\STUPIA IN /
THE LIBRARY
of
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
Toronto
ISocutg.
(gdra Scrits, LXXVII.
1899.
BERLIN : ASHER & CO., 13, UNTER DEN LINDEN.
NEW YORK : C. SCRIBNER & CO. ; LEYPOLDT & HOLT.
PHILADELPHIA : J. B. L1PPINCOTT & CO.
ENGLISHT BY
JOHN LYDGATE, A.D. 1426,
FROM THE FRENCH OP
GUJLLAUME DE DEGUILEVILLE, A.D. 1335.
EDITED FROM 3 FIFTEENTH-CENTURY MSS. IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM,
COTTON, VITELLIUS, C xiii (VELLUM, IMPEBFBCT),
COTTON, TIBERIUS, A vii (VELLUM, A FRAGMENT), AND
STOWE 952 (PAPER, COMPLETED BY JOHN STOWE,
ABOUT 1600 A.D.)
BY
F. J. FURNIVALL, M.A. CAMBRIDGE,
HON. DR. PHIL. BERLIN,
FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY.
PART I.
LONDON :
PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY
BY KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & Co.
PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING-CROSS ROAD, W.C.
1899
E.5
ho.77
TO
THK MEMORY OF OLD
3obn Stowe,
THK ELIZABETHAN TAILOR,
WHO LOVED MSS. AND ANTIQUITY J
AND TO WHOSE COPY THE COMPLETENESS
OF THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS DUE.
Crtra Strits, LXXVII.
B. CXAT & SONS, LIMITED, LONDON & BUNOAY.
FOBEWOKDS.
As DeGuileville's Pelerinage or some abstract or report of it
was supposed to have been the original of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Pro-
gress, 1 or to have suggested the subject to him, I got one of our
copiers, the late William Wood afterwards a Eeader at our printers',
Austins of Hertford to copy Lydgate's verse englishing, some 20
years ago, from the only two imperfect MSS. of it then in the
British Museum, Vitellius C 13 and Tiberius A 7. Mr. J. Meadows
Cowper kindly wrote sidenotes to most of the copy. About six years
ago, Mr. G. N. Currie, M. A. Lond., a school-master, undertook to edit
it, and sent it to Clays as fit for press. On his sad death two years
back, I, as the Society's man-of-all-work, had to take it up, and, after
trying in vain to fill up the burnt parts of the Vitellius MS. in the
first four sheets of proof, I luckily came on the Stowe MS. 952 of the
poem, with a capital text, which had escaped the notice of our great
teacher in MS. Romances, Henry Ward, thro' not having been fully
described in the Stowe catalog of Lord Ashburnham. This MS. has
only about two-thirds of Lydgate's englishing ; but that worthy old
tailor John Stowe, whom all MS. folk honour, hating a vacuum,
as Nature does, copied into his MS. 2 the missing part, from another
MS.; and tho' he modernised the spelling somewhat, and cut off a lot
of final ees, his text has enabled me to fill up the gaps left by the two
1 See Miss Isabella K, Gust's two books : 1, The ancient Poem of Guillaume
de Guileville, entitled Le Pelerinage de VHomme, compared with the Pilgrim's
Progress of John Bunyan, London 1858 ; 2. A Modern prose Translation (that
is, Abstract) of . . The PyJgrymage of Man, London 1859, &c.
2 This MS. , Stowe 952, is no doubt the one that Thos. Speght alluded to in
his List of Lydgate's works at the end of his Siege of Thebes, Fol. 394, in Chau-
cer's Workes, 1598, ed. Speght. In his 'Catalogue of translations and Poeticall
deuises, in English mitre or verse, done by lohn Lidgate, Monke of Bury,
whereof some are extant in Print, the residue in the custodie of him [John
Stowe] that first caused this Siege of Thebes to be added to those works of G.
Chaucer' [1551], the 3rd entry is 'Pilgrimage of the world, by commandement
of the Earle of Salisbury, 1426.'
*
vi Forewords. Lydgate and Bunyan.
Cotton MSS., and thus secure the Society the complete poem. As his
master Chaucer had englisht DeGuileville's ABC poem to the Virgin,
Lydgate left a space for it to be copied in; 1 and this will be fild
below by the best of the versions I printed for the Chaucer Society,
in my Parallel-Text Minor Poems.
Seeing that the main interest of Lydgate's poem supposing his
verse to deserve that name is its supposed relation to Bunyan's
world-known work, I suppose our members will read enough of it to
settle, each in his own mind, whether this Pilgrimage had anything
to do with the Pilgrim's Progress. I don't think it had ; for De-
Guileville's main object was to expound and enforce the chief articles
of Romanist doctrine by any arguments, however absurd, as where
the Pilgrim has to get his eyes taken out and put in his ears (p. 164),
so that his hearing may make him believe that bread and wine are
turnd into Christ's body and blood, though his sight tells him the
substances are unchanged.
The only pretty page in the volume is that on the renewing of
Nature by Spring, p. 92. Of the literary quality of the rest of the
verse, the less that's said, the better ; but of course the text is of
worth for its words, metre, and grammar, and its gauge of religious
folks' minds in the 14th and 15th centuries. 2 Lydgate (at the bidding
of the 7th Lord Salisbury 3 ) englisht the second and expanded version
of DeGuileville's poem, made A.D. 1335, the first having been written
in 1330-1. There is no copy of this second version in the British
Museum, MS. or printed ; but Mr. Alfred Huth has kindly let me
make extracts from his copy of the old print, to show how Lydgate
treated his original. In the following sample he englishes 148 lines
of French in 254 of English, which include his definitions of the
three words Original, Posterity, Transgression. For another sample,
see p. 201-4, after the third Latin poem.
1 The prose englisher lifts Chaucer's poem into his text as if it were his own :
p. 165-70, Roxb. Club ed. of DeGuileville's first version.
J Compare the present fuss about ritualism, incense, &c.
3 See Cokayne's grand Peerage, vii. 36. Lord S. got his death-wound at the
Siege of Orleans in 1428. His second wife was Alice, daughter and heir of
Thomas Chaucer of Ewelme, widow of Sir Jn. Philip. Her third husband was
William de la Pole, first Duke of Suffolk. She would no doubt appreciate Lyd-
gate's praise of her husband's relative, not father, Geoffrey Chaucer.
Forewwds. Extract from DeGuileville's French. vii
(For comparison with p. 2682, 1. 9671220
Lydgate.)
1 If Bien vueil, dis ie, quainsi soit fait.
Mais ce seroit raison et droit [Fo. nij] 968 Lepeierin
Que ie sceusse pourquoy baigner 969
4 Me fault ycy, et quel mestier 970-1
En est / quant assez laue suy 972
Et point ne suis ort ne honny, 973
Ceste eau est froide / et ie suis net ; 976
8 Et aduis mest, se ie my meet, 977
Quen tres grant peril ie feray ; 978
Et plus net, estre nen pourray. 979-80
IT Or escoute, dist elle lors ; 981 grace aieu
12 Sassez net tu es par dehors, 982
Si ne les tu mye par dedens, 983
Pour la cause de tes parens, 987
Qui, de loriginal peche, 986
16 Tout enlaidy et entache ; 985-989
Duquel estre tu ne pourroies 990
Bien laue, se ycy ne lestoies. 991-2
Encores que ce ie taidasse, 993-4
20 Et que Ie bain sainctifiasse, 995-6
Se ia nestoit sainctifiez,
Par ainsi suffiroit assez 997
Pour toi bien lauer par dedens, 998, 1001
24 Selon lequel signifiemens
Test donne leaue par dehors. 999
^1 Chiere dame, respondy lors, 1003 Lepeierin
Or est ma doubte moult plus grant 1004-5
28 Quelle nestoit par cy deuant. 1006-7
Exposez moy ce quauez dit, 1008-9
Ou mal en feroye mon profit. 1010
IT Quant dieu, dist elle, adam, ton pere, 1011-12 grace dieu
32 Eut cree / et eue, ta mere, 1012-14
II leur fist si grant courtoisie, 1015-17
Et leur donna tele franchise, 1018
Quilz pouoient viure sans languir, 1019-21
36 Sans necessite de mourir ; 1022-3
Et tel grace leur octroya, 1023
viii Forewords. Extract from DeGuileville's French.
[Gract DU.] Que rectitude leur donna,
Et droiz les fist en liberte, 1024
40 Et franchise de volente 1025
Pour bien garder en eulx droicture 1026-7
Selon iustice par mesure, 1028
En tel maniere que le corps 1029
44 Obeissoit a son ame lors ; 1030
Et si rendoient subiection 1031
Les forces basses a raison, 1032-3
Ce quest bas / a ce que dessus, 1034
48 Les moins dignes / aux dignes plus. 1035-7
Et telle ordonnance pouoit 1041-2
Estre bien dicte, qui vouldroit 1043-5
Vne iustice origin el, 1046
52 Qua tes parens, dieu, pour chatel 1047-9
Et heritaige auoit donne 1049
Pour ceulx de leur posterite 1050
Herediter / a tousiours mais, 1051-5
56 Se point ne se fussent meffaiz. 1055-6
Mais saiches que moult se meffirent ;
Car, a leur dieu ilz desobeirent,, 1057
Et perdirent lauctorite 1058-60
60 De quoy dessus ie tay parle ; 1061
Cest, que mourir les conuiendroit, 1062
Et que plus a eulx ne seroit 1063
Lobedience de deuant ; 1064
64 Car cil qui nobeist au plus grant 1065
Qui le serue, trouuer ne doit, 1066
Ne qua luy obeisse par droit. 1067-70
Adam a dieu a desobey : 1071-2
68 Bien fut dont raison que celuy 1073
Quil auoit en subiection, 1074-7
Aussi lui fist rebellion. 1078
A /~\R t" 6 diray comment en va : 1079-84
72 \J Se vng bon fort chastel donne a 1088
Le roy / a vng sien cheualier, 1085
Pource quil ame, et quil la cher, 1086
Afin que sil est bien feal, 1087
76 Bien obeissant et bien loyal,
Qua luy et ses hoirs tousiours soit ; 1088-97
Forewwds. Extract from DcGuileville's French. ix
Mais sainsi est qua feal ne soit, 1098 [Grace
Et le cliastel ainsi perdu 1100-1
80 II ait / ou len luy ait tolu. 1101
Ce nest pas raison / en verite, 1102
Que ses hoirs en soieut herite ; 1103
Car combien quauant leur feust deu,
84 Us lont par leux pere perdu. 1105
IT Aux premiers parens dieu donna [1106-7]
lustice original, dont ia x 1 108
Tay parle, par condition 1116
88 Que sa luy nul rebellion 1115
Ilz ne faisoient / il octroyoit
Quelle fust a trestous par droit
Ceulx qui de leur posterite 2 1117
92 Servient desormais engendre,
Or est que, quant ilz desobeirent 1121-5
Icelle Justice perdirent. 1 1 22, 1 1 26
Aux hoirs ne la peurent donner,
96 Et ilz nen peurent heritor. 1127
Mais ne fust la transgression 3 1129
A eulx eust este par raison. 1134-5
Done, se tu as entendement, 1136-7
100 Veoir tu peulx bien apertement, 1138
Que eel original peche 1139-42
De quoy ie te voz entache, 1143
Que cest carence de iustice 1144
104 Original / en celluy qui / ce 1145
Deusist auoir en verite 1146-7
Par cause de posterite. 1148
IF Dame, dis ie moult esbahis, 1149-50
108 Me faictes, de voz diuers dis, 1151
Qui ne sentre-suiuent de rien ; 1152
Et croy que vous le sauez bien.
Vous dictes quil me fault lauer, 1153-4
112 Pour ma laidure hors iecter; 1155
Et vous nommez tele laidure, 1156-7
' Tache originale, et ordure ' ; 1158
1 Lydgate's definition of Original takes up lines 1109-13.
2 Lydgate's definition of Posterity takes up lines 1119-21.
a Lydgate's definition of Transgression takes up lines 1130-3.
Forewords. Extract from DeGhtileville's French.
ete-in.] Laquelle nest fors que carencc 1159-GO
116 De ceste iustice, et absence. 1160-1
Or me semble que lauement 1162-3
Nest besoing a defaillenient. 1164
Ains vauldroit il mieux par raison 1165
120 Aucune restitution. 1166
grace dieu IF Certes, dist elle, il est tout voir, 1167-8
Qui beaulte na / que doit auoir, 1169-70
Nest pas sans vilte et ordure, 1171
124 Voire et si peult estre dordure 1172
Souuentesfoys commencement, 1173
Et grant cause et nourricement : 1174
Com, saucun / point de nez nauoit, 1175-6
128 Lequel par raison auoir doit, 1177
A luy ce seroit grant laidure, 1178-9
Et me pourroit estre / quordure 1180-1
Aucune / apres ne sensuiuit, 1182-4
132 Dont, saiches par ce que iay dit, 1185
Se nas iustice originel 1186
Quauoir deusses / par laquel bel 1 1 87-8
Feusses / que nes pas sans laidure ; 1189-90
136 Et mesmement quant en ordure 1192
De charnelle concupiscence 1193
Tousiours enchez / sans resistence 1202
Faire, tele comme tu deusses, 1203
140 Se la grant beaulte tu eusses 1204-10
Que te perdirent pere et mere, 1 208-9
Quapres eulx tout chascun compere. 1211-12
Lepeierin IT Or dictes (dis ie) ic vous pry, 1213-14
144 Sen se lauement, restably 1215
[Fo. v] Et restitue point seroy 1216
De la iustice quauoir doy ; 1217
Et se lorde concupiscence 1219
148 Adnullee me sera par ce. . . . 1220
Note. Martews, p. 234, 1. 8433.
Et cincq pierres i met petites I Dont puceles as martiaus geuent,
Du rivage de mer eslites, Quant beles et rondos les treuent.
Konian de la Rose 2176770. iv. 320, Bibl. Elzeo.
Jouer aux marteaux, signifiat lancer dos petits cailloux ronds en 1'air pour
les recevoir dans 1'une et 1'autre main ,eri les faisant choquer. C'est un jeu
analogue a notre jeu d'osselets : ib. v. 216-7.
Ossclets. The game tearmed Cockall or Huckleboues. 1611 Cotgravc.
Foreiuords. Amalgamated ' to.' A syllable as a foot, xi
The two points that strike me most on reading Lydgate's poem,
are, 1. the large number of times in which he lias run the preposition
to into the next vowel-beginning word, like tave, to have ; tal, to all ;
talyved, to have lived ; and 2. the many instances in which a single
unemphatic syllable does duty for the first measure of a line, and
rarely that of a half-line after the pause.
As examples of (1), take
Telpe the in thy pylgrymage 22/815
Tescape the wawe of euery streem 25/Q5 1
Talyved 1 euere, thys no lesynge 2 7/ 1019
Neuer tave had necessyte 27/IO22
Lyk tamyghty champyoun 47/1766
In ta pulpet that ther stood 64/2385
Tal 2 pylgrymes in ther myscheff 108/7150
The taforce in thy dyffence 217/7769
Tarme 3 a man in chastyte 217/7778
As restoring the to sometimes mends the metre, the reader may
perhaps put the amalgamation down to Lydgate's scribe. I don't.
As examples of (2), take
Of / the gate / was cheff / porter 10/357
As / yt hadde / only / by grace 23/866
As / a plac/e most / royal 28/871
And / to hyr / thus I / abrayde 28/878
And / to put / the out / of doute 25/947
Of / ther synne / oryg/ynal 88/1255
And / tavoyd/en fro / thys place 47/1757
Of / ryht, as / he ouht/e do 81/3052
Of / thylke / muta/cioun 94/3542
A/batyd / & set / a-syde 102/3847
And / yt wer / abus/youn 102/3852
Lych / as wry/teth Y/saye 102/3853
And / with hum/ble cher / & face 104/3947
Of / the wych / as thouh/te me 105/3987
The / relefE / wher as / he stood 1 84/51 15
To / be gyrt / for syk/ernesse 201/7205
1 Cp. I myghte beter a mendyt yt 7/253 [a = have]
2 To all. Tyl St. Cp. To al pylgrymes in ther way 21/789
3 To arme St.
xii Forewords. One Syllabic as a Measure. Final ' e.'
After the pause I have carelessly noted only
Therof / holy / the / manere 9/321
Thys horn/yd best / and / tenchase 47/1758
Lyst / the wyn / wer / to strong 59/2229
In the second line, the restoration of to would make it normal.
But the student will find plenty of irregularities, as he reads. In
55/2047, 'That / ye be / thys / no fable,' thys is emphatic.
In marking the e for the scansion I have occasionally made mis-
takes, as on p. 138-9, where 'Esau' should have been treated as a
3-syllabled word, since it rymes with 'vertu,' 1. 5299, 5310. Line
5280 I should now scan ' Clad / in E / sa-w/ys wede,' 1. 5297 as
' E/sa-u / to sette / abak,' and 1. 5300 as ' Took / lacob / for E/sa-u.'
'Swycli / ten / in quantyte/ 136/5205, may want mending to
' SwycheV I haven't markt all the ee's that need sounding.
DE GUILLEVILLE'S PILGKIMAGE OF THE
LIFE OF MAN
(englisht by Lydgate in 1426, from the 2nd recension of De Guille-
ville's Ptlerinage de vie humainc, A.D. 1355, pr. about 1500).
of tije Cranslator, Itofm
MS. Colt. Vitel. c. xiii, leaf 2.
q Vi peregrinatis, hunc per libru? docearis 1
Que bona uel dubia s[it fugienda 2 ] via. [*st.]
[y] e worldly folk, avyse yow betymes [ s st.] woriaiyfoik
Wych in thys lyff [ne] ben [but as pylgriiues 3 ], wise betimes,
Lyk strauMgerys [ti'ere fro youre Cuntre 4 ] [st.]
5 Vnfraiwohysed and [voyde off lyberte]; 5 [ 5 st.] 4
ffor schortly here yovre poscessyon for possession
ys yove to yow / but for a schort sesou??,
Nor the tresovre 6 wych that ye possede [6 tresou^c 8 ]''
ys but thyng lent / ho so kan take hede, 8 tst.f Omnia
ffor clerkys seyn / how [that] al 7 erthly thyng f ^"cf" viclxi^unt
Stowndemel, and by vnwar chaiwgyng* //Nesciosunt
cuia nune //
Whan folk lest wene / noon hede ne take, -as iiui &
Her mayster olde 8 sodeynly for-s:ike. [" oide St., old c.] 12 only for a
short time.
Thyng myn to-day / a-nother hath to-mor\ve ;
That kam wyth loye / departeth ay wyth sorwe ;
And thyng ywonne wyth loye 9 and gladnesse, [9 { ye c s j"
Ay dysseuereth wyth 10 wo and hevynesse. [ 10 wytu witA c.]
No tresour here, wyth man wyl abyde ; NO treasures
J J J will remain
Who strongest halt / ther rathest hyt wyl slyde : liere wlth
any one.
ffortune ys lady / vrith hyr / double face,
Of every thyng 1 / that sodeynly doth pace ; 20
Sche pryncesse ys / of al worldly glorye,
And off al loye that ys transytdrye ;
Sche ys off chere 11 so varyaunt & dovble. [ n chere St., Fortune de-
* cue C -J ceives men
Hyr kalm ys euere meynt -with wo & trovble, 24 r,
And hyr sugre [ys] vnder-spreynt wyth galle :
Thys hyr vsage vn-to estatys alle,
1 docearis. Stowe MS. 952. The Cott. MS. is burnt and torn at the top all
thro ; 1st page faint. The Stowe MS. was once in the possession of old John
Stowe, the famous tailor and book-collector. Notes in his writing are on
Ivs. 1, 3, 4, 13, besides the long bit he copied from 303 bk. to the end, 379 bk.
PILGRIMAGE. B
2 Lydgatcs Prolog. Man's Life a Pilgrimage.
[i fayrest To schewc fayrest whan l sche ys most to drede ;
fayres'whaTn Of hyh" ne lowh" sclie taketh noon other hede, 28
ffor wych [let] no man vp-on hyr assure,
ffor sche ys lyke 2 to the chavnteplure ; [ lyke St., lyk c.]
and woe ai- Wo after love & after song wepyng 1 ,
ways suc-
ceeds to Thys hyr cvstom in every maner thyng. 32
pleasure,
[leaf 2, buck] In on estate she neuere doth" contyune. [St.; c. burnt}
Thys stormy quen, wych callyd ys Fortune [St. &c.]
Hyr gyfftys alle in conclusion), 3 [c. & St.]
and her gifts Be not but gyffytys off confusion), [c. *st.] 36
always end in oJ J J
confusion. ffor wortliynesse in Armes nor vyctorye [c. & St.]
P collusion, Arn in effect but thinges transytorye [st.&c.]
Nor hih conquest, nor domynaci'on, [St. &c.]
Peplys to putte in subieccyon. 40
It al 4 schal passe as doth a somer flovr ; [ 4 it c, AUe St.]
In thys world here', 5 holdyug no soiovr P st. here, her c.]
No thyng abyt, shortly for to wryte, [St. &c.-]
Good lyff exepte, and only ovr meryte. [c. & St.] 44
Man's life Trustetli 6 ther-for, ye folk of euery age, [ 6 Trusterth c.]
is only a pil-
grimage, That yowre lyff her ys but a pylgrymage ;
ffor lyk pylgrymes ye passe to & ffro,
Whos loye ys euere meynt A-niong 1 with wo. 48
Al" worldly blysse, medlyd ys with stryff; [ 7 AC, Aiiest.]
ffor ay the cburs, of thys mortal lyff,
and every pit- Euen'ch hovr doth to liys bouwdys dra we :
(rrim draws *
hh! l eiid earer ^ ^ Py^S r y me 's kynd hath set a lawe, 52
Eche day to lienne a party on ther way ;
Olde 8 ner yong 1 , ther may no man sey nay, [ 8 oide St., oid c.]
Lyk a Ryuer sterne, and of gret myglit, [ 9 nat St., om. c.]
Ne restyth nat 9 nouther [by] day nor nyght, 56
To holde hys cours as ledeth hy? the streem,
Eyght so, pylgrymes to-ward lerusaleem
Haste 10 on her way in thys world, & echone [ 10 Haste on St.]
which is To-ward that cyte, or to Babylone. [c. <or] 60
Jemsalem or
Lyk ther merytes, & lyk to ther degres,
They be Eeceyved at on of thys cytees,
Ytakyn inne, 11 so as they dysserve ; [" nine St., in c.]
And deth, ay redy with hys dart to kerue, G4
Lyth in a-wayt, dredful off manacys,
To send palmc-rys to on off tliys
Lydgate's Prolog. Read the 'Pilgrimage de Monde.' 3
A-gcyne whas 1 stroke, helpeth no medycyne, pwiiosst.] [leaf s]
-Salue, tryacle / but grace only dyvyne, 68 ^;] y a ^ a 7, ce
ifolk to conveye to ther desyred place : againatdeaih
And many brygaiwt the weye doth manace,
No man ys sur liym sylue?i to di fiend* ;
"Wherfore I rede, lat euery whyht a-mend? 72
Hys lyff be tyme, whil he hath liberte.
And that folk may the Kyhte weye se
Best aSSUryd tO-Warde 2 ther passage, [* warde St., ward C.] 80 every man
should amend
Lat hem be-holde[n] in the pylgrymage, 76 ln time -
Which 3 callyd ys pylgrymage de moviide, JrjJl^;
In the wych fful notably ys fovnde t [ 3 which St., whch c.] ^towide they
Lernyd, and tavht, who can weH construe,
IVhat folk schal take, & what they schal eschue. 80
In thys book, yf [that] they redij yerne,
Pylgrymes schal the verray trouthe 4 lerne, V {* e <?*- J^ 1 ? 1 t]l *
jiff they sette ther trewe dyllygence
To vnderstonde clerly the sentence, 84
What hyt menyth, & the moralyte ;
Ther they may, as in a mcrovr, se
holsom thynges, & thynges fuH notable ;
What ys prevyd, & what thyng ys dampnable, 88
What ys holsom, the sovle for to save,
Whan the body ys leyd in hys grave. twg'm'en
And to knowe 5 wych be cyteseyns, [ 5 knowe St., know c.] ^"^Jf s<XKt
Trewe burgeys, & eke 6 frau^keleyns, [ eke St., ek c.] 92
Wych in good lyff and vertu do excelle,
In lerusaleem perpetually to duelle,
Whan the lugge & Lord*, that lyveth evere,
In hys doom assovnder shal dysseuere 96
Hys chose shep, wasshe in the lambys blood, At last some
sliall go to
Wych for mankynde starff vpon the rood ; Jerusalem,
And putte the kydcs to dampnaczon, [St. &c.] [leafs.back]
wych ha noon part of Crystys passyoii), 100
Endlesly there to lyve in peyne,
"Where Lucyffer lyth bovnden in his cheyne. ; n d some to
J J Lucifer,
ffro the wych, God eue/y man defende, *! ron v, w1 ,"^ 1
> J fate God de-
And graunte 7 grace, our lyff here to mende, Vfffffi ^f*
To-ffor the ffyn of ovre pylgrymage.
ifor, save hys grace, we ha noon avamitage,
4 Lydgates Prolog. Lord Salisbury lids him cnglish DcG.
No tbyng is 1 cleyme as be tytle of rylit, [itost.]
But of mercy, wych ay lyth in hys myght, 108
The repent- Yn-to svnnerys. that deve repentawnt,
ant are i>ar-
doned. To yive pardon) oft hys benynge graunt,
[The] Wycli ys to hem, vn-to tber refut,
Proteccyon) and true sauff-conduit, 112
Hem to save, that thay be nat lorn).
And tliys book, the wych I spake off to-fforn),
Tiie p u i- I mene, the book Pylgrymage de Movnde,
u, untie MoraH of vertu, of matervs ful profovnde, 116
made in . "
French is a Maad & cowpylyd in the Frenche tonge,
notable book,
ffuH notable to be rad & songe.
To ever}' pylgryme, vertuous of lyff,
The mater is / so cottternplatyff ; 120
In aH the book, ys not lost a wore?.
Thys consydred fuH wysly of my lonl 1
asLordSaiis- Of Salysbury, the noble manly knyht,
who fought "Wycli in Fravnce, for the kyngys Ryht, 124
considered I n the werre hath meny day contunyd ;
"Whom God & grace ban ful wel ffortunyd
In thenpryses wych he hath vndertake ;
Lyff and godes, for the kyngys sake, 128
Knyhtly Inpartyd thys prince vertuous ;
Ay in the ende -beyng 1 victoryous,
Swych grace & Eur, God to hy? hath sent,
and com- Wych gaff me ffyrst iu comavndement 132
nianded me
[leaf 4] Thys seyde book in Englysshe for to make,
Into' E
As I koude, [al] only for hys sake.
Be-cause he wolde that men scliold[e] se,
In ovre tonge, the grete moralyte 136
"\Vycli in thys book ys seyde & comprehendyd,
That yt no myhte (me semyth) be Amendyd ;
The auctour, wych that dyde hyt ffyrst co?pyle,
So vertuously spent ther-on hys whyle. 140
And jo pvase And of entent k) do mv lord plesawnce,
liini 1 will do "
i iaw tniljr ** ^ U ^- VS worscne l^> f r a remembravnce,
As I am bovnde for to be hys man,
I wyl translate hyt sotlily as I kan, 144
After the lottre, in ordrc effectnclly.
Thogh I not folwe the won.les by & by,
Lydgates Prolog. He Icgan A.D. 1426. His verse is bad. 5
I schal not faille teuchyng* 1 the substawnce, L 1 tonchynge St.]
Thogh on 2 makyng 1 I ha no suffysawnce ; [ 2 i St.] 148
ffor my wrytyng*, in co?iclusion),
ys al yseyd vnder correc<on).
And of the tyme playnly, & of the date The year in
A / / which I be-
Whan I be-gan thys book to translate, 152 pan to trans-
J late this book
yt was a thovsand (by computacfon)) was A - D - u - 6 >
Affter crystys incarnaczon),
ifour hundryd oner, nouther fer ne nere,
The surples ouer, syxe & twenty yere, 156
My lord that tyme beyng 1 at Parys, when my
"Wych gaff me charge, by hys dyscrete avys, Paris-
As I seyde erst, to sette myn entent
Vp-on thys book to be [ful] dyllygent, 160
And to be-gynne vp-on thys labour,
Alle folkys be-sechyng 1 of ffavour,
That on thys book after- ward schal rede ; AH who read
this book are
And that hym lyst nat to taken hede 164 to pay more
J J heed to the
To the makyng 1 , but to the sentence ; meaning than
J * to the trans-
ffor I am bareyn of aH eloquence. lation,
Ther-for I pray, what so that be seyde,
[Off 3 gentylljesse not to be evel apayde, [ 3 St., c. burnt] [leaf t, back]
And my rudnesse helpyn to excuse,
ffor in metre I ha ne vrith me no muse :
of the nvne that on Parnase duelle, for no muse :
J favours me,
Nor she that ys [the] lady of the welle, 172
Calliope, 4 be syde cytheron, [*c. inerts'ti\utys'i
Gaff to my penue, plente nor fuson
Of hyr licovr, whan thys work was [be]gowie.
Nor I drank no-wer of the sugryd tonne 176 nor have i
r\C T T.-J. 11-1 i ilrankoutof
Ott lubiter, couchyd in hys celer, Jnprttrt
So strange I fonde to me hys boteler,
Off poetys [ijcallyd Ganymede.
But to my labour now I woH me spede, 180
Prayng 1 ech reder me to recon forte,
Benignely my rudenesse to supporte.
ffor Avherso be my thonk, I lese or wynne,
Wyth yowre grace thus I wyH be-gynne. 184 Here ends
the trans-
Here endyth the prologe off the translatcur. } J^ s v*-
6 DC Guillevilles Prolog. His Dream after A.D. 1330.
The Prolog
of the author
begins.
Men take no
heed of
dreams until
they come
true,
; Tleaf5]
and then
they arc re-
membered.
If men neg-
lect them I'or
long, they
forget tin-in
altogether.
In the year
ISlO(tfr.mo)
1 had a won-
derful dream,
which I
wrote down]
at once,
Her be-gynnetli the prologue of the auctour.
fful ofte hyt happeth 1 in certeyn [ faiieth St.]
Off dremys, the wych that men ha seyn
I nyhtys, after, whan they wake,
fful lytel hede ther-of thay take, 188
Tyl effte agayn yt comyth to mynde,
That they the veray trouthe fynde,
Of euery thyng 1 they sawe to-forn).
ffor, of remewbraunce the thoni) 192
Pryketh here mynde's -with hys poynt,
That they hyt se fro poynt to poynt,
And fynde hyt verrayly yn dede,
Thogh a-fore they took noon hede. 196
Be yt of loye, be yt of sorow,
fful ofte a-pon the nexte 2 niorow [* nexte St., next c.]
yt ys go clene out off her thouht,
Ther-of they ha so lytel rouht, 200
Tyl after they a-vyse hem wel ;
And then thay fyndyth 3 yt euerydel, pflyndest.]
Dremys that they had* a nyhte,
By maner of a dyrked 4 syhte. [* dyrk c, Derkede St.] 204
But yiff they make longe delay,
To putto hem forth fro clay to day,
Than, 5 th[o]rogh foryetelnesse, [ 5 That St., Than c.]
Thay kan there-of no thyng 1 expresse, 208
ffor aH ys out of mynde go.
And on A tyme hyt happyd so,
ffro Crystys berth a thousand! yer,
Thre hondryd, by a-cowntys cler, 212
And over 6 Ten, as I toke kepe, [ read times]
Vp-on a nyht I lay & sclepe,
Drempte, (yf ye lyst to lere, 7 ) p here St.]
A wonder dreme, in tyme yffere. 216
The wych, a-noon as I a-wook
Vp on the morow, a pemie I took,
And wrote yt, yff ye lyst to wyte, 8 [ ? wete]
That I schold hyt nat foryete ; 220
But freschly yn my mynde yt kepe,
Halff wakyng 1 and halff a-slepe,
DC Guillevillc's Prolog. He lost his vjritten Dream. 7
That I myht after, by leyscr,
Correcte byt when tlie day were cler,
By good avys, whan I took kepe,
Bet a-dawed out of my sclepe.
And thys consyderyd euery dele,
Me sempte I hadde do ryht wel,
Yiff ther liadde, as tho to me,
ffalle noon co?itraryouste ;
ffor al the wrytyng 1 that I wrote
Was me be-raffte, and how I not,
Dyscured 1 thurgh the world a brode,
As God woot wel, and thus yt stood.
Where-of I hadde as tho no shame,
ffor al I hald yt but a game ;
ffor to that tyme fredam I hadde
To putte away, and eke to adde,
What that me lyst, lyk as I wende.
ffor ther was myche thyng 1 to mende,
To ordeyne, & to correcte,
And bet in order to directe ;
ffor many a thyng 1 , yt ys no nay,
Mot be prouyned, & kut a- way,
And yshape of newe entaylle,
In ordre clresse hyt, & yraylle,
As doth eue?*y manere whyht,
That wol make a thyng 1 a-ryht.
ffor he that bar my dreme a-way,
ffuH lytel thouhte (yt ys no nay)
On my profyt in any wyse ;
ffor shortly, as I kan devyse,
I myghte beter a mendyt yt,
Lyk as God hadde yeve me wyt,
Sool by my sylff , than I may now ;
But aH ys gone, I wot not how.
And eke yt ys so long 1 a-go,
That thys dreern was take me fro,
I haue almost foryete yt al.
But not for-thy, yet I schal
Adde, & putte a-way also,
Where-as I se yt be to do ;
224 intending to
correct it
afterwards.
228
[i Stowe]
232
236
244
248
252
But I lost all
I wrote ;
liowldon't
know.
[leaf 5, back]
Up to that
time I could
add or '
diminish,
as I thought
good, and
mend it.
But he who
took it away
did not con-
sider me.
256 And now all
is gone, I
know not
how.
260 But now I
shall do as I
like,
8 De Guillcville's Prolog. Hell go to Jerusalem.
and when I
have finished,
Deaf 6]
I sliall send
it abroad.
Go forth,
then, ray
dream,
and fail not.
Whether on
foot or on
horseback
them slwuldst
have had
leave of me.
I intend to
take tliee to
Jerusalem
with me.
A law among
pilgrims is
that each
" shall abide
other."
Deaf 6, back]
I schal not leve in myne entcnt
To putte alway a-mendement, 1 L 1 amendement St.] 264
As yt comyth to my knowynge,
Day be day yt rc-mewbrynge.
And when that yt a-mendyd ys,
And se that nothyng 1 be a niys, 268
By a lace I shal yt were,
And a-bowte my nekke yt bere,
Send yt forth to eue?y 2 cowtre, pychest.]
Wher-as to-fforn that yt hath be, 272
A-geyn my wyl & my plesavmce.
And thus 3 for a Remembrauwce, p tins St.]
Go fforth thow dreme ! I send e 4 the [* sende St., send c.]
By aft the placys wher thow hast be; 276
I send the to thy provynours,
By aH the pathys & the tovrs,
ffor thow knowest the weye wel,
And the passage euerydel. 280
On my be halff[e] thow not ffaylle
To dresse yt ewyn by entaylle,
Wher thow wer fferst, wych doth me greve,
And took of me no maner leve. 284
ffor wych I calle yt (thys the ffyn,)
No verray weye off pylgrym.
By cavse, wherso, by the lak,
On ffoote, nor on horsebak, 5 p horse St., how c.] 288
Thow sholdest ha mad no lourne,
But thow haddest hadde leve off me.
But ffor as myche as I in dede
Thynke the wit/i me to lede, 292
Whan I go, as thow schalt se,
To lerusaleem, the cyte ;
To wych weye, wz'tA-ovte 6 more p oute St., ovt c.]
I am excyted wonder sore : 296
Thys myn entent, thider to drawe,
And a-mong 1 pylgrymes, thys a lawe,
That, as brother vn-to brother,
Euerych sholde a-byden other. 300
Thys sholde ben a trewe vsage
Off folkys" in ther pylgrymage.
In my Dream I saw Jerusalem the Golden.
Doo telle 1 myn aventure cler, [ St., c. burnt]
How passyd syx and twenty yer, , 304
Telle 2 vn-to on and aH, p Teiie St., Tei c.]
How that yt ys [to] me ffaH,
In the Abbey off Chalys, 3
Whylom ffoumlyd off Seyw Levvyys. 308
Here begynneth the pylgrym.
The seyde yer (ho lyst take kep)
J J V J
1 was avysed m my slop,
-ri iii i ii j
Lxcyted eke, and that a-noon,
To Jerusalem for to goon. 312
Gretly meved in my corase
*
ffor to do my pylgrymage,
J r J o J
And ther-to steryd inwardly.
And to tell the cause why, 316
Was, ffor me thouht I hadde a syht
"WWi-Inne a merour large & bryht,
Off that hevenly ffayr cyte,
"Wych representede vn-to me 320
Ther of holy the manere,
Wit/i Inne the glas ful brylit & cler.
[Rest of page blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
And werrayly, as 4 thouhte me [* as st., as ye se c.]
yt excellyde off bewte 324
Al other in cowiparyson) ;
ifor God hym selff Avas the masown,
wych mad yt ffayr, at ys devys.
ffor workman was ther noon so wys, 328
yt to concey ve in hys entent ;
ffor al the weyes & paament
Wer ypavyd all off gold*.
And in the sawter yt ys told 1 ,
HOW the ffyi'St ffundaCVOll,
*
On hyllys off devocyon ;
The masou7iry wrought ful clene,
Off quyke stonys bryht & schene,
1 J J J
Wy th a closour rovnd a-bowte
Apocat. 21.
332
FundameMta ei ill Montibu*
sanctis.
De lapidibus viuis. 336
i wii ten
what lii'ti-11
[Camb.,Rxb.,
Cap.ii]
The pilgrim
said i Listen :
* was mov cd
in my dream
19 goon
pilgrimage to
Jerusalem,
which i saw
represented
in a glass.
[leaf?]
a "
,
with gold.
K" founda-
tions were
maileof .
living stones.
3 Chaalit : Roxl). ed., p. 1 ; 'Chaalie,' Add. 22,937 ;
' Ca!iq?w,' Harl. 4399.
10
Jerusalem Gate ivas guarded by an Angel.
An angel
guarded it,
and only
pilgrims were
admitted.
It had many
mansions,
and all kinds
of joy were
there.
[Cap. Hi]
[leaf 7, back]
The angel at
the gate slew
all who
would pass
in,
and tyrants
ever lay in
wait to slay
the pilgrims.
340
344
In domo pa<ris mei &c.
348
Off enmyes, 1 ther was no dovvte. [ : Enemyes St.]
ffor Awngelles the \vach y-kepte, Angeiorwm custodia.
The wych, day nor nyht ne slepte,
Kepyng 1 so strongly the entre,
That no wyht kam in that cyte,
But pylgrymes, day nor nyht,
That thyder wentyn evene ryht.
And ther were meny mansyovns,
Placys, and habytacyovns ;
And ther was also al gladnesse,
loye wa't/i-ovten hewynesse.
And pleynly, who that hadde grace
ffor to entrew in that place,
ffond, onto hys plesavnce,
Off loye al maner suffysavnce, 352
That eny herte 2 kan devyse. [ herte St., hert cj
And yet the 3 entre on swych wyse p the St., they c.]
Was strongly kepte ffor koinyng* In ;
ffor the Awngel cherubin,
Off the gate was cheff porter,
Havyng 1 a swerd, fflawmyng as cler
As any ffyr, evene at the gate ;
And who that wold, erly or late,
Passen the wal, he was yslawe.
Ther ne was noon other lawe,
Ne 4 bet helpe, ne 4 bet refut ;
The vengauwc ay was execut.
In the passage thyder- ward,
The weye was so streiht & hard,
ffor tyravntys, wit/t ther felonye
And wt't/i ther mortel torme?ztrye,
Devyseden on 5 ther en tent
fful many wonderful torment,
Lyggyng awayt fro day to day,
To slen pylgrymes in ther way,
[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
6 Makyng 1 ful grete occysion)
6 All this, nearly to 1. 533, is omitted in the prose Camb.
(Roxb.), or rather, is comprised in a few lines. In this second
recension, De Guilleville has here very largely alterd and ex-
panded his first.
[St. & c.]
[* No . . no St.]
360
364
368
372
Pilgrims sufferd Martyrdom and Tortures on the Road. 11
Off pylgrymes of grete Renovn),
Off men & wommen both yfere,
"Whos martyrdom) (as ye schal here,) 376
Was ful grevous to endure.
ffor somme of hem (I yow ensure,)
Wern out of here Skynnes flawe ;
And somme, by ful mortal lawe, 380
Wer hew (as bokys kan Remembre.)
Asonder, partyd eue'/y membre,
Cracefyed, of blood al lied ;
And many other lost hys lied. 384
Of somme, the bowelys \ver out Rent,
And somme on hote colys brent,
ffretyng 1 salt cast in among 1 ,
ffor to make ther peynys strong 1 388
Myd the ffyry flawmys reed.
So?me boylyd in oylle and led,
And sore bet, that yt was wonder ;
Somme, s.iwyd evene assonder ; 392
Somme, vfith wylde hors ydrawe,
In dyffence of crystys lawe,
Thorgh-out the ffeld 1 , her & yonder,
Tyl ther loyntes wente a-souder : 396
Xerff and bon assonder Rent,
And ther Entraylles aforn hem brent.
The ffelouns wern on hem so felle,
That yt ys pyte for to telle ; 400
And ther ys no man now a 1 lyve [ion St.]
That kan the peynys halff descry ve ;
!N"or a sermon) ther-off make,
What 2 they suffrede ffor the sake [ That St.]
Off Cryst Ihesu vn-to the deth,
ffor love, 3 tyl they yald* vp the breth, [ 3 love St., lave c.]
Myd ther mortal peynys smerte.
if or ther ys noon so hard on hert, 408
So despytous, nor so ffelon),
That he [ne] wolde ha compassyon),
Ben agrysed off pytee ;
And specyally ffor to se 412
That they suffrede for no synne,
Many
suffered
martyrdom.
Some were
skinned alive.
some hewn
asunder,
some
crucified,
some roasted
and salted,
[leaf 8] .
some boiled
in oil and
lead,
some torn
asunder by
wild horses;
their suffer-
ings no roan
can describe.
There is no
one who
would not
pity them,
12 The Blessed enterd ly Wickets above the Gate.
But only off entent to wynne
as they only The love off Cryst ; & ffor liys sake,
wislieil to i i />
obtain the AH they han vp-on liem take, 416
love of Christ,
BejQg 1 how, ffuH long 4 aforn),
Cryst to suffre was yborn),
And fforbar nat to be ded.
And sythen he that was her hed 420
[leaf 8, back] Suffrede peynys, deth, & woo,
who suffered , . ., . .
pain, death, Hie membrys wolde endure also, [MnaiieSt.]
and woe, i <v i -i 11
And ftolwe ther lied on al 1 thyng 1 , omwes eiiecti eaput suum.
As Seyra Gregoir in liys wretyng 1 Gregori. 424
Recordeth pleynly (who taketh lied)
Off alle chose, 2 Cryst ys hed ; [* aiie choys St., ai chose c.]
fEor wych, the merabrys, as was due,
Affter ther hed lyst to sue, 428
as our Wych by example wente a-fore,
example.
To whom thentre was not iforbore.
They who ffor swych as deyde fEor liys love,
died for the J J
love of Christ By wyketys entrede in above, 432
entered by J J J
wickets, y p t ] ie g at g } hih aloffte,
Thogh ther 3 passage was not soffte ; [ 3 ther was MS.]
The porter lyst hem nat to lette.
And ther pencellys vp they sette 4 436
On cornerys, wlier them thouhte good,
Al steyned wt't/i ther ovnc blood.
And whan that I parceyved yt,
I conceyvede yn my wyt, 440
and even That who scholde ther-wit/i-Iniie
these must -n m_ m
enter by Entre by fcorce, he most yt wynne
iorc6)
By manhood only, and by vertu.
ffor, by record off Seyw Ma the w, 444
The hevene (as by hys sentence,) Regnum ceiomm vim patitur.
Wonnen ys by vyolence.
nd Custom) Eecordeth ek also,- ^tSSfSyft^
Who lyst taken hed ther-to- gSJKrfSl'SSSSS 1
That gret vyolence & inyght Crysosto[mus].
yt ys, who that loke a-ryht,
A man be born) in erth her downe,
4 Camb. cap. iii.: "j seyh the penselles Imnginge steyned red
with blood." * rapere St.
Cherubim stood at the Gate with a Christ-blooded Sword. 13
And Eavisshe, lyk a champyon), 452
The noble hihe hevenly place,
By vertu only & by grace.
ffor vertu doth to a man assure
Thyng denyed by nature. 456
1 Thys to seyne, who lyst lere,
That vertu makyth a man conquere
The hih" hevene in many wyse,
To wych kynde may not suffyse 460
To cleyme ther pocession),
But She be gliyded by ReSOIl), l Vevba translntoris.
Wych to vertu ys maystresse,
To lede hyr also, and to dresse 464
In hyr pylgrymage Eyght
Above the sterrys cler & bryht. 1
ffor other weye koude I not se,
To entre by in that cyte ; 468
ffor cherubyn, erly and late,
Ay awaytynge at the gate,
Was redy euer, and ther stood,
Whos sword! was bloudyd vritk the blood 472
Off Crystys holy passyon)
Whan he made our Eedempct'on,
Mankynde to restore a-gayn.
The wych wey, wha?z I hadde sey, 476
I was a-stonyd in my syht.
But I was cou?f ortyd a-noon Ryht,
Whan I sawh the swerd mad blont
Off chembin, the wych was wont 480
To brenne as any flawmbe 2 bryht. p flawmbe St., flawnibe c.]
But now, the sharpnesse & the 3 lyht p the St., om. c.]
Was queynte, to do no more vengauwce,
By vertu off cry sty s gret suffravnce, 484
Wych schal no more for man be whet.
[4 lines Hank in MS. for an Illumination.]
4 And ther I sawh a smal wyket [* Cap. v, 1. 10]
loynynge evene vp-on the gate ;
And ther stood on, erly & late, 488
Lenynge, as I kovde espye,
Wych power 5 hadde, & maystrye [ 5 power St., powder c.]
Man gains by
virtue what
[leaf 9]
he is denied
by nature,
but virtue
must be
guided by
reason.
One stood
there whose
sword was
red witli the
blood of
Christ.
I was com-
forted when
I saw this
sword made
blunt,
and its
brightness
quenched.
[leaf 9, back]
I saw a small
wicket, at
which, one
14 St. Peter was at one Gate. Doctors guided Pilgrims.
like St. Peter
stood,
[prose, p. 8]
All who
entered by
this wicket
were made
naked,
[Cap. v]
which re-
minded me
of i In- camel
passing
through the
eye of a
needle.
There were
doctors also
[leaf 10]
who showed
pilgrims how
to enter this
city.
[Cap. iv, 1.11]
ffor to opne & to shette,
To Receyven and to lette, 192
Pylgrymes that kam on ther weye ;
And in hys bond? he held a keye, Ti c b J Io 1 . cla ] S; s tl ; e f ni
Seyw Peter, me thouht by hys cher,
That had off God pleyn power 496
To lete in ffolk wych he knew bable.
But fPyrst they most (tbys no ffable,)
Dyspoyllen hem, & nakyd be ;
ffor noman entrede that cyte 500
That clothyd was, nor myhte passe,
Wher he mor, or wer he lasse,
Or gret compact 1 in any membrc. [ l compact St., compart c.]
And than A-noon I gan Eemembre 504
How Cryst sayde, in a certeyn place,
That yt was as hard to passe
In-to the hevene A reche man,
Lych as he reherse kan 508
By record off hys gospel,
As yt was to a kamel
To passe throgh a nedlys Eye ;
Wych ys a thyng 1 (ho kan espye,) 512
As yt were an Inpossible,
And verrayly Incredyble.
Aff ter' 2 -ward (yt ys no ffayll) [ 2 And affter St.]
Me thouhte I sawh a gret mervayle : 516
Vp-on Tours, dyuers estatys
Off doctours and off 3 prelatys, p off St., om. c.]
Showyng 1 , as by contenavnce,
By speche, and by dallyavnce, 520
Techyng^ pylgrymes to knowe,
That wer yn the vale lowe,
How, wit/i travaylle & peyne,
And how also they sholde atteyne 524
To make hem wywges ffor to fle
Hih a-loffte to that cyte,
By wynges of exauwiple good,
Yiff they ther lernyng 1 vnderstood, 523
Wych they tauhte hem in ther lyff
[5 lines Uanlt in MS. for an Illumination.]
Jacobins, Austins, &c. made Wings and flew into Heaven. 1 5
[> dydde St.]
By doctryne COM tern platytf,
Outward schewyng 1 , as by cher,
Ther love was to hem ful enter,
ffovndyd vp-on charyte.
Amongys wych I dede 1 se
Crete noumbre of thys lacobins,
Off chanovns, & of Awstynys,
ffolkys ful diuers of maner,
Both temporal & seculer,
Off clerkys & relygyous,
And other ordrys vertuous.
Mendyvauwtys ful nedy,
That day & nyht wer ryth 2 besy
To gedre ffetherys, bryht & shene,
And make hem wyges fFor to fflen.
And gan A-noon, with al ther niyght,
To soren vp, & take her fflyht
Hih" in-to that ffayr cyte.
And hitler vp they dyde me,
Bove cherubin, that Avngel cler ;
ffor they wer out of hys davnger,
By the techy ng 1 , and the doctrine,
And by exauwples ek dyvyne,
Wych ther maystres hadde hem tauht,
Wher-by they han the hevene kauht,
And ffounde ther-in gret avauwtage
To fforthre hem in ther pylgrymage,
And how hem sylff they sholde guyde.
And vp-on the tother 3 syde, p that other st.]
Vnder the wal of the cyte,
I sawh, off gret auctorite,
ffolkys, wych dyde entende
To helpe her ffrendys to ascende,
By ful gret subtylyte,
To make he?/i entre the cyte ;
And ther-to dyde her bysy cure,
By scalys throgh the strong 1 closure ;
And as me thouhte, A-mong echou),
That Seyn Benet in soth was on).
[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination^
532
Among the
doctor* were
Augustine*
536 [prose, p. 2]
540
[ 2 were right St.]
Facient s!b\ pennns &
volabunt in celuvi.
548
552
556
560
564
568
and other
religious
orders ;
and they
made them-
selves wings,
[leaf 10, back
and soared
above the
cherubim
which kept
the gate.
On the other
side I saw
great men
helping their
friends over
the wall.
[prose, p. :;]
Among them
was St.
Uenet,
[Cap. iv]
16 Benedictines and Franciscans enterd ly Ladders.
who brought
a long ladder
[leaf 11]
by which
men of his
religion
easily
entered.
[Cap. v]
St. Francis
also was
there,
[prose, p. 3]
wlio assisted
his friends
over by
means of
knotted
curils.
Others I SAW
whose immes
are unknown
tome.
I could not
see all the
persons,
"Wycll, as I reherse 1 slial, [> Reherse St., rehen C.]
ffor to scale that hihe wal,
. That was so myhty & so strong 1 ,
"With hym brouht a ladder long 1 , 572
In the wych men myhte se
xij. grees 2 off huraylyte, [* Twelve greces St.]
By wych, thor[o]gh deuocyon),
ffolk off hys relygyon) 576
Ascendyd vp, gre by gre,
"W7t/*-ovte lette to that cyte,
And the ryht[e] weye han take.
Monkys greye, whyte, & blake, 580
Ascendyng 1 vp wit/i-oute ffeer.
And Seyn Fravnceys I sawh ek ther,
fful dyllygent, and ek bysy,
And (as me thouht) ful ffrendly 584
To ffolk of hys profession).
And ek in myw avysyon)
I sawh ther cordys rovnd & long*,
Al yffret with knottys strong 1 , 588
Hard to ffele, and nothyng 1 soffte.
And ffro the valey hih" a-loffte
Vp-on the wal they dede hem caste,
And by the cordys held ha?n ffast, 592
Grypyng 1 hem wt/t grete' 3 peyne, [* grete St., gret c.]
Off entent they myghte atteyne
To gete vp to that hihe Aval,
ffor to kepe hem ffrom a ffal, 596
Alvvay by the corde hem heldf.
And many A-nother I be-heldl,
Off dyuevs ffolkys that vp ran,
Off whom the namys I not kan, 600
Nor how they dyde hem sylff assure,
Over the wallys to Recure
On echo party Round! abovte ;
ffor I in soth, that stood wz't//-oute, 4 [ in doute St.] 604
Myghte not be-holden al the paas,
But on the party that I was,
Wych was to me gret dysplesavnce.
But I dar seyen, 5 in substauwce, [ 5 sejv St., seyn c.] 608
Every Pilgrim left his Wallet and Staff. 17
That ther was noon off no degre
Wych entre myhte the cyte,
But lefft wit/t-oute, lowe doim, [leaf n, back]
r*> i i i.. 101-1 / -i -i only that
ffor al. hys sherpe 1 & bordoUW. 2 [' scrippe St.] 612 everyone
left his wallet
But thentent otf hys vyage, m>d staff
And ffyn ek off hys pylgrymage,
Set 3 of herte fynally ['setteSt.J Omia agunt propUr fiiiem.
Ther tabyde perpetuelly 616
Wii/i ffeyth, hope, & chary te,
To lyve wit/i rest on 4 that cyte ; [*mst.] deMrinproniy
J J ' to live there
ffor other thyng 1 , in hert & thouht, '" P eace -
To her desyre they wolde nouht. 620
ffor, as the phylisofre seyth,
(To whom men mosten yeven 5 feyth) [ 5 yevyn st, eyven c.]
That al ffolk, 6 wherso they wende, [ aiie foite St.]
What they do, ys for som ende. 624
And for that skyle, more & more,
I was steryd wonder sore Thi9
me to go on
ffor to take my lournee, ? pilgrimage
J to that city,
Lyk a pylgryme, to that cyte. 628
Off more loye I nat kepte ;
And, me thouht ek, as I slepte,
And in my dreem dyde ek mete,
That ellys I myghte ha no quyete. 632
And thus ful pensyff in my guyse, [cap. vi,
A-noon I gan me to a-vyse,
And thouht in myw avysion), *><>* i remem.
J '' bered tlmt I
7 I ffaillede a sherpe 8 & bordon, [ 8 skrippe St.] 636 lacked scarf
* and staff.
Wych al pylgrymes ouhte to have,
In ther wey, hem sylff to save.
And so the pylgrymes hadde echon
In ther vyage, but I allone. 640
They wer echon by-ffore purveyd,
Bet in ther wey to be conveyed
A J T j ^ , [leaf 12]
And 1 roos vp, and that a-noon, ! 8tarted
And ffro myw hous gan out gon 644 *? y
2 The Roxb. has scrip, the Fr. escharpe, and the picture shows a scrip worn
scarf-wise. See also p. 18, 1. 655, 664. Escharpe : f. a Scarfe ; a Baudrick.
L 'escharpe dun pelerin. The scrip, wallet, or pouch whereiu he carries his
meat. Cotgrave. Bourdon: m. a Pilgrims staffe.
7 Catnb. cap. vi. p. 4, where the pilgrim "failede scrippe and burdoun."
PILGRIMAGE. C
18 DC, Guilleville meets a gracious Lady, GRACE DIEU,
but was de-
layed nine
months.
I thought I
might tiinl
a scarf and
staff,
[Cap. vii]
and while I
sought tor
them
I met a lady,
who seemed
an Emperor's
daughter.
[leaf 12, back]
She was
clothed in
white and
green,
Vp-on my wey, off wych I tolde ;
Al be that I was long yholde,
Or I myhte make my passage
To gynnew vp-on my pylgrymage.
'Nyne monethes I was kept cloos, '
Tyl at the last I vp Aroos,
Off entent forth to precede.
But than at erst I gan take hede
That, to myn entenciown,
I myghte ffynden a bordoura
And a sherpe, 1 wych of vsage
ffolk han that gon on pylgrymage,
Nedful to me & necessarye.
ffor wych cause I dyde tarye
Or I myghte gynne my lournee,
To holde my wey to that cyte ;
ffor wych I went complaynyng 1 ,
Out off my sylff 2 tryst & wepyng 1 ,
Cerchyng 1 toforn & ek behynde,
Sherpe 3 & bordourc for to fynde.
And whil I dyde my besynesse,
A lady of ful gret ffayrnesse
And gret noblesse, (soth to say,)
I dyde mete vp-on) the way.
ffor God wold 1 , (I yow be-hete,)
Sone that I sholde hyr mete,
Off grace for myw owne prowfi,
Wher-off I hadde loye ynowfr,
And in herte 4 gret gladnesse.
ffor she, as by lyklynesse,
Was douhter of som Emperour,
Somme myghty kyng 1 , or goue?*nour
Or off that lord that guyeth al,
"Wych ys of power most royal.
And thys lady gracyous,
Most debonayre, & vertuous,
Was yclad, by gret delyt,
In a surcote al off whyt,
Wit7i a Tyssu gyrt off grene.
And Endlong, ful bryht & shene,
[ l Scrippe St.]
648
652
656
660
psyiffst., fyiffc.]
p scrippe St.] 664
668
Voluntas dei fuit ut cito mi/ti
occurreret quod volebum.
Genesis 27. [v. 20]
[ 4 herte St., hert c.]
672
676
680
684
who asks Mm why he weeps, and what he wants, 19
She liadde a charboiwcle stem,
That Bound? abowte hyr body shon ;
Was noon so reche, 1 as I was war. [ l Ryche St.]
And on hyr brest A nouche she bar, 688 and many
very precious
I trowe that nowher was no bet. stones.
And in the Awmaylle ther was sette
Passyngly a reche 2 sterre, p Richest.]
Wych that cast hys bemys ferre 692
Hound? abovte?^ al the place,
Ther was swych habou?zdaimce off grace.
Out of whos bosoom, mylde ynowh, Out of her
bosom came
Ther kam a dowe whyt as snowh, 696 a wuite dove -
"With hys wynge's splayng 1 oute,
Plauynge rovnd? hyr hond? aboute.
Thys lady, of whom I ha told',
Hadde on hyr hed a crowne of gold?, 700 on her head
she wore a
Wrouht of sterrys shene & bryht, etownofgoid.
That cast aboute a ful cler lyht.
He was ful inyghty, (who taketh hede,)
That sette yt fyrst vp on hyr hed ; 704
And made yt ffyrst 3 by gret Avys p c. ffyrst ffyrst]
Off gret Eichesse and grete 4 prys. [* grete St., gret c.]
[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
Thys lady, that I spak of here, peafis]
Was curteys & of noble chere, 708 she was
. courteous
And wonderly of gret vertu. and saluted
me,
And fyrst she gan me to salue
In goodly wyse, axynge of me,
What maner thyng 1 yt myghte 5 be, [ 5 myghte St.] 712
Or cause why, I sholde hyr lere,
That I made so hevy chere ; and inquired
/-\ i j i , T wn y i was
Or why that I was ay wepyng 1 , weeping.
if or lak of eny maner thyng 1 .' 716
Wher-of, when I gan take hede,
I ffyll yn-to a maner drede, i was afraid
ffor Vnkonnynge and lewdenesse, 6 [ 6 lewdenesse St.] noble address-
ing me,
That sche, of so gret noblesse, 720
Dysdeynede not in hyr degre
To speke to on) so pore as me ;
Eut yiff yt were, so as I gesse,
20 He wants to go to Jerusalem, but lacks Scrip and Staff.
I remembered
beauty and
humility go
together,
and that the
laden apple-
tree bows ita
branches
lowest.
Al only of hyr gentyllesse ; 724
ffor gladly, wher ys most bevte, NOM st.
Ther ys grettest hvmylyte,
And that ys verrayly the sygne,
Swych ar most goodly & benygne. 728
An appyl tre, -with frut most lade,
To folk that stonden in the shade,
Mor lowly doth hys braunchys loute
Than A nother tre wit/t-oute ; * sine fructn st. 732
[leaf is, back] ffor 1 wher habouwdeth most goodnesse, [fforst.]
Ther ys ay most of mekenesse. 2 p mekenesae St.]
Noon so gret tokene of beute,
As ys parfyt humylyte. 736
Who wanteth hyr in hys banere,
Hath not vertu hool & entere.
And affter thys I gan abrayde,
And to hyre 3 thus I sayde, p hire St., hyr c.] 740
" How to gon, I caste 4 me, [ kaste st., cast c.]
To lerusaleem the cyte,
ffayllyng 1 (to myn entencion))
Both a sherpe 5 & a bordon), [ 5 Scrippe St.] 744
ffor wych I went, yt ys no doute,
ffor to seke ham Round aboute,
Yiff I myhte any fynde or se."
Grace dieu :
' Now vndyrstonde,' 6 than quod she, [ vndewtonde st.] 748
' Yff thow lyst hawe 7 of hem tydyng 1 , p have St.]
Thow mostest, ouer 8 alle thyng 1 [ 8 oner st., auer c.]
To thyrc entent, as thow shalt se,
ffor thy profyt, kom, folwe me. 752
And yt is gretly to thy prowfc
That thow hast me fovnde now,
By whos helpe 9 thow schalt spede, [ 9 heipe St., help c.]
To ffynden al that the shal nede.' 756
The pylgrym:
Than quod I," my lady dere,
I pray yow that ye wyl me lere
Your name & your condycz'ou,
Your cowtre, & yovr Regyouw ; 760
ffor yt ful plesaunt wer to me,
Then I told
her I wanted
to go to
Jerusalem,
but lackt a
scrip and a
staff.
Follow me,'
she said,
' for it is for
thy profit
thou hnst
found me.'
[Cap. vili]
' I pray thee,
sxid I,
' tell me thy
name.'
Grace Dieu tells De Guilleville how she helps Pilgrims. 21
To wyte pleywly what ye be."
And she answerde ful mekly, [Grace zwea]
' Tak hed to me now feyth fully : 764
I am the 1 douhter off themperovr, [' the St., om. c.] peafH]
Wych ys the lord and governour daughte/of
^ff i , j the emperor
Oft euery lond and regyoim ; ot every land
And he hath sent me hyder doun, 768
Here in-to this lowh (xmtre,
Off entent, as thow shalt se,
To gete hym frendys, & cowquere and i am
Bound' a-bouten / euery wher : 772 him friend*.
JS"at that he hath to hem no nede,
But only (who kan taken hede,)
That he haveth gret plesamzce,
To haue of folkys acqueyntavnce, 776
ffor ther profyt. more than for hys : But it i for
their good,
And thus yt stant & thus yt ys. uot his -
' Thow sest my noble ryche array,
And how that I am fresshe & gay, 780
fful ryally and wel beseyn,
Nothyng* in wast, nouther in veyn ;
Thys charboncle, nor thys sterrys clere,
ffressher wer neuer seyn yfere : 784 YOU see my
royal array.
.Nor, I trowe, noon so fayre,
Whos bewte may nat apayre.
If ffor to pvlgrymes. day & nyht, i give light
*" J J ' by day and
I enlumyne, & yive lyht 788 tiwittopu-
To al 2 pylgrymes in ther way, paiiest.]
As wel in dyrknesse as be day,
So they lyst rewarde me,
And lyst that I her guj'de' be. 792
And yiff they erryn in her weye,
Ageyn I kan hem wel eoraveye ; [I wylle hem guye / and do sokour,
T ,1 i , p TI j AVhile they to me have theyr' Retour.
I wyl hem helpen & Kedresse; St J OTft> Q i
ffor I am she, in sothfastnesse, 796
Whom thow owest seke of ryht,
In strau?zge lond? with al thy myght. [leaf 14, back]
' I yive lyht to folk echon i give light to
rri. j .e i. or\f\ all who err;
lhat out of hyr weye gon,
And releue hem, on & alle ;
22 Grace, Dieu offers help to De Guilleville. He accepts it.
my name is
Grace Dieu,
and I am
represented
by this dove.
Without me
tliou canst
not reach the
city.
Some enter
by subtlety,
[leaf 15]
but all by
me,'
[Cap. ix]
' I pray tliee,
leave me not:
Leffte vp folkys that be falle,
ffrom al mysheff & from al blame,
And Grace dieu, that ys my name, 804
fful nedful in ech cowtre.
' And by thys dowe wych thow dost se,
"Wych I bere wit/i wynges fayre,
Humble, benygne, & debonayre, 808
I am tookenyd, who lyst seke,
Wz't/i hyr goodly Eyen meke.
And so thow shalt me call in dede,
Whan thow hast on-to me nede, 812
And that shal be ful offte sythe,
That I may my power kythe,
Telpe 1 the in thy pylgrymage. [' To help]
ffor fynaly in thy vyage, 816
As thow gost to that cyte,
Thow shalt hawe offte aduersyte,
Gret mescheff and encombraunce,
Empechementys & dysturbaunce, 820
Wych thow mayst nat in no degre
Passe nor endure wit/i-oute me,
Nor that cyte never atteyne,
(Thogh thow euer do thy peyne.) 824
Wi't/i-oute that I thy guyde be.
' Al-be that in-to that cyte
Thow hast seyn entren nieny on,
Nakyd, in-to that cyte gon 828
So??ime by ther sotel engyn,
And somme also by cherubin.
But what so euere they koude don),
Ther was neuer recey ved noon 832
(ffor outht 2 they koude hem sylff avauwce,) [ ought St.]
But only thorgh" myn acqueyntau?ace.
Lo, her ys al : avyse the
Yiff thow lyst acqueynted be 836
Wit/i me : tel on thy fantasye,
And the trowthe 3 nat denye.' [ 3 Trouthe St., trcwth c.]
The pylgryme :
"Ma dame, for Goddys sake, I praye,
Nat to leue me on the weye 840
Grace Dieu takes De Guilleville to her house, 1330 years old. 23
Wit/i-oute yowr helpe & your favour ;
ffor in thys weye, your socour
Ys to me most necessarie
To forthre, that I nat ne tarye ; 844
Thankyng 1 to your hyh goodnesse, th y aid is
J ' most neces-
That ye kam of gentellesse, saf y to me -'
fiyrst vn-to me for my forthryng*,
Ther nedede me noon other thyng 1 ." 848
[6 lines Uank in MS. for an Illumination.]
Tho hyr lyst no lenger byde, [Cap. x]
But took me in the same tyde,
And made me with hyr for to gon T1 >en i>e
took me into
To an hous of hers a-noon, 852 lier hoU9e -
Wher I sholde fynde, in dede,
Al thyng 1 that I hadde of nede.
She was hyr sylff (yn sothnesse)
Off thylk hous cheff founderesse, 856
ffor on hyr word? yt was fyrst groundyd,
And by hyr wysdom) bylt and fovndyd ; [leaf is, back]
rp, , , , She founded
Ihe yerys of the masownry tins iiouae
Thryttene hundred & thrytty. 860 a|o? yea '
And ffor the fayrnesse & bewte
I hadde gret wyl that hous to se ;
I-baysshed, 1 for yt was so fayr ; p Abasshed st]
ffor yt heng 1 hih vp in the hayr : 2 p eyre St.] 864
Twen hevene & Erthe stood the place, it hun ff he-
tween lieaven
As yt hadde (only by grace) and earth.
ffroin the hevene descendyd douw.
So stood that hevenly mancyou?z, 868
With steplys & \vith toures hifre,
ffresshely arrayed to the Eye,
As, a place most royal,
Above al other pryncypal ; 872
Wych stood vp on a ffayr River. it stood i.y
a river, over
The water ther-of holsom & cler ; which " one
could pass.
But ther nas passage in that place,
Nor shepe 3 wherby men myghte passe, ["shippest.] 876
The pylgrym :
ffor wych to Grace Dieu I sayde,
And, to hyr thus I abrayde,
24? De Guilleville is afraid. Gfrace Dieu cheers him up.
i said, 'We " Madame, me semeth in my thouht
seem to be in
peril-there That we ben in perel brouht, 880
is no passage
over/ ffor I kan sen no passage
To passe by, nor avavmtage."
Grace dieu :
' Off me, dred the never a del,
Thon shait ffor thow shalt passe fayre & wel.' 884
pass,' she _,
aid. The pylgrym :
" I kan not swymmen, yt stondeth so,
Wherfor I not what I may do.
i am afraid And yiff I entre. I am in doute
I shall be J '
drowned.' But 1 euei I sholo? komen oute ; ['Howst] 888
[leaf 16] ffor wych, tentre 2 I stonde in drede, p to enter]
I have of helpe so grete 3 nede." p grete St., gret c.]
Grace dieu argueth :
[Cap.xi] 'What menyth toys'? what may thys be, 891
That thow art now, as semeth me, [De sacrai^t
Later hand tn St.]
So sore a-drad of thys Eyver,
Wych ys but lyte, smothe & cler ?
why art Why artow ferful of thys stream 1 ?
thou afraid of J
this river? And art toward lerusaleem, 896
And mustest of necessyte
Passen ferst the grete 4 see, [* grete St., gret c.]
Or thow kome ther. lo, her ys al,
And dredyst now thys Eyuer smal ! 900
The passage And most kouthe ys thys passage
is better J J v
known to To chyldre that be yonge of age,
children than And offter han thys ryver wonne
to old people,
Than folk that ben on 5 age rorcne. p betii in st.] 904
And the passage ys most kouthe
To chyldren in ther tender youth,
ffor yt, in soth, ys fyrst passage
Off euerych good pylgrymage ; 908
and there is ffor other weye ys ther noon
no other way,
except by the To lerusaleem by to goon,
Cherubim. J
But yiff yt be by cherubin.
And yet somme ha ther entry d Tn, 912
That wer nat wasshe in thys Ryuer,
Nor bathyd in the stremys cler.
Wych to the ys not contrarye,
Grace Dicu explains tlie Need of the Water of Baptism. 25
' But thys to the ys necessarie, 916
Consydred (shortly to expresse) ^"mtiTo" 8
The grete 1 fylth and vnclennesse, p grete St., gret c.] ft*^
The ordure and the dong< also, Smiths,
Off thy Ike hous thow kome fro, 920
Wher .ix. monethes thow hast be.
ffor wych yt nedeth vn-to the [leaf ie, back]
To wasshe the her, yiff thow take hede, tiiou must
' J be waht
Thys my consayl & my Eed : 924 Jj^P" 88 this
To passe thys 2 Ryuer of clennesse [* thys St., on. c ]
Yt ys to thee 3 most sykernesse. [ 3 the St., om. c.]
And al 4 I schal the telle A thyng 1 : [ eke St.]
Ther passede onys her a kyng 1 , 928 A king once
passed over,
ffyrst assuryng 1 the passage
Vn-to euery maner age ;
He made the pas hyra sylff alone,
And yet in hew was fylthe 5 non. [ 5 ffyithe at., fyituc.] 932
To wasshen hym yt was no nede,
But that hym lyst, of lowlyhede, ns an example
> > to others.
Schewe example by hys grace
How other folkys sholde passe 936
Over by the same went.
Wherf ore tel me thyn entent, Ten me thy
intent,
Tiff thow thys Ryuer lyst atteyne ;
And I shal A-noon ordeyne 940
A sergauwt of myw in specyal ;
Wych offycer the helpe shal
ffor to passe the water cler,
And wardeyn ys of the Ryuer. 944
He shal the wasshe, he shal the bathe, antl * win
appoint one
And make the passe the more 6 rathe. [ 6 more St., mor c.] b-itheliiee" 1
And, to put the out of doute,
He shal crosse the round aboute, 948
Make the sur, as thow shalt se,
ffrom al tempestys of the se,
Tescape the wawe of euery streem,
And make the wynne lerusaleem 952 <* cause
thee to reach
By conquest ; & fynally Jerusalem.
That thow shalt drede noon emny
Wher so thow wende, Est or West
26 De Guilleville asks why he is to be Washt, Baptized.
He shall ' Sette A cross vp-on thy brest, 956
(_'1'1>S I lift'
[leaf n] Be-hynde also, and on thyn hed,
Ageyn al mescheff and al dred.
And off entent, as thow shalt se,
nniiannoint He shal also enoynte the 960
thee,
Lych as sholde a Champyon),
That thow ha no 1 occasyon) [ have noon St.]
In thy passage, nor no nede
and then No maner emny for to drede, 964
sll;,ll [(MI-
IIO enemy.' Sette hem echon at no prys.
Now her-vp-on say thyn avys.'
The pylgrym :
" I am wel payd that yt be do. 2
Yiff resouw accorde wel ther-to. 968
But fyrst I wolde som cause se,
why wash What nedeth yt to Avasshe me,
me when I
am clean ?. Or bathe, when yt ys no nede ; [ 3 bathe St., bath c.]
ffor I am clene Avasshe 4 in dede [* washen St.] 972
ffroni al felth 5 and vnclennesse. [ 5 aUe flyithe St.]
And ouer more, so as I gesse,
And as i am I am of yerys no thyng 1 old* ;
not old, the
cold water The Water alSO OI kyude" COld?, [ 6 kynde St., kynd C.] 976
may kill me.'
Wych to entre, as semeth me,
I sholde in grete 7 perel be; [ 7 grete St., gret c.]
And clenner than I am thys tyde,
I sholde not be vp-on no syde." 980
Grace dieu speketh :
' Herkene,' quod she ; ' to voyde al doute,
Thou art Though thow be clene ynowh wi't/<-oute,
only clean
outwardly. Thow art wit/i-inne no tnyng 1 so ;
ffor cause I shal the telle, lo ! 984
Thou art Thow art soyled in especyal
soiled with
original sin, Off the synne orygynal,
Off fader & moder ek also,
Thorgh vnclennesse of bothe two, 988
Spottyd of nature, as ther hayr ; 8 [ 8 heyre St.]
[leaf n, back] Wher-of thow mayst nat be made fayr,
But thow be wasshe, as I the telle,
2 From here to 1. 1346 the long talk on Baptism and Original
Sin in this 2nd recension is absent from the first recension in
the Camb. MS. and its original French.
Grace Dieu explains Man's Creation and Innocence. 27
In thys Ryuer or thys welle. 992
And yet thow most have helpe of me
Yiff thow sholdyst clene be ;
ffor I mot fyrst my syluew dresse haUow!" 1
The bathe 1 halwen, & yblesse, [ l bath* St., bath c.] 996 ^{{'J^
And than yt shal ynowh suffise thee>>
To make the clene in alle 2 wyse : [ a aiie St., ai c.].
ffor the wasshyng* mad out-ward
Ys but tookene (who taketh Reward) 1000
Off al clennesse forth witA-Inne ;
At wych fyrst thow most be-gynne.'
The pylgrym :
" Madame, so hyt nat dysplese,
I can as yet no thyng* in ese, 1004
And I shal telle yow wher-fore
My dovte [is] 3 now mor than before, p i doute st.] i am now in
-* L J _ more doubt
And gretter 4 in COnclusyOWl, [* more gretter St.] than ever.'
But ye make exposicz'oun, 1008
And bet declare yt to my mynde,
Or ellys my profyt ys be-hynde."
Grace diCU : [De lusticia & peecato Original!. Later hand. St.]
' ffyrst, whan God the world be-gan,
And after hadde makyd man, 1012 'wiienGod
created man
And wo?nman for to be hys fere, and woman,
Thy forme fadrys, as thow shalt lere,
God, of hys gret curteysye,
To hem dyde suyche gentrye 1016
As to the I shal devyse.
He gaff to hem so gret fframzchyse,
Talyved 5 euere, thys no lesyng 1 , [ 5 TO have lived]
In elthe wit/i-oute languysshvng 1 , 1020 Hegaveium
J J ' health, lite,
Lusty & fressh in o degre, and liberty.
ISTeuer tave 6 had necessyte [ 6 to have]
Off deyyng* ; and gaff hem in sothnesse, [leaf is]
Lyberte, & Ryhtwyse 7 nesse, U wyse St., wys c.] 1024
ff redam of wyl 8 & equy te ; [ 8 and wyiie St.]
And that they sholde ryghtful be,
And ther-vp-on, ay done her cure
To ben Egal by mesure ; 1028
The body to the soule obeye
28 Grace Dicu tells how Adam lost Paradise ly Disobedience.
The body was ' In eue?y mane/ skylful weye,
Bouiinaii And bern 1 to hyra subieccion: [ beryn St.]
things,
So that alway, on-to 2 resou??, pvn-tost.] 1032
fforeyn 3 strengthys her doim lowe, [? Foreyn st., For eny c.]
Vpward sholde her sowerayn knowe,
as the lower And lest 4 WOl'thy of dygnyte, [MeestSt]
obedient to Vn-to most worthy of degre 1036
the higher. J
Obeye sholde by Reuerence :
Thys was of ryght fyrst the sentence ;
Shewe of lewdnesse ay a sygne, 1 039
The 5 lasse of prys to the most dygne. [ 5 The St., TO c.]
' Off divyne purvyaunce
Thys was fyrst the ordynaunce,
That mare shold euer ha be in blysse,
And al that whyle, of no thyng* mysse; 1044
Euer ha be fre, & never thral.
By ryhtwysnesse orygynal,
He gave man God gaff oure fadrys ous 6 be-forn), [vsst.]
all the beasts
of the earth Yiff they ne hadde her fredom) lorn, 1048
ffor catel and for ther herytage
Ta last in euery maner age,
Ben herytavnce, fro gre to gre,
Off ryht to ther posteryte : 1052
Thys to seyne, who kan take lied
for his, and To al that folwed of ther sed
his children's
for ever. ff O r euennore : & soth y t ys,
Yiff they hadde not do a-mys. 1056
' But whan they gan to God trespace,
[leaf is, back] They lost ther fredam and ther grace,
nut he lost Lyff also, and 7 liberte, p and eke St.]
lite and all J
things, And hooly ther auctoryte, 1060
Off wych thow hast herd me seye,
ffor wych offence they most deye :
Tho, al 8 thyngys in sentence [ 8 aiie St.]
Drowh fro man obedyence. 1064
Who dysobeyth hys sovereyn,
Off ryht mot 9 folwen in certeyn p mot St., not c.]
That he shal dysobeyed be
Off lower thynges of degre, 1068
Wych wer soget to hys servyse
Grace Dieu explains hoiu Children suffer for Fathers Sins. 29
' Or he trespacede in any wyse.
ffor vn-to God, sothly to seye.
J J '
Whan Adam fyrst gan dysobeye, 1072
Yt was Eyhtful, by kyndly lawe,
That to 1 hyra shold be wit/t-drawe C 1 ? fro]
AH maner 2 obeyssavnce pma
Off thynges vnder hys gouernaunce,
J '
Wych he hadde in subieccyon,
Only for hys rebellyon).
' And, yiff thow be Kesovmable.
An exaumple ful notable
I shal vn-to the declare
Openly, & no thyng 1 spare,
Yiff thow lysten, taken lied ther-to :
' I suppose yt falleth so :
The kyng 1 hath in hys court a knyht
"Whom he loueth wit/*. al hys myht,
And, for cause that he tryst hym wel
He yeveth to 3 hym a ffayr castel,
Wallyd strong 1 \viih hihe tours
ffrom al assaut of wynd & shours,
And to hys heyres, to pocessede j 4
And ther-vp-on maketh hem a dede,
Euere 5 by successyon [ 3 Ever* affter St.]
Ther-of to have pocessyon
ffor eueremore', to o 6 word,
"Whyl he ys trewe to hys lord,
Voyde 7 of al rebellyon).
Thys was the condycion) :
But he offendeth, so may falle,
Than he & hys chyldren alle,
The castel lese wzt/i-oute grace
Thorgh ther fadrys gret trespace :
The chyldren han the gylt abouht,
," i ii/\j
Al-be that they oflendyde nouht 1104
Thorgh ther fadrys gylt, alias ;
And thus perauwter stant the cas :
And lyk in cas semblable at al,
Eyhtwysnesse orygynal 1108
' Orygynal ' ys for to seyn
ana he
liaddisobeyd
1076 ail thing* dis
obeyed him.
1080
1084
to, om. St.] 1088
he ,f e r y e , 8 g
[atost]
p And voyde St.]
compare this
story :
A certain
castietoa
knierhtand
h' i>eir n
[leaf 19]
1096
on condition
disobeyd,
1100 children
should lose
Hedidoffed,
tor liis sin.
30 Thro Adam and Eves Sin, Mankind became sinful.
original gin ' Pleynlv, yf I slial not feyne,
is 8iiuiUr. . . . f, j ,
A gynnyng 1 wych fro (jrod kam,
And was fyrst yoven to Adam 1112
And vn-to 1 Eue hys wyff also, [ l And to St.]
Adam and Wych they loste, bothe 2 tWO [* loste botlie St., lost both C.]
I'aiadise, Only for ther Eebellyon),
Whos ryht was by condycon), 1116
mid their Wherthrogh that ther posteryte
posterity
suflerd for ffully ha lost ther lyberte.
t.ieir parents
sin, (Posteryte, playnly in dede, pst. leaves out 11.1119-1122.]
Ys folwyng 1 doiw of a kynrede 1120
Lynealy, fro gre to gre.)
And thus, touchyng 1 ther lyberte,
ffor dysobeyng* they ha lorn)
Off her fadrys hem to-forn ; 1124
Only throgh ther dysobeisau?zce
and lost their They ha lost ther enherytaunce,
inheritance
[leaf 19, back] Wych they may not inheryte ;
Wher-of ther fadrys ben to wyyte. 1128
' ffor nadde be ther transgressyon),
3 Transgressyottn ys for to say
A goyyng 1 fro the ryht[e'J way,
Or shortly, in sentement,
Erekyng 1 off a comauwdement 3 1136
Ther chyldren shold, by reson),
Ha cleymyd yt of verray ryht.
by their pa- Wher-for, yiff thow lefft vp thy syth * [* sight St.] 1132
rents' trans- '
gression. And lyst conceyven everydel,
Thus thou Thow mayst parceyve fayr & wel
mayest per-
thou 6 that Thow art spottyd in party
Off that thy ffadrys wer gylty ; 1140
So that thy fylth ys causyd al
Only of synne orygynal,
Wych that clerkys in sentence
Calle wantyng*, or carence 1144
Off orygynal ryhtwysnesse,
art spotted Wych thow oughtest (I dar expresse,)
with original Jo /
'I-' Ellys haue hadde of equyte
* 3 These four lines are written at the right-hand side in C. &
St. ; but with no mark to signify where they ought to be"placed.
Grace Dieu says our Original Sin is not like a cut-off Nose. 31
' By tytle of posteryte.'
The pylgrym:
" Ma dame, (lyk as ye slial fynde,)
I am a-stonyd in my mynde
Off your wordys ful gretly,
Wych ne sue nat kyndely.
ffor fyrst, as ye han told' to me
That I moste waSShe 1 be, C 1 moste wasshed St., most . .
To casten out myw vnclennesse,
The wyche 2 fylth, as ye expresse [ 2 which* St., wycii c.]
And namen yt in especyal
' Spot or synne orygynal,'
Wych. ys only, by your sentence,
No-thyng 1 but wantyng 1 or absence
Off ryhtwysnesse thus say ye ;
And in good feytli, as semeth me,
Wasshyng 1 no thyng 1 may a-vaylle
To do a- way thyng 1 that doth fay lie ;
Yt wer bet cordyng 1 to reson)
To make restytucyon)."
Grace dieu answerde :
' Certys, yt ys soth that ye seye.
But to o thyng 1 take hede, I praye :
Who that haveth not the bewte
Wych he shold han of duete,
Voyde of fylth then ys he nouht ;
The wych, yif yt be truly souht,
May be of felth a be-gynnyng*,
Gret cause also, & gret norysshyng 1 .
As by exau?nple thus I pose :
' Yiff a man ffayllede a noose
Wych he outh 3 haue of Resourc, p ought* St.]
Yt wer, to myn oppynyoun,
A gret defaute ([ the ensure,)
Off bewte ; & a gret ordure
Ther must sue, yt ys no nay :
And yiff the noose wer kut a-way,
The bewte of a manhys 4 face [* mnnnys St.]
Yt wolde gretly yt dyfface. 5 p aiie dyfface St.]
Semblably, in especyal,
' I am aston-
ished at what
you say ;
1152
C.]
1156
1160
1164
1168
1172
1176
1180
1184
but it seems
to me that
Washing can-
nut avail me ;
[leaf 20]
Restitution
were better.'
' What you
say is true.
If a man
were without
a nose,
it woulil be a
great want.
32 Grace Dieu shows how Folk are begotten in Lust.
so it is you ' Yiff Ryhtwvsnesse or\ T gynal
want original ""
righteous- Thow wante, wych thow sholdest haue,
IIBS8.
I myghte pryve, 1 so God me save [' preve St.] 1188
And conclude wit/t-oute wene,
Off som fylthe thow wer vnclene.
I dar yt seyn, and wel expresse,
Naraly whan thow in vnclennesse 1192
Off flesshly lust wer fyrst be-gete,
Wych shold not be for-gete ;
The inst of ffor fleshly lust (in sentence)
the flesh is
conciipis- ycallyd ys concupyscence. 1196
cence,
As thus consydre myn entent ;
Whan soule and flessh to-gadre 2 assent pgydrest.]
[leaf 20, back] To don any gret offence,
Thau yt ys concupyscence, 1200
And nouther party by dyffence
Lyst not make resistence,
As they shold of equyte,
Wher-thorgh ther fayrnesse & bewte 1204
Dyffacyd ys of bothe 2 tweyne. [ s boothe St., both c.]
And euene lyk (in wordys playne)
and the of- Thoffence lone? or thow wer borne,
fenee vias
committed Off thy fadrys her-to-forn, 1208
long ere you
were bom.' Hath lost (yiff thow koudest se)
Thi grete* fredam & bewte ; [* grete St., gret c.]
And ther trespace, (yiff thow lyst lere,)
Ther lynage beyth 5 yt al to dere.' pbeyetust] 1212
The pylgrym: 6 t* Pyiygrym Asketh st.]
" With al myn herte 7 now I pray p nerte St., hert c.]
thyng 1 that ye wyl me seye :
nut can this yff thys wasshyng*, wtt/i-oute more,
washing re- J J J '
sK.re right- May Restablysshe or restore 1216
eousnesg,
The ryhtwysnesse wych, day & nyht,
1 ouhte haue hadde of verray ryht ;
and annul And yiff thys wasshyng 1 (in sentence)
May A-nulle concupyscence ?" 1220
Grace dieu :
' Teuchyng 18 that we have on honde, [ s Touchyng St.]
Thow must pleynly vnderstonde
A thyng< wych I the telle shal.
Grace Dieu cannot help De Guillemlle Unless he's baptized. 83
' Eyghtvysnesse orygynal, 1224 'Toucan
Thow shalt yt neuer haue A-geyn ; wigbui
righteousness
But truste, & be ryght wel certeyn, a & ai >
That after thow be wasshe clene,
The fylthe ther-of, (thus I mene) 1228
Thy wasshyng 1 shal yt sette A-syde,
But concupyscence shal abyde. [leaf 21]
' Take the wordy s as I the telle ; piscence win
But yiff thow wylt, I shal ay dwelle 1232
With the, to helpe the ay at nede,
That thow mayst in verray dede if r were to
j dwe11 with
Maken myghty resystence you,
Ageynys thy co?zcupyssence, 1236
Wych shal the dere neveradel
Yiff so be thow bere the wel.
And. but I seye thy wasshyng 1 , yet without
J J J ' the washing
I myhte the helpyn yn no thyne? ; 1240 i could not
J fJ J J . assist you.
ffor the wasshyng 1 (I the ensure)
Doth away al the ordure
Off al that kepen duely
Ther maryage, and feythfully ; 1 244
ffor wych, to the ys profytable Tins washing
will do you
Thys wasshyng 1 , & gretly vayllable. good:
Thy ffader, thy moder ek also, your parents
f were washed,
Wer wasshyn ther-in, bothe two, 1248
Whan they wer born) ; & so shalt thow, BO must you
Syth yt ys syttyng 1 for thy prow :
That thow hem sue, yt ys Resouw.'
The pylgrym:
" I haue," quod he, " suspecyou?^ 1252
Off ther wasshyng 1 now sodenly.
Yiff they wer wasshe duely 'if they were
,, washed,
Oft ther synne orygynal,
Me semeth yt sholde folwe in al, 1256 ought i not
to be clean ? '
byth I am gete of 1 ther kynrede, [' gate in St.]
I sholde go quyt (who taketh hede,)
Off orygynal in eue?y thyng 1 ,
Thorgh vertu ferst of ther wasshyng 1 ." 1260
Grace dieu:
' Than,' quod she to me a-gayn, [leaf 21, back]
PILGRIMAGE. D
34 Gh*ace Dieu insists on the necessity of Baptism.
'Grain is ' Tak hed, whan men sowen greyn,
freed from \
the chaff be- The huske, the chan (yt ys no nay,)
fore it is J '
wn . Mot fyrst be clene putt a- way, 1264
Er yt be throwe vp-on the lond,
And sowe a-brood with manhys hond,
Naked and pur, yff thow take hede.
And after- ward, whan yt doth seede, 1268
Ypon the tyme of hys Rypyng 1
And the seson of gadryng*,
but when it Men fynde a-geyn the same corn,
grows it has J J
us husks as Huskyd as yt was be-forn, 1272
before, *
And ther-to clothyd newe a-geyn.
' By wych exauwple, in certeyn,
Thogh thy fadyrs were, by grace,
Off ther orygynal trespace 1276
purgyd clene, & frely quyt,
The caffe 1 and the strowh abyt, r. 1 chaffe St., caff c.]
Rene we th ay & euer shal,
and so it is Off the synne orygynal, 1280
with original J J OJ
8111 : Vpon the greyn, wych of hem spryngeth,
The huske alway with hem they bryngeth.
Alle folkys, as thow shalt lere,
That kyndely be sowen here 1284
In thys world, fro day to day,
the husk The husk -with hem abyt alway,
always re-
mains.' A n( j seueryth nat in no manere
Tyl they be wasshe in the Ryuere : 1 288
Wherfor (by short conclusyouw,)
They nede echon purgacyouw.'
The pylgrym :
it seemed Tha??ne me sempte vt was but veyn,
vain to reply
Mor for me to speke a-geyn, 1292
Or make replycacyouw
[leaf 88] Ageynys her oppynyouw.
Off hevynesse I wepte sore ;
ffor tho I koude do no more, 1296
f -^
I was so whapyd & amaat,
Tyl at the last an aduocaat 2
2 A godfather (after whom Guillaume de De Guilleville was
called).
An Advocate helps De Gruilleville to cross the River. 35
Kam to me tho in my nede, tin an advo-
cate came
WitA-oute gerdouw other mede. 1300 who spoke
tor me,
And, for I hadde of speche lak,
"VVonderly goodly for me he a spak ; [' siie St.]
Profrede for to help of grace and would
ln-1]) me to
To make me the Eyuer passe, 1304 P* 88 .
And that I myght ouer gon,
And that I wer ek wasshe a-noon, a " d e ,,
washed.
In al that euer he coude or myghte ;
And Guyllyam ffor-Sothly 2 he hyhte : [ 2 sotheiy St.] 1308 Hisnnme
< was William,
Hys surname I nat ne knew.
And thus he spak to Grace Dieu :
" Myn almesse, wit// your grace,
I \vyl fulfyllen in thys place: 1312 n<i promised
J to fulfil Grace
And yiff ye wyl, I calle shal D . ieu ' 8
y / * pleasure.
Off your hous the offycyal
(ffor yt ys now ryht good sesoiw
Affter your oppynyowi) 1316
That he make, by your byddyng 1 ,
Of thys pylgrym the wasshyng 1 ,
Wher-of ye han so mych sayd."
Quod she, 'I am ryht wel apayd.' 1320
And ther-wit7i-al, benygne of look, Then he took
Jo me, and
The aduocaat a-noon me took c-jiied the
omcial to
Of charyte, by gret plesaurace, hel P llim
Affter the custom & vsaimce, 1324
And made calle 3 fyrst of al [ 3 caiiest.,caiieofc.]
To helpyn hym the offycyal ;
Bad hym also, among 1 hem alle,
After hys name me to calle, 4 1328 deaf 22, back]
That he shold ek don hys dever a " d bade him
aid me in
To helpe me passe the Ryver, crossing the
That I wer wasshen A-noon ryht.
And he so dyde with al hys myght; 1332
And many thynges, as he abrayde,
Over me, me thouhte he sayde ;
Wordys that hadde gret vertu,
As he was tauht of Grace Dieu ; 1336
Wher-thorgh, me thouht, & that a-noon,
4 See note to 1. 1298.
3G A Devil flies out of De Guillcmlle, and he is baptized.
A black bird
passed from
me,
and lie cried
out that all
was lost.
[Cap. xii]
The official
plunged me
iu the stream,
just as Grace
Dieu had
said.
Then be and
the river
vanished,
[leaf 23]
and she led
me to a fair
place, and
made me
good cheer.
And said,
' Now you
have passed
the stream,
and 3'our
enemy is
gone,
I xvill teach
you many
things.'
That I sawh ther, fro me goon,
A foul that was of colour blak ;
And in hys lydene 1 thus he spak, [ teems St.] 1340
Siyyng, 2 men herd hyra eue?-y cost, [ 2 Cryynge St.]
' I-wys,' quod he, ' I haue al lost ;
And fro me now ys taken al
By thys ylke offycyal.' 1344
The pylgrym : 3
He hath my clothys fro me Eauht,
And thre tyme he hath me kauht,
And in the ryuer plongyd me,
Crossyd, (as men myhte se,) 1348
[5 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
Enoynted in the stremes colde,
Lyk as Grace Dieu me tolde :
1 fonde she lyede neuer a del.
And whan that I was fayre & wel, 1352
The Kyuer passyd than A-noon,
And thavocaat ek was gon,
Wych only of gent[e]rye
Hadde don to me gret curteysye 1356
That shal never out of mynde.
Than Grace Dieu, most good & kynde,
Ladde me forth on 4 my repayre [Mn St.]
To a place ryht inly fayr; 1360
And neuer she made me to-fore
So goode 5 cher syth I was bore, [ 5 goode St., good c.]
Nor was so benygne of hyr port,
Vn-to me to don confort. 1364
' Now syth,' quod she, ' that yt 6 ys sene, [asytst.]
Thow art wasshe, & made al clene,
And art passyd the ryuer
"WYt/i-oute percyl or dauwger, 1368
Thyn Enmy fled Out of thy brest,
Wher he aforn) hadde made hys nest,
I shal the shewe of gret delyt
fful many thyng 1 for thy profyt, 1372
Yff thow ha lust to lerne of me
Thynges 7 that I shal teche the, 17 Thynges St., Thyges c.]
3 This line in C. and St. comes after 1. 1345.
The Sign of Tau bloodied. The Order of Confirmation. 37
* And vnderstond hem by & by.'
And tho befyl ther sodeynly 1376
A wonder thyng* (thus stood the cas,)
Wher-of I astonyd was ; Then i was
astonished
And yet for-thy I shal not spare,
Eyht as yt fyl, for to declare, 1380
Whan I se tyme & best sesoun
Touchyng my sherpe 1 and my bordouw : [' Scrippest.}
Whan I ha leyser, trusteth wel,
I shal yow tellyn euerydel. 1384
But, or I dyde further passe,
I sawe Amyddys of that place [Cap. xui]
A sygne of Tav wych ther stood, rp 1387 at the sign
And yt was al be-spreynt vfith blood. ^ t.], om.c. 8p rinkied
J with blood,
[7 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
And ek, as I koude vnderstond 1 , [leaf 23, back]
I sawe be sydes 2 a mayster stond* [*besydest.] and one
beside it
Oft ryght gret auctoryte, of great
authority,
And sempte that he sholde be 1392
Lyk a vyker douteles 3 p douteies St., douties c.]
Off Aaron & of Moyses.
And pleynly tho (as I be-hekP,)
In hys hond a staff he* held*, [* he St., on. c.] 1396 having a
Crooked be-fora (I took good hed ;) hand;
And hornyd also was hys hed. and his head
was horned.
Hys garnement, by gret delyt,
Was of lyne 5 cloth al why t, piynynst.] 1400
Off the wych, ful wel I wote, J?r v . n . M .'" . m n edio eorKOT -
h,y.UClliyuS. 1X.
That the prophete whylom wrot, He is de-
-r-< i-i Kcribed by
lizechyel, who lyst to look 1 , Ezekiei
The nynthe chapytle off hys book : 1404
Ordre off confyrmaciouw
Wych, wit/i the sygne of gret vertu
Markyde manye with Tav marking
men in tlieir
Myd of her forhed, on by on, foreheads
And sayde to hem euerychon, 1408
' I crosse yow, and corcfenne also with the sign
With thys / that ye take hed ther-to,
That ye may be, fro day to day,
Good pylgrymes in your way; 1412
38 DC Guillemlle is Confirmd. The Order of the Last Unction.
ffor thys to yow, tokne & sygne
Tli at God shal be to yow benygne,
That ye shal not venquysshed be
[leaf 24] Off your Enmyes in no degre.' 1416
And wit/i thys sygne of gret vertu
Grace oieu I was markyd off Grace Dieu
marked me,
Myd my forhed, brede & lengthe,
Wher-by I 1 kauhte ful gret strengths, [' i St., om. c.] 1420
and i re- And Receyvede ther by Eyht, 2 [ 2 off Right St.]
ceived
strength Vertu, force, & gostly myght,
To forthre me in verray dede
acconiing to Off al that euer I hadde nede. 1424
my need.
Not nede as I hadde be-fore
Thorgh the Eyuer or I was bore ;
Yt was not so gret necessyte
But covenable congreuyte. 3 [ s congmyte St., congeuyte c.] 1428
Ordre off the laste vncciouw.
[Cap. xiv] Affter al thys, I hadde a syht
Then the Off the mayster, wych of Eyht
master gave J
ointment to Made the holsom oynement,
the (iitiriiil, J
And after took yt of 4 entent [*offgoodest.] 1432
To the sayde offycyal,
saying, And gaff to hym thys charg* \vith-al :
[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.']
**. ' Have her,' quod he, < ful goodly .^S^fflS*
Thre oynementys most worthy ; SffliwoM.
The wych now to the I take
two of them Only for pylgrymes sake,
on pilgrims Swycli as in ther oppynyouws
Wyl be myghty champyou??s 1440
ffor to holde strong 1 bataylle
[leaf 24, back] Whan ther Enmyes hem assaylle.
ti!efr enemies, ' Thow shold do thy bysy peyne 1443
Tenoynte hem witJi the fyrste 5 tweyne, [ 5 fyrste St., fyrst c.]
And kep the thrydde wztA-oute more
ffor folkys 6 that byth woundyd sore, [ ffoikyg st, ffoik c.]
keepinjftiie And swyche as lygge languysshyng 1
third for the _. . . . .
dying. On ther beddys, almost deyng*, 1448
And of ther l^ff ha no dysport :
Thow shalt a-noon don hem cownfort ;
The Ointments for Pilgrims, new Kings, c&c. The Tau. 39
' Enoynte hyw in especyal
As ther leclie spryrytual, 1452
Wher thow sest that yt be nede ;
And ffeythfully, (yf thow take hede,)
Pylgrymes that travayU in ther way, often' 8 ar *
Wych passeu her fro day to day> 1456 ^ edby
And often in ther passage erre,
And assayllyd byth vfith werre ;
Yt fayllyth not, sory or blythe,
But they be wondyd offte sythe, 1460
And grevyd wiih many aventure,
ff ro deth that they may not recure : and "
meet with
And at ther ende, thys no fa vile, death when
* they need
Whan that deth doth hem assaylle, 1464 ^ oillt -
They gretly nede thys oynement ;
And for thys skyle, in myn entent
I haue take yt in-to thy ward,
Al syke folkys to Reward*, 1468
Tenoynte hem whan they haue nede :
And other oynementys in-dede
I ha reservyd 1 to my kepyng 1 , [' Beserved St., reseyvyd C.] I have re-
ceived other
Tenoynte with a newe kyng 1 1472 ointments
By the vykerys of Moyses,
The wych yt make dout[e]les,
At due tynie certeynly Daf 25]
By ther power as wel as I. 1476
ff or syke folkys enerychon, for "<
And for lechys, as thow art on,
Wych sholdest alway be bysy,
Wel awaytynge & redy, 1480
At the tablys wher we sytte
Whan we etyn, & not flytte ;
ffor the tav T, taken hed, -*- But take
heed of tlie T
Wych thow niakest in the 2 forhed. [ 2 thy St.] 1484 which you
* make in
' But I wyth-holde to Ward me men's (ore-
heads.
Off custom & of duete,
The fynal execucyouw,
The vse & mynystracyouw 1488
Off confermyng in the ende :
Take hed now that thow not offeude.'
40 The Maiden Reason talks about Ointment and Doctors.
[[Cap.
As they
talked,
a maid of
humble cheer
drew near :
1492
her name was
Reason.
[leaf 25, back]
' Sirs,' she
said, 'who
stand here
and speak of
your oint-
ments, listen
toine.
Ointment is
a virtuous
thing
for certain
wounds.
Physicians
should be
gentle in their
treatment ;
P St., C. burnt]
1496
1500
1504
P Syre St.]
[* St., C. burnt]
And whil they held ther parlementys
And spak ek of ther oynementys,
[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
Ther kam to hem of gret manere
A mayde mek, & humble of chere,
Wych that of entencyoura
Descendede from hyr tour a-doura.
Than Grace Dieu spak vn-to me,
' lo, sestow nat yonder,' quod she,
' ResouTi, by hyr sylff allone,
"Wych cast hyr for to speke A-noon
To thys folk that thow sest here ? '
And she, demur and sad of chere,
Sayde to hem hyre 1 fantasye
WitR-outen eny 1 flatrye
Resou// spak thus: 2
' Syrs,' 3 quod she, in goodly wyse,
' That stonden here, 4 & thus devyse
Off Enoyntynge 4 & oynementys,
And ther-of hold your parlementys,
I pray 5 yow that ye nat dysdeyne
To herkne 5 off me wordys tweyne,
Wych to tellyn I purpose,
And a-noon) to 5 yow vnclose :
Oynemente ys a soote 6 thyng,
And ryht vertuous in werkyng,
To wouwdys cloos, & ope also,
Yiff yt be sofftly leyd therto
Both wyth hand and instrument ;
ffor lechys sholden off entent
Soffte handle the soor to seke, 7
Yt fyt 8 hem wel to be meke ;
To whom a-cordeth no Eudnesse ;
They sholde avoyde boystousnesse.
Wouwdyd folk desyren offte
Off lechys to ben handlyd soffte ;
2 Camb. MS. reads : She bigan to speke to hem, and seyde
with-oute flateringe, ' Lordinges, that thus diuisen and speken of
youre oynementes, and holden heere youre parlement of enoynt-
inge of oother folk, vnderstondeth now two little woordes that j
wole soone haue vnclosed yow. Oynement is,' &c., p. 9.
1508
[ 5 St., C. burnt]
[ soet St.]
1512
1516
[7 and seeke St.]
[sytteSt.] 1520
1524
Eeason lids them le gentle and pitiful, not revengeful. 41
' Eudnesse hem doth mor damage
Then l the oynement avaurctage ; P Thanne St.]
Harmeth offte tymes more
To swyche as that be 2 wou/idyd sore : [ 2 as bethe St.] 1528
I calle hem rude, that be felous, those who
are not are
ffers & cruel as be lyowts ; " felons,"
That wyl, 3 thorgh ther cruelte, p while St.]
On every thyng a-vengyd be; 1532
Spare ne for-bere ryht nouht,
They be so vengable in ther thouht.
Swych be no goode surgyens,
Lechys, nor physycyens, 1536
Syke flblkys to restore ; [leaf 26]
ffor the woundys they hurte more and in .i" re
those whom
Thorgh Eudnesse in ther entent : tlie y 8llould
cure.
ffor they mynystre ther oynement 1540
To boystously, & no thing soffte ;
Wher-thorgh they hurte & slen ful offte,
Wych affter may nat be amendyd.
And for thys skyle I am descendyd, 1544
Kome to yow in sothfastnesse, And i am
come that
That ye in yow ha no Eudnesse, there 9llou ' d
be no cruelty
Cruelte, nor felon ye, in you.
Wych ar douhtrys to envye. 1548
'Beth pytous vn-to folkys wouwdyd, Be pitiful
m , , , " to wounded
lyl ye nan her sorys sou?myd, folk;
Debonayre & mercyable,
Soffte, goodly, & tretable. 1552
Tha?zne, in soth, yt may nat fayH then your
ointments
lhat your oynementys shal av'ayli wiiibeof
To syke folke on euery syde,
That for ther hele on yow abyde. 1556
Bemewbreth yow vp-on thys poynt,
How ye wer whylom ek enoynt Ye were
J J J anointed,
lo bekome mor debonayre ;
Nat to be cruel nor contrayre, 1560 not to be
But teschewe al ffelonye,
And tavoyde malencolye ; but to avoid
melancholy ;
And no vengauwce for to take, ana take no
vengeance,
But forgyue for Goddys sake ; 1564
42 The Vicar asks Reason what liis Hwns and Goad are fors
( Al old Rancour for to lete :
ffor, by record off the prophete Meawtvicio &e*o
* retnbuam. Deutero-
In hys Sawys that ben olde,
for vengeance God hath to hyw sylff wit/i-holde / 1568
beloiitfeth
Vengauwce to hys lugement ;
And ther-fore, who that of entent 1
[leaf 26, back] "Wyl wrastle ageyw yt, this the cheff [St. &c.]
He shall not faylle to han mescheff.' 1572
Whanne Resoun hadde hyr tale told, ,,
The Vyker, that sernpte wonder olde, [stowe MS.]
answered 1 " ^ whom I tolde yow nat in vayn [St. & c.]
Moyses 2 cstoweMs.]
Axed of Resouw thus agayn : [St. &c.] 1576
' I pray yow that ye nat ne spare,
The truthe clerly to declare,
The moralyte to obserue,
Wherof sholde myn hornys serve] 1580
what, then, Thys staff ek, with the sharpe poynt.
are my horns r r j
for? Telleth me fro poynt to poynt,
Be they nat maad, by good resouw,
For punysshynge and Correcciown; [St. &c.] 1584
Myn hornys, for to take wrak 1
On shrewes, & to putte abak 1 ]
And off my staff ek, wz't/i the prykke,
and what is Chastysen folkys that be wykke, 1588
the good of J J J
my staff with Rather than lyk as ye me tolde
its sharpened
end?' Her a-forn, how that I sholde
Enoynte hem -with the oynement ?
Wher-vp-on seyth your entent.' 1592
Resouw Answereth:
' My fayre frend,' quod tho Resoun,
/My friend, < Tak hed in thy dyscreciouw :
be reason- * "
able:
1 Camb. MS. reads : And therfor who so wole bineme it liim,
to yuel ende he may come, p. 10.
2 This is a red line, some one answering the preceding speaker.
The Camb. MS. goes on : Whan resoun hadde thus spoken,
the vicarie of whiche j seide bifore, answerde hire and seide,
"Sey me, j praye you, if ye can, whi j haue thus myn hed horned
and the yerde sharp at the eende ? Is it not for to do punish-
inge and correccoun of yuel dedes ? j trowe j shulde putte and
hurtle the yuel folk with myne homes, and prikke hem," &c.,
p. 10.
Ecason says, Sinners must le gentled ere they re punislit. 43
' Vnderstond me euery del :
I wote 1 what thow menest wel, L 1 wote St., wot c.] 1596
And knowe platly thy menyng 1 .
Mesure ys good in euery thyng* : there i
moderation in
Thogh thy hornys & pyk also a)1 things-
Be yove 2 to the, bothe two, p St., c. burnt] 1600
ffor 2 Punysshyng & for chastysyng 1
Off f olkys Eebel in werchyng 1 ; [>af 27]
Yet f yrst thow sholdest hem dyrecte. You m " 8t
J J direct, and
And \fi\Ji fayrnesse hem correcte, 1604 pnnfahwith
fairness,
Swych as thow sey, day by day, 3 [ 3 fro day to day St.]
Eriyn fro the hit 4 Ryhte way ; [* bin om. St.]
And yiff thow fouwde hem obstynat,
That 5 longeth yt to thyw estat [ 5 ? Than] 1608
To punysshen hyw by thyw offyce,
And vp-on hem don ek iustyce a nd accord-
ing to the
Egally for ther offence : offence.
The la we yiweth 6 the lycence. [ 6 yevetb st.] 1612
' But ferst thow sholdest trete he?H fayre,
Be goodly ek, and debonayre,
And don alway ful gret labour
To she we swetnesse afor Rygour. 1616
And thogh the prykke of Rygour be Though yonr
V J / & sti.ff [crosier]
ffor chastysyng 1 y-yove to the, > given yu
J J J J to punish
Be alway war, touchyng 1 ryht : witu
Whan thow chastysest any Avhy&t, 1620
Do yt neuer by suych duresse
But yt be meynt ay wit/i suetnesse ;
Medle wit/i-al the vnccyou?i let judgment
ever be tein-
Off pyte and compassyoun. 1624 peredwith
' In thyn entent to be mor clene,
Thogh thyn hornys be sharp & kene
To punysshe folk by ryhtwysnesse,
Thow sholdest ay the poynt so dresse 1628
In thy Rygour of equyte,
Euere in hert to han pyte and have pity
i upon those
On hem that thow hast mstesyed. whom you
have "jus-
Let mercy with ryht be so alyed, 1632 ticed."
And thynk how many day to-forn,
Or thow haddest any horn,
Reason says: Imitate the mild Moses; be merciful.
[leaf 27, back]
Ilemember
that you were
anointed be-
fore you were
horned,
and forget not
whose vicar
you are,
and follow
Ilia example.
Moses led the
Israelites
through the
Bed Sea,
and you hare
people under
you:
remember
this lesson,
and be merci-
ful inwardly
whatever
you are out-
wardly.
' Thow wer Eenoynt : thynk ther vp-on
Lat yt not fro thy mynde gon
Which thing, whan thow dost aduerte,
Yt shaft nesshe ful wel thyn herte
Whan yt is harde or out of loynt,
To ponysshe or smyte with the poynt,
Or with thyn homes to hurtle sore :
Ha this in mynde euer more,
To medle mercy with equyte.
' Remembre also ful wel, and se
That he, of whom thow art vyker,
And chose to be hys offycer,
Was humble, meke, & debonayre,
Charytable, & nat contrayre :
Of whom thow shalt exau?ftple take,
To-forn 2 or thow thy domys make.
Hornyd 3 he was by apparence,
If at vsyng* hem by vyolence :
Thys was that holy Moyses
That ladde al Israel in pees
Myddys thorgh the large see ;
And vfiih hys yerde, thys was he
That passede the floodys raage,
And made hei haue good passage.
' Vnderstondeth thys lessoiw,
Ye that han in subieccioura
Peplys vnder your prelacye,
To lerne how ye shal hew guye.
Thogh ye be hoinyd to syth 4 outward,
Shewe as they wer styff & hard,
Lat hem nat growen in your herte
To make your shep / to sore smerte.
Thogh ye shewe / out-ward dredful,
Beth in your hertys mercyful, 5
[st.&c.] 1636
[Stowe]
[st.&c.] 1640
1644
Er:t Moyses vir mitissi-
iniM. NMinerorum 12;:i).
1648
p To forn St.]
[3 Hornyd St., US. torn C.]
1652
1656
1660
[ sight St.]
1664
1668
1 Camb. MS. reads : Bithinke thee that thou were enoynted
er thow were horned, and er thow haddest any prikke, and er
thow haddest any yerde or staf, And that ouhte niichel softe
thee whan thow wolt correcte any wyght. thou shuldest not also
foryete of whom thow doost the vicarishipe, p. 11.
5 Camb. MS. reads : And be merciable with-inne, what-euere
thow be with oute ; Fallas thou miht make heer-inne with-oute
misdoinge, p. 11, omitting all between lines 1671 and 1699.
Reason cites Aristotle, and lids Church-Rulers be gentle. 45
' Dyssymule, and male in swych caas
Off Elenchorum a fallaas. JJ. [St. & c.]
[leaf 28]
[St. & C.]
Verba Translatoris.
[C.&St.] 1672
[i Boolys St.]
(Elenchus ys a syllogysme,
Or by fallaas, a Sophisme,
Thyng 1 that hatfr on Apparence\
W*'t/i-outen eny Existence ; <A
Or an argument in shewynge
"Wych in effect hath no beynge
Affter the thyng that yt doth shewe.)
1T And thcr-fore, in wordes fewe,
To the purpos vallyable,
An exaiwiple ful notable
To folk that be not rekkeles,
Putteth Arystotyles :
In Elenchis thow mayst rede
He byddeth for to take in dede
A Boelys 1 galle, & ther-wit/i-al
On bord, on cloth, or on a wal
Portreye or peynte, as I ha told,
And yt wyl resemble gold
By apparence vn-to the syht,
Yiff yt be vernysshed cler & bryht.
IT And sothly, who that loke wel,
Off gold ther ys neuer a del,
But apparence, to deceyue
ffolkys that kan not vel 2 parceyve
Tlie feynte colour in hys kynde.
U By wych exauraple han in mynde,
Thogh thow be hornyd on thyn hed,
To shewe outward a tookne of drede
Vn-to folk that be contrayre,
Yet ay be inward debonayre.
' Tak exauwple off thy staff
Wych Grace Dieu vn-to the gaff :
Thogh the poynt be sharp & kene,
Yt ys vpward, pleyn, sinothe & clene
The myddys ryht as any lyne,
Aboue, crokyd to enclyne ;
Sygnefyyng vn-to the 3
3 Camb. MS. reads : Dowte not that that [yerde] ne tokeneth
[2 wel St.]
1676
1680
1684
1688
1692
1696
1700
1704
Take an ex-
ample of Aris-
totle's :
A bull's gsill
rubbed on a
board
will look
exactly like
gold.
So you,
thougb you
show dread-
ful without
be merciful
within.
Your staff
should teach
you humility,
46 Reason explains the meaning of the Pontiff's Staff,
[leaf 28, back] fl Whan thou punysshest by Equy te ['- 1 stowe MS.] 1708
That ther-with-alle thow ha mekenesse
Al-way to drawe by SoffteneSSe fYsidorus/ Bonus rector estqui
* in humihtate seruat discipliiiam.
Thy shepe that gon out of the way,
wlu^quity 81 ' R atlier by ffayrenesse than affray. 1712
Whan they retornen home ageyn,
Lat ay thy Chary te be seyn, 1
That yt surmouwte thy rygour. [St. & c.]
Eemembre alle-way at ther Eetour 1716
Above al maner other thyng, ,,
Vp-on ther elthe & amendyng 1 ;
Ever show a Schew hem euer of lone a sygne,
sign ot love to "
men. And in thy drauht be ay benygne, 1720
Voyde of rancour & felonye ;
Than dostow trewly occupye
The staff wych thou hast on honde.
'ffor thow shalt well vnderstonde 1724
Yt tokeneth (who that kan concerne,)
Yonr staff That thow shalt ther-witft governe
is u sign of
authority; The peplys (I dar wel specefye,)
Commyttyd to thy prelacye ; 1728
Mak hem passe (thys thy charge,)
The Ryuer of thys world ful large,
with it you Thy 2 staff, to ther a-vauwtage [ 2 Thy St., My c.]
shall conduct *
men over the Shal conduite 3 ther passage ; [ 3 conduyte St.] 1732
ffychche the pyk profound & depe
In-to the wawes, hew to kepe.
' And wi't/j al thys, thow most take hede
Off plank or bregge, yiff they nede : 1736
and provide Yiff they ffayH. thow shalt on make.
bridges when * J
necessary. As tho\v art bounde for her sake ;
And for that cause, folkys alle,
Hence your Pontifex they doth the calle, 1740
name is
Poi Br'd X Makyng a bregge, thys to seyne,
maker. pjjg p assa g e that they may atteyue.
Vnderstond wcl thys lessouw
Lyke 4 myw informacyouTi ; [ stowe MS.] 1744
[leaf 29] H Yet oue?'more I shal the teche,
that ther shulde be in the, humblesse, whau thou chastisest by
equitee, p. 11.
and tells how he drove out the Horned Beast of Hell. 47
' YifB thow take bed to my speche,
Touchyng 1 thyn hornys bothe two,
Thy staff ek, wit/i the pyk also. 1748
11 Whylom her ther dyde dwells At one time
a horned
Thornyd best wych lyeth in helle, hei'ndweit '"
Makynge here hys mansion [St. & c.] here -
And longe held her 1 pocessyon), [ l here St.] ,, 1752
Lordshepe ek & gouemaunce,
Wych was gret dysplesaimce
To Grace Dieu, that he so sholde
Abyden her, as I the tolde. 1756
And Tavoyde?i fro thys place TO drive him
out Grace
Thys hornyd best, and tenchase, jHengawyou
horns,
She callede the, lyk as I fynde,
I trow thow haue yt wel in mynde, 1760
Gaff the hornys in sentence
With hym to stonden at diffence.
The staff also, wych I off telle,
Sche took to the, hym to expelle ; 1764
Armede the of entenc^oun and armed
you with
(Lyk tamyghty champyouw,) [team.] your staff,
'With thys hornys that I of spak,
On thys beste to take wrak, 1768
To make hym fro thys hous to fle, that you
might drive
By power that she gaff to the : out the ty-
rant,
The vntrewe false enherytour,
That was her lord & gouernour, 1772
And long tyme pocessyowner,
Tyl thow dydest thy dever, 2
As Grace Dieu the tauhte a-ryht,
To putte hy?rc out by verray myght, 1776
Thorgh hurtlyng^ of thyn hornys tweyne ;
And dyst also thy bysy peyne,
Wit/t thy staff to make hy?w flee,
Maugre hys myght & hys powste. 1780 in spite of his
power.
2 Camb. MS. reads : Thow hurtledest him with thine hornes
. . . And thow beete him with thi yerde whan thou madest him
goon out of the place. The tweyne faire labelles hanginge at
thine tweyne hornes thou conqueredest at the clensinge, and
sweepinge, and poorginge of the place, and that was whan thou
dediedest, and halwedest, and blissedest the place, p. 12.
48 Reason says Grace Dieu wishes her House always protected,
[leafao.back] i Thogh~ he were sory to cleparte, [' ' stowe MS., leaf 36]
Thow dyst that Felouw so coarte,
That here he durst[e] nafr abyde.
' And eke vpon that other syde, 1784
The two The two Labellys, large and longe, 1
labels on your
tained y wJJen b " ^angynge ty thyn hornys stronge, [St. & c.]
theYealT 1 '" 6 Ar F yo ure of the co?iqueste
That thow madest on tliys beste, ,, 1788
And of the Clensynge of thys place, [c. & St.]
Wasshe & swept only by grace,
and hallowed J niene fyrst at 2 the halwyng, p stowe]
tlie place. J J '
yt makyng 1 hooly by blessyng 1 , 1792
Lyk a myghty champyoim
In the dedycacyouw;
Wych for to don, as yt ys skyl,
Grace Dieu Off Grace Dieu thys ys the wyl : 1796
wills that you
shall be ai- That thow be armyd offte sythe,
ways armed,
As a vyctor, thy myght to kythe,
That thylke best most contrayre
Be neuer hardy to repayre, 1800
Nor yt tassaylle by no wrong 1 ,
Whaii he seth thyw armour strong 1 ;
Wych ar sygnes in substaunce
Ay to be put in remembraunce, 1804
BO that an How thow hast vewquysshed & fordon) 3 p bore aou st.]
mav tear you
and remem- Thylke vntrewe fals felon),
ber how you
the"tof hed - Bete * oppressyd fynally ;
And that thow mayst ben ay redy, 1808
ffressh & newe ay to bataylle
Ageyws aH that wyl assay lie,
and yon be At alle 4 tyme & ech SCSOUW, [* aUe St., al C.]
ever ready to _ .
defend the Off Grace Dieu the mansyouw. 1812
mansion of
Grace Dieu. Or yt dyspoylle in any wyse,
Eobbe or reue yt in ther guyse,
By 5 sleythe, f alshed, or any whyle, [ 5 stowe]
Grace Dieu ff or to exile 6 1816
6 Camb. MS. reads : And dispoile it of hire goodes bi dymes,
and taxes bi violences and by extorciouns. But ther of as j
wot wel of sooth, thou doost not well thi deuoir, For thi self
grauntest hem, and shewest the weyes to haue hem, the which
thing grace dieu halt no game, p. 12.
Reason further explains the Pontiff's Horns.
49
If you do not
do tliis,
' By 1 dyuers extorsyons pstowe]
Of clymes or Subvencions, [C. &st.] peafso]
or taylladges [ijffounde newe,
By Exacc'ions fuH vntrewe : 1820
Yiff thow yt suffre, ffer or ner, [St. & c.]
Thow dost not trewly thy deuer, ,, [prose, p. xi
Whan thow fyndest or dost espye
Sotyl weyes ffor flatrye 1824
To spoylle of Grace Dieu the hous
By any tytles ravynous,
Thow dost to hyre no plesaunce,
But gret A-noye & dystourbau?zce. 1828
I say, as yt lyth in my thouht,
Platly the trouthe, & spare yt nouht :
H Thyn hornys hih" vp on thyn hed,
Nor thy staff, (yt ys no dred, 1832
I dar pleynly specefye,)
Ar but tooknes of mokerye,
Lych hornys of a lytell snayl,
Wych 2 serue for noon avayl, pwhichest.] 1836
But for a lytel strawh" wyl shrynke :
Her-vp-on thow sholdest thynke.
' Swych hornys hadde nat Seyra Thomas,
That kepte the entre & the paas 1840
ful myghtyly ageyw the kyng 1 ,
And wolde suffre for no thyng 1
Hym to entren in-to thys hous ;
But, as a champyoim vertuous, 1844
Kepte the fredam & frauwchyse,
And suffrede in no maner wyse
The house of Grace Dieu at al
ffor to serue, nor to be thral : 1848
Rather he ches to dey & sterue
Than suffre that yt sholde serue,
Thys holy bysshop Seyn Thomas.
IT Seynt Ambrose 3 in the 4 same caas [* this St.] 1852
3 Camb. MS. reads : Of seint Ambrose also j sey thee that
defended his hous ayens emperoures aiid emperises, so that he
was lord ther-of alone. 'Youre paleys,' quod he, 'ye haue youre
toures, youre castelles, and your citees, with the reuenewes of
the empire. Wei ouhte this to suffice yow,' p. 12.
PILGRIMAGE. E
your horng
and staff
are but a
mockery,
and your
horns are no
better than
a snail's.
[Cap. xvi]
St. Thomas
did not act
but fought
manfully for
Grace Dieu.
50
Reason still expounds the Horns and Staff.
[leaf 80, back]
St. Ambrose
also refused
to allow
Emperor
or Empress
to touch the
heritage of
Christ.
And so your
horns should
be for a de-
fence of the
Church,
and your
staff to de-
mand of Pha-
raoh to let
the people go
free.
[leaf 31]
Then you
would be
truly railed
Moses.'
1856
1860
1 Deffendyd myghtyly also ['- 1 stowe MS., leaf 37] .
Hys hous, lyk as he sholde do,
Ageyn the sturdy Emperour,
By dyllygence and grete labour ;
Tolde hym that he shulde kepe
Oonly hys Temperall Lordshepe, 1
Hys paleys & hys mansyouws, [St. &c.]
Hys cytes, castelles & hys touws ;
The Eevennues ther-off ytake,
And ther-with~-al, murye hym make ;
Wych ouhte ynowh to hyra suffyse,
And entermet hy? in no wyse
Touchyng 1 Cristys herytage ;
And sayde, for al hys felle rage,
That he wolde rather deye
Than suffre in any mane?- weye 1868
Durynge hys tyme, short or long 1 ,
He 2 sholde ther-to done any wrong 1 . P stowe]
Thys 2 folk, to myn oppynyoun,
Vsede 2 ther horny s by Resouw, 1872
As 2 I to the ha told ryht now.
And, by exauraple, so sholdyst thow
Bar thyn hornys for dyffence,
And suffre that no vyolence 1876
Were ydon vn-to thy spouse
Wych ys so ffayr & vertuouse,
Weddyd to the by iuste weddyng 1 :
I take 3 record of the ryng 1 , p stowe] 1880
On 3 thy fynger that thow dost vse ;
Therfor thow mayst the nat excuse
Off the yerde nor the woncJ
Wych thow beryst in thyn hond, 1884
To seyn manly to Pharao,
(As of ryht thow sholdest do,)
To suffre thy f olkys -to go f re,
As they ouht of lyberte ; 1888
Nat to greue hem, nor oppresse,
Nor constreyne hem by duresse.
1T Than sholdestow (yt ys no les,)
Be trewely callyd Moyses, 1892
Two Pilgrims come to be married. What is ntedful. 51
Kyht agreable by vertu
Vn-to that lady, Grace Dieu,
And of servyse acceptable
To that lady worshepable.' 1896
IT In thys whyle that dame Eesoun Ca P- xvii ]
While Reason
Hadtle comunvcacvouw thus talked to
Moses,
Wyth Moyses, ryht ther withal
The forseyde offycyal 1900
Ys vritii hys oynementys gon,
And putte hem in warde a-noon : the official
pat his oint-
That they wer sauff , I dar wel seye, ments under
' lock and key.
Closyd vnder look & keye. 1904
Ordre off maryage :
And tho, myw Eye as I vp caste,
I sawe komen 1 wonder faste p saughe komyng St.]
A pylgrym al sodeynly,
Holdyng hys weye fynally, 1908
(As me thouht in hys entent), Then i saw
v ' a man from
Drawynge in-to the oryent ; the E M.
And euene in the opposyt
I sawe ek kome by gret delyt 1912
[5 lines Hank in MS. for an Illumination.]
A womman, wych that was also and woman
from the
A pylgrym ek : & bothe 2 two. P bothe St., both cj w.t,ap.
rJ o J proachthe
Her wey took in especyal official,
To- ward ys the offycyal 3 ; 1916
Sayde vn-to hym, they bothe a-noon, [St. & cj
How they wolde to-gyder gon
On pylgrymage in ther degre
To lerusaleem, the Cytee, [stowe, leaf ss, back] 1920
' So ye teche vs, and dysserne
How that we shall vs gouerne, [st.&c.] who joined
their hands
To be sur, in oure passage, together,
To ffulfylle our pylgrymage.' 1924
Thawne anoon Thoffycyal,
Whan he knew ther menyng 1 al,
Tolde hem, yiff they wolde gon,
3 Camb. MS. goes on : And eche of hem took him his hand,
and he took hem and ioyned hem to-gidere, and sithe seide hem,
as me thouhte, ' ye tweyne shule be bothe oon, and iche of yow
bere trowthe to oother,' p. 13.
52
Move Ad/vice to the Pilgrims about to Marry.
and bade
them live in
unity and
love,
and promise
with an oath
that they
would do as
he com-
manded
them.
It would be
better for
them to be
alone,
[leaf 82]
than to be
untrue to
each other.
They were to
swear to live
together in
peace.
They most of herte be al on,
Tweyne in on, & on in tweyne,
Both in loye & ek in peyne ;
And so to-gydre ay perseuere,
Tyl that deth make hem dysseuere.
Seyde 1 ek to hem, 'look that ye
In 1 trouthe, & in stable te [stabyitee st.j
Yee 1 loue to-gydre as ye sholde,
Whether ye be yong* or olde ;
And that your trouthe on outher syde
Perpetuelly in on a-byde,
To your last, that yt endure :
IT And that ye shal to me Assure
Both be feyth & ek by oth ;
And beth wel war, for leff or loth,
That ye, for no varyauwce,
]STe breke nat your assurauwce ;
ffor yif ye don), 2 ye be forsworn) ;
And ek I warne yow to-forn,
YifE that ye don 2 in dede or thouht,
fful lytel shal a-vaylle, or nouht,
Than vn-to yow your vyage,
Your labour, nor your pylgrymage.
Yt wer wel bet, to myw entent,
That ech of yow allone went,
Sool by hym sylff, and nat trespace,
Than be founde on 3 any place
Vntrewe to hys cowpanye ;
ffor, gret forfet & folye
Yt ys, a man for to be founde
Vntrewe to hym that he ys bounde.
IF But yiff your wyl of both yffeere
Be parfyt, hool, & ek entere
To gon to-gydre, (lat now se,)
On pylgrymage to that cyte,
"Whyder to gon I caste also,
Ye most suerne her, 4 bothe two,
On Query part, for old or newe,
That ecli to other shal be trewe,
So tenduren, al your lyff,
1928
1932
[i Stowe]
1936
1940
1944
[*-*oi.St.,leaf39]
1948
1952
[3 in St.]
1956
1960
[* sweren here St.] 1964
Folk ask Moses for a Service. He dips their Crowns. 53
' Wit/i-outew werre or any stryff ; 19G8
Off on hert & en ten cy on),
Neuere to make dyuysyon),
Nor departyng 1 causeles,
"WWt-oute assent of Moysees.' 1972
Affter al thys, A-noon ryht
I sawfi hem bothe trouthe plyht, mUeVaT
Hand in hand ybouwde faste ; these
Euere, whyl ther lyff may laste, 1976
So to continues & endure,
Ther feyth by oth they dyde assure,
ffor euermor : lo her ys al.
And thanne A-noon the offycyal 1980 ^J e r n e _ the
Ys retournyd in certeyn 1" Momf^"
Hoom to Moyses ageyn,
"Wych stood of entenciou?&
To here the talkyng 1 of Kesoura. 1984
Ther-to he sette al hys entent ;
But at the last ther parlement
Yendyd ys, for so gret pres 1
Kam a-dou?* to 2 Moyses, pvn-tost.] 1988
Bequeryng hym in humble wyse [St. &c.] [learsa.back]
to wliom a
To graunten IIQIII somme semyse crowd soon
came asking
In hys hoUS, Oft gentyllesse. ,, service in his
house.
And he full goodly gan hym dresse, [StoweMS., lenfsg, tk.]
As I conceyved Avith my look, 1993
[4 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] [Sacramentum ordinis st]
And a peyre of sherys took, [Cap. xviii]
Merkede 3 hem (I took good heed,) p Markede st.]
On foure parteys of ther hed ; 1996
And affter that, vp-on the crowne, Then Moses
took a pair
To-forn) hy?w as they knele douw, ofsiiears,
and shaved
Seyng 1 to hem stondyng 1 a-part, their crowns.
<That God shal be the hoole part 2000
Pleynly of ther enherytau?zce,
As 4 ther Eychesse & suffysaunce : pstowe]
Ther-of they may be wel certeyn.'
1 Camb. MS. reads : But as thei weren . . . speken, a gret
cumpany of folk maden cesse here parlement anoon. Bifore
Moises thei come7i, and madeii him requeste that sum seruice in
his hous he wolde yiue hem and graunte hem, p. 13.
Reason justifies Head-shaving. She promises Help.
[Cap. xix]
Then Reason
drew near,
' To shave
the head it
deemed a
folly by some
men,
[leaf 83]
but not by
Whoever
may envy
you, I will
not.
Wherever
yon dwell
you will be
known for
true men.
Resouv ageyn :
And thattne Reson) effte ageyn, 2004
(Lych as I shal yow devyse,)
Gan to spekyn in thys wyse :
' Syrs, taketh hed,' a-noon quod she,
' Som whyle, as semeth vn-to me, 2008
Yt ys wysdom), ryht, & no wrong,
To feyne foly euere a-mong,
Thogh ye now, also God me saue,
Ben yclypyd & yshaue 2012
Vp-on your hedys eue?ychon),
"Wych thyng ys dempte of many on
fful gret vnwyt & gret ffolye
Off malys & malencolye ; 2016
They deme so malycyously,
But trewly so do nat I. [c. * St.]
ffor as in myn oppynyon
I deme yt 1 gret dyscrecci'on), pstowe,ieaf4o] 2020
And ful gret wyt that ye ha do,
And for that skyle taketh hede ther-to.
1T To be youres, of entent,
Hooly to yow I me present 2024
As your paramoire entere ;
And who-so-euere (as ye shal lere,)
Gruchche, or haue envye ther-to,
Al-way forth I wyl be so. 2028
ffor trusteth wel, that I am she
By whom that ye yknowe be
ffrom other bestys lo her ys al
And seueryd in especyal. 2032
1T And pleynly, ek, I kan yow telle,
Al the whyl that I dwelle
"With yow, A-mongys hyh & lowe,
ffor verray men ye shal be knowe, 2036
Thorgh wysdom & thorgh prouydence,
And haue A verray dyfference
ffrom other bestys to dyscerne
How ye shal your sylff gouerne. 2040
Al the whyle that ye me holde
With yow tabyde, as I tolde,
Reason cant put up with Sins.
55
[i nought St.]
[* trouthe St.] 2044 But if I
leave you,
you will
become as un-
reasonable
2048
[St. &C.] [leaf S3, back]
2052
[St., leaf 41]
[St. & C.]
' Ye shal be men, & ellys nauht l ;
And yiff the trouthe 2 be wel souht,
Whan that I am fro vow gon,
Ye may avauwte (& that a-noon,)
That ye be (thys, no fable)
"Bestys & vnresownable,
Uyspurveyed of al Resomz, 3
And voyde of al dyscrecczouw ;
For yiff ye wante shortly me,
Yee may neuere in no degre
(Though" yee euere do youre peyne,)
Worshipe, off youre sylff atteyne
]N"or clymbe to no gret honour
But yiff ye ban of me socour ;
Thogh ye be lordys of estat,
Proud of your port, & eke ellat,
Lytel to yow, al may avaylle
Wit7i-oute me, yt ys no faylle,
for to make your lugementys,
Syllogysmes, or Argumentys,
Or of Wysdam any thyng ;
"VWt7i-oute me, thys no lesyng,
Ye shal ha no cowclusyon,
But fynally confusyon).
1T ffor wych I caste me to telle
How ye shal ha, yiff ye lyst dwelle,
The loue of me on euery syde :
Ye most ay be, & so abyde,
That ye in yow ha sobyrnesse,
And voyde fro yow dronkenesse
And hyr suster glotonye,
Wraththe, Ire & ffelonye ;
ffor \vher-so-euere that they be,
They make me a- way to fle ;
ffor wher they make her mansyou?*,
I leve that habytacyouw.
Venus thenys doth me chase,
3 Camb. MS. reads : ye be but as doumbe bestes, and as
coltes that ben clothed. With-oute me ye shul neuere haue
wurshipe, be ye neuere so grete lordes, p. 14.
and lack all
honour,
2056
2060
2064
2068
however high
or wise you
may seeni.
If I am to
remain,
2072 Drunken-
ness,
Gluttony and
Wrath must
be banished.
2076
56 The Romance of the Eose. Beason explains the Tonsure.
Lust win ' And voydeth me out of that place, 2080
drive me
away, As yt ys sayd & told ful wel
Who lyst loken euerydel,
as may be Wit/i-outew any maner close,
xeen in the
Romance of In the Romaiwce of the Roose. 2084
the Rose.
U Wherfor I pray yow euerychon),
[leaf si] ffor to kepe yow, on by on,
ffro thys vyces that I ha told,
And from al other, yong and old ; 2088
wherefore ffor my loue that ye hem fflee, [c. & St.]
flee all these J
vices, Yin ye lysten han freushepe of me.
U ffor, but ye yow fro vyces kepe,
Ye shal lese the frenshepe 2092
Platly of me, as I yow tolde.
And ffynally, I nat ne holde
Hym for my frend, (knowe thys ryht wel,)
for he who That yiveth hys body euerydel 2096
does not
cannot be Vn-to vyces, eue?'6 in oon.
my friend.
[Cap. xx] U And two wordy s, or that ye gon,
Shortly to yow, & nat ne spare,
Openly I wyl declare 2100
Tookne of your crowne, cloos wzt/i-Inne,
And at the cercle fyrst begynne.
your tonsure I naene the closure fer \n't7i-oute
signifies
That ys cerclyd round a-boute 2104
As A castel or strong douwgou?z,
Or lyk a gardyn, Avych envyrou?i
Ys closyd \\itJi- a myghty wal ;
The wych (who consydreth al,) 2108
\Vtt//-lune ys ope, to sygnefye,
that you are That ye to God sholde hool aplye
to apply your
hearts wholly Your hertys, to hyw so enterly
That noon affecczon worldly, 2112
Nor erthly thyng, ha noon entre.
ffor, lerueth thys shortly of me :
Your Cercle round aboute the hed
Sholde kepe (yt ys no dred,) 2116
Off your hertys the closure,
voiding To voyde away al worldly cure
all worldly
cares. Qut of your affeccyon),
Reason ivarns them against Worldly 'Pleasures.
57
You must
serve God
day and
night,
And shewen (in conclusyon) J ) 2120
That ye have the world for-sake* [St. &c.] [leaf 34, back]
And of herte youre-sylff ytake
Hooly to God, off wyl entere ;
For ye ne may not bothe ytfere
Serve God, and the worlde also,
And be trewe in bothe two :
The toon, a-syde most be layd.
' And thynk also what ye ha sayd.
God ys for our avauwtage,
Our party, & our herytage,
Whom we ha chose w't/t al our myght
ffor to serue day & nyht.
By wych word, so God me saue,
Me thynketh ye sholde no loye haue
Of thys worldys veyn plesaunce,
Wych ys so ful off varyawzce,
So ful of chang 1 & dovbylnesse ;
ffor now, to oon he yyveth Rychesse,
Eobbeth a-nother, as ye may se,
And cast hywi in-to pouerte ;
And sowme he yiveth neueradel :
Wherfore loke ye kepe wel
The part off your elleccyouw,
Off herte & hool entenczou?j,
That ye ha chose, yiff ye be wyse,
Wych ouhte ynowgh" to yow suffyse ;
ffor, as in cowparyson),
Yt passeth al pocessyon).
U Lat your tonsurys, round at al
Close your hertys as a wal ;
And that yt go so round aboute
ffor to sette 2 the world w/t/i-oute, p siiette st.] 2152
And yt dysseuere in al 3 thyng 1 , paiiest,]
And your party so departyng 1 ,
That 4 ye be shorn so as ye sholde [*stowe]
As 4 chose shepe of Crystys folde, 2156
[Stowe MS., leaf 42]
2125
,, _/lwt7
[St. & C.]
!,' 2128
IT Dominus pars hereilitatit
mee / (St.) (Psal. xv. 5.)
2132
2136
2140
2144
2148
and pnt no
trust in the
changing
pleasures of
the world.
The choice
you have
made sur-
passes all
earthly pos-
sessions.
You are the
chosen sheep
of Christ's
flock,
1 Camb. MS. goes on : For from it [the world] ye muste
departe, if with your god ye wole part. Ye mowun not haue
bothe tweyne to-gideres ; that mown ye wel wite, p. 14.
58 Reason on the Monk's Duty. Moses appoints his Officers.
[leaf 85]
and the
shepherd
shall receive
the fleece;
but lie must
not shear it
out of mea-
sure only
for need.
cherish, not
oppress the
flock.'
[Cap.
Then came a
crowd to
Moses,
demanding
to be made
his servants.
He made
ushers, cham-
berlains,
sergeants,
[leaf 85, back]
Lyk to bestys resounnable.
Thanne of ryght (yt ys no fable)
Your shepperde, that taketh of 1 yow kepe,
Schal receyuen off hys shep
The flees somwhyle for hys travaylle ;
But he shal nat so yow assay lie,
To flen yow fro yowr skyn al bare ;
In swyche 2 cas he moste spare ; p swyche St.]
ffor he therto hath no lycence,
To yow to don) swych vyolence.
He shal yow shern duely in dede,
Nat out of niesour, but for nede,
Take hys part hym to sustene ;
And for that skyle, thus I mene,
That he shal no vengeauwce make :
Therfore he hath the sherys take,
And nat the knyff, to Eobbe & slen,
And folk out of her skyn to fflen ;
But cherysshe hem rather by fauour
Than oppresse hem by Eygour :
Thus sholde euery shepperde do,
Resouw algate techeth so.'
U And whan thys lady, dame Resouw,
Hadde y-endyd hyr sermou?z,
Ther kam folk in sondry wyses,
That a-bood to han servyses,
Ordre off Colyt :
Made ther requeste to Moyses ;
And he, Amongys al the pres
Assygnede sondry offycerys.
And somme off he??i he made hussherys,
And S07?ime also he ordeynys
To haue offyce off chauraberleyns ;
And sergauwtys he made also,
To whos offyce yt longeth to,
The Enmy to putte away, 3
Out of bodyes nyht & day, [st.&c.] 2192
3 Camb. MS. has, ' for to areste and putte out the enemyes
that ben in the bodyes. To oothere he dide gret wurshipe ;
For to alle he yaf to be rederes of his paleys and to preche
goddes la we,' p. 15.
[i on St.]
2160
2164
2168
2172
2176
2180
2184
2188
Moses's Officers lay and cover his Table for Dinner. 59
[St. & C.]
[Stowe MS., leaf 43, back]
[St. & C.]
Wher that euere by bataylle
He ys hardy ffor to assaylle.
Moses eke, who lyst take hede,
Ordeyned Lystres for to rede, 2196
Myd the palys for to stonde,
To make folke to vnderstonde
The lawe, by ful gret avys,
As longeth vn-to her offys. 2200
And sowime, as I kan beholde,
He made kandelys for to holde,
And torchys for to yive lyht ;
By ther offyce, as yt was ryht, 2204
Thay held hem, as I toforn ha sayd,
To-for the table, whan yt was layd ;
11 For sone he sholde to dyner gon.
And vnto other he took a-noon 2208
Hys syluer cuppe gylt richely,
And bad hem maken yt redy
To seruen. hyra the same tyme.
And some also, on ther lyfft syde, 2212
Vp-on ther shulderys, he made weere
A Tookne off Cryst, & yt to bere,
That they sholde in especyal
Awayte vp-on thoffycyal, 2216
As trewe seruamztys off entent,
And be mynystres dyllygent,
ffeythful, humble, & covenable
ffor to serue hyra at the table. 2220
[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
And thaw they gan, by good avys,
^Eue?ych to don hys owne offys,
And dyden ek ther bysy cure
To leyn the 1 boordys, & to cure p the St., om. c.] 2224
With napry ful couenable.
And somme sette vp-on the table
{Lyk ther offyce) wyn & bred ;
And sowme also (I took good hed,) 2228
Lyst the wyn wer to strong,
Putte in water ther a-mong :
11 ffor yt was somwhat passyd pryme,
readers to
preach,
candlebearers
to attend his
table.
Others were
appointed to
attend the
official
and serve
him.
[leaf 36]
[Cap. Mil]
They pre-
pared the
table, putting
on it bread
and wine,
60
Grace Dieu takes De Ghiilkville to Moses.
as it was
past prime,
and dinner
time. (Cp.
Chaucer.)
But Moses
made other
officers to
serve in his
house
and aid the
official,
[Cap. xxiii]
after which
he called
aloud for
Grace Dieu,
at whose feet
I sat.
[leaf 86, back]
When she
heard him,
she took me
and went to
him.
Vp-on the hour off clyner tyme. 2232
But Moyses, to-for dyner,
Caste hyw fyrst, wit/i ful sad cher,
To delyuer hy? * that abood. [> hem St.]
And so??ne that aforn hym stood, 2236
He made he??i offycerys newe,
ffor to serweii and be trewe
AWt/i-Inue hys hous, in specyal
To wayte vp-on the offycyal, 2240
And to helpe hym in hys nede ;
ffor who that wysly taketh hede,
May se wel that thoffycyal
May nat allone gouemen al, 2244
But he haue helpe, swych as hym ouhte."
Now shal I telle how he wrouhte :
Thys Moyses, among he??i arl,
ffyrst he gan fill lowde calle 2248
Grace dieu, al be that she
"Was faste by, wych, in hyr se
Sat vp in hyr trone on hyh" ;
Sche was nat ffer, but wonder nyh", 2252
And took good heed of euery thyng.
(And al thys whyle beholdyng,
I sat at hyr ffeet douw lowe.)
2 And whan she sawe & gan knowe 2256
That she was callyd among echon, [St. & c.]
She taryeth" nat, but kam anoon
To Moyses ful evene & ryght ; ,, 2259
And vn-to hym, with" alle hir mygfit, [stoweiis., leaf 44, bk.]
She shewed hir-selff most frendely, [St. & c.]
Wher-off he gan waxen hardy
"VVhan she was kome, and thowhte he was
Myghty & nior strong in thys caas 2264
To fulfyllen hys entent,
"Wych I, by good avysement,
Shal vn-to yow shortly here
2 Camb. MS. adds : When she herde hire cleped, she ros hire
up with-oute abidinge, and wente hire to moyses, and with hire
she ledde me. And tharme whan moyses sigh hire nyh him, he
bi-gan to wexe more hardy, and fulliche dide that that j wole
telle yow shortly che, p. 16.
Moses gives Grace Dieu to the Pilgrims, to help them. 61
Rehersen, yiff ye lyste to here. 2268 i win now
i \ir i , ,1 tel1 you what
And Moyses, A-noon ryglit than, he did.
Thus to werkyn he be-gan :
[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
Ther handys fyrst, as ye shal lere, [ a p- x ^v]
Enoyntede, and closede hew yfere, 2272 joined uieir
* And took to hem f ul cler & bryht
A swerd, the wych, vn-to my syht,
gave them a
Was thylke same that Cherubyn J d and
Whylorn held at Thentryng 1 In 2276
At Paradys, who lyst to look ;
And keye's ek to hem he took,
To kepe hem \vel in ther en tent.
And al thys whyle was ther present 2280
Grace Dieu, I took good heede,
To helpyn hem the bet to spede.
Whom Moyses took hem also,
And sayde, (I took good hed ther-to,) 2284
' Syrs.' quod he. ' most off vertu, And Moses
said, ' I give
Seth her to-for yow, Grace Dieu Grace Dieu to
you;
I gyve hyr yow for more 1 grace, c 1 more St., mor c.] [leaf 37]
That she may, in euery place, 2288
At alle tyme's vfith yow be,
Yiff yt be-falle sothly that ye
Eeceyue hyre, as ye ouhte do, receive her
J with joy and
With loye & glad herte also, 2292 keep her.'
And kepe hyr with yow day be day,
That she neuere parte a-way.'
IT And whan I herde al thys yfere,
I wex abaysshed in my chere ; 2296
Seyde vn-to my sylff ryht tho, Th en i said,
J J J 'What shall
" Alias, now, what shal I do 1
Grace Dieu, I ha lost al ;
ffor I se how Thoffycyal 2300
Hath yowen hyre fro me away
On thys sylue same day,
Vn-to thys horny d folk in sothe, 2
3 Cambr. and Fr. Prose reverse this: "tliilke hornede hath
given him to these newe officialles." p. 16.
62 Grace Dieu explains that Good to All is better than to One.
And with hem, fro me she goth. 1 2304
Wherfor now I kan nat se
who shall Who shal delyueren vnto me
deliver me
scrip and Sherpe 2 or bordouw to my vyage. p scryppe St.]
Staff for my
journey?- TO helpe me in my pylgrymage, 2308
Wych she me hyhte thys other day."
But thawne A-noon I took my way
To-wardys hyre lyne Ryght,
wouwf eak And Thoughts pleynly that I myghte 2312
to her. Seyn to hyre my fantasye,
And my matere specefye ;
ffor sythe the tyme, ffer nor ner,
That I was wasshe in the Eyver 2316
By hyre Aduocat, fayre & wel,
I spak not vrith hyre neuere a del.
(When i was And in the tyme off my wasshyng*,
Advocate The aduocat, by hyr hyddyng, 2320
spoke for me.) < J J J J >
Spak for me in goodly wyse,
As ye to-forn) han herd devyse.
peaf 37, back] Wher-fore I thouhte I wolde assaye [st.&c.]
To speke to hire, & not delaye : 2324
" Ma dame," quod I, " and yt yow plese,
I am falle in gret dysesse,
And dyscomforted in myn herte,
he" d what k i Wh an I consydre and aduerte, 2328
wither That M y ses 8 aff y w a -
Which Gyfft ys no thyng to my pay ;
For yif I wante yow, in certeyn
My pylgrymage ys but in veyn." 2332
Grace Dieu answereth :
Quod Grace Dieu, 'yiff thow take hede,
Thow hast verrayly in dede
fforyete al that I ha the told.
fweVed'-i "Wostow nat wel, to yong 1 & old, 2336
wTlTprovide That 3 I Wyl profyte What I may Non snbtrahet personal*
for all who J I J J ctimtquam Deus quont-
go^the right To s a n that go the ryhte way ; &ttSffSi
So that eueyy pylgrym shal pstowe] jS3jfi H '
At alle 4 tymes (lo her ys al) [* aiie St., ai c.] 2340
1 There is nothing in Camb. corresponding to the lines be-
tween Nos. 2302 and 2344. p. 110, MS.
Grrace Dieu will help all Pilgrims.
Me fynde redy, euere in on,
In ther weye with hem to gon,
To cowveye hem, whaw they ha nede.
' What ! wenystow me to possede
Thy sylff allone, quy t & clene ?
Thow art a fool, yiff thow yt wene !
The comoura profyt, fer & ner,
Ys mor than profyt synguler
To be preferryd, as I the telle.
Sestow nat how a comoure welle
Mor avaylleth (who looke wel,)
Than doth A-nother seuerel ?
ffor, at a commoim welle, of ryht
May fette water euery whyht,
Her thrust to staimchen & apese,
And drawe yt at her owne ese.
Wher-as, a welle cloos aboute,
Wych for-barreth folk witfi-oute,
That no man neye dar no ner,
Lyst they fellyn in daurcger.
' And to purpos to expresse,
I am welle of al goodnesse ;
Nat holde cloos vn-to no wyht,
But vn-to alle (of verray ryht)
I am comwne and plentevous,
And to profyte desyrous
To goode pylgrymes euerychon),
To forthre hem wherso they gon).
' And thogh I be comozm to alle
That vn-to myn helpe calle,
Thow mayst knowe & truste wel
Thow hast nat lost me neueradel ;
ffor ay vtith the I wyl abyde,
And neuere parte fro thy syde :
As longe as thow hast the cast
To ben a pylgrym stedefast,
50 long thow shalt nat off me faylle
To helpe in what I may avaylle.'
51 Affter al thys, I confort took,
That Grace Dieu me nat for-sook,
2344
2348
and be with
them in need.
[Cap. xxv]
You are a
fool, if you
think
2352
2356
[St. & C.]
[i St. & C.]
2360
2364
2368
2372
2376
2380
the profit of
one is to be
preferred to
that of all.
[leaf 38]
I am a well
of all good-
ness.
and common
to all pil-
grims.
With thee I
will abide as
long as thou
remain stead'
fast."
'64 Reason's Sermon. The Sivord is to thrust, cut, or spare.
Then Reason
mounted the
pulpit to
preach, and
said,
[Cap. xxvi]
The sword
you have re-
ceived was
made to
guard^Para-
dise.
[leaf 38, back]
It is perilous
to all fools,
because it ""
always me-
naced them
for their mis-
deeds.
It is designed
for three
things :
1. to hurt
with point,
2. cut with
edge,
3. spare with
flat.
1. The Point
is to teach
that punish-
ment must
not be given
without dis-
cretion.
[St. &c.]
But me coumfortede off hyr grace.
And tho ryht in the sylue place
I sawh" Auoon, Dame Resoiw
Ascende to make A Sarmoun.
In ta pulpet that ther stood.
U ' Syrs,' quod she, ' yt wer ryht good
ffor your profyt, (yt ys no drede,)
Off my sarmouw to taken hede.
Ther was a swerd, yt ys no nay,
Delyuered yow thys same day,
fforgyd sythe 1 go ful longe, [' sythe st., syth c.]
To kepe thentre wonder stronge,
And the passage of Paradys. 2
At which" tyme was noon so wys [St. & c.]
That entre myghte, ner comen In,
But yiff it were by Cherub jm, [stowe MS., leaf 47]
Which" at the gate was cheff porter,
Holdynge that swerd ful bryht & cler,
Folkys for to kepen oute.
' And this swerd, yt ys no doute,
Was to ffoolys ful peryllous,
Swycli as wern malycyous ;
ffor they ther-by wer made afford,
And ypunysshed by that swerd.
Lyk ther gyltys & trespace
Thys swerd alway dyde hem manace.
The wych swerd (who that kan se,)
Ordeyned ys for thyngys tlire :
To punysshe folk as they dysserue,
Poynt & egge, to hurte & kerue,
And -with the platte, among to spare,
That ryht fro mercy be nat bare.
'The poynt yiveth fyrst entendement
That neuere no fynal lugement,
Nor hasty execucyouw,
Be yove wtt/i-oute dyscreciou,
In causys nouther hifi nor lowe
2384
2388
2392
2396
2400
2404
[st.&c.] 2408
2412
trtbuit, decorem &
perpetuitatem confert.
BernardKs super Can-
tica.
2416
2 Camb. : that no sinnere entrede into the cuntre of which he
is lord. Now vnderstondeth what swerd it is, how it is perilouse
to fooles, p. 17.
Reason orders Caution before taking Vengeance. 65
Namly wher they be nat knowe : Region.
ffor he ys a fool, & ffoul hardy, "e who takes
vengeance on
That, off wenyng & surquedy, 2420 ScCon"*"
Hasty ys, hy?n sylff tavaurcce,
Off Ire for to do vengaunce,
Or demen by suspecyon)
WiM-oute examynacyon). 2424
' Swyche, I dar wel specefye,
Do nat trewly occupye
The swerd of ryghtful lugement.
Thorgh ygnorauwce they be so blent, 2428 [leaf 39]
And, as a blynde man, so they werke, ignorance, by
Stumblynge alway in the derke.
Good from evel they kan not chese,
Nor whot 1 nat wher to saue or lese : [iwootst.] 2432
Redy to hyndren & to deere,
Swyche sholde no swerdys bee're,
That kan not knOWen evel fro good, [Stowe, leaf 48] and cannot
discern
Nor whan ys tyme of letyng blood ; 2436
Nor, kan nat dyscerne A-ryght
ffor ygnorance & lak off syht
At-wexen helthe & malladye ; between
J health and
Nor, a-twen the meselrye 2440 disease.
Grettest, smallest, and the mene ;
He kan no dyfference atwene
Ne\ve syknesse nor the olde.
' But Query trewe luge sholde 2444
Weyen lustly 2 in ballarmce. pstowe] Before judg-
' i mentis
Lonsydren euery cyrcu??istauwce 3 given, every
. circumstance
Off trespacys by avysement,
Or he yive any lugement. 2448
'ffor thys WOrd-GlayVC, 4 (in Sentence,) Verba translatoris. Lydgate's
By record off lanuence o/ac, <-
(Thys was nat ful yere agon)
In hys book Catholicon 2452
Seyth, Glayve in French, (& wryteth thus,)
3 Mout doit ains le iuge entendre 1102
Les circonstances du meffait,
Que nul jugement en soit fait. p. 35.
4 Camb. : Swerd, as j fynde writen, is clepid departinge of
throte, p. 17.
PILGRIMAGE. p
66 Derivation of ' Glaive.' The Sword's two Edges.
Reason. Ys Ul Latyil GuladlllS, 1 [' Gladius St Guladius C.]
* T[ Gladius a gula dicitwr, <fc generaliter
of a ' as he
asa/t ffor that y fc a - sonder kut
The throte off a man a tWO:^^S^^^^
Thys lanuence recordeth so^^ta/ffix^Va! 1 ' P 8 '
ffor throte yn Ynglyssh, (thys the ffyn,)
because some- Ys callyd Gula in Latyn, 2460
body's throat *
was cut with "Wher-off Glay ve took hys name.
one. J J
[leafso.back] Grameryens 3 seyn the same, pstowe]
For yt a-sondyr 3 doth deuyde
The partyes layde on eue?y syde, 4 2464
Wher, save Right, ys 3 no refuge. ,,
- Grace joieu < But first, every Right 3 ful luge
resumes.
Sholde, by 3 good avysement, ,.
Or he gesse 3 eny lugement, 2468
Discerne 3 to-fom) (wt/i al hys myght), ,,
Seke and 3 enqueryn out the ryght ,,
Off outher 3 part in hys presence,
Nat 3 ben to hasty off sentence, 2472
ISTor 3 ofE hys doomys in no wyse. ,,
11 Also 3 to yow I shal devyse,
[Cap. xxvii] '"Wheroff the tweyne eggys serue,
edges'oftiie Off thys swerd, that kutte & kerue : 2476
Sword serve /v IT .. c
to cut, ftor on allone in no wyse & [ s stowe]
By hym sylff may nat suffyse : 6
ffor yifE yowr swerde forgyd off steel ,,
Be to-forn) ypoynted wel, 2480
And sharpyd by dyscrecKHirz,
Ye rnoste (off ryght & good resouw)
and to reform Ther- wit/i-al haue rvghtwysnesse,
the vices of Jo J
your subjects Vyces to reforme and dresse, 2484
On your sogectys (euere among,)
2 Glaive, si com truis en escript, 1105
Guele devisant, si est dit. p. 35.
4 Camb. : For right that he hath herd allegge, he shulde do
his jugement, and non oother wise, p. 18.
Quar tout ainsi comme allignier 1110
II a oui, son iugement
Doit il faire, non autrement. p. 35.
6 Pour quoi .1. seul pas ne soufist 1115
Et quel enseignement i gist.
Se vostre glaive avez pointu
Par discretion, et agu. p. 36.
Reason, on the Relations of the Soul and Body. 67
Hern to correcte wha?i they do wrong. Reaot>.
ffor vp-on trespacys & mysdede
Ye ha lycence (yt ys no drede,) 2488
ffor to do correccyoiw
And COUenable pUnyClOUW, by correction,
Egal, as folk ha dysservyd,
Except casys that be reservyd [stowe, leaf 49] 2492
And wet/-holde (soth to seyne,)
To 1 hyw that hath the hornys tweyue : [ stowe] except such
J J J !ls are re .
They be except vn-to hys hand. %$$?
' And thus departyd ys your land 2496 t"' " 8 -
In double party, (thys no doute :) [ieaf*o]
The Ton, the body ys \vtt7t-oute,
fflesshly, & redy vn-to synne ;
But the thother man wit/i-inne 2 [ 2 stowe] 2500 The inward
man is the
Ys the soule & the spyryt, 2 soul which
rj J ' delights in
"VVych in goodnesse hath most delyt. goodness.
Thys the land, loke wel therto,
That ye shal departe at 3 two, pa stowe] 2504
Atwyxe bothe, thogh that iieuere,
Whyl they lyue, may dysseuere.
' And to thys tweyne, ansuerynge
Ys thys a \verd double-kervynge : 2508 The body and
soul can
Wlier-wzt/i ye shal your wyt applye, never be
J J J Kf J separated in
Sowle & body to lustefye,
Whan ye sen *y t be to do ;
As thus tak hed, I niene so : 2512
The Body, ffro hys synues grete, [stwe.ieafig]
Duely ptmysshe 4 in cold & hete,
Yive hy? peyne, and ek penaujzce; bolfra'ts
Consydred euery cyrcu?stau?zce : 2516 g'veitpain,
Travaylle, whaw he ya to rage,
Sende hym out on pylgrymage ;
Charge hym wi't/i fastyng & wakyngj and make
So that ahvay answwyuge 2520
The penaunce be to the treapace, [stowe, leaf 49, back]
Off equyte that yt not passe :
U Thus ye shal do, yiff ye be wyse.
4 Camb. : To the bodi for his shines ye mown yiue trauaile,
&c., p. 18.
G8 A proud Spirit is to be sharply cut. On Cursing.
K"n, n n. ( But in a-nother mane?- wyse 2524
nut act differ- Punysshen the spyryt ye shal also ;
ently with J fJJJ
tiie spirit. As 1 thus : taketh good bed ther-to : [' And St.]
I:i dyuers cans ye mot cousydre,
And peysen euery thyng to-gydre : 2528
if one is Yiff he be proud or obstynat,
proud, dis-
euSed eut> r Dysobeyywge or ellaat, 2
[leaf 40, back] Hys trespace 3 to amende, pstowe]
And ne 4 lyst nat to entende [nest.] 2532
To be redressed 5 by meeknesse, pstowe]
And, 6 thorgh pryde or Frowardnesse, 5 [ 6 nor St.]
Wyl take no correction.
Tha?i may yow 7 (in conclusj r on) pyestcwe] 2536
Tornen (to maken hym afferd,)
The tother party off the swerd,
you mast use "Wych ys sharp, & whet ful kene,
the sharp J J
edge of the To wonde, & hurte, & parte atwene, 2540
sword to him,
And ful mortally to byte :
Spareth nat ther-wttA to smyte,
Lyk as ye may, by your power.
' AVherfor doth iustly your dever 2544
and smite to To smyte & hurte. for punysshyng, 9
punish.
By the sharpe strook of 10 cursyng ; [ i( >stowe]
ffor wou?zde nor hurte ys noon so 10 fel ,,
Nor noon so mortal nor crnel 10 2548
cursing is Nor mor pe?yllous to be 10 drad ; ,,
cruel and
perilous, tfor Remedy may noone 10 be had, [St., leaf so] ,,
Mouther salue, That soor to sownde
But by hym that gaff the wou^de, 2552
Or by A-nother (in certeyn)
and can only That ys a-bove, mor souereyn,
be cured by
hath an hand, power, & myght,
Hy??i to recure, (of verray ryght,) 2556
Serche the soor wit//-Inne & oute.
"VVherfore he 11 sholde gretly doute, [" he st., ye c.]
2 Catnb. : and wol not amende for ammestinge yc mown turnc
to the kervinge, p. 18.
8 Sans Riens y aler espargnant.
Naures, se pouez, mortalment, Par force . . .
9 Camb. : Hurte hym ye mown dedliche bi the strok of cnrs-
inge. And ther is no wounde so cruelle. For with-oute remedye
it is dedlych, etc. ; p. 18.
A Priest curses a Tree, and makes it "barren.
60
2560
2564
2568
That so ys hurt, as I ha told,
Wherso be he yong or old.
Exau?ple off the pereyl off cursyng. 1
U And to purpos in especyal :
Yt fyl that oon offycyal
In-to a gardyn onys wente,
To gadre cheryes off entente,
The fayrest that he koude se,
And clamb ful hifi vp on A tre.
But shortly, in hys cornyng douw,
Yt ffyl thus, (in conclusyon),)
That a brauwche hys surplys hente,
And the cloth a-sonder Rente,
Wher-of in hert he wex ful wroth ;
And, or he any ferther goth,
Thus he seyde vn-to the tre,
" Now," quod he, " cursyd mote thow be ! "
And wente hym forth, for nor ner, [stowe, leaf so, back]
Tyl vn-to the nexte yer,
To gadre cheryssh 2 he kam a-geyn,
And found the tre drye & bareyn.
Off wych thyng he wex al sad,
And in hys herte no thyng glad,
Whan he remembrede how that he
Hadde a-forn cursyd that Tre.
Wher-of he repenteth sore,
And, wit/i-oute?z any more
He seyde, (or he ferther wente,)
"I the assoylle, in myn entente.
God wot, I mente no thyng so,
So grete 3 vengaurece to ha do :
I ha mysdon ; for-gyue yt me,
ffor the dyffaute was nat in the.
My-sylff, I may the Rentyng whyte, 4
I knowe yt wel, & the aquyte."
And after the absolucyon)
Yt bar cheryes gret Foyson), 5 p Foyson St., eeyson c.]
1 This story is absent from Camb. From 1. 25592680 (p. 125
MS.) only occupies three lines of Camb. Nor is it in the French
of Addit. MS. 22,937, the first version.
Instance of
the evil of
Cursing.
An official
went to
gather
cherries.
[leaf 41]
As lie de-
scended tli
tree, a branch
caught his
surplice and
tore it.
2572
2576
2580
2584
P grete St., gret C.] 2588
[* Rendyng wyte St.]
2592
This made
him curse
the tree.
Next year he
came again
and found the
tree barren.
Then he
repented,
and absolvd
the tree,
70 Cursing is not a light Matter. Its Sword.
2596
[leaf 41, back]
They are
fools who
curse with-
out thought,
Men heed
cursing but
little,
whereby Die
soul is with-
out virtue.
So men
should heed
this Sword,
and consider
well before
they use it,
[leaf 42]
[1 And eet St.]
2600
[" St., leaf 50, back.]
[3 Stowe]
2604
[Stowe, leaf 51]
Laden wit/i frat fynaly,
ffor tweyne, yt bar almost twenty ;
And heet 1 hys fulle \vit/t glad cher,
Affter, euere, fro yer to yer ;
And neuere forgate, in hys lyvyng,
The sentence off hys cursyng ;
ffor swych thyng, 2 so as semeth me,
Shulde nat lightly 3 f orgetyn be.
' ffor they be foolys, in certeyn,
That Eeklesly of cursyng seyn,
How that a man that cursyd be,
That afferme of skorn, that he
Hath hetyn 4 hys sa\vle of whyte 4 bred.
Off curs they take so lytel heed,
Havyng no Keward, Thorgh ther synne,
How the soule that ys wtA~InH6
Ys off gostly frut, certeyn,
Wonder drye, and ek bareyn,
By the swerd of curs conformdyd,
And so mortally ywou?zdyd,
That yt may profyt neuer a dele
To bere 5 frut (who loke wel,)
Of vertu, (I yow ensure,)
ffor that yt lakketh moysture
Off grace, wherby, (who kan espye,)
Al vertues fructefye.
' ffor wych, folk sholde taken hede,
The swerd of cursynge for to drede.
I mene as thus specyally,
Whan ther ys cause iustly why,
And he that doth yt, hath power
To execute yt fer & ner,
By ordynarye auctoryte.
But yet to-forn) (yt semeth me)
He sholde consydren (in hys syth 6 ) [ 6 syghtst.]
Whan that he smyte, he smyte of ryht,
And that hys cause be notable
Or he precede to be vengable. 2632
ffor, I telle yow sykerly,
JsTo man ne smyteth duelly,
[*etyn wliyte St.,
hetyn whyt C.]
2608
2612
[5 bere St., ber C.] 2616
2620
2624
2628
Advice must be used before Punishment.
71
With the sharpe for to kerue, [stowe, leaf si, back]
But he to-forn ful wel obserue 2636
That he ferst vtith the platte assay,
In goodly wyse, Avhat he may,
Al that ys mys, 1 for to redresse : C 1 a mys St.]
ffor by the platte, I ther 2 expresse [darst.] 2640
Off thys swerd, and specefye,
Prudent a-wys 3 in prelacye, pavysst.]
With good & trewe avysement.
' And fyrst, that he, in good entent, 2644
By trewe Ammonycyon)
And fructuous predicacyon),
Or he smyte by violence,
To lete passe the sentence, 2648
The evele to smyten 4 in sparynge, [* smyten St., smyte c.]
And spare hem also in smytynge.
Thys was of Ihesu the doctryne,
In whom lyth al the 5 medycyne pourest.] 2652
Off deth, vrhan men be wour^dyd so.
' 6 And taketh alway heed her-to,
To vse the platte, nyh & ferre,
Wharc ye se your sogettys erre, 2656
Alder-fyrst ; I mene thus,
With doctryne vertuous
Teche, preche, & so begynne
ffor to make hern love ther synne. 2660
11 Yiff ye may folkys so 7 recure Fto st.]
That be wouwdyd, I yow ensure,
Ther grevous wourzdys to allegge,
Bet ys the platte than the egge.
ffor eche leche that wel kan werche, [stowe.ieafsa]
!N"anily lechys of the cherche,
That han manhys 8 sowle in cure p mannys st.]
With plat they sholde fyrst recure, 2668
Rather than with the sharpe wouwde, 6
and try the
flat before
the edge,
according to
the doctrine
of Christ.
Try teaching
and preach-
ing first.
Doctrina bona dabit prutiam.
l>rouerb\orum. 1!> (v. 15)
2664
It is better to
recover men
thus
[leaf 42, back]
6 6 The following 16 lines English are 6 French ones of the first cast :
De ce plat vser vous deuez
Quant vos subies errer veez :
Sermouner et bien prescher,
Fait niaiutes fois peclie laissier :
S'ainsi les pouez garantir,
Mieulx vault que du trauchant ferir.
72 The Sword Versatile. Its Wielders are Cherubin.
Reaton. "By ther charge, as they ar bouwde.
tlia b y ' Now haue ye herde 1 & ye lyst se [stowe]
wounding '
the" bar ^ W J G ^^ VSG11 E ^ gl ^ 11>e '
^se- The plat, the sharpe, & eke the poynt,
I haue yovv told, fro poynt to poynt ;
And rehersyd ek also
[Cap. xxviii] In divers caas how ye shal do : 2676
Tims I have
mid you how bomtyme luge by vengauwce,
and when to J o J
use the Sowime punysshe by penau/zce,
Entrete somme v?i\h ffayrnesse,
Somrae chastyse with sharpnesse, 2680
And for that skyle, the swerd, ywys,
"V v pallvrl VprsatvllR 2 [ 3 Versatile et variable, Add. Gladius
v ersaiyiis , vei Batiljg j gg^-j (j .. 24)j c & gt>]
"Wych ys to seyn, (oute of doute,)
which is A thyng that men mowe 3 tome abowte, pmay St.]
tile, because Now the platte, (who kan take hede,) 2685
(see Genesis) r x
it turns every And 4 the sharpe, wha?i yt ys iiede. [*stowe]
way, and
may be used < ^ n d for thys skyles, off TCSOU/i
according to
Yt ys yput in your bandou, 2688
Ay to be redy, (as yt ys skyle,)
ffor to tourne yt at your \vyl.
And when Ther-to ye han power & myght,
you wield the
sword, As the caas wyl sunre oft ryht, 2692
Off verray trouthe & equyte.
' And for that skyle, sothly ye,
youarecalld That in yO\V thei be no blame. [Stowe, leaf 5, back]
Cherubin, J
full of know- Therfor ye trewly ber the name 2696
ledge and
wisdom. 5 Cherubin, fful Of SCyence *-* Cherubim, plain de science,
Kt de diume sapieiu-e. Add.
And off dyvyne sapyence,
ffor mysteiy<5 that ys ther-In. 5
' ffor yiff ye wer nat Cherubin, 2700
Thys to seyne, in your werkyng
if you were Yiff ye ne haue nat ful ko?myng.
not Cherubin J
[leaf 43] Ye myghtc do ful gret outrage,
wrong,'*" Rj'ght gret harme, & gret damage ; 2704
In stede off the platte & pleyn,
Touruen the sharpe egge in veyn
Correcte a cause grene & newe,
and condemn Deme, or ye the trouthe knewe, 2708
men in haste.
Off hast, wttA-oute good a-vys,
This bright Sword betokem Love. Porters of Paradise. 73
Wycli ys contrayre to your offys.
ffor in the hand (yif yt be souht,)
Off a fool that kan ryght nowht, 2712
A swerd ne sholde nat be take,
Eyghtf ul doomys for to make ;
And in the hand off men yrous,
To take a swerd ys peryllous. 2716
ffor thys swerd (yiff ye take hede.)
Was bryht brennyng as the glede
On euery part & eue?y syde,
With flawme perpetuelly tabyde, 2720
To yow ytake, (take hed ther-to,)
Off Grace Dieu nat longe ago.
And cause why, of the brennyng,
Yiff ye lyst to have knowelichyng, 2724
Was, that ye sholde, lyk your degre
Ben ay in love & chavyte ;
ffor loue brennyng in your desyr [stowe, leaf 53]
Ys shewyd by the bryghte fyr ; 2728
And so to speke, in wordys fewe,
Ye sholde alway your sylue?z shewe
U Wyth cherysshyng ffyr of plesaunce
ffor, yt wer a great meschauwce
Yff 1 Ire, in stede of charyte,
Brent your hertys, (as semeth me.)
Swych rage ffyr (shortly to telle,)
Was kyndlyd ffyrst, and kam from helle,
And to your swerd, I dar Eecorde,
Noon swych fyr may nat aecorde.
' Now haue I told (ye sen yt wel,)
Touchyng thys swerd eue?*ydel ; 2740
Why ye yt bere, & skyle why. [st. & c.]
ffor ye be porterys 2 verrayly ,,
Off the rewme of Paradys, ,,
Lych cherubin, prudent & wys. 2744
And the keyes ye ban also ,,
To shette the gatys, & vndo ;
2 Fr. Portier estes, se ni est achiis, Du Roiaulme de paradis.
From Camb. : Porteres ye ben, as me thinketh, of the kyngdom
of heuene.
Ignem veni m'Mere in
terrain ; & quid volo
nw vt accendutur.
(Luc. xii. 49.)
[' MSS. Off.] 2733
2736
Into the band
of the fool
and the angry
man this
Sword should
not be put.
It is bright
and burning
to show that
you should be
in charity
and love.
Rage came
first from
hell.
[leaf 43, back]
[Cap. xxix]
You are made
Porters or
guards of
Paradise,
7 -A Paradise- Porters arc St. Peters Underhgates.
seaton. "W7t7<-oute yo\v ther entreth noon,
ftt th<3 o aat J s o n >
"\Vtt//-Inne to haue hys mansyouw.
' Seyn Peter (of entencyouw)
Hath mad yow (yiff ye vnderstonde,)
Pete?un ^ s vn derlegatys, tner to stonde, 2752
del-legates, r _fo kepe the passage & entre ;
And at tlie gate for to se
Trussellys, ffardellys, in that place.
Or any marchauwt in may passe, 2756
He mvste 1 vntrusse hew & vnbynde, [' stowe, leaf 53, back]
That no thyng be lefft be-hynde.
exain^ne'.u How sore aforn that they yt close,
who enter. ye muste hem make yt to vnclose 2760
By trewe reuelacyon)
And enter 2 COnfeSSyOll). [ 2 Entere (entire) St.]
' Wherfor tak kep, & beth ryht wys,
And seth to-forn, by good a-vys, 2764
The swerd, the k eye's ek also,
How ye ha take hew bothe two ;
And lat noon passe, (loketh wel,)
YOU must But he vnclose hys fardel. 2768
search nil
who come in, And also that ye wel provyde
To cerche hem wel on euery syde,
Thys synfnl folk, \vitJi pakkys large.
Beth besy ay, hem to dyscharge ; 2772
wisely con- And weyeth wysly in balau?ce, *
siderinR .
every eircum- Consydrvng cilery circu?wstaunce.
stance, J J '
[leaf 4t] By good delyberacyon)
Demynge, in your dyscrecyon, 2776
Your verray name, & what ye hihte.
And consydreth in your syhtc,
striving to To dyscerne, in euery place,
iliscern folk's J J L
guilt, and Affter the gylt & the trespace, 2780
To charge synnerys, & cowstreyne,
^lekly for to suffre peyne,
And enioyne hem ther penaunca.
' And whan ye sen ther repextau?ce 2784
opening the y e ma y to swych, erly & late.
Kate to those J J J
who repeat. Qpno duely the gate
The Pilgrim wants to le Porter of the Castle. 75
Off Paradys, of verray ryht, ston.
By iuste tytle, thorgh your myght. . 2788
' Lo, her the sygnyf ycacioii), [stowe, leaf 54]
And trewe demonstracion)
Off swercl & keyes, bothe yfere,
Shortly, (yiff ye 1 lyst to lere.) [> yowst.] 2792 Themeanin*
J ' - J J J of Sword ami
I ouerpasse & late yt gon), Keys i pass
r over it has
By-cause folkys many on fte , n b * e "
declared
Han her-to-forn (who loke wel,)
Declaryd the mate; 1 euerydel, 2796
And what they tokne in ther wrytyng :
Consydreth thys in euery thyng ;
Looke that ye yow nat excuse but charge
Your offyce trewly for to vse, 2800 your office
discreetly.'
So as ye ouhte dyscretly.
[The Pilgrim J\ ThePilgrlm.
2 And whan that Besoim fynally
Haclde told hyr tale, I herde al wel, [Cap. xxx]
And consydred euerydel, 2804
Talent I hadde, & gret desyr
3 To haUC that SWerde, 4 bryht as ffyr, [* swerde St., swerd C.] Then I de-
sired to have
And the keyes eke y-ffere, thesword
and Keys.
Off entent (as ye shal here,) 2808
That I myghte ben an huissher, Hostiarius
Or at the gate a porter, [leaf 4 i, back]
The passage to kepe of ryht
Ther-on tawayte 5 day & nyht : [ 5 stowe] 2812
This fantasye 5 fyl in my thouht : TO be a
Poi't61*
But, God wot, I wyste nouht, 5
Nor knewe ful lytel (at the leste),
What was the ffyn of my requeste, 2816 not knowing
j i W ], a t ti, e ell( i
Nor took but lytel heed ther-to. 3 wouid-te.
And offte tyme yt falleth so,
That A man hath wyl ta thyng [stowe, leafs*, back]
2 Camb. MS. has : But to what ende j shulde come, ther-of j hadde
nowht yit thouht. It is thing bifallith ofte, p. 20.
3 - 3 l)auoir ce glaive flamboiant,
Auecques les clefz, pour estre huissier
Du dit passaige, et portier ;
Mais ad quel tin de ce venroie,
Encore pas pense n'y auoie.
(5 French lines of the 1st cast puft out into 12 English, as usual.)
76 Moses gave the Pilgrim the Siuord o.nd Keys fixt up.
The pilgrim. Wych ncuere ys broulit to noon endyng, 2820
As men may offte sythes se.
ffor yiff the sonys of zebedee
Hadde madd 1 ther askyng ryhtfully ["made St.]
AR H befell They hadde ben herd ful hastyly : 2824
to the sons of _ ' , , , .
Oft ther askyng. (as ye may lere,)
And off al that they gan requere,
Yt was ytornyd other wyse
Than they, aforen, 2 gan devyse : [ z afom c., affome st.] 2828
In the gospel ye may yt se
so it hap- A m i even e lyk yt ffyl of me,
pened to me. J -J J
[Cap. xxxij Whan I to Moyses gan gon,
Besechyng hy??& that he, A-noon 2832
Wolde grauwte, 3 lyk myn askyng, [ 3 graunteu St.]
The swerd and keyes to my kepyng,
Off hem frely to haue vsage,
when i made ffor to kepen the passage. 2836
my request to
Moses, But whan that he had herd me wel,
He fulfyllede neuereadel
Lych the pnrpos of myn askyng,
Nor then tent off my thynkyng : 2840
The swerd 4 he took me in myw hond, [ swed c., swerde St.]
he did not But (as ye shal vnderstond,)
answer me as
i expected. Co?>miyttyd so to my depoos
That yt was alvvay stylle cloos 2844
In the skawberk, as I ha sayd,
[leaf 45] Wheroff I was nat wel apayyd. 5 papeydest.]
The keyes also, stronge &, wel
Bon/de & closyd vnder seel ; 2848
And al was don off hih prudence, [Stowe,ieaf55]
But ail was That I sholde haue 6 no lycence [ haue St., ha c.]
done wisely
and pru- To vsen hem at lyberte,
But yiff I hadde auctoryte 2852
ffrom hem that hadden al the charge.
ffor yiff I vsede hew at large
Mor than my power was or ys,
As I was tauht, I dyde amys. 2856
[Cap. xxxii] Wher-off I was, ay mor & more
Abaysshed, & astonyd sore,
And specyally (to speke in pleyn,)
The Pilgrim hasn't learnt ' Predicamentum ad aliquid.' 77
That I to-foni) hadde nat seyn 2860 ri>e pugrim.
Som other folk ybounde so, ? "'"? 8tol i-
ished that I
In cas semblable as I was tho ; ot'henHnUke
Thynkyng (in myw entencyou?;) Sy!eTr,* h
That I wolde to 1 Kesouw [' woide vnto st.] 2864
Holden my way, off hyre tenquere,
And the cause iustly lere
Off al thys thyng, for mor certeyn ; and went to
' J ' Reason to en-
And thus she Answerde me ageyn : 2868 i uil ' e -
Resown Answerd : season.
' My ffayre ffrend,' a-noon cpiod she, [Cap. xxxmj
' Lych as I consydre & se,
Thy wyt ys blont & dul sow del, she told me
my wits were
That thow mayst nat se ryht wel ; 2872 blunted and
And thogh thow haue at skole be,
Thow hast nat ther (as semeth me,)
Lernyd gret wyt, nor bore a-way ;
And specyaly (I dar wel say,)" [stowe, leaf 55, back] 2876
Thow hast nat lernyd, for al thy wyt, and that:
J . . J J ' had not
predicamentum 2 ad aliquid. [ J Fr. Lepredicamenl] learned tlie
l Predieamen-
ffor thys predicament, sothly, tumadaii-
Hath hys beholdyng (fynaly) 2880 [leaf 15, back]
Vnto som other mane? 1 thyug
Than to hym sylff, as in werkyng
Makyug (in conclusion), 3 ) [St. & c.]
Hys ground & hys fundacyon) ,, 2884
Vp-on A-nother grounde, in. soth : ,,
Thys predicament alway so doth. .,
ffor what he hath (tak heed, my brother,) wllich takes
what it has
Nat off hyra-sylff, but off a-nother 2888 from another,
He taketh yt, to be mor strong,
And to no whiht ne doth no wrong.
' And bere a-way thys in thy thouht,
That yt were ytold for iiouht, 2892 and is no
-r, , , , /. , . . . (?ood unless
But he hys power (to speke in pleyn,) it does so.
Tooke off A-nother (in certeyn) ;
ffor off hym sylff yt may not be.
Exau??iple I wyl now lerne the 2896
3 II fait son edifiement
Sur anltruy tous moult sagement. Addit., leaf 9, col. 2.
78 Of God, and Lord God, and Lords and Subjects.
Rf>on. That wit'/i thyrc eyne mor clerly
Thow mayst be-liolde yt openly.
' Whan God Almyghty (yiff yt be souht,)
Al thys world hadde maad off nouht, 2900
Before tiie (As clerkys Avel reherse kan,)
creation God
Almighty To-forn or he had makyd man,
was called
Lord" 01 ( Tak lied & lok ^ prudently,)
He was ycallyd but God only, 2904
Yiff Genesis ne lye noullt. dixitdeus. Genesi*icapttato(8 ) 6,&c.;.
But A-noon as man was wrouht, [stowe, leaf 66]
(Tak hed & marke Avel thys word,)
Hutassoon Than WaS he Callyd God & Lord, Plantiiuerat Dmniimg
as man was j e -m (PawrtlWra).
a8 [n to kne, (wh that kan obserue,) - *" ()
and Lord. He made 1 a seruau?t hy??i to serue, c 1 hadde St.]
Tho was he Lord, havynge lordshepe.
And yet (who that taketh kepe,) 2912
Hys lordshepe was nat mor at al
Temporal As ben thys lordys temporal,
grea1er, re(l Gretter off domynacyon)
[leaf 46] Whan they han in subieccyon) 2916
Peplys at her lust to-beye 2 : [* tobej-e St.]
ffolk ar wont than 3 to seye, [ 3 ffuike . . . timune st ]
That ther seruau?ztys & meyne
peopTetbey Yivetli them power & powstee ; 2920
So that (in conclusion),)
Ther myght & domynacyon),
Off ther sogettys fyrst doth sprynge,
And ys engendryd in werkyng. 2924
ffor yiff ther sogettys Aver put away,
ey Ther lordshepe (I dar AVC! say,)
Sholde faylle, & ther power ;
And sogettys, Avych they haA-en 4 her [* imvethe St.] 2928
To serven hem, and to obeye,
Sholde ek fayH, I dar wel seye ;
ffor lordshepe pleynly 5 ther Aver noon, [ 5 pieyniy om. st.]
Yiff ther seruauntys Aver agon. 2932
The name off servau?*t ek also,
Yiff that lordshepe Aver ago,
Muste ek faylle, as thow mayst se ; [stowe, leaf 56, back]
ffor nouther party may nat be 2936
The Pilgrim cannot have the Sivord 'lare. 79
Wt/i-outew other (yt ys no drede). Rea-on.
1 By wych exauwple (who taketh hede,) iio there
Lordshepo ys sayd especyally wouidbe'no
Off seruauntys ; & ek tnvly 2940 serv " ts -
Seruau?ztys also namyd be
OfE lordshepe, in ther degre.
And thus ys sayd, (haue thys ther-wyth,)
Predicamentuw ad aliquid. 2941 { n u t
ffor eche off other hath gynnyng, ti.e other.
And ys on other dependyng.
Whan the Ton ys, than ys the tother ;
ffor yt ne may nat be noon other ; 2948
Whan the Ton faylleth, ek also Suiuo-
They muste ffaylle bothe two. ether -
*[f Vnderstond wel thys lesson,
How thou 1 art in subieccyoii) ; 2 C 1 HOW thou St.] 2952 g^^ ]
Consydre how thow art ysett .) [St. & c,]
Vnder a-nother, and soget .,
To hym, and mvstest hy??i obeye ,,
Wych hath also (I dar well saye) ,, 2956
Vpon the(e) lurediccyon),
Power & domynacyon),
As thy souereyn, -what-euere he be.
' But o thyng deceyveth the : 2960 YOU have no
nubjecta as
Thow hast no sogetys as hath he ; He ha8>
ffor wych thyng (consydre & se,)
Thow fayllest & art put a-bak.
And in swych caas, thow hast gret lak [stowe, leaf 57] 2964
To haue the swerd, bryht and cler,
Commyttyd vn-to thy power, ^.We u"
Out of the skawberk, yt to vse. fuscabZrdf
Yt wer but veyn for the to muse 2968
Ther-vp-on, or gruchche ageyn.
' The keyes also in certeyn,
Thow mayst nat han hem, nor possede
But vnder seel, (yt ys no dred.) 2972
The swerd also, (yt ys no dovte.) Even if it
7 w were drawn
Yiff that yt wer drawen oute, >: <UI ^^
J do nothing
with it;
2 Camb. MS. continues : subiecte to oothere and thou hast no
subiect. Thi souereyn, what euere he be, p. 21 .
80 The Pilgrim must first learn Self-government.
Raon. Thow sholdest ther-witA do ryht uotiht.
ffor yiff the trouthe be wel souht, 2976
Thow hast yt nouht in thy denieyne
!S r o thyng for to part at-weyne, 1 [' in tweyne St.]
Mouther to kerue nor to smyte.
And shortly, (yiff I shal endyte,) 2980
and it were Bet wer to the, Touchyng swych werk.
better to keep , ,
it undrawn, To kepe yt cloos in the skauberk
Than folyly thy-sylff to bolde,
Out off the skauberk yt to holde ; 2984
ffor ffolkys wolde deme off ryht,
than, draw- Ther-ofF whan they hadde a syht,
ing it, to look *
like a fool. Yt wer no wysdom, but foly,
[leaf 47] And a maner Surquedy, 2988
Whan they be-helde euerydel,
Tlie keyes nat closyd vnder seel, 2 [ eu St., ei c.]
[Cap. xxxv] Syth thow (wi't/j.-outen any glose,)
u is not for Mayst nouther shette nor vnclose, 2992
you to open ,.
and shut. it longeth nat to thyn offyS. [Stowe, leaf 57, back]
' ffor wych, lerne to be wys,
And se how they wer taken cloos,
And vnder seel in thy depoos, 2996
Knet & bouwde faste & strong,
That thow w/t/i hem ne do no wrong.
Thy power ferther doth nat strecche,
Wher-off thow sholdest no thyng rechche, 3000
Yiff thow wer wys, as semeth me.
if you listen ' And Tak also good heed, & se,
win r^t Off al that I to-forn ha sayd :
Thow sholdest be ryht wel a-payd 3004
Off thy power, & nat ne stryve,
Thogh thow neuere in al thy lyve
Haddest no lordshepe nior at al.
And for to speke in specyal, 3008
Yt ouhte ynowh to the suffyse,
As I shal to the devyse,
and atrive to Thy-sylff for to gouerne a-ryht, No<a. st.
sell. 6 "' ' Dyschargyd off euery other whyht. 3012
Than artow prudent, douteles ;
And for thys skyle, Moyses,
The Sword and Keys are to be used only by Leave. 81
' Wych in hys tyme was wys & old,
Took hem to the, as I ha told, 3016
To fyn only (to speke in pleyn)
That he, as lord & souereyn,
May, whan hywz lyst, as thow shalt lere,
Whan that tyme doth yt 1 requere, [lytdothst.] 3020
The keyes closyd vnder sel, [stowe, leafss]
He may to the vnbynde wel ;
The swerd also, by tytle of lawe,
Make that thow shalt yt drawe
Out off the skauberk, fer nor 2 ner, pnest.]
Lych as thow hast off hy?/i power, [St. & c.]
Sogett alway to hys sentence ,,
And as the caas graimteth lycence. ,, 3028
Hys power he may cowmytte ,,
To the, ffro wych thow niayst nat flytte.
ffor as I shal to the devyse,
Yiff thow dydyst other wyse 3032
Thow sholdest offende ful gretly,
Pereyl off deth except only,
Wych ys a cause evydent
That thoAV mayst wel (& nat be shent,) 3036
The swerd ydrawe, (tak hed her-to,)
And the keyes vnbynde also.
ffor nede & gret necessyte
Lycence 3 grauwtyd vnto the [ 3 stowe] 3040
Plentevously, & ek vsage,
Consydryd \rith the surplusage,
Pre-supposyd ther be no whyht
To whom the offyce sholde of ryht 3044
Appertene off duete.
I mene thus, tak hede 4 & se ; [hedc., hede St.]
Marke yt wel in thyre entent,
That he be 5 nat ther present I s be tiwr c., be St.] 3048
Wych halt the swerd (now vnderstond,)
Bare & nakyd in hys hond,
And the keyes vnbounde also,
Off ryht, as he ouhte do, 3052
Thys he that haueth pleyn power,
(Who kan looke wzt/i eyen cler,)
PILGRIMAGE. O
Moses gave
you the swoul
and keys,
and may, if it
please him,
3024 [leaf 47, back]
give you
leave to use
them as re-
quired.
His power he
may commit
to you.
Otherwise it
is sin to use
them unless
in peril of
death,
and then only
if he be not
present
whose duty
it is.
[Cap. xxxvi]
Who holds
the sword
naked,
and the keys
unbound,
82 Yet the Mendicants use the Sword and Keys.
and has juris-
diction,
mast be
obeyed.
[leaf 48]
You have, I
tliink, no
subject of
your own.
Pilgrim.
Tlien I said,
' I have seen
people who
are without
subjects
bear the
naked sword,
and freely use
the keys,
3056
30tiO
[ Stowe]
3064
[ hath St.]
3068
3072
And haueth lurediccyon)
Above, & domynaci'on,
And ys the ryght ful relatyff,
To whom, m't/i-oute noyse or stryff,
Thow art soget, & vnder put
To hyi allone : & trewly, but
Thow \\jin obeye, thow art Coupable ;
ffor yiff thow, in cas semblable,
Haddest sogettys vnder the,
Thow myhtest wel (lyk thy degre,)
Don as he doth 2 in alle thyng,
And fulfylle in werkyng.
Thanne folwede yt a-noon forth-wyth,
Thy power wer Ad aliquid ;
But thow hast noon, (as semeth me,)
Wheroff thow ouhtest glad to be,
And in thyn herte ful loyous.'
The pylgrym argueth :
3 'Ma dame/ (]uod I, 'most vertuous,
(Yiff ye lyst to here me,)
I have seyn, & alday se,
Som f olkys (in conclusyon)) [stowe, leaf 59]
That hadden in subieccion) 3076
Sogetys noon, nor gouemance,
And yet they dyde hem sylff avaunce,
And wer ther-off no thyng afferd,
Uakyd for to here the swerd. 3080
To whom also yt ys wel fouwde
That the keyes wer nat bounde,
But redy euere (beth wel certeyn,)
Tvnshetten & to shette ageyn 3084
Lokkys echon (yt ys wel wyst,)
And entrede whan that euere hem lyst.
At alle tyme they be redy,
Shette and vnshette hardyly.
The cause to me vn-knowew ys
And yet I dar afferme thys,
They ha no mor power than I ;
ffor wych they han, al sodeynly, 3092
8 From 1. 3072 to 1. 3230 is absent from Camb. MS.
3088
De tnendicantibut loquitur. St.
om. C.
Earthly things are ruled l>y heavenly. God is Lord of all. 83
Astonyd my?* oppyuyou??. at winch i am
ffor yiff ther be Kelacyoim
Yfounde there, I dar wel say
Tliat yt ys ystole a-way.' 3096 Reason.
1 ReSOUn AnSWereth. ['- l Stowe MS., leaf 59.] [leaf 48, back]
Eesoun answerde ageyn to me :
' Take heed / and vnderstond,' quod she,
' The Form ere off the high" hevene,
And maker / off the Storres .Sevene 1 3100
Hath so ordeyned / alle thynges, [c.&st.] 'Heavenly
bodies are
That they shal, in her meuynges, made
Holdeii ther cours / swyfft or soffte,
Lyk as the bodyes hih" a-loffte, 3104
Lyst ordeyne, (who kan knowe,) ,,
So that erthly thynges lowe ,,
e dvSPOSlCVOnS 2 [ 2 dysposicioans St., dys . . sicyons C.] for earthly
things to
Off hem. & ek impressiouns, 3108 receive
impressions
To be gouernyd (in sentence) andbe hem>
Affter the hevenly influence, fS?- by
Dyversly, ech in hys kynde, fluence.
"Who 3 the causys kan out fynde pstowe] 3112
Off 3 ther dyuers mocyouws ,,
Tliorgh naturel Inclynaciouws. 3
IT Yet for al thys, yt lettyth nouht,
But that the Lord, wych al hath wrouht, 3116 But God has
sovereign
Hath lordshepe sovereyne, p wer .
What \\yrn lyketh to ordeyne,
As the Lori most pryncypal,
Wit/i-outen any mene at al : 3120
In heuene, Erthe, or in the se,
So as hyra lyst, yt muste be.
Off hevenly bodves cyrculer, and is the
J " J ' centre of the
He stant no thyng in ther dauwger ; 3124 universe.
But he may do, thys myghty kyng,
What-eueye hym lyst, in hys werkyng,
hih" a-loffte, & her don 4 lowe, [ 4 dovn) St.]
Thogh the hevene no-thyng knowe 3128
The Influence of hys power, [stowe, leaf eo]
Wych ys so myghty & enter, None can
J ' JO J comprehend
That no whyht may yt comprehende tis pwr,
God's chief Vicar, the Pope, delegates his Pmver
Reaton.
[leaf 49]
and none are
so hardy as
to oppose
His decree.
The heavens
declare the
glory of God.
' How fer hys power doth extende, 3132
Was neue?-e yet noon so gret clerk.
' And thogh the heuene, touchyng his wark 1
Hadde any maner knowelychyng [' ins wark st,, om. c.]
To comprehendyn hys werkyng, 3136
Yt sholde nat so hardy be
To gruchche ageyn hys deyete.
But I 2 speke in wordys pleyn, pist.,toc.]
Humblely vrith Davyd seyn 3140
Touchyng hys myght wych doth excelle,
'Lat the heuene hys glorie telle,
Hys laude, hys honour, & preysyng,
And yive worshepe to hys werkyng. ceiunan-ant gioriam Dei.
And also (in hys best entent)
Lat also the fyrmament
Hys handwerk devoutly preyse,
And day-by-day hys honour Reyse
In laude & prys ful many fold.'
' But cause why that I ha told
Thys thyng to the thus, 3 by-&-by,
I shal reherse the cause her why.
The hihe hornyd, most holy,
Callyd in erthe comounly
Off God the chose cheff vyker,
And hys place kepeth 4 her,
And doth yt pleynly occupye,
The wych, no man wyl denye ;
Yet thogh thys vyker, aboue echon
Haue power off yore agon,
Aboven euerych other whyht,
And wolde the cours (of verray ryht)
Off hys myghty excellence
"VVher 5 douw shad by influence
To other lowere of degre
Co??myttcd from hys souereyn se,
Whom he ordeyneth her & yonder
By commyssyon) to be vnder
[leaf 49, back] 6 Hys higfi power by Ordynawnce
For to haven Governawnce
(Who that kan the trouthe seke)
3H5
3148
I 3 thus C., om. St.]
Thongh
God's chief
vicar have
power above
all men to
shed Hia
influence
around,
3152
['kepteSt.] 3156
[Stowe, leaf fl, back]
3160
[5 were St.] 3164
3168
[ * St. MS., leaf 60, b:ick]
to Folk of Religion, who bear the Sword and Keys. 85
' To bere the swerd, and keyes eke, 3172 Reason.
So that by her dyscrew'on
And prudent 6 mediacyon
AH thynge vnder ther myghte [c. & St.]
"Wer gouemyd wel by Eyfit, 3176
"Wych to hem dooth 1 apertene [' to hem dooth St., om.c.]
Vnder entent pur & clene,
Affter the bond off ther offys.
1 But nat for-thy, yet for al thys, 3180
Ther ys no cause but that he
"Wych that hath the souereynte, yet lie, as
The chefF vyker above echon,
Off verray ryght, & other noon, 3184
Ys curat (in conclusions,
"WYt/i-oute al mediac'iouw,)
0\ie)' crystyS 2 MkyS alle. [* Crystene St.] and curate
Yt may noon other- wyse falle, 3188 Christ's flock,
Off verray ryght, I the ensure. [stowe, leufei]
Al-be that he, vnder hys cure
Haue set by hy 3 co??miyssyon), pins St.]
So?nme folkys of relygyon), 3192
Hys offys to excersyce
Vnder hy??i in sondry wyse ;
Hem establysshed, vrith power large, has others
,,,, TIT mn/ commission-
fror to helpe hjm ber hys charge ; 31 'Jo ed to aid Mm.
In hys name, or 4 elles nouht pandst.]
ffor what they do, or what ys wrouht,
ffro hy??^ the power ys descendyd,
The wrong by hym mot be amendyd, 3200
Yiff ther be any in ther werkyng.
' And therfore, touchyng thys thyng,
(To seyn shortly, & nat tarye,)
Tliey be nat but ordynarye, 3204
Commyttyd, ther offys for to do,
Thogh thow sest hem bothe two And though
-n i A i 1 ii, i, j you see these
Ber swerd And keyes in ther hond p ea f 50]
Naked & vnclosyd ; yet vnderstond, . 3208 nakedlword
They ha nat stole hem, fer nor ner, and keys>
ffor they hadde pleyn power they received
' * them from
Oft the vyker pryncypnl, the principal,
86 Of the Sacrament of the Altar. Mcscs dines on
who can take
them back
when He
chooses.
You should
be thankful,
and not
meddle with
what does
not concern
you.'
[Cap. xxxvii]
Pilgrim.
Then Moses
went to
dinner,
[leafSO.back]
which con-
sisted of
bread and
wine only.
' "Wych aboue gouemeth al, 3212
That gaff to hem ther power wz't/i
Predicamentuw ad aliquid.
They tooke yt (who consydereth al)
Off hys gyffte in especyal ; 3216
And whan hyw lyst, (yt ys no nay)
He may ageyn take yt away, [stowe, leaf ei, back]
"Whan that he seth tyme & place.
ffor thyng that graimtyd ys off grace 3220
May be Eestreyned 1 efft ageyn p St., restey . . c.]
In many caas, be wel certeyn.
And thogh thow haue no swyche power,
Thow sholdest, vritb al thyrc herte enter, 3224
To Ihesu Cryst, in thyn entent,
Thanke of that he hath the sent ;
fferther nat medle than thyn offys ;
ffor I holde, he ys nat wys, 3228
That in medlyng ys mor large
Than the boimdys of hys charge.'
Off the Sacrament off the Awhter :
And whan thys lady, Dame Eeson),
Touchyng myn oppynyon), 3232
Hadde declaryd vnto me,
Eyht forth-wit/i I dyde se,
(As I be-held tho douteles,)
That the hornyd Moyses 3236
Shope hyw Ryght as any lyne
To make redy & go dyne,
And hys mete ek redy make.
And tho, good heed I gan take 3240
How hys mete (pleynly to deme,) [c.&st.]
Was other than yt dydc seme ;
And off 6 thyng, as I took heed, [St., leaf 02]
Ther was no thyng but wyn & bred, 3244
The wych wer nat to hys entent ;
ffor tho he hadde gret talent
To etyn fflesshe, in hys delyt,
And blood ek in hys appetyt, 3248
ffor to dyfface the olde 2 lawe, J ? oide St., old c.]
And the Ryytys ther-off witft-drawe ;
Bread and Wine, which turn into Flesh and Blood. 87
Wych lawe (as I vnderstood,) Pilgrim.
Bad men they sholde ete no blood. Ca c v e m n e e d ar s st'Tm c The ow Law
But Moyses in hys entent, 3253 should eat no
J blood.
Contrayre to that comandement,
To helpyn hym Among hem alle,
[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
Grace Dieu be-gan to calle ; 3256
And she kam forth A-noon ryht.
And ther I sawh a wonder syht,
Mor merveyllous than euere aforn)
I hadde seyn syth I was born). 3260
ffor ther I sawh, (as I took heed.) But i saw
7 v the bread
In-to Rawh fflesshe, tornyd bred ; SrFtoSf
Grace Dieu ordeynede yt so.
And wyn (I took good heed ther-to.) 3264 and the wine
J v into red
Was tornyd ek in-to Eed blood. uiood.
The wych (so as I vnderstood,)
Sempte of a lambe, as thouhte me.
And, as A man curteys & fre, 3268
Hys off ycerys he gan calle, [Moyses St., om. c.] [leaf 02, back]
And bad they sholde komen alle [St. &c.] [leafai]
Vn-to dyner ; & ek hem tolde he' called 6
The maner hooly how they sholde 3272
Han myght & power enterly
ffor to maken al redy
The dyner al so wel as he,
At due tyme, in ther degre. 3276
And as they weryn at dyner,
To hem he gaff pleynly power nd he e ave
them power
To maken (in conclusion)) * do , as he
X t had done. .
That merveyllous mutaci'on), 3280
Bred in-to flesshe, wyn in-to blood.
And off that foode (I vnder-stood)
He Gaff to etyn to hem alle After which
he gave them
(Wych to-forn he dyde calle,) 3284 tins food.
Thys newe mete most vnkouth,
Mynystrng 1 yt in-to ther mouth.
With hem, hym-sylf he heet also,
And of the blood he drank ther-to. 3288
I sawh yt vrith my ft Eyen cler.
88 Eeason cant understand the Sacramental Change,
Pilgrim.
I saw the
mutation
with my own
eyes,
[Cap. xxxviii]
and inquired
of Reason
what she
thought.
Reason.
[leaf 51, back]
But she saw
no more than
I did,
and said if
Grace Dieu
had made a
bird of an
ess, or of a
grain an ear,
she would
have said
nothing ;
but to con-
vert bread
into flesh,
and wine
into blood,
But swych a merveyllous dyner
~NQ was neue?*e a-forn yseyn,
Nor neuere (that I lierde seyn,) 3292
IvTe was no swycli mutacyon,
Nor off so wonderful Renou??.
But whan I hadde be-holden al,
I tornede me A-noon wit/i-al 3296
To- ward that lady dame Resouw,
Makynge to hyr thys questyoim :
The pylgrym: 1 ['St. (leaf 6S) adds 'Asked']
' Ma dame,' quod I, ' I yow preye
That ye to me lyst to seye : 3300
"What semeth yow, telle on pleynly.'
Resoura koucle nat answere.
' Certys,' quod she, ' that wyl not I, [St. & c.]
ffor ther-of I kan no thyng ; ,,
Yt passeth myn vnderstandyng, ,. 3304
My wyt also, & ek my mynde. ,,
To sen, myw Eyen ben to blynde ; ,,
I se no mor ther-off then thow ;
And I am so astonyd now, 3308
Mor than euere I was a-fore,
Syth tyme that I was bore,
ffor yiff that she (I dar wel say)
Hadde ymakyd off an Ay [Je ouo c. & St., leaf es] 3312
A bryd vrith ffethres for the flyht,
Or that she hadde, thorgh hyr myght,
Off a lytel barly greyn
Makyd an Er large & pleyn, 3316
Thys ylkede 2 Ornede Moyses, [ 2 For thys yike ?]
I wolde han be stylle & in pes,
And ther-off han take noon heed.
But [s]he 3 hath mad Rauwh fflessh of bred, phec.&st.]
Wherof I am falle in rage. [stowe, leaf es, back] 3321
And also of that beuerage,
That [s]he 4 hath tornyd wyn to blood, [*hec.&st.]
My sylff beholdyng, ther I stood, 3324
Ageyn the custom of nature.
And trew[e]ly, I the ensure,
That I shal no lenger dwelle,
and tells Nature, an old Lady, who gets wroth. 89
Eut to Nature the trOUtlie 1 telle, [Urouthe St., trouth C.] Reason.
And sendyn hyre to be A-wreke 3329
To Grace Dieu, with hyr to speke,
With cher boystous. wordys nat ffavre, is proof that
slie has tran-
Vnto whom she ys contrayre. 3332 wended the
laws of
ifor She hath, (yiff I Shal not lye,) [Grace Dieu St.] Nature,
Off pryde only, & surquedye,
Lyft the custom & vsage,
And off nature the passage 3336
Transcendyd pleynly, & the boundys ;
And in dede, ek yt founde ys [leaf 52]
That she hath, of force & myght, [St. & c.] to whom
complaint
Broke hyr franchyse & hyr rylit. 3340 should be
_ made.
The Pylgrym :
And whan Resouw hadde told me tliys, Pilgrim.
Sche A-noon retournyd ys
In-to hyr tour vp bin" ageyn.
And tha?ine A-noon, vp-on the pleyn 3344 [Cap.xxxix]
I sawh a lady off gret age, Then i saw
mi i i i an old Lad y
The wych gan holden hvr passage going to-
wards Grace
Towardys Grace Dieu in soth, Dm-
And off hyr port I-rous & wroth, 3348
And hyr handys ek of pryde [stowe, leafci]
Sturdy ly she sette a syde.
Hyr Eyen ek (I took good hede,)
Breranyng bryht as any glede ; 3352
Wonder large off hyr feature,* (Feat ^ 3i.iia)
Trowynge that she was Nature : it was Nature
i in a furious
And so she was, thys lady old, temper.
ffor Resouw hadde vn-to me told 3356
Hyr maner and condyciouw.
And, to myn inspecciou,
Sche was redy for to stryve,
ffor Anger dyde hyr herte Ryve 3360
Atweyne, in purpos for to chyde ;
Hyr handys set vnder hyr syde.
And vn-to Grace Dieu A-noon
Thys olde 3 lady ys forth gon ; p oide St., old c.] 3364
And Rudly fyrst she gan abrayde. to upbraid
Grace Dieu,
And vn-to Grace Dieu she sayde : saying:
90 Old Dame Nature remonstrates with Grace Dun.
Nature. [6 lines Hank in MS. for an Illumination.]
[Cap. n] i ' Dame,' quod she / Right of Entent / 2 [J - 1 I ^ e ] MS "
Sy'l'cTme 1 ' As J 66 stonden / hel P reS6nt > * 336S
to chide yon wiier-so that yee / be leeff 1 or loth,
With youre gouernawice I am wroth,
That ye be bold, in any -wyse
ffor to medle of my frauwchyse. 3372
And I am kome, as ye may se,
To dyffende my lyberte.
Vn-to yow yt ys nat due [stowe, leaf 6i, back]
forrempving My ordyna?mcys to remeue. 3376
nances. Record I take off alle wyse,
Yt outhe ynowgh to yow suffyse
The party that ye han ytake,
And no maystryes for to make 3380
In the boundys that I kepe.
TO yon u ' ffor, thogh ye ban 3 the lordshepe p
committed ,->..,
the starry Off the heuene & eue?y spere,
And off the sterrys bryht & clere, 3384
And off the planetys hih a-loffte,
Somme swyfft & so?me soffte
Holdyng ther cours & ther nievyng,
And as ye lyst in alle thyng 3388
They stonden all in your demeyne,
Ther cours, as ye lyst, ordeyne.
Ouer hem ye han the souereynte ;
and if i inter- And yiff I wolde medle me 3392
fered with
them you Towchyng ther cours, or how they goth,
angry, and WiHi me ye wolde be ful wroth,
deapise me.
And my presiu^pcton despyse.
And I, ryht in the sylue wyse, 3396
Ifyoumeddle Yiff V6 mcdlede Wrongfully
with my free- '
dom, Touch yng the bouwdys of my party,
Ther to cleyme off me lordshepe,
My fredam I wolde kepe. 3400
I'll die rather Eather than suffren any wrong,
than suffer *
wrong. I wolde deye, thogh ye be strong ;
2 Camb. MS. reads: 'Lady,' quod she, 'to yow j come to
chide, for to defende myn owen. Wennes cometh it yow for to
remeue inyne ordinaunces ? ' Camb. , p. 24.
All above the Moon is Reasons; below it, Grace Dieu's. 91
* Trusteth thys ryght wel at al. [c. & St.]
' And declare to yow I shal, 3404
Now that ye & I be met, [Stowe, leaf 65]
The trewe bouwdys that be set
Atwyxe vs tweyne, syth go ful long,
That noon to other do no Avrong ; 3408
"Wych to yow I shal devyse,
And declare the frauwchyse
Off outher part, yiff ye lyst lere,
That noon ne medle, fer nor nere, 3412
To have lordshepe off othrys ryht,
Nouther by force nor by myght.
' And yiff ye lyst to lerne yt sone,
The cercle off the colde moone, 3416
Atwyxen yow & me for evere
The bouwdys trewly doth clysseuere,
And yiveth to eue?ych hys party ; ? metho' St., om. c.
Yiff ye lyst look Ryghtfully 1 [' Ryghfuiiy c.] 3420
As I shal declare now : ^^0-
The hiher part longeth to yow, K2fc?jSi
Wher ys your lordshepe & your myght, SSK^^Wa,
And ye may ther (off verray ryght) 'W^ 2 *>"
Maken thynges fresshe of hewe, 3425
And whaw ye lyst, transforme hew newe ;
Your power ys so vertuous ;
ffor thogh ye made dame Venus 3428
A best wz't/i hornys sharpe & hard,
I wolde ther-to ha no Reward.
And thogh that ye, (yt ys no fayl,)
Off Mercurye made a snayl testudo&c. 3432
I wolde me nat putte in pres
To gruchche, but kepe me sty lie in pes; [St., leaf 65, back]
ffor ther I cleyme no mane?- ryht. 3435
' But her by-nethe, ys al my myght ; 3 P my^iit^st,
Off ellementyS I am maystreSSe, Natura naturata, motu*movens.
Lady also & pryncesse
Off wyndys and inpressyouws, [st.&c.]
And make transmutacyouws,
Many wonder varyance.
2 C. ; St. has wrongly ' Inconip^'ftilia.'
3440
[leaf 53]
Nature.
And now we
are met I'll
declare the
bounds which
were set be-
tween us.
The ' circle
of the cold
moon ' is the
fixed bound-
ary between
us two.
The higher
part belongs
to you ;
and though
you should
make Venus
a horned
beast,
and Mercury
a snail,
I would not
complain.
But here be-
neath, I am
Mistress,
[leaf 58, back]
mota St.
92 Nature rules the Elements, and renews the Earth.
Nature. ' ffor I ha the gouernauwce [st. & c.]
and have the Off fyr, of heyr, (as ye may se,) 5 " P"'" 10 *' * . mu " do
government J ' J ' \ J J '/ [St. & C.]
of fire, air, off erthe. and off the large se, / 3444
earth, and
Ma - Off ther accord & ther debate ;
I leue no thyng in on estat,
But make eche thyng, by declyn,
ffor to drawe to hys ffyn. 3448
I make alday thynges newe
The olde, refresshyng off her hewe.
[Cap. xii] The erthe I clothe, yer by yer,
Mith'ibMu- And rcfresshe hym off hys cher 3452
vearT " y "Wyth 1 many colour of delyte, [' stowe]
Blewh 1 & grene, Red & whyt,
At pryme temps, vrith many a flour.
And al the soyl, thorgh my fauour 3456
Ys clad of newe ; medwe & pleyn
i make sweet And hilles hih", ek spyce & greyn
spices to
grow, I make to enspyre soote,
And do the bawme, out of the Rote 3460
In-to the crop a-ryse & sprynge.
and the trees ( And in-to trees ek I brynge
to bud and * '
blossom, -J^QJ, i us j;y "blosmys whyte & rede; [stowe, ic;f66]
And in ther brauwchys ek I sprede 3464
A-brood myn f resshe vestyraentys,
And with myn vnkouth paramentys
I clothe ham wyth buddys glade,
"Wych, -with wynter, dede I made, 3468
Thorgh constreynt of hys coldys kene,
Tornyng to russet al the grene
"With fretyng of hys bytter cold,
causing all ' ' But al that wynter maketh old, 3472
which winter
made old to And wttn hyr stormvs doth desteyne,
become J
young again, j ma k e yt frcsshe & yong ageyn ;
[leaf 54] The bromys -with ther gol Jen floure, [c. &st.] 3475
That wynter made' (with hys shour) [St. &c.]
Xakyd and bare, dedly of hewe, ,,
With levys I kan cloth hem 2 newe ; [*hem St., \\ym c.]
i repair the i And off the feld the lyllyes ffayre. /
beauties of J J J
the flowers, And off herbys many a payre, 3480
That wynter slowh vrith hys constreynt,
Nature hates sudden Changes. She makes Men speak. 93
4 And made hem of ther colour ffeynt,
ffor no cost, me lyst not spare,
But ther Rychesse I do repare, 3484
Whan hete off cold hath the 1 victorye, p the om. St.]
That Salomon in al hys glorye ^fiSSftiJSf itai " *'
Was nat clad (I dar wel sey)
Halff so freschly as ben they ; 3488
Xor hys robes wer nat lyche
Off colour to the busshes Ryche,
Wych be clad in my lyiFree,
ffro yer to yer, as ye may se. 2 [stowe, leaf 66, back] 3492
' And who that taketh hed ther-to,
Al thyng that mere se me do,
I do by leyser, by and by :
I am nat Rakel nor hasty ; 3496
I hate, in myn) OppynyOUWS, Subitas mutaeso?zes odit natura
Al sodeyn mutacyouws ;
My werkys be the bettre wrouht,
Be cause that I haste nouht : 3500
I take record of dame ResonX
' And also ek in no sesou)
I slepe nouther day nor nyht ;
ffor, of custom & of ryht, 3504
I hate al 3 mane?' ydelnesse, p aiie St.]
Ouer al wher I am maystresse.
I am nat slowh, thorgh-out the yer, 2 ceil & mundi
To do my werk & my dever 3508
Affter my power & kownyng ;
And I make, with my werkyng,
Man & womman to speke a-ryht
Euery language, thorgh my myght; [c. &st.] 3512
ffovlys to flen, I teche also,
And euery beste for to go ;
ffysshes to swymmen in the see,
2 The passage contained in 11. 3451 3492 extends over not
quite six lines in Camb. It runs thus : The eerthe is of my robes,
and in prime temps alwey j clothe it. To the trees j yeue
clothinge and apparamens ayens somer. And sithe j make dis-
poile hem ayen ayens winter, for to kerue hem oother robes and
kootes seemynge alle newe, ther is neither brembel ne broom ne
oother tre that j ne clothe ayen. Was neuere Salomon clothed
with suich a robe as is a bush, p. 24.
Jfature.
so that Solo-
mon in all his
glory was not
so richly ar-
rayed us is a
bush in my
livery.
I do all lei-
surely; I
hate sudden
changes.
I never sleep.
I hate idle-
ness.
I make men
to speuk,
[leaf 54, back]
fowls to fly,
94 Nature complains that Grace Dicu turns Water into Wine.
serpents to
creep,
and grain to
grow.
I am mistress
of the earth,
but you
would dimin-
ish my power,
and turn wine
into blood,
which sur-
passes my
wit.
I never
troubled my-
self to make
bread,
[leaf 55]
which is
made of my
grain.
'And I make ek (as ye may se,) [c. &st.j 3516
Serpentys on the grovnd to krepe ; ,,
And alle greynes ek I kepc,
Make hem groven 1 in ther guyse, ['growenst.j
And al ther sesovms I devyse. 3520
And yiff I shal the trouthe expresse,
I am lady & 2 maystresse p and ek St., leaf 67]
Off al the Erthe, who lyst knowe.
' But ye wolden holden lowe 3524
My power, (yt ys no doute,)
Yiff ye myghte yt brynge a-boute,
fful wrongfully, ageyn al ryht,
And 3 apallen ek my myght p ston-e] 3528
At your fre choys ; thys the ffyn ;
Tourne vnkyndely my wyn
In-to blood, folk for to dryuke ; ' 3531
The wyche 4 doth me sore a-thy nke, [ 4 winche St., wycu c.]
And fret myn herte 5 so with rage p herte St., hert c.]
That ye do me swych outrage,
So nyfi. vn-to myn herte yt sytte :
And yt passeth ek my wyt, 3536
Your governauftce in thys matere.
' Touchy ng 6 bred, ye shal wel lere,
(To speken in especyal,)
I am not so wroth with-al, 3540
Nor gruchche (in myw oppynyouw)
Off thy Ike mutaci'outt,
Be cause that I (who taketh hed,)
Medlede neuere to make bred,
Croste nor krome, al my lyve.
But I dar afferme her blyve,
Thogh I neuere made looff,
The mater that yt ys made off
Kometh fro my 7 corn & greyne
And I delyuered hem, certeyn,
Vn-to Crafft, wych I assure
Ys soget vn-to Nature.
Thogh she yt made by hyr engyn,
The mater ffyrst was pleynly myn,
And kain fro me, yt ys no drede.
P Tonchyng St.,
Touchyd C.]
3544
3548
[7 me St. (cf. line 3555)]
[Stowe, leaf 67, back] 3552
Nature complains of Grace Dieu's Miraculous Deeds. 95
But you have
turned bread
into flesh,
which I can-
not allow
again.
' But that ye han thus twrnyd bred 3556
In-to Rawh fflesshe at your dyner,
In preiudyce off my power,
To forbarre me of my ryht,
Wher hadde ye power outher myght 3560 [Cap.
To werke so ageyn my lore 1
I may suffren yt no more.
I ha forboor yow many day, 1 p a day St.]
And suffryd ek (yt ys no nay,) 3564
Wrongys that ye ha do 2 to me. p done St.]
I not by whos auctoryte,
That ye, by your gouernau?zcys,
My custommys & myn ordynauwcys 3568
Ageyn Resouw and al 3 skyl paiiest.]
Ye han ytournyd at your wyl.
I haue hem wel in Ke*membrauwce,
"With euery maner cyrcumstau?zce. 3572
' ffyrst, contrayre to myn entent,
The busshe affyre, & nat brent, Exodi 30 capttuio
How ye yt made ful longe ago.
And I rernembre wel also 3576
Off Aaron & of Moyses,
How that ye,ageyn my pes,
Ther y erdys, bothe 4 old & drye, [* bothen St.]
Ye maden, thorgh your maystrye, 3580
The Toon a serpent (ys yt nat so 1) [stove, leafes]
In presence of Kyng Pharaoo ;
The tother, ye made wexe al grene
With frut & levys, (thus I mene,) [c. & st.] 3584
Budde and blosme, vrith many flour, -
To myn vnworshepe & dyshonour,
Ageyns nature, at the leste.
And ye tournede, at the feste 3588
Off on callyd Architeclyn^
Water also in-to good vvyn.
And also many A-nother thyng,
Thorgh yoiir wonderful werkyng 3592
Ye han ywrouht ageynys kynde.
' And o thyng cometh now to mynde,
Wherwyth ye dyde myn herte tene,
I have
sufferd many
wrongs from
you,
as the bush
on fire, but
not con-
sumed ;
Moses* rod
turned into a
serpent;
[leaf 55, back]
Aaron's made
to bud;
water turned
into wine at
Cum;
06 Nature complains that Grace Dieu breaks her Laws.
a Virgin bear-
ing a Child.
[Cap. xliii]
These things
have caused
me much
sorrow,
though I did
not seem to
heed them.
[leaf 56]:
You excite
me to war
against you,
because you
change my
laws,
and do not
call me to
yourcounsel.'
[Cap. xliv]
quam natura prescripsit ;
nee ab ilia declinandum /
& contra ilium qui nititur
lion alia via est quam contra,
aquam nauigare.
3604
' That ye made a niayde clene 3596
To bere a cliyld, by your art,
And of man hadde neuere part. ,
To nae ye dide to gret A 1 wrong ; [> togrete st.j
And I ha suffryd al to long 3600
That ye, a-mong thys werkys allo, Seneca - TenenJa "* via
Lyst me nat to consayl calle.
Wher-of, whan I dide aduerte,
I hadde gret sorwen yn myn herte ;
Thogfr I made no noyse at al,
I gruchchede in especyal
A-geyn your werkys wonder stronge :
A man may suffren al to longe, 3608
As I ha don, or that he speke ; 2 [ 2 speke St.]
And abyde or he be wreke ; [stowe, leaf es, back]
Slepe to long, or he a-wake ;
Suffren, or he vengauwce take ; 3612
And I ha ben to longe in pes,
And in mane?' Eekkeles
To suffre wrong, & took noon hede
Off al that ye ha done in dede. 3616
'And now ye ben ykome ageyn,
Off entent to make in veyn
Newe thynges men may se, [c. & St.]
Only to excyte me 3620
Ageyns yow, both nyfi & ferre,
To be wroth, & gynne a werre,
And to be \\iili yow at debat.
And, ne wer the gret estat 3624
That ye be off, trusteth me wel,
I wolde spare neueradel
Yow to werreye & oppresse,
That ye ha swych hardynesse 3628
ffor to chauwgen myn vsages,
And lyst nat, thorgh your gret outrages,
Off equyte, to myn avayl,
ffor to calle me to couwsayl, 3632
Wher-off I am riht wele apayd.'
II And whan Nature hadde al sayd,
Grace dieu ful sobyrly,
Grace Dieu reproaches Nature for her Hastiness. 97
3640
E 1 though St.] 3644
3648
[3 as St.]
(That herde hyr tale by and "by,)
Nat hastyly, but by mesure,
Thus Answerde to Nature :
Grace Dieu answerde:
' Ye ben,' quod she, ' to cruel,
To hasty also, and to fel
Ageyns me, in your language.
ffor ye speke by gret outrage
Proudly to me, & ha no feere,
Lych sothly as thog 1 ye were
In party dronken of your wynes
Wych that groweth on 2 your vynes. _ [* in St.]
Ye resemble by your mood
And by your port, as ye wer wood.
And for ouht that I kan se,
Ye be sottyd (thus 3 semeth me)
Off newe, & I wot nat how.
' Eemembreth what ye spake ryht now,
And how ye sayde to me pleynly,
' That ye wer nat to hasty
In your werkys, fer nor ner ;
But that ye wrouht al be leyser, ,,
And in your werkys dyde tarye.'
And I se now the contrary e
In your persone folyly.
ffor ye to me, ful nyce'ly,
Al that euere ye dide expresse,
Was ysayd off hastynesse,
"WWi-outen any gret avys,
Lyk as thogh ye wer nat wys ;
Your wordys nat in ordre set, [Stowe, leaf 69, back]
Rancour, your Resozm hath so let.
And, trewly, nadde be
That I concevede, & dyde se
Your sodeyn Ire & your Eancour,
And also for myn owne honour,
I hadde yow voyded A-noon ryht,
And boodew yow gon out of syht.
But folkys wych that ben Irous,
Hasty & malyncolyous,
PILGRIMAGE.
3636 Grace
[c. & St.]
3652
3656
3660
3664
3668
3672
Grace Dieu
answered,
You are too
hasty ;
you seem to
be drunk, or
mad.
Remember
what you 1
said just
now,
[Ieaf56,back]
that you
wrought lei-
surely.
But now
anger has
overcome
you.
Had I not
seen your ire
I should have
avoided you.
[c. & St.]
98 Grace Dieu asks Nature, Who gives her Power.
1 Other folk, that wyse bene,
Mot forbern hem in her tene, 3676
Be-cause they kan he/ nat 1 gouerne; [ l nathemst.]
Angry men And ek for they kan nat dyscerne
cannot IT',
clearly dis- A thyng clerly in ther en tent.
cerna J J
matter. ff r ther trouble, entendement 3680
Ys vritli Ire yblynded so, foet ?- C st " c - om :} Ira im P edit
* J ammnnj, ne possit cernere verunt.
That they wot nat what they do.
To sen a trouthe, they nat entende,
ffor they kan nat co?nprehende, 3684
Thorgh ther obstynat blyndnesse,
No thyng but off wylf ulnesse :
[Cap.xiv] It 2 stondeth thus, I dar assure. [*itst.,ic.]
But ten me, ' But tel me now, dame Nature, 3688
Nature, see-
b"fm hat y u Touchyng that ye, her in thys place,
Rebuke me off my trespace,
And vndernemen and repreve, [c. & St.]
Deaf 57] And outragously your-sylven greue 3692
Off offencys I scholde ha do ;
a r d f r t a rT y And affermen ek also,
at what I do,
Your fraunchyse to avaylle [Stowe.ieafTO]
Off bouwdys & off botayUe : 3696
I mene thus, of bowndys set,
By mesour tryed out & met
A-twyxe the ryht of yow & me,
and say i had And seyn, ' A-geyn your lyberte 3700
no licence to J ' J J J
enter into That I dyde gret offence
your garden :
To entre, & hadde no lycence,
In-to your gardyre al to sone,
Vnder the cercle off the moone, 3704
Wych to yow allone ys fre.'
I pray yow, ansvvere ageyn to me,
(Say the trouthe, so God the 8 saue !) pyowst.]
of whom do Off whom holde ye that ye haue, 3708
you hold all
have ? u Your lordshepe & euery del ?
Ye Resemble (who loke wel,)
Vn-to the wylde swyn savage,
Wych that renneth in hys rage / 3712
In the woodys large & grene,
And ne kan no ferther sene
Grace Dieu tells Nature she is but her Chambermaid. 99
' But to the frut that he hath foimde, Grace men.
And the Acorn vs on the grounds. 3716 YOU are like
J a swine in
ffor to fille 1 hys hongry mawe. t 1 FyUe St., feiie c.] the woods,
fEor he, in hys swynys lawe,
Off hys rudnesse bestyal,
Ne kan no f either se at al 3720
Toward the hevene, nor the tre
Wher he receyveth hys plente,
That bar the frut for hys repast, which sees
nothing
Al that ys from hys mynde past ; [Stowe, leaf 70, back] 3724 beyond the
J J J acorns on
ffor to the acorn al only, winch it
J ' feeds,
And to hys ffoode fynally
Ys 2 set hys herte & al hys thouht ; [ 2 vt St., YS c.]
ffor he in soth ne recchet nouht [St. &c.j 3728 [ieaf57,back]
Off alle the surplus neueradel.
' And trew[e]ly ye may ryht wel
Vn-to thys swyn resembled be, ',,
Wych kan not be-holde or se, 3732
Nor of malys, nor dysdeyn,
Lyst nat knowen. in certeyn because you
, , , , know nothing
Oft whom ye nan al your power of whom you
ITT ; T -r i receive your
Wit/i-lnne your bouredys, fer or ner. 3736 P w er.
W*'tA-oute me ye ha no thyng; [St. &c.]
Nor al your craff t nor your werkyng,
"WYt/i-oute me may nat avaylle.
Yovr werkys alle I sowbpowaylle, 3740 AH you have
... . comes from
Ana hem supporte, yii ye ha mynde. me,
' Vndoth your Eyen 3 dyrk & blynde,/ p Eyen St., Eyn c.]
The Eyen of yovr entendement ;
And, by good avysement, 3744
The lyddys off your Eye vncloseth !
Knoweth wel (and nat supposeth)
I am lady, hool & entere ;
And ye be but my chamberere : 3748 and y u af e
Thys shal ye fynde al openly servant,
Yiff ye looke avysely.
Leve your wordys hih aloffte,
And lerneth for to speke soffte, 3752
And Eenou?zceth al your rae ; [Stowe, leaf 71] and should
tr u M j i do homage
nor ye sholde me don homage to :ne -
100 Grace Dieu says she is Natures Mistress.
Grace Dieu. ( (Off lustyce and equyte),
ffor that ye holde, ye holde of me. 3756
ffor long agon, a gret partye,
I gaff to yow (of curteysye)
To occupye your sylff alvvay,
i gave you Off entent that, nyht nor day, 3760
what you
have to keep That ye sholde nat ydel be,
you from
idleness, ^ n( j that ye sholde, a-geyn to me
and to me Yelde accouwtys off euery thyng
you must *
IfccouTt Touchy ng the fyn of your werkyng, 3764
[leaf 58] As a chamberere (in sothnesse) [St. & c.]
Sholde vnto hire mayst[e]resse.
And therfore, yiff ye wer wys,
Ye sholde nat in your avys 3768
Speke of bowzdys in no degre
Set be-twyxe yow & me.
bouwdys c6nstreyne your party ;
F al tllafc > * & frel y 3772
Wher that me lyst, at lyberte :
They bouwde yow, & no thyng me ;
Close yow out, that ye nat passe ;
But I go fre in euery place ; 37 7 G
In heuene, in erthe, & in the se
I bouwde yow, & ye not me.
whether you Wer yt offende yow or crreue,
are offended J
or not, does j take of yow no maner leue, 3780
not concern
me - To go & medle wher I shal : [stowe, leaf 71, back]
Ye ha no thyng to do vfitli al.
' I do ryht nouht in my werkyng
But as yt ys ryht wel syttyng 3784
Off equyte & ryhtwysnesse.
A mistress ff or she that ys a maystfelresse
must have a , , , , , ,
servant. Muste haue a seruauwt hyr to-beye : x ['to obeye]
I trowe ye kan yt not ws't/i-seye. 3788
[Cap. xivi] And ye ouht to know ek wel
That ye ha power neueradel
without me, W/t/i-oute me, on no party.
you can do '
nothing. j -^yj shewe good skyle why, 3792
Vp-on the wordys that ye ha sayd,
So ye wyl nat ben euele apayd.
Grace Dieu says her Sun alone makes Nature work. 101
Ye seyde, ' the mevyng of the hevene
And the planetys alle seuene 3796
Longen to me pleynly in al ;
And how ther cours celestyal,
I haue yt hoi in gouernaiwce ;
And how that I, at my plesaurcce 3800
Tourne the hevene Round abowte.
' Thanne I axe of yow thys doute : [c. & St.]
Yiff I now made a newe pley, [Comb., p. 27]
ffor to take the so?me away 3804
Douw fro the heuene a-noon ryht,
That no man of hym hadde a syht
Thys hundryd yer, in no manere, ,,
Nor that hys bryhte bemys clere 3808
Ne wer nat seyn : answere here-to,
What maner thynges myghte ye do ]
Or wheroff sholde ye ha socour, [stowe, leaf 72]
To brynge forth outher herbe or flour 1 L 3812
Or fostre your sedys, blosme, or greyn 1
Or vfith newe grene a-gayn
Clothen the busshes in ther maner
As ye ar wont fro yer to yer, 3816
By yerly reuoluc'iouras ?
' And touchy ng generaci'ouws,
What power ha ye ouht to do,
Yiff the sowne wer ago ] 3820
Al sholde faylle, yt ys no nay.
And sythe go ful many a day,
The paynym Arystotyles,
Wrot & expressede douteles, 3824
That was so noble & prudent,
Preveth ful wel by argument,
By trouth also, & good Reson),
That al 1 generacyon) Exemption [Uiiest.] 3828
Ys SUSteyned by the SOWne. In 2 de generadone
Whan the skyes dyrke & downe
Ben devoyded a-way clone,
Wz't/i hys bemys bryht & shene, 3832
That on erthe wer no bryhtnesse,
I take your clerk vn-to wytnesse,
Grace Dieu.
You have
said, ' The
heavens are
under my
rule,'
[leaf 58, back]
then I ask
you this :
'If I were to
take away
the sun,
how would
you bring
forth herbs !
how re-clothe
the bushes ?
If the sun
were with-
drawn, all life
would fail,
as Aristotle
proved,
102 Grace Dieu ridicules Natures Presumption.
Grace Dieu.
and lie shall
be my ad-
vocate.
[leaf 59]
If I made the
sun and stars
cease to
shine,
your power
would be set
aside.
I
Your grudg-
ing against
me is like
the axe argu-
ing with the
carpenter,
or the pot
with the
potter ;
you were
made to be
my instru-
ment to help
me.
Deaf 59, back]
3836
[C. & St.]
3840
[Stowe, leaf 72, back]
[' Rounde St., Round C.]
P eche St.]
P brigfit St., bryght C.] 3844
3848
[ have St.]
' Arystotyle, in thys debaat,
ffor to ben myn aduocaat
A-geyns yow in thys matere.
ffor your power al yfere
Wer lost & gon (shortly to fyne,)
Yiff no sonne ne dyde shyne.
ffor your power wer al shent,
Yiff the Kounde 1 fymiament,
The planetys, & ech 2 spere,
And the bryhte 3 sterrys clere,
Yiff I he??i maade to cesse echon,
Than wer your power clene agon,
A-batyd, & set a-syde.
Wher-vp-on, lat be your pryde,
And gruchchet nat ageyn[e]s me,
Syth I ha 4 the sovereynte,
Lordshepe, & domynacloun.
'And yt wer abusyouw
Lych as Wrytetll Ysaye, Nuqnid glorlabUnr securis/
J J J ' \ saye x capitulo
And in hys book doth specefye,
A gret despyt (both fer & ner)
Yiff a-geyn the carpenter
The Ex wer bold, by surquedye,
ffor to holden chauntpartye.
Yt wer a thyng ageyn[e]s kynde,
In Holy Wryt as ye shal fynde,
And a thyng off gret dysdeyne,
And yiff the pot sholde also seyn
To the potter that hyw wrouhte,
And hys forme a-boute brouhte,
Yiff he pleynede off 5 hys makyng,
Touchyng hys fason) and werkyng,
Yt wer a thyng nat covenable.
' And evene lyk in cas semblable
Ye argue ageyn[e]s me,
Wych in effect nat ellys be
(ffor al your sot el argument)
But myn handwork & instrument,
Wych I ha mad to helpen me,
Nat off no necessyte,
3852
3856
3860
on St.]
3868
3872
[Stowe, leaf 73]
Grace Dieu will do as she likes, turn Wine to Blood, &c. 103
' That I off yow (yiff ye take hede,) [c. & St.] grace Dieu.
Sholde haue any mane?' nede 3876
Among my grete werkys alle,
But only whan me lyst yow calle.
' And many a thyng I haue ek wrouht, i have done
To wych I ne callede yow nouht. 3880 without you,
Yt nedede nat the caas so stood :
And I shal chau??ge wyn to blood and i shall
turn wine
WU/i-OUte your COUWSayl or your red, Consilium meu> gtabit, intoblood
& omwis voluMtas mea
And ill-to Rawll flessh. ek whyt bred, fi6 *- Yeaye. 46 [10]. and bread
into flesh
And brown also, whan that me lyst, 3885 now without
your advice,
Thogh off yow yt be nat wyst.
' The cause ys, 1 in conclusions, c 1 as st.]
Off thys ylke mutaciouw, 3888
At myn owne lust yt dresse ;
And ellys ne wer I no maystresse, else am i no
T> i. T -U J 3- i u mistress.
But yitt I nadde lyberte
To don al thyng that lyketh me 3892
"WWi-oute" labour at myn ese,
Wych sholde yow nat dysplese,
Thogh I do thyng (tak hed her-to,)
Wych your-sylff ne may nat do ; 3896
Therof ye sholden ha dysport, Yon should
take comfort
And in your herte gret coumfort, from the
wonders
As of the bussh. wych to the syht wrought by
J me, as of the
Sempte as yt hadde brent ful bryht, 3900 bush,
And brent nat, as I ha sayd ;
Wher-of ye sholde be wel apayd,
And thank me of entenciouw [Stowe, leaf 73, back]
Only for the savac'iouw, 3904
Rather than chyde, or 2 lowde crye [ 2 and St.]
Off rancour & malencolye,
Off hast to be so liekke'les.
' And off the yerd of Moyses 3908 and the rods'
, ff . . . of Moses and
And on Aaron, wher-on ye pleyne ; Aaron,
And off that May de souereyne, [c. &st.] [leafeo]
Mayde & moder in clennesse,
Off chastyte the cheff pryncesse, 3912
Wych bar a chylde in verray dede, andthevir-;,
And kept alway hyr maydenhede ;
104 The Common Good must le preferd to the Special.
and the
miracle of
Cana.
A good serv-
ant ought to
rejoice in the
works of her
mistress.
The common
good must
always be
preferred.
The Pilyrim.
Nature,
knowing she
was wrong,
[leaf 60, back]
cried for
mercy, and
said:
[Stowe, leaf 74]
' And off the water tornyd to wyn
At the fest off Archityclyn :
Al thys I wrouhte, thorgh my myht,
"WYt/i-oute preiudyce of your ryht ;
"Wher-off ye sholde ha gret gladnesse,
And nat gruchche for hevynesse
Touchyng al thys, in no manere.
ffor alway a good chaumberere
Sholde be ryht glad in herte
Whan she seye, or dyde aduerte
The fayre werkys (in sothnesse)
Off hyr lady or maystresse,
Pryncypally (who loke wel,)
Whan that she leseth neueradel
Off hyr ffravmchyse in no degre.
ffor euere mot preferryd be
The comouw good in general.
Goodys that ben e.?pecyal,
The comoura good, in soth I calle /
That doth profyte to folkys alle,
Especyally in al vertu.'
And whan thys lady, Grace dieu,
Had al sayd, I yow ensure,
A-noon thys lady, dame Nature,
a Whan she had herd hyr tale a long,
Knowyng that she hadde do wrong,
And hyr compleynte (to specefye,)
Was ygrouwdyd on folye,
fful humblely in hyr degre
She ffyl a-noon vp-on hyr kne.
[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
Nature cryede mercy.
The fyrste 2 word that she gan seye, [ 2 Fyrste St., fyrst cj
Nature, off mercy gan hyr preye,
And vfiih humble cher & fface
She confessede hyr trespace ;
And to hyr sayde most mekely, 3
' Ma dame,' quod she, ' ful folyly
I have governyd me to yow,
1 Cap. 1. Caps, xlvii, xlviii, and xlix of C. are omitted.
3916
3920
3924
3928
3932
3936
3940
3944
3948
P mekely St., mekly C.]
Nature begs Grace Dieu to fwgixe her.
105
3964
* And ful vngoodly spoke now, 3952
"Wher-off I repente sore.
And certys, I ne sbal no more
Offende yow in no manere,
ISTouther in speche nor in chere ; 3956
So that, of mercy & 1 pyte, [Undottst.; leaf 74, back]
Ye Avyl as now forgyve yt me,
That I ha don al outterly ;
And that ye wyl, so gracyously, 3960
Off alle that euere me asterte,
No thyng reservyn 2 in your herte, [ 2 reservyn St., rebersyn c.]
Only off your benygne grace,
But clene forgete my trespace.'
Grace Dieu answereth:
' Certys,' quod Grace dieu rylit tho,
' I wyl gladly that yt be so ;
But taketh hed of that I seye,
In peyue of lesyng of your eye,
That ye neuere, in al your lyff,
Be nat hardy for to stryve
A-geyn my workys in no wyse ;
Nor that ye no thyng despyse
What-euere I do, for al your wy t ; [c. & St.]
ffor I ne wyl nat suffren yt,
But werke alway (as yt ys skyl)
"WWi-oute yow, affter my wyl.'
IT And whan thys parleme?at was do,
As ye han herd, atwen he? two,
And Moyses ek dyned hadde
"Wi't/i hys seruawtys good & badde, 3980
He made A-noon (thys, the cheff,)
ffor to departe the releff :
Hys Awmener yt hadde in charge, [Stowe, leaf 75]
And bad to yive yt forth ful large 3984
To pylgrymes, wych day be day
Travayllede forth vp-on her way ;
Off the wych, as thouhte me
Ther was gret nouwbre & plente. 3988
But, or that he gaff any thyng
Off the releff in partyng
3968
3972
' I repent of
what I have
spoken.
Forgive me,
and forget
my trespass.
Grace Dieu.
' Certainly,'
said Grace ;
' but beware
of striving
with me,
[leaf 61]
for I will not
permit it.'
3976 The Pilgrim.
[Cap. li]
When Moses
bad dined,
and had com-
manded his
almoner to
give food to
poor pil-
grims,
106 Two Ladies appear: one with a Hammer and Broom,
The pilgrim. Vn-to any nianer whyht,
Out off a chavwibre, a-noon ryht,
I sawh two ladyes koine yfere,
Wych, of port & of manere
And off wommanly plesaunce,
Hadden ful gret suffysaimce ;
And curteysly amyd the pres,
Atwen the peple and Moyses,
They putten hem, thys ylke two.
[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
two ladies
appeared
between
Moses and
the people.
3992
3996
The first held
a little writ-
ing in her
hand.
[leaf 61, back]
The other
held a ham-
mer in one
hand,
a rod in the
other,
and a besom
in her mouth.
Anybody else
would have
been thought
mad.
H And she that wente a-forn ryht tho, 4000
(As yt serapte vn-to my wyt),
Held in hyr hand a lytel wryt
Vnclosyd vn-to my reward,
As ye shall heryn affterward, [C. &st.j 4004
Yiff ye lyst a whyle dwelle.
But off the tother I shal fyrst telle,
1 Wych in hyr hond, (as I be-helde
The same tyme) an hamer helde. 1 4008
And in hyr other hand wt/i-al,
She held a yerde, sclender & smal, [stowe, leaf 75, back]
To skouren chyldern, & chastyse.
And also, as I shal devyse, 4012
Vn-to my syht a thyng vnkouth,
She held a bysme in hyr mouth
Atwyxe hyr teth, (yt ys no fayl,)
"Wher-off I hadde gret mervayl. ^ 4016
Yet she yt helde so cvrteysly
That no man wolde 2 deme ther-by [ 2 woide St., wold c.]
That she was neuere the lasse wys.
But yiff a-nother (to my devys,) 4020
Hadde holde yt so as dyde she,
Men wolde ha sayd, she hadde be
Out of hyr wyt, or ellys falle
In-to rage. And fyrst of alle 4024
Thys lady wysly dyde abrayde
To pylgrymes, & thus she sayde :
(The bysme lette hyr neueradel
1-1 The same tyme / an hamer held /
In hyre hande / as I beheld?, Stowe, ftaf 75.
who is Dame Penance, and sweeps and hammers men. 107
4032
4036
4040
But that she myght speke wel :) 4028
' Syrs,' quod she, ' I wot ryht wel
That ye consydren euerydel
My gouernauwce & myn aray.
But I wot wel, (yt ys no nay,)
Ye nat aduerten in substaunce
Touchynge al my gouernauwce.
I trowe ye kan nat al espye
What thyng yt doth sygnefye.
But, koraeth ner to me echon,
And I shal declare A-noon
To yow the maner by & by,
And yt expone feythfully,
Off the trouthe my sylff taquyte. [stowe, leaf 76]
' I am the ffayre, louyd but lyte ;
Off my port, demur And sad,
Debonayre, & gretly drad [sadde . . . dradde St.] 4044
Off fele folkys that me se.
And trew[e]ly I am ek she
Now-a-dayes lytel preysyd,
And yet ful worthy to be reysed 4048
Off prys, to folkys that be dygne ;
Eygerous & ful benygne
To alle that be vertuous ;
Happy also, and ryht Ewrous, 4052
The gracyouse, of smal 1 plesaunce, p smal St., syn al c.]
I am callyd Dame Penaunce.
The cheff wardeyn (who lyst se,)
Off thylke yle most secre ;
The Wycll (who espye kail,) Verba Translatorys
Ys _jhyd wit/i-Inne a man.
I make yt clene (I yow ensure,)
Off alle fylthe & al ordure,
Or ther-yn entre any Avhyht.
Therfore I bere, off verray ryht,
Thys bysme ; Thys hamer, ek ther-to,
And thys lytel yerde also,
On al felthes 2 to be wreke. [ Fyithes St.]
With thys hamer I brose & breke,
Lyk to my condycyoun
4056
4060
Penance.
[Prose.
Cap. lii]
' Sirs,' she
said, 'I know
you are ob-
serving my
demeanour
and dress ;
but you do
not see what
it signifies.
[leaf 62]
I am the fair
one,
little loved.
I am little
praised.
My name is
Penance.
I guard the
Isle within
man,
and cleanse it
of all filth.
108 Penance softens Men's Hearts, and makes them repent.
penance. ' With anguissh and contric'ioim, 4068
with my Hertys that be obstynat
liammer I J J
break obsti- With Synniis olde, ek indurat, [Stowe, leaf 76, back]
nate liearts. J . '
And fulfyltyd with vnclennesse,
I do alway my bysynesse 4072
To make hem souple, nesshe, and tendre,
And off her grete 1 bollyng, sclender ; [ grete St., gret c.]
Also for to wake and wepe,
[leaf 62, back] Sorwe & pleyne with syhes depe, 4076
ffor ther synnes waymentynge.
AS a child U And as a Chylde with" betynge Exempiuw. [c. & st]
an apple By exavwiple (as ye so ofFte.)
makes it soft,
Maketh his harde 2 appyl soffte p he harde St., . . ins hard c.]
With offte smytyng off hys ffyst, [c. &st.] 4081
Tyl yt be tendre as hym lyst,
And that the lycour ysseth oute,
Eyght so fare 3 I, yt ys no doute : p fare St., far c.] 4084
I smyte hertys vp & down,
And make hem, by contryciovw,
"Wyth salte terys (thys the cas,)
so i make To sorwe, cry e, & seyn, alias 4088
Mas! tor That they eucre dyde Amys !
their sius, J J J
Ye shal yt tynde, & thus yt ys,
Off ther trespacys they repente,
And seyn, in al ther beste entente, 4092
and cry to 'A, Lord God ! now, off thy grace,
God for
mercy. How shal I ban off my trespace
Allegement, wtt/i-oute the,
But thow graunte, off thy pyte, 4096
That I may, al outterly,
Off my Gylte's ha mercy,
So that I do no mor Amys ?
Now, goode Lord, thow graunte thys ! ' [St., if. 77] 4100
Thus I maken hem cryew offte.
with this And with thys Lamer I made soffte
hammer
i softened Seyn Petrys herte, & yt to-brak,
Peter s heart,
That yt wente al vn-to wrak, 4104
Wych ffyrst was hard as any ston.
But I made yt nesshe A-noon
Whan he hys mayster fyrst forsook.
Penance reformd St. Peter and Mary Magdalene. 109
' But whan that I the hamer took, 4108 Penance.
I smet hvw so with repentavmce. ?? d made
him weep
And made hyw nesshe vrith penauwce,
That the lews, off hys wepyng
Yssede out in cdmpleynyng 4112
Of verray sorwe & bytternesse, peafes]
He felt ther-off so gret dystresse
In hys greuous hertly peyne.
' And also Mary Mawgdeleyne, 4116
With thys hamer I smot 1 so [' smote St.]
That hyr herte I rooff a-two,
"Wych was ful hard \vith synnes old.
But vfith strokys manyfold 4120
I made hyr tendre, (yt ys no doute,) with it i also
J , cleft the heart
That the terra yssede oute, of Mary Mag-
' " dalene,
Out off hyr brest, so gret plente,
That men myghte the lycour se 4124
By hyr chekys renne a-down
Off verray sorwe, so gret foysown,
That, in hyr bytter sorwes kene,
She was wasshe \\ith-al so clene, 4128
And so inly purefyed,
That ther was no felthe espyed [stowe, leaf 77, back]
Off synne wi't/i-Inne hyr tendre herte.
ffor, whan the bytter terys smerte 4132 and with the
abundance of
Off hyr wepyng wer Ronne down her tears
* washed away
Thorgh sorwe & gret contryci'ouw, i>er sins.
I took vn-to hem so gret kepe,
That I hem gadrede on an hepe, 2 [* kepe St., hep c.] 4136
That ordure leffte noon be-hynde.
And I to-gydre dyde ham bynde
Al that euere they wrouhte a-wrong,
And make ther-off a lye strong, 4140
That ther-w^-al (I yow ensure,)' ^SSS^KK
I wasshe a- way al ordure. 3 The tears of
" repentance
ffor who so lyst consydre & se, cleanse from
So gret a synne may non be, 4144
But that the lye off repentyng
Doth yt a-way in wasshyng,
And maketh yt clene euerydel,
110 Penance cleans men's Hearts out like an old Pot.
[leaf 63, back]
For this
washing I am
called the
king's Laun-
dress and
Chamberer.
[Prose.
Cup. liii]
My hammer
is used upon
a sinful man
as if he were
a pot full of
hardened
filth,
which before
it can be
cleansedmust
be broken.
[Cap. liv]
Understand
from this,
' Yiff yt ther-in be wasshe wel. 4148
And for thys skyle, in my wasshyng,
I am vn-to the myghty kyng
Callyd sothly the ' lavendere,'
And also ek hys ' chaumberere,' [C. &st.] 4152
In thys offyces bothe two,
'Now vnderstondeth ek also,
That thys hamer I ber \vith me
ffor thys skyle, as ye shal se, ; 4156
Yt fareth, by a synful man,
(Who so vnderstonde kan,)
As by A Pot (in sothfastnesse)
That ys ful of vnclennesse, 4160
Verray stynkyng & horryble,
And to smelle ful odyble,
Wych may nat wel devoyded be, [stowe, leaf 78]
ffor-as-myche (as ye wel se) 4164
The fylthe ys hardyd so \nt7i-Inne,
That yt wyl not lyhtly twyrnie,
OS old gadryng ful indurat,
And in maner obstynat, 4168
To be made clene in any wyse.
But than anoon I kan devyse
Myn hamer myghtly tavale, 1 P to avaie, let fail]
And breke the pot in pecys smale ; 4172
And on the felthe to be wreke ;
On smale sherdys I it breke.
' And fyrst off alle I begynne
To drawe the felthe hyd wit/t-Inne 4176
Out, to make yt shede a-brood,
Wych wttft-Inne so long a-bood,
And al the ordure ek wifc&al.
And yiff I broke yt nat so smal 4180
On pecys vp-on euery syde,
The fylthe wzt/i-Inne wolde abyde,
And mor & mor ay wexyn hard.
'Now vnderstond, & hath reward 4184
To thys doctryne & thys lesson)
Touchyng verray contryciouw,
Ye that desyre of herte & thouht
Folk must repent with Sobbing and salt Tears, 111
' To lerne yt, & for-gete yt nouht. 4188 Penance.
Thynketh, ye folkys that be \vyse, one s w ' se
That yt doth nat ynowh sutfyse
A man, in Groos (as ye shal lere,)
To gadre hys sy?znes aH yffere ; 4192
But, lyk the pot, he most he? breke, [stowe, leaf 78, back]
And no thyng in the asshes reke.
I mene as thus : conceyveth al,
Thogh that a pot be broke smal 4196 that it is not
enough to
On sherdys & on pecys ek, gather your
sins together
Yet al yt ys nat worth a lek, a d bi ; e , ak ,
J tliem like the
But Query sherd be cerchyd 1 wel [' serciiyd St.] P ot >
Touchynge hys ordure euerydel, 4200
And yscrapyd clene a-way,
Ye mot hem breke in gret affray,
That felthe noon ther-in abyde ;
ffor wych ye moste wel provyde 4204
With sobbynge & vrith syhes depe
And salte terys that ye wepe,
And other peynys sharpe & smerte ; but that each
r J J sin must be
Ihynkynge thus wt/?-Inne your herte ; 4208 repented of,
' Thow dyst offende on swych a day,
"Where yt Sonday or Monday ;
Than dystow thy Ike grete synne ;
And swych an hour thow dyst begywne, 4212
Havyng off God no dred nor fere.
Thys was gret ; that was grettere.
And thus thow dyst, thylke tyme,
Wher yt at Eve, wher yt at pryme, 4216 andthecir-
A1 oftiii cumstancea
And to don evel, were' 1 oftte blythe, [* were St., wher c.] ont called to
And that thow dyst so offte sythe.
And rekne by & by yffere
The cyrcu??zstau/zcys & the manere ; 4220
Torne & cast ek, vp so douw,
Wher that thy Temptaciouw
Was gret or smal ; acounte al thys, [stowe,ieaf79] [leafei.back]
And thynke 3 whan thow dyst amys, p thynke St., thynk c.]
Yiff a-forn thy great offence [C.&st.] 4225
Thow madest any re"systence, and whether
A j i ii ,1 .1 you resisted
And wher thow wrastlyst any thyng it.
112 Penance smashes all Sins with her Hammer.
penance. ' To wtt/i-stondeu in werkyng [c. &st.] 4228
Thy temptaciouM, gret or smal ;
Or wher thow (in especyal)
In thy wrastlyng dist purchace
Thy temptacioiw to enchace ; 4232
Also whether Or wher that thow, for shame or drede,
for shame
you ab- Lettyst for to do the 1 dede : E 1 that St.]
B tamed,
Or wher thow settest drede asyde,
And on the dede dist abyde 4236
or left shame Tyl thow haddest do thy lust,
till you had , .
satisfied your And after that lefftyst the rust
desires. .
lo kankren in thy conscience,
In aggreggyng of thyn offence : 4240
Al thys mote be of due ryht
Consydred wel off euery whyht.
' And thys the mane?- (who loke wel,)
To breke in 2 pecys euerydel ponst,] 4244
The vessell off thy gret offence
Wit/i-Inne thy 3 owne conscience : [ 8 thyn St.]
in this way i Smy t yt vfith the harner sore,
vessel of your Tyl yt on pecys mor & more 4248
sins,
Be mad by pleyn contricion),
By swych consyderacion)
That ther abyde fylthe noon.
'And thus I werke alway in on, 4 poonst.] 4252
With thys hamer that I holde, [stowe, leaf 79, back]
Al vnclennesse to vnfolde ;
I 5 breke al douw, & spare nouht p And St.]
Off no thyng that ys done or thouht, 4256
tin ail are Tyl that trewe purgaciouw
purged by
contrition. Be makyd by contriciouw.
[leaf 65] ' But yet a lytel word, I praye
That I mot vn-to yow seye, 4260
Off thys olde pot texpresse,
Wych ay ys ful of vnclennesse,
Off whos ordure, gadyrd off old,
in tins pot i Wit/i-Inne yt sylff, as I ha told, 4264
engendered ,. .
secretly a Engendryd ys a werm (in soth.)
worm,
Wych ful grete 6 damage doth [ 6 grete St., gret c.]
By long processe, yiff yt abyde.
Penance breaks Conscience in bits by Contrition.
113
' ffor thys worm), hy?tt-sylff doth hyde 4268
Wit/i-Inne thys pot ful couertly,
That no man may wel espy
/ f v
Off hys engendryng, fer nor ner ;
Nor of hys norysshyng the maner. 4272
Thys, the wenn of conscience,
"Wych hath hys teht 1 by vyolence [' Teth<? St.]
Hardere (who that looke wel,)
Than outher Iron outlier stel ; 4276
Wonder cruel, ay fretynge,
And ryht perillous in percynge,
So fer forth (yt ys no drede,)
But he be slayn in verray dede, 4280
Thys mortal werrn wyl neuere fyne,
Vp-on hys mayster for to rnyne,
And gnawe vp-on hym day & nyht, [stowe, leaf so]
Tyl he ha slay hym thorgh hys myght, 4284
Thorgh hys dredful vyolence.
' But for to make resistence,
Ageyn thys werm, hym to w/t/t-stand,
I ber thys 2 hamer in my?* hand, [ast.] 4288
And smyte a-pon hy?w ay so sore,
And spare hym nat, but mor & more
I ley vpon hym, to be wroke.
And thys ys whaw the pot ys broke 4292
On pecys smale, vp & douw,
By verray trewe contrici'oure.
ffor yiff y t wer nat broke aright, [c. A SLJ
Myn hamer sholde ha no myght : 4296
Thys the Fyn, shortly to seye,
To si en hym nor 3 to make hym deye. p.stowe]
Wherfor ye moste 4 suffre wel [* ye must* St., . . most c.]
That I breke hy? euerydel 4300
On pecys smale, the werm to presse,
Tavoyde away al vnclennesse.
And on thys werm, (yiff ye lyst se,)
Thus I shal avengyd be ; 4304
Make hym lowly to obeye, 5 [ s to beye c., tobeye St.]
That he of verray force deye
To-for yow in your owne syht.
PILGRIMAGE. I
which is
called Con-
science.
It must b
slain, or it
will never
cease to prey
iil'on its
.mister.
To kill it, I
lay upon it
with my
hammer.
[leaf 65, back]
It must be
broken in
pieces,
and it must
die.
114
Penance explains what her Besom is.
My hammer
is Contrition.
[Cap. Ivi]
You may
now learn
concerning
my Besom,
and why I
be;ir it in my
mouth.
[leaf 6(5]
Care in re-
quired in its
use,
lest filt)i be
left here and
there,
' And thus, yiff ye take hede a-ryht, 4308
Thys the sygnyfycaci'oim
And verray exposici'oun
Off thys hamer that ye her se ;
The wych ys namyd, ek off me, 4312
(Trewly, in conclusyoiw,) [stowe, leaf so, back]
Nat ellys but contryctouw.
' Swynge vp-on, yiff ye lyst lere,
Off the bysrue ye shall here, 4316
Wych, myd my teth, 1 day by day, [Tethest.]
Wtt/i-Inne my mouth I bere alway,
As I to-forn ha told yow here ;
And how I am the Chauwberere 4320
Off hym that ys most myghty kyng.
And thys bysme ys wel syttyng
To hyre that ys a chauwberere.
But yt may happe, the manere 4324
Ys vn-to yow a thyng vnkouth,
That I yt holde thus in my mouth.
But yiff I made mencyoun
Off the Exposyc'iouw, 4328
Ye knowe wel, (yt ys no doute,)
That who that 2 euere shal castew eute [* so St.]
Any f el the or vnclennesse,
Out off a place, he most dresse 4332
The bysme wysly to and fro,
That he nat be-syde go ;
But that he haue ay in mynde,
That felthe noon be leffte be-hynde, 4336
Lyst, in the purgaciouw,
Men myghten han suspecyouw
That any maner vnclennesse,
Thorgh slouthe or foryetylnesse, 4340
"VVer lefft be-syden, her or ther,
In any Angle or Corner,
ffor the bysme was nat redy [stowe, leat si]
To swepe cleno by & by. 4344
ffor, by swych occasi'ouw,
Ther myghte, of felthe gret foisouw
Be couert, as yt happeth offte,
Penance's Account of the Five Gates: one of Filth. 115
On liepys reysyd hih a-loffte 4348 Penance.
In SOm Angle, Est Or West, or be covered
in heaps in
The wych thyng wer nat honest. corners" 11
' And to purpos off thys matere,
In holy wryt, (as ye shal here,) 4352
I have y-rad f ul yore Agon) i have read
J J of divers
Off dyvers gatys mo than on, Gtes,
And sondry namys, (who taketh hede)
They hadde sothly as I rede, 4356
Gaate 1 off the welle, men dyde on) calle; Portafontis
And a-noth,er, A-mong alle, [' Gaate St., Graate c.]
As the byble kan yow telle,
!Xamyd Was the gate Of helle. Portainfemi 4360 as the gate
J of hell and
And A-nother I kan nevene, the gate of
heaven,
Callyd was the Gate off hevene ; Porta eeii
And a-nother gate ther was,
That was callyd the gate off bras, 4364 one of brass,
' another of
And also ek, to laste long, ron ;
Ther was a gate of Iren strong. Porta fen-ea
But A-mong hem euerychon
Nee'mye speketh of on, 4368 and one called
-*_..* byNehemiah
And callyd ys in scripture the Gate of
The gate off felthe & Ordure, [C. &St.] Porta Sterquilinij [leaf 66, back]
To voyden 2 (In conclusions)
Alle the fylthes of the Touw j 4372
Out by that gate, day be day, ,, [stowe, leaf si, back] out of winch
J was carried
Alle the donge to lede away, a11 t||iit cou'd
corrupt the
That no maner corupcyouw ) ,, town -
Nengendre nat with-Irme the Tou?j. 4376
And bet yt ys, as thynketh me,
That thylke place defoulyd be,
Than al the cyte wer encourabryd
"VVyth ffylthes, wych may nat be noumbryd 4380
Wych euery day encresse off newe,
And mor & mor ay do renewe.
' But wher that I am chauwberere, where I live
And abyde, (as ye shal lere,) 4384
ffor to do my besyuesse,
2 ' For ther-bi men curon and putten ont alle filthes.' Camb.
p. 35.
116 The Fwe Gates which let Filth into Man. The 6th Gate.
penance. And Grace Dieu ys ek maystresse,
there are six That ther be .vj. 1 Gatys large. psyxe]
gates,
Wych to kepe, ys a gret charge,
As I shal to yow descryue.
by five of ' And off thys syxe, ther be fyve
Wllicllttll J J > J
kin.is of filth By wych al mane?- vnclennesse,
are admitted; J *
ffylthe, ordure, and wrechchydnesse 4392
Entreth in, erly & late.
Off wych fyve, the fyrste 2 gate [fflrstst.]
that is hy Ys callyd the gate off smellyng,
2! hearing*' The lother the gate off heryng, 4396
s. touch, The tother of Touch, the fourthe of tast,
The ffyffthe (wych I rekrie last,)
and s. sight: Callyd ys the gate off syht.
And by thys fyve, day & nyht, 4400
Entreth in-to that mans'iouw
Al felthe & al corrupcyouw
And al ordure (yt ys no doute), [stowe, leaf 82]
The wyche 8 may nat comew oute [ 3 which* St., wych c.] 4404
Ageyn by hym 4 in no manere, [hemst.]
and the sixth And therfore, As a chawwberere,
[Cap. ivii, ' ' The syxte gate I stonde & kepe,
prose.]
[leaf 67] And wztA. my bysme faste swepe, 4408
Do my peyne & besynesse
Tavoyde away al vnclennesse.
' ffor thys syxte gate, in soth,
Gret helthe & gret profyt doth ; 4412
ndoutofit ffor yt maketh purgaciouw
I sweep nil
corruption. Oft al maner corrupoiouw ;
And al fylthes round aboute,
By that gate men putten oute. 4-116
Who that wyl with-Inne be
Clene off al dishoneste,
To purge hy??t clene, as he best kan.
This suth Thys gate ys callyd 'the mouth off man,' 4420
Gate is man's . - ,
Mouth, Most profytable oft euerychon),
for alle fylthes ther-out gon,
filth goes in _, , - ,
confession. Evene as they wer done in dede ;
No thyng concelyd for no drede, 4424
Dut seyd vn-to hys confcssour,
6th Gate, Man's Mouth. Penances Tongue is her Besom. 117
pi, om. st.] 4428
Wit/4 dyllygence & gret labour,
"With terys and lamentac'ioun.
'And I 1 ha most affeciouw,
At thys gate to abyde ;
To make yt fayr on euery syde,
I purge, I swepe, I make yt clene,
ilor fylthe noon) I may sustene
Ther tabyde, in no manere. [stowe, leaf sa, back]
And whyl that I am chaumberere
To Grace Dieu, my maystresse,
I wyl kepen in clennesse
Hir dwellyng & hyr mansi'ouw
ffrom al manere corrupci'ouw.
And my bysme, that al thys doth,
Ys myn owne Tonge, in soth,
Whev-v/ith I swepe & make al wel.
That felthe abyde neueradel,
Hill nor lowh, in no maner,
I cerche eche Angle & ech corner ;
Euery hoole, gret & smal,
I remewe, in especial,
Clene wit/j-outen & wit/i-Inne,
The fylthe of euery maner synne ;
Caste hem out, & spare nouht.
And ther ys no comer vnsouht,
But that I go to euery place ;
Now her, now ther, aboute I trace,
By verray pleyn confessiouw,
Wit/t-oute fraude or decepci'ouw,
Ther may no thyng me skape fro,
ffor Grace Dieu wyl yt be so.
ffor she ne wyl no-wher abyde,
But yt be clene on euery syde ;
Whos chauwbre & whos mansion??,
Dwellyng, & habytaeiouw
Ys trewly, (wtt/t-oute offence,)
Verray clene conscience ;
And ther she wyl abyden ay,
Whan aH fythe's be put a-way,
And that yt be clene & entere.
4432
4436
[C. & St.]
[St & C.]
4440
4444
4448
4452
4456
4460
[Stowe, leaf 83] 4464
At this gate
I abide to
make it fair
[Cup. IviiiJ
While I bold
my office I
will keep ull
clean.
The Besom
with which I
do all this is
my Tongue.
[leaf 67, back]
Nothing can
escape my
vigilaiiccMH
Confession.
The dwelling
of Grace Dieu
is Conscience.
118 Penances Roch for her Children young and old.
Penance.
[Cap. lix,
prose]
Now I have
told you all
the manner
of using ray
besom;
I will tell you
why I carry
these small
Rods.
As a school-
mistress I
chastise
children who
do wrong,
[leaf 68]
whether they
be 20 or 100
years old.
When they
do amiss, I
lip in wait for
them,
and make
them repent,
[> that i St.] 4468
4472
4476
4480
4484
' !N"ow, haue I told yow the maner
Off my bysme verrayly,
And declaryd also, how I 1
Make ther-wtt/t confessyotm
By certeyn exposicioim
As ye ban herd her by & by.
' But I shal telle now shortly
Vn-to yovr a lytel tale,
Why I bere thys yerdys smale :
U I am off scolys a maystresse,
Chyldren, in ther wantownesse,
Affter ther gyltys to chastyse,
That wyl not lerne to be wyse ;
I mene thus, whan they trespace
Boldely, a-for my face,
Off age thogh they be xx ty yer,
Outher an hundryd, fer or ner,
Men may ful wel hem ' childre ' calle,
ffolk that ben in synne falle :
And hooly wryt, Ked Y-saye,
In hys wrytynge, doth specefye
A chyld an hundryd wynter old,
(In hys wrytyug yt ys told,)
Swych a chyld a-cursyd ys ;
And therfore, whaw they don) Amys,
In a-wayt y lygge alway
To wyten whether, ye or nay, 4492
My 11 hamer hem touchyd any thyng,
Or whether they, in ther purgyng,
Vn-to my bysme submyttyd be, [stowe, leaf as, back]
Off lownesse and humylyte, 4,496
That they be swept clenly at al,
And that the hamer breke smal
ffyrst by trewe contricyoun
And verray iuste co?zfessifoun. 4500
Thanne A-noon myre yerde I take ;
And amendys for to make
By repentauwce, in diuers wyse,
With my yerde 1 ham chastyse, 4504
Putte he? to penaunce of entent
Penance makes Folk go Pilgrimages, fast, and pray. 119
' To brynge hem to amendement,
And to haue in remembraurcce
Ther olde sywnys in substaiwce ;
And whan they thynke on ther trespas
if ul offte sythe to seyn ' alias,
That they so sone dyde assente ! '
And than they seyn, ' I me repente,
O, Lord God, of my mysdede,
Off al fals lust & flesshlyhede.
But tho\v that art my Creatour,
I am A-knowe my/z erronr,
And axe off the forgyff (e)nesse,
Makyng be-hest in sothenesse 1
Neuer lier-af ter for to be
Hardy for toffende the.'
Thus I make hewt, wt't/i gret peyne,
Oon hour to wepyn & cowepleyne ;
Another hour, by largesse,
ffor to geven gret almesse
To pore folk that be" nedy.
' Another 2 tyme also I [stowe, leaf s*]
Make hem go on pylgrymage,
Barfoot, by many streiht passage ; 4528
I make hew faste, 3 preye, & wake, P faste st, fast c.]
And to were (for Crystys sake,)
On ther bodye's ful offte
Sharpe heyre's, no thyng sofEte.
And thus my smerte 4 yerde I vse,
Alle synnes to refuse,
And do wtt^-al correccioun,
Only off entenci'ouw,
That the remors of noon offence
Abyde in ther conscience,
Nor retourne ther ageyn.
ffor I wyl be wel certeyn
That olde synnes 5 punysshed be
Off Ryghtwysnesse & equyte ;
ffor, wt't/i-oute punycyouTi,
Passeth no transgressi'ouw ;
ffor, who to synne doth assente,
4508
4512
4516
[ l sotheiiesse St., sotlwesse C.]
[C. & St.]
4520
4524
[ 2 And another St.]
4532
[* gmerte St, smert C.]
4536
4540
synne St.]
and confess
to God,
and ask of
Him forgive-
ness.
[leaf 68, back]
Thus I make
them to give
alms,
go on t>il-
grimafje,
fast, and
pray.
Thus I use
my Rod.
Thus old
sins receive
righteous
punishment.
4544
120 Penance is the Portress of Righteousness.
All who sin
must repent.
The Rod I
use is named
Satisfaction.
[leaf 60]
[Cap. Ix,
prose.]
Thug I have
made you a
sermon of my
name and
office,
and of my
coming be-
tween you
and Musu*.
Righteong-
ne88 made me
Porteress,
that none
should ap-
proach with-
out me.
' Moste affter-ward hyw repente ;
And have due repentaurcce
And vnderfongyn hys penaurece 4548
ffor hys sywnes newe & old.
And ther-fore, thys yerde I holde,
Wych namyd ys (of iuste resouw,)
Trewe satysfaccyoun. 4552
' And sothly, (yifF I shal nat feyne,)
Satysfaccyouw ys to seyne,
Asseth that ys mad for synne,
And that a man haue wit^-Inne 4556
As myche sorwe & repentaurace, [suwe, leaf 84, back]
As he hadde fyrst plesauwce,
Lyk to hys flesshly appetyt,
Or in hys synne fals delyt. 4560
Off equyte & good resourc.
' Now haue I made yow A sarmoun
Off my name & myn offys,
And told the cause (yiff ye be wys,) 4564
Off my komyng A-mong thys pres,
A-twyxe yow & Moyses,
And sette me ek (yt ys no fable,)
Eveue Aforn) hys owne table, 4568
In myn entent, & thys the cheff,
Be cause ye Axen the releff
Off hys dyner, on & alle
And ther-affter faste calle, 4572
Wz'tA wonderful gret bysynesse.
' But vn-to yow I shal expresse
The cause off my stondyng here
Yiff yt lyke yow to lere. 4576
I am my-sylff the porteresse,
(Maad off verray Ryght \vysnesse,)
Off the releff that ye sen her,
And the trewe chauraceler, * 4580
That noon of hih" nor lowh" degre,
Kome no ner wt't/i-oute me,
ffor thanne ye dyde gret offence.
ffor thys releff, in existence 4584
Sholde be yove for no thyng
Tlie Sacrament of Bread and Wine, Christ's Flesh. 121
' To swyche as ben in ther lyvyng, Penance
ffoolys nor trwauwtys in no wyse ; ment^iTood
ffor, as I shal to yow devyse, [stowe.ieafss] 4588 fo"^"^^
Thys releff ys the trewe ffoode,
Ordeyned for he?tt that be goode ;
Inwardly in ther hertys brent,
And in the loue off God fervent, 4592 [leaf eo, back]
To hooly pylgrymes, day be day [c. & St.]
That gon the verray ryhte way, ,,
And off verray travayllynge
Ben also syk & languysshynge, ,, 4596 and for those
J o J J b who hunger
And 1 hunger han to be recuryd. [' stowe] a H d H 1 , 1 .?.
after Right-
To 1 swych thys releff ys assuryd, eousness.
That kan yt 1 hetyn deuoutly,
To resseyue 1 only ther-by ,, 4600
Parfyt Elthe in ther entent,
And gostly ek allegement,
And 2 contynue ther pylgrymage, piost.]
Day be day, in ther vyage, 4604
As pylgrymes sholde koraie,
The weye 3 wych they ha be gowne, [ s weye St., wey c.]
Off trewe menyng, no-thyng feyned :
To swych thys releff was ordeyned 4608 it was given
J J J by Christ
Off Cryst Ihesu at the souper * the Las t
J Supper,
Whan hys Apostlys sat ful ner.
He brak & partyd yt to ech on,
Wher as they setyn on by on, 4612
The Grete Thursday at hys mauwde,
Off hys largesse & gret bou/ztee,
Whan he sat with hem at the cene, when He sat
with His dis-
Gostly to swych as he knewe clene. 4616 cipies.
To swych, he gaff hem alderlast
Hys owne boody for cheff repast,
As the cheff cherysshynge foode [stowe, leaf sa, back]
To alle folkys that be goode. 4620 He gave it to
' And peplys off hih" & lowh" degre
Thorgh-out the world sustenyd be,
And therby han ther sustenauwce,
In al vertu hem-sylff tavauwce. 4624
The wyche I kepe ful streihtly
122 Penance, ends. Charity tells who she is.
Penance. f In myw entent, that fynally
Yt be nat touchyd of no whyht,
[leaf 70] But he to-forn (as yt ys right, 1 ) [istowe] 4628
ce"ve8*i" uiitii Be with iny yerde 2 fyrst chastysed, [* yerde St., yerd c.]
chastised and And also (as I ha devysed,)
Wiifi myw hamer broke a-two,
And wit// my bysme swept also ; 4632
That he be purgyd al aboute,
Bo the wit/i-Innen & w/t/<-oute :
and old do as
i command.- To werkyn affter my devys, 4636
Whether that he be yong or old.'
[Cap. ixi, And whan thys lady hadde al told.
prose.]
And yt 3 declaryd (al yfere) [ yt St., m. c.]
Off hyr offyce the nianere, 4640
Then the U The tother lady that stood hyr by,
other lady, J J J
charity, Gan presse forth, & was redy
stood forth, r
and said: (Lych as ye shal vnderstond,)
"With the scrypture in hyr hond, 4644
Off the wych to-forn) I tolde ;
And hyr lettre she gan vnfolde,
And in opyn audyence
Thus she seyde in sentence. 4648
charity. ' Syrs,' quod she, ' yiff ye lyst lere, [su>we,ieaf86]
YOU imve Ye han herd al the manere
heard Pen-
ance describe How thys lady, Dame Penaurace,
her office,
Hath declaryd in substau?ice 4652
To yow hyr offyce by & by.
And, by your leue, now wyl I,
In hope I may your thank dysserue,
and now i Declare wher-off that I serue, 4656
hope you will
hear me. Off niyn offyce & my degre.
' I wyl ye wyte, that I am she
That neuere hadde yet delyt /
To haue no persone in despyt, 4660
Hill nor lowh, in no degre ;
My joy lias ffor al my loye, wherso I be.
ever been to
prosper ail As fer forth as I ha myght,
men,
Ys to forthren euery wyht. 4664
And neuere yet, for no greuauwce,
Charity feels for all Folk, and gives to the Poor. 123
' On no man I took vengauwce. [stowe] [leaf 70, back]
Myn Enemyes also I fforbere ; charity.
And myn Entent ys nat to dere [St. &c.] 4668 andioveaii.
men.
To no persone nor to no man,
As fer forth as euere I kan.
I am modre off al vertue ;
And I am she (as yt ys due,) 4672
That clothe folk wych nakyd be ;
And of mercy & of l pyte [lofst., om.c.] imadest.
J r J Martin cut
I made Seyn Martyn, yore agon, MS mantle
(Al-be that he hadde but on,) 4676
Hys mantel to kutte A tweyne,
And dyde al hys bysy peyne
To clothe the poore, wych nakyd stood to clothe the
Myd off the gate, devoyde of good. 4680
I am noryce of al nedy, [stowe, leaf se, back]
And I herberwe comouwly i shelter the
homeless,
Al pylgrymes in ther nede ;
And I am she (yt ys no drede.) 4684 and feei the
adversities
That ffele as myche harm in me of others,
Off other folkys aduersyte,
As they hem-sylff that yt 1 endure.
And al 2 my goodys (I ensure.) paiiest.] 4688 and divide
' my goods
Be comouw vnto euery whyht, among the
Whan they ha nede, as yt ys ryht.
' Seyn Poul sayd ek, in hys wrytyng,
Off vertu he hadde no thyng, 4692
"WWi-oute that he hadde me ; (i Cor. xiii. i 3)
And that he myghte in no degre st. Paul
could do no
Wit/i-oute me do no good dede. (?<*><> Ae * A
without me.
And trew(e)ly (who taketh hede,) 4696
No good 3 dede nor good 3 en tent pgoodest.]
Ys worth, but yiff I be present,
Among estatys hih nor lowe.
' And yiff ye lyst my name knowe, 4700 My name is
ft 11 \ A j nu Charity -
I am callyd dame Charyte,
That liaue al folk in cherte. 4 [* cherte st., ceice c.]
1 Camb. MS. reads : I am ... Thilke that loueth alle folk
with liol herte, with-oute yuel wil ; thilke tliat seecheth no
vengeaunce, ne neither showveth ne smyteth ; thilke that hath
set hire entente to forbere hire enemyes, pp. 36, 37.
1 24 Charity visits the Sick, and makes Folk think of Christ.
Charity.
I cherish the
despised,
feed the
hungry,
and visit the
sick.
I comfort the
distressed,
speak well of
all men,
[Cap. Ixii]
and remind
thrm ot the
mercy of
Christ,
who humbled
Himself
Deaf 71, back]
to suffer and
die upon the
cross.
4704
4708
4712
'And other, that folk haue in despyt, [leaf 71]
Hem to cherysshe, ys my delyt ;
I ffeede folk that hongry be,
And parte wtt/i hem off my plente ;
And vysete hem that lyggen seke,
And dwelle wt't/i folkys that be meke ;
And for no cost I do not spare,
To be glad off the welfare
Off euery other mane/* whyht,
As off myn owne of verray ryht.
' I am she that paciently.
Kan suffren, & benyguely [stow,iemf87]
Alle sorwes wel apese.
And I am she that kan done ese, 4716
Al hevynesses to recure.
And I am she that set no cure
Off grucchyng nor detraccioun ;
ffor thys ys my condici'oun, 4720
Harm to speke neueradel,
But, off ech man to sey wel,
Wych I holde a gret vertu.
11 And yiff he haue off Cryst Ihesu 4724
Any maner RemewbrauTjce,
I made hyw for to ha plesaunce
Off mercy, as I reherse kan,
ffor loue to be-kome A man, 4728
And taken your humanyte,
And suffren, by humylyte,
Deth for your sake, & passi'oun ;
Made hywi fro hevene kome A-doun, 4732
And suffren ek (as yt ys founde,)
To a pyler to be bovnde,
And tendure (that Lord most fre,)
Wit/i sharpe thornys crownyd be, 4736
And sprede hys Armys on the rood,
And for your sake shede hys blood ;
And to a croos to be ek nayled,
And doun therby hys blood y ray lied [C. &st.] 4740
To-forn, be-hynde, & eue?y cost,
And to his Fader yelde hys goste,
Charity sent Christ to Hell. Christ Jesus' s Testament. 125
In to his hand hys spyryt take. [st.&c.] charity.
' Al thys I made hy?, for your sake, 4744
Tenduren off entenciouw,
To make your redempciouw [stowe, leaf 87, tack.]
That wer for synne lost echon.
And to helle I made hyra gon, 4748 He went o
hell to fetcli
To fette hem out that ley ther bouwde, thence those
who were
The deveH 2 power to COnfoUwde, [* Devellys St.] bound by the
r devil.
Wych hadde grevyd man so sore.
' And I shal telle yow euermore, 4752
How thys kyng most souereyne,
To-forn hys passi'oim & peyne,
And hys tonnentys wonder strongo,
Or he the deth sholde vnderfonge, 4756 Before Hi
death Christ
He fforgate nat off entent 'n'' e His
Testament.
ff or 3 to make hys testament. [ 3 stowe]
The forme ther- off to endyte,
He callede me yt to wryte : 4760
ffor to make the forme bettre,
My sylff wrot yt, Query lettre i wrote it,
And namyd yt (yt ys no les,) and railed it
J J VJ J T/te True.
' The trewe testament off PCS.' Testamentum pads. 4764 Testament
of Peace.
Wych to-for yow alle I brynge,
That ye may ha knowelychynge
What maner thyng ther-on doth sue,
And what to yow ther-off ys due, 4768
I wyl yow reden the sentence, i win read it
J to you, if you
Yiff ye wyl yiven audyence. win listen.
Lo thys yt ys, herkneth echon,
As I shal her rollers A-noon. 4772
The testament off Cryst Ihesn.
I. Ihesu, sone of Marye. rstowe, leaf ss] [Cap. ixin,
prose.]
Wych namyd am (\\ith-outc lye) i, Jesus, who
Trouthe, Sothfast lyff, & weye-, "So*'
Now to-forn or that I deye, 4776 'I 1 * w ife> " IKl
The deth off whom ys ful certeyne,
And how I shal endure peyne ;
But tO-forn, of good entent before I die
T . . will make My
1 wyl mak my testament. 4780 win.
' And fyrst off alle, wylfully
126 The last Will and Testament of Christ Jesus.
c/iarity. I bc-qiiethe enterly
i bequeath My soule vn-to my Fader dere,
my Soul to
God That syt above the sterrys clere, 4784
Yt to kepen & conveye,
And to governe yt in the weye
for Him to Whan y t shal descends douw.
keep while I c-'j ~i_~V~
descend into In-to the dyrke 1 mansyoUW [> dyrke St., dyrk C.] 4788
Off the foule pyt of helle,
Wher as fendys euere dwelle,
My frendys ther to fette a-way,
Wych ha be ther se many day, 4792
To delyvere hem out off wo.
My Body i ' And my body, I quethe also
bequeath to
the sepulchre To the sepulkre, for dayes thre,
days, and to \Yych Joseph hath mad for me. 4796
true pil-
grims, Wych Body I leve also
To trewe pylgrymes that her go,
As thyng that most may hem avaylle
Hem to releue 2 in ther travaylle; [ 2 Rereieve st.] 4800
to sustain As cheff Repast, hem to sustene
them.
In ther vyage ageyn al tene.
My Heart to Myn heite I quethe (ek Of en tent.) [Stowe, leaf 88, back]
those who *
keep My To aU that my comauradcment 4804
command-
ments j Kepe, to ther power feythfully,
And my statiitys enterly.
My Mother My Moder, I leue to Seyn lohan,
to St. John, ' -
To be a-vaytyng euere in on 4808
Vp-on hyre, in al the smerte
That she shal felyn at hyr herte,
Whan she me seth in gret mescheff,
Deaf 72, back] Lad to my deth-ward as a theff ; [C. &st] 4812
sustain her Wych shal thorgh hyr herte blyve, ,,
8imii sutter Sharper than any swerd y-Ry ve,
And maken hyre in Terys drowne,
And offte sythe's for to swowne 4816
Off verray nioderly pyte :
But than shal lohan hyr socour be
In hyr lamentaci'ouws,
ffor trouble off my passi'ouws, 4820
To cou?forte hyre in al hyr wo.
The last Will and Testament of Christ Jesus. 127
' And to Seyw lohan I leve also, chanty.
That he may han perseueraimce aiso J ieave
To sen me in my gret suffrage ; 4824 ^ u nce
ffor, he ys my frend certeyn,
And so am I to hym ageyn
ffrendly, off verray kyndenesse,
Wych ys not meynt wit/i doubylnesse. 4828
' My blood, I quethe ek for Kauwsouw My Blood i
give to those
To al that haiie 1 COWnaSSlOUre P that liaue St., thaue C.] who have
* compassion
Off my deth, & ek of me, on Me;
And off the grete aduersyte 4832
That I endure for her sake.
To alle swych my blood I take,
That kepe hem clene out off synne, [stowe, leaf so] it win cleanse
Therby that .they may hevene Wynne 4836 aii sin.
Ageyn al persecucyouw
Off the ffendys temptac'iouw ;
Ageyn hys myght hem to provyde,
The large wonde vp-on my syde 4840
Al hope, 2 I geue hem to refut. [ 2 Oope St., open]
' To m't/i-stonde hys felle sut,
As champyouws -with hyw to stryve,
My wondys I geue hem alle fy ve.; 4844 My Five
The grete karectys, brood & Eeede, leave to timse
J ' whoconteiul
To plete for he?n whaw they ha nede, with the
devil,
I make ther vocat of my blood ;
And thogh ther cause be nat. good, 4848
Wit/i- synne Apeyred, & trespace, [leaf 733
Ther-by that they may gete 3 grace, [ 3 sete my st.] and also be
reconciled to
Only of mercy & 4 pyte [+andoffst.j Me.
Reconcyled ageyn to me, 4852
A-noon, as they ha r<$pentauwce,
And Amende hem by penauwce,
And preye to me in ther dystresse,
ffor to grauwte hem forgyffnesse. 4856
' And to save he??i fro meschaunce,
I 5 make ek an ordynavnce p And St.] i also make
T . T 10 an ordiiisiiK-e
L,awes to be rad & songe, which i be-
r\ i i PC A n f> queath to
Lompyled ott myn ovvne tonge, 4860 young and
Wych I be-quethe to yong & olde,
128 The last Will and Testament of Christ Jc&us.
Charity.
that T shall
be a Mediator
between God
and man.
My Peace I
Rive to all the
world.
It is the
fairest gift I
ever gave, ex-
cept Myself.
[leaf 78, back]
Peace is the'
most perfect
jewel made
by My
Father.
[Cap. Ixiv]
It is good to
pit the ex-
ample of
Peace in re-
membrance.
'To plete for hew, & plees 1 holde [> piees St., pies c.]
To-for myw owne Ffader dere,
In al ther nedys fer & nere, 4864
Ther to ben her aduocat.
And (tavoyden al debat.)
I shal for hem be swych a mene,
Off synne to putte away the tene, [stowe, leaf 89, back] 4868
The tenys off eternal wo.
' And my pes, I gyue also
To al the world in habondauwce,
Wherby they may hew sylff avauwce 4872
And ffraurcchysen at the beste,
Tlierby euere to lyve in reste,
In perfyt loye ay tabouwde,
Yiff the ffaute be nat fovmde 4876
In them sylff, for lak off grace
Yt to refuse for ther trespace :
ffor, in pes ay to perse"uere,
So ffayr a gyffte gaff I neuere, 4880
My sylff except, vn-to no man,
Syth tyme that the world be-gan.
ffor who consydreth, & loke wel,
Pes ys the parfyt lowel 4884
That al Eychesse doth transcende.
Verray pes doth ek amende [c. & St.]
Al vertues that men kan nevene ;
And pees was fyrst wrought in heuene, 4888
Off thylke souereyn Carpenter
That syt aboue the sterrys cler,
That forgyd fyrst, (who lyst look,)
Wit/i-outen any noyse or strook : 4892
Strook nor noyse inake?i no pes,
But they yt breke douteles.
' Wherfore, As semeth vn-to me,
Yt ys good that the exaumple be 4896
Off pes yput in Reme??ibrauwce,
Wych ys the ground off al plesauwce.
And off thys pes, by good Eeson,
That ther be shevvyd a patrovn, 4900
To knowe the verray exauwpleyre, [stowe, leaf 90]
The Last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ.
129
And tavoyden hys contrayre.
Verryly in portrature
Ye shal sen her the ffygure.
The portrature off pes to make,
' ffyrst ye shal a squyre take,
A Squyre off a carpenter ;
And ye shal vse thys maner :
ffyrst, to done your bysynesse,
The Ton ende vp-ward to dresse
Hih" a-loffte, ryht as lyne ;
And ferthermor to determyne,
The tother ende lower douw,
So that (in conclusion?*)
The Angle corner in your syht,
Wych loyneth the Endys lyne ryht ;
In wych corner (yiff ye lyst wyte,)
Ther ys in soth An ' A ' y wry te.
Than lynealy, yiff ye descende
Douw vn-to the lower eude,
Ye shal fynde wryte A, ' P,'
And alder hyest ye shal se
In that ende An ' X ' yset ;
And whan thys lettrys ben yknet,
loyned in on, who kan espye,
Parfyt pes they sygnyf'ye.
4904
4908
4912
Charity.
To make the
' portraiture '
of peace, lake
a carpenter's
square :
let one end
stand up-
right :
in the an^le
formed hy
4916 the two sides
you will see
the letter A.
4920
[St.&C.]
4924
[6 lines blank in MS. for an
Illumination, no doubt.
The figure here is from the
Stowe MS., leaf 90.]
i
Ai
And overmor, thys lettrys thre [stowe, leaf 90, back]
Ar tooknys, that in vnyte
He sholde ha verray loue & pes,
With thre thynges douteles.
He that hath pocessiiouw
Off thys lowel, most off Renou.,
And he to whom Cryst hath yt take,
Sholde kepe for hys sake
Pes -wilt eue/y maner whyht.
PILGRIMAGE. i
4928
4932
Look to the
lower end,
[leaf 74]
and you'll
seep,
and in the
upper end the
letter x.
[Cap. Ixv]
These three
letters are
tokens of
peace.
130 The Last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ.
charity. < And fyrst above, as yt ys rylit, 4936
By A- i am Wlier as the .X. condygiiely
signified.
Ys set a-loffte, as most worthy
By wych (yiff yt be espyed,)
I am trewly sygnyfyed, 4940
In tookne that noon be rekkeles,
Peace be- ffyrst to haue pwfyt pes
Uveen God
imdiuecan W/t/i God & me, wych byth al on,
never be
separated. And may neuere assondev gon ; 4944
And also (as I shal devyse,)
That he (in no maner wyse)
Ne do no thyng in no degre
Wych that sholde dysplesii me : 4948
Peace re- And yiff yt happe, off neclygence,
strains men J J Jfo
from offend- A-geyn me that he do offence,
ing me. &
[leaf 74, back] x ln alle haste that he hym peyne [stowe]
To with-drawe hym / and Restreyne 4952
ffrom alle evellys, for my sake [c. & St.]
And that he amendys make,
Hys trespasse to ben a-knowe.
[Cap. ixvi] ' And in the corner that stent lowe, ,, 4956
where you Wher as ye sen An ' A ' stonde,
seethe^tlmt J
represents Ther-by pleynly ys vnderstonde
the soul of J f J J J
man. The sowle off man, with whom ech whyht
Sholde ha pes, of verray ryht. [stowe, leafoi] 4960
So that in a marchys 2 thouht [* mmmys st.]
Synderesis ne gruchche nouht, 3
(Definition of (Synderesys, to speke in pleyu,
Suwlerenit.) V J J ' 1 J
Ys as myche for to seyn, 4964
By notable descripcioiw,
The hiher party of Eesouw ;
Wherby A maw shal best discerne
Hys conscience to governe,) 4968
Thorgh no trespace nor offence,
By no Remors off conscience ;
Lat euery man tak hed her-to,
And vritit your neyhebour also 4972
1 Alle declcs don ayens my wille ben restrcincd and amended.
Camb., ]). 39.
:i Lines 4963-68 are written on the margin opposite 1. 4957.
were
aiiy
The Last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ. 131
' Ye most ha pes & vnyte, chanty.
Syeh ys ytokenyd by the .p. ThcTpb^r"
tokens peace
And ys yset fyrst off echon.
' And that ye sholde be al on, 4976
Thexau?ple techeth yo\v fill wel,
(Yiff ye consydren euerydel,)
How ye bothen, in^QJyne because p
Stonde, & may yt not declyne. 4980 (BOM tin*
Lyneally, yt ys noon other,
As brother verrayly to brother,
Nature wyl that yt so be,
Hih" and lowh", off o degre, 4984
Bothe tweyne ymade lyche ;
The pore man & ek the ryche, and aii men
At the gynnyng, as ye shal lere,
Al forgyd wern of matere, 4988
Touchyng ther ffyrste orygynal,
And bothe tweyne be mortal ;
The Ton, the tother, in certeyue
They be but werme's bothe tweyne, 4992
And they ne kan he?>& sylffe nat kepe, [c. &st.] [leaf 75]
But that they shaH to erthe krepe ;
When that deth doth hem assaylle. That winch
happens to
' ff or what ys worth, or may avay lie. ,, 4996 one happens
J J to another,
A felouri herte or hardynesse, ,,
Daunger, despyt or sturdynesse,
Nat may socoure vp-on no syde, [stowe, leaf 91, back] 4999
Ther deynous port, ther grete 1 pry de, [' grete St., gret c.]
Yt may hem done noon avautage,
ffor al shal passe By o passage,
And by on hole off gret streihtnesse ;
Powerte & ek rycliesse, 5004
Al goth way, bothe gret & smal ; and au go
T^ .. , , oneway.
Excepciouw ys noon at al,
To helpyn in thys streihte nede.
' Wherfor euery man take hede, 5008 wherefore
Thorgh pryde to be nat rekkeles, lest tins jewel
Thys ryohe lowel callyd pes,
To kepe yt wel, & lese yt nouht.
'And euery man, in herte & thouht 5015
132
The Last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ.
Charity.
All testa-
ments should
be signed in
peace and
unity.'
[leaf 75, back]
[Cap. Ixvii,
prose.]
When
Charity had
finished the
testament,
she went on
to say,
' You have
liriii-il in
what I have
read,
how Christ
gave His
peace and
other gifts
to men.
' Do hys dyllygent labour,
To ha pes with hys neihebour,
As roote off al perfecciouw,
Yp to parforme the patrouw 5016
Off vnyte & sothfast pes,
Tendure & lasten endeles ;
So as yt ouht, off iust resouw,
As tookne off the tabellyouw, 5020
With wych, in pes and vnyte,
Al testamentys sholde be
Sygned & markyd comoxwly,
And ek cowfermyd openly. 5024
' And tovchyng her thys wryt present,
Callyd of Cryst the testament,
With tookne off tabellioun,
I marke off entencyouw 5028
To last in pes & vnyte.' [C. & St.]
*And whan thys lady Charyte
Hadde Eadd and yoven off Entent
The pes off Cristes Testament 5032
To alle folkys that were there, [stowe, leaf 02]
Chargy?ige hem, 2 off herte entere, [ 2 stowe]
Affter the fforme 2 euerydel, ,,
Al ther lyve 2 to kepe yt wel, 5036
Anoon a-geyn, as ye shal se,
Thys 3 fayre lady Charyte pihisst.]
Hyr tale gawne al openly,
Sayynge thus benygnely. 5040
Charyte speketh hyr ageyn.
' Syrs,' quod she, ' ye haue herd al
By thys lettre (in specyal)
Wych I ha rad 4 in your presence [* reddest.]
Openly in audyence, 5044
How Cryst Ihesu, off hys goodnesse,
And off hys grete kyndenesse,
Out off thys world whan he sholde gon,
Gaff hys pes, to yow echon, 5048
1 Camb. MS. reads : Whan charitee hadde al rad this testa-
ment, and rested, thanne she bigan ayen hire parlcmcnt, and
sniche woord.es she seyde afterward, ' Lordiuges, &c., p. 39.
Penance and Charity needed for the Lwd's Supper. 133
I will tell you
why I am put
between you
and the table
of Moses.
[Cap. Ixviii,
prose. J
' Wit/i many gyfftys off gret prys, charity.
Wych ye shal kepe, yiff ye be wys,
As I ha told in ech estat ;
ffor pes devoydeth al debat, 5052
Wher yt abydeth parfytly.
' But I shal telle the cause why
That I me putte fyrst in pres 1 p prees st., pes c.j
Atwyxe yow & Moyses, 5056
And the table wher as he stood,
ffor me-thouht yt was nat good [stowe, leaf 02, back}
That noon off yow, in no degre,
Sholde a-proche wit/i-oute me 5060
To clayme part (thys, the cheff)
At hys table, off the releff
But I my-sylff wer ther present.
'And ek the sayde testament, 5064 [leaf 76]
That I ha told off in substauwce,
And yiff ye haue in remembrauwce [c. & st.]
Dame Penaunnce yow tolde so,
Yiff ye took good hed ther-to, 5068
Wz't/i-outew hyre, thys the ende 2 p thende c., st.]
Ye be nat hable for to wende
To the table off Moyses.
And but ye haue ek parfyt pes 5072
Wiih yow echon, & also me
Wych am ynamyd Charyte,
Ye be vnworthy & vnhable
To ha the releff off hys table. 5076
ffor yt were a presu?7z.pc'iouw,
And a gret transgress'iouw,
To neyhen ner, or to be bold,
Or to clayme (as I ha told) 5080
Off that releff most specyal,
Wher-off ech part ys on & al,
Ther ys ther-in no dyfference ;
And therfor, lat be noon offence 5084
In yow, vp-on no maner syde,
But that aforn ye yow provyde,
As I the charge haue on yow leyde.'
And whan Charyte hadde al sayde, [Stowe, leaf 93] prose.] '
Without pen-
ance you are
unable to
reach the
table;
and unless
you have
peace you
cannot have
relief.
It were pre-
sumption to
approach
without
preparation.'
134
Moses gives the Leavings of the Supper to all.
Pilgrim.
When
Charity had
finished the
pilgrims
pressed
forward,
ai id presented
themselves
before Moses.
[leaf 76, back]
But I saw
tioine who
were un-
worthy.
They liid
themselves
from Charity,
nnd fled from
Penance.
Moses 1 iR-
stowed his
gU'ts on all
alike,
but the bad
came away as
lilarl; as a
collier's sack,
And mad a ful conclusiovw
Off hyr speche & hyr sarmoiiw,
Pylgrymes hem putte fast in pres
Toward the table off Moyses ; 5092
Conveyed ech in ther degre
Wt't/i parfyt pes and Charyte,
And wit/?, verray repentauwce,
Confessiiou?i, & ek penaunce. 5096
Pylgrymes alle off good entente,
To Moyses they hem presente,
As they myghte hem redy make,
And, the releff off hyw take 5100
fful devoutly off assent.
And Grace Dieu was ay present [c. ft St.]
Whan they, w/t/i gret deuocyoim,
Took yt in ther entencyoun, ,, 5104
And \vith a clene conscience. ,,
But I sawh ther in presence,
So??ime pressen to the table
That wer vn worthy & vnhable ; 5108
Wych held hem-sylff fer out asyde,
And fro Charyte gan hem hyde,
And fledde also fro dame PenauHce ;
And yet hera-sylff they gan A-vauwce, 5112
Oif boldenesse al shameles, 1 C 1 shameies st., shamies c.]
ffor to receyve off Moyses
The releff, wher as he stood.
The wyche thouhte 2 nat but good ; 5116
ffor he, off clene affecci'ouw,
Gaff yt wtt/j-oute excepci'outt
(Off the plente that he hadde,) [stowe, leaf 93, back]
To pylgrymes good & badde, 5120
ffor he noon hede ne dyde take.
But they retournede foul and blak
I mene, swych that of boldnesse
Toke yt nat in clennesse, 5124
As they ouht ha done off ryht ;
Swych wer foul & blake of sylit
Lyche 3 to a colyers sak. p Lyche St., Lych c.]
ffor in hem-sylff was all the lak 5128
[* whiche tliouphte St., If. US ;
wych thouht C.]
Good Pilgrims are satisfied, tho the Food seems small. 135
5132
5136
5140
5144
5148
That they semede so odyble,
Stynkynge also, & horryble,
Hungry, thorgh ther gret offence,
& nedy in ther conscience ;
And, for lak off good entent,
Wer also ful indygent,
And voyde ek off al gostly foode.
' But sothly, thylke that wer goode,
And goostly tooke ther ffedyng,
They wer fulfylled in all thyng
Off that releff most in substaurcce,
And ther-in hadde al suffysauwce,
Keplevysshyd in herte & thouht,
Off other thyng them nedede nouht.
The goode pylgrymes thouhte so,
That they wer Eedy for to go
(Thorgh suffysauwce off that repast)
ffro the table whan they wer past,
And, to-forn) alle, as they koude,
ffor verray loye they seyde loude,
That they wolde noon other thyng,
Hem to sustene in ther lyvyng,
And to deffende hem fro damage
As they wente on pylgrymage
As pylgrymes good and sadde.
But mervayl of thyng I hadde
Wit/i-Inne my sylff, & grete 1 doute
That swych A meyne & a route
As was ther, to putte a 2 preff,
Was fulfyllyd off the releff,
The wych was (as thouhte me,)
So verray smal in quantyte.
Wher-off I gan wondre sore,
And merveylle mor & more,
And thoghte, thogh ther hadde be
Ten so myche in quantyte
Off releff lefft at the table,
Me sempte that I hadde 3 be bable [ 3 hadde St., on. c.]
At dyner, my-sylff ryht wel,
To have hete yt euerydel, 5168
[Stowe, leaf ffi]
Pilgrim.
liungry and
indigent.
[leaf 77]
The good
pilgrims
canie awuy
satisfied,
5152
[> grete St., gret C.]
5156
P in St.]
5160
5164
and desired
no other
sustenance.
[Cap. Ixx,
prose.]
I wondered
that so little
could satisfy
so many.
I thought I
could have
eaten ten
times as
much myself.
136 / ask Grace Dieu to explain the Mystei'y.
Pilprim.
[leaf 77, back]
Vet each
}>ilgrim had
hud enough,
nnd had been
made mighty
nnd strong.
[Cap. Ixxi,
prose.]
I thought I
had lost my
reason.
o I went to
Grace .Dieu,
and asked
her tor some
proof of the
truth of what
I had seen.
[leaf 78]
And yet nat had (to my plesauwce)
Halff A repast of suffysauwce.
And yet, the pylgrymes eue?ychon
Sayde & affermede, On by on,
That they fonde swych fulsomnesse,
And so plentuous largesse [c. & st.]
As they yt tooke by good leyser [St. & c.]
At that merveyllous dyner,
That to euerych (in ther guyse)
A lytel dyde ynovvh suffyse.
And euerych (in especial)
Was ther fulfyllyd \vith ryht smal
Ther-wzt/i, myghty mad, & 1 stronge.
Wher-vp-on I gan ful longe,
And thouhte (A-mong hem euerychon)
Myn vnderstondyng was agon
ffor lak off wyt in gret dystresse,
And forcloudyd -with dyrknesse.
Reson was hyd, so sempte me,
That I kowde hyr nowher se ;
In al that place, I sawh nat tho,
No whyht I myhte speke vn-to,
Save Grace Dieu, wych ther abood,
And to-for the Table stood
Off Moyses ; & off entente,
Vn-to hyre a-noon I wente.
[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination^
The pylgrym askede.
' Ma dame,' cpiod I, ' I ha gret nede
That ye wolde, off goodlyhede, 5196
And off your gret excellence,
Shewen to me som evydence
How yt myghte shewyd be,
That so lytel quawtyte 5200
Off thys releff (in any wyse)
Myghte of resouw ynowh suffyse
To so manye as ben here ?
ffor, ma dame, (& ye lyst lore,) 5204
Swych ten in quantyte [stowe, leaf 95]
Wolde nat suffysen vn-to me
5172
5176
5179
[Stowe, leaf 94, back]
[' and made St.]
5184
5188
5192
Bread and Wine are changed to Christ's Flesh and Blood. 137
[Cap. Ixxii,
prose.]
She answered
me,
' I will tench
you by and
by.
At dyner, to my delyt, Grace
To fulfylle myn appetyt.' 5208
Grace Dieu answerde,
' I leue ryht wel,' quod Grace Dieu,
' Touchyng thys merveillous vertu,
Thow hast gret nede for to lere ;
But herkene now, & ley to here,
I shal the teche verrayly
The pryvytees, by & by,
Bothe by evydence & preff.
' Thys ylke vertuous releff,
Som whyle (who yt vnderstood)
ys ynamyd flesshe & blood,
And soni tyme (tak good heed,)
Yt ys ycallyd wyn & bred,
Goostely mete & goostely foode ;
To pylgrymes that be goode,
fflessh & blood yt ys no doute ;
Bred & wyii shewyd wit/i-oute,
Al be yt so (yt ys no dred,)
That yt to-forn was wyn and bred,
As thow knowest wel certeyn ; 1 c 1 in certeyn St.]
But Moyses (no thyng in veyn) 5228
Vp-on hys table (as yt stood)
Hath tournyd yt to fflessh & blood.
Thys ys trewe, & verray soth ; [stowe, leaf 95, back]
"Wher-off nature was ryht wroth ; 5232
Anger made hyr herte ryve,
And ther-vp-on gan with me stryve :
She knewe no ferther (thys, the ffyn) ^
But that yt was ay bred & wyn. 5236
' Thow shalt wel knowe how that she
Sawh nat the grete pry vyte, [c. & St.]
ffor lakkyng off dyscrecyouw,
Off thys ylke mutacyouw, 5240
But 2 I the charge ther I stonde, pstowe]
That Hessh & blood thow vnderstonde,
And so beleue yt verrayly,
And lat nat meue the outwardly, 5244
Thogh that yt shewe outward so
5212
5216
This food is
changed
5220 ''' OI bread
and wine into
flesh and
blood
5224
by Moses
for good pil-
grims.
Nature was
angry at this
because she
understood
not the
mystery.
[leaf 78, back]
138 Four of Man's five Wits deceive him. TJie fifth,
Gra
Touch, taste,
sight, and
smell are de-
ceived.
Four of man's
wits lire clean
gone,
but the fifth
wit, or hear-
ing,
makes up for
all the rest,
[leaf 79]
as it did to
ls;mc when
Jacob de-
ceived him
in the matter
of the potagc,
' In touch & syhte bothe two,
Also in tast & in smellynge
Lych bred & wyn Rescrub[e]lynge, 5248
Outward, as by apparence ;
Trustii shortly in sentence,
Thy fowre wyttys (lerne of me)
ffynally deceyved 'be ; 5252
Off verray foly they be blent,
That they ha noon Entendement,
The trouthe trewly to cowcey ve ;
Swych dyrknesse hem doth deceyve, 5256
That the offyce of hem echon
Ys from hem 1 foure clene agon, c 1 hem St., hym c.]
ffor lak, pleynly, of knowelychyng.
< But the fyffthe wyt off heryng 5260
Wych nior clerly in sentence
Haueth full intelligence
He techy th the wyttys euerychon [stowe, leaf ec]
Evydeutly what they shal don), 5264
The tast, the touch, & ek the syht,
Smellyng also (off verray ryht,)
Whan they ha lost ther knowelychyng,
The ffyffthe, that callyd ys Heryng, 5268
Aparceved hath so wel,
That he knoweth euerydel
In thys matere what shal be don).
And thys was fyguryd longe a-gon, 5272
Ked the Byble, yiff ye lean,
In Ysaak, that olde man,
Whan Esau (to hys entente,)
In-to the feld on huntyng wente, 5276
And hys labour spente in veyn.
ffor longe or that he kam 2 ageyn, pkomest.]
lacob verrayly in dede,
Cladde 3 in Esawys wede, p ciadde St., ciad c.] 5280
Wit/i her 4 vp-on hys hondys layd [ hcer st. (hair)]
(As hys moder hadde hyw sayd,)
To Ysaak helde 5 hys passage, p hcide St., held c.]
And to hym brouhte the potage 5284
In ryht gret hast, (as he was tauht,)
Hearing, is alone trustworthy, as Isaacs case shows. 139
And sayde, he hadde hys pray ykauht
In venery, amyd the feld.
' But, Ysaak no thyng be-held, 5288
ffor he was dyrkyd off hys syht,
And gretly feblyd off hys myght,
ffor Touch & smellyng wer agon ;
And Ysaak wende euere in on, 5292
That Esau hadde be present.
But Eebecca, off entent,
Sente lacob in hys name ; [stowe, leaf oe, back]
ffor in hyr herte she hadde a game, 5296
Esau, to sette abak.
' But thys olde 1 man Ysaak [' oide St., oia c.]
The pa try ark of grct vertu,
Took lacob for EsaU, [Took / lacob / for / Esau] 5300
In touch, in tast, & in smellyng,
In syghte also ; but hys heryng
"Was hym be-lefft, hool & entere.
And thus he sayde, as ye shal here : 5304
' The voys of lacob semeth me ;
Off Esau, the handy s be ;
I here lacob speken wel ;
But the handys that I fel, 5308
The handys ben off Esau.'
' Consydreth now how the vertu
Off Touch", & ta?t, smellyng, & syht [St. & c.]
Hadde pleynly lost hys myght ; 5312
The force off heryng sty lie a-bood ; ,,
Wit/t Isaak, ryht so yt stood.
U By wych exauraple, tak good heed
ffor profyt off thyrc owne speed, 5316
Off thys fygure that I ha told ;
Lefft vp thyn eyen & be-hold :
Avauwce the nat, nor mak no bost,
ffor thy .iiij. 2 wyttys thow hast lost. [ 2 ffoure St.] 5320
Ther myght, ther force, ar fro the wey ved ;
Yiff thow truste hem, thow art deceyved ;
ffor Tast nor touch in no degre,
Nor 116 thyng that thow kanst se, 5324
]S"or thy smellyng (tak good hed,)
thinking it
was KSUII
who brought
it.
All his senses
deceived him,
except hear-
ing.
" The voice
is the voice
of Jacob,
but the hands
are the hands
of Esau."
[leaf 79, back]
[Cap. Ixxiii,
prose.J
By tins ex-
ample take
heed,
and do not
trust to your
four senses,
140 Let Hearing guide you. Christ's Flesh and Blood.
Grace Dieti.
but let hear-
ing be your
guide ;
it will teach
you the plain
truth.
Bread and
wine are the
very flesh
anil blood of
Christ,
[leaf 80]
which
nourish the
whole world.
5328
ffoure St.]
It was sent
from heaven
to lix-d man.
Ne she we to the but wyn & bred
By ther engyn, hih" nor lowe,
Thow ue shalt noon other knowe.
' Thy ffoure wyttys set a-syde,
And lat heryng be thy guyde ;
ffor, thys .iiij. 1 in sothfastnesse
Kan nor may ber no wytnesse.
Wher-for thow mustest, for the beste,
Abyde on heryng, and ther reste ;
ff ully truste to hys sentence ;
Yiff feyth to hyw, & ful credence ;
ffor heryng shal, wi't/t-oute slouthe,
Teche to the, the pleyne trouthe,
liyght as yt ys, ne doute yt nouht.
' And conceyue wel in thy thouht,
Thys releff (yiff thow kanst take hede,)
Ys pleynly nother wyn nor bred 1 ,
But the flessh (yiff feyth to me,)
That heng vp-on the roode tre,
And, by force & verray strengthe,
On the croos was drawe alengthe,
fful streyhtly nayled on the rood ;
And thys ys ek the verray blood,
On goode ffryday that he shadde,
Whan lewe's to the deth hyw ladde,
Wher-off he was steyned reed.
H Thow mayst also call yt 2 bred, [ caiie yt St., caiiyd c.]
Thys same releff, (wit/i-oute stryff,)
The verray sothfast bred off lyff.
Wych susteneth (I the ensure,)
Al the world wit/i hys pasture, 5356
And yiveth to hem in substaurace [stowe, leaf 97, back]
Verrayly ther sustenawice.
^1 And ek also (thys niyra vsage,
Ther-off to ban thys language, 5360
Looke thow take good heed ther-to,)
I calle yt bred, & name yt so ;
Wych, for niawhys 3 savac'ioun,
ffro the heuene kam a-dou?z, 5364
To ffcde man her verrayly.
5332
5336
5340
5344
5348
5351
Hie est panis qui de
celo descendit.
[3 mamies St.]
Charity sowd the Heaven-brought seed of Christ on Earth. 141
5368
[St. & C.]
' Yt ys the bred, ek, trewly
Wher-wa't/i Auwgelys fedde ybe
In that hevenly souereyw se.
Thys bred, pylgrymes euerychon,
On pylgrymage, (wher they gon,)
Or wher-so-euere that they were,
In ther sherpe 1 they shold yt bere. [' scryppe St.] 5372
' And thogh that thow (as sempte the,)
Sey yt but lyte of quawtyte,
I charge the, her a-noon ryht,
Trust in no wyse to thy syht,
Nor to thyn Eyen, wych ar blynde ;
But haue alway wel thy mynde
To thyn heryng ; & ther only
Tak thy doctryne fynally ;
ffor, by heryng thow shalt lere
A thyng that I shal the tellyn here :
' My frend, take good bed, & se.
Thow herdest late Charyte
Maken to the a good sarmouw,
But (as in conclusion^,)
Thys lady (yiff thow took good bed,)
Spak but lytel off thys bred
In hyr sarmou/i (thus stood the caas) ;
And pleynly, thys the cause was ;
ffor she hyr-sylff the menys souhte,
That she the greyn from hevene brouhte,
And made yt in the erthe lowe
Her be-nethe to be sowe ;
But that erthe, (be wel certeyn,)
Wher as sowe was thys greyn,
Was nat labouryd (trust me wel,)
Mor yheryd neue?-adel ;
Vnderstonde yt, yiff thow kowne.
ffor, by hete off the so?me,-
That shyneth fro the heuene A-loffte
With hys attempre bemys sofl'te,
And the hevenly dewh most clene,
Wit// hys syluer dropys shenc, 5404
(The wyche 2 doth no thyng in vcyn,) [ 2 wiiichc St., wych c.]
Angels
teed on it in
heaven.
5376
5380
5384
5388
[Stowe, leaf US]
5392
5396
The food
seemed little
in quantity,
but your
sight de-
ceived you.'
[Ieaf80,backJ
[Cap. Ixxiv,
prose.J
[Camb., p, 43]
Charity
preached hut
little of this
bread.
She brought
the grain
from heaven,
and sowed it
in earth.
The sun and
the dew made
it spring.
142 The Grain of Christ was cut, inilld, and baked.
Grace Dieu.
When ripe it
was cut mid
garnered.
Then it was
thresh <-d and
cleaned,
[leaf 81]
and brought
to the mill
and ground.
The mill
was turned
liy the winds
of envy.
The stones
were scorn
and derisinn.
Stowe, leaf 98, hack]
1 Alle made St.]
[ olde St., old C.]
Charity made
the flour into
bread,
'Made to growen vp thys greyn,
Tyl yt was rype & ful off corn.
' Than Charyte yt hath vp shorn,
And in a place wonder straimge
She made yt leyn vp in hyr grawjge,
Tyl the thressherys (wt't/A gret hete)
Hadde thys greyn ythrysshe & bete ;
And after fannyd yt so clene
That ther was no chaff ysene,
And the strawh yleyd a-syde ;
ffor ther ne myghte nat a-byde
Husk nor chaff, but puryd greyn,
Nor, no thyng that was in veyn,
Al mad l nakyd off entent,
Out off hys olde 2 vestement.
' And whan yt was so ffer ywrouht,
Thys greyu was to the melle brouht,
And grounde ther \rith ful gret peyne
A-twyxe the harde 3 stonys tweyne. [ hardest., han
And yiff I shal the so the 4 telle, [* sothe St., sotu c.]
The seyl-yerdys off the melle,
"Wych tournede aboutew offte,
"Wer clad in cloth that was not soffte.
'Tys 5 melle ek (yiff thow canst espye,) ['Tim
Wyth false wynde's off envy,e,
(Wher as yt stood vp-on the growide,)
Tournede euere aboute Round ;
And the Grynstonys (that I off spak)
^lad ful harde for the wrak,
Wer stonys off derysi'ouTiS ;
Off skorn, & fals illus'iouws,
The wych two (who kan aduerte)
Perceden ful nyh the herte.
' And whan no thyng was lefft at al,
But that yt was ygrouwde smal,
Charyte gan neyhen ner,
And wolde be-come a pasteler,
Lych a baker, (yt ys no drede,)
Off that flour to make her bred.
And hyr Ovene was of old
5408
5412
5416
5420
5423
5428
St.]
5432
5436
5444
Wisdom hclpt Charity to make Bread that fed the Wwld.
' Verray hote, (& no-thyng cold,) Grace pie*.
Wher-as she caste hyr for to bake.
'And whan she gan hyr past to make, 5448
Al tournede nat vn-to hyr pay, but not with-
out trouble.
Wher-off she hadde no desmay,
Off thylke past wych that she wrouhte. [stowe, leaf 09]
& A-noon she hyr be-thouhte 5452
(Among, in al 1 her besynesse,) [ Amonge / aiie St.]
Off on that was a gret maystresse, so she
sought aid
So sotyle off dyscrecyoim of wisdom,
Was nouther founde in borgli nor torn* ; 5456 Deaf si, back]
ifor what men thouhte, or wolde liaue don,
She koude yt brynge about a-noon : [St. & c.]
Lernyd 2 she hadde, in hyr contre, p stowe]
At scolys 2 ther she hadde be. 5460
Thogh al hyr koraiyng wer nat wyst, who could
en "\ i work inur-
bne koude haue mad, yiff that hyr lyst, veis.
Al the world so large & Rou?d!,
And al the co?wpas off the ground?, 5464
ffor tashet 3 & Closyd al P to liave shut] She would
_. T put the world
W it/i-lnne a sotyl boyst, but smal ; into a box,
And off An Ey witA-Inne the shelle,
She koude also (I dar wel telle,) 5468 or an ox into
TT f\ j o i an eggshell.
Ha put an Oxe strong & large ;
ffor yt was, no maner charge
To hyr gret magnyfycence ;
And hyr name was^Sapience. 5472
' And, for hyr gret sotyllyte,
Thys lady, callyd Charyte, charity
r> J I, C n i -i prayed her
Frayede hyr, off goodlyhed, to knead the
ffor to helpe 4 make thys bred [* heipen St.] 5476
Off the fflour wych that she brouhte ;
And also lowly hyr be-souhte
To tempre the past so sotylly,
That yt myghte fynally, 5480
Off Eesemblauwce be but smal ; ^stowe, leaf 99, back]
And that yt myghte suffyse at al and thnt the
(By vertu, verrayly in dede)
Al thys worlde to fostre & fede, 5484
That ech, off lowh & hili degre,
144 Wisdom and Charity made the Bread of Christ's Body.
Grace DJ<;K. May, off Ijtel, ha plente.
[cap.ixxv, ' And for thys cause ryht a-noon
prose.] *
Dame Charyte ys forth gon 5488
Vn-to thys lady Sapience ;
And -with humble Reuerence,
As she sat in hyr Royal Se,
Lowly, thys lady Charyte 5492
[leaf 82] Prayede hyr good heed to take,
Charity made _, , . , , ' - , , ,
her request to lo helpe that thys bred wer bake.
And she goodly, and that a-noon,
fforth with Sapience ys gon ; 5496
And, as she koude best deuyse,
Temprede yt in swych a 1 wyse, [> swiche St.]
who prepared Made yt CTet Wit7/-oute mesure,
the bread us
desired. To yive al folkys ther pasture, 5500
Suffycye"nt to feden al,
Thogh to thy syht yt was but smal
Outward, as in rdsemblauwce,
Yet, by souereyn suffysaunce, 5504
Closyd in a lytel space,,
Though it Ther was so gret plente of grace
appeared
lime there To al the world, in habondauwce.
was much ;
Ther-in to fynde suffysauwce. 5508
' Tak heed, & be nat neclygent
Off a-n other experyment
That ther was wrouht ; tak ek good hede,
In the makyng off tliys bred, [stowe, leaf 100] 5512
Yt was y wrouht so sotylly
and iii every That in eu^'y smal party,
part WHS tlit-
virtue of the Severyd and ybroke asoimder,
whole ;
And departyd her & yonder, 5516
Grettest & smal, Rekne echon
Wer lych off vertu, & al 2 on ; paiiein St.]
Off power & manere
As whan yt was hool and entere. 5520
The wyche 3 thyng (I the ensure,) [ 3 wiuciie st., wych c.]
Yplesede 4 nat to dame Nature; [ 4 Piesede St.]
at which ffor she was wroth therf or with me,
Nature was
again angry. And ther-on woldo ha vengyd be. 5524
She knew ther-off no thyng at al,
Aristotle is sent by Nature to reproach Sapience.
145
' ffor yt was hydde in especyal
ffrom hyr knovvyng euerydel.
And also ek, ye wyte wel, 5528
Offte sythe Eyot & age
Puttii folkys in dotage, [c. & St.]
That they may not trouthe se.
And for she doutede hyr off me 5532
To be blamyd in certeyn,
Yiff so were she kome a-geyn,
Or put a-bak fro hyr entent,
Ther-fore she hath hyr clerk now sent, 5536
Arystotyles the wyse,
In dyffence off hyr frauwchyse,
To thys lady Sapyence.
' And whan he kam to hyr presence, 5540
As hyw thouhte fyrst was due,
Goodly he gan hyr to salue ;
Affter, demeur & sad off chere, [stowe, leaf 100, back]
To hyre he sayde in thys manere : 5544
[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
Arystotyles dyde hys massage in thys manere :
' Ma dame,' quod he, ' in-to thys place,
Vnder support off your grace,
Nature hath me hyder sent,
To declare yow (off entent) 5548
Your dyffautes, by & by ;
And to shewe the cause why
Off my komyng, ys 1 thys, that ye [' in St.]
Han to-brook (as semeth me) 5552
Off nature the ordynauTice,
And don 2 to hyre gret grevau/zce, [ 2 done St., don c.]
Wych pleseth me neueradel,
Al be yt so, I love yow wel. 5556
' Ye knowe (off your dyscrecyouw,
Off trouthe ek, yt ys no Resoira,
Who so cleerly looke & wel,)
That an hous or a vessel 5560
Sholde be lasse, & her ygynne, 3 [C. & St.]
3 Camb. MS. reads : It is no resoun that the vessel or the
hous be lasse than that that is ther-inne, p. 44.
PILGRIMAGE. L
[leaf 82, back]
Age brings
in dotage.
Aristotle is
sent by
Natuie to
Wisdom,
and argues
thus:
[Cap. Ixxvi,
prose.]
' Nature has
sent me to
you,
to declare
that you have
broken her
ordinance.
' [leaf 83]
146 Aristotle reproaches Sapience for ill-treating Nature.
Grace Dieu, ' Than that thyng wych ys wit/<-Inne.
report* J ' J J
Arutotie. And yiff I made to your enteut,
it is contrary p,y appareiice off Argument, 55 64
to reason to J ff
?e^s a than U ttiit -A- 8 tnus > tnat I w lde preve,
the'*o2. ln ( ffor to makii folk
if i siionid That a paleys huge & lar<*e,
prove a piilsce
to be a little Qr A menstre on gret 1 charge, [igrest.] 5568
turret, 7
That yt wer but A Turneys smal.
the wise Clerkys wolde (in especyal)
w.mld say
i was guilty Seyii yt wer but mekerye, 2 p Mokeryc si.]
of sophistry ; J J J '
Or A maner sophystrye, 5572
Shewyd, as yt wer for game ;
[Cap. ixxvti] And ye your sylff ha do the same.
and you imve (Yiff ye lyst to be avysed.)
done us ill, if ' 7 J
you maintain i n thys bred wych ys desguysed ; 5576
ffor the foode & the pasture,
That ys wit/*inne (as ye assure,)
Gyveth ful repast spyrytual
To al the world in general, 5580
So flier the vertu doth extende ;
And yet, that thyug to co?prehende,
Al the erthe, in no wyse,
that winch Nor the hevene, mowh nat suffyse, 5584
lieaven can-
not contain That thyng ye (in especyal)
Han closyd in a cloystre smal,
Who kan mesure yt, or cowpasse,
And shet yt in a lytel space ? 5588
can be held And swych .xiiij. e (on see or land*)
in the hand,
inhere were I myghte wel holden in myn hand !
fourteen of
them i I trowe your sylfl: kan nat sey nay ;
And for no fauour I ne may 5592
Tins i cannot Suffre no lenger (in certeyn,)
allow. * '
But that I muste yow w't/<-seyn,
[ieat83,back] And declare, wher as ye ffaylle, [stowc.icaf m.h.-u'k]
( 3 And yt ys no grete merveylle, 5596
Who-so lyst goode heed? to take) ,,
Thogh nature dyde awake,
3 Camb. MS. reads : This may j nouht wel suffre, ne resoun
may not weel ]>reeve it, ne it is not riht gret wuuder thouli
Nature merveile hire, p. 45.
Aristotle repi'oachcs Sapience. She answers him.
' And ther-vpon gaff vow an bete, [c. & St.]
Yow to wit/t-stonde & conterplete, 5600
Touchyng hyr ryht in specyal.
'And thys greueth me most at 1 al, [offst.]
That my Maxime apryved, 2 P apprevyd St.]
Ye in dede han yt reprevyd ; 5604
And (to speke in vvordys pleyn,)
Neuere in my lyff herde I seyn
In-no scolys, her nor there,
But that " on al" (what euere yt were,) 5608
ATnf3 V>p rrrpttor tVisin Viv nartv Omne totum mains est siia parte.
>e grettei tnan nj s party. [S Motte ^ Not c ^ *
But ye 4 han makyd wrongfully, [*yst.]
(I wot nat by what 5 maner scole,) [ 5 what St., no c.]
The part Egal to the hoole, 5612
"W7t7<-outen any difference !
Wych I holde a gret offence
Ageyn nature, in verray soth.
And no wonder thogh she be wroth, 5616
And laboure for Amendement.
And for thys skyle she hath me sent
To your presence, only to here
What ye wyl seyn in thys matere.' 5620
Sapyence answerde.
A-noon thys lady Sapience. [stowe, leaf 102]
(Whan she hadde herde 6 in sentence [ herd c., herde St.]
The wordys of Arystotyles)
She stynte a whyle, & was in pes. 5624
But at the laste she abreyde,
And vn-to hym ryht thus she seyde :
' My frend,' quod she, ' I do wel se
Off trowthe that thow lovest me, 5628
And dost me calle, off herte entere,
" Thyn oune souereyn lady dere ; "
7 In wych thow hast ylost no thyng [C. & St.]
But yfouwde ful grete Forth eryng. ,, 5632
Wherfor thow shuldest, ]yke the wyse,
Grace Dieu
reports
Aristotle.
You have
disputed
my maxim,
and assert
that tlie part
is equal to
the whole.
Nature de-
mands to
know what
you have to
say for your-
self?'
[Cap. IxxviiiJ
Wisdom
answered :
' I know you
love me,
[leaf 84]
7 Camb. MS. reads : Thou louest me, and ther-inne thou hast
no thing lost ; For therbi is al good bifalle thee. Wel thou
shuldest avise thee, if thow woldest, and bithinke thee that
tweyne scooles j heeld, &c., p. 45.
148 Sapience answers Aristotle: Slie taught Nature.
Grace Dieu ' Prudeentlv thy-sylff avvse, [c. & st.]
ffpOfff
sapience. Thynke aforn, & ek beholde, ,,
and it is good How that whylom I dydde holde 5636
for you that *
you do. TWO scolys off f ul gret Renouw ;
And bothen (in conclusion?*,)
i had two Wer vnder my gouemauytce.
SrhiK.U in
wi.icii i And the, in kownyng to avauwce, 5640
taught many
things, I tauhte many thynges newe
Eecord thy sylff yiff thow be trewe.
And (to speke in wordys fewe,)
Grete merveilles dide shewe. 5644
and in one of And in on off thys scolys tweyne,
them Nature
was my chief My SCOler BlOate 1 SOUCreyn. P moste St., moat C.]
scholar. '
ffyrst of echon (I the ensure,)
Was hyr-sylff, dame Nature. 5648
' And as thy-sylff ful wel yt knewe,
I tauhte hyr many thynges newe ;
ffyrst, by Graff t off hyr werkynge [stowe, leaf 102, back]
To make the fresshe flourys sprynge, 5652
Buddys, greyns, & flourettys,
i taught her The flour delys, the violettys,
to mike all , J '
violets, roses, The rosys also, iresslie oft hewe,
and flowers.
And many other craftys newe, 5656
As men may se (who taketh hede,)
Wych to reherse, yt ys no nede,
I tauhte hyr al, & thynges mo.
in my other And in my other scole also, 5660
school I
taught the Wych. thy sylff lyst to sue,
ait of reason- J
in &. I tauhte folkys to argue
Pro & 2 contra, yong & olde, [*andst.]
And wych wey they sholden holde 5664
To preven out the sothfastnesse
Off every thyng, fro the falsnesse ;
Betwyxen good & evel dyscerne.
[leaf s*, back] 8 And I maade ek (who kan concerne) [c. &st.] 5668
and how to Lawes off Cy vile and Canon ;
make canon
and other And ther, (in myn Entencz'on)
laws.
3 Camb. MS. reads : And to make canoun and lawe, For
therfore was thilke scoole ordeyned ; And ther was niy wise
doubter science, p. 46.
Sapience's Daughter, Science, taught Aristotle. 149
' Myn eldest doubter, moste Entere, [C. & st.] Grace mm
report*
Ther I sette, folk 1 to lere, [iflbikysst.] 5672 sapience.
Wych that callyd ys Syence,"
Sotylle, and off gret excellence ; **%%. c . $S$M.
And ther she helde hyr parlementys, ,,
And formede many argumentys, 5676
As she that was deuoyde off slouthe. ,,
ffor lone off whom (thys the trouthe,)
Thow kam to skole ; & for hyr sake
Nyht & day thow dydest wake, 5680
Tyl, for thyn owne Avauwtage
Ye wer coniunat 2 by maryage, p c-oniunctt st.] fstowe, icafios]
Wherby I made the so wys,
That thow be-kam myn aprentys. 5684
And thanne, off gret affeccyo^,
I made reuelaciourc I revealed
many secrets
To the, Amongys my werkynges to you,
Off naturys secre thynges ; 5688
To knowe the clere fro the derke ;
Nat that thy syluen sholdest werke
No thyng that longeth to hyr art,
But that thow sholdest (for thy part) 5692
The causes knowen by & by,
And ther-on demene 3 fynally t 3 Jemen st.]
The trouthe pleynly, & no more.
' And for that skyle gon ful yore, 5696 and at last
took you as
In guerdon of thy gret labour, my friend.
I callede the my " paramour."
And sy th thow hast, vnder my cure, [Cap. ixxix]
Dwellyd so longe \\iih Nature, 5700 $WA
A j e M-I Nature lived
And seyn so many tayre thynges, so long under
And so many vnkouth werkynges
Wtt^-Inne my scole, of gret fauour,
4 Thogh thow seye in me Errour, [c. &st.] 5704 [leafssj
Thow sholdest, off thy Curtesy, do not be
Imrsh.
ffor-bere me more pacyently, ,,
Yiff thow lovedest, and wer kynde. ,,
4 Camb. MS. reads : And whan thow and nature thus liauen
ben vnder my cure, that han lerned in my scooles bothe laire
dedes and faire woordes, thouh ye seyen me nowerre, yit ye
sliulden forbere me, p. 46.
150 Sapience didn't teach Aristotle all she knew.
Grace oieu, ' And thow sholdest haue in mynde, [c. &st.] 5708
sapience. And remewbren (off good Resoim,) ,,
Smmpion How on y 8 a m yg ht y champyouw,
a^rTn.m That koude the Crafft 0nC fyktyng Wel
how to fight. Xauhte hys kownyng euerydel 5712
To a poore man hym besyde, [stowe, leaf 103, back]
And lyst ther-off no thyng 1 to hyde ; [ l no thyng / therofrst.]
And for hys mede he took no thyng,
OfE curteysye, for hys kownyng. 5716
' But affterward, the case stood so
That they sholde bothe two,
At Requeste off dukys tweyne,
A certeryn quarll to dareyne, 5720
Afterwards Mete in a feld : & so they mette :
they met in
fight, And as they gan vp-on to sette,
Eue?-ych other to assaylle,
He that was wysest in batnylle, 5724
Off wysdam & dyscrecyouw,
I mene the maister Champyoim,
That was avysee, & mor wys
Sayde A-noon to hys prentys, 5728
when the " Yt ys no ryht, wher-for I pleyne,
champion, J
by a trick On. to f yhte ageyns tweyne.
which he had J J J
not told the Ye be tweyne, I am but On."
poor man,
And Thaprentys tha?me Anoon, 5732
As he bakward cast hys look,
slew him. The tother Rauhte hym swych a strook
That he fyl ded, & al was done :
And thanne the mayster sayde Anoon, 5736
" My prentys hath nat lernyd al,
ffor I kepte 2 in especyal [ 2 kepe St.]
[leaf ss, back] 3 A poynt, tyl that I hadde nedc." [stowe]
'And thus, yiff thow kanst taken hode,' 5740
(Quod this Lady Sapience) ,,
' I taughte neuere al my Science & st.]
To the, as I reherse shal.
What, wenystow to knowen al ? 5744
3 Camb. MS. reads : It is enele bifalle tliee to day, whan thou
come ayciis me. So j sey thee, vSo god save thee wccnest. thou
that j haue tauht thee now al my wit and al myu art, p. 46.
She kept back part, about the Sacramental Bread. 151
' For vn-to the, nat ne syt [c. & st.] orace oteu,
reports
ff 01' to knOWen al my WVt I [Stowe, leaf 104] Sapience and
Aristotle.
Thow dyst yt neuere yet dysserue. ,, so it is not
Sqm-what to me I wyll reserue, 5748
To be mor strong in bataylle, a " * arts -
Lyst thow woldest me assay lie ,,
"With thy sotyl sophystrye,
To don to me a vyllonye 5752
With argumentys off fallaas,
Sout out in som x mane?' caas, [' sought out / in *omme St.]
By fraude or by decepcyoura
if or lakkyng off dyscrecyou/*. 5756
' But tel me now A-noon, I preye,
And the Trouthe nat geyn-seye,
Yiff I gaff a purs to the, l( J were to
offer yoti^u
Ryght fayr & ryche vp-on to se, 5760 P urse >
And wentyst forth vritJi-al A-noon ;
And sodeynly, whan thow wer eon, a (1 y
fiMUHl money
Par caas thow fourade ther-in as blyue iu 5t
Off gold thre pecys, outher fyve 5764
Outher .vj., whan thow hast sou lit,
Tel on, as yt lyth in thy thouht,
Wer yt deceyt or sophystrye, should i have
J J f J J > deceivedyou?
Or myghtestow off gent(e)rye 5768
Seyn I hadde deceyved the 1
Answere ageyn ; tel on ! lat se ! '
Arystotylles 2 Answerde : [st., The pyigrym c.]
' Certys,' quod he, ' me lyst nat lye,
Yt were no maner sophystrye, 5772
But A tookne off gentyllesse-; [stowe, leaf 104, back]
And also (pleynly to expresse,) [icafsc]
A sygne (as I kan devyse,) NO: but a
Off honour, love, & gret fraunchyse.' [c.&st.] 5776 honour ami
Sapyence speketh:
' Certys,' quod she to hym ryht tho, [Cap. ixxxi,
' Thys bred I haue yrnadd ryht so,
So sotyl ek, yt ys no doute,
But I ha not shewyd wt/i-oute 5780
- Aristotle, in the Fr. Prose, rightly, and in Caiub. MS. Altk'iihani.
152 Why Sapience didn't explain tlw Sacramental Bread.
Grace Die* ' The grcte Tresour wych verrayly
reports
sapience. Ys shet wit/i-Inne secrely,
bread'-"' """ ^ O1 '^ folk y S for to
Lown u?e A y> whan the y ther-off ha nede ; 5784
witotalfc 1 A 1101 specyally to hem that be
ffrendys vn-to charyte,
Wych in ther passage, nyht & day
Holden ay the ryhte 1 way. [' Right* St., ryht c.] 5788
Alle swych (yt ys no dred)
Shal he sustenyd with thys bred,
And haue ther ful repast witA-Inne,
Swych as be nat infect \vitii synne. 5792
And Over-mor, (yiff thow take bed,)
if lima, Yiff the valu off thys bred
men would
not have Were yshewyd al wttA-onte,
lared to eat J
!t - Men sholde nat (yt ys no doute,) 5796
Haue no maner hardynesse
ffor taproche, in sothfastnesse ; [stowe, leaf 105]
But rather, for verray feere,
Go, seke her bred ellys where, 5800
To ther sustentaci'ouw.
Here is no ' But her ys no decepcyouw.
deception.
But curteisye & gret bouwte,
Honour & lyberalyte ; 5804
ffor, to speke in wordy s fewe,
But yiff I dyde wit/i-oute shewe
A grete 2 thyng by apparence, p grcte St., gret c.]
The wyche, 3 as in existence, [ 3 whiche St., wych c.] 5808
[leaf 86, back] Were nat wit/<-Inne, (who lyst se,) [C.&st.]
piacelf within But verray smal off quawtyte,
sninuthiiiK of _,, . , r ..,
small value, Ihou myygntest than[ej me repreve,
And by argumentys preve 5812
Ageyn me (in conclusyoun)
vonmiKht A maner off decepcyouw,
W blamed ^ nc ^ blame me in many wyse.
rcapJhtxxii, ' And yet to the I shal devyse ,, 5816
Another Answere, wych to the ,,
Shal suffyse, yiff thow lyst se. .,
I Holde yt no deceyt at al, ,,
Thogh to the Eye it shewe smal, 5820
She asks Aristotle if he's ever seen a Mans Heart. 153
' And wit/t-Inne be gret & large. [c. & st.] Grace oieu,
Wher-vp-on, her I the charge sapience ana
1 Aristotle.
That chow be-leue yt stedefastly,
* ' You must be-
And put no doute, but fermely 5824 "evem-miy.
Truste ay so, off herte & thouht ;
And loke thow denye yt nought,
But her-on feythfully abyde.
ffor yiff that I (on any syde) [stowe, leaf 105, back] 5828 Had i done
-rr , , , . ,, otherwis-e,
.Hadde yt mad in other wyse,
Than thow a-forn hast herd devyse,
I hadde, thorgh my neclygence, i should have
mi > been blame-
lher-in don ful gret offence. 5832 worthy.
' But tel me now A-noon, I preye, [cap. ixxxiii,
1 J ' prose.]
And spare nat, platly to seye
As thow semest in thys matere,
Wych hast repreuyd me so here, 5836
Off myche 2 thyng, nat yore agon, p myche st., wych c.]
Trowest thow answere A-noon,
That nat a-cordeth -with resouw.
A vessel, hows, or mans'iouw 5840 YOU say the
it / o i T vessel cannot
May be lasse (& her I gynne) be less than
Thara the thyng that ys wit/i-Inne. contains:
4 But ffyrst I axe, to voyde al stryff ,
Sawh thow euere, in al thy lyff, 5844
Off man hys 3 herte the qua?ztyte? [ 3 mannys st.] [leafs?]
A A i i till did y 01 ' nvcr
Answere A-geyn ; tel on, lat se ! ' * the heart
Arystotyles Answereth :
1 Certys,' quod he, & that ful blyth, Yes, often,
' I haue yt seyn ful offte syth.' 5848
Sapyence axeth:
' Thanne,' quod she, w*t/i-oute slouthe,
' Declare to me the verray trowthe ;
Syth thow halst thy Sylff SO WyS, [Stowe, leaf 106] Then tell me
How gret ys yt, to thyn avys.' 5852 i *
Arystotyles answereth:
1 Sothly,' quod he, ' I dar expresse,
As touchyng the gretnesse,
Yt ys but smal vn-to the sihte ;
ffor ther-wit/f-al, vnnethe myglite, 5856
An hungry kyte (& do no wast,)
154 Man's small Heart is not satisfied with the World.
Grace Dieu
reports
Sapience and
Aristotle.
' It is nut
lui'tfe enuugli
to teed a
kite.'
'What is
its inward
capacity ? '
' Nothing can
satisfy it.'
[leaf 87, back]
' It lias been
said
t h;it no place
in the world
is empty.'
1 Ther-off ban a ful ropast,
To stauwche bys hunger (for gret nede,)
At the ifulle hy*-sylff to Ifede.' 5860
Sapyence axeth :
Quod Sapyence to hym ageyn,
' Than axe I the (no thyng in veyn,)
Yiff thow knowe auht, answere to me,
The inward gret capacyte 5864
Off an herte, wych ys so smal ;
And yiff yt myghte (to reknen al,)
Be fully fed in any wyse ;
Or what thyng myghte to yt suffyse 5868
To appese hys gret delyt,
Or stau?/che hys gredy appetyt.'
Arystotyles answerd : cstowe, leaf ioc, back]
' Certys,' quod Aristotiles,
' I dar afferme douteles, 5872
Ther ys no thyng that I kan se,
That may Gyve ful sawle
(Who that wysely kau aduerte,)
ffor to stauwche a gredy herte, 1 5876
Nat alle the world, yt to fulfyl, [stowe, leafioe, back]
Thogh" yt were hooly at hys wyl.' [stowe]
Sapience argueth :
Than we her-vp-on / quod Sapience, ,,
' Yt behoueth in sentence, [st. & c.] 5880
That the fulfyllyng in substau??ce
To the fulle haue suffysaimce ;
Or ellys yt mot nedys be
That the wlgar atictoryte, 5884
Wych for thy party thow hast leytl, ,,
Prevyd by argument & seyd, ,,
In al the world, thow toldest me, ,,
Ther may no place voyde be ; Non cat dare vacum 5888
And yiff that woyde wer any thyng,
Yt sholde folwe, off thy seyyng,
That yt niuste f ulfylled be ;
1 Camb. MS. reads : Serteyn, quod he, fulfille it, and saulc it,
and stauuche it, mihte not al the world, thouh al at his wille
lie hadde it, p. 48.
So the Thing containd can be greater than What contains it. 155
' Or ellys off necessyte 5892
Yt muste algatys voyde a-byde :
Thy sentence me lyst nat hyde.' l [ to hyde st ]
Arystotyles Answerde : [stowe, leaf m]
' Touchy ng,' quod he, ' that I ha sayd,
So ye be nat evele apayd, 5896
I wyl afferme the same yit,
I wende trewly to my wyt.
ffor to speke in wordys pleyn,
That gret Good most souereyn 5900
Sholde (but yiff my wyt be dul,)
Make a thyng ffor to be ful.'
Sapyence speketh:
'ffor-soth,' quod she, 'thow seyst ryht wel,
And ther-in erryst neueradel. 5904
But yt behoueth (yf thow kanst se,)
That yt mot nedyes gretter be
Than al the world ys off gretnesse ;
And than mot folwen in sothnesse, 5908
(Vnderstond, & herkne me,)
That yiff that thyng sholde closyd be [c. &st.]
W/'t/i-Inue the world, (yt ys no drede,) ,,
On som party yt muste excede, 5912
(I dar ryht wel the trouth expresse,)
Or overgon yt for gretnesse.'
Arystotyles : 2 [ St. adds Answenl ']
' Certys,' quod he, ' I may nat wel [stowe, leaf 107, imck]
In thys wit/t-sey yow neueradel.' 5916
Sapyence argueth :
' Than her-vp-on,' a-noon quod she,
' In any wyse how myght yt be,
That thys world, so gret in al,
Wit// [in] an herte that ys so smal 5920
Myghte be put, or closyd be ?
if or thanne, o tf necessyte
Mot nedys folwen, & off Resoun,
The hous or thabitaciu >ura 5924
Mot be lasse (a preff to wynne,)
Than the thyng yput wi't//-Innc.
"Wher vp[on], conclude I may
Grace Dieu
reports
Sapience and
Arittotle.
' God created
tlie world
full.'
' And tin.- is
truth.'
But must l>e
greater tliun
the world,
[leaf 88]
and must
extend
beyond it.
Therefore
the house is
less than
that con-
tained in it.
156 All Rome and Athens can be held
Grace oieu ' That al thy wordys (yt ys no nay,) 5928
sapience and Be repreuablc foiwde in dede,
Aritotle.
~ And verray fills, yitf thow take hede.
[Cap. ixxxiv, ' Also to the I shal devyse
i win prove A preff in a-nother wyse, 5932
manner? 1 '' 6 By open demonstracyoufzs.
Hastow nat ben in thilke touws,
Eome, 1 and Atlienys ek also,
And soiourned in bothe two, 5936
fful many a yer in bothe leyn,
The manor & the gretnesse seyn,
YOU imve And be-holde ther gouernaurcce 1
seen Rome
and Athens Now yiff thow haue in Rcmembrawjce 5940
many times?
By cler report off outher touw, [stowe, leaf IDS]
Tel me thyn Oppynyouw,
[leaf 88, back] What space of land they do contene,
And yiff thy wyth may eke sustene, [stowc] 5944
HOW far are I charge the that thow me telle
they apart?
HOW many What noumbre off clerkys ther-in din-lie, ,,
students have
they? 1 Off ther estate and ther degres, [c. &st.]
And the gretnesse of ther cytes.' 5948
Arystotyles answerede :
' Certys,' quod he, ' to sey the sothe,
They are They be gret and large bothe,
large, and J
have many Rovmd off COmpaS. & rVIlt WTO6. ,,
students.'
And many scolerys ther a-byde, 5952
And many a-nother craffty man,
As I ful wel Remembre kan.'
Sapience Axeth :
Quod Sapience, ' than pray I the,
thyng that thoAv telle me ; 5956
where then Touchyng ther makyng and byldynges.
have you put . , '
aii the great- Yift thow hast al thys grete 2 thynges [ 2 grot c., ^rete St.]
ness which
you have Reportyd wel, on euery syde,
Wher hastow put hem to abyde?' 5960
Aristotiles answerde : [stowe, leaf ios, back]
Quod he, ' vritii support off your grace,
1 kan telle noon other place,
1 Grece, in Camb. prose.
'in a Man's Memory ; all his Head in an Eye or Mirror. 157
' (ffor to speke in wordy s pleyuc,)
Wher I ha put tho townys tweyne,
So renomyd & flourynge in glorye,
Saue only in my memorye ! '
Sapyence :
* 2fo w sothly,' quod Sapience,
Thow hast shewyd thy sentence
To me ful pleynly & ryht wel ;
And declaryd yt euerydel
In wordys wyse, & nat rude.
And her-vp-on thow shalt conclude,
(Yiff prudently thow lyst take heed,)
Yiff thy memorye be in thyn hed,
Thow seyst yt ys in lasse space
(Who so lyst a-ryht compasse,)
Than ys thyn hed, on outher syde, [c. & St.]
Wher thy Memdrye doth a-byde.
' Also ek, in wordys fewe,
A-nother exauwple I wyl shewe r
Wych I to the reherse shal
Off thyn Eye by the bal : \
Yiff thow ther-to kanst loke a-ryht,
Yt ys but smal vn-to the 1 syht,
And conteneth lytle space ;
And yet the gretnesse off thy face
A-bydeth there, (yiff thow list lere) [stowe, leaf 109)
Swych as yt ys, hool & entere
In Routtdnesse off that lytle bour.
' Tak hed also off A merour, \
Or ellys off a lytel glas.
To purpos in the same cas,
Wher thow mayst ek thy face se
Off what gretnesse that yt be !
' And yiff thow wylt in bettre wyse, .
Vn-to the, that I devyse
To assoyl thyn Argument
ffynally to myn entent,
That seyst I sholde ha falshed the,
And repryved thy Maxime,
Whan I seyde, yiff thow take heed,
Griice Dieu
report*
59G4 Sapience.
Iu my
memory ! '
5968
5972
5976
'This is a
wise answer,
[leaf 89]
for the
memory is
contained iti
the head.
5980 [Cap.lxxxv]
[UliySt.] 5984 The eye is
small, but it
can embrace
all the face ;
5988
5992
599G
0000
and the face
can be seen
in a small,
mirror.
158 So every part of the Sacramental Bread lias full Virtue.
Grngf Dieu
reportt
Sapience and
Arittotle.
From these
examples
leam that I
spoke truly.
In a broken
mirror each
part retains
the virtues of
the whole.
[leaf 89, back]
[Cap. Ixxxvi,
prose.J
Am I to
understand
this locally
or virtually ?
[Cap. Ixxxvii,
prose.]
Not locally,
certainly.
Some under-
stand it
virtually and
some other-
wise.
' That Query party off thys bred
Off vertu, in especyal,
I make as gret as I do al, 6004
Tliogh yt be broke on many a part.
'And tak Exauwple (for al thyn art)
Off A merour, fyrst hool at al :
Thogh yt be brooke on pecys smal, 6008
In eche part and quantyte
Thow mayst as wel tliy face se [c.*st.]
As toforne, (yiff thou lyst lere) ,,
Whan yt was fyrst hool and entere 6012
Aristotiles Axeth : [stowe, leaf 109 ; nm. c.j
4 Now, 1 myne owne lady dere, [' stowe, leaf 109, back]
I pray yow, 2 (towchyng thys matere,) [* yow pray st.]
Wych be so sotyl in koraiyng,
Telletli me, touchyng thys thyng, 6016
Vnderstonde ye " localiter,"
Or ellys " virtual iter ? "
Lat thys thynges ben yset,
To-gydre bourcden & yknet ; 6020
In boimdys closyd so strongly
That I ther-on may feythfully
Gyve answere, as yt ys skylle,
Or close my mouth, & so be stylle.' 6024
Sapience Answereth: [st, om. c.]
' I vnderstoude nat,' quod she,
' " Localiter," as thow shalt se ;
Thys to seyne, \vith thy grace.
He occupieth ther no place. 6028
Sowrne vnderstonde certeynly
That he ys ther vertuously ; .i. virtuaiiur St., om. c.
Sowme seyn " ymaginatiue,"
And soraine " representatiue," 6032
On ther oppynyouws, as they dwelle.
And this exauwiplys I the telle,
To yive the ful avyse'inent
How thow mayst, in thyw entent, 6036
Conceyve, that halst thy sylff so wys,
And to yive the, good avys,
How a cloystre off sinal mesure
The, Sacramental Bread contains the Greatest Good. 159
Grace Dieu
report*
Sapience.
As a small
vessel may
contain much
food,
[St. &C.] 6044 [leaf 90]
so; in this
>j small bread,
is the greatest
good.
C048
' May co?prehende gret pasture ; 6040
And!, as grete thynges set [stowe, leafiio]
In sniale bondys may be knet.
' And evene so, yiff thow take hed,
Vnder lyknesse off thys breed.
The grettest good most sovereyn
Ys ther closyd in certeyn ;
Nat only " ymaginatiue,"
Nouther " Representatiue,"
(Vnderstond now wel my lore,)
Nor " Virtualiter " wM-oute more ;
But ther yt ys 1 put sothfastly, ['ysytstj
(Yiff thow lyst lerne ffeythfully,) 6052
Bothen " Corporaliter "
And also ek " Realiter ; "
Bothe " Presencialiter "
And also ek " Veraciter ; " 6056
Wi't/j-oute al symulaciouw,
Peceyt, or any Ficciou?*
And off thys puttyng, the cause why
I haue declaryd in party. 6060
'ffyrst, yiff thow consydrest al,
ffor an herte that ys smal,
I ha the bred mad smal also,
(Yiff thow take good hed her-to.) 6064
And for hys gret capacyte,
The good that hath most sovereynte,
I haue ther-in put (certeyn)
The good that ys most souereyn : 6068
Gret vnto gret, smal vn-to smal,
Wych ys Answeryng in al, [stowe, leaf no, back]
And corespondent by mesure.
ffor affter that (I the ensure,) 6072
That an herte be gret or smal,
Kyht so, in especyal,
Answeryng, by mesure,
Ryght so ys made 2 the pasture ; [ z made St., madc.3 6076
A smal herte (tak good' hede,)
ffyndeth also smal the bred.
' Consydre & se the mane/ 1 howh :
It is there
corporally
and really.
[Cp. Ixxxviii,
prose.]
For the small
heart, I have
made small
bread,
and I have
great for the
great.
It is made
to suit, all
capacities.
160
Tfce Virtues of the Sacramental Bread.
[leaf 90, back]
Grace Dieu,
reports
Sapience.
Every one
has enough.
The " house "
is less than
the good
dwelling
within it.
I ought to
answer no-
tiling, unless
at my will.
If I work a
wonder
I ought not
to be im-
peached.
[leaf 91]
' Yiff he desyre to haue ynowli, 1 [c.&st.] 6080
He shal ther ffynde (Truste me)
Suffysaurece to hys sawle,
Hym to fulfyllun at hys Ese,
And hys desyrys to appese. 6084
Aud, as I reherse shal,
Her ys noon offence at al,
Mouther vn-to yong nor old.
' And for thys cause that I ha told, 6088
The hous ys lasse, witA-oute' wene,
Than thylke thyng yt doth contene ;
And lasse (for short conclusiovm,)
Ys the habytacyoura 6092
Than the good (I dar wel telle)
Wych wtt/i-Inne the hows doth dwelle.
' And I suppose (tak also hed,)
That vn-to the, by lyklyhed 6096
I hadde don, in my werkynge,
Som thyng wych wer nat syttynge,
Off wych thovv wer nat plesyd wel.
And ek (to Reknen euerydel,) 6100
That I ha told the in substauwce,
Thogh yt wer nat to thy plesau??ce, [stowe, leafiii]
I ouhte off Reson, nor off skyl,
Answeryng no-thyng but at my wyl, 6104
Off ryht nouht, (as semeth me,)
Nor take no maner hed to 2 the [* heed off St.]
Off no-thyng that thow hast me souht.
'And, par cas, yiff I hadde wrouht 6108
Some vnkouth thyng that wer notable
By Aventure, or profytable
Mor than any other whyht,
Wych wer inerveillous to syht, 6112
I ouhte nat, as thynketh me,
Off no wyht apechyd be ;
Consydred how (in sothfastnesse)
That I am namyd a " maystresse," [c. &st.] 6116
Wych ouhte suffysen vn-to the :
1 Camb. MS. reads : If it wole ynowh, if. shal fyndc with-inne
that that may saule it, and fillu it and suffice it, p. 49.
Aristotle resolves to go home and let Wisdom alone. 161
' Thow gest as now no mor of me : [C. & St.] Grace men
reports
Tak thys now in especyal. sapience.
'As for Answere to the, fynal, 6120
Lo, her ys al, in wordy s pleyn :
Go now. & retourne home ageyn GO home,
mid tell
To Nature (in cowclusi'oim), Nature "
To 1 mak to hyre relaci'ouw, E 1 Ana St.] 6124
As she that ys (shortly to fyne,)
A symple scoler clepd off myne ;
And also (yiff thow lyst to lere,)
But off Grace my chauiberere. 6128
' And syker, I wyll that y t be wyst,
I wyl do what-euere me lyst, i shall do
J just xvhat I
W herso yt plese outlier greve, please,
And take off hyre no maner leve ; 6132
And don what euere lyketh me, [stowe, leaf in, back]
Only for loue off Chary te ; and only for
What euere hyre lyst, that shal be do : ake.'
My wyl ys that yt shal be so. 6136
ffor what-so that hyr lyst devyse,
In al my beste ffeythfull wyse
I shal consente (& tarye nouht,)
To al that euere she wyl ha wrouht, 6140
In specyal & in general.'
And whan that he hadde herknyd al, [Cap. ixxxix,
prose.]
Thys Aristotile gan abraide,
And humblely to hyre he seyde : 6144 Aristotle says
Aristotle meked hym selffe. ^1?^^*'
' Sothly,' quod he, ' I se ryht wel it is no good
arguing with
Yt may avaylle neueradel wisdom,
(ffor ouht that I kan espye,) 6147
With yow to holden chauwpartye, 2 [ 2 champartye St.]
Or Argue al the longe day :
Yt ys best that I go my way. He'ii go
J ^ j j home>
Do what yow lyst, ffer or ner, 3 [c.&st.] [ieaf9i,back]
Youi J myglit ys grete, and your power; 6152
What-so ye lyst, ye may weH: don.'
3 Camb. MS. reads : Dooth what cucre ye wole ; good leeuc
ye haue, p. 50.
PILGRIMAGE. M
1G2 / ask Grate Dicu for th-e Bread from Moses's Table.
Grace Diett.
Then Aris-
totle went,
and told
Nature all,
but she bore
it with
patience.
[Cap. xe,
prose.]
The Pilgrim.
When I had
heard this,
I longd for
that bread ;
and prayd
(intee l)ieu
[' alle St.]
to grant me
the bread I
sought.
[Cap. xci,
prose.]
[leaf 92]
Said she:
' Your request
is reasonable ;
' And thus thys mayster ys a-gon,
And dyde ek a hys bysy cure,
ffor to tellen to Nature
Off hys exployts and off hys sped.
And a-noon, as she took heed,
She gan to gruchen in hyr thouht ;
But whan she sawh yt wayllede 2 nouht,
Mor to maken resistence,
She suffrede al in pacience.'
Whan Grace Dieu off hyr bou?ite,
Thys tale hadde ytold to me,
To-forn as ye han herd devysed,
With gret desyr I was supprysed
In my thouht & my corage,
And hungrede for myw avauntago,
In hope tave had the hettre sped
ffor to haue Etyn off that
[C. &. St.]
6156
6150
[Stowe, leaf 113]
[* vayllede St.]
6164
6168
The Pylgrym prayede.
[St., om. C.J
" Ma dame," quod he, & gan hy?n. meke,
" Humblely I yow be-seke,
Me to grau?ite, to myn encres,
Off the Eeleff off Moyses,
My voyded herte to fulfylle,
Wych so longe (a-geyn my wylle,
As ye wel knowe,) hath voyde be,
And neuere ne hadde hys f nl sawlee. 3 [ 3 sawie St.]
ffor, to thys tyme neue>-e yit
I nat conceyvede in my wyt
Wher-wj't/t yt myghte fulfylled be ;
ffor wych, I pray yow, grauteth me."
Grace Dieu Answerde
1 Certys,' quod she, ' thy requeste,
I holde yt ys nat dyshoneste ;
ffor thys bred ys necessarye
To alle folk wych lyst nat tarye
In ther vyage, thus semeth me.
ffor, or thow come to that cyte 6188
Whyder thow castest for to gon,
By many weye's mo than on,
Thow shalt be troublyd (yt ys no drcd)
6172
6176
6180
[St., om. C.]
[Stowe, leaf 112, back]
6184
[C. & St.]
Grace Dieu promises me the Bread, and Scrip and Staff. 1G3
' Yiff thow haue nat off thys bred, 6192 Grace men.
Al thy sorwes for tapese, . vml wil1 nee<l
this bread on
Thow art lyk to haue dysesse, your journey.
And in thy weye 1 gret offence ; [' weye st., wey c.]
ffor wych thow shalt ha lycence G196
To take thys bred, & ek cowge.
' But fyrst, off ryht & equyte,
Toward thys bred or that thow drawe,
(As yt ys wryten in my lawe ;) 6200
Thow must ha fyrst, pocess'iowi But first you
must have
Off a sherpe 2 & a bordoim, p swippe St.] your scrip
and .Stall';
As thow to-forn Requeryst me
In lowly wyse to grauwte hem the. 6204
' And 1 answerde the ageyn ,
And the be-hihte ek (in certeyn,)
That in myn hows ther was plente and i win -
Off bothe tweyne : thus told I the. 6208 thm*. 1
And tolde the, on the tother syde,
That I sholde for the provyde,
To shewe the, in my depoos,
Thynges that wer wit/t-Inne cloos, 6212
J and show
Wych I ha shew yd but to fewe ; you other
wonderful
But vn-to the I shal hem shewe. [stowe, leaf us] things in
my house.
And sowme off hem secrely [Cap. xcii,
I ha the shewyd in party, 6216
And am ay redy (as I tolde)
Thy couenauwtx''* 1 for to holde
Wit/i-outen al collusion??.
'And towchyng shyrpe 3 & bordouw, [ 3 skryppe St.] 6220
Thow shalt hem haue (as I be-hihte) [stowe] [leaf >, back]
Deluyered in thyn owne sighte. [stowe, leaf us]
And after that, (yt ys no drede,) [stowe]
Thow shalt nowe put ther-in thy bred [c. & st.] 6224 YOU shall put
J the l.iva.l in
"Wtt/t-Inne thy shryppe, 3 as yt ys ryht ; your strip/
And affter that, thow shalt ha myght,
fforth vp-on thy way, by grace,
As A pylgryui for to passe. 6228
The pylgryme answerid : 4 [The Pyigrym Answerde. st.]
" ^Ea dame," qwwl he, vrith gret meknesse, [Cap. xt-m,
prose.]
4 In Stowe's hand.
164 Grace Dicu says she must put my Eyes in my Ears.
Tke Pilgrim.
I thank her.
[Cap. xciv,
prose.]
Grace Dieu
lead* me to
a place full
of jewels.
Grace Dieu.
and tells me
to look und
see;
but that
I can only
xee my scrip
and bourdon
if my Kyes
are placed
where my
Ears are.
Therefore (the
will take out
my Eyes,
[leaf 93]
and place
them in toy
Ears.
The Pilgrim.
I say I
would rather
leave both
scrip and
bourdon
" I thanke vn-to your worth ynesse ;
ffor my desyr & my wysshynges
Resten fully in thys thynges. 6232
I wolde, mt7-oute wordys mo,
Have hem fayn, & ben ago."
Thanne thys lady, off hyr grace,
Ladde me in-to a place 6236
In wyche (who kan reporte wel)
Was ful many a ffayr lowel,
Vp-on wyche myn Eye I leyde ; [stowe, leaf us, back]
And Euene thus to me she seyde : 6240
Grace dieU Spake : C In Stowe's hand. The Stowe MS. has it.]
' Lefft vp thyw Eye, be-hold & se, 1
And tak good heed now vn-to me !
' ffyrst, thys skryppe & thys bordoure
Haven thys condycyouw, 6244
That thow in soth may them 2 nat se, [* mayst hem St.]
But yiff so falle, thyw eyen be
Set ther as thyn Erys stonde.
And therfor thow shalt vnderstonde, 6248
Yiff thow hem seye A-noon now ryht
Wiih thyn Eyen cler & bryht,
Wher as they be, now truste wel
They sholde the plese neueradel. 6252
Wherfor I shal (yiff that I may)
Bothe thyn Eyen take away,
And hem out off her place fette ; [c. & St.]
And in thyn Erys I shal hem sette, 6256
That thow mayst, at lyberte,
Skryppe & bordourc bettre se.'
the pylgryme matvelethe : 3 [The Pylgrym merveylteth. St.]
" Madame," quod I, "what lyst ye seyn?
Me thynketh that ye speke in veyn : 6260
Ye speke off thyng that me wer loth, [Stowe, leaf m]
And make myn herte wonder wroth,
And yive to me occas'iouw
To leue skryppe & ek bordoiiH, 6264
1 From 1. 6241 to 1. 6581 is a dialogue between Grace Dieu
and the Pilgrim touching the five senses, and as to the transfer
of his eyes to his ears, all which is omitted in the Camh. MS.
and in the first French prose. Aldenham. s In Stowe's hand.
Grace Dieu explains ivhy my Eyes must go in my Ears. 165
" And to for-sake bo the tweyne. fke Pilgrim.
And syker (yiff I shal nat feyne,) J'|; d "^ ergo
I hadde leuere to do so, figureinent.
Than to endure so grete 1 wo, [' grete st., gret c.] 6268
ffor tapere rnonstruous,
Or shewe me-sylff so odius ;
Or that ye sholde (I yow ensure,)
So me transforms or dysfygure." 6272
grace dieU Spake : 2 [* In Stowe's hand. It is in the Stowe MS.] Groce Dim.
' Vnderstond,' quod she, ' a lyte SSS^SSs:
In thys mater, my sylff taquyte,
Off wych I shal the telle more.
' Yt ys not yet ygon ful yore 6276
(Yiff thow remewbre, & lyst tak heel.) YOU remem-
ber that you
Whan thow doutest the off thys bred, >iildn't un-
derstand
And haddest merveil (ek parde,)
By what Resouw yt myghte be, 6280
Whan thyn herte stood in doute
That so myche folk aboute '">" so many
* folk could be
Hadde in thys bred ful suff ysamace, 5 W with tins
J J bread.
And ful repast to ther plesaunce, 6284
That al thy wyttys, in no wyse
Koude teche the the guyse [stowe, leaf in, back]
Of thys vnkouthe 3 pryvyte; [ 3 vnkouthe St., vnkouth c.]
And, ne hadde thy Erys be, [stowe] 6288 [leaf 93, back]
(Yiff thow Remembre the ryht wel,)
Thow haddest knowen neue>'adel.
* For yiff yt be a-ryht concey ved, [C. & st.]
Alle thy wyttys wer deceyved, 6292 Your senses
Q6C6ivu you*
And lyede pleynly vn-to the,
What they felte or dyde se,
Saue the trouth (& thus y t stood) But your
x J ' Kars told you
With ihyn Eryng stylle a-bood. 6296 the truth;
' Wherfore I muste (of verray ryht.) therefore I
must put
Translate mvn Eyen & thy syht, y"r %e
* * into your
Tliyder wher thy?i Erys stonde. Kars
And (as thow shalt wel vnderstonde,) 6300
Thyw Erys muste haue Eyen clerc that y u ma y
perceive tins
Taparcey ve, in thys matere, [c. & st.] c iearf r -
And to conceyven euery thyng.
166 Grace Dieu explains why my Eyes must go in my Ears.
awe pifit. ' ff or, trustc me wel, that Eryng .i. Amutus st., am. c. 6304
Wei dysposyd, voycle of slowthe,
Kan the telle best the trouthe,
In thynges wycli that ben dotous,
Wonderful & merveyllous. 6308
' ffor wych thyng, I wyll nat lette,
Ther thyn Eyen for to sette,
With hem to sharpe nior thy wyt ;
for you do ffor tilow seyst nat clerly yit, 6312
not;e J J
clearly yet. As tllOW Olllltest 111 UiyW lliyilde.
Thow trustest vp-on fouve' blynde.
On whoin tro \vynge, (truste me,) 6315
Thow art fill blynde, & ijiayst nat se. [stowe, learns]
' But yt be-houeth, that clerly
YOU must Tilow mustest sen, & openly,
Bee clearly
before taking Or tllOW liaUC pOCBSSlOUM
Scrip and
Bourdon Outlier of skryppe or off bordoun. 6320
out of in y
lunwe; ff or thow shalt hem nat possede,
Nor bern hem out (yt ys no drede,)
Out off llly?^ hous, in no man ere,
(Sherpe 1 or bordouw bothe yfere) [' skripi>e st.] 6324
[leaf 94] Tyl thow kiiowe (wi't/i-oute slowthe) [c. & st.]
Ht'and'ulr Verrayly the pleyne trouthe
J'f an tlS? ' Off al that hath be told to the
ha. been toid Touchynge thys bred ; now truste to me, 6328
And wene nat, in 2 no maner wyse, p in St., nat c.]
As I shal to the devyse,
That I no-thyng off volunte
Seye thys wordys to tempte the 6332
A-skawnce : I wolde A-geyns ryht
Wit/i-drawe that I ha the be-hyht :
i win keep To the, my promys I wyl kepe ;
my promise J 1
to you, ffor neuere, vakyng d nor t \-slepe, pwakyngst.] 6336
(As I ryht wel reherse kan,)
leceyved neue/'e man
thyng that longede vn-to
' And ther-fore doute no-thyng the, 6340
i win not That I wyl to no strange' fourme,
deface <>r de- J
form you. Ihe diffaceii, nor dysfourme ;
ffor platly (in conclusions)
for i never I decoy ved neiie/'C man
deceivd any *
H"" 1 - Off thyng that longede vn-to me.
I object to have my Eyes taken out and put into my Ears. 1G7
' Yt lytli in thyn ellecci'ouM, 6344 Grace oieu.
And ill tllV fre cllOVS Vt Slial be, [Stowe, It-arm, back] You have
J J J free choice.'
ft'or to chesyu, as for me
To settyu thy?i eyen her or there.
' And for my party, thow shalt lere 6348
Yiff thow in me haue swychii l tryst, [' swyche st., swyt-h c.]
ffor to Kemeue hem, wher me lyst,
As for onys to assay e,
Yiff I ther-wyt/i nat the dysmaye, 6352
But do yt for thy/i avauwtage,
Tlie ther nat pleyne on no damage.'
The pilgrim axltlie : [l>iStowe' hand. The Pylgrym Asketh. St.]' The Pilgrim.
" Wher-otf serueth (touchyng thys thyng) i ask to
J J J ' what eiull
Clernesse oft myn vnderstondyng, 6356 ii<'ui imve
J ll J \ clearness of
Wych clerkys calle (in sentement) uiKierstand-
Intellect or enten dement,
Wych hath Eyen (I dar seyn so,)
As manye (or an hundryd mo) 6360
As hadde Argus / of yore agoon, [stowc] [ieaf9i,baei>]
Yit in hys Erys / hadde he noon, hSJ^d,
In bookys olde / ye may weH se.
" I hope yt stant nat so \ritJi me, [c. & st.] 6364
That good avys shal me so fay lie,
Jfor no Rudnesse so masaylle.
Me thynketh pleynly (as I tolde)
But that myn vnderstondyng sholde 6368 My'under-
Techyn me the trouth al pleyu, si.onid teut-u
me plainly
And ther-to haue no dysdeyne, without iun-
IIIR my eyes
Me tenfourme of al thys thyng, [stowe, leaf no] removed.
"WWi-outen any remowyng 2 [ 2 Remewyng st.] 6372
Off the Eyen in myn hed
Into 3 myn Eryn (who kan tak hed) ; p into st., in c.] it would be
Wych wer in soth An vnkouth syht, [st.&c.] iigh,wni
Brcat marvel
And gret merveyl to euery whyht." 6376 to everybody.
Grace Dieu Answerde 4 [* st., am. c.] Grace DWI.
Quod grace clieu, 'tak hed, & se,
Thyn vnderstondyng (truste me)
Wolde in soth ha no dysdeyne
To teche the the trouthe pleyn. 6380
But thow mayst truste me ryht wel :
168 Grace Dieu shows hmu I misunderstand the matter.
Grace Dieu.
Grace Dieu
saya that I
don't under-
stand the
matter we
are talking
about ;
and that for
luck of know-
ledge I have
fallen into
darkness.
[leaf 95]
The under-
standing has
but one eye,
and gives
judgment by
what it sees.
It cannot see
further tlian
the outside,
' He vnderstondeth neuemlel
Off thys raatere that we off talke,
He goth be-syde, & maketh a balke, 6384
To sen clerly thexcellence,
The valu and the 1 magnyfycence c 1 the om. sto
Off that we holde our parlement,
He ys so feble & indygent 6388
ffor lak off knowyng (in sothnesse),
He ys [so] fallen in dyrkenesse, 2 [* dyrkenesse St., dyrknesse CJ
That he knoweth her-of ryht nouht,
Truste me well, (yiff yt be souht,) 6392
The verray trouthe, (so god me saue).
' And ther thow seyst, he sholde ek haue
An hundryd eye'n, & yet mo, [stowe, leaf ue, back]
Thow shalt wel wyte yt ys nat so, 6396
Nor that yt ys a thyng credyble, [St. &co
Nor off hys lookys wych be possyble,
"Wych he hath by successyouxs ; ,,
I sey nat off then ten cyoims ,, 6400
Wych thow hast in many wyse ;
ffor than (shortly to devyse)
In swych caas thow seydest wel,
And elles platly thow shalt fel 6404
Thow wentyst foule out off the weye.
' ffor he hath only but on Eye,
That Symply seth & vnderstondeth,
And thynges wych he vnderstondeth 6408
Lyk to hys syht, as they doth 3 deine, pdost.]
He byt, & kan no ferther deme.
Swych thyng as longeth to hjm off ryht,
ffor to be demyd by the syht, 6412
He recey veth to hys presence ;
And thanne thyra Intelligence,
Also ffer as he doth se,
He Gyveth hys doom in that degre : 6416
On thyng nat seyn, he kan nat muse ;
But al swych thyng he doth refuse,
And sent yt forth (pleynly to seyn),
Outward, ther as yt kam a-geyn. 6420
ffor lak, he kan no ferther se,
Grace Dieu explains the 5 Gates of Penance's Sermon. 169
[stowe, lesf 117]
* Thorgh hys ffoltysshe vanyte.'
The pilgrym axithe: c/ *A*
" Ma dame," quod I, "ful gladly
I wolde wyten certeyuly, 6424
Clerly to be put out off doute,
What ys he that wych sendeth oute,
And what ys he (ek in certeyn)
That Eeporteth hem A-geyn 6428
Tydynges erly & ek late ;
And y iff ther be ek any gate
A-twen the brynger / and hym that sent ; [c. & st.]
I wolde fayn / in myn Entent [stowc, leafin] 6432
Off yow / haue Informacyouw, [stowe]
And clerly dyffynycyouw."
Grace Dieu Answerthe [stowe, c. wank.]
' Certys,' q>iod sche, ' by thyn askyng [St. & c.]
Thow shalt neuere knowe no thyng 6436
As I be-leue, in substamzce.
' Thow herdyst whylom, how dame penauwce
Made a declaraciouw
Off vj. gatys, in hyr sarmoim. 6440
And fyve off hem, she sayde blyue,
That they wer the wyttys fyue ;
By wych gatys she dyde assure,
That al fylthes & al ordure 6444
Entrede in, 1 in sondry wyse, pinnest.]
(As thow herdyst hyre devyse,)
Whan they wer open, & nat cloos.
The wych gatys, to my purpos [stowe, leaf 117, back] 6448
I wyl now take in specyal
W/'t/<-oute preiudice at al.
f ffor thys gatys, I calle " porterys,"
" Bryngerys-in 2 & massagerys" pinnest.] 6452
Off echo 3 thyng, & sayd w*t//-oute, [* eciie St., ech c.]
But yiff yt falle wit/t-oute doute,
Certeyn Secretys, wych that be
Hyd & ydon in pryvyte. 6456
Thys gatys I callc the "passages,
Wherby in 4 passen the massages." pinnest.]
' Thys to seync (vnderstond me wel ;
through
vanity.
The Pilgrim.
I ask who is
lie that sends
out, and who
that brings
in, tidings
early and
lute.
[leaf 95, back]
Grace Dieu
refers t<> the
sen i IDH of
Dame
I'euauiice.
The five gates
are the five
senses :
and these
gates are the
bringers in
and mes-
sengers.
170 The Eye and Nose report to Fancy, and she to Intellect.
awe Dieu. ' Concey ye my speche euerydel :) 6460
The Eye is y e y s the gate, lookyng porter ;
the porter. J J J o r
The Nose is Nose, the dore & massagcr
the iliK>r and
messenger. Who kan parcey ve ys smellyng ;
And semblably in euery thyng, 6464
Eueue lyk yt doth be-falle
Off thyn other wyttys alle,
Thanne whan that lokyng is porter
[leaf 96] Off the Eye, & massager. [c.&st.] 6468
' And I wyl here by & by ,,
concerning Speke off the Eye specyally,
the eye: * J f J J>
And lete the tother passe & gon.
'Now herkne, & thow shalt here A-noon 6472
As I sayde rathe vn-to the, [c. & st.]
Look-ing is Lokyng, -with wych men do se/
Vn-to the Eye ys porter
(As thow well wost) & massager; 6476
who, when And wlian that he seth thynges newe,
he sees new * '
things, ffresshe & lusty of ther he we, [stowe, leafiis]
ffayr or foul, \vher-so yt be,
He bydeth nat in no degre, 6480
Nouther slepeth nor resteth nouht,
But, as swyfft as any thouht,
Thorgh hys bysy dyllygeiice,
A-noon, (as he hath licence 6484
Off the wyttys callyd comwne,
Thanne hys offyce to contune,)
makes a He maketh a demonstraciouw,
report ot
them, Report & ful relacyouw, 6488
first to ff yrst off aft, to fantasye.
Fantasy J
'Thanne ffantasye doth hyr hye / .1. Fastinat st.
who goes to To Go forth to Entendement, /
uient, To yive a trewe lugement 6492
Off report that he hath brouht,
Justly to deme, & erre nouht,
Be yt off thynges newe or old.
' Now telle I the, as I ha told 6496
Amongys al thy doomys stronge ;
Yilf the thyng vn-to \\yin lougc,
Thanne he (in conclusiouw)
Pilgrims go to Hearing ; he goes to Fancy ; she to Intellect. 171
' Wyl yt demyn off Eesouw. 6500 Grace Keu.
And ther-vp-on ek determyne, whu-h jmifjes
MMNUNg to
And in hast hys doomys fyne, reason.
"\Vhan he hath cerchyd yt & sought.
' & yiff to hyw yt longeth novht, G504
By hem that brouhte yt (in certeyn), [c. &st.] [leaf DC, back]
In haste he sent yt forth ageyn ; [stowe]
The Messagerys (Erly and late) [stowe, learns, back]
Conveye y t by the same gate [st. & c.j 6508
By \vych yt kam : lo, her ys al. ,.
' And mor to the I telle shal ;
(Reporte me wel at alle tynies ;)
The skryppe that lougeth to pylgrymes, 6512
(I mene, off pylgrymes in specyal,
Swyche as be goodti foiuzde at al,)
"Whan they hew skryppen eue/ychon,
They fyrst vn-to the gate gon 6516 Pilgrim* w
_, first to the
Off the Ere, & oft Eryng ; Katcoftiie
ear an.) of
And ther, witA-onte mor taryyng, hearinjf,
Hem sylff redy for to make,
ffyrst, the porter they awake 6520 nni awake
the Porter,
Yiff that he slepe; and tlian A-noon,
By thylke gate, in 1 they gon. [' inne, stowe, leaf us, bai-k.]
' Off other gatys (I ensure)
They do no fors, nor ha no cure ; 6524
ffor heryng ther ys cheff porter ;
And he goth forth as massager, who goes as
_. ., ' , niesseiiKer
ftyrst to wyttys that be coniwne ;
And, or that they ther-on coniwne, 6528
They make a demonstracyoiw
Cler, 2 & ful relaci'owa, p ciere st.]
To fantasy e, wher as she 3 Syt. piwst.] toFantai.y ;
' And no lenger she abyt, 6532
But to the grete Illge she gOth then Fantasy
OVherso that he be glad or wroth) ; jJse KH-
tviidemviit;
fehe sheweth platly hyr entent
Yn-to thys luge, Entendement. 6536
And whan that he hath nuisyd longe [stowe,
Thcron, in hys doomys stronge,
And he, for lak off knowelychyug,
172 Grace Dieu argues. I agree to have my Eyes in my
Ears.
for lack of
knowledge
lie could give
no judgment.
Taste, touch,
and sight
were all
deceived.
To know the
truth, a man
must place
his eyes in
his ears ;
they Khali
then judge
truly, and
not err.
The Pilijrim.
I unswerd,
I have con-
sidered
everything,
and wish my
eyes to be
placetl in my
ears at once.
[leaf 97, back]
ffeleth ther-in no mane/- thyng,
Thanne off Folye, he chek maat,
Awhapyd and dysconsolat,
Sent yt ageyn (yt stondeth so)
By thylke gate that yt kam fro ;
ffor he (shortly, in sentement)
Koude gyue noon other lugement,
ffor al hys wyttys wer a-gon,
Sane that Eryng (among echon)
Kam a-noon to hys refuge,
ffor to deme & be a luge,
As yt longede off verray ryht.
' ffor smellyng, Tastyng, touch, & Syht,
They wer deceyved, euerychon ;
And for to knowe the trouthe a-noon,
And a trewe doom to make,
A man muste the Eyen take,
And to the Erys hem translate,
"VVych off Eryng ys the gate ;
And ther, whan they be set aryht,
They shal be cleryd so off syht
To deme trouthe, and no-thyng erre,
Bryht as any scran e or sterre.'
The pylgrym answereth :
" What euer," quod I, " that ye han sayd, [st<
Ther-off I am ryht wel a-payd.
I ha consydred euerydel
That ye to-forn ha seyd ryht wel ;
ffor wych, ma dame, (as ye best se,)
I wyle 1 that my 74 Eyen be c 1 w
Wt/-Inne my/4 Erys set a-noon,
Or ye any ferther gon.
ffor I ha conceyved in my thouht,
That to me, ful lyte or nouht
My pylgrymage sholde avaylle,
Yiff so that I dyde ffaylle
To haue a Skryppe / or Burdon."
IT And tho / to myn Entenci'on /
(Lyche as to yow / I tolde Late /)
Eyen two she gan translate
[c. &st.] 6540
6544
[St. & c.]
6548
6552
6556
6560
6564
6568
[Stowe, leaf 11U, back.]
[Stowe] 6576
Grace Dieu moves my Eyes, and gives me Scrip and Staff. 173
In-to myn Eryn, ther they stood. [stowe]
And for she sawh that yt was good, [C. & St.] 6580
An huchche she gan a-noon vn-shette ;
And out a-noon ther-off she fette
(Lyk to myn oppynyoim)
Bothe a skryppe & a bordoim. 6584
[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.']
1 0ff wych thynges, a-noon I
Gan to merveille ful gretly,
With myn Erys (as she me tolde)
Whan that I gan hem be-holde : l 6588
The skryppe mad & shape clene, [stowe, leaf 120]
By A gyrdel heng off grene,
The Avych was (as I vnderstood)
Spreynt AVi't/t dropys off red blood, 6592
Wheroff I was abaisshed sore.
And over that, I sawh yet more :
Vpon the same gyrdle stronge,
Off syluer, smale bellys honge, 6596
Twelue in noiunbre, & no mo,
Wei enamellyd ; & also
Ech off hew (I yow ensure)
Hadde a dyuers Scrypture, 6600
The lettrys large & curyous ;
And in the ffyrste was wryte??. thus :
" God the ffader," fful wel ywrouht,
That heuene and erthe made off nouht, 6604
And made ek man to hys lyknesse,
Off hys grace & hys goodnesse.
And ferthermor (yiff I shal telle)
Was wry ten in the nexte belle : 6608
" God the Sone, off wysdam most."
In the thrydde, " God the Holygost."
And they wer mad so wel, echon,
Semynge to me they were al on ; 6612
And wet//-Inne I dyde se
A claper that seruede hew aH thre.
In the fourthe was wryte & graue,
How goddys sone, man to sane, 6616
1 1 Not in Camb. prose. Aldcnliam.
The Pilgrim.
Grace Dieu
transfers my
eyes into my
ears,
and brings
forth a scrip
and stuff.
I marvel
greatly.
The scrip
hangs by a
green girdle,
sprinkled
with drops
of blood,
with twelve
silver bells
hanging.
[Cap. xcv,
prose.]
1. God the
Father.
[leaf 98]
2. God the
Son.
3. God the
Holy Ghost.
4. Christ's
coming on
the earth,]
174 My 4>th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and, Qth Girdle-Bell* of Silver.
The Piiffrim.
ami birth by
a Virgin.
5. Christ's
passion,
crucifixion,
and burial.
(5. His descent
into Hell.
[leaf 98, back]
7. His Resur-
rection.
8. His Ascen-
sion.
9. Holy
Church.
Cryst ihftm, descended JOUM
ffrom that hevenly mansyoim
In-to the Erthe. & be-kam man
And (as I reherse kan,)
Off the holy gost conceyved,
Porely in thys world receyved,
Born off A mayde pur & ffre,
Ay flouryng in vyrgynyte,
Wych alle wewmen dyde excelle.
And wryteu in the fyfftlie belle,
Graue in ordre, by & by,
Was hys grete tormeutry,
And ek how lie was crucyfyed,
And how that he for man hath dyed,
And suffryd ful gret passi'oim,
To niaken hys redempcyouH,
With many wovwdys ful terryble,
And rebukys ful penyble,
Mankynde only for to save ;
Take fro the croos, put in hys graue,
Affter al hys peyne & wo.
And in the .vj. Avas wryte also,
(Wrouht, yt myghte nat be amendyd,)
How he to helle ys descendyd,
Hys frendys ther to fette a-way,
Wych hadde be there so many a 1 day
To bryrige hew to paradys.
And in the .vij. (by gret avys)
Was wryte hys resurecci'oiw ;
In the viij., 2 hys Ascenciou?*
Vp to the hihe heuene ageyn,
With hys fader (in certeyn)
To sytten there on the ryht syde,
With hym perpetuelly tabyde,
Ther to demen quyk & dede,
Eury man affter h} r s dede.
Also (yiff ye lyst to wyte,)
In the nynthis ther was wryte
(Graue off hym that dyde yt werche,)
Crystys spouse, hooly cherche,
[Stowe, leaf 12(1, back]
GG20
6624
6628
6632
6636
[Syxte St.]
0640
i a om. St.]
[Sevenths St.] 6644
[* heytlie St.]
6648
[Stowe, leaf 121]
6652
6656
The I0th, llth, and 12th Silver Sells. My Staff. 175
With al hys dyuers paramentys, ne pilgrim.
And aH the .vij. 1 sacramentys. [> sevcnc St.]
And in the Tenthe, men myhte so in - The Com-
munion ot
The Oonyug and the vnyte 66GO Si| "" 8 -
Off seyntys, the conmnyoim,
Ordeyned for mahys 2 refeccyoun, [* mannys St.]
And off synne's Indulgence
By baptesme & by penytence. GG64
And in the .xi. 3 (be wel certeyn,) [ 3 Ei'.eventiie st.] n.Theiws-
iii;; of all.
Was the Eysyng vp A-geyn V' e '' ast
J " ' Judgment.
Off aH raan-kynde, bothe hi& & lowe,
Whan gabryel hys horn shal blowe, 66G8
To calle aH: ffolkys off entent
To koine to the lugement.
Body & sowle (as ye shal lere)
Bothe knet Ageyn yfere, GG72
Shal ther come to audience,
ffor to heryn the sentence ;
And thyder haven ther Repayr
To-for the luge hih" in the hayr, 6676
Goode & badde : thus stant the caas. [leaf 99]
And in the .xii., 4 grauen ther was [ 4 Tweithe St.] 12. The Re-
ward of the
Only, off gOOde, the gUerdou;/-, [Stowe, leaf 120, back] Goo<l,aiidtlie
Punishment
And off wykked, punycyou7, 5 p the punycion] 6680 "yj'jfj
Swych as dycle no penau?zce,
I^or ne hadde no repentau?ice
To make amendys, I yow ensure.
Loo, her, hooly the scrypture 6684 Howsimii i
._ describe the
Oft the syluer bellys clere, staff?
And off the namel 6 ek yfere. [ 6 Thenamci St.]
Now shall I tellen the ffacz'oxw [Cap. xovi,
And the mane/- off the bordou, 6688 pr sc ' ]
Wych was (yiff ye lyst to lere)
Wrouht & mad in thys manere :
Yt was ymad bothe strong & lyht, it was strong
Long also, & evene vpryht ; 6692
Off drye wode (yiff yt be souht) of dry wood,
Wyche neuere ne roteth npuht, whidi does
. not perish
JNor neuere pensslietn, (in certeyn.) b r R r
J " water;
JN outlier for ffyr, nor ffor no reyn. 6696
176 My Staff has a Mirror on the Tap, and a Carbuncle below.
Yt was ywrouht & mad so wel j
it imd a And a-boue, a Koiwd poomel
mirror at
the top, Off a nierrour, that shon ful bryht,
And gaff envyroim a gret lyht, G700
in which In the wycli, men myghte se
might be J
seen aii the ff er ffrom hem al the centre
country lar
and near. Bovwde aboute hem Envyroiw.
ffor ther ne was no regyoiw 6704
So ffer from yt, by no dystaimce,
(To Reknen euery cyrcumstauwce)
But men myghte sen yt euerydel,
And beholde yt ffayre & wel. 6708
i saw in it And in that myrour dyde I se
the City to J J
. . The rnaner hool off the cyte
the City to
which I wa
To the wych I was so bent [stowe, leaf 122]
ffor to gon, in myn entent. 6712
[ieaf99,backj ffor wych (in myn oppynyouw)
I preysede gretly the Bordouw,
And louyd also wel the bet.
There was & lower doiw ek ther was set 6716
another |>om-
do e wn wer A-nother poomel, wych off makyng
Was lasse & Round, (to my seemyng,)
a charboncle ston,
The wych as any so/me' shoon, 6720
Thorgh al the centre shadde hys lyht
(Yt was so Oryent and so bryht)
An huge compas rouwd a-boute.
And whan she hadde y taken oute 6724
Thys two lo welly s ffayr & ryche,
I trowe nowher wer noon lyche,
Grace Dicn Grace dieu (fayre mot hyr falle !)
calls me, and
wy: In goodly wyse gan me calle. 6728
Grace Dieu. Grace dieu speketh :
[Cap xcvii, Thys lady goodly spak to me,
' Kom ner, my sone ; tak hed & se ;
Loo her (yiff I shal nat feyne)
Thylke Ryche Gyfftys tweyne 6732
Wych I be-hihte whylom to the ;
And thow shalt nat deceyved be.
' Loo her A skryppe & a Bordoiw,
Grace Dieu gives me a Scrip (cald Faith], and a Staff. 177
' The wych. (off hool entencyouw) G736 Grace mtu.
I gyve to the, now kep he??i wel ! [stowe, leaf 122, back] ' LO, i give
OJ L tliee a Scrip
Considre the maner everydel, ttlld a staff >
How they be ryht necessarye
To forthre the, (thow shalt nat tarye,) 6740
To helpe the in thy vyage, they win help
J J e tliee in thy
And to specie thy pylgrymage. pilgrimage;
Thow shalt off hem have ay gret node,
Yiff thow lyst thy lourne spede, 6744
Nedful to pylgrymes alle ;
And "fevth," thy Skryppe thow shalt calle ; andtuou
J shall call thy
Wyth-oute wych, 1 may nat be C 1 yt *cratcht out] scrip Faith.
Brouht aboute no lournee 6748 [lenfioo]
Nor vyage that may a-vaylle.
ffor, thy bred & thy vytaylle,
Ther-in thow shalt alway concerve,
And alle tymes thow shalt observe 6752
Thys skryppe wel in thy bandoiw,
In euery cyte & euery Tourc,
In al thy moste feythful wyse,
And also for to auctoryse. 6756
' Touchyng thys Skryppe callyd " ffeyth,"
Herkne what thapostel seyth Hearken
J what the
In a pystel that he endyteth, a P s <;l e 8a ,y s .
* J J touohin<; this
And to the Romayns pley?zly wryteth : 6760 ^Sft fl
" The ryht-ful man, wM-oute stryff, ISmans? the
By thys skryppe lat hys lyff ; " 2 lustus ex Fide uiuit
Thys to seyne, that ffeyth off ryht
Yiveth lyff to euery maner whyht ; 6764
As Abachuch that hooly man, AS also in
the second
In hys wrytyng reherse kan, u la i pt i e r, f
J J J i Habakkuk,
The secou?de chapytle off hys book, 3 [stowe, leucm]
Who so lyst lyfft vp hys look. 6768
' And thys skryppe (wit/i-oute wene,)
Off hys colour mot be grene ;
Wych colour (who so look a-ryht)
Doth gret co?fort to the syht ; 6772
2 1. 17, as it is written, ' The just shall live by faith.'
3 Behold, his soul (which) is lifted-up is not upright in him :
but the just shall live by his faith.
PILGRIMAGE. N
The Given of the Scrip is mingled with the Red Blood
Faith makes And so doth ffeyth, (who taketh lied :)
pilgrims glad * ^
an.i bright, Yt maketh pylgrymes glad & lyht,
With hem abydyng day & nyht; G77G
ami comforts And in ther weyo (I dar reporte,)
them in the J ^
wa y> Gretly doth hem Reconforte.
ffor good l pylgrymes euerychon, [' goode St.]
On pylgrymage wlier they gon, 6780
Only ffeyth doth hem sustene,
ns the green By exawnple, as the grene,
colour gives "
clearness to The gentyl colour glad & lyht.
the sight. J
[icafioo, bk.j Yiveth clemesse to the syht. 6784
2 ' Whan the grene al wtt/i-oute
it is of more Ys spreynt with dropys Eouml aboute
value, when
sprinkled off red blood (who kan entende).
with blood,
Than tlie syht yt doth amende 6788
fful gretly, I dar wel seyn ;
ffor ther ys drope 3 noon certeyn, p droop St.]
But yt ys worth, & off mor prys
To pylgrymes that be wys, 6792
than either Than outher perle or margaryte.
l>earl or
margarite, And (as I dar ryht wel endyte,)
Yt is mor Ryche & precyous,
and has Mor off valu & vertuous, 6796
more worth
and virtue Ihe bloody dropys, wbaM they be spreynt [St., leaf 12.-!, bk.]
Vp-on the grene, & ymeynt,
To make a man mor strong & lyht,
And tafforce \\ith hys syht, 6800
than any Than auy other Ryche ston
stone. ffor to rekne hem eue?'ichon,
' The grene ys good in specyal
Whan the rede ys meynt \vith-al 6804
The red Off blood : for pleynly the Rednesse
8hows the
blood of the Wych that was shad 4 m clennesse [shaddest.]
martyrs
Off gloryous martyrs longe agon,
That spente her blood, & leffte noon, 6808
But suffrede al the vyolence,
And the mortal ek 5 sentence [ 5 eke / the mortal St.]
Off Tyraimtys Tyranye,
2 From 1. 6785 to 1. 6359 is omitted in Canib. prose. Aklenham.
of Martyrs who died to set Pilgrims an Example. 179
' And sparede nat platly to dye, 6812 Grace Dim.
(Ther legende so wryt & seyth) bo r d . 1 ^ for
J J ' the faith.
ffor to dyffende cry sty s ffeyth ;
ffor wych, vp-on thys skryppe off grene,
The bloody dropys ther ysene, 6816
Shewyn (in conclus'iouw)
Ther martyrdam, ther passiouw,
Off ther owne voluTzte,
Only to yiven vn-to the 6820 [leaf 101]
Verrayly an exauwplayre
(Wherso-euej-e thow repayre)
To suffre deth for crystys sake,
Eather than thow shust forsake 6824
Thy skryppe in any maner wyse,
Off wych thow hast herd me devyse.
' ffor seyntys wych that suffrede so, [stowe, leaf 124] The saints
J J J that suffered
I wot ryht wel that they be go 6828 went to
J Paradise.
To paradys, & Entryd in ;
ffor the swerd off cherubin, The sword of
the cherubim
Wych whilom at the "ate stood, wl| Rtood t
the gate is
Ys so blontyd vtit/i her blood, 6832 Blunted with
' their blood.
That yt ys (I dar wel seyn)
In l the skawberk vp ageyn. C 1 in to St.]
' But now-a-dayes it stant 1 so, / But now
Hooly sey?tys ben aH a-go, 6836
That wer so myghty & so strong,
And dradde nat to suffre a 2 wrong paom.st.]
ffor the ffeyth, yt to dyffende,
Her lyff , her blood, ther-on to spende ; 6840
Redy they wern, & that a-noon ;
But now, annethe 3 ther ys nat on C 3 vnneihe st] there is none
to put him-
That wyl hvm putte in lupartye, seinnjeo-
J J J ' pardy for the
Crystys feyth to magnefye, 6844 fi* 1 *-
Nor make myghty resystence
Ageyn Tyrauwtys by dyffence.
' Yet sowme boste & speke grete Yet some
boast,
Whan they be famous, ful off heete, 6848
And han yheete & dronke at large, w ' ien th y
have eaten
Her bely stuff yd as a barge : and drunken,
Than they, for our feythys sake,
180 Now, folk brag Ind don't fight for the Faith. Heresies.
Grace pieu. ' "Wyl crystys croos vp-on hem take ; 6852
And, as champyoims, thawne they seyth
timt they win That they wyl fyhte for our ff ey th.
flfflit for our J / J
faith, But whan yt kometh vn-to nede,
deaf 101, bk.] Al that they spak touchyng dede, 6856
but their Yt ys for nouht, I dar wel seyn :
boast is vain. . J
And thus ther host ys but in veyn ;
By ther wordys tliey wyl nat dwelle. [stowe, leaf 12*, back]
[Cap. xcix, < But by old tyme, I shal the telle. 6860
prose; c:ip. *
sw i oinu- Whan I the skryppe gan fyrst devyse,
(ML
Yt was al in a-nother wyse,
The scrip \Vi't/i-OUte bellyS, Symplely : .1. simplicity St., om. C.
luul no bells J * J J >
at nrst, Tha?j suffysede, stedef'astly 6864
To loue god, our creatour,
And hym to seme vrith gret honour,
hut when ' But affter roos vp heresyes,
heresies _ ,
arose, OppynyouTis & lantasyes, 6868
The ffeythe 1 falsly for to greue; [' neythe st., ueytii c.]
and men And ther gan eue/-y man to leue
believed on
God aceoni- On god attter hys owne lust,
in? to their
own opinions, And sette pleynly Al ther trust 6872
Affter ther owne ffantasye ;
Off wych (yiff I shal nat lye)
(of whom Somme wer call yd " Arryens,"
some were '
Arrinns, And so?>mie also " pellaijyens," 6876
and some
Pelagians), Wttft ther oppynyoxins newe ;
And other sectys ful vntrewe,
The feyth off cryst for to werreye,
And lyst nat to the cherche obeye, 6880
Thorgh ther false oppynyou?&s,
Concludyng by collusiouws
Off falshed shewyng many sygne,
Ageyn thy skryppe to malygne, 6884
Ther-vp-on to be a-wrekc ;
Off Avhom me lyst no mor to speke.
' But my speche I wyl restreyne, ;
ffor wych cause, folk dyde hyr peyne, 6888
prelates of And prelatys off the cherche,
the church,
Ageyn ther malys for to werche,
Makyng in especyal [stowe, leaf 125]
Councils reformd the CJmrch, and set 12 Articles on Sells. 181
' Senys & cou?jsaylles general, .i. simxia st. 6892 Grace Dieu.
Off prouydence & gret avys, Oaf 102]
js j.i i j.. ii_ i made synods
nor to wythstonde ther malys, and councils
And ther errours to putte a-way,
That contynuede many a day, 6896
To re forme the hewte to store the
unity of the
Off the cherche by vnyte, faith ;
I mene, by vnyte in substaurcce
Off our ffeyth and our creauwce, 6900
In ther hool Entencyoiw ;
To make Restytucyou,
By ther dyllygent labour,
Off that was broke by ther Errour, 6904
That wtt/t-Inne nor wtt/i-oute
Yt sholde no mor be put in donte. ,
'And for that skyle, & no thyng ellys, and they
lU'Vlsfl tl>6
They souhten out the .xii. bellys 6908 twelve ueiis,
That I off spak, & I the telle :
They sette lettrys in ech belle, with letters
in each,
And articles off our creaiwce, and Articles
of our Belief,
By thapostolys Ordynamice ; 6912
The wych wer mad (vn't/i-oute stryff) made in the
J v J ' primitive
In hooly cherche prymytyff. church.
' And in the Skryppe (tak hed to me)
Off wyche 1 now I telle the [' which* st., wych c.] 6916
(Off entent ful pur & clene),
The bellys, mad off syluer shene, And the beiis
were hung in
They hengen hem, as thow mayst se, the scrip,
Wych thow howest (off duete) 6920
Off te sythe's here hem Rynge, [stowe, leaf 125, back]
Off entente only to brynge
Ther sown vn-to thy remerabrauwce,
And how thow shalt, in thy crea\;/ce, 6924
Leve in god ay stedefastly.
' And for that skyle, cowtynuelly
In thyn Erys the tawake,
Thy bellys shal a chymbyng make, 6928 to leach thw
Day be day (in sothfastnesse) EtfSftShT
To teche the the stedefastnesse [leaf 102, bk-.j
Off the feyth, thy-sylff to Saue.
182 The Bells on thy Scrip of Faith teach thec Belief in God,
Grace Dim.
and limn
Jierdr-t HO
other clock,
day or night,
if t i H MI count
their strokes
truly.
Thou
shouldst
always think
upon the
scrip called
Faith,
and what the
Apostle
writes to the
Romans.
Thou shalt
first believe
in God,
[leaf 103]
and that this
wine and this
bread are
changed into
flesh and
blood.
' And the nedeth nat to haue G932
Noon other horlege, 1 day nor nyht, C 1 Orioge st.]
ffor to smyte thyw hourys ryht,
Yiff thow ther strokys trewly tellys,
.xij. hourys and .xij. belly s ; 6936
And ek also graue in the lettre
.xij. Artycles, to go the bettre,
Wych shal echon yfouttde be
Wyth-Inne thy skryppe, to teche the, 6940
And teuforme the wel ynowh.
' But thow hast be somwhat slowh,
In thyn herte to taken hede,
Ther scrypture for to Rede ; 6944
I mene thus, thy sylff to saue,
The Scrypture in the bellys graue ;
Yet, by ther chymyng (in substauce),
Thow sholdest ay ha remeibraiwce 6948
Vp-on thy skryppe callyd " ffeyth,"
' And thynk ek what Thapostel seyth :
To the Romeyns he endytetb,
Pleynly seyth, and thus he wryteth : [stowe, ieufi2G] 6952
" That thys bellys, in ther chymynge,
And by iioyse off ther sownynge,
Parfytly they brynge in feyth Fides ex auditu. Romanes 10.2 st.
To the Erys ; and thus he seyth : 6956
" Wher thyn Eyen be set most clere,
The verray trewe sown to here,
Abydynge, nat transytorye,
To excyten thy Memorye, 6960
Thy pylgrymage to Acheve,
How thow shalt ffyrst, in god be-leue ;
Wych doth nat ynowh" suffyse,
Wyth-oute that I shal devyse. 6964
' ffor yt be-houeth ek herto,
That thow mustest beleue also
Stedefastly (yt ys no dred),
That thys wyn & ek thys bred \ 6968
Be chauwgyd in-to flesshe & blood.
2 x. 17. So then faith (cometh) by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God.
the Sacrament and the Trinity. She puts the Scrip on me. 188
' And her-w-it/t-al yt ys ek good, Grace men.
Be-leue god in Trynyte, Believe also
J J in the
Thre personys in vnyte. 6972 'i'ri'i'y;
And, thy ffeyth mor strong to make,
Thow shalt a good exaumple take and take nn
/-> i ITI example from
Ore thylke syluer bellys thre, tlie tlir ee
J . J silver bells,
To wych, in Tookne off Vnyte, 6976 winch have
, .. . . one clapper
A claper serueth in chymyng, in chiming.
J J ' in token of
Wych declareth in sownyng, unity,
" Ther ys but O god, & 11O 1710." and declare
'There is hut
' And tak Alway good hed her-to, 6980 e God.-
ff ro tliys, that thy ffeyth nat varye,
Who-euere sowne the contrarye. [stowe, leaf 126, hack]
And truste wel how the purtycles
And the Remnau;it off Artycles 6984
Of aH the tother, (who kan entende)
Euerychon, her-on depende.
4 Now take thy Skryppe, & go thy way, Take the
And thynk her-on ryht wel alway ; 6988
And forget nat (yong nor old,) and forget
No thyng that I ha the told, i have told
"YVryt in thyn herte as in a book.'
[The Pilgrim.] The Pi, g ri m .
And off hyr hand the Skryppe I took ; 6992 [Cap. ciii,
But she, only off hyr goodnesse,
The skryppe aboute me gan dresse,
Thys Grace dieu, ful manerly, Grace nieu
And Tapoynte yt ffetvsly, 6996 the scrip over
,, / J myshoul-
Ouer 1 my shuldere she yt caste, ponst.] ders,
And be-gan to bookele yt faste,
In travers wyse, yt tenbrasse,
She gan the gerdel to co??ipasse ; 7000
Made the pendant, that was long,
To be knet & fastnyd strong,
That the Tonge thorgh gan perce.
And than to me she gan reherse 7004 [leaf 103, bk.]
A scrypture off ysaye Mr* 1
Remembryd in hys prophesye, onsaiah pter
The .ii. 2 chapytle ye may se, p Eiieventhe St.]
Grace dieu seyng to me : 7008
184 Grace Dieu gives me a Girdle, and a Latin Creed.
Grace Dieu.
First, thou
shalt nave a
girdle of
Righteous-
ness
as a restraint
of the flesh.
She then
gives me a
writing,
Grace Dim.
which con*
tains n
description
of the scrip.
Grace dieu : l [ Dieu s P ak st.]
' ffyrst, thow shalt haue ffor Sykernesse [stowe, leaf 127]
A gyrdel off Ryghtwysnesse,
To restreyne al lecherye.
And, for to make also dye 7012
Al tflesshly lustys euerychon,
I shal the gyrde (& that a-noon,)
Wyth thys skryppe, wych thow shalt bere
It is in Latin.
for clerks
who can un-
derstand it,
[leaf 104]
and for them
I give it.
The to dyffende (that no thyng deere)
On pylgrymage, wherso thow go.'
And thawne she took a wryt also
Out off hyr huchche, & rauht yt me.
[Blank in MS. for an Illumination]
' In thys wryt, thow mayst,' quod she,
' Be-holde the descrypci'oiw,
The maner hool, and the fasoure
Off the skryppe that I the took ;
And offte cast ther-on thy look
ffro day to day, the bet to spede ;
And offte sythe that thow yt rede,
The cope pleynly, & scn'pture,
The wych ys mad (I the ensure)
In latyn only, off entent
To yive to the entendement,
And to clerkys that kan lettrure,
And vnderstonde hem in Scrypture,
That they may, both hit" & lowe,
The maner off thy Skryppe knowe,
To folwe the ffeyth off crystys secte ;
To hem thys latyn I dyrecte.
7016
7020
7024
7028
7032
7036
185
A LATIN POEM ON THE ARTICLES OF THE
CREED.
(43 Stanzas of 12 lines each
(1) [p. sis, v]
1 c Redo ego catholicus, 1
Simplex sim uel iherarclricus,
Fide firma & simpliei :
Iniplicite, si laicus,
Explicite, si clericus, 5
Simbolo volo subici,
A firmamento deici,
NuTiqztam volo nee effici,
Vt planeta erraticus : 9
Malo mortem 2 qua??i iufici,
Erroribtis heretici,
Legi dei concentricus. 12
(2)
In deum, a quo conditus 13
Est nnmdus, credo 3 primitus
lam lucis orto sidere :
Fidei est introitus,
Vbi, ego neophicus, 17
Debeo pedem figere.
Paruw est deo credere,
Vel deum ni preponere
Ei velim 4 in corditus : 21
Nisi eum diligere,
Velim verbo opere,
Et toto corde penitus. 24
(3)
Fatrem primuwz magnifico 25
Eteruum, et glorifico,
A quo meum exordium,
Eu?n.-qt6e sic specifico,
Catholice & explico, 29
Qiii genuerit filium,
Eum-qe esse aliu?w,
Non aliud per proprium,
Fersonale diuidico : 33
Finem atque principimn,
Atqwe eontm nescium, 8
Ymagiuor & iudico. 36
(4) [leaf 104, back]
0??raipotentera pariter 37
Omnia.-que suauiter
Disponewte?, hunc 6 clamito,
Nil frustra, nil inaniter,
Nil-qite nisi vtiliter, 41
Operantem recogito ;
Si in fide hac hesito,
Si vacillo uel dubito,
Non sum discretus arbiter ; 45
Egeo duci digito,
Quia errans exorbito,
Et relinquo bonum iter. 48
49 I believe in
God
53
57
60
61 tlie Father
Almighty,
ryming aab, aabbb, abba. )
(5)
Creatorem nnno fateor,
A quo reus ego reor,
Renun creatas species ;
Quern adorare teneor,
De quo dictum confiteor.
Illi soli tu seruies,
Hoc non feci millesies,
Mea 7 culpa & pluries. 8
Me perditotn intueor,
Nisi dicat " saluus fies !
Tu es mea progenies ;
Tui fili misereor."
(6)
Cell & terre dominum,
Angeloram & Iwminnm,
Eum in fide video ;
Patrem-que esse luminmn,
Dantem tenebris 9 termimim, 65
Sic intueus spem liabeo.
Et si ei non valeo
Servire sicwt debeo, 68
Ob grandem molem criminum,
Quo me verta?n, lui?ic timeo,
Contremisco & paueo,
Ne vindex sit peccaminum. 10 72
(7) [105, col. 4]
Et quia patrem credere 73 Maker of
Non creditur sufficere, jjf e aveu and
Ne non esset relacio '' lj
Ad articulos vergere
Me volo, et coraiertere, 77
Qui dati sunt de filio,
Cuius est generacio,
Sic miranda-qMe racio,
Earn nescit exprimere, 81
Veluti vespertilio
Stupet 11 solari radio,
Sic nescit ibi cernere. 84
(8)
In ihesum Christum, igitur, 85 and in Jesus
Mea fides dirigitur. Christ,
Ipse est pafris filius ;
Genitus est, et gignitur, 12
Et gigni semper creditur, 89
Sicut a sole radius.
Nil in patrc supmus,
Nil in nato inferius ;
In quantu?n deus dicitur, 93
Eternum est suum prius,
'Kternwn-que posterius ;
Nullis extremis clauditur. 96
1 St. Credo Ego Catholicus. (Jn. Stowe adds, " a large uombar of verses vpon y
crede, in lattyn, should folpw liere in this place.")
2 Mori mato, Print. 3 quo, 1'r. * velis, Pr. 5 eorum fore nescio, Pr.
6 Hunc disix)ncntem, Pr. 7 MS. Maa. 8 pluries, Pr. 9 tenebre, Pr.
10 pecuaminuin, Pr. ll Super, Pr. w giuitur, Pr.
18G
A Latin Poem on the Articles of the Creed.
(9)
His only Son Filiuwi eius vnicuwi 97
our Lord, p er decretum catholicum,
Hu?ic affirmo & assero ;
Sine quo, totuni lubricuwt,
Inane & erraticum, 101
Et carens casu prospero.
Sibi seruum me offero,
Nu?tc, et quamdin fuero. 1
Q?imuis sit valde modicum,
Ad eum-qw me transfero,
Quandocujtqwe errauero 107
1a.rtquam ad polum articum.
(10)
Who was con- Dominion nostrum dicere 109
reived by the TJ 11T ,p ,,00 filii HpYtvrp
Holy Ghost, J , e . .
Qui dicimur cathohci,
Debemus et attollere, [leaf ins]
Mente, uerbo, et opere, 113
Preconio multiplici,
Potestas ei?<s deici, a
Nunquam potest, ncc effici
Minor siue decrescere 117
Sibi-qtte debent subici 3
Terrigeue & celici,
Et inferutw hu?ic tremere. 120
(11)
born of the Qui concep tus est vtero,
Virgin Mary, Virginali, hoc assero,
Illibatis visceribus,
Cuiiw cum pnrscrutauero,
Modu?;i hebetatus ero,
Retensis 4 cu?ictis sensibus,
Hoc fecit ru]>tis vsibus
Et consuetudinibus
Nature, pro me misero ;
Vnde, ex infelicibus
Me repiito hominibus,
Si hec oblitus fuero.
121
125
129
132
(12)
suflferd De spmta aanato fuit, 133
Qttc/rt uirgo deum geuuit,
De deo po^re genitum,
Quern deus carne?n induit,
Et vteruwi IIOTI horruit ; 187
Licet sibi insolitum
Iter 6 fuit incognitmn.,
Et nature absconditum,
Quia fecit vt voluit : 141
Plus scratari est irritum ;
Fides valet ad meritum ;
Et plus vltra no?i arguit. 144
(13)
Natus est temporaliter, 145
Qui uatus eternaliter
De deo pc^re fuerat.
Ipso nato celeriter
Factus est 6 pius arbiter 149
Pro imwdo qui perierat.
Homo entwi offeuderat, 7
Deu?/i qui hu?tc creauemt ;
Et sic erat lis iugiter, 153
Vnde esse non poterat
Qui'a ]\omo qui peccauerat
Nou puniretur grauiter. 156
(14)
Ex maria, ergo, pium
Pacis traxit commercium,
Nona reparans fedem,
Et reddens Arbitragium
Se 8 ad pa^ris arbitrium
Obtulit, proptcr scelera,
Mundi beata viscera
Hui?ts matris, et vbera,
Suuwi-qtw puerperiuw.
Felix ipsa puerpura,
Serniant ei sydera,
Et tottis grex ndeliam.
(15)
157
161
165
168
169
Virgine ipsa firmiter
Seruante, et 8 stabi'iter
Sancti pudoris lilim 10
Slum, Venus et lupiter,
Et totum celu? pariter 173
Mirantur puerperiuui,
Etas q?toqe viuencium,
Et luueutus & seniu?rt, 176
De hoc stupent perhenniter.
'Miror,' dicit, 'ingenium,
Et virgiue?/i et filimn,
Hie studerem inaniter. ' 180
(16)
Passus est ipse filius, 181
Licet pcccoii nescius,
Penas & contumelias,
Facttts-qtw est propicius,
Qui fenis fuerat prius. 185
lam expertus miserias,
Nu)iquam inuentus alias,
Fuit pater-familias,
Qui contulerit plenius 189
Suas misericordias [105, col. 3]
Pro suis, & angustias
Sustinuerit durius. 192
1 vixero, Pr. * deijci, Pr. 3 snbijci, Pr. * Rctunsis, Pr. s Ita, Pr.
6 ct, Pr. ~ lOi, col 2. 8 6cU, Pr. 9 Seruantqe, Pr. 10 filium, Pr.
A Latin Poem on the Articles of the Creed.
187
(17)
Sub, qui supra est, ponitur, 193
Et subdito subicitur, 1
Rex celor?;i altissimus
Coram iudice ducitur,
Et iudicio sistitur, 197
Qui ludex est equissimus,
Superior sit infinvHs,
Et virornm nouissinuts,
A suis-qtte reliuquitur, 201
De maximo fit minimus,
Et licet sit sanctissiiims,
Reus mortis condicitur ; 204
(18)
Poncio Filato, Feram, 205
Fereute et inortiferam
Contra ipsum senteuciam.
In eruce manum dexteram
Affigendam, et altera?^ 209
Extendit in angariam ;
Tu?ic secundum leremiam 2
Transeimtibus per via?;i,
Potuit sua??i asperam 213
Monstrare contumeliam,
Illatam per inuidiam,
CUTO nil egisset perperam. 216
(19)
Crucifixus ille fuit, 217
Et soluit quod non rapuit,
Dans animaui in preciuw.
Sua pena non latuit,
Sanguis fluens edocuit, 221
Et latus suum peruium,
Anime-qwe diuorcium.
Qua?i.tuwt graue suppliciuw
Pro ho?nme sustinuit ! 225
Sium qoqe obprobrium
Yactiim oculis omnium,
Euidciiter hoc innwit. 228
(20)
Mortuus est, eum tradidit 3 229
Deo pn/.ri, et reddidit,
Fuso sanguine, spiritum.
Moriens, artem condidit,
Qua sibi morte?n subdidit, 233
Sibi tollens ius solituiu,
Hostis per hanc depositum
Quod tenebat ad libitum.
Confusus totum perdidit, 237
Infernus-qrte dans gemitu??i,
Videns suoram exituwi,
Sibi dolore?;i addidit. 240
(21)
Et ideo dim moritur, 241 under Pon-
Et du? per hoc reuiuitur, tius rilate
Fletus miscetur gaudio,
Pro morte fletus oritur,
Cu?;i mnocens occiditur, 245
Pro alieno vicio.
Fit autera exultacio,
Cam meutali tripudio, 248
Du??i per morte?;i mors vincitur
Pio tamew arbitrio
Videtur-qe compassio
Satis in plus intenditur. 252
(22)
Sepultus est per triduwre, 253 was crucified,
Vsu sopito seusuum, '
Sicut mortui seculi,
Suu?rt erat irriguum,
Exhaustui atqtw arcuum ; 257
Exhaust! omnes riuuli,
Deleti era?it tituli
Visu wlgaris 4 oculi.
Vincisse fuisse suum, 261
Fuisse caput Anguli,
, Ductor uel rector populi,
Aut deus exercituu7/t. 264
265 a"d buried;
He desmuled
(23)
Descendit eius anima,
Corporis sancta victima,
Relicta in sudario,
Ad acherontis infima [ioe, col. i]
Venit pro dragina decinia, 269
Longo perdita senio,
Non ilia que de gaudio
Lapsa est a principle)
Ad iuferni nouissima. 273
Sed ilia procul dubio,
Que, iu primo pomerio,
Rapta est fraude pessima. 276
(24)
Ad inferna, cum lumine 277 >"'o Hell;
Veniens, & in numine,
Genus Adam visitauit,
A baratri voragine,
Deseiitos 5 in caligine, 281
Suos omnes liberauit,
Ille hostei tti?ic mactauit,
Et mactatuwi spoliauit
Sua consuetudine. 285
Ne furiat in quos pauit
Sicut prius, et quos lauit,
Fuso corporis sanguine. 288
1 subijcitur, Pr. 2 Hieruniam. Pr. 3 leaf 105, col. i.
* vulgaris, Pr. 5 ? Desceiisos.
188
A Latin Poem on the Articles of tJic Creed.
(25)
tiie third day Tercia die redijt, 289
from 'ui e aga '" Et teni l )US no)4 pi'eterijt,
dead; Datum ante diuorcitm.
Regrediens, introijt
Potenter vnde exijt 293
Corporis domiciliuw,
Lapis inagnns ad hostiim 1
Datus in hostiarium 1
Himc ingressum no7t 2 nescijt,
Custodmn-qtte astanciu?n
Sellereia 3 et studinm
Percipere uon neqnijt. 300
(26)
He ascended Resurrexit a mortals, 301
into Heaven, Resumptis viribus suis,
Vltra morti non subditus,
Clausis venis irriguis
Et tersis plagis profluis, 305
Impassibilis penitus,
Vita sibi est habitus, [loc, col. 2]
Priuacio interitus,
Realteratis mntuis. 309
Thome testis est digitus,
Vulneribus appositns,
Ex iussu, clausis lanuis. 312
(27)
and sittetli Ascendit supra sydera, 313
on the right v*. o,, nl M, ppli mm'i-vi
hand of God ^ supra ce \ l supera,
the Father Kediens de incolatu,
Almighty; Transeundo per aera,
Findens redemptis ethera 317
Potentyssimo volatu.
Tune Rachel, cum apparatu 4
Leticie, & omatu,
Exiens sua camera, 321
Obuiawi terso ploratu,
Mutato-qiu; eiulatv,
Ei venit hymnifera. 324
(28)
325
tlience Ad celos, sic (\iiando fuit
001 " 6 Rejzressus, et rehabuit
Honoris primi solium,
Quatdo vnitawz. statuit,
Carnem nostram et ]x)suit, 329
Caput esse celestimn ;
Tu?ic homo in exiliura
Datus, & in obprobrium,
Luctu?n, tergere debuit, 333
Et relevare ciliuwi
Demissuwz propter viciu?H,
Regi-aciando potuit. 336
(29)
Sedet ad dexter awi Dei 337
Patris, cocqualis ei,
Homiuewi sic magnificans,
Tempus sui lubilei
Cognoscens, et requiei. 341
Plus se penis 11071 implicans,
Modus suns est indicans
Quod lam index sit iudicans,
Ne presuma7it nitnis rei. 34/5
Quodqttc 8 deuotus supplicans, 9
Cicius-qtte ius vindicans. 7
Impetrat premia spei. 348
(30)
Omnipote/Jtis tilium 349
Potencie 11011 nesciu?/?,
Hu7ic a?ii?a mea credit ;
Et si quid est coutrarium
Potencie vcl obuium, 353
Huic inesse now. concedit,
Imbecillis si accedit,
Ad mm i\\uu\uam recedit,
No7i repoi'ta7is auxilium. 357
Totum posse suo cedit.
Deus pater, sibi dedit
Regui celi dominium. 360
(31)
Inde venturus, In fine, 361
CU?H, ferula discipline
Et vlcionis gladio,
Eductis tecto vagine
Pro iusticie diuine 365
Exercendo iudicio.
TIIJMS disiu?icte reunio
Hominu?;i et reiuuctio 8
Erit substancie bine 369
Omnium 9 que ostensio
Actuu7 et operacio 10
Absqjte tegmiue cortine. 372
(32)
ludicare cum veniet, 373
Nullus eu?>i effugiet,
Nee hffifiebit diffugium.
Nnllfts ibi excipiet,
Neqwe deffendere sciet 377
Se per declinatoriim ;
Nichil tmic dilatorium
Omnium appellanciu?/i
Valebit ucl proficiet 381
Immo seciindum propnuwi
Opus uel exercitu?n [106, col. 4]
Vnusquisq?te recipiet 384
1 ostium . . . ostiarium, Pr, 2 E(fresum suuni, Pr. 3 Sollentia, Pr.
* On margin : Racliel interprftuta, viilua doinini, & signat cecuui . . qut in morte
[? MS.] slantes dictt ysaias [xxxiii. 7] ' Anjjeli paou a[mare] flebut/ In assensu
ciiu [? MS.] 5 Neqoe, Pr. 6 j^f joe, col. :<. 7 vendicjuis, Pr.
8 MS. ieiunctio. reiuiictio, Pr. '> Umnium, 1'r. 10 apertio, Pr.
A Latin Poem on the Articles of the Creed.
(33)
Viuos & mortuos scio 385
Dissimnli stipendio 1
Ilia die praniari,
Qnosdam eterno gaudio,
Alios-qe incendio 389
Infernali nume/'ari ;
Viuos se potenmt fari,
Et de vita gloiiari,
Quorum erit vocacio ; 393
Mortui-qe uomiviari
Poterunt, et appellari,
Quorwm erit expulsio. 396
(34)
Credo, cum precedentibus, 397
Et cum predictis omnibus,
Quosdam adhuc articulos,
Quos in mumii cMtpwtribua
Totis auinie viribus 401
Colligo ut nianipulos,
Fidei namq?w ilosculos,
Hos sicut et preambulos,
Cognosce ex colovibus, 405
Ad ipws habens oculos,
Vt discurram per singulos,
Nou exceptis aliquibus. 408
(35)
In spiritum sanctu?/i credo, 409
Licet fex siin, et putredo,
Et vilis esca vermium.
Ipsc i>atris est dulcedo,
Est filij, & 2 mulcedo ; 413
Et consolator cordium,
Diceie potest omnium.
Artifex sum per 3 propriuwi,
Patrc nato-qttc procedo ; 417
Digitus SUMI erranuiuwi,
Tcrcia persona trium,
Proeedejts, uuncpoam recedo.
(36)
Sanctam eeclesiam del 421
Credo esse matrem mei, [107, col. l]
CunctoTum-(iue fidelium.
Qui contrariantwr ei,
Facti simt omniwo rei ; 425
Erit eis opprobrium.
Pro hac, quondam martirmm
Passi sum, et supplicium
Boni athlete fidei ; 429
Crnentatnm vestigium,
Et Ronia, caput gencium,
Testes liunt \iuius rei. 432
(37)
Catholica?n, hanc clamito, 433 the quick and
Et refertam recogito the dead -
Septem medicinalibus,
Distinctis quasi digito,
Ad succurrendum perdito 437
In distinctis langoribus, 4
Prinuim originalibus,
Medelam confert onuiibus,
Alia (\ue non hesito, 441
Dant diuersis respectibus
Cura?n infirmitatibus,
Seruato modo debito. 444
(38)
Sanctorum commuiiiouem 445 I believe in
Et glorificacionem ^! e " ol .y
T fi , . , . Ghost, the
in ceiesti ecclena, holy catholic
Credo per assercione??i Church,
Et per affirmacionem 449
0?nis honorans 5 dulia,
Ali(]uos yperdulia,
Solum deum-qwe latria,
Ponendo dictinccionem, 453
Satis sperans dc venin,
Si sua patrociuia
Pro me present 6 caucione?H. 456
(39)
Remissione? fieri,
Peocatoram, ut reperi,
Credo per penitenciaw,
Per naanian, hocsuggeri, [107, c. 2]
In agro regum veteri, 4til
Dico ad euideociam,
Nam sicut hie mundicia?>i
In aquis, et carenciam
Lepre, ut caro pueri, 465
Kecepit : sic per gra/mm,
Penitens, renerteuciam
Habet a porta inferi. 468
457 the Commu-
nion of
Saints,
(40)
Peccatorum sic maculas,
Et spiritual es pustulas,
Assero purificari ;
Aliter lias vt stipulas,
Ad infernales foculas, 7 473
Om?ies dico destinari,
Perhenniter has versari,
In lehenna 8 et cremari,
Et spinaruwi sarcinulas, 477
Ex ipsis quoque parari,
Hosti qui nunrpuim predai'i,
Sicut sorbiciunculas. 480
469 the Forgive-
ness of Sins,
1 dispendio, Pr.
5 Oinnes adoniiis, Pr.
2 atqne, Pr. 3 e t, Pr. languoribiis, Pr.
6 prestent, Pr. " faculas, Pr. 8 ielienua Pr.
190
A Latin Poem on the Articles of the Creed.
(41)
the Rcsnrreo- Carnis resurrectionew, 481
tion of the At<\uc recomriccione?>i
body, and the T 1
life everlast- luncturaruwi et ossini/i
ing. Post vite reunionem,
Ad reddendam racione?;i 485
Fateor ad iudiciu?.,
Ad consequendum premium,
Per actu??i meritorium,
Atipw retribricione7)i 489
Habenduw, vel supplicium
Per co?7imissu?/i contrariuvi
Atqtte coTtdempnacionem. 492
(42)
Vitam eternam monitor 493
Credo, et ha?ic finaliter
Dico metajrt 1 incolatus,
Felix qui vadit taliter,
Qui non pcrdit suu?>i - iter, 497
Sanctws quoqztc, et beatus
Ibi om?iis collocatns, [107, col. 3]
Vere est glorificatus,
Et lam viuit feliciter, 501
Cunctus ibi sit paratus,
Glorie locus, et datus
Sine fine pcrhenniter. 504
(43)
Linen. Amen, corde dicews ergo, 505
Volo ego aui mergo,
Dissimilis no?i fiery ; 3
Nam si nimis me immergo,
Vel profunde nimis pergo, 509
Vadens ad portas inferi.
Si errans vmbra 4 vesperi
Laberintho, ut pueri,
Ad leuam me nimis vergo 513
Tuto volo itineri,
Redire cursu celeri,
Respicere-q?4c a tergo. 5 516
1 metham, Pr. 2 Qiti suum non perdit, Pr. 3 fieri, Pr. 4 vmbras, Pr.
5 8G French lines (to Lydgate's 152) tullow on Foillet xxiiij before the 2nd Latin poem begins.
The Pilgrim.
I ask Grace
Dieu about
the girdle.
Grace Dieu.
[Cap. civ,
prose.]
She says I
ought first to
have askt for
a Staff,
[The Pilgrim.]
Wyth thys skryppe whan I was boimde, 7037
Glad I was, & ful Jocouwde ;
And than I gan a-noon enquere,
Prayede she wolde vn-to me lere. 7040
(Lyst that ther wer any lak)
Off the gyrdel that she off spak,
Tliat I myghte vnderstonde aryht
The thyng that she hadde me behyht. 7044
Grace dieu :
Quod Grace dieu, ' touchyng al thys,
Off thy gyrdel & my promys,
Tliow sholdest (off good entencioura)
ffyrst yaxyd 6 A BordoiW, [ 6 have askt, y axede St.] 7048
The to sustene nyht & day,
And supporte the on thy way
Wherso that thow go 7 or walke. pgoost.]
And afEter, I caste me to talke 7052
"YVYt/i the, and pleynly ek expresse
Off the gyrdel off ryhtwysnesse.
Grace Dicu describes the Staff cald "Good Hope," 191
4 But IFyrst tak hed off the Bordoim, [leaf ios]
TT i i r-r\~t* Grace Dieu.
How yt ys good in ecli sesou??, < Uoo
fibr he nat falleth 1 comou?dy C 1 ffayiietu St.]
That leneth ther on stedefastly.
ffor wych thow shalt (as yt ys ryht,) m/fSg.
Wiih al thy fforce & al thy myght, 7060
Ther-on reste, what so be-falle.
And trewly thow shalt nat falle,
What perillous passage that thow go,
As longe as thow takest hed ther-to, [stowe, leaf i2sj 7064
And, tavoyde 2 away dyspeyr, [ 2 to avoyde St.]
Wherso thow gost in foul or ffayr,
Or what fortune the be-falle.
"Good hope" alway thow shalt yt calle : 7008 The name of
*^ * the si aff is
Thys the name off thy Bordouw, : G ? od H ,i )e >'
in French
Off trust & trewe affeCClOU?/, 'Esperance.'
"Wych ys callyd Esperau??ce,
Affter the speche vsyd in frauwce, 7072
And the mane?- off that language. 3 p langage St.]
' And looke alway, in thy passage,
That thow holde the wel ther-by,
And ther-on restij feythfully 7076 i must always
In peryllous pathys wher thow wende.
And by the pomellys at the Ende,
Holde the strongly, I the rede,
ffor they shal, in al thy nede 7080
Sustene the, thow 4 falle nouht, [*thatthou]
1 The hilier pomel (yiff yt be souht) [Cap. cv,
Ys i//esu cryst : haue hym in mynde ; Tiie higher
And in scrypture (as thow shalt fynde.) 7084 the^n! or the
TT .1 K i o i i , staff is Jesus
He ys the morour 5 cler & Dry lit, [ 5 Merour St.] Christ.
\VW<-oute spot, (bothe day & nyht,)
In the wyche, a man, by grace, S! S^X^c.
May beholde hys owne fface, 7088
In wych merour (as I tolde) [leafios, bk.j
Al the world ouhte be-holde.
In wych also men may fynde
Alle thynges wrouht be kynde. 7092
lieste vp-on hym with herte a?l thouht,
And go surly, & dred the nouht ;
192 The two Pommels of the Pilgrims Staff: Christ & Mary.
grace pieu. And to hys helpc alway calle, 7095
And truste' wel thovv shalt nat falle. [stowe, leaf 128, back]
[Cap. cvi, 'The tother pomel lowers 1 dovm. c 1 lower st.]
prose.]
The lower Wych (wit/4-oute comparisons,
the 'Maid* Yiff I shal the trouthe telle)
who excels
all other in Ys the Mayde that doth excelle 7100
beauty and
bounty, Al other off bewte & bou?*te ;
ffor she, in hyr vyrgynyte,
Bar a chyld in thys world here,
Mayde & moder bothe yfere, 7104
the carbuncle The Charbovwcle most cler off lyht,
that illu- *
whole world. Chasynge away dyrknesse off nyht,
And al thys world doth enlwmyne ;
The ffresshe bemys so clerly shyne. 7108
Al that go niys in ther passage,
Or erryn in ther pylgrymage ;
Or ffolk that gon out off her way,
(As wel be nyhte as be day, 7112
I dar afferme yt in certeyn)
She maketh hem to resorte ageyn
Vn-to the ryhte weye a-noon :
she is the ff or to pylgrymes euerychon 7116
true guide of
pilgrims. She ys the trewe Gyderesse ;
And ther socour in al dyrknesse ;
And yiff they slydre, or falle douw,
Thys Emperesse off most renouw, 7120
Only off mercy, doth hem releue,
That no thyng ne may hem greue
In ther passage nyh nor ferre,
For she ys the loode sterre, 7124
Wit/a her bryhte bemys clere,
To al 2 pylgrymes in thys lyff here, [* Tui c., Taiie St.]
That ban to hyre affectyouw. 7127
Peaf loo] 'And for that skyle, in thys bordoun, [stowe, leaf 120]
she is set low In thys pomel (yiff thow kanst knowe)
down in the 01 ,11
pommel, OllO ys yset her doUW alOWe* [ 3 ysette . . alowe St., yset lowe C.]
By an Arche ymad off uewe :
No charboimcle so bryht off he we, 7132
Nor noon other precyous ston,
Kekne the .xij. 4 eue?ychon. [ 4 twelve]
Virgin Mary is the lower Pommel on the Pilgrim's Staff. 193
'And in thys bordoiw, looke wel Grace Dieu.
How she ys set for a pomel, 7136
Pylgrymes to saue, they 1 be nat lorn, [ l that they] in order to
* save pil-
Wher-as ther was but On to-forn. grims,
' But thys pomel most bryht & shene,
Pylgrymes only to sustene, 7140
Ys set in f ul goodely wyse ;
ffor ellys myghte 2 nat suffyse p myghte yt St.]
The tother, but she wer ther also,
Hem to supporte, wher-so they go. 7144
ffor she ys mene, (& that ful offte,)
To the pomel hih" a 3 -loffte : p off St.]
Thys to seyne, thys heuenely quene,
To hyr sone ys euere a mene ; 7148
Coumfort most praicypal & cheff to whom she
is chief com-
Tal 4 pylgrymes in ther myscheff, p TO ail. Tyist.] fort,
Hem to supporte, who taketh hede. 7151
' And therfore whan thou hauest 5 nede, p haste st]
Trust on hyre, & neuere varye,
ffor she ys most necessarye
To holde 6 hem vp in ther passage, p TO hoidc St., Toiae c.]
Wher they ben old or yong off age. 7156 whether they
Leue on hyre, what so befalle, young.
& in thy way thow shalt nat falle,
Yiff that thow in eche sesowt
Haue in hyre affecciowz, 7160
Thow mayst nat stomble nouther slydre [stowe, leaf 129, bk.]
Whan thys pomellys ben to-gydre ;
She ys the pomel set mor lowe,
By whose helpe, (as thow shalt knowe, 7164 [leaf 109, bk.]
And as I shal the trewly teche,) ^mme^fet
To the hiher thow shalt wel reche ; if/whose'
Bothe wrouht off Stonys clere : JMi
And yiff thow loue on bothe yfere, 7168 ^ e higher
Thow mayst trust, thorgh ther myght,
Thow shalt nat falle, but gon vp ryht.
' Wher for, for thy sauacyou?z,
Hold the wel by thys Bordoun 7172
Wych ys mad ful stronge, to laste ;
And therfor, therby hold the faste ;
PILGRIMAGE. O
194 Each Pommel lias an Inscription. I. on God ; II. the Virgin.
Grace pien
For both
pommels
there is a
writing.
1. for tlie top
pommel,
2. for the
lower one.
Trust on yt & nat nc feyne ;
ffor thys pomellys ho the tweyne
Ben so noble and ffayr off syht,
So glad, so couwtfortable & bryht,
And lyk thy 1 skryppe (I the ensure,)
Thow shalt ffor ech haue a scrypture
Yiff thow kanst hem vnderstond :
Lo, haue hew here now in ihyn hond ;
And consydre & loke hem wel :
The ffyrst toucheth the pomel,
Yset a-loffte most cheffly ;
And the tother, wryt ther-by,
(Shortly, for thow shalt nat tarye)
Longeth to the Secomzdarye.
7176
[i the St.]
7180
7184
7188
[St.] Pater Creator Omnium [& cetera, whiche should folowe.
[John Stowe, leaf 109, back]
I. A LATIN POEM ON GOD IN TRINITY.
[Not in St.]
(37 stanzas, of 12 lines each, ryming aab aabbb abba.)
(1)
(2)
Father, Crea-
p ater, creator omnium, 1
1
3 Noster voluisti esse,
13
tor of all
things,
Origo et principium
Ne uobis esset neccesse,
A quo causantur ormtia,
Extra te quicquawi querere
Ad te, tuarwm ouium,
Tuorw/i grex fidelium,
6
Non poteras plus prodesse,
Neqwe de maiori messe
17
Alta mittit suspiria,
Nobis vnq?tam tiibnere ;
In fletu et miseria,
Solus debes sufficere,
Captiuati per deuia,
Quia solus reficere
our only re-
Non habemus remedium,
9
Potes mentes plebis fesse,
21
medy,
Nisi tua clemencia,
Aliud qwam te temere ;
Tua paterna gracia
Nobis ferat auxilinm. [if. no]
if
Auernws nam deficere
Restat, si velis abesse.
24
2 Another short hymn has the same title :
18. DE S A NOT A TRINITATE.
Father, Son,
and Holy
GhoBt, 3" in 1
and 1 in S,
cleanse us
from crime !
Thus rle;in*l
aiiil us to the
faithful!
Praise ever-
lasting be to
Father, Son,
and Holy
Spirit I
(1)
Pater, creator omnium,
donans cuncta per filium,
accepta nostros genitus
per dona sancti spiritus
(2)
unitatis trinitas
et trinitatis unitas !
pro tuo sancto nomine,
emunda nos a crimine !
S
12
(3)
Mundatos a criminibus,
dona virtutum floribus,
et in polorum sedibus
fac jungi cum fidelibus.
(4)
Sit laus patri per ssecula,
agnoque sine macula,
atque sancto spiiitui,
quo mereamur perfrui. Amen !
Mone, Lateinischc Hymnen des MMclalters, i. 25 (1853).
* A Gap for the first word of every stanza was left blank for the Rubricator to fill
in ; but he hant ftld it. 1 therefore insert the words from the old printed book,
ab. 1500.
The first Latin Poem, on God in Trinity.
195
(3)
Qvies Fuisti, et eris ; 25
Pater, succurre miseris,
Qui non manenms in idem,
Idem ipse tu diceris,
Qui nunquam permutaberis, 29
Hanens semper in ibidem, 1
Sicut hoc credinws quideni,
Fac, pater, per istavn, fidem,
Vt noxas nostii sceleris, 33
Dimittas nobis totidem,
Quotiens promisit pridem,
Redemptor nostri generis. 36
In celis sursuw habitas, 37
Qui in terris nos visitas,
Domimts exercituum,
Si non feris aut excit.is,
Nos remissos non suscitas 41
Ad ulluin opus strenuum,
Ad volanduwt in arduum,
Et altam messem fructuum,
Alas habens irritas, 45
Laboramws in vacuu??i,
Nee habemus irriguujn,
Nisi tua det bonitas. 48
(5)
Sanctificetur, dicimus, 49
Nonien tuuwt, quod colimua
Et quod est ammirabile, 2
Sine quo recognoscimus,
Et audacter proferimus 53
Nil sanctum, nil valibile, 3
Sed cum non sit hoc facile
Laudare, nc possibile
Eo-qwe non sufficimus. 57
Tamen, prout optabile 4
Cordibus est, & habile, 5
Ad laudaudw/i. assurgiuiits. 60
(6)
61
Nomen tibi 6 alpha & 0,
Significans, in secreto,
Finera atqwe principium,
Tali decet alphabeto,
Nos studere corde leto, 65
Leccio est credenciu?,
Theologos hoc studium
Nos facit et al soliuwi
De mmtdi arundineto 69
Transfert, muta?is in gaudiu?;t,
Miserrimu?H nanfragium
Quod patimwr in hoc ffreto. 72
(7)
Tuum pater est proprhra, 73 help us in
Non aimexum per alium, SSWwSo
M isereri et parcere without Thy
De te, suim tentoriu?- sraee !
Et suum diuersorium, 77
Debent filij facere
Morte?>i non vis, sed viuere,
Vis ormies qui eonuertere
Se volunt per suspiriim. 81
Nuwqucim uis tuos perdere,
Nee pullos milus tradere,
Quorujfl, tu es refugium. 84
85 "ay Thy
(8)
Adueniat ergo deus,
Aliquando iubileus, Sifted
Nobis datis exilio, Alpha and
Si quisqtwww nostrum est reus. Omega,
Nee est ibi Machabeus, 89
Qui fortis sit in prelio, 7
Non propter hoc intencio
Tua sit ut nos gladio,
Vastet, Golyath, Getheus, 8 93
Semper eniwi in vinio 9
Nobis nocet & 10 inuio,
Factus seon amorreus. 96
(9)
97 Thou wishest
us to live, not
die; come to
our rescue !
Regnum tuum, vt dieitur,
Rex eterne, vim patitur,
Violenti 11 hoc rapiunt,
VirtntibM* concutitr,
Penitencia pellitur, 101
Preces illud effodiunt.
Si ista no?t sufficimit,
Machinas multi faciunt ;
Quibws super ascenditur, 105
Na?n, quidam se subiciunt, 12
Votis quibus obediunt,
Ars ista imn^uam fallitur. 108
(10)
Fiat ergo per graham, 109 Thy kingdom
Quia tolem violenciam j 1 "^" , v j t ; jg
Permittis illuc intremiw, enter 'it by
Et muroru??i custodiam, Prayer and
Non des ad resistencia?>i 113
Quia nichil tune possemws,
Artem nee vires haftemus,
Vt perhoram solawi 13 stemus,
Nisi tu des constancia??i, 117
Retrocedere solemws,
Qua?ido adire debemus
Illud regnum et paMam. 120
Penitence!
1 id idem. 2 admirabile, Pr. leaf 110, col. 2. 3 laudaWle, Pr.
pro vt tst habile, Pr. s Cordibus et optabile, Pr. 6 tuum, Pr.
7 leaf 110, col, 3. 8 Etheus, Pr. viuio, Pr. 10 in, 1'r. >i Et violent!, Pr.
sufficiuut, Pr. 13 Et . . . solum, Pr.
196
The first Latin Poem, on God in Trinity.
help us ; we
seek Thee
alone.
(11)
Thy will is to Voltmtas tua saluare 121
save men : s ^ hommes, 1 et iuuare
In tribulacionibus ;
A raari usque ad mare,
Vnire et congregare 125
Curactos de nacionibns,
Debiles cum pauperibus,
Preparatis iam omnibun
Ad cenara tuam vocare, 2 129
Pusillis cum maioribus,
In oportunitatibus
Auxiliuwi ministrare. 132
Thee, who
lulcst in
Heaven, we
wornhip,
weeping.
(12)
Sicut, pater, hoc credimits, 133
Sicut de hoc confidinws,
Sic nobis auxiliaris,
Aliunde now. querimus
Auxilium, nee petimus, 137
Quia solus tu mederis,
Si noji aliquando feris
Pro nosiris culpis et teris.
Non propter hoc diffidinms, 141
Scimits enim qtti'a geris
Curam nostri, et nos 3 queris
Quando a te 4 recedimus. 144
We pray
Thee, l>e
miiult'ul of UH
siiini-rs oil
earth.
(13)
In celo, supra spericam 145
Rotantis mundi fabricaw,
Immobilis dominaris,
Sedem tenens teatricam, 8
Aciem tua?>t bellicam, 149
De excelso comtemplaris ;
Nos eccitas, nos hortaris,
Vt sit toga militaris,
Prius tincta per riibricam, 153
Quam hostis familiaria
Nobis tollat tuis caris
Innocencie tunicam. 156
(14)
We earn our Et quia, sine viribus 157
ixxiy's bread ^ armis spiritalibus,
by sweat; . * j j n
o!ir soul Accessimus ad duellum,
desires tlie Quia, nullis verberibus
BmulofThy D oma tum, uel calcaribus, 161
Sentimws carnis asellum.
Ideo, sanctum scabellum,
Quo stas, ad videnduw bellum,
Adoramw,? cum fletibus, 6
Et ipsmmet domicellum
Per ydoneum flagellmn., 167
(15)
In terra, nos te colonum, 169
Et in celo te patronum [? MS.]
Animarum cognoscirnus,
Et te 7 deum ulcionum
Esse, et punicionura 173
In inferno metuirrms.
Et ideo requirimus,
Et devote assistimus 176
Ante tuum sanctum, thronum ;
Vt nobis, qui peccauinws,
Sis, vt de te presuminms,
Memor miseracionwrt. 180
(16)
Panem nostrum In sudore 181
Vescendum, et in labore,
Dedisti a principio,
Vsqe modo tali more
Ipso mixto cum nierore, 8 185
Nosira fuit refectio ;
Sed, ne esset fastidio,
Prouidisti de alio,
Longe satis meliore ; 189
Hoc est, de tuo filio,
In quern panis co?mersio
Fit, ipso institutore. 192
(17)
Quotidianum petimus 193
Hunc panertt, et requirinms,
Cotidie indigentes,
Primum exactor proximws
Secun&um petit animus ; 197
Sine ipso morientes,
Primo uiuuwt omnes gentes,
Sed secuwdo penitentes
Quia panis est azimus, 201
Ideo, accipientes
Omni f'ermewto carewtes,
Debent ease," vt credinws. 204
(18)
Da panem istum, domino, 205
Vtnmqwe qui pro homine,
Vtroqwe fuit pensatus, [111/2]
Sustentet moderamine,
Vmts vnum, sed minime 209
Fiet alter saciatus,
Si in nobis sit reatus, [? MS.]
Per quew nobis sis iratus.
Non propter hoc in turbine, 213
Vindicte sis recordatus ;
Sed memor sis, quod nos natns
Subicias supplicibus. [leaf ill] | Tuus redemit sanguine. 216
1 liominis, Pr. * leaf 110, col. 4. 3 nostri nosque, Pr.
* A te quando, Pr. 5 tliearicnni, 1'r. 6 flaribtis, C. 7 te, 1'r., om. C.
8 tali more, Pr. 9 Esse debent, Pr.
TJie first Latin Poem, on God in Trinity.
197
(19)
Nobis tuis paupmbus 217
J n lacujn. descendentibns,
Succurrere non renuit.
Nam mactatus verberibus,
Et perfossus 1 vulneribus, 221
Pro nobis mori voluit,
Et 2 proprijs se exuit,
Et soluit quod non rapuit,
Obses pro peccotoribus, 225
Mors sua nostram diluit,
Set 3 penitere debuit
Pro ta?. caris operibus. 228
(20)
Hodie et cotidie, 229
Simili vena Venie,
Egeremtts huuc minui,
Nisi sue tarn nirnie
Riui misericordie 233
ff astro cederent vsui
Per ipsos enim ablui,
Credinms qui assidui ,
Sumtts culpis nequicie, 237
Supposito-qite fletui,
Debito que gemitui,
Nos demus volmitarie. 240
(21)
Et quia digne lugere 241
Non possumits, neq?(e flere,
Si exigimt demerits,
Nee haJemus qtto supplere
Nisi soluw miserere, 245
Quia now valent mmta,
"Rostra, quoqtw sunt irrita [ill's]
Anima nostra perdita ;
Ideo clamamus vere, [?MS.] 249
Respice nos, et visita,
Et erige & suscita, [? MS.]
Non nos sinens plus iacere. 252
(22)
Dimitte nobis, & quita 253
Feccatsi, pater, oblita ;
Et dele de libro tuo
Ilia saitem que sunt scita.
Lamentari nos fac 4 ita 257
Ne scribantur perpetuo.
Non sunt vnuw, non sunt duo,
Nee numeranda biduo ; 5
Sed sunt auasi iufinita, 261
Non habita ex mutuo,
Neqwe facta in triduo,
Sed in tota nostra. vita. 6 264
(23)
Debita ipsa nouiimw, 265 He deigiid to
Nam pro peccatis tradimits 7
Animas in obsidiuw.
Penes nos non habuim?ts,
Nee in domo inuenimus 269
Vllmw carius vadiu?i.
Dews, nostru?w refugium,
Tu, nosti vsurariuwi,
Cui nos obligauimus, 273
Nisi feras auxilium,
Vel cum cogas nimiuin,
Totum nostrum, amisimus. 276
(24)
Nostra esse hec debita
Propter que sic est subdita
Anima vsurario,
Non nrganras, ne irrita,
Et tibi ingratuita 281
Esset ilia negacio.
Talis tamen confessio
Nu?iqtrai dicit sufficio,
Neqw<! tibi sit placita 285
Nisi feruens deuocio
Et amara contricio [lf.m,col.4]
Dicat fleo deperdita. 288
277 kook on us,
and raise us ;
blot out our
innumerable
sins !
(25)
Sicut ergo debitores
Et miseri peccafores,
Egemus indulgencia ;
Sic quoqwe condonatores
Eancoris, et quittatores, 293
Volunms vti venia ;
In tua n&mque curia,
Rancor et iracimdia
Non su?^t boni petitores. 297
Nam vindicte pro gracia
Et pro misericordia
Noscuntur reportatores. 300
289 God, our re-
fuge, help us
to pay our
debts for our
sins!
(26)
Et Ideo indulgemus
Iniurias, vt vellemus
Eas nobis indulgeri.
Nil rancoris retinemws
In cordibus, nee habemus 305
Quod iio?& sit amoris veri.
Si fuinms nimis feri,
Et ad indulgendum sen,
Et vltores si possemus, 309
NosM velis misereri,
Et cordibus sic mederi,
Vt in charitate stemus. 312
301 As debtors,
we pray Thy
favour. We
have love in
our hearts.
confossus, Pr. Et ex, Pr. 3 Sed, Pr. * fac nos, Pr.
5 triduo, Pr. 6 vita nostril, Pr. 1 dedimus, Pr.
198
The first Latin Poem, on God in Trinity.
Thui
Thee,
Holy
teach
(27)
nl y Nos scimws quod non aliter 1
rs reach Nosfre preces vtiliter
if the Ascenduwt ad te, dowme.
Spirit Credirmts quoque firmiter
Q,uod ascendwit velociter 317
Si sint sine rubigine,
Si lacrimaram flumine,
Corda cum penitudiue
Lauentur efficaciter, 321
Et immda mens a crimine,
Vt vis valet in homme,
Te requirat humiliter. 324
(28)
iron Dimittimus, si corditus
Cunctis dicarmts penitus,
Hoc totum ualet supplere, 2
325
For
heat
need 1. re-
membrance
of sin, 2. suf- gi ST> i r tt na paraclitus,
' e- Dextere tue digitus, [? MS.] 329
Ad hoc velit nos docere.
Sine ipso, nunqiiam vere
Iniurias indulgere
Potest aiTogans spiritws ; 333
Nam nimis credens valere,
Admodum cornute fere,
Monstrat quod sit indomitus.
We pray
Christ for
grace to fit
us to enter
into Glory.
Rod, fight
Thou for us !
Nought can
we do of our-
selves.
(29)
Debitoribus ideo, 337
Quandoque nimis ferreo
Corde, dat indulgenciam,
Dicens, satis indnlgeo,
Et satis supersedeo, 341
Vsqwe in horam aliam ;
Sed tu haws 3 fraudulentiam
Deus nunquam ad veniam
Conuertis vel das pro eo. 345
Immo, ad iracimdiarn,
Te, per equipollenciam,
Prouocatuw, reddis reo. 348
(30)
Nostris igitur mentibus, 349
Induratis et rudibus,
Tria sunt necessaria,
De coTOrnissis reatibus,
Atque iniquitatibus 353
Crebra reminiscencia ;
Frequenter pati tristia,
Cum pena et angaria 4
Et cum infirmitatibus, 357
Sancti spij^us gracia,
De cella vnguentaria
Fundens amorem cordibus. 360
(31)
Et ideo, te et ilium 361
Qui rubricatmn vexillum
Gerit, et arma rubea,
Qui mare facit tranquillum,
Et nostrum portat sigillum 5 365
Exaratujrt a lancea, [? MS.]
Qui veste rectus lutea
Strauit in sua area
Infernalem cocodrillum 369
Petimus, vt sic ferrea
Corda franguntur per ea
Que sunt pretacta paxillum, 6
(32)
Ne nos inducas eciam 373
In festinam sentenciam
Quia cito perirenius,
Expecta nos Tpcr graciam,
Et per tuam clemenciam 377
Et differ, 7 vt emendemws ;
In mu?ido nihil ha&emus
Nisi vt nosmet aptemus
Ad iutrandum in glcwiam ; 381
Sed caro, in qua manermts,
Nos ducit vt deuiemus
Per uiam nimis inuiam. 384
(33)
In temptacionem ruit, 385
Et labitur atqwe fluit,
Licet longe sit temptator.
"Nnnquam facit qttod conginiit,
Sed bonum omne destruit 389
Quod construit haftitator.
Deus, omnium creator,
Tu, pro nobis, sis pugnator,
Sicut -aostra. spes 9 arguit ; 393
Et carnis sis sic domator,
Vt eius sit trimraphator
Spiritus qui succubuit. 396
(34)
Sed vnum adhuc petere 397
Volumtts, et requirere,
Vt ille, hoste domato,
Spiritus se 9 extollere
Nequet vel erigere 401
Quasi a se 10 subiugato.
Nam ha&emus pro probato 11
tyuod, quisquid dixerit plito,
Nil a se potest facere. [? MS.]
Immo, abs te increato,
Et a flamine et nato,
Totum haJet procedere. 408
1 taliter, Pr. 2 leaf 112. 3 hane tu, Pr. * anguetia, Pr.
5 leaf 112, col. 2. pnuxillnm, Pr. "> Differa, Pr. spes nostra, Pr.
Se spiritus, Pr. w A se quasi, Pr. " leaf 112. col, 3.
The second Latin Poem, on the Virgin Mary.
(35)
Libera nos, ergo, deus,
Tu ac tuus Nazareus, [? MS.]
Cum proprio spiramme.
Vnus 1 estis, sed iudeus
Non credit <yuod galileus
Conceptus sine semi?e
Sit, seu natus de virgine,
Sine passus pro homine :
Et in hoc sit ipse reus.
Plus credit in velamine,
Littei-eqiic in lumine [?]
Factus ciuis tartareus.
(36)
409 A malo hoc et 2 aHjs 421
Tuis deus subsidijs,
Conserua nos, & deffende,
Extrahe 3 nos de vicijs,
413 Releuans 4 de miserijs ; 425
Et benignu?tt te ostende,
Cuiqwe 5 nostrum die 'ascende ;
Veni mecum pro haJende
417
420
(37)
Amen, pater, 7 concludimus, 433
Quia finem de nouiimts [?]
De via reuertencium.
Locuw ad quewi nos tendinms,
Et in quo nos quiescinms 437
Post laboris stipendium, 8
Tu nobis sis solatium,
Et corona et premium,
Quia in te sperauimus, 441
Confirmans vaticinium [112,4]
Dauid -per priuilegiu?>i,
In domuTO suam ibimus. 8 444
Free us, God
and Christ ;
draw us from
our sins ; let
us win eternal
life.
Vite eterne gaudy's. ' 429
Tales tue sunt prebende,
Nullatenus concedende
Nisi tuis famulijs. 6 432
Father, be
our comfort
and reward,
for we have
hoped in
Thee, and
will live in
Thy house.
II. A LATIN HYMN TO THE VIRGIN MARY.
(14 stanzas of 12 lines each, ryraing aab aabbb abba.)
(1)
Ave reclinatoriu??i [MS. torn] 1
Et propiciatorium,
Et captiui spes populi,
Data in diuersoriiim
Reis, et in refugium, 5
Et in Iocu77z latibuli,
Que po/ris ade vetuli,
Et damnatricis seculi
Eue, ue damnatorium, 9
Pro quodam morsu pomuli
Aspecti visu reguli,
Commutasti in gaudimre. 12
(2)
Maria, apto nomine, 13
Presagio, non orrrine,
Diceris ab infancia ;
Que in noctis caligine,
Pro viarwm discrimine, 17
Polo muwdi sis media,
Vt gens, per mare deuia,
Ad te, sua vestigia
Dirigat viso lumine, 21
Et a circumferencia,
Pro impetranda graa'a,
Circumderis in cardine. 24
(3)
Gratia tu emceris
Directiuum itineris
Norma 10 vite rectissima.
In orbibus stelligeris
Noue legis et veteris,
Stellarwm splendidissima,
In prosperis humilima,
In aduersis 1J fortissima,
Semper astans pro miseris,
Electaram dignissiina,
Tarn corpore qwm anima,
In inferis & superis. [leaf us]
(4).
Plena est tua ydria,
Hausta, celesti gracia,
Puteo sancti spiritus.
Si pulseris instancia
Precum, res est notoria,
Quod effundes 12 et strepitus
Deprecantis, sollicitus full art thou
Obtinebit ut penitus. " f " "o'y
Deorsum stillicidia 45 Spiritt
Mittas ; nee sit prohibitus
Camelorwm exercitus
Portans peccata grauia. 48
25 Hail, hope of
the captives,
star in the
darkness !
29
33
37 Ritjlitest rule
of life,
41
i ? MS. vnunt. 2 atque, Pr. 3 Et extrahe, Pr. * Nos releuans, Pr.
5 (Jui, Pr. optiuiis fnmulis, Pr. 7 amen, Pr. 8 dispendiuni, Pr.
9 Pr. adds 'Amen.' "> Forma, Pr. u asperis, Pr. 1S effundens, Pr.
200
The, second Latin Poem, on the Virgin Mary.
(5)
God filld thee Dominus, ad hoc prouida, 49
with mercy, ^e repleuit vt placida
It was with - -
thee in child-
hood, and
T, j- f -j
Reiundeiidi sis teruida,
Quia sicut in yride. 1
wTatew Signum nubis est roride. 53
heaven. Sic tu, plena et grauida,
Signum hfces que rorida.
Co??ipassiue et nuida.
Sis, tue genti languide 57
Qwowsqwe anima morbida,
Et tua siti arida,
Per te respiret valide. 60
(6)
Thou shalt Tecum a puericia, 61
called Bless- Virgo dulcis, clemencia,
ed, tliou Creuit, et miseracio ;
liope of fallen gi c creuit-qwe celestia
Transcendens aula regia, 65
Dei sedes 2 in solio.
Nulla vnqwam plantacio
Fuit, uel educacio
Reis sic necessaria ; 69
Nam licet sit collectio
Eiws semper dispendio
Caret, et decrescencia. 72
(7)
Thou alone Benedicta propterea 73
our'l'ostVierit- Omwi ^ oco et P lat fa [leaf 113, col. 2]
age; thou Dicaris ab hominibus,
Quia per hoc est flamiuea
Clierubin dira rumphea 77
Amota suis passibus,
Introittis exulibus
Patet, et viatoribus.
Via celi est lactea, 81
Que solebat volentibus
Intrare regnum omnibus
Esse sanguine rubea. 84
guidest all
who wander
and full.
(8)
Blessed be
thy child
Christ, who
died lor us,
and gave
Himself for
our food.
85
Tu es lapsi spes hominis,
Que non dees nee desinis
Misereri in seculum.
Tu, diuine imaginis,
Et eterni es luminis 89
Beatum receptaculum ;
Tu, languidis vehiculum
Et miseris latibulum,
Sub cuis vmbra tegmiTiis, 93
Pauper querit vmbraculum,
Et reus diuerticulum
Ab incursu formidinis. 96
(9)
In mulieribus tu es 97
Vnica, que restitues
Hereditate?, perditam,
Que de -peccato argues
Mnwdu?rt, aed nulli venues 101
Graham tuam solitam ;
Immo cunctis gratuitam
Ipsam dabis, et placitam.
Quia semper hac afflues, 105
Et licet quis per orbitam
Tortam vadet, et vetidam, 3
Eum cito non obrues. 108
(10)
Et si dicatur verius 109
Pro reis, et salubrius
Ipsos errantes dirigis,
Ipsos lapsos 4 inferius, 112
Et iaceutes diutius [leaf us, col. 3]
Qttam oporteret erigis,
Et qitandoqsse hos corrigis,
Ne manus immdi remigis
AHquid agat durius, 117
Signurw est quod hos diligis,
Et non dormis nee negligis,
Ne cedant in detenus. 120
(11)
Benedictus in secuhm 121
Sit ille, per que? titulum
Talem habes in seculo,
Christns, qui tui clausulum
Vteri sui 5 baiulum 125
Fecit firmato pessulo.
Qui, morieus pro poptilo.
Se dedit in patibulo
Opprobij spectaculum ; 129
Et, superato Zabulo,
Fracto-qwe suo baculo,
Se suis dat in pabulum. 132
(12)
Fructus est comestibilis, 133
Comedentibus vtilis,
Dulcis awiwie gnstui,
Nature ammirabilis, 6
Arti indoctrinabilis, 137
Stupendus intelleciui,
Inusitatus vsui,
Vetito quondam fructui ;
In omnibiis dissimilis 141
Solummodo auditui,
Et non alteri sensui
Fide comprehensibilis. 144
> ydria, Pr. * oedet 3 vetitam, Pr. * Lapsos ipsos, Pr
5 eiuim, Pr. admirabilis, Pr,
Hymn to the Virgin. I get the Pilgrim's Scrip and Staff. 201
(13)
Ventris tui in ortulo, 145
Ornato flore primulo,
Iste fructus colligitr ;
S'ld, ut vultus in speculo
Representatur oculo, 149
Et speculum non leditur,
Sic dura 1 a te recipitur, [m/4]
Dum manet ; dum egreditur,
Hoc sit illeso claustrulo : 153
Nulla via relinquitur,
Nil suspectum admittitur ;
Fructum nabes cum flosculo.
from tliee -
He is blest
is, Pr.
1 nientem, Pr.
(14)
Amen dicit et assent", [Fo. xxviij] Christ sprang
Qui tuas laudes aperit,
Et te recte magnificat,
Qui devote se iugerit
Ad laudandum- vt sciuerit,
Et ad uitem 2 te applicat.
Qui aliter se implicat,
Et tuas laudes abdicat,
Hie viam bonam 3 deserit ;
Jlle tibi preiudicat,
Ille in fide claudicat ;
Saluus esse non poterit. 168
He who does
, ._ not, cannot
165 be saved.
3 bonam viam, Pr.
[The Pilgrim.]
4 Affter, (shortly to expresse) 7189
Grace dieu, off hir goodnesse,
Off the skryppe and the bordoiw [stowe, leafiso]
Putte me in pocessioun ; 7192
And I thouhte a-noon ryht tho
That I was redy for to go
Vp-on my way, but trew(e)ly
I ne was no thyng redy, 7196
Lyk as I wende ; ffor vn-to me
Ther as I stood, ryht thus sayde she.
Grace dieU Sayd [In Jn. Stowe's hand. The Stowe MS. has it.]
' The tyme ys good and couenable
(As I ha sayd), and acceptable, 7200
That I my promys and my graunt,
Holde vn-to th, & my coueuaunt,
As I be-hihte : tak hed her-to.
And thow requeryst yt also, 7204
To be gyrt (for sykernesse)
With a gyrdel off ryhtwysnesse,
[Cap. cvii, '
prose.]
Grace Dieu
gives me the
Scrip and
Staff.
She says that
[leaf 114]
I ask her for
a Girdle of
Righteous-
ness.
4 The 44 French lines following are given for Comparison with
Lydgate's 82 English lines 71897270 :
APres, entre les mains me mist (7189) Le pelerin
Le bourdon, dont grant ioye me fist,
Car tresbien prest estre cuidoye
De me mestre tout a la voye ;
Mais non estoie ; car lors me dist :
OR est'le point, comme tay dit,
Que te tiengne mou conuenant
De ce que tay promis deuant
Et aussi de ce mas requis,
Pour la parolle que te dis,
Cest, destre de iustice ceincts,
(7192-3)
(7199) grace dieu
(7204-5)
202 Before, having a Girdle I must put on a Doublet.
Grace Dieu. ' Thy reynys strongly for to streyne,
fflesshly lusty s to refreyne. 1 [> Restreyne St.] 7208
' No man hath power (truste me)
ffor to gon at liberte,
But he be gyrt ryht mj'ghtyly.
Therfor, (ofE purpos feytlifully), 7212
The tassure in wele and wo,
he win gird I wyl the gyrde, or that thow go,
me with one J
ir i agree to g that thow (in thyn entente)
OfE fre wyl lyst to assente, 7216
To be thus gyrt; and ellys nouht,
Now sey, as lyth ryht in thy thoulit.'
The Pilgrim. The pllgrimC '. [In Jn. Stowe's hand. The St. MS. has it, If. 130, bk.]
i agree to "Ma datne," quod I in lowly wyse,
everything. ' J '
" Al that euere ye deuyse, 7220
I wyl ther-off no thyng refuse,
Nor ther-vp-on no lenger muse ;
But off thys thyng, with al my myght
I yow requere off verray ryht." 7221
Grace Dieu. QraC6 dlBU '. [In Jn. Stowe's hand.]
she says that ' ff yrst, to make thy syluen strong,
I must have J J J
To be myghty a-geyn al wrong,
Yt be-houeth, in thy diffence,
ffor to make resistence, 7228
That thow haue strong armure.
And ffyrst, (thy syluen to assure,)
Next thy body shal be set
a piirpmntor A^purpoynt or a doublet, 7232
On wych thow shalt fful myghtyly
Be gyrt and streyned ryht strongly
Pour bien estraindre fort les reins. (7207)
De bien aler nul na pouoir, (7209-10)
Sil nest bien ceinct et bien estroit.
Pour ce, te dis que te ceindroie (7212-14)
Tout premierement que la voye
Tu te misses ; mais que ton gre
Bien y fust, et ta volente. (721(3)
Or en dy ce que tu voulras. (7218)
Le pelerin f A refuser (dis ie) nest pas (7219-21)
Tel chose, ie la vous requier. (7224)
grace dieu 1[ Or fault, dist elle, tout premier, (7225)
Que tu soies arme de tons poincts ;
Et quau dessoulz soit Ie proupoins ; (7230-2)
Et puis fermement seres ceinct
/ don't like, Armour; but Grace Dieu shoivs me a lot. 203
' With a gyrdel off Ryhtwysnesse, [leaf lu, bk.]
mi * j >70O to go under
Ther-on thyn armure ior to uresse. 7 Job my armour.
The pylgrym. The **>*>
"Certys," quod I, "yiff ye lyst se,
Yt wer contrarye vn-to me
To gon armyd in my vyage ;
Yt wolde lette my pylgrymage, [stowe, leaf isi] 7240 i fear the
J fJ o J 6 > armour will
And don to me ful gret grevauwce ; No " , h "* r ?, ' V8UW inconveni-
Annorum. ence me)
fFor I hadde neuere yet vsau?zce
Nor in custom, truste ine,
Al my lyue, armyd to be : 7244
I knewe 1 ther-off nothyng the guyse. [' knowe St.] as r know
nothing about
To me yt doth ynouh surtyse, arms.
To be gyrt (in sothfastnesse)
With a gyrdel off ryhtwysnesse." 7248
But than thys lady off gret uertu, [Cap. cix,
Wych ys callyd Grace Dieu,
In-ta chauwbre ful secre
Entrede ; and than she callyd me. 7252
Grace Dieu : 2 P st -> Kom ner i rf Blie c -] Grace pieu.
"Kom ner," quod she, "and ha no drede ; Grace Dieu
calls me into
Look vp an 3 hih", & tak good heede. ponst.] a chamber,
Vpon thys perche, the harneys se,
Wher-wit/z, that thow wylt 4 armyd be, [*myghtest.] 7256
Pertynent to thy vyage
And nedful to thy pylg?image."
[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] The pu l7rim .
Ther saw I helmys and haberiouws ) [Cap. ex,
prose.]
Plate and may lie, for champyouws 7260
Sur les armes, et bien estrainct. (7234)
II Arme, dis ie ; que dictes vous ? (7237) Le peleriii
An cueur me donnez grant courroux. (7241)
Armey cheminer ne pourroie ;
Armes porter ie ne sauroye ;
Armes ie ne pourroie trouuer ;
Ceincture seoiffist a porter. (7246-8)
IT Adonc en sa courtine entra, (7249)
Et pour y entrer mappela. (7252-3)
H Or regavde, dist elle hault, (7254) grace dieu
A ceste perche ne te fault (7255)
Pour chercher armes loing aler ; (7256-7)
Assez en voys pour bien tarmer ;
La sont heaulmes et gambesons, (7259-60)
Gorgerettes et haubergeons,
204 / must wear Armour against the attacks of Foes.
The pilgrim. tGorgetys ageyn al vyolence,
[t leaf 115] And lakkys stuffyd, off diffence;
aii'kinds'of Targetys and sheldys, large & longe, 1 [> stronge St.]
And pavys also that wer stronge, 2 [ s longe St.] 7264
ffor folk to make resistence, [stowe, leaf isi, back]
Talle 3 that wolde hem don offence. ptoaii]
The pylgrym
i nk, who Than quod I, " as in bataylle,
will attack J
me? What enmy shal me assaylle 7268
Or a-geyn me make affray,
To distourble me in my way 1 "
Grace Pita. GcTQ.Ce dlCU
' Wenystow thy sylff tassure,
ffor to 4 gon with-onte armure [* to St., om. c.] 7272
To lerusaleem, & nat fynde
she says i Brygauwtys to-forn And ek be-hynde,
shall meet J & J J
enemies of ail Dauwgevvs grete, & encouwbrawices,
kinds by the '
wa y Empechementys & meshauwcys 1 7276
Thevys and mardrerys ay lyggynge
Vp-on the weye, eue7*e espyynge,
Thow shalt ffynde, so gret plente,
That thow off hem shalt wery be, 7280
Ther assautys to endure,
wherefore i Wherfore 5 the nedeth strong armure, [ s Therfore St.]
need strong
armour. Myghtyly hem to wit/i-stonde.
And for thy profyt, y wyl ffowide, 7284
WM harneys to array en the, **%StSS2*S!^^
That thow shalt nat afferyd be.' Epes,, vj ouJtmo.
The Pilgrim. The pylffiym
" Ma dame," qttod I, " syth ye wyl so,
Armyd algatys that I go, 7288
i ak what Shew me what armure I shal were,
armour I
shall wear. And what wepenys I shal bere ;
And how I shal me armen wel,
And the maner euerydel." 7292
Targes, et quanque faillir pent (7263)
A cil quil desfendre se veult.
Le pelerin IT Qui est, dis ie, qui massauldra, (7267-8)
De qui desfendre. me faulra ?
Grace Dicu yives me a Gambeson to protect me. 205
tThanne, off merveyllous fasouw, The Pilgrim.
She took to me a Gambisowi. 1 [tcap. cxi,
Cainb. prose.]
A maner harneys that I knewe nouht : [leaf 115, bk.j
And behynde, ther-on was wrouht 7296 aGambUoim
API, . -i o ft- * i i a with a steel
A ful strong styh 2 oft fyne stel, 3 anvUonits
ffor to receyue strookys wel [ 3 styghe . . ffyne St., fyn c.]
Off the hamer, whan euere yt sniyte,
That yt shal hurte but a lyte. 7300
[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
Than quod Grace Dieu to me : Grace rueu.
' Thys Gambesouw wych thow dost se, an<l Ba y 8
there is no
Ys so wrouht, (who taketh hede.) better be-
' > *' tween Car-
ffor ta-woyde 4 a man fro drede; p to avoyde St.] 7304 ^'Jf 8 and
That, from cartage in-to Inde,
Men myghte nat a bettre fynde ;
ffor (as thow shalt wel vnderstonde,)
Thogh a man hadde foot nor houd, 7308
And were _vn-tp a stake bounde,
Hys foome?z aboute rounde,
Yiff he haddo on thys garnement, Armed with
And clad ther-in (off good entent), 7312 overcome an
x my foes.
He myghte nat ouerkomen be,
But fynally, in surete,
With gret worshepe & gret glorie,
Off hys Enmyes han vyctorye. 7316
'And yet thys garnement, (I dar swere, [St., if. 1:52, bk-.] Tinsgambe-
son is a jov
Who that euere doth yt were,) to sufferers.
Hath most loye & plesauwce
In thyng that ys to folk penaurcce, 7320
ffor hys proffyt & avauwtage,
Som folk holde yt gret damage ;
ffor pacience (in conclusi'ou?*) [leaf no]
Hauetll 5 thys COndiciOUJZ, pHathSt.] 7324 For the (jain
. of Patience '
(nor to descryve and spek in pleyn
Off pacience the trewe greyn,)
I mene, to hys avau?tagc is, that
ffmctefyeth with fforage : 7328
1 Gambeson, Gabison. A fashion of long and quilted horse-
mans cassocke or coat, used iu old time. Cotgravc.
2 Cp. 'the Styth set at thy bak,' 209/7478, below.
206
The Gambeson I am, to wear is cald Patience.
Grace Dien.
storm fills its
garners, ami
pestilence its
cellars.
Its dainties
are poverty ;
its recreation,
fasting.
The more
pain it It-els,
the firmer it
is m.iilf by
the steel of
suffering.
And as Pa-
tience is
prickt with
woe
like a par-
point is with
stitches,
BO this Gam-
beson
Tempest fulfylletli hys garnerys,
And pestylence hys celerys ;
Hys sofftest bedde, 1 (in sothnesse,)
Ys ymakyd off hardnesse.
In peyne and wo, ys hys delyt,
And in suffraiwce, ys hys respyt;
Hys deyntes stonde in poverte,
Hys solace in aduersyte ;
And fastyng (in conclusions)
Ys 2 hys recreaciouw.
He wexeth fat by 3 abstynence,
And gruchcheth for no vyolence ;
Peyne and tribulacyoun
Ben to hym consolaciouw ;
And the mor he feleth peyne
The mor he ys (in certeyne)
Hardyd in herte by coustaunce,
With the Stel off iust suff raurece.
' And for that paei'ence, vrith wo
Ys ypryked and punysshed, so
By verray trewe examynyng,
As a purpoynt wtt7i sawyng 4
By long exarnynaci'oiw,
Tlierfore thys arinure Gambisouw,
[' bedde St., bed C.]
7332
7336
P Ys alle St.]
l with St]
7340
7344
7348
[Stowe, leaf 1SS]
[* gowynge St.]
7351
.i. paoience St., om. C.
is cald a Pur
point,
(Who consydreth fro poynt to poynt)
Ys ycallyd a purpoynt
Wtt/i-oute prykyng (in substau?*ce,)
And punysshyng, with gret suffrau?ce, 7356
In mescheff and 5 aduersyte [ 5 and in St.]
He taketh al hys dygnyte j
[leaf lie, bk.] And theroff (in conclusiou?<)
He receyueth hys Eenoure, 7360
Thys armure most merveyllous,
In al diff ence most gracious.
' And therfor (shortly in sentence)
The name ther-off ys pacience, 7364
The wych, in euery aventure,
Ys ymakyd for tendure,
Peyne and tribulaci'ouw,
Voyde off al rebellious : 7368
ami its name
is Patience.
Christ wore it ; and I am to -put it next my skin. 207
' Ryht as a sty th l f orgyd off Stel p styti.ee St.]
ffeleth the strokys 2 neueradel t 2 strokys St., stokys c.]
Off thys ffethris Smothe & soffte,
Thogh men ther-on smyten offte, 7372
So pacyence (iu hyr werkyng)
Maketh neuere no gruchchyng
Off no thyng she doth endure.
'And tlierfore, (I yow ensure,) 7376
With thys Gambisouw, Cryst ihesus,
That paciente lord, most vertuous,
Was yclad (yiff ye lyst se)
Whan he heng vp-on a tre, 7380
And wt't/i hys blood, mankynde hath bouht,
SufFrede deth, and gruchchede nouht, [stowe, leaf isa, back]
Nor spak no word in hys penauwce ;
But, thorgh hys myghty gret suffrau?*ce, 7384
He was bete and hamryd wyth,
As a plate vp-on a 3 styth, [ 3 a St., om. c.]
The forgyd Monye for Rauwsown
To uiakeu our redempciouw :
The 4 cruel Smythes, off Rancour [Thesst.]
Sparede nat for no labour
Til they hadde hym forgyd wel,
Tryed hym out as any stel :
In wych metal ther was no lak ;
And ay they forgede on hys bak ;
And paciently he dede endure ;
He armyd was in swych armure
Wyth the Arrays off paci'ence.
'And therfore, in thy dyffence,
That thow suffre no dyffame,
Tak a purpoynt off the same, 7400
Wherso thow go, in* see or lond : [ 5 on St.]
Haue yt here redy to thyn hond ;
Next thy body, ]at yt be set,
In stede off a strong 6 doublet ; [ 6 stronge St.] 7404
ffor next thy cors yiff thow yt were,
AH thyn Armure thow shalt bere
Mor esely ; & ha no wonder,
Yiff paci'euce be trcwly vnder. 7408
Grace Dieu.
Ami as an
anvil feels no
blows,
so Patience
never com-
plains.
[Cap. cxii,
prose.]
Christ was
clad with it
on the cross.
and com-
plaind not,
tlio he wag
hiiimnerd
like plate on
an anvil.
7392
Supra dorsum meum
fabricaueruwt peccutores
7396
[leaf 117]
Take then
this pin-point
of Patience,
and wear It
next your
skin.
208 / put on the Gambeson, but am too fat for it.
The Pilgrim.
[Cup. cxiii,
prose.]
I put on the
Gambeson ;
but it pains
me,
and I tell
Orace Dieu
I cannot bear
it.
Job vi. 11, 12.
Orace Difti.
[leaf 117, bk.J
She tell a me
my body is
too big and
fat;
the fault is
not. in the
Gumbeson,
but in my
rontrarioua-
IH'SS.
The pylgrym.
A-noon affter (by hyr assent) '
I dyde vp-on thys garnement.
[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
The wych was hevy for to beere, [8towe,ieafis4]
And ryht komerous ek to were; 7412
Grevous also, and streith 1 to lace, [ streyte st.j
And ryht peynful to enbrace ;
And, for the peyne, I gan abreyde,
And to grace dieu I seyde : 7416
" Ma dame," quod I, " thys purpoynt
Was nat shape fro poynt to poynt
To my plesauttce, I yow ensure ;
ffor I may nat wel endure 7420
To bern yt pleynly at myra ese :
The shap ther-off ne doth nat plese 3
To me, pleynly ; nor the ffasouw
Accordeth to myn oppynyoim." 7424
Grace dieu
Quod Grace dieu, ' thys garnement
Ys wel shape to myn entent,
Thogh yt be nat to thy plesauwce ;
ffor thy body, in substauwce 7428
Ys so ffaat, so gret 3 and large, [ 3 ffatte / grete St.]
And ouerlade with grete 4 charge, [* grete st., gret c.]
That yt may nat be enbrachyd 5 [ s ben bracyd St.]
Aboute the, nor wel ylacyd, 7432
And yet the faute, to myn entent,
Ys nat in the garnement,
But only founde in thy gretuesse,
And in thy boystous frowardnesse, 7436
That thow mayst vp-on thy bak
Sustene yt, but thow fynde a lak ;
And al the faute ys fouwde in the,
Off wylful contrariouste. [stowe, leaf is*, back] 7440
' But, thyn errour to reforme,
Thow must thy-sylff mekly confourme.
3 Sidenote in MS. : Quo est [enini] foditmlo mea vt sustinerem ?
a?tt quis finis meus, vt pacienter again '( (12) nee fortitude mea
lapidum, ncc caro mea enea e.^. lob (vi. 11).
/ must grow lean and jit myself to the Purpoint, Patience. 209
' To thys garnement, truste me, ?i 8 ^i r r^^v^iuiitot q cm a tuam
And nat the garuement vn-to the ; ad v lu " t ' * Au s u9t -
And put away the gret outrage, 7445
The ffaatnesse and the surplusage
That ys in the, and the gretnesse ;
And the (xwfourme by meknesse 1 p mekenesse st,] 7448
To thys purpoynt, that yt may be
Accordynde 2 & egal vn-to the, [ Accordyng St.]
In euery party wel syttynge.
'And thogh that yt, as in semynge, 7452
Be nat, at the pryme fface,
Euenly shape the tenbrace
Yet affter-ward, vn-to thyn ese
Yt shal be syttynge, & wel pleee ; 7456
ffor thyng that greueth the to-day
Shal be to-morwe 3 vn-to thy pay ; p tomorwe / be St.]
Yt may so faH, off auenture ; 7459
' And therfore al-way 4 the assure [ ail way St., . . way c.]
In thys garnement for diffence,
Wych ys callyd pacyence,
With whos power, (now vnderstonde,)
AH assautys thow shalt wttA-stonde.
' ffor wrong despyt & al desdeyn
That any man kan to the seyn,
Outher off pryde or surquedye,
Eepreff or any vyllenye,
Veuge the nat / nor do no wrak,
But looke a-noon thow tourne bak ;
Lawhe and be glad, & sey ryht nouht,
And be nat troublyd in thy thouht.
' And off me thys wysdam lere,
Berkyng off houwclys for to here,
Yt may to the, by good suffraurace,
Nouther damage nor do greuauwce.
Ageyn assautys off al swych wrak,
Lat the Styth set 5 at thy bak, p sytt st.]
And thy purpoynt off pacience,
Myghtyly stonde at dyffence : 7480
And -wfth thys tweyne, truste me,
Al maner off aduersite
PILGRIMAGE. P
Grace Dien.
I must fit
myself to the
garment, not
the garment
to me.
I must get
rid of my fat,
and shape
myself by
meekness to
fit the Pur-
poynt.
Pain to-day
shall be joy
to-morrow.
[leaf 118]
[Cap. cxiv,
prose.]
The Pur-
poynt is cald
' Patience,'
7464
7468
(Stowe, leaf 135]
7472
Nota St., om. C.
Magnorum virorum est,
necligsre ledentem. C.
Seneca. St., om. C.
7476
and will
enable me to
suffer wrongs
cheerfully.
210 I agree to put on the Purpoint of Patience or Suffering.
Grace Dieu. ' Thow slialt veiiquisshe & ber doiw ;
n.v suffering And, lyk a myghty chain pyoiw. 7484
and adversity ' J J o J
i shall be Thow slialt vfith laurer crownvd be,
crownd,
By suffrauttce off aduersyte.
as were the As 1 by record? ful longe a-gOU [>AndSt.]
murlyrs,
Wer thys 2 martrys euerychon, [* Were tues St.] 7488
Wych that weFln euery poynt
Strongly armyd in the purpoynt
who, by pa- Off patience", to sustene
fering won The sttok, when they wer leyd atwene 7492
the laurel of 0,1
victory. The hamer and the Styth also,
And a-twyxe bothe two,
[leaf iis, bk.] The grcne laurer off victorie,
And the crowne ek off her glory e, 7496
Yforgyd wer, (who taketh hede)
ffor guerdoiw off ther eternal inede.
Grace Dieu 'And therfore I consaylle the.
advises me to
put on tins "With thys purpoynt that thow be. 7500
piirpoint of ' 1 r J
Patience. Wych ys callyd pacyence,
Armyd ffyrst for thy diffence.
Thys my cowsayl ; & thus I rede, [stowe, leaf 135, back]
Be cause only thow shalt ha nede, 7504
As for thy cheff protecci'ou?i
Ageyn al trybulacyou/i
Off false brygau?ztys that shal lye
Vp-on the waye, the tespye.' 7508
The pylgrym.
[Cap.cxv, " Certys," quod I, u yt stondeth so,
That I wot nat what I may do
Touchynge your consayl, by no waye ;
i m?ree to put But at the lest, I shal assay e 7512
on 'Patience.' .
Me taraye, in my dyttence,
Wit/i your purpoynt off patience."
[cap. <-xvi, Grace dieu.
Quod Grace dieu, " thow must also,
Or thow in armys haue a-do, 7516
Vp-on thy purpoynt ' pacyence '
nm above it Haue a-boue, in thy diffence,
on tin- The haberioujz wych hangeth yonder.
Imbermnn
of Fortitude, So inly ffayr, that yt ys wonder ; 7520
But above it I must wear the Habergeon of Fortit'ude. 211
' fforgyd off old (yt ys no faylle)
ffor to entren in bataylle,
Wyth Deth to ffyhte, & his meynee ;
Thys to seyne, (yiff thow kanst se,) 7524
Ageyn al peynys and tourmentys
And hys dredful 1 tournementys, c 1 dredefuiie St., dredful c.]
Replevysshed 2 with mortal Rage. [ 2 Repienysshed St.]
Deth ys a best 3 most sauage; p beast st,] 7528
He chauwgeth purpoos and devyses ; [stowe, leaf isoj
And al thys 4 vnkouth sondry guyses, [*thesst.]
Wyt off man and al Resouw :
ff or he let 5 fallen hys bordoun, p For u>tt st,] 7532
Hys Maas, <fe ek hys dredful spere,
He hurteth nyh", & ek affere,
And spare th noon off no degre
How hih they syttyn in her Se, 7536
ffor rychesse nor for pui'ssaimce.
1 But who wyl haven assuraunce
Ageyn deth, as a champyouw,
Lat hym haue on thys haberiouw ; '.x* 1 7540
And off deth, in al hys nede,
He shal ha 6 no maner drede ; [ 6 iiave St.]
Off hys assautys nor hys wrak,
Nor for hym onys 7 tourne abak, Fenyst.] 7544
Whil he hath on thys garnement
The wych was forgyd (off entent)
Off the 8 most myghty armvrer, * the st,, om. c.]
Wych syt aboue the sterrys cler, 7548
That forgede So?zne & mone also,
And made hem in her cours 9 togo> pcoursgc., there cours St.]
And no man may be armyd \rel
In plate, mayl, nor in sfcel. 7552
Nor sur 10 for hys savaci'ouw, [jo snre st.]
But he haue on thys haberiouw,
Wych callyd ys off verray ryht,
* ffortitudo ' most off myght. 7556
ffor, ' ff orce ' ys callyd thys vertu,
Wyth wych seruauwtys off cryst ihesu
Wer Armyd, the myghty champiouns
That made hem hardy as Iyou?w3 7560
to fight
against
the savage
beast Death,
[leaf 1J9]
who spares
no one.
Against him
this Haber-
geon will
protect me.
It was made
by the Great or
of Sun and
Moon,
[Cap. cxvii,
prose.]
and its name
is Fortitude,
or Force.
212 The Virtue of tlie Habergeon ' Fortitudo ' or 'Force'
grace Dieu. In batayH & in tourncmentys,
The cham- And constaunt euere in ther ententys [stowe, leaf me, back]
pioiis of
thin eard Vn ' to fclie deth, & no thyng dradde,
nothing
Vp-on ther body whan they hadde 7564
[leaf ii9, bk.] Thys haberioutt ycallyd ' force,'
with tins Wher-wyth tliey dyde he?-sylff afforce,
Force. To putte hem forth, & nat wit/i-drawe,
In dyffence off crystys lawe, 7568
Thorgh ther prowesse & hyh renouw.
' And sothfastly thys haberiowz,
(Who that euere doth yt were,)
Dagger nor Off daggers, dart, Swerd nor spere, 7572
sword, spear
pierce a it a]tM Shoot of Arwe nor off quarel,
(Thogh they be grounde 1 sharpe off stel,) ^gZmic 8 ]*"
They shal nat perce thorgh the maylle,
ffor the Rynggs (thys no ffaylle) 7576
It is strongly Wer ItVliettyd 2 SO myghtyly [* Revettyd St.]
riveted, and J J , .
anneaid \vitu Clenchyd and nayled so strongly:
martyrs'
blood. The yren werke 3 was ek so good, [ werke St., weer c.]
Annelyd & tenipryd \vt't/t the blood 7580
That ran out off her wondys kene,
Thys made hem manly to sustene
Thassaut off brygauntys nyht & day, ( ^ -c
That lay for pylgrymes on the way, 7584
By vertu off thys haberiouw. Fortitudo .i. Force st.
' And therfore (off eutencyouw,)
By my couyzsayl, sey nat nay
This Haber- To putte yt On, & yt taSSay, 4 [* hit assay St.] 7588
be d wo must -A-^ ouo thy purpoynt ' pacyence ' ;
puT* fnf ^ or> y ^ fforce (by my sentence)
Patienoe/ Vp-on the tother be wel set,
Thow shalt ffyhte wel the bet 7592
(I dar wel seyn) wherso 5 thow go : [ s wherst.]
Now lat se what thow seyst her-to." [stowe, ieafi$7]
The Pilgrim. The
[Cap. cxviii, "Ma dame," (to speke in wordys ffewe,)
i ask to see " I P ra y yow that ye wyl me shewe, 7596
:il I the armour A i i i A i
lam to wear. And to do yOUre b bysy CUre [ 8 youre St., my C.]
That I may se al the armure 7 [ 7 tharmure St., c.]
\Vych I shal were in thys vyage,
My other arms: Helmet, Gorger, Target, Gloves, & Sword. 213
And yiff I ffynde avauntage 7600 [leaf 120]
T ii The Pilnrim.
lii tharneys ye prayse so, [C. &st.]
I wyl accorde wel ther-to." 1
Thanne she a-noon hath forth brouht a SlSl?^v ! Grace Dieu
istowe s hand), brings forth
The haberiouw, fful wel ywrouht, 7604
Off wych to-forn I ha yow told ;
And, to make me strong & bold,
Out off hyr tresour ek she ffette
An Elm, A Gorger, A Tarerette, 7608 a Helmet,
r<l 4* 1 4. A J i Corslet. Qor-
Orlovys oft plate, A swerd also, ser, Target,
[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.'] sword,'
And thanne she spak & seyde, loo,
Grace dieu. grace Dieu.
' Off thys hameys, take good heede, 7611
And truste wel thow mustest 2 nede c 2 trust . . must st. (badly)].
Haue hem vp-on, (As by my lore,) with "inch i,
' v J J tlie pilgrim,
Or thow shalt repente sore : mUHt **
armed.
ffor they only to the suffyse,
Yiff thow the gouerne lyk the wyser 7616
And to my doctryne lyst attende,
Lyk a man, the to dyffende
Ageyn hem that wyl do the" wrong, [stowe, leaf 137, back]
4 And yiff I hadde the ffouwde strong, 7620
I hadde the yove bet armure ;
But I ha don my bysy cure
Yt to conserue, ffor the 3 prowh p thy St.]
Off folk that be mor strong than thow. 7624
' An helm tavoyde the" fro dred, The Helmet
Thow shalt ha ffyrst vp-on thyn hed, iiead,
The to preserue, erly and late ;
And a gorger mad off plate ; 7628 [leaf 120, bk.]
And affter thys [i]forgyd ffayre, ftSES-t,
Glovys off plate, a myghty payre, and the
J r ' J J * J Gloves for my
Set vp-on thyn hondys tweyne. i>ds.
ffor ellys (yiff I shal nat ffeyne) 7632
Wyth-outen hem (as thynketh me,)
Thow myghtest nat wel armyd be. is called me
' And, to declaren in substaunce, ance e>mp(
Thyn helm ys callyd ' Attemprauwce,' f 7636 proseT'
1 The Stowe MS. puts the heading ' Grace Dieu ' above the next line.
214 The Virtues of the Helmet: it protects Eyes and Ears.
grace pieu. By wych aforn tliow shalt wel se,
This Helmet, Herkne and smel. at lyberte,
Attemper-
ance, will Tliynges to-forn or that they falle,
enable me to Jo
events'- ^- n( ^ cas ^ a -f m > meschevys alle, 7040
That no thyng vnwarly greue.
ffor Attempraunce (who lyst preue)
Ilaueth thys condyc'ioiw,
Only off high" 1 dyscrecyoiw t 1 ingiie St.. om. c.] 7644
Kepeth thoye 2 cloos and secre p the eye]
That yt haue no lyberte
To opne, (who-so lyst to lere,)
But whan tyme yt doth recjuere, 7648
That fooly nor no vanyte
Be nat to large nor to fre,
'ffor yiff thys helm be mad a-ryht, [stowe, leafiss]
it protects the Yt shal nat haue to large a syht, 7652
Lyst som Arwe, sharpe y-grounde,
Entre myghte, & gyue a wouwde.
and by cio- And at the Erys ek also
ing the ears,
Thow mustest 3 taken lied therto, pmustcst.] 7656
That yt be nat to large off space,
Lyst that by the same place
Entrede (by collusyoiw)
Som noyse off fals detracciouw, 7660
Or som fooltyssh dalyaiwce,
Gruchchyng, or noyous perturbaiwce.
[leafm] 'ffor thys helm, surer than Stel,
Stoppeth the Erys ay so wel [c. &st.] 7664
By prudent cyrcuwspeccyoiw
keeps detrac- That DartVS 4 off DetraCCVOUW [* Darts St.]
tion from the "
heart. (Grounde and fyled for to smerte)
Haue noon entre to the herte, 7668
Wych be gretly for to drede
Whan they, off fals neyhebourhede,
Ben yforgyd off malys,
And ysquaryd by fals devys. 7672
ffor ther ys noon mor dredful shour [c. & St.]
Than off a shrewede neyhebour ;
ffor, \fith ther dartys, swyche 5 ko?me > swyche St., swych c.]
Hurte wers than bowe or gonne : 7676
Of the Helmet of Salvation, and the Goi^ger of Sobriety. 215
' Ageyn whos mortal meshauMce, Orace Dieu -
Thys helm callyd ' attemprawice ' 8 tem e . lraet
Ys nedful, in thy dyffence, KS'E^T'
for to make resistence 7680 %,**
At Nase, at Ere, & at the Syht,
That yt hem kepe & close a-ryht.
ffor thys helm, for assuraimce, [stowe, leaf iss, back]
Wych ys callyd ' attemprauwce ' 7684
As worthy & noble off fame,
SevTZ poul gaff ther-ton 1 a name, [ ther-to St.] st. Paul bade
men wear it
And callyd yt (for gret delyht) 7687
' The helm off helthe & off profyt,' ^^M^SH St" 1 ?
And commauwdede men take hed salvation "-
ffor to sette yt on ther hed for their chief
salvation.
As for ther cheff Savac'ioiw.
' And a Gorger, lower dou??, 7692 [cp. cxx,
prose.]
He bad (as for mor sykernesse) The Gorger
They sholde make off sobyrnesse ;
ffor sobyrnesse, wtt^ attemprauwce,
Haueth alway allyaunce ; 7696
ffor bothe they ben off on all ye,
Ay to refreyne glotonye. restrains
J J J Gluttony.
And trusteth wel, (with-oute faylle,) [leaf 121, bk.]
Thys Armure hath a double maylle ; 7700 Tins armour
J J is double
And ellys (pleynly I ensure,) man,
Yt wer to feble to endure.
'And yiff thow lyst the cause espye,
Ys thys, only, for glotonye 7704 because Gint-
J ' Jt J tony is doubly
Hath in hym sylff, off 2 fro wardnesse, past.] mad, in taste
J J and excess.
A dowble maner off woodnesse ;
Woodnesse off Tast & fals delyt,
Havynge to mesour no respyt ; 7708
And outrage ek off dalyaunce,
ffor lakkyng off Attemperawace.
' And fyrst, he doth hym sylff most wo, it, works ruin
J with the
And sleth hys neyhebours also, 7712 tongue.
Whan the claper ys out Ronge,
With the venym off hys Tonge,
Whan he hym teryth & to-rent. [stowe, leaf 139]
ffor ther ys addere, nor serpent 7716
216 Of the Gorgcr of Sobriety, and the Gloves of Continence.
grace pieu. ' So dredful, nor malycyous,
Neither adder As VS A Tonge VeUyniOUS :
nor serpent is '
so dreadful as jf o tryacle may the venym saue. 7719
a venomous
tongue. Ther-fore yt ys ful good to have 1 t l to have st., tave c.j
Ageyn hys mortal cursydnesse,
A Gorger off Sobyrnesse,
The wych Armure ys profytable
To alle 2 folkys worshepable. p TO iie st., Taiie c.] 7724
1 Lat no man -with hys tonge byte,
Nor wit/i hys wordys falsly smyte,
Malycyously to make wrak
Off hys neyhebour, at the 8 bak ; [higst.] 7728
ffor who so doth, he ys nat wys.
st. wniiam ' And Seyn WylKam off Chalys,
otCualys J '
A man off gret abstynence,
Wych neuere dyde offence, 7732
fas hie Lire (As hys lyff platly doth teche,)
shown) v J -i r J
In hys Tonge nor in hys speche,
ffor ay he dyde hys bysy peyne,
[leaf 122] Wykkede tongys to refreyne. 7736
And mys-spekerys, thorgh outrage,
That vfiih her Tonge fyl in rage,
the 1 beTt m * az ' -^ e ^ r y^l e( ^ e hem, & dyde hem wreste,
Wh at-euej-e they herde, to sey the beste. 7740
Off whom ys good exaumple take,
And off hys lyff a Merour make,
That eue?'e hadde in condyciouw
To here no detracci'ovw 7744
In hys presence, nyh" nor fere,
Neuere to lestene bakbytere.
And therfor, (as I shal devyse,) [stowe, leaf 139, back]
Arine the in the same wyse 7748
Turn away Tavoyden (shortly in sentence)
biters. Al bakbyterys fro thy presence,
And al maner detracci'oure.
Wher thow hast domynaci'ouw. 7752
[Cap. cxxi, ' The nexte armure, the to saue,
prwe.]
Next, have Vp-on thyn hondys thow shalt haue :
Gloves for the . i /. i i
hands, A peyre on glouys lorgyd wel,
Surere than yren outher stel, 7756
The Gloves of Continence, to stop lewd touchings, &c. 217
' Alle vyces to restreyne ; grace m.
Tharmure off thyn handys tweyne. t restrain ail
J j j viceS) and
A-geyn the lust off fals touchyng. prevent im-
proper touch-
Tast, or any dyshonest thyng 7760 in s s -
To ffele or touche, as by wrong.
' ffor to make the sylue strong,
Thow shalt thy couwsayl take off me,
Vp-on thyn handys, armyd to be 77G4
"With a peyre off glouys sure.
And the name off that armure, The name of
m , ,, , ... . . this Srcl part
The thrydde part on attempraunce, of Attemper-
Wych ys callyd in substauwce 7768 [leaf 122, bk.]
(The taforce in thy dyffence)
The noble uertu ' contynence.' is conti-
Wych vertu, seyd in syngulerte,
Ys egal to pluralyte. 7772
ffor thys vertu (yiff yt be souht)
By hym-sylff allone ys nouht
ffor honest wyl, conioynt wit/t dede \
In clennesse, ys worthy niede, 7776
A-geyn al fflesshly ffreelte
To arme l A man in chastyte. P To ftrm , e s*: ^arme c
Stowe puts tins line (leaf 1 40)
' Nouther off hem (who kan se) *** the " e above il ta C -J This virtue is
May withouten other be, 7780 ' b ' e '
No mor than (yiff I shal nat ffeyne)
We't/i-oute noumbre off glouys tweyne,
No man ys suryd for 2 diffence, p for St., for to c.]
ffor to make resistence. 7784
But whan that wyl & tast also in win and
Ben accordyd, bothe two,
Off honeste, nat to trespace,
Thogh they hadde fredam & space, 7788
And also opportunyte
To don A-mys at lyberte,
Than semeth yt (yiff thow take hede)
He wer worthy ful gret mede ; 7792
As was Seyn Bernard, that holy man, st. Bernard,
mi. v / T i .. i \ that holy
Ine wych (as 1 reherse kan) man,
Was wel armyd on owther hond,
Whan he off a- venture ffond 3 p honde . . ffonde st.] 7796
218 Of St. Bernard's Continence. The Sword of Righteousness.
when he
found a wo-
man in hia
bed,
[leaf 123]
took no heed
of her,
so that she
thought him
no man :
but he won
tin- palm of
chastity.
Therefore
the Gloves
are needful.
Likewise the
Sword.
The name
thereof is
Righteous-
ness.
' (He ther-off no thyng wytyngc,)
A wommaw in liys bedtle l lyggynge p bedde St., byd c.]
Nakyd, ful off lusty hede,
2 And plesynge off hyr port in dede, 7800
Wych gaff hym gret OCCasioUW, L 2 - 3 St. leaves out these 4 lines.]
Wyth toknys off temptaci'ouw,
Thorgh hyr port off whommawhede. 2
But he thdr-off took noon hede ; 7804
ffor she ne myghte hym nat excite,
In hyr bewte to delyt ;
He took off hyre no reward,
fFor to tourne to hyr ward ; 7808
ffor, surere than any stel,
Hys handy s wern yarmyd wel,
That, whan he sholde haue A-do,
ffro Touch & Tast he kepte hym so 7812
That she myghte hyw nat dyllude. [stowe, leaf uo, back]
Wher-vp-on), she gan conclude,
And affermede off hy??i a-noon,
That outher off yren or off ston 7816
He was ymad, & lyk no man :
And thus he the palnie wan
Off chastyte ; and she A-noon,
Shamyd & coufus, ys a-goon ; 7820
And he with victoire 3 a-bood sty lie. [ 3 vyctorye St.]
' And therfor (as by my wylle)
Thow shalt the Armen (& nat feyne) 7823
Wyth swych a payre 4 Glouys tweyne. [* payre / off st.]
' ffor the also I shal prouyde
Tave A swerd ek by thy syde ;
(A bettre was ther neuere found e,
Off stel forgyd, whet nor Grou/?de,) 7828
"VVyche 5 shal ynowfi suffyse [ 5 winche st., w yc h c.]
The to dyffende many 6 wyse, tinenyst.]
Yiff any Enmy tlie assaylle
(Outher in skarnmssh" outher 7 bataylle,) ['orinst.] 7832
I the ensure, in al thy nede,
"VVhyl thow hast yt, thow shalt nat drede
Off noon Enmy, nor no dystresse,
The name off wych ys ' liyhtwysnesse.' 7836
The Sword of Righteousness makes the Body obey the Spirit. 219
' A bettre swerd was neuere wroulit, [leaf 12:1,
f\a> i i i A Grace Dieu.
Oft prmce nor oft kyng ybouht :
J & J It is better
ffor the swerd off goode Oger, than the
Off Rowland nor off Olyuer, 7840 Rowland or
Oliver, or ot
Was nat (for to reknen al) gier the
\ Dane.
Off valu, to thys swerd egal,
So trusty nor so vertuous,
To ffolk in vertu coragous. 7844
ff or thys swerd haueth so gret inyht, [stowe, leaf ui]
To ryche and povre for to do ryht, it makes
every one do
And thorgh hys vertuous werkyng Right.
Yiveth every man hys owne tliyng : 7848
A swerd mad for an Emperour,
And for euary gouernour,
And al that hauen regencie
A-boue other, or 1 maystrye, ['off St.] 7852
Therby to gouerne tlier meyne
And ther sogetys in equyte,
That noon do to other wrong
(Thogh he be myghty outher strong,) 7856
By fforce nor by vyolence,
Hys neyhbour to don offence.
'ffor thys swerd, in euery place,
Alle wrongys doth mAnace, 7860
And techeth A manhys 2 body wel, p mannys st] it constrains
J J the body to
Not to be stordy nor rebel ;
A-geyn the Spyryt, no thyng to seye,
But to be soget, and obeye ; 7864
And techeth A mawhys- herte off ryht,
To loue god "with al hys myght,
A-boue al other Erthly thyng,
As hym that ys most myghty kyng ; 7868
Eschewe ffraude, deceyt & guyle ;
And that, by couert off no whyle,
He, in hys affecciou?i,
Off wyl nor off entenciou?? 7872
Ne do no maner tyranye, [leaf 124]
Oppressyou?i nor robberye ; oppress or
A J u ai ii j rob ally ulle>
And cheilly, that eue?y maner wyht
Gouerne and rule hym sylff aryht, 7876
220 Of the Sword of Righteousness that subdues the Flesh.
It helps to
subdue the
flesh,
as St. Benet,
girt with
this sword,
withstood
temptation.
and overcame
the flesh.
[Cap. rxxiii,
prose.]
This Sword
of Righteous-
ness you
must wear on
your pilgrim-
age,
[leaf 121, bk.]
against your
secret self-
causd foes.
' Vyces putte in 1 subieccioun, ^ T '^ ^^l^k.]
That vertu ha 2 domynaci'ouw p ha MS St.]
The fflesshe felly to chastyse,
Yiff yt rebelle in any wyse 7880
To be to sturdy or to bold,
As seyn Benyth 3 dyde off old, puenettst.]
Gyrt wt't/i the swerd off Ryghtwysnesse,
Whan he dyde hys flessh oppresse 7884
As a myghty champyouw :
Wtt/i-stondyng hys temptac'iouw.
As regent and gouemour,
He made the spyryt Emperour, 7888
Smot the flessh, by gret duresse,
"With the swerd off Eyhtwysnesse ;
Punysshede hym so cruelly,
Wtt/t-oute respyt or mercy, 7892
Almost euene to the deth,
In poynt to yeldyn vp the breth ;
Tyl he, lyk a manly man,
With thys swerd the laurer waan. 7896
Hys fflesshe rebel, he gan to daunte,
And his myght vp-on him haunte, 4 [ 4 c. leaves out tins line.]
Ther yt was inobedyent.
To ben at hys comauwdement, 7900
So lowly to hym, & so mek.
'The wyche 5 swerd thow shalt bern ek
On pylgrymage, wher thow shalt gon,
Ageyn thyw Enmyes euerychon,
Thy prevy enmyes (thus I mene,)
Hard and greuous to sustene ;
fFor ther be noon so peryllous,
So dredful nor so dangerous,
As ben thylke Enmyes in secre,
Wych off thy sylff ycausyd be,
And gnicche ageyn the nyh 6 & ferre,
Wzt// the Spyryt to holde a werre.
' But or that thow thys baret ffyne,
And or that froward wyl enclyne,
Thyn herte make to assente,
Loke thow chau/^ge thyn entente,
7904
7908
t' ny&> St., nyght c.]
7912
7916
The Sword of righteousness & the Scabbard of Humility. 221
' Synsualyte to oppresse oroge DJCU.
With thys svverd off Ryghtwysnessc :
Dau/ite alway hys rebellious,
And brynge hym to subiecci'oim ; 7920
Lat nat thy flesshe ha the maystrye, The flesh
J J J ' must bow to
But mak hym lowly bowe & plye ever 8p tidn iu
To the spyryt in euerythyng ;
And lat thy resown, as lord and kyng, 7924
(By tytle off domynac'iouw,)
The flessh haue in subiecci'oim.
Than nedeth yt no mor to muse ;
Thys swerd off ryht thow dost wel vse, 7928
Thy sylff to gouemen & to saue.
1 And thys swerd also shal haue CCP. cxxv,
prose.]
(To kepe yt clene in hys degre) Tins sword
A skawberk off humylyte, 7932 ness'isle^" 8
n*T . t - m M t ' \ "' l ' le s - - ab-
Wher-mne, 1 (for most avauwtage) [ inne St., in c.] bard of
' Humility.
Thy swerd shal haue hys herbergage ;
Only to teche & sygnefye,
That eche good werk (who kan espye,) 7936
May lyte 2 vaylle, but yiff yt be piyteist.]
Closvd Vnder humvlvte ^ Ero> Humilitus sola est obscruatrix
iuiyi,yw3. et cust(OB)qu virtutuiu. St., om. G.
1 Thys skauberk (in especyal)
Ys makyd off A skyn mortal : fstowe, ieafi42, back] 7940
Thys to seyne, (who so kan se,)
Al Erthly folkys that her 3 be [ 3 iiere st.] AH folk shall
die.
(Off ech estate both yong & old,)
Shal deyen, as I ha the told. 7944 [leaf 125]
Ha thys ay in thy mynde & thouht, Remember
And lat thy skawberk ther-off be wrouht j immbie.
And ther-vp-on conclude, and se
To namen yt ' Humylyte.' 7948
' ffor ther ys noon so proud alyue,
A-geyns deth that may wel stryue ;
And who that hath ay deth in mynde,
Som whyle I trowe, he shal fynde 7952
To knowe hys oune ffreelte,
A skawberk off humylyte.
' And, to purpos, I telle kan
How that onys a pubplycan 7 956
222 The Pharisee and Publican. The Scabbard of Humility.
grace PI fn. And a pharise also,
The Pharisee Kam to the temple bothe two.
nnd the
Publican. The ton hym sylff gan iustefye,
And off pryde to magnefye, 79GO
That he was lyk non other whiht ;
And bostede in hys oune syht,
He was hooly in hih degre :
The proud Thus sayde the proude pharysee ; 7964
Pharisee * r f
despised the And off pryde he f yrst be-gan l [> Stowc leaves out this line.]
Publican.
To despyse the pubplykan ;
Sayde, ' he was to hym nat hable
Off meryt, nor comparable 7968
' Off whos pryde, afferme I dar,
That he thys swerd to proudly bar,
He hadn't Havynge nat (who lyst to se)
the Scabbard ' ' *
of Humility. The skawberk off humylyte, 7972
He lyst nat Se, no thyng at al f
That ha 2 was a man mortal ; [*he St.]
' s
But off hih presumptuousnesse [stowe, leaf i*s]
He shewede out hys Ryghtwysnesse, 3 7976
Gan to boste, & crye lowde. [
Qeaf 125, bk.] 'And so dorz al thys folkys proude,
To gete hem fame by veyn glory e,
And putte her namys in memdrye. 7980
But thow ne shalt no thyng do so,
But let 4 thy Swerd (tak hed her-to) 5 [Uhe^'sS = leave)]
(The Swerd, I mene, of Ryghtwysnesso,
ffor any maner holynesse,) 7984
Cloos wttft-Inne (wher so thow be,)
The skawberk off humylyte.
virtue is of ' ff or what deme off dyscreci'ouw
witiiout A-vaylleth any perfeccioura 7988
Humility.
AbstynauTzce, outlier penau?zce,
Or any vertu, in substaunce
But yiff they ygrouwdyd be
On 6 lownesse and humylyte, poffst.] 7992
Ground and rote off echo good werk.
And put thy Swerd in the skawberk
Off meknesse & lavlyhede. 7 , F Lowiyhede St.]
prose.] ' 'And affter that, tak good heede 7996
Girdle of Perseverance &, Constancy. Target of Prudence. 223
' (As a man no thyng afferd) Grace p>eu.
The to gyrde -with thys swerd,
Thys noble swyrd off ryghtwysnesse
In the skawberk off meknesse. 8000
'And thy gyrdel ek shal be The Girdle
ot Persever-
With wych thow shalt ygyrden the ance '
The gyrdel off ' perseuerauwce ' ;
The Bokle callvd ek ' constauwce ' ; 8004 with its
Jim-Kit- called
That whan the tong ys onys Inne, 'Constancy.'
They shal neuere parte A-twynne,
But perpetuelly endure 1 p to endure st.] 8007
To kepe the clous in thyra Armure, [stowc, leaf us, back]
That they departe nat assonder.
And yiff they dyde, yt wer gret wonder ;
ffor perseuerauwce (I dar seye)
Ys the verray parfyt keye 8012
And lok also (I dar assure) Oaf 120]
Off perfeccioun off annure.
' And therfore alway do thy peyne Always fasten
ffor to fastne wel thys 2 tweyne, [thes-st.] 8016 withcon-
TI i i C stancy.
1 lie gyrdel on perseueraimce
\Vit/t the Bookie off constaunce ;
And than thy Swerd, longe tabyde,
Ys wel gyrt vn-to thy syde : 8020
Ha thys wel in mynde, I charge.
wyl I spekyn off thy Targe. [Cap. cxxviu,
. 1/11 T prose; cap.
Ihe wych in soth (who kan entende.) cxxviiisnot
J in the verse
Schal thyn Armure wel 3 A-mende, paiiest.] 8024 English.]
. , , , /i i i . \ The Target.
And kepe yt, (lyk as yt ys wrouht,)
In vertu that yt A-peyre noxiht.
The wych vp-on thy brest to-fore,
Off custom euere shal be bore, 8028
As cheff thyng for thy dyffence :
The name off wycli shal be ' prudence ' : its name is
Prudence,
A Targe most worthy off Renoure.
ffor, whilom, Kyng Salamouw 8032 which Kins
, . . , Solomon bore
Bar ay thys targe in hys entent, in ins miud.
ffor to do ryhtful lugement,
Rychere to hym (Erly & late) 8035
Thau off gold to .ij. 4 hondryd plate, [ 4 Gold* / twoo st j
224 Of the Target of Prudence., and King Solomon.
while soio-
mon was
governed by
Prudence lug
!a8ted ifice " ee
[leaf 120, bk.]
Therefore
wear this
Target,
to repel
MMMItSi
but wisely
< And mor off valu (as yt ys told)
Than al the sheldys mad off gold,
Wych in hys temple (out off doute)
He made hange round a-boute. 8040
'ffor, by thys targe off prudence, [stowe, leaf ui]
He hadde so gret excellence
Of worshepe, & so gret honour,
As he that was off wysdom flour. 8044
Whil he was goueniyd by prudence,
Endurede hys magnyfycence ;
o J J
-^ n ^ wnan that prudence was a-go,
Hys worshype wente a-way also. 8048
Hys sheldys off gold, ek euerychon,
A dyeu x whan prudence was a-gon. [ A oieu St.]
ffor prudence, the shyld I calle,
Off fyue hundryd the best off alle, 8052
ffor to rekne hym, 2 on by on ; ( hem St.]
And, to kepe a man ffrom hys fon,
Ys noon so myghty off vertu,
Nor equyualent 3 off valu. t 8 Equypoient St.] 8056
Wherfor, 4 whil thow art at large, [* \iwayst.]
Looke thow haue vp-on, thys targe, 5 P, 8 * 8 *;? put8 u | i8 lin .? n
J o > before the one above it.]
Wherso thow entre in batayH,
Whan thyn Emnyes the aasaylle, 8060
To force 6 thy quarel & a-mende, [ Tfforce st]
Ber Vp, & Wei thy-.sylff 7 dyflende t'C. inserts thy/St.'the. 1 ]
At alle assautys fer & ner,
In maner off a bokeler. 80o4
ffor 8 gonnys, dartys, & quarel, p against]
Shrowde the ther-vnder wel ;
Be no coward, But wyely bolde.
' And now I haue the pleynly tolde 8068
Off thyn armure, (yiff thow tak hede,)
Wher-off thow ehalt haue ay most nede,
Wtt/t-outen many wordys mo :
Now be avysed! what thow wylt do.' 8072
The pylgrym.
9 "Certys," <^uod I, "ther ys no more; [stowe, leaf HI, back]
9 Lines 8073 8100 have no counterpart in the Cambr. prose,
or in its original, the first version of the French prose.
/ ask why Am\our is not given for my Legs and Feet. 225
" But I am astonyd sore The Pilgrim.
Off o thyng wych cometh to mynde,
Wych that ye ha lefft be-hynde : 8076
Thys to seyne, off al armure i want
armour for
Ye nan me makyd 1 strong & sure, [imadest.] my legs and
I66t.
Saue my leggys & ff eet also :
Ye haue no thyng yseyn 2 ther-to, pseyest.] 8080
Nor ryht nouht for hem ordeyned ; [leaf 127]
The wych ouhte be co?wpleyned ;
ffor folk off hili dyscreci'ons *
Speke fyrst off Savaci'ons, 8084
Off greevys, & kusshewys 3 ek also, p kysshewys st.]
Whan that men shal haue a 4 -doo ; [*to St.]
But ye (by short conclusion)
Make ther-off no mencyoura. 8088
" But, for to telle yow my thouht,
ffor my party, I rechche nouht ;
ffor, in spede off my vyage,
Yt were to me noon avau?itage, 8092
Yiff I sholde gon at large,
ffor to bere so gret a charge."
Grace dieu azete 5 p axete, om. st.] Grace men.
' Sawh thow eue?*e 6 (SO god the HeSSe !) [ncnereSt.] Grace Dieu
_ asks if I have
In forest or in wyldernesse 8096 ever seen
hunting.
(Tel on, yiff yt cometh to mynde)
Huntyng for hert outher for ynde, 7 [< Hynde st.]
Chasyng for Rayndeer or 8 for Roo, [* other st.]
Huntyng for buk outher for do ? ' 8100
The pylgrym answereth n e pugrim.
"Trewly," <ytiod I, "to speke in pleyn, [stowe, leaf i] i answer
Somtyme, huntyng haue I seyn."
Grace dieu Grate Dieu.
1 Thanne,' quod she, ' I the comawnde,
Answere vn-to thys demawnde : 8104
Bestys that ben in wyldernesse, she asks
Whan huntys don ther besynesse best defence
. , 11111 of animals in
lo cuacen hem, and kachche her pray, the chase.
What ys that thyng that best may 8108
Helpen bestys in ther defence,
ffor teschewe the vyolence
PILGRIMAGE. O
226 Grace Dicu says Venus & Cupid lie in wait for Pilgrims;
[leafm, bk.]
The Pilgrim.
I answer
' flight.'
The Pilgrim.
Armour
would there-
fore hinder
their flight.
Grace Dieu
says that
a deadly
linn tress lies
in wait for
me:
her name is
Venus.
Her son is
Cupid.
[leaf 128]
1 Off houndys in swycli sodeyn iape, 1 [' Rape St.]
ffrely fro the deth to skape ? ' 2 [ 2 teskape St.] 8112
The pylgrym
" Trew[e]ly, vn-to my Syht,
To hem, best help 3 ys thejflyjit." P help, o,.st.]
Grace dieu
' Thanne, yiff they hadde vp-on Armure,
On ther leggy s, (hem sylff tassure) 8116
Outher off plate, maylle, or stel,
ffro byt off howndys to kepe hem wel,
Answere ageyn, shortly to me,
Sholde they be swyfft, away to flel' 8120
The pylgrym [Stowe, leaf US, back]
" Certys," quod I, " I wot ryht wel,
Yt sholde hem furthre neueradel
So to ben armyd, (as I gesse,)
But rather hyndren ther Swyfftnesse." 8124
Grace dieu
' Now her-vp-on tak hed to me,
Conceyue what I shal telle the :
In thy passage, ther* thow shalt pace, pwherstj
Yt ys holde a perylous place; 8128
And I the putte in ful surnesse,
Ther lyth A mortal hunteresse,
In a-wayt to hyndre the,
Wyth gret nouwbre off hyr meyne, 8132
Gretly to drede, & dauragerous ;
The name off whom ys damelYenus., 5 [ 5 Venus St., <m. c.]
And hyr sone callyd Cupide,
The blynde lord, waytywge asyde 8136
With hys Arwes fyled kene,
To the ful dredful to sustene.
' And thys lady doth euere espye,
Wtt/i huntys in hyr companye, 8140
Most perillous to hurte & wouwde,
Al pylgrymes to confouwde.
ffor ther ys hunte 6 nor foster [ 6 Hunt St.]
That chaceth ay the wylde deer, 8144
Nor other bestys that byth Savage,
That may be lykned to the rage
and Flight is their only defence : so my Legs are unarnid. 227
1 Off dame Venus : wherf or tak hede [stowe, leaf 146] Grace pieu.
How gretly she ys to drede. 8148 she is greatly
to dread.
' And yiff thow kanst the trouthe espye,
Venus ys sayd off venerye ; Ve "sS ur a venandl ' m ' '
ffor she ys the hunteresse
"VVych euere doth hyr bysynesse 8152
To take pylgrimes by som treyne,
And tenbracen in hyr cheyne,
And with hyr ffyry brond also
ffor to don hem peyne & wo, 8156
And ther passage for tassaylle.
' And fynally, in thys bataylle From her
Ther geyneth power noon, nor myht, 8159
Nor other rescus but the fflyht, Fu a * Remediu* St., flif?ht tlie
J om - u only defence.
ffor flyht ys only best diffence ;
And 1 ffor to make resistence C 1 And St., om. c.]
A-geyn hyr dredful mortal werre,
The ffyht 2 vfith hyre ys best a-ferre. pfflyghtst.] 8164
' ffor yiff A man be rekkeles
ffor to putte hym sylff in pres,
ffarwel dyffence off al Armure !
Ther folwe shal dyscoumfyture 8168
On the party that doth a-byde ;
ffor Venus & hyr sone cupyde,
In ther conquest han vyctorye,
And in ther werrys, ffals veyn glorye, 8172
Whan folkys at dyffence' stonde
To fyhte wit/t hem hand 3 off honde ; phondcst.]
'And for thys skyle, thow sholdest 4 be lyht [*shustst.]
ffor to take the to the flyht ; [c.&st.] 8176 [ieafi28,bk.
Whan thow hast nede, (take 5 yt in myncle,) [ 5 have St.] Therefore i
_ . , , , , can best seek
Legharneys ys leift be-hynde, [c. & St.] liberty by
That thow mayst, at lyberte, [stowe, leaf 146, back]
Hyr dartys and hyr brondys fle. 8180
' Whan thow hyr seyst, 6 mak no dyffence, [ 6 seest St.]
Nor noon other resistence,
But eschewe place & syht,
And alway tak the to the flyht. 8184
Tourne thy bak, & she wyl go ; 'JSSKKBT*
And yiff thow flest, she fleth also. S ^!/^^**
228 / put on all my Armour, and my Sword and Target.
Grace Dieu.
Flight is
1 in' lii-.-t
remedy.
The Pilijrim.
[Camb. prose,
cap. cxxix.]
I dislike the
purpoint;
but lest Grace
Dieu should
be wroth,
I put it on,
and the ha-
bergeon ;
then the
gorger
and helmet ;
[leaf 129]
then the
gloves and
sword ;
and lastly,
the target.
[CamT>. prose,
cap. cxxx.]
But it is
grievously
heavy.
' A-geyn whos malys and envye,
fflyht ys the beste 1 remedy e ['best St.] 8188
Off al other (yiff yt be souht) ;
Other harneys the nedeth nouht
Vp-on thy leggys (truste me,)
ffor no mane?- necessyte, 8192
"YVi't/t Venus to holde chaumpowtye.'
And whan I sawh, & 2 gan espye, [ 2 1 St.]
And vnderstood hyr wonder wel
Touch ynge tharmure eue/ydel 8196
Wych she hadde for me brouht,
I 3 gan assaye, and taryede nouht [ s And i stj
Me tarrne fro poynt to poynt ;
But me lykede nat my purpoynt : 8200
I fond ther-in 4 so gret a lak, [ 4 ffounde ther St.]
Yt heng so heuy on my bak,
I wolde fayn haue lett yt be ;
But lyst 5 that she were wroth wiih me, piestst.] 8204
I suffrede ; &, in conclusion?*,
Ther-on dyde the haberiourc
Wych she me tok, ful 6 bryht & clere. [ 6 toke / fat <m. St.]
And affter that, the double Gorger, 8208
To hyr byddynge I took swych hede ;
And thane the helm vp-on my?i hed,
Mad ful strong, aud forgyd wel ;
Next, my glovys, tfynere than stel, 8212
And gyrte me w*t/t my swerd ryht tho. [ston-e, leaf 1*7]
And alderlast, I took also
My targe, that callyd was ' prudence,'
And hengyd yt on in my dyffence 8216
Round a-boute my nekke a-noon.
And platly, whan I hadde al don
Lyk as she bade, with myn harneys,
I felte ther-off so gret a peys, 8220
That I myghte nat endure
The greuous wheyhta off my?i armure,
That for dystresse I a brayde,
And to grace dieu I sayde : 8224
[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
The pylgrym
But it bothers me so, that I complain of it to Grace Dieu. 229
"Ma dame," quod I, "ne greff 1 yow nouht [^revest.] The pilgrim.
Thogli I dyscure to yow my thoulit ;
And lat yt yow no thyng dysplese,
Thogh I declare myn gret vnhese, 2 [ vnese st.] 8228
And disclose yow my mescheff ;
Tliys armure doth me so gret greff, i complain
of the annoy-
So gret annoy & dysplesaiwce, ailc caused
J by my arin-
That I ne may me nat 3 a-vauwce [* nought st.] 8232 ur -
Vp-on my way nor rny lourne,
Swych hevynesse encou??tbreth me.
"Myn helm hath rafft me my syvncr The Helmet
J stops my see-
And take a-way ek myn heryng ; 8236 i"Bad ear-
And most off al dyspleseth nie, [leaf 129, bk.]
I se nat that I wolde se.
And also, (yiff ye lyst to lere,)
Thyng that I Avolde, I may nat here ; 8240
And smelle also I may no thyng
That sholde he to my lykyng.
" Thys gOrger (ek as ye may SO,) [Stowe, leaf UT, back] TheGorger
Gret encowtthraimce doth to me, 8244 strangles me.
And strangleth me almost vp ryht,
That I may nat speke a-ryht,
I fele so gret a passi'ou? :
And (for short conclusions) 8248
Thys armure may me nat profyte,
In wych I do me nat delyte.
"Thys glouys bynde me so sore, [Camb. prose,
J * cap. oxxxi.]
That I may 4 weryn hem no more, [* may om. st.] 8252 Tiieoiove*
pincli me ;
Vvt't/i her pynchyng to he boumle,
Myn handys ben so tendre and Eou?ide ;
And al the remnauret (I ensure)
That ye gaff me, off armure, 8256
Me streyneth so on euery syde, the other
Armour I
That I may nat ther-wtt^ a-byde. V'' t P ut U P
" I ha to yow told al the caas ;
I am nat strengere 5 thaw dauyd was, [ 6 stronger c.] 8260 i am not
stronger than
Wych hadde so myche suftysauwce ; David,
But, for cause off dysusauwce
In hys youthe whan he was tendre,
And off makyng smal & sklendre, 8264
230 / declare tliat I won't wear Armour when Ifiyht Venus.
when he
fought with
Goliath.
[leaf 130]
I say I will
leave the
armour when
I meet Venus.
The Pilgrim. " (In the byble ye may se,)
Hy? lyst nat Armyd for 1 to be [ for om. st.]
Whan that he (thus stood the caas,)
Sholde fyhte -with Golyas, 8268
Swych Armure he hath forsake ;
Off whom I wyle exau?ple take,
ffor my party, to go lyht,
To ben ay redy to the flyht, 8272
Whan that Venus (by bataylle,)
On the weye me wyl 2 assaylle, [ 2 wyiie me st.]
Al thys arniure I wyl leue,
Be-cause that they do 3 me greue, ['wyiiest.] 8276
Off purpos (lyk as ye shal se)
That I may the bettre fle, [stowe, leaf u]
Lyst I stode in lupartye
Whan Venus me dycle* espye, p dydde me st.] 8280
Wych ys the peryllous hunteresse,
Pylgrymes to putten in dystresse."
Grace dieu
' Yt nedeth her-on no mor to muse,
By cause thow dost thy sylff excuse, 8284
How armure doth to the" grevaurcce ;
fFor he that hath 5 no suffysauwce p hath st., om. c.]
Wyth-Inne hy?w-sylff tendure peyne,
Off lytel thyng he wyl co??zpleyne, 8288
And a lytel charge refuse.
' But shortly, yiff thow koudest vse
Thys Armure, yt sholde seme lyht,
And nat lette the in thy flyht ; 8292
ffor thys armure ys nat heuy
To hertys stronge, that be myghty
To endure, and byde longe
Vp-on heuy chargys stronge. 8296
' But thow hast excusyd the,
That thow wylt nat Armyd be,
But go lyht, bothe 6 fer & ner, [ 6 bothe om. st.]
And therfore thow shalt ban A 7 Somer 8 / Bahu/st., om.c.
To karyen-in 9 thyw hanieys al, 8 paom.st. 9 innest.] 8301
Wych in soth shal be but smal,
8 These lines are in Cambridge prose, p. 138.
Grace Dieu
[Camb. prose,
cap. cxxxii.]
tells me
the armour
is light,
if I could but
use it.
I shall have
a packliorse
to carry my
armour.
r II have only Sling & Stones. So I cast off my Armour. 231
' To trusse yt in, whan thow hast nede, Grace PI
And with the thow shalt yt lede, 8304 says that,
Lyst sodeynly, in bataylle,
Any man the wolde assay De, [leafiso.bk.]
Lyte and lyte to vse the, [stowe, leaf us, back]
Euere a-mong, armyd to be. 8308
'And for thow hast made inenciouw, [Camb. prose,
cap. cxxxvi.]
Off dauyd the noble charnpyouw,
That he wold noon Armys bere, 8311 as touching
David, who
"Wych slowh the Lyon & the Beere ; IeoncBI f vrsum c -> 8l T .V 16 , lion
* om. st. and the bear ;
But tOUchyng the Same fourme 1 [' form fourme C., fourme St.]
Thow mayst the neuere to hym cowfourme,
But yiff thy body thow 2 applye p thow St., now c.]
ffor to fyhte a-geyn Golye 8316
Wt't/i thy staff & with thy slynge ; i must, like
And with the also that thow brynge siing and
stones.
In thy skryppe stonya fyue,
With the geauwt for to stryue, 8320
As dauyd dyde, thorgh hys renotw,
Whan he hyw slowh & beet a-dou?z.'
The plrym 3 C 3 Pylgryme St^ pylgnn C.) The Pilgrim.
" Ma dame, certys," tho miod I, [Camb. prose,
cap. cxxxvii.-
" That ye me graimt so gracyously 8324 viii.]
To be armyd as dauyd was
Whan he fauht with Golyas,
I thanke yow with al my?i myght r
And yow be-seche / a-noon ryht 8328 igiadiy agree
to this,
That I may be armyd so,
Whan-euere that I shal haue a-clo.
Other Armure ne wyl I noon,
On pylgrimage whan I shal gon ; 8332
But that ye 4 lyst to do your peyne [*yowst.]
A Somer, fyrst[e] to ordeyne, f Bahn / st., om. c.
And ther-wyth (as ye haue be-hyht)
Stonys & slynge a-noon ryht. 8336
But f yrst I shal dys Arme me and throw off
all my
Off thys Armure, as ye shal Se." [stowe, leaf 149] armour.
And so I dyde : & caste 5 dou?i pkastst.] [Camb. prose,
cap. cxxxix.]
Purpoynt, helm and haberiouw, 8340 [leaf isi]
Glouys & swerd, I yow ensure,
232 Grace D'ieu leaves me, and I grieve over her going.
Grace Dieu
is displeased,
and leaves
me.
8344
pinnest.] 8348
P stylle n. ther St.]
[* And St., om. C.]
[ 3 in to manere of a St.]
[mySt.]
I ask mrs*lf
what I sliuJl
do
unless Grace
Dieu returns
and anus
me.
I wasn't
worthy that
she should.
8352
8356
8360
The piiffrim. And fynally, al myn armure ;
[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
"Wheroff me thouhte I was wel esyd.
But Grace dieu was nat wel plesyd
(Shortly) off my gouernaunce,
But took yt parcel in greuau??.ce,
And fro me she gan declyne, 1
And entrede in, 2 in hyr courtyno.
And disarmyd I a-bood,
And fulle nakyd so 3 I stood,
And 4 ffel in-to A maner 5 Rage
Off dysconfort, in my corage.
The lak vpon me 6 sylff I leyde;
And thus vn-to my sylff I seyde :
" Alias ! " quod I, " what shal I do,
Now grace dieu ys go me fro 1
I stonde in gret dysioynt, certeyn,
But vn-to me she kome a-geyn,
Wych armede me f ul ryally,
And apparayllede Richely,
Lyk taknyht 7 that sholde assaylle
Hys Enmyes in 8 bataylle.
But I was nat worthy ther-to,
That she sholde ha 9 do So,
Off neclygence and ffreelte
Xow I haue dyspoylled me,
Destytut on euery syde.
" And trewly now I most a-byde, [stowe, leaf 1*9, back]
[leaf isi, bk.] As a sheppcrde (who taketh kep,)
With dauyd for to kepe shep,
With staff & slynge, as dyde he,
I trowe yt wyl noon other be.
Grace dieu so me be-hyhte
Whan that I stood 10 in hyr syhte,
Dysarmyd my body, euerydel,
Wher-off she lykede 11 no thyng wel
But pleynly, off my gouernaunce,
Me sempte she hadde dysplesauNce."
[Camb.proiie, . . ' . ,
cap. cxi.-i.] And whil I stood in swych dysioynt,
12 Omitting the coming of the wench Memory with her eyes in the back
of her neck, p. 73 Roxb.
['to a knyht* St.]
pin the]
phovestj 8364
8367
I must go
and keep
sheep like
David.
8372
[ stoode St.]
[" lykyng St.] 8376
She comes back, and says I must be put to bed and rubd. 233
And was brouht vn-to the poynt 8380 The
Off heuynesse in my corage,
Tryst & mornyng off visage,
Grace dieu cam a-geyn
And thus she gan vn-to me 1 seyn : [' vnto c., to me St.] 8384
Grace dieu
' Thow shalt no thyng do,' quod she,
' But at 2 thyn owne lyberte : p aiie St.]
Thyn arffmre thow hast cast a- way,
And stondyst now in gret affray, 8388
Vonquisshed (in conclusions),
Wtt/i-oute strook yput adowz,
And fallen in gret febylnesse ;
Wher-for behoueth besynesse, 8392
And also ful gret dyllygence.
'Thy gret 3 harmys to Recompense, pgretest.]
Thow must be wasshe & bathyd offte,
And couchyd in a bed ful soffte, 8396
Ther-in thy syluerc to dysporte,
And han a leche, the to coumf orte, [stowe, leaf iso]
Thy synwes harde to mollefye
With oynementys, to make hem plye. 3 400
Tel on A-noon ; let for no slouthe ;
Her-off, yiff I sey the" the 4 trouth.' [* the the St., the c.]
The pylgrym
" Ma dame," quod I, " yt ys no les ; 5 p lees St.]
Off my peyne's to haue relee, 8404
I wolde fayn (trusteth me)
Off my disesses 6 holpen be. [ 8 dysaese st.]
The maner (yiff ye koude espye)
ffor to shape a remedye ; 8408
ffor, be my trouthe, I yow ensure,
That I may no lenger dure
To sutfre mor, (taketh 7 good hed,) u more / take St.]
But that I muste pleynly be ded : 8412
Wit/i-Inne my-sylff, many wyse,
Off labour I fele so gret feywtyse."
Grace dieu
Quod Grace dieu a-noon to me :
' I haue espyed wel, and Se : 8416
While I was
sad,
Grace Dieu
came buck
to me,
[Camb. prose,
cap. cxli.]
and told me
I must \v;isl'
and batlie
often,
and have a
doctor to rub
my sinews
with oint-
ments.
The Pilgrim.
[leaf 132]
[Camb. prose,
cap. cxlii.]
I require
a remedy for
my weak-
ness.
Grace Dim.
Grace Dieu
saya she
234- Grace Dieu has kept David's 5 Stones, and gives me them.
Grace Keu. ' But I dyde my bysynesse
To taken bed to thy syknesse,
The to helpyn & releue
Off thyng that doth thyn herte greue. 8420
I wot ryht wel (yt ys no nay)
Thow sholdest gon a peryllous way.
' But fyrst tak bed, & be wel war,
The stonys wych that dauyd bar, 8424
Wyth the wych he slewe 1 Golye, [' siougn st.. leaf 150, back]
And hadde off hym the mystrye,
has long kept The same stonys. I ha 2 longe [*havest.]
JMVIU'B *
stones to piay Kept hem bouwde wonder stronge 8428
Wt't/i-Inne a purs (shortly to seye),
Off entent, with hem to pleye
with her With maydenys wych on me a-bvde,
maidens at J J J J
the French Euerc a-waytynge on my syde, 8432
game of J J o J J
Toss-bail. At the martews, 3 the gentyl play
Vsyd in fraurcce many day :
These, i shall The wych stonys, the to saue,
I purpose that thow shalt haue, 8436
[leaf 132, bk.] As dauyd hadde, in hys dyffence,
ffor to make re"sistence
A-geyn the geaunt Golyat,
Vn-to hy?n, to seyn ' chek maat,' 8440
Whan that e\ie re in bataylle
He cast hym proudly the tassaylle.'
The pilgrim. And a-noon she dyde hyr peyne
To take with hyr handys tweyne 8444
She takes Out off a pOUTS, 4 stonys fyUC : [* Purs St.]
them from / J
her purse That neuere yet, in al my lyue,
I ne sawh nat to my syht
f No maner ston so cler nor bryht. 8448
[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]
And in al hast, thys lady fre,
and gives Wyth hyr bond she took 5 hem me : [ 5 gaffe St.]
them to me. , , , . . .
Wych I receyuede ful lowly,
3 Martel s. ra. Nom d'un jeu :
Et . v. pierres i met pctitcs,
Don puceles aux martewes geuent
Quant beles et rondes les treuvent.
(Rose. Richel. 1573, fo. 176<i.) Godcfioi.
I am to fight the Giant Goliath, who tempts Pilgrims. 235
[linom.St. 8452 The PUtirim.
And in 1 my skryppe sykerly,
I putte he?tt up, on by on.
But she to-forn, off euerychon,
Sche made 2 a declaraClOUJ* [* made to me. Stowe, leaf 151]
And ful 3 cler exposici'oure ; pafuiist.] 8456
In whos speche ther was no lak ;
And euene thus to me she spak :
Grace Dieu 4 [* st., om. c.]
' Thow shalt,' quod she, ' yt ys no fayl,
Offten entren in 5 bataylle, ['in to St.] 8460
With thy foonien for to stryue,
And han 6 a werre al thy lyue [hauest.]
With the Geau?^t Golyas,
Wych hath be-set ech maner pas 8464
Wher thow shalt passe in thy vyage,
As thow gost on pylgrymage.
Whos loye ys (who kan corcceyue,)
AH pylgrymes to deceyue ; 8468
Vp-on the wey lyth, hem tespye,
As doth the hyrayne for the fflye.
' And as she hyr net kan spynne,
Tyl that she the flye wynne, 8472
And by hyr sleythe 7 kan hem take, p sieyghte st., sieytn c.]
Eyht so hys trappys he doth make, .1. Goiias st., om. c.
Alle pylgrymes to enbrace,
Wher they walke in any place, 8476
ffalsly to take on hem vengauwce,
With hys deceytys off plesauwce,
And flesshly lustys off delyt
fful plesau?it to the appetyt. 8480
'With worldly rychesses, 8 & veyn glorye [" Richessust.]
Off goodys that ben transitory e,
Off hem he maketh a sotyl net ; 9 [ 9 nette . . knctte st.]
And whan he hath yt vp ful knet, 9 8484
Ther-wit/i he doth hys besy peyne, [stowe, leansi, back]
Pylgrymes to bryngen in A treyne.
Hem cachchynge (or they kan espye)
As the hereyne doth the fflye, 8488
By apparence ful agreable,
Thys ffalse geauwt deceyuable,
\ put them in
my Scrip,
and Grace
Dieu tells me
about them.
I shall have
battle all my
lite with
Goliath,
[leaf 133]
who lies in
wait for
pilgrims,
as the spider
fur the Hy.
236 The 1st Stone is Memory of Christ's Death, a
[loaf 133, bk.]
I am to take
no heed of
the world,
hut be full of
courage like
David.
The first
stone is the
memory of
Christ's
death for
mankind.
The precious
Kuby,
' Lyk the 1 bacyn that ys brewnynge, p de st.j
And she we tli ffayr as in shynynge ;
Yet nat for-thy, thogh yt be bryht,
The Beere yt reueth off hys syht,
And maketh hym blynd, he may nat se.
' Eyght so, worldly prosperyte,
fflesshly lust & fals plesauwce,
Causen folk, by deceyvauwce,
ffor to be blynd, & lese her syht.
' Wher-for wttft-stond vtith al thy myht
The power of thys proud Golye.
Al fflesshly lustys ek defye ;
And off the world ek, tak noon hede,
Wych deceytieth a man at nede.
' And yiff thow wylt don aff ter me,
I shal a-noon her 2 techyn the, p
Lych a myghty chainpyoun
To venquysshe al temptacioun 3
Off the world, Golye, & the fflessh.
' Looke ffyrst that thow be fressh,
Lyk to dauyd off corage,
Manly off herte, wys & sage
A-geyn thyw Enmyes for to stryue ;
And euere have redy, 4 stonys ffyue, [* have redy St., imardy c.]
To caste hem (off entenciouw) 8515
A-geyn[e]8 al 5 TemptaciOUn, [ s Ageyns alle mane-e off St., leaf 152]
Loke thow be redy, euere in on.
'The name off thy ffyrstc ston y
Ys the mynde most off? vertu, l
Off the deth off crystihesu ;
How that he sprad on the rood,
ffor mankynde, hys, owne blood ;
The peple ther-wttA to beyw 8 a-geyn, [byenst.]
Wych that Golyas hadde slayn.
Thys, the precyous ruby Eyche,
In al thys world ther ys noon lyche ;
Wych receyuede hys rednesse
3 Stowe here awkwardly inserts a parenthesis of two lines :
Looke thow Le redy / euere in oon,
To fighte with hem as thy foon. leaf 151, back.
8492
8496
8500
8504
8508
8412
. stowe.
(7 off moste St.] 8520
8524
The 2nd is Remembrance of Mary ; 3rd, Heaven's Miss. 237
'Off crystys blood, & liys rychessc. 8528
' Dye thyn herte (as yt ys good,)
In the sylue 1 same blood ; Hsyiffst.]
Ha ther-in feyth & stedefastnesse ;
Than artow strong (in sothnesse) 8533
Ageyn golye & al hys myght,
ffor to venquysshe hym by ffiht :
Thy mynde ha ther-on, euere in oon.
' And the nexte 2 Ryche Ston, p next St.] 8536
In noumbre callyd the secouude, ^fSSS^SS^KS*"
Wych wyth al grace doth habouwde, S^ri^^c.
>
Off vertu hath most suftysaiwce,
And ys callyd Remembraunce 8540
Off that mayde & moder fre,
Y-chosen off the deyte
fful many hundryd yer to-forn,
Or she was off hyr modern born). 8544
Thys, the precyouse margaryte,
Off hevenly dewh & dropys whyte,
Sprang in a Cokyl bryht & shene,
ffor tavoyden al our tene, 8548
Whos grace, thorgh the world doth shyne : [St., if. 152, bk.]
Lat hyre thy/z herte enlwmyne,
And a-dewhen 3 with hyr grace ; [ 3 adewen St.]
And neuere dred the (in no place) 8552
But thow shalt han the maystrye
Off the devel and off golye.
'Thethrydde ston ys Memorye
Off the perdurable glorye,'
-_,-... .,
And oil the hme blysse in heuene
A-boue the planetys alle seuene :
Thys, the blyssyd saphyr 4 trewe/ [ 4 saphirc St.]
Al-to-gidre off hevenly hewe, 8560
"Wych recouwforteth most the syht
WT/M hys counfortable lyht :
Kep hyt for thyn owne stoor,
ffor yt saueth eue?-y soor ; 8564
Yt sleth 5 bochches & ffelomzs, [ 5 ieethe St.]
Destroyeth venym & poyssou??s :
J
And off colour yt ys ynde :
ciirut.
Remem-
brauce of
Christ's
mother Mary,
. SL,*,.C.
nfefr
8557
The third
%%
the everlast-
ingbiissof
Heaven,
the sapphire.
It destroys
venom ami
poisons, and
IS dark blue -
238 The 4>th Stone, named Albeston, is Memory of Hell-fire.
Grace pieii, ' Lat yt UGMQr out off thy mynde. 8568
i am to azure ' Azure thyn herte ther-wwt/i-al ;
my heart
with it. And loue yt yn especyal,
As for thy cheff pocessiovm ;
And thanke (off bin" affecciouw) 8572
[leaf 134, bk.] To god Only, Wych 1 off grace C 1 god / which oonly St.]
Hath ordeyned swych a place
( ffor his chose chyldre 2 dere, [ z Children St.]
The wyche, 3 as champiouns here, [ 3 which* st., wych c.] 8576
ffyhten \vyih golye day be day,
And overkome hy? in ther way ;
Pylgrymes that passen many Rewm* [*Recmst.]
Toward hevenly Jerusaleem. 8580
The fourth ' The ff ourthe ston ys callyd ' Mynde ' : th j^* nc
"Ro WOT tint vt Vp nat Vr> Vivnrlp Quartus lapis est timor &
.6-Wai ttiat yt D( -nynae. memoria pciie Infernalis
Haue y t 5 in thy memoryal [5 St^,
Memory of Mynde off the peynys infernal, 8584
tlie Pains of .in 11
Heii, W ych ys gretly for to drede,
and its flamy Wyth hys flawmy fyrys rede.
ment sinners. Eedy (ther ys noon other wente,) 8587
Thys Synnerys to tormente 6 [ 6 Thes Synners / to Tornemente St.]
Eternally, for ther penaunce,
That deye 7 w#t/i-out repentauwce ; U dyen St.]
' But, off that lord grettest off myght,
I Whos mercy euer passeth ryht, 8592
Off synnsrys desyreth nat the 8 doth ; [butst.]
ffor he doth mercy or that he 9 sleth ; p or he St.]
Loth, swych folkys to tormente,
That off herte hem wyl repente. 8596
' But yet haue alway in thy thouht,
(And look that thou for-gete yt nouht,)
To haue thy mynde, euere a-mong,
Up-on thys mortal peynys strong. 8600
' And the name of thys dredful stone
it is called Ys ycallyd Albeston,
Albeston. Wyc } 1) w j lfln yt rcceyueth ffyr,
To hete yt hath so gret desyr, 8604
That 10 whan wyth 11 ffyr yt ys ymeynt, [ 10 That St., Than c.]
Affter, neuere 12 yt wyl be queynt. [ wimn the St.]
' Haue on thys ston ay money oun, [ |2 Never nuier St.]
TJie 5th is Holy Writ, art, Emerald, cleansing impurities. 239
' And in eche temptacyouw, 8608 ctracf men.
Latt love off God, and drede off peyne, [stowe, leaf 153] [leaf 135]
Fro dedly Synne the Eestreyne. [stowe MS.]
And yiff thow hast her-Inne memorye, 8G11
Off Golye thow hast the vyctorye.
' The ffyffthe ston (I the ensure) th W'f 8t< ? ne : Jn- stowe ' The fift1 '
\ / 1 Quintan lapis, sacra Rt . OIle js Ho)v
That thow shalt han, ysjscrypture' *"# n st -> om - c - writ,
Hooly wryt, & thus I mene,
The Emerawd that ys so grene, [stowe, leaf 153, back] 86 1C tucEmeraiu,
A ryche ston, off gret couwfort,
That to the eye doth most dysporfy
And, thorgh hys myght & hys puissauwce,
Voydeth a- way al grevauwce 8620
ffrom an eye 1 fer & ner, [> Eyee st.]
And maketh A mawhys 2 syhte cler, [^manys st.]
Clenseth a-way al ordure, winch
_, - cleanses from
Hie gownde, & eue/y thyng vnpure. 8624 all ordure.
' Now haue I told the, by & by,
Off thys Stonys COiyOUsly, 3 P Ceryously St.] These 5
Wych that ben in noumbre fyue :
Put hem in thy skryppe blyue, 8628
Caste hem ay whan thow hast nede ;
And specyally (as I the rede)
Caste hem euere in ech sesou?^ i am to
cast against
A-geyns al temptacyowz, 8632 temptations,
Ech affter other, in thy dyffence ;
And mak alway strong resystence,
Spendynge thys 4 stonys, on by on ; [* thcs st]
And I ensure 5 the a-noon, [ 5 assure st.] 8636
Thow shalt nat faylle (yiff thow be wys,)
Off vyctorye to gete a prys.'
The pylgrym 7v?iw<-.
Than quod I to hyre a-geyn,
"Thys fyue stonys (in certeyn) 8640
Ben ryht good & gracious,
& at assay ryht vertuous ;
But I merueylle, syth ye be wys,
Why that ye, in your a-vys, [st. & c.] 8644 [if MS, bk. j
Lykne my Mouth un-to a slynge ;
ffor I kan nat aboute brynge,
240 Grace Dieu bids me make a Sling to cast the Stones with.
The Pilgrim. " Xor deuyse, how that I Schal [St. & C.] [Stowe, leaf 15i]
ti^wavlo ^ east6 ston y s ther-wyt/Kil, 8648
ineetroy fo helpe 1 my sylff ageyn my ffon; pstowe. Teipec.]
ffor custoom hadde I neuere noon,
God knoweth wel, nyh nor ferre, [c. & St.]
Me to gouerne in swych a werre." 8652
Grace Dteu. QraCG dlBU.
QwofZ she, ' Kanstow nat espye ?
Who kan wysdom, he kan folye ;
And who that knoweth ek goodnesse, 8655
Parcel he knoweth off shrewdnesse ; 2 p Bhrewdenesse St.]
ffor ryhtwysnesse, & also wrong,
Entermedlen euere a-mong ;
There are And in an herte (yiff yt be souht)
divers w J
the'iTJart '" ^er tourneth many a dyuers thouht, 8660
Lyk a corde (yt ys no doute),
Wyt/i-Inne yt 3 tourneth ofte aboute; pwiiichest.]
And off two cordys, they a-corde
Offte for to make a corde. 8664
' ffor Cordys be sayd (who kan aduerte,)
Off offte tournynges 4 in an herte; p turmcntynges St.]
And vryth twynnyng, (in certeyne,)
as one cord is A 5 cord ys vmad off twevne. poost.] 8668
made of two.
' And thus thow shalt aboute brynge,
Off thy thouht to make a slynge,
Ther-in to putts stonys ffyue,
Ageyn thyw enmyes for to stryue, 8672
To cast hem in thys mortal werre,
Wer-so thow 6 lyketh, nyh or ferre. p the St.]
' ffor, slynge ys noon, (thys no doute,)
That may tourne so offte aboute 8676
As may thy thouht (be wel certeyn) ;
ffor bothe on hylle, on vale & pleyn, [Stowe, leaf 15*. back]
Yt tourneth her, yt tourneth yonder, 8679
So offte" sythe, that yt ys wonder, (7 So oflte St., Sofite c.]
[leaf is6] flfer or ner, ryht at thy lust,
On whos abood, yt ys no trust. [c. A St.]
Take heed Bllt, yit 8 I rede, tak good kep PyitteSt.]
sti.nes well. (Lyk thys Erdys 9 that kepe shep) p thes herdys St.] 8684
Thy slynge and stonys to. kepe wel,
