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UNIV.OF
TORONTO
LIBRARY
':
THE
OF
THE
rottatte
EDITED BT
FREDERICK J, FURNIVALT,
LONDON:
PTJBLISHT FOR THE CHAUCER SOCIETY
BY N. TRUBNER & CO., 57 & 59, LUDGATE HILT,
1868-1879
- >
Serbs.
CLAY AND TAYLOR, THE CHAUCER PRESS, BUNGAY.
CONTENTS OF THE LANSDOWNE MS.
Group Pages
A. § 1. General Prologue 1
Teseide notes for the Knight's Tale 25
§ 2. Knight's Tale1 (of Palamon, Arcite,
and fair Emelye. Pt. II, p. 40 ;
Pt. Ill, p. 54 ; Pt. IV, p. 71) 26
§ 3. KNIGHT-MILLER LINK 89
§ 4. Miller's Tale (of Nicholas, Absolon,
& the Oxford-Carpenter's Wife) 92
§ 5. MILLER-EEEVE LINK ... ... Ill
. § 6. Reeve's Tale (of the Trumpington
Miller and Cambridge Clerks) 113
§ 7. REEVE-COOK LINK ... ... 125
§ 8. Cook's Tale (unfinisht : of the Lon-
don Victualler's Apprentice) ... 127
Appendix to Group A : the spurious
TALE OF GAMELYN, with a spu-
rious COOK-GAMELYN LINK of 4
lines
Lansd.
1
25
26
89
92
111
113
125
127
129
B. § 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK ... 129
§ 2. Man of Law's (Proem and) Tale (of
Constance and her Boy). (Pt. II,
p. 142 S-T., p. 168 Lans.; Pt.
Ill, p. 157 S-T., p. 183 Lans.) 132
Latin Side-Notes to the Tale ... 133
§ 3. MAN - OF - LAW — SHIPMAN LINK
(wrongly as MAN-OF-LAW-SQUIRE
LINK) 167
155
158
159
193
1 In the margins of this Tale are marks showing what parts of
it were taken by Chaucer from Boccaccio's Teseide : " j " means
' englisht from the Teseide ' ; " | " means ' having a general like-
ness to it ' ; and " j " having a slight likeness. — See further, Dr
John Koch's Essay in the Society's Essays on Chaucer, i. 358 — 400.
IV
CONTENTS.
Group
[For F, § 1, Squire's Head-Link, from
Addit. MS. 5140, see Appendix 4,
P- 6*.]
F. § 2, Squire's Tale (unfinisht: of the Magic
Horse, &c, and the Falcon) with
8 lines of a spurious SQUIRE-
WIFE LINK at the end (instead
of the two genuine lines 671-2),
p. 497 S-T, p. 212 Lans.)
[For F, § 3, SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK,
from Addit. MS. 5140, see Appendix
5, p. 7*. For F, § 4, FRANKLIN'S
TALE, see p. 351 Lans.~\
Six-Text
Pages
D. § 1. Wife of Bath's Preamble1 (of her 5
Husbands, &c.), with 4 lines of
a spurious SQUIRE-WIFE LINK
§ 2. Wife of Bath's Tale (of what Women
most desire)
§ 3. WIFE-FRIAR LINK
§ 4. Friar's Tale (of the Sum'ner carrid
off to Hell)
§ 5. FRIAR-SUM'NER LINK
§ 6. Smn'ner's Tale (of the Friar trickt
by the sick Husbandman, and
the Lord's Carver)
E. § 1. CLERK'S HEAD-LINK
§ 2. Clerk's Tale (of Grisilde). (Pt. II,
p. 409 S-T, p. 288 Lans. ; Pt.
Ill, p. 417 S-T, p. 296 Lans. ;
Pt. IV, p. 422 S-T, p. 301 Lans.;
Pt. V, p. 428 S-T, p. 307 Lans. ;
Pt. VI, p. 433 S-T, p. 312 Lans.
Chaucer's Envoy,2 p. 440 S-T,
p. 319£aa0.) ...
[For Group B, § 3, CLERK-MERCHANT
LINK (from MS. Reg. 17 D xv), ace
Appendix, no. 3, p. 5*.]
479
Lansd.
Pages
194
334
359
371
372
383
385
403
405
213
238
250
251
262
264
281
1 Has not the lines D 575—584, 609—612, 619—626, 717—720.
They are supplied in the text, p. 229, 230, 233 Lansd., from Cambr.
Univ. MS. li. 3. 26, Harl. 1758, and Laud 600.
2 6 stanzas of 6 lines each, each having the same 3 rymes,
-ence, -ayle, -ynde, and ryming ababcb, as against the 7-line stanzas
of the Tale, ryming ababbcc, and having changing rymes.
CONTENTS.
Group
E. § 4. Merchant's Tale1 (of January and
May, incomplete, only to I. 2318.
For lines 2319-2418 (from Hail
MS. 1758, with 14 spurious
lines), see Appendix 1, p. 1*
Lans.} ...
[For E, § 5, MERCHANT'S END-LINK
(from Addit. MS. 5140), see Ap-
pendix 2, p. 4*.]
Six-Text
Pages
443
Lansd.
Pages
[For F, § 1, see Appendix 4, p. 6* ;
for F, § 2, p. 479 Lans.; for F, § 3,
see Appendix 5, p. 7*.]
E. § 4. Franklin's (Proem and) Tale2 (of
Dorigen, Arviragus, and Auri-
lius)
500
351
G. § 1. Second Nun's (Proem and) Tale (of
St. Cecile) 527
§ 2. SECOND-NUN — CANON'S -YEOMAN
LINK 547
§ 3. Canon's Yeoman's Preamble (of
Alchemy, &c.) ... ... 552
§ 4. Canon's Yeoman's Tale (of the ras-
cally Alchemist-Canon) ... 560
Spurious CANON'S- YEOMAN — DOCTOR LINK
of 16 lines
377
397
402
410
425
1 HSjS (like Corpus and Petworth MSS.) a spurious 1. 1778,
instead of the genuine E 1777, p. 458 S-T, p. 336 Lans., and a
spurious 1. 1816 (misplaced), p. 459 S-T, p. 337 Lans. Leaves out,
like Corp. and Pet. MS., E 1927-8, p. 461 S-T, p. 340 Lans. But,
unlike Corp. and Pet., the Lans. MS. leaves out E 2281-8, p. 472
S-T, p. 350 Lans.
3 Like Corpus and Petworth MSS., Lansd. leaves out F 1423-4,
and 1433-4, and has a spurious F 1436, misplaced, p. 520 S-T,
p. 371 Lans. It also has not the lines F 1455-6, 1493-8, known
only in the Ellesmere MS., p. 521, 522 S-T, p. 372-3 Lans. Like
Corp. and Pet. MSS., Lansd. has spurious lines for F 1529, F 1556,
p. 523 S-T, p. 374 Lans. Like Corpus (but not Pet.), Lansd. leaves
out F 1567-8 ; and unlike both, it leaves out too F 1595-1602, and
transposes 1603, 1604, p. 524-5 S-T, p. 375-G Lans.
CONTENTS.
Six-Text
Group Pages
C. § 1. Doctor's Tale (of Virginia) ... 303
§ 2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK ... 312
§ 3. Pardoner's Preamble l (of his
Preaching and Tricks) ... 314
§ 4. Pardoner's Tale2 (of the Three
Rioters) ......... 318
Spurious PARDONER-SHIPMAN LINK of 6 lines
[For B, § 1, 2, 3, see p. 155—193 Lans.,
p. 129—167 S-T.]
B. § 4. Shipman's Tale (of the Monk and
the Merchant's Wife) ... 168
§ 5. SHIPMAN-PRIORESS LINK ... 181
§ 6. Prioress's (Proem and) Tale (of the
little murderd Boy) 182
§ 7. PRIORESS-THOPAS LINK ... ... 190
§ 8. Chaucer's Tale of Sir Thopas (un-
finisht) (Fytte 2, p. 197 S-T,
p. 48 Lansd.) ... 191
§ 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK ... ... 199
§ 10. Chaucer's Tale of Melibe (prose : of
Prudence) 201
§ 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK ... ... 253
§ 12. Monk's Tale3 (of Men fallen from
high estate) ... ... ... 256
§ 13. MONK — NUN'S-PRIEST LINK ... 281
§ 14. Nun's Priest's Tale (of the Cock
and Fox) 283
[For B, § 15, NUN'S PRIEST'S END-
LINK, see p. 700.]
H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK ... 576
§ 2. Manciple's Tale (of the Crow) ... 580
Lansd.
Pages
426
435
437
441
456
457
470
471
479
480
488
490
542
545
570
572
590
594
1 Line 356, p. 314 S-T, p. 437 Lans., was wrongly put in by me,
as the present 357 is meant for 357-8, p. 315 S-T, p. 438 Lanx.
Lansd. leaves out lines C 409-427, p. 316 S-T, p. 439 Lans. (Corp.
and Pet. have them.)
2 Like Corpus (not Petworth, &c.), has 2 spurious lines 487Z>,
488e, p. 318 S-T, p. 441 Lans.
3 The 4 ' Modern Instances ' — Peter the Cruel of Spain, Peter
of Cyprus, Barnabo Visconti of Milan, and Count Ugolino of Pisa —
are in their right places, after Zenobia, p. 268 S-T, p. 557 Lansd.
CONTENTS.
Group
I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK
Contents of the Parson's Tale . . .
§ 2. Parson's Tale (A prose Treatise on
Penitence. Pt. II, p. 612-678
8-T, p. 626-692 Lansd.; Pt. Ill,
p. 679-683 8-T, p. 693-6 Lansd.
Leave-taking, p. 684 S-T, p. 698
Lansd.)
Six-Text
Pages
589
592
593
Lansd.
Pages
602
605
607
Supplt. B. § 15. NUN'S PRIEST'S END-LINK,
from the Christ Church MS.
301
700
OF SECTIONS, WOODCUTS, ETC., NOT IN THE
LANSDOWNE MS.
1. Group E, § 4, end of the Merchant's Tale,
1. 2319-2418, from the Harleian MS.
1758, with 8 spurious lines after 1.
2353 (p. 3*), 2 spurious lines after 1.
2366, and 4 after 1. 2376. (See p. 473
8-T, p. 350* Lam. above) 473 1*
2. Group E, § 5, the Merchant's End-Link,
p. 476 Six-Text, from the Additional
MS, 5140, in the British Museum.
('Twould have followd p. 475 S-T,oi 3*
above, had it been in the Lansd. MS.) 476 4*
3. Group E, § 3, the Clerk-Merchant-Link,
p. 442 Six-Text, from Koyal MS. 17
D xv, in the British Museum. It would
have followd p. 320 Lans. above, had
it been in the Lansd. MS 442 5*
4. Group F, § 1, the Squire's Head-Link,
p. 478 Six-Text, from the Additional
MS. 5140, in the British Museum. It
would have come next before p. 194
Lans. above, instead of the Man-of-
Law-Shipman Link, p. 193, had it
been in the Lansd. MS. and the Tales
in right order ... 478 6*
Vlll CONTENTS.
Six-Text
Group Pages
5. Group F, § 3, the Squire-Franklin Link,
p. 498-9 Six-Text, from the Addit. MS.
5140 Brit. Mus. 'Twould have followd
p. 212 above — see the spurious Links,
or ending and heading, there and on
p. 213 — had it been in the MS. and
the Tales been rightly arrangd ... 498
6. Drawings of the 23 Tellers of the 24 Can-
terbury Tales, copied from the Ellesm.
MS., and cut on wood by Mr Hooper
4. Drawings of 6 Tellers of 6 Canterbury
Tales, — the Cook, Reeve, Wife of Bath,
Pardoner, Monk, and Manciple, — and
of 6 Allegorical Figures — "Wrath and
Mercy, Gluttony and Abstinence, Lech-
ery and Chastity, — from the Cambridge
University MS., Gg. 4. 27, cut by Mr
Hooper
Lansd.
Pages
GROUP A. FRAGMENT I.
§ 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE.
LANSDOWNE MS. 851.
[Note : after very many final c, e, f, g, k, r, s, t, there is a stroke or a tag,
The number is so great, sometimes 6 or 7 in 1 line, that I am obliged to
disregard all.]
Incipit prologus fabularww CaniM&riensium. [leaf 2]
•Han pat Aprille wype his schoures soote .
pe drought of Marche hafe perced to pe roote .
And bapes euery veyne in suche lycoure .
Of whiche vertue engender is pe floure . 4
Whan ^ephirus eke with his swete brepe .
Inspired hape in euery holte and hethe .
The tendre croppes and pe ^onge sonne .
Hape in pe Rawme his half cours ronne . 8
And Smal foules maken melodye .
pat slepen al nyht wip open . yhe .
So prikkep hem nature in her corages .
Than longen folke to gone one pilgrimages . 1 2
And palmeres for to seeke straungere strondes .
To feme halowes cowpe in sundre londes .
And specialy from eue/y schyres ende .
Of Ingelonde to Canterburi pei wende 16
The holy blisful Martir1 for to seke
That hem hap holpen whan pei were seke
It be-fel pan in pat sesone vpon a daie
In Suthewerke att pe tabard as .1. laie 20
Redi to wende on my pilgremage .
To Canterburie wip ful deuoute Corage .
At nyhte was come in-to pat hostellerie
Wei Nyne and twente on a company e 24
Of sondre folke be auenture yfalle
In felauschipe and Pilgrimes were pei alle
To-warde Canterburi pat wolde ride
1 LANSDOWNE 1
.
2 GROUP A.
And eke
att
That fro f
To xydeu
is tale
«*> ftost
i manne
so
tes Dries and ay
InllSt
28
„
44
48
52
56
60
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS. 3
This like worfi knyhte hade bene also 64
Some tim wife Jje lorde of Palatye
A^eine anof er heif en in Turkye
And euer more he had a souereine prise
And f oughe fat he was worjri he was wise 68
And of his porte as meke as is a maide
He neuer }it no velany seide
In al his life til no maner wyght
He was a verrey per&te gentil knyht 72
ffor to tel ^owe of his araye
His hors was goode hot he was nouhte gaye
Off ffustion he werede a Gepon
Aft "be-smoterde wij> his haburgen . 76
ffor he was late come fro his viage
And went for to done his Pilgrimage
WiJ) hime fare was his sorane a ^onge swiere
A louyer and a lusti bachellere 80
Wif lokkes crulle as f ei were leide in presse
Of .xx. ^eres of age he was .1. gesse .
Of his stature he was of euen lengef e
And wonderly deliuer . and grete of strenkef e 84
And he had be sume time in cheualrie [leaf s]
In fflandres in Artoys and in Pykardie
And "borne him wele as of so litel space
In hope to stonden in his lady grace 88
Embrowded was he as it were a mede
Al ful of frissche flowres white and rede
Singeinge he was or flowteinge al f e daie
He was al so fresche as is f e monef of maie . 92
Schort was his goune vritJi sleues longe and wide
"Wele couf e he sitte on an horse and faire ride
He couf e songes make and wele endite
luste and eke daunce and wele purtreie and write 96
So hote he loued fat be nyghter tale
He slepete no more fan dof e f e nyhtegale
Corteis he was lowly and smiisable
LAXSDOWXE 3
4 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS.
And karf to-for his fader att J>e table 100
A ^oman had he and seraantes no moo
Att fat time for him liste ride soo
And he was cladde in cote and hoode of grene
A scheef of pokoke arwes briht and kene 1 04
Vnder his belte he hare ful Jjreftelie
Wele coujje he drese his takel ^emonlie
His arwes drouped nouht wij> fej>eres lowe
And in his honde he bare a myhti bowe 108
A notte hede had he wij> a broune visage
Of wodecraft wele conjje he al J?e vsage
Vpon his arme he bare a gaie brasere
And be his side a swerde and a bokelere 112
And on Jjat olpere side a gaie daggere .
Herneyste wele and scharpe as Jje pointe of a spere .
A christofai on his breste of siluer schene .
An home he bare J?e bawdrik was of grene 110
A forster was he sojjelye as .1. gesse .
IT Thare was also a Nonne a Prioresse
That of hir smyleynge was ful simple and coye
Her* grettest oj>e was hot be seint Loye. 120
And sche was cleped Madame Englentyne
fful wele sche songe ]>e seruise deuine
Entuned in hir nose ful semely .
And franche sche spake ful faire and fetisly 124
After J>e scole att Stretford att Bowe
ffor frenche of Paris was to hire vnknowe
Att mete wele ytauhte was sche witTi-ait [leaf s, back]
Sche lete no morsel fro hir lippes fatt
Ne wete hir fingeres in hir sauce depe
Wele couj>e sche cary a morsel and wel kepe
Jjat no drope ne fel vpon hir breste
In curtesie was sette ful muchel her leste
Hir> ouere-lippe sche wyped so clene
That in hir coppe per was no fat pinge sene
Of grece whan sche had dronken hir1 drawhte
LANSDOWNE 4
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS. 5
fful semelye after hir1 mete sche rawhte . 136
And sekerly sche was of grete disporte .
And ful plesant and ful amyable of porto
And peyned hir to counterfet chere
Of Courte and to be stalyche of Manere 140
And to be holden digne of reuerence
Bot for to speke of hire Conscience
Sche was so charitable and so pytous .
Sche wolde wepe $if J>at sche sawe a mouse 1 44
Kauht in a trape if it ware dede or bledde
Of smale houndes had sche J>at sche fedde
Wi]> rostede flesche or melke or wastel brede
Bot sore wepped sche if one of hem were dede 1 48
Or if men smote it wij) a ^erde smart
And al was conscience and tendur herte
fful semely hir1 wympul pinched was
Hire nose was streihte her1 yhen was grei as glas 152
Hire moufe ful smal . and Jjere-to soft and rede
Bot sekurly sche had a faire forhede
It was al-moste a spanne brode .1. trowe
ffor hardely sche was nouhte vnder growe 156
fful fetis was hir1 cloke as .1. was war1
Of smale coral aboute hir harme sche bar*
A peire of Bedes gauded al wij> grene
And fere-one honge a broche of golde ful schene 160
On whiche jjare was firste wreten wijj a crowned .A.
And After Amor vincit omnia .
1T A nojjer nonne wyj> hir* had sche
jjat was hir Chapeleyne and prestes )>re 164
A monke Jiere was a faire for j?e maistre
An owte-rider jjat loued venere
A manly man to bene an Abbot Able
fful mony a daynte hors hade he in stable 168
And whanne he rode men myht his bridele here [leaf 43
Gyngelinge in a whistelinge wynde al so clere
And eke as lowde as dojje J?e chapel belle
LANSDOWNE 5
6 GrBOUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. LansdOWHC MS.
There as fis lorde was keper of f e selle 172
The rewle of seint Maure or of seint Beneyte
Be cause fat it was olde and somdele streyte
This ilke monke lete olde f inges pace
And helde after fe newe werde fe pace 176
He 3af nouht of f e text a pulled henne
fat seif e fat hunteres bef e nouht holy menne
Ne that a monke whan he is recheles
Is likkened til a fische fat is waterles . 180
That is to seie A monke oute of his cloistre
Bot f ilke text held he nouht worfe an hoistre
And .1. seide his opinione was goode
Whatt scholde he stodie and make him selfe wode 184
"Vpon a boke in cloister al-weie to powre
Or swynke wif his hondes and laboure
As Austine bite howe schal f e werld be serued
Latte Austine haue his swynke to him rese[r]ued 188
Thare-for he was a prikasoure a right
Grehoundes he had as swift as foules in flyht
Of Prikinge and of huntynge for f e hare .
Was al his lust for no cost wolde he spare . 192
.1. seighe his sleues purfiled att f e honde
Wif Gryse and fat f e fynest of a londe
And for to festen f e hode vnder his chynne
He had of golde wrought a ful coriouse pinne 196
A loue knotte on Jje gretter hende fere was
His hede was balled fat schone as any glas
And eke his face as he had be anoynte
He was a lorde ful fatte and in goode pointe . 200
His yhen stepe and rollinge in his hede
That stemed as a furneis of a lede
His botes souple his hors in grete astate
No we certeynely he was a faire prelate . 204
He nas nouht pale as a forpyned goste
A fatte swanne loued he best of any roste
His Palfrei was as broune as is a burye
LAXSDOWNE 6
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. LansdoWTL8 MS. 7
«J[ A frere fare was a wanton and murye . 208
A lymitur a ful solempne manne
In alt f e orderes foure is none fat canne .
So muche of daliance and faire langage o«af4,backj
He had maade ful mouy a mariage . 212
Of }onge wemmen att his owen cost
Vn-to his order he was a nobel post
fFul wele be-loued and famulier was he .
With frankeleyns ouer al in his centre . 216
And wijj worf e wemmen of f e toune
ffor he had power of confessione
As seide him selfe more fan a curate
ffor [of] his order he was licenciate 220
fful swetely herde he confession
And plesant was his absolucion.
He was an hesy man to ^ef penance
Ther as he wiste to haue a goode petance 224
ffor vn-to a poure order for to }eue
Is singne fat a man is wel yschriue
ffor if he $af he dorst make avaunt
He wist fat a man was repentaunt 228
ffor mony a man so harde is of his herte
He maie nouht wepe al f ouhe he sore smerte
There-for in stede of wepeynge and preyeres
Men mote 31110 siluer to Jje poure freres 232
His tepet was ay farset ful of knyues
And pinnes for to }eue faire wyues
And certeinli he had a mery note
Wele coufe he singen and pleine on a rote 236
Of :jeddinges he bare witterli f e pris
His neke white was as f e floure delis
Ther-to he was also stronge as a champiowno
He knewe f e tauernes wele in euery towne . 240
And eueryche hosteler or a tapestere
Better fan a la^ar or a Begger
ffor vn-to suche a worfi man as he
LANSDOWNE 7
8 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. LansdOWTie MS.
Accorded nouht as be his faculte 244
To haue wif suche seke lazerz acquaintance
It is noulit honest it maie nouht avaunce
ffor to dele wif suche poraile
Bot al wif riche and seller of vitaile 248
And ouere al fare as profet schold arise
Curteise he was and lowly of seruyse
f er nas no man noghwere so vertuous
He was f e best begger in his hous 252
• . . . . .... no gap in the MS.]
ffor f ouhe a widowe had nouht a scho peaf 53
So plesande was his in principio .
3it wolde he haue a ferf inge ar he wente
His purchas was wel better fan his rent 256
And rage he coupe riht as it were a whelpe
In louedaies fare couf e he muchel helpe
ffor fere he was not liche a cloistrere
Wif a f rede-bare cope as a pouer scolere 260
Bot he was lyke a Maistre or a Pope
Of dowble worstede was his semy-cope
Jjat rounde as a belt out f e presse
Somwhat he lisped for his wantonesse 264
To make his yngelische swete vpon his tonge
And in his harpeinge whan he had songe
His yhen twynkeled in his heued ariht
As dof e f e sterres in f e froste nyht 268
This worf e LimetoMr was cleped Huberd
IT A marchant was fere -with a forked berde
In motteley . and hye on hors he satte
Vpon his heued a fflaundrisshe beuere hatte 272
His botes clasped faire and fetislye
His resons he spake ful solemplye
Scheweynge alwey f encres of his wynynge
He wolde f e se were keppede for any f inge 276
Be-twyx Middelburgfe . and Orewette
LANSDOWNE 8
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS. 9
"Wele coupe he in eschaunge scheldes sette
This worpi man ful wel his wit be-sette
Thare wist no white pat he was in dette 280
So estately was he of his Gouernance
Wip his Bargeynes and wijj his cheuisance
fFor sope he was a worpi man wip aft
Bot sothely to seine .1. note ho we men him catt 284
IT A clerke pere was of Oxenforde also
Jjat vnto Logiqwe had longe ygo
As lene was his hors as was a rake
And he was nouht riht fat .1. vndertake 288
Bot loked holwhe and per-to soburly
fful J>redebare was his oner courteby
fibr he had geten him no benefice
Ne was so werdly to haue office 292
ffor him was leuer haue att his bed hede
Twenty bokes cladde in blak and rede .
Of Aristotle and his philo[so]phi [leaf 5, back]
Jjan Robes Riche or Phepel or gay Sautry 296
Bot al by pat he was a Philosophre
3it had he bot litel golde in Cophre
Bot al pat he myht on his frendes hente
On bokes and on lerenynge he it spente 300
And besily gan for po sowles preye
Of hem pat $af him where-wip for to scoleye
Of studye toke he most cure and moste hede
Not a worde more spak he pan was nede 304
And pat was seide in forme and reuerence
And schorte and whike and ful of hihe sentence
Sownynge in moratt vertue was his speche
And gladely wolde he leren . and gladly teche 308
A Seriant of pe lawe war1 and wyse
Jjat often had bene att pe paruise
Jjat was also ful riche of excellence
Discrete he was and of grete reuerence 312
Him semed swyche his wordes weren so wyse
LANSDOWNE 9
10 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS.
Justice he was ful often in assise
Be Patent and be pleine commissiown
fTor his science and his hihe renown 316
Of fees and robes had he manyone
So grete a purchasour was nowhere none
Al was fe symple to him in effecte
His purchasinge miht nouht be enfecte 320
No-wher so besy a man as he fare nas
And 3itte he semed bisier fan he was
In termes had he cas and domes aft
jjat fro f e time of Kynge WilKam were fatt 324
Thare-to he couj>e endite and make a f inge
There couf e no whight pinche att his writeinge
And euery statut couf e he pleine be rote
He rode Rode bot homely in Medle cote 328
Gerde wif a seint of silke withe \fiih barres smale
Of his aray tel .1. no longer tale
IT A frankelein was in his companye
White was his berde as is f e dayse 332
Of his complexion he was sangwyne
Wele loued he be fe morwe a soppe in wyne
To leuen in delit euer was his wonne
ffor he was Opiournes owne sonne 336
That helde opinione fat pleine delite Peaf 6]
Was verrey felicite perfite
An howse-halder and fat a grete was he
Seint Julian he was in his countre 340
His brede his ale was alwey after one
A better envined man was neuer none
Wif owte bakemete was neuer his howse
Of ffissche of flessche and fat so plentiuouse 344
It snewide in his house of mete and drinke
Of al Deyntef es fat men couf e f enke
After f e sondri sesons of f e $ere
So chaunged he his mete and his soper 348
fful many a fat paj-triche had he in Mewe
LANSDOWNE 10
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS, 1 1
And mony a breme and mony a luce in stewe
Woo was his coke bot his sauce were
Punyant and scharpe and redy al his gere 352
His table dormant in his haft alweie
Stode redy couered al Jje longe deie.
Att Sessions Jpere was he lorde and sire
fful oft time he was knight of J?e schire 356
An Anelas and a gisper al of silke
Honge att his gerdel white as morne melke
A Schirrif had he bene and a comptoure
Was nowher suche a worjn vavisoure . 360
An Haberdassher and a Carpentere
A webbe a dyere . and a tapecere
And J>ei were closed att in o liuere
Of a solempne and a grete ffratornite 364
fful frische and newe hire gere a-pyked was
Her*e knyues ware chaped nouht wij> bras
Bot al wij> siluer wrowht ful clene and wele
Here girdeles and her pouches euerydele 368
Wele semed iche of hem a faire burgeise
To sitten in a ^elde haft on Jje hihe dese
Eueryche for J>e wisdom fat he kanne
Was schapely for to bene an Alderman 372
ffor catel had fei ynowhe and rente
And eke here wyves it wolde wele assente
And elles certein pei were to blame
It is ful faire to be cleped ma dame 376
And gone to vigiles al to-fore
And haue a mantil ryaliche ybore
IF A Cooke J?ei had wi)> hem for fe nones Peaf 6, tack]
To Boile ]>e Chikenes wijj J?e mery bones 380
And pouder Marchant tarte and Galingale
Wele coujje he knowe a drawht of londen ale
He coupe roste and sethe and broile and frye
Maken Mortreux and wele bake a pye 384
Bot grete harme was it as it Jjouht me
LA.NSDOAVNE 11
12 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS.
Jjat on his schinne a morrnal had he
ffor blankemangere J>at inaade he wij) Jje beste
1T A Schipman was fere wonnynge fer be weste 388
ffor owht .1. wote he was of dertemoujje
He rode vpon a rounse as he coujje
In a goune of foldeynge to Jje kne
A dagger hongeynge on a lace had he 392
Abowte his neke vnder his Arme downe
Jje Hote somere had made his hiew al browne
An certeinly he was a goode felawe .
fful mony a drauht of wyne had he draw 396
ffrome Burdeux-warde whan Jje chapman slepe
Of nice conscience toke he no kepe
If Jjat he fauhte and had Jje hiher honde
Be water he sent him home be euery londe 400
Bot of his crafte to rekken wele his tides
His stremes and his dawnger him be-sides
His herberwe . and his mone . and his lodemannage
Thare was none swyche fro Hulle to Cartage 404:
Hardy he was and wyse to vndertake
Wijj mony a tempest had his berde be schake
He knewe al Jje hauenes as J>ei were
ffro Gotelonde to J>e cape Defynystre 408
And euery Cryke in Breteine and in Spayne
His barge y-cleped was Jje Maudeleyne
IT Wi)> vs Jjere was a doctur of Phesike
In al fis werlde ne was fere none him like 412
To speke of Phisike and of Surgerie
ffor he was grounded in Astronomye
He kepet his pacient a ful grete dele
In houres be his Magike naturele 416
"Wele coujje he fortune Jje Ascendent
Of his ymages for his pacient
He knewe fe cause of euer-yche maledie
Were it of colde of hote or moiste or drie 420
And where-of engenderde it . and of what humere [leaf n
LANSDOWNE 12
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdown6 MS. 13
He was a verrey perfite practisere
The cause .I.-knewe and of his harme fe rote
A-none he jaue seke man his bote 424
fful redy had he his Apotecaries
To sende him drugges and his letuaries
ffor iche of hem made oper for to winne
Here ffrindeschipe nas not newe to begynne 428
"Wele knewe he J?e olde Escalapius
And discorides and eke Rusus
Olde ypocras Haly and Galiene
Serapion . Eazie and Auizene 432
Auerois Damascien and Constantine
Bernard and Gatisdene . and Gilbertine
Of his Dyete Mesurable was he
ffor it was of no superfluite 436
Bot of grete norsschinge and digestible
His study was hot litel on fe bible
In sangwyne and in pers he clad was aft
Lyned wi)> Tafeta and wijj sendaft 440
And jit he was bot esy of dispense
He keped J>at he wanne in J>e pestilense
ffor gold in phesik is accordial
There-fore he loued golde in speciale 444
IT A goode wif fer was of be-side bafe
Bot sche was sumdele defe and J>at was skape
Of clofe makeynge sche had swyche an haunte
Sche passed hem of. Ipres and of Gaunte 448
In att J>e parische wif ne was Jjere none
That to J>e offringe to-forne hir scholde gone
And if fere dide certeyne wrojie was sche
Jjat sche was owte of al charite 452
Hire couerchiefs fill fine were of grounde
.1. dorste swere J>ei weiden ten pounde
Jjat on a sonday weren on hire hede
Here hosen weren of fine scarlet rede 456
fful streite tyed . and schoes ful moiste and newe
LANSDOWNE 13
14 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. LansdOWHC MS.
*
Bolde was hir* face and faire and rede of hewe
Scho was a worpe womman al Mr lyue
Hosbondes att pe cherche dore sche had five . 460
Wip owten o]>er company in hir joupe
Bot pere-of nedej) nouht to speke as noupe
An pries had sche be att Jerusalem [leaf 7, back]
Sche had passed many a strange streme 464
Att Rome sche had bene att Boloyne
In Galis att seinte lame and att Coloyngne
Sche coupe nmche on wandrynge be pe weie
Gate topede was sche sothely for to seye 468
Vpon an Amblere ful esely sche satte
.Y-wymplede wele and one hir heued an hatte
As brode as is a bokelere or elles a targe
A fotmantil a-boute hir hippes large 472
And on hir feet a paire of spores scharpe
In felauschepe wele coupe sche lawghe and carpe
Of remedies of loue sche coupe parchaunce
ffor sche couthe of pat arte pe colde daunce 476
^[ A goode man was pere of religione
And was a poure persone of a toune
Bot riche he was of holy pouht and werke
He was also a lernede man and a clerke 480
Jjat crist gospeft trewly wolde preche
His parisshins deuowtely wolde he teche
Benygne he was and wonder diligente
And in aduersite ful paciente 484
And suche he was preuede oft sithes
fful lope were him to cursen for his tipes
Bot raper wolde he ^euen owte of doute
Vnto his pouer perisshens aboute 488
Of his Offringe and of his substance
He coupe in litel pinge haue suffisance
Wyde was his parisshe and houses fer in sondcre
Bot he ne left nowtht for reyne ne for pondere 492
In sekenes nor in Meschef to visite
LANSDOWNE 14
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS. 15
The fferrest in his parische moste and lite
Vpon his fete and in his honde a staf
This noble ensample to his schepe he $af 496
J)at ferst he wrouhte and afterwarde he tawht
Owte of J>e gospel he ]?o wordes kauht
And J)is figure eke he hadded fer-to
Jjat if gold rust what schold yren do 500
ffor if a preste be foule of whome we truste
No wonder is a lewde man to ruste
And schame it is if a preste take kepe
A schiten schiperd to se and a cleyne schepe 504
"Wei owhte a preste ensample for to ^iue [leaf 6]
Be his clennes how his schepe scholde Hue
He sett nouht his benefice to hire
And lete his schepe acumbrede in J?e mire 508
And Kan to Londen vn-to seint poules
To seke him a chauntery to singe for sowles
Or wijj a bre]?erhede to be wiJ5-holde
Bot dwelte att home and keped wel nis foide 512
So fat pe wolfe ne maade it nouhte myscarie
He was a scheparde and noujt a mercenarie
And Jjouhe he holy were and vertuous
He was nouht to sinful men dispitous 516
Ne of his speche daungerouse ne.digne
Bot in his techinge discrete and benigne
To drawen folke to heuen be feirenesse
Be goode ensample Jris was his besinesse 520
Bot it were any persone obstinate
What so he were of hihe or lowe a-state
Him wolde he snybbe sharpely for fe nones
A better preste .1 trowe Jjat nowhere none es 524
He waited after no pompe and reuerence .
Ne maked him a spised conscience
Bot cristes lore and his aposteles twelue
He tauht hot first he folowed in him selue 528
IT WiJ? him fare was a plouheman was his broker
LANSDOWNE 15
16 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS.
fat had lad of donge ful mony a fof ere
And a trew swinker and a goode was he
Lyueinge in pes and in perfit charite 532
God loued he best wif al his herte
Att al times f ouhe he gamed or smerte
And fan his neighebore riht as him selue
He wolde fresshe and f er-to dike and delue 536
ffor cristes sake for euery pouer white
"With owte hire if it leie in his miht
His tyf es paide he ful faire and wele
Bothe of his proper swynke and of his catel 540
In a tabarde he rode vpon a mere
U Ther was al so a reue and a Mellere
A sompnowr and pardonere al so
A manciple and my selfe fere nare no mo 544
The Meller was a stowte carle for f e nones
fful big he was of braune and eke of bones .
That proued wele for ouer al fer he cam peafs,back]
Att wrastelinge he wolde haue awaie fe rarame 548
He was schort-scholdred a fike gnarre
There was no dore fat he ne wolde heue of harre
Or breke it wif a renynge with his hede
His berd as any sowe or fox was rede 552
And f er-to brode as f ouhe it were a spade
Vpon f e cop riht of his nose he had
A werte and fere on stode a tofte of heres
Rede as f e bresteles of a sowes Eres 556
His nos-f relies blake were and wide
A swerde and a bokeler bar he be his side
His mouf e as grete was as grete furneys
He was a langeler and a goliardeys 560
And fat was most of sinne and of Harlotries
Wele couf e he stele corne and tolle fries
And }itte he had a thombe of golde parde
A white cote and a blewe hode wered he 564
A Baggepipe wele couf e he blawe and sowne
LANSDOWNE 16
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. LansdoWHC MS. 1 7
And fere wif aft he browht vs owte of towne
A gentift Maunciple was fere of a temple
Of whiche acatours miht take goode ensample 5G8
ffor to be wise in "byynge of vitaile
ffor wejjer fat lie paiede or toke be taile
Algate lie waited so in his achate
J?at he was al be-forne and in goode astate 572
Now es nouht fat of god a ful faixe grace .
Jjat suche a lewde mannes witt schal pace
J3e wisdom of an hepe of lerned men
Of Maistres had he mo fan fries ten 576
Jjat weren of lawe expert and curious
Of wiche f er was a doseine in fat hous
Worf e to be stewardes of rent and londe
Of any lordes fat is in yngelonde 580
To make him leue be his propre goode
In honoure detteles bot if he were wode
Or lyue as scarsely as him lust desire
And able for to helpeu al a schire 584
In any cas fat niyht fal or happe
And 3it f is manciple sette here alf ere cappe
1T The reue was a sclender Colerik man
His berde was schaue as nyhe as euere he can . 588
His here was be his eres rounde y-schorne [leaf 9]
His tope was dokked like a preste to forne
fful longe was [his] legges and ful lene
.L-like a staf far was no calfe y-sene 592
Wele couf e he kepe a gernar or a bynne
Ther was non auditoure couf e on him wynne
Wele wiste he be drowhte and be f e reyne
The ^eldeynge of his sede and of his greyne 596
His lordes schepe his nete his dayre
His swyne his hors his store and his pultre
Was holy in f is reues gouernynge
And be his couenant jaf f e rekenynge 600
Sen fat his lord was twenty ^ere of age
2 LANSDOWNE 17
18 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. lansdowne MS.
Jjare couj?e no man bringe him in arerage
Thare nas Baillif ne herde ne oj»ere hyne
That he ne knewe his sleyht and his Couyne 604
Thei were adrad of him as of J>e defe
His wonynge was ful faire vpon an he)>e
Wijj grene trees schadowed was his place
He coujje better Jjan his lorde purchace 608
fful riche he was astored pmiely
His lord he coujje wele plese subtily
To ^iue and lenne him of his owen goode
And haue a j>onke and jit a cote and an hoode 6 1 2
In jowjje he had lerned a good mistere
He was a wel goode wriht a carpentere
This satt vpon a fol goode stot
That was a pomely greye and hihte Scot 616
A longe surcote of peers vpon he hadde
And be his side he bare a rasti blade
Of Norjjefolk was J>is reue whiche .1. teft
Be-siden a towne men clepen it" baldeswett 620
Tukked he was as is a frere abowte
And euere he rode hinderest of owre Rowte
IT A Somynowr was J>er wij> vs in fat place
Jpat had a firy Chembynnes face 624
ffor sausefleme he was "with yhen narowe
Als hote he was and licherous as a sparowe
Wijj scalled browes blake and a pilled berde
Of his vesage childerne were aferde 628
Ther nas whike-siluer litarge or bremstone
Boras orsure ne oyle of tartre none
Ne oyment J>at wolde dense and bite I'eafo back]
That him myht helpe of his whelkes white 632
Nere of j?e knobbes sittinge in his chekes
"Wele loued he garlike onyons and $\ie lekes
And for to drinke stronge wyne rede as blode
Than wold he speke and crie as he ware wode
And whan J>at he wele drongen had J>e wyne
LANSDOWNE 18
GROUP A- § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. LailsdOWIie MS. 19
J>an wold he speke no worde bot latyne
A fewe terems had he two or thre
That he had lerned owte of sum decre 640
No wonder is he herd it al f e daie
And eke 30 knowen it wele ho we fat a laie
Kan clepe watt as wele as kan jje pope
Bot who so coufe in oj>er finge him grope 644
Jjan had he spent al his philosophic
Ay Questio quid luris wold he crie
He was a gentil harlot and a kynde
A better felawe scholde men nouht finde 648
He wolde suffer for a whart of wyne
A good felaw to haue his concubyne
A twelmouf e and excuse him att fulle
And pn'uely eke a finche coufe he pulle 652
And . if he fonde owhere a goode felawe
He wolde techen him to haue none awe
In suche cas of f e Archedekenes Curse
Bot if [a] mannes soule were in his purse 656
ffor in his purs he scholde punyschede be
The purse es f e Archedekenes heft seide he
Bot wele .1. wote he lyede riht in dede
Of curssinge owht yche gilty man him drede 660
ffor curs wil sle riht as a-soyleynge sauyf e
And also war him of a significauit
In dawngere had he att his owen gise
The $onge girles of f e diocise 664
And knewe her consel and what was al here rede
A garland had he sett vpon his hede
As grete as it were for an Alestake
A bokelere had he made him of a kake 668
IT Wife him fere rode a gentil pardonere
Of Rouncyual his frende and his comper
fat streyhte was cowme fro f e courte of Eome
fful loude he songe come hider loue to me. 672
This Somenoure bare to him a stif burdoune [leaf 10]
LANSDOWNE 19
20 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS.
"Was neuer trompe of halfe so grete a sotme
This pardonere liad here as ^alowe as wax .
Bot smotho it henge as dof a strike of flax . 676
Bi ounces henge his lokkes fat he hadde
And f er wij) he his scholdres ouer spradde
But f inne it leie be culpones one and one
But hode for lolyte wered he none 680
ffor it was trussed vp in his walet
Him f ouht he rode al of f e newe get
Discheuele saue his cape he rode al "bare
Suche glayringe yhen had he as it were an hare 684
A vernicle had he sewe vpon his cape
His walet [lay] to forne him in his lappe
Bret ful of pardon comen from Rome al hote
A voyce he had also smale as it were a gote 688
No berde had he ne neuer schuld haue
As smof e it was as it were late schaue
.1. trowe he were a geldinge or a mare
Bot of his craft fro Berwike in to ware 692
Ne was fere suche anof er pardonere
ffor in his male he hadde a pylowbere
Whiche that he seide was owre lady veyle
He seide he had a gobet of f e seile 696
That seint Peter had whan fat he wente
Vpon f e see titt ihesu crist him hente
He had a croyce of Laton ful of stones
And in a glasse he hadde Pygges bones 700
Bot wife f es relikes whan fat he fonde
A pouer person dwellynge vpon londe
Vppon a daie he gat him more moneye
Than fat f e person gatte in f e Monethes tweye 704
And f us wif feyned flaterynge and Tapes
He Maade f e persone and f e peple his Apes
Bot trewly to tellen att f e laste
He was in f e cherche a noble ecclesiaste 708
Wele couf e he rede a lesson or a story
LANSDOWNE 20
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS. 21
Bot alf er best he songe a offertory
fful wele he wist whan fat songe was songe
He moste preche and wele affile his tonge 712
To wynne siluer as he wele cowde
Jjere-fore he songe so merely and loude
IT Nbwe haue .1. tolde 3owe sofely in a clause [leaf i«, back]
The estate. fe arraye. fe Nbmbre and eke fe cause 716
Whi fat assembled was fis companye
In Suthewerke att fis gentil Hosterie
fat hiht f e taberd fast be f e belle
Bot no we is time to 30 we for to tette 720
Howe fat we beren vs fat ilke nyhte
Whan we were in fat Osterye alyhte
And after wil .1. tett of owre viage
And al f e remenant of owre pilgrenage 724
Bot first .1. preye ^owe of ^oure curtesie
That 30 ne ret it nowht my velenye
Thoughe fat .1. pleinly speke in fis matier
To telle 3owe her wordes and eke her chere 728
Ke f ouhe .1. speke here wordes propurly
ffor fis 36 knowen as wele as .1.
Who so sal tellen a tale after a man
He mote reherce as nyhe as euer he can 732
Eueryche a worde if it be in his charge
Al speke he neuer so rudeli and so large .
Or elles he most tel his tale vntrewe
Or feyne f inges . or fynde wordes I^ewe 736
He may nouht spare al-f ouhe he ware his brof er
He mot also wele seie o worde as a-nother
Criste spak him self ful brode in holy writte
And wele 30 wote no velany is itte 740
Eke plato seif e who so kan him rede
The wordes most be Cosin to f e dede
1T Also .1. preie 3owe for^if it me
Al haue .1. not sett folke in her degre 744
Here in fis tale as fat f ei scholde stonde
LANSDOWNE 21
22 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS.
My witte is schorte 36 male wele vnderstonde
Grete chere maade owre oste vs euerychone
And to J>e soper sett he vs anone 748
He serued vs wij>e vitailles att J>e beste
Stronge was J>e wyne and wele drinke vs leste
A semely man owre ost was wi)> aft
ffor to bene a marschal in a lordes haft 752
A large man he was wij> ey^en stepe
A fairer burgeis is none none in chepe
Bolde of his speche and wyse and wele y-tawht
And of manhode him lakked riht nouht 756
Eke Jjere-to he was riht a mery man Lieafnj
And after soper pleyjen he be-gan
And spak of Mirjje arnonge oj>ere Jnnges
Whan fat we had maade owre rekenynges 760
And seide J>us Now lordeynges trewly
3e bene to me welcome riht hertly
ffor be my troupe if j?at .1. schal notte lye
.1. sawe nouht J>is ^ere so mery a companye 764
Att ones in pis herburhe as is nowe
ffayne wolde .1. done ^owe merj?e wist .1. howe
And of a merjje .1. am riht nowe be-J>ouhte
To done }owe ese and it schal cost nowhte 768
IT 3e gone to Canterbury god jowe spede
The blisful Martir white 3ow 3owre mede
And wele .1. wote as 36 gone be fe weye
Sche schapen ^owe to talen and to pleye 772
ffor trewly comforjje and merjje is none
To riden be fe waie dom as any stone
And fer-for wil .1. maken pwe disporte
As .1. seide arst and do 30 w som comforte 776
And if 3 owe like]) att be on assente
ffor to stonden at My luggemente
And for to werken as .1. schal 3owe seie
To morwen whan we riden be J>e weie 780
Nowe be Mi fader sow[l]e J>at is dede
LAXSDOWNE 22
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS. 23
But 30 hue Merie .1. 3eue 3owe Mine hede
Holde vpe 3owre hondes wif-owte more speche
^T Owre conseft was not longe for to seche 784
Vs f ouhte it was not worf e to make it wise
And graunted him wif -oute more aviso
And bad him seie his verdite as him liste
Lordynges qwod he now herkenef for f e beste 788
Bot tak it nowhte .1. pray 3owe in disdeyne
This is J>e pointe to speke schort and pleine
That iche of 3 owe to schort wif owre weie
In fis viage schal tel tales tweye 792
To Kanterbury warde .1. mene it so
And homward he sehal tellen of ere two
Of aventures whilome fat hane be-fatl
And whiche of 3owe fat beref him best of att 796
That is to seyne fat tellef in fis cas
Tales of best sentence . and most solas
Schaft haue a soper at owre aller cost tieaf n, back]
Here in fis place sittinge be f e post 800
Whan fat we comen a-geine fro Canturbury
And for to make 3ow fe more mery
.1. wil my seluen goodely wif 3ow ride
Eiht att myne oune coste and be 3owre gide 804
And who so wil my luggemenf wif-seie
Schal paie al fat we spende be f e weie
And if 36 vouche saue fat it be so
Tel me anone wif-owten wordes mo 808
And .1. wil erly schape me fere-fore
^T This f inge was graunted and owre of es swore
With ful glad hert and praieyng him also
fat he wolde vouche saue for to do so 812
And fat he wolde be owre gouernowre
And of owre tales lugge and reporture
And sett a soper att a serteine pris
And we wil rewled bene att his deuis 81 G
In hihe and in lowhe and f us be one assent
LANSDOWNE 23
24 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdownc MS.
We Ixme accorded to f e luggement
And f er-vpon f e wyne was fett anone
"We dronken and to rest went ichone 820
Wif-owten any longer5 taryinge
An morwe whan f e daie gan to springe
Vp roos owre ost and was owre alder cok
And gederd vs to-geder in a floke 824
And forf e we reden a litel mor fan pas
Vnto [f e] wateringe of seint Thomas
And fere owre oste gan his hors areste
And seide lordes herkenej) if ^owe leste 828
3e wote jowre forward . and .1. it }owe recorde
If fat Euynsonge . and Morwsonge accorde
Lat se nowe who schal tel f e first tale
As euer mot .1. drinke wine or ale 832
Who so be rebel to my luggement
Schal paie for al fat be f e waie is spent
Now drawef cut or fat we ferf er wynne
Whiche fat hafe fe schortest schal be-ginne 836
IT Sir1 knyht quod, he my maister and my lorde
Now drawef Cut for fat is Myne accorde
Cowimef nere quod he Mi ladi prioresse
And 30 sire clerke lat be ^owre schamefastnesse 840
IsTe studiethe nowht leie honde to euery man tieaf 123
Anone to drawe euery wight began
And schortly for to tellen riht as it was
Were it be aventure or sort or cas 844
The sof e is f is f e Cut fel on f e knyht
Of whiche ful blif e and glad was euery whit
And tellen he most his tale as it was reson
Bi forward and be composiciSn . 848
As }e haue herde what nedef wordes moo
And whan f is good man sawhe fat it was so
As he fat wise was and obedient
To kepon his forward be his fre assent 852
He seide sef f e fat .1. schal beginne f e game
LANSDOYTNE 24
A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS. 25
What welcome" be J?e cut one goddes name
Now lat vs ride and herkenej? what .1. seie
And wij) j>at worde we riden forjje owre weie 856
And he "be-gan wij) riht a mery chore
His tale anone and seide as 36 mai here
\No gap in the MSJ\
[Notes referred to in the references to the Knightes Tale.]
[1. Boccaccio calls Teseo 'duca di Atene' (1. 13), and says that his father
Egeo was 're d' Atene' (I. 6).
2. ' — in giubba iscalza' (en deshabille}. III. 8.
3. ' Co' biondi crini awolti alia sua testa.' III. 10.
4. The whole debate in prison is an imitation of the longer debate (in the
Teseide) when they meet in the grove.
5. ' Love cannot be given up as thou deemest : and he loves but little, who
ceases loving in order to keep a promise.' V. 61.
6. Comp. Troilus and Cressida, IV. st. 136 :
— For some men sain, that God seeth all "beforne,
Than mote it fallen, though men had it sworne,
That purveiaunce hath seene beforne to be —
7. Videvi storie per tutto dipinte
E'l grand Ercole vide tra costoro. VII. 62.
8. ' Richezza is Porter in the Teseide, VII. 64 : the Roman de la Rose is
followed here.
9. See H. of Fame, 198 ; and Albricus Philosophus in Staveren's Auctores
Mythographi, 1702, vol. ii. p. 903.
10. Boccaccio makes the temple lighted by altar-fires, kindled from the
flames of plundered cities. VII. 35.
11. ' Amyddes of the' place sat 'la virtu tristissima.' VII. 34.
12. ' La Morte armata vide e lo stupore.' VII. 35.
13. ' Le navi bellatrici.' VII. 37. Neither Boccaccio, nor yet his prototype
Statius, speaks of any ships as burnt, but merely as trophies.
14. The points marked VI. 21, 22, are taken from the description of ' Aga-
memnone.
15. The points here are from the descriptions of 'Ippodamo' {VI. 29), of
' Peleo ' (VI. 17, 16), and of ' Peritoo ' (VI. 41).
16. Compare also stanza 42, 'con vittime piatose.'
17. ' lo il diletto, e tu n' abbia 1' onore.' VII. 27.
18. Arcita (in Boccaccio) comes from the quarter of 'Euro' (VII. 114) : Pale-
mone comes 'Ball' altra parte' (VII. 118). No mention is made by Boccaccio
of their banners being red and white.
19. Bocc. makes many of them slain : 'Artifilio,"Cornisso'(VIII.15), 'Rifeo,'
' Arione' (36), ' Narizio ' (39), and others, and describes their funerals (X. 4 — 8).
20. Boccaccio m akes only a general mention of the care and comfort bestowed
on the wounded (X. 10).
21. ' But [of the wounded] Arcita alone could not be cured ; so much was
he shattered inwardly by his fall ' (X. 11).
22. Point from Boccaccio, differently turned (X. 13).
23. Points from Boccaccio, differently turned (X. 13, 12).
24. ' I await the last kisses from thee, oh dear spouse' (X. 65).
25. ... 'egli e gentile' (X. 62).
26. ' Niun potea racconsolar Teseo,' says Boccaccio (XI. 9), not excepting
' Egeo ; ' but he immediately goes on to speak of the old man's attempt to con-
sole ' Palemone,' and the rest, — without the slightest success (XI. 11). — (See
also XI. 33.)
27. ' Non men dolrmte, Emilia pur piangea,
I circostanti piii piauger facea" (XI. 31).
28. Right and left of Palemone (XI. 40).
29. In the hands of the noblest of the Greeks (XI. 37).]
LANSDOWNE 25
26 GROUP A. § 2.
MS
lam que domos patrias scitice ?ost aspera gentis
Prelia Laurigero, &c. Incipit fabula 1
hilome was as holde stories tellen vs
There was a Duke* bathight Theseus [•*.*«
Of Athenes he was lorde and gouernoure
And in his time suche a conqueroure
That gretter was none vndere be sonne
fful Mony a riche Contre had he wonne .
vv^vnbwisdomeandhisChiualrie
He conquered al be Regne of ffemynye .
That whilom cleped was Scithia
And wedded be qweneypolita
An browht hire home wibe him m to his contre
V7ij, muche glorie and grete solempmte
And eke hire 3onge sustere Emelye
And bus wij> victori and melodic
Latt .1. bis nobul Due to Athenes ride
And aft his hoste in aremes be his side
Andcertesifitneretolongetohere
I W0ld haue told fully be manere
How wonnen was be Eeigne of ffemynye
By Theus and be his Chiualrrye
And of be grete Bataile for be nones
Be-twixen Athenes and Ama3ones
And how asseged was ypolyta
The faire hardie quene of Scithia
And of be fest bat was att hir weddeyn^
And of be tempest at hire home comynge .
Botalbatbinge.Lmotatnowefor-bere
.1 haue godewote a large felde toe!
And weike bene be Oxen in my ploul
The remenant of be tale is longe y-nou
I. wil not letten eke none of bis roxit<
LANSDOWNE 26
859
888
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 27
II. 2-5.
II. 25.
(before the car.)
II. 28.
Latt euery felawe tel his tale aboute TeseUe.
And latt see nowe who schal pe soper winne
And pere .1. laft .1. wil a3eine beginne 892
^f This Due of whome .1. make mensiowne
Whan he was comen al-most to pe toune
In aft his wele and his most pride
He was ware as he kast his yhe a side 896
Where pat pere kneled in pe hihe waie
A company of ladyes twey . and twaie
Iche after oper cladde in elopes blake
Bot suche a crye and suche a woo pei make 900
That in pis werlde is creature lyueynge
pat herd suche a noper weymentynge
And of pis crie pei nolde neuer stcnten
Titt pei pe reynes of his bridel henten 904
What folke bene 30 pat att myne home comynge
Pertw/be so my fest vritk cryinge .
Qwod Theus haue 30 so prrete en vie .
Of myne honozw pat pus compleigne and crie 908 •
Or who hap 3ow mysboden or offended
And tellep me if it maie bene amended
And whi pat 30 bene eloped pus in blake •
The eldest lady of hem al spake 912
Whan sche had swowned wip a dedely chere
That it was rewpe for to seen and here
1T Sche seide lorde to whome ffortune hap 3iuen
Victorie and as a conqueroure to lyuen 916
Nat greuep vs 3owre honoure and 3owre glorie . n. 27.
Bot we beseke 3owe of socoure and of mercye
And haue merci on owre woo and owre distrisse
Some drope of Pyte purgh pi gentillisse 920
Ypon vs wricchede weramen latt 30 faft
ffor certes lorde pare is none of vs att . n. 2s.
That sche ne hape b[e]ne a doches or a queue .
K"owe bene we Cayteues as it is wele sene 924
Thonked be fortune and hire false whele [leaf is]
LAXSBOWVE 27
28 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Thate none astate ensure]) for to bene wele
Now certes lorde to abide jowre presence
Here in f is temple of goddes clemence
We haue b[e]ne waiteinge al f is fourtenyhte
Helpe vs lorde sef it is in f i myhte
.1. wriche whiche fat wepef and weylef fus
Was whilom wif of Kinge Cappaneus
That starfe att Thebes cursed be J>at dai
And alle we jjat bene in f is array
And Maken att f is lamentaciowne
We losten al oure hosbondes att fat towne .
While fat a sege fare abowte laie
And $it nowe f e olde Creon weilowaie
fat lord is nowe of Thebes Citee
fFulfilled of ire and iniquite
He for dispite and for his Tixannye
To done the dede bodies velanye
Of att oure lordes whiche fat han be slawe
Haf e al f e bodies on an hepe ydrawe
And wil not suffre hem be none assent
Neyf ere to be beride neif er be to brent
Bot makef houndes ete hem in despite
And wif fat word vrith-oute more respite
f ei ffellen groffe and criden pytouslye
Haue on vs wrecched wemmen sum Mercie
And latt owre sorwe sinken in fin herte
IT This gentil Due downe fro his courser sterte
With hert pitous whan he herd hem speke
Him f ouhte fat his herte wolde breke
Whan he sawhe hem so pitee and so mate
That whilome weren of so grete astate
And in his armes he hem al vp hent
And hem comfortef in ful goode entent
And swore his hof e as he was trewe knyht
He wolde done so ferforf elie his miht
Vppou f e Tirant Creon hem al wreke
LANSDOWNE 28
936
Teseide
928 (mentioned In
932 . IL 28.
II. 31.
II. 30.
940
944
948
952
956
960
II. 31.
. II. 31.
IL33.
II. 30-9.
A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 29
That al pe peple of grece scholde speke
How creon was of Thoseus seruede
As lie pat had his depe ful wele deseruede 964
And riht anone wip-owten more abode
His Baner he displeide and forpe rode .
To pebes-warde and al his hoste he-side [leaf is, back]
No nerre Athenes wolde he go ne ride 968
He take 'his ese fulli halfe a daie
Bot onward on his waie pat niht he laie
And sent a-none ypolita J>e queene
And Emely hir ^onge suster schene . 972
Vn to ]>e toune of Athenes to dwelle
And for)? he ridep per is no more to telle
^[ The reede Statue of Marce -wiih spere and targe
So schinep in his whigte baner large 976
That al pe felde gleteren vp on a doune
And by his baner borne is his pynoune
Of gold ful riche whiche was ybete
The Mynataure whiche pat he wanne in Crete 980
Thus riht pis Due pus ride pide pis conqueroure
And in his host of cheuallerie pe floure
Til pat he cam to Thebes and a-liht
flaire in a felde per as he pouht to fiht 984
Bot schortely for to speken of pis pinge
"Wip Creon whiche pat was of Thebes kinge
He fawht and slowhe him manly as a knyht
In pleine Bateile and put pe folke to flyht 988
And be assent he wan pe Cite after
And rent adowne bope watt "and sparre and rafter
And to pe ladies he restored a-^eine
The bones of *)>eire frendes pat were sleyne 993
To done pe obsequies as was po pe gise
Bot it were al to longe for to do-vise
The grete clamor and pe weymentynge
pat pe ladies maade att pe berneynge 996
Of pe bodies and pe grete honoure
LANSDOWNE 29
1L60.
II. 49.
II. 40-2.
II. 63-76.
II. 80-1.
30 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
ILM.
H.85.
That Theus pe nobul conqueroure
Dope to pe bodies whan pei from him went
Bot schortely to tellen is myne entente 1000
Whan pat pis worpi Due Jjis Theseus
Hajje Creon sleine and wonne Thebes Jms
Stil in pat felde he tote al nyhte liis rest
And dide wip al pe Countre riht as him lest 1004
To ransake in pe caas of pe bodies dede
Hem for to strepe of herneis and of wede
The piloures deden pe besines and Cure
After Jje bataile and pe discomfetoure 1008
And so be-fel pat in pe caas pei founde Deaf u] . n. 86.
Thorghe girt mony a greuous blody wounde
Two ^onge knyhtes liggeynge .by and by. •
Bopen in armes samen wrouht ful richely 1012
Of whiche two Arcita hiht pe tone
And pat oper knyhte hihte Palamone
Not fully whikke ne fulli dede pei were
Bot be her cote arnmres and by hire gere 1016
The heraudes knew hem selfe in special
As pei pat weren of pe blode roial
Of Thebes and of sustren two yborne
Owte of pe caas peloures hape hem torne 1020
And haue hem caried softe vnto pe tente
Of Theus and he ful sone hem sente
Tho Athenes to dwellen in prisone
Perpetuely hem nold nouht raunson 1024
^[ And whan pis worpi Due had pus ydone
He toke his hoste and home he ridep anone
Wip Laurer Coroned as a conqueroure
And pere he leuep in joy and in honoure 1028
Terme of his lif what nedep wordes moo
And in a toure in Angwysse and in woo
Dwellen pis Palomon and eke Arcite
ffor ener more per maie no golde hem qwyte 1032
This passep $ere be jere and daie be daie
LANSDOWNE 30
Teseidc.
II. 86.
H sr.
U. 89.
II. 90-96.
III. 3.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 31
Til it fel ones in a Morneinge of maie
Jjat Emelye bat fairer was to sene
rm. • , -i i -u- 4. n [SoeXII. 68.]
Than is be lylye vpo his stalke grene
And fresscher Jjan J>e maie wib floures newe
ifor wijj be rose coloure &trofe hir hewe
.1. note whiche was feireste of hem two
Er it were daie as was hire wowne to do 1040 * in. 10.
Sche was aresen and al redi diht
ifor Maij wil haue mo sloggardye on nyght
The seson Prikkeb euery gentil hert
And makejj it owte of his slepe to sterte . 1044
And siben arise an done may obseruaunce
This Makeb Emelye to haue remembrance
To done honoure to maie and for to rise
Iclobed was sche ffresche for to devise* [* See p. 25, n. 2.] 1048 | m.s.
^[ Here 3elowe here was browded in a tresse f c+ See p. 25, n. s.j | in. 10.
Be-hinde hire bake a ^erde longe .1. gesse
And in J>e Gardine att jje sonne vpriste Deaf 14, back] m. s-io.
Sche walked vpe and downe and as hir liste 1052
Sche gedereb flowres partie white and rede
To make a sotil garland for hire heuede . in. 10.
And as an Angel heuenyssly sche songe
IT The grete toure )?at was bo bike and stronge 1056 in. 11.
Whiche of be Castel was be chef dongeone
There as be knyhtes weren in prison
Of whiche .1. tolde }owe and telle schaft
Was euen loynant to be Gardeine watt 1060
There as bis Emely had hire pleyinge
Brihte was bat sonwe and clere in bat Morneynge
And Palamon bis woful prisonere r Arcita si levo
As was his wonne be leue of his gaylere 1064
Was resen and romed in a chambre an hihe
In whiche he att be nobel Cite sihe
An eke be Gardeine ful of braunches grene
Ther as be frissche Emely j?e schene 1068
Was in hir walke and romede vpe and doune
LANSDOWNE 31
32 GROUP A. § 2. EIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
This sorweful pnsonere ]>is Palamon
Gobe in his chambre romeynge to and \
; And to him self e compleinynge of his woo
),at he was borne ful oft seide alas
And so be-fel be aventure or cas
That forghe a window pikke of mony a barre
Of yren grete and sware as any spai
HekesthisEyenyponEmelya
And J>exe wi]> al he bleynte and criede A
As touhe he stongen were vn to )e herte
And wi]> fat crie Arcite anone vp stert
And seide Cosine myne what eyle]> Je
fcatertsopaleanrfdedelyontosee
Whi cridest J,ou who ha], ]» done offe
ffor goddes loue tak al in pacience
Owre prisonynge for it male none ofere be
.
Teseide.
HI. 11.
tuttO Sto!
Grid6, O
IU. IT.
or
Som wikked aspect or dispo^or
Of Saturne be sum constiUacione
Hape^envsfisal-powhewehad.tsworne
So stode J^e heuen whan fat we were borne
We most endure it fis is fe schorte and pleme
^This Palamon Ansewarde and se.de a-gayne. M
Cosine for so])e of fisOpinione
Thou hast a veine ymaginacione
This prisonment caused not me to c
Bot X ^as hurte riht nowe J,oruhe-oute myn eye
In to myne hert fat wil my bane 1
The fairnesse of fat ladi fat .1. se
3onde in fe Gardeine Romeynge to and
ISCauseofalmycryingea7i^woc
.1. note where sche be womman or god
Bot venus is it sofeli as .1. ges
And perewij^al on knes downe he tjDt
And seide venus if it be ]>i wille
Jjou in J)is Gardine J)us to transfigure
LANSDOWKE 32
1IL14.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 33
Be-for me sorweful wriched creature
Owte of pis prison helpe pat we male scape
And if so be my destanye be schape 1108
Bi eterne werlde to dy3en in prisone
Of owre linage haue some compassione
fat is so lowe y-brouht be tirannye
Tf And wij? pat worde Arcite gan aspie 1112
Where pat pis ladi romede to and fro
And wip pat siht hire beaute hurte him so
That if palamon was wounded sore
Arcite is hurte as muche as he or more 1116
And wij) a sike he seide Pitously
The frische bewte slejje me sodeynly
Of hir pat romep in pat Bonder place
And bot .1. haue hir merci and hir grace 1120
That .1. maie seen hire att pe lest weie
.1. ne am bot dede per nys no more to seie
This Palamon whan he pes wordes herde
Dispitusli he loked and and Answerde 1124
Wheper seistowe pou pis in ernest or in pleye
Naie qwod Arcite in ernest be my feye
God helpe me so me list fu yuel pleie
This Palamon gan knyte his browes tweie 1128
Itt weere to fie quod, he no grete honour* t* See p. 25, n. 4.1
ffor to be false or for to be traitowr
To me pat am pi cosin and pi bropere
.I.-sworne ful depe and iche of vs to opere 1 1 32
pat neuer for to di^en in pe peyne
Til depe hape departe vs tweyne
Neyper in loue to hinder oper [leaf is, back]
Ne in none opere case my leue broper 1136
Bot pat pou scholdest trewly forper more
In euery case and .1. schal forper pe pore
This was pine ope and myne certeine
.1. wote riht wele pou darste it nouht wip-seine 1140
Thus art pou of my counsel owte of dowte
3 LANSDOWNE 33
Teseide.
III. 16-17.
(reversing the or-
der of the names. \
V. 43.
34 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. lansdowne MS.
And Nowe fou woldest falsely bene abowte
To loue my ladi whome .1. loue and seme
And ever schal til fat myne hert sterue 1144
Nowe certes false Arcite fou schalte not so
I loued hir first and tolde f e my woo
As to my Cosin and my brof er sworne
To ferfer me as .1. haue tolde to forne 1148
ffor whiche fou art bownden as a knyht
To helpe if it laie in f i myht
Or elles ert fou fals .1. dare wele seine
IT This Arcite ful prowdeli spake a^eine 1152
Thowe schalt qwod he [be] raf er false fan .1.
Bot f owe ert false .1. tel f e witerly .
ffor paramoure .1. loued here first ar f one
What wiltow seine fow wist it not jit nowe 1156
Whef er sche be a womman or a goddesse
Thine es affecione of holynesse
And myne is loue as to a creatur
ffor whiche .1. tolde fe myn aventur 1160
As to my cosine and to my brof ere sworne
II .1. pose fat fou louest had . hir to forne
Wost fowe nouht wele fe olde clerkes sawe 1163
m. , i_ i_ i -i i Quis legem dat amantibu.t
That who schal jeue a louer any lawe .
Loue is a gretter lawe be my panne
Than maie be jeue to ani erf eli manne
And fere positif lawe and swyche decree
Is broke al daie for loue in yche degree 1168
A man most nedes loue maugrif his hede
He maie not flijen it f ouhe he scholde be dede
Al be sche maide or wydow or elles wif
And eke it is nouht likely al f i lif 1172
To stonde in hir grace na more schal .1.
ffor wele fou wost f i self verrely
That fou and .1. bene dampne to pn'son
Perpetuely . vs geynef no Raunson 1176
We striuen as houndes for fe bone [leaf ie]
LANSDOWNE 34
[See v. si.]
[Seev.45,49.i
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 35
They fouhten al dale and $it peire parte was none
There come a kite whil pat pei were so wrope
That bare awaie pe bone be-twex hem boj>e 1180
Ac pere-fore att pe kinges courte my broper
Eche mon for him self pere is none oper
Loue if pou list for .1. loue and ay schatt
And sopeli leue broper pis is att 1184
Here in pis prison most we endure
And eueryche of vs tak his aventure
^F Grete was pe strif and longe be-twex hem tweie
If pat .1. had leiser for to seie 1 188
Bot to pis effecte it happened on a daye
To tellen it }ow as schortly as .1. maye
A worthi Due pat hiht . Perotheus
That felowe was vn-to Due Theseus 1192
Sen pilke daie pat pei weren childern lite
Was common to Athenes his felawe to visite
And for to pleie as he was wont to do
ffor in pis werlde he louede no man so 1196
And he loue him also as tendrely a-^eine
So wele pey loued as olde bokes seine
That whanne pat one was dede sothely to tett
His felaw went and sowht him downe in heft 1 200
Bot of pat stori leste me nouht to write
Due Perotheus louede wel Arcite
And him knowe att Thebes ^ere be }ere
And ffinally . att request . and prayere 1204
Of Perotheus wip-owten any Eaunson .
Due Theseus him lete owte of prison
ffrely to gone where pat him list oner att
In suche a gise as .1. ^owe telle schatt 1208
This was pe forward pleinly to endite
Be-twex Theseus and him Arcite
That if so were pat Arcite was fownde
Euere in his lif be daie or nyht or stownde 1212
In any Contre of pis Theseus
LANSDOWNE 35
Teseide.
III. 47.
III. 614
36 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE, Lansdowne MS.
And war cauht it was accorded f us
That wife a swerde he scholde lese his hede
Ther nas none of ere remedye ne rede 1216
Bot takef e his leue and homwarde he him spedde
Lat him he war his nek life to wedde
How grete a sorwe suffurf e nowe arcite [leaf IG, back]
The defe he felef foruhe his hert snu'te 1220
He wepef e he weylef and crief pitously
To slene him self he waitef priuely
He seide alas fat .1. was borne
No we is my pn'son werse fan be-forne 1224
Nowe is me schape eternalie to dwelle
ISTouht in purgatorie Bot in helle
Alas fat euer .1. knewe Perotheus
ffor eUes had .1. dweUed wij> Theseus 1228
Ifetterd in his prison euer mo
Than had .1. bene in blisse and nowht in woo
Onely J>e siht of hire whome fat .1. serue
Thouhe fat .1. neuere hir1 grace miht deserue 1232
Wholde haue ysuffised riht .I.-nowhe for me
IF 0 dere Cosine Palamon quod he
Thine is f e victorie of f is auenture
fful hlisfully in pn'son mayght fou dure 1236
In pn'son sertes naye hot Paradise
Wele haf fortune turned f e dise
That haf e f e siht of hire and .1. f e absence
ffor possible is seffe fou hast hir presence 1240
And art a kny[ght] a worf i and an able
That be som caas fortune is chaungeable
Thou maiste to f i desire somtime ateigne
Bot .1. fat am exiled and bareigne 1244
Of al grace and in so grete dispeire
That f er nys erf e water fire ne ayre
Ne creature fat of hem Maked is
That may me helpe ne do me comford in fis 1248
Wele owht .1. sterue In wanhope and distris
LANSDOWNE 36
Teseide.
III. 64.
[Gen. resembl.
See III. 75, &c.]
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 37
[ line out : no gap in the MS.~\
Alas why pleine men so in Genuine
On purueance of god or of fortune
fat ^euef e hem ful of in many a gise
Wele bet fan f ei can hem self deuise
Som man desire]) for to haue richesse
fat cause is of his mordre or grete sekenesse
And som man wolde owte of his pn'son fayne
That in his house is of his meine sleyne .
Infinite harmes bene in f is matiere
We wote nowht what f inge we praien hiere
We faren as he fat dronken is as a mouse
A dronken man wote wele he haf e an house
Bot he note whiche f e riht waie is f edere
And to a dronken man f e waie is sclef ere
And certes in f is werlde so farew we
We seken fast after felicite .
Bot we gone wronge oft ful trewli
Thus maie we seine att and namely che .1.
That wende and had a grete opinione
That if .1. myht scippe fro prisone
Than had .1. b[e]ne in loye and parfit hele
There nowe .1. am exiled fro my wele
Sen fat .1. may not sene ^owe Emelye
.1. am bot dede for* nyse no remedie
H Vpon fat of ere side Palamon
Whan fat he wiste fat Arcite was agone
Suche sorwe he makef fat f e grete toure
Resounef of his 3ellinge and clamour
The pore fettres on his schinnes grete
Were of his bitter salte teres wete
Alas quod he Arcita Cosyn myne
Of al oure strif god wote f e fruyt is fine
Thow walkes now in Thebes att f i large
And of my woo f ou ^euest litel charge
Thou maiste sinne f ou hast wisdome and manhede
LANSDOWNE 37
Teseide.
1252
1256
[leaf 17]
1264
1268
1272
1276
1280
1284
IIL76.
38 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Assemble al f e folke of ^oure kinrede
And Maake a werre so scharpe on J?is Cite
That be som auenture or sum trete 1288
Thou maiste haue to lady and to wife
ffor whome fat .1. most nedes lese my life
ffor as be weie of Possibilite
Sethe f ou art att fi large of pn'son fre 1292
An art a lorde grete is fine avantage
More fan is myne fat steruef e here in a cage
1T ffor .1. mote wepe and waile wil fat .1. leue
"With al fe wo fat pn'son maie me 3eue 1296
Ande eke wife peine fat loue me jeueth also
That dowblef al my turment and my wo
Thare-wif e f e fire of lelousie vp sterte
WttA-inne his breste and hente him be f e herte 1 300
So woodly fat he like was to be-holde
The box tree or f e asshen dede or colde .
IF Than seide he 0 cruel goddes fat gouern
This werlde wif byndeinge of jowre worde eterne 1304
And wreten in f e table of Atthamaunt Deaf 17, back]
3owre parlement and jowre eterne graunt
What is Mankinde More vn-to 30 holde
Than is fe schepe fat rowkef in fe folde 1308
ffor sleine is man riht as anof ere beste
And duellef e eke in prison and in areste
And haf e sekenesse and grete aduersite
And ofte time giltles parde 1312
*IF What gouernance is in f is prescience
That giltles tormentef Innocence
And encresef f us al my penaunce
That man is bounde to his obseruawnce 1316
ffor goddes saake to letten of his wilt
fere as a beste maie al his hist fulfitt
And whan a beste is dede it haf e no peine
Bot after his defe man moste wepe and pleyne. 1320
Thouhe in f is werlde he haue care and woo
LANSDOWNE 38
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 39
"Wif-owten doute it maie stonden soo
The ansewere of fis lette .1. to dyuines
Bot wele .1. wote fat in j>is werlde grete peine es 1324
Alas .1. see a serpent or a Jjef
That mony a trewman hajj done meschief
Gone att his large and where him list maie turne
Bot .1. most "be in prison foruhe Saturne 1328
An eke Jjoruhe luno Talons and eke wode
That haf e destruyde nyhe al f e blode
Of Thebes wif his waste walles wide
And venus fliej) me on fat of ere side 1332
ffor Jalousie and fere of him Arcite
IT Nowe wil .1. stinte of Palamon a lite
And lat him in his prisone stille dwelle
And of Arcite forf e .1. witt 3owe telle 1336
The somer passef and f e nihtes longe
Encresetfi dowble wise f e peynes stronge
Bof e of j?e louere and ]?e prisonere
.1. note wiche ha]?e jje wofuller myster 1340
ffor schortelye for to seine fis Palamon
Perpetuely is dampned to prison
In chynes and fettres to Jje dede
And Arcit is ercilede vpon his hede 1344
ffor euere more as oute of fat Cuntre
Ne neuere ne schal his lady see .
^[ 3owe louiers .1. aske J?is questione [leaf is]
Who hajj )>e wers Arcite or Palamone 1348
The one maie se his lady . daie be daie
Bot in prison he most dwel alweie
The tofere where him liste Maie ride or goo
Bote sene his lady schal he neuer moo 1352
Nowe demejj as 3owe liste fat 30 canne
ffor .1. wil tel forfe as .1. be-ganne
[No gap in the MS.]
LANSDOWNE 39
40 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[PART II. No gap in the MS.]
^[ Whan fat Arcite to Thebes cowmen was
fful often adaie he swelte and seide alas 1356
ffor seen his ladi schal he neuer moo
And schortly to concluden al his woo
So muche sorwe had neuer creature
That is or schalt whil fat fe werde mai dure 1360
His slepe his mete his drinke is be-raft I iv. 20, 27.
fat lene he wex and drie as is a schaft
His yhe hollowe and grisely to be-holde • iv. 28.
His hiew falowe and pale as asshe colde 1364 . iv. n.
And solitarie he was . and euer a lone
And weyleynge al f e nyht makinge his nione .
And if he herde songe or instrument
Than wolde he wepe he myht nouht be stent 1368
So feble eke were his spretes and he lowe iv. 29.
And Chaungede so fat noman couf e knowe
His speche nor his voice f ouhe men hit herde
And in his gere for al fe werlde he ferde 1372
Not comly lyke to louers maledye
Of heres bot raf er like manye
Engenderd of humor malancolike
Be-forne his celle ffantastike 1376
And scortly torned was al vp and downe
Bof e Abite and disposiciowne
Of him f is woful louer dame Arcite
1T "Wat schold .1. al daie of his wo endite 1380
Whan he endured had a ^ere or two
This cruel torment and Jris peine and woo
As Thebes in his Contre as .1. seide .
Vpon a nyhte on slepe as he him leide. 1384
Him f ouht howe fat venged god Mercurie
Be-forne him stode and b%d him to be merie
His slepi ^erde in honde he bar vp riht
An hatte he werede vpon his heres briht 1388
LANSDOWNE 40
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 41
Arraide was f is god as as he toke kepe
As lie was whan fat Argus toke his slepe
And seide him fus to Athenes fow schalt wende [leaf is, back]
Where is f e schapen of fi woo an ende 1392
^[ And wif fat worde Arcite woke and sterte
Now trewli how sore fat me smerte
Quod he to Athenes riht nowe wil .1. fare
!N"e for fe drede of defe schal .1. nouht spare 1396
To se my lady fat .1. loue and serue
In hire presence .1. reche not to sterue
And wif fat worde he cauht a grete Mirroure
And sauhe fat chaunged was al his coloure 1400
And sauhe his vesage al in anof er kinde
And riht anone it ran him in his mynde
That sef his face was so disfigurede
Of fe Maledy whiche he had endurede 1404
He myht wele if fat he bare him lowe
Leue in Athenes euer more vnknowe
An seen his lady wel ny day be daye
And riht anone he chaunged his Araye Id 08
And clad him as poure laborere
An al alone saue onely o swiere
That knewe his priuete and al his case
Whiche was disgised pouerly as he was 1412
To Athenes is gone f e next waye
And to f e courte he went vpon a daye
And att f e gate he proferd his seruyse
To drugge and drawe what so men wil deuise 1416
And schortly of f is mater for to seine
He fel in office wif a chamburleine
The whiche fat was dwellinge wif Emelye
ffor he was wise and sone coufe aspye 1420
ffor euery seruant whiche fat seruef here
Wele coufe he hewen wode and w^ter bere
ffor he was jonge and myhti for f e nones
And fer-to he was stronge and briht of bones 1424
LANSDOWNE 41
IV. 38.
pover Valletta,
IT. 22.
umil garzone,
IV. 22.
povero Valletta
IV. 40.
42 GBOUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
To done fat any whit him can devise
A ^ere or two he was in J>is seruise
Page of f e chambere of Emely f e briht
And Philostrat he seide fat he hiht
Bot halfe so wele be-loued a man as he
Ne was fere neuer in Courte of his degre
He was so gentil of condic/owne
That f oruhe-owte al J>e courte was his renoune
Thei seide fat it were a charite
That Theseus wolde en-haunse his degre
And putten him in worschip-ful seniise
There as he myht his vertue exercise
And f us wif-inne a while his name is spronge
Bof e of his dede and his good tonge
That Theseus haf e taken him so nere
That of his chambre he maade him a swiere
And ^aue him gold to mainteigne his degre
And eke men brouht him oute of his centre
ffro ^ere to 3ere so pn'uely his rente
But onestly and sleyhtly . he it spente
fat noman wondred howe fat he it hadde
And f rei 3ere in f is wise his lif he ladde
And bare him so in pees and eke in werre
There was no man fat Theseus hathe derre
And in f is blisse let .1. no we Arcite
And speke .1. wilt of Palamon a lite
IT In derkenes and horrible and stronge pn'sone
Jjis seuen ^ere haf e siten Palamone
ffor-pined whate for wo and for destresse
Who felef double sore and heuinesse
Bot Palamon fat loue destreynef so
That woode owte of his witte he gof for wo
And eke f ere-to he is a prisoner
Perpetuelly not onely for a ^ere
Who couf e rime in Englisshe propurly
His martirdome for sof e it am not .1.
LANSDOWNE 42
Teseide.
1428 IPenteo IV. 3, &<
1432
[leaf 19]
1436
IV. 69.
1440
1444
1448 | iv. 69.
1452
1456
1460
v.i.
V.3.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 43
There-fore .1. passe al so lihtly as .1. maye
1F It fel fat in f e seuent 3ere of maie
The f ridde nyhte as holde bokes seine
That aft fis story tellef more pleine 1464
"Were it be aventure or destanye
As whan a f inge is schape it schal bye
J?at sone after f e mydenyht Palamon
Ee helpinge of a frende brake prison 1468
And fleetfi. f e Cite fast as he mai goo
ffor he had gif his Gailer drinke soo
Of a clarre maade of a certein wyne
Wif nercotiks and opie of Thebes fyne 1472
That al fat nyht f ouhe fat men wold him schake
The Gaillere slepe he myht nouht awake .
And fus he flief as fast as euere he maie [leaf 19, back]
The nyht was schort and fast be f e daie 1476
That nedes coste he most him self hiden
And til a groue faste fast fere be-siden
Wif dredful fote fan stalkef Palamon
ffor schort fis was his opinion 1480
That in fat groue he wolde him hide aldaie
And in f e nyht fan wolde he take his waie
To Thebes-warde his frendes for to praye
On Theseus to helpe him to werreie 1484
Or schortly he wolde lese his lif
Ore wynnen Emely to his louely wif
This is f efecte and his entente pleine
IT Now whiles turne we to Arcite ajeine 1488
That litel wiste how nihe fat was his care
Til fat fortone hadde cauht him in his snare
The besi larke messagiere of daie
Saluef in hir songe fe morwe greie 1492
And firy phebus risef vp so bright
J3at al f e orient lawhef of f e sight
And wif his streme drief in f e greues
The siluer dropes hangeinge on fe leues 1496
LANSDOWNE 43
v. 2s-r.
v. 24.
v. 33.
44 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And Arcita fat in f e courte roial
Wif Theseus his swier p?incipal
Is resen and lokef on f e mery daie
And for to done his obsemance to maie 1500
Remembringe on f e pointe of his desire
He on his coursere stertynge as fire
Is reden to f e feldes him to pleie
Owte of fe Court were it a meyle or tweye 1504
And to f e groue of whiche as [I] jow tolde
Be aventur his weie he gan to holde
To Maken him a garlonde of "f e greues
Were it of wodebinde or of heif orne leues 1508
And loude he songe a^ein f e sonne schene
Maie wif al f i floures and f i grene
Welcom be f ou feire fresche Maie
I. hop fat .1. sume grene get maie 1512
And from his coursur wif a lusti herte
In to f e groue ful hastely he sterte
And in a paf e he romef vp and doune
Thar as be aventur of fis Palamon 1516
Was in a busshe fat no man miht him see Deaf 20]
ffor sore aferde of his def e was he
"Ho f inge knewe he fat it was Arcite
God wote he wolde haue trowed it ful lite 1520
Bot sof e is seide gon sif e many seres
That felde haf e y3en . and wode haf e eres
It [is] ful faire a man to bere him euen
ffor aldaie metef men att vn-sette steuen 1524
fful litel wote arcite of his felawe
Jjat was so nyhe to herken of his sawe
ffor in f e busche he sittef now ful stitt
Whan fat Arcite had romede al his filt 1528
And songen al f e roundel lustely
In to a stody he fel sodanly
As done f es louers in hir queynte geres
iNowe in fe crope nowe downe in fe breres 1532
LANSDOWNE 44
Teseide.
IV. 62.
See iv. is. u.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 45
Nowe vp nowe downe as a boket in a welle
Eiht as f e fridaie sof eli for to telle
Nowe it schinef e nowe it reinef fast
Riht so gan geri venus ouer cast 1536
The hertes of hir folke riht as hir daie
Is gerful riht so chaunge]) sche arraie
Seld is f e fridaie al f e weke ylike
^[ Whan fat Arcite had songe he gan to sike 1540
And set him doune wif-owten any more
Alas quod, he fat daie fat .1. was bore
Howe longe luno foruhe f i crueltee
Wiltow werien Thebes fe Citee 1544
Alas brouht it is to confusione
The blode Eoial of Cadine and Amphione
Of Cadinus whiche fat was f e first man
That Thebes bulet or first fe toune be-gan 1548
And of f e Cite first was Crouned kinge
Of his linage am .1. and of his ospringe
Be verrei . ligne as of f e stok Roialle . • See iv. si.
And Now .1. am so caitif and so fralle . 1552 •
That he fat is my mortal ennemye
.1. serue him as his swier pouerelye
And ^it dof e me luno wel more schame
if or .1. dar .1. not be-knowe myne owne name 1556 ,
Bot fere as .1. was wonte hiht Arcite . see iv. 84.
Now .hiht. Philostrate not worf e a myte . ipenteo, iv. 84.
Alias f ou fel mars Alias f ou luno .
Thus haf e $ower ire owre lignage al for-do . 1560
Saue only me and wreched palamon Deaf 20, back]
That Theseus Martiref in pn'son
And ouer al f is to slene me vtterly
Loue haf faire his darte so brinyngly 1564
Istiked foruhe my trewe careful herte
That schapen was my def arst fan my scherte
3e slene me wife 3owere yhen Emelye
The be fe cause were-for fat .1. die 1568
LANSDOWNE 45
See iv. ss.
See iv. IT.
rv.
46 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS
Of al f e remenan of myne of ere care Tesei
Ne sette .1. nouht f e mountance of a tare
So fat .1. coufe do ouhte to ^owre plesance
And wif fat worde he fel doune in a trance 1572
A longe tim and he afterwarde vpstert
IF This Palamon fat f ouht fat f oruhe his herte
He felde a colde swerde sodeinly glide
ffore ire he whoke no lenger wolde he bide 1576
And whan fat he had herde Arcites tale
As he were wode wife face dede and pale
He stert him vpe oute of f e boskes f ikke
And seide Arcite . false treitoure wikke 1580
!N"owe art f ow hent fat louest mi ladie so
ffor whome fat .1. haue al f is peine and woo
And art my blode and to my consel sworne
As .1. ful oft haue tolde fe here be-forne 1584
And hast be-japed here Due Theseus
And falsely haste f ou chaunged . f i name f us
.1. wil be dede or elles f ou schalt di3e
Thou schalt nouht loue my ladie Emelye 1588
Bot .1. wift louere onely . and no mo
ffor .1. am Palamon f i mortal fo
And f oughe fat .1. no wepen haue in f is place .
Bot owte of prisons am asterte be grace 1592
.1. drede nouht fat ouf er f u schal di^e See v. w.
Or f ou ne schat not louen Emelye
Ches whiche f ou wilte or f ou schalt nouht asterte
If This Arcite wif ful dispitouse herte 1596
Whan he him knewe and had his tale herde
As fers a[s] lion he pulled owte a swerde
And seid f us be god fat sittef aboue
Nere it were fat fou art seke and woode for loue 1600
And eke fat fou no wepen hast in f is place
Thou scholdest neuer oute of f is groue pace .
That fou ne scholdest (Leiden of myne honde [leaf 211
ffor .1. dene f e suyrte and f e bonde * [* See p. 25, ». 5.] 1 604 | y. si.
LANSDOWNE 46
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 47
Whiche fat f ou seist .1. haue maade to f e
Whatt verreie foole f inke wele fat lone is fre
And .1. wil loue hir Maugre al f i myht
Bot for al so muche as fou ert a worfi knyht 1608
And wilneste to darreine hir1 be Bataile
Haue here my trowf e to morne wil .1. nouht faile
Wif outen weteinge of any of ere wight
That here .1. wil be founden as a knyht 1612
And bringen herneys riht . ynowhe for f e
And chese f e beste and letie f e werst for me
And mete and drinke f is nyht wil .1. bringe
.Y.-nowghe for fe and clofes for fi bedynge 1616
And . if so be fat f ou my lady wynne
And sle me in f is wode fare .1. am inne
Jjou maiste wele haue my lady as for me
This Palamon ansewerd .1. graunt it fe 1620
And f us f ei bone departid til on morwe
Whan iche of hem had leide his feif e to borwe
Occupiede owte of al charite
If 0 regne fat wolde no felawe haue wif fe 1624
fful sof e is seide fat loue ne lordeschipe V. 13.
Wil not his f onkes haue no felauschipe
We finde fat of arcite and of Palamone
Arcite is Eeden anone in to fe toune 1628
And on f e morwe ar it were daies liht
fful pn'uely tuo herneys haf e he diht
Bof e suffisant and mete to darreine
The Bataile in fe felde be-tuex hem tweyne 1632
And on his hors alone as he was borne
He carief al his herneyce him be-forne
And in f e groue att f e time and place y-sette
})is Arcite and Palamon ben mette 1636
To chaungen gan f e coloure in her face
Eiht as f e hunters in f e Eeigne of Trace . vu. io«.
)3at stondef atf a gappe wif a spere
Whan huntide is fe lyon or fe bere 1640
TjVNSDOWNE 47
Teseit
VII. 119.
48 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And here]? him come rossheinge in }»e greues
And brekef e bof e bowes and f e leues
And f inkef here comef my mortale enmye
Wiffe-owte faile he most be dede or .1. 1644
ffor eif er .i. mote slene him att f e gappe [leaf 21, back]
Or [he] most sle me . if fat me mys happe
So ferden [fey] in chaungeinge of hire hewe
As fer as iche of hem ofer knewe 1648
Thar nas no good daye ne no salueynge
Bot streite wif outen worde or reherseinge
Eueryche of hem helpe to arme of ere
As frendely as he were his owen brofere 1652
And after fat wif scharpe speres stronge
Thei foynen eche att ofere wonder longe
Thou mihtest wene fat this palamon
In his feihtinge were a wode lyon • 1656
And as a cruel tigre was Arcite
As wilde bores gunne f ei to smyte
J?at frof en white as fome . for ire wode
Yp to fe Ancle fouht fei in f eire blode 1660
And in f is wise .1. lete hem feihtinge dwells
And forf .1. wil of Theseus ^owe telle
The destanye Ministre general
That executef in fe werld oueral 1664
The Purueance fat . god haf seie be-fore * I* see p. 25, n. e.]
So stronge it is fat f eihe f e werlde had it swore
The contrarie of a f inge be je or naye
3it some time it schal fal on a daye . 1668 . v.rr.
Jpat fallef nouht eft wif-inne a f ousande $ere
ffor certeinly oure appetites here
Be it of werre of pese . or hate or loue
Att is fis rewled be fe siht aboue 1672
This Mene .1. nowe be myhty Theseus
That for to hunt1 is so desirus
And namely att f e grete hert in maie
That in his bed fere dawef him no daie 1676
LANSDOWNE 48
VI. 1.
I V. 77.
v. n.
v. re.
GROUP A. § 2- KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 49
Jjat lie na es clad and redi for to ride
Wip hunte and home and hundes him biside
ffor in his huntynge hape he swyche delite
That it is al is hope . Toy and appetite 1680
To bene him self pe grete hertes bane
ffor after mars . he seruejj now Diane
Clere was pe daie as .1. haue told ar pis
And Theseus wip al loy and blisse 1684
Wip his ypolita pe faire quene
And Emely eloped al in Grene >, | [Seexn.65.]
On huntyn bene pe reden Eoially
And to pe Groue pat stod ful fast by
In whiche per was an herte as men him tolde
IT Due Theseus pe streiht waie hap holde
And to pe lauwde he ride]) him ful riht
ffor peder was pe hert wonte to haue his fliht 1692
And ouer a broke and so forpe on his weie
This Due wil haue a cours att him or tweie
Wip houndes suche as him lust commaunde
And whan pis Due wa[s] come vn to pe launde 1696
Vnder J>e sonne he loked And a-none
He was war of Arcite and Palamone .
pat fowhten breme as it wer boly two
The briht swerdes wenten to and foo . [? MS. fro] 1700
So hydously pat wip pe lest stroke
It semep pat it wald fel an oke
Bot whate pei were nopinge he wote
This Due his Coursur wip his spores smote 1704 | v. sa.
And att a sterte he was be-twix hem two
And pulled owte a swerde And cride ho
No more vpon peine of leseynge of 3oure hede
Be myhti Mars he schal a-none be dede 1708
That smytep any stroke . pat .1. maie seen
Bot telle me what mester men 30 been J v. si
That bene so hardy to feihten here
Wip-owten lugge or oper officere 1712
4 LANSDOWNE 49
50 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
As it were in a litel list roiallie
^f This Palamon ansewerd hastelye
1 And seide sire what nedejj wordes mo
We haue J?e dejj -deserued boj>e tuo 1716
Two wofutt wreches be we tuo Caytyues
That bene encumberde of owre owen Hues
And as JJQU art a riht-ful lorde and luge
Ne $if vs neyfer mercy ne refuge 1720
Bot sle me first for seinte Charite
And sle my felaw eke as wele as me
Or sle him for fouhe thou knowest it lite
))is is J>i mortal fo fis is Arcite 1724
That fro J)i londe is banysshed on his hed
ffor whiche he hajje deserued to be dede
ffor fis is he whiche come vn to ]>i gate
And seide J>at he hiht Philostrate . 1728
Thus hafe he laped Jje ful mony a ^ere peaf22,back]
And fou hast maade him J>i chef swyere
And fis is he fat loue]> Emelye
ffor sej> fat daie is come Jjat .1. schal di^e 1732
.1. make pleinely my confessione
Jjat .1. am J>ilke woful palamone
Jjat hafe J>i pn'sone broken wikkedly .
.1. am J>i mortale foo and it am .1. 1736
})at louefe so hote Emelye fe brihte
That wil dije present in hire sihte
Where-fore .1. ax defe and my luyse |
Bot sle my felawe in J?e same wise 1740
ffor boj>e we haue deserued to be sleine
IT This worj>i Due ansewerd anone a^eine
And seide this is a schort conclusione
^owre owren moufe be ^owre confessione 1744
Hafe dampne ^ow and it wil recorde
It nedej? nouht to pyne ^owe wij> corde
3e schal be ded be myhti Mars Jje rede
The qweene anone for verrei wommanhede 1748
LANSDOWNE 50
Teseide.
See Y. 91.
See V. 91.
V. 90.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 51
Gan for to wepe and so dide Emelie
And al pe ladies in pe companye
Grete pite was as hem pouht alle
That euer suche a chaunce shold falle 1752
ffor gentilmen pei were of grete astate
And nofinge hot for loue was pis debate
And sauhe hire blody woundes wide and sore
And al criden "hope lasse and more 1756
Haue merci lorde vpon vs wemmen alle
And on her bare knees downe Jjei falle
And wolde haue kist his fote pere as he stode
Til att laste a-slaked was his moode 1760
ffor pite rennep sone in gentil herte
And pouhe he firste fore Ire quoke and sterte
He considered schortly in a clause
The trespas of hem bope and eke pe cause 1764
And al-pouhe fat his Ire hir gilte accusede
3it in his reson he hem bojj excusede
And pus he pouht wele J>at euery man
Wil helpe him selfe in loue if pat he can 1768
And eke deliuere him self owte of prisone
And eke his herte had compassione
Of wemmen for J>ei wepen euer in one [leaf 23]
And in his gentitt hert . he jjouht anone 1 772
And soft vn to him self he seide fie
Vpon a lorde pat wille haue no mercye
Bot he be lyone bo]>e in worde and in dede
To hem pat bene in repentance and drede 1776
Al so wele as to a proude dispitous man
That wil Maiten pat he first be-gan
That lorde hap litel of discrecion
That in suche cas can no deuision 1780
And weiepe pride and humblenesse after one
And whan his Ire is pus a-gone
He gan to Loken vpe wip yhe liht
And spake pis same wordes al on hiht" 1784
LANSDOWNE 51
52 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
1T The god of loue A Benedicite __ Teseid
Howe myhti and howe grete a lorde is he
A3eines his myhtes fere gaynef none obstacles
He maie be cleped a god for his miracles 1788
i-ffor he can maken att his owen gise
Of eueryche hert as fat him list deuise
Loo here f is Arcite and Palamon
That quytly weere owte my pn'son 1792
And myht haue leued in Thebes roialye
And weten .1. am here mortale enemye
And fat hire def e life in my myht als©
And hafe loue Maugre here eyen two 179G
Brouht hem hider bof for to die
Nowe lokef is nouht fat an hihe folye
Who maye be a foole bot if he loue
Be-holde for goddes sake fat sittef aboue 1800
Se howe fei blede be fei nouht wele araide
Thus hafe hire lorde f e god of loue ypaide
Hire wages and her fees for hire seruise
And ^ut fei wenen for to be ful wise 1804
That semen loue for ouht fat maie be-falle
Bot f is is ^ete f e beste game of alle
That sche for wham fei haue f is lolifce
Kan hem ferfore as muche fonke as me 1808
Sche woote no more of att f is hote fare
Bi god fan wote a cokkowe or an hare
Bot al mot bene assaide hote and colde
A man most be a foole or jonge or olde 1812 V- 92_
.1. wote it be my selfe ful jore a-gone [leaf 22, back]
ffor in my time a seniant was .1. one
And fare-fore sef .1. knowe of loues peins
.1. woote howe sore it kan a man distreine 1816
As he fat hafe bue cauht oft in his lace
.1. 3owe for-jef al holely f is trespace I y. 82.3.
At f e request of f e quene fat knelef here
And Eke of Emely my suster dere 1820
LANSDOWNE 62
v.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 53
And 30 schatt Bof e anone vn to me swere T
fat neuer 30 schal my coroune dere
N"e make werre vpon me nyht ne dale
Bot bene my frendes in al fat 30 maie 1824
.1. 3owe for-^eue fis trispaas euery dele
And f ei him sworne his axen faire and wele [ y. 93.
And him of lordeschipe and of Mercie preide
And hem grauntefe grace and fus he seide
IT To speke of Eoial lignage and richesse
Thouhe fat sche weere a queene or a Princesse
Eche of 3owe bof e is worf i doutelesse
To wedden whan time is bot naf elesse 1832
.L speke as for [my] suster Emelye
ffor whom .1. haue. fis strif and lalowsie
3e wit joure selfe sche maie nouht wedden twoo . v. 95.
Att ones fouhe je feihten euer moo 1836
Bot one of }owe al be him lof e or leue
He mote go pipen in an yuy leue
This to sei sche maye nouht haue bof e
Al be 39 neuer so lelouse ne so wrofe 1840
And for-fi .1. 3owe pute in fis degre
That iche of 3ow schal haue his destanye
As him is schape and herkenef e in whatt wise
Lo here 3owre ende of fat .1. schal deuise 1844
IT Mi wilt is [this '] for plate conclusions [' MS. rubbed]
Wif -owten any replicacione
If fat 3owe likef takef it for f e beste
That eueryche of 3owe schal gone where him leste 1848
ffrely wif-owten Raunson or daungere
And . fis daie fifty wekes fer ne nere -un anno intero,-
V 93
Eueryche of 3owe schal bringe an .C. knyhtes
Armed for lystes vp al Rihtes 1852
Al redi to darreine hir by Bataile
And fis behet .1. 3ow wif-owte faile .
Vpon my troufe and as .1. am knyht [leaf 24]
That whefer of jtowe bofe fat hafe miht 1856
LANSDOWNE 63
v. v.
Ttsddt
V.98.
[no slaving :
tioned.j
54 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
This is to seine wheber he or bou
Maie wib his hundreb as .1. spak of nowe
Sle his contrarie or owte of listes driue
That schal .1. jeue Emelia to wif 1860
To whome J>at fortone jeueb so faire a grace
The listes schal .1. maken in bis place
And god so wisly on my soule rewe
As .1. schal Euen luge be and trewe 1864
3e schol none ojjer ende wib me makene
Jjat one of 3owe ne schatt be dede or takene
And ^if ^owe JjinkeJ) bis is wele .I.-seide
Seibe 3owre avise and holde $owe wele apaide 1868
This es 3oure ende and ^oure conclusione
Who lokeb lihtly nowe bot palamond
"Who springe]) vp for ioie bot arcite
Who coube telle or who coube it endite 187?
The ioye fat is maked in be place
Whan Theseus habe done so faire a grace rtantagra
V. 100.1
But downe one knees went . euery manere wiht
And bonked him wib al here hert and myht 1876
And namely be Thebanes oft sibe
And bus wib good hope and wibbe herte blibe
Thei taken here leue and homward gan bei ride
To Thebes wib olde walles wide 1880
[PART HI. No gap in the MS.]
.1. trowe men wolde it deme Necligence
3if .1. formate to tellen be dispence
Of Theseus bat gobe so besily
To Maken vp be listes roially 1884
Jjat suche a noble theatre as it was
.1. dare wele saie in be werlde bere nas
The circuite a Mile was aboute . vii. ios.
Walled of stone and diche alt wib-oute 1888 . [no ditch.-\
Kourade was be schappe maner of compos .
LANSDOWNE 54
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 55
fful of degrees f o heighte of sexti pas
That whan a man was sette on o degree
He let-it nouhte his felow for to see 1892 .
Estwarde fere stoode a gate of marble white
Westward riht stoode a-nof er in f e opposite .
And schortly to conclude suche a place
Was none in erf e and in so litel a space . 1896
fibr in f e londe fere nas no crafti man [leaf u, back]
That Geomatrie or arce metrik can
Ne Purtreoure ne keruer of ymages
Thas Theseus ne $afe mete and wages 1900
The Theatre to make and to deuise
And for to done his riht and sacrifice
He Estwarde haf vpon f e gate aboue
In worschipe of venus goddes of loue 1 904
Done maken an Auter and an Oratorie
And in f e westwarde in Memorie
Of Marce he Maked haf e riht suche anof er
J)at cost largeli of gold a fof er 1908
And Northwarde in a toret on- f e walle
Of Alabastre white and rede Coralle
An oratorio riche for to se
In worschipe of Dyane of chastite 1912
Haf e Theseus don wrouht in noble wise
Bot }ite had .1. forgeten to deuise
Jje noble painteynge and f e purtres
The schappe fe countenance and fe figures 1916
That weren in f ese oratories f re
fferst in f e temple of venus maist f ou see
Wrouhte in f e walle fu[l] pitouse to be-holde
The broken slepes. and fe sikes colde 1920
The sacrede teres and f e weymenynge
The firy strokes of desireinge
That loues seruant^ in f is life enduren
The ofes fat here couenantz ensuren 1924
Plesant and hope desire foolhardinesse
LANSDOWNE 55
VII. 110.
VII. 109.
i VIL 59.
o. &c.
56 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Beaute and 3011 ]>e . bauderie Bichesse
S*, , „ , . „ , . See VII. 66, & 64.
Charmes and force lesemges naterie gee Vn. 55-6, 59.
Dispense Besinesse and lelowsie 1928
That wered of ^alowe gowldes a garlonde
And a kokkowe sittinge on his honde
ffestes Instrumentes karoles daunces | see YII. 53, &, 57.
Luste and arraie and al fe Circumstaunces 1932
Of loue whiche fat rekened and reken schatt
Be order were pointed on f e watt
And mo fan .1. can make of Mencione
ffor sofeli al fe mounte of Githerone 1936 vn. w.
There venus haj> hir principal dwellinge
Was schewede on f e waft in purtreinge * [* see p. 25, n. 7.1
Wif al the Gardyne and fe lustinesse [leaf 25]
Nat was for-^ete fe porter ydelnessef ft See p. 25, n. s.] 1940
Ne Narcisus fe faire of ^ore agone
Ne fe foly of kinge salamon
Ne 3itte fe grete strenke of hercules J [t See p. 25, ». 7.]
Thenchauntementez of Medea and Circes 1944
Ne of Turnus wijj ]?e hardy fiers corage
The Biche Crisus Caitif in seruage
Thus maie 30 seen fat wisdome ne richesse
Beute ne strengefe ne sleiht ne hardinesse 1948
Ne maie wif venus halde Champartie
fFor as sche liste fe werlde fan maie sche gye .
Lo al f is folke so kauht were in hire lace
Til fei ful woo ful oft seide Alace 1952
Suffisef e here ensarnples one or two
And f ouhe .1. couf e rekken a f ousand mo
The Statue of venus glorious for to see § [§ see p. 25, n. 9.3
"Was made fleteynge in fe large see 1956
And fro f e nauel doune al couerd was
Wif wawes grene and briht as any glas
A Citole in hire Bihte honde had sche
And on hir hede ful semely for to see 1960
A rose garland frische and wele smellinge
LANSDOWNE 56
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 57
A-boue hire hede here doufes flikeringe
Be-forne hir stode hir sonne Cupido
Vpon his scholderes wenges had he tuo 1964
And blinde he was as it is oft sene
A bowe he bare and arwes briht and kene
IT Whi schold .1. nouht also wele eke tel f e hatt
The purtratonre fat was vpon f e watt 1968
Wif -inne f e temple of myhti mars f e rede
Al pointed was f e wal in lengethe and brede
Like to f e estres of f e grisely place
That hihte fe grete temple of mars in trace 1972
In f ilke colde frosti Region
Ther as Marce haf e his souereine Mansion
ffirste on f e wal was peinted a forest
In whiche fere dwelled neyfer man ne beste 1976
With knotty knarry baran tres olde
Of stubbes scharpe and hidouse to be-holde
In whiche f er ran a rombel in a swouhe .
As fouhe a storme scholde berste euery bouhe . 1980
And dounewarde from an hift vnder a bent [leaf 25, back]
Ther stode f e temple of Mars armipotent
Wrowht al of Burnede stele of wyche fentre
Was longe and streite and gastly for to see 1984
And fere owte come a rage and suche a veze
That maade al fe gates for to rese
The Northern liht in att fat dore schone* [* See p. 25, n. 10.]
ffor windowe on fe [walle] was fere none . 1988
Thoruhe whiche men myht any Hht discerne
The dores waren att of Attemant ete[r]ne
Ychenchede oueref wart and enlonge
Wif yren toughe and for to make it stronge 1992
Euery peler f e temple to susteine
Was tune grete of yren briht and schene
There sawe .1. first f e derke ymaginynge
Of felony an al f e compassinge 1996
The Cruele Ire as rede as any glede
LANSDOWNE 57
VII. 36.
VII. 29, 30.
VU. 31.
[but a real forest
there, not
ot a
•painted one.]
VII. 32.
VII. 33.
VU. 32.
VII. 33.
58 GBOUP A. § 2. ^KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
The Pike-purs and eke be pale drede •
. . VII. 33. [not the
The smyler wife be knyf vnder be cloke . pickpurse.]
The Shepen birneinge with be Make smoke 2000
The Treson of be Morberinge in be bedde
The Open werre wib wondes aft be-bledde
Contek wib blody knyfe and scharpe manace . vn. 34.
Aft fful of schrikeinge was bat sor place 2004 .
The sleere of himself jit sawe .1. bere
His herte hab babed al his here
The naile y-dryue in be schode on nyht
The colde debe wib moube gapeand vpriht 2008
A mides of be temple satte Mischaunce * c* See p. 25, «. 11.]
"With discomford and sori countenaurace
3it sauhe .1. wodenes lawheynge in his rage vn. s&.
Armed compleinte outehees and fires outrage f [t see p. 25, n. 12.]
The karoigne in be buske wib brote. ycorue
A. bousand ysleine and not of qualme ystorue
The terant wibe preie be for brafte
The towne destroiede. ber was no binge laft 2016 | vn. se.
^ete sawe .1. bernte be schippes hoppestersj tt See p. 25, n. is.]
The hunte strangeld wib be wilde beres
The so we freteynge be childe riht in be Cradett
The Coke . Iscalded for al his longe ladeft 2020
Nouht was for^eten be benfortune of Marte
The Carte ouerriden wib his Carte j vir. 37.
Vnder be whele ful lowe he laie a doune [leaf 26]
There were also of Mart/s diuisiowne 2024
The barboure and be bocher and be smithe
That forgeb scharpe swerdes on his stibe
And al aboue depeinted in a toure
Sauhe .1. conqueste sit in grete honoure 2028
Wib be scharpe swerde ouere his hede
Hangeinge be a subtile twine brede
Depeinted was be slawhter of lulius
Of grete Nero and of Anthonius 2032
Al be bat ilke time bei weren vnborne
LANSDOWNE 68
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 59
3ite was f eire def e depainted fere be-forno
Be Manassinge of Mars riht be figure
So was it schewde in fat purtrature . 2036
As is depeinted in f e sertres a-boue
Who schal be sleine or elles dede for loue
Suffiseth oone ensample in stories oolde
.1. maie nouht reken hem al fouhe fat .1. wolde 2040
Tf The statue of Mars vppon a Carte stode
Armed and loked grime as he war wode
And ouere his heuede fere schines two figures
Of sterre fat bene closed in scriptures 2044 "
J?at on puella fat of er Eubeus
This god of armes was arraide f us
A wolfe fere stode be-for him att his fete
Wif J3en reede and of a man he ete 2048
Wif f e sotel pensel was depeinted fis storie
In redouteinge of Mars and of his glorie .
^[ Nowe to f e temple of Diane fe chast
As schortli as .1. can .1. wil me haste 2052
To telle }owe al f e descripciowne
Depeinted bene f e walles vp and doune
Of huntynge and of sehamfast chastite
There sauhe .1. ho we woful Caliste
Whan fat Diane was agreued wife here
Was turne fro a womman to a bere
And after was sche maade f e lode-sterre
Thus was sche pointed .1. can sei 3 owe no ferre .
Hir sone is eke a sterre as men Maie see
Thar sawhe [IJ Dane turned til a tree
.1. mene nouht f e goddes Diane
Bot Penneus douhter whiche fat hiht Dane . 2064
IT Ther sawhe .1. Accheon an herte ymaked Deaf 26, back]
ffor veniaunce fat he sawhe Diane al nakede
.1. sawhe ho we fat his hondes haf him cauht
And freten him for fat fei knewe him nauht 2068
3ite y-peinted was a litel forf ermore
LANSDOWNE 69
60 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Howe Athalance hunted fe wilde "bore
And Meliagre and mony an ofer moo
ffor whiche Diane wrouht care and woo
There sawhe .1. many a nofer wondere storie
The whiche me luste nouht drawe to memorie
IT This Goddes on an hert ful hihe sche seete
Wif smalle houndes al aboute her* feete .
And vnder-nefe hire feete sche had a mone
Waxinge it was and scholde wany sone
In gaude grene hire statue clofed was
Wif bowe in honde and arwes in a kas
Hir1 yhen kest sche ful lowe adoune
Thare pluto haj> his derke Regione
A wowman trauaillinge was hire beforne
Bot for hire childe was so longe vnborne
iful pitously Lucina gan sche calls
And seide helpe for fou maiste best of alle
Wele coufe he peinte lifly fat it wrouht
Wif many a floren he f e hewes bouht
Nowe bene f es listes maade and Theseus
That att his grete cost arraide Jms
The temples and f e Teatre euery dele
"Whan it was done it liked him wondere wele
Bot stinte .1. wiii of Theseus a lite
And speke of Palamon and of Arcite
The daie approchej) of hire retournynge
That eueryche schold an .C. knyhtes bringe .
The Bataile to darraine as .1. ^owe tolde
And til Athenes here couenant for to holde
Ha]?e eueryche of hem brouht an .C. knyhtes
Wele armed for J?e werre att al rihtes
An sekurly fere trowed mony a man
That neuer siJ>J>e fat f e werlde be-gan
As for to speke of knyhthode of hire honde
As fer as god haf maked see and londe
Was of so fewe so noble a compaignye
LANSDOWNE 60
Teteidf.
2076
2080
2084
2088
2092
2096
2100
2104
VI. 71.
vi. n.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 61
ffor euery whiht fat loued cheualrie .
And wold his f onkes and haue a passant name
Haf e preide fat he myhte be of fat game .
And wel was him fat fere-to chosen was
SOT if fere fell to morwe suche a cas
3e knewe wele fat eue?y lusty knyht
J)at louef paramoures . And haf his myht
Were it in Ingelonde or elles where
Thei wolde here f onkes willen to be fere
To fighte for a ]ady benedicite
It were a lusti siht for to see
And riht so ferden f ei wif Palamon
Wife him fere went knyhtes manyon
Some wol ben armed in an haburgeon
And in a breste plate . And in a liht lepon
And some wil haue a paire plates large
And some wil haue a pruce schelde or a targe
Some wel bene armed on his legges wele
And haue an ax and some a mace of stele
Thar is no new gise fat it nas holde
Armed were fei as .1. haue ^owe tolde
Eueryche after his opinione
Thare maistowe see comynge wif palamon
Ligurge him selfe f e grete kinge of trace
Blake was his berde and manly was his face
The cercles of his yhen in his hede
Thei glowde be-twix ^alowe and rede
And like a griffon loked he a-boute
With kempe heres on his browes stoute
His limes grete . his braune harde and stronge
His scholdres brod . his armes rounde and longe
And as f e gise was in his contre
fful hihe vpon a chare of gold stode he
Wif f e foure white boles in f e trays
In stede of cote armoure ouer his hernays
Wif naille }elow and briht as any golde
LANSDOWNE 61
Teseide.
[leaf 27]
2108 'giuoco.'VII. 4.
2112
2116
2120
2124
2128 [on Arcita's side
res.]
. VI. 14.
. VI. 21. (See p. 25.
n. 14.)
2132
. VI. 21.
2136
VI. 21.
2140.yi.22L
62 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
He had a berskinne cole-blake for olde
His longe here was kembed be-hinde Ms bak
As any Rauenes fefer it schane for blak 2144
A wrefe of golde arme grete of huge wighte
Ypon his hede sette ful of stones briht
Of fine Rubies and of diamantz
A-boute his chare fer went white alantz 2148
Twenty and moo as grete as any stere [leaf 27, back]
To hunten att J>e lyon or J>e dere
And folowed him wij> mosel fast bounde
Colers of golde and turettes filed rounde 2152
An .C. lordes had he in his Eoute
Armed ful wele wij> hertes sterene and stoute
IT Wij> Arcita in Stories as men finde
The grete Emetrius )>e kinge of Inde 2156
Vpon a stede baie trapped in stele
Couerd wij) clojje of gold diapred wele
Cam rideinge like J?e god of Armes mars
His cote armur was of clojje of tars 2160
Couched wi]> perles white and rounde and grete
His sade[l] was of brent gold new ybette
A mantelet vpon his scholdere hongeynge
Breteful of Rubies rede as fire sparklinge 2164
His crispe here like ringes was yronne
And fat was ^alowe and gleteringe as ]je sone
His nose was hihe his y3en briht Citrine
His lippes rounde . his colour was sanguyne 2168
A fewe fraknes in his face y-sprined
Be-twix ^alowe and somdel blak ymeyned
And as lion he his lokeynge cast
Of five and twenti 3ere his age .1. cast 2172
His berd was wele be-gunne for to springe
His vois was as a trompe thundringe
Vpon his hede he wered of laurer grene
A garland fresche and lusti for to seene 2176
Vpon his honde he bare for his deduyte
LAXSDOWNE 62
VI. 29. (See p. 25,
». 16.)
vi. ir.
VI. 18.
VI. 41.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 63
An Egle tame as any lely white
An .C. lordes had he wif him fere
Al armed sane hire hedes in al her gere 2180
fful richely in al maner finges
ifor trustef wele fat Dukes Erles and kinges
Weren gaderd in fis noble compaignie
ffor loue and for encres of chiualrie 2184
A-boute fis kinge far ranne on euery parte
fful mony a tame lion and lepart
IT And in fis wise f es lordes al and some
Bene on fe sondaie to fe Cite come 2188
Aboute prime and in f e towne a-lihte
This theseus fis due fis worf i knyht
Whan he had brouht hem in to his Citee [leaf 28]
And Inned hem eueriche att his degree 2192
He festef hem and dof e so grete la-boure
To esen hem and done hem al hcnoure
That 3it men wenef fat nomannes witte
Of none astate ne coufe amende it 2196
The minstralcie f e seruice att f e feste
The grete jeftes to f e most and leste
The Eiche arraie of Theseus Paleis
Ne who satt first ne last vppon f e deis 2200
What ladies fairest bene or best daunceinge
Or whiche of hem can best daunsen or singe
Ne who moste feleingelike spekef of loue
What haukes sitten in f e perche aboue 2204
What houndes liggen on f e flore adoune
Of att fis make .1. no we no mencioune
Bot al f effect fat f enkef me beste
Now comef f e pointe and herken if jow leste 2208
^f The sondaye att nyht ar day be-gan to springe
Whan Palamon f e larke herde singe
Al f ouhe it nar nouht daie be houres tuo
3ete songe fe larke An Palamon riht fo 2212
Wif holy herte and wif an hihe corage
LANSDOWNE 63
VI. 65.
VI. 65.
VI. 69-70.
vi. ro.
VI. 8.
64 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
He rose to wende on his pilgrenage
Vnto f e blisful Citharea benigne
.1. mene venus honurable and digne 2216
And in hire houre he walkef forf e apace
Vnto f e h'stes f er hir temple wace
An doune he kneled and wif humble chere
And hert sore he seide as 36 schal here 2220
^[ ffairest of faire O ladi myne Yenus
Doubter to loue and spouse to vulcanus . vn. 43.
Thou glader of f e mounte of Citheron
ffor filke loue f ou haddest to Adon 2224 .
Haue pite of my bitter teres smarte .
And take myne humble preier att fine herte
Alias .1. ne haue no langage to telle . vn. 45.
The effectes ne fe torment on myn belle 2228 .
Mine herte maie myne harmes nouht bi-wreie
.1. am so confuse J>at .1. can nouht seie . vn. 45.
Bot Merci ladi briht fat knowest wele
Mi f ouhte and seest what harmes fat .1. fele . 2232 .
Considere al f is and rewe vpon my sore
As wisly as .1. schal for euer More
Enforf e my myht J>i trewe semant be
And balden were alwaie wijj chastite 2236
That .1. make myne avowe so 30 me helpe
.1. kepe nouht of armes for to ^elpe . vn. 46.
Ne .1. ne axe not to morne to haue victorie
Ne renoune in fis caas ne veine glorie 2240 •
Of pn's of armes blowen vp and doune
Bot .1. wolde haue fully possessione
Of Emelye and die in his semise .
ffinde 3owe fe manere howe and in whatt wise 2244 . VIT. 47.
.1. reche nou^t bot it better maio hue
To haue victorie of hem or f ei of me
So fat .1. maie my lady in myne armes .
ffor f ouhe so be fat mars is god of Armes 2248
3oure vertue is so grete in heuene aboue
LANSDOWNE 64
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 65
jjat . if f ou liste .1. schal wel haue my loue
IT Thi temple wil .1. worschipe euere mo • vu. 48.
And oil fine autere where .1. ride or go 2252 •
.1. wil don sacrifise and fires bete
And if 30 wil nou^t so my lady swete • vn. 49.
fan praie .1. f e to-morne wijj a spere
Jjat Arcite [me] f ourhe f e herte here 2256 .
Than reke .1. nouht whan .1. haue lost my lif
Thouht fat Arcite winne hire to his wif .
This is f effect and ende of my prayere
$ef me my loue f ou "blisseful ladi dere 2260
IT "Whan f e orison was done of Palamon vu. es.
His sacrifice he dide and fat a-none
fful pitously wif al circumstances * [* see p. 25, «. ie.]
Att tel .1. not as nowe his obsemances 2264
Bot att f e laste f e Statue of venus schooke
And Maade a signe where-bi fat he toke
That his praier was accept fat daie
ffor f oughe f e signe schewed a delaie 2268
^it wist he wele fat graunted was his bone
And wif glad herte he went him horn ful sone
The f rede houre inequale fat Palamon
Be-gan to venus temple for to gone 2272
Vp rose f e sonne and vpe roos Emelye
And to f e temple of Diane gan hye
The Maidens fat federe wif hire ladde [leaf 29] vn.ri.
fful redely wif hem f e fire f ei hadde 2276
The encens f e clof es and f e remenant att
That to f e sacrifice longen schatt
The homes ful of Mef e as was f e gise I vu. ri.
There lakked nouht to done Mr1 sacrifise 2280
Smokeinge f e temple ful of clof es faire I vu. n.
This Emely wif hert debonaire
Hir body [wessh] wife water of a weft I vu. 72.
Bot how sche did hiij riht .1. dar not tett 2284
Bot it be any f inge in generaft
5 LANSUOWNE 65
6G GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And 3it it were a game to here it alt
Til him fat menef e wele it ner no charge
Bot it is goode a man be att his large 2288
Her brihte here vn-kembed vntrussed al
A coron of a grene oke serial • vn. M.
Vpon hire hed sett ful feire and mete
Two fires on fe auter gan sche bete 2292 •
And dide hir finges as men mai be-holde
In Stace of Thebes as f es bokes olde
Whan kindeled was f e fire wif pitous chere • vn. ?e.
Vn to Diane sche spak as 36 maye here 2296 •
IT 0 chaste goddes of f e wodes grene • vii. 79.
To whom bof e heuen and erf e and see is sene • vii. 77.
Queene of f e regne of Pluto derke and lawe
Goddes of maydenes fat myn hert haste knowe 2300
fful mony a 3ere and woste what .1. desire
As kepe me fro f i veniance and fine ire • vn. 79.
J?at Attheon abouht cruely
Chaste goddes wel woste fou fat .1. 2304
Desire to be a maiden al my lif
Ne neuer wil .1. be no loue ne wi
.1. am fou woste 3it of f i compaignie . vn. si.
A mayden and loue huntynge and veneryo 2308 .
And for to walken in f e wodes wilde
And nouht to bene a wif and be wif childe
Note wil .1. knowe company of man | vii. si.
Now he[re] me ladi seffe 30 maie and, can 2312
ffor free formes fat f u haste in f e
And palamon fat haf suche a loue to me
And eke Arcite fat louef me so sore
J?is grace .1. pray . 3owe wif-owten more 2316 • vii. 84.
And sende loue and pees be-twene hem two
And fro me torne awaie her hertes soo
That al her hote loue and desire [leaf 29, back]
And al her bysy torment and hire fire 2320 .
Be qveynte or tornede in a nof ef er place ,
LANSDOWNE 66
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 67
And if so be f ou wilt nouht do ine grace
Or if my destany be scliapede so
That .1. schal nedes haue one of fern tuo
As sende me him Jjat most desire Jj me
Be-holde goddes of clene chastite
The bitter teres fat on my choke falle
Sen f ou art Maiden and keper of vs alle
My maidenhede f ou kepe and wele conserue
And wile .1. leue a maide .1. wil 30 we seme
The fires berne vpon f e auter clere
While emely was f us in hir preiere
Bot sodanly sche sawe a siht queynte
ffor rihte a-none on of f e fires queynte
An quyked ajeine and after fat anone
That ojjer fire was queynte and al agone
And as it queynte it maad a whistelynge
As done J>es wete brondes in her brenynge
And att f e brondes ende oute ran anone
As it were blodi dropes many one
ffor whiche so sore agaste was Emelye
That sche was nyhe mad and gan to crie
ffor sche ne wist what it signified
Bot onely for f e fere fus haj> sche cried
And wepe fat Pite was to here
And fere wif alt Diane gan a-pere
Wif bowe in honde riht as an hunteresse
And seide douhter stinte fine heuinesse
Amonge f e goddes on hihe it is affermede
And be eterne worde wreten and confermede
Thou schalt be wedded vn to one of f oo
That haue for fe so muche care and woo
Bot vnto whiche of hem .1. maie nouht telle
ffare wele for .1. ne maie no longer dwelle
The fires whiche fat on myn auter berne
Schole 30 declaren arr fat ^e gon henne
1" Thyne auentur of loue as in f is caas
LANSDOWNE 67
2328
2332
2340
2344
2348
2352
2356
Teseide.
VH. 88.
2324 •
VII. T8.
VII. 88.
VII. 91.
2336 •
VII. 92.
VII. 92.
. VII. 89.
[' con et"ma pa-
rola,' VII. 85.]
. VII. 89.
VII. 89.
Teseit
VII. 00.
VIL 93.
VIL24.
68 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And wif fat worde f e Arwes in f e caas
Of f e goddes claterne fast and ringe
And forfe sche wente and made a vanyssinge 2360
ifor whiche fi[ng] emely astoned was [leaf so]
And seide what a-mountef f is alas
.1. pute me in J?i protections
Diane and in fine dispocicton 2364
And home sche gof e a-none f e next weye
Jjis is f efiecte fere is nomore to seie
IT The next houre of Mars folwynge J)is
Arcite vnto fe temple walke is 2368
Of fires Mars to don his sacrifice
Wi]> alt f e rihtes of his payen wise
Wife pitous hert and hihe deuocione • vn 23.
Kiht fus to mai-s he sent his orison 2372 •
^[ 0 stronge good fat in f e regne colde
Of Trace honoured erte and lorde .I.-holde
And hast in eu<??-y regne and in euery londe
Of armes al fe bridel in fin honde 2376
And hem fortunest as f e liste deuyse
Accepte of me my pitous sacrifise
If so be fat my jouf e mai deserue
And fat .1. rnyht be worfi for to serue 2380 .
Thi godhede fat .1. maie bene one of fine
)3at praie .1. to f e to rewe vpon my pine
ifor f ilke pine and f ilko hote fire
In whiche f ou whilome berneste for desire 2384
Whan fat f ou vsedest f i beaute
Of faire 3onge fressche venus fre
And haddest hir in armes att f i wilt
Al-f ouhe 30 ones on a time mysfelt
Whane vulcanus hadde caulit f e in his laas • vn. K.
And fonde f e liggynge be his wif alaas
ffor f ilke sonve fat was in fin herte
Haue reuf e as wele vpon my peines smerte
.1. am $onge and vnkunynge as f ou woste « vn. w.
LANSPOWNE 68
VIL 25.
• VII. 26.
2392
GUOUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 69
Teteide.
VII. 26.
And as .1. trowe wif loue offendude moste
J)at euer was any Hues creature
ffor sche fat dof e me al f is woo endure 2396
Ne recchej? neuer whef er .1. sinke or flete
And wele .1. wote af sche rne merci hete
.1. moste wij? strenkej) winne hir1 in f e place
And wele .1. wote wif -owten helpe or grace 2400 " vii. 26.
Of ]>e f ne male my strenkej? nouht aveile
Than helpe me lorde to-morne in my "bataile . • vn 27.
ffor f ilke fire fat whilom brente f e [leaf so, back]
As wele as filke fire nowe brennej) me 2404
An do fat .1. to-morne haue fe victorie
Myne be J»e trauayle and fine be fe glorie* c* see p. 25, n. 17.]
Thi souereyne temple wele most .1 honouren
Of any place and al-wey moste labouren . 2408
In fi pesauntez and in f i craftes stronge
And in f i temple .1. wilt Mi baner honge . vn. 28.
And al f e armes of my compaignye
And euer more vntil fat .1. dye 2412
Eterne fire .1. wilt be-for f e finde • vu. 28.
And eke to f is a-vowe .1. wil me binde
Mine Mine here fat hongef longe a doune • vn. 28.
That neuer ^ite ne felte offensione 2416 •
Of Kasoure ne of schere .1. wil f e jeue
And bene f i treu sentant while .1. leue .
Now lorde haue reuf e vpon my sorous sore
3if me fe victorie .1. ax f e no more 2420
^[ The preier stinte of Arcita f e stronge
The ringe. on f e temple dore fat honge .
And eke f e dores claterden ful fast
Of whiche arcita sumwhat him a-gaste 2424
The fires brenten vpon f e auteres brihte
That it gan al f e temple for to lihte
And swete smelle f e gronde anone vp ^afe
And Arcita a-none his hand vp hafe 2428
And More encence in to f e fire he caste
LANSDOWNE 69
vn. 39.
• VI.. 40.
See VII. 40.
70 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Wif of ere rihtes moo and at f e laste
The Statue of Marc3 "began his hauberk linge
And wif f e souwde he herde a memorynge
iful lowe and dimme fat seide fus victorie
ffor whiche he 3afe to mars honour and glorie
And fus wif loy and hope wele to fare
Arcite a-none vn to his Inne he is fare
As feine as fowle is of )>e briht sorcne
And riht anone ffrissche strife is be-gunne
ffor f ilke grauntynge in f e heuen a-boue
Be-twix venus f e goddes of loue
And marce f e steren god Armipotentent
That lubiter was besie it to stent
Til fat f e pale Saturnus f e colde
fat knewe so rnony of aventures olde
ffond in his olde experiens an arte
That ful sone haf e pleside euery parte
A sof e is seide Elde haf grete auantage
In Elde is bof e wisdome and vsage
Men Maie f e olde att-renne and nouhtt atrede
Saturne a-none to stint strif and drede
Al be it fat it is a^eines his kinde
Of Al fis st[r]if he gan remedi finde
Mi dere Doubter venus qwod Saturne
Mi course fat haf e so wide for to turne
Haf more powere fan haf any manne
Mine is f e drynchinge in f e see so wanne
Mine is f e pn'sone in f e derke cote
Mine is f e strangle and hongeinge by f e f rote
The murmure and f e cheles rebellinge
The groneynge and f e pn'ue enprisoneinge
.1. do vengeance and pleine correctione
Wil .1. dwell e in fe signe of fe leone
Myne is f e ruyne of f e hihe halles
The fallynge of f e toures and of f e walles
Vpon f e minor and f e Carpenter
LANSDOWNE 70
vn. 40.
2432.
2436
2440.
2444
[leaf 31]
2448
2452
2456
2460
2464
VII. 41.
VIL67.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHTS TALE. Lansdowne MS. 71
I slowhe Sampson schakinge pe piler
And myne bene pe Maladies colde
The derke tresoures and pe Costes olde 2468
My lokeynge is J>e fader of pestelence
No we wepe nomore .1. schal do diligence
)3at palamon fat is pine owen knyht
Schal haue his lady as pou him hihte 2472
Mars schal helpe his knyht nap eles
Be-twix ^owe pere mot be sum time pes
Al be nouht bope of on cornplexione
Jjat causep al daie suche diuisione 2476
.1. am pin ay eft rede att pi witt
Wepe nowe no more pi lust .1. wil fulfitt
Nbwe wilt .1. stente of pe goddes aboue
Of Mars and of venus goddes of loue 2480
And teft 3 owe also pleinely as .1. can
)3e gret effecte of whiche that .1. be-gan
[PART IV. No gap in the MS.]
•fi" Grete was pe feste in Athenes pat daie
And eke pat lusti seson of pat maye 2484
Maade euery knyht to bene in suche plesauwce
That al pat monday lousten pei and daunce .
And spende it in hihe venus se/uise [leaf si, back]
Bot be pe cause pat pei scholde rise 2488
Erly for to seen pe grete fighte
Vnto her reste went pei att nihte
And on pe morwe whan pe dai gan springe
Of hors and herneys noyse and clateringe 2492
There was in hostries al a-boute
And to pe Paleys rode per1 mony a route
Of lordes vpon stedes and palfreis
There maist pou seen diuiseinge of harneys 2496
So vnkoupe and so riche and wrouhte so wele
Of gold smyperie of brondeinge and of stele
LANSDOVTNE 71
Tueifc.
[General imita-
tion of VII. 95-99.
72 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
The Scheldes briht testeres and trappures
Gold hewen helmes hawberkes cote armures 2500
Lordes in paramentes on hir* courseres
Knyhtes of Eetenu and eke swieres
Naillinge J)e speres and helmes bokelynge
Gideinge of scheldes wij) layners lasinge 2504
There as nede is J>ei were no J)inge ydel
The fomy stedes on J)e golden bridel • VIL 97.
Gnawen and faste J)e armureres also •
Wij) file and hamur prikinge to and fro 2508
3omen on fote and comune mony one
Wij) schort staues riht as J)ei mai gone
Pipes trompes nakers clarions
J)at in Jje retaile blewe blodi sownes 2512
The Paleis ful of peple vp and doune | vii. 99.
Here J>re J>er ten holdeinge her questioune • vii. 98.
Deuyneinge of J>is thebane knyhtes tuo
Som seide Jms sum seide it schal be so 2516 |
Some holden wij) him wij) J)e blake berde
Some wij) J)e balle some wij) J)e J)ikke herede
Some seide he loked grimme and he wolde fihte
He haj) a sparj)e of .xx. pounde of wihte 2520
Thus was J)e hal ful of diuineinge
Longe after J)at J)e so/me gan to springe
The grete Theseus J)at of his slepe awaked . vu w
Wij) mynstralcye and noys J)at was maked 2524
Held 3ite J)e Chambres of his palays riche •
Til J)at J)e Thebanes knyhtes boj)en yliche
Honorable weren in to J)e Palays ifette
Due Theseus is att J>e window sette 2528
Arraide riht as he were a god in Throne peaf32]
The peple presed J)ederwarde ful sone
Him for to seyn and done hihe reuerence
And eke to herken his heste and his sentence 2532
An heraude on a scafold maad an hoo
Til alt J)e noys of J)e peple was . y-doo
LANSDOWNE 72
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALK Lansdowne MS. 73
Teseide.
VII. 12.
[no lances allowed
in Boccaccio] /
VII. 131-132.
And Avhan he sawe f e peple of noyse al stiff
Thus schewed he f e myhty dukes witt 2536
^f The lorde haf of his hihe discrecione See vn. MS.
Considered fat it were destructione
To gentil blode to fihten in fis gise
Of Mortaile bataile nowe in fis emprise 2540 • vn. r.
Whare-for to schapen fiat f ei schal not deye
He witt his first purpos modefye
No man far-fore vpon peine on his lif
No manere schotte ne polax ne schorte knyfe 2544
In to f e listes sende ne f eder bringe
Ne schort swerde for to stoke wif pointe biteinge .
No man ne drauhe ne bere it be his side
Noman schal vn to his felawe ride 2548
Bot oo cours wif a scharpe ygrounde spere
ffoyne if him list on fote him self to were
And [he] fat is att Meschef schal be take
And nouht sleine hot be brouht vnto fe stake 2552
That schal bene ordeined on eyf er side
But f ider he schal be force and fare abide
And if so fal f e Cheftaigne be take
On eyfer side or elles sleine his make 2556
No longer schal f e tornynge last
God sped jow go forf e and laie on fast
Wif longe swerdes and wif maces fihten joure fitt
Go nowe ^oure weie fis is fe lordes witt 2560
The voice of f e peple touched heuen
So loude cried f ei wif mery steuene •
God saue suche a lorde fat is so goode
He wilnef no destruction of mannes blode 2564 .
Vp gof e f e trompes and f e melodie
And to f e listes rydef f e compaignie
Be ordinance f oruhe oute f e Cite large
Honged wif clof e of golde and nouht wif sarge 2568
fful like a lorde fis noble Due gan ride See vii. 100-102.
The tuo Thebanes vpon eyf ci side .
LANSDOWNE 73
• VII. 12 [and with
' bipenne '].
vn. H.
74 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Teseide.
VII. 113-4.
VII. 114.
VU. 118.
VII. 19.
And aftere rode J>e queene and Emely O»f 32, back] '
And after fat an oj?er compaignie 2572
Of one and ojjer after here degre
And Jms )>ei passen jjurgn oute J?e Citee
And to J>e listes come J?ei be time
It was nouht of J>e dale ^it fulliche pmne 2576
11 Whan sette was Theseus ful riche and hihe
Ipolita J>e queene and Emelye
And oj?er ladyes in degres a-boute
Vn-to J?e setes presej) aft fe route . 2580
And westwa Jjoruhe fe gates vnder Marte*.[*Seep.2s, ».is.]
Arcite and eke Jje hundrejj of his parte
WiJ> baner rede is entred riht anone
And in Jjat selfe moment Palamon . 2584
Is vnder venus est-warde in Jje place
Wijj banere white and hardy chere and face
In al J>e werlde to seken vpe and doune
So euen wijj-oute variaciowne 2588
)>er ner suche companyes tweye
ffor J)ere was none so wise jjat coufe seye
Jjat any had of ojiere auantage
Of worjjinesse ne of state of age f 2592
So euen were J>ei Chosen for to gesse
And in to Eynges faire fei hem dresse
If Whan Jjat here names were rad euerychone
That in hir nombre gile were fyere none 2596
Tho was J?e gates schette and cried was lowde
Do nowe 3owre deuere 3onge knyhtes prowde
The herawdes left he prikinge vpe and downe
Nowe ringen trompes loude and clarioune 2600 | viu. 5.
The[r] is no more to seine west or est
In gojje Jje speres ful sadly in a rest
In go]>e ]>e scharpe spere in to j)e side
Ther seen men who kan lusten and who can ride 2604
Ther schyueren schaftes vp on scheldes jjikke
He filejj Jjoruhe J?e hert spone j)e prike
LANSDOWNE 74
VIII. 7.
See VIII. 14, 29,
33, 40, 69, 81, &c.
VIII. 12.
A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 75
Vp springe]) speres . twenty fote on hilit
Oute gone J>e swerdes as fe siluer briht 2608
The helme fei to-hewen and to-schrede
Oute brestef fe blode . wij) steren stremes rede
Wif myhty Maces fe bones fei to-breste
He foruhe fe fikkest on fe fronge gan freste 2612
Ther stumbles stedes stronge and downe gone al
He rollef vnder fote as dofe a bal
He foynef on his fote wij? his tronchon Deaf 33]
And he him hurtejj wij) his hors adoune 2616
He foruhe fe body is hurte and sithen take
Maugre his hede and brouhte vnto fe stake
As forward was riht fere he must abide
An ofer is lad on jjat ojjer side 2620
And som time do]?e hem Theseus to reste
Hem to refresche and dringen if hem lest
^[ fful oft a day haue Jiese Thebanes two
To-gedere ymet and wrowht his felaw woo • 2624
Vnhorsede haj>e yche ojjere of hem tweie
fere nas no tigre in jje vale of golgopheie
Whan fat hir whelpe is stole wharme it is lite | vm. 20.
So cruel on j?e hunt as is Arcite 2628
ffor lalouse herte vpon Jjis Palamon
Ne in Belmary ne is so fel lyon
That huntid is or for his hunger wode
Ne of his preie desire]) so j?e blode 2632
As Palamon is to sle is fo Arcite
The lelous strokes on hire helmes bite
Oute rennej) J>e blode on bofe hir sides rede
Some time an ende fere is of euery dede 2636
ffor or fe sonne vnto j>e rest wente
The stronge kinge Emetrius gan hente
This palamon as he^fauht wij) Arcite
And made his swerde depe in his flesche bite 2640
And be fe for[ce] of twenty is he take
Vn-^olden and drawen to fe stake
LANSDOWNE 75
76 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And in f e rescous of f is Palamon
The stronge kinge Ligurge is borne a doune 2644
And kenge Emetrius for al his strenkef
Is borne owte of his sadel a swerdes lengej)
So it him Palamon ar he were take
Bote al for nouht brouht he was to f e stake 2648
His hardy herde myht him helpe nouht
He moste abide whan fat he was cauht
Be force and eke be composicione
Who sorewf e nowe Bot woful palamone 2652 | vui. 123.
That moote no more gone a^eine to nht
And whan fat Theseus had seen f is siht
He criede ho no more for it is done
Ne none schal longer to his felowe gone . . 2656
.1. witt be trewe lugge and not partie [leaf 33, back]
ArCite Of Thebes Schal haue Emelye
That be his fortune hafe hire faire ywonne
Anone f er is a noise of peple be-gunne 2660
ffor Toy of J)is so lowde and lihte wif al
It semed fat f e listes scholde fal
5T Whan kan nowe faire venus done aboue
What seif e sche nowe what dof e f is queene of loue 2664
Bot wepef so for wantynge of hire wille
Til fat hire teres in f e listes fille
Sche seide .1. am aschamede dowteles
Saturnus seide dotihter holde f i pes 2668
Mars haj> his wil his knyht hafe al his bone
And be my hede Jjou schalte bene esed sone
1[ The trompoures wif fe loude menstralcie
The heraudes fat ful loude 3elle and crie 2672
Ben in here wele for ioye of dann Arcite
Bot herkenejj me and stinte noy a lite
Whiche a miracle fere be-fel anone
This fers Arcite hafe of his hebne . y-done 2676 vin. isi.
And on a koursowr for to schewe his face
He Prikkef e endlonge f e large place
LANSDOWNE 76
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 77
IX. 47.
Lokeynge vpward vpon f is Emely
And sche a-^eine him kest a frendeliche eye 2680
ffor wemmen as to speken in comune
The folowen al f e fauoure of fortune
And was al his chere as in his herte
Owte of f e grounde a fire infernale sterte 2684
ffrom Pluto sent att f e request of saturne
ffor whiche his hors for fere gan to torne
And leped on side and fouridrede as he leppe
And ar fat Arcite mai taken kepe 2688
He Piht him on f e Pomel of his hede
That in f e place he leie as he were dede
His breste to-brusten wif his sadel bowe
As blake he laye as any cole or crowe 2692
So was f e "blode ronne in his face
Anone he was borne owte of f e place
Wife hert sore to Theseus paleys
Tho was he coruen oute of his herneys 2696 | ix. is.
And in a bede ybrouht ful faire and blyue | ix. 48.
ffor he was }it in memorie and a lyue
And alweie .cryeinge After Emelye [leaf 34]
Due Theseus whif e att his companye 2700
Is comen to Athenes his Citee
Wif alle blisse and grete solempnite
Al be it fat f is a-ventur was fatt
He nolde nouht discomford hem att 2704
Men seinden eke fat Arcite schal not deye
He schal bene heled of his maladie
And of anof ere [f ing] f ei were as feine
That of hem alle was fere none sleine* [*Seep. 25, «.i9.i 2708
Al were f ei sore hurte and namely one
fat wife a spere was f relied his breste bone
To of ere woundes . and to broken armes
Some hadden salue and somme hadden charm esf [+Seep. 25,«.2o.i
ffermacies of herbes and eke saue 2713
Thei dronke for f ei wolden hir Hues haue
LANSDOWNE 77
Teseide.
VIII. 131.
VUI. 124-6.
[a Fury, raised by
Venus, IX. 4.]
ix. r.
IX. 38.
IX. 26.
78 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
ffor whiche J)is noble due as he wele canne
Comfortefe and honourefe euery man. 2716
And make)) reuel al J>e hole nyht
Vnto J>e straunge lordes as it was riht
Ne fer was holden no descomfytinge
Bot as a lustenes or a torneyinge 2720
ffor Sothely fere was none disconfiture
ffor fallinge nys hot aventure
]STe to [he] ladde he force to fe stake
Vn^olden and wij) twenty knyhtes take 2724
A persone al a-lone wif-owten mo
And haried forjj hy arme fote and to
And eke his stede dreuen forfe wij> staue
"Wijj foote men hope ^emen and knaves 2728
It was aritted him no velanie
Ther maie no man clepe it cowardie
ffor whiche a-none Due Theseus lete crie
To stinte al rancor and envie 2732
The gree as wele of fe o side as of fe ofere
And eyfer side ylike as ofere brof ere
And ^af hem ^eftes after here degree
And fully helde he feste daies free 2736
And Conveiede fe kynges worfelye
Oute of his toune a lourney largely
And home went euery man fe riht weye
There was no more hot fare wele and haue good daie 2740
Of fis hataile .1. wil no more endite [leaf st, back]
Bot speke of Palamon and of Arcite
IF Swellefe fe hreste of Arcite and fe sore* [*?eep.25,«.2i.]
Encresef att his hert more and more 2744
The clotred hlode for any leche-crafte
Corruptef and is in his houke . ylefte
Jjat neyfer veinhlode ne ventusinge
Ne drinke of herhes maie he his helpingef [f See p. 25, ^.22.]
The vertue expulsif or anymal 2749
ffro f ilke vertue cleped natural
LANSDOWNE 78
Teteidc.
IX. 61.
IX. 54.
XII. 80.
Fifteen d»ys.
XII. 83.
See X. 11.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 79
Ne maie fe venime voide ne expelle
The pipes of his longes gan to swelle * [*seep. 25,».23.] 2752
And euery lacert in his breste adowne
Is schent wif venim and corrupcione
Him gaynej) neyfer for [to] gete his life
vomet vpwarde ne donewarde laxatif 2756
Att is to-bruston filke Eegion
Nature hafe no doramacion . f [t See p. 25, n. 2s.]
And certeinly . fer nature wil nou^t wirche
ffare wele Phisike go bere f e man to chirche 2760
This att and some fat Arcita most deye
ffor whiche he sendef after Emelye
And Palamon fat was his cosine dere
IF Than seide he Jms as 30 schal after here 2764
Nouht may fe woful speret in myne herte
Declare a pointe of al my sorwes smarte
To 3ow my lady ]?at .1. loue moste
Bot .1. be-quefe j?e seruise of my goste 2768
To ^owe a-boue euery creature
Sen fat my life may no longer dure
Alas f e woo alas fe peynes stronge
That .1. for ^owe haue suffred . and so longe 2772
Alas fe def alas myne Emelye
Alas departyinge of owre compaignie
Alas myn hertes queene Alas my lif
Mine hert-is lady endere of my lif 2776
What is fis werlde what axed men to haue
Nowe wif his loue nowe in his colde graue
Alon wif-owten any compaignie
ffare wele my swete foo myne Emylye 2780
And soft take me in 3oure armes tweye { [J see p. 25,71. 24.]
ffor J>e loue of god and herken what .1. seye
.1. haue here my Cosin Palamon [leaf 35]
Had strif and rancoure mony a day agone 2784
ffor loue of jowe and for my lelousye
And lubiter so wisse my sowle gye
LANSDOWNE 79
Teseide.
X. 12.
X. 3?,
X. 54-5.
X. 04.
X. lOi.
X. 103.
X. 60-2.
80 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
To speken of a seniant propurlye
Wif circumstance al trewlye 2788 *" °2'
That is to seine treuf e honoMr knyhthede
Wisdome humblesse estat and hihe kinrede
ffredom and al fat longef to fat arte
So lupiter haue of my soule parte 2792
As in f is werlde riht no we knowe .1. none x. es.
So worfi to be loued as Palamone
That seruef $ou and wele done al his lyue
And 3ef fat euer 30 schatt be a wiue 2796
ffor-^ete not Palamon f e gentilman * [* See p. as, ». 25.]
And wif fat worde his speche faile gan
ffor frome his fete vn to his breste was come • x. in, 112.
The colde of def e fat had him ouercome 2800 •
And 3ite more ouer for in his armes tuo
The vital strengef is loste and al a-go
Onely f e intellecte wif the-owten more
That dwelled in his hert sik and sore 2804 •
Gan faylen whan f e hert felte f e def e
Busked his yen two and failed bref e
But on his lady }it kaste he his eye
His laste worde was mercy Emelye 2808 .
His sprete chaungede house and wente fere ; see xi. 1-3, an.
-r T , , , , , i theendofJYcj
As .1. cam neuer .1. can nouht tel where
There-fore .1. stinte .1. am no diuinistre
Of soules fynde .1. nouht in fis registre 2812
JSTe me ne liste f ilke opinions to tette
Of hem . f ouhe fat f ei wreten where f ei dwelle
Arcite is colde lat mars his soule guye
IF Nowe wil .1. speken forfe of Emelye 2816
Shrighte. Emelye and houlef Palamone I XL &
And Theseus his suster he toke anone
Swonynge and bare hire fro f e cors awaie
What helpef it to tarien forfe f e daie 2820
To telle howe sche wepe bof e eue and morwe
ffor in suche caas wemmen han suche sorwe
LANSDOWNE 80
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 81
Whan fat her husbondes bene fro hem a-go
That for f e more part f ei sorwen so 2824
Or elles fallen in suche a nialadie [leaf 35, back]
J?at att last certeinly f ei deye
Infinite bene f e so[r]wes and f e teres
Of olde folke . and folke of tendur jeres 2828
Tn alt f e toune for def e of f is Theba?^ne
ffor him fere wepef bof e childe and manne
So grete wepeynge was fere none certeine
Whan Ector was brouhte and frissche y-sleine
To troye Alas f e pite fat was fere
Craccheinge of chekes rendinge eke of here
Whi woldest f on be dede fis wemmen crye
And haddest golde y-nouhe and faire Emelye 2836
No man myht glad Theseus * [* See p. 25, «. 26.] . Xi. 9.
Saueynge his olde fader Egeus
That knewe Jns werlde transmutacione . xi. 10, n.
As he had seine it vp and doune 2840 .
loy after woo and woo after gladnesse .
And schewef hem ensample and likkenesse
Eiht as fere dide neuer man quod he « xii. e.
That he ne leuede in Erthe in sum degre 2844 •
Eiht so fere leued neuer man he seide
In Al fis werlde fat sum time he ne deide
This werlde is nouht bot a f oruhe-faire ful of woo
And we bene Pelgremes passinge to and fro 2848
Dejje is an ende of euery werldly sore
And ouer al J?is 3itte seide he muche more
To fis effect ful wisly to enhorte
The peple fat fei scholde him recomforte 2852
IT Due Theseus wif al his besi cure . XI 13
Cast nowe where fat f e sepulture
Of goode Arcite y best ymakede be
And eke moste honurable in his degre 2856 .
And att f e laste he toke conclusione
That fere as first Arcite and Palamone
6 LANSDOWNE 81
82 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Had for lone f e bataile hem be-twene
That in f e selfe groue swete and greue 2860
Thare as he had his amorous desires
His compleinte and for loue his hote fires
He wolde make a fire in whiche f e office
fFuneral he myht hem al complice 2864
He lete anone command to hakke and hewe
The okes olde and leine hem on a rewe
In culpons wele arraide for to berne Deaf 36]
His officers wif swift foote f ei renne 2868
And ride a-none att his commaundement
And aftere fis Theseus haf .I.-sent
After a here a bere and it al ouere spradde
Wif clofe of golde f e richest fat he hadde 2872
And of f e same suyte he cladde Arcite
Vpon his hondes his gloues white
Eke on his hede a coroune of Laurel grene
And in his honde a swerde brihte and kene 2876
He laide him bare / f e visage on f e bere
There-wife he weppe fat pite was to here
And for f e peple schold seen him alt <
Whan it was daie he brouhte hem in to J>e halt 2880 '
That roref of f e crie and f e soune
IT Tho come fis woful Palamone «
Wij) flotery berde and ruggy asshi heres
In clof es blakke dropped al wif teres 2884 '
And passinge of ere of wepeinge Emelye * [* see p. 25, n. 27.]
The reufulleste of al fis compaignie
In as mulche fat f e seruise schold be
The more noble and riche in his degre 2888
Due Theseus lete forf e frei stedes bringe
J)at trappede were in stele al gleteringe
And couerde wif f e armes of Dan Arcite
Vpon fese stedes grete and white 2892
There sitten folke of whiche on bar1 his schelde
Anofere his spere vppon his hondes helde
LA.NSDOWNE 82
Teseide.
XI.
XI. H.
XI. 15.
XI. 30.
XI. 31.
XI. 35.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 83
The f rede bare him wif his bowe turkeys |
Of brente golde was fe caas and eke fe herneys 2896 XI>36>
And riden forf e a pas wif sorweful chere
To-warde f e groue as 30 schol after here
The noblest of f e grekes fat fere were . XI 38i
Vpon her scholdres Cariden fe bere 2900 •
Wif slake paas and y^en rede and wete
Jjoruhe-oute f e Cite be f e maistre strete
J)at sprad was al wif blake and wonder hihe
Riht of f e same is f e strete y-wrye 2904
Vpon f e rihte honde went olde Egeus * [* see p. zo,'n. 28.] • xr. 40.
And on fat of er side Due Theseus
Wi J> vesseles in hir honde of gold ful fine f tt See p. 25, n. 29.] • xr. ST.
Al ful of hony melke and blode and wyne . 2908 • XT. 40.
Eke Palamon wijj fuft grete compaignye [leaf 36, back]
And efter fat cam woofutt Emelye
With fire in honde as was fat time f e gise
ffor to done fe Office of funerale senrise 2912 .
Hihe Laboure and fuft apparaillinge . XL is.
Whas att f e seniise and att f e fire makeinge |
That whif e his grene top f e heuen rauhte I XL 26.
And twenty fafome on brede fe armes strauhte 2916
This to seine f e bowes were so brode
Of stre first f er was leide mony a lode I XL 27.
Bot howe f e fire was maked vp on hihte XL 22-25.
Ne eke fe names howe f e trees hihte 2920
As oke. fir. beche. aspe. alder holme popelere
Wylowe. elme. plane, asshe. Box. chasteine Binde Laurere
Mapul. forne. berche. hasul. ewe. whipiltre
Howe fei were felde schal nouht be tolde for me 2924
£Te howe f e goddes ronnen vp and doune .
Disherited of here habitaciowne
In whiche f e wonden in rest and pes
^implies faunes and amadries 2928
NQ howe f e bestes and f e birdes aft . XI 21
ffledden for ferde whan f e [wood] was fatt
LANSDOWNE 83
84 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Ne howe f e grounde agast was for f e liht
That was nouht wonte to se fe sonne briht 2932
Ne howe f e fire was cowched first wif stree
And fan wif drye stikkes clouen a three
And fan wif grene wode . and spicerie
And fan wif clof e of golde and of Perrye 293G
And garlondes hongeinge wif ful mony a floure
The mirre Thensens wif also swete odoure
Ne howe Arcite lay amonge al f is
Ne what riches abowte his body is 2940
Ne howe fat Emelye as was f e gyse
Putte in f e fire of funeral se?'uise
Ne howe sche swownede whan maade was f e fire
Ne what sche spak ne what was hir desire 2944
Ne what luels men in f e fire cast
Whan fat f e fire was grete and brende fast
Ne howe som kast hir schelde and som hir spere
And of her vestementes which fat f ei were 2948
And coppes ful of melke wyne and blode
In to f e fire fat brente as it were wode
Ne howe f e Grekes wif an huge route [leafs;]
Times riden al fe fire aboute 2952
Vppon f e lefte hand . wif a bowe scheteinge
And fries wif here speres Clateringe
And f rie howe f e ladies gan crye
Ne howe fat ladde was homward Emelye 2956
Ne howe Arcite is bernte to asshe colde
Ne howe fat liche wake was yholde
Al f ilke nyht . ne howe f e grekes pleie
The wake playes ne kepe .1. nouht to seie 2960
Who werstelef beste nakede wif oile anoynte
Ne who fat bar him best in no disioynte
.1. wil nouht tellen al howe f ei gone
Home til Athenes whan fe pleie was done 2964
Bot schortly to f e point fan wil .1. wende
And maken of myne longe tale an ende
LANSDOWNE 84
XL 21.
XL 27.
XI. 29.
XL 27.
XL 28.
XL 30.
XI. 40.
XL 41-46.
XL 48, 50.
XL 56.
XL 50.
XI. 60, nL
XL 62.
XL 63.
XL 54.
XL 67, 68.
XL 69-67.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 85
IT Be proces and be lengthe of certein ^eres
Al stinte is f e raorneynge and f e teres 2968
Of Greges be one general assent
Than semede fare was A parlement
Att Athenes vppon a certeine pointe and caas
A-monge fe whiche poyntes spoken was 2972
To haue wif certein crontres alliauwce
And haue fully of Thebane obeisau?zce
ffor whiche fis noble Theseus a-none
Lete sende after gentil Palamone 2976
Vnwiste of him whatt was f e cause and whie
Bot in his blake clones sorwfully
He came att his commandement in hye .
Tho sente Theseus for faire Emelye 2980
Whan f ei were setb and huyst was in f e place
And Theseus abiden ha]> a space
Or any worde cam fro his wise breste
His ey^en sett he fere as was his leste 2984
And wijj a sadde visage he siked stille
And af[t]erward riht Jms his wille
Tf The firste mouere of f e cause aboue
Whan he first maade f e faire cheine of lou* 2988
Grete was f effect . and hihe was his entente
Wele wiste he whi . and what f ere-of he mente
ffor wij> J>at faire cheine of loue he bonde
The fire f e Aire . f e watere and f e londe . 2992
In certeine boundes fat fei maie nouht fle [leaf 37, back]
That same prince and fat meuer quod, he
Haf stabled in fis wrechede werlde a-douu
Certeine daies and d[oww]naciozm 2996
To al fat ben engrendred in fis place
Ouere f e whiche daie f ei maie nouht pace
Att mowe f el ^ute f o daies a-brugge
There nedef none auctorite to lugge . 3000
ffor it is proued be experience
Bot fat me lust declaren my sentence
LANSDOWNE 85
Tescide. '
XII. 3, ' giorni,
instead of years.
XII. 4.
XII. 5.
IX. 5L
mondo, for 'cheine
of loue.'
IX. 51.
[See IX. 51, 62. .
and XII 6.] .
80 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Than male men wele by fis order discerne _ r,*cuie,
That f ilke mouere stable is and eterne 3004
Wele male men knowe bot it be foole
That euery partie darrained fromme his hoole
ffor nature haf e nou3t take his begynnynge
Of no partie nor of cantel of a thinge 3008
Bot of a thinge fat parfite is and stable
Descendeinge so to it be corrumpable
And f ere-for for . his wise purueance
He haf so wele be-sette his ordenance 3012
That specie of fringes and progressions
Schullen endure be successions
And nouht eterne wij>-oute any lye
J)is maystowe vnderstonden and seen att eye 3016
Lo f e oke fat haf e so longe a norissheynge • xn. ?.
ffro f e time fat it first biginnef to springe
And haf so longe a lif as 30 maye see •
3ut att f e laste wasted is f e tree 3020 |
Consideref eke howe fat f e harde stone .
Vnde[r] owre fote on whiche we trede and gone •
3it waste]* it as it life be f e weie I
The brode riuer som time waxef dreie 3024 •
The grete townes see we wane and wende
Than 36 see fat al f is f inge haf ende
Of man and womman see we wele also . xii. s.
)3at nedef in oone of f e teremes tuo 3028 .
Jjis is to seine in jouf e or elles age
He mote be dede f e kinge as schal a page
Som in his bede some in f e depe see . . XH. 10.
Some in f e large felde as 30 maie see . 3032 •
There helpef nouht al gof e fat Hue weie
J)an may .1. seie fat al fis finge mote deie
What makef fis bot lubiter fe kinge
That is prince . and cause of al finge 3036
Conuertynge att vn-to his propre wille
flro whiche it is darreyned sof e to tylle
LANSDOWNE 86
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lausdowne MS. 87
And here a-geynes non creature on lyue
Of no degre aveilef for to striue 3040
Than is it wisdome as f enkes me
To make vertue of necessitee
And take it wele fat we maye nouht eschewe
And name fat to vs al is dewe 3044
And who grucchef oujt he dof e folye
And rebel is to him fat al maie guye
And serteinly a man haf most honoure
To deyeii in his excellence and floure 3048
Whan he is seker of his good name
Than haf e he done his frendes ne him no schame
And gladder ouhte his frendes bene of his def e
Whan wife honoure is golden vp fe brefe 3052
Than whanne his name apalled is for age
ffor al forjeten is his vessellage
Than is f e best as for a worf i fame
To deyjen whan he is best of name 3056
The contrarie of al f is is wilfulnes
Whi grucchen we whi haue we heuynes
That good Arcite of chiualrye f e floure
Departed is wif dewte and wif honoure 30GO
Owte of f is foule Prisone of fis life
Whi grucchef here his cosine and his wife
Of his welfare fat louef him so wele
Kannef he hem f onke nay . god wote neuer a dele 306 4
That bof en his soule and eke him oifende
And jit f ei mowe her lustes nou^t amende
What . may .1. conclude of fis longe serie
Bot after woo .1. rede vs to be merie 3068
And fanke lubiter al his grace
And er we departen frome fis place
.1. rede we make of sorwes two
O pctrfite loye lasteinge euermo 3072
And lokef e nowe whe[r] moste sorwe is inne
Ther wil .1. firste amenden and be-gynne .
LAXSDOWXE 87
XII. 6.
XII. 11.
I XII. 13.
XII. 9, 12.
XII. 13.
XII. 11-17.
XII. 19.
88 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT Suster quod he Jris is my ful assente
Wij? al J)au-ys here of my parlemente . 3076
That gentitt Palamon pure owen knyht [leaf ss, back]
That seruej? jowe wij) wilt and herte and myht
And euer haj?e do se]> firste $e him knewe
That 30 schaft of jowere grace vpon him rewe 3080
And taken him for husbonde and for lorde
Lene me ^owre honde for j)is is oure accorde
Lat see nowe of jowre wominanly pyte
He is a kinges broker sonne parde 3084
And jjouhe he weere a pouer bachellere
Sen he haj?e serued jowe so mony a ^ere
And had for 30Ave so grete aduersite
It moste be considered leuejj me 3088
ffor gentil mercye oute to passen riht
)?an seide he Jms to Palamon J?e knyht
.1. trowe fere nedejje litul sermonynge
To make jowe assente to fis j)inge 3092
Comej) nere and take]) ^owre lady be fe honde
Ee-twexen hem anone was maade Jje bonde xn.
J?at hiht Matrimoigne or mariage
Be al J>e counsel and J>e Baronage 3096
And wijj al blis and melodye xn. 72.
Hajje Palamon ywedded Emelye
An god ]?at hajie al j)is weiide wrouht
Sende him his loue }>at haf it dere bouht
ilbr nowe is Palamon in al his wele xn. sa
Leueinge in blis richesse and hele
And Emely him louej) so tenterly
And he hir se[r]uith so gentilly 3104
That fere no worde was hem be-twene
Of lolousy or any oj>er tene
Thus Ende)> Palamon and Emelye]
And god saue al J?is faire compaignye 3108
Explicit fabula mylitis.
LANSDOWNE 88
GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS. 89
Incipit prologus Melendenarij
TlThan fat f e knyht had f us . his tale y-tolde
In al f e company nas fere ^onge ne holde
That he ne seide it was noble storye
And worf i for to drawen in memorie 3112
And nameliche fe gentils euerychone
Owre oste louhe and swore so mot .1. gone
This gof e ariht vnboklede is f e male
Lat see nowe who schal tel anofer tale 3116
ffor trewly fe game is wele be-gunne
Now tellej) 30 sire monke if je kunne
Somewhat to white wif f e knyhtes tale
1T The Mellere fat for-dronken was al pale
So fat vnnef vpon his hors he sat
He nolde a-valen neyf e hode ne hat
Ne abide noman for his curtasie
Bot in Pilates voice he gan to crie 3124
And swore be armes and be blode and bones
.1. can a noble tale for fe nones
Wif whiche .1. wil nowe qvite fe knyhtes tale
Owre oste sauhe fat he was dronken of ale 3128
And seide abide Robin leue brof ere
Som better man schal tel us firste a-nof er
Abide and late vs werken f reftely
Be goddes sowle quod, he fat wil nouht .1. 3132
ffor .1. wil speken or elles go my weye
Oure Oste ansewerd . tett on fan a deuelweye
Thowe ert a fole f i witte is ouer come
Nowe herken quod fe Mellere al and some 3136
Bot first .1. make a protestaciown
J?at .1. am dronken .1. knowe it be my sowne
And fere if .1. speke or mys saie
Wiyte it fe ale of Soufewerk I. ^owe praie 3140
7 LANSDOWNE 89
90 GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS.
ffbr .1. wift teft a legende and a lif
Bof en of a carpenter and his wif
Howe fat a clerke haf e sette f e wrihtes cappe
The reue ansewerde stinte fi clappe 3144
Latt bue f i lewed dronken harlotrie
It is a sinne and eke grete folye
To appeiren any man or him defame
And eke to bringe wiues in suche fame 3148
)3ou maist ynouhe of of ere f inges saine
This dronken Meller spak ful sone a^eine
And seid leue broker oswolde
Who hafe no wif he is no cokewolde 3152
But .1. seie iiou^t fere-fore fat Jjou art oon
Ther bene ful gode wives Many on
., ........ no gap in the MS.] 3156
Whi ert f ou angri wif my tale nowe
I. haue a wife perde as wele as )>owe
^ete nolde .1. note for f e oxen in my plouhe
Tak vpon me more Jjan .1. nowhe 3160
As demen of my self fat .1. were oone pear so, back]
.1. wift beleue fat .1. am none
An husbonde schal nouht be inquisitif
Of goddes pmietees ne of his wif 3164
So he may finde goddes foyson fere
Of f e remenant nedef nouht to enquere
"What schold .1. more seie f Bot f is Mellere
He nolde his wordes for noman forbere 3168
Bot [sayde] his cherles tale in his raanere
Me af enkef fat .1. schal reherce hem here
And f er-for euery . gentil whight .1. preie
Demef nouht for goddes loue fat .1. seie 3172
Of yuel enten bot fat .1. mot reherce
Her tales al be f ei better or werse
Or elles falsen somme of my matiere
And fere-fore who so list nouht to here 3176
LANSDOWNR 90
GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS. 91
Torne ouere J>e leue and chese a-noj>er tale
ffor 30 schal finde . y-nowe grete arid smal^
Of storial finge fat touche)> gentillesse
And eke moralite and holynesse 3180
Blame J> noujt me if )?at 30 chesen a-mys
The meller is a cherle }e knowe wele Jus
So was J>e reue eke and oj>er mo
And harlotrye J>ei tolden bojj tuo 3184
Auisef ^owe and putte me owte of blame
And eke men schal nou^te make ernest of game
Explicit prologus.
[No gap in the MS.]
LANbBOWNE 91
92 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit fabula
Hilom J>ere was dwellyng att Oxenford
A riche gnof J>at gestis helde to bord 3188
And of his craft he was a Carpentier
With him Jjere was dwellinge a pouer scolier
Hadde lerne arte bot al his fantasie
Was torned for to lereii astrologie 3192
And coufe a certeine of conclusions
To demen be interrogaciones
If pat men axed him in certeine houres
Whan men schold haue drouht or elles schoures 3196
Or if men axed him what schal be-falle
Of euery J>inge .1. may nouht reken alle
This clerke was cleped hende Nicholas
Of derne loue he coujje and of solas 3200
And Jjere-to he was sleight and wele pnue
And like a maide meke for to see
A chambre had he in Jjat hostellerie
Alone wij?-oute any compaignie
fful fetisly diht wijj herbes swote
And he him selfe as swete as is J>e rote
Of lycoris or of any settewale
His almagiste and bokes grete and smale 3208
His Astrelabre longeinge to his arte
His augrim stones leyen faire a parte
On schelues chowched as his beddes hede
His prisse . ycouerid wij) a foldeynge rede 3212
And al aboue fere leie a gaie sawtrie
On whiche he made a nyht melodie
So swetely Jjat al J)e chambre ronge
And Angelus ad virginew he songe 3216
And after he songe }>e kinges note
fful oft blissed was his mery Jjrote
LANSDOWNE 92
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 93
And jjus f e swete clerke his time spente
Affeter his frendes findeynge and his rente 3220
This Carpenter had wedded newe a wif
Whiche fat he loued more fan his lif
Of .xviij. jere sche was of age
lelous he was and helde hire narwe in cage 3224
ffor sche was wilde and $onge and he was holde
And demed him self bene like a cokewolde
He knewe nou^t Caton for his witte was rude
That bad men wedde his similitude 3228
Men scholde wedde after hire astate
ffor jouf e and elde is often att debate
Bot sef en fat he was fallen in fe snare
He moste endure as of ere folke his kare 3232
ffaire was f is jonge wif and f e7-to wif al
As any wesel1 hir bodi gente and smal
A seinte sche wered barred al of silke
A barmeclof e as white as any morwes mylke 3236
Vppon hire lendes fol of mony a gore
White was hire smoke and broude al be-fore
And eke be-hinde on hire colere aboute
Of cole blak silke within and eke w/t/z-oute . 3240
The tapes of hir white volupere
Were of f e same sute of hire colere
Hire felet broode of silke and sitt ful ' hihe [< i : lateri
And sekurly sche had a lykuruse eye 3244
fful smatt y-pulled was hire browes two .
And f o were bente . and blake as any . slo .
Sche was ful more blisfuft for to see tieaf 4,0, back]
Thane is fe newe perionet tree 3248
And softer fan wolle is of a wef er
And be hir gyrdel2 hinge a purs of lefere [« gyrdei: later]
Tassilde wif selke a[n]d pe/-lid wif laton
In al fis werlde to seken vpe and downe 3252
J?ere is noman so wise fat couf e f enche
So Gaye a popelote or swiche a wenche
LANSDOWNE 93
94 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS
fful brihter was Jje schineinge of hir hewe
Than in Jje toure Jje noble forgode newe 3256
Bott of hir songe it was so lowde and 3erne
As any swalowe Chiterynge on a berne
There-to sche coujje skippe and make a game
As any kide or calfe foloweynge his dame 3260
Hir moujje was swete as braket or Jje mejje
Or horde of appeles layde in haye or hej>e
Wynsinge sche was as a loli colte
Longe as a maste and vpriht as a bolte 3264
A broche sche bare on hire loue colere
As brode as is Jje boos of a bokelere
Hir schoes were laced on hir legges hihe
Sche was a primerol a pigges nye 3268
ffor any lorde to liggen in his bedde
Or ^it for any good joman to wedde
IT Nowe sire and eft sire so be-felt Jje cas
That on .a. daie J>is hende Nicholas 3272
ffil wijj J)is ^onge wif to rage and to pleie
While Jjat hire husbond was att Osenaye
As clerkes ben ful sotel and ful wheinte
And prmelye he cauht hire be Jje queynte 3276
And seide . ywis bot if .1. haue my . wilt .
ffor derne loue of Jje lemman .1. spilt
And held hire harde be Jje haunche bones
And seide lemman loue me wele att ones 3280
Or .1. wille deyen also god me saue
And sche spronge as a colte doj> in Jje traue
And wijj hire hede sche wried fast a-waie
Sche seide .1. wil nouht kisse Jje be my. faie 3284
Whi labbe quod, iche lat be nycholas
Or .1 wilt crie out harrowe and alas
Do weie ^oure hondes for pwre curtesie
This Nicholas gan mercie for to crie . 3288
And spake so faire and proferd him so fast [leaf 4 u
That sche hire loue grauntide him att last
LANSDOWNE 94
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 95
And swore an he-ojje be seinte Thomas of Kent
That sche wolde be att is commandement 3292
Whan pat sche male hir leisere wele aspie
Mine husbonde is so ful of lelousye
That bot .1. weite wele and be pn'ue
.1. whote riht wele .1. name but dede qwod sche 3296
3e motte be ful derne as in jjis cas
Nay pere-of care Jje nouht qwod Nicholas
A clerke hadde liperli be-sette his while
Bot if he coupe a carpenter begile 3300
And pus pei attorden and . y-sworne
To wayte a tyme as .1. haue tolde be-forne
Whan Mcholas hadde pis euery dele
And pakked hire aboute pe lendes wele 3304
He kiste hire swete and takep his sautrie
And plaiep fast and make]) melodie
1T Than fel it pus pat to pe Parissche cherche
Cristes owen werke for to werche 3308
This good wife went on an haly dale
Hire forhed schone as briht as any daie
So was it whassche whan sche lete hir werke
Nowe was pere of ]>at chirche a parische clerke 3312
The whiche J>at was ycleped Absolon
Graft was his here and as pe gold it schone
And strouted as a ffan large and brode
fful streighte and euen lay his loly schode 33 16
His rud was rede his yen grei as goos
Wip poules wyndowe coruen on his schoos
In hoses rede he went fetisly
Y-cladde he was ful smal and propurly 3320
Al in a kertelt of a liht wachett
fful faire and ful pike be pe pointes sett
And pere vpon he hadd a gaie surplise
As white as is pe blossome on pe Rise 3324
A mery childe he was as god me saue
And wele coupe he laten blode or clippe or schaue
LANSnOWNE 95
96 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And make a charter of londe or on quitance
In twenti manere quod he trip and daunce 3328
After pe scole of Oxenforde po
And wip his legges casten to and fro
And pleyen songes in a smatt rebibe Peaf «, back]
Ther-to he songe some time a loude quynyble 3332
And also wele coupe he pleie on a geterne
In att pe toune nas brewes ne tauerne
That he ne viset it wip his solas
There any gailerd tapstere was 3336
Bot sope to seine he was sumdele squaymous
Of fartinge and of speche daungerous
IF This absolon J?at loly was and gaie
Gope wijj a censer on }>e haly daie 3340
Sensynge pe wyues of pe parische faste
And many a louely loke on hem caste
And nameli on pis Carpenteres wif
To loken on hire him pouhte a rnery lyf 3344
Sche was so propre and swete and licorous
I dar wele seie if sche hade bue a mous
And he a cat he wolde her hinte anone
This Pariche clerce . pis loly Absolone 3348
Hape in his herte suche a lone longeinge
That of no wif toke he none offringe
For curtesye he seide he wolde none
The mone whan it was nyht ful briht schone 3352
And absolon his geterne hape ytake
ffor paramoures he pouhte for to wake
And for he gop lolif and amorous ^
Til he came to pe Carpenters hous 3356
A litel after cokkes had . ycrowe
And drissed him vp be a schot windowe
That was vp on pe carpenteres watt
He singes in his voice gentitt and smatt 3360
Nowe dere lady if pi willes be
.1. preie ^owe pat 30 wil rewe on me
LANSDOWNE 96
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 97
fful wele accordant to his geterneynge
This Carpenter awoke and herd him singe 3364
And spake vnto his wif and seide anone
What Alison heres f ou not Absolone
That chauntef ]ms vnder oure boures wal
And sche ansewerde hir husbonde f f'r-wif-al 3368
3is god wote lohen .1. wote it euery . dele
J?is passef forf e what wil 30 bet fan wele
ffro daie to daie f is loli Absolon
So wowej) hire fat him is woo be-goon 3372
He wakef all fe nyght and al fe daie peaf42]
He kembed his lokkes brode and maade hem gaie
He wowef hire be menes and brocage
And swore he wolde bene hir owen page 3376
He singe]) brokkinge as a nyhtingale
He sente hir Mef e and Piment and spyced ale
And weifres pipeinge hote vnder fe glede 3379
And for sche was of towne he proferd mede Vnre°te8ius IctibM*
For some folke wil be wonne with richesse
And sum for strokes and sownne for gentilnesse
Somtime to schewe his lyhtnesse and Maistre
He plaiej) Heraude vpon a scafolde hihe 3384
Bot what aveilej) him as in J)is caas
Sche louej) soo f is hende Nicholas
That absolon maie bio we f e bokkes home
He ne haf e for his laboure bot a scorene 3388
And Jms sche Make]) Absolon hire Ape
And al his erneste tornej) tilt a Tape
For sofe is J>is prouerbe it is no lye
Men sein right Jms Alweie J>e neighe Sley^e 3392
Make]) pe fer leue to be lofe
For fouhe fat Absolon be woode or wrofe
Be cause fat he fer was from hir* siht
This nyhe Nicholas stode in his liht 3396
H" Nowo bere jowe wele hende Nicholas
iFor Absolon may waile and singe Alas
LANSDOWNE 97
98 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And so be-fett it on a seturdaie
This Carpentier was gone to Oseneye 3400
And hende Nicholas and Alison
Accorded bue to j)is conclusione
That Nicholas schapen hem a wile
J?ese sely lelouse husbonde to be-guyle 3404
And if so be J>e game went ariht
Sche scholde slepen in his arnie al nyht
SOT pis was his desire and hire also
And riht anone wijj-oute wordes moo 3408
This Nicholas no langere wolde tarye
Bot dofe soft vn to his chambre Carye
Bojje mete and drinke for a daie or tweye
And to hir* husbonde bad hire for to seie 3412
If Jjat he axede after Nicholas
Sche scholde seie sche nyst where he was
Of al Jjat daie sche seihe him nov^t with Eye [leaf 42, back]
Sche trowed Jjat he was in sum Maledye 3416
ffor for no crye hire maide coujje him calle
He wolde ansewere for noj>inge fat myht falle
This passejj forj>e al Jjilke Saturdaie
)?at Nicholas stil in his chambur leye 3420
And ete or slepede or dide what him liste
Til J>e sonday Jjat J>e sonday goj> to riste
This sely Carpentier hajje grete Merveile
Of Nicholas or what pinge miht him aile 3424
And seide .1. am adrede be seint Thomas
It stondejj nouht a-riht wi]> Nicholas
God schelde Jjat he deyede sodanly
This werlde is nowe ful tekel sikurly 3428
.1. sihe to daie a corps borne to cherche
That nowe on Monondaie last .1. sawhe him werche
Go vp qwod he vn to [his] knaue anone
Clepe att Ms dore or knoke wijj a stone 3432
Looke ho we it is and tel me boldely .
This knaue goj) him vp ful studely
LANSDOWNE 98
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 99
And att fe chambre dore while jjat lie stode
He criede and knokked as fat lie were wode 3436
What howe what do 30 Maister Nicholay
Howe male 30 slepen al f e longe dale
Bot al for nouht he herde nouht a worde
An hole he fonde ful longe vpon a horde 3440
There as f e catte was wonte inne for to crepe
And att fat hole he loke in ful depe
And att f e last he had of him a siht
This Mcholas satt euer gapinge vpriht 3444
As he had keked on f e newe mone
And doune he gof e and tolde his meister sone
lu what araie he sauhe f is ilke man
This Carpenter to blissen him be-gan 3448
And seide helpe vs seint ffritheswide
A man whote litel what him schal be-tide
This man is fait wif his Arstromye
In some wodenes or somme Agonye 3452
.1. thouht ay wele howe it scholde be
Men scholde nouht knowe of goddes pn'uete
3e blissed be alwey a lewed man .
Jjat nouht bot onely his beleue can . 3456
So ferd anof er clerke wif Astronomy e [leaf 43]
He walked in to f e feldes for to prye
vppon f e sterres what fere scholde befalls
Til he was in a marie pitte y-falle 3460
He sawhe nouht Jw>, Bot 3it be seint Thomas
Me rewf e sore of nende Mcholas
He schal be rated of his stodiynge
If fat .1. maie be lesus heuen kinge 3464
Gete me a staf fat .1. maie vnder spore
AVhile fat f ou Eobin heueste vpe Jje dore
He schal oute of his stodiinge as .1. gesse
And to fe Chambre dore he gan him dresse 3468
His knaue was a stronge karle for fe nones
And be fe hespe he heue it vp att ones
LANSDOWNE 99
100 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lausdowne MS.
In to Jje flore Jje dore fel a-none
This Nicholas satt ay as stilt as any stone 3472
And euer gaped vp in to Jje aire
This Carpenter wende he were in despeire
And hent him be Jje scholdres myhtely
And schoke him harde and cried spitously 3476
What Nicholas what howe loke a downe
Awake and Jjenke on cristes passion
.1. crouche Jje from elues and from whihtes
There-wife Jje nyhtes spel seide he anone rihtes. 3480
Of foure halues . Jje hous aboute
And on Jje Jjresshewolde on Jje dore wi)>-oute
Ihesu criste and seint bendight
Blisse Jje house froine euery wikke whight 3484
ffor Jje nyghte very Jje white Pater noster
Where wentestowe J>o\i seinte petur . soster
And att Jje last Jjis hende Nicholas
Gan for to sike and seide Alas 3488
Schatt att Jje werlde be loste ef sones nowe
This Carpenter ansewerd what seistow
What Jjinke on god as we done men Jjat swynke
This Nicholas ansewerd ffeche me drynke 3492
And after witt .1. speke in pn'uete
Of certeine J>inge Jjat touchejj Jje and me
.1. witt tel it it none ojjer man serteine
This Carpentier gojje doune and comejj a3eine 3496
And brouht of myhty ale a large quarte
And whan Jjat iche of hem had dronken here parte
This Nicholas his dore fast schette [leaf 43, back]
And doune Jje Carpentier be him he sette 3500
And seide lohn myne Ostee leue and dere
Thowe schalt vpon Jji troujje swere me here
That to whight J?ou schal J)is consel wriee
ffor.it is cristees couwsett Jjat .1. seiee 3504
And if JJQU tett it man Jjou art for-lore
ffor Jjis venieance Jjou schalt haue Jjere fore
LANSDOWNE 100
GEOUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 101
That if pou wreye me pou schalt be woode
IT Nay crist for-"beede it for his holy blode 3508
Qwod poo pis sely man .1. nam no labbe
And pouhe .1. seie .1. ne am not leue to gabbe
Saie whatt pou wolte .1. schal it neuer telle
To childe ne wife be him fat haried helle 3512
No we lohn quod Nicholas .1. wil nou^t lye
.1. haue .I.-founde in myne astrologie
As .1. haue loked in pe mone brihte
)5at nowe a mononday next a quarter nyhte 3516
Schal fal a rayne and fat so wilde and wode
Jjat halfe so grete was never noes flode
This werlde he seide in lesse pan in an houre
Schal be al dreinte so hydous is pe schoure 3520
Thus schal mankinde drenche and lese hir lyf
This carpentier ansewerd alas my wif
And schal sche drenche alas myn Alisowne
ffor sorwe of pis he fel almoste a-doune 3524
And seide is no remedie in pis caas
Whi }is for god quod hende Nicholas
If pou wolte worchen after lore and rede
Thou maiste noujt werchen after pine owen hede 3528
ffor pus seipe Salomon pat was ful trewe
Werke al be counsel an pu schalt nouht rewe
And if pow worchen wilte be goode counseile
.1 vnder-take wip-oute mast or seile 3532
3it schal .1. saue hire and pe and me
Haste pow nouht herde how sauede was Noe
Whan pat owre lorde hape warned him be-forne
That aft pe werld wip water scholde be for-lorne 3536
}is quod pis Carpentier ful ^ore a-go
Hast pou nouht herde quod Nicholas also
The sorwe of Noe wip his felauschep
Or pat he myht get his wif to schip 3540
Him had leuer .1. dar wele vnder-take [leaf 44]
Att pilke time pan aft his weperes blake
LANSDOWNE 101
102 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
That sche had a schippe al his selfe alone
And fere-fore wost f ow whatt is best to done 3544
This axeth haste and of an hastif f inge
Men maie nouht preche ne maake tariynge
Anone go gete vs fast in to fis inne
A knedeynge trowhe or elles a kemelyne 3548
ffor iche of vs bote looke fat f ei bene large
In which men mow swymme as in a barge
And hane their vitaile sufficeant
Bot for a day fy on fe remenant 3552
The water schal aslake and gone his waie
About pn'me vpon f e next daye
Bot Eobyne maie nouht witte of fis f i knaue
ISTe eke J)e maide gift .1. maie nouht saue 3556
Ax nouht whi for f ouhe fou axe me
.1. wil noujt tellen goddes prmete
Suffisef e f e bot if f i wittes Madde
To haue as grete a grace as noe Hadde 3560
Thi wif schal .1. wele saue oute of doute .
Go nowe J)i weie and spede f e here abowte
Bot whan fou hast for hire and f e [and] me
Y-geten vs ]>is knedeinge tubbes fre 3564
fan schalt fou honge hem in rofe fol hihe
J?at no man of owre pureance aspie
And whan fou Jjus haste done as .1. haue seide
And hast oure vitaile faire in hem y-leide 3568
Ande eke an ax to smyte J>e corde a two
Whan fat f e water comef fat we maie go
An breke an hole on hihe vpon f e gable
Vnto fe gardeine ward ouer fe stable 3572
That we mai freli passen forf e owre weye
Whan fat f e grete schowre is gone awaie
Th[en sch]alt fou swywme as mery .1. vnder-take
As dofe fe white duke after his drake 3576
Than wil .1. clepe ho we .Alison, howe lofin
Be mery for f e flode wil passe a-none
LANSDOWNE 102
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 103
And f ou wilt seine haile Maister Nicholay
Gode morne .1. see fe wele for it is daye 3580
And fan schal we be lordes al oure lif .
Of al ]>e werlde as Noe and his wif .
Bot fat of o f inge .1. warne f e ful riht [leaf u, back]
Bene wele avised vpon fat ilke nyht 3584
fat we bene entrede in to schippes borde
fat none of vs ne speke nouht a worde
Ne clepe ne crye bot bene in his praiere
ffor it is goddes owen heste dere 3588
Thi wif and f ou moste honge fer a twynne
ffor fat betwox $ow schal be no sinne
Ne more in lokeinge fan fer schaft in dede
This ordenance is seide go god fe spede 3592
To morwe att nyht whan men bene al aslepe
Into owre knedeinge tubbes wil we crepe
And sitten fere a-bideinge goddes grace
Go nowe fi weie .1. haue no longer space 3596
To make of f is no longer sermoneinge
Men seine f us . Sende f e wise and sei no f inge
Thow ert so wise it nedef f e nouht teche
Go saue owre lif and fat .1. f e beseche . 3600
IT This sely Carpentier gof forf his Aveie
fful of of he seide . alas and waleweie
And to his wif he tolde his pn'uete
And sche was warre and knewe it bet fan he 3604
What att f is queynte cast was for to seie
Bot Natheles sche ferd as sche wold deie
And seide alas go forf e f i weie anone
Helpe vs to scape or we bene dede iche oon 3608
.1. am fi trewe verrei wedded wif
Go dere spouse and helpe to saue oure lif
IT Loo whiche a grete f inge is affection
Men may deie of ymaginacione 3612
So depe maye impressione be take
This seli Carpentier beginnef qwake
LANSDOWNE 103
104 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Him fenkefe verraily fat lie male see
Noe node come walkinge as f e see
To drenche Alison his owen dere
He wepej) lie weilef he makef sori chere
He sikkej) wif ful mony a sory swoghe
And gof e and getef him a knedeinge troughe 3620
And after a tubbe and a kimlyne
And priuely he sent hem to his inne
And henge in fe rofe in pn'uete
His owene honde : he made eke leddres free 3624
To climme by ]>e ronges and J>e stakes [leaf 45]
Yn-to f e tobbes hongeinge in J>e balkes
And hem vitailled bof e trouhe and tubbe
Wife brede and chese and good ale in a lubbe 3628
Sumsinge . riht ynouhe as for a daie
Bot ar he had maade al f is araie
He sente his knaue and eke his wenche also
Ypon his nede to londen for to goo 3632
And on mononday whanne it drouhe to nyhte
He schette his dore wif-outen candellyhte
And dressed al f inge as it schold be
And schortely clomben vpe al fre 3636
Thei setten stille wele a forlonge weie
Nowe pater noster Clum seide Nicholaie
And clum . seide lohn . and Clum seide Alison
This Carpentier seide his deuocion 3640
And stille he sittef and biddef e his preier
Awaiteinge on f e reine if he it here
The def e slepe for wery bisinesse
ffel on fis Carpentier riht as .1. gesse 3644
Aboute Corfew time or litel more
ffor traueile of his goste he gronef sore
And eft he routefe for his hede misleie
Doune of fe ladder stalkef Mcholeie 3648
Ard Alison ful soft a-doune sche spedde
WiJ>-outen wordes mo f ei gone to bedde
LANSDOWNE 104
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 105
Ther as f e Carpentier is wonte to lye
There was f e reuel and f e melodie 3652
And f us life Alison and Nicholas
In besines or merf e and of solas
Til jjat J>e bett of lawdes be-ganne to ringe
And freres in fe chauncett gonne singe 3656
IT This Parissche clerke f is amorous absolon
J>at is for loue alwei so wo begone
vpon fe Monondaie was att Osneye
WiJ> company him to desporte and pleye 3660
And axed vpon caas a cloistrere
fful priuely after lohn fe Carpentiere
And he droughe him a-parte out of f e cherche
And seide .1. note .1. seihe him here nouht wirche 3664
Sef Saturdaie .1. troue fa he be wente
ffor timbre fere oure Abbote haf him sent
ffor he is wonte for timebre for to go [leaf 45, back]
And dwellen att fe grange a daie or tuo 3668
Or elles he is at his hous certeine
Wher fat he be .1. kann nou^t sothely seine
This Absolon ful loly was and liht
And f ouht . Now is time to wake al nyht 3672
For sekurly .1. sawhe him nouhte steringe
Abouten his dore sen dai be-gan to springe
So mote .1. Thriue .1. schal att f e Cokkes crowe
fful priuely knokken att his wyndowe 3676
That stant ful lowe vpon his bowres watt
To Alison Nowe witt .1. tellen att
My loue longeinge for $it .1. schatt nouht mys
That att f e leste waye .1. schal hire kis 3680
IT Som manere comforf e schal .1. haue parfaie
My mouf e haf e yched att f is longe daie
That [is] a signe of kissinge att f e leste
Att nyght me mete eke fat .1. was att a feste 3684
There-fore I. wil go slepe an houre or tueye
And att the nyht fan witt .1. wake and pleye
8 LANSDOWNE 105
106 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Whan fat J>e first cokko hath crowe anone
Vp rise]? Jjis loly louer Absolon 3688
And him arrrayejj gaye and pointe deuise
Bot first he chewej? greine and licorise
To smellen swote or he had kemped his here
Vnder his tonge a trewe loue he here 3692
ffor )>erby wende he to be gracious
He romejje to )>e carpenteres house
And stitt he stant vnder j?e schotte wyndowe
Vnto his breste it rauht . it was so lowe 3696
An soft he couched wij> a seme sowne
Watt do ^e hony combe swete Alisone
Mi faire birde mi swete Sinamome
And wake]? lemman myne and speke]) wijje me 3700
Wei litel finken 30 vpon my woo
That for ^oure loue .1. swete ar .1. go
No wonder is jjouhe jjat .1. swelt and swete
.1 morne as dojje lome after Jje tete 3704
.I.-wis lemman .1. haue suche loue longeinge
That ilke a turtul trewe . is my Morneinge
.1. maye note eten no more j?an a maide
Go fro J>e window lak fole sche seide 3708
IF As helpe me god .1. will nouht be compaine [leaf 46]
.1. loue a-noj>er .ande elles .1. war to blame
Wele bette Jjan J?e be ihesu Absolone
Go for J>i waie or .1. wil cast a stone 3712
And lat me slepe a twenti deuel weie
Alas quod Absolon and walawaie
That trewe loue was euer so yuel be-sette
Than kisse me sen it maie be no bette 3716
ffor ihesu1 loue . and for J»e loue of me p MS ihuc]
Wilt J»ou J>an go jji weie )>ere-wij> quod sche
je certes lemman quod J>is Absolon
Than make ]>e redy quod sche .1. come anone 3720
[..•••••
no gap in the MS.]
This Absolon downe sett him on his knes
LANSDOWNE 106
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 107
And seide .1. am a lorde att all degres 3724
And after fis .1. hope fere comef more
Lemman f i grace and swete birde fine ore
The wyndow scho vndof e and fat in haste
Haue do quod sche come of and spede f e faste 3728
Leste fat owre neybores f e Asspie
This Absolone gan wipe his mouf e ful drie
Derke was f e nyhte as pyche or as f e cole
And att Jje wyndowe owte sche put hire hole 3732
And Absolo[n] him fel no bette ne wers
Bott wif his mouf e he kissed hir naked ers
fful sauorly or he was warre of fis
A-bakke he sterte and jjouht it was a-mys 3736
ffor wele he wiste a woraman haf e no berde
He felte a f inge al roughe and longe yherede
And seide fie Alas what haue .1. doo
Tehe quod sche and clapped f e window to 3740
And Absolon gof e forj>e a sory paas
A berde a berde seide hende Nicholas
Be goddes corps fis gof e faire and wele
This sely Absolon herde it euery dele 3744
And on his lippe he gan for angur bite
And to him selfe he seide .1. seal f e qwite
Who rubbeth nowe who frotef nowe his lippes
Wij) duste wif sonde. wif strawe wijj clofe wife chippes
Bot Absolon fat seif e ful ofte Alas
My soule be-take .1. to sathenas
Bot me were leuere fan al f is toune quod he
Of f is dispite awroken for to be . 3752
Alas quod he alas .1. ne hadde yblente peaf 46, back]
His hote loue is colde and al yquente
ffor fro fat time fat he had kissed here ers
Of paramours he sett nouht a cres 3756
ffor he was helede of his maladye
ffutt oft paramours he gan defie
And weppe as dof e a childe fat is ybete
A soft pas he went onere fe strete
LANSDOWNE 107
108 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Vnto a smyf e Men clepen Daun geruays
J>at in his forge smyf eief . plouhe hernays
He scharpej) schare and culter bisilie
This Absolon knokkef al eselye 3764
And seide vn to geruais and fat anone
What who art f ou . It am .1. Absolone
What Absolone . What cristes swete tree
Whi rise ^e so raf e . ey benedicite 3768
Whate eylef ^owe some gaie gerle god it wote
Haf e brouht yowe f us on f e veritote
Be seint note 30 wote wele whatt .1. mene
This Absolon ne rouht nouht a bene 3772
Of al his pleie no worde ajeine he ^affe
He had more towe on his distaffe
Than geruays knewe and seide frende so dere
The hote Culter in J>e chymene here 3776
As lene it me .1. haue fer-wiffe to done
.1 wil bringe it a^ein ful sone
Gerueys ansewerde Certes were it golde
Or in a poke nobles al vntolde 3780
Thowe scholdest haue as .1. am trewe smyffe
Ey Cristes foo what will 30 do fer-wiffe
There-of qwod Absolon be as be maye
I. schal wele telne it fe to morwe daie 3784
And cauhte f e Culter be f e colde stele
fful soft owte att f e dore he gan stele
And wente vnto f e Carpentiers wal
He toughed first and knokked f er wijj al 3788
vpon f e wyndowe riht as he dide ere
This Alison ansewarde who his Jjere
fat knokkej? so .1. warant . it a f efe
Whi naye qwod he god wote my swete lefe 3792
.1. am fin Absolon fin derleinge
Of golde quod he .1. haue f e browht a ringe
Mi modere ^afe it me so god me saue [leaf 473
fful fyne it is and farto wel y-graue 3796
LANSDOWNE 108
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 109
fis wil .1 jeuen f e . if f ou me kisae
pis Nicholas was resen for to pisse
And f ouhte he wolde amenden al f e lape
He scholde kisse his ers er fat he scape 3800
And vpe fe windowe dede he hastely.
And oute his ers he put pn'uelye
Ouer f e buttok to f e haunche bone
And f er-wif spak fis clerke J)is absolone 3804
Speke swete birde .1. note where fu ert
This Nicholas anone lete fiie a fart
As grete as it had be a fonder dinte
That wif fat stroke he was almost yblint 3808
And he was rede wif his yren hote
And Nicholas in f e ers he smote
Of gof e f e scynne an handebrode aboute
The hote culter so brent his toute 3812
IF And for f e smerte he wende for to deie
As he were woode for woo he ganne to creie
Helpe water water helpe for goddes herte
This Carpentier owte of his slomere sterte 3816
And herde one Crie water as he was wode
And f ouht alas Nowe commef Noes node
And sett him vp with wordes moo
And wife an ax he spote f e corde a twoo 3820
And doune gof e al He fonde Neif er to selle
No brede. Nor ale til he cam to f e selle
Vpon f e flore and f er aswowen he laye
Vp sterte Hire Alison and Nicholaye 3824
And criede oute and harrowe in f e strete
The neyhebores bof e smal and grete .
In ronnen for to gauren vpon fis man
That on swoune laie bofe pale and wan 3828
For wif fat fal he broken haf his arme
Bot stonde he moste vn-to his owen harme
For when he spake he was a-none borne doune
Wife hende Nicholas and Alisoune 3832
LANSDOWNK 109
110 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Thei tolden euery man Jjat he was wode
He was a-gast so of Jje Nowels flode
Thurghe fantasie Jjat of his vanite
He had him bouhte knedeyng tubbes Jjre 3836
And had hem hongede in J>e roofe aboue [leaf 47, back]
And Jjat he preide him for goddes loue
To sitten in Jje roof par compaignye
The folke gan lawhen att his fantasie 3840
An to Jje roofe )>ei keken and Jjei gape
And torned al his harme vnto a lape .
ffor what so Jjis Carpentier ansewerde
It was for nouht no man his resone herde 3844
Wijje oj>es grete he was so swome y-doune
That he was holden woode in att Jje toune
ffor Query clerke anone riht ichone helde wijj oj>ere
Thei seide Jje man is wode my leue brojjere 3848
And euery white gan lauhen att his strif
Thus swyued was Jje Carpentiers wif
ffor al his kepeinge and his lelouseie
And Absolon hajje keste hire hir nefer eye 3852
And Nicholas is scalded in his toute
This tale is done and god sane al ]>e route .
Explicit fabula Dfolendenam
[No gap in the MS.]
LANSDOWNE 110
GROUP A. § 5. REEVE'S PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS. Ill
Incipit prologus.
TTTHan folke han lawhen att J>is nyce caas
' » Of Absolon and hende Nicholas 3856
Diuers folke diuersely Jjei seide
Bot for Jje more parte Jjei lowhe and pleide
No att fis tale I. sauhe no man him greue
Bot it were onely Oswolde fe Reue 3860
Be cause he was of Carpenteres craft
A litel ire is in his hert laft
He gan to gruche and blame it a lite
So feyke quod, he ful wele cou]> .1. ^ow quyte 3864
Wij) blerynge of a proude mellers eye
If fat me liste to speke of riband ie
Bot ik am olde me list nouht pleie for age
Gras time is done my foder is forage 3868
This white toppe writes myne olde seres
Myne herte is also moulde. as myne heres
Bot if .1. fare as dofe an openers
fat ilke fruyte is euer longe fe werse 3872
Til it be roten in molloke and in stree
We olde men .1. drede so fare we
Til we be roten can we nouht be ripe
We hopen al-weie while f e werld wil pipe 3876
For in owre wille fere stikef euer a naile [leaf 48]
To haue an hore here and a grene taile
As haf e a leke for fouhe oure myht be gone
Owre wille desire]? foly euery in one 3880
ffor whan we maie nouhte done fan wil we speke
3it in owre hasschen olde is fire y-reke
ffoure gledes han we whiche .1. schal deuise
Auauntynge. lyeinge. Anger, and Couetise 3884
This foure sperlkes longef vnto elde
Owre olde limmes Mowe wele bene vnwelde
LANSDOWNE 111
112 GROUP A. § 5. REEVE'S PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot wil1 ne schal nouht fallen fat is sofe siratched o
And jit haue .1. alwei a coltes tof e duce this word>]
As mony a ^ere as it is passed henne
Sen fat my tap of lif beganne to renne
fibr sekerly whan .1. was borne a-none
Def e drowhe f e tape of lif and lete it gone 3892
And Query sif fe haffe so f e tap .I.-ronne
Tilt fat al-moste al empti is the tonne
The streme of lif nowe droppef on f e chimbe
The seli tonge maie wele ringe and climbe 3896
Of wrechedenesse fat passed is ful 3010
Wif olde folke saue dotage is no more
11 Whan fat oure oste had herd f is sennonynge
He gan to speke as lordly as a kinge 3900
He seide what a-mountef al f is witte
What schal we speke al day of holy writte
The deuel maade a reue for to preche
Or of souter schipman or a leche 3904
Say forf e f i tale and tary nouht f e time
Loo depford and it is halfe weie prime
Loo grenewiche fat mony a schrewe is inne.
It were al time fi tale for to gynne 3908
IT Nowe sires qwod Oswalde f e reue
.1 preie ^owe al fat 30 nouht ^owe greue
Thowhe .1. ansewere and sumdel sett his howue
For leueful it is wif force force to schowue 3912
This dronken melle haf e .I.-tolde us here
Howe fat be-giled was a carpentier
Parauentur in scoren for .1. am one
And be joure leue .1. schal him quyte anone . 3916
Riht in his cherles termes wil .1. speke
I preie to god his neke mot he breke
He can wele in myne eye seen a stalke
Bot in his owen he can nouht sene a balke 3920
LANSDOWNE 112
GKOUP A. § 6. BEEVE'S TALE. Lansdowue MS. 113
f e revese tale / begynnef here Deaf *s,
At Trumpyngton noulit fer" fro Cambrugge
There gof e a broke . and ouere fat a brugge
Vppon f e whiche broke fere stant a Melle
And fis is verrey sof fat .1. telle 3924
A meller was fere duellinge mony a dale
As any pekok he was proude and gaie
Pipe he couf e and fisshen and nettes bete
And tome coppes and wele wrastel and schete . . 3928
Ay be his belte he bare a longe Panade
And of a swerde ful trenchant was f e blade
A loly popper bare he in his puche
Ther was no man for perile dorst him touche 3932
A scheffeld f witel bare he in his hose
Kounde was his face and kamuse was his nose
As pilled as an hape was his Sculle
He was a Market beter att f e fulle 3936
Ther was no whihte fat dorst honde on him ligge
Bot if he swore he schole anone abegge
A f efe he was for sof e of corne and mele
And fat a sleigh" . and vsand for to stele 3940
His name was hoten deynous symkyne
A wife he had commen of Noble kinne
The parson of f e toune hir fadere was
"Wife hire he 3afe mony a panne of bras 3944
For fat Simkin schold in his blode allye
Sche was yfostrede in a Nownerye
ffor Simkin wold no wif as he seide
Bot sche were wele ynorissched and a maide 3948
To saue his astate of jomanrye
And sche was proude and pert as a pye
A ful faire siht was it vppon hem tuo
On Halidaies be-forne hire wolde he go 3952
LANSDOWNE 113
114 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
"With his tepet wonden aboute his hede
And sche cam after in a gide of rede
And simkyn hadd hosen of f e same
Thare dorste no whiht clepen hire bot dame 3956
Was none so hardy fat wente be f e weie
That dorste with hire ones rage or pleie
Bot if he wolde be sleine of Simkynne
Wif panade or wif kiiyf or wif Boydekynne 3960
ffor lelous folke bene perlous euer mo
Al-gates fei wolde here wives wenden so
And eke for sche was somdele smoterliche [leaf 49]
Sche was as deyne as water in a diche 3964
As ful of Hokere and of bismare
Hir f ouht fat a lady schold spare
What for hire kinred and hire Nortelrie
That sche had lerned in the Nonnerye 3968
A douhter had fei be-twexe hem two
Of twenty }ere wif-outen any moo
Saueinge a childe fat was of halfe 3ere age
In cradel it ley. and was a propur page 3972
f is wenche f ikke and wele y-groue was
wif Camois nose and eyen . grei as glasse
wif buttokes brode . and brestes rounde and hihe
Bot rihte faire was hire here .1. wil nouht lye 3976
The parson of f e toune for sche was so faire
In purpos was to make hire his hayre
Bof e of his Catel and his Mesuage
And strange he maade it for hire Mariage 3980
His purpos was to be-stowe hire hye
In to somme worf i blode of Auncestrie
ffor holy cherche goode mot be despended
On holy cherche blode fat is descended 3984
Ther-fore he wolde his holy blode honoure
f ouhe fat holy cherche scholde deuoure
Grete soken haf e f is meller oute of doute
Wif wete and malte of al f e lande aboute 3988
LANSDOWNE 114
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 115
And namely per was a grete 'College
Men clepen pe solier halle att Cantabregge
There was hir whete and eke his malte ygrounde
And on a daye it happide on a stounde 3992
Seeke laie pe Maunciple on a Maledye
Men wenden wisly pat he scholde deye
ffor whiche pis meller stale bope mele and corne
An hundrep time more pan be-forne 3996
ffor pere be-forne he stale hot curteysly
Bot nowe he was a pef outrageou[s]ly
ffor whiche pe wardeine chidde and made fare
Bot pere-of sette pe Meller nouht a tare 4000
He crakke bost and swore it was nouht soo
Than were pere 3onge scolers two
That dwelten in pe hal of whiche .1. seye
Testif pei were and lusti for to pleie 4004
And oonely for her mirpe and reuelrie [leaf 49, back]
"Vppon pe wardeine besely pei crie
To ^eue hem leue bot a litel stounde
To goone to inelle and seen her corne . y-grounde 4008
And hardely pei dorst leine her1 neke
pe Meller schold nouht stele hem half a pekke
Of corne ne be sleihte ne be force heme reue
And att pe laste pe wardeine $af hem leue 4012
lofin hight pat one . and Aleyne hiht pat opere
Of one towne were pei borne pat hiht stropere
ffer in pe Norpe .1. can nouht tel where
This Aleine Makep redi all his gere 4016
And one an hors pis sak he cast anone
fforpe gope Aleyne pe clerke and also lone
Wip good swerde and wip bokeler be his side
lohn knewe pe weie him nedep no gide 4020
And att pe melne pe sakke adoune he laythe
Alayn spak first . al haile Simonde in faype
Howe farep pi faire doubter and pi wife
Alayne welcome quod Simkin be my life 4024
LANSDOWNE 115
116 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And lohn also howe nowe what do 30 here
Be god quod. Ioh"n . Simond . nede haf e no pere
Him be-houef seme him self fat haf e no sweyne
Or elles he is a foole as clerkes seine 4028
Oure Maunciple .1. hope he wil be dede
Swa werkes him f e wanges in his hede
And fere-fore es .1. come and alswa Aleine
To grinde oure corne and carie it ham a3eine 4032
.1. prei 3owe spede vs hef en fat 30 maye
It schal be done quod Simkin be my faye
1T What witt 30 done while fat it is in hande
Bed god . riht be Jje hoper will .1. stande 4036
Quod lofin and see howe f e corne gof e Inne
3it sawe .1. neuer be my fader kinne
Howe fat f e hoper wagges tilt and fra
Aleyne Ansewerd lohn wil-tow swa 4040
Than wil .1. be by-nefe be my croune
And see howe gates f e mele falles adowne
In-titt f e troughe fat schatt be my disporte
Quod lohn in faaf e .1. es al of 3owre sorte 4044
.1. es as il a Melnere as es 30
This Mellere smyled of here Nicite .
And fouht al fis nys done bot for a wyle . [leaf so]
f ei weene fat no man may fern be-gile 4048
Bot be my freft 3it schal .1. blere here eye
ffor al f e sleight in hire philosophic
f e moo qweinte crekes fat f ei make
fe more wil .1. stele whan .1. take 4052
In stede of flowre 3it will .1. 30116 hem branne
The grettest clerke ne is noi^t f e wiseste manne
As whilome to f e wolfe f us spak f e mare
Of al hire arte counte .1. nouhte a tare 4056
Oute att f e dore he gof e ful pn'uelye
Whan fat he sawhe his time softly
He lokef e vp and doune til he haue founde
The clerkes hors f ere as it stode bounde 4060
LANSDOWNE 118
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 117
Be-hinde f e Mille vnder a leuesel
And to f e hors he gof him feire and wel
He strepef of f e bridel riht a-none
Whan f e hor[s] was laus he ginnef to gone 4064
Toward f e fenne fere wilde mares renne
And forf e wife wehe f oruhe f ikke and f oruh fenne
This mellere gof e a3ein no worde he seide
Bot do]) his note and wif his clerkes pleide 4068
Til fat her corne was faire and wele ygrounde
And whan f e mele is sakked and ybounde
This John gof e owte and findej) his hors aweie
And gan to crie harrowe and walaweie 4072
Oure hors is loste Aleine for goddes banes
Steppe on f i fete man come of al att anes
Alas oure wardeine has his palfraie lorne
This Aleine al format "hope mele and corne 4076
Al was owte of his mynde his hosbandrie
What whilke waye es he gane he gan to crye
The wife cam lepeinge inwarde att a renne
Sche seide Alas ^oure hors gof e to f e fenne 4080
Wij? wilde mares as faste as he may go
Vnf anke com on his hand fan bonde him so
And he fat better scholde haue knet f e Eeyne
Alias q?iod lohn Aleine for cristes peine 4084
Lay doune f i swerde . and I wil myne alswa
.1. es ful swift god wate as is a ra
Be goddes hert he sal not scape vs baf e
Whi ne hadde f ou putte f e capel in f e laf e 4088
II a hayle be god aleyne f ou es a grete fonne [leaf so, back]
Thes sely Clerkes han ful fast ronne
To-warde f e fenw bothen Aleyne and eke lofen
And whan fe Meller sihe fat fei were gone 4092
He half a busschel of her flour haf e take
And bad his wife go knede it in a kake
And seide .1. trowe fe clerkes weren aferd
}it can a meller Make a clerkes berde 4096
LANSDOWNE 117
118 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
ffor al his arte jit late hem gone hire weie
Lo where he gofe je latt J>e children pleie
Thei get him nouht so lihtly he my crowne
feis seli clerkes rennen vp and doune 4100
wif kepe kepe stande stande .lossa warderere
Ga whistil J?ou and .1. schal kepe him here
Bot schortly til it was verrei nyht
fei coufe nouhte fouhe fei dide al her myht 4104
Hir caple cache he ran alwei so faste
Til in a diche fei cauht him att ]>e laste
wery and wete as hest is in fe reine
Come]> sely lohn . and with him commejj Aleine 4108
1T Alas qwod lofin fe daie fat .1. was borne
Nowe er we dreuen til hefinge and til scoren
Owre corne is stolle Men wil vs foles caffe
Bofe J>e wardeine and owre felawes alte 4112
And Namely fe Meller walewaye
Thus pleynef lohn as he gaf be fe weie
Towarde fe Melle and bayard in his honde
The meller sittings be j?e fire he fonde 4116
ffor it was nyht and ferjjer myht he nouht
Bot for )>e loue of god jjei him be-souht
Off herboruhe and of ese as for her penye
The Mellere seid ageine . if fere be anye 4120
Swyche as it is jute schal 30 haue joure part
Myne hous is streite bot $e haue lerned arte
3e can be argument Make a place
A Mile brode of twenti foote of space 4124
Latt se nowe if J)is place Maie suffise
Or make it Eomer wij) speche as is ^oure gise
Now Simond seid Jris lohn be seint Cutberde
Ay es Jjou Mery and fat is faire ansewerde 4128
.1. haue herde saye Men satt taken of tua finges
Swilke as he fint or swilke as he bringes
Bot specialy .1. praie fe ooste dere peaf si]
Gete vs sum mete and drinke and make vs chere 4132
LANSDOWNE 118
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 119
And we wil payen trewly att fulle
Wij) empti handes men maye nouhte haukes tulle
Lo here owre siluere redy for to spende
This Meller to fe toune his douhter sende 4136
ffor al and brede and rosted hem a goos
And bonde her hors it schold no more go loos
And in his owen chambre he maade hem a bede
Wif schetes and wij> chalons faire y-sprade 4140
Nouht fro his owen bedde ten fote or tuelue
His douhter had a bedde al be hire selue
Biht in fe same chambre by. and bye
It myht be no bet and cause whie 4144
Ther was no romer herboruhe in J>e place
Thei soupen and J?ei speken hem to solace
And drenken euer stronge ale att }>e beste
Aboute mydnyhte wente J>ei to reste 4148
"Wele haj>e Jjis Mellere vernysshed his hede
fful pale he was for-dronken and nouht rede
He 3exeJ? and he spekej? Jjoruhe J>e nose
As he war on Jje quakke or one ]?e pose 4152
To bede he gojje and wij> him gojje his wif
As any lay he lyht was and lolif
So was hir loly whistel wele y-wette
The crade att J>e bedes feete is sette 4156
To rokken and to ^eue J?e childe to souke
And whan j>at dronken was al in fe crouke
To bedde wente J>e douhter riht anone
To bedde gojje Aleine and also lohn 4160
There nas no more J?em neded no dwale
This Meller hajje so wisly bibbed ale
That as an hors he snowrtej? in his slepe
Ne of his taile behinde he toke no kepe 4164
His wif bare him a burden a ful stronge
Men myhten here routeynge halfe a forlonge
The wenche route J?e eke par comopaignye
Aleyne J>e clerke fat herde fis melodye 4168
LANSDOWNE 119
120 GROUP A. § 8. REEVE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
He poukede lofion and seide slepest f ou
Herdest f ou euer slyke a sange or nowe
Lo swilke a compline es be-tuene hem alle .
A wilde fire on feire bodies falle 4172
Wha herde euere slyke a ferly f inge [leaf BI, back]
3e £ei schal haue f e floure of il endynge
IT This lange myhte fer sal .1. haue na reste
Bot jit na force al sal be for fe beste 4176
ffor lohfi seide he as euere mote .1. friue
If fat .1. maye f e wenche wil .1. swyue
Some esement haf f e lawe schapen vs
flbr lohn fere is a lawe fat seife fus 4180
fat if a man in o pointe be agreuede
fat in a-nof er he sal be releuede
Cure come is stollen sof ely it is no naye
And we haue hade an yuel fitte to daye 4184
And seen .1. schal haue none amendement
Ageyn my losse .1. wil haue esement
Be goddes saule it sal nane of ere be
This lohn Ansewerde Aleine avise fe 4188
The Meller is a parlous man he seide
And if fat he oute of his slepe a-breide
He myhte done vs baf e a velanye
Aleyne ansewarde .1. count him nat a flye 4192
And vpe he reste and be f e wenche he crepte
f is wenche lay vpriht and fast sche slepte
Tyl he so nyhe was or sche niyht spye
That it hadde bene to late for to crie 4196
And schortly for to seye f ei were att one
Now plaie Aleine for .1. wil speke of lohne
This lohn life stiff a furlonge waie or two
And to him selfe he makef reuf e and woo 4200
Alas quod he fis is a wikked lape
Now may .1. saie fat .1. es bot an ape
$it haf e my felawe sum what for his harme
He hafe f e Mellers douhter in his arme 4204
LANSDOWNE 120
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 121
He Auntre him and hajj his nedes spedde
And .1. ly as a draf sakke in my bedde
And whan pis lape is tolde ano]>er daie
.1. saft be holden a daff a Cokeneye 4208
.1. wil arise and auwtre it it be my faithe
Vnhardy is vnsely Jms men seyfe
And vppe he ros and softly he went
Vn to J>e cradel and in his honde it hente 4212
And bare it soft vn to his beddes fete
Sone after Jje wife hire routeynge lete
An gan to wake and went hir oute to pisse [leaf 52]
And cam a-gaine and gan hir1 cradel Misse 4216
An groped here and J>ere bot sche fonde none
Alias quod, sche .1. had almost mys gone
I hadde al-moste gone to J>e clerkes bedde
Ey benedicite J>an had .1. foule .I.-spedde 4220
And forj>e sche gojje til sche J>e cradel fonde
Sche grope]) alwey former wij> hire honde
And fonde J?e bedde and Jjouht nouht bot goode
Be cause fat Jje cradel by it stode 4224
And neste where sche was for it was derke
Bot faire and wele sche crepe in to J>e clerke
And lijje ful stiff . and wolde haue cauht a slepe
Wif-in a while }>is lohii J?e clerke vp lepe 4228
And on J>is goode wife he leijje on sore
So mery a fitte ne had sche not futt }ore
He pnkej) harde and depe as he were madde
Jjis loly lif haue ]>ese tuo clerkes ladde 4232
Til Jjat J>e jiredde koke be-gan to singe
Aleyne wex wery in Jje dawneinge
ffor he had swonken alt j>e longe nyht
And seide faire wele Malyn swete whight 4236
The daie is come .1. maie no longer bide
Bot euere-mo where-so .1. go or ride
.1. am Jjine owen clerke so haue .1. sele
No we dere lemman quod sche go fare wele . 4240
LANSDOWNE 121
122 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot or fou go oo finge .1. will fe telle
Whan fat fou wendest homwarde be f e melle
Kiht att f e entre of f e dore be-hinde
Thou schalt a cake of halfe a buschett finde 4244
That was ymaked of fin owen mele
Whiche Jjat .1. helpe my sire for to stele
And goode lemman and god f e saue and kepe
And wif fat worde almost he gan to wepe 4248
Aleine vprist and fouht or fat. It dawe
.1. wil go crepen inne be my felawe
And fonde f e cradel wij) his honde anone
Be god fouht [he] al wrange .1. haue mys gone 4252
Myne hede is toty of my swynke to nyhte
fat makef me fat .1. go nouht arihte
.1. wote wele be fe cradel .1. haue mys go
Here lij>e fe mellere and his wif al so 4256
And forfe he gofe a twenty deuel weye Deaf52,backi
Vnto f e bedde fere as f e Meller leye
He wende haue cropen be his felawe lohon
And by f e Meller ine he crape a-none 4260
And kauht him be J?e nekke and soft he spakke
He seide fou lohn )>ou swineshede awake
fFor cristes soule and here a noble game
ffor [by] fat lorde jjat called is seinte lame 4264
As .1. haue fries in fis schorte nyhte
Swyuede fe meller doubter bolt vpriht
While fou hast as a cowarde bene agaste
3e false harlot quod Meller haste 42 fi8
A false traytur false traitur quod he
Thou schal be dede be goddes dignite
Who dorste be so bolde to disparage
My douhter fat is comen of suche lignage 4272
1T And be frote bolle he cauht Aleyne
And he hinte him dispitously a-^eine
And one f e nose he smote him wif his fiste
Doune run fe blode streme vpon his briste 4276
LANSDOWNE 122
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 123
And in f e flore wif nose and mouf e to-broke
Jjei walowe as tuo pigges in a poke
And vpe f ei gone and doune a-^eine anone
Til fat f e meller sporned att a stone 4280
And doune he fel bakwarde vpon his wif
That wist no f inge of f is nice strif
ffor sche was fal a slepe a litel wyht
Wij) lohon f e clerke fat waked had al f e nyhte 4284
And wij) fe fal oute of here slepe sche braide
Helpe holy cros of bromeholme sche saide
In manus tuas lorde to fe .1. catt
Awake Simonde f e fende is on me fatt 4288
Myne herte is broken helpe .y. ne am bot dede
There one vp my wombe and vp myne hede
Helpe Simkyn for f e false clerkes fihte
Jjis lohn stert vp al so fast as euer he myhte 4292
And grasped be J)e walles to and fro
To finde a staf and sche sterte vp al so
And knewe fat estres beter fan dide fat Io£n
And by fe wal a staf sche fande a-none 4296
And sawhe a litel schimeringe of a lyght
fibr att an hole in schone f e mone briht
And be fat liht sche seihe hem bofe two [leaf 53]
Bot sekerly sche nyst who wa[s] who 4300
Bot as sche saulie a white finge in hire eye
And whan sche gan f is white aspie
Sche wende f e clerke had wered a volupere
And wife f e staf sche drowhe ay nere and nere 4304
And wende haue hit f is Aleine att futt
And smote f e Mellere on f e pilled scott
That downe he gof e and cried harrowe .1. deye
This Clerkes bet him wele and lete him lye 4308
And greyf en f eym and toke her hors a-none
And eke here mele and on f eire weie f ei gone
And att Melle }it f ei toke her cake
Of halfe a busschel flowre ful wel y-bake 4312
LANSDOWNE 123
124: GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
1T Thus is f e proude Mellere wele ybete
And haf e yloste f e grindeinge ofe f e whete
And paiede for Jje sopere euery dele
Of Aleyne and of lohn fat bet him wele 4316
His wif is swyue and his douhte als
Lo swyche it is a mellere to be fals
And f er-to f is prouerbe is seide ful sofe
Him far note wene wele fat yuel dofe 4320
A gylour schal him self be-giled be .
And god fat sittef hihe in Maiestee
Sane al f is compainye grete and smale
Thus haue .1. quyte f e Meller in my tale 4324
Explicit fabula
[No gap in the MS."]
LANSDOWNE 124
GROUP A. § 7. COOK'S PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS. 125
Incipit Prologs Coce .
e coke of london while f e reue spakke
For loy him f ouht he clowde him on f e bakke
Ha ha quod he for cristes passione 4327
This Mellere haf e a scharpe conclusione f>e koce.
Vpon his argument of herbegage
"Wele seide Salamon in his langage
NQ bringe nouhte euery man in to fine hous
For herberwynge be nyhte is perilous 4332
Wele ouhte a man avisede for to be
Whome fat he brouhte in to his pn'uete
.1. prei to god so 36110 me sorwe and care
If euer sijjen .1. hight Hogge of ware 4336
Herd .1. mellere better sett a werke
He had a lape of Males in f e derke
An fere-fore if 30 wowche saue to here [leaf ss, back]
Bot god for-bede fat we stente here 4340
A tale of me fat am a por man
.1. wil 3owe tel as wele as euer y can
A litel Tape fat felle in owre Citee
1T Owre Oste ansewerde and seide .1. graunt It f e 4344
Now teft on Eoger . loke fat it be goode
For mony a paste haste f ou laten blode
And mony a lak of douere hast f ou solde
That haf bene twis hote and twis colde 4348
Of Mony a pilgrim hast f ou cristes curse
For of f i percelly ^it f ei fare f e wrse
J?at f ei haue eten wif f e stoble goose
For in f i schope is mony a flie lose 4352
Nowe tett on gentil roger1 be f i name
Bot 3it .1. prey f e be nouhte wrothe for game
A man maie seie ful lofe in game and plaie
Thou seist ful sofe quod Roger be my faie 4356
LANSDOWNE 125
126 GROUP A. § 7. COOK'S PROLOGUE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot soj>e pleie . quade pleie as the flemynge seijje
And fer-fore herry baillif be J)i feife
Be Jjou nouht wrofe er we departen liere
fouhe fat myne tale be of an Ostelere 4360
Bot najjeles .1. wil nou^t tel it $it
Bot or we departe .I.-wis Jjou schalt be (jtiyt
And ther wij> al he lowhe and made chere
And seide his tale as $e schal after here 4364
Explicit* prologMs.
[No gap in the
LANSDOWNE 126
GROUP A. § 8. COOK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 127
Incipit1 fabula
APrentis whilom duelled in oure Cite
And of a craft of vitaillers was he
Gaillard he was as goldefinche in J>e schawe
Broune as a bery . a propur schort felawe 4368
WiJ> lokkes blake y-kempt ful fetisly
Daunce he coujje so wele . and lolyly
fat he was clepede Perkinne reueloure
He was as ful of loue and paramour 4372
As is Jje hyve ful of hony swete
Wele was Jje wenche wij) him myht mete
Att euery bridel wolde he singe and hoppe
He loued bett Jje tauerne Jjan his maistier schoppe 4376
For whan Jjer any rydeinge was in chepe
Owte of Jje schoppe Jjeder wolde he lepe
Til fat he hadde al Jje siht yseyne
And daunced wele wolde he noujt come ajeine 4380
And gaderd him a Meyne of his sorte [leaf 54]
To hoppe and singe and maken swiche disports
And Jjere Jjei setten steuen for to mete
To pleine att Jje dys in suche a strete 4384
For in Jje toune was Jjere no prentis
)3at fairer coujje cast a paire of dis
Than perkyn coujje and J>ere-to he was fre
Of his dispense in place of pn'uete 4388
1T That fonde his Maister wele in his chaffare
For oft time he fonde his box ful bare
For sekurly a prentis reueloure
Jjat hauntejj dis . riot or paramoure 4392
His Maister schal it in his schoppe a-bye
Al haue he not part of Jje menstralcye
For Jjeft and ryot Jjei bene conuertible
Al conne he plaie on geterne or ribible 4396
LANSDOWNE 127
128 GROUP A. § 8. COOK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Eeuele and treujje as in a louhe degre
Thei bene ful wrojje aldaie as men male see
This loly prentis with" his maister bode
Til he weer nyhe oute of his prentishode 4400
Al were he snybbed bojje erly and late
And sum tyme ladde wijj reuel to newgate
Bot att Jje last his maister him be-J>ought
Vpon a daie whan he his paper souht 4404
Of a prouerbe fat seijje Jns same worde
Wele better is roten appel oute of horde
Than fat it rote al Jje remenant
So faref it be a riotous semant 4408
It is futt lasse harme to latt it passe
Jjan he schende al J>e seruantes in ]?e place
Thare-for his maister ^af him aquitance
And bad Mm go wij> sorwe and wij> meschaunce 4412
And J>us J>is lolif prentise had his leue
Nowe lat him, riote al fe nyhte or leue
And for Jjere is no fef wif-owten a lowke
J?at helpej) him to wasten and to sowke 4416
Of J?at he bribe can or borwe maye
Anone he sent his bedde and his araie
Vnto a Conper of his owen sorte
|3at loued dis and reuel and disporte 4420
And had a wife jjat helde for countinance
A schoppe and swyued for his sustenance .
[No gap in the MS.]
LANSDOWNE 128
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. LansdoWEG MS.
APPENDIX TO GROUP A.
[THE SPURIOUS TALE OF GAMELYN.]
[Spurious Lirik,~\
Fye per-one it is so foule .1. will nowe tell no forpere [leaf 54, bki
For schame of pe harlotrie fat sewep after
A velany it were pare-of more to spett
Bot of a knyhte and Ms sonnes My tale .1. wil forpe tett 4
[Tale.}
And fere-fore listenep . and herkenep pis tale ariht. 1
And ^e schullen here of a douhte knyht
Sir loM of Boundys was his name
He coupe of nortur and muchel of game [wawne
pre sonnes pe knyht had and wij> his body he hem
The eldest was a muche schrewe and sone he begawne
His breperne loued wele here fader and of him were agast
The eldest desenied his fader curs and had it att pe last 8
The good knyht his fadere leuede so jore
That depe was commen him to and handeled him sore
The goode knyht cared sore seke per he leye
How his children schold leuen after his deye 1 2
He had hue wide where bot no husbonde he was
Aft J>e londe pat he J had was verrey purchas [' he later]
Fayne he wolde it were y-dressed a-monge hem al
That iche of hem miht have his parte as it wald fal 1 6
Tho sente he in-to Contre after wise knyhtes
To helpen delen his londes and drisse hem to rihtes
He sent hem worde by letfaes pei scholden hihe belyue
If pei wolde speke wip him if pei were on lyue 20
LANSDOWNE 129
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. LansdOWUC MS.
Tho f e knyhtes herden seek fat he laye
Had fei no reste neyf er nyht nor daye
Til fei cam to lame fere he lay stilte
On his dejj bede to abide goddes wilte 24
Than seide f e good knyhte aeke fere he lay
Lordes .1. 3owe warne sofe wif-owten nay
.1. may no longer leue here on f is stonde
ffor f orwhe goddes wilt dej> draue]) me to grounde. 28
Ther nas none of hem alt fat herde him a-riht
That fei hadden rewf e of fat ilke knyht
And seid sir for goddes loue ne dismay ^owe nouht
God maye done bote of bale fat is no we ywrouht 32
Than spake f e good knyht seeke fere he ' laie [» he lateri
Bote of bale god may sende .1. wote it is no naye
Bot .1. be seke 30 w knyhtes for f e loue of me
Gof and dressef my londes amonge myne sonnes f re 36
And for f e loue of God delef hem nouht a-mys
And for-^ete nouht Gamelyn my yonge son fat i
Takef hede to fat one as wele as to fe tofer [ie«f 553
Selde 30 see any heire helpen his brof er 40
Tho lete fei f e knyht lyen fat was nouht in hele
And wenten in to counseil his londes for to dele
ffor to delen hem al to one fat was here f ouhte
And for gamelin was Congest he schold haue nouht 44
Alt f e londe fat fere was fei dalten it in tuo
And leten Gamelyn f e 3onge wif-owten lande go
And iche of hem seide to of ere ful loude
His bref erne mow jeuen him londe whan he goode coude
Whan fei hadde deled f e lond att f eire wilt 49
They comen to f e knyht fere he laie ful stilt
And tolde him a-none howe fei had wrouht
And f e knyht fere he laie liked it riht nouht 52
IT Than seide f e knyht be seinte Martine
fFor al fat 30 haue done }it is f e londe myne
ffor goddes loue neyboures stondef al stilt
And .1. wilt delen my londe riht1 after my wilt 56
LANSDOWNE 130
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
lohn myne eldest son schal haue ploues fiue
fat was my faders heritage while he was on lyue
And my Meddelest son fiue plowhes of londe
That .1. helpe for to geten wif my riht honde 60
And al myn of ere purchas of londes and of ledes
That .1. be-quethe Gamelyne and al my goode stedes
And .1. be-seeke ^owe good men fat lawe conne of londe
ffor Gamelyn loue fat my quest stonde 64
1T Thus dalte f e knyht his londe be his daye
Eiht on his def e bed seke fere he laye
And sone afterward he laye stone stiff
And deide whan time came as it was cristes witt 68
Anone as he was dede and vnder gars graue
Sone f e alder brof er giled f e ^onge knaue
And toke in-to his honde his londe and his lede
And Gamelin him selfe to cle and to fede 72
He clof ed him and fedde yuel . and eke wrof e
And lete his for fare and his house} bothe
His Parkes and his wodes and dide no f inge wel
And seff en he it abouhte on his faire fel 76
So longe was Gamelin in his brof ers halt
ffor f e strongest of good witt f ei douten him att
Ne was fere none f er-inne ^onge ne olde
That wold wref f e ware he neuer so bolde 80
IF Gamelyn stode vp on a daie in his brof ere jerde [if 55, bk]
And be-gan wif his honde to handel his berde
He f ouhte on his londes fat layen vnsawe
And his faire Okes fat doune were drawe 84
His parkes were broken and his dere reuede
Of att his goode stedes was none him be-leuede
His howses weren vnhelde and ful yuel y-diht
Tho f ouht Gamelyn it wente nouht a-riht 88
Afterwarde cam his brof er walkinge fere
And seide to Gamelin is oure mete ^ere
f o him wref fed Gamelyn and suore be goddes boke
Thou schalt go bake fi selfe .1. wil noujt be fi koke 92
LANSDOWNE 131
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
Howe brof er Gamelyn howe answeres fou nowe
Thou spak neuer suche a worde as fou dost nowe
Be my faif e seide Gamelin now me f enkef nede
Of al f e harmes that .1. haue .1. toke neuer are hede 96
My parkes bene broken and myn dere be reuede
Of myne armoure and my stedes nouht is me be-leued
Al fat my ffader me be-quathe al gof e to schame
And fer-for haue fou goddes curse broker be fi name 100
IT Than be-spakke his broker fat rape was of rees
Stond stitt gedelinge and hold riht f i pes
Thou schalt be faine for to haue f i mete and f i wede
What spekest fou gamelin of londe or of lede 104
Than seide Gameline f e childe fat was 3inge
Cristes curs mot he haue fat clepef m[e] gedelinge
.1. am no wers gadelyn ne no wers whyght
Bot borne of lady and geten of a knyht 108
Ne dorste he nouht to Gamelyin neere a fote go
Bot cleped to him his men and seide to hem fo
Gof e and bete f is boye and reuef him his witte
And lat him leren a-nof er time to answere me bitte 112
Than seide J>e childe ^onge Gamelyn
Cristes curs most fou haue brof er art fou myne .
And if schal algate be beten a-none
Cristes curs must fou haue bot fou be fat one 116
And anon his brof er in fat grete hete
Made his men to fet staues Gamelin for to bete
Whan eue/y of hem had a staf ynome
Gamely was war foo he sey hem comen 120
Tho Gamelyn seye hem com he loked ouere att
And was ware of a pestel stondeinge vnder a watt
Gamelyn was liht and feder gan he lepe [leaf 66]
And droue al his brefes men riht on an hepe 124
He loked as wilde lyon and leide on, good wone
Tho his brof er sawhe fat f ei be-gan to gone
He fleyhe vpe in-til a lofte and schotte f e dore fast
Thus Gamelyn with his pestel made hem al a-gast
LANSDOWNE 132
APPENDIX TO QKOUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
Som for for Gamelines loue and somme for his eye
Al f ei droulie be halues whan he be-gan to pleye
What nowe seide Gamelin yeuel mot 30 f e
Wil ^e beginne contik and so sone flye 1 32
Gamelin souht his brof ere whider he was flowe
And sawh where fat he loked oute at a windowe
Brojjer seide Gamelyn come a litel nere
And .1. wil teche a pleie att fe bokelere 136
His brof er him ansewarde and swore be seint Richere
While f e pestel is in f i honde .y. come f e no nere
Brof er .1. wil make fi pees .1. swere be goddes ore
Cast awaie fi Pestel and wraffe fe nomore 140
.1. mot nede seide Gamelyne wraffe me att ones
ffor Jjou wolde make f i men breke my bones
Ne had .1. had maine and miht in bof e myn armes
To fende hem from me f ei wolde haue done me armes 144
Gamelin seide his brof ere be fou nouht wrof e
ffor to seen f e haue harme me were riht lof e
.1. ne dide it nouht brojjer but for a fondeinge
ffor to loken if f oue were stronge and art so jynge 148
Come a-doune fan to me and graunt me my bone
Of f inge .1. will f e axen and we schal sauhte sone
•Jf Doune fan cam his brof er fat fikel was and fel
And was riht1 sore agast of fe pestel 152
He seide brof er Gameline ax me f i bone
And loke f ou me blame bot .1. it graunt f e sone
Than seide Gamelyin brof e ywis
And we schol bene att one fou most me graunt fis 156
Att fat my fader me bequaf e while he was on lyue
|?ou most do me it haue if we schoft nouht striue
That schalt fou haue Gamelyn .1. swere be goddes ore
Al fat f i fader f e be-quaf e f ouhe fou woldest haue more 160
Thi londe fat lief ley wele it schal be sowe
Ajid fin house reised vpe fat ben leide so lowe
Thus seide f e knyht to Gameline be mowf e
And fouht of falsenes as he wele coufe 164
LANSDOWNE 133
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
The knyht pouht on treson and Gamelin pouht none [if 56, bk]
And went and kissed his broker And whan pei weren att one
Alas ^onge Gamelyne no pinge he ne wiste
With suche false treson his broper him kyst 168
Lysten and lythes and holdep 301110 tonge .
And 30 schal here talkeiuge of Gamelin pe }onge
Ther was fere he-side cride a wrastlinge
And ]jer for fere was sette a rame and a ringe 1 72
And Gamelyn was in wil to wende per to
fibr to prouen his myht what he coupe do
Bropere seide Gameline be seint Bichere
Thou moste lene me to nyht a litel coursere 176
pat is frische to pe spores on for to ride
.1. moste on an herande a litel here he-side
Be god seide his br[o]per of stedes in my stal
Go and chese J>e pe best and spare none of al 180
Of stedes or of couwrseres pat stoden hem he-side
And tel me good broper wheder pou wilt ride
Here be-side broper is cried a warstelinge
And per for schal be sett a ram and a rynge 184
Meche worschipe it were brope to us alle
Might .1. pe ramme and pe ringe bringe home to pis halle
A stede pere was sadeled smerly and skete
Gamelin dide a paire of spores faire on his fete 188
He sete fote in pe sterep pe stede he he-strode
And to-warde pe wrastelinge pe ^in childe rode
Tho Gamelin pe ^onge was reden oute att pe gate
The false knyht his broper lokked it after pate 192
And be-souht Ihesu crist pat is heuen kinge
He myht breke his neke in pat wrestlinge
As sone as Gamelin cam per pis place was
He liht doune of his stede and stode on pe gras 196
And pere herde a frankelein walawaie singe
And be-gan bitterly his hondes to wringe
Gode man seide Gamelin . whi makes pou pis fare
Is per no man pat maie ^ow helpen oute of pis care 200
LANSDOWNE 134
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
Alas seide f is frankelein fat euer was .1. bore
ffor twey stalworf sonwes .1. wene fat .1. haue lore
A champion is in f e place fat me haj) wrowht sorwe
ffor he haf sleine my twey sonwes bot if god hem borwe 204
.1. wil ^eue ten pounde be ihesu crist and more
Wife f e nones .1. fand a man to halden him sore
Gode man seide Gamelin wilt fou wele done [leaf 57]
Hold myn hors while my man drawef of my schone 208
And help my man to kepe my clof es and m[y] stede
And .1. wil in-to f e place gone to loke if .1. mai spede
Be god seide f e frankelein it schal be wele done
.1. wil my self be fi man to drawen of fi schone 212
And wende fou in-to f e place ihesu crist f e spede
And drede nou^t of f i clofes ne of f i goode stede
Barfor and vngert Gamelin inne cam
Att fat were in fe place hede of him fei name 216
Howe he dorste auntre him on him to done his myht
That was so dowhti a champion in wrastelinge and in fiht
~Vp stert f e Champion rapely anone
To-ward ^onge Gamelin he be-gan to gone 220
And seide who his fader and who is f i sire
For sof e f ou arte a grete fole fat f on com hire
Gamelione ansewarde fe champion f oo
Thow knewe wele my fader while he coufe goo 224
Whiles he was on live be seint Martine
Sir lohon of Boundes was his name and .1. Gamelyne
ffelaw seide f e champion so mot .1. friue
.1. knewe wele f i fader while he was on lyue 228
And f i selfe gamelyne .1. wil fat f ou it here
While f oue were a ^onge boye a muche schrewe f u were
Than seide Gamelyn and swore be cristes ore
Now .1. am alder wax f ou schalt finde me a more 232
Be god seide f e champion welcom mot f ou be
Come f ou ones in myne honde schalt f ou neuer f e
It was wele wif-inne f e nyht and f e mone schone
Whan Gameline and f e champion to-geder gonne gone 236
LANSDOWNE 135
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
The Champion kast tomes to Gamelin fat was prest
And Gamelin stode stil and bad him done his best
Than seide Gamelin to f e Champeown
Thou ert fast a-boute to bringe me doune 240
No we haue I prouede many tornes of fine
Jjou mot he seide fele on or tuo of myne
Gamelyn to f e champeon jed smartly anone
Of al jje turne fat he couf e he schewde him bot one 244
And kest on f e left side fat f re ribbes to-brake
And f ere-to his one harme fat jaf a grete crake
Than seide Gamely smertly a-none
Schal it be hold for cast or elles for none . 248
Be god saide f e champion wef er fat it be [leaf 57, back
He fat comes ones in fine hande schal he neuer fe
Than seide f e frankelein fat had his son fere
Blissed be fu Gamelin fat euer f ou borne were 252
The frankeleine seide to f e champion on him stode hiw none eye
This is ^onge Gamelyn fat tauht f e f is . pleie
A^eine anseward f e champion fat liked no f inge weft
He is alf er maister and his pleie is riht feft 256
Seff e .1. wrasteled first it is go jore
Bot was neuer my lif handeled so sore
Gamelin stode in f e place alone wif-outen serk
And seide if fere be mo let hem come to werk 260
The Champiown fat payned him to wirche so sore
It semef be his countenance fat he wil no more
.............. 264
......... no gap in the MS.]
ffor he handeled f e champion so wonderly sore
Two gentil men ^emed f e place
Cam to gamelin god ^eue him gode grace 268
And seide to him do on fin hosen and fin schone
ffor sof e att f is time f e faire is done
And fan seid Gamelin so mot .1. wele fare
.1. haue nou^t pi haluendel solde my ware 272
LANSDOWNE 136
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. LansdOWHC MS.
Tho seide fe Champion, so brouke .1. my swere
He is a foole fat f er-of byef fou selles it so dere
Tho seide f e frankelen fat was in muche care
ffelawe he saide whi lakkes fou his ware 276
Be seinte lame in Galeys fat mony man haf souht
3it it is to goode chepe fat fou hast "bought
Tho fat wardeins were of f e warstelinge
Come and brouht Gamelin Jje Earn and fe ringe 280
And seide haue Gamelin f e ringe and Jje Ram
ffor J?e best warstelier fat euer here cam
Thus whanne Gamelin Jje rarame and Jje Ringe
And went wif muche Toy home in fe Morneinge 284
IT His Brofer seyhe where he came wif Jje grete route
And bad schette Jje gate and holde him wijj-oute
Te porter of his lorde was sore agast
And stert a-none to f e gate and lokked it fast 288
Now lijjef and listenejj bof ^onge and olde
And 30 schal her gamen of Gameline Jje bolde
Gamelin cam to Jje gate for to haue common in
And fan was ittechot fast wif a pin 292
Than seide Gamelin . Portier vndo f e gate
ffor mony goode mannes son stonden f er-ate
Than anseward fe portier and swore be goddes herd [leaf 58]
Jjou ne schalt Gamelin com in to fis ^erde 296
Thou lixt said Gamelin so brouke I my chinne
He smote f e wiket wife his fote and brak awaie f e pinne
The portier sauhe f o it myht no beter bee
He sette foote on erf e and gan for to flee 300
Be my faif e seid Gamelin fat trauel is lorene
ffor .1. am as liht on fote as fou if fat fou haddest it sworne
Gamely ouer toke f e portere and his teen wrake
And girt him in f e neke fat he began to brake 304
And toke him be fat on arme and f rewe him in a welle
.Vij. fafem it was depe as .1. haue herd telle
Whan Gamelin the $onge fus had plaide his plaie
Aft fat in f e $erde were drowen hem awaie 308
10 LANSDOWNE 137
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELY*?. Lansdowne MS.
They dreden him ful sore for f e werke fat he wrouht
An f e faire compaignie fat he Jieder brouht
Gameline jede to f e ^ate and lete it vp wide
He lete in al fat gone wolde or ride 312
And seide 30 be welcom withe-outen any greue
ffor we witt bue Maistres here and aske noman leue
^isterdaie I. left seide 3onge gamelyne
In my brofer seler . five tun of wyne 316
.1. wil noujt Jus company parten a twynne
And 30 wil done after me whan any sope is f ere-inne
And if my brofer gruche or make foul chiere 319
Othere for spence of mete and drink fat we spende here
.1. am cure Catur and beref oure aller purse
He schal haue for his grucheinge seint Maries curse
Mi brofer is a negon .1. swere be cristes ore
And we wil spende largely fat we haue spent 3016 324
And who fat makef grucchinge fat we here duelle
He schal vnto f e drawe welle
.Vij. daies and seuen nyht Gamelin helde his fest
Wif fe muche solas was fer and. none chest 328
In a litul ture turet his brofer steke
And sawehe him waste his goode bot dorst he nou3t spek
Erly on a morneynge on f e .viij. daie
The gestes cam to Gamelin and wolde gone here waie 332
Lorde seide Gamelin wil 36 soo hihe
Att f e wyne is nouht 3it dronken so brouke .1. myn eye
Gamelin in his hert was ful woo
Whan his gestes toke here leue fro him for to goo . 336
He wolde f ei had duelled longer and f ei seide naye [if 58, bki
Bot be-tauht Gamelyn god and goode daye
Thus made Gamelin his fest and brouht wele to ende
And after his gestes had take leue to wende 340
. . . no gap in fhe MS."] 344
LANSDOWNE 138
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
IT And aft Jje while fat Gamelyne helde his mangeri
His brojjere Jjouht on him be wreke wijj his trecheri
Whan Gamelin gestes were reden and gone
Gamelyne stode fan alone frende had he none 348
Tho after-warde ful sone wijj-inne a litel stonde
Gamelin was taken and ful harde ybounde
fforjje cam f>e false knyht oute of selere
To gamelin his brojjer he $ode ful nere 352
And seide to Gamelin who maade j>e so bolde
ifor streye my store of myn housolde
Broker seide Gamelin wrajjjje Jje riht nouht
ffor it is mony day gone sejjjje it was bouht 356
ffor brojjer Jjou hast had be seint Richere
Of .xv. plowhes of londe Jjis .xvj. ^ere
And of al Jje bestes J>ou hast forjje bredde
Jjat my fader me quajje on his dede bedde 360
Of .al Jjis .xvj. $ere .1. ^eue Jje prowe
ffor J>e mete and Jje drinke Jjat we han spende nowe
Than seide Jje false knyhte J>ere yuel mot he Jje
Herken brojjer Gamelin what .1. wil ^eue J>e 364
ffor of my body brojjer geten here haue .1. none
.1. witt make J>e my eire .1. swere be seint lofin
Par ma faye seide Gamelin and it so be
And Jjou Jjinke as J>ou seiste god ^elde it jje 368
No thinge wist Gamelin of his brojjers gile
There-for he was be-gilede in a litel while
Gamelyn seide he o finge .1. jje tett
Tho Jjou jjrewe my porter in to fe drawe wett 372
.1. swore in }>at wraj>j)e and in jjat grete mote
That scholdest be bounden bojje honde and fote
Ther-fore .1. Jje be-seche brojje Gameline
Lat me nou^t be for-sworne brojjer art }>ou myne 376
Lat me binde J>e bojj honde and foote
ffor to holden myne avowe as .1. Jje be-hote
Brother seide Gamelin so mot .1. }?e
)3ou schalt not be for-sworne for j>e lone of me 380
LANSDOWNE 139
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. LansdOWttB MS.
Tho maad f ei Game to sitte myht he nouht stonde
Til f ei hadde him bowden bof e fote and honde
The false knyht his brof er of Gamelin was a-gast [leaf 59]
And sent aifeter fetters to fetterne him fast 384
His brof er maade lesinges on him f er he stode
And tolden hem fat comen inne fat Gamelin was woode
Gamelin sto' a post bounden in f e haft
J3o fat comen In . loked on him aft 388
Euer stode Gamelin euen vp-riht
Bot mete and drinke hadde ne none neyf er daye ne nyht
Than seide Gameline brof er be my halse
No we .1. haue aspyede fou ert a party false 392
Had .1. wist fat treson fat fou hast founde
.1. wolde haue $eue strokes ar .1. hadde be bounde
Gamelin stoode bounden stitt as any stone
Two daies and two nyhtes mete hade he none 396
Jjan seide Gamelin fat stode y-bounde stronge
Adam spenser me f inke .1. fast to longe
Adam spenser now .1. be-seche fe
ffor f e muche loue my fader loued f e 400
If f ou maie come to cayes lesse me oute of bonde
And .1. wil parte wife f e of my fre londe
Than seide Adam fat was f e spensere
.1. haue serued f i brof er l f is .xvj . 3ere [' ?boo)>er] 404
If .1. lete gone oute of his boure
He wolde sei af[te]rward .1. were a traitoure
Adam seide Gamelin so brouke .1. myn hals
Thou schalt finde my brof e att last riht fals 408
There-fore Adam brof er lese oute of bondes
And .1. wift part wif f e of my fre londes
Vp suche forwarde Adam .L-wisse
.1. wil do fer-to al fat me is 412
Adam seide Gamelin as mot .1. f e
.1. wil halde f e couenant and fou wil me
Anone as Adam lorde to bed was gone
Adam toke fe kaye and lete Gamelin oute anone 416
LANSDOWNE 140
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. LailSdOWIie MS.
He vn-lokked Gamelin bope hondes and fete
In hope of avauncemewt pat he him be-hete
Than seide Gamelin ponkede be goddes sonde
Novr .1. am louse bope fote and honde 420
Had .1. nowe eten and dronken a-riht
Jjere is none in pis hous schold binde me pis nyht
Adam toke Gamelin stil as any stone
And ladde him into pe spence rapeli a-none 424
And set him to soper riht in a pnue stede [leaf 59, back]
And badd him do gladly . and Gamelin so dede
Anone as Gameline had ete wel and fine
Therto he dronke wele of pe rede wine 428
Adam seide Gamelin what is nowe pi rede
Where .1. go to my broper and gerde of his hede
Gamelyn seide Adam it schal nouhte be so
.1. kan teche pe a rede pat is worjje tuo 432
.1. wote wele for sope pat pis is no naie
We schal haue a maungeri riht on sonondaye
Abbotes and pn'ours mony her schal be
And oper men of holy cherche as .1. tett pe 436
Jjou schalt stonde vp be pe post as pu were bounde fast
And .1. schal leue peim vnloke pat awaye pou maie hem cast
Whan pat pei haue eten and wasschen her hondes 439
Thou schalt be-seke hem al to bringe pe oute of bondes
And if pei wilt borwe pe pat were good garame
Jjan were oute of prison . and .1. owte of blame
And if iche of hem seie to vs naie
.1. schal do anoper .1. swer be pis daie 444
Thou schalt haue a goode staf and .1. wil haue a-noper
And cristes curs pat on haue pat failep pe tother
3e for god seid Gamelin .1. saie it for me
If .1. faile on my side yuel mot .1. pe 448
.If. we schol algate assoile hem of her sinne
Warne me brope Adam whan we schal be-ginne
Gamelin seide Adam be seinte charite
.1. wil warne pe be-forne whan it schal be 452
LANSDOWNE 141
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
Whan .1. twynke on f e loke for to gone
And cast awaie f i fetters and com to me anone
Adam seide Gamelin blissed be fi bones
That is a good counsel ^iuen for J>e nones 456
If Jjei werne me to bringe me oute of bendes
.1. wil sett good strokes riht on here lendes
Tho f e sondaie was comen and folk to J>e feste
ffaire fei were welcome bof e lest and meste 460
And euer as fei att f e haft dore cam inne
Thei keste f eire eye on jonge Gameline
The false knyht his brof er and ful of trecherie
Al f e gestes fat f er were att f e Mangerie 464
Of Gamelyn his brof er he tolde hem be mouf e
Al f e harme and f e schame fat he telle couf e
Whan fei were serued of mete iche mese after of e [leaf oo]
Than seid Gamelin howe serue 30 me Jjat am ^oure brof e
It is nouht wele serued be god fat al maade
Jjat .1. schal sitt fastinge and of er men maak glade
J?e false knyht his brojjer J»er j?at he stode
Told al his gestes fat Gamelyne was woode 472
And Gamelin stode stilt and anseward nouht
Bot Adames wordes he held in his J>ouht
Tho Gamelin gan spek dolfoly wij> aft
To J>e grete lordes fat saten in fe hatt 476
Lordes he seide for cristes passione
Helpe to bringe Gamelin oute of pmone
IT Than seide Abbote sorwe on his cheke
He schatt haue cristes curse and seint Maries eke 480
That J>e oxite of pmon beggef ofer borwe
Bot euer worfe bim wele fat dof f e muche sorwe
Affter fat Abbot fan spak a-nof er
.1. wolde fin hede wer of f ouh f ou were my brof er 484
Al fat f e borwe foul mote f aym faft
Thus fei seiden al fat weren in f e att
Than seide A prioure yuel mote he f riue
It is muche sorwe and scaf e bof e fat f ou art a line 488
LANSHOWNE 142
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
IT No we seide Gamelin so brouke .1. my bone
N"owe .1. haue aspied fat frendes haue .1. none
Cursed mot he worpe bope flesche and blode
Jjat euere dope Pnour or Abbot any goode 492
Adam ]je spencer toke vp pe elope
And loked vpon Gamelin . and sawhe pat he was wrope
Adam on pe Pantri litel he pouht
Bot tuo goode staues to hall dore he brouht 496
Adam loked on gamelin . and he was war anone
And keste awaye pe fetteres and be-gan to gone
Tho he cam to Adam he toke pe toke pe to staf
And be-gan to wirche and goode strokes 3af 500
Gameline cam into pe hall and J>e spenser hope
And loked hem aboute as pei had be riht wrope
Gamelin sprengejj holy water with an oken spire
Than sum pat stod vp right ffellen in pe fire 504
Ther was no lewe man pat in pe halt stode
That wolde do Gamelin any pinge bot gode
Bot stoden be side and lete bope worche
ffor pei had no rewpe of men of holy cherche . 508
Abbot or priour Monte or Chanoune [leaf eo, back)
That Gamelin ouere toke a-none pei $eden downe
Thar was none of hem al pat wip his staf mette 511
J)at he ne maade hem ouer prowe . and qwite hem his dette
Gamelin seide Adam for seint Charite
Pay good liuere for pe loue of me
And .1. kepe pe dore so euer her .y. masse
Er pei bene assoiled schal per non passe 516
Dowte pe nouht seide Gamelin while we ben in fere
Kepe pou wel pe dore and .1. wirche here
Stere goode Adam and latt pere none fle
And we schol tel largely hou mony per be 520
Gamelin seide Adam do hem bot goode
Thei hue men of holy cherche drawe of hem no blode
Saue wele pe croune . and done hem none harmes
Bot breke bope here legges and sithen here armes 524
LANSDOWNE 143
APPENDIX To GROUP A. GAMELTN. Lansdowne MS.
Thus Gamelin and Adam wrouht riht fast
And pleiden wife pe monkes and made hem agast
Theder pei cam rideinge loly with swaynes 527
And home a-^eine pei weren ledde in cartes and in waynes
Tho pei hadden al y-do po saide a graie frere
Alas sir Abbot what did we nowe here
Tho fat we comen hider it was a colde rede
Vs had be better att home wif water and brede 532
While Gamelin gaf ordres to monk and to frere
Euer stod his broker and mad foul chere
Gamelin vp wippe his staf pat he wel knewe
And gerd him in J>e nekke pat he ouer prewe 536
A litel aboue pe gardel pe rigge bot to-brast
And in pe fetters sette him per he satt arst
Sitt per broker broper seide Gameline
ffor to coly pi bodi as .1. dide myne 540
As swype as pei had wroken hem on her fone
The asked water and wissen anone
What som for her loue and sum for awe
Al pe seruant^ serued ham of pe best lawe 544
The schirreue was pen bot .v. mile
And al pis was tolde him in a litel while
Howe Gamelin and Adam had done a sori res
Bounden and wounden men a^ein pe kinges pes 548
Tho be-gan son striff for to wake
And pe scherref aboute gameline for to take
^1 Nowe lypes and listenep so god gif 3ow good fine [leaf ei]
And 30 schalt here good game of ^onge Gameline 552
ffoure and twenty 3ongemen pat helde hem fuft bolde
Cam to pe scherreue and seide pat he wold
Gameline and Adam for to fette a-waye
The scherref 3aue hem leue sope as .1. ^owe saye 556
Thei hiden fast wolde pei nouht linne
To pei cam to pe gate per Gamelin was inne
Thei knokken on pe gate pe porter was nyhe
And loked out att an hole as a man pat was slyhe : 560
LANSDOWNE 144
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. LaUSdoWUe MS,
The porter had be-holde hem a litel while
He loued wele Gamelin an was drad of gile
An lete f e wyket stonde ful stift
And asked hem fer-out what was here wift 564
ffor al fe grete Compaigny fan spak hot one
Vndo J>e gate Portier and latt vs inn goone
Then seide J>e porter so brouke .1. my chinne
3e schal sei ^oure erant er fat 30 comme inne 568
Sei to Gamelin and to Adam . if f eire wift be
"We wolde speke withe hem tuo wordes or f re
ffelaw saide fe portier stonde J>er stift
An .1. wil wende to Gamelin to weten his witt 572
In wente fe portier to Gamelin a-none
And seide sire .1. warne jowe here be cowmen ^oure fone
The scherrefs men ben att gate
ffor to take joue bofe schal je nouht skape 576
Portier seide Gamelin . So mot .1. wel Jje
.1. wift allowe fe fi wordes whan .1. mi time see
Go a3ein to gate and dwel wi]> hem a while
And fou schal see riht sone porter a gile 580
Adam seide Gamelin loke fe to gone
"We haue fomen att gate and frendes neuer one
It buen f e schirreu.es men fa hider btie come
J)ei be sworre to-geder fat we schal be nomme 584
Gameline seide Adam hie f e riht be liue
And if .1. faile f e f is daie yuel mot .1. f riue
And we schol so wel-come f e scherreues men
That som of hem shal make here beddes in f e fen 588
A good Cart staf in his honde he hent
Gamelin and att postern gate oute he wente
Adam hent sone a-nof er good staf
ffor to helpen gamelin and goode strokes $af 592
Adam felde tweine and Gameline felled f re
Jje tof er sett fete on erf e and gan to fle
"What saide Adam so euer here .1. masse [leaf ei, back]
.1. haue riht goode wyne drinke ar 36 passe 596
LANSDOWNE 145
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
be god seide fei fi drinke is not goode
It wold make mannes brayne to lye in nis hode
Gamelin stoode stilt and loked him aboute
And sawhe J?e scherreue come wif a grete route 600
Adam seide Gameline whate be nowe jri redes
Here come)) f>e scherreue and wil haue oure hedes
Adam seide to Gamelin my rede is nowe ]>is
Abide we no longer lest we fare a mys 604
.1 rede fat we to woode gone ar fat we be founde
Better is f er louse fan in toune bounde
Adam toke be f e honde 3onge gamelin
And eyf er of hem dranke a drauht of wyne 608
And after token her cours and wenteu her waie
Tho fonde f e scherref nest bot no naie
Jje scherref lyht doune And went in to J>e halt
And fonde fe lorde fetterd fast wij> alt 612
The scherreve vnfetterd him riht sone anone
And sent after a leche to helen his rigge bone
Late we nowe f e false knyht lyhe in his care
And talke we of Gamelin and loke ho we he fare 616
Gamelin in to J>e wode stalkef stitt
And Adam spencer loked riht itt
Adam swore to Gamelin be seinte Eichere
Nowe .1. se it is mery to be a spensere 620
That me were leuer kaye to here
Than walken in Jjis wilde wode my clof e to tere
Adam seide Gameline dismaie 30 riht nouht
Many good mannes childe in care is brouht 624
As f ei stode talkinge bof e in fere
Adam herde talkinge of men and nyhe hem f ouht he were
Tho Gamelin vnder wode loked ariht
. Vij. score of ^onge men he sawe wele a-diht 628
Alt satt att mete compas aboute
Adam seide Gamelin nowe haue $e no doute
After bale comes bote foruht goddes myht
Me j)e finke]? fat of mete and drinke .1. haue a siht 632
LANSDOWNE 146
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELY!*. Lansdowne MS.
Adam loked f o vnder wode bouhe
And f o he sauhe mete he was glade y-nowhe
ffor he hope to god for to haue his dele
And he was sore alonged after a goode mele 636
As he had seide fat word f e Maister outelawe [leaf 62]
Sawe Gamelin and Adam vnder wode schawe
3onge men seide f e maister he f e goode rode
.1. am war of gestes god send vs goode 640
3onde bene two ^on[g]e men riht wele adiht
And parauentur f er bene mo who so loked ariht
Arise]? vp jonge men and fette hem to me
It is good fat we weten what men f ei be 644
Vpe fer sterten .vij. fro fe denere
And Metten wi]> Gamelin . and Adam spensere
Whan Jjei were nyhe hem fan seide fat one
^eldef vp ^onge men ^oure bowes and ^oure none 648
Than seid Gamelin fat jonge was of elde
Muche sorwe mot he haue fat to ^owe hem $elde
.1. curs none of er hot riht my selue
Jjough 36 fette to jow .v. fat be $e tuelue 652
Tho f ei herde be his worde fat myht was in his arme
Ther was none of hem fat wolde do him harme
Bot seide to Gamelin Mildely and stitt
Com a-for cure maister and seie to him fi wilt 656
3onge men seide Gamelin be ^oure leute
What man is ^oure Maister fat 30 wif be
Al f ei ansewerd wif-oute lesijige
Oure maister his crouned of owtelawes f e kenge 660
Adam seide Gamelin go we in cristes name
He maye neyf er mete ne drinke warne vs for schame
If fat he be hende and come of gentil blode
He wilt 3eue vs mete and drinke and do vs sum goode 664
Be seinte lame seid Adam what harme fat .1. gete
.1. wil auentur me to f e dore fat .1. hade mete
Gamelin and Adam wenten forf e in fere
And fei grete f e maister fat f ei fonde fere 668
LANSDOWNE 147
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
Than seide ]>e maister tinge of owtelauwes
What seke 30 ^ongmen vnder wodee schawes
Gamelin ansewarde J>e kinge wij? his croune
He moste nedes walke in wode Jjat maye nouht walke i?itoune
Sire we walke nouht here men harme to do 673
Bot if wee mete a dere to schete Jjer to
As men Jjat bene hungri and rnaie no mete finde
And bene harde bestade vnder wode linde 676
Of Gamelyne wordes j>e maister had reu]>e
He seide sche schal haue .I.-nouhe haue god my treujje
He bad hem sette doune for to take rest [ieaf62,backj
And bad ete and dringe and fat of fe best 680
As fei eten and dronken wele and fine
Than seide J>e tone to J?e tofer Jus is Gameline
Tho was J?e Maister owtelawe into counseile nonie
And tolde howe it was Gamelin was feder come 684
Anone as he herde howe it was be-fal
He maade him maister vnder him ouere hem al
Wif-inne J>e Jjred weke him cam tidynge
Tho J>e maister owtlawe fat was here kinge 688
Jjat he scholde come home his pes was made
And of J>e goode tifinge he was ful glade
Tho seide he to his ^onge men soj>e to telt
Me be commen tijjinges .1. maie no longer duel. 692
Tho was Gameline anone wijj-oute taryinge
Maade Maister owteley . and crouned here kinge
Tho was Gamelin crounede kinge of outelawes
And walked a while vnder wode schawes 696
The false knyht his brofer was scherreue of J>e schire
And lete his brojjer endite for hate and for ire
Tho were his bondemen sori and nouht gladde
Whan Gamelin her lorde was cried wolueshed and maade
And sent oute of his men wher J>ei myht him finde 701
ffor to seke Gamelin vnder wode linde
To tel him tifinge }>e winde was went
And al his goode reued and his men schent 704
LANSDOWNE 148
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
"Wlian J>e hadden him founde on knees J>ei hem setten
And a-doune wij) here hode and here lorde gretten .
Sir wrajjfe 3011 nouht for fe goode rode
ffor we haue brouhte ^owe tijjinges Lot jjei be nou^t goode
Nowe is fi brofe scherreue and hafe fe bailie 709
And haj>e enditede J>e and wolues-hed do])e j?e crie
Alias seide Gamelin fat euer .1. was so slakke
J?at .1. ne hadde broke his nekke . fo .1. his rigge brakke
Go gretef wele myne husbondes and wif 713
.1. wil bene att Jje next schire haue god my lif
Gamelyn cam wel redy to J>e next schire
And J?er was his brojjer bofe lorde and sire 716
Gamelin cam boldely in to j?e mote halt
And put adoune his hode a-monge J>e lordes att
God saue ^owe lordeinges J>at nowe here be
Bot brokebakke scherreue yuel most Jjou Jje 720
Whi haste fou do me )>at schame and velanye [leaf es]
ffor to late endite me and wolues-hede do me crye
Tho jjouht J?e fals knyht for to be awreke
And lete take Gameline most he nomore speke 724
Miht fere be no grace bot Gamelin att J>e last
"Was cast in to prison and fetterd fast
Gameline hajie a broker Jnit hiht air Ote
A goode knyht and hende as miht gone on fote 728
Anone $ede a messagier to )>at good knyht
And tolde hem al togeder howe Gameline was diht
[ no gap in the MSJ\
He was riht sorie was he nojjinge liht 732
[ . . . . . . . . no gap in the MS.]
And to his tweine brej>er ful sone he came
Sir seide sir Ote to Jje Scherref J?oo
We bene bot free brefern schal we neuer be mo 736
And J)ou hast pn'soned ]?e best of att
Suche a-nofer luel mot him befatt
Sire Ote, seide J>e false knyht lat be jn curs
Be god for fi wordes he schal fare fe wurs 740
LANSDOWNE 149
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS
To f e kinges prison he his ynorame
And Jjere he schal abide vnto f e iustice come
Pardie seide sire Ote Better it schait be
.1. bidde him to mainprise fat f ou graunt to me 744
Til f e next siteinge of deliuerance
And lat fat Gamelin stonde to his chaunce
Brof e in suche a forward .1. take him to f e
And be fi faderes soule fat be-^ate fe and me 748
Bot he be redi whan J>e Iustice sitte
J?ou schalt bere f e luggement for alt f i grete witte
.1. graunt wele quod sire ote fat it so be
Lat do liuer him a-none and tak him to me 752
Tho was Gameline deliuerde to sir Ote his brof er
And fat nyht dwelden f e tone wif f e tof ere
On f e morwe seide Gamelin to sir Ote f e hende
Brofe he seide .1. mot for sofe fro fe wende 756
To loke how my ^onge men leden here lif
Whef er f ei leuen in ioye or elles in strif
Be gode seide sir hote fat is a colde rede
Now .1. see fat al f e carke schal fal on myne hede 760
ffor whan f e Iustice sitte and f ou be nouht yfounde
.1. schal anone be taken and in fi stede ybounde
Brof er seide Gamelin dismaie f e nouht
ffor be seint lame in Galeis fat mony men haf souht 764.
If fat god almyhty holde me my lif and witte [leaf es, back]
.1. wil be fere redy whan f e Iustice sitte
Than seide air Ote til gamelin god schelde f e fro schame
Com whan f ou seest time and bringe vs oute of blame 768
[
no gap in the MS.]
IT Gamelin went f o vnder wode rise
And fonde fere playinge men of prise 772
Tho was jonge Gamelin riht glad ynouhe
Whawne he fonde his men vnder woode bouhe
Gamelin and his men talken in fere
And f ei had good Game here maister to here 776
LANSDOWNE 150
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Lansdowne MS.
His men tolden him of aventures fat f ei had founde
And Gamelin hem tolde a^ein howe he was fast bounde
Whan Gamelin was outelawe he hadde no cors
Ther was no man fat for him ferde j?e wors 780
Bot Abbotes and priours and monke and chanone
On hem left he nouht whan he myht hem nome
While Gamelin and his men made merges rive
The fals knyht his brofer yuel most he Jjriue 784
ffor he was fast aboute bof e daie and of er
ffor to hire f e queste for to honge his brofer
IT Gamelin stode vpon a daie and he be-helde
Jje wode and f e schawes in f e wilde felde 788
He f ouht on his brojjer howe him be-hette
)3at he wolde be redy whan J>e Justice sette
He f ouht wele fat he wolde wif -oute delaie
Com afor f e Justice to kepen his daye 792
And seide to his ^onge men diht ^owe ^are
ffor whan f e Justice sitte we mot be fare
ffor .1. am vnder borwe til fat .1. come
And my brofer for me to prison schal be nomme 796
Be seint lame seide his ^onge men and f on reede f erio
Ordeigne howe it schal be and it schal be do
While Gameline was cominge f er f e Justice satt
The false knyht his brof e formate he nou^t f att 800
To hire men on his queste to hangen his brofer
Jjouhe f ei had nouht f e tone he wolde haue fat of ere
Tho cam Gamelin fro vnder wode rise
And brouht wife hem ^orige men of pnse 804
I se wele saide Gamelin f e Justice is sette
Go a-forne Adam and loke how it spette
Adam went in to f e haft and loke al aboute
He sawhe fere stand lordes grete and stoute 808
And sir Ote his brof ere fetterd ful faste [leaf 64]
Tho went Adam oute as he were agaste
Adam seide to Gamelin and to his felawes aft
Sire Ote stant fetterd in f e mote haft 812
LANSDOWNE 161
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. LansdOWne M8.
$onge men seide Gamelin pis liere 30 alle
Howe sir Ote stant fetterd in pe mote halle
If god ^ife vs grace wele for to do
He sehal it a-bigge pat brouht it per-to
Than seide Adam pot lokkes had hore
Cristes curs mot he haue fat him bonde so sore
And pou wilte Gamelin do after my rede
Jjare is none in pe hatt schal here awaie his hede 820
Adam seide Gamelin we wil nouht do soo
We wil sle pe Giltif and late pe opere goo
.1. wil into pe halt and wip pe Justice speke
On hem J>at ben Giltif .1. wil bene awreke 824
Lat none scape att pe dore take]? ^onge men jeme
ffor .1. wil be Justice pis daie domes to deme
God spede me pis daye att my newe werke
Adam Com pou wip me for pou schal be my clerke 828
His men Anseward him and bad him done his best
And if pou to vs haue nede pou schal finde vs preste
We wil stand wip pe while pat we maie dure
And bot we wirken manly paie vs non hire 832
^onge men seide Gameline so mote .1. wel pe
As trusti a maister schal ^e finde on me
Biht fiere fe Justice satte in J>e hatt
In went Gamelin a-monge hem att 836
Gamelin lete vn-fetter his broker oute of bende
Than seide sir Oke his broker J>at was hende
Thou haddest al-most gamelin dwelled to longe
ffor J?e quest is oute for me pat .1. scholde be honge 840
Broker seide Gamelin so god gif me gode rest
jjis daie J?ei schal be hongede pat bene on pi queste
And pe lustice hope pat is pe lugge man
And pe scherreue hope poruh him it be-ganne 844
Than seide Gamelin to pe lustice
Nowe is pi power done pou most nedes a-rise
Thou hast jeue domes pat beue yuel diht
.1. wil sitten in pi sette and dressen hem a-riht 848
LANSDOWNE 152
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. LansdoWHC MS.
The lustice satt stitt and rose nouht anone
And Gamelin cleue his cheke bone .
Gamelin toke him in his armes and no more spak
Bot proue him ouer pe barre and his arme to-brak 852
Dorst none to Gameline seie bot gode
ffor ferde of pe compaignie pat wip-oute stode
Gamelin set him doune in pe lustice sete
And sir Ote his broper by him and Adam att his fete 856
Herke of bourde pat Gamelin dede
He pouht for to make hem riht sore adrede
IF He lete fetter pe lustice and his false broker
And lete hem come to pe barre )>e tone wij> pe toper 860
Tho Gamelin had pus done he no rest
To he had enquered who was on pe quost
ffor to demen his broper sir Ote for to honge
Or he wiste whiche pei were he pouht ful longe 864
Bot as son as Gamelin wist where pei were
He dide hem euery-chon fetter in fere
And bringe hem to pe barre and sett hem on rewe
Be my faipe seide lustice pe scherreue is a schrewe 868
Than seide Gamelin to pe lustice
Thou hast ^eue domes of pe werst assise
And pe .xij. sisours pat weren on pe queste
Thei schal ben an-hanged pis daie so haue .1. goode reste
Than seide pe scherreue to ^onge Gameline 873
Lorde .1. crie pe Mercye brope art pou niyne
Ther-fore seide Gamelin haue pou goddes curs
ffor and pou were Meister }it .1. scholde haue wors 876
ffor to make schort tale and nouht to longe
He ordeyned him a queste of his men so stronge
The lustice and pe scherreve bop hongede hihe
To veyven wipe pe ropes, and wip pe wynde drye 880
And pe .xij. sisours sorwe haue pei pat rekke
AH1 p-ei were hanged fast be pe nekke
Thus endep pe false knyht wip his trecherie
That euer hade ladde his lif in falsnes and in folye 884
11 LANSDOWNE 163
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELTN. Lansdowne MS.
He was hongede be j?e nekke. and noulit be J>e puree
Jjat was J>e mede J»t lie had for his fader curs
Sire Ote was eldest and Gamelin was singe
Wente wij> here frendes and pesed wij? J?e kinge
Thei made pes wij> J)e kinge of J?e best sise
The kinge louede wele sir Ote and maade him Justice
And after J>e kinge maade Gamelin bojje in est and weste
Chief Justice of his fre forest . 892
Alt his whight $onge men J>e kinke for-^aue here gelte [leaf 05]
And sipen in good Office he haj>e hem al pelte
Thus wan Gamelin his londe and his lede
And wrake him of his enemys and quyte hem here mede
And sir Ote his Broker maade him hi[s] heire 897
And seffe wede Gameline a wif a goode and a feire
Thei leueden to-geder while fat crist wolde
An syfen was Gamelin Grauen vnder molde 900
And so schal we al maie fere none fle
God bringe vs to Jjat loye Jja euer schal be AmeN".
Explicit1 fabula Coci.
[No gap in tJie Jlf/6?.]
164
GKOUP B, («• FEAGMENT IIJ
§ 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK.
LANSDOWNE MS.
Incipit prologus legis periti. ion leaf cs]
OWre Oste sauhe wele fat f e briht sonne
The arke of his artificial daie had ronne
The ferf e part & half an houre & more
And f ouhe he were nou^t expert in lore 4
He wist it was fe .xviij. daye
Of April! fat is messagiere of maie
And sawhe wele fat f e schadow of euery tree
Was as in lengef in f e same qwantite 8
As was f e body erect fat caused it
And f ere-for be f e schadowe he toke his wit
That phebus whiche pat schone so clere and briht
Degres was .xlv. clome on hiht 12
And for fat daie as in fat latitude
It was .x. att clokke . he gan conclude
And sodenly he piht his hors aboute
Lordeinges quod, he .1. warne jou al fis route 16
The ferf.e party of fis daie es gone
Nowe for fe loue of god and seinte lolm
Lesef no' time as ferforf as 30 maie
Lordeinges fe time it waste J> nyht and daie 20
And stelef from vs what priuely slepeinge
And what forwhe necligence in oure wakey nge
As dofe fe streme fat turnef nener a-^eine
Descendeinge fro fe mouiitaigne in to fe pleine 24
Wele cane senec and mony a philosophre
Be-weylein time more fan golde in Cophre
ffor losse of cateH maie recouerd be
Bot losse of time schendef vs quod he 28
12 LANSDOWNE 155 (6-T. 129)
SIX-TEXT 130
156 GROUP B. § 1. MAN OP LAW'S HEAD-LINK. Lansdowne MS.
It wil nouht com a^ein wij) oute drede
NQ mor fan wil Malkins Maidenhede
Whan sche hafe lost it in hire wantonnes [leaf 65, back]
Lat vs nou^t moulen Jms in ydelnes 32
Sir Man come l of quod hie so haue 30 blisse [' later]
Tel vs a tale nowe as forward is
3e "be submitted forwhe joure fre assent
To stonden in fis caas att my luggement 36
Acquitefe now jowe of ^oure beheste
Than haue 30 done joure deuer att leste
Ost quod he de par deux iche assent
To breke forwarde is nouht myne entent 40
Beheste is dette and .1. wil holden faine
Al my byheste .1. can no better seine
ffor suche lawe as a man ^euef anofer whihte
He scholde him selfe vsen it be riht 44
Thus wil oure text bot najjeles certeine
.1. can . riht nowe no trusti tale seine
)3at chaucer jjouhe he can bot lewdly
On metres and in rymeinge craftely 48
Hajje saide hem in suche ynglysshe as he can
Of Olde time as knowef mony a man
And if he haue nouht seide hem leue broker
In o boke he hafe seide in a no)>er 52
ffor he ha]? tolde of louers vp and doune
Moo fan Guide Maade Mencion
In his Episteles fiat been ful olde
What schold .1. tellen hem sen }>ei bu tolde 56
In 3ou]>e he maade of Ceys and Alcione
And sifen hafe he spoken of euerichone
Thes noble wifes and fes louers eke
Who so J»at wil his large veloine seke 60
Cleped J>e seintes Legent of Cupide
There maie he see J>e large woundes wide
Of Lucres and of Babilan Thisbe
The swerde of dido for )>e fals ene 64
LANSDOWNE 156 (6-T. 130)
SIX-TEXT 131
GROUP B. § 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK. Lansdowue MS. 157
The tree of phillis for hir demefon
The pleinte of Dianyre awd of Ermyon
Of Adriane and of ysiphilee
The barayn ysel stondeynge in fe see 68
The dreynt leandre for his erro
The teres of Eleyne and eke f e wo
Of brixseide and of f e ladomya
The cruelte of quene Medea 72
The litil childern hongeinge be fe hals Oeaf 66]
ifor f i lason fat was of loue fals
Of ypnistra Penelope Alceste
3oure wifehode he commendef wif f e beste 76
Bot certeynly no worde write]) he
Of f ilke wilke ensample of Canace
)3at loued hir owen brof er sinfully
Of suche cursed stories .1. saie fye 80
Or elles of Tiro Appolonius
How |>at J>e cursed kinge Anthiochus
Beraft his douhter of hir maydenhede
That is so orrible a tale for to rede 84
Whan he hire 1])rewe foruhe fe pament [l>yrewe]
And f er-for he of ful avisement
Nolde neuer write in none of his sennones
Of whiche vnkinde abhominaciones 88
Ne .1. he wil none reherce if fat .1. maie
Bot of my tale . howe schal .1. done f is daie
Me were lof e be likned douteles
To muses fat men clepen pieriedes 92
Methamorphoseos woote what .1. mene
Bot natheles .1. recche noujt a bene
Jjowhe .1. come after him wif halve bake
.1. speke in prose and lat him rimes make 96
And wif fat worde he wif a sobre chere
Began his tale as $e schal after here . 98
LANSDOWNE 157 (6-T. 13l)
SIX-TEXT 132
158 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. pitoL. Lausdowne MS.
[No breaks in the MS between the stanzas.~\
Hie incipit fabula legis periti.
k Hateful harme condicione of pouert 99
With f urst . with colde . with hungre so confounded
To asken helpe fou schamef in fine hert
If fou1 axe with nede fou art so wounded 102
fat verrei nede vnwrappef al f i wound hid
Maugreue fin hede fou most for indigence
Or steele or begge or borwe fi despense 105
Jjou blamest crist and seist ful bittirly.
He mys departef richesse temporal
Jpi neibeburghe fou witest sinfully
And seiste fou baste to litel and be baj> al 109
Per fey seys ]?ou sum tyme be reken scbal
Wban fat his taile schal berne in J>e glede
fibr he nou3t helpe J> nedeful in here nede 112
Herken what is J?e meneynge of fe wise
Eetter is to dyen fan to haue indigence [leaf 66, back]
J?i self neigbebore wil fe dispise
If fou be pore fare wele fi reuerence 116
3it of f e wiseman takef f is sentence
AH f e daies of pormen ben wikke
Be war far fore or fou com in fat prikke 119
IF If fou be pore f i brof er hatef fee
And al f i frendes flye fro f e alas
0 riche marchauntes ful of wel be 30
O noble prudent folke as in fis cas 123
3oure bagges bene nou^t filled wif ambes aas
Bot wif sis sinke fat rennef for 3oure chaunce
Att Cristes masse mery maie 30 daunce 126
LANSDOWNE 158 (6-T. 132)
SIX-TEXT 133
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PKOL. Lansdowne MS. 159
1F 3e seken londe and see for ^oure wininges
As wise folke bat knowen al be astate
Of regnes 30 bene faders of tibinges
And tales bothen of pes and debate 130
I. was riht nowe of tales desolate
Nar bat a marchant gone is mony a ^ere
Me tauht a tale whiche as 36 schal here 133
[As there is no room in this print for the Latin notes in the
margin of the MS, they are put here, with the numbers of the lines
to n'hich they refer.~\
1. 161. Europa est tmsia pars mundi. [MS, leaf 67.]
L 197. IT Ceptr« pharonei furtum discoi'diu thebe
IT Flawmaw phetontw deu-calionis aque
If la stelh's priami '. species audacia twmi
II Sensus vlixeus herculeus <\ue vigor. [MS, leaf 67 ]
After 1. 301. Vn<fe Tholomeus. 116 ^o p^imo vapitulo 8. Primi motus
Cell duo aunt quorum vnus e*^ qui mouet totuw semper ab oriente
i« occidente/w ! vno modo sups/' orbes &c. Alter vero motus est q/d
mouet orbew stellarwn currewciuw contra motuw p?imuw videlicet, ab
Occidents in orientem super alios duos polos &c. Om/«-s enim su/-t
coHCordati qwod elecc(bnes sint debiles nisi in diuitibws H^^ent en/m
isti licet debilitewtwr eorum elecc«ones radices .i. natiuitates eorum
que cowfortant omwem planetam debilew in itin^re Hue. "Philoso-
[MS, leaf 68, back, a quotation in tlie middle of the text.]
LANSDOWNE 150 (6-T. 133)
SIX-TEXT 134
160 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[THE TALE.]
In Surre some while dweled a company .
Of chap men riche and fier-to sadde and trewe
That wide where senten hire spicery
Clones of golde and satine riche of hewe 137
Here chaffer was so prefty and so newe
That euery wiht hape deynte to chaffare
Wipe hem and eke to sellen hem here ware 140
H Nowe felle fat pe maistres of pat sorte
Hane schapen hem to Korue for to wende
Were it fo chapmanhode or for disporte
None oper Messagier wolde pei peder sende 144
Bot cam hem selft to rome pis es pe ende
And in swyche place as pouht hem auantage
ffor here intent pei take here herbergage 147
IT Soiorne haue pese marchantes in pat toune
A certaine time as feH to here plesaunce
Bot so be-fel pat pe excellent renoune
Of pe Empenmre douhter dame distance 151
Reported was wip euery circumstance
Yn to pis surrien Marchantez in suche wise
ffro day to day as .1. schal jowe deuise . 154
IT This was pe comune voyce of euery man
Owre Emperowr of Rome Gode him see [leaf 67]
A douhter he hape pat sen pe werlde beganne
To rekken as wele hire goodnes as beatite 158
Was neuer suche anoper as is sche
.1. praie to gode in honoure hire susteigne
And wald sche were of al Europe pe quene . ^Latin note> ?• 1£{-J
LANSDOWNE 160 (6-T. 13 1)
SIX-TEXT 135
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 161
In hir is hihe beaute wip oute pride
3owpe wijj oute greuehode or foly
To al hire werkes vertue is hir gyde
Humblesse hape slayne in 3 owe al tyranny 1G5
[ no gap in the MS.]
Hire herte is verrai chambre of holynesse
Hir hande Ministre of fredam for almesse 1G8
IT And al pis voice was sope as god is trewe
Bot nowe to purpos lat vs turne a^eine
This marchantez han don frauht here schippes newe
And whan pei han pis blisseful Maiden seine 172
Home to surre be pei wente ajeine
And done here nedes as pei han done ^ore
And leuen in wele .1. can say ^ow no more 175
^T Nowe fel it pat pese marchantz stoden in grace
Of him pat was Souldan of Surrye
ffor whan pat pei cam from any strange place
He wolde of his benigne curtesie 179
Make hem good chiere and besilye aspye
Thinges of sundre remes for to lere
The wonderes pat pei myht se or here 182
IT Amonges oper pinges specialy
Thos Marchantz hane him tolde of dame distance
So grete noblesse in erneste curionsely
Jjat pis souldan hap kauht so grete plesance 186
To hane hir figure in his remembrance
And al his lust and al his besy cure
Was for to loue hir while his lif maie dure 189
IT Parauenture in pe large booke
Whiche pat cleped pe heuen y-writen was
Wip sterres whan pat he his birpe toke
That he for loue schol haue his depe alas 193
LANSDOWNE 161 (6-T. 135")
SIX-TEXT 136
162 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. lansdowne MS.
ffor in f e sterres clerer fan is f e glas
Is wreten god wote who so couf e it rede
Jje defe of euery man wif outen drede 196
IT In sterres mony a winter far be-forne [Latin note, p.-iss.]
Was wreten f e defe of Ector and achilles
Off Pompe lulius or thei were borne [leaf 67, back]
The strif of Thebes and of Hercules 200
Of Sampson turnus and of Socrates
The def bot mennus wittes bene so dulle
That no whiht can wel rede it att J>e fulle 203
IT This Sowldan for his priue conseile sente
And schortly of f is matier for to passe
He haf e to hem declared his entent
And seide hem certeine bot if he myht haue grace 207
To haue Custance wif inne a litel space
He nas bot dede and charged hem in hihe
To schapen for his lif som remedie 210
IF Diners men diners fringes saiden
The Argumentz custen vp and doune
Many a sotyl reson forf e f ei leyden
Thei speken of Magik and abusion 214
Bot finalli as in conclusion
Thei can nou^t seen in fat none auantage
Ne in none ofer waie saue Mariage 217
1F Than sauhe fere suche difficulte
Be way of Reson for to speke as pleine
Be cause fat fere was suche diuersite
Be twene here bofe lawes as fei seine 221
Thai-trowe fat no cristen prince wold feine
Wedden his childe vnder her lawes so swete
That hem was tauht bue Mahoure fe prophete 224
LANSDOWNE 162 (6-T. 136)
SIX-TEXT 137
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 163
IT And he Ansewarde rafer fan .1. lese
Constance .1. wil be cristened douteles
.1. mot bene hirs .1. male none ofer chese
.1. pray pw holde pure arguinentes in pes 228
Sauef my lif and bef nouht recheles
To gete hir fat haj) my lif in cure
if or in fis woo .1. maie nouht longe endure 231
IF "What nedef gretter dilatacion
.1. sey be tretise and embassadrie
And be f e popes Medeacione
And al fe cherche and al fe chiualrie 235
That in destruccion of Maumetrie
And in encrese of cristes lawe dere •
Thei bene accorded so as je schal here 238
1f How fat f e Souldan and his Baronage
And alle his leges scholde cristened be
And he seal haue Constance in Mariage [leaf 68]
And certeigne gold .1. not what quantite 242
And herto founden sufficiant surtie
This same accorde was swor in eyf er side
Nowe faire Constance almyhti god fe gide 245
IT No we wolde sum man waiten as .1. gesse
J)at .1. schol teLle al J>e purueance
That Jje Empero?/r of his noblesse
Haj? schapen for his doubter Dam Custan.ce . 249
Wele rnaie men knowen fat so grete ordinance .
Maie no man tellen in a litel clause
As was arraied for so hihe a cause 252
H Cardinals and Bischops bene schapen wif hir to wende
Lordes and lades and knyhtes of renoune
And ofer folke .I.-nowe fis is fe ende
And notified is foruhe oute fe toune 256
LANSDOWNE 163 (6-T. 137)
SIX-TEXT 138
164 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
That euery whight wife grete deuocione
Schold praie criste fat f is Mariage
Resceyue in gree and spede fis viage 259
IT The dale is comen of hire departeinge
.1. say fat woful daie fatal is come
That fat fere maie be no longer tariynge
Bot forf vvarde fei hem dresse alle and sommQ 263
Constance fat wif sorwe is al oner-come
fful pale a-rist and drissef hire to wend
ffor wele sche seefe fere is none of ere ende 266
IF Alias what wonder is it f ouhe sche wepete
That schaH he sent to so strange nacione
Ifro frendes fat so tendurly liir keppete
And to be houndon vnder subiectzone 270
Of one sche knowef nouht his condicion
Husbondes bene al good and hane bu $ore
fat knewen wives .1. dar sei jow no more 273
ffader sfthe seide . f i wrecbed childe Constance
f i ^onge douhter fostred vp so soft
And ^e my moder my soue?-eigne plesance
Ouer al finge oute take criste on loft 277
Constance ^owre childe hir recommandef oft
Vn to ^oure grace for .1. schal to Surrye
Ne schal .1. neuer seen 3ow more wif eye 280
IT Alas vn to f e Barbarie Nacion
.1. most anone sef it is joure wille
Bot crist fat starf for oure redempcione [leaf os, back]
So ^eue me grace his hestes to fulfille 284
.1. wriched wowman no force fou .1. spille
Weminen arne born to fraldom and penance
And to bue vnder mannes gouernance 287
LANSDOWNE 164 (6-T. 138)
SIX-TEXT 139
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 165
IF .1. trowe att troie whan purrus brake Jje wal
Or . ylion fat brende Thebes fat Citee
Noute Rome for f e harme f orwhe Hanybal
That Romaynes haf venquissed times fre . 291
Nas herde swiche tender wepeinge for pite
As in f e chambre for hire departeinge
Bot forfe sche mote whereso sche wepe or singe 294
IT 0 ferst moueynge cruel firmament
Wif f i diurnale sweigh fat croudest aie
And hurlist al fro est to Occident
J)at naturelly wold hold a-nof er waye 298
Thi croudeinge sett f e heuen in suche arraie
Att f e be-ginnynge of f is fers viage
That cruel Mars hafe slayne fis mariage 301
[Latin insertion, p. 188 of Six-Text.']
^\ Infortunate ascendent tortuous
Of whiche f e lorde is falle alas
Out of his angle in to f e derkest house
0 mars o.ata^ir as in fis caas 305
0 feble mone vn-happy bene f i pas
Thou knettest f e far f ou ert nouht receyuede
The f ou weere wele fro fens nowe ert f ou weyued 308
IF Imprudent emperowr of Rome alias
Was fere no philosopher in al f i toune
Is no time bet fan of er in suche cas
Of viage is fere none elecczon 312
Namely to folke of hihe condict'on
Nat whan a rote is of a burf e y-knowe
Alas $e bene to lewed or to si owe 315
IT The schippe is brouht fis woful faire maide
Solempnely wife euery circumstance .
Nowe ihesu criste be wif ^owe al sche saide [learoo]
There is no more hot fare wele faire Constance 319
LANSDOWNE 165 (6-T. 139)
SIX-TEXT 140
166 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Sclie peynej? hire to make gode continance
And for]>e J?ei lete hir saile in Jns manere
And turne .1. wil ajeine to my matier 322
IT The moder of J?e Souldan wel of vices
Espied haj>e hir sones pleine entent
How he wil lete his olde sacrifises
And riht a-none sche for hire conseille sent 326
And J?ei comen to knowen what sche ment
And whan assembled was Jjes folk in fere
Sche sett hire doune and seide as ^e schalle here . 329
IT Lordes quod sche je knowen euerychone
Howe J>at my sowne in pointe is fo to lete
The holy lawes of owre Akkaron
3euen be goddes Messagiere Makomete 333
Bott on avowe to grete god .1. hete
The lif schal ra|?er oute of my bodi sterte
Or Macometis la we oute of myne herte 336
IT What schuld vs tiden of pis newe lawe
Bot Jjraldom to oure bodies and penance
And afterward in hel to be drawe
ffor we reneyed Mahon oure creance 340
Bot lordes wil 36 maken assurance
As .1. schal seine assen tinge to my lore
And .1. schal make us sauf for euer more 343
IT Thei sworen and assenten euery man
To leue wij> hire and deye and by hire staiide
And eue?yche in fe best wise he can
To streng)>en hir schal al his frendes fonde 347
And sche bafe J>is emprise take on honde
Whiche 30 schal here fiat .1. schal deuise
And to hem al sche spak in J;is wise 350
LANSDOWNE 166 (6-T. 140)
SIX-TEXT 141
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 167
IF "We schol first feyne vs cristendom to take
Colde water schal nouht greue vs bot a lite
And .1. schal suche a fest and a reuel make
Jjat as .1. trowe .1. schal pe sowdan quite 354
ffor pouhe his wif be crestened neuer so white
Sche schal haue nede to whasse awaie pe rede
Thouhe sche a fonte ful of water wip hire lede 357
IF 0 sauldanesse rote of iniquite
Virago pu semiram pe seconde .
O serpent vnder femenyte [leaf 69, back]
Like to J>e serpente depe in helle bownde 361
0 feyned womman alle pat may confounde
Vertue and innocence porahe pi Malice
Is bred in pe as nest of euery vice . 364
1T 0 Sathan envious sen pilk daie
That pou were chased from owre heritage
Wele knowes pou to wemmen pe olde waio
Jjou madest Eua to bringe in seruage 368
J?ou wilt for-done cristen Mariage
Jpine instrument so welawaie pe while
Makeste fou of whan J>u wilte begile 371
IF This Souldanesse wham .1. pus blame and wery .
Lete priuely hire consielle gon here wayQ
What schold .1. in pis tale longer tary
Sche ride]? to J>e souldan on a daye 375
And seide pat sche wold reney hir laye
And cristendome of prestes hondes fonge
Repeiitynge sche hepen was so longe 378
IF Besekeinge him to done hir pat honoure
}5at miht haue pe cresten folke to feste
To plese hem .1. wil do my laboure
The souldan seipe .1. wil done at ^oure heste 382
LANSDOWNE 167 (6-T. 14l)
SIX-TEXT 142
168 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And knelynge fonkejj hire of fat requeste
So glad he "was he nyst what to seie
Sche kist hire sowne and home sche gof e hir waie 385
[PART II.]
IF Arriued bene fis cresten folk to londj
In Surry wiffe a grete solempne route
And hastely Jiis Souldan sent his sonde
ffirst to his Moder and al fe regne aboute 389
And seide his wif was cowzmen oute of doute
And praide hir for to riden a^ein fe qwene
The honoure of his regne to suteigne 392
1F Grete was fe pres and riche was J>e raie
Of Surrys and Eomeyns mette .I.-fere
The Moder of fe souldan riche and gaie
Eeseiuejj hire wij) also glad a chere 396
As any moder myht hire douhter dere
And to fe next Cite fere beside
A soft pas solempnyeli fei ride 399
IF ]N"ouht trowe .1. )>e triumphe of lulius
Of whiche fat lukan maade suche a boste
Was Roialer ne more corious L'eafTo]
Than was Jjassemble of fis blisful oste 403
Bot fis Scorpion Jris wikked goste
This Sauldanesse for al hir flateringe
Kast vnder J)is mortali to stinge 406
IF The Souldan comejj himself sone after pis
So Eoialy J?at wonder is to tel
He welcome)) hire wi]> al loy and blis
And Jms in merpe and loye .1. lete hem duel • 410
LANSDOWNE 168 (6-T. 142)
SIX-TEXT 143
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Lansdowue MS. 169
Jje frayte of f is matter fat .1. tel
Whan tim com men fount it for f e best
That Eeuel stinte and men gon to rest 413
IT The time come f is olde Souldanesse
Ordeined f e fest haj) of wich .1. tolde
And to f e feste Cristenten folke hem dresse
In generale bofe $onge and olde 417
He may men feste and Roialte behold e
And deyntefs mo fan .1. can $ou deuyse
Bot al to der fei bouht it er fei rise 420
1T 0 Sodan woo fat euer art succesour
To werldly blisse spreynde is wif bitternes
The ende of f e ioye of cure werldly labour
Woo occupief f e fine of oure gladnes 424
Herke f is conseile for f i securnes
Vpon f i glad daie haue in mynde
The vnwar wo or harme fat comef be-hinde 427
IF ffor schortly for to telle att o worde
The souldan and f e cristen euerychone
Be al to-hewe and stiken att f e borde
Bot it war only Dam Custance alone 431
Thys olde Sauldanes cursed crone
Haf wif hir frendes don f is cursed dede
ffor sche hir selfe wolde fe contrei lede 434
IT Ne fere was Surreyne ne none fat was conuertede
That of f e counsel of f e souldan wote
That he ne es alto-hewen or he astert-it
And Constance han f ei take a-none fote hote 438
And in a schippe al sterles god wote
Thei hane hir sett and beden hire leren to saile
Owte of Surry ajeine to Itaile 441
LANSDOWNE 169 (6-T. 143)
SIX-TEXT 144
170 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansiowne MS.
IT A certeine trescmre fat sche f eder ladde
And sof e to seine vital grete plente
J?ei hane here jeuen and clof es eke sche hadde [leaf TO, back]
And forjj sclie sailef in f e salte see 445
0 my distance fful of benignite
O . Empe?'ours $onge doubter dere
He fat is lorde ouere fortune he fe steere 448
IF Sche blissef and wif ful pitous voyce
Vn to f e croys of crist f us seide sche
0 clere o welful auter holy croyce
Eede of fe lambes blode ful of pite 452
J?at whisse fe werlde fro fe olde iniquite
Me fro fe fende and fro his clowes kepe
fat daie fat .1. schal drenchen in fe depe 455
11 Victorious tree proteccion of trewe
J)at oonely worf i war for to bere
]5e kinge of heuen wif his wondes newe
J)e wyght lambe fat hurt was wif a spere 459
fflemer of frendes oute of him and here
On whiche f i lynes faiffuly extenden
Me kep and }ife me myht my lyf to amenden 462
1T ^eres and dayes fletef fis creature
jjoruhe owte f e see of grece vnto f e streite
Of Marrok as it as it was hir auenture
0 many a sory mele noue maie sche baite
Affter her def ful oft mai sche waite
Or fat f e wilde wawes wil hir drive
v Vn to f e place fare sche schal ariue
IT Men myht axen whi sche was noujt sleine
Eke att f e feste who myht hir body saue
.1. answere to fat demande a^eine
Who saue Danyel in f e horrible cane
LANSDOWNE 170 (6-T. 144)
SIX-TEXT 145
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 171
Jjere euery saue he Maister or knaue
Was wif f e lyons frete in a sterte
No whight bot god fa lie bare in his hert 476
1T God luste to sche we his wonderful miracle
In hire for sche schold see his myhty werkes
Crist whiche fat is to euery harme treacle
Be certeine Menes oft as knowen clerkes 480
Dof f inge for certein ende fat ful derke is
To mannes witte fat for owre ignorance
Ne conne knowe his prodent purueance 483
5T Nowe sef sche was not at f e fest slawe
Who kepped hire fro f e drencheinge in f e see
Who keppet lona in f e fisches mawe [leaf 71]
To he was spouted vp att Mniue 487
Wele maie men knowe it was no whight bot he
Jjat keppe f e peple Ebayk fro drencheinge
Wif dri feete foruhe oute fe see passinge 490
IT Who had f e foure spirites of tempest
Jpat power hane to anoyen londe and see
Bof e norf e and souf e and also west and este
Anoyef neyfer se ne londe ne tree 494
Sof e f e comander of fat was he
}5at fro f e tempest ay f is wo?/mian kepet
As wele whan sche woke as wen sche slepet 497
IT Whare myht f is wowman mete and drenke haue
Three ^ere and more how lastef hir vytaile
Who fede f e Egipciane Marye in f e caue
Or in desert non bot crist sans faille 501
ffyve f ousand folke it was a grete mervaille
Wif loues five and ffisches tuo to feede
Gode sente his foyson att her grete nede 504
13 LANSDOWNE 171 (6-T. 145)
SIX-TEXT 146
172 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IF Sche dryuef for]? in to owre Occeane
Jjoruhe oute f e wilde see tiH att f e last
Vnder an castel fat neuen .y. ne can
ffor in Norf e Humbrelond f e wawe her caste 508
And in ]?e sonde f e schippe stikked so fast
That fens wold it nouht of al a tyde
The wil of criste was fat sche scholde abide 511
IT The Cunstable of f e Castel doune is fare
To seen f is wrakke and al f e schipe he souhte
And fonde f is wery womman ful of Care
He fonde also tresoure fat sche brouht 515
In hir langage Mercie sche be-souht
Jje lif oute of f e body for to twynne
Hir to deliuer of woo fat sche was inne 518
1T A maner latine corrupte was hir speche
Bot algatez fere by was sche vnderstonde
The Constable whan him lust no longer seche
This wooful womman brouht he to f e londe 622
Sche knelef doune and f onkef goddes sonde
Bot what sche was sche wolde no man seye
ffor foule ne faire f ouhe fat sche scholde deye 525
IT Sche seid sche was so mased in f e see
}?at sche for-gat here mynde be hir trouf e
The constable of hir haf e so grete pite [leaf 71, back]
And eke his wif fat f ei wepen for reuf e 529
Sche was so diligent wif owten sleuf e
To serue and plese eueryche in fat place
That al hir louen fat loken on hir face 532
IT The Constable and dam Ermenilda his wif
"Where payneins and fat cuntre euery where
Bot Ermenilda loued here riht as hir lif
And custance haf so longe soiourned fere 536
LANSDOWNE 172 (6-T. 146)
SIX-TEXT 147
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Lansdowiie MS. 173
In orisons wip mony a better tere
Til ihesu hape conuerted poruhe his grace
Dam. Ermenilda Constablesse of pilke place 539
IT In al pat londe dorst no kersten route
Al cresten folke bene fledde fro pat centre
Jjoruhe payneins pat conquerden here aboute
The plages of pe norpe be pe lande and pe see 543
To Wales fledd fledde pe cristeante
Of olde bretons dwelynge in J>is Isle
Ther was hire refute for pe mene while 546
IT Bot }it was neuer cristen bretons so exiled
J)at per nas sum in hir priuete
Honoured crist and heypen folk be-giled
And nyhe pe castel per dwel per dwelden pre 550
J?at one of hem was blinde and myht nonht see
Bot it weere wipe ilke yen of his mynde
"Wip wiche men seen after pat pei be blinde 553
IF Briht was pe sonne as in pe somers daie
ffor whiche pe Constable and his wif also
And Constance hane ytake pe riht waie
To-warde pe se a forlonge way or tuo 557
To pleyen and to Eomen to and fro
And in her waie blende men paie mette
Croked and olde wip fast eyen schett 560
II In pe name of criste cried pis blinde bretowze
Dame Ermenilda ^eue me my sihte a3eine
This lady wex affrayde of pe soune
Lest hir husbonde schortly for to seyne 564
Wolde hir for ihesu cristes loue haue sleyne
Til Constance made hir bolde and bad hire wirche
The wil of criste as douhter of his chirche 567
LA.NSDOWNE 173 (6-T. 147)
SIX-TEXT 148
174 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT The Constable wex abassched of fat siht
And seide what amountef al f is fare
Custance anseward it is cristes miht peaf?2]
J?at helpejj folke oute of fe fendes snare 571
And so ferforf e sche gan oure laye declare
J?at sche constable ar fat it was eue
Conuertef and on criste maad him beleue 574
IF This Constable was nouht lorde of f is place
Of whiche .1. spak fare he Constance fofide
Bot keped it stronge mony a winter space
Vnder Allea kynge of of Northehumbrelonde 578
[ » no gap in the MS.]
A3ein f e scottes as men may wele here
Bot torne .1. wil a^eine to my matier 581
1T Sathan fat euer waitef vs to begile
Sauhe of Custance al hir perfecciovm
And kast anone howe he myht white hir while
And maad a ^onge knyht fat dwellef in fe toune 585
Loue hire so hote of foule affeccione
J)at verraily him f ouht fat he scholde spille
Bote of hir myht ones haue his wille 588
IT He wowef e hir bot it aveilef nouht
Sche wolde do no sinne be no weie
And for dispite he compassed in his f ouht
To make hir a schameful defe to deye 592
He waitef whan f e Constable was awaie
And pnuely on a nyhte he crepte
In Ermenilda scambur whiles fat sche sleped 595
IT Wery for-waked in hire orisons
Slepef custance and Ermenilde also
Jpis knyht f ouht to performe sathanas temptacions
Al softly he is to fe bedde go 599
LANSDOWNE 174 (6-T. 148)
SIX-TEXT 149
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. lansdowne MS. 175
And kette pe prote of Ermenylde a tuo
And leide Jje blody knyf be dam Custance
And wente his weie pere god ^iue him meschaunce 602
IT Sone affter comep pis Constable a^eine
And Eke Allea pe kenge pat was of pis lande
And sauhe his wyf dispitously sleyne
ffor whiche ful of oft he wepet and wronge his honde 606
And in pe bedde pe blody knyfe he fonde
Be dam Custance Alas what myht sche seye
«/ «/
ffor verre woo hir witte was al awaie 609
11 To Kinge Alia was tolde al pis meschance
And eke ]>e time and where and in what wise
Jjat in a schip was founden pis Constance
As ^e haue herde to-forne devise [leaf 72, back] 613
The kinges herte of pite gan agrise
Whan he sepe so benyngne a creature
ffal in disese and in mesauenture 616
IF ffor as pe lambe towarde towarde his depe is brouht
So stant pis Innocent be-for Jje kenge
This fals knyht pat ha)>e pis treson wrouht
Berep hir on honde pa sche hape don pis pinge 620
Bot napeles per was grete Morneinge
Amonge pe peple and sei pe can not gesse
That sche had done so grete a wikkenesse 623
^T ffor pei haue sene hir euer so vertuous
And loueinge ermenilde riht as hir lif
Of pis bare wittenes eueryche in pat house
saue he pat Ermenilde slowhe wip his knyfe 627
This Gentil kinge hape cauht a grete motif
Of pis wittenes And pouht he wolde enquere
Depper in pis caas he trouep for to lere 630
LANSDOWNE 175 (6-T. 149)
SIX-TEXT 150
176 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT Alas Constance f ou naste no champiouw
!Ne fiht cans tow nouht so walawaie
Bot he fat for oure redempciouw
And bonde Sathan . and lythe }it fere he laye 634
So be f i stronge champion f is daie
ffor bot if criste oopen myracle kyf e
"Wife outen gilt fou schalt be sleyne also swyfe 637
IT Sche Sett hir doune on knes and f us sche seyde
Immortale god fat sauedest Susan
fironi false blam and f on mercyful mayde
Mary .1. mene douhter of seint Anne 641
Beforne whos childe Angels singe osanne
If .1. be giltles of f is felony e
Mi soker be . for elles schal .1. deye 644
IT Haue 30 nouht seen sum tyme a pale face
Amonge a pres of him fat haf e be lad
To wardes his def where him gat no grace
And suche a colour in his face haf hadde 648
fat men miht knowe his face fat was be-stadde
Amonge al f e faces in fat route
So stant Custance and lokef hire aboute 651
IT 0 queens leueinge in prosperity
Duchesses and ladies euerychon
Haue some reuf e of his aduersite
An Emperowr douhter stant alone peaf 73] 655
Sche hafe no whihte to whome to make hire mone
O blode Eoial fat standest in f is drede
ffer bue fin frendes att f i grete nede 658
IT This allea kinge haf suche compassiown
As gentil hert is fulfilled of pete
J5at from his yen ran f e water doune
hastely do feche a boke quod he 662
LANSDOWNE 176 (6-T. 150)
SIX-TEXT 151
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Lansdowae MS. 177
And if f is knyht wil swere howe fat sche
This wo?»man slowhe 3it wil we vs avise
Whome fat we wolde fat schal be oure Justice 665
1T A breton boke wreten wif f e euangelies
"Was fett and on f is boke he swore anone
Sche giltif was in f e mene whiles
An hande him smote vpon f e nekke bone 669
J?at doune he fel att ones as a stone
And bof e his eyjen borst oute of his face
In siht of euery body in fat place 672
IT A voice was herde in general audience
And seide f ou haste disclaundred giltles
The douhter of holy cherche in hiehe presence
Thus hast fou done and jit .1. mot hold my pes 676
Of f is Merueile a-gast was al f e pres
As Mased folke f ei stoden euerychone
ffor drede of wreche saue Constance alone 679
IT Grete was f e dede and eke f e repentance
Of hem fat hadden wronge suspecione
Vpon f is cely Innocent Constance
And for f is miracle in conclusione 683
And by Constance Mediacione
The kinge and mony a-nof er in fat place
Conuerted was f onked be cristes grace 686
IT This fals knyht was sleyne for his vntrewf e
Be luggement of Allea Hastelye
And Constance haf e of his def e grete rewf e
And after fis ihesus of his mercy 690
Maade Alia wedden ful solempnely .
J)is holy may den fat is briht and schene
And f us hafe criste maad Constance a queene 693
LANSDOWNE 177 (6-T. 16l)
SIX-TEXT 152
178 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
If Bot who was woful . If .1. schal not lye
Of f is wedynge bot Domylda and no mo
]?e kinges moder ful of Tiranny .
Hire fouht hir cursed hert braste a two [leaf 73, back] 697
Sche wolde nouht her sowne had don so
Hir fouht a dispite fat he scholde take
So straunge a creature vnto his maake 700
IT Me list nouht of f e chaf ne of f e stre
Maake so longe a tale as of f e corne
"What scholde .1. tellen of f e royalte
Of f e Mariage or whiche cours gof to forne 704
Who blowef in a trompe or in an home
The fruyte of euery tale is for to seie
Thei ete . and drinke and dance . and singe and pleie 707
IT Thei gone to bed as it was skiH and riht
ffor f ouhe J>at wyues bene holy f inges
Thei must take a pacience a nyht
Suche maner necessaries as biene plesinges 711
To folke fat hane ywedded hem wij) ringes
And laie a lite hire holines a side
As for J>e time it maie non ofer betide 714
IT On hire he gate a knaue childe anone
And to a bischop and his Cunstabule eke
He toke his wif to kepe whan he is gone
To scotelande ward his fomen for to seke 718
Nowe faire Custance fat is so humble and meke
So longe is gone wif childe til fat stiH
Sche halt hir chambure abideinge att cristes AviH 721
1T The time is come a knaue childe sche bare
Mauricius att f e font f ei him caHe
This Constable dof forf e come a Messagier
And wrote to his kinge fat cleped was Alle 725
LANSDOWNE 178 (6-T. 152)
SIX-TEXT 153
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 179
Howe pat pis "blisful tipinge was be-falle
And oper tipinge spedfol for to seie
He takep pe letter and forpe he go]) his weie 728
IT This Messagier to done his auantage
Vnto pe kinges moder ridep swype
And salue]) hire ful faire in his langage
Madame quod he he $e maye glad and blipe 732
And ponkep god an hundrep pousand sipe
My lady queene ha]? childe wij> oute doute
To loy and blisse of al pis regne a-boute 735
1T Lo here pe le^fres selede of pe tipinge
pat .1. mote bere wip al fe hast .L male
If 30 wille ouht vn to jowre sone jje kinge .
I am ^oure seruant bo]?e niht and daie [leaf 74] 739
Domilda anseward as nowe at pis time
Bot here al niht .1. wil pat pou take pi rest
To morwe wiH .1. saie what me lest 742
IT This Messagier dranke sadly ale and wyne
And stollne was his le^res priuely
Out off his box while he slepe as a swyne
And Conterfet was ful sotely 746
And oper le^res wrouht ful sinfuly .
Ynto pe kinge direct of pis matier
ffro his Constable as 30 schal after here 749
IT The leftre spak howe pe queene deliuerd was
Of so horrible fendelyche creature
That in pe Castel none so hardy was
That any while dorst per in endure 753
The moder was an elfe be aventure
Ycome be charmes or be sorceri
And euery whitte hatepe hir company 75 G
LANSDOWNE 179 (6-T. 153)
SIX-TEXT 154
180 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
11 Woo was pis kinge whan he pis lettre had seyne
Bot to no white he tolde pis sorwe sore
Bot of his owen he wrote ageyne
Welcome he pe sonde of criste for euer more 760
To me fat am no we lerend in his lore
Lord welcom he pi lust and pi plesance
Mi lust is put al in ]>ine ordinance 763
If Kepep pis childe al he it foule or faire
And eke my wif vnto myne home cowynge
Criste whan him liste maie sende me an heire
More Agreahle pan this to my likinge 767
This letter he selep priuely wepeinge
Whiche to pe Messagier was take sone
And forpe he gope pare is nomore to done 770
11 0 Messagier fulfilde of dronkennesse
Stronge is pi hrepe pi limmes faltern aye
And pou he-wreyest al sekurnesse
Thi mynde is lorne pu langelest as a laye 774
Thi face is turned in a newe arraie
There drunkennesse reygnep in any route
Jjere is no counsel hidde wip outen doute 777
IF 0 domilda . I ne haue non englisshe digne
Vnto pi malice and pi tirannye
An per-for to pe fende .1. pe resigne.
Lat him endite pi traitery peaf7-t, back] 781
ffy mannysshe fy. o nay he god .1. lye
ffy fendlyche spirit for .1. dare wele telle
Thouhe pou here walke pi spirit is in helle 784
IT This Messagier comep fro pe kinge a3eine
And att pe kinges moder courte he lipe
And sche was of pis Messagier ful faine
And plesed him in al pat euer sche myht 788
LANSDOWNE 180 (6-T. 154)
SIX-TEXT 155
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowiie MS. 181
He dranke and wele his girdel vnder pyht
He slepej) and he frontef in his gise
Alle nyht til fe son gan rise 791
IT Eft was his letters stollen euerycfion
And Conterfet le^res in f is wise
The kinge Coramandef his constable a none
Vppeyne of hangeynge or an hihe lewys 795
J)at he ne schold suffur in no wise
Constance in wife his regne to Abide
Thre daies and a quarter of a tide 798
1F Bot in f e same schippe as he hir fonde
Hire and hire jonge sone and hir gere
He schold putte and croude fro f e londe
And Charger fat sche neuer eft com fere 802
0 my Constance wele may f i goste haue fere
And slepeinge in f i dreme be in penance
Whan Uomilda cast al f is ordinance 805
IT This Messagier on morwe whan he woke
Vnto f e castel halt f e next waie
And to f e Constable he J>e letter toke
And whan fat he fis pitous le^re saye 809
fful oft he seide alas and walawaie
Lord criste quod he howe maie fis le^re endure
So wooful of synne is mony a creature 812
IT 0 myhti god . if fat it be f i wille
Sethe f owe is riht-ful lugge howe maie it be
J?at f ou wilt suffur Innocent to spille
An wikked folk reigne in prosperite 81 G
O good Constance alas so woo is me
J5at .1. mot be f i tormentowr or deye
On schames def fere is none ofer weie 819
LANSDOWNE 181 (6-T. 155)
SIX-TEXT 156
182 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
11 Wepen bof e ^onge and olde in al fat place
Whan fat f e kinge f is cursede letter sent
And Custanrce wif a dedly pale face
J)e ferfe daie to warde fe schippe sche wente [leaf 75] 823
Bot Naf eles sche take]) in goode entente
}De will of criste and kneleinge atf f e stronde
Sche seide lorde ay welcome be fi sonde 826
IT He fat me keppet fro f e fals blame
While .y. was in f e londe amonges ^owe
He can me kepe from arme and eke fronie schaine
In salt see al-J>ouhe .1. see nou^t howe 830
As stronge as euer he was he is riht nowe
In him trust .1. and in his moder dere
Jpat is to me my saile and eke my stere 833
IT Hire litel childe laie wepeinge in hir arme
And knelynge pitusly to him sche seide
Pees litel son .1. wiH do fe none harme
Wif fat J>e kerchef of hir hede sche braide 837
And ouer his litel yen sche it leide
And in hir arme sche lullef it ful fast
And in to heuen her yen vp sche cast 840
IT Moder q?zod sche and Maiden briht Marie
Sofe is fat f oruh wommannes egment
Man kinde was lorne and dampned aye to deye
If or whiche f i childe was on a crois rente 844
J5i blisfully yen sawhe aH his tornement
Than is fere no comparison be-twene
Jji woo and any woo man may susteigne 847
IT Thowe sawhe f i sowne slayne to for fin ey^ene
And jit leuef now my childe parfaie
Now lady to whome al woful cryjen
Thow glorie of wo?«manhode fou faire maie 851
LANSDOWNE 182 (6-T. 156)
SIX-TEXT 157
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 183
Jjou haven of refute briht sterre of dale
Kew on my childe fat of Jn gentillesse
lie west on euery rewful in destrisse 854
IT 0 litel childe alas what is J>i gilte
Jpat neuer wrouhtest sinne as }it parde
Whi wil Jji hard fader haue )>e spilte
0 merci dere constable quod sche 858
As lat my litel childe dwel here wij? fe
And if fou darst nouht sane him frome blame
So kesse him ones in his faders name 861
*H Ther-wi}) sche loked bakward to J?e londe
And seide fare wel husbonde rewjieles
And vp sche rise)) and walkejj doune J>e stronde
To warde J?e schippe hir folowej? al Jje prees [leaf 75, back]
And euer sche praiej? her childe to holde his pees
And take)) hire leue and wijj an holy entent
Sche blissej) hir and in to schippe sche went 868
IT Vitailled was j>e schip it is no drede
Abundantly for hire ful longe space
And ofere necessaries fat schold nede
Sche had .I.-nowhe heried be goddes grace 872
[ no gap in the MS.~\
And bringe hire home .1. can no better saie
Bot in Jje see sche driuej) for]) hire waie 875
[PART HI.}
IT Alia j?e kinge comej> home sone after fis
Vnto his Castel of J?e whiche .1. tolde
And axej) where his wif and his childe is
The Constable gan aboute his hert colde 879
LANSDOWNE 183 (6-T. 167)
SIX-TEXT 158
184 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALK. Lansdowne MS.
And pleinly al pe maner lie him tolde
As 36 hane herde .1. kan tel it no better
And schewep pe kinge his seal and his letter 882
IT And seide lorde as 30 commaunded me
Yp peine of dejj so haue .1. done certeine
This Messagier tumended was til he
Most be-knowen and tellen plat and pleine 886
ffrom nyht to nyht where fat he had leine
And pus be witte and soubtile enquereinge
Imagened was be wham pis harme gan springe 889
IT The hande was knowe pat pe lettre wrote
And al pe venym of pis cursed dede
Bot in what wise certeinli .1. note
pe effecte is pis J>at oute of drede 893
His moder he slowhe pat mai men pleinli rede
ffor pat sche traito^r was to hire legance
Thus endep olde Domylda wip meschaunce 896
IT The sorwe pat pis Alia nyht and daye
Make]? for his wif and his childe also
Ther is no tunge pat it telle maie
Bot now wil .1. vnto Custance go 900
J)at fletep in pe se in peine and wo
Jjre ^ere and more as liked crist sonde
Or pat hir schip approched vnto pe londe 903
IT Vnder an heypen castel att pe last
Of whiche pe name in my text not .1. finde
Custance and eke hir childe pe see vpkast
Al myhti pat sauep al mankinde 907
Haue on Constance and hire childe sum mynde neaf76]
That fallen is in heype honde eft sone .
In pointe to spille as .1. scaH tel ^owe sone
LANSDOWNE 184 (6-T. 158)
SIX-TEXT 159
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 185
IT Done fro jje Castel commef fere mony a whihte
To gauren on fis schep and on Constance
Bot schortly fro f e castel on a nyht
The lord steweard god $iue him meschance 914
A J)ef fat had reneyde oure creance
Com vn schip alon and seide he schold
Hir lemman be where sche wolde or nolde 917
IT Woo was fis wreched wowzman woo be gone
Hir Childe cride and sche cried pitously
Bot blisse-ful Marye helped hir a none
ffor wiffe hir strogelinge wele and myhtily 921
The f ef fel ouere f e borde al sodanly .
And in f e se he drenched for vengance
And fus haf crist vnvenemed keped Custance 924
IT 0 foule lust of luxurie lo fine ende
Not onely fat f ou faintest mannes mynde
Bot verraili fou wilt his body schende
The ende of fi werk or of f i lust-is blinde 928
Is compleigneinge howe many oone men maie finde
J)at not for werke sum time hot for f e entente
To done fis sinne bene eyfer sleyne or schente 931
IT Howe maie fis wayko womman haue f e strenkef
Hir to dofende a^eine fis renegate
0 golyas vnmesurable of lengef e
Howe myht dauid make f e so mate 935
So ^onge and of Armow/1 so desolate
Howe dorst he loke vpon f i dredeful face
Wele maie men seen it is bot goddes grace 938
IT Who $af Judith" . Corage or hardinesse
To slene him Olefernus in his tent
And to deliuer oute of wrechednesse
Jpe peple of god .1. seide for fis entente 942
LANSDOWNE 186 (6-T. 159)
SIX-TEXT 160
186 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
j?at riht as god spiret and vigor sente
To heme and saued hem out of meschance
So sent he myht and vigor to Constance 945
11 ffor gofe hir schipe jjoruhe oute fe narow moujje
Of lubalter and fens driueinge aye
Sum tim west and sum tim norj>e and sou]?e
And som time est ful mony a wery daie . 949
Til cristes moder blissed be sche aye [leaf 76, tack]
Haj? schapen J>oruhe hire endeles goodenes
To make an hende of al her heuenes 952
IT K"ow latte vs stent of Constance bot a J>rowe
An speke we of J?e Eomaine EmperoM/*
That oute of Surry haj>e be letters knoAve
The slawhte of Cristen folk and dishonour 956
Done to his douhter be a fals traitour
.1. mene J>e Curssed wikked Sawdanesse
jjat att J>e fest le slen bofe more and lesse 959
IT ffor whiche J?is EmperoMr hajj sent anone
His Senatowr wij> roial ordinance
And o)>er lordes god wote manyone
On Surriens to taken hir vengeance 963
Thei brennen slene and briwgen hem to meschance
ffol mony a day bot schortly Jris is fie ende
Homwarde to Eome fei schapen hem to wende 906
1F This Senator repaire]? wij) vittorie
To Eomewarde seileinge ful Eoialy
And mette Jje schippe driueynge as seijje jje storie
In whiche Constance sitte ful pitously. 970
No )>inge ne knewe he what sche was ne wlii
Sche was in Suche aray ne sche wil seye
Of hir estate J>ouhe sche schold deie 973
LANSDOWNE 186 (6-T. 160)
SIX-TEXT 161
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 187
IT He bringef hir to Rome And to his wif
He jaf hire and hire ^onge sone also
And wif pe Senatur sche led hir lif
Thus can owre lady bringen oute of wo
Woful Constance and mony anofere mo
And longe time dwelled sche in J>is place
In holy werkes euer as was hire grace
1F The Senatowr wif hire xAunte was
Bot for alfat sche knewe hire neuere more
.1. wil no longer tarien in pis cas
Bot to kinge Alia whiche .1. spake of jore
That for his wif wepej? and sikejj sore
.1. wil retorne and lete .1. wil Constance
Vnder fe Senate ur gouernance
Kinge Alia whiche Jjat had his moder sleyne
Vppon a daie fel in suche repentance
jjat . if .1. schortly tellen sc.haH and pleyne
To Rome he comef to receyuen his penance
And put him in J>e popes ordinan[c]e
In hihe and lowe and ihesu crist he-souht
ffor-^eue his wikked werke f>at he wrouht
^F The fame anone J>orwhe Rome toune is borne
Howe alia kinge scha com in pilgrenage
Be herberioures J>at went him be forne
ffor whiche ]>e Senator as was }?e vsage
Rode him a^eine and mony of his lignage
Als wele to schewe his magnificence
As to done any kenge a reuerence
IF Grete cliiere dojje J)is noble Senatour
To kinge Alia and he to him also
Eueriche of hem doj> to o]?ere grete honowr
And so be-fel fat on a daie or two
14 LANSDOWNE 187 (6-T. 16l)
977
980
[i MS corrected}
984
987
991
[leaf 77]
994
998
1001
1005
SIX-TEXT 162
188 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
This Senatur is to kinge Alia go
To feste and schortly if .1. schal nouht lye
Costance sone in his companye 1008
IT Som men wald seine att f e request of Custance
This Senatowr haf e ledde fis childe to fest
.1. maie not tel euery Circumstance
Ee as be may fere he was at lest 1012
Bot so]) J?is is fat att his moder hest
Be-forne Alia dureinge f e mete space
The childe stode lokeinge in fe kinges face 1015
IF This Alia kinge hajj of fis childe grete wonder
And to f e Senator he seide a none
"Whos is fat faire childe fat stondef Bonder
.1. note quod he be god and be seinte lohn 1019
A moder he haf e bot fader haf e he none
J)at .1. of wote and schortly schortly in a stounde
He tolde Alia howe fat fis childe was founde 1022
IT Bot god woote quod fis Senatowr also
So vertuouse a leuere in my lyf
Sawhe .1. neuer as sche . ne herd of moo
Of werldly wemmen . Maiden or wif 1026
.1. dar wele saie sche had leuer a knyf
Thoruhe hir breste fan bene a womman wik
There is no man coufe bringe hire to fat prik 1029
H JSTowe was fis childe as like vn to custance
As possible as is a creature to be
This Alia haf e f e face in remembrance
Of Dame Custance and f ere-on mused he 1033
If fat f e childes moder weer ouht sche [leaf 77, back]
That is wif and priuely he siht
And sped him fro fe table fat he myht 1036
LANSDOWNE 188 (6-T. 162)
SIX-TEXT 163
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 189
IT Par faye pouht he pe fantome is in myn hede
.1. hauht demen of skilful luggement
Jjat in pe salt se my wif is dede
And afterward he maade his Argument 1040
"What wote .1. if pat crist hire hap hider sent
.Mi. wyf be see as wele as he hire sent
To my centre from pens fat sche was went 1043
^[ And after none home wij> pe Senatour
Gope Alia for to seen pis wonder chaunce
This Senatowr dop alia a grete honoure
And hastely sent after Custance 1047
TrusteJ) wele hire liste nouht to daunce
Whan pat sche wiste where for was pat sonde
Vnnepe vp vpon hire feete sche myht stonde 1050
If Whan Alia sauhe his wif faire he hire grete
And wepped pat it was reupe for to see
ffor att pe first loke he on hire sette
He knewe wele verraile pat it was sche 1054
And for sorwe as dombe stant as a tre
So was hir hert schette in hire distresse
When sche remembred his vnkindenesse 1057
H Twys sche swownede in his owen siht
He wepe and him excuse}? pitusly
God qwd he and his Halowes briht
So wisly of my soule as haue mercy 1061
That of ^oure harme as gelteles am .1.
As. is Moris my sone so like ^owre face
Elles pe fende me feche out of ]>is place 10G4
^F Longe was )>e sobynge and J?e bitter peine
Or pat hir woful hertes myht cesse
Grete was was pe pite for to here hem pleine
Thorahe whiche pleintes gan her woo encres 10G8
LANSDOWNE 189 (6-T. 163)
SIX-TEXT 1G4
190 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
I. pray ^ow al my labour to relese
.1. maie nouht tel hir woo vn-to to morwe
.1. am so wery to speke of hir sorwe 1071
IF Bot fynally whan pat Jje so)>e is wist
That Alia gilteles was of hir woo
.1. trowe . an .C. times bene Jjei kist
And suche a blisse is fere be-tuex hem two 1075
That sauejj fe ioy fat lastef euer mo [leaf 78]
There is none like fat any creature
Haf seen or schal while fe werlde maye dure 1078
11 Tho praide sche hir husbond mekly
In releueinge of hir longe pitous pyne
|3a he wolde praie hir fader s[p]ecialy
That he of his hihe Magestee enclyne 1082
To vowchesaue som day wif him to dyne
Sche praide him eke he scholde be no weie
Vnto hire fader no worde of hir seie 1085
IF Som men wold sey howe fat f e Childe morice
Dof f is Message vn-to f is Emperowr
Bot as .1. gesse Alia was nouht so nyce
To him fat was of so souereigne honoure , 1089
As he fat is of cristen folke Jje floure
Sent any Childe but it is bet to deme
He went him selfe and so it maie wele seme 1092
II This Emperoure haj> graunted gentilly
To come to denere as he him besouht
And wele rede .1. he loked besyly .
Vpon J>is child . and on his douhter Jjouht 1096
Alia gof>e to his Inne as him ouhte
And array for J>is feste in euery wise
As fcrforfe as his comynge maie suffise 1099
LANSDOWNE 190 (6-T. 164)
SIX-TEXT 165
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 191
II The morwe cam and Alia gan him dresse
And eke his wif pis emperour for to mete
And forpe J?ei redde in loy . and in gladnesse
And whan sche seyhe hire fader in )>e strete 1103
Sche lihtej? adoune and fallej) him to fete
ffader quod sche ^oure ^onge childe Constance
Is nowe ful clene oute of 3oure remembrance 1106
IT .1. am joure douhter Constance quod sche
That whilome $e sente vnto Surrye
It am .1. fader fat in salt see
Was put alone and dampned for to dye 1110
Goode fader to ^owe .1. crye
Sende me no more1 in to heyfennesse ^r&tntefUneainre^
Bot fonke my lorde here of his kindenesse 1113
If Who kan J>e pytous loy tellen aH
Be-twixe hem free seffen f ei bue Jms ymett
Bot of my tale make an ende .1. schaH
The day gofe fast .1. wil no longer lette 1117
This gladde folke to denere fei hem sette Deaf 78, back]
In loy and blisse att ]>e mete .1. lete hem dwelle
A. fousand folde wel mor fan .1. can telle 1120
H j)is Childe Moris was sijjen Emperowr
Maade be J?e pope an leued Cristienly
To Cristes chirche he dide grete honoure
Bot I. lat al his storie passen bie 1124
Of Constance is my tale sekerlie
In olde Homey ne gestes men mai finde
Moris lif .1. bere it nouht in mynde 1127
IT This kinge Alia whan he his time seie
Wijj his distance his holy wif so swete
To Ingelonde bue fei comen J>e riht weie
Where as J>ei leue in loy and in quyete 1131
LANSDOWNE 191 (6-T. 16o)
SIX-TEXT 166
192 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot litel while it lastej) .1. ^owe hete
loy of fis werlde for time wil noujt abide
ffro day to nyht it chaungef as J>e tide 1134
IF Who so leuej) euer in suche delite a daie
fat ne meued eyper conscience
Or ire or talent or sumkin afraie
En vie or pride or passion or offense 1138
.1. lie saie bot )>is ende J>is sentense
fat litel while in loy or in plesance
Lastejj J>e blisse of alia wi]> Constance 1141
IF ffor dej? Jjat takef of hihe and louhe his rent
Whan passed was a jere euen as .1. gesse
Oute of J>is werlde kinge Alia he hente
ffore whome Constance haj>e ful grete heuinesse 1145
Now latt vs preyne God his soule blisse
And dam Constance fynally to seye
To warde Jje toune of Eome gofe hire weye 1148
IT To Rome is comen is comen Jjis holy creature
And fyndefe here frendes hole and sounde
Now is sche scaped al hir a-venture
Whan sche hir fader haj) founde 1152
Doune on hir knees fallej? sche to grounde
Wepeinge for tendurnesse in hert blijje
Sche heriej? god a .C. jjousand sijje 1155
^F In vertu and holy almosdede
Thei leuen al . and neuer a sonder wende
Til dej>e depart hem pis lif J?ei lede
An fare nowe wele my tale is att an ende 1159
No we ihesu criste fat of his myht maye sende [leaf 79]
loy after woo goueme vs in his grace
And kepe vs al j?at bene in Jns place 1162
Explicit fabula legis peviti.
LANSDOWNE 192 (6-T. 166)
SIX-TEXT 167
GROUP B. § 3. MAN OF LAW-SHI PMAN LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit prologus Armigeri. [on
OWre Ost vpon his stereps stode anone
And seide goode men herkenep euerychone
This was a prefty tale for pe nones
Sir pariche preste qwod he for goddes bones 1166
Tel vs a tale as was pi forward 3 ore
.1. se welee fat ^e lerned men in lore
Can muchel goode be goddes dignite
The person him anseward benedicite 1170
What eyley pe man so sinfuly to swer
Owr oste anseward lankin be 30 pere
.1. smel a loller in J>e wynde quod, he
How good men quod oure oste herkenej) me 1174
Abide]) for goddes deyne passione
ffor we schal haue a predicacione
This loller wiH prechen her sumwhat
Nay be my fader sowle pat sal he nat 1178
Seid J?e swyere her schal he nouht preche
He schal no gospel glosen here ne teche
He leuej) al in pe grete god he
He wolde sowen sum difficulte 1182
Or sprengen cokel in oure clene corne
And J)ar-for oste .1. warne pe be-forne
Mi loly body . schal a tale teH
And .1. schal klynken $ow so mery a beU 11 86
Jjat .1. schal waken al pis compaignie
Bot it schal not bien of philosophie
Ne fisleas ne turnies queynte of lawe
There is bot litel latine in my mawe 1190
Explicit1 prologus.
15 LANSDOWNE 193 (6-T. 167)
STX-TEXT 479
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit fabula . [on leafi&i
it Sarray in f e londe o Tartary .
Ther dwelled a kinge fat werred Russy
f oruhe whiche fere deyed mony a douhti man .
fis nobil kinge was cleped Kambynskan 12
"Wliiclie of his time whas of so grete rerione
Thar fere nas nouhewere in no Regione
So excellent a lorde in al f inge
Sim lakked nouh fat longed to a kenge 1 6
As of fe secte of whiche fat he was borne peaf79, back]
He kepped his laye to whiche fat he was sworne
And fer-to he was harde wise and riche
And pytous and Inste alwaie ylyche 20
Sof e of his worde benigne and honwrable
Of his corage as any Centre stable .i. centrum celi.
. . [or circttli.]
jonge fressche and stronge in armes desirous
As any bachillier of al his house 24
A faire person he was and fortunate
And kepped alwaie so wele roiale astate
J)at f er nas nouhewhere suche a man
fis noble kinge fis tartaryn Cambynskan 28
Had tuo sonnes on Eltheta his wif
Of whiche f e eldest hiht Algarsif
The tof er was cleped Carnballo
A douhte had fis worfi kinge also 32
J?at Congest was and hiht Canace
Bot for to tell ^owe al hir beaute
It life nouht in my tunge ne in myne sowneinge
.1. dar nouht vndcr-tak so hihe a finge 36
LANSDOWNE 194 (6-T. 479)
SIX-TEXT 480
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Myn ynglisse eke is insufficient
It most bene a Eector excellent
That couf e vse colours longeinge for fat art
3if he schold hire discryue any parte 40
.1. am none suche .1. most speke as .1. can
And so be-fel whan fat f is Cambynskan
Haf e tuenty wynter borne his Diademe
As he was wonte fro ^ere to }ere [I deme] 44
He lete f e feste of his Natiuite
Done crien f oruhe Sarray his Cite
Jje last Idus of Mars after f e jere
Phebus f e sonne fill loly was and clere 48
Tor he was nyhe his exaltacion
In Martes face and his mansion
In Aries f e Colerik f e hote signe
Ful lusty was f e weder and benygne 52
For whiche f e foules a^ein f e sone schene
What for fe seson and fe-^onge grene
Ful loude songe hire affections
Hem semed han geten hem protections 56
A^eine f e swerde of wynter kene and colde
This Kambynskan of whiche .1. haue 30 w tolde
In Roial vestment sitte on his dese [leaf so]
Wif Dyademe ful hihe in his paleyce 60
And halt his feste solempne and so riche
Jjat in j>is werld ne was J>er none it lyche
Of whiche if .1. schal tel al J>e array e
j?an wolde it Occupie a somers daie 64
And eke it nedejj nouht to deuise
Of euery cours fe order of hir seruise
.1. wil nouht tel of hir strange sewese
Ne of hir swannes ne of hire heronsewese 68
Fjke in fat londe as tellen knygtes olde
Jjer is sum mete fat is ful deynte holde
fat in f is lande men reche bot smal
)3ere is no man fat maie reporten al 72
LANSDOWNE 195 (6-T. 480)
SIX-TEXT 181
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
.1. wil nouht tarien ^ow for it is prime
For it is no fruyte hot losse of time
In to my ferst purpos .1. wil haue my recours
And so be-fel fat after fe fred cours 76
While fat f is kinge sitte f us in his nobley
Herkenynge his mynstralles here f inges pley ,
Be-forne him. att J>e borde deliciously
In at f e hall dore al sodeynly 80
fere com a knyht vpon a stede of bras
And in his honde a brode meroure of glas
Vpon his ]> ome he had of golde a renge
And be his side a naked swerde hanginge . 84
And vpe he ride]) to f e hihe borde
In all f e haH ne was fere spoke a worde
For merveile of f is knyht him to be-holde
Fuli besily f ei wayten pnge and olde 88
This strange knyht fat cam fus sodanly
Al armed sane his hed ful richelye
Salued f e kinge f e qwene and f e lordes aH
Be order as f ei seten in f e haH 92
Wif so hihe reu[er]ence and obeissance
als wele in speche as in countenance
J3at Gawen wif his olde Curtasie
Thouhe he come a^eine oute of fayre 96
!N"e couf e him nouht amende wif no worde
And after f is be-for f e hihe borde
He wif a manly voice seide his mesage
After fe forme vsed in his langage. 100
W-it7<-cmte vice of sillable or letter [leaf so, back]
And for his tale scholde seme f e better
Accordant to his wordes was his chiere
As techef arte of speche hem fat it lere 104
Albeit fat .1. ne can soune his stele
N"e can nouht cleme ouere so hihe a stele
3it seie .1. fis as to comen entente
)3us muche amontef al fat euere he mente 108
LANSDOWNE 196 (6-T. 48l)
SIX-TEXT 482
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
If it so be fat .1. haue it in my mynde
He saide f e kinge of arabie and of ynde
My liege lorde on f is solempne daye
Saluef $owe as he best can and maie 112
Ande sendef jowe in honour of jowre feste
Be me fat am redie al att 3oure heste
This stede of bras fat Esily and wele
Can in fe space of a daie Naturele 116
This is to saie in .xxiiij. houres
Where so 30 wh lust in drouht or in schoures
Beren ^oure body in to euery place
To whiche joure herte wilnef for to pace 120
Wif-oute wem of ^owe f oruh foule or faire
Or if 3owe liste to flie as hihe in fe Eyre
As dof an E[g]le whan him list to sore
Jjis same stede schal bere ^owe euer more 124
Wif-oute harrne til 30 be fere ^ow list
Thow fat ^e slepen vpon his bak or rist
And torne ajeine wif writhinge of a pinne
He fat it wrouht coufe ful mony a gynne 128
He waited mony constillacion
Or he had do f is operacion
And knewe ful mony a seale and mony a bonde
This Miroure eke fat .1. haue in myne honde 132
Haf suche a myh[t]e fat men maie in hit se
Whan fere schal fal any aduersite
Vn-to 3oure Regne or to ^oure self also
And openly who is 3oure frende or foo 136
And oue al f is if any lady briht
Haf e sette hire hert on any maner whiht
If he be false [she] schal his treson see
His newe loue and al his subtilite 140
So oppenly fat fere schal no f inge hide
Where-for a^ein f is lusti somer tide
This mirrour and fis ringe fat 30 maie see peafsi]
He hafe sent to my ladie Canacee 144
LAXSDOWNE 197 (6-T. 482.
SIX-TEXT 483
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
3owre excellent douhter fat is here
The vertue of f is ringe if ^e wil here
Is j)is fat if hire list it for to were
Vpon hir fome or in hir purse it here 148
There is no foule fat flief vnder heuen
Jjat sche ne shal vnder-stonde his steuen
And knowe his meneynge openly and pleyne
.And answere him in his langage a3eine 152
And euery grasse fat growef vpon rote
Se schal wel knowe and whom it wil do bote
Al be his wondes neuer so depe and wide
IT This naked swerde fat hingef be my side 156
Suche vertue haf fat what man so it smyte
f oruhe oute his armow it wil kerue and bite
Were it as f ikke as is a brauuched oke
And what man fat is wonded wif fe stroke 160
Schal neuere be hole til fat }ou list of grace
To stroke him wif f e plat in f ilke place
There he is hurte f is is as muche to seme
3e most wif fe platte swerde a-^eine 164
stroke him in f e wounde and it wil close
This is a verrei sof e wif-outen glose
It failef nouht whiles it is in ^oure holde
IT And whan fis knyht hafe fus his tale tolde 168
He ridef e oute of f e haH: and doune he liht
His stede which fat schone as sonne briht
Stant in f e courte stille as any stone
j)is knyht is to his chambre lad anone 172
And is armede and is to f e mete y-set
The presentes bien ful richely .y-fett
This is .to seine f e swerde and f e mirrour
And borne a-none vnto fe hihe toure 176
"Wif certeine oficeres y-ordeyned fere fore
And vnto Canacee f e ringe is bore
Solemply f er sche sit att f e table
Bot sekurly wyf-outen any fable 180
LANSDOWNE 198 (6-T. 483)
SIX-TEXT 484
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
The hors of bras fat rnaye nou^t be remewed
It starit as it were to fie grounde y-glewed
Jjer maie no man oute of f e place it driue
For none engyne of windas or poliue 184
And cause whi for f ei can noujt f e craft [leaf si, back]
And fer-for in fe place fei haue it laft
Til fat f e knith haf e tauht hem f e manere
To voyden him as 30 schal after here 188
Grete was f e pres fat swarmed to and fro
To gauren on fis hors fat stondef so
For it so hihe was and brode and longe
So wele proportioned for to be stronge 192
Kiht as it were a stede of lumbardie
Ther-wif so horslye and so quik of eye
As it a gentil poileys courser were
For certes fro his taile vn-to his ere 196
Nature ne art kouf e him nouht mende
In no degre as al f e peple wende
Bot euer-more here most wonder it was
How fat it couf e gone and was of bras 200
It was of faire as f e peple semed
Diuerse folke diuersely haue demed
As mony hedes as mony wittes fere bene
f ei mormorede as done a swarme of bene 204
And maden skilles after hire fantasies.
Rehersinge of f e olde poetries
And seide it was like to be pegasee •>• equspecasusi
C1 flrst, pedasdus]
Jje hors fat hade vvenges for to flee 208
Or elles it was f e grekes hors Sinon
J?at brouht troye to destructione
As men f is olde gestes rede
Myne herte quod one is euer-more in drede 212
.1. trowe som men of armes bene far inne
That schapen hem f is Cite for to wynne
It were riht good f inge fat al suche wer knowe
Anofere rowned to his felowe lowe 216
LAXSDOWNE' 199 (6-T. 484)
SIX-TEXT 485
GROUP F, § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And seide he lyed for it is raf er like
An apparence made be some magik
As logelours pleyne att f es festes grete
Of sundry f inges Jms J>ei langle and trete 220
As lewed peple demejj comunlye
Of f inges fat bene more maad soubtillye
Jjan fei can in her lewdenes comprehende
Jpei demen gladdely to ]?e badder ende 224
And some of hem wondren on f e myrroure
fat borne was vpe vnto f e maister toure
Howe men miht in it suche jjinges see peaf82j
Anof er ansewarde and seide it miht wele bee 228
Naturaly be composicions
Of Angeles and of slyhe reflexions
And seide fat in Rome was suche one
Jjei speke of alocen and vitilione 232
Of Aristotle fat write in hir Hues
Of wheynte merorous and of wheynte perspectiues
As knowen )>ei fat hane hire bokes herde
IT And ofer folke hane wondred on fe swerde 236
J3at wolde perce f oruhe euery finge
And fel in speche of Theople fe kinge
And of Achilles for his queinte spere
Tor he coufe wif it bofe hele and dere . 2-10
Riht in suche wise as men mai wi]> fe swerde
Of whiche riht nowe 30 hauen ^oure seluen herde
Jjei speken of sundri hardinge of Metal
And speke of Medecines fer wif al 244
And howe and whan it schold harded be
Whiche is knowe algat vnto me
Tho speke fei of Canace ringe
And seyden al fat suche a wonder f inge 248
Of craft of ringes herde fei neuer none
Saue fat he Moyses and kinge Salomone
Had a name of kunynge of suche arte
Thus seine f e peple and drawen hem aparte 252
LANSDOWNE 200 (6-T. 485)
SIX-TEXT 486
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot naf eles sum seide fat it was
Wondre to maken of feren assche glas
And }it is nou^t glas not like Aschen of ferene
Bot for fei ban knowen it so feme 256
Ther-for cesef hir langelinge and hir wonder
As sore wonder sum of cause of fonder
On hepe on flode on gossomere and on myst
And al finge til he fe causes wist 260
Jjus langele fei and demen and deuise
Til fat f e kinge gan fro his horde arise
Phehus haf laft f e angel Meredyonal
And ^it ascendinge was fe hest Royal 264
The gentil Lion wif his Aldrian
Whan fat f is Tatre kinge Kambiuskan
Eos fro his borde f er as he satt ful hihe
Be-forne him gofe fe lowde Minstralcye 268
TiH he came vnto his chambre of paramentes [leaf 82, back]
Ther as f ei sownen diuers In[s]trumentes
J?at is like an heuen for to here
No we dauncen lusti venus childern dere 272
For in f e fissche her lady satt ful hihe
And lokef on hem wif a frendely eye
This noble kinge is sette vppon his trone
This strange knyht is fette to him ful sone 276
And on. f e daunce he gofe wif Canacee
Here is f e reuel and f e lolyte
fat is not able a dol man to deuise
He most han knowe loue and his seruise 280
And bene a festely man as fressche as maye
fat scholde ^owe devisen suche arraye .
Who couf e tellen ^owe f e forme of f e daunces
So vnkouf e and suche frisshe contenance "284
Suche lokeinges subtile, and dissimilignes
For drede of lelowsy mennes p^rceyueinges
No man bot Launcelet and he is dede
There-for .1. pas ouer of al f is lustihede 288
LANSDOWNE 201 (6-T. 486)
SIX-TEXT 487
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
.1. sale no more Bot in fis Mines
.1. lete hem to men to soper hem dres
The stewarde biddef spices for to hihe
And eke fe wine in al pis Melodye 292
f e vssheres and f e esquiers bene y-gone
The spices and f e wine be come a-none
Thei ete and dronke and whan fis had an ende
In to fe temple as reson was fei wende 296
The seruice done fei sowpen al be daye
What nede]> jow rehersen hire arraye
Iche man wote wele fat att f e kinges fest
Haf plente to f e maste and to f e lest 300
And deintef es mo fan be in my knowynge
And affter soper gof ))is noble kinge
To seen fis hors of bras wyf al a route
Of lordes and of ladis him aboute 304
Suche was fere on fis hors of bras
fat sef en f e grete sege of troy was
Thar as men wonderden on an hors also
Ne was fere suche a wondrynge as was Jx> 308
Bot finaly f e kinge axef ]?is knyht
fe vertue of fis courser and ]>e myht
And praied him to tel his gouenaance . [itafss]
The hors anone began to trippe and daunce 312
Whan f>at J?e knyht laide honde vpon J?e ryne
And seide sir fer is no mor to seine
Bot whan J?e luste to ride any where
5e most trili a pinne fat stant in his ere 3 ] 6
Whiche .1. schal tel jow be-twene vs tuo
3e mot neuen him to what place also
Or to what cuntre fat joue lust to ride
And whan 30 come fere as $e lust to abide 320
Bid him descende and tril anof ere pinne
For f ere-in life f e effect of al f e ginne
And Avil doune descende and done jowre wiH
And in fat place he wil abide still 324
LANSDOWNE 202 (6-T. 487)
SIX-TEXT 488
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
If al fe werld had J?e contrarie swore
He schal not fens be prowe ne bore
Or if J?u luste bidde him fens gone
Tril fis pinne and he wil vanessche a-none 328
Owte of fe siht of euery nianer whiht
And come a^eine be it daie or nyht
Whan Jjat jowe lust to klepen him ajeine
In suche a gise as .1. schal to ^owe seine 332
Betwexen 3owe and me and j?at ful sone
Ride whan }ow luste for is no more to done
Enformed whan f e kinge was of J>e knyht
And hafe conseyued in his witte a riht 336
The manere and J?e forme of aH fis finge
Ful glad and blijje J>e noble douhti kinge
Eepeiringe to his reuel as be-forne
The bridel is in to j>e toure y-borne 340
And kepped amonge his lewels leue and dere
The hors vanissed .1. not in what manere
Owte of her siht 30 gette no mor of me
Bot Jms .1. lete in lust and lolite 344
pis kambynscan his lordes festinge
Til wele nyhe J>e daie be-gan to springe
[One line blanJc in the MS.]
[PART II.]
The norice of digestion is slepe
Gan on hem winke and bad hem take kepe 348
That muche mete and labur wold haue rest
And wijj a galpinge moufe he al hem kest
And seide J?at it was time to lye a-downe
For blode was in his dommacione Deaf 83, back] 352
Chirisejj blode naturs frende quod he
Thei J?onken him galpinge be two be f re
An euery whiht gan drawene him to his rest
As slepe hem bad ]>ei toke it for J>e best 356
LANSDOWNE 203 (6-T. 488)
SIX-TEXT 489
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Hir dremes schal nouht be told for me
Ful was here heuedes of fuinosite
That causef dreme of wiche f er is no charge
Thei slepen til it was prime large 360
The most parte bot it were Canace
Sche was ful mesurable as wemmen be
For of hir fader had sche take hir leue
To go to rest sone after it was cue 364
Hir lust noujt apalled for to bue
For on f e morwe vnfestlyche for to se
And sleped hir furst slepe and wooke
For suche a ioye sche in hire hert toke 368
Bof e of hir wheynte ringe and of hir meroure
J?at twenty times sche chaunged hir coloure
And in hir slepe riht for impressione
Of hir meroure sche hadde a visione 372
Where for or fat J>e sonne vp gan glide
Sche cleped vpon hire Maistres hire be-side
And seide fat hir luste for to rise
Thes olde wemme fat bene gladly wise 376
As is her Maistres answard hire anone
And seide Madame wheder wil 30 gone
Thus erely folke been al in rest
.1. wil quod sche arise for me lest 380
No longer slepe bot to walken aboute
Hire Maistres clepef e wimmen a grete route
And vp f ei resen wele ten or twelue
Vp rise']? ifrische Canacee hire selue 384
As Eody and briht as f eyhe f e jonge sonne
fat in f e ram ten degres is vp ronne
Noon hier was he whan sche redy was
And forf sche walkef esili apase 388
Arraid afte f e lusti seson suote
Lyhtly for to pleye and walk on fote
Not bot .v. or .vj. of hir Meinje
For in a trenche fere in f e parke gof sche 392
LANSDOWNE 204 (6-T. 489)
SIX-TEXT 490
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
The vapor whiche fat fro f e erf e glode
Make]) f e sonne to seme rody and brode
Bot nafeles it was so faire a siht [leaf 84]
]3at it maad aH hir hertes for to liht 396
What for f e seson and J>e morneynge
And for f e foules fat sche herde singe
For riht anone sche wist what f ei mente
Biht be hir songe and knowe al her entente 400
The knotte whi fat euery tale is tolde
If it be taried til lust be colde
Of hem fat han it herkened after ^ore
The sauoure passef e euer fe langere more 404
For fulsomnesse of prolixite
And be f is same reson f enkef me
.1. schol vnto fe Knotte condesce/zde
And make of hire walkinge sone an ende 408
Amydde a tree for-drie as white as chalke
As Canacee was pleyinge in hir walke
Ther sat a fawcon ouer hir heued ful hihe
That wij? a pitous voice so gan to crie 412
That al Jje woode resed of hire Crie
[And beten hadde hire self1 so pitouslye] [us Reg. 13 c ii, leaf '87]
wi]> bojje hire wenges til J>e rede blode
Ean endlonge fe tre fer as sche stode 416
And euer in one sche cried alweie and schryht
And wijj hir beke hire seluen so sche piht
J?at fere ne was tigre ne cruel beste
fat dwellef eyfer in wode or in foreste 420
fat nolde haue wepped If fat wepe he couf e
For sorwe sche shreyht for hir alweie so lowf e
For far nas neuer }it man on Hue
If fat .1. couf e a faukon wele discriue 424
fat herd of suche anof er of fairnes
As wele of plumage as of gentilnes
Of schap of fat fat myht rekened be
A faukon peregryne fan semed sche 428
LANSDOWNE 205 (6-T. 490)
SIX-TEXT 491
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Of fremed londe and euer-more as sche stode
Sche swowned now and now for lak of blode
Til wel nyhe is sche fallen fro pe tree
This faire kinges douhter pis Canace 432
fat on her finger bare pe wheynte ringe
Thorwe whiche sche vnderstod wele euery pinge
pat any foule may in his leden seine
And kowde ansewere him in his leden ajeine 436
Hape vnderstonde pat pis faukon seide
And wel nyhe for reupe almoste sche deide
And to pe tre sche gope ful bastely [leaf 84, back]
And on pis faukon loked ful pitously . 440
And held hir lap abrade for wele sche wist
The fawkon most fal fro pe twyst
Whan pat it swoned next for lak of blode
A longe while to waite hire sche stode 444
Til att pe last sche spak in J)is manere
Vnto )>e hauke as }e schal after here
IT What it pe cause if it be to teH
That $e hue in pis furial peine of heH 448
Qwod Canacee vnto pis hauke aboue
Is pis for sorwe of depe or losse of loue
For as [I] trowe pes bene causes two
Jjat Causen moste a gentil hert woo 452
Of oper harme it rede]) not to speke
For pi joureselfe vpon 3oure self ^owe wreke
Whiche pat prouep wele pat eyper ire 01 drede
Mot bene encheson of $oure crewel dede 456
Sen pat .1. see none oper whiht ^oue chace
For loue of god so do 3owre self grace
Or what maye be $oure helpe for west nor este
He sawhe .1. neuere ar no we no brid no beste 460
That ferd wip him self so pitously
3e slee me wip joure sorwe verrayly
.T. haue of jowe so grete compassione
For goddes loue com fro pe tre a-downe 464
LANSDOWNE 206 (6-T. 49l)
SIX-TEXT 492
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And as .1. am a kinges doubter tre\ve
If fat .1. verrayly f e cause knewe
Of yowre disease if laie in my myhl
.1. wold amend it or fat it wer nyht 468
As wissely helpe me grete god of kinde
And herbes schal .1. riht y-nowe finde
To hele wiff e jowre hurtes hastely
Tbo schright fis faukon more pitously 472
Than euer scbe dede and fel to grounde a-none
And lief on swowne dede as any stone
This Canace hafe in hir lappe hir take
Vn-to fat time sche gan of swoune a-wake 476
And after fat sche of swowne gan a-braide
Eiht in hir haukes loden f us sche seid
That pite rennef sone in gentil hert
Feleynge is similitude in peines smert 480
Is proued al daie as men maie it see Qeafss]
As wele be werke as be auctorite
For gentil hert kepef gentillesse
I. see wele fat $e haiie of me destresse 484
Compassione my faire Canacee
Of verrey wommanly benyngnite
Jjat nature in ^oure principles haf e sett
Bot for no hope for to fare f e bett 488
Bot for to obeie vnto ^oure hert fre
And for to maken of ere be war be me
As be fe whelpe chastized es f e lyon
Riht for fat cause and for fat conclusion 492
While fat .1. haue a leiser and a space .
Myne harme .1. wil confessen ar .1. pace
And euer while fat one hire sorwe tolde
fe tofer weped as sche to water wolde 496
Til fat fe faukon bad hir to be still
And wif a sike f us sche seide hir tiH
There .1. was bred alas fat ilke daie
And fosterd in a roche of Marble graie 500
LANSDOWNE 207 (6-T. 492)
SIX-TEXT 493
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
So tenderly fat no finge eyled me
.1. wist nouht what was aduersite
Til .1. koufe flie ful hihe vnder fe skye
Tho dwelled a tarselet me fast bye 504
|3at seined wele of al gentillesse
Al were he ful of treson and of falsenesse
It is wrapped vnder humble charite
And vnder hiewe of trowfe and in suche manere 508
Vnde[r] plesance and vnder besi peine
Jjat no wyht couf haue wende he coujj feyne
So depe in greine he deiede his coloures
Riht as a serpent hide]) him vnder floures 512
til he may se his time for to bite
Eiht so Jjis god of loue Ipocrite
Dope so his cerimonijs and obeiceances
And keped in semblant al his obseruances 516
And sounej) in to gentilles of loue
As in to a tombe is al fe faire a-boue
And vnder is Jje cours suche as .1. wote
Swyche was Jns ypocrit bofe colde and hoote 520
And in pis wise he serued his entent
fat saue fe fende no man wist what he mente
Til he so longe had wepen a[n]d compleyned Deaf ss, back]
And mony a ^ere his sendee to me feyned 524
Til pat myne herte to pytous and to nyce
Al Innoce of his crowel malice
For-fered of his dep as pouht me
Vpon his opes and his surete 528
Graunted him loue vpon pis condicione
pat euer mo myn honoure and renoune
Were saued bop pn'ue and aperte
This is to seine pat after his desert 532
.1. jaf him al myn herte and al myn fount
God woote and he and oper wise nouht
And toke his hert in chaunge of myne for aye
Bot soj>e is seide gon sipen mony a daye 536
LANSDOWNE 208 (6-T. 493)
SIX-TEXT 491
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
A trew wihte and a fefe fenkef nat one
And whan he sawe fe finge so fer y-.gone
That .1. graunted him fully my lone
In suche a gise as .1. haue seide a-boue 540
And ^euen him my trewe herte as fre
As he swore he ^aue his hert to me
Anone pis Tigre ful of doublenesse
Fele on his knees wij) so deuoute humblesse 544
"With hihe reuerence and as be his chier
So like a gentil louere of manere
So rauesshed as it semed for J>e loye
fat neuer lason ne Paris of troye 548
lason certes lie none ofere man
Syn lamejj was fat alf er first be-gan
To louen two as writen folke by-forne
Ne neuer sif e f e first manne was borne 562
Ne couf e man be tuenty f ousand parte
Counterfete f e sophimes of his arte
Ne war worfi to vnbokle his galoche
Ther dowblenesse or feyneiwge schold aproche 556
Ne so kouf e Jjonke a whight as he did me
His maner was an heuen for to see
Til any woraman were sche neuer so wise
So peynted he and kembef att pinte deuise 560
Als wele is worde as his countenance
And .1. so loued him for his Obeissance
And for fe treuf e .1. denied in his herte
That if so were fat any f inge him smerte 564
Al ware it neuer so litel and .1. it wiste [leaf 86]
Me fouht .1. felt def att myne hert twiste
And schortly so fer forfe )>is finge went
fat my witt haf his willes Instrument 568
This to seine my wiH obeide his wiH
In al finge as fer as reson fift
Kepeinge fe boundes of my worschip euere
Ne neuer had .1. finge so lefe ne 1 euere 572
16 LANSDOWNE 209 (6-T. 494)
SIX-TEXT 405
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
As him f god woote ne neuer schal no mo
This last longer fan a 3 ere or two
That .1. supposed of him no f inge hot goode
Bot finaly Jms att f e laste it stode 576
That fortune wolde fat he most twynne
Owte of fat place whiche fat .1. was inne
Where me was woo it is no questione
.1. kan nou^t make of hit discripcione 580
For o f inge dar .1. teH boldely
.1. knowe what is f e peine of def e f er-by
Suche hanne .1. felte for he ne myht be-leue
So on a daye of me he toke is leue 584
So sorwfully eke fat .1. wende verrayly
That he had feled as muche harme as .1.
Whan fat .1. herd him speke and sawe his hiewe
Bot nafeles .1. f ouht he was so trewe 588
And eke fat he repaire scholde agayne
Wif inne a lite while sof e to seine
And reson wolde eke fat he mot go
"For his honour as oft happef so 592
fat maade vertue of necessite
And toke it wele sef f e fat it most be
As .1. best myht .1. hidde fro him my sorwe
And toke him by f e honde seint lohn to borwe 596
And seid f us . lo .1. am ^oures al
Bef e suche as .1. haue . bue to 3 owe and schal
What he answarde it nedef nouht reherse
Who can sei bet fan he whou kan do werse GOO
Whan he haf al wele seide fan haf he done
Ther-for be-houef him a ful longe spone
fat schal eten wif a fende fus herd .1. seie
So att f e last he mote forf e his weye 604
And forf e he flyef til he cam where him listc
Whan it com him to purpos for to riste .
I trowe he hadde f ilke text in mynde . [leaf se, back]
Jjat al f inge repaireinge to his kinde 608
LANSDOWNE 210 (tf-T. 495)
SIX-TEXT 496
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Gladef him selfe Jms seine men as .T. gesse
Men loue of propre kinde newefangelnesse
As birdes done fat men in cage fede
For fouhe fe nyht and daie take of hem hede 612
And strewe hir cage faire and soft as silke
And jiue hem suger hony brede and melke
Jit riht anone as fat his dore is huppe
He wiffe wif his fete wi[l] sporne doune his cuppe 616
And to f e wode he wil and wermes ete
So new fongel be f ei of her mete
And louen none leueres of propre kinde
Ne gentilles of maie hem binde 620
So ferde f is tarselet alas f is daie
fouhe he ware gentil borne frische and gaie
And goodly for to see and humble and free
He sawe vp-on a time a kite fle 624
And sodanly he loued f is kite soo
fat al his loue is clene fro me goo
And haf his trouf e falsed in f is wise
f us haf e f e kite my loue in her seruise 628
And .1. am lorne wif-oute remedie
And wif fat worde f is fawkon gan to crie
And swowned eft in Canace barme
Grete was f e sorwe of fat haukes harme 632
That Canacee and al hir wemmen maade
Thei nest ho we fat f ei myht f e faukon glade
Bot Canace home beref hir in lappe
And softely in piastres gan hir wrappe 636
f er as sche wife hire beke hadde hert hir selue
Nowe can noujt Canace bot herbes delue
Oute of f e grounde and maken salues newe
Of herbes precious and fyne of hewe 6-10
To helen wif f e hauke fro daie to nyht
Sche dof e hire besines and al hir myht
And be hir beddes hede sche maade a mcwe
And couerd it' wif veluetes blewe G14
LANSDOWNE 211 (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 497
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
In singne of treuf e fat is in weramc[n] seene .
And al wif e-oute f e mewe is peynted grene
In whiche war peynted as f is fals fowles
As bien f is tideues tarseletz and owles . 648
Eiht for dispite was peinted hem by side [leafs?]
Pyes on hem for to crie and Chide
Thus lete .1. Canace hir hauke kepeinge
.1. wil no more nowe speke of hire ringe 652
Til it come eft to purpos for to seine
Howe fat f is fawkon gatt hir loue a^eine
Repentant as f e storie tellef vs
Be Mediacion of Camballus 656
f e kinges son of whiche .1. ^owe tolde
Bot hense forf e .1. wil proces holde
To speken of aventures and of batailea
fat $it was neuer herde so grete merveiles 660
ffirst wil .1. teH ^owe of Cambynskan
That in his time mony a Cite wan
And after wil .1. speke of Algarsif
Howe fat he wanne Theodora to his wif 66 £
For whan ful oft in grete pe?-ile he was
!Ne had he bue holpen be fe hors of bras
And after wil .1. speke of Camballo
}?at fauht in listes wif fe breferne tuo 668
ffor Canace ar fat he my[ht] hir wynne
And fere .1. left .1. fenke ajeine be-gynne 670
Bot .1. wil here nowe maake a knotte [8 spurious lines]
To f e time it come next to my lotte
For here be felawes behinde an hepe treulye
fat wolden talke ful besilye 4
And haue her sporte as wele as .1.
And f e daie passef fast certanly
Therefore oste takef nowe goode heede
Who schaH next teH and late him speede 8
Explicit fabula Armigeri ,
LANSDOWNE 212 (6-T. 497)
GKOUP D, FKAGHENT V.
§ L WIFE OF BATH'S PREAMBLE.
IANSDOWNE MS.
Incipitf pwlogtt* vxoris/. de Bathe . 1.™ teaf«n
THan schortly ansewarde f e wife of Bathe \ 1 *
Arid, swore a wonder grete hafe / spurious %*
Be goddes bones .L wil tel next I link 3*
.L wiH nouht glose hot saye f e text / 4 *
Experiment f ouhe none auctorite 1
Where in f is werlde is riht y-nouhe for me
To speke of woo fat is in mariage
For lordeinges sen .L twelue jere was of Age 4
Jjonked be god fat eterne alyue
Hosbondes att ]?e cherche dor .1. haue hadde five
If .1. so oft myht haue wedded be
Bot al were worjji men in here degre . 8
Bot me was tolde certein noujt longe a-gon es fieafsT.back]
J3at se}>en criste ne went neuer bot ones
To weddeinge in J>e Cane of Galile
Tliat be J)ilke ensample tauht he me 12
Jjat .1. ne schoide wedded bue bot ones
Herke eke loo suche a scharpe worde for J>e nones
Be side a weH ihasu god aiid man
Spak in repreue of fe Samaritan 1 6
}3ou hast hi-hadde fyve husbondes qwod he
And fat ilke man fat nowe haf e f e
Is nouht fin husbonde f us seide he serteine
What he ment ferby .1. kan nouht seine 20
Well . Bot fat .L ax. whi fe fift mane
Was none husbonde to f e Semaritane
How many myht sche haue in mariage
3it herd .1. neuer tell in myne age 24
LANSDOWNE 213 (6-T. 334)
SIX-TEXT 335
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
vpon fis nombre diffinicione
Men male devine and glosene vp and downe
Bot wele .1. wote expresse wif-oute lye
God bad vs wax and multiply e 28
Jjat gentil tixt can .1. wele vnder-stonde
Eke wele .1. lie seide myn husbonde
Scholde lete fader and moder and tak to me
Bot of no nowbre mencione maade he 32
Of bygamy or of octagamye
Whi scholde y fan of it haue velanye
Loke here jje wisman kinge Salomon
.1. trowe he had wyues mo fan one 36
Now wolde god it leuefuH were to me
To be refresched half so oft as he
Whiche ^ift of god had he for al his wyves
No man haf e suche fat in fis werld on lyue is 40
God wote fis noble kinge as to my witt
Jje first nyht he hadde mony a mery fitt
"Wif iche of hem so wele was him on live
Blissed be god fat .1. haue wedded fyue 44
Welcome be f e sext whan fat euer he schaH
For sof e .1. wil nou^t kepe chaste in aH
"Whan myn husbonde is from f e werlde gone
Son cresten man schal wedde me a-none 48
For fan fe Apostle seife fat .1. am fre
To wedde on goddes halue Avhere it likef me
He seife to be wedede is no sinne Melius est nubere
Better is to be wedded fan to berne 1uam ^ [Ieaf 8']
What rekkef e me fouhe folke seie velanye 53
Of schrewed lamef and his Bigamye
.1. wote wele Abraham was an holy man
And lacob eke as fer as euere y kan 5G
And eche of hem had wyves mo fan tuo
And mony anof er holy man also •
Wher can 30 seye in any maner age
}?at vs god defended Mariage -GO
LANSDOWNE 211 (6-T. 335)
SIX-TEXT 336
GROUP D. § 1. WIPE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Be expresse worde .1. praie jowe tellef me
Or where co??imaunded he virginite
.1. wote as wele as $e it is no drede
The Apostle whan he spekef e of Maidenhede 6 i
He seide f ere-of precept had .1. none
Men mai consel a womman to bene one
Bott counseillinge is no comandement
He put it in owre owen lugement 68
For had god commanded maidenhede
fan hadde he dainpned wedinge wif f e dede
And certes if fere were no sede .I.-sowe
virginite fan where-of schold it growe 72
Poule dorst nouht co-mmanden att f e leste
A f inge of whiche his maistre }af him none heste
The darte is sett vp for virginite e
Chase who so maye . who so rennef best let see 76
Bot f is worde is nouht take of euery whiht
Bot fere as god wolde gif it of his myht .
.1. wote wele fat f e Apostle was a maide
Bot Naf eles f ouhe fat he wrote or saide 80
He wolde fat euery wight were suche as he
AH ne is bot counseiH to virginite
And for to be a wif he ^aue me leue
Of Indulgence so is it of no repreue 84
To wedde me if fat my . make dye
Wif -oute excepcione of bigamye
Al were it goode no womman for to touche
He ment as in his body or his couche 88
For periH is bof e to touche and for to assemble
3e knowe what f is ensample maie resemble
))is aH and sowme he helde virginite
Mor perfite fan wedded in frelete . 92
Freelte clepe . I. nouht bot fat he and sche [leaf ss, back]
Wolde lede here life al in chastite
.1. gmunte it wele .1. haue none envye
fouhe maidenhed prefer bygamye 90
LANSDOWNE 215 (6-T. 336)
SIX-TEXT 337
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
It like]) hem to be clene in body and goste
Of myne astate .1. wil make no boste
For wele 30 knowe a lorde in his housholde
Hajje nouht euery vessel of golde 100
Some biene of tree and done lorde seruise
God clepef folke to him in sunder wise
And eueryche haj) of god a proper ^ift
Sora fis. som fat. as him like]) to schift 104
Virginite is grete perfectione
And conscience eke wif deuocione
Bot crist fat of perfection is weft
Bad nouht euery whight he schold sett 1 08
Aft fat he hadde and jiue it to f e pore
And in suche wise folowe him and his lore
He spak to hem fat wolden leue perfitelye
And lordeynges be ^oure leue fat am nou^t .1. 112
.1. wyl be-stowe f e flowre of al myne age
In charite and fruyte of Mariage
Tel me also to what conclusione
"Were membres maade of generacione 116
And of so perfit wise and why y-wrouht
Trestef riht wele f ei were nouht maad for nouht
Close who so witi and sei bof e vp and doune
fat fei were maad for purgacione 120
Of vryne . and owre bof e f inges smale
Were eke to knowe a female frome a male
And for none of ere cause what seie je noo
fe experience woote it is nou^t soo 124
So fat f e clerkes be not wif me wrof e
.1. sei f is f et fei maked bue for bof e
f is is to seine for Office and for ese
Of engenderinge f ere we nouht god displese 1 28
Whi scholden men elles in hire bokes sette
fat man schal ^elde to his wife his dette
Nowe where-wif scholdo he paye his payment
If fat he ne vsed his sely instrument 132
LANSDOWNE 216 (6-T. 337)
SIX-TEXT 338
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowue MS.
Than were f ei maade vpon a creature
To purge vryne and eke for engendrure
Hot .1. sei nou^t fat euery wyht is holde [leaf 189]
fat hafe suche hernays as .1. to $ow of tolde 136
To gone and vsen hem in engendrure
Than scholde men take of chastite no cure
Criste was a mayden and schapen as a man
And mony a seinte soff fat fis werlde began 140
3it leued J>ei euer in perfite charite
.1. nyl envye wif no virginite
Lete hem ete brede of pured whete sed
And late vs wyues ete barly brede 144
And ^it wif barly brede Marke tel can
Owre lorde ihesu refrissched mony a man
In suche astate fat god haf cleped vs
.1. wil perseuere .1. am nouht precious 148
In whifehode wil .1. vse myne Instrument
As frely as my maker haf it sent
If .1. be daungerous god gif me sorwe
Myne husbond schal it haue bofe cue and morwe 152
Whan fat him luste com forfe and paie his dette
An husbond .1. wil haue .1. wil not lette
Whiche schal be bofe my detkmr and my fraH 155
And haue his tribulacione wif aH ^t^M£
-IT i, • a i_ vi i. i T v •£ tatem non ha&et eet
Vpon his liesche while fat .1. am his wit muiier.
.1. haue fe powere dureinge al my lif
Ypon his propre body and not he
Eiht fus fe Apostle tolde to me 160
And bad owre husbondes for to loue vs wele
Al fis sentens me likef euery dele
Yp stert fe pardoner and fat anone
Nowe dame qwod he be god and be seinte lohn 164
3e bue a noble prechoure in fis cas
.1. was aboute to wed a wif alas
What schold .1. by it on my flesche so dere
3it had .1. leuere none wedde to jere 1G8
LANSDOWNE 217 (6-T. 338)
SIX-TEXT 339
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS,
Abide q«od sche Mi tale is nou^t be-gonne
Nay fou schalt drinken of a nof ere tonne
Are fat .1. go schal sauere wei's fan. ale
And whan fat .1. haue tolde forfe my tale 172
Of tribulacione in mariage
Of whiche .1. ana experte in myne age
This is to seye Mi-self haf be f e whippe
fan maist fou chese weder fou wilt scippe 1 76
Thilke tonne fat .1. schal a-broche [leaf 89, tack]
Be ware of it er fou to nyhe aproche
For [I] schal tett ensamples mo fan tenne
Wo so fat wil be war of of ere menne 180
Be him schal of er men correct be
f is same wordes writef e tholome
Ride in his almagist and take it f ere
Dame .1. praye 30 we if joure wil were 184
Said f is pardoner as 30 began
Tel forf 3owre tale spare for no man
And teche vs jonge men of 5oure practike
Gladly quod sche if it maie ^owe like 188
Bot fat .1. praie to al fis compaignye
If fat .L speke after rny fantasie
As takef e not a greue of fat .1. saie
For myne entent is nouht bot for to pleio 192
Nowe sires fan schal .1. tel ^owe my tale
As euere most .1. drink wyne or ale
.1. schal seie sofe fe husbondes fat I. had
As fre of hem were riht good and tuo were badde 196
The fre were godemen and riche and olde
Vnnef myht f ei f e state holde
In whiche f ei were bounden vnto me
3e wote wele what .1. mene of fis parde 200
As god me help .1. lauhe whan .1. f inke
Howe pytously a nyht .1. maade hem swynke
Bot be me feie .1. told of hit no store
fei hadde me ^eue hir londe and here tresore 204
LANTDOWNE 218 (6 T. 339)
SIX-TEXT 340
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Me neded riou^t do longer diligence
To wynne her loue and done hem reuerence
Thei loued me so wele be god aboue
fat .1. ne tolde no deynte of here loue 208
A wise wowiman wil bisie hire euere in one
To gete hire loue ^e fare as sche haf e none
Bot seffe .1. hadde hem holy in myne honde
And siffe fat fei hadde jif me al hir londe 212
"What schold .1. take hem for to plese
Bot if it were my profit and myne ese
Bot .1. set hem so awerke be my faye
fat mony a nyht f ei songen walawaye 216
The bacon was noujt fette for hem .1. trowe
That sum men haue in Essexe att Donnemowe
I gouerne hem so wele after my la we [leaf 90]
That iche of hem ful blisful was and fawe 220
To bringe me gay f inges fro f e fayre
Knyves ringes and purees wel fayre »
For god it wote .1. chidde hem spitously
Nowe herkenefe howe .1. bare me propu[r]ly 224
Je wise wyves fat can vnder-stonde
Thus scholde 36 speke and bere hem wronge on honde
For halue so boldely f er can no man
Swere and lye as a womman can 228
.1. seie nouht f is be wives fat bue wise
Bot it be whan f et f ei hem mis-avise
A wise wif schal if fat sche can hire gode
Bere him on honde fat fe cowe is wode 232
And take wittenes of hire owen maide
Of hir assent Bot herkenefe how .1. saide
Sir olde keynard f is is f in arraie
Whi is my neihbors wif so gaie 236
Sche is honoured ouer al wher sche gof e
.L sette att home .1. haue no frifty clofe
What dedest f ou att myn neihbors house
Is sche so feire ert fou so amerouse 240
LANSDOWNE 219 (6-T. 34»)
SIX-TEXT 341
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
What roune je wif oure inaide benedicite
Sire olde lichour lat f i Tapes bue
And if .1. haue a gossib or a frende
Wif-oute gilte 36 chide as a fende 244
3 if fat .1. walk or pleie in-to his house
Thowe comest home as dronke as mouse
An prechest on fi bynche wif yuel preue
Tho seid to me it is a grete Meschief 248
To wedde a pouer womman for costage
And if fat sche be riche of grete parage
J?an seist fat it is a tormentrie
To suffur hire p?ide and malancolie 252
And if fat sche be faire f ou verre knave
Thow seiste fat euery hullur witt hir have
Sche maie no while in chastite abide
That is assaide vpon iche a side 256
Thowe seiste som folke desire us for oure richesse
Sonufor oure schappe and some for owre fairenesse
And sum for sche kan eyf er singe of ere daunce
Jjus seyse J>ou wernard god jeue f e meschaunce 260
Some for her hondes and her armes smale [leaf 90, back]
j?us gof e al to f e deuel be f i tale
Jjou seiste men maie nou^t kepe a castel waH
It maye so longe assailed be ouer aH 264
And . if fat sche be foule f ou seist fat sche
couetef e euery man fat sche maie see
For as a spanyel sche wil on him lepe
Til fat sche finde sum man fat wil hir chepe 268
!Ne none so grei goos gof e fere in f e lake
As seiste foil fat wil bue wif-owten make
And seist it is an harde f inge for to welde
A wyght fat no man wil his fonkes helde 272
Thus seiste f ou lorel whan f ou gost to bedde
And fat no wise man nedef for to wedde
And no man fat entendef to fe heuene
Wif wilde fonder dint and fire leuene 276
LANSDOWNE 220 (6-T. 34l)
SIX-TEXT 342
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Mot f i welked nekke "be to-broke
Thow seist fat dropinge bowses and eke smoke
And cbidinge wyves maken men to flye
Owte of her owen house a benedicite 280
What eylef e suche an holde man for to chide
f ou seist we wiues wil owre vices hide
Til we be fast and fan we wil hem schewe
Wele maie f is be a prouerbe of a schrewe 284
Thou seist fat oxen assen hors and houndes
f ei buen assaide att diuers stoundes
Basyns lauours er fat men hem bye
Spones stoles and suche husbondrie 288
And so buen clof es pottes and of ere araies
Bot aren of wemmen maked none assaies
Til f ei be wedded olde dotard schrewe
And seystowe we wil fan owre vices schewe 292
Thou seiste also fat it displesef me
Bot if f ou wilt preis my beute
And bot f ou poure alwei vpon my face
And clepe me faire dame in eue?-y place 296
Bot f ou make a fest on f ilke daie
)5at .1. was borne and make me frische and gaie
And bot f ou do to my Norise honoure
And to my chambre wif-inne my boure 300
An to my faders folke and his allyes
Thus seist f ou olde barel full of lyes
And $it of oure prewtise lankyn [leaf 013
For his crispe here schyneinge so gold fine 304
And for he swyers me bof e vp and downe
3it hast f ou f ouht and false suspecione
.1. witt him nouht f ouhe fowe were dede to morue
Bot tel me f is whi hides f ou wif sorwe 308
The kayes of f i kist aweie fro me
.It. is my good as wele as fine parde
What wenes f ou maake an Ideot of owr dame
Nowe be fat lorde fat calle is seint lame 312
LANSDOWNE 221 ((5-T. 342)
SIX-TEXT 343
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Thowe schalt nouht bof e fouhe fat f ou were wode
Be maistre of Mi body and my goode
J?at on fou schalt for-goo mawgreve fine ey^en
What helpef it on me enquere and spien 316
.1. trowe fouhe }>ou woldest loke me in f i chist
Jpou schold seie wif go where as }ow liste
Take ^owre disporte .1. wil not leue no tales
.1. knowe $ow for a good wif Dam Ales 320
We loue no man fat take kepe or charge
Where fat we go we will be at owre large
Of al men blissed mot he be
The wise Astrologen Dam Ptholome 324
That seif f is prouerbe in his Almagest
Of al men his wisdome is hiest
Jjat rekkef nonht who haf f is werlde in honde
Be fis prouerbe f ou schalt wele vnde-stonde 328
Haue foue .I.-nowhe what fare fe rekke or kare
Howe merely fat of e[r] folke fare
For certes olde dotterd be ^oure leue
Je schal haue qweynte riht . ynowhe att eue 332
He is to grete a nigarde fat wil warne
A man to lyht a candel att his lanterne
He schal haue neuere f e lesse liht parde
Haue f ou .I.-nowhe fe far not pleine fe 336
Thou seiste also fat if f ou make vs gaie
Wif Clof einge or wif precious araye
fat it is peril of owre chastite
And }it wif wordes f ou moste enfors me 340
And seie f es wordes in f e Apostles name
In Abite maad wif chastite and schame
Je weramen schold apparel ^owe qwod he
And nou^t in tressede here and gay perre 3^4
As perel ne wif gold ne clofes riche [leaf 91, back]
Aftere f i tixte ne after f i rubriche
.1. wil nout wirke as muche as a gnatte
Thou seide als fat .1. was like a catte 348
LANSDOWNE 222 (6-T. 343)
SIX-TEXT 344
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot who so wolde seigne a catte scynne
fat Avolde f e cat wele dwelle in his Inne
And if f e catt skynne be skyke and gaie
Sche nil nouht dwel in house halue a daie 352
Bot forfe sche wiH or any daie be dawede
To schewe hir scynn and go a Caterwawede
This is to sei .If .1. be gaie sir schTewe [i A utter has been
T -l • nvr , „ , , tcratc/it out after
.1. wil rinne out My borett for to sschewe the kin this word.]
Sire olde foole whatte helpef fe to spyen 357
Theihe fou preie Argus wif his hondred ey^en Argus ha&uit
To be my wardecors as he can best
In feif e he schal nou3t kepe me bot if me list 3GO
3ite coufe .1. maake his berde so mut .1. fe
Thow seist eke fat fere be f inges f re
The whiche f inges troublen al f is erf e
And fat no whiht ne maye endure fe ferfe 364
0 leue sir schrewe ihesu schort f i lif
^et prechest f ou and seist an hateful wif
.I.-reknyd is for on of f is meschaunces
Bene fere none of er maner resemblaunces 368
That 30 maie likken ^owre parables to
Bot }if a sely wif be on of f o
Thou likenest wommannes loue to heH
To Bareine londe fer water maie not dwelle 372
Thou likenest it also to wilde fire
f e more it bernef f e more it haf e desire
To consume any f inge fat brent wolde bee
pou seist riht as wermes schendef a tree 376
Eiht so a wif distreyef hir husbonde
This knowe f ei fat bue to wyues bonde
H Lordeynges riht f us as ^e haue vnder-stande
Bare .1. stifly myne olde hu[s]bondes on hande 3iSO
fat f us f ei seiden in her drunkennes
And fat he had suspecion and lelousenes
On lanky n and on my nefe also
0 lorde f e peine .1. ded hem and fe woo 384
LANSDOWNE 223 (6-T. 344)
SIX-TEXT 345
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Ful giltelesse be goddes swete pine
For as an hors .1. couf e bofe bite and whyne
.1. coufe pleine . and .1. was in f e gilte Oeaf92]
Or elles oft time .1. had bue spilte 388
Who-so fat first to meH comef first grindej)
.1. pleyned first so .1. owre werre stintejj
Thei were ful gladde to excusen hem ful bliue
Of f inge whiche fei gilt neuer her lyue 392
Of wenches wolde .1. beren hem on honde
"VVhann fat for seke vnnef fei myht stonde
3it tikeled .1. his hert for fat he
Wend .1. hadde of him so grete cherte 396
.1. swore fat al my walkynge be nyht
Was to aspye wenches fat he diht
Vnder fat colour had .1. mony a myrf e
For al suche witte is ^eue us in owre birf e 400
Desceite wepeynge spynnynge . god hafe jeue UFaiiereflerenere
* dedit deus in
To womman kindely while fat f ei maie leue Muiiere .
And f us of o f inge .1. auaunt me
Att fe ende .1. had f e beste in yche degre 404
Be sleyjt or force or be sum manere f inge
As by continuel murmur or grucchinge
Namely abedde had f ei muschaunce
Ther wolde .1. chide and do hem no plesance 408
.1. wolde no longer in f e bedde abide
If fat .1. felte his arme ouer my side
Til he had made his raunson vn-to me
Than wolde .1. suffre him do his nycete 412
IT And f er-for euery man f is tale .1. telle
Wyue who so maie al her for to seH
Wif f e empty hande men may none haukes lure
For wynynge wold .1. al his lust endure 416
And make me a feyned appetite
And 3 it in bacon had .1. neuere delyte
That maked me fat euer y wolde him chide
For f ouhe f e pope had sette him be side 420
LA.NSDOWNE 224 (6-T. 34o)
SIX-TEXT 346
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
I wold nou^t spare him att his owene borde
For be my troufe .1. white him worde for worde
As helpe me verrei gode omnipotent
Jjouhe .1. scholde riht nowe make my testament 424
.1. ne hawe him a worde pat it nes quitte
.1. brouht it so aboute be my witte
fat he mot }eue it vp as for J>e best
Or elles had we neuer bue in rest 428
For fouhe he loked as a lyone Deaf 92, back]
3it scholde he faile of his conclusione
fan wolde .1. sei goode leue take kepe
Howe Mekely lokejj wilkin owre schepe 432
Com nere my spouse lat me ba pi cheke
5e scholle be al pacient and meke
And hane a swete spiced conscience
Sen $e so preche of lobis pacience 436
Suffrep al-weie synne $e so wel can preche
And hot 30 do certeine we schol ^owe teche
fat it is faire to haue a wif in pes
One of vs mote bowen douteles 440
And sippe a man is more resonable
Than womman is sir jowe must be more suffreable
What eylejj 3 owe to gruche Jms and grone
Is it for j-e wolde haue myn queynte alone 444
Whi take it al lo haue it euery dele
Petere .1. schrewe ^owe bot 36 loue me wele
For . if .1. wolde selle my bele chose
.1. coupe walke as fresche as a rose 448
Bot .1. wil kepe it for ^oure owen tofe
Je be to blame be god .1. saie jow sope
Suche maner wordes had we on honde
IT Now wil .1. speke of my ferfe husbonde 452
My ferjje husbonde was a reueloure
This is to sey he had a paramour
And .1. was jonge and ful of ragerie
Stiborne and stronge and loly as a pye 456
17 LANSDOWNE 225 (6-T. 346)
SIX-TEXT 347
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Lorde howe couf e .1. daunce to an harpe smale
And singe .I.-wis as any nyhten-gale
Whan .1. hadde dronke a drawht of swete wyne
Metelinge f e foule cherle fe swyne 460
That wijj a staf beraft his wif here lyf ,
For sche dranke wyne . f ouhe .1. had bue his wif
Ne scholde he nouht haue daunted me fro drinke
And after wyne of venus must .1. f inke 464
For also seker as colde engenderej) haile
A likerous mouf e most haue a likerous taile
In womman vi[n]olent is no defence
fis knowen lichours bue experience 468
Bot lorde criste whan fat it remembref me
Vpon my ^ouf e . and my lolyte .
It tikelef me aboute myne herte Rote [leaf 93]
Vnto J>is daie it dof myne hert bote 472
That .1. haue had my werlde as my time
Bot age alas fat aH wil envenyme
Haf e me be-raft my beaute and my pif f e
Lat go fare wele f e deuel go fere wif f e 476
The floure is gone fere is no more to telle
J?e bran as .1. best can no we mot .1. selle
Bot }it to be riht merye wolde .1. fonde
Now forf e to teli of my ferf e husbonde 480
.1. sei .1. had in herte grete dispite
fat he of any of er had delite
Bot he was qwytte be god and be seinte lose
.1. maade him of f e same wode a crose 484
Not of my body in no foule manere
Bot certeynly .1. maade folke suche chiere
fat in his owen gres .1. maade him frie
For angers and for verraie lelousye 488
Be god in erf e .1. was his purgatorye
For whiche .1. hope his soule be in glorie
For god it wote he satte ful ofte and songe
Whan fat his scho ful bitterly him wronge. 492
LANSDOWNE 226 (6-T. 347)
SIX-TEXT 348
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
For pere was none saue gode and he pat wiste
In mony wise where .1. him twiste
He dyed whan .1. cam from lerusaleme
And lyep in a graue vnder pe rode beme 496
Al nys is toumbe not so curious
As was pe sepulcre of him Darius
Whiche J?at Appelles wrouhten soubtely
It nys bot wast to beri him preciously e 500
Lat him fare wele god ^eue his sowle rest
He is nowe in his graue and in his chest
No we of my fift husbond wil .1. tell
God lat neuer his soule come in hell 504
And ^ete was he to me pe most schrewe
pat fele .1. on my ribbes al be re we
And euer schal vn-to myne endeynge daie
Bot in owre bedde he was so fressche and gaie 508
And per-wip also wele coupe he me glose
Whan pat he wolde haue my bele chose
pat pouhe he hadde me bette on euery bone
He coupe winne a-^eine my loue a-none 512
.1. trow .1. louede him bette for he [leaf 93, back]
Was of his loue daungerous to me
We wemmen haue if pat .1. schal nouht lye
In pis manere a qweynte fantasye 516
Whayte what pinke we may nouht lyhtly haue
)3ere-after wil we crie al daie and craue
For-bede us pinge and pat desiren we
Pres on vs fast and pan wil we fle 520
Wipe daungier owten we al oure chafre
Gret pres att pe Market makep dere ware
And to grete chepe is holde att littel pris
pis knowep euery womna.au pat is wys 524
My venus husbonde god his soule blisse
Whiche pat .L.toke for loue and for no richisse
He sumtyme was a clerke of Oxenforde
And had left scole and went att home to borde 528
LANSDOWNE 227 (6-T. 348)
SIX-TEXT 349
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Wif f e my gossibbe dwelinge in cure toune
God haue hire soule hire name was Alison
Sclie knewe myne hert and al my pmicte
better J?an oure parische preste so mot .1. fe 532
To hire be-wryed .1. my counsel} att
For hadde my husbond pissed on a watt
Or done a f inge fat schold haue cost his lif
To hir and to anofer worfi wif 536
And to my nece whiche .1. loue wele
.1. wolde haue tolde his counsel Query dele
And so .1. dide fill often god it wote
fat maade his face often rede and hote 540
For verray schame and blamed him-selfe for he
Had tolde to me so grete a pn'uete
And so it be-feH fat ones in a lente
So oft time .1. to my gossip wente 544
For euer $it .1. loued to be gay
And for walke in marche aprile and Maie
Fro hous to hous to herken sondaye tales
Jjat lankin clerke and my gossib dam Alice 548
And .1. my selfe in-to f e felde wente
Myne husbond was att Londen al fat lente
.1. hadde f e better leyser for to pleie
And for to see and eke for to be seie 552
Of lusty folke what wist .1. where my grace
Was schapen for to be or in what place
There-for maade .1. my visitacions peaf 94]
To vigiles and to processions 556
To precheinge eke and to f is pilgrimages
To pleis of Miracles and of Mariages
And wered vpon my gaie scarlet Gytes
This wermes ne fes mouhtes ne fis mytes 560
Vpon my perel fete hem neuer a dele
And wost f ou whie for f ei were vsed wele
Nowe wil .1. telle forf e what happed me
.1. saie fat in fe felde walked wee 564
LANSDOWNE 228 (6-T. 349)
SIX-TEXT 350
GROUP D. § 1. WIPE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Til trewely we had suche daliance
J)is clerke and .1. fat of my purueance
.1. spak to him and seide how fat he
.If .1. were wedowe scholde wedde me 568
For certeinly .1. saie for no bobance
pat was .1. neuer $it wif-oute purueance
Of mariage ne of of er f inges eke
.1. holde a mannes witte nouht worfe a leke 572
fat haf bott one hole to sterte vnto
And if fat faile fan is fat al y-do
[I bare hym on honde he hadde enchaunted me jj?^1^-
My dame taught me that subtilte hne 9J
And I seide I mette of hym aH nyght 577
He wolde haue shamed me as I ley vp-right
And my bedde was verey blode
But yite I hope that ye shiiH do me good 580
ffor good blode be-tokenyth Golde as I was taught
And att was fals I dremed of hym right noght
But as I folowed my Dames lore
[a line misst in the MS.] ] [MS n 3. 26 extract stops]
Bot nowe sire lete me se what .1. schal seyne
A ha be god .1. haue my tale a-^eine
Whan fat myn faire husbonde laie on bere
.1. wepe al gate . and maad sory chiere 588
As wives moten for it is vsage
And wif my kerchef kouerde my vesage
Bot for fat .1. was purveide of a make
.1. wepe bot smale and fat .1. vnder take 592
To cherche was my husbonde borne on morwe
Wif neyhbors fat for him maad sorwe
And lankin oure clerke was on of fo
As helpe me god whan fat .1. sihe him go 596
Affeter f e bere me f ouht he hadd a peire
Of leges of feet so clene and faire
fat al my herte .1. ^af vn-to his holde
He was .1. trowe tuew[n]ty winter olde 600
LANSDOWNE 229 (6-T. 350)
SIX-TEXT 351
GROUP D. § 1. WIPE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
And .1. was fourty . if fat .1. schal seie sof e
Bot }it .1. had alwaie a coltes tof e
Gate tof ede .1. was and fat be-come me wele
.1. had J>e prmte of seint venus seale 604
As helpe me god .1. was a lusti one
And faire and riche and ^onge and wele be-gone
And treuly as myne husbonde tolde me [leaf 94, back]
.1. hadde f e best quondam fat myht be 608
[ffor certis/ I am aH/ fulli reueryan . [Hari. 1758, y 95, in margin]
In felyng/ & myn herte att marcian .
Venus/ me yaf1 my lust/ my likywg/ & licorousnes/.
And Mars/ gaf/ me my sturdi hardynes/.] 612
Myne asscendent was taurus and mars fere inne
Alas alas fat euer loue was sinne
.1. folowed ay inyne Inclination
Be vertue of mye constillacion 616
fat maade me .1. coufe nou^t wif-drawe
Mi chambre of venus frome a goode felawe
[yet/ haue I a marke of/ Mars vp-on my face . [Hari. 1758,^95
in margin]
And also in another/ pryue place .
ffor god so wisse be my saluacion .
I louyd neuyr/ bi non discrescion .
But euyr/ folewid myn appetite .
AH/ were he schort/ long/ blak/ or white . 624
I toke no kepe so that/ he liked me .
How pore he was/ ne eke of1 what/ degre .1 tHarl- 1758 «*•
tract stops]
What scold .1. seie bot at f e monef es ende
This loly clerk lankin fat was so hende 628
Haf e wedde me wif grete solempnite
And to him 3af .1. al f e londe and fee
fat euere was me ^euene fare before
Bot afterwarde repentede me ful sore 632
He wolde suffer no f ing of my lust
Be god he smote me ones on f e luste
for fat .1. rent oute of his booke a lef
fat of fat stroke myne eren wexen def 636
LANSDOWNE 230 (6-T. 35l)
SIX-TEXT 352
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS,
Styborne .1. was as is a lyonesse
And of my tonge a verreie langeleres
And walke .1. walde as .1. had do be-forne
Froine house to house al f ouhe he had it sworne 640
For wif often time he wolde preche
And me olde romans gestes teche
Howe he simplicius gallus left his wif
And hire for-soke for terme of his lif 644
Not bot for hopen hede he hire seie
Lokeynge oute att his dore on a daie
Anojier Romeyne tolde he me be name
That for his wif was att a somer game 648
Wif-owte his weteinge he for-sooke here eke
And fan wolde he vpon his bible seeke
fat ilke prouerbe of ecclesiast
Where he coramandef and for-bedef fast 652
Man schal not suffur his wif go roile a-boute
Than wolde he saie riht f us wjf-outen doute
IF Who so fat bildef his house al of salowes NO<<*
And prikef his blinde hors ouere f [e] falowes 656
And sufferf his wif for seken halowes
Is worf i to be honge on f e galowes
Eot al for not .1. set not an hawe
Of his prouerbes ne of his olde lawe . 660
Ne .1. wolde nouht of him correct be Deaf 95]
.1. hate him fat my vice tellef me
And so do mo god wote of vs fan .1.
f is maade him wife me woode al vtterly 664
.1. nolde nouht for-bere him in no caas
Nowe wil .1. seye 3owe sof e be seint thomas
Whi fat .1. rent oute of his boke a lefe
For whiche he smote me fat .1. was defe 668
He had a booke fat gladly nyht and daie
For his disporte he wolde rede al weie
He clepede valerye and theofraste
Att whiche boke he lauhe al-weye ful fast 672
LANSI)OWNE 231 (6-T. 352)
SIX-TEXT 353
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Ande eke fare was sum time a clerke in rome
A Cardinale fat hiht seint lerome
fat maad a boke a^eine louynyane
In whiche booke eke f er was torcnlane 676
Crisippus Trecula and helowys
That was Abbas nou^t fer fro parische
And eke f e paraboles of Salomon
Ovydes arte and bokes many one 680
And al f is were boundene in o velome
And euery nyht and day was his custome
Whan he had leysere and vacacione
frome of er werldly occupacione 684
To reden on J>is boke of wikked wyues
He knewe of hem mo legentez and Hues
Than bue of goode wyues in f e bible
For truste]) wele it is an impossible 688
fat any clerke wil speken good of wyves
Bot if it bue of holy seintes lyues
Ne of none ojjer womman neuere f e me
Who peynted fe lyon tel me who 692
Be god if wemmen had wreten stories
As clerkes haue wif-inne hire oratories
Thei wold haue wreten of men more wikkednesse
fan al J>e mark of Adam maie redresse 696
The childern of Mercure and Venus
Bene in hire wirkeinge contraries
Mercurie loue wisdome and sciens
And venus louef riote and dispens 700
And for hir diuers disposicion
Sche fallef in of er exaltacion .
And fus godde wote Mercurie is desolate peafgs.back]
In piscis where venus is exaltate 704
And venus fallef fere Mercurie is reised
J?ere-for no womman of no man is preised
)5e clerke whan he is olde and maie nouht do
Of venus werkes worf e his olde scho 708
LANSDOWNE 232 (6-T. 353)
SIX-TEXT 354
GKOUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Than sitte lie doune and write in his dotage
That wemmen kan nouht kepe here Manage
Bot nowe to purpos why .1. tolde j?e
Jjat .1. was beten for a booke perde 712
Vpon a nyht lankin pat was owre sire
Kadd on his boke as he satte be pe fire
Of Eue first pat for hire wykkednesse
Was al man kinde first brouht to wrechednesse 716
[for which" Ihesu crist / him silff was sleyne /jj,/^]1118 600>
that bought vs with his herte blood ageyne ^^f^^.-G.
lo here expresse of recorde / may ye fynde
that woman was the loos / of al mankynde] 720
J>o redde he me howe sampson lost his heris
Slepeinge his lemmaii kut it wippe hire scheris
Thorwhe whiche treson loste he bope his ey^en
J>o redde he me if fat .1. schal nouht ly^en 724
Of Hercules & of Dyamyre
pat caused him to sett him self a fire
Nopinge formate he pe penance and woo
pat Socrates had wippe his wyues twoo 728
Howe pat ancippa kest pisse on his hede
pis sely man satte still as he were dede
He wype his hede no more dorst he seine
Bot or .pat ponder stinte comep a raine 732
Of Phasipha pat was queene of Crete
For schrewednesse him pouht pe tale swete
Fy speke no more it [is] a grisely pinge
Of hire orrible lust and hir lykeinge 736
Of Clitermistra for hir lycherie
pat falsly maad hir husbond for to deye
He red it wip fit! good deuocion
He told me for what occasion 740
Amphiorax att Thebes lost his lif
Myne husbond hadd a legent of his wife
Eriphilem pat for a nouche of golde
Hape pn'uely vnto pe Grekes tolde 744
LANSDOWNE 233 (6-T. 354)
SIX-TEXT 355
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
"Where fat hir husbond hid him in a place
For whiche he hadd att Thehes sori grace
Off lima tolde he me . & of Lucye
J>ei bof e maade her husbondes for to deye 748
That oone for loue f e tof er was for hate [leaf 96]
Lyma hir husbonde on euen late
Enpoysond had for fat sche was his foo
Lucia likerous loued hire husbond soo 752
J?at for he schold vpon hire alweie f inke
Sche £aue him suche a loue maner drinke
fat he was dede or it was be f e morwe
And fus algates husbondes haue sorwe 756
)3an tolde he me howe one latumyus
Compleynede to his felawe Arius
That in his gardyne groued suche a tre
On whiche he seide fat his wyues fre 760
Honged hem self for hertes dispitous
0 leue brof er quod f is Arrius
^if me a plante of fat blisful tre
And in my gardine plantid it schal be 764
11 Of latter date of wyues haf e he radde
Jjat ban sleyne here husbonde in her bedde *
And lete hire lychoure diht hire al f e nyht
"Whan fat f e cors laie in flore vpriht 768
And sum haue dreuen nayles in here brayne
"While fat f ei slepe and f us f ei haue hem sleyne
Some haue ^euen poyson in my drynke
He spake more harme fan hert maie be-finke 772
And f erwif al he knewe of mo prouerbes
}?an in f is werlde f er growen grasse or herbes
Bet is quod, he fin habitacione
Be wif a leoun or a foule dragone 776
J?an wif a wowman vsinge for to chide
Better is quod, he hihe in f e rofe abide
Jjan wif an angre wif doun in an hous
Jjei bene so wikked and contrarious 780
LANSDOWNE 234 (6-T. 355)
SIX-TEXT 356
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
f ei hatef fat her husbonde louef aye
He seid a wowman kest hir schame awaye
Whan sche cast of hire smok and forf ermo
A faire wowman tot sche be chaste also 784
Is like a gold ringe on a sowes nose
Who walde wene or wold suppose
f e wo fat in myne hert was and pine
And whan .1. sawe he wolde neuer fyne 788
To reden on f is cursed booke al nyht
Al sodanly . f re leues had .1. plyht .
Out of his boke riht as he redde and eke [leaf oe, back]
.1. wijj my fiste so toke him on fe cheke 792
fat in oure fire he fel bakward a-doune
And he vp stert as dof e a woode lyone
And wif his fist he smote me on J>e hede
J?at in fe flore .1. laie as .1. ware dede 796
And whan he sawhe howe stille fat .1. laie
He was a-gast and wolde haue fledde a-waie
Til atte fast owte of myne swohe .1. braide
0 hastowe sleyne me false fefe .1. seide 800
And for my lande f us hast f ou morf erd me
Or .1. be dede }it wil .1. kisse fe
And nere he come and kneled faire a-doune
And seide dere suster Alison 804
As helpe me god .1. schal f e neuer smyte
Jjat .1. haue done it is fi self to wite
For^eue it me and fat .1. fe be-seke
And }it eft-sones .1. hitte him on f e cheke 808
And seide f ef f us wil .1. me awreke
Nowe wil .1. deye .1. maie no longer speke
Bot att f e last wif muchel care and woo
We feH accorded be oure seluen tuoo 812
He 3aue me al f e bride in myn honde
To haue f e gouernance of owse and londe
And of his tunge and of his honde also
And maade him birne his boke anone riht fo 816
LANSDOWNB 235 (6-T. 356)
SIX-TEXT 357
GROUP D. § 1. WIPE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
And whan fat .1. had geten vn-to me
Be maistre al f e souerainte
fan he seide myne owen trewe wif
Do as f u lyst f e terme of al my lyf 820
Kepe fine honoure and kepe eke my astate
After fat dale we had neuere debate
God helpe me so .1. was to him als kinde
As any wyf fro danmark in-to hinde 824
And also trewe and so was he to me
.1. praie to god fat sitef in maieste
So blisse his sowle for his mercy dere
3S"owe wil .1. seie my tale . if 30 wil here 828
[The Wrangle between the Summoner and Friar.]
The frere lowhe whan he had herd al f is
Nowe dame qiwd. he so haue .1. ioye or blis
f is is a longe preamble of a tale
And whan fe Someno?«r herde f e frere gale
JLo quod, f e Somenowr be goddes armes tuo £i!dwhan t>i some£
A frere wil entremete him euer mo our herd * frere gale]
Lo godemen a flye and eke a frere
wiH fal in euery dissche and eke matere 836
What spekest f ow of preambulackme
What amble or trote or pees or goo sitte adoune
Thou lettest owre disporte in f is manere
3e wil-tow so Somenowr quod f e frere 840
]S"owe be fey .1. schal or fat .1. go
TeH of a somenowr . suche a tale or tuo
fat al f e folke schal lawhen In f is place
Nowe elles frere .1. be-schrewe fi face 844
Qwod f is Somenowr . and .1. be-schrewe me
Bot .1. tett f e tales two or fre
Of freres ar .1. come to sideingborne
fat .1. schal make fine herte for to morne 848
LANSDOWNE 236 (6-T. 357)
SIX-TEXT 358
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
For wele .1. wote fi pacien is gone
Owre oste cried pees and fat a-none
And seide lat f e woraman tel Mr tale
Je faren as folken bien of ale 852
Do dame tel forf e ^owe tale and fat is best
Al redi sire quod, sche riht as $ow lest
3if .1. haue lycence of f is worfi frere
iis dame (mod he teH forfe bi tale .1, wil here 856
LANSDOWNT! 237 (6-T. 358)
SIX-TEXT 359
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit fabula vxoris de Bathoma .
IN" f e olde dales of f e kinge Arthoure
Of whiche fat bretons speken grete honoure .
AH was f is land fulfilled of faire
The Elphe queene wij> hir loly compaignie 860
Daunced withe-oute in mony a grene mede
Jjis was J>e olde opinion fat .1. rede
.1. speke of mony a .C. ^ere a-go
Bot now can no man see none elues mo 864
For f e grete cliarite and f e preiers
Of lymytours and of of er pouere frers
Jjat serchen euery lande and every streme
As f ikke as motes in f e sonne beme 868
Blissinge lialles chambres bowres
Citees burghes Castels hihe towres
Thorpes bernes schipnes dayeries
Jjis makef fat fere be no fairies 872
For fere as was wonte to walke an elfe [if af 97, back]
Jjer walkef nowe f e limitoz^r him selfe
In vndermeles and in morneynges
And seif e his Matines and his holy finges 876
As he gof in his visitaciowne
Wemmen maie go nowe sanely vpe and doune
In euery bossche or vnder euere-y tre
There is none ofer Ineubws bot he 880
And he wil do hem bot disonoure
And so fel it fat f is kinge Arf oure
Had in his house a lusty bachellier
Jjat on a daie cam rideinge fro f e reuere 884
LANSDOWNE 238 (6-T. 359)
SIX-TEXT 3 GO
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And happed a-lone as sche was borne
He sawhe a maiden walkinge him be-forne
Of whiche maiden inaugreue hire hede
be verrei force he raft hir hir maidenhede 888
For wiche oppression was suche clamoure
And suche pursuyt vnto kinge Arthoure
That dampned was fis knyht for to be dede
Be cours of lawe and scholde haue lost his hede 892
Parauenture suche was f e statute f o
Bot fat f e queene and of er ladies mo
So longe preide f e kinge of grace
Til he his him graunted in fe place 896
And jaue to f e qwene al att hir wiH
To chese wef er sche wolde him saue or spiH
The queen f onked f e kinge wif al here myht
And after fis f us spak sche to fe knyht 900
Whan fat sche seihe her time vpon a daye
Thou stondest }it q^wd sche in suche araye
fat of )>i lyf }it hast f ou no surte
,1. graunte f e lif f if fu canst tel me 904
what f inge is fat we?ranen moste desiren
Be war and kepe f i nekke bone from yren
And if f ou can nou^t tel it me anone
3it wil .1. jeue fe leue for to gone 908
A twelmojj and a daie to seke and lere
An ansewere sufficiant in fis matier
And surte wil .1. haue ar fat f ou pace
Thi body for to jelden in fis place 912
Woo was fis knyht and sorwful he sikef
Bot whate he may nouht do al as him likef
And att fe last he chase him for to wende peafos]
An com a3eine riht att fe 3eres ende 916
With suche answere as god wold him purueye
And takef his leue and wendef forf his weye
He sekef e euery house and eue?y place
Where as hopef for to finde grace 920
LANSDOWNE 239 (6-T. SCO)
SIX-TEXT 361
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
To leren whatt finge wemmen louen most
Bot he nowe couf e riden in no cost
Where as he myht finde in J)is matier
Two creatures accordinge in fere 924
Some seide wemmen louen best riches
Some seide honour some seid lolynes
Some seide Riche araye and lust abedde
And oft tim to be wedowe and wedde 928
Some seide fat we be most esede
Whan fat we bene flaterde and yplesede
He gof ful nyhe fe sof e .1. wil nouht lye
A man schal wynne vs best wij> flaterye 932
And wif attendance and wijj besines
Bene we y-lymede bof more and les
And som men sein howe pat we louen best
For to bue fre and do riht as vs lest 936
And fat no man repreue vs of oure vice
Bot sei fat we bue wise and nof inge nice
For trewly fare is none of vs al
If any wight wil clowe vs on f e gal 940
Jjat we nyl loke or he seie f e sof e
Assaie and he schal finde it fat he dof e
For be we neuere so vicious wit/i-inne
we wil be holden wise and clone of sinne 944
And summen seine fat grete delite haue we
For to be holden stable and eke secre
And in o purpos stedfastly to dwelt
And nouht be-wrye finge fat men vs teH 948
Bot fat tale is noujt worf a rake stele
Parde we wemmen kan no finge hele
Wittenesse of my da wil 36 here f e tale
Guide a-monges of er finges smale 952
Seif Mida ha vndre his longe heres
Growinge vpon his tuo asse eres
The whiche vice he hidde as he best myht
Ful subtily from eueryche mannes siht 956
LANSDOWNE 240 (6-T. 361)
SIX-TEXT 362
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
That saue his wif J>er wist f ere-of no mo [leaf 98, back]
He loued hir most and trist to hir also
He praide hir most fat vnto no creature
sche schold nou^t tel of his disfigure 960
Sche swore him naye for al f is werld to wynne
Sche nold do f fat velany or fat synne
To make hir husbonde haue so foule a name
For reproueinge of him and fowle schame 964
Bot Naf eles hir f ouht fat sche deide
fat sche so longe scholde a counsel hide
Hir f ouht it satt so sore aboute hir hert
Jjat nedely sum worde hir mot a-stert 968
And sef sche dorste tel it to no man
Doune to a marese fast sche ranne
Til sche came f er hire hert was a fire
And as betoure beblef in fe rnyre 972
Sche laide hir nioufe in-to fe water downe
Be-wrye me nouht f ou water wif fi soune
Qwod sche . to f e .1. tel it and no mo
Myne husbonde hafe longe asses eres tuo 976
No we is myne hert al hole now it is owte
.1. myht no longer kep it oute of doute
Here mai 36 see f ouhe we a time abide
3it oute it mot we mowe no counsel hide 980
)5e remenant of f e tale if 36 wil here
Kedef ovide and 30 maie it lere
This knyht of wiche mi tale is speciali
Whan fat he sauh he miht nouht com fere bye 984
This to seie what wemmen louen most
Wif-inne his hert sorweful was f e goste
Bot home he gof e he miht nouht soiorne
The daie was come fat homward most he torne 988
And in his wei it happed him to ride
In att his care vnder a forest side
Where he sawhe on o daunce go
Of ladys foure and twenty and jit moo 992
18 LANSDOWNE 24,1 (6-T. 362)
SIX-TEXT 363
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Towarde f e dawnce lie drowhe him jerne
In hope Jjat som wisdome scholde he lerene
Bot certeinly ar he came fully fere
Vanyssched was fe daunce he wist nouht where. 996
"No creature sawe he fat bare lif
Saue in f e grene he sawhe sittinge a wif
A fowler wight f ei may no man devise
A-^ein f e knyht f e olde wif gan arise
And seid sir knyht here forf e life no weye
Tel me what fat ^e seken be ^oure feye
Parauentur it maie f e better be l p bne,witt u tcratcht oufj
This olde folke can muche finge quod sche 1004
My leue quod f is knyht serteine
.1. am bot dede bot if fat .1. can seine
Whatt finge it is fat wemmen most desire
Coufe 30 me wise .1. wold wele white ^owre hire 1008
Plyht me fi trouf e here in my honde quod sche
The next f inge fat .1. require f e
Thowe schalt it do if it ly in f i myht
And .1. wil tel it 30 we ar it he nyht 1012
Haue here my trouf e quod knyht .1. graunt
jjat quod sche .1. niaye me wele auant
Thi lif is saue for .1. wil stonde f er bye
Vpon my lif fe qweene wil saie as .1. 1016
Latt see whiche is f e proddest of hem al
That weref on a kercheue or a cal
fat dar sey nay of fat .1. schal jow teche
Lat vs go forfe wif-oute longer speche 1020
Tho rouned sche a pistel in his ere
And bad him to be gladde and haue no fere
Whann f ei be cowmen to f e courte f is knyht
Seid he had holde his daie as he had hiht 1024
And redy was his ansewere as he seide
!Foll2 mony a noble wif and mony a maide [2 ?MS FO or FV]
And mony a wedew for fat f ei bu wise
The queene hire seluen sitt luge as lustise 1028
LANSDOWNE 242 (6-T. 363)
SIX-TEXT 364
GROUP D. § 2. WIPE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Assemblede ben his answers for to here
And afterwarde f is knyht was bode a-piere
And fat f e knyht schold tel in audience
To euery. wight commanded was silence 1032
What f inge fat werldly wemmen louen mest
f is knyht ne stode nou^t stil as dof e a beste
Bo to f is questione a-none he ansewerde
Wif manly voyce fat al fe court it herde 1036
My liege lady lady general quod he .
Woraman desiret to haue souereynte
As wele ouer hir husbonde as hir loue
And for to be in maistre him a-boue 1040
This ^owre most desire fouhe 30 me kiH: Deaf 99, back]
Dof e as 3owe list .1. am here att ^oure wilt
In al f e courte ne was J>er wif ne maide
]STe wedowe fat contraried fat he seide 1044
Bot seyden he was worf i to haue his lyf
And wif fat worde vpstert f is olde wif
Whiche fat f e knyht sawe sittinge on f e grene
Mercie quod, sche Mi soue/eine ladi qweene 1048
Ar fat joure Court depart do me riht
.1. tauht f is ansewer vn-to f is knyht
For whiche he pliht me his trouf e fere
The first finge .1. wolde of him require 1052
He wolde it do if it lei in his myhte
Be-for fe Court fan praie .1. f e sir knyht
Quod sche fat f u me tak vnto f i wif
For wele fu woste fat .1. haue kepped fi lif 1056
If .1. saye fals seye sofe vpon f i fey
This knyht ansewerd alas and walawaie
.1. wpte riht wele fat suche was my beheste
For goddes loue chese a newe requeste 1060
Tak al my goode and lat my body go
Nay fan quod sche .1. schrewe vs bof e tuo
For fat .1. be foule olde and pouer
.1. nolde for al fe metal ne for Oer 1064
LANSDOWNE 243 (6-T. 364)
SIX-TEXT 365
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
fat vnder erf e is graue or life aboue
Bot if fat .1. f i wif were and f i loue
Mi loue quod he nay my . dampnacione
Alas f at any of my nacione 1068
Scholcl euere so foule disparaged bue
Bot al for nouht f e ende is f is fat he
Constreigned was he nedes most he hir wedde
And takef fis olde wif and gof to bedde 1072
Now wold sum men seine pa?*auenture
Jjat for my necligence .1. do no cure
To tel 3owe fe loye and f e arraye
J?at att fe feste was filke daye 1076
To whiche f inge schortely ansewere .1. schal .
.1. seie f er was no ioye ne fest att al
Jjer nas bot heuynes and muche sorwe
For pn'uely he wede hire on morwe 1080
And al daie after hidde him as an owle
So woo was him his wif loked so foule .
Grete was fe sorwe fe knyht had in his fouht [icafioo]
Whan he was wif his wyf ybedde brouht 1084
He walowef and tornef to and fro
His olde [wyf] laye smyleinge euermo
And seide Dere husbonde o benedicite
J'aref eue?y knyht f us wif his wif as 30 1088
Is f is f e lawe of kinge Arf ors house
Is euery knyht of his f us daungerous
.1. am ^oure loue and eke joure wif
.1. am sche whiche saued haf ^oure lif 1092
And sertes }it dide .1. 50 we neuer vnriht
Whi fare 36 f us wif me f e first niht
3e faren like a man fat had lost his witte
!Fy what is my gilte for goddes loue tell itto 1096
And it schal bue amended if .1. male
Amend quod, f is knyht nay naye
That wil nouht bue amendede neuere mo
Jjou ert so lofely and so olde also 1100
LA.NSDOWNE 244 (6-T. 36o)
SIX-TEXT 366
GROUP D, § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And f er-to comen of so lowe a kinde
fat litel wonder is fouhe .1. walow and winde
So wolde god myne herte wolde to-breste
Is j?is quod, sche fe cause of 30x116 vnreste 1104
Je certeinly quod, he no wonder is
Nowe sir quod, sche .1. couf e amende al f is
If fat me list ar it were daies f re
So well 30 myhtte bere 30 we vn-to me 1108
Bot for 36 speken of suche gentillese
As is descended oute of al richesse
fat f ere-for scholden 36 be gentil men
Suche errogance is nouht worfe an hen 1112
Lo who fat most is vertuous alweie
Preue and a-pert and most endef aie
To do gentil dedes fat he can
And take him for fe grettest gentil man 1116
Crist will' we cleime of him cure gentilnes
Not of oure eldres for here olde reches
For f ouhe f ei 3eue vs al her Heritage
For whiche we cleime to be of hihe parage 1120
Jit may f ei nouht be-quef e for no f inge
To none of vs her vertuous leueinge
That maad hem gentil men y-called be
And bad vs folowen hem in suche degre . 1124
Wele can fe wise Poet of fflorens iieafioo,ba«k]
Jjat hiht Dante spekef in f is sentens
Lo in Suche maner rim is dantes tale
Ful selde vp risef be his braunches smale 1128
Prowes of man for god of his prouesse
Wil fat we of cleime oure gentillesse
For of oure holders maie we no f inge cleime
Bot temperal f inge fat man maie hirte and maheime 1 1 32
Eke euery white wote fis as wele as .1.
If gentillesse were planted naturalye
Into a certeine lignage doune f e line
Preue and aperte fan wold hey neuer fyne 1136
LANSDOWNE 245 (6-T. 366)
SIX-TEXT 367
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
To done of gentillesse f e faire ofice
Thei myhten do no velany nor vice
Tak fire and bere it in f e derkest house
Be-twex Jiis and }>e mount of Caucasouse 1 1 40
And let men schette f e dore and go f enne
3it wil fe fire ly as fair and brenne
As f ouh a .M. men myht it be-holde
His office naturele ay wil it holde 1 144
Vp peril of lif til fat it deie
Here maie 30 se wele howe fat genterye
Is nouht anexed to possession
Sef folke dof nouht her operacion 1148
Alweie as dofe f e fire lo in his kinde
For god it wote men maie ful often finde
A lorde sone do schame and velanye
And he fat wil haue prise of his gentirye 1 152
For he was borne of a gentil hous
And hadde his heldres noble and vertuous
And nyl hirn-seluen do no gentil dedes
Ke folowe his gentift ancestre fat dedes 1156
He is nouht gentil be he due or Erie
For veleyns sinful dede mak a cherle
For gentillesse ne is hot reuente
Of fine Auncestres for hire bente 1 1GO
Wliiche is a stronge f inge for f i persone
The gentilles comef fro god alone
Than comef oure verraie gentilles of grace
He was nofinge be-quefe vs wif oure place 1164
Thinkef howe noble as seif Valerius
Was f ilke tullius hostilius .
That oute of pouert ros to hihe noblesse neafioi]
Redef Senec and rede eke Boesse 11G8
There schold 30 seen expresse fat it no drede is
That is gentil fat dofe gentil dedes
And fer-fore dere husbonde .1. fus conclude
Al were fat myne Ancestres were so rude 1 172
LA.NSDOWNB 246 (6-T. 367)
SIX-TEXT 3G8
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
Jit maie fat hihe god and so hope .1.
Graunt me grace to leue vertuously
Than am .1. gentil whan fat .1. be-ginne
To leuen vertuously and weuen sinne 1176
5F And fare as 30 of pouert me repreue
The hihe god on whom fat we beleue
In wilful pouert ches to leue his lif
And certes euery man and maide and wif 1180
Maie vnder-stonde ihesu heuen kinge
~Ne wold noujt chese a vicious leueinge
Glad pouert is an honest f inge certeigne
This wil senec an[d] of ere clerk es seine 1184
Who so fat holde him paide of his pouert
.L holde him riche al had he nouht sert
He fat couetef is a pouer wight
For he wold haue fat is nouht in his myht 1188
Bot fat nouht haf e ne couetef to haue
Is riche al-f ouhe men holde him bot a knaue
Verray pouert is sinne propurly
luuenal seife of pouert merely 1192
The pore man whan he gof be f e waye
Be-for f e f eues he maie singe and pleye
Pouert is hatel good and as .1. gesse • ,
A ful grete bringer oute of besinesse 1196
A gre amender eke of Sapience
To him fat lakkef it in pacience
Pouer is f is al f ouhe it seme Alinge
Possessione fat no wyht wil chalinge 1 200
Pouert ful oft whan a ma[n] is lowe
Makef his and eke him self to knowe
Pouert in spektacle is as f enkef me
Jjourhe whiche he maie his verray frende se 1204
And fere sen fat .1. 30 we nou^t greue
Of my pouert no more me repreue f NO«« dc sen:ctutt>
Nowe sire of elde 30 preue me
And certes sir foruhe none auctorite 1208
LAXSDOWNE 247 (6-T. 368)
SIX-TEXT 369
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Wher in no boke p gentil of honours [leaf 101, back]
Seine fat men scholde an olde wife do fauoure
And clepe her moder for her gentillesse
An Auctours schal .1. finde as .1. gesse 1212
Novre fere 30 seine fat .1. am foule and olde
J)an drede pwe nouht to be no cokewolde
For filf e and helf e as mot .1. f e
Bene grete werdeins vpon chastite 121G
Bot naf eles sen .1. knowe pure delite
.1. scha[l] ful-nH: pure werly appetite
Chese nowe quod, sche one of f is f inges tweye
To haue me foule and olde til' fat .1. deie 1220
And be to pwe a trewe humble wif
And neuer 3oue displese in al my lif
Or elles p wil haue me pnge and faire
And take pure auenture of fe repaire 1224
That schal com to pure house be cause of me
Or in sume of ere place wel maie be
Nowe chese pure seluen whef er fat pu likef
This knyht a- vised him and sore he sikef 1228
Bot att f e last he seide in f is manere
My lady and my loue and wife so dere
.1. putte me in pure wise gouernaunce
Gessef pure self whiche maie be most plesaiince 1232
And most honour to pwe and me also
.1. do no force whef er of f e tuc
For as pwe likef it sufficet me
Than haue .1. gete of 3owe fe maistre quod sche 1236
Sen .1. may chese and gouerne as me lest
3e sertes wif quod he .1. holde it for f e best
Kisse me quod sche we be no longer wrof e
For be my trowfe .1. witt be to pwe bofe 1240
Jjis is seine to be to pwe bofe feire and goode
.1. praie to god fat .1. mot steruen woode
Bot .1. to pwe be also sadde and trewe
As euer was wif sen fat fe werlde was newe 1244
LANSDOWNE 218 (6-T. 369)
SIX-TEXT 370
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And bot .1. be to morwe also faire to seen
As any lady Emperes or qween
Jjat is be-twene fe est and eke j?e west
Do wijj my lif and defe riht as }ow lest 1248
Kast vp f>e kurteyne and loke how it is
And whan J>e knyht sauhe al J>is
Jjat sche so faire was and so 3onge fer-to [leaf 102]
For ioy he hent hir in his armes tuo 1252
His hert baped in a bajjfe of blisse
A.M. time a rewe he gan hir kisse
And sche obeide him in euerj finge
Jjat myht done him plesans or likeinge 1256
And Jms J>et leued vnto her lyues hende
In parfite loye and ihesu criste vs sende
Hosbonde meke ^onge and fresshe y bedde
And grace to ouer-lede hame fat we wedde 1260
And eke .1. praie to ihesu schort her lyues
Jjat wil nouht bo gouernd be hir wyues
And olde and Angrye Nigard in dispence
God send hem sone a verrei Pestelence 1264
Explicit fabwla Matrone vxo?ls de Bathonia .
LANSDOWNE 2 49 (6-T. 370)
SIX-TEXT 371
GROUP D. § 3. WIFE-FRIAR LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit -prologus fratria
[on leaf Wi}
This worf i lymitowr fis noble frere
He maad alweie lowreynge chere
Vpon fe Sompnowr bot for honeste
No veleyns worde as }ite spake he 12 08
Bot att fe last he saide vnto f e wife
Dame good god 3yue jowe riht good life
3e haue touchede here as mot .1. f e
In scole Matier gret difficulte 1272
3e haue seide muchel f inge riht wele .1. seie
Bot dame here as we riden be f e weie
Vs nedef nouht to speken bot of game
And lete Auctorites in goddes name 1276
To precheinge and to schole eke of clergie
Bot if it like vnto fis compaignie
.1. wil }owe of a Somnowr tel a game
Parde .1. maie wele knowe be fi name 1280
Jjat of no somnowr mai no good be seide
.1. praie fat none of jowe be yuel apaide
A Somnowr is a romer vp and doune
WiJ> a mendement of fornicacioune 1284
And is .I.-bette att euery tounes ende
Owre fan spake a sir 30 scholde be hende
And curteis as man of 3oure astate
In compaignie we wil no debate 12S8
Tellef ^oure tale and latef fe somenour be
Naie qwod Somnowr late him sei to me
What so him. liste whan it comef to my lote
Be god .1. schal him qwite euery grote. 1292
I schaH him teH whiche a grete honour [leaf 102, back]
It is to be [a] flateringe limitowr
And of ful mony anof er crime
Whiche nedef e nouht rehersen att fis time 129G
And his office .1. schal him teli .I.-wis
Owre oste answard pees no more of fis
And afterwarde he seide vn-to f e frere
Tel forfe ^owre tale my leue mayster dere . 1300
Explicit prologus .
LAXSDOWNE 250 (6-T. 37l)
SIX-TEXT 372
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Inciplt fabllla . [on leaf 102, lack]
"hilom fere was dwelinge in myne centre
An Arche-deken a man of hihe degre
That boldely dide execucion
In poneschinge of fornicacione 1304
Of whiche craft and eke of baudrye
Of difFamacion and avowtrie
Of cherche reues and of testamentes
Of contractes and of lac of sacramentes 1308
Of vsury and of Simony also
Bot certes Lychoures dede he grettest woo
Thei scholden singe if Jjei wer hente
And sniale tifers weren fowle schente 1312
If any person wolde vpon hem pleine
There myht a-stert him no pecuniale peyne
For srnale tifes and eke smale offringe
He maade J?e peple spitusly to singe 1316
For or J>e bischop cauht hem wif his hoke
Thei were in fe Arche-decanes boke
And fan hadde he foruhe his lurdict^one
Power to done on hem Correctione 1320
He had a somnoure redy to his hand
A slyhere boye was none in yngelande
For Sotely he had his especiaile
That tauht him where he myht availe 1324
He coufe spare of lychours one or tuo
To techen him to foure • and twenty mo
ffor fouhe pis somnowr woode were as an hare
To tel his harlotry .1. wil nou3t spare 1328
LANSDOWNE 251 (6-T. 372)
SIX-TEXT 373
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
For we hue oute of her correct-lone
Thei haue of vs no lurdictione
Ke neuer scholle terme of al her lyues
Peter so hue pe wymmen of pe styues 1332
Qwod pis Somnow yput houte of al oure cure
Pes wip meschaunce and wip misauenture [leaf 103]
Thus seid owre oste and late him tel his tale
Now tellejj forpe and lete pe Somnowr gale 133G
Ne sparep nouht myiie owen meister dere
This false )>ef pis somenowr q?wd pe frere
Hadde alweie haudes redye to his honde
As any hauke to lure in Ingelonde 1340
pat tellen him al pe secree fat pei knewe
Of hire acqueyntance was nat come of newe
pei weren his approwers priuely
He toke him self a grete profit per hy 1344
His maister knewe nat alweie what he wan
"Wip-outen mauredement of a lewed man
He coupe Somne of pein cristes curs
And pei weere glad to fill his purs 1348
And maade him grete festis att nale
Eiht as ludas had purse smale
And was a peef riht suche a peef was he
His maister had hot half his Dewte 1352
He was . if .1. schal ^euen him his laude
An peef and eke a somnowr and a haude
He had eke wenches of his retenue
That wheper sir Eohert or sir hewe 1356
Or John or Eaufe or who pat it wer
pat lei hy hem pei tolde it in his ere
J)us was pe wenche and he of on assent
Ande he wolde feche a feyned maundement 1360
And somone hem to chapeter hop tuo
And pil pe man and latt pe wenche go
Than wolde he seie frend .1. sal for pi sake
Do strike pe oute of owre letter blake
LANSDOWNE 252 (6-T. 373)
SIX-TEXT 374
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
f e far no more as in fis caas trauaile
.1. am f i frende fere .1. f e male availe
Sertein he knewe of briburs mo
J?an possible is to teH }ou to 1368
For in fis werlde is no doge for J>e bowe
fat knowe an hurt dere fro an holde bet cowe
fan fis Somenowr knewe a licour
Or a vouter or elles a paramour 1372
And for fat was f e fruyte of al f e rente
Ther-for on it he set al his entente
And so be-fel fat ones on a daie
fis Somnoztr euere wayteinge one his preje 1376
Rode for to somne a holde wif a ribibe [leaf ios, back]
Feynein a cause for he wald bribe
And happed fat he sauhe to-for him ride
A gaie ^oman vnder a forest side 1380
A bowe he bare and arwes briht and kene
He had vpon a courteby of grene
An hatte vpon his hede wif fenges blake
Sir qwod fis Somnowr heile and wele a take 1384
Welkom quod he and euery good felawe
Weder rides f ou vnder fis grene wod schawe
Saide fis ^oman wilt f ou fer to daie
fe SomnoMr him ansewerd and seide naye 1388
Here fast by quod he is myn entent
To riden for to reisene vp a rent
It longef to my lordes dewte
Ert fou fan a baillif ^e quod, he 1392
He dorst noujt fo verre felf e and schame
Sei fat he was somnow/' for f e name
De par dieux quod fis ^oman dere brof er
fou ert a bailif . and .1. am anofer 1396
.1. vnknowen as in fis centre
Of fin acqueyntance .1. wil praie f e
And eke of bref erhede if fat fou liste
.1. haue golde and siluer in my chiste 1400
LANSDOWNE 253 (6-T. 374)
SIX-TEXT 375
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
If fat 30 happed to com in to owre schire
It schal be fine riht as f ou wilt desire
Gremercie q?/od fis Somnowr be my feif e
Euer-iche in of ers honde her trouf leyf e 1 404
For to be swore href er to f ei deye
And wif fat worde f ei ride forf e f er weie
fis somnowr wif fat was as ful of Tangles
As foH of venym be fis wereangles 1408
And euere enquireinge vpon euery f inge
Brof er quod he where is ^oure dwelynge
Anof er daie if .1. schal 3011 seche
fis ^oman him ansewarde in soft speche 1412
Brof e[r] quod he fer in f e norf e cuntre
Where as .1. hope some time .1. schal f e se
Ar we departe .1. schal f e so wel wisse
fat of myne hous schalt fou nener mysse 1416
!Nbw brof er qwod fis Somenowr .1. ^ow preie
Teche me while we riden be f e weie .
Sen fat 36 be a baillif as am .1. [leaf 104]
Som subtilite tel me feif fully 1420
In myne office how fat .1. maie most winne
And spare nouht for conscience ne sinne
Bot as my brof er tel me howe do 36
No we be my trewfe brofer dere seide he 1424
As .1. schal tellen f e a faif ful tale
My wage buen ful streite and smale
My lorde is harde to me and dangerous
And myne Office ful laborous 1428
And fere-fore be extorcions .1. leue
For sof e .1. al fat men wil me $eue
AHgate be sleiht or violence
Frome jere to jere .1. winne al my dispence 1432
.1. kan no better tellen faif fully
Now sertes quod Somnowr so fare .1.
.1. spare nouht to taken god it wote
Bot if it be to heuy or to hote 1436
LANSDOWNE 254 (6-T. 375)
SIX-TEXT 376
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
What .1. maye gette in CounseiH pn'uely
No manere consciens of fat haue .1.
Ner inye extorcion .1. myht not leuen
Of suche Tapes wil .1. nouht bu schreuen 1440
For stomak ne for conscience knowe .1. none
.1. schrewe fis schrift faders euerychone
"Wele be we mette be god and be seint lame
Bot leue brof er tel me fan fi name 1444
Quod fis Somnowr in fis mene Avhile
This 3oman gan a litel for to smyle
Broker quod he wil towe fat .1. f e teH
.1. am a steue my dwellinge is in heH 1448
And here .1. ride aboute my purchasinge
To witte if men wil ^eue me any J>inge
Mi purchache is to fett al my rent
Looke howe fou ridest for fe same entent 1452
To winne good fou rekkest neuer howe
Eiht so fare .1. for ride wolde .1. nowe
In to f e werldes ende for a preie
A quod. fis somnowr Benedicite what 30 seie 1456
.1. wende 36 were a joman trewly
3e haue a mannes schappe as wel as .1.
Haue je fan a figure determinate
In hel fer je bene in ^oure astate . 1460
!Nai certainly qiiod he fare haue we none neafio*, back]
Bot whan vs likef e we can tak vs one
Or elles make ^ou seme we bene schape
Som tim a man or lyke an hape 1464
Or lyke an angel can .1. ride or goo
It is no wonder f inge f ouhe it be soo
A lousy logelour can disceyue f e
And perde $it can .1. mor craft fan he 1468
"Whi quod f is Somnour Eide 36 fan or gofie
In Sondre schappe and nouht alweie one
For we quod he wil vs suche forme make
As most able is oure preis to take 1472
LANSDOWNE 255 (6-T. 376)
SIX-TEXT 377
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAB'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
What make]) 3 owe to haue al pis laboure
Ful mony a cause leue sir Somnowr
Seid pis fende bot al )>inge hape time
pe daie is schort and it is passed prime 1476
And ^it ne warm .1. no pinge in pis daie
.1. wil entend to wynynge if .1. maie
And nouht entende oure wittes to declare
For "broker myne pi witte is al to bare 1480
To vnderstonde pouhe .1. tolde hem pe
Bot for pou axest whi labour we
For sum time we bue goddes instrumentz
And mennes to done his commandementz 1484
Whan pat him vpon his creatures
In diuerse attes and in diuers figures
Wip-outen him we haue no myht certaine
If pat him lust stande per a^eine 1488
And sum tyni att oure preie haue we leue
Onely pe body and nouht pe soule greue
Wittenes on lob whom pat we deden woo
And sumtyme haue we myht of bope tuo 1492
This to seine of soule and body eke
And som time we buen suffered for to done seke
Vpon a man and do his soule vnrest
Nouht his body and al is for pe best 1496
Whan he wip-stondep oure temptacione
It is a cause of saluacione
Al be it pat it was nou^t owre entent
He scholde be saue bot pat we wold him heiit 1500
And some tim be we seruant vn-to a man
As pe Erchebysschope seipe Dunstan
And to pe Aposteles seruant was .1. Oeafios]
$it teH me quod Somnowr feipfully 1504
Maake $e 3owe bodys pus al wey
Of Elementes pe fende seid naye
Som time we feine and sum time we rise
Wip dede bodies in ful sundre wyse 1508
LANSDOWNE 256 (6-T. 377)
SIX-TEXT 378
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And speke as renably faire and wele
As to f e pbitonessa did Samuele
And }it wil sum men sale it was nouht he
.1. do no fors of ^oure diuinite 1512
Bot o finge warne .1. fe .1. wil nouht Tape
Thou wilt algates wite howe we be schape
Thou schalt her-after-ward my broker dere
Come where fe nede]) not of me to lore 1516
For f ou schalt be fin owen experience
Com in to f e chaier to rede fis sentence
Better fan virgile while he was on lyue
Or dante also nowe lat vs ride belyue 1520
For .1. wil holde company wif f e
Til it be so fat f ou for-sake me
Naie qwod Somnoz/r fat schal not be-tide
.1. am a ^oman knowe is ful wide 1524
Mi troufe wil .1. holde to J>e as in fis caas
For f eih f ou were f e deuel Sathanas
My troufe wiH .1. holde to my brojjer
As .1. am sworne and iche of vs to ofere 1528
For to be trewe broker in pis caas
And broper wee goon to owre purchas
Take Jm J?i part what men wil pe ^eue
And .1. schal myne pus maye we bofe leuen 1532
And if fat any of vs haue more fan of er
lat him be trewe and part it wif his brof er
.1. graunt quod f e deuel be my feye
And wif fat worde fei reden forfe feire weie 1536
And riht att f e entringe of f e tounes ende
To whiche f e somnowr schope him for to wende
He sawhe a cart fat charged was wif haye
Whiche fat a carter droue forf on his waye 1540
Dep was f e way for whyche fe cart stode
f is carter smote and striued as he war woode
Heyt brok heyt scotte what spare we fore f e stones
The fende qz//>d he jowe fette bofe bodi and bones 1544
19 LANSDOWNE 257 (6-T. 378)
SIX-TEXT 379
GROUP D, § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
As ferforfly as euer were 30 folde [leaf 105, back]
So muche woo as .1. haue for jowe Jjoled
The deuel haue al bojje hors and carte and haye
Thouht Jns Somnow here schal we haue a pleie 1548
And nere fe fende he drouhe as nouhten were
An ful pn'uely rouned in his ere
Herken my broker herken be )>i feijje
Heres )>ou nouht howe Jje carter seife 1552
Hent it a-none for he ha]> ^euen it J>e
BoJ>e heye and carte and eke his caples )>re
Nay quod j?e deuel god wote neuer a dele
It is nouht his entent trust me wele 1556
Ax him J)i self if Jjou trowest not me
Or elles stinte a while and J>ou schalt see
This Carter jjakkes his hors on J?e croupe
And fei be-gonne to drawe. and to stoupe 1560
Heyte nowe quod he ]?at ihesu criste ^ow blisse
And al his hondewerke bojje more and lisse
J>at was my faire lyarde boye
And .1. praie god saue jje and seinte loye 1564
Nowe is my carte oute of J>e slouhe parde
Lo broker quod fe fende what tolde .1. ]>e
He[re] maie ^e se myne owen dere broker
J?e carle spak o J?inge bot he ]>ouht anofer 1568
Latt vs go forjje abouten owre viage .
Here wynne .1. no Jnnge vpon cariage
"Whan Jjei com somwhat oute of fe toune
This Somnoz/r to his broker gan roune 1572
Broker quod he here Avonnej) an olde rebek
fat hadde al-moste as leue to lese here neke
As for to ^eue a peny of hire goode
.1. wil haue tuelue pens fouhe fat sche be wode 1576
Or .1. wil somone hire to oure Office
And }it god woote of hire know .1. no vice
Bot for Jiou canst nouht as in Jjis countre
Wynne )>i coste take here ensample of me
LANSDOWNE 258 (6-T. 379)
SIX-TEXT 380
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
This Somnowr clepejj att pe wydoues gate
Come owte he seide J»ou olde veritate
.1. troue pou hast sum frere or preste wip pe
Who clepej? seide pis wif benedicite 1584
God saue }owe sire what is ^oure swete wil
.1. haue quod, he a somons of pe here a bil
Vp peine of Curseinge loke fat pu be [leaf IOG]
To morwe to-for owre Archidiacane kne 1588
To anseward to pe Courte of certeine pinges
Now qiiod sche lorde ihesu criste lunge of kinges
So wissely helpe me as .1. ne maie
.1. haue bue seke and pat ful mony a daie 1592
.1. maye nouht so ferre go qiiod sche ne ride
Bot .1. be dede so prikeji it in my side
May .1. nou^t ax a libel sir Somonowr
And anseware pe by my procatoure 1596
To suche a pinge as men wolden aposen me
3is quod pis Somonoz<r paie anone latt se
Tuelue pens to me . and .1. wil J?e acquite
I schal no profett haue per-by bot lite 1600
Mi maister haj>e pe prophet and not .1.
Com of and late me riden hastili
^eue me tuelue pens .1. maie no longer tarie
Tuelue quod, sche ladi seint Marie 1604
So wisely helpe out of care and sinne
j?is wide worlde pouhe pat .1. schold it wynne
K"e haue .1. no3t tuelue pens wip-in myne holde
3e knowen wele pat .1. am pouer and olde 1 608
Kype ^oure Almos on me pouere wrecche
E"ay pan quod he foule fende me fecche
If .1. pe excuse if pou scholdest be spilte
Alas quod sche god wote .1. haue no gilte 1612
Pay me quod he or be pe swete Anne
As .1. wil bere awaie pi newe panne
For dett whiche pou owest me of olde
Whan pou madest pin hosbonde kokewolde 1616
LANSDOWNE 259 (6-T. 380)
SIX-TEXT 381
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
.T. paied att home for f i correcciouw
Thou lext quod sche be my saluacioun
Ne was .1. neuer or now wedowe ne wif
Somned in-to ^oure court in al my lif 1620
Ne neuer .1. was bot of my body trewe
To f e deuel blake and rouhe of hewe
3if I. f i body . and my panne also
And whan fe deuel herd hir curs so 1624
Vpon hir knes he seid in fis maner
Now Mable myne owen moder dere
es fis }owre wil in ernest fat 30 seie
The deuel quod sche fette him ar he deie. 1628
And panne and al but he wiH him repent [leaf 100, back]
Naie olde stote fat is nou^t myne entent
Qaod fis Somnowr for to repent me
For any finge fat .1. haue hadde of fee 1632
.1. w.olde .1. hadde J)i smokke and euery clof e
Nowe brof ere quod f e deuel be nouht wrofe
This body and fis panne is my be riht
Thou schalt wif me to heft ^ut to-nyht 1636
"Where J)ou schalt know of oure pn'uete
More fan a maistre of diuiw^te .
And wijj J?at worde fis foule fende him hente
Body and soule he wif J?e deuel went 1640
Where fat Somnowrs han her heritage
And god fat maad after his ymage
Mankinde saue and gide vs al and sume
An leue fis Somnowr good man to be-come 1644
Lordinges .1. couf e haue tolde joue quod fis frere
Hadde .1. had leiser for fis Sornnowr here
After f e tixt Crist Poule and John
And of oure ofer doctowrs mony on 1648
Suche peines fat pure hert myht a-grise
Albeit so no tunge maie devise
f ouht fat .1. myht a fousand wynter teH
fe peyne of filke corsid house of hett 1652
LANSDOWNE 260 (6-T. 38l)
SIX-TEXT 382
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
JBot for to kepe us fro J>at cursed place
Wakef and prayej? ihesu for his grace
[ no gap in the MS.]
Herkenef Jns word be war as in Jns caas 1656
The lion sitte in his awaite alweie
To sle ]>e Innocent if J?at he maie
Dispose]? aye ^oure hertes to wif-stonde
The fende fat jowe wold make J>raH: and honde 1660
He maie nouht tempten jowe over ^owre myht
For criste wil be 3oure champion and knyht
And praiej) J>at fis somnowr him repent
Of his mesedede ar fat fe fende hem hent 1664
Explicit fabnla :
LANSDOWNE 261 (e-T. 382)
SIX-TEXT 383
GROUP D. § 5. FRIAR-SUMMONER LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit prologws aparitoris ion tea/m, back]
This SomnoMr in his stirep hihe stode
Vpon fis frere his hert was so wode
fat like an haspen lef he quoke for ire
Lordeinges quod he bot o finge .1. desire 1668
.1. ^owe be-seche fat of joure curtesie
Sef je haue herd fis fals frere lye
As suffref me .1. maie a tale teH Deaf 107]
This frere bostef fat he knowef hett 1672
As god wote fat is litel wonder
Freres and fendes ben bot litel in sunder
For parde $e haue oft time herd teH
How fat a frere rauisshed was in heH 1676
In spiret ones be a visione
And as Angel led him vp and downe
To schewen him j?e peynes fat fere were
In al fe place sawe he nou^t a frere 1680
Of of er folke he sawe y-nowe in woo
Vnto f is Angel spak f e frere f oo
Now sir quod he haue freres suche grace
fat none of hem schal com in- to fis place 1684
jis quod fis Aungel mony a melione
And vn-to Sathanas he had him adoune
And now haf Sathanas saif he taile
Braddef fan of f [e] Carrik is fe seile 1688
Holde vp f i taile f u Sathanas quod he
Schewe forf e fin erse and let f e frere se
Where is f e nest of freres in fis place
And ar fat halue a forlonge waie of space 1692
LANSDOWNB 262 (6-T. 383)
SIX-TEXT 384
GROUP D. § 5. FRIAR-SUMMONEE LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Riht so as tees swarme oute of an hive
Owte of fe deuels ers J>ei gon drive
twenty pousand freres on a rowte
And fouht hett swarme al aboute 1696
An comen a^eine als fast as ]>ei maie gone
And in his hars J>ei crepen euerychone
He clapped his taile a-^eine and leye stilt
This frere whan he loked had his fiH 1700
Vpon J)is tormentes vpon Jris sor place
His spirit god restored of his grace
Vnto his body a^eine and he awoke
Bot nafeles for fere }it he qwoke 1704
So was deueles ars aie in his mynde
pat is his heritage of verrai kinde
God sane joue al saue J)is curse frere
My prologe wil .1. ende in J>is Manere. 1708
Explicit/ prologus.
LANSDOWNE 263 (6-T. 384)
SIX-TEXT 385
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit/ fabula apantoris o»
LOrdeynges fere is in ^orke-schire as .1. gesse
A merschy centre called holdernesse
In whiche fere went a liraitour a-boute .
To preche and eke to bigge it is no doute flfw, bk]
And so be-feH fat on a daie fis frere 1713
Hadde preched att J?e cherche in fis manere
And specialy aboue euery f inge
He excited f e peple in his precheinge 1716
To trentals and for goddes saake
fere-wife men mihte holy houses maake
fere as deuyne seruice is honoured
Nou^t fere as is wasted and deuoured 1720
Ne fere it nedef nouht for to be jeue
As to possessioners fat maie elles leue
f ankede he god in wele and abundance
Trentals seide he deliuerf fro penance 1724
Here frendes soule as wele olde and jonge
If fat f ei bien hastely songe
Nouht for to holde a preste lolif and gaie
He siwgef not bot o messe on a daie 1728
Deliuerd oute anone fe soules
Ful harde it is wif fleschehokes or with oules
ISTowe spede 3owe hastely for cristes sake 1732
To kepe 3owe fro f e peines of fe fendes blake 1731
And whan f e frere hadde seide al his entente
Wif qui cum patre forf e he wente
Whan folke in churche had ^eue him what hem lest
He went his waie no longer wolde he rest 1736
LANSDOWNE 26J, (6-T. 385)
SIX-TEXT 386
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Wif scrippe and tipped staf tokked ful hihe
In euery . hous he gan to poure and prie
And beggef mele or chiese or elles corne
His felowe had a staf tipped wi)> home 1740
A peire of tables of yvory
And a pointel polisched fetusly
And wrote f e names alweie as he stode
Of euery folke fat 3aue hein any goode 1744
Askaunse fat he wolde for hem preie
$eue vs a boschel wete malte or rie
A goddes kechel or a trep of chese
Or elles what ^owe lest we niaie nouhte chese 1748
A goddes halpenye or a mespeny
Or ^eue vs of joure branne if 30 haue any
A dagon of ^oure blanket leue dame
Lo suster dere lo here .1. write ^oure name 1752
Bacon or befe or suche f inge as 30 finde
A stordy harlote went hem aie be-hinde peaf ios]
fat was he osteman and bare a sakke
And what men }aue hem laide on his bakke 1756
And he was out att f e dore anone
He pleyned awaie f e names euerychon
fat he be-fore had wreten in his tables
He serued hem wif nines and wif fables 1760
Nay fere f ou lext f ou SomnoMr q?^od f e frere
Pes qwod oure host for criste/ moder dere
Tel forf f i tale Spare it nouht att al
So friue .1. quod fe Somnowr so .1. schal 1764
So longe he went hous be hous qwod he
Til he come to an hous f er he was wonte to be
Refressched more fat in an hundref place
Seke laye bonde man wos fe place1 [Ms tcratcht out}
And vpon a couche lowe he laye
Deus hie qiiod he 0 Thomas frende good daie
Seide f is frere curtasly and soft
Thomas seide he god ^elde 3owe ful oft 1772
LANSUOWNE 265 (6-T. 386)
SIX-TEXT 387
GROUP D. § 6, SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Have .1. vpon f is benche fare wele
Here haue .1. ete mony a mery mele
And fro J>e benche he drove a-waie fe catt
And laide adoune his potent and his hatt 1776
And eke his scripe and sett him soft adoune
His felowe was go walked in f e tonne
Forf e wif his knaue in-to fat hostlerie
Where as he schope him filke nyht to lyo 1780
0 dere maister quod f is seke man
Howe haue 30 fare . sef marche be-gan
.1. sauhe }ou nouht f is fourtenyht and more
God wote quod he labourde haue .1. ful sore 1784
And speciali for fin saluacione
Haue .1. seide mony a precious orisone
And for oure of ere frendes god hem blesse
.1. haue to-daie done at ^oure cherche a messe 1788
And seide a seremon after my simple witte
Nouht al after f e text of holy wrytte
For it is harde to 3owe as .1. suppose
Ther-fore . wil .1. teH al f e glose 1792
Glosinge is a glorious finge certeine
For letter slef e so as clerkes seine
Ther haue .1. tauht hem to be charitable .
And spende here goode fere it resonable peaf ios, back] 1796
fere .1. sauhe oure dame a where is sche
jonde in f e $erde .1. trowe sche be
Seide f is man and sche wil come anone
Ey Maister welcome be je be seint John 1800
Seide f is wif howe fare ^e hertly
fe frere risef vp ful curtasly
And her • enbrasef in his armes narwe
And kissef hir swete and chirkef as a sparowe 1804
Wif his lippes f dam quod he riht wele
As he fat is ^oure seruant euerydele
I-f onkede be god fat 3ow $af soule and lif
3it sawe .1. nouht to-daie so faire a wif 1808
LANSDOWNE 266 (6^T. 387)
SIX-TEXT 388
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
In al f e cherche so god • saue me
^e god amend def antes sire quod sche
Algates welcom be $e be my faye
Graunt Merci dame fis haue .1. fonnde al weie 1812
Bot of ^oure grete goodenes be jowre lene
.1. wolde praie ^oue fat 30 not ^owe greue
.1. wil • wif tnomas speke a litel fro we
fis Curates buen ful necligent and slowe 1816
To gropen tenderly a consciens
In schrift and in precheinge is my diligence
And stody in peters wordes and in poules
.1. walke and fische men soules 1820
To jelden inesu criste bis pj-opre rent
To sprede bis wordes .1. sett al myne entent
Now be $oure leue o dere sir q?«od see
Cbidejj him wele for god in trinite 1824
He is as Angry as a pismyre
3eibe fat be baue al fat be can desire
feihe .1. bim wrye a nybt and make him warme
And ouere him laye my legge or myne Anne 1828
He gronef like owre bore groneinge in his stye
Of er disport of him ribt none haue .1.
.1. maie nouht plesen bim in no maner caas
.leo vous die treschier & bien amy o thomas 1832
fis makef f e fende it most bue amended
Ire is a f inge fat bihe god defended
And f ere-of wil .1. speke a worde or tuo
Nowe Maister quod f e wif ar fat .1. go 1836
What wil :je dyne .1. wil go f ere aboute
No we dame quod he le vous dy sanz doute peaf 109]
Haue . note of a capon bot f e liuere
And of ^oure soft brede bot a schiuere 1840
And after fat a rested pigges hede
Bot fat .1. wold for me no beste were dede
fan hadde .1. wif ^owe holy sufficeance
.1. am a man of litel sustinance 1844
LANSDOWNE 267 (6-T. 388)
SIX-TEXT 389
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Mi spirte is fosterd in pe bible
)3e body is aie so redy and penyble
To wake pat my stomak is destruyed
.1. prei jowe dame pat 30 be nouht anoy3ed 1848
J?ouhe .1. so frendely my counsel schewe
Be god .1. wold nouht teH it bot a fewe
No we sire qwd sche bot a worde ar .1. goo
My childe is dede wip-in pes wekes tuo 1852
Sene pat 30 went oute of pis towne
His dep sawe .1. be reuelacione
Seipe pis frere att home in owre dortowure
.1. dar wele sein ere pan halue an houre 1856
After his dep .1. sawhe borne to blisse
In myne avison so god me wisse
So dede oure sexteine and oure fermowrere
pat haue bue trewe freres .1. 3ere 1860
pei maie nowe god be panked of his lone
Maken her lubile and walken alone .
And vp he ros and al oure couent eke
Wip.niony a tere trillinge on my cheke 1864
Wip-owten noyes or clateringe of belles
Te deum was owre sange and no pinge elles
Saue pat to crist .1. saide an orison
Thonkeiuge him of his reuelacione 1 868
For sir . and dame trestep me riht wele
Oure orisons bene mor esprituele
And more we see of cristes secre pinges 1871
Than burel folke [pov^e pei were kynges L^SS]'
To lyue in pouert and in abstinaunce
And borelle folke] in reches and wynynges1 LaSTesy
In mete and drinke and in hire foule delite
We haue pis werldes lust al in despite 1876
Lazar and diues leueden diuersly
And diuers guerdone had pei pere-bye
Who so wil praie he mot fast and be clene
And fatte his soule and mak his bodi lene 1880
LA.NSDOWNE 268 («-T. 389)
SIX-TEXT 390
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
We fare as seif e f e postle clofe and foode
Soffisef vs fouhe fei bo nouht gode [leaf 109, back]
The clennes and f e fasteinges of vs freres
Makejj fat crist acceptef cure preiers 1884
Lo Moyses .xl. dales and .xl. nyht
Fasted or fat liihe god of miht
Spak wif him in f e mounte of Synay
Wif empty wombe fastinge mony a day 1888
Receyued he f e lawe fat was wreten
Wif goddes finger and helthe wel ^e weten
In f e mount or er he any speche
Wife fe hihe god fat is oure lines leche 1892
He fasted longe and was in contemplance
And aaron fat had f e temple of god in Goueraance
And eke fat of re pn'stes euery-chone
In-to fe temple whan fei schold gone 1896
To preie for f e peple and do seruice
fei wold nou^ dringen in no manere wise
No drinke whiche fat miht hem drunke make
Bot euer in abstinens to preie and wak 1900
Lest fat fei deide take hede what .1. seie
Bot fei be sobre fat for f e peple preie
Ware fat I. seie no more for it suffisit 1903
Oure lorde ihesus ' as holy god deuisit p MS ihiio]
^euef vs ensample of fastinge and of preiers
f er-for we amende fautes we pouere freres
Bene wedded to pouertf and to contenence
To charite humblenesse and also pacience 1908
Persecucione for rihtwisnesse
To wepeinge misericord and clennesse
And f ere-for may 30 se fat oure preyers
.1. speke of vs me vendinant freres 1912
Bene to f e hihe god more acceptable
Jjan ^oures wif ^oure fest att f e table
For paradise first if .1. schal nouht lye
Was man out chased for his glotonye 1916
LANSDOWNE 269 (6-T. 390)
SIX-TEXT 391
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
An chaste was man in paradise certeine
Bott herken fere what .1. schal seine
.1. haue no text of fat as .1. suppose
Bot .1. schal finde it in a maner glose 1920
J>at speciali oure swete lorde ihesws1 [' MS ihc]
Spak fus be verse whan he seid fus
Blissed be f ei fat pouer in spirit buen .
And so forfe al fe gospel male je seen [leafiio] 1924
Where it be like oure professione
Or her fat swemmen in possessione
Fye on here pompe and on her glotonye
And for here lewdenes .1. hem defye 1928
Me f enkef f ei ben like louynyan
Fatt as a whal and walkinge and as a swan
As vinolent as a botel in f e spense
Her praier is ful of grete reuerence 1932
Whan f ei for sowles seine f e psalme of Dauit
Lo buf ]>ei seine Cor meuw Eructauit
Who folowejj cristes gospel and his lore
Bot we fat humble be chast and pouer 1936
Werkes of goddes worde and eke auditoures
There-fore riht as an hauke ripe att a sores
Vp springef e in-to f e eyre riht preiers
Of charitable and chast besy freres 19-10
Makene here sores to goddes eren and hoo
Thomas f ere-for so must .1. ride or goo
And be fat god fat cleped is seint lue
Nere fou owre brofer scholdest fou nojt fryue 1944
In owre chapetre prei we daie and nyht
To crist fat he sende f e hele and myht
Thi body for to welden hastely
God wote quod he no finge fere-of wote .1. 1948
As helpe me criste as in fewe 3eres
Haue .1. spended of diuers maner freres
FuH mony a pounde jit fare .1. neuer f e bette
Certein my good almost haue .1. be-sette 1952
LANSDOWNE 270 (6-T. 39l)
SIX-TEXT 392
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Fare wele my golde for it is al a-goo
f e frere answerde o thomas whi dostowe soo
What nedef 3owe diuers freres to seche
What nedef hem fat haf a parfite leche 1956
To seche of er leches in f e toune
$oure inconstance is ^oure confusione
Holde 30 me fan or elles oure couente
To praie for ^owe buen insufficiente 1960
Thomas fat Tape is nouht worf e a myte
$oure maladie is for 30 haue geuen vs so lite
A 3ef fat couent half a quarter otes
A 3ef . on or tuo grotes 1964
A 3ef f e frere a peny and late him goo
Nay nay Thomas it maie no f inge be so [leaf no, back]
What is a ferf inge worthe parted in twelue
Lo iche a finge fat is houed be him selue 1968
Is more strange fan whan it is scaterd
Thomas of me f ou schalt nouht bene flaterde
Tho woldest owre laboure haue for nouht
fe hihe god fat al fis welde haf wrouht 1972
Seif fat f e werkman is worf i his hire
Thomas nouht of 3owre tresoure .1. desire
As for my self, bott for al oure couent
To praie for 3owe is aye so diligent 1976
And for to bilden cristes owen chirche
Thomas if 36 wil leren for to wirche
Of bildeinge vp of cherches mai 36 finde
If it be goode In thonias lif of hinde 1980
3e ligge here ful of Anger and of yre
Wif whiche f e deuel sette 3owre eres of fire
An chiden hire fis sely innocent
^oure wif fat is so meke and pacient 1984
And f er-fore Thomas trowe me if 3owe list
NQ striue wife f i wife al for f e best
And bere pis worde awaie be f i faif e
Toucheinge suche finge lo what f e wise man seif e 1 988
LANSDOWNE 271 (6-T. 392)
SIX-TEXT 393
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Wif-inne fin hous ne bue f ou no lyone
To f i subgettes done none oppressione
Ne maake fine acqueintance not for to flie
And Thomas ^itt eft-sonenes saie .1. fe 1992
Be war for hire fat in J>i bosome slepef
Be war of f e serpent fat so slely crepef
Vnder f e gras fat stingef sotely
Be war my sonne and herken paciently 1996
fat .xx.M. men haue lost her liues
For fat f ei haue bu spitous to her wives
Nowe seffe fus ^e haue so holy and so meke a wif 1999
What nedef l jow thomas to maken strif [> t> not complete]
Ther is .I.-wis no serpent so cruel
Whan men trede on his taile nou^t half so fett
As womman is whan sche haf cauht an yre
Vengaunce is fan al fat fei desire 2004
Ire is a sinne on of f e grettest of seuen
Abhominable vnto god of heuen/
And to him self it is a destruction
This euery lewed vicarie or parson 2008
Can sey howe ire engenderef homicide [leaf ni]
Ire in sof e is executor of pride
.1. couf e of ire seie so muche sorwe
Mi tale schold last to tomorwe 2012
And f er-for .1. praie god daie and nyht
An yrus man send him litel miht
It is grete harme and certes grete Pyte
To sett an Irus man in hihe degre 2016
Whilom f er was an Irrous potestate
As seif Senec duringe his astate
Vpon a daie out riden knyhtes tuo
And as fortune wolde it were so 2020
That one of hem cam home fat of ere nouht
Anone f e knyht to-for f e luge is brouht
And seide fus f ou hast f i felaw sleine
For whiche .T. deme f e to def certeine 2024
LANSDOWNE 272 (6-T. 393)
SIX-TEXT 394
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
And to anoper knyht commaunded lie
Go lede him to pe dep .1. charge pe
And happe as pei went be pe weie
Towardes pe place pere as he scholde deie 2028
The knyht cam whiche pei wende had bu dede
Then pouhten pei it were pe beste rerede
To lede hem bope to pe luge a^eine
pei seiden lorde pe knyht ne hajj aouht sleine 2032
His felaw here standep on lyue
3e schollen be dede quod he so must .1. priue
pis to sei boj>e oone tuo and pre
And to pe first knyht riht pus spak he 2036
.1. dampned fe fou most algate be dede
And Jjou also mot nodes lose pine hede
for J>ou art cause whi J?i felawe deyej)
And to jje pred knyht rih[t] fus he sei]?e 2040
fou hast nouht done J>at .L comaunde pe
And Jjus he dide sle hem al J>re
Irrows Cambises was eke dronkenlews
And aye delite him to bene a schrewe 2044
And so be-fel a lorde of his meigne
Tha[t] loued vertuus moralite
Seide on a daie vnto him self riht pus
A lorde is lost if pat he be vicious 2048
A dronkenesse eke is a foule recorde
Of any man and namely in a lorde
There is ful mony eye and mony an ere iieaf in, back]
Awaytteinge on a lorde and he note where 2052
For goddes loue dringep more attemperelly
Wyne makep man to lese wrecchely
His mynde and eke his limes euerychone
The reuerse schal pou se qwod he anone 2056
And proue it be pine owen experience
)3at wyne dope to folke none suche offence
Jjere is no wyne be-reuep me my myht
Of hande ne foote ne of myn ey^en siht 2060
20 LANSDOWNE 273 (6-T. 394)
SIX-TEXT 395
GKOUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And for despite he dranke ful muche more
An .0. parte fan he hadd done to-fore
And riht a-none f is cursed wreche
Lete fis knyhtes son "be-forne him fecche 2064
And commandeinge hem f ei schol be-for him stonde
And sodanly he toke his bowe on honde
And vp f e stringe he pulle to his ere
And wif an arwe he slowe fe childe riht fere 2068
Nowe wef e haue .1. seker honde or none
Quod he is al my witte and my witte agone
Haf e wyne berened me my eyesiht
What scholde .1. tett fe Ansewere of f e knyht 2072
His son was sleyne fere is no more to seie
Bef e warre f er-fore wij) lordes howe 30 pleie
Singef Placebo and .1. schal . If .1. can
Bot }if it be vn-to a pouer man 2076
To a pore man he schold his vices tett
Bot nou^t to a lorde f ouhe he schold go to heH
Lo ITIOUS Sims f ilke percien
How he destreiede fe river of Gysen 2080
For fat an hors of his was drenched fere-inne
"Whan fat he wente babiloyne to wynne
He maad fat f e riuer was so smale
fat wewmen mihten wade ouer ale 2084
Lo what seide he fat so wele teche can
Ne be no felow to none yrous man .
Ne wif no wood man walke be f e waie
Leste fe repent .1. wil no more seie 2088
Now thomas leue brof er leue fin Ire
f ou schalt me finde als iust as is a swire
Holde nouht f e deueles knyf ay fat fin herte
Jjine Anger dofe fe al to sore smarte 2092
Bot schew to me al fin confession Peaf 112]
JSTay qiiod. f e seke man be seint Simon
.1. haue be schreue f is daie att my curate
.1. haue him tolde al holy myne estate 209G
LANSDOWNE 274 (6-T. 895)
SIX-TEXT 396
GROUP D. § B. SUMMONER'S TALE. Xansdowne MS.
It nedef no more spek of hit seide he
Bot if me lust of myne humilitee
£if me fan of pi golde to make oure cloyster
Quod, he for mony a muskel and many an oyster 2100
HaJ>e buen oure fode oure cloi[s]ter for to reise
Whan of er men haf e be ful wele att eyse
And $it god wote vnef f e foundement
Performed is ne of oure Paiment 2104
Nis nouht a tile $it wif-inne owre wones
Be godde we owen fourti pounde for stones
Now helpe thomas for him fat herewed heHe
Or we most oure bokes sette 2108
And if we lakke our predicacione
Than gof fe weride al to destruccione
For who wolde fro f is weride vs be-reue
So god me saue Thomas be joure leue 21 12
He wolde be-reve oute of f e weride f e sonne
For who can teche and worche as we conne
And fat is nouht of litel time quod he
Bot sef yns Elye was or Elyje 21 IS
Hafe freres buen fat finde .1. of recorde.
In Charite y-f onked be oure lorde
Now thomas helpe for seint charitee
Adoune a-none he sett him on his kne 212(1
^T This seeke man wex nyhe woode for ire
He wolde fat f e frere had bue on fire
Wif his fals dissimulacione
Suche finge as is here in my possessione 2124
Quod he fat maie .1. ^eue and none of ere
3e seine me fus fat .1. am 3oure brof er
Je sertes tynod fe frere trustejj nie wele
.1. toke oure dame oure lettres wif owre seale 2128
IT Nowe wele quod he and sumwhat wil .1. jeue
Vn4o ^oure holy Couent whiles .1. leve
And in fin hand f ou schal it haue anone
Vpon fis condicione and of ere none 2132
LANSDOWNE 275 (6-T, 3Q6)
SIX-TEXT 337
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
J?at f ou depart it so myne owene dere brof er
J3at euery frere haue also muche as of er
This schalt jjou swere on )>i professione . [leaf 112, back]
Wif-oute fraude or cauellacione 2136
.1. swere it quod fis frere vpon my feif e
And f ere-wif-al his honde in his he leif e
Lo here my feif e in me schal be no lakke
fan put fine honde doune be my bakke 2140
Seide fis man and grepe wel be-hinde
Be-nef e my buttok fere schaltow finde
A f inge fat .1. haue hid in pn'uete
A fount fis frere fat schal go wif me 2144
An doune his honde he launcef in-to fe clift
He hoped fere for to finden a $ift
And fan ful besi was f is frere
Aboute his touele gropeinge here and fere 2148
Amiddes his honde he lete f e frere a fart
Jjare is no capel draweinge in f e cart
fat myht haue latt a fart of suche a sowne
jje frere vp stert as it were a fers lyone 2152
A fals cherle quod he for kokes bones
f is hastow for spite done for f e nones
f ou schal abye f is fart if fat .1. maie
His meignje whiche fat herden fis affray 2156
Cam lepeinge inn and chased owte f e frere
And forf e he gof e wif a ful Angry chiere
An fette his felawe fere as leie here store
He loked as it were a wilde bore 2160
He grentef his tef so was he wrofe
A stordy pas doune to f e courte he gof e
Where as fere wonned a man of grete honoure
To whome fat he was al w'eie confessoure 2164
This worfi man was lorde of fat vilage
fis frere cam as f ouhe it were in a rage
Where as fis lorde satte eteinge att his borde
"^Vnnef miht fe frere speke a worde 2168
LANSDOWNE 276 (6-T. 397)
SIX-TEXT 398
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Til att f e last he seide god ^ow se
Jjis lorde gan loke and seide benedicite
quod he ffrere lohn what manere werlde is f is
.1. see wele fat sum finge is amys 2172
3e loken as fe wode were ful of f eues
Sittef anone and tel me whate jou greues
And it schal bene amended if fat .1. maye
.1. haue qwod he a dispite to daye 2176
God 3elde $ow a downe in joue vilage peafm]
)3at in f is werlde fere is none so pouer a page
J?at he nolde haue abhomynaciowne
Of fat .1. haue reseyuede in ^owre toune 2180
And 3it me greuef no f inge so sore
As fat f is olde cherle wif lokkes hore
Blasphemed haf oure holy Couent eke
Now mayster quod fis lorde .1. $owe beseke 2184
No maystere quod he bot seruitoure
feih .1. haue had in scole fat honoure
God lykef nouht fat men vs Raby caH
Neyfer in Market ne in joure haH 2188
No force quod he bot tel me of joure greue
Sir quod f e frere an hydous mescheue
This daie be-tidde is to myne order and to me
And so par consequence to iche degre 2192
Of holy cherche god amend it sone
Sir qu-od f e lorde 30 wote what is to done
Distemper $owe nou^te 36 be my confessoure
3e bue f e salt of f e erfe and f e sauoure 2196
.For goddes loue ^oure paciens 30 holde
Tellef me joure greue and he anone him tolde
Als 30 haue herde be-for 30 wote wele whatt
The lady of f e hous ay stil satt 2200
Til sche herde what f e frere seide
Ey goddes moder quod sche blisful meide
Es fere nouht elles tellef me feif fully
Ma dame quod he howe finke 3owe fer by 2204 .
LANSDOWNE 277 (6-T. 398)
SIX-TEXT 399
GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Howe fat me JjenkeJ) qwod ache so god me spede
.1. seie a cherle haj>e done a cherles dede
What scholde .1. sei god lat him newere f e
His seeke hede is ful of vanite 2208
.1. holde him in a maner franseye
Ma dame qwod he be god .1. schal nou^t lye
Bot .1. on ofere wyse mai bene a-wreke
.1. schal sclander him oner al where .1. speke 2212
fe fals blasphemowr J>a[t] charged me
To parte Jpat myht nouht departed be
To euery man y-liche wif meschaunce
The lorde satte stille as he lay in a traunce 2216
And in his hert he rolle vp vdoune
Howe had J>is cherle ymaginaciounce
To sehew s-uche a p-obleme to fe frere fleams, back}
!N"euer arst or no we herde J. of suche matiere- 2220
.1. trowe f e deuel put it in his mynde
In ars metrike schal j>ere no man finde
Be-for )>is daie of suche a questions
Who schold make a demonstracione 2224
J?at euery man schold hane J.-like his parte
Of a sowne or of a sauoure of a farte
0 nyce proude cherle .1. schrewe his face
Lo sires quoA jjis lorde wijj harde grace 2228
Who euer herde of suche a J>inge or nowe
To euery man .y.-lyke tel me howe
It is an impossible it mai nou^t be
A nyce cherle god lat him neuer J»e 2232
The rnmblinge of a farte and euery sowne
Ne es bot bot of eyre reuelacioune
And J>ere-wij> wastej> lytel and lyte a-waie
Ther is no man can deme be my faie 2236
If fat it were departed equali
What lo my cherle lo ^it howe schrewdelye
Vn-to my confessowr to-daie he spak
.1. holde him certeine a demonyak 2240
LANSDOWNE 278 (6-T. 399)
SIX-TEXT 400
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Nowe etef ^oure mete and let him go pleie
Latt him go honge him self a deuel weie
[The Solution of the " Probleme " by the Lord's Squire.
No break in the MS.]
Nowe stoode f e lordes swyer att fe borde
fat kerue here mete and herde worde for worde 2244
Of aile f inge of whiche .1. haue ^owe seide
My lorde quod, he be nouht heuel apaide
.1. couf e telle for a gone clof e
To }ow sir frere so 30 be nouht wrof e 2248
How fat f is scholde euen ydelt be
Amonge joure Couent if it lykef me
Tel on quod f e lorde and JJQU schalt haue anone
A goune clof e be god and be seint Ioh"n 2252
Mi lorde quod he whan f is weder is feire
Wif-owten. wynde or pertubeinge of eyre
Lat bringe a carte whele here in-to J>is halt
Bot loke he haue his spokes aft 2256
Twelue spokes haj> a cart whele coimwly
And bringe me fan .xij. freres witte 30 why
For twelue is a Couent as .1. gesso
Jowre confesses* hede for his worfinesse 2260
Schal performe vp fe nombre of his Couent peaf 114]
Than schal fei knele a-doune by on assent
And to euery spokes ende in fis manere
Fid saddely scholden lay here nose iche a frere 2264
Joure noble Confessoure fere god him saue
Schal holde his vpriht in-to f e naue
Than schal f is cherle wif bely styffe and toulit
As any tabur hider buen brouht 2268
And sett him on f e whele riht on f is carte
Vpon he naue and late him maake a farte
And je schol see vp peril of my lif
Be preue whiche fat is demonstratif 2272
LANSDOWNB 279 (6-T. 400)
SIX-TEXT 401
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
J?at equali fe soune of it wil wende
And eke J>e stynk to Jje spokes ende
Saue fat J?is worjri man fis confessoure
Because he is a man of grete honoure 2276
Schal haue Jje first fruyte as reson is
The noble vsaga of freres $it is Jns
The worjji men of hem scholen first be serued
And Serteynly he haf it wele deserued 2280
He haj> to-day tauht YS so muche goode
WiJ> precheinge in J>e pilput j)er he stoode
]>at .1. male vouche saue .1. saie for me
He hadde J>e first smel of fartes J>re 2284
And so wolde al his couent hardely
He berejj him so faire and so holyly
The lorde J>e lady and eche mon saue J>e frere
Saiden J>at lankyn spak in J>is matiere 2288
As wele as Euclide or ptholome1 p t fa i wo»o
Toucheinge J>e cherle subtelite
And by hihe make him speke as he spak
He is no Me ne none demoniak 2292
And lanky haj) wonne a newe gowne
Mi tale is done we buen almost att towne
Explicit fabula Aparitoris i
IANSDOWNE 280 (6-T. 401)
GEOTJP E, FEAGMENT VI.
§ 1. THE CLEEK'S HEAD-LINK.
LANSDOWNE MS.
Incipit prologws Clerici f ion l
Sir Clerc of Oxenforde owre Oste seide
3e ride as stiH and coie as doj? a maide
Weer newe spowsed sittings att j?e borde
This daie ne herde .1. of ^oure tounge a worde 4
I trowe fat je stody aboute some sophime
Bot Salomon seijje euery J>inge hajje time
For godessake befe of Better chier
It is no time for to stodie here . 8
Tel vs sum mery tale be 3oure feie [leaf IH, back]
For what man is entrede in-to pleie
He nedes mote vnto fie plaie assent
Bot preches nouht as freres done in lente 12
To make vs for oure olde sinnes wepe
Ne J>at ]>i tale Make us nouht to sl[e]pe
Teli vs sum Mery )nnge Of Auentures
3oure termes ^oure coloures 3oure figures 16
Kepe hem in store til so be ^e enditen
Hihe stylede as whan fat men to kinges writen
SpekeJ) so pleine att J>is time .1. ^ou preie
That we may vnderstonde what je seie 20
IT jjis worjji clerke benywgly ansewerd
Oste quod he .1. am vnder joure ^erde
3e hane of vs as noue J?e gouemance
And fe?-fore wil .1. do ^owe obeissance 24
LANSDOWNE 281-2 (6-T. 403)
SIX-TEXT 404
GROUP E. § 1. CLERK'S HEAD-LINK. Lansdowne MS.
As fer as reson axe]? hardely
.1. wiH ^owe tel a tale whiche fat .1.
Lerened att Padouse of a worf i clerke
As preuede be his worde and his werk
He is nowe dede and nailed in his chist
.1. praie to god }if his soule good ryst
Fraunces Petrak f e Laureat poet
Hiht f is clerke whos rethorik swoet 32
Enlumyned al. ytaile of Potrie
As Linian dide of Philosophie
Or lawe or of er arte particulere
Bote fat wil nouht suffur dwell here 36
Bot as it were a twynklinge of an eye
Hem bofe haf e and al schal we dye
Bot for to teH of ])is worf i man
fat tauht me fis tale as he gan 40
,1. seie fat wij> hyhe stile first enditef
Or he fe body of his tale writef
A prohemye in fe whiche descriuef he
Pymonde and of Saluces f e Centre 44
And spekef of Appenyne f e hulles hihe
fat buen f e boundes of lumbardie
And of f e mounte vesulus in special
Where as f e poe out of a wel smal 48
Takef his first springeinge and his sours
fat estward ay encresef in his cours
To Emel warde • ferrir and venise tfeaf us.]
Whiche of longe f inge were to deuise 52
And treuly as to my luggement
Me f enkef fat a f inge impertinent
Saue fat he wil con[u]eyn his matier
Bot fis is tale whiche fat 30 maie hier 56
Explicit prologws i
LANSDOWNE 283 (6-T. 404)
SIX-TEXT 405
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[No breaks are between the stanzas in the MS.]
Me incipit fabula L°»
r
Wier is riht att f e west side of Itaile 57
1 Doune att f e rote of Vesulus f e colde
A lusti pleine aboundaunt of vitaile
Where mony a toure and toune f ou maiste beholde
J?at founden were in time of faders olde
_ And mony anof er delitable siht
And Saluces f e noble centre hint 63
A markes whilome lorde was of fat lande 64
[As were his worthi elderes hym be-fore] lMS,Ref;18(?,2'7^J^^
-1 back. It omits I. C6-7.]
And obeissan aie redy to his hande
Were al his lieges bofe lesse and more 67
Jjus in delite he leuef and haj> done 3 ore
Beloued and drad f orwhe fauoure of fortune
Bofe of his lordes and of his comune 70
}3ere-wif he was as to speke of Lignage 71
A faire person and stronge and ^onge of age 73
The gentillest bore of lombardye 72
[And ful of hononre and of curtesye] [Ms Reg. 18 c 2]
Discrete ynouhe his Contre for to Gye
Saue in summe f inges he was to blame
And Waltier was f is 3onge lordes name . 77
I. blame him Jms fat he considerd nouht 78 "
In time comynge what myht him be-tide
Botte on his luste present was al his Jjouht
[And for to hauke and hunte on euery syde] ^^a^ilf^ 2<
Wei nyhe al ofere Cures lete he slide
And eke he nolde fat was fe werst of aH
Wedde no wife for owhte fat maie befaH 84
LANSDOWNE 284 (6-T. 40o)
SIX-TEXT 406
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Onely fat poynte his peple bare so sore 85
}5at flokingmele on a day to him f ei went
And of him fat wisest was of lore
Or elles fat J>e lorde beste wolde assent 88
Jjat scholde tellen him what his peple ment
Or elles couf e schew wele suche matier
He to J?e Markys seide as 36 schal here 91
0 noble Markes 3oure humanite 92
Assurif e vs and whisse vs hardines
As oft as time is of necessite
That we to jowe maie teH; oure Heuinesse [leaf us, tack]
Accept lorde now of ^oure gentilnesse
fat we wif petous hert to 3 owe pleine
And late ^oure eres nouht my voice disdeyne 98
IT Al haue .1. nouht to done in f is matiere 99
Mor fan anof ere man haf e in f is place
3itte as for as muche as 30 my lorde so dere
Haue alweie schewde me fauore and grace 102
.1. dare f e better ax of 3owe a space
Off Audience to schewen oure request
And 30 my lorde to do riht as 3owe liest 105
1T For certes lorde so wele lykef vs 3owe 106
And al jowre werkes and euer haf e fat we
]S"e couf e nouht oure seluen deuisen howe
We myht leue in more felice . 109
Saue o f inge lorde if 3owre wil be
fat for to be a wedded man 3owe list
fan were 3oure peple in Souereigne hertes rest 112
IT Bouf e 3oure nek vnder fat blisfuH 3ok 113
Off Souereignete nouht of seruise
Whiche fat men clepe spowsal or wedlok
And finkef lord ainonges 3oure fouhtes wise 116
LANSDOWNE 286 (6-T. 406)
SIX-TEXT 407
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[ffor of wedlok/ cometh gret emprise]
For f ouhe we slepe or wake or roume or ride
Ay . flief f e time and wil no man abide 119
And fouh ^oure grene ^oufe floure as ^ite 120
IT In crepejj Age al wei as stiH as stone
And def e manassef euery age and smytef
In eche astate for fer askapef none 123
And also certeigne as we knowe ichone
fat we schal deie . As vncerteigne we aft
Biene of fat daie fat def schal on vs faH 126
IT Accepte fan of vs fe trewe entente 127
fat neuer }it refuysed ^oure best
And we lorde ^if fat 30 wil asente
Chese ^owe a wif in scbort time att f e lest 1 30
Borne of f e gentelest and of the mest
Of al f is londe so fat it ouht seme
Honowr to god and 3owe as we can deme 133
IT Deliuer vs of al fis besy dede 134
And takef a wif for hihe goddes sake
ffor if.it so be-fel as god for-bede
;fat foure def e .joure lignage scholde slake 137
And fat a stronge successoure scholde take [leaf ne]
3oure Heritage woo were vs on lyve
Where-for we praie 3owe hastely to wiue 1 40
1T Here meke preiere and here pitouse chiere 141
Maaked $e Markes hert haue pite
[Wol ye quod he myn oune peple deerel t?18 "***• 18 c 2»
leafV&Z, back]
To fat .y. nerste euer fouht to steyne me 144
I. me reloysed of my lybertie
]5at selden time is founden manage
J?ere .1. was fre .1. most be in seruage 147
LANSDOWNE 286 (6-T. 407)
SIX-TEXT 408
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. lansdowne MS.
IT Bot nafeles .1. see ^oure trewe entente 148
And truste vpon ^oure witte and haue done aye
Where-for wif aH my fre wil .1. wil assente
To wedde me als sone as eu[er]e .1. male 151
Bot fere as 30 haue proferd me to dale
To chese me a wif .1. ^owe relese
]3at choise and pray joue of 3oure profure cese 154
1T For .1. wote fat childern often Men 155
Vnlyke here elders hem before
Bounte comef al of god nouht of )>e strene
Of whiche fei hue engenderd and y-bore 1 58
.1. truste in godese bounte and fere fore
Myn mariage and myne astate and .reste
.1. him be-take he maie do as him leste 161
IT Lete me alone in cheseinge of my wif 162
Jjat charge vpon my bak .1. wil endure
Bot .1. 3owe preie and charge vpon $owre lif
J?at what wife .1. take 30 me assure 165
To worschip hire while fat hire life maie endure
In worde and werke bof e here and euerywhere
As sche an Emperoure douhter weere 168
H And ferfer-more fis schal 30 swere fat 30 169
A3eine my choice schal neuer gruche ne strive
ffor sef .1. schal for-go my liberte
Att 3oure request as euer mot .1. fryve 172
\er as my hert is set f er wil .1. wiue g^i£S£Swl5
And bot 30 wil assente in suche manere
.1. praie 3owe spekef no more of f is matiere 1 75
IT Wif hertly wil fei swore and assenten 176
To al f is f inge f er seide no whiht naye
Besekeinge him of grace or fat fei wenten
fat he wold graunten hem a cerceigne daie 179
LANSDOWNE 287 (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 409
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Of his spowsel as sone as euere he male
For }it alweie f e peple sum what drede
Lest fat f is Markes no wife wold wedde Deaf ne, back]
1T He graunted hem. a dai suche as him list 183
On whiche he wil be wedded sekurly .
And seide He dide al f is att f eire request
An f ei wif e humble entent ful buxhumly . 186
Kneleynge vpon here knese ful reuerently
Him f onkyiige aU and f us f ei haue an ende
Of here entente and home a^eine f ei wende 189
1T And here-vpon he to his officiers 190
Cowmaundef for f e feste to purveie
And to his pnue knyhtes and swyers
Suche charge ^af as him list on hem leye 193
And f ei to his commandement obeie
And yche of hem do]) his diligence
To do vn-to fe fest reuerence . 196
[PART IL]
Frima pars fabule
wht fer fro J>e paleis honurable 197
Where as fe Markes schope his manage
-- i The[re] stode a frope of J>e Cite delitable
In whiche fat pouer folke of J>at vilage 200
Hadden her bestes and her herbergage
And of here laboure toke here sustinance
After fe er]?e $af hem abundance 203
11 Amonge fise pouer folke fer dwelled a man 204
Whiche was holde pouerest of hem al
Bot fe hihe god sum time sende can
His grace in-to a lite oxe stal 207
lanicula Men of fat f orpe him cal
A doubter had he faire ynouhe to siht
An Crisilda f is jonge maiden hiht
LANSDOWNE 288 (6-T. 409)
SIX-TEXT 410
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT Bot for to speke of vertuouse beute 211
Jjan was sche one of j?e fairest vnder sonne
Ful pouerly fosterd was sche
!N"o lycourous luste was in hire hert yronne 214
Wele offcer of jje wel fan of f e tonne
Sche dranke for sche wolde vertuse plese
Sche knewe wele laboure bot none ydel ese 217
11 Bot Jjouhe fis maide tender were of age 218
}ite in ])e breste of hire virginite
fere was y-closed ripe and scharpe corage
And in a grete reuerence and charite 221
Hire olde pouer fader fosterd sche
A fewe schepe spynynge on fe felde sche kepped Deaf 117]
Sche nolde noujt be ydel til fat sche slepped 224
IT And whan sche cam homwarde sche wald bringe 225
"Wortes or of er herbes times oft
The whiche sche schredde and sef e for here leueinge
And maade hire bedde ful harde and nofinge soft 228
And ay sche kepped her faders life on loft
.Wife euerye obeissance and dilegence
]3at childe myht do to fadere reuerence 231
IT Vpon Crizilda fe pouer creature 232
Ful oft sif e f e Markes sett is eye
As he on hunteinge rode perauenture
And whan it feH fat he myht hire aspye 235
He nouht wij) wanton lokeinge of folye
His eyen kast on hire bot in sad wise
Vpon hire chere he wolde him of avise 238
IT Commendinge in his ert here wommanhede 239
And eke hir vertue passinge any whihte
Of so 3onge age as wele in chere as in dede
'For pouhe fe peple haue no grete insiht 242
LANSDOWNE 289 (6-T. 410)
SIX-TEXT 411
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
In vertue he considered ful riht
Her bounde and disposed fat lie wolde
Wedde hire onely if euere he Aved scholde 245
IF J?e daie of weddinge cam bot no whihte can 246
Tel what womman fat it scholde be
For whiche merveile wonderej? mony man
And seiden whan fei were in pn'uete 249
Wil nouht oure lorde leue his vanite
Wil he nouht wedde alas alas J>e while
Whi wil he Jms him self and vs be-gile 252
5T Bot najjeles pis Markes hafie done make 253
Of gemmes sette in golde . and in asure
Broches and ringes for crisild sake
And of hir clopinge toke he )>e mesure 256
Of a maiden lyke to hire stature
And eke of ofer ornamentes al
)>at vnto suche a wedynge scholde fal 259
IF The time of hundren of fe same daie 260
Aproche]? fat pis weddynge schold be
And al J?e paleis putt was in araie
BoJ>e hal and chambre iche in his degre 263
Houses of officez stoffed wij? plente
Ther mai Jjou see of daynteuos vitaile peaf 117, back]
That maie be founde as fer as last ytaile 266
IF This Roial Markes richeli araide 237
Lordes and ladies in his compaigne
The whiche vnto J>e feste were praide
And of his retenu jje bachellarie 270
Wijj mony a soune of sundre Melodic
Vnto ]?e vr°ge of whiche .1. tolde
In Jns airaie J>e riht weie haj>e holde 273,
21 LANSDOWNE 280 (6-T. 41l)
SIX-TEXT 412
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT Crisid of fis god wote ful innocente 274
That for Mr schapen al fis arraie was
To fecche water atte f e wel is went
And comef home as sone as ener sche maie 277
For wele sche hadde herde sale fat like dale
Jjat Markes scholde wedde and if sche miht
Sche wol feine haue seine sum of fat siht 280
IT Sche fout .1. wil wij? ofer maidens stonde 281
jjat bien my felaues in owre dore and see
The Markes and farfore wil .1. fonde
To done att home as sone as it mai be 284
The laboure fat longejj ynto me
And fan .1. maie att leiser hire be-holde
If sche f is waie in-to f e castel holde 287
^[ And as sche wolde oner f e fresshewolde gone 288
The Markes came and ga?me hire for to caH
And sche sett doune hire water pott a-none
Be-side f e fresshewold of f is ox . staH 291
And doune vpon hir knesse sche gan to faH
"Wif sadde Countenance knelef still
Til sche hadd herde what was fe lordes wiH 294
IT This f ouhtful Marquys spake vnto fis maide 295
Ful soburly and seide in fis manere
"Where es 3 owre fader Crizild he seide
And sche wif reuerence and humble chiere 298
Ansewerd lorde he is aH redie here
And in sche gof e wif-oute langer lette
And to fe Markys hir fader sche fette 301
IT He be f e honde fan toke fis olde man 302
And seide f us whan he had him a side
lanicula .1. neyfere maie ne kan
lenger f e pleeance of myne herte hide 305
LANSPOWNE 291 (6-T. 412)
SIX-TEXT 413
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
If fat ]>o\i vouche-saf what so 'be- tide
J)i doubter .1. wil take ar fat .1. wende [leaf us]
As for my wif vnto hire liues ende 308
IF Thowe louest me .1. wote it wele certeine 309
And arte my feif eful liege Maifaie y-bore
And al fat likef me .1. dar wel seine
It like]? fe and specialiscbe fere-fore 312
Tel me fat point as .1. haue seide be-fore
If fat f ou wilte vnto fat purpose drawe
To take me as for fi son in la we 315
IF The sodeyne caas fe man a-stoned so 316
fat rede be wex a-bassched and al qwakynge
He stoode vnnef he seide worde no moo
Bot only fus lorde quod he my willynge 319
Is as 30 wiH nouht a-^eines 3oure lykeynge
.1. wil nof inge 36 be my lorde so dere
Bot as 30 w luste gouernef fis matier 322
I
IF 3it wil .1. quod fis Markes softlye 323
J?at in fi chamber .1. and f owe and sche
Haue a collacione and wost f u whie
For .1. wil ax if fat hire wil bee 326
To be my wif and reule hire aftere me
And al fis schal be done in f i presence
.1. wil nouht speke owte of fine Audience 329
IF And in hire Chambre while fei were aboute 330
Here treteis whiche fat 30 schal after here
The peple cam in to f e hous wif-oute
And wondred hem in here honest manere 333
And tentifly sche kepped hir fadere dere
Bot vtterly Crizilda wonder myht
For neuer eft sauhe sche suche a siht 336
LANSDOWNE 292 (6-T. 413)
SIX-TEXT 414
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IF No wonder is fouhe fat sche were a-stoned 337
To se so grete a geste in fat place
Sche neuer was to suche gestez woned
For which sche lokede wij) ful pale face 340
Bot schortly forf e f is matie[r] for to chace
Thes aren f e wordes fat Markes seide
To his benigne feif-ful maide 343
IF Crizild he seide 30 schal wele vnderstonde 344
It like]? to 3oure fader and to me
Jjat .1. 3owe wedde and eke it maie so stonde
As .1. suppose 36 wil fat it so be 347
Bot f is demaiides ax .1. first qwod he .
That sef en it schal be done in hastie wise [leaf us, back]
Wil 30 assent or elles 3 owe aviso 350
II I seie fis be redye Avif goode herte 351
To al my lust and fat I. frely maie
As me best f enkef do 3owe knowe ore smerte
And neuer fe to grucche it nyht ne daie 354
And eke whan .1. seie 30 ne saie nouhl; naie
Neyf er be worde ne be frounynge contenance
Swere fis and here .1. swere oure alliance 357
IF Weddinge vpon fis worde whakeinge for drede 358
Sche seide lorde vndigne or vnworfi
Am .1. to j?at ilke honor J?at 30 me bede
Bot as 36 wil 3oure self riht so wil .1. 361
And here .1. swere fat neuer wiJingely
In werke ne pouhte .1. nyl 3owe disobeie
For to be dede Jjouhe me were lojje to deie 364
IF This is ynouhe Crizilda myne q?<od he 365
And forpe he gope wife a ful sobre chiere
Oute atte J>e dore and after fat cam sche
And to fe peple he seide in fis maniere 368
LANSDOWNE 293 (6-T. 414)
SIX-TEXT 415
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
This is my wife q?/.od he fat stondef hiere
Honouref hir and louef hire eke .1. preie
Who so me louef e fare is no more to seie 371
1T And for fat nofinge of hire olde gere 372
Sche scholde bringe in to his house he badde
Jjat wewmen scholde dispoylen [hire] riht fere
Of whiche fe ladies weren nofinge gladde 375
To handel hire clof es where in sche was cladde
Bot naf eles f is maiden briht of hewe
Fro fe fote to fe hede fei clof ed hane al newe 378
IT Her here ha fei kembed fat laie vntressed 379
Thei tirede hir hede fat longe rudely laie dressed 381
Ful roodely . and wif hire fingers smale 380
Of hire araye what scholde .1. maake a tale 382
Sche is nowe faire of hewe fat arst was pale
Ynnef f e peple hire knewe for hire fairenesse
Whan sche transemute was in suche rechesse 385
»
11 This Markes haf her wed wif a ringe 386
Brouht for f e same cause and hire sette
Ypon .an hors snowe white and wele Amblynge
And to f e paleis ar he langer lette 389
Wif loyful peple fat hire ladde and mette
Conueyde hire and fus fe daie fei spende [leaf 112]
In reuele til fe sonne gan descends 392
IT And schortly forfe fis tale for to chace 393
.1. seie fat to fis new Marquysesse
God haf e suche fauore sent hire of his grace
Jjat it ne semed nouht be liknesse ' « 396
Jjat sche was borne and fedde in rudesse
As in a Cote or in an ox stall *
Bot norissched in an Emperours haH 399
LANSDOWNE 294, (6-T. 415)
SIX-TEXT 416
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IF To euery whight sche waxen is so dere 400
And worschipful fat folke fere sche was bore
And frome hire birf e knewe hire jere be $ere
Vnnef trowed f ei bot dorst han swore 403
That to lanicul of whiche .1. spak before
Sche doubter nas for as be couertore
Hem f ouht sche was a nof er creature 406
If For fouhe euere vertuous was sche 407
Sche was encresed in suche excellence
Of f ewes goode sette in hihe bounte
And so discrete and faire of eloquence 410
So benigne and digne of reuerence
And couf e so f e peple hertes so enbrace
That iche hire louefe pat lokef in hire face 413
IT Nou^t only of Saluces in fe toune 414
Purplyste was f e bounte of hire name
Bote eke be-side in mony a Eegioune
If one seide wele a nofer seide fe same 417
So spredef e of hire hihe bounte and fame
That men and wemmen also wele jonge as olde
Gone to Saluce vpon hire to be-holde 420
1T Thus Walter lowly. nou3t . but royalye 421
"Wedded wif fortunate honeste
In goddes pes leuej) ful esilye
Att home and outewarde grace, ynowhe had he 424
And for he sauhe fat vnder lowe degre
Was oft vertue hidde fe peple him helde
A prudent man and fat is seene ful seide 427
IT Nouht only fis Crisilde fourhe hire witte 428
Couf e al f e feif e of wifly homlynesse
Bot eke whan fat f e caas required it
The comune profit coufe sche redresse 431
LANSDOWNE 295 (6-T. 416)
SIX-TEXT 417
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Ther nas discorde rancor ne heuinesse
In al fat londe fat sche couf e apese Peaf 119, back]
An wisely bringe hem al in hertes ese 434
11 Thouhe fat hir hus"bonde absent were anone 435
If gentil men or of ere of here contre
Weere wrof e sche wolde bringe hem att one
So wise and ripe wordes had sche 438
And luggement of so grete equite
That from heuen ysente was as men wende
The peple to plese and euery wronge to amende 441
IT Nouht longe time after fat f is Crisilde 442
"Was wedded sche a douhter haf .I.-bore
Al had hire leuer haue borne a kiiaue childe
Gladd was fis markes and his folk f er fore 445
For f ouhe a mayden childe cam al before
Sche maie vnto a knaue childe atteigne
Belikned sef sche is nouht bareine 448
[Explicit] Secunda pars ffabule.
[PART III.]
There fel att befallef times mo [or ino] 449
Whan fat f is childe hadde sowked bot a f rowe
This Markes in his hert langef so
To tempt his wif hire saddenesse for to knowe 452
That he ne rnyht oute of his hert f rowe
This meruelous desire his wif to assaie
Nedeles god wote he f ouht hire to affraie 455
IT He hadde assaide hire ynouhe before 456
And fonde hire eue?-e goode what nededef e
Hire for to tempte and alweie more and more
Bot as for me .1. seie fat yuel it sitte 459
Jpouhe sume men it preise for a siibtile witte
To assaie a wif whan fat it is no nede
And to putten hire in angwysse and in drede 462
LANSDOWNE 296 (6-T. 417)
SIX-TEXT 418
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT ffor wliiche fis markys wrouht in fis manere 4G3
He cam a nylit alone fere as sche leye
Wif steren face and wij) trouble chiere
And seide fus Crfij^ilde quod lie fat deye 4 06
}5at .1. 30110 toke oute of 3oure poure aray
And putt 3owe in astate of hihe noblesse
3e haue nouht for-geten as .1. gesse 469
IT .1. seie Criselde fis present dignite 470
In which e .1. haue put jowe as . I trowe
Make)) ^owe nouht for-jeteful for to be
Jjat .1 3owe toke in poure astate ful lowe 473
For any wele 30 moste ^oure selue knowe [leaf 120]
Take hede of euery worde fat .1. ^owe seie
J?ere is no whight fat heref it bot we tweye 476
IF 3e wote ^oure self wele howe fat 30 com here 477
In to f is house fat is nouht longe a go
And f ouhe to me 30 be riht leue and dere
Vn-to my gentils 30 be nof inge so 480
Thei seie to hem it is grete schame and woo
For to be soubgetes and be in semage
To f e fat art borne of a smale vilage 483
11 And namely sef f e f i douhter was bore 484
J?is wordes haue f ei spoken doutelese
Bot .1. desire as .1. haue done be-fore
To lede my lyue wif hem in rest and pese 487
.1. maie nouht in f is caas be recheles
.1. mote do wif fi douhter for fe best
Nat as .1. wolde bot as my genteles leste . 490
II And 3ite god wote fis is ful lofe to me 491
Bot naf eles wif owten 3oure witeinge
.1. wil nouht do bot fis wiH .1. quod he
jjat 30 to me assent as in fis f inge 494
LANSDOWNE 297 (6-T. 4,18)
SIX-TEXT 419
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
Schewe nowe ^oure pacience as in werkynge
)3at me 30 hiht and swore in joure vilage
)3at dale J>at maked was oure Mariage 497
IT Whan sche hadde herde al Jns sehe nat ameued 498
Neijjere in worde ne chiere ne countenance
For as it semede sche was nouht agreued
Sche saide lorde al lij>e in ^oure plesance 501
My childe and .1. wijj hertly obeissanee
Bene joures aH . and 36 mowe saue and spille
$oure owen Jnnge workej) after ^oure wille 504
II There maie no Jnnge so god my soule saue 505
Likeinge to ^owe fat maie displesen me
]S"e .1. desire no Jnnge for to haue
Ne drede for to leese saue onlye Jje 508
Jjis wil is in myne hert and aie schal be
Ne lengejj of time or dejje maie Jns deface
Ke chaunge myne corage to anofer place 511
1T Glad was Jjis Marquys for hir ansewaringe 512
Bot ^it he feyned . as it wer nouht soo
Al drery was his chier as his lokeinge
Whan fat he scholde oute of J>e chambre goo . 515
Sone after Jjis a furlonge waie or tuo [leaf 120, back]
He pn'uely haf> tolde al his entent
Vnto a man of his assent 518
1F A maner* seriant was Jns pn'ue man 519
J;e whiche he feifeful often fonden hadd
In Jjinge grete . and eke suche folke wele can.
Done execucione of Jnnges badde 522
The lorde knewe wele J>at he him loued and dradde
And whan Jns Sereiant knewe his lordes wille
In-to J>e charnbure he stalked him ful stille 525
LANSDOWNE 298 (6-T. 419)
SIX-TEXT 420
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
H Madame He seide je mot for-^iue it me 526
J?ouhe .1. do pinge whiche .1. am constreeyned
3e bue so wise )>at ful wele knowen 30
J?at lordes hestes mow nou^t be feyned 529
)jay may wele be welled or compleyned
Bot most nede to here luste obeie .
And so wil .1. )>er is no more to seie 532
1T This childe am .1. commaunded for to take 533
And spak no more bot owte Jje childe he hent
Dispytously and gan a chere make
As )>ouhe he wolde haue sleyne it ar he went 536
Crisilde most al sufFur and consent
And as a lombe sche sittej? meke and stiH
And lete )>is seriant haue al his wiH 539
H Suspecious was }>e fame of pis mamie 540
Suspecte his face suspecte his worde also
Suspecte J?e time in whiche he Jns be-ga?me
Alas his doubter fat sche loued so 543
Sche wende he wolde haue sleyne it riht J?o
Bot najieles sche neyjjer wepped ne siked
Confemeinge hir to J>at J?at markes lyked 546
1T Bot att Jje last speke sche began 547
And mekely to J?e seriant praiede
So as he was a worjii gentil man
)3at sche mot kisse hir childe ar fat it deide 550
And in hire barme J>is litel childe sche leide
Wi]> ful sadde face and gan Jns childe to blisse
And lulled it and affter gan it kisse 553
1T And Jms sche seide in hire benigne voice 554
Fare wele my childe .1. schal J>e neuer se
Bot sejje .1. haue fe merked wi)> Jie croyse
Of filke fader blisseJ mot J?ou be . 557
LANSDOWNE 299 (6-T. 420)
SIX-TEXT 421
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Jjat for vs deide vpon a cros of tre [leaf 121]
Thi soule litel childe .1. him be-take
For ]>is nyht schalt fou deie for my saake 560
IT I trowe to a norice in Jjis caas 561
It hadde bien harde fis reufe for to see
Wele mylit a moder fan haue cride alas
Bott nafeles so sadde stedfast was sche 564
Jjat sche endure]) al aduersite
And to fe Seriaunte mekely sche seide
Haue here a^eine ^oure litel pnge maide 567
1F Gofe nowe quod, sche and dofe my lordes heste 568
Bott o finge wolde .1. praie $oue of ^oure grace
jjat but my lorde for-badde jowe att f e leste
Berife fis litel body in sum place 571
Jjat bestes ne birdes it to-race
Bot he ne wolde no worde to J>e pupos seie
Bot toke fe childe and wente vpon his weie 574
IT This seriaunt came vnto fis lorde ajeine 575
And of Crisilde wordes and hir chiere
He tolde him worde for worde in schorte and pleine
And him presentej? wij> his douhter dere 578
Somwhat J>is lorde had reujje in his manere
Bot najieles his purpos helde he stiH
As lordes done \vhan )>ei wil haue here wiH 581
11 And badde Jns sergeant fat he priuely 582
Scholde j)is childe ful oft wynde and wrappe
Wi)> al circumstance tenderly
And Carie it in a cofer or in a lappe 585
Bott vppon peine his hede of for to swappe
))at no man scholde knowe of his entente
Xe whene ne whedere fat he wente 588
LANSDOWNE 300 (6-T. 42l)
SIX-TEXT 422
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT Bot att fe Boloigne it to his suster dere 589
fat ilke time of Pauyke was Countesse
He scholde it take and schewe hir J>is matiere
Be-secheinge hire to tone hir besinesse 592
This childe to fostre in al gentillesse
And whos childe ]>at it was he bad hire hide
Frome euery whiht for ouhte fat maie be-tide 595
11 Jjis sergeant gofe and hafe fulfilled fis finge 596
Bot nowe to }>is ma[r]kes retorne wee
For nowe gofe he ful oft ymagyneinge
^if be his wyues chiere he myht see 599
Or be hir worde perceyue fat sche [leaf 121, back]
Were chaunged bot he neuer cou)>e hir finde
Bot euere in one ylike sadde and kynde 602
IF As gladde as besy as humble in seruise 603
And eke in loue as sche was wont to be
"Was sche to him in euery manere wise
Ne of hir douhter nouht a worde spak sche 606
Accident for none aduersite
Was seine in hire lie neuer hir douhter name
Ne nemend sche in ernest ne in game 609
[Explicit] Tercia pars fabule.
[PART IV.}
IN fis . astate fere ben passed foure jere 610
Er sche wif childe was Bot as god wolde
A knaue childe sche bare be fis waltere
Ful gracious and faire to be-holde 613
And whan fat folke it to his fader tolde
Nouht onlyche he but al f e contre mury
Was for fis and god J>ei f onke and hery 616
1F Whan it was tuo ^ere olde and fro fe breste 617
Departid of his norice on a daye
fis Markes cauht }it anof ere leste
LANSDOWNE 301 (e-T. 422)
SIX-TEXT 423
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
To tempte his wif 31! ofter if lie maie 620
0 nedeles was sclie tempted in assaie
Bot wedded men knowen no mesure
Whan fat fei finde a pacient creature 623
IT Wif qwod f is Markes 30 haue herde of f is 624
My peple sekely beref heuye of cure mariage
And namely sef my son "borne is
Kowe is wers fan euer in al oure age 627
The mormure slef e myn herte and myne corage
For to myne eres commef voice so smarte
That it wel nyhe destruyde hathe myne herte 630
IT No we seye fei Jms whan Waltier is a-gone
Than schal J)e blode of lanicle succede
.Ajid bien oure lorde for of ere haue we none
Suche wordes seife my peple it is no drede 634
Wele ouhte .1. of suche murmure taken hede
For certeinly .1. drede suche sentence
Jjouhe J>ei nouht pleine speke in myne audience 637
IF I wolde leue in pes if fat .1. myhte 638
Where-fore .1. am disposed vtterlye
As .1. his suster serued be nyhte
Eiht so fenke .1. to serue him priuely [leaf 122] 641
Thus warne .1. $owe for 30 nouht sodanly
Oute of ^oure selue for no woo scholde outraie
Befe pacient and ferfore .1. $ow prcie 644
IT .1. haue quod sche saide and euer schal 645
.1. will no finge certeigne
Bot as 3oue luste nouht greuefe me al
|3ouhe fat my dounter and my son hue sleine 648
Att ^oure commandement f is is to seine
.1. haue nouht had no parte of childern tweyne
Bot first sekenesse and after woo and peine 651
LANSDOWNE 302 (6-T. 423)
SIX-TEXT 424
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
If $e bene oure lorde do wif }oure owen finge 652
Eilit as ^owe liste axef e no rede att me
For as .1. left att home al my clof inge
"VVhan .1. first came to ^owe riht so qiiod sche 655
Lest .1. my wil and al my liberte
And toke ^oure clofinge where-fore .1. 3owe preie
Dofe joure plesance .1. wil ^oure lust obeie 658
IF And certes if .1. had prescience 659
3oure win to knowe ar je joure lust me tolde
.1. wolde it do wif-outen necligence
Bot no we .1. wote 3 oure luste and what 30 wolde 662
Al ^oure plesance ferme and plesance .1. holde
For wist .1. fat my def e wolde do ^owe ese
Eiht gladly wolde .1. deie jowe to plese 665
IT Dej) maie nouht make no comparisone 666
Vnto owre loue and whan J?is Markis seye
J5e Countenance . of his wif he cast a-doune
His eyjen»tuo and wonder]) fat sche maye 669
In paciens suffur al Jiis araye
And forj>e he go]? wi]j drery countenance
Eot to his hert it was riht grete plesance 672
IT J)is Ogel seriant in Jje same wise 673
J?at he hir doulite cauht riht so he
Or wers . if men wers can deuise
HaJ>e hente hire son fat ful was of beute 676
And euer in oone so paciente was sche
That sche no chiere made of heuinesse
Bott kissed hir son and after gan it blesse 679
IT Saue )>is sche praide him if fat he myht 680
Hir litel son he wolde in erf e graue
His tendre limes delicate to siht
Fro foules and fro bestes forto saue [leaf 122, back] 683
LANSDOWNE 303 (6-T. 424)
SIX-TEXT 425
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot sche none ansewere of him myht haue
He went his waie as he no f inge rouht
"Bot to Boleigne he tendurly it brouht 686
1T This Markes wondref euer lenger f e more 687
Vpon hire paciens and if fat he
Ne hadde sof ely knowe fere before
Jpat perfitly hir cheldern loued sche 690
He wolde haue wende jjat of surame subtilite
And of Males or for cruel curage
Jjat sche hadde sufferd fis wif sadde visage 693
^1 Bot wele he knewe next him selue certeigno 694
Sche loued hir childern best in euery wise
Bot no we of wemmen wolde .1. axe feine
If f es assaies myht nouht suffise 697
What couf e a stordy husbonde more deuyse
to preue his wif and hir stedfastnesse
And he continuinge euer in stordenesse 700
IT Bot fere buen folke of suche condicione 701
fat whan f e haue a certeine purpos take
f ei can nouht stinte of hire entencion
Bot riht as f ei were bounden to a stake 704
fai wil nouht of fat first purpos slake
Eiht so f is ma[r]kes fully haf e pnrposyd
To tempt his wif as he was firste disposyd 707
11 He waitef if be worde or countenance 708
That sche to him was chaunged of Corage
Bot neuer couf e he finde variance
Sche was aie oon in hert and in visage 711
And aie f e forf er sche was in age
The more trewe if fat it were possible
Sche was to him loue and more pesible 714
LANSDOWNE 304 (6-T. 42o)
SIX-TEXT 426
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IF For whiche it semed Jms fat of hem tuo 715
Jjer nas bot o wiH for as Waltier luste
J5at same lust was hir plesance also
And god he fonked as fel for fe beste 718
Sch schewed wele for no werldly vnreste
A wif as of hire self no f inge ne scholde
Wille in effecte bot as hir husbonde wolde 721
IT The sclander of Walter oft and wide spradde 722
That of a cruel hert he wikkedly
For he a pouer womman wedded hadde
Had murdred bof his childern pn'uely [leaf 123] 725
Suche murmur was ymonge hem comunly
No wonder is for to f e peples ere
Jjere come no worde bot fat fei murdred were 728
IF ffor whiche \er as his peple fere before 729
Had loued him wel J?e sclaunder of his defame
Maade hem fat fei hated him f er-fore
To biene a Mordrer is an hateful name 732
Bot naf eles for ernest ne for game
He of his crewel purpos nold stint
To tempte his wif was sette al his entent 735
1T Whan fat his douhter. xij. }ere was of age 736
He to f e Courte of Eome in soubtile wise
Enforrned of his wiH and sente his message
Co?ftmandeinge hem suche bulles to douise 739
In f is manere and in f is same gise
Howe fat f e pope for his peple rest
Bat him to wedde anof er wif ;if fat him lest 742
IT I saie he badde f ei scholde countrefete 743
The popes bulles makeinge mencione
fat haf e leue his first wif to lete
As by fe popes despensacione 746
LANSDOWNE 305 (6-T. 426)
SIX-TEXT 427
GUOUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
To stinte Eancor and discencione
Be-twix his peple and him f us spake fe bulle
The whiche fei han publisced att fe fulle 749
1T The rode peple as it no wonder is 750
Wenden ful Wei fat it hadd be riht so
Bot whan fis tif inges came to Crisildis
.1. deme fat hire hert was ful, woo 753
Bot sche ylike sadde for euer moo
Disposed was fis humble creature
To aduersite of fortune al to endure 756
IT Abideinge euer his lust and his plesauwce 757
To wham sche was jeuen hert and al
As to hir werldly verray suffisance
Bot schortly $if J)is storie teH .1. schal 760
This Marqwys writen haf e in special
A let foe in whiche he schewejj his entent
And secretely he to Boleigne it sent 763
11 To jje erle of pauyke whiche fat hadde f o 764
Wedded his suster prayede he specialy
To bringe home a3eine his childerne two
Bot ho o f inge praide vtterly [leaf 123, back] 767
Wif all his hert ful affectuously
Jjat he to no wight fouh man wolde enquere
Schol nouht tellen whos childen fat f ei were 770
IT Bot seie fe maiden schold y-wedde be 771
Vn-to f e Markes of Salucez riht anone
And as fis Erie was preide riht so dide
For att fe daie sette . he on his waie is gone 774
To-wardes Salutz and lordes many one
In riclie Araie fis Mayden for to Gyde
Hir 3onge brof er rideynge be hire side 777
22 LANSDOWNE 306 (6-T. 427)
SIX-TEXT 428
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IF Araide was to-warde liir mariage. 778
This frische maide ful of gemw.es clere
Hire broker whiche fat seuen jere was of age
Araide eke ful frische in his manere 781
And Jms in grete noblesse and wij? gladde chiere
To-ward Saluces schapinge hire lornaie
Fro daie to daie f ei rideinge in hire weie . 784
[Explicit] Quarta pars fabule
[PART V.]
Amonge al fis after his wikked vsage 785
jjis Markes jit his wif gan tempte more
To f e vttrest preue of hir Corage
Fulli to haue experiment and lore . 788
If fat sche was as stedfast as before
He on a daie in open audience
Ful bustusly haf seide hir fis sentence 791
IT Certes Crisilde .1. had .I.-nowhe plesance 792
To haue ^owe to my wif for ^oure goodnesse
As for joure trouf e and ^oure obeissance
Not for ^oure lignage ne for joure rechesse 795
Bot nowe qwod he in verreie sof efastnesse
That in grete lordeschippe }if .1. wil a-vise
There is grete seruitute in sundre wise 798
1T .1. maie not do as euery plouhe man may 799
My peple me constreynef forto take
Anof er wif and crien daie be daie
And eke ]?e pope rankoure for to slake 802
ConsenteJ) it fat dare .1. vnder-tak
And trewlye f us muche .1. wil pwe seie
My newe wif is cominge be fe weie 805
IF Be stronge of herte and voide anone hir place 806
And filke dowairo fat 30 brouhten me
Tak it a^eine .1. graunte it of my grace [leaf 121]
LANSPOWNE 307 (6-T. 428)
SIX-TEXT 429
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Ketornef to ^oure faders house quod he 809
No man maye alweie haue prosp[er]ite
Wif euen hert .1. rede joue to endure
The stroke of fortune or of aventure 812
IT And sche ajeine ansewarde in pacience 813
My lorde seide sche .1. wote and wist al weie
How fat be-twex joure magnificence
And my pouerte no whight can ne maie 816
Maken comparison fat is no naye
.1. held me neuer digne in no manere
To be 3oure wif ne jit ^oure chamberere 819
IT And in J>is fere 30 me lady maade . ,.». 820
The hihe god take .1. for my wittenesse
And also wisely he my soule gladde
.1. neuer helde me lady ne maistresse 823
Bot humble seruant to joure worf inesse
And euer schal while fat my lif maie dure
Abouen euery worldly creature 826
IF That 30 so longe of 3oure benignite 827
Haue holde me in honour and nobleie
Where as .1. was nouht worf e to be
fat f onke .1. god and 3owe whome .1. preie 830
For^elde it 3ow fere is no more to seye
Vnto my fader gladly wil .1. wende
And wif him duel vnto my lyues ende 833
IT Ther .1. was fostred a childe ful small 834
Til .1. be dede my lif f er wil .1. lede
A wedowe clen in body hert and aQ.
For seffe .1. 3aue to 3owe my maidenhede 837
And am 3oure trewe wif it is no drede
God schelde suche a lordes wif to take
Anofer man to husbonde or to make 840
LANSDOWNE 308 (6-T. 429)
SIX-TEXT 430
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
"IF And of 3owi-e newe wif god of his grace 841
So graunt 3owe wele and hihe profperite
For .1. wil gladly 3elden hire my place
In whiche .1. was blisful wonte to be 844
For sef e it likef 3owe my lorde quod sche r
That whilom were al myn hertes rest
That .1. schal go .1. wil go whan 3oue lest 847
IF Bot fere as 30 me prefer suche dowaire 848
As .1. fist brouht it is wele in my mynde
It were my wreched clof es nofinge faire [leaf 124, back]
The whiche to me were no we ful hard to finde 851
0 goode god howe gentil and howe kinde
3e Semed be 3oure speche and be 3oure visage
The daie fat maked was oure mariage 854
*IF Bott sof e is seide al gate .1. finde it trewe 855
For in effecte it proued is on me
Loue is nouht olde as whan fat it is newe
Bot certes lorde for none aduersite 858
To deien in f e caas it schal nouht be
jjat euer in worde or werke .1. schal repent
Jjat .1. 3owe 3afe myne herte in hole entent 861
IF Lorde 30 wote fat in my faders place 862
3e dide me stripe out of my poure wede
And richely me cladden of 3oure grace
To 3owe brouht .1. not elles out of drede 865
Bot feif e and nakednes and maidenhede '
And here ajeine 3oure clofinge .1. restore
And eke 3owre weddinge ringe for euer more 868
' 1F J?e remenant of 3oure lewels redi be 869
Wif f e in 3oure chambre dar .1. sauely seine
Naked oute of my faders house quod sche
.1; cam and naked .y. mote a3eine 872
LANSDOWNE 309 (6-T. 430)
SIX-TEXT 431
GROUP E. §2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Al ^oure plesance wold .1. folow feine
Bot }it .1. hope it be nouht ^oure entent
fat smokies oute of 301110 paleys .1. went 875
IT 3e coufe nouht do so dishonest a f inge 876
fat filke wombe in whiche ^oure childern leye
Scholde be-for J>e peple in my walkinge
Be seene al bare whe[r] for .1. ^owe praye 879
Late me nouht like a werme go be f e waie
Remembre jowe myn owen lorde so dere
.1. was jowre wif f ouhe .1. vnworjje were 882
1F Wherefore in guerdon of myn maidenhede 883
Whiche fat .1. brouht and not awaie .1. bere
As vowchef saue to jeue to my mede
Bot suche a smok as .1. was wonte to were . 886
fat .1. f er-wif maie wrie f e wombe of here
fat was joure wif. and here take .1. my leue
Of 3owe myne owen lorde leste .1. $owe greue 889
11 The smokke quod, he fat fou haste vpon fi.bakke 890
Lat it stiH and bere it forf e wif f e
Bot vnnef filke worde he spake [leaf 125]
Bott wente his weie for rewf e and pite 893
Be-forne f e folke hir seluen strepef sche
And in hire smoke wif foote and hede al bare
To- ward hir fader house sche is fare 896
1T The- folke hire folowen wepein in hir weie
And fortune aie fei cursen as fei gone
Bot sche fro wepeinge kepped her eyjen drie
Ne in fis time worde ne spak sche none 900
Hire fader fat fis tif inge herd a-none
Cursif f e daie and time fat nature
Schope him to be a lyues creature 903
LANSDOWNE 310 (6-T. 43l)
SIX-TEXT 432
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
1T ffor oute of doute J>is olde poure man 904
J?at whan fe lorde had fulfilde his corage
For euer it demed sijjpe it first "began
Him wold finge it were disparage 907
To wedde one of so pouere a lignage
To his astate so lowe to a lyht
voide hir as sone as euer he myht 910
IT A^eine his douhter hastely go )>e he 911
For he be noyse of folke knewe hire comeinge
And wijj hire olde cote as it miht "be
He couerde hir ful sorwfully wepinge 914
Bot on hir bodi myht he it nouht bringe
For rude was )>e cloj>e and more of age
Be fele daies fan was hire Mariage 917
^F Thus wif hire fader for a certeine space 918
DwelleJ) )>is floure of wifly pacience
That neyj?e[r] be hir wordes ne be hir face
Be-forne J>e folke ne eke in hir absence . 921
Ne schewede sche Jjathir was done offence'
Ne of hire hihe astate in remembrance
Ne hadde sche as be hir countenance 924
IT No wondere is for in hire grete astate 925
Hire goste was euer in pleine humilite
No tendre moufe none herte delicate
Ne pompe ne semblant of roialte 928
Bot ful of pacience and benignite
Discrete and prideles ay honurable
And to hir husbond euere meke and stable 931
^T Men speken of lob and most of his humblesse 932
As clerkes whan hem liste can endite
Namely of men bot as in sothefastnesse [leafizs, back]
Thow clerkes preisen wemmen bo[t] a lite 935
LANSDOWNE 311 (6-T. 432)
SIX-TEXT 433
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Ther can no man in humblesse him acquite
As wemmen can ne can be halfe so trewe
As wewmen buen bot it be fal of newe 938
[PART VI.]
IT Fro Boleyne is f is erle of pauyhe comme 939
Of whiche f e fame vp spronge to more and lesse
And to f e peple eres al and sowme
Was Coufe eke fat a new Marquysesse 942
He wij) him brouht in suche pompe and recchesse
Jjat neuer was }>er seen wif mannes eye
So noble araie in al west lumbardeye 945
11 Ther Markes whiche fat knewe and schope al f is 946
Or fat f is Erie was co?nme sent his message
For Jjilke cely poure Crisild
And sche wij> humble herte and glad visage 949
Nouhte wif f e no swollen hert in hire Corage
Cam att hire heste and on hir knes hir sette
And reuerently and wisly sche him grette 952
IT Crisilda quod he my wil is vtterlye 953
This maiden fat schal be wedded to me
Ixeceyved be morwe as Eoiallye
As possible is in my house to be 956
And eke fat euery wyght in his degre
Haue his astate in sittinge and seruice
And hihe plesance as .1. can best deuise 959
IT .1. haue no womman suffisant certeine 960
The chambres for to arraie in ordinance
After my lust f and fere-fore wolde .1. feine
J?ine were al suche maner gouernance 9G3
J?ou knowest eke of olde al my plesance
Jjouhe fine araie be bad and yuel be-seye
Do fou fi deuere att fe leste waie 906
LANSDOWNE 312 (0-T. 433)
SIX-TEXT 434
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. lansdowne MS.
IT Not only lorde pat .1. am gladde q?^od sehe 967
To do joure lust bot .1. desire also
3owe for to serue and plese in my degre
Wijj-outen feynteinge and schal euer moo 970
Ne neuer for no wele ne for woo
Ne schal pe goste wip-inne myne hert stinte
To loue jow best wip al my trewe entente 973
1T And wip pat worde sche gan pe house to diht 974
And tables for to sette and beddes make
And peyned hire to done al pat sche myht [leaf 120]
Preieinge pe chambreres for goddes sake 977
To hasten hem and fast swepe and shake
And sche pe most semisiable of aH
Hape euery chambre arraide and his haH 980
^T Aboute vndern gan pis erle alyht 981
And wyjj him brouht his noble childern tweye
For-wip pe peple ran to see pat siht
Of hir arraye so Eichely beseye 984
and pan at arst amonges hem fei sey
pat Walter was no fule fouhe J?at him leste
To chaunge his wif for it was for J?e beste 987
IF For sche is fairere as }>ei demen alle 988
J?an is Crisilde and more tendir of age
And feirer fruyte betwene hem schold faH
And more plesance for hir hihe lignage 991
Hir broper eke so faire was of visage
That hem to se pe peple haj> kauht plesance
Co?»mendynge nowe J>e Markes gouernance 994
IT 0 stormy peple vnsad and euer vntre.we 995
Ay indiscrete and chaungeinge as a fane
Deliteinge aye in Romble pat is newe
Fare like J>e mone ay wexen je and wane 998
LANSDOWNE 313 (6-T. 434)
SIX-TEXT 435
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
Ay ful of Clappinge dere ynowhe a lane
$oure dome as fals ^oure inconstance wele preuep
A for grete fole is he J>at on }owe leuej> 1001
11 Thus seiden sadde folke in J>at Cite 1002
Whan J?at ]>e peple gased vp and doune
For J?ei were glad riht for fe nouelte
To haue a newe lady of here toune 1005
No more of j>is now make .1. mencione
Bot to Crisilde anone .1. wil me dresse
And tel hir Constance and hir besinesse 1008
11 Ful besy was crisilde in euery Jnnge 1009
J>at to J>e feste was apertenent
Eiht nouht was sche abassched of hire clo Jnnge
J>ouhe it were rode and eke somdele to-rente 1012
Bot wijj glad chiere to jje 3ate is wente
Wyf ojjere folke to grete J>e marquysesse
And after J>at dojj forfe hire besinesse 1015
IT "Wijj so gladde chiere his gestes sche resceyuej) 1016
And conyngly eueryche in his degre
J3at defaute no man apperceyuej?
Bot aie fei wondren what sche myht be Deafi26,bk] 1019
That in so pouer araye was for to se
And coujje suche honoure and reuerence
And worfely fe preised hire prudence 1022
1T In al ]?is men while sche ne stinte 1023
This maiden and eke hir brofer to commende
WiJ) al hir hert wij) ful benynge entente
So wele pat no man coupe hir pn'se amende 1026
Bot att J?e laste whan ]>es lordes wende
To sitten doune att mete he gan to caH
Grisilde as sche was busy in his haH 1029
LA.NSDOWNB 314 (6-T. 435)
SIX-TEXT 436
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
1T Crisild qwod he as it were in his pleie 1030
Howe like]? J>e my wif and hire beaute
Kiht wele qwod sche my lorde for in goode feie
A feirer sawhe .1. neuer none fan sche 1033
.1. prei to god $if . 30110 prosperite
And so hope .1. fat he wil to 30110 sende
Plesance ynowhe vnto 3oure liues ende 1036
IT .0. finge beseche .1. 3owe and warne also 1037
)3at 30 prikke wijj no turnementynge
)3is tender maiden as 30 haue done mo
For sche is fbsterd in hir norischeinge 1040
More tendrely and to my supposinge
Sche coujje nouht aduersite endure
As cou]?e a pore fostred creature 1043
1T And whan J?is "Waltier sauhe hire pacience 1044
Hir glad chiere and no malece att al
And he so oft had done hire offence
And sche aye sadde and constante as a wal 1047
Continuinge euer hire Innocens ouer al
This stordy Markes gan his hert dresse
To rewen on hire wifly stedfastnesse 1050
IT This is ynouhe Crisilde myne quod he 1051
Be nowe no more agaste ne yuel a-paide
.1. haue fi feife and J>i benignite
As wele as euer woraman was assaide 1054
In grete astate and pouerly araide
Now knowe .1. dere wife fi stedfastnesse
And hire in armes toke and gan hir kesse 1057
IT And sche for wonder toke of it no kepe 1058
Sche fouht nouht what finge he to hir seide
Sche ferde as sche had stert oute of hir slepe1 j^p^/m]
Til sche oute of hir masedenesse abraide [leaf 127] 1061
LANSDOWNE 316 (6-T< 436]
SIX-TEXT 437
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Crisida quod he be god J>at for vs deide
Thou ert my wif ne none ofer .1. haue
Ne neuer had so god my soule sane 1064
IF This is J>i donhter whiche |>ou hast supposed 1065
To be my wif fat toper faipe fully
Schal be myne heire as .1. hane aye purposed
Thou bare hem in pi bodi trewly . 1068
Att Boleyne haue .1. kepped hem pn'uely
Takef hem ajeine for nowe maist pou noujt sey
J)at pou hast lorne none of J)i children tweie 1071
1T And folke pat opere wise haue seide of me 1072
.1. warne hem wele fat .1. haue done J?is dede
For no malece ne for no cruelte
Bot for to assaie in }>e pi wommanhede ,1075
And nouht for to sle my childern god for-bede
Bot for to kepe hem priuely and still
Til .1. pi purpos knewe and al pi wiH 1078
1T "Whan sche pis herde a swoune doune sche fallep 1079
For pitous loye and after hire swoneinge
Sche hope hir ^onge childerne to hire callep
And in hir armes pytously wepeinge 1082
Embrasep hem and tendurly kissinge
Ful lyk a mode wippe hir salte teres
Sche bapes bop hire vesage and hire eres 1085
IT 0 whiche a -pitous syht it was to see 1086
Hir swoneynge and hire humble voice to. here \
Graunt mercye lord god .1. ponked ^owe qwod sche
j?at 36 haue sauede me my childern dere 1089
Nowe reche .1. neuere to be dede riht here
Sefjje .1. stonde in ^oure loue and in joure grace
K"o force of dej>e ne whan my sprite passe 1092
LANSDOWNE 316 (6-T. 437)
SIX-TEXT 438
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT 0 tender o dere o 3onge childern myne 1093
3oure woful modere wende stedfastly
J)at cruel houndes or sum foule vermyne
Had eten jowe bot god of his mercye 1096
And ^oure benigne fader tendurly
Haf e done $owe kepe in f e same stounde
Al sodanly sche swapped a-downe to grounde .1099
And in hir swoune so sadly haldejj sche 1100
Here childern tuo whan sche gan hem enbrace
That wif grete slyht and grete difficulte [leaf 127, back]
The childerne from hir harme J>ei gun race 1103
O many a tere on mony a pitous face
Doune ranne on hem J>at stoden hir be side
Vnnej) aboute hir myhten J>ei a-bide
1F Walter hire gladef and hire sorwe slake]) 1107
Sche risej) vp a-basched from hir traunce
And euery wyht hire ioyef and fest make])
Til sche hafe cauht ajeine her countenance 1110
Waltier hir dof e feif efully plesance
Jjat it is deyntef for to see f e chiere
Be-twexe hem tuo nowe f ei bue mette in fere 1113
U This ladyse whan fat f ei her time seie 1114
Han taken hire and in to chambre gone
And strippen hir oute of hir rode araie
And in a clof e of golde fat briht schone 1117
WiJ) a corenal and mony a riche stone
Vpon hir hede f ei in-to hal hir brouhte
And fan sche was honoured as sche ouhte 1120
IT Thus hafe J>is pytous daie a blisful ende 1121
For euery man and womman dofe her myht
This daie in merfe and reuel to despende
Til on fe welkine schone fe sterres briht 1124
LANSDOWNE 317 (6-T. 438)
SIX-TEXT 439
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
For more solempne in Query mannes siht
This feste was and gretter of costage
Than was fe reuel of hir Mariage; 1127
. 1T Ful mony a jere in hihe prosperite 1128
Leuen f is tuo in concorde and rest
And richely his douhter maried he
Vn-to a lorde one of fe wordiest 1131
Of ali ytaile fan . and pees and rest
His wives fader in his courte he kepef
Til fat his soule oute of his body crepe f 1134
IT His sonne succedef in his heritage 1135
In reste and pes after his fader daie
And fortunate eke was in mariage
Al pute he nouht his wif in grete assaie 1138
f is werlde is not so stronge it is no naye
As it haj>e bue in olde time jore
And erkenef what Jjis auctor seijj fere-fore 1141
IT This storie is seide not for fat wyues scholde 1142
Folowen Crisilde as in humilite
For it were importable fouhe fei wolde [ieafi28]
Bot for fat euery whight in his degre 1145
Scholde be constant in aduersite
As was Crisilda f er-for Petrake wrytef
This story whiche he wif hihe stile enditef 1148
1T For sef f e a womman was so paciente 1149
Vnto a mortel man wele more vs ouht
Eeceyuen al in gre fat god vs sente
For grete skylles he prouef fat he wrouht 1152
Bot he temptef no man fat he bouht
As seif e seinte lame if 30 his pistel rede
[' He prouef folke aldaie it is no drede 1155
LANSDOWNE 318 (6-T. 43»)
SIX-TEXT 440
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT And suffref vs as for oure exercise 1156
Wif scharpe scourges of aduersite
Ful often to be beten in sundry wise
Ifou^t for to knowe oure wil for certes he 1159
Or we ware borne knewe al oure frelete
And for oure best is al bis gouernance
Lete vs fan leue in vertuous suffrance 1162
11 Bot lordinges o worde herkenef ar .1. go 1163
It ware ful harde to finde nowe a dayes
In al a toune Crisildes one or tuo
For if fat fei were put to suche assaies 1166
The golde of hem haf e nowe so bad laies
Wij) bras fat f ouhe f e coyne be faire at eye
It wolde rafer briste y tuo fan plye 1169
IT For whiche : for fe wyues loue of bafe 1170
Whas lyf and al here helf e god mayhteigne
In hire maystre and elles ware it skaf e
.1. wolde wif lusty herte frische and grene 1173
Sey 3owe a songe to glad 3owe .1: wene
And latte us stint of enestful matiere
Herkenef my songe fat seife in fis manere 1176
Lenvoyc de Chaucer
Criselde is dede and hir pacience
And bof e at ones beried in ytaile
Wher-fore .1. crie in open audience 1179
No wedded man be bardie to assaile
His wives pacience in hope to finde
Crisildez for certes he schal faile 1182
LANSDOWNE 319 (6-T. 440)
SIX-TEXT 441
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
0 noble wyues ful of ire prudence
Lat none humylite joure tonge naile
Ne late no clerke haue cause or diligence Deaf 128, bk] 1185
To write of ^owe a storie of suche merveile
As Crisilde pacient and kinde
Lest chicheuache ^owe swelowe in hire entreile 1188
Folowef here to and holdej) no silence
Bot euer answer att f e countretaile
Bef nouht bedaffed for ^oure innocence 1191
Bot scharpely take on 3owe J>e gouernaile
Enpn'ntef wele J>is lesson in ^oure mynde
For commune profits seffe it maie availe 1194
f e Archewyues standef att f e fense
Sef ^e be stronge as is a grete Camaile
Ne suffrejj nou^t fat men do 3 owe offence 1197
And sclender wives and febel as in a bataile
Bef egre as is a tigre ^onde in . Inde
Ay clappef as a melle .1. }owe counseile 1200
Ne drede hem nouht . ne do hem no reuerence
For f ouhe fi husbonde armed be in maile
)3e arwes of J>i crabbed eloquence 1203
Schal pers his breste and eke his aduentaile
In gelowsye .1. rede eke fou him binde
And fou make him couche as dofe a qwaile 1206
If J>ow bue faire fere folke bue in presence
schew fou f i visage and fine aparaile
If fo be foule be fre of fi dispence 1209
To gete f e frendes do aye f i trauayle
Be ay of chier as liht as lef on lynde
And late him care and wepe and wringe and wayle . 1212
Explicit co wnie/? dacio
LANSDOWNB 320 (0-T. 44l)
SIX-TEXT 443
GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
ffabula . [on teaflZS, 6o<*J
Hilome f er was dwellinge in lumbardie
A worf i knyht fat borne was in Pane
In whiche he leued in grete prosperite
And .xl. ^ere a wifles man was he 1248
And folowde aye his bodely delite
On wewmen was his hole appetite
As done f es foles fat bu seculere
And whan fat he was passed .lx. ^ere 1252
"Were it for holynes or for dotage
.1. can nouht seie but suche a grete corage
Had f is knyht to be a wedded man
1 Jjat daie and nyht he dof al fat he can t1— 1 repeated on leaf 1293
To aspie where he myht wedded be1
Preinge oure lorde to grant him fat he Deaf 120]
myht ones knowe fat blisful life
fat is betwex an husbond and his wif 1260
And for to leue vnder fat holy honde
Wif wiche god first man and wo?wman bonde
None of er life seide he is worf e a bene
For wedlok is so esy and so clene 1264
That in f is werlde it is a paradise
Thus seide f is olde knyht fat was so wise
An certeinly as sof e as godde is kenge
To take a wif it is a gloriouse finge 1268
.And namely whan a man is olde and hore
fan is a wif fruyt of his tresore
fan scholde he take a $onge wif and a faire
On whiche he myht engender him an heire 1272
LANSDOWNE 321 (6-T. 443)
SIX-TEXT 444
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And leden his lif in Toy and solace
"Where as f e bachellier singen alace
Whan fat f ei finden any aduersite
In loue whiche fat is hot childes vanite 1276
And trewli it sitte wele to be so
fat bachilliers haue ofte peine and woo
On brutel grounde f ei boiled brutilnesse
fei finde frelte whan fei wene Sikernesse 1280
fei leue bot as a burde or as a beste
In liberte and vnder none areste
fere as a wedded man in his astate
Leuef . his lyf blisful and ordinate 1284
Vnder f e ^okke of manage .ybounde
Wele may his herte In loy and blisse abounde
For who can be so buxum as a wife
Who is so trewe and eke so tentife 1288
To kepe him seeke and hole as is his make
For wele or woo sche nytt nouht him for-sake
Sche is nouht werye him to loue and serue
feih fat he lye beddred til he sterue 1292
And ^it so/ttme clerkes seine it is nouht so
Of whiche Theofrast is one of f o
What fors f ouhe Theofrast list lye
]Sre take no wif qwod he for husbandrie 1296
As for to spare in householde f i despence
A trew semant dofe more diligence [leaf 129, back]
Thine goode to kepe fan fine owen wif
For sche wil claime half parte in al hire lif 1300
And $if fat f ou be seke so god me saue
Thyne verrey frendes or a trew knaue
Wil kepe f e bett fan sche fat waitef aie
After fi goode and hauef do mony daie 1304
[And if thou take a wife that to the is vn-trewe .
ffuH ofte tyme it schaH the rewe .] [=•*!• "«•, wri; not in
• Addit. 5140, leaf 149]
To fis entente and an .C. sifes wers
Writef fis man fere god his soule cors 1 308
23 LANSDOWNE 322 (6-T. 444)
SIX-TEXT 445
GKOUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot take no kepe of al such vanite
Defye Theofrast and herkenef me
1F A wif is goddes }ift verraily
Al ofer maner ^iftes hardely 1312
As landes rentes pasture or comune
Ofer eyf er ^iftes fat bien mebles of fortune
fat passen as a schadowe on a \val
Bot drede nouht if pleinly speke I. schal 1316
A wif wil last and in fine house endure
Wei langer fan f e list endure
Mariage is a ful grete sacrament
He whiche haf no wif .1. holde him schent 1320
He leuef helples and is al desolate
.1. speke of folke in seculere astate
And herken whi .1. seie nouht f is for nouht
fe wo?mnan is for mannes helpe I-wrouht 1324
f e hihe god whan he had Adam maked
And sauhe him a-lone b[e]ly nakeded
God of his grete goodnesse seide he fan
Latt vs nowe make an helpe to fis man 1328
. I. -like to him selfe and fat he maade Eue
Here maie 30 see and here he preue
J)at wif is mannes help and comforte
His paradise terestre and his disporte 1332
So huxum and so vertuus is sche
f ei moste nedes leue in vnite
0 flesche and o hlode as .1. gesse
Ne hafe hot on herte in wele and in destresse 1336
A wif a seinte mare benedicite
Howe myhte a man haue any aduersite
fat haf a wif certes .1. can nouht seye
The blisse fat is be-tuex hem tueye 1340
Jpere maie no tunge tel or hert f inke .
If he be pouere Sche helpef him to swynke [leaf 130]
Sche kepef his gode and wastef neuer a dele
And al fat hire husbond lust hire lykef wele 1344
LANSDOWNE 323 (6-T. 445)
SIX-TEXT 446
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Sche seip nouht ones naie whan he seipe 36
Dop pis saipe he Alredy sire self sche
0 blisful order . o wedlok precious
fou ert so mery and eke so vertuous 1348
And so commended and approued eke
pat euery mon pat holdep him worpe a leke
Vpon his bare knees ouht al his lif
Thonken his god pat him hap sente a wif 1352
Opire praie god him for to sende
A wif to last vnto his lynes ende
For pan his lif is sett in sekurnesse
He may nouhte be deceiued as .1. gesse 1356
So pat he worche after his wyues rede
pan maie he boldely bere vp his hede
pei buen so trewe and so wise
For wiche if pou wilt worchen as pe wise 1360
Do al waie so as pe woraman wil pe reede
Lo howe pat lacob as pes clerkes rede
Be goode Counsel of his moder Eebek
Bande pe kidde scynne aboute his nek 1364
For whiche his faders benison he wan
Lo luditfi. as pe storie eke tel can
Be wise Counsel sche goddes peple kept1 [l t rubbea out]
And slowhe him Olofernus while he slept 1368
Lo howe Abigaile be gode counsel howe pat sche
Saued hir husbond nabal whan pat he
Schold haue be sleyne and Loke after al so
Be goode counsel deliuerd out of wo 1372
The peple of god and made hem mardothe
Of Assure enchaunced for to be
There nes nopinge in2 gre supe?iatiff [2 ? in in a later hand-]
As seip Senec aboue an humble wif 1376
Suffurp pi wiues tonge as Caton bitte
Sche schal commande and pou schalt sufFur it
And 3ute sche wiH obeie of Curtesye
A wif is keper of pin husbondrie 1380
LANSDOWNE 324 (6-T. 446)
SIX-TEXT 447
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Wele male J>e seke man be-waile and wepe
jjere as J>ere nes no wif J>e house to kepe
.1. warne J>e if wisely fou wilt worclie
Loue wele Jn wif as crist louej? his chirche [leaf iso, back]
If J>ou loues j)i self J>ou loues j?i wif 1385
No man hatej) his flesche bot in his lif
He fostrefe it and J?er-for bid .1. J>e
Chirische J)i wif or Jjoxi scalt neuer J>e 1388
Husband and wif whatt so men lape or pleie
Of werldly folke holde fe riht weie
Thei buen so knytte J?er maie non harme be-tide
And namely vpon the wif side 1392
For whiche f is lauuare of whiche .1. tolde
Considered in wij> his daies olde
The lusty j?e vertuous quiete
That is in mariage any swete 1396
And for his frendes on a claie sent
To teHen hem feffect of his e[n]tent
WiJ) face sadde he haj> hem jjis tale tolde
He seide frendes .1. am hore and olde 1400
And almoste god wote att my puttes brinke
Vpon my soule sum what most .1. jnnke
.1. haue my body folely dispended
.I.-blissed be god J?at it schal be amended 1404
For .1. wil be certeine a wedded man
And fat in al fe hast Jiat .1. can
Vnto sum maide faire and tendre of age
.1. praie jowe schape for mi Mariage 1408
Als sudanly for .1. wil nouht abide
And .1. wil fonde aspie on my side
To whome .1. maie be wedded hastely
Bot for also muche as 30 buen mo J?an .1. 1412
36 schoH raferne suche a finge aspyen
)>aii .1. and where me lust best to allyen
Bot o Jnnge warne .1. 3owe my frendes dere
.1. wil none olde wif haue in no manere 1416
LANSDOWNE 325 (6-T. 447)
SIX-TEXT 448
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Sche schal noulit passe .xvj. ^ere certeigne
Olde flesshe and ^onge flesshe fat wolde .1. haue ful feine
Bet is qwod he a pike fan a pikerele
And better fan olde bufe is tendie vele 1420
.1. wil no womman .xx. ^ere of age
It nes bot benestrawe . and grete forage
And eke J>is olde wedowes god it wote
f ei kon so muche craft on wades bote 1424
So mechil broken harme whan fat hem lest
}?at wife hem schold .1. neuere leue in rest Deaf 1313
For sondre scoles makef soubstile clerkes
Wemmen of mony a scole halue a clerke is 1428
Bot certeynly a ^onge f inge maie me guye
Kiht as men maie warme wex wif hondes to plie
Where-for .1. seie ^owe pleynly in clause
.1. wil none olde wif for fis eause 1432
For if so weer if .1. hadde so meschaunce
That .1. in hire couf e haue [no] plesance
Than scholde .1. lede my lyf in adultrie
And so strike to fe deuel whan .1. deie 1436
Ke chil scholde .1. none vpon hir geten
3it were me leuer houndes had me eten
fat fat my heritage schold fal
In straunge hande and fus .1. tel }owe al 1440
.1. doute nouht .1. wote f e cause whye
Men schold wedde and forfer more wote .1.
Ther spekef mony men of Mariage
That wote no more of it fan wote my page 1444
For whiche cause men schold tak a wif
If he maie nouht chast be be his lif
Tak him a wif wif grete deuocion
Be cause of leueful procreacion 1448
Of Childer to f e honour of god aboue
And not onely for paramour and for loue
And for fei scholde lychery eschewe
And ^elde her dettes whiles fat it is newe 1 452
LANSDOWNE 326 (6-T. 448^
SIX-TEXT 449
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Or for fat like man schold help of er
In Meschef as a suster schal do a broker
And leue in Chastite ful heuenly
Bot sires be ^oure leue fat am nouht .1. 1456
For god be f onke-it .1. dar make a-vaunt
.1. fele my lymes stark and sumceant
To done al fat a man be-longef to do
.1. wote my seluen best what .1. may do 1 460
Thouhe .1. be hore as dof e a treie
fat blossomef ar fat f e fruyte y-waxe bue
A blossome tre is neif er drie ne dede
.1. feel me nowhwhere hore bot on myn hede 1464
Myne herte and my lymes buen as grene
As laurer fat f orwfi. . f e jere is scene
And sef en $e haue herd al myne entent
.1. prai 3ow to mi wil fat ^e assent [leaf m, back] 1468
Diuers men diuers him tolde
Off Mariages mony ensa[m]ples olde
Somme blamed it som preised it certeigne
Bot att fe last schortly for to seine 1472
As al dai fallef altercacione
Be-twex frendes in disputacione
There fel a strif be-twix his bref ern tuo
Of whiche fat tone was cleped Placebo 1476
Placebo seide 0. lanuer brof er
To 3ou tel .1. fis tale and to none ofere
FoH litel nede had je my lorde so dere
Counsel to ax of any fat is here 1480
Bot fat je be oone so ful of sapience
fat ^owe ne likef for ^oure hihe prudence
To wayue fro f e worde of Salomone
This worde seide he vnto vs euerychone 1484
Wirke al finge be counseile f us seide he
And fan schal f ou nouht repent f e
Bot f ouhe fat Salomon spek suche a worde
Mine owen dere brofer and my lorde 1488
LANSDOWNE 327 (6-T. 449)
SIX-TEXT 450
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowiie MS.
So wisly god my soule bringe att rest
.1. holde ^oure owen consel is f e best
For brof er myne of me take fis motif
.1. haue nowe bue a court man al my lif 1492
And god wote f ouhe .1. vnworfi be
.1. haue stande in ful grete degre
Abouten lordes in ful grete astate
3it hadde .1. neuer wif none of hem at bate 1496
.1. neuer hem contraried trewly
.1. wote wele fat mi lorde can more fan .1.
What fat he seife .1. holde it ferme and stable
.1. seide f>e same or elles finge semblable 1500
A fful grete fole is any counselloure
fat seruith any lorde of hihe honours
fat dar presume or ones f inken it
fat is counsel schol pas his lordes witte 1504
Nay lordes ben no foles be my faie
3e haue ^oure selfe spoken here to-daie
So hihe sentence so holy and so wele
fat .1. consent and conferme euery dele 1508
3oure wordez al and ^oure opynyoun
Be god f er nys no man in al f is toune
Ne. in Itaile couf e bette haue saide [leaf 132]
Crist haldef him of fis ful wele apaied 1512
And trewly . it is an hihe corage
Of any man fat stoupin in his age
To tak a ^onge wif be my fader kinno
3oure herte hongef vpon a loly pinne . 1516
Dof nowe in fis matier riht as ^owe leste
For finaly .1. halde it for f e best
1[ lustinus fat ay still satt and herde
He riht on fis wise to placebo he ansewarde 1520
Nowe brof er myne be pacient .1. praie
Sefins }e haue seide and herkenef whatt .1. saie
Senec amonge of ere wordes wise
Seife fat a man ouht him riht wele avise 1524
LANSDOWNE 328 (6-T. 450)
SIX-TEXT 451
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
To whome he ^eue liis londe oper his catel
And sepins .1. auht avise me riht wel
To whom .L.^eue my good aweye fro me
Wele more .1. auht auyse [me parde] 1528
To whome .1. ^eue my body for alweie
.1. warne ^owe wele it is no childes pleie
To take a vif wip-outen avisenieut
Men most enquere pis is my assent 1532
Wheper sche be wise and sobre opere dronkenlewe
Opere proude opere vperweie a schrewe
A chidistere opere a was^tr of pyne goode
Opere riche opere pouere opere of maners woode 1536
Al be it so fat no man finde schal
None in pis werlde pat trottep hole in al
Ne man ne beste suche as men deuise
Bot napeles it auht ynouje suffise 1540
Wip any wif if pat so were sche hadde
Mo goode pewes pan hir vices badde
And al pis askep leiser to enquere
For god it woote .1. haue weppet mony a tere 1544
Ful pn'uely sep pat .1. had a wif
Preisep who so wol a wedded mannes lif
Certein .1. finde it bot cost and care
And obseruaunces of al blisses bare 1548
And }ite god. wote my neihbours aboute
And namely of wemmen mony a route
Saine pat .1. haue pe most stedfast wif
And eke pe mekest oon pat berip lif 1552
Eot .1. wote beste where wringep me my schoo [leaf 132, back]
3e maie for me riht as }oue likep doo
Avisep 3owe 30 bue a man of Age
Howe pat 30 entren in to Mariage 1556
And namely wip a 3onge wif and a faire
Be him pat maad water erpe and ayre
The 3ongest man pat it in al pis route
Is besy ynowhe to bringe it aboute 1560
LANSDOWNE 329 («-T. 45l)
SIX-TEXT 452
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
To haue his alone trustef to ine
3e schol nou^t only plcsen hire ^eres fre
Jjis is to sai done hire plesance
A wif axef ful mony an obse[r]uance J564
.1. praie jowe fat 36 ne been yuel apaide
Wele quod f is lanuar and hast f ou al seide
A strawe for f i Senec and for f i prouerbes
.1. count nouht a pany^er ful of herbes 1568
Of skole termes wisere men J>an f oue
As fou hast herde assenten riht nowe
To my purpos Placebo what seie 30
.1. seie it is a corsed man q?wd he 1572
)3a[t] lettef matrimonye sekurlye
And wif fat worde f ei resen sodanlye
And buen assented ffulli fat he schold
Be wedded whan him lust and whan he wolde 1576
The fantasy and f e besy curiousenesse
Fro day to day gan in f e soule impresse
Of lanuare aboute his mafiage
Many faire schapen and mony faire visage 1580
fere passef f ourhe his hert nyht be nyht
As who so take a merowr pulisshed briht
And set it in a comune Market place
Than scholde he se mony a figure pace 1584
Be his merottr and in f e same wise
Gan lanuar in wif his f ouht deuise
Of Maidenes whiche fat dwelt be side
He wiste nouht where he myht abide 1588
For f ouhe fat one haf e beuty in hir face
Anof er stant so in f e peples grace
For hir sadnes and hire benignite
fat of fe peple grettest voice had sche 1592
And sum were riche and had bad name
Bot naf eles betuyx ernest and game
He att fe laste apoynted him on one [leafissj
An lete al of ere fro his hert gone 1596
LANSDOWNE 330 (6-T. 452)
SIX-TEXT 453
GKOUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. 'Lansdowne MS.
And ches hire of his owen autorite
For loue is blinde al daie and maie nouht se
And whan fat he was in. fe bedde brouhte
He purtreide in his hert and in his fouhte \GOO
Her fressche beute and hire age tendre
Her myddel smaB and hir armes longe and sklender
Hire wise governance and hir grete gentilnesse
Here wommanlye bereinge and hire gentil sadiiesse 1604
And whan fat he was fro hire condescendid
Him f ouht his f ouht miht nou}t bue amendid
For whan fat he him selfe concludid hadde
Him fouht euery ofer mannes witte so badde 1608
fat impossible it were to replie
A^eins his choys fis was his fantasie
His frendes sent he to att his instance
And preide hem to done him fat plesance 1612
fat hastely f ei wolden done to him come
He wolde a-brigge her laboure al and somme
It nedef no more for him to gone or ride
He was apoynted fere he wolde abide 1616
Placebo cam and eke his frendes sone
And alder first he badde hem al a bone
fat none of hem none argumentez make
A^eines fe purpos whiche fat he haf take 1620
Whiche purpos was plesant to god seide he
And verrei grounde of his prosperite
He seide fer was a maiden in f e tonne
"Whiche fat of beute hadde grete renoune 1624
Al were it so sche were of snial degre
Sufficef him hire ^ouf e and hire beaute
Whiche maide he seide schold be his wyf
To lede in ese and in holynesse his lif 1628
And f onked god fat he myht haue hire al
That no whight wif his blisse porten schal
And preide hem to laboure in f is nede
And schapid fat he failed nouht to spede 1C 32
LANSDOWNE 331 (6-T. 453)
1636
Deaf 133, back]
1640
1644
1758, tea/80, 6ac/,-;
or aan.r^s, leaf
70, l>k; or Sloane
SIX-TEXT 454
GROUP E. §4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
For fan lie seide his spirte was att ese
fan is quod he nofinge may me displese
Sane o f inge pn'kef in my conscience
The whiche .1. wil reherce in ^oure presence
.1. haue herd saie ful ^are agoo
There maie no man haue parfite blisses tuoo
This is to seie in erjje and eke in heuen
For fouhe he kepped him fro fe sinnes seuen
And eke for euery braunche of f ilke free
}ite is fere so parfite prospmte
And so grete ese and luste in mariage
J?at euer .y. am agast noue in myn age
J?at .1. schal lede no we so mery a lyf here
[So delycat / wyth-outen woo and stryf
That y shal haue myn heuene / in erthe heer]
-E, . , . , , ,
±or seb bat verrei heuen is bouht so dere
Wib tribulacione and wib grete penance
How scholde .1. leue in suche plesance
As al wedded men dobe wib her wives
Com to be blisse fere caste eterne on lyue is
This is my drede and je iny breberne tweie
Assoilebe me bis question .1. 3owe preie
lustinus whiche bat hated his foly
Anseweringe anone riht in his laperye
Arcd for he wolde his longe tale abrugge
He wolde none auctorite alegge
Bot seide sire so bere bue none obstacle
Obe?-e ban bis god of hihe meracle
And of his mercy maie so for joue worche
fat ar 30 haue ^oure jiftes of holi churche
3e maie repent of wedded mannes lif
In whiche $e seine fere nys neifer woo ne strif
And elles god for-bede bot if he sent
A wedded man grace him to repent
Wei often raf er fan a sengel man
And fere-for sir fe best rede .1. kan
LA.NSDOWNE 332 (6-T. 454)
Keg. 18 C 2, leaf
1652
1656
16GO
1664
1668
SIX-TEXT 455
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Dispeirejj jowe nou^t hauef in memorie
Perauenture sche male be 30111*6 purgarie
Sche maie bue goddes mene and goddes whippe
fan schal ^oure soule vp to henen skippe 1672
Swifter fan dof an arwe oute of a bowe
.1. hope to gode here afterwarde schalt fou knowe
fat fere ne is so grete felicite
In mariage ne neuer more schal be 1676
fat 30 schal lache of joure saluacion
So fat 30 vse as scyl is and reson
f e lustes of ^oure wif attemperaly
And fat 36 plese hire nouht to amorously 1680
And fat 30 kepe ^oue eke fro of ere sinne [leaf 134]
Mi tale is done for my witt is f inne
Bef e nouht agast here-of my brof er
Bo[t] lat vs wade fro fis matire to anofer 1684
Jje wif of baf e if 36 haue vnderstonde
On mariage whiche 30 haue on honde
Declared haf e ful wel in litel space
Faref nowe wele god haue 3owe in his grace 1688
And wif fe fis word fis lustine and his brofer
Haue [take] here leue and elke of hem of of er
For whan fei sawhe it most nedes bue
Thei wrouht so be wise sleiht and trete 1692
fat sche fis maide wiche fat Mayus hiht
As hastifly as euer fat sche myht
Schal wedded bue vn-to lanuarie
.1. trowe it were to longe 3oue to tarie 1696
If .1. 3owe tolde of euery scrite or bande
Be whiche fat sche was ffeffed in his lande
Of ere for to herken of her riche araie
Bot finaly cowmen is fis daie 1 700
fat to f e chirche bof e bue fei went
For to receyuen f e holy sacrament
Forf comef f e preste wif f e stole aboute his nek
And badd hir be like Sarra and Eebek* 1 704
LANSDOWNE 333 (6-T. 455)
SIX-TEXT 456
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
In wisdome and treuthe of mariage
And seide his orisons as his vsage
And crowched hem and badde god scholde hem blesse
And maad al sekur .L-nouhe wif holynesse 1708
Thus buen Jjei wedded wi]) solempnite
And att f e feste sittef he and sche
Wif of er worf i folke vpon f e dese
Al ful of loye and blisse is fe palese 1712
An ful of iustrumentes and of vitaile
Jje most deinteuous of al ytaile
Be-forne hem of Instrumentes whiche soune
That Orpheus . ne of Phebes Ampheoune 1716
~N& maad neuer suche a Melody e
And att euery cours cam loude Menstralcie
That neuer loab tromped for to here
Neifer Theodomas }it halfe so clere 1720
And Thebes whan J>e Cite was in doubte
Bachus f e wyne hem sehenkej) al a-boute .
And venus lauhej) on euery wyht [leaf 1 34, back]
For lamiar was becom hir knyht 1724
And wolde bof e assaien his corage
In liberte and eke in Mariage
And wif hir fire-bronde wif hir honde aboute
Dauncef to-fore fe bride al aboute 1728
An certeinly .1. dar wele seie riht f is
Emyneus fat god of weddinge is
Sawe neuer in his lif so mery a wedded man
Halde fou fi pes fou poet Marcean 1732
Jjat writest vs fat ilke weddinge mury
Of hire Philologie . and of Mercury
And of f e songe fat f e Muses songe
So smale as eke Jn penne and eke J>i tonge 1736
For to discriuen of Jns Mariage
Whan tender ^oufe hafe wedded stoupeinge age
Ther is suche murfe fat it maie nouht be writ
Assaief it ^oure self fan maie 30 wit 1 740
LANSDOWNE 334 (6-T. 456)
SIX-TEXT 457
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
If fat .1. lakke or none in f is matiere
Mayus Jjat siht wif so benigne a chiere
Hire to be-holde it semed faire
Qween estier loked neuer wij> suche an eye 1744
On assure so meke a loke haf e sche
.1. maie ^oue noujt deuise al here aboute
Bot f us muche of hir beute teH .1. maie
That sche was like fe briht morwe of maie 1748
Fulfillede of beaute and plesance
This lanuar is rauisshed in a traunce
And att euery time he loked on hire face
Bot in his herte he gan hire to manace 1752
fat he fat nyht in armes wolde hire streine
Harder fan euer paris dide Elyne
Bot naf eles ^it had he grete pite
fat filke nyht offenden hir must he 1756
And f ouht Alas o tender creature
Now Avoid god je inyht wele endure
Al my corage it is so scharpe and kene
.1. am a-gaste ^e schollen it nouht sustene 1760
Bot god for-bede fat .1. ded al my myht
Nowe wolde god fat it were waxen nyht
And fat f e nyht wolde lasten euer mo
.1. wolde fat al fis peple war a-go 1764
And fynaly he dof al his labour e [leaf 1 35]
As he best myht saueinge his honoure
To haste hem fro f e mete in subtile wise
The time cam fat reson was to rise 1768
And after fat men daunce and drinke fast
And spices al aboute f e house f ei cast
An ful of ioy and blisse is euery man
AH bot a swyere fat hiht Damyan 1772
Whiche karue to-for f e knyht many daie
He was so rauisshed on his lady maie
J?at for f e verraie peine he wex nere wode
Almoste he suelte and swouned fere he stode 1776
LANSDOWNE 335 (6-T. 457)
SIX-TEXT 458
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
As bat sche bare daunceinge in hire honde
So fressche sche was and ber-to so likeande l ^,Spur\°^'- , In.
S'oane 1686, leaf
And to his bed he went him hastely . 184) bac'^
'No more of him att bis time speke .1. 1780
Bote .1. lete him wepe ynowe and pleine
Til frische maie wil rewe on his peine
O perelous fire bat in be bedde strawe bredob
O famylere foo bat is seruise bedeb 1784
O seruant traitur fals holy hiew
.y-lyke to be nadder slei^e and in bosom vntrewe
God schelde vs al fro ^oure iniquitance
O lanuere dronken in plesance 1788
O mariage see how bine Damyan
bine owen swyer and bine borne man
Entendeb to do be velanye
God grant be bine harme to aspie 1792
For in bis werlde ne is wers pestilence
J?an humble fo aldaie in bi presence
Performed hab bis devine daie his ark diurne
No longer maie be bodie of him soiorne 1796
The oripte as in bat latitude
Mht wib his mantil bat is derke and rude
Gan for to sprede be mysprei aboute
For whiche departed is be lusti route 1800
For lanuer wib bonke on euery side
Home to her houses lustely bei ride
ber as bei done her binges as hem lest
And whan bei sawe her time go to rest 1804
Sone after bat bis hastif lanuare
Wil go to bedde . he wil no longer care .
He drinkeb . ypocras clarre and vernage [leaf iss, baok]
Of spices ote to encresen his corage 1808
And many a letuarie had he ful fyne
Suche as be Cursed Monke Dam Constantino
Habe wreten in his boke of coitue
To eten hem al he was nobinge eschewe 1812
LANSDOWNE 336 (6-T. 458)
SIX-TEXT 459
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And Jms to his pn'ue frendes saide he
For goddes loue as sone as it may be
Late voyden al J>is house in curteis wise sone 1815
Men dronke and J>e trauers droue anone 1817
J?e bride was brouht to bedd as stil as stone 1818
So hasted lanuarie it most be done [spurious]
[And when the bedde was with the preste blessed] Sw1758>
Owte of jje chambre hajj euerj wyght him dressed 1820
And lanuare haj?e fast in armes take
His frisshe maie his paradis his maake
He lullif hire he kissej) hir ful oft
Wijj J>ilke bristeles of his berde vnsoft 1824
ylike to J?e skinne of hundefische scharpe as brere
For he was schaue al newe in his manere
He rubbej) hir vpon hire tender face
And seid Jms alas .1. must trespace 1828
To ^owe my spowse and ^owe gretely oifende
Or time come J?at .1. wil downe descende
Bot naj>eles considerej) J)is qiiod. he
Jjer nys no werkman whatt so euere he be 1832
}>at maie bojje werche wele and hastelye
This wil be done att leyser pwfitelye
It is no force howe lon[ge] J>at we pleye
.1. troue in wedlok complete be we tueye 18.36
And yblissed be J>at ^ok ]jat we bue inne
For in oure actes we mowe do no sinne
A man maie do no sinne wij) his wif
N~e hurt him self wij? his owen knyf 1840
Nowe we haue leue to pley vs be J>e lawe
Thus labourej? he til fat \>e daie gun dawe
And J>an he takej) a soppe in fine clarre
And vp riht in his bedde fan sittej? he 1844
And after jjat he songe ful loude and clere
An kessed his wif and maade wantou/z chere
He was al coltisshe and ful of ragerie
And ful of Girgun as is a flecked pye 1848
LANSDOWNE 337 (6-T. 459)
SIX-TEXT 460
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
The slake skynne aboute his necke sshakef
While fat he songe so chauntef he and crake f
Bot god woote watt maie ^oufe in hire hert [leafise]
Whan sche him sawhe vpsitinge in his schert 1852
In hys nyht cappe and wif his nek lene
Sche preisej) nouht his pleyinge worf e a bene
Than saide he Jms Mi ristinge wil .1. take
No we daie is comme .1. maie no lenger wake 1856
And doune he laide his hed and slept to pn'me
And afterward whan fat he sawhe his time
Vprisef lanuer bot f e frisshe maie
Holdef hir chambre vnto fe ferfe daie . I860
As vsages is for wives for f e best
For euery loboure som time mote haue rest
Of ere elles longe maie he nouht endure
This is to seie no Hues creature 1864
Be it of fisshe or birde or beste or man
1T Nowe wil .1. speke of woful Danyan
fat longurijj for loue as }e schol here
The for .1. speke to him in j?is manere 1868
.1. seye o cely Damyan alas
Ansewer to f is demaunde as in f is cas
How schal tow to f i lady fresshe maie
Tel fi woo sche wil al weie seie naie 1872
Eke if fou speke sche wil f i wo be-wreye
God bu fin helpe .1. can no better seie
This seke Damyan in venus fire
So bernef fat he deyef for desire 1876
For whiche he put his lif in aduenture
Ne lenger myht he in f is wise endure
Bot pn'uely a pennere gan he borwe
And in a lettre wrote he al his sorwe 1 880
In manere of a compleint of ere a laie
Vnto f is faire and fresshe lady maie
And in a purse of silke honge on his schert
He haf it put and leide it att his hert '1884
24 LANSDOWXE 338 (6-T. 460)
SIX-TEXT 461
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
The mone fat att none was fat like daie
|3at lanuar hafe wedded fat fressche male
In tuo of taure was in f e Cankre gliden
So longe hafe sche in Mr chambre byden 1888
As custume is vnto fis nob] is all
A bride schal nouhte eten in f e haH
Til daies foure of ere fre att leste
.I.-passed buen fan late hir go to feste 1892
The fourte daie complete fro none to none [leaf ise, back]
Whan fat f e hihe inesse was done
In halt sittef f is lanuer and maie
As fresshe as is fe briht somers daie 1896
And so be-fel howe fat f is goode man
Remembref him vpon f is Damian
And seide seinte marie howe maie f is be
fat Damyan entendef nouht to me 1900
Is he aie seke or howe maie f is be-tide
His swyers whiche fat stoden him be-side
excuseinge him be cause of his sekenesse
Whiche fat letid him to done his besinesse 1904
None of ere cause myht make him care
That me for-f inkef quod f is lanuare
He is a gentil swyer be my trouf e
If fat he deie it were harme and roufe 1908
He is as wise discrete and secre
As any man .1. wote of his degre
And f er-to manly and eke seruisable
And for to be a frifty man riht able 1912
Bot after mete as sone as eue/* y maie
.1. wil my self viset him and eke maie
To done him al f e comfort fat .1. can
And for fat worde blissed him euery man 1916
fat of his bounte and his gentilnesse
He wolde so comforten him in his sekenesse
His swyere for it was a gentil dede
Dame q?<od he fis lanuare takef good hede 1920
LANSDOWNE 339 (6-T. 46l)
SIX-TEXT 4G2
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Att pe after mete 30 wip ^oure wemmen aH
"Whan 30 haue buen in chambre oute of pis haH
pat al ^e gone to se pis Damyon
Do])e him disporte he is a gentile mon 1924
And tellep him fat .1. wil him vesyte
Haue .1. nopinge bot rest me a lyte
[And spede you faste for y wol abide P1"1- 733*> V ™j,. not
* » * ^n Sloane 168o, If 96 ; or
Til fhnf VP elpno foeto >>o mv oirrlol Harl. 1758, tf83,b/c; or
,nat ye siepe taste he my syaej sioane lese^/ise, bk;
Nowe wip fat worde he gan to him caH % Hartal' i™/?l\
A swyer fat was marchal of his hatt
And tolde him certeine pinges whatt he wolde
This frische maie ha]> streiht her weie yholde 1932
Wif al hire wewmen vnto pis Damyan
Doune be his bed side satt sche pan
Comforteing him as goodly as sche maie
This Damyan whan pat he his tim saie 1936
In secrete wise his purse and eke his bille Deaf m]
In whiche pat he had wreten al his wille
Hap pute in to hir honde wip outen more
Saue pat he syked wonder sore 1940
And sope to hir riht pus seide he
Mercye and pat 30 discouerep nouht me
For .1. am dede if pat pis pinge be kidde
This purs hap sche inne withe hire bosome hidde 1944
And went hir waie 30 gette no more of me
Vn-to lanuer Co?»men is sche
An on his bedde side sitte ful soft
He takep hir and kissep hire ful oft 1948
And leide him doune to slepe and pat anone
Sche feyne hir pat sche most gone
per as 30 wote pat euery whight must nede
And whan sche of pis biH hap taken hede 1952
Sche rent it al to cloutes atte pe last
And in pe pn'ue softly sche it cast
Who stodiep nowe bot faire fresche maie '
And a-doune be lanuare sche laie 1956
LAXSDOWNE 340 (6-T. 462)
i SIX-TEXT 40 3
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
That slepet til pat p e couhe him hap awaked
Anone he preide hire to stripen hire al naked
He wolde of hire he seide haue sum plesance
He seide hire elopes did him encumbrance 1960
And sche obeiep be he leef or lope
Bot lest pat precious folke be wip me wrope
How pat he wrouht .1. dar to 30 we nouht teH
Opere wheper pat he pouht on paradis or of heH 1964
Bot .1. lete hem werche in here wise
Te eueeonge ringe and pat pei mot arise
"Were it be destany or aueuture
Were it be influence or be nature 1968
Oper in constillacione pat in suche astate
Che heuen stoode pat time fortunate
"Was for to putte a bil of venus werkes
For al pinge hape time as seipe pe clerkes 1972
To any womman for to gete hire loue
.1. kan not sei bot pe grete god aboue
pat knowep pat none acte is causeles
He dep of al for .1. wil holde my pes 1976
Bot sope is pis howe pat pis maie
Hap take suche impression pat daie
On pite on pis seke Damyan Deaf 137, back]
That fro hir herte sche ne driue can 1980
The remembrance for to done him ese
Certeine pouht sche whome pat pis pinge displese
.1. rek no^t for here .1. him assure
To loue him beste of any creature 1984
Thouhe he no more hadde pan his scherte
Lo pite rennep sone in gentile herte
Here niaye 36 see howe excellent fraunches
In weramen is whan pei narwe hem avise 1988
Sum terant pere is as pere be mony one
That hap an herte as hard as any stone
"Whiche wolde haue late him sterue in pe place
Wei rapare pan haue graunted him pat grace 1092
LANSDOWNE 341 (6-T. 463)
SIX-TEXT 464
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And hem reioysen in f eire crouel pride
Arid recchef nou^t to bue an homycide
This gentil maie ful filled of al pite
Hint so of hire honde a letter maade sche 1996
In whiche sche grauntef him of hire verraie grace
Thar lake]? nouht onely bot daie and place
Where fat sche miht to his lust suffice
For it schal bue riht as he wil deuise 2000
And whan sche see hire tim vpon a daie
To visite fis Damyan gofe Jns faire maie
And sotelly fis letter doune sche f rest
Vnder his pilowe rede if him lest 2004
Sche takef him be f e honde and harde him tueste
So secretely fat no whight it weste
And bad him be al hole and forf e sche wente
To lanuare whan fat he for hire sente 2008
Vp risef e Damyan f e next morwe
Al passed was his sekenes and his sorwe
He kembef him and proynef and pikef
He dof al fat his lady luste and likef 2012
And eke to lanuare he gofe as lowe
As euere dide a doge for f e bowe
He is so plesante to euery man
Fro craft it is who fat it can 2016
fat euery whight is feine to teche him goode
And fully in his ladie grace he stode
Thus lete .1. Damyan aboute his nede
And my tale forfe .1. wil precede 2020
Somme clerkes halden fat felicite [leaf iss]
Stant in delite and f arefor he
This Noble lanuare wif al his myht
In honest wise as longef to a knyht 2024
Schope him to leue ful deliciously
His houseynge his arraie al honestly
To his degre was maked as kenges
Amonge of ere of his honest finges 2028
LANSDOWXE 342 (6-T. 464)
SIX-TEXT 465
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
He had a grardyne al walled wif stone
So faire a gardyne wote .1. ney where none
For oute of doute .1. verraily suppose
fat he fat wrote f e romans of f e rose 2032
!N"e couf e of it f e bewte wele deuise
Ne Priapus ne miht no$t suffise
Jpouhe he be god of Gardyns for to telle
The beute of f e gardyn and of f e welle 2036
That vnder a laurer alwaie grene
Ful oft time kinge Pluto and his queene
Preserpina . and aH hire fairee
Disporten hem and maken melodee 2040
Abouten fat wel and daunced as men tolde
This noble knyht f is lauuare f e olde
Suche deinte haf in hit to walken and to pleie
That he wil suffur no wyht to be fe kaie 2044
Saue he him self for of f e srnale wiket
He bare 'alwaie of siluer a kleket
Wif Jje whiche whan fat him vnschette
And whan he walde paie his wif hire dette 2048
In somer seson f eder wolde he goo
And maie his wiff and no whiht bot f ei tuoo
An f inges whiche fat were nouht done abedde
fei in fe Gardeine performed haue and spedde 2052
And in f is wise mony a mery daie
Leued f is lanuare and fressche maie
Bott werldly loy mai nouht alweie endure
To lanuare ne to no werldly creture 2U56
0 sodeine happe o fou fortune vnstable
.I.-lyke to ]?e . fe scorpion vnstable
fat flaterst wif fin hede whau f ou wilt stinge
Thi taile . is def f oruhe fine enuenymynge L'OGO
O b^itel ioye 0 swete poyson queynte
0 mynester fat solely can peinte
Thin jeftes v^der fe he we of stedfastnesse Deaf iss, back]
fat f ou decey%edest bof e more and lesse 2064
LAXSDOWXE 343 (6-T. 465)
SIX- TEXT 466
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Whi hast f ou lanuer jjus deceyued
And haddest him for f i ful frende receyued
And now f ou hast be-raft him bof his eyen
For sorwe of whiche desire]) he to deijen 2068
Alas f is noble lanuare fat is so fre
Amydde his luste and his prosperite
Is waxon blinde and al sodanly
His def fere-for desire]) he vtterly 2072
And f ere-wif -al f e fire of lelousye
Lest fat his [wif] schold faH in sum folye
So bernt his hert fat wolde feine
Thatt suwme man bof e hir and him had sleine 2076
For neuer after his dej) ne in his lif
Ne wolde he fat sche were loue ne wif
Bot euer leue as a wedew in clof es blake
Soule as a tortle dofe fat haf lost hir make 2080
Bot att f e last after a Monef or tuey
His sorwhe gan to swage sof e to sey
For whan he wiste it mai none of er be
He paciently tok his aduersite 2084
Saf oute of doute maie he no^t for-gone
)3at he nas lelous euer more in one
Whiche lelouse it was so outrageous
fat neif ere in hal ne in none of ere hous 2088
Ne in none of ere place neuer f e mo
He nold suffre hir neyf er ride nor go
Bot if fat he hande on hire alweie
For whiche ful of wepef frische maye 2092
fat louef Damyan so benyngly
fat sche mote eif er deie sodanly
Or elles sche most han him att hire lust
Sche waitef whan hire hert wald birst 2096
Yppon fat of er side Damyan
Bocommen is f e sorwfulhest man
)?at euer was for neif er niht ne daie
Ne myht he speke a worde to fresche maie 2100
LANSDOWNE 344 (6-T. 466)
SIX-TEXT 467
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
As to his purpos of no suche matier
Bot if pat lanuare most it here
pat had on honcle vpon hire euermoo
And neuer les be writeinge to and fro 2104
An prme signes wist he what sche ment [ieafis9]
And sche knewe of pe syne of his entent
0 lanuare what myht jje availe
pouhe pou myht see as fer as schippes saile 2108
For also good is a blynde deceyued be
As to be deceiued whan a man may se
Lo Argus whiche pat hadd . an .C. yene
For ali fat euere he coupe poure opir prme 2112
3it was he blent and god wote so be moo
That wenene wisly pat it is nouht soo
Passe ouer is an ese and seie no more
This fresche maie of whiche .1. spak of ^ore 2116
In warme wax hape emprintid pis cliket
Jjat lanuare bare of pat smale wiket
Be whiche into his gardine oft he went
And Damyan pat knewe hire entent 2120
The cleket counterfetid pn'uely
There is no mdre to seie bot hastely
Some wonder be his cleket scha[l] be-tide
, Whiche je schollen here if ^e wollen abide 2124
O noble Guide sope seist pou god woote
What sleyht is it pouhe it be longe and hote
That he nil finde it oute in somine manere
•By Pyramus and thesbe maie men lere . 2128
Thouhe pei were kepped ful longe streite ouer al
Thei biene acorded rowneinge poruhe a wal
There is no whight coupe han founde oute suche a sleihto
v'Bot nowe to purpos ar pat daies eyhte 2132
Were passe or pe Monep of luyl befyH
j)at lanuare hap cauht so grete a witt
Thoruhe engine of his wife him for to pleie
In his Gardine and no whiht bot pei tweie 2136
LANSDOWNE 345 (6-T. 467)
SIX-TEXT 4G3
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
That in a mor vn-to his may seide he
Rise vp my wife my loue my lady fre
The turtlys voice is herde my doufe swete
The winter is gone wif al Eeynes wete 2140
Com forf e nowe wif fin ey$en Columbyne
Howe feirer bue.n f i brestes fan is wyne
The gardine es enclosed al aboute
Com forfe my white spouse oute of doute 2144
Jpou hast me wounded in myn hert o wif
No spotte in f e was in al my lif
Com forf and lat vs take oure disporte tieaf 139, back]
.1. chese fe for my wif and my comforte 2148
Suche olde lewde wordes vsed he
On Damya[n] a signe Maade sche
fat he scholde go be-forne wif his cleket
fis Damyan hafe openede fe weket 2152
And in he sterte and fat in suche manere
fat no wight myht it se ne here
And stiH he sit vnder a busche anone
This lanuare so blinde as is a stone 2156
Wif Mayus in his honde and no whight mo
In to his frische gardein is he goo
And clapped to f e weket sodanlye
!Nowe wif quod he here nys bot fou and .1. 2160
fat art the creature fat .1. best loue
For be fat lorde fat sittef vs al aboue
.1. had leuer dey^en on a knyf
Than fe offenden my dere treue wif 2164
For goddes sake finke ho we .1. fe ches
Nouht for no Coueites douteles
Bott onely for fe loue .1. had to fe
And fount fat .1. be olde and maye nouht see 2168
Be to me trewe and .1. wil tel ^owe whie
Certes frei f inges schal ^e winne fere bie
Firste loue of Criste and to ^owre self honour
And al myne Heritage tonne and toure 2172
LANSDOWNE 346 (6-T. 468)
SIX-TEXT 469
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
.1. }eue it 3owe make charters as jowe liste
f is schal be do to morwe ar sonue ariste
So wissely god my soule bringe in blisse
And pray jowe on Couenawt fat ^e me kesse 2176
And f ouhe fat .1. be lelouse wite me nowht
3e buen so depe enpraited in niyne f ouht
fat whan fat .1. considere ^oure beute
And fere-wif-al fe vnlikly elde of me 2180
.1. maie nouht sertes fouhe .1. schold deie
For-bere to be oute ^oure conipaigne
For verrei loue f is is wif -outen doute
No we kisse me wif and lat vs rome aboute 2184
IF This frisshe maye whan sche f is wordes herde
Benigly to lanuare ansewerd
Bot first & forwarde sche began to wepe
.1. haue quod sche a soule for to kepe 2188
As wele as 30 and also rnyne honour [leaf uo]
And of my wifhede f ilke tender floure
Whiche fat .1. haue assured in joure honde
Whan fat fe preste to jowe my body bonde 2192
Wharfor .1. wil ansewer in f is manere
Wif loue of 3oue my lorde so dere
.T. praie god fat neuer dawe fat day .
Jjat .1. ne sterae as foule as womman maye 2196
3if euer y do vnto my kynne fat schame
Or elles .1. enpeire so niy name
fat .1. be ffalse and if .1. do fat lake
To s'ripe me and putte me in a sake 2200
And in f e next Eiuere do me drenche
,1. am a gentil woraman and no wenche
Whi speke 30 f us but men ben euyre vntrewe
And wemmen haue repreef of ^owe ay newe 2204
3e can noon of ere continatmce yleue
Bot speke to us as vntreste and in repreue
And wif fat worde sche sauhe wher Damyane
Satt in fe busche and knele he begawne 2208
LANSDOWNE 347 (6-T. 469)
SIX-TEXT 470
; GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And wif hire fingers signes maade sche
fat Damyan scholde climbe vpon f e tre
fat chargede was wif fruyte a[n]d vpe lie wente
For verraily lie knewe al hir entent 2212
And euery signe J>at sche couf e make
Wele bett fan lanuare hire owen make
For in a leth-e sche had told him al
Of J)is matiere houe he werche schal 2216
And f us I lete sette in J?e pire
And lanuare and Mayus rouneiwge ful inerie
Briht was f e daie and bleue f e firmament
Phebus of golde doune haf his stremes sent 2220
To gladen euery floure wij> his warmenesse
He was fat time in gemim's as .1. gesse
Bot litul fro his declinaciown
Of Cancer louys exaltaciotm 2224
IT And so be-fel in a briht morwe tide
fat in fe gardine 011 fat ferf ire side
Pluto fat is f e kinge of faire
And mony a ladi in his companye 2228
Folowinge his wif f e queene Proserpina
Whiche fat he rauesched oute of proserpina .
Whiles fat sche gaderd floures in a mede [leaf uo, back]
In claudian ^e maie fe storis rede 2232
How in his grisly carte he hire fette
This kinge of ffaire a-doune him sette
Vppon a benche of torues frische and grene
And riht anone seide he fus vnto his qwene 2236
My wif quod he fat maie not seie naie
The expenens proueth it euery daie
The treson whiche fat workman dof to man
Ten hundref fousand teH .1. can 2240
Notable of ^oure vntreuf e and brutelnes
Of Salomon rychest of al riches
Ful filled of Sapiens and of werly glorie
Ful worfi bien fi wordes to memorie 2244
LANSDOWNE 348 (6-T. 470)
SIX-TEXT 471
GUOUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
To euery wiht fat witte and reson can
f us preise)) he jitte fe bounte of man
Amonge a .M. men jit fonde .1. one
Bot of al we/Jimen fonde .1. neuer none 2248
fus seif e f e kinge fat knowef joure wikkednesse
And ihesvs filius Syrak as .1. gesse
N"e spekej) of jowe but seldyn reuerence
A wilde fire a corrupt pestilence 2252
So fal vpon joure bodies jit to nyht
Ne see nouht f is honurable knyht
Because alas fat he is blinde and olde
:His owen man schal make him cokewolde 2256
Loo where he sitte )>e lichoure in f e tree
!Nowe wil .1. graunte of my Maiestee
Vnto f is olde blinde worfi knyht
fat he schal haue ajeine his eyjen siht 2260
Whan fat his wif wold done him A'elanye
Than schal he knowe al her harlotrye
Bofe in repreue of hire and ofere mo
3e schal q?<od Procerpine and wil je soo 2264
Nowe be my Moders sire soule .1. swere
J?at .1. schal jeue hire sufficeant ansewere
And alle wemmen after for joure saake
fat fouhe fei buen in any gilte ytake 2268
Wif face bolde f ei schollen hem self excuse
And bere hem doune fat wolde hem accuse
For lakke of ansewere non of hem schollen deyen
Al had je seihe a finge wif bof joure eyjen. 2272
3 it schollon we so visage it hit hardelye [leaf m]
And wepe and swere and chide subtellye
fat je schol buen as lewde as arne gese
What rekkef me of joure auctoritees 2276
.1. wote Avele f is lewe f is Salomone
Fande of vs wemmen fules many one
Bot f ouhe fat he fonde no goode wowman
There hafe he founde mony anofere man 2280
LANSPOWNE 349 (6-T. 47l)
SIX-TEXT 472
GKOUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
rVVowzmen ful trew ful good ful vertuous [Reg.iscii, (fios,
back ; not in Harl.
Witnes on hem fat dwellen in cristes hous Har'i^5^i'eafiz7 ;
,xr.. t ,. , i i • i °r Stoane 1686, leaf
VVib martiraom bey prouya tur1 Constance m,i>ack; but in
' Addit. 5110, leaf m,
The romaygne lestis maken remembrance bk: m>xv,ieafiti
lik; S.'oane 1685, leaf
Of many a verry trewe wyfif also l&u^SSfr]
But sire ne be noujt wroth as be it soo [x MS h"]
jjouj bat he seide he fond no good wowman
I praye jow take be sentence of j?e man] 2228
He ment bus bat in souereigne bounte
Nys none bot god neybere he ne sche
Ey for verrey god bat nys bot one
"What make je so inuche of Salomons 2292
What bouhe he maad a temple goddes hous
What bouhe he were riche and glorious
So maade he a temple of fals goddes
Who myht do a binge ]>at more for-bode is 2296
Parde als faire as 30 his name implastre
He was a lichoure and a ydolastre
And in his elde he verrei god for-soke
And }if bat god na hadde as seibe be boke 2300
yspared him for his fader saake he scholde
Haue lost his reigne sauner bat he wolde
.1. sett nouht of al be velany
fat je of wemmen write a botterflie 2304
.1. am a womman nedes most .1. speke
Or elles swel til myn hert breke
For ]?ebins he seide bat we be langelers
As ener mote .1. brouke bobe my tresses 2308
I schal spare for no curtesie
to spek him harme ]?at wolde vs velanye
Dame qwod fis pluto be no longer wro)?e
.1. ^eue it vp bot seben .1. swore myn oj?e 2312
fat [I] wolde graunt him his siht a^eine
My worde schal stande bat warne .1. Jje certeine
.1. am a kinge it sitte me nouht to lye
And .1. quod sche a queene of fayre 2316
LANSDOWNE 350 (6-T. 472,) -
SIX-TEXT 473
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Hire ansewar sche schal haue .1. vnder-take
Lat us no mo wordes no we make . 2318
*
Explicit fabula Mercatoris.
(As in Sloane 1686, and Corpus.)
[For the rest of the Tale (from Harl. MS 1758) see the
Appendix.]
LANSDOWNK 350* (6-T. 473)
SIX-TEXT 500
GEOUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[THE PROEM.}
Incipit prologws de le ffrankeleyne.
THis olde gentil bretons in hire dales
Of diuers auentures maden laies
Eimyden in hir first breton tonge
Whiche laies wif here instrumentes f ei songe . 712
Of er elles redden hem for her plesance [i«af HI, back]
And one of hem haue .1. in rembraiice
Whiche .1. schal seie wif as goode wil as .1. can
Bot sires be cause fat .1. am a burel man 716
Att my ginnynge first .1. joue beseche
Heuejj me excused of my roode speche
.1. lernd neuer retorik certeine
finge fat .1. speke it most . be bare and pleine 720
.1. slept neuer on f e mount of parnaso
Ne .y. neuere lerid Marcus . Tullius . ne Cithero
Colours of retorike ne knewe .1. none wif-outen drede
Bot suche colours as growen in f e mede 724
Or elles suche as men dye or peinte
Colours of rethorik bene me to queynte
My sprite felej) nou$t of suche Matier
Bot if fou luste Mi tale schal .30. l here, p mmht cro**t out] 728
Explicit prologus Incipit fabula.
[THE TALE.]
her was a knyht fat loued and dide his peyne 730
In Armorik fat cleped is bretaigne 729
To semen a lady in his best wise 731
And many a labour and mony a grete emprise
LANSDOWNE 351 (0-T. 500)
SIX-TEXT 501
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
He for his lady wrouht er sche were wonne
For sche was on of f e fairest vnder sorme
And eke f ere-to com of so hihe kinrede
fat wele vnnefis dorst fis knyht for drede 736
Tel hir his woo his peine and his distresse
Bot.att fe last sche for his worfinesse
And namely for his meke obeissance
Haf .suche a pite cauht of his penance 740
fat prme sche fel of his accorde
To take him for hir husbonde and hir lorde
Of suche lor[d]schip as men haue ouer hire wyues
And for to lede f e more in blisse her lyues 744
Of his fre wil he swore hire as a knyht
fat neuer in his wil be daie ne be nyht
ISTe scholde he vpon him take no maistre
A^eines hir wille ne kuythe hure lelousye 748
Bot hire obeie and folowe hire wille in al
As any louer to his ladi schal
Saue fat f e name of Soue?'eignete
That wolde he haue for schame of his degre 752
Sche f onkef him and wif ful grete humblesse
Sche seide sir sef fe je of 3oure gentilesse [leaf 142]
^e prefer me to haue als large a reyne
N"e wold neuere god be-twix vs tueyne 756
As in my gulte ware eyfer werre or striffe
Sir .1. wil be ^oure owen humble trewe wif
Haue here my troufe til fat myn hert burst
Thus buen fei bofe in quiete and in ruste 760
For o finge sires saufly dar .1. seie
fat frendes eueryche of ere motte obeie
If fei wil longe hold coinpaigne
Loue wil nouht buen constreyned be maistre 764
"Whan Maistre commef god of loue anone
Betef on his wenge and fare wele he is gone
Loue is a finge as any spirit fre
Wemmene of kinde desiren liberte 768
LANSDOWNE 352 (6-T. 501)
SIX-TEXT 502
.GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And nouht to be constreined as a frail
And so dof men . if .1. f e sof e sale schaH
Loke who fat is most pacient in loue
He is att auantage aboue 772
Paciens is an hihe vertue certeigne
[ffor it venquyscheth as these clerkis seyne .] [Hari. 1758, z/128]
Thinges fat Bigor schol neue?'e atteigne
For euery worde men maie nouht chide ne pleine 776
Lerenef to suffur or elles so must .1. gone
Je scholne it leren whef er so 30 wol or none
For in f is werlde certeine no wight ne is
fat he ne dof or seif e sum time of mys 780
Or eif er sekenes or constillacione
Wyn wo or channgeinge of complexione
Causef fid often to don amys or speken
On euery wronge men maye nouht bue awreken 784
After f e time most be temp^ance
To euery whiht fat can no gouernance
And f erfore haf e f is worf e wise knyht
To leue in ese suffrance hir be-hiht 788
And sche to him ful wiseli gan to swere
fat neuere scholde be defaute in hire
Here maie men seen an humble wise accorde
Thus haf sche take hire seruant and hir lorde 792
Seruant in loue and lorde in Mariage
fan was he bof e in lordeschipe and seniage
Seruage nave bot in lordeschip a-boue
Sefen fat he haf bofe his ladi and his loue 796
His lady certes and his wif also [leaf 112, back]
The whiche fat lowe of loue accordef f arto
And whan he was in f is prospmte
Home wif his wif he gof to his centre 800
Nouht ffer fro penmarke far as his dwellinge was
Where as he leues in blisse and in solas
Who couf e teH bot he had wedded bue
The . loye-f e ese . and f e prosperite 804
25 LANSDOWNE 353 (6-T. 602)
SIX-TEXT 503
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
That is betwyx an liusbonde and his wif
A ^ere and more lasted fis blisfuH liff
Til fat fis kniht f e whiche .1. spak of fits
fat of kynred was cleped Arneragus 808
Schope him to gone and dwelle a ^ere or tweyne
In yngelond fat cleped eke was Bretayne
To seche in armes worschipe and honoure
For al his luste he sette in suche laboure 812
And dwellef e fere J>e boke seif e f us
Nowe wil .1. stint of fis arnaragus
And speken .1. of Dorigen . his wif
J>at louej) hire husbond as hire hertes lif 816
And for his absence wepej> sche and sykej)
As done fis noble wives whan hem like])
Sche mornef wake wailef fastef and pleynej)
Desire of his presence hir so distreine]) 820
That al fis wide werld sche sett att nouht
Hire frendes whiche fat knewe hir heue f ouht
Comforted hire in al fat euer f ei myht or maie
Thei prechen hire fei telen hire nyht and daie 824
fat causeles sche slef e hir self alas
And euer-. I. comford possible in fis cas
fei done to hire with al here bisinesse
And al for to make hire lete hire heuynesse 828
Be proces.as 30 knowe wele euerychone
Men Maie so longe graue in f e stone
Til figure f er-inne printed be
So longe haue fei comfort hire fat sche 832
Keceyuede haf e be hope and be resone
f e emprinteinge of hire constillacione
Thoruhe whiche hire grete sorwe gan eswage
Sche maie not alweie endure suche a rage 836
And eke Arnargus in al fis care
Haf e sent hir lef/res home in al fis fare .
And fat he wolde come hastely ajeine [leafiis]
Or elles hadde fis sorwe hire hert sleyne 840
LANSDOWNE 354 (6-T. 503)
SIX-TEXT 504
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS
Hire frendes sauhe hire hert gan to slake
And preide hire on kiies for goddes sake
To come and to Borne in companye
Awaie to driue hire derke fantasie 844
And finally sche graunted fat request
For wele sche sauhe it was for f e best
~Now stode hir castel fast "by f e see
And often wif hire frendes walked sche 848
Hir to disport on f e se banke on hihe
Where as sche many schippes and barges seilie
Seileinge her course where hem luste to goo
Bot 3ite was fere a percel of hir woo 852
For to hir selue ful often seide sche
Is fere no schippe of so inony as .1. see
Wil bringe home my lorde fan wolde myiie herte
Al warisshe of Jjis bitter peine smarte 856
Anof ere time ]>ere wil sche sitte and f enke
And kast hir eye donward fro f e brenke
Bot whan sche sawhe f e grisely Eokkes blake
For verrei fere so wolde hire heret qwake 860
fat one hir feete sche myhte nouht hire susteigne
fan wolde sche sit adoune vpon f e grene
And pitously into f e see sche walde be-holde
And seine riht fus wif sorweful hertes colde 864
Eterne god fat f oruhe f i purueance
Ledest f e werlde be certein gouernance
In ydelnes as men seine 30 nof inge make
Bot lorde fis griseli fendely Eockes blake 868
fat semen raf er a foule confusione
Of werke fat any faire creacione
Of whiche a parfit god and a stable
Whi haue 30 wrouht fis werk vnresonable 872
For be fis werke souf e . norf e . este and west
fare nes ifostred man ne birde ne beste
It dof e no good to my witte bot anoyef
Sche je nouht lor how mankinde it destruef 876
LANSDOWNE 355 (6-T. 504)
SIX-TEXT 505
GROUP F, § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
An hundref f ousand bodyes of mankinde
Haue rokkes sleine and al "be f ei nouht in mynde
Whiche mankinde is so faire parte of f i werke
fat foil it madest ylike to fine handwerke . 880
Than semed it 30 hadde a grete chierte peufiis.back]
To-ward mankynde bot howe fan maie it be
That je suche menys make it to destroyen
Wyche menys dof no good but euere annoyen 884
.1. woote wele clerkes woln sayn as hem lest
By argumentz J>at al f inges is for f e best
They .1. ne can fe causes for sof e knowe
Bot filke god fat maade winde to blowe 888
As kepe my lorde f is conclusion
To clerkis lat .1. al disputasion
Bot Avolde god . fat al f e Eokkes blake
Ware sonken in-to hel for his sake 892
f es rokkes sleen myne hert for fere
Thus wold sche seine wif mony a pitous tere
Hire frendes sawe fat it lias no disporte
To Eoumen be fe see bot discomfort 896
And schopen for to pleyne sum where elles
Thei leden hire be Keuers and be welles
And eke in of er place delitables
Thei daunce and plei att chesse and att tables 900
So on a dai riht on f e morwe tide
Vnto a Gardeine fat was riht f ere beside
In whiche fat f ei had maade her ordinance
Of vitaile and of of er purueance 904
Thei gone and pleine hem al f e longe daie
And f is was on f e sext morwe of maie
Whiche had peintede wif his soft schoures
This gardine ful of leues and of floures 908
And wyf craft of mannes honde so curiously
Araide had f is gardine trialli
That neuer was f er gardine of suche prise
Bot if it were f e verrei paradise 912
LANSDOWNE 366 (6-T. 605)
SIX-TEXT 506
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
The odur of floures and f>e frisslie siht
Wolde han maade ony perasif man liht
That euer was borne bot if to grete sekenesse
0)>er to grete sorwe hilde it in distresse 916
And after dener gan Jjei to daunce 918
So ful it was of beute wij) plesance 917
And singen also bot Dorigen songe alone
Sche made alweie here compleinte and hire mono 920
For sche ne sawhe him on fe daunce goo
fat was hir husbonde and hire loue also
Bot nafeles sche moste hire time a-bide [leaf H4]
And wijj goode nope lete sche here sorwe glide 924
Vpon J)is daunce amonges opere men
Daunced a swyer to-forn Dorigen
That frisscher was and loliere of araie
As to my dome fan is j?e monej? of maie 928
He singe]? and daunsej) passinge any oj>er man
pat is or was sej>]je pis werlde be-gan
pare-wip he was if men schold him discryue
On of J>e beste faringe men on liue 932
^onge stronge riht vertuous ryche and wise
And wele beloued and holden in grete prise
And schortly if )>e sope tellen .1. schal
Vnweteinge of pis dorigen att aH 936
This lusty swyero seruant to Venus
Whiche pa£ ycleped was aurelius
Had loued hire best of any creature
Two 3ere and more as was his aduenture 940
Bot neuer dorst he tellen hire of his greuance
WijKmten cuppe he drank al his penance
He was dispeired nopinge dorst he saie
Saue in his soule sum what wolde he wraie 944
His woo as in general compleineinge
He seide he loued and was beloued no pinge
Of suche Matier maade he mony layes
Songes compleintes Tioundeletis virrelayes 948
LANSDOWNE 357 (6-T. 606)
SIX-TEXT 507
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
Howe fat he durst nouht his sorwe teH
fat languissep as fire dope in heH:
And deye seide he must as dide ekko
For Narsisus pat dorst nouht teH hir wo 952
In opere maner pan ^e here me seie
Ne dorst he nouht to hire his wo be-wreie
Saue perauentur sumtime att daunces
There ^onge folke kepen her obsemaunces 956
It mai wel be he loked on hir face
In suche a wise as man pat Axep grace
Bot no pinge wist sche of his entent
Napeles it happed er pei pens went 960
Be cause pat he was hire nei^bore
And was a mon of worschippe and honoure
And had yknowen him of1 times 3 ore p a later t after of]
Thei fel in speche oft more and more 964
Yn-to his purpos drouhe Aurelius [leaf ui, back]
And whan he sauhe his time he seid pus
Madame quod he be god pat pis werld maade
So pat .1. miht joure hert glade 968
.1. wolde pat daie pat ^oure Arnaragus
Wente on see pat .1, Aurelius
Hadde wente pat .1. scholde neuer haue com ajeine
For wele .1. wote my seruise is in veine 972
Mi guerdon nys bot bristinge of myn herte
Ma dame rewep vpon my peines smarte
For as wip a swerd 30 maie me sle or saue
Here att ^oure fote god wolde pat .1. were graue 976
.1. haue as nowe no leiser for to seie
Haue merci on me swete or je wolne do me deye
Sche gan to loke vpon Aurelius
Is pis 3oure wil quod, sche and seie 30 pus 980
JSTeuer eft quod, sche wist .1. what 30 ment
Bott nowe Aurely .1. know ^oure entent
Be pilke god pat ^aue me soule and lif
Ne schal .1. neuer be vntrewe wiif 984
LANSDOWNE 368 (6-T. 507)
SIX-TEXT 508
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
In worde ne in werke as fer as .1. haue witto
.1. wil be his to whome fat .1. am knytte
Bot affter fat f ou pleine fus seide sche 988
Tak fis for final ansewer as for me 987
Aurely quod, sche he hihe god ahoue
3 it wil .1. graunt 30110 to he ^oure lone
Sen Jnis .1. ^owe see so pitously compleigne
Loke what daie fat yngelonde is hreteigne 992
3e remewe al f e rokkes stone he stone
fat f ei let schippe ne hote to gone
.1. saie whan ^e haue maade f is coste so clene
Of Eokkes fat fer nys no stone seene 996
fan wil .1. loue $owe best of any man
Haue here my trouf e in al fat euer y can '
Is fere none of er grace qwod he
No be fat lorde quod sche fat maade me 1000
For wele .1. wote fat . fat schal neuer he-tide
Late suche foly oute of ^oure hert glide
"What deynte scholde man haue be his lif
For to loue a nofer mannes wif 1004
fat haf hir body when so fat him likef
Aurelius ful oft sore sikef
Woo was Aurely whan fat he f is herde peafus]
And wif a sorwful hert fus ansewerde 1008
Madam quod he f is were an inpossible
Than Mot .1. deie on sodeine def e Orrible
And wif fat worde he torned him anone
Tho cam her ofer frendes mony one 1012
And in f e alies romed vp and doune -
And no f inge wist of f is conclusioune
Bot sodenlye be-gan to reuel newo
Til fat fe briht sown lost his hewe 1016
For f e orizonte haf raft f e sowne his liht
This is as muche to saie as it was niht
And home f ei gone in ioye and in solas
Saue onely wriched Aurelius alas 1020
LANSDOWNE 359 (6-T. 508)
SIX-TEXT 509
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
He to his hous is gone wif sorweful hert
He seif e lie maie nouht fro his def astert
Him semef he felef his hert colde
Vp to fe heuen liis hondes gan he olde' 1024
And on his kenes bare he sett him doune
And in his raueinge seide his orisoune
For verrei woo he oute of his witte he braide
He nyst nouht what he spak bot Jms he seide 1028
WiJ? pitous hert haf e he his compleinte be-gunne
Ynto f e goddesse and first vnto f e sonne
He seide Apollo god and gouernoure
And euery planete herbe tre and floure 1032
fat ^euest after fine declinacione
To iche of hem his tyme and his sesone
And fin hebowr chaungef lowe and hihe
Lorde phebus cast fi me[r]ciable eyhe 1036
On wriched Aureli whiche fat am for-lorne.
Lo lorde my lady haf my def sworne
"Wif-outen gilte bot fine benygnite
Vppon myne dedly hert haue sum pyte 1040
Bot wele .1. wote lorde phebus if jou liste
$e maie me helpe saue my ladi best
Now vouchef saue fat .1. maie ^oue deuise
Howe fat .1. maye be holpe and in what wise 1044
3oure blisful suster lucina f e schene
fat of f e see is chife goddes and qwene
f ouhe . neptunus haue deite in f e see
3ite emperes aboue him is sche 1048
3e knowen wele lorde riht as hir desire peaf 145, back]
Is to be queked and lihtef of 3oure fire
For whiche she folowf ^owe ful besily
Rlht so fe see desiref naturelly 1052
To folowen hir as sche fat is goddesse
Bof in f e see and in reuers more and lesse
Wher-for lord Phebus fis is myn request
Do fis miracle or .1. do myne hert to brest 1056
LANSDOWNE 360 (6-T. 509)
SIX-TEXT 510
GROUP F. § 4- FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
fat f ou next att fis opposiciofi.
Whiche in signe schal be of f e lyon
Haf e praide hire so grete a flode to bringe
fat .v. fafoin att fe lest it ouer springe 10GO
The hiest rokke in Armorik bretaine
And lat his flode endure ^eres tueyne
Than certes to my lady may .1. seie
Holdej) foure heste fe rokkes bene awaie 1064
Lorde phebus do fis Miracle for me
Preie hire sche go no faster cours fan 30
.1. seie ^oue fus prei ^oure suster fat sche go
None fastere cours fan $e fis ^eres tuo 1068
fan schal sche euere be att f e foH al weie
And springe lasten bof nyht and daie
And bot sche vowchesaue in suche manere
To graunt me my lady souereigne dere 1072
Praie hir to sinken euery rok adoune
In-to hir owen derke regione • -;
Ynder f e grounde f er pluto duellef inne
Ofer neuer more schal .1. my lady wynne 1076
Thine temple in delphos wil .1 barfote seek
Lorde Phebus sef e 30 f e teres on my cheke
And of my pyne haue compassione
And wif fat worde in swoune he fel a-doune 1080
And longe time he laie in traunce
His brof er whiche fat knewe of his penaunce
Vp cauht him and to bed him brouht
Despeired in his torment and in his fouht 1084
Lo .1. fis woful creature lye
Chese he for me wef er he wil leue or deye
IT Arueragus wif hele and grete honoure
As he was of f e chiualrie f e floure 1088
Is commen home and of er worf i men .
0 blisfulful ert f ou doregen
That haste fin lusti husbande in fine Armes [leaf mq
fe frische knyht fe worfi man of armes 1092
LANSDOWNE 361 (6-T. 610)
SIX-TEXT 511
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
pat louep pe as his owen hertes lif
No pinge lust him to be ymaginatif
Of any wight had spoke whiles was oute
To hire of lone he maade pere-of no doute 1096
He nouhte entendep to none suche matiere
Bot dauncef lustijj and make]? good chere
As Jms in ioy and blisse .1. late hem dwelle
And of pe swete aurelius wil .1. teH 1 1 00
In langure and in furious tormentes Jms
Two 3 ere and more laie wreched Aurelius
Or ony foote on erpe he myht gone
Ne comfort in pis time had he none 1104-
Saue of his broker whiche fat was a clerke
He knewe of al J>is woo and of al pis werke
For to none oper creature certeine
Of Jus rnatier ne dorst he no worde seine 1108
Vnder his brest he bare his more secre
Than euer dide Pamphilius for Galathe
His brest was hole wip-owten for to sene
Bot in his herte was aie J>e arwe kene 1112
And wele 30 wote ]>at a sore savoure
In surgere ful perilous is pe cure
Bot man myht touche pe arwe or come perby
His broper wepejj and weilep p/'iuely 1116
Til att pe last him fel in remembrance
pat whiles he was att Orliaunce in fraunce
As jonge clerkes pat buen licorous
To reden artes pat buen curious 1120
Seken in euery halke and in euery herne
PaHiculere sciens for to lerne
He him remembrep vpon a daie
Att Orliance in stode a boke he saye 1124
Of Magik naturelle whiche is felawe
pat was pat time a bacheller of lawe
Al were he pere to lerne anoper crafte
An priuely vpan his deske he lafte 1128
LANSDOWNE 362 (6-T. 51l)
SIX-TEXT 512
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
pis boke whiche spak muche of pis operacions
Toucheinge pe .xxviiij. Mancions
That longep to pe mone and suche folye
As in oure daies ne is not worpe a nye 1132
For holy cherche seipe in owre beleue [leaf ue, back]
Ne suffurep none illusione vs to greue
And whan pis booke was in remembraunce I
Anone for ioye he gan to daunce 1136
And to him self seide praiely
Mi broper schal be warisched hastely
For .1. am seker pat pere be sciencis
Be whiche men make diuers apparences 1140
Whiche as pe subtile tregitours pleine
For oft att festes herd .1. seine
pat tregetours wip in an hal large
Haue maad in come water and a barge 1144
And in pe haH rowe vp and doune
Som time hape semed a grime lyoune
[And som tyme floures spryngin) in A mede P8?1- 7^3' fea/84,
• r J ' back, col. 2. Not
Sum tyme wyne & grapis white & rede] ^/^Reg5^1^
Som tim a castel al of lyme and stone *"* te^183«6acA-3
And whan him liked voide it anone
Thus semed it to euery mannes siht
Nowe pan conclude .1. pus if pat .1. myht 1152
At orlyance some olde felawe finde
pat had pe mones mancions in mynde
Oyper magik naturel a-boue
He scholde wele mak my broper haue his lone 1156
For wip apparens a man maie make
To mannenes siht pat al pe rokkes blake
Of B[r]eteigne were went euery chone
And pat schippes be pe brinke myht comen and gone 1 1 GO
And in suche forme endure a ^ere or tuo
Thew were my broper waresched of his wo
Then most sche nedes knowe hire be-hest
Or elles he schamen hire schal att pe leste 1164
LANSDOWNE 363 (6-T. 512)
SIX-TEXT 513
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
What scholde make a longer tale of fis
Vuto his brof er bedde co?nmen he is
And suche comfor[t] he $af him for to gone
To Orliaunce fat vp sterte anone 1 1G8
And on his waie forwarde is he fare
In hope to be lessed of his care
Whan f eie were come 'almoste to fat Citee
Bot if were a tuo furlonge or free 1172
A 3onge clerke romeynge by hiniselfe f ei • mette
Whiche fat in latine f refteli hem grette
And after fat seide he a wonder f inge
.1. knowe quod he fe cause of 3oure cowynge. 1176
An er f ei forf er any foote wente
He tolde hem al fat was in her en-tent
This briton clerke him asked of felawes
The whiche fat he had knowen in olde dawes 1180
And he anseward him fat f ei dede were
For whiche he wepped ful oft mony a tere
Downe of his hors Aurelius liht anone
And furfe wif fis Magicien is he gone 1184
Home to his howse and maade hem wele att ese
Hem lakked no vitaile fat hem myht plese
So wele araide hous as fer was one
Aurelius in his lif ne sawe he none 1188
He schewde him ar he went to soper
Forest Parkes ful of wilde dere
fber sawe he hertes with homes hy?e / ^?r}-?33i'A&*v6*>c,''' \-
•>' I Not ^n JIarl. 1758, leaf
The grettest that euer were se with ye / y^faJStfJijft
He / say of hem An hunderid* slayn) with houndes
And? some with Arowes bled? & bitter woundes
He say whan) voydid? were thes wylde der*
fe fauconers vp on) A faire rever] 1190
And how fakons haue f e heron sleine
Than sawe he knyhtes lusten in a pleine
And after fis he dide him suche plesance
That he him schewde his lady in a daunce 1200
LANSDOWNE 364 (6-T. 513).
SIX-TEXT 514
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
On whiche him self he daunced as him f ouht
And whan fis maister fat fis magik wrouht
Sawe it was time he clapped his hondes two
And fare wele al oure reuel is do 1204
And jitte remewe f ei neuere oute of fis house
Whiles f ei sawe al fis siht meruelouse
Bot in his stodye fere as his bokes be
The[i] satten stil and no whight bot fei fre 1208
To him fis maister called fan a swyere
And seide him Jms is redi oure sopere
Al most an houre it is .1. vndertake
Sefens .1. 3 owe badde oure soper to make 1212
When fat f is worf i men wenten wif me
Vnto my stode f er as my bokes be
Sire quod f is Swye[r] whan it lykef }oue
It is al rede fouhe 30 wolde riht no we 1216
Go we fan to soupe quod, he and for f e best
f es auerous folke sum time mot haue rest
And after soper fel f ei in trete
What somme schold fis maister guerdone be 1220
To remoue al f e rokkes of bretaigne
And eke fro geroun to f e mouf e of seine
He maade it straunge . and swore so god him saue
Lesse fan a fousand pounde he nolde not haue 1224
Ne gladly for fe somme ne wolde he gone [leaf 117, back]
Aurelius wif blisful herte anone
Onsewarde f us fy on a fousand pounde
This wide werlde fat men seine is rounde 1228
That wold .1. 3eue if .1. were lorde of it
This Bargeyne is ful dreue for we bue knyt
Je schollene be paide treuly be my trouf e
Bot lokef no we for no necligens or sleufe 1232
$e tary vs here no longer fan to morwe
Nay quod fis clerke haue here my trouf e to borwe
To bed is gone Aurelius whan him luste
And wel nyhe al fat nyht he had his ruste 1 236
LANSDOWNE 365 (6-T. 614)
SIX-TEXT 515
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. lansdowne MS.
That for his laboure and for his hope of blisse
His woful herte of penance hadde a lisse
Vpon J)is mo[r]we whan fat it was daie
To bretaine toke fei J>e riht weie 1240
Aurelius and f is magicien be side
And buene descendit fere fei wilne a-bide
And f is was as f e bokes me remembre
The colde frosty seson of decembre 1244
Phebus waxede olde and hewed ylike lato?m
fat in his hote declinaciown
Schone as f e burnyd gold wif stremes briht
Bot no we in scorpion a-doune he liht 1248
Where as he schone ful pale .1. dare wel seien
The bitter frostes wif slete and reine
Destruyed haj> 30 grene in euery ^erde
lanus sit be fire wij) double berde 1252
And drinkef of his bugle home f e wyne .
Be-forne him stant f e braune of f e twext swyne
And a nouel crief euery lusti man
Aurelius in al fat euere he can . 1256
DoJ>e his maister chier and reuerence
And preyef him to done his diligence
To bringen him oute of his peines smerte
Ofer wif a swerde fat he wold slitt his herte 1260
That subtille clerk whiche fat reuf e hadde on f is man
fat nyht and daie he him spedde fat he ne Ian
To waite a time of his conclusione
fis is to seie to make illucione 1264
.1. ne can no termes of astrologie 1266
Be whiche an apparens of logeHery 1265
That sche and euery wight schold wene and seie [leaf us]
fat of Bretaigne fe rokkes were aweie 1268
Or elles f ei were sonken vnder grounde
So att f e last whan that he his time founde
To make his Tapes and his wrechednesse
Of whiche a supersticious cursedenesse 1272
LANSDOWNE 306 (6-T. 515)
SIX-TEXT 516
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
His tables colletanes forf lie brouht
Ful wele corrected for fere lakked noubt
E"e his collectes ne his expans ^eres
Ne his rotes ne his of ere geres 1276
As biene is centres and his argumentez
And his proporcione conuenientez
For his equacions in euery f inge
And be his .viij. spere in his wirkinge 1280
He knewe howe fere alnaf e was . yschoue
From f e heued of f ilke fix aries aboue
fat in f e .ix. spere cohsiderd is
Ful subtiUi he callef al fis 1284
And whan he had fonde his first manciofl
He knewe f e remenant be proporcion
And knewe f e ariseinge of f e mone wele
And in whos face and terme euery dele 1288
And knewe ful wele f e mones mansion
Accordant to his operation
And k[n]ewe al so his o]>er obseruauncez
For suche illusions and suche meschaunces 1292
As eyf en folke vside f ilke daies
For whiche no longer Maked he delaies
Bott f oruhe his magik for a weke or tweie
It semede fat al fe rokkes were a waie 1296
Aurelius whiche fat despayred is
"Wef er he schal haue his or fare amys
Awaitef nyht and daie of f is miracle
And whan he knewe ferwas none obstacle 1300
fat voided were f es rokkes euerychon
Doune to his maistres fete he fel a none
And seide .1. wooful wriche Aurelius
Thank 3owe lord and lady niyne Venus 1304
That me haue holpe fro my .Cares colde
And to fe temple forf e his weie hafe holde
Where ke knewe he scholde his lady se
And whan he sawhe his time anone ribt he 1303
LANSDOWNE 367 (6-T. 516)
SIX-TEXT 517
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
d[r]edeful herte and humble chiere [leaf us, back]
Saluyd hap his souereigne lady dere
IT My rihtful lady quod pis woful man
Whome .1. moste drede and loue as .1. best can 1312
And lowest wer of al pis werlde displese
Nere it pat .1. for $owe haue suche disese
pat .1. muste deye here att joure fote anone
Bot nouht wold .1. tel ho we me is wo begone 1316
Bot certes eyper must .1. deye or pleine
3e sleine me giltles for verrei peine
Bot of my depe ^ouhe 50 haue no reupe
Avisejj jowe ar pat $e lese joure treupe 1320
Kepentep ^owe for pilke god aboue
Or 30 me sleyne because pat .1. ^owe loue
For madame wele 30 wote pat 30 haue hiht
[Nou^t that I Chaleng* ony thing of ryght] J^SJj
Of 3ow souereigne ladye bot ^oure grace
Bot in a gardeine ^onde in suche a place
50 woote riht wele pat 30 be-hiht me
And in joure honde joure troupe pliht me 1328
To loue me best god wote 30 saide so
And al be pat . pat .1. vnworpe am perto
Madame .1. speke it for pe honoure of ^oue
More pan to saue myn herte lif riht nowe 1332
.1. haue done as 30 haue commanded me
And if ^e vouche-saf 30 maie go see
And as $ow luste hauep ^oure behest in mynde
For whikke or dede riht pus je schal me fynde 1336
In 3owe lipe al to do me lyue or deye
Bot wele .1. wote pe rokkes bene aweye
He toke his leue and sche astonyed stode
In al hir face pere nas a drope of blode 1340
Sche wende neuer haue commen in suche a trappe
Alas quod sche pat euer pis scholde happe
For wend .1. neuer be possibelite
That suche a mustre or suche a merveile scholde be 1344
LANSDOWNE 368 (6-T. 617)
SIX-TEXT 518
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Tt i« mpinp tip TT»VIPP«« nf N^ntnrpl [l These fines are trans-
lepeproi fSStmttoMXi
And home sche gop a sorweful creature1
For verraie vnnep male sche go
Sche wepep and weylep a daie or tuo 1348
And swownep pat it reup was to see
Bot whi it was to no whight tolde sche •
For oute of toune was gone Arneragus2 *U*»*rt5'i8r*"1'
Bot to hir selfe sche saide and spak pus [leafue] 1352
In hire compleint as 30 schollen affter here
Wip face pale and wip sorwheful chiere
Alas qwod sche on pe fortune .1. pleine
pat vnwar hast wrapped me in pi cheyne 1356
For whiche pe Eskape wote .1. no socoure
Saue only depe opir dishonoure
One of pis tuo behouej? me to chese
Bot napeles ^it hadde leuere to lese * 1360
Mi lif pan of my bodi to haue a schame
Oper knowe my self fals oper lese my name
And wip my dep .1. may me quyte y-wis
Hap Ipere. nouht mony a wif ar pis 1364
And mony a maiden ysleine hire self alas
Eaper pat wip hire bodis done trespas
And certes lo pes stories berep wittenesse
Whan .xxx. tyrantez ful of cursednesse 1368
Had sleyne Phidon in Athenes att pe lest
Thei co?nmaunded his douhtres to arest
And bringen hem be-forne him in despite
Al naked to ful-fil hire foule delite 1372
And in here faders blode pe[i] made hem daunce
Vppon pe pament god jeue hem meschaunce
For whiche pes woful maidens ful of drede
Eaper pan pe[i] wolden lese here maidenhede 1376
|>ei pn'uely beue stert in-to a weH
And dreinte hem self as pe bokes teH .
Thei of Mesne lete e[n]quere and seke
Of lacedemye .1. may dens eke 1380
26 . LANSDOWNE 369 (C-T. 518)
SIX-TEXT 519
GROUP F. § 4. FRAXKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
On whiche f ei wolden done here licherye
Bot was fere none of al fat companye
fat sche nas sleyne wif a gladd entent
And rafer chase to deye fan for to assent 1384
To bien oppressed1 of here maidenhede L1 PJfSofpressed]
Whi sch old .1. fan to deye buen in drede
IF Lo eke f e tyrant Anstoclides
fat loued a maide fat hiht siniphalides 1388
"Whan fat hir fader sleine was on a nyht
Vnto Dyanes temple gof e sche a-none riht
And hent f e ymage wif hire armes tuo
Fro whiche yniage wold sche neuer goo 1392
No wyht my^t of it hire hande race [leaf ua, backj
Til sche was sleine in f e selue place
Nowe sef en fat maidens hadd suche despite
To bien defouled wif mannes fonle delite 1396
Wele auht a wif raf er her self sle
fat to bue defouled as f enkef me
That schal .1. seien of Asdrubardis wifF
fat att Cartage beraf t hir self here liff 1 400
For whan sche sawe fa romeiiie wanne f e toune
Sche toke hir children al and swep adoune
In to f e fire and chase raf er to de.ye
fan any Eomeyne did hire velanye 1404
Haf nouht Lucres sleyne hire self alas
Att Rome fare sche oppressed was
Of Tarquyne for hire f ouht it was a schame
To leue whan fat sche had lost hire name 1408
The .viij. Maidens of Milesye also
Haue sleyne hem self for drede and woo
Raf er fan folke of Gaule schold hem oppresse
Mo fan a fousand storis as .1. gesse 1412
Coufe .1. nowe teH as toucheinge fis matier
Whan Abradas was sleyne his wif so dere
Hire selfe slowhe and lete hire blode to glide
In Abradas woundes brode and wide 1416
LANSDOWNE 370 (6-T. 519)
SIX-TEXT 520
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And seide my body att jje leste waye
far schal no whight defoule it if fat .1. maie
"What schold .1. mo ensamples here of sayne
Sefen Jjat so many haue hem selfe slayne 1420
Wele raf er fan f ei wolde defouled be
.1. wil conclude what is best for me
[To sle my self1 thanne be defoulid thus fHarl- ™5< ^afisi.
Not in Hart. 1758, leaf
I wol be trewe vn-to Arueragus] ^^X^
Oj>ir rather sle my self in sum manere
As did Demonycious douhter dere
Because fat sche nold nouht defouled be
0 cedasus . it is ful grete pite 1428
To reden howe fin douhtern deydeii alas
fat slowhe hem self for suche a maner cas
As grete pite was it • or more
Theban Maiden fat fo[r] Mchasor 1432
[hir seluen slowgh" right for swich manere wo tHarl- 7335> If™-
In Hurl. 7333, //85,
An othir theban mayde dede right so] ^ari TmLZfis"
Hire had wedded and dressed [spurious] %£?*" '168G' lea'f
For one of Macedoyne had hire oppressed 1435
What scha[I] .1. seie of Mchostratifs wif
fat for suche caas beraft hire self hir lif
Howe trew was eke to Alcebiades [leaf 150]
His loue fat fo[r] to deyen chese 1440
Then for to suffren his body vmbreide be
Lo whiche a Avif was Alcestem qwod sche
"What Emore of good Penolope
Al grece knowef of her chastitee 1444
Parde of Leodomya is wreten f us
Thate whan att troye was slayne protheselayus
No longer wolde sche leue after his daye
fe same of noble Porcia tel .1. maie 1448
Wif-outen brutus couf sche nouht leue
To whome he had al hole hir herte .yjeue
The parfyte wyfhode of Arthemesye
Honouryd is furhe al fe barberye 1452
LANSDOWNE 371 (6-T. 520)
SIX-TEXT 521
GROUP F, § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
0 Teuta queene in fine wifly chastite
To al wyves male a merrour be
[ ... no gap in the MS : these lines
{•'*'• . known only in Ellesmere MS.] 1456
Thus pleyned dorigen a day or tueye
Purposed euere fat sclie wolde deye
IT Bot Naf eles on f e f redde nyht
Home cam Arueragus fe worfi knyht 1460
And axed hire whi fat sche wepped so sore
And sche gan wepen euere f e longere more
Alas qiiod sche fat euer was J. borne
Thus haue .1. seide quod sche Jms haue .1. sworne 1464
.1. tolde him al as 30 haue herde before
.It nedef nouht to rehersen it no more
This husbonde wif glad chere in sondre wise
Anseward and seide as .1. schal $owe deuyse 1468
Es f er ouht elles dorigen bot f is
Nay naye quod sche god helpe me so as wis
This is to meche • and it were goddes wiH
$e wife quod he lat slepe fat is still 1472
It maie be wele ^it perauentur to seie
Sche schol ^oure trouf e holden be my faie
For god so wisly helpe me
.1. hadde weH leuer ystiked for to be 1476
For verrei loue whiche fat .1. to ^oue haue
Bot if 30 scholde 3oure troufe saue
Troujje is fe hiest finge fat man maie kepe
Bot wi]> fat worde he brast anone to wepe 1480
And seide .1. 3oue for-bede vpon peyne of defe
fat neuer whiles 30 last lif ne bref e .
Til no wihte telle ho we fat f is matier [leaf iso, back]
As .1. maye kepe .1. wil me wo endure 1484
Ne make no countenance of heuynesse
fat folke of 3owe maie deme harme or gesse
And forf e he cleped a swyer and a maide
Gofe forfe anone wif Dorogen he saide 1488
LANSDOWNE 372 (6-T. 52l)
SIX-TEXT 522
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And bringef e hir to suche a place anone
f ei toke her leue and on f eire wei f ei gone
Bot f ei ne wist whie sche f edere went
He nold no whiht telle liire entent 1492
r [These line* known only
in the Ellesmere MS.]
1496
no gap in the
This Swyere whiche fat hiht Aurelius
On dorigen whiche fat was so amerous 1500
Of aduenture happed . hire to mete
A-mydde f e toune riht in f e quek strete
As sche was boune to gone f e waie forf riht
To-warde fere as sche had hiht 1504
And he was to f e Gardeine ward also
For wele he spiede whan sche wold go
Owte of hire hous to any maner place
Bot f us fei mette of aduenture or of grace 1 508
And he saluyd hire wif glad entente
And axed of hire wheder fat sche weiite
And sche ansewarde half as sche was madde
[Vnto the gardyn as my husbonde bad] [Sioane less, if 205, bK]
My trouf e for to holde alas alas
Aurelius gan wonder of f is caas
And in his hert had grete compassione
Of hire and of hire lamentacione 1516
And of Arnaragus f e worf i knyht
fat bad hire holde al fat sche hiht
So lof e he was his wif schold breke hir trouf e
And in his herte he kest of fis grete roufe 1520
Consideringe f e beste on euery side
fat fro his luste were him. better abide
fan done so hihe a cherles wrechednesse
A3eines ffraunchis and ajeynes al gentillesse 1524
LANSDOWNE 373 (6-T. 522)
SIX-TEXT 523
. GROUP F, § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
For whiclie in fewe wordes seide he f us
Madame seif e to ^oure lorde Arneragus
fat sef in .1. see f is grete gentillesse
To }owe . and eke .1. see wele ^oure destresse 1528
fan $e to me Jms scholde breke ^oure troufe 1530
Sertes me finkef it were riht grete roufe [spurious 1529]
.1. haue wele leuer euer to suffre woo [leaf isi]
Then .1. departe fe loue be-tuex jow tuoo 1532
.1. $owe reles ma dame in to joure honde
Quyte euery surement and euery bonde
fat 30 haue maade to me as here be-forne
Sefyns filke time fat ^e were borne 1536
My trouf e .1. plihte .1. schal jowe neuer repreue
Of no by-heste and here .1. take my leue
As of f e trewest and f e best wif
fat euere ^it knewe .1. in al my lyf 1540
Bot euer y wyht bewar of hire behest
On dorigen remembrcf att f e lest
f us can a swyer done a gentil dede
As wele as kan a knyht wif outen drede 1544
Sche Jonke him vppon hire knees al bare
And home vnto hire housebonde is sche fare
And told him aH; je haue herde me seide
And be ^e seker he was so wele apaide 1548
fat it were impossible to write
"What schold .1. longer of fis cas endite
Arueragus and Dorigene his wif
In seuereigne blisse leden forfe here lyfe 15^52
Neuer eft ne was fere anger hem be-twene
He chirisef hire as f ouhe sche where a quene
And sche was to him treue for euer more 1555
Aurelius fat his cost hafe Al forlore 1557
Cursef fe time fat euer he was borne 1558
For certes he seif .1. am for-lorne furious]
Alas qiiod he alas fat I be-hiht
O pured gold .a. fousand pou[n]de of wyht 1560
LANSDOWNE 374 (6-T. 623)
SIX-TEXT 524
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Vn-to J)is Philofre howe schal .1. do
.1. se no more bot fat .1. am for-do
My ne heritage most .1. iiedes sett
And buen a begger here may .1. no longer dwell 1564
And schamen al fis kinrede in Jjis place
Bot .1. of him maie gette J>e better grace
TRnt nptViplpa T wnllp nf him flssflv [Harl. 7333, leaf 86, col. 2.
L&UI netneies i woiie ( i assay <-Mgo in u>(j ^ D ^
At Certeyne yeem and? dayes to pay] ^IMSS
.1. wil fonke him of his grete curtesie 1686..^206, back-l
Myne troufe wil .1. kepe .1. wil nouht lye
Wij) hert sore he gofe vnto his cofre
And brouht golde vnto his philosofre 1572
The valewe of .vj.c pounde .1. gesse
And him besechej) of his gentillesse
To graunt him daies of J>e remenant [leaf isi, back]
And maistere .1. dare wele make auawnt 1576
.1. failed neuer my troupe as }ite
For sekurly my dettes schal .1. quyte
To-warde ^owe howe euer Jiat .1. fare
To gone abigged in my kirtel bare 1580
Bot wold je vouche sauf vpon suyrte
Two 361-6 oj?er fre te respite me
Then ware .1. wele for elles most . I seH
Myne heritage per nys no more to teH 1584
Thi[s] philosophre soburly anseiverd
And seid ]ms whan he J>es wordes herde
Haue .1. nouht holden couenant vnto fe
^is certes wele and treuly qitod he 1588
Hast Jjou not had Jji lady as jje lykej?
No no quod, he and sorwfully he sikej)
"VVhatt was fie cause tel me if j?ou can
Aurelius his tale a-none be-gan 1592
And tolde him al as 30 han herde be-fore
It nedej) nouht to rehersen no more
[He seide Arneragus/ of gentilnesse . '^arl-.17£?' teafise, back.
L A Iso in Harl. 7333, // 86,
Had leuyr/ dye in sorow & distresse . J?* j^.11>38WteS t 1?
LANSDOWNE 375 (6-T. 624)
SIX-TEXT 525
CHOUP F. §4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Than his/ wif were of hir/ trouthe fals/. tHarl- 1758- Not in
1 Hloano 1686, lea/ '207.]
The sorow of Dorigen he tolde hym als/ .
How loth hir/ was/ to ben a wickid wif.
And that sche leuyr/ had that day lost hir/ lif . 1600
And that hir/ trouthe sche swore thorogh yniiocence .
Sche neuyr/ erst/ herd speke of apparence] [Hari. extr. ends]
And riht as frely as he sent hire to me 1604
J?at maad me haue of hire so grete pite 1603
As frely sent .1. hire to hime a^eine
This is al and sorame Jjere nys no more to seine
This philofre Ansewerde leue brofere
Euer-iche of jowe ded gentlyche to ojjere 1608
fou ert a swyere and he is a knyht
Bot god for-bede for his blisful myht
Bot if a clerke couj?e do as gentil a dede
As wele as any of $owe it is no drede 1612
Sire .1. reles J>e jri jjousand pounds
As Jjou riht nowe were crepe out of J?e grounde
K"e neuere or nowe ne haddest knowe me
For sir .1. wil noujt take a peny of fie 1616
For al my craft ne nou^t for my trauaile
Jjou haste y-paiede wele for my vitaile
It is ynowhe and fare wele and haue good daie
He toke his hors and forj>e he gope his waie 1620
//Lordinges fis question fan wald .1. ax nowe
Whyche was J>e most fre as fenkej) ^owe
Nowe tellej) me or fat .1. forjje wende
.1. can no more my tale is att an ende . 1624
Explicit Liber / [leaf 152]
LAXSP.OWNE are (e-T. 525)
GKOUP G, FKAGMENT VIII.
§ 1. THE SECOND NUN'S TALE.
LANSDOWNE MS.
[THE PROEM.]
[wYo breaks between the stanzat in the MS.]
Incipit prologus . 2° Monyalys pear 1523
(1)
THe Ministre of f e Norice vn-to vices 1
Whiche fat men clepen in englisshe ydelnesse
The porter of f e gate is of delices
To eschiewe . And bu hir contrarie hire oppresse 4
That is to seine be leful besinesse
Wele ouhte we to done oure entent
Lest fat fe fende f oruhe .Idelnesse vs schent 7
(2)
5T For he fat wif his f ousand cordes slyje 8
Contenuely vs waytef to be-clappe
Whan he maie man in Idelnesse aspire
He can so lihtly cache him in his trappe II
Til fat a man be hente riht be f e lappe
He is not waree f e fende haf e him in honde
Wele ouhte vs werche and ydelnesse wif stonde 14
(3)
1T And fouhe men dradden neuer for to deye 15
}it seen men wele be reson douteles
fat ydelnesse is rotin slogardye
Of fere comef neuere none encrese 18
And sef ens fat sloufe hir haldef in a lese
Onely to slepe and for to ete and drinke
And to deuowren al fat ofer swynke 21
27 LANSDOWNE 377 (6-T. 527)
'
SIX-TEXT 528
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(4)
1T And for to putt vs fro suche Idelnesse 22
fat cause is of f e grete confusions
.1. haue here done my feif eful besinesse
After J>e legent in translacione 25
Hint of f e glorious lif and passione
fou with ]?i garlonde wrouht wif rosus and lylie
The nxene .1. a maide and Martire seint Cecile 28
(5)
IT And fou jjat floure of virgines art al 29
Of whome fat Bemarde lust so wele to write
To fe att my begynynge first .1. caH
fou comfort of vs wreches do me endite 32
J)i maydens def fat was f oruhe hir merite
J?e eternale lif and of f e fende victorie
As men maie after redeu in hir storie 35
(6)
^T Thou maiden and moder douhte of Jri so?me 36
Thou weH of Mercy sinful soules cure
In whome fat god for bounte chees to wonne
fou humble and hihe ouer euery creature 39
fat no desdeyne f e Maker had of kinde
fou noblest so fere oure nature
His sonne in blode and flessche to clojje and winde back]152'
(7)
If Wif-inne f e cloister blisful of f i sides 43
Toke mannes schap eterne loue and pees
fat of f e trine compas lorde and gide es
Whome heuen and see and erfe out reles 46
Ay herien . and fou virgine wemles
Bare of fine body and dueldist maide pure
The creatore of euery creature 49
LANSDOWNE 378 (6-T. 528)
SIX-TEXT 529
GROUP 0. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(8)
1T Assembled is in f e magnificence 50
With mercy goodnesse and wij> suche pite
fat fou ert f e sonwe of excellence
Nouht only helpest hem fat preyen fe 53
But oft time of f i benignite
Ful frely er J>at men fin helpe beseche
fou gost be-forne and ert her lyues leche 56
(9)
IT ]STowe help fou meke and blisful faire maid 57
Me flemed wriche in f is desert of gal
f enke on f e woraman Canan fat seide
fat whelpes eten so?mne of f e cro?/iines al 60
fat from her lordes table buen yfal •
And fouhe fat .1. fe vnworfe douhter of Eue
Be synful $it accept my be-leue 63
(10)
^f And for fat feif is dede wif outen werkes 64
So for to worchene $eue me witte and space
fat .1. be qwyte frome fe place fat most derke is
O fou fat art so faire and so ful of grace 67
Be myne aduocate in so hihe a place
There as wif outen eende is songe Osanna
Thou cristes moder and douhter of Anna 70
(11)
1T And of fine lyht fou graunt my self haue parte 71
fat triblide is be f e cogitacione
[Of my body / and* also by fe weyght [Hari. 7333, if SB, bk, col. -21
Of erthely lust and? fals effeccion)] 74
0 heuen o refute o saluacione
Of hem fat buen in sorwe and destresse
Nowe helpe for vnto my werke .1. wil me redresse 77
LANSDOWNE 379 (6-T. 629)
SIX-TEXT 530
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(12)
praie .1. ^owe J>at reden f>at .1. write 78
jj me J>at .1. do no diligence
J>is ilke storie subtely to endyte
For bojje haue .1. )>e wordes and J?e sentence 81
Of hem j>at att )>e seintes reuerence
J»e stori wrote and folowen here legende
And praien ^owe J>at ^e woH my werk amende 84
(13) [THE TALE.]
^F fnrste wiH .1. 30 we J>e name of sein Cecile 85
Expounde as men maie in here stories see peafiao]
It is to seyen on Englisshe heuenes lylye
For pure chastenesse of virginitee 88
Ojjer for sche witnesse hadde of honeste
Of grene of conscience aitd of good fame
The swete sauouro lylye was hir name 91
(14)
Ojjere Cecely . is to seie J>e waie to blinde 92
Tor sche ensample was "be gode techeinge
Or elles Cicily is as .1. writen fynde
Is loyned be a maner conioyneinge 95
Of heuen and lya . and hire in fygureinge
j>e heuen is sette for Jjouht of holynesse
And lya for hire lasteinge besinesse 98
(15)
Cecile eke mai be seide in J?is manere 99
Wanteynge of blindenesse for hire grete liht
Of Sapiens and for hire fewes clere
Or elles lo j?is may dens name briht 102
[Off heuen and leos commyth ffor which bi rffit] ^}^'
Men myht ]>e heuen of J>e peple hir catt
Ensample of goode and wise werkes aH 105
LANSDOWNE 380 (6-T. 630)
SIX-TEXT 531
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowue MS.
(16)
For leos peple in ynglissle is to seie 106
And riht as men may in fis heuen see
The sonne and mone and fe sterres euery weye
Rilit so gostly in J?is may den fre 109
Seyen fe faijje of Mauiticence
.And eke of helfe and of sapiens
And sondre werkes briht of excellence 112
(17)
An[d] riht as fes philosofers write 113
fat heuen is swift rouwde and berneinge
Riht so was faire Cecile fe white
Ful sweft and besi euer in good workinge 116
And rounde and hole in goode perseueringe
And bernede euer in charite liht
No we haue .1. declared jow what sche hiht 119
Explicit Prologus Incipit fabula.
(18)
his maiden hiht Cecile as hire lif seif e 1 20
Was comen of Romeyns and of noble kinde
And so forf e fostred vp in f e feife
Of Crist and bare his gospeH in hir mynde 123
Sche neuer cesede as .1. wreten finde
Of hire praier and god to loue and drede
Besecheinge him to kepe hire Maidenhede 126
(19)
And whan fis maiden scholde vnto a man 127
Iwedded be fat was ful ^onge of Age [leaf iss, baci>]
Whiche fat ycleped was Waleriane
And fe daie was cowmen of his Mariage 130
Sche fel deuoute and homble in hire Corage
Vnder hire robe of golde fat satte ful faire
And next hire flesche yclad hire in an haire 133
LANSDOWNE 381 (6-T. 63l)
r
SIX-TEXT 532
QKOUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(20)
1T And while J?e orgen8 maden melodie 1 34
To god alone Jms in hert songe sche
0 lorde my soule and eke my bode gie
Vriwemed lest Jjat .1. confounded be 137
And for his loue Jjat deied vpon a tree
Euery secunde or Jje fred daie sche fast
Aie biddi[?z]ge in hir orisons ful fast 140
(21)
IT The nyht came and to bed sche most gone 141
Wi)> hire husbond as often is J>e manere
And pn'uely sche seide anone
0 swete and wel be-loued spouse dere 144
Jjer is a counsel and 30 wold it here
Whiche Jjat riht feine .1. wil vnto seine
So j?at ^e me assured it noujt to be-wreine 147
(22)
11 Valerian gan fast vn to hir swere 148
Jjat for no caas ne Jjinge Jjat miht be
He scholde for nojnnge neuere be-wrien hire
And Jjann att erst vnto him Jms seid sche 151
.1. haue an Angel whiche J>at louej? me
Jjat wij) grete loue whejser so y wake or slepe
Is rede ay my bode for to kepe .. 154
(23)
// And }if J>at he may fclen oute of drede 155
[That ye me touche or love in vilonye [HarL 7333, leaf 87, col. 2]
He ry^t a-non) wol slee you with ]?e dede
And! in yoz<r thought Jms schulle ye dye 158
And? yf ye me in clennes gy]
He wolde 3owe loue as me for ^oure clennesse
And schewen 3owe of his ioye and his brihtnesse 161
I,ANSDOWNE 382 (6-T. 632)
SIX-TEXT 533
GROUP G. § 1 SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(24)
1T Valerian correctid as god wolde 162
Ansewerd ajeine if .1. sclml truste to f e
Latt me |>at Angel see and him be-holde
And if fat it a verraie Angel be 165
fan wil .1. done as f ou hast preide me
And if f ou loue a nof ere man for sof e
Kiht wif fis swerde .1. wil sle $owe bofe 168
(25)
IT Cecile ansewerd anone in Jris wis 169
If fat 3owe lust fat Angel schal 36 see
So fat 30 trowe on criste and ^owe baptize
Gofe forfe to via apia qwod sche 172
That frome f is toune ne staiit bot miles free
And to fe pouer folkes fat fere duelle peafisi]
Sei hem riht fus as fat .1. schal ^owe telle 175
(26)
1T Tel hem . fat .1. Cecile 30 we to hem sent 176
To schewen ^owe f e good vrbane f e oolde
For secre nedes and for good enteht
And whan fat ^e seint vrban haue be-holde 179
Tel him f e wordes whiche fat .1. ^owe tolde
And whan fat he haf purged 3owe fro sinne
Than schal 30 se fat angel ar 30 twinne 182
(27)
IT Valerian is to fat place y-goon 183
And riht as him was tauht be his lerenynge
He fonde f is holy Vrban anone
.1. latitani
Amonge fe seintes buriels lotiynge. 185
And he anone wif-outen tariynge
Did his Message and whan fat he haclde tolde
Vrban for loye gan his hondes vpholde 189
LANSDOWNE 383 (6-T. 533)
SIX-TEXT 534
GROUP G, § 1, SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
(28)
The teres from his yen lete he faH 190
Almihti god o ihesn Crist quod he
Sewere of Chaste counseil . and herde of vs art
The fruyte of Jnlke seed of chastite 193
|>at J)ou hast sowe in Cecile take to j?e
Loo ylike abuse bee wij) oute gile
J>e seruejj aye fin owen fral Cecile 196
(29)
Tf For filke spouse fat sche toke bot nowe 197
Ful like a fers lyon sche sendef here
As meeke as any lombe was to jowe
And wif fat worde anone f er gan apere 200
And old man clad wif white clof es clere
And had a booke wif lethes of gold in honde
And gan beforne Valerian stonde 203
(30)
H Valerian as dede fel doune for drede 204
When he him saughe and him vp hent J?oo
And on his booke riht Jms he gan to rede
O lorde .0. feife .0. god wij) owten mo 207
Of Cristendome and fader of aH also . .
Aboue att and ouer al euery where
fis wordes al wij) golde wreten were 210
(31)
IT Whan J)is was radde J)an seide Jns olde man 211
Leuest J)ou J)is J)inge or no sey ^e or naye
.1. leue al Jns })inge '. [qwod valerian) [HarL 7333, if 87, bk, col. i]
ffor sother thing] fan J)is .1. dare wele saye 214
Vnder j)e heuen no whiht ne J)enke maye
Tho vanysched J)e olde man he nyste wher
An pope Vrbane him cristene riht ]>ere [leaf 154, back]
LANSDOWNE 384 (6-T. 534)
SIX-TEXT 535
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowue MS.
(32)
Valerian gope home and sein Cecile 218
IT Wip-inne his chambur he sauhe an Aungel stande
pis Aungel hadde of Roses and of lyle
Corons tuo whiche he bare in hande 221
And first to Cecile as .1. vnderstande
He jaf fat one and after gan he take
pe tother to Valerian hire make 224
(33)
IT Wij) body clene and vnwemnied pouht 225
Kepe ay wele pis Corounes qwod he
Frome paradise to jowe haue .1. hem brouht
Ne neuer more schoU pei roten be 228
Ne lese her swete sauore trustep me
Ne neuer whight schal seen hem wij> his eyje
Bot he be chaste and hate velanye 231
(34)
11 And fou walerian for jjou sone 232
Assentest to good counsel alsoo
Sey what pe lust and pou schalt haue \>i bone
.1. haue a broker quod, valerian Jsoo 235
fat in pis \verd .1. loue no man soo
.1. praie ^owe j?at my brojjer maie haue grace
To knowe pe troujje as .1. do in Jns place 238
(35)
IT The Angel ansewarde god lykej> jouve request 239
And bo]?e wi]) Jje pame of Marterdome
^e schol com vnto J>e blisful feste
And wi]? J>at worde Tiburce his broker come 242
And whan pat he sauoure vnder nome
Wi}> pat pe roses and pe lyles Caste
Wip inne his herte he gan to wonder fast 245
LANSDOWNE 385 (6-T. 535;
SIX-TEXT 536
GROUP GK § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(36)
1T And seide in J>is time .1. wonder of pe 3 ere 246
Whens pis suote sanour come)) so
And Roses and lilys it .1. smeH here
For pouhe .1. had hem in myn hondes tuo 249
The sauoure in me myht no depper go
The swete smel it in myne here .1. finde
Hape chau??ged me al in anoper kinde 252
(37)
IF Valerian seide tuo corounes haue we 253
Snowe white and rose rede pat schynejj clere
Whiche pat pine yen haue no myht to se
And as pou smellest hem poruhe my preiere 256
So schalt pou seen leue broper dere
If it so be pat wolte wip oute sloupe
Beleue a riht and knowe verrei troupe [leat'iss] 259
(38)
Tiburce answerd saist pou pus to me 260
In sopenesse or in dremes hevken }e pis
In dreme quod. Valerian han we bue
Vnto pis time myn broper ywisse 2G3
Bot nowe att erst oure troupe dwellyngis
How woost pou quod Tiburs and in what wise
Q?/od Valerian pat .1. schal deuise 266
(39)
IF The Aungel of god hape me trewp ytauht 267
Whiche pat pou schalt seen if pat pou wolte reneye
pe ydoles and be clene and elles nouht
And of pe miracles of pes corounes tueye 270
Seint Ambrose in his preface lust to seie
Solempnely pis noble doctor dere
Commendep it and seip in pis manere 273
LANSDOWNE 386 (6-T. 536)
SIX-TEXT 537
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(40) .
1T The palme of marterdome for to receyue 274
Sein Cecile fulfild of goddes }ift
f e werlde and eke here Chambre . gan sche weyue
Wittnesse Tiburce and Cecilez schrift 277
To whiche god of his bounte wolde schift
Corounes tuo of floures wele smellynge
And maade f e Angel hem f e Corounes bringe 280
(41)
IF The maide haj? brouhte fes men to blisse a-boue 281
The werlde haf wiste what it was worf e certeyne
Deuocione of chastite to loue
Tho schewde him open and pleine 284
J>at al ydoles nys but f inge in veine
For J>ei bu domme and f erto f ei bue def
And charged him his ydoles for to lef 287
(42)
II Who fat f is trouej) nouht a beste he is 288
Qwud fo Tyburce if fat .1. schal nouht lye
Sche gan fan kisse his breste and fat herd f is
And was ful glad he coufe trouthe aspye 291
fis daie .1. take J>e for myne a-lye
Seide Jus blisful maide faire and dere
For affter fat sche seide as 30 maye here 294
(43)
11 Lo . Riht so as f e loue of crist qwod sche 295
Maad me fi brofers Avif riht in fat wyse
Anone for myne Allye here take .1. fe
Sefens fat fou wolde fin ydoles despise 298
Go wif f i brof er nowe and f e baptize
And maake f e clene so fat fou maiste beholde
The aungels face of whiche fi brofer tolde Deaf 155, backi
LANSDOWNE 387 (6-T. 537)
SIX-TEXT 538
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
- (44)
Tiburce ansewarde and seide broker dere 302
IT First tel me wheder .1. sclial and to what man
To whome quod he come forj>e wi]j riht good chier
.1. wiH J>e leede vn to J>e pope vrban 305
To vrban brojjer myue valerian
Quod J?o Tiburce wil )>ou me feder lede
Me J>inkeJ> Jjat it were a wonder dede - 308
(45)
H Eemenest j>ou noulit vrban quod he J>o 309
fat is so of dampned to be dede
And wonnej) in halkes to and fro
And dare nouhte ones put forfe his heede 312
Men wolde him berne in a fire so rede
If J?at he were founde and men miht him aspye
And we also J>at bere him company e 315
(46)
IF And whiles we seken jjilke diuinitee 316
j?at is hidde in heuen pn'uey
Algate y-brent in jjis werld shol we be
To whome Cecily anseward boldely 319
Men myht drede wele and skilfully
J>is lyf to lese myne owen dere brojjer
If jjis were leueyngo only and none oj>ere 322
(47)
IT Bot jjere is better lif in oj)er place 323
f»at neuer schal be lost ne drede jje nouht
Whiche godes sonne vs tolde j)orwhe his grace
[jjat fadres son) hathe al j)ing wrou^t [Harl. 7333, on ifsa, col. a]
And? all fat wrovte l is w/t/i a skylfuU jjou^t c1 rov corrected]
J>e gost that from) the fadir gan precede
He souled! him wttA-oute eny drede 329
LANSDOWNE 388 (6-T. 538)
SIX-TEXT 539
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(48)
By worde & by myracle by goddes son) [Hari. 7333] 330
When he was in this worlde declared? her*
J>at J?er was ofyer lyf per men may wene
To whom aunswerd? tyburce o systur der* 333
Ne sedest thow rygfit now in J)is maner
\er nas but 0. lord? god? in sothefastnes
And* now of thre how maist fou bere wytnes 336
(49)
fat SchaH I tel quod4 Sche Or I goo] [Harl. 7333 extract ends]
Riht as a man hap sapiens pre
Memorie engyne . and intellect also
Soo moo beynge of diuinite 340
pre persones riht wel pere maie bee
IT Tho gan sche him busily preche
Of cristes come and of his peynes teche 343
(50)
And mony poyntes of his passione 344
How goddes son in ]>is werld was holde
To do mankinde pleine remissione
fat was ybonde in sinne and cares colde 347
Al pis pinge sche vnto tyburce tolde
IT And affter J)is tiburce in good entent
To pope vrban wij) valerian he went 350
(51)
Whiche fonked god and wij? glad hert and liht 351
He Cristened him and maade him in fat place
Parfite in his leueynge goddes knyht
And aftur pis Tiburce gat suche grace 354
That euery daie he sawe in time and space Deaf isc]
The aungel of god and euery maner bone
pat he god axed it was sped ful sone 357
LANSDOWNE 389 (6-T. 639)
SIX-TEXT 540
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(52) ,
1T It were ful harde be order for to seyne 358
Howe mony wonderes ihesu for him wrouht
Bot att j?e last to tel schort and pleine
The seriant of j?e toune of Eome hem souht 361
And hem be-forne Almache J»e prouost brouht
Whiche hem opposed and knewe aH her entente
And to )>e ymage of lubiter he hem sente 364
(53)
IT And seid who so wil noujt sacrifice 365
Swappe of his hede J>is is my sentence here
Anone fes marters )>at .1. ^owe of deuise
On Maximius j?at was an officere 368
Of J>e profectes and of Corniculere
Hem hent and Avhen he forfe J?e seintes ladde
Him selfe he wope for pite fat he hadde 371
(54)
If And whan maximius hadd herd J?e seintes lore 372
He gatte hem of J?e tormentowrs leue
And hadde hem in his house wijj oute more
And wij) here precheinge ar )>at it were eue 375
J>ei gon fro J?e tormento?/rs to reue
And frome maximius and frome his folke ichone
j)e fals feijje to trowe in god a-lone 378
(55)
1T Cecele Came whan it was waxen nyht 379
WiJ> prestes fat hem crestened al in fere
And afterward whan daie was waxen liht
Cecile hem seide wij) a sobre chere 382
Nowe cristes owen knyhtes leue and dere
Cast al awaye J>e werkes of derknesse
And armef jowe in armure of lyhtnesse 385
LA.NSDOWNE 390 (6-T. 5iO)
SIX-TEXT 541
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(56)
IT 3e haue for sothe done grete Bataile 386
And hajje ]>e victorie ^oure feij>e 36 haue confermed
Go to jje croune of lif j?at male nouht faile
Jje rihtful lugge whiche J>at $e haue serued 389
Witt bringe ^owe to his blisse fat to :jow haj> reserued
And whan J>is finge was seide as .1. devise
Men led hem forjje to done jje sacrifise 392
(57)
If Bot whan j>ei were vn-to J>e place ybrouht 393
To teH schortly J>e conclusiowne
Thei nolde encense no sacrifise riht nouht
Bot on her knees j?ei satten hem a doune 396
Wi)> humble hert and sadde deuocion Deaf ise, back]
And losten bo]>e her hedes in jje place
Here soules went to J?e kenge of grace 399
(58)
IT This Maxinius fat sawe J>is J>inge be-tide 400
WiJ> pitous tales tolde it a-none riht
J3at he her soules sawhe to heuen glide
WiJ> algels ful of clerenesse and of liht 403
And wij? his worde conuerted raony a wyht
For whiche almachius dide him so to-bete
Wij) whippe of leede to he his lif gan lete 406
(59)
Cecilie him toke and beried him anone 407
Be tiburce and valeriane softly
Wij) inne hire heriynge place vnder a stone
And after j)is Almachius hastely. 410
Badde his Ministres ffecchen openly
Cecile so sche myht in his presence
Do sacrifice and lubite encense 413
LANSDOWNE 391 (6-T. 54l)
SIX-TEXT 542
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
(60)
1T Bot fei conuerted forwhe here wise lore 414
Wepten sore and $af credence
Vnto her worde and cryden more and more
Crist god son wii7i outen difference 417
Is verrey god . f is is al oure sentence
J>at haf e so good a seruant him to scrue
f us wif o voice f we trowe fei we sterue 420
(61)
Almachius fat herd al J)is 421
Bad fecche Cecile fat he miht hir see
And alf er ferst lo f is was his askeinge
What maner woraman ert fou f o quod he 424
.1. am gentiH womman borne quod sche
.1. ax quod he f ouhe it f e greue
Of )>i religion and of fi be-leue 427
(62)
Whi fan be-gan joure questione folilye 428
quod sche fat woldest f ou ansewere conclude
In o demand e 30 axed lewdly
Almachius anseward to fat similitude 431
[Of whens comthe thin Answer* so rude] CHari. 7333, i/sa, &fc]
Of whense quod sche when fat sche was refreynede
Of concience and of good feif e vnfeynede 434
(63)
Almachius seide takest f ou none hede 435
Of fin Ansewere and sche him ansewerd f us
3oure myhte quod sche litel is to drede
For euery mo[r]tel manesse power ne is 438
Bot y-lyke a bledder ful of wynde y-wis
For wif a nedeles point whan fat is blowe [leaf 157]
Maie al fe bost of it be leid ful lowe 441
LANSDOWNE 392 (6-T. 542)
SIX-TEXT 543
GROUP Q. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
f Ful wrongefully began fou quod he 442
And }ut in wronge is f i pe?fseuerance
"Woste fou nouht howe owre mihti pnnces fre
Bene f us commanded and maken ordinance 445
fat euery cristen whight scha[l] haue penance
Bot if fat he his cristendome wijj seie
And gone al quyte if he wil it renaye 448
(65)
^F 3oure Princes erren as ^oure noblen dofe 449
Qwod Jjo Cecile and a woode sentence
je maake us gilti and it is nouht soj>e
Fore j>at knowen wele oure Innocence 452
For as muche as we done a reuerence
To criste i and for we here a cristen name
30 put on vs a crime and eke a blame 455"
(66)
IT Bot we J>at knowen jjelk name so 45(>
For vertuous we maie it nou^t seie
Almachie seide chese one of J>es tuo
Do sacrifice or cristen dom reneye 459
fat fou mowe skapen be fat weie
Att whiche f e holy blisful maide
Gan for to lauhe and to fe luge sche saide 462
(67)
IT 0 luge confuse in fi nycete 463
Wilt fou fat .1. reney Innocence
To maken me a wikked wyht qwod sche
Lo he clissimulef here in audience 466-
He staref and wodef in his aduertence
To whome Almachius seide o vncely wrecche
Ne wost fou not houe fer my miht mai strecho 469
28 LANSDOWNE 393 (6-T. 543)
SIX-TEXT 544
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Laiisdowne MS."
(68)
IT Haf e nouht cure myhte pn'nce to me y3ouen ' 470
30 bothe power and auctorite
To make folke to dey^en or to leuen .
Whi spekest )>ou so proudely fan to me 473
.1. speke it nou^t bot stedfastly quod sche
Nouht proudly for .1. sale as for my side
.1. hate dedely f ilke vice of pn'de 476
(69)
1T And jif fou drede nouht a sof e to here 477
fan wil .1. schewen al openly be riht
fat fou hast maade a ful grete leseinge here
fou seist fi princes haue ^eue f e myht 480
Bothe to slene and for to whikke a wiht
Thou fat ne maist bot onely lif here be-reue [leaf 157, bacfcj
Thou na haste ferto neif er pouer ne leue 483
(70)
Bot fou maist seie fi Prmces han fe maked 484
Ministre of def e f for if fou speke of mo
fou liest for f i pouer is ful naked
Do waie f i boldenes seide Almachius fo 487
Or sacrifice to oure goddes or tuo
.1. reche nouht what wronge fat fou me prefer
For .1. can suffre it as a philosofer 490
(71)
Bot filke wronges maie .1. not endure 491
fat fou spekest of owre goddes here quod he
Cecile ansewerd .o. nice creature
fou seidest no word sefens fou spak to me 494
fat .1. ne knewe fere wif f i nicete
And fat fou were in euery maner wise
A lewde Officer and a veine lustise 497
LANSDOWNE 394 (6-T. 544)
SIX-TEXT 545
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(72)
fere lakkef no f inge to jjine vtter y^en 498
fat f ou nart blinde for f inge fat wee seen ali
fat is a stone fat men wele male aspyen
fat like stone a god f ou wol it call 501
.1. rede f e latt fine honde vpon hit fall
And tast it wele a stone f ou schalt it finde
Sens fat f ou sixt it not wif fine yjen blinde 504
(73)
It is a schame fat fe peple schal 505
Schal scoren f e and lauhe att f i folye
For communly weramen wote it wele ouere al
fat myhte goddes is in his heuenes hihe 508
And f es ymages wele fan maistowe aspie
To f e ne to hem self ne maie f ei profit
For in hire effecte fei bue nouht worfe a myte 511
(74)
fus and suche of ere wordes seide sche 512
And he wex wrof e and badde sche scholde be ledde
Home to hire hous and in hir hous quod he
Birne hire riht in a fire wif flawmes rede 515
And as he bad riht so was done f e dede
And in a bathe fei gan hir fast schetten
And nyht and daie grete fire viider fei maden 518
(75)
Al fe longe niht and fe daie also 519
For al f e fire and eke f e baf es hete
Sche satt al colde and felt of it no wo
Ne maade hire nou}t a drope for to swete 522
Bot in fat baf e hir lif sche moste lete .
For he Almachius wif ful wekked entent peafiss]
To sleene hir in f e baf e his sonde sent 525
IANSDOWNE 395 (6-T. 54o)
SIX-TEXT 546
GROUP 0. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
(76)
free strokes in fe nekke he smote hir fo 526
The torinentowr bot for no maner chaunce
He myhte nouhte smyte al here nek y tuo
And for fere was fat time an ordinance 529
That no man schold do to man suche penance
The ferf e stroke to smyten soft or sore
fis tormentowr ne dorste no more 532
(77)
Bot half dede wijj hire nek y-coruen fere 533
He left hire lye and in his weie he wente
The cristen folke whiche abowten hire were
Wif schetes home ful feire here hente 536
free daies leued sche in fis torment
And neuer cesed hem f e feif e to teche
fat sche had fostred hame sche gan to preche 539
(78)
And hem sche 3aue here niebles and her f inge 540
And to f e Pope vrban be-toke hem fo
And seide f us axed f is of heuen kinge
To haue respite frei daies and no mo 543
To recowmande to ^owe er fat .1. go
f es sowles loo and fat .1. miht do wirche
Here of myne house perpetuelly a cherche 546
(79)
Seint vrban wif his dekenes pmielye 547
The lady fette and beried it be nyht
Anionge his of ere seintes honestly
Here house f e cherche of seinte cecely hiht 550
Seinte vrban halowed it as he wel myht
In f e whiche in to f is daie in noble wise
Men done to criste and to his seintes seruise . 553
Explicit vita sancte Cecilie .
LANSOOWXE 396 (6-T. 546)
SIX-TEXT 547
GKOUP G. § 2. 2ND NUN-CAN.-TEO. LINK. Lansdowne MS.
[on fcqf iw] Incipit prologws .Canonice.
Whan ended was pe lif of seint Cecile
Er we had reden fulli . fiue myle
Att bouhton vnder pe ble vs gan a take
A man pat clojied was in clones blake 557
And vnder pat he hadde a white sxirplis
His Hakenay pat was al pomel gris
So swete fat it wonder was to see
It seined he had p/v'ked myles pre 561
pe hors eke fat joman rode vpone
So swet jjat vnnejj myht he gone
Aboue pe paitrel stode pe fome ful hyje
He was of fome al flekked as a pye [leaf iss, back] 565
A male tweyfold on his eropur leye
It semed fat he Caride litel araye
Al liht for somere rode pis worpe man
And in myn herte wonder .1. be-gan 569
What pat he was til pat .1. vnder-stode
Howe pat his cloke was sewed to his hode
For whiche when .1. longe had auysed me
.1. denied him sum chanon for to be 573
His hatte honge doune be-hinde his be a lace
For he had ridde more pan a trote or a pace
It hadde ay pn'ked lyke as he ware wode
A clote lef he had vnder his hode 577
For suote and for to kepe his bed from hete
Bot it was loy for to seen him swete
His fored dropped as a stillatorie
Where ful of pleintein and of pmtorie 581
LANSDOWNE 397 (6-T. 647)
SIX-TEXT 548
GROUP G. § 2. 2ND NUN-CAN.-YEO. LINK. Lansdowne MS.
And whan lie come he gan to crye 582
God saue quod he f is lolie companye
Fast haue .1. pnked quod he for ^oure sake
Because fat .1. wold ^owe ouer take 585
To riden in f is mery companye
His 5 oman eke was ful of curtasie
And sires nowe in morwe tide
Oute of ^oure Ostlery .1. sawe ^owe ride 589
And warned here my lorde and my souereine
Whiche fat to ride wife jowe is ful feyne
For his disporde he louef daliance
Frende for fi warneyinge god jeue fe good chaunce 593
Seide oure oste sertes it wolde seme
Thi lorde were wise and so .1. maie wele deme
He is ful locunde also dar .1. laie
Can he ouht tett a mery tale or tueye 597
Wif whiche he glade maie f is companye
Who sire my lord 36 je wif oute lye
He kan of merf e and eke of lolyte
Not hot .I.-nowhe also sir trestef me 601
And 30 him knewe as wel as do .1.
30 wold wonder howe wele and f reftely
He coufe werke and fat in sundre wise
He haf tak on him mony sundre aprise 605
Whiche were ful harde for any fat is here
To bringe ahoute . hot f ei of him it lere [leaf 159]
As homely as he ridef amonges jowe
If ^e him knewe . it wolde be 3oure prowe 609
^e nolde nouht forgone his aqueyntance
For mochel good .1. dare leie in a balance
Al fat .1. haue in myne 1proossione [' ?/<>»• poisossione]
He is a man of hihe discrecione 613
.1. warne jowe wele he is a passinge man
Wele quod oure oste .1. pray fe tel me fan
Is he clerk or none tel what he is
Nay he is gretter fan a clerke ywis 617
LANSDOWNE 398 (6-T. 548)
SIX-TEXT 549
GROUP G. § 2. 2ND NUN-CAN.-YEO. LINK. lansdownc MS.
Seide ^oman and in wordes fewe 618
Oste aw(Z of his craft sum what .1. wil ^owe schewe
.1. sei my lorde can suche a sutelte
Bot al his craft je maie nouht wite att me 621
And som Avhat help .1. $it to his worcheinge
fat al f is grounde whiche fat we bien on rideinge
Til fat we come to Canturbury toune .
He coufe al clene torne vp so1 doune piusse] 625
And paue it al of siluer and of golde
And whan f is 3oman hadde f us ytolde
Vnto oure hoste he seide benedicite
f is finge is wonder meruelous to me 629
Sejjens fat fii lorde of so hihe prudence
Be cause of whiche men scholde hem reuerence
fat of his worschipe rechef he so lite
His ouere slope is not worfe a myte 633
As in effecte to him so mot .1. go
It is al bawde and to-tore also
Whi is fi lorde so slottesche .1. J>e preie
And his of pouer better clof es to beie 637
If fat his dede accorde wij> f i speche
Tel me fat. and fat .1. fe beseche
Whie q?/<?d f is ^ornan wherto ax 30 me
God helpe me so for he schal neuer f e 641
Bot .1. wil nouht avowe fat .1. seie
And fere for kepe it secre .1. ^owe preie
He is to wise in feife as .1. beleue
fat fat is ouere done it wil nouht preue 645
And riht as clerkes seine it is a vice
Where-fore in fat .1. holde him lewde and nyce
For whan a man haf ouere grete a witte
Ful oft it hapnef to mis vsen it [leaf 159, back] 649
So dof e my lorde and fat me greuef sore
God it amend .1. can seie no we no more
Thare-of no force good joman quod oure Oste
Sef ens his corcnynge of f i lorde f ou woste 653
LANSDOWNE 399 (6-T. 54,9)
SIX-TEXT 550
GROUP G. § 2. 2ND NUN-CAN.-YEO. LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Tel . howe he dofe .1. praie J>e hertelye 654
Sefen fat he is so craftie and so slye
Where dwellen 36 it to tel be
In f e subbarbes of a toune quod he 557
Lurkeinge in Hirnes and in lanes blinde
Where f es robbers and f cues be kinde
Holden her pn'ue fereful residence
As fei fat dare nouht schewe her presence 661
So fare we if .1. schal sey f e sof e
jit qiiod. oure Oste lat me talke to f e
Whie ert f ou discoloure in f i face
Peter qwod he god ^if barde grace 665.
I am so vsed in fe fire to blow
That it hajje chaunged my colour as .1. trowe
.1. am nouht wont in no myrrour to pn'e
Bot swynke sore and leren to multiplie 669
We blondern euer and pouren in fe fire
And for al Jjat we failen of oure desire
For euere we lakken oure conclusione
To muche folke we bene bot illusione 673
And borwe golde be it a pounde or tuo
Or ten. or .xij. or mony smnmes mo
And make hem wene att fie leste weie
Jjat of o pou[n]de we cou]?e maake t\veie 677
^it is it fals and aye we haue good hope
It forto done and after it we grope
Bot fat science is so fer vs be-forne
We mowe nouhte al-fouhe we had it suorne 681
It ouertake . it slide a-waie so faste
It wil vs make beggers att j?e last
Whiles Jjis 3oman was Jms in J?is talkeinge
This Chanon drouhe him nere and herd al Jnnge 685
Whiche fat ]?is joman spak for suspecione
Of men speche euer had fis chanone
For Caton seife he fat giltif is
Demef al finge be spoke of him ywys 689
LANSDOWNE 400 (6-T. 550)
SIX-TEXT 551
GROUP G. § 2. 2ND NUN-CAN.-YEO. LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Because of fat he gan so nyhe to drawe 690
His 30111 an fat he herd al his sawe peafieo]
And Jms lie seide vnto his joman f o
Holde fow fi pees and speke wordes no mo 693
For if f ou do f ou schalt it dere abye
Tho sklanderst me here in f is conipaignye
And eke diskeuerest fat f ou scholdest hide
:$e q?tod oure Oste tel one what so be-tide 697
Of al f is f reteinge reche f e nouht a myte
In feif e quod he no more .1. do bot a lite
And whan f is Chanone sawe it wolde nouht be
Bot his joman wolde tel his prraete 701
He fledde awaie for verrei sorwe and schame
A qwod fis ^onian here schal arise game
Al fat .1. can anone wil .1. teH
Sefen he is gone fe foule fende him queH 705
For neuer here after wil .1. wi]> him mete
For penye ne for pounde .1. be-hete
He fat me brouht first vnto fat game
Er fat he deie sorwe haue he and schame 709
For it ernest to me be my feif e
fat fele ,1. wele what so any man seif e
And 3itte for al my smert and al my greue
For al my sorwe laboure and mescheue 713
.1. coufe neuere leue it in no wise
!No wolde god my witte myht suffise
To tellen al fat longef for fat arte
Bot nafeles jit wil .1. tel ^owe parte 717
Sefen my lorde is gone .1. wil not spare
Suche finge as .1. knowe .1. wil declare
Explicit prologus
LAXSDOWNE 401 (6-T. 55l)
SIX-TEXT 552
GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
[THE PREAMBLE.]
Incipit ffabula . [°» leaf i GO]
~ythe fis chanon dwelled haue .1. seuen jere
And of his science am .1. neuer f e nere 721
Al fiat .1. had .1. haue . I. -lost fere by
And god wote so haf e mony mo fan .1.
Ther .1. was wont to be riht frissche and gay
Of clof inge and of good arraie 725
Nowe may .1. were an hose vpon myn hede
And where my coloure was bof e freche and rede
Now it is wan and of a lewde hewe
Who so it vsej) sore sc[h]aH he rewe 729
And of my swynke jit blered is myne ey^e
Lo whiche avantage is for to multepli^e .
fat slideinge science haj) me niaade so bare [leaf ieo, back]
)?at .1. haue no goode where fat euere y fare 733
And jite .1. am endited & endetted so far bye
Of golde fat .1. haue borwed trewlye
fat while .1. leue .1. schal it quite neuer
fat euery man be war be me for euer 737
What manure man fat castef him f er to
If he continue .1. holde his f reft ydo
For so helpe me god far by schal he nouht wynne
Bot empte his puree and make his wittes finne 741
And whan he f oruhe his madnes and foly
Haf lost his oweii goode forul lopardy
fan he excitef of er men f erto
To lese here gode as hem self haf do 745
For vnto schrewes loye it is an[d] ese
To haue her felowe in peine and disese .
LANSDOWNE 4,02 (6-T. 662)
SIX-TEXT 553
GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Thus was .1. lerned ones of a clerk
Of fat no charge .1. wil speke of oj>er werke 749
Whan we bene fare as we schal exercise
Oure eluyssche craft we seme wonder wise
Oure termes buen so clergial and so wheinte
.1. bio we fe fire til fat myne hert feinte 753
What schold .1. tel of suche proporcion
Of f inges whiche fat we worche vppon
As .on. v. or .vj. vnce it maie wel be
Of siluer or of sum of e[r] quantite 757
And bise me to tel ^owe f e names
Of orpement bernt bones yren swames
fan in to pouder grounde bue ful smal
And in an erf en potte houe fat potte is al 761
And salt put inne and also papere
Be for f es pouders fat .1. speke of here
And wele ycouerd wif a lampe of glas
And of muche of ere f inge what fat fere was 765
And of f e potte and glas engluteinge
That of f e eyere myht passe no f ing
And of the esye and smarte alsoo
Whiche fat was maad and of fe care and woo 769
fat we hadde in oure matiers sublimeinge
And amalgamynge and calcenynge
Of whike siluere y-cleped Marcurie crude
For aH oure sleytes we can nouht conclude
Oure orpement and sublimed Mercuric
Oure grounde litage eke on fe perorforie
Of yche of f es vnces a certeine
Noust helpef ys oure laboure is in veine 777
N"e eke owre spirites ascencion
~Ne eke oure matiers fat lien al fix adoune
Mowe in oure werkeinge nof inge vs aveile
For lost is al oure laboure and traueile 781
And al fe cost in .xx. deuel waie
Is loste also whiche we on it leie
LANSDOWNE 403 (6-T. 663)
SIX-TEXT 554
GROUP GK § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
fere is also mony anojjere J>inge
J>at is to oure crafte or perteineinge 785
Jjouhe .1. be order hem here ne reherse can
Because Jjat .1. am a lewde man
$it wil .1. tel hem al j)ei come to mynde
J>ouhe .1. ne kan sette hem in her kinde 789
As bole armonyac verte grece and borace
And sundere vessels maade of erjje and glasse
Oure Orinales and oure descensories
Viols cresletes,a?itZ sublimatories 793
Cocurbites1 and alembekes eke C1 ?jf-srconirbite8]
And ofer suche dere y-nowhe a leke
Note nedej? it to reherse hem al
Waters rubefiinge and boles gaH 797
Arcenyk sal armonyak and bromstone
And herbes coujje .1. tel eke many one
As egremoyne valeriane and lunarie
And ofer suche if ]>at me luste to tarye 801
Oure lampes berneinge bojie nyht and daie
To bringen aboute oure craft it J?at we male
Oure forneys eke of Calcinacione
And of waters albificacione 805
Vnslekked lyme chalke and gleire and of an aye
Pouders diueres asshes donge pisse and cleie
Ceride poketes Sal peter and vitriol
And diuers fires maad of wode and cole 809
Sal tarter Alkaly and sal p?*eparate
And combust matiers and coagulate
Cleye made wij> hors here and oyle
Of tartre Alumglasse berme worte and Argoile 813
Resalgar and oj>er matiers enbybeynge
And eke of ojjer maters encorperinge
And of siluer citrinacione * [leaf iei, back]
Oure cementinge and fermentacioue 817
Oure Ingotes testes and mony ino
.1. wil jowe tell as was me tauht also
LANSDOWNE 404 (6-T. 654)
SIX-TEXT 555
GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
The . foure spirites and fe bodis seuen
Be order of ofte as .1. herd my lorde neuen 821
]>e . first spirit whiksiluer cald is
}>e . secunde Orpement J?e Jjred .I.-wis
Sal armoniac . and J?e fourt bromstone
The bodis .vij. eke lo hem here anone 825
Sol . gold . is . and luna . siluer we J)repe
Mars . yren . Mercure . whikseluer we clepe
Saturnus lede . and lubiter is tynne
And Venus coper be my fader kinne 829
Jiis cursed craft who so wil exercise
He schal no goode hane J?at maie him suffise
For al J>e good he spendej? fere aboute
He lese schal fer-of haue .1. no doute 833
Who so fat lust to outen his folie
Lat him com forjje and leren to multeplie
Ande euery man jjat ouht in his cofre
Lete him appere and wax a philosophre 837
Ascanse fat craft is so liht for to lere
Nay nay' god it wote al be he monke or frere
Preste or chanone or any oj>er wyht
J>ouhe he sitte att his boke boj?e daie and nyht 841
In lerneynge of J>is elvisshe nice lore
Al is in veine and parde muche more
Is to lerne a lewd man fe sotelte
For fye speke nouht lpere-of for it wil nouht be 845
Al coufe he letterure or coujje he none
As in effect he schal finde it al one
For bojje tuo be my saluacione
Coacluden in multiplicacione 849
I-lyche wele whan fei haul al y-do
jjis is to seine fe feile boj?e tuo
^it for j?at .1. .to muche rehersaiH
Of waters Corosif and of lymayle 853
And of bodis mollificacione
And also of here induracione
LANSDOWNE 405 (6-T. 555)
SIX-TEXT 556
GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Oyles ablucione and metale fusible .
To tellen al wald passen any bible . 857
That ouhwhere is where-for as for J>e best [ie.if ie-2]
Of all ]?is names now wiH .1. me rest
For as .1. troue .1. liaue ^owe tolde ynowhe
To Reysen a fende loke he neuer so rouhe 861
A nay lat be J?e philosophre stone
Elixir cleped we sechen fast ychon
For had we him J>an were we seker ynowhe
Bot vnto god of heuen .1. maak a vowe 865
For al oure craft whan we haue al y-do
And al oure sleiht he wil nouht com vs to
He hajje vs made spend muche good
For sorwe of whiche al-moste we wexen wode 869
Bot Jjat goode hope crepej) in oure herte
Supposeinge euer pouhe we sore smert
To be releued be him afterwarde
Supposinge and hope is scharpe and harde 873
.1. warne jowe wele it is to seken euer
Jjat futur temps haj) maad men deseuer
In trust fer-of from al jjat euer Jjei hadde
3it of jjat art Jjei coujj nouht wex sadde 877
For vn to hem it is a bitter swete
So seme]? it forne had Jjei bot a shete
Whiche Jjei miht wrappe in a nyht
And Abak to walken inne be daie liht 881
Thei wold hem sellen and spenden on Jjis craft
Thei can nouht stint til nopinge be laft
And euer more where fat euer fei gone
Men maye hem knowe be smelt of bromstone 885
For al ]>e worlde J>ei stinken as a gote
Hire sauoure is so rammysshe and so hote
That fouhe a man from hem a mile be
The sauour wil infecte trustejj me 889
Lo Jms be smellinge and be J>rede bare arraie
If fat men lust j)is folke j)ei knowe maie
LANBDOWNE 406 (6-T. 666)
SIX-TEXT 557
GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
And if a man wil ax him p?*tuely
Whi fei bue clofed so vnthriftely. 893
Kiht anone fei wil roune in his ere
And seie if fei espied were
Men wold hem fle be cause of hire science
Lo Jms folke be-trayen Innocence 897
Passe ouer fis .1. go my tale vntoo
Er fat f e pote be on f e fire ydoo
Of Metaile wif a certeine quantite Deaf ib2, back]
Mi lorde hem tempref and no man bot he 901
JS"owe he is gone .1. dare sei boldely
For as men seine he can do craftely .
Algate .1. wote wele he hafe suche a name
And jitte ful ofte he rennef in f e blame 905
And witte 30 ho we ful oft it hapnef so
f e potte to-brekef and fare wele al is goo
f es metals been of so grete violence
Owre walles maie nouht make hem resistence 909
Bott if fei wrowht of lime and stone
fei pe?-cen so and foruhe f e wal fei gone
And sum of hem sinken in to f e grounde
jjus haue -we lost be times mony a po[u]nd 913
And so?7ime erne scaterd al f e flore aboute
Sowme lepen in to f e roof wijjfe-outen doute
Jjouhe fat J>e fende note in oure siht he??z schewe
.1. trow fat he wif vs be fat schrewe 917
In hell Avhere fat his lorde and sire
Ne is fere no more woo ne angur ne Ire
Whan fat owre potte is broke as .1. haue seide
Euery man Chitte and halt him yuel apaide 921
Som seide it was longe on f e fire makeinge
So?nme seide nay. it was longe on fe bloweynge
Than was .1. ferde for fat was myne office
Strawe quod fe fredde 30 be lewde and nyce 925
It was nouht tempred as it ouhte to be
Nay qz<od f e ferf e stinte and herken me
LANSUOWNE 407 («-T. 557)
SIX-TEXT 558
GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Be cause cure fire was nouht maade of beche
fat is jje cause none ofer so feeche 929
.1. can not teH: where on it is a-longe
Bot wele .1. wote grete strife is vs amonge
What quod my lord fere is no more to done
Of fes periles .1. wil be ware eft sone 933
.1. am riht seker fat f e pott was erased
Be as be inaye be je no f inge amasud
As vsage is late swepe f e flore as swyf e
Pluke vpe joure herte and be 36 gladde and blife 937
The mollok on an hepe yswepped was
And on f e flore cast a canvas
And al f is mollok in a sif yf rowe
And ysiftide and yplucked mony a jjrowe 941
Parde quod one summe what of oure metale
}itt is fere here fouhe we haue nouht al peafies]
And fouhe fis f inge mishapped haf e as nowe
Anoper time it maie be wele ynowhe 945
Vs most putte oure goode in aduenture
A marchant parde maie nouht aie endure
Tristnej) me wele in his prosperite
Som time is goode is drowned in J?e see 949
And sum time it commef sauf vuto )>e londe
Pes quod my lorde ]?e next time .1. Avil fonde
To bringe oure crafte al in anofe?-e plite
And bote .1. do sires latt me haue Jje wite 953
There was defaute in sum what wele .1. wote
An oj>ere seide j?e fire was ouere hote
Bot be hit hote or colde .1. dar sei jjis
fat we concludeii euennore amys 957
We failen of J>at whiche fat we wolde haue
And oure madnesse euer more we raue
And whan we bue to-geder euerychon
Euery man semef as wise as Salomon 961
Bot al finge whiche fat schynef as fe gold
Is not golde as .1. haue herde it tolde
LANSDOWNE 408 (6-T. 558)
SIX-TEXT 559
GROUP G, § 3. CAN.-YEOM. PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Ne eue?y appel fat is faire att 6739
Ne is not good whatt so men clappe or crie 965
Riht so loo farith it amongus vs
He fat semef f e wisest be ihesus1 p MS ihc]
Is most foole whan it commef to f e prefe
And he fat semef trewest is a fefe 969
fat schol ^e knowe er fat .1. frowme jowe wende
Be fat .1. of my tale haue maade an ende
[No toeak in the MS.]
29 LANSDOWNE 409 (6-T. 559)
SIX-TEXT 560
GROUP G. § 4, CAN.'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[THE TALE.]
THer is a chanon of religion .ija. pars
Amonges vs wolde enfecte al a tonne 973
J?ouhe it as grete were as nynyue
Rome Alisander . Troy . and of er f re
His sleihtes and his infinite falsenesse
There coufe no man writen as .1. gesse 977
f ouhe fat he myht leuen a . f owsande jere
In al f is of fals-nesse ne is his pere
Tor in his termes he wil him so \vinde
And speke his wordes in so sly he a kynde 981
"Whan he comun schal wif any wiht
What he wil make him dote anone riht
Bot it f e fende be as his seluen is
Ful mony a man haf e he higiled ar f is Deaf us, back] 985
And wiH if fat he maie leue a while
And jit men riden and gon ful mony a myle
Him for to seeke and haue acqueyntance
Nat knoweinge of his fals gouernance 989
And if f e luste to jeue me audience
.1. will it tellen here in 3oure presence
Bot worschipful chanon religious
Ne demef nouht fat .1. sclander joure house 993
Al fouhe my tale of chanon be
Of euery order some schrewe is parde
And god for-bede fat al a companye
Sholde rewe a singuler mawnes folye 997
To sclander jowe is not myne entente
Bot to Corretten fat mys yment
LANSDOWNE 410 (6-T. 560)
SIX-TEXT 561
GROUP G. § 4. CAN.'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
This tale was nou^t onely tolde for ^owe
Bot eke for opere mo je woote wele ho we 1001
J?at amonge cristes posteles twelue
fare nas no traytur hot ludas him selue
Than whi scholde J?e remenant a"! haue blame
That giltles were . by $owe say .1. J>e same 1005
Sauf only Jjis if ^e wil herken me
If any ludas in 3oure Couent be
EemoueJ) him be time .1. 3 owe rede
If schame or losse maie causen any drede 1009
And bujje nojjinge displesed .1. jowe preie
Bot in J?is caas herkene]) what .1. wil seie
N Londen was a preste an annuellere
Jjat Jjer-inne dwelled had mony a ^ere 1013
Whiche was so plesant and so semisable
Vn-to J?e wiff where he was att table
That sche wolde suffur him no Jnnge for to paye
For borde ne for clofieinge wente he neuer so gaye
And spendinge siluer hadde he riht ynouhe
Jjere-of no force .1. wol precede as nowhe
And tel forjje my tale of ]?e Chanon
J>at brouht f>is prest to confusion 1021
This fals chanon cam vppon a daye
Vnto J?e p?*estes chambre J>er he laye
Besecheinge him to lene him a certeine
Of golde and he wolde white him a^eine 1025
Lene me a marke qiiod he bot daies J>re
And att my daie .1. wil it quyte fe peaf IB*]
And it so be fou finde me fals
Anoper daie honge me be fe hals 1029
This preste him toke a marke and J?at als swij?e
And Jjis chanon him fonked oft sij>e
And toke his leue and went forjje his weie
And att pe fered daie brouht his monye 1033
And to Jns preste he toke pis golde a^eine
There-of J>is prest was glad and feine
LANSDOWNE 411 (6-T. 56l)
SIX-TEXT 562
GROUP G. § 4. CAN.'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Certes quod he no j?inge anoyejj me
To lene a man a noble or tuo or Jjre 1037
Or what finge were in myn possessione
Whan he so trewe is of condicione
fat in no wise breke wil his daie
To suche a man .1. can neuer saie naye 1041
"What quod J?is chanon schold .1. be vntrewe
Naye it were finge fallen al of J? e newe
Treujje is a Jnnge J?at .1. wil euer kepe
In to J>e daie in whiche J>at [I] schal crepe 1045
In to my graue and elles god for-bede
BeleueJ? J>is as seker as is ^oure crede
God Jjonke .1. and in goode time be it seide
)>at jjer was neuer man ^it yuel appaide 1049
For golde ne siluer pat he to me lent
And neuer falsed in rnyne herte y ment
And sir quod he nowe of my pn'uete
And sejjen. 30 so goodly haue bue to me 1053
And kijjed to me so grete gentillesse
Som whatte to whiten wij> joure kindenesse
.1. wil jowe schewe .&. if ^owe lust to lere
.1. schal it schewe to ^owe anone riht here 1057
Howe .1. kan worchen in filosophie
Takef goode hede }e scholn sene wele att ye
J>at .1. wil do a maistre ar .1. goo
Je sir quod J>e preste. $e sire and wil 30 so 1061
Mary jjere-of .1. praie jowe hertely
Att ^oure cowzmandement sir treuly
Q«od J>e chanon and elles god for-bede
Lo how J?is fef coujje . his seruise bede 1065
Pul sofe it is Jjat suche proferd seruise
Stinkejie as wittenes Jus olde wyse
And ]?at ful sone .1. wil. it verifie
In fis chanone is rote of al trecherie [leaf m, back] 1069
That euermore delite hafe and gladnesse
Suche fendely fouhtes in his hert empresse
LANSUOWNE 412 (6-T. 562)
SIX-TEXT 563
GROUP G. § 4. CAN.'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Howe cristes peple lie ma-ie to mescliief bringe
God kepe vs frowme his fals discimulinge 1073
What wist pis p?-este wijj whome he delte
Ne of his harme comynge nojnnge he felte
0 cele presie o cell Innocent
Wij) Couetise anone J>ou schalt be blent 1077
0 graceles ful blinde is pi conceite
No finge ert JJQW war of pi deceit
Whiche fat f is fox schapen haj) to f e
His wyle wrenches fou maiste nouht flyhe 1081
Wher-fore to go to f e conclusion
fat referref to f i confusion
Vnhappe man anone .1. wil me hihe
To tellen fin vnwitte and pi folye 1085
And eke f e falsenesse of fat of er wreche
As ferfor as my cownynge wil streche
Jris chanon was my lorde 30 wolde wene
Sir oft in faife and bue fe heuen quene 1089
It was anof er chanon and nouht he
fat can an .C. folde more sotelte
He hajj be-traied folke mony a time
Of his falsnesse it delitejj me to rime 1093
Euer whan .1. speke of his falsede
For schame of him my cheke waxen rede
Al gates fiei be-gon for to glowe
For redenes haue .1. riht nowe wele .1. knowe 1097
In my vesage for sinnes diners
Of Metals whiche $e haue herd me reherce
Consumed and wastede hafe myne redenesse
Now take]) hede of my chanons cursednesse 1101
Sir quod he to J?e preste lat ^oure man gone
Fo[r] whiksiluer fat we is had anone
And latte him bringe vnces tuo or Jire
And whan he commef als fast schal we se 11 05
A wonder Jnnge whiche ^e sawe neuer ar pis
Sir quod pe preste it schal be done ywisse
LANSDOWNE 413 (6-T. 663)
SIX-TEXT 564
GROUP G. § 4. CAN.'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
He bad his seruant fechen him his f inge
And he al rede was at his bedynge
And went him for and cam anon a^eine
Wif fis whike siluer schortly for to seyne [leafies]
And toke f es vnces f re to f e chanone
And he it leide faire and wele adoune
And bad f e seruant coles for to bringe
fat he anone myht go to his wirkeinge
Jje coles riht anone weren yfet
And fis chanon toke oute a croselet 1117
Of his bosome and schewe it f e prest
This quod he whiche fat f ou sest
Take in fine hande and put f i self fere inne
Of fis whike siluere an vnce and here beginne 1121
In f e name of crist to wex a philosofer
Ther bene ful fewe whiche fat .1. wil prefer
To schewe hem f us muche of my science
For $e schol seen here be experience 1125
fat fis siluer .1. wil mortifie
Eiht in ^oure siht anone wif oute lye
And maak it as god siluer and als fyne
As fer is any in 3oure porce or in myne 1129
And f erto als doulcete and malliable
And elles holde me fals and vn-able
Amonge folk euer to appere
.1. haue a pouder here, it cost me dere 1133
Schal make al good for it is cause of al
Mi konnynge whiche . fat .1. ^owe schew shall
Voidef ^oure man and lat him be fer oute
An schette fe dore whiles we bene aboute 1137
Oure prt'uete fat no man vs aspie
Whiles we werken in fis philosophie
Al as he bad ffulfilled was in dede
fis ilke seruant anon riht oute ^ede 1141
And his maister schett f e dore anone
An to her laboure spedely f ei gone
LA.NSDOWNE 414 (6-T. 564)
SIX-TEXT 5.65
GROUP G. § 4. c AN. 's- YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
f es preste att Jris cursed chanons bydynge
Vpon fe fire a-none sett fis finge 1145
And blewe f e fire and besid him ful fast
And fis chanon in to fis croselett cast
A ponder note .1. wher-of it was
.y.-maade of chalk of ere of glas 1149
Or sum whatte elles was nouht worf e a flie
To blinde wife fis preste and badd him hihe
f es coles for to cowchen al aboue
This Croslet for in token fat .1. fe loue [leaf IBS, back] 1153
Quod fis chanon fine hondes tuoo
Schal worche al finge whiche as schal be doo
Gremercy quod f e preste and was ful gladde
And couched coles as fe Chanon badd 1157
And whiles he besy was fis fendely wrecche
fis fals chanon f e foule fende him fecche
Oute of his bosom toke a bechen cole
In whiche ful sotelly Avas maad an hole 1161
And f ereinne pitt was of siluer limaile
An vnce and stopped was wif oute faile
This hole wif wex to kepe the limal inne
An[d] vnderstondej) fat fis false gynne 1165
Was not maade fere hot it was maade to fore
And of er Jjinges .1. schal tel more
Here after warde whiche fat he wif him brouht
Ar he com fere to begile him he fouht 1169
And so he dide are he went a twynne
Til he had tornyd him kouf e he not blinne
It dullef me whan fat .1. of him speke
On his fals hede faine wolde .1. me awreke 1173
If .1. wist howe bot he is here and fere
He is so variant he bidef no where
Bo[t] takef hede nowe sires for goddes loue
He toke his cole of whiche .1. spak aboue 1177
And in his honde he bare it pn'uely
And whiles f e pn'ste couched besili
LANSDOWNE 415 (6-T. 5Go)
SIX-TEXT 566
GROUP G. § 4. CAN.'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
J>e coles as .1. tolde ^ow er J>is
Jjis Chanon seide frende 30 done amys 1181
Jjis is nouht couched as it ouht to be
Bot sone .1. schal amend it quod he
Nowe lat me medel J>ere-wijj bot a while
For of 3oue haue .1. pete be sein gile 1185
^e been riht hote .1. see wele how 30 swete
Haue here a clojje and wype aweie J>e wete
And whan Jje prest him wyped haas
This Chanon toke his cole .1. schrewe his face 1189
And leid it vpon abouen Jje Midward
Of }>e croselett . And blewe wele afterward
Til Jjat Jje Coles gan fast berne
!N"ow 3if vs drinke quod Jje Chanone Jjarcn 1193
Als swijje al schal be wele .1. vndertake .
Sit we doune and lete vs mery make peafies]
And whann Jje chanons bechen cole
Was brente al Jje limal oute of the hole 1197
Into Jje croselet anone fel adoune
And so it mot nedes be resoune
Sejjjjen it so heuen aboue couched was
Bot Jjere-of wist no Jjinge Jje presto alas 1201
He denied al Jje coles ylyche goode
For of J>e sleyht no finge he vnderstode
And whan Jjis Alkamistrie sauhe is time
Eisejj vp sir pn'ste and stonde be me 1 205
And for .1. wote Ingote haue 30 none
Gojje walkejj forjje and bringejj a chalke stone
For .1. wil make it of Jje same schappe
Jjat is an Ingote if .1. maie haue happe 1209
And bringe wijje 3owe a bol or a panne
Ful of water and 30 schal see Jjanne
How J>at oure besines schal happe and preue
And 3it for 30 schal haue no mysbeleue 1213
N"e wronge conseite of me in 3oure absence
I wil nouht bue oute of 3oure presence
LANSDOWNE 416 (6-T. 566)
SIX-TEXT 567
GROUP GK § 4. CAN.'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot go wif 3owe and com wif $ow ageine
The chamber dore schortly to seine 1217
Thei opened and schette and went forf e her waie
And forf e wif hem f ei caried f e keie
And comen ajeine wif outen any delaye
What scholde .1. tary al fe longe dale 1221
He toke • f e chalke and schoppe it in fat wise
Of an Ingote as .1. schal ^owe deuise
.1. seye he tok out of his owen sleue
A cheyne of siluer . yuel mot he cheue 1225
Whiche fat was bot an vnce of wheyht
And takef hede nowe of his cursede sleyhl
He schop his Ingote in lengef and in brede
Of J>e cheyne wijj outen any drede 1229
So slely fat f e preste it nouht aspide
And in his sleue ageine he gan it hide
An[d] frome f e fire toke vp his matier
And in to J>e yngote it putte wif meri chere 1233
And in to f e water vessel he it kest
Whan fat him lust and badde f e preste as fast
Loke what fe;-e is put in fine honde and grope
Thou schalte finde fer siluer as .1. hope [leaf lee, back] 1237
What deuel of hel scholde it elles be
Chaueynge of siluer silue is porde
He putte in his honde and tok vp a teyne
Off siluer fyne and glad in euery veine 1241
Was f is pn'ste whan he sauhe fat it was so
Goddes blissinge and his moders also
And al halowes haue ^e sir Chanon
Seid fe preste and .1. here Malison 1245
Bot and ^e vouche sauf to teche me
This noble craft and f is soteltie
.1. wil be ^oures in al fat euer .1. maie
Qwod fe chanone $it wil .1. make asaie 1249
f e secunde time fat 30 mowe take hede
And bee experte of f is and in ^oure nede
LANSDOWNE 417 (6-T. 567)
SIX-TEXT 5G8
GROUP G. § 4. CAN. 's- YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Anojjer daie in Mine absence
This discipline and J>is crafte science 1253
Lat take ano]>er vnce quod he J?o
Of whiche siluer wij)j>e outen wordes moo
And do ferwijj as ^e haue done ar Jns
Wyjje jjat ojpere whiche J>at nowe siluere is 1257
This preste him besiej; in al fat he can
To done as Jns chanone Jus cursed man
Comniandejj him . and fast blewe J?e fire
For to come to Jjeffette. of his desire 1261
And j?is chanon riht in J>e mene while
Al redi was j?is preste oft to begile
And for a countenance in his honde bare
An holowe stikke take hede and be ware 1265
In J?e ende of whiche an vnce and no more
Of siluer lymal put was al be-fore
Was in his coule and stopped wij) wax wele
for to kepe inne his lymal euereydele 1269
And while J>is preste was in his besinesse
This chanon wij) his stike gan him dresse
To him a-none and his pouder kast inne
As he dide ere )>e deuel out of his kinne 1273
Him torne .1. praie to god for his false-hede
For he was euer fals in worde and dede
And wij) his stikke a-bo\ie Jje croselett
That was ordeygned wij) J)at fals gett 1277
He stirej) fe coles til relent gan
The wex ajeine J?e fire as euery man |ieaf 167]
Bot it a fole be f Avote wele and mot nede
And al J>at in J>e hole was oute jede 1281
And in to fe croselet hastely it fel
J?e preste supposed nouht bot wele
Bot busid him fast and was wonder feyne
Supposinge nouht bot treufe sofe to seine 1285
He was so glad .1. can nouht expresse
In no manere his merjje and his gladnesse
LANSDOWNE 418 (6-T. 668)
SIX-TEXT 569
GROUP G. § 4. CAN.'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And to f e Chanon he proferd eft sone
Body and goode je quod fe chanone sone 1289
fouhe poure .1. be crafte fou schalt me finde
.1. warne fe }it is fere more be-hinde
Is fere any coper here inne seide he
36 sir quod fe preste .1. troue fere be 1293
Elles go by sum and fat aswyf e
Nowe sir go for f i waie and hyhe f e
And went his waie and wif his coper he came
And J>is chanon in his hode it name 1297
And of fat coper weyde oute bot an vnce
Al to simple is my tonge to p?-onounce
His mostre and his witte f e doublenesse
Of fis chanone rote of Corsednesse 1 301
He semed frendly to him fat knewe him nouht .
Bot he was fendely bof e in werke and f ouht
It werief me to telle of his falsenesse
And nefeles ^it wil .1. it expresse 1305
To fat entent fat men maie be war fere bye
And for none of er cause treulye
He putte fis vnce of coper in to f e crosellet
And on fe fire also swife he hafe it sett 1309
And kest in pouder and maade f e preste to blowe
And in his worcheinge for to stoupe lowe
As he dide erst and al was bott a lape
Eiht as him lust fe preste he maade his ape 1313
And afterwarde in to f e Ingote he it kest
And in f e pawne put it att f e last
Of water and inne he put his owen honde
And in his sleue as 36 beforne honde 1317
Herde me teH he had a siluer cheyne
He slyhely toke is oute fis cursed hyne
Vnwetinge fis preste of his fals craft
And in fe pannes bothom he haf it left [leaf 1 67, back] 1321
And in f e water rumblef to and fro
And wonder pn'uely toke it vpp also
LANSDOWNE 419 (6-T. 569)
SIX-TEXT 570
GROUP G. § 4. CAN.'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
fe coper teyne nouh[t] knoweinge f e preste
And hid it and hent him be fe breste 1325
And to him spak and f us seide he in his game
Stoupef e adoune be god 30 be to blame
Helpefe me nowe as .1. dide jowe whilere
Put in 3oure honde and loke what is fere 1329
This preste toke vppe pis siluer teyne an one
And fan seide f e Chanon latt vs gone
Wif f es f re teynes whiche fat we haue wrouht
To surame golsmyfe and wit if it be owhte 1333
For be my feif e .1. nolde for myne hode
Bot if f ei were siluer fine and gode
And fat as swyf e proued schal he be
Vnto J?e goldsmythe wif fes teynes fre 1337
Thei wente and put fes teynes in assaie
To fire and hamur myht no man seie naie
Bot f ei were as hem ouht to be
fis soted preste who was gladder fan he 1341
Was neuer bridde gladder a^eines f e daie
Ne nyhtgale in f e seson of maie
Was neuere none fat lust better to singe
Ne lady lustier in Carolynge 1345
And for to speke and loue and wommanhede
Ne knyhte in armes done an hardy dede
To stonden in grace of his ladie dere
fan hadde fis preste fis craft to lere 1349
And to f e chanon f us he spak and seide
For f e loue of god fat for us al deyde
And as .1. maye deserue it vn to 3 owe
What schal fis receyte cost tellef nowe 1353
Be oure lady quod fis chanon . it is dere
.1. warne jowe bot saue .1. and a frere
In . yngelonde fere can no man it make
No fors quod he now sir for goddes saake 1357
What schal .1. paye tel me .1. fe preye
.I.-wys quod he it is ful dere .1. seie .
LANSDOWNR 420 (6-T. 670)
SIX-TEXT 571
GROUP Gr. § 4. CAN.'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Sire att o worde if fat f e list it haue 1360
36 schal paie fourte1 pounde so god me saue C1 a later > added]
And ne were fe frindeschippe f at 36 dide ar fis.
To me }e scholde paie more ywys Deaf IBS]
This preste f e summe of .xl. pounde anone
Of nobles fette . & toke hem euerychone 1365
To fis Chanon for fis ilke receit
Al his worcheinge was fraude and deceite
Sire preste he seide .1. kepe for haue no los
Of my craft for .1. wolde it were kepped clos 1369
And as 36 louef e me kepef it secre
For and men knewe al my subtilite
Be god men wolde haue so grete envie
To me be cause of my philosophic 1373
.1. scholde be dede fe?*e were none of ere weye
God it for-bede qiwd J>e preste what 30 seye
jit had .1. leuer spende alt fe goode
"Whiche fat .1. haue and elles wex .1. woode 1377
pan fat 36 scholde faH in suche meschife
For 3oure goode wil sire haue $e riht good prefe
Qwod fe chanone wele gra-wnt mercie
He went his waye and neuer J>e priste him sihe 1381
After fat daie and whan fat f is preste schold
Maken assay . att suche time as he wolde
Of f is receyte fare wele it wil nouht be
Lo fus be-Iaped and begiled was he 1385
Thus makef he his introduced
To bringe folke to hire destrucczon
11 Consideref sires howe fat myche astate
Be-twex men and golde far is debate 1389
So ferforf e fat vnnef es fere is one
This multepliynge blindef • so mony one
fat in good feif e I trowe fat it be
fe cause grettest of al subtilite 1393
This Phylosophres speken so mystelye
In f is craft fat men can nouht com f er bye
LANSDOWNE 421 (6-T. 57l)
SIX-TEXT 572
GROUP G-. § 4. CAN.'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
For any witte fat men haue nowe a dayes
fei maie wele Chitter and ganglen as done fes layes 1397
And in her termes sett lust and peine
Bot to here purpos schal fei neuere atteyne
A man may lyhtlyche leren if he haue ouhte
To multeply and bringe his good to nou'ht 1401
Lo suche a locre is in f is lusty game
A mawnes merf e it wil tome al to gram
And ewpte also grete and heuy porces
And make folke to purchasen curses [leaf IGS, back]
Of hem fat han f ere-to here good ylente 1 406
O fy . for schame f>ei fat haue be brente
Alas Can fei nouht flye f e fires hete
36 fat it vsen .1. rede ^owe it lete 1409
Lest 36 lees al • for bet fan neuer is late
Neuer to f riue were to longe a date
f ouhe 30 prolle aye 36 schol it neuer finde
30 bsne als bolde as is bayer fe blynde 1413
fat blunderf forf and peril castef he none
He is as bolde to renne a3eine a stone
As for to go be side in f e weie
So fare 36 fat multeplie .1. seie 1417
If fat cure y3en kan not seen a riht
Lookef fat 3oure mynde lake nouht 3oure siht
For f ouhe 30 looke neuere so brode and stare
30 schol nouht wynne a myte of fat chaffare 1421
Bot wasten al fat 36 maie rappe and rinne
"Wif-drawe f e fire lest it so fast birne
Medelefe no more wif fat art .1. mene
For 3if 36 done 3oure freft. is gone fill clene 1425
And riht als swif e .1. wil 3oue to here
What fat f e Philosophres seine in f is matiere
Lo f us seif e Arnalde of f e ISTewtoune
As his rosarie makef Mencioune 1429
He seif e riht f us wif outen any . lye
There maie no man Mercuri Mortih'e
LANSDOWNE 422 (6-T. 572)
SIX-TEXT 573
GROUP G-. § 4. CAN.'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot if it be wij> his brof er knbwelecheinge
Howe fat he wiche fat first seide J>is finge 1433
Of philosophres fader was Ernies
Sei)>e howe fat f e dragon douteles
Ne deyej? not bot if he he sleine
Wif is brofer and fat is for to seyne 1437
Be J?e dragon Mercurie and none of er
He vnderstode fat bromston were is brof ere
fat oute of sol and luna were ydrawe
And ferfore seide he take hede to my sawe 1441
Latt no man besy hime f is arte for to seche
Bot he fat f e entencion and speche
Of Philosofres vnderstonde kan
And if he doo he is a lewde man 1445
For f is science and f is cownynge quod he .
Is of secre of secretees parde [leaf 169]
Also fere was a disciple of Plato
fat on a time seide his maister to 1449
As his booke sonier wil here wittnesse
And f is was his deinaunde in sof efastnesse
Tel me f e name of f e pn'ue stoone
And plato ansewerd vnto him anone 1453
Take fat titanus men name
Whiche is fat quod he Magnesia is f e same
Seide Plato f 30 sire and es it f us
fis is ignotum per ignocius 1457
"What is magnesia good sire .1. preie
It is a water fat is maad .1. seie
Of elementes foure quod plato
Tel me fe roches good sir quod be fo 1461
Of fat water if it be joure wift
Naie Naie quod plato certeine fat .1. nyH
The philosophres were sworne euerychon
fat fed scholde discouere it to no mofi 1465
Ke in no booke it write in no maiiere
For vnto criste it is so leue and dere
LANSDOWNE 423 (6-T. 573)
SIX-TEXT 574
GROUP G. § 4. CAN.'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
fat he wil noujt fat it discouerd be
Bot where so it like}) to his deite 1469
Man to enspire and eke to defende
"Whome fat him lykef lo f is is f e ende
That conclude .1. Jms sefen fat god of heuen
Ne wil not fat fe philo[so]fres neven 1473
Howe fat a man schal com vn-to f is stone
.1. rede as for f e heste latt it gone
For who so makef god his aduersarie
As for to worche any finge in contrary e 1477
Vnto his wil certes neuer schal he f riue
Thouhe fat he multiplie terme of his Hue
And fere a pointe for endid is my tale
God sende euery trewman bote of his bale 1481
Explicit fabula .
LANSDOWNE 424 (6-1. 574)
SPURIOUS CANON'S- YEOMAN -DOCTOR LINK. Lansdowne MS*
ion leaf mi Incipit pwlogws TS-Sigistii Phisici .
NOwe trewly quod oure Oste bis is a prati tale
For litel merveile it is fat bou lokest so pale
Seben bou liast medeled wib so mony binges
Wib bloweinge att be cole to melte bobe brochez & ringes
And ojjere many Jewels dar~,L, vnder-take 5
And fat J)i lorde coufe vs tel : if we myht him ouere-take
Bot lat him go a deuel waye Jse corapaigny is neuer be wers
And al suche fals harlotes .1. sette not be hem a kers
Bot latt pas ouere nowe al fes subtilitees 9
And sume worjji man tel vs simme veritees
As 50 worschipful Maister of Phisike
TelleJ) vs somme tale bat is a cronyke 12
J5at we may of 3owe leren sum witte
Qitod be Maister of Phisik a tale bat .1. finde writte
In cronyke passed of olde tyme
Herkeneb for .1. wil tel it ^ow in rime 16
Explicit prologus .
30 LANSDOWNE 425
GKOUP C, FEAGMENT IV.
§ 1. THE DOCTOR'S TALE.
LANSDOWNE MS.
J
•[[ Incipit fabu[l]a .
^•her was as tellef vs titus liueus
1 A knyht fat cleped was virgineus
Fulfilled of honoure & worf inesse
And stronge of frendes and of riches
A douhtere he hadd be his wyf
, And neuer hadde he mo in al his lif
Faire was f is maide in excellent beautee
Abouen euery whight fat maie see 8
For Nature haf e wif souereigne diligence
Formed hir in so grete excellence
As f ouhe sche wolde seie loo .1. Nature
Thus can .1. forme and painte a creature 12
Whan fat me leste who can me counterfete
Pigmalyon liouht f ouhe he alweie forge or bete
Or graue or peinte for .1. dar wel seine
Apollus jepherus schold werche in veine 1 6
To graue or peinte or forge or bete
If f ei presumed me for to counterfete
For he fat is f e formoM/* principal
Haf e maade me his viser general 20
To forme and peinte eche erf ely creature
Riht as me lest for al f inge is in my cure
Vnder f e mone fat maie wane and wax
And for my werke no f inge wil .1. ax 24
LANSDOWNE 426 (6-T. 303)
SIX-TEXT 304
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
My lorde and .1. "bene fullye att acorde
.1. maade hire to fe worschip of my lorde
So do .1. al myn of ere creatures
Of [what] colour f ei hue or what figures 28
Thus semef me fat Nature wold seie
This maide was of age twelue }ere and tweye
In whiche fat Nature haf e suche delite
For riht as sche kan peinte as lyle white Deaf 170] 32
An[d] Eode as rose riht wif suche peinture
Sche peinted haf e J)is noble creature
Ar sche was borne vppon hire li?remes fre
"Were als briht as suche coloures scholde be 36
And phebus hadd dyed hire tresses grete
Lyke to f e stremes of his burned hete
And if fat excellent was hire beute
A f ousand folde mor vertuous was sche 40
In hire ne lakkef no condicione
fat is to preise as be discrecione
As wele in body . as goste chast was schee
For whiche sche floured in virginite 44
Wif al humilite and abstinence
And wif al attemperance and pacience
Wif mesure eke and bereinge of araie
Discrete sche was in ansewaringe alweie 48
f ouhe sche were wise as pallas dar .1. seine
Hire faukonde eke ful wowmanly and pleyne
None conterfeted termes hadde sche
To seme wise bot after hire degre 52
Sche spakk and al hir wordes more and lesse
Souneinge in vertue and in gentilles&e
Schamefast sche was in maidens schamfastnesse
Constant in hert and euer in his besinesse 56
To dryue hire oute of hire slogardie
Bachus hadde of hire moufe no maistre
For wil and f ouht to done venus encrese
As men in fire wil kasten oyle or grese 60
LANSDOWNE 427 (6-T. 304)
SIX-TEXT 305
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And of hir owen vertue vnconstreyned
Sclie haf e ful oft time hire seke feyned
For fat sche wolde fiye f e companye
"Where likly was to treten of folye 64
As es att festes reueles and att daunces
fat bene occasione of dalyaunces
Suche f inges maken childern for to bee
To sone Eipe and bolde as men maie see G8
Whiche is ful perilous and hafe be 3010
For al to sone maie sche leren lore
Of boldenesse whan sche is a wyfe
And ^e maistresses in ^oure olde life 72
fat lordes douhters haue in gouernance
!N" e takef of mi worde no displesance [leaf 170, back]
Thinges fat bien set in gouernynges
Of lordes douhtres only for tuo finges 76
Eyf er for 30 han kepped 30111-6 honeste
Or elles 36 haue faH in frelte
And knowe wele ynowhe f e olde daunce
And konne forsaake fully meschaunce 80
For euere mo f er-fore for crist saak
Ivepef wel f o fat 30 vndertak
A f ef of venison fat haf for-laft
His lycorusnesse and al his f efes craft 84
Kan kepe a forest best [of] ony man
]STowe kepef e hem wele for 30 wele can
Lokef wele to no vice fat 36 assent
Lest [}e] be dampned for 3oure yuel enteut 88
For who so dof e a traitor is certeine
And takef of fat fat .1. schal seine
Of al tresoii suffreine pestelence
Is whan a whight be-trayef Innocence 92
3e faders and 30 moders eke also
]5ouhe 36 haue childern be it on or mo
3oure is f e charge of al her suffrance
Whiles f ei bien vnder gouernance 96
LANSDOWNE 428 (6-T. 305)
I
SIX-TEXT 306
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Befe ware fat be ensample of $oure leueinge
Eyf er be necligence in chastisinge
fat fei ne perische for .1. dare wele seie
3if fat f ei done 36 schol ful sore abye 100
Vnder a scheperd soft and necligent
f e wolf haf mony a schepe and lamme to-rent
Sufficit one ensample nowe as here
For .1. most torne a^eine to matiere 104
This maide of whiche .y tel my tale expresse
Sche kepped hir self sche neded no maistresse
For in hire leueynge maydens myht rede
As in a boke euery good worde and dede 108
Jmt longef to a mayden vertuous
Sche was so prudent and so bounteuous
For whiche oute spronge on euery side
Bofe of hir beute and hire bounte wide 112
fat f oruhe f e londe f ei p?*esede hire ychon
fat loued verteus saue envye alone
fat sory is of of er mennes wele
And gladde is of his sorwe and vnhele Deaf 171] 116
The doctor?1 makef fis descripcioime
This maide went on a daie in-to f e toune
To-warde f e temple wif hir nioder dere
As is of ^onge Maidens fe nianere 120
Nowe was f er a Justice in f e toune
fat gouernowr was of fat regioune
And so befel fis luge his ey3en kast
Vppon fis maide aviseinge hire ful fast 124
As sche cam forf by fere f e luge stode
A none his hert chaungef and his moode
So was he cauht wif f e beaute of fis maide
And to him self ful pn'uely he seide 128
This maiden schal be myne for any man
Anone f e fende in to his hert ran
And tauht him sodanly be what sleyht
The maiden to his pwrpos wynne he myht 132
LANSDOWNE 429 (6-T. 306)
SIX-TEXT 307
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
For certes be no force ne be no meede
Him fount he was not able for to spede
For he was stronge of frendes and eke sche
Conformed was in suche souereigne beute 136
That wele he wist he myht hire neuer wynne
As for to maake hire wi]> hire bodi synne
For whiche wif grete deliberaciowne
He sent after a clerk in to J>e toune 1 40
The whiche he knewe ful sotel and ful bolde
This luge haf e vn-to jus clerke his tale ytolde
In secre wise and maade him to assure
He schold tel it to no creature 144
And if he dide he scholde lese his hede
And whan assented was J)is cursed rede
Gladde was f e luge and maade goode chiere
And 3af him Defies precious and dere 148
Whan schapen was al f is conspiracie
From pointe to pointe howe fat his licherye
Performed schold be ful sotellye
As 30 schal heren afterward openly e 152
Home gof e Jris clerk fat hiht Claudius
This fals luge fat hiht Apius
So was his name it is no fable
Bot knowen for an historati finge notable 156
The sentence of it sof is oute of doute
This fals luge gof nowe faste aboute [leaf 171, back]
To hasten his delite al fat he maie
And so be-fel sone after on a daie 160
J)is fals luge as tellef vs f e storie
As he was wonte satt in his Consistorie
And jaue his domes vpon sundre caas
This fals clerke cam forfe a wel good paas 164
And seide lorde if fat it be 3oure wiH
As dof e me riht vpon f is pitous bill
In whiche .1. pleine vpon virgineus
And if fat he wil seine it is noujft] fus 168
LANSDOWNE 430 (6-T. 307)
SIX-TEXT 308
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALK Lansdowne MS.
.1. wille preue it and finde good wittenesse
fat sof e is fat my bill wiH expresse
The luge Ansewerde of f is in his absence
.1. maie not ^if diffinitif sentence 172
Latt done him caH . & .1. wil gladly here
Thou schalt haue riht and no wronge here
Virgin eus came to wite f e luges wiH
And riht a-none was redde fis cursed biH 176
f e sentence of hit was as 36 schal here
To 3owe my lorde sir Apius so dere
Schewef ^oure pouer se?-uant Claudius
Howe fat a knyht called virgineus 180
A^eines f e lawe a3eines al equite
Holdef expresse a^eines fe wil of me
Mi seruant whiche fat is f raH be riht
Wyche from myne hous was stolne one a nyht 184
Whiles sche was ful ^onge .1. wiH . it preue
Be wittenesse lorde so fat 36 3owe nouht greue
Sche his nouht his douhter what so he seie
Where-for my lorde fe lugge to 3owe .1. preie 188
3elde me my f raH if it be 3oure wil
Lo f is was f e sentence of f e bil
Virgineus began vpon f e clerke be-holde
Bote hastely ar he his tale tolde 192
He wolde haue defended it as scholde a knyht
And be wittenesse of mony a trewe wyht
That al was fals fat seide his aduersarie
This Cursed luge wolde no longer tarie 196
!N"e here a worde more of Virgineus
Bot ^af his lugement and seide f us
.1. deme anone f is clerk his seruant haue
Thou schalt no longer in fin house hir saue Oafm] 200
Go bringe hir forfe and bringe hir in owre warde
This clerk schal haue his fralle fus .1. awarde
And whan fis worf i knyht Virgineus
Thoruhe f assent of f e luge Apius 204
LANSDOWNE 431 (6-T. 308)
SIX-TEXT 309
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Most be force his dere douhter
Vn-to f e luge in lichere to leuen
He gof e him home and sett him in his hatt
And lete anone his dere douhter catt 208
And wijj a face dede as asshen colde
Vpon hire hum[ble] face he gan be-holde
"Wif faders pite stikinge f oruhe his hert
Al wolde he nouht from his purpos comiert 212
Douhter quod he virginea be f i name
There bien tuo weys eyf er of er schame
fat fou must soffer alas fat .1. was bore
For neuer fou deseruest where fore 216
To deyen wif a swerde or wif a knyf
0 der douhter ender of my lif
Whiche .1. haue fosterd vp wif suche plesance
fat fou ne weer oute my remembrance 220
0 douhter whiche fat ert my last woo
And in lif my last ioy also
0 gemme of chastite in pacience
Take fou fi def for fis is my sentence 224
For loue and nouht for hate fou must be dede
My pitous honde most smyte of fin hede
Alas fat euer Apius f e seyhe
Thus haf e he falsly lugged f e to day 228
And tolde hire al f e cas as $e be-fore
Haue herd it nedef nouht to tel it no more
Merce dere fadere quod fis maide
And wife fat worde sche bof e hire armes leide 232
Aboute his nekke as sche was Avont to do
The teres barsten oute of hire yen tuo
And seide goode fader schal .1. deye
Is fere no grace is fere no remedie 236
!N"o certes dere douhter myne quod he
Than ^eue me leue fader myn quod sche
My def to compleyne a litel space
For parde leffa ^aue his douhter grace 240
LANSDOWNE -432 (6-T. 309)
SIX-TEXT' 310
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
For to compleine ar he hir slowhe alas
And god it wote no finge was hire trespas peaf 172, back]
Bot fat sche rann hir fader first to see
To welcom him wif grete solempnite 244
And vfi'p fat worde sche fel in swoune anone
And after whan hir swounynge was agone
Sche rise]) vpe and to hire fader seide
Blissed be god fat .1. schal deye a meide 248
^if me my def e ar fat .1. haue a schame
Dof e wij> 3oure Childe ^oure wil a goddes name
And wif fat word sche praief ful oft
fat with his swerde he scholde smite hir softe 252
And wif fat word in swoune doune sche felle
Hir fader wif ful sorweful hert and felle
Hire heued of smote and be toppe it hent
And to fe luge he ^aue it to present 25G
As he satt in his dome in consistorie
"Whan f e luge it sauhe as seif e f e storie
He badde take him and honge him also fast
Bot riht anone al fe peple in frast 2GO
To saue f e Icnyht for reufe and for pyte
ffor knowen was f e foles iniquite
f e peple anone hadd susspecte in f is f inge
Be maner of fis clerkes chalangeinge 2G4
fat it was be f e assent of Apius
That wist wele fat he was lycherous
ffor whiche vn-to fis Apius f ei gone
And kesten him in pr/son riht a-none 2G8
Whereas he slowhe him selfe and Claudius
That ssruant was vn-to fis Apius
"Was demed for to honge vpon a tre
Bot virgineus of his grete Pite 272
Praide for him fat he was exiled
And elles certes he hadde be by-gilede
The remenant were honged more and lesse
That consented were to fis cursednesse 27G
LANSDOWNE 433 (6-T. 310)
SIX-TEXT 311
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Here maye men see how sinne haf>e his merite
Be war for no man wote howe god wil smyte
In no degre ne in wyche maner wise
)>e werme of conscience wil arise 280
Of wikked lif Jjouhe it so prme be
fat no man woot of it bot god and he
Whejjer he be lewde man or lerede
He note howe sone. he maie bee aferde 284
Ther-fore rede .1. 3owe pis counsel take [leaf 173]
For-sakeJ> sinne ar sinne ^oue for-sake
Explicit fabula Magwfri "Phisicoium
LANSDOWNE 434 (6-T. 31l)
SIX-TEXT 312
GROUP C. § 2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit prologus questoris Dm fca/ mi
Owre Oste gan swere as he ware wode
Harrowe qwod he be Nayles and be blode 288
This was a cussed f ef a fals Justice
A schendful de]>e as hert can deuise
So fal vpon his body and his bones
J)e deuel .1. be-ken him al att ones [*] 292
Alas to dere bouht sche hir beute
"Wherefor .1. seie fat al men maie see
fat ^iftes of fortune or of Nature
Bef e cause of de]>e of mony a creature 296
Hire beute was hir dejje .1. dare wele seine
Alas how pitously as sche was sleine
Bot here-of wil .1. nouht precede as no we [spurious]
Men haue ful often more harme fan prowe 300
Bot trewly myne owen maister dere
This is a pitous tale for to here
Bot naf eles pas ouer is no force
.1. praie to god to saue fi gentil corps 304
And fine vrinals and fi lordanes
Jpine ypocras and fine Galiounes
And euery box ful of fine letuarie
God blesse hem and cure lady seint Mary 308
So mot .1. fe f ou ert a propre man
And ylike a prelate • be seinte Eunyan
Sayd .1. nouht wele can .1. nought speke in terme
Bot wele .1. wote fou doste myne herte to erme 312
fat .1. almost haue cauht a cardiacle
Be corpus bones bot ^iue .1. haue triacle
Or elles a drauht of moiste and corne ale
Or bott .1. here a-none a meri tale 316
LANSDOWNE 436 (6-T. 312)
SIX-TEXT 313
GROUP C. § 2. DOCTOB-PABDONEB LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Myne hert is loste for pete of fis maide
Thowe belamy lohen Pardoner lie saide
Tel vs sum Merthes or lapes riht anone
It schal be do quod he be seinte Mnione 320
Bot first quod he here at fis ale stake
.1. wil bojj-e drinke and ette of a kake
Bot riht anone Jjes gentiles begon to1 crie
Nay lat him tel vs of no Rebaudie 324
Tel vs sume Moral pinge pat we mowe lere [leaf ITS, back]
Some wytt and fan will we gladly here
.1. graun[t] y-wysse quod he . bot .1. most Jjenke
Yppon . sum honest Jnnge whiles fat .1. drinke 328
Explicit Prologus questoris
LANSDOWNE 436 (6-T. 313)
SIX-TEXT 314
GROUP C. § 3. PAKDONER'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS,
Incipit fabula questoris .
Ordynges quod, he in cherch.es whan .1. preche
.1. peyne me to haue an haunteine speche
Hereynge oute as rounde as gof e a beH
For .1. kan be roote fat .1. teH 332
j My teme is alweie one and euer was
-«1 Radix omnium malorttm est/ cupiditas •
fferst .1. pronounce wense fat .1. come
An[d] fan my billes schewe .1. al and so?nme 336
Oure liege lorde seal is my patent
fat schewe .1. first my body to warent
fat no man be so bolde preste ne clerke
Me to destorble of cristes holy werke 340
And after fat tel .1. forfe my tales
Bulles of popes and of Cardinales
Of Patriarkes and of Bischopes .1. schewe
And in latine .1. speke wordes a fewe 344
To sauern wif my predicacione
And for to ster men to deuociofie
fan schewe .1. forfe my longe cristal stones
Y-cra?»med ful of cloutes and of bones 348
Relekes f ei buen as ween f ei euerychon
Than haue .1. in laton a scholdere bone
Whiche fat was an holy lewes schepe
Goodmen saie ,1. takef e of my wordes kepe 352
If fat f is bone bue wasche in any welle
Of cowe or calfe schepe or oxe swelle
fat worme habe y-ete or y-stonge P HarL 7335, ifir>9
(not -in Addit. 25,7181]
[Take watir of* that welle and wasshe his tonge J] 356
LANSDOWNE 437 (6-T. 314)
SIX-TEXT 315
GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Touche he fis bone anone he schal be sounde
And 3it also forf ermoref of pokkes & scabbes & of euery sore.
Schal euery scbepe be hole fat of fis weH
Drenkef a drawht of take]? kepe what .1. teH 360
Wil euery wyhte er fat f e koke him crowef e
And dof e f inge fat him owef e
ffastynge drinke of fis welle a drauht
And filke holy lewe oure helders ones tauht 364
His bestes and his store schal niulteplie
And sires also it helef lelousye [leaf 174]
And f ouhe a man be fal in lelowsie rage
Lat make wif fis water his potage 368
And neuer schal he more his wif mestruste
f ouhe he f e sof e a defaute by hire wiste
Al hadde sche taken prestes tueyne or f re
Here is a Metaine eke je maye see 372
He fat his honde wil put in fat Metane
He schaH haue multipliinge of his greine
"VVhan he haf e sowen be it whete or otes
So fat of pens of er of grotes 376
And men and wemmen o f inge warn .1. ^owe
If any whight be in f is cherche nowe
fat haf done sinne orrible fat he
Dare nouht fo[r] schame schriuen be 380
Or any womman be sche ^onge or olde
fat haf ymaad hir husbond cokwolde
Suche folke schal haue no powere no grace
To offer to my relikes in fis place 384
And who so findef him oute of suche blame
f ei wil come vp and offer in goddes name
And .1. assoile him be f e auctorite
Suche as be bul was graunted me 388
Be fis Gaude haue .1. wonne euery }ere
An .C. mark sefen .1. was pardonere
.1. stonde like a clerke in mony a pulpitt
And schewe fe lewde peple and doune fei sitt 3D 2
LANSDOWNE 438 (6-T. 315)
SIX-TEXT 316
GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
.1. preche so as 36 haue lierde be-fore
And tel an hundrej) lapes more
Than peyne .1. ine to strecche forpe my nekke
And est and west uppon pe peple .1. bekke 396
As dope a doue sittinge vpon a berne
Myne hondes and my tonge go so 3erne
pat it is loye to see my besinesse
Of avarise and suche oper cursednesse 400
Is as Mi preccheinge to make hem fre
To ^eue here pens namely vnto me
For myne entent is nouht bot for to wynne
And no pinge for correction of sinne 404
.1. reke neuer whan fat pei be buried
pouhe pat here soules gone a blakberied
For certes mony a predicacione
SouneJ) oft time of yuel entencione 408
[Somme for plesance of folk1 and for flaterie [Addit. 25,718, on z/54]
To ben auaunsed for ypocresye
And somme for veynglory and somme for hate 00/54, &«<*]
ifor when I dar nought oother weys de-bate 412
Thenne wolly stynge him with my tunge smert
I preching and that he shal nought astert
To ben defamed falsly if* that he
Hath trespased to myn britheren other to me 416
ffor though I telle nought his propre name
Men shal wel knowe that hit* is the same
Bothe by seignes and oother circumstaunces
Thus . rule I folk1 that doth vs displesances 420
Thus spitte I myn venym vnder hewe
Of holinesse to seme holy and trewe
But shortly myn entent wol I deuyse
I l preche of no thing1 but1 of Coueytise [' ? MS sir]
Ther-fore my teme is 3et and euer was
Radix malorwrn est cupiditas
Thus kan I preche ayayns that same vice] [Addit. MS extract stops]
Suche pat .1. vse and pat is of auarice Oaf 174, back] 428
LANSDOWNE 439 (6-T. 316)
SIX-TEXT 317
GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Lansdowne MS.
Lot f eihe .1. me self be gilte in fat sinne
3it kanne .1. maako of er folke to wyiine
Fromme auarice and sore to repent
Bot fat nes nouht myn principal entent 432
.1. preche no f inge bot for Couetise
Of f is matiere it ou^te ynowhe suffise
fan tel .1. of ensaniples many one
Of Olde stories longe time agone 436
For lewde peple louen tales olde
Whiche f inges can f ei wele reporte and holde
What trowe ^e whiles fat .1. maie preche
And wynne gold and siluer for .1. teche 440
fat .1. wil leue in pouert wilfully
Nay . nay .1. fount it neuer treulye
ffor .1. preche and begge in sundre landes
.1. wil nouht do no labour wif myn handes 444
An[d] make basketes and leue fere-bye
Be-cause .1. wil nouht bigge ydelye
.1. wil none of f e aposteles counterfete
.1. wil haue mony chese and whete 448
Al were it ^euen of f e porest page
Eyf er of f e pourest wedowe in a vilage
Al schold hir childerne sterue for famyne
Nay .1. wil drinke f e lycoure of fe vine 452
And haue a loly wenche in euerych toune
Bot herkenef lordynges in conclusione
3oure lykeinge is fat .1. schal tel a tale
No we .1. haue dro[n]ke a drauhte of Corne ale 456
Be god .1. hope .1. schal tel ^owe a f inge
fat schal be reson biene at ^oure lykeinge
ffor f ouhe my self be a ful vicious man
A more.-il tale ^it .1. ^owe telle can 400
Whiche .1. am wont to preche for to wynne
Now holde 3oure pes my tale .1. wil beginne .
[no Tjfealc in tlw MS.]
LANSDOWNE 440 (6-T. 317)
SIX-TEXT 318
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[' Addit. 25,718 reads " And suche oother diuers mischaunces", leaf 55 J
flaundres whilom was a compaignie
Of jonge folke fat hawten folye 464
As Eiott . Hasard . stewes . and tauerns
P Where as with" harpees lutes and gyternes] S?^1'7?^'
f ei daunce and pleie and dise bof e dale and nyht
And eten and drenke al-so ouer al here myht 468
_ _ Thorwhe whiche f ei done f e deuel sacrifise
Wif -inne f e deueles temple in cursed wyse
The superfluys abhomynable [icafns]
Here ofes bene so grete and dampnable 472
fat it is grisely for to here hem swere
Oure blissed lordes body f ei to-tere
Hem jjouht . lewes rent him nouht ynowhe
And yche of hem att ojjer sinnes lowhe 476
And riht anone fan came tomblesters
ffetis and smal and ^onge fruytsters
Singers wij> harpes baudes waferes
Such bien fe deuel officiers 480
To kendel and blowe fe fire of lychery
fat is annexed to glotonye
fe holy writte take .1. to wittenesse*
fat lycherie is in wyne and dronkennesse 484
Lo howe fat dronken lothe vnkindelye
Lay be his douhtres tuo vnweteynglye
So dronke he was he nest what he wrouht
And f erf ore sore repent him ouhte [«J>«HO««] 48 7 &
Herodes who so wil- f e story seche 488
fere maie 36 leren and be ensample tcche [(T«rio«»] 4886
31 LAXSDOWNE 441 (6-T. 318>
SIX-TEXT 319
GROUP C. § 4. PAEDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Whan he of wine was replete att his feste 489
Eiht att his owen table jaf his heste
To slene f e Baptiste lohn ful gilteles
Senec seif e eke good wordes douteles 492
He seif e he kan no difference finde
Be-tuex a man fat is oute of his mynde
And a man fat is drongelewe
Bot wodenes is falne in a schrewe 496
Perseueref longer fan dof dronkennesse
0 glotony ful of cursednesse
0 cause firste of oure confusione
0 originale of owre dampnacione 500
To criste hadde bouht owte wif his blode a3eine
Lo howe dere and schortly was to seine
A-boute was f e cursed velanye
Corrupte was al f is werld foruhe glotonye 504
Adaui oure fadere and his wif also
Fro paradise to labour and to woo
Were dreue for fat vice it is no drede
For whiles fat adam fasted as .1. rede 508
He was in paradise & whan fat hee
Ete of f e fruyte defended on a tree
Anone he was out cast to woo and pyne Deaf 175, buck]
O glotonye on f e wele ouht vs to pleine 512
0 wist a man howe many maladies
Folowef of excesse and of glotonies
He schold be f e more mesurable
Of his Diet sittinge att f e table 516
Alas f e schort f rote f e tender iiiouf e
Makef fat est and west Norf e and souf e
In erf e in eyre in water men to swynke
To gette a gloton Mete and drinkge 520
Of f is matiere o paule wele cans f ou entrete
Metee vn-to wome and wombe eke vn-to mete
Schal god discriuen bof e as poule seif e
Alas a foule finge it is be my feife 524
LANSDOWNE 442 (6-T. 319)
SIX-TEXT 320
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
To seie Jjis worde and fouler is fie dede
When men so drenken of J?e white and of J>e rede
]?at of his prote he maade his priuetee
jjoruhe pilke cursed superfluyte 528
J?e Appostell wepeinge seijje ful pitously
j>ere walken mony of whiche joue tolde haue .1.
.1. saye it nowe wepeinge wij> pitous voice
There bien enmyes of cristes croice 532
Of whiche J>e ende is depe j?e wombe is hire god
O wombe o holy o stinkinge cod
Fulfilled of donge and of corrupcione
Att eyj>e[r] ende of J>e foule is J>e soune 536
Howe grete cost and laboure is to finde
fes cokes howe Jmie stame and striue and grinde
And turne substance in-to accident
To fulfil al J>i lykorous talent 540
Oute of J>e harde bones knoke ]>eie
J>e mery for }?ei cast nouht aweie
J>at maie go J>oruh J>e golet soft and swote
Of spicere of leues barke and rote 544
Schal be his- sauce be maade be delite
To maak him jitt a newere appetite
Bot certes he pat hauntejj suche delices
Is dede whiles jjat he leuejj in pe vices 548
A lycherous pinge is wyne and dronkennesse
Is ful of stvyueynge and of wrechednesse
O dronken man disfigured is Jji face .
Foul is J>i brej> . foule ert pou to embrace 552
And poruhe Jii drongen nose semepe fi soune [icafne]
As fouhe ]?ou ay said Samson samsouwe
And jit goode wotte Samson dranke neuer wyne
Jjou falest as a dronken swyne 556
pi tonge is loste and al ]>ine honest cures
For dronkenes is verreie sepultures
Of mannes witte and his discrecion
In whome pat drinke haj) dommacion 560
LANSDOWNE 443 (6-T. 320)
SIX-TEXT 321
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
He can no counsel kepe it is no drede
Now kepe ^owe fro f e white and fro f e reede
Namely fro f e white wyne of lepe
fat is to sel in fische strete or in chop 564
f is wyne of Spayne crepe)) Sotelly
In of er wynes groweinge fast by
Of whiche fere risef suche fumosite
fat whan a man haf dronke drauhtes fre 568
And wenef fat he be att home in chepe
He is in spayne riht atte f e tonne of lepe
JSTouht att f e Eochel ne att Bordeux tonne .
And fan wille fei seyn Sampsone Sampsone . 572
Bot herken lordeynges o worde .1. 3ow preie
fat al f e souereigne attes dar .1. seie
Of victories in f e olde testament1
fat foruhe verrey god fat is omnipotent1 576
Weere done in abstinence and in preiere
Loke f e bible and fere 30 maie it leere .
Loke Atthela f e grete conqueroure
Deyed in his slepe wif schame and dishonoure 580
Bledeynge aye att is nose in dronkenesse
A Capeteigne schold leue in soburnesse
And ouer al f is a-vise 3ow riht wele
What was coniand vn-to Lamuele 58-i
Nouht Samuel bot Lamuel saie .1.
Eedef e f e bible and findef it expresly
Of wyne 3ifinge to hem fat han Justice
No mor of fis for it mai wele suffice 588
A now fat .1. haue spoke of glotonye
Nowe wil .1. defend 3owe hasardye
Hasard is verreye moder of lesinges
And of deceyte Cursed forswereinges 592
Blaspheme of criste and mansleinges also
Of bataile oft time and of of er mo
It is repreue and contrarie to honours [leaf no, back]
fior to be holde a commune hasardoure 596
LANSDOWNE 444 (6-T. 32l)
SIX-TEXT 322
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And euer f e Inhere lie his of state
f e more yhalden is he dissolate
1£ fat a pn'nce vse hasardie
In al goiurnance and al policie 600
He is as be commune opinion
.I.-halde fe lasse in reputacion
[Stilbon that was Ihalde a wis Embassetowr
Was sent into Corynthe with ful gret honowrl [Addit. 25,718,
J leaf 57, back}
ffro Calidonye to maken hem alleawnce
And whan he cam him happed f is chaunce
That al f e grettest fat were of f is lande
Pleynge att fe Hasard he hem fande 608
For whiche as sone as fat miht be
He stale him home a3eine to his centre
And seide fere .1. wold nouht lese my name
.1. wil nouht take on me so grete defame 612
3owe for to alleye to none hasardoures
Sendef of ere wise embassadoures
For be my trouf e me were leuer deye
fan .1. to ^owe hasadoures scholde alleye 616
For 30 fat bien so glorious in honoures
SchaH nou^t alleye ^owe wif asardoures
As be my witt ne as be my trete
This wise philosophre f us seide to me 620
Looke f ou vse no pleie of dees in fin house
Looke eke fat f e kinge demetrins
Sent him a paire of dees of golde in scoren
For he hadd vsed hasardry fer be-forne 624
For whiche he held his glorie and renoune
And no valewe of reputacione
Lordes myhten finde of ere manere pleie
Honest ynouhe to driue f e daie a-weie 628
Now wole .1. speke of othes fals and grete
A worde or tuo as of ere bookes trete
Grete swereynge is a finge abhominable
And fals swereinge is more repreueable 632
LANSDOWNE 445 (6-T. 322)
SIX-TEXT 323
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
The hihe god for-bad swereinge att al
Wittenesse of Mathewe bot in special
Of swereinge seif e holy leromye
Thowe shalt swere sofe fine of es and nouht lye G3G
And swere in dome and eke in rihtwisnesse
Bot Idel swereinge is a cursedenesse
Be-holde and see fat in fe first table peaf 177]
Of hihe goddes hestes hon arable 640
How fat f e secunde hest of him is f is
Take nouht my name in Idelnesse arnys
Lo raf er he for-bedes suche suereinge
Or Omyside or any ofer Cursed finge C44
.1. seie as be order Jms it standef
[This knoweth ye that his hestes vnderstandeth] [^*JJi71^
How fat f e secunde hest of god is fat
And forfermore .1. wil fe tel al plat 648
fat vengeance schal nouht parie fro his hous
fat of his of es is so outrageous
Be goddes precious hert and his nayles
And be his blode fat is in hayles 652
Seuen is myn chaunce and fine is fyue and fre
Be goddes armes if f ou fals-ly pleie me
This dagger schal f oruhe fine hert go
This fruyte commef of f e becched bones tuo % 656
Forswereynge . Ire . falsenes . Omycide
Now for f e loue of criste fat for vs deide
Leuef ^oure of es bof e grete and smale
And wife good entent herkenef my tale 660
Thes ryetoures fre of whiche .1. telle
Longe ar prime ronge any belle
Were sett hem in a tauerne to drinke
And as fei satt f ei herde a belle klynke 664
Be-forne a cors was cariede to his graue
fan one of hem gan cal vnto his knaue
Go bette qwod he and axe redelye
What corps it is fat passef fast bye 668
LANSDOWNE 446 (<5-T. 323)
SIX-TEXT 324
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And loke fat f oue reporte his name wele
Sir quod. fis boye it nedef neuer a dele
It was me tolde ar 30 cam here tuo owres
He was parde an olde felawe of ^oures 672
Al sodenly was he sleine to nyht
For-dronke as he sate vp his benche vpriht
Ther cam a pn'ue f efe fat men clepen def e
That in his contre al f e peple slefe 676
And wij> his spere he smot his hert a tuo
And went is waie wif-outen wordes mo
And Maister ar 30 com in his presence 680
He hafe a fousande sleine J)is pestelence 679
Me f inkef it were necessarie
For to bue war of suche an aduersarie [leaf 177, back]
Bef rede for to mete him euermore
Thus tauht me my dame .1. seie no more 684
Be seinte Marie seyde fis tauernere
This childe seif sof e for he haf sleine to ^ere
Hennes ouere a Mile wif -inne a gret village
Bofe man and wowunan childe and page 688
I trowe his h'abitacione be fere
To been avisede grete wisdome it weere
Ere fat he dide a man dishonoure
3e goddes armes quod fis Rietoure 692
Is it suche pmle wif him for to mete
.1. schal him seeke be waie and eke be strete
.1. make . avowe be goddes deyne bones
Herkenef felawes we fre been al ones 696
Lat iche of vs holde vp his honde to of ere
And iche of vs be-co?nme of ers brof ere
And we wil sle fis false traitur clef e
He schal be sleyne he fat so mony slef e 700
Be goddes dignite ar it be nihte
To-geder haue f es fre her hertes hihte
To leue and deie ilke of hem wif of ere
As f oulie he ware his owen sworne brofer 704
LANSDOWNE 447 (O-T. 324)
SIX-TEXT 325
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And vpe f ei stert al dronken in f is rage
And forf e f ei gone to-warde fat vilage
Of whiche f e tauernere haf spoken be-forne
And mony a grisely of e fen haue f ei sworne 708
And cristes "blissed bodie f ei to-rent
Def schal be dede if fat we maie him hent
Whan f ei haue gone nouht fully a myle
Eiht as fe[i] wolde haue troden oucre a style 712
An olde and a pouer man wif hem he mette
This olde man M mekely hem grette
And seide f us nowe lordes god ^owe see
f e proudeste of f es ryetoures fre 716
Anseward a3eine what carle wij) hard grace
"VVhi art f ou al for-wrapped saue f i face
Whi leuest f ou so longe in so grete age
This olde man gan loke in his visage 720
And seid f us f for .1. can nou^t finde
A man fouhe fat .1. walked vnto ynde
Neyf er in Cite ne in village .
That wil chaunge his 3oufe for myne age [leaf ITS] 724
And fe?-fore most .1. haue my age stille
As longe time as it is goddes wille
~Ne def e alas ne wil nouht haue my lyue
fus walke .1. lyke a risteles chaitif 728
And on j?e grounde whyche is my moders gate
.1. knok wif my staf erly and late
And seye leue moder lete me inne
Lo howe .1. wane bofe flesche blode and scynne 732
Alas when schol my lones bien att rest
Moder wif ^owe wold .1. chaunge my chest
Thatt in my chambre longe time haf be
3e for an here cloute to wrappe me 736
Bot }ut to me sche wil noujt do fat grace
For whiche ful pale and welked is my face
Bot sires to ^owe it is no curtesie
To speken vnto an hold man vilanye 740
LANSDOWNE 448 (C-T. 32o)
SIX-TEXT 326
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot lie trespas in worde eyf er in dede
In holy write 30 maie 301110 self wele rede
A^eines an old man hore vpon his hede
3e scholden arise wher-for .1. 3if 3owe rede 744
•He dof e nouht to an olde man none harme nowe
~N& more fan 30 wolde men dide to 3ow
In age if fat . 36 so longe abide
And god be wife ^owe whefer 36 go or ride 748
.1. mote go f eder f er as .1. haue to go
Nay olde cherle be god f ou schalt nouht so
Saide f is of ere hasardour anone
Thou partes nouht so lyhtly be seint lohn 752
Thou spakkest riht nowe of f ilke traitowr def 3
That in f is Countre al oure frendes slef e
Haue here my trouf e as f ou ert his aspye
Tel where he his or fou schalt abye 756
Be god and be f e holi sacrament
For sof ely fou ert on of his assent
To slene vs 3onge folke Jjou fals f ef
N"owe sire if fat it be to 3owe so lef 760
To finde def e torne vp f is croked weie
For in fat . groue .1. laft him be my feye
Ynder a tre and fere he wil abide
Ne for 3oure boste he wil him no finge hide 764
See 30 fat ooke riht ]>ere 36 schulne him finde
God saue 3owe fat bouht 3eine mankinde Deaf ITS, back]
And 3owe amend fus seide f is olde manne
And euery of fes ryetours ranne 768
Til fei came to f e tree and fere fei fonde
Of llerens fyne of gold y-koyned rounde
Wele nyhe a .vij. buschels as hem fouht
No longere fan after defe fei souht 772
Bot iche of hem was so gladde of f e siht
For fat f e floreyns so faire bien and briht
J?at doune fei sett hem be f e precious horde
The werst of hem f o spak f e first worde 776
LAXSDOWNE 449 (6-T. 326)
SIX-TEXT 327
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Eansdowne MS.
Bref erne quod he takef kepe wliatt .1. seie
My Avitte is grete fouhe fat .1. bourde and pleie
This tresor haf e fortun to vs ^euen
In merfe and lolite cure lif to leuen 780
And lihtly as it commejj so wil we spende
Ey goddes precious dignite who wencle
To daie fat we scholde haue so faire a grace
Bot myht fis golde be caried fro fis place 784
Home to my hous of er elles vnto ^oures
fan myht we seie fat it were al oures
fan were we in hihe felicite
Bott trewly be daie it maie nouht be 788
Men wold seie fat we were f cues stronge
And for owre owen tresoure done vs honge
This tresore most .ykaride be by nyht
As wisely and as slely as it miht 792
Where-for .1. rede lette loke amonge vs al
Be drawe and latte see where f e cutt witt fal
And he fat haf e f e cutte wif hert blif e
Schal renne to f e toune and fat ful swyf e 796
To bringe vs brede and wyne ful pn'uely
And tuo of vs schal kepe ful subtelly
f is tresoure wele and if he wil nouht tarien
Whawne fat it is nyht we wollen fis tresor karien 800
Be one assent where as vs lust beste
An kuttes one of hem brouht in his fiste
And badde hem drawe and loke on whome it wolde fatt
And it fett on f e Congest of hem aH 804
And forf e towarde f e toune he went anone
And also sone as he was gone
The tone of hem spake f us vnto f e tof ere
Thou wost wele fat f ou ert myn owen sworne brof ere [if 179]
Thin profite wil .1. tel fe anone 809
Thou woste wele fat oure felawe is gone
And here is golde and fat ful grete plente
J5at it schal departed be amonges vs fre 812
LANSDOWNE 450 (6-T. 327)
SIX-TEXT 328
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Bot naf eles if .1. can schape it so
fat it departed weere a-monge vs tuo
Hadd .1. nou^t done a frendes torne to fe
That of ere answerde .1. note howe fat myht be 816
.1. wote fat f e golde is owre tuo
What schol we seie what schold we do
Schali it be courcseile seide f e first schrewe
And .1. schal tel in wordes fewe 820
That we schal done and bringe it wele aboute
.1. grant quod, fat of ere oute of doute
fat be my treuf e .1. will f e nouht be-wreye
Now qwod f e first f ou woste wele we be tueye 824
And tueyne of vs schal stronger bien fan one
Looke whan he is sett and fat anone
Arise as f ou woldest wif him pleye
And .1. schal renne him f oruhe fe sides tueye 828
Whiles fat f ou stroglest wif him in game
And wif f i dagger loke f ou do f e same
And f anne schal al f is golde departed be
My dere frende be-tuex me and f e 832
Than maie-we bofe oure lustes fulfille
And pleie att dees riht att oure owen wiH
And f us accorded bien f e schrewes tueye
To sle fe fredde as je herd me seie 836
f is Congest whiche fat went to fe toune
Ful oft in hert he rollef vpe and doune
f e bewte of f es floreines newe and briht
O lorde q?/od he if so were fat .1. myht 840
Al f is tresore winne to my self alone
fere is no man fat leuef vnder f e throne
Of god fat schold leue as mery as .1.
And att fe last fe fende oure enemy e 844
Put in his f ouht fat he scholde poyson bye
W/tA whiche he miht sleyne his felawes tueye
For whi f e fend fonde him in suche leueynge
That hadde leue him to soiwe bringe 848
LANSDOWNB 451 (6-T. 328)
SIX-TEXT 329
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
For fis was vtterly liis en tent
To slene hem bof e and neuer to repent [leaf 179, back]
And forfe he gofe No longer wold lie tarye
In-to fe toune vn-to a potecarie 852
And preide him fat he wold him seH
sum poyson fat he myht his rattes qweli
And eke fere was a polkat in his hawe
fat as he seide his capons hadd y-slawe 856
And seide he wold wreken him if he myht
Of vermyn fat destruyed him be nyht
The potecary anseward f ou schalt haue
A f inge fat als god my soule saue 860
In al f is werlde f er nys no creature
fat eten or drunke haf of f is confecture
Not bot f e moiwtance of a corne of whete
fat he ne schal anone his lif for-lete 8G4
3e sterue he schal and fat in lesse while
fan f ou wolte gone bot a pace not bot a myle
This poyson is so stronge and so violent
This cursed man haf in his hande yhente 868
f is poysen in a box and sef en he ranne
In-to f e next strete vnto a man
And borwed him large hotels f re
And in fe tueyne fis poyson poured he 872
f e f redde he keped clen for his drinke
For al f e nyht he schop him to swynke
In cariynge of f e golde out [of] fat place
And whan fis ryetoure wif sory grace 876
Hadde filled wif him his grete boteles f re
To his felawes a^eine repairef he
What nedef it to sermon f er-of more
For riht as f ei had kast his def e to-fore 880
Eiht so f ei haue him sleyne and fat anone
And whan fat fis was done fan spak f e tone
Nowe lat vs drinke and sitte and make vs merye
And afterward we wollen his body berye 884
LANSDOWNE 452 (6-T. 329)
SIX-TEXT 330
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And efteward it happed him percas
To take f e botel f er-in f e poyson was
And drange and ^aue his felawe drinke also
For whiche anone fei storuen bofe tuo 888
Bott certes .1. suppose fat Aucyenne
Wrote neuer in no canon ne in no fenne
No wonder sorwes of enpoysonynge .
Thus hadde fes wriches tuo here endeinge [leafiso] 892
Thus ended buen fes homicides tuo .
And eke f e false empoysonere also
0 cursede sinne ful of cursednesse •
0 traitoures homicideres o wikkednesse 896
0 . glotony . o luxurye o hasardye
J?ou blasphemer of crist wif velanye
And oj?es grete of vsage and of pride
Alas inankinde howe may it betide 900
Thereto fine Creakwr whiche fat f e wrouht
And wif his precious blode f e bouhte
Thowe ert so fals and so vnkinde alas
Nowe good men god for-^eue ^owe joure trespas 904
And war ^owe fro f e sinne of Auarice
Myne holy pardon may ^ow al warissche
So fat 30 ofer nobles of er sterlinges
Ofere elles siluer spones broches or ringes 908
Bowef 30Avre heued vnder f is holy bulles
Commef vpe 30 wives and offer joure wolles
3oure name .1. entre here in my rolle anone
In-to fe blisse of heuen schole ^e gone 912
.1. ^owe assoile be myne hihe pouere
^e fat wollen offere as clene and eke as clere
As 30 weer borne and sires lo fus .1. p?-eche
And ihesu crist fat is oure sowles leche 916
So graunt ^owe his pa?-don to receyve
For fat is best .1. wil jowe nouht deceyve
Bot sires o worde for-gat .1. in my tale
,1. haue Reliques and pardon in my male 920
LANSDOAVNE 453 (6-T. 330)
SIX-TEXT 331
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
As faire as any man of yngelonde
Whiche were me 736116 be pe popes honde
If any of 3ow wil of deuocione
Offerne and haue myne absolucione 924
Commep for anone and knelejj adowne here
And je schal haue my pardon pat is dere
Or elles take]) pardon as ^e wende
AH newe and frishe att euery tounes ende 928
So fat ^e offren alwei newe and newe
Nobles and pens wliiche pat bien good and trewe
It is .an honur to eueryche pat is here
fat 30 maye haue a suffisaunt pardonere 932
To assoile ^ow in centre as .1. ride
For aventures whiche pat mai be-tide
For paraduenture pere maie fal on or tuo [leaf iso, back]
Doune of his hors and breke his nekke a two 936
Looke whiche a surte it is to }owe al
J?at .1. am in joure felischipe yfal
Jjat maie assoile ^owe bope more and lasse
Whan pat pe soule fro pe body passe 940
.1. rede pat oure oste schal beginne
For he is most envolupte in sinne
Cowmep forpe sire oste and offer first anone
And pou schalt kisse re relikes euerychone 944
3e for a grote vnbokel anone pi puree
Nay nay . haue .1. pan quod he cristes curce
Lat be quud. he it schal not be so peiche
pou woldests make me kisse pine olde breche 948
And swere it were a relike of a seint
J)ouhe it were wip pi foundement depeint
Bot be cros pat seint Elyne fonde
.1. wold .1. had pi coylons in myne honde 952
In stede of relikes oper of seyntuarie
Let cutt hem of .1. wil pe helpe hem carie
Thei schott be schryned in an hogges torde
This pardoner answerd nouht a worde 956
LANSPOWNE 451 (6-T. 33l)
SIX-TEXT 332
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
So wrope he was he nold no worde seie
Nowe quod, oure oste .1. wil no longer pleie
Wip pe no wip none oper angre man
Bott riht anone pe worpi knyht "be-gan) 960
Whan pat he sawhe pat al pe peple louho
!No more of pis for it is riht y-nouhe
Sire pardoner be meri and glad of chere
And 30 sire oste pat "bene to me so dere 964
I pray ^owe pat 36 kisse pe pardonere
And pardoner .1. praie pe pat pou drau pe nere
And as we dide now late vs lauhe and pleie
Anone pei kisse and reden forpe peire weye 968
Explicit fabula questoris (
LANSDOWNE 456 (6-T. 332)
SPURIOUS PARDONEK-SHIPMAN LINK. Lansdowne MS.
plt prolOgUS lonleaflHO, lMck~\
BOt fan spak oure Oste vnto Maister scliipruan
Maister quod he to vs summe tale tel 30 can
Where-withe 30 myht glad al Jus company
If it were joure pleseinge .1. \vote wele sekurlye 4
Sertes qwod J>is Schipman a tale .1. can teli
And ])e[r]-fore herkenej? hyderward how j?at .1. wil spelt
Explicit prologus.
LANSDOWNE 456
GKOUP B, (0. FEAGMENT III.)
§ 4. THE SHIPMAN'S TALE.
Incipit fabula Naute
Marchant whilom dwelled att sein Denys [leaf
That riche was for whiche men helde him wys .
A wif he hadde of excellent beaute
And compinable and reuerent was sche
Whiche is a pinge pat cause]) more dispence
.Then worj>e is al pe chier and reuerence. 1196
That men haue done att festes or at daunces
Suche Salutacions and cotmtenaunces
Passe]) as dope ])e schadowe on a waft
Bot woo is him fat paie most for att 1200
The Cely husbonde algates he must paye
He moste vs elope and vs araie
Al for his owen wo[r]schip richelye
In whiche araie we dauncen lolylye 1204
And if pat he nouht maie paraduenture
Or elles luste no suche to endure
Bot penkep it is waste and yloste
pat mot anopere payen for owre coste 1208
Or leue vs golde and pat is parilous
This noble marchant helde a noble hous
ffor whiche he had al daye grete repaire
ffor his largenesse and for his wif was faire 1212
That wonder is ? bot herkenep to my tale
Amonges al his gestes grete and smale
Ther was a monke a faire man and a bolde
.1. trowe . a perte wynter he was of olde 1216
That euere in one was draweinge to pe place
This 3onge monke pat was so faire of face
32 LANSDOWNE 457 (6-T. 168)
SIX-TEXT 169
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Aqweynted was so wi]> J>is goodman
SeJ>en Jjatt her first knowleche began 1220
That in his hous as famylier was he
As it "is possible any frende to be
And for als muchel as fe good manne .
And eke Jus monke of whiche fat .1. be-ganne. 1224
Were bo)>e tuo borne in o vilage
fe monke him clayme as for cosinage
And he ajeine he seif nouht ones naye
Bot was as glad fere-of as foule of daye 1228
ffor to his herte it was a grete plesauwce
Thus bene J>ei knytt wijj eterne alliaunce
And ilke of hem gan o]>er to assure
Of brojjerhed whiles jjat feire lyue maie endure. 1232
fire was dan lohn and namely of dispense [leaf m, back]
As in J?at hous and ful of diligence
To do plasance and also grete Costage
He nouht formate to }eue J>e lest page 1236
In al J?at hous bot after here degre
He 3af j?e lorde and sejjen al )>e meyne
Whan ]?at he cam sum maner honest finge
ffor whiche )>ei were al gladd of his cornynge 1240
As foule is feine whan sonne vprisej)
No more of }>is as now for it suffisej)
Bot so be-fel fis marchant vpon a daie
Schope him to make rede his araie 1244
Towarde J>e toune of Brugges for to fare
To byen jjere a porcion of ware
ffor whiche he haj>e to parische sent anone
A messagier and preide hajje dan lohn 1248
Thas he scholde come to seinte Denys and pleye
Wij) him and wijj his wif a dai or tweye
Are he to brugges wente in al wise
J?is noble Monke of whiche .1. ^owe deuise 1252
HaJ? of his Abbot as him lust lycenc
Be-cause he was a man of hihe prudence
LANSDOWNE 458 (6-T. 169)
SIX-TEXT 170
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And eke an Oficere oute for to ride
To se here graunges and her bernes wide 1256
And vnto Seint Denys he come]? anone
Who was so welcom as my lorde dan lohne
Oure dere Cosyn ful of Curtasye
"WYtA him brouht a lubbe of Maluese 1260
And eke anofer ful of goode vernage
And volatile as aie was his vsage
And Jms .1. lete hem ete and dringe and pleie
Jns marchant and his monke a daie or tweie 1264
The J>red daie Jns Marchant vp he rise])
And on his nedes sadly him a-vise]>
And vp in-to his counte hous goj>e he
To reken wij) him-self wel maie be 1268
Of Jnlke jere howe fat wij) him stode
And howe fat he despended had his goode
And if J)at he encresed were or none
His bokes and his bagges many one 1272
He leyfe be-for him on his counteingborde
fful riche was his tresore and his horde
ffor whiche ful fast his counterhous dore he schette Deaf 182]
And eke he nolde no man schold him lette 1276
Of his accomptes for fe mene time
And Jms he sitte til it was passed pn'me
Dan lohn was resen in J>e morne also
And in gardyn wakkej) to and fro 1280
And haj)e his Jjinges seide deuoutly
This good wif cam walkinge prmely
In-to J>e Gardeine fer he walkef soft
And him Saluefi as sche haf done oft 1284
A maiden childe cam in hire compaignie
Whiche att hir lust maie gouerne and gye
ffor jit vnder f»e ^erde was J>e maide
O dere Cosyn myne dan lohn sche saide 1288
What eyleyfe jowe so rafe to rise
Nece q^od he jiit ouht ynouhe suffise
LANSDOWNE 459 (6-T. 170)
SIX-TEXT 171
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
.V. houres to slepe on a nyht
Bot it were for an olde palled knyht 1292
As ben pes wedded men pat ly and dare
As in a forme sitt alweie an hare
Were al for-strauht wip houndes grete and smale
Bot dere nece whi be $e so pale 1296
.1. trowe certes pat oure good man
Hape }owe labourde sepen pe niht be-gan
That pwe were nede to resten hastelye
And wip pat worde he louhe ful merelye 1300
And of owen pouht he wex rede
Jjis faire wif gan to sake hire hede
And seide pus ? je god wote al quod sche
Nay cosyne myne it stant nouht so wip me 1304
ffor be pat god pat ^af me soule and life
In al pe reme of fraunce is pere no wif
pat lesse lust hape to pat sori pleie
ffor .1. maie singe alace and weilewaie 1308
pat .1. was borne bot to no whight quod sche
Dare .1. nouht teH howe it stant wip me
Wherefore .1. penke oute of pis londe to wende
Or elles of my-selfe to make an ende 1312
So fol am .1. of drede and of care
This monke be-gan vpon pis wif to stare
And seide alace my nece god for-bede
That 30 for any sorwe or for any drede 1316
ffor-do jowre self . bot tellep forpe ^oure greffe [leaf isa, back]
Paraduenture .1. maie in ^oure meschieffe
Counsel or helpe and per-fore tellep me
Alt 3owre annoy^e for it schaH be secre 1320
ffor on my portos .1. make an oothe
patt neuer in my lif for leue ne lothe
JS"e schal .1. of no counsel }owe be-wreye
The same a^eine to ^owe .1. seye 1324
Be god and be pis portos .1. swere
Jjouhe men wolde me al to peces tere
LANSDOWNE 460 (6-T. 17l)
SIX-TEXT 172
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Ne schal .1. neuere for to go in-to helt
Be-wreye a worde of finge fat me telt 1328
Not for no Cosinage ne alliance
Bot verreyly for loue and affiance
Thus bue f e sworne and here vpon kist
And ekke of hem tolde of ere what hem lust 1332
Cosine quod, sche if .1. had a space
As .1. haue none and namely in Jiis place
fan wolde .1. tel a legent of my lyue
What I haue sufferd sefen .1. was a wive 1336
Wife myne husbande alf eihe he be ^oure cosine
Nay q?«?d fis monke be god and be seint Martine
He nys no more cosine vn-to me
Than is fe leue fat hangef on fis tre 1340
.1. clepe him so be seinte denise in fraunce
To haue f e mor cause of acqueyntance
Of jowe whiche .1. haue loued specialye
Abouen al weramen sekurlye 1344
This swere .1. no we on my professioun
Tellef joure greue lest fat he come a-doua
And hastef jowe and go ^oure weie anone
My dere loue quod, sche o Doun lohn 1348
fful leue me were fis counsel to hide
Bot out it mot it maie longer abide
Myne husband is to me f e werst man
Jjat euer was sefen fe werlde began - 1352
Bot sefen .1. am a wif it sitte nouht me
To telle no wyght of oure pmiete
Neyf er a bedde ne in none of er place
God schelde .1. scholde tel it for his grace 1356
A wif ne schal noujt seine of hire husbande
Bot alt honoure as .1. kan vnder-stonde .
Saue vn-to jowe fus muche tel .1. schaH [leans.1?]
As helpe me god he ne is nouht worfe att alt 1360
In no degre f e value of a flie
Bot }it me greuef most his Nygardrye
LANSDOWNE 461 (B-T. 172)
SIX-TEXT 173
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And wele 30 wote fat we?nmen naturellye
Desiren fi/zges seven as wel as .1. 1364
Jjey wolden fat husbondes scholden be
Hardy . and wyse . riche . and f er-to fre
And buxum to his wif and fresche a bedde
Bot be fat like lorde fat for vs bledde 1368
ffor his honour miself to araie
A sonday next .1. must paye
And hundref frankes or elles .1. am lorne
3it were me leuer fat .1. were vnborne 1372
The me were done a sclander or velanye
And if myn husbonde eke myht a-spye
.1. were bot lost and ferefore .1. ^owe preye
Lene me fis so?mne and elles mot .1. deye 1376
Dan lohn .1. seie lene me Jus hundrej) frankes
Parde .1. wil noulit fail fe my f onkes
If fat jow lust to do fat .1. 50 we preye
ffor att a certeyne daye .1. wil jowe peye 1380
And do to }owe what plesance and smiise
Jjat .1. maie do riht as jowe lost deuise
And bot .1. do god take on me vengeaunce
As foule as hadde Genylon of fraunce 1384
This gentil monke ansewerd in f is manere
Nowe trewly myne owen ladi dere
.T. haue quod he on $ owe so grete a rowfe
Jjat .1. jowe swere and pliht ^owe my troufe 1388
j?at whan ^oure husbond is to flaundres fare
.1. wil deliuer ^owe owet of fis werldes care
ffor .1. wil bringen 30 we an hundref frankes
And wif fat he cauht hire be fe schankes 1392
And here enbraced harde and kissed ofte
Gof e nowe ^oure weie quod he al stil and soft
And latt us deyne as sone as euer we maie
ffor be my chilinder it is prune of fe daie 1396
Gofe nowe and be as trewe as .1. schal be
£Towe elles god for-bede sir quod sche
LANSDOWNE 462 (6-T. 173)
SIX-TEXT 174
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And forfe sche gofe as gelous as a pye
And badde fe cokes fat fei scholde hem hihe 1400
So fat men myht dyne and fat anone peaf iss, back]
Vp to hir husbond is f is wif gone
And knokkej) att his Counter boldely
Que la quod he peter it am .1. 1404
Qwod sche whatte howe longe wil je fast
Howe longe time wil ^e reken and kast
3oure sommes ^oure bokes and joure f inges
The deuel haue part on al suche rekenynges 1408
3e haue y-nowhe p<zrde of goddes sonde
Comme doune to daie and latte joure bagge stonde
Ne be $e nouht aschamed f a[t] dan lohfi
Schat fastinge al fis daye Elenge gone 1412
What latt vs here Masse go we dyne
Wif quod fis man litel canstowe deuyne
The Corious besines fat we haue
ffor of vs chapmen so god me saue 1416
And be fat lorde Jjat called is seinte Ive
Scarsely amonges tuelue tweyne schollen J>riue
Continuly.lasteynge vnto oure age
We maye wele make chiere and good visag 1 420
And driue forfe J?e werld as it maie be
And kepen oure estate in prt'uete
Til we be dede or elles Jjat we pleie
On pilgrenage or gone out of J?e weye 1424
And fere-fore haue .1. grete necessite
Vpon fis qweinte werlde to avise me
ffor euer more we must stonde in drede
Of happe and fortune in myne chapmanhede 1428
To flandres wil .1. go to morwe att daye
And Come a^eine as sone as euer y maye
ffor whiche my dere wif .1. f e be-seke
As be to euery wyht buxum and meke 1432
And for to kepe oure goode be curiouse
And honestly gouerne wele oure house
LANSDOWNE 463 (6-T. 1^4)
SIX-TEXT 175
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
}?ou hast ynouhe in euery mane/'e wyse
)3at to a frefte husbonde may. suffise 1436
J?e lakkef none array . ne no vitaile
Of siluer in f i puree f ou maist nov^ht faile
And wif fat worde his counter dore he schett
[ no gap in the MS.~\ 1440
And hastely a messe was fere seide
And spedely f e tables wer ylaide
And to f e dener fast f ei hem spedde
And richely fis monke fis chapman fedde [leaf is*] 1444
And after dener Dan lohn Soburlye ,
This chapman tok aparte al pn'uely
He seide him Jms Cosyn it standef so
J)at wele .1. se to brugges wil •$& go 1448
God and seinte Austine spede ^owe and guyde
.1. praie ^owe Cosin wisly fat 36 ride
Gouernef jowe also of ^owre dyette
And temparaly . and namely in fis hete 1452
Be-tuex vx tuo nedef no strange fare
ffare wel cosin god schilde 30 we fro care
If any finge fere be be daye or be nyht
If it lye in my power and my myht 1456
fat je me wil command in any wyse
It shal be done riht as 36 wil devise
O f inge er fat ^e go if fat it maie be
.1. wolde praie ^ow for to lene me 14CO
An .C. frankes for a weke or tweyne
ffor certeine bestes fat .1. most bye
To store wif a pal as fat is owres
God helpe me so .1. wolde fat it were ^oures 1464
.1. schal nou3ht fail surely of my daie
Note for .a 31. frankes a myle waye
Bot lat fis finge be secre .1. 30 we preie
[ no gap in the MS.~\ 1468
And fare nowe wele myne owen Cosine dere
Graunt Mercy of 3oure cost and of ^oure chere
IANSDOWNE 464 (6-T. 175)
SIX-TEXT 176
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
This noble Marchant gentilli anone
Ansewarde and seide o kosine Dan lonne . 1 472
Nowe sekerly fis is a small request
Mi golde is ^oures whan fat ^ou lest
And Nouht onely my golde bot my Chaffare
Takef what 3owe lest god scheld fat 36 spare 1476
Bot o f inge is 36 knowe it wele y-nowhe
Of chappemen fat her mony is hir plouhe
"We may creance whiles we haue a name
Bott goldelesse for to be is no game 1480
Payef e it a3eine whan it life in 3oure ese
After my myht ful feine wod .1. 3o\v plese
Jjes .C. frankes he fette forf anone
And pn'uely he toke it to dan lohn 1484
No wyght of al f is werlde ne wiste of f is lone
Saueynge f is Marchant and dan lohn alone .
Thei dranken and Eomen ' and pleye t1 or Roiuen] [if is*, bk]
Til fat Dan lohn Eidef to his Abbei 1488
The morwe cam and forf e f is marchant Eidef
To flanders-ward his prentis wele him gydef
Til he cam in-to brugge merily.
Now go-fe fis marchant fast and besily 1492
Aboute his nedes and bif e and creauncef
He neyfer pleyfe att fe dyes ne dauncef
Bot as a Marchant schortly for to teH
He letef his lyf and fere .1. late him duett 1496
The sonday next fis marschant was agone
To seinte Denys y-cowzmen was Dan lone
Whiche crowe and berde fresche and newe schaue
In al fe house fe/1 nas so litel a knaue 150u
Ne no wyght elles fat he nas feyne
ffor my lorde Dan lohne was comen a3eine
And schortly to her pointe for to gone
Jjis faire wif accordef to dan lohn 1504
.And for fis .C. frankes he scholde al nyht
Haue hire in his armes bolte vpriht
LAXSDOWNE 465 (6-T. 176)
SIX-TEXT 177
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And f is accorde parformed was in dede
In mer]>e al nyht a besi lif fei lede 1508
Til it was daie fat Dan lohn went his weie
And badde f e meny^e fare wele and haue good daie
ffor none of heme no wiglit in f e toune
Hafe of dan lohn riht. none suspecione 1512
And forfe he ride]) home to his abbeie
Or wher him list no more of him .1. seye
This Marchant whan fat ended was fe faire
To seint Denyse he gan to repaire 1516
And wif his wif he make]? fest and chere
And tellef hire fat chaffer is so dere
J3at nedes most he maake a cheuesance
ffor he was bounden in a requenysance 1520
To paye .xx. M. schildes anone
ffor whiche f is marchant is wont to gone
To borwe of certeine frendes fat he hadde
A certeine and somme wif him he ladde 1524
And whan fat he was comen into fe toune
ffor grete chere and grete affeccione
Vn-to Dan lohn him first gof e to pleie
Uouht for to borwe of him no moneye 1528
Bot for [to] wite and see of his welfare [ie«f iss]
And for to tellen him of his chaffare
As frendes done whan f ei be mette in fere
Dan Tohn. him Makef fest and mery chiere 1532
And him tolde a^eine ful specially
Howe he hadde bouht ful wele and graciously
Thonked he god al hole his Marchandise
Saue fat he must in al rnaner wise 1536
Maken a cheuesans as for his best
And fan he scholde be in loye and rest
Dan. Anseward certes .1. am feyne
J?at ^e in hele be co?nme home ajeine 1540
And if fat .1. were riche as haue .1. blisse
Off .xx. M. scheldes schold $e nouht mysse
LANSDOWNE 466 (6-T. 177)
SIX-TEXT 178
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
ffor. ^e so kindely fis ofere daie
Lent me gold and as .1. kan . and male 1544
.1. Jjonke ^owe be god and be seint lame
Bot. nafeles .1. toke vn-to owre dame
3oure wif att home jje same golde a^eine
Ypon ^oure benche sche woote. it wele certeine 1548
Be certeyne tokenes fat .1. can hire teH
Nowe be ^oure leue .1. male no longer dueH
Oure Abbote wilt oute of fis tonne anone
And on his company most .1. gone 1552
Grete wele oure dame myne owen nece swete
And faire wele dere cosine til we mete
This Marchant wif fat was ful war and wise
Creanced hafe and eke paide in parisshe 1556
To certeyne lombardes rede in hire hande
The summe of golde and gatte of hem f e bande
And home he gof e mery as a papenioye
ffor wele he knewe he stode in suche araie 1560
fat nedes most he winne in suche a viage
A .M. fraiikes aboue al his costage
It wif ful rede mett him att f e gate
As sche was wonte of olde vsage algate 1564
And al fat nyht in merf e f ei be sette
ffor he was riche and clerely oute of dette
Whane it was daye fis Marchant gan embrace
His wife al newe and kist hir on hire face 1568
And vpe he gof e and makef e it wonder touhe
~No more quod sche be god je haue ynowhe .
And wantonly a^eine wif him sche pleide [leaf iss, back]
Til att J>e last Jns Marchant seide 1572
Be god quod he .1. am a litel wro]>e
WiJ> jowe my wif al-fouhe it be me loj?e
And wote 30 whye be god as fat .1. gesse
ffor ^e haue maade a maner strangenesse 1576
Be-twex me and my Cosyne Dan lohn
3e scholde haue warned me ar .1. hadde gone
LANSDOWNE 467 (6-T. 178)
SIX-TEXT 179
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
That he had 3owe an .C. frankes payede
Be rede token and he him helde yuel apaide 1580
ffor J?at .1. to him spake of cheuesaunce
Me semed soo as be his countenawnce
Bot naj>eles be god heuen kinge
.1. pouht nouht to axe of him no finge 1584
.1. praie j?e wif ne do no more soo
Til me alweie are fat .1. fro fe goo
If any dettowr hajje in myne absence
Ypayde fe lest foruhe fi necligence 1588
I myht him axe a finge fat he haf e paide
This wif was nouht aferde ne affraide
But boldely sche seide and fat anone
Mary, y djfy fat fals monke dan lone 1592
.1. kepe nouht of his tokenes neuer a dele
He toke me certeine golde fis wote .1. wele
)3at ivel f edom on his monkes snowte
ffor god it wote .1. wende wif-outen doute 1596
}5at he it had y3eue me be cause of jowe
To do fere- wif e myn honure and my prowe
ffor Cosinage eke and for bele chere
J?at he haf hadde ful often time here 1600
Bot sefen .1. see .1. stonde in suche disioynte
.1. wil answere joue to f e poynte
3e haue mo slakker dettores fan am .1.
ffor .1. wil paie jowe wele and redelye 1604
ffro daye to day and if so be. fat .1. faile
.1. am joure wif score it on my taile
And .1. schal paie as sone as ever y maie
ffor be my troujje .1. haue on myne araye 1608
And nouht on waste bestouede euerydele
And for .1. haue bestowed it so wele
To ^oure honoure for goddes sake .1. saie
As be nouht wrofe bot lat vs hauhe and pleye. 1612
^e schollen my . loly body haue to wedde [leaf ise]
Be godde .1. wil nouht paie ^owe bot in bedde
LANSDOWNE 468 (6-T. 179)
SIX-TEXT 180
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
ffor-^eue it me myne owen spouse dere
Tumejje hider-warde and make]) better chiere 1616
This Marchant seyhe per was no better remedye
And for to chide it nere bot folye
Sepen fat J>e finge maie nouht amended be
NoAve wif he seide and .1. for-^eue it J>e 1620
Bot be J>i life ne be no more so large
Kepe bette my goode J>is jeue .1. J>e in charge
Thus ende)) nowe my tale and god vs sende
Toyleynge ynouhe vnto oure lyues ende 1624
Explicit fabula Naute.
tAXSDOWNK 469 (6-T. 180)
SIX-TEXT 181
GROUP B. § 5. SHIPMAN-PRIORESS LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit prologus Priorisse
[<m tea/ 186]
Wele saide be corpus dampnus seide oure Oste
Nowe longe mot f ou seile be f is coste
Sire gentil Maister gentil marinere
God ^eue fe monke a .M. last quade ^ere 1628
A ha felaus be])e war of suche a lape
The monke put in f e mannes hode an ape
And in his wives eke be seint Austine
Drauef no monkes more vnto ^oure inne 1632
Bot nowe passe ouere & lat vs seke aboute
Who schal nowe telle first of al f is route
Anof er tale and wij> fat worde he seide
As curteysly as it hadde bue a maide 1636
My lady Prioresse be 3 oure leue
So fat .1. wist .1. scholde 3ow not greue
.1. wolde derne fat ^e telle scholde
A tale next if so were fat je wolde 1640
Now wil 30 vouche-saue my lady dere
Gladly qwod sche and seide in f is manere
LA.NSDOWNE 470 (6-T. 18l)
SIX-TEXT 182
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Lausdowue MS.
[No breaks in the MS between the stanzas.]
Incipit Priorisse ffabula
[The Prologue.]
Olorde oure lorde f i name howe mervelouse
Is in f is large werlde y-spredde quod sche
ffor nou^t onely f i loude preciouse
Pa?-formed is be men of diguite 1646
Bot be f e mouf e of childern f i bounte
Parformed is for on oure breste soukeinge
Some time schewen fei fine heriinge 1649
Where-fore in loude as .1. kan beste or maie
Of f e and of f e white lylye floure
Whiche fat f e bare and is a maide alweie
To tel a story e .1. wil do my labowr [leaf ise, back] 1653
Nouhte fat .1. maie encrese hir* honour
ffor sche hir* self is hono?/r and f er-to Rote
Of bounte next hire sonne of soules bote 1656
1T 0 moder maide o maide moder fre
O busche vnbernde bernynge in Moyses sihfc
)3at rauisched doune fro J>e deite
|?oruhe fine humblesse fe gost fat in fe aliht 1660
Of whos verteu whan he in fine hert aliht
Conceyued was f e faders Sapiens
Helpe me to tel it in fi reue?'ence 1663
IT Lady fine bounte and fine Magnificence
Jjine vertue and f i grete humilite
Jjere maie no tunge expresse in no science
ffor sum time ladi ar men preye to fe 1667
Thou gost be-forne of fine benyngnyte
And getest vs f e liht f oruhe f i praiere
To guyden vs vnto fi son so clere 1670
LANSDOWNE 471 (6-T. 182)
SIX-TEXT 183
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
^T My konnynge is to wayke o blisful qweene
ffor to declare f i grete worf inesse
Jjat .1. ne may fe weyht nouht sustene
Bot as a childe of twelmofe age or lesse 1674
)3at can vnnef any worde expresse
Riht so fare .1. and ferefore .1. jowe preye
Gydej) my songe fat .1. schal of 3owe seye 1677
[THE TALE.}
Ther was a Ce in a grete Cite
Amonge cristen folk and lewre
Su[s]teynde be a lorde of fat contre
ffor foule vser and locre of velany 1681
Hatteful to criste and to his compaignye
And f oruhe J>e strete men miht ride or wende
ffor it was and open at euere ende 1684
IT A litel folke of cristen folke fere stode
Doune att fe ferfer ende in whiche jjere were
Childern an hepe co?wmen of cristes blode
fat in pat scole 3ere be jere 1 688
Lerned fe doctrine as men vsed fere
}?is is to seie to singen and to rede
As smale childern done in here childehede 1691
IF Amonge fes childern was a wedow sonne
A litel clergeon vj. 3 ere of age
]5at daye be daie to scole was his worme
And eke also where he sawe fe ymage [leaf is?} 1695
Of cristes modere had he in vsage
As him was tauht to knele adoune and saie
His Aue marie as he gofe be fe weie 1698
LANSDOWNE 472 (6-T. 183)
SIX-TEXT 184
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
H Thus ha)>e Jjis wedowe hire lytel childe tauht
Oure blisfol lady cristes inodere dere
To worschipe aie and he format it nouht
ft'e Cely childe wil al daie sone lere 1702
Eot aie whan .y. remembre me on Jris Matere
Seint Nicholas stant euer in my presence
ffor he so }onge to criste dide reuerence 1705
IT This childe is litel booke lerenynge
As he satt in J>e scole att his pranere
He alma redemptoris herd singe
As childern lerned liir Antiphanere 1709
And as he durste he drouhe him nere and nere
And erkened aye J>e wordes and fe note
Til he J»e first vers cou]> al be rote 1712
IF Nouht wyste he what j?e latine was to seie
fibr he so ^onge and tender was of age
Bott on a daie his felawe he gan preie
To expounen pis songe in his langage 1716
Or tellen whi pis songe was in vsage
This preide he him to constrewe and declare
fful oft time vpon his knees bare 1719
U His felawe whiche pat elder was pan he
Ansewarde his pus pis songe .1. haue herd seie
Was maked of oure blissed ladi fre
Hir to salue and eke hir to preie 1723
To bene oure helpe and socour whane we deye
.1. can no more expounde in pis matiere
.1. leren songe .1. can bott smalt gramere 1726
IT And is pis songe maad in reuerence
Of cristes moder seide pis Innocent
Nowe certes .1. wil do my diligence
To konne it ar cristenmes be went 1730
33 LANSDOWNE 473 (6-T. 184)
SIX-TEXT 185
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Jjouhe fat .1. for my praner schal "be schent
And schal be beten fries in an oure
.1. wiH. it conne oure lady for to honours 1733
IF His felawe tauht him homward prmely
fro day to day til he couf e it be rote .
And f anne he songe it wele and boldely
Ifro warde to warde accordeinge to f e note [leaf m, back] 1737
Jjreys on a daye it passed f oruhe his frote
To scoleward and homwarde when he went
On cristes moder sette was his entent 1740
IT As I haue seide f oruhe oute f e lewrye
This litel Childe as he cam to and fro
fful merily fan wolde singe and crye
On alma redeinptoris euer mo 1744
The swettnesse haf e his herte perced so
Of cristes moder fat to hire to preie
He can nouht stinte of singinge be fe waie 1747
^1 Owre ferst foo f e serpent Satanas
Jjat haf e in lewes his waspes neste
Yp swal and seide 0 Ebrayke peple alas
Is fis a finge to ^owe fat is honest 1751
J?at suche a boye schal walken as him lest
In $oure and singen of suche sentence
Whiche is a^eines joure lawes reuerence . 1754
IT ffro fens forf f e lewes han conspirede
This Innocent of fis werlde to chace
In homicide haunt f ei f ere-io huyrede
one That in a leye hadde a prme place 1758
And as f e childe gan forby for to pace
This cursed lewe him hente and helde fast
And kutte his frote and in a pute him cast 1761
LANSDOWNE 474 (6-T. 186)
SIX-TEXT 186
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
1T I sey Jjat in a wardrope jjei him drewe
Where as Jns lewes purgen entraile
0 cursed folke o herodes al newe
What may ^oure yuel tent 3oue availe 1765
Morder wil oute certein . it wil nouht faile
And namely fyere honure of god schold sprede
The blode oute criej> on ^oure cursed dede 1768
5T 0 martire soundede to virginite
Now maiste fou singe folowinge euer in on
The white lombe Celestial q»od he
Of whiche J>e grete euawngelist seint lohn 1772
In Pathmos wrote whiche seife J>ei fat gone
Be-forne his lombe and singe a songe of new
Thet neuere flexly we?ramen )>ei knewe
This pouer wedowe waytejj al J>at nyht
AfFter J)is litel Childe bot home cam he nouht
for whome alsoune as it was daies liht
Wi j> face pale for drede and besy Jjouht [leaf iss] 1779
Sche haj)e. att scole and elles where him souht
Til finally sche gari so fer asspye
pat he was seyjen last in Jje lewrye 1782
IF Wijj model's pyte in hir breste enclosede
Sche go]?e as sche were halue oute of mynde
To euery place where sche haj) supposed
Bo liklyhed hire childe to finde 1786
And euer on cr[i]stes moder nieke and kinde
Sche cried and att fe last Jms sche wrouht
Amonge J>e cursed lewes sche him souht 1789
IT Sche freynej) and sche preijje pitously
To euery lewe fat duelled in Jjilk place
[ no gap in the MS.~\
Thei saiden naie bot ihesus of his grace 1793
LANSDOWNE -476 (6-T. 186)
SIX-TEXT 187
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
3aue in her f ouht in wif a litel space
fat in fat place after her scwne sche cried
Thare he was cast in a putte be side 1796
IF 0 grete god fat porfburmed fin laude
Be mouf e of Innocence Lo here f i myht
This gewme of chastite f is emeraude
And eke of Marterdom fe ruby briht 1800
Jjere he wif f rote ycorue leie vpriht
He Alma redemptoris gan to singe
So longe fat al fe place gan to ringe 1803
1F The cristen folke fat f oruhe f e strete wente
In Camyne to wonderne of f is f inge
And hastely f ei for f e prouost sent«
He cam anone wif-outen any taryinge 1807
And herief crist fat is heuen kinge
And eke his moder honoure of mankiude
And after fe lewes lete he binde 1810
IT This childe wif pitons lamentaeioiwe
Vp taken singeinge his songe al weye
And wif honoure of grete processioune
Thei Carien him to fe next Abbeye 1814
His modere swoneynge be f e bere laye
Vnnef myhte fe peple fat was fere
This newe rachel bringe fro his bere 1817
II Wif torment and wif scharnful def e ilkone
This prouost dof e f es lewes for to sterue
That of f is morder wist and fat anane
He nolde none suche cursednesse obsmie. 1821
Duel schal haue fat yuel wil deserue [leaf iss, back]
There-fore wif wilde hors he did him drawe
And after fat he hinge him be fe lawe 1824
LANSDOWNE 476 (6-T. 187)
SIX-TEXT 188
GROUP B. § 6. PRIOHESS'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Tf Vpon J)is here ay lyejj Jns Innocent
Be-forne J?e chief autter whiles Masse last
And after fat J?e Abbot wi]5 his Couent
Hadde spedde hem for to burye him fast 1828
And whan fei haly water on him cast
And }it spakke j?e childe whan spreyiit was ]>e holy water
And songe 0 alma redemptoris mater 1831
1T This Abbot whiche j?at was an holy man
As monkes be or elles ouhten to bee
Jjis $onge childe to coniure he gan
And seide o dere childe .1. hailese J>e 1835
Be vertue of J>e holy Trinite
Tel me what is J»i cause for to singe
Sethen J>i jjrote is kette att myn semeinge 1838
^T My frot is eutte vnto my wekke bone
Saide J>is childe and as be waie of kinde
.1. scholde haue deyed longe time agone
Bott ihesu criste as ^e in bokes finde 1842
Wil fat his glori last and bue in mynde
And for worschipe of his mod«r dere
Jette may ,L singe 0 Alma loude and cle[re] 1845
IT This wel of Mercie cristes moder swete
.1. loued alweie as after my cowinge
And whan pat .1. my lif scholde lete
To me sche camnie and badd me for to singe 1849
j?is Antime verrely in my mynde deynge
As ^e haue herd and whan }>at .1. had songe
Me fouht sche laide a greyne vpon my tonge 1852
H Wher-for .1. saie and singe most certeigne
In honoar of cristes moder fre
Til of my tonge of taken is ]>e greyne
And after J?at seide sche J>us to me 1856
LANSDOWNE 477 (6-T. 188)
SIX-TEXT 189
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
My litel childe nowe wil .1. feche Jje
"Whan J?at J>e greine . is fro J?i tonge ytake
Be nouht agast .1. wil Jje nouht for-saake 1859
IT This Holy monke J>is Abbot him mene .1.
His tonge oute cauht and toke awey J?e greyne
And he 3af vpe J>e gost ful softly
And whan J?e Abbotte hadde J)is wondere seyne 1863
His salte teres strikled doune as reyne peafiso]
And gruffe he fel al platte to J?e grounde
And stiH he laie as he had bene ybounde 1866
The [Couent] Eke ley vpon J?e pament
"Wepeinge and heriinge Cristes moder dere
And after J>ei rise and forpe been went
And toke aweie jjis marter fro his bere 1870
And in a tombe of Marble stones clere
Enclosen J>ei his lytel body swete
There he is nowe god lene vs for to mete 1873
O jonge hewe of Lincolne sleyne also
Wij) cursed lewes as it is notable
fibr it nys bot a litel while a-goo
Preye eke for vs we sinful folke vnstable 1877
J)at of his Mercie god so merciable
On vs his grete mercie multiplye
ffor reuerence of his moder Marye 1880
Explicit fabula priorisse .
LANSDOWNE 478 (6-T. 189)
SIX-TEXT 190
GROUP B. § 7. PRIORESS-THOPAS LINK. Lansdowne MS.
[No breaks in the MS bettceen the stanzas.]
Incipit prolog^ de Thopas. ipnieafi%<n\
Whan seide was jns tale euery man
As sober was Jmt wonder was to se
Ti Jjat oure Oste lape bega/me
And fan att erst he loked vpon me . M est- Chaucer1
And seide Jms what man ert fou quod he
Thou lokest as )>ou woldest finde an hare
ffor euer vpon J?e grounde .1. se }>e stare 1887
Appr[o]che nere and loke merely
Nowe ware 50 we sires and latt jns man haue place
He in fe waste is schapen as wele as .1.
This were a popet in armes to enbrace 1891
ffor any womman smal and faire of face
He semej?e eluysche be his countenance
£ ; . ; no gap in the MS.] 1894
Say nowe suniwhat sefen oj?ere folke haj?e seide
Tel vs a tale of mer]>e and fat anone
Oste q?wd .1. ne be nouht yuel apaide
ffor ojjer tale certes can L none 1898
Bot of a rime .1. lerned longe agone
3e J?at is good quod he shal we here
Summe deyntejj Jnnge me fenkej) be his chiere 1901
Ixplic# prologus.
LANSDOWNE 470 (6-T. 190)
SIX-TEXT 191
GEOUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit fabula.
[No breaks in the MS ~between the stanzas.]
[Fitfe I.]
LEsteneJje lordes in goo[d] entent
And .1. wil tel verraiment
Of Miracle and of solace . 1904
Al of a knyht was faire and gent [leaf 189, back]
In Bataile and in turnament
His name was . sir Thopas 1907
.I.-borne he was in fer centre
In flaundre al bejonde )>e see
Att Poperinge in jje place . 1910
His fader was a man ful fre
And lord he was of fat cuntre
As it was goddes grace 1913
Sir Thopas was douhty SAvayne
White was his face as a peyndemayne
His lippes reede as roose 1916
His rode is like scarlet in greyne
And .1. $owe teH in goode certeyne
He hadde a semely nose . 1919
His here his berde was lyke safrown
Jpat to his gerdel rauht a doune
His schone of cordeweyne 1922
Of brugges was his hosen broune
His roob was of Ciclatoune
Jjat cost mony a layne 1925
LANSDOWNE 480 (6-T. 19l)
SIX-TEXT 192
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Lansdowne MS.
He coufe hunt att wilde dere
And ride on haukeinge for J>e reuer
Wi]> grey goshauke on honde 1928
Therto he was a good archere
To werstelynge was \er none his pere
j)ere any man scholde stonde 1931
fful mony a inaide briht in boure
Jjei morne for his paramoure
whane J?ei were bette to slepe 1934
Bot he was chast and no lichoure
As swete as is jje brembel fioure
J?at berefe J>e rede hipe , 1937
And so befel vpon a daie
ffor soj>e as .1. jowe telle maie
Sir Thopas wolde oute ride 1940
He worfe hup on his stede grey
And his honde a laucegaie
A longe swerde be his side 1943
He pn'kejj Jjoruhe a faire fore[st]
Ther inn is mony a wilde best
3e bo)>e bukke and hare . 1946
And as he prikej? Norfe and est [leaf 100]
I telle ^owe him hadde almest
Betidde a sori care . 1949
Ther1 springen erbes grete and smale
The lycoris and J?e Setuale
And mony clowe gilofre 1952
And Notmuges to putte in ale
Whejjer it be moiste or stale
Ore for to ley in Cofre 1955
LANSDOWNE 481 (6-T. 192)
SIX-TEXT 193
GROUP B. § 8. SIB THOPAS. Lansdowne MS.
The Birdes singen it is iiouht naye
The sparhauke and f e popeniaye
fat ioye it was to here 1958
f e f rostelkoke maade eke his laye
f e wode dowfe vppon fe spraye
Sche songe ful loude and clere 1961
Sire Thopas feH in louelongeinge
An[d] whanne he herde f e f rosteH singe
And pn'ked as he ware woode 19G4
His faire stede in his prikeinge
So swette fat men myht him wringe
His sides were al blode 1967
Sire Thopas eke so wery was
ffor prekinge on fe soft gras
So fers was his corage 1970
fat doune he laide him in fat place
To maken his stede sum solace
ffor he was so sauage 1973
A seynte Mary benedicite
What eylef f is lone att me
To bynde me so sore 1976
Me dremed al f is nyht parde
Ane Elfe qvene schal my lemman be
And slepe vnder my gore 1979
Ane Elfe queene wil .1. loue .y-wisse
ffor in f is world! no woraman is
Worfi to be my maake 1982
in tonne
Al of er wemmen .1. forsake
And to an Elfe queen .y. me betake
Be dale and eke be doune 1986
LANSDOWNE 482 (6-T. 193)
SIX-TEXT 194
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Lansdownc MS.
In-to his sadel he cam an one
And prikej? ouere stile and stone
Ane Elfe qwene for to aspye . 1989
TyH he so longe hape ryden and gone [leaf 190, back]
That he fonde in a prme wone
The Cuntre of faire . 1992
So wilde
ffor in pat Contre was fere none
[ .... no gap in the MS.~\
wife ne childe 1996
Til him J>er came a loly geante
His name was cleped s/r Olyfaunte
A parlous man of dede 1999
He saide childe be termagaunt
Bot if Jjou wilte pn'ke oute of myne haunte
Anone .1. slee Jri steede 2002
wij? mace
Here is Jje queen of faire
Wijj harpe and pipe and simphene
Dwellinge in Jjis place . 2006
The childe so most .1. j?e
To morne wil .1. mete Jje
When .1. haue myne armor 2009
And }it .1. hope par ma feie
That pat Jjou schalt wij> fis launce leie
Abine it ful sore . 2012
Thoruhe Jmi mawe
Schal .1. perce .If .1. inaie
Or it be fulle prime of daie
ffor here J>ou schaH be slawe 2016
LANSDOWNE 483 (6-T. 194)
SIX-TEXT 195
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Lansdowne MS.
Sir5 Thopas drowhe a bak ful fast
This Geant att him stones cast
Owte of a feli staf slynge 2019
Bot a faire ascapef childe Thopas
And aH it was f oruhe goddes gras
And f oruhe his faire beringe 2022
3it listene]) lordes to my tale
Meryer fan f e nyhteyngegale
ffor nowe .1. wil jow rowne 2025
Howe sir Thopas wif sides smale
Prekeinge oner doune and dale
Is come ajeine to tonne 2028
His mery men comanded he
To make him bof e game and gle
ffor nedes most he fiht 2031
wif .0. Geant wif hedes free
ffor paramoure and lolyte
Of one fat schote ful briht 2034
Done come he seide myne mynstrals
An gestours for to tel vs tales
Anone in myne armeinge 2037
Of Romans fat bene Eoials n«af 101]
Of Popes and of Cardinals
And eke of loue longeinge 2040
Thei fet him first f e swete wyne
[
2043
no gap in the MS.[
And lykhirhers and eke Comyne
Wif sugi-e fat is trye 2046
LANSDOWNE 484 (6-T. 195)
SIX-TEXT 196
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOFAS. Lausdowne MS.
He dide next his white lire
Of dope of lake fyne and clire
A breche and eke a schart 2049
And next is schert an Akton
And ouer pat an haberioun
flbr perceynge of his herte 2052
And ouere fat a fine hauberke
Was al y-wrouht of lewes werke
tful stronge it was of plate 2055
And ouer pat is cote Armowr
As white as is a lely floure
In whiche he wole debate . 2058
His schelde was al of gold so redo
And pere in was a bores hede
A Charbokel be side 2061
And pere he suore on ale and brede
That pe Gyant schulde be dede
By-tide whatt be-tide 2064
His lambes were of quereboly
His swerde schepe of Ivory
His helme of Latouw briht 2067
His SadeH was of "Ruel bone
His BrideH as pe sonne schone
Or as pe mone so liht 2070
His spere was of fine Cypres
Jjat bedep werre and nopinge pes
Thede ful scharpe y-grounde 2073
His sted was al dappel greyo
Kite enamble by pe weye
fful softly and rounde . 2076
LANSDOWNE 485 (0-T. 190)
SIX-TEXT 197
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Lansdowne MS.
In londe
Lo lordes myne here a fitte
If ^e wil any more of it
To tel it wil .1. fonde 2080
[Fitte II.]
Nowe haldej? ^oure moufe par Charite
BoJ>e knyke and lady free
And herkenej? to my spelle . 2083
Of Bataile and of Cheualry [leaf 191, back]
And of ladys loue drery .
Anone .1. wil $owe teH 208(3
Men speke of Romans of prise
Of home Childe and of Ipose
Of Beuys and sir Guy 2089
Of sir Libeus and plendamour
Bot sir Thopas he bere)> }>e floure
Of Roial Chiualry 2092
His goode steede al he be-strode
And forjje vpon his weye he glode
As sparkeles oute of J>e bronde 2095
Vpon his creste he bare a toure
And fer'-in stiked a lyly floure
God schelde his corps fro schonde 2098
And for he was a knyht aunterous
He wolde slepen in none hous
Bot lygen in his hode 2101
His briht helme was his wangere
And by him baitejj his dextrere
Of erbes fine and good 2104
LAXSDOWXE 4S6 (6-T. 197)
SIX-TEXT 198
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Lansdowne MS.
no gap in the MS.] 2108
LANSDOWNE 487 (6-T. 198)
SIX-TEXT 199
GROUP B. § 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK. Lansdowne MS.
^j Incipit prologus
NO mor of J>is for goddes dignite [on leaf m, back]
quod oure ost foure pou makest mo
So wery of ]>i lewdenes
Jjat also wissely god me blis 2112
Myn eres ake of Jjine darsti speclie
Nowe suche a rime fe deuel .y. beteche .
This mai be wele ryme dogerel
\vliie so quod .1. whie wilt fou lette me 2116
More of my tale pan a noper1 man
Sepen it is pe best rime .1. can
By god . quod he pleinly .1. pe scie
Thou schalt no langer rime here to daie 2120
Thou doste nouht elles bot dispendes time
Sire att o worde pou schalt no longer rime
Late see wheper pou canste teH oulit in geste
Or teH in prose sum what att pe lest 2124
In whiche per be sume merpe & some doctrine
Gladle quod .1. be goddes swete pine
.1. wil ^owe teH a litel jnnge in prose
Jiat auht lyke ^owe as .1. suppose 2128
Or elles certes ^e be to daungerous
It is a morale tale vertuouse Peaf 102]
Al be it tolde sum tyme in sundre wise
Of sundre folke as .1. schal ^owe deuise 2132
As pus ^e wote euery eua?mgelist
That telle]) vs of ihesu crist
Ne saipe nouht al finge as his felawe dofe
Bot Napeles her1 sentence is al soj)e 2136
And al.accorden att here sentence
Al be pare in her tellinge difference
LANSDOWXE 488 (C-T. 199)
SIX-TEXT 200
GROUP B. § 9. THOPAS-MELIBB LINK. Lansdowne MS.
ffor so?wme of herame seine more & somme seine lesse
Whan Jjei his pitous passion expresse 2140
.1. mene of Mark . Matheu . luke . & lohn
Bot doutles her1 sentence is al one
There-for lordeynges al .1. jowe be-seche
If ]>at 36 finke .1. varye in my speche 2144
As Jms . If fat .1. telle sum what more
Of prouerbes J?an 30 haue herde to fore
Comprehendit in Jjis litel tretis here
To enforce wijj fe effect of Mi Matiere 2148
And Jjouhe .1. nade J?e same wordes saye
As 36 haue herde }itt to al ^owe .1. preie
Blame]) me nouht for as my sentence
3e schol nouht finde muche difference 2152
ffro the sentens of J? e tretys leuyte
After Jje whiche J)is Mery tale .y. write
And Herken whatt .1. schal seye
And lett me tale .1. preye 2156
3'i LANSDOWNE 489 (6-T. 200)
SIX-TEXT 201
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
[There are no line-numbers or breaks "between the paragraphs in
the MS. Tyrmhitfs breaks are kept here to prevent slight
differences in the Six Texts throwing out many lines."]
[Lansdoivne MS 851, on leaf 192.]
Hie incipit fabula de Mellybeo per Chaucer.
[2I57]
A^onge man whilom called Mellibe. Mihte. & riche
be-gate vpon his wyf. J>at called was. Prudence,
a douhter which was cleped Sapience .//
[2158] vpon a daie fel J>at he for his disporte
is went in to J?e feldes him to pley '. [2159] His wife
& eke his douhter ha]>e he laft wi]>-in his hous . of
whiche fe dores were fast yschett. [2160] Foure of his
olde foos haue it aspied . And setten ledders to fe walles
of his hous. & be ]?e wyndows entred [2161] &
be ten his wif & wounded his douhter with .v.
mortale woundes in .v. sundre places [2162] IT This is to
seye . in here fete in hire hondes in hire eres & in hire
nose & in hire moujje . And laften hir for dede &
wenten here wey.
[2163] IT Whan . Mellibeus returned was a3ein in to his
hous. & sauhe al fis rneschief IT He ylike a mad man
rentynge his clofes gan to wepe & crye .
[2164] Prudens his. 11I Prudence his wif as ferfor)? as
sche dorst . be-souht him of his wepeinge for to stinte [2165]
HBotnot for-Jji he gan towepe&crie. euer fe lengeer fe more.
[2166] J)is noble wif prudence remembre]? her1
on J>e sentence of Guide . In his boke j>at cleped is J?e
remedie of loue. where he seijje. [2167] He is a. foole
fat distorblej) pe modere for to wepe in J?e depe of hir1
childe . til sche haue wepped hire fil as for certeine time .
[2168] Than schal a man done his diligence wijj
amyable wordes . hir1 to recomford . & to preier her1 of
LANSDOWNE 490 (6-T. 20l) Li leaf 102, backj
SIX-TEXT 202
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
here wepeinge for to stinte [2169] IT For whiche resone pis
noble prudence suffurd hir1 husbond for to wepe
& crie for a certeine space. [2170] IF And whan sche
sauhe hire time sche seide him in pis wyse/./ Alas my.
lorde quod sche . whie maake $oure self for to be like a
Me. [2171] IF For sothe it aperteignep not to a wiseman.
To maak suche a sorwe [2172] IF 3°ure douhter wip
pe grace of god schal be warissched & ascape || [2173] And al
were it so riht nowe sche were dede . 30 ouht
not as for hire depe ^oure self to destruye . [2 1 74] 1F Senec . If Senec.
seipe . pe wiseman schal nouht tak to grete discomford for
pe depe of his childer. [2175] bot certe he scholde
suffere it in pacience. As wele as he Abide)) pe dep
of his owen propre person.
[2176] 1F Jjis Millibeus ansewarde a-none & seide
1F What man qiiod he scholde of his wepeinge stinte pat
hape so grete a cause for to wepe . [2177] Ihe.su criste
owre lorde him self wepped for pe dep of Lazarus his
frende [2178] IF Prudence ansewardf certez wele .1.' wote
atempre wepeinge is nouht defended vnto him fat
sorwful is a-monge folk of sorwe . Bot it is raper graunted
him to wepe [2179] IF pe Apostle paule vn to J>e
Eomaynes write]?. // Man schal reioyse wijj hem pat hem Jjat
maken ioyef & wepe wij? suche folke as wepen. [2180]
IT Bot jjouhe atempre wepeinge be g?-aunted f Outrageous
wepeinge certes is defended. [2181] IF Mesurable wepeinge
schold be considered after J>e lore pat techep vs Senec
[2182] 1F Whan pat pi frende is ded lat nouht
pine yen to moiste bien of teres f ne to muche drye IF Al
pouhe pe teres common of pine yen . lat hem nouht fallen
[2 183] IF And whan, pou hast for-gone pi frende .1. rede pou
do pi diligence to gette pe a nother. And pis is more wysere
pan to wepe for pi frende pe whiche pat pou hast lorne f
For per inne is no boote [2184] IF And perfore if pe
lust to gouerne pe be Sapience Putte awaie sorwe fro $oure
hert. [2185] Kemembrep ^owe pat. Ihesu Sirak . saipef
LANSDOWNE 491 (6-T. 202)
SIX-TEXT 203
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
A man fat is ioyus & gladde in liertf it him con-
seruef florischeinge in his Age . Bot solely Sorweful hert
Makef his bones drye [2186] IT He seife eke fusf
fat sonve in hert. sleefe mony a man. [2187] Sa-
lamon seife fat riht as mouhtes in fe schepes fles
anoyef to f e clofes An fe smale wermes on f e tres vn
to fe fruytef Riht so anoyfe sorwe vnto fe hert/./ [2188]
Wherfore we ouht as wele in f e def e of oure childerne f as
in f e losse of oure godes temperel f 1T Haue pacience.
[2189] Kemembre ^owe vpon fe pacient 1T lob.
whan he hadde lost his children & his temperel sub-
stance. And in his ^odi endured & suffred rnony a
greuous temptacionzf jit seid he Jms. [2190] IT Owre
lorde quod he ^aue it me . oure lorde ha]> be-raft it me .
Riht so as oure lorde hafe wolde f riht so be it done . y-
blissed be fe name of oure lorde [2191] IF To fis afor
finges Melibius ansewerd to his wif Dame prudence .
Al fi wordes quod he bien sofe & fer-to pro-
fitable. Bot trewely Min hert is trebled wif fis sorwe
so greuously fat .1. note what to done. [2192] 1T Late cal
quod prudence fine trewe frendes al f & fin lignage
whiche fat bien wise f telle hem fin caas & herken what
f ei seine in cortseilinge f And ^owe gouerne fere after here
sentence/./ [2193] Salomon seife IT worche al fi finge
be counsel f & f ou schal neuer repent .
[2194] Than be fe conseil of his wif dame Prudence.
Melibeus lete callen a grete congregacione of folke
[2195] [ no gap] olde&^onge. And
somme of his olde ennemys reco»siled as be her semblant
in to his loue & in to his grace. [2196] And fer-wif-al
cam sow?me of his neihbours fat dide him
reuerence more for drede fan for loue as it happef
oft [2197] IT fare commeth also ful mony a subtile flatreres
and wise aduocates lerned in f e lawe.
[2198] And whan fis folk togeder assembled were
This Mellibeus in sorwful wise schewde hew fis cas.
LANSDOWNE 492 (6-T. 203) [Meafl93]
SIX-TEXT 204
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
[2199] And by fe manere of speclie he bare
in his herte a cruel ire rede to do venge-
ance vpon his foos f // And sodanly desired fat
werre schold / beginne [2200] ^F Bot nafeles jit axed he
counseile vpon fis niate[re] [2201] IT A Surgeane / be
licence / & assent of suche as were wise vp rose vn
to Melibews & seide as $e maie here.
[2202] Sir* qwod he as to vs surgeans apperteynef
to euery whight fe best fat we can where as we
be wif-holde & to oure pacience fat we do no
damage. [2203] Ther-for it happef mony time & oft.
fat whan tuo men hafe eueryche wounded ofere one
same surgean helef hem bof e . [2204] Wherefor vnto
oure arte it is nouht pertinent '. to norische werre ne parties
to supporte [2205] Bot certes as to fe warissheinge of
^oure douhtere be it so fat sche is perilously,
wounded . we shold done so entenfully be signes fro daie to
nyht fat wif fe grace of god sche schal be souwde &
hole as sone as it is possible [2206] 1T Al men
in f e same wise ansewarden &. f e Phesiciens . saue
fei seiden" a fewe wordes more [2207] ^[ That riht
as Maladise bene heled be hire contraries /./ Biht so schal
men warisshe werre be vengeance [2208] his neyh-
bow ful of envyef// His feyned frendes fat semed
reconsiled. his flatrers [2209] maden semblant of
wepeinge empaired & engreged muche of his matiere
in preiseinge gretely /./ Melibeus of myht of pouere of
riches & of frende .'; Dispiseinge fe powere of his
aduersaries . [2210] & seiden outerly fat he anone
scholde wreken him on his ennemys & be-ginne werre
[2211] Yp rose fan an Aduocate fat was wise & seide
be leue & be counseile of ofer fat were wise. & seide.
[2212] Lordeinges fe nedes for whiche we bene assembled
in f is place is a ful heuy f inge . & an hihe matiere
[2213] because of fe wronge & of fe wikkenesse fat
hafe be done. And eke be reson of fe grete. damage
LANSDOWNE 493 (6-T. 204)
SIX-TEXT 205
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
in time cowynge . bien possible to fal for fis same
cause. [2214] & eke 'be reson of fe grete richesse &
power of fe parties bofe. [2215] For wbiche resouns
it were a grete perile for to erren in fis matiere [2216]
1T Where-fore Milebeus fis is oure sentence f We counsel
^owe a-boue al finges fat ribt anone fou do fi
diligence in kepeinge of fi propre persone in suche [a
wise] fat fou ne wante none aspie . ne to wache fine bodie
for to saue. [2217] 1F And after fat we counseile fat fou
setten m fine hous sufficeant garnyson so fat fei rnaie
f i body also wele as fine hous defende . [2 2 1 8] IT Botte certes
for to meve werre ne sodanly to done vengeance
we maie nouht deme in so litel time fat it were profit-
able. [2219] wherefore we Axen leyser & space to haue
deliberacion in fis caas to deme [2220] ^T For fe comune
prouerbe seif fus 1T He fat sone demef sone schal
repent [222 i]*ff And eke men seine fus IT That ilke lugge is
wise fat sone vnderstondef a matierf & lugefe b[y]
leyser1 [2222] 1T For al-be-it so '. fat a tariinge be a-noyeful .
Algates it is not to reproue in ^eueinge of luggement ne in
vengeance takeinge . whan it is suffisant & resonable f
[2223] H And fat schwde oure lorde ihesu crate be en-
sample . For whan fat womman was taken in
aduoutre & was browhte in his presence to knowe what
schal be done wif hire persone H Albeit so fat he wist
wele him selfe what fat he wold onsewere . ^ete ne wolde he
ansewere sodanly bot he wold haue deliberacione . And
in fe grounde he wrote twyes. [2224] And be fis
cause we axen deliberacione. And we schal fan by
f e grace of god counseile f e fo finges fat schallen be
profitable
[2225] vp stert fan fe pnge folke att ones
And f e most partie of fat compaignie haf e scorned fis olde
wise man . & begonnen to maken noyce & seiden
[2226] riht so 1T Al fe while fat Iren is hote men schold
sniyte. Riht so men scholde wreken here wronges whiles
LANSDOWNE 491 (6-T. 205) C1 leaf 193, back]
SIX-TEXT 206
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
fat fei bne frische & newe IT And wif loude voice fei
criden . werre . werre .
[2227] Vprose one of fe olde wise . &
\vi]> his honde he maade a countenance fat fei schold
holde hem stil f and jeuen hem audience [2228]
^T lordeinge quod he fere is ful mony a man fat
crief werre . werre . fat woote ful lytel what fat werre
amountef // [2229] Werre att his beginynge haf so grete
an entringe & so large f fat euery wight maie entren
whan him likef And lyhtly finde werre. [2230] Bot
certes to whatt ende fat schal fere-of be-falf it is note
lyhtly to knowe [2231] IT Whan fat werre is ones
begonne . f er is ful mony a childe vnborne of his moder
fat schal sterue }onge be cause of f ilke werre . Of ere elles
leue in sorwe & deye in wrechednesse , [2232] 1T And
fere-fore or fat any werre be-ginne men most haue
grete conseile & goode deliberacion . [2233] ^T And whan
f is olde man wende to enforcen his tale be resoun .
welnyhe al att ones bygonne for to rise to breken his
tale. & biden him ful oft of his wordes to abrigge //.
[2234] For sofely he fat prechef to hem fat lust
nouht his wordes ne his sermon hem he anoyef . [2235]
"For ihesus Sirak seife. That Musike in wepeinge is
anoyus f inge . Thus muche it is to seine As much anoyef to
spek to-forne folke to wiche his speche annoyef as l it is
for to singen be-forne him fat wepef . [2236] IT And whan f is
wiseman sawhe fat him wanted audience al schamfast
h.e sett him doune a-^eine [2237] For Salomon seife fere
as fu mai haue none audience enforce fe nouht
to speke . [2238] I. see wele qiiod fis wiseman fat fe
comen prouerbe is sof e '. fat good counseile wantef
whan it is most nede.
[2239] 11 $itte hadde fis Melebeus in his conseile many
folke fat [ . . . no gap] conseilled him prrae f inge .
An counseld him f e contrarie in general audience .
[2240] Whan mellibeus hadde herde fe grettest
LANSDOWNE 495 (6-T. 206) [i leaf 191]
SIX-TEXT 207
GROUP B. § 10. MELTBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
partie of his cownseile were accorded fat he schold make
werre . A-none he consentid to here counselynge . And full
affermed to he[re] sentence [2241] ^T Than dame Prudence
sauhe howe fat hire hosband schope hime
for to wreke him on his foosf & to be-ginne werre Sche
in fuH humble wise whan sche sauhe hire time Saide
him in fis wordes [2242] IF Mi lorde quod sche .1. 3owe
beseche as hertly as .1. dar & can / ne haste ^owe nouht to
fast And Afore al guerdouns ^euef me audience .
[2243] For Pers Amphons saife .0. who so dofe fe
goode of er harme haste f e nouht to qwyten it . For
in fis wise f i frende wil abide And fine ennemy schal
f e langere leue in drede f [2244] The prouerbe seif e fat he
hastef e him wele f atte wele can abide . And in wikked hast
is no profite .
[2245] This Melibe ansewerd to his wyf prudence f
I. pwrpos nouht q?<od he to wirke be fi counseile ffor
mony causes & resons f For certes euery wight wold
hold me fan a foolef [2246] 51" This is for soothe. If .y.
for fin counsellynge wolde chaunge finges fat buen
ordeined & affermed be so mony a wysef [2247] Sec-
undly .1. saie fat al weramen bien fikke & none
1 Salomon goode of hem alle . ffor of a . f ousand men as seif e Salomon
.1. fonde o good man bot certes of alle we?nmen
fonde .1. neuere good woramaw [2248] 1T And Also certes if
• .1. gouemed me be f i counseile it schold seme fat .1. hadde
.y.-3if to fe ouer me fe maistre. And god forbede fat
it so were [2249] IT For Ihems Sirake. seif e . If fe
wif haf e f e maistre sche is contrarius to hir husbonde .
[2250] IT And Salomon, seif e . neuere in fi lif. to fi
wif ne to f i childe ne to f i frende ne ^eue none poAvere
ouer fine selfe f For better it were fat fine childern asken
of fine persone finges fat hem nedef . fan f ou
f i self in f e handes of fine childerne . [2251] And also if .1.
wil worche be f i conseillynge . Certes my conseil
most som time be secre til it wer time fat it must bo
LANSDOWNE 406 (6-T. 207)
SIX-TEXT 208
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lonsdowne MS.
knowef And Jus ne may nouht be dof [2252. For it is
•written, ' f e langlerye of we7«men can hide [only] finges
fat fei wote nought' [2253] Furthermore, the philo-
sopher saith, ' in wiked counsel, wemmen venquysef men ; '
and for these reasons I ought not to make use of thy
counsel. (See Prudence's answers to Reasons 4 $• 5, below. ,)]
[2254] IF "Whan dam pruden ful debonarly &
["with] al pacience hadde herd al fat hire husbond
lyked for to seye ./ Than axe sche of him licence for to
speke . And seide in fis wise . [2255] Mi lorde quod sche f
as to joure first reson it maie lyhtly bne
ansewerd . ffor .1. seie . it ne is folye to chaunge
counseil. whan fe finge is chawngede or elles whan
fe finge seme]) oferewise fan it semed a-forne
[2256] And more ouere .1. saie. feihe fat 30 haue
sworne & behijt to performe ^oure empme . [and
natheless ye weyve to performe that same emprise]
Be luste cause men schold nouht seine f erefore fat ^e were
a lyere ne for-sworne [2257] 1F ffor fe booke seife fat fe
wise man makef no leseinge when he tornef his corage to
fe bettere- [2258] IF An if it so be fat '^oure empme be
establisshet & ordeined be grete multitude of folke $it
f arre f e nouht accomplise f ilke ordinance bot ^owe likef f
[2259] IF For fe treufe of finges & fe profit bene
rather y-founde in fewe folke fat bien wise and ful of
resowne fan be grete multitude of folke fere euery man
crief & clateref what hem likef f Suche
multitude is nouht honest. [2260] And as to fe secund
reson . Where as 30 seine fat al wewmen bene wikke .
saue ^oure grace f for certes ^e dispisen al wemmen in f is
wise . And he fat aH despisef . aH f inge him despisef as seife
fe boke.// [2261] And Seneca, seife who f at woH haue
sapience schaH no man despise . Bot he schal gladly teche f e
science fat .1. kan . wif-oute presumption or pn'de .
[2262] And suche finges as nou3 can he
schal not be ascamed to leren hem f & to enqueren of lesse
LANSPOWXE 497 (6-T. 208) C1 leaf 194, back]
SIX-TEXT 209
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
folke fan of him self f [2263] And, sire fat fare ha]>
bue many a goode wommare maie lihtly be proued
[2264] IF Certes sire cure lorde ihesu crist nold
neuere haue descended to be borne of womman if al
wemmen hadde be wikke. [2265] And after fat for
fe grete bounte fat is in wemmen oure lorde ihesus
whan he was resen fro defe to lyf f he appered rafer to
wemmen fan he dide to his aposteles [2266] And fouhe
fat Salomon seif . he ne fonde neuer womman
goode. It foulowef nouht fe?-e-fore fat al wemmen be
wikke [2267] IF For fouhe fat he no fonde no good
womman. Certes mony a nofer man haf founden
many a womman ful goode & trewe . [2268] Or elles
perauenture f e entente of Salomon was f us f That as in
souereine bounte he fonde no womman [2269] IF fis is to
seie fat fe?-e is no wight fat hafe parfite bounte
saue god alone f as he him self recordef in his euatm-
gelistef [2270] ffor fere ne is no creture fat him
ne wantef sumwhat of fe perfecc/on of god fat is his
maker* [2271] IF The fred reson is fis IF 30 seie fat if
30 gouern ^oue be my counsel f it scholde seme fat 30
hadde 3eue to me f e maistre . & f e lordeschipe of 3oure
persone '. [2272] Sire f saue 3oure grace it is nouht so 1F For
if so were fat noman scholde be conseiled bot only
of hem fat hadd lordeschip & Meistre of his person .
Men nold noujt be cownceilled so oft. [2273] -For sofely
f ilke man fat axef counsel of a purpos f 3it hafe
frewiH wefer he wil do after fat counseil or
nof [2274] IF And as to 3oure ferfe reson. fere as 30
seine fat fe langlerye of wemmen can hide finges fat
f ei wote nouht . As who seif e '. fat a womman kan nouht
hide fat sche wotef [2275] sire fes wordes buen vnder-
stonde of wemmen fat bien langlers & wikked f
[2276] of whiche wemmen Men seine fat fre finges
driuef a man oute of his house IT fat is to seie . Smoke .
dropeinge of Eeine ? & wikked wyues . [2277] IF And
LANSDOWNE 498 (6-T. 209)
SIX-TEXT 210
GROUP B. § 10. MELIJGEUS. Lansdowne MS.
of suclie we/nmen seif e Salomon . fat him were better duelle
in desert, fan wif a wowman fat is reyetous. [2278] And
sire be ^oure leue fat am nouht .1. [2279] For 36 haue ful
oft assaide my grete silence & my grete pacience. And
eke howe wele fat .1. can hide . & hele f inges fat
men ouhten sekerly to hidenf [2280] 1F And forfe as to
3oure fift resone '. wher as 30 seie fat in wiked coun-
sel we?»men venquysef menf Code wote filke 1reson
stondef here in no stedef [2281] 1F For vnder-stondef no we
30 ax conseil for to do wikkednesse . [2282] And if 30 wil
wirke wikkenesse f & 3oure wife restreynef filke
wikked pzwpos f And ouere-comme 3owe be reson & be
goode cozoisel . [2283] Certes 3owe wif ouht rafer1 to be
preised fan to be blamed. [2284] This schold 30 vnder-
stande fe Philosofre fat saife. In wikked conseile
wewmen venquisched her husbondes . [2285] And fare
as 30 blame al wewmen & here resoiis .1. schal schew
30116 be monye ensamples fat mony we?nmen han
bien ful goode & 3ut buen . IT An here consel holsome
& profitable [2286] eke: Sommen haue seid fat
coimselinge of we?nmen es eifer to dere or elles to
lite of pme [2287] f Bot al be it so fat ful mony a
womman is badde . & hire consel vile & not worf e .
}it hafe men founclen mony a goode wo?nman . & ful
discrete & wise in cozmselinge . [2288] H Lo Jacob foruhe
f e good counsel of his moder1 Eebec /./ whan he hadde . f e
benyson of his fader . & f e lordschip ouere al his bref er .
[2289] IT ludife foruhe hire goode counsel deliuerd fe Cite
of Bufhilie in whiche sche duelte oute of fe hande of
Olifernce fat hit besegedf & wolde haue al destruyed
it. [2290] IT Abegayle deliuer Nabal hire husbonde fro
dauid fe kinge fat wold haue sleyne him & apesed
f e ire of f e kinge be hire witte & be hire good counseil-
inge. [2291] Ester be hire counseile enchauncede
gretlye fe peple of god in fe reigne of Assur
[2292] ^ And fe same bounte in goode conselinge of
LANSDOWNE 499 (6-T. 210) [' leaf 195]
SIX-TEXT 211
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
mony we?wmen mai men tett [2293] 11 And forfere more
whan fat owre lorde hadde created Adam oure forme fadere.
lie seide in fis wise [2294] it is noulit good to bue a
man alone Maake we an helpere semblable to him
selff [2295] Here maie 36 see fat if fat wemmen
were nouht goode & here counseile goode & profitable f
[2296] oure lorde god of heuen ne wold neyf er haue wrouht
hem ne called hem f e helper of man . [
. .] [2297] 1T And fere seide ones a clerk in tuo vers.
What is better fan golde. lasperf what is better fan
lasper. wisdome . [2298] And what is better fan wisdome
"Womwan/./ And whatt is bester fan womman. fat is a good
wowman . nof inge . [2299] 1T And sire be monye of ofere
resons may 30 seen fat mony wemmen ben goode .
& eke here conseile goode & profitable also [2300] IT And
f erf or sire if 30 wil trust vnto mi counsel .1. schal restore
3oure douhter hole & sounde. [2301] and eke fat .1. wil done
to 3owe so muche fat 30 schal haue honoure in fis caas
[2302] 1F whan Melibe hadde herde fe wordes of his
wif Prudence, he seide fusf [2303] That fe
wordes of Salomon is sof e '. for he seif e fat f e wordes fat
buen spoken discretelye be ordinance bien honye combes f
For fei 3eue swetnesse to fe soule & holesomenesse
to f e bodye f [2304] And wif be cause of f i swete
wordes & eke for .1. haue pj-ouede & assaide fi grete
sapience & fi grete trewfe .1. wil gouerne me be fi
consel in al f inge
[2305] H Nowe . sire quod Dam Prudence & sef en 30
vouche sauf to be gouernde be my counsel .1. wil en-
forme 3owe how fat 36 schal gouerne 3oure selue In cheseinge
of 3oure counselours . [2306] 1F $e schol first forme al 3oure
werkes mekely. besecheinge to fe hihe gode fat he wolde
be 3oure. 1conselloMr. [2307] And schapef 3owe to suche
entewt fat he 3eue 3owe consel & co?nforte as tauht
Thobe to his son [2308] Att aH times fou schalt blisse
LANSDOWNE 600 (6-T. 21l) [» Ienn95,back]
SIX-TEXT 212
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
god & prei him to dressen fine weies . And loke also fat
fi counsels ben in him for euermore . [2309] IT Seint
lame seife if any of 3owe haue nede of sapiens aske
it of god [2310] IT And afterward fan scholne 50 take
counsel in ^oure self And examine wele ^oure owen wittes of
suche f inges as ^owe f enkef fat is beste for ^oure profit
[2311] 1T And fan schal 30 driue fro ^oure hert
fenges fat bene coretmrious to good conseH. [2312]
fat is to so seie . Ire . couetise . & hastenesse .
[2313] IT First he fat askef counsel of him self certes
he most be wif-outen ire [ [sSM]
no gap in the MS.] & wrathe in
him-self f He wenef al waie fat he maie do finge fat he
maie nouht do f [2315] And secuwdly he fat is yrous
& wrofe he may nouht wel [ . . . [2316] . . .
.' . . . . . no gap in the MS.] counsel [2317] IT fe
fredde is fisf fat he fat is Irous & wrofe as seife
Senec ne maie noujt speke bot blame-ful finges. [2318]
And wif filke vicious wordesf he stiref of ere folke to
angur. & to Ire. [2319] 1T And eke sir ^owe most drede
couetise & put it oute of joure hert . [2320] IT For f e Apostel
seife f fat Couetise is fe rote of al harmes [2321] IT And
trustef riht wele fat a couetouse man can nou^t deme ne
finke bot only to fulfil f e ende of his couetise f [2322] And
certes fat mai neuer be acomplised IT For euer
fe mo abundance fat he hafe of riches fe more
he desiref . [2323] IT And sir }oue most also driue oute
of ^oure herte hastifnesse [2324] For certes 30 maie
not deme for 30 best A sodan f ouht fat fallef in
^oure herte Bot 3ow mot aviso on it ful oft. [2325]
For as 30 haue herde here-be-forne f f e commune prouerbe
is f is . That he fat son deme sone repentef .
[2326] 1T Sire 30 be not alweie in like disposicione .
[2327] For certes some finge fat some time semef to
3owe goode for to do f Anof er time it semej>
to 30W6 fe COntrarie [-4 great Ut is now omitted in Lansdowne.']
LANSDOWNE 501 (6-T. 212)
SIX-TEXT 213
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
[MS Reg. 17 D [2328! [Whan ye han taken counseil vnto youre self1 and
iv., leaf 246. bk] L ,
nan demed bi goode deliberacioun) suche thyng1 as yow
semytfi best* [2329] than rede I yow that ye kepe it
secre [2330] bewry youre counseil to no persone .
but1 if1 so be that* ye wene sikerly that1 thurgh" yowre
be-wreyeng1 your condicion) shalbe to youre more
profitable [2331] if or Thesus Syrak1 seytfe neyther to thy
foo ne to thy friend? discouere nat1 thi secree ne thi folye
[2332] for they wil yeve the audience and lokyng1 and
supportacioun in thi presence and scorn in thy
absence [2333] Another clerk1 seytfi that1 scarsly thow shalt1
fynde any persone that1 may kepe thy counsaile secretly
[2334] The booke seyth" while that1 thow kepest1 thy coun-
seil in thyn hert1 thow kepistf it1 in thy prison [2335] and
when thow bewryest1 thy counseil to any wight1 he holditfi
the in his snare [2336] And therfor yow is better to
hide youre counseile in yowre hert1 than pray hym to
whom ye have bewreyed? youre counseil that1 he wil kepe
it1 close and stille [2337] ffor Senek1 seytfc if1 so -be
that1 thow ne mayst1 thyn owne counseil hide / how
darstow pray any other wight1 thy counseil secretely to
kepe / [2338] But1 natheles if1 thow wene sikerly that1
thy bewreyeng1 of1 thi counseil to a persone wil make thy
condicion to stande in the better plite than shalt1 thow'
telle hym thy counseyl in this wise [2339] ffirstt thow
shalt1 make no semblaunt1 whether the were leuere pes than
werre or this or that1 ne shewe hym nat1 thy wil and
thyn entent1. [2340] for trust1 wele that1 comunely thise
counsellors bien flaterers [2341] namely the counseillowrs
of1 grete lordes [2342] for they enforcen hem alwey
rather to speke plesaunt1 wordis enclyneng1 to the lord? his
lust1, than wordis that1 bien trewe or profitable [2343] and
therfor men l seyn that1 the riche man hath sielde goode coun-
seil . but1 if1 he have if of1 hym self1 [2344] and after that1
thow shalt1 considre thy friendis and thyn enemy es
[2345] -An(l as towchyng1 thy friendis thow shalt1 con-
LANSDOWNE 602 (6-T. 213) [this page, MS Keg.] [i leaf 247;
STX-TEXT 214
GKOUP B. S 10, MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
•
sidre whiche of* hern bien most1 feythful and most1 [MS Beg.]
wise and most1 eldest* and most1 appreved? in counseillyng1
[2346] and of1 hem shalt1 thow axe thi counseil as the
caas reqwirith
[2347] I sey that1 first1 ye shul clepe to yowre coun-
seil yowre friendis that1 bien triewe [2348] ffor Salamon
saith" for right1 as the herf of1 man delitith in savour
that1 is swete right* so the counseil of* thy friendis
yevith swefnesse to the soule [2349] he seyth also ther
may nothyng* be lykned* to the true friende [2350] ffor
certes gold2 ne siluer be naf so moche worth" as the
goode wille of* a triewe friend? [2351] And he seyth"
that* a triewe friend is a stronge defence who so that1
if fyndith" certis he fyndith" a grete tresour
[2352] than shul ye eke considre if* that* yowre
triewe friendis bien discrete and wise for the booke
seyth aske alwey thy counseil of* hem that* bien wise
[2353] And be this same reason ye mow clepe to youre
counseil of* yowre friendis that* bien of* age \_qui assez
ont veu} and bien expert* in many thynges and han ben
appreved? in counseillynges [2354] ffor the booke seytfi.
in old1 men is al the sapience and in long* tyme
the prudence [2355] As Tullius seyth that* grete
thynges ne be naf acompliced bi strength ne be delyuer-
nesse of* body . but* by goode counseile and bi auctorite
of1 persones and bi science The whiche .iij. thynges ne
be nat* fiebled! bi age but* certes they enforcen and en-
cresen day bi day [2356] And than shul ye kepe
this for a general rewle ffirst* ye shul clepe to your
counseil a fewe of* youre friendis that* bien especial
[2357] ffor Salamon saith many friendis have thow.
but* among* a M1. chese the oon in especial to be thy coun-
seillowr [2358] for albe it* so that* thow first* ne telle thy
counseitt but1 to a fewe thow mayst* after-warde tel if to
mo folk1 if* if be nede [2359] buf loke alwey thaf thy
counseillowrs have thylk* .iij. condicions thaf I have seyde
LANSDOWNE 503 (6-T. 214) [this page, MS Reg.]
SIX-TEXT 215
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
[MSReg.i7Di5, before, that* is to sey that* they be triewe wise and
old? experience [2360] and werk1 naf alwey in euery
nede be oo counseilloMr alone for somtyme behovitE.
it1 to be counselled? be many [2361] ffor Salamon seytll
saluacion) of1 thynges is where as there bien many
[JUS Reg. extract ... n
ends] counseillowrsj
[Lansdo-wne us, [2362] IT Now haue .1. tolde 3owo of whiche folke
°* M 36 scholde be counseled No we wil .1. teche 3owe whiche
courcseH 30 owe to eschewe [2363] IT ffirst 30 scholne eschewe
pe coMnseillinge of foles . Salomon seipe f Take]) no cown-
seff of no foole for he wil counsel bot after his
pwen lust and his affeccionsf [2364] IT The booke seipe
fat pe properte of a foole is pis . He trouejj lyhtly
haruie of euery whightf & lyhtly trouejj a bounte in
him self [2365] IT Thou schalt eke eschewe pe cownseileinge
of al flaterers whiche enforcen hem raper to preysen
3oure persons by flatry fan for to tel jow fe so]»e-
fastnesse of J>e finge .
[2366] "Wherefore tullius . seife Amonge al J>e
pestelence pat ben in frenschip ]?e grettest ',, is
flaterief And per-fore is it more nede pat poue eschewe
& drede flatrers pan any oper peple . [2367] The
boke seipe pou schalt raper [drede and] fle fro po
swete wordes of flateringe & preiseinge pat from pe egre
wordes of pine frende pat seipe pe pi sopes f [2368]
Salomon, seipe f The wordes of a flaterer is a snare
to cache innocence . [2369] 1T He seipe also f He
pat spekep to his frendes wordes of swettnesse f & al
plesancef settep a nette to for his fete to cache himf
[2370] And perefor tullius seipe Enclyne nou3t pine
eres to flatere[r]s ne take no counsel of wordes of
flaterye f [2371] And Caton • Aviso pe wele &
eschewe pe wordes of l swetenesse & of plesancef
[2372] IT And eke pou schalt eschewe pe counsellinge of
pine olde enmys pat be reconsiled [2373] IT The
boke seipe pat no whiht retornep safly in to pe
IANSDOWNE 504, (6-T. 216) [i leaf 196]
SIX-TEXT 216
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
grace of his olde enmye. [2374] And. Isope. seipe. Ne
trust nouht to hem to whiche some time pou hast hadd werre
or enemetef ne teH hem nouht fine counsel!. [2375] IF And
Senec tellejj pe cause whif It maie nouht be seip he
fat where longe time fire hape endured pat
pere dwellep som tyme vapoure of hetef [2376] IT And
perefor seip Salomon . In pine olde foo truste pou neuere .
[2377] ffor sekerly pouhe pine enmye be reconsilede
& makep pe pere of humylite & loutep to pe
wip his hede ne trust him neuere. [2378] ffor certes
he makep pilke feyned humylite more for his profit
pan for any humylite . or for any loue of pin persone [
*^ • • no gap] be suche feyned
countenance . The whiche victorie . he myht haue be
strif of werre. [2379] IT And Peter alfons seipe Maake no
felaweschepe wip pine olde enmys f ffor if pou done hem
bounte pei willen peruerten it to wikkednessef
[2380] IT And eke pou most eschiewe pe counselinge of
pine seruant} pat beren pe grete reuerence f ffor
parauenture pei seine it more for drede pan for loue
[2381] And perfore seipe a philosofer in pis
wise . Ther is no wyght parfitly trewe to hime pat he to
sore dredepf [2382] And Tullius seipe There is no
wight so grete of any emperourej pat longe maie endure
bot if he haue loue of pe peple & drede
[2383] IT pou schalt eschewe also pe counselinge of folke
pat bien dronkenlewe for pei ne can no counseH hide .
[2384] Salomon, seipe. pere nys no pn'uete pere as regnep
drunkennesse [2385] IT 30 scholne haue also in suspecte
to pe cownselinge of suche folke as counsel 3owe a pinge
prmely & counsel 3owe a thinge pat is contrarye openly
[2386] IT ffor Cassidorie. seipe pat it is a maner sleihte to
hindren his enmye whan he schewep to done a pinge openlye
& wirkep pn'uely pe contrarie. [2387] 1F pou schalt haue
also in pi suspecte pe counselinge of wikked folke [ . .
no gap] pat is alweie ful
35 LANSDOWNE 505 (6-T. 216)
SIX-TEXT 217
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
of fraude '. [2388] And Dauid seif e fat blisful is f e man
fat haf e noulit foulowed f e counse[l] of schrewes . [2389]
IF Tho schalt also eschewe f e counselinge of ^onge folke f
ffor here counselinge is nouht ripe as Salomon seif e
[239o]1T!N"owesiresef ens .1. haue schewde 3oueof whiche
folke 36 scholne take counseile & of whiche folke 36 schollen
folowe f>e counsel [2391] IF Now wil .1. techeche howe 30
scholne examyne 3oure couwsele after f e doctrine of tullius
[2392] IT In fe examenynge fan of ^oure conseloure
36 scholne considere many finges [2393] Alfere first fou
schalt considere f ilke f inge fat f ou purposed f
and vpon what f inge f ou wolte haue counsel fat verrey
treuf e be seide & co?*seruede . f is to seie f Tel
treuly fin tale. [2394] For he fat seife fals maye
wele be counseled in fat caasf [ ] [2395]
IT And after fat fou schalt consideren fe finges fat
accorden to fat fou pwposest for to be by fine counsel-
loures if reson accordef fere to /./ [2396] And eke if fi
myht maie atteigne fere to f 1T And if f e more part & f e
bettere parte of ^oure co?msellowrs accorden f er-to or no
[2397] fenne schal fou considere whatt finge schal
folowe of hire counselinge . As hate pees . werre .
grace pwfit of er Damage or many of ir finges f
[2398] And in al finges fou schalt schese fe
best and. And 1weife al of ere finges [2399] IF Than
schalt fou considered of what rote it is engenderd f e matier
of fine counsel & what fruyte it maie conceive &
engendre . [2400] fou schalt eke considerer al fes
causes for whiche fei bue spronge f [2401] 1F And
whan 30 haue examyne 3oure counsel as .1. haue seide
and whiche partye is better & more profitable f &
hast approued it be mony wise folke & oldef [2402]
fan schalt fou considere . if fou maist performe it &
make a good ende. [2403] For certes reson wil nouht
fat any man schatt begmne a finge bot if he myht
performe it as him ouht f ['2 404] ~Ne no wight schol
LANSDOWNE 606 (6-T. 217) [Meaf 196, back]
SIX-TEXT 218
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
taken vpon him so heuy a charge fat he ne myht ber<?
it. [2405] IT For j>e prouerbe seif f He fat to muche
enbracet distreynef litul . [2406] And Caton self e
Asseie suche finge as fou hast pouere to done
lest f e charge oppresse f e to sore f fat f e
be-houef to weyve finge fat fou hast begoime
[2407] IT And if so be fou be in doute whefe fou
niaiste performe a f inge or none f chese raf er for to suffur
fan for to beginne [2408] IT And Peter Alphon seyf e . If
fou hast myht to done a finge of whiche fou most
repent . [ [2409] . . .
. '. no gap] It is better to hold fine tonge still f fan
for to speke [2410] IF Then may .1. vnder-stonde be
stronger resones fat if fou hast power to performe a
werke of whiche fou schalt repent f e . Than is it better
fat fou suffur fan begynne f [2411] wele seyne fei fat
defenden euery whight to assaie a thinge of whiche he is
in doute where he mai performe it or none f [2412]
And after whan 30 haue examined }oure couwsettf as J.
haue seide be-fornef And knowefe wele fat ^e maie pe?--
forme ^oure empn'se conferme it fan sadly til it be att
an ende .
[2413] IT Nowe is it reson & time fat .1. schewe ^owe
whenne & where f for fat 30 maie chaunge ^oure co?msel-
lours wif-outen ^oure reproue [2414] 1T Sofely a man
maie chaunge his purpos & his counsel if fe cause
seseff or whan a newe caas be-tidef f [2415] ffor fe
lawe seif vpon finges fat newly be-tyden be-houef
new counsel f [2416] And senec saife. If fi counsert
come to f e heres of fine ennemys chazmge f i counsel .
[2417] [. . ] if so be
fat fou finde fat be errour or be any ofe?-e
cause harme or damage may betide [2418] IT Also if fi
counsel be dishoneste . or elles come of dishonest cause
change fine counsel. [2419] For fe lawe seife fat
al behestes fat bene dishonest ne biene of no valew f
LANSDOWNE 607 (6-T. 218)
SIX-TEXT 219
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
[2420] IT And eke if it so be pat it be impossible or maie
no^t gladly be perfowrmed or kepet
[2421] IT And take pis for a general rewle . That euery
counsel pat is enformed so strongely pat it maie not be
chaunged for no condicion pat maie be tide f I. saie pat
ilke counsel is wykked f
[2422] IT Mellibeus whan he hadde herde pe doctrine of
his wif Dauie Prudence . he anseward in pis wise .
[2423] Dame quod, he as jit vnto pz's time 30
haue wele tauht me as in general howe .1.
schal gouerne me . & in pe cheseinge . & in wipholdeinge
of my counsellors . [2424] IT Bott nowe wolde .1. faine pat
30 wolde condescende in specialef [2425] and tellep me
howe pat likep 3owe or howe pat semep 3ow be owre cozm-
sellowrs pat we haue chose in pis present nede
[2426] IT Mi lorde quod sche .1. beseche jowe in al hum-
blesse pat 30 wold nouht wilfully reprouen a3eine myn resouns
ne distemper joure herte peihe .1. speke pinge pat 3owe
displese [2427] IT ffor god wote as in myne entewt .1.
speke it as for pe best f for 3oure honoure & for 3oure
profit ekef [2428] And sopely .1. hope pat 3oure lbe-
nignite wil tak it in pacience // [2429] And trustep to me
wele pat 3oure consel in pis ne schold
noujt as to speke properly be called a counsellinge ; bot A
mocion or ameueinge of folye . [2430] ^T In whiche counsel
30 haue herde in mony a sondre wyse f
[2431] first & forwarde 30 haue herde in pe assem-
blinge of joure courcsellours f [2432] ffor first 30 schold
haue cleped a fewe folk to 3oure counsel! . IT And after pat 30
myht haue schewde it to mo folke if it hadd be nede ' //
[2433] Bot certes sodanly 30 haue cleped to 3oure coun-
sel a grete multitude of peple ful chargeawnt & ful
awnoyus for to here f [2434] IT And also 36 haue herde for-
per as 30 scholde onely haue cleped to joure counsel
joure trewe frendes olde & wisef [2435] ^ 3e ^iaue cleped
also strange folk 3onge folke false flateres & ennemys
LANSDOWNE 608 (6-T. 219) [' leaf 197]
SIX-TEXT 220
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
reconsiled . And folke fat do jowe reuerence wife outen
loue [2436] And eke also 30 haue herde for 30 haue
brouht wif jou to ^oure counseH . Ire . couetise ./ &
Lastinesse ./ [2437] 11 fe whiche fre finges be con-
trarie to euery good conseH & honest . & profi table f [2438]
The whiche fre f inge 30 haue nouht anentisched of er de-
struyde he?w ney f ere in joure self ne in ^oure counsellors as
3owe auht [2439] H 36 haue herde also for je haue schewde
to 3oure consellowrs 3oure talent . ^our affeccion
anone for to do vengeance f [2440] And f ei haue
aspide be 3oure wordes to what f inge 30 be enclyned f
[2441] And fere fore haue fei rafer couwseld
3owere talent f fan to 301110 profitte.// [2442] 36 haue herd
also for 3owe semef it sufficef to haue be coun-
seld be fis counsellotws onely & be lytil avisef
[2443] where as in so grete & in so hihe a nede it hadde
bue necessarie mo counsellors & mo delib[er]ac/ones to
performs 3oure emprise . [2444] IT Also 30
haue nou3t herde 3oure counseH in fe forseid
manere ne in dieu inanere as f e caas requiref . [2445] IF 36
haue herde also for 30 haue maade no diuision be tuex
[ no gap] ^oure trewe
frendes & 3oure feyned counselloures [2446] Ne 30 haue
nouht knowe f e witt of 3oure trew frendes olde & wise .
[2447] Bot 30 haue cast al here wordes in an hoche poche
& enclyned 3oure hert to f e more part and to f e
gretter nombre [and there be ye condescended [2448]
Et tu scez bien que les fols sont tousjours en plus grant
nombre que les sages,~\ of foles fan of wise men f [2449] And
fare for f e counsellinge fat ben at congregaciown & mul-
titude of folkf fere as men tak more revvarde to fe
nombre fan to fe Sapience, of persones. [2450] IT 30 se wele
fat in such'e consellinge fe foles haue fe maistre. [2451]
H Mellibe anseward & seide a3eine .1. graunt wele fat
.1. haue herde [2452] Bot fere as fou hast tolde me here
beforne . That he nys nouht to blame to chaunge his con-
LAXSDOWNE 609 (C-T. 220)
SIX-TEXT 221
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
selkrars for certeine caas & for certeine & iust cause f
[2453] .1. am al rede to cliaunge my consel^ws rilit
as J>ou woldest deuise .// [2454] for fe prouerbe seife
ffor to do synne is manysshe Bot certes for to perseuere
longe fere in is werkes of f e deuel .
[2455] 11 To fis sentence anseward anone dame Pru-
dence & seide [2456] examynej) quod sche ^oure coun-
sel . & lat vs see whiche of hem haf spoken
most resonablelye f & tauht 3oue best conseH. [2457]
IT And for als muche fat examinacions is necessarie
Lat vs beginne att surgiens & att phiciens fat
first spaken of fis matiere [2458] 11 .1. seie fat
Phesiciens & sirurgiens haue seide ^owe in joure counsel
discretely as hem ouht [2459] in here speche
& ful wisely f As to f e office of hem l appartenef to
done to euery whiht honowr & profit & nouht for
to annoye [2460] And after her craft to done grete diligence
vn to fe cure of hem whiche fat haue in here goiie?-n-
ance [2461] ^T And sir rilit as fei haue anseward
wisely & discretly. [2462] riht so rede .1. fat fei
ben hihelye & souereingly guerdount for here noble
speche . [2463] & eke for fei scholne more do f e
ententif bisenesse in fe curacione of fine douhter deref
[2464] ffor albe-it so fat fei be ^oure frendes
fere for schal 30 nouht suffre fat fei serue ^oue for
nouht f [2465] bot ^e auht fere after guerdon hem &
payen hem here largesse [2466] IF And as toucheinge fe
proporeion whiche fat fe phecisiens encresseden in fis
caas. ^[ This is to seine [2467] fat in maladies is fat a
contrarie is waressched be anofer contrarie [2468] ^f I.
wolde faine k[n]owe howe 30 vnderstode filke text &
what is 3oure sentence [2469] 1T Certes quod Millibeus .1.
vnderstonde it in fis wisef [2470] Biht as fei haue
done to me a contrarie . So scholde .1. do hem anof ere '
[2471] ffor riht as fei haue venged hem vpon me &
done me wrongef Eiht so wil .1. venge me vpon he??t
LANSDOWNE 610 (6-T. 22l) [' leaf 197, back]
SIX-TEXT 222
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowiie MS.
& done hem wrongef [2472] & fan haue .1. cured a
contrary wijj anof er eontrarie
[2473] IT Lo lo quod dame Prudence . howe lihtly is
euery man enclined to his owen desire & to his
plesance. [2474] Certes quod sche fe wordes of fe
Phisiciens ne schold nouht be vnderstande in fat
wise. [2475] 1T ffor certes wykkednesse is not contrarie
to wikkedenesse . ne ve[V|gaunce is nouht contrari to veng-
aunce . ne wronge to wrongef \mais sont semblables [2476]
Et pour ce, vengence par vengence, ne injure
par injure rHest pas cure] [2477] bote
euery of hem encresef & gregef of ere [2478]
Bot certes fe wordes of phesiciens scholde be
vnderstonde in fis wise f [2479] ^OT goode & wykked-
nesse bene tuo contraries '. & pes & werre . venge-
ance & suffrance . discord & accord . & mony
ofere finges [2480] 1F Bot certes wikkednesse schal be
warisched be goodenesse. discorde be acorde. werre. be pes.
& so forf & ofere finges. [2481] IT And here to fe
Apostel sein Paule in mony place f [2482] He
seif e ne jeldef nouht harm for harme ne wikked speche .
[pour maudit] [2483] Bot do wele to hem fat done
fe harme . & blesse hem fat seif to fe harme . [2484]
1T And in monye ofere places he amonestef pees &
accorde [2485] IF Bot now wil .1. speke of fe coun-
sel whiche was yjeue to ^owe be men of lawe f e wyse
folke & fe olde folke [2486] fat seiden al be one accorde
as 50 herde beforne . [2487] IT That oner al finges 50
scholne do ^oure diligence to kepe ^oure persone &
to warnyssche ^oure hous [2488] IT And f ei seiden also fat
in fis caas 3owe ouhten to wirchen ful aviselie &
"with grete deliberacione . [2489] U And sir . as to f e first
pointe fat touchef vn to fe kepeinge of 3oure persone
[2490] IF 30 schul vnderstonde fat he fat hafe werre schal
euermore deuoutly & mekely prey en bcfor al
finges [2491] fat ihesus crist of his merci wil
LANSDOWNE 611 (6-T. 222)
SIX-TEXT 223
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
haue him in protectione & bien his souereigne helpeinge
at his nedef [2492] ifor certes in pis werlde pere nys no
wiht pat mai be counseld ne kepped sufficiantly wit7i-
outen pe kepeinge of oure lor[d] ihesu crist '. [2493] To pis
sentence accordej) pe profet dauid pat seipe . [2494]
If god ne kepe pe Citee . in Idel wakep he pat it kepep
[2495] IT Now sir pan scholne ^e qwite pe kepeinge of
3 oure persofi to ^oure trewe frendes pat bene aproued
& yknowef [2496] & of hem schol je axen 1helpe ^oure
persons for to kepe 1T For Caton seipe if pou hast
nede of helpe ax it of pi frendes. [2497] For pere is
none so good a fesicien as is pi trew frende [2498]
IT And after pis schal 30 kepe 3 owe frome al
strange folke & fro lyersf And alweye haue in suspect
here companye [2499] ^ For Pers Alphon seipe Ne
take no company bepe were of a straunge man bot it
so be pou haue knowe him of longer tiinef [2500]
And if it so be pat he fal into pi compaigne per-
aduenture wip-outen pine assent ' [2501] enquere pan
as sotelly as pou canste of his cowuersacion & of his lif
be-fore '. & feyneinge pine weie seyinge pou woldest go peder
as pou woldest not go f [2502] If he bere a spere
hold pe on pe riht side of him . & if he bere a swerde
holde on pe left side of him. [2503] & pan schal
^e kepe ^owe wislye fro al suche manere of
peple as .1. haue seide 3owe here be-fore. & hem & here cown-
sett eschewe. [2504] And after pis pan schal 30 kepe $owe
in suche manere [2505] pat for any presumpcion of ^oure
bodely strengep pat ^e dispise nouht ne acomptep nou^t pe
miht of ^oure aduersarie so lit pat $e lette pe
kepeinge of ^oure person for ^oure presumpcion . [2506]
For euery wiseman dredep his enemye '. [2507] IF And
Salomon seipe. welfuH is he pat of al hape drede
[2508] For certes he pat hap poruhe hardenesse of his
herte f and poruhe pe hardinesse of him self hap so
grete presumpcion him schal yuel betide f [2509] And pan
LANSDOWNE 612 (6-T. 223) [l leaf 198]
SIX-TEXT 224
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
schal ^e euer more enconterewaite en-buschementez and al
espyaile [2510] 1T ffor as seife fe wiseman .
[ no gap.] [25ii]hene
fallef in no perile fat perilousncs eschewef [2512] IT And al
be it so fat f ou seme fat fou be in secrete place $it
sclialt f ou alweie done f i diligence in f e kepeinge of f i per-
son f [2513] fis is to seie be nouht necligent to kepe fi
person Nouht onely fro f i grettest enemye bot only fro f i
leste enmye. [2514] Senec . seife. A man fat
is wele a-vised he dredef his lest enemye '. [2515] Guide,
seif. fat fe litel wesel wil sle fe grete butt & fe
wilde hert. [2516] And fe prouerbe seife a litel forne
mai greue a kinge ful sore & a lite hunde wil
holde fe wilde bore [2517] bot nafelesse .1. seie nouht
f ou schal nouht be so grete a cowarde fat f ou doute where as
is no drede [2518] IT The book seife : fat so?rane men haue
grete lust to deceyue f Bot f ei dred to be de-
ceyuedf [2519] \Apres, tu te dois garder de venin~\
And kepe fe from fe company of scoreners f [2520]
for f e boke seife fat scorners makef no company .
bot fle here word as yenum .
[2521] IT Nowe as to fe secunde point, fere as $oure
cownsellowrs conseH ^ow to warnystor ^oure houses
w£t/i grete diligence .// [2522] I. wold fein knowe howe fat
30 vnderstonde f ilke wordes & what is ^oure sentence
[2523] IT Millebeus ansewarde & seidef certes .1. vnder-
stonde in fis wise fat .1. schal warnstore myne house
wif toures suche as hafe casteles & of ere manere
edifices '. & armowr & archers [2524] be whiche
f inge . If .1. maie my person & my hous so kepe . &
defende fat myne enemys schal be in drede my
hous to aproche
[2 5 2 5] IF To fis sentence anseward a-none dame Prwdens
warnyscheinge qwod sche of hihe toures & of hihe
edifices apparteined som time to pride f [2526] And eke men
make hihe toures . [et les edifices a grant traueil et a grans
LANSDOWNE 613 (6-T. 224)
SIX-TEXT 225
GROUP B. § 10. MBLIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
despens J Et quant elles sont faites dies ne valent rien se
elles ne sont deffendues par saiges et par loyaulz amiz fy
grans missions (MS Keg. 19 C xi, leaf 58, col. 2)] [2527]
And vnderstand wele fat fe grettest & fe strangest
garison fat a riche man male haue . 1 As wele to kepen his
person & his goodes is [2528] fat he be byloued
wif his subiectes & wif his nei3bowrs // [2529] ffor
fus sei]) Tulliusf Thet fere is a manere Garnyson fat
man maie venquysschen ne discomfite And fat is [2530]
a lord to be loued of his Cite^eines And of his peple
[2531] 1T Nowe sir as to fe fred pointef Where as
joure olde & wise counselkmrs seiden f fat jow
nouht not sodenly ne hastely proceden in fis nedef
[2532] Eot fat 3owe ouhten pwrveye & apparel ^owe
in fis caas f wif grete diligence & grete deliberacion f
[2533] Trewly .1. trowe fat fei seiden riht wisly
& riht sofef [2534] IT ffor. Tulliusf seif e f In euery
nede er f ou be-ginne it f apparel f e w?'t/i grete
diligence. [2535] Than seie .1. fat in vengeance
takeinge in werre . in Bataile & in warnestoringe .
[2536] er fou beginne .1. reede fat fou appareile fe
fere to f and do it wif gode deliberacion [2537] IT ffor
Tullius seif e f f e longe apparaileinge beforne f e Bataile
Makef schort victorie. [2538] And Cassidorus seifef The
garnyson is stronger^ whan it is longe time avisede .
[2539] 1T Bot no we lat vs speke of fe counsel fat was
acorded be oure neihbours suche as done ^owe
reuerence wif-outen loue [2540] joure olde enemyes recon-
siledef H 3oure flaterers [2541] fat counselled 3owe cer-
teine f inges pn'uely f & openlye counseled ^owe f e
contrarief [2542] IT The 3onge folke also fat counseld
}owe to do vengeance and to make werre anonel [2543] 1F And
certe s^r as .1. haue seide be-forne 30 haue gretly erred
to haue cleped suche manereof folke to 3oure counseHl [2544]
wiche cownselloMrs buene ynowhe repreuede be f e resons
a-forne seide [2545] H Bot nafeles late vs nowe descende to
LANSDOWNE 514 (6-T. 22o) [i leaf 198, back]
SIX-TEXT 226
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
pe speciale f H 3e schollen first precede after pe doctrine . of
Tullius . [2546] Certes pe treupe of pis Matier eipere of
pis counseH nedep nouht diligently enquirenf [2547] For it
is wele wist whiche pei bienf pat haue do ^ow pis
tn'spas & velanyf [2548] & ho we many trespasso&rs
& in what manere pei haue done to jowe al pis
wronge & aH J>is velanye [2549] IT And after pisf
fan schal 30 examyne pe secunde condicion '. pe whiche
fat Tullius haddep in Jris rnatiere . [2550] IT For
tullius. puttep a pinge whiche att he clepep corcsentyngef pis
is to seief [2551] who "buen pei & whiche "buen fei & houe
mony pat consenten to pi counsel! in pi wilfulnes to
done hasti vengeance f // [2552] And lat vs consider also who
bien pei . & how mony bien pei [et quelz (MS Reg. 19 C xi,
If 58, col. 4)] pat pat consenten to ^oure aduersaries [2553]
IF And certes as to pe first pointe it is wele knowen whiche
be pei pat consentine to joure hastif wilful-
nes f [2554] For treuly al po pat counsel ^oue
to maken sodein werre ne bien noujt pure frendes [2555]
If Lete se nowe whiche bien pei pat 30 holde
so gretely 3oure frendes as to 3oure person f [2556] For
al be it so pat 30 bene myhte & riche f certes 36
bue hot alone. [2557] fibr certes 30 haue no childe
bot a douhteref [2558] ne 30 haue no brepern ne cosins
germayns ne none opere nyhe kinredf [2559] where-for
3oure enmys scholden stint to plete wip
3owe ne to destruyen 3oure person f [2560] ^T 3e knowen
also pat 3oure riches most be dispended in
diuerse parties f [2561] And what pat euery whight 1hap
his parte pei wolne tak litel rewarde to vengen
pi dep [2562] II Bot pine enemys bien pre f &
pei haue many childerne. brepern f cosins f & opere nyhe
kinrede [2563] IT And pouhe so were pat pou haddest
sleine of hem tuo or pre f $i.t dwellen pere y-nowe to awreken
here depef & to sle pine persone [2564] & peihe so
be pat 3oure kinred be more sikere & stedfast pan
LANSDOWNE 515 (6-T. 226) [Meafl99]
SIX-TEXT 227
GEOUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
fe kinrede of ^oure aduersarief [2565] }it neuer fe les
3oure kinred is "bot after kinrede fat bien bot litil sibbe
to jowe [2566] IT And fe kine of joure ennemys bue nyhe
sibbe to hem f And certes as in fat her condition is better
fat is joures [2567] H Than latt vs consideren also of fe
counsellinge of hem fat counseleden jow to taken sodein
vengeance f wef ere it accord ef to reson or none '. [2568] And
certes je knowen wele nayef [2569] IF For as be riht &
reson fere maie no man take vengeance of no wyht bot
fe luge fat hafe lurdiction of it [2570] whan it is
graunted him to take filke vengeance hastelye or at-
temperellye as fe lawe require f [2571] IF And }it more
ouere of filke worde fat Tullius clepef consentinge f
[2572] fou schalt consent if fi myht & fi power
maie consent f And sufficef to f i wilfulnesse & to fine
counsellours f [2573] And certes fr>u maist wele seie
fat naie f [2574] For sekerly as for to speken propmiye
we maie do no f inge bot onely suche f inge as we may
done rihtfully [2575] 11 And certes rihtfully ne maie 30
take no vengeance as of joure propre Auctoritef [2576]
IF fan maie $e seen fat 30110 pouer ne consentef nou^t
ne accordef nou^t wif $oure wilfulnesse. [2577] IT No we
latte vs examyne fe frede pointe fat tullius clepef fe
consequent f [2578] IT fou schalt vnderstonde fat fe
vengeance fat fou purposest for to take his conse-
quent f [2579] And fer-for fallef anofere vegeance .
Perill . werre . & of ere damage wif - outen nombre
of whiche be nouht war as att fis timef [2580] And
as toucheinge f e ferf e pointe f fat Tullius clepef en-
genderinge [2581] IT Thou schalt consider fat fis wronge
whiche fat is done to f e i is engenderd of f e hate of
fine enmysf [2582] And of fe vengeance takeingf And
vpon fat wolde engender anof er vengance & muchel sorwe
& wastinge of richesse as .1. seide ere
[2583] Now sir .as toucheinge fe pointe fat tulli«s
clepef causes, whiche. fat is fe last pointe. [2584] IT fou
LA.NSDOWNE 516 (6-T. 227)
SIX-TEXT 228
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
schalt vnderstonde .fat fe wronge fat fu hast receyued
haf certeine causes [2585] whiche fat clerkes clepen .
Oriens & officiens & causa longinqua & cawsa
p?*0pinqua. fis to seine fe ferre cause [et la proch-
aine [2586] La longtaine est dieu qui est
cause de toutes choses / [2587] La procliaine sont ces iij.
ennemiz [2588] La cause (Reg. 1 9 C xi)] Accidentale . was hate .
[2589] The causes Material bene fe .v. wondes of
fine douhterf [2590] The cause formale is fe manere of
here wercheinge fat hrouht ledders And clomben in att
fine wyndows. [2591] fe cause finale was for to sle fi
douhter . It lakked nouht in as muche as in hem was [2592]
^l Bot for to speken of f e ferre cause as to what ende f eie
scholne come '. or what schal be-tiden of hem in f is
caas ne can .1. nouht deme bot be coniectinge & be
supposeinge f [2593] 5T For we scholne supp[os]e [que Ilz en
vendronf] to a wikked endef [2594] Be cause fe booke
of decrees seif e IF Seldome or wif grete peine bene causes /
1 brouhte to an hende whan f ei bene badly be-gonne .
[2595] ^ Nowe sir if men axed mef whi fat $e
suffer men to done ^owe fis velanye f certes .1. can
not wele ansewer as for no soffastnesse [2596] 1F For
fe Apostele seife fat fe science & fe luggement of
oure lorde god bene myhty & depef [2597] fere maie
no man comprehende ne serche ham sumceantlyf [2598]
Narefeles be serteine presumpciouns & coniettinges
.1. holde & beleue [2599] fat god fat is ful of
Justice & rihtwisnes Haf suffred fis be-tide be lust
cause resonable '.
[2600] IT fi name is Melibe. fis is to seie a man
fat drinkef honyef [2601] Thow hast ydronken so muche
hony of fi swete temperal riches & delices & hon-
ortrs of fis werlde [2602] fat f ou art dronken f & hast
forjeten oure lorde ihesu criste fi creatowrf [2603] fou
hast no3t done to him suche honour as fe ouhtef
[2604] ne fou hast nouht wele take hede to
LANSDOWNE 517 (6-T. 228) [». leaf 199, back]
SIX-TEXT 229
GROUP fc. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
fe' wordes of Ovide fat seidef [2605] vnder fe hony
of ]>& goodes of fi bodif is hidde fe venym fat slef
fi soule f [2606] And Salomon seifef If fou hast
found Honyf ete of it what sufficifef [2607] For if fou
ete of it oute of mesuref ))ou schalt spewe & be nedy
& poueref [2608] And peraduentwre criste hafe in
despite & haj> torne awaie fro fe his facef & his
heres of Misericordef [2609] And also he hafe suffred
fat fou haste biene ypunysched in fe maner fat fou
hast trespast [2610] IT Thou hast done sinne a3eines
oure lorde ihesu criste f [2611] for certes fe fre enemys of
mankinde fat is to seie . fe flesche. fe fende. & fe
werlde. [2612] Thou hast suffurde hem entre in to fine
[soule] wilfully be fe windowes of fi bodye [2613] And
hast nouht defended f e sufficiantly a^eines here defautes
& temptacio?ms f So fat f ei haue wounded f i
soule in .v. place f [2614] fis is to seine. H fe dedely
sinnes fat biene entred in to fine hert be fi .v.
wittes. [2615] And in fe same manere oure lorde ihesu
crist f haf e suffred fat fine free enemys be entrede
in to fine house be fe windowes ' [2616] And han
wounde f i doubter in f e same man ere f
[2617] IF Certes qiiod. Mellibe .1. see fat 30 en-
force jowe mechel be wordes to ouer-come me . In suche
manere fat schal nou3t avenge me of myne enmye [2618]
scheweinge me fe perils & fe yueles fat myhten
fal of fis vengeance [2619] IT Bot [whojso wolde consider
in al vengeance fe perils & fe yuels fat miht sewe
of vengancez takeinge [2620] a man wold neuere take
veniancef And fat were harmef [2621] for be fe venge-
ance takeinge buen fe wikked men deseuerd fro fe
good menf [2622] IT And fo fat han wil to done wikked-
nessef restreyne here wikked purpos f Whan fei seen fe
punyssheinge and f e chastesinge of trespassowrs
[2623] [And to this answered dame Prudence : ' Certes,'
said she, 'I grant you that from vengeance come many
LANSDOWNE 518 (6-T. 229)
SIX-TEXT 230
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
benefits as well as many evils ; [2624] yet vengeance be-
longeth not to " a singulere person," but only to the judges,
and to those who have jurisdiction over evil-doers.']
[2625] IT An 3ite saie .1. moref pat riht as a singulere
person sinnepe In takeinge vengeance of anoper naarme .
[2626] Eiht so sinnep pe lugge if he take no vengeance
of heni pat hit haue deseruedef [2627] ffor Senec seipe.
That maistere is good pat reprouep schrewes i [2628]
And as Cassidorye seipe A man dredep to done
outrages whan he wote & knoep pat it displese
pe luge & pe souereyngnes f [2629] 1T And anopere. The
luge pat dredep to done riht Makep schrewes .
[2630] And seinte Poule pe Appostle seipe in his epistle
whan he writep vn-to pe Romayns f That pe luge beren
nouht pe spere wip-owten cause [2631] bot pel beren it
to punysshen pe schrewes & pe mysdoers & to 1defende
pe goode menf [2632] If 36 wilne pan take vengeance
of 3oure enemys 30 schol retourne or haue ^oure recours
to pe luge pat hap pe lurdicciown vpon hem. [2633]
& he schal punysshe hem as pe lawe axep & requirep f
[2634] 1T A quod Mellibef pis vengeance lykep me
no pinge f [2635] I be-pinke me nowe
howe fortone hape norisched me fro my childhode
And hap holpen me to passe mony a strange place f [2636]
Now .1. wiH assay ene here troweinge wip goddes grace &
helpe pat 30 schal helpe me my schame for to venge
[2637] IT Certes quod prudence if 36 wolne wirche be my
counseilf 30 schol nouht assaye fortune be no weye [2638]
^F Ne 36 schol nouht lene or borwe vnto here after pe worde
of Senec. [2639] For pinges pat bene folylye done &
pat biene in hope of fortune schal neuer come a good
ende [2640] And as pe same Senec seipe f The more
clere & pe more and pe more schineinge pat fortune is f pe
more brutel & pe sonner ybroke sche isf [2641] Tristep
nouht in hire for sche is neypere stedfast ne stable f [2642]
IT For whan pou trowest to be most sekere or sure of hire
LANSDOWNE 519 (6-T. 230) E1 leaf 2001
STX-TEXT 231
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdownc MS.
helpef Sche wil Faile fe & deceyve fef [2643] IT And
where as 30 seine fat fortone haj? norissched ^ow fro joure
child-hodef [2644] I. saie joue fat in so muche schal 30
fe lasse trust in hire & in hire wittef [2645] 1T For Senec
seif e . fat what man is norisched be fortune sche makef
him a grete foolef [2646] IT Nowe sefen 30 desire
& axen vengeance f And fe vengeance fat is done after
fe la we & be-forne fe luge ne likef jowe nou^tf [2647]
And vengeance fat is done in hope of forton is peril-
ous & vncerteine '. [2648] Than haue 30 none of er
remedye f bot for to haue ^oure recours vnto f e souereyne
luge fat vengef al velanyes & wronges [2649]
And he schal venge ^oue after fat f i self witnessef f
[ .... no gap] [2650] Leuef fe vengeance to me
& .1. schal done it f
[2651] Mellibe ansewardf I. ne venge me nouht of
fe wronge fat men han done to me [2652] .1. schal somne or
werne hem fat haue done fis velany to me And al
ofere to done me anofere velanye [2653] IF For it is wreten
if f ou take no vengeance of an olde velanye f f ou somp-
nest fine adue?-sarie to done f e a newe velanye f [2654]
\Et ainsi par mon seremerd en souffrant len me fera tant de
villenie de toutes pars (Reg. 19 C xi, If 60, col. 2)] fat .1.
myht neyf e ber it ne susteinge f [2655] And . so schold .1.
be oueresett And halden ouere lowef [2656] For men seine
in muchel suffringe schold mony finges falle. vn-to fe
whiche .1. schal nouht suffre
[2657] IF Certes quod prudence .1. graunte fat
ouer muchel suffrance is nouht goodf [2658] IT Bot jit ne
foulowef it nou^t fe?'e-of '. fat euery person to whom men
doone velanye take of hit vengeance f [2659] For fat appar-
tenef & longef al only to fe luge. For fei schal
vengen fe vilenys & fe inluryes [2660] And ferfore
fo tuo Auctoritees fat 36 haue seide aboue ben only
vnderstonden in fe lugges [2661] IT For whan fei suffren
ouere mechel fe wronges & velany s be done
LA.NSDOWNE 520 (6-T. 23l)
SIX-TEXT 232
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
wit/i-owten punyschingef [2662] fei sompne not a mail
onely for to do newe wronges f bot f e commawnde it
[2663] H Also a wise man seifef fat fe luge fat cor-
rectef nouht f e sinner* i commandef e & biddef him to do
shine [2664] 5T And fie souereignes & Jie luges myhten in
her* londe so muche suffure of f e schrewees & fie inysdoers '.
[2665] fiat fei scholden be 1suffrance be processe of
time wexen of suche powere & mylitf fat fiei scholde
put oute J>e luges & f e souereignes fro here places '.
[2666] & att fie last maken hem lesen here lordeschippes f
[2667] Bot lat vs nowe put fat 36 haue leue to
vercgen ^owef [2668] If 36 be nouht of myht & powere
as nowe to vengen ^owe '. [2669] IF For if 30 willen maake
comparison vn-to f e myht of ^oure aduersaries f ye scholne
finde in many finges fat .1. haue schewde ^owe aforne f is f
fat here condicion is better fan ^ouresf [2670] If And
ferefore seie .1. fat it is good as nowe fat 36 sufFre &
be pacient
[2671] 1T Forfere more 30 knowe. fat after fe
coinune sawe it is a wodenesse a man to striue a3eines a
stronger ofere a more myhty man fan him self
[2672] IT And for striue wif a man of euen strenkef f
fat is to seie wif a strange man as he is it is a pmle.
[2673] And for to striue wif a weyker man it is foly f
[2674] And fe?--for scholde a man fly3e striueinge as
muche as he mihtf [2675] as Salomon seifef It is a
grete worschipe a man to kepe him fro noyse &
strif [2676] IT And if it so be-falle or happe fat a man
of gretter myht & strengef fan fou ert do fe
greuance [2677] Stodye & besye fe rafere to stille
fe same greuance fan for to venge fe [2678] For
Senec seif e . fat he puttef him in grete perile fat
strivef wif a gretter man fan he him self is [2679]
11 And Caton seif e if a man of hiher astate or degre or
more myhte fan fou do fe anoye or greuance
suifre hime . [2680] For he fat ones haf e greucd f e
36 LANSDOWNE 621 (6-T. 232) [> leaf 200, back ]
SIX-TEXT 233
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
maie a-nofere time releue fe & helpe fef [2681] II 3itt
sett .1. caas fat 36 haue bof myht & licence to
venge ^owe f [2682] I. seie fat fere bue mony
finges fat schold reteyne ^owe. of vengeance takeinge
[2683] And maake ^ow for to encline & for to suffre And for
to haue paciens in fe wronges fat han be done to
3owe f [2684] first & forwarde yf 30 wolne considere
f e def antes fat bene in 3oure owen person f [2685]
ffor whiche defautes god haf suffred 3owe to haue fi's
tribulacione as .1. haue seide 3owe here before! [2686] ffor
f e poet seif e f That we ouhten pacientlye take f e tribu-
lacions fat comef to vs whan we finken & consideren
fat we haue deserued to haue hem. [2687] ^[ And seint
Gregorie seif whan a man consideref wele fe
nombre of his defautes & of his sinnes [2688] fe
peynes & fe tribulacions fat he suffref semen fe
lasse vn-to hime [2689] IT And alsomuche as him fink-
ef his sinnes fe more heuy & greuous . [2690] In so
muche semef his peine . f e lihter & f e esier vn-to
himf [2691] IT Also 36 owen to enclyne & to bowen $oure
herte to taken fe pacience of oure [lord] ihesu crist. As
seife seint Peter in his Epistles f [2692] IT Ihesu crist he
seif hafe suffred for vs & 3euen ensample vn-to euery
man for to folowe & to sewe him i [2693] ffor he dide neuer
sinne . ne neuere ne came a veleyns worde out of his
nioufef [2694] IT Whan men cursed him • he cursed hem
nouht . And whan men betene him he manessed hem
nouht [2695] IT Also fe grete pacie??s whiche fe
seintez fat bien in paradise haue hadde in tnttulacions fat
fei haue sufferd wif-oute?z her desert or gilt [2696]
ouht muche to stire. J3owe to pacieiicef [2697] [Aprez moult
te dots enclmer a pacience ce (Reg. 19 C xi, If 60 bk, col. 2)]
[2698] consideringe fat fe trzbulacions of fis werlde hot
litel while enduref f & sone passed biene & gone f
[2699] And fe loye fat man sekef to haue by
pacience in tribulacione is perdurable After fat fo
LANSDOWXE 522 (6-T. 233) [i leaf SGI]
SIX-TEXT 234
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
Apostele seife in fis epistle [2700] IF The loye of god he
seife is perdurable fat is to seie euer lasteinge/f/ [2701]
Also trowej) & beleuef stedfastlye fiat is nouht wele
y-norisched ne wele y-tauht fat can nouht haue pacience .
[ no gap] [2702] 1T For Salomon, seife ;
fat fe doctrine of fe witte of man it knowen be
pacience '. [2703] And in anofere place he seife. He
fat is pacient gouernef him be grete prudence f [2704]
And ^ut Salomon seife . f e Angry & f e wuf ful
man makef noys f and fe pacient man attempref
him & stille him [2705] IT He seife also it is more
\vorfe to be riht pacient fat to be riht strongef [2706] And
he fat may haue fe lorschip of his owen hert is
more to preisel fan he fat be his force & strengef
takef grete Citees [2707] IT And ferfor seif seint
lame in his apistle fat pacience is a grete vertue of
perfeccione .
[2708] H Certes qiiod Mellibe .1. graunte jowe dame
prudence . fat pacience is a grete vertue of Perfeccione .
[2709] Bot euery man maie not haue fe perfecci'on fat 30
sechen £2710] 1T Ne .1. ne am not of fe nombre of riht per-
fite me[w] . [2711] ffor myiie herte may neuer bue in
pees vnto fe time it be venged .// [2712] And al be it so
fat it was grete perile to myne enemys to done a
velany in takeinge vengeance vpon me. [2713] ^it
token fei none hede of fe perile bot fulfilden here
wikked wil & here corage [2714] IT And fere-fore me
f enkef fat men ouht not to reproue me feihe .1. putte me
in-to a litel perile for to avenge me f [2715] And f ouhe .1. do
a grete excesse f fat is to saie f fat .1. do a vengeance outrage
be a-nof er f
[2716] 1F A qwod Dame prudence 36 seyne joure wil
& as ^oue likef [2717] IF Bot in no caas of fe werlde a
man schold nouht done outrage ne excesse for to avengen
him [2718] IT For Cassidori seifef That as yuel dofe
he fat avengef him be outrage '. As he fat dofe f e
LANSDOWNE 523 (6-T. 234)
SIX-TEXT 235
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
outrage f [2719] And fere-fore 36 scliollen venge ^ow after
fe order of rihtf fat is to seine be fe lawef nouht
be excesse ne be outrage f [2720] Also If je wil
venge jow of fe outrage of ^oure aduersaries in ofere
manere fan riht co?wmandef 30 synnenf [2721]
IF Therefore seif e Senec That a maw schal neuere venge
schrewnesse by schrewdnesse ' [2722] a[n]d if he seie
fat riht axef to defende violence be violence '.
An feihtinge be feyhtinge f [2723] Certes 36 seie sofe
whan f e defence is done riht anone wif-outen interualle or
•wit/i-owten tarynge or delaye [2724] for to defenden him.
& nouht for to vengeii hiinf [2725] And it be-houef
fat a man putte suche tempe?-ance in his defense
[2726] fat men haue no cause ne Matire to reproue
him fat defendef him of excesse & outrage. [Car au-
trement Ce seroit contre droit et contre raison (Reg. 19 C xi)]
[2727] ^F Parde 30 wote wele fat 36 maake no defense
as nowe for to defende 3owe . bot for to venge 3owe
[2728] IF And so sewef it fat 30 haue no wil to 30111-6
dede attemperally f [2729] And fe?'e-for me finkef fat
pacience is goode IF For Salomon seif e '. he fat is nouht
patient schal haue grete harme
[2730] 5F Certes quod. Mellibe .1. graunt wele fat
whan a man is vnpacient & wrofe of fat fat touchef
him nouht & fat at appe?*teignef nouht to him f f ouht it
harme him it is no wondere [2731] for fe lawe seifef
he fat is coupable f fat entre-metef him or medelef him wif
suche finges as perteignef nouht to hirnf [2732] IF And
Salomon seif e . That he fat entermetef him of fe
noyse & f e strif of a-nof ere man is like to hime fat takef
an hunde be fe eres f [2733] ffor riht as he fat take
a strange honde be fe eres is ofere while beten wif
fe honde f [2734] riht in fe same wise it fe resoz/n fat
he haue harme . fat by his inpacience medelef him of
f e noyce of anof ere man f wher as it appe?-teinef nouht vnto
him [2735] ^ B°t 30 knowen wele fat fis dede f fat
LANSDOWNE 524 (6-T. 235) [' leaf 201, back]
SIX-TEXT 236
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
is to seie my greue & my disese touchef me liht
nyhe . [2736] IT And fere-for feih .1. be wrofe & ini-
pacientf it is no merveile [2737] IT And saueinge ^oure
grace .1. can iiou^t see fat it my lit gretly harme
feih. .1. take vengeance [2738] ffor .1. am more Richer &
myhte fan myne enemy s biene [2739] ^ And wele
knowe 36 fat be mony & he haueinge grete posses-
sions bien al finge of fis werld gouernede f [2740]
And Salomon seif AH finges obeyne to
money f
[2741] IT Whan p?'z«dence had herd hir husbonde
to avaunteii him of his riches & of his monye f & dispreyse-
inge of f e pouer of his aduersaries '. Sche spak & seide on
fis wise [2742] \_Certe-s treschier sires] .1. graunte fat
30 be riht riche & myhtyf [2743] & fat fe risches
bien goode to hem fat haue wele geten hem . & fat
wele can vsen hem [2744] ^T For riht as fe body of
man maie no3t leue w/t/iouten soulef ne more may it
leue wif-outen temperale godes [2745] 1T And be rich-
es may a man geten him grace f [2746] 1T And
f er-for seife Pamphilles f If any goddes douhter he seif e
be riche f sche maie chese he seife of a f ousand men . \lequel
quelle veult pour mary [2747] Et de mil (MS Eeg. 19 C xi,
leaf 61, back, col. 1)] one wil not for-saken hur ne refuysen
hire. [2748] 1T And fis Pamphiles seife al so if fou be
riht happef fat is to seie if fou be riht riche fou
schalt finde a grete nombre of frendes & felawes [2749]
IT And if f i fortun chawnchef fat if fou wex pore f flare
wele frenchipp & phelauschipe f [2750] ffor fou schalt be
alone wif-outen any company . bot if be fe
compaigne of good folke [2751] IF And ^itte seife fi's
Pamphiles more ouere f fat f ei fat bien f ralle &
bonde of lignage scholne be maade worfe & noble be
richessef [2752] And riht so as be ryches fere
comen mony godes f Riht so be pouert comef
mony harmes & yuels f [2753] ffor grete pouerte con-
LA.NSDOWNE 625 (6-T. 236)
SIX-TEXT 237
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
streynef a man to done mony yuels [2754] IF And fere-
for clepef Cassidor. pouert. fe moder of ruyen .
[2755] fat is to seie fe moder of ouere froweinge. or
fallinge doune. [2756] And ferfor seif Pers Alphons .
One of fe grettest aduersarie of fis werlde isf [2757]
whan a fre be kinde or of birfe is constreyned
be pouert to eten fe almes of his enemyef [2758] 11 And
f e same seij) . Innocent In one of his bokes seif
fat f e sorwe'Ful & f e mys happe is f e condicion of a pouer
beggere . [2759] ffor if He axe)) nouht his mete he deyef for
hungeref [2760] And if he ax he deyef for schame f
And algates necessite constreinef him to axe . [2761]
And f er-for seif Salomon f fiat better is to deie fan
to haue suche pouert f [2762] jut seif Salo-
mon f fat better is to deie of bitter defe fan for to
leue in suche wisef [2763] Be fes resowns fat .1.
haue seide vnto jowef and be mony of ere resons fat .1
coufe seif [2764] I graunt jowe wele fat riches bene
good to hem fat geten hem wele f & to hem fat wele
vsen hem. [2765] And fer-fore wil .1. schewe
3owe howe ^e schaH haue ^owe '. [en amassant les
richesses et en vsant de celles (MS Reg. 19 C xi,
If 61, back, col. 2.)]
2766] IT First 30 schol geten he?ra wi't/f-oute grete
desire be goode leyser so-keingly & nouht ouere Hastely f
[2767] ffor a man fat is to desireinge to gette riches f
aboundenef him first to f eft f & to att of ere yuels f
[2768] And fere-fore seif Salomon. He fat hastef
him ouere besilye to wax riche schal be none Innocent f
[2769] He seife also fat fe richesse fat hastely commef to
a man . Sone & lyhtly gof e & passef fro a man f
[2770] IT But fat richesse fat commef litett & lytel
wexif alvveie & multiplief f [2771] 1T And sire 30 schal
gete richesse ynouhe be jowre witte & be joure trauaile vnto
joure profite [2772] And fat wif-owten wronge or harmef
doinge to any ofere person f [2773] IF For fe lawe
LANSDOWNE 526 (6-T. 237) ["leaf 202]
i
SIX-TEXT 238
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
seife fere make]? no man him self riche if lie do
harme to anofere wyghtf [2774] [Car la loy dit que
droit et nature deffent que nulz ne se face riche au
dommaige dautruy (MS Reg. 19 C xi, If 62, col. 1)]
[2775] IT And Tullius seife fat no sorwe ne no drede
of defe ne no finge fat maie fatt to a man [2776]
is so niuche ajeines nature! As a man to encrese his
owen profite to J>e harme of anofere man f [2777] And fouhe
J)e grete men & fe riche men geten richesse More
lihtly fan f ou ' [2778] 3it schalt fou nouht bien ydel ne
slowe to done f i profitt '. ffor fou schalt in al wise fli^e
ydelnesse '. [2779] 1T For Salomon . seife fat Idelnesse techef
a man to done many yuelsf [2780] And eke he
seif fat he fat trauailef & bysif him to tilien
his londe schal eten brede [2781] Bot fat is Idel &
castef him nouht to do no besines ne occupacioure schal fall
in-to pouert & deye for hunger f [2782] And he fat is
ydel & slowhe ne can neuer finde couenable time For to
done his profite [2783] IT For fere is a versifiowr fat seife
fe ydel "man excusef him in winter because of fe
grete coldof and in somer be cause of fe grete hetef
[2784] ffor fes causez seife Catonf Wakef & enclynef
3ow nou^t oue?-e mechel for to slepe For ouere muche rust
causef & norischef mony vices [2785] H And ferefore
seife seinte lerome Dof e some goode dedes fat fe deuel
whiche is oure enmye ne finde ^owe vn-occupied f
[2786] IF For f e deuel ne takef noujt lihtly vn-to his worche-
inge suche as he findef y occupied in good werkes f
[2787] IT Than fus in geteinge riches je
mot fli^e ydelnesse f [2788] & afterward je scholne vse
f e richesse f e whiche ^e haue getten be }oure witte & be
^oure trauayle [2789] In suche a maner fat men
halden ^owe nouht scarce ne to spareinge ne to foole large f
fat is to seie ouere large a spender i [2790] For riht as
men blam an auarous man be cause of his scarste f
& finkeinge [2791] in same wisef he is to blame
LANSDOWNE 527 (6-T. 238)
SIX -TEXT 239
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
pat spendejj oner largely. [2792] 'II An per-for seype
cat5n f Vse pe richesse pat pou hast goten
[2793] in suche maner pat men haue no matier ne
cause to clepe pe wreche ne chinche [2794]
For it is grete schame to a man to haue a pouer hert
& a riche puree [2795] 1F He seipe also pe goodes pat
pou haste goten vse hem be Mesuref pat is to seine
spend mesurablyef [2796] for pei pat folely wasten
& dispenden pe goodes pat pei haue [2797] whan
pei haue no more propre of hire owen f pei schapen hem
to tak pe goodes of a-nopere manf [2798] I seie pan
pat he schal ffle auarice [2799] vseinge ^oure riches
in suche manere pat men seie nouht pat joure richesse
hue yheredf [2800] Bot pat 36 haue hem in ^oure
miht & in ^oure weldeinge [2801] IT ffor a wiseman
reprouep pe auerouce man f And seipe pus in in tuo
versf [2802] Wher-to & Whi herip a man his
goodes be his auarice And knowepe wele pat nedes
most he deye f [2803] ffor [dep] is pe ende offe euery man
as in pis present liff [2804] and for pat cause &
encheso?/ne loynep he him. or knyttep he him so fast
vn-to his goodes f [2805] pat al his wittes mowe nouht
deseuern him or departe him fro his goodes f
[2806] And knowepe wele or ouht to knowe pat whan he
is dede he schal not here it oute of pe
werlde wip him f [2807] And pere-for seip sein Austine pat
pe Auerouce man is likkened vn-to hett '. [2808] pat pe
more it desirep f pe more it swelowep &
deuourepf [2809] IF And also wele as ^ewolde eschewe to ben
ycleped an averous man or a chinche [2810] As wele
scholde 36 gouerne 3owe & kepe 3owe in suche a wise
pat men clepe 3ow nouht to large [2811] IT per-fore Tullius
seipe f The goodes he seipe of pine house scholde
not be hidde ne kepped in close hot pat pei mybt
ben opende wip pite . & wip debonartef [2812] 1F pat is to
sei 3ef hem parts pat hap grete nede [2813]
LANSDOWNE 528 (6-T. 239) [i leaf 202, back]
SIX-TEXT 240
GKOUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
"Ne pi goodes schal nou3t "be so open to "ben euery
mannes goodes. [2814] Aftenvarde in geteinge of joure
richesse & in vseinge hem je scholne alweie haue prei
pinges in ^oure hertef [2815] [Cest assauoir dieu conscience
et bonne fame [2816] Tu dois donques auoir dieu eu ton ceur
(MS Eeg. 19 C xi, If 62, bk, col. 1)] [2817] And for no
richesse 36 scholne do no pinge fat maie displesawnce to
god [ton createur] [2818] 11 For after
pe worde of Salomon. Tt is better to haue a litel goode
wip pe loue of godf [2819] fan to haue muche goode
& tresor & lese pe loue of his lorde godf [2820]
And pe prophit seipe f pat better it is to be a
good man & haue litel goode & tresowrf [2821] fan to
be holden a schrewe & to haue grete richesse [2822]
IT }it • seye .1. former more '. pat 36 seal
done 3oure bisines to geten 3owe rechesse [2823] so pat
30 geten hem wip good conscience [2824] H And pe Apostle
seipe J>at pere is no pinge in pis werlde of whiche we
scholne haue so grete loye as when oure concience berep
vs good wittenesse f [2825] And pe wise man seipef The
substance of a man is ful good whan sinne is nouht in
marcnes conscience f [2826] IT Afterwarde in gettinge of 30111-6
richesse '. And in vsinge of hem [2827] 3ow must haue
grete besinesse & grete diligence pat 3oure good
name be al weie kepped & conserued [2828] ^T For Salo-
mon seipe '. pat better it is & more aveilep a man
to haue goode name pan to haue grete richesse '
[2829] And 1perfore he seipe in anopere place f Dop grete
diligence seipe Salomon! in kepeinge of pi frende & of
pi goode name [2830] for it schal longer abide wip
pe [pan] any tresor be it neuere so precious f [2831]
And certes he scholde not be cleped a gentil man pat
after god & good conscience al pinges left pat ne dope
his besines ne diligence to kepen his goode name
[2832] 1T And Cassidorie seipe pat it is signe of a goode
hert whan a man louep & desirep to haue a goode name f
LANSDOWNE 529 (<5-T. 240) [MeafSOS]
SIX-TEXT 241
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
[2833] An ferfore seif seij) seint Austine fat fere
beene tuo fringes fat bien necessarie & nedefuH .
[2834] And fat is good conscience [2835]
to fine owen person
inwarde f & good loos of fin neihbowr outewarde
[2836] And lie fat trustuf him so niuchel in his goode
conscience [2837] fat he dispisef
his good name or loos and rekkef nou}t
to kepe his goode name '. nys bot a cruel cherlle
[2838] IF Sire nowe haue .1. schewde jow howe 36 schol
done in geteinge of richesse & howe 36 scholne vsen hem '
[2839] And .1. se wele fat for fe trust fat ye haue in
rechesse 30 wol men Bataile & werref [2840]
IT I counsel! 3owe fat 30 be-gynne no werre in trust of
3oure richesse. For fei sufficen nouht werres to maw-
tene [2841] IT And f erf ore seif a Philosofre That
a man desiref & wil algates haue werre : schal
neuer haue sufficeance. [2842] For fe richer fat he is
f e gretter dispence mote he make '. If he wiH haue wor-
schippe & victorief [2843] And Salomon seifef fat fe
gretter richesse fat a man haf e f f e more despendoures he
hafef [2844] IT And dere sir al be it sof fat for 3oure
richesse 36 mai haue muche folke f [2845] 3utte behouef
it nouht ne it is nou3t goode to beginne werre '. where as 30
maie in ofere manere haue pees vnto 3oure worschip
& prophitef [2846] For fe victories of batailles fat bieu
in fis werlde lyfe nou3t in grete nombre of multitude of
peple in fe vertue of man. [2847] Bot ^ tye ^n
fe wiH & in fe hande of oure lorde ihesu cristf
[2848] IT And fere-fore ludas Machabeus whiche was
goddes knyht f [2849] Whan he schold feyhten a3eines his
adue?'saries fat hadd a gretter nombre '. & a gretter mul-
titude of folke f & stronger fan was f e peple of Macha-
bef [2850] 3it he comford his litel compaigne &
seide riht in fis wise f [2851] II As lihtly quod he
may oure lorde god almyhty 30116 victori to fewe folke f
LANSDOWNE 530 (e-T. 241)
SIX-TEXT 242
GKOUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
as to mony folke [2852] ffor fe victorie of Bataile commef
nouht be grete nombre of peple f [2853] Bot it commej)
fro oure lorde of heuenf [2854] And dere sire for
also muchel as fere is noinan certeine f if it be worf i fat
god 3if him victorie [neant phis se II est certain se II est
digne de lamour de dieu] or nou^t f After
fat Salomon seif f [2855] Therfor euery man schold gretely
drede werres to be-ginne [2856] IT And be-cause fat in
Batailes scholne fallen mony perilesf [2857] And happefe
of ere while '. fat as sone is f e grete man sleyne '. as f e lytel
man f [2858] IT And as it [is] wreten in f e secunde boke of
kingesf The dedes of Bataile been aduenterous &
vncerteinf [2859] ffor as lyhtly as one is hnrte wif a
spere xas a-nofer '. [2860] And fere-fore it is grete perile in
werre IT Ther-fore scholde men flee & eschewe werre in
as muchel as a man maie goodly f [2861] IT For Salomon
seif e he fat louef perile '. schal fal in perile
[2862] IT After fat dame Prudence had spoken in
fis manere Mellibe anseward & seidef [2863] IT I. see
wele dame Prudence f«t be ^owre faire wordes & be
3oure resouns fat \yous mettez auant que] fe werre likef
3ow no f inge '. [2864] Bot .1. haue nouht }it herde ^oure wise
counsele how .1. schal do in fis nedef
[2865] H Certes quod, sche .1. counseile 3owe to
accorde with joure aduersaries & fat ^e haue pees
wif hemf [2866] 11 For 2seinte lames seife [en ses epitftre] psenequer,
i -D- 1, MS Reg. 190x1,
fat be coiicorde & pees fat smale Kichesse waxen ires, coi.2.]
grete [2867] And be debate & discorde grete riches
fallen dounef [2868] And 36 knowen fat of fe
grettest & most souereiiie fiuge fat is in fis werlde
is vnite & peesf [2869] IT And ferfore seide oure lorde
ihesu crist to his Apostles in fifs wise [2870] 1T Wei
happy & blissed be fei fat louen & purchasen
peesf For fei bien cleped fe childerne of godf [2871] H A
q?/od Mellibe f Nowe .1. se wele 36 loue nouht my honour
ne my worschippe . [2872] %e knowen wele fat myue
LAXSDOWNE 531 (6-T. 242) [> leaf 203, back]
SIX-TEXT 243
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
aduersaries haue begon f is debate . [et la brigue par leur
oultraige\ [2873] And 36 seen wele fat fei neue?- queren ne
preyne me nouht of pees '. ne fei axe me nouht to be recon-
siledf [2874] Wil 36 fan fat .1. go meke me &
obeye me to hem & crye hem Mercyef [2875] ffor sof e
fat were not my worschipef [2876] ffor riht as men seine
fat ouer grete liumblesse engender]) despisinge . So
faref e it be to grete humilite & mekenesse
[2877] IT j)an by-gan dam prudence to make sem-
blante of wraffef & seide [2878] certes sire saue
3oure grace '. I loue 30111-6 honozrr & ^oure profite as .1. do
myn owen. & euer haue done [2879] ne 30 ne none
of ere sawe neuer fe corctraryef [2880] ^ And. 3it if .1.
hadde seide 36 scholde haue purchased fe pees &
fe reconsiliacion f I. hadde nouht mechel mestaken me
ne .1. saide aniysf [2881] ffor fe wise man seif e . The dis-
cencion be-ginnef be anofere nianf & fe reconsileinge
be-ginnef be fi self [2882] 1F An fe profet seifef
fflye schrewdenesse & do goodnesse f [2883] Seche pees &
folowe it in al so muche as in f e is '. [2884] ^it seif he nouht
30 schollen fe rafer purse we to 3oure aduersarie
fan fei schollen to 3owe [2885] If for .1. knowe wele 30
bene so harde y-herted fat 36 wil do no f inge for me .
[2886] 1T And Salomon, seifef fat he fat hafe ouer harde
an hert '. atte f e last he schal myshapp & mystide f
[2887] Whan Mellibe had herde dame produce
maake semblant of wraff e he seide in fis wise . [2888]
Dame .1. preie 3owe fat 36 be nouht displesed of f inges
fat .1. seie 3owe [2889] IT For 36 knowe wele fat .1. [am]
angry & wrofe & fat is no wonder [2890] And fo fat
been wrofe weten nouht wele what fei done f ne what fei
seine f [2891] Where-fore fe prophete seifef fat
troubled eyen haue none clere siht [2892] Bot sittefe
& counselef me riht as 36 list f For f I am redy to done
riht as 36 wol desire [2893] ^ Ancl if 30 rep?-0ue me of my
folye .1. am more holden to loue 3owe & to preise
LANSDOWNB 532 (6-T. 243)
SIX-TEXT 244
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
$owe . [2894] For Salomon seipe he pat reprouep
him pat dop folye [2895] he schal finde gretter grace
pan he pat disceyuep him be wordes .
[2896] Than seide dame Prudence .1. make no
sembland of wrappe ne of anger bot for ^oure owen profit .
[2897] For Salomon seipe *1F He is more worpe pat re-
prouep or chidep a foole for his foly scheweinge him
semblant of wrappe f [2898] pan he pat supportep him
& preisep him in his mys-dcinge & lauhep att his
folye [2899] IF And pis Salomon seip affterwarde f
pat by pe sorweful visage of manf pat is to seyef be
pe sory & pe heuy countenance of ~a man [2900] pe foole
correctep & amende him selfe
[2901] 11 Than seide Mellibef IF I schal nouht kon An-
sewere vn-to so mony resons as 30 puttep to me &
schewepf [2902] seipe schortly ^oure wiH & ^oure con-
seile And .1. am redy . to ffulfille & performe
[2903] IF Than Dame Prudence discoiierd aH hire wiH
vn-to him & seide f [2904] I counsel jowe q?<od sche
abouen aH pinge f pat ^e maken pes be-twene god &
^owef [2905] & bepe reconsilede vn-to him & to his
grace [2906] For as .1. haue seide 3 owe here be-fornef God
hape suffred $owe to haue pis tri'bulacione & disese. for
^oure sinnes f [2907] And if ^e done as .1. seie ^owe god \viH
sende ^owre adue/'saries vnto ^owef [2908] & maaken hem
to fallen att ^oure fete rede to done joure wiH & youre com-
mandement [2909] 1F For Salomon seipe whan pe con-
dicione is plesant & likeande vnto godf [2910] He
chaungep pe hertes of rnamies aduersaries '. & con-
streynep hem to besecheii him of pees & of grace f
[2911] & .1. praye ^owe lete me speke wip ^oure aduersaries
in pn'ue place f [2912] for pel schol not knowe pat it
be 3oure witt or ^oure assent f [2913] And pan whan
.1. knowe her wil and here assent f I. may counsel }oue
- more surely f
[2914] IF Dame q?<od Mellibef dope joure wiH &
LANSDOWNE 633 (6-T. 24i) ['leaf 204]
SIX-TEXT 245
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
likeinge . [2915] For .1. putte me holy in ^oure
disposicione & ordinance .
[2916] IF Than dame prudence whan sche sawe pe
good wil of of hire husbonde '. Sche delyuerly toke a- vise in
her1 self [2917] Jrinkinge howe sche myht bringe pis
neede vnto a good conclusione & to a good ende f
[2918] And whan sche sawe hire time '. sche sente for pe
aduersaries to come to hire into A pnue place '.
[2919] And schewde wisely vnto hem pe grete goodenesse
pat commep of Pees f [2920] And pe grete harmes &
perils pat bene in werre f [2921] And seiden to hem in
goodely mane?-e howe pat hem au^ten to haue grete re-
pentance [2922] of pe iniury & pe wronge pat pei
hadden done to Mellibe here lorde an vnto hire & vnto
hire douhtere f
[2923] And whan pei herden pe good wordes of
dame prudence f [2924] pei weren so supprised &
rauysshed & hadden so grete loye of hire pat wonder
was to teHf [2925] IT A lady quod pei ^e haue schewde
vn-to vs pe blisse of swettnesse after pe sawe of
dauid pe profettef [2926] For pe reconsileinge whiche pat
we ne be not worpi to haue in no manere f [2927] If Bot we
ouhten to require it wipe grete contrieione & huwzilitef
[2928] 30 of ^oure grete goodnesse haue presented vnto vsf
[2929] IT No we see we wele pat pe conscience & pe conynge
of Salomon is ful trewe. [2930] For he seipe pat
swette wordes multiplien & encresen frendes f And
maken schrewes to be debonaire & meke f
[2931] IT Certe quod pei we putte oure dede &
al oure matier & cause & holy in-to ^owre good wille '.
[2932] & bene redy to obeye to pe speche of pe comw?ande-
ment of my lorde Mellebef [2933] 1T And perfore dere
& benyngne ladyf we preyne jowe & be-sechen jowe as
we kon & mowen [2934] pat *pat it like vn-to
^oure grete goodnesse to ful-fille in dede ^oure goode
wordes [2935] H For we considern & knoweleche
LANSDOWNE 634 (6-T. 245) [' leaf 204, back
SIX-TEXT 246
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
fat we haue offended & greued my lorde Mellibe oute of
reson & mesure [2936] so fer forf e fat we be nouht of pouere
to maken him amendesf [2937] And fere-fore we oblige
vs & oure frendes for to done al his wille &
commandement [2938] Bot peraduenture he hafe suche
heuynesse & suche wraf fe to vs warde because of oure
offense! [2939] fat [he] wil enioyne vs suche peyne
as we maie nouht bere ne susteine. [2940] H And fer-fore
noble ladyf we be-sechen ^oure woramanly pyte [2941]
to take suche avisemen in fis nedef fat we ne oure
frendes be nouht disherited [et perdus] forwhe oure
folye
[2942] II Certes quod. Prudence it is it is an harde f iuge
& riht perilous [2943] fat a man putte him in fe
arbitracione & lugement al vtterlyf & in fe myht &
pouere of his ennemys f [2944] For Salamon seif e f Leuef
me & 3if credence to fat .1. schal seine f .1. saie
[tout peuple et toutes gens et gouuerneurs de gluire
(Reg. 19 C xi)] [2945] N"e 3eue neuere fi sonwe ne fi wif . fi
frende ne f i self [2946] vn-to fe hondes ne myht of fine
ennemyef [2947] And Nafeles .1. counsel ^owe
[Se il a doncques deffendu que on ne donne [puissance]
sur soy a/?*ere ne a amy (MS Reg. 19 C xi, leaf 64, col. 2)J
[2948] By a stronger resone he defendef & forbedefe a
man to jeue him selfe vn-to his ennemyef [2949] IT And
naf eles .1 counsel ^owe fat 30 mistrust nouht my lorde f
[2950] for .1. wote wele & knowe wele fat he is
debonaire & meke large & curteise [2951] & no
finge desirous of good ne Couytous to haue richesse f [2952]
ffor fere is no finge in fis werlde fat he desiref
saue worschipe & honowrf [2953] Forfennore
.1. knowe wele & .1. am riht sure fat He schal no finge
do in fis nedef wif -oute myne counsel f [2954] And .1.
schal so werchen in fis cause be fe grace of oure lorde
god fat ^e scholne be reconsiled vnto vs/:/
[2955] Then seiden fei wif o voycef U Worschipful
LANS1JOWNE 535 (6-T. 246)
SIX-TEXT 247
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
lady we putten vs & oure good al fully in 301110 wille
& disposiciozm [2956] & bene redy to comm.e whan
it like]? vnto ^oure noblesse ' to lemete vs or to assigrie
vs [2957] for maken oure obligacion f & bynde vs as stronge
as it lykef vn-to ^oure goodnesse [2958] fat we male
fulfills f e wil of 30116 & of nay lorde Mellybe .
[2959] IT Whan dame Prudence had herde fe on-
sewers of f es men $e badde hem gone a^eine prniely f
[2960] & sche retourned a-^eine to hire lerde Mellibe • And
tolde him howe sche fande his aduersaries repentaunt [2961]
And knowlecheinge ful reuerently • & lowly her sinnes&tres-
pasf & howe fei were redy to suflfur al peinef [2962] Ee-
quireinge him & preyinge him of Mercy & pytee
[2963] IT Then seide Mellibe he is wele worfi to
haue pardone & for-jeuenesse [qui nexcuse point son
pechie [2964] metis recognoist et sen repent et demande
indulgence [2965] Car senequc dist la est remission
(MS Eeg. 19 C xi, If 64, bk)j wher as confession isf
[2966] For confession is neyhbowr to Innocence [2967]
IF And f e wiseman seijje in anofer place f he fat haj? schamo
of his sinne & knowleche it is worfi haue mercy /./
And fere-fore .1. assent & confenne to haue pees
[2968] IT Bot it is good fat we do it nouht wif-outen fe
wil & assent of oure frendes f
[2969] IF fan was Prudence riht gladde & ioyful
& seide f [2970] Certes sir quod sche 36 haue goodely &
wele ansewarde [2971] 1T For riht as be counsel,
assent & helpeinge of pure frendes 36 haue be stired
to venge 3owe & maake werre [2972] Biht so wif-
outen hire counsel schol 36 nouht accorf fowhe 30 ne haue
pees wif 3oure aduersaMesf [2973] ffor fe lawe seyfef
Ther is no finge so good be waie of kinde As finge
to bene vnbounden by him fat it was y-boundende f
[2974] And fan dame Prudence wife-outen delaye
or taryinge sent anone Messageres for here kinne & for
hire olde frendes fat were trewe & wise [2975]
LANSDOWNE 536 (6-T. 217) [' leaf 205]
SIX-TEXT 248
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdownc MS.
And tolde hem be order in fe presence of Mellebe al
fe Matier as it was abouen expressed & declared '. [2976]
And preyden hem fat f e wolde ^euen hire a wise coun-
seile what best were to done in fis matieref [2977] ^F And
whan Millebes counsel hadd taken hirea-vise&goode deliber-
acione of fe forseide matierf [2978] And hadde examyned
it be grete besines & grete diligence! [2979] fei ^auen
fill cownseile for to haue pees & rest. [2980] And fat
Mellibe schold receyue it vfith goode herte of his aduersaries
to for-^euenesse & niercye '.
[2981] And whan dame Prudence hadd herde fe
assent of hire lorde Mellibe . And f e counsel of here frendes
[2982] accorded wif her wil & entencion [2983]
sche was wonderly glad in hert & seide . [2984]
IT There is an olde prouerbe q>./od sche seifef fat fe
godnesse fat fou maist do fis daie do it [2985] &
abide it nouht ne delaye it nouht til to morwe [2986] IT And
ferfore .1. counsel fat ^e send joure messagiers wiche
fat ben discrete & wyse [2987] vn-to $oure aduersaries
tellynge hem on ^oure be-halue [2988] if fei wil
trete of pes & of accordef [2989] fat fei schapen hem
w/tA-outen de-laie or tariinge to come to vs /./ [2990]
whiche finge performed was indede [2991] H And
whan fes trespassours & repentinge folke of here
folyesf fat is to seie fe aduersaries of Mellibe. [2992]
had herde what fes messagiers seiden vn-to hem
[2993] fe were ful gladde . & ioyful & anseward
ful mekely & benmglyf [2994] jeldeinge graces &
f onkes to her lord Mellibe . & to al his compaigne f
[2995] And schopen wif-outen delay to gone wif fe
messagiers f & obey to f e co??miandement of here lord
Mellibe
[2996] IF And riht anone fe token her weie to
Mellibe [2997] & toke fe som?«e of here
trewe wordes & frendes to maken feif for hem f and for to
bien her borwes [2998] IT And whan fei camen to
37 LANSDOWNB 537 (6-T. 248)
SIX-TEXT 249
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
fe presence of Mellibe he seide hem fes wordesf
[2999] It standef fus quod Mellibe f & sof e it is
fat 30 [3000] causels and wif-oute skil & resown
[3001] haue done grete Iniuries & wronges to me & to
my wif Dame Prudence f & to my douhter alsof [3002] 1T For
36 haue entred in-to myne howse be violence [3003] & haue
done suche outrage f fat aH men knowe wele fat 36 haue
deserued fe def e [3004] IT And fe?-e-fore wil .1. knowen
& witen of 3owe [3005] wefer fat 36 wil putte fe
punysshement & fe chastey singe & fe vengeance of
f is outrage in f e wil of me & of my wif dame Prudence
or 36 wil nouht '.
[3006] Than J>e wyseet of hem fre answarde for
hem al. & seide. [3007] H Sire quod he we knowen
wele fat we bien vnworfi to co?wme to ^oure courte
of so grete a lorde & so worf e as 36 Men f [3008] And for
we haue so gretely mys-taken vs & haue offended & agilte
in suche a wise ajeines 3oure hihe lord-schippe [3009] fat
trewlye we haue deseruede fe def '. [3010] Bot ^it for
fe grete goodnesse & debonarte fat al fe werlde
wittenessef of -.pure persoun [301 1] ' We submitte vs vn-to
f e hihe excellence & benignite of 3oure gracious lorschip
[3012] andbienredeto obeie vn-to al ^oure commandementes
[3013] Besecheinge 3owe fat of ^oure merciable pitee to
wylne consider oure grete repentance & lowe submissions f
[3014] And to grante vs for-^efnesse of owre owtrageous
trespas & offensef [3015] For wel we knowe fat ^oure
liberale grace & mercye strecchen ferfer in-to goode-
nesse fan done owre outrageous giltes & trespasses in-to
wikkednessef [3016] albeit fat cursedly & damp-
nablye we haue gilte a^eines ^owre hihe lordschippe f
[3017] Than Mellibe toke him vpe fro fe grounds
ful benyngly [3018] & receyued here obligacions & here
landes by hire of es vppon here plegges & her borvves [3019]
& assigned hem a certein daie to retorne vn-to his
courtesf [3020] for to accepte & receyve fe sentence &
LANSDOWNE 538 (6-T. 249) [i leaf 205, back]
SIX-TEXT 250
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Lansdowne MS.
luggcmcnt fat Mcllibe wold comandc to be done on hem
be fo causes aforne scidcf [3021] whiclie finge ordeintf
cuery man vetourned to his hous /'./
[3022] And whan fat Dam prudence sawhe her
time sche f[r]eyned & axed her lord Mcllibef [3023] "VVhatte
vengeance he fount to take on his aduersaris
[3024] 1T To whiche Mellibe anseward & seidcf Certcs
q?/od [he] f I. fcnke & p'/rpos fully [3025] to dis-
herit hem of al fat f ei haue f & for to puttcn
hem in exile for cue;1 more
[3026] Ccrtes (\uo(\. Dame Prudence fis were a cruel
sentence & mechel ajeincs resonnf [3027] For 30 be riche
ynowc & haucf no node of of ere mewnes goodef [3028]
and jo myht lyhtly geten 3ow a couetouso
name. [3029] whiche is a vicious finge & ouhte bo
eschewed of cuery man f [3030] ffor after f e sawo
of fo Apostle Couetise is rote of al harmesf
[3031] II And fere-fore it were better to lese so muchel
goodc of 30111*0 owen '. fan for to talc of here goode in fis
manere. [303 2] If For better it is to lose goode wif worschippe
fan it is goodc to wynne worschippe wif velanyc and schame
[3033] IT And euery man ouhte to done his bcsinesso
to getcn him a goodc name f [3034] And ^itte schal he notiht
onely kcppen him in kepinge of his good name f [3055] Bott
he schal also enforcen him alweie to done some finge be
whiche he may renouelle his goode name [3036] For it is
y-writte ' fat f e olde good lose or goode name of a man
is sou'e gone & passed f whan it is nouht newed ne re-
nouelled/1/ [3037] And as toucheinge fat 30 seyne fat 30
wol exile 3oure aduersaries f [3038] fat f enkef me
muchel a3eines reson & out of mesure '. [3039] Con-
sider f e power fat f ei haue 3ouen 3owe vpon hem selfe f
[3040] And it is wreten fat he is worfe to lesen his
pn'uelege fat mysvsefe fe myht & fe pouere fat
is 3ouen him f [3041] IF And .1. sette caas fat 36 myht annoyo
hem fat peyce be riht & lawe. [3042] whiche .L
LANSDOWNE 539 (6-T. 250)
SIX-TEXT 253
GROUP B. §11. MELIBE-MONK LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit Prologus de Monacho . [on
Whan endede was f e tale of Mellibe
And of Prudence & of hire benygnite 3080
Oure Oste seide as .1. am ffeif ful man
And be f e precious corpus madrian
I had leuere fan a barel ale
That goo 1 lef my wif hadde herde f is tale 3084
For sche nys no f inge of suche pacience
As was Jns Mellebes wif Prudence
Be goddes bones whan .1. bete my knaues
Sche bringef me J>e grete clobbed staues 3088
And crief slee1 fe dogges eue/'ychone porsieo]
And brekef bof e bak & bone
And if fat any neigheboruhe of myne [leaf 206, back]
Wil nouht in cherche to my wif encline 3092
Or be so hardy to hire to trespas
Whan sche commef home sche rumpef in my face
And criej) false cowarde wreke fine wife
By corpus bones f I. wil haue fi knyf 3096
And f ou schalt haue myn distaf & go spynne
Fro day to nyht riht fus wil sche be-ginne
Alas sche seif e fat euer y was schape
To wedde a mylkesoppe or a coward ape 3100
J?at wil be ouere ladde wif euery wight
f ou darst nou^t stonde be f i wif ariht
f is is my lyf bot fat .1. wold fiht
And oute att fe dore anone .1. mot me diht 3104
Or elles .1. am lost bot if fat .1.
Bue like a wilde Hone foole hardye
.1. wote wele sche wil do me sle sum daie
Some neihbourf & fan go my waie 3108
For .1. am perilous -with knyf on honde
Albeit fat .1. dar hir noujt wif-stonde
LANSDOWNE 542 (6-T. 263)
SIX-TEXT 254
GROUP B. § 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK. Lansdowne MS.
For sche is bigge in armes be my feijje
)3at schal he finde J?at hire misdofe or seife 3112
Bot lat vs passe a-weie fro )?is matiere
My lorde sir monke he seijje befe merye of chere
For je schal tel a tale trewly
Lo Rouchester stant here fast by 3116
Hide forfe myne owen lorde breke nouht oure game
Bot be my troujje .1. knowe nov^t ^oure name
Wliejjer .1. schal cal ^owe my lorde Doune Ioh"n
Or dan Thomas or dan Albon 3120
Oj>ere of whatt house be ^e be 3oure fader kinne
.1. vowe to good pou hast a ful faire skynne
It is a gentil pasture ]pere J>ou goste
J5ou ert nouht like a penant or a goste 3124
Vpon my feijj J?ou ert sum officiere
Somme worjje sexteyne eyj?ere sum celerere
Fo[r] be my fader soule as to my dome
fou ert a maister whan JJGU ert att home 3128
No pouer cloistrer ne no pouer novise
Bot a gouernoure a wilye & wise
And ])ere-wi)5-al of braunes & of bones
A wele faringe persone for fe nones
.1. preie to god gif him coiifusione
fat firste fe broujt in-to religione
Jjou woldest liaue be a tredefoule ariht
Haddest fou as grete leue as }?ou hast myht 3136
To performe al J?i luste in gendrure
pou hadest be-geten mony a creature
Alas whi weres )>ou so wide a cope
God jeue ]>e sorwe and .1. were a pope 3140
Nowht onely J>ou bot eue?-y myhty man
Theihe he were schore hihe vpon his panne
Schol haue a wif for al J>is werlde is lorne
Religion haj) tak vp al J?e come 3144
Of tredeinge & we burel men bene schrimpes
Of feble tres ]?ere cowime feble impes
LANSOOWNB 543 (6-T. 254)
SIX-TEXT 255
GROUP B. §11. MELIBE-MONK LINK. Lansdowne MS.
fis makef fat oure heires bene so sklender
And febel fat fei male nouht wele engender 3148
This makef fat oure wifes wil assaie
Keligious folke for fei male better paie
Of venus Payment fan may we
God woot no lusshbot/rues paie ^e. 3152
Bot be nou3t wrof e my lord f ouhe fat .1. pleie
Fol in game a sofe .1. haue herd seie
This worf i monke toke al pacience
And seid .1. Avil do al my diligence 3156
As fere as sounef vnto honeste
To telle ^oue a tale or tuo or f re
And if ^owe lust herkcn hiderwarde
.1. wil jowe seie fe lif of seint Edwarde 31 GO
Or elles Tregedise furst. wil .1. tett
Of whiche .1. haue an hundref in my seli
Tregedie is for to tel a certeine storie
As olde bokes maken memorie 3164
Of hem fat stode in grete prosperite
And is yfaH oute of hihe degre
In-to myserie & endef wricchedlye
And fei bien vesified comunly 3168
Of sex fete wiche fat men clep exametrone
In prose eke bien endited mony one
And eke in metric in mony a sondre wise
Lo fis ouht ^owe .l.-nouhe suffise 3172
Nowe herkeuef if ^ou luste for to here
Bot first .1. ^oue be-seche in fis matiere .
Jjouhe .1. be order tel nouht f es f inges peaf 207, back]
Be it of popes Emperoure or kynges 3176
And affter her age as me wreten finde
Bot tel hem some be-fore some be-hinde
And it ooniTTzef no we to my remembrance
Have me excused of myne ignorance . 3180
Explicit Prologus .
LAXSDOWNE 544 (6-T. 26o)
SIX-TEXT 256
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Y
Incipit fabula de Casibws virorww . I0*£f 207>
1 wil be-weile in maner of tregedrie V ^tedY^l
be maner of him bat standeb in hihe degre 3*203" ^ITe
TLffJ ~\
And felle so bat per was no remedye
To bringe hem out of her aduersite 3184
For certeyne whan bat fortune luste to flye
J)ere maie no man of hire be course wib-holde
-I • • no gap in the MS.}
Bebe war By bis ensample ^onge & olde 3188
Prime de Lucifero
At Lucifer bouhe he an angele were
And nouht a man att him .1. wil beginne
For beihe forton maie none angel dere
Frome hihe degre ^it feH he fro his sinne 3192
Doune in-to heH where as he ^itte is inne
0 lucifer brihtest of aungeles aH
Nowe ert bou Sathanas bat maist not twynno
Owte of misery in whiche bou ert fatt 3196
De Adame . primo b.omi?ie .
Lo Adam in be felde of Damasene
Wib goddes owen fingere wrouht was he
And nouht begeten of mannes sperme vnclene
And welde al Paradise saueinge o tre 3200
Hadd neuer werldly man so hihe degre
As Adam til he for his gouernance
"Was dreven oute of his hihe prosperite
To labure & to heH & to muschance . 3204
LANSDOWNE 545 (6-T. 256)
SIX-TEXT 257
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Be Sampsone
Lo Sampson whiche was annunciate
Be fe Angel longe ar his natiuite
And was god alinyhty consecrate
And stode in noblesse whiles he myht see 3208
Was neuer suche anofe?- as was he
To speke of strenkef & fer-to hardinesse
Bott to his wif told he his secre .
foruhe whiche he slouhe him self J>oruh wrechednesse 3212
Be eodem .
IT Sampson fiis nobble & myhty champion [leafaso]
Wif-outen wepe saue his hondes tueye
He slowhe and al to-rent J?e lyon
To- ward his weddynge walkinge be fie waie 3216
He false wif coufe him plese & preie
Til sche his counseile knewe & sche vntrewe
Yn-to his foos his consel gan be-wreye
And him for-soke & toke a nofer newe 3220
Be Eodem .
IT An .0. foxes to Sampson for ire
And al her tailes he to-geder bonde
And sette Jje fox tailes al on fire
For he in every taile hadde putt a bronde 3224
And fei brente al J>e cornes in fat lande
And al here Oliues & here vines eke
A fousand men eke he slowhe wij> his honde
And hadde ne wepen bot an asse cheke 3228
Be Eodem
II When J>ei were sleine so fersted him fat he
Was nyhe lorne for whiche he gan to preie
fat god wolde of his peine sum pite
And send him drinke or elles most he dye 3232
And of fis asse cheke fat was so drye
oute of a wange tof e spron anone a welle
Of whiche he dranke . ynouhe schortly to seie
Thus help him god as ludicum can telle 3236
LANSDOWNE 646 (6-T. 267)
SIX-TEXT 258
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
De Eodem .
1T Be verrei force att Gasan in a nyhte
Maugre f e felistiens of j>at Cite
The gates of fe toune he hafe vp pliht
And on his bakke '. y-karid hem haf he 3240
Hihe on hulle wher as men miht se
O noble almyhty sampson leue & dere
fat stronge & noble haf bue
In al f is werlde ne was fere neuer fi pere 3244
Be Eodem
If This Samson neuer sif er dranke ne wyue
Ne on hi[s] hede cam rasure none ne schere
Be precepte of f e Messagier diuine
For al his strenkef was in his here 3248
And fully tuenty ^ere be ^ere
He hadde of Israel f e gouernance
Bot after sone schal he wepe mony a tere [leaf 208, backj
For woraman schal bringe him to ineschaunce 3252.
IT Vnto his lemman Dalida he tolde
fat in his heres al his strenkef laye
And falsly to his fomen sche him solde
And slepeinge vpon hir berme vpon a daie 3256
Sche maade to clippe or schere his here a-waie
And maade his fomen al his craft to spyen
And whan f ei him fonde in suche araie
)3ei bonde him fast & put oute his eyjen 3260
Be eodem .
Bot er his here was clepped or y-schaue
fere was no bonde fat myht him bynde
Bott now is he in pn'sone put in a kaue
Where as fei maden him att fe queren grinde 3264
0 noble Sampson stronkest of mankinde
0 whilom luge in glorie & richesse
Now maist f ou wepe wit/i fine yne blinde
Sef en fou ert fro welfe fal in-to wrechednesse 3268
LANSDOWNE 647 (6-T. 268)
SIX-TEXT 259
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Be eodera .
IT The ende of bis caitifs was as .1. schal seie
His fomen maade a feste vpon a dale
And maden him as her fole to-forne him pleie
And bis was [in] a temple of a grete araie 3272
Bot att be last he maade a foul affraie
For he tuo postes schoke & maade hem fail
And doune feH J>e temple & al \er it laie
And slowe him selfe & eke his fomen aH 3276
Be Eodem .
IF This is to seie be pn'nces euerychon
And eke a bousand bodis was fere sleyne
Wyj? fallinge of be grete temple of stone
Of Sampson ne wil .1. no more seyne 3280
Be ware of bis ensample olde & pleyue
J>at no man tel her counsel til he[r] wyues
Of suche finge as be wolde haue secre feyne
If jjat it touche her lymes or her lyues 3284
Be Ercule .
1T Of Ercule be souereine conqueroure
Syngen his werkes lewde & hihe renonone
For in his time of strengej) he bare ]>e floure
He slowhe & raft be scynne fro jje lyone . 3288
He of Centaurus leide be bost a doune L/eS/2(}9- , Itleve^tl
IT He slouhe & raft J>e
He arpies slowhe be cruel birdes fett sky"ne fro ** ]youf
He golden apelles raft J>e dragowne
He drouhe oute Serberous Jje hounde of hett 3292
Be eodem .
1T He slowhe be cruel tyrant Buserus
And maade his hors to frete him flesche & bone
He slouhe be verrey serpent venemous
Of Achilles tuo homes brak he one 3296
And he slowhe Cacus in a kaue of stone
He slowhe be Gyant Anteus be stronge
He slowhe be Grisely bore & J?at anone
And bare ]?e hede vpon his neke longe 3300
LANSDOWNE 648 (6-T. 259)
SIX-TEXT 260
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
De Eodew
Was neuere whihite sen f e werlde be-gan
That slouhe so mony monstres as did he
J)oruhe-oute fis wide werlde his name ranne
What for his streynkef & his bounte 3304
And eue/ye . liealme went he for to see
He was so stronge fat noman miht him lette
A-boue f e werldes ende seif e trophe
In stede of bondes he a piler sette 3308
De Eodem
IT A lemman hadd fis noble champion
fat hiht Dianier frische as maie
And as f e clerkes maade mencione
Sche haf him sent a schert frische & gaie 3312
Alas fis scherte & walawaie
envenymed was subtily wif att
Or fat he had werde it hafe a daie
It maad his flesche fro fe bone fatt 3316
De Eodem
IF Bo naf elesse seme clerkes hir excusen
Be one fat hiht nescius fat it Maked
Be as be maye .1. wil hir1 nouht accusen
Bon on his bake f is schert he weres al naked 3320
Til fat his flesche was for f e venym blakede
And whan he sauhe none of er1 remedye
In hote coles he haf him self rakede
For wif no venym deynede he to deye 3324
De Eodem .
^[ Thus starfe fis worfe myhte ercules [leaf 209, back]
Lo who maie trnst on fortune any f rowe
For him fat folowef al fis werlde of pres
Er he bewarre is oft y-laide ful lowe 3328
Ful wyse es he fat him self kncwe
Be war for whan fat fortune lust to glose
Than weytef sche hir man downe to froue
Bu suche a weie as he wolde lest suppose - 3332
LANSDOWNE 649 (0-T. 260)
SIX-TEXT 261
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Be Rege Nabugodonosor
IT The myhty trone f e precious tresoure
f e glorious septre & Roial Maieste
fat hadde f e kinge Nabugodonosore
Wif tunge vnnej) maie descriued be 3336
He twyes name ihemsalem f e Cite
The vessel of f e temple he wif him ladde
Att Babiloyne was his souereigne see
In whiche his glorie & his delyte he had 3340
De Eodem
11 f e fairest childern of f e blode Roial
Of iherusalem he dide do gelde anone
And maade eche of hem to bu his clerke
Amonge al of ere Danyel was one 3344
fat was J>e wisest childe of euerychone
For he f e dremes of fe kenge expounded
Where as in Caldeie clerk was fere none
Jiat wist to what fyne his dremes sounded 3348
De Eodem
IT This proude kinge lete make a stature of golde
Sexty Cubetes longe & .vij. in brede
To whiche ymage bo]?e ^onge & olde
Commanded he to loute & haue in drede 3352
Or in a forneys ful of flammes rede
He scholde be bernt fat wold not obeie
Bot neuer wolde assent to fat dede
Danyel ne his ^onge felawes tweye 3356
Le eodem
IT This kenge of kinges proude & elate
He wende god fat sittef in Mageste
Ne myht him nouht' be-reue of fat estate
Bot sodanly he lost his dignite 3360
And like a beste him seined for to be
And ete haye as an oxe & leye fere oute .
In reyne wif wilde bestes walked he [leaf 210]
Til certein time was cowme aboute 3364
LAXSDOWNE 550 (6-T. 26l)
SIX-TEXT 262
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Be eodem
And ylike an egle fethers was his heres
His nayles like birdes clowes were
God releued him a certein ^eres
And $af him witte & fan wif mony a tere 3368
He f onked god f and euer his lif in fere
"Was f he to done amys or more trespas
And or fat time leide was on his here
He knewe wele fat god was ful of myht & grace 3372
De Baltazar dicti "Regis Nabugodonosor filio .
His sone which fat hiht Baltazar
That helde f e regne after his fader daie
He be his fader couf e nouht be war
For proude he was of herte & of araye 3376
And eke an yclolatre was he aye
His hihe astate assured him in pride
Bot fortune kest adoune & fere he laye
And sodanly his regne gan deuide 3380
De eodem
A feste he maade vn-to his lordes al
vpon a time he maad hem blif e be
And fan his officers gan he caft
Gof e bringef forfe f e vesseles quod he 3384
"Whiche fat my fader in his p?'osperite
Owte of f e temple of iherusalem be-rafte
And to oure hihe goddes f onke we
Of honour fat oure holders wif vs lafte 3388
Be eodem .
His wif his lordes & his concubines
Ay dranken whiles f eire appetite laste
Oute of f is noble vessels sondre wynes
And on a wal fis kinge his yje kaste 3392*
And sauhe an hand armelesse fat wrote ful fast
For fere of whiche he qwoke & sikked sore
This hand fat baltazav maade so sore agast
Wrote Mane techel pharesf & no more 3396
LANSDOWNE 551 (6-T. 262)
SIX-TPJXT 263
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
De eodera
In al fat londe Magecien was fere none
fat couf e expoune what f is lettre meant
Bot Daniel expound it anone
And seide kynge god to fi fader sent [leaf 210, backi 3400
Glory & Honour Regne tresoure & rent
And he was proude & no finge god ne dradde
And fere-fore god grete wreche vpon him sent
And him be-raft f e Eegne fat he hadde . 3404
De Eodem .
He was oute cast of Mannes compaignye
With asses was his habitacione
And ete hey as a beste in wete & druye
Til fat he knowe be grace & be resone 3408
That god of heuen haf domynaciSn
Ouere euery Eegne & euery creture
And fan hadd god of him compassion
And him restored his Regne & his figure 3412
De eodem
Eke f ou fat ert his soil is proude also
And knowest al f is f inges prmely
And ert Rebel to god & ert his foo
Thowe dranke eke of his vessels boldely 3416
f i wif eke & f i wenches synfully
Dranke of f e same vessels sondre wynes
And heried fals goddes curssely
Therefor to f e schapen grete peine is 3420
De eodem
This honde was sent fro god fat on the waH
fat wrote Mane techel phares trust me
Thyne Reygne is done f ou weyest nouht att aH
Dyuided is fi regne and it schal be 3424
To medes & to perses ^euen q?/od he
And f ilke same nyht f e kinge was slawe
And Darius occupief his degre
feyhe he fere-to na hadde neifere riht ne lawe 3428
LANSDOWNE 652 (6-T. 263)
SIX-TEXT 264
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Be Eodem .
iiordinges here-by ensamples male 30 take
Howe fat in lordeschippe is no sekernesse
For whan fortune wil a man forsake
He beref awaye his regne & his Rechesse • 3432
And eke his frendes bof more & lesse
And whan a man haf e frende f oruhe fortune
Mishappe wil make hem ennemys .1. gesse
This prouerbe is ful sofe & ful comune. 3436
Be Cenobia Palmere Eegina .
CEnobia of Palimere f e quene [leaf 211]
As writen Persiens of hire noblesse
So worf i was in aremes & so kene
That.no wight passed hire in hardinesse 3440
!N"e in lignage ne in of ere gentillesse
Of f e kinges blode of perce is sche descended
I seie fat sche mad nouht most fairnesse
Bot of hire schappe sche myht bue amended 3444
De eade?ft
Fro hire childhede .1. finde fat sche fledde
Office of wewmen & to wode sche wente
And mony a wilde hertes blode sche schedde
Wif arwes brode fat sche to hem sente 3448
Sche was so sweft fat sche a-none hem hente
And whan sche was elder sche wolde kill
Lyons liberdes and beres altorente
And in hire armes wilde hem att hire witi 3452
De Eadem
Sche dorst wilde bestes dennes seeke
And rinne in f e mountain al f e niht
And slepe vnder a busche & sche couf e eke
Wrastelen be verrey force & verrey myht 3456
Wif any $onge man were he neuere so whight
Ther myht no f inge in hir armes stonde
Sche kepped hire Maidenhede fro euery whight
To no man deyned hire to be bonde 3460
38 LANSDOWNE 653 (6-T. 264)
SIX-TEXT 265
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
De eadem
IF Bo att f e last here frendes haue hire marled
To Odenake a prince of fat Cite
Al were it so fat sche hem longe taried
And 30 scholne vnderstande how fat he 3464
Hadde suche fantasies as hadd sche
Bot naf eles whan f ei were knytte in fere
Thei leueden in loie & in felicite
For vche of hem had of ere leef & dere 3468
De eadem
IT Saue on f inge fat sche nolde neuer assent
By 110 weye fat by hire scholde he lye
Bot ones for it was hire pleyne entent
To haue a childe fe werlde to multeplye 3472
And also sone as sche miht a-spye
fat sche was not wif childe wif fat dede
Than wolde sche suffre him done his fantasy [leaf 211, back]
Eft sone and nouht but ones oute of drede 3476
[No breaki henceforth between the stanzas of each Tragedy.']
IF And if sche ware wif childe at f ilke cast
No more scholde he pleie f ilke game
Til fully fou[r]te dayes were past
Than wolde sche ones do suffre him f e same 3480
AH were f is Odenake wilde ore tame
He gatt no more of hire for f us sche saide
It was to wives lechery & schame
In of ere caas if fat men wif hem pleide 3484
IT Tuo sonne be f is Edenok hadde sche
The whiche sche kepped in vertewe & in lettrure
Bot nowe vnto oure tale torne we
.1. say fat worschipful creature 3488
And wise f erwif & large wif mesure
So penyble in f e werre & korteyse eke
!Ne more laboure miht in werre endure
Was none feihe al fis werlde men schold seche 3492
LANSDOWNE 554 (6-T. 265)
SIX-TEXT 266
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT Here riche araye miht nouht be tolde
As wele in vessel as in clof inge
Sche was al cladde in perre & in golde
And eke sche left for none hunteynge 3496
To haue of sundre tonges folk knoweynge
Whan fat sche leyser hadde to entende
To leren bokes was al hire lykeynge
Howe sche in vertue myht hire lif dispende 3500
^T And schortly of f is storie for to entrete
So douhte was hir husbonde as sche
}3at f ei conquered mony regnes grete
In J>e Orient wif mony a faire Cete 3504
Apartenawnte vnto f e Maieste
Of Rome & wif stronge honde helde hem fast
Ne neuere myht hire foinen done hem flye
Aye wile fat Odenake dayes last 3508
f Her batailles who so lust hem for to rede
Ajeine Sapore f e kinge & of ere moo
And howe fat al f is processe fel in dede
And whie sche conquerde & what title hadd fere too 3512
And aftere of hire meschief & hire woo
Ho fat sche was be-seged & y-take
Late him vnto mi maister Petrak go
fat write)) ynouhe of fis .1. vndertake 3516
IT When Odenak was dede sche myhtyly [leaf 212]
The regnes helde & wi)> hire propre hande
A3eine hir foos sche fauht trewly
fat fere nas kinge ne prince in al fat lande 3520
That he nas gladde if he fat grace fande
That sche ne wolde vpon his lande werrey
Wif hire f ei maad alliance be bande
To biene in pees & latt hir ride & pleie 3524
LANSDOWNE 656 (6-T. 266)
SIX-TEXT 267
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IF The Emperowr of Rome Claudius
Ne him be-forne f e Eomeyne Galiene
Ne dorste neuere be so Coragius
Ke none Ermyne ne none egipcie[ne] 3528
Ne Surrien f ne none arrabiene
Withe-in f e felde fat dost wif hir fiht
Lest fat sche wolde liem wij) her handes sleyne
Or wif hire meyne to putten hem to flint 3532
IF In Kinges abite went here sones two
As eyres of here Regnes aH
And ermanno f and Thimalao
Here name were as perciens hem call 3536
Eotte fibrtune haf e ay in here hony gall
This myhty qwene maie no while endure
Fortune oute of her Regne maade hire faH
To wrichednesse & to mysaduenture 3540
IF Aurelyoii whan fat f e gouernance
Of Rome cawrne in-to his hondes tweye
He schope vpon fis qwene to do vengeance
And wif his legions he toke his weie 3544
Toward Cenoby & schortly for to seie
He maade hire flee & att J>e last hire hent
And fetterd hire & eke her children tweye
And wann fe londe & home to Rome fei went 3548
IT Amange fis ofer f inge fat he wanne
Here Chare fat was wif gold wrouht & perre
)3is grete Romaine f is Aureliane
Haf wif him ladde for fat men scholde see 3552
Be-forne his triurnphe walkef sche
W?'t7* gilt cheynes on hire nek hangeinge
Corounde sche Avas as after her degre
And ful of perre charged hir clof inge 3556
LANSDOWNE 556 (6-T. 267")
SIX-TEXT 268
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
IT Alas fortune sche pat whilom was
Dredeful to kinges & to emperoures .
Now gaurep al pe peple on hire alaoe Deaf 212, back]
And sche pat elmed was in stark stoures 3560
And wanne be fors tonnes stronge & toures
Schal on here nowe were a fitermyte
And sche pat "bare pe Septer ful of floures
Schal bere a distaf here cost for to qwyte 3564
De Petro Eispanye Rege .
IT 0 noble o worpi Petre of spayne
Whome fortune helde so hihe in maieste
Wele ouhte men pi pitous dep compleine
Thi bastard broper maade pe to fle 3568
And after att a sege be soubtilite
Thowe were betraide & lad.de to his tent
Where as he wip his owen hand slouhe pe
Succedinge in pi Regne & in pi Rent 3572
Betelmewe Claykeynne1 . Oliuer Mawnye
1T The felde of snowe wip pe egle blak pere-inne P %£*£%\d*
Cauht wip pe lime Rodde colours as pe glede
He brewe pis cursednesse and al pe sinne
The wykked nest was wirkir of pis nede 3576
Nouht Charles & Olyuer pat ay toke goode hede
Of troupe & honoz^r bot of Armorekke
Genyloun Olyuer corrupt for mede
Brouhtest pis worpi kinge in suche brekke. 3580
De Petro Rege Cipri
1T Worpe Petre kinge of Cipre also
That Alisander wanne be hihe maistrye
Ful mony an eypen wrouhtest pou ful wo
Of whiche pine owen leges hadde enuye 3584
And for no pinge bot for pi chiualrye
Thei in pi bedde han sleyne pe be pe morwe
Thus gan fortune gouerne & guye
And out of loye bringe men in to sorwe 3583
LANSDOWNE 557 (6-T. 268)
SIX-TEXT 269
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
De Barnabo vicecomite Mediolano .
IT Of Milane grete Barnabo viscounte
God of delice & scowrge of Lombardie
Whi scholde nouht .1. fine fortune a-counte
Sethen in estate fou dome were so hihe 3592
Thine Brof er sone fat was Jjine double allie
For he f i nevow was & sone in lawe
Wif-in his prisoim maade f e to deye
Bol whie ne howe woote .1. fat fou wer slawe 3596
IT De Hugiline Corny te Pisano . Deaf 213]
Of f e Erie Hugylyne of Pise f e Langoure
There maie no tunge tel for pite
Bot litel oute of Pise stant a toure
In wiche toure in pn'sone put was he 3600
And wif him ben his litel childern f re
f e eldest scarsly .v. 3 ere was of age
Alas fortune it was grete cruelte
Suche burdes to putte in suche a cage 3604
IF Dampned he was to deye in fat pr/sone
For Eoger fat bischop was of Pise
Hadde on him maade a fals suggestione
Thorwhe fe peple gan on him a-rise 3608
And putten him to prison in suche wise
As 36 haue herde & mete & drinke he hadde
[ no gap in the MS.]
And fere-wif-aH it was ful pore & badde . 3612
IT And one a daie be-feH fat inne fat oure
Whan fat his mete was wonte to be brouht
The gayler schette f e dores of f e toure
He herde it wele hot he sawe it nouht 3616
And in his hert anone fere fell a f ouht
fat fei for hunger wolde done him deyen
Alas qztod he alas fat .1. was wrouht
f er-wif e f e teres fel fro hy3en 3620
LANSDOWNE 558 (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 270
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
1F His 3onge son fat J>rei jere was of age
vnto him seide fader whi do ^e wepe
Whan wil f e Gayloure bringen oure potage
Is fere no morsel brede fat 30 do kepe 3624
.1. am so hungry fat .1. maie nouht [slepe]
Now wolde god fat .1. myht slepe euer
fan scholde none hunger in my woinbe crepe
fare nys nofinge saue brede fat me were leuere 3628
IF f us daie be daye f is childe gan to crie
Til in his fader bernie adoune it leye
And seide fader Fare wele .1. mote deye
And kissed his fader & deyed fe same daye 3632
And whan f e woful fader dede him seye
For woo his arme tuo he gan to bite
And seid alas fortune f & walaweye
J3ine fals whele my woo .1. al wite 3636
IF His childern wende fat it for hungere was
fat he his arme gnowhe & nout for woo
And seid fader do nouht so alas [leaf 213, back]
Bot rafer etc fe flesche vpon vs tuo 3640
Oure flesche f ou $af vs tak oure flesche vs fro
And ete ynouhe riht f us to him fei seide
And efter fat wif -inne a daie or tuo
fei leide hem doune in his lappe & deyed 3644
1F Him self dispeired eke for hunger starf
Jjus endede is f e mihte Erie of Pise
Fro hihe a state fortune fro him carf
Of f is tregedrie it ouht .L-nouhe suffise 3648
Who so wile here it in a longer wise
Eeede f e grete Poete of Itaile
That hiht Dawnte for he can it deuise
Fro pointe to poynte nouht o worde wil he faile 3652
LANSDOWNE 659 (6-T. 270)
'SIX-TEXT 271
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
De Nero Imperatore .
IT Alf ouhe fat Nero were as vicious
As fende fat life ful lowe adoune
3itte he as tellef vs swytheneus
J)is wide werlde hadde in subiem'one 3656
Bof e est & west & septemtrione
Of Rebees safers & of Pereles white
"Were al his clones brouded vp & doune
For he in Gemmis grete gan delite 3660
11 More delicate more Pompus of araie
More proude was neuere Emperoure fan he
fat ilke clof e fat he hadde wered a daie
After fat time he nold it neuere se 3664
Nettes of gold f rede hadde he grete plente
To fysshe in tybre whan him luste to pleie
His lustes were as lawe in his degre
For fortune as his frende wolde him obeye f 3668
IT He Rome brent for his delicacie
The Senatowrs he slowhe vpon a daye
To howe fat men wolde wepe & crye
And slowhe his brofer & by his suster laye 3672
His moder Maade he in pytous araie
For he hir wombe slitte to be-holde
Where he conceyved was so walawaye
Jjat he so litel of his moder tolde 3676
IT No tere oute of his eyen for fat siht
Ne came Bot seide a faire wowman was sche
Grete wonder is fat he couf e or miht
Be domeseman of hire dede bewte Deaf 214] 3680
The wyne to bringe commaunde he
And dranke anone none ofere woo he maade
"Whan myht is loyned vnto cruelte
Alas to depe wil fe venym wade 3684
LANSDOWNE 660 (6-T. 27l)
SIX-TEXT 272
GKOUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT In ^oufe a maister hadde fis Emperoure
To teche him letrure & cur[t]esye
For of Moralite he was fe floure
As in his time bott if bokes lye 3688
And whiles his maister hadde of him fe maystre
He maade him so konnynge & so souple
fat longe time was or tirannye
Or any vice dorst in him vncouple 3692
IT This Seneka of whiche .1. devise
Be-cause Nero had of him suche drede
For he for vices wold him chastise
Discretely as be worde & nouht be drede 3696
Sire wolde he saie an Emperoure mot nede
Be vertuouse & hate tyrantrye
For whiche he him in baf e maad to blede
On bofe his armes til he most deye 3700
11 This Nero hadde eke of a continuance
In ^ouf e a^eine his maister for to rise
Whiche afterward him f ouht a grete grevance
There-fore he maade him deye in fis wyse 3704
Bot naf eles fis Senec f e wise
Chese in a baf fe to deye in fis manere
Kaf ere fan haue a nof er tormentrie
And Jms haf e Nero sleyne his maister dere 3708
1F Now fel it so fat fortune lust no longere
The hihe pride of Nero to cherische
ffor fouhe he were stronge ^itte were sche strenger
Sche fouht fus be god .1. am to nyce 3712
To sette a man fat is fulfilled of vice
In hihe degre & Empe?*owr him caH
Be god oxite of his sete .1. wil him trise
When he leste wenefe sonest schal he fatt 3716
LANSDOWNE 561 (6-T. 272)
SIX-TEXT 273
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
H jje Peple rose vpon him vpon a nyht
For his defaute & whan he hadd it aspiede
Oute of his dore anone he haf e him dyht
Alone & fere he wende haue bue alyede 3720
He knokked fast & ay ]>e more he cryed
The faster schetten fei fe dores att peaf 214, back]
Tho wist he wele he had him self be-gilede
And wente his weie no longere dorst he catt 3724
IT The peple cried & Eombled vpe & doune
That wif his eres herde he howe fei seide
Where is fals terant f is Neroune
For fere al-moste out of his witte braide 3728
And to his goddes pitously he seide
For socoure for it myht nouht be-tide
For drede of f is him f ouht fat he deide
And ranne in-to a gardeyne him to hide 3732
IF And in fis cardyne fonde he cherles tueye
And fatten be a fire ful grete & rede
And to j>e cherles tuey he gan to preye
To slene him & to girde of his hede 3736
fat to his body whan fat he ware dede
Were no despite ydo for his defame
Him selfe he slouhe he couf e no better rede
Of whiche fortune louhe & had a game 3740
De Oliferno pn'ncipe.
IF Was Neuere capitaigne vnder a kinge
That Regnes mo putte in subieccione
Ne strenger was in felde of al f inge
As in his time none gretter in renoune 3744
Ke more Pompose in hihe presumsione
Than Oliferne whiche fortune ay kyste
So lykerously & ledde him vpe & doune
Til fat he heded was er fat he wiste 3748
LANSDOAVNE 562 (6-T. 273)
SIX-TEXT 274
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
1T Nouht onely fat f is werlde hadde of him awe
For leseinge of Richesse & lyberte
Bot he maade euery man Reny his lawe
Nabugodonosor was lord he seide 3752
None of ere god scholde honoured be
A^eines his hest no whight dar trespas
Saue in Bethulia a stronge cite
Where Eleachim a preste was of fat place 3756
IT Bot take kepe of f e def e of Oliferne
Amydde his oste he drunke laye a nyht
Wif -inne his tent large as is a berne
And ^it for al his pompe & al his myhte
ludithe a womman as he laie vp riht
slepeinge his hede of smote & fro his tente
Ful Priuely sche stale fro euery wyght
Iv... no gap in the MS.]
De Antiochio illustri .
H What fiedef it of kynge Antiocheus
To tel his hihe & Roial Maieste
His hihe pride his werke venymmous
For suche anofe?-e was neuere none as he 3768
Redef which e fat he was in Macabe
And redej? fe proude wordes fat he seide
And whie he fel fro his prosperite
And in an hulle ho we wrychedly he deyed 3772
IF Fortune had him enhaunsed so in pride
fat verraylye he wende he myhte atteygne
vnto f e sterres vpon euery sidde
And in a balance to weye iche mounteyne 3776
And al f e floodes of f e see restreyne
And goddes peple hadde he moste in hate
Hem wolde he sle in torment & peyne
Weneynge fat god myht nouht his pn'de abate 3780
LANSDOWNE 363 (6-T. 27t)
SIX-TEXT 275
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT And for fat Mchamoure & Timothee
Wif lewes were venqwiste mihtile
vnto f e lewes suche an hatte hadde he
That he hadde greyf ed his chare ful hastelye 3784
An swore & seide ful dispitouslye
Vnto lerusalem. wolde he eft sone
To wreke liire on it ful crouellye
Bot of his purpose he was lette ful sone 3788
11 God for his manasse him so sore smote
Wif inne- visible wounde aye vncurable
fat in his guttes karf so & bote
fat his peynes weren importable 3792
And certeinly f e wreche was resonable
For mony mannes guttes dede he peine
Bot fro his purpos cursed & dampnable
For al his smert he nold him nouht restreine 3796
IT Bot Badde anone apparellen his Oste
And sodanly or he was of it warre
God daunted al his pride & al his boste
For he so sore fel oute of his chare 3800
fat hurte his limes & his scynne to-tare
So fat he ne myht go ne Bide
Bot in a chayere men abotite him bare
Al for-brused bof e bakke & side 3804
U The wreche of god him smote so crudelye [leaf 215, back]
fat in his bode wyked wermes creped
And f er-wif-aH he stanke so orribily
fat none of al his meyne fat him kepped 3808
"Whef ere so fat he woke or elles sleped
Ne myht nouht f e stink of him endure
In f is Meschef he weiled & eke wepped
And knowe god lorde of eue/y creature . 381 2
LAXSDOWNE SG4 (6-T. 275)
SIX-TEXT 276
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
1T To al his oste & to him self also
Ful wlatesome was J>e stinke of fis caren
No man miht him "here to ne fro
And in his stinke & in his orrible peyne 3816
He starf ful wrecchedly in a mownteyne
Thus hap Jns Robboure & J>is homicide
That mony a man maade to wepe & pleyne
Suche guerdone as belongef vnto pride 3820
De Alexandro Magno Philippi Regis Maeidonie filio
The storie of Alexander is so comune
That euery wight fat hape discrecione
Ha]?e herd sum-whate or al -of his fortune
j?is wilde werlde as in conclusione 3824
He wan be strenkejj or for his hihe renowne
Thei weren gladde for pes vnto him sende
The pride of man & beste he laide adoune
Wher-so he came vn-to fe werldes eiide 3828
1T Comparison myht jite neuere be makede
Be-tuex him & anojjer conqueroure
For al J?is werlde for drede of him hafe qwaked
He was of kny[ht]hede and of fredome floure 3832
Fortune him maade )>e heire of owre honowr
Saue wyne & wemmen no jsinge miht aswage
His hihe atente in armes & laboure
So was he of loueinge corage 3836
IT What pite were it to him j>ouhe .1. jowe tolde
Of .Darius & an . C . M . mo
Of Princes kinges Erles bolde
Whiche he conquered & brouht hem in-to woo 3840
As fer1 .1. saie as man mai ride or goo
Jje werlde was his Whatt schold .1. more deuise
For Jjouhe .1. write or tolde 5 owe euermo
Of his knyhthode he miht not suffise 3844
LANSDOWNE 565 (6-T. 276)
SIX-TEXT 277
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
1T Twelue jere he regned as seif e Machabe
Philippus fe sonne of Macedo he was [leaf 216]
That first was kynge of grece f e Centre
0 worf i gentil Alisander Alas 3848
fat euer schold falle suche a cas
Enpoysonde of f i folke f ou were
J)in suster fortune ha]>e tome in-to an as
And jit for J>e ne wepped sche neuer a tore 3852
IT How schal men jeue teres to compleyne
The def e of gentillesse & of frauncheys
Jjat al f e werlde weldede in his demeygne
And jit him fouht it myht nouht suffise 3856
So ful was his Corage of hihe emprise
Alace who schal me helpe to endite
Eals fortune & poyson to despise
The whiche tuo of al f es wo .1. wite 3860
De lulio Cesare
IT By wisdom manhede & be labowr
Fro humblehede & fro Roial Maieste
Vp rose he lulius f e conquerowr
That al J>e Occident be lahde & see 3864
Be strenkejje of hande or elles be trete
And vnto Eome maade hem tributarye
And sejjfen of Rome J?an Empe/'oure was he
Til fat fortune wex his aduersarie 3868
IT 0 myht Cesar5 J>at in Thessalye
Ajeines Pompeus fader fin in lawe
Of fat fe orient hadde al f e cheualrie
As fer as f e daie beginnef to dawe 3872
Theime f oruhe f i knyhthode hast hem take & slawe
Saue fewe folke fat wif pompeus fledde
f orwhe whiche f ou puttest al f e orient in awe
fonke fortune fat so wele fe spedde 3876
LANSDOWNE 666 (6-T. 277)
SIX-TEXT 278
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
II Bot no we a litel while .1. wil beweile
fis Pompeus J?is noble gouernoure
Of Eome whiche fat flyejj att ]?is Batayle
.1. saye one of his men a fals traiture 3880
His hedde of fmote to wynne him fauoure
Of lulius & him f e hede brouht
Alas Pompey of fe Orient conqueroure
That fortune vnto suche a dej?e brouht 3884
IT To Eome a3eine Eepairef lulius
WiJ) his tryumphe laureate ful hihe
Bot on a time Brutus Cassius [leaf 216, back]
fat euere hadde of his hihe astate envie 3888
Ful pn'uely had maad conspiracye
Ajeynes f is lulius in subtilite wise
And kest f e place in whiche he scholde deye
WiJ? Bodekynnes as .1. schal ^owe devise 3892
IT This lulius to f e Capitoile went
vpon a daie as he was wont to goone
And in }>e Capitoile anone him hente
This falce Brutus on of his foule fone 3896
And stikked him wi)> Bodekinnes anone
WiJ) mony a wound & f us f e lete him lye
Bot neuere gronte he att no stroke bott one
Or elles att tuo bot if his story lye 3900
IF So manly was J)is lulius of hert
And so wele loued estately honeste
Jjat f ouht his dedely woundes so sore smert
His Mantil ouere his hippes cast he 3904
For no man schol se his pr/uetee
And as he lay in deynge in a trance
And wist verraily fat dede was he
Of honeste jit hadde he Eemembrance 3908
LANSDOWNE 56? (6-T. 278)
SIX-TEXT 279
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
IT Lucan to fis story .1. recowmende
And to Sweton & to Valerius also
fat of fis storie write]? worde & ende
How fat fies grete Conquerous two 3912
Fortune was first frende & sif en foo
No man ne trust vpon his fauowr longe
Bot haue hire in awaite for euer mo
Wittnesse on aH fes conqueroures stronge 3916
De Creso Rege .
IT This Eiche Cresus whilom kinge of Lyde
Of whiche Cresus Ciquus sore him dradde
3ette was he cauht amydes al his pride
And to be brent men to f e fire him ladde 3920
Bot suche a Eaine doune fro f e walkyn schadde
Jjat slouhe f e fire & maade him to eskape
Bot to be warre jitte no grace he hadde
Til fortune on fe galoues maade him gape 3924
IT Whan he ascaped was he can nouht stinte
For to be-ginne a newe Eeyne ajeine
He wende wele fat fortune him sente
Suche happe fat he ascaped foruhe fe Eeine [leafzn] 3928
fat of his foos he myht nouht be sleine
And suche a sweuen vpon a nyht he mette
Of. whiche he was proude & eke feine
fat in vengeance he al his hert sette 3932
IF Vpon a tre he was as fat him f ouhte
There lubiter him wessche bof e halse & side
And phebus eke a faire towel him brouht
To drye him wif & ferto wex his pride 3936
And to his doubter fat stode him be-side
Whiche fat he knowe in hihe science abounde
He badd him tel hir what it signified
And sche his dreme began riht fus expounds 3940
LANSDOWNE 508 («-T. 279)
SIX-TEXT 280
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
1F The tre quod sche Jje galouse is to mene
And lubiter be-tokenej> snowe & reyne
And Phebus wij> his towele so clene
Is J7e sonne stremes for to seyne 3944
Thou schalt an honged be fader certeine
Reyne schal J>e wassche & sonne schal J?e drye
Thus warned sche him ful platte & pleine
His douhter fat called was Phayne 3948
IT An honged was Cresus fe proude kynge
His Roial throne myht him nouht availe
Tregedr}re in none oj>ere maner finge
Ne cann in sinynge • crie ne be-weyle 3952
Bot J?at fortune al wei wil assaile
"WiJ) ynwar stroke J?e Reignes fat bien proude
For whan men trustef hir Jjan wil sche faile
And couere hire briht face wij? a cloude 3956
Explicit1 fabula .
39 LANSDOWNE 569 (6-T. 280)
SIX-TEXT 281
GROUP B. § 13. MONK-NUN'S-PRIEST'S LINK. Lansdowne MS.
pifr ]>rolOgUS \pnleaf '2171
Hoo quod fe knyht good sir no more of J)is
fat je haue saide it is y-nowhe y-wis
And muchel more for litel heuynesse
Is riht ynouhe to muche folke as .1. gest 3960
.1. seie for me it is a grete disese
Where as men haj> buen in gre welfe & ese
To heren of here sodan fal alas
And J>e contrarie is loye & grete solace 3964
As whan hajje bue in pouere astate
And climbej) vp & waxe]> fortunate
And fare abide]? in prospmte
Suche J>inge is glad-some as it J>enkeJ> me . 3968
And Jjouhe suche were goodely for to telle Deaf 217, back]
3.e quod oure Ost be seint poules belle
3e seie riht sofe J>is monke he clappej) loude
He spake howe fortune couerd was wij> a cloude 3972
.1. note neue?* what & also of a tregedrye
Riht nowe ^e herde & parde no Remedye
It is to be-weile ne to compleyne
That fat is done and als it is a peine 3976
As ^e haue seide to hire of heuenesse
Sir monke no more of Jris so god ^ow blysse
^oure tale anoye}> al J?is Compaignye
Suche talkeinge is nouht worfe a better flye 3980
For Jjere-inne is no sporte ne game
Where-fore sir Monke Dan Piers be joure name
I praie hertely tel vs sumwhatt elles
For seker ner clynkenge of ^oure belles 3984
LANSDOWNE 570 (6-T. 28l)
SIX-TEXT 282
ououpB. §13. MONK-NUN'S-PRIEST'S LINK. Lansdowne MS.
fat on 3 oure bridel hongef on euery side
Be heven kinge fat for vs al deide
I schal for f is fal doune for slepe
Al-fouhe fe slouhe hadde neuere be so depe 3988
Than hadde joure tale be tolde in veyne
For certeynly as f es clerkes seyne
Where as a man maye haue none audience
Nowht he[l]pef to tellen his sentence 3992
And wele .1. woote fe substance is in me
If any f inge schal wele Reported bee
Sire sey sum whatt of hunteinge .1. jowe preie
Naye quod fe monke .1. haue no luste to pleie 3996
No we latte a nojjere tel as .1. haue tolde
Than spak oure Oste wi]> rude speche & bolde
And seide vnto J>e Nones preste anone
Com nere sir prest come hider sir lohn 4000
Tel vs suche Jnnge as may oure hertes glaade
Be merye fouhe fou ride vpon a lade
Jjat fouhe fine hors be foule or lene
If he wil se?-ue fe rekke J>e nouht a bene 4004
Looke fat fine herte be mere euermo
3is oste quod he so mot .1. ride or go
Bot .1. be mery .I.-wisse .1. wil be blamede
And riht anone he hafe his tale tamede 4008
And f us he seide to vs euerychon
This swete preste f is goodman sir lohn
1ANSDOWNE 571 (6-T. 282)
SIX-TEXT 283
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
J)e Preste [head-line]
APouer wedowe sumdel stoupe in age Deaf2is]
was whilom dwellynge in a narwe cotage 4012
Be sides a groue standings in a dale
}ris wedow whiche .1. tolde 3owe of my tale
Sejjpen pilke daie sche was last a wif
In pacience ledde a ful simple lif 4016
For litel was hire catel & hire rent
Be husbandry suche as god hire sent
Sche fant her self & eke her douhtern tuo
Jje large sewes hadde sche & no mo 4020
Jjre kyne & eke a schepe Jjat hiht mal
Ful soty was hir boure & eke hire hal
In whiche sche ete mony a sklender mele
Of poynant sauce her neded neuer a dele 4024
No deynte morsel passed hire Jjrote
Hire Dyaut was accordant to hire cote
Eeplecio?m maad hir neuer seke
Atempre diete was aH hire phesike 4028
And exercise & hertes sufficiawnce
The goute lettid hire no )>inge to daunce
J»e Poplexie ne shent nouht hire hede
Ne wyne dranke sche neyj>e?'e white ne rede 4032
Hire horde was serued most wif white & blakke
Melke & broune brede in whiche sche fande no lakke
Seyned bakon & somtyme a neye or tweye
For sche was as it were a manere deye 4036
A gardeyne sche hadde closed al aboute
WiJ> stikkes & a drye diche wi)) oute
In whiche sche hadde a kok pat hiht chauntreH
In al fe land of croweinge was his pere 4040
LANSDOWNE 572 (6-T. 283)
SIX-TEXT 284
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
His voice was merier1 fan f e meri organe
On mesdaies fat in f e cherche gone
Wele sukere was his croweinge in his loge
Than is a kloke or any abbeie orlege 4044
Be nature he kneAve iche ascenciozme
Of J>e equinoxiale of j)ilk toune
For whanne degrese .xv. were descended
Jpan knewe he fat it myh not bue a-mended 4048
His kombe was redder fan f e fine coralle
Enbateled as it were a castel wall
Ilyke a^ure was his legges & his tone
His bille was blakke & as f e gete it schone . 4052
His nailes whitter fan fe lyly floure Deaf 218, hack]
And ylike burnesshed gold was his colour
This gentil kok hadd in his gouernance
.Vij. hennes to done him plesance 4056
Whiche weren his susters & his paramours
And wondere ylike to him as of Coloures
Of wiche f e faire hewe on hire f rote
Was cleped. faire damysel pertelote 4060
Corteys sche was discrete & debonaire
And companable & bare hire self so faire
Sef ens f ilke daie sche was sevenyht olde
That trewly sche hafe fe hert in holde 4064
Of chaunteclere loken in every lyf f e
He loued hire so fat wele was him fere wif
Bot suche a ioye it was to here hem singe
Whan fat fe briht sone be-gan to springe 4068
In swete accorde . My leue is fare in londe
For filke time as .1. have vnderstonde
Bestes & birdes kouf e speke & singe
And so befel at in a dawenynge 4072
As chaunteclere amonge his wives ali
Satt on his perche fat was in f e haH
And next him satt his faire pertelote
This chaunteclere gan gronen in his frote 4076
LANSDOWNE 673 (6-T. 284)
SIX-TEXT 285
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
As a man fat in his dreme is drecched sore
And whan fat Pertilote Jms herde him Eore
Sche was agast & seide hert dere
What eylef 3owe to grone in fis manere 4080
^e bue a verrey sleper fye for schame
And he anseward & seide f us madame
.1. pray jow fat 36 take it to no greue
Be god me mette fat .1. was in suche mischeue 4084
Riht nowe fat ^ii rnyne hert is sore afliht
Nowe quod he My sweven rede ariht
And kepe my body oute of foule prisone
Me mette J>at .1. Eomed vpe & doune 4088
Wif-inne oure ^erd! where as .1. sawe a beste
Was like an hunde & wolde haue maad areste
Vpon My body & wolde haue hadde me dede
His colour was be-twixe white & Rede 4092
And tipped was his taile & bojj his eres
Wijj blak vnlyke f e remenawt of his heres .
His snowte smal wif gloweinge eyen tweye [leaf 210]
3it of his loke almoste for fere .1. deye 4096
fis caused me my groneinge douteles
Avoye quod sche Fy on ^owe herteles
Alas quod, sche for be fat god aboue
Now haue 36 lost my hert & my loue 4100
.1. kan nouht loue a coward be my feife
For certes what so any womman seyfe
Wil al desiren if it rnyht be
To haue husbandes harde wise & fre 4104
And secre ne no nygard ne none fole
Ne him fat is agast of euery tele
Ne none avauntowr be fat god aboue
How dorst 36 seye for schame vnto ^oure loue 4108
fat any finge myht maake 3owe aferde
Haue 36 none mannes herte & han berde
Alas & kan 30 be aga'st of sweue[n]sse
[No thyng god woot/ but1 vanyte/ in sweuyn is/.]
LANSDOWNE 574 (6-T. 285)
SIX-TEXT 286
GROUP B, § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Sweuens engendur of repleciones
[And ofte of/ fame & of1 complexions/.] [Hari. 1758, z/m, Wfc]
Whan humours bien to aboundant in a whight
Certes pis dreme whiche je haue herd to nyht 4116
Comep of pe grete superfluyte
Of pure rede coloure parde
Whiche causep folk to dreme hire dremes
Of Arwes and of fire wij> rede lemes 4120
Of Rede bestes pat willen hem bite
Of contek & of whelpes grete & lite
Riht as pe humore malancolye
Causep many a man in slepe to crye 4124
For fere of beres & boles blake
Or elles blake deueles wi him tak
Of op«re humerous coup .1. tel also
fat werken mony a man in slepe ful \vo 4128
Bot .1. wil passe as lihtly as .1. kan
Lo Caton whiche pat was so wise a man
Seide he not pus ne do no force of dremes
Now sir quod sche whan we flye fro pe bemes 4132
For goddes loue as take sum laxatif
Vpon perile of my soule & of my lyf
.1. counsel pwe pe best .1. wil nou}t lye
pat bope of coloure & of Malancolye 4136
$e pure pwe '. & for p scholne nouht tary
pouhe pat in pis toune is no potecarye
.1. schal my self to erbes techen pwe [leaf 219, back]
pat schal biene pure hele & pure pro we 4140
And in pe gardine po erbes schal .1. finde
pe whiche haue of here prop[er]te be kinde
To purgen pwe be-nepe & eke aboue
For-pttep nouht pis for goddes owen loue 4144
3e bien ful colerik of complexiowne
Were pe sonne in his ascenciowne
Ne fynde pue replite of 3oure humers hote
And if it do f I. dare wele leie a grote 4148
LANSDOWNE 675 (6-T. 286)
SIX-TEXT 287
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
fat 30 schal haue a feuere terciane
Or an Agwe fat male "be ^oure bane
A daye or tuo 30 schal haue digestiues
Of wermes ar 36 take joure laxatiues 4152
Of Laureole f Centaure & of fymyter
Or elles of elobore fat growef f e?-e
Of Catapuce or of gaitres buryes
Of berbe yve groinge in owre gardine fat merery is 4156
Peke hem vp riht as fei growe & ete hem inne
Be mery husbande for joure faders kinne
Dredef no dreme .1. can sei ^owe no more
Madame quod he gremercy of ^oure lore 4160
Bot naf eles as toucheinge dan Catoune
That haf of wisdom suche grete renoune
Be god men maie in olde bokes reede
One of J?e grettest Auctor oute of drede 4164
And mony a man more of auctorite
Than euer Caton -was so mott .1. J>e
That al fe [rejuerese seine of here sentence
And haue wele founden be experience 4168
fat dremes be significacions
As wele of loye as of tribulacions
fat folke enduren in f is lif present
The nedef nouht to make of fis none argument 4172
)3e verei preue schewef it in dede
One of f e grettest aiictor fat men rede
seif f us fat whilom tuo felawes 3ede
On pilgrenage in a ful grete nede 4176
And happed so f ei cam in to a toune
Where as fere was suche congregacione
Of peple and eke of streite herbigage
fat fei [ne] fande as meche as a cotage . 4180
In whiche fei bofe myht y-loged be [leaf 2-20]
Wherfor fei myhten of necessite
As for fat nyht departen of compaignye
And iche of hem gofe vntil his ostelerye 4184
LANSDOWNE 676 (6-T. 287)
SIX-TEXT 288
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And toke his logeinge as it wolde fal
fat one of hem was loged in a stal
Ferre in a ^erde wij) oxen of J>e plouhe
J>e tofere man was loged wele y-nowhe 4188
As was his aduentur or his fortune
That vs gouernef all as in comune
And so be-fel longe ar it were daie
fis man mette in his bedde fere he leye 4192
Howe fat his felawe gan on him calle
And seid alas for in an oxe stalle
This nyht .1. schal be mordred fere .1. lye
Nowe helpe me dere brofere ar .1. deyef 4196
In al haste come to me he seide .
This man oute of his slepe for fere abraide .
Bot whan fat he wakened out of his slepe
He turned him & toke of fis no kepe 4200
Him f ouht his drem was nouht bot a vanite
Thus twyes in his slepe dremed he
And att f e f redde time jit his felawe
Cam as him fount .1. am nowe .I.-slawe 4204
Be-holde my blode wounde depe & wide
Aryse vp erly in f e morne tyde
And att f e west gate of f e toune quod he
A cart ful of donge fere schalt f on see 4208
In whiche my body is hidde ful pn'uelye
Do filke cart areste boldelye
My golde caused my morder sof e to seyne
And tolde hym euery poyiite howe was sleyne 4212
Wif a ful pytous face pale of hewe
And trust wele his drem he fonde ful trewe
For on f e morne as sone as it was daie
To his felawes inne he toke fe riht waie 42 1G
And whan he cam to fis oxe staH
Affeter his felawe he began to caH
The Osteler answerd him anone
And seide sir ^oure felawe is gone 4220
LANSDOWNE 677 (6-T. 288)
SIX-TEXT 289
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
As sone as del he went oute of toune
This man gan fal in grete suspeccion
Remembreinge on his drernes fat he mete
And forfe he gofe no longere wolde he let [leaf 220, back] 4224
Vnto f e west gate of f e toune & fonde
A donge cart as he went to donge f e londe
fat was araide in ]>e same wyse
As ^e haue horde fe dede man deuise 4228
And wif an hardy hert he gan to crie
Vengeance & lustice of f is felonye
Myne felawe murdre is f e same nyht
And in f is carte he lief gapeinge vpriht 4232
[I cry out1 on the mynistres quod he [MS,??^?0X£^277'^:
L J J Not in MS Reg. 18 C 11
That1 shulden kepe . and rule this citee (not in'^r^vilk^ '
Harrow alias . hire lith my felaw slayne [/ea/278]
What1 shuld? I more . vnto this tale sayne
The peple vp sterfr . and cast* the cart1 to ground?
And in the myddil of* the dung1, ther they found'! EMS Re&- e*'~
J •> tract ends]
The de[de] man fat murded was al newe
0 blisful god fat art so iust & trewe 4240
Lo howe f ou be-wryest morder* al weie
Mordre wil oute fat se we daie be daie
Mordre is so wlatesome & abomynable
To god fat is so luste & resonable 4244
fat he lie wil nouht suffre it heled be
f ei it abide a ^ere or two or f re
Mordre wil oute f is es myne conclusiowne
And riht anone Ministres of fe same toune 4248
And hente f e carter & sore him pynede
And eke the hostelere so ferre engynede
fat f ei be-knewe here wykkednesse anone
And weren hanged be fe nekke bone 4252
Here maie me?me see fat dremes bien to drede
And certes in [the] same book .1. rede
Riht in fe next chapetre .1. rede of fis
.1. gabbe nouht so haue .1. loye & blis 4256
LANSDOWNE 578 (6-T. 289)
SIX-TEXT 290
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[Two men that wold* . han passed the see] [MS J^'^Js? XV>
For certeyne cause into a fer Contre
If fat f e wynde ne hadde bue contrarie
fat maade hem in a Cite for to tarye 4260
fat stode ful merie vpon an hauen side
Bot on a daie a^eines f e euen tide
The wynde gan chaunge & blew as him lest
lolif & gladde f ei wenten vnto rest 4264
And kesten hem ful erly vnto seile
Bot herken fat o man fel in grete pereile
The tone of hem in slepeinge as he leye
Him rnett a wonder dreme a^eines fe daye 4268
Him f ouht a man stode be his side
And him commanded fat he schold abide
And seid him f us if f ou to morne wende
fou schalt be dreyiite my tale is att an ende 4272
He awoke & told his felawes what he mette.
And praide him his viage for to lete [leaf 221]
As for fat daie he praide him to abide
His felawe fat laye be his beddes side 4276
Gan for to lauhe & scorned him ful fast
No dreme quod he maie myne herte agaste
fat .1. wil lette for to do my finges
.1. sett nouht a strawe be dremeinges 4280
For swevens bien bot vanytees & Tapes
Meraie dreme alweie of owles & of apes
And of mony a mase fere wif aft
Men drenien of f inge fat neuer was ne schaH 4284
Bott sefen .1. see fat fou wilte here abide
And fus for-slewfen willfully fe tide
God wote it rewef me & haue good daie
And fus he toke his leue & went his waie 4288
And er fat he hadde halfe his cours ysaited
.1. note whie ne whatt meschaunce it eylede
Bot Casuelly fe schip bothome to-rentte
And schip & man vnder fe water wente 4292
LANSDOWNE 679 («-T. 290)
SIX-TEXT 291
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
In siht of of ere schippes hem beside
fat wif him sailed att f e same tide
And f erfore he seide pertelote so dere
Bu suche ensamples olde maist fou lere 4296
fat noman schold bue to recheles
Of dremes for .1. saie f e doubteles
fat mony a dreme ful sore is for to drede
K Lo in fe lif of seint kenelme .1. rede 4300
fat was kenulphes son f e noble kinge
Of Mercenrike howe Kenelme mette a finge
A litel ar he was murdred on a daie
His murdre in his avisione he seyhe 4304
His norice him expounded euery dele
His sweuen & bad him for to kep him wele
For traison bot he was .vij. $ere olde
And fere-fore litel tale haf e he tolde 4308
Of ony dreme so holy was myn herte
Be god .1. hadde leue?* fan my scherte
fat 30 hadde his legende as haue .1.
Dame pertelote .1. saie $ow trewlye 4312
Macrobeus fat write f e avisiown
In Aff[r]ike of fe worf e Cypriozm
Affermef dremes & seif fat fere biene
Warneynge of finges fat men after seen • [leaf 221, back] 4316
And forfermore .1. praie ^owe lokef wele
The olde testament of Danyele
If he helde dremes of any vanyte
"Rede eke of loseph & fan schal $e see 4320
Whefer dremes bien sumtyme .1. seye nouht aH
Warneynge of finges fat schal after faH
IT Loke of Egipte f e kinge dan Pharaho
His Baker & his Boteler also 4324
Where fei ne felte none effect in dremes
Who so wolle se[r]che f e actes of sundre Realmes
Maie rede of dremes mony a worder finge
Loo cresus whiche fat was of Lidde kinge 4328
LANSDOWNE 680 (6-T. 29l)
SIX-TEXT 292
GUOUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS,
Met he nouht fat lie sat vpon a tre
Whiche signified lie scliolde an hanged bue
Lo here Adromacha Ectores wyfe
fat dale fat Ector schold lese his lif 4332
Sche dremed on f e same nyht be-forne
Howe fat f e lif of Ector schold be lorne
If f ilke daye he wente in-to Bataile
Sche warned him bot it myht not availe 4336
He went for to feyhten neuere J)e lese
Bot he was sleyne of Achilles
Bot f ilke tale is al to longe to teH
And eke it is nyhe daie .1. may . duett 4340
Schortly .1. seie as for conclusione
fat .1. schal ha of )>is avisione
Of aduersitees & .1. saie forf ere more
fat .1. wil tell of laxatifs no store 4344
For fei biene veiiemous .1. wote riht wele
.1. hem defy .1. loue hem neuere a dele
K"ow lat vs speke of merf e & stinte al ))is
Madame Pertelot so haue .1. blisse 4348
Of o f inge god haf e me sent large grace
For whan .1. se f e beaute of ^oure face
;Je bien so scarlete rede aboute joure ey^en
It makefe al myf drede for to deyen 4352
For as so seker as in praicipio
Mulier est hominis confusio
Madame f e sentence of f is latiue is
Womman is mannes loye & al his blisse 4356
For whan .1. fele a nyht ^oure soft side
Al be it fat [I] maie nouht on ^oure ride [leaf 222]
For fat oure perche is maade so narwe alas
I am so ful of loye & solace 4360
fat .1. defy bofe sweuen & dreme
And wif fat worde he flief doune fro f e beme
For it was daie & eke his hennes aH
And wif a chokke he gan hem for to catt 4364
LANSDOWNE 681 (6-T. 292)
SIX-TEXT 293
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
For he had fonden a come laie in f e ^erde
Eoyal he \vras no more aferde
He fef erde pertelode tuente time
And trade hire as oft ar it were prime 4368
He lokef as it were a grime lyone
And on his toos he Homed vp & doune
Him deynede no$t to sett his feet on grounde
Aie chokked he whan he hadde a come yfounde 4372
And to him fan ran his wyves aft
Thus Roial as a pn'nce in his halle
Leue .1. fis chaunteclere in his pasture
And after, wil .1. tel of his aduenture 4376
If "Whan f e monef in whiche f e werlde be-ganne
fat hiht Marche whan god first maad manne
"Was complete & passed where also
Sefen .Marche be-gan .xxx. daies & tuo 4380
Be-fel fat Chaunteclere in his pride
His .vij. wives walkinge be his side
Kest vp his hi^en to f e briht sone
J>at in fe signe of taurus was yrone • 4384
f rette degrees & one & sunrwhat more
He knewe be kinde & be none of ere lore
fat it was pn'me & krewe wif blisful steuen
f e sonne he seide is clombon vp on heuen 4388
.xl. degres & .1. & more y-wiese
Madame pertelote Mi werldes blisse
Herken howe f es blisful birdes singe
And see fe frische flowres hoAv fei springe 4392
Ful is myne herte of reuel & solas
Bott sodanly him fel a sorweful cas
For eue?-e f e later ende of loye is sone ago
And coimmly oft time it fallef so 4396
And if a Eethor couf e faive endite
He in a cronikle niyht sauely Avrite
As for a souereyne notabilite .
Nowe euerey wiseman herken me [leaf 222, back] 4400
LANSDOWNE 582 (6-T. 293)
SIX-TEXT 294
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
This storie is as trewe .1. vnder-take
As is f e booke of lancelote f e lake
That wewmen helde in fid grete Reuerence
Nowe wil .1. turne a^eine to my sentence 4404
A kole fox ful of sleihte & iniquite
fat in f e groue had woned ^eres fre
Be hihe ymaginacion aforne y-kast
The same niht forwhe-oute f e hegges brast 4408
In-to f e jjerde f er chaunteclere f e faire
"Was wonte & eke his wif to repaire
And in a bedde of wortes stil he laye
Til it was passed vndern of fe daye 4412
Wayteinge his time on chaunteclere to faH
As gladly done f es homicides aH
Jjat in awaite ligge to murdre men
0 fals Mordroure roukeinge in fi den 4416
0 newe Scariot & newe Genyloun
Fals dissimylo?/r o greke Synoun
That brouhtest troye al vtterly to sorwe
0 chaunteclere acursed be fat morwe 4420
fat J?ou in fe ^erde fleihe from J?e bemes
fou were wele y-warned be J>i dremes
fat filke daie was pe?*ilouse to f e
Bot fat at god a-for wote it mote nedes be 4424
After opz'nione of certeine clerkes
Witnesse on him fat any clerke es
fat in scole grete altercacioun
In fis ma tier & grete disputacioun 4428
And haf e bue of an hundref f ousand men
But .T. ne can bult it to fe branne
As kan fe holy doctur Austine
Or Boice or f e Bischoppe Bradwardine 4432
"Wef ere fat goddes wiU afore weteinge
Streynef me nedely for to done a f inge
Nedely clepe .1. Simple necessite
Of elles if fe fre choyce be graunted me 4436
LANSDOWNE 583 (6-T. 29t)
SIX-TEXT 295
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
To do fat same f inge or to do it noujt
f ouhe god for-wote it ar it was wrouht
Or of his weteinge streynef neuere a dele
Bot be necessite condicionele 4440
.1. wil nowht haue to done of suche Matier*
Mi tale is of a koke as je maie here [leaf 228]
That toke his counsel of his wif with sorwe
To walken in Jje ^erde vpon f e morwe 4444
fat he hadde mette fe dreme as .1. ^owe tolde
Wemmen counsel bien ful often colde
Wemmen counsel brouht vs first to woo
And maade Adam fro paradise to go 4448
f ere as he was ful mery & wele att ese
Bot for .1. note whome .1. miht . it displese
If .1. counsel of wemmen wolde blame
Passe ouere for .1. said it in my game 4452
Rede Auctors where f ei trete of suche matier
And what ]>ei seine of wemmen hier
f ese biene f e kokkes wordes & nouht myne
.1. kan no harme of no womman devine 4456
Faire in f e sande to baf e hire merilye
Lyf e pertelote & hire susters bye
A^eine f e sunne & chaunteclere so fre
Sange merier J>at fe meri mere-maide in fe see 4460
For Phisiologus seif e witterly
How ]>at J>ei singen wele & merely
And so be-fett as he kest his y$e
Amonges ]?e wortes vpon a butterfiye 4464
He was ware of fis fox fat ley ful lowe
Nofinge lust him fan to crowe
Bot cride anone kok kok & vp he sterte
As a man was affraide in his herte 4468
For naturaly a beste desiref to flee
Fro his contrarie whan he maie it see
Jjeihe he neuere hadde seen it erst wif his ye
The chaunteclere when he gan him a-spye 4472
LANSDOWNE 684 (6-T. 295)
SIX-TEXT 296
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
He walde haue fledde Bot fat f e fox anone
Sayde gentil sire alas what witt 36 done
Bene 30 affraide of me fat am ^oure frende
Certes sire fat Men 36 vn-liende 44 7 G
If .1. to 3owe wolde harme or velanye
.1. am nouht co??zme ^oure consel to aspye
Bot trewly f e cause of my co?wynge
was onely to herlcen howe fat .1. singe 4480
For trewly . 36 haue as mery a steuene
As an Angel haf e fat is in heuene
f er-wif 36 haue in fysik more feleynge
'fan hadde Boys or any fat kaii singe peaf 223, back] 4484
Min lorde 3oure fader god his soule "blisse
And eke 3oure moder of his gentillese
Haue in myne house bien to 3oure grete ese
And certes sir ful feine wold I 3owe plese 4488
Bot for men spekef of singeinge [I woft seie. [Hari. 1758, if 198]
So mote I broke myn yen tweie .
Sauf ye I ne herd/ neuyr/ man so syng .]
As dide^oure fader in fe morneinge 4492
Certes it was of hert al fat he sange
And for to make his voice f e more strange
He wolde so peyne him fat wif bof his y3en
He nost wynke so loude he dide criene 4496
And stond on his tiptos fere wif al
And strecche forf e his nekke longe & smal
And eke he was of suche discrecione
fat fer was no man in no region 4500
fat him in sange or wisdome myht passe
.1. haue wele redde Dan Burnel fe asse
Amonge his vers fere was a kok
For «, prestes sonne 3aue him a knoke 4504
Vpon his legges whan he was 3onge & nyce
He maade him for to lese his benefice
Bot certeine fere is no cowparisown
Be-tuyx f e wisdome & discresiown 4508
40 LANSDOWNE 585 (6-T. 296)
SIX-TEXT 297
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Of ^oure fader & his subtilite
Nowe singef sire for seint charite
Lete se con 36 joure fader counterfet
This Chaunteclere his wynges gan to bete 4512
As man fat couj>e his treson nouht aspie
So was he Kauysched wif his flaterie
Alas 30 lordes mony a fals flaterer
Is in 3oure courte & mony a losengier 4516
fat plesen $owe more be my feif e
fan he fat sof efastnesse vnto jowe seif
Redef Ecclesiastre of flatre
Be war 36 lordes of here trecherie 4520
This Chaunteclere stode hihe vpon his toos
Strecheinge his nekke & held his yen cloos
And gan to crowe loude for f e nones
And Dan Russeli stert vp al at ones 4524
And by f e gorge hente chaunteclere
And on his bak to-warde f e woode him bere
1.For 3itt was fere noman him sewed &'<%* o his
0 destanye fat maiste not bu enchewed ^deVSTbare/'8
Alas fat chaunteclere fel f o fro f e beme
Alas his wif ne rouht nouht of dremes
And on a fridaye fel al f is meschaunce
0 venus fat is goddes of plesawnce 4532
Sef es fat f i seruant was fus chaunteclere
And [in] f i seruice dide al his powere
More for delite fan f e werlde to multiplie
Whi woldest f on suffur on fi daye to deye 4536
O gaufride dere maister souereigne
Than whan f i worf i kinge Eichard was sleyne
"Wif schotte compleigned his def so sore
Whi ne hadd .1. nowe fi sentence & fi lore 4540
Jje fryday for to chide as deden 30
For on a fryday schortly sleyne was he
fan wolde .1. schewe ^owe howe fat .1. couf e pleyne
For chaunteclere & for his peyne 4544
LANSDOWNE 686 (6-T. 297)
SIX-TEXT 298
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Certes suche crie ne lamentacione
"Was of ladies maade whan pat Elyone
Was wonne & pirrus wijj his streiht swerde
Whan he hente kinge Prian be pe berde 4548
And sleyne him as seide Eneydos
As maaden aH pe hennes in pe close
Whan pei hadd seye of Chaunteclere pe siht
Botte souereignely dame PMelot schriht 4552
Ful ludde pan dide Esdrubaldes wif
Whan pat hir husbonde hadde lost hir lif
And pat pe Komeynes hadde bernt Cartage
Sche was so ful of towrment & of rage 4556
pat wilfully in-to pe fire sche stert
And bernede her self wip a stedfast hert
0 . woful hennes riht so cride 30
As whan pat nero berned pe Cite 4560
Of Rome Criden pe Senatowrs wifes
For pat her husbondes scholde lese here lyves
Wip-outen gulte Nero hape hem sleyne
Now wil.I. turne to my tale a-^eine 4564
This cely wedowe & here dowhters tuo
Herden pe hennes crie & maden wo
And oute att pe dore stert pei a none
And sawe pe fox to-warde pe groue gone Ueaf 224, back]
And bare vpon his bakke pe koke awaie
And Criden oute harrowe & walaweie
A ha pe fox & After hem pei Eanne
And ek wip staues mony anoper manne 4572
Eanne Colle oure dogge talbot & Garland
And Malkin wip here distaf in hire hand
Rann pe cowe & pe calf & eke pe verrey hogges
Sore aferde for berkeinge of pe dogges 4576
And schowteinge of men & of wemmen eke
pei rann so her hert pei pouht to breke
The Dokes criden as men wold hem qwelle
pei plden as fendes done in helle 4580
LANSDOWNE 587 (6-T. 298)
SIX-TEXT £99
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Oute of f e hyves cam f e swrame of bees
The gees for fere Howe ouer f e trees
So hydous Avas f e noyce a benedicite
Sertes he lac strawe & his Meyne^e 4584
!Ne maade neuere schowte halfe so schiH
Whan fat f ei wolde any flemmynge kitt
As fat like dale was maade on f e fox
Of brasse f ei brouht bemes & of box 4588
Of home & bone in whiche f ei poped
f ere-wif-al f ei schriked & schowted
It semed howe fat heuen schold fal
Nowe good men .1. preie jowe herkenef al 4592
Lo how fortune tornef sodanly
The hope & eke fe pride of her envye
This kok fat lei vpon f is fox bak
In al his drede vn-to fe fox spak 4596
And seide sire . If .1. were as 30
}it schold .1. saie as wis god help me
Turnef a^eine je proude clerkes aH
A verrey pestelence vpon }ow fatt 4600
Nowe am .1. comme vnto f is wode side
Mawgre pure hede f e koke schal her abide
.1. wil him ete in feif & fat anone
The fox anseward in feif e it schal be done 4G04
And [as] he spak fat worde al sodanly
f is koke brak fro his mouf e delyuerlye
And hihe vpon a tree he flyje anone
And fe fox sawe fat he was goone 4 COS
Alas q?^od he o chaunteclere alas
.1. haue quod he done ^owe a trespas [leaf 221]
In also muche as .1. maade $owe aferd
Whene .1. jow hente & brouht oute of fe 3er[d]e 4612
Bot sire .1. did it nouht in no wikked entente
Comef doune & .1. schal tel 3owe whatt .1. mente
.1. schal seie sof god helpe me so
Xaye fan quod he .1. schrewe vs bofe tuo 4616
LANSDOWNE 588 (6-T. 299)
•
SIX- TEXT 300
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
And first .1. schrewe my self bof e blode & bones
If jjou be-gile me ofter fan ones
Thou schalt no more wif f i flatery
Do me to singe & wynke wif myne ey^e 4620
For he fat winkef whan he schold see
As wysly god let him neuer f e
'Nay quod f e fox god ^eue him meschaunce
Jjat is so vndiscrete of gouernaunce 4624
fat langelef whan he schold haue pees
Lo snche it is to hue recheles
And necligent and trustef on flaterye
Bot 36 fat halde fis tale a folye 4628
As of a fox .&. a kok . & of an hen
Takef f e moralite goode men
For seinte Poule seif all fat wreten is
To oure doctrine it is wreten y-wys 4632
Takef f e fruyte & letef f e chaf be stitt
Now good god if fat it be fine witt
As seif e my lorde so makef vs al good men
And bringe vs al to his hihe blisse Amen . 4636
Explicit fabnla Capellani .
LANSDOWNE 589 (6-T. SOO)
GEOUP H. FKAGMENT IX,
§ 1. THE MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK.
LANSDOWNE MS.
Incipit ^rologus Mancipij .
WEte je noulit where fere slant a litel toune
Whiche fat cleped is Bobe vp & doune
Vnder fe blene in Canterbury weye
Ther gan oure Oste for to lape & pleye . 4
And seid sires y wisse done is in f e myre
Is fere no man for prayer ne for hire
fat wil awake oure felawe be-hinde
A f ef myht him lyhtly Robbe & bynde 8
Se howe he nappef for kokes bones
As he wald fal fro his hors att ones
Is fat a koce of London wif meschawnce
Do him com ford he knowef his penazmce 1 2
For he schaH tel a tale be my feye
Al f ouhe it be not worf a botel heye
Awake f ou koce quod he qwod jif f e sorowe fieaf 225, back]
What eylef fe to slepe so be fe morwe 16
Hast f ou had flene al nyht or ert fou dronke
Or hast f ou wif sum qwene al nyht y-swonke
So fat f ou maist nouht holde vp fine hede
This koc fat was ful pale & no finge rede 20
Saide oure oste so god my soule blisse
As fere is fal on me suche an heuynesse
.1. note whi me were leuer slepe
fat f e best galon wyne in chepe 24
LANSDOWNE 690 (6-T. 576)
SIX-TEXT 577
GKOUP H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Wele quod, f e Manciple if it maie done ese 25
To f e sire koke f & to no wight displese
Whicho fat here ridejj in f is compaignye
And fat oure Oste wil of his curtesye 28
.1. wil as no we excuse f e of fin tale
For in good feijje f i vesage is ful pale
fin eyjen dasowef e sof ely as me f enkef
And wele .1. wote fi brefe foule stinkef 32
fat schewef wele f ou ert nouht wele disposed
Of me certeyne f ou schalt not bene yglosed
See howe gof e f is dronken wight
As f ouhe he wold vs swelowe anone riht 36
Halde close f i mouf e man be f i fader kinne
The deuel of hel sett his fote f ere inne
This cursede bref e wil enfect us al
Fy stynkinge swyne fy foule motte f e faH 40
Takef hede sire of f is lusty manne
Now swete sire wil 30 iust att f e fanne
Ther-to me f inkef 30 be wel yschape
I trowe fat 30 haue dronken wyne ape 44
And fat is whan men pley wif a strawe
And wif f is speke f e koce wex al wrawe
And on f e Manciple gan he nodde fast
For lak of speche & doune f e hors him cast 48
Where as he laye til men him vp toke
This was f e faire cheuache of a coke
Alas he ne hadd hold him be his ladel
And er fat he ajeine were in his sadel 52
fere was grete schoueinge to & fro
To lift him vp & muche care & woo
So vnwelde was f i cely palled gost
And to fe Mancyple fan spak oure Ost 56
Be cause fat drinke hafe dommacione Deaf 220]
Vpon f is man be my saluacione
.1. trowe fill lewdly he wolde tel his tale
For were it wyne or olde or moyste ale GO
LANSDOWNE 691 (6-T. 677)
SIX TEXT 578
GUOUP H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Lansdowne MS.
That he haj) dronke he spekejj so in his nose Gl
And fnesef fast & eke he haf e f e pose
He also to done more fan .I.-nouhe
To kepen him & his capel oute of f e slowhe 64
And if he fal fro his Capel eft sone
J?an schal we al haue . ynouhe to done
In liftynge vp his hevy dronken cors
Tel on f i tale . of him maake .1. no force 68
Bot jitte Maunciple in feif e f ou ert to nyce
Thus openly to reproue him of his vice
Anofere daie he wil peraduenture'
Recleyme f e & bringe f e to luyre 72
.1. mene he speke wiH of smale f inges
And for to speke att June rekenynges
fat were nouht honest f ouhe it cam to preue
No quod f e Manciple fat were a grete meschef 76
So myht he bringe me in to f e snare
3it hadde I leuer pay . for J>e Mare
Whiche he ridejj on fan he schold wij> me strive
.1. wil nouht wreff e him so mot .1. f riue 80
fat att .1. spak .1. saide it in my bourde
And wyte 30 wele fat .1. haue here in a gourde
A drauht of wyne . 30 of a rype grape
And riht anone $e scholne se a good Tape 84
This koce schal drink f er-of if .1. maye
Vpon peine of my lif he wil not sey neye
And certanly to tellen as it was
Of f is vessel f e koce drank fast alas 88
Whate nedef it he dranke . ynowhe aforne
And whan he had poped in his home
And to f e manciple he toke f e gourde a^eine
And of fat drink f e koc was wonder feyne 92
And f onked him in suche wise as he coufe
fan gan oure oste waxen wonder louf e
And seide .1. see wele it is necessarie
Wher fat we gone drinke wif vs to carye 96
LANSDOWNE 692 (6-T. 678)
SIX-TEXT 579
GROUP H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Lansdowne MS.
For fat wil torne Rankoure & disese 97
To accord & loue & mony worde to pese s
0 . Bachus blissed be fin name [leaf 226, back]
J>at so can turne ernest in to game 100
"Worschipe & f onke be to f i deite
Of fat Matier gete 30 no more of me
Tel on fou Manciple .1. fe preie
Sires q?/od he nowe herkenef what .1. seye 104
Explicit prologws .
LAXSDOWNE 693 (6-T. 679)
SIX-TEXT 580
GROUP H. §2, MANCIPLE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Incipit fabula Mancipij .
"Han phebws dwelled here in Jus erpe adoune 105
As olde bokes makep mencioune
He was J>e most lusti bacheller
Of al pis werlde & eke )>e best archer1 108
He slowe phiton ]je serpent as he leye
Slepeinge a-^eine sowne vpon a dale
And mony anopere worpe noble dede
He wijj his bowe brouht as men mowe rede 112
Pleynge he coupe of euery mynstralcye
And singen fat it was a melodye
To heren of his clere voice pe soune
Certes pe kinge of Thebes amphione 1 1 6
pat wijj his singeinge walled pat Cite
Coupe neuer singen half so wele as he
Therto he was pe semelest man
pat is or was seppe pe werlde be-ganne 1 20
Whatt nedep it his fetures for to discryue
For in pis werld was none so faire on lyue
He was per-wip fulfilled of gentillesse
Of honow & of partite worpinesse 124
pis Phebus pat was floure ob Bachellarie
As wele in fredam as in Cheualrye
For disport in signe eke of victorie
Of Pheton so as tellep vs pe storie 128
Was worpi to beren in his honde a bowe
Now hadde pis Phebus in his hous a crowe
Whiche in cage he fostred moni a daie
And tauht it speke as men techep a iaie 132
LANSDOWNE 594 (6-T. 580)
SIX-TEXT t^Sl
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
White was fis crowe as is a snowe white swanne 133
And counterfede f e speche of Query manne
He couf e whan he schold tel a tale
fere wij> in al fis werlde no nyhtinggale 136
Ne couf e be an hundref f ousand dele
Singen so wonderli mery & wele
No we hadde fis Phebus in his hous a wif [leaf 227]
Whiche fat he loued more fan his owen lif HO
And nyht & daie dide euer his diligence
Hire for to plese & done hire reuerence
Saue onely if f e soj>e fat .1. schal seye
lelowse he was & wolde haue kepped hire feyne 144
For him were lof e Taped for to be
And so euery whiht in suche degre
Bot al for nouht for it a-vailef nouht
A good wif fat is clene of werke & f ouht 148
Schold not be kepped in none awaite certeine
And trewly f e labour is in veyne
To kepe a -schrewe for it wil nouht be
fis holde .1. for a verraie nycete 152
To spiH a labour for to kepe wives
Thus writen olde clerkes in her lyues
Bot nowe to purpos as .1. first began
fis worfi phebus dof al fat he can 156
To plesen hire weneinge be suche plesance
And for his manhode & his gouernance
fat noman schold haue put him fro hire grace
Bot god it wote fer maie noman enbrace 1GO
As to discryue a f inge whiche fat nature
Haf e naturelly sette in a creature
Tak any birde & put it in a kage
And do al fine entente & fi Corage 164
To foster it tendurli wif mete & drinke
Of al Deyntef es f ou canst be-f inke
And kepe it as clenly as f ou maie
Al-f ou-he his cage of golde be neuere so gaie 168
LANSDOWNE 695 (6-T. 58l)
SIX-TEXT 582
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
3it hap pis berde be twenti pousande folde 1G9
Leuer in a forest pat is wilde & colde
gone ete wermes & suche wrechednesse
For euer pis birde wil done his besinesse 1 72
To ascape oute of liis cage whan he male
His liberte pe birde desirep aie
Lat take a katte & foster him wele wip melke
And tendre flessche & make his couche of selke 176
And late him sene a mouse go by pe waH
And anone he weyuep melke flesche & aft
And euery deynte pat is in pat house
Suche appetite hap he to ete a mouse 180
Lo he[re] hap lust his dampnacione
And appetite flemep discrecione [leaf 227, back]
As pe wolfe hape also a veleyns kinde
pe lewdest wolf pat sche maie finde 184
Or lewedest of Eeputacione pat wift sche take
In time whan hir list to haue a maake
Al pes ensamples speke .1. be pis men
pat bien vntrewe & no pinge be wemmen 188
For men haue euere a lykerous appetite
On lower1 pink to performe her delite
pan on here wives bien pei neuer so faire
Ne neuere so trewe ne so debonaire 192
Flesche is so new fangul wip meschance
That we ne kunne in nopinge haue plesaunce
pat sownet in to vertew any while
This Phebus whiche pat pouht vpon no gile 196
Deceyved was for al his lolyte
For under him a nopere hadde sche
A man of litel Reputacione
Not worpe to Phebus in comparacione 200
pe more harme is it happepe oft soo
Of whiche pere coramep muche harme & wo .
And so be-fel whan Phebus was absent
His wif anone hap for hire leraman sent 204
LANSDOWNE 596 (6-T. 582)
SIX-TEXT 583
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Here le??iman sertes pis is a knauysche speche 205
For^euen it me & pat .1. }ow beseclie
The wise plauto seip as $e maie rede
The worde mot nede accorde wip pe dede 208
If men schal tel properly a pinge
The worde mot Cosine be to pe worcheinge
.1. am a bustuse man riht Jms seie .1.
There is no difference treuly 212
Be-twex a wif pat is of hihe degi'e
If of hir body dishonest sche be
And a pouerer wenche opere fan pis
If it so be pei werken bope amys 216
Botte pat pe gentil is in astate aboue
Sche schal be cleped his ladi as in loue
And for pat toper is a p[o]uere womman
Sche schal be cleped his wenche or his lemnian 220
And god it woote myne owen dere bropere
Men leype }>e tone as lowe as lype fat opere
Hint so bertwyx a titles tirant
And an owtelawe & a pefe errant [leaf 228]
pe sam .1. seie ]pere is no difference
To Alisander was tolde pis sentence
fat for pe terant is of gretter rnyht
Be fors of meyne to sle doune riht 228
And birne hous & home and maken al pleyne
Lo perefore he is clepe a Capiteigne
And for pe outelawe hape bot smal men^e
And may nouht do so grete an harme as he 232
Ne bringe a centre to so grete meschefe
Men klepen him an outelawe or elles an pef
Bot for .1. am a man not texed wele
.1. wil note tel of tit us neuer a dele 236
.1. wil go to my tale as .1. beganne
Whan Phebus wif hadde sent for hir* lemma n
Anone pei wrouht al her lust volage
pis white crowe pat honge aye in pe cage 240
LANSDOWNE 597 (6-T. 583)
SIX-TEXT 584
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Be-helde her werke & seide neuere a worde 241
And whan J?at home was commen phebus Jje lorde
This Crowe sange kokkow kokkowe cokkowe
"What birde qiiod Phebus what songe singes Jxm 244
Ne were J)ow wonte so merilye to singe
J>at to myne herte it was a reioysinge
To here Jri voice alace what songe is Jris
Be god quod he .1. singe nouht amys 248
Phebus quod he for al Jri worjrinesse
For al Jri beute and Jri gentillesse
For al Jri songe & al Jri Minstralcye
For al j)i wayteinge blered is fine eye 252
"VViJ) one of luytel reputacion
Nouht worj> to J>e as in comparison
The mountance of a gnate so mot [I] priue
For on Jri bedde Jri wif .1. sawe him swyue 256
What wile 36 more J>e crowe anone him tolde
Be sadde tokenes & be wordes bolde
Howe J>at his wif hadde done her lycherie
Him to grete schame & to grete velanye 260
And tolde him oft he sawe it wiJ) his eyjen
This Phebus gan awaiwarde for to wrien
Him Jjouht his sorweful herte a brast in. tuo
His bowe he bente & sette Jjerinne a floo 264
And in his .Ire fan haj>e he his wif sleyne
This es Jje effecte Jjere is nomore to seine [leaf 223, back]
For sorwe of whiche he brak his mynstralcy
Bothe harpe & Lute getern & sautrie 268
And eke he brak his arwes & his bowe
And after J>at Jms spake he to J?e crowe
Traytowr quod he wijj tonge of scorpione
Jjou hast me brouht to my confusione 272
Alas J?at .1. was wrouht whi nere .1. dede
0 dere wif o lemme of lustihede
That were to me so sadde & eke so trewe
Nowe liest J>ou dede wiJ) face pale of hewe 276
LANSDOWNE 598 (6-T. 584)
SIX-TEXT 585
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Ful giltles fat dorst [I] swere .I.-wys 277
O rachel hounde to done so foule amys
0 trouble witte o yre recheles
fat,, vnavised smytest giltles 280
0 wanne trust ftil of fals suspeccion
Where was f i witte and f i discrecione
Of Query mair be war of rechelnesse
Ne trowe no J)inge wif outen strohge wittenesse 284
Smyte nouhte to sone ar fat f ou wyt wliy
Ande be auisede wele & soburlye
Or je do any execucion
Ypon $oure ire for suspeccion 288
Alas a f ousand folke haue Eacliel ire
Fully for-done or brouht hem in f e myre
Alas for sorwe .1. wil my self sle
And to f e crowe o fals f ef seide he 292
.1. wil f e qwite anone fi fals tale
f ow songe whilom like a nyht gale
Nowe schalt f ou fals f ef f i songe for-gone
Eke fine white fefers euerychon 296
Ke neuer in al f i lif schal fu speke
Jus schal men on a traitur buen y-wreke
fou & fin hofspn'nge euere schal be blake
NG neuere swete noise schal je maake 300
Bot euere Crie a-jeine tempest & reyne
In tokeneynge fat f oruhe f e my wif is sleyne
And to f e crowe he sterte & fat anone
And pullede his white fefers euerychone 304
And maad him blake & raft him al his songe
And eke his speche & oute at f e dore him slonge
Vn-to fe deuel whiche .1. him be-take
And for fis cas bene al crowes blake [leaf 229] 308
Lordeinges be fis ensample .1. ^owe preye
Bef e ware & takef kepe what fat 30 seye
Ne tellef neuere no man in ^oure lif
Howe fat anoffre man haf swyved his wif 312
LANSDOWNE 699 (6-T. 58o)
SIX-TEXT 586
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'^ TALE. Lansdowne MS.
He wil 3owe hate mortally certeyne 313
Daun Salomon as wise clerkes seyne
Techef a man to kepe his tunge wele
Bot as .1. seide .1. am nouht text wele 316
Bot naf eles f us tauht me my dame
My sonne f inke on f e crowe a goddes name
My sonrce kepe wele f i tonge & kepe f i frende
A wikked tonge is wers fan a fende 320
My sonne frome a fende men may hem blisse
My sonne god of his endles goodenesse
"VValled a tonge wijj tef e & lippes eke
For man schold him a- vise what he speke 324
Mi sonne ful oft for to mechel speche
Haf e mony a man be spilt as clerkes teche
Bot for litel speche avisily
Is no man schent to spek generaly 328
My sonne f i tonge scholdest fou restreine
Att alle time bot whan fou dost f i peine
To speke of god in honour & preyere
The. first vertue sonne if fou. wilt lere 332
Is to restreyne & kepe wel f i tonge
f us leren childern whan f e be 3onge
My sonne of Mechel spekeinge yuel avisede
fere lasse spekeinge had .I.-nowhe suffised 336
Come]) mochel harme fus was me tolde & tauht
In muchel spechef "sinne wantef nouht
"Wostowe where-of a rachel tonge seruef
Riht as swerde for-kottej) & for-keruef 340
And arm a tuo . my dere sone riht so
A tunge kutte]) frenschep al a two
A Tangier is to god abhominable
Rede Salomon so wyse & honurable 344
Rede dauid & his psalmys rede seneke
My sone speke nouht bot wijj fine hede Jm bekke
Dissimule as fou were def if fat fou here
A langclere spekef of perilous matere 348
LANSDOWNE 600 (6-T. 68&)
SIX-TEXT 587
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
The flemynge seif e & lerne 3if f e lest 349
Jjat litel langelinge cause]? jnechel rest pear 229, bacu
My sone if fou no wykked worde hast seide
J5e far nouht drede for to be bewreide 352
Bot he fat haf my-saide .1. dare wele seine
He may be no weye clepe his worde a^eine
f inge fat is seide is seide & forf it gof e
fouhe him repent or be him neuer so lofe 356
He is his f ral to whonie fat he haf seide
A tale of whiche he is nowe yuel apaide
My sone be war & be none auctor newe
Of Tyf inges whef ere f ei be fals or trewe 360
Where so fou comme amonges hihe or lowe
Kepe wele f i tonge & finke vpon fe crowe 362
Explicit ffabula Mancipij .
41 LANSDOWNE 601 (6-T. 58?)
GEOUP I. FRAGMENT X.
§ 1. THE BLANK-PAKSCHSr LINK.
{This u really a link between some unwritten Tale and the Parson's. It has been
made into the Manciple-Parson Link (or Yeoman-Parson by the Christ-Church 31S',
by Chaucer' t copiers, though not meant for it.}
LANSDOWNE MS.
[on tea/ 299, 6oc»]
Incipit prologus Rectoris .
BE fat f e manciple hadde his tale endede 1
The sonne fro f e souf e side is descendede
So lowe fat he was nouht to my siht
Degrees nyne & twente as of heiht 4
Than of f c clokke it was so as .1. gesse
For a .xj. fote a lite more or lesse
My schadowe was at f ilke time as fere
Of fusche fete as myn lengef par-tide were
In sex foote equale of proporocione
fere-wife f e niones exaltacione
.1. mene libra alweye gan ascende
As we were eiitrynge att f e f ropes ende
For wi]> oure oste as he was wonte to guye
As in f is caas oure loly compaignye
Seide in f is wise lordeinges euerychone
Now lakkef vs no tale more fan one 16
Fulfilled is my sentence & my degre
"Who wil nowe tel a tale latt see
Almost ffulfilled is myne ordenatmce
.1. praie to god . so 3if him riht good chaunce 20
fat Tellif f is tale to vs lustely .
Sir p?-ist quod he ert f ou a vicario
Or ert fou a person sei sof e be fi feye
Be what fowe be ne broke fou nouht oure pleye 24
LANSDOWNE 602 (6-T. 589}
SIX-TEXT 590
GROUP I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK. LansdOWUC MS.
For euery man saue foue hafe told his tale 25
vnbukel and schewe vs what is in f i male
For treuly me f inkef be f i chere
Thow scholdest knyht vpe wele a grete matier 28
Tel vs a fable anone for kokkes bones [leaf 230]
f is persone ansewerd al att ones
f ou getest fable none ytolde for me
For Poule fat write]) vn-to Timothe 32
Repreuef hem fat veyfen sof efastnesse
And tellen fabels & suche wrechednesse
Whi shold .1. schewen draf out of my fest
Whan .1. may schewe whete if fat me lest 36
For whiche .1. saie if fat fe lust to here
Moralite & vertuous Matiere
And fan fat 30 wil jef me audience
.1. wil ful feyne att cristes Reuerence 40
Done 3owe plesance lefful as .1. cawne
Bot trustef wele .1. am a sof erne rnanrce
.1. can nouht geste . Rom Ram . Ruf be my le^re
N"e god wote Rime holde .1. bot litel better 44
And f erefor if jowe luste .1. wil not glose
.1. wil 30 we tel a mere tale in prose
To knyte vp al f is fest & maake an ende
An ihesu for his grace witte me sende 48
To schew 3ow f e waye in f is viage
Of f ilke parfite gloriouse pilgrenage
J?at hiht leiusalem CelestiaH
And if 30 vouche saue a-none 30 schaH 52
Beginne vpon my tale for whiche .1. preye
TeH 3oure avise .1. can no better seye
Bot naf eles f is Meditacione
.1. put it alweie in correctione 56
Of clerkes for .1. am nouht text wele
I take bot f e sentence trustef wele
Thare-fore .1. maake a prodestacione
fat .1. wil stant to correctione 60
LANSDOWNE 603 (6-T. 590)
SIX-TEXT 591
GROUP I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK. LailSdoWHC MS.
Ypon ]>is worde we haue assented sone GI
For as it semed it was for to done
To enden in som vertuous sentence
And for to ^eue him space & audience 64
And badde oure Oste he scholde to him seye
Jjat al we to telle his tale we preye ,
Oure Oste hadde J>e wordes for vs aH
Sire preste quod, he faire mote jow faH G8
Saye what ^owe lust & we schal gladly here
And wi)> fat worde he seide in fis manere .
Tellejj quod he ^oure Meditacione [leaf 230, back]
Bot haste]? jowe jje sonne wil adoune 72
BeJ> fructuous & fat in litel space
And to do wele god send $owe his grace 74
Explicit prohemium .
LANSDOWNE 604 (6-T. 59l)
592 SIX-TEXT
CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PART I,
THE PARSON'S TALE.
A TREATISE ON PENITENCE, IN 3 PARTS :
Part I. On Penitence, and its 1st requisite Contrition (A) (p.
593-612).
Part II. On its 2nd requisite, Confession (B) (p. 612—679).
Part III. On its 3rd requisite, Satisfaction (C) (p. 679 — 684), with
the Writer's Leave-taking and Retractations (p. 684-85).
PAET I. (p. 593—612).
ON PENITENCE, AND ITS IST REQUISITE, CONTBITION.
Proem on Jeremiah vi. 16. The Tale is to be on Penitence as a full
noble way to lead folk to Christ, and is to treat of
i. ' what is Penitence ' (p. 594) .
- ii. ' whennes it is cleped Penitence '. [not in the Tale.']
Ui. ' in how manye maneres been the acciowns or werkynges of
Penitence' (p. 594-5).
iv. ' how many speces ther been of Penitence ' (p. 595).
v. ' whiche thynges apertenen and bihouen to Penitence' (p. 595 —
682 : nearly all Parts I and III, and all Part II).
vi. 'whiche thynges destourbew, Penitence' (at end of Part III,
p. 682) (p. 593).
i. Penitence defined, by a. St Ambrose; b. 'som doctour'; c. the
writer. Its requisites: 1. bewailing of skis; 2. purpose to
have shrift, to do satisfaction, never to sin again, to continue
in good works (p. 594).
[ii. not given.]
iii. The 3 actions of Penitence : 1. Baptism after sin ; 2. not to do
deadly sin after baptism ; 3. not thus to do venial sin (p. 594-95).
iv. The 3 speces or kinds of Penitence : 1. Solemn (to be put out of
church, or do open penance) ; 2. Common (to go naked on pil-
grimage); 3. Private (p. 595).
v. The 3 necessities or requisites for Penitence (p. 596 — 682) :
A. Contrition of heart (p. 596—612).
B. Confession of mouth (Part II, p. 612—679).
C. Satisfaction (Part III, p. 679—682).
Penitence avails against 3 things, by which we wrath Christ (p.595).
A. Contrition is the root of Penitence, whose stem bears branches
and leaves of Confession, and fruit of Satisfaction.
Contrition also bears a seed of grace, whose heat draws men to
God. (Simile of the child and his nurse's milk.)
Penance is the tree of life (p. 596).
Four Points to be known about Contrition :
1. What it is ; 2. the causes that move a man to it'; 3. how to
be contrite ; 4. what it avails the soul (p. 597).
" • 2. The 6 Causes that should move a man to Contrition :
a. Remembrance of Sins (p. 597-8).
b. Whoso does sin is the Thrall of Sin (p. 598-99).
c. Dread of the Day of Doom and the Pains of Hell (p. 599 — 604).
These described: the Doom (p. 599-600); Job's 'lond of
mysese and of derknesse' (p. 600-1) ; the 3 shames in hell
against (1) ' Honours, (2) delices, and (3) richesses' (p. 611) ;
poverty in 4 things : no treasure, food, clothing, or friends
(p. 602) ; and no delights of the 5 senses. The pain shall be
eternal (p. 603). Hell is orderless (p. 603-4). The 7 causes
why the damnd have lost all hope (p. 604).
d. Remembrance of the good works we've left undone, and the
loss of the good works done while we were in sin (p. 604-6).
Deadly sin wines out all good works formerly done (p. 605) ;
and no good works can be done in deadly sin (p. 605-6).
The new French song, J'ai tout perdu mon temps (also
quoted in Chaucer's late poem of Fortune).
42 (FOR LANSDOWNE 005)
592 SIX-TEXT
CONTENTS OP PARSON'S TALE. PART II.
e. Remembrance of Christ's suffering for our sins (p. 606). In
man's sin, every ordinance is turnd up-so-down (p. 607).
For this disorder Christ sufferd (p. 608).
/. The hope of 3 things : 1. Forgiveness of Sins, 2. the Gift of
Grace to do well, 3. the Glory of Heaven (p. 609).
3. How to be contrite. Contrition must be universal and total :
for sins of thought, for desires against God's law, for wicked
words as well as wicked deeds (p. 610). Contrition must be
angwishous and continual (p. 609-11).
4. How Contrition helps the soul. It sometimes delivers a man
from ski; destroys the prison of hell: cleanses the soul;
changes the son of Wrath to the son of Grace (p. 611-12).
PART II (no. v. continued).
B. C01TFESSION (THE 2ND REQUISITE FOR PENITENCE)
(p. 612—679).
B. Confession. § 1. (1. 317) 'what is confession' (p. 612).
§ 2. ' wheither it oghte nedes be doon or noon ' (p. 672-9).
§ 3. ' whiche thynges been couenable to verray Confession ' (p.
674-79).
CONFESSION, § 1.
1. 'Confession is verray shewynge of synnes to the preest1
(1. 318) (p. 612). We must understand too
a. (1. 321) 'whennes that synnes spryngen' (p. 612—15).
b. 'how they encreessen' (p. 615-16; 672-74).
c. 'whiche they been' (p. 616—672).
l.o. Sin sprang from the fall of Adam (p. 612) . The legend of
Adam and Eve told (p. 613). From Adam we took Original
Sin, and were born sons of eternal damnation ; but Baptism
rescues us ; though we keep liability to temptation, or Con-
cupiscence (p. 613-14).
Concupiscence, or the nourishing and occasion of sin. St Paul
and St Jerome's temptations (p. 614-15).
1.6. How Ski grows in a man. 1. by Concupiscence; 2. Subjec-
tion to the Devil; 3. Hesitation; 4. Doing, the Sin be-
coming Actual (p. 615-16).
I.e. Sin is o. venial, /3. deadly (or mortal).
a. 1. Venial Sin defined. It skips into Deadly Sin. (Simile
of the drops of water into a vessel's hold drowning
the ship ;) (p. 616).
IS. 1. Deadly Sin defined (p. 617).
a. 2. Of divers small venial sins, hardly thought sins (p. 617-
18) ; eating, drinking, talking, too much ; using your
wife too much ; not visiting the sick (p. 617) ; talking
vanities at church, &c. (p. 618). Cure of venial sins
by love to Christ, prayer, confession, good works, re-
ceiving the Sacrament, holy-water. &c. (p. 618).
I.e. j3. 2. The Seven Deadly Sins. The Chieftains, head and
spring, of all other Sins (p. 619).
i. Pride (p. 619-26), and its Remedy (p. 626-8).
ii. Envy (p. 628-30), and its Rgmedy (p. 630-1).
iii. Ire or Anger (p. 631-42), and its Remedy (p. 642-5).
iv. Accidie or Sloth (Discontent, Ennui) (p. 645-49), and
its Remedy (p. 650-1).
v. Avarice or Covetousness (p. 651-7), and its Remedy
(p. 657-8).
vi. Gluttony (p. 658-9), and its Remedy (p. 660).
vii. Lechery (p. 660-8), and its Remedy (p. 668-72).
i. PRIDE (p. 619—626). Its 16 (and more) Twigs. 1. Disobedience,
2. Boasting, 3. Hypocrisy, 4. Despite, 5. Arrogance (p. 619),
6. Impudence, 7. Swelling of Heart (rejoicing in harm done),
8. Insolence, 9. Elation, 10. Impatience, 11. Contumacy, H.
(FOR LANSDOWNE 605 a)
592 SIX-TEXT
CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. &ART II.
Presumption, 13. Irreverence, 14. Pertinacity, 15. Vain-glory,
16. Jangling (chattering).
A private kind of pride (the Host's Wife's and Wife of Bath's^),
wanting to go to offering first, &c. (p. 620).
Two kinds of Pride, a. ' within man's heart ', b. without ; b. being
the sign of a., ' as the gaye leefsel atte Taverne is sign of the
wyn that is in the Celer'2 (p. 620-21), b. outside pride.
a. in dear clothing, 1. superfluity of it: its cost, furring, chisel-
holes, dragging in the dung, waste of material (p. 621), im-
fitness for giving to the poor : 2. scantness of it : showing
men's privy members, and buttocks (like a she-ape's rump),
and the former as half-flayd, in parti-colourd hose3. The
'outrageous array of Women' (p. 623).
/3. in horses (p. 623), and vicious grooms to tend 'em; plate-
harness, &c.
y. in household : keeping too many retainers or servants, who
oppress the poor (p. 624).
$. in table : not asking the poor to feasts ; having burning and
ornamented dishes4; too costly cups, &c., and too choice
minstrelsy (p. 624).
What Pride sins are deadly, and what venial (p. 624).
The Sources of Pride (p. 624) : goods of Nature, Fortune, Grace
(p. 624). The Folly of Pride in any of these goods of Nature :
' we ben alle of o fader and of o mooder, and . . of o nature ' 5.
The general signs of Gentleness. (The flies calld 'bees', and
their stingless king) (p. 625) ; 3 gifts of Grace ; 3 of Fortune.
The brittleness of popular praise6 (p. 626).
The Remedy against Pride.
Humility or Meekness, and its 3 kinds : in 1. heart, 2. mouth,
3. works. 4 kinds of each of these (p. 626-27).
ii. ENVY (p. 627-30) : denned by the Philosopher and St Augustine.
It springs from Malice (p. 627).
Malice ; 2 kinds of : 1. hardness of heart, or recklessness ; 2. op-
posing truth (p. 627).
The 2 kinds of Envy (p. 628) : 1. sorrow at other men's prosper-
ity ; 2. joy at other men's harm : whence comes
Backbiting ; 5 kinds (p. 628) : 1. praise with a but at the end; "2.
turning well-meant things upside down to ill ones ; 3. lessening
a neighbour's goodness ; 4. putting one man above another ; 5.
glad listening to scandal (p. 628).
Grudging or murmuring (p. 628) : 1. against God (p. 629) ; 2.
Murmuring from avarice, 3. from pride, 4. from envy ; 5. among
Servants, who say 'the Devil's Paternoster'; 6. Murmuring
from ire or hate : thence, a. Bitterness of Heart, b. Discord,
c. Scorning; d. Accusing (p. 629) ; e. Malignity (p. 630).
The Remedy against Envy (p. 630-31).
Love of God and one's neighbour. How a man shall love his
neighbour. How an enemy is included in the name 'neigh-
bour' (p. 630). 3 Remedies of Love, against 3 deeds of Hate
p. 631). Love is the medicine that casts out the venom of
nvy from man's heart (p. 631).
iii. IRE or ANGER (p. 631-42), and its 2 kinds : a. good Ire or Wrath
(p. 632) ; b. wicked Ire, and its 2 kinds : sudden ire, and ire
of malice aforethought (p. 632-33).
Three Shrews that forge in the Devil's furnace: Pride, Envy,
and Contumely (p. 633).
1 Melibe-Monk Link, B. § 11 ; and General Prologue, A.
3 Chaucer's father no doubt had a sign outside his wine-shop or tavern in Thames
Street, London.
8 The outspoken and somewhat coaree abuse of the new fashions in dress is a great
change from Chaucer's admirable Third-Period chaff of the moral short-comings of
the monks and friars, &c., in the Prologue and middle Tales. If this is not change of
man, it's change of mood.
* Chaucer must have seen plenty of these when he was page, valet, and sijnire.
8 Compare Chaucer's Gentleness, &c. 6 Compare Clerk's Tale, Part VI, at, 135.
(FOR LANSDOWNE 605 &)
(p.
En
SIX-TEXT 592
CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. TART II.
Wrath takes away a man's wit and spiritual life (p. 634).
Fruits of Wrath : 1. Hate. 2. War and wrong. 3. Manslaughter,
a. spiritual ; b. bodily (p. 634).
a. The 3 kinds of spiritual Manslaughter (3, calld 6 in MSS.
p. 634) : 1. by Hate. 2. by Backbiting. 3. Giving wicked
Counsel, by Fraud (p. 634).
b. bodily Manslaughter: slaying with your tongue, giving
orders or counsel to slay a man (p. 634).
Manslaughter in deed : its 4 (that is, 7) kinds (p. 635) : 1. by law :
a Justice condemning a man to death ; 2. justifiable homicide,
in defence of one's own life ; 3. by misadventure : shooting an
arrow, &c. ; 4. a woman overlying her child ; 5. a man making
a woman barren by drinks, &c.. killing the foetus within her,
shedding his seed in the wrong place ; a woman killing the child
in her womb; 6. a woman killing her child (after birth) for
shame ; 7. a man by lechery or blows killing a fetus.
(Sixteen) other sins coming from Ire or Anger.
1. blaming or despising God, as hazarders do (Cp. Pardoner's
Tale) (p. 635) ; and those who treat of the Sacrament of
the altar irreverently (p. 636).
2. Attry anger : making angry false excuses for sin.
3. Swearing, which dismembers Christ (p. 636).
a. Of lawful Swearing, before a Judge : its 3 conditions, and
its motives ; b. God's name and Christ's, not to be taken
in vain (p. 637) ; c. swearing for gentility or manliness
(p. 638) ; d. swearing suddenly; e. of Adjuration and
Conjuration by enchanters and necromancers ; /. of
Divination by Dreams, &c. ; g. of Charms for Wounds
and Maladies (p. 638).
yng (p. 638), and i
5. Flattering. How Flatterers are the Devil's Nurses, his
4. Lying (p. 638), and its 6 kinds.
Enchanters and Chaplains (p. 639).
6. Cursing that comes of irous heart : Malison.
7. Chiding and Reproach (p. 640); (specially a chiding wife')
(p. 640-41).
8. Scorning (p. 641).
9. Giving wicked Counsel
(p. 641).
10. Sowing and making Dis-
cord (p. 642).
11. Double tongue (p. 642).
12. Betraying of Counsel (p.
642).
13. Menace.
14. Idle words.
1 5. Jangling (chattering) (p. 642) .
16. Japing (joking) (p. 642-43).
The Remedy against Anger (p. 643-5). Debonairtee and Patience
(p. 643). Four kinds of grievances, and their remedies: 1.
wicked words, 2. loss of goods, 3. harm of body, 4. outrageous
labour (p. 644).
Incentives to Patience. Story of the Philosopher and Child
(p. 644-45). Obedience comes from Patience (p. 645).
iv. ACCIDIE, or SLOTH (Discontent, Ennui) (p. 645-49), is an enemy
to the 3 states of man, — 1. innocence (p. 645), 2. prayer (p. 646),
3. grace;— and to one's livelihood. Its 12 bad consequences (p.
646) : 1. Sloth (and its remedy) ; 2. Dread to begin good works
(p. 646) ; 3. Wanhope, or Despair (and its Remedy) (p. 647) ; 4.
Somnolence (p. 648), and 5. Negligence, or 6. Recklessness, and
the Remedy for each; 7. Idleness; 8. Tarditas, or tarrying
before turning to God (p. 649); 9. Lachesse, or giving up a
good work begun ; 10. Coldness; 11. Undevotion; 12. Worldly
sorrow (p. 649).
The Remedy against Accidie (p. 650-51) : Fortitude or Strength,
and its 5 kinds. 1. Magnanimity2 or great Courage; 2. Faith
or Hope ; 3. Assurance ; 4. Magnificence ; 5. Constancy (p.
651).
1 Docs Chaucer here refer to his former wife ?
8 Miswritton ' Magnificence ' in Ellesmere and Lansdcnvne MSS.
(FOR LANSDOWNE 006)
SIX-TEXT 592
CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PART II.
v. AVARICE (p. 651-57). The difference between Avarice and Coyet-
ousness (p. 651) ; and between an Idolater and an avaricious
man (p. 652). Of Covetousness, and lords' extortion from their
bondmen : "humble folk been Cristes freendes" (p. 652-53). The
Duty of lords to their thralls or churls. Of those that pillage
Holy Church (p. 653-54) ; lords who plunder the poor are like
wolves (p. 654). Of Deceit between Merchant and Merchant
(p. 654). Of honest bodily Merchandise (the surplus of one
country may be sent to help another) (p. 654). Of spiritual
Merchandise, or Simony, and its 2 kinds (p. 655), — thieves that
steal Christ's souls get livings (p. 655-56) ; — Hasardry or Games
of Chance (p. 656). Other outcomes of Avarice (p. 656) : 1. Lying,
2. Theft (bodily and spiritual) (p. 656-57), 3. False Witness,
4. False Oaths (p. 657).
The Remedy against Avarice (p. 657) : Mercy and Pity, and reason-
able Liberality (p. 658). Of foolish largess (p. 658).
vi. GLUTTONY (p. 658-59), and its 5 kinds (p. 659) : 1. Drunkenness,
or the burial of man's reason ; 2. a troubled spirit ; 3. bad way
of eating; 4. distemperd bodily humours ; 5. forgetfulness. Or,
as St Gregory says, 1. eating too soon ; 2. eating too delicate
food ; 3. taking too much ; 4. troubling too much about cooking
food ; 5. eating greedily : these are the 5 fingers of the devil's
hand (p. 659).
The Remedy against Gluttony (p. 660) : Abstinence, and its fellows.
Temperance, Shame, Content with plain food, Moderation, So-
berness, Sparing (p. 660).
vii. LEOHEKY (p. 660). Its punishment in the Old Testament (p.
660). Adultery, and the desire of it (p. 661-62).
The 5 fingers of the Devil's other hand (p. 662) ; 1. foolish look-
ing; 2. villainous touching; 3. foul words; 4. kissing (old do-
tards, and dry dogs at a rose-tree (p. 662) ; and how a man should
love his wife) ; 5. the stinking deed of lechery (p. 663). Its
kinds : 1. Fornication. Taking a maid's maidenhead, or 100th
fruit (p. 663). 2. Adultery, defined. 3. Harms following from it :
«. breaking of faith ; b. theft (of the wife's body from her hus-
band (Joseph and Potiphar's wife), and of her soul from Christ) ;
c. breaking God's commandment, and defouling Christ (p. 664).
Of Harlots and Bawds (p. 665). Adultery is set between Theft
and Manslaughter. More kinds of Adultery : 1. by Men bound
by Religious Vows, &c. ; 2. those in Holy Orders (p. 665).
Lecherous Priests are like a free Bull in a town, and they eat
raw flesh of folk's wives and daughters (p. 666) ; 3. by man and
wife copulating for pleasure only (p. 667) ; 4. copulation with
kinsfolk, spiritual (or godchildren) or fleshly (blood relations).
5. the abominable unmentionable sin ; 6. Pollution, of 3 kinds :
1. too rank humours ; 2. weakness (p. 667) ; 3. evil thoughts
(p. 668).
The Remedy for Lechery (p. 668) : I. Chastity and Continence.
1. in Marriage. (The true effect of Marriage. One husband to
have one wife (p. 668). How a man should behave to his wife
(p. 669). How the wife should be subject to her husband (p.
669), and be moderate in behaviour, discreet in words, &c. (p.
669-70). The 3 causes for which man and wife may copulate
(p. 670) : a. begetting of children ; b. to pay the mutual debt of
their bodies; c. to avoid lechery (p. 670). The 4th cause,
pleasure, is deadly sin (p. 670-71).)
2. In Widowhood ; 3. Virginity (p. 671).
II. Special avoidance of causes of lechery : a. eating and drink-
ing ; long sleeping ; b. the person who'd tempt you (p. 671-72).
(I wish I could tell you the Ten Commandments ; but it's
too high doctrine (p. 672).) [End of Confession, § 1, c.]
Sin is in heart, mouth, deed, by the 5 Wits (p. 672).
(FOB, LANSDOWNE 006 a)
SIX-TEXT
CONTENTS OP PARSON'S TALE. PARTS II AND III.
§ 1.6. (see p. 615-16.) The 7 Circumstances that encrease or aggravate
sins (p. 672). 1. the person who skis (male or female, &c.) ;
2. the kind of sin (fornication or homicide) ; 3. the place it
was committed in (as in a church, by a Driest) (p. 673) ; 4. for
what motive ; 5. the number of times it was committed ; 6.
by what temptation ; 7. how it was committed ; and all other
circumstances (p. 674).
CONFESSION, § 2, § 3 (p. 674-79).
Profitable Confession, and its 4 (= 3) Conditions (p. 674) :
1. sorrowful bitterness of heart (p. 674) ; its 5 signs : a. shame-
fastness (like the Publican's) (p. 675) ; b. humility; c. fulness
of tears (p. 675) ; d. no hesitation (like the Magdalen) for
shame ; e. obedience to receive penance laid on you (p. 675).
2. speedy Confession (p. 676) ; its 4 Conditions : /. that it be
well thought over ; a. the greatness and number of sins must
be understood ; h. the sinner must be contrite, and i. avoid
occasions of sins.
3. Shrift must be made to one man, not more (p. 676).
True Shrift, and its 10 Conditions (p. 677) : 1. that it be of free
will ; 2. that it be lawful (both sinner and priest, Popish) ; 3.
that it be not despairing of Christ's mercy; 4. that a man
accuse himself only, and not another; 5. that it be not lying
(accusing oneself of skis never committed) (p. 678) ; that it be
by one's own mouth, and not by letter ; 7. that the sin be not
painted with fair words ; 8. that the shrift be to a discreet
priest ; 9. that the shrift be not made for vain-glory, but for
fear of Christ ; 10. that the shrift be not made suddenly, for a
joke (p. 678). You may be shriven more than once for the same
sin ; and should be houseld once a year (p. 679).
PART III (no. v. continued, and no. vi.).
SATISFACTION (THE SBD REQUISITE FOE PENITENCE)
(p. 679—684).
In a. Alms. /3. bodily punishment.
a. Alms and its three kinds (p. 679) : 1. Contrition of heart; 2.
Pity for one's neighbour's faVilts. 3. Giving good counsel to
other's souls and bodies (food,_ visits in prison, burial). These
Alms should be done privily, if possible (p. 680).
/3. Bodily Punishment (Penance), of 4 kinds: 1. Prayers
(chiefly of the Paternoster, whose expounding I leave to Mas-
ters of Theology) (p. 680). 2. Watching, and its 3 kinds:
forbearing, a. meat and drink, b. worldly jollity, and c.
deadly sin (p. 681). 3. Fasting, and its 4 kinds : Liberality to
poor folk ; spiritual gladness of heart ; not grudging at fasting ;
reasonable eating. 4. Virtuous teachings, or Discipline : a.
by word, writing, or example ; b. by wearing hakshirts.j &c.,
next your skin, scourging yourself, taldng evils and injuries
patiently (p. 682). [End of no. v. in Part i; p. 593.]
vi. The 4 Things that disturb Penance [no. vi, or last §, of p. 593
at foot] (p. 682). 1. Dread, and its remedy. 2. Shame, and
its remedy. 3. Hope : a. of long Me, and 5. consequent over-
confidence in Christ s mercy (p. 683). 4. Wanhope, or Despair
of Mercy ; its 3 kinds : x. from great and long continued sin ;
y, from falls-back into sin ; z. from not being able to persevere
in goodness (p. 683).
The fruit of Penance (p. 683-4).
EPILOGUE.
The Author's Leave-taking, and Lament over, and Withdrawal of,
his Sinful Books, &c. (p. 684-85).
(FOR LAN3DOWNE 606 b)
SIX-TEXT 593
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lausdowne J£S. 607
[Lansdowne 851, on leaf 230, back."]
\Thcre are no paragrapli-'brealis in the MS, but TyrwltitVs are
kept in the print for convenience sake.~\
Incipit sermo.
leremze vjto. State super vias. & videte & interrogate de
semitz's antiquis quo sit via bonaf & ambulate in ea &
iwuenieti's refrigerium awiwabws vestns.
[75]
Owre. swete lord god of heuenf pat no man wil
perisshef but wil pat we comme al to pe
knowleche of himf & to pe blisful lyf
pat is perdurable! [76] amonestep vs be pe
prophet loromie pat seipe in pis wise f
[77] Standep vpon pe weyes & seepe & axep
of olde papes. pat is to seie of olde sentences!
whiche is pe goode weief [78] & walkep in pat weief
& 30 schal finde refrisscheinge for 3oure soulesf &c
[79] ^f Many buen pe weyes spt'nYuele. pat leden folk
to to oure lorde ihesu criste & to pe regne of glorie
[80] If Of whiche weyes pere is a ful noble weie and ful
couenable weief whiche maye not faile to man ne to
womman pat poruhe sinne hap inys gone fro pe riht
weie of Jerusalem celestial. [81] And pis weie is cleped
Penitence f of whiche men scholde gladly herken &
enquere wip al his he [82] to wit what is pen-
ance '. & whan it is cleped penanc. & in howe
many manure bene pe accionce- of worchinge of penance f
[83] And howe mony spices pere biene of penytence And
whiche pinges appartenenf & be-houen to penitence f &
whiche pinges distourben penitence
LANSDOWNE 607 (6-T. 593)
SIX-TEXT 594
608 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[84] IT Seint Ambrose seifo fat penitence is fe
pleyneinge of man for fe gilt fat he haf donef and no
more to do any finge for whiche we oulite to pleynef
[85] And som doctowr seife f Penitence is J>e weyment-
jnge of man fat sorwef for his sinne f an peynef
him selft for he hafe mys donef [86] Penytence wif
certeyne circumstance is verrey repentance of men fat
halt him self in sorwef And of ere peyne for his giltes
[87] For he schal be verreye penitent f he schali first
beweilen fe sinne fat he hafe donef And stedfastly
^purposen in his herte to haue schrift of mouf e And to
done satisfaccione f [88] And neuer to do f inge. ffbr whicho
him ouht to beweile or to complene & to con-
tinue in goode werkes f or elles his repentance mai nouht
availe [89] 1T For as seint Isider seif e. He is a Taper &
a gabbere & no verrei repentant f fat eft sone dof
finge ffor whiche him ouht to repent [90] wepeingef
& nouht for to stinte to do sinne Maie not availe f [91] Bot
naf eles men schol hope f fat at euery time fat man
fallef be it neuere so off fat he may rise forwhe peni-
tence if he haue grace 1T Bot certeinly. it is grete doute
[92] for as seife seinte gregori. vnnefes arisef he oute
of his sinne fat is charged wif f e charde of yuel vsage f
[93] & fer fore repentant folke fat stinte for to
sinne & for-lete sinne. er sinne for-1lete him. Holy
cherche holte hem seker of her sauacione f [94] And
he fat sinnef & verraly repentef him in his last
endef Holy cherche jit hopef his saluacion be fe grete
mercy of our lorde ihesu for his repentance f H Bot
takef f e seker weye fat is certeine f
[95] IT And nowe sefen .1. haue declared jowe what
finge is penitence ^f Now scholne 96 vnderstonde fat fere
bue fre accions of Penytence f [96] The first is
if a man be baptized after fat ho hafe
sinned [97] f Seint Anstine seife bot he be penitence
for his olde sinful lif f he maie not be-ginne fe newe
LANSDOWNE 608 (G-T. 59 1) ['leaf 231]
SIX-TEXT 595
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 609
clene liff [98] For certes if he be baptist wit h oute
penitence of his olde giltef he receyuef fe merke of
baptime. bot not fe grace no fe remission of his
sinnes til he haue repentance verreye . [99] IT Anof ere
defaut is fisf that men done dedely sinne after fat
fei haue receyued Baptisme [100] IT ]3e fredde defauto
is f fat men fallen in venial sinnes after her baptisme f
fro daie to daie [101] IT Ther of seif seint Austino -
fat penitence of goode & humble folke is fo
penitence of euery daie f
[102] U The spices of penance bien fref fat on
of hem is solempwef anofere is comune. .&. fe
fred is pn'ue [103] 1T filke penance fat is so-
lempne f is in tuo maners. As is to be put oute of holy
cherche in lente for slauhter of childerne & sucho
maner fingef [104] Anofer is whan man
haf sinned openly f of whiche sinne fo fame is openly
spoken in f e contre f IT And fan holy cherche be iuge-
ment Distreynef him for to do penance open. [105]
IT Somme penance is fat prestes enioynen men comunly
in certeine caas as for to gone peraducntur naked in
pilgrenage or barfote. [106] 1T Priue penaunce is
filk fat men done al daie ffor pn'ue sinnes of whicho
we schryuen vs pr/uely & receyuen pr?'ue penance.
[107] IT Nowe schalt fou vnderstande whas behoueff
& is necessarie to verrei perfit penitence f An f ca
standen on fro finges [108] 1T Contricio of hert. Con-
fession -of mouf e f & satisfaccione [109] 51 For whiche
self Iohann.es Grisostem?/s. Penytence Distreynef man
to accepte benyngly euery peine fat is him enioyned
Vfith contriciono of hertf & schrift of moufe & satis-
facione & in wercheinge al manere humylitef [no]
IF And fis is fruyteful penitence a3ein fro finges in which",
we wreffen our lorde ihe^u cristf [in] fis is to seine 5
be delite in f inkinge f be reclischenesse in spekeinge f
be wykked sinful wyrchcingcf [112] II And ajeines fea
LANSDOWNE GOO (C-T. 595)
SIX-TEXT 596
610 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
wikked giltes is penitence f fat maie be likned vnto a tre.
[113] 1T fe rote of Jus tree is contn'cione fat hide])
him in f e hert of him fat is verraie repentant Riht as
fe rote of a tre hidef him in fe erfef [114] IT Of fe
rote of contn'cione spriwgef a stalk fat beref braunches
& leues of confessis & fruyte of satisfaccione. [115-]
For whiche crist seif e in f e gospel. Dof e digne fruyte of
penite. For be fis fruyte men maye knowe fis
tref & nouht be rote fat is hide in fe herte
of inanf be fe braunche ne be fe leues of confessionef
[116] And fere for oure lorde ihesu crist seif fusf Be
fe fruyte of hem schal 39 knowe hem [117] IT Of fis
rote spn'ngef a seede of grace f fe whiche sede is
f e mode of sekernesse f And fis seed is egre & hote i
[118] fe grace of fis seed spn'ngef of god foruhe fe re-
membrance of fe daie of dome & one fe peines of
helle. [119] IT Of fis 1Matier seife Salomon. That in fe
drede of god man for letef his sinne. [120] If fe hete
of fis seede is fe loue of god. & fe desire of fe
loye perdurable f [121] fis hete drauef fe hert of
man to godf & dofe him hate his sinne f [122] IT For
sof ely fere is no f inge fat saueref so wele to a childe
as f e myke of his norice f Ne no f iwge is to him more abhom-
inable fat filke melk whan it is menged wif
of ere mete. [123] Eiht so fe sinnful man fat louef
his sinne it semef fat it is to him moste swete Of
any fingef [124] IT Bot fro fat time fat he louef sadly
oure lorde ihesu criste & desiref fe lif perdurable f fere
nys to hime more abhominable i [125] 1T For
sofe fe lawe of god is fe loue of godf For whiche
dazw'd fe prophete seifef I. haue loued fi lawe & hated
wikkednesse f & haten f He fat louef god kepef his lawe &
his wordef [126] IT This tre sawe fe prophet .Danyel. in
spirit vpon f e auysion of nobugodonosor whan he coun-
seled him to do penitence. [127] IT Penance is fe tro
of lif to hem fat it receyvenf And he fat holdef him
LANSDOWNE 610 (6-T. 596) [> leaf 231, back]
SIX-TEXT 597
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALK Lansdowne MS. 611
verrey penytence is blissed after f e verrey sentence of
Salomon.
[128] U In fig penitence or cont?"i'cion man schal vn-
derstonden .iiij. f inges f fat is to seine "What is contricione f
& whiche Hen f e causes fat meuen a man to con-
tn'cione & howe he Behold* be contrite ' & what con-
triciown availed to fe soulef [129] fan is it fusf
fat contricion is fe verrei sowe fat a man receyuef
in his hert for his sinnes with sadde purpos to schriuen
him & to do penance And to do neuer more sinne f
[130] 1T And fis sorwo schal bien in fis manere As seifo
seinte Bernard. It schal be greuous & heuy & ful
echarpe & poynant in hertef [131] ffirst for a man haf
gult his lord4 & his makeref & mor scharp &
poynant f for he haf agilto his fader celestial f [132] &
$it more scharp & poynant \ For ho hafe a-wreffed &
agilte him fat bouht himf fat withe his precious blode
haf deliuerd vs fro fe baudes of sinne And fro fe
cruelte-of fe deuel. And fro f e peynes of heH: f
£133] IF The causes fat ouhte to meue a man to con-
tricion bien .vj. 1F First a man schal remembre him of
his sinnes f [*34\ hot l°ke f«t J*^ remem-
brance be to him no delite be no weye bot grette schame i
& sorwe For his gilte. For lob seife. Sinfulnien dof
werkes worfi of confession [135] IT And fere for seife
Ezechiele .1. wil remembre nie al fe ^eres of my lif
in bitternesse of myn hertef [136] And god seife in fe
Apocolips. Eemembre 30 fro wemmes fat buo
faH ' For be forne fat time fat 30 sinned 30 weren f o
childern of god. & lyme of fe Eegne of godf [137] IT Bot
for ^oure sinne 30 bien wax fral & foule &
membres of f e fende f hate of Angeles Sclaundre of holy
cherche. And foode of f e fals serpent perpetuel matiere
of fe fire of heH. [138] And fat more foule & abom-
inable for 30 trespasen so oft timef as dofe fe hounde
fat tornef to eten his spewyngef [139] And 3it
LANSDOWXE 611 (6-T. 597)
SIX-TEXT 598
G12 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
bien 30 fouler for 301110 longe continuinge in sinne f &
3oure sinful vsa'gef For whiche 30 be roten in youra
sinne as a beste in his donge [140] IT Suche manere of
pouhtes raaken a man to haue schame for his sinne
& no delitef As god seipe bo pe prophete Ezechiele.
[141] 36 schol remerabre 3owc of 3oure weiesf & pei
schol displesen 3owe sopely '• IT Sinnes bien pe weics pat
ledenfolktohcHf
[142] IT pe secunde cause pat auhto to make a man
to haue disdcyne of sinne is pis '. H pat as seipe seint
Petre f Who so dope sinne is praH of l sinne ' IT And
sinne puttep a man in grete praldomef [143] And pere
for seipe pe propheto Ezechiele '. I. went sorweful in
disdeine of my selfe f IT Certes wele oxiht a man
to haue disdeine of synne & \vip-drawe him fro pat
praldome & vclanief [144] And lo whatte seipe Seneca
in pis . matiere f pouhe .1. wiste pat god
neypere man ne scholde neuer knowe it f 3it
wolde .1. haue disdeine for to do sinne. [145] IT The
same Seneca, seipe .1. am borne to gretter pinges
pan to be pratt to me bodye. [ no gap
in MS. . . . .] [146] More a pralle may no man no
•woraman make of his bodi pan 3iue his body
to sinne f [147] A were it pe foulest cherle or pe,
foulest womman pat leuep & leste of value 3ite is he
chaunged & moste foule & more in seruitutef [148] Euer
fro pe hiere degro pat a man fallep pe more he is
pratt f And more vnto god & to pe werlde vile & abomin-
able f [149] 1T 0 good god welo ouht men haue disdeyne
of sinne '. sepen pat poruhe sinne pere he was fre
now is he maked bonde [150] ^[ And pere for seipe seinte
Austiue. If pou haue disdeine of pi semant if he.
a gilte or synne f Haue pou pan disdeine pat pou
pi self scholdest do synne f [151] Take rewarde of pine
value pat pou ne be to foule to pine, value ne to p' self
[152] U Alas wele ouhten pei pan to bo
LANSDOWNE 612 (6-T. 598) ['leaf 232]
SIX-TEXT 599
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS, 613
semant & fraH to sinne & sore "biene aschamed
of hem selff [153] fat god of his eiiles goodenesse
haf sette hem in hihe astate or jeuen hem wif strenkejj
of body. hele beaute. prosperitef [r54] &
bouht hem fro dej> wit/i his hert blodef fat
fei so vnkindely ajeines his gentillesse whiten him so
velenslye to slauhter of here owen sowles [155] IT 0
goode god. 30 wemmen fat bien of so grete beaute f
remembref jowe of fe pj-ouerbe of Salomon, he seife
[156] A faire wo?nman fat is a folo of hir bodyf
is like to a ringe of golde fat weref in f e groyne of a sowe
[157] IT For riht as a sowe wrotef in euery ordure f So
wrotef sche hir beaute in stiiikeinge ordur of sinne
[158] IT The fred cause fat ouht to meue a mam
to contricione is f e drede of f e daie of dome & of fe
orribles peynes of heH for as seint lerom seife.
Att euery time fat me remembref of f e daie of dome .1.
quake f [160] For whan .1. ete or drink or do what so .1.
do euer semef me fat fe trompe sounef in myiio eref
[161] Blsef ype fat bien dede & coramef to fo
lugement [162] of god f IT Muche ouht iche man to
dredo suche a lugement fere as we scholne bue aii
as seif seife seint Poulo Be forne f e strete of oure lordo ihesu
crist. [163] Where as 30 schal maake a general con-
gregaciownf Wher as noman mai be absent! [164] For
certes fere ne availef none assoyene ne excusacion f
[165] And not onely fat oure f antes sehal bu
luged f bot eke fat al oure werkes schal openli
be knowef [166] And as seife seint Bernarde. There ne
schal no pledynge availe ne no sleiht f we scholne ^eucn
Eekenyngc of euery Idel worde [167] IT There schal wo hauo
a luge, fat maie nouht be deceyued ne corruppte f And whi
for al ouro fouhtes biene discouerde as to hirnf
ne for preier ne for meede he wil not be corrupted
[168] And ferefor seife Salomon, fe wraffo of god wol
nou3t bue corrupte f And f erfor seif Salomon ' The wreche
LANSDOWNE 613 (C-T. 599)
SIX-TEXT 600
614 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
of god ne wil nouht spare no wight for prater ne for $eft f And
fere fore att f e dale of dome fere is none hope to escape f
[169] wherefore as seife Anselme IT Ful grete
anguysche 1Scholne fe sinful folke have att fat timef
[i 70] IF Jjere schal be f e steren & f e wrof e luge f site aboue f
And vnder him f e orrible putto of heft open to de-
strey him fat mot be knowe his [. . . no gap in the MS.]
sinnes openly be schewde be forne god & bo for
euery creature f [171] And one fe left side mo deueles
fan hert maie fink for to harye f & to drawe
fe sinful sowles to fe peine of heftf [172] and -with
inne f e hertes of folke schal be f e byteinge conscience f
And wif oute forf schal be fe werld al berneynge
[T73] ^ Wheder schal fan fe wrichod sinful soule flee
to hide hime. Certes he maie nou^t hide hi?wf ho most
com forfe & schewe him [174] For certes as seif
seint lerom. The erf e schal cast him outo of him f
& fe see also & f° eyre also fat schal be ful of
fonder clappes & lyhtnyngesf [175] Nowe sofely
•who so wil remembre of fis finges .1. gesso
fat his sinnes schal nouht turne him into delitef bote to grete
sorwe for drede of peyne of heHf [176] And fere
for seif lob to god f IT Suffur lorde fat .1. maie a while be
waile & wepe ar .1. go f & wepe withe outen retorneinge to f o
derke lande. couered with fe derkenesse of defe [177]
to fe londe of Misese & of derkenesse where as is
schadowe of defef where as is none ofer or-
dinance bot grisly drede fat euer schal last [178]
IT lo here may je seen fat lob preide respite a while
to be-wepe & weile his trespas. For sofely o daie .of
Eespito is better fan al f e tresoure of fis werlde. [i 79] 1F And
for alsomuche as a man mai aquite him self beforne god
be penitence in fis werlde & nouht be tresowr f fere fore
scholde he preye to god to jeue him respite a while to
b© wepen & be weilen his trespas f [180] ffor certes al
fe sorwe fat a man myht make fro fe begynynge
LANSDOWNE 614 (6-T. 600) [' leaf 232, back]
<
SIX-TEXT 601
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 615
of jje werld is "hot a luytel pinge. att pe regarde of pe sorwo
of heU [181] IT The cause whi pat lob callej) heH
pe londe of derknessef [182] vnderstondep pat he
clepej) it pe londe of erpe for it is stable & neuer schal
faile dereknessef ffor he pat is in hell hape defaute of
liht material f [183] ffor certes pe derk liht pat schal
come oute of pe fire pat euer schal berne schal torne
him al to peine pat is in hett f ffor it schewep him to pe
orrible deueles pat him torment. [184] Couerd wip
po derkenesse of depe [ ...........
no gap in the MSJ\ bien pe sinnes f pat pe wrecched man
hape do f Whiche pat distourben him to see pe face
of godf riht a derke cloude be twex vs & pe
sonnef [186] londe of mysesef because pat pere bue
pre manere of defautes a^eynes. pre pingesf pat folks
in p?'s werlde haue in pis present liff pat is to seief
Honowrs. delices. & Riches. [187] 1T A3eines honowr
haue pei in hett schame f & corefusione f [188] ffor wele 50
weten pat men clepen honour pe reueronce pat men
don to man f Bot in hefl is none honour ne reuerence f
ffor certes no more reuerence schal be do to a
kinge pan to a knaue f [189] IT For whiche go[d] seipe be
pe prophet leremye. Thilke folke pat me dispisen schal
bue in dispite [190] IT Honour is eke cleped grete lod-
schipe f Thare schal no wight semen opere bot of harme &
turment f Honowr is eke cleped grete dignite & hihe-
nesse bot in hel schal pei be al for-troden of deuelsf
[191] As god l seipe f Orrible deuels schal comen &
gone vpon pe heuedes of dampned folkf And pis
is for also muche. pe hiher pat pei were in pis present
liff pe more schal poi buen abated & defouled in
heUf [192] f A3eine pe riches of pis werld schal
pe haue mysese of pouertef And pis pouert schal be
foure pinges. [193] in defaute of tresos^r of whicho
LANSDOWNE 615 (6-T. 60l) [Ueaf233]
SIX-TEXT 602
616j GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
dauid seipe pe viche folke pat enbrasen & coxieten
in a'H herte pe tresoure of pis werlde f scholne slepe in pe
slepeinge of dope As no pinge schal pei finden in
al hir handes of Lire tresowr [194] IT And more ouere po
Miseso of hell schaH ben in defaute of mete &
drinke '. [195] ffor god seip Jms be moyses • Thei scholne
be wastede wip hunger & pe berdes of heH schal
deuouren him wip bitter dep An pe gal of pe
dragon [ no gap in the MS.]
hir, morsel f [I9.(^] A11^ ferper ouere hire
mysese sphal buen in defaute of clopeinge f for J?ei schal
bo nake in body as in clojnnge f saue pe fire in whicho
]?ei birnef & tyere, felfes [197] & naked schal
fei bien in soule of al manere of vertuesf whiche pat
is pe clopeinge of soule f // Wher bue pan pe gaie
Eobes & pe soft schetes & pe smale schertes f [198]
Lo what seipe god of hem be pe prophet Ysaye •
pat vnder hem schal be strewed mouhtes f & here
couertours schal be of pe wermes of heH. [199] And
ferpcr ouere hire mysese schalbe in defaute of
frendes f For he is noujt pouer pat hape goode frcndes
bott pere is no frende f [200] ffor neypere god ne
creature schatt be frende to hemf And euery of hem
schal haten opere wip dedeli hatef [201] pe sonwes of
pe douhtern schal rebellen a^eines fader & moder
& kinrede a3eines kinredef & chiden and dispisen
iche of hem opere bope daie & nyght f IF As god seipe
be pe prophete Mechias [202] And pe loueynge childern
pat whilom loued so fleschely eueryche opere wolden
cueryche of hem eten opere if pei myht f [203] ffor howe
schold pei louen hem to geder in pe peine of hett whan pei
hatedeneuerycheof hem opere Eyper in pe prosperite of pis lif
[204] 1T For truste wele here fleschely loue was dedely hate
as seipe pe prophete damd. IT Wo so pat louep wikked-
nessef he hatep his soule f [205] And who pat hatep
his owen soule f certes he may loue none oper wight
LANSDOWNE 616 (6-T. 602)
SIX-TEXT 603
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 617
in no maneref [206] And ferfor in heH is
no frenschippe Bot euer fe more fflessly kinred
fat buen in heHf fe more curseinge & fe more chide-
, inge f e more dedely hate fere is ymonge hem f
[207] And ferfere ouere fei scholen haue defaut of al
manere delices f For whi J?e delites bene fe Appetites
of fe five wittesf as sihtf hereyngef Sauereingef Smel-
ingef & toucheinge f [208] Bot in heH here siht schal be
ful of derknesse & smoke f & ful of
teres f And here hereinge ful of waymentynge & of
grontinge of tefe As seif ihesu crist. [209] Her nose-
f relies schal be ful of stinkinge stinke f And as seife
ysayas f e prophete. Here Sauereinge schal be ful of bitter
gallf [2I°] And toucheinge of hire body couerd
wif fire, fat neuer schal be quenched f awd wij> wormes
fat neuer schaH dijen. As god seide be fo moufe of
Isaye ' [211] And for alsomuche as fei schol not wene
fat fei mei deyen for peyne. & be hire def flie fro
peynef fat -rnaie vnder-stonde be fe worde of lobe f
fat seif fere 1 as is f e schadow of def e f [212] Certes
a schadowe hafe likenesse of fe finge of whiche it is
, schadow f Bot f e schadowe is nouht f e same finge of whiehe
it is schadowe [213] Biht so faref fe peyne of heHf It is
like def e for f e angwysshe orrible And whie f ffor it
peynef hem euere as f ouhe men schold dyen anone f Bot
certes fei schol not deye [214] IT For as seife seint
Gregorie to wrecched kaytifes schal be def e wit/t owten
def f And ende wif outen ende f And defaute with oute
faileinge f [215] ffor here def schal alwey lyfe f And here
ende schal euermore be ginne f And here defaute schal nouht
faile [216] IT And fere fore seif seint lolm fe
Eucmngeliste • Thei schal folowen def & fei schal
nouht finden him f And fei desiren to deye f And def
schal flye fro hem '. [217] And Eke lob seif f fat in heH
is none order of Eeule f [2 18] IT And aH be it so fat god hafe
created al finge in riht ordre & nofinge with
43 LANSDOWNE 617 (6-T. 603) [' leaf 283, back]
SIX-TEXT 604
618 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
outen order f Bot al finges bene ordeyned & nom-
bredf jete nafeles fei fat bue dawzpned bien no
finge in ordre ne holde no finge in ordre. [219] tfor Jje
erfe schal bere hem no fruyte. [220] For as fe prophet
seife dauid • God schal destruye f e fruyte of f e erfe as
fro hemf ne water schal $eue hem no moystur. ne
fe eyer no refrissheinge f ne fire no lyhtf [221] For as
seife seint Basile • The birneinge of J>e fire of f is
werlde schal god gif in hell to hem fat bu dampnedf
[222] Bot fe liht & fe clerenesse. schal be ^ouen in
to heuen to his childernef Riht as fe good man giffef
flesshe to his childerne and bones to his hondesf [223]
And for fei schol haue none hope to escape seife
lobe ' Att fe laste f fat fere schold orroure & gn'sely drede
dwel wif outen endef [224] Orrour is alwei drede
of harme fat is to cowme f And f is drede schal euer dwell
in f e hertes of hem fat bu dampned IT And for fat
hauef fei lorne al here hope for vij. causes f [225] ffirst
for god fat is hire luge schal bue wif outen mercy to
hem. ISTe fei may not plese him ne none of his
halowes ne fei maie jeue no f inge for hire Raunson f
[226] Ne fei haue no voice to speke to himf ne fei
maie not flije fro peine ne fei haue no goodenesse in
hem fat fei maie schew to deliuer hem fro peine f
[227] IT And ferefore seife Salomon fe wykked man
deyef f And whan he is dede he schal haue no hope to
ascape fro peyne [228] IT Who so schame wiH wele vn-
derstonde fes peynes & be finke him wele fat he
haf e deserued f ilke peynes for his sinnes f Certes he
schold haue more talent to sike & to wepef fan for
to singen & to pleyf [229] IT For as seif Salomon.
Who so fat hadde f e science for to knowe '. f e peynes fat
buen fat ystablisshed for sinne f he wold maake
sorwef [230] IT filke science as seife seinte Austine.
Makef a man to weyment in his herte f
[231] IT :fe ferfe point fat ouhte maake a man
LANSDOWNE 618 (6-T. 604)
SIX-TEXT 605
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 619
haue contricion is fe sorweful remembrance of fe
goode fat he haj) lost to done here in erf e f And
eke good fat he ha]) lornef [232] Sofely fe goode
werkes fat he haf loste f eyf ere f ei bien f e goode
werkes fat he haj) wrouht er he fett in to dedely sinne.
or elles f e goode werkes fat he wrouht while he laie
in sinne. [233] Sofely fe gode werkes fat he dide
beforne fat he fell in sinne bien al mortified & astoned f
& dullede be fe oft sinynge [234] IT fe tofer
goode werke fat he wrouht whiles he ley in
sinne f f ei bien vtterly dede as to f e lif perdurable in
heuen [235] IT fan felke goode werke fat bien
1 mortified be oft sinynge f Whiche good werkes he dide
whiles he was in charite f ne mowen neuere quyken a^eine
wi't/iouten pa?-fite penitence [236] And ferfore seife god
be f e mouf e of ezechiel f That is f e rihtfulman re-
torne ajeine from his rihtwisnesse & to worche wikked-
nesse schal he leue [237] naye ffor al fe goode werkes
fat haf wrouht ne scholne neuer bue in remembrawnce f
ffor he schal deye in sinne [238] ^ And vpon filke
chapeter seif seint Gregorie fus fat we scholde vnder-
stonde fis pr/ncipaly. [239] That whanne we do dedely
sinne f it is for nouht fan to reherse or to drawe in to
memorie fe good werkes fat we haue wrouht beforne f
[240] IT For certes in fe worcheinge of dedely sinne f
fere is no truste to no good werke fat we han done to fore f
fat is to seine As for to haue fere byef fe lif per-
durable in heuen f [241]
no gap in the MS.] whan we
haue contn'cionef [242] Bott sof ely f e goode werkes fat
men done whiles f ei bien in dedely synne f ffor as niuche
as f ei weren done in dodely sinne f ei may neuere whiken
a3eine f [243] ffor certes f inge fat neuer hadde lif f may
neuer qwykynef IT And nafelesf Albeit fat fei
aveile nouht to haue f e lif perdurable f $it aveilen
LANSDOWNE 619 (6-T. 605) P leaf 231]
SIX-TEXT GOG
620 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
f ei to a-brigge f e peyne of heH f or elles to geten
temporal richessef [244] or elles J>at god \vol fe
rafer elumyne & lyhten fe hert of fe sinful-
man, to have repentance f [245] And eke f ei aveilen
to vsen a man to done goode werkes fat Jje fende
haue fe lesse powere of his soule [246] IT And \us fe
c«rteise lorde ihesu crist wol fat no goode werke
be lost f ffor in somwhat it schal availe [247] IT Bot for also
muche fe goode werke fat men done whiles fei
Men in goode lif bien al mortified be sinne folowynge f
IF And eke sef en fat al f e goode werkes [. . no gap in MS.]
whiles fei bue in dedely sinne bien vtterly dede
as for to haue f e lif perdurable ' [248] wele may fat man
fat no gocde werke dof e singe f ilke newe fresshe songe f
lay tout perduz mon temps & mon labour [249] H For
certes sinne bereuef a man goodnesse of nature f
& eke fe goodnesse of grace f [250] ^T For sofe
fe grace of fe holy gost faref like fire fat may not
bu ydelf ffor fire failef anone as it fo[r]lesef his worche-
inge f [ no gap
in the MS.] [251] So lesef fe sinfulman fe goodnesse
of glorie fat only is behiht to good men fat labouren
& -wirken f [252] wele maie he bu sorie fan fat
owef al his lif to god as longe as he leuef f haf e leued '. And
eke also longe as he schal leue f fat 110 goodenesse ne haf e
to paye vrith his dett to god to whome he owef al his
lif [253] 1F For trestef wele he schal 3eue acomptes as seif •
sein Bernard, of al fe goodes fat haue bu ^ouen him
in fis present lif & howe he hafe hem dispended
[254] nouht so muche fat fer schal nouht perische an here
of his hede ne a moment of an houre ne schal nouht perische
of his time fat he ne schal jeue of it a rekenynge f
[255] ^ fe nfte finge fat ouht meue a man to
contn'ciown '. is remembrance of f e passion fat oure lord
ihesu crist suffred for oure sinnes f [256] ffor as seif
seint Bernard. While fat .1. leue .1. schal haue remem-
LANSDOWNE 620 (6-T. 606) I"1 leaf 234, tack]
SIX-TEXT 607
.GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 621
brance of fie traveyles fat oure lorde ihesu crist suffred in
precheinge f [257] his werenesse in travaileinge f his ternpt-
acions whan he fasted f his longe wakeinges whan he
praide f his teres whan fat he l wepte for pyte of
goode peplef [258] fe wor & fe schame & fe
filf e fat mem seiden to him oft f J?e foule spitteinge f
fat men spitten on his face 1 of f e buffetes fat men
$aue him f of f e foule mouf es f & of f e re-
proues fat mew to him seyden '. [259] of fe nayles
•wit/i f e whiche he was nailed to f e crose and of al f e
remenant of his passion fat he suffred for my sinnes
And nofinge for his gilte '. [260] And 30 scholne vnder-
stonde fat in maw sinne is euery maner of order
of ordinance turned vp so dounef [261] ffor it is sofef
fat god. & reson & sensualite & fe body of manf
buen so ordeinedf fat euer yche of fis foure finges
schold haue lordschipe oner fat ofer [262] As fusf As fus
God schold haue lordeschip ouer reson f & resone ouere
sensualite '. And sensualite ouere f e body of man f
[263] But sofely whan man sinnef al f* order of
ordenance is turned vp so dounef [264] And fer fore
fan for also muche as fe reson of man wil nouht be
subiette ne obeisant to god fat is lord be riht f fere
for lesef he fe lordschip fat he scholde haue in
sensualite c. and eke ouere fe body of manf [265] And
whie For sensualite rebellef a^ein reson f And
fat waye lesef reson his lordschip oner sensualite
& ouer fe bodyf [266] For riht as reson is rebelle to
god f Eiht so is bof e sensualite rebel to reson. &
fe man alsof [267] II And certes fis ordinance &
fis rebellion oure lorde ihesu crist bouht vpon his
preciouse body ful dere And herkenef in whiche wyse f
[268] ffor as muche fan is reson rebel to god.', fare
fore is man worf i to haue sorwe f & to be dede f
[269] fis suffurd oure lorde ihesu for man after fat
he had bo bytrayede of his disciple And distreyned &
LANSDOWNE 621 (6-T. 60?) [' leaf 2:H, back]
SIX-TEXT 608
622 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
bounde so fat f e blode braste oute att euery nayle of his
handes as seife seint Austine [270] 1F And forfermore
for as muche fat reson of man wil nou3t daunte sensu-
alite whan it maie f f erefore is mare worf i to haue schame f
And f ws suffred oure lorde ihesu criste f for mare f whan f ei
spitten in his vesage // [271] And f erf ere ouere for as
muche fan fat fe kaytif body of man/ is rebel
bof e to resoMn / & sensualite f And f erefore is it worf i f e
defe f [272] And f is suffurde oure lorde ihesu criste for man
vpon f e croys where as fere was no party of his body
fre "with owten grete pyne & bitter passion f [273]
And al f is suffred oure lorde ihesu criste fat neuere for fete
['• • ;
no gap in the MS.~\ IF To mechel am .1. peyned for fe
same f inges fat .1. neuer deseruede And to muchel defouled
for frendschipe fat man is worfi to hauef [274] And fere-
fore maie f e sinnful man wele saie. as seif e seint Bernard f
Acursed be f e butternesse f [
no gap in the MS.] [275] ffor certes
after f e diuerse discordance of oure wikkednesse was f e pas-
sion of oure lorde ihesu criste. yordeinede in diuerse f inges
[276] as fusf 1T Certes sinnful mannes soule by-trasede
of fe deuel be couetise of temperile prosperite and
scorned be deceyte f Whan he chesef fleschely delites IT And
9it is he tormented be impacience of aduersite f H And be-
spette be seruage in subieccione of sinne f and att f e last it is
sleyne f ynaly f [277] ffor fis disordinance of sinnful man.
was ihesu crist first betrayde f And after fat was he bounde
fat cam for to l for to vnbynde vs of sinne & of peyne f
[278] fan was he bescorned fat only scholde be
honoured in al f inges be al f inges. & of al f inges f [279]
IF Than was his fat ouht be desired to be seyne
of al man kinde '. In whiche Angeles desireii to
loken vilansly be-spittef [280] fan was he scowrged
fat no f inge had gulte ! & fynally fan was he
crucified And sleyne [281] IT fan was he acompliced fe
LANSDOWNE 622 (C-T. 608) [> leaf i:!5J
SIX-TEXT 609
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 623
wordes of Ysayef He was wounded for
cure mesdedes & defouled be cure veleynyes f [282]
Nowe sef en. fiat ihesu criste toke vpon him selfe f e
peyne of al oure wikkednesse f Muchel ouht sinful
man be-wepe & be-weile fat for his sinne goddes source
of heuen schold al fis peine endure [283] IT The sext
Jringe fat ouht to meue a man to contricione is f e hope
of f e J>re f inges f fat is to seine forjeuenesse f
And f e jeft of grace wele for to do (. And f e glory of
heuen \vith fe whiche god schal guerdon man for his
goodededesf [284] H And for as muche as ihesu cristf
^ifef vs fis 3eftes of his largesse and of his souereyne
bountef fer for is he cleped Ihesus nazarenus rex
iudeorwm ' [285] Ihestis ys to seyne saueow or sal-
uation on whome men scholne hope to haue for^euenesse of
sinnes whiche fat is properly saluacione of synnesf
[286] And f erf or seide fe Angel to losephf fou
clepest his name ihesiis fat schal saue his peple of her
sinnes f [287] And here of seif seinte Peter f There nys
none ofere name vnde heuen fat is 3oue to any man
bot only [ no gap in the MS.] Ihesus [288]
nazarenus. Whiche is as moche to seine As florisGheinge in
whiche a man schal hope f fat he fat ^euef him remissiown
of sinnes f schal ^eu also him grace wele to do f IT For
in f e floure is f e hope of fruyte in tyme cowinge And in
for^efnesse of sinnes hope of grace wele to dof [289] IT .1.
was att f e dore of fine herte seif ihesws and cleped for to
entre IT He fat openef to me schal haue for-^euenesse of
sinne f [290] I. wil entre in to him be my grace And
soupe -with him be fe good werkes fat he schal donef
whiche werkes bene f e foode of god f & he schal soupe
wif mef be fe gret loy fat schal be $oue to himf [291]
Thus man hope for his werkes of penance
god scholde ^eue him his regne as he behotef him in f e
gospel f
[292] 1T JSTowe schal man vnderstonde iu whiche
LANSDOWNE 623 (6-T. 609)
SIX-TEXT 610
624 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
manere schal be his contricionf .1. say fat it schal
bue vniuersale & totale f f is is to sei a man schal be
verrey repentant for al his sinnes fat he haj> done in
delite of his f ouht f ffor delite is ful perilous f [293] ffor \er
bien tuo Ta.an.ers of consentynges • fat one of hem is
cleped cowsentynge of affecciowne whan a man is meved
to do synne & delitef him longe for to Jrinke on
fat sinnef [294] He hafe reson fat perteynef wele fat
it is sinne ajeines f e lawe of god '. [ .
no gap in the MS.] Al f ouhe
his reson ne consent no^t to do f e sinne in dede f
[295] 3ut seine somme doctowrs fat suche delite fat
dwellef longe is ful perilousef al be it neuer so litef
[296] And also a man scholde sorwe for al fat '.
fat euer he haf desired ajeines fe lawe of xgod -with
perfite consentinge of resown '. ffor fere of is no doute
fat it ne is dedely sinne f In f e consentynge [297] [. . .
no gap
in the MS.] & in to f e dede f [298] where for .1. seye fat
many men ne repenten hem neuere of suche f ouhtes &
delices ne neuer schreuen hem of it bot onely of fe
dede of grete sinnes vtwarde. [299] where for .y. saye
fat suche wikked delites & wikked fouhtes bien
subtile begilloz</-s of hem fat scholne be dampnedf [300]
More ouere man ouht to sorwen For his wikked
wordesf as for his wikked dedes II For certes
f e repentance of a singuler sinne and nouhte repent of al
his of ere sinnes f or elles repent him of al his
of ere sinnes f & not of singulere sinne maye nouht
aveile [301] IT For certes almyhti god f is al goode. And
ferfor he for-^euef aHf or elles riht nouht f [302]
And here of seif e seint Augustine. I. wote certeinly [303] fat
god is enmy to euery sinner f And howe fan he
fat obseruef o synne schal he haue for^euenesse of fe
LANSDOWNE 624 (6-T. 610) [» leaf 235, back]
SIX-TEXT Cll
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 625
remenant of his of ere sinnes f Nay f [304] IT And forf ere
ouer. contri'cion scholde be woundes sorwfulf And Ang-
uisschous f and f erfor ^euef him god pleynly his
mercy And ferfor whan Mi soule was anguysshous
Vfith in me .1. had remembrance of god fat
my preyer myht com to him [305] IT Forf ere ouere
contn'cion must be continuelf and fat men haue sted-
fast pzwpos to schriue him f & for to amend him of
his lif [306] IT ffor sopely whiles contncion lastef man
maie haue hope of for^efnessef And of fis comef
hate of sinne fat destruyef sinne bofe in him selfe
and eke in of ere folke as his power* f [307] ffor whiche Notobenede
seif»e dauid • $e fat louen god hatej) wikkednesse '. For 81
trustuj) wele to loue god '. is. for to loue fat he louejj
& hate fat he hatefe
[308] ^ The last Jnnge fat men schal vnderstond
is fis f where of availef contr^cion f I. saie
fat sumtim contricion deliuerf a man fro sinne
[309] of whiche fat dauid seife f I. saie quod dauid
fat is to saie I purposed firmly to schryue me And
f ou lorde relesed my sinne f [310] IT And riht so
as contricion ne veilef noujt with oute sadd purpos of
scrifte [ no gap in the MS.~\
or satisfaccione wifoute contn'cione [311] IT And
more contricion distreyef fe prison of heH
& makef waykef And feblef fe strengefes of fe
deueles f And restorif f e ^ift of f e holy goste f And
of al vertues [312] & interclensef fe soule of
sinne '. Ande deliueref f e soule fro f e peyne of heH
& fro f e compaignie of f e deuel 5 And fro f e seruage
of synne IT And restoref to al goodes espiritueles in
to fe compaignie co??zmunyoun of holy kirke [313]
IT And forfere oueref it makef him fat was whilom
son of Ire. to be fe son of grace f And al fis finges
he preuef be holy writtef [314] And ferefor he fat
wolde sett his entent to fese finges he war ful
LANSDOWNE 625 (6-T. 61l)
SIX-TEXT G12
626 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
wisef ffor sope lie scholde nouht pan in al his lif
to haue corage to sinne IF Bot fan his body & al his herte
to pe seruise of ihesu criste f And pere of done him
homoge [315] IF ffor certes oure swete lorde ihesu criste
haj> spare vs so debonerly in oure folyesf pat if he ne
hadd pite of mannes soule a sori songe miht we al
singe f Explicit pn'ma pars penitencie
Incipit secunda pars, eiusdem.
[316] [i leaf 286. MS. repeat! i-* And-none]
The secunde parte of penitence f is confession
pat is signe of contn'cionef [317] Now scholne 30
vnder-stande f what is confessiownf And 1And wheper
it ouhte nedes to "be or none '. 2 And whiche
pinges bene couenable f to verrey confession f
[318] 1T ffirst schalt pou vnderstonde pat confessiozm is
verreye scheweinge of sinnes to pe prestef [319] pis is to
seye verralyf pat he mote confessen him of afi pe
condicions pat be-longen to his sinne as ferforp as he
canf [320] Al mote be saide & nopinge excused f ne
hidde ne awrapped And nouht aucmnt him of his goode
werkes [321] 1F And ibrpere ouere it is necessarie to vnder-
stande whense pat sinnes spnngenf and howe pei
encresen f And whiche pere biene
[322] of spnngeinge of sinnes f As seipe seint Poule
on pi's wise IT )3at rihte as be a man sinne entred first
in to pis werlde & poruht pat sinne deyedef Eiht so
pilke depe entrep in to al men pat sinneden- [323]
And pis man was Adam be whome pat sinne entred into
pi's werlde whan pat he brakke pe co?wmandement of god
[324] IT And pere fore he pat first was so myhti pat he
scholde not haue deied be-caw suche one pat him must
nedes deie f wheper he wolde or none f & al his progenie
pat is in pis werlde pat in pilke manere synnen [325] H Loke
pat in pe state of innocence whan Adam & Eue
LANSDOWNE 626 (6-T. 612)
SIX-TEXT 613
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 627
nakede weren in paradise f And nof inge schame ne hadden
of here nakednesse. [326] How fat fe serpent fat was
most wyly of al ofere bestes fat god had maked
seide to fe womman If Commaunded god to 3owe
30 schold nou3t of euery tre in paradise [327] The
womman ansewardf Of fe fruyte qwod sche of fe trees
in paradyse we feden vs bot sof ely of J>e fruyte of f e
tre fat is in fe myddel of paradise f God for-bede vs
for ete ne for to touche it lest parauentowr we schold
deyenf [328] fe serpent seid to fe womman Nay
nay f 33 schol nou^t deye of def e f for sof e god wote fat
what daie 30 eten fereof 3oure ey3en schal open
And 30 scholne bue as goddes knowynge goode & harme f
[329] The womman sawhe fat fe tre was good
to fedeinge & faire to fe y3e & delitable to fe
sihte Sche toke of f e fruyte of f e tree & ete of it f And
3af it to hir husbonde & he ete f And anone f e ey3en of
hem bof e opened f [330] And when fat f ei knewe
fat fei werew naked f fe sowde of fige leues in manere
of breches to hiden hir1 membres f [331] *IT Here maye 30
see fat dedely sinne haf furst suggestion of fe
fendef As schewef here be Hadderf And afterward
fe delite of fe flesche as schewef e here by Euaf And
after fat fe consentinge of fe resown as schewef be
adamf [332] For. trustef wele fouhe so were fat fe
fende tempted onef fat is to saie fe flesshe And fe
flesshe hadde delite in fe beaute of fe fruyte defended f
3ite certes til fat resown f fat is to seie f Adam consen-
tynge to f e eteynge of f e fruyte fat stode hihe in f e state
of Innocence [333] IF Of filke Adam toke we filke
sinne of originale for of him flesshely discended bu we afi f
and engenderd of vile & corrupte matierf [334] And
whan f e soule is put in oure bodye riht anone is con-
tracte originale sinne f And fat was erst bot onely
peyne of concupiscence is afterewarde bofe peyne &
sinne' [335] And ferefor be we al y borne sownes of
LANSDOWNE 627 (G-T. 613)
SIX-TEXT G14
628 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
wraf e f And of dampnacion perdurable f if it nere Baptisme
fat we receyuen f which" be-nymmef vs f e culpe f Bot for
sof e f e peyne duellef vfith vs as f e te??^pta1cione f Whiche
peine hilit concupiscence [336] And fz's concupiscence
whan it is wrongfully disposed, or ordeinte in inanf it
make]) him coueyten fe couetise of flesshly sinne
be siht of his eyjenf As to erfely finges H And
eke couetise of hihenesse Be pn'de of hert './
[337] Now as for to speke of fe firste couetise
pat is concupiscence after J>e lawe of owre membres
fat weren lawfulli maked and be rihtful lugge-
inent of god [338] .1. saie for alsomuche fat man is nouhte
obeissant to god fat is lorde 1T fare for is flesshe to
him disobeisant f oruhe concupiscence '. [.
[339]
. . . . no gap in the MS.] It is impossible hot he be
distempered sum time and noyde in his flesshe to sinne
[340] And f is finge maie nouht faile '. as longe as fat leuef f
It maie wele wex feble & feile be vertu of Baptime
& be fe grace of god. f oruhe penitence f [341] Bot
fully schal it neuere quenchef fat he ne schal som
time be meued in himself f Bot he were al refreyned be
sekenesse or be malafice of sorcerye or colde drinkes '.
[342] IF For whatte seif seinte poule f The flesshe couetif e
a3eine fe spiritef And fe spirite a3eine fe flesche. fei
bien so contrarie f & so striuen fat a man mai noi^t
done alwei as he wolde f [343] The same seif e seinte Poule •
After his grete penance in water & in land f In water
be nyht & be daye in grete perile And in grete peine
in lande f & in famyne & in f urst '. in colde & in clof es want-
ynge f And ones stormed almoste to f e def e f [344] 3itte seid
he Alas .1. keytif man who schal deliuer me fro f e pn'son ;
of my caitif bodyf [345] 1f And seint lerom whaw he
longe time had woned in deserte f Where as he hadd no
co???paignie bot bestes f Where as he hadde
LA.NSDOWNE 628 (C-T. 614) [' leaf 230, back]
SIX-TEXT 615
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 629
no mete hot erbes f & water to his drink '. ne no bedde
bot fie naked erpef For which e his flesshe was blac as an
Ethiopen for hete & nyhe destruyed for coldef [346]
^ete seyde he pe birneynge of lycheri boy led in al
his body [347] IT Where-for .1. wote wele sekurly pat pel
bu desceyuede pat seine pat pei ne bien nou^t tempted in
her bodyf [348] wittenesse of seint lame pe Appostle
pat seipe pat euery whihte is tempted in his owen con-
cupiscence f pat is to seye pat eueryche of vs hape matier
& occasion to be tempted of pe norissheinge of sinne
pat is in his bodye [349] 1T And pe?-fore seip seinte lohfi.
in pe ewaungeliste f If pat we seine pat we be wip outen
sinne we deceyuen oureself & treupe is nouht in vs f
[350] 11 Nowe scholn je' vnderstonde in what manere
sinne waxep & encresep in manf The first
pinge is pilke norischeinge of sinne of whiche .1. spak
be forne pilke concupiscence f [351] And after
pat cowHnep pe suggestione of pe deuel '. pis is to seie
pe deueles belye pe whiche he blowep in man pe fire
of concupiscence [352] IT And after pat a man be-
pinkep him whepere he wil do or none pilk pinge
to whiche he is tempted f [353] And pan if pat a
man wip-stande and weife pe firste entiseinge of his
fiesshe and of ope fende '. pan is it no sinne f And if
so be pat he do not so pan felep he anone a flarame
of delite f [354] and pan it is goode to be ware & to kepe
him wele f or elles he wil faH anone in to consentynge of
sinne f And l pan wil he do it if he maye haue time
& space f [355] And of pis matier seip Moyses be
pe deuel in pis manere f The fende fende seipe .1. wil
chace & pwrsewe pe man be wikked suggestiones f
and .1. wil hente him be moveinge or stereinge of
sinne IT And .1. wiH departe my prise or my preye be de-
liberacion & my lust schal bue complised in delice f
I. wil drawe my swerde in consentingef [356] IT For certes
riht as as a swerde depavtep a pinge in two peces f Riht
. LANSDOWNE 629 (6-T. 615) [' leaf 237]
SIX-TEXT 616
630 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
so consentinge departejj god fro man. ^ And fan
wil .1. sle him m't7? myne honde in def e of sinne f Jjus
seife fe fende. [357] For certes fan is a man al
dede in soule f And f us is sinne complised by tempt-
acion be delite & be consentynge f And fan is
sinne cleped fa1 uuiel f C1 auu/or actu]
[358] IT For sofe sinne is in two manersf eyfere
it is veniale sinne or dedely sinne Sofe whan men lovef
any creature more fan ihesu criste oure creakmr fan
is it dedely sinne • And venial sinne is if man loue
ihesu crist lesse fan him ouht f [359] The dede for sof e
of fis venial sinne is ful perilous. For it amenusef
f e loue fat men schold haue to god more & more f
[360] 11 And f erf or if a man charge more him self wif suche
mony venial sinnes certes bot if it so be fat he sum
tym discharge him be schriffcf fei maie ful
lihtly amenuse in him al f e loue fat he haf to ihesu
criste f [361] And in fis scippefe venial in to dedely
sinne U For certes f e more fat a man chargef his soule
wif venial sinnes f f e more is he enclined to fal in
dedely sinne f [362] And ferfore lat vs not be necligent to
discharge vs of veniale sinnes f ffor f e prouerbe seif e f
fat mony a smale makef a grete f [363] An herken
fis ensample f A grete wawe of f e see commef sum time
wif so grete a violence f fat it drenchef fe schippe
If And f e same harme done som tim f e smale dropes
of water ' fat entref foruhe a luytel creuyse in to fe
furroke & in to fe bothom of fe schippe if men bu so
necligent i fat men ne discharge hew nouht be time f
[364] And ferfore al fouhe fere hue difference betuex
f es tuo causes of drencheinge f Algate f e vschipe is
dreintef [365] Eiht so faref it somtyme of dedely
sinne f & of anoyous venials sinnes whan fei
multiplie in a man so gretely f fat f ilke werldly f inges
fat foruhe whiche He sinnef venyaly f ys as
grete in his herte as fe loue of god or more [366]
tANSDOWNE 630 (6-T. 616)
SIX-TEXT 617
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 631
1 And f ere-for f e loue of Query f inge fat is not be-sette in
gode f ne done pn'ncipale for goddes sake f Al f ouhe a man
loue it lasse fan godf $it is it venial sinne f [367] And
dedely sinne whan fe loue of any finge weyefe
in f e hert of a man as muche as ]je loue of god ore l
more [368] 11 more dedely sinne As seif seinte Austine •
is whan man turnej) his herte fro god whiche fat is
verrey souereyne bounte fat mai nouht chaungef &
3ivef 2 his herte to a finge fat mai chaunge & flitte f
[369] And certes fat is euery f inge saue onely god of heuene f
For sofe is if fat a man jiuef his loue whiche fat
he owef e al to god. -with al his herte vnto a creature f
Certes as muche of loue as he ^eueth to whiche
creature so muche bereuef fro godf [370] And fer
for dof e he sinne f For he fat is dettowr to god ne
3eldef nou3 al his dette to god fat his to seye al f e
loue of his herte
[371] IT Nowe sef fat a man vnderstandef genemly.
"Whyche is venyale sinne Than is it couenable to tellen of
special sinnes whiche fat a man peraduenture ne
demef hem nouht sinnes ne schriuef hem nouht of fe
same f inges And ^it naf eles f ei bue sinnes f
[372] IT As clerkes write?* sofly fis is to seye
fat euery time fat a man etef or drinkef more fan
sufficef to f e sustinance of his body f in certeine he dof e
sinn [373] And eke whane he spekef more fan
it nede f it is sinne f Eke whan he herkenef nouht
mekely f e compleinte of f e pore i [374] eke whan
he is in hele of body & wol nouht fast whan of ere men
fast wif outen cause resonable f Eke whenne he slepef
more fan him nedef f or whan he commef be f ilk encheson
late to cherche or to of ere werkes of charitef [375]
Eke whan he vsef his wif wif oute souereine desire
of engendrure to f e honour of god f or for f entent
to 3elde to his wif fe dette of his bodyf [376] Eke
whan he wil not vesete f e seke f or prisoners whan he maie ;
[i_i repeated hi MS. at T] LAfJSDOWNE 631 (6-T. 617) [* leaf 237, back]
SIX-TEXT 618
G32 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
eke if he loue wif or childe or any weiidly
finge more fan reson require]? '. Eke if he flater or
blandische more fan him ouht for any necessite f
[377] Eke if he amenusef or wifdrawef fe almos of
f e pore f Eke if he apparelef his mete mor
dehciouly fan nede is or ete it to hastely be lykurus-
nesse f [378] eke if he tel vanitees att fe cherche or
in goddes seruise f or fat he be a talker of ydel wordes
of Folye or of velanye '. ffor he schal ^elde acomptes of
it att fe daie of domef [379] Eke whan he behetef
or assuref to done finges fat he may not performef
Eke whan fat be lyhtenesse of foly mysvsef
or scornef his neyhboure [380] Eke whan he hafe any
suspecione of finge fere he ne wote of it no sofe-
fastnessef [381] Thes finge & mo wif owten nombre
buen sinnes as seif seinte Austine
[382] IT Now schol^e vnderstonde fat albeit so
fat none erfely man maye eschewe al veniale sinnes f ^it
maie he refreyne him be fe birneinge loue fat he
hafe tooure lorde ihesu cristef And be preyers& be confession
& of ere good werkes f so fat it schal bot litel greue f
[383] ffor as seif e seint austyne ' If a man lof god
in suche manere fat al fat euere he dofe is in fe
loue of god or for fe loue of god verreylyf for he
birnef in fe loue of godf [384] Loke howe muche fat
a drope of water fallef in a fornayce & fol of fire
anoyef or greuefef so muche a vernal
sinne is vnto & man fat is parfite in f e loue of ihesu
cristf [385] 11 Men maye also refreine vewial sinne f
be fe receyueinge of fe preciouse body of
ihesu cristf [386] be receyueinge eke of holy water 5
be almusdede/ be general confession of fe confiteor
att f e masse '. Att complyne f & be blissinge of
bysschopes & be p'restes & by of er good werkes '
LANSDOWNE 632 (6-T. 618)
T R n SIX-TEXT 619
A. § A. PARSONS TALE. Lansdowne MS, 633
De .7. peccatfs mortalibws
NO We is it be-houely Junges to teUen whiche buen
fe .vy. de[d]ly sinnef bat is to sey chaytifnesse
f smnes Bot al J,ei renne in Coles f Bot in
diuerse manure nowe bue bei cleped kaytifs <
alsomuch, as be bu chef & sprin ^ &J
-nnes [388] of ^ rote of ^ ^^ f
:'. ' ' ........ ™ gap in the MS.} ffor if
rote springen certeyne braunches as ire envie
accjdze or sleufe. auaricef or couetisef to comune
vnder-stondemge Glotony. & Iychery f { } ^
«« of >ese cheue sinnes ^ his braunches & Ms
^ges as schal be declared in
[Of the Twigs of Pride.]
[39o] | And foube so be j,at noman can teli vtterly
>e nornebre of j,e finges & of fe bames fat comeb of
pnde. 3lt Wll I. schewe a p^ty of hem as 3e scbol vnde,
Btondef [39,J , There is< Inobediencef Aua^nteingef
Ipocnsye Despite. Arrogance. Impudence. Sweling
hertf Insolence. Blacione f [.
- no gap in the MS.] Pertenacie f Veinglorie'f And
any a nofer finge. J>at f I. kan nouht declare f = r,Q2l ^
bedience is be jjat disobeyeb for desnitP fn i,ft
ment of ™v? P ^ commaunde-
and to his souereygnes & to bis
adere [393] IT Auanto,, is he ^ bost rf
h I'l'dTt ^ ^ ^ ^^ W Merise
- t b
h l'dTt ^ ^ ^ ^^ W erise
- Mt bde;, ^ to gchewe wm
scbewe> him suche as he not is< r.od ff ni -I
is he hat 1,01, ^- j • L395J Tl Bispitous
^ at ha
^- j •
disdeme of his
633 (6-T. 619) [lleBfffl8]
SIX-TEXT 620
634 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
wenej) fat he scholde haue hem be his desire f Or
elles fat he demejj fat he be fat he nys note [397] 11 Im-
pudent is he fat for his pride hafe no schame for his
sinne ' [398] Swellinge of hert is he whan a man
reioysef him of harme fat he haf donef [399] Inso-
lent is he fat despisef in his luggement al ofere
folke as to regard e of his value i & of his coniuneinge. & of
his spekeingef And of his bereinge. [400] 11 Elacione is whan
fat he maie neyf er suffur to haue Maister ne felawe i [401]
U Impacient is he i fat wil nouht bue ytauht ne vnder-
nome of his vice i & be strif werref trouf e witingly '.
& mayntenef his folyef [402] U Contumace is he fat
foruhe his indignacion is a3eines eueryche auctorite or
pouer of hem fat bien his souereignes [403] H Pre-
sumpcion is he whan a man takef an emprise fat
him ouht not to do f or elles he maie it not do f & fat
is called Surquidre f U Irreuerence is whan men do nouht
honoure f fere as hem ouhte to do f An waytef to be
Keuerensetf [404] 11 Pertinacy whan a man defendef
his folye And truste to muche to his owen wittef=[4o5J
veyne glorie is for to haue pompe & delite in
temporile richessef & glorifief hem in worldly
estates f [406] langelynge f is whan a man spekef e to
muche to for folke An clappef e as a mullen & takef no
kepe what he seif e '
[407] And jite is fere a pn'ue spice of pride fat
waytef furst to be halowed or he be salute al bue he
lesse worf e fan f e tof ere is peraduenture i And eke
waitef or desirefe to site or to go aboue him in
pe weie f or kisse pax or bue encensed or go to
offringe to for his neyhboure [408] H And suche [ . . .
no gap in the MS.] a proude desire to be
magnified i & honoured be for f e peple i
[409] 11 Nowe bene fere tuo mauers Jof pride fat
on of hem is wif inne f e herte of man ' And fat
LANSDOWNE 634 (6-T. 620) [i leaf 238, back]
SIX-TEXT 621
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 635
ofer is -with owtef [410] Of whiche sofely fe for-
seide finges & mo fan .1. haue seide apartment to
pride ' Jjat is in f e hert of man f IT And \er to of ere spices
of pn'de buen wif oute [411] Bot JNafelesse one
of f e spices of pruyde is signe of fat of ere '. Eiht
as fe gay leuesal att tauerners is signe of fe wyne
fat is in fe selerf [412] And fis is in mony finges
as in speche & in countenances '. and in outrageous araye of
clofeingef [413] ffor Certes if it nadde be no sinne
in clof einge f Crist wold nouht so sone haue noted & spoke
of fe clof einge ' of filke riche man in fe gospeH [414] IT And
as seif e seint Gregorie ' fat precious clof e is cou-
pable for fe derfe of itf And for his sofenesse &
for his strangenessef & for his disgisinessef and for f e super-
fluitef Or for f e ino[r]dinance scantnesse f [. . . [415]
. . . . . . . . no gap in tlie MS.]
[416] IT As to fe firste sinne fat is in super&uyte of
clofeinge whiche fat makef it so dere to harme of fe
pele [417] fat onely fe cost of enbrowdeinge f
fe degise endentinge or barringe owndeynge paleinge
or bendeinge f And sembla wast of clofeinge
in vanite [418] IT Bot fer is also costlewe furringe in
hire gounes f so muche pounseinge of cheseles to make
holes f so muchel dagynge off scheres [419] forfe wife
f e supe?'fluyte in lenkef of f e forsaid gownes f tray-
lein in fe donge & in fe myre on hors & eke on
fote as wele of man as of womman f fat al filke
trayleinge is verraly as in effecte wasted & consumed f f rede
bare & roten wif donge f raf er fan it is ^ouen to
fe pouerf to grete damage of fe forseide pouer folkef
[420] & fat in sondre wyse IT fis is to seie fo
more fat clof e is wasted f f e more mot it cost to
fe peple for fe scarsenesse [421] And f forfere ouer.
if it so be fat fei wolde $eue suche pounsed &
LANSDOWNE 635 (6-T. 62l)
SIX-TEXT 022
636 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
dagged clopeinge to pe pore folke it is noiiht cowueniewt
to were for her astate f ne sufficeant to bete her necessite f
to kepe hem fro pe desperacione of pe colde firmament f
[422] IT On fat opere side to speke of pe
disordinate scantnesse of clopingef as bien pis cutted
sloppes or hanslynes fat poruh her scliortnesse ne
couern not pe schamful membres of a man to wykked
entente f [423] Alas sum of hem f somme of hew shewen pe
schappe & pe boce of pe orrible swollen membres pat seme])
ylyke to pe maladye of hyrnya in pe wrappeinge of her hoses f
[424] And eke pe buttokkes of hem i pat fare]) as it war
pe hinder parte of a sche ape in pe ful of pe monef
[425] And more ouer pe wreched swolne membres
pat pei schewe poruhe disgiseinge in departinge of
her hoses white & rede semep pat halue him scham-
ful pn'ue membres f weren fleynef [426] And so be pat
pei departen her hoses in opere colours as is white
& blakf or white & blewef or blakke & redef & so
forpe [427] U pan ne semep it as be variance of colour
pa halfe pe partie of his prt'ue membres been corrupts
be pe fire of seint Antonye f or be Cancre or be suche opere
meschaunces [428] U 3it of pe hinder parte of her
buttokes f it is ful orrible for to see f fTor certes in pat
partie of Mr bodye per as pei purgen her stinkinge
ordure [429] pat foule partie schewe pei pro^dely to pe peple
in despite of honestef Whiche honeste pat
ihu criste & his frendes obserued to schew in his
tyf- [430] ^ Now as to owtrageous araye of wejnmen f
God woote pouhe pe visages of hem semen
ful chaste & debonayre. $it notifien pei in here araye of
atyre likerousnesse & pruyde [431] U I say not pat
honeste in clopeinge of manf & womman is vncouen-
able Bot certes pe superfluyte or pe disordinance scantid
of clopeinge is reproueable [432] Also pe sinne of
a-ornement or appareile as in pinges pat appartenen
to Rideinge f As in to mony delicate horses pat be holden
LANSDOWNE 636 (6-T. 622) [Meaf239]
SIX-TEXT 623
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 637
for delitef fat fei Men so faire fatte & costlewef [433]
And also niony a vicion.se knave ymayntende be
cause of hem f And in to corious harneyse f as in sadels in
cropreres . peytrelles f & bridelles couerd wif precious
clofe & riche Barresf & plates of gold. & of
siluere ' [434] For whiche god seif e by Sacarie f e
prophet f I. wil confounde fe riders of suche horses f
[435] This folke taken litel rewardeinge of fe rideinge of
goddes sonne of heuen and of his harneys [
no gap in the MS.] bot
clofes of his pouere disciples Ne we rede nou^t
fat euer he rode on of ere beste f [436] I speke jms
of fe sinne of superfluytef And nouht for fe resonable
honeste f whan reson it require J> '. [437] IT And forfer
ouere Certes pn'de is gretly notified in holdeinge of grete
meigne f when fei bien of luytel profite or riht of no profite f
[438] And namely whan fat meneje is felenous & damage-
ous to f e people by hardynesse of hihe lordeschippe f or be
way of office [439] U For certes suche lordesf Mien
fan her lorschipe to fe deuel of heHf whan fe
susteigne f e wykkednesse of here men^e ; [440] Or elles
whan f is folke of lowe degre '. as f ilke fat holden
hosteleries '. And fat is in mony maner of folke fat susteyne
f eft for hire ostelers '. And fat is in mony maner of disceytes :
[441] filke maner of folke bien fe flyes fat folowen
fe hony. Or elle fe hundes fat fat folowen fe Careynef
"Whiche for-seide folke stranglenspmYuelye her lordschippesS
[442] ffor whiche f us seif dauid. f e prophette ' Wikked
def mot conme on filke lordeschipes '. And god jeue fat
fei mote descende adoune in to hellef ffor in hire
houses bien iniquitees f And schrewnessis & not god
of heuen f [443] And certes bot if fei done amende-
ment f Riht so as god $af his blissinge to pharao be f [e
s]«9-uice of lacob f And to laban be f e se?*uice of Joseph f
Riht so god wol 3eue his malison to suche lordeschips
And to susteine fe wikkednesse of her seruantesf but fei
LANSDOWNE 637 (6-T. 623)
SIX-TEXT 624
638 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
cowme [444] proudly to fe table and apperef
eke ful oftf ffor certes riche men bu cleped to festes
and pouere folke bien putte aweief And rebuked [445]
in excesse of diue?-se metes & drinkes f And namely
suche maner of Baken metes [
no gap in the MS.] &
of semblable waste so fat it is abusion for to f inke f [446]
And eke of grete preciousenesse of vessel! f & curiosite
of mynstralcie '. By f e whiche a man is stered f e more to
delices of luxwrief [447] If so be fat he sette his herte
fe lasse on oure lorde ihesu cristef certeyne it is a
sinnef And certeynly fe delices myht be so grete
in fe case fat men myht lyhtly fa by hem in-to
dedely sinne f [448] H The espices fat sourden of pruyde f
sof ely whan 1 f ei sourden of malice ymagenyd and avised
and aforne cast '. Or elles of vsage bien dedely sinnes it is
no doute [449] & whan fei sourden be frelte vn-
avised sodanly & sodanly wif-drawe a^eine al be
fei greuous sinnes .1. gesse fat fei bu nouht
dedelye f [450] IT Nowe might men ax where-of fat pn'de
sourdef and springeff And .1. sum time it
spn'ngef of goodes of Nature f And somme time of
fe goodes of fortune And sum tim of fe goodes of
grace f [451] Certes fe godes of nature standen
in fe goodes of bodye or goodes of soule '. [452]
Certes goodes of body bene hele of bodye f
strenkef ! diliuernesse f beaute '. genterye f ffrazmchises f
[453] Godes of Nature of fe soule bien goode wif
scharp vndestandinge subtile engyne f vertue natureft. goode
memorief [454] 11 Goode of fortune bien richessef
hihe degrees of lordeschippes U Preyseinges of f e peple [455]
Goodes of grace bieiie sciences powere to suffur
spyrituele f traveyle benyngnites f vertuous contemplacione
wit/istondinge of teinptacione ? And semblable fingesf
[456] of whiche forseide goodes certes it is a ful grete
folye a man to pj'ide him in any of hem aH [457]
LA.NSDOWNE 638 (6-T. 624) L1 leaf 2o9, batkj
SIX-TEXT 625
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 639
II Nowe as for to speke of goodes of nature f god wote pat
sum tyme we haue hem in nature i Als muche to oure
damage as to oure profite f [458] As for to speke of
hele of bodyf Certes it passet ful lyhtlyef And eke it
is ful ofte encheson of pe sekenesse of pe soulef ffor
god woote pe flesche is a ful grete enmy to pe soulef
And perfore pe more fat A body is holef pe more
be we in peril to fallef [459] Eke for to pride him in
pe strenkep of his bodief it is an hyhe folyf For certes
pe flesche coueytejj a^eine pe spirit f And ay pe more
stronge pe flesche is f pe sorier maie pe soule be f
[460] and ouere al pis strenkep of body f ad werldly
hardinesse causep oft inony men to perile &
meschaunce f [461] Eke for to pride him of his
geutire f ys ful grete foly f ffor oftentime pe genterye of pe
soulef and [ no gap in the MS.] eke we
bene al of o fader and al of o moderf And al we be
of o nature roten & corrupte riche & poref
[462] ffor .sope a manere a maner of gentirie is for to preyse
pat apparelep mannes oorage wip vertuse of moralites
& makep him cristes childe f [463] For trustepe wele pat
ouere what man pat sinne hape maystre he is verrey
cherle to synne
[464] 1f Nowe bien pere general pinges of gentillesse.
as eschewynge of vices f or rebaudry & seruage of
sinne. In worde in werke & contenance. [465] and
vsinge vertue Curtasye & clennesse & to be
liberal pat is to seie large be mesure f for pilke pat
passe mesure is foly & synne [466] 11 Anoper is
to remembre him of bounte pat he of ope folke hape
receyuede f [467] Anopere is to be benygne of his
sugettet "Where foref as seip senec per is no pinge more
couenable to a man of hihe astate pan debonarte
& seite f [468] U And per for [ no gap in
the MS.~\ bees whan pey chese hem a kingef pei chesen
him pat hap no pinge wippe to stinge f [469]
LANSDOWNE 639 (6-T. 62o)
SIX-TEXT 626
640 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansd. & Reg. MSS.
Anof ere is a man to haue a noble herte & a diligent to
atteigne to hihe vertuous Jjinges f [470* see after 474 and
Hengwrt and Petworth MSS. .
, no gap in the MS.]
[471] Certes also who fat pn'def him in fe goodes of
fortune he is a ful grete foole '. if or sometyme is a man a
f ul grete lorde be f e morwe f fat is a wreche & a keytif
aritbe nyht.1 [472] [Andsuwtymefe [
no gap in Eeg, 18, G. 2] delytes of a man
ben cause of f e greuous maladye f oru3 whiche he deyeth"
[473] Certes fe Comendacion) of fe peple is sum-
tyme ful fals & ful brutel for to triste / fis day fey
preise to mom 2 fey blame // [474] God woot desire to
haue comendacion eke of peple hath" caused detli to
many a besy man // [*47o] Now certes
a man to pruyde hym in godes of grace / is eke an
outragous folye // for filke ^yftes of grace fat schulde
haue turned hym to goodnesse & to medecyne turnyth
hym to venym & to confusion) as saif seint gregorie /
[475] Now sethins fat so is fat $e haue
vnderstanden what is pruyde and whiche ben f e spices of
hit & weines pn'de sourdeth" and sj?ringef
C1 a leaf cut out of Lansd. MS.; here supplied from Reg. 18, C. 2, on Z/249, 6ft.]
[The Remedy against Pride.']
[476] Now schul 30 vndirstonde whiche is f e remedye
a^ayns pruyde & fat is humylite or
meknesse [477] fat is vertu furgfi whiche a man
hath verray knowelache of hym self1 And haldeth of hym
self1 no pn's / ne deyntee as in regarde of his desertis
considerynge euer his freelte / [478] Now ben fere iij
maners of humylyte / As humylyte in herte anofer
[. . . no gap in the MS] in mouth f e iij is in werkes /
[479] fe huroylyte in herte is in 4 maners fat
on is when a man holdeth hym self1 as nou^t worth"
by fora) god of heuene / Anof er is whenne he dispiseth"
LANSDOWNE, p. 640, & ROYAL (6-T. 626) [s leaf 250, Reg. 18, C. 2]
SIX-TEXT 627
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Reg., for Lansd. MS. 641
non o]>er man // [480] fe fridde is whence he
rekkef not forw$ men holde hym nou^t worth" // fe
iiij is whence he nys not sory of hys humilyacion [481]
Also J>e humylyte of mouth" is in 4 finges // In
atemprure speche & in humble of speche And
whenne he by-houyth" wif his owen mouth fat he is
suche as hym fenkif fat he is in his herte Anofer
is when?ze he preisij) fe bounte of anofer man / And
nojring* ferof amenusij) [482] humylyte // Eke in
\verk1 is in 4 maners / fe firste is whenne he puttij)
ofer men biforn hym / The secu?ide is to chese fe
loweste place ouer aH / The iij is gladly to assente
to good counsel / [483] The 4 is gladly to
stande to reward of Souerayn or of hym fat is heier
in degre Certeyn Jw's is a gret werke of humylyte
Inuidia.
[484]
After pruyde wol y speke of J> e foule synne of Enuye
whiche fat is as by fe worde of fe philozofre
Sorwe of ofer maranes prosperite and aftir fe
word! of Seint Austyu Hit is sorwe of ofere menwes
wele And ioye of ofer mannes harme // [485] fis
foule synwe is platly a^ayn f e holy gost Al be hit so
fat euery synne is a3ayn fe holy goste // jet
for asmoche as bounte appertyneth" p?-operly to fe
holy gost [
no gap in the MS.~\
[486] H Now haf malice 2 spices fat is to seye
hardnesse of herte And wickednesse or elles f e flesch" of
A man is so blynde fat he concideref not fat he is in
synne [ no gap in the MS.] whiche
is fe hardnesse of fe deuel // [487] That other
1 spice of Enuye is whenne fat a man werreth trouthe
when fat he woot fat hit is trowthe And eke when
fat he werreieth" fe grace of fat god hath" joue to his
45 KEG. 18, C. 2 (for Lansd. 641) (6-T. 627) E1 leaf 250, back]
SIX-TEXT 628
642 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Reg., for Lansd. MS.
neighbors & al pis is by Enuye [488] Certes
penne is Enuye pe worste synne pat is // ffor soothly
alle oper synnes ben somtyme ajayn o special
vertu [489] U But certez Enuye is a3ayns alle vertues
& of alle goodnesses // ffor hit is sory of alle
bountes of neighebore and in pis manero hit is
dyuers from alle oper synnes // [490] ffor wel vnnethis
is per any synne pat hit ne hath som delyte in hym self1
safe only enuye pat euer hath" in hym self1 anguysch" and
sorwe [491] H The spices of enuye ben pese per is
first sorwe of oper merenes goodnes and of her pros-
perite [. . . no gap in the MS.] is kyndly matere of ioye
penne is enuye a synne a^ayns kynde // [492] The
21 spice is ioye of oper mewnes harmo
[
.... no gap in the MS.] [493] Of pis 2e. spice cometh
bakbyty?jg [ .... no gap in the MS.] or detraccion)
hath" tweyn spices as pus / Som men preisip his
neighboure by a wicked entent [494] for he makep
alwey a wicked knotte at pe laste ende alwey he
makep a butte at pe laste ende H pat is digne & more
blame pen worp is alle pe plesynge // [495] The 2e
spice is pat if a man be good & dootB & saitfi a
ping to good entent / pe bacbyter wol turne alle pe
goodnesse vp so doun to his schrewed entent / [496]
IT pe .3". is to amenuse pe bountee of his neyj-
bore / [497] pe 4 spice of bakbytyng1 is pis
pat if men speke goodnesse of a man wol pe
bacbyter sayn parfay suche a man jet is bettere pen he
in dispreisynge of hym pat men prase / [498] pe
5. spice is for to cowsente gladly herkne
pe harme pat men speke of oper folk1 pis
synne is ful gret and ay encresit after pe wicked
entent of pe bacbyter [499] If After bakbytynge comep
grucchynge or mormuraurace / and somtyme hit spryngep
of inpacyence ajayns god and somtyme ajayns man //
REG. is, c. 2 (for Lansdowne 642) (6-T. 628)
SIX-TEXT 629
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Reg. & Lansd. MSS. 643
[500] A^ayns [god] it is whenne a man grucchif a^ayn
fe payne of helle or ajayns pouert or losse of Catett
or a$ayn reyne or tempest or elles grucchef fat schrewes
han prosperite or elles fat good men han ad-
uersyte [501] and alle fese finges schulde men suffre
pacieiitly for fey comyn by fe ri^tful lugement &
ordinaiwce of god // [502] Soratyme cometli grucchynge of
auarice as ludas grucchyd ajayns fe magdelen when
sche ennoynted f e heued of oure lord ihesu Crist wif here
preciouse oignement [503] U ]5is manere of mormure is suche
as when men grucchen of goodnesse & fat men selue
doon Or fat ofer folk1 doon of her owen x CateH [504]
Somtyme comytn" mMrinur of pruyde as when Symon
fe Pharisee grucchid a^ayns Magdaleyn when
sche approched to ihesu crist and wepte at his fete for her
synnes / [505] And somtyme hit sourdeth" of
Enuye when men discoueren a manrces harome fat was
prynce or beritfr him an hand? fing fat is fals [506]
II Murm?zr is eke ofte amange s&mauntz fat grucched
when her soueraignes bidden hem to doon leefful finges /
[507] And for asmoche as fey dar no^t openly wifsaye
f e cowmaundementes of her soueraigne jet woln fey saye
harm & grucche & murmur pryuyly for verrey
dispyte // [508] wiche wordes men clepe fe deuels
pater nosier fouj so be fat fe deueH had
neuer pater nosier but fat folke jeuen hit suche
a name // [509] Somtyme hit comef of yre or
of pryue hate fat uorischeth rancour in herte / as afterward
I schal declare / [510] fenne comef eke bitternesse of*
herte furgh" wiche bitternesse euery good dede of his
neighbore semef to hym bitter and vnsauery / [511]
Then comef discorde 2] 3 fat vnbyndef almaner L2 K«g. is, c 2,
.. r extract, leaf
of frindeschepe t fat commef scorenynge 01 [ . . . . 251, ends]
no gap in the MS.] his neyhe- £sL*n//0j™fe
bore al do he neuer so wele f [512] fan co?«rnef 240]
accuseinge '. as whan a man sekef occasione to anoyen his
REG. 18, C. 2, & LANSDOWNE, p. 643 (6-T. 629) ['leaf 251]
SIX-TEXT 630
644 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
neyhboure f Whiche fat is like f e crafte of f e deuel f
fat waytef bof day & nyht to accusen vs ati f
[513] H fan commef malignite forwhe whiche a ina
anoyef his neihbowr pn'uely. if he maie f [514] And if he
nouht ne may.algates his wikked wil ne schal not wante f
as for to birne his house pn'uely or openly f or slene
his bestees '. & semblable f inges f
[The Remedy against Envy.]
[5i5]HNowewil .I.speke of fe remedye a^eines fis foule
sinne of Envie f ffirst is f e loue of god
principal & loueinge of him selfe & of his neyhbowr. ffor
sofely fe tone maie not be w^t/iouten fe
tofere. [516] And trustef wele fat in fe name of fi
neyhboure fou schalt vnderstande fe name of fi
brofere ffor certes al we haue o fader ffleschely & o
moderf fat is to seye Adam & Euef & eke o fader
spirituele fat is to seie god of heuenf [517] fine
neyhbow ert fou holden for to loue & wilne him al
godenesse f And f erefor seif e god loue fine neyhboz^r as
fi selff fat is to saluacion bof to lyue & to
soulef [518] And more ouere fou schal loue him in
worde & benygne ammonesscheynge f And chastiseinge f
And comfort him in his anoyes f And praye for him \vif
al fine herte f [519] And in dede fou schalt loue him
in suche wise fat fou schalte done to him in charitef
As fou woldest were done to fine owen persone f
[520] And ferfore fou schalte note done him no damage
in wykked worde ne harme in his body ne in his catel
ne in his soule be entiseinge of wykked ensample. [521]
fou schalt nouht desire his wyf ne none of his f inges '.
vnderstande eke f fat in f e name of f i neyhbow/* is com-
prehended his enmye [522] U Certes a man schal loue his
enemye for f e commandernentz of god f And sof ely f i
frende schalt fou loue in god f [523] I. sei fin
ennemye schalt fou loue for godcles saake by his co??irnande-
LANSDOWNE 644 (6-T. 630)
SIX-TEXT 63 1
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 645
merit f ffor if it were reson. fat man scholde hate his
ennemyef for sof god wol not receyue vs to his loue
fat bien his enemy es [524] a^eines fre manere of of
wronges f fat his Ennemy dojie to him f He schal do fre
fingesf As fusf [525] A^eines hate & rankour of hert f
He schal loue him in Herte ajeine chideinge & wikkede
wordes. he schal praie for his Ennemy. IT Ajeines fe wikked
dede of his ennemye he schal done him bounte f [526] U For
Crist seif e f louef pure enemys And preiej) for hem
fat spekef pwe harme /./ And eke for hem fat jowe chasen '.
& pursewen f And dof e bounte to hem fat ^owe haten f
=Lo fus coramandef vs oure lorde ihesu crate to do
to oure enemyes f [527] For sofely nature driues vs
to loue oure frendes. And parfey oure enemys haue
more nede to loue fan oure frendes f And fei fat
mor nede had f to hem schal men do goode-
nesse [528] IT And certes in filke dede haue fe remem-
brance of f e loue of ihesu criste fat deyed for his
eraiemysf [529] IT And in almuche fat filke loue is fo
more to performe f So muche is more
f e gre merit f And f erefore f e loueinge of oure
Enmi f Haf confounde f e venime of f e deuyH f
[530] ffor rih as fe deuel is dis1comfite be humilite
Kiht so is he wounded e to to f e def e be f e loue of oure
Enmyef [531] Certes fan is loue fe medecyne fat
cachef o\ite fe venym of Envye Fro mawnes herte [532]
IT f e spices of f is pas scholne hue more largely in here
chapetles folowynge f
de Ira [from tlie margin]
r i
[533]
After Ennevie wil .1. declare fe sinne of Iref For
sofely who fat haf e envy vpon his neyhbowr f
anone comunly he wil finde him matier of
wreffe in worde or in dede ajeines him to whome
he haf envie f [534] and as wele comef Ire of pn'de
LANSDOWNE 645 (6-T. 63l) [i leaf 240, back]
SIX-TEXT 632
C4G GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
as of envie f for sof ely he fat is proude or envious f
is lyhtly wrojje
[535] ^ fas sinne °f ipe a^er fe discriueinge of
seinte Austine- Is wikked wiH to hue avengede be
worde or by dedef [536] H Ire after J)e Philosofre. Is
f e feruen* blode of man. ywhiked in his hert f orwhe
whiche he wil harme to him fat he hatef f [537] H For
certes fe hert of man be enchaufeinge & moueinge of
his blode waxef so trouble fat he is out of al
luggement of Eeson f [538] Bot 36 schal vnderstonde
fat Ire is in two manors f fat on of hem is goode &
fat of ere is wikked [539] 1T The good Ire is be
lelowsy of goodnesse f oruhe f e whiche a man is wrof e
with wikkednesse & a^eines wykkednesse f And fere
fore seif e f e wise man f fat ire is bett fan pleye i [540]
fis ire is wif debonartef Ant it is wrofe wif
outen bitternesse nouht wrofe ajeines fe man hot
wrofe wif fe mysdede of fe man as seife fe pro-
phet dauid ' Irascimini & nolite peccare [541] U Nowe
vnderstonde fat wykked yre is in tuo maners f
fat is to seine sodeine Ire wife outen
avisement & consentinge of his reson f [542] f e meneynge
& f e sense of fis f is fat f e reson of a man con-
sentef nouht to filke sodeine Iref & fan is venial f
[543] H Anofere lire is ful wikked fat comef of
velany of hert avised & cast before wif wikked wiH
to do vengeance f And f erto his Eesown consentef '• And
so sofely fis is dedely synnef [544] This Ire is so dis-
plesant to god fat it troublef his hous & chasef e f e
holy gost oute of mannes soule f [
. ... no gap in the MS.] [545] & put in him fe lik-
nes of f e deuel f & be-nymmef f e man fro god fat
is rihtful lorde [546] IT This ire is a ful grete
plesance to f e deuel ; ffor it is f e deuel forneys
fat is ychaufed with fe fire of heH [547] ffor certes
LANSDOWNE 646 (6-T. 632)
SIX-TEXT G33
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 647
as fuyre is more myhtye to distroye erfely
f inges fan anof ere Element f Eiht so is ire myhty to
destreye al sprituel f inges f [548] Loke howe pat
fuyre of smale gledys fat bien almost dede vnder asshen
wyU qwyken a^eine whan f ei whan f ei hue touched with
brimstone i Eiht so Ire wiH qwykene a^eine
whan it is touched be pruide fat is couerde in
marcnes hertef [549] ffor certes fire may not co?rane
out of nofinge bot if were first in J>e same finge
naturelly f As fire is drawen oute of flintes wif stele f
[550] And riht so as pn'de is often matire of Ire '. Eiht so is Ean-
cour norische & kepere of f e wraf f e in f e mannes hertf [551]
U Ther" is a manere tree as seif seint Isodere f fat whan men
makef fire of filke tre And coueref fe coles of it wif
asshen ' Sof ely f e fire of it wil lasten al a ^ere or more f
[552] And riht so faref it of Eankouref Whan he is
ones conseyued in f e hert of sirine man f Certeyne it wil
last paraduenture 1Fr5me one Hester day vnto anofere
estenlaie or moref [553] Bot certes filke man
is fer fro f e mercy of god al filke while
[554] in fis forsaide deuels forneys where
forgen .thre schrewes f Pride fat al blowf e & encresef
fe fire be chideinge & wykked wordes f [555] fan
standef envye & holdef fe hote yren vpon fe hertes
of man wif a peire of longe tonges of longe Eankoure f
[556] And fan stant fe sinne of contumely or
strif & chest f & bateref & forgef be veleynes
reproueynges - [557] 11 Certes fis cursed sinne anoyef
bof e f e man him self & eke to his neyhbowr i
For sofely almost al fe harme fat any man
dofe to his neyhbowf commef of wraff [5 5 8] t For
certes outrageus wraffe dofe al fat euer fe
deuel him commandef f for he ne sparef neyf ere
crist ne his swete moderf [559] And in his out-
rageous Anger & Ire Alas Alas ful mony one
felef in fat time ful wikkedly
LANSDOWNE 647 (6-T. 633) [i leaf 241]
SIX-TEXT 634
C48 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
U Bofe of cn'ste & of al his halowesf [560] is
nouht f is acursed vice [.
no gap in tJie MS.] his debonaire
lif espirituel fat schold kepen his soule f [561]
^1 Certesit be-nymmef eke goddes dieu lord schippef &
fat is mannes soule & f e loue of his neybores f
II It striuejj eke al day ajeines trowf e f it reuef him to
quiete of his herte f And subuertef his soule f
[562] U Of. Ire commef f es stinkinge engenderoures f
ffirst hate fat is olde wraffef discordef foruhe whiche
a man for-sakej? his olde frende fat he haf loued ful
longef [563] And fan co?wmef werref And euery
maner of wronge fat man dof to his neyhebowr in
body or in Catelf [564] Of fis cursed sinne of Ire
co?ftmef manslawhterf And vnder stondef wele fat
Omycide fat is man slauhter is in diuerse wysef Somme
manereof Omicide is spirituelf & somme is bodelyf [565]
Spirituel maraieslauhtere is in vj f inges f ffirst be
hate as seife seinte lohfif fat he fat hatef his brofer
his Omycide f [566] whiche is be bakbiteinge f 0±
whiche bakbyters seif Salomon f fat fei haue tuo
swerdes wiffe whiche fei slene here neyhebowrs U For
sof ely also wikked it is to be-nyme hime his goode name as
his lif f [567] U Homicide is eke in 3eueinge of wikked
counsel by fraude as for to jeue counsel to areyse
wrongefully custumes & talliages [568] of whiche seife
Salomon f Lyon Eoreingef Bere hungrye bien like to
crewel lordschippes in wif-haldinge or abrugeinge of f e
schipe or fe hire of wages f [
. . . no gap in the MS.] Of f e almos of f e pouer folke f
[569] ffor whiche fe wiseman seifef Fedef him fat
almost deyef for hunger! ffor sof ely bot fou feede him
fou sleste himf And all fes bien dedely sinnesf [570]
Bodely manslauhter is whan slest him -with fi
tunge H In ofere manere as whan fou co?nmandest to
sle a man or elles ^euest him coimsell to slene a
LANSDOWNE 648 (6-T. 634)
SIX-TEXT 635
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 649
man. [571] H Manslauhtere in dede is in .iiij. manersf
fat on is be lawe f Riht as a lustice dampnef
him fat is coupable to fe defef bot latte fe lustice
be warre pat he do it rihtfully (. And fat he do it not
for delite to spil blode bot for kepeinge of rihtwis-
nessef [572] U Anofere homycide is done for
necessite f as whan a marme slef e anof ere in his defendant f
And fat he ne maye none of ere wise eschape fromme his
owen def f [573] Bot certeynly if he maie eskape wi'tft-
outen slauhter of his aduersarye & slej) him
he dojj sinne ' & he schal bere penance as for dedely
sinne f [574] Eke if a man be cas or aduentwre schete
an arwe or cast a stone '. "with Jje whiche he slef e a man
it is homycide. [575] Eke if a womman be necligence
ouerelyfe hir childe in slepeiwge. liti is homicide &
dedely sinne f [576] Eke whan a man distroublef fe con-
cepcion of a childe or make]? a womman barayne
be drinkeinge of venemous herbes foruhe whiche sche may
nouht conceyuei or slefe a childe be drinkesl or
elles puttej) inne certein material finges in hire secre
places to sle fe childe [577] or elles do}>e vnkinde
sinne be whiche man or womman schedijj his nature
in manere or in place fere as a childe maie nouht be con-
ceyued f or elles if a womman hafe cowceyued & hurtef
her self & sleefe here childe f $it is it homycide f
[578] "Whatte seye we eke of weramen fat mordren
her childern f for drede of werldly schame certes an hor-
rible homycide '. [579] Homycide is eke if a mawne aprochef
to a wommaw be desire be desire of lychery '. be f e whiche f e
child is perischedf or elles smytef a womman wityngly
f oruhe whiche sche lesef his childe f Al f es ben homy-
cidesf and dedely orriblo sinnesf [580] U ^uttecommef fere of
Ire mony mo sinnes f as wele in worde as in f ouhte f and
in dedef as he fat arettef vppore god or blamef god
of f inge of whicho he is him selfe gilty f or displesef
god & al his halowes as done fcs cursed hasadours
45 LANSDOWNE 649 (6-T. 635) P leaf 241, back]
SIX-TEXT 636
650 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
in diuerse eontres f [581] Jus cursed sinne done f ei f
when fei felen in her1 hert ful wikkedly of god &
his halowes. [582] H Also whan fei treten vnreuerently
fe sacrament of fe auter II f ilke sinnes bien. so grete
fat vnnef fei maie be relestf bot fat fe mercye of
god passef his werkes it is so grete & so
benigne f [583] U fan comef of Ire attrye angw f
whan a man scharpely amonesched in bis schrift for to
lete sinne f [584] fan wil he hangry And
ansewere hokerlye & angerly f or defende & excuse
his sinne be vnstedfastnesse of his fleschef or elles he
dide it for to holde compaignye "with wyse felawesf Or
elles he seife f e fende entised hime f [585] or elles he
dide it for his ^oufe or elles his complexion is so
corageous fat he mai nouht for bere f or elles it is his
destanye as he seife vnto a certeine age '. or elles f he
seife it commef him of gentilles of his auncestres
and semblable finges [586] H AH fese maner of folke
so wrappen hem in her sinnes fat fei ne wol nouht
deliueren he selff ffore sofely no fat excusef
him wilfully f of his sinne f may not be deliuered of his
sinne til fat he mekely be-knowef his sinne. [587]
U After fat co?ftmef swereinge fat is expresse
ajeines fe commandemewt of god And fis befallef oft
of anger & of iref [588] God seife f fou schalt nouht
take f e name of fine lorde god in veyne ne in ydel. Also
cure lorde ihesu seif be fe worde of seint Mathewe
[ no gap in the MS.] [589] Ne wil 30
nouht swere in al manere Neyfere be
heuen for it is goddes throne. Ne by erf e for it is fe
bynche of his feete Ne by iherwsalemf For it is fe Cite of
a grete kyngef ne be fin hede f for fou maist nou^t
maake an her white ne blakef [590] Bot seife be 3oure
30. 30. & nay. nayef And what fat is more
it is yuel. fus seife criste f [591] ffor cristes saake ne sweref
nouht so sinfully in dismembringe of criste by soule.
LANSDOWNE 650 (6-T. 636)
SIX-TEXT 637
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 651
hert. bones. & bodyf ffor certes it seme]) pat 30
penkep pat pe cursed lewes dismembred him no^t
ynowhe f [. . .no gap in the MS.~\ bot $e dismembreii
him more f [592] H And if so be fat pe lawe cora-
peH $ow to swerof pan rewlejj $owe after pe lawe of
god in joure swereinge as seipe leremye in pe iiij. capitle.
[. no gap in the MS.] pou
schalt kepe pre condicions f pou schalt l swere in troupe
in dome & in rihtwisnesse f [593] pis to seine
J>ou schalt swere sope f for euery leseinge is ajeines crist.
For crist is verray troupe f And penke wele pis pat
euery grete swerer nouht compelled lawfully to swere
pe wounde schal not departe fro his house whiles he
vsep suche vnleful swereinge f [594] H pou schalt swere
eke in dome whan pou art constreynede by pi domes-
man to wittnese pe trewpef [595] Eke pou schalt
nouht swere for envye ne for fauor ne for mede
bot for rihtwisnesse for declareinge to
worschipe of godf & to helpeinge of pine euen
cristenf [59^] And perfore eueryman pat
takep goddes name in ydel or falsely swerep wip
his moupe or elles takep on him pe name of criste
to be called a cristenman i And leuep a^eines cristes
leueynge & his techeinge al pei take goddes name
in ydel [597] 11 Loke eke whate seipe seint Peter
Actuum .iiijto. Non est aliud nomen sub celof pere
is non opere name seip seint Peter vnder heuen f
y^ouen to men in whiche pei muste be saued f pat is to
seye bot in pe name of ihesu criste [598] II Tak kepe eke
how pat pe precious name of ihesu criste as seip seinte Poule
ad Philipensesf xij°. c°. In nomine ihesuf &c». pat in po
name of ihesu eue?y kne of heuenly creatures or
erpely or of hell scholde bo wen f ffor it is so hihe
& so worschipfuH pat pe cursed fende in heH scholde
tremblen to here it nemenedf// [599] pan
semep it pat men pat sweren so orrible by his
LANSDOWNE 651 (6-T. 637) C1 leaf 242]
SIX-TEXT 638
652 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
blissed name fat fei dispisen it more boldely f
fan diden fe cursed lewesf or elles fe deuel fat
trerablef whan he here]) his name f
[600] Now certez sefen fat swereynge bot it be do
al lawfully f is so holy defendede meche wers is
forswereinge falsly f And 3utte nedeles
[60 1 ] what seie we eke of helne •[. . no gap m MS.]
in swereinge & holde it a genterye or a manly dede to
swere grete of es f 11 and of hem fat of verrei
vsage. ne cesen nouht to swere grete ofesf al fe cause
nouht worf e a strawe f Certes f is is an orrible sinne f [602]
Swerynge sodanly wif oute avisement is eke a
sinne f [603] U Nowe late vs go to f ilke orrible & cursed
sweringe of adiuracione & cowiuracione as done f ese fals en-
chawntowrs & nygromansoures f In basins ful of water or
in a briht swerde in a serkle f or in a fire or in a scholder-
bone of a schepef [604] I. kanne not seine bot fat fei
done corsedly & dampnably a^eines criste & al fe
feif e of holy chir chirche f=
[605] what seye we be hem fat leuen on
deueneylesf as be flyht or be noyse of birdes or of
bestes or of sorte by ygromansy f be dremes be chirkeinge
of dores f be gnoweinge of rattes or crakkeynge of houses
& suche maner of wrichednesse f [606] Certes al fis
f inge is defended be god & holy cherche f ffor
whiche fei bien acursed titt fei come to amendeiaent
fat on suche fulfe setten hire beleuef [607] Charm es
for woundes f & Maledies of men or of bestes if fei
taken any effecte it may be peraduenture fat god suffuref
it fat f olke scholde ^iue f e more faif e f and Keuerence to
his name f
[608] 11 Nowe wil .1. speke of leseinges whiche gener-
aly is- fals signifiant f of wordes en entent to deceyuen
his heuen cristenf [609] Sum leseynge is of whiche
fere commef none aucmntage to no wight f And some lese-
inge tornef to fese or fe profite of a man
LANSDOWNE 652 (6-T. 638)
SIX-TEXT 639
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 653
& to damage of anofere manere f [610] H Anofere leseinge
for to [. . . no gap in the MS.~\ 1AnoJ>ere leseinge commef
of delite for to lye. In whiche delite f ei wil forgen a longe
tale & peynte it wif al circumstance '. wher
al fe grounde of fe tale is falsf [611] Somme leseinge
qommef for he wil susteyine his worde f And sum leseynge
cometh of rechelnesse f wif outen avisement f & sem-
blable f inges
[612] II Lat vs now touche fe vice of flaterye
whiche ne come]? nouht gladly bot for drede or for Couetise f
[613] Flatery is generally wrongeful preyseinge U Flatrer-
es bene J>e deueles norices fat norischen his childerne
wif melke of losengryef [614] ffor sofe seife Salomon •
fat flatery is wers fan detraccionef ffor sum tyme de-
traccion makef an haunten man fe more humble
for he dredejj detraccionf IT Bot certes flatery makef
a man to enhante his herte and his countenance f
[615] fflatery bien J?e deuels enchauntowr1 f ffor
pei maake a man to wene of him self to be like fat he
nys nouht lykef [616] fei bien like to ludas fat be-trayed
[ no gap in the MS.] a man to sel him
to his ennemye fat is to fe deuel [617] II Flatereres bien
fe deuel chapelleines fat singen euer placebo f
[6 1 8] I. reken flatery in fe vices of ire f II For oft
time if a man be wrof e wif anof ere f fen wil
he flatere sum wyght to susteine him in his qwereH f
[619] Speke we no we of suche cursinge as commef
oute of Irrous herte f Malyson maybe seide generallye f eue?y
man power of harme such cursynge bereuef man fro
fe Eegne of godi As seife seint Poulef [620] fat
suche cursinge wrongefully retottmef oft tyme a3eine to
him fat cursefe As a birde retoz<rnef a^eine vn to his
owen nestef [621] And ouere alfinge men ouhte
eschewe to curse her childern & ^eue to fe deuel
here engendorere as fer forf e as in hem is U Certes it is
a, grete perile & a grete sinne f
LANSDOWNE 653 (6-T. 639) P leaf 2*2, back]
SIX-TEXT G40
654 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALK Lansdowne MS.
[622] IT Lete vs fan speke of chideingef And reproche
whiche biene grete woundes in mamies herte f for
fe vnsewe fe semes of frendschippe in mawnes hertef
[623] ffor certes vnnefes may a man "hue pleynely
accorded wij) him fat ha]> him openly revilede &
reproued & disclaunderde '. fis is a ful grysly sinnef
as criste seife in fe gospeHf [624] And take kepe nowe
fat he fat reprouef his neyhbouref oyfere he reprouef
him be som harme of peyne fat he hafe on his body!
as mesel croked harlotte or be somwe sinne fat he dof e i
[625] Nowe if he reproue him be harme of peyne
fan tornef fe profete to ihesu criste f for peyne is
sent be fe rihtwise sonde of godel & be his sulfrancef
be it Meselrye or niaymef ore maladyef [626] And if he
reproue him vncharitablye of synne f As f ou holoure ! f on
dronken lewde harlotef and so forf f fan app«?-tenef fat
to fe rejoyseinge of fe deuel fat euer hafe ioye
fat men doon synne f [627] And certes chidynge may
not come bot of velens herte f ffor after f e
abundance of fe herte spekefe fe moufe ful oftf
[628] And 30 scholne vnderstonde. fat loke be any. waye
whan any man schal chaste anofere anof er fat he be war
fro chideinge or reproueinge IT ffor trewly bot he be
war he may ful lyhtly queken f e fuyre of anger f and of
wraffef whiche fat he schold qwenche & peraduentur
slefe him fat he myht chastise wif benyug-
nitef [629] ffor as seife Salomon the amyable tongef is
fe tree of liff fat is to seyne of lif espirituele and
a dislaue tunge slefe fe spirites of him fat
repreuef xAnd eke of him fat is repreuedf [630] Lo
what seinte Austine seife f fere is nof inge ylyke f e
deueles childe as he fat oft chidef f Seint poule seife
eke .1. semant of god behouef nouht to chide [631] IT And
howe fat chideinge is a veleyns finge betwex al
maner folke jit is it certes most vnkouenable
be-twyx a man & his wyf f for fere is neuer reste '.
LA.NSDOWNE 654 (6-T. 640) P leaf 213]
SIX-TEXT 641
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 655
And ferfor seife Salomon. An house fat is vnkouerde
in reyne & dropinge f & a cliideinge wif . bene ylike f
[632] a man fat is in in a dropinge hous in many
place f feyhe he schewe fe dropinge in o place
it droppef in anof ere in a nof ere . So faref e it be
a chideinge wyf f bot sche chide him in o place sche
wil chide him in anof ere f [633] And ferfor is better
a morsel of brede wz't/i loye f fan an hous ful of
delices wif chideinge seife Salomon • [634]
Poule seife 0 36 wemmen be 30 soubiettes to 3oure
husbondes as be-houefe in godf And 30 men louen 3oure
wyves Ad Clonicenses .iij°.
[635] 11 Afterward speke we of scorenynge whiche is a
wikked sinne f And namely whan he scorenef a man for
his goode werkesf [636] ffor certe suche scorners
faren y-like fe foule tode fat mai not endure to
smel fe swete sauot^r of fe vine when it
floureff II [637] fes scorners bien partinge felawes
Wit/t fe deuelf = for fei haue loy whan fe deuel
wynneff & sorwe whan he leseff [638] fei bene
aduersaries to oure lorde ihesu criste f ffor fei haten fat he
louef e fat is to sei . sauacion of soule f
[639] U Speke we nowe of wikked counsel IF For he fat
wikked counsel 3euef is a traitowrf for he distroyfe
him fat trustef in him . vt achitofeli de Absone .
But nafeles 3it is it wikked counsel firste a3eines him
seife [640] for as seife fe wisemanf Euery fals
leueynge hafe fis properte in him seife fat he fat
wil anoye anof ere man first anoyef him selff
[641] And men schal vndestande fat man schal nouht
take his counsel of fals folkef no of to angry iblke or
greuous f olke f ne of f olke fat a louef specialy to muche here
owen profited ne to muche worldly f olke namely in conseleinge
of soules f
[642] 1f Nowe commef fe sinne of hem fat
m'aken discorde amonges folke whiche is a sinne fat
LANSDOWNE 655 (6-T. 64l)
SIX-TEXT 642
656 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
criste hate]? vtterly f And no wonder is f ffor he deyed
for to maake concorde f [643] & mor schame done fei to
criste f fan dide fei fat him crucified f ffor god
louej) better fat frenchepe be amonges folkef fan
he dide his owen bodyf whiche he jaf for vniteesf
ferfore beene fei likned to fe deuel fat euere is
aboute to make discorde
[644] U Novfe eommef f e sinne of dowble tonge suche
as speken faire befor folkef & wikkede be-hynde or
elles fei maken sembland as fouhe fe spake of
goode entencion or elles in game & pleyef And }it fe
speke of wikked entente f
[645] f Now commef be-wreynge of counseile f orwhe
whiche a man is defamed f vnefes maye he restoref fe
damages f
[646] Nowe commef manas fat is an hopen foly f ffor
he fat manassef f he f retef more fan he maie
do ful oft time f
[647] No we comef ydel wordes fat is wifeouten
profite of him fat spekef fo wordes & eke of him
fat herkenef fe wordes f Or elle ydel wordes bien
fo fat bien nedelesse or wifouten entent of naturely
profitef [648] And al be it fat Idel wordes som-
tinie bien venial sinne jit schold men doute hem '. ffor we
scholne jeue reken1ynge of hem be-for god f
[649] Nowe commef langelynge fat may no$t come wif e-
owten sinne as seif e Salomon f It is a signe of aperte
folyef [650] And fereforef a philosophre saidef Whan
a man asked hyme howe men schold plese fe peplef
And he answardef Do goode werkesi & speke fewe
langelinges f
[651] After fis comef fe sinne of Tapes fat
bien deuels apes ffor fei maken folke to lawhe att
her laperye as folkes done att fe gaudes of an hapef
Suche lapes defendef seint Poulef [652] Loke howe
fat vertuouse wordes & holyf cowuerten hew
LANSDOWNE 656 (6-T. 642) [» leaf 213, back]
SIX-TEXT 643
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 657
fat traueyle in fe sendee of cristf Eiht so conuerten
Jje vilens worde & fe knakkes of fe Tapes hem fat
traveylen in fe seruise of fe deuel. [653] 1T fes bien
fe sinne fat commef of fe tongef fat commef of ire
& of of ere sinnes f
[TAe Remedies against Ire]
[654] The remedes a^eines Ire is a vertue J>at men
clepen mansuetude fat is debonartef And
eke anof ere vertue fat men clepen pacience f [
no gap in the MS.]
[655] Debanarte wif-drawef & refreynef
fe stringes & fe meueynges of mannes corage in his
hertef in suche maner fat fei scipe nou^t oute be
anger ne be iref [656] SJuffrance suffref swetly al
fe anoyance fat & fe wronges fat men done to a man
outewardef [657] H Seint lerom . seif fus of debonartef
fat it dof e none harme to no wight ne seife for none
harme fat men him done ne seine f He ne eschaungef nou3t
ajeines his resonf [658] 51 This vertue commef some time of
Nature f ffor as seife f e Philosopher f A man is a whike
finge be nature f debonaire & tretable be goodnessef
Bot whan debonairete is enformed of grace, it
is f e more worf e f //
[659] Pacience fat is anofere remedy ajeynes iref
it is a vertue fat suffref swetely euery mannes goodnesse f
& is no$t wrof e for none harme fat is done vnto her . //
[660] The Philosopher seife fat paciews is filke
vertve fat sufferp debonarly al fe outrage of
aduersitee & euery wikked worded [66 1] fis vertue
makef a man ylyke to godf And makef him his
owen der childe as seife cristf This vertue discomforf
fine Ennemye f and f erfore seife f e wise man . If f ou
wilte venqwys fin enemye. lerene to suffer f [662] And
fou schalt vnder-stande fat a man sufferf f iiij. manere
LANSDOWNE 657 (6-T. 643)
SIX-TEXT 644
658 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
of greuance in otward pingesf A3eines whiche foure
he mot haue foure maner of pacience
[663] pe firste greuance is of wyked wordes f pilke gre-
uance sufficed oure lorde ihesu crist wip outen gruccheinge ful
paciently f Whan J>e lewes dispised him & reproued him f
ful oft [664] suffur pou pere fore paciently f for pe
wiseman eke seipef If pou strif wij) a fole pouhe
f e fole be wrope or pouhe he lawhe al gate f
J>ou schalt haue no reste [665] ff pe topere greuance
outeward is to haue damage of J>i catelf pere ajein
suffurd criste ful paciently f whan he was dispoilede of
pat he hadde in pis life & pat nas nouht bot pe elopes
[666] IT pan greuance is to a man haue harme in
his bodyef pat suffred criste ful paciently in al his
passion [667] pe ferpe greuance is an outrageous
laboure in werkes. Wherfor .1. seie pat folke pat
maken here seruantes to traueyle to greuouslye or oute of
time as on halidayesf sopely pei done grete sinne. /
[668] 1Here ajeine suffred criste ful paciently. And
tauht vs pacience whan he bare vpow his blissed
scholder pe cros vpon pe whiche he scholde suffur
a spitous depf [669] 11 Here maie men lerne to be
pacient f for certes nouht onely cristen men bene pacient
for pe loue of ihesu criste f & for guerdone of pe blisse
of heuen. And of pe blisful lyf pat is perdurable f Bot
certes pe olde peyneymes pat neuer were cristen com-
menden & vsen pe vertue of pacience f
[670] A philosofre vpon a time pat wolde haue
bet his disciple for his grete trespace for whiche he was
gretely ameuede f & brouhte a 3erde to secure pe
childe f [671] And whan pe childe sawe pe jerde He
seide to his maister what wil 30 dof I. wil bete
quod pe Maister for pi correctione. [672] For sope
sire qwod pe childe 3owe ouhte firste corecte 3oure of pat
30 haue lost 3oure pacience for pe gilte of a childe f
[673] For sope qwod pe Maister al wepeinge pou
LANSDOWNE 658 (6-T. 644) [i leaf 244]
SIX-TEXT 645
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 659
seist sopef Haue fou pe ^erde my dere sonef &
correcte me for myne impacience f [674] Of paciens coramepe
obedience f of whiche a man is obedient to criste f &
to aH hem to wiche he ouhte be obedient in criste .
[675] And vndestande wele fat obedience is perfitef
whan men done gladly & hastely wip good
herte enterely al pat he schold dof [676] Obedience
generaly is to performe pe doctrine of god &
of his sovreygnes to whiche him ouhte to be obeissant
to al rihtwisnesse
De Accidia.
[677]
After pe sinnes of Enevy [. . . . no gap in the MS.] .1.
wil speke of pe sinnes of accide f For Enevy
blindejj pe herte of a manf And ire trouble])
amanf And Accide Makejj him hevye pouhtful &
wrawef [678] Enevy & Ire make]) bitternes in hertf
whiche bitternes is moder of accidie. & benymejj him
pe loue of al goodnesse . Jjan is accide pe
angwysche of a trowble hert f And seinte . Austeyne seipe :
It is anoye it is anoy of goodenesse f & anoye of harmef [679]
sertes Jus is a dampnable sinne f ffor it dope wronge to ihesu
criste '. in alsomuche pat he nymmep pe seruice fat men
ouhte to do to ihesu criste wip al diligence as sei]> Salomon '
[680] Bot accide dope none suche diligence f he dope
al pinge wip anoye f & wrawnesse slaknesse
& excusacion & wip dulnes & vnlustf ffor
whiche pe boke seipe acursed be he pat dope pat dop pe
smiice of god necly gently f [68 1] pen is Accide
Enevye to eueryche astate of man f For certes pe estate of
man is in pre manersf [682] Eypere it is pe state of
Innocence as was pe state of Adam be-fore he fel in to
sinne f In whiche he was holden to worche as in
an hereynge f & in adourynge of god f [683] Anopere estate
is pe state of sinfulmen f in whiche estate men bicn holden
LANSDOWNE 659 (6-T. 645)
SIX-TEXT 646
660 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
to labour in preyinge to god for amendement of here
[. no gap in the MS.~\
sinnesf [684] Anofere estate es fe estate of grace f In
whiche estate lie is halden to do werkes of penitence f And
certes to al fes finges is accide Enemy & con-
trarie. for he louej) no besinesse att alf [685] U Nowe
certes f is foule sinne accide f is eke a ful grete enemye
til fe liflode of J>e bodyf fibr it hafe no purueance
a3eine temp[oj-]ele necessitef for it is for-slewfed & for
sloggef & distruyej) al goodes temperelles bo
rechilnesse f
[686] f fe fourte finge is fat Accide is like hem
fat bien in fe peyne of heft becaiise of her sloufe
& of her hevinessef ffor fei fat bien dampned bien
so bounde fat f ei ne maye wele do ' ne wele
f enke f [687] Of accide commef first fat a man is
anoyed & encombred. 1to done any goodnessef &
makef fat god hafe Abomynaciown of suche
as seif seinte lofi .
[688] Now co?ranef sleufe fat wil not suffre none
hardenesse ne none penance f For sofe sloufe is so
tender & so delicate as seif e Salomon ' fat he wil not
suffre none hardenesse ne penance U And ferfor he
schendef al fat he dofe [689] a3eines his roten
hercid sinne of Accide f And sloufe sholde men
exercise hemself to done good werkes & manly
& vertuouslye cachen corage wele to done thenk-
inge fat oure lorde ihesu criste quytefe euery goode
dede be it neuere so litef [690] vsage of laboure is
grete a f inge f ffor it makef as seif e seinte Bernard f The
laborer to haue stronge harmes & hard synowesf &
slowfe makef him febel & tendref [691] 11 fan coramef
drede to be-ginne for to wirke any goode werkef 11 For
certes he fat is enclined to sinne f him finke it
is so grete an emprise f for to vndertake to do werkes
of goodnesse [692] [
LANSDOWNE 660 (6-T. 646) E1 leaf 244, back]
SIX-TEXT 647
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 661
. . . no gap in the MS.] as seife seint Gregorie
[693] U Nowe f co/nmef wanhope fat is dispeire of f e
mercie of god f fat cowzmef surae time of to myche out-
rageous sorwe 11 And some time of muche drede ymagen-
yngef fat he ha]> done so muche sinne fat it wil
nouht aveile him f ouhe he wold repent him f &
for-saak & do goode f [694] f oruhe whiche dispeire or drede f
he ahoundejj his hert to euery manere sinne f As seife
seint Auguste • [695] whiche dampnable sinne if fat
it continue vn to his endef it is cleped sinnynge in fe
holy gostf [696] fis orrible sinne is so perilous
fat he fat is despeired '. fere ne is no sinne
fat he doutef for to do as schewde wele be ludasf
[697] Certes fan a-bouen al sinnes fan is fis sinne
most displesant to crist f & most aduersarie [698]
to crist // Sof ely he fat dispeyref him f is like f e cowarde
champeown recreant f & seif e creant f al wif outene nede f
Alas alas nedeles is he creant f & seife creant
nedelesse despeired f // [699] for certes fe mercy of god is
euer redy to fe penytencef it is aboue al his werkes
[700] U Alas can not a man be-fenke him of
seint luke f 15°. where as criste seife fat as wele schal
fere bef loye in heuen vpon a sinful man fat dofe
penitence f fan vpon 90 & .19. fat
[. . . . no gap in the MS.] nedef no penitente [701]
U Loke ferfermore in fe gospel f fe loy & fe
festes of fe good man fat hadde lost his sonef whan
his sone wif repentance was retorned to his fader f
[702] Can fei nou^t remembre hem ekef fat as seife
seinte luca 13\ c°. how fat fe fef seife fat was hongede
be-side ihesu cristes side f Lorde remembre on me whan
fou commest vn to fi kingedome [703] U For sof e seide
crist f To daie fou schalt be vrii h me in
paradise f [704] Certes fer nys none so orrible sinne of
LANSDOWNE CGI (C-T. 647)
SIX-TEXT 648
662 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
man pat it ne maye in his lif be destreydo be penitence f
poruhe vertue of pe passion & pe dep of cristef
[7°S] ^ Alas what nedepe man to be despeired
fan. sepen his mercy so redye is'. An aske & hauef //
[706] fan coramep sompnolence pat is slogge
slombre whiche makep a man heuy & dul in
body f & in soule f And pis sinne comrnep of slewpe f
[707] And certes pe time pat be wey of resone men
schold noujt slepe by pe morwe bot if pere were
cause resonablef [708] ffor sopely in pe morwe tide is
most couenable a man to seie his preyers & for
to pinken on god & for to honoure godf and to
3euen almos patcommen l to pe pore pat first comen in pe name
of criste f [709] Lo what seipe Salomon f who so wil
be pe morne awake to seke me he schal finde
[710] II pan commepf necligence or rechelnesse
pat rekkep of no pingef & howe pat ignorance is pe
moder of al harmef Certes necligens is pe norische
to [7 1 1] necligentes ne dope no force whan he schal done
a pinge wheper he do it wele or badly f
[712] Of pe remedy .of pes two sinnes as seip
pe wisman U pat he pat dredep god sparep nouht
to done pat him ouht to donef [713] And he pat louep
god wyl do diligence to plese god by his werkes
& abounden him self wip al his myht wele for to donef
[714] 11 pan comme Idelnese pat is pe $ate of al
harmesf Anf ydel man is lyke to a place pat hape no
wallesf pe deuel may entre on euery sidef or schote
att him att discouert be' tempacions on euery sidef
[715] pis ydelnes is pe porrok of al wikked &
veleynes pouhtesf & of al Tangles trufles &
al ordure f [716] Certes pe heuen is 3ouen to him pat
wil laboure & nouht to ydel folkef Eke dcmid seipe
pat pei ne be not in pe laboure of men f ne pei ne scholn
not be whipped wip menf pat is to seie in purgatoricf
LANSDOWNE 662 (6-T. 648) [i leaf 245]
SIX-TKXT 649
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lausdowne MS. 663
[717] Certes pan semep it pei sclial bo tormented
wip pe deuel in hel '. bot if pei done penytence f
[718] fan commep pe sirme pat men clepen
tarditas f As whan a man is so latred & so tariiiige ere
he wil torne to godf And certes pat is a grete folyef
He is like him pat fallep in pe dichef And wil nouht
arise f [719] And pis vice co??raiepe of fals hope; pat
he pinkep pat he schal leue longel bot pat hope
failep ful oftf
[720] U pan commep laches pat is he pat whan he
beginnep any goode werke f anone he wil for-lete it &
stinte as done pei pat haue any wight to gouernef
& ne taken of him no more kepe f anone as pei finde
any contrarie or anye anoye / [721] IT pes bene pe now'
scheperdes pat laten her schepe renne wyteingly to
pe wolff pat is in pe breresf or done no fors of her owen
gouernancef [722] IT Of pis commep pouertef & discripcion
bot of spm'tuele & temporal pinges IT pan commep
a rnanere of coldenessef pat fresep al pe herte of manf
[723] IT pan commep vndeuocioneporuhef whichea man hisso
blontelTAnd as seipe seint Bernard. He hapesuchelangoMr in
soule pat he maie neypere rede ne singe in holy cherche
Ne here ne pinke of deuocionf ne traueyle wip
his hondes in no goode werke f pat it nys to him vnsauerye f
IT And al apalledf [724] pan waxeth he sore & slowe &
slombref & sone wil be wropef And sone is enclinede
to hate & to envye // [725] pane commep pe sinne of
werldly sorwe f whiche pat is clepide tristicia f pat slepe a
man as seipe seint Poulef [726] ffor certes suche sorwe
worchep to pe depe of pe soule & of pe body also
IT For pere of eommep pat a man is anoyed of his owen lif f
[727] "Where-for suche sorwe f schortep ful oft po lif of
a man er pat his time comme f
LANSDOWNE 663 (6-T. 619)
SIX-TEXT 650
664 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[The Remedy against Accidie.}
[728] U A^eynes pis orrible sinne of Accide & pe
braunches of pe samef pere is a vertue fat is called
fortitude f or strenkej) fat is an affecciown poruhe
whiche a man dispisepe al noyeus pingef [729] If pis
vertue is so myhty f & so vigorouse fat it dar wip-stande
myhtyly & wrestel a^eiiies pe saule of the deuelf
And wisely kepen him selfe frome periles pat bien wikked f
[730] For it enchauncej) & enfor1cej) pe soule Eiht as
accide abate]) it makep febel // for pis fortitude
may longe endure be longe suffrance f pe traveile pat bien
conuenable f
[731] pis vertue hap mony spyces f ^T pe
first is cleped magnificence f pat is to seie grete Corage f
ffor certes per behouep grete corage a^eines accidie f les
pat swolowe pe sowle be pe sinne of sorwe ' or
destruye it be wanhopef [732] H pis vertu makep
folke to vndertake harde pinges & greuouse pingcs
be hire owen wyH wysely & resonablyf [733] And for
als muche as pe deuel fihtep a^eines man more be
queyntise & be sleyht pan be strenkep f 1T perefore a man
schal wzt/i-stonde him -m't/t witte & with reson & with dis-
crecion // [734] pen bien pere pe vertues of feipe &
hope in godf & in his seintes to acheuen & accompliso
pe goode werkesf in whiche he purpose fermely
to continue! [735] pan commep suerte or sikernesse '.
& pat is whan a man [ ............
[736]. . ...... ... no gap in the
dopef & performep grete werkes of goodenesse pat he hape
begonne ' And pat is pe ende whi pat men schold do goode
werkesf If ffor in pe compliseinge of goode
werkes lipe pe grete guerdone [737] If pan is pere
Constance pat is stablenesse of Corage f And pis scholde
be in herte be stedfast feipe f & in moupe & in
LA.NSDOWNE 66-1 (6-T. 650) [i leaf 245, back]
SIX-TEXT 651
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 665
bereingef And in cherel & in dede [738] ekef U fere bien
mo special finges & remedy ajeines accide in diuerse werkes f
& in consideracion of fe peyne of hett & of the
loy of heuenf & in fe trust of fe grace of fe holy
goste fat wil }iuen him myht to performe his
entente
De Auaricia .
[739]
Aifter Accidie wil .1. speke of avarice f & of
Couetyse // Off whiche sinne seij) seint Paule -
fat fe rote of al sinnes is couetisef Ad
Thimothettra 6°. [740] H For sofely whan fe herte of a
man is co-founded in hit selfe & trouble & fat fe
soule hafe loste fe comforte of godf fan sikef he ane
ydel solace of werldely f inges f
[741] U Auarice after fe scripcione of seint Austyne;
is a lykerousnes in hert to haue erfely f inges f
[742] Somme ofere folk seyne fat Auarice is for to
purchase mony erfely f inges f & no finge jiue
to hem fat haue nede [743] H And vnderstand f ou wele f fat
auarice nys nouht onelye in lande ne in cateli f bot sum
time in science and in glorye And in euery manere of
outrageous f inges is auerycef & couetysef [744] U And
fe difference be-tuex Auarice & couetise is fisl
Couetise is for to coueyte suche finges as fou
haste nouht f = And Auarice is to wif -holde & kepe suche
finges as fou hast wif outen rihtful nede [745] 11 Sof ely
f is Auarice is a sinne fat is ful dampnable f ifor al holy
writte cursef itf & spekef ajeines itf ffor it dofe
wronge to ihesu criste f [746] for it be-reuef him f e loue
fat men to him owen. And turnef it bakwarde a3eines
al resonf [747] & makef fat fe Auaricious man
hafe more hope in his catel fan in ihesu criste f And
no gap in the MS.] [748] ferefor seife
46 LANSDOWNE 665 (6-T. 65l)
SIX-TEXT 652
GGG GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
seinte poule. Ephec/os 5°. fat Auarous man is
f ral to ydolatrie '.
[749] What difference is betuex an ydolastre &
an Auarous man f Bot fat an ydolatre & an Auaricious man par-
aduentur ne haf e hot one maumet f or tuo f And f e Auaricious
man haf monye f For certes euery floreine in his copher is a
mawmetf [750] And certes J>e sinne of Maumatrie is
fat god in fe ten co?ftmandementes i
As beref 1wittenesse in exodi .capitulo .20. [751] fou
schalt haue none fals goddes beforne me f "Ne f ou schalt make
to fe no graue fingef fus fan is an Avaricious man fat
louef his tresor a-forne godf And ydolatre [752] foruhe
his sinne of Auarice & of couetise i be whiche common f is
harde lordeschipes foruhe whiche mene bien streyned
be talyage costomes & Cariages More fan here
dewte or reson is And elles take fei of her bonde-
men amerciamentf whiche myht more resonable be
cleped extorcions fan mercymentesf [753] Of Avhiche
mercimentes And raunsons of bonde men sowime
lorde stewardes sein fat it is rihtfulf for also muche as
a cherle hafe no temporele finge fat ne is fe lordes
as fei seine. [754] Bot certes J>is lordeschipes done
wronge fat bereuef hir bondefolke fingesf fat fei
ne 3afe hemf Angustimis de Ciuitate dei .li° .9. [755]
Sofe is fat fe condicion of fraldome & fe first
cause of fraldom is for sinne . Genes/s .5.
[756] fus maye 30 seene fat fe gilt deseruef
fraldome Bot note nature! [757] Where-fore fes lordes
schold nou^t much glorifie hem in here lordeschipe
seffen fat bu naturel condicion fei bien lordes ouer
her f ralles '. Bot for fat fat fraldom cam firste be desert of
sinne f = [758] And ferfere ouerf fere as fe lawe seifef
fat temporel goodes of bonde folke bien fe goodes
of here lordeschipes : 30 fat is for to vnderstande f e goodes
of fe Empenwr To defende hem in here rihtf bot not
to Eobbe hem ne to Eeue hem! [759] And f erf ore
LANSDOWNE 666 (6-T. 652) [i leaf 240]
SIX-TEXT 653
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 667
seipe Senec pi prudence schold leue benyngly with
pi praH U [760] pilke fat pou clepest pi praH:
bien cristes peple f For humble f olke bien criste frendes f
pei bien contuberniale with pe lorde
[761] U penke eke pat suche sede as cherles
springenf of suche seede springen lordesf as wele may
pe cherle be saued as pe lorde f [762] pe same depe pat
takep pe cherle f pe same dep takepe pe lorde f wherfore I
rede do riht so wip pi cherle as pou woldest
pi lorde dide with pe if pou were in his plite.
[763] H Eue?y sinful man is a cherle to sinnef U I rede
pe certes pat pou lorde pou \virche in suche wise f pat
pine cherles raper loue pe pan drede pe [764]
II I. wote wele per is degre aboue degre as reson
is f And scyH is pat men don here deuere pere as it is diewe f
Bot certes extorcions & dispites of joure vnderlinges is
dampnable f
[765] ^T And forpere ouere vnderstond wele f pat
conquerowrs or tirantes maken ful often f pralles of
hem pat bien borne of as Eoial blode as ben pei pat
hem conquerenf [766] This name of praldom was
iieuere icnowe erst til pat Noe seide of his sonwe
Canaan scholde be prale to his breperne for his sinnef
[767] what sey we pan of hem pat pilen And done
extorcions to holy chirche U Certes pe swerde pat
men jeuen first to a knyhte whan he is newe dubbidf
signiiiep pat he scholde defende holy chirche f &
nouht rob itf And who so dope is a traitowr
to criste [768] as seip seinte Austinef pei buen
deuels wolues pat stranglen pe schepe of ihesu
criste f & done wers pan wolues f [769] U ffor sopely
whan pe wolfe hap ful his wo?nbe He stintep to
strangel schepe f Bot sopely pe piloures & distrey-
ours of goodes of holy chirche done not so f for pe
stint neuer to pilen f [770] II Now as .1. 1haue seide f Sepen so
is pat sinn was first cause of praldome f pan it is
LANSDOWNE 667 (6-T. 653) P leaf 246, back]
SIX-TEXT 654
668 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Jras fat filke time fat al fe werld was in sinnet
fan was al f is werlde in f raldome And in subiectione '. =
[771] Bot certes Sethins fe time of grace Camf god
ordeynde fat somme folke scholde be more kihe in Estate f
& hihe degree f And sorame folke more lowef & fat
eueryche schold be serued in his estate & in his degref
[772] And f erf ore in somme contrees fere fei be
f rales f whan fei haue turned hem to f e feif e f fei maken
here fralles fre oute of f raldome f And f erf ore certes
fe lorde owef to his mawne fat fe man owef to
hislorde1I[773]f e Pope clepef himself seruant of f e seruantes
of god II Bot for as muche as fe state of
holy chirche ne myht nouht haue be keppedf Ne fe commune
profit mi^t haue be kepped f ne pese & rest in
erfef bot if god hadde ordeynde fat sommen haue
hier degre & som men loweref [774] f erf ore was
souereygnte ordeyned to kepe & mayntenef & de-
f ende here vnderlinges or her soubiectes in reson f as fer-
forf as it life in hir pouere f And nouht to destreye hem
ne as ferforfe coftfoundenf [775] Wher for .1. saye fat filke
lordes fat bien filke wolves f fat deuoure f e possessions or
fe catel of pore folke \vrongefully wif outen Mercye or
Mesoref [776] fei schollen receyuen bue fe same mesure
fat fei haue mesured to pore folke fe mercy of ihe.su
criste bot it bue amended f [777] H Nowe commef disceite
b[e]tuex Marchant & marchant f U And f ou schalt vnder-
stant fat Marchandise is in mony manersf fat one
is bodelyf & fe tofere is gostlye If fat one is
lefful & f e tofere is dishoneste & vnleful f
[778] Of filke bodely marchandise fat is leful &
honest is fisf fat fere as god haf ordeigned fat a
regne or a contre is sufficeant him selfe fan is it
honeste & lefutt fat of fe abundance of fis contreef
fat men helpe a nofere contree fat is more nedyef
[779] And fere fore fere mote be marchantz to
bringen fro fe to cuntre to fe tofere her march-
LANSDOWNE 668 (6-T. 654)
SIX-TEXT 655
I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 669
andisef [780] fe tofere Merchandise fat men
haunte wif fraudef & trecherye & disceyte wife
lesinges & fals ofesf is cursed & damprcable
[781] U Espyrituel marchandise is properely Symonyf
fat is ententif desire to by finge espirituelef fat is
finge fat appartenef to fe seintuarye of godf & to
cure of fe soulef [782] This desire if so be fat a
man do his diligence to performe it al be it fat his
desire ne take none effecte jit is it to him dedely
sinne f And if he be ordrede he is Irregulere '. [783] H Certes
Symonyel is clepid of Simon M.agus fat wolde haue
bouht wit/i f e temporele cateH f e jeft fat god had jouen
by fe holy goste to seinte Peter f & to fe Apostolesf
[784] And ferfore vnderstandef f fat bof he fat
sellef & he fat byef finges espirituels bien
cleped Symonyals IT be it Cateii be it be procureingef
Ore be fleschely preyere of his frendes or of spirituel
frendes [785] IF Flesschelyf in tuo maners f as by
kinred ' or as by of ere frendes or of spirituel frendes .
*[1 Sof ely if f ei prey for him fat is not able & worf i f it
is Symonye f If he take f e benefice f & if he be worf i &
able f he nys none '. [786] H fe tof ere maner is whan a ma?z
or awowman preyef ef preye for folke toauazmce hem only for
wikked fleschely affeccione f fat f ei haue vn to f e persones '.
& fat is in foule Symonyf [787] Bot certes in sendees
for whiche men jeuen finges espirituels vnto her
seruantesf It mote bien vnderstonde fat fe seniice
most be honeste & elles notef And eke fat it be
wif outera Barganynge & fat fe persone be ablef
[788] ffor as seife seinte Damasyef Al fe sinnes aof fe
worlde att f e regarde of f is sinne biene as a f inge of nouht f
For it is fe grestest sinne fat may bef after f fe sinne
of lucifer & of antecriste f [789] ffor be f is sinne gor
for-lesef fe chirche & fe soule fat he bouhte wif
his precious blode '. by hem fat jeue cherches to hem.
fat biene nouht digue f [790] For fei piitten inn feues fat
LANSDOWNE 609 (G-T. 655) [' leaf 217]
SIX-TEXT 656
670 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
stelen pe soule of ihesu criste & destruyep his patri-
moigne [791] 11 Be. suche vndigne prestes* & Curates
haue men pe lasse Reuerence of pe sacramentz of
holychirche f U And suche ^euers of chirches putten oute
J>e childerne of criste f & putten in to Jje cherche pe
deueles owen sone [792] pei sellen pe soules f
pe lombe pei kepen to pe wolf J?at strangellej)
hemf And perefore schol pei neuer houe parte
of pe pasture of pe lombes fat is in fie blisse of
heuenf [793] 11 Nowe commep hasardy wz't/t his apz«*-
tenance as tables & rawfles of whiche co??imep deceyte
& fals opes chideinge f & al rauynges f blasphemyinge
& reniinge of god & hate of his neybowrsf wasteinges
of goodes myspendinge of timef And sumtyme man-
slawhter [794] H Certes hasardowrs nemaye nouht be
wijj oute grete sinne whiles fei haunte pat crafte [795] IT Of
Auarice cowmepe eke leseinges peft & false wittenesse f Fals
opesf And 30 schali vnderstondef pat pes bien grete sinnes
& expresse a^euies pe co?»mawdementes of god as .1. haue
seidef [796] 11 Fals wittnesse is in worde & eke in dede .
In worde as for to be-reve pi neyhbowrs good name
By pine fals witnesinge . Or be-reue him his CateH f or his
heritage be pine fals wyttenesinge f IT whan pou for Ire or
for meede or for envy berest fals wittenesse or accusest
him or excusest him by pine fals witnesse f or elles ex-
cusest pi self falsly [797] IT Ware ^oue qwestmongers &
notories 1T Certes for false witnesseinge was Susanna in
grete sorwef & peynef & mony anoper mo [798] IT The
sinne of peft is eke expresse ajeines godes heste f & pat in
tuo maners Corporele & spirituele [799] [Corporele]
as for to take pine neyhbowrs Catel a^eines his wiH
be it be force or be sleyht f be it be mette f or be mesure f
[800] By steleinge eke of fals enditementes vpon him f And
in borwein of pin neyhbours CateH f in entent neue?-e
to payef & semblable pinges [801] IT Es-
pirituel peft is sacrilege pat is to seye vrt-
LANSDOWNE 670 (6-T. 65C)
SIX-TEXT 657
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 671
yngo of holy f inges f or of f inges sacred to criste in tuo
maners by reson . of f e holy place as chirches or
chirche hawesf [802] ffor euery. violence sinne fat
men done in suche place may bue cleped Sacrilege f Or
Qiierj violence in f e semblable place f Also f ei fat
wif-drawen falsly fe rihtes fat longen to holy
cherchef [803] And pleynely & generaly sacrilege
is to }eue holy finge fro holy place f or vnholy
finge oute of holy place f or holy finge oute of vn-
holy place f
[Tho Remedy against Avarice.']
[804] Nowe scholne 30 vnderstonde fat f e releuynge of
Auarice is misericorde & pite largely taken
U And me myht axen whi fat mysericorde & pite
is releueinge of Auarice f [805] Certes fe Auarice
man schewef no pite ne misericorde to fe nedful
man f ffor he delitef him in f re kepinges of his tresoure f
& not in fe restoreinge ne releueinge of his euen-
cristenf & f erf ore spek .1. first of mysericorde f
[806] If fan is misericord as seife fe philosofre
a vertue bue whiche f e Corage of man is stered be fe
corage of him. xfat is my[s]esede [807] vpon whiche
misericorde folowef pytee in perfourmynge of charitable
werkes of misericorde. [808] And certes fes
meuen man to fe mysericord of ihesu criste fat
him self for oure gilt suffred defe for misericorde f
& for^af vs oure originale sinnesf [809] & fere-by
released vs fro fe peyne of heft; and amynusef fe
peyne of purgatorie be pe7iitence. And ^euef grace
weft to do & att fe last fe ioye of heuenf [810] 1f The
spices of mysericorde bien as for to lene & for to
^euef & eke for to forjcue & relese & haue
pytc in herte & to haue coinpassione of f e meschef of fine
LANSDOWNE G71 (6-T. 657) [> leaf 247, back]
SIX-TEXT 658
672 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
euecristene f & eke chastice fere as nede is .
[811] H Anofe?-e manere of Remedie ajeine avarice is
resonable largesse f Bot solely here be-houef f e con-
sideraciozm of fe grace of ihesn crisis & of his
temporil goodes [. . , no gap in the MS.] perdurables
fat crist jaff vs [812] and eke to haue remembrance of
fe def fat he schal receyue he note whenf
and eke fat he schal for-gone al fat he hafef
[. . . . no gap in the MS.]
[813] Bot for as muche as summe folke bien vmnesur-
able men ouhten eschiewe foole largesse fat men
clepen wastf [814] Certes he fat is foole large ne
^euef nouht his catel bot he lesef his catelf U Sofely
what finge fat he ^euef for veineglorie as to
menstrals & to folke for to beren his renoune in fe
werlde he hafe do synne & none almos
[815] Certe} he lesef foule his goodf fat he ne sekef
no finge of his goode bot sinne
[8 1 6] He is ylike to an hors fat sekef rafer to drinke
drouy or trouble water fan of fe
clere weHf [817] And for as muche as fei $eue f<?re
as fei schold not }eue to he?ft appartenef filke
malyson fat crist schal lyven att f e daye of dome to
hem fat schal be dampned .
1 De gula .
[818]
After Auarice cowrnef glotonye whiche is expresse eke
ajeines fe commandement of godf Glotonye is
vnmesurable appetit to ette or to drinke . or elles
to done ynouhe to fe vnmesurable & discorde
couetise to ete & to drinke f [819] 11 fis sinne cor-
rumpef al fis werlde as is wele schewde in f e sinne of
Adam & of Eua U lo eke what seife seint Poule of
glotonye f [820] Mony folke of whiche
LANSDOWNE 672 (6-T. 658)
SIX-TEXT 659
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 673
.1. haue oft seide to :$owef & nowe .1. seye it wepeingef
fat fei bien ennemys of fe croyce of crist of
whiche fende is defef & of whiche here wombes is
hire god & hire glorie in confusione of hem fat so
saueren erfely fingesf [821] II He fat is vsant to
f is sinne of glotonye he ne may no sinne wif-stande f
He moste hue in seruage of al vices for it is fe deuels
horde fere he hidef him inne & restef f [822] U This
sinne haf mony spycesl fe first is dronkennesse
fat is forrible sepulcre of mawnes resownf And fere-
for whan fat a man is dronken he haf e lost his reson f &
fis is dedely sinne [823] H Bot certes whan a
man is nouht wonte to straunge drinke f ne peraduentwre ne
knowef not f e strenkef of f e drinke f or haf e feblesse
in his hedef or hafe trauailede foruhe whiche he drinkef
f e more Al be he so sodanly cauht wif drinke it is no
dedely sinne bot venialef [824] The secunde spice of
glotonye is fat f e spirit of man waxef al trouble
for dronkenesse bereuef him discreciozm of his wittef
[825] H fe fred spice of glotony isf Whan a man
devowref 1his mete & hafe no rihtful manere of etyngef
[826] If fe ferfe is whan forwh grete abund-
ance of his mete fe homours of his body biene dis-
temperd [827] 1T fe ,ve. is for^etelnesse be to mechel
drynkynge for whiche sumtyme aman su?wme time a man for-
^etef be f e morwe what he dide att eue or att f e nyhte be-foref
[828] In of ere manere bien distinket of Spices of
glotony after seint gregorye . U f e first is for to ete to
fortune H f e . secunde is whan a man getef him
to delicate mete [829] U f! thredef is. whan
a man takef to muchel ouere mesure U fe ferfe. is
fe coriouste wif grete eutent to maken & appareH
his mete . f e fif te . is to ete to gredely f [830] f es
bien fe .v. fyngres of fe deueles honde be whiche
he drawef folk to sinne
LANSDOWNE 673 (6-T. 659) [Meaf248]
SIX-TEXT GGO
674 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[The Remedy against Gluttony.]
[831] U A3eynes glotonye is remedy. fe abstinence of his
bodif as seife Galienus. Bot fat hold .1. not meritorie. if fat
he onely it do for fe hele of his bodyf U Seint
Austine wil fat abstinence be done for vertwef &
\vi]> paciens [832] abstinens he seif is litel worfi
bot if a man haue goode wil fere to //And bot if it be enforced
be pacience & charitef & fat men do it for
goddes saake & in hope to haue f e blisse of heuen f
[833] U fe felawes of abstynence bien attemper-
ance fat haldef fe mene i-n aft fingesf eke
schame fat eschewef al disonestef sufficeance fat
sekef no Eiche mete ne drinkes no dof e no force of no
owtrage apparelynge of mete [834] H Mesure also
fat distreynef bue resown fe delavy appetite of eteingel
Sobernesse also fat restreynef fe outrage of drinke.
[835] Sparynge also fat restreynef fe delicate ese to
sitte att his mete softly f where-for suranie folke
stonden of here owen witt & to eten att f e lasse layser
If De luxuria.
[836]
After glotony. fan commef lycherye for fes
two sinnes bien so nyhe cosines fat often tim
fei wil not departef = [837] god wote fis
sinne is displesant to godf for he seif him
selfe do no lycheryf// & fere-fore he put grete peynes
a3eines fis sinne. in fe olde lawe [838] If a wow-
man fraH were taken in fis sinne sche scholde be
beten Wi't/i stones to fe def f And if sche were a gentil
womman sche scholde be sleyne -with stones f And if sche
wcr a bischopes douhtere sche scholde be bernte be
goddes co7wmandement f [839] U Forfermore be
sinne of licherye god dreynte al fe werlde att fe
IANSDOWNE 674 (6-T. 660)
SIX-TEXT 661
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 675
diluvef & after he berned .v. Cytes
lyht & sanke hem in to hett
[840] IT Now latt vs spek of filk foule stinkynge
sinne of licheryf fat mew clepen aduoutre of wedded
folkef fat is to sey if fat one of hem be wedded
or elles bofef [841] Seint lohn seife fat fat fe advowtrers
schal bien in heH in a stinkinge birneinge fire
of brimstone for licherye II In brimstone for fe
stinkeinge of hire ordure f [842] Certe^ fe brinynge of
fis sacrament is an horible fingef It was maked of
god him self in paradise & cowfermed be ihesu criste as
seif seinte Mathewe in fe gospeUf A man schal lete
fader & moder & take him to his wif. And fe
scholne haue be tuo in one fleschef [843] U This sacrament be-
tokenef f e knyttinge to-geder of criste & of holy chirche
[844] IT And nouhtonelyf at god for-badde aduoutre in bedde'
Bot eke he commanded *f at f ou scholdest nouht coueyte fine
neyhebowrs wif [845] IT In fi's hest seife seint
Austine is forboden almanere Couetise to done
lycheryf Lo what seife seint Mathewe .v. c°. in fe
gospel fat who so sef e a wo??iman to couetise of his luste ho
haf e done lycherye wif hire in his hertef [846] Here maye 30
see fat not onelye fe dede of his sinne is forbodo
bot eke fe desire to done fat sinne [847] H fis cursed
sinne anoyef hem greuously fat it haunteff & first
to here soule ffor he obligef it to sinne f & to f e peyne of
f e def e fat is perdurable [848] IT Vnto f e body anoyof
it greuously alsof ffor it drief him & wastef hirnf &
of his blode he makef sacrifice vn-to fe
fende of heH 11 It wastef eke his catel & his substance f
[849] & certes if it be a foule finge a man to wast
his cateH one wemmen f $it is it a fouler finge whan fat
for whiche ordure wemmew dispenden vpon men here catel
& here substance [850] IT fis sinne as seife fe prophito
bereuef man & womman her goode fame & al her1
honowf And it is ful plesant to fc deuelf & ferby
LANSDOWNE 675 (6-T. 66l) [' leaf 248, back]
SIX-TEXT 662
676 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lan&downe MS.
he wynnep pe moste party of pis werldef
[851] U And riht as a marchant delitep him moste
in chaffer pat he hap most a-vantage of Riht
so delitejj pe fende pis ordure i //
[852] pis is pe topere honde of pe deuel with .v.
fingeres pat cacchep pe peple to his velanyf [853] pa
first finger is pe foole lokeyngef of pe foole man;
& of pe foole woraman pat slepe Eiht as pe Basilicoc
slepe folke be pe venym of his syhtf ffor couetise
of pe ey^en folowep pe couetyse of pe hertf [854] pe
topere finger his pe violence toucheinge in wykked
manere f And perfor seip Salomon . pat who so
touchep & handelep a womman f he farep y-lyke him
pat handelep pe scorpion pat stingepef And sodanly
slepe poruhe his envenymynge f As who so towchep
warme piche pat foulep his fingers [855] U pe. pred isf
foule wordes pat farep.y-lyke fire pat birnep i pat riht anone
birnep pe herte i [856] H pe ferpe is .
kissingef & trewly he were a grete foole pat wolde
kisse pe moupe of a birneinge houenf or of a forneysf =
[857] And more fooles bien pei pat kissen in velanyef
ffor pat moupe is pe moupe of heUf & namely pes
holde dotardes hulours i }it wil pei kisse pouhe
pei may noujt do & smater hemf [858] Certes pei
bien ylyke to pe houndes. For an hounde whan he cowmep be
pe roser or be opere beautees pouhe he maie nouht
pissef 3itte witt he lift vp his legge & make coun-
tenance to pisse. [859] U And for patf many wenep
pat pei maie noujt sinne for no likerous pat he dope
vfith his wif f Certej pat opyniozme is f als '. God wote a
man maie sle him self with his owen knyff & maken
him dronken with his owen tunne. [860] Certoj
be it wif of childe or any oper werldely pinge pat he
louop be-for godf it is a maumet & he is an ydolastrei
[86 1] II Man scholde loue his wif be discrecione
pacicntly & te??iporalye '. & pan is sche as it
LA.NSDOWNE 67fi (0-T. 662)
SIX-TEXT CG3
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 677
were his susteref [862] IT fe fift finger of fe deueles
honde is f e stinkeinge dede of lycherye f [863] Certes f e .v.
fingers of glotonye f e fende puttejj in f e wombe of a man f
& \fith J?es .v. fingers of lycheryf he gripe]) him be
fe reynes for to frowe him into fe forneyse of
heft [864] fere as f ei scholne haue J)e fuyre & f e wormes
fat euer schal lastef & wepeinge & waileinge
scharpe hunger & furste griselynesse of deueles
fat schal al to treden 1Hem wif-outen respite & ~with~
outen ende [865] of lychery as .1. seide sourden
diuerse spyces ' as fornicacion. J»at is- be-tuex man
& woHiman fat bien not maried f & J)is is dedely
sinne & a^eines nature f [866] Al fat is enemy &
destrucc?'on to natz^-e is ajeincs nature [867] parfeye H fe
resone of a man tcllef him eke wele fat it is dedely
sinne for als muche as god forbad lycherye f = And seint
Poule ^eviefe him f e regne fat is dieu to no whight
bot to hem fat done dedely sinne [868] U Anofere sinne
of lycherye isf for to be-reven a may den of hire maydenhedef
ffor certes he fat so dofe he takef a maiden oute
of fe hiest degre fat is in fis present liff [869] &
bereuef hire filke precious fruyte fat fe boke clepefe
f e hundref fruyte. I. can nouht seye it in none of ere weye in
ynglische Bot in latine it hiht Centesimus fructus f
[870] Certes he fat so dofe is cause of mony
damage & velanyes mo fan any man kan reken
U Riht as he sumtyme is cause of al f e damage fat bestes
done in fe feldef fat brekef fe hegge of fe closur
foruhe whiche he distroyef fat may not be restored f
[871] ffor certes no more maye maydenhede bue re-
stored f fan an arme fat is smeten fro fe body maye
retorne a^eine towexf [872] Sche maye haue mercye fis
wote .1. wele if sche do penitence! Bot neuer schal it
be fat sche nas corruptef [873] H And albeit so fat .1.
haue spoken sumwhat of aduowtre it is goode to schewen mo
periles fat longen to aduoutre U For to eschewe f e foule
JjANSDOWNE 677 (6-T. 663) [Meaf249]
SIX-TEXT G64
678 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
sinneof [874] aduoutre '. in latine is for toseyef Approcheinge
to anofere manes beddef foruhe whiche J>o fat whilom
were first o flesche f abawndon here body to of ere persones
[875] IT Of fis sinne as seife fe wisman come])
mony harmes f ffirste brekinge of feif e f And certes
faife. is kaye of cristendome f U [876] And whan fat
feife is broke & lornef sofely cristendome stant
wij) outen fruytef [877] U fis sinne is eke a
f efe f ffor f eft generaly to speke is for reue a wight his f inge
a^eines his wiHf [878] Certes fis is Jje fouleste feft
fat maie bue f whan a womman stelef hir body fro
her husbondef & ^iuef it to hire holoure to defoule
here & stelef hire soule frowme cristef & 3euef it to
fe deuel. [879] fis is foulere feftf fan for to breke
& stele fe chalysf ffor fes aduoutres
breken fe temple of god spyrituelly & stelen fe vessel
of grace '. fat is f e bodye & f e soule f U For whiche criste
schal destroyen hem as seife seinte Poule . [880] Sof ely
of fis feft douted gretely losephe whan fat his lordes
wif preide him of velanye f whan he seide f Lo my lady
howe my lorde haf e take to me vnder my warde al fat he
hafe in fis werlde ne nofinge of his oute of
my powere bot onely $e fat bien his wyf [88 1] U And
howe schold .1. fan do fis wikkednesse & sinne so
orrible a3eines godf god it for-bede
U Alas al to litel is suche treuf e no wey founde f [882] 51 f e
fredde harme is fe felfe foruhe whiche fei breken
fe commandemewt of god. & defoulen fe autere of
here matn'moygne fat is criste' [883] U For certes insomuche
fat fe sacrament of Mariage is so noble & so digne So
muche it is fe gretter sinne for to breke itf U For god
maad mariage in paradise f in f estate of Innocence to
multeplie mankynde to fe seruice Jof godf [884] &
f erfore is f e brekeinge f ere-of greuous ' Of whiche
brekeynge commef fals heires often time fat wrongefully
occupien of er mennes heritage f And fere fore wil criste put
LANSDOWNE 678 (6-T. 664) C1 leaf 249, back]
SIX-TEXT G65
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 679
hem oute of f e Eegne of heven fat is f e herytage to good
folke [885] Of fis brekeinge cowmefe eke oft times fat
folke vnware wedden or sinnen wij) here owen kynred!
& namely Jjil harlotes fat hanten bordelsl Of fes
foole wemmen fat maie bu likned to a comune gonge
where as men purgen here ordurf [886] what saie we
eke of poytowrs fat lyuen bi fe orrible sinne of puytrye
And constreyned wemmen $e somme time his owen wif f or
his childe as done f es baudes to ^elden hem a serteine
rente of her bodely putrye IT Certes fes bien cursed
sinnesf [887] U Vnderstandef eke fat aduoutre is sette
gladly in fe ten commandementes f by-tuex feft & man-
slawhter For it is fe gretest feft fat may bef For it
is fe fefte of body & soulef [888] & it is ylike
homicide for it keruefe a tuof & brekef atuo hem
fat first weren ymaked o flesche And f ere-fore by f e olde
lawe fei scholde be sleynef [889] IT Bot nafeles be
fo lawe of ihe-su crist fat is fe lawe of pite whan he
seide to fe womman fat was fou[rc]den in aduoutre f
and scholde haue slawe with stones after f e witi of f e
lewes as was her lawe f IT Go quod, ihesu criste & haue no
more witt to do sinne f or willen no more to do sinne f
[890] Sofely fe vengeance of advoutre is awarded
to fe peyne of heHf bot it bue distroubled
be penance . [891] U jette bien fere mo spyces of fis cursed
sinne as whan fat one of hem is religious or elles bof e f
Or of folke fat bien entred vnto order as subdecane
& deken i or presto or hospitaleres f And euer f e hyer fat
he is in ordre fe gretter is fe sinne f [892] IT fe
finges fat gretely agregen his sinne is fe brekeinge
of his avowe of chastite whan he receyuef ordre
[893] IT And forf ere ouere sof e is fat holy holy ordere is chef
of al fe tresoure of godf & his especial sinne & merke
of chastite to schewe fat fei bien loyned to chastite f
whiche fat is fe most precious lif fat is [894] IT And
eke fes ordred folke bien specialy titlyd to god f = & of f e
LANSDOWNE 679 (6-T. 665)
SIX-TEXT GGG
680 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
special meyne of god f = ffor whiche whan fei done dedely
sinne fei bien fe special traytowrs of god & of his
peplef for fe leven of fe peple to preie for fe peple f
U And while fere biene suche traitours Here preyei^ availef
nouht to fe peple [895] IT Pristes bien as aungels as by
fe dignete of here mysterief ffor sofe seint Poule
seifel fat Sathanas transformefe him in Angel of
lihte f [896] H Sof elye fe preste fat hauntejj
sinne may bue lykned to fe angel of derkenesse
transformed in fe Angel of lyhtf U He semef an Angel
of lihtf Bot for sofe he is an AngeH of derknesse
{897] H Suche prestes bien fe soraies of of Belye. As
schewefe in fe boke of Kynges fat fei weren fe
sonnes of belial fat is f e deuel f [898] Belyall is to seyne
wit/iowten lugef & so faren fei hem fenken
fei bien fre & han none luge no more fan hafe a fre
boH fat takef whiche kowe fat him likef in fe
tounef [899] so faren fei bue wymmenf ffor riht as a
fre boH is ynouhe for al a toune xEiht so is a wykked
pn'ste corruped ynowhe for al a parische or al a
contre // [900] fes prestes as seine fe boke ne
konne nouht mynisterye of prestehode to f e peple f ne god
ne knowef hem nouht f fei ne halde hem not apaide as seif e
f e boke of sof en flesche fat was to hem offred f U Bot fei
toke be force fe flesche fat is rowef [901] Certes riht so
fes schrewes ne holden hem nou3t apaiede of Eoste flesche
& sofen flesche wif fe whiche fe peple fedden hem in
grete reuerence f Bot fei woH haue rowe flesche as mennes
wyves & here douhternf [902] And certes fes
wemmen fat consenten to here harlotries done grete
wronges to criste & to holy chirche & to aH halowes &
to al sowelsf ffor fei be-reven al fes him fat schold
worschipen criste & holy cherche & pmy fo[r] aft cristen
sowlesf [903] And ferfore haue suche prestes & here
lewimans eke fat consenten to here lycherye fe malison
of fe courte cristen til fei comme to amendement .
LANSDOWNE 680 (6-T. 666) [i leaf 250]
SIX-TEXT 667
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 681
[904] 11 pe pred spice of aduoutre is surutime betwene
a man & his wif & pat is whan pei taken no rewarde
in here assemblynge bot onely in his ffleschely delite as
seij) seinte leromf [905] & ne reken of nopinge bot
att pei bien assembled be cause pei bien ymaride f
al is good ynouhe as pinkep to hem f [906] Bot in suche
folk hape pe deuel pouere as seide pe Angel Raphael
to thobie . = ffor in hire assemblynge pei puten oute iheus
criste of here hert & 3aff hem self to al ordow
[907] U pe ferpe spice is pe assemblynge of hem fat bien
of her kinrede or of hem pat bien of one amnite or
elles wijj hemf wit/i whiche hire fadres or here kinred
hape deled wyppe inne pe sinne of licherie f pis sinne make])
he?w like houndes pat taken no kepe of kinred f
[908] U And certes Parentela is in tuo maners owper
gostely f opere flesslye f Gostly as for to delen wip her
gossebes. [909] For riht so as he [ ........
. . . no gap in the MS.] is his godfader f he is his fader
spirituele f For whiche a womman maie in no lesse sinne
assemble wip hire gossib pat w^'tA hire owen ffleschely
broperef [910] U pe fifte spice is pilke abhomynable
sinne of whiche pat no man vnnepes ouht write or
spekef H Nepeles it is openly rehersed in holy writtef
. . . .......... no gap in the
to speke of orrible sinne f certes holy writte may not buo
defoulede nomore pan pe sonne pat schinep on a
mexen. [912] H Anopere sinne pat pertinep to licheryo pat
commep in slepeinge f & pis sinne commep oft to hem
pat biene maydens f And eke to hem pat bien corrupt
U & pis sinne men clepen pollucione pat commep in .iiij.
maners i [913] somme time of a languysseinge of bodye for
pe burners bien to rank & abundant in pe body
of a man f Sumtyme for pe infermete for pe feblenesse of pe
vertue retentif as phisik makep mencionf Somtim for
forfete of mete & drinkef [914] And sume time for
47 LANSDOWNE 681 (6-T. 667)
SIX-TEXT 668
682 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
violence fouhtes fat bien enclosed in mannes mynde
whan he gof e to slepe whiche may not hue vriih outen
sinne f For whiche he may no^t kepe "him wiselye f or elles
maie men sinne ful greuously
[The Remedy against Lechery.]
[915] U Nowe come]? remedy a3eines lycherye & fat
is generaly chastite & continence f fat re-
freynef. ^1 fe disordeine meueinges fat comen
of flesscly talante^ f [916] And euere f[e] grete merite
shal he haue fat moste restreynef fe wykkede eschau-
foinges of ordur of fis sinne f & fis is in tuo
maners f fat is for to seyn f chastite of Mariage & chastite
of wydewhede f// [917] Now schalt fou knowe fat
matrimony is leful assemblynge of man &
wowman fat receyue be vertue of sacrament fe
bande foruhe whiche fei maie not bu departed al here
lif f fat is to sey whiles fei leuen bof e f
[918] II fis is as seife fe boke a ful gret sacrament f
God maked it as ,1. haue seide in paradise f & wolde him
self bu borne in mariage f [9 1 9} U And for to halowen mariage
he was at wedynge where as he torned water vnto
wyne f whiche was f e firste miracle fat he wrouhte here in
erfe befor his deciples i [920] trewe effecte of
Mariage clensef fornicacionf & replenyschef holy
chirche of good lignagef for as fe ende of Mariage
& it chaungef dedly sinne in to veniale be-twex
hem fat biene wedded f & makef fe hertes alone.
[ no gap in the MS.]
[921] fis is fe verrey niaryage fat is ystabist be
god '. ere fat sinne beganne i whan natural lawe was in his
riht pointe in paradise U And it ordeynede fat o man
schold haue hot o wommanf & o womman bott o manf
as seif seint Austine be mony resones f
[922] first for fat Mariage is figured betuex man &
LANSDOWNE 682 (6-T. 668) [l leaf 250, back]
SIX-TEXT 6G9
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 683
holy chirche f And fat of ere is for aman is f e hede of
f e wo?ttman algate be ordinance it scholde be so f
[923] U For if a womman had mo men fan onef fan
schold sche haue mo hedes fan onef & fat were an
orrible finge to for godf II An eke one wommaw ne
myht nouht pleise to mony folke att onesf And also
fere ne scholde neuer be pes ne rest amonges hem f ffor
eueryche wold axe his owen finge f [924] And
forfer more no man schold knowe his owen en-
gendrure ne who scholde haue his heritage f And fo
womman scholde fe lasse be louede ffro fe time fat
sche were comune to mony men f
[925] 1T No we commef howe fat aman scholde bere him
wif his wiff & namely in tuo finges fat is to
seye in suffrance & in reuerence f And fat schewd first cristo
whan he maade first womman f [926] ffor he onaad hir
nouht of f e hede of Adam for sche scholde nou^t haue to
grete lordschipef [927] ffor fere as fe womman hafe fe
maystre sche makef to mekel disarayef fere nede none
ensamples of f^'s IT Thexperience of fis day be day
ouhte suffice [928] IT Also certes god ne maad no$t
womma?z of f e foote of Adam f ffor sche schold nou^t be
holden to lowe ffor sche cannot paciently suffur f = Bot god
maad wommaw of f e ribbe of Adam . ffor womman scholde
be felawe vnto man f [929] II A man schold bere him to his
wif in feife in troufe & in louef as seife seint
Poulef fat aman schol loue his wiff As criste louef
holy chirche fat loued it so wele fat he dyed for itf
So schal aman for his wif If it were nede
[930] H Nowe howe fat a womman schold be soubiette
to her1 Husbonde fat tellef seint Peter1 f [. . . no gap
in the MS.] [931] And eke as seife fe decree . A womman
as longe as sche is a wyf sche hafe non
auctorite to swere ne to bere wittenesse wif outen leue of
here husbonde fat is hire lorde it scholde be so
by resonf [932] Sche scholde eke serue him in aH
LANSDOWNE 683 (6-T. 660)
SIX-TEXT 670
684 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
honeste & ben aterapre of here 1arayef I. wote wele
pat pei scholden sette hire entente to plese her hus-
bondes bot not by here qweyntise of araye f [933] IT Seint
lerom • seip f pat wyues pat bien appareled in silko
ne mowen nouht clopen hem in. ihesu
cristef [ no gap in the MS.]
[934] Seint gregori seijj eke pat no wight sekep
precious araye bot onely veinglorie to bo
honoured pe more to for pe peplef [935] IT It is a grcte
foly a -womman to haue a grete araye outewarde and
her1 self bue foule inwarde f [936] A wif scholde eke be
mesurable in lokeynge & in bereinge & in lawheingef
& discrete in al here wordes & here dedesf [937] and
abouen al werldly pinges sche scholde loue her housbonde
wip al her hertf & to him be trewe of hire bodyef
[938] So schold an husbond eke be trewe vnto his wif f
ffor sepine pat al pe body is pe hosbondesf so schold
her hertes bien f Or elles pere is be tuex hem tuo f as in
pat no parfit mariage [939] IF pan schal aman vnder-
stonde pat for pre pinges aman & his wif aman & his wif
mowen assembled IT pe first is in entente of engen-
drure of children to pe seruice of god f U For certes pat is
pe cause fynal of Matrymoynef [940] Anopere is to
jelde eueryche of hern to opere pe dette of his bodyef
ffor neypere of hem hap powere of his owen bodyef
The predde is to eschiew lichery & velanyef
IT pe ferpe forsope is dedly sinnef [941] IT As to pe
first it is meritorye f = pe secuwde also f ffor as seipe pe
decree. 1T pat chasip merite of chastite pat ^eldep to
her husbonde pe dette of hire bodyef 30 pouhe it be
a^eine hir lykeinge & pe lust of here herte f [942] IF pe
pred manere is veniale An trewly scarcely maye
any of pes bue with outen venial sinne for pe
corrupcion & for pe delitef [943] 1T pe ferpe
manere is for to vnderstonde f and if pe assemble onelye for
amerous loue & for none of pe forseide causes bot
LANSDOWNE 684 (6-T. 670) [' leaf 251
SIX-TEXT G71
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 685
for accomplice filke birneinge delitef fei rekken
neuer ho we often sof ely it is a dedely synne '. IT And 3itte w^th
sorwe som folke wiH peynen hem more fan
her appetite suffrif f
[944] IT J>e secunde Manere of chastief is to bo
aclene wydowe & to eschewe fenbraseinge of man f
& to desiren fenbrasinges of ihesu cristf [945] IT Thes
bien f o fat haue bue wyves f & haue for gone here hus-
bondes H And eke we?»men fat haue done lycherye & bien
releued by penance f {946] And certez if fat a wif
coufe keper al chaste be lycence of hire husbonde so
fat sche nere none occasion fat he a-gilte it
were to hire a grete meritef [947] IT Thes manere
of weramen fat obseruen chastite moste bue clene in herto
as wele as iw body f & in f ouht f & mesurable in clof einge
& in countenance f Absti?zent in etynge &
drinkeinge in spekeinge // & in dede f & fan is sche f o
vessel of fe boyste of fe blissed Magdalene fat
fulfillef holy chirche ful of good odoure f [948] II f e f reddo
maner chastite is virginitef IT And it be-houef fat sche
be holy in herte & clene of bodyf fan is scho
spouse to ihesu cristf IT And sche is fe lif of Angels f
[949] sche is f e preiseinge of f is werld f And sche is as
f es martires in Eegalite f Sche haf e in hire fat tunge may
not teHf [950] virginite bare cure lorde
ihesu crist & virgine was him self f
[951] 1T Anofere remede a3eines licherie is to
Avif draw suche finges fat ^euen occacion to filke
velany ' As ese . & eteynge & drinkeinge ' ffor certez whan .
]fe potte boylef strongelye fe best remedye is to wz't/i-
drawe f e fire f [9 5 2] Slepeinge lange in grete quiete is eke a grete
norische to licherye f
[953] ^ Anofere remedye ajeines lycherie is fat a
womman or a man eschiewe compaignye of hem be
wiche he doutef to be tempted f ffor albeit so fat fe
dede be wit/i-stande jite is fere grete temptacione f
LANSDOWNE 685 (6-T. 67l) L1 leaf 251, back]
SIX-TEXT 672
686 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[954] Sofely a white watt alfouhe it birne noulit
ffully be stykynge of a candel f jit is f e wal blakke of f e
leyte [955] ful oft timef IT .1. rede fat noman truste in
his owen perfeccione f bot he be st[r]onger fan Sampson .
Holiere fan Dauid . wiser fan Salomon
[956] 1T Nowe after fat .1. haue declared 30 we as .1. can
of f e vij. dedely sinnes and sume of here braunches &
her remedies f Sofe iff y. coufe .1. wolde tel 3owe fe
ten. cowmandementes f [957] Bot so hihe adottrine .1. lete to
devinesf Nafeles .1. hope to god fei bien touched in fis
tretise eueryche of hem aft
De .2a. part1 pemtencie
[958]
Ow for as muche as fe secunde parte of penitef
stant in confessiowu of moufef as .1. began in fe
chapetre f I. seye seint Austine seif e '.
[959] Sinne is euery worde & enery dede & al fat
men coueyten ajeines f e lawe of ihesu criste f and fis
for to sinne in herte in mouf e & in dede . be fine .v.
wittes fat bien siht hereinge smelinge tasteingo
or saueringe & feleinge. [960] IF Kowe is it goode to
vnderstond fe circumstance fat aggregen muchel euery
sinne [961] IT fou schalt consider what fou ert fat dost
f e sinne whef ere fou be male or female . ^onge or
olde. gentil or fratt. free or seruant hole or seke f
wedded or sengel . orderde or noujt wise or fool.
Clerke or seculerf [962] if sche be of fi kinred bodely
or gostely or nonef If any of fi kinred haue sinned1
wif hire or none f & mony moo f inges '.
[963] IT fe of ere cimmstance is fisf whefer it be
done in fornicacione or none f Or in aduoutre f or inceste or
none f Mayden or none f In manere of homicide or none
orrible grete sinne or smal. An howe longe fou
continued in sinne = [964] fe fred circu7wstance is
f e place where fou haste done sinne f Whef ere in of ere
LANSDOWNE 686 (6-T. 672)
SIX-TEXT 673
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 687
inennes hous or in fine owen In feldo or in cherche or in
chirche hawe In chirche dedicate or nonef
[965] For if f e cherche were halowed and man or womman
spilled his kinde in wif fat place be waye of sinne or bo
wykked temptacione fe chirche were enterditedf til it
were reconsiled be fe Bischopf [966] And fe pn'ste
scholde be enterdited fat dide suche a velanye to terme of al his
lif f he scholde no more singe masse ' & if he dide he schold do
dedely sinne f att euery time at euery time att he sange masse f
[967] If fe ferfe circumstance is be whiche mediat-
ors as be messangeres or for enticement or for enticement or for
consentment to bere compaigne wij> felawschipef ffor
mony a wrecche for to bere compaigny wil go to fo
deuel of heH [968] IT For pel fat eggen or con-
senten to fe sinne bien partiners of fe sinne &
of f e dampnacioii of f e sinner
[969] IT fe .v. isf howe monye times
fat he haf sinned f & it be in his myndef & howe oft
fat he hafe faHf [970] ffor he fat oft fallef in sinno
dispicef fe mercie of godf And encresef his sinne
& is vnkinde to godf & he wexef fe more feble
to wifstonde sinne f and sinnef fe more lyhtlyer
[971] xand fe latter ariseff and is fe more eschewe
to schriven him & namely to him fat hafe bue his Con-
fessoMrf// [972] ffor whiche fat folke when fei faH a^eine
in here olde folyes oft fei for-leten here confesso^t>•s
al vtterlye or elles fei departen her scrift in diuers
place f Bot sof ely suche departed schrift deseuef no
mercy of god of his sinnesf [973] IT fe vje. Circum-
stance is f is '. whi fat a man sinnef as be whiche temptacion f
And if him self procure filk tcj^ptacione or be ex-
citinge of ofere folke or if fou sinne wif a wommaw be
force or be hir owen assent [974] or if fe womman
mawgre hire hede hafe bue enforced or none ]>is
schal 30 teHf ffor couetise or for pouertef &
if it was here procureinge or none & suche manere
LANSDOWNE 687 (6-T. C73) ['leaf 252]
SIX-TEXT 674
688 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
harneys [975] ^T fe .vij. circumstance is in what
manere lie liaj) done his sinne or none or howe fat he hajj
suffryd howe folke han don to hire f [976] of f e same schal
fe man tel pleynely al circumstance & where
he haf sinned f witJi commune bordel wymmen or none
[977] or done his sinne in holy times or nonef in fast-
inge times or none or be-forne his schrift or aftere his latter
schrift [978] & hafe par aduenture broken fere-fore his
penance enioyned. by whos & whos consel. by
sorcery or craft f al must be tolde [979] fes
finges after fat fei bien grete & smale Engregen fe
conscience of manf & eke fe freste fat is
fi luge may fe better bue avised of his lugement in
^eueinge of fine penawncef And fat is after fine contricionef
[980] IT For vnderstandef wele fat after f e time fat aman
haf e defouled his Baptime by sinne if he wil comme to
saluacionf fere is none of ere weye bot be penytence
& schrift & satisfactione . [981] And namely by fo tuof
if f<?re be a confessowr to whiche he may schriue him
IT And f e f red if he haue lif to performe it f
[982] fan schal man loke & consider if he
wil make a trewe & profitable confessione fere
moste bue foure co?zdiciones f = [983] Firste it must be in
sorwful bitternesse of hert IT As seif e f e kinge ezechiel f = To
god .1. wil remembre me al 30 ^eres of my lif in
bitternesse of myne herte f [984] IT f is condiciown of bitter-
nesse hafe .v. signesf fe first is fat confession most
be schamefaste not for to kouerne ne to hiden his sinne f =
bot for he haf a-gilte his god & defouled his soulof
[985] And here of seif seinte Austinef IT The hert
travailef for schame of his sinne f & for he hafe grete
schamfastnes he is digne to haue grete mercyef
[986] whiche was fe confession of fe puplicane fat
wolde not heue vp his ey^en to heuenf ffor he hadde
offended god of heueuf ffor whiche schamfastnesse he
had anone fe mercy of god [987] IT And fmtfore seif
LANSDOWNE 688 (6-T. 674)
SIX-TEXT G75
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 689
seint Austine . pat suche schamefast folke bien next
for-^euenesse & remission [988] IT pat opere signe is
humilite of confessione f of whiche seipe seint Petre.
Vmblep $ow vnder pe miht of of god f 1T pe honde of god
is myhti in confession '. For pereby god fofrj^euej? pe
sinnesf for he alon hap J>e poweref [989] & pis
humylite schal be in herte & in signe outewarde f For
riht as he hap humylite to god in his herte. Biht so
schold he humblen his body outwarde to pe preste pat sittep
in Jgoddes place f [990] for whiche in no maner sepen pat
crist is souereignef & pe preste mene & mediator be
tuex criste & pe sinner f And pe sinner is pe last
bo weie of resownf [991] pan scholde not pe sinner sitte
also hihe as his confessow bot knele be-forne him or att
his fete bot if malady distourbe it f for he schal not take
kepe who sittep pere bot in wos place pat he sittep f
[992] IT A man pat hap trespassed to alorde & commepe to
axe mercye f & maken his accorde & sitte him doune anone
by pe lorde f men wolde holde him outrageous & nouht
worpi so sone to haue remissione ne mercye f [993] IT pe
.iij. signe is pat pi schrift scholde be ful of teres if
man may wepe f And if man maie not wepe wip his bodely ey^en
lat him wepe in his herte f [994] Suche was pe confessione
of seinte Peter '. ffor after pat he hadde for saake ihesu criste
he went oute & weppet ful bitterly f [995] IT pef iiij.
signe is pat he let not for his schame to schewe
his confessione . [996] Suche was pe confession of fe
Magdaleyn for sche spared for no schame of hem pat weren
att pe fest for to go to oure lorde ihesu criste f & be-knowe
to him hire sinne [997] IT pe .v.te signe pat aman
or womman be obeisant to receyue pe penance pat
is him enioynede f H For certes ihesu criste for
pe giltes of o man was obediente to pe depe
[998] IF pe secunde condicion of verreye confessi[on]
is pat it be hastily donef For certes if aman had a
dedly wounde euer pe langer pat he tariep to warische
LA.NSDOWNE G89 (G-T. G7o) C1 leaf 252, back]
SIX-TEXT 676
690 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
him self? fe more wolde it corruptef and haste him to
his defe & eke fe wounde wolde be fe wers for to
helef// [999] And riht so faref sinne fat longe
time is in a man vnschewdef [1000] Certes aman onht
hastely to schewe his sinne for mony cause as for drede
of defe pat coramef oft sodanly f & is in no certeine what
time it schal be ne in no place f and eke fe drecchinge
of o swne drawef ine anofere [1001] & eke J>e longer
fat he tarief fe f erf ere is he fro cristef & if he abide
vnto his last daye skarsly may he schriue him or"
amend him for his sinnes or repent him for fe
greuous malady of his defe f [1002] IT And for as muche as
he haf nouhte in his lif herkened ihesu criste whan he
haf e spoken vn to himfhe schal crienvnto o ure lorde ihesu criste
att his last dayef And scarsely wil he herken him [1003]
IT Vnder stonde fat f is condicione most haue foure f inges f
J>i schrift moste bien pwrveide be-forne & avisedf =
for wykked haste dofe no prophete & fat aman con
schriue him . of his sinnes be it of pride eyf ere of envie f An
so forf e wif fe spices & f e circumstaunces f [1004] And fat
he haue comprehended \n his mynde fe nombre & fe
gretnesse of his sinnes f & howe longe fat he haf leyne
in sinne [1005] & eke fat he bue contrite of his sinnes f
And in stedfast p?wpos by f e grace of god neuere efte to
fal a-^eine in sinne f And eke fat he drede & contrewaite
him self fat he flie fe occasione of sinne to whiche he
is enclined. [1006] IT Also fat fou schal schriue fe of al
fi sinnes to omanf & nouht parcel mele to oman &
parcel mele to a nof ere man f fat is to vnderstonde in entent
to parten fine confessione as for schame or drede f for it
is bot xbot stranglinge of fine soule IT [1007] For certes ihesu
criste is al goodef In him is none imperfeccione f &
ferfore euer he for^euef perfytlye or elles neuer a
dele. [1008] IT I saye note if fou be assigned to fe
penitancere of certeyne sinne fat fou ert bounden to
schew him al fe remenant of f1 sinnes of whiche
LANSDOWNE 690 (6-T. 676) p leaf 253]
SIX-TEXT G77
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. GDI
fou hast bue schreuen att fi Curate f bot if it like fe
of fine humylite IT fis is no depar[t]inge of schreftf =
[1009] ne .1. saye not fere as .1. speke of diuision of confes-
sions if fat fou haue lycence for to schriue f e to a discrete
& an honeste presto f & where f e likef e // & be f e licence
eke of fine curate fat fou ne maiste wel schriue fe
of al fi si-nnes [1010] bot late no blot bue by-hinde f
lete no sinne vntolde as fer as fou haste remem-
brance f [ion] IT And whan fou schalte bu schriuen of f1
Curate . Tel him eke of al f e sinnes fat f ou hast done f
sef f e f ou were last y-schryuen f as f is is f e wikked entent of
deuysion of schrift
[1012] IT Also fe verrey schrift axef certeyne con-
diciones .= First fat f ou schriue f e be f i fre wyl
nouht constreyned ne for schame of folke ne for malady
or suche f inges f IT For it is reson fat he fat trespas
be his fre wiH [. . . . no gap in the MS.] confesse his
trespacef [1013] None of ere man schatel his sinne
bot he him self f ne schal nojt nay it or denye his sinne f
ne wref f e hime a^eines f e preste for his amonyscheynge
to lete sinne [1014] IT fe condicion is fat fi
schrift be lawful f fat is to sey fou fat schrynef
fef & eke fe preste fat heref f1 confession bien
verrei in fe fayfe of holy cherche [1015] IT And fat
aman be nouht despeirede of f e mercie of ihesu criste f as
Kayme or ludas [1016] 1T And eke aman most accuse
him of his owen trespas f & nouht a noferef bot he
schal blame & wyten him self of his owew malice of his
sinne & none of ere [1017] Bot nafeles if
anof ere man bue encheson or entysef of his sinnes f Or fat if
fe state of a persone bu suche foruhe whiche his sinne is
agregede or elles fat he may not pleynely schriuen him
bot he tel fe persone whiche he hafe sinned wif
fen maye he tel it [1018] so fat is entent ne bo not
to bakbite fe person f bot onely to declare his con-
fession f
LANSDOWNE 691 (O-T. C77)
SIX-TEXT 678
692 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
[1019] pou schalt not eke make no lesinge in
pi confessione f fibr humilite peraduentwre to seie
fat pou hast done sinnes of whiche pou were
neuer gilte [1020] IT For seinte seipef If
pou because of humylite makest Tesinge
of pi self pouhe pou ne were nou3t in sinne a forne
jit ert J>ou fan in sinne poruhe pi lessinges [1021]
IT fou muste eke schewe pi sinne "by J>i p?-0pre
moupe bot pou be wax dommef & nouht be no
letter f ffor pou pat hast don sinne pou schalt haue
pe same confesse [1022] IT pou schalt nou^t eke
peynte pi confession be faire & subtile wordes to keuer
pe more pi sinne f ffor pan begiles pou pi self &
not pe pristef pou most tel it platlye be it
neuere so foule ne so orriblef [1023] pou schalt
schriue pe eke to a pn'ste pat is discrete to counseil pa f &
eke pou schalt nouht schriue pe for veyne glorye ne for
ypocrisye ne for no cause bott onely for pe doute of
ihesu cristef & pe hele of pi soulef [1024] IT pou
schalt not eke rinne to pe pmte al sodenly to tel him
pine sinne as who so tellep a lape or a tale i bo
avysyly & wipe grete deuocyonf [1025] & generaly
schriue pe ofte . xif often fatt of arise be
confessione f [1026] & if pou schriue pe ofter
pan ones of sinne of whiche pou haste hue schryuen it is
pe more merite & as seipe seint Austine • pou
schalte haue pe more lyhtly relesinge & pe grace of god
bope of sinne & of peynef [1027] An certcs ones a
^ere att pe lest weye it is lawful for to bue houselde '. for
sopely ones al pinges renouellen f
De Satisfacci'ono
[1028]
NOw haue .1. tolde of verrey confession pat is po
secunde parte of penitence f
LANSDOWNE 692 (6-T. 678) [i leaf 253, back]
SIX-TEXT 679
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 693
[1029] IT pe predde partc of penitence is satisfaccione f &
pat stant generaly in almes & in
bodely peynef [1030] No we bien pere. prey
manere of almes f contn'cion of hert pat a man
opewnep him self to godf Anoperef is to haue pete of
pe defaute of his neyhbowrsf 1T pe pred is in
^eueinge good counsel & cowf ort gostly & bodelye where men
haue nedef & namely in sustinance of mannes foodef
[1031] & take kepe pat a man hape nede of pes
pinges gene?*alyf he hape nede of foode of
clopinge of herboruhe '. he hape nede of charitable
conselywg & avisetinge in prison f & maladyef &
sepulture of his dede bodyef [1032] & if pou maiste not
viset pe nedefoH wip pi persone f viset him wip
messages & pi 3eftesf// [1033] pes bien pe general
almes & werkes of charite of hem pat hap Temperel
riches or discrecion in counselinge f 1T Of pes werkes
schalt pou here of pe daie of dome f
[1034] pes almos schal pou done of pine owen
propre pinges f And hastcly & priuely if pou maiste
[1035] 11 Bot napeles if pou maye nouht done hit priuelye
pou schalt nouht for here to done almos nere adel pouhe men
it see f So pat it be nouht ydo for pe ponke of pe werlde f bot
onely to haue pe ponke of oure lorde ihesu cristIF [io36]Foras
wittenesse seint Mathewe .5. A Cite maie not hue hidde
pat is on a mowntan sette '. Ne men lyhten not a lanterne '. &
put it vncler a buschett f bot men settep it on a candcl-
stik to lyhten pe men in pe house f [1037] Biht
so schal 3oure liht aforne men pat pei maio
scene ^oure good werkes i and glorifien 3oure fader pat is in
heuen
[1038] IT K"owe as to speke of bodely peine it stant \n
preyer. in wakeinges in fastinge & in vertuus
LANSDOWNE 693 (6-T. 679)
SIX-TEXT 680
694 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. lansdowne MS.
techeinge of orisons [1039] IT $e schol vnder stonde
fat orisons or preyers is for to seye a pytous wil of
hert fat redressej) in god & expressef be worde
outewarde to remowe harmesf & to haue finges
espirituel & durable f & somtyme tewperal finges
of whiche orisones f certez in J>e orsones of f e pater noster
hafe ihesu criste enclosed most finges f [1040] Certes
it is,pmieleged of frey finges in bis dignite For whiche
it is more digne fan any of ere preyeref ffor fat ihesu
crist him self maked it f [1041] & it is scborte for it scholde
be konde more lihtlye & for to wife-holde it
more esily in hertef & belpen hem self foffter* wif
f orison f [1042] And for aman schold be fe lasse were
to sey it f And for a man may nouht excusen him to leren
it for it is so schort & so Esye & for it comprehendif in it
selfe al goode preyersf [1043] IT fe exposiciown of fis
holy preyer fat is so excellent & digne .1. be-take to
fes Maystres of Theologie saue fus muche wil .1. seynef
fat whan fou preyest. 1fat god schold for ^euen fe fi
giltes as fou for^euest ham2 fat agilten fe be ful
wilf war fat fou be not oute of charitef [1044] ^T fis
holy orison amenusef eke venyal sinne f And f e?*efor
it appertenef specialy to penytence f P MS. h«m]
[1045] ^ J>is preyer most bu trewly seide in
verray faife & fat men prey to god ordinatelyf dis-
cretely & deuoutely f 1T Alweye aman schal put his wille
to be subiecte to fe wil of godf [1046] IT fis orison
most eke be seide vritJi grete humblesse & pure
honestly . & nouht to anoyance of any man f or womman .
IT It moste eke be continued wft/i f e werkes of charite f =
[1047] It avaylef eke a^eynes f e vices of f e soule f 1T For as
seife seint leromi Be fastinge bien saued fe vices of
flesche f & be preiers f e vices of soule f
[1048] After fis fou schalt vnderstand fat
bodely peyne stant in wakeynge f IT For ihesu criste seife f
wakef & prayef fat 30 ne enter in wikked
LANSDOWNE 694 (6-T. 680) P leaf 254]
SIX-TEXT 681
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 695
temptacione. [1049] 3e scholn vnder stand fat ffast-
inge stant in fre f inges f = In for beringe of bodely mete
& drinke f & in for beringe of worldly lolytees '. & in for-
beringe of dedely sinnef fis is to seye fat aman schal
kepe him fro dedely sinne f wif al his myht f
[1050] IT And fou schalt vnderstand eke fat god
ordeyned fastingesf And to fastinges appartenen .iiij.
f inges f [1051] largenesse to pouer folkef Gladnesse of
hert espirituel : nought to be angred ne to be anoyed f ne
to grocche for he fastef '. and also att resonable owre for to
ete be mesure f fat is to saye fat aman schold nouht eten in
vntyme ne sitte fe langer att his table for he
fastef f
[1052] IT fan schalt fou vnderstand fat bodely
peyne stant in discipline or techeinge be worde or be
writeinge f or by ensample f Also in wereinge of h eyres eyf ere
of Stamyne f eyf [er]e of haberione on here naked flessho for
cristesake &suchemanere penawncesf [1053] Bot ware f ewele
fat suohe manere penawnces make noujt fine herte
bitter or angry anoyed of fine self U For better is to kast
awaie fine heire fan for to cast awey f e swettnes of oure
lordef ihesu criste [1054] U And ferefore seif e seinte poulef
Clofe jowe as fei fat bien chosen of god in hert of
mysericorde debonarte f suffrance . And suche maner of
clofingef of whiche ihesu criste is more appaied fan of
heyre or of Aberion f
-[1055] U fan is discipline eke in knokynge on
f1 brestef in scouregeinge -with 3erdes in knelyinge in
tribulacions f [1056] In suffringe paciently wronges fat
bien done to him f & eke in pacient suffrance of Maledies
or lesinge of werldly Catel f or wyf or childe or
of ere frendes f
[1057] U fan schal fou vnderstande wiche finge
distourben penancef & fis is in fre maners fat is
drede schame hope f & wanhope f fat is desperacione f
[1058] And for to speken firste of drede f for whiche ho
LANSDOWNE 695 (6-T. 68l)
SIX-TEXT G82
GOG GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
wenef fat he may suffur no penawnce [1059] fero
a^eines is reinedye for to finke fat bodely penawnce is
bot schort & lytel att f e regard of f e peyne of heH fat
is cruel & so longe fat it lastef wif outen ende f
[1060] U Now a^eines fe schame fat aman hafe to
schryuen him '. [
no gap in
the MJS."] [1061] Ajeines fe schame schal a man finke fat
by f e waye of resozm fat he fat hafe nouht bue aschamed to
do foule fingesf Certes him ouhto not xbue aschamed to
do faire finges & goode f inges '. & fat is confessions f [1062]
Aman schold finke fat god sefe & wote al his
fouhtes & his werkesf to him maie nofinge bu
hudde ne couerdef [1063] Men scholde eke remembre
hem of f e schame fat is to come att f e daie of dome to
hem fat biene nou^t penitence & lif in present
lif f [1064] U For al fe creatures in heuen in erfe & in heH
scholne seen apertely al fat hiden in f is werlde f
[1065] Nowe for to speke of fe hope of hem fat
bien so neclygent & slowe to schriuen ham it stant in
tuo rnanersf [1066] fat on isf fat he hopef to leue
longe f & for to purchase muchel riches for his delite
& fan he wil schriue htme as he seifel
he maie as him semef timely ynouhe comme to schrifte f
[1067] 11 Anofe/e is of fe surquydrye fat he hafe in hafe in
cristes mercyef [1068] And a3eines fe first he schal finke
fat oure lif is in no sekernessef & eke fat al fe
reches in fe werlde bien in aduenture & passinge as a
schadowe on a wal [1069] U And as seif e seinte Gregorie '
fat it appartenef to fe grete rihtwisnesse of godf fat
neuere schal fe peine stinte of hem fat neuere
wolde wit/idrawe hem fro sinne here fankes bot
euer continue in sinne f II For f ilke perpetuele wil to do
sinne scholne f ei haue perpetuel peyne f
[1070] U Whanhope is in tuo maners U fe first whan-
hope is in fe mercye of cristef fat of ere is fat fei
LANSDOWNE 696 (6-T. 682) C1 leaf 254, back]
SIX-TEXT 683
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. CD7
penke pat pei myht noulit longe pe?-seuerne in good-
nessef [1071] U pe first wanhope coramep of pat he
demep pat he hap sinned so gretely f so ofte & so
longe lyggen in sinne pat he schal nouht be sauedef
[1072] U Certej a3eines pat cursed wanhope he schold
pinke pat pe passion of ihesu criste is more stronge for
to vnbyndef pan sinne is for to bindef
[1073] U And a^eines pe secunde wanhope f he schal pinke
pat as oft as he fallepe he schal arisen be penitence f
And pouhe he neuer so longe haue lyen in sinne f fo
mercye of criste is alwey redy to receyuen him to mercye '.
[1074] U A^eynes pe wanhope pat he demep pat he
schold nouht longe perseuere in goodnes '. He schal pinke
pat pe febelne of pe deuel may nopinge done but
men wilsuffrenhimf [1075] U And ekeheschal hauestreynkep
of god & of al holy chirche & of pe
proteccions of Angels if him luste f
[1076] IT pan schol men vndirstande what is pc
f ruyte of • pena?mce as after pe worde of ihesu criste f It is
pe En deles blisse of heuen [1077] pere loye hape none
contrariouste of woo ne greuawce pere aH harmes bien
passed of pis present lif f = pere as is pe sekernesse fro
pe peyne of heH f = pere as pe blisful compaignie pat
rcioy sen hern euermoref Eueryche of operes loyef [1078] pere
us pe body of man pat whilom was foule & derkef is
more clere pan is pe sowne H pe7-e as whilom pe body
was seeke & frele f & mortale is vnmortale f &
so strange & so holef pat pere mayo no pinge empeyrc
itf [1079] pere as neypere is hunger purst ne coldei
Dot euery soule replenyschep with pe siht of pe perfiti
knoweynge of god. [1080] U pis blisfuH Eegne may man
pMrchace be pouerte espiritueH & pe glorie be lowe-
nessef pe plentee of loye be hunger1 & perstef & pe
reste be trauayle f & pe lyf be dep f & mortificacioue of
sinne f
48 LANSDOWNE 697 (6-T. 683)
SIX-TEXT 684
698 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
To filke lif he vs bringe fat boulit vs wif his precious
blode AmeN /
Explicit Fabula . Rectoris
Composito huius libri hie capit licenciam . suam .
[1081]
NOw preye .1. to hem aft fat herken f is litel tretis
or rede i fat if fere bue any f inge in it fat likef
hemf fat fere of fei fonken oure lorde ihesu
criste of whome procedef al wite & al goodenesse.
[1082] U And if fere be any finge fat displesen hem .1.
preye hem also fat fei arette it to fe defaute of myne
vnkonynge : & n[ot] to my wiH . fat wolde fulfeyne
haue seide better, if .1. hadd konyngef [1083] For oure
booke seyfe al fat is wreten is writen for oure
doctrine & fat is myne entent [1084] H Whare for .1.
be seke :$owe mekely att f e mercye of god f fat 30 praye for
me / fat criste haue mercie on mef & for^eue me my
gultesf [1085] And namely of my translaciones & endite-
ynges of werldly vanytees IT f e whiche .1. reuoke in my re-
tractions [1086] U As is / f e booke of Troyles f H The booke
also of fame fe booke of xv ladyes U fe
booke of f e Duchesse - f e booke of seint valentynes
day & of f e parlement of birdes U f e tales of Cantur-
bury filke fat sounew in to sinne [1087] U fe booke
of f e lyon i And moni anof ere booke if* fei were in myne
remewbrauuce & mony a songel & mony a lycherous
laye '. fat Criste for his grete Mercy forjeue me f e sinne
[1088] U Botof fe translacioune of Boyce de Consolacione •
U And ofe?-e bokes of legendis of seintis f And omelyes
& moralytef & deuocionsi [1089] fat fonke .1. ouro
lorde iesu criste & his blissed moder & al fe
seintes of heuenf [1090] besecheinge hem H fat fei from
hennes forfe vnto my lyues ende sende me grace to
beweyle my giltesf & to stody to saluacione of my
soulef And g?-aunt me grace of verrei penance con-
LAN SDOWNE 698 (6-T. 684)
SIX-TEXT 685
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 699
fessione & satisfaccioiw to done in pis present lif.
[1091] Jjoruhe pe benigne grace of him fat is kinge of
kynges. & priste of aH pn'stesf pat bouht vs
\vip pe precious blode of his herte [1092] so pat .1. may
bio one of hem att J>e daye of dome pat schal be saued .
to receyue pe blisse pat euere schal last wipouteu ende.
Amen.
Explicit
LANSDOWNE 699 (tt-T. 685)
SIX-TEXT 301
GROUP B. § 15. NUN'S PRIEST'S END-LINK. Chr. Ch., for Lansd.
APPENDIX (to Group B, p. 589).
[Christ Church MS. 152.] ^
U Sire Nonncs precst oure hoost seyde a none
y-blessed be thy breth & euery stoone
This was a mery tale of Chaunteclere
But be ray trouthe if thon were seculere
Thow woldeste bene a tredefoul a right
ffor if thow haue corage as thou haste myght
The were nede of hennes as I wene
Ye moo than .vij. tymes seven tene
See whiche braunnes hath this gentel procsto
So grete a nekke & so large a breeste
He loketh as a Sparhauke with his yen
Hym nedeth nat his colour for to dyen [leaf 174 sign. u. sj
with Brasile ne with Greyne of Portyngale /
Now sire faire falle yow for youre tale
And aftir he with futt mery chere
Saide vnto a nother as ye shulle here
Here is ended the Nonnes prestes tale
And folowitii the prologe of the Maunciples tale
ciniisTCHUiicH (for Lansdownc 700) (6-T. 301)
701
LANSDOWNE MS. APPENDIX
OF SECTIONS, WOODCUTS, ETC., NOT IN THE
LANSDOWNE MS.
PAGE
1. End of the Merchants Tale, Group E, § 4,
1. 2319—2418, from the Harleian MS. 1758,
with 8 spurious lines after 1. 2353 (p. 3*),
2 spurious lines after 1. 2366, and 4 after
1. 2376. (See p. 473 S-T, p. 350* above) ... l*-3*
2. The Merchant's End-Link, Group E, § 5, p. 476
Six-Text, from the Additional MS. 5140, in
the British Museum. ('Twould have followd
p. 475 S-T. (or 3*) above, had it been in the
Lansd. MS.) ... 4*
3. The Clerk-Merchant Link, Group E, § 3, p. 442
Six-Text, from Royal MS. 17 D xv, in the
British Museum. It would have followd p.
320 Lans. above, had it been in the Lansd. MS. 5*
4. The Squire's Head-Link, Group F, § 1, p. 478
Six-Text, from the Additional MS. 5140, in
the British Museum. It would have come
next before p. 194 above, instead of the
Man-of-Law — Shipman Link, p. 193, had it
been in the Lansd. MS. and the Tales in right
order ... ... ... ... ... ... 6*
5. The Squire-Franklin Link, Group F, § 3, p. 498-9
Six-Text, from the Addit. MS. 5140 Brit.
Mus. 'Twould have followd p. 212 above —
see the spurious Links, or ending and heading,
there and on p. 213 — had it been in the MS.
and the Tales been rightly arrangd ... ... 7*-8*
6. Drawings of the 23 Tellers of the 24 Canterbury
Tales, copied from the Ellesmere MS.,1 and
cut on wood by Mr Hooper.
7. Drawings of 6 Tellers of 6 Canterbury Tales,— the
Eeeve, Cook, Monk, Pardoner, Wife of Bath,
and Manciple — and 6 Allegorical Figures —
Wrath and Mercy, Gluttony and Abstinence,
Lechery and Chastity, — from the Cambridge 5 v
University MS., Gg. 4. 27, cut by Mr Hooper.
1 The Ellesmere cuts can be arrangd either in their order in the
Ellesmere MS., or in the Six-Text order of the Tales. In the latter
they '11 be easier to find. See these two orders on p. 702.
702
Six- Text Order of Tales.
Ellesmere MS. Order.
Group
Group
1. Knight 1
1. Knight"
2. Miller 1
2. Miller
3. Reeve ["'
A
3. Reeve f
. A
4. Cook J
4. Cook ,
5. Man of Law
5. Man of Law ...
. Bi
6. Shipman
6. Wife of Bath •>
7. Prioress
7. Friar \
.D
8. Chaucer
8. Sum'ner J
9. Monk
9. Clerk 1
10. Nun's Priest -
10. Merchant/ '" '
. E
11. Doctor \
12. Pardoner/
C
11. Squire "i
12. Franklin /
. F
13. Wife of Bath i
13. Doctor |
14. Friar
...D
14. Pardoner /
. C
15. Sum'ner
J
15. Shipman ~j
16. Clerk 1
16. Prioress
17. Merchant/
_ _ _
17. Chaucer > ... .
.£2
18. Squire ~\
18. Monk
19. Franklin /
19. Nun's Priest J
20. Second Nun "1 ~
21. Canon's Yeoman /'"
20. Second Nun |
21. Canon's Yeoman ; '
.. a
22. Manciple
H
22. Manciple
. H
23. Parson ...
I
23. Parson
. i
SIX-TEXT 473
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. lansdowne MS. 1*
1.
[fforsothe I woH no lengir/ you coiitrarie . [Hari. 1758, if 87, bk]
Now late vs turne a-geyne to lanuarye . 2320
That in this gardyn with this faire Maye .
Syngeth fuH merier/ than the Popyniaye .
You loue I best/ and schaH and other/ non .
So longe a-boute the aleis is he gon . 2324
TiH he was come ageyns thilke pirye .
Wher/ as this Damyan sitteth fuH merye .
On high among the fresche leues grene .
This fresche May that is so bright and schene. 2328
Gan for to sike and seide alias my side .
Now sir/ quod sche for ought that may he-tide .
I moste haue of the peris that I se .
Or I mote dye so sore longeth me . 2332
To etyn of the smale peris grene .
Help for hir/ loue that is of heuene queue .
I teH you wett a woman in my plight .
May haxie to fruyt/ so gret an appetight 2336
That sche may dyen but/ sche it haue .
Alias quod he that I ne had here a knaue .
That couthe clymbe alias alias qiiod he .
ftbr I ain blynde ye sir/ no fors quod sche . 23-10
But wolde ye vouche saf/ for goddis sake .
The piry in with your/ armes take .
tfor weH I wot that ye mestruste me . [>«/88]
Than schulde I clymbe well y-nowj quod sche. 2344
So I my foot myght set/ vpon your/ bak .
fforsothe seide he in me schatt be no lak .
Might I you helpe with myn herte blood .
He stoupith doun and on his bak sche stood . 2348
And caught hir/ bi a twiste and vp sche goth .
Ladies I pray you that ye be not wroth .
I can not glose I am a rude man .
And sodenly a-non this Damyan . 2352
LANSDOWNE i* (6-T. 473) [this page, Harl. 1758]
b
474 SIX-TEXT
•2* GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS.
Gan pullen vp the smok/ and yn he throng/.1 [:
And whan that Pluto saugh this gret wrong* . ££**„'
To lanuarye he yaf his sight a-gayne .
[And made hym seen as wel as euere he myghte
And whan he thus had cagh" t his sigfrte agayn]
Ne was ther/ neuyr/ man of thyng1 so fayne .
But on his wife Ms thought was euyr/ mo .
Vp to the tre he kestt his yjen two . 2360
And sigh that Damyan his wife had dressed .
In whiche maner/ it may not ben expressed .
But if I wolde speke vncurteisly .
And vp he yaf a roryng/ and a cry . 2364
As doth the modir/ when the childe schaH dye. ^^
Out help ailas harrow he gun crye . 2 Jjj
0 strong/ lady stoure what dost thou . » •£•
And sche answerith sir/ what eileth you . 2368 3 • f jf
Haue paciens and reson in your/ mynde . «| j> $ a
1 haue you holpen on bothe your/ yaen blynde . fc g£^ §•
^>~» »«— J3
Vp peril! of my soule I schaH; not lyen . « § §««
As me was taught to hele with your yjen. 2372 ^^'g^l
Was no thyng/ bet/ for to make you se . -|| gS ^
Than strougle with a man vp on a tre .
God woot1 1 dide it in fuH good entente . t/s 8 I « jj
Strogle quod he ye algate yn it wente .3 2376 ;<££•<
God yeue you bothe on schames deth to dien .
He swyued the I saugh it with myn yen .
And ellis be I hangid bi the hals .
Than is quod sche the medicyn fals ./ 2380
ffor certeynly if that ye myghtyn se .
Ye wolde not say tho wordis . vn-to me .
Ye han som glymsyng/ and no perfit/ sight .
I se quod he as weH as euyr/ I myght/ . 2384
Thanked be god with bothe myn y}en two .
And be my trouthe me thought/ he dide the so .
Ye mase mase good sir / quod sche .
this thank / haue I for I haue made you se . 2388
LANSDOWNE 2* (6-T. 474) [this page, Harl. 1758]
SIX-TEXT 475
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Lansdowne MS. 3*
Alias quod sche that euyr/ I was so kynde . [Hari. 1758]
Now dame quod he let aH passe out/ of mynde .
Come douw my leef/ and if I haue myssaide .
God helpe me so as I am euyH apaide . iiea/ss, back'} 2392
But be my fadir/ soule I wende haue seyne .
How that this Damyan had bi the leyne .
And that thi smok/ had leyne vp on thi brest .
Ye sir/ quod sche ye may wene as you lest . 2396
But sir/ a man that waketh out/ of his slepe .
He may not sodenly weH take kepe .
Vp on a thyng/ ne seen it parfitly .
TiH that he be a dawe verraily . 2400
Eight so a man that long/ hath blynde be
Ne may not sodenly so well se .
ffirst whan the sight is newe comen a-geyne .
As he that hath a day or two seyne . 2404
Till that your/ sight stablid be a while
Ther/ may fuH many a sight/ you be-gile .
Beth ware I pray you for bi heuen kyng*
ffuH many a man weneth for to se a thyng . 2408
And it/ is aH another/ than it semeth .
He that mys conceyueth mys denieth .
And with that word sche leep doun fro the tre .
This January e who is glad but he . 2412
He kisseth hir/ and clippeth hir/ futt ofte .
And on hir/ wombe he strokith hir/ fuH softe.
And to his paleis hoom he hath hir/ lad .
Now good men I pray you to be glad . 2416
Thus endith here my tale of lanuarye .
God blisse vs and his modir/ seynt Marye. AmeN./ 2418
Here endith the Marchauntis Tale .] [Hari. nw extract 6»d*]
, IT A gret tente he Brest1 yn and a long1 .
I Sche seide it was be meriest' flf .
0 . , • „„ That1 euyr1 in fair1 lyue sche was atf yit1 .
8 spnrious lines I Mi lordjs tente sche sejde seruej, me not, uus>
in Hari. /K* 1758, ^ Re foldith twifolde bi swete lhesus .
after I. ^5J. He maie not, 8wyue worth a leke .
And yet1 he is/ fulle1 gentille1 and fulle1 meke.
*• This/ is leuyr1 to me than Euensong1 .
LANSDOWNE 3* (6-T. 475) [this page, Hari. 1763]
476 SIX-TEXT
4* GROUP E. § 5. MERCHANT'S END-LINK. Lansdowne MS,
2.
[Brit. Mm. Addit. MS. 5140, on leaf 169.]
[ET Incipit prologus Armigeri
Ey . goddis Mercy / said our oste tho .
Nowe suche a wyf / y pray god kepe me fro 2420
loo suche sleyhtis / and sotiltees
In wommew bene / for ay as besy as bees
Ben they / vs secly men to disceyve
And from the soth / evir wol they weyve 2424
By this Marchauntz's tale / it preveth \veeH
But doutles / as true as any steel
I haue a wyf / though" . she pore be
But of hir tong / a labbyng shrewe is she 2428
And yit she hath / an heepe of vices mo
Therof no fors / lat alle such thing/5 go .
But wot ye what / in counsail be it said
Me reweth score / that y am to hir teyde 2432
ffor and y shulde rekne / euery vice
Which that she hath / y-wys y were nyce
And cause why / it sholde reported be
And tolde to hir / of som of this menie ' [i p MS meuce]
Of horn it nedith nat / for to declare ['««/ 169, sot*]
Syn wommen / can vttir suche chaffare
And eek my wyt / suffiseth nat therto
To teUyn aH / wherfor my tale is do] 2440
LANSDOWNE 4* (6-T 476) [this page, Addit, 5140]
SIX-TEXT 442
GROUP E. § 3. CLERK-MERCHANT LINK. Lansdowne MS. 5*
3.
[MS. Reg. 17 D 15, leaf 106.]
[Wepenge waylenge Care & other sorrowe
I knowe ynougfie bofe on evene & eke on morowe
Quod! the Marchaunte And So do other Moo
That weddede bene I trowe fat ittf bene so 1216
For wele I wotte ittt Faref e so by Me
I haue A wyfe J>e worste fat maye be
For f ougfie the Fende to her couplede were
Sche wolde hym ouermacche I dare well swere 1220
Whatt1 schulde I you reherce inespeciaHe
Her heygfre Malyce Sche is A schrewe atte aH
There is A longe & a large difference
Bitwyxe Grisildes grete pacience 1224
And of my wyfe the passenge cruelte
Were I vnbounden Allso Motte I thee
I wolde neuer effte come in the Snare
We weddede Men lyue in sorrowe & care 1228
Assaye who woH And he schaH ftynde
That I saye Sothe by saynte Thomas of ynde
As for the more partye I saye notte aH
God schylde fat itt schaU bifafle 1232
A gode Sir sayde Oste I haue weddede be
These Monef es two And nomore parde
And yette I trowe he fat AH his lyue
Wyfelese haue bene fouglie fat Men wolde hym ryue 1236
Vnto the herte ne couf e in no Manere
Tellen So moche sorrowe As I now here
Couf e tellen of1 my vyues Cursydnesse
Now quod! ower Oste Marchaunte So god your Sowle blesse
Synne ye somoche knowen of that Arte 1241
Fulle hartelye I praye you teHe vs parte
Gladely qwod! he of1 myne owne Sore
For Sorye herte I telle Maye nomore] 1244
[MS Beg. 17 D 15 extract ends]
LANSDOWNE 5* (6-T. 442) [this page, Reg. 17 D 15]
478 SIX-TEXT
6* GROUP F. § 1. SQUYEB'S HEAD-LINK. Lansdowne MS.
4.
THE SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK.
[Brit. Mus. Additional MS 5140, on leqflGS, back.]
[Squyer come neer / yf it your wil be
And sey somwhat of love / for certis ye
Konne theron / as moche as any man
Nay sir quod he / but suche thing as y can
wyth hert y wyH / for y wiH nat be rebellc
Ageyn your lust / a tale y wol you telle
Haue me excused / yf y speke amys
My wyH is good / and loo my tale is this / ]
LANSDOWNE 6* (8-T. 478) [this page, Atldit. 6140]
SIX-TEXT 498
GROUP F. § 3. SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK. Lansdowne MS. 7*
[Brit. Mus. Addit. MS 5140, leaf 181, back.]
[& Incipit prologws de le ffrankelyn
IN feitfi squyer / ye haue you wel y-quyt
And gentylly / y preyse wel your wyt
Qwod the ffrankelyn) / consideryng yowr youth"
So felyngly / ye speke / sir1 y a-lowgh" 676
As to my dome / ther is non) that is her*
Of eloquence / that shalbe your peer*
Yf that ye ly ve / god yeve you good chaunce
And yn vertue / sende you contynuaunce 680
ffor of your speche / y haue gret deynte
I haue sene / and by the Trynyte
I hadde levir / than xxu worth londe
Thouh it ryht nowe / wer1 fallen in myn) honde 684
He wef a man / of suche discreciori)
As that ye ben) / fy on possession)
But yf a man / be vertuous wythaH /
I haue my sone snybbed / and yit shaH [fea/182] 688
ffor he to vertue / lustyth nat to entende
But for to pleye at Dyse / and spende
And lese aH that he hath / is his vsage
And he had lever / talkyn) with a page 692
Than to comon) / wyth any gentyl wyfit
Wher he myht lerne / gentylnesse aryht
Strawe for gentylnesse / quod our ost
what frankelyn) parde / wel thou wost 696
That eche of you / mot tellen) at lest
A tale or too / or brekyn) his behest
That know y wel / sir / quod the ffrankelyn)
I pray you / haueth me nat in disdeyne 700
LANSDOWNE 7* (6-T. 498) [this page, A.ddit. 5140]
499 SIX-TEXT
8* GROUP F. § 3. SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK. Lansdowne MS.
Thouh to this man / y spak a worde . or too
Telle on thy tale / withoutyn) wordys moo
Gladly sir* cost / quod he / y wol obeye
Vnto your wyl / nowe herkeneth" what y seye 704
I wol you nat contrarye / in no wyse
As fer as that my wyttes / wol suffyse
I pray to god / that it may plesyn) you
Than wot y wel / that it is good y-now 708
Explicit Prologus de le ffrankelyn]
LANSDOWNE 8* (6-T. 499) [this page, Addit. 6140]
DRAWINGS OF THE 23 TELLERS
24 CANTERBURY TALES,
COPIED FEOM THE ELLESMEEE MS,
AND CUT ON WOOD,
J&r flK* f&. Hooper,
In this first issue, 1871, only 14 of the Cuts are given.
• The other 10 loill follow in 1872. When the print of each
MS is bound, the cut of each Teller of a Tale can be put
at the beginning of his Tale, as in the Mlesmere MS, or
by his description in the General Prologue, to contrast the
artist's hand with the poet's; or, all the cuts can be put
together before or after the Prologue, or at the end of the
volume (as not part of the MS), according to the fancy
of each Member.
THE MILLKHK.
Elletmere MS, leaf 38, back.
THE KNYGHT.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 14.
(The brand on the horse's hip— M, ? for Milet-
is in ink, and probably by a later hand.)
THE COOK.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 51.
THE REVE.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 46.
THE MAN OF LAWE.
Ellermere MS, leaf 54, back.
THE FRERE.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 80, back.
G
THE SOMONOUR.
Elletmere MS, leaf 85, back.
THE CLERK OP OXENFOED.
Elletmere MS, leaf 92.
THE SHIPMAN.
Elletmere MS, tea/ 147, back.
O
THE PRIORESSE.
Ellesmere JUS, leaf 152, back.
CHAUCER.
E/lenmere MS, leaf 157, back.
-
THE MONK.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 178.
THE NONNE8 FREEST.
Elletmere MS, leaf 183.
I
PR Chaucer Society, London
1901 cPublications3
A3
no. 7, 13
etc.
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