For  thy  sake,  Georius, 

I  have  cot  me  this  majre : 


PASSION   OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

ofer-swiS  his  dry-craft 

o^^e  he  Se  ofer-swy^e* 

o|>J?e  he  ]7e  fordo 

o'SSe  ]>u  fordo  hine. 

Georius  J?a  beheold 

];one  hfej^enan  dry'* 

and  cwreS  ];at  he  gesawe 

Cristes  gifc  on  him. 

Athanasius  'Sa 

heardlice*  genara* 

senne  niicelne  bollan 

mid  bealuwe  afulled"^" 

and  deoflan|  bet£ehtc 

J)one  drenc  eahie* 

and  sealde  him  drincan 

ac  hit  him  ne  derode. 

j^a  cwse^  eft  sc  dry* 

gyt  ic  do  an  ]^ing' 

and  gif  him  ]nit  nc  dcru"(S 

ic  huge  to  Cristc. 

He  genam  "Sa  anc  cuppan 

mid  cwcahn-bsorum  drsence* 

and  clypodc  swySe 

to  J?am  sweartum  dcoflum* 

and  to  }?am  fyrmcstum  deoflum 

and  to  ]>am  full  strangum* 

and  on  hcora  naniun  begul 

];one  gramlican  drenc. 


*  ardlicc.  t  afylled.  X  deoikun. 


PASSION   OF   ST.  GEORfJi:.  13 

O'ercomc  thou  \n6  inaixic, 
Or  let  him  o'ercome  thee  : 
Either  he  tlo  for  thee, 
Or  thou  do  for  him." 
Then  Georius  beheld 
The  heathenish  mage. 
And  quoth  that  he  saw 
Christ's  favour  on  him. 
Athanasius  then 
Hastily  took 
A  bowl  of  great  size 
With  torment  full-filled, 
And  to  devils  devoted 
The  whole  of  the  drink, 
And  gave  him  to  drink  ; 
But  it  injured  him  not. 
Then  added  the  mage, 
"  I  do  one  thing  more, 
And  if  that  do  not  harm  him 
I  bow  unto  Christ." 
He  then  took  a  cup 
Of  death-bearing  drink, 
And  earnestly  called 
On  the  swarthy  devils, 
And  the  foremost  of  devils, 
And  devils  full  strong ; 
And  in  their  name  enchanted 
The  horrible  drink. 


14  PASSION    OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

sealde  J>a  drincan 

|?am  Drill tnes  halgan* 

ac  him  naht  ne  derode 

se  deoflica  wte'ta. 

|7a  geseah  se  dry' 

J>at  he  him  derian  ue  mihte* 

and  feoll  to  his  fotum 

fuluhtes*  biddende" 

and  se  halga  Georius 

hine  sona  gefullode. 

hwset  "ba  Datianus 

deoflice  wear^  gram* 

and  het  geniman  ];one  dry'* 

|?e  'Sair  gelyfde  on  God' 

and  lajdan  of  ]?ffire  byrig 

and  beheafdian  sona. 

Eft  on  ]?am  o|?rum  da^gc 

het  se  arleasa  Casere* 

gebindan  Georium 

on  anum  bradum  hvveowlc* 

and  twa  sccarpe  swurd 

settan  him  to-gcanes' 

and  twa  up  ateon 

and  under-ba3C  sceofan. 

]>a  gcbaid  Georius 

liine  bcaldlicc  to  Gode* 

Deus  in  adjutoriuni  mcum  intcndc 

Domino  ad  adjuvandum  me  festina. 

*  fulluhtes. 


PASSION    OF   ST.  GKORGE.  15 

Gave  (it)  then  to  drink 

To  the  saint  of  the  Lortl ; 

But  no  wise  it  harmed  him, 

The  devilish  wet. 

Then  the  mage  ascertained 

That  he  could  not  him  harm, 

And  fell  at  his  feet. 

Imploring  baptism ; 

And  the  holy  Georius 

Baptized  him  forthwith. 

Whereupon  Datianus 

Waxed  devilishly  fierce, 

And  bade  take  the  mage, 

Who  there  trusted  in  God, 

And  lead  (him)  out  of  the  borough. 

And  behead  (him)  forthwith. 

On  the  following  day 

Bade  the  impious  Caesar 

To  fasten  Georius 

Upon  a  broad  wheel. 

And  a  pair  of  sharp  swords 

Against  him  to  fix. 

And  so  up  to  draw. 

And  backwards  to  shove. 

Then  Georius  prayed 

Him  boldly  to  God, 

Deus  in  adjutorium  meum  intende 

Domine  ad  adjuvandum  me/esiina.f 


f  Common  ejaculations  in   the   OflSces  of  the  western 


IG  PASSION   OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

]>at  is,  God  beseoli  *Sir 

on  minum  fultume* 

Drihteu  efst  j^u** 

me  to  f'ultumigenne. 

and  he  wear's  gebroht 

mid  ];isum  gebede  on  ]>am  hwcowle. 

]>a  tyrndon  ]m  hje]>cnan 

hetelice  ]?at  hweonol- 

ac  hit  soua  to-bterst 

and  beah  to  eor'San  ; 

and  se  halga  wer 

wunode  ungederod. 

Datlanus  ]7a 

dreox'ig  wear's  on  mode* 
and  swor  ]mrh  Sa  snnnan 

and  J»Lirh  ealle  his  godas' 

J>at  he  mid  mislicum  wituin 

hine  wolde  fordon. 

]>a.  cwse^  se  eadiga 

Gcorius  him  to* 

pine  ]?eowracan 

synd  hwilwendlice* 

ac  ic  ne  fbrhtige 

for  "Sinum  gcbeote. 

Su  hffifest  minne  lichaman 

on  "Sinum  anwealde* 


church  :   see,  for  example,  Rituule  Ecciesics  Dunelmensis. 
p. !(]!),  cd.  Surtccs  Society. 


PASSION    OF   ST.  GKORGE.  1  7 

That  is,  "  Look  thou,  O  God, 
Upon  my  support, 
Haste  thee,  O  Lord, 
To  succour  and  save." 
And  he  was  brought 
With  this  prayer  to  the  wheel. 
Then  turned  the  heathen 
Hotly  the  wheel, 
But  it  soon  burst  asunder. 
And  bowed  to  the  earth ; 
And  the  holy  man 
Continued  unhurt. 
Thereupon  Datianus 
Waxed  dreary  in  mood, 
And  swore  by  the  sun, 
And  by  the  whole  of  his  gods, 
That  with  divers  torments 
He  would  do  him  to  death. 
Then  quoth  the  blessed 
Georius  to  him, 
"  Thy  comminations 
Are  but  for  a  time, 
But  naught  do  I  quail 
Because  of  thy  threats. 
Thou  holdest  my  body 
Within  thy  dominion, 

*  ]>u  uu.  t  j^a  gebroht. 

C 


18  PASSION    OF    ST.  GKORGK. 

ac  ^u  naef'st  swa  ]>eali 

mine  sawle  ac  God. 

]7a  het  se  Casere 

his  cwelleras  feccaii' 

senne  ierenne  hwer 

and  hine  ealne  afullan"'^ 

mid  weallendimi  leade 

and  lecgan  Gcorium" 

innan  j^one  hwer 

]>sk  ^a  he  hatostt  wses. 

}>a  ahof  se  halga 

to  heofonum  his  eagan* 

his  Drihten  biddende 

and  bealdlice  cwa^ende* 

ic  gange  in  to  ^e 

on  mines  Godes  naman" 

and  ic  hopige  on  Drihten 

]?at  he  me  ungederodne' 

of  ]>isum  woallendum  hwcrc 

wylle  ahreddan* 

]?am  is  lof  and  wuldor 

geond  calle  worold. 

and  lie  blctsode  ]?at  lead 

and  liug  him  on-uppan' 

and  ];at  lead  wear's  acolod 

^urh  Cristes|  mihte* 

and  Gcorius  srct 

gesund  on  J?am  hwere* 

*  afyllaii.  t  hattost.  *  ]?urh  Godes. 


PASSION    OF   ST.  GEORGE.  19 

But  my  spirit  nathless 
Hast  thou  not,  but  God." 
Then  bade  the  Caesar 
His  quellers  to  fetch 
A  brazen  ewer, 
And  fill  it  all  up 
With  boiling  lead. 
And  lay  Georius 
Inside  the  ewer. 
Where  it  was  hottest. 
Then  lifted  the  saint 
To  heaven  his  eyes, 
Beseeching  his  Lord, 
And  boldly  declaring, 
"I  go  unto  thee, 
In  the  name  of  my  God, 
And  I  hope  in  the  Lord 
That  He  me  unharmed 
From  this  boiling  ewer 
Will  be  pleased  to  deliver. 
Whose  is  praise  and  glory, 
World  without  end." 
And  he  hallowed  the  lead, 
And  lay  thereupon, 
And  the  lead  waxed  cold, 
Through  the  power  of  Christ; 
And  Georius  sat 
Unhurt  in  the  ewer. 

c2 


20  PASSION    OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

J7a  cw^e'S  se  Casere 

to  ];am  Cristes  Jjegene* 

nast  ^u  la  Georiiis 

]?at  ure  godas  swincaS  miS  |je* 

and  gyt  hi  sund  gej^yldige 

J?at  hi  ^e  mlltsian- 

nu  lare  ic  ^e 

swa  swa  leofne  sunu* 

]>at  ^u  J^sera  lare  cristenra* 

forlaete  mid  ealle* 

and  to  minuni  rsede 

hra^e  gebuge. 

swa  J>at  ^u  ofFrige 

]7am  arwur^an  Apolline. 

and  ]7u  miht  micelne 

wurSmunt  swa  begytan.t 

]7a  se  halga  martir 

mid  Jjam  halgan  Gaste  afuUed" 

smercode  mid  mu'Sc 

and  to  J^am  miinfuUan  cwaeiS* 

ys  gedafenaS  to  ofFrienne 

]nim  undeadlicuni  Godc. 

sefter  })ysum  bcbead 

se  ablenda  Datianus* 

J?at  man  his  deadan  godas 

dcorwyrSlicc  fnBtewode* 

and  )?at  deofles  tempi 

*  cristenra  lare. 


PASSION    OF   ST.  GEORGE.  21 

Then  quoth  the  Cffisar 

To  the  liege-man  of  Christ, 
"  Oh !  know'st  not,  Georius, 

That  our  gods  toil  with  thee, 

And  yet  are  they  patient 

That  they  may  thee  pardon. 

Then  counsel  I  thee, 

As  a  son  of  my  love, 

That  the  Christian  lore 

Thou  abandon  entire, 

And  to  my  advice 

Readily  bow, 

So  that  thou  worship 

The  reverend  Apollo, 

And  thou  many  honours 

So  may  obtain." 

Then  the  holy  martyr, 

With  the  Holy  Spirit  full-filled, 

Smirked  with  his  mouth, 

And  to  the  impious  one  quoth, 
"  Us  becomes  it  to  worship 

The  undying  God." 

After  this  ordered 

The  blind  Datianus, 

That  they  his  dead  gods 

Should  richly  adorn, 

And  the  devil's  temple 


and  bu  micelne  wui-^munt 
miht  swa  begitan. 


22  PASSION    OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

mid  deorwur^um  seolfre* 

and  het  J^yder  Isedan 

bone  geleafFullan  martii" 

wende  |?at  he  wolde 

wur'Sian  his  godas* 

and  his  lac  geofFrian 

]7am  lifleasum  stanum. 

hwaBt  ]>a  Georius 

to  eorSan  abeah. 

]ms  biddende  his  Drihten 

sebisdum  cneowum* 

gehyr  nu  God  aslmihtig 

ymes  ]>eowan  bene* 

and  ]7as  earman  anlicnyssa 

mid  ealle  fordo. 

swa  swa  weax  formylt 

for  hatan  fyre* 

]7at  men  ]?e  oncnawan 

and  on  j^e  gelufon* 

]?at  ]>u  eart  ana  God 

aehnihtig  scyppend. 

seftcr  ]7ysum  gcbede 

bajrst  ut  of  heofenum" 

swiSe  fccrlic  fur 

and  forbiTcrnde  ]7at  tempi* 

and  ealle  ]m  godas 

grundlunga  suncon* 

in  to  ]7?ere  eorSan 


PASSroN    OF   ST.  GEORGE.  23 

With  costliest  silver, 
And  bade  thither  lead 
The  believing  martyr. 
[HeJ  weened  that  he  would 
Worshijo  his  gods, 
And  offer  his  gift 
To  the  lifeless  stones. 
Whereat  Georius 
Bowed  him  to  earth, 
Thus  beseeching  his  Lord 
On  his  bended  knees  : 
"  Hear  now,  God  Almighty, 
Thy  servant's  petition, 
And  these  helpless  images 
Wholly  destroy, 
Like  as  wax  melts  away 
Before  the  hot  fire, 
That  men  Thee  acknowledge 
And  on  Thee  believe, 
That  Thou  art  one  God, 
Almighty  Creator." 
After  this  prayer 
Burst  out  from  heaven 
Instantaneous  fire. 
And  burnt  up  the  temple ; 
And  all  the  gods 
Utterly  sunk 
Into  the  earth, 


24  PASSION   OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

and  ne  seteowden  nsefre  sy]7j?an. 

eac  swilce  ]>n  sacerdas 

suncon  for^  mid* 

and  sume  ]7a  hai|)enan 

J7e  "Saer  gehende  stodon* 

and  Georius  axode 

J)one  arleasan  Casere' 

on  hwilcum  godum  tihtst  "Su 

us  to  gelyfenne' 

hu  magon  hi  ahreddan 

■Se  Irani  frsecednyssum' 

]?onn  hi  ne  mihton 

hi  sylfe  ahreddan. 

hwset  "Sa  Datianus 

gedihte  ];ysne  cwyde* 

and  het  "Sus  acwellan 

J>one  Godes  cempan. 

nima^  ]?ysn6  scyldigan 

Jjc  mid  scin-craefte  to-wende* 

ure  arwuriSan  godas 

mid  ealle  to  duste* 

and  draga^  hine  neowchie 

liis  neb  to  eor^an* 

geond  ealle  J'as  streat 

and  staenene  wegas* 

and  of'-slea^  hine 

mid  swurdes  ecge. 

J7a  tugun  )?a  hsej^enan 


PASSION   OF   ST.  GEORGE.  25 

And  have  not  appeared  ever  since  : 

So  also  the  priests 

Were  wholly  engulphed, 

And  some  of  the  heathen 

Who  stood  near  the  place. 

And  Georius  asked  » 

The  impious  Caesar, 
"  On  what  gods  allur'st  thou 

Us  to  believe  ? 

How  can  they  save 

Thee  from  disasters, 

When  they  are  powerless 

To  deliver  themselves?" 

Whereupon  Datianus 

Drew  up  this  command, 

And  bade  thus  to  kill 

The  champion  of  God, 
"  Lead  off  this  sinner, 

Whose  illusion  upturned 

Our  adorable  gods 

Entirely  to  dust : 

And  drag  him  prostrate, 

His  face  to  the  ground, 

Over  all  these  streets 

And  stony  ways, 

And  destroy  him  quick 

With  the  edge  of  the  sword." 

Then  drew  the  heathen 


26  PASSION   OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

j7one  halgan  wer* 

swa  Datianus  liet 

oS]?at  hi  conion* 

to  ^sere  cwealm-stowe 

and  se  martir  bsed 

|?at  he  hine  gebidden  moste* 

to  J?am  ?elmihtigan  Gode 

and  his  gast  betsecan" 

he  ]7ancGde  ])a,  Gode 

ealre  his  godnyssa* 

|?at  he  hine  gescylde 

wi^  ]7one  swicolan  deofol" 

and  him  sige  forgeaf 

]?urh  so'Sne  geleafan* 

he  gebaid  eac  swylce 

for  eall  Godes*  folc 

and  ]7at  God  forgeafe 

])sexe  eor^an  renas" 

lbr]?an  J?e  se  hscj>a 

)ja  hynde  ^a  eor^an" 

icfter  ]?ysum  gebede 

he  bletsode  hine  sylfnc* 

and  ba?d  his  slagan 

l^at  he  hine  sloge* 

mid  ]?am  "Se  he  acweald  wks 

(Sa  conion  ]?yder  sona" 

liis  a^ene  laud-leoda+ 

. ^ — 

*  cristen. 


PASSION    OF   ST.  GEORGE.  27 

The  holy  man, 
As  Datlanus  bade, 
Until  they  came 
To  the  place  of  death ; 
And  the  martyr  begged 
That  he  might  him  pray 
To  the  Almighty  God, 
And  his  spii'it  commend. 
Then  thanked  he  God 
For  His  goodness  all, 
That  He  shielded  him 
From  the  treacherous  devil. 
And  him  victory  granted 
Through  a  sound  belief. 
He  prayed  likewise 
For  all  God's  folk. 
And  that  God  would  grant 
To  the  country  rains 
Inasmuch  as  the  drought 
Was  then  wasting  the  land. 
After  this  prayer 
He  hallowed  himself. 
And  ordered  his  slayer 
That  he  would  him  slay. 
Whereupon  he  was  killed. 
Then  came  thither  soon 
His  own  country-people, 

f  land-leode. 


28  PASSION   OF   ST.  GEORGE. 

gelyfede*  on  God 

and  gel^hton  his  lie 

and  Iseddon  to  'Sere  byi'ig* 

]7e  he  on-J?rowode 

and  hine  "Ster  bebyrigdon- 

mi^  miceh'e  arwyr^nysse 

J^am  selmihtigan  to  lofe. 

)7a  asende  Drihten 

sona  ren-scuras* 

and  ]7a  eor'San  gewse'terodc 

"So  se'r  wses  forburnen* 

swa  s%va  Georius  bsed 

fer'San  ]>e  he  abuge  to  siege' 

hwset  ]>a,  Datianus 

wear^  fserlice  of-slagen* 

inid  heofonlicc^l*  fyre 

and  his  geferan  samod" 

]>a  ^a  he  hamwerd  wa3s 

mid  his  heah-begnum| 

ac  he  becom  to  helle 

ser^an  J>e  to  huse* 

and  se  lialga  Georius 

siSodc  to  Criste* 

mid  J)am  a  wunaiS 

on  wuldrc.     Amen. 

*  geleofede.  t  heofonlicum.  %  he 


PASSION    OF   ST.  GEORGE.  29 

Believers  in  Gotl, 

And  took  up  his  corpse, 

And  conveyed  to  the  borough, 

Where  he  was  martyred, 

And  buried  him  there 

With  manifold  worship, 

To  the  praise  of  the  Almighty. 

Then  sent  out  the  Lord 

Rain-showers  forthwith. 

And  watered  the  ground 

That  ere  had  been  parched ; 

Like  as  Georius  prayed 

Ere  that  he  bent  him  to  death. 

Whereupon  Datianus 

Was  suddenly  slain 

By  heaven-sent  fire. 

And  his  colleagues  likewise, 

While  on  his  way  home 

With  his  notable  thanes ; 

But  he  entered  hell 

Ere  (he  reached)  his  house. 

And  the  holy  Georius 

Journeyed  to  Christ, 

With  whom  he  aye  dwclleth 

In  glory.     Amen. 


A  POEM 


THE  TIMES  OF  EDWARD  II, 


MS.  PRKSERVED  IN  THE  LIBRARY 


ST.    PETER'S    COLLEGE,    CAMBRIDGE. 


EDITED    BY    THE 


REV.    C.    HARDWICK,    M.A., 

FELLOW  OV  ST.  CATHABINE's    HALL,  CAMBRIDGE. 


LONDON : 
PRINTED     FOR    THE     PERCY     SOCIETY, 

BY   KICHAKDS,  100,  ST.  MAKTIN'S  LANK. 
MnnccxLix. 


€f)t  ^nt^  ^otkt^. 


President. 
THE  RIGHT  HON.  LORD  BRAYBROOKE,  F.S.A. 


Council. 

THOMAS  AMYOT,  Esq.  F.R.S.,  F.S.A. 

WILLIAM  HENRY  BLACK,  Esq. 

BOLTON  CORNEY^  Esq.,  M.R.S.L. 

T.  CROFTON  CROKER,  Esq.  F.S.A.,  M.R.I  A. 

J.  H.  DIXON,  Esq. 

FREDERICK  WILLIAM  FAIRHOLT,  Esq.  F.S.A. 

J.  M.  GUTCH,  Esq.,  F.S.A. 

JAMES    ORCHARD    HALLIWELL,    Esq.    F.R.S  , 

F  S.A.,  Acling  Secretary. 
W.  JERDAN,  Esq.  M.R.S.L. 
J.  S.  MOORE,  Esq. 
E.  RALEIGH  MORAN,  Esq. 
T.  J.  PETTIGREW,   Esq.  F.R.S.,  F.S.A. 
JAMES  PRIOR,  Esq.  F.S.A.,  M.R.LA. 
WILLIAM  SANDYS,  Esq.  F.S.A. 
THOMAS  WRIGHT,  Esq.  M  .A.,  F  S.A.,  Tnasurer 


PREFACE. 


This  curious  relic  of  our  earlier  poetry  is  preserved 
at  the  end  of  a  folio  volume  of  Homilies,  by 
Radulphus  Acton,  or  Achedon,  who  flourished, 
according  to  Pits,  about  the  year  1320.  {De 
Scriptorihus,  s.  474.)  The  volume  was  presented 
to  St.  Peter's  College,  Cambridge,  by  Thomas 
Beaufort,  half-brother  to  King  Henry  IV,  and 
afterwards  Duke  of  Exeter;  the  use  of  it  being 
reserved  (as  we  gather  from  a  note  at  the  com- 
mencement) to  one  Mr.  John  Savage,  "  ad  ter- 
minum  vitse  suse  duntaxat."  The  donor  was 
appointed  Lord  Chancellor  of  England  in  the  year 
1410,  and  died  in  the  year  1425  {Lord  CampheWs 
Lives,  i.  p.  316);  by  which  dates  we  can  approxi- 
mate with  sufficient  accuracy  to  the  time  Avhen 
the  manuscript  reached  its  present  resting-place. 

The  hand-writing  of  the  Poem  belongs  to  the 
same  period  as  that  of  the  Homilies,  and  is  possibly 


11  PREFACE. 

the  work  of  the  same  scribe.  It  may  be  assigned 
to  the  reign  of  Ed  ward  III,  or  perhaps  of  Ed  ward  II. 
This  opinion,  however,  as  to  the  execution  of  the 
manuscript,  is  quite  independent  of  the  age  of  the 
Poem;  and  since  nothing  has  survived  respecting 
the  author,  his  date  can  only  be  ascertained  by 
the  internal  evidence  of  language  and  historical 
intimations. 

With  respect  to  the  language  of  the  Poem,  it 
will  be  found  (speaking  generally)  to  resemble 
the  old  English  of  Piers  Ploughman's  Creed  and 
Vision,  so  that  we  shall  not  far  misdate  its  com- 
position, if  on  a  prima  facie  view  we  consider  it 
not  later  than  1350.  On  the  contrary,  it  will 
appear  to  be  still  more  ancient.  For,  first,  it  con- 
tains allusion  to  certain  calamities  very  prevalent 
in  England  at  the  time  of  its  publication.  Thus 
in  stanza  1 : 

Why  werre  and  wrake  in  londc 
And  manslaugt  is  y-come : 
Why  hongcr  and  derthe  on  crthc 
The  pour  hath  oucr-nomc ; 
Wy  bestes  bcth  i-storvc 
And  why  come  is  so  dere, 
5c  that  wyl  abyde, 
Lystyn  and  30  mow  here. 

And  similarly  in  stanza  78;  both  which  passages 
furnish  proof  that  the  country  was  then,  or  had 
been  very  recently,  suffering  from  war,   famine, 


PREFACE.  Ill 

and  a  grievous  murrain  ;  and  that  the  i)rice  of 
corn  was  immoderately  high.  Now  these  various 
liistorical  phases  will,  I  think,  be  found  to  syn- 
chronize with  that  portion  of  the  reign  of  Edward  II, 
which  is  included  between  the  years  1311-1320. 
The  allusion  to  war  and  domestic  divisions  may 
be  dismissed,  by  referring  to  the  troubles  con- 
nected with  Piers  Gaveston,  and  the  unsuccessful 
expedition  to  Scotland.  The  other  topics,  which 
are  of  a  less  ordinary  character,  will  be  illustrated 
by  the  following  extract  from  Stow's  Chronicle:* 

"  The  king,  in  a  Parliament  at  London,  gave 
the  rod  and  office  of  marshall  vnto  Thomas  of 
Brotherton,  Earle  of  Norfolke,  his  brother.  Hee 
also  reuoked  the  provisionsf  before  made  for  selling 
of  victuals,  and  permitted  all  men  to  make  the 
best  of  that  they  had ;  neuerthelesse  the  deai'th 
increased  through  the  aboundance  of  raine  that 
fell  in  harvest,  so  that  a  quarter  of  wheate,  or  of 
salt  was  solde  before  mid-sommer  for  thirty 
shillings,  and  after  forty  shillings.  Thei'e  followed 
[a.d.   1316]  this  famine  a  grievous  mortality  of 


*  Pp.  217,  218,  Lond.  1632. 

t  These  are  probably  the  dietary  provisions  published  in 
Lelands  Collectanea,  vi,  36,  ed.  Ilearue.  The  date  is  1315. 
A  second  visitation  of  the  same  kind  is  placed  by  Walsing- 
ham  in  the  year  1319.  Scotland  and  Ireland  were  equally 
afflicted.     Sec  Carte,  ii,  337,  340. 


IV  PREFACE. 

people,  so  that  the  quick  might  unneath  bury  the 

dead The   beasts  and  cattail  also,    by    the 

corrupt  grasse  whereof  they  fed,  dyed,  whereby 
it  came  to  passe  that  the  eating  of  flesh  was  sus- 
pected of  all  men ;  for  flesh  of  beastes  not  cor- 
rupted was  hard  to  finde.  Horse-flesh  was 
counted  great  delicates  ;  the  poor  stole  fatte  dogges 
to  eate.  Some  (as  it  was  sayd),  compelled  through 
famine,  in  hidden  places,  did  eate  the  flesh  of 
their  own  children,  and  some  stole  others  which 
they  deuoured.  Theeues  that  were  in  prisons 
did  pluck  in  peeces  those  that  were  newly  brought 
amongst  them,  and  greedily  devoured  them,  halfe 
aliue.  A  gallon  of  small  ale  was  at  twopence,  of 
the  better  threepence,  and  the  best  fourpence." 

Another  allusion,  of  a  character  more  specific, 
will  place  our  Poem  about  the  same  period,  i.e., 
between  1311  and  1320.  In  stanza  35,  the  fol- 
lowing lecture  is  read  to  the  order  of  the  Hospi- 
talers :  — 

An  other  religion  ther  is 
Of  the  Hospital ; 
They  ben  lords  and  sires 
In  contrey  over  al  : 
Ther  is  non  of  hem  all 
That  ne  awt  to  ben  a-ilrad, 
Whan  thei  bethonken 
How  the  Templars  have  i-sped 
For  pride  : 


PREFACE.  V 

Forsothc  catcl  cometh  and  goth 
As  wederis  don  in  lydc* 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  poet  is  here  moral- 
izing on  the  suppression  of  the  Knights  Templars, 
and  the  transferring  of  their  property  to  the 
Hospitalers.  These  changes  had  been,  effected  at 
the  council  of  Vicnnc,  in  the  year  1311 ;  so  that 
a  warning  like  the  above,  addi'cssed  to  persons 
somewhat  flushed  by  their  recent  good  fortune, 
would  be,  on  our  hypothesis,  both  natural  and 
pointed, 

A  further  corroboration  will  be  found  in  stanza 
.58,  w  hicli  refers  to  a  general  military  conscription  : 

Whan  the  kyng  into  his  werre 

Wol  hauc  strougo  men, 

Of  ech  touu  to  help  hym  at  his  werre 

Fourten  or  ten : 

The  strong  schul  sytte  a-doun 

For  X.  shylynge  other  twelue 

And  send  wreches  to  the  kyng 

That  mow  not  help  hem  selue. 

I  believe  no  example  of  levying  forces  after  this 
fashion  has  been  recorded  before  the  3'ear  1316, 
nor  have  I  met  with  any  repetition  of  it  for  some 
time  afterwards.  In  that  year,  however,  w^e  are 
told,  "the  great  men,  and  knights  of  shires, 
granted  the  king  one  able-bodied  footman,  well 

*  I.e.,  "  property  comes  and  goes  as  clouds  do  in  March." 


VI  PREFACE. 

armed,  out  of  every  village,  or  hamlet,  in  the 
kingdom.  Market-towns  were  to  furnish  more, 
in  proportion  to  their  bigness  and  ability  to  defray 
the  expense  of  sending  them  to  the  general  ren- 
dezvous, and  of  paying  each  man  a  groat  a  day 
for  sixty  days ;  upon  the  expiration  of  which  term 
their  wages  were  to  be  paid  by  the  king,  who  de- 
clared, by  his  letters  patent,  that  this  should  not 
be  made  a  precedent,  nor  be  drawn  into  a  custom."* 

From  these,  and  other  incidental  allusions,  which 
it  is  not  necessary  to  particularize,  the  poem  be- 
fore us  may  be  fairly  assigned  to  somewhere 
about  the  year  1320.  It  would  thus  precede 
Piers  Ploughman  by  an  interval  of  more  than 
thirty  years,  and  was  (if  I  mistake  not)  one  of  the 
very  earliest  satirical  poems  composed  in  the 
English  language. 

It  is  well-known  that  this  species  of  warfare  had 
been  long  practised  by  our  forefathers  through 
the  medium  of  the  Latin  language;  and  that  many 
who  on  this  side  the  channel  imitated  the  gentler 
branches  of  Provencal  poetry  were  not  backward 
in  copying  its  more  caustic  productions.  In 
neither  case,  however,  was  the  satire  of  a  popular 
character;  for  besides  the  comparative  obscurity 
of  the  language,  it  was  nearly  always  disguised  in 

*  Carte,  ii,  339. 


PREFACE.  Vll 

tropes  and  allegories.  The  exceptions,  which  are 
few,  consisted  of  short  English  ballads,  directed 
against  some  obnoxious  individual,  and  differing 
in  that  respect  from  the  poem  before  us,  which  is 
a  broadside  against  whole  orders.  Indeed  (as 
Warton*  observes)  the  personalities  of  some  of 
the  above-mentioned  ballads  seem  to  have  occa- 
sioned a  statute  against  libels  in  1275,  entitled 
"Against  slanderous  reports,  or  tales  to  cause 
discord  betwixt  king  and  people".  Probably, 
through  dread  of  this  statute,  as  well  as  of  eccle- 
siastical censure,  the  allegorical  species  of  satire 
is  revived  by  the  author  of  Piers  Ploughman's 
Vision,  who  moi'eover  substituted^  the  alliterative 
style  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  period  for  the  rhyme 
now  beginning  to  be  almost  universal.  Diverse 
from  him  in  both  these  respects  is  the  author  of 
the  poem  before  us.  His  versificationt  is  in 
rhyme,  with  occasional  examples  of  alliteration ; 
neither  does  he  confine  his  censures  to  any  mere 
abstractions,  such  as  pride,  avarice,  and  simony, 

*  Vol.  i,  45;  ed.  1840. 

t  In  the  manuscript  the  stanzas  appear  in  five  long 
linos,  each  line  divided  by  the  metrical  dot,  or  dash.  The 
first  four  lines,  by  subdivision,  produce  eight  lines,  which 
rhyme  in  alternate  pairs.  At  the  end  of  the  fourth  long- 
line  is  added  a  versicle,  generally  of  two  syllables,  which 
(oddly  enough)  rhymes  with  the  final  syllable  of  the  last  line. 


VUl  PREFACE. 

but  proceeds  to  a  direct  attack  on  all  states  and 
conditions  of  men, — the  pope,  archbishops  and 
bishops,  archdeacons,  parsons,  priests,  abbots,  priors, 
monks,  canons,  friars  (white,  black,  and  grey), 
hospitalers,  deans  and  chapters,  physicians,  knights, 
barons,  squires,  ministers  of  state,  judges,  sheriffs, 
advocates,  attorneys,  merchants,  and  in  short, 
every  body.*  The  tone  of  our  author,  though 
here  and  there  pathetic,  must  be  described  as,  on 
the  whole,  deeply  lugubrious,  and  his  matter,  with 
only  a  few  exceptions,  one  volle}^  of  unmitigated 
invective.  All  classes  of  society,  he  is  persuaded, 
find  their  chief  pleasure  in  victimizing  the  poor ; 
and  although  we  do  not  read  that  he  stirred  up 
any  violent  demonstration,  I  cannot  help  thinking 
that  poems  like  his  had  great  force  in  predisposing 
the  populace  for  the  Lollard  doctrines,  as  well  as 
in  urging  them  to  Jack  Cade  excesses. 

Still  it  would  be  most  unfair  to  argue  as  if  the 
grievances  of  the  people  in  that  age  were  either 
few  or  trivial.     The  whole  course  of  the  reign  of 

*  There  is  one  exception  to  this  sweeping  condemnation, 
in  the  absence  of  all  allusion  to  the  pardoner,  who  in  Piers 
J'lou'jhman  and  in  C/taucer  is  handled  very  roughly.  I 
consider  this  silence  a  further  proof  of  the  early  date  of  the 
poem.  Indulgences  were  not  sold,  at  least  publicly,  till 
A.D.  1313,  so  that  we  could  scarcely  expect  to  hear  of  their 
abuse  so  early  as  1320. 


PREFACE.  IX 

Edward  II  was  one  of  domestic  deterioration  and  of 
external  disgrace ;  the  king,  weak  and  capricious ; 
the  courtiers,  hiwless,  uni)rincipled,  and  oppressive. 
Among  the  bishops  and  secuhir  clergy  there  were 
too  few  of  those 

.  .  .  Lele  libbynge  men 
That  Goddes  lawe  techen : 

Avhile,  in  very  many  cases,  the  licentiousness  of 
the  monastic  and  mendicant  orders  kept  pace  with 
their  pride  and  rapacity.  These  latter  were  wide- 
spread evils,  and  had  been  gradually  provoking  a 
spirit  of  satire  not  only  in  England,*  but  in  almost 
every  corner  of  western  Christendom. t 

Again,  we  have  abundant  proof  that  when  our 
poet  was  uttering  his  complaint  in  behalf  of  the 
poor  and  starving,  the  wealthier  classes  of  the 
nation  were  revelling  in  ease  and  luxury.  A 
curious  picture  of  these  habits  is  preserved  in  a 
dietary,  or  royal  edict,  bearing  date  1315,  and 
occasioned,  most  probably,  by  the  famine  to  which 
we  have  before  alluded.  While  all  who  had  the 
means  were  faring  sumptuously  every  day,  the 
rest  were  literally  abandoned  to  destitution,  and 
hundreds,  we  know,  shared  the  fate  of  the  diseased 

*  See  the  Latin  Poems  attributed  to  Walter  Mapes,  and 
Piers  Ploughman,  passim. 

t  See  a  collection  of  kindred  [wems,  Be  corruj/to  £cd-esice 
Statu,  Basil.  1556,  edited  by  Flacius  Illyricus. 


X  PREFACE. 

cattle,  to  which  they  were  deemed  hardly  su- 
perior. 

The  last  particular,  which  may  be  adduced  in 
extenuation  of  our  author's  acrimony,  has  refer- 
ence to  the  alleged  corruption  of  the  law-courts  of 
that  period.  The  lord  chancellor  was  Robert  de 
Baldock,  who  stands  charged  as  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal agents  in  bringing  on  the  troubles  of  Edward 
II.  "  He  seems,"  says  Lord  Campbell,*  "  to  have 
been  a  very  profligate  man,  and  to  have  been  un- 
scrupulous in  perverting  the  rules  of  justice,  re- 
gardless of  public  opinion,  and  reckless  as  to  the 
consequences."  He  was  afterwards  seized  by  the 
mob,  and  thrown  into  Newgate,  where  he  died  of 
his  wounds. 

On  the  whole,  therefore,  we  must  admit  that 
there  were  numerous  handles  for  satire ;  and  if 
the  specimen  before  us  appears  somewhat  coarse 
and  indiscriminate,  it  was  probably  the  only  kind 
of  corrective  which  that  age  could  have  appreciated. 

C.  H. 

iSt.  Catharines  Hall,  Cambridge, 
ISth  April,  1849. 

P.S.  I  should  remark  (what  was  unknown  to 
me  wlacn  I  transcribed  this  poem)  that  an  imper- 
fect copy  of  it  has  been  printed  In  Mr.  Wright's 
Collection  of  Political  Songs,  from  a  manuscript 


See  Lives  of  the  Chancellors,  i,  199. 


PREFACE.  XI 

in  the  Advocates'  Library  at  Edinburgh.  The 
{)rinted  Poem  agrees  in  the  main  with  this  one, 
not  however  witliout  important  variations  of 
words,  and  even  of  lines  and  stanzas.  From  one 
or  two  circumstances  I  suspect  that  the  Edinburgh 
manuscript  was  a  sort  of  second  edition  corrected. 
Mr.  Wright  simply  describes  the  fragment  as 
very  curious,  and  assigns  it  to  the  reign  of  Ed- 
ward 11.  I  regret  that  he  was  unacquainted  with 
the  Peter- House  MS.,  for  besides  supplying  many 
various  readings,  it  would  have  enabled  him  to 
complete  his  text,  and  would  thus  have  enhanced 
the  value  of  his  interesting  publication. 


A   POEM 

ON  THE 

TIMES    OF    EDWARD  11. 


1.  Why  werre  and  wrake  in  londe 
And  manslaugt  is  y-come, 
Why  honger  and  derthe  on  ertlic 
The  pour  hath  over-nome  ;* 
Wy  bestes  beth  i-storvef 

And  why  corne  is  so  dere, 
3c  that  wyl  abyde, 
Lystyn  and  30  mow  here, 

With  skyl ; 
Certes  without  lesyng, 
Herken  hit  ho  so  wyl. 

2.  In  hevenc  y-blessyd  mut  he  be 
That  herkeneth  here  a  stounde  ;:|: 

*  Overtaken. 

t  Dead;  perished.  (A.  S.)  Seo  examples  iu  IlulliweU's 
Dictionary,  p.  803. 

X  A  moment,  or  sliort  time.  (A.  S.)  See  numerous  examples 
in  IlaUiwdVs  Dictionary,  p.  814.  This  stanza  is  not  in  the  Edin- 
burgh MS. 


A    POEM    ON    THE 

How  plenteth  and  al  myrthe, 
For  pride  is  brout  to  grounde  ; 
How  stedfastnesse  and  trewtlie 
Yt*  turned  to  treclierye, 
And  all  poure  mennes  sing, 
"  Alas  !  for  hunger  I  dye 

Up  ry3t :" 
Y-hei'edf  be  the  kyng  of  heven, 
Such  is  hys  my5t ! 

God  greteth  al  the  peple  wel, 
And  doth  hem  to  understondc, 
That  ther  nys|  but  falsnes 
And  trecherye  in  londe. 
At  the  court  of  Rome, 
That  trewth  schuld  begynne, 
Hym  is  forbode  the  paleys  ; 
He  dar  not  com  ther-ynne 

For  dowte  : 
Thow  the  poi)e  clepe§  hym, 
3et  he  schal  stond  ther-oute. 

Alle  the  popes  clerkes 
Have  i-take  to  red,|| 
Gif  trewth  com  among  hem, 
I-wys  he  schal  be  ded  : 
Ther  ne  dare  he  nojt  com 
For  doute  to  be  slayn 


*  Ys?  t  Glorified.  J  Is  nought. 

§  Invito.  II  Havo  taken  counsel. 


TIMES    OF    EDWARD  11. 

Withyn  the  popes  paleys, 
3if  he  mijt  be  sayn  :* 

For  ferde 
3if  symonye  may  mete  hyra, 
He  wil  smyte  of  his  hede.f 

5.  Voys  of  clerk  shal  lytyl  be  herd 
At  the  court  of  Rome, 

Were  he  never  so  gode  a  clerk, 
Without  selver  and|  he  come  : 
Thoj  he  were  the  holyest  man, 
That  ever  3et  was  i-bore, 
But§  he  bryng  gold  or  sylver, 
Al  hys  while  is  for-lore]| 

And  his  thow5t  : 
Alias  !  whi  love  thei  that  so  mych 
That  schal  turne  to  nowgt? 

6.  So  another  ther  ajen 

That  is  an  horlyng^  and  a  shrewe, 
Let  hym  com  to  the  court 
Hys  nedes  for  to  shewe, 
And  bryng  gold  and  selver 
And  non  other  wedde,* 


*  Seen.  t  Berde?  J  If. 

§  Uuloss.  II  All  his  tinio  is  lost. 

^  An  adulterer.    (A.  S.) 

"  And  wende  bi  heom  that  is  wiif, 
And  hire  horeling  it  were." 

MS.  a)).  HaUiweU'n  Dictioimnj,  y>.  tTiO. 

*  Pledge.     (A.  S.) 

b2 


A    POKM    ON    THE 

Be  he  never  so  mych  a  shrewe, 
Heys  nedes  schul  be  sped, 
Ful  styll ; 
Covetyse  and  symonye 
Have  all  the  world  at  wylle. 

Erehebisshopes  and  byshopes, 
That  schuld  trewly  enquere 
Of  al  men  of  holy  cherche 
In  what  Stat  thei  were, 
Some  be  foles  hemself 
And  ledeth  a  feble  lyf ; 
Therfor  dar  thei  now3t  speke, 
Lest  ther  ryse  a  stryf 

Of  clerkes  ; 
Lest  ych  on  bewrye  other 
Of  her  feble  werkes. 

Certes  [holy  cherche*] 

Is  mych  i-browt  a-doun, 

Syth  [seynt  Thomas]  of  Cantrebury 

Was  smyt  of  the  crown. 

[lie  was  by  shop]  of  ryjt 

To  governe  holy  cherche, 

These  other  be  many  lewed 

And  feblech  do  the  wyrche  : 

I-wys 
That  is  i-sene  in  holy  chyreh, 
Hyt  fareth  al  amys. 

*  See  note  ad  fin. 


TIMES    OP    EDWARD  H. 

9.     Every  man  hymself 
May  ther-of  take  jeme,* 
No  man  may  serve 
Twcy  lordes  to  qvveme  :t 
Thei  beth  in  ofFys  with  the  kyng 
And  gadereth  gold  an  hepe, 
And  the  state  of  holy  cherch 
Thei  lat  go  lygge  to  slepe 

Ful  stylle  : 
Al  to  many  ther  ben  of  such 
Nerer|  Goddes  wylle. 

10.  The  erchedeknes  that  beth  sworn 
To  visite  holy  cherche, 

Anon  thei  welle  begynne 

Febleche||  to  wyrche. 

Thei  wolleth  take  mede 

Of  on  and  of  other, 

And  lete  the  personn  have  a  wyf 

And  his  prest  another 

At  wille  : ' 
Covetyse  schal  stoppen  here  mowth, 
And  make  hem  ful  stille. 

1 1 .  AVhan  an  old  personn  hys  ded 
And  his  lyf  agon, 

Than  schal  the  patrone 
Have  3iftes  anon  : 

*  Notice;  cixre.  t  Please.    (A.  S.) 

t  Were  it  not.    (A.  S.)  §  Feebly. 


b  A    POEM    ON    THE 

Than  wolle  the  30ng  clerk 
Bygynne  for  to  wowe,* 
The  patioun  schal  have  jiftes 
And  preseutes  ynowe, 

And  the  byschoppe  : 
Ther  schal  symonye  wel  sone 
Be  take  by  the  toppe.f 

12.  Covetyse  upon  hys  hors 
Wolle  sone  be  ther, 

And  brynge  the  bischop  silver 
And  rown  in  hys  jhere  ;J  . 
AUe  the  pour  clerk 
For  nowt  thei  schul  wyrche, 
He  that  most  biyngeth 
He  shal  have  the  chyrch 
I-wys  : 
Thus  the  stat  of  holy  chii'ch 
Is  gyed§  al  amys. 

13.  Whan  the  5ong  persoun 
Is  stedyd||  in  hys  cherch, 
Anon  he  wolle  bygynne 
Feblych  to  wyrch. 

Ne  schal  the  corn  in  hys  borne 
Be  ete  with  no  mows, 

*  Woo,  or  supplicate. 

f  Be  taken  by  the  head,  a  viTy  common  old  proverbial  phrase. 
J  Whisper  in  his  ear.     The  phrase  occurs  in  Shakespeare's 
Sonnets,  §  Kulcd,  ||  Stationed. 


TIMES    OF    EDWARD  II.  7 

Hit  scluil  be  spended  sykyily 
In  a  ful  sory  use, 

If  he  may  : 
Hit  schal  be  alle  i-tlirosshen* 
Art  Christymasse  day. 

1 4.  Wan  he  hath  gadred  to-geder 
Markys  and  powndes, 

He  pricketj  out  on  hys  contrc 
With  haukes  and  houndes 
Into  a  strange  conti'e, 
And  halt  a  wenche  in  cracche.§ 
A !  wel  is  her  that  first  may 
Such  a  personn  cacche 

In  londe. 
Thus  thei  serveth  the  chapels, 
And  leteth  the  chyrch  stonde. 

15.  He  nymeth||  all  that  he  may 
And  maketh  the  cherch  poui", 
And  leteth^  ther  behynde  hym 
A  thef  and  an  hore, 

A  servand  and  a  deye* 
That  ledetli  a  sory  lyf : 

*  Thrashed.  t  Ere;  before.  t  Rode. 

§  A  crib,  stall,  or  manger.  ^Ir.  Ilalliwell  explains  it,  "  a 
rack  of  any  kind,  a  manger."  ||  Taketh.  ^  Leaveth. 

*  A  female  servant  who  had  the  charge  of  the  dairy,  and  all 
things  pertaining  to  it.  Chaucer  has  the  word.  Sometimes  a 
male  servant  who  performed  those  duties  was  so  called. — HaUiwelVs 
Dictionary,  p.  30 1 . 


8  A    POEM    ON    THE 

As  homlych*  the  gon  to  beclde 
As  god-man  and  hys  wyf, 

With  sorow, 
Ne  schal  ther  pour  man  ha^■e  ther  gode 
At  hevef  ne  at  raorow. 

16.  Wan  he  hath  that  sylver 
Of  wolle  and  eke  of  lomb, 
He  putteth  in  hys  pawtenerj 
A  kerchyf  and  a  comb, 

A  shewev5§  and  a  coyf 
To  bynd  with  hys  loks, 
And  ratyl  on  the  rowbyble|| 
And  in  non  other  boks 

Ne  moo  ; 
MawgreylF  have  the  bysshop 
That  lat  hyt  so  goo. 

17.  Thei  the  bysshop  hyt  vvyte 
And  hit  bename  cowthe,* 
With  a  lytyl  selver 

He  may  stop  his  movvth  ; 

*  Homely.  •{•  Evening, 

J  Purse,  01'  bag.  See  several  examples  in  HaliiweWs  Dictionary, 
p.  609. 

§  Mirror.  The  Edinburgh  MS.,  edited  by  Mr.  Wright,  reads 
myrour. 

II  A  small  ribibe,  or  kind  of  fiddle.  See  HalliwdVs  Dictionary, 
p.  682,  in  V.  Rihibk.  Mr.  Wright  erroneously  prints  it  as  two 
words.  ^    Misfortune.     (A.  N.)  *  IJecame  public. 


TIMES    OF    EDWARD  II. 

He  medetli*  the  clerkes 
And  sustyneth  the  wench, 
And  lat  the  parysch  far  amys  : 
The  devyl  hem  a-drenchef 

For  hys  wevkys  ! 
Sory  may  the  fader  be 
That  ever  mad  hem  clerkys. 

18.  3if  the  person  have  a  prest 
That  is  of  clene  lyf, 

And  a  gode  shryft-faderj 
To  maydyn  and  to  wyf. 
Than  schal  an  other  putte  hyra  out 
For  a  lytyl  lasse,§ 
That  can  not  a  ferthing  worth, 
And  now3t  wel  hys  masse 
But  ille. 
Thus  schul  the  persons  shep 
For  defaute  spylle.[| 

19.  Certes  also  hyt  fareth 
By  a  prest  that  is  lewed^ 
As  by  a  jay  in  a  cage. 

That  hymself  hath  beshrewed  :* 
Gode  Englysh  he  speketh 
But  he  notj  never  what. 
No  more  wot  a  lewed  prest 


*  Bribes.  f  Drown.  J  Confessor.  §  Less. 

II  Be  destroyed.      ^  Unlearned.      *  Cursed.      |  Knows  not. 


10  A    POEM    ON    THE 

Hys  gospel  wat  he  rat* 

By  day  ; 
Than  is  a  lewed  prest 
No  better  than  a  jay. 

20.  Echo  man  may  wel  wyte, 
By  the  gode  rode  !f 
Ther  bethe  many  prestes, 
But  not  alle  gode. 

That  maketh  gode  men  ofte 
To  be  in  mych  blame, 
For  these  nyselj:  prestes 
That  playeth  her  nyse  game 

By  nyjt  ; 
Tbei  goth  with  swerd  and  bokler 
As  tliei  wolde  fi5t. 

21.  Abbots  and  priours 
Doth  ajenst  the  ryjtis, 

Thei  rydeth  with  hauks  and  hounds 

And  contrefetith  kny3ts  ; 

Thei  schuld  by-leve§  such  pride 

And  be  relygious, 

And  now  is  pryde  lord  and  syre 

In  cche  house 

I-w  ys  : 
Religion  is  now3t  i-loked,|| 
Hit  fareth  al  amys. 

*  Reads,  t  Cross.  J  Wanton. 

§  Leave.  II  Regarded.     (A.  S.) 


TIMES    OK    EDWARD  II.  11 


22.  By  that  ilke*  deth 
That  I  schal  on  dye, 
Ther  nysf  no  relygion, 
That  ther  nys  yn  ennye. 
Pryde  and  en  vie 

Have  tempreth|  so  here  gle, 
That  among  men  of  religion 
Is  non  unyte 

I-take  : 
Forsothe  love  and  chai'ite 
Is  turned  to  woo  and  wrake. 

23.  Late  come  to  an  abbey 
Syx  men  other  seven, 
And  lat  ther  on  aske  gode 
For  Godd  love  of  heven, 
He  schal  stond  theroute 
An-hungred  and  a-cold  ; 
Schal  no  man  do  hys  nede 
Nother  3ong  ner  old 

For  hys  love. 
That  is  kyng  over  all  kyng, 
And  setteth  us  al  above. 

24.  Bot  lat  a  boye  com  fro  a  lord, 
And  bryng  hym  a  letter, 

And  do  hys  erand  to  the  porter, 
And  he  schal  spede  the  better : 


*  Same.  j  Is  not.  |  Mingled;  adulterated. 


12  A    POEM    ON    THE 

3if  he  is  with  any  man 
Tiiat  may  do  the  abbot  harme, 
He  schal  be  led  into  the  halle 
And  be  maked  warme 

Abowt  mawe,* 
And  a  Goddes  man  shal  stond  ther-owt  ; 
Sory  was  that  lawe. 

25.  Thus  is  God  Almy3ty  dryve 
Out  of  relygion, 

He  ne  mot  nojt  among  hem  come 

In  felde  ne  in  ton  ; 

His  men  beth  unwelcome 

Eoth  erlych  and  late, 

Tlie  porter  hath  comaundement 

To  hold  hem  without  the  3ate, 

In  the  fen  : 
How  myjt  thei  love  wel  the  Lord, 
That  faryth  so  witli  hys  men  ! 

26.  Mych  sorow  theif  suffre 
For  our  Lordes  love  ; 

Thei  wereth  sokkes  in  her  schon| 

And  felted  botys  above  ; 

Wcl  thei  beth  i-fed 

With  gode  flesch  and  fysch, 

And  ii'  it  ys  gode  mete 

•  Stomach.  t  ■^•'-'•>  tlie  monks. 

X  Their  shoes. 


TIMES    ON    EDWAHP  II.  13 

The  lete*  lytyl  in  her  disch 

Of  the  beste  : 
Thus  thei  pyneth  her  bodyes 
To  hold  Crystes  hest  ! 

27.  Religion  was  i-maked 
Penance  for  to  drye,t 
Now  it  is  mych  i-turned 
To  pryde  and  glotonye. 
Wer  schalt  thu  fynde 
Redder  men  on  lerys| 
Fayrer  men  other  fatter 

Than  monkes,  chanouns,  other  freres 

In  toun  ? 
Forsothe  ther  nys  non  aysier  lyf 
Than  is  religion. 

28.  Religion  wot  every  day 
Redely  what  he  schal  don  : 

He  ne  careth  no  skynnes  thing§ 

But  for  his  mete  at  non. 

For  clothes  ne  for  hows  hyre 

He  ne  careth  nowt, 

But  whan  he  coraeth  to  the  mete 

He  maketh  his  wombe  towt|| 

Of  the  beste  : 
And  therafter  he  wol  fondeH 
For  to  cache  hys  reste. 

*  They  leave.  f  Bear;  undergo.  J  In  complexion. 

§  Not  the  least.         ||  Stomach  full.  «[  Seek. 


14  A    POEM    ON    THE 

29.  Hafter  mete  the  Iiaf*  a  pyne 
That  greveth  hem  ful  sore  : 
He  wil  drawe  at  a  drawjt 

A  gode  quart  other  move 
Of  gode  ale  and  strong 
Wei  i-browenf  of  the  beste, 
And  sone  therafter  he  wol  fond 
For  to  each  reste, 

3if  he  may. 
Thus  thei  pyneth  her  bodyes 
Bothe  nyjt  and  day  ! 

30.  Now  beth  ther  otlier  relygious, 
Menours  and  Jacobyn, 
Carmes,|  and  other  freres 
I-found  of  seynt  Austyn, 
That  wol  preche  more 

For  a  buschel  of  whete 
Than  brynge  a  sowle  fro  helle 
Out  of  grete  hete 

In  rest. 
Thus  is  covetyse  lord 
Est  and  eke  west. 

3  1 .     Lete  me  come  to  a  frer, 
And  aske  hym  shryft, 
And  come  thu  to  another 
And  bryng  hym  a  3ift, 


*  They  have.  +  Brewed. 

f  Carmelite  friars.     See  HaUiwelVs  Dictionary,  p.  232. 


TIMES    OK    KDWARD  II.  15 

Thou  shalt  into  the  fraytrye* 
And  be  made  glad, 
And  I  schal  stond  without 
As  a  man  that  wer  mad 

In  sorowe, 
And  5et  schal  myn  erynd  be  undo 
For  tof  hyt  be  on  the  morow. 

32.  5if  a  ryche  man  be  seke 
And  evel  hym  hath  nome, 
Than  wol  the  frere 

Al  day  theder  come. 
3if  hit  is  a  pore  man 
And  lyth  in  myche  care, 
Mych  mysawntre^  on  that  on 
That  wol  com  thar 

Ful  loth  : 
Now  mow  je  wel  here 
How  the  game  goth. 

33.  jif  the  rych  man  deyth. 
That  was  of  grete  myjt, 
Than  wol  the  frcres  al  day 
For  the  cors  631. 

Hyt  is  not  al  for  the  calf 
That  the  cow  loweth, 
But  it  is  for  the  gode  gras 
That  in  the  mede  groweth. 

By  my  hod ! 


Refectory.  f  Until.  t  Misadventure. 


16  A    POEM    ON    THE 

And  that  may  eche  man  know 
That  can  any  god. 

34.  So  ych  mut  broke*  myn  hed 
Under  myn  hatte, 

The  frer  wol  do  diri'ge 

If  the  cors  be  fatte  : 

Be  the  fiiyth  ic  schal  to  God, 

If  the  cors  be  lene, 

He  walketh  abowt  the  cloystre 

And  halt  his  fet  clene 

In  hows : 
How  mowe  thei  forsake 
That  thei  ne  be  covetows. 

35.  An  other  religion  ther  is 
Of  the  Hospital, 

They  ben  lords  and  sires 

In  contrey  over  al  ; 

Ther  is  non  of  hem  all 

That  ne  awt  to  ben  a-drad 

"Whan  thei  bethenken 

How  the  Templers  have  i-sped 

For  pride  : 
Forsothe  catelf  cometh  and  goth 
As  wederiy|  don  in  lyde.§ 


*  As  sure  as  I  wear?  t  Property. 

I  Clouds.  §  March. 


TIMES    OF    KDWAIM)   IT.  17 

36.  Official  and  denys 

That  chapitres  scliuld  holde, 

The  schuld  chaste  men  fro  syne 

And  thei  make  hem  bolde. 

IMake  a  present  to  the  official 

Ther*  thu  thenkest  to  dvvelle, 

Thu  schalt  liave  leve  a  twelf-moneth 

To  serve  the  devel  of  hell 

To  qweme. 
Forsoth,  have  thei  the  selvre, 
Of  synne  take  thei  no  jeme. 

37.  3if  a  man  have  a  wyf 
And  he  love  her  nowt, 
Bryng  hyr  to  the  consteryf 
Ther  trevvth  schuld  be  vvrowt, 
Bring  twei  fals  wytnes  \vith  hym 
And  hymself  the  thrydde, 

And  he  schal  be  deperted,:|: 
As  fair  as  he  wold  bydde, 

From  his  wyf : 
He  schal  be  mayntend  full  wcl 
To  lede  a  sory  lyf. 

38.  Whan  he  is  deperted 
From  hys  trew  spowse, 
Take  his  neyjtbores  wyf 
And  bryng  her  to  howse, 


*  "Where.  f  Consistory.    (A.  N.)  J  Divorced. 

c 


18  A    POEM    ON    THE 

3if  he  have  selver 
Among  the  clerks  to  sende, 
He  may  have  hir  to  hys  wyf 
To  hys  lifs  ende 

With  on  sky  11  :* 
Thei  that  so  fair  with  falsenes  dele,t 
Gods  cors  on  her  bill.l 

39.  3ut  ther  is  another  craft 
That  towcheth  to  clergye, — 
That  beth  thes  fisisiens§ 
That  helpeth  men  to  dye. 
He  wol  wag  his  uryn 

In  a  vessel  of  glass, 
And  svver  by  seynt  Ion 
That  he  is  seker  than  he  was, 
And  seye 
"  Dame,  for  defaw3t 
The  god-man  is  i-sleye." 

40.  Thus  he  wol  affray 
All  that  ben  therinne, 
And  mak  many  lesyngs 
Sylver  for  to  wynne  : 
After  tliat  he  wol  begynne 
To  confort  tliat  wyf. 


*  Wrongfully;  with  unskill.  t  Separate. 

J  5(7/ of  divorcement?  or  rather,  mouth  iincl/«ce;  cf.  stanza  43, 
Gods  cors  on  hys  chekc,"  and  stanza  69,  "  Fals  in  the  hille." 
§  See  iiotf  ''. 


TIMES    OF    EDWARD  II.  19 

And  sey,  "  Dame,  ley  cost,* 
And  we  schul  save  his  lyf" — 

And  lye, 
Thow  he  be  never  the  wyser 
Whether  he  wol  lyve  or  dye. 

41.  Furst  he  wol  begynne 
To  blere  the  wyfs  ey5e  ;t 
He  wol  aske  half  a  pownd 
To  bygge  with  spiserye  4 
The  eyjt  shillyngs  schul  up 
To  wyn  and  to  ale, 

And  bryng  hem  rotys  and  rynds 
Bretful§  a  male|| 

Of  now3t  : 
Hit  schal  be  dere  i-now  a  leke^ 
"Wan  it  is  al  i-browt. 

42.  He  wol  preise  hit  fast 

And  swere  as  he  were  wod,* 

For  the  kyng  of  Ynglond 

The  drynk  is  swet  and  god. 

And  gif  the  gode-man  to  drynke 

A  gode  quantite. 

And  make  hym  wers  than  he  was, 


*  Pay  the  fee. 

■f  I.e.,  to  impose   upon  her.      See   examples    in    HalliweU's 
Dictionary,  p.  185.  J  I.e.,  to  buy  spicery  witli. 

§  Brimful.        ||  Chest.        t  See  Richardson.  *  Jlad. 

c  2 


20  A    POEM    ON    THE 

Evel  mot  he  the* 

The  clerk ; 
That  so  beryth  awey  that  selver 
And  falselich  dothe  hys  werk. 

43.  He  wo\  byd  the  wif  sethe  a  caponn 
And  a  pese  of  bef ; 

The  gode-man  schal  have  never  a  mossel,f 

Be  he  never  so  lef.J 

He  wol  pike  hit  hyraself 

And  make  his  raawe  towt, 

And  3lf  the  gode-man  to  drynk 

Lene  broth  that  is  nowjt 

For  the  sek  : 
That  so  bygileth  the  gode-man 
Godds  cors  on  hys  cheke. 

44.  He  maketu  hym  al  nyjt  at  ese 
As  wel  as  he  can, 

And  loke  that  ha  fare  wel 

Hors  and  eke  man  : 

A-morow  he  taketh  the  uryn 

And  waggeth  in  the  sunne, 

And  seyth,  "  Dame,  blessed  be  God ! 

Thi  mays^tre  is  i-wonne 

And  lyketh  :§ 
Thus  he  bereth  awey  that  selver 
And  the  gode-wyf  biswyketh.|| 

♦  Thrive.  +  Morsel.  J  Desirous. 

§  Thrivetli.  ||  Cheateth. 


TIMES    OF    EDWAUD  II.  21 

45.  Certes,  and  by  my  sowle, 
This  world  is  al  beshrewed  ; 
Muclie  thei  fare  with  falsenes 
Bothe  lered  and  lewed. 

Of  the  lewed  men 
Now  speketh  the  pope, 
Whether  I  lye  or  I  segge  soth 
Now  jhe  it  schul  grope, 

That  sothe 
Falsenes  cometh  to  eche  feire 
And  piccheth  first  his  bothe.* 

46.  The  pope  gret  wel  al  lewed  men, 
William,  Richard  and  Ion, 
And  doth  hem  to  understonde 
That  trewth  is  ther  non  ; 

And  seyth  that  he  wer  worthi 
To  be  hanged  and  drawe. 
That  hathe  dryve  trewth  out  of  lond 
Without  proces  of  lawe  : 

Alas ! 
Certes  whil  treweth  was  in  londe 
A  gode  frend  he  was. 

47.  Treweth  was  over  al  redyi 
For  pore  men  to  speke, 

And  now  go  pore  men  al  a-doun 
God  hem  mot  a-wreke  ! 

♦  Booth. 


22  A    POEM    ON    THE 

Pryde  and  covetise 
Gyveth  over  al  jugement, 
And  turneth  lawes  up  and  doun 
Therfor  pore  men  be  shent* 

Al  clene  : 
Ther  is  no  rych  man  that  dredeth  God 
The  worth  of  a  bene.f 

48.  Thei  that  weldeth  al  the  world 
In  town  and  in  feld, 

Erles  and  barowns 

And  also  knyts  of  shelde, 

All  thei  be  i-swore 

To  maynten  holy  cherch  ryjt, 

And  therfor  was  kny3t  i-maked 

For  holy  cherch  to  fijt 

Sanj  fayl ; 
And  thei  beth  the  first  men 
That  holy  cherch  woUe  assaile. 

49.  Thei  maketh  werre  and  wrake 
In  lond  ther^  schuld  be  pees  ; 
Thei  schuld  to  the  Holy  Lond 
To  make  ther  a  rees  :§ 

Thei  schuld  into  the  Holy  Lond 

And  prove  ther  her  myjt, 

And  help  to  wreke  Jhesum  Crist, 

*  Confoimdefl.     f  -^  proverbial  saj'ino^  for  anything  worthless. 
See  Halliwcll's  Dictionary,  in  v.  Bean.     J  Where.     §  Onslaught. 


TIMES    OF    EDWARD  II. 

And  than  wex-e  he  a  kny3t 

With  sheld  : 
Now  be  they  lyons  in  the  halle 
And  hares  in  the  feld. 

50.  Knytes  schuld  were  clothes 
I-schape  in  dewe  manere, 
As  his  order  wold  aske 

As  wel  as  schuld  a  frere  : 
Now  thei  beth  disgysed 
So  diverselych  i-dijt, 
That  no  man  may  knowe 
A  mynstrel  from  a  kny3t 
Wel  ny  : 
So  is  mekenes  fait  a-down 
And  pride  aryse  an  hye. 

5 1 .  Thus  is  the  order  of  knyjt 
A-turned  up  and  doun  ; 
As  wel  wol  a  knyjt  chide 
As  eny  scold  in  a  toun  ; 
Thei  schuld  be  as  hend* 
As  any  lady  in  londe, 

To  speke  al  maner  of  fylth 
Ne  nys  ne  kny3t  fondef 

For  shame ; 
Thus  is  chyualrye  a-cloyed:j: 
And  woxen  fote-lame. 


23 


*  Gentle;  polished.  t  See  HalHweirs  Victionari/,  under 

wonde,  which  is  probably  the  true  reading.  J  Debased. 


24  A    POEM    ON    THE 

52.  Cliyvalrye  now  is  a-cloyed 
And  wjckedlych  i-dijt  ; 
Conne  a  boye  breke  a  spere 
He  schal  be  made  a  kny3t. 
Thus  beth  knyjtis  i-gadered 
Of  unkynde*  blod, 

And  thei  shendethf  the  order 
That  schiild  be  hende  and  god, 

And  hende  : 
On  shrew  in  a  court 
May  al  a  company  shende. 

53.  Knyjts  to  drawe,  God  almy5t 
Iche  tyme  schal  be  swore, 
His  yen,  his  fat,  his  nayles, 
His  sowle  is  nowt  forbore  : 
That  is  now  the  gentry| 

In  chawmbre  and  eke  in  halle, 
The  lord  wil  hab  on  othe 
Grettest  of  hem  alle 

For  pride  : 
At  the  day  of  dom 
Ne  schal  no  man  his  othes  hyde. 

54.  Now  is  non  mysprowd  squier 
In  al  this  mydil-jerd,^ 

Bot  he  here  a  long  babel||  abowt 


*  Unaristocratic.     See  note  ".  t  Corrupt. 

:j:  La  mode.  §  Earth.  ||  Bauble.     See  HalliwelVi 

Dictionary,  in  v. 


TIMES    OF    EDWARD  II.  25 

And  a  longe  berd, 
And  swere  by  Godds  sowle, 
And  often  vowen  to  God, 
"  I  byshrew  liym  for  that,  perdou,* 
Bothe  hosed  and  shod, 

For  his  werke  :" 
For  such  othes  God  is  wroth 
With  lewed  men  and  clerke. 

55.  Godds  sowle  schal  be  swore, 
The  knyf  schal  stond  a-strout,f 
Thow  his  botes  be  al-to-tore 
5at  he  wol  make  it  stout : 

His  hod  schal  hang  on  his  brest 
Rijt  as  a  draveled  lowt, 
Alas  !  the  sowle  worthet  forlore 
For  the  body  that  is  so  prowd 

In  felle ;  § 
Forsothe  he  is  deseyved 
He  wenyth  he  dothe  ful  well. 

56.  A  n£w  entaile||  thei  have  i-fend 
That  is  now  in  eche  toun  ; 
The  ray^  is  turned  overthwai't 
That  was  wont  be  up  and  doun  ; 
Thei  beth  desgysed  as  turraentours 
I-come  fro  clerks  pleye, 

*  Par  Dieu !         t  Shall  stick  up.    See  a  long  account  of  this 
word  in  HalliiveU's  Dictionary,  T^.  102.  J  Is.  §  Skin? 

II  Cut,  or  fashion.  ^  Slripc  in  the  cloth. 


26  A    POEM    ON    THE 

Thei  beth  beleved  al  with  pryde* 
And  Lave  cast  norterf  away 
In  a  diche  : 
Thei  beth  so  desgised 
Thei  beth  no  man  lych. 

57.  Mynystres  under  the  king 
That  schuld  meynten  ry3t, 
Of  the  fair  clere  day 
Thei  maken  dai-ke  nyjt : 
Thei  goth  out  of  the  hy-way, 
Thei  lettenij:  for  no  sclandre, 
Thei  maketh  the  mote-hall  § 
At  home  in  here  chawmbre 

With  wrong  ; 
That  schal  pore  men  a-bygge|| 
Ever  more  among. 

58.  When  the  kyng  into  his  werre 
Wol  have  stronge  men, 

Of  ech  toun  to  help  hym  at  his  werre 
Fourten  or  ten  : 
The  stronge  schul  sytte  a-doun 
For  X.  shylynge  other  twelve 
And  send  wreches  to  the  kyng 
That  mow  not  help  hemselve 
At  nede  : 

*  i.e.,  aro  abandoned  to  pride.  f  Nurture. 

}  Leave  off.  §  Justice-hall.  ||  Abide. 


TIMES    OF    EDWARD  11.  27 

Thus  is  the  kyng  deseyved 
And  pore  men  shend  for  medc* 

59.  Whan  the  kyng  into  his  werre 
Wol  have  a  taxacion 

To  help  hym  at  his  nede 
Of  ech  toun  a  portion  : 
Hit  schal  be  to-tolled, f 
Hit  schal  be  to-twy3t4 
Hit  schal  half-del  §  be  go 
Into  the  develes  flijt 

Of  helle  : 
Ther  beth  so  many  parteners 
Ne  dar  no  pore  mon  telle.  || 

60.  A  man  that  hath  an  hundred  pownd 
Schal  pay  xij.pens  round  : 

And  so  mych  schal  a  pore  man  pay 
That  poverte  hath  browt  to  ground, 
That  hath  an  housful  of  chyldre 
Sitting  abowt  the  flete  :1F 
Cristis  cors  hab  thei ! 
But*  that  be  wel  sette 

And  sworn, 
The  pore  schal  be  i-pyltj 
And  the  rych  schal  be  forborn. 


*  Destroj'ed  by  bribery.  "["  Levied  in  full,  or  divided  out. 

X  Snatched  away.  §  One-half.  ||  Give  information. 

t  Floor.  *  Unless.  f  Robbed.    (A.  S.) 


28  A    POEM    ON    THE 

6 1 .  "Wyst  the  kyng  of  Ynglond 
For  god*  be  wold  be  wrotb, 
How  his  pore  men  be  i-pyled 
And  how  the  selv'er  goth : 
Hit  is  so  to-tolled 

Bothe  heder  and  theder, 
Hit  is  halfen-del  i -stole 
Ar  hit  be  brout  togeder 

And  a-counted  : 
If  a  pore  man  speke  a  word 
He  shal  be  foul  a-frounted.f 

62.  Wold  the  kyng  do  after  me 
That  wold  tech  hym  a  skyl,| 

That  he  ne  schul  never  habbe  wylle 
Pore  men  to  pil  : 

He  ne  schuld  not  seke  his  tresor  so  fer, 
He  schuld  fynd  it  ner, 
At  justices  and  at  shiryves, 
Corowners,  and  chancelers 
No  lesse  : 
This  my3t  fynd  hym  i-now 
And  let  the  pore  have  pes. 

63.  Who  that  is  in  such  offys 
Ne  come  he  ner§  so  pore, 
He  fareth  witin  a  while 

As  he  had  selver  in  horde  :|| 

*  Doubtless.  t  Rebuked. 

%  A  reasonable  plan.  §  Never.  ||  Treasure.    (A.  S.) 

Cf.  TlaJ'iweirs  Dlciionari/,  in  V. 


TIMES    OF    EDWARD  II.  29 

Thei  byen  londs  and  ledes* 
Ne  may  tlier  nowt  astonde.t 
Wat  shul  pore  men  be  i-pild 
"Wil:{:  such  be  in  londe 

Ful  fele  ?§ 
Thei  pleyeth  wit  the  kyngs  selver 
And  bredeth  wode||  for  wele. 

64.  Sotelych^  for-sothe 
Thei  don  tlie  kyngs  hest  ; 
Whan  ech  man  hath  his  parte 
The  kyngs  hath  the  lest ; 
Eche  man  is  abowt 

To  fiUe  his  own  pors, 
The  kyng  hath  the  lest 
And  he  hath  al  the  cors 

Wit  wrong  : 
God  send  trewth  into  Ynglond ! 
Trechery  dureth  to  long. 

65.  Thei  byggeth  wit  the  kyngs  selver 
Bothe  londes  and  ledes, 

Hors  as  fair  as  the  kyngs 
Save  grete  stedes  ; 
This  myjt  help  the  kyng 
And  have  heraself  inow  : 


*  Landed  possessions.  t  Withstand.  J  "While. 

§  Many.  ||  Become  mad  (through  prosperity). 

^  With  subtlety. 


30  A    POEM    ON    THE 

Thei  take  thus  wit  a  pore  man, 
That  hath  but  half,  I  trowe, 

A  plow-land, 
Other  of  a  wreched  laborer 
That  lyveth  by  hys  bond. 

66.  Baylys  and  southbailys* 
Under  the  shireves 
Ever  thei  fondethl  wer 

Thei  mow  pore  men  to-greve  : 
The  pore  men  shul  to  London 
To  somons  and  to  syse, 
The  i-ych  wol  sytte  at  home, 
Were|  selver  wol  aryse 
Anon  : 
Crist  cors  mut  thei  have  ! 
But§  that  be  wel  i-don. 

67.  Courteous||  in  the  benche 
That  stondeth  at  the  barre 
Wol  bygile  the  in  thin  bond 
Bot  ifi[  thu  bewar : 

He  wol  take  half  a  mark 

And  do  doun  his  hood. 

And  speke  a  word  for  a  pore  man- 

And  do  hym  lytil  god, 

I  trowe  : 
Whan  the  gode-man  gothe  awey 
He  maketh  hym  a  mowe. 


*  Sub-bailiffs.  t  Seek.  J  Where. 

§  Unless.  II  Advocates.  ^  Unless. 


TIMES    OF    EDWARD  II.  31 


G8.     Attorneis  in  centre 

Wynneth  selfre  for  nowt  ; 
Thei  make  men  to  bigyune  pie* 
That  never  had  it  thow3t : 
Wan  thei  cometh  to  the  ryng 
Hoppef  if  thei  con  ; 
All  that  thei  wynne  wit  falsenes 
All  that  thei  tell  i-wonne 
Ful  wel  ; 
Ne  tryst  no  man  to  much  to  hem, 
Thei  beth  fals  by  skyl. 

69.  Suche  bethe  men  of  this  world, 
Fals  in  the  bille. 

If  eny  man  woUeth  lyf 
In  trewth  and  in  skil, 
Let|  his  fals  ney3bours 
And  sewe§  not  the  rowte,|l 
He  may  ech  day  of  his  lyf 
Have  grete  dowte  ; 

For  why  ? 
Thei  schal  al  day  be  endited 
For  manslaujt  and  robbery. 

70.  Take  the  trewest  man 
That  ever  in  londe  was, 


*  Law -suit. 

%  Dance;  i.e.,  they  can  not  dance,  §  I.e.,  if  he  leave. 

II  Follow.  \  Crowd. 


32  A    POEM    ON    THE 

He  schal  be  endited 

For  thing  that  never  was  ; 

I-take  and  i-bounde 

A  strong  thef  as  he  were, 

And  led  to  the  kyngs  prison 

And  lote  hym  lygge  there 

And  rote  : 
Other  wit  a  fals  enquest, 
Hang  hym  by  the  throte. 

7 1 .     Many  of  thes  assisours, 

That  seweth  shyre  and  hundred, 

Hangeth  men  for  selver  ; 

Therof  is  non  wonder, 

For  wan  the  rich  justice   " 

AVol  do  wrong  for  mede 

Than  thynketh  hem  thei  mow  the  beter 

For  thei  have  mor  nede 

For  to  wyn  ; 
Thus  hath  covetise  benome*  hem, 
Trowth  for  love  of  dedly  syn. 

72.     Be  seynt  Jame  in  Gal,"j" 

That  many  man  hath  sowt, 
The  pelery  and  the  cok-stol]: 
Be  i-made  for  nou3t : 
Wan  tliei  have  al  i-reyned§ 
And  i-cast  on  hepe, 

*  Possessed.  t  See  note  f. 

J  Cucking-stool.  §  Eninrd? 


TIMKS    OF    KDWARD  II.  33 

Bred  and  ale  is  the  derrer, 
And  never  the  better  schepe 
For  al  that  : 
Trechery  is  i-mejntend 
And  trewth  is  al-to-sq\v;it.* 

73,  Sonityme  wer  raarchants 
That  trewly  bout  and  sold, 
Now  is  thilk  assisej  i-broke 
And  trewth  is  nowjt  of  told  ::j: 
Mai'chandis  was  wont 

Be  hold  up  with  trewth, 
Now  it  is  turned  to  trechery 
And  that  is  grete  rewth 

To  wete, 
How  trechery  shal  be  hald  up. 
And  trewth  douu  i-smete. 

74.  Ther  nys  wel  ny  no  man 
That  can  any  craft, 
That  he  nis  a  party 
Lose  in  the  haft  :§ 
Falsnes  is  over 

Al  the  woi'ld  i-sprong 
That  nys  wel  ny  no  trewth 
In  hond  ne  in  tonge 

Ne  in  hert  ; 


*  Quite  prostrate.  t  The  same  rule.  J  Accounted  of. 

§  The  metaphor  is  borrowed  from  some  manual  implement 
>ut  of  lepair:  "in  some  degree  loose  in  the  haft." 

P 


34  A    POEM    ON    THE 

Forsothe  thei  nyl  sese* 

Art  God  make  hem  to  smert. 

75.  Ther  was  a  game  in  Ynglond 
That  dured  jer  and  other,| 
Even  upon  the  Moneday 
Ech  man  beshrewed  other. 
So  long  dured  the  game 
Among  lered  and  lewed, 
That  thei  nold§  never  beleve|l 
Ar  the  world  wer  beschrewed, 

I-wis  : 
Al  that  ever  schal  help  man 

All  it  fareth  amys. 

76.  For  tlie  mych  falsenes 
That  walketh  in  lond, 
God  almyjty  of  heven 
Hath  bound  nowt  his  bond, If 
And  send  wederyng  on  erthe, 
Cold  and  unkynde,* 

And  3et  is  ther  non  man 
That  to  God  taketh  mynde 

With  ry3te  ; 
We  be  nothing  aferd 
Of  Hys  myche  myjt. 


*  Will  not  ceaso.  f  Ti"-  t  ^•<'-'  '""*'  years- 

§  Would  not.  II  Leave  off. 

^  Has  abrogated  his  covenant.  *  Unseasonablo. 


TIMES    OF    EDWARD  II.  3o 

77.  God  is  wroth  with  tlie  world 
And  that  is  wel  i-sene, 

Al  that  was  play  and  game 
Is  turned  to  sorow  and  tene  ; 
God  shewed  us  plente  inow, 
SuiFre  whil  we  wold, 
Al  maner  of  frute 
Groweng  on  raolde 

Ful  thik, 
And  ever  ajens  God  Alray5ty 
We  beth  alych  wyk.* 

78.  Whan  God  Almyjty  seth 
The  work  is  overthwart,f 
He  sende  his  sond|  into  erthe 
And  makethe  us  to  smart  ; 
Whan  bestes  beth  i-storve 
And  corne  waxeth  dere. 

And  honger  and  pestilence  in  ech  lond 
As  36  mow  ofte  here 

Over  al  ; — 
But  if§  we  amende  us 
It  wil  wel  wers  befal. 


*  Equally  wicked. 

f  Perverse:  wrong.     Halliwell's  Dictionarrj,  y>.  b9o. 

X  Message.  §  Unless. 


NOTES. 


^  The  words  included  between  brackets  have  been  almost 
entirely  erased  ;  probably  in  obedience  to  the  proclamation 
of  Henry  VIII,  who  after  declaring  "  Thomas,  sometime 
archbishop  of  Canterbury,  to  have  been  guilty  of  contumacy, 
treason,  and  rebellion,"  commanded  "his  loving  subjects  to 
destroy  all  images  and  pictures  of  the  pseudo-saint  Thomas, 
and  to  erase  his  name  and  remembrance  from  all  books, 
under  pain  of  his  majesty's  indignation." 

''  For  a  fuller  delineation  of  a  monastic  gourmand,  see 
Piers  Ploughman  s  Vision,  vol.i,  p.  250,  ed.  Wright. 

•^  The  Minors  were  the  gray  friars,  or  Fi'anciscans  ;  the 
Jacobins,  the  black,  or  preaching  friars,  and  were  so  called 
from  theii-  first  establishment  in  Paris  (see  Fleury,  Hist. 
EccL,  liv.  Isxviii,  s.  5)  ;  the  Carmes,  or  Carmelites,  were  the 
white  friars,  originally  established  at  Mount  Carmel  ;  the 
Austins  were  friars  of  the  order  of  St.  Augustine,  They 
had  all  gained  a  footing  in  England  about  the  year  1250. 
In  the  "  Creed  of  Piers  Ploughman"  they  are  satu-ized  at 
length. 

^  Cf.  Piers  Ploughman'' s  Vision,  vol.  i,  p.  133  : 

"  For  murtliereris  are  many  leclies 
Lord  hem  amende  I 

Thev  do  men  deye  througb  liir  drjnkes 
Er  destyuee  it  wolde." 

Sentiments  not  unlike  the  above  had  been  uttered  long- 
before,  by  John  of  Salisbui-y. 

«  Allusion  is  perhaps  made  to  royal  edicts  and  decisions 
of  Parliament,  whereby  it  was  ordained  that  all  persons 
who  had  a  whole  knight's  fee,  or  fifty  pounds  a-year  in  land, 
should  be  admitted  to  the  honour  of  knighthood.  Instances 
of  this  practice  occurred  in  the  years  1312  and  1316.  See 
Carte,  ii,  325,  339. 

f  The  reference  is  to  St.  James  of  Compostella  in  Galicia, 
which  was  then  a  most  famous  resort  of  pilgrims  : 

"  And  til  seint  James  be  sought 
Tliere  I  shal  assigne, 
Tliat  no  man  go  to  Galis 
But  if  lie  go  for  evere." 

Piers  Ploughman's  Vision,  vol.  i,  p.  72. 


RELIGIOUS    POEMS 


WILLIAM  DE  SHOREHAM, 

VICAR    OF    CPIART  -  SUTTON,    IN    KENT, 
IN  THE  REIGN  OF  EDWARD  II. 

PRF.SRUVED    IN    A    CONTEMPORARY    MANUSCRIPT. 


EDITED  ny 


THOMAS  WRIGHT,  ESQ.,  M.A.,  F.S.A.,  etc., 

CorresponiUng  Member  of  the  Institute  of  France  (AoRilcniie 
lies  Inscriptions  et  Belles  Lettres.) 


LONDON : 
PRINTED     FOR    THE     PERCY     SOCIETY, 

BY  KICHAKDS,  100,  ST.  MARTIN'S  LANK. 
M.DCCC.XLIX. 

4  5  3  9  3 


Cfte  \^tvt})  ^otitt}). 


President. 
THE  EIGHT  HON.  LORD  BRAYBKOOKE,  F.S.A. 

Council. 

THOMAS  AMYOT,  Esq.,  F.R  S.,  F.S.A. 

WILLIAM  HENRY  BLACK,  Esq 

T.  CROFTON  CROKER,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A. 

J.  H.  DIXON,  Esq. 

FREDERICK  WILLIAM  FAIRHOLT,  Esq.  F.S.A. 

JAMES  ORCHARD  HALLIWELL,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  F.S.A., 
Honorary  Secretary. 

W.  JERDAN,  E.SQ.,  M.R.S.L. 

SIR  EDWARD  TJULWER  LYTTON,  Bakt. 

E.  RALEIGH  MORAN,  Esq. 

T.  J.  PETTIGREW,  Esq.  F.R.S.,  F.S.A. 

JAMES  PRIOR,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A. 

WILLIAM  SANDYS,  Esq.,  F.S.A. 

RICHARD  JOHN  SMITH,  Esq. 

THE  REV.  J.  REYNELL  WREFORD,  F.S.A. 

THOMAS  WRIGHT,  Esq.  M.A.,  F.S.A  ,  Treasurer. 


PREFACE. 


William  de  Shoreham  is,  as  far  as  I  know,  a  new 
name  in  the  list  of  English  writers.  His  poems 
are  interesting  in  two  points  of  view ;  they 
exhibit  to  us  the  popular  doctrines  of  the  age  on 
subjects  of  religion,  which  alone  were  consigned 
to  the  vulgar  tongue,  and  they  present  a  good 
specimen  of  the  English  language  as  it  Avas  then 
spoken  and  written  in  the  county  of  Kent.  They 
seem  to  have  been  written  by  a  zealous,  and  far 
from  unlearned,  preacher,  for  the  purpose  of  en- 
forcing the  doctrines  of  the  Church  on  the  minds 
oi'  those  who  were  only  capable  of  understanding 
them  when  offered  in  a  popular  form ;  and  they 
offer  most  of  the  subjects  of  Christian  doctrine 
which  were  then  considered  important.  The 
first  of  these  poems  recounts  and  illustrates  the 


VI 


seven  sacraments  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  gives 
a  very  full  description  of  its  principal  ceremonies 
and  orders.  The  second  is  a  rhyming  version  of 
some  portion  of  the  ceremonies.  The  third,  on  the 
ten  commandments,  and  the  fourth,  on  the  seven 
sins,  are  short  commentaries  on  Christian  morality. 
The  fifth  is  on  the  joys  of  the  Virgin,  a  most 
popular  subject  in  the  middle  ages.  The  sixth  is 
a  hymn  on  the  Virgin,  translated  from  Robert 
Grosteste.  The  seventh  and  last,  in  which  the 
writer  becomes  at  times  quite  philosophical,  is  a 
sort  of  dissertation  on  some  of  the  mysteries  of 
the  Christian  faith,  but  more  especially  on  the 
doctrine  of  original  sin. 

Our  information  as  to  the  author  of  these  poems 
is  derived  from  the  colophons  at  the  end  of  several 
of  them,  in  which  he  is  called  William  de  Shore- 
ham,  and  is  stated  to  have  been  vicar  of  Chart 
near  Leeds.  In  Thorpe's  Registrum  Roffense, 
p.  207,  we  have  a  charter  of  Walter  archbishop 
of  Canterbury,  by  which  he  impropriates  the  rec- 
tory of  Chart-Sutton  to  the  prior  and  convent  of 
Leeds,  upon  which  it  became  a  vicarage,  and  wc 


learn  that  the  first  vicar  admitted  was  William  de 
Shorehara.  The  archbishop  alluded  to  was  Walter 
Raynolds,  who  held  the  see  from  1313  to  1327. 
It  is  therefore  probable  that  our  Kentish  poet, 
who  was,  no  doubt,  a  native  of  Shoreham,  near 
Otford  (about  four  miles  and  a  half  from  Seven- 
oaks),  was  originally  a  monk  of  the  priory  of 
Leeds,  and  he  was  made  vicar  of  Chart-Sutton 
on  the  appropriation  of  that  living  to  his  convent 
by  archbishop  Walter.  His  poems  may,  there- 
fore, be  attributed  to  the  reign  of  Edward  II.  It 
appears  from  one  of  the  colophons  (p.  116  of  the 
present  volume)  that  he  was  living  under  Walter^s 
successor,  archbishop  Simon  Mepham  (1327- 
1333):  and  he,  probably,  occupied  himself  in  the 
latter  period  of  his  life  in  collecting  his  poems 
into  the  very  manuscript  from  which  they  are 
here  printed,  which  appears  to  be  of  the  beginning 
of  the  reign  of  Edward  III.  The  manuscript 
was  in  private  hands  at  the  time  my  transcript 
was  made ;  but  I  am  not  sure  whether  at  present 
it  be  in  a  private,  or  public  collection.  I  have  every 
reason  to  believe  my  transcript  to  be  a  correct 


Vlll 


one ;  but,  unfortunately,  while  the  present  edition 
was  passing  through  the  press,  it  was  not  in  my 
power  to  refer  to  the  original,  and  to  this  circum- 
stance, I  trust  that  any  errors  that  may  have 
occurred  in  editing  a  text  which  presents  many 
difficulties,  will  be  attributed. 

Thomas  Wright. 


24,  Sydney  Street,  Brompton. 
October  1849. 


POEMS 

OF 

WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 


De  septem  sacramentis.     De  psalmo,  Excercitatus  sum 
et  defecit  spiritus. 

SoNDERLicHE  his  man  astoned 

In  his  owene  mende, 
Wanne  he  note  never  wannes  he  comthe, 

Ne  wider  he  schel  wende  ; 
And  moi'e, 
Thet  al  his  lyf  his  here  i-mengde 

Withe  sorwe  and  eke  withe  sore. 

And  wanne  he  deithe,  ne  mey  me  wite 

Woder  he  cometh  to  wisse  ; 
Bote  as  a  stocke  ther  lithe  thet  body, 

Withethoute  alle  manere  blisse  ; 
Wat  thenkeste  ? 
And  hondred  wynter  3ef  a  levethe, 

That  his  lyf  mid  the  lengeste. 

B 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOKEHAM. 

Onnethe  creft  eny  that  stat, 

Ac  some  crefteth  that  halve  ; 
And  for  siknesse  lechecreft, 

And  for  the  goute  sealve 

Me  makethe ; 
For  wanne  man  drawith  into  olde-ward, 

"Wei  ofte  his  bones  aketh. 

And  be  a  man  never  so  sprind, 

jef  he  schel  libbe  to  elde, 
Be  him  wel  siker  ther-to  he  schel, 

And  his  deythes  dette  3elde, 
To  gile  ; 
5et  meni  3onge  man  weneth  longe  leve, 

And  leveth  wel  litle  wjle. 

Thos  we  beth  al  awey-vvard, 

That  scholde  her  by-leve  ; 
And  3et  me  seith  y-demyd  we  bethe 

In  Adam  and  ine  Eve, 

Te  telle  ; 
Wajt  hope  his  here  of  savement, 

Now  time  his  for  to  telle. 

Me  seithe  the  ri3te  wone3ynge 

Ine  hevene  hyt  his  to  manne  ; 
Ac  hevene  his  liei3e,  and  we  beth  hevy, 

Howe  scholde  we  thider  thanne  ? 
Bi  leddre  ? 
Howe  me}''  that  be  ?  wo  dar  ther-oppe  stei3e, 

For  dou3te  of  fotes  bleddre  ? 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOKEHAM. 

Than  thy  laddrc  iiys  nau5t  of  wodc 
That  may  to  hevoue  leste  ; 

Ac  on  ther  his  that  Jacob  i-sei3e, 
Ther  he  sleppe  inne  hys  reste  ; 

Now  schewe  this : 

This  ilke  laddre  is  charite, 
The  stales  gode  theawis. 

Her-on  Jhesus  stawe  uppe  bi-fore, 
Al  for  to  teche  ous  stey3e  ; 

Nowe  hyje,  man,  and  fFolwje  wel, 
A-doun  that  thou  ne  sy5e, 

By-weylcd  ; 

For  yf  thou  nelt  nau3t  climnie  thos, 
Of  heveue  thou  best  y-faylcd. 

And  that  man  lovye  God  and  man, 

Ase  charite  hyt  hoteth, 
That  he  so  wel  y-theawed  be, 

That  alle  men  hit  notethe  ; 

Wat  thanne  ? 
5et  senneles  ne  may  he  nau5t  be, 

Ac  a  deythe  and  he  not  wanne. 

Of  brokele  kende  his  that  he  deithe. 
For  hy  ne  mo3e  nau3t  dury  ; 

And  al  dey  he  to  senne  falleth, 
Her  ne  mo3e  nau3t  pury 

Of  serewnessche. 

set  hope  thou  wel,  man,  for  al  this. 
That  g03de  lyf  wole  the  wessche. 


B  2 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SUOREHAM. 

For  dethe  ne  falle  naii5t  into  wanhope, 
For  God  himself  for  the  deide, 

The  thridde  day  he  aros  ajeyii 

Of  the  throu5  ther  men  hine  leyde  ; 
Ine  tokene 

That,  man,  thi  body  arise  schel, 
Of  deithe  nammore  to  blokne. 

The  Bible  seythe  that  mannys  blodis 

Hys  ry3t  ther  saule  giste  ; 
And  water  wasscheth  the  felthe  awey, 

Ther  me  wesscheth  byliste 

The  onsounde  ; 
To  wesschen  ous  Cryst  schedde  his  blod 

And  water  out  of  hys  wonde. 

Here-of  spronge  the  sacremens 

Of  holy  chyrche  digne  ; 
And  his  to  segge  sacrement 

Of  holy  thynge  signe, 

For  gode. 
Hon  inyjte  fayrer  signe  be 

Thane  of  the  water  and  blode  ? 

Than  thorwe  that  blod  thi  soule  his  boujt 

Frani  the  fendes  powei'e  ; 
And  thorwe  that  water  i-wessche  thart 

Of  thyne  sennes  here. 

Nou  loke, 
joure  Cristendom  his  tokene  throf 

Of  Criste  that  we  toke. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

For  jef  thou  vangest  thane  cristeiuloin, 

And  foi*  than  bi-left  clene, 
Thou  schelt  be  marked  to  thet  stode, 

To  wichen  heven  his  y-mene  ; 
To  sothe, 
Wanne  the  bisschop  bisschopetli  the, 

Tokene  of  raarke  he  set  to  the. 

Ac  cristendom  hys  sacrement 

Of  so  grete  powere, 
Tliat  hit  thorwe-wasscheth  thane  man 

Of  senne  in  alle  manere  ; 

And  glorie 
Hit  scheppeth,  3ef  man  deythe, 

And  schilt  fram  purgatorie. 

And  for  we  beth  of  nonn  power 
To  weryen  ous  fiara  schame, 

Ther  der  no  fend  acombry  ous, 
Crist  is  mid  ous  to-sames 

And  neade  ; 

Tokene  ther-of  his  Godes  bodi 
At  cherche  in  forme  of  brede. 

And  3et  for  man  his  so  brotel 

Ine  his  owene  kende, 
Thaj  he  torni  to  senne  ajen 

Thorwe  fondynge  of  the  feende, 
By  chaunce, 
That  he  may  come  to  stat  n5eyn 

Th,)r\ve  bare  repcntaunce. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Her-of  we  habbeth  tokene  gode, 
Wanne  we  fangeth  penaunce; 

For  sennes  that  we  habbeth  i-done, 
To  pyne  allegaunce 

Ine  fere, 

For  ther  we  scholde  hit  under-go 
Sote  we  pinede  hit  here. 

That  man  ne  falle  ine  wanhope 

A-last  withoute  bote, 
Al  that  he  heth  i-senoged  her 

With  honden  and  with  fojte, 
Wyth  thoute, 
Mouthe,  nase,  and  ey3en,  and  with  si3t, 

Eliinge  brengeth  hit  to  uou5te. 

5et  some  hethe  suche  devocioun, 
That  hym  thingthe  he  his  al  ydel, 

For  to  libbe  common  lif, 
Bote  5ef  he  hedde  a  brydel ; 
Wet  thinge 

Of  harder  stat  God  graunteth 
Wei  tokne  throw5  his  ordiingc. 

jet  that  man  mowe  naujt  lecherie 
For-bere  to  donne  in  dede  ; 

5et  ne  schal  he  naujt  be  for-lore, 
For  God  jefthe  hym  to  rede 
Spousyiige  ; 

Tokene  throf  his  the  weddinge 
At  cherchc  and  biterc  vvyinge. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Cristendom,  and  bisschoppynge, 

Penauns,  and  eke  spousinge, 
Godes  body  ine  forme  of  bred, 

Ordre,  and  aneliinge, 

Thes  sevene 
Heth  holi  cherche  sacremens, 

That  betli  tokeneu  of  hevene. 

God  wesclit,  and  marketli, 

And  for3efth,  and  joyneth  men  an  wyves, 
And  frevereth  thorwe  his  body  man, 

And  grace  sent,  and  lyves  ; 
5e,  vvanne  ? 
Wanne  we  taketh  the  sacremens, 

Thar  we  seth  hit  thanne. 

That  we  ne  mowe  hyt  naujt  i-se, 

Ne  forthe  ine  bodie  inrede. 
We  sethe  hit  wel  ine  oure  fey, 

And  fredeth  hit  at  nede, 

Wel  ejathe, 
God  thorwe  miracles  ketheth  hit 

A-lyve  and  eke  a-dethe. 

And  bote  he  thorwe  hys  sacramens 

Ous  thos  bi-redde, 
Ne  scholde  we  of  his  grace  wite 

Wanne  we  hit  toke  and  hadde, 
To  wisse  ; 
Ther-fore  he  that  bi-lefeth  hit  naujt, 

Rijt  wyt  neth  he  of  none  blisse. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Al  hit  beth  in  these  cherche  sacremens, 
Thet  tokeneth  holi  thynges, 

As  hali  water,  and  haly  bred, 
Lijt,  and  bel-ryngynges 

To  leste  ; 

And  of  alle  other  sacremens 
Thes  sevene  beth  the  greste. 

De  baplismo. 

Cristendom  his  that  sacrement 
That  men  her  ferst  fongeth  ; 

Hit  openeth  ous  to  the  hevene  blisse 
That  many  man  after  longeth 
Wei  sore  ; 

For  who  that  entreth  ther. 
He  his  sauffe  evere-more. 

Nou  ferst  ich  wille  telle  50U 

Wet  may  be  the  materie, 
Wer-inne  cristninge  may  be  mad, 

That  bringeth  ous  so  merie 
To  honoure. 
Hijt  mo5t  be  do  ine  kende  water, 

And  non  other  licour. 

Ther-fore  ine  wine  me  ne  may, 
Innc  sithere,  ne  inne  pereye, 

Ne  ine  thinge  that  nevere  water  nes, 
Thorj  cristninge  man  may  reneye, 
Ne  inne  ale  ; 

For-thie  hi5t  were  water  ferst, 
Of  water  neth  hit  tale. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ne  mede  ne  forthe  no  other  licour 
That  chaungeth  wateres  kende, 

Ne  longeth  naujt  to  cristendoni, 
Thajt  some  foles  hit  wende 
For  wete  ; 

For  suich  is  kendeliche  hot, 
Thajt  ther  no  feer  hit  ne  heute. 

Ac  water  is  kendeliche  cheld, 
Thaj  hit  be  warmd  of  fere  ; 

Ther-fore  me  mey  ci'istni  ther-inne, 
In  whaut  time  falthe  a  3ere 
Of  yse  ; 

So  mey  me  nau3t  in  ewe  ardaunt, 
That  neth  no  wateris  wyse. 

Also  me  may  inne  sealte  se 

Cristny  wel  mitte  beste  ; 
And  eke  inne  othere  sealte  watere, 

Bote  me  in  to  moche  kesclite 
Of  sealte  ; 
For  5ef  that  water  his  kende  lest, 

That  cristninge  stant  te-tealte. 

Ac  3yf  ther  were  y-mengd  licour 

Other  wid  kende  watere, 
Ich  W03t  wel  thrinue  to  cristnye 

Hit  nere  nefur  the  betere, 

Ac  wonde  ;• 
For  bote  that  water  his  kende  have, 

That  cristnynge  may  nau3t  stondc. 


10  FORMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

In  water  ich  wel  the  cristny  her, 
As  Gode  himself  hyt  dijte  ; 

For  mide  to  wessche  nis  nothynge, 
That  man  cometh  to  so  li5te, 
In  londe  ; 

Nis  non  that  habben  hit  ne  may, 
That  habbe  hit  wile  founde. 

This  bethe  the  wordes  of  cristninge 
Bi  thyse  Englissche  costes, 
"  Ich  cristin  the  in  the  Vader  name, 
And  Sone,  and  Holy  Gostes, 
And  more". 
Amen  !  wane  hit  his  i-sed  ther-toe 
Confermeth  thet  ther  to-foi-e. 

The  wordes  schoDe  be  i-sed 
Witheoute  wane  and  eche  ; 

And  onderstand  hi  more  bi  sed 
In  alle  manere  speche, 

Ine  lede  ; 

That  everich  man  hi  sigge  more. 
And  cristny  for  nede. 

Ac  3if  man  scholde  i-cristnid  be, 
That  neth  none  deathes  signe, 

The  pope  for  te  cristny  hyue 
So  nere  naujt  to  digne 

The  lesie  ; 

Ther-fore  hi  beth  in  cherche  broujt, 
To  cristny  of  the  prcste. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  11 

Ac  he  that  3if  so  lai'ge  water 

The  fend  fram  ous  to  reave, 
In  nede  for  to  crystny  men, 

jef  alle  men  i-leave. 

At  felle  ; 
Olepi  me  mot  hym  depe  ine  the  water. 

And  eke  the  wordes  telle. 

And  wanne  hi  criritneth  ine  the  founjt, 

The  pi'estes  so  thries  duppeth. 
In  the  honur  of  the  Trinite, 

Ac  gode  5eme  kepeth 

The  ned  ; 
On  time  a  clothe  that  water  i-kest, 

Ac  ope  the  hevede  to  bede. 

Ac  water  i-kest  another  love 

Cristneth  the  man  alyve, 
Ac  hit  his  sikerest  in  the  heeved 

Ther  beth  the  wittes  fyve, 

Wei,  brother, 
Ne  non  ne  may  i-cristened  be, 

Ar  3e  his  boren  of  moder. 

3et  gret  peryl  hy  nndergothe 

That  cristneth  twycs  enne. 
Other  to  3eve  asent  ther-to, 

Other  for  love  of  kenne 

For-hedeth  ; 
Wanne  child  :iri5t  cristnynge  heth, 

And  that  other  naii3t  for-bedeth. 


12  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Bote  hi  this  coune,  hit  his  peril 

To  thise  medewyves  ; 
For  ofte  children  scheawith  quike, 

I-bore  to  schorte  lyves, 

And  deyeth  ; 
Bote  he  arijt  i-cristned  be, 

Fram  hevene  evere  hi  weyeth. 

Ac  jif  that  child  i-cristned  his 
Ac  ine  fot  at  me  hit  weveth, 

Thise  habbeth  forme  ther-of, 

A  Latin  that  ham  gevieth 

To  depe  ; 

And  ich  schel  se.sgen  hit  an  Englisch, 
Nou  ther-of  neme  36  kepe. 

The  prest  taketh  that  ilke  child 
In  his  honden  by-thuixte, 

And  seith,  "ich  ne  cristin  thei  nau3t, 
3ef  thou  ert  i-cristned, 

Eftsone  ; 

Ac  3yf  thou  nart  ich  cristin  the ;" 
And  deth  that  his  to  donne. 

Ac  3et  ther  beth  cristnynges  mo, 
Ac  no  man  ne  may  di3tti  ; 

For  hi  beth  Godes  grace  self, 
Men  of  gode  ine  wil  to  ri5ti, 
And  Wynne, 

Wanne  he  wolde  i-cristned  be. 
And  mort,"  mid  none  giimc. 


POEMS    UK    WILLIAM    DE    SIIORKHAM.  13 

Tliat  on  his  cleped  cristninge  of  blode, 
Wanne-suche  bledeth  for  Criste  ; 

That  other  of  the  Holi  Gost, 
That  moje  mid  none  liste 

Be  i-cristned  ; 

And  deyeth  so  wanne  hi  beth  deede, 
In  hevene  hi  beth  i-gistned. 

The  children  atte  cherche  dore 

So  beth  y-primisined  ; 
And  that  hi  beethe  eke  atte  fount 

Mid  oylle  and  creyme  alyncd, 
Al  faylleth  ; 
IIi5t  wortheth  cristnynge, 

And  that  child  ther-to  hit  availleth. 

De  confirmaciune. 

Confermynge  his  a  sacrement, 

And  other  that  we  foungeth  ; 
And  wanne  a  man  hit  ondervangeth 

Ine  saule  hit  hine  straungeth 
Wei  lijtte. 
For  wanne  a  man  y-maked  his, 

The  stronger  he  his  to  fyjte. 

And  be  thou  siker  that  mannes  lyf 

Is  rijt  a  kni3thod  ine  londe  ; 
And  so  seythe  Job,  the  holy  man  ; 

Now  wote  we  thanne  stonde 
To  fi5te  ; 
The  feend,  that  flesche,  and  eke  the  wordlo, 

Ajeins  ous  beth  i-dijte. 


14  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

The  feend  with  prede  acombreth  ous, 
With  wrethe,  and  with  envie  ; 

That  fleische  with  slouthe  and  glotonie, 
And  eke  with  lecherie, 

Thou  wyse  ; 

The  wordle,  with  here  faljse  scheawinge, 
Schent  ous  with  coveytise. 

Ac  he  that  ine  saule  is  Strang, 

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

A-doun  that  hi  ne  falle, 

Ac  stonde  ; 
So  his  i-hert  thor3  confermynge  of  gode, 

That  for  dethe  nele  nau3t  wonde. 

Nou  ich  mot  of  this  sacrement 

50U  telle  the  materie, 
That  maketh  man  so  hardiliche 

To  stonde  ane  so  merie 

Ine  goste, 
That  he  ne  may  nau3t  y-wcid  be 

With  blanding  ne  with  boste. 

Hit  his  the  oyle  and  baume  y-raengc, 
I-blessed,  and  wile  lestne  ; 

For  oyle  smereth  thane  champion 
That  me  ne  schel  on  him  evel  festne, 
Ne  presse  ; 

And  baume  his  riche  and  tokened  I003 
Of  tliarc  holy  prowesse. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    BE    SHOREHAM.  15 

A  prince  longeth  for  to  do 

The  gode  knijtes  dobbynge  ; 
And  so  a  pi'ince  of  Godes  ost 

Schel  do  the  confermynge, 

None  lo5er  ; 
Therfore  hit  mot  a  bisschoppe  be, 

Nis  non  ther-to  yn  03er. 

That  me  wasche  men  over  the  fant 

After  confirmement, 
Nis  nau5t  do  bote  for  that  honour 

Of  thilke  sacrement, 

Soe  here  ; 
Ther-fore  me  wescht  and  kerfy  thane  clout, 

And  berneth  him  in  the  fure. 

The  bisschop  these  wordes  seth, 
And  beth  wordes  of  selthe, 
"  Ich  signi  the  with  signe  of  croys, 
And  with  the  creme  of  hele 
Confermi". 
Ine  the  foreheved  the  crouche  a  set, 
Felthe  of  fendes  to  bermi. 

In  the  foreheved  he  croucheth  hine, 

That  hine  be  aschamed  boute  ; 
Bote  for  to  bi-knowe  Cristes  name, 

Withoute  alle  manere  doute. 

And  with  ginne, 
Thorwe  creymie  anoynt  straunge  he  bi-comthe, 

His  sauvement  to  winne. 


16  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ac  hou  his  hit  ther  bethe  so  fele 

Confermed  of  mankenne, 
And  ther  so  feawe  stondeth  styf 

To  fytte  a5enis  senne 

Maligna  ? 
For  hi  ne  fongeth  nou3t  that  thing, 

Bote  the  bare  signe. 

The  signe  his  of  the  sacrement, 
Mid  creyme  the  markynge  ; 

Ac  thing  that  ther  bi-tokned  his, 

Strengthe  his  that  Godschel  bringge 
Amonge  ; 

Withoute  god  fey  and  god  wil, 
Mey  non  this  thinge  ounderfonge. 

Ac  nou  that  wil  that  is  to  gode 

His  al  i-set  bi-hinde  ; 
And  thi  bi-leave  of  Jhesu  Crist 

His  nou  al  weverinde, 

Undigne  ; 
Ther-fore  ne  habbeth  that  thing 

Naujt  bote  the  bare  signe. 

Ac  thare  children  take  that  thinge 
In  hare  chilhod  so  povre  ; 

Hit  lescth  wannc  hi  cometh  to  wit, 
Thonr3  hare  misaventure 
Of  senne  ; 

Anon  the  focnd  fondeth  hy  so, 
And  he  ne  spareth  nanne. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

That  deth  that  hi  nastondeth  nou3t, 
Ac  eche  othren  aschrencheth  ; 

Ac  jif  hy  mowe  jct  stonde  bet, 
Wanne  hi  ham  bet  bi-thenketh 
To  leve, 

And  do  ham  to  devocioun, 
jef  God  ham  strengthe  jive. 

And  thanne  Gode  that  his  so  god 

Anon  hi  stronge  niaketh, 
As  hi  habbeth  devocioun, 

And  hie  God  fey  taketh, 

Reversed  ; 
And  al  his  thorj  that  sacrement, 

Theije  hit  ne  be  naujt  rehersed. 

For  wanne  we  taketh  this  sacrement, 

His  soule  prente  taketh  ; 
And  that  hi  nefer  mo  for-lest, 

Naujt  hi  that  God  for-salieth, 

Ac  hine  healdeth  ; 
Ine  Stat  that  sacrement  ine  man, 

Wanne  je  ine  Gode  by-aldeth. 

And  as  thys  ylke  sacrement 

Her  thynge  and  toke  hiis  sigiie, 

So  habbeth  the  otliere  sacremens 
Syxje  that  bethe  so  digne, 

Crystnynge, 

Her  signe,  droppynge  in  the  water, 
And  thynge  hiis  for-jemynge. 


18  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Thys  ylke  sygne,  and  eke  thys  tliynge, 
Ine  cure  childhode  we  5yt  toke, 

Ac  afterward  we  lore  that  thynge, 
Tho  we  to  senne  toke 

By  wylle  ; 

Amend  we  the  prente  lefth 
Ine  oure  saule  wel  stille. 

Hym  selve  no  man  hebbe  schel 

To  the  bischoppynge, 
Ine  tokne  of  febleste  of  hiis  goste, 

Another  schel  him  brynge, 
And  lefte  ; 
Ase  he  ne  mijte  naujt  himself 
To  confermynge  crefte. 

Ac  her  ich  segge  apcrteliche 
Thys  men  and  eke  this  wyves, 

That  hi  ne  hebbe  hare  oje  child 
By  hare  quicke  lyves, 

And  rede  ; 

For  3cf  hy  dothe  man  and  hys  wyfe, 
Ther  dravveth  God  sibrede. 

Of  seve  sacrcmens  thre 

Prente  ine  herte  maketh  ; 
That  both  cristnynge,  and  confermynge, 

And  ordrc  tliat  men  taketh 
Wel  blithe  ; 
Tliat  hy  ne  take  hiis  for  no  man, 

Bote  one-lepy  sythe. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  19 

De  Sacramento  altaris. 

Nou  hy3t  by-valth  to  telle  30U, 

And  so  icli  mojt  wel  nede, 
Of  Godes  flesche  and  eke  hys  blode 

At  cherche  ine  forme  of  brede 
And  wyne  ; 
That  frevereth  ous  in  oure  exil, 

And  lytheth  oure  pyne. 

1136  blithe  niy3ten  by  be 

That  folwede  Cryst  in  londe, 
That  my3te  hyne  eelie  day  y-se, 

Hiis  svvete  love  to  foude, 

Ine  keththe ; 
So  mowe  we  be  for  ous  ner  he, 

Hy  faylled  never  seththe. 

For  tho  hiis  tyrae  was  y-conie 

No  lenge  to  dwelle  here, 
That  wete  brede  and  honde  he  toke, 
Ther  he  set  atte  soupei'e, 

And  seyde, 
"  Taketh  and  eteth,  thys  hiis  my  body," 
Of  sothe  he  ham  aneyde. 

For-wy  hy3t  moste  nedes  be 

Al  sothe  that  he  sede, 
That  alle  thynge  bis  ase  he  seith, 

Thys  resoun  wole  the  rede, 

To  dede, 

He  seyde  to  al  the  worlde  be. 

And  al  was  ase  he  sede. 

c  2 


20  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Nammore  maystrye  nys  hi5t  to  hym 

To  be  ine  bredes  lyche, 
Thane  hym  was  ine  the  liche  of  man, 

To  kethen  ous  hiis  ryche  ; 

Thet  maketh 
That  hy  beth  alle  mis-by-leved, 

That  other  throf  for-saketh. 

The  fend  hymself  him  maky  mey 

Wei  dyverse  liknynges, 
Of  best,  of  men,  and  of  wymmen, 

And  mani  other  thynges. 
To  nusy  ; 
Wei  bet  may  Gode  to  oure  prou 

Dyverse  formes  usy. 

Tho  that  the  bred  y-tourned  was 

Into  hys  body  sylve, 
He  toke  the  coppe,  with  the  wyne  and  water, 
And  seide  eft  to  the  twelve 
Y-vere, 
*'  Taketh  and  drynketh  everechon 
Of  this  chalice  here. 

"  Thys  hys  my  chalis  of  my  blode 
•  Of  testament  nywe, 

That  schal  be  schad  for  manye  men, 
And  ase  we  seyjeth  gode  and  trewe 
And  kende  ; 
And  doth  36  thos  wanne  je  hyt  dothe, 
Doth  liyt  in  30ure  raende." 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHORETIAM.  21 

Tho  that  he  sedc,  "doth  30  thos," 

The  hey3e  kynge  of  hevene, 
He  3af  ham  power  to  don  hyt, 

And  forth  pov.er  to  3evene, 
AYel  werthe, 
That  he  ne  toke  Judas  out, 

The  worste  man  on  erthe. 

And  that  power  hys  y-5ive 

Fram  bysschoppe  to  preste, 
And  so  schel  al  so  longe  be, 

Ase  cristyndom  schel  leste, 
Y-mete  ; 
Seththe  Crist  four  ous  an  orthe  come, 

He  nolde  ous  nau5t  for-lete. 

Tha3  he  her  were  inne,  hys  manhode 

Amanges  ous  to  flotie, 
3et  nere  he  naujt  thanne  ous  so  ne3, 

Ase  nou  we  mowe  hyra  notye 
In  Gode  ; 
We  honorieth  hyne  al  i-hoUiche 

Ine  flesche  and  eke  ine  blode. 

Wat  may  amount!  that  he  wyle 

So  by-come  oure  fode, 
Chaungeth  he  nau3t  ase  othere  mote 

Into  oure  flesche  and  blode. 
By  kende  ? 
Nay,  ac  he  chaungeth  ous  in  liym, 

To  maky  ous  gode  and  hende. 


22  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  ase  Gode  there  his  hole  men  mete, 
And  sike  hyt  by-swiketh, 

So  his  the  mete  dampnacion 
To  hem  that  senne  liketh 
To  holde  ; 

So  he  hyt  tok  and  his  lore, 
Judas,  that  Jhesus  solde. 

Ther-fore  ich  segge  a  Godes  half 

To  alle  crystyne  folke, 
That  wanne  by  scholle  y-houseled  be, 

That  by  ne  be  abolke  . 

In  prede  ; 
Let  ounde  and  wrethe  and  coveytynge, 

Sleuthe  and  lestes  on  lede. 

Nys  none  of  wyraman  beter  i-bore 
To  seint  Johan  the  Baptyste, 

And  5et  he  quakede  wel  ar3 
Tho  he  touchede  Crist 

In  the  flomme  ; 

Thanne  au5te  we  wel  ary3t  to  be, 
To  fange  hym  on  tromme. 

Thei'-fore  jef  that  30  fredeth  30U, 
That  he  ne  be  nau3t  digne 

For  te  be  housled  wyth  thys  body 
Ine  this  thre  holy  signe, 

Wyth-draweth  ; 

For  wo  that  hy5t  takcth  ondygnelichc, 
llys  jugcinent  he  gna3eth. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM,  23 

May  som  man  segge,  liou  schal  me  so 

Fram  ther  liouslynge  dwelle, 
Wanne  God  self  aperteliche 
Seith  ous  in  the  Gospelle, 

Wei  to  mende, 
"  Who  that  eteth  my  flesch  and  drynketh  my  blod, 
Ileth  lyf  vvithoute  ende." 

That  thou  take  hy3t  wyth  the  mouthe, 

Ne  myd  teth  ther-on  ne  werche, 
Thou  takest  hyt,  man,  3ef  that  thou  art 

A  lyme  of  holy  cherche, 

To  blysse, 
Wanne  eny  prest  his  messe  syngeth, 

I-lief  hyt  myd  y-wysse. 

For  on  hys  Godes  flesch  to  nemme, 

Ase  mouthe  the  mete  taketh, 
Another  ase  the  mete  y-3ete 

Into  the  raembres  taketh  ; 
Ac  here, 
Cryst  hys  that  heved,  the  prest  the  mouthe, 

The  lymes  that  folke  i-vere. 

And  ase  the  bred  to-gadere  comthe 

Of  menye  greynys  to-bake, 
And  ase  the  wyne  to-gadere  flouthe 

Of  manye  greyns  y-take, 
I-lyke, 
Cryst  and  hiis  membrys,  men, 

O  body  beihe  ine  niystyke. 


24  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Wet  hys  mystyke  ne  rney  non  wete 

Be  nothynge  a-founde, 
Bote  wanne  ther  hys  o  thynge  y-ked, 

Anotlier  to  onderstonde 

Ther-inne  ; 
Hy  that  aredeth  thyse  redeles, 

Wercheth  by  thilke  gynne. 

So  wane  that  body  hym  hys  ked 

Of  swete  Jhesu  Cryst, 
Me  may  wel  onderstonde  ther, 

By  thulke  selve  lyste, 

An  other  ; 
Cryst  and  eke  alle  holy  men 

Beth  0  body,  my  leve  brother. 

Ther-fore  guod  beth  this  sacrement 

Y-mad  of  suiche  thynges, 
That  myjte  of  manye  make  on, 

As  Cryst  and  hys  derlynges 
I-monge  ; 
Thenne  scholde  hy  at  one  be. 

In  love  that  scholde  hyt  fonge. 

Nou  onderstand  the  signe  her 
Fourme  hys  of  wyne  and  brede  ; 

Noble  liys  that  thynge,  ryjt  Cristes  body. 
And  body  of  quike  and  dede  ; 
Ac,  brother, 

5et  ryjte  body  thaj  hyt  be  thynge, 
Ilyjt  hys  signe  of  that  other. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHORRHAM.  25 

Vor  ase  the  ry5te  bodyes  lemes 

Habbeth  dyverse  wyke, 
So  habbeth  ry5t  membrys  eke 

Of  the  body  ine  mystyke, 

That  weldeth  ; 
riys  honden  men  beth  that  wel  doth, 

The  fet  that  wel  op-hekleth. 

AUe  taketh  that  ry3t  body 

Thyse  men  at  hare  houslynge  ; 
Ac  some  to  prou,  and  some  to  lere, 

Ine  wyl  of  sene3ynge, 

To  derye  ; 
Ac  one  Gode  aryjt  hyt  nometh, 

That  body  ine  hys  mysterye. 

Ac  tha5  we  be  tokned  ther 

Ine  oure  Sauveoure, 
Ne  lef  thou  naujt  the  we  be  ther, 

Ne  forthe  nau3t  of  oure 

That  were  ; 
Tha3  ther  be  tokned  thynges  two, 

Ther  uys  bot  o  thyng  there. 

And  that  hys  swete  Jhesu  Cryst 

Ine  flesche  and  eke  ine  bloude. 
That  tholede  pyne  and  passyoun, 

And  diath  opene  the  roude, 
Wel  soure  ; 
Ne  lef  non  other  Cryste,  man. 
For  safour  ne  coloure.  . 


26  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

For  that  colour,  ne  that  savour, 
Ne  beth  nau3t  ther-inne  Cryste, 

Thaj  he  ther-inne  schewe  hyra. 
By  hys  myjtefolle  lyste, 

So  couthe  ; 

Ne  my3te  elles  bet  be  seje, 
Ne  beter  yujred  inne  mouthe. 

For  3ef  he  schevved  hym  in  flesche. 

Other  ine  blody  thynge, 
Hydous  hyjt  were  to  the  sy5te. 

And  to  the  cast  wlatynge, 

And  pyne  ; 
Thanne  hys  hyt  betere  in  fourme  of  brede, 

And  eke  in  forme  of  wyne. 

For  bred  strengeth  the  herte  of  man, 
And  wyn  hys  herte  gledeth  ; 

And  strengthe  longeth  the  body, 
And  blice  the  saule  fedeth. 
And  nede  ; 

Ther-fore  hys  double  sacrement, 
Of  wyne  and  eke  of  brede. 

For  he  y-brout  heth  oure  body. 

Into  OS  he  let  hys  sinke  ; 
And  vor  the  saule  ine  the  blod, 

Hys  blod  he  let  os  dx'ynke  ; 

Nou  wost, 

Wyther  hys  double  sacrement, 

For  note  of  body  and  gost. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ac  wen  nau}!  that  Cryst  be  to-schyft, 

Thaj  he  scheweth  ine  bothe, 
To  wene  hys  body  wythoute  blod, 

By  tha  vveye  ne  gothe, 

To  thryfte  ; 
For  ther  he  hys,  he  hys  al  y-hol, 

Ne  raey  ine  hym  to-schifte. 

The3  ther  te  breke  a^e  ine  the  mouth, 

Other  ine  thyne  honden, 
Ilyt  nas  nau5t  he  that  hys  to-broke, 

Ensample  thou  myjt  fonden 
To  slyfte  ; 
In  a  rayrour  thou  ray3t  fol  wel  thi-selve  se, 

Bote  nau5t  the  ymage  schefte. 

By  thyse  ensample  thou  myjt  y-se 

He  hys  ine  echautere  ; 
Y-hol  the  prest  hys  messe  syngetb, 

Thej  he  ne  be  naujt  y-here, 

Ac  wykke, 

Ase  ther  beth  foles  swiche  fele 

Y-sawe  al  to  thykke. 

Ac  thiiy  the  prest  hys  messe  do 

Inne  dedleche  senne  corse 
Thet  sacrement,  man,  be  thou  syker. 

For  hym  nys  nase  worse  ; 
For  loke, 
The  sacrement  nys  nathe  wors, 

Tha;  that  Judas  hyt  toke. 


28  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ac  tha3  hyt  be  never  the  wors 

That  sacrement  an  honde, 
The  bone  that  swych  prest  ther  byjt 

No  stel  ne  sehel  hym  stoude, 
Ac  derye  ; 
For  he  despyseth  Jhesu  Cryst, 

Wanne  he  hym  scholde  herye 

And  5yf  thou  wylt  tak  hyt  to  prou, 

For  the  and  thyne  freende, 
Ry3t  repentaunt  and  rj^t  devout 

Take  hys  death  in  thy  meende, 
Naut  ly3t ; 
The  more  thou  thenkest  so  on  hys  death, 

The  more  hys  thy  meryte. 

Manne,  wanne  thyt  takest  ase  other  mete, 
Into  thy  wombe  hy3t  sedlyth  ; 

Ac  ne  defith  nau3t  ase  thy  mete, 
Wyth  thyne  flesch  medlyth, 
Ac  kevereth 

Al  other  wyse,  and  so  thy  body 
And  thy  saule  hy3t  I'revereth. 

Nabyd  hy3t  nau3t  ase  other  mete 

Ilys  tyme  of  defyynge ; 
And  ry3t  anon  hy3t  frevei'cth 

In  thare  oundervanginge, 
Destresse, 
Of  syke  men,  tha3  hy  hyt  keste  of, 

Ne  helpcth  hyt  nau3t  the  hisse. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SIIOREUAM.  29 

For  yf  the  syke  man  hys  gode 

In  the  leve  of  holy  clierche, 
The}  he  hy5t  cast  op,  hyt  bylefth 

Sauvacion  to  werche, 

Ryjt  there ; 
For  al  at  ones  he  mey  be  god, 

Ther  and  elles-were. 

He  soffreth  wel  to  be  kest  op, 

And  jet  to  be  honoured  ; 
Ac  he  soffreth  nojt  to  be  to-trede, 

And  of  bestes  devoured, 

And  neade ; 
Asc  he  by-leve  assayth  in  flesche. 

He  assayth  ine  forme  of  brede. 

That  body  hyjt  hys  najt  that  ther  corathe  op, 

3ef  that  a  man  hyjt  keste  ; 
For  al  so  longe  hyt  hys  that  body, 

Ase  forme  of  brede  schel  leste 
Ine  manne  ; 
3et  thaj  the  fourme  of  brede  to-go, 

That  body  by-lefth  hjet  thanne. 

And  3yf  he  passeth  naujt  fram  ous, 
Wanne  wcy  ary3tt  hym  healdeth, 

That  vod  hys  for  to  take  hym  efte, 
Ther  wylc  he  ous  so  wealdeth, 
For  mende 

Of  hys  dethe  and  hys  passyon, 
Ase  he  heth  hit  atte  hys  ende. 


30  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Of  pure  wete  hyt  mot  be, 

And  eke  of  pure  wyne, 
Thet  schel  be  to  thys  sacrement 

Ryjt  of  the  grape  of  wyne 
I-lete ; 
For  Jesus  seyth  the  vygne  be  hys, 

And  eke  the  greyn  of  wete. 

And  3ef  raannes  devocioun  slaketh, 

Wanne  he  by-healdeth, 
For  hyt  thinkth  bote  other  bread 

An-hea3  that  the  prest  healdeth  ; 
By-thenche  hym 
Of  the  vertue  that  ther  hys, 

That  non  eirour  adrenche  hym. 

And  tak  ensaumple  of  that  he  kneuth. 

The  preciouse  stone, 
Thaj  he  lygge  amange  othere  y-lyche, 

Me  honoureth  hym  alone, 
So  swete ; 
Mid  al  thy  wyl  ther  vertue  hys, 
God  self  ine  sacrement  y-mete. 

Namore  no  greveth  hyt  Jhesus, 
Thane  sonne  i-trede  in  felthe, 

Tlia3  eny  best  devoured  hyt, 
Other  eny  other  onselthe, 

Ech  screade ; 

3et  al  so  longe  hys  Godes  body, 

Ase  lest  tlie  ibunnc  of  breade. 


POKMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  al  so  longe  hyt  Iiys  blod, 
Ase  lest  the  forme  of  wyne  ; 

Naujt  of  fynegre  kende  chald, 

Ne  offe  water  droppynge  of  wyne  ; 
Ac  trye, 

So  lyte  water  schel  be  me[n]gd, 

That  wyne  Iiabbe  the  maj'strye. 

For  water  self  nys  nau5t  that  blod, 

Ac  hyt  hys  an  y-lyke, 
Ine  folke  that  torneth  al  to  Ci'yst, 

Ine  the  body  of  mystyke  ; 

Nou,  brother, 
I-lef  al  thys  ine  gode  fey. 
For  hit  may  no  tliynge  be  sother. 

De  penitetwia. 
Wane  man  after  hys  crystendom 

Heth  au5t  i-do  wyth  wronge, 
Penaunce  hyt  hys  a  sacrement 
That  men  scholde  fonge, 

Ande  mote ; 
Penaunce  heth  maneres  thre, 
Thorj  sofje,  schryfte,  and  edbote. 

Thy  sorwe  for  tliyne  senne,  man. 

Mot  be  ine  gode  wylle, 
That  liy  ne  be  nau5t  ine  wanhope, 

That  made  Jtulas  to  spylle  ; 
Ac  crye 
Mercy  to  swete  Jhesu  Cryst, 
Mid  wyl  to  lete  folye. 


32  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  3et  thy  wylle  mot  be  so  gret, 

And  ine  so  gode  faye, 
That  thou  wenst  thou  iioldest  sene3i  eft, 

Ther-fore  thej  thou  schoklest  deye, 
Ine  wytte ; 
For  3ef  thou  woldest  for  death  hyt  do, 
Thy  sor5e  hys  al  to  lyte. 

The3  sor3e  bele  man  anon 

Of  velth  of  sennes  slyme, 
3et  thanne  were  hyt  nau5t  i-nou3, 

The  fore  sorwy  on  tyme, 
Ac  evere, 
Ase  longe  ase,  man,  thy  lyf  y-lest, 
EUes  senne  may  be  kevere. 

For  so,  man,  senne  greveth  in  the. 

And  eke  in  alle  thyue, 
That  wed  schel  grewen  over  the  corn, 

Wythoute  medicyne 

Of  sor3e ; 
Nou  her-on  thenche,  man,  day  and  ny3t. 
An  even  and  a  morwe. 

Thcnch  t]iour3  thy  senne  thou  best  i-lore 

Tliy  blys  of  bevene-ryche, 
An  betli  i-wrethed  thane  kynge 

That  non  hys  y-bche ; 

And  here, 
Thou  best  of-servcd  dygnelyche 
The  pyne  of  belle  vere. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SUOUEHAM.  33 

Draj  into  mende  that  hydous  sijt 

Of  deade  men  a  bere, 
That  nadde  never  deade  i-be, 

5ef  senne  of  Adam  nere, 

Bye  drytte ; 
5et  thou  a5test  habbe  more  hydour 

Of  thyne  ojene  unry3te. 

Myd  sucher  sor5e  schryfte,  man, 

Wei  stylle  an  nothynge  loude  ; 
For  repentaunce  ondeth  the  hel, 

And  schreft  hyt  mot  out-treude, 
Al  clene  ; 
For  3ef  a3t  lefth  that  treude  my3t, 

God  so  thou  schelt  y-wenne. 

Ne  non  ne  may  hym  schryve  ary5t, 

Bote  3ef  he  hym  by-lho3te 
Of  sennes  that  he  beth  y-do, 

And  hys  lyf  al  thor3  sojte 

To  kenne  ; 
Ac  manie  dosper  to  the  prest 

Al  one  by-se5e  of  senne. 

And  understand  that  al  i-hol 

Mot  be  thy  schryfte,  brother  ; 
Na3t  tharof  a  kantel  to  a  prest. 

And  a  kantel  to  another  ; 

And  thanne 
Tele  3ef  thou  my5t  by-thenche  tlie 

Wet  hou  and  wer  and  wanne. 


34  POEMS    OF    M'lLLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  5ef  thou  wylt,  man,  thor3  thy  schryft 

Lat  thy  senne  al  a-drou3e, 
Ne  wynd  thou  naut  thy  senne  ine  selke, 

Ac  telle  out  al  that  rou5e, 
Tys  la5e  ; 
3ef  thou  wenst  seie,  and  nast  no  prest, 

Schryf  the  to  another  felawe. 

Ac  that  ne  schalt  thou  nevere  do, 
Bote  the  wantrokye  of  lyve  ; 

And  3ef  thou  comste  to  lyve  a3en. 
Eft  throf  thou  most  the  scryve 
To  preste. 

That  heth  power  to  assoyly  the, 
Thor3  power  of  the  greste. 

Tha3  man  on  tyme  i-healde  be 

To  schryve  hym  a  3ere, 
To  schryve  hym  wanne  he  sene3ed  heth, 

Wei  syker  thynge  hyt  were 
And  mete  ; 
Wald  3ef  he  sodeynlyche  deith. 

And  wald  he  hyt  for-3ete. 

For  wanne  man  sodeynleche  deith, 
Hys  tho3t  the  sor3e  tumblcth  ; 

And  senne  ony  schryve  wanne  he  vor-5et, 
Hys  senne  ther  be  doubleth 
To  nusy  ; 

For  raytter  senne  that  he  dede, 
The  sleuthe  liinc  wyle  acusy. 


POKMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  35 

Man,  schryf  the,  and  woiide  none  schame, 

For-\vy  liyt  hys  to  donne, 
A  lytel  schame  hys  betere  her 

Thane  overmoche  eftsone  ; 
To  crefte 
Byvore  God  a  domesday, 

Amang  al  Godes  schefte. 

For  thaj  man  mo3e  i-sauved  be 

Thor3  bare  repentaunce, 
Wanne  he  ne  may  to  scryfte  come, 

3ef  hym  valleth  that  chaunce. 
So  holde  ; 
3et  ne  may  he  nau3t  y-sauved  be, 

Be  he  hym  schrive  wolde. 

Ther-fore  thy  schryfte,  man,  schel  be 

"Wythoute  stoneynge, 
Myd  herte  I03,  and,  3ef  thou  my3t, 

Myd  thyn  e3ene  wepynge. 

In  treuthe  ; 
Thet  ther  be  non  ypocrysyc, 

Bote  repentaunce  and  reuthe. 

And  3yt'  that  thou  to  schryfte  comff 

Ine  thyse  manere  to  fare. 
The  schryft-vader  that  varth  ary3t 
Schal  be  wel  debonayre. 

And  1030  ; 
He  schel  wystlyche  thy  senne  hele, 
Bet  thane  he  wolde  hys  owe. 

d2 


36  POKMS    OF    WILLIAM    HE    SHOREHAM. 

3ef  he  the  schel  anoye  a3t, 

Hyt  wyle  of-thenche  hym  sore  ; 

And  otherwyl  anoye  he  mot, 
Wanne  he  scheweth  the  lore 
Of  helthe, 

Ase  mot  the  leche  ine  voule  sores, 
Wanne  he  royneth  the  felthe. 

Ther-fore  je  mote  tholyen  hyt, 
Wythoute  alle  manere  tole  ; 

And  do  ther-by  ententyflyche, 
3yf  3e  wolleth  be  hole 

To  live, 

And  to  a  betere  beleave  goth, 
3ef  30ure  prest  can  nau3t  schryve. 

Te  mo  pvestes  that  thart  i-schryve 

Myd  alle  y-hole  scryfte, 
The  clenner  thert  a3ens  God, 

And  of  the  more  thryfte, 

Nau3t  nyce  ; 
3ef  hyt  ne  be  nau3t  to  thy  prest 

Malice  ne  prejudice. 

"Wanne  man  liys  repentaunt  i-schrive. 

He  scholde  don  edbote, 
And  the  ferste  hys  that  he  by-fle 

Chypeans  of  sennes  rote, 

Ase  qnances  ; 
He  that  by-fleke  wel  lecherye 

Bi-vlekth  foulc  continaunce. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  37 

Edbote  hys  dede  after  god  conseyl 

Of  gosslich  medicine, 
Wanne  senne  sor  y-clensed  hys, 

To  tholye  a  lytel  pyne 

Thet  frete, 
That  he  ne  be  ther-vore  i-wrete 

In  purgatoryes  hete. 

Thre  maner  peyne  man  i'angeth 

For  hys  senne  nede  ; 
Senne  hys  that  on,  that  other  fastynge, 

The  thrydde  hys  almesdede  ; 
Ac  woste, 
Sene  hys  and  edbote  y-set 

For  senne  do  ine  goste. 

For  senne  in  flesche 

Vestyng  heth  the  flesclie  lothe  ; 
Ac  elmesdede  senne  bet 

Of  gost  and  flesche  bothe  ; 

For  thencheth, 
Thet  almesdede  senne  quenketh, 

Ase  water  that  fer  aquencheth. 

To  byddynge  contemplacion 

Longeth  rede  ande  wryte, 
To  here  predicacioun  won 

Lore  and  herte  smyte, 

And  wreche, 
Dedes  to  5yve  devocioun 

To  men  ine  holy  cherche. 


38  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Knewelynge,  travayl,  bar-vot  go, 
Welle-ward  and  wakynge, 

Discipline  and  lyte  mete, 
Thes  longeth  to  vestynge. 
And  here, 

Pelgrymage  and  beddynge  hard, 
Flesch  fram  lykyuge  te  arere. 

3eve,  and  lene,  and  conseil, 
Clothynge,  herberj,  and  fede, 

Vysyty  syke  and  piysones, 
And  helpe  povere  at  nede  ; 
Muknesse, 

For  to  vor-jevene  trespas, 
Tak  dedes  of  elmesse. 

And  sene  3er  thou  scholdest,  man, 
0  dedlyche  senne  peyny, 

Ther-vore  al  that  the  prest  the  hast 
To  done  schalt  thou  nau3t  fyny  ; 
Ac  more, 

For  onmeathe  thys  ther  eny  prest 
That  peyne  set  so  sore. 

For  hy  habbeth  in  syke  of  men, 

Hy  more  sctte  the  lesse, 
And  beterc  hys  ffor  te  apeched  be 

Of  more  for3efnesse, 

Than  wreche  ; 
For  3yf  thou  to  lyte  peyne  best, 

Purgatory e  hyt  schal  eche. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  39 

And  3et  ther  hys  another  cas, 

That  prestes  3yvet  so  lyte 
Penaunce,  tha3  me  telle  ham 

Ryjt  moche  of  sennes  wyte, 
Ine  mone  ; 
Me  mot  ham  legge  lytel  on, 

Other  hy  nolde  do  none. 

Beter  hys  that  hy  a  lyte  do 

Her  ine  obedience, 
And  fol-velle  that  remenaunt 

Ine  purgatoryes  tense, 

Eftsone  ; 
Nys  nau3t  god  to  vor-lete  a  man, 

That  eny  yinge  hys  wyl  bone. 

The  bydde  ich,  brother,  be  nau3t  loth 

To  do  penaunce  here  ; 
For  3et  ther  hys  here  some  reles. 

So  nys  nau5t  ine  the  vere 
Areyved  ; 
Ne  thor3  the  ry3tvolnesse  of  God 

Nys  no  sen  omtheyvid. 

Man,  wane  thou  sene3yst  thre  thou  dest. 

Thou  wrethest  God  almy3ty, 
To  holy  cherche  onbouxam  thart, 

Makest  thy  selve  onry3ty, 

Thos  56  mote 
Make  thy  pes  wyth  alle  thre, 

Sorwe,  schryfte,  and  edbote. 


40  FORMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Man  taketh  thys  sacrement, 

And  geth  awey  ondigne, 
For  he  ne  schryfth  nau5t  of  thet  thynge, 

Bote  of  the  bare  signe. 

To  Wynne ; 
The  signe  hiis  that  hys  boute  y-do, 

That  thynge  hys  grace  bynne. 

Two  thynges  her  wythynne  beth, 
For-5efthe  and  repentynge  ; 

Ac  repentaunce  hys  signe  also 
Of  sennys  for-hevynge, 

Certayne  ; 

For  so  may  man  repenti  hym, 
That  ther  vol3eth  no  peyne. 

That  was  i-ked  wel  inne  the  thef 

Ope  Calvaryes  felde, 
Tho  he  escusede  Jhesu  Cryst, 

And  hym  gelty  gan  5elde, 

Mid  sourwe  ; 
He  deide  and  come  to  Paradys, 

Nabod  he  naujt  fort  a-morwe. 

De  wicione  extrema. 
Sacrament  of  aneliinge 

Nou  her  ich  woUe  telle, 
That  man  vangcth  wane  he  ne  wenth 
No  lenge  he  my3te  dwelle 
A-lyve ; 
The  bodyes  cvel  that  libbe  ne  mey, 
And  sone  hit  mey  to-dryve. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SIIOREHAM.  41 

Many  for  defaute  deithe 

Of  ther  anelyynge  ; 
And  jyf  hys  saule  after  hys  dethe 

SofFrey  harde  pynynge, 
In  fere, 
So  scholde  by  naujt  hedde  he  i-hed 

Ry3t  elyynge  here. 

For  seint  James,  in  hys  boke, 

"Wysseth  wyd  gode  mende, 
That  3yf  eny  by-falthe  ryjt  syke. 

The  prest  he  scholde  of-sende 
To  hys  ende  ; 
And  he  schel  elye  hym  wyth  ele, 

Hys  savement  to  wynne. 

Seynt  Jame  scythe  that  orysonne 

Of  ther  holy  by-leve, 
Of  hiis  siknesse  helthe  wynthe, 

That  no  fend  schal  reve 

The  helthe  ; 
And  3ef  that  he  ine  sennys  be, 

For-3eve  hys  him  that  felthe. 

Thys  his,  brother,  and  gret  confort 

For  for-3etene  synnes, 
That  oure  foman  aredy  haveth 

A3eynys  that  we  goth  hennes, 
Tatuite  ; 
Ac  3ef  we  ary3t  anelede  beth, 

Hy5t  gayneth  ham  wel  lytel. 


42  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  thanne  hys  man  aiy3t  aneled, 
Wanne  he  myd  wyl  hyt  taketh, 

Myd  by-leve  of  devocioun 
And  repentaunce  maketh 
So  digne  ; 

And  3yf  he  hyt  othere-wyse  fangeth, 
He  taketh  ha  bote  the  sygne. 

For  the  sygne  of  thys  sacrement 

The  elyyngys  boute, 
That  thyngge  hys  alleggaunce  of  evel, 

To  lyf  other  diath  3ef  he  schel  loute, 
And  hennes, 
Thar  he  wende  that  thynge  is  eke 

Alleggaunce  of  hys  sennes. 

And  3et  me  schal  anelye  a  man, 
Thar  that  he  lese  hys  speche  ; 

For  wet  he  thencheth  in  hys  mod 
Ne  may  ous  no  man  teche  ; 
Ac  stronge, 

He  mot  habbe  devocioun, 
Thet  schel  a-ry3t  hyt  fonge. 

Ther-fore  this  children  eleth  me  nau^t, 

Ne  forthe  none  wode, 
For  hy  ne  conne  mende  have 

Of  thilke  holy  Gode  ; 

Ac  fonge 
The  wode  mey  that  sacrement, 

Wane  relcs  cometh  amonge. 


POEMS    OK    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  43 

A  prest  mot  do  thys  sacrement, 

For-why  hy3t  hys  wel  worthe  ; 
And  that  seyde  seynt  James  wel, 

Ther-wyle  he  jede  an  erthe, 
36  hit  hedde, 
Tho  ich  a  lite  her  alone 

Thes  holye  wordes  redde. 

The  matyre  of  this  sacrement 

Hys  ryjt  the  oylle  allone  ; 
And  wanne  the  bisschop  blesseth  hyt, 

Baume  ther-with  ne  megth  he  none 
Ther-inne  ; 
For  baume  tokneth  lyves  loos, 

Oyle  mercy  to  wynne. 

For  wanne  man  deithe,  he  let  his  lyf 

Ther  the  god  los  by-hoveth  ; 
Ac  senne  jef  he  farthe  aryjt, 

To  bi-rensy  he  proveth, 

To  oure  Lorde 
Mercy  he  cryth,  and  biddeth  hym 

Mercy  and  misericorde. 

The  wordes  that  ther  beth  i-sed, 

Hyt  beth  wordes  of  sealthe  ; 
For  liy  biddeth  the  sike  man 

Of  all  his  sennes  helthe, 

In  mende  ; 
Ther-to  me  aneleth  the  wyttes  fy3f, 

And  fe3et,  and  breste,  and  lenden. 


44  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  for  the  lechery e  sj^t 

In  lenden  of  the  manne, 
And,  ase  the  boke  ous  seyth,  hy  sit 

Inne  navele  of  the  wymman, 
To  hele, 
Me  schel  the  mannes  lenden  anelye, 

The  navele  of  the  femele. 

Thys  beth  the  wordes  wane  me  aneleth, 

"By  thisse  aneliinge, 
And  be  hiis  milse,  for-jyve  the  God 

Of  thine  sennejynge, 

Myd  eyen"  ; 
And  so  he  seyth  be  al  hys  lymes, 

That  scholle  the  oyle  drejen. 

Caracter  thet  is  prente  y-cliped, 

Nys  non  of  eliinge  ; 
Ne  furth  of  penaunce  ne  the  mo, 

Nof  housel  nof  spousynge, 
In  thede  ; 
For  man  ofter  thane  ones  taketh 

The  sacremens  for  nede. 

De  ordinihus  ecclesiasticis. 
Nou  her  we  mote  ine  this  sarmon 

Of  ordre  maky  saje, 
Ther  was  by-tokned  suithe  wel 
Wylom  by  the  ealde  lawe, 

To  a-gyunc, 
Tho  me  made  Codes  hous 
And  ministrcs  ther-innc. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  45 

God  ches  folkes  specilliche 

Hys  holy  folke  amonge, 
That  was  the  kenred  of  Levy, 

Offyce  for  to  fonge, 

Ase  brotheren  ; 
For  to  servy  ine  Godes  house 

By-fore  alle  the  notheren. 

To  segge  hys  Levy  an  Englysch 

Fram  the  notheren  y-take  ; 
So  beth  of  ordre  i-take  men, 

Ase  wyte  fram  the  blake, 

Of  lyve ; 

Gode  3eve  al  y-ordrede  men 

Wolde  a-ry5t  her-of  schry ve. 

Ase  ther  beth  of  the  Holy  Gost 

3eftes  ry5tfolle  sevene  ; 
So  ther  beth  ordres  folle  sevene, 

That  made  Cryst  of  hevene 
An  orthe  ; 
And  hedde  hys  ek  hie  hys  monheth, 

Toke  thou  hy  that  were  wel  werthe. 

The  ferste  hys  dore-ward  y-cleped  ; 

The  secunde  redynge  ; 
The  thrydde  hys  i-cleped  conjurement 

A3enys  the  foule  thynge 

To  wersiexe ; 
The  fertile  acolyt  hys  to  segge  y-wys, 

Tapres  to  here  wel  worthe. 


46  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

The  ordre  fifte  y-cleped  hys 

The  ordre  of  sudeakne  ; 
And  hys  the  syxte  also  y-cleped 

The  holy  ordre  of  dekene, 

And  the  greste  ; 
The  sevene  hys  and  hys  y-clyped 

The  holy  ordre  of  prest. 

Ine  the  elde  lawe  synagoge  ferst 
God  let  the  ordres  werche, 

And  that  was  sched  of  that  hys  ly3t, 
Non  wryt  ine  holy  cherche 
I  nere  ; 

Ich  schel  telle  hou  hyt  was  ther, 
And  hou  hyt  hys  now  here. 

De  hostiariis. 
Ine  the  ealde  lawe  dore-ward 

Lokede  dore  and  gate, 
That  ther  ne  scholde  onclene  thynge 
Ry3t  non  entry  ther-ate, 

Wei  coutlie  ; 
80  doth  thes  dore-wardes  eke 
Ine  holy  cherche  nouthe. 

And  jef  eny  other  hyt  doth, 
Nys  hyt  ordre  ac  i -leave, 

To  helthe  wane  ther  nede  i-valth, 
Ac  me  ne  schal  nau3t  reave 
The  office, 

Wythoute  leve  to  don  hyt, 
Ne  be  no  man  so  nice. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  47 

The  bisschop,  wanne  he  ordreth  thes  clerekes, 

Takth  hym  the  cherche  keyje, 
And  seyth,  "  taketh  and  dotheth  fol  wel, 

Ase  wane  36  schoUe  deye, 

Scholde  3elde 
Acounte  of  thet  hys  ther-onder  clos, 

Hardyst  thet  wo  so  hyt  felde." 

Ine  the  temj^le,  sweete  Jhesus 

Thyse  ordre  toke  at  ones, 
Tho  that  he  makede  a  baleys, 

And  bet  out  for  the  nones, 
Y-mene, 
Tho  that  boujte  and  sealde  in  Godes  hous, 

That  hys  a  hous  of  bene. 

De  lectoribus, 
Nou  ieh  habbe  of  the  ferste  y-teld. 

That  other  wyl  ieh  trye  ; 
Ine  the  akle  laje  the  redere 
Rede  the  prophessye, 

By  wokke  ; 
So  schulle  the  rederes  now 
By-rede  and  conne  on  lowke. 

Ther-fore  ere  hy  thys  ordre  have. 

Me  schel  hy  wel  assaye 
Of  that  hy  redeth  that  hy  wel 

Ham  conne  aneye, 

For-bede 
Otheren  to  reden  schal  me  nojt, 

Ac  soffry  hyt  for  nede. 


48  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Thyse  ordre  swete  Jhesu  Cryst, 
Kedde  wel  that  he  hadde, 

Tho  he  toke  Ysaies  boke 

Ine  the  synagoge,  and  radde, 
Wet  welle, 

Wet  he  ther  redde  thou  myjt  se 
Ine  seynt  Lukes  godspelle. 

The  bysschop  wenne  he  ordreth  thes, 
The  redynge  boke  hym  taketh, 

And  seyth,  "  tak  and  by-corae  redre 
Of  word  that  of  God  sinaketh, 
And  blyce 

Schelt  habbe  ase  god  prechour, 
3ef  thou  wolt  do  tbyne  offyce." 

De  exorcist  is. 
The  thrydde  ordre  conjurement, 

And  was  ine  the  ealde  laje, 
Go  dryve  out  develyn  out  of  men, 
Fram  God  that  were  draje 
Alyve  ; 
Thanne  he  mot  habbe  a  clene  gost, 
That  schal  the  oneclene  out-dryve. 

The  bisschop  wane  he  ordretli  thes, 

Take  ham  boke  of  cristnynge, 
Other  of  other  conjureraens 
A5eyns  the  foule  thynge, 

And  seggeth, 
"  Taketh  power  to  legge  hand 

Over  hain  that  fendes  op-biggeth." 


POKMS    OK    WILLIAM    DK    SHOREHAM.  49 

Thyse  ordre  swcte  Jhesu  Cryst  kedde 

Wei  that  he  hedde, 
Tho  he  drof  develen  out  of  men 

That  hym  wel  sore  dredde, 
The  apryse 
Ine  the  elde  le^e  hyt  ferst  by-gaii 

Kynge  Salomon  the  vvyse. 

De  accolitis. 
The  ordre  fer  the  accolyt  hys 

To  here  tapres  aboute  wi3t  ri3tte, 
Wanne  me  schel  rede  the  gospel 
Other  offry  to  oure  Dryte, 

To  thenche, 
That  thet  ly3t  by«tokneth  that  ly5t 
Thet  nothynge  may  quenche. 

And  wanne  that  hey  ordred  hys, 

The  bisschop  schel  hym  teche 
Hou  he  schel  lokke  cherche  ly3t, 

And  wyne  and  water  areche, 
To  synge, 
In  tokne  taper  and  crowet 

To  hand  me  schal  hym  brynge. 

Thet  thys  ordre  hedde  Jhesus, 

We  habbeth  wel  a-founde 
By  thet  he  seyd,  "  Ich  am  that  ly3t 

Of  alle  ther  wordle  rounde 
Aboute, 
Wo  so  loketh,  ne  geth  he  nau3t  derko, 

Ac  lyt  ine  lyves  route."  e 


50  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ine  the  elde  temple  tokne  was 
Of  the  ordre  of  acolytes, 

Tho  certeyne  men  ly5te  that  ly5t, 
Ase  the  la3e  jef  the  rytes, 
So  brode ; 

Of  weche  ly3t  hys  y-wryte 
Ine  the  boke  of  Exode. 

De  subdiaconis. 
The  ordre  fifte  sudeakne  hys, 

That  chastete  enjoyeth; 
For  sudeakne  bereth  the  chalys 
To  the  auter  and  aolyveth, 

Ande  weldeth 
Al  bare  and  eke  the  corperaus 
Onder  the  deakne  vealdeth. 

Ine  the  aide  lawe  y-hote  hyt  hys, 
That  hy  ham  scholde  clensy 

That  there  that  vessel  of  God, 
And  rayd  water  bensy. 

By  ryjtte, 

Clenne  schel  he  in  herte  be 
That  schal  the  chalys  dijte. 

And  wanne  that  he  y-ordred  hys, 
He  taketh  the  chalys  bare, 

And  lie  a-vangeth  a  crowet  eke, 
And  a  towaylle  vare 

I-nere; 

For  he  schel  lionden  helde  weter, 
That  serveth  to  the  autere. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  51 

Tho  hym  with  a  touwayle  schete  Jhesus 

After  soper  by-gerte, 
And  water  inta  bacyn 

Myd  a  wel  mylde  herte, 

And  wesschte 
Al  hys  apostlene  veet, 

Thos  ordre  forthe  he  lesschte. 

De  diaconis. 
Nou  of  the  sixte  telle  ich  schel, 
That  hys  the  ordre  of  deakne, 
Thet  hys  of  more  perfeccioun 
Thane  hys  ordre  of  sudeakne ; 
He  bryngeth 
To  honde  thet  the  prest  schel  have, 
Wanne  he  the  masse  singeth. 

Ine  the  ealde  lawe  beren  hy 

The  hoche  of  holy  crefte, 
And  nou  the  stole  afongeth  hy 

Ope  here  scholder  lefte, 

To  a-gynne ; 
And  so  for  thane  travaylle  her, 

The  ry5t  half  for  to  wynne. 

And  at  ordres  avangeth  hy 

The  boke  of  the  Godspelle, 
For  than  to  rede  the  gospel, 

And  sarraone  for  to  telle, 
To  wake 
Hy  thet  slepeth  ine  senne  slep 

Amendement  to  maky.  e  2 


52  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Thyse  ordre  swete  Jhesu  Cryst 

Ine  lays  travayle  kedde, 
Tho  he  prechinde  thet  folke 

To  ry3tte  weye  ledde ; 

The  thredde 
"Was  tho  he  wakede  hymself 

The  apostles  for  to  bydde. 

De  presbiteris. 

The  sevende  ordre  hys  of  the  prest, 
And  hys  i-cleped  the  ealde, 

Bote  nau5t  of  3eres,  ac  of  wyt, 
Ase  holy  wryt  ous  tealde; 
For  jeres 

Ne  maketh  so  nau5t  thane  prest  aid, 
Ac  sadnesse  of  maneres. 

And  wanne  he  y-ordred  hys, 

Hym  faith  an  holy  gyse, 
Hys  honden  beth  anoynte  bothe 

Thor  -out  a  cirovvche  wyse, 
Tafonge 
Ther-inne  Godes  03en  flesch. 

That  fode  is  to  the  stronge. 

He  takth  the  helye  inne  of  eyther  half 

Y-joyned  atte  breste, 
Thet  no  god  hap  ne  heji  hyne, 

Ne  non  harm  hyne  don  deste, 
In  mode ; 
Ac  thenche  on  hym  that  tholede  death 

For  ous  opone  the  roude. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  53 

He  takth  the  chalys  wyth  the  wyne, 

And  brede  of  the  pateyne ; 
He  heth  power  to  sacry  hyt, 

And  thet  throf  hys  ther  seyne, 
We\  trewe  ; 
Inne  the  elde  lawe  the  ordre  a-gan, 

Ine  tokne  of  thyssere  newe. 

Cryst  kedde  that  he  hys  a  prest 

Ry3t  in  double  manere  ; 
That  on  tho  he  sacreded  hys  body, 

Ther  he  set  atte  sopere  ; 

Thet  other, 
Tho  he  an  roude  ofFrede  hys  body 

For  ous,  ray  leve  brother. 

De  prima  tonsura. 
To  thys  ordre  croune  bet 

Ys  an  apparyblynge, 
Thet  hys  in  holy  cherche  y-cleped  wel 
The  furste  scherynge 

Of  clerke  ; 
Gierke  hys  to  segge  an  Englysch, 
Eyr  of  Godes  werke. 

Ac  Godes  werke  an  erthe  was 

The  puple  for  to  teche, 
And  also  thourj  hys  holy  dethe 

Of  sennes  he  was  leche  ; 

Thes  werkes 
Men  taketh  after  Jhesu  Cryst, 

Wanne  hy  by-coraeth  clerkes. 


54  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  3yf  hy  douth  wel  hare  dever 

Ine  thysse  heritage, 
Ne  may  hem  falle  after  thys  lyi" 

Non  one  worth  desperage, 
To  wysse, 
Ry3t  y-marissched  schelle  hy  be 

Ine  hevene-ryche  blysse. 

The  croune  of  clerke  y-opened  hys, 
Tokneth  the  wyl  to  hevene, 

Thet  habbe  mot  that  entri  schel 
Into  eny  of  the  sevene, 

And  sedder, 

Tokneth  ase  he  ine  ordre  a-ryst 
That  hys  the  croune  breddour. 

Ther  drof  bischop  hys  dignete 
To  maky  thulke  sevene, 

And  hyt  by-tokneth  thane  bisschop 
In  the  bisschopriche  of  hevene, 
So  wrethe 

Was  and  hys  the  pope  vicary 
I-maked  here  an  erthe. 

Thythe  ordres  to  thys  sacrement 

By  ryjte  longis  scholle, 
And  that  mo  be  that  gode  beth, 

Thes  maketh  al  that  foUe 

Be  a-stente  ; 
Therfore  ich  abbe  ondo  3011  thos. 

For  thyse  sacrement. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREUAM.  55 

And  nou  ich  wolle  ondo  thys  eft 

By  the  wey  of  mystyke, 
For  crystene  man  hys  Godes  hous, 

Hye  mote  habbe  wyke 

Ther-inne, 
Nou  lett  ich  schel  onlouke  thys, 

Ase  God  wyle  grace  3yve. 

Thet  inewyt  hys  the  dore-ward, 

The  doren  wyttes  fyve  ; 
He  schel  loky  wel  bysylyche 

That  no  lykynge  in  dryve. 

That  stenketh  ; 
That  inwyt  hys  the  reddere  eke 

That  holy  lore  thencheth. 

Thet  innewyt  dryfth  the  fend  awey, 

Myd  meende  of  Crystes  pyne  ; 
Thet  inwyt  lyjt  ther  saule  lyjt 

Myd  theawes  gode  and  fyne, 
To  hele  ; 
Thet  inwyt  wescht  the  felthe  awey, 

And  greydeth  the  fessele. 

Thet  inwyt  redeth  that  gospel. 
Wane  hyt  herereth  Crystes  lore  ; 

And  jet  ther-to  hys  charge  hyt  berth 
Of  left  half  swythe  sore, 

To  abyde 

After  thys  lyf  the  hevene  blys, 
And  krefte  the  ryjt  syde. 


56  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOE  EH  AM 

That  inwyt  hys  the  masse  prest, 
That  ine  the  herte  slaketh 

Thane  auter  of  devocioun, 

Wane  man  hys  bone  maketh  ; 
No  lesse 

Nys  hyt  wane  man  stedevast  by-lefth 
Sacrament  of  the  messe. 

On  inwyt  mey  al  thys  wel  do, 
And  ine  the  manne  to  wercbe, 

Ase  on  may  al  thys  ordres  have 
Ryt  wel  in  holy  cherche, 

Ase  here  ; 

3ef  her  nys  suiche  mynystre  nou, 
Thys  temple  stent  evere. 

Ther-fore  ech  man  that  crystene  hys 

Hys  wyttes  loky  fyve, 
And  thenche  opan  the  lore  of  God, 

And  fendes  fram  hym  dryve. 
And  lyjte 
Myd  gode  thewes  til  hys  lyf, 

And  ther-to  do  hys  myjte. 

And  wessche  and  greydy  hys  fessel, 
And  do  trewlyche  hys  charge. 

And  niaked  otfrynge  of  hys  beden, 
Myd  wel  to  elmesse  large 

Thys  wyke  ; 

By  thys  30  i-seoth  how  cth  mey  do 
Ine  manere  of  mystyke. 


POEMS    OK    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  57 

The  signe  bys  of  thys  sacrement 

The  bisschopes  blessynge, 
Forth  myd  the  admynystracioun 

That  he  deth  atte  ordynge, 
And  grace 
Of  wyt  and  of  auctoryte, 

Thet  thynge  hys  ine  the  place. 

De  matrimonio. 
Her  longeth  nou  to  thys  sarmon 

Of  spousynge  for  to  werche, 
Thet  hys  the  tokne  of  the  joynyng  of 
Gode  and  holy  cherche  ; 

And  woste 
Ryjt  holy  cherche  y-cleped  hys 
That  holy  folke  ine  goste. 

And  ase  ther  mot  atter  spousynge 

Be  ryjt  asent  of  bothe, 
Of  man,  and  of  ther  wymman  eke, 

Yn  love  and  nau3t  y-lothe, 
I-lyche 
By-tuixe  God  and  holy  folke 

Love  hys  wel  trye  and  ryche. 

Thanne  a3te  men  here  wyves  love, 

Ase  God  doth  holy  cherche  ; 
And  wyves  naujt  a3ens  men 

Non  onwrestnesse  werche, 
Ac  tholye, 
And  nau3t  onwrost  opsechem  hy 

Ne  tounge  of  hefede  holye. 


58  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ine  wlessche  joyneth  man  and  wyf 

Children  to  multeplye  ; 
And  God  hath  taken  oure  flesch 

Of  the  mayde  Marye, 

Wei  ferren, 
Ther-of  springeth  thet  holye  stren 

I-lykned  to  the  sterren. 

Wei  fayr  thanne  hys  thys  sacrement, 

And  marye  was  by-gonne, 
Tho  hyt  by-gan  ine  Paradys 

Are  Adam  were  y-wonne 
To  senne  ; 
Ac  so  changede  to  vylenye 

That  Stat  of  man-kenne. 

For  3ef  he  hedde  i-healde  hym, 
Ase  God  hym  hedde  y-maked, 

He  hedde  y-brout  forthe  hys  bearra-team 
Wythoute  senne  i-smaked  ; 
Wet  thanne, 

jet  holy  stren  by-tokned  hys 
By  strenynge  of  the  mane. 

Ilyt  was  God  self  that  spousynge  ferst 

In  Paradys  sette  ; 
The  fend  hyt  was  that  schente  hyt  al 

Myd  gyle  and  hys  abette, 

Wranch  evel, 
Spousoth  scheawyth  wet  God  ther  dede, 

Hourdom  wat  detle  tlic  (level. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  59 

For  wanne  man  tlra5th  to  hordom, 

And  let  hys  ry3t  spouse, 
So  dede  Adam  ine  Paradys 

Hys  ryjt  lord  of  house 

Of  hevene, 
The  gode  for-horede  the  fend 

Wyth  hys  blaundynge  stevene. 

That  deth  that  God  menteyneth 
"Wei  ryjt  spousynge  her  an  erthe, 

And  ever  mo  schel  go  to  schame 
Hordom  and  thet  hys  worthe, 
I-lome  ; 

Bet  some  wenth  ligge  in  spoushop, 
And  lithe  in  hordome. 

Ther-fore  ich  wylle  telle  30U 

The  lore  of  ryjt  spousynge, 
That  he  ne  take  horedom, 

Wanne  taketh  weddynge  ; 

Nou  lestneth. 
The  lore  al  of  the  la3e  y-wryte 

That  holy  cherche  festneth. 

Ase  to  God  hyt  were  y-now 

That  bare  assent  oof  bothe, 
Wythoute  speche  and  by-treuthynge. 

And  alle  manere  othe, 

And  speche  ; 
Ther  mote  be  speche  of  hare  assent. 

Holy  cherche  to  teche. 


60  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  3ef  the  man  other  that  wyf 
By  cheaunce  doumbe  were, 

3ef  may  wyten  hare  assent 
By  soum  other  abere, 

And  seave, 

Hy  mowe  be  wedded  wel  5enge 
By  holy  cherche  leve. 

Two  manere  speches  beth  i-woned, 

Ther  two  men  for  to  nomene  ; 
That  one  of  thyng  that  hys  now, 
That  other  of  te  comene, 

"Wel  couthe  ; 
*'  Her  ich  the  take"  wordes  beth 
Of  thynge  that  hiis  nouthe. 

And  5ef  me  seythe  "  ich  wille  the  have," 
And  ther-to  treuthe  ply3te 

He  speketh  of  thynge  that  his  to  come 
That  scholde  be  myd  ry5te 
Of  treuthe  ; 

Ac  that  ferste  ne  faylleth  nau3t, 
That  other  may  for  sleuthe. 

And  3yf  another  treutheth  sethe, 
Wyth  word  of  that  hys  nouthe, 

The  ferste  dede  halte  beth, 
Ne  be  hy  nase  coutlie. 

As  noae  ; 

Bote  3ef  ther  fol5ede  that  treutliyjige, 
A  ferst  flesch  v-raone. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  61 

For  thet  completh  thet  spoushod 

After  the  by-treuthynge, 
That  hyt  ne  may  be  ondon 

Wyth  none  wythseggynge, 

By  ry3te  ; 

And  that  hyt  were  her  ondo, 

Ry3t  halt  wythoute  Dry3te. 

And  her  may  treuthynge  be  ondo 

Thorwe  falnesse  of  partye, 
And  for  defaute  of  witnessynge 

Wyth  wrange  and  trycherye, 
I-lome, 
Me  weddeth  suyche  and  liggeth  so 

For  than  ine  hordome. 

Ne  hy3t  ne  may  no  man  ondo, 

By  lawe  none  kennes, 
And  so  by-leveth  ever-ino 

Fort  other  vvendeth  hennes, 
Thou  wyse, 
So  bryngeth  hem  in  suche  peryi, 

That  hy  ne  mowe  a-ryse. 

Ac  3ef  eny  hys  ine  the  cas, 

Red  ich  that  he  be  chaste  ; 
And  3yf  hys  make  raone  craveth 

Ine  leyser  other  in  haste 
Lykynde, 
He  mo3t  hy5t  do  wyth  sorye  mod, 

And  skyle  wert  wepynge. 


62  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

3yt  he  mot  gret  penaunce  do 

The  dayes  of  hys  lyve, 
And  3et  the  more  jef  hath  maked 

An  hore  of  hys  wyf, 

That  ere, 
3ef  that  he  hedde  y-wedded  hy, 

A  goud  wyraman  hyt  were. 

For  suche  \a^e  is  that  manye  beth 
Men  other  wymmen  of  elde, 

Thar  suche  contra3t  y-maked  hys 
That  more  ry3t  pi-ove  3elde, 

And  scholle  ; 

And  3et  of  volees  thane  of  tuo 
Hys  prove  to  the  folle. 

And  3yf  ry3t  contrait  ys  y-maked 
Wy3thoute  wytnessynge, 

3ef  hy  by-knoweth  openlyche 
Byfore  men  of  trewthynge, 
Te  take, 

To-gidere  y-hoten  scholle  hy  be, 
Tha3  other  oft  for-sake. 

That  hys  bote  hy  wedded  be 

To  othren  er  hy  Iiy3t  by-knowe  ; 

For  tha3  liy  by-knowe  hyt, 
Ne  hys  nau3t  y-helde  trewe 
By  lawe  ; 

For  3ef  hy  were,  hyt  scholde  be 
These  spousebrechene  sawe. 


POKMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  63 

Of  ham  that  scholde  y-wedded  be 

Her  the  age  thou  myjt  lerne, 
Thet  knave  childe  fortene  ^er 

Schel  habbe  ane  tuel  thetherne, 
Spousynge  ; 
At  seve  ^er  me  maketh  may, 

Ac  none  ryjt  weddynge. 

For  thej  hy  were  by  assent 

Ryjt  opelyche  y-wedded, 
And  ase  thyse  childre  ofte  betli 

To-gadere  ry3t  y-bedded. 
By  ry5te  ; 
Bot  3ef  hy  3yve  ine  tyme  assent. 

Departed  be  y-my3te. 

And  the  tyme  is  wane  ather  can 

Other  flescblyche  y-knowe. 
For  wanne  hy  habbeth  thet  y-do, 

Ne  mowe  hy  be  to-throwe. 
In  sa3e  ; 
Hy  beth  i-cliped  pukeres, 

That  hys  a  worde  of  lawe. 

Ne  no  treuthynge  stonde  ne  schel, 
Wyth  strenthe  y-maked  ine  mone, 

Bote  ther  fol3y  by  assent 
Ry3t  flesch  y-mone, 

Ine  dede  ; 

For  thet  folvelleth  that  spoushoth, 
Ase  ich  by-fore  sede. 


64  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  jyf  hy  bethe  by  assent 
The  thrydde  treuthe  leyde, 

Here  eyther  other  for  to  have, 
Other  woi-d  to  asenti  seyde, 
Othe  swore ; 

3ef  hy  soffreth  hym  mone  of  flesche, 
Hys  wyfe  and  naujt  hys  hore. 

And  3ef  ther  hys  condicioun 

Y-set  atter  treuthynge, 
3ef  hyt  hys  goud  wythoute  quede, 

Hyt  letteth  the  weddynge, 
Onhealde  ; 
Bote  3ef  ther  vlesches  y-mone  be 

Fol3ynde,  ase  ich  ear  tealde. 

And  hit  is  wykked  condicioun, 
Covenaunt  of  schrewead-hede, 

Ase  3ef  he  seyth  ich  wille  the  have 
3ef  thou  deist  suche  a  dede. 
Of  queade; 

Tha3  thet  covenant  be  nau3t  y-do, 
Hy  schoUe  hem  weddy  nede. 

Bote  that  quead  be  a3eins  spouthhoth, 

Ase  ich  schel  here  teche; 
And  3ef  man  seyth  "  ich  wolle  the  have, 

3yf  thou  wilt  be  spousbreche, 
Other  wealde 
For  te  dcstruvvcn  oure  stren," 

That  treuthynge  darf  naut  hcalde. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  65 

Sudeakne  mey  be  y-wedded  nau3t, 

Moneke,  muneche,  ne  no  frere, 
Ne  no  man  of  religion, 

Profes  jef  that  be  were, 
To  leste 
Of  chaste  professioun 

Hys  solempne  by-beste. 

Ac  3ef  man  of  religion. 

Be  hys  ryt  fre  wille, 
Over  tyme  of  professioun 

Heldeth  hym  thrynne  stylle, 
Relessed 
Schel  hym  naujt  be  religioun, 

Tha3  he  be  naujt  professed. 

Ac  3ef  ther  were  ry3t  treuthynge, 

That  may  nau3t  be  relessed  ; 
Ore  bye  into  suche  ordre  came, 

And  here  hi  be  professed, 
To  sothe, 
Hy  scholde  33611  to  the  spousynge, 

And  lete  al  that  to  nothe. 

Hy  that  the  man  for-leyen  hethe 

Under  hys  ry3t  wyf, 
Other  3yf  by  hosebonde  heth 

Ine  thet  spousbreche  alyve. 
Si  dome  ; 
5et  hi  my3te  be  wedded  eft, 

3ef  by  sengle  by  -come. 


66  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Bote  3ef  hy  by-treuthede  hem, 
Wyth  worde  of  nouthe  i  take, 

Other  bote  hy  by-speke  his  dethe 
In  hare  senvoUe  sake, 

To  sla5e  ; 

For  thanne  scholde  hy  weddi  nou5t, 
By  none  ryjt  lawe. 

Meseles  mowe  y-wedded  be, 

5ef  hi  asenti  wylle  ; 
An  tha3  other  bi-come  mesel, 

To-gadere  healde  hem  stylle, 
To  nomene; 
Bote  the  treuthege  bare  be, 

Wyth  wordes  of  to  comene. 

For  3ef  thet  hy  by-treuthed  be 
With  worde  of  nou  y  take, 

Other  wyd  wordes  of  to  come, 
With  dede  of  flesches  sake, 

Ther,  brother. 

Seel  be  renoveled  that  a-gonne  hi  is, 
And  ayther  fo]3y  other. 

Bote  the  syke  into  a  spytel-hous 
Entry  ther  beth  museles, 

Thanne  der  the  hole  nau3t 
Ther-ine  folwy  hiis  meles, 

Ne  hiis  gyfte  ; 

Falthe  ham  nau3t  in  suche  compaigni 
'I'o-gadeie  be  a  ny3t. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SIIOREHAM. 

And  iiie  the  wcddynge  ne  gayiiet  noti3t, 
Tiia3  thou  the  otlier  by-s\vyke  ; 

Wanne  them  weneth  the  other  be  hoi, 
And  wedded  thane  syke, 

Ne  tinde  ; 

Ne  beth  no  thynges  bote  two 
That  oundeth  the  weddynge. 

That  on  hys,  wanne  he  weddeth  the  thral, 

And  weneth  the  frye  take  ; 
That  other,  wanne  he  weddeth  one  other 

Thane  hys  ryjte  make, 

By-gyled  ; 
The  lawe  of  God  ne  senteth  nou5t 

That  man  be  so  by-wyled. 

And  3yf  thet  one  weddeth  the  thral, 

And  weneth  the  frye  weddy, 
And  3yf  a  spyet  that  sothe  throf, 

And  wondeth  nau3t  to  beddy, 
Ine  mone  ; 
3ef  he  by  wyl  serveth  that  flesche, 

Ry3t  party nge  worthe  hym  none. 

And  3yf  thy  wyf  hebbeth  a  child, 

Wane  thou  he  hest  for-leye, 

Ne  my3t  nau3t  weddy  that  childe 

Eft  tha3  that  thy  wyf  deye, 

By  lawe  ; 

Ne  forthe  the  moder  thet  hyt  beer, 

Ne  woldest  thou  nase  y-fa5e. 

F  2 


68  FORMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  3yf  thou  habbest  so  a  child, 
The  lawe  y-wryte  hyt  sede, 

Thy  wyf  that  his  thyn  oje  flesch 
Drajeth  eke  the  godesybred, 
Y-mete, 

That  hy  ne  may  weddy  that  child, 
Ne  fade  thet  hyt  bi-3ete. 

Thet  ilke  that  y-crystned  hys 

Ne  may  weddy  by  laje 
Him  that  hyin  crystneth,  ne  hys  child, 

Ne  wolde  nase  na3e, 

Ac  lete  ; 
And  eke  hem  that  hym  hebbeth  so, 

And  alle  hare  bi-3ete. 

And  for  the  fader  and  moder 

That  hyne  fleschlyche  forthwyseth, 

Gostlyche  for  hym  by-sebbe  beth, 
To  ham  that  hine  baptizeth. 
And  heven  ; 

Ther-fore  thaj  hy  ham  wedded  eft, 
Ne  myt  so  by-leven. 

And  ase  the  gossybrede  dra3th 
Ry3t  to  ous  after  crystnynge, 

So  gossibrede  dra3eth  eke 
Ry3t  after  confermynge. 

By  lawe  ; 

That  so  liy  mo3e  hy  weddy  nau3t, 
No  woldo  hy  nase  y-na3e. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHORE  HAM.  69 

More  godsibrede  nys  ther  naujt 

Thane  hys  y-menejed  here, 
Godfader  wedded  godsones  child 

Fol  wel,  my  leve  fere, 

No  senne, 
Neth  man  and  wyf  that  weddeth  ham, 

Godfader  thej  he  habbe  enne. 

And  3yf  a  man  hebbeth  thy  child, 

And  naujt  bye  thyne  wyfe, 
Thy  wyf  may  vveddy  thane  man 

Wel  after  thyne  lyve, 

And  libbe  ; 
And  in  that  cas  thou  myjt  weddy 

To  thyne  wyfes  gossibbe. 

And  that  lawe  for-bode  nau3t 

That  man  and  wyf  y-mene 
Toe  hebbe  a  childe,  3et  scholdy  nau3t 

Honestete  so  3wene, 

Ne  wette, 
Schrewede  tonge  for  te  speke 

For  sclaunder  me  schal  lette. 

The  sibbe  mowe  to-gadere  nau3t. 

The  foerthe  grees  wythinne; 
Ne  me  ne  scholle  telle  the  stoke 

That  after  hym  by-genne, 
To  telle; 
And  3ef  other  the  fixte  of-taketh, 

To  gare  more  hy  dwelle. 


70  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

5ef'  thou  myd  word,  if  thet  liys  nouthe, 

Ary5t  bi-treuthest  one, 
Otlier  tha5  thet  bi-treuthy  hy  nau5t. 

And  hast  flesches  mone, 
By  lawe, 
AUe  here  sybbe  affinity 

To  the  for-than  schel  drawe. 

And  thet  ine  the  seh'e  degre 
That  hy  beth  here  by  sybbe  ; 

And  3ef  thou  weddest  eny  of  Lam, 
In  inceste  schoUe  ye  lybbe 
An  erthe  ; 

5ef  hy  y-sibbe  ine  degres 
Ry5t  wythinne  the  ferthe. 

And  so  drawyth  hy  affinite 

Wyth  alle  thyne  sibbe, 
Ase  thou  of  hire  sibben  dra3st, 

For-than  tlia;  hy  ne  libbe  ; 

Wat  doth  hy3t  ? 
Hyt  deth  the  monynge  ine  flesehe, 

The3  ^^^  "^  wyte  ne  se  hy3t. 

And  holy  cherche  y-hote  heth, 

Me  schal  maky  the  cryes 
At  cherche  oppe  holy  day3es  thre 

By-fore  the  pocple  thryes, 
To  assaye, 
To  sech  contrait  5ef  me  nicy 

Of  destorber  anaye. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM,  71 

For  ertlie  the  banes  y-greil 

He  that  the  treuthe  maketh, 
Farth  ase  he  that  great  work  by-gunth 

And  thanne  conseyl  taketh, 

And  tethleth; 
Ac  mani  man  that  so  by-gunth, 

With  grete  harme  fayleth. 

And  tha3  the  weddynge  were  maked, 

Ase  hyt  mytte  by  lawe, 
3et  hyt  my5t  eft  be  ondo, 

And  eft  also  to-drawe, 

Wet  wyse, 
jef  ther  ne  raey  nothere  kendelyche 

Do  the  flesches  servyse. 

Thet  hys,  3ef  that  ere  the  weddynge 

FoUe  that  ylke  lette, 
That  other  were  so  i-let 

To  do  the  flesches  dette, 

By  kende; 
For  3ef  that  lettyng  velle  seth, 

Ne  scholde  hy  nou3t  to-wende. 

And  tha3  thet  on  bi-wiched  be 

Thanne  hy  to-gadere  come, 
That  hy  ne  my3te  don  ry3t  nau3t, 

Ne  asayde  nase  lome, 

And  vvolde; 
3et  thre  3ier  hy  abyde  scholde, 

To  do  ere  hi  be  scholde. 


"72  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  tliaj  that  servyse  be  foul, 
5et  hyt  hys  tokne  of  gode  ; 

For  hyjt  by-tokneth  the  takynge 
Of  oure  flesche  and  blode 

Ine  Cryst ; 

No  stren  may  non  encressy 
AVythoute  flesches  loste. 

And  dette  hy3t  hys  in  spoused, 
"Wanne  the  other  hyjt  welde  ; 

For  5yf  thyt  other  nolde  do, 

Destrayned  be  he  scholde, 

Be  rytte, 

To  do  hyt  5yf  that  he  may. 
The  lawe  heth  the  he  rayjte. 

And  tha5  man  hath  bysemer 
Of  seche  manere  destresse, 

Be  hem  wel  syker  hyt  hys  y-do 
For  wel  grete  godnesse, 
Of  ly  ve ; 

For  elles  nolde  the  laje  nau3t 
Of  suche  thynge  schryve. 

In  spoushod  beth  godnesse  thre, 
Treuthe,  strenyg,  and  signe  ; 

Treuthe  hys  that  ther  no  gile  be 
Thourwe  spousebreche  maligne  ; 
Ac,  brother, 

That  on  may  spousbreche  by-come. 
For  defaute  of  thct  other. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  73 

That  other  godnesse  hys  strenynge, 

Ther  me  may  children  wene; 
And  3yf  that  on  thothren  warneth  hys  flesch, 

Ne  ray3t  hy  naut  strene 

On  nette, 
TIio  scholde  that  godnesse  be 

By-twene  ham  inlette. 

The  thrydde  godnesse  hys  sacrament, 

That  hiis  the  holy  signe 
Of  the  joynynge  of  God  self 

And  holye  cherche  digne, 

That  abayleth; 
And  3yf  thothren  warnth  hys  flesch, 

That  sacreraent  hem  fayleth. 

By  thyse  thre  hy  mo5e  i-se 

Wanne  hy  ine  flesche  senejeth. 
Wanne  hy  wytlioute  thyse  thre 

Wyth  fleschlich  mone  megeth 

Hare  other  other, 
The  more  thyt  doth,  the  wors  hi  beth. 

And  God  also  the  lother. 

Ase  3ef  hy  hy3t  my3t  wel  a-come 

To  letten  other  wyle, 
And  lesse  do  hyt  thane  hy  doth, 

Wythoute  otheres  peryl 

Ac  blondeth, 
And  nys  non  ned  wyth  foule  handlynge 

Other  other  afondeth. 


74  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ne  hy  ne  wondeth  messe-day, 

Ne  none  holy  tyde, 
Ne  holy  stede  wythoute  peryl, 

Thaj  hy  niy3te  abyde 

Spy  felthe, 
Ther  hy  myjte  hyt  do  kendelyche, 

Onkende  hys  hare  onselthe. 

Hyt  uys  nau3t  a3eus  sacrement 
Of  God  and  holy  cherche, 

Thay  hy  nolde  by  goud  purpos 
Ine  hare  flesche  worche 

By  fold  ; 

So  ferde  Marye  and  Joseph, 
By  assent  that  clene  hem  held. 

For  they  hye  wolde 

In  flesch  by-leve  clene, 
jet  ajeyns  treuthe  nere  hyt  noujt, 

Ne  forthe  ajeyns  strene  ; 

Hon  scholde  hyjt 
Aje  gode  purpos  of  strene, 

Bote  other  of  ham  wolde  hyjt  ? 

Ne  hyjt  nys  ajeyns  sacrement. 
By  assent  thaj  hy  be  clene ; 

In  spoushoth  jef  hy  levies  hem, 
And  wel  libbeth  i-mene : 
Wytnesse 

Cryst  and  thys  holy  saulen  eke, 
Al  lovieth  hem  ine  clannesse. 


roEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  i  O 

And  3yf  bothe  beth  of  god  wylle, 

And  of  assent  an  emne, 
To  take  to  religioun 

And  makye  a  vou  solenipne, 
Hy  mytte 
In  chastyte  for  evere  mo 

Sei'vy  oure  Drytte. 

And  3ef  that  eyther  otlier  may 

Kendelyche  serve, 
Ne  mo3en  hy  a3eins  wyl  to  go 

Er  thane  other  schal  sterve, 
No  sauve, 
Bote  5ef  that  on  for-houred  be, 

He  may  departyng  have. 

And  3ef  hy  so  departed  be, 

Chastite  he  mote  take, 
So  longe  ase  thothres  lyf  y-lest, 

That  whas  hys  ry3t  make, 

Nyst  gabbe, 
3ef  he  other  thane  hy  for-lyth, 

A3en  a  schel  hys  habbe. 

Tha3  hy  mysdede,  3et  and  he  uyle 

Eft  a3eyn  he  may  crave, 
Tha3  ther  such  a  departynge  be. 

And  hiis  wyf  a3eyn  have, 

And  scholde  ; 
Tha3  hy  wythseyde  hyt  openlyche. 

And  a3eyn  come  nolde. 


76  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ac  understond  for  thet  hordom 

That  maketh  thes  to  stryve, 
That  eche  hordom  ne  parteth  nau3t 

The  man  al  fram  hiis  wyf ; 
Nou  lestne, 
3ef  the  other  othren  so  by-swyketh, 

Ne  moje  hy  noujt  ounnestne. 

Ne  thaj  a  wyf  by-gyled  be 

Of  another  by  wrake, 
And  weneth  wel  to  for-leye  be 

Of  hyre  ryjtte  make  ; 

3et  more, 
Tha3  hy  ben  strengthe  be  for-leye, 

Takth  he  nau3t  houre  lore. 

Ne  3ef  thon  thother  profreth 

Wyth  any  other  to  beddy, 
And  ne  3ef  the  on  welnith  this  otheres  deth, 

And  he  another  weddeth, 

Tha3  come  ; 
The  make  a3en  ne  schelde  hy  be 

To  do  for  hordome. 

Ac  het  nou  ounderstand  for  ham 

That  gooth  a  pylgrymage, 
On  wenddeth,  the  other  abyde  schel, 

Wet  other  passeth  age, 

By  kende, 
Other  wat  that  ther  be  of  hys  death 

Ky3t  god  and  certayn  mende. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAxM    DE    SUOREHAM.  77 

And  3yf  man  halt  ase  hys  wyf 

After  the  gelt  hys  spouse, 
Thaj  he  by  hyre  ne  ligge  noujt, 

Other  halt  hys  ine  hys  house, 
In  tome, 
Ne  schal  hy  nau3t  departed  be 

Frara  hyra  for  hordome. 

The  signe  hys  of  the  sacrement, 

The  treuthynge  wel  couthe. 
Other  comthey  signe  of  thet  asent 

Wyth  worde  that  hiis  nouthe, 
And  dygne  ; 
Thynges  ther  beth  her  mo  than  on 

Onder  thys  ylke  signe. 

Thet  o  thyng  hys  thet  hoi  assent 

By-tuixte  man  an  wyf, 
Wat  bynding  hys  of  the  spousehoth 

To  helde  to  ende  of  lyf. 

And,  brother, 
Thys  ilke  thynge  a  signe  hys  eke 

Of  thyng  to-forin  another, 

And  that  thynge  hys  ase  ich  seyde  her, 

Tho  ich  her-an  gan  worche, 
The  holy  joynynge  of  God  self 

And  of  al  holy  cherche. 

In  tome, 
Of  spouhoth  thys  aneyment 

Loiiketh  50U  for  hordome, 


78  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Tho  seynt  Johan  ine  the  Apokalips 

Sej  pruveetes  of  hevene, 
He  sej  a  boke  was  fast  i-schet 

Wyth  strong  lokes  sevene, 
A  wonder  ; 
Ne  hy  my3ty  no  man  ondo 

Above  in  hevene  and  onder. 

And  tho  that  seint  Johan  y-sej  that, 
Wei  soi'e  he  gan  to  wepe  ; 

Tho  seyde  an  angel,   "  Wep  thou  nou5t, 
Ac  take  wel  gode  kepe, 

Thys  sygne, 

That  holy  lambe  that  sla3en  hys 
To  ondo  hyt  hys  wel  dygne." 

Thys  ylke  boke  the  mystikys 

Of  these  sacrementis, 
That  were  i-schet  frara  alle  men, 

Wat  God  himself  out  sent  hys, 
To  tounne  ; 
For  be  thou  syker  hy  were  in  God, 

Er  than  the  worlde  by-gounne. 

For  ase  he  wyste  wel 

We  scholde  be  by-gyled, 
So  ever  wyste  he  that  the  feend 

Scholde  a5en  be  by-wylcd, 

Thorj  Cryste  ; 
Ac  he  hyt  hadde  wel  prive 

For  Saternases  lyste. 


POEMS    OK    WILLIAM    DK    SHORKHAM.  79 

Al  what  OS  com  thet  ilke  lambe, 

Jhesus  that  was  y-slawe, 
That  onne  schette  the  queynte  loken, 

That  spek  of  the  aide  lawe, 
And  sevene, 
So  kedde  out  thyse  sacremens 

By-nethe  and  bove  in  hevene. 

The  ferste  loke  oneleke  Jhesus, 

Ase  he  wel  coude  and  myjte, 
Tho  Nychodemus  to  hym  come 

At  one  tyme  by  nyjte, 

To  lerny  ; 
And  he  ondede  hym  cristendora, 

No  lenge  he  nolde  hyt  derny. 

That  lok  onleake  of  confermynge 

Ther  hiis  apostles  leye 
Slepynde  tho  that  of  ham  bed 

Aryse  for  to  preye, 

Amonge, 
That  hy  ne  voile  into  fondynge. 

Ac  that  hye  weren  stronge. 

The  thrydde  loke  onleke  Jhesus 

Ther  he  set  atte  sopere, 
Tho  he  sacrede  hys  flesche  and  blod, 

Ase  ich  50U  seyde  hyt  here, 
So  holde, 
In  fourme  of  bred  and  eke  of  wyn 

That  we  hyt  notye  scholde. 


80  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  tho  Peter  in  036  ny3t 
Thryes  hedde  hyne  for-sake, 

And  he  by-held  hyne  ther  a-set 
Ryjt  atte  hys  pynyng-stake, 
Nera  kepe, 

Ther  he  onleke  penaunce  loke, 
Tho  Peter  gan  vor  to  wepe. 

The  fy5te  that  hys  elyynge, 
Cryst  onleke  to  oure  wayne, 

Tho  hand  and  fet  and  al  hys  lymes 
I-persed  were  ine  payne, 

Ene  helede, 

For  al  the  formes  of  oure  lemes, 
Anon  so  be  we  anelede, 

The  syxte  onleke  swete  Jhesus, 
Of  ordre  nothynge  orne, 

Tho  he  a-veng  for  oure  love 
The  croune  of  scharpe  thornes  ; 
Wei  wyde 

Ondede  the  loke  of  ryjt  spousynge 
The  wounde  onder  hys  syde. 

For  ase  wymman  com  of  the  ryb 
Of  the  mannes  ryjt  syde, 

So  holyche  spouse  of  God 

Sprange  of  thane  wonden  wyde  ; 
Nou  leste, 

Hou  that  was  hed  conseyl  ine  God, 
Sprounge  hiis  out  at  hys  brest. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  81 

Nou,  Lord,  that  coudest  makj  open, 

Thet  no  man  coude  oneschette, 
And  canste  wel  sehetten  thet  hy  be  open 

That  none  other  man  derte 
To  hopye, 
So  graunte  ous  thyne  sacremens, 

That  non  errour  ne  ous  ascapye  ; 

And  that  we  hys  mote  a-redy  have. 

Lord,  her  at  oure  nede, 
That  no  devejl  ne  acombry  ous, 

Lord,  thou  hy3t  ham  for-bede, 
Amonge  ; 
And  for  the  tokene  that  we  neme, 

Lat  ouse  thy  holy  dole  fonge.     Amen. 


Oretis  pro  anhna  domini  Willelmi  de  Sckorham, 
quondam  vicarii  de  Chart  juxta  Ledes,  qui  composuit 
istam  compilacionem  de  septem  sacramentis. 


82  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Pater  noster,  Domine,  labia  mea  aperies,  etc. 

Thou  opene  myne  lyppen,  Lord, 
Let  felthe  of  senne  out  wende  ; 

And  my  moutlie  wyth  wel  god  acord 
Schel  thyne  worschypynge  sende. 

Deus,  in  adjutorium  meum  intende. 

Vaderis  wyt  of  heve  an-hej, 

Sothnesse  of  oure  Dry3te, 
God  and  man  y-take  was 

At  matyn-tyde  by  nyjte. 
The  disciples  that  were  his, 

Anone  hy  hyne  for-soke, 
I-seld  to  Gywes  and  by-traid, 

To  pyne  hyne  toke. 

Adoranms  te,  Christe,  et  henedicamus  tibi,  etc. 

We  the  honreth,  Jhesu  Cryst, 

And  blesseth  ase  thou  os  toujtest ; 

For  thour5  thy  crouche  and  passyon 
Thys  wordle  thou  for-bou3test. 

Oremus,  Domine  Jhesu  Criste. 

We  the  byddeth,  Jhesu  Cryst, 

Godes  son  a-lyve, 
Sete  on  crouche  pyne  and  2:)assyoun, 

And  thy  dethe  that  hys  lyve  ; 
Gode  atende  to  my  socour, 

Lorde,  hyje,  and  help  me  fyjte  ! 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DK    SIIOREHAM.  80 

Glorye  to  the  Fader  and  Sone, 

And  to  the  Gost  of  niyjtte  ; 
Ase  hyt  was  ferst  and  liiis, 

And  scliul  evere-more  be  wyth  i"y5te. 
Bytuext  ous  and  jugement 

That  no  fend  ous  ne  schende, 
Nou,  ne  wanne  the  tyuie  comthe 

Thet  we  scholle  hennes  wende. 
And  5yf  the  ly  ves  mysse  and  grace, 

The  dede  redand  and  reste, 
Holy  cherche  acord  and  pays 

Ous  glorye  and  lyf  that  beste  ; 
That  levest  and  regnest  wyth  the  Fader 

Ther  never  nys  no  pyne, 
And  also  wyth  the  Holy  Goste, 

Evere  wythoute  fyne.     Amen. 

Ave  Maria,  gratia  plena,    Donmius  tecvm  ;  hene- 
dicta  tti,  etc. 

O  swete  levedy,  wat  they  was  wo, 

Tho  Jhesus  by-come  in  orne  ; 
For  drede  tho  the  blodes  dropen 

Of  swote  of  hym  doun  orne. 
And,  levedy,  the  was  wel  wors, 

Tho  that  thou  se5e  in  dede 
Thy  Icve  ehilde  reulyche  y-norae 

And  ase  a  thef  forthe  lede. 
And  ase  he  tholede  thet  for  ous, 

Levedy,  wythoute  sake, 
Defende  ous  wanne  we  dede  bethe, 

That  noe  fende  ous  ne  take.  c  2 


84  POtMS    OF    WILLIAM    DK    SHOREHAM. 

Paternoster.    God,  atente  to  my  socoiir .   Lord,  hyj^e, 
etc.  Deus,  adjutorium  meian.  Dondne,  ad.  Hora  prima. 
At  prime  Jhesus  was  i-led 

To-fore  syre  Pylate, 
Thar  wytnesses  false  and  fele 

By-lowen  hyne  for  hate. 
In  thane  nekke  hy  hene  srayte, 

Bonden  hys  honden  of  myjtte  ; 
By-spet  hym  that  sw...  semblant 

That  hevene  and  erthe  a-lyjte. 

Adoramiis  te,  Christe.  11  e  the  honouret/i,  etc. 
Ave,  Jhesu  Christe.  We  the  biddeth,  Jhesu  Cryst. 
Ave  Maria,  etc. 

O  swete  levedy,  wat  the  was  wo 

A  Gode  Frydayes  in  orthe, 
Tho  al  the  nyjt  y-spende  was 

In  swete  Jhesues  sorwe. 
Thou  seje  hyne  hyder  and  thyder  y-cathed, 

Fram  Pylate  to  Herode  ; 
So  me  bete  hys  bare  flesche, 

That  liyjt  arne  alle  a-blode. 
And  ase  he  tholede  that  for  ous, 

Levedy,  withoute  crye, 
Schelde  ous  wanne  we  deade  beth 

Fram  alle  feenden  mestrye. 

Pater  noster.  Deits,  in  adjutorivm.  Gad,  atende 
to  my  socour.      Critcifjge,  etc. 

Crucyfige  !  crucifige  ! 
Gredden  hy  at  oiidre  ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLTAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  85 

A  pourpre  cloth  hi  dede  hym  on, 

A  scorne  an  hym  to  wondre. 
Hy  to-steke  hys  swete  hefed 

Wyth  one  thornene  coi'oune  ; 
Toe  Calvarye  his  crouche  ha  beer 

Wei  I'euliche  oujt  of  the  toune. 

Adoratnus  te.  We  the  honoureth,  Jhesu  Cryst.  Ut 
sancta,  Domine  Jhesu  Christe.  We  the  byddeth,  Jhesu 
Cryst.    Ave  Maria,  etc. 

O  swete  lavedy,  wat  the  was  wo 

Tho  that  me  Jhesus  demde, 
Tho  that  me  oppone  hys  swete  body 

The  hevye  crouche  semde  ! 
To  here  hyt  to  Calvary 

I-wys  hyt  was  wel  wery, 
For  so  to-bete  and  so  to-boned, 

Hy3t  was  reweleche  and  drery. 
And  alse  he  tholede  that  for  ous, 

Levedy,  a  thysse  wyse, 
I-schelde  ous,  wanne  we  dede  beth, 

Fram  alle  fendene  jewyse. 

Deus,  in  adjutorium.  Code,  atende  to  my  socour. 
Pater  noster.     Hora  sexta. 

On  crouche  y-nayled  was  Jhesus 

Atte  sixjte  tyde, 
Stronge  theves  hengen  hy  on 

Eyther  half  hys  sede. 
Ine  hys  pyne  hys  stronge  therst 

Sthanchede  hy  wyth  jalle  ; 


86  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SIIOREHAM. 

So  that  Godes  holy  loinbe 
Of  senne  wesche  ous  alle. 


Adoiximus  te,  Chrisle.  We  the  honoureth,  Jfiesu 
Cryst.  Oremits,  Domine  Jhesu  Christe.  We  the 
biddeth,  Jhesu  Cryst.     Ave  Maria,  gratia  plena. 

O  swete  levedj,  wat  the  was  wo 

Tho  thy  chyld  was  an-honge, 
I-tached  to  the  harde  tre 

Wyth  nayles  gret  and  longe  ! 
The  Gywes  gradden,  "  com  adouii," 

Hy  neste  way  y  mende, 
For  thrau  ha  thole  to  be  do 

To  deth  for  mankende. 
And  ase  he  henge,  levedy,  for  ous, 

A-heye  oppon  the  hulle, 
I-scheld  ous  wane  we  deade  ben, 

That  we  ne  hongy  in  belle.     Amen. 

Pater  noster.  Dens,  in  adjiitorium.  God,  atende 
to  my  soconr.     Jjord,  hy^c,  etc.     Hora  nana. 

Atte  none  Jhesu  Cryst 

Thane  harde  death  felde  ; 
Ha  grade  "  Ilely"  to  bys  fader, 

The  soule  he  gan  op-3elde. 
A  knijt  wyth  one  scharpe  spere 

Stange  hyne  i  the  ry3t  syde  ; 
Therthe  schoke,  the  sonne  dyin  by-come, 

In  thare  tyde. 


FORMS    r)r    WII,LIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  87 

Adoramus  te.  We  the  honoureth,  Jhesu  Cryste. 
Domine  Jhesu  Christe.  We  the  biddeth,  Jhesu  Cryste. 
Ave  Maria,  gratia  plena,  etc. 

O  swete  levedy,  wat  the  was  wo 

Tho  Jhesus  deyde  on  rode  ! 
The  crouche  and  the  ground  onder  hym 

By-bled  was  myd  his  blode. 
That  swerde  persed  thyne  saule  tho, 

And  so  hyt  dede  wel  ofter, 
That  was  thy  sorwe  for  thy  child, 

Dethe  adde  be  wel  softer. 
And  ase  he  tholed  thane  deth, 

Levedy,  for  oure  mende, 
Schulde  ous  wane  we  dede  beth, 

Fram  deth  wythouten  ende.     Amen. 

Pater  noster.  Deus,  i?i  adjutorium.  God,  alt  ende 
to  my  socour.  Lord,  hi'^e,  etc.  De  cruce  deponitur. 
Hora,  etc. 

Of  the  crouche  he  was  do 

At  eve-sanges  oure  ; 
The  strengthe  lefte  lotede  ine  God 

Of  oure  Sauveoure. 
Suche  death  a  under-3ede, 

Of  lyf  the  medicine, 
Alas  !  hi  was  y-leyd  adoun 

The  croune  of  blysse  in  pyne. 

Adoramus  te.       We   the   honoureth,    Jhesu    Crist. 


88  POEMS    OF    WILLIASI    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ave    Jhesu    Christe.      We  the   biddeth,  Jhesu   Cryst. 
Ave  Maria,  gratia  plena. 

O  swete  levedy,  wat  the  was  wo 

Tho  Ciyst  was  do  of  rode  ! 
For  ase  a  mesel  ther  he  lay, 

A-stoimed  in  spote  and  blode, 
For-bere  wepyng  ne  my3t  hy 

That  seje  al  hou  thou  weptyst  ; 
Al  hy  the  8656  of  hym  blody, 

So  ofte  thou  hine  by-cleptyst. 
And  ase  he  tholede  the  fylthe, 

For  felthe  of  oure  sennes, 
Helpe  ous,  levedy,  we  clene  be, 

Wanne  we  schoUe  wende  hennes.     Amen. 

Pater  yioster,  etc.  Deus,  adjutorium.  God,  attende 
to  my  socoiir,  etc.    Lord,  Jii'-^e,  etc.    Hora  complectorii. 

At  complyn  hyt  was  y-bore 

To  the  beryynoje, 
That  noble  corps  of  Jhesu  Cryst, 

Hope  of  lives  comynge. 
Wei  richeleche  hit  was  anoynt, 

Folfeld  hys  holy  boke  ; 
Ich  bydde,  lord,  thy  passioun 

In  myne  mend  loke. 

Adoramus  te.  We  the  honoureth,  Jhesu  Crist. 
Domine  Jhesu  Christe.  We  byddeth,  Jhesu  Cryst. 
Ave  Marin,  gratia  plena  :  etc. 

O  swete  levedy,  was  the  was  wo, 


rOEiMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  89 

And  drery  was  thy  mone, 
Tho  thou  seije  thy  lefe  sone 

I-bered  under  the  stone  ! 
That  thou  wystest  thourj  thy  feyth 

A-ryse  that  he  scholde, 
A  drery  fayth  hyt  was  to  the 

That  he  lay  under  molde. 
And  ase  he  was  four  ous  y-bered, 

And  a-ros  thourwe  hys  myjtte, 
Help  ous,  levedy,  a  domes-day, 

That  wey  a-ryse  mytte  the,  levedy  brytte. 
Amen. 

Thyse  oures  of  the  canoune, 

Lord,  moneje  ich  the  wel  fayre, 
Wyth  wel  grejt  devocioun 

A  reyson  debonayre  ; 
And  ase  thou  tholedest  lor  forme 

Ope  Calvaryes  doune. 
So  acordaunt  to  thy  travayl, 

Lord,  graunte  me  thy  coroune.     Amen. 


90  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

De  decern  preceptis. 

The  man  tliat  Godes  hestes  halt, 

And  that  myd  gode  wylle, 
And  uaujt  one  by-fore  men, 

Ac  both  loud  and  stille, 
Meche  hys  the  mede  that  hym  worthe. 

By  so  that  he  na  drylle  ; 
3ef  he  hys  breketh  and  so  by-loefth, 

Hys  sauylle  schal  he  spylle. 
jef  thou  hys  halst  man,  God  the  seithe, 

Ha  wole  be  the  so  kende. 
He  wole  be  fo  to  thyne  fon, 

And  frend  to  thyne  frende. 
Hye  the  mys-doth,  ham  wyle  mys-do, 

And  have  thys  ine  thyne  mende  ; 
Hys  angel  schal  to-forthe  go 

To  wyte  the  fram  the  fende. 
Thyne  sustenaunce  thou  schel  have, 

Thy3  naujt  a-lyve  delyce, 
Ac  mete  and  clothes  renableliche, 

And  lyf  ine  herte  blysce. 
Thaj  folke  the  beelde  a  nice  man, 

Ther-fore  nert  thou  naujt  nyce  ; 
I-likned  worth  thy  gode  loos 

So  swete  so  the  spyce. 
Thef  the  that  art  a  crystene  man 

Wei  hy  healde  by-falleth, 
Sykcr  thou  my5t  be  of  that  lond 

Thar  iiiclko  and  hony  walleth. 


POEMS    OF    WILMAM    PE    SHORKHAM. 

That  hys  the  blysse  of  hevene  above, 

Thar  holy  soulen  stalleth  ; 
Ine  glorye  ther  none  ende  nys, 
Ne  none  swetnesse  appalleth. 
To  wyte  thanne  wat  God  hajt, 

Is  eche  man  wel  y-halde, 
Throf  ich  may  telle  ase  ich  wot, 

Ase  other  men  me  tealde, 
And  ase  hyt  hys  in  holye  boke 
I-wryten  ine  many  a  felde  ; 
Lestnetb  to  mey  par  charyte, 

Bothe  3onge  and  ealde. 
0  thynge  hyt  hys  al  that  God  hat, 

Bote  a-two  he  hy3t  dy3te, 
And  that  hys  love,  man,  syker  thou  be, 

To  lovye  wyth  thy  my3t. 
Thou  ert  y-helde,  man,  ther-to 
Bye  skele  and  eke  by  ry3tt('  ; 
Thou  thenke  her-on  par  charyte. 

By  dayes  and  eke  by  ny3tte. 
Thys  love  God  heth  y-di3t  a-tuo 

Amange  hiis  hostes  alle. 
The  ferste  hys  for  to  lovye  God. 

By-falle  what  so  falle  ; 
Seththe  to  lovye  alle  men, 

So  brethren  scholde  ine  halle, 
Wythouten  byternesse  of  mode 

That  hiis  thare  saule  galle. 
The  man  that  healdeth  thys  two, 
Of  charyte  the  henstes, 


92  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Al  he  folveth  the  lawe  of  Gode 

And  prophetene  gestes. 
Ac  lasse  love  ther  hys  wjth  men 

Thane  be  wjth  wjlde  bestes, 
That  doth  that  manye  y-schodred  ben 

Fram  hevene-ryche  festes. 
Ten  hestes  haveth  y-hote  God, 

Ase  Holy  "Wiyt  ous  tealde, 
O  the  two  tablettes  of  ston 

Wyth  hys  fynger  bealde. 
He  hys  wrot  Moyses  by-toke 

Wylom  by  dajes  ealde, 
To  wyse  man  hou  schal  wel 

These  ten  hestes  healde. 
In  ston  ich  wot  that  he  hys  wrot, 

In  tokne  of  sykernesse, 
That  we  that  wole  y-saved  be, 

The  more  and  eke  the  lesse, 
By-hoveth  that  he  healde  hy 

Wyth  al  hys  bysynysse. 
Alias  !  feawe  thencheth  ther-on, 

Th a  wykkednesse. 

Yet  o  table  hedde  thry 

Of  thyse  hestes  tene. 
The  thri  longeth  to  love  of  Gode, 

Ase  hyjt  schel  wel  be  sene  ; 
The  seven  longet  to  love  of  man, 

That  none  scholde  wene, 
Ine  thother  table  sete  tho 

To-gadere  and  al  y-mene. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  93 

Honury  thou  schelt  enne  God, 

Hym  one  to  by-knowe  ; 
Take  naujt  hys  name  in  ydelschepe, 

Wyth  ydel  wynde  to  blowe  ; 
Halje  thou  the  masse-day, 

Ase  he  comthe  in  the  rewe. 
In  these  thi'e  the  love  of  God  schewy  hit, 

Were  hyt  hys  to  sewe. 
Worschipe  thy  fader  and  moder  eke  ; 

Ne  brynge  no  man  of  ly  ve  ; 
Do  the  to  none  lecherye, 

Thaj  the  foundyngge  dryve  ; 
Wytnesse  vals  ne  here  thou  non  ; 

Of  thefthe  thou  ne  schryve  ; 
Coveyte  none  mannes  wyf, 

Ne  nau3t  of  hys  for-stryve. 
Thys  bethe  the  sevene  that  love  of  man 

Schewe  what  hy5t  be  scholde. 
jef  eny  man  fayleth  eny  of  thys, 

Nys  hy3t  bote  an  on  holde  ; 
Ac  al  to  fewe  lovyth  ham, 

And  wylleth  that  other  wolde. 
Alas  !  wat  schal  be  hare  red, 

Wanne  hy  beth  under  molde  ? 
Ac  many  man  desceyved  hys, 

And  weneth  that  he  hys  helde  ; 
And  weyneth  that  he  be  out  of  peryl, 

Other  ine  senne  so  schealde, 
That  hym  ne  douteth  of  no  breche 

Of  Godes  hestes  healde, 


94  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHASl. 

Ac  lie  not  nefer  wat  hy  beeth, 

Ne  never  hy  ne  tealde. 
I-wryte  hyt  hys,  ich  telle  hyjt  the, 

Ine  the  boke  of  Wysdome, 
That  eche  man  scholde  conne  hy, 

And  rekeny  wel  y-lome. 
And  that  hy  nere  nau3t  for-jete, 

Wane  othere  thou5tes  come. 
Tys  fyngres  scolde  man  bynde  hy, 

For  doute  of  harde  dome. 
For  mannes  honden  and  hys  fet 

Beret  tokene  wel  gode 
Of  alle  the  tenne  comaundemens. 

That  man  thyt  onderstonde. 
Ten  fyngres  and  ten  thine  tone. 

Of  flesche  and  bon  and  blode, 
Tokneth  that  thyne  workes  ne  be 

Ajeyns  the  hestes  for  broude. 
3et  som  man  hiis  that  passioun  lyche 

Can  telle  hy  myd  the  beste, 
Ac  me  hys  dedes  nares  he, 

Ase  he  nan5t  of  hem  neste. 
And  5et  hym  thingth  that  he  beth  wel. 

And  for  to  come  to  reste  ; 
Ac  al  desceyved  schel  he  be, 

Wanne  cometh  the  grete  enqueste. 
Here-fore  nys  hyjt  nau3t  y-nouj 

To  telle  hy  ne  vor  to  conne, 
And  telle  and  werche  wel  ther-by, 

Thanne  hys  hy3t  alle  y-wonne. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREUAM.  95 

For  wel  to  conne  and  nau3  no  don, 

Njs  nather  rawe  ne  y-sponne  ; 
Lytel  hiis  worth  bote  hyt  eudj 

Wel  thynge  that  hiis  wel  by-gonne. 
They  hyt  be  wel  lyttelyche  y-sed, 

The  ferste  heste  a-ro\ve, 
For  to  honoury  anne  GoJ, 

Hym  one  to  by-knowe, 
Thenche  thou  most  wel  bysyly, 

And  thy  wyjt  thran  by-stowe, 
And  bydde  hym  that  thou  hyt  mote  do 

Wel  myldelyche  a-kuowe. 
For  thou  ne  myjt  hytte  nefeie  do, 

Man,  wel  wythoute  grace  ; 
So  heth  thys  wordle  bounde  tlie 

Wyth  here  lykynges  .... 
Ther-fore  the  by-hoveth  Godes  helpe, 

That  he  hyt  wolde  arace, 
So  that  thou  ne  teldest  no  worth 

Of  blandynge  face. 
For  3yf  thy  wyl  rejoth  more 

In  enyos  kennes  thynges, 
Be-hyjt  the  childe,  other  thy  best, 

Land,  broaches,  other  ryngeth  ; 
Other  ajt  elles,  wat  so  hyt  be. 

Bote  yne  God  that  hys  kynge  of  kyngcs, 
Thou  ne  anor.rcst  na5t  God  a-i'y5t, 

Ac  dest  is  onderlynges, 
By-lef  thou  in  no  wychecraft, 

Ne  ine  none  teliinge. 


96  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DK    SHOREIIAM. 

Ne  forthe  inne  none  ymage  sell', 

Tha3  that  be  great  botninge  ; 
Bote  as  al  holy  cherche  the  tek, 

Thou  make  thyne  worthynge. 
For  Gode  nele  nau5t  that  thou  hyt  do, 

Bote  by  there  wyssynge. 
Thanne  asay  thyn  oje  thojt 

By  thysser  ylke  speche, 
And  3yf  thou  annourest  God  a-ry3t, 

Thyne  inwit  wyle  the  teche, 
And  3yf  thou  fynst  that  thou  ne  dest, 

Amende,  ich  the  by-seche  ; 
Thou  ert  a  sot,  and  my3t  do  bet, 

And  so  si5st  yn  the  smeche. 
That  other  heste  apertelyche 

Schewed  mannes  defaute, 
"Wanne  he  aldey  swereth  ydelleche, 

In  kebbynge  and  in  caute. 
Mechel  hys  that  he  maketh  hym 

Her  efterward  to  tenty, 
"Wenne  he  schal  hys  acountes  3yve 

Of  ech  idel  sente. 
Thenne  ne  couthe  ich  nanne  red 

Of  thylke  acountes  oure, 
Nere  the  milse  and  merci  of  God  self 

Oure  alder  auditour. 
That  woUe  the  arerages  for-3eve, 

3ef  hyt  hys  to  hys  honoure. 
Ac  cesse,  man,  of  thy  ydelschop, 

Other  ich  wole  out  wcl  soure. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

The  thrydde  heste  apertelyche 

Scheweth  wyth  wykked  rote, 
Wanne  thou  halst  thy  masse-day, 

As  God  hyt  hath  y-hote  ; 
Ac  werkest  other  werke  dest 

Werkes  that  beth  to  note, 
The  wykkede  ensample  that  thou  jefst, 

Thou  abeyst,  ich  the  by-hote. 
And  that  thou  ne  werche  nau3t, 

Ac  gest  to  pyne  gloutynge, 
Other  in  eny  other  folke 

In  pleye  of  thretynge. 
Thou  halst  wel  wors  thane  masse-day, 

Thane  manne  myd  hys  workynge  ; 
Thare-fore  to  the  al  y-holliche 

That  day  to  holy  thynge. 
The  feste  heste  scheweth  the 

That  thye  senne  schal  slethe, 
5yf  thou  rewardest  thyne  eldrynges  naujt 

A-lyve  and  eke  a-dethe  ; 
That  were  wel  besy  to  brynge  the  forthe, 

As  hy  myjten  onnythe, 
5yf  thou  hy  gna3St  and  flagjst  eke, 

Ry3t  hys  that  fendes  fleathe. 
Naujt  nys  thys  heste  y-hote  of  God 

For  suche  eldren  allone  ; 
Ac  hys  of  raannes  eldren  eke, 

Ase  he  te3t  atte  font-stone. 
Ther  holy  cherche  thy  moder  hys, 

And  fader  in  Cristes  mone  ; 


98  FORMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

3ef  thou  ert  onboxora  to  hyre, 

Grace  of  God  ne  worthe  the  none. 
The  fyfte  heste  scheweth  the 

That  thou  ne  schalt  naujt  smyte, 
Ne  naujt  ne  mys-segge  ne  mys-do, 

Ne  naujt  foules  he  atwyte. 
For  ofte  the  mannes  sie5te  aryft, 

Were  man  hyjt  weneth  wel  lytel ; 
And  he  that  spilleth  mannes  lyf, 

Venjounse  hyt  schel  awyte. 
And  3ef  ther  hys  man-sle3  the  pur, 

As  ous  telleth  holy  boke, 
5yf  eny  man  for  defaute  deyth, 

And  eny  hyra  for-soke 
To  helpe  hym  of  that  he  may, 

Hys  lyf  to  save  and  loke, 
Her  dere  jer  acuseth  fele, 

That  God  and  arthe  touke. 
And  jet  seint  Johan  the  wangelyst 

Al  into  mende  drajeth. 
He  that  hatyeth  eny  man. 

He  seche  that  he  hym  slaje. 
Manye  suche  man-slej  then  beth, 

That  al  day  men  for-gnajeth, 
And  sweche  beth  in  helle  depe 

That  develen  al  to-dravveth. 
The  sixte  heste  scheweth  wel 

The  sothe  to  al  mankenne, 
The  dede  y-do  in  lechery 

Hys  ryjt  a  dedleche  senne. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  99 

And  elles  nere  hyjt  naujt 

For-bode  amange  the  liestes  tenne  ; 
The  that  seggeth  hyt  nys  nau3t, 

So  hare  wy5t  hys  al  to  thenne. 
Her  hys  for-bode  glotenye, 

vSo  ich  the  by-hote  ; 
For  ich  norysseth  lecherye, 

Ase  fer  the  brondes  hote. 
And  tha3  ther  be  alone  lomprynge 

In  lecheryes  rote, 
Al  hyt  destrueth  charyte, 

Wyth  wrake  and  wyth  threte. 
The  sevende  heste  schewed  wel 

Man  schal  be  true  in  dede, 
That  no  man  abbe  of  the  otheres  naut, 

Thor3  thefte  wyckerede. 
For  al  hys  thefte  that  man  tejt 

Myd  wyl  of  wymynghede, 
Ajens  the  ry3t  a3eres  wyl, 

So  lawe  y-wryte  hyt  sede. 
Thanne  hys  hyt  a  thef,  wo  so  hyt  be, 

That  raanne  god  so  taketh, 
Be  hy3t  by  gyle  other  mestry, 

Other  wordes  that  he  craketh. 
In  londe  suche  his  many  a  thef 

That  y-now  hym  maketh  ; 
He  wenth  by  chere  of  jugement, 

Ac  belle  after  hym  waketh. 
The  e3tende  heste  the  for-bed 

The  ffalse  wytnessynge ; 

11  2 


100  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  that  hys,  man,  syker  thou  be, 

Alle  manere  lesynge 
To  hermy  in  body  man. 

Other  in  hys  other  thynge, 
Other  in  hys  saule,  and  that  hys  worst, 

In  peryl  for  to  brynge. 
Al  hyt  hys  senne  that  me  le5th, 

Bote  that  men  lejth  for  gode ; 
Ryjt  deadlyche  senne  nys  that  nau3t 

For  myldenesse  of  mode. 
Ac  elles,  man,  al  that  thou  legst 

Is  deathlich  and  for-brode, 
Tho  thet  hyjt  useth,  ich  wot  hy  beth 

Unwyser  thane  the  wode. 
Alas  !  onnethe  any  man 

That  thyse  hestes  healde  ; 
Alle  hy  beth  y-torned  to  lesynge, 

Thes  3onge  and  eke  thes  olde. 
Ther-to  hys  mentenaunce  great. 

That  maketh  hy  wel  bealde ; 
Do  36  nau3t  so,  par  chay-yte, 

Ac  30ure  tongen  36  wealde. 
The  ne3ende  heste  the  for-bed 

That  wyl  to  lecherye  ; 
And  to  spousbreche  nameleche, 

That  so  meche  hys  to  glye, 
Thanne  nys  hyt  nau3t  one  dealyche 

Swych  dede  to  complye, 
Ac  ys  that  voule  wyl  also 

To  swychc  fylenye. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  101 

The  tethe  heste  the  fb[r]-bet, 

Wyl  tou  other  manne  thynge, 
For  that  desturbet  charyte, 

In  onde  man  to  brynge. 
Defendeth  30U,  for  Godes  love, 

Fram  alle  wykked  wyllynge  ; 
For  suche  wyl  hys  for  dede  i-set 

In  Godes  knelechynge. 
Nou  ich  30U  bydde,  for  the  blode 

That  Jhesus  blede  on  the  rode, 
That  into  herte  taketh  thys  two 

To  30ure  soule  fode  ; 
And  fojeth  nau3t  in  thys  wordle 

The  vyle  commune  floude, 
That  fleuth  into  the  fendes  mouthe  ; 

And  so  seithe  Jop  the  gode.     Amen. 


102  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREUAM. 

[Z)e  septem  mortalihus  peccatisJ^ 

Senne  maketh  many  thral, 

That  scholde  be  wel  fry  ; 
And  senne  maketh  many  fal, 

That  he  ne  mote  i-thy. 
Senne  bryngeth  man  a-doun, 

That  scholde  sute  a  days ; 
Senne  maketh  storbylon, 

Thar  scholde  be  godes  peays. 
Senne  maketh  by-wepe 

That  som  man  er  by-loj  ; 
Senne  bryngeth  wel  depe 

That  hyra  wel  hy3e  droj. 
Senne  hys  swete  and  lyketh, 

Wanne  a  man  hi  deth, 
And  al  so  soure  hy  bryketh, 

Wane  he  venjaunce  y-seth. 
Senne  maketh  nywe  schame, 

Thaj  hy  for-3ete  be ; 
And  senne  bryngeth  men  in  grame, 

Thar  er  was  game  and  gle. 
And  senne  maketh  al  the  who 

That  man  an  erthe  hath ; 
And  bryngeth  mannes  saule  also 

In  belles  voule  breth. 
And  they  man  be  fram  helle  y-wered 

Thour3  repentaunce  here, 
5et  ne  may  naujt  some  man  be  spared 

Fram  purgatories  fere, 


POEMS    OK    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  103 

That  he  ne  schel  soffry  ther  hys  who, 

As  he  hiis  here  atenkt, 
And  her  nys  fer  namore  ther -to, 

Thanne  hys  fer  dereynt. 
Ac  purgatorie  and  helle  hy  beth 

So  lyte  by-leved, 
That  what  soraevere  men  telleth, 

Beth  throf  al  adeved. 
Hem  wolde  douty  more 

A  lytel  pyne  her, 
Thane  havi  wolde  al  that  sore, 

And  on  y-sely  fer. 
Ac  hwo  863  ever  eny 

That  hedde  of  senne  glye, 
For  bond  other  for  peyne, 

That  he  ne  changede  hys  blye, 
Wyth  schame  and  eke  wyth  schounde, 

Wyth  sor3e  and  eke  wyth  who, 
And  that  was  ked  in  londe 

By  some  naujt  fern  ago. 
Thanne  ich  may  W3'ssy  ase  ich  can, 

I  miself  tha5  ich  be  spreth, 
That  bote  thou  wylle  wondy,  man. 

Thy  pyne  after  thy  deth, 
Wonde  the  sor5e  that  hys  her, 

Foljcnde  after  thy  queed, 
And  3et  the  tyt  the  lasse  fer, 

Whanne  the  faith  to  be  dead. 
Whanne  thou  scholdest  sene3y, 

By-thenche,  leve  frend. 


104  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM . 

And  thaj  thy  flesch  the  mene3y, 

The  wordle  other  the  tend, 
By-thenche  hou  schort  hys  the  lykynge, 

And  hou  the  schame  hys  stronge, 
And  hou  thou  weiyest  thane  kynge 

Of  hevene  wyth  thy  wronge. 
Thij  man  mo  30  thor3  hys  resone, 

Y  wote,  wanne  he  mys-deth  ; 
3ef  ther  by-hoveth  gre5t  sarmone 

To  hame  that  lewed  bethe  ; 
For  feawe  of  ham  conne  the  skele 

Hou  senne  aboute  cometh, 
And  that  acombreth  swythe  fele 

That  none  kepe  nometh. 
Ther-fore  thys  tale  ryraeth 

Hou  men  in  senne  beth, 
And  hou  senne  by-lymeth 

Than  that  to  senne  hym  deth. 
Ther-fore  neme  3e  kepe 

Al  hou  the  senne  syt, 
That  je  ne  falle  to  depe, 

For  wane  of  30ure  wyt. 
Nou  lyst  hou  man  hys  bounde 

Wyth  senne  swythe  stronge, 
And  hou  he  bereth  death  wounde. 

And  fenym  thare  amonge. 
The  wonde  swelth  an  aketh 

So  doth  the  naddre  stenge, 
And  gret  and  gretter  maketh, 

And  fcithc  make  threnge. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  105 

I-wounded  was  mankende 

After  that  hy  was  wrojt, 
Thorj  the  neddre  the  feend, 

That  hy  heth  al  thor3  soujt. 
Thorwe  the  fenyni  of  senue, 

That  al  mankende  slakth, 
Nes  non  nou  that  kenne 

That  that  fenym  ne  taketh. 
And  that  fenym  was  ferst  y-kast 

On  Eve  and  on  Adam, 
And  so  forthe  thenne  hyt  her  y-lest, 

Ase  kenne  of  jerneth  yne  man. 
So  hyjt  nys  naujt  senne  lyas, 

That  child  that  haveth  lyf, 
Y-bore  other  onbore  was, 

Bote  crystnynge  breketh  that  stryf. 
Oryginale  thys  senne  hys  cleped. 

For  man  of  kende  hyt  taketh  syn  ; 
Ry3t  so  hys  al  mankende  a-merred, 

Thor3  the  i"oute  of  fenym. 
That  doth  that  mannes  body  y-bered, 

Nys  bote  a  lyte  slym. 
Her-uppe  y-thojt  hath  meny  a  man, 

And  i-sed  many  a  foul, 
That  onwyslyche  God  ous  by-gan, 

And  hys  red  was  to  coul, 
That  let  man  to  suich  meschyf, 

That  myjte  hyt  habbe  undo. 
Ac  3ef  thou  wolt  by  godc  lef, 

Thenche  thou  namore  so. 


106  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ne  velthe  hyt  noujt  to  clypye  a3en, 

We  soeth  wel  hyt  hys  tlious ; 
God  to  atwyte  oure  won 

No  longeth  nothynge  to  ous. 
For  we  dysputeth  ajeyn  hym, 

Concluded  schel  he  be, 
Dispute  naujt,  ac  kepe  nym, 

Wo  thart  and  who  hys  he. 
Wat  helpth  hyt  the  crokke, 

That  hys  to  felthe  y-do, 
Aje  the  crokkere  to  brokke, 

Wy  madest  thou  me  so  ? 
The  crokkere  myjtte  segge 

Thou  proud  erthe  of  lompet, 
Ine  felthe  thou  schelt  lygge, 

Thou  ert  nau3t  elles  ne3t. 
Ryjt  so  may  God  answerye  the, 

Wanne  thou  hym  atwyst, 
Wat  helpthe  hyt  so  wran  to  be, 

Wanne  thou  wyth  Gode  chyst  ? 
Do  naujt  so,  ac  mercy  crye, 

That  the  tyde  wors  ; 
For  suiche  al  day  me  may  y-se 

Encresseth  here  cors. 
Ac  be  thou  wel,  man,  be  the  wo, 

Of  gode  ne  tel  thou  naujt  lytel ; 
For  syker  be  that  he  let  do. 

He  let  hyt  do  wyth  ry^te. 
Swech  ryjt  scheavvcth  wyth 

God  above,  the  hy5t  be  hyd  fram  the ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  107 

Thenclie  namore  for  Godes  love 

So  heje  pryvete. 
Ac  tliench  thou  nart  bote  esclie, 

And  so  thou  loje  the  ; 
And  byde  God  that  he  wesche 

The  felthe  that  hys  in  the. 
And  thy3  thou  lange  abyde, 

Ne  atwyt  hym  naujt  thy  who  ; 
Ac  tyde  the  what  by-tyde, 

Thou  thenke  hym  evere  mo. 
And  so  scum  grace  the  by-tyde, 

Ac  elles  the  hy  for-gest ; 
For  God  wythstondeth  hym  that  chyt 

And  a3e  God  wrest, 
Ase  he  wythstent  the  prouden, 

And  myld  grace  sent 
To  libbe  amange  the  louden, 

Wenne  other  beth  i-schent. 
Nou  we  seeth  wel  hou  hyt  ys 

Of  thane  oryginal ; 
Nou  lest  ou  man  do  aniys 

Thorj  hys  ojene  gale. 
Thys  senne  cometh  naujt  of  thy  ken, 

Ac  thyself  ech  del. 
Tho  seggeth  thys  leredemen, 

And  clypyeth  hyt  accuel. 
Thys  manere  senne  nys  naujt  ones, 

Ac  hys  i-schyt  in  thry, 
In  thou5t,  in  speche,  in  dede  amys, 

Thys  may  ech  man  y-sy. 


108  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SUOREHAM. 

He  that  ne  thynketh  naujt  bote  wel, 

And  speketh  and  doth  al  ry3t, 
The  man  hys  sekere  of  accuel, 

Ac  he  hys  here  so  bry5t. 
Ho  hys  he  that  al  beth  wel, 

The  tho3tes  that  he  kakthe  ? 
And  who  hys  that  spoke  scheal 

A-ry5t  al  that  he  speketh  ? 
And  wo  hys  he  that  al  newe  deth 

Wel  al  that  he  deth  ? 
No  man,  no  man,  ac  nijt  and  day 

Thys  men  by-soyled  beth, 
So  as  hy  beth  men  ase  we  seeth 

Wyth  sennes  al  thor3  therled, 
Many  ys  the  senne  that  me  doth. 

In  tal  the  wyde  wordle. 
Of  senne  ich  wot  by  thyse  sckyle. 

That  ther  hiis  wel  great  host ; 
And  for  the  fend  i-mut  so  fele, 

Ther-of  hys  alle  hys  host. 
And  he  arayeth  hare  trome 

As  me  areyt  men  in  fy5t ; 
For  he  sykth  gode  theawes 

Some  a3enes  ham  y-dy3t. 
And  ase  God  dyst  theawes 

In  alle  gode  men. 
The  feend  arayeth  the  schreawes 

In  wykken  ther-a5en. 
Thys  hys  that  fy3t  an  erthe 

That  al  vvynth,  other  lest ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREIIAM.  109 

And  ase  the  fy3ttere  hys  worthe, 

The  cheveteyn  hyni  chest. 
Ac  cheveteyn  of  senne 

Ich  wot  that  the  fend  hys  ; 
For  wyse  and  alle  kenne 

Arayes  hys  amys. 
And  ase  there  in  bataylle 

0  kynge  bereth  the  beeth  ; 
Soe  hyt  were  a  gret  faylle, 

jef  the  host  were  eni  hej. 
Ther-fore  me  maketh  prynses 

The  host  to  governi ; 
And  ase  who  welen  the  linses 

To-gadere  heldeth  hy. 
And  ase  al  that  hys  here 

By  sove  dajes  geth  ; 
Of  senne  alle  manere 

Seve  develen  prynces  beth, 
That  thene  certeygne, 

That  Cryst  kest  out  hyt  seyth, 
Of  Marie  Maudeleyne, 

That  goospel  that  ne  weyth. 
The  ferst  pryns  hys  prede, 

That  ledeth  thane  floke, 
That  of  alle  othere  onlede 

Hys  rote  and  eke  stoke. 
For  nys  non  of  the  syxe 

That  hy  ne  cometh  of  thane, 
For  rayx  of  alle  myxe 

In  hevene  hy  by-gan. 


110  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Prede  suweth  in  floures 

Of  wysdom  and  of  wyt, 
Amang  levedys  iu  boures 

The  foule  prude  syjt ; 
Under  couele  and  cope 

The  foule  prede  lythe  ; 
Thej  man  go  gert  wyd  rope, 

jet  prede  to  hym  swyth. 
Prede  syjt  under  ragge, 

"Wei  cobel  and  wel  balgth, 
That  ketheth  wordes  bragge, 

And  countenaunces  jaldeth. 
Nys  non,  thaj  som  myt  wene, 

That  some  prede  ne  taketh  ; 
Ne  none  so  proud,  ich  wene, 

Ase  he  that  al  for-saketh. 
For  who  hys  that  nevere  set  hys  thoujt 

And  erthe  to  be  hyj  ? 
Who  hys  hit  that  never  y-thoujt 

Of  pompe  that  he  sej  ? 
Who  yst  that  never  nas  rebel 

Ajenis  hys  soverayn  ? 
Who  hist  that  be-nome  schel, 

And  nabbe  non  agayn  ? 
Who  hyst  that  nevere  godlich  nas 

Wanne  chaunce  at  wyllc  come  ? 
Who  yst  that  wanne  he  preysed  was, 

Never  at  hej  hyt  nome  ? 
Who  hyst  that  never  thojte 

He  scholde  honoured  be, 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHORF.HAM.  Ill 

For  dedes  that  he  wroute 

Wanne  menne  hyjt  mytte  se  ? 
Who  hys  that  never  ho5the  droj 

To-ward  hys  that  was  ? 
Ho  hys  never  ne  kedde  W03 

In  boste  to  hys  sugges  ? 
Ho  neth  wyth  pompe  y-schewed  hym 

3et  other  thane  he  was  ? 
Nou  ypocresy  kepe  nym 

Regneth,  hyt  nys  no  leas. 
Ho  yst  that  never  was  y-blent 

Wyth  non  surquydery  ? 
That  hys  wanne  a  proud  man 

Heth  y-ment  other  thane  hyt  schel  by. 
Wo  that  never  ne  dede  thous 

He  wole  prede  by-fle}  ? 
3ef  that  kebbede  eny  of  ous, 

Ich  wojt  wel  that  he  lej. 
The  man  the  hym  wole  afayty 

Of  prede  that  hys  so  he3, 
Fol  wel  he  mo3t  hys  weyti 

Bothe  fer  and  ne3. 
For  3ef  he  let  to  nothe 

That  he  ne  awayteth  hy, 
Ich  segge  hym  wel  to  sothe, 

That  ry3t  proud  schel  he  be. 
For  prede  hys  a  senne  of  herte, 

And  bounte  scheweth  hy, 
Wyth  kebbynges  aperte 

And  weddynge  manyable. 


112  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Thorj  dedes  of  bostynge, 

And  atyr  stent  and  say, 
And  other  suche  thynges 

That  men  usyeth  al  day. 
That  other  feend  of  onde 

Hys  pryns  and  chevetayn, 
That  senne  hys  ryf  in  londe, 

And  nau3t  hys  hyre  wayn. 
For  sorwe  he  heth  of  gode, 

And  harme  hys  hyre  blysse  ; 
Ine  here  pryncy  mode  ' 

The  hert  wait  al  thys. 
Thys  senne  hys  over  nyce, 

Ac  holde  schal  hy  be, 
The  senne  of  meste  malice 

A3eyns  charyte. 
Wanne  love  hys  here  preye, 

Al  for  to  confundy, 
And  wyl  het  to  by-traye 

That  wolde  gode  by. 
Onde  hys  a  senne  of  herte, 

And  bounte  scheweth  hy, 
To  harmy  and  to  herte 

Wanne  hey  deth  bacbyty. 
Wanne  hy  holdeth  hy  werches 

That  god  and  hende  beth, 
And  othere  southe  plocches 

Scheweth  wat  onde  deth. 
The  thrydde  senne  hys  wrethe, 

That  so  meche  hys  i-telde, 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  113 

ITyt  maketh  blod  and  broche 

About  the  herte  aneld. 
Wanne  manne  neth  nau3t  hys  tliouse 

To  wylle  and  alse  thynthe, 
He  compasyth  venjaunce 

To  hym  that  ajen  clenketh  ; 
And  so  hyt  fret  and  hys  y-frete 

Evere  megrete, 
And  wanne  hy  het  to  meche  hete, 

Hyt  letteth  charite. 
Inne  herte  hys  thys  senne3inge, 

And  bounte  scleweth  mod, 
Thor3  cheste  and  mys-doynge, 

And  wythdrawynge  of  god. 
Covetyse  hys  the  furte, 

I-lyche  dropesy, 
Wanne  al  that  hys  an  erthe 

To  hyre  hys  al  besy. 
And  hou  hy  habbeth  hy  verkth, 

And  mannes  herte  by-set, 
Fram  Gode  and  so  thanne  name  y-kejt 

Servise  of  Mamenet. 
That  hy  by  herte  senne 

jet  boute  schentth  hy 
To  mochel  amange  mankenne, 

Thor3  wrange  and  trycherye, 
Thorj  5eskynge  efter  gode, 

Thor3  bor3  and  3emer  3elde, 
Thorw  wrechydnesse  of  mode, 

And  never  more  ful-fclde. 


114  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

The  fyfte  senne  hys  sleuthe 

Of  that  man  scholde  do, 
Hye  breketh  god  treuthe 

Wyth  God  and  man  also. 
Wanne  man  leteth  adrylle 

That  he  god  3elde  schel, 
And  for-slaggyth  by  wylle 

That  scholde  men  to  stel. 
Of  herte  cometh  thes  senne, 

And  schewe  boute  also, 
IIou  hy  letteth  mankenne 

Of  that  scholde  by  do. 
Hyt  hys  thorwe  besynesse 

That  men  for-slewyth  hyt ; 
And  other  wyle  thor3  ydelnesse 

God  dede  era  do  for-slyt. 
Glotonye  hys  the  syxte. 

And  hys  me  ine  flesche  y-do ; 
And  lecherye  the  nyxte  in  flesche 

Hys  senne  also. 
Ac  glotonye  entythyth 

To  lecherye  her, 
Ase  that  hy  norysseth 

Ilote  brondes  thet  fere. 
Of  glotonye  hys  foure, 

The  boke  speketh  openlyche  ; 
To  meche  fode  devoury  ; 

And  to  lykerouslyche ; 
An  do  to  frechc  to  fretene, 

Wanne  men  hiis  tynic  hetli ; 


PORMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  11.5 

And  out  of  tyme  to  hetene, 

That  none  siknesse  neth. 
Of  lecherye  cometh 

Wreche,  foule  speche,  and  foule  delyt, 
Commune  hordom, 

Spousbreche,  incest,  and  sodomye. 
And  hys  incest  wyth  kenne 

The  lecherye  so ; 
And  sodomyt  hys  senne 

Ajens  kende  y-do. 
By-feld  beth  men  in  sleauthe, 

Ase  glotonye  hyt  bryngeth  ; 
And  ofte  hyt  doth  moni  kepe, 

That  man  wakynge  thencketh. 
Ac  jef  evyl  hyt  come  nau3t 

Dealyche  senne  next, 
Ac  hou  hyt  falleth  y-lome  ne5, 

Ech  man  nau3t  y-wyst. 
Thyse  manere  sennes  sevene, 

Ase  he  hys  here  i-sejeth, 
Me  letteth  men  fram  hevene, 

And  al  dedlyche  hy  beth. 
Wanne  hy  y-thou3t  beth  other  y-speke, 

Other  y-don  in  stat, 
A3e  the  lawe  of  God  to  breke 

The  hestes  that  he  hat. 
Of  alle  the  sennes  tha  ther  beth, 

Thos  bereth  that  los  ; 
For  everech  senne  that  me  dotli 

Longeth  to  some  of  tlies. 


116  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Her-by  thou  my3t,  man,  y-seo, 

And  hou  here  ende  hys  sour  ; 
Nou  loke  her-in  piir  charite. 

And  make  hyt  thy  myrour. 

Orefis  pro  anima  domini  Willelmi  de  Schorhaiih 
quondam  vicarii  de  Chart  juxta  Ledes,  qui  composuit 
istam  compilacionem  de  septem  mortalibus  peccatts,  Et 
omnibus  dicentibus  oracionem  dominicam  cum  saluta- 
cione  angelica  quadraginta  dies  Venice  a  domino  Symone 
ai'chiepiscopo  CantiiaricE  conceduntur. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOUEHAM.  117 


Meche  hys  that  me  syngeth  and  redeth 
Of  hyre  that  al  mankende  gladeth, 

I-bore  was  here  on  erthe  ; 
And  they  alle  speke,  that  speketh  wyd  tonge, 
Of  hyre  worschype  and  murye  sounge, 

jet  more  he  were  worthe. 

Thyse  aungeles  heryeth  here  wyth  stevene, 
Ase  he  hys  hare  quene  of  he[ve]ne. 

And  eke  hare  blysse  ; 
Over  al  erthe  levedy  hys  here, 
And  thorjout  helle  geth  here  power, 

Ase  he  hys  emperysse. 

Cause  of  alle  thyse  dignyte, 
Thorj  clennesse  and  huraylyte, 

Was  Godes  owene  grace  ; 
Wer-thorj  he  ber  than  hevene  kynge, 
Worschype  hys  worthy  ine  alle  thynge 

Ine  evereche  place. 

Al  that  hys  bove  and  under  molde, 
Hou  myjt  hyt  bote  hyt  bowe  scholde 

To  hyre  owene  raede  ; 
Wanne  he  that  al  thys  wordle  schel  welde, 
To  hyre  worschipe  hys  y-helde, 

For  here  moderhede. 


118  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Al  thyse  maydenes  wythout  bost 
Ily  bereth  God  in  here  goste 

In  hare  holy  thou5t  ; 
Ac  hy  wythoute  mannes  y-mone 
In  body  and  naujt  in  gost  alone 

To  manne  hyne  broute. 

Of  hyre  that  hys  thos  dygne  of  take, 
Hou  my3te  ich  of  hyre  songes  make, 

That  am  so  foul  of  lyve  ; 
And  thou  me  bede,  soster,  synge, 
And  alle  into  one  songe  brynge 

Here  swete  joy  en  fyve. 

To  segge  that  ich  hyt  maky  can, 
That  am  so  oneconnende  a  man, 

Dar  ich  me  naujt  avanty  ; 
Ac  tryste  ich  woUe  to  oure  levedy, 
And  maky  hyt  ase  hyt  wyle  by, 

And  ase  hy  hy  wolde  me  granty. 

As  man  me  hys  by  leave  y-seth, 
Joyen  of  hyre  so  fele  ther  beth, 

Ne  may  hyt  no  man  telle, 
Ase  hy  hath  of  hyre  leve  sone, 
Hyt  passeth  al  mankendes  wone, 

And  out  of  mannes  spelle. 

Four  manere  joyen  hy  hedde  here 
Of  hyre  sone  so  lef  an  dere, 

Wytncs  opan  the  Godspelle  ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  119 

And  al  cometh  ofte  the  blysse, 
That  hye  heth  nou  wythoute  mysse, 
So  stremes  of  the  welle. 

The  wylle  that  hys  in  paradys 
Fol  wel  by-tokneth  thys  avys, 

Wyth  here  stremes  foure, 
Thet  orneth  out  over  al  that  londe, 
Nys  never  erthlyche  man  that  fond 

Hou  fele  come  of  the  stoure. 

Thys  wulle  hys  God  self  man  by-come  ; 
Of  hym  thys  joyen  beth  alle  y-nome, 

And  alle  ine  nout  maner. 
The  furste  was  wyth  concepcioun, 
Tho  the  angel  Gabryel  come  a-doun 

Ine  stede  of  messager, 

To  brynge  the  tythynge  by-fore, 
That  Cryst  of  hyre  wolde  by  bore, 

Mannes  trespas  to  jelde  ; 
For  to  brynge  ous  out  of  helle, 
Wo  mytte  thenche  other  telle 

Wat  joye  ther  y-velde. 

In  Na3areth  the  ryche  toun, 
Ave  Maria  was  that  soun 

Of  Gabrieles  stevene  ; 
Tho  was  that  mayde  was  y-gret, 
And  wyth  a  present  wel  a-geet 

Pram  vader  oure  of  hevene. 


120  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

So  he  was  ine  hyre  y-come, 

For  fleasch  and  blod  of  hyre  to  nome, 

Ase  the  angel  hyre  seyde  ; 
Ne  hy  of  mannes  mone  neste, 
Ne  hy  ne  breke  nau3t  hyre  by-heste, 

Ac  evere  clene  a  mayde. 

Seynt  Johan  the  Baptyst  onbore, 
Tho  hy  spek  hys  moder  by-fore, 

Ine  joy e  he  gan  to  asprynge  ; 
Elyzabet  wel  that  aspyde, 
Hou  aspylede  onder  hys  syde, 

And  made  hys  rejoyynge. 

More  encheyson  hadde  oure  levedy 
Joyous  and  blythe  for  to  be, 

Wythoute  prede  and  boste  ; 
For  in  hyre  selve  hy  hyne  fredde, 
Fol  wel  hy  wyste  hou  hyne  hadde 

Thor3  self  the  Holy  Goste. 

Joseph  kedde  that  he  was  mylde, 

Tho  that  he  wyste  hy  was  wyth  chylde, 

Awey  he  wolde  alone  ; 
Ha  nolde  naujt  he  were  a-slawe, 
Ne  forthe  y-juged  by  the  lawe 

To  by  stend  wyth  stone. 

Ac  Joseph  was  wel  blytlic  aply3t, 
So  to  hyui  cam  the  angel  bry5t, 

To  scgge  hym  wat  he  scholdc 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  121 

Wei  blyththere  my3te  be  that  may, 
That  was  y-conforted  al  day 

Wyth  aungeles  wanne  hy  wolde. 

In  thyssere  joye  we  scholde  by-louken 
Al  hyre  joy  en  of  vourti  woken 

The  wylest  he  jede  wyth  chylde  ; 
Of  hyre  hyt  was  god  game, 
Ther-ine  thet  unicorn  weks  tame 

That  erthange  was  so  wylde. 

Thet  other  joye  of  hyre  y-core, 
Was  of  Jhesus  of  hyre  y-bore 

A  Crystesmasse  ny3te, 
Wythoute  sorje,  wythoute  sore, 
And  so  ne  schal  ther  nevere  more 

Wyniman  wyth  childe  dyjte. 

For  so  hy  hyne  scholde  ferst  a-vonge, 
Ther  nys  no  senne  ther  amonge, 

Ne  noe  flesches  lykynge  ; 
Ther-fore  of  hyre  y-bore  he  was, 
Ase  the  sonne  passe3t  thorj  the  glas, 

Wyth-outen  onopenynge. 

In  suathe-bendes  hy  hyne  dyjte, 
Ase  hyt  hys  the  chyldes  ry3te, 

And  3ef  hym  melke  to  souke  ; 
Tha3  hyt  were  thustre  of  ny3t, 
Ther  nas  wane  of  no  ly3t, 

The  hevene  gan  onloukc. 


122  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Out  com  an  aungel  wyth  great  loom 
Into  the  feld  of  Bedleem, 

Amonges  the  schoperden, 
Te  telle  that  Cryst  was  y-bore, 
Thar  come  singinde  ther-fore 

Of  angeles  manye  verden. 

Thanne  sede  he  swythe  wel, 
Gracia  plena,  Gabryel, 

And  that  hys  fol  of  grace  ; 
Wanne  glorye  of  hyre  hys  fol  above, 
And  pays  i-grad  for  hyre  love 

Of  angeles  in-place. 

The  oxe  and  asse  in  hare  manyour, 
Tho  that  hy  se3en  hare  creature 

Lyggynde  ine  hare  forage, 
Alone  knowynge  thaj  hy  were, 
Hy  makede  joye  in  hare  man  ere. 

And  eke  in  hare  langage. 

Ope  the  heje  ejtynde  day 

He  onder-jede  the  Gywen  lay, 

And  was  y-circumcysed. 
Jesus  me  clepede  hyne  ther-vore, 
Ase  aungeles  er  he  were  y-bore 

Hys  eldren  hedde  y-wysed. 

Mochelc  joye  hy  aspydc, 

The  kyiiges  thre  that  come  rydc 

Fram  be  easte  wel  i-verre ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  123 

Gold,  myrre,  scor,  were  here  offrynges, 
That  he  was  lord  and  kyng  of  kynges 
Wei  by-toknede  the  sterre. 

Tho  that  he  scholde  y-offred  be 
In  the  temple  domini, 

Ase  la3e  jef  the  termes, 
Symeon  the  olde  man  gan  crye, 
And  spek  of  hyra  fur  propheeye, 

And  tok  hym  ine  hys  earmes. 

Tho  3e  was  bote  twelf  wynter  aid, 

And  hejhe  ine  the  temple  he  seat  wel  bald, 

And  thaj  he  speke  smale, 
Many  man  wondrede  on  hym  there, 
For  to  alle  clerkes  that  ther  were 

He  3af  answere  and  tale. 

A-lyve  vertu  was  hys  childehode, 
And  so  he  com  to  hys  manhode ; 

Ine  flom  Jordanes  syche 
He  was  y-crystned,  the  hevene  onleake, 
The  Fader  of  hevene  doun  to  hym  spake, 

The  Gost  com  colvere  y-lyche. 

To  thyssere  joye  longye  schoUe 
Alle  the  joyen  that  hyre  foUe, 

Of  hyre  chylde  God, 
Fram  than  tyme  he  was  y-bore, 
For  al  munkendc  that  was  for-lore, 

For  he  deydc  one  the  roude. 


124  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

The  thrydde  joye  that  com  of  Cryste, 
Hadde  oure  levedy  of  hys  op-ryste 

Frain  deathes  harde  bende, 
Out  of  the  sepulcre  ther  he  laye, 
Ase  hyt  fel  thane  thrydde  daye 

After  hys  lyves  ende. 

Wet  joye  of  hym  my3te  be  more, 
After  suiche  sor3ynge  and  swyche  sore, 

Ase  hye  y-seye  hiue  feye, 
Thanne  i-si3e  hyne  come  to  lyve  ajen, 
And  everest  more  a-lyve  to  ben, 

And  nevere  eft  to  dey3e  ? 

That  he  was  lyf  and  strengthe  and  ray3te, 
And  that  he  kedde  on  Estre  ny3tte, 

Al  ine  the  dawyynge, 
Altha  was  an  erthe-schoke, 
And  hevene  above  undertoke 

Hys  holy  uppe-rysynge. 

Thar  doun  come  aungeles  whyte  ine  wede, 
And  that  he  was  a-ryse  hy  sede. 

And  hare  sawe  was  trewe ; 
That  he  ne  laye  nau3t  under  molde. 
For  to  asaye  ho  so  wolde, 

Thane  ston  hye  over-threwe. 

Thu3  *''^'  ''"^  ^"^  '^y^  manhoth  deyde, 
Domimis  tecum  that  a  soyde, 

The  the  aungel  here  by-redde ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  125 

That  hys  to  seggene  Godcs  my3te, 
Ine  iy3te  sothe  hyt  moste  sitte, 

That  godhoth  wel  hyt  kedde. 

Nedde  cure  levedy  thyse  blysse  alone, 
Ac  al  hyre  frendes  in  hyre  mone, 

So  meche  was  here  the  more ; 
For  more  hys  blysse  god  and  clene, 
Amonge  frendes  to  habbe  y-mene, 

After  sor5ynge  and  sore. 

0  that  hy  were  blythe,  tho  hye  were  sijen, 
So  glorious  a-lyve  wyth  hare  ejen, 

Thet  hy  y-seye  er  in  paygne  ; 
Furste  aschewed  hym  wyth  a  fayre  chaunce, 
To  here  thet  hys  ensample  of  repentaunce, 

Marye  Magdaleyne. 

And  so  hygeye  hyne  Peter  and  sothenes  hy  alle  ; 
And  ther  Thomas  of  Ynde  a  kowes  y-falle 

Ci'oped  hys  holy  wounde  ; 
Thare  he  fond  flesche  and  blod  myd  the  bones, 
An  nou  he  gan  to  crye  loude  for  the  nones, 

"My  Lord  icli  abbe  y-founde." 

Houre  Lord  hym  answerde  in  thet  cas, 

"  Thou  levedest,  for  thou  seje  me,  Thomas, 

That  thou  me  haddest  y-founde, 
Ac,  Thomas,  ich  the  telle,  y-blessed  hy  bctli, 
Tho  that  on  me  by-leveth  and  nau5t  me  sctli, 

No  gropyeth  none  wounde." 


126  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

To  thyssere  joy  en  schoUe  be  y-leyd 
AUe  the  joy  en  that  mo3e  be  y-seyd, 

Ine  wyttes  other  in  mende ; 
Fram  Crystes  resurreccioun, 
"Wat  cometh  hys  ascencioun, 

At  fourty  dajen  ende. 

Ne  for  the  joye  telle  ich  may, 
That  fel  opon  the  Holy  Thoresday, 

Opon  a  mounte  yne  heje  ; 
He  sej  Jhesus  and  othere  some, 
Of  flesche  and  blod  of  hyre  y-norae, 

Op  into  hevene  stejc. 

Al  ine  joye  was  hyre  mende, 
So  hy  8636  here  and  oure  kende 

Jhesus,  hyre  leve  sone, 
Into  the  blysse  of  hevene  sty. 
To  agredy  worthy  scholde  hy  be 

At  hyre  assumpcioun. 

And  5et  ne  were  hyt  no5t  y-no5, 
One  to  agredy  hyre  I003 

And  he3  ine  hevene  blysse ; 
Ac  oure  also,  hyt  nis  non  other. 
For  he  hys  oure  kende  brother. 

That  leve  we  to  wysse. 

Ine  hym  ne  schalt  hyt  nau3t  lang  be, 
That  wc  to  hym  nc  schollc  to, 

Wannc  wc  schollc  wendc  hennes; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  127 

Ac  schel  on  ous,  that  beth  onkende, 
Ne  dra3eth  naujt  hys  love  to  mende, 

And  wretheth  hyne  wyth  sennes. 

And  jet  he  hys  milde,  and  sparyeth  some, 
And  ase  he  wente  op  he  vvole  come 

A  domesday  wel  bryjte  ; 
For  to  crye  manne  dede, 
And  after  dede  jive  raede, 

And  jugement  to  ryjtte. 

Betere  red  nys  ther  non  here, 
For  to  be  Crystes  y-vere, 

And  hy3  ine  hevene  blysse ; 
Bote  folthe  of  senne  to  by-vly, 
And  bydde  God  and  oure  levedy, 

That  hy  ous  helpe  and  wysse. 

For  hyre  poer  nys  noujt  y-lessed, 
Ac  toup  alle  othren  hys  y-blessed, 

Sothe  wyf  and  mayde ; 
Ase  that  Godspel  telleth  ous, 
Benedicta  tu  i?i  muUeribus, 

Elizabeth  hyt  sayde. 

Al  here  joyen  a  lok  Sounday, 
And  alio  the  that  me  aspye  may. 

That  hyre  and  cithe  felle, 
Al  frara  Crystes  ascencioun, 
Al  wat  comthe  hyre  assumpcioun, 

To  thyssere  loungy  schelle. 


128  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHORRHAM. 

The  fyfte  joye  of  oure  levedy, 
Not  erlychman  hou  hyt  may  by 

Ne  ther-of  more  aspye, 
Bote  that  the  gloriouse  beerde, 
Out  of  thyse  world  the  gloriouse  ferde 

Wyth  greate  melodye. 

Eve  couth  to  the  man  hys  thes  figure, 
For  the  offyce  of  hyre  sepulture 

Was  al  an  hevene  gyse  ; 
And  toller  hys  man  to  hevene  speche, 
Thane  be  abest,  tha3  man  hym  teche, 

Reyson  and  mannes  wyse. 

Ther-fore  nys  ther-of  naut  y-wryte, 
For  man  ne  mot  nou3t  her  y-wyte 

Wat  hys  so  he3  a  stevene ; 
Ac  holy  cherche  der  wel  by-knowe, 
That  hy  ne  tholede  none  deathes  throje, 

That  lower  that  lyf  of  hevene. 

Hyt  hys  y-wryte  that  angeles  brytte 
To  holy  manne  deathe  aly3te 

Her  an  erthe  leye  ; 
In  holy  boke  hys  hyt  i-nome, 
That  God  hymself  a  wolde  come, 

Wanne  hy  scholde  deye, 

Ther-bye  we  mowe  wel  y-wyte, 
Tha3  tlier  he  nau3t  of  y-wryte, 

That  Cryst  hymself  was  there  ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHORKHAM.  129 

Myd  hym  of  hevene  the  ferede, 
The  eadi  levedy  for  to  lede, 

Most  here  no  fend  ofFere. 

Hy  wente  uppe,  my  leve  brother, 

In  body  and  soule,  hyt  nys  non  other, 

For  Cryst  hys  god  and  kende ; 
That  body  that  he  toke  of  hys  05en, 
Hou  mytte  hyt  ligge  araange  the  lojen, 

Wythoute  honour  and  mende. 

Thanne  ich  dar  segge,  mid  gode  ryjte, 
That  alle  the  court  of  hevene  a-ly5te 

Attare  departynge ; 
And  Cryst  hymself  a3eins  hyre  com. 
And  body  and  saule  op  wyth  hym  nom 

Into  hys  wonyynge. 

That  hy  hys  quen,  ase  ich  er  mende, 
Here  grace  hy  may  doun  to  ous  sende, 

Hire  joye  to  fol-velle  ; 
Ich  hopye  hy  nele  nau3t  let  ous  spylle, 
For  he  hys  al  to  hyre  wylle 

Of  joye  that  hys  the  welle. 

For  of  hyre  wombe  he  hys  that  frut, 
Were-of  thes  angeles  habbeth  hare  dut, 

And  men  hare  holy  fode  ; 
Elizabeth  hy  sede  thys, 
Et  benedietus  fructus  ventris 

Tui,  Jesus  the  gode. 

K 


130  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Of  songe  hys  to  then  ende  y-brout, 
Ase  thou  hest,  soster,  me  by-so5t, 

Ase  ich  hene  my5tte  frede. 
Now  synge  and  byde  the  hevene  quene, 
That  hy  ous  brynge  al  out  of  tene 

At  oure  mest  nede.     Amen. 

Oretis  p7'0  anima    JViUeJmi  de  Schorham,  quondam 
vicarii  de  Chart  juxfa  Ledes. 


POKMS    OF    AVILLIAM    1)E    SHOKEIIAM.  131 


Marye,  mayde  mylde  and  fre, 
Chambre  of  the  Trynyte, 
One  wyle  lest  to  me, 

Ase  ich  the  grete  wyth  songe ; 
Thaj  my  fet  onclene  be, 

My  mes  thou  onder-fonge, 

Thou  art  quene  of  paradys. 

Of  hevene,  of  erthe,  of  al  that  hys  ; 

Thou  here  thane  kynge  of  blys, 

Wythoute  senne  and  sore  ; 
Thou  hast  y-vyjt  that  was  a-mys, 

Y-wonne  that  was  y-lore, 

Thou  ert  the  colvere  of  Noe, 

That  broute  the  braunche  of  olyve  tre. 

In  tokne  that  pays  scholde  be 

By-tuexte  God  and  manne  ; 
Swete  levedy,  help  thou  me, 

Wanne  ich  schal  wende  hanne. 

Thou  art  the  bosche  of  Synay  ; 
Thou  art  the  rytte  Sarray ; 
Tliou  hast  y-broujt  ous  out  of  cry 

Of  calenge  of  the  fende  ; 
Thou  art  Crystes  05ene  drury. 

And  of  Davyes  kende. 

K  2 


132  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM, 

Thou  ert  the  slinge,  thy  sone  the  ston, 
That  Davy  slange  Golye  opon  ; 
Thou  ert  the  3erd  al  of  Aaron, 

Me  dreye  i-se3  spryngynde  ; 
Wytnesse  at  ham  everechon, 

That  wyste  of  thyne  chyldynge. 

Thou  ert  the  temple  Salomon  ; 
In  the  wondrede  Gedeou  ; 
Thou  hest  y-gladed  Symeon, 

Wyth  thyne  swete  offrynge 
In  the  temple  atte  auter  ston, 

Wyth  Jhesus  hever^e  kynge, 

Thou  ert  Judith,  that  fayre  wyf, 
Thou  hast  abated  al  that  stryf, 
Olofernes  wyth  hys  knyf 

Hys  hevede  thou  hym  by-nome  ; 
Thou  hest  y-saved  here  lef, 

That  to  the  wylle  come. 

Thou  ert  Hester,  that  swete  thynge, 
And  Assever,  the  ryche  kynge, 
They  heth  y-chose  to  hys  weddynge, 

And  queue  he  heth  a-vonge  ; 
In  Mardocheus,  thy  derlynge, 

Syre  Aman  was  y-honge. 

The  prophete  Ezechyel, 

In  hys  boke,  hyt  wytnesseth  wel, 

Thou  ert  the  gate  so  stronge  so  stel, 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHORKHAM.  133 

Ac  evere  y-schet  fram  rnanne  ; 
Thou  erte  the  ryjte  nayre  Rachel, 
Fayrest  of  alle  wymman 

By  ryjte  toknynge,  thou  ert  the  hel 

Of  wan  spellede  Danyel ; 

Tliou  ert  Emaus,  the  ryche  castel, 

Thar  resteth  alle  werye  ; 
Ine  the  restede  Emanuel, 

Of  wany  speketh  Ysaye. 

Ine  the  hys  God  by-come  a  chyld  ; 
Ine  the  hys  wreche  by-come  myld  ; 
That  unicorn  that  was  so  wyld 

Aleyd  hys  of  a  cheaste. 
Thou  hast  y- tamed  and  i-styld 

Wyth  melke  of  thy  breste. 

Ine  the  Apocalyps  sent  Johan 

I-sej  ane  wymman  wyth  sonne  by-gon. 

Thane  mowe  al  onder  hyre  ton, 

I-crouned  wyth  tuel  sterre  ; 
Swyl  a  levedy  nas  nevere  non, 

Wyth  thane  fend  to  werre. 

Ase  the  sonne  taketh  hyre  pas 
Wythoute  breche  thor30ut  that  glas, 
Thy  maydenhod  onwemmed  hyt  was 

For  bere  of  thyne  chylde  : 
Now,  swete  levedy  of  solas, 

To  ous  senfoUe  be  thou  niyide. 


134  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Have,  levedy,  thys  lytel  songe, 
That  out  of  senfol  herte  spronge ; 
Ajens  the  feend  thou  make  me  stronge, 

And  3yf  me  thy  wyssynge ; 
And  thaj  ich  habbe  y-do  the  wrange, 

Thou  graunte  me  amendynge. 

Oretis  pro  anima  domini  Roberti  Grosseteyte  quon- 
dam episcopi  hincolnicB. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  135 


In  holy  sauter  me  may  rede, 

Hou  God  thourwe  the  prophete  sede, 

Davyd,  y-wysse, 
That  fol  in  hys  herte  sede, 
Ther  iiys  no  Gode,  dar  man  iiau5t  drede 

To  don  amys. 

Thesse  hyt  hys,  so  hyt  hys  grete  doute, 
That  thare  be  woxe  of  thare  route 

Mani  and  fole, 
That  weneth  ryt  wythoute  mysse 
That  ther  nys  God  ine  hevene  blysse, 

Ne  lellc  pool. 

That  eny  soche  be  crystene  man, 
God  for-bede,  and  nau3t  for-than 

Wey  soeth  al  day. 
That  menye  y-crystnedde  were 
Fareth  ryt  ase  hy  nere 

Nau5t  of  the  fay. 

And  manye  of  ham  that  beth  so  fele, 
That  tha5  me  godne  sckele  hem  telle, 

Naujt  hyjt  ne  ganth  ; 
Ajen  hy  clap'peth  thys  and  that, 
And  manye  of  ham  not  nevere  wat, 

Ne  wat  he  me  nth. 


136  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

To  sechen  hyt  hys  wel  lytel  prys, 
Eeyson  to  telle  thet  liys  y-wys, 

Ac  lete  liam  be  ; 
For  bote  hy  take  a  betere  fay, 
Atte  last  hy  goth  to  schame  a-way. 

Me  may  hyt  see. 

Ac  5ef  thou  wenst,  man,  that  errour, 
That  thare  ne  be  no  Sauveour, 

Ne  other  lyf, 
And  hyt  be  for  defaute  of  lore, 
Lest  now  wat  ich  segge  more, 

Wythoute  stryf. 

And  3ef  thou  [be]  y-lered  man, 
And  onderstant  5et  al  for-than 

No  God  ne  be, 
Ich  acsy  the  a  questioun. 
And  ase  hyt  longeth  to  reysoun 

Andswere  thou  me. 

The  erthe  hys  hevy  wythoute  wylle, 
That  wey  y-seoth  and  by  al  stylle 

To  gonne  throp  ; 
\\Tiat  hou  fareth  liy  that  hy  nasynketh, 
Ase  here  kende  were  hyt  thenketh, 

Ho  halt  ys  op  ? 

Iler-to  me  seyth,  and  heth  y-sed, 
To  healde  hy  op  hyt  nys  no  ned, 
Ne  nevere  nes  ; 


POEMS  OF  WILLI A.M  DE  SHOREHAM.      137 

For  chisel  gravet  stones  harde, 
Ande  here  depnysse  ry3t  doun-warde 
Ilys  endeles. 

Tha3  that  be  fals,  me  may  aspye, 
By  wytnesse  of  philosophye, 

And  clerkes  fele  ; 
And  fals  ich  may  hit  provie  wel, 
Ther  hyt  hys  ned,  and  were  ich  schol, 

By  thysse  skyle. 

The  Sonne  and  monne  and  many  sterren 
By  easte  aryseth  swythe  ferren, 

Ase  ham  y-worthe  ; 
By  weste  hy  grendeth  alle  thyse, 
And  Cometh  ajen  ther  hy  a-ryse 

A  under  forthe. 

Thos  my3t  wete  wel,  wo  so  wolde, 
The  wolkne  by-clepth  al  the  molde, 

And  so  hyt  doth  ; 
Ne  may  hy  nau5t  thanne  be  endeles, 
That  thos  be  go  so  hys  and  was, 

An  that  hys  southe. 

Ac  saye  ryjt  thos,  and  ich  afowe, 
That  everech  man  hyt  mo3t  alowe, 

That  reson  hent, 
IIy3t  hys  a  my3t  of  alle  my3tte, 
That  halt  op  therthe  and  sterren  bry3te 

Aboute  i-trent. 


138  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    BE    SHOREHAM. 

Thys  ilke  mytte,  for  hyt  wel  may, 
Bryngeth  forthe  a  wyt  of  swete  aray, 

Thet  no  swech  nys  ; 
Fox"  al  that  hys  an  hej  and  1056, 
Hit  schift  and  ditteth  ase  hys  oje, 

And  so  hyt  hys. 

Wat  maketh  sonne,  mone,  and  sterren 
To  certeyn  go  aboute  and  ferren, 

And  faylleth  noujt  ? 
Hyt  mot  wyt  and  wysdom  neade, 
Thet  of  the  mytte  thet  ich  er  sede 

Hys  forthe  arajt. 

Nou  thou  sixte  wel  hou  hyt  syt, 
Thys  ylke  my5te  and  eke  thys  wyt, 

In  oure  boke ; 
The  mytte  hys  fiider  of  our  crede, 
Wysdom  the  sone,  for  wyttihede 

That  he  forth  toke. 

Ever  was  thys  ylke  my3tte. 
And  ever  worth,  bye  gode  ryte, 

Ne  say  nau3t  nay  ; 
Hou  mytte  hyt  and  eft  by-gynne, 
Thet  nede  netli  of  none  gynne, 

Ac  al  do  mey  ? 

And  ase  hyt  hys  by-fore  y-nome, 
Thaj  that  wyt  of  the  mytte 
By  keiide  wey ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  139 

That  wyt  was  evere  natlieles, 
The  myjtte  nys  never  wytles, 
Ne  by  ne  may. 

Her-to  acordeth  oure  fay, 
That  holy  cherche  ne3  eche  day 

Wei  merye  syngth, 
Ine  a  song  ofte  by  note, 
Quicumque  vult  that  hys  y-hote, 

Ryjt  ase  me  singeth. 

For  ther  hyt  of  the  Vader  seytb. 
And  of  the  Sone  to-gadere  leyth, 

In  boke  y-set ; 
The  Sone  hys  of  the  Fader  alone, 
Engendred  naujt,  y-mad  of  mone, 

Nes  othe  wat. 

Folye  hyt  hys  to  nieche  to  thynche 

Of  the  engendrure  and  thynne  adrenche 

Of  Fader  and  Sone  ; 
So  ase  hy  bethe,  ever  were, 
And  sothe  by-5ete  nevere  nere, 

EUes  me  wone. 

Ac  nau5t  forth  than  that  hyt  be  soth 
Holy  cherche  to  wytene  doth. 

We  wyten  hyt  wel  ; 
I-lef  hyt,  other  thou  ert  by-caut. 
For  ho  that  nele  by-leve  hyt  naujt, 

To  helle  he  schel. 


140  FORMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

And  thelke  Sone  5et  natheles 
Ry3t  ase  the  Fader  hys  endeles, 

Asa  myjt  and  wyt ; 
jef  ever  was,  ever  was  sone, 
For  bethe  reysoun  and  eke  wone 

Aloweth  hyt. 

Nou  we  habbeth  Vader  and  Sone, 
Ase  bye  beth  ry5t  ine  persone, 

And  thaucheysone  ; 
Wat  may  the  Holy  Gost  nou  be, 
Persone  thrydde  in  Trynyte, 

Nou  herkne  reysone. 

Thou  sixt  thet  al  that  farth  a-ry3t, 
Be  hyt  thyster,  be  byt  ly3t. 

To  acord  hys  wyve  ; 
For  3ef  ther  were  weyre  above 
Amange  the  sterren,  and  no  love, 

Al  by  to-dryve. 

And  bote  a  truvve  love  come 

Of  thare  my3tte  and  tha  wysdome, 

Ne  my3t  hyt  by  ; 
And  ry5t  of  ham  he  moste  come, 
For  vver-of  elles  te  be  y-nome 

Can  non  y-sy. 

Ever  to  lef  that  love  were, 
For  niy3tte  and  wysdom  never  ncie, 
\Vythoute  acord  ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SUOREHAM.  141 

For  3ef  acord  hem  liedde  y-faylled, 
Ar  ayder  other  hedde  asaylled 
Wyth  wykked  word, 

IIou  scholde  myjtte  maky  wrako, 
Other  eny  descord  onder-take, 

Wyth  636  wyt  ? 
So  nest  ac  ever  weren  hy, 
Thanne  moste  love  ever  by, 

Nou  thou  sixt  hyt. 

Thys  love  hys  self  that  holy  spyryt, 
Ther-to  acordeth  holy  wryjt, 

Ine  thylke  songe, 
That  ich  was  embe  oure  faye, 
That  holy  cherche  singeth  a-daye 

At  pryme  longe. 

The  holy  of  Fader  ryche, 

And  of  the  Sone  of  other  y-lyche, 

So  he  for-comthe, 
Nother  by  hete  ne  forthe  i-wrojt 
Of  a3t  that  hys,  ne  forthe  of  nau5t, 

By  lawe  hyt  nometh. 

And  ever  was  that  holy  spyry3t, 
That  ylke  songe  wytnesseth  hyt, 

And  more  ther-to  ; 
That  liy  sehal  by  and  hys  and  was. 
That  Fader  of  hevene  ry3t  endeleas. 

And  Sone  also. 


142  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

jet  our  by-leave  wole  onder-gon, 
That  thyse  thre  beth  ryjt  al  on, 

And  nys  no  wronge  ; 
Thaj  by  be  ine  reyson  dyvers, 
O  God  byt  hys,  and  stent  in  vers 

Ine  thulke  songe. 

Thaj  rayjte,  wysdom,  and  eke  love, 
Hy  thre  by  ase  icli  sede  above 

Divers  ine  worke  ; 
Ine  hem  self  o  God  hy  beth, 
Nys  non  that  ajt  elles  y-seth, 

So  god  clerke. 

And  natheles  ofte  hy  beth  y-blend, 
Thyse  clei'kes  wyth  here  argument, 

Ande  gynneth  lye ; 
Hare  aje  wyt  hys  hym  by-kecheth, 
That  God  so  sotylleche  secheth, 

That  syt  so  heje. 

The  Fader  hys  God,  for  he  may  alle ; 
The  Sone  hys  swete,  for  he  wot  alle, 

Wythout  crye ; 
The  Gost  hys  God  that  oneth  al ; 
3et  ne  botli  hy  bote  o  God  al, 

Naujt  Godes  thry. 

Tha3  myjtte  be  to  the  Fader  y-leyd. 
And  wysdome  of  the  Sone  y-seyd. 
And  love  the  Goste  •, 


POEMS    OK    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREIIAM.  143 

jet  beth  hy  thre  of  one  mj^tte, 
Of  one  wytte  and  love  Ijjtte, 

Tborj  faythe  hyt  wost. 

Nou  thou  syxt  wel  that  encheysone 
Of  oure  by-lev e,  and  eke  reysone, 

Thet  0  God  hys  ; 
jef  thou  thenkest  forther  hou  hyt  may  be, 
Go  naujt  to  nij  hys  majeste, 

To  thenche  a-mys. 

Nou  hys  al  thys  by  skele  ondo, 
And  by  leave  alegged  ther-to, 

That  God  hys  he  ; 
Now  we  moste  y-wyte  more 
Of  thyse  wordle  some  lore, 

How  hyjt  may  be. 

Fader,  thy  worldle  ever  were, 
Other  a  some  tyme  nere. 

And  tho  by-gan  ; 
Everte  mytte  hy  naujt  by, 
Ich  schal  the  telle  reyson  wy, 

.Sothe  ase  ich  can. 

For  Godes  myjtte  ande  eke  hys  wyt, 
And  eke  hys  wylle  to  soifry  hyjt. 

So  were  W03  ; 
For  30  hys  almytty,  ase  ich  er  sede, 
Al  wys  and  wyl  ine  godhede, 

That  hys  y-no5. 


144  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM  DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ac  jef  he  nedde  thys  world  y-wroujt. 

And  my3te  and  couthe  and  dede  hy5t  nou5t, 

Hyt  were  a-rays  ; 
Ac  hys  almyjtty  hys  of  suche  entaylle, 
And  hys  ahnytty  hou  mytte  hyt  fayile, 

Of  thet  god  hys. 

He  made  hyt  al,  nys  hyt  non  other, 
And  that  of  nau3te,  my  leve  brother, 

He  made  hys  werke  ; 
For  er  he  a-gounne  hys  worke  so  raerye, 
Nas  nother  fourme  ne  materye, 

Ne  lyjt  ne  derke. 

Ne  acombre  naujt  thy  wyt  and  mo, 
To  meche  to  thenche  hou  hyt  was  tho, 

Hyt  naujt  worth. 
Hou  man  hyt  myjte  wete  ich  not, 
For  so  to  wytene  ase  God  hyt  wot, 

Comest  thou  naujt  forthe. 

Ac  some  mey  acsy,  war  God  was 
Tho  nothynge  of  the  worlde  nas 

Ne  great  ne  smal  ? 
Ther  the  worlde  hys  nou  was  he, 
And  5et  he  hys  and  ever  sclial  be, 

I-hole  over  al. 

He  hedde  nedc  of  none  gynne, 
Ne  3et  hou  neth,  to  wonye  ynnc, 
Thou  kcpe  nym  ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOKKHAM.  145 

3ef  the  faly  tlirof  to  be  aposed, 
8ey  God  nys  naujt  in  ther  worldle  a-closed, 
Ac  hy  hys  ine  hyin. 

Tha3  hy  nabbe  ende  ne  forthe  gol, 
3et  over  al  he  hys  y-hol, 

Wythoute  crede ; 
Nau5t  o  del  here,  another  there, 
Ase  great  body  as  hyt  were, 

That  al  by-5ede. 

Thou  wost  he  may  by  y-thojt  of  me 
AUe  y-hollyche,  and  eke  of  the  ; 

Wei  betere  ich  plyjte. 
He  may  by  wel  ine  dyvers  I03, 
Ry3t  al  at  ones,  wel  y-no3, 

That  deith  hys  my3tte. 

Thyse  wordle  he  made,  as  ich  er  sede, 
Al  ase  hy  hys  ry3t  nou  ine  dede, 

And  I03  and  he3  ; 
Ine  the  gynynge  of  holy  wryt, 
Hou  he  hy  made  ry3t  ther  hyt  sy3t, 

Ich  hyt  y-se3e. 

Ine  da3es  sixe  he  made  hyt  ry3t, 
Hevene  and  erthe  and  wolkne  bry5t, 

Thet  water  to  dy5t ; 
Tren  and  gx-as  and  erthe  dre3e, 
Sonne  and  mone  and  sterren  grey3e, 

That  beth  so  bry5t ;  l 


146  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Fo3eles,  fisches  ine  the  depe, 
Bestes,  wormes  for  to  crepe, 

And  a-last  man  ; 
So  that  hyt  was  god  and  sad, 
Al  thys  world  that  was  y-mad, 

Of  hym  that  cam. 

Al  hyt  was  god,  wythoute  lake, 
Hard  and  nesche,  wyte  and  blacke, 

And  al  that  was, 
Nedes  Godes  creature 
Moste  be  ry5t  by  nature, 

Al  sennes  led. 

3ef  quead  so  were  of  Gode  y-nome, 
By  ry3tte  he  myjtte  be  wythnome, 

Ryjt  ase  a  qued. 
Ther-fore  ne  my3te  he  nau3t  do  wrothe, 
Ac  schrewadnesse  beth  hym  lothe, 

And  hys  for-beade. 

And  thesse  God  self  hyt  for-beade, 
Wannes  coraeth  forthe  al  that  quead, 

So  meche  ther  hys? 
And  wel  to  donne  apanyeth  neawe, 
Ac  hym  apayneth  many  a  screwe 

To  do  nmys. 

That  God  hyt  sofFreth,  hou  meny  hyt  be, 
Seththe  of  so  great  my3tte  hys  he, 
'I'het  3ef  ha  wolde, 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SIIOKEHAM.  147 

He  my3tte  vor-do  that  liys  quead, 
And  lete  ous  libbe,  and  nau3t  be  dead, 
Hyt  thingth  ha  scholde. 

Leve  brother,  jef  he  so  scholde, 
By  the  syker  that  he  so  wolde, 

Ac  he  hyt  nele  ; 
Ich  kan  the  telle  reyson  vvy 
He  let  y-worthe  quead  to  by, 

Nou  harkne  skele. 

That  alther-ferste  that  god  schop, 
That  was  hevene,  ther  nys  no  wop, 

Soth  for  to  telle  ; 
For  he  hyt  made  of  swyche  aray, 
For  alle  manere  blysse  and  play 

Ther  to  folfelle. 

Ac  o  blysse  hys  nys  nau3t  folfeld, 
War-fore  that  hevene  hys  al  y-dueld. 

And  3et  nou  werth  ; 
Ac  ich  schel  telle  wat  hys  that  blysse, 
And  so  we  scholle  wyte  to  wysse 

Hou  quead  cometh  forthe. 

3ef  the  by-falth  avencement. 
Of  3ef  the  that  the  was  y-ment, 

Wei  blythe  art  thou  ; 
And  3ef  the  falleth  to  be  eyr 
Of  a  regne  raechel  and  fayr, 

More  hys  thy  prou.  h  2 


148  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ac  nys  no  blysse  ne  no  feste 
Ajeyns  the  joye  of  conqueste, 

Thet  hys  thorj  god  ; 
Ne  mey  me  more  joye  aspye, 
Thane  wanne  a  man  thor5  pur  mestrye 

Keth  hys  manhod. 

And  to  great  defaute  hyt  were, 
3ef  no  joye  of  conqueste  nere, 

So  merye  hys  hy. 
Nou  sixt  thou  thanne  mytte  beste, 
How  joye  that  cometh  of  conqueste 

Mot  neades  by. 

Nys  gryt  stryf  wythoute  queade. 

And  ther  conqueste  hys,  stryf  hys  neade, 

And  som  y-schent. 
Thanne  nys  hyt  to  God  no  wrang. 
To  soffre  queade  the  gode  amange 

To  avancement. 

For  3ef  quead  nere  in  none  thynge, 
Ther  nere  stryf  ne  contekynge, 

Ne  no  wythsey ; 
And  3yf  stryf  nere  ne  victorye, 
So  scholde  ine  hevene  that  glorye, 

Ac  hyt  ne  mey. 

Ther-fore  ther  hys  a  mastrye  schreavve, 
Wyth  hym  mo  beth  and  thet  nau3t  neawe, 
And  neades  mote; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  149 

For  he  hys  heaved  of  schrewednesse, 
Ase  God  hys  cheaf  of  alle  godnesse 
And  alle  bote. 

Hou  mytte  schreaudnesse  by, 
Bote  scherewen  were  by, 

That  hy  ferst  thoujte  ? 
For  God  ne  dede  no  quead  in  dede, 
For  al  was  god,  ase  ich  er  sede, 

Al  that  he  wroute. 

Thes  ilke  screawe  so  hys  hy3t  barn, 
That  into  helle  God  at  arn 

Ferst  for  hys  prede ; 
Ac  God  hyne  makede  fayr  y-no5, 
Bryjt  ande  schene  and  he5est  in  I03, 

Ferst  ine  hys  dede. 

Ac  are  he  were  y-mad  parfyt, 
Ase  Gode  soifrede  hyjt. 

He  waux  wel  proud  ; 
He  wolde  sette  hys  sete  ryche 
Of  north  half,  and  be  God  y-lyche. 

To  be  alowed. 

And  so  he  werry  ferst  by-gan 

Wyth  Gode  ine  hevene,  and  3et  te  than 

Other  wel  fele, 
Wyth  hym  that  helde  wyth  alle  my3tte, 
Angeles  that  God  hedde  y-mad  bry3tte, 

Ine  alle  wele. 


150  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Thys  by-ganne  schrewednesse, 
Op  an  he3  ine  hevene  blysse, 

The  ferste  clay ; 
Hyjt  nioste  neades  for  the  glorye, 
EUes  hedde  y-faylled  fyctorye, 

Ac  liyt  ne  may. 

Ac  alle  by  weren  y-dryven  out, 
Wyth  Lucyfer  that  was  so  stout, 

Tho5r  Godes  myjtte ; 
Hy  that  ne  hylde  wyth  the  left, 
Stale  woxe  that  nevere  eft 

Sene  3y  ne  myjtte. 

Tuo  skeles  beth  that  me  may  wyte, 
That  none  nere  y-mad  parfyte 

Ine  hevene  ferst, 
Er  the  bataylle  y-ended  was 
By-twexte  God  and  Sathanas, 

That  now  hys  worst. 

O  reyson  was  for  angeles  gode, 
That  chose  a-ry3t  and  faste  stode 

At  thylke  dede ; 
For  that  hy  scholde  thorj  pur  coqueste 
Ilabbe  joye  evere  to  leste 

For  hare  mede. 

That  other  reyson  was  for  the  devel, 
That  he  schal  to  mys-wende  hys  chevel, 
Tliorj  hys  malycc ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SUOKEHAM.  151 

So  that  fulveld  were  the  glory e, 
And  hyra  seelf  thorj  noble  victorye 
Lys  al  hy  blysse. 

jef  hy  heade  be  mad  parfyjt, 

We  nedde  y-haved  ryjt  no  profy5t 

Ine  hevene  above  ; 
Nou  schal  man  be  in  hare  I03, 
Ande  habbe  joye  and  blysse  y-no3, 

And  pes  and  love. 

And  seththe  hyt  moste  nides  by, 
Thet  sothe  schrewen  were  hy, 

Ase  gode  hyt  mente  ; 
Hon  yst  thet  hy  ine  helle  slabbeth, 
And  thave  ton  none  grace  nabbeth 

To  repente. 

Suppose  here  hys  o  justyse, 
God  and  truwe  in  alle  wyse, 

And  wys  of  rede ; 
And  dampneth  theves  for  to  ordeyne 
Peys  in  londe,  naujt  so  weyne, 

Ne  for  quoadhevede. 

Suppose  he  that  schel  hem  spylle, 
And  hongeth  hy  wyth  grete  vvylle, 

And  hys  wel  glad  ; 
Ne  he  neth  reuche  of  hys  eny  Cryste, 
Thaj  hy  nevere  of  thef  the  neste, 

Thes  hys  a  quead. 


152  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHuREHAM. 

For  that  he  hys  manslej  the  pur, 
Of  wylle  of  mysaventure, 

To  spylle  blod ; 
And  he  that  meute  hyt  that  justyse, 
Hys  to  preysy  in  thysse  wyse 

For  hys  wyl  god. 

So  thou  sixte  that  me  may  dyjte 
Quead  for  gode,  and  that  wyth  ry3tte, 

And  so  me  deth. 
And  hy  that  doth  hyt  ine  .deade, 
"Wyth  hare  wyl  of  schrewedhede, 

Dampnable  beth. 

Thos  mo3e  we  wel  by  reysoun  scheawe, 
That  thaj  God  soffrede  such  a  schreawe 

Al  for  to  spylle, 
Hyt  was  for  gode,  ase  ich  er  sede  ; 
And  Lucyfer,  in  hys  niys-dede. 

Was  wykke  of  wylle. 

And  thare-vore  dampnable  he  hys, 
For  he  was  to  don  amys 

Tho  that  he  myjtte ; 
And  God  soifred  that  ylke  dede, 
For  god  come  throf,  ase  ich  er  sede, 

As  God  hyjt  dy3tte. 

Ne  hyt  nys  of  god  ne  malyce, 
Thej  he  hym  soffrede  lasse  liys  blysse, 
In  allc  hys  wele  ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  153 

Al  that  he  thor3  hys  grace  my3tte, 
Habbe  y-don  hym  wilni  that  ry5tte, 
Now  harkne  skele. 

Hyt  ou  by-come  ine  eche  place, 
5ef  echynge  hadde  y-lyche  grace, 

To  joye  and  blysse  ; 
And  ich  msy  3yven,  and  eke  wythdraje, 
Al  that  myn  myn  hys  by  gode  laje, 

Wythoute  malyce. 

Ne  may  naujt  thanne  God  also 
War  he  wyle  hys  grace  do, 

And  eke  wyth-draje, 
jef"  he  wole,  wythout  malyce. 
And  wythoute  alle  raanere  vyce  ? 

Nys  nys  god  laje  ? 

3es,  y-wys,  god  la3e  hys, 

Thet  hyt  be  al  ase  hys  wyl  hys, 

Hyt  wyle  wel  by-come  ; 
Nys  non  that  conne  dy3te  hyt  bet, 
Al  tba3  hyt  thenche  wel  ou  net, 

Hys  wyl  to  some. 

Ther  that  God  wyle  grace  3yve, 
Ever  to  libbe  hyt  mot  leve 

Ine  savement ; 
And  thar  he  wyle  wyth  grace  wythdra5e, 
Nys  nau3t  malyce,  ac  hyt  hys  la3e 

And  jugement. 


154  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ac  wy  he  graunteth  grace  to  one, 

And  soche  and  otheren  grauntjetli  none, 

Segge  ich  ne  kanne ; 
Bote  thet  hys  hys  pryvete 
Of  hys  domes  in  equyte 

Wyth  wel  to  thanne. 

For  ther  nys  nou5t  of  tliysse  wylle 
Her  to  jugy,  ac  be  we  stylle, 

We  beth  y-lete ; 
For  Davyd  ous  to  wyten  deth. 
In  boke,  that  Godes  domes  beth 

A  groundlyas  pet. 

For  hys  ne  may  no  wyt  areche, 
Bot  tho  thet  hym  self  wyle  teche. 

He  scheawyth  hy ; 
And  the  hevele  hy  beth  pryve, 
Al  that  y-ordeyned  beth  he 

Mot  neadys  by. 

Thus  tlie  devel  y-dampned  hys, 
And  wyth  hym  also  that  beth  hys, 

Develen  wel  mo  ; 
For  tluit  the  grace  of  God  hym  faylleth, 
Moche  hys  the  pyne  that  hem  eyleth, 

And  eke  the  who. 

Wy  hy  ne  mowe,  ase  ich  er  sede, 
Wel  repenty  of  hare  mys-dede, 
Lest  enne  skele, 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  155 

That  icli  schal  segge,  ase  ich  can  ; 
Mo  beth  at  thet  longy  te  man, 
Ne  beth  naujt  fele. 

Swythe  fayr  thynge  hys  that  wyte, 
And  ther  by-syde  bloke  alyte 

Wei  y-dryjt  ; 
The  wyte  the  vayrer  hyt  maketh, 
And  selve  more  hyt  blaketli, 

And  al  hyt  hy5t. 

The  wyser  man,  the  wyser  soneth  ; 
Ther  thet  menye  foules  dremeth, 

And  no  reysone  ; 
The  merrer  hyt  hys  ine  batayle, 
Thet  insykth  al  the  vomen  faylle. 

And  falle  a-doun. 

Thys  lykynge  hys  for  hevene  blysse. 
That  leste  schal  wythoute  mysse, 

Ase  evere  mo ; 
Thar  hys  so  raeche  the  more  merye, 
The  develys  that  me  nau3t  ne  derye 

And  helle  also. 

Hy  thet  ther  beth  so  more  y-sy, 
Wat  peryl  ascaped  bey  hy, 

And  be  the  blythere  ; 
So  that  folveld  the  joye  nere, 
Bote  evere  helle  pyne  were 

And  thrynne  withere. 


156  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE     SHORKHAM. 

Ac  WO  beth  werther  for  to  by 
Ever  in  o  helle,  thane  by 

Ther  sech  gelt  hys  ? 
Thenne  mey  be  wel  thys  skele, 
Tha3  grace  fayllth  ham  to  wole, 

No  wonder  nys. 

And  ase  angeles  the  faste  stode, 
For  hever  eft  by-come  gode, 

And  glad  and  blythe  ; 
Ryjt  develen  for  screawedhede 
Ever  ine  force  scholle  brede, 

And  wrethe  and  nythe. 

Ac  tho  hy  hedde  ine  hevene  y-topped, 
Wy  nedde  hy  be  ine  helle  y-stopped 

For  evere  rao, 
Ac  naujt  her  in  thys  myddelnerde, 
For  to  maky  men  offerde, 

And  to  mys-do  ? 

For  tho  hye  weren  out  y-cached, 
And  ou5t  of  hare  I03  arached, 

For  hare  senne ; 
We  moje  weten  hyt  wel  y-nou, 
That  ase  ydel  was  hare  I03, 

That  hy  weren  ynne. 

And  one  by  comeleche  thynge  hyt  were, 
503  eny  bo3  ther  lothy  were 
Servynde  of  nou3t  ; 


POKMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  157 

Thar-fore  God  made  mannes  schefte, 
That  ylke  I03  al  for  to  crafte, 
As  God  hyjt  thoute. 

Ac  manne  ne  mytte  nau3t  the  glorye 
Crefte  vvytlioute  victorye. 

My  leve  brother ; 
For  3ef  he  nadde  hyjt  thorj  conqueste, 
Folfeld  ne  mytte  be  hys  feste, 

Al  ase  another. 

Thare-fore  God  made  hym  god  and  wys, 
And  mayster  over  al  paradys, 

Ac  nau3t  parfyt  ; 
For  o  Irou  thynne  God  for-bead, 
Ase  he  nolde  nou3t  be  dead, 

Nau3t  take  hyt. 

And  god  reyson  was  that  hevere 
Nau3t  parfy3t  ase  other  were 

To-vore  y-sed  ; 
Ac  ase  he  was  y-mad  of  erthe, 
Ey3t  here  an  erthe  hyt  was  wel  worthe 

He  were  asayd. 

Ther-fore  nas  helle  nau3t  y-schet, 
Ne  develyn  ther-inne  nau3t  y-dut, 

Ine  thare  crybbe  ; 
For  that  hy  scholde  man  asaye, 
Wather  he  was  worthe  for  to  deye, 

Other  to  libbe. 


158  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ac  tho  the  devel  hyt  aspyde, 
That  man  hym  scholde  ther  abyde 

To  be  assayde, 
He  thou3te  gyle  al  onder-go, 
For  of  thet  he  hadde  her  y-do 

He  was  afFrayde. 

Nas  wonder  thaj  he  wede  affrayd, 
For  swythe  wel  he  was  anayd 

Of  mannes  stad. 
For  after  God  semblant  he  here, 
And  he  thou3te  a  thet  hyra  wel  er, 

Tho  he  was  y-mad. 

Ac  hys  envie  a3eins  man 

So  great  by-cometh,  thet  al  Ibr-than 

He  nolde  lette, 
That  he  nold  man  afounde, 
And  an  hym  bote  he  mytte  stonde, 

Hys  venym  sente. 

And  dede  hym  in  an  addre  wede, 
That  best  was  of  mest  schreuhede 

Of  alle  beste  ; 
Hyt  moste  neades  screwed  by-come, 
Tho  that  hy  hedde  me  hym  y-noine 

Soclie  a  tempest. 

And  he  gan  to  the  trowe  glyde, 
That  was  for-boden,  al  forte  abyde 
After  hys  praye. 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  159 

Ac  sore  Iiym  drade  for  to  faylly, 
And  dorste  riau3t  Adara  asaylly, 
Al  for  to  waye. 

Ac  wel  hym  thoujte  that  Eve  nas 
Na3t  so  stedefast  ase  Adam  was, 

That  was  hyre  lorde  ; 
And  ase  hy  come,  he  gan  here  knowe. 
And  to  hyre  speke  out  of  the  trowe 

Thys  ylke  word  : 

"  Leve  Dame,  say  me  now, 
Wy  heth  God  for-bode  hyt  now, 

Thet  he  ne  mote 
Eten  of  al  that  frut  that  hys 
Here  growynde  in  paradys 

To  3oure  bote  ?" 

"We  eteth  y-nou,"  quath  Eve,  "y-wys 
Of  alle  the  trowes  of  paradys. 

And  beth  wel  glad  ; 
Bote  thys  trow  mote  we  nau3t  take. 
For  bothe  me  and  mynne  make 

God  hyt  for-bede. 

And  seyde  5ef  we  ther-of  ete. 
We  scholde  deye  and  lyf  for-lete, 

And  alle  blysse." 
"  Nay,"  quath  the  fend,  "  ac  30  ne  scholde  ; 
Ac  he  wot  fol  wel  wet  he  wolde 

That  for-boad  thys. 


160  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

36  wot  wel  3ef  je  ther-of  toke, 
Wyth  ejen  scholde  36  forth  loke, 

Ry3t  ase  godes  ; 
And  conne  bothe  god  and  quead, 
And  never  the  rather  be  dead 

For  hys  for-bodys." 

Thos  he  gan  hyre  herte  ablowe, 
And  hy  863  that  frut  ine  the  trowe 

Was  fayr  and  god  ; 
And  et  throf  dame  lykerpuse, 
And  maden  eke  eten  hyt  hyre  spouse  ; 

Hy  weren  wode. 

Anon  opened  ther  bothe  hare  e3en, 
And  naked  that  hy  weren  y-se3en, 

And  woxe  of-schamed  ; 
Wyth  leaves  hy  helete  hem  ther-fore, 
Ne  mytte  hy  noseng  be  for-bore 

To  be  y-blamed. 

Ac  tho  hy  herde  God  speke, 
Wel  sone  an  hal  by-gonne  threke 

Wer  thet  hy  niytte. 
"  Adam  !"  quath  God  "wer  my3tou  be  ?'' 
Queth  he,  "  Lord,  tho  we  herde  tlie, 

We  were  of  fly3te  ; 

And  nedes  moste,  Lord,  to  sothe, 
Al  for  that  we  beth  naked  bothe, 
Ase  vole  thynges." 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  161 

Queth  God, "Ho  hath  y-scheawed  30U 
That  he  beth  bothe  naked  nou, 
Bote  3oure  otinges  ?" 

Sede  Adam  wytherlyche  to  Gode, 

"  Nedde  ich  y-broke  nau5t  thy  for-bode, 

Ne  nau3t  do  so, 
Nedde  the  wymman,  Lord,  y-be, 
That  to  felaje  thou  madest  me, 

Hyt  dede  hyt  me  hyt  do." 

So  seyde  God  Almy3ty  to  Eve, 
"  Wy  madest  thou  man  mys-beleve, 

And  thous  mys-went  ?" 
Ac  tho  seyde  Eve,  so  wey  that  wyle, 
"  The  eddre.  Lord,  wyth  hyre  gyle 

Heth  ous  y-schent." 

Tho  by-gan  God  speke  to  that  worm, 
"  For  thou  areredst  therne  storm 

And  alle  thys  hete, 
Acorsed  be  thou  bestes  by-syde, 
Opone  thy  wombe  thou  schalt  glyde, 

And  erthe  frete. 

And  ich  schal  makye  contekhede 
By-tuyce  thyne  and  wyves  sede, 

And  moche  to  pleny. 
So  schal  thy  power  be  by-reved. 
That  3ef  schal  wymman  trede  thine  heved, 

And  thou  hyre  wayti." 


162  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

So  sede  he,  "  Wymman  here  lere, 
Hou  hy  scholde  al  hyre  children  here 

Ine  sorje  and  stryf  ; 
And  thet  hy  scholde  lybbe  her 
Evere  ine  mannes  daunger, 

Al  hyre  lyf." 

To  Adam  seyde  God  of  hevene, 

"  For  thou  dedest  by  thine  wyves  stevene 

Thet  was  for-hote, 
Ther  hys  acorsed  ine  thyne  deade, 
In  swinched  then  schalt  thy  lyf  leade, 

And  ete  ine  swote. 

Al  wat  thou  art  ajen  y-come 
Into  erthe  that  thart  of  y-nome, 

Thorj  deathes  bende  ; 
For  thou  nart  bote  of  poudre  y-welt. 
And  a3en  into  poudre  schelt, 

Manne,  at  thyne  ende." 

Thoi'j  the  fend  that  hys  oure  vo, 
Thos  by-ganne  ferst  al  oure  wo 

Thet  we  beth  inne ; 
An  thos  by-ganne  ferst  trecherye, 
TIior3  the  feend,  and  eke  onnye 

Manne  for  to  wynne. 

And  wondervol  was  thys  assay, 
And  wonderlychc  jede  man  away 
Lyjtlyche  y-lore  ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  163 

And  wonderlyche  3et  forth  myt  than 
Her  ii*e  thys  world  hys  ever  man 
To  sorwe  y-bore 

Ac,  crystene  man,  for  al  thys  wounder, 
Loke  that  thou  ne  go  uaujt  onder, 

Thouj  wantrokynge  ; 
For  sothe  apreved  hys  thys  sa3e, 
Bothe  by  the  elde  and  nywe  la3e, 

Wythoute  lesynge. 

And  skefol  was  thys  ordinaunce, 
Tha3  man  by-volle  so  liard  a  chaunce, 

Thor3  trycherye  ; 
For  thor3  mestrye  that  he  vorth  dro3, 
The  feend  in  hevene  has  hys  I03, 

Thor3  pur  mastrye. 

Ey3t  also  tho  he  gyle  thou3te, 
For  to  brynge  man  to  no3te 

Pryvelyche  ; 
God  Almy3ty  that  hys  wyl  wyste, 
A3eyns  hym  tho3te  go  by  lyste 

Also  styllyche. 

For  ine  the  trowe  death  was  kene, 
And  that  God  made  wel  y-sene, 

Thet  hyt  for-bead. 
And  3e  weste  that  God  hyt  sede, 
3ef  man  throf  ete  he  scholde  awede, 

And  eke  be  dead. 


164  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM  DE    SHOREHAM. 

Ac  lyf  was  also  ine  the  trowe, 

Ac  that  ne  my3te  be  nau3t  y-knowe, 

For  God  hyt  hedde  ; 
For  hyt  was  pryve  for  a  wyle, 
A3e  the  fendes  prive  gyle 

The  man  for-ledde. 

For  nau5t  nas  hyt  y-cleped  ne  hys 
Trou  of  lyve  in  paradys  ; 

Ac  wyste, 
For  ase  man  was  thorj  trowe  by-coujt, 
In  trowe  he  scholde  be  for-bou5t, 

That  the  fende  neste. 

And  that  was  ine  the  holy  rode, 
Thorj  the  schewynge  of  the  blode 

Of  Godes  sone ; 
Ase  ich  her-after  telle  may, 
That  he  tok  of  a  clene  may, 

A3ens  wone. 

Hedde  he  wyst  ther  hedde  y-be 
Lyf  for-boute  ine  tlie  appel-tre, 

He  nedde  assaylled 
Nother  Adam  ne  non  of  hys  ; 
Ac  are  the  worlde  was  and  hys 

Was  y-conscyled. 

God  wyste  wel  that  man  schold  erry, 
And  thor3  onboxamnesse  ncrry 
Frain  alio  hcalthc  ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  165 

Ther-fore  that  consayl  was  wel  trye, 
Ajeyns  the  feendes  foule  envie 
To  abatye  welthe. 

Thys  consayl  hou  hyt  scholde  be, 
Al  was  y-consayled  of  thre, 

Ere  eny  tyme  ; 
Of  Fader,  and  Sone,  and  Holy  Gost, 
That  ich  was  embe  that  thou  wel  wost 

Ferst  in  thyse  ryme. 

And  was  that  conseyl  so  y-tayled, 
That  hyt  ne  my3te  habbe  faylled, 

To  bote  of  manne  ; 
And  certeyn  tyme  y-set  ther-to, 
And  hou  hyt  scholde  be  y-do, 

And  wer  and  wanne. 

And  her  mankende  swank  and  dalf, 
Fyjf  thousend  wynter  and  an  half, 

And  5et  wel  mo, 
Er  thane  the  tyme  of  lyve  come. 
And  death  man  hedde  for  hys  dome, 

And  helle  also. 

Thet  go  so  longe  abod  the  skyle, 
Wel  mey  be  thys  that  on  of  vele 

To  mannes  mende ; 
For  death  scholde  hys  meystryes  kethe, 
And  ft)r-sopil  and  for-sethe 

In  deathes  bende. 


166  POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM. 

That  my3te  ijjt  wel  y-kno\ve, 
That  he  was  ryjt  al  one  threawe, 

And  harde  y-nome  ; 
And  the  fend  hyjt  myjte  wene, 
Thet  men  out  of  so  longe  teue 

Ne  my3te  come. 

Ac  her  aryst  questio)i, 

Tho  that  Adam  was  brojt  a-doun, 

And  Eve  also, 
Wet  gelt  hedden  hy  that  tho  nere, 
Thet  hy  to  dethe  i-schape  were, 

And  eke  to  wo  ? 

Thou  syxt,  brother,  by  than  by-fore, 
That  oure  aldren  were  al  for-lore, 

Adam  and  Eve  ; 
For  thar  nas  of  ham  no  partye. 
That  nas  torned  to  vylanye 

So  to  by-leve. 

Ac  now  be  wey  of  ham  y-come, 
Wyth  flesch  and  blod  of  ham  i-nome, 

Thet  was  ablowe 
Thor3  the  fenym  of  the  fende  ; 
Thanne  faith  ous  rewelyche  by  kende, 

To  soffry  wo  we. 

And  tlios  that  cliyld  to  nyjt  y-bore, 
Tli:i5  hyt  deyde  hyt  were  for-lore, 
3ef  crystnyngc  nere  ; 


POEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREHAM.  167 

Thor3  the  flcsch  that  hyt  norae 
Of  hys  eldrene  that  hyt  of  come, 
That  wykkede  were. 

And  neades  moste,  leave  brother, 
Ry3t  of  ham  come  and  man  of  other, 

And  be  nature. 
For  elles  nadde  man  y-be 
Naujt  y-lych  Gode  in  Trynyto, 

Thorj  engendrure. 

Thaj  hy  be  thorj  senne  demeyned, 
So  nas  hyt  nau3t  ferst  y-ordeyned, 

Thy  engendrure  ; 
For  tlio  man  senejed  in  Paradys, 
Al  chaungede  that  flcsch  a-mys 

To  mysaventure. 

Elles  nedde  hyt  be  no  senne, 
Thy  engendrure  of  al  mankenne, 

In  al  thys  wone  ; 
Ac  senneleas  hy  hadde  y-be, 
Ase  the  engendrure  in  Trynyte 

Of  Fader  and  Sone. 

Ase  mannes  y-lyche  y-mad  of  tre 
May  naujt  be  al  ase  man  may  be, 

Inne  alle  thynge ; 
Ne  Godes  y-lyche,  man,  y-wys 
Ne  may  naujt  be  al  ase  God  ys, 

Of  hevene  kynge. 


168  FOEMS    OF    WILLIAM    DE    SHOREUAM. 

For  God  the  fader  hys  leve  sone 
Engendrede  out  of  alle  wone, 

Wythoute  tyde  ; 
Ac  man  hath  certayn  tyme  of  elde, 
Wanne  he  may  engendrure  3elde5 

And  tyme  abyde. 


THE    END. 


THE    INTERLUDE 


TRIAL     OF     TREASURE. 


THE    INTERLUDE 


TRIAL    OF    TREASURE, 


REPRINTED   FROM 


THE    BLACK-LETTER    EDITION     BY 

THOMAS   PURFOOTE, 

1567. 


EDITED   BY 


J.  0.   HALLIWELL,   ESQ.,  F.R.S.,  F.S.A. 


LONDON: 
PRINTED     FOR    THE     PERCY     SOCIETY, 

BY  RICHARDS,  iOO,  ST.  MARTINS  LANE. 


President. 
THE  RIGHT  HON.  LORD  BRAYBROOKE,  F.S.A. 

Council. 

THOMAS  AMYOT,  Esq.,  F.R  .S.,  F.S.A. 

WILLIAM  HENRY  BLACK,  Esq 

T.  CROFTON  CROKER,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A. 

J.  H.  DIXON,  Esq 

FREDERICK  WILLIAM  FAIRHOLT,  Esq.  F.S.A. 

JAMES  ORCHARD  HALLIWELL,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  F.S.A., 
Honorary  Secretary. 

W.  JERDAN,  Esq.,  M.R.S.L. 

SIR  EDWARD  BULWER  LYTTON,  Bart. 

E.  RALEIGH  MORAN,  Esq. 

T.  J.  PETTIGREW,  Esq,  F.RS.,  F.S.A. 

JAMES  PRIOR,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A. 

W'lLLIAM  SANDYS,  Esq.,  F.S.A. 

RICHARD  JOHN  SMITH,  Esq. 

THE  REV.  J.  REYNELL  WRKFORD,  F.S.A. 

THOMAS  WRIGHT,  Esq.  M.A.,  F.S.A,,  Treasvrer. 


PREFACE. 


The  interlude,  presented  to  the  modern  reader 
for  the  first  time  in  the  following  pages,  was 
printed  from  a  copy  formerly  in  the  possession 
of  Steevens,  the  eminent  Shakesperian  critic, 
before  it  was  noticed  that  a  copy  in  the  British 
Museum  contained  several  variations  and  su- 
perior readings.  These  were  the  more  important, 
settling  in  some  places  the  distribution  of  the 
speeches  with  greater  accuracy  than  they  were 
arranged  in  the  exemplar  we  used.  Perhaps, 
indeed,  this  may  in  some  measure  have  arisen 
from  the  one  last  mentioned  having  been  what 
booksellers  technically  term  "  cropped",  but  we 
have  noticed  all  variations  of  importance  in  the 
notes,  and  some  of  them  seem  incompatible  with 
any    supposition,    except    that    there    were    two 


VIU  PREFACE. 

different  impressions  in  the  same  year,*  or  that 
the  Museum  copy  had  been  corrected  while  the 
work  was  in  the  press. 

Mr.  Collier  conjectures  that  the  Trial  of 
Treasure  was  written  some  years  before  it  was 
printed,  but  subsequently  to  the  composition  of 
Lusty  Juventus,  which  is,  he  says,  "  mentioned 
in  it."  But  it  appears  to  me  that  the  allusion 
to  Lusty  Juventus^  (p.  5),  is  merely  a  generic 
proverbial  title,  and  has  no  reference  whatever 
to  the  old  play  so  called.  Mr.  Collier,  Hist. 
Dram.  Poet,  ii,  330,  has  given  a  brief  analysis 
of  the  interlude  now  reprinted. 
December  1\st,  1849. 


*  The  Museum  copy  has  a  wood-cut  on  the  back  of  the 
title-page,  which  is  wanting  in  the  other  copy,  a  circumstance 
which  appears  to  confirm  this  opinion. 


A  NEW  AND  MERY  ENTERLUDE 


CALLED    THE 


TRIALL  OF   TREASURE, 

NEWLY  SET  FOORTH,  AND  NEVER  BEFORE 
THIS  TYME  IMPRINTED. 


The  names  of  the  playen. 

First,    Sturdiness,  Contentation,  Visitation, 
and  Time. 

The  Second,  Lust,  Sapience,  Consolation. 

The  Third,  the  Preface,  Just,  Pleasure, 
Gredy-gutte. 

The  Fourth,  Elation  ;  Trust,  a  "Woman ;  and 
Treasure,  a  Woman. 

The  Fifth,  Inclination,  the  Vice. 


Iinpriiitecl  at  London,  in  Paules  Cliuvcheyarde,  at  tlie  signe 
of  the  Lucrece,  by  Thomas  Purfoote. 

15()7. 


THE  TKIALL  OF  TREASURE. 


Doe  all  things  to  edijie  the  Conrji-efjation. 

Diogenes,  which  used  a  barell  for  his  house, 
Being  fled  from  his  father  to  the  citie  of  Athens, 
Comforted  himself  much  in  beholding  the  mouse, 
Which  desired  neither  castell  nor  hold  for  her  defence  ; 
Concerning  sustentation  she  made  no  difference, 
But  eate  whatsoever  to  her  did  befall, 
And,  touching  her  apparell,  she  had  least  care  of  all ; 
This  poore  mouses  propertie  noted  Diogenes, 
AVhiche  oftentimes  also  he  would  have  in  sight, 
And  though  he  were  disciple  unto  Antisthenes, 
Yet  he  learned  of  the  mouse  as  much  as  he  might  ; 
In  the  science  of  Sophy  he  had  great  delight. 
But  concerning  his  state  and  outward  condition. 
The  most  can  declare,  if  you  make  inquisition. 
On  a  time  he  chaunsed  accurapanied  to  be 
With  Alexander,  which  stode  betwene   him  and  the 

Sonne, 
What  requirest  thou  to  have,  Diogenes,  (quod  he), 
Is  there  any  thing  that  by  me  may  be  done  ? 

&2 


4  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

I  pray  thee  stande  asyde,  and  make  a  little  rourae 

(Quod  Diogenes),  that  the  sunne  upon  me  may  shine, 

Nought  els  require  I  of  that  that  is  thine. 

He  used  to  saie,  that  as  servauntes  be  obedient 

To  their  bodely  maisters,.  being  in  subiection, 

Euen  so  euill  men,  that  are  not  contente. 

Are  subiects  and  slaues  to  their  lustes  and  atFection  ; 

This  lesson  unto  us  may  be  a  direction 

Which  way  our  inclination  to  bridle  and  subdeawe, 

Namely,  if  we  labour  the  same  to  eschewe. 

Thus  see  you  howe  little  this  Philosopher  estemed 

The  aboundaunt  possessions  of  this  mundaine  treasure, 

Which  yet,  notwithstanding,  at  these  dayes  is  deemed 

To  be  the  original!  and  fountaine  of  pleasure  ; 

This  causeth  luste  to  raigne  without  measure, 

To  the  whiche  men  are  subjects,  Diogenes  doth  say, 

Yet  both  lust  and  treasure  in  time  weareth  away. 

A  philosopher  is  he  that  wisdome  doth  love, 

Which  before  Pithagoras  wyse  men  were  named. 

Now  Diogenes  being  wyse,  this  doth  approve 

That  some  of  this  age  ought  as  fooles  to  be  blamed. 

For  where  the  one  with  treasure  lack  his  life  framed, 

The  other  travaile,  care  and  labour  with  gredinesse 

The  same  by  all  meanes  to  enjoy e  and  possesse. 

But  luste  with  the  lustes  converteth  to  duste. 

And  Icaveth  of  force  his  pleasant  prosperitie, 

So  pleasure,  in  time,  is  turned  to  rusti'. 

As  S.  James,  in  his  Epistle,  sheweth  the  veritie  ; 

Hereof  we  purpose  to  speake  without  temeretie. 

Therefore  our  matter  is  named  the  Triall  of  Treasure, 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  6 

Which  time  doth  expell,  with  all  raundaine  pleasure  ; 

Both  merj  and  short  we  purpose  to  be, 

And  therefore  require  your  pardon  and  pacience  ; 

We  trust  in  our  matter  nothing  shall  you  see 

That  to  the  godly  may  geve  any  offence  ; 

Though  the  style  be  barbarous,  not  fined  with  eloquence, 

Yet  our  author  desireth  your  gentle  acceptation, 

And  we  the  plaiers  likewyse  with  all  humiliation. 

FINIS. 

Enter  Luste,  like  a  gallant,  wifj'uKj  this  songe. 

Heye  howe,  care  away,  let  the  world  passe, 
For  I  am  as  lusty  as  euer  I  was  ; 
In  floures  I  florishe  as  blosomes  in  May, 
Hey  howe,  care  away  ;  hay  hewe,  care  away  ! 

Luste.  What  the  deuill  ailed  me  to  singe  thus? 
I  crie  you  mercy,  by  my  faith,  for  entring  ; 
Moste  like  I  haue  ridden  on  the  flying  Pegasus, 
Or  in  Cock  Lowels  barge  I  haue  bene  a  ventringe, 
Syng  :  why,  I  would  singe  if  it  were  to  do  againe, 
Witli  Orpheus  and  Amphion  I  went  to  schole  : 
What!  laddes  must  be  liuely  attending  on  the  traine 
Of  Lady  Delectation,  whiche  is  no  small  foole. 
Hey  rowse,  fill  all  the  pottes  in  the  house  ; 
Tushe,  man,  in  good  felowship  let  us  be  mery. 
Looke  up  like  a  man,  or  it  is  not  worth  a  louse ; 
Hey  howe,  troly  lowe  ;  hey  dery,  dery. 
Ha,  pleasaunt  youths,  and  lusty  Juventus, 
In  faithe,  it  is  good  to  be  mery  this  May  : 
For  of  man's  liuins:  here  there  is  no  point  endentus, 


6  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Tlierfore  a  little  niirtli  is  worth  mucli  sorrow,  some  say. 

Enter  Juste. 
But  remember  ye  not  the  wyse  man's  sentence  ? 
It  is  better  in  the  house  of  mourning  to  be 
Then  in  the  house  of  laughter,  where  foly  hath  residence, 
For  lightnes  with  wisdome  cannot  agree  ; 
Though  many  haue  pleasure  in  foolish  phantasie. 
Ensuing  their  inclination  and  luste, 
Yet  much  better  is  the  life  of  one  that  is  iuste. 

Luste.  Sir,  in  this  you  seme  against  me  to  inuaye. 

Juste.  Nothing  but  reason,  I  thinke,  I  do  saye. 

Luste.  Mary,  you  shall  haue  a  night-cap  for  making 
the  reason. 
Frinde,  haue  you  not  a  pece  of  stocke-fishe  to  selle  ? 
I  would  you  had  a  dishe  of  buttered  peason. 
By  my  faith,  your  communication  likes  me  well, 
But,  I  beseche  you,  tell  me,  is  not  your  name  Juste  ? 

Juste.  Yes,  forsothe. 

Licste.  And  my  name  thou  shalt  understande  is  Luste, 
And  according  therto  I  am  lusty  in  deede  ; 
But,  I  think,  thou  haste  drunke  of  Morpheus  seede. 
Thou  goest  like  a  dromeldory,  dreamy  and  drowsy  ; 
I  holde  twenty  pounde  the  knaue  is  lousy  ! 

Juste.  Myne  apparell  is  not  like  unto  thine, 
Disguysed  and  iagged,  of  sundrie  fashion  ; 
Howe  be  it,  it  is  not  golde  alwayes  that  doth  shine, 
But  cori'upting  copper,  of  small  valuation  ; 
To  horrible  besides  is  thy  operation, 
Nothing  more  odious  unto  the  juste, 
Then  the  beastly  desires  of  inordinate  luste. 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  7 

Lmte.  It  is  a  sharaefull  thinge,  as  Cicero  doth  saye, 
That  a  man  his  ovvne  actes  shoukle  praise  and  commende; 
Hypocrites  accustome  thee  like,  daye  by  daye, 
Checking  other  men,  when  they  doe  oiFende. 

Juste.  Yea,  but   it  is  an  harde  thing,    saieth    the 
philosopher, 
For  a  foolislie  man  to  haue  his  maners  reprehended  ; 
And  euen  at  this  daie  it  is  come  so  farre, 
God  graunt,  for  his  mercy,  it  may  be  amended  ! 
For  tell  a  man  friendly  nowe  of  his  faulte, 
Being  blasphemy,  pryde,  or  vyle  fornication, 
He  will  be  as  presumptuous  as  Haman,  the  haulte, 
And  repaye  with  reuenge,  or  els  defamation  : 
Thus  fewe  men  a  friendly  monition  will  beare, 
But  stoutly  persiste  and  mainteine  their  ill ; 
And  in  noblemen's  houses  truly  I  do  feere, 
There  are  to  many  haue  suclie  froward  will. 

Luste.  Woundes  and  hartes,  who  can  abyde  this  ? 
Nay,  ye  vyle  vylayne,  I  will  di'esse  you  therefore  ; 
Your  lasy  bones  I  pretend  so  to  blisse. 
That  you  shall  haue  small  luste  to  prate  any  more. 

Juste.  Behold  the  image  of  insipient  fooles  ! 
There  not  a  few,  euen  nowe,  of  thy  propertie, 
Untill  you  be  put  into  pouerties  scholes. 
Ye  will  not  forsake  this  folishe  insolencie. 

Luste.  Nay,  soft,  with  thee  I  haue  not  made  an  end. 

\_Dr(tHe  out  his  suoonle. 

Juste.  The  just  against  lust  must  always  contend, 
Therfore  I  purpose  to  wrestle  with  thee  [^jnit  it  up']. 
Who  shall  haue  the  victorie  streightwaye  we  shall  see. 


8  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE, 

Luste.  When  thou  wilt;  by  his  fleshe  I  shall  hokle 
the  wag. 
\_Wrestle,  and  let  Luste  seeme  to  haue  the  better  at 
the  firste. 
Juste.  I  know  that  Lust  useth  not  little  to  brag. 
Luste.  Thou  shalt  find  me  as  mighty  as  Sampson 

the  strong. 
Juste.  Yea,  the  battel  of  lust  endureth  long. 
Luste.  Woundes  and  fleshe  !   I  wns  almost  down  on 
But  yet  I  will  wrestle  till  my  bones  cracke.     [my  back  ; 

[_Staye,  and  then  speake. 
Juste.  The  endof  thy  presumption  nowedoth  appeare. 
Luste.  Yet  dooe  what  thou  canst,  I  will  not  lie  here; 
No,  by  his  woundes,  you  old  doating  knaue  ! 

\_Caste  him,  and  let  him  arise  again. 
Thinkest  thou  Lust  will  be  made  a  slaue  ; 
I  shall  mete  you  in  Smithfield,  or  else  other  wheare, 
By  his  flesh  and  bloud,  I  will  thee  not  forbeare  ! 

Juste.  Not  of  my  power  I  doe  thee  expell, 
But  by  the  mighte  of  his  spirite  tliat  dwelleth  in  me  : 
Inordinate  luste  with  the  just  may  not  dwell, 
And  therfore  may  not  I  accompanie  thee. 

Luste.  Well,  goodman  Juste,  it  is  no  matter, 
But,  in  faithe,  I  pretend  not  with  thee  to  flatter  ; 
Though  from  thy  company  departe  1  muste, 
I  shall  Hue  in  as  much  welthynesse,  I  truste. 

\_Go  out.     L^e  must  drive  him  out. 
Juste.  Where  moste  wealth  is,  and  most  dilectation, 
There  Luste  is  commonly  of  moste  estimation  ; 
For  whereas  wealth  wantcth,  idleness  dotli  slake, 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  if 

For  where  idlenes  is,  Lust  parteth  the  stake.     \^Pause. 
Thus  have  you  seene  the  conflicte  of  the  juste, 
Which  all  good  men  ought  to  use  and  frequent  ; 
For  horrible  are  the  fruites  of  inordinate  luste, 
Which  in  some  case  resembleth  Hydra,  the  serpent  ; 
Whose  head  being  cut  of,  another  ryseth  incontinent : 
So,  one  of  Luste's  cogitations  being  cut  away, 
There  ryseth  up  another,  yea  many,  we  may  say. 
It  is  requisite,  therfore,  that  euery  degree 
Against  this,  his  lust,  both  striue  and  contende  ; 
And  though,  at  the  first,  he  seeme  sturdy  to  be. 
The  Lord  will  conuince  him  for  you  in  the  ende. 
Your  cause  unto  him,  therefore,  holy  commende. 
Labouring  to  auoyde  all  inordinate  luste, 
And  to  practise  in  lyfe,  to  live  after  the  Juste. 

\^Go  out.     Enter  IncUiiatioii  the  Viae. 
Indin.  I  can  remember  synce  Noe's  ship 
Was  made,  and  builded  on  Salisbury  Plaine  ;        [pip> 
The  same  yeere  the  weathercocke  of  Paules  caught  the 
So  that  Bowe  bell  was  like  much  woe  to  sustaine. 
I  can  remember,  I  am  so  olde. 
Since  Paradise  gates  were  watched  by  night  ; 
And  when  that  Vulcanus  was  made  a  cuckold, 
Among  the  great  gods  1  appeared  in  sight. 
Nay,  for  all  you  smiling,  I  tell  you  true. 
No,  no,  ye  will  not  knowe  me  nowe  ; 
The  mightie  on  the  earth  1  doe  subdue. 
Tush,  if  you  will  giue  me  leaue,  yle  tell  ye  howe  ; 
Nowe,  in  good  faith,  I  care  not  greatly, 
Althoughe  T  declare  my  dayly  increase  ; 


10  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

But  theu  these  gentlewomen  wil  be  angry, 

Therfore  I  thinke  best  to  holde  my  peace  : 

Nay,  I  beseche  you,  let  the  matter  staye,         [handes  ; 

For  I  would  not  for  twenty  pounde  come  into  their 

For  if  there  should  chaunce  to  be  but  one  Dalila, 

By  the  mas,  thei  would  bind  me  in  Samson's  bands ! 

But  what  meane  I  first  with  them  to  beginne, 

Seing  that  in  all  men  I  doe  remaine  ? 

Because  that  first  I  remayned  Eue  within, 

And  after  her,  Adam,  and  so  foorth  to  Caine. 

I  perceiue,  by  your  lookes,  my  name  ye  would  knowe  ; 

Why,  you  are  not  ignoraunt  of  that,  I  dare  saye  ; 

It  is  I  that  doe  guyde  the  bent  of  your  bowe. 

And  ruleth  your  actions  also,  daye  by  daye  ; 

Forsothe,  I  am  called  Natural  Inclination, 

Whiche  bred  in  old  Adam's  fostred  bones  ; 

So  that  I  am  proper  to  his  generation, 

I  will  not  awaye  with  casting  of  stones  ! 

I  make  the  stoutest  to  bowe  and  bende  : 

Againe,  when  I  luste,  I  make  men  stande  uprights  ; 

From  the  lowest  to  the  highest  I  doe  ascende, 

Drawing  them  to  thinges  of  natui-all  might. 

E)Uer  Luste  and  Sturdiness,  simjing  this  song. 
"Whei'C  is  the  knaue  that  so  did  raue  ? 
O,  that  we  could  him  finde, 
We  would  him  make  for  feare  to  quake, 
That  loute  of  lobbishe  knide. 
My  name  is  Luste,  and  let  him  trustc 
That  I  will  haue  redresse  ; 
For  thou  and  I  will  make  him  flie 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  11 

Mine  oulde  Iriende  Sturdiness. 

Lnste.  Where  is  now  that  valiaunt  Hercules  ? 
For  all  his  bragges,  he  is  nowe  runne  away. 

Sturdi.  (bnu/giugj.  By  the  guttes  of  Golja  it  is  beste 
for  his  ease, 
For  he  was  raoste  like  for  the  pottage  to  paye. 

IncUna.  Cockes  soule  !  what  bragging  knaves  have 
we  here  ? 
Come  ye  to  conuince  the  mightiest  conqueror  ? 
It  was  I,  that  before  you  now  doth  appeare,      [ander : 
Whiche  brought  to  confusion  both  Hector  and  Alex- 
Looke  on  this  legge,  ye  prating  slaues, 
I  remember  since  it  was  no  greater  then  a  tree  ; 
At  that  time  I  had  a  cupple  of  knaues, 
Much  like  unto  you,  that  wayghted  on  me. 

Lnste.  Cockes  precious  soule,  let  us  conquer  the  knaue. 

Sturdi.  By  his  flesh  and  sydes,  a  good  courage  I  have ; 
Stande  you,  therfore,  a  little  asyde, 
And  ye  shall  see  me  quickely  abate  the  fooles  pryde. 
[^Draw  out  the  swoorde ;  make  him  put  it  up ;  and 
then  strike  him.     Looke  in  your  sj^ectacles. 

IncUna.  Naye,  I  dare  not  I,  if  tbou  lookest  so  bigge  ; 
What,  suche  a  bore  fight  with  a  pigge  ! 
Put  up  thy  swoorde,  man,  we  will  agree  ; 
So  lo  :  doe  so  much  as  beare  that  for  mee. 

Sturdi.  Nay,  by  his  harte  then,  I  will  you  dresse. 

Inclin.  Be  good  in  thine  office,  gentle  friend  Stur- 
diness ; 
For  though  thou  and  I  doe  seme  to  contende. 
Yet  we  are,  and  must  be,  friendos  till  the  ende. 


12  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Sturdi.  Come,  geue  me  thy  bande,  I  beshrowe  thy 
harte. 

Inclin.  Nay,  you  must  take  all  thinges  in  good  parte  ; 
Who  standeth  yonder,  Captain  Luste  ? 

Sturdi.  Yea,  mary. 

Indin.  No  remedy  then,  to  him  go  I  must. 
You  haue  forgot,  I  dare  say,  your  old  friend  Inclination  ; 
But  let  us  renew  acquaintance  again,  for  cocks  passion! 

Luste.  Why,  man,  our  acquaintaunce  hath  bene  of 
olde  ; 
I  am  your's  at  commaundement,  therfore  be  bolde  ; 
For  Luste  can  doe  nothing  without  Inclination, 
Chiefly  in  matters  concerning  a  pleasaunt  vocation. 

Inclin.  Indede  Luste  may  be  taken  for  a  thing  in- 
Except  Inclination  be  joyned  therunto  ;         [different, 
But  when  that  I  once  haue  reuealed  ray  entent, 
As  I  will  men  to  worke,  so  commonly  they  doe. 

Luste.  Ye  haue  harde  of  the  combate  betwene  me 
and  Juste. 

hic.  Ye,  mary,  I  harde  saye  that  you  laye  in  the  duste. 

Luste.  What  saye  ye  ? 

Inc.  Neither  one  worde,  nor  other,  ye  may  me  truste. 

Luste.  Of  mine  honestie  my  company  he  utterly 
refused, 
And  in  wrestling  with  me  he  gaue  me  the  foyle, 
Saying  that  I  had  myselfe  and  other  abused, 
Leading  men  in  pcrplexitie  and  marvellous  toile. 

Sturdi.  By  gogs  woundes,  if  we  had  founde  him  here, 
We  should  by  his  fleshe  haue  abated  his  chere. 

Juclin.  I  perceive,  Sturdiness,  thou  art  no  foole  ; 
Tell  nic,  of  i'elowslii]),  where  wentest  thou  to  schole. 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  13 

Sturdi.  What,  to  reade  or  vvrighte  ? 

Inclin.  Naj,  to  sweare  and  fighte  : 
For  I  thinke  thou  canst  neither  wryte,  reade,  nor  spel, 
But  in  swearing  and  fighting  thou  doest  excell. 

Sturdi.  Thou  knowest  that  I  am  joyned  with  Luste, 
And  sturdy,  hy  nature,  I  am  in  like  case  ; 
What,  let  the  worlde  wag,  all  cannot  be  j  uste, 
Some  must  naturall  inclination  embrace. 

Luste.  All  men  juste  ?  no  ;  I  remember  the  sentence 
of  Tully, 
That  no  man  is  j  uste  that  fear  eth  death,  pouertie,  or  paine, 
Which  I  doe  feare  all,  and  that  marueilously  ; 
For  fortune  is  variable,  I  doe  perceiue  playne, 
And  notwithstanding  that  Felix  possessed  great  gaine, 
Yet  when  Paule  preached  of  the  judgement  daye, 
He  trembled  for  feare,  and  bad  him  go  awaye. 

Inc.  Doth  such  passions  often  trouble  your  mynde  ? 

Luste.  Nay,  not  often,  but  sometime  I  do  them  fynde  ; 
But  then,  to  the  entent  to  dryve  them  awaye, 
I  either  go  to  sleape,  or  els  to  some  playe. 

Slurdi.  By  gogs  precious  hearte,  euen  so  doe  I  ; 
But  sometyme  they  comber  me  pestilently. 

Inclin.  Well, maister Luste, suchedumpestoeschewe, 
My  advise  and  request  you  must  nedes  ensue  ; 
That  is,  to  become  disciple  to  doctor  Epicurus, 
And  then  youshall  hauemyrthbymeasureandoverplus  ; 
Tushe,  I  knowe  a  cupple  companions  in  store 
That  were  marueilous  mete  for  you  euermore ; 
I  wishe  you  were  knowne  unto  them. 

Luste.  Well,  then,  call  them  in. 


14  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Inc.   Here  they  come,  each  of  theni  in  a  knaues  skinne. 
[_EnU'r  Elation  and  Greedy-gutte. 
With  luste  to  live  is  our  delight, 
In  high  estate  and  diguitie ; 
Seing  that  the  Just  put  us  to  flight, 
Let  them  alone  in  raiserie. 

Stur.  Nay,  they  be  lusty  laddes,  I  tell  ye. 

Ela.  What,  Inclination  !  methought  I  did  smell  thee: 
Gyve  me  thy  hande  or  we  forther  go. 

Inc.  Nowe,  welcome  in  faith,  and  Gredy-gutte  also: 
But,  syrs,  are  none  of  you  both  acquainted  with  Lust? 

Luste.  Yes,  that  they  have  bene  both  of  them,  I 
truste  ; 
Welcome,  syrs,  in  faithe  ;  welcome  unto  me. 

Ela.  By  my  trothe,   I  am  glad  your  maistership  to 
In  health  and  prosperitie,  as  presently  you  bee.      [see 

Gre.  Bom  fay  zo,  am  I  wod  all  my  harte. 

Inc.  This   cowe-bellied   knave  doth  come  from  the 
carte  ; 
Ise  teache  you  to  speake,  I  hold  you  a  pounde  ! 
Curchy,  lob,  curchy  downe  to  the  grounde. 

Gre.  Che  can  make  curchy  well  enowe. 

Inc.  Lower,  olde  knave,  or  yle  make  ye  to  bowe  ! 
The  great  bellied  loute  methinke  can  not  bende 
Yet  so  lo,  he  beginneth  to  amende. 

Lmte.  Well,  syrs,  nowe  I  remember  Esopes  advise 
Whiche  he  gave  to  the  Samies  against  king  Crassus ; 
Therfore,  it  is  good  to  be  wyttye  and  vvyse, 
And  being  in  libertie  to  kepe  me  still  thus, 
I  cannot  abide  a  life  that  is  dolorous, 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  15 

And  seing  that  my  name  is  properly  Luste, 
I  hate  the  conversation  of  the  Juste. 

Inc.  Well,  maister  Luste,   first  joyne   you    to  me, 
Inclination, 
Next  here  with  Sturdiness  you  must  you  acquainte  ; 
Turne  you  about  and  embrace  Elation  ; 
And  that  wealth  may  encrease  without  any  restraint, 
Joine  you  with  Gredy-gutte  here  in  our  presence, 
That  all  these  in  you  may  have  prosperous  influence. 

[Boive  to  the  grourale). 

Luste.  Out,  alas  !  what  a  sodaine  passion  is  this  ! 
I  am  so  taken  that  I  can  not  stande  ; 
The  crampe,  the  crampe,  hath  touched  me  y-wis ; 
I  shall  die  without  remedie  nowe  out  of  hande. 

Gre.  By  my  matins  chese,  our  master  is  sicke. 

Inc.  Stande  back,  NycoUnoddy,   with  the  pudding 
pricke, 
More  braines  in  thy  skinne  then  witte  in  thy  braine, 
Such  Gredy-guttes  in  faith  would  be  flayne ! 
This  crampe  doth  signifie  nothing  in  effect ; 
None  of  all  your  councels  he  will  now  rejecte, 
And  therfore  feare  not  to  make  full  declaration. 

Stur.  Then  feare  not  the  force  of  these  that  be  juste, 
But  labour  yourself  to  aduaunce  and  augment  ; 
Be  jocund  and  lively,  sithe  your  name  is  Luste, 
And  then  you  shall  easely  obtaine  your  entente. 

Ela.  Esterae  yourselfe  alwayes  equall  with  the  beste, 
And  seeke  ibr  promotion,  power  and  dignitie  ; 
It  is  good  when  men  may  live  as  they  luste, 
And  unto  the  juste  beare  hate  and  malignitie. 


16  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Gre.  O,  zur,  ye  must  be  gredy  to  catche  and  clawe. 

Inc.  Well  said,  Gredy-gutte,  as  wyse  as  a  dawe  I 

Gre.  Eate  up,  at  a  mouthfull,  houses  and  landes. 

Inc.  There's  a  vengeable  mouth  to — 

(Gape  and  the  Vise  gape). 

Gre.  Never  feare  God,  nor  the  governours  lawe. 
But  gripe,    gripe,    gripe  gredely  all  that  coraeth    in 

your  hands. 
By  the  masse,  but  Hewe  Hovvlet  is  pestilent  witty, 
What  guttish  gredinesse  the  lioreson  can  teache  ! 
That  thou  art  not  ejected,  in  faith,  it  is  pitie, 
As  hie  as  three  trees  and  a  halter  will  reache. 
Mary,  syrs,  but  your  councels  hath  set  me  on  fire  ! 
Hey,  lusty  lad,  how  freshe  am  I  nowe  ! 
Leade  me,  Inclination,  to  have  my  desire, 
And  then  at  thy  requeste  I  wyll  ever  bende  and  bowe; 
He  that  bendeth  to  folowe  his  own  inclination, 
Must  nedes  live  a  wicked  and  vile  conversation, 
But  so,  maister  Luste,  I  will  leade  you  to  a  place 
Where  you  shall  have  pleasure  enough  in  short  space; 
Yea,  but  shall  not  this  company  go  thether? 
Yes,  mary,  we  foure  will  all  go  together ; 
But  Sturdiness  shall  tary  to  face  out  the  matter, 
If  Juste  peradventure  against  you  should  clatter: 
By  the  masse,  and  well  said,  but  lirst  let  us  sing, 
I  must  tune  my  ))ipcs  first  of  all  by  drinking, 
Tushe,  what  then  ?  I  praie  thee  help  us  a  part  ; 
Yes,  I  will  sing  the  treble  with  all  my  harte. 
Luste  shall  be  led  by  Inclination 
To  carnall  cogitation ; 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  17 

Where  luste  is  led  wholy  by  ine, 

He  must  fall  to  Cupiditie  ; 

For  carnal  cares  shall  him  assaile, 

And  spedeley  they  shall  prevaile ; 

I,  Sturdiness,  will  face  it  out 

In  his  cause,  sturdy,  stifFe  and  stoute. 

Then  Gredy-gutte  shall  make  him  eate 

Both  house  and  lands  like  bread  and  meate  ; 

Elation  shall  pufFe  him  hie 

For  to  aspier  above  the  skie  ; 

Then  naturall  and  lordly  Luste 

Shall  with  his  poure  dispise  the  Juste. 

Elation.  Oursongeis  ended,  haste  thou  other  in  store  ? 

Inc.  I  shall  not  haue  done  this  halfe  houre  and  more. 
Yet  I  will,  nowe  I  remember.     Come  in,  Luste  ; 
That  I  go  before  is  but  nedeful  and  j  ust. 
You  shall  be  nowe  led  by  me,  Inclination, 
To  reason  and  talke  with  Caniall  cogitation. 
Is  there  moi-e  vanitie  underneath  the  sonne 
Then  to  be  inclined  after  this  sorte  ? 
Well,  Luste  doth  now  as  others  haue  done, 
Yea,  and  doe  daye  by  daye,  esteming  it  a  sporte  ; 
This  Luste  is  the  image  of  all  wicked  men, 
Whiche  in  seeking  the  worlde  haue  all  delectation  ; 
They  regarde  not  God,  nor  his  commaundements  tenne, 
But  are  wholly  led  by  their  owne  inclination. 
First,  to  inculcate  with  Carnall  cogitation. 
And,  after,  to  the  desier  of  all  worldly  treasure, 
Whiche  alone  they  esteeme  the  fulness  of  pleasure. 
With  Elation,  oi-  pride,  he  is  also  associate, 

c 


18  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Which  puffethuphis  sences  with  presumption  pestilent ; 
Then  Gredy-gutte  maketh  them  continually  to  grate 
On  the  mock  of  this  world,  which  he  thinketh  permanent. 
I,  Sturdiness,  to  heare  out  all  things  am  bent : 
Thus,  see  you  howe  men  that  are  led  by  their  luste 
Dissent  from  the  vertuous,  godlie,  and  juste. 

[6^0  out.     Enter  Juste  and  Sapience. 

Sapience.  The  advise   of  Aristippus  haue  in  your 
mynnde. 
Which  willed  me  to  seke  such  thinges  as  be  permanent, 
And  not  such  as  are  of  a  vanishing  kinde, 
For  the  one  with  the  other  is  not  equivalent. 
Be  circumspect,  therefore,  forseing  and  sapient. 
For  treasures  here  gotten  are  uncertain  and  vaine, 
But  treasures  of  the  mynde  do  continually  remains. 

Juste.  This  is  the  mynde  of ,  and  I  remember 

Like  as  presently  you  haue  advertised  me, 
For  the  whiche  I  cannot  but  thankefully  render 
Such  commendations  as  is  requisite  to  be  : 
And  as  your  name  is  Sapience,  thus  muche  I  see 
That  on  heauenly  wisedome  you  doe  depende, 
And  not  on  as  time  doth  bring  to  an  ende. 

Sapience.  Truthe,  indeed,  and  therfore  your  name 
being  Juste, 
With  me  and  my  documentes  must  be  associate  ; 
Where,  contrary,  suche  as  are  led  by  their  lust, 
To  incline  euill  are  alwayes  appropriate  : 
They  haue  not,  as  you  haue,  battel  and  combate 
Against  the  cogitations  that  inwardly  spring, 
But  rather  are  obedient  unto  the  same  thing  : 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  19 

And  this  is  the  occasion  that  men  are  so  ambitious, 
And  so  foolishe,  led  by  the  lustc  of  their  braine 
Sometime  to  couet,  sometime  to  be  vicious  ; 
Sometime  the  councell  of  the  wyse  to  disdaine  ; 
Sometime  to  clime  till  they  fall  down  againe  ; 
Sometime  to  usurpe  the  possessions  of  other  ; 
Sometime  to  disobeye  bothe  father  and  mother. 

Juste.  Alas,  what  availeth  it  ryehes  to  enjoye, 
Though  as  muche  in  comparison  as  Cressus  the  king  ? 
What  helpeth  it  to  haue  Helene  in  Troye, 
If  the  conscience  of  man  continually  sting  ? 
Elation  and  Pride  no  commoditie  doth  bring. 
But  is  often  knowen  the  forerunner  of  shame, 
And  the  blotte  of  immortall  memorie  and  fame. 

[Enter  Inclination,  the  Vise. 

Inc.  Nowe,  by  my  hallydome,  it  is  alone  a, 
Better  sporte  in  my  life  I  never  sawe. 
It  is  trimrae,  I  tel  you,  to  daunce  with  John  and  Jone  a, 
"We  passe  not  a  point  for  God  nor  his  law  ; 

But  lust  is 

Cogitation  and  he  in  one  bed  doth  lie. 

Here  is  maister  Juste,  with  his  cancred  corage, 

What,  and  olde  doting  Sapience !  then  I  am  dressed  I. 

So  often  already  Juste  hath  me  restrained. 

That  I  dare  not  entise  him  any  more. 

For  through  Sapience  he  hath  me  clerely  disdained, 

That  my  courage  is  spent  and  I  have  no  more. 

\_Make  a  fjoing  hack. 

Sap.  Nay,   softe,  syr,  we  must  talkc  with  you  or  ye 

go- 

c  2 


20  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Inc.  I  can  not  tary  at  this  time,  the  truthe  is  so. 
Juste.  Nay,  there  is  no  remedy  with  you  :  we  muste 

talke. 
Inc.  By  the  body  of  me,  I  holde  best  that  I  walke. 
Or  els  learne  to  speake  language  another  whyle, 
And  so  I  may  happen  the  knaves  to  beguyle. 
Juste.   Turne  back  or  you  go,  we  have  somewhat  to 

say. 
Inc.  Non  point  parla  fransois,  nonne  par  ma  foy. 
Sap.  To  deceiue  us  nowe  himselfe  he  doth  prepare. 
Inc.  Ick  en  can  ghene  englishe  spreken  von  waer. 
Body  of  me,  let  me  go,  or  els  I  shall  ... ; 
I  wis,  maister  Juste,  you  have  loved  me  or  this  ; 
Therfore  nowe  be  ruled  after  my  councell, 
And  godly  thinges  for  your  commoditie  I  shall  you  tell. 

Sap.  Let  him  that  is  juste  not  lightly  ensue 
His  vile  inclination  and  carnall  concupiscence, 
But  let  him  rather  contende  the  same  to  subdue  ; 
And  chiefly  those  that  haue  knowledge  of  Sapience  : 
Therfore  to  brydlc  this  luste  do  your  diligence, 
His  craftie  provocations  utterly  to  restraine, 
That  Just  may  Hue  while  life  doth  remaine. 

Inc.  Godd  man  Hoball,  speake  you  in  earnest  ? 
What  doest  thou  saye,  shall  the  Just  bridle  me  ? 
No,  no,  brother  Snappes,  doe  the  worst  and  tliy  best, 
I  will  not  be  bridled  of  him  nor  of  thee. 

Juste.   Seing  Sapience  consisteth  in  heaucnly  docu- 
ment. 
And  that  lieauenly  document  consisteth  in  Sapience, 
To  bridle  tliis  wretch  I  cannot  but  consent. 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  21 

Sithe  I  of  his  purpose  haue  had  oft  intelligence. 

Inc.  Yet  again  brydle  it  doth  not  preuayle  ; 
I  will  not  be  bridled  of  the  best  of  you  both. 
See  you  this  gere  ?  heres  one  will  make  you  to  quaile ; 
Stande  backe!  to  kil  you,  maister  Juste,  I  would  be  loth! 
You  have  been  so  burned  and  fried  of  late, 
That  it  were  pide  to  hurt  you  any  more. 
Back,  I  say,  or  my  dagger  shall  about  your  pate, 
By  the  masse,   but  I  will,   syr,  yle  make  your  bones 
sore.  [Struggle  two  or  three  times. 

Juste.  I  will  bridle  thee,  beast,  for  all  thy  bragging. 
Inc.  In  faith,  good  man  Juste,  yle  holde  ye  wagging; 
Nay,  brother,  ye  shall  find  me  a  curste  colt  to  bridle, 
Nay,  in  faith,  better  yet  I  will  make  thee  to  struggle. 
Sap.  Never  leve  him,  but   ensue  the  councell   of 

Sapience. 
Juste.  Lo,  nowe  I  have  brought  hira  under  obedience. 

[Brydle  him. 
Inc.  Not  so  obedient  as  thou  thinkest  me  to  have ; 
Nay,  brother,  ye  shall  finde  me  a  coltishe  knave  : 
"We,  he,  he,  it  is  good  for  you  to  holde  faste. 
For  I  will  kicke  and  winche  whyle  the  lyfe  doth  laste. 
Sap.   Thou    shalt   kicke    indeed,     but    no    victorie 
Wynne ; 
Neither  to  conquer  the  Juste  to  ungodliness  nor  synne. 
Inc.  0  yes,  O  yes,  I  will  make  a  proclamation. 
Juste.  What  shall  that  be  ? 

Inc.  If  ye  will  geve  me  leave,  then  you  shall  see. 
O  yes  !  is  there  any  man  or  woman  that  hath  lost 
A  gambolling  gelding  with  a  grave  tayle, 


22  THE    TKIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Let  him  come  to  the  Crier  and  pay  for  his  coste, 
And  he  will  tell  him  tidinges  without  any  fayle. 

Sap.    To  the  entent  that  you   may  him  sharpely 
restrain  e, 
Let  him  not  enjoye  so  muche  of  the  raine. 

[Bridle  him  shorter. 

Inc.  Cockes  sole,  now  the  snaffel  cutteth  my  lip, 
I  would  this  luberly  knave  had  the  pip  ! 
I  shall  leape  no  hedges  whyle  this  brydle  is  on, 
Out,  alas  !  I  think  it  will  fret  me  to  the  bone. 

Sap.  Thus  should   every  man  that  wil  be  called 
Juste 
Brydle  and  subdue  his  beastly  inclination, 
That  he  in  the  ende  may  obtaine  perfect  truste, 
The  messenger  of  God  to  geve  sight  to  salvation. 

Juste.    That    truste    to    obtaine   with    him   I    have 
struggled. 

Sap.  Then   let    us    departe,    and    leave    this  beast 
bridled.  [Go  out  both. 

Inc.  May  the  deuill  go  with  you  and  his  dun  dame  ! 
Suche  horse  maisters  will  make  a  colte  quickely  tame; 
I  would  he  were  hanged  that  this  sualfell  did  make, 
It  maketh  ray  chappes  so  shamefully  to  ake  ; 
Ye  haue  no  pitie  on  nie,  you,  I  se,  by  your  laughing ; 
I  care  not  greatly  if  I  fall  to  gambolling  ; 
We,  he,  he,  he,  he,  lie,  come  alofte,  I  saye, 
Beware  the  horse  heles,  I  avyse  you  stande  awaye  ; 
The  raine  of  my  bridle  is  tied  so  shorte, 
That  I  can  not  make  you  any  more  sport. 
But  though  I  be  bridled  now  of  the  Juste, 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  23 

I  doubte  not  but  I  slial  be  unbridled  by  Luste, 
And  let  not  Juste  tbinke  but  I  will  rebell, 
Altbougb  he  bridle  me  tenne  times  all  well  ; 
Though  Nature  saith  one  done  with  a  croche, 
It  will  not  lie  long  but  incontente  aproche  ; 
Even  so  though  that  I  be  bridled  a  whyle, 
The  colte  will  at  length  the  curser  beguyle. 

Enter  Gredy-gutte  running  and  catche  a  fall. 

Gre.  Chill  ran  I  as  fast  as  I  can, 
Zures,  did  none  of  you  zee  a  man  ? 
Cham  zent  in  haste  from  my  maister  Luste, 
So  that  Inclination  nedes  come  to  him  must. 

Inc.  Where  is  he  now  ?  I  pray  thee  tell  me. 

Gre.  Why  what  have  we  here,  Jesus,  benedicitie  ! 
I  holde  twenty  pounde  it  is  Baalam's  asse, 
Nay  tis  a  colte,  I  see  his  tayle  by  the  masse  ! 

Inc.  Am  1  a  colte  ?  nay,  thou  liest  lyke  a  knaue, 
Somewhat  for  thy  labour  nowe  shalt  thou  haue. 

Gre.  Hoball,  ho,  lousy  jade,  must  ye  kicke  ? 

Inc.  Who  euer  sawe  suche  a  desperate  Dicke  ? 
Why,  Gredy-gutte,  doest  thou  not  knowe  Inclination  ? 

Gre.  Body  of  me,  who  hath  drest  thee  of  that  fashion? 
Thou  arte  brydled  for  byting  uowe  indecde, 
Syra,  maister  Luste  would  have  thee  make  spede. 

Inc.  I  am  bridled  I,  euen  as  thou  doest  see, 
Therefore  desier  him  to  come  and  helpe  me. 
But  what  is  the  matter  that  he  for  me  sente  ? 

Gre.  Mary,  to  gather  with  Grediness  nowe  he  is 
bent ; 


24  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

He  hath  had  long  talke  with  Carnal  Cogitation, 
And  is  set  on  fier  by  the  means  of  Elation, 
So  that  he  is  so  lusty  he  cannot  abyde, 
Therefore  one  or  other  for  him  must  be  spied. 

Inc.  Well,  Gredy-gutte,  I  praye  thee,  go  and  make 
haste. 

Gre.  Tush,  feare  not,  chill  spend  no  time  in  waste. 

Inc.  I  had  rather  then'xL  pence  that  he  were  come  ; 
If  I  be  bridled  long  I  shall  be  undone. 
So  sharpe  is  this  snaffell  called  restrainte, 
That  it  maketh  me  sweate  I  am  so  fainte : 
Harke  !  I  heare  the  voyce  of  my  maister  Luste  ; 
Now  I  shall  be  unbridled  shortly  I  truste. 

Enter  Luste. 

Luste.    Cocks    precious  woundes,    here    hath    bene 
vilanie  ! 

Inc.     Heye,   they   have    used   me   with    to   much 
vilanie, 
That  old  knave  Sapience  so  counseled  Juste  ; 
But  let  me  be  unbridled,  good  maister  Luste. 

[Uiihridh'  him. 

Litste.  Lo,  now  thou  ait  unbridled,  be  of  good  chere. 

Inc.  By  Lady,  I  am  glad  I  have  gotten  thus  cleare. 
But  harke  you,  maister  Lust,  if  I  may  do  you  pleasure, 
Whisper,  whisper,  she  is  called  Treasure. 

Jjvste.    O  my  harte  is  on  fyre  till  she  come  in  place. 

flic.  O  maister  Luste,  she  hath  an  amiable  face  ; 
A  tricker,  a  trimmer,  in  faith  that  she  is. 
The  goddess  of  wealth,  pros[)critie  and  bliss. 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  25 

Luste.    But  thinke  you  that  this  minion  long  endui-e 
shall  ? 

Inc.  For  euer  and  euer,  man,  she  is  immortall. 
There  be  many  other,  but  she  exceadeth  them  all. 

Luste.  What  be  they,  haue  you  tlieir  names  in  store? 

Inc.  Yea,  harke,  in  youreare — And  many  other  more. 

Luste.  Sithe  that  the  apple  of  Paris  before  me  is 
cast. 
And  that  I  may  deliuer  the  same  where  I  will, 
I  would  Prometheus  were  here  to  helpe  me  holde  fast, 
That  I  might  haue  a  fore  witte  with  me  euer  still. 
Pallas  I  consider  in  science  hath  skill, 
But  Juno  and  Venus  good  will  do  I  beare  ; 
Therefore  to  geue  the  appuU  I  know  not  where. 

Inc.  Be  conciled  by  me,  and  geve  it  Lady  Treasure, 
It  shal  be   for  your  commoditie  in  the  end   without 

measure, 
For  hauing  the  company  of  this  minion  lasse, 
You  shall  never  wante  the  societie  of  Pallas  ; 
Juno,  nor  yet  the  arraipotent  Mars, 
Can  not  resiste  your  strengthe  be  they  never  so  fearce; 
And  as  for  Venus,  you  shall  haue  at  pleasure, 
For  she  is  bought  and  soldo  alwayes  with  Treasure  ; 
She  of  her  power  hath  whole  countries  conquered, 
The  moste  noble  champions  by  her  hath  ben  murthered; 
Aeon  for  her  sake  was  stoned  to  death. 
Tushe,  innumerable  at  this  day  spende  their  breathe, 
Sume  hange  or  be  hanged,  they  love  her  so  well, 
She  is  the  great  goddesse,  it  is  true  that  I  telle. 

Luste.  Which  way  should  I  worke  of  her  to  haue  a 
sight  ? 


26  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Inc.  I,  Inclination,  will  leade  you  thyther  right  ; 
But  we  must  haue  Gredy-gutte,  and  also  Elation 
Luste.  They  are  at  the  house  of  Carnal  Cogitation. 
Inc.  Whether  I  would  wyshe  that  we  might  departe  ; 
I  will  lead  you  thither  with  all  my  harte. 

[Go  out.  Enter  Just. 
Trust,  a  woman  plainly,  and  Contentation,  knele  down 
and  sing,  she  have  a  croicne. 
So  happy  is  the  state  of  those 

That  walke  uprighte  and  juste, 
That  thou,  Lorde,  doest  thy  face  disclose 

By  perfect  hope  and  truste. 
Their  inclination  thou  dost  stay, 

And  sendeth  them  Sapience, 
That  they  should  serue,  and  eke  obey 

Thy  highe  magnificence. 
Thou  sendest  Contentation, 

That  we  in  thee  may  rest. 
Therefore  all  adoration 

To  thee  perteineth  best.  f^^J^' 

Juste.  God  careth  for  his  people,  as  the  prophet  doth 
And  preserveth  them  under  his  mercifull  wynges ; 
Namely  the  juste,  that  his  will  do  obey, 
Observing  his  holy  commaundement  in  all  thynges ; 
Not  for  our  sake,  or  for  our  deservinges. 
But  for  his  owne  sake,  openly  to  declare, 
That  all  men  on  earth  ought  to  live  in  his  feare. 

Truste.  Howe  God  hath  blissed  you  all  men  may  see; 
For  first,  at  your  entraunce  you  con([uered  Luste, 
Not  by  your  powci",  but  by  might  of  the  deitie. 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  Z/ 

As  all  persons  ought  to  doe  that  be  juste. 
Then  through  Sapience  which  God  did  you  sende, 
You  bridled  that  brutishe  beaste  Inclination, 
And  also  ordered  you  with  Contentation. 

Cot.  Those  that  are  contented  with  their  vocation 
Be  thankefull  to  God;  this  is  a  true  consequent  ; 
And  those  that  be  thankefull  in  their  conversation, 
Can  not  but  please  the  Lorde  God  omnipotent  ; 
But  those  that  be  sturdie,  proude,  and  disobedient, 
The  Ruler  of  all  rulers  will  them  confounde. 
And  rote  their  remembraunce  of  from  the  grounde. 

Juste.  When  Solon  was  asked  of  Cressus  the  king, 
What  man  was  moste  happie  in  this  vale  terestriall. 
To  the  ende  he  semeth  to  attribute  that  thing 
When  men  be  asociate  with  treasures  celestiall. 
Before  the  ende  can  no  man  judge,  he  doth  saie, 
That  any  man  is  happy  that  here  beareth  breath, 
But  then  by  his  end  preteley  judge  we  may; 
Thus  true  happines  consisteth,  saith  he,  after  death. 
If  this  be  a  truthe,  as  undoubtedly  it  is. 
What  men  are  more  foolish,  wretclied,  and  miserable, 
Then  those  that  in  these  treasures  accompt  their  whole 

blys, 
Being  infect  with  ambition,  that  sickness  incurable  ; 
A  !  wicked  Adrastia,  thou  goddes  deceiuable, 
Thus  to  plucke  from  men  the  sence  of  their  mynde, 
So  that  no  contentation  therein  they  can  finde. 

Truste.  The  treasure  of  this  worlde  we  may  well 
compare 
To  Circes,  the  witche,  with  her  craftie  cautilitie, 


28  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Wherewith  many  mens  myndes  so  poysoned  are, 
That  quite  they  are  carried  into  all  fidelitie  ; 
They  are  conjured  in  deede  and  bewitched  so  sore, 
That  treasure  is  their  truste,  joye,  and  delighte. 
True  truste  is  expelled,  they  passe  not  therefore. 
And  against  contentation  they  continually  fight. 
But  though  wicked  men  folowe  their  luste, 
Crying  on  earth  is  our  felicitie  and  pleasure, 
Yet  God  doth  so  guide  the  hartes  of  the  juste. 
That  they  respect  chiefly  the  celestiall  treasure. 

Con.  Alas  !  should  we  not  have  that  estimation 
Which  God  hath  prepared  for  his  dere  elect  ? 
Should  not  our  myndes  rest  in  full  contentation, 
Having  truste  in  this  treasure,  most  highe  in  respecte? 
St.  Paule,  whom  the  Lorde  so  high  did  erecte, 
Saith  ;  It  passeth  the  sence  of  our  memory  and  mynde, 
Much  lesse  can  our  outward  eyes  the  same  finde. 
And  as  for  treasures  which  men  possesse  here. 
Through  fickelnes  of  fortune  sone  fadeth  away  ; 
The  greatest  of  renowme  and  most  worthy  here 
Sometime  falleth  in  the  ende  to  myserie  and  decay. 
Recorde  of  Dionisius,  a  king  of  much  fame, 
Of  the  valiaunt  Alexander  and  Ca3sar  the  strong. 
Record  of  Tarquin,  which  Superbus  had  to  name, 
And  of  Heliogabalos,  that  miuistred  with  wronge ; 
If  I  should  recite  all,  I  should  stand  very  long. 
But  these  be  sufficient  plainly  to  approue 
Howe  sone  by  uncertaintie  this  treasure  doth  remoue. 

Juste.  It  is  true  ;  therfore  a  mynde  well  contente 
Is  great  riches,  as  the  wyse  king  Salomon  doth  say. 


THE    TRIALL    OK    TREASURE.  29 

We  have  sene  of  late  days  this  cancard  pestilent 
Corrupting  our  realme  to  our  great  decaie, 
Ambition,  I  nieane,  which  chiefly  did  raigne 
Among  those  that  should  be  examples  to  others  ; 
We  sawe  how  their  brethren  they  did  disdaine, 
And  burned  with  fire  the  childe  with  the  mother ; 
It  is  often  seene  that  such  monsters  ambitious 
As  spare  not  to  spile  the  bloud  of  the  innocente, 
Will  not  greatly  sticke  to  become  seditious, 
The  determination  of  God  thereby  to  prevente. 
God  graunt  every  one  of  us  earnestly  to  repente, 
And  not  to  set  our  minds  on  this  fading  treasure. 
But  rather  wyshe  and  wille  to  doe  the  Lordes  pleasure. 
Truste.  O  ye  emperours,  potentates,  and  princes  of 
renowne, 
Learn  of  Juste  with  Truste  yourselves  to  associate. 
That  like  as  your  vocation  by  right  doth  aske  the  crown, 
And  also  due  obedience,  being  the  appointed  magistrate. 
So  rule  that  at  the  last  you  may  be  resuscitate 
And   raigne  M'ith  the  Almightie  with  perfect  continu- 
ance, 
Receiving  double  crownes  for  your  godly  governaunce. 
Ye  noblemen  whome  God  hath  furnished  with  fame, 
Be  myndefull  to  walke  in  the  wayes  of  the  Juste, 
And  be  not  ouercorae  of  concupiscence  or  luste. 
Fie  from  louc  of  treasure,  catche  holde  of  me,  Truste; 
And  then  double  felicitie  at  the  last  you  shall  possesse, 
And  in  all  earthly  doings  God  shall  geue  you  succes. 
Ye    poore    men    and    commons,  walke    well    in    your 
vocations, 


30  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Banishe  lust  and  desier,  which  is  not  convenient ; 
Let  truste  worke  in  you  a  full  contentation, 
Considering  that  it  leadeth  to  treasures  more  excellent, 
For  these  are  uncertaine,  but  they  are  most  permanent. 
Your  necessitie  supplie  with  vertue  and  truste, 
And  then  shall  you  enjoye  your  ci'own  among  the  just. 

Juste.  As  I,  being  properly  nominate  Juste, 
Am  here  associate  with  Contentation, 
So  have  I  my  whole  felicitie  in  Truste, 
Who  ilumineth  myne  eyes  to  see  my  saluation. 

Truste.    Feare   you   not,     shortly   you    shall    haue 
consolation, 
If  I  were  once  growen  in  you  to  perfection, 
Euen   thus    goeth    it    alwaies    with    the    children    of 
election. 

Juste.  I  will  departe  now ;  will  ye  go  with  me,  Truste  ? 

Truste.  Yea,  I  must  alwaies  associate  the  Juste. 

Cont.  A  psalme  of  thankesgeuing  first  let  us  sing, 
To  the  laude  and  prayse  of  the  immortall  Kinge. 

[Here  if  you  will:  sing  "  the  man  is  blest  thatfear- 
eth  Go(r,  <(■€.— Go  out). 

Enter  Inclination  laughinij. 

Inc.  Lust  (quod  he)  nowe  in  faithe  he  is  lusty, 
Lady  Treasure  and  he  hath  made  a  matclie ; 
He  thinketh  that  I  ware  marvelous  trusty. 
Because  I  teache  him  to  clawe  and  to  catche, 
And  now  a  dales  amitie  doth  therein  consiste ; 
He  that  can  flatter  shal  be  well  beloued ; 
But  he  that  saietli,  1hv>i  and  thus,  saicth  Christe, 
Shall  as  an  enemy  be  opiMily  reproued. 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  31 

Friendship,  yea  friendship  consisteth  now  in  adulation; 

Speake  faire  and  please  the  lust  of  thy  lorde, 

I  warrant  thee  be  had  in  great  estimation, 

When  those  that  tel  truthe  shal  be  abhorde. 

A  !  unhappy  lingua,  whether  wilt  thou  ten  ? 

Take  heed,  I  advise  thee,  least  thou  be  shent ; 

If  ye  chaunce  to  tell  any  tales  of  these  gentlewomen, 

With  flesh  hokes  and  nayles  you  are  like  to  be  rent ; 

Nay,  for  the  passion  of  me  be  not  so  moued, 

And  I  will  please  you  incontinent  againe. 

Above  all  treasures  you  are  worthy  to  be  loued, 

Because  you  do  no  men  deride  nor  disdaine  ; 

You  do  not  contempte  the  simple  and  poore  ; 

You  be  not  hie-minded,  proude,  and  presumptuous, 

Neither  wanton  nor  wyly  you  be  neuer  more, 

But  gentle,  louing  modestie,  and  vertuous. 

Behold  howe  a  lie  can  please  some  folkes  diet  ! 

O  pacifie  their  myndes  maruellous  well, 

All  whyste,  I  warrant  ye,  so  they  in  quiet. 

Howe  to  please  you  hereafter  I  can  tell  : 

Harke,  I  heare  Luste  and  my  lady  Treasure, 

They  are  given  to  solace,  singing,  and  pleasure. 

Enter  luVSTE  and  Treasure,  a  woman  finely  appareled. 

Lust.  Ah,  amorous  lady,  of  bewtifuU  face, 
Thou  art  hartely  welcome  unto  this  place  ; 
My  harte  is  inclined  to  the,  lady  Treasure, 
My  love  is  insatiate,  it  kepeth  no  mesure. 

Treas.  It  is  I,  maister  Luste,  that  will  you  aduaunce; 
Treasure  it  is  that  things  doth  enhaunce  ; 


32  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Upon  me  set  your  whole  affection  and  liiste, 
And  passe  not  a  point  for  the  wayes  of  the  Juste. 
Treasure  is  a  pleasure,  beare  that  in  mynde ; 
Both  trusty  and  true  ye  shall  me  alwayes  finde. 

Inc.  As  trusty  as  is  a  quick  ele  by  the  tayle  ! 
"What,  lady  Treasure,  welcome  withoute  fayle ; 
To  be  better  acquainted  with  you  once  I  truste, 
But  I  dare  not  in  the  presence  of  my  maister  Luste. 
Ye  are   welcome,    syr,   hartely  ;    w^hat  !    be  of  good 

courage  ; 
Drawer,  let  us  have  a  pinte  of  whyte  wine  and  borage. 

Luste.  Wherefore,  I  praye  thee  tell  ? 

Inc.  Mary,  methinke  you  are  not  well. 

Luste.  Not  well,  who  can  a  better  life  craue, 
Then  to  possesse  suche  a  lady  as  I  haue  ? 
Is  there  any  wealth  not  contained  in  Treasure  ? 
Ah,  lad}',  I  love  thee  in  faith  out  of  measure. 

Inc.  It  is  out  of  measure  indeede,  as  you  saie, 
And  euen  so  must  men  loue  her  at  this  daie  ; 
Oh,  she  is  a  raynion  of  amorous  hewe. 
Her  pare  in  my  dales  yet  I  neuer  knew. 
Old  (quod  you)  I  am  an  old  knaue  I  tell  ye. 
Nay,  neuer  lauglie  at  tlie  matter,  for  doubtles  I  smel 

ye; 
She  passeth  Juno,  Ceres,  and  Pallas, 
More  beautiful!  then  euer  dame  Venus  was, 
Other  in  sapience  she  doth  cxcede. 
And  Diana  in  dignitie,  of  whome  we  doe  reade  ; 
What  should  faire  Ilclene  once  named  be. 
She  excclleth  uU  these,  maister  Luste,  beleue  me. 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  33 

Luste.  Howe  say  you,  is  not  this  an  eloquent  lad  ? 
Treas.  That  you  have  suche  a  servaunt  truly  I  am 

glad. 
Inc.  Ha,  ha,  now  indeede  I  can  you  not  blame, 
For  women  of  all  degrees  are  glad  of  the  same ; 
They  that  flatter  and  speake  them  fayre 
Shal  be  their  sonnes,  and  peradventure  their  ayre. 
Luste.  You  tolde  me   of  a  brother  you  had,  lady 

Treasure. 
Treas.  Yea,   syr,   that   I  haue ;  his  name  is  called 
Pleasure  ; 
And  seeing  you  enjoye  me  now  at  your  will, 
Right  sone,  I  am  sure,  he  will  come  you  untill. 

Luste.   Truly  of  him  I  would  faine  haue  a  sight. 
For  because  that  in  pleasure  I  haue  marueilous  delight. 
Inc.  Then  honestie  and  profite  you  may  bidde  good 

night. 
Luste.  What  saiest  thou  ? 
Bic.  I  saie  he  will  shortly  appeare  in  sight ; 
I  knowe  by  his  singing  the  same  is  he. 
The  misbegotten  Orpheus  I  think  that  he  be. 

Enter  Pleasure,  sbujing  this  Song. 

O,  happy  dales,  and  pleasaunt  playes, 

Wherein  I  doe  delight,  a  ; 
I  doe  pretende,  till  my  Hues  ende, 

To  Hue  still  in  such  plighte,  a. 

Inc.  Maister  Pleasure,  I  perceive  you  be  of  good 

chere. 
Pleas.  What,  Inclination,  old  lad,  art  thou  here  ? 

D 


34  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Inc.  Yea,  syr,  and  lady  Treasure,  your  sister,  also. 

Plea.  Body  of  me,  tlien  unto  her  I  will  go. 
What,  syster,  I  am  glad  to  mete  with  you  here. 

Trea.  Welcome  unto  me,  mine  owne  brother  dere. 
Maister  Luste,  this  is  my  brother,  of  whome  I  tolde  ; 
He  is  pleasaunt  and  lusty,  as  you  may  beholde. 

Luste.  Gentleraa  (I  pray  you)  is  your  name  master 
Pleasure  ? 

Plea,  Yea,  syr,  and  I  am  brother  to  lady  Treasure. 

Ltiste.  And  are  you  contented  to  accompanie  me  ? 

Plea.  Whereas  she  is  resident,  I  must  nedes  be  ; 
Treasure  doth  Pleasure  commonly  preceade. 
But  the  one  is  with  the  other,  they  have  both  so  decreed. 

Inc.  Mary,  nowe  j'ou  are  well  indeede,  maister  Luste ; 
This  is  better,  I  trowe,  than  the  life  of  the  juste  : 
They  be  compelled  to  possesse  contentation, 
Hauing  no  treasure  but  trust  of  saluation. 
But  my  lady  your  mistris,  my  mistris  I  would  saye, 
She  worketh,  you  may  see,  to  keepe  you  from  decaie. 

Luste.   0,  madame  !  in  you  is  all  my  delight, 
And  in  your  bi'Other,  Pleasure,  bothe  daye  and  nighte. 
The  Triall  of  Treasure,  this  is  indeede, 
I  perceive  that  she  is  a  true  frende  at  neede  ; 
For  I  haue  proued  her,  according  as  Thales  doth  saye, 
And  I  perceive  that  her  bewtie  cannot  decaye. 

Trea.  Alwayes  with  you  I  will  be  resident, 
So  that  your  life  shall  be  most  excellent. 

Plea.  Yea,  syr,  and  me,  Pleasure,  also  you  shall  have, 
So  that  none  other  thinge  there  nedeth  to  craue  ; 
I  will  replenishe  your  harte  with  delighte. 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  35 

And  I  will  be  alwayes  with  Treasure  in  sighte. 
But  if  you  desire  to  enjoy  me  at  your  will, 
My  sister  you  must  haue  in  reputation  still ; 
And  then,  as  her  treasure  is  certaine  and  excellent, 
My  pleasure  shal  be  both  perfect  and  permanent. 
Credite  not  those,  syr,  that  talke  that  and  this. 
Saying,  that  in  us  twoo  consisteth  no  bliss. 
But  let  experience  your  mynde  euer  moue, 
And  see  if  all  men  us  twoo  doe  not  loue. 

Inc.    Loue,    yes,    they   loue   you   indeede   without 
doubte. 
Which  shutteth  some  of  them  God's  kingdome  without. 
They  loue  you  so  well  that  their  God  they  do  hate, 
As  time  hath  declared  to  us  even  of  late. 
But  he  that  on  such  thinges  his  study  doth  caste, 
Shal  be  sure  to  be  deceiued  at  the  last. 

Luste.  What  doest  thou  sale  ? 

Inc.  Of  Treasure,  forsoth,  ye  must  euer  holde  fast. 
For  if  you  should  chance  to  lose  lady  Treasure, 
Then  farewell  in  post  this  gentleman.  Pleasure. 

Lnste.  My  loue  to  them  both  cannot  be  exprest. 
And  especially  my  lady,  you  I  loue  best. 

Treas.  If  you  love  me  as  you  doe  professe, 
Be  ye  sure  you  shall  wante  no  kinde  of  welthiness. 

Pleas.  And  if  you  haue  welthiness  at  your  own  wyll, 
Then  will  I,  Pleasure,  remayne  with  you  still. 

Inc.  You  are  both  as  constant  as  snowe  in  the  sun. 
Which  from  snow  to  water  through  melting  doth  run  ; 
But  worldly  wyse  men  cannot  conceave  that, 
To  bonte  for  suche  myse  they  learnc  of  the  cat. 

1^2 


36  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

Luste.  My  lady  is  amorous,  and  full  of  favour. 
Inc.  I  may   say,  to  you   she  hath  an  ill-fauoured 

savour, 
Luste.  What  saiest  thou  ? 

Inc.  I  saye  she  is  loving,  and  of  gentle  behauiour. 
Treas.  And  so  I  will  continue  still,  be  you  sure. 
Pleas.  And  I  in  like  case  whyle  your  life  doth  endure. 
Luste,  Ah,  truste  Treasure  ;  ah,  pleasaunt  Pleasure; 
All  wealth  I  possesse  nowe  without  measure  ; 
And  seing  that  the  same  shall  firmely  remayne. 
To  helpe  me  sing  a  songe  will  you  take  the  paine. 
Treas.  Euen  with  all  my  harte,  begin  whan  ye  will. 
IncUn.  To  it,  and  I  will  either  helpe  or  stand  still. 

[Singe  tJiis  Songe. 
Am  I  not  in  blissed  case, 

Treasure  and  Pleasure  to  possesse  ; 
I  would  not  wishe  no  better  place. 

If  I  may  still  haue  welthiness  : 
And  to  enjoye  in  perfect  peace, 

My  lady,  lady. 
My  pleasaunt  pleasure  shall  encrease, 
My  deare  lady. 

Helene  may  not  compared  be, 

Nor  Creseda  that  was  so  bright ; 
These  cannot  staine  the  shine  of  thee. 

Nor  yet  Mincrua  of  great  might. 
Thou  passest  Venus  farre  away, 

Lady,  lady  ; 
Loue  thee  I  will,  both  night  and  day, 
My  dere  lady. 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  37 

My  mouse,  my  nobs,  and  cony  sweete, 

My  hope,  and  ioye,  my  whole  delight  ; 
Dame  nature  may  fall  at  thy  feete. 

And  may  yeelde  to  thee  her  crowne  of  righte. 
I  will  thy  body  now  embrace, 

Lady,  lady  ; 
And  kisse  thy  swete  and  pleasaunt  face, 
My  dere  lady. 

Enter  God's  Visitation. 

Visit.  I  am  Gods  minister,  called  Visitation, 
"Which  diuers  and  many  waies  you  may  understande  ; 
Sometime  I  bring  sicknes;  sometime  perturbation  ; 
Sometime  trouble  and  misery  throughout  the  lande ; 
Sometime  I  signifie  God's  wrath  to  be  at  hande ; 
Sometime  a  foreronner  of  distruction  immenent, 
But  an  executer  of  paine  I  am  at  this  present. 
Thou  insipient  foole,  that  hast  folowed  thy  luste. 
Disdaining  the  doctrine  declared  by  Sapience, 
In  Treasure  and  Pleasure  hath  bene  thy  truste, 
Which  thou  thoughtest  should  reuiaine  euer  in  thy 

presence  : 
Thou  neuer  remembrest  Thales  his  sentence. 
Who  willeth  men  in  all  thiuges  to  kepe  a  measure. 
Especially  in  loue  to  incertaintie  of  treasure  ; 
Even  nowe  I  am  come  from  visiting  the  Just, 
Because  God  beginneth  first  with  his  elect  ; 
But  he  is  so  associated  and  comforted  with  Truste, 
That  no  kinde  of  impacience  his  soule  can  infecte. 
Contentation  in  suche  sort  liis  race  doth  directe, 


38  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

That  he  is  contented  with  God's  operation, 
Comfortably  embracing  me  his  visitation  ; 
But  nowe  I  am  come  to  vexe  thee  with  paine, 
Whiche  makest  Treasure  thy  castell  and  rocke, 
Thou  shalt  knowe  that  both  she  and  Pleasure  is  vaine, 
And  that  the  Almighty  thou  canst  not  mocke. 
Aiiguishe  and  griefe  into  thee  I  doe  caste, 
With  paine  in  thy  members  continually. 
Now  thou  hast  paine  thy  pleasure  can  not  laste, 
But  I  will  expelle  him  incontinently. 

Luste.  O  cockes  harte  !  what  a  pestilence  is  this  ! 
Departe  from  me,  I  saye,  hence,  Gods  Visitation  ! 
Helpe,  helpe,  lady  Treasure,  thou  goddes  of  blis  ! 
At  thy  handes  let  me  haue  some  consolation. 

Treas.  I  will  remaine  with  you,  be  out  of  doubte. 

Inc.  Will  ye  be  packing,  you  il  favoured  lowte  ? 

Visi.  Presently,  in  dede  from  him  thou  shalt  not  go, 
And  why  ?  because  Gods  will  hath  not  determined  so; 
But  in  tyme  thou,  Treasure,  shalt  be  turned  to  ruste. 
And  as  for  Pleasure  he  shall  nowe  attende  on  the  Just. 

Luste.    Gogs  woundes  !   these  panges  encrease  euer 
more. 

Inc.  And  my  littell  finger  is  spitefully  sore ; 
You  will  not  beleue  how  my  hele  doth  ake. 

Treas    (To  Visitation)  Nay,    let   me   alone,   your 
part  I  will  take. 
(To  Lust)  Be  of  good  comforte,  whylc  I  here  remaine ; 
For  pleasure  and  he  shall  be  parted  in  twaine. 

Visit.  It  is  not  mete  that  he  should  be  participate 
with  Luste, 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  39 

But  rather  vertuous,  godly  and  juste. 

Luste.  Remaine  with  nie  still,  maister  Pleasure,  I 

say. 
Pleas.  Nay,  there  is  no  remedy  ;  I  must  away  ; 
For  where  God  doth  punition  and  paine, 
I  Pleasure  in  no  case  can  not  remaine, 

Visit.  I  could  in  like  case  separate  thy  treasure, 
But  God  doth  adraonishe  thee  by  losing  thy  pleasure. 
[^Go  out  Visitation  and  Pleasure. 
Inc.  Fare  well  in  the  deuils  name  olde  lousy  loute. 
That  my  maister  will  die  I  stand  in  great  doubte. 
Ho,  ho,  ho,  howe  is  it  with  you,  maister  Luste  ? 
Luste.  By  the  flesh  of  Goliah,  yet  Treasure  is  my 
truste. 
Though  Pleasure  be  gone,  and  I  liue  in  paine, 
I  doubte  not  but  Treasure  will  fetche  him  againe. 
Treas.  Yea,  that  I  will  ;   feare  not,  and  with  you  to 

remayne. 
Inc.  The  propertie  of  riche  men   undoubtedly  he 
,  hath, 
Whiche  thinke  with  monie  to  pacifie  God's  wrath, 
And  health  at  their  pleasure  to  bye  and  to  sell. 
Howe  is  maister  Lust,  are  you  anything  well  ? 

Luste.  Against  this  Visitation  my  harte  doth  rebell. 
Gogs  woundes  !  shall  I  still  in  these  panges  remaine  ? 
Treas.  Feare  you  not,  maister  Lust,  I  will  helpe 
you  again. 
Treasure  in  phisicke  exceadeth  Gallenus  : 
Tushe  !  there  is  no  phisition  but  we   must  haue  with 
us ; 


40  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

To  the  ease  of  your  body  tliey  will  you  bringe, 
And  therefore  I  praie  you  despaire  in  nothing ; 
Put  your  trust  alwayes  in  me,  lady  Treasure, 
And  I  will  restore  you  againe  unto  pleasure, 
For  I  am  the  goddes  that  therein  hath  power, 
Which  shall  remain  perfect  unto  the  last  houre. 

Inc.  Yea,  yea,  maister  Luste,  be  as  mery  as  you  may; 
Let  Treasure  be  your  truste,  who  so  euer  say  naye. 

Enter  Tyme. 

Time.  The  auncient  Grekes  haue  called  me  Chronos, 
Whiche  in  our  vulgar  tongue  signifieth  Time  ; 
I  am  entred  in  presently  for  a  certainly  purpose, 
Euen  to  turne  Treasure  to  ruste  and  to  slime  ; 
And  Luste  whiche  hath  long  disdained  the  Juste, 
Ensuing  his  filthy  and  vyle  inclination. 
Shall  immediatly  be  turned  into  duste, 
To  the  example  of  all  the  whole  congregation  ; 
For  time  bringeth  both  these  matters  to  passe, 
As  experience  hath  taught  in  euery  age, 
And  you  shall  beholde  the  same  in  this  glasse, 
As  a  document  both  profitable  and  sage. 
Both  Lust  and  Treasure,  come  foorth  with  spedc 
Into  the  shop  of  the  most  mighty  God, 
There  shall  you  be  beaten  to  pouder  in  dede. 
And  for  your  abusion  fele  his  scourge  and  rod. 

Inc.  By  Saint  Mary  !  then  they  haue  made  a  wise 
matche, 
I  pretende  therefore  to  leape  ouer  the  hatche  ; 
Nay,  let  me  departe,  syrs  ;   stop  me  not,  I  saye, 
For  1  must  remayne,  though  both  these  dccaye.  [Uo  out. 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  41 

Luste.  Luste  from  the  beginning  frequented   hath 
bene, 
And  shall  I  now  turne  to  nothing  for  thee  ? 

Treas.  Treasure  in  all  ages  hath  bene  beloued, 
And  shall  she  from  the  earth  by  thee  be  remoued  ? 

Time.  You  know  that  all  suehe  thinges  are  subject 
to  time  ; 
Therefore,  me  to  withstande  is  no  reason  nor  ryme  ; 
For  like  as  all  thinges  in  time  their  beginning  had, 
So  must  all  thinges  in  time  vanishe  and  fade. 

Luste.    Gog's   woundes,  let  Treasure  remaine  stil 
with  me. 

Treas.  Yea,  let  me  continue  still  in  my  dignitie. 

Time.  Nay,  I  must  cary  you  into  Vulcan's  fire, 
"Where  you  shall  be  tried  unto  the  uttermost. 
Seing  Lust  against  Lust  did  daily  conspier, 
To  dust  he  shall  turne  for  all  his  great  boaste  ; 
Both  of  you  shall  haue  one  rigorous  hoaste  ; 
Come  therefore  with  spede,  Time  cannot  tary, 
To  the  ende  of  your  felicitie  I  will  you  carie. 

Treas.  If  there  be  no  remedie,  then  there  is  no  shifte. 

Luste.  He  must  nedes  go,  that  is  driuen  by  the 
deuil's  drifte  ; 
A  !  Cocke's  precious  sydes,  what  fortune  is  this  ? 
Whether  go  I  nowe,  to  misery,  or  blis  ?  [Go  out. 

Enter  JvsTE,  lead'uuj  Inclination  in  his  bridle  shakled. 

Lie.  We,  he,  he,  he,  he  !  ware  the  horse  heles,  I  saye  ; 
I  would  the  raine  ware  lose,  that  I  might  run  away. 
Juste.  Nay,  sithe  thou  wilt  not  spare  against  me  to 
rebel, 


42  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

I  will  not  spare,  by  God's  grace,  thee  to  brydell ; 
All  men  may  see  how  vile  Inclination 
Spareth  not  to  put  the  j  ust  to  vexation  ; 
Euen  so  may  all  men  learne  of  me  againe, 
Thy  beastly  desiers  to  bridle  and  restraine. 

Inc.  Mary,  syr,  I  am  bridled  indeede,  as  you  say, 
And  shakled,  I  thinke,  for  running  away  ; 
This  snafle  is  sharp  indeed  for  the  nones. 
And  these  shakkels  doe  chafe  my  legs  to  the  bones  ; 
And  yet  will  I  prouoke,  spurne,  and  pricke, 
Rebell,  repugne,  lashe  out  and  kicke. 
We,  he  !  in  the  jade's  name  are  ye  so  freshe  ? 
This  gere  I  suppose  will  plucke  downe  your  fleshe. 

Juste.  Nay,  softe,  thou  shalt  haue  a  little  more  paine, 
For  somewhat  shorter  nowe  I  will  tye  thy  rayne. 

Enter  Trust  and  Consolation. 

Truste.  Most  blissed  and  happie,  I  say,  are  the  juste, 
Euen  because  they  restraine  their  owne  inclination  ; 
Thou,  therefore,  that  hast  made  thy  treasure  of  trust, 
Beholde,  I  haue  brought  thee  here  Consolation. 

Juste.  Nowe  blyssed  be  God  of  his  mercy  and  grace. 
With  all  my  harte  and  soule  I  doe  you  embrace. 

Con.  Consolation  is  my  name,  euen  as  Truste  hath 
saide. 
Which  is  joye,  or  comfort,  in  this  life  transitorie  ; 
He  that  possesseth  me  is  of  nothing  afraide, 
But  hathe  a  most  quiet  and  peaciable  memorie. 
For  I,  through  Trust,  doth  shewe  thee  the  glorie 
That  God  luith  prepared  ibr  them  beforehand, 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  43 

Wherein  at  the  last  they  shall  perfectly  stande. 

Truate.  Receive  this  crowne  of  felicitie  now  at  this 
space. 
Which  shall  be  made  richer  at  the  celestiall  place. 

Inc.  Byr  lady,  I  woulde  I  had  suche  a  gay  croune. 

Juste.  Nowe  praysed    be  God   for   this   riches   of 
renoune  ; 
Felicitie,  in  this  worlde,  the  juste  doth  enjoye, 
Namely,  when  the  deuill  can  them  not  anoye  ; 
The  Lorde's  worke  this  is,  who  be  praysed  for  ever, 
Who  graunte  us  in  his  lawes  still  to  persever. 

Con.  Amen,  amen.     God  gyve  us  delight 
In  his  holy  couenant  bothe  day  and  night. 

Trust.  Our  matter  is  almost  brought  to  an  ende, 
Sauing  that  Inclination  in  prison  must  be  shut. 
Juste,  carie  him  forth,  that  useth  to  contende, 
And  see  that  surely  enoughe  he  be  put. 

Juste.  That  shall  be  done  shortely,  by  God's  grace. 

Inc.  What,  softe,  I  say,  me  thinke  ye  go  a  shamfull 
pace  ; 
Was  ther  euer  poore  colte  thus  handled  before  ? 
Fie  upon  it,  my  legs  be  onreasonably  sore  ; 
Well,  yet  I  will  rebell,  yea,  and  rebell  againe, 
And  though athousand  times  youshouldest  merestraine. 

[_Leade  him  out. 

Enter  Time,  uith  a  similitude  of  dust,  and  rust. 

Time.    Beholde  here,  howe  Luste  is  conuerted  to 
duste  ; 
This  is  his  image,  his  wealth  and  pros[)eritie  ; 


44  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

And  Treasure  in  like  case  is  turned  to  ruste, 
Whereof  this  example  sheweth  the  veritie. 
The  Triall  of  Treasure,  this  is,  no  doubte, 
Let  all  men  take  hede  that  truste  in  the  same, 
Considering  what  thinges,  I,  Tjme,  bringe  aboute. 
And  quenche  out  the  ungodly,  their  memory  and  fame. 

Enter  Juste. 

Juste.  Why,  and  is  Lust  and  Treasure  conuerted  to 
this  ? 

Time.  Yea,  forsothe. 

Juste.  What  foolishe  man  in  them  would  put  truste, 
If  this  be  the  finall  end  of  their  blisse  ? 
Muche  better  I  commend  the  life  of  the  juste. 

Con.   So  it  is,  no  doubte,  for  they  haue  consolation, 
Possessing  felicitie  euen  in  this  place  ; 
I  meane  through  trust  and  hope  of  saluation, 
Which  setteth  out  to  us  God's  mercy  and  grace. 

Juste.  Let  all  men  consider  this  good  erudition, 
And  not  to  put  confidence  in  Luste  nor  Treasure ; 
By  these  two  examples  receiue  admonition, 
And  also  of  the  sodaine  banishment  of  Pleasure. 

Time.  Remember  that  Time  turneth  all  things  about ; 
Time  is  the  touchstone  the  juste  for  to  try. 
But  whereas  Lust  and  Treasure  in  time  is  come  to 

nought, 
Just,  possessing  Trust,  remaynetb  constantly. 
So  that  as  I,  Time,  hatli  reuealed  their  infumie, 
So  haue  I  shewed  tlie  consolation  and  gaine 
That  the  juste  aliall  receiue  that  justly  do  raigne. 


THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE.  45 

Con.  We  will  now  no  longer  trouble  this  audience, 
Sythe  somewhat  tedious  to  you  we  have  bene  ; 
Beseching  you  to  beare  all  thinges  with  pacience, 
And  remember  the  examples  that  you  haue  scene. 
God  graunte  them  to  florishe  liuely  and  grene, 
That  some  of  us  the  better  therefore  may  be, 
Amen,  amen  !   I  beseche  the  blyssed  Trinitie. 


Praiefor  all  estates. 

Take  hede  in  tyme,  and  note  this  well, 
Be  ruled  alwaies  by  councell. 

Learne  of  the  just  to  leade  thy  life 
Being  free  from  envie,  wrath,  and  strife, 
Presumption,  pride,  and  covetousnesse, 
With  all  other  ungodlinesse. 

Learne  of  them  alwayes  to  obey 
The  Lordes  preceptes,  from  daye  to  daye. 
That  thou  maiest  walke  as  he  doth  wyll, 
And  labour  thy  fondc  affectes  to  kill. 

Alwayes  subdue  thy  beastly  luste. 
And  in  the  Lorde  put  hope  and  truste  ; 
Bridle  thine  inclination 
By  godly  conversation. 


46  THE    TRIALL    OF    TREASURE. 

The  counsell  of  the  wyse  embrace, 
The  fooles  advise  doe  then  deface. 
Whiche  fast  and  praie  with  good  delight, 
That  Adam  may  be  killed  quite. 

That  joy  in  us  may  still  encrease, 
That  God,  the  Lorde,  may  give  us  peace, 
That  we  may  be  content  with  Truste 
To  have  our  crowne  among  the  just. 

Imprinted  at  London,  in  Paules  Churcheyarde,  at  the  signe  of 
the  Lucrece,  by  Thomas  Purfoote. 


47 


VARIOUS  READINGS  AND  CORRECTIONS. 


P.  4,  /.  21.  Some  men — I.  25.  As  luste  with  the  luster — 
/.  27.  So  treasure. — P.  5. 1.  4.  You  shall — I.  14.  Hay  howe 
— I.  18.  Cocke  Lorrels,  (the  text  is  incorrect  J — I.  27.  Pleasant 
youth.— P.  8, 1.  16.  Thou  that  Lust.— P.  9,  I.  5.  Resemble 
Hybra— ^.  27.  The  might— ?.  29.  Howe  in.— P.  10,  I.  4. 
Come  in — I.  9.  Even  within. — P.  11,  I.  4.  Braggingly — 
I.  20.  The  swearde— ;,  23.  What  should  suche.— P.  13, 1.  29. 
You  unto  them. — P.  14, 1.  3.  This  is  a  Song — /.  25.  Yes,  so 
lo. — P.  15,  /.  2.  Also  of — I.  20,  After  this,  read  a  line,  "  But 
howe  he  is  bowed  by  me,  Inclination." — P.  16,  I.  1.  And  to 
clawe — I.  9.  Pestilens  witty—?.  11.  Art  not  erected — I.  13. 
This  is  spoken  by  Lust ;  1. 17  by  Inclination ;  /.  21  by  Luste ; 
I.  22  by  Inclination  ;  /.  25  by  Sturdiness  ;  I.  26  by  Incli- 
nation ;  /.  27  by  Elation ;  I.  28  by  Inclination,  and  from  line 
29  is  a  Song.  [A  transcript,  in  the  King's  Library,  British 
Museum,  has  these  speeches  all  assigned  to  Greedy-gut,  as 
in  our  text].  P.  17,  I.  16.  Marginal  direction,  "  Go  out  all 
foure." — I.  19.  This  is  spoJcen  by  Sturdiness — I.  21.  As  other. 
—P.  18,  I.  16.  Of  Musonus,  also  I.— P.  19,  I.  20.  But 
Lust  is  lusty,  and  full  of  porridge — /.  22.  When  here. — 
P.  20,  I.  2.  No  remedy;  with  you  we.— P.  23,  I.  4.  One 
dome—?.  5.    Incontinente — ?.  9.  Chill  runne. — P.  24,  ?.  23. 


48 

This  speech  is  not  assigned  to  Inclination  in  the  original. — 
P.  26,  I.  14.  And  sendest— ?,  21.  For  his,  as.— P.  28,  I  20. 
Worthy  pere — I.  24.  Tarquinius — I.  25.  Heliogabolos. — 
P.  29,  I.  1.  Cancar— /.  24.  After  this  line,  add,  "Adde 
vertue  evermore  to  your  honorable  name." — I.  28.  Good 
succes— ^.  30.  Vocation.— P.  30,  ?.  11.  Feare  ye  not.— P.  31, 
I.  5.  Thou  ren— ;.  20.  Now  I— I.  25.  Into.— P.  32,  I.  19. 
So  most— Z.  27.  Othea.— P.  33,  I.  23.  Happy  eaies.— P.  34, 
I.  12.  Proceade.— P.  39,  I.  29.  Shall  have.— P.  40,  I.  16. 
To  duste. 


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REPORT  OF   THE   COUNCIL 

TO   THE 

TENTH    ANNUAL    MEETING    OF    THE    MEMBERS, 
Miuj  \st,  1850. 


The  Council  of  the  Percy  Society,  in  submitting  the 
present  Annual  Report  to  the  Members,  feel  satis- 
faction in  congratulating  them  on  the  continued  pros- 
perity of  the  Society  ;  for,  although  the  limited  funds 
at  their  disposal  have  not  permitted  them  to  carry  out 
the  objects  for  which  the  Society  was  founded  as 
efficiently  as  they  might  desire,  it  is  something  that 
amidst  the  general  depression  under  which  nearly  all 
the  publication  societies  have  suffered,  the  Percy 
Society  possesses  its  number  of  members  undi- 
minished, while  its  works  continue  to  retain  their 
value  in  the  market. 

The  Council  have  much  pleasure  in  informing  the 
Members  that  the  third  and  concluding  volume  of 
Mr.  Wright's  valuable  edition  of  Chaucer  will  be 


ready  for  delivery  in  the  course  of  the  present  month, 
and  will  be  considered  as  the  issue  for  May  1st. 

The  Council  have  had  under  their  consideration  a 
proposal  for  printing  the  complete  works  of  some  of 
the  best  early  English  poets  and  dramatists  whose 
writings  have  not  yet  appeared  in  a  collective  form, . 
or  been  but  imperfectly  edited.  They  hope  to  pre- 
sent the  members,  before  long,  with  the  works  of 
William  Browne,  author  of  the  Britannia's  Pastorals, 
including  a  third  book  of  that  celebrated  work,  from 
a  manuscript  that  has  not  been  seen  by  any  of  his 
editors. 

The  publications  during  the  past  year  have  been, 

1.  A  Poem  on  the  times  of  Edward  II.  From  a  manuscript 
preserved  in  the  Library  of  St.  Peter's  College,  Cambridge. 
Edited  by  the  Rev.  C.  Hardwick. 

2.  Fugitive   Tracts  and   Chap    Books.      Edited   by   J.   0. 

Halliwcll,  Esq.,  F.R.S. 

3.  The  Man  in  the  Mooue.  From  the  Unique  Copy,  printed 
in  1609,  preserved  in  the  Bodleian  Library.  Edited  by 
the  same. 

4.  The  Poems  of  William  dc  Shoreham,  vicar  of  Chart-Sutton, 
in  Kent,  in  the  Reign  of  Edward  II.  Edited  by  Thomas 
Wright,  Esq.,  M.A.,  F.S.A.,  etc. 

5.  The  Triall  of  Treasure.  Reprinted  from  the  black  letter 
edition,  l)y  Thomas  Purfoote,  ir)67.  Edited  by  J.  0. 
Halliwell,  Esq.,  F.ll.S. 

6.  The  use  of  Dice  Play.     A  Manifest  Detection  of  the  most 

vyle  and  detestable  use  of  Dice  Play.     Edited  by  the 


The  following  works  arc  preparing  for  publication, 
or  have  been  suggested  to  the  Council  for  that 
,  purpose. 

1.  The  Works  of  William  Browne,  including  a  third  book  of 
the  Britannia's  Pastorals,  from  a  manuscript  hitherto 
inedited. 

2.  A  Selection  from  the  Roxburghe  Ballads  now  in  the  British 

Museum.     Edited  by  J.  H.  Dixon^  Esq. 

3.  The  Semi-Raxon  Poem  on  St.  George,  from  a  manuscript 
at  Cambridge.  Edited,  with  a  translation,  by  the  Rev. 
C.  Hardwick,  of  St.  Catharine's  Hall. 

4.  A  Collection  of  Poems  on  the  Assassination  of  the  Duke 

of  Buckingham.     Edited  by  F.  W.  Fairholt,  Esq.,  F.S.A. 

5.  The  Minor  Poems  of  Drayton.     To  be  edited  by  Bolton 

Corney,  Esq. 

6.  The  early  poem  of  "  John  the  Gardener,"  a  metrical  treatise 
on  Domestic  Gardening,  in  the  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth 
Centuries. 

7.  A  Collection  of  Old  Ballads,  relating  to  the  Processions 
of  the  Irish  Trades. 

8.  A  new  edition  of  Lord  Cork's  "  True  Remembrances," 

with  Notes  by  T.  Crofton  Croker,  Esq. 

9.  The  Poems  of  Hoccleve.  To  be  edited  by  W.  H.  Black, 
Esq. 

10.  An  Edition  of  Heywood's  "  Dialogue,  contayning  in  effect 

the  number  of  al  the  Proverbes  in  the  English  Tongue 
compact  in  a  matter  concerning  two  marriages." 

11.  A  Collection  of  Ballads,  in  old  French  and  English,  re- 

lating to  Cocaygne.     To  be  edited  by  T.  Wright,  Esq. 

12.  A  Collection  of  Jacobite  Ballads  and  Fragments,  many  of 
them  hitherto  unpublished.  To  be  edited  by  William 
Jerdan,  Esq.,  M.R.S.L. 

13.  A  Collection  of  Charms,  illustrative  of  English  super- 

stitions in  former  days.     From  early  manuscripts. 


14.  "  Rede  me  and  be  nott  wrothe."     A  Satire  on  Cardinal 

Wolsey,  by  William  Roy. 

15.  History  of  the  Office  of  Poet  Laureate  in  England,  with 
Notices  of  the  existance  of  similar  offices  in  Italy  and 
Germany.     By  James  J.  Scott,  Esq. 

16.  Historical  Ballads,  in  the  Scottish  Dialect,  relating  to 
events  in  the  years  1570,  1571,  and  1572  ;  from  the 
copies  preserved  in  the  Library  of  the  Society  of  Anti- 
quaries, London.  To  be  edited  by  l)avid  Laing,  Esq., 
F.S.A.  Sc. 

17.  A  Continuation  of  the  Collection  of  Ballads,  by  J.  Payne 

Collier,  Esq.,  F.S.A. 

The  Council  ma}'  be  allowed  to  repeat  the  invi- 
tation made  in  its  former  Reports  to  Members  of  the 
Society  and  others,  to  suggest  new  works  for  consi- 
deration. The  Society  is  obliged  to  all  gentlemen 
who  may  contribute  rare  tracts  or  ballads  from  pri- 
vate collections ;  as  well  as  to  the  different  Editors, 
by  whose  zeal  and  gratuitous  labours  they  may  be 
ushered  into  the  world. 

T.  CROFTON  CROKER,  Chairman. 
J.  O.  IIALLIWELL,  Secretary/. 


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