THE
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THE
(Corpus Christ i Coll., Oxford.)
OF
EDITED BY
FREDERICK J, FURNIYALT
LONDON:
PUBLISH! FOR THE CHAUCER SOCIETY
BY N. TRUBNER & CO., 57 & 59, LUDGATE HILL,
1868-1879.
Series,
CLAY ANT) TAYLOR, THE CHAUCEK PRESS, BUNOAY.
CONTENTS OF THE CORPUS MS.
Six-Text
Group Pages
A. § 1. General Prologue1 1
§ 2. Knight's Tale (of Palamon, Arcite,
and fair Emelye. Pt. II, p. 40 ;
Pt. Ill, p. 54; Pt. IV, p. 71) 26
§ 3. KNIGHT-MILLER LINK 89
§ 4. Miller's Tale (of Nicholas, Absolon,
& the Oxford Carpenter's Wife) 92
§ 5. MILLER-REEVE LINK ... ... Ill
§ 6. Reeve's Tale (of the Tmmpington
Miller and Cambridge Clerks) 113
§ 7. REEVE-COOK LINK 125
§ 8. Cook's Tale (unfinisht : of the Lon
don Victualler's Apprentice) ... 127
Appendix to Group A : The spu
rious TALE OP GAMELYN
B. § 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK ... 129
§ 2. Man of Law's (Proem and) Tale (of
Constance and her boy. Pt. II,
p. 142 S-T., p. 168 Corpus; Pt.
Ill, p. 157 S-T.t p. 183 Corp.) 132
§ 3. MAN - OF - LAW — SHIPMAN LINK
(wrongly as MAN-OF-LAW-SQUIRE
LINK) 167
Corpus
Pages
26
89
92
111
113
125
127
129
155
158
193
[For F, § 1, SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK
(from MS. Arch. Seld. B. 14), see
Appendix 4, p. 6* below.]
F. § 2, Squire's Tale (unfinisht: of the Magic
Horse, &c, and the Falcon) ... 479 194
{For F, § 3, see SQUIRE-FRANKLIN
LINK (from Laud MS. 600), in
Appendix 5, p. 7* below. For F,
§ 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE, see p. 351
Corp. below.]
1 Has not the Friar lines 252 b, c, of the Hengwrt MS.
VI
CONTENTS.
Group
D. § 1. Wife of Bath's Preamble (of her 5
Husbands, &c.) ...
§ 2. Wife of Bath's Tale (of what Women
most desire)
§ 3. WIFE-FRIAR LINK
§ 4. Friar's Tale (of the Sum'ner being
carridoff to Hell)
§ 5. FRIAR-SUM'NER LINK ...
§ 6. Sum'ner's Tale (of the Friar being
trickt by the sick Husbandman,
& the Lord's Carver)
Six-Text
Pages
E. § 1. CLERK'S HEAD-LINK
§ 2. Clerk's Tale (of Grisilde. Pt. II,
p. 409 8-T, p. 288 Corp. ; Pt.
Ill, p. 417 S-T, p. 296 Carp. ;
Pt. IV, p.422 8-T, p. 301 Corp.;
Pt. V, p. 428 S-T, p. 307 Corp.;
Pt.YI, p. 433 S-T, p. 312 Corp.;
Chaucer's Envoy,1 p. 440 S-T,
p. 319 Corp.)
[For E, § 3, CLERK-MERCHANT LINK,
see Appendix 3, p. 5* at end.]
§ 4. Merchant's Tale2 (of January and
May, incomplete, only to I. 2318.
For lines 2319-2418, from MS.
Arch. Selden, B. 14, Bodleian
Library, see Appendix 1, p. 1*) 2
[For E, § 5, MERCHANT'S END-LINK,
from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14, see
Appendix 2, p. 4* below.]
334
359
371
372
383
385
403
405
443
Corpus
Pages
213
238
250
251
262
264
281
284
321
[For F, § 1, see Appendix 4. p. 7* ;
for F, § 2, p. 194 Corp. ; and for
F, § 3, Appendix 5, p. 7*.]
F. § 4. Franklin's (Proem and) Tale3 (of
Dorigen, Arviragus, and Auri-
lius)
500
351
1 6 stanzas of 6 lines each, ryming ababcb, each with the same
3 rymes, -ence, -ayle, -ynde. as against the 7-line stanzas of the
Tale, ryming abnbbcc, with varying rymes.
2 Like the Petworth and Lansdowne MSS., the Corpus has a
spurious 1. 1778. instead of the genuine E 1777, p. 458 8-T. p. 336,
Corp., and a spurious 1. 1816 (misplaced), p. 459 S-T, p. 337 Corp.
Like Pet. and Lansd., it leaves out 1. 1927-8, p. 462 S-T, p. 340
Corp., but does not, like Lansd., leave out E 2281-8, p. 350, Corp.
3 Like the Petworth and Lansdowne MSS., the Corpus leaves
CONTENTS. Vll
Six-Text Corpus
Group Pages j Pages
G. § 1. Second Nun's (Proem and) Tale (of
St. Cecile) 527 377
§ 2. SECOND- NUN — CANON'S- YEOMAN
LINK 547
§ 3. Canon's Yeoman's Preamble (of
Alchemy, &c.) ... ... 552
§ 4. Canon's Yeoman's Tale (of the ras
cally Alchemist-Canon) ... 560
C. § 1. Doctor's Tale (of Virginia) ... 303
§ 2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK ... 312
§ 3. Pardoner's Preamble (of his Preach
ing and Tricks) ... ... 314
§ 4, Pardoner's Tale (of the Three
Rioters) 318
[For B, § 1, 2, 3, see p. 155-193 Corpus.']
B. § 4. Shipman's Tale (of the Monk and
the Merchant's Wife) ... 168
§ 5. SHIPMAN-PRIORESS LINK ... 181
§ 6. Prioress's Tale (of the little mur-
derdBoy) 182
§ 7. PRIORESS-THOPAS LINK 190
§ 8. Chaucer's Tale of Sir Thopas (un-
finisht) 191
(Fytte II, p. 197 S-T, p. 484= Corpus.)
§ 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK 199
§ 10. Chaucer's Tale of Melibe (prose) ... 201
§ 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK 253
§ 12. Monk's Tale1 (of Men fallen from
high estate) 256
§ 13. MONK — NUN'S-PRIEST LINK ... 281
§ 14. Nun's Priest's Tale (of the Cock
and Fox) 283
\_For B, § 15, the NUN'S PRIEST'S END-
LINK, see p. 698.]
397
402
410
425
434
436
440
455
468
469
477
478
486
488
540
543
568
570
out F 1423-4, and 1433-4, and has a spurious line, F 1436, mis
placed, p. 520 S-T, p. 371 Corp. It also has not the lines F 1455-6,
1493-8, known only in the Ellesmere MS., p. 521, 522 S-T. Like
Pet. and Lansd. MSS., Corpus has spurious lines for F 1529, F 1556,
p. 523 S-T. Like Lansd. it leaves out lines F 1567-8 ; but does
not, like Lansd., leave out F 1595-1602.
1 The 4 « Modern Instances ' are in their right place, after
Zenobia, p. 268 S-T, p. 555 Corpus.
Vlll CONTENTS.
Six-Text
Group Pages
H. § 1, MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK ... 576
§ 2. Manciple's Tale (of the Crow) ... 580
1. Group E, § 4, 1. 2319-2418, end of the
Merchant's Tale, from MS. Arch.
Selden, B. 14, Bodl. Libr
2. Group E, § 5, the Merchant's End-Link,
from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14
3. Group E, § 3, the Clerk-Merchant-Link,
from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14
4. Group F, § 1, the Squire's Head-Link,
from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14
5. Group E, § 3, the Squire-Franklin-Link,
from the Laud MS. 600, Bodl. Libr.
6. Woodcuts of the 23 Tellers of the 24
Canterbury Tales, from the Elles. MS.
7. Woodcuts of 6 Tellers of Canterbury
Tales, the Cook, Reeve, Wife of Bath,
Pardoner, Monk, and Manciple, — and
of 6 Allegorical Figures in the Parson's
Tale— Wrath and Mercy, Gluttony
and Abstinence, Lechery and Chastity,
from MS. Gg. 4. 27 in the Univ. Libr.
Cambridge
I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK 589
Contents of the Parson's Tale ... 592
§ 2. Parson's Tale (a prose treatise on
Penitence. (After I. 290,^. 621,
the text is from MS. Arch. Selden,
B 14, Bodl. Libr.) Pt. II, p.
612-678 S-T, p. 624-690 Corp. ;
Pt. Ill, p. 679-684 S-T, p. 691-6
Corp. ; Leave-taking (from Sel
den MS., and Hatton MS. 1), p.
684 S-T, p. 696 Corp.) ... 593
Corpus
Pages
588
592
600
603
Supplt. B, § 15. NUN'S PRIEST'S END-LINK
(from the Christ Church MS.,
Oxford) 301
605
698
l*-3*
4*
5*
6*
GROUP A, FRAGMENT I.
§ 1. GEKEEAL PEOLOGUE.
CORPUS MS. (Oxford).
[N.B. The first 72 lines, and other gaps, are supplied from MS.
Arch. Seld. B. 14, Bodleian Library.]
Here bigynneth the prolog of this book the which is namede the talis
of Caunturbury in the whiche prolog thautour openly declaritii the
names of alle the pilgremes there condicioims and there array.
tHan) that Apprille / with his shouris soote
the drought of Marche / hath pershid to the roote
and bathed euery veyne in swich licoure
of which vertue / engendrid is the floure 4
whan zepherus eke / with his swete brethe
inspirid hath / in euery holt and hethe
the tendre croppis / and the yonge sonne
hath in the Earn / his halff cours I-ronne 8
and smale fowlis make melodie
that slepen al nyght / with open eyghe
so priketh hem nature / in here coragis
that longen folk to gon / on pilgn'magis 12
and Palmeris for to seke strange strondes
to serue halowes couthe / in sondre londes
and specially / from euery shiris ende
of Ingelond to Caunturbery thei wende 16
the holy blisfuft marter / for to seke
that hem hath holpen / whan thei were seke
bifitt that on that seson on a day
in Suthwork1 atte Tabard as I lay 20
redy to wende / on my pilgr/mage
to Caunterbury / with ful deuout corage
at night was come / in-to that hosterie
wel .xxix*.1 in a companye 24
of sondry folk / bi auenture I-falle
in feloshipe / and pilgremes were thei alle
that toward? Caunterbury wolde ryde
1 CORPUS i [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14.]
2 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS.
the chambres and sfcablis weren wyde
and wel weren eased at the beste
and shortly whan the sonne was to reste
so hadde I spokyn / with hem euerycfron
that I was of here feloshipe anon 32
and made forward erly for to ryse [Arch. seia. B. w, ieaf i, back]
to take oure wey / there as I yow devise
"but nertheles while I haue tyme and space
or that I ferther in this tale pace 36
me thynketh it accordant1 to reson
to telle yow al the condicion
of ecfi. of hem so as it semed me
and which" they were and of what degre 40
and eke in what array that thei were inne
and at a knyght than wott I first bigynne
A knyght ther was and that a worthi man 1 A knyght.
•"• that fro the tyme / that he first bigan 44
to riden owt / he loued chyualrie
trouth and honour / fredom and cnrtesie
ful worthi was he / in his lordis werre
and ther-to had he riden / no man ferre 48
as wel in cristendom / as in hethenesse
and euere honoured / for his worthynesse
At Alisandre he was whan it was wonne
ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne 52
aboven alle nacfons in Pruce
in Lectow hadde he reysed and in Ruce
no cristenman / so ofte of his degre
in Garnade at the sege eke hadde he be
of Algezire and riden in Belmarye
at Lyeis was he and at Satalye
whan thei were wonne and in the grete see
at many a noble arme hadde he be
at mortal batailles had he ben inftene
and foughten for our1 feitft at Tramessene
in listes thries and ay slayn his foo
CORPUS 2 [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14.]
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Corpus MS. 3
this like worth! knyght hadde ben also 64
somtyme with the lord of Palatye
ayeyne another hethen in Turkye
and euere-more he had a souerayne prys
and though that he was worthy he was wys 68
and of his port as meke as is a mayde [MS. Arch. seid. B. 14, if 2.3
he neuere yit no vilonye ne saide
in al his liff / vn no manere wight
he was a verry perfit gentitt knight 72
ffor to telle 30W of1 his array [The Corpus MS. begins here]
His hors were goode but he was nofr gay
Of fustion he wered a gepon
Al bismotered with his haburgon 76
ffor he was late y-come from his viage
And wente for to don his pilgrimage
TFiJ) him J>er was his sone a 3ongl squier
A louyere and a lusty bacheler 80
WiJ? lockes crulle as j?ei were leyd in presse
Of .xx. $eer of1 age he was I gesse
Of his statuture (sic) he was of euene lengj>e
And wonderly deliuere and grett of1 strengjje 84
And he hadde be somtyme in Chiuachie
In fflaundres in artoys and Pykardie
and born him wel as of so litel space
In hope to stonden in his lady grace 88
Embroyded was he as it were a mede
Att ful of1 freissche floures white and reede
Synging he was or floytynge al fe day
He was als freissch as is J?e nionj> of1 may 92
Schorf was his gowne wijj sleeues longe and wyde
"Wel coufe he sitte on an hors and faire ride
He coufe songes make and wel endite
luste and eek1 daunce and wel purteray and write 96
So hote he loued fat1 by nighter tale
He sleep nomore fan do]) a nightyngale
Courteys he was lowly and seruisable
CORPUS 3
4 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MSv
and karf biforn his fader atte table 1 00
A ^eman liadde lie and seruantes namo
At fat time for him liste ride so
And he was clad in coote and hood of greene
A scheef of pocok1 arwes bright and keene 1 04
Vnder his belt1 he bar ful Jjriftily
Wei coujje he dresse his takel ^imanly
His arwes drouped nought* wij? fetheres lowe
And in his hond he bar a mighty bowe 108
A not-hed hadde he wijj a brown visage [leaf 2, backj
Of1 woode-craff wel cou]?e he al fe vsage
Vpon his arm he bar a gay bracer
And by his syde a swerd and a bocler 112
And on J>af o]?er side a gay daggere
Harnaysed wel and scharp as point1 of* spere
A Christopbxe on his brest1 of* seiner schene
An horn he bar Jje bawdrik1 was of* grene 116
A foster was he sojjly as I gesse
Ther was also a Nonne a Prioresse
That1 of1 hir smyling1 was ful symple a[nd] coy
Hir grettest1 oj> was but1 by seint1 loy 120
And sche was cleped ma dame Englentyne
ffbl wel sche song1 ]>e seruise diuine
Entuned in hir nose ful semely
And frenssch sche spak1 ful faire and fetisly 124
After ]>e scole of1 stratforc? atte Bowe
ffor ffrenssh of1 Parys was to hire vnknowe
Af mete wel I-taughf was sche wif-aft
Sche leett no morseft from hire lippes falle 1 28
!N"e wete hire fyngres in hir sauce deepe
Wel coujje sche carie a morsel and wel keepe /
That1 no drope ne fett vpon hir breste
In Curtesye was sette ful moche hire leste 132
Hir ouer lippe wyped sche so cleene
Thaf in hir cuppe J?er was no ferthing1 seene
Of grete whan sche dronken hadde hir draughte
CORPUS 4
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS. 5
fful semely after hir mete sche raughte 136
And sikerly sche was of* gref disporte
And ful plesant1 and amyable of1 porte
And peyned hire to counterfete cheere
Of1 court1 and to ben estatlich of1 maneere 1 40
And to ben holden digne of1 reuerence
But1 for to speken of1 hir conscience
Sche was so charitable and so pytous
Sche wolde weepe if1 Jjat1 sche sawe a mous 144
Kaught1 in a trappe if1 it1 were deed or bledde [leaf 33
Of1 smale houndes hadde sche Jjat1 sche fedde
With rested fleissh or mylk1 or wastel brede
But sore wepte sche if1 oon of1 hem were dede 148
Or if1 men smot1 it with a ^erde smerte/
And al was conscience and tendre herte/
iful semelich hir wympil pynched was
Hir nose was streight1 hire yghen grey as glas 152
Hir mouth ful smal and jjerto softe and rede
But1 sikerly sche hadde a fair forhede
It1 was almost a spanne brood I trowe
ffor hardely sche was nought1 vndergrowe 156
fful fetys was hir cloke as I was war
Of1 smal coral aboute hir arm sche bar
A payre of1 bedes gauded al with greene
And Jjer-on heng1 a broche of1 gold ful scheene 160
On which J>er was first1 writen with a crowned A.
And after . Amor vincit omnia.
Anojjer Nonne with hir hadde sche /
That1 was hir Chapelleyne and prestes Jjre 164
A Monk1 ]>er was a fair for ]>e maistrie
And out1 Eidere fat loued venerie
A manly man to ben an abbot1 able /
fful many a deinte hors hadde he in stable / 168
And whan he rood men might1 his brydel heere
Gynglyng1 in a whistlyng1 wynd as cleere
And eek1 as lowde as do)) Jje chapel belle
CORPUS 6
6 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS.
Ther as J>is lord was keper of1 Jje selle 172
The Eeule of* sent Maure or of seinf Beneit1
By-cause J?atf it was old and somdel streit1
This ilke monk1 leet1 olde jjinges pace
And held after }>e newe world J>e space 176
He ^af1 nought" of1 j>e text1 a pulled hen
That1 seith Jjat1 hunters "be nought1 holy men
Ne Jjat1 a monk1 whan he is recheles
Is likned til a fyssh Jjat1 is waterles 180
This is to seie a monk1 out1 of1 his cloystre [leaf 3, back]
But1 Jjilke text1 / held he not1 worth an oystre /
And I seide his opinion was good
What1 schulde he studie and make himseluen wood 184
Vpon a hook1 alwey in cloyste to poure
Or swynke with his hondes and laboure
As austyn bit how schal Jje world be serued
Lat1 austyn haue his swynk1 to him reserued 188
Ther-fore he was a prtkasour aright1
Grehoundes he hadde swift1 as foule in flight1
Of1 prikynge and of1 huntyng1 for Jje hare
"Was alle his luste for no cost1 wolde he spare 192
I seigh his sleues I-purfiled at1 Jje hond
Wijj grys and fat1 J>e fynest1 of1 a lond
And for to festne his hood vnder Jje chynne
He hadde of1 gold wrought a ful curious pynne/ 196
A loue knotte in Jje gretter ende Jjer was/
His hed was balled Jjat1 schon as eny glas
And eek1 his face as he hadde ben anoynt1
He was a lord ful fatt1 and in good poynt1 200
His eyghen stepe and rollyng1 in his hede
That1 stemed as a forneys of1 a lede
His bootes souple his hors in gret1 estate
Now certeinly he was a fair prelate 204
He nas nat1 pale as a forpyned goost1
A fat1 swan loued he best1 of any rostt
His palfray was as brown as is a berie
CORPUS c
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS. 7
A ffrere per was a wanton and a merye 208
A lymitour a ful solempne man
In aft pe ordres foure is non patt can
So mochil of1 daliance and fair langage
He hadde made ful many a mariage 212
Of1 3onge woramen at1 his owne cost1
Vnto his ordre he was a noble post1
fful wel "biloued and famulier was he
Wip frankeleyns ouer al in his centre 216
And wij) worpi wommen of" pe toun [leaf 4]
ffor he hadde power of* confessioun
As seyde himself* more pan a curatt
ffor of4 his ordre he was licenciatt 220
fful swetly herde he confession
And plesantt was his absolucion
He was an esy man to 3iue penawnce
Ther as he wiste to haue a good pitaunce 224
ffor vnto a pouer ordre for to 3iue
Is signe pat1 a man is wel I-schriue
ffor if1 he ^af* he dorste make auant
He wiste patt / a man was repentant 228
ffor many a man so hard is of1 his herte
He may nought1 wepe al-pough him sore smerte
Ther-fore in stede of1 weepyng1 and preyeres
Men mote 3eue siluer to pe pouere freeres 232
His typett was ay farsed ful of1 knyfes
And pynnes for to }iue faire wyues
And certeynly he haddo a mery note /
Wel coupe he synge and playen on a rote 236
OFjeddynges he bar witterly pe pris
His nekke whit / was as pe flour-delys
Ther-to he was strong1 as a Champiown
He knew pe tauernes wel in euery toun 240
And euerich hostiller and tapstere
Bet1 pan a lazar or a Beggere
ffor vnto such a worpi man as he
CORPUS 7
8 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. ^CorptlS MS.
Acorded nought1 as by his faculte 244
To haue with such sek1 lazer aqueintan.ee
It is nought1 honest1 it1 may nought1 auaunce
ffor to delen with such poraile
But1 aft with Riche and sellers of1 vitaille 248
And ouer al ]>er as profyt scholde arise
Curtays he was and lowly of* seruise
Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous
He was ]>e beste begger in his hous 252
'
. . . . ; . . . . no gap in the
ffor jjough a widewe hadde nought1 a scho [leaf 4, back]
So plesant1 was his In principio
3efr wolde he haue a ferjjing1 or he wente
His purchas was wel bettre fan his rente 256
And rage he cou]?e right1 as it were a whelpe /
In louedayes jjer cou]?e he moche helpe /
ffor J>er he was not1 lich a cloysterer
With a thred-bare cope as a pore scoler 260
But1 he was lik1 a maister or a pope
Of1 double worstede was his semy-cope /
That1 rounded as a belle on the presse
Somwhat1 he lipsed for his wantounesse 264
To make his englissh sweete vpon his tonge
And in his harpyng1 whan Jjat1 he hadde songe /
His yghen twyncled in his heed aright1
As don J?e sterres in J>e frosty night1 268
This wor]?i lymitowr was cleped huberd
A marchant1 was J>er with a forked berd
In mottle and heigh on horse he satte
Vp-on his heued a fflaundrissh beuer hatte 272
His bootes elapsed faire and fetysly
His resons he spak1 ful solempnely
Schewyng1 alwey Jje encres of1 his wynnynge
He wolde Jje see were kept1 for eny finge 276
By-twixe Middelburgli and Orewelle
COllPUS 8
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Corpus MS. 9
Wei couj>e lie in eschaunge scheldes selle /
This worjjy man ful wel his witte bisette
Ther wiste no wight1 that1 lie was in dette 280
So statly was he of1 his gouernance
With his bargaynes and his cheuissance
ffor soj>e he was a worjji man with-aft
But1 so]?ly to sein I not1 how men him catt 284
A Clerk1 J?er was of1 Oxenford also
That1 vnto logyk1 hadde long1 1-go
As lene was his hors as is a rake
And he nas not1 right1 fat1 1 vndertake 288
But loked holwe and J?er-to soburly jeaf 53
fful fredbare was his ouereste courtepy
ffor he had geten him no benifice
N"e was so worldly for to haue office 292
ffor him was leuer to haue at1 his bed hede
Twenty bookes clad in blak1 and rede
Of Aristotle and his philosophie
Than robes riche or fithel or gay Sautrie / 296
But1 al by Jjat1 he was a philosophre
^it1 had he but1 a litel gold in cofre
But1 al Jjat1 he might1 of1 his frendes hente /
On bokes and on lernyng1 he it / spente 300
And besily gan for fe soules preye
Of hem J>af 3af1 him wher-with to scoleye
Of1 studie took1 he most1 cure and most1 heede
Nought1 o word spak1 he more Jjan was neede 304
And Jjat1 was seyd in forme and reuerence
And schort1 and quyk1 and ful of1 heigh sentence
Sownyng1 in moral vertu was his speche
And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche 308
A Sergeant1 of1 ]>e lawe war and wys
That1 often hadde ben at J?e Parvys
That1 was also / ful riche of1 excellence
Discret1 he was and of1 gref reuerence 312
He semed swich his wordes were so wise
COllPUS 9
10 GROUP A. §1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS-
Justice he was ful often in assise
By patent1 and by plein commission
ffor his science and for his heigh renown 316
Of1 fees and robes had he many oon
So gref a purchaceowr was nowher non
Al was fee simple to him in effecte
His purchasynge might* not* ben infecte 320
JSTo wher so besy a man as he f er nas
And ^it1 he semed bisiere fan he was
In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle
That1 from f e tyme of1 king1 Willmm were falle 324
Ther-to he coufe endite and make a fink1 deaf 5, back]
Ther coufe no wight1 pynche at1 his writynk1
And euery statut1 coufe he plein by Eote
He rood but1 homly in a medly coote 328
Gert1 with a seinf of silk1 . wif barres smale /
Of1 his array telle I no longer tale
A ffrankeleyn was in his compaignie
Whit1 was his berd as is the dayessye 332
Of* his complexion he was sanguyne
"Wei loued he by f e morwe a sop in wyne
To lyuen in delif euer was his wone /
ffor he was Opiournes owne sone 336
That1 held opinion fat1 plein delite
Was verrey felicite parfite
An houshalder and fat1 a gret1 was he
Seint1 lulian he was in his contre 340
His breed his ale was alweys after oon
A better envyned man was neuer noon
Wif oute bake mete was neuer his hous
Of1 fissh and neissh and fat1 so plenteuous 344
If snewed in his hous of" mete and drink1
Of1 alle deyntes fat1 men coude fink1
After f e sondry sesons of1 f e $ere
So changed he his mete and his sopeere 348
fful many a fat1 partrich hadde he in Mewe
CORPUS 10
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CoipUS MS. 1 1
And many a brem and many a luce in stuwe
Wo was Ms cooke but1 Ms sauce were
Poynant1 and scharp and redy aft his gere 352
His table dormant1 . in Ms halle alway
Stod redy couered aft the longe day
At1 Sessions jjer was he lord and sire
fful ofte tyme he was knight1 of1 j?e schire 356
An anelas and a gisper al of1 silke
Heng1 at1 his girdel whit1 as morne mylke
A scherref1 had he ben and a comptour
Was nowher such a wor]?i vauasour 360
An haburdaissher and a Carpenter [leaf 6]
A Webbe a Dyer and a Tapecer
And jjei were closed alle in oo liuere
Of1 a solempne and a gret ffraternite 364
fful freissch and newe here gere a-piked was
Here knyfes nere chaped nought1 wi]> bras
But1 aft wij? siluer wrought1 ful clene and wel
Here gerdles and here pouches eueridel 368
Wel semed ech of1 hem a fair burgeys
To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys
Euerich for Jje wisdom fat1 he can
Was schaply for to ben an Alderman 372
ffbr Cateft hadde J?ei ynough and rente
And eek1 here wyues wolde it wel assente
And elles certein ]>ei were to blame
It1 is ful fair to be cleped ma dame 376
And gon to vigilies al bifore
And haue a mantel rialliche / bore
A Cook* jjei hadde wij? hem for J>e nones
To boyle Jje cMkenes with Jje maryebones 380
And poudre marchant1 tart1 and gallyngale
Wel kowde he know a draught1 of1 london ale /
He couj>e rost1 and se]?e and broile and frie
Maken mortreux and wel bake a pye - 384
But1 gret1 harm was it1 as it f oughte me
CORPUS 11
12 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS.
That* on his schyne a mormal hadde he
ffor blank-manger fat made he wi)> fe beste /
A schipman was J?er wonyng1 fer by weste
ffor ought1 1 wot1 he was of1 Dertemouthe
He rood vpon a rouncy as he coufe
In a gowne of faldyng1 to j?e knee /
A dagger hangyng1 in a lace hadde he /
Aboute his nekke vnder his arm a-doun
The hoote somer had mad his hiew al broura
And certeinly he was a good felawe
fful many a draught1 of1 wyn he hadde drawe 396
ffrom Burdeaux warde whil J>e chapmen sleepe Deaf e, back]
Of nyce conscience took1 he no keepe
If1 J?atf he faught1 and had J?e heigher honde
By water he sent1 hem horn to euery londe 400
But1 of1 his craft1 to riken wel his tydes
His stremes and his daunger him besydes
His herberwe and his moone and his ledmannage
Ther was non such from hulle to kartage 404
Hardy he was and wys to vndurtake
With many a tempest1 had his berd be schake
He knew alle jje hauenes as they were
ffro Gotlond to J?e Cape de fynystere 408
And euery Cryke in Bretaigne and in Spaigne
His barge y-cleped was J>e Mawdeleyne
With vs J?er was a Doctour of1 Phisike
In al ]>is world ne was J>er non him like 412
To speke of1 Phisik1 and of1 Surgerie
ffor he was grounded in astronomie
He kept1 his pacient1 a ful gret1 del
In houres by his magiqwe naturel 416
Wel coujje he fortune the ascendent1
Of* his ymages for his pacient
He knewe ]>e cause of1 euery maladie /
Were it1 of hoot1 of1 cold or moist1 or drie / 420
And wher engendred and of what1 humour
CORPUS 12
GBOUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS. 13
He was a verray parfit* practisour
The cause I-knowe and of* his harm J?e rote /
Anon he $af* ]>e sike man his bote 424
fful redy had he his appotecaries
To sende hem drugges and his letuaries
ffor ech of* hem made o]?er for to wynne
Here frendschip nas nat / newe for to gynne / 428
"Wei knew he J?e olde Escalapius
And discorides and eke Kusus
Olde ypocras haly and Galien
Serapion Eazie and auyzen 432
Auerois damascien and Constantino peafT]
Bernard and Gatisdene and Gilbertine
Of' his diete mesurable was he
ffor it1 was of* no superfluite 436
But1 of1 gret norisshing* and digestible
His studie was but litel on the bible
Jn sangweyn and in pers he clad was al
Lyned wij) Taffata and with Sendal 440
And yet1 he was but* esy of dispense
He kepte ]>at* he wan in Pestilence
ffor gold in phisiqwe is accordial
Ther-fore he loued gold in special 444
A good wif* J>er was of1 by-syde bathe
But* sche was somdel def* and Jjat* was skajje
Of* clojj-makyng* sche hadde such an haunte
Sche passed hem of1 ypres and of* Gaunte 448
In al J>e parissche wif* ne was jjer noon
}3at* to fe offryng* toforn hire schulde gon
And if* J>er dede certein wro]> was sche
That* sche was oute of* alle charite / 452
Hire couerchiefs ful fyne were of* grounde
I dorste swere ]>ei weyeden ten pounde /
That* on a soneday weren vpon hir hede
Hire hosen weren of* fyn scarlet* reede 456
fful streyt* yteyed and schoos ful moyste and newe
CORPUS 13
14: GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS.
Bolde was hir face and fair and reed of1 hewe
Sche was a worjji womman al hir lyue
Housbondes atte chirche dore sche hadde fyue 460
"Wijjouten oj?er companye in ^oufe
But1 fer-of1 needef nought1 to speke as noufe
And J?ries hadde sche "ben at leiusalem
Sche hadde passed many a strange strem 464
At1 Eome sche hadde ben and at1 Boloigne
In Galice at1 saint1 lame and at1 Coloigne
Sche coujje inoche of wandring1 by fe weye
Gat1 tojjed was sche sojjly for to seye 468
Vpon an ambler esely sche satte Deaf 7, back)
I-wympled wel and on hir heed an hatte
As brood as is a bokeler or a targe
A fote-manteft abouten hir hipes large / 472
And on hire feet1 a paire of1 spores scharpe
In felaschipe wel coujje sche laughe and carpe
Of1 remedies of1 loue sche knew par chaunce /
ffor sche coupe of1 Jjat1 art1 ]?e colde daunce 476'
A good man was ]?er of religiown
And was a poure person of1 a toun
But1 riche he was of1 holy fought and werk1
He was also a lerned man and a clerk1 480
That1 cristes gospeft trewly wolde preche
His parisshiens deuoutly wolde he teche
Benigne he was and wonder diligent
And in aduersite ful pacient1 484
and swich he was preued ofte sif>es
fful loj) were him to cursen for his tyjjes /
But1 rajjer wolde he yeuen out1 of1 doute
Vnto his poure parisshens aboute 488
Of1 his offryng1 and of1 his substance
He couj>e in litel Jnng1 haue suffisance
Wyd was his parisshe and houses fer a-sondre
But1 he ne lefte nought1 for rayn ne J>ondre 492
In seknesse nor in meschief1 to visite
CORPUS 14
GROUP A. § 1. GENEEAL PROLOGUE. CorpllS MS. 15
The ferreste in his parisshe moche and lite
Ypon his feet1 and in his hond a staf1
This noble ensample to his scheep he yaf1 496
That1 ferst1 he wrought1 and aftirward he taughte
Out1 of1 ]>e gospel he J>o wordes caughte
And J?is fugure he addede eek / Jjer-to
That1 if1 gold ruste what1 schal Iren do 500
ifor if1 a prest1 be foul on whom we truste
No wonder is a lewed man to Euste
And schame it is if1 a prest1 take kepe
A schiten schepperde and a clene schepe 504
Wei ought1 a prest1 ensample for to $yue [leaf 8]
By his clennes how fat1 his scheep schulde lyue
He sette nought1 his benefice to hire
And leet1 his scheep acombred in )>e myre 508
And ran to london vnto Seinte Poules
To seeke him a Chaunterie for soules
Or with a breferede for to be with-holde /
But1 duelte at1 horn and kepte wel his folde 512
So fat1 J?e wolf1 ne made it1 not1 miscarie
He was a schepperde and not1 a mercenarie
And pough he holy were and vertuous
He was nought1 to synful men dispitous 516
Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne
But1 in his teching1 discret1 and benigne
To drawe folk1 to heuen by fairnesse
By good ensample J>is was his bisynesse / 520
But1 it1 were ony persone obstinat1
What1 so he were of1 heigh or low estat
Him wolde he snebbe scharply for ]?e nones
A bettre prest1 1 trowe fat1 nowher non es 524
He waited after no pompe and reuerence
Ne maked him a spiced conscience
But cristes lore and his apostles twelue
He taught1 but1 ferst1 he folwed in himselue / 528
With him fer was a plowman was his broker
CORPUS 15
16 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS.
That1 hadde I-ladde of* dong1 ful many a fofer
A trewe swynker and a good was lie
Lynyng1 in pees and parfit1 charite 532
God loued he best1 wif alle his herte
At1 alle tymes fough him gamed or smerte
And fan his Neighebore right* as him selue
He wolde fressche and ferto dike and delue 536
ffor cristes sake for euery pouere wight1
Wifouten hire if1 it1 lay in his might1
His tifes payed he ful fair and wett
Bojje of1 his propre swynk1 and his catett 540
In a Tabbard he rood vpon a mere [leaf s, back]
Ther was also a Eeeue and a Mellere /
A Sompnowr and a Pardoner also
A Maunciple and my self1 fer nare no mo / 544
The meller was a stout1 carl for f e nones
fful big1 he was of1 brawn and eek1 of1 bones
That1 proued wel for ouer al far he cam
Atte wrastlyng1 he wold haue awey f e ram 548
He was schort1 schuldred a f ikke knarre
The was no dore fat1 he nolde heue of1 harre
Or breke it at1 a rennyng1 with his heede
His berd as eny so we or eny fox was reede 552
And f erto brod as f ough it1 were a spade /
Vpon f e cop right1 of" his nose he hade
A wert1 and f er-on stood a tuft1 of1 heeres
Reed as the berstles of1 a sowes Eres / 556
Hise nose-f rilles blake weren and wide
A swerd and bokeler bar he by his syde
His mouf as gref was as a gret1 fourneys
He was a Tangier and a goliardeys 560
And fat1 was most1 of1 synne and harlotries
Wel couf e he stele corn and tolle fries
And 3if he hadde a fombe of1 gold parde
A whit1 cote and a blew hood wered he 564
A Baggepipe wel coufe he blowe and soun
CORPUS 16
GBOUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS. 17
And per-with-al he brought1 vs out1 of1 toun
A gentil maunciple was ]>er of* a temple /
Of1 which achatours mighte take exsemple / 568
tfor to ben wyse in byeng1 of1 vitaile
ffor whe])er pat1 he paied or took1 by taile
Algate he wayted so in his achate
That1 he was ay biforn and in good estate / 572
Now is not1 pat1 of1 god a ful fair grace
That1 such a lewed mannes witt1 schal pace
The wisdom of1 an heep of1 lernede men
Of1 maistres hadde mo pan fries ten 576
That1 were of1 lawe expert1 and curious [leaf 9]
Of1 which per was a dosein in that1 hous
Worpi to ben Stywardes of1 Eente and londe
Of1 any lord pat1 is in Tngelonde 580
To make him lyue by his propre good
In honour detteles but1 if1 pat1 he were wood
Or lyue as skarsly as him list1 desire
And able for to helpen al a schire 584
In any cas pat1 mighte falle or happe
And 3itt pis manciple sette here alper cappt
The Reeue was a sclender colerik1 man
His berd was schaue as nygh as euer he can 588
His her was by his eeres ful round y-schorn
His toppe was dokked lik1 a prestt biforn
fful longe were his legges and ful lene
I-lik1 a staf1 per was no calf1 y-sene 592
Wei coupe he kepe a garner or a bynne
Ther was non auditour coupe on him wynne
Wei wist1 he by pe drought1 and by pe reyne
The yeldyng" of1 his seed and of1 his greyne 596
His lordes scheep his neef his dayerie
His swyn his hors his stoor and his pulletrie
Was holly in pis Reeues gouernynge /
And by his couenant ^af1 pe rikenynge 600
Syn pat1 his lord was twenty $eer of age
2 CORPUS 17
18 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpllS MS.
Ther cou]?e no man brynge him in arrerage
Ther nas baillif* ne herde nor ofer hyne
That1 he ne knew his sleight1 and his covyne
They were adrad of- him as of1 J>e dej>
His wonyng1 was fal fair vpon an he)>
WiJ> greene trees schadewed was his place
He couj>e bettre Jmi his lord purchace 608
flul Kiche he was astored priuely
His lord he coupe plese wel subtily
To yiue and lene him of1 his oughne good
And haue a pank1 and yet1 a cote and hood 612
In 3ouJ>e he hadde lerned a good mester tieaf 9, back]
He was a wel good wrighte a Carpenter
This reeue satte vpon a ful good stof
That1 was al pomely grey and highte scot1 616
A long1 Surcote of1 pers vpon he hadde
And by his syde he bar a rusty bladde
Of1 Northfolk'was pis Eeue of which I telle
Bysyden a toun men clepen it1 Baldeswelle 620
Tukked he was as is a frere aboute
And euer he rood J>e hyndresf of oure route
A Somynour was per with vs in pat1 place
That1 hadde a fyri cherubynnes face 624
ffor Sauseflem he was with eyghen narwe /
Als hoot1 he was and leccherous as a sparwe
Wip scalled browes blak1 and piled berde /
Of* his visage children weren afferde 628
Ther nas quyk1 siluer litarge or bremston
Boras orsure ne oyle of1 Tarte noon
]STe oynemenf Jjat1 wolde dense and byte
To him might1 helpe of1 his whelkes white 632
Nor of1 )>e knobbes sittyng1 in his cheekes
"Wel loned he garlik1 oynons and eek1 leekes
And for to drinke strong1 wyn reed as blood
Than wolde he speke and crye as he were wood 636
And whan pat1 he wel dronken hadde ]>e wyn
COKPUS 18
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS. 19
Than wold lie speke no word "but?1 latyne
A fewe termes hadde he tuo or )>re
That1 he had lerned out1 of som decre 640
No wonder is he herd it1 al J>e day
And eek1 36 knowen it* Avel how jjat1 a lay
Can clepe watte as wel as can ])e pope
But1 who so cou]?e in o]>er Jring1 hiin grope 644
Than hadde he spent1 al his philosophic
Ay questio quid luris wolde he crye
He was a gentil harlot1 and a kynde
A bettre felaw schulde men not1 fynde 648:
He wolde suffre for a quart1 of wyn Ucaf 10]
A good felawe to haue his concubyn
A twelf1 moneth and excuse him atte fulle /
fful priuely eek1 a fynch couj?e he pulle / 652
And if1 he fond owher a good felawe
He wolde techen him to han non awe
In such caas of1 ])e Erchedeknes curs
But1 if1 mannes soule were in his purs 056
ffor in his purs he scholde punyssched be
Purs is J>e Erchedeknes helle seide he
But1 wel I wot1 he lyhede right1 in dede
Of1 cursyng1 ought1 eche gilty man him drede 660
ffor curs wil sle right as assoylyng1 sauith
And also Avar him of1 a Significauith
In daunger hadde he at1 his owne gyse
The yonge gerles of1 ]?e diocise 664
And knew here counseil and what1 was al here rede
A garland hadde he sette vpon his heede
As gret1 as if were for an ale stake
A bokeler hadde he made him of1 a cake / 668
With him J?er rood a gentitt pardoner
Of Rouncyuatt his frend and his comper
That1 streight1 was comen fro J>e court1 of Rome
fful lowe he song1 come hider loue tome 672
This Somnowr bar to him a stif1 burdozm
CORPUS 19
20 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS.
"Was neuer trompe of1 half1 so gretf a soun
This pardoner hadde her as yelow as wax
But* smothe it heng1 as doth a strik1 of flax. 676
By ounces heng1 his lokkes Jmfr he hadde /
And Jjer with he his schuldres ouer spradde
But* Jjinne it1 lay by culpons on and oon
But1 hood for lolite werede he noon 680
ffor it1 was trussed vp in his walet1
Him Jjoughte he rood al of1 the newe get*
Discheuele saf< his cappe he rood al bare
Swich glaryng* yghen hadde he as an hare 684
A vernicle hadde he sewid on his cappe [leaf 10, back)
His walet1 [lay] biforn him in his lappe /
Bret1 ful of pardon corner fro Eome al hoot
A voys he hadde as smal as a goof 688
No berd ne hadde he ne neuer schulde haue
As smothe it was as it1 ware late schaue
I trowe he were a geldyng1 or a mare
But1 of" his craft1 fro Berwik1 in to ware 692
!N"e was J>er such anofer pardoner
ffor in his male he hadde a pilewber
Which J?afr he sayde was oure lady veyle
He seide he hadde a gobet1 of J>e seyle 696
That1 seinf petir hadde whan fat1 he wente
Vpon the see til ihesu crist1 him hente
He hadde a Croys of1 laton ful ofH stones
And in a glas he hadde pigges boones 700
But1 with fese reliqes whan jjat1 he fonde
A poure person dwellyng* vpon londe /
Vpon a day he gaf him more moneye
Than fat1 J>e person gat1 in monies tweye 704
And Jms with feyned flatering1 and lapes
He made J?e person and ]?e poeple his apes
But1 trewely to tellen atte J>e laste
He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste 708
Wei cou]?e he rede a lessonn or a story
CORPUS 20
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. COITUS MS. 2*
But1 alper best1 he song1 an offertory
ffor wel he wiste whan pat1 song1 was songe
He moste preche and wel affile his tonge 712
To wynne seiner as he [right] wel cowde
Ther fore he song1 so meriely and lowde /
JS'ow haue I told 3ow soply in a clause
The estat1. the array pe nombre and eeke pe cause 716
Whi pat1 assembled was pis companie
In Suthwerk* af pis gentil hostelrie /
That1 highte pe Tabbard faste by pe belle
But1 now is tyme to yow for to telle / 720
How pat1 we beeren vs pat1 ilke night* Cieaf 11]
Whan we were in pat1 Osterie alight*
And after wol I telle of1 oure viage
And aft the remenant of1 our pilgrimage 724
But ferst1 1 pray :$ow of1 your curtesie
The 36 ne rette it nought1 my vilenye
Though pat I pleinly speke in pis matere
To telle 30 w here wordes and here cheere 728
~Ne pough I speke here wordes propurly
ffor pis 30 knowen as wel as I
Who so schal telle a tale after a man
He mot1 reherse as neyh as euer he can 733
Euerich a word if1 it1 be in his charge
Al speke he neuer so rudely and large
Or elles he moot1 telle his tale vntrewe
Or feyne piiiges or fynde wordes newe 736
He may nought1 spare al pough he were his broper
He moot1 als wel seie o word as anoper
Crist1 spak< himself1 ful brode in holy writte
And wel 36 wot1 no vilenye is itte 740
Ek1 Plato seith who so can him rede
The wordes mot1 be cosyn to pe dede
Also I prey3e 3ow fo^iue it me
Al haue I not1 sef folk1 in here degre 744
Heer in pis tale as pat1 pei scholden stonde
CORPUS 21
22 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorptlS MS.
My witf is schort1 36 may wel vnderstonde
Grret1 cheere maad oure ost1 vs euerychon
And to ]>e souper sette he vs anon 748
He serued vs with vitailles atte beste
Strong1 was J>e wyn and wel drynken vs leste
A semly man our hoste he was with alle
fFor to ben a marchaft in an halle 752
A large man he was with ey^en stepe
A fairer burgeys is J?er non in Chepe
Bold of1 his speche and wys and wel y-taugfet
And of1 manhode him lakkede right1 naught1 756
Ek1 )>er to he was right1 a merie man [leaf 11, back]
And after soper pleyen he bigan
And spak1 of merfe amonges ofer Binges
Whan fat1 he hadde maad our rikenynges 760
And seide Jus Now lordynges trewely
3e ben to me welcome right1 hertely
ffor by my trouthe if1 fat1 1 schal not1 lye
I seyh not1 fis yer so mery a company e 764
At1 oones in fis herberw as is now
ifayn wold I don ^ou merthe wist1 1 how
And of1 a merf e I am right1 now bifought1
To don you eese and it1 schal coste nought1 768
ye gon to Caunturbury god yow speede
The blisful martir quyte 3ou ^our meede
And wel I woot1 as 36 gon by J>e weye
ye schapen 3ou to talen and to pleye 772
ffor trewely confort1 ne merjje is non
To riden by ]>e wey domb as a ston
And J>er for wol I make you disport1
As I seide erst1 and do you som confort1 776
And if1 :$ou like]) aft by on assent1
ffor to stonden at1 my luggement
And for to werken as I schal ^ou seie
To morwe whan 36 riden by )>e weie / 780
by my fader soule fat1 is deed
CORPUS 22
GROUP A. § L GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS. 23
But1 36 be merye I wil ^eue 3ow mjn heed
Hold vp 30111 bond wi]?oute more speclie /
Our counseil was not1 longe for to seche / 784
vs fought1 it1 was not1 worj) to make if wys
And graunted him wi]?oute more avys
And bad him seye his verdit1 as him leste
-Lordynges quod he / now herknejj for ]?e beste 788
But1 take it nought1 1 prey ^ow in disdeigne
This is J?e poynt1 to speke schorf and pleigne
That1 ech of1 $ou to schorte with ^our weye
In Jris viage schal telle tales tweie 792
To Caunturbury-ward I mene it so [leaf 123
And homward he schal tellen o)>&r tuo
Of1 auentures Jjat1 whilom haue bifali
And which of1 yow J?atf berijj him best1 of1 att 796
That1 is to sein that1 telle]) in J>is cas
Tales of1 best1 sentence and most1 solas ./
Schal haue a souper at our alj>er cost
Her in J)is place sittynge by ]>is post1 800
Whan Jjat1 we comen a^ein fro Canturbury
And for to make 3ou fe more mury
I wil my seluen goodly with $ou ryde
Right1 at1 myn owne cost1 and be 3our gyde 804
And who so wol my luggement wij? seye
Schal paye al jjat1 we spende by ]>e weye
And if1 ^e vouche saf1 Jjat1 it1 be so
Tel me anon wij>outen wordes moo 80S
And I wol erly schape me ])er fore
This Jjing1 was graunted and our oj>es swore
With ful glad herte and prey3en him also
That1 he wolde vouche saf1 for to do so 812
And Jjat1 he wolde ben our gouernour
And of1 oure tales lugge and reportour
And sette a souper at1 a certein pris
And we wiln rewled ben at1 his deuys / 816
In heighe and lowe and Jms by 0011 assent
CORPUS 23
24 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CorpUS MS.
We ben accorded to f e luggement
And f er vpon f e wyn was fet1 anon
We dronken and to reste went" echon 820
Wif outen eny lenger taryyng1
A morwe whan f e day bigan to spryng1
vp ros oure cost1 and was our alf er cok1
And gadered vs to gider all in a flok1 824
And forf we riden a litel more fan paas
vnto f e wateryng1 of1 seint1 Thomas
And f er our oost1 gan his hors areste
And seide lordes herknej) if1 you leste/ 828
3e wot" 3our forward and I it1 $ou recorde [leaf 12, back]
If* euynsong1 and morwesong1 acorde
laf see now who schal telle f e firste tale
As euer mote I drynke wyn of1 ale 832
Who so be rebel to my luggement /
Schal paie for att that1 by f e weie is spent*
Now drawef Cut1 or fat1 we ferf er twynne
he which fat1 haf f e schortest1 schal bigynne 836
Tf Sir knight1 qwod he my maister and my lord
Now drawej) Cut1 for fat1 is myn acord
Comef nerre quod he my lady prioresse
And 30 sir clerk1 let1 be 3our schamfastnesse 840
Ne studief nought1 lay hond to euery man
Anon to drawe euery wight1 bygan)
And schortly for to tellen) as if was /
Were it1 by auenture or sort1 or cas 844
The sof is f is the Cut1 fel to J>e knight1
Of1 which ful blife and glad was euery wight1
And telle he moste his tale as it1 was resoun
By forward and by composiciown 848
As 36 han herd what1 nedej? wordes mo
And whan fis good man saugh fat1 it was so
As he fat1 wys was and obedient1
To keepe his forward by his free assent 852
He seide sif f e I schal begynne f e game
CORPUS 24
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CoipUS MS. 25
What1 welcome be J>e Cutte a goddes name
Now lat1 vs ride and herknej? what I seye
And with Jmtt word we riden forjj oure weye 856
And he bigan with right1 a merye cheere
His tale anon and seyde as $e may heere
CORPUS 25
26 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
lam qiie domos patrias scitice post aspera gentis
Prelia laurigero et&.
lilom was as olde stories tellen vs
Ther was a Duk1 that highte Theseus / 860
Of1 Athenes he was / lord and gouernour
And in his tyme such a Conquerour
That1 grettere was non vnder ]?e sonne [leaf id
fful many a riche Centre hadde he wonne 864
What1 with his wisdam and his chiuallerie
He conquered aft J>e regne of1 ffeminie
That1 whilom was I-cleped Scithia
And weddede J?e queen ypolita 868
And brought1 hir horn wi]> him in his centre
With muche glorie and gret1 solempnite
And eek1 hir ^onge suster Emelye
And J?us with victorie and with melodie 872
Tl_,. TIT! i ,1 • i [line erased here, apparently
Late I ])1S noble duk1 to Athenes ride the previous one repeated.]
And aft his host1 in armes him bisyde
And certes if1 it nere to long1 to heere
I wolde haue tolde fully J>e manere 876
how wonnen was Jje regne of ffeminie
By Theseus and by his Chiualrie
And of1 the grete bataille for ]>e noones
Bitwixen athenes and Amazones 880
And how asseged was Ipolita
The faire hardy quene of1 Scithia
And of1 jje fest1 jjat1 was at1 hir weddyng1
And of1 £e tempest1 at1 hir horn cornyng1 884
But1 al Jjaf Jjing1 1 moot1 as now forbere /
I haue god wot1 a large feeld to ere
And weyke ben J?e oxen in my plough
The remnant1 of1 ))e tale is long1 ynough" 888
I wol not1 letten eek1 noon of1 pis route
CORPUS 26
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 27
Laf every felawe telle Ms tale aboute
And lat1 se now who schal J?e souper wynne
And J?er I lafte I wil a3ein bigynne 892
This Duk1 of1 whom I make menciown
Whan he was comen almost* to ]>e toun
In aft his wele and his moste pryde
He was war as he cast1 his eyhe asyde 896
Wher j?af J?er kneled in J?e heighe weye
A company of1 ladies tweye and tweye [leaf is, back]
Eche after o]>er cladde in clones blake
But1 such a cry and such a woo J?ei make 900
That1 in )>is world is creature lyuynge
That1 herde such anojjer weymentynge
And of1 ]>is cry Jjey nolde neuer stente
Til j?ei ]>e Eeynes of1 his bridel hente 904
What1 folk1 ben 36 fat1 at myn horn comynge
Pertourbe so my feste wij> cryinge
Quod Theseus haue 36 so gret1 enuye
Of1 myn honour that1 Jras compleigne and crie 908
Or who ha]> }ou mysboden or offended
And tellejj me if1 it may ben amended
And whi jjat1 36 ben closed thus in blak
The eldest1 lady of1 hem alle spak1 912
Whan sche had swouned with a dedly cheere
That1 it1 was routhe for to seen and heere
^[ Sche seide lord to whom fortune haj) yiuen
Victorie and as a conquerour to lyuen 916
Not1 greuej) ous 3oure gloire and your1 honour
But1 we beseke mercy and socour
Haue mercy on our woo and our distresse
Som drope of1 pite Jjurgh J>i gentilesse / 920
vpon vs wrecched wo??raien let1 30 faft
ffor certes lord }>er is non of1 vs aft
That1 sche nath ben a duchesse or a queene
Now be we Caytifs as it1 is wel seene 924
Thanked be fortune and hir false whiel
CORPUS 27
28 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
That1 non estaf ensureth for to ben wel
Now certes lord to abyde $oure presence /
Here in fis temple of1 the goddesse Clemence 928
We haue be waytinge al fis fourte night1
Helpe vs lord sip it1 is in f y might*
1T I wrecche which fat1 weepe and weile fus
Was whilom wyf1 of1 king Cappaneus 932
That1 starf1 at1 Thebes cursed be fat day
And alle we fat1 ben in fis array [leaf uj
And maken al fis lamentaciown
We losten aft our housbondes at1 fat1 toun 936
Whil fat1 f assege f er aboute lay
And yet1 now f e olde Creon weiloway
That* lord is now of1 Thebes f e Cite
ffulfild? of Ire and of1 Iniquite 940
He for despite and for his Tyrannie
To don f e deede bodies vilenye
Of1 aft oure lordes whiche fat1 ben slawe
Haf aft f e bodies on an heep y-drawe 944
And wol nought1 suffre hem by non assent
Neither to ben y-buried nof er y-brent
But1 makef houndes ete hem in despyt1
And with fat1 word wif oute more respitt 948
Thei fellen gruf1 and cryden pitously
Haue on vs wrecchede wommen som mercy
And lat1 our sorwe synken in fin herte
This gentil duk» doun from his courser sterte 952
With herte pitous whan he herde hem speke
Him foughte fat1 his herte wolde breke
Whan he saugh hem so pite and so mate
That1 whilom were of1 so gret1 astate 956
And in his armes he hem aft vp hente
And hem confortef in ful good entente
And swor his oth as he was trewe knight1
He wolde don so ferforfly his might1 960
Vpon f e tyrant1 hem to wreke
CORPUS 28
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 29
That1 aft pe poeple of1 grece scholde speke
How Creon was of1 Theseus y-seraed
As he pat1 hadde his dep ful wel deserued 964
And right1 anon wipouten more abod
His baner he displaied and forth rood
To Thebes-ward and al his host1 biside
~No nerre Athenes wolde he go ne ride 968
Ne take his ease fully half1 a day
But1 onward on his way fat1 night1 he lay iieafi4,back]
And sente anon ypolita pe queene
And Emelye hir 3onge suster scheene 972
Vnto J>e toun of1 Athenes to dwells
And for]? he ritte per nys namore to telle
The rede Statue of1 Mars with spere and targe
So schinep in his white baner large 976
That1 alle pe feelde gliteren vp and doun
And by his baner born is his pynoun
Of1 gold ful riche in which per was y-bete
The Mynataur which pat1 he wan in Grece 980
Thus rit1 pis duk1 pus rit1 pis conquerour
And in his host1 of Chiuallerie pe flour
Til pat1 he come to Thebes and alight1
ifaire in pe feeld per as he poughf to fight1 984
But schortly for to speken of1 pis ping1
With Creon which pat1 was of Thebes king1
He faught1 and slough him manly as a knight
In pleyn bataile and putte ]>e folk1 to flight 988
And by asseut1 he wan pe Cite after
And rente adoun boj>e waft and sparre and rafter
And to pe ladies he restored ageyn
The bones of* here frendes pat1 were slayn 992
To don obsequies as was po pe gyse
But it were aft to longe to deuyse
The grete clamour and pe waymentyng1
That1 the ladys made atte brennyng* 996
Of1 pe bodies and pe gret1 honour
COKPUS 29
30 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
That1 Theseus j)e noble conquerour
Dof to f e bodies whan f ei from him wente
But1 schortly for to telle is myn entente 1000
Whan fat1 f is worf i duk1 f is theseus
Ha]/ Creon slayn and wonne Thebes f us
Stille in f att feeld he took1 al night1 his reste
And dide with aft f e centre as him leste 1004
To ransake in f e caas of1 f e bodies deede
Hem for to streepe of1 barneys and of1 wede [leaf 15]
The pilours diden bysynesse and cure
After fe bataile and disconfiture 1008
And so bifelle fat1 in the caas f ei founde
Thurgh girt1 with many a greuous blody wounde
Tuo $onge knightes liggynge by and by
Bofe in armes same wrought1 ful richely 1012
Of1 which tuo Arcita hight1 fat1 oon
And fat1 of er knight1 highte Palamoii
Nat1 fully quyk1 ne fully deed f ei were
But1 by her cote armowrs and by here gere 1016
The heraudes knewe hem self1 in special
As f ei fat1 weren of1 f e blood real
Of1 Thebes and of1 sustren tuo y-born
Out1 of1 fe caas fe pilours han hem torn 1020
And han hem caried softe vnto f e tente
Of1 Theseus and he ful sone hem sente /
To Athenes to dwellen in prisoun
perpetuelly hem nolde he not1 Raunson 1024
And whan f is worf i duk1 haf f us y-don
He took1 his oost1 and home he rit1 anon
With laurer corouned as a conquerour
And fere he lyuef in ioye and in honour
Terme of1 his lif1 what1 needef wordes mo
And in a tour in angwissh and in woo .
Dwellen f is Palamon and eek1 Arcite
if or euere more f er may no gold hem quite 1 032
This passef $eer by yer and day by day
CORPUS 30
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGIIT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 31
Til it1 fel oones in a morwe of May
That1 Emely fat1 fairer was to seene
Than is )>e lilye vpon his stalke grene 103G
And freisscher fan J?e may wi]> floures newe
ffor wij) })e rose colour strof1 hir hewe /
I not1 which was ]je fairer of1 hem tuo
Er it were clay as was hire wone to do 1040
Sche was arisen and al redy dight1
ffor May wil haue no sluggardie on night Deaf is, back]
The seson prikej) euery gentil herte /
And make]) it1 out1 of1 his sleep to sterte 10-14
And si]?en. arise and don may obseniance
This make]) Emelye to haue remembrance
To don honour to May and for to rise
I-cloped was sche freissh for to deuyse 1 048
Hir yelow her was broyded in a tresse
By-hinde hir bak1 a yerde long1 1 gesse
And in ]?e gardyn atte sonne vpriste
Sche walkejj vp and doun and as hir liste 1052
Sche gadreth floures party whit / and reede /
To make a sotyl garland for hir heede
And as an angel heuenysshely sche song
The grete tour J?af was so J>ikke and strong 1056
Which of1 ]>e Casteli was )>e chief1 dongeon
Ther as J>e knightes weren in prison
Of1 which I tolde $ou and telle schal
Was euen ioynant1 to Jje gardein wal 10GO
Ther as J?is Emely had hir pleying1
Bright1 was j?e sonne and cler in jjat1 mornyiig1
And Palamon ]?is woful prisoner
As was his wone by leue of1 his gailler 1064
Was risen and romed in a chambre on heigh
In which he al ]?e noble cite seigh
And ek1 J?e gardyn ful of1 branches grene
Ther as J>e freisshe Emely ]je schene 1068
Was in hir walk1 and romed vp and doun
CORPUS 31
32 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
This sorwful prisoner this Palamown
Go]) in fe chambre Komynge to and fro
And to himself1 compleignyng1 of1 his wo 1072
That1 he was born ful ofte seide alias
And so byfett by auenture or caas
That1 jjorugh a wyndow Jjikke of1 many a barre
Of1 yren gret1 and square as any sparre 1076
He cast1 his eyghen vpon Emelya
And J?er with al he bleynf and cryed a [leaf IG]
As fough he stongen were vnto J?e herte
And with fat1 crye Arcite anon vp sterte / 1080
And seide Cosyn myn what1 eylef fe
That1 art1 so pale and dedly on to se
Why crydestow who haj) fe don offence
ffor goddes lone tak1 al in pacience 1084
Oure pn'soun for if may non ojjer be
ffortune ha]> yiue vs fis aduersite
Som wicke aspect1 or disposicion
Of1 Saturne by som constollacion 1088
HaJ> 3iuen vs f is al fough we had it1 sworn
So stood f e heuen whan fat1 we ware born
We mote endure it1 Jris is schort1 and playn
This Palamon answerd and seide again / 1092
Cosyn for sojje of1 J)is opynion
J}ou hasf a vain Imaginacion
This pn'son causede me nought to crie
But1 1 was hurt1 right1 now porugh out1 myn yhe 1096
In to myn hert1 fat1 wol my bane be
The fayrnesse of1 Jjat1 lady fat1 1 see
3onde in the gardyn rome to and fro
Is cause of1 al my crying1 and my wo 1 100
I not1 wher sche be womman or goddesse
But1 Venus is it sofly as I gesse
And J>er with al on knees a doun he fille
And seyde Venus if1 it1 be fy wille 1104
yow in fis gardeyn Jms to transfigure
CORPUS 32
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 33
Byfore me sorwful wrecched creature
Out* of1 f is prison help f af we mowe scape
And if1 so be oure destenye be schape/ 1108
By eterne world to deyen in pn'son .
Of1 oure lynage haue som compassion
That is so lowe y-brought1 by tyrannie
And with fat1 word Arcite gan aspye 1112
Wher as fis lady romed to and fro
And with fat1 sight1 hir beaute hurt1 him so [leaf 16, back]
That if1 fat1 Palamon was wounded sore
Arcite is hurt1 as muche as he or more / 1116
And with a syke he seyde pitously
The freissche beaute slef me sodeinly
Of1 hire fat1 rometh in f e yonder place
And but1 1 haue hir mercy and hir grace 1120
That1 1 may seen hir atte leste wey
I nam but1 ded f er nys no more to sey
This Palamon whan he fis wordes herde
Dispitously he loked and answerde 1124
Whef er seistow fis in ernest1 or in pleye
Nay quod. Arcite in ernest1 by my feye
God helpe me so me lust1 ful yuel playe
This Palamon gar knef his browes twaye 1128
If were to Jje quoa he no gret honour
ffor to be fals ne for to be traytour
To me fat1 am f i cosyn and f i brof er
y-sworn ful deepe and ech of1 vs til ofer 1132
That1 neuer for to deyen in f e payn
Til fat1 f e def departe schal vs twayn
Neither in loue for to hinder of er
Ne in non of er cas my lieue brof er 1 136
But1 fat1 f ou scholdest1 trewly forf er more
In euery caas and I schal forf re fe fore
This was fin of and myn also certeine
I wot1 right1 wel f ou darsf if nof wif -seyne 1140
Thus arf f ou of1 my counseil out of* doute
3 CORPUS 33
34 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And now J>ou woldest falsly ben aboute
To lone my lady whom I lone and serue
And euer schal til fat1 myn herte sterue 1144
Now certes fals Arcite fou schalt1 not1 so
I loued hir ferstf and tolde f e my wo
As to my counseil and my broker sworn
To forthre me as I haue told biforn 1148
ffor which f ou art1 y-bounden as a knight1
To helpe me if1 it lay in thy might1 f leaf 17 1
Or elles art1 f ou fals I dar wel sayn
This Arcite ful proudly spak1 agayn 1152
Thou schalt1 quod he be rafer fals fan I
But1 fou art1 fals I telle f e witterly
1T ffor paramour I loued hir first1 er fou
What1 wilt1 fou seyn fou wist1 it1 nought* yif now 1156
Whefur sche be a womman or goddesse
Thin is affeccion of1 holynesse
And myn is loue as to a creature
ffor which I tolde fe myn auenture 1160
As to my cosyn and to my brofer sworn
I pose fat1 fou louedest1 hire biforn
Wostow nought1 wel fe olde clerkes sawe 1163
That1 who schal 3iue a louer eny lawe f Quis legem dat amantitm*.
loue is a gretter lawe by my pan
Than may be yeue to eny erthly man
And f erfore positif lawe and such decree
Is broke alday for loue in eche degree 1168
A man moot1 needes loue maugre his hede
He may not1 fleen hit1 f ough he scholde be dede
Al be sche mayde or wydow or elles wif1
And eek1 it1 is not1 likly al Jri lif1 1172
To stonden in hir grace namore schal I
ffor wel Jjou wost1 J)i selue verreily
That1 Jjou and I ben dampned to prison
Perpetuelly vs gaigneth no Eamsoii 1176
"We stryuen now as houndes for J?e bon
COTIPUS 34
GROUP A. § 2- KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 35
They fought1 alday and jet1 here part1 was non
Ther com a kyte whil pat1 pei were so wrope
That1 bar a way pe bon bytwixe hem bope 1180
Ak1 perfore atte kinges court1 my broker
Ech man for him self1 per is non oper
Loue if1 pou list1 for I loue and ay schal
A soothly leue broker pis is al 1184
Her in pis prison mote we endure
And euerich of* vs take his auenture Peaf 17, back]
Gref was pe strif1 and long1 bitwix hem tweye
If1 pat1 I hadde leyser for to seie / 1188
But1 to pis effect it happed on a day
To telle it jou as schortly as I may
A worpi duk1 fat1 highte Perotheus
That1 felawe was vnto duk1 Theseus 1192
Syn pilke day pat1 pai were children lite
Was come to Athenes his felawe to visite
and for to pleye as he was wont1 to do
ffor in pis world he loued noman so 1196
And he loued him als tendurly agayn
So wel pei loued as olde bokes sayn
That1 whan pat1 oon was ded soply to telle /
his felaw went1 and sought1 him doun in helle 1 200
But1 of1 pat1 story list1 me nought1 to write
Duk1 Perotheus louede wel arcite
And had him knowe at Thebes per be yere
And finally at request and prey ere 1204
Of1 Perotheus wipoute ony Eaunson
Duk1 Theseus him leet1 out of prison
ffrely to gon wher pat1 him list1 ouer al
In such a gise as I }ou telle schal 1208
This was pe forward pleinly for tendite /
Bitwixe Theseus and him Arcite
That1 if1 so were pat1 arcite were founde /
Euer in his lif1 by day or night1 or stounde 1212
In eny contre of1 pis Theseus
CORPUS 35
36 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And he were caught1 it was accorded f us
That1 with a swerd he scholde leese his heed
Ther was noon ofer remedie ne reed 1216
But1 take]) his leeue and homward he him spedde
Lat1 him be war his nekke lif to wedde
How gret1 a sorwe suffref now arcite
The deth he feelef Jmrgh his herte smyte 1220
He wepef . weyleth . crief pitously
To sleen himself1 he waytef priuely [leaf is]
He seide alias fat1 day fat1 1 was born
Now is my prison worse fan biibrn 1224
Now is me schape eternaly to dwelle
Nought1 in Purgatori but1 in helle
Alias fat1 euer I knew Perotheus
ffor elles hadde I haue dwelled with Theseus 1228
I-fetered in his prison eueremo
Thanne hadde I ben in blisse and not1 in woo
Only f e sight1 of1 hire whom fat1 1 serue
fough fat1 1 neuer hire grace may deserae 1232
Wolde haue y-suffised right1 ynough for me
5F Oo deere Cosyn Palamon quod he
Thin is f e victorie of1 f is auenture
fful blissefully in prison might1 fou dure 1236
In pn'soun certes nay but1 paradys
Wei haf fortune torned f e f e dys
That1 hast1 f e sight1 of1 hire and I f absence /
ffor possible is syn fou hast1 hir presence 1240
And art1 a knight1 a worf i and an able
That1 by som caas syn fortune is changeable
Thou maist1 somtyme to f i desir atteyne
But1 1 fat1 am exiled and bareyne 1244
Of1 alle grace and in so gret1 despeire
That1 f er nys erf e water fyr ne eyre
Ne creature fat1 of1 hem maked is /
That1 may me helpe or don confort1 in fis 1248
Wei ought1 1 sterue in wanhope and distresse
CORPUS 36
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 37
flare wel my lif1 my lust1 and my gladnesse
Alias why pleynen men so in comune
Of purueance of1 god or of* fortune 1252
That1 3iueth hem ful ofte in many a gyse
"Wel bet1 fan fey can hemself1 deuyse
Som man desiref for to haue richesse
That1 cause is of1 his mordre or gret1 seknesse / 1256
And som wolde out1 of1 his prison fain
That1 in his hous is of1 his meyne slain / [leaf is, back]
Infinite harmes ben in f is matiere
We wot1 not1 what1 fing1 fat1 we preyen heere / 1260'
"We faren as he fat1 dronken is as Mous
A dronke man wot1 wel he haf an hous
But1 he not1 which f e righte weie is f ider
And to a dronke man fe weye is slider 1264
And certes in f is world so faren we
"We seeken fast1 after felicite
But1 we gon wrong1 ful ofte trewely
Thus may we seyn aft and namlich I 1268
That1 wende and hadde a gret1 opynion
That1 if I mighte skapen fro pn'son
Than hadde I ben in ioye and parfyt1 hele
Ther now I am exiled fro my wele 1272
Syn fat1 1 may not1 seen ^ou Emelye
I am but1 ded f er nys no remedye
vpon fat1 of er syde Palamon
Whan fat1 he wiste fat1 arcite was gon 127&
Swich sorwe he makef fat1 f e grete tour
Resounef of1 his yollyng1 and clamour
The pure fettres of1 his schynes grete
Were of1 his bittre salte teeres wete 1 280
Alias quod, he arcita cosyn myn
Of1 aft our strif1 god wot1 f e fruyt1 is fin
Thou walkest1 now in Thebes at1 f i large
And of1 my woo fou yernest1 litel charge 1284
Thou maist1 syn fou hast1 wisdom and manhede
CORPUS 37
38 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Assemble aft f e folk* of1 cure kinrede
And make a werre so scharp on f is Cite
That1 by som auenture or som tretee 1288
Thou maist1 haue hir to lady and to wif /
ffor whom fat1 1 most1 needes leese my lif1
ffor as by weie of1 possibilite
Sitthe f ou art1 at1 f i large of* prison fre 1292
And art* a lord gret1 is fin auantage .
More fan is myn fat sterue her in a kage [leaf 191
ffor I mot1 weepe and wayle whil fat1 1 lyue
With aft fe woo fat1 prison may me ^iue 1296
And eek1 with peyne fat1 loue me yiuef also
That1 doublef al my torment1 and my wo
Ther with f e fyr of gelousie vpsterte
With Inne his brest and hente him by f e herte 1 300
So woodly fat1 he lik1 was to byholde
The boxtre or f e asshen deed and colde
Than seide he o cruel goddes fat1 gouerne
This world with bynding* of1 your word eterne 1304
And writen in f e table of1 athamaunt1
youre parlement and }our eterne graunt1
What1 is mankynde more vnto ^ou holde
Than is f e scheep fat1 roukef in f e folde 1 308
ffor slain is man right1 as anof er beeste
And dwellef eek1 in prison and in arreste
And haf siknesse and gret aduersite
And ofte tymes gilteles parde 1312
IF What1 gouernance is in f is prescience
That1 gilteles tormentef Innocence
And encreseth f is is al my penaurcce
That1 man is bounden to his obsmiauwce 1316
ffor goddes sake to letten of1 his wille
Ther as a beeste may aft his lust1 fulfills
And whan a beeste is ded he haf no peyne
But1 after his deth fe man mot1 weepe and pleyne 1320
Though in f is world he haue care and wo
CORPUS 38
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 39
TVif outen doute it may stonden so
The answere of1 f is lete I to diuines
But1 vvel I wot1 fat1 in fis world gret pyne is 1324
Alias I see a serpent1 or a f eef1
That1 many a trewe man haf do meschief1
Gon at1 his large and wher him list1 may turne
But1 1 moot1 ben in pn'son furgh Saturne 1328
And eek* f urgh luno lalous and eek1 wood
That1 haf destroyed wel neyh al fe blood [leaf 19, back]
Of1 Thebes with his waste walles wide
And venus sleep me on fat1 ofer syde 1332
ffor lalousye and fere of1 him Arcite
^[ Now wil I stynte of1 Palamon alite
And lat1 him in his prison stille dwelle
And of1 Arcite forf I wil $ou telle 1336
The somer passef and f e nightes longe
Encresceth double wise pe peynes stronge
Bof e of1 f e louer and of1 f e prisoner
I not1 which hap fe wofuller myster 1340
ffor schortly for to sein of1 Palamon
Perpetuelly is dampned to prison
In cheynes and in fettres to pe ded
And arcite is exiled vp his hed 1344
ffor euermore as out1 of1 fat1 centre
IsTe neuer he ne schal his lady se
IT yow louers aske I now f is question
Who hap fe wors arcite or Palamon 1348
That1 oon may seen his lady day by day
But1 in prison moot1 he duellen ay
That1 of er wher him list1 may ride or go
But1 seen his lady schal he neuer mo 1352
Now diuineth as }ou list1 fat1 36 can
ffor I wol telle forth as I bigan
[No gap in the MS.]
CORPUS 39
40 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
[PART II. No gap in the MS.]
Whan j?af arcite to Thebes comen was
fful ofte a day he swelte and saide alias 1356
ffor seen his lady schal he neuere mo
And schortly to concluden al his wo
So mochel sorwe hadde neuer creature
That1 is or schal whil fat1 f e world may dure 1360
His sleep . his mete . his drink1 is him by-raft1
That1 lene he wex and drye as is a schaft1
His yghen holwe grisly to biholde
His he we falwe and pale as ayssche colde 1364
And solitarie he was and euer allone
And waylyng1 al fe night1 makyng1 his mone [leaf 20]
And if1 he herde song1 or instrument
Than wolde he weepe he mighte nought1 be stent1 1368
So feble were his spiritz and he lowe
And chaunged so fat1 no man couf e knowe
His speche nof er his voys f ough men it herde
And in his gere for al f e world he ferde / 1372
Not1 comly lyk1 to louers maladye
Of1 heres but raf er lik1 manye
Engendred of1 humow malencolik1
Biforn his celle fantastik1 1376
And schortly torned was al vp and doun
Bof e habite and disposickmn
Of him f is woful louere daun arcite
What1 scholde I alday of his woo endite 1380
Whan he endured hadde a ^eer or tuo
This cruel torment and J>is peyne and woo
At1 Thebes in his centre as I seyde
Ypon a night1 in sleep as he him leyde 1384
Him f oughte fat1 f e wengede god mercuric
Biforn him stood and bad him to be raerie
His sleepy }erde in honde he bar vprigfrt1
An hatte he wered vppon his heeres bright1 1 388
CORPUS 40
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 41
Arrayed was f is god as he took1 keepe
As lie was whan fat1 argus took1 his sleepe
And seyde him Jms to Athenes schalt1 f ou wende
Ther is fe schapen of1 fi wo an ende 1392
And with fat1 word arcite wook1 and sterte
Now trewely how sore fat1 me smerte
Quod he to Athenes right1 now wol I fare
Ne for fe drede of* def schal I nought1 spare 1396
To see my lady fat1 1 loue and serue /
In hire presence I ne recche nou^t1 to sterae /
And with fat1 word he caughte a gret mirour
And saugh fat1 chaunged was al his colour 1 400
And saugh his visage al in anof er kinde
And right1 anon it1 ran him in his mynde [leaf 20, back]
Than sif en his face was so disfigured
Of1 maladie fe which he hadde endured 1404
He mighte wel if1 fat1 he bar him lowe
Lyue in Athenes eueremore vnknowe /
And seen his lady wel neigh day by day
And right1 anon he changed his array 1408
And cladde him as a poure laborer
And al allone saf1 oonly a squier
That1 knew his priuete and al f e caas
Which was desgised pouerly as he was 1412
To Athenes is he gon f e nexte way
And to f e courte he wente vpon a day
And atte gate he profred his seruise
To drugge and drawe what1 so men wol deuise 1416
And schortly of1 f is matier for to sein
He fille in office with a chamburlein /
The which fat1 was dwellyng1 with Emelye
ifor he was wys and sone coufe aspye 1420
Of1 euery seruant1 which fat1 seruef here
Wel coufe he hewen woode and water bere
fFor he was yong1 and mighty for f e nones
And ferto he was strong1 and bigge of1 bones 1424
CORPUS 41
42 GROUP A. § 2- KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
To doon fat1 eny wight1 him can deuyse
A yeer or tuo he was in f is seruise
Page of* f e Chambre of1 Emelye f e brighte
And Philostrat1 he seyde fat he highte 1428
1T But1 half1 so wel byloued aman as he
Ne was fer neuer in court1 of1 his degre
He was so gentil of eondiciown
That1 f urgh out1 al the court1 was his lenoun 1 432
Thei seide fat1 it1 were a charite
That1 Theseus wolde enhaunce his degre
And putten him in worschipful seruise
Ther fat1 he might1 his vertu excercise 1436
And f us withinne a while his name is spronge
Bof e of his deedes and of1 his goode tonge [leaf 211
That1 Theseus haf taken him so neere
That1 of1 his Chambre he made him a squiere 1440
And gaf1 him golde to mayntene his degre
And eek1 men brought1 him out of his contre
ffro 3eer to ^eer ful priuily his rente
But1 honestly and sleighly he it spente 1444
That1 no man wondred how fat1 he it hadde
And f re ^eer in f is wise his lif1 he ladde
And bar him so in pees and eek1 in werre
Ther was no man fat1 Theseus haf derre 1 448
And in f is blisse lete I now arcite
And speke I wol of1 Palamon alite
^f In derknesse and horrible and strong1 -prison
This seuene 3eer haf seten Palamon 1452
fforpyned what1 for woo and for distresse
Who feleth double sore and heuynesse
But1 Palamon fat1 loue drenchef so /
That1 wood out1 of1 his wit1 he gof for wo 1456
And eek1 f er to he is a prisoner
Perpetuelly not1 oxmly for a ^eer
Who couf e ryme in englissh propurly
His martirdom for sofe it am not1 1 1460
CORPUS 42
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 43
Ther fore I passe als lightly as I may
^f It1 felle fat1 in f e seuenf e }er of1 may
The f ridde night1 as olde bokes sein /
That1 als fis storie tellef more plein 1464
"Were if by auenture or destinee
As whan a f ing1 is schape it schal be
That1 sone after f e mydnyghf Palamon
By helpyng1 of a frende brak1 prison 1468
And fief f e cite faste as he may goo
ffor hadde yeue his gailler drunke soo
Of1 a clarre maad of1 a certeyn wyn
With nercotiks and opie of1 Thebes fyn 1472
That1 al fat1 night1 f ough fat1 men wolde him schake
Tbe gailler sleep he mighte not1 awake [leaf 21, back]
And Jms he neeth as fast1 as euer he may
The night1 was schorf and faste by fe day 1476
That1 needes cost1 he most1 himseluen hyde
And til a groue faste f er bisyde
With dredful foot1 fan stalkef Palamon
ffor schortly fis was his opinion 1480
That1 in fat1 groue he wolde him hide alday
And in f e night1 fan wolde he take his way
To Thebes-ward his frendes for to pray
On Theseus to helpe him to werray 1484
And schortly ouf er he wolde leese his lif*
Or wynnen Emely to his louely wif1 /
This is f effecte and his entente playn)
^[ Now wol I torne vnto arcite agayn) 1488
That1 litel wiste how neih Jjat1 was his care
Til fat1 fortune hadde kaught1 him in his snare
The besy larke messanger of1 day
Salueth in hir song1 J>e morwe gray 1492
And fyry phebus risef vp so bright1
That1 al J> e orient laugheth of1 fe light1
And with his streemes drieth in fe greues
The seluir dropes hangyng1 in fe lecues 1496
CORPUS 43
44 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And Arcita in f e court1 roial
Wif Theseus his squier principal
Is rysen and lokef on f e mery day
And for to doon his obseruance to may 1500
'Remembryng1 on f e poynt1 of his desir
He on his courser stertyng1 as f e fir
Is riden in to f e feeldes him to pleye
Out* of fe court1 were it1 a myle or tweye 1504
And to f e groue of1 which fat1 1 $ou tolde'
Ey auenture his weye he gan to holde /
To maken him a garland of1 f e greues
Were it1 of1 woodebynde or hawethorne leeues 1508
And loude he song1 a^ein f e sonne scheene [
May with aft f i floures whit1 and grene deaf 22]
Welcome be f ou faire freisshe may
I hope fat1 1 soni grene gete may 1512
And from his courser with a lusty herte
In to f e groue ful hastily he sterte
^jid in a path he rometh vp and doun
Ther as by auenture of1 fis Palamon 1516
Was in a busshe fat1 no man might1 him see
fful sore aferd of1 his deth was he
No f ing1 ne knewe he fat1 it was arcite
God wot1 he wolde haue trowed it ful lite 1 520
But1 sof is seide go sif f en many ^eeres
That1 feeld haf yhen and f e woode haf eeres
It1 is ful fair a man to bere him euene /
ffor alday meetef men at1 vnsetf steuene 1524
fful litel woot arcite of1 his felawe
That1 was so neigh to herken of his sawe
ffor in f e busshe he sittef now ful stille
Whan fat1 arcite hadde Eomed all his fille 1528
And songen al f e Roundel lustily
In to a studie he fel sodeinly
As doon f ese louers in here queynte geeres
Now in f e croppe and now doun in f e hreeies 1532
CORPUS 44
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 45
Now vp now doun as boket1 in a welle
Kight1 as f e friday sofly for to telle
Now it1 schinef and now it reynef faste
Right1 so gan gery venus ouer caste 1536
The hertes of1 hir1 folk1 right1 as hire day
Is geerful right1 so chaunge)) sche array
Seelde is f e fryday al f e wike y-like
IT Whan fat1 arcite hadde songe he gan to syke 1540
And sette him doun wif outen eny more
Alias quod he fat1 day fat1 1 was bore
How longe luno f urgh J>i cruelte
Wiltow werreien Thebes ]je Cite 1544
Alias y-brought1 is to confusion
The blood Eoial of1 Cadme and Amphion [leaf 22, back]
Of1 Cadmus which fat1 was f e ferste man
That1 Thebes bult1 or ferst1 f e toun bigan 1548
And of1 f e cite first1 was crouned king^
Of his lyiiage am I and his ofspring1
By verray ligne as of1 f e stok1 roiaft
And now I am so caytif1 and so fratt 1552
That1 he fat1 is my mortel enemy
I serue him as his squier pouerly
And }it dof me luno wel more schame
ffor I dar nought biknowe myn owne name 1556
But f er as I was wont1 to bight1 arcite
Now highte I Philostrate nought1 worf a myte
Alias f ou felle mars alias f ou luno
Thus haf your ire oure lignage al fordo 1560
Saf1 only me and wrecched Palamoii
That1 Theseus martiref in prison
And ouer al f is to slen me vtterly
loue haf his faire dart1 so brennyngly. 1564
y-stiked f urgh my trewe earful herte
That schapen was my def arst1 fan my scherte
ye sleen me with }our ey3en emelye
3e ben fe cause wher fore fat I dye 1568
CORPUS 45
46 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Of1 aft f e remanant / of myn of er care
Ne sette I nought1 f e montance of a tare
So fat I coude don aught* to ^oure plesance
And with fat1 word he fel doun in a traunce 1572
A long1 tyme and aftirward he vpsterte
This Palamon fat1 fought1 f af f orugh his herte
he felte a cold swerd sodeinliche glyde
ffor yre he quok1 no lenger wolde he byde 1576
And whan fat1 he had herd Arcites tale
As he were wood with face deed and pale
he sterte him vp out1 of1 f e buskes f ikke
And seide arcite false traytour wikke 1580
Now art1 fou hent1 fat1 louesf my lady so
ffor whom fat1 1 haue al f is peyne and wo Deaf 23]
And art1 my blood and to my counseil sworn
As I ful ofte haue told fe heer biforn 1584
And hast be-iaped here duk1 Theseus /
And falsly chaunged hast f i name f us
I wol be ded or elles fou schalt1 dye
Thou schalt1 not1 loue my lady Emelye 1588
But1 1 wol loue hire oonly and nomo
ffor I am Palamon f i mortel foo
And f ough fat1 1 no wepene haue in f is place
But1 out1 of pn'soun am astert1 by grace 1592
I drede nought1 fat1 ouf er f ou schalt1 die
Or f ou ne schalt1 not1 louen Emelye
Chees which f ou wilt1 or f ou schalt1 not1 asterte
This arcite with ful despitous herte 1596
When he him knew and hadde his tale herde
As fers as a leon pulled out a swerde
And seide f us by god f a[t] sittef aboue
Nere if were fat1 fou art1 sike and wood for loue 1600
And eek1 fat1 fou no wepne hast1 in f is place /
Thou schuldesf neuer out1 of1 f is groue pace
That1 fou ne schuldest1 deyen of1 myn honde
ffor I dime fe sewrte and fe bonde 1604
CORPUS 46
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 47
Which fat1 f ou seist* I haue maad to f e /
What1 verray fool fink* weel fat* loue is fre
And I wol loue hir maugre al f y might1
But for as moche f ou art1 a worfy knight* 1608
And wiliest to derreyne hir by batayle
Haue her my trouf e to morwe I wol nought1 fayle
Wif outen wityng* of eny of er wight
That1 heer I wol "be founden as a knight 1612
And bringen herneys right1 ynough for f e
And chese f e beste and lef1 f e worste for me
And mete and drynk1 f is night* wol y bringe
ynough for fe and clones for fi beddynge 1616
And if1 so be fat* f ou my lady wynne
And sle me in fis woode fer I am Inne [leaf 23, back]
Thou maysf wel haue f y lady as for me
This Palamon answerd I graunt1 it1 fe 1620
And f us f ei ben departed til a morwe
Whan ech of1 hem hadde leyd his feij> to borwe
Occupied out* of* alle charite
0 regne fat* wolde no felawe haue with Jje 1624
fful sof is seid jjat1 loue ne lorschipe
Wol not* his J?ankes haue no felaschipe
We fynde fat1 of1 arcite and of1 Palamon
Arcite is riden anon in to fe toun 1628
And on the morwe er it* were dayes light1
fful priuely tuo herneys haf he dight*
Bofe sufficant* and meete to darreyne
The batail in J?e feld bitwix hem tweyne 1632
And on his hors allone as he was borne
He carieth al his harneys him biforne
And in J>e groue at tyme and place y-sef
This arcite and fis Palamon ben mette 1636
To changen gan Jje colour in hire face
Eight* as J>e hunters in J>e Eeigne of* trace
That* stondejj atte gappe with a spere
Whan hunted is J?e leoun or J>e bere 1640
COllPUS 47
48 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And heerep him come russhyng1 in pe greeues
And berep bope bowes and pe leeues /
And pinkep here come]? my mortel enemy
Wipoute faile he moot* be deed or I 1644
ffor eiper I mot1 sleen him atte gappe
Or he mot1 slee me if* pat1 me mys happe
So ferden pei in chaungyng1 of1 here hewe
As fer as euerich of1 hem oper knewe / 1648
Ther nas no good day ne no saluynge /
But1 streit1 wipouten word or rehersynge /
Euerich of1 hem hilp for to arme oper
As freendly as he were his owne broper 1652
And after fat1 wip scharpe speres stronge /
They foynen ech at1 oper wonder longe [leaf 2<t]
Thou mightest1 wene pat1 pis Palamon
In his fightinge were a wood leon 1656
And as a cruel tigre was arcite
As wilde bores gonne pei to smyte /
That1 frothen whit1 as foom for ire wood
Yp to pe ancle foughte pey in here blood 1660
And in pis wise I lete hem fightyng1 dwelle
And for]) I wole of1 Theseus you telle
The destenye Ministre general
That execute]? in ]>e world ouer al 1664
The purueance pat1 god hap seie bifore
So strong* it is pat1 pei pe world hadde it1 swore
The contraire of1 a ping1 by $e or nay
Set1 som tyme it1 schal falle on a day 1668
Jjat1 fallep nought1 eft wipinne a pousend 3ere
ffor certeinly oure appetites heere
Be if of1 werre or pees or hate or loue
Al is pis reuled by pe sight1 aboue 1672
This mene I now by mighty Theseus
That for to hunte is so desirous
And namly atte grete hert1 in may
That1 in his bedde per dawep him no day 1676
COKPUS 48
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 49
That1 he nys cladde and redy for to ride
Wif hunte and horn, and houndes him besyde
ffor in his huntyng1 ha]) he such delit1
That1 it is att his ioye and appetyf 1680
To ben himself* f e grete hertes bane
ffor after mars he serueth now Diane
Cler was f e day as I haue told er f is
And Theseus with alle ioye and blys 1684
With his ypolita f e faire queene
And Emelye closed al in greene
On huntyng1 ben f ei riden really
And to fe groue fat1 stood ful faste by 1688
In which f er was an hertt as men him tolde
Duk1 Theseus fe streighte wey haf holde / [leaf 24, back]
And to f e lannde he ridef him ful righte
ffor fider was f e hert1 wont1 to haue his nighte 1692
And ouer a brook1 and so forf on his wey
This Duk1 wol haue a cours at1 him or twey
Wif houndes swich as fat1 him list1 to comaurcde /
And whan fis Duk1 was come vnto fe launde 1696
vnder f e sonne he loked and anon
He was war of1 arcite and Palamon
That1 foughten breeme as it1 were boles tuo
The brighte swerdes wenten to and fro 1700
So hidously fat1 with f e leste strook1
It1 semef fat1 if wolde felle an ook1
But1 what1 f ei were nof ing1 he ne woot1
This duk1 his courser with his spores smot1 1704
And at1 a stert1 he was betwixe hem tuo
And pulled out a swerd and cried ho
No more vp peyne of1 lesyng1 of1 3 our* hed
By mighty mars he schal anon be ded 1 708
That1 smyteth eny strok1 fat1 1 may seen
But1 tellef me what1 myster men 36 ben
That1 ben so hardy for to lighten heere
Wifoute luge or ofer officere 1712
4 CORPUS 49
50 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE, Corpus MS.
As if were in a liteft liste really
IT This Palamon answerde hastily
And seide sire what1 needej) wordes mo
We haue pe dej> deserued bo)>e tuo 1716
Tuo woful wrecches be we tuo caytyues
That1 ben encombred of1 oure owne lyues
And as f ou art1 a rightful lord and luge
NQ ^iue us neyfer mercy ne refuge 1720
But1 slee me first1 for seinte charite
But1 slee my felawe eek1 as wel as me
Or slee him [first] for pough j>ou knowest1 it lite
This is J>i mortel fo J> is is arcite 1724
That1 fro ])i lond is banyssched on his heede
ffor which he haf deserued to be ded [leaf 253
ffor J?is is he J>at com vnto J?i gate
And seyde fat1 he highte Philostrate 1728
Thus haj? he laped ]>e ful many a $eere /
And Jjou hast1 maked him Jri cheef1 squiere
And j>is is he fat* louef Emelye
ffor si]> fat* day is come fat1 1 schal dye 1732
I make pleynly my confession
That1 1 am Jnlke woful Palamon)
That1 haf J)i pn'son broke wikkedely
I am )>i mortel foo and it1 am I 1736
That1 louef so hote Emelya )>e bright[e]
That1 1 wol dye present1 in hir sighte
Wher fore I axe dej> and my luwise
But sle my felawe in J>e same wise 1740
ffor bojje haue we deserued to be slayii
IT This wor]?i duk1 answerde anon agayn
And seide Jns is a schort1 conclusioun
your owne mouf be ^oure confessiown 1744
Haj? dampned 3011 and I wol it recorde
It1 needej) nought1 to pyne 3ou with fe corde
ye schal be ded by mighty mars J>e reede
The queen anon for verrey wo?rananhede 1748
CORPUS 50
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 51
Com for to wepe and so dide Emelye
And aft )>e ladies of1 J?e compaignye
Gret1 pite was it as if fought1 hem. alle
That1 euer such a chaunce schulde falle 1752
ffor gentil men f ei were of* gret1 estat1 '
And nofing1 but1 for loue was f is debat1
And saugh hire bloody woundes wide and sore
And alle cryeden bofe lasse and more 1756
Haue mercy lord vpon vs wommen alle
And on here bare knees doun fei falle
And wolde haue kist1 his feet1 f er as he stood
Til atte last aslaked was his mood 1760
ffor pite rennejj sone in gentil herte /
And Jjougfr he fersf for Ire quook1 and sterte [leaf 25, backi
he haf considered schortly in a clause
The trespas of1 hem bothe and eek1 fe cause 1764
And al jjough fat1 his Ire hire gilt1 accused
3it* in his reson he hem bojje excused
As ]>us he jjoughte wel jjat1 euery man
Wil helpe himself1 in loue if1 Jjat1 he can 1768
And eek1 deliuere himself1 out1 of1 prison
And eek1 his herte hadde compassion
Of* wornme^ for jjey wepen euer in oon
And in his gentil herte he jjought1 anon 1772
And softe vnto himself he seide fy
vpon a lord jjat1 wol haue no "mercy
But1 be a leon boj>e in word and dede /
To hem Jjat1 ben in repentance and drede 1776
As wel as to a proud dispitous man
That1 wol maintene fat1 he first1 bigan
That1 lord ha]> litel of1 discrecioii
That1 in such cas can no diuision 1 780
But1 weyeth pride and humblesse after oon
And schortly whan his Ire is Jms goon
he gan to loken vp with eyghen light1
And spak1 Jris same wordes al on night 1784
CORPUS 51
52 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
1F The god of* loue a bsnedicite
How mighty and how grett a lord is he
A^eins his might1 J?er gaynej? non obstacles
He may be cleped a god of1 his miracles 1788
ffor he can maken at1 his owne gise
Of1 euerich herte as fat1 him list1 deuise
lo her J?is arcite and f is Palamon
That1 quytly were out1 of my pn'soun 1792
And might1 haue lyued in Thebes rially
And witen I am here mortel enemy
And J>af here dej? lith in my might1 also /
And ^it1 ha]? loue maugre here yghen tuo 1796
Brought1 hem hider boj>e for to deye
Now lokej) is not1 Jjat1 an heih folye Deaf 26]
1T Who may ben a fool but1 if1 he loue
Byhold for goddes sake pat1 sittef aboue 1800
See how J>ai bleede be fai not1 wel arrayed
Thus ha]> hire lord ]?e god of" loue y-pai^ed
Hire wages and hire fees for hire seruise
And ^it1 J?ei wenen for to ben ful wise 1804
That1 seruen loue for aught1 fat1 may bifaft
But1 ]?is is ^et1 J?e beste game of1 alt
That1 sche for wham }>ei haue J?is iolyte
Can hem J>erfore as moche thank1 as me 1 808
Sche woof na more of1 aft Jris hoote fare
By god J?an woot1 a Cockow of1 an hare
But1 al moot1 ben assayed hoot1 and colde
A man moot1 ben a fool or 3ong1 or olde 1812
I wot1 it by my self1 ful yore agon
ffor in my tyme a seruant1 was I on
And Jjerfore syn I knowe of1 loues peyne
And woot1 how sore it1 can a man distreyne 1816
As he Jjat1 hath ben caught1 often in his laas
I you foi^iue al holly J>is trespas
At1 J?e requeste of1 Jje queen Jjat1 kneelej? heere
And eek1 of Emelye my soster doere 1820
COTIPUS 62
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 53
And 36 schal bope anon vnto me swere
That1 neuere 36 schal my coroune dere
Ne make werre vpon me night1 ne day
But1 ben my frendes in alle pat1 36 may 1824
I 3ou for3iue pis trespas euery del
And pey him sworen his axing1 fair and wel
And him of1 lordschipe and of mercy preide
And he hem grauntep grace and pus he seide 1828
To speke of1 riaft lynage and richesse
pough pat1 sche were a queen or a princesse
Ech of1 3ou bope is worpy douteles
To wedde whan tyme is but1 napeles 1832.
I speke as for my suster Emelye /
ffor whom 36 haue pis strif1 and Jalousie [leaf 26, back]
3e wite 3oure self1 sche may not1 wedde tuo
At1 oones pough 30 fighten eueremo 1836
That1 oon of1 3ou al be him lop or leef1
He moot1 go pypen in an yuy leef1
This is to sey sche may not1 haue bope
Al be 30 neuer so lalouse ne so wrope 1840
And for-Jri I 3ou putte in ])is degre
That1 ech of1 3ou schal haue his destine
As him is schape and kerknej? in what1 wise
Lo heer 3our ende of1 pat1 1 schal deuyse / 1844
IF My wil is pis for plat1 conclusion
Wipouten eny replicacion
If1 pat 3ow likep takep it1 for pe beste /
That1 euerych of1 3ou schal gon wher him leste 1848
ffrely wipouten Raunceon or daunger
And pis day fifty wykes fer ne neer
Euerich of1 3ou schal bringe an hundred knightes
Armed for pe lystes vp al rightes 1852
Al redy to darreyne hir by bataile
And pis biheete I 3ou wipoute faile
vpon my troupe and as I am a knight1
That1 wheper of1 3ou bope pat1 hap might1 1856
CORPUS 63
54 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
This is to sein fat1 whejjer he or J>ou
May with his hundred as I spak1 of now
Sle his contrarie or out1 of lystes dryue
That1 schal I ^iue Emelya to wyue 1860.
To whom fat1 fortune ^euej? so fair a grace
The lystes schal I maken in f is place
And god so wisly on my soule rewe
As I schal euen lugge ben and trewe 1864
30 schal non ofer eende wi]> me maken
fat1 on of1 3ou schal ben deed or taken
And if1 3ou Jrinkef fis is wel y-sayed
Sey 3our avys and holdej? }ou appaied 1868
This is 3our ende and $our conclusion
Who lokef lighty now but1 Palamon [leaf 27j
Who springe]) vp for ioye but1 arcite
Who coufe telle or who coufe it endite * 1872
The ioye fat1 is maked in f e place
Whan Theseus ha]> don so fair a grace
But1 doun on knees went1 euery maner wight1
And jjonked him wif att here hert1 and might1 1876
And namely f e Thebanes ofte sife
And ]?us wij) good hope and wij? herte blijje
They take ]>eir leue and homward gon ]?ei ride
To Thebes with olde walles wyde 1880
[PART III. No gap in the MS.]
I trowe men wold it1 deme necligence
yf1 1 for3ete te tellen J?e dispense
Of1 Theseus fat1 gof so busily
To maken vp J>e lystes ryally 1884
That1 such a noble theatre as it1 was
I dar wel seyn in ]>e world fer nas
The circuite a Mile was aboute
Walled of1 stoon and diched al wifoute 1888
Round was J>e schap in maner of1 compas
CORPUS 64
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 55
fftil of1 degrees pe heighte of1 sixty paas
Than whan a man was sette on oo degre
He lettede nought1 his felawe for to see 1892
Estward per stood a gate of1 marbel white
'Westward right1 south anoper in opposite
And schortly to conclude such a place
Was non in erpe as in so litel a space 1896
ffor in pe lond per nas no crafty man
That1 Geometric or ars metrike can
Ne purtreiour ne keruer of1 ymages
That1 Theseus ne gain him mete and wages 1900
The Teatre for to make and deuyse
And for to don his rite and sacrifise
he estward hath vpon pe gate aboue
In worschip of1 Venus pe goddesse of1 loue 1904
Don make an auter and an oratorie
And of* pe westward in rnemorie [leaf 27, back]
Of1 Mars he maked hath right1 such anoper
That coste largely of1 gold a foper 1908.
And northward in a toret1 on pe walle
Of1 alabaustre whit1 and reed coralle
An oratori riche for to see
In worschip of1 Diane of1 chastite 1912
hath Theseus don wrought1 in noble wise
But1 ^it1 hadde I forgetyn to deuyse
pe noble peyntyng* and pe purtraitures
The schap pe contienance and pe figures 1916
That1 weren in pise oratories pre
fferst1 in pe temple of1 venus maist1 pou se
Wrought1 in pe walle ful pitous to biholde
The broken sleepes and J>e sikes colde 1920
pe sacrede teeres and J>e waymerityng1
The fyre strokes of1 J>e desyring1
That1 loues seruantz in pis Kjf1 enduren
The othes pat1 here couenantz ensuren 1924
Plesant1 and hope desir fol-hardynesse
CORPUS 56
56 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Beaute and youjje bauderie Kichesse
Charmes and force lesynges flaterie
Dispense bysynesse and Jalousie 1928
That1 werede of1 yalow of1 gooldes a garlond
And a cukkow sittyng1 on his hond
ffestes instrumentz karoles daunces
lust1 and array and aft J?e circumstances 1932
Of* loue which fat1 rekned and rekene schal
By ordre were peynted on fe wal
And mo fan I can make of1 mencion
ffor sothly al J>e monf of1 Citheron 1936
Ther venus haf hir principal dwellyng1
"Was schewed on ]>e wal in portreying1
Wif al Jje gardyn and J?e lustynesse
!Natf was fo^eten J>e porter ydelnesse 1940
"Ne Narcisus J?e faire of1 yore agon
Ne yet1 )>e folie of1 king1 Salomon [leaf 28]
]STe ^it1 jje grete strengfe of1 Hercules
Thenchauntementz of1 Medea and Circes 1944
!Ne of1 Turnus wi]> ]je hardy fiers corrage
The riche Crysus kaytif1 in seruage /
Thus may 30 seen fat1 wisdom ne richesse
Beaute ne sleighte strengfe ne hardynesse / 1948
Ne may wi]> venus holde champartye
fibr as hire list1 J>e world J>anne may sche gye
lo aft j>ise folk1 so kaught1 were in here lace
Til ]>ei for woo ful ofte seyde allase 1952
Suffiseth here ensamples oon or tuo
And )?ough I coufe rekne a fousand mo
The statue of1 venus glorious for to see
Was inaked fleetyng1 in J>e large see 1956
And fro J?e nauel doun al couered was
Wif wawes greene and bright1 as eny glas
0 citole in hir right1 hond hadde sche /
And on hire heed ful semely for to see 1960
A rose garlond freissch and wel smellynge
CORPUS 56
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 57
Aboue hir heed her donfes flykerynge
Biforn hire stoode hir sone Cupido
vpon his schuldernes wenges hadde he tuo 1964
And blynd he was as it1 is ofte seene /
A bowe he bar and arwes bright1 and keene
Whi schulde I nought1 as wel eek1 telle J?e halle
The purtraiture Jjaf was vpon fe walle / 1968
Wijnnne J>e temple of1 mighty mars j?e reede
Al peynted was )>e wal in lengpe and brede /
lik1 to pe eestres of ]?e grisly place
That1 highte J>e grete temple of1 Mars in trace 1972
In jjilke colde frosty regioun
Ther as Mars ha]) his soueraigne mansiowu
mrsf on J?e wal was peynted a foreste
In which J?er dwelled neyjjer man ne beste 1976
WiJ) knotty knarry bareyne trees olde
Of1 Stubbes scharpe and hidous to biholde/ [leaf 28, back]
In which J?er ran a Eombel in a swough"
And Bought1 a storm schulde bresten euery bough. 1980
And dounward from an huft vnder a bente
Ther stood fe temple of1 mars armypotente
Wrought1 alt of1 burned steel of1 which Jjentre
"Was long1 and streyf and gastly for to see 1984
And J?er out1 cam a rage and such a vese
That1 it made alt J>e gates for to rese
The northerne light1 in atte dores schone
ffor wyndowe on fe watt ne was J>er none 1988
Thorugh which men mighte eny light1 discerne
The dores waren att of1 Atthemant1 eteme
ychenchede ouertwart1 and endlong1
Wijj Iren towgh and for to make it1 strong1 1992
Euery piler ]>e temple to sustene
Was tonne gretf of Iren bright1 and scheene
Ther say I ferst1 ]>e derk1 ymagynynge
Of1 felony e and al J>e compassynge . 1996
The cruel Ire reed as eny glede
CORPUS 57
58 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
The pykpurs and eek1 Jje pale drede
The smyler wij? J?e knyf* vnder fe cloke
The schepene brennyng* wij> J>e blake smoke 2000
The tresoun of* Jje morthering1 in fe bedde
The open werre wi]> woundes aft bibledde
Contek* wij? bloody knyf1 and scharp manace
Al ful of1 schrikyng* was J?at* sory place 2004
The sleer of* himself* yet1 saugh I fere
His herte hath bafed al his here
The nayl y-dryuen in J?e schood on night1
The colde deth wij) mou]> gapende vpright 2008
Amyddes of* Jje temple sat1 meschance
With disconfort* and sory contenance
yet* saugh I woodnesse laughyng* in his rage
Armed compleint / out* hees and feers outrage 2012
The karoigne in Jje busk* wijj Jjrote y-korue
A ]>ousand y-slayn and nought* of* qualme y-storue [leaf 29]
The Tiraunt* with his preye his force thraste /
The toun destroied ]>er was noting* lafte 2016
yet* saugh I brent* J>e schippes hoppestereres
The hunte strangled wij? fe wilde breeres /
The sowe freten )>e child right* in J>e cradel
The Cook* I-scalded for al his longe ladel 2020
Nought* was forgeten by J?e infortune of* marte /
The carter ouer-Riden wijj his carte
vnder J>e wheel ful lowe he lay a doun
Ther were also of* martis diuisiown 2024
The barbour and J>e bocher and j?e smith
That* forge]? scharpe swerdes on his stith
And aft aboue depeynted in a toure
Saugh I conqueste in gret* honoure 2028
"With Jje scharpe swerd ouer his heed
Hangynge by a subtyl twyned Jjreed
Depeynted was fe slaughtre of* lulius
Of* grete Nero and of* Anthonius 2032
Al be ]?at* ilke time fei were vnborn
CORPUS 58
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 59
3ef was hire deth depeynted J>er biforn
By manasyng1 of1 mars right1 by figure
So was it1 schewed right in J?afr purtreiture 2036
As is depeynted in J>e sertres aboue
Who schal be slain or elles deed for lone
Suffice]? oon ensample in stories olde
I may not* re&ne hem alle Jjough I wolde 2040
The statue of1 mars vpon a carte stood
Armed and loked grym as he were wood
And ouer his heed Jjer schinej? tuo figures
Of1 sterres J?afr ben closed in scriptures 2044
That1 oon Puella fat ofer Rubeus
This god of1 armes was arrayed ]?us
A wolf1 ]>er stood biforn him at1 his feete
WiJ> eighen reede and of1 a man he eete 2048
Wi]> subtift penseft was depeynted pis storie /
In redoutyng1 of1 mars and of1 his glorie [leaf 29, back]
Now to J>e temple of1 Diane J>e chaste /
As schortly as I can I wol me haste 2052
To telle }ou aft )>e discripciozm
Depeynted ben J?e walles vp and down
Of1 huntyng1 and of1 schamefast1 chastite
Ther saugh I how wdful Calistope 2056
Whan pat1 Diane agreued was with here
Was torned fro a womman til a bere / 1 Vrsa maior
And after was sche maad J>e loode-sterre
]5us was sche peynted I can ^ou seye no ferre 2060
Hire sone is eek1 a sterre as men may se
Ther saugh I dane torned til a tree
I mene nat1 J>e goddesse Diane
But1 Penneus doughter which Jjat1 highte Dane 2064
IF Ther saugh I accheon an herte y-maked
ifor vengance Jmtf he saugh Diane al naked
I saugh how pat1 his houndes haue him caught1/
and freten him for fat1 J?ei knewe him naught 2068
yet ypeynted was a litel forpere more /
CORPUS 59
CO GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
how atthalance hounted J>e wilde bore
And Meliagre and many anojjer mo
ffor which Diane wrought1 him care and wo 2072
Ther saugh I many anofer storie /
The which me list1 nat1 drawe to memorie /
^f This goddesse on an herf ful wel hiegh seett
WiJ> smale honndes aft aboute hir feet 2076
And vnder nejje hire feet1 sche hadde a moone
Wexynge it was and schulde waiiye soone
In gaude greene hir statue closed was
WiJ> bo we in honde and arwes in a caas 2080
Hir eyhen caste sche ful lowe a doun
Ther Pluto ha]> his derke regioun
A woraman trauaillynge was hire biforn
But1 for hire childe so longe was vnborn 2084
fful pitou[s]ly lucyna gaii sche calle
And seyde helpe for J>ou mayst1 best1 of alle [leafso]
"Wel cou]?e he peynte lifly jjat1 it1 wrought1
Wijj many a floreyne he j?e hewes bought1 2088
Now ben pise listes maad an Theseus
That1 at1 his grete cost1 arraied thus
The temples and J?e Theatres euerydel
Whan it1 was don him liked wonder WB! 2092
Tf But stynte I wol of1 Theseus alite
And speke of1 Palamon and of1 arcite
The day approche]? and hir retornynge
That1 eueriche scholde an hundred knightes bringe 2096
The bataille to darrayne as I ^ou tolde
And til athenes hire couenant1 for to holde
Haj) euerych of1 hem brought1 an .C. knightes
Wel armed for ]?e werre at1 alle rightes 2100
And sikerly J?er trowed many a man
That1 neuer sij)])en J>atH ]?e world bigan
That1 for to speke of1 knighthode of1 here hond
As ferre as god haj) maked sec or lond 2104
Kas of1 so fewe so noble a companve
CORPUS 60
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 61
ffor euery wight1 jjaf loued chiualrie
And wolde his Jmnkes haue a passant1 name
Ha]? preyed jmfr he mighte ben of1 pat1 game 2108
A wel was him J>afr ]?er to chosen was /
ffor if* per fille to morwe such a caas
3e knowe wel J>atf euery lusty knight1
That1 louej? paramours and ha]) his might1 2112
Were it1 in Ingelond or elles where
Thei wolde here pankes wilnen to be ]?ere
To fighte for a lady benedicite
It1 were a lusty sighte for to see 2116
And right1 so ferden pey with Palamon
With him per wente knightes many on
Som wol ben armed in an habergeon
And in a brest1 plate and in a light1 lepon 2120
And some wol haue a paire plates large
And som wil haue a pruce scheld or a targe [leaf so, back]
Som wol ben armed frn his legges wel
and haue an axe and som a mace of1 steel 2124
Ther nys no newe gyse patt it1 nas olde
Armed were pei as I haue 3ou tolde
Euerich after his opynioun
Ther maystow see comyng1 wip Palamon 2128
ligurge himself1 pe grete king1 of1 trace
Blak1 was his berd and manly was his face
The cercles of1 his yhen in his heede
Thei gloweden bitwixe yelow and rede 2132
And lik1 a griffon loked he aboute
With kempe heres on his browes stoute
his lymes grete his braunes harde and strong1
his schuldernes brode his armes round and long1 2136
And as pe gyse was in his cuntre
fful heighe vpon a chaar of1 gold stood he
Wip foure white boles in pe trays
In stede of1 cote armour ouer his harnays 2140
Wip nayles yelowe and bright1 as eny golde
CORPUS Gl
G2 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
he hadde a berskynne coleblak1 for olde
his longe her was kembed byhynde his bak1
As eny rauenes fejjer it1 schon for blak1 2144
A wre]?e of1 gold arme gret1 of huge weighte
vpon his heed sette ful of1 stones brighte
Of fyne Eubies and of1 Diamantz
Aboute his chaar Jjer wente wit1 Alantz 2148
Twenty and mo as gret as eny steere
To hunten atte leon or fe deere
And folwed him with mosel fast1 y-bounde
Coleres of1 gold and torettes filed rounde 2152
An C. lordes hadde he in his route
Armed ful wel wij? hertes sterne and stoute
1F With arcita in stories as men fynde
The grete Emetreus J?e king1 of1 Inde 2156
vpon a steede bay trapped in steel
Couered in cloth of* gold diapred weel [leaf 31 j
Com ridyng1 lyk1 J?e god of armes mars
His cote armure was of1 cloj? of1 Tars 21 GO
Couched with perles whit1 and round and grete /
His sadel was of1 brent gold newe I bete
A mantelet1 vpon his schuldern hangynge
Bret1 ful of1 Eubyes reede as fyr sparclynge 2164
His crispe her lik1 rynges was I-ronne
And Jiafr was yelow and glitering1 as J?e somw
His nose was highe his eyen bright1 Cytryn
His lippes rounde his colour was sanguyn 2168
A fewe frakenes in his face y-spreynd
Betwixe yelow and somdel blak1 y-meynd
And as a leon he his lokyng1 caste
Of1 fyue and twenty ^eer his age I caste 2172
His berd was wel begonne for to springe
His voys was as a trompe thunderinge
vpon his heed he wered a laurer grene
A garland freissche and lusty for to seene 2176
vpon his hand he bar for his deduyt1
CORPUS 62
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 63
An Egle tame as eny lilie whit1
An C. lordes hadde lie with, him jjere
Aft armed saue her heedes in al here gere 2180
fful richely in alle maner J?inges
ffor trustej) wel Jjat1 Dukes Erles kynges.
Were gadred in jjis noble companye
ffor loue and for encrees of1 chiualrie 2184
aboute J)is king1 J?er ran on euery part1
fful many a tame leon and lepart
And in J?is wise Jjise lordes aft and some
Ben on ]?e soneday to J?e Cite come 2188
Aboute pn'me and in J>e toun alighte
This Theseus J>is Duk1 J>is worj?i knighte
Whan he hadde brought1 hem in to his Cite
And Inned hem euerich at1 his degre / 2192
He festej? hem and do]) so gret1 labour
To eesen hem and don hem aft honour peaf si, back]
That1 yet1 men wenej? J>af no mannes wit1
Of1 non estat1 ne couj?e amenden it / 2196
The menstralcye jje smiise atte feste
The grete 3iftes to J>e meste and leste
The riche array of1 Theseus Paleys
Ne who sat1 ferst1 ne last1 vpon J?e deys 2200
What1 ladies fairest1 ben or best1 daunsynge
Or which of1 hem can best1 daunsen or synge /
Ne who most1 felynglik1 spekej) of1 loue
What1 haukes sitten on J?e perche aboue / 2204
What1 houndes liggen on ]?e flor adoun
Of aft J)is make I now no menciozm
But1 alle Jjeffecte fat1 jjinkej) me ]?e beste
Now comejj ]?e poynt1 and herknej? if1 ^ou lest1 2208
^[ The sonday night ar day bigan to springe
Whan Palamon J?e larke herde synge
Al Jjough it / nere nought1 day by houres tuo
3etf song1 J?e larke and Palamon right1 jjo 2212
WiJ) holy herte and with an heigh corage
CORPUS 63
64 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
He ros to wenden on his pilgrimage
vnto J>e blisful Citliarea benigne
I mene Venus honorable and digne 2216
And in here houre he walkejj for]? a paas
vnto f e lystes Jjer hire temple was
And doun he knelej? and wij) humble chere
And herte sore he seyde as 36 schal heere 2220
IT ffairest1 of1 faire 0 lady myn Yenus
Doughter to loue and spouse to Vulcanus
Thou glader of* J>e mouwf of Citheron
ffor ]>ilke loue ]?ou haddest1 to adon 2224
Haue pite of1 my bittre teeres smerte /
and tak1 myn humble preier at1 Jrin herte
Alias I ne haue no langage to telle /
Theffectes ne J?e torment of1 myn helle 2228
Myn herte may myn harmes nought1 bewreye
I am so confuse fat1 1 can not1 seye [leaf 32 j
But1 mercy lady bright1 Jmf knowest1 wele
My Jjought1 and seest1 what1 harmes Jjat1 1 feele 2232
Considere al ])is and rewe vpon my soore
As wisly as I schal for euermore
Emforth my myght1 J)i trewe seruant1 be
And holden werre alwey wij? chastite 2236
That1 1 make myn avow so 36 me helpe
I keepe nought1 of1 armes for to yelpe
NQ I ne axe nought1 to morwe to haue victorie
Ne renown in Jris caas ne veine glorie 2240
Of1 pris of1 armes blowen vp and doun
But1 1 wolde haue fully possessioun
Of1 emelye and dye in )>i seruise
ffynde yow fe maner how and in what1 wise 2244
I recche naf but it1 may bettre be
To haue victorie of hem or Jjei of1 me
So Jjat1 1 may haue my lady in myra armes
ffor Jjough so be Jjat1 mars is god of1 armes 2248
youre vertue is so gref in heuen aboue
CORPUS 64
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 65
That1 if1 yow list1 1 schal wel liaue iny loue
Thy temple wil I worschipe euermo
An on fin auter wher I ride or go 2252
I wil don sacrifice and feeres beete
And if1 36 wol not1 so my lady sweete
Than pray I f e to morwe with a spere
fat1 arcite me furgh f e herte here 2256
Than rekke I nat1 whan I haue lost1 my lyf<
f ough fat1 arcite wynne hir to his wyf
This is f effect1 and ende of1 my preyere
yif1 me my loue f ou blisful lady deere 2260
Whan f e orison was don of1 Palamon
his sacrifise he dide and fat1 anon
fful pitously wif alle circumstances
Al telle I not1 as now his obseruances 2264
But atte laste f e Statue of1 Venus schook1
And made a signe wherby fat1 he took1 Deaf 32, back]
That1 his prayer accepted was fat day
ffor f ough f e signe schewed a delay 2268
^it1 wist1 he weel fat1 graunted was his boone
And with glad herte he went him home ful soone
The f ridde hour inequal fat1 Palamon
Bigan to venus temple for to gon 2272
vp roos f e sonne and vp roos Emelye
And to f e temple of4 Diane gan hye
Hir maydenes fat1 f ider with hir ladde
fful redily with hem f e fyr fey hadde 2276
Thencens f e clof es and f e remenant alt
That1 to f e sacrifice longen schatt
The homes fuft of methe as was f e gise
Ther lacked nat1 to do hir sacrifise 2280
Srnokyng* f e temple ful of1 clof es faire
This Emelye with herte debonaire
Hire body [wessh] with f e water of1 a welle
But1 how sche dide hire rite I dar not1 telle 2284
But1 it1 be eny f ing1 in gene?*al
5 CORPUS 66
66 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And ^it1 it1 were a game to here if al
To him that* menej) wel it nere no charge
But1 it is good a man be at1 his large 2288
hire brighte heer was kempt1 vntressed al
A Corone of1 a grene oke Serial
vpon hire heed set* fill faire and mete
Tuo fyres on J?e auter gan sche beete 2292
And dede hire Binges as men may biholde
In Stace of* Thebes and ]>ise bookes olde
Whan kyndled was J?e fyr wij? pitous cheere
vnto Diane sche spak1 as 30 may heere 2296
0 chaste goddesse of1 j?e woodes greene
To whom bo]>e heuen and erjje and see is seene
Queen of1 jje regne of1 Pluto dirk1 and lowe
Goddesse of1 may denes Jjat1 myn herte hast1 knowe 2300
fful many a yeer and wost1 what* I desire
As keepe me fro J?i vengance and J?in Ire [leaf 333
That1 attheon aboughte cruelly
Chaste goddesse wel wost1 jjou Jjat1 I 2304
Desyre to ben a mayde aft my lif1
Ne neuer wol I be no loue ne wijf1
1 am J>ou wost1 ^if of1 Jry compaignie
A maiden and loue huntyng1 and venerie 2308
And for to walken in the woodes wilde
And nought* to ben a wijf1 and be wi)> childe
Nought1 wol I knowe compaignie of1 man
Now helpe me lady sij?J>e 36 may and can 2312
ffor J?e ]?re formes fat1 J?ou hast1 in the
And Palamon Jiaf ha]> swich loue to me
And eek1 arcite fat1 louej? me so sore
This grace I preye 3ow wijjoute more 2316
And sende loue and pees bitwixe hem tuo
And fro me torne awey here hertes so
That1 aft here hoote loue and here desire
And aft here besy torment1 and here fire 2320
Be queynt1 or torned in anofer place
CORPUS 66
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. G7
And if* so be ]>ou wolf not1 do me grace
Or if1 my destyne be schape so
That I schal needes haue oon of1 hem tuo 2324
As sende me him that1 most1 desireth me
Biholde goddesse of1 clene chastite
The bittre teeres Jjat1 on my cheekes falle
Syn ]>ou art1 maiden and kepere of vs alle 2328
My maydenhode Jjou kepe and wel conserue
And whil I lyue a maide I wol ^ou serue
IT The fires brennen vpo J?e auter cleer
Whil Emelye was Jnis in hire preyer 2332
But1 sodeinly sche saugh a sighte queynte
ifor right1 anon on of1 J?e fyres queynte
And quiked agayn and after pat1 anon
That1 oj?er fyr was queint and al a-gon 2336
And as it1 queinte it1 made a whistlinge
As don Jjese wete brondes in here brennynge / [leaf 33, back]
And at1 pe brondes ende out1 ran anon
As it were bloody dropes many on 2340
ffor which so sore a-gast was Emelye
That1 sche was ful ny mad and gan to crie
ffor sche ne wiste what1 it signefied
But1 oonly for pe feer Jras hajj sche cried 2344
And weepe Jjat1 it was pite for to heere
And Jjer with al Diane gan appeere
With bowe in hand right1 as an hunteresse
And seyde doughter stynt1 Jjin heuynesse 234S
Among1 Jje goddes heigh it is affermed
And by eterne word writen and conformed
Thou schalt1 be wedded vnto oon of1 Jjo
Jjat1 han for J?e So mochel care and wo 2352
And vnto which of1 hem I may not1 telle
ffar-wel for I ne may no lenger dwelle
The fyres which fat1 on myn auter brenne
Schul Jje declare ar jjat1 $e gon henne / 2356
Thin auenture of1 loue as in J)is caas
CORPUS 67
68 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And wif fat1 word f e arwes in f e caas
Of1 f e goddesse clateren faste and rynge
And for]? sche wente and made a vanysschynge 2360
ffor which J)is Emelye astoned was
And seide what1 amontef f is alias
I putte me in j)i proteceion
Diane and in fi disposicion 2364
And home sche go]) anon f e nexte weye
This is f effecte f er nys namore to seye
The nexte hour of1 mars folwynge f is
Arcite vnto fe temple walked is 2368
Of1 fiers mars to don his sacrifise
WiJ) aft f e rites of1 his payen wise
Wif pitous hert1 and heigh deuocion
Eight* fus to mars he seide his orison 2372
0 stronge god fat1 in fe regnes colde /
Of1 trace honoured art1 and lord y-holde [leaf 34]
And hast1 in euery regne and euery londe
Of1 armes al fe bridel in fin honde, 2376
And hem fortunest1 as f e lest1 deuyse
Accepte of1 me my pitous sacrifise /
If1 so be fat1 my youthe may deserue
And fat1 1 mighte be worthy for to serue 2380
Thy godhede fat1 1 may ben oon of1 fine
Than pray I f e to rewe vpon my pyne
ffor f ilke pyne and f ilke hoote fyre
In which f ou whilom brendest1 for desire 2384
"Whan fat1 f ou vsedest1 f i beaute
Of1 faire 3onge freissche Venus free /
And haddest1 hire in armes at1 f i wille
Al f ough f e oones on a tyme mysfille / 2388
Whan Walcanus hadde caught1 f e in his laas
And fond f e ligging1 by his wijf1 alias
ffor f ilke sorwe fat1 was in fin herte
Haue roufe as wel vpon my peynes smerte 2392
1 am yong1 and vnconnyng1 as f ou wost1
CORPUS 68
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 6D
And as I trowe with lone offended moost
That1 euer was ony lyues creature
ffor sche pat1 doth me aft pis woo endure 2396-
~Ne recchep neuer wher I synke or fleete
And wel I woof ar sche me mercy heete
I moot1 wip strengpe wynne hire in pe place
And wel I woof wipoute helpe or grace 2400
Of1 pe ne may my strengpe nought1 auaile
Than helpe me lord to morwe in my bataille
ffor pilke fyr pat1 whilom brente J>e
As wel as pilke fir now brennep me 2404
And do pat1 I to morwe haue victorie
Myn be pe trauaile and pin be pi glorie /
Thy souerein temple wil I most1 honouren
Of1 eny place and alwey most1 labouren 2408
In pi plesance and in pi craftes stronge
And in pi temple I wil my baner honge, [leaf si, back]
And aft pe armes of1 my companye
And eueremo vnto til pat1 day I dye 2412
Eterne fire I wol byfore J>e fynde
And eek1 to pis avow I wil me bynde
My berd myn here pat1 longep longe a doun)
That1 neuer ^\f ne felte offensiown 2416
Of1 rasour nor of1 schere I wil pe yiue
And ben pi trewe seruant1 whil I Hue
Now lord haue roupe vpon my sorwes sore
If1 me pe victorie I axe pe namore 2420
IF The preyer stynte of1 Arcita pe stronge
The rynges on the temple dore pat1 honge
And eek1 pe dores clateren ful faste,
Of1 which arcita somwhat1 him agaste 2424
]3e fyres brenden vp pe auter bright1
That1 it1 gan al pe temple for to light1
And sweete smel the ground anon vp yaf1
And arcita anon his hand vp haf1 • 2428
And more encense in to pe fir he caste
CORPUS 69
70 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
With oj?re rites moo and atte laste
The statut1 of1 mars bigan his hauberk1 rynge
And with J)e soun he herd a mormoringe 2432
fful lowe and dym fat1 seyde f is victorie
ffor which he 3af1 to mars honour and glorie
And Jms with ioye and hope wel to fare
Arcite anon vnto his Inne is fare 2436
As fayn as foul is of1 J>e brighte sonne
And right1 anon such strif1 is bygonne
ffor Jrilke grauntyng1 in J?e heuen aboue
Bitwixe venus J?e goddesse of loue 2440
And Mars J?e sterne god armipotent
That1 lubiter was besy it to stent/
Til Jjat1 J?e pale Saturnus J)e colde
That1 knewe so many of auentures olde 2444
ffond in his olde experience an arte
That1 he ful sone haj? plesed euery parte / [leaf 35]
A so]) is seyde elde ha]) gret1 auantage
In eelde is bo]>e wisdom and vsage / 2448
Men may J?e olde at1 renne and nought1 a-trede
Saturne anoon to stynte strif1 and drede
Al be it fat1 it1 is agayn his kinde
Of1 aft Jris strif1 he gan remedye fynde 2452
My deere doughter Yenus quod. Saturne
My cours fat1 haf so wide for to turne
Ha]) more power fan wot1 any man
Myn is ]>e drynclyng1 in fe see so wan 2456
Myn is ]>e prison in fe derke cote
Myn is ])e strangle and hangyng1 by fe frote
The murmure and ])e cherles rebellinge
The gronyng1 and fe priue empri'sonynge 2460
I do vengeance and plein correccion
Wil I dwelle in fe signe of1 ])e leon
Myn is ]>e ruine of1 ]?e hihe halles
The fallyng1 of1 fe toures and of1 fe walles 2464
vpon })e mynour and \>Q Carpenter
CORPUS 70
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 71
I slough Sampson schakynge pe piler
And myne ben pe maladies colde
pe derke tresons, and pe castes olde 2468-
my lokyng* is pe fader of1 pestilence
Now weep namore I schal don diligence
That1 Palamon pat1 is pin owne knight1
Schal haue his lady as pou him bihight1 2472
Though mars schal helpe his knight1 ^et1 napeles
Betwixe $ow per moot1 be som tyme pees
Aft be 36 nought1 bope of1 oo complexion
That* cause]) alday swich diuision 2476
I am pin ayell redy at1 pi wille
Weepe now namore I wil pi lust1 fulfille
U" Now wol I stente of1 pe goddes aboue
Of* mars and of1 venus goddesses of* loue 2480
And telle yow as pleinly as I can
The grete effect1 for which pat I bygan tieafss, backi
[PART IV. No gap in the MS.]
Gret1 was pe feste in Athenes pat1 day
And eek1 pat1 lusty sesoun of* pat1 may 2484
Made euery knight1 to ben in such plesance
That1 al pat1 monday ioustne pei and daunce
And spend in heigh venus seruise
But1 by pe cause pat1 pai scholde rise 2488
Erly for to seen pe grete fight
vnto here reste wente pei at night1
And on the morwe whan pat day gan springe,
Of1 hors and harneys noyse and clateringe 2492
Ther was in hostelleries al aboute
And to pe paleys rood per many a route
Of1 lordes vpon steedes and palfreys
Ther maystow seen diuisyng1 of1 harneys 2496
So vncouth and so riche wrought1 so wel
Of1 goldsmythrie of1 broudyng1 and of1 steel
CORPUS 71
72 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
\)Q scheelde bright* testeres and trappures
Gold hewen helmes hauberkes cote armures 2500
lordes in paramentz on here courseres
Knightes of Eetenu and eek* squieres
Nayling1 fe speres and helmes boclyng1
Gydyng1 of1 scheldes wif layners lasyng1 2504
There as neede is fei were noting1 ydel
The fomy steedes on fe goldene bridel
Gnawen and faste f e armureres also /
"Wif file and hamer pi-iking1 to and fro / 2508
yomen on foote and coraunes many oon
Wif schorte staues f ikke as fey may gon
Pypes trompes nakers Clariorms
That1 in fe bataille blowe bloody sownes 2512
The paleys ful of1 poeples vp and doun
Here f re fere ten holdyng1 here questiown
Dyuynyng1 of1 f ise Thebane knightes tuo
Som seide fus som seide it schal be so 2516
Som holden with him with J?e blake berde
Som wijj ]je balled som with ]?e )>ikke herde tieafse]
Som seide he loked grym and he wold fighte
He ha]j a Sparth of1 xx. pound of1 highte 2520
Thus was J)e halle ful of diuinyng1
longe after fat1 J?e sonne gan to spring1
The grete Theseus jjaf of his sleep awaked
WiJ> menstralcye and noyse fat1 was maked 2524
Heeld 3ef fe chambres of1 his paleys riche
Til fat1 fe Thebane knightes bofen I-liche
Honorably weren in to f e paleys fette
Due1 Theseus is at1 f e wyndow sette 2528
Arraied right1 as he were god in trone
The poepel presed fiderward fulsone /
Him for to seen and don heigh reuerence /
And eek1 to herkne his heste and his sentence 2532
An herald on a scaffold made an hoo
Til al fe noise of1 fe poepul was I-doo
CORPUS 72
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 73
And whan he say J?e pepul of1 noyse al stille
Thus schewed he Jje mighty dukes wille 2536
The lord hath of1 his heigh discrecion
Considered j?afr it1 were destruccion
To gentil blood to fighten in Jns gise
Of mortel bataille now in Jns emprise 2540
Wher fore to schapen fat1 ]?ei schal not1 deye
He wol his ferste purpos modifye
No man ferfore vpon peyne of1 his lyf1
No maner schot1 ne pollax ne schort1 knyf1 2544
In to J?e lystes sende or j>ider brynge
Ne schort1 swerd for to stoke with poynt1 bytynge
No man ne drawe ne be re it by his syde
No man schal to his felawe ride 2548
But1 oo cours with a scharp y-grounde spere
ifoyne if1 him list* on foote himself1 to were /
And he Jjaf is at1 meschief1 schal be take
And nought1 slain but1 be brought1 vnto ]>e stake 2552
That1 schal ben ordeyned on eyfer syde /
But1 jjider he schal be force and ]>er abyde / [leaf 36, back]
And if1 so falle J?e cheuentein be take /
On eyther syde or elles sleen his make 2556
No lenger ne schal pe torneyenge laste
God speede 3ou go forth and lay on faste /
WiJ? longe swerdes and ^our* maces fightej) ^oui0 fille
Go now your wey )>is is J>e lordes wille 2560
The voys of1 J?e poeple touchede heuene *
So lowde criede ]?ei with merie steuene
God saf1 swich a lord fat1 is so good
He wilnof no distinction of1 blood 2564
Vp go]? fe trompes and fe melodye
And to fe listes ritte the compaignye
By ordinance forugh out1 J>e cite large
Hanged wij> clof of* gold and nought with Sarge / 2568
fful lik1 a lord this noble duk1 gan ryde
These tuo Thebanes vpon ey]?er syde
CORPUS 73
74 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And after roode pe queene and Emelye /
And after patt another compaignye / 2572
Of1 on and oper after here degre
And pus pey passen Jmrgh out1 pe Citee
And to pe lystes come pey be tyme
Itt nas nat1 of1 J>e day 36^ fullich prime 2576
Whan sette was Theseus ful riche and hye
ypolita pe queen and Emelye
And oper ladyes in degree aboute
vnto pe seetes presep al pe route 2580
And westward purgh pe gates vnder marte
Arcite and eek1 pe hundred of1 his parte
Wip baner reed is entred right1 anon
And in pat1 selue moment1 Palamon 2584
Is vnder venus Estward in pe place
Wip baner whit1 and hardy chere and face
In al pe world to seken vp and doun
So euene wipoute variaciown 2588
Ther nere swiche companyes tweye
fibr per was non so wys pat1 coupe seie [leaf s?]
That1 eny hadde of1 oper auantage
Of1 worpinesse ne of1 astaat1 ne age 2592
So euene were pei chose for to gesse
And in to Eynges faire pei hem dresse
Whan pat1 here names rad were euerychon
That1 in here nombre gyle were per non 2596
Tho were pe gates schette and cryed was lowde
Do now 3our deuoir yonge knightes proude
IT The heraudes lefte here prikyng1 vp and doun
Now ryngep trompes lowde and clarioun 2600
Ther is namore to sein West1 and Est1
In gop pe speres ful sadly in arest
In gop the scharpe spore in to pe syde
per seen men who can lustne and who can ryde 2604
Ther schyueren schaftes vpon scheeldes pikke
He feelep porugll pe herte spoon pe prikke
CORPUS 74
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 75
vp springe]? speres twenty foot1 on heighte
Out1 gon ])e sweerdes as J>e seiner brighte 2608
The helmes J>er to hewen and to schrede
Out brestt }?e blood with sterne streemes reede
With mighty maces J?e bones jjei tobreste
he Jmrgh ]>e jjikkest1 on Jje Jjrong1 gan ]?reste 2612
Ther stomblen steedes stronge and doun gon alle
he rollej) vnder foot1 as dojj a balle
he foynej) on his foot1 with his tronchown
And he him hurtej? with his hors a doun 2616
he Jmrgh £e body is hurt1 and siJ?J)en take
Maugre his heed and brought1 vnto jje stake
As forward was right1 J>er he moste abyde
Anojjer is ladde on fat oj>er syde 2620
And som tyme dojj hem Theseus to reste
hem to refreissche and drynken if1 hem leste
fful ofte a-day han J)ise Thebanes two
Togydre ymett1 and wrought1 his felawe wo 2624
vnhorsed hajj ech ojjer of1 hem tweye
Ther nas no Tygre in vale of1 Galgopheie Deaf 37, back]
Whan j>afr hire whelp is stole whan it is lite
So cruel on Jje hunte as is Arcite 2628
ffbr lalouse herte vpon ]>is Palamon
Ne in belmaryn jjer nys so fel leon
That1 hunted is or for his hunger wood
~N& of1 his prey desire]) so ]>e blood 2632
Of1 Palamon to sle his foo arcite
The lalous strokes on here helmes byte
Out1 renneth blood on bo]?e here sydes reed
Som tyme an ende J>er is of1 euery deed 2636
iFor or Jje sonne vnto ]?e reste wente
The stronge king1 Emetreus gan hente
This Palamon as he faught1 with arcite
And made his sweerd deepe in fleissh byte 2640
And by J?e force of1 twenty is he take
vn-yolden and drawen to J?e stake
CORPUS 75
76 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And in f e rescous of1 f is Palamoim
The stronge knight1 ligurge is born a down 2644
And king1 Emetreus for aft his strengf e
Is born out1 of1 his sadell a swerdes lengthe
So hitte him Palamon or he were take
But1 al for nought1 he was brought1 to fe stake 2648
his hardy herte might1 him helpe naught1
he moste abide whan fat1 he was caught1
By force and eek1 by composicion
Who sorwef now but1 woful Palamon 2652
Jpat1 moot1 nomore gon a$en to fighte
And whan fat1 Theseus hadde seen f is sighte
he cried ho namore for it is don
Ne non.schal lenger to his felaw gon 2656
I wil be trewe lugge and not1 partie /
Arcite of1 Thebes schal haue Emelye
That1 by his fortune haf hir faire y-wonne
Anon fer is a noyse of1 poepel bygonne 2660
ffor ioye of1 f is so loude and heigh wif alle /
It1 semed fat1 fe lystes scholde falle [leaf ssj
H What1 can now faire venus don aboue
What1 seif sche now what1 do]) fis queen of1 loue 2664
But1 weepef so for wantyng1 of1 hir wille
Til fat1 hire teeres in f e lystes fille /
Sche seyde I am aschamed douteles
Saturnus seyde doughter hold f i pees 2668
Mars haf his wille his knight1 hath aft his boone
And by myn heed f ou schalt1 ben eesed soone
The trompoures wif fe lowde menstralcye
The heraudes fat1 ful lowde yelle and crye/ 2672
Ben in here wele for ioye of1 daun Arcite
But1 herknef me and styiitef noyse alite/
Which a miracle f er bifel anon
This fiers Arcite haf of1 his helm y-doon 2676
And on a courser for to schewe his face
He prikef endelong1 f e large place
CORPUS 76
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 77
lokyng1 vpward vpon J>is Emelye
And sche again him caste a frendlich yhe 2680
ifor wommen as to speken in comune
Thei folwen aft j?e fauour of1 fortune/
And was al his chier as in his herde/
Out1 of1 jje ground a fir Infernal sterte/ 2684
ffrom pluto sent1 atte request1 of* Saturne/
fFor which his hors for feere gan to turne/
And leep a syde and foundred as he leep
And ar jjat1 arcite may taken keep 2688
he plight1 him on J?e pomel of1 his heede
That1 in j)e place he lay as he were deede
His brest1 to-brosten with his sadel bowe
As blak1 he lay as any cole or crowe 2692
So was ]>e blood y-ronne in his face
Anon he was born out1 of1 J?e place
Wij? herte soor to Theseus paleys
Tho was he coruen out1 of1 his harneys 2696
And in a bed I-brought1 ful fair and blyue
ffor he was yet1 in memorie and a lyue / [leaf as, back]
And alwey cryeng1 after Emelye
Due* Theseus with aft his companye/ 2700
Is comen horn to Athenes his Citee
With alle blisse and gret1 solempnete
Al be it1 Jjat1 j)is auenture was falle
he nolde not1 disconforten hem alle 2704
Men seyde eek1 jjat1 arcite schal not1 dye
he schal ben heled of* his maladye
And of1 ano]>er jring1 Jjei were as fayn
That1 of1 hem alle was J?er non y-slayn 2708
Alle were J?ei sore hurt1 and namely oon)
That1 with a spere was Jjerled his brest1 boon
To oj>er woundes and to broken armes
Some hadden salue and some hadden charmes 2712
IFermacies of1 herbes and eek1 saue
Thei dronke for J>ei wolde here lyues haue
CORPUS 77
78 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ffor which J>is noble Du# as he wel can
Confortej) and honourejj euery man 2716
And make]? reuel al ]>e lange night1
vnto J>e straunge lordes as it1 was right1
Ne ]?er was holden no disconfytyng1
But1 as a lustnes or a torneying1 2720
ffor soj>ly fer was no disconfiture
ffor fallyng1 nys but* an auenture
!N~e to be ladde by force to J?e stake
vnyolden and with twenty knightes take 2724
A persone alone wifouten mo
And haried for]) by arme foot1 and too
And eek1 his steede driuen for]? wi]j staues
Wif foot1 men bo]?e yomen and knaues 2728
If was arretted him no vilanye
Ther may no man clepe it1 Cowardie
ffor which anon Duk1 Theseus leet1 crie
To stynte alle rancour and enuye 2732
The gree as wel of1 oo syde as of1 ofer
And ei]?er side ylik1 as ofer broker [ieaf39]
And yaF hem 3iftes after here degre
and fully heeld he feste dayes ]>re 2736
And conueyed J?e kynges wordily
Out1 of1 his toun a iorney largely
And horn went1 euery man ]?e righte way
Ther was namore but1 far wel and haue good day 2740
Of1 fis bataille I wol no more endite
But1 speke of1 Palamon and [of] arcite
IT Swelle]? J?e brest1 of Arcite and ]>e sore
Encrece]) at1 his herte more and more 2744
The clo]j-red blood for eny lechecraft1
CorupteJ) and is in his bouk1 1-laft1
Thaf1 neyjjer veyne blood ne ventusynge
Ne drynk1 of herbes may ben his helpynge 2748
The vertue expulsif1 or animal
ffro pilke vertu cleped natural
CORPUS 78
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 79
Ne may J?e venym voide ne expelle/
The pipes of1 his longes gan to swelle 2752
And euery lacerte in his bresfr adoun
Is schent1 with venym and corrupciown
Him gaynejj neyjjer for to gete his lijf1
vomyt1 vpward ne dounward laxatif1 2756
Al is to-brusten Jjilke region
Nature hap no dominacion
And certeynly per nature wil not1 werche
ffare wel phisik1 go bere pe man to cherche / 2760
This al and som pat1 arcita mot1 dye
ffor which he sendeth after Emelye
And Palamon pat1 was his cousyn deere
Than seyde he pus as 30 schal after heere 2764
IT Nat1 may pe woful spirit1 in myn herte
Declare a poynfr of1 alle my sorwes smerte
To you my lady Jjaf I loue moost1
But1 1 "biquejje ])e seruice of1 my gost1 2768
To yow abouen euery creature /
Syn pat my lijf1 may no lenger dure Deaf 39, back]
Alias Jje woo alias pe peynes stronge /
That1 1 for 3ou haue suffred and so longe / 2772
Alias ]>e deth alias myn Emelye
Alias departyng1 of1 oure companye
Alias myn hertes queene alias my lyf1
Myn hertes lady endere of1 my lif1 2776
What is pis world what1 axed men to haue
Now with with his loue now in his colde graue
Allone wipouten eny companye
ffar-wel my sweete foo myn Emelye 2780
And softe take me in ^oure armes tweye
ffor loue of1 god and herknej) what1 1 seye
IF I haue here with my cosyn Palamon
Hadde strif1 and rancour many a day agon 2784
ffor loue of1 yow and for my lalousye
And luppiter so wis my soule gye
CORPUS 79
80 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
To speken of1 a seruant1 propurly
With, circumstances alle trewely 2788
That1 is to sein trouf e honour and knighthede
Wisdom humblesse estaf and heigh kynrede
ffredom and al fat1 longef to fat1 art1
So luppiter haue of1 my soule parte 2792
As in f is worlde right1 now knowe I non
So worf i to be loued as Palamon
That1 seruef yow and wil don att his lijf1
And if1 fat1 euere $e schal "be a wijf1 2796
fforyete nat1 Palamon the gentilman
And with fat1 word his speche faile gan
ffor from his feet1 vnto his bresfr was come
The colde of1 def fat1 hadde him ouercome / 2800
And yet* more ouer for in his armes tuo
The vital strengf e is lost* and aft ago
Oonly f e intellecte wif oute more
That1 dwelled in his herte sik1 and sore / 2804
Gan faillen whan f e herte felte def
Busked his yhen tuo and failed bref [leaf «]
But1 on his lady $et cast1 he his yhe
His laste word was mercy Emelye 2808
his spirit1 changed hous and wente fere
.As I cam neuer I can nought1 telle where
Therfore I stynte I am no dyuinistre
Of1 soules fynde I nat1 in fat1 registre 2812
NQ me ne list1 f ilke opinions to telle
Of1 hem f ough fat1 fey writen wher f ei duelle
Arcite is cold fat1 mars his soule gye
Now wol I speke forth of1 Emelye 2816
Schrighte Emelye and houlef Palamon)
And Theseus his suster took1 anoon)
Swounyng1 and bar hire fro f e cors away
Whatt helpef it1 to tarien forf f e day 2820
To tellen how sche weepe bof e eue and morwe
ffor in such caas womnien haue such sorwe
CORPUS 80
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 81
Whan Jjat1 here housbondes ben fro hem a-go
That1 for J?e more part1 ]?ei sorwen so 2824
Or elles fallen in swich a maladye
That1 atte laste certeinly J?ey dye
Infinite ben J>e sorwes and )>e teeres
Of1 olde folk1 And folk1 of1 tendre 3eeres 2828
In aft J>e toun for dej) of J?is Teban
ffor him J>er weepej? bofe child and man
So gret1 weepynge was ]?er non certayn
Whan Ector was brought1 al fressfr y-slayn 2832
To Troye alias the pite Jjat1 was j?ere
Cracching1 of1 cheekes rendyng1 eek1 of1 here
Whi woldestow ben deed ]?is wowmen crye
And haddest1 gold ynough and Emelye 2836
No man mighte gladen Theseus
Sauyng1 his olde fader Egeus
That1 knew )>is worldes transmutaciozm
As he hadde seyn it1 vp and doun 2840
loye after woo . and woo after gladnesse
And scheweth hem ensample and liknesse [leaf 40, back]
Right1 as J>er dede neuer man quod, he
That1 he ne lyued in erjje in soin degree / 2844
Bight1 so ]?er lyuede neuere man he seyde
In al J?is world Jjat1 som tyme he ne deyde
This world is not1 but1 a Jmrghfare ful of1 wo
And we ben pilgrimes passyng1 to and fro 2848
DeJ> is an ende of1 euery worldly sore
And ouer al Jns ^et1 seide he mochel more
To J>is effect1 ful wisly to enhorte
The poeple . J>af ]?ei schulde him reconforte 2852
Due1 Theseus with aft his busy cure
Cast1 now wher fat1 Jje Sepulture
Of1 good arcite may best1 y-maked be
And eek* most1 honorable in his degre- 2856
And at1 fe last1 he took1 conclusion
That1 fer as ferst1 arcite and Palamon
0 CORPUS 81
82 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
hadde for loue f e bataille hem bitweene
That1 in fe selue groue swete and greene 2860
Ther as he hadde his amorous desires
his compleynt1 and for loue his hoote fyres
he wolde make a fyr in which f e office
ffuneral he mighte hem alt complice 2864
he leet1 anon comande to hakke and hewe
The ookes olde and leyen hem on a rewe
In culpons wel arrayed for to hrenne
his officers with swifte foot1 fey renne 2868
And Eide anon at1 his comandement
And after f is Theseus haf y-sent
After a heere and it1 al ouerspradde
Wif clof of1 gold fe richest1 fat he hadde 2872
And of1 f e same suyte he cladde arcite
vpon his hondes his gloues white
[ Ek* on his heed a croune of1 laurer greene
And in his hond a swerd [ful] bright1 and keene 2876
he leyde him bare f e visage on f e beere
Ther with he weep that1 pite was to heere [leaf «]
And for )>e pepul scholde seen him alle
Whan it1 was day he brought1 him in to fe halle 2880
That1 roref of1 fe crye and f e soun
IT Tho com Jris woful Theban Palamon
With flotery berd and ruggy asschy heeres
In clofes blak1 y-dropped al with teeres 2884
And passyng1 of er of1 weepyng1 Emelye
The reufullestt of aft f is companye
In as moche as f e seruice scholde bee
The more noble and riche in his degree 2888
Dutf Theseus leet1 for[f] fre steedes bringe
That1 trapped were in steel al gliterynge
And couered with f e armes of1 daun arcite
vpon fese steedes greete and white 2892
Ther seten folk* of1 which on bar his scheeld
Anof er his spere vpon his hondes heelde
COEPUS 82
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 83
The pridde bar with, him his bowe turkeys
Of* brent1 gold was pe caas and eek* pe harneys 2896
And ryden for)) a paas with sorwful cheere
Toward pe groue as 30 schul after heere
The noblest1 of1 pe Greekes pat* per were
vpon here schuldres carieden pe beere 2900
"With slake paas and eighen reede and wete
))urgn'out* pe Cite by pe maistre streete /
That1 sprad was al with blak* and wonder highe
Eight1 of* pe same is pe same is pe street y-wrye 2904
vpon Jje right* hond went1 olde Egeus
And on pat other syde duk1 Theseus
With vessels in here hand of* gold ful fyne
As ful of* hony melk* and blood and wyne 2908
Ek* Palaman with ful gret companye
And after pat* com. woful Emelye
With fire in honde as was pat tyme pe gyse
To do poffice of* funeral seruise 2912
Heigh labour and ful gret apparaillyng*
Was atte seruise and pe fir makyng* [leaf «, back]
That* wip his greene top pe heuene raughte
And twenty fadme of brede pe armes straughte / 2916
This is to sein pe bowes were so brode
Of* stree first* per was leyd many a loode
But* how pe fir was maked vp on heighte
Ke eek* pe names how pe trees highte 2920
As Ok* . fir . birch . asp . Alder . holm . popeler
Willow . Elm . plane . Assh . box . chesteyn lynde laurer .
Mapel . porn . beech . hasitt . ew . whipiltre
how pey were felde schal not* be told for me 2924
!Ne how pe goddes ronnen vp and doun
Disherited of here habitaciown
In which pei woneden in reste and pees
Nymphes ffawnes and amadries / 2928
Xe how pe beestes and pe briddes alle
ffledden for feered whan pe woode was falle /
CORPUS 83
84 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Ne liow f e ground agast1 was of* f e light1
That1 was not1 wont1 to see f e sonne bright1 2932
Ne how f e fyr was couched first1 with stree /
And f anne with drye stockes clouen a f re
And f anne with greene woode and spicerie
And fanne with cloth of1 gold and wif Perrye 2936
And garlandes hangyng* with ful many a flour
The mirre ])encens with al so sweete odour
Ne how arcite lay among1 al f is
Ne what1 richesse aboute his body is 2940
Ne how fat1 Emelye as was f e gyse
Putte in f e fyre of1 funeral seruise /
Ne how sche swounede whan maad was f e fire
Ne what1 sche spak1 ne what1 was hire desire 2944
Ne what1 luwels men in f e fyre cast1
Whan fat1 f e fyr was greet1 and brende fast1
Ne how som cast1 hir sche eld and som hire spere
And of1 here vestimentz whiche fat1 fey were 2948
And coppes futt of1 melk1 and wyn and blood
Into fe fyr fat1 brente as it1 were wood [leaf 42]
Ne how f e Grekes with an huge route
Thries ryden al f e fir aboute 2952
vpon f e left1 hond with a bowe schotynge
And fries with here speres claterynge
And fries how f e ladyes gon to crye
Ne how fat1 lad was homward Emelye 2956
Ne how arcite is brent1 to aisshes colde
Ne how fat1 liche-wake was y-holde
Al f ilke nyght1 ne how f e greekes play
The wake-pleyes ne kepe I nought1 to say 2960
Who wrastelef best1 naked with oyle anoyntt
Ne who fat1 bar him best1 in no disioynt1
I wol not1 tellen alle how fey goon
horn til athenes whan fe play was don 2964
But1 schortly to f e poynt1 fan wol I wende
And maken of1 my longe tale an ende
CORPUS 84.
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 85
If By proces and of1 lengthe of* certeyn ^eeres
Al stynt1 is f e mournyng1 and ]?e teeres 2968
Of1 grekes by on general assent1
Than semede f er was a parlement
At1 atthenes vpon a certein point and caas
Among1 f e whiche poyntes y-spoken was 2972
To haue with, certain contrees alliance
And hane fully of1 Thebane obeissance
ffor which f is noble Theseus anon
leet1 seende after gentil Palamon 2976
vnwist1 of1 him what1 was f e cause and why
But1 in his blake clones sorwfully
he com at1 his comandement1 in hye
Tho sente Theseus for Emelye 2980
Whan fey were sette and huysf was in f e place /
An Theseus abyden haf a space
Or eny word com fro his wise breste
his ey3en sette he f er as was his leste / 2984
And with a sad visage he siked stille /
And after fat1 right1 f us he seyde his wille [leaf 42, back]
The ferste maner of1 f e cause aboue
"Whan he ferst1 maade J>e faire cheine of loue 2988
Gret1 was f effect1 and heigh was his entente
Wei wist1 he why and what1 f er of1 he mente
ffor with fat1 faire cheyne of1 loue he bonde
The fyr. fe aier. the water and fe londe 2992
In certeyn boundes fat* fei may not1 flee /
That1 same prince and fat1 same mouer quod, he
haf stablissed in f is wrecchede world a-doun
Certeine daies and dommaciown 2996
To aft fat1 bef engendred in f is place
Ouer f e whiche day fay may not1 pace
Alle mowe fey yet1 f o dayes abregge
Ther needef nought1 non aucfonte to legge 3000
ffor it is proeued by experience
But1 fat1 me list1 to declaren my sentence /
CORPUS 85
86 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Than may men wel by pis ordre discerne
That1 pilke mouere stable is and eterne 3004
Wel may men knowe but1 it1 be a foole
Thaf euery partie darreyned from his hoole
ifor nature hap nat* taken his bygynnyng*
Of* no partye nor of1 cantel of* a ping* 3008
But1 of* a ping< pat* parfyf is and stable
Descendyng* so til it1 be corumpable
And perfore for his wise purueance
he hap so wel byset* his ordinance 3012
That* specie of* pinges and progressions
Schullen endure by successions
And nought* eterne wipouten any lye
This maystow vnderstonden and seen at1 yhe 3016
Loo pe Ok1 pat* hap so long* a norshing*
ffro pe tyme fat* if first* bygynnep to spring*
And hath so long* a lijf* as $e may see
Yet atte laste wasted is J>e tree / 3020
Consideref eek* how pat* pe harde ston
vnder oure foot* on which we trede and goon [leaf 43]
Yet* waste]) it* as it* lip by pe weye
The brode ryuer som tyme wexep dreye 3024
The grete townes see we wane and wende
])an $e see Jjat* aft Jris ping* hap ende
Of* man and woman se we wel also
Thaf needeth in oon of* |>e termes tuo 3028
That is to sein in ^oujje or elles age
He moot* be deed J?e king* as schal pe page
Sum in his bedd . som in pe deepe see
Som in the large feeld as 36 may see / 3032
Ther helpej? nought* al go]) pat1 ilke weye
Than may I sein that1 al pis ping1 moot* deye
What* maketh pis but* luppiter pe king*
That* is Prince and cause of* alle ping* 3036
Conuertyng* alle vnto his propre wille
firom which it is darreyned sop to tille
CORPUS 86
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Corpus MS. 87
And heer agayns no creature on lyue
Of1 no degree auaillej? for to stryue 3040
Thanne is it1 wisdom as it1 J?enkeJ? me
To make vertue of necessite /
And take it1 wel J>att we may not1 eschewe
And nameliche pat1 to vs alle is dewe 3044
, [No gap : line left outJ]
And rebeft is to him Jat1 aft may gye
And certeinly a man ha]) most1 honour
To deyen in his excellence and flour 3048
Whan he is siker of1 his goode name
Than haj? he doon his freendes ne him no schame
And gladder oughte his frendes "ben of1 his de]>
Whan wi]> honour y-yolden is vp J?e brej> 3052
Than whan his name apalled is for age
ffor al forgeten is his vessellage
Than is the "beste as for a worjjy fame
To deyen whan he is best1 of1 name 3056
The contrarie of1 alle J)is is wilfulnesse
Why grucchen we why haue we heuynesse
That1 goode Arcite of1 Chiuallerie )>e flour Deaf 43, back]
Departed is wij) duete and with honowr 3060
Out of1 jjis foule prison of1 )>is lyf1
Why grucchej) heere his cosyn and his wyf1
Of1 his welfare Jjat1 louejj him so wel
Kan he hem Jjank1 nay god woot1 neuer a deel 3064
That1 bojjen his soule and eek1 him offende /
And yet1 j>ei mowe her lustes nought amende
What1 may conclude of1 ]>is longe serie
But1 after wo I rede vs to be merye 3068
And jjanken lupiter of1 aft his grace
And er we departen from Jns place
I rede we make of oure sorwes tuo
O parfyt1 ioye lastyng1 euer mo 3072
And lokej) now where most1 sorwe is Inne
Ther wol I ferst1 amenden and bygynne
CORPUS 87
88 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHTS TALE. CoipUS MS,
Suster quod he fis is my ful assent1
Wij) aft Jjauys heere of1 my parlement / 3076
That* gentil Palamon 301110 oughne knight1
That1 serueth 300 with wille and herte and might /
And euer ha]> don sij)en ye ferst1 him knewe
That1 36 schull of1 30111 grace vpon him rewe 3080
And taken him for housbond and for lord
Lene me your hond for Jris is oure acord
Lat1 see now of1 your wommanly pite
he is a kinges bro]?er sone parde 3084
And J>ough he were a pore Bachiller
Syn he hajj serued you so many a yeer
And had for 3ou so gret1 aduersite /
It1 moste ben considered leeuef me 3088
ffor gentil mercy oughte to passen right1
Than seide he jnis to Palamon J?e knight1
I trowe J>er needej) litel sermonyng1
To make you assented to jris fing1 3092
Come nere and take 3oure lady by ]>e hond
Bitwixen hem was maad anon J?e bond
That1 highte matrimoigne or mariage [leaf 44]
By aft J?e counsail and J?e baronage
And ])us wij? alle blisse and melodye
Ha]) Palamon y-wedded Emelye
And god Jjat1 al )>is world haj) wrought1
Sende him his loue fat1 haj? it1 deere bought1 3100
ffor now is Palamon in alle wele
Lyuyng1 in blisse in richesse and in hele
And Emely him loueth so tendrely
And he hir seruej? so gentilly 3104
That1 was J>er no word hem betweene /
Of1 lalousie or ony oj>er teene
Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye /
And god saue aft )>is faire companye
CORPUS 88
GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. Corpus MS. 89
[no gap in the MS.]
^f The Millewardes tale/
fhan Jjafr J)e knight1 had Jms his tale y-told
In alt j?e companye nas fer 3ong1 ne old
That1 he ne seyde it / was a noble storye
And worfi for to drawen in memorie 3112
And nameliche j)e gentils euerych oon)
Oure Oost1 lough and swor so mot1 1 gon)
This go]? aright1 vnbokeled is pe male/
lat1 se now who schal telle anoj>er tale 3116
ffor trewely J?e game is wel bygonno
Now telle]) 36 sire monk* ifH 30 kunne
Somwhaf to quyte with ])e knightes tale
The meller ]jafr for-drunken was al pale 3120
So pat1 vnnejje vpon his hors he sat4
he nolde aualen ney]?er hood ne hatt
Ne abide noman for his curtesie/
But1 in Pilates vois he gan to crye 3124
And swor by armes and by blood and bones
I can a noble tale for })e nones
Wif which I wol now quite ])e knightes tale
Oure oost1 saugh pat1 he was drunken of ale 3128
And seyde abyde Eobyn leeue broker
Som bettre man schal telle vs ferst anojjer [leaf u, back]
Abyd and lat1 vs werken friftily
By goddes soule quod he }>aV wol naf I 3132
ffor I wol speken or elles go my weye
Oure oosf answerde /telle on a deuclleweye
Thou art1 a fool ]?i witte is ouercome
Now herkne]? quo}) J?e meller alle and some 3136
But1 first1 1 make a protestaciown
That1 I am dronke I knowe it1 by my soun
And Jierfore if I speke or mys say
Wite 30 it1 }je ale of1 Suthwerk1 I 3011 pray 3140
7 CORPUS 89
90 GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. . Corpus MS.
ffor I wol telle a legende and a lyf1
Bofe of1 a Carpenter and of1 his wijf /
how fat1 a clerk1 haf sett1 f e wrightes cappe
The Eeeue answerde and seyde stynf fy clappe 3144
lat1 be f i lewed dronken harlotrie
It1 is a synne and eeke gret1 folye
To apeiren eny man or diffame
And eek1 to bringe wyfes in such fame 3148
Thou maist1 ynough of1 of er f inges sain
This dronken meller spak1 ful soone agayu
And seyde leeue broker Osewold /
Who has no wyf1 he is no Coke wold 3152
But1 I seye nought1 f erfore fat1 f ou art1 oon)
Ther been ful goode wyfes many on
......... no gap in the MS.] 3156
Why art1 f ou angry wij> my tale now
I haue a wif1 parde as wel as f ou
Yet1 nolde I not1 for f e Oxen in my plough
Take vpon me more fan ynough 3160
As demen on my self1 fat1 I were oon
I wil bileeue fat I am noon
And housbonde schal not1 ben Inquysitif1
Of1 goddes priuetees ne of1 his wijf1 3164
So he may fynde goddes foyson fere/
Of1 f e remenant1 needef nought1 to enquere
What1 scholde I more sayn but f is Mellere
he nolde his wordes for no man forbere [leaf 45]
But1 tolde his cherles tale in his manere
Me af inkef fat1 1 schal reherce hem heere
And f erfore euery gentil wight1 1 preye
Demef nought1 for goddes loue fat1 I seye 3172
Of1 yuel entent1 but1 for fat1 I moot reherse
Here tales alle be f ei bettre or worse
Or elles falsen som of1 my matiere
And fer-fore who so list1 it1 nought1 to heere 3176
CORPUS 90
GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. Corpus MS. 91
Tome ouer J?e leef* and chees ano]?er tale
fFor $G schulle fynde ynowe grete and smale
Of* storial ping1 j^at1 touche]) gentilesse
And eek1 moralite and holyiiesse 3180
Blame]? not1 me if1 J>afr ^e cheese amys
The meller is a cherl ^e knowe wel ]}is
So was J?e Eeeue eel^ and oper mo
And harlotrie J^ey tolden bo]>e tuo 3184
Anise]? 3011 and putte]) me out of blame
And eek1 men schal not1 make ernest of game
[No gap in the J//S.]
CORPUS 91
92 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Whilom per was dwellyng1 at Oxenfoord?
A Kiche gnoffe pat1 gestes heeld to boorde 3188
And of1 his crafte he was a Carpunter
Wip him per was dwell yng1 a pouer scoler
hadde lerned art1 hut ait his fantasye
Was torned for to lerne astrologie/ 3192
And coupe a certein of1 conclusions
To demen "by interrogacions
If1 pat1 men axed him in certeyn houres
"Whan men schuld haue drought1 or elles schoures 3196
Or if1 men axed him what1 schal hifalle
Of1 euery Jung1 1 may nought1 reknen alie
This clerk1 was cleped heende Nicholas
Of derne loue he coupe and of1 Solas 3200
And f>er-to he was sleigh and ful priue
And like a mayde meeke for to see
A chambre hadde he in pat1 hostellerie
Allone wipouten eny companye [leaf 45, back]
fful fetisly dightf wip herbes soote
And he himself1 as sweete as is pe roote
Of1 licoris or any Settewale
his almagist1 and bokes grete and smale 3208
his astrelabre longyng1 for his art1
his augrym stones' layen faire a part
On schelfes couched at his beddes heede
His presse y-couered with a faldyng1 reed 3212
And al aboute per lay a gay sautrie
On which he made a night melodye
So swetly pat1 alle ]>e chambre ronge
And angelus ad virginem he songe 3216
And after pat1 he song1 J?e kinges note
fful ofte blessed was his mcrie J>rote
CORPUS 92
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS. 93
And pus pe sweete clerk1 his tyme spente
After his freendes fyndyng1 and his rente 3220
This Carpunter hadde wedded a newe wyf1
Which pat1 he louede more pan his lyf
Of xviij. 3eer sche was of1 age
lalous he was and heeld hir narwe in cage 3224
ffor sche was wylde and 3ong1 and he was old
And denied him self1 ben lik1 a Cokewold
he knew not1 Caton for his witte was rude
That1 bad men wedde his similitude 3228
Men scholde wedde after here astat
ffor youpe and eelde is often in debat
But1 sipen pat1 he was fallen in the snare
He most1 endure as oper folk1 his care 3232
ffair was pis 3onge wijf1 and per wip al
As eny wesele hire body gent1 and smal
A ceynt1 sche wered barred al of1 self1
A barmclop as whit1 as morne melk1 3236
Ypon hire lendes ful of1 many a goore
Whit1 was hir smok1 and brouded al bifore
And eek1 byhynde on hire coler aboute
Of1 kolblak1 silk1 wipinne and eek1 wipoute [leaf to]
The tapes of1 hir white voluper
Were of1 pe same suyte of1 hire coler
hire filet1 brood of1 silk1 and sitt1 ful hye
and sikerly sche hadde a likerous yhe 3244
iful smal y-pulled were hire browes tuo
And po were bent1 and blak1 as any slo
Sche was ful more blisful for to see/
Than is pe newe perionette tree 3248
And softer pan ]?e wolle is of1 a wejjer
And by hir gerdul hinge a purs of1 le|)er
Tassed wij) selkH and pe?led Avijj latoun
In al pis world to seeken vp and dozm 3252
Ther is no man so wys pat1 coupe penche
So gay a popelote or swich a wench e/
CORPUS 93
94 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
fful brighter was )>e schynyng of1 hir hewe
Than in Jje tour J?e noble y-forged newe 3256
But1 of1 hir song it1 was so lowd and ^erne
As any swalwe chitering1 on a berne/
Ther-to sche cou]?e skippe and make a game
As ony kyde or calf1 folwyng1 his dame 3260
hir monj? was sweete as braket1 or J>e meth
Or hoord of1 appeles layd in hay or heth
"Wynsyng1 sche was as is a loly colt1
long1 as a mast1 and vpright1 as a bolt1 3264
A broche sche bar on hir loue coler
As brood as is J?e boos of1 a bocler
hire schos were laced on hire legges hye
Sche was a primerole a pygges nye 3268
ffor eny lord to liggen in his bedde/
Or ^et1 for eny good yemaii to wedde
IT Now sire and eft1 sire so bifel )?e caas
That1 on a day }>is heende Nicholas 3272
ffil wijj J)is ^onge wijf1 to rage and playe
Whil j)af hir housbonde was at1 Osenaye
As clerkes ben ful subtil and ful queinte
And priuely he caught1 hir by }>e queynte [leaf 46, back]
And seyde I wis but1 if1 ich haue my wille
ifor derne loue of1 J?e lemman I spille/
And held hir harde by ]?e haunche bones
And seyde lemman loue me wel al at1 ones 3280
Or I wol deyen al so god me saue
And sche sprong1 as a cold do]? in J?e traue
And with hir hed sche wried faste awey
Sche seide I wil nat1 kisse £e by my fey 3284
Whi labbe quod, ich labbe Nicholas
Or I wol crie out1 harrow and alias
Do wey ^oure hondes for ^oure curtesye
This Nicholas gan mercy for to crie 3288
And spak1 so faire and profred him so fast1
That1 sche hir loue graunted him atte last
CORPUS 94
GHOUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS. 95
And swor hir oj) by sent1 Thomas of1 kent1
That1 sche wolde ben at1 his comaundemettt 3292
Whan J>at sche may hir leysir wel aspye
Myn housbonde is so ful of lalousye
That1 but I \vayte wel and be priue
I woot1 right1 wel I iiam but deed quo]) sche 3296
Ye moote ben ful derne as in pis caas
Nay per-of1 kare 30 nought1 qwod Nicholas
A clerk1 hadde litherly biset1 his while
But1 if1 he coupe a carpunter begile 3300
And pus pey ben acorded and y-sworn
To wayte a tyme as I haue told biforn
Whan Nicholas hadde pis euerydel
And thakked hire aboute pe lendes wel 3304
he kist1 hir sweete and takp his Sauterie
And playep faste and make]) melody e
Than ill it ])us pat1 to ])e parissche cherche/
Cristes owne werkes for to werche 3308
This goode wijf1 wente on an haly day
hir forhed schon as bright1 as any day
So was it waissche whan sche leet1 hir werk1
Now was ])er of1 fiat chirche a parissche cleric1 [leaf 47]
The which pat1 was y-cleped absolon
Crul was his heer and as pe gold it schon
And strouted as a fanne large and brode
fful streyte and euene lay his loly schode 33 1G
hi? rode was reed his eyhen gray as goos
Wip poules wyndow coruen in his schoos
In hoses rede he wente fetisly
I-clad he was ful smal and propurly 3320
Al in a kerteti al of1 light1 waget1
fful faire an pikke ben pe poyntz y-sett
And ])er vpon he hadde a gay surplys
As whit as is J)e blosme on J)e Eys 3324
A merie child he was so god me saue
Wel coupe he laten blood or clippe or scliaue
CORPUS 95
96 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And make a charter of1 lond or an aquitance
In twenty maner cou]?e he trippe and daunce 3328
After ]?e scole of1 Oxenforde J?o
And wij> his legges casten to and fro
And playen songes on a smal rubible
Ther-to he song1 som tyme a lowde quynyble/ 3332
And as wel cou]?e he pleye on a giterne
In all J?e toun nas brewhous ne tauerne
That1 he ne visited wij? his solas
Ther any gaillard tappestere was 3336
But1 soth to sein lie was somdel squaymous
Of1 fartyng1 and of1 speche daungerous
1T This absolon J?af loly was and gay
Go]? with a censer on ]?e haly day 3340
Sensyng1 J?e wyfes ofH J?e parische fast1
And many a lonely look1 on hem he cast1
And namely on ]?is carpunteres wyf1
To loke on hire him Bought1 a mery lijf1 3344
Sche was so proper and swete and swete and licorous
I dar wel sein if1 sche hadde ben a mous
And he a catte he wolde hire hente anooii)
This parissche clerk1 jris ioly absolon [leaf 47, back]
ha]? in his herte such a loue longynge
That1 of1 no wijf1 took1 he non offrynge
ff or curtesie he seide he wolde non
The moone whan it1 was night1 fill brighte schon 3352
And Absolon his giterne ha]? I-take
ffor paramoure he ]?oughte for to wake
And for]? he go]) iolyf1 and amorous
Til he com to ]?e carpunteres hous 3356
A litel after cokkes had y-crowe
And dressed him vp by a schot1 wyndowe
Thas was vpon ]?e carpenteres walle
he synge]? in his voys gentil and smalle 3360
Now dere lady if1 ]?i willes be
I prey yow J^at1 }e wil Eewe on me
CORPUS 96
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS. 97
ffol wel acordant1 to his giternyng1
This Carpenter awok1 and herde him syng1 3364
And spat vnto his wijf1 and seyde anoon)
What Alison heris J?ou not absolon
That1 chauntej? Jms vnder oure boures walle
And sche answerde hir housbonde J>er wij> alle 3368
Yis god woof lohan I here it Query del
This passe]? for]? what* wile 30 bet1 j?ar, wel
fffo day to day J)is ioly Absolon
So wo we]? hire j?af him is woo bigoii 3372
he wake]? al Jje night1 and al J?e day
he kembede his lokkes brode and made hem gay
he wowej? hire by menes and brocage/
And swore he wolde ben hir oughne page/ 3376
he syngejj brokking1 as a nightyngale
he sente hire pyment meth and spiced ale/
And wafres pypyng1 hoof out of Jje gleede
And for sche was of1 town he profred meede 3380
ifor somme folk1 wol be wo?men for richesse
And somme for strokes and somme for gentilnesse
Som tyme to schewe his lightnesse and maystrie
he pleieth heraudes vpon a scaffold hye [leaf 48]
But1 what1 auaylej) him as in jris caas
Sche louejj so ]?is heende Nicholas
That1 Absolon may blowe J?e buckes horn
he ne haj> for his labour but1 a skorn 3388
And Jms sche make)) absolon here ape
And att his Ernest1 turnej) tift a Tape
ffor soj) is jns prouerbe it1 is no lye
Men sein right1 Jms alwey J?ey neighe si ye 3392
makejj ]je ferre leef1 to be loth
ffor jjough jjat1 absolon be wood or wro]?
By cause J?af he fer was from hire sight1
J)is neigh Nicholas stood in his light 3396
IF Now bere ye wel heende Nicholas
ffor absolon may waille and synge alias
CORPUS 97
98 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And so bifeli it on a Saturday
This Carpimter was gon to Osenay 3400
And heende Nicholas and alison
Acorded be to pis Conclusion
That Nicholas schal schapen hem a wile
This seely lalous housbonde to by-gyle 3404
And if1 so be pe game wente aright1
Sche scholde slepen in his arm al nyght1
fibr pis was his desyr and hire also
And right1 anon wipouten wordes mo 3408
This Nicholas no lenger wolde tarie
But do]? ful softe vnto his chambre carie
Bope mete and drynke for a day or tweye
And to hire housbonde bad hir for to seye 3412
If1 pat1 he axed after Nicholas
Sche scholde say sche nyste wher he was
Of1 al fat1 day sche seigh him nought1 wip eye
Sche trowed pat he was in maladye 3416
ffor for 110 cry hir mayde coupe him calle
he nolde answere for noping1 pat1 mighte falle
This passep forp al pilke Saturday
That1 Nicholas stille in his Chambre lay [leaf is, buck]
And eet1 or sleep or dede what1 him liste
Til Sonday pat1 pe sonne gop to reste
This sely carpunter hap gret1 meruayle
Of1 Nicholas or what1 ping1 might1 him ayle 3424
And sayde I am adrad by seint1 Thomas
It1 stondeth nat1 aright1 with Nicholas
God schilde pat1 he deide sodeinly
This world is now ful tykett sikerly 3428
I seigh to day a cors y-born to cherche
That1 now a monday last1 I saugh him werche
Go vp quod, he vnto his knaue anon
Clepe at1 his dore or knocke with a stoon) 3432
loke how it is and telle me boldely
This knaue gop him vp ful sturdily
CORPUS 08
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS. 99
And at1 pe chambre dore whil pat1 he stood
he criede and knokkede as pat he were wood 3436
What1 how what1 do $e mayster Mcholay
how may ^e sleepen al pe longe day
But1 al for nought1 he herde nought a word
An hole he fond ful lough vpon a Lord 3440
Ther as pe catte was wont in for to creepe
And at1 pat1 hole he loked in ful deepe/
And atte last1 he hadde of1 him a sight1
This nicholas sat cuer capyng1 vpright 3444
As he hadde keked on pe newe moone
And doun he gop and tolde his mayster soone
In what1 array he saugh pis ilke man
This Carpunter to "blessen him bigan 3448
And seyde help vs seinte ffredeswide
A man woot1 litel what1 him schal betyde/
This man is falle with his astronomic
In som woodnesse or in som agonye 3452
I pougfrt ay wel how pat it scholde be
Men scholde not1 knowe of1 goddes priuite
3e blessed be alwey a lewed man
That1 nought1 but oonly his bileeue can [leaf 49]
So ferd anoper clerk1 with astronomic
he walked in pe feeldes for to prie
vppon pe sterres what1 per schulde bifalle
Til he was in a Marie pit1 y-falle 34 GO
he saugh nought pat1 but1 ^ifr by seint1 Thomas
Me reweth sore of1 heende Nicholas
he schal be rated of1 his studyyng1
If1 pat1 1 may by Thesu l heuene king1 [' MS. ihc1 j
Gete me a staf1 pat1 I may vnderspore
Whil pat pou Robyn heuest1 vp pe dore
he schal out1 of1 his studying1 as I gesse
And to pe chambre dore he gan him dresse 3468
his knaue was a strong1 carl for pe nones
And by pe hasp he heef1 it / of1 at1 oones
CORPUS 99
100 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
In to J?e floor J?e dore lift anon
This Nicholas sat1 ay as stille as stoon 3472
And euere capede vpward in to the ayre
This Carpunter wende he were in despaire
And hent1 him by j?e schuldres mightyly
And school him harde and cryed spitously 3476
What Nicholas what1 how looke a doun
Awake and fenk1 on cristes passiown
I crouche fe from Elues and fro wightes
Ther-wiJ? J?e night1 spelt" seyde he anon rightes 3480
Of* foure halues of1 j>e hous aboute
And on J?e fresschefold on fe dore wifouto
Ihesu crist1 and seynt1 Benedight1
Blesse ]}is hous from euery wikkede wight1 3484
ffor Je nightes verye fe white Pate noster
Where wentestow pou seinte peteris suster
And atte laste J>is heende Nicholas
Gan for to sike sore and seyde alias 3488
Schal al fe werld be lost1 eft1 sones now
This Carpenter answerde what1 seist1 fou
What1 Jjink1 on god as we doon men fat1 swynke
This nicholas answerde feche me drynke [leaf 49, back]
And after wol I speke in priuitee
Of1 certein Jnng1 Jmt1 touchej? )je and me
I wil telle it non oj>er man certeyn
This Carpenter goj> down and come]) agein 3496
And brought1 of1 mighty ale a large quart1
And whan fat1 ech of1 hem hadde dronken his part1
This Nicholas his dore faste schette
And doun fe Carpunter by him he sette 3500
And seyde lohn myn hooste leef1 and deere
Thou schalt1 vpon my troujje swere me heere
That1 to no wight1 )>ou schalt1 j?is counsieil wreye
ffor it1 is cristes counseift fat1 1 seie/ 3504
And if1 ])ou telle it man J?ou art1 forlore/
ffor Jns vengance fou schalt1 haue ferfore
CORPUS 100
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'^ TALE. Corpus MS. 101
That* if1 J?ou wreie me ]?ou schalt1 be wood
IT Nay crist1 forbede it for his holy blood 3508
Quod jjo J>is sely man I nam no labbe
Ne Jjough I seie I nam not1 leef1 to gabbe
Sey what1 J>ou wolf I schal it neuer telle
To child ne wijf1 by him Jjatt hariede helle/ 3512
Now lohan quod Nicholas I wil no^t1 lye
I haue I-founde in myn astrologie/
As I haue loked in ]?e moone bright1
That1 now a monday next at quarter night 35 1 6
Schal falle a Rayn and jjat1 so wilde and wood
That1 half1 so gret1 was neuer Nowels flood
This world he seide in lasse )>an in an hour
Schal al be dreynt1 so hidous is Jje schour 3520
Thus schal mankynde drenche and leese here lif
This Carpunter answerde alias my wijf1
And schal sche drenche alias myn alisown
ffor sorwe of* jris he fell almost1 a doun 3524
And seyde is ]?er no remedye in pis caas
Wlii 313 for gode quod, heende Nicholas
If1 poii wolt1 worchen after lore and red
Thou mayst1 no^t1 werken after pin oughne heed [leaf 50]
ffor pus seip Salamon pat1 was ful trewe
"Work1 alt by counseift and pou schalt1 nought1 rewe
And i£ pou worken wolt1 by good counseille
I vndertake m]?oute mast* or seile 3532
Yet1 schal I saue hire and pe and me/
hast1 fou nought1 herde how saued was Noe
Whan jiat1 owre lord haj? warned him biforn
That1 aft pe world with water schulde be lorn 3536
3is quod |)is Carpenter ful }ore ago
hastow not1 herd quod Nicholas also
The sorwe of1 Noe wij> his felaschipe
Or Jjat1 he mighte gete his wif1 to schipe 3540
him hadde leuer I dar wel vndertake
At1 Jnlke tyme ]?an att his wepcres blake
CORPUS 101
102 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
That1 sche hadde a scliip hir self1 allon
And ]?er-fore wost1 J?ou what1 is best1 to doon 3544
This axe]) haste and of1 an hastyf1 Jnng1
Men may nought preche or make tarying1
Anon go gete vs faste in to Jns Inne
A knedyng1 trough" or elles a kemelynne 3548
ffor eeh of1 vs but1 look1 J>at J>ey ben large
In which men mowe swymme as in a barge
And han J?er vitailles suffisaunt1
But1 for a day fy on ]?e remenaunt * 3552
The water schal aslake and gon a way
Aboute prime vpon |?e nexte day
But1 Eobyri may not1 wite of1 Jjis J)i knaue/
Ne eek1 \>y mayde gylle I may nought1 sane/ 3556
Axe nought why for j^ough ])ou axe me
I wol nought1 tellen goddes priuite
Suffice]) J>e but1 if1 Ipi wittes madde
To haue as gret1 a grace as noe hadde 3560
Thi wif1 schal I wel sauen out1 of1 doute
Go now J)i wey and speed J?e lieer aboute/
But when J)ou hast for hire and J?e and me
Y-geten vs Jiese knedyng1 tubbes J)re [leaf 50, back]
Than schalt1 Jjou hang1 hem in j?e rofH ful hye
That1 noman of1 oure purueance espye
And whan jjou jjus hast1 don as I haue seyd
And hast1 oure vitailes faire in hem y-leyde 3568
And eek1 an ax to smyte J)e corde a tuo
Whan Jjat1 J?e water come)) )}at* we may go
And broke an hole an heigh vpon Jje gable
vnto }je gardeynward ouer J>e stable 3572
That1 we may freely passen for]) oure wey
Whan pat1 ])e grete schour is gon a wey
Thanne schalt1 ])ou swy?^me as mery I vndertake
As do]) ])e white doke after his drake 3576
Than wol I clepe how alison how loon
Be merie for ]?e flood wol passe anon
CORPUS 1C2
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS. 103
And ))ou wolf sein haift maister Nicholay
Goode morwen I see ])e \vel for it is day 3580
And banne schal we be lordes aft oure lif1
Of1 alle be world as Noe and liis wijf1
But1 baf of1 oo bing I warne ]?e ful right1
Be wel auysed on bat1 ilke night1 3584
That1 we ben entred in to be schippes boord
That1 noon of1 vs ne speke nought1 a word
Ne clepe ne crye but been in his preyere
ffor if is goddes oughne heeste deere 3588
Thy wijf1 and ])ou mot1 hange fer atwynne
ffor bat1 betwixe $ou schal be no synne
No more in lokyng1 ban ber schal in dede
This ordinance is seid go god be speede 3592
To morwe at1 night1 whan men ben aft on sleepe
In to our knedyn tubbes wil we creepe
And sitten ber abidyng1 goddes grace
Go now by wey I haue no lenger space 3596
To make ofH bis no lenger sermonyng1
Men sein bus sende be wise and sev no bin**
«7 / O
Jjou art1 so wys it needeb pe nought1 to teche
Go saue oure lijf1 and bat I be beseche peaf 513
1F This seely Carpunter gob forb his wey
iful ofte he seyde alias and weylawey
And to his wijf he tolde his prmitee
And sche was warr and knew it1 bet1 ban he 3604
What1 al bis queynte cast1 was for to seye
But1 nabeles sche ferde as sche wolde deye
And seyde alias go forb bi weie anon
help vs to scape or we ben deede echon 3608
I am bi trewe verray wedded wijf1
Go deere spouse and help to saue oure lijf1
IT lo which a gret1 bing1 is affection
Men may dye of1 ymaginacion 3612
So deepe may impressions be take
This seely Carpenter bygynneb quake
CORPUS 103
104 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
him Jjenketh verraily jjat4 he may se
Noe flood come walkyng4 as J?e see 3616
To drenchen alisofi his hony deere
he weepejj waillej? maketh sory cheere/
he sykej) wij) ful many a sory swogli
And go]? and getej? him a knedyng* trough" 3620
And after a tubbe and a kemelyn
And priuily he sent1 hem to his In
And hyng4 hem in J?e roof4 in priuite
his oughne bond he made eek1 leddres J?re 3624
To clymben by Jje ronges and )>e stalkes
vnto J>e tubbes hangyng4 in J>e balkes
And hem vitailled bo)>e trough and tubbe
Wij? bred and cheese and good ale in a lubbe/ 3628
Suffisyng right1 ynough as for a day
But4 ar Jmt4 he hadde maad al J?is array
he sent1 his knaue and eek1 his wenche also
vpon his neede to london for to go 3632
And on J)e monday whan it1 drough to night4
he schette his dore wi]?oute candel light4
And dressed atl fing4 as it4 scholde be/
And schortly clomben vp aft Jjre/ [leaf 51, back]
Thei setten stille wel a forlong4 way
Now pater noster clum seide Nicholay
And Clum quod John and Clum seide alisofi
This Carpunter seide his deuociofi 3640
And stille he sitte and biddej? his prayere
Awaityng4 on the rayn if he it heere
The deth sleepe for wery bysynesse
ml on J)is Carpunter right4 as I gesse 3644
Aboute corfew tyme or litel more
ffor trauaille of his gost4 he gronejj sore
And eft4 he route]) for his heed myslay
Doun of4 Jje laddre stalkejj Mcholay 3648
And alison ful softe a doun sche spedde
"Wijjouten wordes mo ]>ey gon to beclde
CORPUS 104
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS, 105
Ther as pe carpimter is wont1 to lye
Ther was pe reuel and pe melodye/ 3652
And pus lith alison and Nicholas
In busynesse of1 merpe and of1 solas
Til pat pe belle of1 laudes gaii to rynge
And the freres in pe chawnceft gonne synge/ 3656
This parische clerk1 pis amorous absolon
ThatH is for loue alwey so wo bigon
vpon pe monday was at1 Osenay
With compaignie him to desport1 and play 3660
And axed vpon caas a cloisterer
fful priuily after lohn pe Carpunter
And he drough him a part1 out1 of pe chirche
And seyde I not1 1 saugh him heere nought1 werche 3664
Sippe Saturday I trowe pat1 he be went1
ffor tymber pere oure abbot1 hap him sent1
ffor he is wont1 for tymber for to go
And dwelle atte graunge a day or tuo 3668
Or elles he is at1 his hous certeyii
Wher pat1 he be I can nought1 soply sein
This absolon) ful ioly was and light1
And poughte now is tyme to wake al nyglit1 [leaf 52]
ffor sikerly I saugh him nought1 styryng1
Aboute his dore syn day bigan to spring1
So mote I priue I schal at1 cokkes crowe
fful priuily knokken as his wyndowe 3676
That1 stant1 ful lowe vpon his boures walle
To alison now wol I tellen alle
My loue longyng1 for ^it1 I schal not1 misso
That1 atte laste wey I schal hir kisse 3680
Som maner comfort1 schal I haue par fay
My moup hap icched al pis longe day
That1 is a signe of1 kissyng1 atte leste
Al night1 me mette eek1 1 was at1 a feeste 3684
Therfore I wol go sleepe an our or tweye
And al pe night1 pan wol I wol I wake and pleye
8 CORPUS 105
106 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Whan fat1 J?e ferste cok1 haj> crowe anon
vp rist1 ]?is loly louer absolon) 3688
And him arraye]? gay and poynt/ deuyse
But1 ferst1 he chewej) grayn and likorise
To smellen swoote or he hadde kempt1 his here
vnder his tonge a trewe loue he beere/ 3692
ffor fer-by wende he to be gracious
he rowineth to fe carpenteres hous
And stille he stant1 vnder |je schot wyndowe
vnto his brest1 it1 raughtt it1 was so lowe/ 3696
And softe he coughed wij? a semy soun
What1 do ^e hoiiy combe swete alisoun)
My faire brid my sweete synamome/
Awaketh lemman myn and spekej? to me 3700
We[l] litel jjenken ^e vpon my woo
That1 for $oure loue I swete as I go
No wonder is pough fat1 I swelte and swete
I morne as do)) fe lambe after fe teete 3704
I-wys lemman I haue such loue longyng1
That1 lik1 a turtel trewe is my moornyiig1
I may not1 ete namore fan a mayde/
Go fro f e wyndow lakke fool sche sayde [leaf 52, back]
As help me god it1 wil not1 be com pame/
I loue anoj^er and elles I were to blame/
Wei bette fan J?e by Ihesu absolon
Go for]) J)i wey or I wil caste a stoon 3712
And. lete me slepe a twenty deuel way
Alias quod absolon and weyloway
That1 trewe loue was euer so yuel besette/
Than kisse me syn it may be no bette/ 3716
ifor ihtfsus loue and for J?e loue of me
Wolt1 })ou jjan go J)i way J)er-with quod sche
Ye certes lemman quod })is absolon
Than make Jje redy quod sche I come anon) 37 20
v ......... no gap in the MS.]
This absolon doun sette him on his knees
CORPUS 106
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS. 107
And saide I am a lord at1 alle degrees 3724
ffor after f is I hope f er come]? more
le??zman f i grace and sweete brid J)in ore
The wyndow sche vndof and fat* in hast/
liaue do quod sche com ofH and speed fe faste 3728
lest1 fat1 our neighebore f e espie
This absolon gan wipe his mouf ful drye
Derk1 was f e night1 as piche or as f e cole
And at1 the wyndow out1 sche putte hire hole 3732
And absolon him fil no bet1 ne wers
But* wif his mouf he kiste hire naked ers/
fful sauorly er he were war of1 f is/
A bak1 he stert1 and fought1 it was amys/ 3736
ffor wel he wiste a wo?7iman haf no berd
he felt1 a ping1 al rough and longe y-hered
And sayde fy alias what1 haue I do
Tehe qwod sche and clapfc1 f e wyndow to 3740
And absolon gof for]) a sory pas
A berde a berd seide heende Nicholas
By goddes corpus Jns goth faire and wel
This sely absolon herde it1 euery del 3744
And on his lippe he gan for anger byte
And to himself1 he seyde I schal fe quyte [leaf 53]
Who rubbef now who frotef now his lippes
With dust1 with sond wif straw with clof wif cliippes
But1 absolon Jjat1 seith ful ofte alias/
My soule bitake I to Saternas/
But1 me were leuere }?an al jjis toun qiiod. he/
Of1 J)is despite awroken for to be 3752
Alias quo]) he alias I ne hadde y-bleynt1
his hote lone is cold and al yqueynt1
ffor fro fat1 tyme fat1 he hadde kest1 hire ers
Of1 paramours he sette not1 a kers/ 3756
ffor he was heled of1 his maladie/
fful ofte paramoures he gan diffie
And weepe as dof a child fat1 is y-bete/
A softe paas he wente oner fe strete/ 3760
CORPUS 107
108 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
vntil a Smyth men clepen daun Geruays
That1 in his forge smythiej? plough harnays
he scharpep scharre and Culter bisyly.
This absolon knokkep al Esely 3764
And sayde vnto Geruays and pat1 anon)
What1 who art1 pou it1 am I absolon)
"What1 absolon for cristes swete tree
Why ryse so rape benedicite 3768
What1 eylep }ou som gay gerl god it woot
ha]) brought1 ^ou pus vpon pe viritoot
By seinte note 30 wot1 wel what I me[ne]
This absolon ne roughte nat1 a bene 3772
Of1 alt his pley no word a-gayn he gaf1
he hadde more tow on his distaf1
Than Geruays knew and sayde frend so deere
The hoote Culter in pe Chemenye heere 3776
As lene it me I haue per-wip to done/
I wol bringe if agayn ful soone
Geruais answerde certes were it1 gold
Or in a poke nobles aft vntold 3780
Thou scholdest1 haue as I am trewe smith
Ey cristes foo what1 wol 36 don per-with Hear 53, back]
Ther-of1 quod absolon be as be may
I schal wel telle it pe to morwe day 3784
And caughte pe culter by pe colde stele
fful softe out1 ap pe dore he gan to stele
And went1 vnto pe Carpenteres wal
he koughede ferst1 and knokkede per wij? al 3788
vpon pe wyndow right1 as he dede ere/
This alison answerde who is fere
That1 knokkejj as I warant1 it1 a peef1
Why nay quod he god woot1 my sweete leef1 3792
I am ]nn absolon pi dereling1
Of1 gold quod he I haue J?e brought1 a ryng1
My moder yaf1 it1 me so god me saue/
fful fyn it1 is and per- to wel y-graue 3796
CORPUS 108
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS. 109
This wol I yiuen f e ifH f ou rae kisse
This Nicholas was risen for to pisse/
And fought1 he wolde amenden al f e lape/
he schulde kisse his ers or fat1 he scape 3800
And vp f e wyndow dide he hastily
And out1 his ers he putte priuily
Ouer f e buttok1 to f e haunche bon
And f er-wif spak1 f is clerk1 fis absolon) 3804
Spek1 swete brid I not1 wher f ou art1
This Nicholas anon leet1 flee a fart1
As gret1 as it1 hadde ben a fonder dent
That1 wif f e strook1 he was almost1 y-blent1 3808
And he was redy wif his Iren hoot1
And Nicholas in f e ers he smoot1
Of1 gof f.e skyn an hande brood aboute/
The hoote culter brenned so his toute/ 3812
And for f e suierte he wende for to dye
As he were wood for woo he gan to crye/
help water water help for goddes herte
This Carpunter out1 of1 his slomber sterte 3816
And herde on cryen watir as he were wood
And fought1 alias now comef Noweles flood [leaf MJ
And sette him vppe wif oute wordes mo
And wif an ax he smot1 fe corde a tuo 3820
And dou?^ gof al he fond neyf er to selle/
"No breed nor ale til he com to f e selle/
vpon f e floor and f er a swowen he lay
vp sterte hire alison and Mcholay 3824
and cried out1 and harrow in f e strete
The neighebowres bof e smale and grete
In ronnen for to gauren on f is man
That1 a swowen lay bofe pale and wan 3828
ffor with fat falle he brosten haf his arm
But1 stonde he moste vnto his oughne harm
ifor whan he spak1 he was anon bore do?m
With heende Nicholas and alisown 3832
COT? PUS 109
110 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
They tolden eue?y man fat1 he was wood
he was a-gasfr so of1 f e bowels flood
Thurgh fantasie fat1 of1 liis vanite
he hadde y-bought1 him knedyng1 tubbes fre 3836
And hadde hem hanged in f e roof aboue
And fat1 he preyed him for goddes loue
To sitten) in f e roof1 par companye
The folk1 gan laughen at1 his fantasie 3840
And to f e roof* fay loken and f ei cape
And torned aft his harm vnto a Tape
ffor what1 so f is Carpenter answerde
It1 was for nought1 no men his reson herde 3844
With of es grete he was so sworn a doun
That1 he was holden wood in aft fat1 toun
ffor eue?y clerk1 anon right1 heeld with of er
They seyde fe man is wood my leeue brofe?* 3848
And euery wight1 gan laughen at1 his strif1
Thus swyued was f e Carpunteres wijf1
ifor aft his keepyng1 and his lalousye/
And absolon haf kist1 hir nef er yhe 3852
And Nicholas is scalded in his toute//
This tale is don and god sane al f e route [leaf 54, back]
^[ Explicit fabula Molendinarij
[No gap in the MS.']
CORPUS 110
GROUP A. § 5. REEVE'S PROLOGUE. Corpus MS. Ill
^ Here bygynnep pe Reeues tale
"TTThan folk1 hail laughen at1 pis nyce cas
Of1 absolon and heende Nicholas t c°. nj°r.
Diuerse folk1 diuersely pey seyde
But1 for pe more part1 pei lough" and pleyde
Ne at1 pis tale I saugh noman him greeue
But1 it1 were oonly Osewold pe Reeue 3860
By cause he was of1 Carpenteres craft1
A litel Ire is in his herte laft1
he gan to grucche and blamen it1 a lite
So pe ik1 q?/od he ful wel coupe I pe quyte 3864
With bleryng1 of a proud melleres ye
If* pat1 me liste to speke of1 Ribaudie
But1 yk1 am old me list1 not1 pley for age
Gras tyme is don my fodder is forage/ 3868
This white top writep myn olde jeres
myn herte is also mouled as myn heeres
But1 if1 1 fare as dop an open ers
That1 ilke fruyt1 is euer lengere pe wers 3872
Til ifr be roten in mullok1 or in stree/
We olde men I drede so fare we
Til we be roten can we nought1 be ripe
We hoppen alwey whil pe world wil pipe 3876
ffor in oure wille per stikep euer a naile
To haue an hoor heer and a greene taile
As hap a leek for pough" oure might1 be gon
Oure wille desirep folie euer in oon) 3880
ifor whan we may nought1 do on pan wole we speke
yet1 in oure asschen olde is fyr y-reke
ffoure gleedes han we whiche I schal deuyse/
Auauntyng1 lyuyng1 anger couetyse 3884
This foure sparkes longep vnto eelde
Oure olde lymes now wel ben vnwelde
CORPUS ill
112 GROUP A. § 5. REEVE'S PROLOGUE. Corpus MS.
But1 wil ne schal nat fallen fat1 is sof
And yet1 haue I alway a Coltes tof [leaf 55]
As many a ^eer as it is passen henne
Syn fat my tappe of1 lif1 bygan to renne
ffor sikerly whan I was born anoon
Def drough fe tappe of lijf1 and leet it goon 3892
And euer sif en ha]) so f e tappe y-ronne
Til fat1 almost1 al empty is f e tonne
The streem of1 lijf* now droppejj on f e chimbe.
The sely tonge may wel rynge and chymbe. 3896
Of1 wrecchedenesse fat1 passed is ful yore
With old folk1 saue dotage is nornore/
Whan fat1 oure oost1 hadde herde f is sermonyng1
he gan to speken as loodly as a king1 3900
he seyde what1 amounts)) aft fis witte
What1 schal we speke alday of1 holy writte
The deuel maade a reeue for to preche
Or of a Soutere schipman or a leche 3904
Sey forf fi tale and tarie nought1 fe tyme
lo deppeford* and it is halfwey prime
lo Grenewich fat1 many a schrewe is Inne
It were al tyme f i tale for to begynne 3908
Now sires quod f is Osewold f e Eeeue
I pray you alle fat1 ye nought1 }ou greeue
Thou I answere and somdel sette his houve
ffor leueful it1 is with force force of1 schouve 3912
This dronken mellere haf y-told vs heere
how fat1 bygyled was a Carpuntere/
Perauenture in scorn for I am oon
And by youre leeue I schal him quytc anoon) 3916
Right1 in his cherles termes wil I speke/
I preye to god his nekke mote tobreke
he can wel in myn ^e sen a stalke
But in his owne he can nought1 seen a balke/
[No gap in the MS.]
CORPUS 112
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 113
AT Trumpyngton nought1 fer fro Cantabregge
Ther go]? a brook1 and oner pat1 a bregge
vppon pe whiche brook1 per stant1 a Melle 3923
And pis is verray sop pat1 1 3011 telle [leaf 55, back]
A nieller was per duellyng1 many a day
As any pecok1 he was proud and gay
Pype he coupe and fissche and nettes beete
And torne coppes and wel wrastle and scheete/ 3928
Ay by his belt1 he bar a long1 Panade
And of1 a swerd ful trenchant was pe blade/
A loly popper bar he in his pouche
Ther \vas noman for peril durste him touche/ 3932
A scheffeld thwitel bar he in his hose
Kound was his face and Camuse was his nose/
As pyled as an ape was his sculle
he was a market1 betere atte fulle 3936
Ther was no wight1 pat1 dorsf hand on him legge
But1 if1 he swor he scholde anon abegge
A peef1 he was forsope of corn and mele
And pat1 a sleigh and vsaunt1 for to stele 3940
his name was hoote deynous Symkyn
A wijf1 he hadde come of1 noble kyn
The pa?*soun of1 pe toun hir fader was/
With hire he yaf1 ful many a panne of1 bras 3944
ffor pat1 Symkyn scholde in his blood allye
Sche was y-fostred in a Nonnerie/
ffor symkyn wolde no wyf1 as he sayde
But1 sche were wcl ynorissched and a mayde/ 3948
To sauen his estate of1 yomanrie/
And sche was proud and pert1 as is a pye
A ful fair sight1 was it1 vppon hem tuo
On halidayes biforn hire wolde he go 3952
CORPUS 113
114 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Wif his typef wounden aboute his heede/
And sche cam after in a gyte of1 reede/
And Symkyn hadde hosen of1 f e same
Ther dorste no wight1 clepen hire but dame 3956
Was non so hardy fat1 wente by f e way
That1 wif hire dorste or ones rage or play
But4 if* he wolde be slain of1 Symkyn
With panade or with knyf1 or boydekyn [leaf 56]
ffor lelous folk1 ben perilous eueremo
Algate f ei wolde here wyues wenden so
And eek1 for sche was somdel smoterlich
Sche was as digne as water in a dich 3964
As ful of1 hoker and of bisemare
hire f oughte fat1 a lady schulde hir spare
What1 for hire kynrede and hire nortelrie
That1 sche hadde lerned in fe nonnerie 3968
A doughter hadde f e betwixe hem tuo
Of twenty 3er wif outen eny moo
Sauyng1 a childe fat1 was of1 half1 $eer age
In cradel it1 lay it1 was a proper page/ 3972
This wenche fikke and wel ygrowen was
Wif Camoys nose and eyen grey as glas
Wif buttokes brode and brestes rounde and hye
But1 right1 fair was hire heer I wol nought1 lye 3976
IF The parson of f e toun for sche was fair
In purpos was to maken hire his hair
Bof e of1 his catel and his mesuage
And strange he made it/ of1 hire mariage 3980
his purpos was for to bistowe hire hye
In to som worfi blood of1 auncetrie/
ffor holy chirches good moot1 ben dispended
On holy cherche blood fat1 is descended 3984
Therfore he wolde his holy blood honours/
f ough fat1 f e holy chirche scholde deuoure
Gref soken hajj f is meller out1 of doute
Wif whete and malt1 of alt f e land aboute/ 3988
CORPUS 114
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 115
And nameliche per was a gret collegge
Men clepep pe Soler halle of Cantabregge
Jjere was here whete and eek1 here malt1 y-grounde
And on a day it happep in a stounde 3992
Syk1 lay pe manciple on a maladie/
Men wenden wisly pat1 he schulde dye
ffor which pis mellere stal bope mele and com
An hundred tyme more panne biforn [leaf 56, back]
ffor per biforn he stal but1 curteysly
But1 now he was a theef1 outrageously
ffor which pe wardein chidde and made fare/
But1 per-of1 sette pe meller nought1 a tare/ 4000
he crakede bost and swor it was nought1 so/
Thanne were pere ^onge scoleres tuo
That1 dwelten in pe halle of1 which I seye
Testyf1 pey were and lusty for to pleye 4004
And oonly for here mirthe and reuerye
vpon pe wardein bisily pei crye
To ^if1 hem leue but1 a litel stounde
To go to melle and seen here corn y-grounde 4008
And hardily pei dorste leye here nekke
The mellere schulde natt stele hem half1 a pekke/
Of1 corn ne by sleight1 ne by force hem Reue
And atte laste pe wardeyn yaf1 hem leue 4012
John hight1 pat1 oon and alayn highf pat1 oper
Of1 oo toun were pei born pat highte strother
ffer in the North I can not1 telle where
This alayn makep redy aft his gere 4016
And on an hors pe sat he cast1 anon
fforp gop alayn pe clerk1 and also lomi
Wip good swerd and wip bokeler by his syde
lohn knew pe wey him needede no guyde/ 4020
And atte melle pe sak1 a doun he layth
Alain spak1 first1 . alhail Symon in faip
how fares pi faire doughter and pi wyf1
Alayn welcome qwod Symkyn by my lyF 4024
CORPUS 115
11G . GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And loliii also how now what1 do ^e lieere
By god qiiod lofcn Symond neede haj? no peere
him bihoues serue himself1 jmt1 has na swayn
Or elles he is a folf as clerkes sayn
Oure manciple I hope he wil be deed
Swa werkes him ay ]?e wanges in his heed
And J?erfore is I come and eek1 alayn
To grynde oure corn and carie it ham agayn [leaf 57]
I pray you speedes vs heithen J>at 36 may
If schal be don quod Symkyn by my fay
What1 wil 36 doon whil |)at it1 is in haiide
By god right1 by J?e hoper wil I stande 4036
Quo]? lohan and se how gates pe corn gas Iniie
3ifr saugh I neuer by my fader kyime
how Jjat1 }>e hoper wagged til and fra
Alayn answerde lohn and wiltow swa 4040
Than wil I be bynej>e by my croune
And se how gates ]>e mele falles a doune
In-til })e trough Jjaf sal be my disporte
Quod lohn in faath I may ben of1 ^our sorte 4044
I is as ille a melle as ere 36
This meller<? smylede at here nycete
And Bought1 al ]>is nys don but1 for a wile
They wene J)afr no man hem may begyle 4048
But1 by my Jmff yifr schal I blere here ye
flbr al ]?e sleighf in here philosophic
The more queinte crekes )>af j?ay make/
The more wol I stele whan I take 4052
In stede of1 flour jitt wol I yeue hem brennc/
The grettestt clerkes ben nought1 ]?e wisest menne
As whilom to ]>e wolf1 |)us spak1 ]?e mare
Of1 aft here arte counte I no^tf a tare/ 405 6
IF Out1 of1 jje dore he goj> ful priuely
Whan J?af he saugh his time softely
he lokej) vp and doun til he ha]) founde
The clerkes hors per as it stood ybounde 4060
CORPUS 116
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 117
Behynde J»e mille vnder a leuesel
And to J)e hors he go]) him faire and wel
he strepej? of1 Ipe bridel right1 anoon
And whan J>e hors was laus he gynnej) goon) 4064
Toward ]?e fen fare wilde mares renne/
And forth with wehe forugh fikke and Jjorugft jjenne
This meller go]) agayn no word he sayde
But1 do]) his note and wi]> hise clerkes pleyde [leaf 57, back]
Til fat1 hire corn was faire and wel y-grounde
And whan fe mele is sakked and y-bounde
This lohn go]) out1 and fynt1 his hors away
And gan to crye harrow and weylaway 4072
Oure hors is lost1 Alayn for goddes banes
Steppe on fi feet1 com of1 man al at1 anes
Alias oure wardein has his palfray lorn
This aleyn al forgat1 bo])e mele and corn 4076
Al was out1 of1 his mynde his housbondrye
What1 whilk1 wey is he gon he gan to crye
The wyf1 cam leepyng1 inward at1 a ren
Sche seyde alias ^our hors goth in fe fen 4080
With wilde mares as faste as he may goo
Vnthank1 come on his hand fat1 bond him so
And he fat1 bettre scholde haue knyt1 J)e reyne
Alias qwod lohn Alayn for cristes peyne 4084
lay doun ])i swerd and I wol myn alswa
I is ful swift1 god wat1 as is a Ra
By goddes harte he sal nou^t scape vs baf e
Why ne had f ou put1 f e caple in J)e lathe 4088
Ilhaille by godde alayn })ou is a fonne
Thise sely clerkes han fulfaste y-ronne
Toward f e fen bof e alayn and eek1 lohn
And whan J)e Mellere seigh fat1 fei were gon 4092
he half1 a buisschel of1 here corn ha]) take
And bad his wijf go knede it1 in a cake
And seide I trowe f e clerkes weren aferd
Yet1 kan a mellere make a clerkes berd 4096
CORPUS 117
118 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ffor aft his art1 yet1 lat1 hem gon here weye
Lo where he gop ye lat1 pe children plcye
They gete him nought1 so lightly by my croun
Thise seely clerkcs rennen vp and doun
With keep. keep, stand, stand, iossa. warderere /
Ga whistel pou and I schal keepe him heere
But1 schortly til it1 was verray night1
They coupe nought1 pough pei dede aft here might1 [ie«f is]
here capel cacche he ran alwey so faste
Til in a diche pei caught1 him atte laste
Wery and wet1 as beest1 is in pe rayn
Comep seely John and with him com]) alayn 4108
IT Alias qwod lohn pe day pat1 1 was born
Now ere we dryuen til hething1 and til scorn
Oure corn is stole men wil vs fooles calle
Bope pe wardein and oure felawes alle 4112
And namely pe meller weylawey
Thus pleynep lohan as he go]? by pe wey
Toward pe inelle and bayard in his bond
The meller sittyng1 by f e fyr ho fond 4116
ffor it1 was nyght1 and ferjjer might1 he nought1
But1 for pe loue of1 god pei him bisought
Of herberwe and of1 eese as for here peny
The mellere seyde agayn if1 per be eny 4120
Such as if is }it schal ^e haue 3oure part1
Myn hous is streit1 but1 ^e han lerned art1
3e can by argumentes make a place
A niyle brood of1 twenty foote of1 space 4124
lat1 se now if1 pis place mow suffise
Or make it rowmere with speche as is ^oure gyse
Now Symond seyde pis lohn by seint Cuthberd
As is pou mery and pat1 is faire answerd 4128
I haue herd say men sal take of tua pinges
Swilk1 as he fyndes or take swilk1 as he bryiiges/
But1 specially I pray pe ooste deere
Gete vs som mete and drynk1 and mak1 vs cheere 4132
CORPUS 118
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 119
And we wol payen trewly atte fulle
With empty handes men may naan haukes tulle
Lo heer oure siluer reedy for til spende
This meller to ]?e toun his doughter sende 4136
ffor ale and breed and rosted hem a goos
And boond here hors it scholde namore go loos
And in his owne chambre he made a beclde
With scheetes and wij? chalons faire y-spredde [leaf ss, back]
Nought* from his oughne bed ten foote or twelue/
his doughter hadde a bed al by hir selue/
Right* in J?e same chambre by and by
It1 mighte be no bette and cause why 4144
Ther was no romer herberwe in ]>e place
]?ey soupen and ]?ey speken horn of1 solace
And drynken euere strong ale atte beste
A-boute mydnyght1 wente pei to reste 4 1 48
Wei haj) J?e mellere vernysshed his heed
fful pale he was for-drunken and noi^t* reed
he yexeth and he spekej? Jmrgh J?e nose/
As he were on J>e qnakke or on ]>e pose/ 4152
To bedde he go]) and with him go)) his wijf
As eny lay he light* was and lolif*
So was hire loly whistel wel y-wette
The cradell at* hire beddes feet* is sette/ 41 50
To rokken and yeue j?e childe to souke
And whan Jmt* dronken was al in ]?e crouke
To bedde wente pe doughter right* anoon
To bedde go)) Alayn and also lohn 4160
Ther was nomore J?em needede no dwale
This meller haj? so wisely bibbed ale
That as an hors he snortej? in his slepe
Ne of* his tayl behynde he took1 no keepe 4164
his wijf* bar him a burdofi a ful strong*
Men mighten heere here routyng* a furlong*
The wenche route J? eek par compaignie
Alayn £e clerk* j)at* herde J)is melodye 4168
CORPUS 119
120 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
he pokede lohn and seyde sleepisf f ou
herdestow euer slik1 a sang1 ar now
lo swilk1 a couplyng1 is bitwixe hem alle
A wilde fyr on fair bodies falle 4172
ho herkned euer slik1 a ferly f ing1
Ye f ai satt haue f e flonr of yft endyng1
This lange nights f er tydes me na reste/
But1 ^it1 na force al schal be for f e beste [leaf 59]
ffor lohn seide als euer mote I f riue
If1 fat1 1 may yon wenche wol I swyue
Som esement haf lawe schapen vs
ffor lohn fer is a lawe fat1 seith fus 4180
That1 if1 a man in a poynf be agreeued
That1 in anof er he schal be releeued
Oure corn is stolen sof ly it is no nay
And we han had an ylle fitte to clay 4184
And syn I schal haue noon amendemewt
Agayn my losse I wol haue eseme?it
By goddes sale if sal nan ofir be
This lohn answerde Alayn so mot1 1 f e 4188
The meller is a perilous man he sayde
And if1 fat1 he out1 of his slape abrayde
he mighte don vs bof e a vilanye
Alayn answerde I counte him nought1 a flye 4192
And vp he rist1 and by f e wenche he crepte
This wenche lay vpright1 and faste slepte
Til he so neigh was or sche mighte spye
That1 it1 hadde been to late for to crye 4196
And schortly for to seyn fey were at1 oon
Now play alayn for I wol speke of1 loon
This lohn lif stille a forlong1 wey or tuo
And to himself1 he rnakef rouf e and wo 4200
Alias qztod he fis is a wikke Tape
Now may I sayn fat1 1 is but an ape
3et haf my felaw somwhat1 for his harm
he has fe myllers doughter in his arm) 4204
CORPUS 120
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 121
he auntred him and haj? his necdes spedde
And I lye as a draf1 sakH in my bedde
And whan f>is Tape is told anojjer day
I schal be holde a daffe a Cokenay 4208
I wol arise and aunter it by my faith
vnhardy is vnseely as men saith
And vp he ros and softely he went1
vnto fie craditt and in his hand it hent [leaf 59, back] 4212
And bar it softe vnto his beddes feet
Sone after . pe wif hire routyng1 leet1
And gan to wake and went hire out1 to pisse
And com agayn and gan hir cradel mysse 42 1 6
And groped heer and }>er but sche fond noon
Alias quod sche I hadde almost1 mys goon
I hadde almost1 goon to J?e clerkes bedde
Ey benedicite J>an hadde I foule y-spedde 4220
And for]? sche gojj til sche fe cradil fond
Sche grope]? alwey former with hire hond
And fond J>e bed and foughte nought1 but1 good
By cause Jmt1 J>e cradel by it stood 4224
And nyste wher sche was for it was derk*
But1 faire and wel sche crepe in to J?e clerk1
And lith ful stille and wolde haue caught1 a slepe
"With-Inne a while J?is lohn J?e clerk1 vp lepe 4228
And on j?is goode wijf1 he leijj on sore
So mery a fitte ne hadde sche not1 ful yore
he prikej? harde and deepe as he were madde
This loly lyf1 han jjise tuo clerkes ladde 4232
Til fat1 ]>e Jjridde cok1 bygan to synge
Aleyn wax wery in J?e dawenynge
ffor he hadde swonken aft pe longe nyght1
And sayde far wel Malyn sweete wight 4236
The day is come I may no lenger byde
But1 euermoo wher so I go or ryde
I am J)in oughne clerk1 so haue I hele
Now deere lemman qwod sche go far wele 4240
9 CORPUS 121
122 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
But1 or fou go oo fing1 1 wol f e telle
Whan fat1 fou wendest1 homward by f e melle
Eight1 at1 f e entre of1 f e dore behynde
Thou schalt1 a cake of1 half* a busshel fynde 4244
That1 was y-maked of1 fin oughne mele
Which fat1 1 liilpe my sire for to stele
And goode leffiman god f e saue and keepe/
And with fat1 word almost1 sche gan to weepe [leaf coj 4248
Alayn vprist1 and fought1 or fat1 it1 da we/
I wol go creepen in by my felawe/
And fond f e cradel wif his hond anon
By god fought1 he al wrang1 1 haue mysgoii 4252
Myn heed is toty of1 my swynk1/ to nyght
That1 makef me fat1 I go nougat1 aright1
I wot1 wel by f e cradel I haue mysgo
here lith fe meller and his wijf1 also 4256
And forth he gof on twenty deuelway
vnto f e bed f er as f e meller lay
he wende haue cropen) by his felawe lohn
And by fe mellere in he creep anoon 4260
And caught1 him by f e necke and softe he spak1
he seyde fou lohn fou swyneshed awak1
ffor cristes sawle and heer a noble game/
ffor by fat1 lord fat1 called is saint1 lame 4264
As I haue fries in fis schorte night1
Swyued f e mellers doughter bolt1 vprigh[t]
Whil fou hast1 as a coward ben agast
fe false harlot1 quod fe meller hast 4268
A fals traitour false clerk1 quod he
fou schalt1 be ded by goddes dignite
Who durste be so bolde to disparage
My doughter fat1 is comen of1 such lynage 4272
And by f e frote bolle he caught1 alayn
And he hentt him dispitously agayn
And on f e nose he smot1 him with his fiste/
Doun ran f e bloody strecn vpon his briste 4276
CORPUS 122
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS. 123
And in J>e floor with nose and mouth to-broke
jjei walwe as do]) tuo pigges in a poke
And vp fai gon and doim a-gayn anoon)
Til fat1 J?e meller spurned at1 a stoon 4280
And doun he fel bakward vpon his wijf1
That1 wiste nof ing1 of fis nyce strijf1
fFor sche was falle a sleepe a litel wight1
With John fe cleric fat waked hadde al f e night1 [leaf «o, back]
And with f e falle out of1 hir sleep sche brayde
help holy cros of bromeholm sche sayde/
In manus tuas lord to f e I calle
Awake Symond f e feend is on me falle 4288
Myn herte is broken help I nam but1 ded
Ther lif on vp my wombe and vp myn heed
help Symkyn for f e false clerkes fighte
This lohn starte vp as fast1 as euer he mighte 4292
And grasped by f e walles to and fro
To fynde a staf1 and sche stert1 vp also
And knew f e estris bet1 fan did fat1 lohn
And by fe wal a staf1 sche fond anon 4296
And saugh a litel schymeryng1 of1 a light/
ffor at1 an hole in schoon f e moone bright1
And by fat1 light1 sche saugh hem bof e tuo
But1 sikerly sche nyste who was who 4300
But1 as sche saugh a whit1 f ing1 in hir eye
And whan sche gan f is white f ing1 aspye
Sche wende f e clerk1 had wered a voluper
And wif f e staf1 sche drough ay ner and ner 4304
And wende han hitte ]:is alayn atte fulle
And smot1 fe meller on fe pilede skulle
That1 doun he goth and cryed harrow I dye
This clerkes beet1 him weel and lecf him lye 4308
And greyfen hem and tooke here hors anon
And eek1 here mele and on here wey fey goon
And atte Mille yet1 fai toke here cake/
Of1 half1 a busschel floui ful wel y-bake 4312
CORPUS 123
124 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Thus is }>e proude Meller wel y-"bete
And haf y-lost Jje gryndyng1 of pe whete
And payed for J?e soper euery dele/
Of Alayn and of lohn faf bette him weel
his wyf is swyued and his doughter als/
lo swich it is a mellere to be fals
And perfore pis prouerbe is seyd ful soth
him far natt weene wel paf yuel do]) Qeafei] 4320
A gilour schal himself1 begyled be/
And god fat1 sittej) highe in mageste/
Saue att pis companye grete and smale
Thus haue I quytte fe meller in my tale
[iVb gap in the MS.]
CORPUS 124
GROUP A. § 7. COOK'S PROLOGUE. Corpus MS. 125
ri^ltie Cook* of London whil ]je Eeue spak*
ffor ioye he J?oughte he clawed him on J>e bak1
JL. ha ha quod he for cristes passioun
This meller haj) a scharp conclusioun 4328
vpoii his argument of1 herbergage
We[l] seide Salamon in his langage/
!Ne bryng* nat euery man in to Jiin hous
ffor herberwyng* be night1 is perilous 4332
Wei oughte a man auysed for to be
Whom j>afr he broughte in to his priuite
I praie to god so yeue me sorwe and care
If1 euere sithen I highte hogge of* of* ware 4336
herde I mellere bettre y-set a werke
he hadde a lape of1 malice in jje derke/
And jjerfore if1 36 vouche sauf1 to heere/
But1 god forbede j>at* we stynte heere 4340
A tale of1 me j?afr am a pouere man
I wol yow telle as wel as euer I can
A litel Tape J>at* fil in oure Citee
Oure oost* answerde and seide I graunte it J>e 4344
Now telle on Eoger loke J?at* it1 be good
ffor many a paste hast J?ou latyn blood
And many a lakke of1 Douer hast J?ou sold
That* haj) ben twyes hoot* and twyes cold 4348
Of* many pilgrym hastow cristes curs
ffor of* J?y persely $it* J>ey fare )>e wors
]?at* J?ei haue eten wij? Jie stubbul goos
ffor in Jjy schoppe is many a flye loos 4352
Now tel on gentil Roger by J?i name
But* yet I preye J?e be not1 wro]> for game
A man may say ful soth in game and play
Thou seist* ful sojj q?/od Eoger by my fay [leaf ci, back] 4356
CORPUS 125
126 GROUP A. § 7. COOK'S PUOLOGUE. Corpus MS.
But1 so]? play quad play as ]?e flemyng1 seith
And )?erfore herry baillyf1 by fo feith
Be J?ou non^t1 wroth or we departen heere
Though f>at my tale be of1 an Ostelleere 4360
But1 naj^eles I wol not1 tellen it1 31^
But1 or we parte I-wys ]?ou schalt1 be quyt
And j?er wij? al he lough and made cheere/
And saide his tale as ^e schal after heere 4364
[No gap in the MSJ]
CORPUS 126
GROUP A. § 8. COOK'S TALE. Corpus MS. 127
Incipit fabula O iiijn?
A Prentys whilom dwelled in oure Citee
And of1 a craft1 of1 vitaillers was he
Gaillard he was as goldfynch in f»e schawe
Broun as a berye a propur schort1 felawe/ 4368
Wij? lokkes blake y-kempt1 ful fetysly
Daunce he couthe so wel and lolyly
That he was cleped Perkyn Eeuolour
he was as ful of* loue paramour 4372
As is J>e hyue ful of1 hony sweete
Wel was J?e wenche with him mighte meete
At1 euery brydale wolde he synge and hoppe
he louede bet1 fie tauerne pan pe schoppe 4376
ffor whan per any rydyng1 was in chepe
Out1 of1 pe schoppe pider wolde he leepe
Til fat* he hadde al pe sight1 y-seyn
And daunced wel wolde he not1 come ageyn 4380
And gadered him a meyne of1 his sorte
To hoppe and synge and maken such desporte
And pere pei setten steuene for to mete
To pleyen atte dys in such a streete 4384
ffor in pe toun nas j)er no prentys
That1 fairere coupe caste a paire of1 dys :
Than Perkyn coupe and per-to he was fre
Of* his dispense in place of* priuite/ 4388
That1 fond his maister wel in his chaffare/
ffor ofte tyme he fond his box ful bare
ffor sikerly a prentys Reuelour Deaf 02]
That1 hauntej> dys ryot1 or paramour 4392
his maister schal it1 in his schoppe abeye
Al haue he not1 part1 of1 j?e menstralcye
ffor theft1 and riot1 pei ben conuertible
Al conne he play on gyterne or Eubible 4396
COKPUS 127
128 GROUP A. § 8. COOK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Jleuel and tronthe as in a lough degre
Jjey been ful wrofe alday as men may se
This lolif1 prentys with his maister bood
Til he were neigh out of1 his prentyshood 4400
Al were he snybbed bo]?e erly and late
And som tyme lad with Reuel to Newgate
But atte last1 his mayster him bifoughte
vpon a day whan he his paper soughte 4404
Of* a prouerbe fat1 seif fis same word
Wei bette is roten appul out1 ofH hord
fan fat1 it1 rotye al f e remenant
So fare]? it by fe riotous seruant 4408
It is ful lasse harm to late it pace
f anne he schende aft" f e sef'uant} in f e place
Therfore his mayster ^af1 him a quitance
And bad him go with sorwe and with meschance 4412
And f us j>is loly prentys hadde his leue
Now lat1 him riote al J?e night1 or leue
And for J/er nys no Jjeef* wij^outen a lowke
That1 helpej? him to wasten and to sowke/ 441 G
Of jjat1 he brybe can or borwe may
Anon he sente his bedde and his array
vnto a Coupere of his owne sorte
That1 louede dys and Reuel and disporte 4420
And hadde a wyf1 fat1 heeld for contynance/
A schoppe / and swyued for hire sustynance.
[No Ireak in tJte MS.]
CORPUS 128
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 129
APPENDIX TO GROUP A.
[THE SPURIOUS TALE OF GAMELYN.]
Incipit ffabula/
Llthen & lestenep and herkenep aright1
And 30 schulle heeren of* a doughty knight1
Sire loliii of Boundys was his name
he coupe of norture and inochil of game . 4
Thre sones pe knight1 hadde and with his body he hem wan
The eldest1 was a moche schrewe and sone he bigan
his breperen loued wel here fader and of1 him were agast1
The eldest1 deseruep his faderes curs & hadde it atte last1 8
The goode knight1 his fader lyued so yore
That1 dep was comen him to and handlid him ful sore/
The goode knight1 cared sore sik1 per he lay
how hise children schulde lyuen after his day 1 2
he hadde ben wyde wher but1 non housbond he was
Alle pe lond pat1 he hadde it1 was verrey purchas
ffayn he wolde it were dressed among1 hem alle
That1 eche of* hem hadde his partH as it mighte fulle 1C
Tho sente he in to centre after wise kniglites
To helpen delen his londes and dressen hem to rightes
he sent1 hem word by lettres pey scholden hy^e blyue
If1 pey wolde speke wip him whil he was on lyue 20
CORPUS 129
130 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.
Tho f e knightes herden seek1 fat1 he lay
hadde f ei no reste neif er night1 ne day
Til f ei comen to him f er he lay stille
On his def bedde to abyde goddes wille 24
Thanne seyd f e goode knightH syk* f er he lay
lordes I 3011 warne for sof e wif outen nay
I may no lengere lyuen heer in fis stounde
if or f orugh goddes wille deth drawef me to grounde/ 28
Ther nas noon of* hem aft fat1 herde him aright
That1 fay hadden reuf e of1 fat ilke knight1
And seyde sire for goddes lone dismaye 3011 noughts
God may don boote of1 bale fat1 is now y- wrought1 32
Than spak1 f e goode knight1 sike f er he lay
Boote of1 bale god may seride I wot1 it is no nay
But1 1 beseke ^ou knightes for f e loue of1 me
Gof and dresseth my lond among1 my sones fre 36
And for f e loue of1 god delef hem nat1 amys
And foi^etef nought1 Gamelyn my 3onge sone fat1 is
Takef heede to fat1 oon as wel as to fat1 of er
Seelde 36 see ony heir helpen his brof er 40
Tho leeten fey fe knight1 lyen fat1 was not in hele [leaf GS]
And wenten in to counseift his londes for to dele/
ffor to delen hem aft to oon was here fought
And for gamely n was yongest1 he scholde haue nought1 44
Alle f e lond fat1 f er was f ai dalten it it1 tuo
And leeten Gamelyn f e ^onge wif oute lond go
And ech of1 hem seyde to of er ful loude
his bref eren mowe ^iue him lond whan he good coude 48
Whan f ei hadde deled f e lond at1 here wille
Thei camen to f e knight1 fere he lay ful stille
And tolden him anon) how f ei hadden wrought
And fe knight1 fer he lay liked it1 right1 nought1 52
Than seide f e knight1 by seint1 Martyn
ffor al fat1 30 haue don ^it1 is f e lond myn
ffor goddes loue neighebours stondef alle stille
And I wol dele my lond right1 after my wille/ 56
CORPUS 130
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 131
lohn myn eldeste sone sclial haue plowes fyue
That1 was my fadres heritage whil he was on lyue
And my myddelest1 sone fyue plowes of1 londe
That1 1 halp for to geten with my right1 honde 60
And alt myn oper purchas of londes and leedes
That1 I bequepe Gamelyn and- aft my goode steedes
And I beseke 3011 goode men pat1 lawe conne of londe
ffor Gamelynes loue pat1 my bequeste stonde 64
Thus dalte pe knight1 his lond by his day
Right1 on his dep bedde sik1 per he lay
And sone afterward he lay stoon stille
And deyde whan tyme com as it" was cristes wille 68
Anon as he was deed and vnder gras graue
Sone pe oldere broker gylede pe yonge knaue
he took1 in to his hond his lond and his leede
And Gamelyn himselue to cloven and to feede 72
he eloped him and fedde him yuel and eek1 wrope
And leet1 his londes and his houses bope
his parkes and his woodes and dede no ping1 wel
And sethen he it aboughte on his faire fel 76
So longe was Gamelyn in his broperes halle [leaf 63, back]
ffor pe strengeste of1 good pei douteden him alle
Ther was non per-Inne nowper ^ong1 ne olde
That1 wolde wrappe Gamelyn were he neuer so bolde 80
Gamelyn stood on a day in his broperes ^erde/
And bygan with his hond to handlen his berde
he fought1 on his londes pat1 layen vnsawe
And his faire Okes pat1 doun were drawe 84
his parkes were broken and his deere reued
Of1 aft his goode steedes non was him bileued
hise houses were vnhiled and fill yuel dight1
Tho poughte Gamelyn it1 wente nought1 aright1 88
Afterward cam his broper walkynge pare
And seyde to Gamely is oure mete yare
Tho wrapped him Gamelyn and swor by goddes book1
pou schat1 go bake pi self I wol not1 be pi cook1 92
CORPUS 131
132 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CoipUS MS.
how brof er Gamelyn / how answerest1 f ou now
Thou spake neuer such a word as f ou dost now
By my faif sayde Gamelyn now me finkef neede
Of1 alt f e harmes fat1 I haue I took4 neuer are heede 96
My parkes ben y-broken and my deer bireued
Of* myn armure and my steedes nought1 is me bileued
Alle fat1 my fader me biquaf al gof to schame
And fer fore haue fou goddes curs broker by fy name 100
Thanne bispak1 his broker fat rape was of1 rees
Stond stille gadelyng1 and hold right1 f i pees/
Thou schalt1 be fayn for to haue f i mete and f i wede
What1 spekest1 fou Gamelyn of1 lond of er of1 leede 104
Than seyde Gamelyn f e child fat1 was ying1
Cristes curs mote he haue fat1 clepef me gadelyng1
I am no worse gadelyng1 ne no worse wight1
But1 born ofH a lady and geten of1 a knight1 108
Ne durste he not1 to Gamelyn neer a foote go
But clepede to him his men and seyde to hem j. o
Gof and betef f is body and reuef him his wit/
And lat1 him lere anof er tyme to answers me bet1 112
Than seyde fe child yonge Gamelyn) [leaf M a]
Cristes curs mot1 f ou haue brof er art/ f ou myn
And if1 1 schal algate be beten anon
Cristes curs mote f ou haue but1 f ou be fat1 oon 116
And anon his brof er in f e grete hete
Made his men to fette staues Gamelyn to beete
Whan fat1 euerych of hem hadde a staf1 1-nomen
Gamelyn was war fo he seigh hem comen) 120
Tho Gamelyn seigh hem comen he loked ouer alt
And was war of1 a pestel stood vnder a watt
Gamelyn was light1 and fider gan he lepe
And drof1 alle his brof eres men right1 soone on an heepe
he loked as a leon a layde on good won 1 25
Tho his brof er seigh fat1 he bigan to gon
he neigh vp in til a loft1 and schette f e dore fast1
Thus Gamelyn wif his pestelle made hem agast1 128
CORPUS 132
I APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 133
Somme for gamelynes loue and some for his eye
Alt f ei drowen by halues f o he bigan to pleye
What* now seyde Gamelyn yuel mot1 fou fee
Wil ye bigynne contek1 and so soone flee 132
Garnelyn sought1 his brof or* whider he was flowe
And saugh wher he loked out1 at1 a wyndowe
Brof er saide Gamelyn come a litel neer
And I wil teche fe a play atte Bokeleer 136
his broker him answerde and sayde be seint1 Richere
Whil f e pestel is in fin hond I wol come no neer
Brof er I wel make f y pees I swere by cristes oore/
Cast1 a-way fevpestel and wraffe ]?e nomore 140
I moot1 neede sayde Gamelyn wraffe me at oones
ffor fou wolde make |)i men to breke my boones
NQ hadde I had mayn and might1 in myn armes
To haue hem driuen fro me f ei wolde haue do me harmes
Gamelyn sayd his brof er be fou nought1 wrof 145
ffor to see f e haue harm were me right1 lof
I dide it nought1 brof er but1 for a fondyng1
ffor for to loken or fou were strong1 and art1 so ^ing1 148
Com a doun fan to me and graunte me my boone [leaf 64 «, back]
Of1 f ing1 1 wol f e asken and we schul saughte soone
Doun fan cam his brof er fat1 fikel was and felle
And was swithe sore agast1 of1 fe pestelle 152
he seyde brof er Gamelyn aske me f y boone
And loke foil me blame but I it1 graunte soone
Thanne seyde Gamelyn brof er y-wys
And we schulle ben at1 on fou most me graunte fis 156
Al fat1 my fader me biquath whil he was on lyue
Thou most1 do me it haue if1 we schulle nou^t1 stryue
That1 schalt1 fou haue Gamelyn I swere by cristes oore
Al fat1 fi fader f e byquath f ough fou woldest1 haue more
Thi lond fat1 lieth laye wel it schal be sowe 161
And fine houses reised vp fat1 ben y-leyd so lowe
Thus sayde f e knight1 to Gamelyn) by mouf e
And foughte of1 falsnesse as he wel coufe 164
CORPUS 133
134 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.
The knight1 fought1 on treson and Gamelyn on noon
And went1 and kissed his broker and when fey weren at1 oon)
Alias yonge Gamelyn noting1 he ne wist1
Wif such fals tresoun his broker him kist/ 168
lifeneth and lestenef and holdef youre tonge
And $e schul heere talkyng1 of1 gamelyn f e ^onge
Ther was f er besyden cried a wrastelyng1
And fer fore fer was vp y-set1 a Earn and a ryng1 172
And Gamelyn was in wille to wende f erto
fFor to preuen his might1 what1 he couf e doo
Brof er seyde Gamelyn by seint1 Eicher
Thou most1 lene me to night1 a litel courser ' 176
That1 is freissch to f e spores on for to ryde
I moste on an Erande a litel here besyde/
By god seyde his broker of1 steedes in my stalle
Go and chese fe fe beste spare non of alle 180
Of1 steedes or of1 coursers fat1 stonden him bysyde
And telle me goode broker whider f ou wolt1 ryde
here besyde brof er is cryed a wrastlyng1
And ferfore schal be sette a Earn and a Eyng1 184
Moche worschipe it were broker to vs alle [i af646]
Might1 1 fie Earn and J?e ryng1 bryngen horn to fis halle
A steede fer was sadeled smartly and skeet1
Gamelyn dide a paire spores fast1 on his feet 188
he sette his foot1 in ])e styrop J>e steede he bistrood
And toward }>e wrastelyng1 J>e Douche child rood
Tho Gamelyn J>e ^onge was ryden out1 atte gate
The false knight1 his broker loked it after fate 192
And bisoughte ihesu crist1 J?at is heuen king1
he mighte breke his necke in fat1 wrastlyng1
As sone as gamelyn com ther fie place was
he lighte doun of1 his steede and stood on J?e gras 196
And fere he herde a ffrankelyn way lo way syng1
And bigan bitterly his hondes for to wryng1
Goode man seide Gamelyn whi makesf fou f is fare
Is fer noman fat1 may }ou helpen out1 of1 f is care 200
CORPUS 134
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 135
Alias seide f is ffrankleyn f af euer was I bore
ffor tweye stalworf e sones I wene fat I haue lore
A champion is in f e place fat* haf y -wrought* me sorwe
ffor he haf slayn my tuo sones but* if1 god hem borwe 204
I wolde ^iue ten pound by ihesu crist and more
Wif f e nones I fand a man to handqjen him sore
Goode man seide Gamelyn) wilt1 foil wel done
hold myn hors wliil my -man drawef of* my schone 208
And help my man to kepe my clones and my steede
And I wil in to f e place gon to loke if* I may speede
By god seide f e ffrankeleyn if schal be doon
I wol my self* be fy man to drawen of* J>i schoon 212
And wende fou in to f e place ihe^u crist f e speede
And drede not* of* f i clones nor of* f i goode steede
Barfot* and vngert* Gamelyn in came
Alle fat* were in fe place heede of* him fei name 216
how he dorste auntre him of* him to don his miglif
That* was so doughty a champiozm in wrastelyng* and in fight*
vp sterte f e Champioz/n rapely anon
Toward 3ouge Gamelyn he bigan to goon) 220
And seide who is ]n fader and who is pi sire/ [leaf ei b, back]
ffor sofe J?ou art1 a gret* fool J?at* foil come hire/
Gamelyn answerde f e Champiown fo/
Thou knewe wel my fader whil he coufe goo 224
Whiles he was on lyue by seint* Martyn
Sire lohn of* Boundes was his name and I Gamelyn)
ffelawe seide f e Champicwn so mote I friue
I knew wel fi fader whil he was on lyue 228
And fi self* Gamelyn I wol fat* f ou it* heere
"Whil fou were a 3ong* boy a moche schrewe f ou were/
Than seide Gamelyn and swor by cristes oore
Now I am oldere woxe fou schal t* fynde me a more 232
By god sayde jjc champion welcome mote fou be/
Come }>ou ones in myn hond schalt* fou neuer f e
It* was wel wif inne f e night* and f e moone schon
Whan Gamelyn and fe Champion togidere gonne gon 236
CORPUS 135
136 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CoipUS MS.
The champiown caste tomes to Gamelyn fat1 was preste
And Gamelyn stood stille and bad him don his beste
Thanne seyde Gamelyn to fe champiown
Thou art1 faste aboute to bringe me doun 240
Now I haue proued many tornes of1 fine
Thou most1 he seyde prouen on or tuo of1 myne
Gamelyn to f e champion yede smertly anocn
Of1 alle f e turnes fat1 he couf e he schewed him but oon
And kast1 "him on fie left1 syde fat1 f e ribbes to-brak1 245
And f arto his oon arm fat1 yaf1 a gret1 crak1
fan seyde Gamelyn smertly anoon
Schal it be holde for a cast1 or elles for noon 248
By god seyde f e champiozm whef er fat1 it be
he comef oones in fin hond schal he iieuer f e
Than seyde f e ffrankelein fat1 hadde his sone fere/
Blessed be fou Gamelyn fat1 euer foubore were 252
The ffrankeleyn seide to fe champion of1 himstod himnoneye
This is ^onge Gamelyn fat1 taughte f e f is pleye
A^ein answerde f e Champiozm fat1 liked nof ing welle
he is oure alf er maister and his pley is right1 felle/ 256
Sifen I wrastlede ferst1 it1 is y-go ful yore [leaf 65]
But I was neuere my lyf1 handled so sore
Gamelyn stood in f e place alone wif oute sirk1
And sayde if1 fer be moo laf hem come to werke 260
The champion fat1 payned him to werke so sore
It1 semeth by his continance fat1 he wol no more
Gamelyn in f e place stood stille as a stoon
[ no gap in the MS.~\ 264
Ther was non with Gamelyn wolde wrastle more
ffor he handled f e Champion so wonderliche sore/
Tuo gentil men yemede f e place
Come to Gamelyn) god ^iue him goode grace 268
And say den to him do on fin hosen and f i schoon
ffor sof e at1 fis tyme f is faire is y-done
And f anne sayde Gamelyn so moot1 1 wel fare
I haue nought1 ^it1 haluendel sold my ware/ 272
CORPUS 136
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 137
Tho sayde fie Champion so brouke I my sweere
He is a fool fat1 f er-of1 bye]? f ou sellest it so deere
Tho saide f e ffrankeleyn that was in moche care/
ffelawe he sayde whi lakkest1 f ou his ware/ 276
By seinf lame in Galeys fat1 many man ha]) sought1
yit1 it1 is to good chepe fat1 f ou hast1 y-bought1
Tho fat1 wardeynes were of1 fat1 wrastlyng1
Come and broughte Gamelyn fe Earn & f e ryng1 280
And sayde haue gamelyn f e Ring1 and f e Earn
ffor f e beste wrastelere fat1 euer heere cam
IF Thus wan Gamely f e Earn and f e Eyng1
And wente with moche loye horn in f e mornyng* 284
his brof er seigh wher he cam wif f e grete route
And bad schitte f e gate and holde him wif oute
f e porter of1 his lord was sore agast1
And stert1 anon to f e gate and lokked it fast1 288
Now lif ef and lestenef bof e ^ong1 and olde/
And 36 schul heere game of1 Gamelyn f e bolde/
Gamelyn com f er for to haue come In
Than was it1 schett1 faste wif a pyn 292
Thanne seyde Gamelyn porter vndo f e gate/
ffor many a good mannes sone stondef f erate [leaf 65, back]
Than answerd f e porter and swo^ by goddes berde
Thou ne schalt1 Gamelyn come in to fis ^erde 296
Thou lixt1 sayde Gamelyn so brouke I my chyn
he smot1 f e wiket1 with his foot1 and brak1 away f e pyn
The porter seih f o it mighte no bettre be
he sette foot1 on erf e he bigaii to flee 300
By my faif sayde Gamelyn) fat1 trauaile is lore
ffor I am of1 foote as light1 as f ou f ough f ou haddest swore
Gamelyn ouertok1 f e porter and his teene wrak1
And gert1 him in f e necke fat1 fe boon tobrak1 304
And took1 him by fat1 oon arm and f rew him in a welle/
vij. fadmen it1 was deep as I haue herd tello/
Whan Gamelyn f e yonge f us hadde playd his play
Alle fat1 in yerde weren drewen hem a-way 308
10 CORPUS 137
138 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CoipUS MS.
Jjei dredden him ful sore for wreke fat1 he wrought1
And for f e faire companye fat1 he f icier brought
Gamelyn 3ede to f e gate and leet1 [it] vp wyde
he leet1 hem in alle fat1 gone wolde or ryde 312
And seyde 36 be welcome wif outen eny greeue
fFor we wiln ben maisteres heere and aske no man leeue
yesterday I lefte seyde ^onge Gamelyn
In my broker seler .v. tonne of1 wyn 316
I wol not1 f is companye parten a twynne
And ye wol doon after me whil ony sope is f rinne
And if1 my brof er grucche or make foul cheere
Of er for spense of1 mete and drink1 fat1 we spenden heere/
I am oure catour and bere oure alf er puree
he schal haue for his grucching1 seint1 maries curse
My brof er is a negon I swere by cristes oore
And we wol spende largely fat1 he haf spared yore 324
And who fat makef grucching1 fat1 we heere dwelle/
he schal to f e porter in to f e drawe welle/
vij. dayes and seue night1 Gamelyn heeld his feeste/
With mochel solace was fere and no cheste/ 328
In a litel toret1 his brof er lay steke
And seigh hem wasten his good but1 durst1 he not1 speke [leaf 66]
Erly on a mornyng1 on f e viije. day
The gestes come to Gamelyn and wolde gon here way 332
lordes sayde Gamelyn wil ye so hye
Aft f e wyn is not1 yet1 drunken so brouk1 1 myn ye
Gamelyn in his herte was wel woo
Whawne his gestes toke hire leue from him for to goo 336
he wolde f ei hadde dwelled lenger and f ai saide nay
But1 bitaughten Gamelyn god and good day
Thus maade Gamelyn his feeste and brought1 it1 wel to eende
And after his gestes tok1 leue to wende 340
lithef and lestenef and holdef ^oure tonge
And 36 schul heere gamen of1 Gamelyn f e ^onge
herkeneth lordynges and listeneth aright1
"YVhan aft gestes were goon how Gamelyn was dight1 344
CORPUS 138
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 139
Aft f e whil fat Gamely n held his mangerie
his "broker Bought1 on him be wreke with his treccherie
Tho Garnelynes gestes were riden and y-gon
Gamelyn stood anoon allone frend had he noon 348
Tho after fill soone wif inne a litel stounde
Gamelyn was taken and ful harde bounde
fforf com f e false knight1 out1 of1 f e sellere
To Gamelyn his brofer he ^ede ful neere 352
And seyde to Gamelyn who made f e so bold
ffor to stroyen my stoore of1 myn houshold
Brofer sayde Gamelyn) wraf f e f e right1 nou^t1
ffor it is many day go si]) fen it1 was bought1 356
ffor broker f ou hast1 had by seint1 Richer
Of1 fiftene plowes of1 lond f is xvj. ^er
And of1 alle f e beestes f ou hast1 forf bred
That1 my fader me byquath on his deth bed 360
Of1 alle fis .xvj. ^eer I yiue fe fe prow/
ffor f e mete and f e drink1 fat* we haue spended now
Thanne seyde f e false knight1 yuel mote he fee
herkne brof er Gamelyn) what1 1 wol yiue fee/ 364
ffor of1 my body brof er geten heer haue I noon
I wil make f e myn heir I swere by sein lolin [leaf 66, back]
Par ma fay seyde Gamelyn and it so bee
And f ou f enke as seist1 god ^elde it f e 368
No f ing1 wiste Gamelyn of1 his brof e>-es gile
Ther-fore he him begiled in a litel while/
Gamelyn seyde he o f biff I f e telle
Tho f ou f rewe my porter in to f e drawe welle 372
I swoor in fat1 wraf fe and in fat grete moot
fat1 fou scholdest1 be bounde bof e hand and foot
Therfore I f e bescche brof er Gamelyn
Lat1 me nought1 be forsworne brofer artow myn 376
Lat1 me bynde f e bof e hand and foote
ffor to halde myn avow as I f e bihoote
Brof er seyde Gamelyn as so mote I fee
Thou schalt1 nought1 be forsworne for f e loue of1 me 380
CORPUS 139
HO APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.
Tho maden pei gamelyn to sitte might1 he not1 stonde
Til pei hadden him bounde/ bope foot1 and honde
The false knight1 his broper of1 Gamelyn was agasf
And sente after feteres to feteren him atte last 384
his broker made lesynges on him per he stood
And tolde hem pat comen In that1 Gamelyn was wood
Gamelyn stood to a post bounden in pe halle/
Tho that1 comen in lokeden on him alle 388
Euer stood Gamelyn) euen vpright1
But mete and drink1 hadde he noon noper day ne night1
Thanne sayde Gamelyn broper by my^ hals
Now I haue aspied pou art1 a party fals 392
hadde I wist1 pat1 treson pat1 pou haddest y-founde
I wolde haue youe strokes or I hadde be bounde
Gamelyn stood bounden stille as eny stoon)
Tuo daies and tuo nightes mete hadde he noon 396
Thanne sayde Gamelyn pat stood y-bounde stronge
Adam spenser me pink1 1 faste to longe
Adam pe spenser now I beseche pe
ffor pe moche lone my fader loued pe 400
If1 pou may come to pe kayes leese me out1 of* bonde
And I schal parte wip pe of my free loiide peaf 67]
Thanne sayde adam pat1 was pe spenser
I haue serued pi broper pis .xvj. ^er 404
If1 1 lete pe gon out1 of1 his boure
he wolde say afterward I were a traitour
Adam seyde Gamelyn so brouke I myn hals
pou schalt1 fynde my broper atte laste right fals/ 408
Ther-fore broper adam loose me out of1 bondes
And I wil parte with pe of1 my free londes
vp swich a forward seide adam y-wys/
I wol do perto al pat1 in me is 412
Adam seyde Gamelyn also mote I pee
I wil holde pe couenant and pou wil lose me
Anon as adames lord to bedde was y-goon
Adam tok1 pe kayes and leet1 Gamelyn out a-non 416
CORPUS 140
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 141
He vnlokked Gamelyn bope liandes and feet
In hope of auancemewt fat1 he him biheet •
Thanne seide Gamelyn Ranked be goddes sonde
Now I am loosed bope foot1 and honde 420
hadde I now eten and drunken aright
Ther is non in pis hous schulde bynde me pis night
Adam toot Gamelyn stille as stille as eny stoon
And ladde him in to spense rapely and anoon) 424
And sette him to soper right1 in a priue stede
he bad him do gladly and Gamelyn so dede
Anon as Gamelyn hadde eten wel and fyn
And perto y-dronke wel of1 pe reede wyn 428
Adam seyde Gamelyn what1 is now py rede
ffor I go to my broker and gyrde of1 his hede
Gamelyn seyde adam it schal nou^t1 be so
I can teche pe a reede pat1 is worth pe tuo 432
I wot1 wel for sope pat1 pis is no nay
We schnlle haue a mangery right1 on sonday
Abbotes and Pn'ours many heer schal be
And oper men of1 holy chirche as I telle pe 436
pou schalt1 stonde vp by pe poste as pou were hond fast1
And I schal leue pam vnloke pat1 away pou may hem caste
Whan pat1 pei haue eten and wasshen here hondes
Thou schalt1 biseke hem alle to bringe pe outt of1 bondes 440
And if1 pei wil borwe pe pat1 were good game
Thanne were pou out1 of1 pmon and I out1 of1 blame
And if1 ech of1 hem sey to vs nay
I schal don anoper I swere by pis day 444
Thou schalt1 haue a good staff/ and I wol haue anoper
And cristes curs haue pat1 oon) pat1 faillep pat1 oper
Ya for gode seyde Gamelyn I say it1 for me
If1 1 faile on my syde yuele mote I pe 448
If1 we schulle algate assoile hem of1 here synne
Warne me broper adam whan we schul begynne
Gamelyn seyde adam by seinte charite/
I wil warne pe biforn whan pat1 it1 schal be 452
CORPUS 141
142 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.
Whan I twynk1 on pe loke for to gone
And cast1 awey pe fetteres and come to me anoon
Adam seyde Gamelyn blessed be py boones
That1 is a good counsail yeuyng1 for pe nones 456
If1 pey werne me to bringe me out* of1 beendes
I wol sette goode strokes right1 on here lendes
Tho pe sonday was y-come and folk1 to pe feeste
ffaire pei were welcomed bope leste and meeste 460
And euere as Jey atte haft dore conien In
Thay caste fair yhe on 3onge Gamelyn)
The false knight1 his broker and fill of1 trecchery
Alle pe gestes pat1 per were atte mangery 464
Of1 Gamelyn his broper he tolde hem with moupe/
Alt pe harme and pe schame pat1 he telle coupe
Tho pel were serued of1 messes tno or pre
Thanne seyde Gamelyn how seme 36 me/ 468
It1 is not1 wel se?*ued by god pat1 al made
That1 1 sitte fastyng1 and oper men make hem glade
The fals knight1 his broper pere pat1 he stood
Tolde aft his gestes pat Gamelyn was wood 472
And Gamelyn stood stille and answerde nought
But1 adames wordes he heeld in his pought1 [leaf os]
Tho Gamelyn gan speke dolfully wip alle
To pe grete lordes pat1 saten in pe halle 476
lordes he seyde for cristes passion
help to brynge Gamelyn out of1 pmon
Thanne seyde an abbot1 sorwe on his cheeke
he schal haue cristes curs and seinte maries eeke 480
That1 pe out1 of1 pn'soun beggeth or borweth
But1 euere worpe hem wel pat1 dop pe moche sorwe
After pat1 abbot1 pan spak1 anoper
I wolde pin hed were oife pey pou were my broper 484
Alle pat1 pe borwe foule moot1 pam falle
Thus pei seide alle pat1 weren in pe halle
Than seyde a pn'our yuel mote he priue
It1 is moche sorwe & and skape boy pat1 pou art on lyne 488
CORPUS 142
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 143
Ovv seyde Gamelyn so brouke I my bon
Now I haue aspied fat1 freendes haue I noon
Cursed mot1 he worthe bof e fleisshe and blood
That euere do priour or abbot* eny good 492
Adam f e spenser took1 vp f e clof e
And loked on Gamelyn and seih fat1 he was wrooth
Ad«m on f e Pantrie litul he fought1
But1 tuo goode staues to halle dore he brought1 496
Adam looked on Gamelyn and he was war anon
And cast1 awey f e feteres and he bygan to goon
Tho he cam to adam he took1 fat1 oo staf1
And bigan to worche and goode strokes yaf1 500
Gamleyn cam in to f e halle and f e spencer bothe
And loked hem aboute as f ei hadcle be wrof e
Gamelyn sprengef holy water with an ook spire
That1 somrae fat1 stoode vpright1 felle in the fire 504
Ther was no lewed man fat1 in f e halle stood
That1 wolde do Gamelyn any f ing1 but1 good
But1 stooden besyden and lete hem bof e werche
ffor f ei hadde no reuf e of1 men of1 men of1 holy cherche 508
Abbot1 or priour monk1 or chanon
That1 Gamelyn ouertok1 anon f ei ^eden doun) [leaf es, back]
Ther was non of1 hem alle fat1 wif his staf1 mette
That1 he made hem ouerfrowe and quitte hem his dette 512
Gamelyn sayde adam for sainte charite/
Pay good lyueray for f e loue of me
And I wol kepe f e dore so euer heere I masse/
Er fei ben assoiled fer schal non passe ^ 51 G
Dout1 f e nou^t1 seide Gamelyn) whil we ben in feere/
Kepe foil wel f e dore and I wol werche heere
Stere good adam and late fer none flee
And we schulle telle largely how many fer be 520
Gamelyn seyde adam do hem but1 good
Thay ben men of1 holy chefrche] draw of1 hem no blood
Saue wel f e croune and do hern non harmes
But1 breke bofe here legges and sif fen here armes 524
CORPUS 143
144 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.
Thus Gamelyn and adam wroughte right1 faste/
And pleyden with f e monkes and made hem agaste/
Thider fey come rydyng1 lolyly wif swaynes
And horn a^ein f ei were ledde in Cartes and in waynes 528
Tho f ei hadden alle y-don fan seyde a gray frere
Alias sire abbot1 what1 dide we now heere
Tho fat1 we comen hider it was a cold rede
vs hadde ben better at1 home wif water and wif breed 532
Whil Gamelyn made ordres of1 monkes and freere/
Euer stood his broker and made foul cheere
Gamelyn vp wif his staf1 fat1 he wel knew
And gerte him in fe nekke fat1 he ouerfrew 536
A litel aboue f e girdel f e riggebon tobarst1
And sette him in f e feteres f er he sat1 arst1
Sitte fere brof er seyde Gamelyn
ffor to coole fi blood as I dide myn 540
As swif e as f ei hadde wroken hem on here foon)
They askede water and wisshen anoon)
What1 sowme for here loue and somme, for awe
Alle fe seruantz serued hem of1 f e beste lawe 544
The scherreue was f enne but fyue rnyle/
And al was told him in a litel while/ [leaf 69]
how Gamelyn and adarn hadde don a sory res
Bounden and wounded men a^ein f e kinges pees 548
Tho bigan sone strif1 for to wake
And f e scherref1 aboute Gamelyn for to take
JSTow lithef and lestenef so god 31116 3ou good fyn
And 36 schul heere good game of1 3onge Gamelyn) 552
fFour and twenty 3onge rnerc fat1 helden ful bolde
Come to f e scherref1 and seyde fat1 f ai wolde
Gamelyn and adam fette be way
The scherref1 yaf1 hem leue sof as I 3ou say 556
f ei hieden faste wolde fay nought1 belynne
Til f ei comen to f e gate f er ganielyn was Inne
They knokken on f e gate f e porter was ney
And loked out1 at1 an hole as man fat was sleigh 560
CORPUS 144
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 145
The porter hadde "beliolde j?am a litel while
he louede Gaxnelyn and was adrad of1 gile/
And leet1 ]>Q wiket1 stonde ful stille
And asked hem wijwute what1 was here wille 564
ffor all J)e grete company Jjanne spat but oon
Yndo jje gate porter and lat1 vs In goon)
Than seyde ]?e porter so brouke I my chynne
3e schul sey 3our erand er 36 comen Inne 568
Sey to Gamelyn and ad«m if j?eir wille be
We wol speke to hem two wordes or J>re
ifelaw sayde ]?e porter stond ]?ere stille
And I wol weiide to Gamelyn to witen his wille 572
In wente J)e porter to Gamelyn anon)
And saide sire I warne 3011 here ben come ^oure foon)
The scherreues men ben atte gate
ffor to take 3011 boj>e schulle 30 not1 scape 576
Porter seyde Gamelyn so mote I wel ]?e
I wol allowe ]?e J?i wordes whan I my tyme see
Go a^ein to J?e gate and dwelle wij) hem a while/
And jjou schalf see right1 soone porter a gyle 580
Adam seyde Gamelyn loke £e to goone
We haue foomeii atte gate and freendes neuer oone [leaf 69, back]
It1 ben J>e scherreues men Jmt1 liider ben y-come/
Thei ben swore to-gidere Jjat* we schul be nome 584
Gamelyn saide adam hye J>e right1 blyue
And if1 1 faile £e J)is day yuel mote I friue
And we schulle so welcome J?e Scherreues men
That1 somme of1 hem schulle make here beddes in fe fen 588
Atte posterne gate Gamelyn out1 wente
And a good cart1 staf1 in his hond he hente
Adam hente soone anofer gret1 staf1
ffor to helpe Gamelyn and goode strokes he $&$ 592
Adam felde tweyne and Gamelyn felde J>re
That1 o]>er sctte feet1 on erjje and bigan to flee
What1 seide adam so euere heere I masse/
I haue right1 good wyn / drynke or 30 passe 596
CORPUS 145
146 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CoipUS MS.
Nay by god sayde pai pi drinkH is not1 good
It1 wolde make a marines brayn to lyen in his hood
Gamelyn stood stille and loked him aboute
And saide pe scherref1 come]) with a gret1 route 600
Adam seide Gamelyn what1 be now py redes
here comep pe scherreue and wil haue oure heedes
Adam sayde to Gamelyn my reed is now pis
Abyde we no longere if1 we fare amys 604
I rede fat1 we to woode goon) ar pat1 we be founde
Bettre is if per louse pan in toune y-bounde
Adam tok1 by pe hond ^onge Gamelyn
And euery of1 hem drank" a draught1 of1 wyn 608
And after token here cours and wenten here way
Tho fond pe scherreue nest1 and noon ay
The scherref1 lighte doun and went1 in to pe halle
And fond pe lord fetered faste wip alle 612
pe scherreue vnfetered him right1 soone anon
And sente after a leche to hele his regge bon
lete we now pis false knight1 lye in his care
And talke we of1 Gamelyn and loke how he fare 616
Gamelyn in to pe woode stalkede stille
And adam pe spenser likede right1 ylle [leaf 70]
Adam swore to Gamelyn by seint1 richeer
Now I see it is mery to ben a spewser 620
That1 leuere me were keyes to here
Than walken in pis wilde woode my elopes to tere
Adam sayde Gamelyn dismaye pe right1 nought1
Many good mannes childe in care is brought1 624
As pel tooke talking1 bope in feere
Adam herde talking1 of men and neigh him pought1 pei were
Tho Gamelyn vnder woode loked aright1
vij. score of1 }onge men he say wel adight1 628
Alle satte atte mete compas aboute
Adam sayde Gamelyn now haue ^e no doute
After bale comes boote porugh goddes might1
Me pinkep of1 mete and drynk1 pat1 1 haue a sight1 632
COKPUS 146
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 147
Adam lokede f o vnder woode bowgli
And f o lie say mete he was glad ynougli
ifor he hopede to god for to haue his deele
And he was sore alonged after a good meele 636
As he saide fat1 word f e mayster outlawe
Saugh Gamelyn and adam vnder woode schawe/
^onge men seyde f e maister by f e god roode
I am war of1 gestes god sende vs goode 640
^ond been tuo yonge men right1 wel adight1
And perauenture f er ben mo who so loked aright1
Arise)) vp yonge men and sette hem to me
It1 is good fat1 we witen what1 men it1 be 644
vp f ei sterten .vij. fro fe dyner
And metten with Gamelyn and ad«m spenser
Whan f ei were neih hem fan seyde fat1 oon
yeldef vp yonge men ^our bowes & your floon) 648
Thanne seide Gamelyn fat1 yong1 was of1 elde
Moche sorwe mote he haue fat1 to yow hem ^eelde
I corse non of er but1 right1 my selue
fey 36 fette to yow fyue f anne ye be twelue 652
f o f ei herde by his word fat1 might1 was in his arm
There was non of1 hem fat1 wolde don him harm [leaf 70, back]
But1 seide to gamelyn myldely and stille/
Com afore oure maister and say to him fi wille 656
yonge men seyde Gamelyn by your leute/
"What1 man is }our maister fat1 ye with be
Aile f ei answerde wif oute lesyng1
Oure mayster is crouned of1 outlawes king1 660
Adam sayde Gamelyn go we in cristes name/
he may neyf er mete ne drynk1 werne vs for schame/
If fat1 he be kynde and come of1 gentil [blood]
he wol yeue vs mete & drynk1 and don vs som good 664
By saint1 lame saide adam what1 harm fat1 1 gete/
I wol auenture me to f e dore fat1 1 hadde mete/
Gamelyn and adam wente forf in feere
And f ei grette fe maister fat1 fey founde fere 668
CORPUS 147
148 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.
Than seyde pe mayster king* of1 outlawes
What1 seeke 30 yonge men vnder pe woode schawes/
Gamelyn answerde pe king1 wip his croune
he moste needes walke in woode pat1 may not1 walke in towne
Sire we walke not1 heere non harm to do 673
But1 if we meete a deer to schete per to
As men pat1 ben hungry and mowe no mete fynde
And ben harde bestad vnder woode lynde 676
Of1 Gamelynes wordes pe mayster hadde rewpe
And seyde ye schal haue ynough haue god my treupe
he bad hem sitte doun for to take reste
And bad hem ete and drynke and pat1 of1 pe beste 680
As pei eeten and dronke wel and fyn
Than saide pat1 oon to pat1 oper pis is Gamelyn)
Tho was pe maister ouf-lawe in to counseil nome
And tolde how it / was Gamelyn pat1 pider was y-come 684
Anon as he herde how it was byfalle
he made him maister vnder him ouer hem alle
Wipinne pe pridde weke him come tydynges
To pe mayster outlawe pat1 was here kynges 688
pat1 he schulde come home his pees was maad
And of1 pat1 goode tydyng1 he was ful glaad [leaf 71]
Tho sayde he to his ^onge men sop for to telle
Me ben comen tydynges I may no lenger dwelle 692
Tho was Gamelyn anon wipoute taryyng1
Maad mayster outlawe and crouned here king1
Tho was Gamelyn crouned king1 of1 oufr-lawes
And walked a while vnder woode schawes 696
The false knight1 his broper was scherreue and sire
And leet1 his broper endite for hate and for Ire
Tho were his bonde men sory and noping1 gladde
Whan Gamelyn here lord wolfes heed was cried and maad
And sente out1 of1 his men wher pey might1 him fynde 701
ffor to seeke Gamelyn vnder pe woode lynde
To tellen him tydynges the wynd was went1
And aft his good reued and his men schent 704
CORPUS 148
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 149
Whan f ei had him founden on knees fey hem setten)
And a-doun with here hood and here lord gretten)
Sire wraf f e you nought1 for f e goode roode
ffor we haue brought1 ^ou tydynges but1 f ei ben not1 goode
Now is f y broker scherreue and ha]} f e baillie 709
And haf endited f e and wolfes heed do]? f e crye
Alias sayde Gamelyn fat1 euer I was so slak1
That1 1 ne hadde broke his necke fo I his rigge brak1 712
Go]? greete]? wel mjn housbondes and wijf
I wil ben atte nexte schire haue god my lijf1
Gamelyn cam wel redy to ]?e nexte schire
And fere was his broker bo]?e lord and sire 716
Gamelyn com boldely in to f e moot1 halle
And putte adoun his hood among1 J?e lordes alle
God saue yow lordynges fat1 now heere be
But1 broke bak1 Scherreue yuel mote f ou fee 720
"Why hast1 ]?ou do me fat1 schame and vilenye
ffor to late endite me and wolues heed do me crye
Tho f oughte f e false knight1 for to ben awreke
And leet1 take Gamelyn most1 he nomore speke 724
Might1 J?er be no more grace but1 Gamelyn atte laste/
Was cast1 in to pn'son and fetered faste/ [leaf 71, back]
^T Gamelyn ha]? a brof er fat1 highte sire Oote
As good a knight1 and heende as mighte gon on foote 728
Anon jeede a messager to fat1 goode knight1
And told hi??i altogider how Gamelyn was digftt
Anon as sire Oote herde how Gamelyn was dighf
he was right sory was he nofing1 light1 732
And leet1 sadle a steede and f e way he nam
And to his tweyne brejjeren right1 soone he cam
Sire sayde sire Ote to f e Scherreue f o
We ben but1 fre breferen schulle we neuer be mo 736
And f ou hast1 pmoned f e beste of1 vs alle
Swich anof er brof er1 yuel him mote bifalle
Sire Ote seyde f e fals knight1 lat1 be f i curs
By god for fi wordes he schal fare fe wurs 740
CORPUS 149
150 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.
To f e kinges prisone he is y-nome
And f er he schal abyde to f e Justice come
Parde saide sire Ote bettre it schal be
I bidde him to maympr/s fat1 f ou graunte to me 744
Til f e nexte sittyng1 of deliuerance
And late f anne Gamelyn stande to his cnaunce
Broker in swich a forward I take him to f e
And by fi fader soule fat1 f e bigat1 and me 748
But1 he be redy whan f e Justice sitte
Thou schalf bere his luggemenfr for aft f i grete witte
I graunte wel seide sire Ote fat it1 so be
let1 deliuere him anon and tak1 him to me 752
Tho was Gamelyn deliuered to sire Ote his broker
And fat1 night1 dwelleden fat1 oon wif fat1 of or
On f e morwe seyde Gamelyn to sire Ote f e heende
Brofer he seyde I moot1 for sof e fro f e weende 756
To loke how my yonge men leden here lyf1
Whef er fey lyuen in loye or elles in strif1
By god seyde sire Ote fat1 is a cold rede
Now I se fat1 aft f e cark1 schal falle on myn hede 7GO
ffor whan f e Justice sitte and f ou be nought1 y-founde
I schal anon be take and in fy stede y-bounde [leaf 72]
Brofer sayde Gamelyn dismaie f e nought1
ffor by saint1 lame in Gales that1 many man haf sought1 7G4
If1 fat1 god almighty holde me my lyf1 and witte
I wil be fere redy whan f e Justice sitte
Thanne seide sire Ote to Gamelyn god schilde f e fro schame
Com whan f ou seest1 tyme and bryng1 vs out of1 blame 7G8
5F litheth and lesteneth and holdef 3011 stille
And 30 schulle heere how Gamelyn) hadde his wille
Gamelyn wente vnder fe woode Eys
And fond fere pleying1 yonge men of1 pris 772
Tho was yonge Gamelyn right1 glad ynougli
Whan he fond his mrn vnder fe woode bougii
Gamelyn and his men talked in feere
Arid fey hadde good game here maister to heere/ 776
CORPUS 150
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CoipUS MS, 151
his men tolden him of1 auentures pat1 pei hadde y-founde
And Gamelyn him tolde a^ein how he was faste bounde
Whil Gamelyn was outlawe hadde he no curs
Ther was no man pat1 for him ferde pe wors 780
But1 abbotes and pn'ours monk1 and Chanon
On of4 hem lefte he nought1 whan he might1 hem nom
Whil Gamelyn and his men made merges Eyue
The false knight1 his broker yuel mote he priue 784
ffor he was faste aboute bope o day and oper
ffor to hire pe queste to hangen his broker
Gamelyn stood on a day and he biheeld
The woodes and pe schawes in pe wilde feeld 788
he pought1 on his broker how he him beheet
J^afr he wolde be redy whan pe Justice seet
he poughte wel pat1 he wolde wipoute delay
Come afore pe lustice to keepen his day 792
And seide to his yonge men dighte yow ^are
ifor whan pe lustice sitte we mote be pare
ffor I am vnder borwe til pat1 1 come/
And my broper for me to prison schal be nome 796
By seinf lame seide his ^onge men and pou rede pertoo
Ordeigne how it schal be and it schal be do [leaf 72, back]
Whil Gamelyn was comyng1 per pe lustice satte
The false knight1 his broper for-yatte he not1 patte 800
To hire pe men on his quest1 to hangen his broper
Though pey hadde nought1 pat oon he wolde haue pat oper
Tho cam Gamelyn fro vnder woode Rys
And broughte with him ^onge men of1 prys 804
I se wel seyde Gamelyn the lustice is sette
Go aforn adam and loke how it spette
Adam wente in to pe halle and loked aft aboute
he seih pere stonde lordes bope grete and stoute 808
And sire Ote his broper fetered wel fast1
Tho went1 adam out of1 halle as he were agast
Adam seide to Gamelyn and to his felawes alle
Sire Ote stant1 fetered in pe moot1 halle 812
CORPUS 161
152 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.
yonge men sayde Gamelyn f is fey heeren alle
Sire Ote stant1 fetered in f e moot1 halle
If1 god yif vs grace wel for to do
he schal ifc1 abegge fat1 it broughte ferto 816
Thanne seyde Gamelyn fat lokkes hadde hore
Cristes curs most1 he haue fat1 him1 bond so sore [o SiT m*]01'68
And j:ou wolf Gamelyn don after my reed
Ther is non in f e halle schal bere awey his heed 820
Adam seyde Gamelyn we wille nought1 dooii so
We wol sle f e gultyf1 and late f e of er go
I wil in to f e halle and wif f e Justice speke
On hem fat1 ben gultyf* I wol ben a-wreke 824
late non scape at1 f e dore yonge men take yeme
ffor I wol be Justice f is day doomes to deeme
God speede me f is day at1 my newe werk1
Adam com with me for f ou schalt1 be my cleric1 828
his men answerde him and bad him don his best1
And if1 f ou to vs haue neede )>ou schalf fynde vs preste
"We wiln stande with J?e whil jjat we may dure
And but1 we werkeii manly pay vs non hur-3 832
Yonge men sayde Gamelyn so mot1 1 wel fee/
As trusty a maister ye schal fynde of1 me [leaf 73]
Right J>er fe Justice sat1 in fe halle
In wente Gamelyn amonges hem alle 836
Gamelyn leet1 vnfettere his broker out1 of1 bende
Thanne seide sire Otes his broker fat1 was heeiide
Thou haddest1 almost1 Gamelyn dwelled to longe
ffor fe queste is out1 on me fat1 I scholde hongf 840
Brof er seide Gamelyn so god yif1 me good rest
This day fey schul ben hanged fat1 ben vpon f e quest1
And f e Justice bo]?e fat1 is f e lugge man
And f e schirriue bof e f orngll him it bigan 844
Thanne seyde Gamelyn to f e Justise
Now is f y power don f ou most1 nedes arise
Thou hast1 yiuen doomes fat1 ben yuel dight1
I wil sitten in f i sete and dressen hem aright 848
COKPUS 152
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS. 153
The Justice sat* stille and roos nought1 anoon)
And Gamelyn cleuede his cheke boon
Gamelyn tok* him in his armes and nomore spat
But1 ]?rewe him ouer £e barre and his arme tobrak* 852
Durste non to Gamelyn seye but1 good
ffor fered of J?e companye }?at* wipoute stood
Gamelyn sette him doun in ]?e Justices sete
And sire Otes his broker by laim and adam at his feet1 856
Whan Gamelyn was sette in j?e Justices sete/
herkne of* a bourde jrnt* Gamelyn dede
he leet* fetere ]>e Justice and his false brother
And leet* hem. come to J>e barre ]?at* oon wijj J?at' oj?er 860
Tho Gamelyn hadde Jms y-don hadde he no rest
Til he hadde enquered who was on £e quest
ffor to deemen his broker sire Otes for to honge
Er he wiste which Jjei were he J?oughte ful longe 864
But1 as sone as Gamelyn wiste wher J>ey were
he dede hem euerichon feteren in fere
And bringen hem to J?e barre and sette hem in Eewe
By my faith seide )>e Justice J?e Scherreue is a schrewe/ 868
Thanne sayde Gamelyn to ]>e Justice
Thou hast1 youe doomes of1 ]?e wors assise [leaf 73, back]
And Jje .xij. Sisours that1 weren of* pe queste
They schulle ben hanged Jris day so haue I good reste 872
Thanne seyde ]?e Scherreue to yonge Gamelyn
lord I crye J>e mercy broker art1 jjou myn)
Ther-fore saide Gamelyn haue j)ou cristes curs
ffor and }>ou were maister yet* I schulde haue wors 876
ffor to make schortf tale and nought1 to long*
he ordeigned him a queste of* his men so strong
The Justice and J>e Scherreue bej> honged hye
To weiuen with J>e Ropes and with J>e wynd drye 880
And Jje .xij Sisours sorwe haue J?at* rekke
Alle J?ey were hanged fastc by J>e nekke
Thus endeth ]?e false knight* with his treccherie
That* euer hadde lad his lyf< in falsncs and folye 884
11 CORPUS 163
154 APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. CorpUS MS.
he was hanged by )>e necke and nought* by J>e purs
That1 was J)e meede pat1 he hadde for his fadres curs
Sire Otes was eldest* and Gamelyn was ying1
Wenten with here frendes and passed with pc king* 888
They made pees with pe king1 of1 pe best1 assise
The king1 loued wel sire Ote and made him Justice
And after pe king* made Gamelyn bope in est1 and west1
Cheef1 Justice of1 his fre fforest1 892
Alle his wighte yonge men pe king1 for-yaf1 here gilt1
And sippen in good office pe king1 hap alle hem pilt1
5F Thus wan Gamelyn his lond and his leede
And wrak1 hi?^ of1 his enemys and quitte hew here meede 896
And sire Ote his broker made him his heir
And sippen wedded Gamelyn a wyf1 a good and a fair
They lyueden togidere whil pat1 crist1 wolde
And sippen was gamelyn grauen vnder molde 900
And so schal we alle may per nomaw flee
God bring1 vs to J>e loye pat1 euer schal be AmcN" pour charite
[No gap in the MS.]
CORPUS 154
GEOTJP B, («- FRAGMENT II.)
§ 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK.
CORPUS MS.
Owre oost1 saugh wel pat1 by pe brighte sonne .Cm.vm.
The ark1 of1 his artificial day hadde roxine
The ferpe part1 of1 half1 an hour and moore
And pough he were nought1 deepe expert1 in lore Deaf n]
he wisfr it was pe xviij.e day
OFAprille pat1 is messager to May
And saugh wel pat1 pe schadwe of1 euery tree
Was as in lengpe pe same quantite 8
That1 was pe body erect pat1 caused if
And perfore by pe schadewe he took1 his wit1
That1 Phebus which pat1 schon so cler and bright1
Degrees was xlv clombe on hight1 1 2
And for pat1 day as in pat1 latitude
It1 was ten atte clokke he gan conclude
And sodeinly he plight1 his hors aboute
lordynges qiiod. he I warne ^ou alle pis route 1 6
The ferpe party of1 pis day is. gon
Now for pe loue of1 god and of1 seint1 lohn
lesep no tyme as ferforth as ye may
Lordinges pe time it1 wastep night1 and day 20
And stelep from, vs what priuely slepyng1
And what1 purgh necligence in oure waking1
As doth pe streem pat1 turnep neuer agayn
Descendyng1 from pe mountayn in to playn 24
Wel can senek1 and many a Philosophre
Biweilen tyme more pan gold in cophre
ffor los of1 catelle may recouered be
But1 los of1 tyme schendep vs quod he 28
CORPUS 155 (6-T. 129)
SIX-TEXT 130
156 GROUP B. § 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK. CoipUS MS.
It* wil nought* come agayn wifouten drede
yamore fan wile Malkyns maydenhede
Whan sche ha]? lost1 it / in liir wantonnesse
lat1 vs nought1 mowlen f us in ydelnesse 32
Sire Man of1 lawe quod he sane 36 blis
Tel vs a tale anon) as forward is
ye be submitted f urgh your free assent1
To stonde in fis cas of1 my luggement1 36
Aquitef ^ow now of1 ^oure beheste
Thanne haue 36 doon your deuer atte leste
Oost1 quod he depardeux ich assente
To breke forward is nought1 my^ entente [leaf -<4, back]
Biheste is dette and I wil holde fayn
Al my biheste I can no bettre sain
ffor swich lawe as a man yeuef anof er wight1
he schulde himself1 vsen it1 by right1 44
Thus wile oure text1 but naf eles certein
I can right1 now no f rifty tale sein
That1 Chaucer f ough he can but1 lewedly
On metris and in rymyng1 craftily 48
ha]) sayd hem in such englissh as he can
Of1 olde tyme as knowef many a man
And if1 he haue nought1 seyd hem leeue broker
In o book1 / he haf seyd hem in anof er 52
ffor he ha]) told of1 louers vp and don
Mo fan Ovide made mencion
In his Epistles fat1 been ful olde
What1 scholde I tellen hem sen f ei ben tolde 56
In youf e he made of1 Ceys and alcione
And sif f en haf he spoke of1 euerychone
Thise noble wyfes and fese louers eeke
Who so fat1 wile his large volom) seeke 60
Cleped f e seintes legende of1 Cupide
Ther may he seen fe large woundes wyde
Of1 lucresse & of1 Babilan Tisbe
The swerd of1 Dido for fe fals Ene C4
CORPUS 156 (6-T. 130)
SIX-TEXT 131
GROUP B. § 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK. CoipUS MS. 157
The tree of* Phillis for hire Demephon)
The pleynt* of1 Dyanyre and of1 Erinion
Of* Adriane and of* ysyphile
The barayne ysle stondyng* in Jje see 68
The dreynt* leander for his Erro
The teeres of* helyne and eek* }je woo
Of* Brixseyde and of* J?e ladomya
)>e cruelte of* queen medea 72
The litel children hangyng* by ]>e hals
ffor Jje lason )?at* was of* loue so fals
Of* ypmistra Penolope Alceste
youre wifhode he comendeth wij> J?e beste [leaf 75]
But* certeinly no word ne write]) he
Of* jrikke wicke ensample of Canace
That* loued hir owne brother synfully
Of* suche cursed stories I sei fy 80
Or elles of* Tyro Appoloneus
how fat* ]?e cursed king* Antiochus
Biraft* his doughter of* hir maydenhede
That1 is so horrible a tale for to rede 84
Whan he hir J>rew Jjorugh Jje pament*
And Jjerfore he of* ful auisemenft
Nolde neuer write in none of* his sermons
Of* which vnkynde abhominacions 88
ISTe I ne wil not* reherce if* J?at* I may
But* of* my tale how schal I don ]?is day
Me were loj> be likned douteles
To muses J>at* men clepen pieriedes 92
Methamorphoseos wot* what* I mene
But najjeles I recche nought1 a bene
Though I come after him with hawe bake
I speke in prose and lat* him Rimes make 96
And with Jjaf word he with a sobre chere
Bigan his tale as $e schal after heere.
CORPUS 157 (6-T. 131)
SIX-TEXT 132
158 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PROL. CorpUS MS.
[PROLOGUE OF THE MAN OF LAWS TALE.}
[There are no breaks in the MS between stanzas or PartsJ]
H Incipit ffabula.
n Hateful harm condicion of1 pouerfr
With thurst1 with cold with hunger he confoundeth"
To asken helpe fe schamef in fin herf
If1 fou now axe wif neede art1 fou so wounded 102
That1 verray iieede vnwrappeth al f i wounde hid
Maugre fin heed fou most1 for Indigence
Or stele orbegge or Lorwe fi dispence 105
Thou blamest1 crist1 and seist1 ful bitterly
he mys departef richesse temporal
Thy neyghebour fou witest1 synfully
And seist1 fou hast1 to litel and he haf al 109
Par fey seistow somtyme he rekene schal
Whan fat1 his tail schal brennen in f e gleede
ffor he nought1 helpej) needeful in here neede [leaf 75, back)
H Herkne what1 is J?e menyng1 of f e wise
Bet1 is to deyen fan haue Indigence
Thi self1 neighebore wile J?e dispise
If1 J>ou be pouer far wel J?i reuerence 116
yet1 of1 J?e wise man tak1 fis sentence
Alle J>e dayes of1 pore men ben wikke
Be war ferfore or ]?ou come in fat1 prikke 119
IF If1 ]>ou be pouere J)i broker hate]? J>e
And alle J)i freendes fleen fro fe alias
O Biche marchantz ful of1 wele be
O noble prudent1 folk1 as in J?is cas 123
youre bagges ben nought1 filled with ambes aas
But with Sis Cynk1 fat1 rennef for ^our chance
At1 Cristes masse merye may 36 daunce 12G
COIU'US 158 (6-T. 132)
SIX-TEXT 133
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PROL. CoipUS MS. 159
If ye seeken lond and see for ^our5 wynnynges
As wys folk1 Jjafr knowen alle thestaf
OF regnes ^e ben fadres of1 tyjnnges
And tales bothen of pees and of1 debat1 130
I were right1 now of1 tales desolat1
Nere fat1 a marchant1 gon is many a yere
Me taught1 a tale which as ye schal heere 133
[As there is no room in this print for the Latin notes in the
margin of the MS, they are put here, with the numbers of the lines
to which they refer.~\
1. 161. Europia est tercia pars mundi. [MS, leaf 76.]
1. 198. ^[ Ceptra pharonei fratrum discordia Thebe flamma
pnetontis deucalionis aque in stellis priami species audacia turni
sens-it; vlixeu kerculeus que vigor. [MS, leaf 76, back.]
1. 294. ^ Vnde P[t]holomeu; libra j°, Gapitulo g10 primi motus
celi duo sunt quorum vnus est qui mouet totura semper ab orient/?
in occidentew vno modo super orbes & cetera. Item aliter vero motus
est qui mouet orbew stellarum currenciura. Contra rn.oiu.rn primuw
videlicet ab Occident*? in orientera super alios duos polos & cetera.
Om»es eniw. concordat! sunt quod, electiones sint debiles nisi in di-
uitibws, habent enim isti lice^ debilitentur eorww electiones radicem .i.
natiuitates eorum que confortat omnem planetam debilew in itinere.
hue. pMlosophus. [MS, leaf 78.]
1. 421. ^[ Semper mundane leticie tristicia repentina succedit.
Mundana ergo felicitas multis amaritudinttw* est respersa. Extre-
ma gaudij luctus occupat audi ergo salubre cowsiliuw in die bonorz^w
ne mmemor sis malorww. [MS, leaf 79, back.]
1. 771. ^f Quid turpius ebrioso cui fetor in ore tremor in corpore
qui promit stulta pr0dit occulta cui mens alienatur facies tmns-
format?/r nullum enim latet secretum vbi regT^t ebrietas. [MS,
leaf 84, back.]
1. 925. ^f 0 extrema libidinis turpitudo que non solu?^ mentew
effeminat sed eciaw corpus eneruat semper sequntur dolor & peni-
tencia post & cetera. [MS, leaf 86, back.]
1. 1126. ^[ A mane vsq?/<? ad vesperam mutabitur tewpus tenewt
tympanu??^ & gaudewt ad sonum organi. [MS, leaf 89, back.]
1. 1135. Qwis vnquam vnicaw diewi totam duxit in sua delecta-
cione iocimdam quern in aliqua parte diei reatus consciewcie vcl
impetus ire vel motus concupiscencie inde non turbauerit que?/&
liuor inuidie vel ardor auaricie vel tumor superbie non vexauerit
vel quern aliqua iactura vel offensa vel passio non cowmduerit.
[MS, leaf 89, back.]
CORPUS 150 (6-T. 133)
SIX-TEXT 134
160 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS.
[PART L]
[No break in the MS.]
IT In Surrye whilom dwelt1 a companye
Of1 Chapmen riche and f er-to sad and trewe
That1 wyde where sente here spicerie
Clones of1 gold and Satyn riche of1 hewe 137
here chaffare was so thrifty and so newe
That* euery wight1 haf deynte to chaffare
With hem and eek1 to sellen hem here ware 140
f Now fil it1 fat1 f e maistres of1 fat1 sort1
han schapen hem to Borne for to wende
Were it1 fo chapmanhode or for disport1
Non ofer message wolde fey fider sende 144
But comen hemself1 to Rome f is is f e ende
And in swich place as fought1 hem auantage
ffor here entente fei take here herbergage 147
Soiorned han fise marchantez in fat1 toun [leaf 76]
A certein tyme as felle to hire plesance
But1 so felle fat1 f e excellent renoun
Of1 fe Emperour doughter dame Custance 151
Reported was with euery circumstance
vnto fise Surrien marchantz in swich wise
ffro day to day as I schal you deuyse/ 154
1T This was f e comone voys of1 euery man
Oure emperour of1 Rome god him see
A doughter he haf fat1 syn f e world "bigan
To rekne as wel hir goodnesse as beaute 158
Nas neuer such anof er as is sche
I pray to god in honour hir sustene
And wolde sche were oFalle Europe fe queene 1G1
CORPUS 160 (6-T. 134)
SIX-TEXT 135
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS. 161
IT In hire is heigh beaute wijjoute pride [£<**/« note, p. 133.]
youjje wipoute greenehod of1 folye
To alle hire werkes vertu is hire guyde
humblesse haj) slayn in hire al tyrannye 165
Sche is a merour of1 alle curtesye
hire herte is verray chambre of1 holynesse
hire hand minis tre of4 fredam for almesse 168
11 And al J>is voys is so]) as god is trewe
But1 now to purpos latf vs turne again
Thise marchantz han doon fraught1 here schippes newe
And whan J?ay haue J)is blisful mayde sain 172
horn to Surrey be]) ]>ei went1 agayn)
And don here needes as fey han don yore
And lyuen in wele I can seye yow nomore 1 75
Now fil it1 fat1 pis marchantz stoden in grace
Of1 him fat* was )>e Sowdon of1 Surrie
ffor whan }>ei came from eny strange place
he wolde of1 his benigne curtesie/ 179
Make hem good chere and besily aspie
Tythynges of1 sundy Remes for to leere
The wondres pat1 J>ey mighte seen or heere 182
Amonges ojjer Binges specially
Thise marchantz han him told of1 Dame Custance [leaf 76, back]
So gret noblesse in ernest1 ceriously
That1 Jjis Sowdan ha]) caught so gret/ plesance 186
To han hire figure in his remembrance
And alle his lust1 and alle his besy cure
Was for to loue hire whil his lijf1 may dure 189
Parauenture in ])ilke large book1
Which fafr pei cleped Jje heuen write was
WiJ> sterres whan jjat1 he his birjje took1
That1 he for loue schulde han his de]> alias 193
CORPUS 101 (6-T. 135)
SIX-TEXT 136
162 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS.
ffor in f e sterres clerer fan is f e glas
Is writen god wot / who so cowde it rede/
The def of* euery man wifouten drede 196
^F In sterres many a wynter f er biforn)
Was write f e deth of1 Ector Achilles [.Latin note, p. iss.]
Of1 Pompe lulius or f ei were born)
The stryf1 of1 Thebes and of hercules/ 200
Of1 Sampson Turnus and of' Socrates
The deth/ but mennes wittes ben so dulle
That1 no wight1 can wel rede it1 atte fulle 203
This Sowdon for his priuey counseil sente
And schortly of1 f is mater for to pace
he haf to hem declared his entente
And seide hem certein but1 if1 he might1 bane grace 207
To haue distance wif inne a litel space
he nas but1 ded and charged hem in hye
To schapen for his lyf1 som remedye 210
IF Diuerse men diuerse f inges seiden
The argumentes casten vp and doun
Many a sotil reson forf fey leyden
They speken of1 Magiq^e and abusion 214
But1 fynally as in conclusion
They can not" seen in fat1 non auantage
Ne in non ofer weye saf1 mariage 217
1T Than saugh fey f er in such difficulte
By way of1 reson for to speke al playn
By cause fat1 f er was such diuersite [leaf 77]
Bitwen here bofe lawes fat1 fei sayn 221
They trowe fat1 no cristne pn'nce wolcle fain
Wedde his child vnder oure lawes so sweete
That1 vs was taught1 by mahon oure prophete
CORPUS 162 (6-T. 136)
SIX-TEXT 137
GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipllS MS. 163
1T And he answerde raf er fan I leese
distance I wol be cristned douteles
I mot1 ben hires I may non of er cheese
I pray $ow holdef ^our argumentz in pees 228
Sauef my lif1 and bef nought Eecheles
To geten hire fat1 haf my lif1 in cure
ffor in this woo I may not* longe endure 231
1F Whaf nedef grettere dilatacion
I seie by tretys and embassadrie/
And by f e popes mediacion
And alle fe chirche and alle f e chiualrie 235
That1 in distraction of1 mawmattrie
And in encres of1 cristes lawe deere
They ben accorded so as $e schal heere/ 238
IT how fat1 f e Sowdan and his Baronage
And alle his lieges schold y-cristened be/
And he schal han Custance in mariage
And certein gold y not1 what1 qwantite 242
And herto founden sumceant1 seurte
This same accord was sworn in either syde
Now faire Custance almighty god f e gyde 245
Now wolde sommen waiten as I gesse/
That1 1 schulde tellen al f e pi^rueance
That1 f e Emperour of1 his noblesse
hath schapen for his doughter dame Custance 249
"Wei may men knowe fat1 so gret1 ordinance
May noman tellen in a litel clause
As was arrayed for so heigh a cause 252
1T Bisschoppes ben schapen wif hire for to wende
lordes ladies knightes oFrenouw
And of er folk1 ynowe f is is f e ende
And notified is f urgfr out1 f e toun [leaf 77, back]
CORPUS 163 (6-T. 137)
SIX-TEXT 138
164 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. COIpUS MS.
That euery wight1 wif gret1 deuocion
Scholde preye crist1 fat1 he f is manage
Resceyue in gree. and speede f is viage 259
IT The day is come of1 hir departyng1
I sey J>e woful lady1 fatal is come P«>]
That1 f er may be no lenger tarying1
But1 forfward fey hem dressen alle & some 263
distance fat1 with sorw is al ouercome
fful pale arist1 and dressef hire to wende
ffor wel sche seeth fer is non ofer ende 266
Alias what1 wonder is it1 fough sche wepte
That1 schal be sent1 to strange nacion
ffro freendes fat1 so tendrely hire kepte
And to be bounden vnder subiection 270
Of1 oon sche knoweth not1 his condicioii
housbondes ben alle goode and han ben yore
That1 knowen wyfes I dar say 3011 namore 273
IT ffader sche sayde f i wrecchede child Custaunce
Thy yonge doughter fostred vp so softe
And ye my mooder my souereigne plesance
Oner alle f ing1 out1 taken crist1 a lofte 277
Custance youre child hir recomandef ofte
vnto your grace for I schal to Surrie
Ne schal I neuer seen ^ou more with ye 280
Alias vnto f e Barbaric nacion
I moste anon sif f en it1 is your wille
But1 crist1 fat starf1 for oure Redempcion
So yeue me grace his hestes to fulfille 284
I wrecche womman no fors f ough I spille
Wommen are born to thraldom and penance
And to ben vnder mannes gouernance 287
CORPUS 164 (G-T. iss)
SIX-TEXT 139
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS. 165
IF I trowe at1 Troye whan Purrus brat be walle
Or ylion fat1 brende Thebes Jjat1 Citee
Not1 Eome for the harme thurgll hanybal
That1 Eomayns hab venquissed tymes jjre 291
Nas herde such tendre weepyng1 for pite [leaf ?s]
As in J?e Chambre for hire departyng1
But1 forb sche moot1 wher so sche weepe or syng* 294
[Latin note, p. 133.]
IF 0 ferste moeuyng1 cruel firmament1
Wib by diuinal sweigll that1 crowdest1 ay
And hurlest1 alle fro Est1 to Occident1
That1 naturelly wolde holde anober way 298
Thy crowdyng1 sett1 be heuen in such array
Atte bygynnyng1 of1 bis fiers viage
That1 cruel mars hab slain bis mariage 301
IT Infortunat1 ascendent1 tortuous
Of1 which be lord is helples falle alias
Out1 of1 his angle in to be derkest1 hous
0. mars .0. ata3ir as in bis cas 305
0 fieble moone vnhappy been by paas
Thou knettest1 be ber bou nart1 nought1 receyued
There bou were wel fro bens now art1 bou weyued 308
IF Imprudent1 Emperour of1 Rome alias
Was ber no Philosophre in al bi toun
Is no tyme bet1 ban ober in such caas
Of1 viage is ber non election 312
Namly to folk1 of1 heigh condicion
Nat1 whan a roote is of1 a burthe y-knowe
Alias 36 ben to lewed or to slowe 315
IF The schip is brought1 bis woful faire mayde
Solempnely wib euery circumstance
Now Ihmi crist1 be with ^ou alle sche sayde
Ther nys Domore but1 far wel faire distance 319
CORPUS 165 (6-T. 130)
SIX-TEXT 14C
166 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Sche peynef hire to make good contynance
And for]? I lete hire saile in J)is manere
And torne I wille again to my matiere 322
The mooder of1 fe Sowdon welle of1 vices
Espied haj? hir sones pleyne entent
how he wol lete his olde Sacrifices
And right1 anon sche for hire counseil sent* 326
And fei ben come to knowe what1 sche ment1
And whan assembled was fis folk1 in feere [leaf 78, back]
Sche sette hire doun and seide as ye schal heere 329
IF lordes quoj> sche 30 knowen euerych on
how fat1 my sone in poynt1 is for to lete
The holy lawes of1 oure alkaron
yeuen by goddes messager Makomete 333
But1 oon avow to grete god I hete
The lyf1 schal rather out of1 my body sterte
Or makometis lawe out of1 myn herte 336
What1 scholde vs tyden of1 fis newe lawe
But1 jjraldam to oure bodyes and penance
And afterward in helle to ben drawe
ffor we reneyed mahon oure creance 340
But1 lordes wol ye maken assurance
As I schal sein assentyng1 to my lore
And I schal make vs sauf1 for eueremore 343
IF They sworen and assenten euery man
To lyue with hire and dye and by hire stonde
And euerich in J?e beste wise he can
To strengfen hire schal alle his frendes foride 347
And sche haj> Jris emprise take on honde
Which 36 schal here fat1 1 schal deuyse
And to hem alle sche spak1 in Jjis wise 350
CORPUS 166 (6-T. 140J
SIX-TEXT 141
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS. 167
11 We schulle ferst1 feyne vs cristendom to take/
Cold water schal not1 greue vs but1 a lite
And I schal swich a reuel and feste maken
That1 as I trowe I schal J>e soudon quite 354
ffor Jjough his wijf1 be cristened neuer so white
Sche schal haue neede to waissche a-way J?e reede
Though sche a ffonte ful of1 water wij? hire leede/ 357
IT 0 soudanesse roote of1 Iniquite
Virago Jjou Semyram ]>e secounde
0. serpent1 vnder femeninete
lik1 to Jje serpent1 deepe in helle y-bounde 361
0 feyned woraman al jjaf may confounde
Vertu and Innocence Jjorgh J?y malice
Is bredd in J?e as nest1 of euery vice peaf 79]
1F 0 Sathan envious syn Jrilke day
That1 Jwu were chased fro oure heritage
Wei knewestow to wommen J>e olde way
Thow madest1 Eua to bringen in seruage 368
Thow wilt1 fordon cristene manage
Thin Instrument1 so weylowey J?e while
Makest1 pou of1 wommen whan J?ou wilt1 begile 371
H This Sowdanesse whom I Jjus blame and warie
leet1 priuely hire counseil gon here way
What1 schulde I in ]?is tale lenger tarye
Sche rideth to J>e Sowdan on a day 375
And seide him Jjat1 sche wolde reneye hir lay
And cristendom of1 prestes handes fonge
Repentynge sche he])ene was so longe 378
IT Besekyng1 him to doon hire Jmt1 honour
That1 sche most1 han ]>e cristne folk1 to feste
To plesen hem I wol do my labour
The Sowdan seith I wil don at1 your heste . 382
CORPUS 167 (6-T. 141)
SIX-TEXT 142
1 68 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And knelyng1 fanketh hire of1 Jmt1 requeste
So glad he was he nyste what1 to seye
Sche kiste Mr sone and horn sche go]) hir weye 385
[PART II.}
1T Arryued heen ]?ise cristene folk1 to londe
In Surrie with a gret1 solempne route
And hastiliche J)is sowdan sent1 his sonde
ffirst1 to his mooder and alle ])e regne aboute 389
And saide his wijf1 was come out1 of1 doute
And preyde hir for to ryde agein J>e queene
The honour of1 his regne to susteene 392
IT Gret1 was jje prees and riche was Jjarray
Of1 Surriens and Eamains met1 y feere
The mooder of1 pe Soudan riche and gay
Receyued hire with also glad a cheere 396
As any mooder might1 hir doughter deere
And to pe nexte Citee fer bisyde
A softe paas solempnely ]>ei ryde 399
IF Naught1 trowe I ])e tryumphe of1 lulius [leaf 79, back]
Of1 which fat1 lukan make]? such a bost1
Was riallere ne more curious
Than was thassemble of1 fis blisful oost1 403
But1 J)is scorpion this wikkede goost1
The Sowdanesse for alle hir flateringe
Caste vnder fis ful mortally to stynge 406
1T The Sowdan comejj himself1 sone after J>is
So really that1 wonder is to telle
he welcome]) hire with alle ioye and blis
And ])us in merthe and Ioye I lete hem dwelle 410
CORPUS 168 (6-T. 142)
SIX-TEXT "14:3
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS. 169
The fruyt1 of ]>is matiere J>af 1 telle
Whan tyme come men fought1 it for fe best1
That1 Eeuel stynte and men gon to here Rest1 413
H The tyme com fis olde Sowdanesse
Ordeyned haj> J>is feeste. of* which I tolde
And to J>e feste cristene folk1 hem dresse
In general bofe ^onge and olde 417
here may men feste and rialte biholde
And deyntees mo fan I can 3011 denyse
But1 all to deere fei bought1 it1 ar fey ryse 420
IT 0 sodein woo fat1 euer art1 Successour [.Latin note, p. 133.]
To worldly blysse spreynd is with bitternesse
The ende of1 f e ioye of1 oure worldly laboure
"Wo occupieth fe fyn of1 oure gladnesse 424
herk1 fis counseille for f i sikernesse
vpon fi glade day haue in thy mynde
The vnwar wo or harm fat1 comth behynde 427
ffor schortly for to tellen at1 oo word
The Sowdan and f e cristene euerychone
Ben al to-hewe and stiked atte bord
But1 it1 were oonly dame Custance allone 431
This olde Sowdanesse cursede crone
haf with hire freendes doon f is cursede dede
ffor sche hir self1 wolde alle f e centre lede 434
IF Ne ])er nas Surrian non Jjat1 was conuerted
That1 of1 ]?e counseil of1 j?e Sowdan wot1 [leaf so]
That1 he nas al to-hewe or he asterted
And circumstance han J?ei take anon foot1 hoof 438
And in a Schippe al steereles god woot
Thay han hire sette and bidden hire lerne sayle
Out1 of1 Surrie agaynward to ytaile 441
CORPUS 169 (6-T. 143)
SIX-TEXT 144
170 GROUP B. §2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IT A certein tresour pat1 sche pider ladde
And sop to sain vitaile gret1 plente
They han hire yeuen and elopes eek1 sche hadde
And for]? sche sailep in f>e Salte see 445
O my distance ful of1 "benignite
O emperoures yonge doughter deere
he pat1 is lord ouer fortune be py steere 448
1F Sche blissep & with ful pitous vois
vnto pe croys of1 crist1 pus seyde sche
0 cler o welful auter holy croys
Eede of1 pi lambes blood ful of1 pite 452
That1 wisshe pe world fro pe olde iniquite
Me fro pe feend and fro his clawes keepe
That1 day pat1 1 schal drenchen in pe deepe 455
1T victorious tree proteccion of1 trewe
That1 oonly worpi were for to bere
The king1 of1 heuene with his woundes newe
The white lambe pat1 hurt1 was with a spere 459
ffleemer of feendes out1 of1 him and here
On whych pi lymes feithfully entenden
Me keepe and yef1 me might1 my lijf1 tameiiden 462
IF yeeres and dayes fleet1 pis creature
Thurgh out1 pe see of1 grece vnto pe strayte
Of1 Marrok1 as it1 was hire auenture
0 many a sory meel now may sche bayte 466
After hire dep fulofte may sche wayte
Or pat1 pe wilde wawes wil hir dryue
vnto pe place per sche schal arryue 469
11 Men mighten [aske] whi sche lias nat1 slayn
Eke atte feste who might1 hir body saue
1 answere to pat1 demande agayn Deaf so, back]
he saued daniel in pe horrible caue 473
CORPUS 170 (6-T. 144)
SIX-TEXT 145
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS. 171
Ther euery wight1 saue he maister or knaue
"Was wif f e leon frete or asterte
!N~o wight1 "but1 god fat1 he bar in his herte 476
H God list1 to schewe his wonderful myracle
In hire . for sche scholde seen his mighty werkes
Crist' which fat1 is to euery harm triacle
By certein menes oft1 as knowen clerkes 480
Dof f ing1 for certein ende fat1 ful derk1 is
To inannes wit1 fat1 for oure ignorance
Ne konne nought1 knowe his prudent1 pwrueance 483
1F Now si]) sche was not1 atte feste y-slawe
Who kept1 hir fro f e drenching1 in f e see
Who kepte lonas in f e fisshes mawe
Til he was spouted vp at1 Nyniue 487
Wei may men knowe it1 was no wight1 but1 he
That1 kepte pepul ebraik1 from here drenchyng1
With drye feet1 furgh out1 fe see passyng1 490
IF Who bad f e foure spiritz of1 tempest1
That1 power han bof e to annoyen lond and see
Bof e north and south and also west1 and est1
AnoyeJ) neyf er see ne lond ne tree 494
Sofly fe comandour of1 fat was he
That1 fro fe tempest1 ay f is womman kepte
As wel whan sche wook1 as whan sche slepte 497
IT Wher might1 fis womman mete and drynke haue
Three ^eer and moore how lastef hire vitaille
Who fedde fe Egipcien marie in the Caue
Or in desert1 no wight1 but crist1 sanz faille 501
v. fousand folk1 it was a gret meruaille
With loues fyue and fisshes tuo to feede
God sent1 his foyson at1 hire grete neede 504
13 CORPUS 171 (6-T. 145)
SIX-TEXT 146
172 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IF Sche driuef forf in to cure Occean
f urghout1 oTire wilde see til atte last1
vnder an hold fat1 nempnen I ne can
if or in Xorthumburland fe wawe hir cast1 [leaf si]
And in f e sond hir schippe stiked so fast1
That1 f ennes wold it1 nought1 of1 alle a tyde
The wille of1 crisf was fat1 sche scholde abyde 511
IF The Constable of1 f e castelle doun is fare
To seen f is wrak1 and alle f e schippe he sought1
And fond f is wery womraan ful of1 care
he fond also fe tresow fat1 sche brought1 515
In hire langage mercy sche bisought1
The lyf1 out1 of1 hir body for to twynne
hire to deliuere of1 wo fat1 sche was Inne 518
IF A maner latyn corupt1 was hire speche
But1 algates f er by was sche vnderstonde
The constable whan him list1 no lengere sische
This woful womman brought1 he to f e londe 522
Sche kneeleth doun and f ankef goddes sonde
But1 what1 sche was sche wolde no man seye
if or foul ne fair fough fat1 sche scholde deye 525
1F Sche seyde sche was so mased in f e see/
That1 sche foryat1 hire mynde by hire trouf e
The constable of1 hire haf so -grefr pite
And eek1 his wyf1 fat1 fei weepen for rouf e 529
Sche was so diligent1 wif outen slouf e
To serue and plese eumch in fat1 place
That1 alle hire louen fat1 loken on hire face 532
IF The constable and dame hermengheld his wif1
"Were payens and fat1 contray euery where
But1 hermyngeld loued hir right1 as hire lijf1
And Custance haf so longe soiorned fere 536
CORPUS 172 (6-T. 146)
SIX-TEXT 147
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS. 173
In orisons wif many a bitter teere
Til IhesM haj? conuerted f urgh. his grace
Dame hermyngeld constablesse of1 J)ilke place 539
IT In alle fat1 land durste no cristene route
Alle cristene folk1 ben fled from fat1 centre
Thurgh payens fat1 conquereden heer aboute
The plages of1 fe north by land & see 543
To wales fledde f e cmtianite/ Oaf 1 1, back]
Of* olde britons dwellyng in f is Isle/
There was hire refut1 / for fe meene while 546
IT But1 yit1 nas neuer cristene britons so exiled
That1 f er nas somme in here prmyte
honourede crist/ and hethen folk1 bygiled
And neygh f e castelle swich f er dwelden jjre 550
That1 oon of* hem was blynd and might1 not1 se
But1 it1 were wif Jnlk1 eyen of1 his mynde
With whiche men seen after fat1 J>ai ben blynde 553
IT Bright1 was J>e sonne as in fat1 Someres day
ffor which fe Constable and his wyf1 also
And Custance han y-take f e righte way
Toward fe see a forlong1 weye or two 557
To pleyen and to Romen to and fro
And in here walk1 f re blynde men fey xnette
Crokede and olde with fast1 eyen y-schette 560
1T In the name of1 crist1 criede f is blynde breton
dame hermyngild! yeue me sight1 agayn
This lady wax affray ed of1 f e soun
lyst1 fat1 hir housbond schortly for to sein 564
Wolde hire for ihesu cristes loue haue slain
Til Custance made hire bold and made hire werche
The wille of1 crist1 as doughter of1 his cherch 567
CORPUS 173 (6-T. 147)
SIX-TEXT 148
174 GKOUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS.
IT The Constable wax abaisshed of1 fat sight1
And sayde what1 amountef al f is fare
Custance answerde sire it1 is cristes might1
That1 helpef folk1 out1 of1 fe feendes snare 571
And so ferforth sche gan oure lay declare
That1 sche f e Constable or fat1 it1 was eue
Conuertef and on cryst1 made him bileeue 574
f This Constable was nof ing1 lord of1 f is place
Of1 which I speke fere he Custance fond
But1 kepte it1 strongly many a wynter space
vnder .alia, kyng1 of1 all Northumberlond 578
fat1 was ful wys and worf y of1 his hond
Agayn fe Scottes as men may wel heere [leaf 82]
But1 tome I wil again to my mateere / 581
11 Sathan fat1 euer vs wayteth to begile
Saugh of1 Custance al hire perfection
And cast1 anon how he might1 quite her while
And made a yong1 knight1 fat1 dwelte in f e toun 585
loue hire so hoot1 of1 fowl affection
That1 verraily him fought1 he schulde spill
But1 he of1 hire might1 ones haue his wille 588
^T he woweth hire but it1 auailef nought1
Sche wolde do no synne by no weye
And for dispit1 he compassed in his fought1
To make hir -on schameful def to deye 592
he waytef whan f e Constable was aweye
And priuyly vpon a night1 he crept1
In hermyngildes chambre whil sche slept1 595
IT Wery for-waked in his orisons
Slepeth distance and hermercghild also
This knight1 furgn" Sathanas temptacions
Al softely is to fe bedde I-go 599
CORPUS 174 (6-T. 148)
SIX-TEXT 149
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALK CoipllS MS. 175
And kutte f e f rote of1 hermengild a tuo
And leyde f e blody knyf by dame Custance
And wente his wey f er god yeue him meschance 602
H Sone after comth fis constable horn a gayn
And eek1 Alia fat1 king1 was of1 fat1 lond
And saugh his wyf1 dispitousliche slain
ffor which ful ofte he wepte and wrong1 his hond 606
And in f e bed f e bloody knyf1 he fond
By dame Custance alias what1 might1 sche seye
ifo verray woo hir witte was alle aweye 609
11 To king1 Alia was told al fis meschance
And eek1 f e tyme and wher and in what1 wise
That1 in a schip was founde fis Custance
As heer biforn 36 han herd eer deuise 613
The kinges herte of1 pite gan agrise
Whan he seih so benigne a creature
ffalle in disese and in mysauenture [leaf 82, back]
11 ffor as f e lomb toward his deth is brought1
So stant1 fis Innocent1 bifore f e king1
This false knight1 fat1 haj> fis trayson wrought1
Beref hire an hand fat1 sche haf do fis f ing1 620
But1 naf eles f er was gret1 mornyng1
Among1 f e poeple and seye fay can not1 gesse
That1 sche hadde don so gret1 a wickednesse 623
IT ffor fey han sein hir euer so vertuous
And louyng1 hermynghild right1 as hire lif1
Of1 fis bar witnesse euerich in fat1 hous
Sauf1 he fat1 hermegild slough wif his knif1 627
This gentil king1 haf caught1 a gret1 motyf1
Of1 fis witnesse and fought1 he wolde enquere
Deppere in fis cas a trouthe for to lere 630
CORPUS 175 (6-T. 149)
SIX-TEXT 150
176 GKOUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS.
1F Alias distance f ou nast1 no champion
Ne fighte canst1 f ou nought1 so weyloway
But1 he fat1 for oure redempcion
And bond Sathan and lith yet1 fer he lay C34
So he f y stronge champion f is day
ffor hut1 vpon f e miracle kithe
Wif outen gilt1 f ou schalt1 hen slayn as swithe 637
IT Sche sitte hir doun on knees and ]>us sche sayde
Immortal god fat1 sauedest1 Susanne
ffro false hlame and f ou merciful mayde
Marie I mene doughter to seint1 Anne 641
Biforn whos child aungelis synge Osanne
If1 1 he gilteles of1 f is felonie
My socour he for elles schalt1 1 dye 644
IT haue ye not1 sein som tyme a pale face/
.Among1 a prees of1 him fat1 haf be lad
Toward his deth wher as him get1 no grace/
And swich a colour in his face haf had 648
Men mighte knowe his face fat1 was hystad
Amonges alle f e faces in fat1 route
So stant1 Custance and loketh hire aboute 651
IF 0 queenes lyuynge in prosperite [leaf 83]
Duchesses and 36 ladies euerichone
haue som routhe on hir aduersite
An emperoures doughter stant1 allone 655
Sche haf no wight1 to whom to make hir moone
0 blood real fat1 stondest1 in f is drede/
ifer been fi freendes at1 fy grete neede 658
11 This alia king1 haf such compassion
As gentil herte is fulfild of1 pite
That1 from his eyhen ran f e water don
Now hastilich do fecche a book1 quod, he 662
COllPUS 176 (6-T. 150)
SIX-TEXT 151
GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS, 177
And if1 J)is knight1 wol swere how J>at sche
This workman slough ^it1 wol we vs auyse /
Whom fat1 we wolde fat1 schal be oure lustise 665
^l A britofi book1 y-writen with eucrangiles
"Was fette and on fis book1 he swor anon
Sche giltif1 was in fe mene whiles
An hand him smot1 vpon fe nekke bon 669
That1 doun he felle at ones as a stoon
And bofe his eyen brust1 out1 of1 his face/
Tn sight1 of1 euery body in fat1 place 672
1F A vois was herd in general audience
And seyde j>ou hast1 disclandred gilteles
The doughter of1 holy chirche in heigh presence
Thus hast1 f ou doon and ^et1 1 moot1 holde my pees 676
Of1 f is merueyle agast1 was alle f e prees
As m[a]zed folk1 f ei stooden euerychone
ffor drede of1 wreche saue Custance allone 679
Gret1 was ]?e drede and eek1 ]?e repentance
Of1 hem fat1 hadden wrong suspecion
vpon J)is seely Innocent1 Custance
And for J)is miracle in conclusion 683
And by Custance mediacion
The king1 and many anojjer in J?at place
Conuerted was Ranked be goddes grace 686
IF This false knight1 was slain for his vntrouthe
By luggement1 of1, alia, hastily [leaf as, back]
And yet1 Custance haj? of1 his deth gret1 roupe
And after ])is ihesus1 of1 his mercy [! MS ih#]
Made Alia wedden ful solempnely
This holy mayden fat1 is so bright1 and scheene
And Jms haj) Crist1 made Custance a queene 693
CORPUS 177 (6-T. 151)
SIX-TEXT 152
178 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS
11 But1 who was woful if1 1 schul nat1 lye
Of1 fis wedding1 but1 Donegilde and nomo
The kinges mooder ful of1 tyrannye
hir fought1 hir cursed herte barst/ a two 697
Sche wolde nought* hir sone hadde don so
hir fought1 a despit1 fat1 he schulde take
So strange a creature vnto his make 700
IF Me list1 no^t1 of1 f e chaf1 ne of1 f e stre
Make so long1 a tale as of1 f e corn
What1 schulde I tellen of1 f e realte
Of1 mariage or which cours gof biforn 704
Who blowef in a trompe or in an horn
The fruyf of euery tale is for to seie/
Thei ete and drynke and daunce and synge and pleye 707
They gon to bedde as it was skile and right1
ffor f ough fat1 wyfes ben ful holy finges
They moste take a pacience a night1
Such manere necessaries as ben plesynges 711
To folk1 fat1 ban y-wedded hem wif rynges
And leye a litel here holynesse asyde
As for fe time it1 may non ofer betyde 714
1T On hire he gat1 a knaue child anon
And to a bisshope and his counseil eeke
he took1 his wijf1 to kepe whan he is goon
To Scotland ward his fomen for to seeke 718
Now faire Custance fat1 is so humble and meeke
So longe is gon wif childe til fat1 stille
Sche halt1 hir chambre abydyng1 at1 cristes wille 721
¥ The tyme is come a knaue child ache beer
Mauricius atte font1 ston f ei him calle
This Constable dof forf come a messagere [leaf 84]
And wrot1 to his king1 fat1 cleped was alle. 725
COKPUS 178 (6-T. 152)
SIX-TEXT 153
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS. 179
how Jjat1 j?is "blisful tyding1 is bifalle
And oj?er tydynges spedful for to seye
he take]? J?e lettre and forth he go]) his weye 728
IF This messager to don his auantage/
vnto J?e kinges moder ride]? swijje
And salueth hire ful faire in his langage
Ma dame quojj he ^e may be glad and blijje 732
And thanke god an hundred Jjousand sij>e
My lady queen ha]> child wifouten doute
To loye and blisse of* alle J>is regne aboute 735
IT lo here J?e lettres seled of1 J?is fing1
That1 1 mot1 here with al J>e haste I may
If* ye wole aught1 vnto your sone )>e king1
I am your seniant bo]?e night1 and day 739
Dongyld answerd as now at1 f is tyme nay
But* heer al nighf I wole ]?ou take ]ri rest1
Tomorwe wil I seie what1 me lest1 742
1F This messager drank1 sadly ale and wyn
And stolen weren his lettres priuyly
Out1 of1 his box whil he sleep as a swyn
And counterfeted was ful subtilly 746
Ano)>er le^re wrought1 ful synfully
vnto ]>e king1 direct1 of1 J>is matiere
ffro his Conestable as $e schal after heere 749
The lettre spak1 J?e queen deliuered was
Of1 so horrible a feendlich creature
That1 in J?e Castelle non so hardy was
That1 ony while dorste Jje/inne endure 753
The mooder was an elf1 by auenture
ycome by charmes or by sorcerie
And euery wight1 hatejj hire company o 756
CORPUS 179 (6-T. 153)
SIX-TEXT 154
180 GROUP B, § 2, MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.
"Wo was Jjis king1 whan he pis lethe hadde seyn
But1 to no wight1 he tolde his sorwes sore
But1 of1 his oughne hond he wrot ageyn
Welcome J?e sonde of1 crist1 for eueremore [leaf 84, back]
To me fat1 am now lerned in his lore
lord welcome be pi lust1 and pi plesance
My lust1 is put1 al in fin ordinance 763
IT kepeth pis child al be it1 foul or faire
And eek1 my wif1 vnto myn horn comyng1
Crist1 whan him list1 may sende me an haire
More agreable pan pis is to my liking1 767
This lettre he selep priuyly wepyng1
Which to pe messager was take sone
And forth he go]) per is nomore to doone 770
1T 0 messager fulfild of1 dronkenesse / {.Latin note, p. 133.]
Strong1 is pi brep pi lymes faltren ay
And pou biwreyest1 alle sikernesse /
Thy mynde is lorn pou iangelest1 as a lay 774
Thy face is torned in a newe aray
Ther dronkenesse regnep in ony route
Ther nys no counseil hid wipouten doute 777
11 0 donegild I haue non englissh digne
vnto ])j malice and jjy tyrannye
And ferfore to J)e feend I ]?e resigne /
lat1 him enditen of1 J>i traiterie / 781
ffy mannyssh fy o nay by god I lye
ffy feendlich spirit1 for I dar wel telle
Though pou here walke Jiy spirit1 is in helle / 784
1T This messager com]? fro J)e king1 agayn
And at1 J?e kinges moodres court1 he light1
And sche was of1 )>is messager ful fain
And plesed him in al pat1 euer sche might1 788
CORPUS 180 (6-T. 151)
SIX-TEXT 155
GEOUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CorpUS MS. 181
he drank1 and wel his gerdel vnderpighfr
he sleepef and he snortef l in his gyse c1 MS fn . . o
Al night1 til fe sonne gan arise 791
IF Eft1 were his lettres stolen euerich on
And countrefeted letfaes in fis wise
The king1 comandef his constable anon)
vp peyne of1 hangyng1 on a heih luyse
That1 he ne schulde suffre in no wise/
Custance in with his Eegne for tabide
Thre dayes and a quarter of1 a tyde
795
[leaf 85]
798
IF But1 in fe same schip as he hire fond
hire and hire ^onge sone and alle hir gere
he schulde putte and croude fro f e londe
And charge hire fat1 sche neuer eft1 come fere 802
0 my Custance wel may }>i goost1 haue feere/
And sleping1 in J>i drem ben in penaunce/
Whan Donegild caste al fis ordinance 805
^T This messager on morwe whan he wook1
Vnto fe castel halt1 f e nexte way
And to f e Constable he fe le^re took1
And whan fat1 he fis pitous le^re say 809
fful ofte he seyde alias and weylaway
IF lord crist1 quod he how may fis lettre endure
So ful of1 synne is many a creature 812
IF 0 mighty god if1 fat1 it1 be f i wille
Sith fou art1 rightful luge how may it1 be
That1 fou wolf suffren Innocent/ to spille
And wikke folk1 regnen in prosperite
^F 0 goode Custance alias so wo is me
That1 I moot1 be f i tormentour or deye
On schames def f er is non of er weye
CORPUS 181 (6-T. 155)
816
819
SIX-TEXT 156
182 GROUP B. § 2, MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS.
5T Wepen bof e ^onge and olde in al fat1 place
Whan fat1 f e king1 f is cursede lettr& sente
And Custance with a dedly pale face
The ferfe day toward hir schip sche wente 823
But1 naf eles sche take)) in good entente
The wille of1 crist1 and knelyng1 in f e stronde
Sche seyde lord ay welcome be fi sonde 826
he fat1 me kepte fro f e false blame
Whil I was on f e lond amonges yow /
he kan me kepe from harm) and eek1 fro schame
In salte see al f ough I se not1 how 830
As strong1 as euer he was he is right1 now /
In him trust1 1 and in his mooder deere Deaf 85, back]
That1 is to me my sail and eek1 my steere 833
hir litel child lay weepyng1 in hire arm)
And knelyng1 pitously to him sche seide
Pees litel sone I wol do f e non harm
Wif fat1 hir couerchef1 of1 hir heed sche breyde 837
And ouer his litel ey3en sche it leyde/
And in hir arm sche lulleth it ful faste /
And in to heuen) hir yhen vp sche caste 840
11 Moder qwod sche and mayde bright1 marie
Soth is fat1 Jmrgli wommannes eggement
Mankynde was lorn and dampned ay to deye
ffor which fi child was on a croys y-rent1 844
Thy blisful eighen saugh al his tormentf
Than is f er no comparison) bitweiie
Thy wo and any wo man may sustene 847
*f[ Thou saugh f i sone y-slayn biforn fin eyen
And ^it1 now lyuef my litel child par fay
"Now lady bright1 to whom alle woful cryen)
Thow glorie of1 wommanhod fou faire may 851
CORPUS 182 (6-T. 156)
SIX-TEXT 157
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS. 183
Thou hauen of1 reftif brighte sterre of1 day
Rewe on my child fat1 of1 ]?i gentilesse
Re west1 on euery rewful in distresse 854
IT 0 litel child alias what1 is ]?i gilt1
That1 neuer wroughtest1 synne as ^it1 par de
Why wil pin harde fader haue fe spilt1
0 mercy deere Conestable quod, sche 858
As lat1 my litel child dwelle heer witE. J)e
And if1 ]>ou darst1 nought1 sauen him for blame
So kisse him ones in his fadres name 861
f Ther with sche loke]> bakward to ]?e lond
And sayde farewel housbonde routheles
And vp sche rist1 and walketh doun Jje stronde
Toward J?e schip hir folwejj alle jje prees 865
And euer sche preiej? hir child to holde his pees
And take]? hire leeue and with an holy entent1
Sche blissej) hire and in to schip sche wente [leaf 86]
vitailled was J?e schip it1 is no drede
habundauntly for hire ful longe space
And o)>er necessaries Jjat1 scholden neede
Sche hadde ynough heried be goddes grace 872
ffor wynd and weder almighty god purchace
And brynge hir home I can no better sey
But1 in J?e see sche dryuej? for]> hir wey 875
[PART III.}
Alia Jje king1 com]? horn sone after ]>is /
vnto his castelle of1 }>e which I tolde
And axe]) wher his wyf1 and his child is
The Constable gan aboute his herte colde 879
CORPUS 183 (6-T. 157)
SIX-TEXT 158
184 GROUP B, § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And pleynly al f e maner he him tolde
As ye han herd I can telle it* no bettre
And scheweth fe king1 his seal and his lettre 882
And seyde lord as 36 comaunded me
vp peyne of1 deth so haue I don certein
This messager tormented was til he
Moste biknowen and tellen plat1 and plein 886
ffrom night1 to night1 in what1 place he hadde leyn
And f us by witt1 and subtil enqueryng1
ymagined was by whom fis harm gan spring1 889
IT The hond was knowe fat1 ])e lettiQ wrot1
And alle fe venym of1 fe cursed dede
But1 in what1 wise certeinly I not1
The effect1 is fis fat1 alia out1 of1 drede 893
his mooder slough fat1 many men pleynly reede
ffor fat1 sche traitour was to hire ligeance /
Thus endef olde Donegild wif meschance 896
The sorwe fat1 f is Alia night1 and day
Makef for his wyf1 and for his child
Ther is no tonge fat1 it1 telle may
But1 now wol I vnto Custance gi 900
That1 fleetef in f e see in peyne and wo
.v. yeer and more as likede cristes sonde
Ar fat1 hire schip approched vnto londe 903
IF Ynder an hef en castelle atte laste [leaf 86, back]
Of1 which f e name in my text1 nou^t1 1 fynde
Custance and eek1 hir childe f e see vp caste
Almighty god fat1 sauef al mankynde 907
haue on Custance and hir child som mynde
That1 fallen is in hethene hond eft1 sone
In poynt1 to spille as I schal telle yow soone 910
CORPUS 184 (6-T. 158)
SIX-TEXT 159
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS. 185
Doun fro pe Castelle com]) per many a wight1
To gawren on pis schip and on Custance
But* schortly fro pe castel on a night1
The lordes sty ward god yeue him meschance 914
A theef1 pat1 hadde renyed oure creance /
Com in to schip allone and seide he scholde
hir leraman be wher so sche wolde or nolde/ 917
1F "Wo was pis wrecchede womman po bigon
hir child cryede and sche cried pitously
But1 blisful marie halp hir right1 anoon
ffbr with hir strogelyn wel and mightily 921
The theef1 fel ouer bord al sodeinly
And in pe see he dreynte for vengance
And pus hap crist / vnwemmed kept1 Custance 924
0 foule lust1 of1 luxurie lo pin ende [.Latin note, p. 133.]
^sToughf / oonly pat1 pou fayntesf mannes mynde
But1 verreyly pou wolt1 his body schende
The ende of1 pi werk1 or of1 pi lustes blynde 928
Is compleynyng1 how many oon may men fynde
That1 nought1 for werk1 somtyme but1 for jjentent1
To don pis synne ben eyj>er slayn or schent1 931
1T how may pis weyke womman han J>e strengjje
hire to defende ageyn J?is renegat1
0. golyas vnmesurable of lengpe
how mighte Dauid make J>e so mat1 935
So yonge and of1 armure so desolat1
how dorst1 he loke vpon pi dredful face
Wel may men sen it1 was but1 goddes grace 938
Who yaf1 ludith corage or hardynesse
To slen him Olefernus in his tent1 [leaf 87]
And to delyueren out1 of1 wrecchednesse
The poeple of1 god. I sey for pis entent1 , . 942
CORPUS 185 (6-T. 159)
SIX-TEXT 160
186 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS.
fat1 right1 as god spirit1 and vigor sent1
To hem and saued hem out1 of meschance
So sent1 he might1 and vigor to distance 945
fforj? go]? hir schip for]> on J?e narwe mouth
Of1 lubaltar and Septe dryuyng1 ay
Somtyme west1 and som tyme north and soutn"
And som tyme est1 ful many a wery day 949
Til cristes mooder blissed be sche ay
ha]? schapen f urgh hir endeles goodnesse
To make an ende of1 alle hir heuynesse 952
11" JSTow lat1 vs stynte of1 Custance but a J?rowe
And speke we of1 J>e Eomeyn Emperour
That1 out1 of1 Surrie ha]? fe letties knowe
The slaughtere of1 cristene folk1 and deshono&r 956
Don to his doughter by a fals tray tour
T meiie J>e cursede wickede Sowdonesse
That1 at1 J?e feste let1 slen bo]>e more and lesse 959
IT ffor which f is Emperowr haj> sent1 anon)
his senatour wif real ordinance
And ofer lordes god wot1 many on
On Surriens to taken his vengance 963
They brennen sleen and bringen hem to meschance
fful many a day but1 schortly J)is is fende
homward to Eome ])ei schapen hem to wende 966
This Senatour repaireth with victorie
To Eomeward saylinge really
And mette fe schip dryuyng1 as seij? J>e storie
In which Custance sitte ful pitously 970
No fing1 ne knew he what1 sche was ne why
Sche was in swich aray ne sche nyl seye
Of1 hire astate jjough sche scholde deye 973
CORPUS 186 (6-T. 160)
SIX-TEXT 161
GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS. 187
he bringep hire to Borne and to his wijf1
he yaf1 hire and hire 3onge sone also
And wip pe Senatour sche ladde hir lyf* [leaf 87, back]
Thus kan oure lady bringen out of1 woo 977
Woful Custance and many anoper mo
And long1 tyme dwelled sche in fat4 place
In holy werkes euere as was hir grace 980
IF The Senatoures wijf hir aunte was
ButH for al pat1 sche knew hir neuer ])e more
I wil no lenger tarien in pis caas
But1 to king1 Alia which I spak1 of* yore 984
That1 for his wyf wepej) and sikep sore /
I wol retorne and lete I wil Custance
vnder pe Cenatoures gouernance / 987
IF kyng1 Alia which pat1 hadde his moder slayn
vpon a day fil in such repentance
That1 i:0 I schortly tellen schal and playn
To Rome he comep to receyuen his penance 991
And put1 him in pe popes ordinance
In heigh and low and Ihesu crist1 besoughte
fforyeue his wikkede werkes pat1 he wroughte 994
IF The fame ano purgh Rome toun is born
how Alia king1 schal comen in pilgrinage
By herberiours pat1 wenten him biforn
ffor which pe Senatour as was vsage 998
Rood him agayn and many of his lynage
As wel to schewen his hie magnificence
As to don any king1 a reuerence 1001
IF Gret1 cheere doth pis noble Senatour
To king1 Alia and he to him also
Euerich of1 hem dop oper gret1 honour
And so bifille pat1 in a day or tuo 1005
14 CORPUS 187 (6-T. 161)
SIX-TEXT 162
1 88 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS,
This Senatour is to king1 alia go
To feeste and schortly if1 1 sclial not1 lye
distance sone is in his companye / 1008
1F Som men wolde seyn atte requeste of1 distance
This Senatour haf lad f is child to feste
I may not1 tellen euerich circumstance /
Be as be may fer was he atte leste Peaf88]
But1 so]? is f is fat1 at his moodres heste
Byforn Alia duryng1 f e metes space
The child stood loking1 in fe kinges face 1015
This alia king1 haf of1 f e child gret1 wonder
And to f e Senatour he sayde anon
Whos is fat1 faire child fat1 stondef yonder
I not1 quod, he by god and by seint1 lohn 1019
A mooder he haf but1 fader ha]? he non
That1 1 of1 woot1 and schortly in a stounde /
he tolde alia how fat J?is child was founde 1022
IT But god wot1 quod, f is Senatour also
So vertuous a lyuere in my lyf1
Ne saugh I neuer as sche ne herde of1 mo
00 worldly woramen mayde ne of1 wijf1 1026
1 dar wel sayn sche hadde leuer a knyf1
Thurghout1 hire brest1 fan ben a womman wikke
Ther is noman kowde bringe hire to fat1 prikke 1029
Now was f is child as lik1 vnto Custance /
As possible as is a creature to be
This alia haf f e face in remembrance
Of dame Custance and fer on mused he 1033
If1 fat1 f e childes rnoder were aught1 sche /
That1 is his wyf1 and priuily he sighte
And spedde him fro fe table fat1 he mighte 1036
CORPUS 188 (6-T. 162)
SIX-TEXT 163
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS. 189
IT Par fay he fought1 f e fantome is in myn hed
I oughte demen of1 skilful luggemerct
That1 in f e salte see my wyf1 is deed
And aftirward he made his argument 1040
What1 wot1 I if fat1 crist1 haj? hider sent1
My wyf1 by see as wel as he hir sente
To my contre fro fennes fat1 sche wente 1043
IF And after non horn with f e Senatour
Gof alia for to seen f is wonder chaunce
This Senatour dof alia gret1 honour
And hastily he sente after Custance 1047
But1 trustef wel hire luste nought1 to daunce peaf ss, back]
Whan fat1 sche wiste wherfore was fat1 sonde
Vimef e vppon hire feet1 sche mighte stonde / 1050
1F Whan alia saugh his wyf1 faire he hire grette /
And wepte fat1 it was reuf e for to se
ffor atte ferste look1 he on hire sette /
he knew wel verrely fat1 it was sche / 1054
and for sorwe as domb stant1 as a tre
So was hir herte schet1 in hire distresse
Whan sche remembred his vnkyndenesse / 1057
IT Twies sche swownef in his owne sight1
he wepte and him excuseth pitously
Now god quod he and his halwes bright*
So wisly on my saule as haue mercy 1061
That1 of1 youre harm) as gilteles am I
As is Maurice my sone so lik1 }oure face
Elles the feende me fecche out1 of1 fis place / 1064
IT longe was f e sobbyng1 and f e bittre peyne /
Or fat1 here wofulle hertes mighte cesse /
Gret1 was f e pite for to heere hem pleyne /
furgh whiche pleyntes gan hire wo encresse / 1068
CORPUS 189 (6-T. 163)
SIX-TEXT 164
190 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS.
I pray 3011 alle my labour to relesse
I may not1 tellen hir wo vntil to morwe
I am so wery for to speke of1 hire sorwe 1071
IF But finally whan pat1 J?e sope is wist1
That1 Alia gilteles was of1 hire woo /
I trowe an hundred tymes ben pei kiste
And such a blisse is per betwixe hem tuo 1075
That1 saue pe ioye fat1 lasteth eueremo
Ther is non lit pat1 ony creature
hap seyn or schal whil pe world may dure 1078
H Tho preyed sche hire housbonde mekely
In relief1 of* hir longe pitous pyne
That1 he wolde preye hire fader specially
That1 of1 his mageste he wolde enclyne 1082
To fouche sauf1 som day with him to dyne
Sche preyde him eek1 he scholde by no weye [leaf 89]
vnto hir fader no word of hire seye 1085
1T Some men wolde sein how fat1 pe child Maurice
Do]) pis message vntil pis Emperour
But1 as I gesse Alia was nought1 so nyce
To him pat1 was of1 so souereigne honour 1089
As he pat is of1 cristene folk1 pe flour
Sent1 eny child but it is bet1 to deme
he went1 himself* and so it may wel seme 1092
IT This Emperour hath graunted gentily
To come to dyner as he him bysought1
And wel redy he lokede bisily
vpon pis child and on his doughter fought1 1096
Alia go]? to his In and as him ought1
Arrayed for pis feste in euery wise
As ferforth as his konnyng1 may suffise 1099
CORPUS 190 (6-T. 164)
SIX-TEXT 165
GROUP B. § 2, MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Corpus MS. 191
II The morwe com and alia gan him dresse
And eek1 his wyf1 f is Empe?*our to meete
And for]) fey ryde in ioye and in gladnesse /
And whan sche seigh hir fader in f e strete
Sche light1 a doun and fallef him to feet
ffader quod sche youre ^onge child distance
Is now ful clene out1 of1 ^oure remembrance
IF I am ^oure dough ter Custance qiwd. sche
That whilom ye sent vnto Surrye
I am I fader fat1 in f e salte see
"Was putte allone and dampned for to dye
Now goode fader mercy to you I crye
Send me nomore vnto non hethenesse
But1 f onk1 my lord heer of1 his kyndenesse
1103
1106
1110
1113
IT Who can f e pitous Ioye tellen al
Bitwexe hem f re syn fey hen f us y-mette
But1 of1 my tale make an ende I schal
The day gof faste I wol no lenger lette 1117
This glad folk1 to dyner fey hem sette
In ioye and blisse at1 mete I lete hem dwelle
A f ousand fold wel more fan I can telle / [leaf 89, back]
This child maurice was sitthen Emperour
Made by f e pope and lyuede cristenely
To cristes chirche he dede gret honoz^r
But1 1 letete ! alle his story passen by [i*0] 1124
Of1 Custance is my tale specially
In olde Eomeyn gestes men may fynde [Latin note, P. m.j
Maurices lyf1 1 bere it nought1 in mynde 1127
1T This king1 Alia, whan he his tyme say
With his Custance his holy wif so sweete
To Engelond f ei come f e redy way
Wher as fay lyue in ioye and in quiete 1131
CORPUS i9i (G-T. 165)
SIX-TEXT 166
192 GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. CoipUS MS.
But1 litel while it lastep I $ou heete
loye of1 pis world for tyme wil nou^t1 abyde
ffro day to nyght1 it1 chaungep as pe tyde 1134
IF Who lyued euere in such delyf a day [Za#ii note, p. iss.]
That1 ne meued eyper conscience /
Or Ire or talent1 of1 som kyn affray
Enuye or pride or passion or offense / 1138
I ne say but1 for pis ende pis sentence
That1 litel while in loye or in plesance
lastep pe blisse of1 alia wip Custance / 1141
ifor dep pat1 take]) of* heigh and lough his rent
Whan passed was a yeer euene as I gesse
Out1 of1 pis world pis king1 Alia he hent
ffor whom Custance hap ful gret1 heuynesse / 1 1 45
"Now lat1 vs prayen god his soule blesse /
And dame Custance finally to seye
Toward pe toun of1 Eonie go]) hire weye 1148
To Eome is come pis holy creature
And fyndep hire freendes hoi and sounde
Now is sche scaped alle hire auenture
And whan sche hir fader hap I-founde 1152
Doun on hir knees falleth sche to grounde
Wepynge for tendirnesse in herte blipe
Sche heriep god an C. pousand sithe 1155
In vertue and holy almesdede /
They lyuen alle and neuer asonder wende
Til deth departe hem pis lif1 pey lede
And farep now wel my tale is at1 an ende 1159
Now ihesu crist1 pat1 of1 his might1 may sende
loye after wo gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle pat1 ben in pis place / Explicit1 1162
CORPUS 192 (6-T. 166)
SIX-TEXT 167
GROUP B. § 3. MAN OF LAW-SHIPMAN LI&K, CoipUS MS.
Owre oost1 vpon his stiropes stood anoon ion /<?«/ 905
And seyde goode men herkenej) euerych on
This was a thrifty tale for £e nones
Sire parissche presf quod he for goddes boones 1 1 66
Telle vs a tale as was Jn forward yore
I se wel pat1 ye lerned men in loore
Can moche good by goddes dignete
The parson him answerde benedicite 1 170
What1 eylep J>e man so synfully to swere /
Oure ost1 answerde . 0 lanekyn be ye fere
I smelle a lollere in J?e wynd quod he
how goode men quod cure host* herkenej? me 1174
Abyde]) for goddes digne passion
ffor we schal han a predicacion
This lollere heer wil prechen vs som what1
Nay by my fader soule fat1 schal he nat 1178
Seyde j?e Esquier heer schal he nafr preche
He schal no gospel glosen here ne teche
he leuej) all in Jje grete god he
he wolde so wen som difficulte 1182
Or springen Cokkel in oure clene corn
And Jjerfore oost1 1 warne J?e biforn
My loly body schal a tale telle
And I schal clynken $ou so mery a belle 1186
That* I schal waken al ]>is compaignie
But1 it schal not1 ben of1 philosophic
NQ Phislyas ne termes queinte of1 lawe
Ther is but1 litel latyn in my nawe 1100
15 CORPUS 193 (6-T, 167)
SIX-TEXT 479
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
AT Sarray in fe land of1 Tartarye
Ther dwelt1 a king* fat1 werreyed Russye
Thurgh which f er deyed many a doughty man)
This noble king1 was cleped kambynskan) 1 2
Which in his tyme was of* so gret renon
That1 fer nas nowher in no region
So excellent1 a lord in alle Jnng1
him lacked nought1 fat1 longed to a kyng1 1G
As of1 f e secte of1 which fat1 he was born
he kepte his lay to which fat1 he was sworn
And f erto he was hardy wys and riche
And pitous and lust1 alwey y-liche 20
Sof of1 his word benigne and honorable
Of1 his corage as eny centre stable cenfrrwm circuli
yong1 freissh and strong1 in armes desirous
As eny bacheler of1 alle his hous 24
A fair persone he was and fortunaf
And kepte alway so wel real astat1
That1 f er nas no wher swich anof er man
This noble king1 this Tartre Kambynskan 23
hadde tuo sones in Eltheta his wyf1
Of1 which f e eldest1 highte Algarsyf1
That1 of er was y-cleped Camballo
A doughter hadde f is worf y king1 also 32
That1 yongest1 was and highte Canace
But1 for to telle you al hire beaute
It1 lyf nought1 in my tonge ne in my konnyng1
I dar not1 vndertake so heigh a f ing1 36
COKPUS 194 (6-T. 479)
SIX-TEXT 480
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Myn englissch" eek1 is insufficient
It1 moste ben a Kethor excellent1
That1 couf e his colours longyng1 for fat art*
If1 he schulde hir discryue in any part 40
I am non swich I moot1 speke as I can
And so bifelle that1 whan f is Cambynskan
haf twenty wynter born his Diademe
As he was wonte fro yeer to yeer I deeme 44
he leef fe feste of1 his natiuite Peaf9i]
Don cry en f urgh" Sarray his Cite
The laste Idus of* March" after f e ^eer
Phebus f e sonne lolif1 was and cleer 48
ffor he was neigh his exaltacion
In martes face and his mansion
In aries f e Colerik1 f e hote signe
fful lusty was fe weder and benigne 52
ffor which f e foules a^ein f e sonne sshene
What1 for f e seson and f e yonge grene
fful loude songe hire affections
hem semed han geten hem protections 56
A3ein f e swerd of1 wynter keene and cold
This Kambynskan) of1 which I haue }ou told
In Heal vestiment1 sit1 on his deys
"With dyademe ful heigh in his paleys 60
And halt1 his feste solempne and so riche
That1 in f is world ne was f er non it1 liche
Of1 which if1 1 schal telle al f e array
Than wold it1 occupye a someres day 64
And eek1 it1 needef nat1 to deuyse
At euery cours f e ordre of1 here seniise
I wol not1 tellen of1 here st?*aunge sewes
Ne of1 here swannes ne of1 here heron-sewes 68
Ek1 in fat1 lond as tellen knightes olde
Ther is som mete fat1 is ful deynte holde
That1 in f is lond men recche but1 smal
Ther nys no maw fat1 may reporten al 72
CORPUS 195 (6-T. 480)
SIX-TEXT 481
GKOUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
I wol not1 tarien yow for it1 is prime
And for it1 is no fruyt1 but1 los of* tyme
vnto my first1 pnrpos I wole haue my recours /
And so bifelle fat1 after fe fridde cours 76
Whil fat1 f is king1 sit1 f us in his nobleye
herknyng1 his menstreles here f inges pleye
Biforn him atte bord deliciously
In atte halle dore al sodeinly 80
Ther com a knight1 vpon a steede of1 bras [leaf 91, back]
And in his hond a brood Mirour of1 glas
vpon his thombe he hadde of1 gold a ryng*
And by his syde a naked swerd hangyng1 84
And vp he rydef to f e heihe bord
In alle f e halle ne was f er spoke a word
ffor merueille of1 f is knight1 him to biholde
fiul bysyly fey wayten ^onge and olde / 88
This strange knight1 fat1 com f us sodeynly
Al armed saue his heed ful richely
Salued f e king1 and queen and lordes alle
By ordre as fey seten in f e halle 92
with so heigh reuerence and obeissances
As wel in speche as in contenances
That1 Gawayn with his olde curtesye /
Though he com agayn out1 of1 fayrie / 96
Ne couf e him nought1 amende wif no word
And after f is bifore f e heihe bord
he with a manly vois sayde his message
After fe forme vsed in his langage 100
wif oute vice of1 Sillable or of1 lettiQ
And for his tale scholde seme f e bettre
Acordant1 to his wordes was his chere /
As techef art1 of1 speche hem fat1 it1 lere / 104
Al be it1 fat1 1 can nat1 sowne his stile
Ne can not1 clymben ouer so heigh a style
yet/ seye I f is fat1 as to co?muune entente
Thus moche amountef al fat: euer he mente 108
CORPUS 196 (6-T. 48l)
SIX-TEXT 482
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
If1 it1 so be pat1 I haue it1 in my mynde
he seyde pe king1 of1 Arabic and of1 Inde
My liege lord on J>is solempne day
SalueJ) 3011 as he best1 can and may 112
And sendej) yow in honour of1 your feste
By me pat1 am redy at1 al your heste /
This steede of* Bras fat1 esily and wel
kan in ]>e space of1 a day nature! 116
This is to seie in .xxiiij". houres [leaf 923
Wher so yow list1 in drought1 e or in schoures
Beren youre body in to euery place /
To which youre herte wilneth for to pace 120
wijjoute wem of1 $ou Jjorugh foul or fair
Or if1 ^ou list1 to flee as hye in pair
As do]) an Egle whan him list1 to sore
This same steede schal bere ^ou eueremore 124
wipouten harm til ye be jjer you leste
Though Jjat1 $e slepen on his bak1 or reste
And torne a^ayn wip wryping1 of1 a pyn
he pat1 it1 wroughte coupe ful many a gyn 128
he waitede many a constellacon
Or he hadde do pis operacion
And knew ful many a seal and many a bond
This Mirour eek1 pat1 1 haue in my/a hond 132
hap such a might that1 men may in it see
whan per schal fallen any aduersite
Vnto youre regne or to your self1 also
And openly who is $our frend or foo 136
And ouer al pis if1 ony lady bright1
haj) set1 hire herte on any maner wight1
If1 he be fals sche schal his trayson se
his newe loue and al his subtilite 140
So openly fat1 fer schal no Jjing1 hyde
wherfore ageyn J?is lusty somer tyde
This mirour and J)is ryng1 as ye may see /
he haj? sent1 to my lady Canacee 144
CORPUS 197 (6-T. 482)
SIX-TEXT 483
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
youre excellent1 dough ter fat1 is heere
The vertu of1 f is ring1 if1 $e wol heere
Is f is . fat1 if1 hir list1 it1 for to were /
vpon hir fombe or in hir purs it here 148
Ther is no foule fat1 fleigh vnder f e heuene
fat1 she ne schal vnderstonde his steuene
And knowe his menyng1 openly and pleyn
And answere him in his langage ageyn 152
And euery gras fat1 growef vpon a roote / [leaf 92, back]
Sche schal wel knowe and whom it wol do "boote
Al be his woundes neuer so deepe and wyde
This naked swerd fat1 hongeth by my syde 156
Swich vertu haf fat1 what1 man so ye smyte
Thurghout1 his armour it wole kerue and byte
"Were it as f ikke as is a braunched oke
And what1 man fat1 is wounded wif f e stroke 1 60
Schal neuer be hoi til fat1 yow list1 of1 grace
To stroke him wif f e plat1 in f ilke place
Ther he is hurt1 f is is as moche to sayn
ye moote with fe platte swerd agayn 164
Stroke him on f e wounde and it1 wil close
This is a verray soth wif outen glose
It1 faillef nought1 whiles it1 is in youre hold
And whan fis knight1 haf fus his tale told 168
he rydeth out1 of1 f e halle and doun he light1
his steede which fat1 schon as sonne bright1
Stant1 in f e court1 stille as ony stoon)
This knight1 in to his chambre is lad anoon 172
And is vnarmed and to f e mete y-set1
The presentes ben ful richely y-fet1
This is to sein f e swerd and f e mirour
And bom anon vnto f e hihe tour 1 76
"Wif certein officers ordeyned f erfore
And vnto Canacee f e ryng1 is bore
Solempnely f er sche sitt1 atte table
But1 sikerly wif outen eny fable / 180
CORPUS 198 (6-T. 483)
SIX-TEXT 484
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
The hors of< bras fat1 may nat1 be remewed
It1 stanf as it1 were to f e ground y-glewed
Ther may noman out* of* f e place if dryue
fFor non engyn of1 wyndas or polyue / 184
And cause why for fey can no^t1 f e craft1
And f erfore in the place f ei han it laft1
Til fat1 f e knight1 ha]) taught1 hem f e maneere
To voyden him as 30 schal after heere 188
Gret1 was fe prees fat1 swarmed to and fro peaf os]
To gauren on f is hors fat1 stondef so
fFor it1 so heih was and so brood and long1
So wel proporciouned for to be strong1 192
Eight1 as it1 were a steede of1 lumbardye
Ther with so horsly and so quyk of1 ye
As it1 a gentil poyleys courser were
ffor certes fro his tail vnto his eere 196
Nature ne art1 ne couf e him nought1 amende
In no degre as al f e poeple wende
But1 euermore here mooste wonder it was
how fat1 it1 cowde gon and was of1 Bras 200
It1 was of1 ffaierye as f e peple semede
diuerse folk1 diuersely han demede
As many heedes as many wittes f er been
They niurmerede as don a swarm of1 been 204
And maden skyles after here fantasyes
Rehersyng1 of1 J>e olde poetries .i. ecpis pedasdus
And seyden it1 was lik1 fe Pagasee
The hors fat1 hadde wynges for to flee 208
Or elles it* was f e Grekes hors Synon
That1 broughte troye to destruction
As men in f ise olde gestes reede
Myn herte quod oon is eueremore in drede 212
I trowe som men of1 armes ben for Inne
That1 schapen hem f is cite for to wynne
It1 were right1 good fat1 alle swich f ing1 were knowe
Anofer rowned to his felawe lowe 216
CORPUS 199 (6-T. 484)
SIX-TEXT 485
GROUP F. § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS,
And seyde he lyeth for it1 is raf ere lik*
An apparence y-maad by som magyk1
As logelours pleyen at1 f ese festes grete /
Of1 sondry f oughtes fus fey langle and trete 220
As lewed peple demej> communly
Of1 Binges fat1 been more maad snbtily
Than fey can in here lewednesse comprehende /
They demen gladly to fe baddere ende 224
And some of1 hem wondren on J>e miiour Deaf 93, back]
That1 born was vp vnto f e maistre tour
how men might1 in it1 suche f inges se
Anof er answerde and seyde it might1 wel be 228
Naturally by composicioiis
Of1 aungels and of sleygh reflexions
And seyde fat1 in Rome was such oon
They speke of1 alocen and vitilion 232
And of1 aristotle fat1 writen in here lyues
Of1 queinte mirours and of1 perspectyues
As knowen fey fat1 han here bookes herde
And of er folk1 han wondred on f e swerde 236
That1 wolde perce f urgh euery f ing*
And fille in speche of1 Thelophus f e king*
And of1 achilles for his queinte spere /
ffor he couf e with it1 bofe hele and dere f 240
Eight1 in swich wise as men may wif f e swerd
Of1 which right1 now ye haue youre seluen herd
They speken of1 sondry hardyng1 of1 metalle
And speke of1 medicynes f er wif alls 244
And how and whanne it1 scholde harded be
Which is vnknowe algate vnto me /
Tho speeke fey of1 Canaces ryng*
And seyden alle fat1 swich a wonder fing* 248
Of1 craft1 of1 rynges herde fey neuere lion
Saue fat1 he moyses and king1 Salomon
hadde a name of1 konnyng1 in swich art1
Thus seyen fe peple and drawen hem a part* 252
CORPUS 200 (C-T. 485)
SIX-TEXT 486
GROUP. F. §2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
But1 naf eles somme seyde fat it was
Wonder to maken of1 fern aisshen glas
And 31^ is glas not1 lik1 aisshen of1 fern
But1 for fey han knowen it so fern 256
Therfore cesef here langlyng1 and here wonder
As sore wondren some on cause of fonder
On ebbe and flood on gossomer and on myst /
And alle ping1 til J>e cause is wist1 peaf94] 260
Thus Ian glen fei and demen and deuyse
Til fat1 f e king1 gan fro his bord arise
IT Phebus haf laft1 f e angle meridional
And 3ifr ascendyng1 was f e best1 roial 264
The gentil leon wif his Aldrian
Whan fat1 f is Tartre kyng1 Kambynskan
Eos from his bord ther as he sat1 ful hye
Biforn him gof f e lowde menstralcie / 268
Til he com to his chambre of1 paramentz
Ther as fey sownen diuerse instrumentz
That1 is lik1 a% heuene for to heere /
Now dauncen lusty venus children deere 272
tfor in f e fisshe hir lady sat1 ful hye Piscis
And lokef on hem with a freendy yhe
This noble king1 is set1 vp on his troone
This straunge knight1 is fet1 to him ful sone / 276
And on f e daunce he gof with Canacee
here is f e reuel and f e lolite
That is naf able a dul man to deuyse /
he moste han knowe loue and his seruise / 280
And ben a festlich man as freisch as may
That1 scholde ^ow deuisen such array
who couf e telle yow f e forme of1 daunces
So vncouthe and such freissche continaunces 284
Swich subtile lokynges and dissimulynges
ffor drede of1 lalouseye mennes aperceyuynges
Noman but lancelet1 and he is deed
Therfore I passe ouer al fis lustyhed 288
CORPUS 201 (6-T. 486)
SIX-TEXT 487
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
I say nomore but1 in f is lolynesse
I lete hem til men to soper hem dresse
The stiward bit1 spices for to hye
And eek1 fe wyn in al fis melodye 292
The vssheres and f e squyers ben y-gon
The spices and f e wyn is come anon
They eete and dronke and whan fis hadde an eiide
vnto fe temple as resoun was fey wende [leaf ot, back]
^[ The seruise doon . fey soupen al by day
What needef you rehersen here aray
Ech man woot1 wel fat1 at/ a kinges feste
haf plente to f e meste and to f e leste 300
And deyntees mo fan ben in my knowyng1
And after souper go]? fis noble king1
To seen f is hors of bras wij> al a route
Of1 lordes and of1 ladyes him aboute 304
Swich wondryng* was f er on fis hors of1 bras
That1 sif f en f e grete seege of* Troye was
Ther as men wondren on an hors also *
JSTe was f er swich a wondryng1 as was f o / 308
But1 finally f e king1 askejj ]?e knight1
The vertue of1 ])is courser and fe might1
And preyde him to telle his gouernance
The hors anon bigan to trippe and daunce 312
Whan fat1 fis knight1 layde hond vpon his reyne /
And seyde sire fer is namore to seyne
But1 whan fou list1 to ryden eny where
ye moote trille a pyn stant1 in his eere 316
which I schal telle you bitwen vs tuo /
ye moot1 nempne him to what1 place also
Or to what1 Centre fat yow list1 to ryde
And whan ye come fer as yow list1 tabyde 320
Bid him descende and trille anof er pyu)
ffor f er-in lif f effect1 of1 al fat1 gyn
And wole doun descende and don your wille
And in fat1 place he wol abyde stille 324
CORPUS 202 (6-T. 487)
SIX-TEXT 488
GROUP F. § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Jjeigh alle J>e world hadde J?e coiitrarie swore
lie schal not1 jjennes be jjrowe ne y-bore
Of1 if1 yow liste bidde him ]>ennes gon
Trille J>is pynne and he wil vanyssche anon 328
Out1 of* J)e sight1 of1 euery maner wight1
And come ayein be it1 day or night1
whan Jjat1 yow list1 to clepen him agayn
In swich a gyse as I schal to yow sayn Deaf 95] 332
Bitwixen yow and me and Jjat1 ful soone
Eyd whan yow list1 Jjer is no more to doone
Eiiformed whan j?e kyng1 was of1 jje knight1
And ha]> conceyued in his witt1 aright1 336
The maner and J>e forme of1 alle )>is Jnng1
fful glad and blijje ]?e noble doughty kyng«
Kepeyryng1 to his reuel as biforn
The brydel is in to J?e tour y-born 340
And kept1 among1 his leweles lief1 and diere
The hors vanyssht1 y not1 in what1 manere
Out1 of1 here sight1 ye gete namore of1 me
But1 J>us I lete in lust1 and lolite 344
This Kambynskafi his lordes festeynge
Til wel neigh J>e day bigan to springe IT Explicit1
pn'ma pars
^ The Stag1 of1 an hert1
IT The norice of1 digestion is slepe
Gan on hem wynke and bad hem take kepe 348
That1 moche mete and labour wol haue reste /
And with a galpyng1 hem alle he keste /
And seyde jjat1 it1 was tyme to lye a doun)
ffor blood was in his dommacion 352
Cherisshej) blood natures frend quod he
J>ey Jjanken him galpynge by tuo by ]>re
And eucry wight1 gan drawen him to his reste
As sleep hem bad ]>ey tooke if for )>e beste 356
CORPUS 203 (6-T. 488)
SIX-TEXT 489
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
here dremes schulle not1 mowe be told for me
fful were here heedes of1 fumosite
That* cause]) drem of1 which f er is no charge /
They sleepen til it1 was pryme large / 360
The moste part1 but1 it1 were Canace
Sche was ful mesurable as woramen be
ffor of1 hire fader hadde sche take hir leeue
To go to reste sone after if was eue 364
hir list1 not1 appalled for to be
fFor on f e morwe vnfestlich for to see /
And slepte hir ferste sleep and awok1 [leaf 95, back]
fFor swich a ioye sche in hir herte took1 368
Bof e of1 hire queynte ryng1 and hire mirour
That twenty tyme sche chaungeth hire colour
And in hire sleep right1 for impression
Of1 hire mirour sche hadde a vision 372
Wherfore ar fat1 f e sonne vp gan glyde
Sche cleped vp on hire maystresse bysyde
And seyde fat1 hir Jiste for to arise
Thise olde wommen fat1 ben gladly wyse 376
As is hire maystresse answerde anon *
And seyde ma dame whider wolde ye gon |
Thus erely for folk1 ben alle in reste
I wole quod sche arise for me leste / 380
No lengere sleepen but1 walken aboute
hire maistresse clepef wommen a gret1 route /
And vp fey risen wel ten or twelue
vp risef freisshe Canace hir selue 384
As rody as bright1 as fey f e yonge sonne
That1 in f e Ram . is ten degrees vpronne
Non hiher was he whan sche redy was
And forth sche walkede eesyly a pas 388
Arrayed after f e lusty seson soote
lightly for to pleye and walke on foote
Nat1 but1 .v. or .vj. of1 hire meyne
And in a trench fer in f e park1 gof sche 392
CORPUS 204 (6-T. 489)
SIX-TEXT 490
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
The vapour which pat1 fro pe erpe glood
make]) pe sonne to seeme rody and brood
But1 napeles it1 was so fair a sight1
That1 it1 made alle here hertes for to light1 396
What1 for pe sesoun) and pe morwenynge
And for pe foules pat1 sche herde synge
ifor right1 anon sche wiste what1 pey mente
Eight1 by here song1 and knew alle here entente 400
// The knotte why fat1 euery tale is told
If1 it1 be taryed til lust be cold
Of1 hem pat1 han it1 herkned after yore [leaf 96]
The sauour passe j? euer lenger pe more 404
ffor fulsomnesse of1 p?-olixite
And by pis same resoun penkep me
I scholde to pe knotte condescende
And niaken of1 hire walkyng1 sone an ende 408
IT Arnydde a tree for-drye as whit1 as chalk/
As Canacee was pleyng1 in hire walk1
Ther sat1 a ffaukon ouer hir heed ful hye
That1 with a pitous voys so gan to crye 412
That1 al pe woodS resede of1 hire crye
And beten hadde hire self1 so pitously /
With bopen hire wynges til pe reede blood
Kan endelong/ pe tree per as sche stood 416
And euer in 0011 sche cryed alwey and schrighte
And with hire beek1 hir seluen so sche pighte
That1 per ne was tygre ne cruel beste
That1 duellep eyper in woode or in foreste 420
pat1 nolde han wept1 if1 pat1 he wepe coupe
ffor sorwe of1 hire sche schright1 alwey so loupe
ffor per nas neuere yit/ no man on lyue
If1 pat1 1 coupe a fawkon wel descryue 424
That1 herde of1 such anoper of1 fayrnesse
As wel of1 plumage as of1 geutilnesse
Of1 schap of1 al pat1 mighte rekened be
A fawkon pe/'egryn panne semed sche 428
CORPUS 205 (6-T. 490)
SIX-TEXT 491
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Of1 fremde londe and eumnore as sche stood
Sche swounede now and now for lak1 ofH blood
Til wel neigh is sche fallen fro pe tree
This faire kinges doughter pis kanacee 432
That1 on hir fynger bar pe queynte ryng1
purgh which sche vnderstood wel euery ping1
That1 any foul may in his ledne sayn
And kowde answere him in his ledne agayn 436
ha,]? vnderstande fat1 pis fawkon sayde
And wel neigh for pe roupe almost1 sche deyde
And to pe tree sche gop ful hastily [leaf %, back]
And on pis fawkon lokep pitously 440
And held hire lappe abrood for wel sche wiste /
The fawkon moste falle from pe twyste /
whan pat1 it1 swownede next1 for lakke of1 blood
A long1 while to wayte hire sche stood 444
Til atte laste sche spak1 in pis maneere
Vnto pe hauk1 as 30 schal after heere
what1 is pe cause if1 it1 be for to telle
That1 ye ben in pis furial peyne of1 helle 448
Quod Canacee vnto pis hawk1 aboue
Is pis for sorwe of1 deth or los of1 loue
if or as I trowe pise bep causes tuo
That1 causen moost1 a gentil herte woo 452
Of1 oper harm it1 redep nought1/ to speke
ffor pi your self1 vpon your self1 yow wreke
which pat1 prouep wel pat1 eyper Ire or drede
Moot1 ben enchesofl of1 youre cruel dede 450
Syn pat1 1 se non oper wight1 yow chace
ifor loue of1 god so dop your selue grace
Or what1 may be your help for west1 nor est1
Ne saugh I neuer er now no bryd ne best1 460
That1 ferde with himself1 so pitously
ye slee me with youre sorwe verrayly
I haue of1 yow so gret compassiozm
ifor goddes loue com fro pe-tree a doun) 464
CORPUS 206 (6-T. 491)
SIX-TEXT 492
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And as I am a kinges doughter trewe
If1 fat1 1 verraily f e causes knewe
Of1 youre disease if1 it1 lay in my might1
I wolde amende it1 or fat1 it1 were night1 468
Als wisly help me grete god of1 kynde
And herbes schal I right1 ynowe fyiide
To hele wif $our hurtes hastily
Tho schrighte fis faukon yet1 more pitously 472
Than euer sche dide and fil to grounde anon
And lif on swowne deed as ony stoon
Til Canacee haf in hir lappe hire take [leaf 97]
vnto fat1 tyme sche gan of1 swowne awake / 476
And after fat1 sche of1 swowne gan abreide
Right1 in hir hawkes leodne Jms sche seyde
That1 pite renneth sone in gentil herte
ffeelyng1 his similitude in peynes smerte / 480
Is proued alday as men may it see
As wel by werk1 as by auctorite
ffor gentil herte kepej? gentillesse
I se wel fat1 ye han of1 my distresse 484
Compassion my faire Canace /
Of1 verray wommanly benignite /
That1 nature in youre principles haj) set1 «
But1 for non hope for to fare f e bet1 488
But1 for to obeye vnto youre herte fre /
And for to maken of er be war by me /
As by fe whelp chastised is f e leoii
Right1 for fat1 cause and for fat1 conclusion 492
"Whil fat1 1 haue a leyser and a space
Myn harm I wol confessen er I pace
And euer whil sche can hir sorvve tolde
That1 of er wepte as sche to water wolde 496
Til fat1 f e fawkon bad hir to be stille /
And with a sike f us sche seyde hire tille
Ther I was bred alias fat1 ilke day
And fostred in a roche of1 marfcml gray 500
CORPUS 207 (6-T. 492)
SIX-TEXT 493
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS,
So tendrely fat1 nofing1 eylede me
I ne wiste nought1 what1 was aduersite
Til I couf e flee fill hye vnder f e sky
fo dwelte a tercelef me faste by 504
That1 semede welle of1 alle gentilnesse
Al were he ful of1 treson and falsnesse /
It1 is wrapped vnder humble cheere
And vnder hiew of1 trouf e and in swich manere 508
Vnder plesance and vnder bysy peyne
That1 no wight1 couf e han wende he coude feyiie
So deepe in greyn he dyed his colours [leaf 97, back]
Eight as a serpent hit1 him vnder flours 512
Til he may se his tyme for to byte
Right1 so f is god of1 loues ypocrite
Do]) so his cerymonijs obeissances
And kepte in semblant alle his obsmiances 51G
That1 sownef in to gentilesse of1 loue
As in a tonibe is al f e faire aboue
And vnder is f e corps swich as 30 woot1
Swich was fis ypocrite bofe cold and hoof 520
And in fis wise he serued his entente
That1 saue f e feende non wiste what1 he mente
Til he so longe hadde wopen and compleyned
And many a yeer his seruise to me feyned 524
Til fat1 myn herte to pitous and to nyce
Al Innocent1 of1 his crowned malice
ffbr-fered of1 his de]> as poughte me
vpon his o]?es and his seurte 528
Grauntede him loue vpon pis condicion
That1 -euer mo myn honour & renoun
were saued bojje preuy and apert1
This is to sein fat1 after his dissert1 532
I yaf1 him al myn herte and my fought1
God woot1 and he fat1 of er wise nought4
And tok1 his herte in chaunge of1 myn for ay
But1 sof is seyd go sethen many a day 536
CORPUS 208 (6-T. 493)
SIX-TEXT 494
GROUP F. § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
A trewe wighfr and a Jjeef1 penkej) nat1 oon
Aiid whan he saugh J>e ping1 so fer y-gon
That1 1 grauntede him fully my loue /
In swich a gyse as I haue sayd abone / 540
And yeuen him my trewe herte as fre /
As he swore he yaf1 his herte to me /
Anon Jns Tygre ful of1 doublenesse
fill on his knees wij> so deuoute humblesse 544
wij) hye reuerence and as by his cheere /
So lik1 a gentil louere of manere /
So rauysshed as if semede for )>e ioye Deaf 98]
That1 neuere lason ne paris of1 Troye 548
lason certes ne non oj>er man)
Syn lameth was Jjat1 Aldirfirst1 bygan)
To louen tuo as writen folk1 biforn
Ne neuer sij?j?e J?e firste man was born 552
Ne couj>e man by twenty Jjousand part1
Countrefete J?e sophimes of1 his art1
Ne were worjji to vnbokele his galoche
Ther doublenesse or feynyng1 scholde aproche 556
Ne so coupe })anke a wight1 as he dide me /
his manere was an heuene for to se
Til eny womman were sche neuer so wys
So peynted he and kembej? at1 poynf devys 560
As wel his wordes as his continance
And I so loued him foi his obeissance
And for J>e troupe I demed in his herte
That1 if* so were jjat1 any Jjing1 him smerte 564
Al were it1 neuer so lite and I it1 wiste
Me Jjoughte I felte dej> at1 myn herte twiste
And schortly so ferforth Jns Jjing1 went*
That1 my wille has his willes Instrument1 568
This is to sein my wille obeyede his wille
In alle jnng1 as fer as reson fille
Kepyng1 ])e boundes of1 my worschipe euere
Ne neuer hadde I jjing1 so leef1 ne leuere 572
-16 CORPUS 209 (6-T. 494)
SIX-TEXT 495
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
As him god woof ne neuere sclial no mo
This laste lengere fan a yer or tuo
IT That1 1 supposed of1 him no fing1 but good
But* fynally ])us atte laste it stood 576
That1 fortune wolde fat1 he moste twynne
Out1 of1 J?af place which Jmf 1 was Inne
Wher me was wo if is no question
I kan not1 make of1 if discripcion 580
ffor o ping1 dar I telle boldely
I knowe whaf is Jje peyne of1 dejj per by
Such harm I felte for he ne mighte beleue [leaf 98]
So on a day of1 me he tok1 his leue / 584
So sorwfully eek1 1 wende verrayly
Thaf he hadde feeled as moche harm as I
Whan paf I herde him speke and sawe his hewe /
Buf napeles I poughte he was so trewe/ 58$
And eek1 paf he repaire scholde agayn
Wipinne a litel while sop to sayn
And reson wolde eek1 paf he moste go
ffor his honour as ofte happep so 592
Thaf I made vertu of1 necessite /
& took1 if wel syn paf it / moste be
As I besf mighte I hidde from him my sorwe
And toot him by pe hond seinf lohn to borwe 596
And seyde pus lo I am youres al
Bej) swich as I haue be to yow and schal
Whaf he answerde if needep naf reherse
Who can seyn bef J?an he who can do werse 600
Whan he haj? al wel seyd fan ha]) he doon
Th erf ore byhoue]) him a wel long1 spoon
Thaf schal eten wij> a feend jms herde I seye /
So atte laste he moof forj> his weye 604
And forth he flej? til he com J>er him leste
Whan if com him to purpos for to reste /
I trowe he hadde filke texf in mynde / f gaudlnt/?0 8ingula
Thaf alle f ing1 repeyryng1 to his kynde / 608
CORPUS 210 (6-T. 495)
SIX-TEXT 496
GROUP F. § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS,
GladeJ) himself1 / pus seyn men as I gesse /
Men louen of1 propre kynde newfangilnesse /
As briddes doon pat1 men in cages feede /
if or peigh pou night1 & day take of1 hem heede / 612
And strawe here cages faire as softe as silk1
And yeue hem sucre hony bred and mylk1
Yet1 right1 anon as pat1 his dore is vppe
he wip his feet1 wil sporne doun his cuppe 616
And to pe woode he wole and wormes ete
So newefangel ben pei of1 here mete
And louen noueleries ofH propre kynde [leaf 99]
No gentilesse of1 blood may hem bynde 620
So ferde pis tercelet1 alias pe day
Though he were gentil born fressche and gay
'And goodly for to seen and humble and fre
he saugh vpon a tyme a kyte flee 624
And sodeinly he loued pe kyte so
That alle his loue is clene fro me go
And ha]} his troupe falsed in pis wyse
Thus hap pe kite my loue in hire seruise 628
And I am lorn wipoute remedye
And wip pat1 word pis faukon gan to crye
And swouned eft/ in Canacees barm
Grett was pe sorwe for pe haukes harm 632
That1 Canacee and alle hire wommen maade
They nyste how pey mighte pe fawkon glade
But1 Canacee home berep hire in hire lappe
And softely in piastres gan hire wrappe 636
Ther as sche with hir beek1 hap hurt1 hir selue
Now kan not1 Canace but1 herbes delue
Out1 of1 pe grounde and maken salues newe
Of herbes preciouses and fyn of1 he we 640
To helen wip pe hauk1 fro day to nyght1
Sche dop hir besynesse and alle hire myght
And by hire beddes heed sche made a muwe
And couered it1 with veluettes bluwe 644
CORPUS 211 (6-T. 496)
SIX-TEXT 497
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
In signe of* trouf e fat1 is in wowmen seene
And alle wif oute f e muwe is peynted greene
In which were peynted alle f ese false fowles
As ben f ise tydifs tercelettes and owles 648
Eight1 for f e spyte were peynted hem bysyde
Pyes on hem for to crye and chyde
Thus leet I Canacee hire hawk1 keeping1
I wole nomore as now speke of1 hire ryng* 652
Til it1 come eft1 to purpos for to seyn
how fat1 f is ffaukon) gat1 hire loue ageyn
Eepentant1 as f e storie tellef vs Deaf 99, back]
By mediacioii of1 Camballus 656
The kinges sone of1 which I yow tolde /
But1 hennes forth I wol proces holde
To speke of1 auentures and of1 batailles
That1 yet1 was neuer herde so gret1 meruailles 660
ffirst1 wil I telle yow of1 Kambynskan
That1 in his tyme many a cite wan
And after wol I speke of1 Algarsif1
how fat1 he wan Theodora to his wyf1 664
ffor whan ful ofte in gret1 peril he was
!Ne hadde he ben holpen by f e hors of1 bras
And after wol I speken) of1 Camballo
That1 faught1 in listes with f e breferen tuo 668
ffor Canacee er fat1 he might1 hir wynne
And f er I lefte I wol ageyn bygynne
Appolo whirleth vp his char so hye
Til fat1 f e god mercurius hous f e slye / IT Explicit .ija
CORPUS 212 (6-T. 497)
GROUP D. FRAGMENT V.
§ 1, WIFE OF BATH'S PREAMBLE.
CORPUS MS.
"Prologus vxoris de Bathe, [headline] [leafioo]
1F Prologus vxoris
Experiment1 fough non auctorite de Bathe .C°.vij°.
Were in f is world is right1 ynougfr for me
To speke of1 wo fat1 is in mariage
ffor lordynges syii I twelue $eer was of1 age / 4
Thanked be god fat1 is eterne alyue
housbondes atte chirche dore I haue had fyue/
If1 1 so often might1 haue wedded be
But1 alle were worf y men in here degre 8
But1 me was told certein nought1 longe agones
[that criste ne wente / neuere but onys] [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14.]
To weddyng1 in f e Cane of1 Galile /
That1 by filke ensample taught1 he me 12
That1 1 ne schulde wedded be but1 ones
herk1 eek1 lo which a scharpe worde for f e nones
Besyde a welle Ihesu god and man
Spak1 in repreef1 of1 Jje Samaritan 16
Thow hast1 y-hadde .v. housebondes quod he .
And fat1 ilke man fat1 now haf fe
Is not1 fin housbonde f us sayde he certayne
What1 he mente f er-by I can nought sayne 20
Wele But1 fat/ I axe why f e fyfte man
Was non housbonde to f e Samaritan
how many might1 sche han in mariage 23
I3itf hardde I neuere telle in al myn age
CORPUS 213 (6-T. 334)
SIX-TEXT 335
GROUP D, § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
Vppon pis nombre diffiniciown
Men may deuyne and glosen vp and doun
Buf wel I., woof expresse wipouten lye . - -
God bad vs for to wexe and multiply e 28
That1 gentil texf can I wel vnderstonde
Eke wel I woof lie seyde myn housebonde
Schulde lete fader & mooder and take to me .^ Reiinqnet homo
pacrem & matrem &
Buf of1 noon nombre mension made he /
Of1 Bigamy e or of1 Octogamye 33
Why schulde men ))enne haue if in vilanye /
loke here pe wise man king1 Salomon)
I trOWe he hadde WyUeS mOO pan Oil U Genesis ijo- Qaamobrem
Now wolde god if leeful were to me / 37
To be refreisshed half1 so ofte as he [leaf 100, back]
"Which jifte of1 god hadde he for alle his wyues
No man hap such paf in pis world a lyue is 40
God wof pis noble king1 as to my witte
The firste night1 hadde many a mery fitte
Wip iche of1 hem so wel was him alyue
Blissed be god paf I haue wedded fyue 44
Welcome pe sixte whan paf euer he schal
ifor sippe I wille noughf kepe chaste in al
Whan myn housebonde is fro pe world y-gon
Som crystne man schal wedde me anon 48
ffor pan pe apostle seip paf I am free
To wedde a .goddes half1 wher if likep me
he Seip paf to be Wedded is no Senne 1 Melijfs est nubere quam vri
Betre is if to be wedded pan to brenne 52
Whaf rekkep me pough folk1 sey vylanye
Of1 schrewed lameth and his Bygamye /
I woof wel Abraham was an holy man
And Jacob eek1 as fer as ener I can 56
And ech of1 hem hadde wyues mo pan tuo
And many anoper holy man also
Wher can ^e say in any maner age
Thaf vs god defended mariage CO
CORPUS 214 (6-T. 33o)
SIX-TEXT 33G
CROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
By expresse word I pray yow tellef me
Or wher comaunded he virginite
I wot1 as wel as ye it1 is no drede
fe apostel whan he spekef of1 maydenhede 64
he seyde f er-of1 precepte hadde he noone
Men may counseille a wommaii to ben oone
But1 counseilling1 is no comaundemewt
he putte it1 in oure owne luggement1 68
ffor hadde god comniaunded maydenhede
f anne hadde he dampned weddyng1 with f e dede
And certes if1 f er were no seed y-sowe
virginite fanne wher-of1 scholde it1 growe 72
Poule dorste nought1 comanden at1 f e leste
A fing1 of which his mayster ^af1 him non heste [leaf 1013
The darte is sette vppe fro virginite
Ghase who so may who so rennef best1 lat1 see 76
But1 f is word is nought1 take of1 euery wight1
But1 fere as god wolde yeue it1 of1 his might1
I wot1 wel fat1 f e apostel was a mayde /
But1 naf eles f ough fat1 he wrot1 or sayde 80
he wolde fat1 euery wight1 were such as he /
Al nys nat1 but1 counseile to v/rginite
And for to be a wijf1 he yaf1 me leue
Of1 Indulgence so is it1 no repreue 84
To wedde me if1 fat1 my make deye /
Wifoute excepcion of1 Bygamie /
Al were it good no wowrnan for to touche
he mente as his body or in his couche 88
ifor peril is bof e to touche and for to assemble
3e knowe what1 fis ensample may resemble
This al and some he heeld v/rginite
More perfyt1 fan wedded in freelte 92
fi'reltee clepe I not1 but1 fat1 he and sche
Wolde leede here lijf1 al in chastite
I graunte it1 wel I haue non envye
Though maydenhede preferre Bygamye 9$
CORPUS 215 (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 337
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
If likef hem to be clene in body and gost1
Of1 myn estate I wole make no boost*
ifor wel 36 knowe a lord in his houshold
ha]j not1 euery vessele of1 golde / 100
Some ben of1 tree / and doon here lord seruise
God clepef folk1 to him in sondry wise
And euerich haf of1 god a propre 3ifte /
Some fis some fat1 as him like]? schifte 104
virginite is gret1 perfection
And conscience eek1 with deuocion
But1 crist1 fat1 of* perfection is welle
Bad nought1 euery wight1 he schulde selle 108
Al fat1 he hadde and 3iue it to f e pore
And in swich wise folwe him and his lore [leafioi, back]
he spak1 to hem fat1 wolde lyue parfitly a 2£*iSi£*vJh*&
And lordynges by 3oure leue fat1 am not1 1 H^^iE ha6es
I wole bystowe fe flour of1 alle myn age 113
In charite and fruyt1 of1 maryage
Telle me also to what1 conclusion
Were membres maade of1 generacion 116
And of1 so parfyt1 wise and why y-wrought1
Tristef right1 wel fey were not1 made for nought
Glose who so wile and seye bof e vp and doun)
That1 fey were made for purgacioim 120
Of1 vryne and oure bof e finges smale
Were eek1 to knowe a femal from a male
And for non of er cause what1 seye 36 no (.
The experience woof it1 is no^t1 so 124
So fat1 f e clerkes be not1 with me wrof e
I seye f is fat1 fey maked be for bof e
This is to seyn for office and for eese
Of1 engendrynge fare we not1 god displese 1 28
Why schulden men elles in here bokes sette
That1 man schal yelde to his wijf1 his dette
Now wher-wif scholde he paye his payement
yf1 fat1 he ne vsed his seely instrument 132
CORPUS 216 (6-T. 337)
SIX-TEXT 338
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
Than were fey maade vpon a creature
To purgie vryne and eek* for engendure
But1 1 seye nought1 Jjat1 euery wight1 is holde
That1 ha]> such harneys as I to yow of1 tolde 136
To gon and vsen hem in engendrure
Thanne scholde men take of1 chastite no cure
Crist1 was a mayden and schapen as a man)
And many a seynt1 syn fat1 Jje world bygan 140
Yet1 lyued j?ey euere in parfyt1 chastite
I nel envye with no virginite
lete hem ete brede of1 pured whete seed
And late vs wyues ete barly breed 144
And yetf with barly breed Mark1 telle can C1 catchword: a leaf out;
a sheet misplaced]
Oure lord l [Ihesu refresshed? / many a man [MS Arch. Seid. B.14,
tea/ 84, 6acAr]
in suche estate as god hath cleped vs
I wol perceiver / I am nought precious 1 48
in wiffhode wol I vse myn instrument
as frely as my maker / hath hit sent
yiff I be dangerous / god yeve me sorowe
myn housbonde shal it haue both eve and amorwe 152
whan that him list / com forth and pay his dette
an housbonde wol I haue / I wol not lette
which shal be / both my dettour and my thralle
and han his tribulaciouw with-alle 156
vppon his flesshe / while that I am his wiff
I haue the power5 / durynge al my.liff Itf^SSfltf*
vppon his propre body / and not he
right thus the Appostel / tolde vn-to me 160
and bad oure housbondes / for to love vs welle
alle this sentence / me liketh euerydelle
Uppe sterte the pardoner / and that anoon
now dame qwod he / bi god and bi seint lohn 164
ye ben a noble prechoure / in this caas
I was abovte to wedde a wiff allaas
what shulde I bye it / on my flesshe so dere
yit had I lever wedde noon to yere 168
CORPUS 217 (6-T. 338) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
SIX-TEXT 339
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
abyde qfuod she / my tale is not "bigonne [MS Arch. Seia. B. HJ
nay thow shalt drynken / of another tonne
or that I go / shal sauour wers than ale iieafss]
and whan I haue tolde forth my tale 172
of tribulaciouft / that is in mariage
of which I am expert / in myn age
this is to seie / my-silff hath ben the whippe
than maistow chese / whether thow wih sippe 176
of thilke tonne / that I shal abroche
be war of hit / or thow to nygh approche
for I shal telle ensamples / mo than ten
who so that wil not / be war bi other men 180
by him simile other men corrected be
these same wordis / writeth Protholome f Prothoiome
rede in his Almageste / and take it there
dame I wol pray yow / if your0 wille were 184
seide this Pardoner / as ye bigan
telle forth youre tale / spare for no man
and teche vs yongemen / of youre practike
gladly quod she / sith it may yow like 188
but that I pray / to al this cornpanye
if that I speke / after my fantesie
as taketh nought agreff / of that I seye
for myn entente / is not / but for to pleye . 192
NOw sirs than shal I telle yow my tale
as euere mot y drynke wyn or ale
I shal sey soth / tho housbondes that I hadde
as thre of heni were goode / and two were badde 196
the thre were goode men / riche and olde
vnneth myghten thei / the statute holde
in which thei were bounden vn-to me
ye wot wel what I meene of this parde 200
as god me helpe / I laugh whan I thynke
how pitously a nyght / I made hem swynke
but bi my fay / I tolde of hit no store
thei hadde me yeve here londe / and here tresore £04
CORPUS 218 (6-T. 339) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
SIX-TEXT 340
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
me nedede nought / do lenger diligence [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14]
to wynne here love / and do hem reuerence
they loued me so wel / bi god above [fea/ss, 6ac*]
that I ne tolde no deynte / of here love 208
a wise woman wol besy hir / euere in oon
to gete hir love / ye there as she hath noon
but sith" I hadde hem / holly in rnyn honde
and that thei hadde / yeve me al here londe 212
what shulde I take kepe hem for to please
but if it were my profyte / and myn ease
I sette hem so a worke / bi my fay
that many a night / thei songen welaway 216
the Bacown was not fette for hem I trowel &"&• Seid. B. 14 ex-
J tract stopsi
That1 some men haue in Essexe at1 Dunmowe ,;[ieaf 107; for 102]
I gouerned hem so wel after my lawe
That* iche of1 hem ful blisful was and fawe / 220
To bringe me gay Jjinges fro J?e feyre
They were ful glad whan I spak to hem faire iJJjjStoid*]
ffor god it woof I chidde hem spytously
Now herknej) how I bar me proprely 224
ye wyse wyues J>at? can vnderstande
Thus schulde ye speke and bere hem wrong1 on hande
ffor half1 so boldely j)er can no mail)
Swere and lye as a womman can) 228
I seye not1 f>is by wyues jjat1 ben wise /
But* it1 be whan pat1 J?ey hem rnysavyse /
A wise wijf1 schal if1 Jjat1 sche can hire good
Bere him on hond fat1 pe kow is wood 232
And take witnesse of1 hir owne mayde /
Of1 hire assent1 but herkej? how I sayde /
Sire olde kaynard is J)is fin array
Why is my neyheboures wijf* so gay 236
Sche is honoured ouer al wher sche go])
I sitte at1 horn I haue no frifty clof
What1 dostow at1 my neyhebores hous
Is sche so fair art1 fou so amerous 240
CORPUS 219 (6-T. 340)
SIX-TEXT 341
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
What1 roune 36 wif oure mayde benedicite
Sire olde lechour let1 f y iapes be /
And if1 1 haue a gossibb or a freende
Wifoute gilte }e chide as a feende 244
If1 fat1 1 walke or pleye vnto his hous
f ou comest1 home as drunken as a mous
And prechest1 on f i benche wif euel preef1
f ou seist1 to me it is a gret1 meschief1 248
To wedde a pouer woraman for costage
And if1 fat1 sche be riche of1 gret1 parage
f anne seistow fat1 it1 is a tormentrie /
To suffre hire pryde and hire malencolie / 252
And if1 fat1 sche be fair f ou verray knaue /
Thow seist1 fat1 euery holour wol hir haue / [leaf 107, back]
Sche may no while in chastite abyde
That1 is assayed vppon eche syde 256
Thou seist1 some folk1 desire vs for richesse
Some for oure schapp and some for oure fayrnesse
And some for sche can of er synge or daunce
fus saistow wernard god ^iue fe meschance 260
Some for here hondes and here armes smale
Thus gof al to f e deuel by f y tale/
f ou seist1 men may not1 kepe a castel walle
It1 may so longe assailed ben ouer alle / 264
And if1 fat1 sche be foule f ou seist1 fat1 sche
Coueitef euery man fat1 sche may see
ffor as a spaynel sche wol on him lepe
Til fat1 sche fynde som man fat1 wol hir chepe 268
!NTe non so grey goos gof f er in f e lake
As seist1 f ou fat1 wol be wif outen make
And seist1 it is an hard f ing1 for to weelde
A wight1 fat1 noman wille his f ankes helde 272
Thus seistow lorel whan f ou gost1 to bedde
And fat1 no wys man needef for to wedde
And noman fat1 entendif to f e heuene
Wif wilde f under dent1 and fyre letiene / 276
CORPUS 220 (6-T. 3-il)
SIX-TEXT 342
GROUP P. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
Mote py wicked necke be to-broke
pou seist1 pat1 droppyng1 houses and eek1 smoke
And chydyng1 wyues maken men to fle
Out1 of* here owne houses a benedicite 280
What1 eylep swich an olde man for to chyde
Thou seisf we wyues wille oure vices hyde
Til we be faste and panne we wille hem schewe
Wei may pis be a prouerbe of* a schrewe 284
Thou seisf pat1 Oxen assen hors and houndes
They ben assayed at1, diuerse stoundes
Bacynes lauours or pat1 men hem bye
Spoones stooles and swich housbondrye 288
And so ben elopes pottes and oper arrayes
But1 of1 woramen aren maked non assayes [leafios./onos]
Til pei ben wedded olde dotard schrewe
And seist1 how panne we wil oure vices schewe 292
Thou seist1 also pat1 it1 displeses me
But1 if1 pou wille preyse my beaute
And but1 pou poure alwey vpon my face
And clepe me faire dame in euery place 296
And but1 pou make a feste on pat1 ilke day
That1 1 was born and make me freische and gay
And but1 pou do to my norys honour
And to my chambre wipinne my bour 300
And to my fadres folk1 and his allyes
Thus seisf pou olde barel ful of1 lyes
And yit of1 oure apprentys lankyn
ffor his crispe heer schynynge so gold fyn 304
And for he squyeres me bope vp and doun
yet1 hastow pought1 and fals suspecion
I wil him nought1 pough pou were deed to morwe
But1 telle me pis why hydest1 pou with sorwe 308
Thy keyes of1 pi cheste away fro me /
It1 is my good as wel as pin p«rde
What1 wenestow make an ydyot1 of1 oure dame /
Now by pat1 lord pat1 called is seint1 lame 312
CORPUS 221 (6-T. 342)
SIX-TEXT 343
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
f ou schalt1 not* bof e f ough f ou were wood
Be maister of1 my body and my good
That1 oon J>ou schalt1 forgo maugre fin ey^en
What1 helpef it1 on me enquere and spy en 316
I trowe f ough f ou woldest1 loke me in f i cheste
fou scholdest1 seie wyf1 go where f e leste
Take youre disporte I wol not4 leue no tales
I knowe }ow for a good wyf1 dame Alls 320
"We loue no man fat1 takef keepe or charge
Where fat1 we go we wole be at1 oure large
Of1 alle men blessed mote he be
The wise astrologieii dann ptholome 324
That1 self f is prouerbe in his almageste
Of1 alle men his wisdam is hyeste Deaf IDS, back]
That1 rekkef not1 who haf f e world in hande
By fis prouerbe f ou schalt1 wel vnderstande 328
haue foil ynough" what1 far f e rekke or kare
how meryly fat1 of er folkes fare
ffor certes olde dotard by youre leue
ye schulle haue queynte right1 ynough at1 eue 332
he is to gret1 a nygard fat1 wol warne
A man to light1 a candeL at1 his lantarne
he schal haue neuer fe lesse light/ parde
haue f ou ynough f e far not1 pleyne fe 336
f ou seist1 also fat1 if1 f ou make vs gay
\Vif clof ing1 or with precious array
That1 it1 is peril of* oure chastite
And ^it1 with wordes foil most1 enforce me / 340
And seie f ise wordes in f e apostels name
In habyt1 made with chastite and schame
ye wo7?imen schulle apparaille you qiio<l he/
And nat1 in tressed heer and gay perre 344
As perle ne wif golde ne clof es riche
After f i texte ne after f i rubriche
I wol nof werke as mochil as a gnatfr
fou saydest1 als fat1 1 was like a catt1 -348
CORPUS 222 (6-T. 343)
SIX-TEXT 344
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
But* who so wolde senge a cattes skyn
panne wolde pe catt1 wel dwellen in his In
And if1 pe cattes skyn be slike and gay
Sche nel not1 dwelle in house half1 a day
But1 for]) sche wille or ony day be da wed
To schewe hire skyn and go a caterwrawed
pis is to say if1 1 be gay sir schrewe
I wil renne out1 my borel for to schewe
Sire olde fool what1 helpep pe to spien
They pou prey argus with his pousand yhen
To be my warde corps as he can best1
In feip he schal not1 kepe me but1 if1 me lest
yet1 coupe I make his berd so mote I pee
pou seist1 eek1 pat1 per ben pinges pree
pe whiche pinges troublen al Jns Erpe
And pat1 no wight1 may endure pe ferpe
0 leue sire schrewe ihesu schorte pi lijf1
yet1 prechest1 pou and seist1 an hateful wijf1
y-rekned is for oon of1 pis meschances
Ben per non oper maner resemblances
pat1 ye may likene ^oure parables to
But1 if1 a sely wijf1 be on of1 £o
And likenest1 wo?7imannes loue to helle
To bareyne lond per water may not1 dwelle
jjou likenest1 it/ also to wilde fyre
The more it brenneth J?e more it1 haj? desire
To consume eny ping1 pat1 brende wolde be
Thou seist1 pat1 right1 as wormes schende a tree
Bight1 so a wyf1 destroyep hir housebonde
This knowen pey pat1 ben to wyues bonde
lordynges right1 pus ^e han vnderstande
Bar I stifly myrc olde housbondes on hande
pat1 pus pey seyden in here drunkenesse
And eelf1 pat1 he hadde suspecion and lelousnesse
On lankyn and on my nefe also
0 lord pe peyne I dede hem and pe woo
CORPUS 223 (6-T. 344)
352
356
argw* hafiuit
mille oc?dos.
360
Deaf 109, fen- 104]
364
368.
372
376
380
384
SIX-TEXT 345
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
fful gilteles by goddes sweete pyne
ffor as an hors I couf e bof e byte and whyne
I couf e pleyne and I was in f e gilte
Or elles ofte tyme I hadde ben spilte 388
Who so fat1 first1 to mylle com)) ferst1 grynte
I pleyned first1 so was oure werre stynte
fey were ful glade to excusen hem ful blyue /
Of1 f ing* which f ei agilte neuer here lyue 392
Of* wenches wolde I beren hem on honde
Whan fat1 for sike fey might1 vnnef e stonde
yet1 tykeled I his herte for fat he
Wende I hadde of1 him so gret1 chiertee 396
I swore fat1 al my walkynge be night1
Was for to aspye wenches fat1 he dighte [leaf 109, back]
vnder fat1 colour hadde I many a myrf e
ffor alle such witte is ^iue vs in oure birf e 400
Desceipte wepyng1 spynnyng1 god haf 3iue
To woroman kyndely whil fat1 f ei may lyue L^SsiSulSt
And f us of1 o f ing1 1 auaunte me
At1 f e ende I hadde fe beste in eche degre 404
By sleighte or force or by som maner f ing1
As by continuel murmur and grucching*
Namely a bedde hadde fey meschaunce
Ther wolde I chide and do hem no plesaunce 408
I wolde no lenger in f e bedde abyde
If1 fat1 1 felte his arm ouer my syde
Til he hadde made his raunsom vnto me
Thanne wolde I suffre him do his nycete 412
And f erfore euery man f is tale I telle
Wyrane who so may al are for to selle
Wif empty hande men may non haukes lure
ffor wynnyng1 wolde I al his lust1 endure 416
And make me a feyned appetyt1
And 3itf in bakon hadde I neuer delit/
That1 maked me fat1 euer I wolde him chyde
ffor f ough f e pope hadde sete him besyde 420
CORPUS 224 (6-T. 345)
SIX-TEXT 546
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
I wolde nou^f spare him at1 his oughne bord
ffor by my troupe I quitte him word for word
As helpe me verrey god omnipotent1
Jjough I right1 now schulde make my testament1 424
I ne owe him a word pat1 it1 nys quitte
I brought1 it so aboute by my witte
That1 he muste ^iue it1 vp as for Jje beste /
Or elles hadde we neuere ben in reste 428
ffor pough he loked as a leoun
3efr scholde he faile of1 his conclusion
Thenne wolde I seye now goode leef1 take keepe /
how mekely lokej? wilkyn oure scheepe 432
Com ner my spouse lat1 me ba J)i cheeke
30 schulle be al pacient1 and meeke [leaf no,/orio5]
And han a sweete spiced conscience /
Syn ^e so preche of1 lobis pacience 436
SuffreJ) alwey syn 30 so wel can p?feche
And but1 30 do certein we schul 3ou teche
That1 it1 is fair to haue a wyf1 in pees
On of1 vs moot1 bowen doutelees 440
And sijjjje a man is more resonable
Than woman is sire 30 moste be suffrable /
What1 eyle]) 3ou to grucche jjus and grone
Is if for 30 wolde haue my queynte allone 444
Whi tak1 it1 al / lo haue it1 euery del
Petir I schrewe 3ou but1 36 loue me wel
ffor If1 1 wolde selle my bele chose
I coujje walke as freissche as a rose 148
But1 1 wil kepe it1 for 3our owne top
30 be to blame by god I seye 3ou sop
Suche maner wordes hadde we on honde
Now wol I speke of1 my ferpe housbonde / 452
IF My ferpe housbond was a reuelour
This is to seye he hadde a paramour
And I was yong1 and ful of1 Eagerie
Styborne and strong1 and ioly as a pye 456
17 CORPUS 225 (6-T. 346)
SIX-TEXT 347
GROUP D. § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
lord how couf e I daunce to an liarpe smale /
And synge ywys as eny nyghtyngale /
Whan I hadde dronke a draughte of* sweete Wyn
Meteling1 f e foule cherle f e swyn 460
That1 with a staf1 byraff his wif1 hir lyf1
ffor sche drank1 wyn f ough I hadde ben his wijf1
Ne schulde he nought1 han daunted me fro drynke
And after wyn on venus most1 1 finke 4G4
ffor also syker as colde engendref hayl
A likerous mouf moste han a likerous tail
In womman violent1 is no defence
This knowen lecchoures by experience 4G8
But* lord crist1 whan fat1 if remembref me /
vpon my ^ouf e and my lolyte [leaf no, buck]
It1 tykelef me about1 my% herte roote
vnto fis day it1 dof myn herte boote 472
fat1 1 haue had my world as in my tyme
But1 age alias fat1 al wol envenyme
haf me byraft1 my beaute and my pif
laf go far wel f e deuel go f er-wif 476
The flour is gon f er is nomore to telle
The bren as I best1 can now moot1 1 selle
But1 ^et1 to be right1 mery wol I fonde /
Now forf to telle of1 my ferf e housbonde 480
I seye I hatte in herte gret1 despyt1
That1 he of1 eny of er hadde delyf
But1 he was quyte by god and by sent lose
I made him of1 f e same woode a crose 484
Not* of1 my body in no foul manere
But1 certeinly I made folk1 such cheere
That1 in his owne grece I made him frye
ffor angery and for verray Jalousie / 488
By god in erfe I was his purgatorie
ffor which I hope his soule be in glorie /
ffor god it1 wot1 he sat1 ful ofte and song1
"Whan fat1 his scho ful bitterly him wrong1 492
CORPUS 226 (6-T. 347)
STX-TEXT 348
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
ffor per was non sauf1 god and lie pat1 wiste
In many wise where I him twiste
he deyed whan I cam fro Jerusalem
And lip y-graue vnder J>e Roode beem 496
Al nys his tombe not1 so curious
As was pe sepulcre of1 him Darius
Which pat1 appelles wroughten subtilly
If nys but1 waste to burye him preciously 500
lat1 him far wel god ^iue his soule reste
he is now in his graue and in his cheste
U Now of1 my fyfpe housbonde wil I telle
God late neuer his soule come in helle / 504
And 31^ was he to me J>e moste schrewe /
That1 feele I on my ribbes al by rewe [leaf 111, for IOGJ
And euere schal vnto myrc endyng1 day
But1 in a bed he was so freissh" and gay 508
And per-wip-al so wel coupe he me glose /
Whan pat1 he wolde han my bele chose /
pat1 pough he hadde me bete on euery boon
he coupe wynne agayn my loue anon 512
I trowe I loued him pe bet1 for he
Was of1 his loue daungerous to me
We wymmen han if1 pat1 1 schal not1 lye
In pis manere a queinte fantasye 516
Wayte what1 ping we may nought1 lightly haue
Ther-after wole we crye alday and craue /
fforbede vs ping1 and pat1 desyren we
Frees on vs faste and panne wil we flee / 520
Wip daunger outen we alle oure chaffare
Gret1 prees at1 market1 makep deere ware /
And to gret1 cheep is holde / at1 litel pris
This knowep euery woraman pat1 is wys 524
My .vf housbonde god his soule blesse
Which pat1 1 took1 for loue and no richesse /
he som tyrne was a clerk* of1 Oxenforde
And hadde left1 scole and wente at1 horn to borde 528
CORPUS 227 (6-T. 348)
SIX-TEXT 349
GROUP D, § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
Wif my gossybb dwellyng1 in cure toun
God haue hire soule hir name was alisown
Sche knew myn herte and al my priuyte /
Bettre fan oure parissche prest1 so mote I fee / 532
To hire bywreyed I my counseil al
ffor hadde myn housbonde pyssed on a wal
Or don a f ing1 fat1 schulde haue cost1 his lyf1
To hire and to anof er worf y wyf1 536
And to my neece which I loue wel
1 wolde han told his counseil! euerydeH
And so I dede ful ofte god it1 woof
That1 made his face often reed and hoot1 540
ffor verray schame and blamed himself1 for he
hadde told to me so gret1 a pryuyte Deaf in, back]
And so it1 felle fat1 ones in a lente
So ofte tyme vnto my gossib wente / 544
ffor euer $it I loued to be gay
And for to walke in march aueril and may
ffrom hous to hous to herkne sondry tales
That1 lankyn clerk1 and my gossibb dame alis 548
And I my self1 in to f e feldes wente
myn housbond was at1 london al fat1 lente
I hadde f e bettre leysir for to pleye
And for to see and eek1 for to be seye 552
Of1 lusty folk1 what1 wist1 1 wher my grace
"Was schapen for to be or in what1 place
f erfore made I my visitacions
To vigilies and to processions 556
To prechyng1 eek1 and to f is pilgrimages
To pleyes of1 myracles and of1 mariages
And wered vpon my gaye skarlet1 gytes
This wormes ne fise moffes ne fise mytes 560
vppon my peril frete hem neuer a del
And wostow why for fey were vsed wel
1F Now wol I tellen forf what1 happed me
I seye fat1 in fe feeldes walked we 564
CORPUS 228 (6-T. 349)
SIX-TEXT 350
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS,
Til trewely we hadde such dalyance
f is clerk1 and I fat1 of1 my purueiaunce
I spak1 to him and seyde how fat1 he
If I were wydow schulde wedde me 568
ffor certeynly I seye for no bobaunce /
fat1 was I neuer ^if wif oute purueance
Of1 mariage ne of1 of er f inges eeke
I holde a mouses witte nat1 worf a leek1 572
fat1 haf but1 oon hole for to stirten to
And if1 fat1 faile fan is al y-do
[I bar him on honde / he had enchaunted me
my dame taughte me / that subtilte
and eke I seide / I mette of him al night Barker.]
he wolde haue shamed me / as I lay vpright
and al my bed was ful / of verry blood
but yit I hope / that ye shul do me good 580
for blood bitokeneth gold / as me was taughte
and al was fals / for I dremed right naughte
but as I folwed ay / my dames lore
als wel of that / as of other thinges morel ^s Ar°h; Self B- "•
J extract stops]
But1 now sire lat1 me see what1 1 schal seyn
A ha . by god I haue my tale agayn
Whan fat1 my ferf e housbonde was on bere
I wepe algate and made sory chere [leaf 112, ./or 107] 588
As wyues mooten for it1 is vsage /
And with my keuercheeff1 couered my visage
But1 for fat1 1 was purueyed of1 a make /
I weep but1 smale and fat1 1 vndertake 592
To chirche was myrc housbond y-born on morwe
With neghebours fat1 for him made sorwe
And lankyn oure clerk1 was on of1 f o
As help me god whan fat* I seih him go 596
After f e beere me fought1 he hadde a paire
Of1 legges and of1 feet1 so cleene and faire
That1 al myn herte I yaf1 vnto his holde
he was I trowe twenty wynter olde 600
CORPUS 229 (6-T. 350)
SIX-TEXT 351
GROUP D, § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
And I was fourty if1 1 schal seye sof
But1 yet1 1 hadde alwey a coltes tof
Gat1 tof ed I was and fat bycam me wel
I hadde ])e printe of1 seinf venus sel 604
As help me god I was a lusty oon)
And fair and riche and ^ong1 and wel bygon
And trewely as myn housbond tolde me
I hadde ])e beste queynte pat/ mighte be G08
[for certis I am al fully Yenerian
in feling / and myn herte is Marcian
Yenus me yaff my lust / my likerousnes
and Mars yaff me / my sturdy hardynes] C 1 2
Myn ascendent1 was Taur and Mars f erinne
Alias alias fat1 euer loue was synne /
I folwed ay myn inclinacion
By vertue of* my constellacion • C16
That1 made me I couf e not1 wif drawe
My chambre of1 venus from a good felawe
[yit haue I Mars is marke / vppon my face i
and also in another prevy place %&$%
for god so wis be / my sauaciown th/^-G. pj as
I loued neuere / bi no discressiozm
but euere folwed / myn appetite
al were he long / shorte / blak or white 624
I toke no kepe / so that he liked me
how pore he was / ne eke of what degre]
What1 schulde I seye but1 at1 f e monies ende
This loly clerk1 lankyn fat1 was so heende / 628
haf wedded me with" gret1 solempnite
And to him 3af1 1 al f e lond and fee /
That1 euere was me ^iuen fer byfore
But* afterward repented e me ful sore 632
lie nolde suffre no fing1 of1 my lest1
By god he smot1 me onys on fe lest1
ffor fat1 1 rente out1 of1 his book1 a leef1
That1 of1 fat1 strook1 my eeren woxen deef1 [leaf 112, back] G36
CORPUS 230 (6-T. 351)
SIX-TEXT 352
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
IT Stiborne I was as is a leonesse /
And of1 my tonge a veri&y langleresse /
And walke I wolde as I hadde don "biforn
ffrom hous to hous al f ougE. he hadde it sworn 640
ffor wif ful often tyme he wolde preche
And me olde romance gestes teche
how he simplicius Gallus lefte his wijf1
And hire forsook1 for terme of1 his lijf1 644
Not1 but1 for openhede he hir say
Lokyng1 out1 at1 his dore on a day
Anof er Eomayn tolde he me by name
That1 for his wyf1 was at1 a Somer game / 648
Wif oute his wytyng1 he forsook1 hire eeke
And f anne wolde he vpon his bible seeke
That1 ilke prouerbe of1 ecclesiaste
Wher he comaundef and forbedej) faste 652
Man schal not1 suffre his wyf1 to roule aboute
fan wolde he seye right1 Jms wif outen doute
Who so fat1 buldeth his hous al of1 salwes nota \>ene
And prikef his*blynde hors ouer fe falwes 656
And suffref his wijf1 go for to seeken halwes
Is worf y for to be hanged on f e galwes
But1 al for nought1 1 sette nat1 an hawe
Of1 his prouerbes ne of1 his olde lawe 660
Ne I wolde not1 of1 him corrected be /
I hate him fat1 my vice tellef me
And so don mo god woot1 of1 vs fan I
This made him with me wood al outerly 664
I nolde not1 forbere him in no caas
Now wil I seie $ou sof by seint Thomas
"Why fat1 1 rent1 out1 of1 his book1 a leef1
ffor which he smot1 me fat1 1 was deef1 668
he hadde a book1 fat1 gladly night1 and day
ffor his disporte he wolde rede alway
he clepede valery and Theofrasto
At1 which book1 he lowh alwey ful faste [leaf m.form] 672
CORPUS 231 (6-T. 352)
.
SIX-TEXT 353
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
And eek1 fer was som tyme a clerk1 in Rome /
A Cardinal fat1 highte seint1 lerome
That1 made a book1 a3ein louynian
In which, book1 eeke J?er was Terculan 676
Crisippus Trocula and helowys
That1 was abbesse nat1 fer fro Parys
And eek1 fe parables of1 Salomon)
Ovides art1 and bokes many oori) 680
And alle fise were bounde in oo volume
And euery night1 and day was his custume
"Whan he hadde leysyr and vacacioun)
ffrom ofer worldly occupacion 684
To reden in fis book1 of1 wikked wyues
he knew of1 hem mo legendes and lyues
Than ben of1 goode wyues in J>e bible /
ffor trustej? wel it1 is an impossible 688
That1 ony clerk1 wole speken good of1 wyues
But1 if1 it1 be of1 holy seintes lyues
Ke of1 non ojjer wommen neuer J?e mo
Who peynted J>e lyoun tel me who 692
By god if1 wommen hadden writen stories
As clerkes han wijnnne here oratories
They wolde haue writen of1 men more wickednesse
Than alle ]?e marke of1 adam may redresse 696
The children of1 mercuric and venus
Ben in here werkynge contrarious
Mercuric louejj wisdam and science /
And venus louej? ryot1 and dispence / 700
And for here diuerse disposicion
Eche fallef in ofres exaltacion
As J>us god wot1 mercurie is desolat
In Piscis . where venus is exaltaf 704
And venus fallej? fer mercurie is reised
Ther-fore no wo?ranan of1 no man is preysed
The clerk1 whan he is oldo and may not1 do
To Venus werk1 nought1 worjj his olde scho peaf us, back]
CORPUS 232 (6-T. 353)
SIX-TEXT 354
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
Than sitte lie doun and writ1 in his dotage /
That1 woramen con not1 keepe here mariage
Butt now to purpos why I tolde f e
Thatt I was beten for a book1 pardee 712
Vppon a night1 lankyn fat1 was oure syre
Redde on his book1 as he satt by f e fyre
Of1 Eua first1 fat1 for hire wickednesse
Was al mankynde brought to wrecchednesse 716
[for which Ihesu crist / him stiff was sleyne ^f^g,' fS]B*
that bought vs with his herte blood ageyne 71£^0^s 739 omit°
lo here expresse of recorde / may ye fynde
that woman was the loos / of al mankynde] 720
Tho redde he me how Sampson lost1 his heris
Slepyng1 his lewman kit1 itt wif liir scheris
Thurgh which treson lostt he bof e his eyen
Tho redde he me if1 f att I schal not1 lyen 724
Of1 ercules and of1 his deyanire /
Thatt caused him to sette himself1 a fyre
No f ing1 for-gatt he f e penance and woo
Thatt Socrates hadde with his wyues tuo 728
how fatt ancipa caste pisse on his heed
This seely man satt stille as he were deed
he wyped his heed no more durste he seyn
Butt or fatt fundir stynte come]? a reyn 732
Of1 Phasipha fatt was f e queen of1 Grete /
ffor schrewednesse him fought1 f e tale swete
tfy spek1 nomore it is a grisly f ing1
Of1 hire horrible lust1 and hire likyng1 736
Of1 Clitermistra for hire leccherie
Thatt falsly made hir housbonde for to dye
he redde itt wif wel good deuocion
he tolde me for what1 occasion 740
Amphiorax att Thebes lostt his lyf1
Myn housbond had a legend of1 his wijf1
Eriphilem fatt for an ouche of1 golde
haf pryuyly vnto f e Grekes tolde 744
CORPUS 233 (G-T. 354)
SIX-TEXT 355
GROUP D. § 1, WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
Wher pat1 hir housbond hid him in a place
ffor which he hadde at1 Thebes sory grace
Of1 lyma tolde he me and of1 lucye 747
They bope made here housbondes for to dye [leaf IH, for 100]
That1 on for loue fat1 oper was for hate
lyma hire housebonde on euen late
Enpoysoned hadde for sche was his foo
Lucia likerous loued hir housbonde so 752
That1 for he scholde vppon hir alwey pinke
Sche yaf1 him such a loue maner drynke
That1 he was deed er if was by pe niorwe
And pus algates housbondes han sorwe 756
Than tolde he me how oon latumyus
Compleigned to his felaw arius
That* in his gardyn growed such a tree
On which he seyde pat1 his wyues pre 760
hanged hemselue for hertes dispitous
0 leeue broper quod pis arious
^if1 me a plante of1 pat1 blisful tree
And in my gardyn planted schal it be/ 764
Of1 later date of1 wyues haj) he redde
That1 han slayne here housbondes in pe bedde
And leet1 hir lecchour digfct hir al pe night1
Whan pat1 pe corps lay in pe floor vpright1 768
And some han dryuen nayles in here brayn
Whil pat1 pey sleepe and pus pey han hem slayn
Some han ^iuen poyson in here drynke
He spak1 more harme pan herte may bepynke 772
And per-wip-al he knew of1 mo prouerbes
pan in pis worlde per growen gresse or herbes Th^t™eJiMses'
Bet1 is quod he pin habitacion
Be with a leoun) or a foul dragon 776
Than with a womman vsyng1 for to chyde
Bet1 is qiiod he heihe in pe roof1 abyde
Than wip an angry wyf1 doun in an hous
They ben so wicked and cont?vmous 780
CORPUS 234 (6-T. 35o)
SIX-TEXT 356'
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
Jjey hate]? J?at* here housbondes louej? ay
lie seyde a wowman cast* liir schame away
Whan sche cast1 of hir smok1 and forj>ermo
A fair womman but1 sche be chast1 also [leaf 114, back] 784
Is lyk1 a goldryng1 on a sowes nose
"Who wolde wene or wolde suppose
j>e woo Jjaf in mjn herte was and pyne
And whan I saugh" he wolde neuer fyne 788
To reden on J>is cursed book1 al night1
Al sodeinly J>re leues haue I plight1
Out1 of1 his book1 right1 as he red and eeke
I with my fest1 so took1 him on pe cheeke 792
Jjat1 in oure fire he fille bakward adoun
And he vpstirte as do]} a wood leoun
And with his fest1 he smot1 me on ]>e heed
pat1 in Jje floor I lay as I were deed 796
And whan he saugh how stille J>af I lay
he was agast and wolde han fledde away
Til atte laste out1 of1 my swowe I brayde
0 hast1 J>ou slayn me false peef1 1 sayde 800
And for my lond )ms hastow moerdred me /
Or I be deed ^it1 wol I kisse J>e
And neer he come and kneled faire adoun
And seyde deere suster alisown 804
As help me god I schal J>e neuer smyte
Jjat1 1 haue doon it1 is Jjiself1 to wyte
ffor^iue it1 me and Jjat1 1 ])e beseke /
And $iti effrsones I hitte him on J?e cheeke / 808
And seyde J^eef1 Jms mochel am I wreke
Now wil I dye I may no lenger speke
But1 at1 J?e laste / wij> mochel care and woo
We felle acorded by vs seluen tuo 812
he ^af1 me al J>e brydel in myn hond
To haue jje gouernance of1 hous and lond
And of1 his tunge and of1 his hand also/
And made him breniie his book1 anon right1 )>o 816
CORPUS 235 (6-T. 356)
SIX-TEXT 357
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS,
And whan fat I hadde geten vnto me
By maistrie al f e souerainte
fan he seyde myn owne trewe wyf1 C$£1£J3*< at bott°m
Do as fou list1 fe terme of1 alle fy lif1 / [leafioib./omo]
kepe fin honour and keep eek1 myn estate /
After fat1 day we hadde neuer debate /
God help me so I was to him as kynde
As eny wijf1 from Denmark1 in to ynde 824
And al so trewe and so was he to me /
I pray to god fat1 sitte in mageste
So blisse his soule for his mercy deere
Now wol I telle my tale if1 ^e wol heere 828
1F Here endef f e prologe of1 f e gode wif1 of1 Baf e
[The Wrangle lettveen the Summoner and Friar.]
The frere lowli whan he haf herd al fis
Now dame quod he so haue I ioye or blis
This is a long1 preamble of1 a tale
And whan fis somnour herde f e freere gale / 832
Lo quod f e somnowr goddes armes tuo
A freere wille entremette him euermo
lo goode men a flye and eek1 a freere
Wille falle in euery dissche and eek1/ matiere / 836
What1 spekest1 fou of1 preambulacion
What1 amble or trotte or pees or go sit1 cloun
Thou lettest/ oure disport1 in fis manere /
30 woltow so fou sompnowr quod f e ffrere / 840
Now by my fay I schal er fat1 I go
Telle of1 a Somnour such a tale or tuo
That1 alle f e folk1 schulle laughen in fis place
Now elles frere I beschrewe fy face 844
Quod fis somnour and I byschrewe me /
But1 if1 1 telle f e tales tuo or f re
Of1 freres or I come to Sydyngborne
fat1 1 schal make fin herte for to morne 848
CORPUS 236 (6-T. 3->7)
SIX-TEXT 358
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
ffor wel I wot1 fy pacience is gon
Oure hoste cryde pees and fat1 anon
And seyde lat1 f e womman telle hir tale /
Ye faren as folk1 fat1 dronken ben of1 ale 852
Do dame telle forf youre tale and fat1 is beste
Al redy sire quod sche right1 as yow leste
pif I have licens o]f f is worfi frere c1 MS cut away, z/ioib, w]
f1 Yis dame teUe] forf J>i tale I wol here 856
COUPUS 237 (6-T. 358)
SIX-TEXT 359
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
[l Here bigynneth] pe goode wyues tale of1 bathe [on if 101, &*]
[l ITS cut away.']
' m N olde dayes of1 pe king1 arthour
[OJf1 which fat1 britons speken gret1 honour
[A]l was pis land fulfild of* fayerie
[T]he elfe queen with hire ioly compaignie 860
[D]aunced wipouten in many a greene meede
• * [T]his was pe olde opynion as I rede
[I speke of many] hundred $eer ago
[But] now can noman see non elues moo 864
[For] pe grete charite and pe preyeres
[Of] lymytoures and oj>re pouere freeres
[T]hafr serchen euery land and euery streem
[A]s fikke as motes in jje sonne beem) 868
Blissynge halles chambres boures
[C]itees burghes castels hihe toures
[T]hropes bernes schipenes dayeries
This makef fat1 fer ben no fayeries 872
ffor ]?er as wont1 to walke was an elf1
Ther walke]? now pe lymytour himself1
In vndermeles and in morwenynges
And seij> his matyns and his holy finges 876
As he goj> in his lymytaciown
Wommen may go now saufly vp and do?m
In euery busch" or vnder euery tree
J>er is non oper Incubws but1 he 880
And he wol do hem but1 dishonour
And so felle it / fat1 pis king1 arthour
hadde in his hous a lusty bacheler
pat1 on a day cam rydyng1 fro ryuer 884
CORPUS 238 (6-T. 359)
SIX-TEXT 360
GROUP D, § 2, WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And happed alone as sche was born
he saugft a mayden walkyng1 him biforn)
Of* which mayde maugre hire heed
By verray force he refte hir naaydenhed 888
ffor which oppression was such clamour
And swich pursute vnto f e king1 artour [leaf 102, for 111]
That1 dampned was fis knight1 for to be deed
By cours of1 lawe and scholde haue lost1 his heed 892
Perauenture such was f e statute f o
But1 fat1 f e queene and of er ladyes mo
So longe preyede f e king1 of1 grace /
Til he his lijf1 him graunted in f e place 896
And yaf1 him to f e queen al at1 hire wille
To cheese whef er sche wolde him saue or spille
The queen f ankef f e king1 with alle hire might1
And after fis f us spak1 sche to f e knight1 900
Whan fat1 sche seigh hir tyme on a day
f ou stondest1 ^et1 quod sche in such aray
fat1 of1 j>i lijf ^et1 hast1 fou no suerte
I graunte fe lijf1 if1 fou canst1 telle me 904
"What1 f ing1 is it/ fat1 wommen most desiren
Be war and keep f i neeke bon from yren
And if1 f ou canst1 nought1 telle it1 me anon
$it/ wol I 3iue f e leue for to gon 908
A twelf1 monf e and a day to seeke and lere
An answere sufficant/ in f is matiere
And seurte wil I han or fat1 f ou pace
Thy body for to yelden in fis place 912
"Wo was fis knight1 and sorufully he sikef
But what1 he may not1 do al as him likef
And at1 f e laste he chese him for to wende /
And come a3ein right1 at1 fe yeres ende / 916
With swich answere as god wolde him purueye /
And takef his leue and wendef forf his weye
he seekef euery hous and euery place /
Wher as he hopef for to fynde grace 920
CORPUS 239 (G-T. 300)
SIX-TEXT 361
GROUP D. § 2. WIPE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
To lerne what* f ing1 wowmen louen most4
But1 lie now couf e arryuen in no coost1
Wher as he mighte fynde in Jis matere /
Tuo creatures acordyng1 in feere 1)24
Some seyden wo?/mien loue best1 richesse
Some seyde honour some seyden lolynesse / [leaf 102, back]
Some riche array some seyden lust1 a bedde /
And ofte time to be wydewe and wedde / 928
Some seyden fat1 we be most1 yesed
Whan fat1 we ben y-flatered and y-plesed
he gof ful neigh f e sof e I wol nat1 lye
A man schal Wynne vs best1 wif flaterie 932
And with attendaunce and wif besynesse
Ben we y-lymed bof e more and lesse /
And some men sein how fat1 we louen best1
ffor to be fre and do right1 as vs lest1 936
And fat1 noman / repreue vs of1 oure vice
But1 seye fat1 we be wyse and nof ing1 nyce
ffor trewely f er nys non of1 vs alle /
If1 eny wight1 wol clawe vs on f e galle / 940
fat1 we nyl loke or he seif vs sof
Assay and he schal fynde it1 fat1 he dof
ffor be we neuer so vicious wif inne
We wil be holden wys and clene of1 synne 944
And some men sein fat1 gret1 delyt1 haue we
ffor to be holden stable and ek1 secre
And in oo purpos stedefastly to dwelle
And not1 bewreye fing1 fat1 men vs telle 948
But fat1 tale is not1 worf a rake stele
Parde we woramen konnen nof ing1 hele
Witnesse on Myda wil ^e heere f e tale /
Ovide amonges of er finges smale 952
Setthe myda hadde vnder his longe heris
Growynge vp his heed two assis eeres
f e whiche vice he hidde as he best1 might'
fful sotilly from euery mannes sight 956
COBPUS 240 (6-T. 36l)
SIX-TEXT 362
GROUP D, § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS,
fat1 saf1 his wijf1 fer wist1 of1 it no mo
lie loued hire most1 and trusted to hire also
he preyde hire most1 fat1 vnto no creature
Sche scholde not1 tellen of1 his disfigure 960
Sche swor him nay for al f is world to wynne /
Sche wolde do fat1 vylanye or fat1 synne Deaf ios,/or 112]
To make hire housbonde han so foul a name
ffor reproeuyng1 of1 him and foule schame 964
But1 naf eles hir foughte fat1 sche dyde
That1 sche so longe scholde a counseil hyde
hir fought1 it1 sat1 so sore aboute hir herte
That1 needely som word hir most1 asterte 968
And sif f e sche dorste tellen it no man
Doun to a mareys faste sche ran
Til sche cam f er hir herte was a fyre
And as a by tore bumlif in f e myre 972
Sche leyde hire mouf vnto f e water doun)
Bewreye me nought1 f ou water with f y soun
Quod sche to f e I telle it and nomo
Myn housebonde haf longe asses eeres tuo 976
Now is myn herte al hool now it1 is oute
I might1 no lenger kepe it1 out1 of1 doute
here may $e see f ough we a tyme abyde
Yet1 out1 it1 moot1 we mowe no counseil hyde 980
The remenant1 of1 f e tale if1 ye wol heere
Redef Ovyde and ^e may it1 leere
This knight1 of1 which my tale is specially
Whan fat1 he saugh" he mighte nought1 come ferby 984
f is is to seye what1 wommen louen most1
Wif inne his herte sorwful was f e gost1
But1 home he gof he mighte nought1 soiourne
f e day was come fat1 homward most1 he tourne 988
And in his way it1 happed him to ryde
In alle his care vnder a forest1 syde
Wher he saugh on one daunce go
Of1 ladyes xxiiij. and jiti mo 992
18 CORPUS 241 (6-T. 362)
SIX-TEXT 363
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS,
Toward f e daunce lie drowe him yerne
In hope f af som wisdam schulde he lerne
But1 certeinly or he cam fully fare /
Vanyssched was fe daunce he nyste not where / 996
No creature saugh he fat bar lyf1
Saue in fe grene he saugh sittyng1 a wijf1 [leaf 103, back]
A foulere wight1 f er may non deuyse
Agayn fe knight1 fe olde wijf1 gan arise 1000
And seyde sire knight1 here for]? ne lif no wey
Telle me what1 fat1 }e seken by ^oure fey
Perauenture it may f e bettre be /
This olde folk1 konne mochel fing1 quod sche / 1004
my leeue mooder quod f is knight1 certeyn
I am but1 ded but1 if1 fat1 1 can seyn
What1 fing1 it1 is fat1 woramen most1 desire
Cowde $e me wisse I wolde wel quyte youre hyre 1008
Plight1 me f i trouf e here in myn hand quod sche
The nexte f ing1 fat1 1 require f e
Thou schalt1 it1 do if1 if lye in f y might1
And I wil telle if }ou or it be nighf 1012
haue here my trouf e quod f e knighf I graunte
Than quod sche I may me wel auaunte
Thy lyf1 is sauf1 for I wol stonde f er by
vpon my lijf1 fe queen wole seye as I 1016
laf se which is f e proudesf of1 hem alle
Thaf weref on a kerchef1 or a calle
f af dar say nay of1 f af I schal :$ou teche
laf vs go forf wifoute lenger speche 1020
Tho rowned sche a pystel in his eere
And bad him to be glad and haue no feere
Whan fey be comen to f e courf f is knighf
Seyde he hadde holde his day as he hadde highf 1024
And redy was his answers as he sayde
fful many a noble wijf1 and many a mayde
And many a wydowe for f af fey ben wyse /
The queen hir seluen sittyng1 as lusty se 1028
CORPUS 242 (6-T. 363)
SIX-TEXT 364
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Assembled ben his answer for to heere
And afterward pis knight1 was bode appeere
And fat1 pe knight1 schal telle in audience
To euery wight1 comanded was scilence 1032
What1 Jung* pat1 worldly wowzmen louen meest1
This knight1 ne stood nat1 stille as do]? a beest1 [ieafioi,/oriis]
But1 to his question anon ansAverde /
With manly vois pat1 al pe court/ it herde 1036
My liege lady generally quod he /
Wowzman desire]? to haue soueraynte
As wel ouer hir housbonde and hire lone
And for to be in maystrie him aboue 1040
J?is is }oure most1 desyr pough 30 me kille
Do]? as you list1 I am heer at1 your wille
In al J?e court1 ne" was ]?er wijf1 ne niayde
Ne wydewe pat1 contraried fat1 he sayde 1044
But1 seyden he was wor]?y han his lijf1
And wi]? pat word vp sterte pat1 olde wijf1
Which pat1 pe knight1 saugh sittyng1 on pe grene
Mercy quod sche my souerayn lady queene/ 1048
Or pat1 youre court1 departe do me right1
I taughte pis answere vnto pis knight1
ifor which he plighte me his treupe pere
The firste ping1 I wolde of1 him requere 1052
he wolde it1 do if1 it1 lay in his might1
Byfore pe court1 pan preye I pe sire knight1
Quod sche pat1 pou me take ynto pi wijf1
ffor wel pou wost1 pat1 1 haue kept1 py lijf1 1056
If1 1 seye fals sey nay vpon py fey
This knight1 answerde alias and weylowey
I wot1 right1 wel pat1 such was my biheste /
ffor goddes loue chese a newe requeste/ 1060
Tak1 al my good and lat1 my body go
Nay pan quod sche I schrewe vs bope tuo
ffor pough pat1 1 be foule and olde and poure
T nolde for al pe metal ne for cure 1064
CORPUS 243 (6-T, 364)
SIX-TEXT 365
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
f at1 vnder erf e is graue or lif aboue
But* if1 fat I f y wyf1 were and f i loue
My loue quod he nay my dampnacioii
Alias fat1 eny of1 my naciofi 1068
Scholde euere so foule y-disparaged be
But1 al for nought1 f e ende is fis fat1 he [leaf 104, back]
Constreyned was he nedes moste hire wedde
And takef fis olde wijf1 and gof to bedde 1072
Now wolden some men seyn perauenture
That for my necgligence I do no cure
To telle 3ou f e loye and f e array
That1 at1 fe feste was fat1 ilke day 1076
To which f ing1 schortly answers I schal
I seye f er was no ioye ne feste at1 al
f er nas but1 heuynesse and mochil sorwe '
ffor priuely he wedded hire on a morwe 1080
And al day after hidde him as an owle /
So wo was him his wijf1 loked so foule
Gret1 was f e sorwe f e knight1 hadde in his fought1
"Whan he was with his wyf1 a bedde brought1 1084
he walwef and tornef to and fro
his olde wijf1 lay smylyng1 eueremo
And seide O dere housbonde o benedicite
ffaref euery knight1 fus with his wijf1 as 36 1088
Is fis f e lawe of1 king arthures hous
Is euery knight1 of1 his loue fus daungerous
I am 3our owne loue and eek1 3oure wijf1
I am sche which fat1 saued haf ^oure lijf1 1092
And certes ^it1 dede I ^ou neuer vnright1
Why fare 36 fus wif me f e ferste night
36 faren like 3, man fat1 hadde lost1 his wit
ffy what1 is my gilt1 for godes loue tel if 1096
And it1 schal ben amended if1 1 may
Amended quod, fis knight1 nay nay
That1 wil nat1 ben amended neueremo
fou art1 so lofly and so olde also 1100
CORPUS 244 (6-T. 36o)
SIX-TEXT 366
GROUP D. § 2, WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And f er-to comen of1 so lowh a kynde
That1 litel wonder is f ough I walwe & wynde
So wolde god myn herte wolde breste
Is fis quod sche fe cause of1 pure vnrestef 1104
36 • certeinly quod he no wonder is
Now sire quod sche I coufe amende al fis [leaf 105, for iu]
If1 fat1 me liste or it were dayes f re
So wel 30 mighte bere $ou vnto me 1108
IF But1 for 36 Speken Of* SUCh gentilesse IT Nofa bene de NoWlitate
As is descended out1 of1 alle richesse /
fat1 f erfore schulden 36 be gentil men
Such erregance nys nat1 worf an hen 1112
lo who fat1 most1 is yertuous alway
Preuy and aperte and most1 endef ay
To do J?e gentil dedes fat1 he can
And take him for J?e grettest1 gentil man 1116
Crist1 wole we clayme of1 him oure gentilnesse
Nat1 of1 oure eldres for here olde richesse
ffor fough fey 3eue vs alle here heritage
ifor which we clayme to be of1 heigh parage 1120
3efr may fey not1 bequef e for no f ing4
To non of1 vs here vertuous lyuyng*
That1 made hem gentil men y-called be
And bad vs folwen hem in such degre 1124
Wel can f e wise poete of1 fflorence
That1 highte dante speke in f is sentence
Lo in swich maner ryme is dauntes tale
fful seelde vp risef by his branches smale 1128
Prowesse of1 man for god of1 his prowesse /
Wil fat1 of1 him we clayme oure gentilnesse
ffor of1 oure eldres may we nof ing1 clayme
But1 temperel fing1 fat1 we may hurte arid mayme 1132
Ek1 euery wight1 wot1 f is as wel as I
If1 gentilesse were plaunted naturelly
Vnto a certein linage doun f e lyne
Pryue and aperte fanne wolde fey neuer fyne 1136
CORPUS 245 (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 367
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
To don of1 gentilesse fe faire office
J>ey mighten do no vylanye ne vice
Tak1 fyre and here it1 in pe derkestr hous
Bitwixe Jris and ]?e mount1 of1 Caucasous 1140
And lat1 men schette j?e dores and go fenne
^et1 wol fe fyr as faire lye and brenne [leaf io.% back]
As fough a fousand men might1 it beholde
his office naturel ay wol it1 liolde / 1144
vp peril of lyf1 til fat1 it dye /
here may ^e se wel how fat1 genterie /
Is not* annexed to possession
Siffe folk1 do nat1 here operacion 1148
alwey as do]? f e fir lo in his kinde
ffor god if wot1 men may ful often fynde
A lordes sone do schame and vilanye
And he fat1 wol haue pris of1 his gentrie 1152
fibr he was boren of1 a gentil hous
And hadde his eldres noble and vertuous
And nyl himseluen do no gentil dedes
Ne folwe his gentil ancestre ]>att ded is 1156
he nys nat1 gentil be he duk1 or eerie
ffor vyleyns synful dedes make a cheerle
ffor gentilnesse nys but1 reneute
Of1 )>in ancestres for here beaute 1160
"Which is a strong1 Jnng1 for fi persone
The gentilesse come]? fro god allone
Thanne come]) oure verray gentilesse of1 grace
It1 was noting1 byquej?e vs wij> oure place / 1164
jjinkej) how noble as seij? Valerius
Was Jjilke Tulliws hostilius
That1 out1 of1 pouert1 ros to heigh noblesse
Kedej? Senec/ and redej) eek Boesse / 1168
J>er schulde 30 seen expres fat1 it1 no dredis
That1 he is gentil Jjat1 do]) gentil dedis
And ferfore deere housebonde I ]>us conclude
Al were it1 fat1 myn ancestres were rude 1172
CORPUS 246 (6-T. 367)
SIX-TEXT 368
GKOUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
^ett may J>af heye god and so hope I
Graunte me grace to lyue vertuously
Thaniie am I gentil whan Jjat1 I begynne
To lyuen virtuously and weyuen synne 1176
And jjer as ye of pouert1 me repreue
The hihe god on whom jjaf we bileeue [leaf i06,/orii5a]
In wilful pouert1 chese to leese his lijf1 Note de paupertate
And certes euery man and mayde and wijf1 1180
May vnderstonde ihesu heuen king1
Ne wolde not* chese a vicious lyuyng1
Glad pouert1 is an honest1 Jring1 certeyn
J>is wille Senec1/ and ojjer clerkes sein 1184
Who so pat1 holfr him payed of1 his pouert1
I holde him riche al hadde he nought1 cert1
he fat1 coueytej) is a pouere wight1
ffor he wolde han pat1 nys nat1 in his might 1188
But1 he pat1 nought1 hap ne coueytep to haue
Is riche al jjough men holde him but a knaue
Verray pouert1 is synne proprely
luuenal seij? of1 pouert1 myrily 1192
The pouere man whan he go]? by J?e way
Bifore J>e Jjeues he may synge and play
Pouert1 is hatel good and as I gesse /
A ful gret1 brynger out1 of1 busynesse 1196
A gret1 amender eek1 of1 Sapience
To him fat1 lackej? it in pacience
Pouert1 is J>is al J>ough" it1 seme alenge
Possession J>af no wight1 wol chalenge 1200
Pouert1 ful often whan a man is lowe
Make]) his god and eek1 himself1 to knowe
Pouert1 a spectacle is as J?inke]> me
Jmrgh which he may his verray freendes se 1204
And jjerfore syn Jjat1 1 you nought1 greue
Of1 my pouerte nomore me repreue
Now sire of1 eelde ^e reproeue me
And certes sire Jjough" non auctorite 1208
CORPUS 247 (6-T. 368)
SIX-TEXT 369
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Were in no book1 / 36 gentil of1 honour
Seyn fat1 men schulde an old wijf1 do fauour
And clepe him. fader for 3our gentilnesse /
And auctours sclial I fynden as I gesse / 1212
Now f er ^e seyn fat1 I am foul and olde
Than drede 3011 nought1 to ben a cokewolde [leaf IOG, back]
ffor filf e and helf e al so mote I f e
Ben grete wardeyns vpon chastite 121G
But1 naf eles syn I knowe ^oure delyt1
I schal fulfille your worldly appetyt1
Chees now quod sche on of1 f ese f inges tweye /
To han me foule and olde til fat1 I deye 1220
And be to 30 w a trewe humble wijf1
And neutre 3ow displese in alle my lijf1
Or elles 30 wol haue me 3ong' and fair
And take 3our auenture of1 fe repair 1224
That1 schal come to your hous by cause of1 me
Or in som ofer place wel may be
Now chees 3our seluen whef er fat1 3ou like])
fis knight1 auysed him and sore sikej) 1228
But1 atte laste he seyde in fis manere
My lady and my loue and wijf1 so deere
I putte me in 3oure wise gouernance
Chesef 3our self1 which may be most1 plesance 1232
And most1 honour to yow and me also
I do no force f e whef er of1 f e tuo
ffor as 3ou likef it sufficef me
Jjanne haue I gote of1 3011 maystrie quod sche 1236
Syn I may cheese and gouerne as me list1
36 certes wijf1 quod he I holde it1 for best1
kisse me quod sche we be no lenger wrofe /
ffor by my troufe I wol be to yow bo]>e 1240
J>is is to sein / to be bofe fair and good
I pray to god fat1 1 mote steruen wood
But1 1 to 3ou be also sad and trewe /
As euer was wijf1 syn fat1 fe world was newe 1244
CORPUS 248 (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 370
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And but1 1 be to morwe as fair to seene
As eny lady emperice or queene /
Jjat1 is bitwen J>e estf and eek1 j?e weste /
Do wij? my lijf1 and dej) right1 as 3011 leste 1248
Cast* vp J?e curteyne loke how it is / [6o«o»»o/zeo/io6]
And whanne jjat1 ]>e knignt1 sawh al J>is [leaf 115 6]
That1 sche so fair was and so 3ong< jjerto
ffor ioye he hente hir in his armes tuo 1252
his herte bajjed in a bajj of* blisse
A J?ousand tyme a rowe he gan hire kisse
And sche obeyed him in euery Jnng1
That1 mighte doon him pleisance or likyng* 1256
And J?us ]>ey lyued vnto here lyues ende
In perfyt* ioye and ihesu crist1 vs sende
housbondes meke ^onge and freissche abedde
And grace to ouerlede hem Jjat1 we wedde 1260
And eek1 1 pray to Ihesu schorte here lyues
That1 wol not1 be gouerned by here wyues
And olde and angry nyggardes of1 dispence 1263
God send hem sone a verray pestilence IF Explic/t
CORPUS 249 (6-T. 370)
SIX-TEXT 371
GROUP D. § 3, WIFE-FRIAR LINK. CorpUS MS.
Here bygynnej? f>e prologe of* J?e ffrere /
V • 'ihis worjjy lymytour jjis noble ffrere
he made alway lowrynge cheere
I vpon J>e somnour but* for honeste
No vyleynes word as ^it1 spak1 he /
But1 atte laste he seyde vnto J?e wijf1
Dame goode god ^if1 }ou right* good lijf1
3e han touched heer al so mote I J?e
In scole matier gref difficulte
3e han seid mochel Jnng1 right1 wel I seye
But1 dame heere as we ryden by J?e weye
Ys nedej? nat1 to speken but1 of game
And late auctoritees a goddes name
To preening1 & to scole eek1 ofH clergie /
But1 if1 if like vnto Jns companye
I wol 3011 of1 a somnour telle a game
Parde $e may wel knowe by j?e name
That1 of1 no somnowr may no good be sayd
I pray Jjat1 non of1 $ou be yuele payd
A somnour is a romere vp and doun)
WiJ) amendement1 of1 fornicaciown
And is y-bete at1 every townes ende
Oure host1 J?o spak1 a sire ^e scholde ben heende
And curteys as a man of1 30111- as tat1
In companye we wille no debat1 /
Tellej? ^oure tale and late]? J>e somno?^r be
Nay quod J>e somnour lat1 him seye to me
What1 so him list1 whan it com]) to my lot1
By god I schal him quiten euery grot1
I schal him telle such a gret1 honour
It1 is to be a flateryng1 lymytour
And eek1 of1 ful many an o])er cryme
Which nedej) nat/ rehersen at J>is tyme
And his office I schal him telle y-wys
Oure host1 answerde pees nomore of1 j?is
And afterward he seyde vnto J>e frere /
T.elle for]? ^oure tale my leue mayster deere
11 Incipit1 pro-
log us ffratria
1268
1272
1276
1280
1284
[leaf 115, back]
1288
1292
1296
1300
CORPUS 250 (6-T. 371)
SIX-TEXT 372
GROUP D, § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
^1 Here bygynneth J?e
hilom ]>er was dwellyng1 in Couentre f ffreres tale
An erchedekne a man of1 heih degre
That1 boldely dide execucion
In punysschyng1 of1 fornicacion 1304
Of1 wichcraf1 and eek1 of1 Bawderie
Of1 diffamacion and auoutrie
Of1 chirche reeues and of1 testamentes
Of1 contractes and of1 lak1 of1 sacramentes 1308
Of1 vsure and Symonye also
But1 certes lecchours dede he grettest1 wo
They scholden syngen if1 ]>ey were hent
And smale tyjjeres weren foule y-schent 1312
If eny person wolde vpon hem pleyne
Ther might1 astirte him no pecunial peyne
ffor smale tyj>es and eek1 for smal offrynge
he made ]?e poeple spitously to synge 1316
ffor or J?e bisschop caught1 hem wij? his hook1
They weren in jje Erchedeknes book1
And ]?anne hadde he jjurgh his lurdictioii
Power to don on hem correction 1320
he hadde a somnour redy to his hande [leaf ne]
A sleyere boy was non in engelande
ffor sotilly he hadde his especiaile
That1 taughte him where jjat1 him mighte auayle 1324
he coude spare of1 lecchours on or tuo
To techen him to foure and twenty mo
ffor J>ough )?is somnour wood were as an hare
To telle his harlottrie I wil not1 spare 1328
CORPUS 251 (6-T. 372)
SIX-TEXT 373
GROUP D, § 4. FEIAE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ffor we ben oute of1 here correction
They han of* vs no luresdiction
We neuer schullen terme of1 aHe hire lyues
Petur so ben fe wommen of1 fe Styues 1332
Quod f is Somnowr y-putt1 out1 of oure cure
Pees with meschance and with mysauenture
Thus seyde oure host1 and let1 him telle his tale
Now telle Jj forf and late fe somnowr gale 1336
NQ sparef nought* myn oughne maister deere
This false f eef1 J>is somnowr quod f e fFrere /
hadde alwey bawdes redy to his hond
As eny hauke to lure in Engelond 1340
That4 telle him al f e secre fat1 J>ey knewe
ffor here aqueintance was nat1 come of newe
fey weren his approwours priuely
he tok1 himself1 a gret1 profyt ferby 1344
his maister knew nat1 alwey what* he wan
Wif outen maundement1 of1 a lewed man
he coude somne on peyne of* cristes curs
And fey were ynly gladde to fille his purs 1 348
And made him grete festes atte nale
And right1 as ludas hadde purses smale
And was a f eef1 right1 swich a f eef1 was he
his mayster hadde but1 half1 his dewete 1352
he was if1 1 schal ^iuen him his laude
A theef1 and eek1 a sompnowr and a baude
he hadde eek1 wenches of1 his retenue
That1 whefer fat1 sir Roberd or sir huwe 1356
Or lohn or Rauf1 or who fat1 it1 were neafii6, baek]
That1 lay by hem fat1 tolde it in his eere
Thus was f e wenche and he of1 oon assent1
And he wolde fecche a feyned maundement1 1360
And somne hem to f e Chapitre bof e tuo
And pile f e man and late f e wenche go
f anne wolde he seye I schal freend for f y sake
Do strike fe out1 of1 oure lettres blake 1364
CORPUS 252 (6-T. 373)
SIX-TEXT 374
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
f e far nomore as in f is cas trauayle
I am f i frend f er I f e may auayle A
Certein lie knew of1 briberies mo
fan possible is to telle 3011 vnto 1368
ffor in f is worlde is dogge for no bowe
That1 knew an hurt1 deer from an old bite kowe
Than fat1 f is sompnom* knew a sleigh lecchour
Or avouter or elles a paramour 1372
And for fat1 was f e fruyt1 of* alle j)e rent
Therfore on if he sette al his entent
And so bifelle fat1 ones on a day
This somnour euer waytyng1 on his pray 1376
Rode for to somne an old wijf1 a ribibe
ffeynyng1 a cause for he wolde bribe
And happede fat1 he seigh byfore hym ryde /
A gay yoman vnder a forest syde 1380
A bowe he bar and arwes bright1 and keene
he hadde vppon a courtepy of1 grene /
An hatte vppon his heed wif frenges blake
Sire qwod fis Sompnowr hail and wel atake / 1384
Welcome quod he and euery good felawe
Whider ridestow vnder fis greene schawe
Seyde fis ^eman wilt1 jjou fer to day
This somnour him answerde and seyde nay 1388
here faste by quod he is myn entente
To ryden for to reysen) vp a rente /
It1 longej? to my lordes dewete
Art1 J>ou jjanne a baillif1 $e quod, he 1392
he dorste nou^t1 for verray filjje and schame [leaf in]
Seie fat1 he was a somnoz^r for J>e name
Depardieux quod fis ^oman dere broker
jjou art1 a bailly and I am anofer 1396
I am vnknowen as in fis cuntre
Of1 fin aqueintance I wil preye fe
And eek1 of1 breferhode if1 fat1 f ou leste
I haue golde and siluer in my cheste 1 400
CORPUS 253 (6-T. 374)
SIX-TEXT 375
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
If* fat1 f e happed come in-to oure schire
Al schal be fin right1 as f ou wolf desyre
Graunt1 mercy quod fis somnour by my feij)
Euerich in oferes hond his troufe leij) 1404
ffor to be swore brof er til fey deye
and wif fat1 word fey ryden forf here weye
This somnour wif fat1 was so /
As ful of1 venym ben fis wary-angles 1408
And euer enquiryng1 vpon euery f ing1
Brof er quod he wher is ^oure dwellyng1
Anof er day if1 1 scholde 3011 seche
This 3 oman him answerde in softe speche 1412
Brof er quod he fer in f e Norf cuntre
Wher as I hope som tyme I schal f e se
Or we departe I schal f e so wel wisse
That* of* my?i hous schal t1 f ou neuer misse / 1416
Now brof er quod fis sompno?*r I 3ou pray
Teche me whil we ryden by f e way /
Syn fat1 36 ben a baillyf1 as am I
Som subtilte telle me feif fully 1420
In myw office how fat1 1 may most1 wynne
And sparef not1 for conscience ne synne
But1 as my brof er tell me how do 36
Now by my troufe brofer deere seyde he 1424
As I schal tellen f e a feif ful tale /
My wages ben ful streyte and smale /
My lord is hard to me and daungerous
And my office ful laborious 1428
And fe?fore by extorciauns I lyue fieaf 117, back]
ffor sof e I [take] al fat1 men wil me 3iue
Algate be sleigte or violence
ffrom 3eer to $er I wynne al my dispence / 1432
I can no bettre tellen feif fully
Now certes quod fis sompnow so fare I*
I spare not1 to take god it1 wot1
But1 if1 it1 be to heuy or to hoot1 1436
CORPUS 254 (6-T. 375)
SIX-TEXT 376
GROUP D. § 4. FBI All's TALE. CorpUS MS.
What* I may gete in counseil pmiely
No maner conscience of1 Jjat1 haue I
Ner myn extorcion I might1 no^t1 lyuen
Of* swiche iapes wii I nat1 be schriuen 1 440
Stomake ne fro conscience knowe I noon
I schrewe Jjese schriftefadres euerichon
Wei be we mette by god and by seint1 lame
Butt leeue brofer telle me jjanne )>y name 1444
Quod ]>is somnowr in )>is mene while
This 3eman gan a litel for to smyle
Broker qiiod he wiltow Jjat1 I ]>e telle
I am a steue my dwellyng1 is in helle 1448
And heer I ryde aboute my purchasyng1
To wite wher men wil ^if* me eny J>ing<
my purchace is to fette of1 alle my rente
loke how J>ou rydest1 for fe same entente 1452
To wynne good J)ou rekkesf neuer how
Right1 so fare I for ryde wolde I now
vnto J?e worldes ende for a preye
A qwod J)is somnour benedicite what1 30 seye 1456
I wende 36 were a yoman trewely
3e han a mannes schappe as wel as I
han 36 a figure Jeanne determinate
In helle }?er 36 ben in 3oure estat1 1460
.N"ay certeinly quod he fer han we noon
But1 whan vs like]) we can take vs oon)
Or elles make 3ou wene we ben schape
Som tyme [like] a man or like an ape / 1464
Or lik1 an aungel can I ryde or go [leafiis]
It1 is no wonder jjing1 Jjougfr it be so
A lousy iogulour can deceyue J>e
And par de 3if can I more craft1 j?an he / 1468
Why quod fis somnour ryde 36 jjanne or gon
In sondry schappe and nat1 alvvey in oon
ffor we quod he wille vs swich forme make
As most1 able is oure prayes for to take 1472
CORPUS 255 (6-T. 376)
SIX-TEXT 377
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
What1 make)) 3011 to ban al f is labour
fful many a cause leeue sire somonoz^r
Seyde )>is feend but1 al f ing1 haf tyme
The day is schort1 and if is passed prime 1476
And ^et1 ne wan I no f ing1 in f is day
I wil entende to wynnyng1 if I may
And nafr entende oure wittes to declare
ffor brofer myn fi witte is al to bare 1480
To vnderstonde J>ougli I tolde hem f e
But* for f ou axest1 whi labouren we
ffor somtyme ben we goddes instrumentz
And menes to do his comaundementz 1484
Whan fat1 him lisfr vpon his creatures
In diuerse acte and in diuers figures
Wipouten him we ban no might1 certayn
If1 fat1 him liste to stonden fer agayn 1488
And som time at1 oure praye ban we leue
Only J)e body and not1 f e soule greeue /
Witnesse on lob whom fat1 we dyden wo
And som tyme ban we might1 of1 bofe tuo 1492
f is is to seyn of1 soule and body eeke
And som tyme we ben siiffred for to seeke
vpon a man and do his soule vnreste
Naf his body and al is for fe beste 1496
Whan he wif stondef oure temptacion
It1 is a cause of1 his saluacion
Al be it1 fat1 it was not1 oure entente
he schulde be sauf1 but1 fat1 we wolde him hente 1500
And som tyme be we seruantz vn-to man Deaf us, back]
As f e erchebisschope seint1 Dunstan
And to f e apostles seruant/ was I
^et1 tellef me qitod fe somnour feif fully 1504
Make ^e $ow newe bodyes f us alwey
Of1 elementz f e feend answerde nay
Som tyme we feyne and som tyme we arise /
Wif dede bodyes in ful sondry wise 1508
CORPUS 256 (6-T. 377)
SIX-TEXT 378
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And speke as renabely and faire and wel
As to f e phitonessa dede Samuel /
And ^it1 wol some men say it1 was nat1 he
I do no force of1 3oure diuinite 1512
But1 o f ing1 warne I f e I wil nat1 Tape
Thou wilt1 algates wite how we be schape /
f ou schalt1 her aftirward my brof er deere
Come wher fe needef nat1 of1 me to leere 1516
ffor f ou schalt1 by fin owne experience
Come in-to f e chayer rede f is sentence
Bet1 fan virgile whil he was a lyue
Or dante also now lat1 vs ryde blyue 1520
ffor I wil holde company wif f e
Til it1 be so fat1 f ou forsake me
Nay quod f is somnow?1 fat1 schal nat1 betyde
I am a ^eman knowe is ful wyde 1524
my trouf e wil I holde to J?e as in J)is cas
ffor J?ey J?ou were ]je deuyl Sathanas
My troupe wil I holde to my brojjer
As I am sworne and eche of1 vs to oj?er 1528
ffor to be trewe broker in J?is cas
And broker we gon to oure purchas
Take pou J»y part* what1 men fe wole yiue
And I schal myn J)us may we bo]?e lyue 1532
And if1 jjat1 eny of* vs haue more fan ofer
lat1 him be trewe and parte it1 wij> his broj?er
I graunte quod fe deuyl by my fay
And wif fat1 word fey ryden forf here way 1536
And right1 at1 fentryng1 of1 f e tounes ende [leaf 119]
To which f e somnowr schop him for to wende
They say a carte fat1 charged was with hey
Which fat1 a cartere drof1 forf on his wey 1540
Deep was f e wey for whiche f e carte strood
This cartere smot1 and striued as he were wood
hayt1 brok1 hayt1 scot1 what1 spare we for f e stones
The feend quof he ^ow fecche bof e body and bones / 1544
19 CORPUS 257 (6-T. 378)
SIX-TEXT 379
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
As ferforp ly as euere were 30 foled
So moche woo as I haue for }ou poled
pe deuel haue al boj)e liors and cart1 and hey
poughte pis somnowr he schulle we haue a pley 1548
And neer pe feend he drough as nought1 ne were
fful priuely and rouned in his eere
herkne my broper herkne by py feip
herestow nat1 how pe cartere seip 1552
hente it4 anone for he hap ^iuen pe
Bope hey and carte and eek1 his caples pre /
Nay qiiod pe deuyl god not1 neuer a del
It1 is not1 his entente truste me wel 1556
Aske him piself1 if1 pou nat1 trowest1 me
Or elles stynte a while and pou schalf se
This carter pakked his hors on pe croupe /
And pey bygonne to drawe and to stoupe / 1560
haytf now qiiod he pat1 Ihesu crist1 ^ou blisse
And alle his hondywerk1 bope more and lesse /
pat1 was wel twightf myn owne lyard boy
I pray god saue pe and seinte Loy . 1564
Now is my carte out/ of1 pe slough par de
lo broper cpiod pe feend what1 tolde I pe /
here may ye see myn oughne deere broper
The carle spak1 o ping1 but1 he pought1 anoper 1568
late vs go forp abouten oure viage
here wynne I noping1 vpon cariage
Whan pat1 pey comen somwhat out1 of1 pe toun)
Jpis somnour to his broper gan to roun) 1572
Broper quod he here wonep an old rebekke [leaf 119, back]
That1 hadde almost1 as leef1 to leese hire necke
As for to ^iue a peny of1 hire good
I wil haue twelue pens pough pat1 sche be wood 1576
Or I wille sompne hire to oure office
And 31^ god woot1 of hire knowe I no vice
But1 for pou canst1 nat1 as in pis centre
"Wynne pi coste tak here ensample of/ me 1580
CORPUS 258 (6-T. 379)
SIX-TEXT 380
GROUP D. § 4, FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
This somnour clappef at1 J>e wydowes gate
Com out1 he seyde f ou olde viritrate
I trowe f ou hast1 som frere or presf wi]> fe
"VYho clappef seyde fis wijf1 benedicite 1584
God sane 3011 sire what1 is }our swete wille
I haue quod he a somonwr of1 fe here a "bille
vp peyne of1 cursyng1 loke fat1 f ou he
To morwe biforn) oure erchedekenes kne 1588
To aiiswere to f e court1 of1 certein f inges
Now lord quod sche crist ihesu heuen kinges
So wisly helpe me as I ne may
I haue ben syk1 and fat1 ful many a day 1592
I may nat1 gon so fer qiiod sche ne ryde
Buf I be deed so prikef it1 in my syde /
May I nat1 axe a libel sire somonowr
And answere ]?ere by my p?-ocutour 1596
To swich a fing1 as men wolde appose me /
^is qwod fis somno?«- pay anon lat1 se
Twelue pens to me and I wil J?e aquite
I schal no profyt* haue ]?er-by but1 lite 1600
My maister haj? J)e profyt/ and nat1 1
Come of1 and late me ryden hastily
3eue me twelue [pens] I may no lenger tarye
twelue quod sche lady seinte marie 1604
So wisly help me ouf of1 care and synne
}>is wyde world ])ough fat1 1 scholde it wynne
Ne haue I not1 xij. pens wijjinne myn holde
36 knowen wel fat1 1 am pouer and olde 1608
ky]?e 3oure almesse on me pouere wrecche Qeaf 120]
Nay J?anne quod he pe foule feend me fecche
If1 1 Jje excuse fongh ])ou scholde be spilt1
Alias quod sche god wot1 1 haue no gilt1 1612
Pay me quod he or by ]>e swete seint1 anne
As I wol here a-way fy newe panne /
ffor dette which ]?ou owest1 me of1 old
Whan fat1 ]>ou madest1 fin housbond kukkewold 1616
CORPUS 259 (6-T. 380)
SIX-TEXT 381
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
I preyde at1 home for py correction
Thow lixt1 quod sche by my sauacion
Ne was I neuer or now wydewe ne wijf1
Somoned vnto your court1 in al my lijf 1620
Ne neuer I nas but1 of my body trewe /
vnto pe deuel blake and rowe of1 hewe
yeue I py body and my panne
And whan pe deuyl herde hir curse so 1624
vpon hir knees he seyde in pis manere
Now mabely myn owne mooder deere
It1 is ^our wille in ernest pat1 30 seye
pe deuyl quod sche fette him or he deye / 1628
And panne and al but1 he wil him repente
Nay olde stot1 pat1 is not1 my/i entente
Quo]? pis somnowr for to repente me
ffor any ping1 pat1 1 haue had of1 pe 1632
I wolde I hadde py sniok1 and euery clop
Now broper quod pe deuyl be nat1 wrop
py body and pis panne is lajn by right*
pou schalt1 wip me to helle yet1 to night1 1636
Wher pou schalt1 knowen of1 oure priuete
More pan a mayster of1 diuinite
And wip pat1 word pis foule feend him hent
Body and soule he with pe deuyl went 1640
Where pat1 somnowrs han here heritage
And god pat made after his ymage
Mankynde saue and gyde vs alle and some
And leeue pis somnour good man to bycome 1644
lordinges I coupe han told $ou quod pis frere [leaf 120, ba«k]
hadde I had leysir for pis somnour heere
After pe tixte of1 crist1 poule and lohn
And of1 oure oper doctours many oon 1648
Suche peynes pat1 3 oure hertes might1 agrise
Al be it1 so no tonge may deuyse /
pough pat I might1 a pousand wynter telle
pe peyne of1 pilke cursed hous of1 helle 1652
CORPUS 260 (6-T. 38l)
SIX-TEXT 382
GROUP D, § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
But1 for to kepe vs fro Jmt1 cursed place
WakeJ) and prayej? ihesu for his grace
So kepe vs fro J?e temptour Sathanas
herknej) ]>is word be war as in Jjis cas 1656
J?e leoun sitte in his awayte alway
To sle J?e Innocent1 if1 fat1 he may
Dispose]) ay }our hertes to wif stonde
fe feend fat1 3ou wolde make jjralle and bonde 1660
he may nat1 tempten yow ouer your might1
ffor crist1 wille be }our champion and knight1
And preyej) jjat1 ])is somnour him repente 1663
Of1 his mysdede or fat1 j?e feend him hente 11 Explicit
1F Her endej> fe ffrere his tale /
CORPUS 261 (6-T. 382)
SIX-TEXT 383
GROUP D. § 5. FRIAR-SUMMONER LINK. CoipUS MS.
This Somnour in his styrop heyhe stood [on
Vpon fis frere his herte was so wood
That1 lik1 an aspen leef* he quok* for Ire
lordynges quod he hut1 o fing» I desire / 1668
I 3ou heseche fat1 of* 3our curtesye
Si]> 36 han herde fis false frere lye
As suffref me I may a tale telle
This frere hostejj fat1 he knowef helle/ 1672
And god wot1 fat1 it1 is litel wonder
ffreres and feendes hen hat litel asonder
ffor parde 36 han . ofte tyme herd telle/
how fat1 a frere rauyssched was in helle 1676
,In spirit1 ones hy avisiown
And as an aungel ladde him vp and down
To schewen him f e peynes fat1 f er were
In alle f e place saugh he nat1 a ffrere [leaf 121] 1680
Of1 ofer folk* he saugh ynowe in woo
Vnto fis aungel spak1 fe frere fo
Now sire quod he han freres such a grace /
That1 non of1 hem schal come to fis place / 1684
3is quod fis aungel many a miliown
And vnto Sathanas he hadde him doun
And now haf Sathanas saif he a taile
Bradder fan of1 fe Caryk1 is fe saile 1688
hold vp f i tayl f ou Satanas quod he /
Schew forf fin ersand lat fe frere se /
Wher is f e neste of1 ffreres in fis place
And er faf half1 a forlong1 wey of1 space 1692
CORPUS 262 (6-T. 383)
8IX-TEXT 384:
GROUP D. § 5, FEIAE-SUMMONER LINK. CoipUS MS.
Right1 so as bees swermen out1 of* an hyue
Out1 of1 j>e deueles ers Jjey gon to dryue
Twenty fousaiid freres on a route
And foughte helle swarme al aboute 1G96
And camen a^ein as faste as Jjey mighte gon)
And in his ers fey crepeden euerichon)
he clapte his tayl a3ein and lay stille
This frere whan he loked hadde his fille 1700
vppon J>is tormentes of1 j)is sory place /
his spirit1 god restored of1 his grace /
Ynto his body a^ein and he a wok1
But1 napeles for feere ^it1 he quok1 1704
So was J>e deueles ars ay in his mynde
Jjat1 is his heritage of1 verray kinde
God saue 3ow alle saue J)is cursed frere /
My prologe wol I ende in fis manere / 1708
CORPUS 263 (6-T. 384)
SIX-TEXT 385
GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IF Here begynnep pe Somnowrs tale
LOrdynges per is in york1 scliire / as I gesse
A mersshy countre called Holdernesse
In which per wente a Ijmjtour aboute /
To preche and eek1 to begge it* is no doute 1712
And so bifelle paf on a day pis frere
Hadde preched atte cherche in pis manere
And specially abouen euery ping1 [leaf 121, back]
Excited he pe poeple in his preching* 1716
To trentales and for goddes sake
Ther-with men mighten holy houses make
Ther as diuin seruice is honoured
Nought1 per as it1 is wasted and deuoured 1720
Ne per it1 nedep not1 for to be 3iue
As to possessioners pat1 may elles lyue
panked be god in wele and habundance
Trentales seyde he deliuerep fro penance 1724
here frendes soules as wel olde as ^onge
If1 pat1 pey ben hastily y-songe
Nought1 for to holde a prest1 ioly and gay
he syngep not1 but o messe in a day - 1728
Delyuerep out1 quod he anon pe soules
fful hard it is wip fleisshook1 oper with oules
Now speed }ou hastely for cristes sake 1732
to kepe 3ou fro peynes of1 feendes blake 1731
And whan pe frere hadde seyde al his entente
"Wip Qui cum pafre forp he wente
"Whan folk1 in chirche hadde ^iue him what hem leste
he wente his way no lenger wolde he reste 173G
.CORPUS 264 (6-T. 385)
SIX-TEXT 386
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
scrippe and tipped staf1 tukked ful hye
In euery hous he gan to pore and prye
And beggej) mele or chese or elles corn)
his felaw had a staf1 typped with horn) 1740
A payre of1 tabeles of1 yuory
And a poyntel polisshed fetously
And wrot1 ]>e names atwey as he stood
Of1 any folk1 Jjat1 3af1 hem eny good 1744
Ascance Jjat1 he wolde for hem preye
3iue vs a busshel whete malt/ or reye
A goddes kechil or a trippe of1 chese
Ojier elles what 3ow list1 we may nat cheese 1 748
A goddes halpeny ojjer a masse peny
Oj)er 3iue vs of1 }our "bran if* 36 haue eny
A dagoun of1 3 our blanket1 leeue dame [leaf 122 j
Oure suster deere here I write 3oure name 1752
Bacon or beef1 or such Jnng1 as 36 fynde
A sturdy harlot1 wente hem ay behynde
That1 was here hostes man and bar a sakke
And what1 men ^ hem leyde it on his bakke 1756
And whan he was out1 at1 J>e dore anoon
he planed awey J>e names euerychoon
That1 he bifore hadde writen in his tables
he serued hem with nyfles and with fables 1760
Kay J>er J>ou lixt1 Jjou somnour quod J?e frere /
Pees quod oure host1 for cristes moder deere
Telle for}) })i tale spare it not1 at1 al
So J>ryue I quod J>is somnowr so I schal 1764
So longe he wente hous by hous quod he
Til he come to an hous J>er he was wont1 to be
Eefresshed more Jmn in an .C. places
Seke lay J?e bonde man) whos J?e place is 1768
And vpon a kowche lowe he lay
Deus hie1 quod he / 0 Thomas frend good day
Seyde jjis frere curteysly and softe
Thomas sayde he god 3elde 3ow ful ofte 1772
CORPUS 265 (6-T. 386)
SIX-TEXT 387
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
haue I vpon pis benche faren wel
heere haue I eten many a mery meel
And fro pe benche he drof1 awey pe cat
And leyde doun his potent1 and his hat 1776
And eek1 his scrippe and sette him softe a doun)
his felawe was go walked in pe toun
fforp with his knaue in-to pat1 ostelrie
Wher as he schop him pilke night1 to lye 1780
0 deere maister quod pis seeke man)
how han 36 fare sipenes pat1 marche bigan
1 say 30 w nought1 pis fourtenight1 and more
God woof quod he laboured haue I ful sore 1784
And specially for py Saluacion
haue I seyde many a precious orison
And for oure oper frendes god hem blesse Deaf 122, back]
I haue to day don at1 $oure chirche a messe 1788
A sayd a sermon after my simple wit1
nought1 alle after pe text1 of1 holy writ4
ffor it is hard to $ou as I suppose
perfore wol I teche to $ou al pe glose 1792
Glosyng1 is a glorious ping1 certein
ffor lettre sleep so as clerkes sein
per haue I taught1 hem to be charitable
And spende here good per it1 is resonable 1796
There I sawh oure dame a wher is sche
yonde in pe yerde I trowe pat1 sche be /
Seyde pis man and sche wil come anon)
Ey mayster welcome be 36 by seint/ lohn 1800
Seyde pis wijf1 how fare 36 hertely
pe frere arisep vp ful curteisly
And hir enbrased in his armes narwe
And kissep hir swete and chirkep as a sparwe 1804
Wip his lippes dame quod he right1 wel
As he pat is your seruant1 eueridel
I-panked be god pat1 3ou t&f* soule and lyf1
jit/ sawh I not1 to day so fair a wijf* 1808
CORPUS 266 (6-T. 387)
SIX-TEXT 388
GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
In al f e chirche god so saue me
30 god amende defautes sir quod sche
Algates welcome be 30 by my fey
Gramercy dame fis haue I founde alwey 1812
But1 of1 3our grete goodnes by 30111 leeue
I wolde pray 3011 fat1 30 nought1 3011 greue
I wole with Thomas speken a litel f rowe
fese curates ben ful necligent/ and slowe 1816
To grope tendrely a conscience
In schrifte and in preching1 is1 my diligence
And studye in petres wordes and in poules
I walke and fisshe mennes soules 1820
To 3elde ihesu crist/ his propre rente
To sprede his wordes is sette al my« entente
1T Now by ^our leeue o deere sire quod sche [leaf 123]
ChydeJ) him wel for god in trinite 1824
he is as angry as a pissemire
fey fat1 he haue al fat1 he can desire
fey I him wrye a night1 and make him warm
And ouer him leye my legg1 or arm 1828
he groyne]) lik1 oure boor gronyng1 in sty
Of er desport1 of* him right1 non haue I
I may not1 plesen him in no maner caas
11" leo vous dy trescher & bien amy 0 Thomas 1832
This make]) f e feende }>is mot1 ben amended
Ire is a f ing1 fat1 heye god defended
And f er-of1 wol I speke a word or tuo
Now maister quod J?e wijf1 or fat1 1 go 1836
What1 wol 30 dyne I wole go \er aboute
Now dame quod he leo vows dye sanz doute
haue I not1 of1 a Capon but1 Jje lyuere
And of1 $our softe brede but1 a schyuere 1840
And after fat1 a rested pigges heed
But1 fat1 1 wolde for me no beeste were deed
f anne hadde I wif 3ou holly suffisance
I am a man of1 litel sustenance / 1844
CORPUS 267 (O-T. 388)
SIX-TEXT 389
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
My spirit1 is fostred in pe bible
pe body is ay so redy and penyble
To wake pat1 my stomak1 is destroyed
I pray ^ou dame pat1 ^e be nought1 anoyed 1848
pey I so frendly my counseil to $ou schewe
By god I wolde not1 telle it/ but1 a fewe
Now sire quod sche but1 oo word or I go
my child is deed wipinne pise wikes tuo 1852
Sippen pat1 ^e wente out of1 pis toun
his dejj saugh" I by reuelacion
Seip pis frere at home in oure dortour
I dar wel seyn pat/ er pat1 half1 an hour 1856
after his dep I sawh him born to blisse
In myw avision so god me wisse
So dede our sextein and oure fermorer [leaf 123, back]
That1 han ben trewe freres . fyfty }eer 1860
They may now god by panke of1 his lone
maken here lubile and walken allone
And vp I ros and alle oure couent1 eeke
With many a teere trillyng1 on my cheeke 1864
Wipouten noyse or clateryng1 of1 bellis
Te dewm was oure song1 and no ping1 elles
Saue pat1 to crist1 1 seyde an orison
Thankyng1 him of1 his reuelacion 1868
ifor sire and dame trustep me right1 wel
Oure orisons ben more spirituel
And more we se of1 cristes secre pinges 1871
Than burel folk1 [though they were kynges [Hori. 1758, tea/ 109]
We lyue in pouerte & in abstynence .
And boreH folke] in richesse and wynnynges1 sar^ml]^'
Of1 mete and drynk1 and in here foul delit/
We han pis worldes lust1 al in despit1 1876.
Lazar and Diues liueden dyuersely
And dyuerse guerdon hadde pey perby
Who-so wol preye he moot1 faste and be clene
And fatte his soule and make his cheekes lene 1880.
CORPUS 268 (6-T. 389)
SIX-TEXT 390
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
"We fare as seif f apostil clof and foode
Suffice)) vs f ey$ fey ben not1 goode
The clennes and f e fastyng1 of* ous ffreres
make]? fat1 crist1 acceptef oure prayeres 1884
lo moyses .xl. dayes and .xl. nyght1
ffasted or fat1 f e heihe god of1 might
Spak1 wif him in f e mount1 of1 Synay
With empty wombe fastyng1 many a day 1888
Receyued he f e lawe fat1 was writen
Wif goddes fynger and helthe wel 36 witen
In f e mont or elles er he hadde eny speche
With heyhe god fat1 is oure lyues leche 1892
he fasted longe and was in contemplance
And aaron fat1 hadde f e temple of1 god in gouernance
And eek1 fat1 of er prestes euerichon
In-to fe temple whan fey scholden gon 1896
To praye for fe poeple and do seruise [leaf 124]
They nolden drynken in no maner wise/
No drynk1 f e which hem mighte drunke make
But1 euere in abstynence to preye and wake 1900
lest1 fat1 fey deyede tak1 heede what1 1 seye
But1 fey ben sobre fat1 for f e poeple preye
Ware fat1 1 say no more for it1 suffisef
Oure lord Rhesus / as holy god deuysef 1904
3mef ous ensarnple of* fastyng1 and prayeres
Therfore we mendinantz we pouere freres
Ben wedded to pouert1 and to continence
To charite humblesse and also pacience 1908
To persecucion for rightwisnesse /
To wepyng1 misericorde and clennesse
And f e?*fore may 36 see fat1 oure prayeres
I speke of1 vs we mendenante ffreres 1912
Ben to f e hihe god more acceptable
Than ^oures wif }oure feste at1 f e table
ffro paradys first1 if1 1 schal nought1 lye
Was man out1 chaced for his glotonye 1916
CORPUS 269 (6-T. 390)
SIX-TEXT 391
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And chast1 was man in paradys certayn
But1 herkne fere what1 I schal you sayn
I haue no text1 of1 fat1 as I suppose
But* I schal fynde it in a maner glose 1920
That1 specially oure swete lord Ihesus
Spak1 f us by vers whan he seyde f us
Blessed ben fey fat1 pore in spirit/ ben
And so forf al fe gospel may 36 seen 1924
Wher it1 be like oure profession
Or hem fat1 swymmen in possession
ffy on here pompe and on here glotonye
And for here lewednesse I hem difFye 1928
Me f inkef fey ben like lovinian)
ffatte as a whale and walking1 as a swan)
As vynolent1 as botel in f e spence
here prayer is ful of1 gret1 reuerence 1932
Whan fey for soules sein fe psalme of1 dauid [leafm, back]
lo buff1 fey sain cor meum eructauit1
Who folwef cristes gospel and his lore
But1 we fat1 humble be and chaste and pore 1936
Workers of1 goddes word and eek1 auditoures /
)>erfore right1 as an hauke rype at1 a sowrs
vp springef vnto f e ayre right1 so prayeres
Of1 charitable and chaste besy freres 1940
maken here sours to goddes eeren and who
Thomas f erfore so mote I ride or go
And by fat1 god fat1 cleped is seint1 yue
Nere fou oure brofer schuldest1 f ou not1 friue 1944
In oure chapitre praye we day and night1
To crist1 fat1 he sende f e hele and might1
Thy body for to welden hastily
God wot1 quod he nofing1 fer-of1 wot1 1 1948
As- helpe me crist1 as in fewe 3eeres
haue I spended vpon diuers maner freres
fful many a pound 31^ fare I neuer f e bett1
Certein my good haue I almost1 bisett1 1952
CORPUS 270 (6-T. 391)
SIX-TEXT 392
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONEB'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ffar wel my golde for it1 is al a-go
The ffrere answerde o Thomas why dost1 f ou so
What1 neede]> 3011 diuerse freres to seche
What1 needef him fat1 haf a parfit1 leche 1956
To sechen of er leches in f e toun
3our inconstance is jour confusiown
holde 36 fen me or elles oure couent
To preye for 3011 ben insufficient1 1960
Thomas fat1 lape is not1 worf a myte
3oure maladye is for 36 han ^iuen vs so lite
A ^if1 fat1 couent1 half1 a quarter otes
A 3iue hem) one or tuo grotes 1964
A 3iue f e frere a peny and let1 him go
]STay nay Thomas it1 may no f ing1 be so
What1 is a ferf ing1 worf parted in twelue
lo eche fing1 fat1 is oned by himselue 1968
Is more straunge fen when it1 is skatered [leaf 1251
Thomas of1 me f ou schalt1 nat be flatered
f ou woldest1 cure labour haue for nought1
The hihe god fat1 al fis world haf wrought1 1972
Seif fat1 f e werkman is worf i his hyre
Thomas nought1 of1 ^our tresore I desire
As for my self1 but1 fat1 alle oure couent
To pray for ^ou is ay so diligent1 1976
And for to bulden cristes oughne chirche
Thomas if1 30 wol lerne for to wirche
Of1 buldyng1 vp of1 chirches may 36 fynde
If1 it1 be good in Thomas lijf1 of1 Inde 1980
3e ligge heer ful of1 anger and of1 Ire
With f e which f e deuyl sette 3oure ers a fyre
And chyden heere fis sely Innocent1
3oure wijf1 fat1 is so meeke and pacient1 1984
And f erfore Thomas trowe me if1 3011 list1
Ne stryue not1 wif fy wijf1 al for fe beste
And bere fis word awey now by f y feith
Touchinge such fing1 lo what1 fe wise man seif 1988
CORPUS 271 (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 393
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Wif inne fin hous ne be foil no leomi)
To f y subiectis do non oppressions
Ne make fin acqueintance not1 for to fle
And Thomas ^it1 eft1 sones say I fe 1992
Be war for hire fat1 in f y bosom slepef
Be war of1 f e serpent1 fat1 so slyly crepef
vnder f e grasse fat1 styngef subtilly
Be war my sone and herkene paciently 1996
That1 xx*1 f ousand men han lost1 here lyues /
ffor fat1 f ei han ben spitous to here wyues
Now sif ^e han so holy and so meeke a wijf1
What1 needef 3011 Thomas to make strif1 2000
f er is y-wys no serpent1 so cruel
Whan men trede on his tail ne half1 so fel
As wo?»inan is whan sche haf caught1 an Ire
Yengance is fanne al fat1 fey desyre 2004
Ire is a synne on of1 fe grete of seuene [imf 125, back]
Abhominable vnto f e god of1 heuene
And to himself1 it1 is destruction
fis euery lewed vicary or parson 2008
Can say how Ire engendref homicide
Ire in sof is executor of1 pryde
I couf e of1 Ire seye so mochil sorwe
My tale scholde laste til to morwe 2012
And f erfore I praye god bof e day and night1
An Irous man sende him litel might1
It1 is gret1 harm and certes gret1 pite
To sette an Irous man in heih degre 2016
IT Whilom f er was an Irous potestat1
As seif Senek1 durynge his estat
Vpon a day out riden knightes tuo
And as fortune wolde it1 were so 2020
That1 oon of hem cam home fat1 of er nought1
Anon f e knight1 bifore f e luge is brought
And seyde f us f ou hast1 f y felaw slayn
ffor which I deme f e to def certain 2024
CORPUS 272 (6-T. 393)
SIX-TEXT 394
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And to anojjer1 knight1 comaunded he
Go lede him to Jje dejj I charge J?e
And happed as J>ey wente by J>e weye
Toward Jje place J>er as he schulde deye 2028
The knight* cam which Jjey wend hadde be deed
Thenne Jjoughten fey it1 were Jje beste reed
To lede hem bojje to jje luge a^ein
Jjey seyden lord jje knight1 ne ha]) not1 sleyn 2032
his felawe here he stant1 on lyue
^e schulle be deed quod he so mot1 1 Jjriue
Jjis is to say bojje oon and tuo and Jjre
And to Jje firste knight1 right1 Jjus spak1 he 2036
I dampned Jje jjou most1 algate be deed
And Jjou also most1 needes lese Jjin heed
ffor Jjou art1 cause why jjy Maw deyfj
And to Jje Jjridde knight1 right1 Jjus he seijj 2040
Thou hast1 not1 don Jjat1 1 comaunded Jje [leaf 120]
And Jjus he dede do slee hem alle Jjre
Irous kambises was eek1 drunkelewe
And ay delited him to ben a schrewe 2044
And so bifelle a lord of1 his meigne
That1 loued vertuous moralite
Sayde on a day vnto himself1 right1 Jjus
A lord is lost1 if1 he be vicious 2048
And drunkenesse is eek1 a foul record
Of1 any man) and namly in a lord
Ther is ful many an ey and many an eere
Awaytyng1 on a lord and he not1 where 2052
ffor goddes loue drynkej) more attemp^relly
"Wyn make}) a man to lese wrecchedly
his mynde and eek1 his lymes euerychon
The reuers schalt1 Jjou see quod he anoon • 2056
And proue it1 by Jjin owne experience
That1 wyn dojj to folk1 no such offence
Ther is no wyn byreuejj me my might1
Of1 hande ne foot1 ne of1 myn ey3en sight1 2060
20 COEPUS 273 (6-T. 394)
SIX-TEXT 395
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS*.
And for despite he dranke ful moche more
An hundred part1 fan he had don bifore
And right1 anon f is cursede wrecche
lete fis knightes sone biforn him fecche 2064
And cowmaundyng1 hem fey schulde biforn him stonde
And sodeinly he took1 his bowe on honde
And vp f e streng1 he pulled to his eere
And wif an arwe he slough fe child right1 fere 2068
Now whef er haue I a siker hond or non
Quof he is al my might1 and my witte agon
haf wyn byreued me mjn yhe sight1
"What1 schulde I telle f e answere of1 f e knight 2072
his sone was slayn f er is namore to say
Bef war f erf ore wif lordes how 30 play
Syngef placebo and I schal if1 1 can
But* if1 it1 be vnto a pouere man 2076
To a pouere man men scholde his vices telle / [leaf 126, back]
But1 not1 to a lord f ei he schulde go te helle /
Lo Irrous Sirus f ilke Percien
how he destroyed f e ryuer of1 Gysen) 2080
ifor fat1 an hors of1 his was dreynt1 f erinne
Whan fat1 he wente Babilon) to wynne
he made fat1 f e ryuer was so smal
That1 woramen mighten waden oueral 2084
lo what1 seyde he fat1 so wel teche can)
Ne he no felawe to an yrous man
!Ne wif no wood man walke by f e way
leste f e repente I wol nomore say 2088
Now Thomas leeue brof er leue fin Ire
Thou schalt1 me fynde as iuste as is a squire
holde nought1 f e deueles knyf1 ay at1 fin herte /
Thin anger dof f e al to sore smerte 2092
But schewe to me alle f y confession
Nay quod f is seeke man by seint1 Symon
I haue ben schriuen fis day at1 my curate
I haue him tolde al holly myn estate 2096
CORPUS 274 (6-T. 395)
SIX-TEXT 396
GROUP D. § 6, SUMMONBR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
It* needep nomore speke of1 it sayde he
But1 if1 me luste of1 myn humilite
3iue me penne of1 py gold to make oure cloystre
Quod lie for many a muscle and many an oystre 2100
ha]) ben our foode oure cloystre for to reyse
Whan oper men han ben ful wel af eyse
And ^it1 god wot1 vnnepes pe foundement
Parformed is ne of1 oure pauyment,' 2104
Nis nought1 a tile 31^ wipinne oure wones
By god we owen fourty pound for stoones /
Now helpe thomas for him pat1 harwed helle
Or elles moote we oure bokes selle 2108
And if1 we lacke oure predicacion
panne gop pe world al to destruccion
ffor whos wolde fro pis world vs byreue
So god me saue Thomas by 3oure leeue 2112
he wolde byreue out* of* pe world pe sonne / [leaf 127]
ffor who can teche and werchen as we konne
And pat1 is not1 of1 litel time quod he
But1 sethyns Elye was or Elyze 2116
han freres ben pat1 fynde I of1 record
In charite I-panked be oure lord
Now Thomas help for seinte charite
A-doun anon he sette him on his kne 2120
This sike man wex wel neigh" wood for Ire
he wolde pat1 J>e frere hadde ben a fuyre
TVith his fals dissiinilacion
Such ping1 as is her in my possession 2124
Quod he pat1 1 may ^iue and non oper
50 sein me pus / paf I am $our broper
$e certes quod pe ffrere trustep me wel
I toot oure dame oure lettres wip oure seel 2128
IT JSTow wel quod he and somwhat1 schal I ^iue
vnto jour holy couent1 whil I lyue
And in pin hand pou schaltf it1 han anon
vp pis condicion and oper non 2132
CORPUS 275 (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 397
GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
faf f ou depart1 if so myn owne deere broker
That* euery frere haue as moche as of er
fis schalf f ou swere on f y profession
Wifouten fraude or cauellacion 2136
I swere if quod fis frere vpon my feif
And f er wif al his hond in his he leif
lo heer my feij) in me schal be no lacke
fan putte fin hond doun by my bakke 2140
Sayde fis man and grope wel byhynde
Bynef e my buttok1 fere schalf f ou fynde
A f ing1 faf I haue hidde in priuete
A fought1 fis frere fat1 schal go wif me 2144
And doun his hande he launcef vnto f e clifte
he hopede fere for to fynden a ^ifte
And f anne ful besy was fis frere
Abouten his tuwel gropyng1 here and fere 2148
U Amydde his hand he leet1 fe frere a fart1 t leaf 127, back j
Ther is no capel drawyng1 in f e cart*
fat1 might1 haue lete a fart* of1 such a sown
fe frere vp sterte as if were a fers leoun 2152
A false cherl quod he for cokkes bones
This hasf f ou for despite doon for f e nones
f ou schalf abeye f i farte if1 fat I may
his meigne which faf herden ))is affray 2156
Cam lepynge in and chased ouf f e ffrere
And forf he gof wif a ful angry cheere
And fette his felawe f er as lay his store
he loked as if were a wilde boor 21 60
he grynded his teef so was he wrof
A stourdy paas doun to f e courf he gof
Wher as f er woned a man of1 gref honowr
To whom faf he was alwey confessour 2164
This worf y man was lord of1 faf village
fis frere cam as f ough it were in a rage
Wher as fis lord saf etyng1 af his bord
-vnnefes mighf fe frere speke a word 2168
CORPUS 276 (6-T. 397)
SIX-TEXT 398
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Til atte laste lie seyde god $ou se
fis lord gan loke and seyde beriedicite
Quod he frere lonn what maner world is fis
I see wel fat1 som fing1 is arays 2172
36 loken as f e woode were ful of* f eeues
Sit1 doun anon and telle me what* ^our greef1 is
And it1 schal ben amended if1 fat1 1 may
I haue quod he had a despifr to day 2176
God 3elde 3011 a-do?m in 3oure village
f afr in fis world is non so pore a page
fat1 he nolde han abhommacion
Of1 fat1 1 haue receyued in fis toun 2180
And 3itt me greuef no f ing1 so sore
As fat1 f is olde cherl wif lokkes hore
Blasphemed haf oure holy couent1 eeke
$"ow maister quod fis lord I 3ou beseke 2184
No maister quod he but1 a seruitour [loaf ia»]
fey I haue had in scole fat1 honour
God likef nou^t1 fat1 men vs Raby calle
neifer in market1 ne in 3our halle 2188
No force quod he but1 telle me of $our greef
sire quod fis frere an ydious mescheef1
This day betidde is to mjn ordre and to me
And so par consequews to eche degre 2192
Of1 holy chirche god amende it1 sone
Sire quod f e lord 30 wot1 what1 is to doone
Distempre 3ou nought1 30 be my confessour
30 ben fe salt/ of1 ferfe and fe sauour 219G
ffor goddes loue 3oure pacience 30 holde
Tellef me 3our greef1 and he anon him tolde
As 36 han herd byfore 30 wot1 wel what1
The lady of1 f e hous ay stille sat1 2200
Til sche hadde herde what1 f e frere sayde
Ey goddes moder quod sche blisful mayde
Is f er nou3f elles tellef me feif fully
1T madame quod he how fenke 3ou ferby 2204
CORPUS 277 (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 399
GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONED TALE. CoipUS MS.
how fat1 me fenkejj quod sche so god me spede
I say a cherl haj> don a cherles deede
what* schulde I say god let1 him neuer J?e
his seeke heed is ful of1 vanite 2208
I holde him in a maner frenesye
Madame quod he by god I schal not1 lye
but1 1 on ofer wise may ben awreke
I schal sclaundre him oueral wher I speke 2212
The false blasphemowr fat1 charged me
To parte fat1 might1 noi^f departed be
To euery man y-liche wij? meschawnce
J?e lord sat1 stille as he lay in a traunse 2216
And in his herte he rolled vp and down
how hadde fis cherl ymaginaciown
To schewe such a probleme to J?e frere
Neuer erst* er now herde I of1 such matere 2220
I trowe fe deuyl putte if in his mynde [leaf 128, back]
In ars metrik1 schal fer no man fynde
Biforn Jris day of1 such a question
Who schulde make a demonstracion 2224
J?af euery man schulde haue y-lik1 his part*
Of1 a sown or of1 a sauour of1 a fart1
0 nyce proude cherle I schrewe his face
lo sires quod J>e lord wij> harde grace 2228
Who herde euer of1 such a fing1 er now /
To euery man ylike telle me how •
It1 is a impossible it1 may not1 be
0 nyce cherle god let1 him neuer J>e 2232
j?e rublyng1 of1 a fart1 and euery soun
Nys but1 of1 eyre reuellaciotm
And fer-wif wastef litel and litel away
Jjer is no man can deme by my fay 2236
If1 Jjat1 it/ were departed equaly
What1 lo my cherle lo 31^ how schrewedely
vnto my confessowr to day he spak1
1 holde him certein a demoniak1 2240
COKPUS 278 (6-T. 399)
SIX-TEXT 400
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Now etef 3oure mete and letef him go pleye
lete him go hange himself1 a deuelweye
[ The Solution of the " Probleme " by the Lord's Squire.
No break in the MS.]
Now stood f e lordes squier at1 f e bord
fat1 karf1 here mete and herde word for word 2244
Of1 alle ping1 of1 which I haue 3011 sayd
my lord quod he be]) not1 yuele payd
I couf e telle for a gowne clof
To 3011 sir frere so 30 ben nat1 wrof 2248
how fat1 f is fart1 scholde euene deled be
Among* 3our couent/ if1 it like me
Telle on quod f e lord and f ou schalt1 haue anon
A gowne clop by god and by seint1 lohn 2252
My lord quod he whan fat1 f e weder is faire
Wif outen wynd or pertourbyng1 of1 ayre
let1 bringe a cart1 whel heer in-to f is halle
But1 loke fat1 he haue his spokes alle 2256
xij. spokes haf a carte whel comunly [leaf 1293
And bringe me f anne .xij. freres wite 36 why
ffor .xiij. is a couent1 as I gesse
3oure confessour hede for his worfinesse 2260
Schal performe vp f e nombre of1 his couent1
f anne schullen fey knelen down by oon assent1
And to euery spokes ende in f is manere
fful sadly leye his nose schal f e freere 2264
3oure noble confessour fere god him saue
Schal holde his nose vpright1 vnto f e naue
f anne schal f is cherl wif bely styf1 and tou3f
As any tabour hider ben y-brought1 2268
And sette him on f e wheel right1 on f is carte
vpon f e naue and make him lete a farte
And 30 schuln se vp peril of1 my lijf1
By preof1 which fat1 is demonstrate f1 2272
CORPUS 279 (6-T. 400)
SIX-TEXT 401
'GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
fat1 equaly f e soun of1 hit1 wole wende
And eeke f e stynke vnto f e spokes ende
Saue fat1 f is worf i man }>is confessowr
By cause he is a man of1 gret honour 2276
Schal haue f e ferste fruytes as reson is
f e noble vsage of1 freres ^it1 is f is
f e worf y men of1 hem schuhi fersfr be serued
And certeinly he haf it1 wel disserued 2280
he hap to day taught vs so mochil good
WiJ) preening1 in f e pulpit* )>er he stood
fat1 1 may vouche sauf1 1 say for me
ne hadde J>e firste smelle of1 fartes fre 2284
And so wolde alle his couenfr hardily
he beref him so faire and holyly
J?e lord ]?e lady & eche man saue ]?e ffrere
Sayden fat1 lankyn) spak1 in J>is matiere 2288
As wel as euclide or protholome
Touchinge fe cherle fey seyden subtilite
And by heyh witte make him speke as he spake
he is no fool ne no demonyake 2292
And lankyn haf y-wonne a newe goune Deaf 120, tack]
My tale is doou) we ben almost* at1 towne
1T Here endef f e Somno^rs tale
CORPUS 280 (6-T. 401)
GKOUP E, FEAGMENT VI,
§ 1. THE CLEKK'S HEAD-LINK.
CORPUS MS.
IT here bygennef fe prologe of1 J?e clerk1 of1 Oxe/iford!
[on leaf 12'}, back]
Sire clerk1 of1 Oxenford? onre oste sayde
30 ryde as stille and coy as doj> a mayde
Were newe spoused sittyng1 atte bord
This day ne herde I of1 ^oure tonge a word 4
I trowe fat1 36 studye aboute som sophime
But1 Salamon saif euery fing1 haf tyme IT Pausac/o
ffor goddes sake bejj of1 bettre cheere
IV nys no tyme for to stodyen heere 8
Telle vs som niery tale by ^oure fay
ffor what1 man fat1 is entred in-to play
he needes mote vnto J>e play assente
But1 preches natt as freres don in lente 12
To make vs for oure olde synnes wepe
Ne jjat1 ]?y tale make vs not1 to sleepe IT Pausaczo
Telle vs som mery jjing1 of* auentures /
^oure termes ^oure coloures ^oure figures 16
keep hem in store til so be 36 enditen
by stile as when fat1 men to kinges writen
Spekef so plein at1 J?is tyme I $ou pray
fat1 we may vnderstonde what1 30 say f Pausac/o
This worfi clerk1 benignely answerde
Oft1 quod he I am vnder 3our 3erde
30 han of1 vs as now fe gouernance
And ferfore wol I do yow obeissance 24
CORPUS 281-2 (6-T. 403)
SIX-TEXT 404
GROUP E. § 1. CLERK'S HEAD-LINK. Corpus MS.
As fer as reson axe]) hardel
I wil 3011 telle a tale which fat I
lernede afr paradovse of1 a wor]?i clerk1
As preued by his wordes and his work* . 28
he is now deed and nayled in his cheste
I pray to god to ^iue his soule reste 1T Pausac/o
ffraunces Petrake J?e laureafr poete
highte J?is clerk* whos istoiique sweete [a leaf out] 32
[enlumynede al ytaille / of Poyetrie [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14, leaf QQ
as Lynyan dide / of Philosophie
or lawe / or other arte par-ticulere
but deth that wol not suffre vs / duelle here 36
but as it were / a twynkelyng of an yghe
hem both hath sleyn / and alle shulle we dye
but forthe to tellen / of this worthy man
that taughte me this tale / as I bigan 40
I sey that he first / wight highe stile enditeth.
er he the body of his tale writeth"
a proheme / in the which discernetfr he
the mounde / and of Saluce the centre 44
and spekith of Appenyn the hilles highe
that ben the boundes / of west Lumbardie
and of the Mounte Yesulus / in special
where as the Poo / out of a wel smal 48
takith. his first spryngyng / and his sours
and holte even streighte wey / his cours
to Emel-ward / to Ferrare / and to Yenyse
the which a longe thing were / to devise 52
and trewely / as to my lugement
me thinkith it a thing / inpe?*tynent
save he wol conveye / his matiere
but this is the tale / which ye shal hiere 56
Here endith the clerke of Oxonford his prolog
CORPUS 283 (6-T. 404) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
six-TExr 405
GKOUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And next folwyng bigynneth Ms tale of Gresilde .
[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14, en leaf 66]
Ther was in the weste side of ytaylle
down at the rote / of Vesulus the colde
a lusty playne / habuiidaunte of vitaylle
where many a toure and towne / thow maist "biholde 60
that founded were / in tyme of faders olde
and many a-nother / dilectable sight
and Saluces / this noble contre hight 63
A Marques whilom / was lord of that londe 64
as were his worth! eldres / him bifore
and obeysaunte / ay redy to his honde
were alle his liges / both" lesse and more <jeafw, back} 67
thus in delite he lyved / and hath done yore
biloued and drad / thorugS. favour of fortune
both of his lordis / and of his comune 70
IT Therwith he was / to speken of lynage 71
the gentilest borne / of al Lumbardye
a faire persone and strong / and yonge of age
and ful of honoure / and of curtesie 74
discrete I-nough / his contre for to gye
saue in som thingis / he was to blame
and Walter was this yonge lord-is name 77
1T I blame him thus / that he considred noughte 78
in tyme comyng / what myghte him betide
but on his lust present / was al his thoughte
as for to havke and hounte / on euery side 81
wel nygh al other cures / lete he slide
and eke he nolde / and that was worst of alle
wedde no wiff / for aughte that myghte bifalle 84
CORPUS 284 (6-T. 405) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
SIX-TEXT 406
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IT Oonly that poynt / his peple bare score [Ms Arch. Seia. B. 14.]
that flokmele on a day / they to him wente
and oon of hem / that wysest was of loore
or ellis that the lord / best wolde assente 88
that he shulde telle him / what his peple mente
or ellis coude he wel / shewe suche matire
he to the Marques seide / as ye shulle hire 91
1T 0 noble Marques / youre humanite 92
assurith vs / and yevitfr vs hardynesse
as offte as tyme / is of necessite
that we to yow mow telle / oure hevynesse 95
acceptitfr now lord / of youre gentilnesse
that we with pitevous herte / to yow pleyne
and lete not youre eeris / my voys disdeyne 98
IF Al haue I nought to done / in this matire 99
more than a-nother man hath / in this place
yit for as meche / as ye my lord / so dere
haue alwey shewed to me / favoure and grace 102
I dar the better axe of yow / a space Oa/6?]
of audience / to shewe oure requeste
and ye my lord / to do right as ye leste 105
1T For certes lord / so wel vs likith yow 106
and al youre werke / and haue done that we] [A™11- Seia B. 14
J extract ends]
Ne coude nought1 vs self deuysen how [Corpus MS,. te«/i3o]
"We mighte lyue in more felicite 109
Saue o fing1 lord if1 if ^our wille be
That* for to be a wedded man ^ou leste
fen were 3oure peple in souereyn hertes reste 112
[jVb breaks in the Corpus MS between the stanzas, ,]
Bowef joure nekke vnder fat1 blisful 30k1 113
Of1 souerainte and nought1 of1 seruise
Which fatf men clepe spousaile or wedlok1
And fenkef lord amonges ^oure foughtes wise 116
CORPUS 285 (6-T. 406)
SIX-TEXT 407
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
[how that oure dayes pas / in sondre gise] [Arch. Seia, B. 11]
ffor Jjough we slepe or wake or renne or ryde
Ay fleef Jje tyme and wol noman abyde 119
And Jwugll ^oure greene poughtes floure as }it 120
In crepe j? age alway as stille as stoon
And deth manacej? euery age and smyt1
In ech astat1 for ]?er askapej? noon) 123
And also certein as we knowe echoon
J?af we schulle deye as vncertein we alle
Ben of J?af day fat1 dej> schal on vs falle 1 26
1F Acceptef fanne of vs ]>e trewe entent 127
j>af neuere 31^ ne refused ^our heste
And we lord if1 fat1 30 wile assent
To chese ^ou a wijf1 in schorf tyme atte leste 130
Borne of1 J?e gentilest1 and of J>e meste
Of1 alle ]?is lond so Jjat1 if oughte seme
honowr to god and 3011 as we can deme 133
IF Delyuer vs out1 of1 al Jjis busy dede 134
And tak1 a wijf1 for hihe goddes sake
ffor if1 if so bifelle as god forbede
J?af Jjorugli 3oure dej? 3our lynage schulde slake 137
And J?af a straunge successour schulde take
3 oure heritage . o wo were vs on lyue
wherfore we pray 3ow hastily to wyue 140
IF here meke preyer and here pitous cherte 141
Made ]>e marquys herte haue pite
[ye wol quod he / myn owne peple dere] [Arch. Seid. B. H.]
To J>af I neuer ersf Jjou3te streyne me 144
I me reioysed of my liberte
That1 selden tyme is founden manage [leaf iso, back]
Ther I was free I moste be in seruage 147
COHPUS 286 (6-T. 407)
SIX-TEXT 408
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IF But1 napeles I se 3our trewe entente 148
And truste vpon ^our witte and haue don ay
Wherfore with al my fre wille I wil assente
To wedde me as sone as euer I may 151
But1 per as 36 ban profred me to day
To chese me a wijf1 I $ou relesse
fat1 choys and pray $ou of* $oure profre cesse 154
1T if or I wot pat1 children often ben 155
vnlike here eldres hem byfore
Bounte com]? al of1 god not1 of1 pe stren
Of1 which pei bep engendred and y-bore 158
I truste in goddes bounte and perfore
my mariage and myn astat1 and reste
I him bitake he may do as him leste 161
1F laf me alone in chesyng1 of1 my wijf1 162
But1 1 3ou pray and charge vpon }our lijf*
That1 charge vpon my bak1 1 wil endure
pat1 what1 wijf1 1 take I pe assure 165
To worschipe hire whil bat1 hire lijf1 may dure
In word in werk* bope heere and euerywhere
As sche an Emperoures doughter were 168
IF And forpermore pis schal 36 swere pat1 30 169
A^ein my choys schulle neuer grucche ne stryue
ffor sippe I schal forgo my liberte
Af 3oure request1 as euer mote I priue 172
[there as myn herte is sett / there woH I wyve] tA^hi|jld-
And but1 30 wol assente in such manere
I pray 3ou speke nomore of* pis matiere 1 75
1T "Wip hertly wil pey sweren and assenten 176
To al pis ping1 per seyde no wight1 nay
Beseking1 him of1 grace or pat1 pei wenten
pat1 he wolde graunten hem a certein day 179
CORPUS 287 (6-T. 408)
SIX-TEXT 409
GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Of1 his spousaile as sone as euer he may
ffor ^ef alway pe poeple somwhat1 dredde
lest1 pat1 pis marquys no wijf1 wolde wedde 182
He graunted hem a day such as him leste [leafisi] 183
On which he wolde be wedded sikerly
And sayde he dide al pis at1 fair requeste
And pay wip humble entent ful buxomly 186
knelyng1 vpon here knees ful reuerently
him ponkyiig1 alle and Jms pay haue an ende
Of1 here entent1 and home a^ein pei wende 189
And her vpon he to his officers 190
Comande]) for pe feste to purveye
And to his priue knightes and squyers
Such charge ^af1 as him list1 on hem leye 193
And pay to his comaundemewt obeye
And ech of1 hem dop al his diligence
To do vnto J>e feste reuerence 196
[PART II.]
^ Prmia pars
ughf fer fro ]je paleys honurable 197
Wher as J>e marquys schop his mariage
Ther stood a throop of1 fe Cite delitable
In which pat1 pore folk1 of1 pat1 village 200
hadden here bestes and here herbergage
And of1 here labour toke here sustienance
After pe erpe 3af* hem abundance 203
Among1 pis pore folk1 per dwelled a man 204
Which was holde pouerest1 of1' hem alle
But heihe god sum tyme sende can
his gmce in to a litel oxe stalle 207
lanicula men of1 pat1 throop him calle
A doughter hadde he fair ynough to sight1
H And Grisildis pis $onge mayden highte 210
CORPUS 288 (6-T. 409)
SIX-TEXT 410
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
But1 for to speke of1- verteuous beaute 211
panne was sche on pe fairest1 vnder sonne
fful pouerely y-fostered was sche
No likerous lust1 was in hire herte ronne 214
"Wei oftere of1 pe welle fan of1 pe tonne
Sche drank1 for sche wolde vertues plese
Sche knew wel labour but1 non ydel ese 217
IF But1 pougfc pis mayden tendre were of1 age 218
^et in pe brest1 of1 hire virginite [leaf m, back]
Ther was y-closed rype and scharpe corage
And in a gret1 reuerence and charite 221
hire olde pouere fader fostred sche
A fewe scheep spynnyng1 on feld sche kepte
Sche nolde not1 ben ydel til pat1 sche slepte 224
And whan sche com horn ward sche wolde bringe 225
Wortes or oper herbes tymes ofte
The which sche schredde and seth for hir lyuynge
And made hir bed ful harde and no ping1 softe / 228
And ay sche kepte hir faderes lif1 on lofte
Wif euery obeissance and diligence
That1 childe may do to faderes reuerence / 231
IT vpon Grisilde pe pouer creature 232"
iful ofte sipe pe marquys sette his ye
As he on huntyng1 rood perauenture
And whan it1 fell pat1 he might* hir aspye 235
he not1 wij> wantoun lokyng1 of1 folye
his eyen caste on hire but in sad wyse
vpon hir cheere he wolde him ofte auyse 238
^F Commendyng1 in his herte hir wommanhede 239
And eek1 hire vertu passyng1 any wight1
Of so 3ong< age as wel in cheere as in dede
ffor pough pe poeple haue no gret1 insight1 242
CORPUS 289 (6-T. 410)
SIX-TEXT 411
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
In vertu lie considerd ful right1
hir bounte and disposed fat he wolde
Wedde hir oonly if* euer he wedde scholde 245
The day of weddyng1 com but1 no wight1 can 246
Telle what1 wommarc fat1 it schulde be
ffor which meruayle wondref many man
And seyde whan fey were in pryuyte 249
Wil nat1 oure lord 3 it1 leue his vanite
Wil he nat1 wedde alias alias f e while
Why wol he fus himself1 and vs begile 252
But1 nafeles fis marquys haf don make 253
Of1 gemmes sette in golde and in asnre
Broches and rynges for Grisildes sake Deaf 1223
And of1 hire clofing1 tok1 he fe mesure 256
Of1 a mayden like to hire stature
And eek1 of1 of er ornamentes alle
That1 vnto such a weddyng1 schulde falle 259
H f e tyme of1 vnderne of1 f e same day 260
Approchef fat1 f is weddyng1 schulde be
And al f e paleys but was in aray
Bofe halle and chambre eche in his degre 263
houses of1 offices stuffed wif plente
Ther maystow se of1 deynteuous vitayle
That1 may be founde as feer as last1 ytayle 266
IT This real marquys richely arrayed 267
lordes and ladyes in his companye
The which vnto f e feste were prayed
And of1 his retenue fe bachelrie 270
With many a soun of1 sondry melodye
vnto f e vilage of1 which I tolde
In fis array fe righte wey haf holde 273
21 CORPUS 290 (6-T. 41l)
SIX-TEXT 412
GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IF Grisilde of1 fis god wot1 ful Innocent 274
fat1 for hire schapen al fis array was
To fecche water at1 a welle is wente
And comef home as sone as euer sche may 277
ffor wel sche hadde herd seyde fat1 ilke day
That* marquys sc'hulde wedde and if1 sche might1
Sche wolde fayn han seyn some of* fat1 sight 280
5T Sche fought1 1 wille wif of re may dens stonde 281
fat1 ben my felawes in oure dore and se
The marquisesse and f erfore wol I fonde
To do at1 home as sone as it1 may be 284
f e labour which fat1 longef vnto me
And fanne I may at1 leysyr hire by-holde
If1 sche f is wey vnto f e castel holde 287
II And as sche wolde ouer hire f resshfold gon 288
The marquys cam and gan hir for to calle
And sche sette doun hir water potte anon •
Bysyde fis fresshfolde of1 fis oxe stalle [leaf 122, back] 291
And doun vpon hir knees sche gan to falle
Wif sad contynance and knelef stille
Til sche had herd what1 was f e lordes wille . 294
fis f oughtful marquys spak1 vnto fis mayde 295
fful soberly and seyde in fis manere
Wher is ^our fader Grisildis he sayde
And sche wif reuerence in humble chere , 298
Answerde lord he is al redy heere
And in sche gof wif oute lenger lette
And to fe marquys hir fader sche fette 301
IT he by f e hond fan took1 fis olde man/ 302
And sayde fus whan he him hadde a syde
lanycala I neyf er may ne can
lengere f e plesaunce of1 myn herte hyde 305
CORPUS 291 (6-T. 412)
SIX-TEXT 413
GROUP E. § 2, CLEKK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
If1 fat1 f ou vouche saff1 what* so betyde
f y doughter I wol take or fat1 1 wende
As for my wijf1 vnto hire lyues ende 308
H f ou louest1 me I wot1 if \vel certain 309
And art1 my feif ful liege man y-bore
And al fat1 like]) me I dar wel sayn
It1 likef fe and speciallicne f erf ore 312
Telle me fat1 poynt1 as I hane sayd bifore
If1 fat1 f ou wilt1 vnto fat purpos drawe
To take me as for fi sone in lawe 315
IT The sodeyn cas ]>e man astoned so 31 6
J?att reed he wax abaystf and al quakynge
he stood vnnejje he sayde worde no mo
But1 only Jms lord quod he my willynge 319
Is as 30 wille nought1 a3eins ^our likynge
I wole no Jung1 30 be my lord so dere
But1 as }ou luste gouernej? J?is matiere 322
U ^it1 wol I quod ]ns marquys softely 323
Jjat1 in Y\ chambre I and }>ou and sche
haue a collacion and wostow why
ifor I wil axe if1 J>af hire wille be 326
To be my wijf1 and reule hire after me [leaf iss]
And al )>is schal be doon in fi presence
I wol nof speke out1 of1 fin audience 329
1F And in here chambre whil fay were aboute 330
here tretees which fat1 39 sclml after heere
f e poeple cam in to f e hous wif oute
And wondred hem in hor honeste manere 333
And tentyfly sche kepte hir fader deere
But1 outerly Grysildis wondre might1
ffor neuer erst1 ne saugh sche such a sight1 336
CORPUS 292 (6-T. 413)
SIX-TEXT 414
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
1F No wonder is pou3 pat1 sche were astoned 337
To se so gretf a geste in pat1 place
Sche neuer was to suche gestes woned
ffor which sche loked wip ful pale face 340
But1 schortly forp pis mater for to chace
This aren pe wordes pat1 pe marquys sayde
To his benigne verray feypful inayde 343
1T Grisilde he seyde 36 schule wel vnderstonde 344
IV likep to 3oure fader and to me
That1 1 3011 wedde and eek1 it may so stonde
As I suppose 36 wil pat1 it1 so be 347
But1 pese demaundes ax I first1 qiiod he
IT pat1 sippen it1 schal be don in hasty wise
Wille 30 assente or elles ^ou auyse 350
I seye pis be redy wip good herte 351
To al iny lust1 and pat1 1 frely may
As me best1 pinkep do 3ou knowe or smerte
And neuer pe to grucche it1 night1 ne day 354
And eek1 whan I say 36 ne say not1 nay
Neiper by word ne by frounyng1 contynance
Swere pis and heer I swere oure alliance 357
IF Weddyng1 vpon pis word quakyng* for drede 358
Sche sayde lord vndigne or vnworpy
Am I to pat1 ilke honour pat1 36 me bede
But1 as 36 wille 3oure self1 right1 so wol I 361
And here I swere pat1 neuer willy ugly
In werk1 ne pought1 1 nyl 3ou disobeye [leaf 133, back]
ffor to be deed pough me were lop to deye 364
IT This is ynough Grisylde myn quod he 365
And forp he gop wip a ful sobre cheere
Out1 at1 pe dore and after pat1 cam sche
And to pe poeple he sayde in pis manere 368
CORPUS 293 (6-T. 414)
SIX-TEXT 415
GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Jjis is my wyf< quod he fatf stoiidef heere
honourej? hire and louef eek1 1 preye
Who so me louef fer is no more to seye 371
And for fat1 nofing1 of1 hir olde gere 372
Sche scholde bringe in to his hous he bad
That1 wommen schulde dispoylen hire right* fere
Of1 which fis ladyes were noting1 glad 375
To handle hire clones wher Inne sche was clad
But naf eles fis mayden bright1 of1 hewe
ffro foot1 to heed J>ey closed han al newe 378
1F hire heres han fey kempte fat1 layn vntressed 379
fful rudely and wif hire fyngres smale
fay tyred hire heed fat1 longe rudely lay dressed
Of1 hire array what1 schulde I make a tale 382
Sche is now fair of* hew fat1 arst1 was pale
vnnef e f e poeple hir knew for hir fairnesse
Whan sche transmewed was in such richesse 385
IF This marquys ha]) hir wedded wif a ryng1 386
Brou^f for }>e same cause and hire sette
vpon an hors snow whyt1 and wel amblyng1
And to J?e paleys or he lenger lette 389
Wij? ioyful poeple J?at hire ladde and mette
Conueyed hire and Jms fe day fay spende
In reuel til j?e sonne gan descende 392
H And schortly forf fis tale for to chace 393
I seye fat1 to fis newe marquysesse
God haf such fauour sent1 hire of1 his grace
That1 it1 ne semed nought be kykenesse 396
That1 sche was born and fedde in ludenesse
As in a cote or in an Oxe stalle/
But1 norisshed in an emperoures halle peaf 134] 399
CORPUS 294 (6-T. 415)
SIX-TEXT 416
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS,
IF To Query wight1 sclie woxen is so deere 400
And worschipful fat1 folk1 f er sche was bore
And from hire burf e knewe liire fere by $eere
vnnef e trowede fey but1 durst1 nan swore 403
fat1 to lanicle of1 which I spat byfore
Sche doughter nas for as by coueiture
hem foughte sche was anofer creature 406
1T ffor f ough euere vertuous was sche 407
Sche was encressed in such excellence
Of1 f ewes good y-sette in heih bounte
And so discrete and fair of1 eloquence
So benigne and digne of1 reuerence
And coude so f e poeples herte embrace
fat1 ech hir louef fat1 lokef on hir face 413
IT Not1 only of1 salues in fe toun 414
Pirplissched was f e bounte of1 hir name
But1 eek1 besyde in many a region
If1 on sayde wel anofer sayde f e same 417
So spredef of* hire heih bounte & fame
That1 men and woramen als wel ^onge as olde
Gon to salice vpon hir to byholde 420
1T Thus Walter lowly nat1 but1 really 421
Wedded wif fortunate honeste
In goddes pees lyuef ful esily
At1 horn and outward grace ynough hadde he 424
And for he saugh fat1 vnder lough degre
Was ofte vertu hyd f e poeple him helde
A prudent man and fat1 is seyn ful seelde 427
IT Nat1 oonly fis Grisildis furgh hir witte 428
Coude al f e fait1 of1 wyfly homlynesse
But1 eke whan fat1 f e cas requyred it
The comun profyt1 coude sche redresse 431
CORPUS 295 (6-T. 416)
SIX-TEXT 417
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
per nas discorde rancour ne heuynesse
In al pat1 lond pat1 sche coupe appese
And wisly bringe hem alle in hertes eese 424
1T Though pat1 hire housbonde absent1 were anon [leaf 134, back]
If1 gentil men or oper of1 hire countre '
Were wrope sche wolde bringen hem at1 on
So wys and rype wordes hadde sche / 438
And luggements of1 so gret1 equite
pat1 sche from heuen sent1 was as men wende
pe poeple to plese and euery wrong1 to amende 441
1F Nat1 long1 tyme after pat1 pis Grisilde 442
Was wedded sche a doubter hap y-bore
Al hadde hir leuer haue born a knaue childe
Glad was pis marquys and his folk1 pe?*fore 445
ffor pough a mayden childe come al bifore
Sche may vnto a knaue child atteyne
.Be lykened sippe sche is not1 bareyne 448
IF Explicit ija p«7rs.
Ther felle as it bifallep tymes mo 449
When pat J>is childe had souked but a pro we
This marquys in his herte longejj so
To tempte his wyf hir sadnesse for to knowe 452
Jjat1 he ne might1 out1 of1 his herte prowe
IF This merueylous desir his wijf1 to assaye
Needeles god wot1 he Jjoughf hir to affraye 455
he hadde assayed hire ynongh bifore 456
And fond hir euer good what1 needed it1
hire for to tempte and alway more and more
But1 as for me I seye pat1 euele it1 sitte 459
pough some men it1 preyse for a subtil witte
To assaye a wijf1 whan pat1 it1 is no neede
And putten hire in anguisscho and in dreede 462
CORPUS 296 (6-T. 417)
SIX-TEXT 418
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
f ffor which fis marquys wrought1 in fis manere 463
he com a night1 allone f er as sche lay
Wif sterne fate and wif trouble cheere
And seyde fus Grisilde quod he fat day 466
fat1 I 3ou took1 out1 of1 ^oure pore aray
And putte }ou in astat1 of1 heye noblesse
30 haue nou^f forgeten as I gesse 469
IT I seye Grisilde fis present1 dignite 470
In which I haue putte 30 w as I trowe Peaf 135]
makef ^ou nou^f for^eteful for to be
fat1 1 3ou took1 in pouer astate ful lowe 473
ffor eny wele 36 mote ^oure selue knowe
Tak* heed of1 euery word fat1 1 3ou say
f er nys no wight1 fat1 heeref it1 but1 we tway 476
IT 36 wote ^oure selue wel how fat1 30 come here 477
In to f is hous fat1 nys nat1 longe ago
And f ough to me ^e be right1 leeue and deere
vnto my gentiles $e ben nof ing1 so 480
fey say to hem it is gret1 schame and wo
ffor to be sogette and ben in seruage
To f e fat1 art1 bom of1 a smal vilage 483
11 And namely sif f e fy doubter was y-bore 484
This wordes han fey spoke douteles
But I desire as I haue don byfore
To lyue my lyf1 wif hem in reste and pees 487
I may not1 in f is cas be recheles
I mot1 do wif f i doubter for f e beste
as I wolde but1 as my gentils leste 490
IT And ^it1 god wot1 fis is ful lof to me 491
But1 naf eles wif outen ^our wetynge
I wil nat1 do but fis wil I quod he
That1 je to me assent/ as in fis f inge 494
CORPUS 297 (6-T. 418)
SIX-TEXT 419
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Schewe now 3011? pacience as in werkynge
J?af 36 me hight1 and swor in 30111 village
That1 day J?afr maked was our mariage 497
IF Whan sche had herd al )?is sche nat ameued 498
Noyjjer in word ne cheere ne contynance
iFor as it semed sche was nat1 agreued
Sche sayde lord al lijj in 3our plesaunce 501
My childe and I wij) hertely obeissance
ben 3oures al and 36 mowe saue & spille
owne Jnng1 workijj after 3our wille 504
IF Ther may no J>ing< so god my soule saue 505
liken to 3ou fat1 may displesen me
Ne I desyre no Jung1 for to haue [leaf 135, back]
Ne drede for to lese saue oonly J>e 508
J>is wille is in myrc herte and ay schal be
No lengjje of1 tyme or dejj may J>is deface
Ne chaunge my corrage to anoj>er place 511
1F Glad was J?is marquys for hire answeryng* 512
But1 3 it1 he feigned as it were not1 so
Al dreery was his cheer* as his lokyng1
Whan fat1 he schulde out/ of1 )>e chambre go 515
Sone after Jns a forlong1 way or tuo
he priuely hajj tolde al his entente
vnto a man and to his wijf1 him sente 518
IF A maner se^'geant1 was J>is priue man 519
The which he feijjful often founden hadde
In Jjinges gret1 and eek1 such folk1 wel can
Don execucion of1 Jjinges badde 522
The lord knew wel fat1 he him loued and dradde
And whan )>is sergaunt1 knew his lordes wille
In to fe chambur he stalked him ful stille 525
CORPUS 298 (6-T. 419)
SIX-TEXT 420
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
1F Ma dame he sayde ^e moote for^iue it me 526
Though I do fing1 f e which I am constreyned
^e ben so wys fat1 ful wel knowe $e
fat lordes heestes mo we not1 be feyned 529
fey mowe wel be weyled or compleyned
But* men moot1 n cedes to here lust1 obeye
And so wol I fer nys nomore to seye 532
IT fis child am I comaunded for to take 533
And spak1 no more but1 out1 f e childe he hente
Dispitously and gan a cheere make
As f ough he wold han slayn it1 or he wente 536
Grisildes mot1 al soffre and consente
And as a lombe sche sittef meke & stille
And lete Jns cruel sergant1 han bis wille 539
IT Suspeccious was f e defame of1 fis man 540
Suspecte his face suspecte his word also
Suspecte f e tyme in which he fis bygan .
Alias hir doughter fat sche loued so [leafise] 543
Sche wende he wolde haue slay en it1 right1 f o
But1 naf eles sche nouf er weep ne siked
Conformyng1 hire to fat1 fe marquys liked 546
11 But1 atte laste speke sche bigan 547
And mekely sche to f e sergaunt1 preyed
So as he was a worf y gentil man
jjat1 sche moste kisse hir childe or fat1 it1 deyde 550
And in hir barm fis litel child sche leyde
Wif ful sadde face and gan J)is childe to blisse
And lulled it1 and after gan it1 kisse 553
IT And Jms sche seyde in hire benigne vois 554
ffar wel my child I schal fe neuer se
But1 sif I haue fe marked wif fe croys
Of1 filke fader blessed mote fou be 557
CORPUS 299 (6-T. 420)
SIX-TEXT 421
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
fat1 for vs deyed vpon a crosse of1 tre
j>y soule litel child I him bytake
if or J>is night1 schalf J>ou deye for my sake- 560
^T I trowe to a norice in fis cas 561
It1 hadde ben hard J?is reupe for to se
Wei might a mooder fan han cryed alias
But1 nafeles so sadde stedefast1 was sche 564
fat1 sche endured alle aduersite
And to f e sergeaunt1 mekely sche sayde
haue her a^ein ^our litel 3onge mayde 567
1T Gof now quod sche and do]? my lordes heste 568
But1 o fing1 wold I pray ^ou of1 ^our grace
fat1 but1 my lord forbad $ou atte leste
Burief Jjis litel body in som place 571
J>afr bestes ne no briddes it to-race
But1 he ne wolde no word to J?e purpos seye
But/ tok1 J>e childe and went1 vpon his weye 574
IT ]>is sergaunfr cam vnto J>is lord ageyne 575
And of1 Grisildes wordes and hir cheere
he tolde him word for word in schort1 and pleyne
And him presentej? with his doubter dere 578
Som what1 J>is lord hadde reuj^e in his manere [leaf ise, back]
But1 najjeles his purpos held he stille
As lordes don whan J>ay wol haue here wille 581
And bad j>is sergaunt1 fat1 he priuyly 582
Schulde ])is child ful ofte wynde and wrappe
WiJ) alle c/rcumstaunces tendrely
And carye it in a coffre or in a lappe 585
But1 vpon peyne his heed of1 for to swappe
Jjat1 noman schulde knowe of1 his entent
Ne when he come ne whider fat1 he went 588
CORPUS 300 (6-T. 42l)
SIX-TEXT 422
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
f But1 at1 Boloigne it1 to his suster deere 589
That1 ilke time of* Panyke was Countesse /
he schulde it1 take and schewe hir pis mateere /
Besekyng1 hire to don hire besynesse 592
This child to fostre in alle gentilnesse
And whos child pat1 it* was he bad hire hyde
ffrom euery wight1 for ought1 fat1 may betyde 595
IT pis sergaunt go]? and hap fulfild pis ping1 596
But1 now to pis markys retorne we
fFor now gop he ful ofte ymagynyng1
If1 by his wyffes cheer he mighte se 599
Or by hire word apparceyue fat sche
"Were chaunged but he neuer coude hir fynde
But euer in oon ylike sad and kynde 602
^T As glad as besy as humble in seruice 603
And eek1 in loue as sche was wont1 to be
Was sche to him in euery maner wyse
"N& of1 hir doughter nought1 a word spak1 sche 606
Accident for non aduersite
Was seyn in hire ne neuer hir doubter name
NQ nempned sche in ernest1 ne in game 609
1T Explicit iija p«rs.
IN pis astat1 per ben passed .iiij. $er 610
sche wip childe was but as god wolde
A knaue childe sche bar by pis waiter
fful gracious and fair for to biholde 613
And whan pat1 folk1 it1 to his fader tolde
Nat1 onlich he but1 al pe centre merye [leaf 137]
Was for pis child and god pey pank1 and herye 616
IT Whan it1 was tuo ^eer old and fro be breste 617
Departed of1 his norice on a day
This marquys caughte ^it1 anoper leste
CORPUS 301 (6-T. 422)
SIX-TEXT 423
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
To tempte his wijf1 ^it1 ofter if1 lie may 620
0 nedeles was sche tempted in assay
But1 wedded men knowen no mesure
Whan fat1 Jmy fynde a pacient creature 623
IF "Wijf1 quod J>is marquys $e han herd of1 )>is 624
My poeple sekerly here]) heuy of1 oure mariage
And namely si]?J?e my sone "boren is
Now is it* wers J?an euer in al oure age 627
The murmur slej) myn herte and my corage
ffor to myn eeres comej> j)e voys so smerte
That1 it1 wel neih destroyed haj> myn herte 630
1T Now sey j?ey Jws whan waiter is agon 631
J>anne schal J?e blood of1 lanicle succede
And ben oure lord for ojjer haue we non
Suche wordes seij? my poeple it is no drede 634
Wel ought1 1 of1 such murmur taken heede
ffor certeinly I drede such sentence
Jjough ]?ey nought1 pleyne speke in myw audience 637
H I wolde lyue in pees if1 J>af I mighte 638
Wher fore I am disposed outerly
As I his suster seruede be nighte
Right1 so jjenke I to serue him priuely 641
)>us warne I $ou for $e nou^t1 sodeinly
Out1 of1 $our self1 for no wo schulde outraye
Be]) pacient1 and Jjerfore I $ou praye 644
1F I haue quod sche sayd Jjus and euer schal 645
1 wille no fing1 ne nyl no Jjing1 certayne
But1 as ^ou liste nou^t1 greuejj me al
Jjough Jjat1 my doughter and my sone be siayne 648
At1 3our comaundemewt1 }>is is to sayne
I haue nou^t1 had no part1 of1 children tweyne
But1 first1 siknesse and after wo and peyne [leaf 137, back] 651
CORPUS 302 (6-T. 423)
SIX-TEXT 424
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS,
1F 36 ben oure lord dof wif ^our owne fing* 652
Ri^t1 as 3ou liste askef no rede at me
ffor as I lifte at1 home al my clof inge
Whan I first1 come to 3011 right1 so quod sche 655
lefte I my wille and al my liberte
And tok1 3our closing* wherfore I 3011 preye
Dof 3our plesance I wil ^our lust1 obeye 658
1F And certes if1 1 hadde prescience 659
3oure wille to knowe or 36 ^our lust* me tolde
I wolde it1 do wif outen necligence
But1 now I wot1 3our lust1 and what1 36 wolde 662
Al 3our plesauuce ferme and stable I holde
ffor wiste I fat1 my def ^volde do 3011 ese
Rigfrt1 gladly wolde I deye 3ou to plese 665
1T De)> may not1 make no comparisown 666
vnto oure loue and whan f is marquys say
fe contenaunce of1 his wijf1 he cast a down
his ey3en tuo and wondrejj fat1 sche may 669
In pacience suffre al ]>is array
And for]) he gof wi)> drery contynaunce
But1 to his herte it was right1 gret1 plesance 672
IT fis Oggel sergaunt1 in fe same wise 673
fat1 he hir dorter caughte right1 so he
Or worse if1 men worse can deuyse
haf hent1 hir sone fat1 ful was of1 beaute 676
And euer in oon so pacient was sche
That1 sche no cheere made of1 heuynesse
But1 kiste hir sone and after gan it1 blesse 679
IF Saue fis sche preyed him if1 fat1 he mighte 680
hir litel sone he wolde in erf e graue
his tendre lymes delicat1 to sight1
ffro foules and fro bestes for to saue 683
CORPUS 303 (6-T. 424)
SIX-TEXT 425
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
but1 sche non answer of* him mighte haue
lie wente his wey as he no jring1 ne rouglite
But1 to Boloigne he tendrely it1 brou3te 686
IT This marquys wondrej? euer lenger j>e more [leaf iss] 687
vpon hir pacience and if1 fat1 he
Isfe hadde sojjly knowe J?er bifore
Jjat1 parfitly hir children loued sche 690
he wolde haue wende jjat1 of* som subtilte
And of1 malice or for cruel corrage
That1 sche hadde suffred J>is wij? sad visage 693
IT But1 wel he knewe next* himself1 certayne 694
Sche loued hir children best1 in euery wise /
But1 now of1 wowmen wolde I aske fayne
If J>ise assayes mighte nou^t1 suffise / 697
What1 coujje a stordy housbonde more deuyse
To proeue his wijf1 and hire stedfastnesse
And he contynuyng1 euer in sturdynesse 700
IF But1 J>er ben folk1 of1 such condiciofi 701
That1 whan Jjey haue a certein purpos take
They can nought1 stynte of1 here entencion
But1 right1 as J>ey were bounden to a stake 704
pey wil nat1 of1 fat1 firste purpos slake /
Eight1 so ]>is marquys fully haj) purposed
To tempte his wijf1 as he was first1 disposed 707
IT he waytej? if by word or contynance 708
That1 sche to him was chaunged of1 corage
But1 neuer coude he fynde variance
Sche \vas ay oon in hert1 and in visage 711
And ay J?e furjjer pat1 sche was in age
J>e more trewe if Jjat1 it1 were possible
Sche was to him more lowe and more pesible 714
CORPUS 304 (6-T. 425)
SIX-TEXT 426
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS,
IF ffor which it1 semed fus fat1 of1 hem tuo 715
f er nas but1 oo wille for as waiter liste
That1 same lust1 was hire plesance also
And god he fanked al fel for fe beste 718
Sche schewed weel for no worldly vnreste
A wijf1 as of1 hir self1 no f ing1 ne scholde
Wille in efFecte but1 as hir housbond wolde 721
f e sclaundre of waiter ofte and wyde spradde 722
That1 of1 a cruel herte he wikkedly [leaf iss, back]
ffor he a pore woraman wedded hadde
haf murdred bofe his children priuely 725
Such murmur was among1 hem comunly
No wonder is for to f e poeples eere
Ther com no word but1 fat1 fay mordred were 728
ffor which f er as his poeple fer bifore 729
hadde loued him wel f e sclaunder of1 his diffame
Made hem fat1 fey him hatede f erfore
To ben a murdrer is an hateful name 732
But1 naf eles for ernest1 ne for game
he of1 his cruel purpos nolde stente
To tempte his wijf1 was sette al his entente 735
IF Whan fat1 his dorter twelf1 $er was of1 age 736
he to f e court1 of1 Rome in subtil wise
Enformed of1 his wille and seiite his message
Comaundyng1 hem suche bulles to deuyse/ 739
In f is maner and in f is same gyse
how fat1 f e pope as for his poeples reste
Bad him to wedde anofer if1 him leste 742
IT I say he bad fay scholden countrefete 743
The popes bulles making1 mencion
fat1 he haf leue his firste wijf1 to lete
As by fe popes dispensacion 746
CORPUS 305 (6-T. 426)
SIX-TEXT 427
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
To stynte rancour and discencion
Bitwixe his poeple and him f us spak1 f e bulle
fe which fey han publisshed atte fulle 749
If The rude poeple as if no wonder is 750
Wenden ful wel fat1 it hadde be ri^fr so
But1 whan f is tyf inges come to Grisildis
I deme fat1 hir herte was ful wo 753
And sche ylike sad for euermo
Disposed was fis humble creature
To aduersite of1 fortune al tendure 756
^T Abydyng1 euer his lust1 and his plesance 757
To whom sche was ^iuen herte and al
As to hire worldly verray suffisaunce Cieafisg]
But1 schortly if1 fis story telle I schal 760
This marquys writen haf in special
A letfae in which he schewef his entente
And secretly he to boloigne it1 sente 763
f To fe erl of1 Panyke which fat1 hadde fo 764
Wedded his suster preyed he specially
To bringen home a^ein his children tuo
But1 he o finge preyed outrely 767
With alle his herte ful affectuously
fat1 he to no wight f ough men wolde enquere
Schulde nought telle whos children fat1 f ei were 770
^T But1 seye fe may den schulde y-wedded be 771
Vnto f e marquys of1 Saluce right1 anon
And as f is erle was preyed right1 so dede he
ffor at1 day sette he on his day is goon) 774
Toward Saluce and lordes many oon
In riche array f is mayden for to gyde
hire 3onge brof ei ryding1 by hir syde 777
22 CORPUS 306 (6-T. 427)
SIX-TEXT 428
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE, Corpus MS,
Arrayed was toward liir mariage 778
This freisshe mayde ful of* gemmes cleere
hir broker which fat1 vij. ^eer was of1 age
Arrayed eek1 ful freissch in his manere. 781
And f us in gret1 noblesse and wif glad cheere
Toward Saluces schapynge hire iourneye
iFro day to day fey ryden in here weye 784
IF Quarta pars.
[PART V.]
AMong1 al fis after his wicked vsage 785
fis marquys ^it1 his wijf1 gan tempte more
To f e outrest1 proef1 of1 hire corage
ifully to han experiment1 and lore 788
If1 fat1 sche was as stidefasfc1 as bifore
he on a day in open audience
fful boustously haf seid hir J>is sentence 791
Certes Grisildis I hadde ynough plesaunce 792
To han ^ou to my wijf1 for ^our goodnesse
As for ^our troupe and ^our obeissanee
Nat1 for 3 our lignage ne for ^our richesse [leaf 139, back] 795
But1 now quod he in verray so))fastnesse
fat1 in gref lorschipe if1 1 wol auyse
J>er is gret1 seruytute in sondry wise 798
IT I may nofr do as euery ploughman may 799
My poeple me constreynej? for to take
ano]?er wijf1 and cryen day by day
And eek1 Jre pope rancour for to slake 802
ConsenteJ? if fat1 dar I vndertake
And trewelich Jms meche I wil 3011 seye
My newe wijf1 is comynge by fe weye 805
11 Be strong1 of1 herte and voyde anon hire place 806
And filke doware fat1 30 broughten me
Tak1 it1 a^cin and graunte it1 of1 my grace
CORPUS 307 (6-T. 428)
SIX-TEXT 429
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Retornep to ^our fadres hous quod he 809
No man may alwey haue prosperite
Wip euene herte I rede ^ou tendure
pe strok1 of1 fortune or of1 auenture 812
IT And sclie a^ein answerde in pacieiice 813
My lord seyde sche I wot* & wiste alway
how fat1 bitwixe ^oure magnificence
And my pouerte no wight1 can ne may 816
maken comparison it/ is no nay
I helde me neuer digne in no manere
To he 3our wijf1 ne ^it1 ^our chamherere 819
And in pis hous per 36 me lady made 820
5F pe hihe god take I for my witnesse
And also wisly he my soule glade
I neuer heelde me lady ne maystresse 823
But1 humble seruaunt1 to 3our worpinesse
And euere schal whil pat1 my lijff1 may dure
Abouen euery worldly creature 826
IT That1 30 so longe of1 3oure benignite 827
han holde me in honour and nobleye
\Vher as I was noujt1 worpy for to be
pat1 panke I god and $ow whom I preye 830
ffor^elde it1 ^ow per nys no more to seye peaf no]
vnto my fader gladly wol I wende
And wip him dwelle vnto my lyues ende 833
IT Ther I was fostred of a child ful smal 834
Til I be dede my lijf1 per wil I lede
A wyclewe clene in body herte and al
ffor sippe I ^af1 to ^ow my maydenhede 837
And am ^our trewe wijf1 it1 is no drede
God schilde such a lordes wijf1 to take
Anoper man to housbonde or to make 840
CORPUS 308 (6-T. 429)
SIX-TEXT 430
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IF And of1 3oure newe wyf1 god of1 his grace 841
So graunte 3011 wele and heigh prosperite
if or I wille gladly 3elden hire my place
In which I was blisful wont?1 to be 844
ffor sijjjje it1 like]) ^ow my lord quod, sche
That1 whilom weren al myn hertes reste
fat1 I schal go I wol go whan 3011 leste 847
11 But1 fer as 36 me profre swich dowayre 848
Ay I first* brought1 if is wel in my mynde
It1 were my wrecched clones no jnng1 fayre
The whiche to me were now ful hard to fynde 851
0 goode god how gentil and how kynde
^e semede by }our speche and ^our visage
fe day j>af maked was our mariage 854
Buf so]? is seyde algate I fynde if trewe 855
ffor in effecte if preuede is on me
loue is naf olde as whan }>af it is newe
Buf certes lord for non aduersite 858
To deyen in J?e cas if schal nof be
J>af euer in word or werk1 1 schal repente
J>af I 3ou ^af1 myn herte in hoi entente 861
1F My lord 30 wof fat in my fadres place 862
30 dede me strepe ouf of1 my pore wede
And richely me cladden of1 3our grace
To 3ou brought I nou3f elles ouf of1 drede 865
Buf feij) and nakednesse and maydenhede
And here a3ein 3our closing1 1 restore [leaf no, back]
And eek1 3our weddyng1 ryng1 for euermore 868
•IT The remenaunf of1 ^oure lewellis redy be 869
Wifinne 3our chanibre dar I sauely sayn
Naked ouf of1 my fadres hous qiiod sche
1 cam and naked I mof agayn 872
CORPUS 309 (0-T. 430)
SIX-TEXT 431
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Al ^oure plesaunce wolde I folwe fayn
But1 ^it1 1 hope if be nat1 ^oure entente
That1 smokies out1 of1 ^oure paleys I wente 875
IF $e coude noi^t1 do so dishoneste a ping1 876
That1 ]>ilke wombe in which 30111 children leye
Schulde bifore J?e poeple in my walkyng1
Be seyn al bare wher fore I 3011 preye / 879
laf me not1 lik1 a worme go by jje weye
Remembre }ou myn owne lord so deere
I was ^oure wijf1 jjough I vnworjjy were 882
Wherfore in guerdon of* my maydenhede 883
Which jjat1 1 brought1 and not1 awey I bere
As vouchej? sauf1 to ^if1 me to my mede
But1 such a smok1 as I was wont1 to were 886 *
Jjat1 1 j?er wij? may wrye J>e wombe of1 here
fat1 was ^ our wijf1 and here take I my leue
Of1 }ou myn owen lord lest1 1 ^ou greue 889
1T The smok/ qiiod he jj'at1 J?ou hast1 on J)i bakH 890
lat it1 be stille and bere it1 for]? wij) J?e
But1 vnnejjes J?ilke word he spak1
But1 wente his wey for rew]?e and pite 893
Biforn J>e folk1 hir seluen strepej? sche
And in hire smok1 wij> heued and foot1 al bare
Toward hir fader hous is sche fare 896
The folk1 hir folwen wepyng1 in hire weye 897
And fortune ay J>ey cursen as Jjey gon
But1 sche fro weepyng1 kepte hire eyhen dreye
Ne in Jns tyme word ne spak1 sche noon 900
hire fader Jjat1 ])is tydinge herde anon
Curse]) J?e day and tyine Jjat1 nature
Schope him to be a lyues creature [leaf ui] 903
CORPUS 310 (6-T, 431)
SIX-TEXT 432
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS,
1F ffor out1 of* doute fis olde pouere man 904
fat1 whan f e lord had fulfilde his corage 906
ffor euer it demed sif it1 ferst1 bigan) 905
him wolde finke it* were disparage 907
To wedde oon of1 so pore a lynage
To his astat1 so lowe to alighte
And voyde hire as sone as euer he mighte 910
1F A3ein his doughter hastely go]? he 911
ifor he by noyse of1 folk1 knew hire comyng1
And wif hire olde cote as it1 mighte be
he couered hire ful sorwfully wepynge 914
But1 on hir body might1 he it not1 bringe
ifor rude was f e clof and more of1 age
By fele dayes fan was hire mariage 917
Thus wif hir fader for a certein space 918
Dwellef f is flour of1 wyfly pacience
fat1 neyf er by hir wordes ne hir face
Biforn fe folk1 ne eek1 in here absence / 921
Ne schewede sche fat1 hire was don offence
Ne of1 hire heih astat1 f e remembrance
Ne hadde sche as by hire contynaunce 924
No wonder is for in hire gret1 astate 925
hire gost1 was euer in plein humilite
No tendre mouf non herte delicate
No pompe ne semblant1 of1 realte 928
But1 ful of1 pacience and benignite
Discrete and prydeles ay honorable
And to hir housbonde euer meeke and stable 931
H Men speke of1 lob. and most1 for his liumblesse 932
As clerkes whan hem liste can endite
Namly of1 men but as in sof fastnesse
fough clerkes preyse wo??^men but a lite 935
CORPUS 311 (6-T. 432)
SIX-TEXT 433
GROUP E. § 2. CLEIIK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
fer can no man in humblesse him aquite
As wommen can ne can be half* so trewe
As wommen ben but1 it1 be falle of1 newe 938
[PART VI.}
1T ffro Boloigne is f is erl of1 Panyke come / Deaf HI, back]
Of which fe fame vp sprong1 to more & lesse /
And to J?e poeples eres slle and some /
Was coup eek1 pat1 a newe marquysesse 942
he wi]> him brought1 in such pompe and richesse
That* neuer was J>er seyn wij) mannes eye
So noble array in al west1 lumbardye 945
^1 The marquys which fat1 schope and knew al pis 946
Or pat1 pis erl were come sent1 his message
ffor pilke sely pore Grisildis
And sche with humble herte and glad visage 949
nou}^ wip no swollen herte in hire corage
Cam at* his heste and on hir knees hir sette
And reuerently and wysly sche him grette 952
1T Grisildis quod he my wille is vtterly 953
)?is mayden J)att schal be wedded to me
Receyued be to morn als really
As possible is in mjn hous for to be 956
And eke fat1 euery wight1 in his degre
haue his astaf in sittyng1 and seruise
And heih plesaunce as I can best1 deuyse 959
If I haue no wommara sufficaunt1 certayn 960
J>e chambres for to arraye in ordinance
After my lust1 and J> erfore wolde I fayn
Thyn were al such maner gouernance 963
J?ou kiiowest1 eek1 of1 olde al my plesaunce
fough fin array be badde and yuel beseye
Do j?ou fi deuer atte leste weye 9C6
CORPUS 312 (6-T. 433)
SIX-TEXT 434
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IF Nat1 oonly lord fat1 I am glad quod sche 967
To do }oure lust1 but1 1 desire also
^ou for to serue and plese in my degre
Wif outen feynyng1 and schal eueremo 970
Ne neuer for no wele ne no woo
Ne schal ]?e goost1 wipinne myn herte stente
To loue ^ou best/ wif al my trewe entente 973
IT And wif fat1 word sche gan the house to dighte 974
And tables for to sette and beddes make [leaf 1423
And peyned hire to do al fat1 sche mighte
Preyinge fe chambereres for goddes sake 977'
To hasten hem and faste swepe and schake
And sche f e moste seruisable of1 alle
ha]? euery chambre arrayed and his halle 980
IT Abouten vndren gan fis erl alighte 981
And wij> him brought1 his noble children tweye
ffor wif f e poeple ran to see ]?e sight1
Of1 hire array so richely byseye 984
And fan at1 erst* amonges hem fey seye
That1 waiter was no fool f ough fat1 him liste
To chaunge his wyf1 for it1 was for fe beste 987
5T ffor sche is fairer as fey demen alle 988
fan is Grisilde and more tendre of1 age
And fairer fruyt1 betwen hem schulde falle
And more plesaunce for hire heih lynage 991
hire brof er eek1 so fair was of1 visage
That1 hem to se f e poeple haf cau^t1 plesaunce
Commendynge now fe marquys gouernaunce 994
IF 0 stormy poeple vnsad and euer vntrewe 995
Ay vndiscrete and chaungyng1 as a fane
Delityng1 ay in rombile fat1 is newe
ffor lik1 f e mone ay wexen 30 and wane 998
CORPUS 313 (6-T. 434)
SIX-TEXT 435
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Ay ful of1 clappyng1 dere y-nough a lane
^oure dome is fals 30111 inconstance wel preuej)
A ful gret1 fool is he pat1 on 3011 leeuejj
1001
IF Thus saiden sadde folk1 in pat Cite 1002
Whan pat1 pe peple gazed vp and doun
ffor pey were glade right1 for pe nouelte
To han a newe lady of1 oure toun 1005
~No more of1 pis now make I mencioun)
But1 to Grisilde anon wil I me dresse
And telle hire Constance and hire besynesse 1008
1F fful besy was Grisilde in euery ping1 1009
That1 to pe feste was apertenent
Eight1 nought1 was sche abayssht1 of1 hire closing1 [if us, bio
pough it1 were rude and eek1 somdel torenf 1012
But1 with glad chere to pe gate is went
With oper folk1 to grete pe marquysesse
And after pat1 do]? for]? hire besynesse 1015
^[ WiJ? so glad chere his gestes sche resceyuej? 1016
And connyngly euerich in his degre
That1 defaute no man apparceyuej?
But1 ay Jjey wondren what1 sche mighte be 1019
fat1 in so pore array was for to se
And coude such honour & reu^rence
And worjnly J>ey preysen hire prudence 1022
IT In al j)is mene while sche ne stente 1023
Jns mayde and eek1 hir broker to comende
With alle hire herte in ful benigne entente
So wel fat1 no man coupe hire pris amende 1026
But atte laste whan pise lordes wende
To sitte doun at mete he gan to calle
Grisilde as sche was besy in his halle 1029
CORPUS 314 (6-T. 436)
SIX-TEXT 430
GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
5T Grisilde quod he as it1 were in his play 1030
how like]) fe my wijf1 and hire beaute
Right1 wel quod sche my lord for in good fey
A fairer sawe I neuer non J;an sche 1033
I pray to god 3 if1 ^ou prospe?ite
And so hope I fat1 he wil to 3011 sende
Plesaunce ynow vnto 3011* lyues ende 1036
IF 0 )>ing< beseke I 3011 and warne also / 1037
pat1 ^e prike wij> no tornientynge
fis tendre mayden as ^e han do mo
ffor sche is fostred in hire norischinge 1040
more tenderly and to my supposynge
Sche coude nought aduersite endure
As coude a pore fostred creature/ 1043
And whan Jns waiter saugh hir pacience 1044
hire glad cher and no malice at1 al
And he so often hadde don hire oifence
And sche ay sadde and constant1 as a wal [leaf H.TJ
Continuyng1 euere hire Innocence oueral
This sturdy marquys gan hire herte dresse
To rewen on hire wyfly stedfastnesse 1050
1F This is ynough Grisilde myn quod he 1051
Be now no more agast1 ne yuel apayed
I haue fy feij? and f i benignite
As wel as euer womman) was assayed 1054
In grefr astate and pouereliche arrayed
Now knowe I deere wijf1 }>y stedfastnesse /
And hire in armes toke and gan hire kesse 1057
II And sche for wonder took1 ofH hit1 no keepe 1058
Sche Jjou^te nought1 what1 Jnng1 he to hir sayde/
Sche ferde as sche hadde stirte out1 of1 hir slepe
Til sche out1 of1 hir masednesse abrayde 10G1
CORPUS 315 (6-T. 436)
SIX-TEXT 437
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Grisilde qiwd he god fat / for vs deyed
f ou art1 my wyf1 ne non o]>er I haue
]$e neuer hadde so god my soule sane 1064
IF This is fy doughter which foil hast1 supposed 1065
To be my wijf* fat1 of er feif fully
Schal be myn [heir] as I haue ay purposed
fou bare him in J)i body trewely 1068
At1 boloygne haue I kept1 hem pryuyly
Tak1 hem a^ein for now mayst fou not seye
fat1 fou hast1 lorn non of1 fy children tweye 1071
f And folk1 fat1 of er wise han sayd of1 me 1072
I warne hem wel fat1 1 haue don f is dede
ffor no malice ne for no cruelte
But1 for tassaye in fe fy wommanhede 1075
And nat1 to slee my children god forbede
But1 for to kepe hem pryuyly and stille
Til I fi purpos knewe and al fy wille 1078
IT Whan fis herde a swowne doun sche fallef 1079
ifor pytous ioye and after hir swownynge
Sche bof e hire 3onge children to hire callef
And in his armes pitously wepynge 1082
Embracef hem and tendrely kissinge [leaf 143, back]
fful like a moder wif hire salte teeres
Sche bafef bofe hire visage and hire heres 1085
IT 0 which a pytous sight1 it1 was to see 1086
hir swownyng1 and hire humble voys to heere
Graunt1 mercy lord god I f anke it1 3011 quod she
fat1 36 han saued me my children deere 1089
now rekke I neuer to be ded right1 heere
Sif f e I stonde in ^our loue and in ^our grace
No fors of1 def ne whan my spirit1 pace 1092
CORPUS 316 (8-T. 437)
SIX-TEXT 438
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS,
IT 0 tendre o dere o 3onge children myne 1093
30111 woful moder wende stedefastly
That1 cruel houndes or som foul vermyne
hadde eten ^ou but1 god of1 his mercy 1096
And ^oure benigne fader tenderly
haf don ^ou kepte and in f e same stounde
Al sodeinly sche swapte a doun to grounde 1099
IT And in hire swowne so sadly holdef sche 1100
hire children tuo whan sche gan hem enbrace
fat1 with gret1 sleighte and wif gret1 difficulte
fe children from hire arm fei gon arace 1103
O many a teer on many a pitous face
Doun ran of1 hem fat1 stooden hire besyde
vnnefe aboute. hire mighten fey abyde 1106
Walter hir gladef and hir sorwe slakef 1107
Sche rysef vp abaysshed from hire traimce
And euery wight1 hire ioye and feste makef
til sche haf caught? a^eiii hir contenance 1110
"Walter hire dof feif fully plesaunce
fat1 it1 is deynte for to se f e cheere
Bitwixe hem tuo now fey ben mett1 in feere 1113
11 This ladyes whan fat1 fey here tyme save 1114
han taken hire and in to chambre goon
And streepen hire out1 of1 hire ruyde array
And in a clof of1 gold fat1 brighte schoon) 1117
Wif a coroune of1 many a riche stoon)
vppon hire heed fey in to halle hir broughte [leaf 144]
And fan sche was honoured as sche oughte 1120
IT Thus haf fis pitous day a blisful ende 1121
ffor euery man and womman dof here might
This day in mirf e and reuel to dispende
Til on fe welken schone fe stories bright 1124
CORPUS 317 (6-T. 438)
SIX-TEXT 439
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ffor more solempne in euery marnies sightf
Jris feste was and gretter of1 costage
Than was J?e reuel of1 hire manage 1127
IT iful many a ^eer in hih prosperite 1128
lyuen J>ise tuo in concord and in reste
And richely his 'doubter maryed he
vnto a lord on of1 J>e worjjieste 1131
Of1 alle ytayle Jmnne and pes & reste
his wyues fader in his court1 he kepej?
Til Jjat1 his soule out1 of* his body creepej? 1134
1T his sone succedijj in his heritage 1135
In reste and pees after his fader day
And fortunat1 eek1 was in mariage
Al putte he not1 his wijf1 in gret1 assay 1138
This world is not1 so strong1 it1 is no nay
As if haj? ben in olde tyme 3ore
And herknej? what1 Jns auctor seij> f erf ore 1141
This story is sayd not1 for Jjat1 wyues scholde 1142
ffolwen grisilde as in humilite
ffor it1 were importable Jjough Jjey wolde
But1 for Jjat1 euery wight1 in his degre 1 1 45
Schulde be constante in aduersite
As was Grisilde Jjerfore Petrayke writef
Jris story which he wi]> his stile endite]) 1148
;ifor sij?]>e a wo?/iman was so paciente 1149
vnto a mortel man wel more vs ou^te
'Resceyuen al in gree jjat1 god vs sente
ffor grete skiles he preeuej) fat1 he ^vrou3te 1152
But1 he ne temptej) no man fat1 he brou^te
As seij? seint1 lame 3if* 30 his pistil rede
He preuejj folk1 alday it is no drede [leaf lu, back] 1155
CORPUS 318 (6-T. 439)
SIX-TEXT 440
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And suffrep vs as for oure excercise 1156
Wip scharpe scorges of1 aduersite
fful often to ben betyn in sondry wyse
Nought1 for to knowe oure wille for certes he 1159
Or we were born knew al oure frelete
And for oure beste is al oure gouernance
lat1 vs panne lyue in vertuous suffraunce 1162
U But1 lordinges o word herkenep ar I go 1163
It1 were ful hard to fynde now a dayes
In alle a toun Grisildes pre or tuo
ifor if1 fat1 pey were putte to suche assayes 1166
The golde of1 hem hap now so badde layes
Wip bras fat1 pougll pe coyne be fayr at eye
It1 wolde raper berst/ a tuo pan plye 1 1 60
1F ffor which here for pe wyues loue of1 Bape 1170
Whos lijf1 and al hire helpe god mayntene
In hire maystrye and elles were it1 skape
I wolde wij> lusty herte freisshe and grene 1173
Sey 3ou a song1 to glade ^ou I wene
And late vs stynte of1 ernestful matiere
herknej) my song1 pat1 seip in pis manere 1176
IT lenvoye de Chaucere
If Grisild is deed and eek1 hir pacience
And bope at1 oones buryed in ytayle
Wher fore I crye in open audience 1179
]N"o wedded man be hardy to assayle /
his wyues pacience in hope to fynde /
Grisildis for in certes he schal fayle / 1182
CORPUS 319 (6-T. 440)
SIX-TEXT 441
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
0 noble wyues ful of1 heih prudence
lafr non humilite $oure tonge nayle /
Ne lat1 no clerk* haue cause or diligence 1185
To write of1 3011 a story of1 such meruaylg
As Grisildis pacienf and kynde
lest1 chychevache $ow swolwe in hire entrayle 1188
fiblwej) herto and holdej) no scilence [« leaf out]
[but euere answerith / in the contir-taille i?S^f
beth nat bidaffid / for youre innocence 1191
but sharply take on yow / the gouernaille
enpoynteth wel this lessouw / in youre mynde
for comune profit / sith hit may availle 1194
And ye Archiwivis / stondith at defence
syn ye be stronge / as is a grete Camaille
ne suffrith not / that men do yow offence 1197
and slender wivis / as feble in bataille
beith egre as a Tigre / bi-yende the se fer in ynde
ay clappith as a my lie / I yow consaille 1 200
No dreditfi. hem nought doith hem no reuerence
for though thyn housbond armed be / in maille
the wordis of thi crabbed eloquence 1203
shal persshe his breste / and eke his auentaille
in gelousie I rede eke / thow him bynde
and thow shalt make him covche / as a quailk 1206
Yf thow be feyre / there folk ben in presence
shewe thow thi visage / and thin apparaille
yf thow be foule / be fre of thi dispence 1209
to gete the frendis / ay do thi travaille
be euer of chere as light / as leff on lynde
and lete him care • wepe / wrynge and waille 1212
Here enditfc the Clerke of Oxonford
his tale / ]
CORPUS 320 (e-T. 41l) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. u]
SIX-TEXT 443
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
[and next folwitfi. his tale of lanuare and May. gjg
w
"hilom ther was dwellyng / in Lumbardye
a worthi knygnt / that borne was in Pa vie
in which he lived / in grete prosperite
and sexti yere / a wiffles man was he 1248
and folwed ay / his bodyly delite
on women / there as was his appetite
as don these foolis / that ben seculere
and whan he was passed sexti yere 1252
were hit for holynes / or for dotage
I can not sey / but suche a grete corage
had this knyght / to be a wedded man
that day and night / he doth al that he can 1256
to espien where he myghte / wedded be
prayng oure lord / graunte him that he
myghte onys knowe / of that blisful liff
that is bitwixe an housbonde / and his wiff 1260
and for to live / vnder that holy bonde
with which first / god man and woman bonde
noon other liff seide he / is worthe a bene
for wedlok is so esy / and so clene 1264
that in this world / hit is a paradise
thus seide this olde knyght / that was so wise
and certeynly / as soth as god is kynge
to take a wiff / hit is a glorious thinge 1268
and namely whan a man is olde / and hore
than is a wiff the fructe / of his tresore
than shulde he take a yonge wiff / and a feyre [/ca/ns, &a<*]
on which he myghte / engender him an heyre 1272
CORPUS 321 (6-T. 443) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
SIX-TEXT 444
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
and lede his liff in ioye / and in solas [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14]
where that these bachelers / synge alas
whan that thei fyndun / any aduersite
in love / which nys but childis vanyte ' 1276
and trewely hit sit wel / to be so
that bachelers han ofte peyne and wo
on brotil gronde thei bilde / and brotilnes
they fyiiden / whan thei wenyn sikernes 1280
thei live but as a brid / or as a beste
in liberte / and vnder noon a-reste
there as a wedded man / in his estate i"
livith a liff blisful / and ordynate 1284--
vnder the yoke of mariage I-bounde
wel may his herte / in ioye and blis habounde
for who can be so boxom / as a wiff
who is so trewe / and eke so ententiff 1 288'
to kepe him sike and hole / as his make •[
for wel or wo / she wol him not forsake
she is not wery / him to loue and se?-ue
though that he lye bedred / til he sterve] CM^^f^B- H
And ^it1 some clerkes seyn it1 nys nou$t so [Corpus MS, leaf 1453,
Of1 which Theoffraste / is on of1 ]>o
"What1 fors jjei^ theofraste luste lye
Ke take no wijf1 quod he for husbandrye 1296
As for to spare in housholde J?in dispence
A trewe serua?mt do]) more diligence
]?y good to kepe ]?an Jjin owen wijf1
ilbr sche wol clayme half1 part1 al hire lijfH 1300
And if* Jjat1 J>ou be seek1 so god me saue
J>y verray frendes oj>er a trewe knaue
Wol kepe ]>e bet1 Jmn sche J?atH waytej) ay (
After Jjy good and haj) don many a day 1304
[and if thow take a wiff / in thin age oolde
fful lightly maist thow be a Cokewoolde] [Ms Arch. Seid. B. 143
To Jiis entente and an C sijjes wurse 1307'
[writeth this man / there /god his bonys cors] [MS Arch. ,
23 CORPUS 322 (6-T. 444)
SIX-TEXT 445
GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
But1 tak1 no kepe of1 alle such, vanyte
Defye theofrast1 and herkne me
A wyff1 is goddes 3ifte verrayly
Alle ofer maner ^iftes hardily 1312
As landes rentes pasture or comune
0]>er ofer 3iftes fat1 moebles of1 fortune
fat1 passen as a schadewe on a wall
But1 drede nought if1 pleynly speke I schaH 1316
A wyf1 wil laste and in fin hous endure
"Wei lenger fan f e luste to endure
mariage is a ful gret1 sacrament
he which haf no wijf1 1 holde him schent 1320
he lyue}> helples and is al desolat1
I speke of1 folk1 in seculer estat1
And herkne why I say no^t1 f is for nou^t1
J>e wowman is for mannes help y-wrou3t 1324
f e hihe god when he hadde adam maked
And sawe him allone hely naked
God of1 his grete goodnesse sayde he f anne
lete vs now make an helpe to fis manne 1328
ylike to himself1 and fen he made Eue
here may 36 se and here-by 30 preue
That1 wijf1 is mannes helpe and his comfort
his paradis terreste and his disport1 Deaf 145, back] 1332
So buxom and so vertuous is sche
fey mosten needes lyue in vnite
Of1 fleisshe f ei ben and 0 fleisch as I gesse
nou3tt but1 on herte in wele and in distresse 1336
A wyf i A seinte mary benedicite
how might1 a man han any aduersite
fat haf a wyf1 certes I can no^t1 say
fe blisse fat1 is bitwexe hem tway 1340
f er may no tonge telle or herte f ynke
If1 he be pore sche helpef him to swynke
Sche keepif his good and wastef neuer a del
And al fat1 hire housband lust1 hir likef wel 1344
CORPUS 323 (6-T. 44o)
SIX-TEXT 446
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Sche saif no^t1 ones nay whan he saif }e
Do f is saif he al redy sire seyf sche
0 blisful ordre 0 wedlok1 precious
fou art1 so mery and eek1 so vertuous 1348
And so comended and aproued eke
That1 euery man fat1 halt/ him worf a leek*
vpon his bare knees aughtt al his lijf*
fanken his god fat1 him haf sent1 a wyf* 1352
Of er preyed god him for to sende
A wijf1 to laste vnto his lyues ende
ffor f anne his lijf1 is sett1 in sikernesse
he may nou^t1 be desceyued as I gesse 1356
So fat1 he werche after his wyues reed
f anne may he boldely beren vp his heed
fey ben so trewe and so wys
ffor which if1 f ou wolt1 worchen as f e wyse 1360
Do alway so as f e wowman wol f e rede
lo how fat1 Jacob as f ise clerkes rede
By good counseil of1 his moder rebekke
Band f e kydes skyn abouten his nekke 1364
ffor which his fadres benysoii he wan
lo ludith as f e story eek1 telle can
By wys counseil sche goddes poeple kepte
And slough him Olophinus whiles he slepte [ieafi46j 1368
Lo how Abygayle by good counseil how fat1 sche
Saued hire housbonde Nabal whan fat1 he
Schulde han be slayn and loke after also
By good counseil delyuered out1 of1 wo 1372
The poeple of1 god and made him mardoche
Of1 Assuer enchaunced for to be
Ther is no f ing1 gree supe?iatiff
As seif Senek1 aboue an humble Avyf1 1376
Suffre f yn wyues tonge as Catoun byf
Sche schal comaunde and f ou schalt1 suffre yt1
And jiV sche wolde obeye of1 curtesye
A wyf1 is kepe?-e of1 fin housbondrye 1380
CORPUS 324 (6-T. 446)
SIX-TEXT 447
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Wei may pe seeke man bewayle and wepe /
Ther as per nys no wijf1 pe hous to keepe
I warne pe if1 wysly pou wilt1 wirche
loue wel py wyf1 as crisf louep his cliirche 1384
IF pou loue py self1 pou louest1 py wyf1
No man hate]? his flescfi. but1 in his lyf1
he fostrep it/ and perfore byd I pe
Chefissche py wijf1 or pou schalt1 neuer pe 1388
housbond & wijf1 what1 so men lape or pleye
Of1 worldly folk1 holde pe righte weye
pey ben so knyt1 per may non harm betyde
And. namely vpon pe wyues syde 1392
fibr which pis January e of1 which I tolde
Considerep haj> in wip his dayes olde
Je lusty fe vertuous quyete
Jjat1 is in mariage hony swete 1396
And for his frendes on a day sent1
To telle hem Jjeffect1 of1 his enteiit
•~WiJ> face sadde he haj? hem ]?is tale tolde
he sayde frendes I am hoor and olde 1400
And almost1 god wot1 at1 my pittis brinke
vpon my sowle somwhatf.rnost1 I Jjinke
I haue my body folyly dispended
y-blessQd be god Jjafrit schalben amended [leaf KG, back] 1404
if or I wol be certein a .wedded man
And pat1 in alle J?e haste pat1 I can
vnto som mayde fayr and tendre of* age
I pray you schapep for my mariage 1408
Al sodeinly for I wol no^t1 abyde
And I wole fonde aspye on my syde
To whom I may be wedded, hastely
But1 for as moche pat1 36 ben mo pen I 1412
36 schullen raper such a ping1 aspyen
pan I and wher me luste best1 allyen
But1 o ping1 warne I ^ou my frendes deere
I wol non old wyf1 haue in no manere / 1416,
CORPUS 325 (6-.T. 447)
SIX-TEXT 448
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
She schal nou^t1 passe xvj $er certayn
Old fleissh and ^ong1 fleissh" fat1 wolde I han ful fayn'
Bet1 is quod he a pyk1 fan a pykrelle
And bet1 fan olde "beef1 is fe tendre feelle 1420
I wol no woraman xxti $er of1 age
It1 nys but* benestraw and gret1 forage
And eek1 f is olde wydewes god it1 woot1
fey konne so moche craft1 on wades boot1 1424
So mochil broken harme whan fat1 hem liste
fat1 wif hem schulde I neuer lyuen in reste
ffor sondry scoles makef subtile clerkys
Woramen of1 many a scole half1 a clerk1 is 1428
But1 certeinly a 3ong f ing1 may me gye
Eight1 as men may warm wax wij? handes to-plye
jjerfore I sey $ow pleinly in a clause
I wol non old wijf1 haue for )>is cause 1432
ffor if1 so were if1 1 hadde so myschaunce
That1 1 in hire ne coujje han • no plesaunce
Jjenne scholde I lede my lijf1 in aduoutrye
And so streyt1 to j?e deuyl whan I dye 1436
Ne children schulde I non vpon hire geten
^it1 were me leuer houndes hadde me eten
)>an fat1 myn heritage scholde falle
In straunge hande and Jms I telle 3ou alle [leafun 1440
I dowte nought1 1 wot1 j?e cause why
men schulde wedde and forjjermore wot1 I
fer spekej) many men of1 mariage
pat1 wot1 nomore of1 hit1 J?en wot1 my page 1444
ffor whiche causes men schulde take a wyf1
If1 he may not1 chaste be by his lijf1
Tak1 him a wijf1 wij) gret1 deuocioun
By cause of1 leofful procreacion 1448
Of1 children to )>e honowr of1 god aboue
And nought1 only for paramowr and for loue -
And for j>ei schulden leccherie eschue
And }elde here dette whil J>atH it1 is newe 1452
CORPUS 326 (6-T. 448)
SIX-TEXT 449
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Or for fat1 like man sclmlde helpe of er
In meschief1 as a soster schal do a loioper
And lyne in chastite ful heuenly
But1 sires by ^our leue fat1 am not* I 1456
ffor [god] be f anked I dar make auaunf
I feele my lemes starke and suffisaunt1
To don al fat1 a man bilongej) to do
I wofr my seluen best* what* I may do 1460
f ough I be hoor and fare / as dof a tree
fat1 blosmeth er fat1 fruyf y-waxe be
A blossemed tree nys neyf er druye ne deed
I feele me no wlier hoor but1 on myn heed 1464
Myn herte and myn lymes ben as greene
As laurere fat1 purgh f e $er is scene
And sef enes 36 han herd al myn entent
I pray 3011 to my wille fat1 36 assent1 1468
Dyuerse men dyuersely him tolde
Of1 mariages many ensamples olde
Some blamed it1 some preysed it1 certein
But1 atte laste schortly for to seyn 1472
As alday fallef altercacion
Bitwixe frendes in disputacion
f er fel a stryf1 betwixe his bref e?*en tuo
Of1 which fat on was cleped Placebo [leaf 147, back] 1476
Placebo seyde o lanuare brof er
To 3ou telle I f is tale and to non of er
fful litel need hadde 36 my lord so deere /
Counseil to aske of1 any fat1 is heere 1 480
But1 fat1 .30 be on so ful of1 sapience
fat1 3ou ne likef for 3our heigh prudence
To weyue fro f e word of1 Salomon
This word sayde he vnto vs euerychon 1484
Wirke alle f ing1 by counseil f us seyde he
And f anne schalt1 f ou nou3f repente f e
But1 f ough fat1 Salomon speke such a word
myn owen deere brother and my lord 1488
CORPUS 327 (6-T. 449)
SIX-TEXT 450
GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
So wisly god my soule bringe at1 reste
I halde 301116 owne counseil for pe beste
ffor broker myn of1 me take pis motyf1
I haue now ben a court1 man al my lyf1 1492
.And 3it1 god wot1 pough I vnworpy be
I haue standen in ful gret1 degre
Abouten lordes in ful gret1 estate
^it1 hadde I neuer wij> non of1 hem debate 1496
I neuer hem contraried trewely
I wot1 wel pat4 my lord can more fan I
What1 pat1 he saip I halde it1 ferme & stable
I saye pe same or oper ping1 semblable 1500
A ful gret1 fool is eny counseilour
pat1 seruep eny lord of1 heih honour
pat1 dar presume or ones penken it/
pat1 his counseil schulde passe his lordes witt 1504
Nay lordes ben no fooles by my fay
^e haue ^oure self1 spoken here to day
So heih sentence so holy and so wel
That1 I consente and conferme euery del 1508
^oure wordes alle and ^oure opynioun
By god per nys no man in al pis toun)
!Ne in ytaille coupe bet1 han sayd
Crist1 halde]) him of1 Jns ful wel a-payd [ieafi48] 1512
And trewely it1 is an heih corage
Of1 eny man pat1 stopen is in age
To take a $ong1 wyf1 by my fader kyn
^oure herte hangej? vpon a loly pyn 1516
Do]) now in pis matier right1 as }ou leste
ffor fynally I halde it1 for pe beste
IT lustynus pat1 ay stille sat1 and herde
he right1 on pis wise to Placebo answerde 1520
Now broper myn be pacient1 1 preye
Sipenes $e han sayd and herknep what1 1 seye
Senek1 amonges oper wordes wyse
Scip pat1 a man him oughte right1 wel auyse 1524
CORPUS 328 (6-T. 450)
SIX-TEXT 451
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
To whom lie 3euyf his lond ofer his catel
And sefenes I aught/ auyse me right1 wel
To whom I }iue my good awey fro me
"We^niore I au^te to au^se me 1528
To whom I ^iue my body for alwey
I warne 3011 wel it1 nys no childes pley
To take a wijf1 wifoute auysement1
Men moste enquere. fis is inyn assent1 1532
"Whefer she be wys or sobre or drunkelewe
Ofer proude ~o]>er oferwey a schrewe
A chydester or a wastour of1 fy good
Ofir riche or pore or of1 maneres wood 1536
Al be it1 so fat1 no man fynde schal
None in f is worlde fat1 trottif hool in al
Ne man ne beeste suche as men conne deuyse
But1 nafeles it au^t1 ynough suffise 1540
Wif any wijf1 if* fat1 so were sche hadde
ino goode f ewes fan hire vices badde
And al f is askef leiser for to enquere /
ffor god it1 woof I haue wepte many a teere 1544
fful priuyly si]) J?af I hadde a wyf*
Preyse who so wole a wedded mannes lijf*
Certayn I fynde in hit1 but coste and care
And obseruaunces of1 alle blisses bare [leaf us, backj
And ^itt god wof my neygheburs aboute .
And namely of1 wommen many a rowte
Sayn J>afr I haue J>e moste stedefast1 wijf1
And -eek1 ))e meekest1 oon J>atf berej? lijf1 1552
But1 1 wot1 best1 wher wryngej? me my scho
^e may for me right1 as $ou like]) do
Auyse)) ^ou $e ben a man of1 age
liow fat1 ^e entren in to mariage 1556
And namely wi]) a ^ong1 wijf1 and a fayr
By him fat1 made water erfe and ayr
J)e 3ongest man fat1 is in al fis route
Is besy ynough to bringen it1 aboute 1560
CORPUS 329 (6-T. 45l)
SIX-TEXT 452
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
To han his wijfH allone truste}? to me
30 schulle no^t1 plesen hire oonly ^eres )>re
]?is is to seyn to don hire plesawnce
A wijf1 axej) ful many an obseruaunce 1564
I pray }.ou pat1 }e ne ben euyl payed
Wei qiiod Jns lanuare and hast1 J>ou al sayd
Straw for Jjyn Senek1 and for j>y p?*ouerbis
I counte nought1 a paner ful of1 herbes 1568
Of1 scole termes wiser men J>aii ]?ou
And J>ou hast1 herde assenteden right1 now /
To my purpos Placebo what1 say ^e
I say it is a cursed man quod he 1572
j?att lettejj matrimonye sikeiiy
And wij) pat1 word jmy rysen sodeinly
And ben assented fully Jjat1 he scholde
Be weddid whan him luste and whan he wolde 1576
J?e fantasy e and J>e besy curiousnesse
ffro day to day gan in j?e soule impresse /
Of1 lanuare aboute his mariage /
many fayr schapp and many fayr visage / 1580
)?er passe]) J>orgh his herte night1 be night
As whos took1 a myrour polisshed bright1
And sette it1 in a comune market1 place
J>enne scholde he se many a figure pace [leafug] 1584
By his myrour and in Jie same wise
Gan lanuare in wi]> his jjoi^t1 deuyse
Of1 maydenes whiche jmt1 dwelte besyde
he wiste nought1 wher he might1 abyde 1588
ffor Jjou} jjat1 oon ha]j beaute in hire face /
AnoJ>er stant1 so in Ipe poeples grace /
ifor hire sadnes and hire benignite
jjat1 of1 ]>e poeple grettest1 voys hadde sche 1592
And some were riche and hadde badde name
but1 najjeles bitwixe ernest1 and game
he atte laste appoynted him on oon)
And leet1 alle ojjer fro his herte gon 1596
CORPUS 330 (6-T. 452)
SIX-TEXT 453
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And ches hir of1 his owen auctorite
ffor louo is blynd alday and may not1 se
And whan fat1 he was in f e bed y-brought1
he purtreyed in his herte and in his Bought1 1600
hire freisshe beaute / and hir age tender
hire myddel smal and hir armes long1 and sklender
hire wise gouernaunce and hire grete gentilnes
hir wommanly berynge and hire sadnes 1604
And whan fat1 he was fro hire condescended
him J?ou3te his f ou^t1 might1 nou^t1 ben amended
ffor whan fat1 he himself1 concluded hadde
him Jjoirjt1 euer ofer mannes witte so badde 1608
fat1 inpossible it were to replye
a3ein his choys fis was his fantasy e
his frendes sent1 he to at1 his instance
And preyed hem to don him fat1 plesaunce 1612
fat1 hastely fey wolden don him come /
he wolde abregge here labour alle and some
Needef nomore for him to goon or ryde
he -was apoynted f er he wolde abyde 1616
Placebo cam and eek1 his freendes sone
And alf er first1 he bad hem alle a bone
fat1 non of1 hem non argumentes make
A^eins f e purpos which fat1 he haf take [leaf 149, back]
Which purpos was plesaimt/ to god sayde he
And verray ground of1 his prospmte
he sayde f er was a may den in f e toun
Which fat1 of1 beaute hadde gret1 renoun 1624
Al were it1 so sche were of1 smal degre
Suflicef him hire }ouf e and hire beaute
Which mayde he seyde schulde ben his wiff1
To lede in ese and holynesse his lijf* 1628
And f anked god fat1 he might1 han hire al
fat1 no wight1 wif his blisse parten schal
And preyed hem to laboure in f is neede /
And schaped fat1 he fayled not1 to spede 1632
CORPUS 331 (6-T. 453)
STX-TEXT 454
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ffor f anne lie seyde his spirit1 was at1 eese
fen is quod he no f ing1 may me displese /
Saue o f ing1 prikef in my conscience
fe which I wol reherse in ^oure presence / 1636
I haue quod he herd seyd ful }ore ago
f er may no man han parfyt1 blisses tuo
f is is to say in erf e and eek1 in heuene
if or fey he kepte him fro fe synnes seuene 1640
And eek1 for euery braunche of1 f ilke tre
^it1 is f er so parfit1 prosperite
And so gret1 ese and lust1 in mariage
fat1 euer I am agast1 now in myn age 1644
fat1 1 schal lede now so mery a lijf1
[so delicate withouten wo / or striff [MS Arch. Seia.B.14;
no ffap in Corpus. J
that I shal haue myn heuen / in erthe] heere
ffor sifenes fat verray heuene is bought1 so de«re 1648
Wif tribulacion and grefc1 penaunce
how scholde I lyue in such plesaunce
As alle wedded men dof wif here wyues /
Come to fe blisse fer crist1 eterne on lyue is 1652
fis is my drede and ^it1 myn breferen tweye
Assoyllef me fis question I ^ou preye
lustynus which fat1 hated his folye
Answeryng1 anon ri^t1 in his lapere 1656
And for he wolde his longe tale abregge
he wolde non auctorite alegge [leaf isoj
But1 seyde sire so f er be non obstacle
Ofer fan fis god of1 his heih miracle 1660
And of1 his mercy may so for $ou wirche
fat1 er $e han ^our ^iftes of holy chirche
30 may repente of1 wedded mannes lijf1
In which ye sayn fer is neifer woo ne strijf1 1664
And elles god forbede but1 if1 he sente
A wedded man grace to repente
Wei often raf er fan a sengil man
And ferfore sire fe beste reed I can 1668
CORPUS 333 (6-T. 454)
SIX-TEXT 455
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Dispeyref 3011 nou^fr hauef in memory
Paraunter sche may be 30111 purgatory
Sche may be goddes mene and goddes wliippe '
fan schal ^our soule vp to heuene skippe 1672
Swifter fan dof an arwe out1 of1 a bowe
I hope to god her-after schalt1 f ou knowe
fat1 f er nys non so gret1 felicite
In mariage ne neuer more schal be 1676
f afr 3ou schal lakke of1 ^our saluacion
So fat1 36 vse as skile is and resoun
fe lustes of1 3our wijf< attemperelly
And fat1 36 plese hir noi^f to amerously 1680
And fat1 30 kepe 3011 eek1 fro of er synne /
Myn tale is doon for my witte is f inne
Bef noi^t1 agast1 here -of1 my brof er
But1 let1 vs wade fro fis mater to anofer 1684
fe wijf1 of1 Bathe if1 30 han vnderstonde
Of1 mariage which 36 han on honde
Declared haf ful wel in litel space
ffaref now wel god haue 3ou in his grace 1688
And wif fis word fis lustyne and his brof er
han take here leue and ilke of1 hem of1 of er
ffor whan fey sawe it1 moste needes be
fey wrou3ten so by wys and sleigh trete 1692
fat1 sche fis mayden which fat1 mayus bight1
As hastely as euer fat1 sche might1 [leaf 150, back]
Schal wedded be vnto lanuarie /
It1 trowe it1 were to long1 3ou to tarie 1696
If1 1 3ou tolde of1 euery scryt1 or band
By which fat1 sche was feffed in his land
Of er for to herken of1 hire riche aray
But fynally y-comen is J?is day 1 700
That to f e chirche bof e ben fey went1
ffor to resceyue f e holy sacrament
fforf comf f e presf wif stole aboute his nekke /
And bad hire be ylike Sarra and Rebekke 1704
CORPUS 333 (6-T. 455)
SIX-TEXT 456
GROUP E, § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
In wisdom and trouf e of1 manage
And sayde his orisouns as is his vsage
And crouched hem and bad god schulde hem blesse
And made al siker ynough with holynesse / 1708
f us ben |?ey weddid with solempnite
And atte feste sittef he and sche
Wif of er worfy folk1 vpon f e deys
Al ful of1 ioye and blisse is fe paleys 1712
And ful of1 instrumentz and of1 vitayle
f e moste deyntevous of* alle ytayle
Byforn hem of1 instrumentz which a soun
That1 Orpheus ne of1 Phebes ampheoun 1716
Ne maden neuer such a melodye
And at euery cours cam lowde menstralcie
fat1 neuer loab trumped for to heere /
Neifer Theodomas $iV half1 so cleere 1720
And Thebes whan f e cite was in doute /
J3acus f e wyn hem schenkef al aboute
And venus. lawhef vpon euery wight1
ifor lanuarye was bycome here knight 1724
And wolde bof e assayen his corage
In liberte and eek1 in manage
And wij) hir fyr brond wif hire hand aboute
Paunsij) byforn fe bryde al aboute 1728
And certeynly I dar wel seyn ri^t1 f is
Emyneus fat1 god of1 weddyng1 is [leafisn
Sawe neuer in his lijf1 so mery a wedded man)
halde ])ou ]jy pes jjou poete Marcean 1732
fat1 writest1 vs fat1 ilke weddyng1 mery
Of1 hire phylologie and of1 mercurye
And of1 f e sanges fat1 f e muses song1
So smale as eek1 fin penne and eek1 fy tong1 1736
ifor to discryuen of1 f is mariage
"When tendre ^ouf e haf wedded stowpyng1 age
f er is such myrf e fat1 it may nou^t1 be write
Assayef it1 $ou self1 fen may $e wite / 1740
CORPUS 334 (6-T. 456)
SIX-TEXT 457
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
If1 fat1 I lakke or non in f is matere
Mayus fat1 sitt1 wif so benigne a cheere
hire to beholde it1 semed fayerye
Queene Ester loked neuer wif such an yhe 1744
On assuer so meke a look1 haf sche
I may ^ou no^t1 deuyse al hire beaute
But1 f us moche of1 hir beaute telle I may
fat1 sche was like j?e brighte niorwe of* may 1748
ffulfilde of beaute and of1 plesaunce
f is lanuarye is rauyssht1 in a traunce
And at1 euery tyme he loked on hire face /
But1 in his herte he gan hire to maiiace 1752
fat1 he fat1 night1 in armes wolde hir streyne
harder fan euyr parys did Eleyne
But1 naf eles 31^ had he grett pite
fat1 filke night1 offendeii hire moste he 1756
And fou^t1 alias 0 tender creature
Now wolde god 36 mighte wel endure
Al my corrage / it1 is so scharpe and kene
I am agast1 36 schullen it1 nat1 sustene 1760
But1 god forbede fat1 I did al my mygnf
Now wolde god fat1 it1 were waxen nyght1
And Jjat1 f e night1 wolde lasten eue-remo
I wolde fat1 al fis poeple were a go 1764
And finally he dof alle his labour
As he best1 mighte sauynge his honour [leaf 151, back]
To hasten hem fro f e mete in subtil wise
fe tyme came fat1 resoun was to ryse 1768
And after fat1 men daurice and dryiike faste
And spices al aboute f e hous fay caste
And ful of1 ioye and blisse is euery man
Al but1 a squyer f at1 highte daniyan 1772
Which karf1 byforn f e knight1 many a day
he was so rauysshed on his lady may
That1 for f e verray peyne he was ney3 wood
Almost1 he swelt* and swowned fer he stood 1776
CORPUS 335 (6-T. 457)
SIX-TEXT 458
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
As fat1 sche bare daunsyng1 in hir hand
So freisslie sche was and f erto so likand [spurious]
And to his bed he went1 him hastily
Nomore of1 him at1 fis tyrne speke I 1780
But1 fere I lete him weepe ynougfi and pleyne
Till freissche may wil rewen on his peyne
IT 0 perilous fyr fat1 in f e bedstraw bredif
0 famuler foo fafr his seruise beedif 1784
O sef'uant1 tray tour fals holy hewe
1-like to f e neddre sley^ and in Bosom vntrewe
God schilde vs alle fro ^oure iniquitance
O lanuare drunken in plesaunce 1788
0 mariage see how fine Damyan
fin oughne squyer and f yii borne man
Entendif to do f e vylenye
God graunte fe ]?in harmly foo to aspye 1792
iFor in ]>is world nys worse pestylence
Than homly foo alday in J>y presence
Parfourmed haj? ])is deuyn day his art dyurne
No lenger may ]?e body of1 him sokmriie 1796
The Orisowte as in jjat1 latitude
Night1 wij) his mantel jjat1 is so derk1 & rude
Gan for to sprede ))e mysperye aboute
ffor which departed is }>e lusty route 1800
ffor lanuare wi]? Jjank1 on euery syde
home to here houses lustily J?ei ryde / [leaf 152]
J?er as ])ey don here jjinges as hem leste
And whanne fay seye her tyme gon to reste 1804
Sone after fat1 fis hastyf' lanuare
Wol go to bedde he wol no lengere care
he drynkef ypocras clarre and vernage
Of* spices hote to encresen his corage 1808
And many a letuare hadde he ful fyii
Suche as fe cursed monk1 daun Constantyn
haf writen in his book1 of1 coytu
To eten hem alle he nas no fing1 eschewe 1812
CORPUS 336 (6-T. 458)
SIX-TEXT 459
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And fus to his priue freendes seyde he
ffor goddes loue as sone as it may be
let1 voyden alle f is hous in curteys wyse soone 1815
Men drunken and fe trauers drowe anone 1817
The bryde was brou^t1 to bedde as stille as stoon 1818
So hastede lanuer it1 moste be doon [spurious]
And whan f e bed was wif f e prest1 y-blessed
Out1 of1 fe chambre haf euery wight1 him dressed 1820
And lanuare haf faste in arines take
his freissche may his paradys his make
he lullif hire he kissef hire ful ofte
Wif f ikke brystles of1 his herd viisofte 1824
Ylike to f e skyn of1 an houndtissh scharp as brere
ffor he was schaue al newe in his manere
he rubbef) hire vpon hire tendre face
And-sayde fus alias I mot1 trespace 1828
To 3011 my spouse and ^ou gretly offende
Or tyme come fat* I wol doun deseende
But1 nafeles coiisideref fis quod he
fis nys no werkman what1 so euer he be 1832
fat1 may bof e wirche wel and hastely
fis wol be don at1 leyser parfitly
It1 is no force how longe fat1 we pleye
I trowe in wedlok1 coupled be we tweye 1836
And y-blessed be J>e ^ok1 fat1 we ben Inne
ffor in oure actis we may do no synne / [leaf 152, back]
A man may do no synne wij? his wijf1
Ne hurte himselue wij? his owene knyf1 1840
Now we ban leue to pleye vs by J?e lawe
Thus labouref lie til fat1 f e day gan dawe
And f enne he takef a soppe in fyn clarre
And vpright1 in his bedde fanne sittef he / 1844
And after fat1 he sang1 ful lowde and cleere
And kissed his wijf1 and made wantoun cheere
he was al coltissch and ful of ragerie
And ful of1 Girgoun as is a flekked pye / 1848
CORPUS 337 (6-T. 459)
SIX-TEXT 460
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
J>e slakke skyn aboute his nekke schakejj
Whil fat1 he sang1 so chaunte]) he and crake]? /
But1 god wot1 what1 may fou^te in hire herte /
"Whan sche him saugh vp sittyng1 in his scherte 1852
In his night1 cappe and. wijj his nekke lene /
Sche preysej) no^t1 his pleying1 worjj a bene
Jjenne seyde he Jms my restyng* wol I take
Now day is come I may no lenger wake 1856
And doun he leyd his heed and sleep til prime
And aftirward whan J?att he saugh his tyme
vp ryse]? lanuare but/ freissche may
holt1 hire chambre vnto ]>e ferpe day 1860
As vsage is of1 wyues for )>e beste /
ffor euery labour som tyme mot1 haue reste
Ojjer elles longe may he nou^t1 endure
J>is is to say no lyues creature 1864
Be it of1 fissh or brid or best1 or man
Now wol I speke of1 vvoful dauyan
fat1 langurej) for loue as ^e schullen heere
Jjerfoxe I speke to him in J>is manere 1868
I say 0 sely Damyan alias
Answere to jns dernaunde as in }?is cas
how schalt1 Jjou jjy lady freisshe may
Telle Jjy wo sche wole alway say nay 1872
Eke if1 j?ou speke sche wole ]?y wo bewreye
God be J>iu helpe I can no bettre seye .- [leaf 153]
fis sike damyan in venus fyre
So brennej) Jjat1 he deyej) for desire 1876
ffor which he putte his liff/ in aduenture
No lenger might1 he in J)is wise endure
But1 priuyly a penner gan he borwe
And in a le^re wrot1 he alle his sorwe 1880
In maner of1 a complaynt1 o)>er a lay
vnto J>is fair and freissche lady may
And in a purs of1 silk1 heng1 on his scherte
he hajj y-put1 and leyd it/ at his herte/ 1884
24 COllPUS 333 (6-T. 4CO)
SIX-TEXT 461
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS,
pe more pat1 at1 noon was pilke day
That1 lanuare hap wedded pat1 freissche may
In tuo of* Taure was in pe Cancre Gliden
So longe ha)> sche in hire chanibre abyden 1888
As costume is vnto pise noblis alle
A "bryde schal noiqt1 eten in pe halle
Til dayes foure oper pre dayes atte leste
y-passed ben pen lat1 hire go to feste 1892
]?e ferpe day complef froo noon to noon
Whan fat1 pe hihe masse was y-doon
In halle sitf pis lanuare and may
As freissh" as is pe brighte someres day 1896
And so bifelle how fat1 pis goode man
Remembrep him vpon pis damyan
And sayde seinte mary how may pis be
That* Damyan entendip nou^t1 to me 1900
Is he ay sike or how may pis betyde
his squyers whiche pat1 stooden him besyde
Excusynge him be cause of1 his seknesse
Which letted him to don his busynesse 1904
I^on oper cause mighte make him care
That1 me forpinkep quod pis lanuare
he is a gentil squyer by my troupe /
If1 pat1 he deyde it were harm and roupe 1908
he is as wys discrete and secre
As eny man I wot1 of1 his degre peaf 153, back]
And perto manly and eek1 seruisable
And for to ben a prifty man right1 able 1912
But1 after mete as sone as euer I may
I wole my self1 visite him and eek1 may
To don him al pe confort1 pat1 1 can
And for pat1 word him blessed euery man 1916
That1 of1 his bounte and of1 his gentilnesse
He wolde so conforten him in his siknesse
His squyer for it1 was a gentil dede
Dame quod he pis lanuar take good hede 1920
CORPUS 339 (6-T. 46l)
SIX-TEXT 462
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
That1 at1 after mete 30 wip 30111 wommen alle
Whan ^e han ben in chambre out* of1 pis halle
That1 alle 30 gon to se pis Damyan
Do)) him disport1 he is a gentil man 1924
And tellep him pat I wil him visite
haue I no Jung1 but rested me a lite
[and spede yow faste / for I wol abide
til that ye slepe / right bi my side] [MS Arch. Seia. B. 14]
Now wip pat1 Avorde he gan to him calle
A squyer pat1 was marschal of1 his halle
And tolde him certeyn pinges what1 he wolde
This freisshe may ha)) streyt1 hir weye holde 1932
Wip alle hire wommen vnto J)is damyan
Doun by his beddes syde sat1 sche pan
Confortyng1 him as goodly as sche may
This damyan whan he his tyme say 1936
In secret1 wise his purs and eek1 his bille
In which pat1 he writen hadde his wille
haf putte in to hire hond wi))outen more
Saue fat1 he siked wonder sore 1940
And softely to hire right )ms sayde he
mercy and pat1 36 discouexep nou^t1 me
ffor I am ded if1 pat1 pis ping1 be kyd
This purs hap sche wipinne hir bosme hid 1944
And went1 hir way 36 gete nomore of1 me
But1 vnto lanure y-comen is sche
And on his beddes syde sitte ful softe
He takep hire and kissep hire ful of to [lea 154] 1948
And leyde him doun to slepe and pat1 anon
Sche feyned hire as pat* sche moste gon
per as 30 woot1 pat1 euery wight1 mot1 neede
And when sche of1 pis bille hap taken heede 1952
Sche rent1 it al to cloutes at1 pe laste
And in pe pryue softely sche it caste
Who studiep now but1 fayre freissche may
And a doun by lanuer sche lay 1956
CORPUS 340 (6-T. 462)
SIX-TEXT 463
GROUP E, § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS,
That* sleep til fat1 f e coughe liini haf awaked
Anon he preyed hir to strepen hire al naked
he wolde of1 hire he sayde of1 hire haue som plesaunce
he seyde hire clofes dide him encombraunce I960
And sche obeyef be he leef1 or lof
But1 lest1 fat1 precious folk1 be wif me wrof
how fat1 he wro^te I dar to $ou nou^t1 telle
Ofer whether fat1 he fou^t on paradys ofer of1 helle 19G4
But1 1 lete hem worchen in here wise
Til euesong* rynge and fat1 fey moste aryse /
Were if by destyne of ir by auenture
Were it1 by influence or by nature 1968
Of er in constillac^on fat1 in such estat
The heuene stood fat1 tyme fortunat
Was for to putte a bille of1 venus werkis
ffor alle fing1 haf tyme as seyn fise clerkis 197?
To any wowman for to gete hir loue
I can nou^t1 say but f e grete god aboue
fat1 knowef fat1 non acte is canseles
he demef of1 alle for I wol holde my pes 1976
But1 sof is f is how fat1 f is freissche may
haf take such impression fat1 day
On pite of1 f is sike Damyan
fat1 fro hir herte sche ne dryue can 1980
f e remembrance for to don him eese
Certein f ou^f sche whom fat1 f is fing1 displese
I rekke no^t1 for here I him assure
To loue him best1 of1 eny creature / Deaf 154, ba k] 1984
f ough he na more nadde fan his scherte
lo pite rennef sone in gentil herte
Her may 30 se how excellent1 franchise
In woramen is whan fey narwe hem auyse 1988
Som tyrant1 f er is as f er ben many oon
fat1 haf an herte as hard as eny stoon
Which wolde han lete him steruen in f e place
Wei rafer fan haue graunted him fat1 grace 1992
CORPUS 341 (6-T. 463)
SIX-TEXT 461
. §4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And hem reioysen in here cruel pryde
And reached nou^fr to ben an homicide
1F This gentil may fulfild of" alle pite
Eight* so of1 hire hond a letfae made sche 1996
In which sche grauntef him of1 hire verray grace
f er lackef nou^t1 oonly but1 day and space
"Wher fat1 sche mighte to his lust1 suffise
ffor if schal be right1 as he wol deuyse 2000
And whan sche saugfr hire tyme vpon a day
To visite f is damyan goj) faire may
And sotilly f is letfae doun sche f riste
vnder his pilwe rede iff1 him liste 2004
Sche takef him by f e hond and harde him twisto
So secrely fat1 no wight1 hit1 wiste
And bad him be al hool and for]) sche wente
To lanuare whan fat1 he for hire sente 2008
vp rysef Damyan) f e nexte morwe
Al passed was his siknesse and his sorwe
he kembif him and proynef him and pikef
he dof al fat1 fis lady lust and likef 2012
And ek1 to lanuare he gof as lowe
As euer did a dogge for f e bowe
he is so plesaunt1 vnto euery man
ffor craft1 is al who so fat1 it can 2016
fat1 euery wight1 is fayn to teche him good
And fully in his lady grace he stood
f us lete I Damyan aboute his neede
And my tale forf I wil procede [leaf 155] 2020
Some clerkes halden fat1 felicite f
Stantt in delite and f e?fore he
This noble lanuare wif alle his might
In honeste wise as longef to a knight1 2024
Schop him to lyue ful deliciously
his housynge his array al honestely
To his degre was maked as a kinges
Among1 ofir of1 his honeste finges 2028
CORPUS 342 (6-T. 464)
SIX-TEXT 465
GROUP E, §4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
lie hadde a gardyn walled al wif stoon
So fair a gardyn wofrT nowher noon
ffor out1 of1 doute I verrayly suppose
fat1 he fat1 wroot1 fe romance of1 f e rose 2032
Ne coufe of1 if fe beaute wel deuyse -,
ne pryapus ne mighte nat1 suffise
f ou$ he be god of* gardyns for to telle
The beaute of1 f e gardyn and of f e welle 2036
fat1 stood vnder a laurer alway greene
iful often tyme king1 Pluto and his queene
Preserpyna and alle hire fayerie
Disporten hem and maken melodye 2040
aboute fat1 welle and daunced as men tolde
f is noble knight1 f is .lanuare f e olde
Suche deynte haf in if to walken and to pleye
fat1 he wol suffre no wight1 to bere fe keye 2044
Saue he himself1 or of1 ]>e smale wikett
he bar alwey of1 siluer a clyket1
Wij? fe whiche whan fat1 him lust1 vnschette
And whan fat1 he wolde paye his wijf1 his dette 2048
In somer seson f ider wolde he go
And may his wijf1 and no wight1 but1 fay tuo
A f inges whiche fat1 were nou^t1 don a bedde
fey in f e gardyn parformed han and spedde 2052
And in f is wise many a mery day
lyuede f is lanuare and freissche may
But1 worldly ioye may no^t1 alwey endure
To lanuare ne to no worldly creature [leaf 155, baokj 205d
0 sodeyn happ 0 f ou fortune vnstable /
I-like to f e scorpion vnstable /
That1 flaterest1 wif fin heed whan f ou wolt1 stynge
Thyn tayl is def f 01113 fin enuenemynge 2060
0 brutel ioye 0 swete poyson queynte
0 mustier fat1 sotilly canst1 peynte
fine 3iftes vnder f e hewe of1 stedefastnesse
fat1 f ou disceyuedest1 bof e more and lesse 2064
CORPUS 343 (6-T. 466)
SIX-TEXT 466
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
"Why hast1 pou lanuare pus deceyued
And haddist1 him for pi fulle frend receyued
And now pou hast1 byraft1 him bope his eyen
fFor sorwe of1 which desire]) he to deyen 2068
Alias pis noble lanuare pat1 is so fre
Amydde his lust1 and his prosperite
Is woxen blynde and al sodeynly
his dep perfore desire]? he outrely 2072
And per wip al pe fyr of1 lelousye
leste fat1 his wijf1 schulde falle in som folye
So brent1 his herte pat1 he wolde fayn
That1 som man bope hire and him hadde slayn 2076
fibr neuer [after] his dep ne in his lyf1
Ne wolde he fat1 sche were loue ne wyf-
But euer lyue as a wydewe in elopes blake
Soule as pe turtil dop pat1 hap lost1 hire make / 2080
But1 at1 pe laste after a monpe or tweye
his sorwe gan to swage sop to seye
ffor when he wiste it/ may non oper be
he paciently took1 his aduersite 2084
Saf1 out1 of1 doute may he nou^t1 forgon
pat1 he nas lelous euermore in oon
Which lelousie it1 was so outrageous
pat1 neiper in halle ne in non oper hous 2088
he nolde suffre hire for to ryde ne go
Ne in non oper place neuer pe mo
But1 if1 pat1 he hadde hond on hire alway
ifor which ful ofte wepep freisshe may . [leaf i56] 2092
That1 louep Damyan so benignely
pat1 sche moot1 eyper deye sodeinly
Or elles sche mote han him at1 hire leste
sche waytep whan hir herte wolde toberste 2096
vpon pat1 oper syde Damyan
Bycomen is pe sorwfulleste man
pat1 euere was. for neiper night1 nor day
*N"e might1 he speke a word to freisshe may 2100
CORPUS 344 (6-T. 466)
SIX-TEXT 467
GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
As to his purpos of* no such matiere /
But1 if* fat1 lanuarie most1 if here /
fat1 hadde oon hond on hir euer mo
And nafeles by wrytyng1 to and fro 2104
And pryue signes wist* he what4 sche ment/
And sche knew of1 f e signe of1 his entent
0 lanuarie what1 mighte f e affayle /
fou mightest1 see as fer as schippes sayle . 2108
ffor a[s] good is a blynd disceyued be
As to be deceyued whan a man may se
Lo argus which fat1 hadde an C. eyen
fibr al fat1 euer he coufe poure or prien 2112
^it1 was he blent1 and god wot* so ben mo
fat1 wenyn wisly fat it nys nat1 so
Passe ouer is an ese and say nomore
This freissche may of1 which I spak1 of1 yore 2116
In warm wax haf emprynted f is clikef
fat lanuarye bar of1 f is smale wyket1
By which vnto his gardyn ofte he wente
And Damyan fat knew hire entente 2120
f e clyket1 countrefeted priuily
Ther nys no more to say but hastyly
Som wonder by his cliket1 schal betyde /
Which 30 schullen heere if1 30 woln abyde 2124
0 noble Ovyde sof saist1 f ou god wot
"What1 sleight1 is it1 f ough it be long1 and hoot
That1 he nyl fynde it out in som manere
By Pyramus and Thysbe may men leere [leaf 156, back]
f ougfi fey were kepte ful longe st^t1 ouer al
fey ben acorded rownynge f urgB. a wal
fer is no wight1 coufe han founde out1 such a slei3te
But1 now to purpos er fat1 dayes ey3te 2132
"Were passed or f e monf e of1 luyl byfille
fat1 lanuarye haf caught1 so gret1 a wille
f urgh eggyng1 of1 his wijf1 him for to pleye
In his gardyn and no wight1 but1 fey tweye 2136
CORPUS 345 (6-T. 467)
SIX-TEXT 468
GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
That1 in a morwe vnto his may sayde he
Eise vp my wijf/ my loue my lady fre
f e turtlis voys is herd my doufe sweete
The wynter is gon with, alle his reynes weete 2140
Com forf now wij> fin eyen columbyne
how fairer "ben f y brestes fan is wyne
f e gardyn is enclosed al aboute
Come forf my white spouse out1 of doute 2144
f ou hast1 me wounded in myw herte 0 wyf*
No spotte in f e nas in al J>y lyf*
Com for]) and let vs taken oure disport
I chees ])e for my wyff and my conforf 2148
Suche olde lowde wordes vsed he
On damyan a signe made sche
That1 he schulde go biforn wif his clyket
]?is damyan haf opened fe wyket 2152
And in he sterte and fat1 in such manere
fat1 no wight1 might1 it se ne heere
And stille he sitt1 vnder a bussch anon
This lanuare so blynd as is a stoon 2156
Wif mayus in his hond and no wiglltt mo
In to his freisshe gardyn is he go
And clapte to f e wyket1 sodeynly
Now wiff1 c^uod he her nys but foil and I 2160
fat1 art1 ]>e creature Jjat1 1 best loue
ifor by fat1 lord Jjat1 sitt1 vs alle aboue
I hadde leuer deyen on a knyf*
Then ]>e offenden deere trewe wyf1 [leaf 157] 2164
ffor goddes sake Jjenk1 how I ]>e chees
Nou3t1 for no coueytise dowteles /
Eut1 oonly for fe loue I hadde to ]>e
And fough fat1 1 be olde and may nou^t1 se 2168
Be to me trewe and I wol telle $ou why
Certes fre f inges scholden 30 wynne ferby
ffirst1 loue of1 crisf and to ^our self1 honour
And al myn heritage toun and tour 2172
CORPUS 346 (6-T. 468)
SIX-TEXT 469
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
it1 3ow makep Charges as 3ou leste
This schal "be do to morwe er soimes reste
So wisly god my soule "bringe in blisse
And preye ^ou on couenaunt fat1 36 me kisse 2176
And pougfr pat1 I "be lelous wyte me
30 ben so deepe enprynted in my
pat1 whan pat1 I considere 30111 beaute
And per wip al pe vnlikly elde of* me , 2180
I may noi^t1 certes pough I schulde deye
fibr-bere to ben out* of1 3our companye
ffor verray loue pis is wipouten doute
Now kisse me wijf1 and let1 vs rome aboute 2184
IF This freissche may whan sche pis wordes herde /
Benignely to lanuarye answerde
Butt first1 and forward sche bygan to weepe
I haue quod sche a soule for to keepe 2188
As wel as 36 and also myn honour
And of1 my wifhede pilke tendre flour
Which pat1 1 haue asseured in 3our hand
Whan pat1 pe prest1 to yow my body band 2192
Wher-fore I wol answere in pis manere
Wip pe leue of1 3ou my lord so deere
1 p?-ay god pat1 neuer dawe pat1 day
pat1 1 ne sterue as foule as wowzman may 2196
If1 euer I do vnto my kynne pat1 schame /
Oper elles I empeyre so my name /
pat1 y be fals and if1 1 do pat1 lak1
To strype me and putte me in a sakk1 [leaf 157, back] 2200
And in pe nexte ryuer do me drenche
I am a gentil wowmian and no wenche
Why speke 36 pus but1 men ben euer vntrewe
And wo?ftmen han reproef1 of1 3ou ay newe 2204
30 can non oper contynaunce I leeue
But1 speke to vs as vntriste and in repreue
And wip pat1 word sche saugh wher damyan
Bat in pe bussh and knelen he bigan 2208
CORPUS 347 (6-T. 469)
SIX-TEXT 470
GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And wif hire fynger signes made sche
fat1 Damyan schulde clymbe vpon a tree
fat1 charged was wif fruyt1 and vp he wente
ffor verrayly he knew al hire entente 2212
And euery signe fat1 sche couf e make
Wei bet1 fan lamiarye hir owne make
ffor in a letfae sche hadde told him al
Of1 fis matiere how he worche schal 2216
And f us I lete him sitte in f e Pyry
And lanuarye and mayus rownynge myry
IT Bright1 was f e day and blew f e firmament
Phebus of1 gold doun haf his stremes sent 2220
To gladen euery flour wif his warrnnesse
he was fat1 tyme in Gemynys as I gesse
But1 litel fro his declynacion
Of1 Cancer louys exaltation 2224
And so bifelle fat1 in a bright1 morwetyde
fat1 in f e gardyn on fat1 ferf er syde /
Pluto fat1 is f e king1 of1 fayerye
And many a lady in his companye 2228
ffolwyng1 his wyf1 f e queene proserpyna
Which fat1 he rauyssched out1 of1 Proserpyna
Whiles fat1 sche gaderede floures in a mede
In Claudian 30 may fe storyes rede 2232
how in his grysly carte he hire fette
This kyng1 of1 fayerie a doun him sette
vpon a benche of/ toruys freissch and grene
And right1 anon seyde he f us to his queene [leafiss] 2236
My wijf1 quod he fat1 may no wight1 seye nay
f e experiens prouef it1 euery day
f e tresoun which fat1 wowman dof to man
Ten hundred f ousand tellen I can / 2240
Notable of ^our vntrouf e and brytilnes
O Salamon richest1 of1 alle richesse
ffulfild of1 sapience and of worldly glorie
Jfiful worf y ben fyne wordes to memorie 2244
CORPUS 348 (6-T. 470)
SIX-TEXT 471
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
To euery wight1 fat1 witt1 and reson can
Jms preisef he $iV f e bounte of1 man
Among1 a f ousand men ^ifr fond I on
But1 of1 alle wowmen fond he neuer noon 2248
f us seif f e king1 fat knowef ^oure wickednes /
And Ihesus films Cyrak1 as I ges /
!N"e spekef of1 3011 but1 seeldyn reuerens
A wilde fuyre a corumpte pestilens 2252
So falle vpon 3 our bod yes jif to nyght1
Me se ^e nought1 fis honurable knight1
By cause alias fat1 he is blynd and old
his owne man schal make him kokewold 2256
Lo wher he sitte f e lecchour in f e tree
Now wol I graunte of1 myn mageste
vnto f is olde blynde worf y knight
fat1 he schal han a3ein his ey3en sight1 2260
Whan fat1 his wijf1 wolde don him vylenye
fan schal he knowe al hire harlottrie
Bof e in repreef1 of1 hire and of er mo
^e schal quod Proserpyn and wol 30 so 2264
Now by mo moodres syres soule I swere
fat1 1 schal 3euyn hire suffisaunt1 answere
And alle wo?ftmen after for 3our sake /
fat1 f ough fey ben in eny gilt1 y-take 2268
Wif face bold f ei scholden hemself1 excuse
And here hem doun fat1 wolden hem accuse /
ffor lakke of1 answere non of1 hem scholde deyen
Al hadde 30 seye a fing1 wif bofe 3our ey3en [leaf 158, back],
3itt schullen we so visagen it1 hardyly
And weepe and swere and chide subtyly
fat1 30 schuln ben as lewed as here gees
"What1 rekkef me of1 3our auctoritees 2276
I wot1 wel f is lewe f is Salamon -
ffand of1 vs wommen fooles many 0011
But1 f ough fat1 he ne fond no good wo?wnian
f er haf I-founde many anof er man 2280
CORPUS 349 (6-T. 471)
SIX-TEXT 472
GKOUP E. § 4, MEKCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Wowmen ful trewe ful good ful vertuous
Witnesse on hem fat1 dwellen in cristes hous
"Wif uiartirdom fey prouyd luV l Constance f1 MS ft]
f e Romayne lestes maken remembrance 2284
Of1 many a verray trewe wijf1 also
"but1 sire ne be]) nou^fr wrof as be if so
f ou} fat1 he seyde he fond no good woraman
I pray 3011 take f e sentence of1 J>e man 2288
he mente f us fat1 in souerayne bounte
!Nls non but god but* neyf er he ne sche
Ey for verray god fat1 nys but oon
What* make 36 so moche of1 Salamon 2292
"What1 f ougfi. he made a temple goddes hous
What1 f ougK he were riche and glorious
So made he a temple of1 false godis
"Who mighte do a fing1 fat1 more forbode is 2296
Parde as fayr as he his name in-plastre
he was a lecchour and an ydolastre
And in his eelde he verry god forsook*
And if1 fat1 god ne hadde as seif fe book1 2300
y-spared him for his fadres sake he scholde
haue lost1 his regne sonner fan he wolde
I sette nou^t1 of1 alle f e vylenye
fat1 30 of1 wommen wite a bottirflye 2304
I am a womman needes moot1 1 speke
Of er elles swelle til myn herte breke
ffor sif enes he seyde fat1 we ben langeleresses
As euer mote I brouke bofe my tresses [leaf 159] 2308
I schal not1 spare for no curtesye
To speke him harm fat1 wolde vs vilanye
Dame quod f is pluto be no lengere wrof
I 3iue it1 vp but1 sefens I swor myrc of 2312
fat1 1 wolde graunten him his sight1 a^ein
My word schal stonde fat1 warne I f e certayn)
I am a king1 it1 sitt1 me no^t1 to lye
And I (\iLod sche a queen of1 fayerye 2316
CORPUS 350 (6-T. 472)
SIX-TEXT 473
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Corpus MS,
hire answere sche schal haue I vndertake
let1 vs no more wordes make 2318
[For the rest of the Tale (from MS Arch. Seld. B. 14) see
the Appendix.]
CORPUS 350* (6-T. 473)
SIX-TEXT 500
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
[THE PROEM.}
IT The p[ro]loge of1 fe ffrankeleyn
Thise olde gentile britouns in here dayes [on leaf 159]
Of1 diuerse auentures maden layes
Rymeden in here firste "britoun tonge
Whiche layes with here instrumentz fey songe 712
Ofer elles radden hem for here plesaunce
And on of1 hem haue I in remembraunce
Which I schal seye wij> as good wille as I can
But1 sires by cause fat1 I am a burel man 716
At1 my begynnyng1 first1 1 3ou beseche
hauejj me excused of1 my rude speche
I lerned neuer rethorik1 certayn
f ing1 fat1 1 speke it1 mot1 be bare and playn) 720
I slepte neuer on J>e mount1 of1 pernaso
Ne neuer lered Marcus Thullius ne Cithero
Colours of1 Rethorik1 ne knowe I non wijjouten drede
But1 suche coloures as growen in fe mede 724
Ojjir elles suche as men dye or peynte
Colours of1 Rethorik1 ben me to queynte
Myn spyrit1 felej> nought1 of1 such matere
But1 if1 30 luste my tale schul ^e not1 here 728
T
[THE TALE.]
her was a knight1 Jjat1 loued and did his peyne 730
In amoryke fat1 cleped is Briteyne 729
To seruen a lady in his beste wise
And many a labour and many* a gret1 empn'se 732
CORPUS 351 (6-T. 500)
SIX-TEXT 501
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
he for his lady wrou^fr er sche were wonne
ffor sche was on pe fairest1 vnder sonne [leaf 159, back]
And eek1 per to come of* so heih kynrede
That1 wel vnnepes durst1 pis knight1 for drede 736
Telle hire his wo his peyne and his distresse
But1 atte laste sche for his worpinesse
And namely for his meke obeissance
hap such a pite caught1 of1 his penaunce 740
That1 priuely sche felle of1 his acord
To take him for hir housbonde and hire lord
Of1 such lordschipe as men han ouer here wyues
And for to lede pe more in blisse here lyues 744
Of1 his fre wille he swor hire as a knight
pat* neuer in his wille by day ne by night/
Ne schulde he vpon him take no maystrie
A3eins hire wille ne kuype hire lalousye 748
But1 hire obeye and folwe hire wille in al
As ony louere to his lady schal
Saue pat1 }>e name of1 souereynete
That1 wolde he han for schame of1 his degre 752
Sche pankep him and wip ful gret1 humblesse
Sche sayde sire sepp en of1 your gentilnesse
30 profre me to han a large reyne
N& wolde neuer god betwixe vs tweyne 756
As in my gilt1 were eyper werre or stryf4
Sire I wil be 3our owne humble trewe wijf1
haue here my troupe til pat1 myn herte breste
Thus be pey hope in quiete and in reste 7GO
ffor o ping1 syres saufly dar I seye
That1 frendes euerich oper mote obeye
If1 pay wole longe holde companye
loue wol nought ben constreigned by maystrie 764
Whan maystrie comep pe god of1 loue anon
Betep on his wynges and fare wel he is gon
loue is a ping1 as any spiryt1 fre
Wo?ftmen of1 kynde desiren liberte 768
COKPUS 352 (6-T. 50l)
SIX-TEXT 502
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS,
And nou}^ to be constreigned as a fral
And so do men if* I j>e sofe seye schal [leaf IGO]
loke who fat1 is most1 pacient1 in loue /
lie is at1 his auauntage aboue 772
Pacience is an heih vertu certeyn
ffor it1 venquisshef as f ese clerkes seyn
Thynges fat1 Rigor schulde neuer atteigne
ffor euery word men may nou^t chyde ne pleyne / 776
lernef to suffre or elles so mote I gon
^e schullen it lerne whef er ^e wole or non
ifor in f is worlde certeyn no wight1 nys /
fat1 he ne do}) or saif sumtyme amys / 780
Or of ir siknesse of er constillacion
Wyn wo or chaungyng1 of1 complexion
Cause]? ful often to don amys of er speken
On euery wrong1 men may nou^t1 ben awreken 784
After J)e tyme moste be temperaunce
To euery wight1 fat1 can no gouernance /
j^nd ferfore haj) fis wor])y wise knight
To lyue in ese suffraunce hire behight1 788
And sche to him ful wisly gan to swere
That1 neuer schulde f er be defaute in here /
here may men sen an humble wyse acord
Thus ha]) sche take hir seruant1 and hire lord 792
Seruaunt1 in loue and lord in mariage
Then was he hope in lordschipe and seruage
Seruage nay but1 iu lordschipe aboue
Sefyns fat1 he haf bofe his lady and his loue 796
'.his lady certes and his wyf1 also
The whiche fat1 lawe of1 loue acordef fer to
And whan he was in fis prosperits
•home wif his wyf1 he gof to his cuntre 800
Kou^t1 fer fro pedmark1 fer as his dwellyng1 was
Wher as he lyuef in blisse and in solas
Who coufe telle but1 he hadde wedded be
f e ioye fe ese and fe prosperite / 804
25 CORPUS 353 (6-T. 502)
SIX-TEXT 503
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
That1 is bitwixe an housebond and his wyf
A 3eer and more lasted J?is blisful lijf1 [leaf ieo, back]
Til fat1 ]>is knight1 of1 which I spak1 of* f us
Jjat1 of1 kynrede was cleped arneragus 808
Schope him to gon and dwelle a ^eer or tweyne
In engelond fat1 cleped eek1 was bretayne
To seche in armes worschipe and eek1 honour
ffor alle his lust1 he sette in such labour 812
And dwellej? J?ere J?e book1 saij? Jms
Now wol I stynte of1 Jns arneragus
And speken I wole of1 dorygen his wijf1
fat1 louejj hir housbonde as hire hertes lyf1 816
And for his absens wepej? sche and sikef /
As don fese noble wyues when hem like]?
Sche mournef wake]? waylef fastej) & pleynef
Desire of1 his presence hire so destreynef 820
That1 alle fis wyde world sche sette at1 nou^t1
hire freendes which ]>at knewe hire heuy J?ou3t
Conforted hire in al Jjat1 euer ]?ey mighte or may
They prechen hire }>ay tellen hire night1 and day 824
Jjat1 causeles sche sleej) hire self1 alias /
And euery confort1 possible in f is cas
p&y don to hire wij) alle here busynes /
And alle to make hire lete hir heuynes 828
By p?*ocesse as 36 knowe wel euerychon
Men may so longe grauen in ]?e ston
Til som figure Jierinne enprentyd be
So longe han fey conforted hire Jjat1 sche 832
Eeceyued hajj by hope and by reson
The empryntyng1 of1 hir constillacion
Thurgh which hire grete sorwe gan aswage /
Sche may nought alway endure in such a rage / 836
And eek1 arneragus in al J?is care
haj? sent1 his le^res home in al )>is fare
And Jjat1 he wolde come hastly a^ayn
Ofer hadde j)is sorwe hire herte slayn 840
COKPUS 354 (6-T. 503)
SIX-TEXT 504
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
hire frendes sawe hire herte gan to slake /
And preyed hire on knees for goddes sake [leaf iei]
To come and rome hire in companye
Away to dryue hire derke fantasye 84.4
And fynally sche graunted pat1 requeste
ffor wel sche sawe it1 was for pe beste
Now stood hire castel faste by pe see
And often wip hire freendes walked sche 848
hire to disporte on pe banke on heih
Wher as sche many -schippe and barge seih
Seylinge here cours where hem luste to go
But1 31^ was pere a parcelle of1 hir wo 852
ffor to hir self1 ful often seyde sche
Is per no schippe of* so many as I se
Wole brynge home my lord pen wolde myn herte
Al waryssche of pis bitter peynes smerte 856
Anoper tyme per wole sche sitte and pinke
And caste hire eyen dounward fro pe brynke
But1 whan sche saugh pe grisly rokkes blake
ffor verray fere so wolde hire herte quake 860
pat1 on hire feet1 sche mighte nought1 hire sustene
Thenne wolde sche sitte a doun vpon pe grene
And pitously in to ])e see byholde
And sayn right1 )ms wip sorowful hertes colde 86i
Eterne god fat1 purgh py puruyaunce
ledest1 pe world by certein gouemaunce
In ydelnesse as men sayn 30 no ping1 make
But< lord Jjese grisely feendly rokkes blake 868
That1 semen raper a foul confusion
Of1 werk1 pen any fayr creacion
Of1 whiche a parfyt1 god and a stable
Why han 36 wro^f pis werk1 vnresonable 872
ffor by pis werke south north est1 and west1
Ther nys y-fostred man ne bryd ne best*
hit1 dop no good to my witf but1 annoyep
Se 36 nou3^ lorde how mankynde it destroyep 876
CORPUS 365 (6-T. 604)
SIX-TEXT 505
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS,
An hundred pousand bodyes of1 mankynde /
han rokkes slayn al be pey noujt1 in mynde [leaf iei, back]
Which mankynde is a fair part1 of1 py werk1
That1 pou it1 madest1 y-like to pin hond werk1 880
Thenne semed it1 36 hadde a gret1 chierte
Toward mankynde but1 how pan may it be
That1 36 suche menys make it1 to distroyen
Whiche rnenys do]? no good but1 euer annoy en 884
I wot1 wel clerkes woln sayn as hem leste
By argumentz pat1 al ping1 is for pe beste
Though I ne can pe causes for sope knowe
but1 pilke god pat1 made wynd to blowe 888
As kepe my lord pis is my conclusion
To clerkes lete I al disputacion
But1 wolde god pat1 alle pe rokkes blake
"Were sonken in to helle for his sake / 892
These rokkes sleen my^ herte for feere
Thus wolde sche sayn with many a pitous teere
hire freendes sawe pat1 nas no disport
To romen by pe see but1 discomfort1 896
And schopen for to pleyen som where elles /
pey leden hire by Eyueres and by welles
And eek1 in oper places delitables
pey daunce and pleye at Chesse and at1 tables 900
So on a day right1 on pe morne tyde
vnto a gardyne paf was right1 pere besyde
In which pat1 pey hadde made here ordynance
Of1 vitaile and of1 oper puruyaunce 904
They gon and pleyen hem al pe longe day
And pis was on pe sixte morwe of1 may
Which may hadde peynted wip his softe schoures /
This gardyn ful of1 leues and of1 floures 908
And wip crafte of1 mamies hande so curiously
Arayed hap pis gardyn trayelly
That1 neuer nas per gardyn of1 such prys
But1 if1 it1 were pe verrey paradys 912
CORPUS 356 (6-1; 50o)
SIX-TEXT 506
GROUP F. §4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
The odure of1 floures and J>e freisshe sight1 /
Wolde han made ony pensyf1 herte light1 [ieafi62]
That1 euer was born / but1 if1 to gret1 siknesse /
0)>er to gret1 sorwe hyld it in distresse / 916
And after dynere gan J?ey to daunce 918
So ful it was of1 beaute with plesaunce / 917
And synge also but1 dorigen allone
Sche made alwey hire compleynt1 and hire mone 920
fFor sche ne saugh him on ]?e daunce go
jmt1 was hire housbond and hir lone also
But1 naj?eles sche moste a tyme abyde /
And with good hope sche let1 hir sorwe glyde 924
vpon ]?is daunce amonges o)>er men
Daunced a squier biforen Dorigen
That1 freisscher was and iolyer of1 array
As to my dome fan is ]>e mon]>e of1 May 928
he synge]) and daunce]) passyng1 any man
That1 is or was scenes ])is world bygan
Ther wi}) he was if1 men schulde him discryue /
On ]>e beste farynge man on lyue / 932
}ong1 strong1 right1 vertuous riche and wys
And wel biloued and holden in gret1 prys
And schortliche if1 }>e sofe telle I schal
vnwytyng1 of1 ]?is Dorigen at al 936
This lusty squyer seniaunt1 to venus
Which fat1 y-cleped was Aurelius
had loued hire best1 of1 eny creature
Tuo }eer and more as was his aduenture / 940
But1 neuer durste he telle hire of1 his greuance
Wijwmte cuppe he drank al his penaunce
he was dispeyred no Jnng1 durst1 he seye
Saue in his sawe somwhat1 wolde he wreye 944
his woo as in general compleynyng1
he sayde he louede and was biloued noting1
Of such matiere made he many layes
Songes compleigntes roundeletis virrelayes 948
CORPUS 357 (6-T. 506)
SIX-TEXT 507
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
how fat1 he durste nou^t* his sorwe telle /
That langusshif as f uyre dof in helle [leaf 102, back]
And deye seyde he moste as did Ekko
fFor narsisus fat durste nou^t1 telle hir wo 952
In ofer manere f enne 36 here me seye
Ne durst1 he nou^tf to hire his wo bewreye
Sane pe/'aduentwre som tyme at1 daunces
There 3ong1 folk1 kepen here obseruaunces 956
hit1 may wel be he loked on hire face
In such a wise as man fat1 askef grace
But1 no f ing1 wiste sche of1 his entent
Naf eles it1 happed or fey f ennes went1 960
By cause fat1 he was hire ney^ebo?^rre /
And was a man of1 worschipe and honowr
And hadde knowen him ofte tymes 3ore /
fey felle in speche ofte more and more / 964
vnto his purpos drowe aurelius
And whan he saw his tyme he sayde fus
Ma dame quod he by god fat1 f is world made
So fat1 I wiste it1 niighte ^our herte glade 968
1 wolde fat day fat1 ^oure arneragus /
"Wente on f e see fat1 I aurelius
had went1 fat1 1 schulde neuer haue come a^ain
ffor wel I woot1 my seruise is in vayn 972
My guerdon nys but1 berstyng1 of1 myn herte /
Ma dame rewef vpon my peynes smerte
ffor as wif a swerd 36 may me sle or saue
her at1 ^oure foot1 god wolde fat/ I were graue / 976
I haue as now no more leysir for to seye /
haue mercy on me swete or 36 wolen do me deye
Sche gan to loke vpon aurelius
Is f is 3oure wille quod sche and say 36 f us 980
K"euer erst quod sche ne wist1 1 what1 36 mente
But1 now Aurely I knowe 3oure entente
By f ilke god fat1 3af me soule and lyf1
Ke schal I neuer be vntrewe wyf1 984
CORPUS 358 (6-T. 607)
SIX-TEXT 508
GROUP F, § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
In word ne in werk1 as fer as I haue wit1 /
I wole ben his to whom pat1 I am kny t1 [leaf 163]
But after pat1 in pleyn pus seyde sche / 988
Tak1 pis for fynal answer as for me / 987
Aurely quod sche by hihe god aboue
^it1 wol I grannie ^ou to be ^oure loue
Sepyns I $ou se so pitously compleyne /
loke what* day pat1 engelond is Bryteyne / 992
^e remewe alle pe rokkes ston by stoon
pat1 pay ne lette schip no boot1 to goon
I say whan ^e han made pese costes so clene
Of* Rokkes pat1 }>er nys no ston y-sene / 996
pan wol I loue $ou best/ of any man
haue here my troupe in al pat1 euer I can
Is pere non oper grace quod he /
No by pat1 lord quod sche pat1 made me 1000
ffor wel I wot1 jjatt jjat1 schal neuer betyde
let1 such folye out1 of1 ^our herte glyde
What1 deynte schulde man haue by his lijf1
ifor to loue anoj>er mannes wyf1 1004
That1 haj? hir body whan so Jmt1 him like]?
Aurelius ful ofte sore sikej) /
Wo was aurely whan pat1 he jns herde /
And wij? a sorwful herte pus answerde / 1008
ma dame quod he pis were impossible /
Thenne mot1 1 deye on sodeyn dej? orrible /
And wij> pat1 word he torned him anon
po came hire oper frendes many oon 1012
And in pe aleyes romed vp and don
And no ping1 wiste of1 pis conclusion
But1 sodeinly bygan to reuel newe /
Til pat1 pe brighte sonne loste his hewe / 1016
ffor thorisowte hap raft1 pe sonne his light1 .
pis is as moche to say as it was night1
And home pey gon in loye and in solas /
Saue oonly wrecched aurelius alias / 1020
COIIPUS 359 (6-T. 508)
SIX-TEXT 509
GROUP F, § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS,
he to his hous is gon wip sorwful herte
he seip he may not1 fro his dep asterte [leaf IGS, back]
him semep he felip his herte colde
vp to pe heuene his handes gan he holde 1024
And on his knees bare he sette him don
And in his rauynge sayde his orison
ftbr verray wo out1 of1 his witte he breyde /
he nyste nor^f what1 he spak1 but pus he seyd-e 1028
Wip pitous herte hap he his compleint1 bygonne
vnto pe goddesse and first1 vnto ])e sonne
he sayde appollo god and gouernour
And euery plaunte herbe tre and flour 1032
pat1 ^euest after pi declinacion
To ilk1 of1 hem his tyine and his sesoun
And pin herborwe chaungep lowe and hei^e
lord Phebus cast1 pin merciable ey^e 1036
On wrecched Aurely jjat1 am but1 lorn
lo lord my lady hap my dep y-sworn
Wipouten gilt1 but1 pin benignite "
vpon my dedly herte haue sum pite 1040
But1 wel I wot1 lord Phebus if1 $ou leste
36 may me helpe saue my lady beste
Now vouchejj sauf1 pat1 1 may ^ou deuyse
how pat1 1 may be holpe and in what1 wyse 1044
^oure blisful suster lucyna pe schene .1. hmaiucyna.
pat1 of1 pe see is cheef goddesse & queene
Though Neptunus haue deyte in pe see
^it1 Emperesse aboueii him is sche / 1048
30 knowen wel lord right1 as hire desire
Is to be quyked and letep of1 ^oure fire
ffor which sche folwep ^ou ful besyly
Right1 so pe see desirep naturelly 1052
To folwen hire as sche pat1 is goddesse
Bope in pe see and in Byueres more and lesse
Wher-fore lord Phebus pis is myn requeste
Do pis myracle or I do myn herte to breste 1056
CORPUS 360 (6-T. 609)
SIX-TEXT 510
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Jjat1 pou next1 at1 jjis apposicioun
Which in Jje signe schal be of1 j?e leoun [leaf 164]
And preyed hire so gref a flood to brynge
That* .v. fatheme at1 Jje leste it1 ouer springe 1060
J?e hyeste rokke in armorik1 Britayne
And lete his flood endure }eres twayne
Thenne certes to my lady may I saye
holdej) 3oure hestes J?<3 rokkes ben awaye 1064
lord Phebws do J?is myracle for me
Pray hire sche go no faster cours pan 30
I say 3011 pus pray 3our suster pat1 sche go
Kone faster cours pan 36 pis 3eres tuo 1068
Then schal sche be euer at1 pe fulle alway
And springe flood lasten bope night1 and day
And butt sche fouche sauf in such manere
To graunte me my lady souerein dere / 1072
Preye hire to synken euery rokke a doun)
In to hire owne darke Region
vnder pe grounde per Pluto duellep Inne
Oper neuer more schal I my lady wynne 1076
Thy temple in Delphos wol I barf oof seeke
lord Phebus see]) jje teeres on my cheeke /
And of1 my peyne haue compassion
And wi)> pat1 word in swowne he felle a doun 1080
And long1 tyme he lay in a traunce
his broker which jjatt knew ofH his penaunce
vp caught1 him and to bedde him broughte
Bispeyred in his torment and in his Bought 1084
Lo y Jjis woful creature lete lye
Chese he for me whejjer he wol lyue or dye
Arneragus wij) hele and grett honour
As he was of1 Chyualry Jje flour 1088
Is comen home and oj>ere worjjy men
0 blisful arf Jjou Dorigen
jjaf hast1 ]?in lusty housbonde in pin armes
Jje freissche knight J>e worpy man of1 armes 1092
CORPUS 361 (6-T. 610)
SIX-TEXT 511
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
That1 louef f e as his owen hertes lyf1
No fing1 luste he to be ymaginatyff1 [leaf IGI, back]
Of1 any wight1 hadde spoke while he was oute
To hire of1 loue he made fer-of1 no doute 1096
he nou^t entendef to no such matere
But dauncef lustif and make]) good cheere
As fus in loye and "blisse I lete hem dwelle
And of1 fe swete Aurelyus wol I telle 1100
In langure and in furious tormentz fus
Tuo 3er and more lay wrecche aurelius
Or ony foot1 on erf e he mighte gon
No confort1 in fis tyme nade he non 1104
Saue of his broker which fat1 was a cleric1
he knew of al )>is wo and of1 al fis werk1
ffor to non of er creature certeyn
Of1 fis matiere ne durste he no word seyn 1 108
vnder his brest1 he bar it more secre
Then euer did Pamphilius for Galathe
his brest1 was hole wif outen for to sene
But1 in his herte was ay fe arwe kene 1112
And wel ^e knowen J>af a sore sauure
In surgerie ful perilous is J)e cure
But* man might1 touche ]>e arwe or come Jjerby
his brofe?* wepef and waylej? priuyly 1116
Til atte laste him felle in remembraunce
That1 whiles he was at Orlyaunce in ffraunce
As ^onge clerkes fat1 ben likerous
To reden artes fat1 ben curious 1120
Seken in euery halk1 and euery herne
Particuler sciences for to lerne
he him remembref vpon a day
At1 Orlyaunce in studye a book1 he say 1124
Of1 magiqwe naturell which his felawe
That1 was fat1 tyme a bachiler of1 lawe
Al were he fere to lerne anof er craft
And priuely vpon his deske y-laft1 1128
CORPUS 362 (6-T. 61 1)
SIX-TEXT 512
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
This book1 spak1 mocliil of1 Jris operacions
Touchynge ]>e .xviij. mancions
That1 longen to J?e mone and suche folye
As in oure dayes nys nought1 worj) a flye
ffor holy chirche saijj in oure byleeue
Ne suffrej) non illusion vs to greeue
And whan Jus book1 was in remembraunce
Anon for ioye he gan for to daunce
And to himselue sayde pryuely
My broker schal be warisshed hastily
ffor I am siker pat1 per ben sciences
By whiche men maken dyuerse apparences /
Whiche as pe subtile tregetoures pleyen
ffor ofte at1 festes herde I seyen
That1 tregettours wipinne an halle large
han made in come water and a barge /
And in pe halle rowen vp and doun
Som tyme hap seined a grym leoun)
[and somtyme flouris springe / as in a mede
somtyme a vyne & grapes / white & rede]
Som tyme a castel al of1 lym and ston
And whan hem liked voyded it anon
jms semed it1 to euery mannes sight1
Kow penne conclude I Jms if1 pat1 1 migfif
At1 Orliaunce som olde felawe I-fynde
That1 hadde pe moones manciouns in mynde
Ojjer magike naturel aboue
he scholde wel make my brojjer han his loue /
ffor wi]> apparens a man may make
To mannes sight1 Jjat' alle ]>e Rokkes blake
Of1 Eritaigne were y-went1 euerychon
And schippes by J?e brinke mighte comen and goon 1160
And in such forme endure a ^eer or tuo
J>en were my broker warissched of1 his wo
pen most1 sche needes knowen hire byheste
Or elles he schal schamen hire at1 J?e leste 1164
CORPUS 363 (6-T. 612)
[leaf 165]
1132
1136
1140
1144
[MS Arch. Seld.
B.14]
1152
1156
SIX-TEXT 513
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
What schulde I make a lenger tale of1 fis
Ynto his broker bedde come he is
And such confort he ^aff1 him for to gon
To Orlyaunce fat1 he vpstarte anon [leaf IBS, back] 1168
And on his way forf ward is he fare
In hope to ben y-lissed of1 his care /
When fay were come almost1 to fat1 Cite
But if1 it1 were a tuo forlong1 ofir fre 1172
A ^ong1 clerk1 romyng1 by himself1 fey mette
Which fat1 in latyn thriftily hem grette
And after fat1 he sayde a wonder f ing1
I knowe quod he fe cause of1 ^oure comyng1 1176
And er fey forf er any foote went*
he tolde hem alle fat* was in here entent1
This brytoun clerk1 him asked of1 felawes
The which fat1 he had knowen in olde dawes 1180
And he answerde him fat1 fey dede were /
ffor which he wepe ful ofte many a tere
Doun of1 his hors Aurelius light anon
And forf wif fis magicien forf is he goii 1184
home to his hous and made hem wel at ese /
hem lacked no vitayle fat1 hem might1 plese /
So wel arrayed hous as f er was oon
Aurelius in his lyf1 saugh noon 1188
He schewed him er he wente to sopere
fforestes parkes ful of1 wilde deere
[there saw he hartes / with hornys ful higfre JJIJ4A*oh' Seli
pasturynge right faire / & merilie 1 192
he saw of hem an hundred / sleyn with houndes
and sowme with arwis blede / & bitter woundes
he saw when voided were / the wilde dere
these ffaukeners / vppon a faire Eivere] 1196
And how ffaukons han f e heron slayne
Then sawe he knigfrtes iusten in a playne
And after fis he dide him such plesaunce
That he him schewed his lady in a daunce 1200
CORPUS 364 (6-T. 613)
SIX-TEXT 514
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
On which, himself1 he daunced as him Bought
And whan fis mayster fat1 fis magiqwe wrought
Sawh it1 was tyme to clappe his hondes tuo
And fare wel al oure reuel is y-do 1204
And }it/ remewe fey neuer out of1 fis hous /
Wliiles fey sawe al fis sight1 merueylous
But1 in his study f er as his bookes be
fey saten stille and no wight1 but1 fey fre 1208
To him his mayster called f anne a squiere
And seyde him fus is redy oure sopere [leafiw]
Almost1 an hour it1 is I vndertake
Sefyns I 3ou bad oure souper to make 1212
When fat1 fis worf y men wenten with me
vnto my study f er as my bokes be
Sire quod this squyer when it1 like]? }ou
It1 is al redy fey ^e wolen right1 now / 1216
Go we fen soupe quod he and for f e beste /
These auerous folk1 som tyme mote haue reste
And after souper felle fey in trete
What1 somme schulde fis maystres guerdon be / 1220
Te remewe alle f e rokkes of1 Brytaigne
And eek1 fro Geroun to f e mouf of1 Sayne
he made it1 straunge / and swore so god him saue
lasse J>an a ]>ousand pound he nolde nou^t1 haue 1224
Ne gladly for fat1 somme ne wolde he gon
Aurelius wij> blisful herte anon
Answerde Jws fy on a Jjousand pound
J)is wyd« worlde fat1 men seyn is round 1228
fat1 wolde I 3iue if1 I were lord of1 if
This bargayn is ful dryue for we be knyt /
3e schulle be payed trewely by my trouf e
But1 lokef now for no necligence or sloufe 1232
36 tary vs heere no lenger fan to morwe
Nay quod f is clerk1 haue heer my trouf e to borwe
To bedde is gon aurelius whan him liste
And wel neigh al fat1 night1 he hadde his reste 1236
CORPUS 365 (6-T. 514)
SIX-TEXT 515
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
That1 for his labour and for his hope of1 blisse
his woful herte of1 penaunce hadde a lisse
vpon f is morwe when fat1 if was day
To Britaigue toke fay J>e righte way 1240
Aurelius and f is magicien besyde
And ben descendid f er fey woln abyde
And J>is was as f e bokes me remembre
fe colde frosty sesoun of1 Decembre 1244
Phebus wax olde and hewed lik1 latoun
That in his hoote declinaciofi [leaf IQQ, backj
Schon as f e burnyd gold wif stremes bright1
But now in Scorpion a doun he light1 1248
"Wher as he schon ful pale I dar wel sayn
The bitter frostes wif f e slete and rayn
Destroyed haf f e grene in euery ^erde /
lanus sit* by f e furye wif double berde 1252
And drynkef of1 his bugle horn f e wyn
Biforn him stant1 f e braun of1 tuxed swyn
And a nowel cryej) euery lusty man
Aurelius in al fat euer he can 1256
Dof to his rnaister cheere and reuerence
And preyef him to don his diligence
To bryngen him ouf of* his peynes smerte
Or wif a swerd fat1 he wolde slitte his herte 1260
]?at subtil clerk* which fat1 roufe hadde of* J>is man
fat1 night1 and day he him spedde fat1 he ne Ian
To wayte a tyme of1 his conclusion
This is to say to make illusioun 1264
I ne can no termes of1 astrologie / 1266
By which an apparence of1 logellerie / 1265
That1 sche and euery wight1 scholde wene and seye
fat1 of1 Britaigne fe rokkes were aweye 1268
Of er elles fey were sonken vnder grounde
So atte laste whan fat1 he his tyme fonde
To make his lapes and his wrecchednes
Of1 which a supersticious cursednesse 1272
CORPUS 366 (6-T. 51o)
SIX-TEXT 516
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
his tables colletanes forj> lie brought1
fiul wel corrected ne jjer lakked no^t/
Ne his collectes ne his expans 3eres
Ne his rotes ne his oj?er geres / 1276
As hen his centrys and his argumentz
And his proportions conuenientz
fibr his equations in euery Jnng1
And hy his viij spere in his werkynge 1280
he knew how fer Alnajje was y-schoue
firo j>e hede of1 pilke fixe aries aboue Deaf 167]
That1 in j>e ixe spere considered is
fful subtilly he ealkej) al ]>is / 1284
And whan he hadde founde his firste mansion
he knewe ]>e remenaunt1 by proportion
And knewe jje arisyng1 of/ j?e mone wel
And in whos face and terme euery del 1288
And knew ful wel jje moones mansion
acordant to his operation
And knew also his o]>er obseruaunces /
fibr suche illusions and suche meschaunces / 1292
As hejnn folk vsed Jjilke dayes
fibr whiche no lenger maked he delayes
But1 Jjough his magik' for a wike or tweye /
It1 semed as alle J>e rokkes were aweye 1296
Aurelyus which J?att dispeyred is
Whe]>er he schal han his loue or fare arnys
AwayteJ) night1 and day of1 j)is myracle /
And whan he knewe J>af )>er was non obstacle 1300
J>af voyded were J?ise rokkes euerychon
Doun to J>is maistres feet1 he felle anon
And seyde I woful wrecche aurelius
jjanke ^ou lord and lady myn venus 1304
That me han holpe fro my cares colde /
And to )?e temple for]? his way ha]> holde
Where he knewe he scholde his lady se
And whan he saugh his tyme anon right he 1308
CORPUS 367 (6-T. 516)
SIX-TEXT 517
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Wif dredful herte and humble cheere /
Salued haf his souerayn lady deere /
My rightful lady quod f is woful man
Whom I most1 drede and loue as I best1 kan 1312
And lof est1 Avere of1 alle f is world displese /
Nere it1 fat1 1 for ^ou haue suche disese
That1 1 moste dye her af 3our foot1 anon
But1- not1 wolde I telle how me is wo bygon 1316
But1 certes eyf er most I deye or pleyne /
36 sleen me gilteles for ve?'rey peyne / [leaf ie7, back]
But1 of1 my def f ough 36 haue no rouf e
Auyse]) ^ou er fat1 30 lese ^our troufe 1320
Repentif }ou for f ilke god aboue /
Or 36 me sleen by cause fat1 1 ^ou loue /
fibr ma dame wel 30 wot1 fat1 30 han hight1
Nought/ fat1 1 chalenge eny fing1 of1 right1 132-i
Of1 3011 souereyne lady but1 pure grace
But1 in a gardyn 3onde at1 such a place
36 wot1 right1 wel fat1 36 behighte me
And in myn hande iny troufe plighte me 1328
To loue me best1 god wot1 36 sayde so
Al be fat1 1 vnworfy am ferto
Madame I speke it for fe honour of1 3ow
More fen to saue rnyn hertes lyf1 right1 now / 1332
I haue don so as 36 haue cowmannded me
And if1 36 vouche sauf1 30 may go se /
And as 3011 luste hauef 3oure byheste in mynde
ffor quyk1 or deed right1 fus 36 schulle nie fynde 1336
In 3ow lif al to do me lyue or deye
But wel I wot1 f e rokkes ben aweye /
he took1 his leeue and sche astoned stood
In alle hir face fer nas a drop of1 blood 1310
Sche wende neuer han comyn in such a trappe
Alias quod sche fat1 f is euer schulde happe
ffor wende I neuer by possibilite
fat1 such a muster or such a meruaile schulde be 1344
CORPUS 368 (6-T. 517)
SIX-TEXT 518
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
It1 is ajein ]>e processe of1 nature *
And home sche go]? a sorwful creature x
ifor verray feere vnnej^es may sche go
Sche wepej) and wayle)) a day or tuo 1348
And swownej) jjat it roujje was to se
But1 why it was to no wight* tolde sche
ffor out1 of1 toune was gon arneragus
But1 to hir self1 sche sayde and spak1 Jms 1352
In hire compleynt as je schullen after heere
WiJ> face pale and wij) sorweful cheere [leafiesj
Alias qiwd sche on j?e fortune I pleyne
That vnwar hast1 wrapped me in Jn cheyne 1356
ffor which J?e eschape wot1 1 no socour
Saue oorly dej? oj>er elles dishonor-
On of1 ]?ese tuo bihouej? me to chese
But1 na]?eles jit1 hadde I leuer to lese / 1360
My lif1 J?an of1 my body to han a schame
Oj>er knowe my self1 fals oj?er lese my name /
And wij> my dej> I may be quyte y-wys
haj) jjer nou^t1 many a wyf1 er fis 1364
And many a mayden y-slayn hem self alias
Rajjir ])an wij) here bodyes don trespas
And certes lo Jjise stories beren witnesse
"Whan xxx tyrauntz ful of1 cursednesse 1368
hadde slayn Phydon in athenes atte leste
]>ey comaunded his dou^tres to areste /
And bryngen hem byforn hem in dispyt
Al naked to fulfille here foule delyf 1372
And in here fadres blod Jjey made hem daunce
vpon fe pament1 god jeue hem meschaunce
ffor whiche )>ese woful maj^dens ful of1 drede /
Rajjer Jjan Jjey wolde lese here maydenhede / 1376
j?ay pryuely ben stert1 in to a welle /
And dreynt hemselue as J?e bookes tell
They of1 mesue lete enquere and seke
Of1 lacedemye .L. maydens eeke 1380
26 CORPUS 369 (6-1. 518)
SIX-TEXT 519
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
On which fey wolden don here leccherie
But1 was f er non of1 al fat companye /
fat1 sche nas slayn and wif a glad entent
Chese rafir for to dye fan for to assent1 1384
To ben oppressed of here maydenhede
Why schulde 1 f anne to deye ben in drede
lo eke f e tyraunt1 Anstoclydes
fat1 loued a mayde fat/ hight1 Symphalides 1388
Whan fat1 hir fader slayn was on a night/
vnto f e Dyanes temple gof sche anon right1 [leaf IGS, back]
hente f e ymage with hire armes tuo
ffro which ymage wolde sche neuere go 1392
No wight1 might1 of1 hit hir armes race
Til sche was slayn in f e selue place /
Now sef yns fat1 maydens hadde such despit/
To ben defouled wif mannes foul delyt1 1396
Wei aught1 a wyf* raf er hirself1 to sle/
fan ben defouled as f enkef me
fat1 schal I sayn of1 hasdrubaldes wyf1
That/ at1 kartage byraft1 hir self1 hir lyf1 1400
ffor whan sche sawh fat/ Romayns wan f e toun
Sche took1 hir children alle and swept1 a doun
In to f e fuyr and ches raf er to dye
fan eny Romeyn did hir vilanye 1404
haf nou^t1 lucres y-slayn hir self1 alias
At1 Rome fere sche oppressed was
Of1 Tarquyn for hir fought1 it1 was a schame /
To lyue whan fat1 sche had lost1 hire name / 1408
The viij. maydens of1 Milesye also /
han slayn hem self1 for drede and for wo
Raf ir fan folke of1 gaule scholde hem oppresse /
Mo fen a fousend stories as I gesse / 1412
Couf e I now telle as touchinge f is matere
Whan habradas was slayn his wyf1 so dere
hire self1 slough and let hir blood to glyde
In habradas woundes brode and wyde / 1416
CORPUS 370 (6-T. 519)
SIX-TEXT 520
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And seyde my body at1 f e leste way
f er schal no wight1 defoule it if1 fat1 I may
"What1 schulde I mo ensamples her of1 sayn
Siffen fat1 so many han hemselue slayn 1420
Wei raf er fan fey wolde defouled be /
I wol conclude what1 is best1 for me
[to sle my selue / than be defouled thus [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14]
I wol be trewe / to Arueragus] 1424
Of ir rajjer sle my self1 in som nianere
As Demonicious doughter dere
By cause fat1 sche iiolde not1 defouled be /
0 Cedasus if is ful gret1 pite [leaf 189] 1428
To reden how f i doughtren deyeden alias
fat1 slowe hemself1 for such a maner caas
As gret1 appetyt1 was it1 or more
The Theban mayden fat1 for Mchasore 1432
[hir selue slowe / right for suche manere woo jj^f™11- Seldt
another Theban maiden dide right so]
hire hadde wedded and y-dressed [spurious]
ffor on of1 Macedoigne hadde hire oppressed 1435
fat1 schal I sayn of1 Mcharatiffs wijf1
fat1 for such cas byrafte hir self1 hir lyf1
how trewe was eek1 to alcebiades
his loue fat1 for to deyen chees 1440
fan for to suifren his body vmbreyde be
lo which a wyf1 was Alcestem qtiod sche
What1 Emore of1 good Penolope /
Al Grece knowef of1 hir chastite 1444
Pardee of1 leodomia is write f us
That1 when at1 Troye was slayn protheselayns
No lenger nolde sche lyue after his day
The same of1 noble Porcia I telle may 1448
Wif oute Brutus couf e sche not1 lyue
To whom he hadde al hoi his herte ^iue
The parfyt1 wyfhod of1 archemesy
honoured is f urgh al f e Barbary 1452
COKPUS 371 (6-T. 620"'
SIX-TEXT 521
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
0 teuta queen in py wyfly chastite
To alle wyfes may a myrour be
£ » . . no gap in the MS : these lines
/ r . . known only in Ellesmere MS.] 1456
pus playned Dorigen a day or tweye
Purposed euere pat1 sche wolde deye
But1 napeles vpon pe pridde night1
horn cam arneragus pe worpy knight 1460
And asked hire why pat1 sche weep so sore
And sche gan weepen euer lenger pe more
Alias quod sche pat1 euer was I born
Jms haue I seyd quod he Jms haue I sworn 1464
1 told him alle as 36 han herde bifore
It1 needep nou^t/ to rehersen it nomore
This housbond wip glad cheere in sondry wise /
Answerd and sayde as I schal ^ou deuyse / [leafieo.baA]
Is per ought1 elles Dorigen but1 pis
Nay nay quod sche god help me so as wis
This is to meche and it were goddes wille
36 wyf1 quod he let1 slepe pat1 is stille 1472
It1 may be wel ^it1 peraduenture to say
^e schullen 3 our troupe holden by my fay
ffor god so wisly helpe me
I hadde wel leuere y-stiked for to be / 1476
ffor verray loue which pat I to 3ou haue
Eut if* 36 schulde 3oure troupe saue
Troupe is 36 heihesfr ping1 pat1 man may kepe
But wip pat word he brast1 anon to weepe / 1480
And sayde I 3ou forbede vp payne of1 dep
That neuer whiles pe lastep lyf1 and brep
To no wight1 telle how pat1 pis matere /
As I may kepe I wole my woo endere 1484
Ne make no oontynaunce of1 heuynesse
That folk1 of1 3ou may deme harme or gesse
And forp he cleped a squyer and a mayde
Gop forp anon wip Dorigen he sayde / 1488
CORPUS 372 -(6-T. 52l)
SIX-TEXT 522
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And bringej? hire to such, a place anon
J>ey tooke her leue and on )>air way ]>ej gon
But1 J?ey ne wiste why sche ]?ider wente
he nolde no wight1 telle hire entente 1492
[[Not in Arch. Seld. B. 14.
These lines known only
in the Ellesmere MS.}
1496
no gap in the
This squyer which J>att hight1 Aurelyus
On Dorigen which Jjat1 was so amerous 1500
Of1 aduenture happed hire to mete
Amyd J?e toun right1 in J?e quyke strete
As sche was boun to gon J>e wey for]? right
Toward ]>e gardyn ]?er as sche hadde night1 1504
And he was to J»e gardynward also
ffor wel he spyed whan sche wolde go
Out1 of1 hir hous to eny maner place
But1 Jms J>ey mette of1 auenture or of1 grace 1508
And he saluyj? hire wij? glad entenfr
And axed of1 hire whider Jmt1 sche wente / [leaf no]
And sche answerde half1 as sche were mad
viito fe gardyn as myw, housbonde bad 1512
My troujje for to holde alias alias
Aurelius gan wonder of1 jns caas
And in his herte had gret compassion
Of1 hire and of1 hire larnentacion 1516
And of1 Arneragus J>e worj>y knight1
And bad hire holde al J>af sche hight1
So loj) he was his wijf1 schulde breke hir troujje
And in his herte he caste of1 jjis gret1 roujje l C1 biota over e uter\
Considerynge )?e beste on euery syde /
That1 fro his luste were him better abyde
Than don so heigh a cherles wrecchednes
fraunchise and a^ein al gentilnes 1524
CORPUS 373 (6-T. 622)
SIX-TEXT 523
GROUP F, § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ffor which in fewe wordes sayde he f us
Ma dame seijj to ^oure lord Arneragus
fat1 sef yns I se f is grete gentilnes /
To 3011 and ek1 1 se wel ^oure distres 1528
fen 36 to me fus schulde breke 301116 troupe 1530
Certes me finkef it1 were right1 gret1 roufe [spurious 1529]
I haue wel leuer ener to sufFre wo
fen I departe fe loue betwixe 3011 tuo 1532
I 3011 relesse ma dame in to ^oure hand
Quyte euery surement1 and euery band
That1 36 han made to me as here byforn
Sifens filke tyme that $e were born 1536
My trouf e I plight1 1 schal 3011 neuer repreue
Of1 no biheste and here I take my leue /
As of1 f e trewest1 and f e beste wyf1
fat1 euer 3it/ I knew in al my lyf1 1540
But1 euery wight1 be war of1 hire byheste
On Dorigen remembref atte leste /
Thus can a squier don a geiitil dede
As wel as can a knight1 wifouten drede 1544
Sche Ranked him vppon hir knees al bare
And home vnto hire housbonde is sche fare Deaf no, back]
And tolde hem alle as 36 han herde me sayde
And be 36 siker he was so wel a-payde / 1548
Jjat1 it1 were inpossible to write /
What1 schulde I lengere of1 J> is cas endite /
Arneragus and dorigeii his wijff1
In souerayn blisse leden for]? here lyff* 1552
Neuer eft1 ne was f er anger hem betwene
he cherisschej? hire as Jjough sche were a quene
And sche was to him trewe for euermore 1555
Aurelius Jjat1 his cost1 haj) al foiiore 1557
Curse Jr J?e tyme fat1 euer he was y-born 1558
ffor certes he seij> I am forlorn [spurious']
Alias quod he alias fat1 I behight1
Of1 pured gold a fousand pound of1 wight/ 1560
CORPUS 374 (6-T. 623)
SIX-TEXT 521
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
vnto pis philosofre how sclial I do
I se no more "butt patt I am fordo /
Myn heritage moot* I needes selle
And ben a "beggere here may I no lenger dwelle 1564
And schamen al my kynrede in pis place
But1 1 of1 him may gete bettre grace /
[but natheles / I wol of him assaye [MS Arch. Seia. B. 14]
at certeyne dayes / yere bi yere to paye] 1568
I wole ponke him of1 his grete curtesye
My troupe wol I kepe I wol nou^tt lye
"Wip herte sore he go]? vnto his coffre
And broughte gold vnto his philosophre 1572
The value of1 .v. hundred pound I gesse
And him besechep of1 his gentilnesse
To g\*aunte him dayes of1 pe remenant
And maister I dar wel make auaunt 1576
I fayled neuer my troupe as ^it1
ifor sikerly my dettes schal be quyt
Towardes $ou how euer pat1 I fare
To gon abegged in my kirtel bare 1580
But1 wolde 36 fouche sauf1 vpon suerte
Two 3ere or pre to respiten me
penne were I wel for elles moste I selle /l
[myn heritage / ther is no more to telle
this Philosophre soburly answerde
and seide thus / whan he these wordes herde
haue I nat holden couenaunt / vn-to the
yis certes / wel & trewely / q?.wd he 1588
hast thow nat had thi lady / as the liketH
no no quod, he / & sorowfully he siketh
what was the cause / telle me if thou can
Aurelius his tale / anoon bigan 1592
and tolde him al / as ye han herde bifore
hit nedith nat / to rehersen it no more
he seide Arueragus / of gentilnesse
had leuer dien / in sorow & distresse 1596
CORPUS 376 (6-T. 624)
SIX-TEXT 525
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
than liis wiff / were of hir trouthe fals [MS Arch. Seia. B. 14]
the sorow of Dorigen / he told him als
how loth hir was / to ben a wikked wiff
and that she leuere had that day lost hir liff 1600
and that hir trouthe she swore / thorugh innocence
she neuere erst herde speke / of apparence
that made me han of hir / so grete pite
and right as frely / as he sente hir to me 1604
as frely sente I hir / to him ageyne
this is al & som / ther is no more to seyne
this Philosophre answer de / leue brother [>a/262]
eueryche of yow dide gentilly / to other 1608
thow art a squyer / & he is a knyght
but god forbede / for his blisful myght
but if a Clerke / couthe do a gentil dede
as wel as any of yow / it is no drede 1612
sir I relece the / thi thousand pounde
as thow right now / were crope out of the grounde
ne neuere er now / ne haddist thow knowe me
for sir I wol nat taken / a peny of the 1616
for al my crafft / ne nought for my travaile
thow hast I-paide wel / for my vitaile
hit is I-now / & farewel haue good day
and toke his hors / & forth he goth his way 1620
lordinges this question / than wold I axe now
whiche was the most fre / as thenketfr yow
now telleth me / er that I ferther wende
I can no more / my tale is at an ende . 1624
Here enditfr the ffrankeleyne his tale] [Arch. seia. extr. ends]
CORPUS 376 (6-T. 625) [tliis page, Arch. Sold. B. 14]
GKOUP G. FEAGMENT VIII.
§ 1. THE SECOND NUN'S TALE.
COKPTIS MS.
{No breaks in the Corpus
MS betaeen the ttangat^
TAnrl TIPY+ [Arch. Seld. B.
LA11C 14,^215]
bigynneth tlie seconde nonne hir tale. &c.
(1)
The ministre and noric'e / vn-to vices 1
which that men clepen / in englissli / Idelnesse
that porter of the gate is / of delices
to eschewen / and bi hir contrarie to oppresse 4
that is to seyne / bi leoful besynesse
wel oughte we to don / al oure entente
lest that the fende / thorugh Idelnesse vs hente . 7
(2)
ffor he that with his thousand cordes slighe 8
contenuelly vs waiteth / to bi-clappe
whan he may man/ in Idelnesse aspie
he can so lightly cacche him / in his trappe 1 1
til that a man be hente / right bi the lappe
he nys not ware / the fende hath him in honde
wel oughte vs werche / and Idelnesse with-stonde . 1 4
(3)
And though men dradden neuere / for to die 15
yit se men wel bi reson / doutelese
that Idelnesse is hoten / slogardie
of whiche cometh neuere / noon encrese 18
and sithen that slouth hir holdith in a lese
only for to slepe / and ete and drynke
and to devouron / al that other swynke \ieaf 215, back-] 21
CORPUS 377 (6-T. 527) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
27
SIX-TEXT 528
GROUP G, § 1, SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS.
IF And for to putten vs / from suche Idelnesse
that cause is / of so grete confusion
I haue here don / my feithful besynesse
after the legende / in translacion 25
right after thi glorious liff / and passion
thow with thi garland / wroughte of rose and lylye
the mene I / maide / and martir / scynt Cecelye . 28
(5)
IF And thow that floure art / of virgyiies alle 29
of whom that Bernard / list so wel to write
to the at my bigynnyng / first I calle
thow comforte of vs wrecches / do me endite 32
thi maidens deth / that was thorugh hir merito
the eternal liff / and of the fende victorie
as men mow after rede / in hir storie . 35
(6)
1F Thow maiden and moder/doughter of thi sone] j^Jj^fJJj
Thou welle of* mercy synful soules cure [leaf 171]
In whom jjaf god for bounte chees to wone
Thou humble and heih ouer Query creature 39
Thou nobledesf so ferre oure nature
That* no desdeyn J?e makere hadde of1 kyiide
his sone in blood and fleissch to clofe and wynde 42
1F "Wifinne J?e cloystre blisful of1 fine sydes 43
Took1 mannes schap J>e eterne loue and pees
That of1 J>e trine compas lord and gyde is
Whom erj>e and see and heuene out ofH reles 46
Ay herien and Jjou vtVgine wemmeles
Bare of11 j)y body and dwelledest/ mayde pure
The creatour of1 euery creature 49
COKPUS 378 (6-T. 628) [part, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
SIX-TEXT 529
QROUP GK § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CoipUS MS.
(8)
IT Assembled is in f i magnificence 50
"Wif mercy goodnesse and with such pite
fat1 f ou art1 f e sonne of* excellence
^sToi^tf only helpest1 hem fat1 pray en fe 53
But1 ofte tyme of1 fin benignite
tful frely er fat1 men fin helpe beseche
foil gost1 byforn and art1 here lyfes leche 56
(9)
IF Now help f ou meke and blisful faire mayde 57
Me flemyd wrecche in f is desert1 of1 galle
Thenk1 on f e wowman Canane fat1 sayde
That1 whelpes eten some of1 f e ctomm.es alle 60
fat1 from here lordes table ben y-falle
And f ough fat I f e viiworf y sone of1 cue
be synful 3 it1 accepte my byleeue 63
(10)
Aiid for fat1 feif is deed wif oute werkes 64
So for to worchen ^if1 me witte and space
fat1 I be quyf from place fat1 most1 derk1 is
0 f ou fat1 art1 so fair and so ful of1 grace 67
Be myn aduocate in so heih a place
Ther as wif outen ende is longe Osanna
Thou cristes moder and doughter of1 Anna 70
And of1 fin light1 my soule kepe in prison 71
That1 troubled is by f e contagioun
[of my body / & also hi the wighte [MS Arch. Seid. B. H]
of ertbely lust / & fals affeccion] 74
0 heuene o refute 0 saluacion [leaf 171, back]
Of1 hem fat1 ben in sorwe and in destresse /
Now help for vnto my werk1 1 wol me dresse, / 77
CORPUS 379 (6-T. 529)
SIX-TEXT 530
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS,
(12)
pray I 3011 J?af reden jjaf 1 write 78
uej) me for I do no diligence
Jjis ilke story subtil to endite
ffor bope haue I J>e wordes and J)e sentence / 81
Of1 hem J?af atte seyntes reuerence /
The story wroofr & solewen hir legende
And pray I 3011 J>afr 36 woln my werk1 amende 84
(13) [THE TALE.]
ffersfr wolde I 3011 J?e name of1 seinfr Cecile 85
Expoune as men may in here stories se
If is to say on englissli heuene lylye
ffor pure chastnesse ofH virgiiiite / 88
0])er for sche witnesse hadde of1 honeste
Of* greue of* conscience and ofH good fame
The soote sauour lilye was hire name 91
(14)
OuJ>er Cecile is to say J)e way to blynde 92
ffor sche ensample was by good techynge
Or elles . Cecile is as I writen fynde
Is ioyned by a maner conioygnynge 95
Of1 heuen and lya and heiher in figuringe
The heuen is set1 for Bought1 of1 holynesse
And lya for hire lastyng^ busynesse / 98
(15)
Cecile may eek1 be sayd in Jns manere 99
"VVantynge of1 blyndnesse for hire grete light
Of* sapiens and for hir jjeAves clere
0|)er elles Jns maydenes name bright/ 102
Of* heuen and leos come]? for which "by right1
men mighte ]>e heuene of1 poeple hire calle
Ensample of1 goode and wise werkes alle 105
CORPUS 380 (6-T. 530)
SIX-TEXT 531
GROUP GK § 1, SECOND NUN*S TALE. Corpus MS.
(10)
ffor leos poeple in englisscli is to say 106
And right1 as men may in Jns lieuene se
J?e sonne and moone and ]?e sterres euery way
Right1 so gostly in J?is may den fre 109
Seyen ]?e feij? of1 magnificence
And ekyng1 of' helj)e and of1 sapience [leaf 172]
And sondry werkes bright1 of* excellence / 112
(17)
And right1 as )>is philosophres wryte 113
That1 heuen is swyft1 round and brynnyng1
Right1 <so was faire Cecile Jje whyte
fful swift1 and besy euer in good werkyng1 116
And round & hool in good perseueryng
And brenne euere in charite lighte /
Now haue I declared $ou what1 sche highte 119
(18)
This mayden bright1 Cecile as hire lyf1 saij? 120
Was comen of1 Eomayns and of1 noble kynde
And so for]? fostred vp in ]>e faij)
Of1 crist1 and bar his gospel in hire mynde 123
Sche neuer cessede as I writen fynde
Of1 hire prayere and god to loue and drede
Besechinge him to kepe hire maydenhede / 126
(19)
And what1 Jus mayden schulde vnto a man 127
y-wedded be fat1 was ful 3ong< of1 age
"Which J?at y-cleped was valerian
And ]?e day was comen of1 hire manage 1 30
Sche fil deuoute and humble /in hire corage
Ynder hire robe of1 gold fat1 sat1 ful faire
And next1 hire fleissh sche clad hire in an haire 133
CORPUS 381 (6-T. 631)
SIX-TEXT 532
• GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS,
(20)
And whiles fe Orgies maden melodye 134
To god allone fus in herte sang1 sche
O lord my soule and eek1 my body gye
Vnvvemmed lest1 fat1 I confoundid be 137
And for his loue fat1 deyde vpon a tre
Euery secounde or f ridde day sche faste
Ay byddyng1 in hire orisons ful faste 140
(21)
The night1 com and to bedde sche nioste gon 141
Wif hire hottsbonde as often is f e manere
And pryuely sche sayde to him anon
0 swete and wel biloued spouse dere 144
Ther is a counseil and $e wolde it here /
Which fat1 right1 fayn I wol vnto ^ou sayn
So fat1 $e me assure it1 nought1 to bewrayn [ifi72,bk] 147
(22)
Valerian gan faste / vnto hire swere 148
That1 for no cas ne f ing1 fat1 mighte be
he scholde for no f ing1 neuer bywreyen hire
And fanne at1 erst1 fus to him sayde sche 151
1 haue an aungel which fat1 louef me
That1 wif gret1 loue whef e?- so I wake or slepe
Is redy ay my body for to kepe 154
(23)
And if1 fat1 he may felen out of1 drede 155
[that ye me touche / or loue in vilonye [MS Arch. Seia. B. 14]
he right anoon wol sle yow / with the dede
and in youre youthe / thus shul ye die 158
and if that ye / in clene loue me guye]
he wolde }ou loue as me for ^our clennesse
And schewe $ou of1 his ioye and his brightnesse 161
CORPUS 382 (6-T. 632)
SIX-TEXT 533
GROUP G. § 1, SECOND NUN*S TALE. CorpUS MS.
(24)
valerian corrected as god wokle 162
Answerde a3ein if1 1 schal truste to f e /
let* me fat1 aungel see and him biholde
And if1 fat it a verray aungel be 165
Thanne wol I don as f ou hast1 preyed me
And if1 f ou loue smoker man for sof e /
Eight1 wif ])is swerd I wol sle ^ou bofe 168
(25)
Cecily answerde anon in fis wise 169
If1 fat1 3ou luste fat1 aungel schul 36 se
So fat1 36 trowe on crist1 and $ou baptise
Go]) for]? to via apia quod sche 172
fat1 from. ])is toun ne stant1 by myles J>re /
And to £e pouere folkes fat1 fere dwelle /
Sey heni riglit1 fus as fat/ I schal 3011 telle / 175
(26)
Telle hem fat I Cecile 3011 to hem sent 176
To schewen 3ou f e goode vrban f e olde
ffor secre needes and fro good entenf
And whan fat1 36 seint vrban han byholde / 179
Telle him f e wordes wliiche fat1 I 3011 tolde /
And whan fat1 he haf purged 3ou from synne
fanne schal 30 see fat1 aungel er 30 twynne 182
(27)
Valerian is to fat1 place y-gon 183
And right1 as him was taught1 by his lernyng1
he fond f is holy Yrban f er anon
Among1 fese seyntes buriels lotying1 .i.iatitaws 186
And he anon wif oute tarying1 [leaf ITS]
Dide his message and whan he hadde tolde
Yrban for ioye gan his handes vpholde 1 89
CORPUS 383 (0-T. 633)
SIX-TEXT 534
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND KUN's TALE. CoipUS MS.
(28)
The teeres from his eyhen leet1 he falle / 190
Almighty god 0 Ihesu crist qiwd he
Sowere of1 chaste counseille and herde of1 vs alle
pe fruyt1 of1 pilke seed of1 chastite / 193
fat1 pou hast1 sowe in Cecile tak1 to pe
Lo y-like a busy bee wipoute gyle
The seruej) ay pin oughne pralle Cecile 196
(29)
IT ffor pilke spouse pat1 sclie tok1 but1 now / 197
fful like a fiers leon sche sendep heere /
As meke as eny lambe was to jow /
And wip pat1 word anon per gan apeere / 200
An olde man clad wip white elopes cleere
And hadde a book1 wip letfaea of1 gold in honde
And gan biforn Valerian to stonde 203
(30)
Valerian as deed fel doun for drede 204
"Whan he him saugh and him vp hente po
And on his book1 right1 pus he gan to rede /
0 lord o feip o god wipoute mo1 J£t lamentat1 207
n f • , ^ i P i ^11 [is the next line\
Or cristendom and iader or al also
Abouen alle and oner alle euery where
This wordes alle with golde writen were / 210
(31)
"Whan pis was rad pan sayde pis olde man 211
leeuest1 pou pis ping1 or no sey ^e or nay
1 leeue alle pis ping1 pan pis [quod tho Valerian gg ^"^
for sother thing than this /] I dar wel say 214
Vnder pe heuene no wight/ ne penke may
po vanyssched pe olde man he nyste where
And pope vrban him cristned right1 pere 217
COKPUS 38-1 (6-T. 634)
SIX-TEXT 535
GROUP G. § 1, SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS.
(32)
Valerian go]? horn and seinfr Cecile 218
Wijjinne his chambre an aungel stande
J>is aungel hadde of1 Rose and of1 lylie
Corounes tuo J?e which he bar in hande 221
And fersf to Cecile as I vnderstande /
he ^af1 Jjatf oon and after gan he take Deaf 173, back]
J>at( ofer to Valerian hire make 224
(33)
With body clene and wij> vnwemmyd Jjot^t / 225
kepejj ay wel J>is corounes quod, he
firom paradys to ^ou haue I hem brou^t1
Ke neuer more schiille )>ey roten be 228
U Ne leese here swete sauour trustej? me
JSTe neuere wight1 schal seen hem wij> his yhe
But1 he be chaste and hate vilonye / 231
(34)
And |>ou valerian for J>ou so sone 232
Assentedest1 to good counseil also
Sey what1 j?e luste and J>ou schalf haue J?y bone /
I haue a broker quod valerian Ipo 235
J>af in ])is world I loue no man so
I pray $ou Jjatf my broker may han grace
To knowe fe troufe as I do in J>is [place] 238
(35)
The aungel answerde god like]) ^oure requeste 239
And boj>e with )?e palme of1 martirdome
30 schulle come vnto Jje blisful feste
And wif Jjat1 word Tiburce his broker come 242
And whan pat* he ]?e sauour vndernome
"Which J?af j?e roses and j?e lylies caste /
W i)?inne his herte he gan to wondre faste / 245
CORPUS 385 (6-T. 635)
SIX-TEXT 536
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN*S TALE. CoipUS MS.
(36)
And seyde in fis tyme I wondre of1 fe ^eere 246
Whenne fis swote sauour come]? so /
And Rosis and lilyes fat1 I smelle heere
ffor fough I hadde hem in myn hondes tuo 249
The sauour might in me no deppere go
f 3 swete smelle fat1 in myn herte I fynde
ha]? chaunged me al in anofer kinde 252
(37)
valerian sayde tuo corounes han we 253
Snow whit1 and Rose Reed fat1 schynef cleere
Which fat1 fin yhe haf no might* to see
And as fou smellest1 hem forugh my preyere 256
So schalt1 jjou seen hem leeue broker deere
If1 it/ so be fat1 fou wolf wif outen slouf e
Bileeue aright1 and knowe verray troufe [leaf 174] 259
(38)
Tiburce answerde saist1 fou fis to me 260
In sofnesse or in drem herkne ^e fis
In dremes (\iiod valerian han we be
vnto fis tyme broker myn y-wys 263
But1 now at1 erste oure troufe dwellyng1 is
how wost1 J>ou quod Tiburce and in what1 wyse /
Quod valerian fat1 1 schal fe deuyse / 266
(39)
J?e aungel of1 god haf me fe troufe y-taught 267
Which thou schalt1 seen if1 fat1 f ou wolt1 reneye
f e ydolis and be clene and elles naught1
And of1 fe miracles of1 fise corounes tweye 270
Seint1 ambrose in his preface lust to seye
Solempnely f is noble doctor deere
Comendif it/ and saif in fis maneere 273
CORPUS 386 (6-T. 636)
SIX-TEXT 537
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CoipUS MS.
(40)
The palme of1 martirdom for to receyue 274
Seint1 Cecile fulfilde of1 goddes ^ifte
f e worlde and eek1 hire chambre gan sche weyue
Witnesse Tiburce and Cecyles schrifte/ 277
To which god of1 his bounte wolde schifte
Corounes two of1 floures wel smellynge /
And made f e aungel hem f o corounes brynge 280
(41)
IT fe mayde haf brought fise men to blisse aboue 281
The world haf wist1 what1 it1 is worf certeyn
Deuocion of1 chastite to loue
f o schewed him Cecile open and pleyn 284
That1 alle ydolis nys but1 f ing1 in veyn
ffor fey ben dombe and f er-to fey ben deue
And charged him his ydolis for to leue 287
(42)
If Who fat1 fis trowef not1 a beste he is / 288
Quod }>o Tiburce if1 jjat1 I schal not1 lye
Sche gan ]?anne kisse his breste and fat herde )>is
And was ful glad he coufe troupe aspye 291
This day take fe for myii allye
Seyde fis blisful mayde fair and deere
ffor after fat1 sche sayde as ^e may heere 294
(43)
Lo right1 so fe loue of1 crist1 quod sche [leaf 174, back] 295
made me fin brof eres wyf1 right1 in fat1 wyse
Anoon for myn allye here take I f e
Sif enes fat1 f ou wolt1 fine ydolis despise C1 #»* spilt over thepaffe]
Go with |?y brof e?* now and f e baptise /
And make J>e clene so fat1 f ou mayst1 beholde
fe aungels face of1 which fy brofer tolde 301
CORPUS 387 (6-T. 537)
SIX-TEXT 538
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
(44)
Tiburce aiiswerde and seyde broker deere 302
fferst telle me whider I schal and to what man
To whom quod he com for]) with right good cheere
I wol J>e lede vnto J>e pope vrban 305
To Yrban broker myn Valerian
Quo]? J)o Tiburce wilt1 J)ou me fider lede
Me J>inkeJ> J)afr it were a wonder dede 308.
(45)
IT Remenest J>ou nou}^ vrban quod he J>o 309
That is so ofte dampned to be deed
And wone]> in halkes to & fro /
And dar nou^t1 ones putte for]) his -heed 312
Men schulle him brenne in a fir so reed
If* ])at he were founde if1 fat men might1 him spye
And we also fafr bere him company e 315
(46)
And whiles we seken J)ilke diuinyte 316
J>at is y-hyd in heuene priuely
Algate y-brent in pis world schul we be
To whom Cecile answerde bodyly 319
Men mighte drede wel and skilfully
J)is lyf1 to lese myw owne deere broker
yif1 J)is were lyuynge oonly and non o])er 322
(47)
But* ))er is bettere lyf* in o])er place 323
)>at neuer schal be lost ne drede J>e nought*
"Which goddes sone vs tolde forugh hi8 grace
[that the- fadris sone / hath al thing wrought CMS Arch^ Seid.
and al tnat wrought is / with a skilful thought
the goost that from the fader / gan precede
hath souled hem / withouten eny drede . 329
CORPUS 388 (6-T. 538)
SIX-TEXT 539
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'tt TALE. Corpus MS.
(48)
5F By worde & bi myracle / godis sone [MS Arch. Seid. B. 14]
whan lie was in this world / declared here
that ther was other liff / there' men may wone
to whom answerde Tyburce / 0 suster dere 333
ne seidist thow right now / in this manere
ther nas but 0 god / lord in sothfastnesse
and now of thre / how maist thow bere witnesse . 336
(49)
1T That shal I telle quod, she or that I go] ££^;^-B- M
Bight1 as a man haj> sapiences Jjre /
Memorie Ingenie and Intellecte also
So in o beynge of1 diuynite / 340
Thre pe/'sones right1 wel J>er may be
Tho gan sche him besyliche preche /
Of1 cristes come, and of1 his peynes teche [leaf 175] 343
(50)
And many poyntes of* his passion 344
how goddes sone in J?is world was wipholde
To do mankynde pleyn remission
That1 was y-bounde in synne and cares colde 347
Al J?is ping1 sche vnto Tiburce tolde
And after J)is Tiburce in good entent
To pope vrban wij? Valerian he went 350
(51)
which Ranked god and wij? glad herte & light1 35 1
he cristned him and made him in ]>at place
Parfyt1 in his lyuynge goddes knight1
And after ]>is Tiburce gat such grace 354
Jjatf euery day he seyh in tyme and space
fe aungel of1 god and euery maner bone
Jjaf he god asked if was sped fui sone 357
COKPUS 389 (6-T. &39)
SIX-TEXT 540
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CoipUS MS.
(52)
IF It1 were ful hard by ordre for to seyn 358
how many wondres ihesu for him wro^t1
But1 atte laste to telle schort1 and pleyn)
fe sergeaunt1 of1 fe toun of1 Eonie hem sought1 361
And hem byforn Almache f e prouost1 brought1
Which hem opposede and knew al here ententt
And to fe ymage of1 lubiter he hem sent / 364
(53)
And sayde who so wol not1 Sacrifise 365
Swap of1 his heed f is is my sentence heere /
Anon f ise martires fat1 1 $ou deuyse /
On Maximius fat1 was an ofncere / 368
Of1 f e Prefectis and of1 Corniculere
hem hente and when he for]) f e seintes ledde
himself1 he weep for pite fat1 he hadde 371
(54)
f Whan maximine hadde herde fe seintes lore / 372
he gat1 hem of1 f e tormentoures leue /
And hadde hem in his hous wif oute more
And wif here prechyng1 er fat1 it/ were eue 375
fey gonne from f e tormentowrs to reue /
And from Maximitf* and from his folk1 ilkon
fe false feif to trowe in god allon 378
(55)
Cecile cam whan it1 was woxen night1 [leaf 175. back] 370
Wif prestes fat1 hem cristned alle in feere
And aftirward . whan day was waxen light
Cecile hem sayde wif a sobre chere 382
Now cristes owne knightes leeue and deere
Castef alle a wey f e werkes of1 derknesse /
And armef 3011 in armure of1 lightriesse 385
CORPUS 390 (6-T. 510)
SIX-TEXT 541
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN's TALE. CorpUS MS.
(56)
^e han forsope ydon grete "bataiLe 386
^oure is doon ^oure feip han ^e conserued
Gop to pe coroune of* lyf1 pat1 may noi^tt faille
pe rightful luge which pat1 36 han [served Wf ^^ 389
shal yeue hit yow / as ye han it] deserued
And whan pis ping1 was sayd as I deuyse
men ladde hem forth to don pe sacrifise / 392
(57)
But1 whan pey were vnto pe place y-brou^t / 393
To telle schortly pe conclusion
fey nolde encense no sacrifice right no^t1
But1 on here knees fey setten hem adoun 396
Wip humble herte and sad deuocion
And losten bofe here hedes in f e place
here soules wenten to f e kyng1 of1 grac6 399
(58)
This maximius faf say pis ping1 betyde / 400
Wip pitous tales tolde it/ anon right1
pat1 he here soules saugh to heuen glyde
With aungels ful of1 clernes and of1 light1 403
And wip his word conuerted many a wight1
ffor which Almachus dede him so to bete
Wip whippe of1 leed til he his lyf1 gan lete / 406
(59)
Cecile him took1 and buried him anon 407
By Tyburce and Valerian softely
Wipinne hire heryinge place vnder pe ston
And after pis Almachius hastily 410
Bad his mynistres fecchen openly
Cecile so sche mighte in his presence
Do sacrifice and lubiter encense 413
CORPUS 391 (6-T. 541)
SIX-TEXT 542
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS.
(60)
But fey conuertid forugfi. hire wise lore 414
"Wepteii sore and ^auen credence /
Vnto hire word and cry den more and more [leame]
Crist1 goddes sone wifouten difference 417
his verray god f is is alle oure sentence
fat1 haf so good a seruant1 him to seme
f u& wij) oo vois we trowe f ey$ we sterue 420
(61)
Almachius fat herde al f is speking* 421
Bad fecche Cecile fat1 he might1 hir se
And alf er first1 lo f is was his askyng1
What1 maner wowman artow f o quod he / 424
I am a gentil woraman born quod sche /
I aske quod he f ou$ it f e greue
Of1 fin rdigion and of1 Jnn byleeue 427
(62)
"VVhi )>aniie bygan ^oure question folily 428
Q^;<9d sche jjat1 woldest1 tuo answers conclude /
In oo demaunde ^e askide lewedly
Almachie answerde to fat1 similitude / 431
[of whens cometh thin answere / so Tude] [MS Arch. Seid. B. 141
Of1 wheraies quod sche . whan fat1 sche was refreyned
Of1 conscience and of good feij) vnfeyned 434
(C3)
Almachius sayde takest1 fou non heede / 435
Of1 fin answere and sche him answerde Jms
3oure might1 quod sche litel is to drede /
ffor euery mortel mannes power nys 438
But1 y-like a bladdre ful of1 wynd y-wys /
fFor wif a neldis poynt/ when fat1 is blo\ve
may al f e bost1 of1 it1 be leyd ful lowe / 441
CORPUS 392 (6-T. 542)
SIX-TEXT 543
GROUP G, § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS.
(64)
fful wrongfully bigan ]?ou quod he 442
And 31^ in wrong* is j?in perseuerance
Wost1 ]>ou nou^t1 how oure mighty pn'nces fre
Ben Jms comawndid and maken ordinannce 445
That euery cristne wight1 schal han pena7^nce
But1 if* pat1 he his cristendom wij>-seye
And gon al quyt1 if1 he wol it1 receyue 448
(65)
1T 3oure princes erren as ^oure noblen dotfi 449
Quod po Cecile / and a wood sentence
$e make vs gulty and it nys nou3t so])
ffor 30 pat1 knowen wel oure Innocence 452
ffor as moche as we don a reuerence [leaf 176, backj
To crist1 . and for we here a cristene name
^e putte on vs a cryme and eek1 a blame 455
(66)
But1 we pat1 knowen pilke name so 456
ifor vertuous we may it1 not1 say
Almachie answerde chese on of1 jjise tuo
Do sacrifice or cristendom reneyne 459
pat1 J>ou mow now skapen by pat1 wey
At1 which j?e holy blisful mayde
gan for to laughe and to ]>e luge sche sayde 462
(67)
0 luge confuse in J>y nycete 463
"Wolt1 jjou pat1 1 reneye Innocence /
To make me a wicked wight1 quod sche
loo he dissimilej) here in audience / 466
he stare]? and AvoodeJ) in his aduertence
To whom almachius 0 Vnseely wrecche /
Ne wost1 J?ou nought1 how fer my might1 may strecche 469
28 CORPUS 393 (6-T. 543)
SIX-TEXT 544
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. CorpUS MS.
(68)
hap nought1 oure mighty prince to me y-^ouen 470
^e bope power and auctorite /
To make folk1 to deyen and to lyuen
Why spekest* pou so proudly penne to me 473
I ne speke if nou^t* but1 stedefastly quod sche /
Nought* proudly for I say as for my syde
I hate dedly Jjilke vice of1 pryde 476
(69)
IT And if* pou drede no^tt a sop to heere 477
pan wol I schewen al openly by right*
That* pou hast/ maad a ful gret* lesyng* heere
pou sayst* py princes han ^eue pe might* 480
Bope to sleen and eek* for to quike a wight*
pou ])at* ne mayst* but* oonly lyf* here byreue
pan nast* perto neyper power ne leeue 483
(70)
But* pou mayst* see fin princes han pe maked 484
Ministre of* dep for if* pou speke of* mo /
pou lyest* for py power is ful naked
Do wey py boldenesse/ seyde almachius po 487
And sacrifice to oure goddes or two [leaf 177]
I ne recche nou^tt what* wrang* pat* pou me profre - .
ffor I can suffre it* as a philosophre 490
(71)
But* pilke wronges may I nought* endure 491
pat* pou spekest* of* oure goddes here quod he /
Cecile answerde 0 nyce creature
pou saydesf no word syns pou speeke to me 494
pat* I ne knewe perwith py nycete
And pat* pou were in euery maner wyse /
A lewed officer and a vein lustise 497
COEPUS 394 (6-T. 544)
SIX-TEXT 545
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN S TALE. CorpUS MS,
(72)
Jjer lackejj noting1 to |>in vtter ylien 498
Jjat1 J?ou nart1 blynd for Jjing1 Jjat we seen alle
That1 is a ston yt1 men wel may aspyen
That like ston a god Jjou wilt1 it calle 501
I rede J>e let1 ]>in hond vpon it1 falle
And taste it1 wel and stoon J>ou schalt* it fynde /
Syns Jjatf )>ou sixt1 it nought1 wij? pin y^en blynde / 504
(73)
It is a schame pat1 J?e poeple schatt 505
So skorne Jje and lawhe at1 }>y folye /
ffor comunely wommen woot1 it wel oner al
jjat1 mighty god is in his heuene8 hihe 508
And J>ese ymages wel J>anne maysf Jjou aspye
To J?e ne to hemself1 may ]?ey not1 profyte
ffor in here effecte J?ey be not1 worj) a myte 511
(74)
J)is and such olper wordes seyde sche / 512
and he wax wroj? and bad j)ey schulde hire lede /
home to hire hous and in hire hous quod he
Brenne hire in a fire wi]> fla?ftmes reede 515
And as he bad right1 so was don in dede
And in a bathe Jiey gan hire faste scheten
And night1 and day gret1 fuyr vnder Jjey beetyn 518
(75)
Al J>e longe night1 and eek1 ]?e day also / 519
ffor alle J>e fuyr and eek1 J?e ba]?es hete /
Sche satte al colde and felt1 of1 it/ no wo
Ne made hire a drop nou^t1 for to swete / 522
But1 in jjat1 baj>e hire lyf1 sche moste lete /
ffor he Almachie wij? ful wikked entenf [leaf 177, back]
To slen hure in pe bath his sonde sent 525
CORPUS 395 (6-T. 54o)
SIX-TEXT 546
GROUP G. § 1, SECOND NUN's TALE. Corpus MS,
(76)
J?re strokes in Jje necke lie smot1 hire J?o 526
The tormentowr but* for no maner chaunce
he might1 not1 smyten al hire necke a tuo
And for per was Jmf tyme an ordynaunce 529
That no man scholde do man such penance
J>e ferjje strook1 to smyten softe or sore
[>is tormentowr ne durste nomore 532
(77)
But1 half* ded wij? hire necke koruen fere / 533
he laft1 hir lye and in his wey he went1
J>e cristne folke whiche abouten hire were /
"Wi)> scheetes home ful faire hire hent1 536
Jjre dayes lyued sche in jjis torment
And neuer cessed hem J?e feij? to teche
J>att sche hadde fostred hem sche gan to preche 539
(78)
AncUhem sche ^aff1 hire moebles and hire Jnng1 540
And to \>Q pope vrban bitok1 hem J>o /
And sayde Jjus I askede Jjis of1 heuen king1
To haue respyf J?re dayes and no mo / 543
To recomande to 3011 er jjatt I go
f ise soules lo and jjat1 1 rnighte do wirche
here of* myn hous perpetuelliche a chirche 546
(79)
Seint vrban wif his deaknes priuely 547
The body fette and buried it by nighte
Among1 his ojjere seintes honestely
hire hous J>e chirche of1 seinfr Cecile highte 550
Seynt1 vrban halwed it1 as he wel mighte
In j>e which in to J?is day in noble wyse /
Men don to cryst1 and to his seintz semise 553
H Here endej) Seinf Ceoiles Tale /
CORPUS 396 (6-T. 546)
SIX-TEXT 547
GROUP G, § 2. 2NDNUN-CAN.-TEOMAN LINK. CoipUS MS.
w
\onieafvn, back] ^ Hie1 incipit1 fabula Canonic!
'han ended was f e lyf1 of* seint1 Cecile
Er we fully hadde ryden fyue myle
At1 Boghton vnder f e blee . vs gan atake /
A man fat1 clofed was in clones blake 557
And vnder fat1 he hadde a whit1 surplys
his hakeney fat1 was al pomel grys [leaf 1 78]
So swette fat1 it1 wonder was to see
If semed he hadde priked myles fre 561
f e hors eek1 fat1 his ^oman rood vpon
So swette fat1 vnnef e mighte he gon
Aboute f e peytrel stood f e foom ful hi3e
he was of1 fome al flekked as a pye % 565
A male twyfold on his croper lay
It1 semed fafr he caryed lytel aray
Al light1 for somer rood fis worfy man
And in myn herte wondren I bygan 569
What1 fat1 he was til fat1 1 vnderstood
how fat1 his cloke was sewed to his hood
ffor which whan I longe hadde avised me /
I demed him som chanon for to be / 573
his hat1 hyng1 at1 his bak1 doun by a las /
ffor he hadde ryde more fan trot1 or pas /
he hadde ay priked lyk1 as he were wood
A clote leef1 he hadde vnder his hood 577
ffor swot1 and for to kepe his heed from hete
But1 it/ was ioye for to seen him swete /
his forhed dropped as a stillatorie
Were ful of1 plaunteyne and of* peritorie 581
CORPUS 397 (6-T. 647)
SIX-TEXT 548
GROUP G. § 2, 2ND NUN-CAN.-TEOMAN LINK. CoipUS MS.
And whan j>afr lie cam he bigan to crye 582
God saue quod he jjis loly companye
ffaste haue I priked quod he for ^oure sake
By cause pat1 1 wolde ^ou ouertake / 585
To ryden in }>is merye companye
His 3oman eek1 was ful of1 curtesye
And sires now in J?e morwe tyde /
-Out1 of1 3oure ostellerye I say3 ^ou ryde 589
And warned heer my lord and my souerayn
Which Jjat1 to ryde wij? ^ou is ful fayn
ifor his disport1 he louej) daliaunce
ifrend for J>y warnyng1 god ^iue J?e good chaunce 593
Sayde cure oost1 certes it1 wolde seeme /
Thy lord were wys and so I may wel deme / [leaf 178, back]
he is ful iocunde also dar I lay
Kan he ought1 telle a merye tale or tway 597
WiJ? which he glade may Jns companye
Who sire . my lord '. 36 36 wijjoute lye
he can of merjje and eek1 of1 lolite
Nought1 but1 ynough also sire trustej? to me 601
And 36 him knewe als wel as do I
30 wolde wondre how wel and Jjriftyly
he couj>e werke and jrnt1 in sondry wyse
he haj) take on him many sondry aprise ' 605
Which were ful hard for eny Jmt1 is heere /
To bringe aboute but1 Jjey of1 him it1 lere /
As homely as he ryt1 amoiiges ^ou
If1 ^e him knewe it1 wolde be 3oure prow / 609
36 nolde not1 forgon his aqueintance
ffor mochil good I dar leye in balance
Al Jjat1 1 haue my possession
he is a man of1 heigh discrecion 613
I warne ^ou wel he is a passynge man
Wel quo)) oure host1 1 pray ]?e telle me jjan
Is he a Clerk1 or noon telle what1 he is
JSTay he is gretter jjan a clerk1 y-wys 617
CORPUS 398 (6-T. 648)
SIX-TEXT 549
GROUP G, § 2. 2ND NUN-CAN.-YEOMAN LINK. CorpUS MS.
Seyde 36 3oman and in wordes fewe 618
Ost1 and of his craft1 somwhat1 I wol ^ou schewe
I say my lord can such a sotilte
But1 alle his crafte 30 may not1 wite at1 me 621
And somwhat1 helpe I yti to his worchinge
That1 al f is ground which fat1 we ben on rydynge
Til fat1 we come to Caunturbury toun
he coufe al clene turne it/ vp se doun) 625
And paue it1 al of1 siluer and of1 gold
And whan f is 3oman hadde f us y-told
vnto oure hoost1 // he seyde benedicite
fis fing1 is wonder merueylous to me 629
Sif ens fat1 f i lord is of1 so heigh prudence /
By cause of1 which men scholde him reuerence / Deaf 179]
That1 of1 his worschipe rekkef he so lyte
his ouer sloppe / nys no^fr worj) a myte / 633
As in effecte to him so mote I go
It1 is al baudy and to-tore also
"VVhi is fi lord so sluttissche I f e prey
And is of1 power better clones to bey 637
If* fat1 his dede acorde wif ]>y speche
Telle me Jjat and fat1 1 J?e byseche /
Why quod J>is 3eman wherto aske 36 me /
God help me so for he schal neuer y-the 641
But1 1 wol not1 avowe J>afr I say
And ferfore kepe it secre I 3ou pray
he is to wys in faij> as I bileeue
And fat1 is ouer doon it1 nyl not1 preue 645
And right1 as clerkes sein if is a vice /
Wherfore in fat1 1 holde him lewed and nyce
ffor whan a ma[n] haf ouer gret1 a witt
fiul often it happef to mysvsen it1 649
So dof my lord and fat me greuef sore
God it* amende I can seye now no more
Ther-of1 no fors goode 3oman quod oure hoost1
Sif ens of1 f e connyng1 of f y lord f ou woost 653
CORPUS 399 (6-T. 549)
SIX-TEXT 550
GROUP G. § 2, 2ND NUN-CAN. -YEOMAN LINK. CoipUS MS.
Telle how he do]) I pray J>e hertely 654
Sifens fat1 he is so crafty and so sly
Wher dwellen ^e if1 to telle be
In Subarbes of1 a toun quod, he 657
lurkyng1 in hernes and in lanes blynde
Where J>ise Robbers and feeues be kynde
holden here preuy ferful resydence
As fay fat1 dur nat1 schewe here presence 661
So fare we if* I schal saye f e sof e
3if quod oure hoste laf me talke tof e
Why art1 f ou discoloured on f y face
Peter quod he god ^iue hit* harde grace 665
I am so vsed in f e fyre to blowe
That1 it hajj chaunged my colour as I trowe [leaf 179, back]
I nam nat1 wont1 in myrour to prye
But1 swynke sore and lerne to multiplye 669
We bloundren euer and pouren in f e fyr
And for al fat1 we faillen of1 oure desir
ffor euer we lacken oure conclusion
To moche folk* we ben but1 Illusion 673
And borwe gold be it1 a pound or tuo
Or ten or twelue or manye sommes mo
And make hem wenen atte leste weye
fat1 of1 a pound we cou]?e make tweye 677
3if is it1 fals and ay we han good hope
It1 for to don and after it1 we grope
.But1 jjat1 science is «o fer vs biforn
We mowe not1 al jjough" we hadde it1 sworn 681
It1 ouertake it1 1 slyt1 awey so faste [' a second it tcratcht out]
It1 wole us make beggeres atte laste
Whil J?is ^oman was ]ms in Jns talking1
J>is chanon drough him ner and herde alle Jnng1 G85
Which Jjat1 J?is pman spak1 for suspecion
Of1 mennes speche euere hadde J>is Chanon
ffor Caton seith he fat1 gulty is
DemeJ) alle fing1 be spoke of1 him ywys 689
CORPUS 400 (6-T. 550)
SIX-TEXT 551
GROUP G, § 2. 2ND NUN-OAN. -YEOMAN LINK. Corpus MS.
By cause of1 pat1 he gan so neigh to drawe / 690
his 3oman . pat1 he herde alle his sawe /
And pus he sayde vnto his ^oman po
holde now py pees and speke wordes no mo / 693
fibr if1 pou dost1 pou schalt1 it dere abye
Thou sclaundrest1 me here in pis compaignye
And eek1 discouerest1 pat1 pou scholdest1 hyde
$ee quod oure hoost1 telle on what1 so betyde 697
Of1 alle pis pretyng1 recche I nat1 a myte
I faip quod he no more do I but* a lite
And whan J)is Chanon say it1 wolde iiafr be
But1 his ^oman wolde telle his priuyte 701
he fledde away for verray sorwe and schame /
A quod ]>e ^oman here schal aryse a game [leafiso]
Al J>att I can anon right/ wol I telle
Sijjens he is gon J>e foule feend him quelle / 705
ffor neuer her after wol I wij> him mete
ffor peny ne for pound I ^ou biheete /
he paf me broughte ferst1 vnto pat game /
Er ]?af he deye sorwe haue he and schame 709
ffor it1 is ernestf to me by my fay])
That1 feele I wel what so eny man saij? /
And ^if for al my smert1 and al my greef1
ffor al my sorwe labour and mescheef1 713
I coupe neuer leue it in no* wyse
Now wolde god my witt/ mighte suffise
To tellen al pat1 longej) to pat art1
But1 napeles ^it1 wol I telle a part1 717
Sypens pat1 my lord is gon I wol not1 spare
Such ping1 as I knowe I wol declare /
I No break in the MS.~\
CORPUS 401 (e-T. 551)
SIX-TEXT 552
GROUP G, § 3, CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
[THE PREAMBLE.]
With J>is chanon dwelled haue I seuen
And of1 his science am I neuer J>e neer 721
Al pat1 1 hadde I haue y-losf Jjerby
And god wot1 so haue many mo J?an I
J?er I was wont1 to be right1 freissch and gay
Of1 closing1 and of1 good array 725
Now may I were an hose vpon myn heed
And wher my colour was bo]>e freissh and reed
Now is it1 wan and of1 a ledene hewe
Who so it vseth sore schal he re we 729
And of my swynk1 ^it1 blered is myn y^e
lo which auauntage it is to multiplye
That1 slydynge science haj? me maad so bare
That1 I haue no good where jjat1 euer I fare 733
And ^it1 1 am endetted so J?er by
Of1 gold fat/ I haue borwed trewely
Jjat1 whil I lyue I schal it1 quite neuere /
lat1 euery man be war by me for euere 737
What maner man J?at caste]) him J?erto
If1 he continue I holde his Jjrifte y-do [leaf iso, back]
So help me god per-by schal he not1 wynne
But1 empte his purs and make his wittes ]>inne 741
And whan he porugh his madnesse and folye
haj> lost1 his owne good jjorugh lepardye
jjanne he excite]? oj>er men ferto
To lese here good as himself1 ha]> do 745
ffor vnto schrewes loye it is and ese
To haue here felawes in peyne and disese
CORPUS 402 (6-T. 652)
SIX-TEXT 553
GROUP G. § 3, CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
Thus was I ones lerned of1 a clerk1
Of* fat1 no charge Iwol speke of* oure werk1 749
Whan we ben ]?ere as we schulle exercise
Oure eluysshe craft1 f we semen wonder wise
Oure termes ben so clergeal and so queynte
I bio we J>e fuyr . til f af myn herte feynte 753
What1 scholde I telle eche proporcion
Of1 Binges whiche pat1 we worchen vppon
As on fyue or sixe vnces may wel be
Of1 siluer or of1 som oper quantite 757
And besye me to telle ^ou J>e names
Of1 Opymenf brent1 bones yren squames
Thaf in to poudre grounden ben ful smal
And in an erfen pot1 how J?at put1 is al 761
And salt1 y-put1 in and also paupere
Bifore ]>ise poudres J>af I speke of1 here
And wel y-couered wi]> a laumpe of* glas
And of1 muche ofer ping1 what1 fat1 f er was 765
And of1 f e pot* and glas englutyng1
That1 of1 f e aier mighte passe no fing»
And of1 f e esy fyr and smert1 also
Which Jmf was mad and of1 ]?e care and wo 769
Jjat1 we hadde in oure matiers sublymynge
And amalgamynge and Calcenynge
Of1 quyk1 syluer y-cleped mercurie crude
ffor alle oure sleightes we can nou^t conclude 773
Oure orpymed and sublimed mercurie
Oure grounde litarge eek1 on ]?e porphirie [leafisi]
Of1 ech of1 ])ise of vnces a certayn
Nou^t1 helpef vs oure labour is in vain 777
Ne-eek* oure spirites ascenciown
JSTe eek1 oure matieres fat1 lyn al fixe a do/m
Mowen in oure werkynge no Jnng1 vs auayle
ffor lost1 is alle oure labour and trauaile 781
And al ]>e cost1 on twenty deuele wey
Is lost1 also which we vpon it1 ley
CORPUS 403 (6-T. 553)
SIX-TEXT 554
GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
]?er is also many anojjer J?ing/
J?att is to oure crafte aperteynyng1 785
J>ough I by ordre hem here ne reherse can
By cause Jjat1 I am a lewed man
rjit1 wol I telle hem as ]>ey come to mynde
Though I ne kan nat1 sette hem in here kynde 189
As boole armonyak1 verdegres Boras
And soiidry vesseles made of1 erjje and glas
Oure vrinales and oure descensories
Violes creseletes and sublimatories 793
Concurbites and Alembykes eeke
And o]>er swiche deere ynough a leeke
Nat1 needej? it/ to rehersen hem alle
"Wateres Rubysynge and boles galle 797
Arsynek1 Sal armonyak1 and Brymston
And herbes coujje I telle eek1 many oon
As Egrymoyne Valerian and lunarie
And ojjer suche if1 pat1 me luste tarie 801
Oure laumpes brennyng1 bo]?e night1 and day
To bringe aboute oure craft1 if1 J?af we may
Oure fornays eke of1 Calcynacion
And of1 watres albyncacion 805
vnslekked lyin chalk1 and glaire of* an ey
Poudres dyuers aisshes dong1 pisse and cley
Seryd pokettes Sal petre and vitriole
And diuerse fyres made of1 woode and cole 809
Salt1 tartre Alcaly and Salt1 preparat
And combust1 matieres and coagulat [leaf i si, back]
Cley maad wij? horses or mannes heer and oyle
Of1 tartre alym glas berme wort1 and argoyle 813
Rysalgar and ojjer matieres enbykynge
And eek1 of1 oure matieres encorporynge
And eek1 of1 Siluer Citrynacion
Oure sementynge and fermentacion 817
Oure Ingotes testes and many mo
I wol }ou telle as was me taught1 also /
CORPUS 404 (6-T. 564)
SIX-TEXT 555
GROUP G. § 3, GAEL-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS,
J>e foure spirites and J>e bodyes seuene /
By ordre ofte as I herde my lord neuene 821
The fyfte spirit quyk1 siluer called is
J>e seconde orpiinent . ]>e Jjridde y-wys
Sal armoniak1 and J?e ferjje bremston
The bodyes seuene eek1 lo hem heere anon 825
Sol gold is and luna siluer we threpe /
Mars yren mercurie quyk syluer we clepe
Saturnws leed and lubiter is tyn
And venus Copur by my fader kyn 829
This cursede craft1 who so wol exercise
he schal no good han jjat1 may him suffise
ffor alle J?e good he spendej? J?er aboute
he lese schal Jjer-of1 haue I no-doute 833
Who so J^at1 list1 to outen his folye
let1 him come for]} and lerne to multiplie
And euery man pat1 ha]? aught1 in his cofre
lat1 him appere and wexe a philosophre 837
As-scaunce Jjat1 craft1 is so light1 for to lere
Nay nay god woof al be he monk1 or frere /
Preste or Chanon or eny o])er wight
Jjough he eitte at1 his book1 bo]>e day and night 841
In lernyng1 of1 Jns eluyssfi. nyce lore /
Al is in veyn and par de moche more
Is to lerne a lewed man pis sotilte
ify speke noujtt Jjerof1 for it/ wol not1 be 845
Al cowde he letterure or coupe he non
As in effecte he schal fynde it al on [leaf 132]
ffor bojje tuo by my saluacioi1
Concluden in multiplicaciof 849
I-liche wel whan ])ey han alle y-do
This is to seyn ]?ey faille bo]>e tuo
^it1 format1 1 to moche rehersaille
Of1 watres corosif1 and of1 lymaille 853
And of1 bodyes mollificacion
And also of1 here induracion
CORPUS 405 (6-T. 655)
SIX-TEXT 556
GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS,
Oyles ablucion and metalle fusible
To tellen alle wolde passen ony bible 857
fat1 owher is wherfore as for f e beste
Of* alle f ise names now wole I me reste
ffor as I trowe I haue :$ou told ynough
To reysen a feende loke he neuer so rougli 861
A nay let1 be f y philosophies ston
Elixir cleped we sechen faste echoon
ffor hadde we him fan were we syker ynough"
But* vnto god of* heuene I make avow 865
ffor alle cure craft1 whan we han al y-do
And al oure sleighte / he wol not1 come vs to
He haf vs maad spende moche good
ffor sorwe of1 which almost1 we wexen wood 869
But1 fat1 good hope crepef in oure herte
Supposyng1 euere f ough we sore smerte
To be releuyd by him aftirward
Supposyng1 and hope is scharp and hard 873
I warne ^ou wel if is to seken euere
f af future temps haf maad men disseuere
In trust1 f er-of1 fram al fat1 euer fey hadde
jit1 of1 fat1 art1 fey coufe not1 wexe sadde 877
ffor vnto hem it is a bitterswete
So semef it1 for ne hadde fey but a scheete
Which fat1 fey mighte wrappe hem In a night
And a bak1 to walken in by day light1 881
fey wolde hem sellen and spenden on f is craft1
They can nou^t1 stynte til no f ing1 be laffr [leaf is-2, back]
And euermore wher fat1 euer fey gon
men may hem knowe by smel of1 Bremston 885
ffor al f e world fey stynken as a goot
here sauour is so Rammissh" and so hoot1
That1 fough" a man from hem a myle be
That1 sauour wol enfecte him trustef me 889
lo f us by smellyng1 and by f red bare array
If1 fat1 men list1 f is folk1 fey knowe may
CORPUS 406 (6-T. 656)
SIX-TEXT 557
GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
And if1 a man wol aske Mm priuely
Why fey ben clof ed so vnfriftily 893
Right1 anon fey wole rownen in his eere
And seye if1 fay aspyed were
Men wolde hem sle by cause of1 here science
lo f us f is folk1 bytrayen Innocence 897
Passe ouer f is I go my tale vnto
Er fen f e pot1 be on f e fyr y-do
Of1 metals wif a certein quantite
My lord hem tempref and no man but he 901
Now he is gon. I dar say boldely
ffor as men sein he can do craftily
Algate I wot1 wel he haf such a name
And }it ful ofte he rennef in f e blame 905
And wite 36 how ful ofte it1 happef so
The pot1 tobrekef and far wel alle is go
fise metals ben of1 so gret1 violence /
Oure walles may not make hem resistence 909
But1 if1 fey were wrou^t1 of1 lym and ston
fey percen so and jjoru^ Jje wal ]?ey gon
And some of1 hem synken in to j?e ground
Jms haue we lost1 by tymes many a pound 913
And somme are scatered al J?e floor aboute
Somme lepen in to J>e roof1 wi]>outen doute
pough Jjat1 )?e fende nought1 in oure sighte him schewe
I trowe fat1 he wi}> vs be J>at schrewe 917
In helle wher |?at he is lord and sire /
~Ne is Jjer no more woo ne angur nor Ire [leaf issj
Whan fat1 oure pot1 is broke as I haue sayd
Euery man chit1 and halt1 him yuel payd 921
Som seyde it1 was long1 on J?e fyr makyng1
Somme sayde nay it1 was on J>e blowyng1
fan was I fered for fat1 was myn office
Straw (\uod f e fridde 36 ben lewed and nyce 925
It1 was not1 tempred as it1 oughte be /
Nay qiiod fe ferfe stynt1 and herkne me
CORPUS 407 (6-T. 567)
SIX-TEXT 558
GROUP G. § 3. CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
By cause oure fyr was nat1 made of1 bech
pat1 is pe cause non oper so peecli 929
I can not1 telle wher-on it is a long1
But1 wel I wot1 grefr stryf1 is vs among1
What1 q^od my lord per is uomore to done /
Of pise periles I wil be war eft1 sone / 933
I am right1 syker pat1 pe pot1 was erased
Be as be may be ^e no ping1 amased
As vsage is let1 swope pe floor as swype
Pluk1 vp $our herte and be ^e glad and blipe 937
The mullok1 on an heep y-swoped was
And on pe floor cast1 a kaneuas
And al pis mullok1 in a Syue y-prowe
And y-sifted and y-plucked many a pro we 941
Parde qu-od oon som what* -of1 oure metal
^et1 is per heere pough we haue not1 aii
And pough pis ping1 myshapped haj> as now
Anojjer tyme it may be wel ynow 945
vs moste putte oure good in aduenture /
A marchant1 parde may not1 ay endure /
Trustnej) me wel in his prosperite
Som tyme his good is drowned in Jje see / 949
And som tyme come]? it1 sauf1 vnto J?e londe
Pees quod my lord j?e nexte tyme I wol fonde
To bringe oure crafte alle in anojjer plyt1
And but1 1 do sires lat1 me haue ]>e wyte 953
Ther was defaute in somwhat1 wel I woot1
Anojjer seyde ]>e fyr was ouer hoot1 [leaf iss, back]
But1 be it1 hoot1 or cold I dar seye pis
Jjat1 we concluden euereinore amys / 957
We faille of1 pat1 which pat1 we wolde haue /
And in oure madnesse eueremore we raue
And whan we ben togidere euerich on
Euery man semep as wys as Salomon 961
But1 alle ping1 which pat1 semep as pe goolde /
Is nat golde as I haue herd it1 tolde /
CORPUS 408 (6^T. 558)
SIX-TEXT 559
GROUP G, § 3. CAN.-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
!N"e euery appul J?afr is fair af ye
N& is not1 good what1 so men clappe or crye / 965
Eight1 so lo fare]) it* amonges vs
he J>af seme]) J?e wysestt by Ihesus
Is most* fool whan it1 come]? to )>e preef1
And he J>af seme)) trewesf is a jjeef1 969
That schul ^e knowe er j>af I fro 3011 wende /
By fat* I of1 my tale haue maad an ende
[No break in the MSJ\
29 CORPUS 409 (6-T. 659)
SIX-TEXT 560
GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
[THE TALE.]
Ther is a chanoun) of1 Keligicwn
Amonges vs wolde enfecte al a toun - 973
f ough it1 as gret1 were as was Nynyue /
Koine Alisandre . Troye and of re f re
his sleightes and his infinite falsnesse /
f er coufe noman writen as I gesse / 977
f ough fat1 he mighte lyuen a f ousend ^eer
In alle f is world of1 fal[s]nesse nys his peer
ffor in his termes he wole him so wynde
And speke his wordes in so sleigh a kynde 981
Whan he commune schal wif ony wight1
What1 he wol make him dote anon right1
But1 it1 J>e feend be as his seluen is /
fful many a man haj? he "begyled er J>is 985
And wile if1 fat1 he may lyue a while /
And 3itf men ryden and gon ful many a myle
him for to seeke and haue his aqueyntance
Nou^f knowyng1 of1 his false gouernance / 989
And if1 ye lust1 to ^iue me audience
I wol it1 tellen here in 3oure presence [leaf isi]
But1 worschipful Chanon religious
Ne demej) nou^t1 fat1 1 sclaundre ^our hous 993
Al fough my tale of1 a Chanon be
Of1 euery ordre som schrewe is parde
And god forbede fat1 alle a compaignie
Scholde rewe a synguler mannes folye 997
To sclaundre ^ou it1 is not1 myn enterit1
But1 to correcten fat1 mys I-ment1
COEPUS 410 (6-T. 660)
SIX-TEXT 561
GROUP G, § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
This tale nas nat1 oonly told for 3011
But* eek1 for oper mo 30 wot1 wel how 1001
That1 amonges cristes apostles twelue
Ther was no traytowr but1 ludas himselue
panne why scholde pe remenant1 alle haue blame
That1 gulteles were by 3011 sey I pe same 1005
Sauf1 oonly pis if1 36 wiln herkne me
If1 ony ludas in }oure couent1 be
Kemeuep him by tyrne I ^ou rede
If1 schame or losse may causen ony drede 1009
And be]) no ping1 displesed I ^ou pray
But1 in pis caas herkneth what1 I say
IN london was a prest1 an annueler
That per-Inne dwelled hadde many a }eer 1013
Which was so plesant / and so se?*uisable /
Ynto pe wyf1 wher he was at1 pe table
That1 sche wolde suffre him no ping1 for to pay
ffor bord nor closing1 wente he non so gay 1017
And spendyng1 sillier had he right1 ynough
per-of no force I wol precede as now /
And telle for]? my tale of1 J?e Chanon
pat1 brou3te Jjis prest to confusion 1021
This false Chanon cam vpon a day
vnto }>e prestes chambre per he lay
BysechingJ him to lene him a certeyn
Of1 golde and he wold quite it1 him ageyn 1025
lene]) me a mark1 quod Ire but1 dayes fre
And at1 my day I wol it1 quite pe [leaf is*, back]
And if1 so be fat1 fou fynde me fals
Anoper day hang1 me vp by fe hals 1029
This prest1 him tok1 a mark1 and J)af as swipe
And pis Chanoun him panked often sipe
And took1 his leue and wente forth his wey
And atte pridde- day broii^fr his money 1033
And to pis prest1 he took1 pis gold a3ein
Ther-of1 pis prest1 was glad and fayn
CORPUS 411 (6-T. 561)
SIX-TEXT 562
GROUP G. § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Certes quod he no f ing1 anoyeth me
To lene a man a noble or tuo or fre 1037
Or what1 f ing1 were in my possession
Whan he so trewe is of1 condition
fat1 in no wise he breke wole his day
To swich a man I can neuer say nay 1041
What1 quod fis Chanon scholde I be vntrewe
!Nay fat1 were fing1 fallen al of1 f e newe
Trouf e is a f ing1 fat1 1 wol euer kepe /
Vnto fe day in which fat1 1 schal crepe 1045
in to my graue and elles god forbede
Bileeuef fis as siker as is ^onre Crede
God f anke I and in good tyrne be it sayd
fat* fer was neuer man ^it1 euel payd 1049
ffor gold ne siluer fat1 he to me lente
.N~e neuere falshede in myn herte I mente
And sire quod he now of1 my priuyte
Sifens 30 so goodlich haue ben to me 1053
And kif ed to me so gret1 gentilnesse
Somwhat1 to quite with 3oure kyndenesse
I wol 3ou schewe and if1 ^ou lest1 to leere /
I schal it1 schewe to $ou anon right1 heere 1057
how I kan worchen in philosophic
Takef good heed 36 schuln seen wel at1 ye
That1 1 wol don a maystry ar I go
30 quof fe prest1 / 36 sire and wil 36 so 1061
Marie fer of1 1 pray 3ou hertily
At1 30111*6 comaundemerit1 sire trewely [leaf issj
Quof f e Chanon and elles god forbede
lo how fis feef1 coufe his seruise beede 1065
fful sof it1 is fat1 such profred seruise
Stynkef as witnessen f ise olde wise
And fat1 ful sone I wol it1 verefye
In fis Chanon is roote of1 alle treccherie 1069
fat1 eueremore delyt1 haf and gladnesse/
Suche feendly f oughtes in his herte impresse /
CORPUS 412 (6-T. 562)
SIX-TEXT 563
GKOUP G. § 4. CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
how cristes poeple lie may to meschief1 bringo
God kepe vs from his fals dissimilynge 1073
What1 wiste )>is prest1 \vij> whom fat1 he deltc
Ne of1 his harm comynge no jnng1 he felte
O sely prestt o sely Innocent
WiJ? coueytise anon J?ou schaltf be blent1 1077
0 graceles ful blynd is J?y conceyt1
No jnng1 artow war of1 J?e deceyt1
Which fat1 j?is fox y-schapen ha]? to fe
his wyly wrenches fou mayst1 nou^tt fie 1081
Wher-fore to go to J>e conclusion
fat1 referrej? to fi confusion
vnhappy man anon I wol me hi^e
To telle )>in vnwitte and J>y folye 1085
And eek* ]?e falsnesse of1 jjat1 ofyer wrecche
As ferforj? as my connynge wol strecche
This Chanon was my lord ^e wolde weene
Sire oste in faith and by jje heuen quene 1089
If was anojjer chanoun and naf he
That1 can an hundred fold more sotyltee
he haj? bytrayed folkes many tyme
Of1 his falsnesse it/ dullej? me to Eyme 1093
Euer whan I speke of* his falshede
ffor schame of1 him my chekes wexen reede
Algates jjey bygynne for to glowe
ffor reednesse haue I now right1 wel I knowe 1097
In my visage for fumes diuerse
Of1 metals whiche ^e haue herd me reherce i>afi85, back]
Consumed and wasted han my reednesse /
Now take heede of* Jns Chanons cursednesse 1101
Sire quod he to J>e prestf latf ^oure man gon
ffor quyk1 siluer fat1 we it1 hadde anon
And latt him bringe vnces tuo or J>re
And whan he come]) as faste schul ^e see 1105
A wonder Jnng1 which ^e say neuer ar Jns
Sire (\uod ]>e prest1 it1 schal ben don y-wys
CORPUS 413 (6-T. 563)
SIX-TEXT 564
GROUP G, § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
he bad his seruant fechen him) his f ing1
And he al redy was at1 his biddyng1 1109
And wente him for]? and cam anon agayn
Wif f is quyk1 siluer schortly for to sayn
And tok1 f is vnces f re to f e Chanon
And he it leyde faire and wel a doun 1113
And bad f e se?'uant coles for to bringe
fat he anon mighte go to his worchinge
The coles right1 anon weren y-fette
And f is chanon tok1 out1 a crosselette 1117
Of his bosom and schewed it1 f e prestf
This Instrument1 quod he which fat f ou seest
Tak1 in fin hond and put1 f iself1 Iper Inne
Of1 fis quyk1 siluer an vnce and here bygynne 1121
In f e name of1 crist1 to wexe a Philosophre
Ther ben ful fewe which fat1 1 wolde profre
To schewen hem f us mochel of1 my science
ffor 30 schuln seen heere by experience 1125
fat1 f is quyk1 siluer I wol mortefye
Bight1 in ^oure sight1 anon wif oute lye
And make it1 as good siluer and as fyn
As fer is ony in ^oure purs or myn 1129
Or elles where and make it malliable/
And elles holde me fals and vnable
Amonges folk1 euere to appere
I haue a poudre here fat coste me deere 1133
schal make al good for it1 is cause of1 all
My connynge which fat1 1 ^ou schewe schaH rieaf ISG]
Yoydeth ^oure man) and lat1 him be f e?*oute /
And schitte fe dore whiles we ben aboute / 1137
Oure pryuyte fat1 noman vs espie
"Whiles we werken in f is philosophic /
Al as he bad fulfilled was in dede /
This ilke seruanf anon right1 out $ede 1141
And his maistrer schitte f e dore anon)
to here labour speedily fey gon
CORPUS 414 (6-T. 564)
SIX-TEXT 565
GROUP G. §4. OANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALK Corpus MS.
Tins prest1 afr ])is cursed chandns byddyng*
Vpon J>e fire anon sette J>is ]>ing* 1145
And blew J?e fyr and busyed him ful faste
And j)is chanon in to J>is Crosselet1 caste
A poudre not1 1 wher-of1 Jmt1 if was
I-maad o}>er of1 chalk1 o]?er of4 glas 1149
Or som what1 elles was not1 worj? a flye
To blynde wij> fis prest1 and bad him hye
Jjise coles for to coucheii al aboue
J>e cresselet1 for in tokne jjat1 I J?e loue 1153
Quo]) Jns Chanon J>ine hondes tuo
Schulle worche alle jnng1 which as schal be do
Graunt mercy quod J>e prest1 and was ful glad
And couchede coles as J?e Chanon bad 1157
And whils he besy was J>is feendly wrecche
)?is false Chanofi J3e foule feend him fecche
Out1 of1 his bosom took* a bechene cole /
In which ful sotilly was maad an hole 1161
And Jjer Inne put1 was of1 siluer lymaille
An vnce and stopped was wij?oute faille
This hole wij? wex to kepe jje lymaille In
And vnderstondejj pat1 ]?is false gyn 1165
Was not1 made Jjere but1 it was maad bifore
And o]?ere Binges I schal telle more /
here aftirward which jjat1 he wijj him broughte
Er he cam ]>er to begyle him he Jjoughte 1169
And so he dide er J?ey wente a twynne /
Til he hadde torned him cou]?e he not1 blynne Deaf isc, back]
It1 dullej? me whan fat1 1 of1 him speke
On his falshede fayn wolde I me wreke / 1173
If1 1 wiste how . but1 he is heer and Jjere /
he is so variaunt1 fat1 he abyt1 no where /
But1 take]) heed now sires for goddes loue
He took1 his cole of1 which I spak1 aboue 1177
And in his hond he bar it1 priuely
And whiles J>e prest1 couchide busily
CORPUS 415 (6-T. 665)
SIX-TEXT 566
GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
The coles as I tolde ^ou er J>is /
This Chanon sayde freend 30 don amys 1181
This is nougnt1 couched as it1 oughte "be
But1 sone I schal amenden it1 quod he
Now lat me medle f envif but a while
ffor of* 3ou haue I pite by seintt Gyle 1 1 85
36 ben rignt1 hoot1 1 se wel how 36 swete
haue heer a clof and wype awey ]>e'wete
And while fat1 f e prest1 him wyped has
This Chanon took1 his cole I schrewe his fas 1189
And leyde it1 vppon abouen f e myddeward
Of1 f e Crosselet1 and blew wel aftirward
Til fat1 f e coles gonne faste brenne
Now 3if* vs drinke quod fe Chanon fenne 1193
as swif e it1 schal be wel I vndertake
Sitte we doun and let1 vs merie make
And whan f e Chanons bechene cole
Was brent1 alle fe lymail out1 of1 fe hole 1197
In to f e Crosselet1 anon fel doun
And so it1 moste neede by reson
Syns it1 so euene aboue couched was
But1 ferof1 wiste no fing1 fe presfr alias 1201
he denied alle J>e coles liche goode
ifor of* J?e sleight1 no Jnng1 he vnderstoode
And whan Jris alkamistre say his tyme
Rise)) vp sire prest1 and stondej) byme 1205
And for I wot1 wel Ingot1 haue 30 non
Go)) walkef for)) and bring1 a chalk1 ston [leaf is?]
ifor I wol make it1 of1 J)e same schappe
fat1 is an Ingot1 if1 1 may haue happe 1209
And bring wif 3ou a bolle ofer a panne
fful of1 water and 36 schul see fanne
How fat1 oure busynesse schal happe & preeue
And 3itf for 36 schul haue no mysbyleeue 1213
]N"e wrong1 conceyt1 of* me in 3oure absence
I wol not1 ben out1 of1 3oure presence
CORPUS 416 (6-T. 566)
SIX-TEXT 567
GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
But* go with. 3011 and come with 3011 agayn
The chambre dore schortly for to sayn 1217
fey opeynd and schette and wente for]? here weye
And for]) wif hem fey caryed f e keye
And comen agayn wif outen eny delay
What1 scholde I tarie al fe longe day 1221
he took1 f e chalk1 and schoop it* in f e wyse
Of1 an yngot1 as I schal 3011 deuyse
I say he took1 out1 of1 his owne sleeue
A teyne of1 Siluer euele mote he cheeue 1225
Which fat1 was but1 an vnce of1 weight
And take]) heede now of1 his cursed sleight
he schop his Ingot1 in lengf e and in brede
Of1 fe theyne wif outen eny drede 1229
So slyly fat1 fe prest1 it not1 aspyde
And in his sleeue again he gan it1 hyde
And from fe fyre took1 vp his matiere /
And in to fe Ingot1 it1 putte wif merye cheere 1233
And in to f e watir vessel he it1 caste
Whan fat1 him liste and bad f e prest1 as faste
loke what1 f er1 is / put1 in fin hond and grope
Thou schalt1 fynde fere siluer as I hope 1237
What1 deuyl of helle schuld it1 elles be
Schafyng1 of1 siluer siluer is parde
he putte in his hond and took1 vp a teyne
Of1 sihrer fyn and glad in euery veyne 1241
Was f is prest1 whan tie saugh fat1 it was so
Goddes blessyng1 and his modres also [leaf is?, back]
And alle halwes haue 30 sire Chanon
Seyde fe prest1 and I here malison 1245
But1 and ^e vouche sauf* to teche me
f is noble crafte and f is sotilte
I wol be ^oure in alle fat1 euer I may
Quof fe Chanon ^it1 wol I make assay 1249
The seconde tyme fat1 ^e mowe take heede
And ben expert1 of1 f is and in ^oure neede
CORPUS 417 (O-T. 567)
SIX-TEXT 568
GROUP G. § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. .Corpus MS.
Anoper day in myn absence /
J?is discipline and pis crafty science 1253
IT let1 take anoper vnce quod he po
OF quyk1 sillier wipoute wordes mo
And do perwip as ^e lian don ar pis
Wip pat1 oper which pat1 now siluer is 1257
pis prest1 him busiej) in al pat1 he can
To don as pis Chan5n pis cursede man
Comaundep him and faste blew pe fire
fFor to come to peffecte ofH his desire 1261
And )>is Chanon right1 in pe mene while
Al redy was pis prest1 eft1 to begyle
And for a contynaunce in his hond bar
An holough stikke tak1 heede and be war 1265
In pe ende of1 which an vnce and no more
Of1 siluer lymaile put1 was al bifore
Was in his coole and stopped wip wex wel
if or to kepe in his lymayl euery del 1269
And whiles ]?is presf was in his businesse
This Chanon wij> his stikke gan him dresse
To him anon and his poudre caste In
As he dede er Jje deuel out1 of1 his skyn 1273
him torne I pray to god for his falshede
ffor he was euer fals in ope and dede
And wif his stikke aboue pe crosselette
fiat1 was or deigned wij? Jmt false gette 1277
he sterej? ]?e coles til it1 relente gan
The wax agayn J>e fyr as euery man [leaf iss]
But1 it1 a fool be woot1 wel and moot1 neede
And al J>af in ]?e hole was out ^ede 1281
And in to J>e Crosselet1 hastily it1 fel
The prest1 supposede noting1 but wel
But1 busyed him faste and was wonder fayn
Supposyng1 nou^t1 but1 troupe so]? to sayn 1285
he was so glad I can nou^t1 expresse
In no maner his merpe and his gladnesse
CORPUS 418 (O-T. 568)
SIX-TEXT 569
GROUP G, § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And J?e chanon he profred eft1 sone
Body and good 36 qttod j?e Chanon soone 1289
j?ough pore I be crafty jjou schalt/ me fynde
I warne J>e ^it* is per more behynde
Is j?er eny coper here Inne seyde he
36 sire qiwd Jje prest1 1 trowe ]>er bee 1293
Elles go bey som and fat as swithe
Now sire go for]? J>y way and hy the
And went his way and wijj pis coper he cam
And pis Chanon in his hond it nam 1297
And of1 pat1 coper weyde out1 but* an vnce
Al to symple is my tonge to pronounce
his moustre and his wit1 pe doublenesse
Of* pis Chanon roote of1 Cursednesse 1301
he semyd freendly to hem pat1 knewe him nought1
But1 he was feendly bope in werk1 and po^t1
It* wyriep me to telle of1 his falsnesse
And napeles ^et1 wol I it1 expresse 1305
To pat1 entent pat1 men may be war perby
And for non oper cause trewely
he putte pis vnce of* coper in to pe Crosselette
And of1 ]?e fyur as swijje he hap it1 sette 1309
And kast1 in poudre and made jje prest1 to blowe
And in his worching1 for to stoupe lowe
As he dide erst and al nas but1 a Tape
Right1 as him liste Jje prest1 he made his ape 1313
And afterward in to j?e Ingot1 he it caste
And in fe panne putte it1 atte laste / [leaf iss, back]
Of1 water and in he put1 his owne hand
And in his sleeue as 36 byforn hand 1317
herde me telle he hadde a siluer teyne
he slyly took1 it1 out1 J?is cursed heyne
vnwetyng1 J>is prest1 of1 his false craft1
And in ]>e pannes botme he haj) it1 laftf
And in J>e water romblej) to and fro
And wonder pryuyly tok1 it1 vp also
CORPUS 419 (6-T. 669)
SIX-TEXT 570
GROUP Gr. § 4. CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
f e coper teyne nought1 knowyng1 fis prest/
And hidde it1 and hente him by fe breest1 1325
And to him spat and f us sayde in his game
Stowpef a doun by god 30 ben to blame
helpef me now as I dide 3011 whiler
Put1 in 3oure hand and lokef what is fer 1329
fis prest1 tok1 vp fis siluer teyne anon
And f anne seyde f e chandn let1 vs goii
Wif f ise f re teynes whiche fat1 we haue wrought
To som goldsmith and wite if1 it be ought1 1333
ffor by my faif I nolde for myn hond
But1 if1 f ei were siluer fyn and good
And fat1 as swif e proued schal it be
Vnto fe goldsmith wif fise teynes J>re 1337
fey wente and putte Jjise teynes in assay
To fyr and hamer might1 no man say nay
But1 ]?ey were as hem ou^te for to be
Jjis sottide prest1 who was gladder fan he 1341
Was neuer bryd gladder a3eins J?e day
Ne nightyngale in fe seson of1 May
"Was neuere non fat1 liste better to synge
Ne lady lustiere in Carolynge / 1345
And for to speke of1 loue and wowmanhede
Ke knight1 in armes don an hardy dede
To stonden in grace of1 his lady deere
fan hadde fis prest1 fis craft1 to lere 1349
And to f e chanon f us he spak and sayde
ffor fe loue of1 god fat1 for vs alle deyde / [leaf 189]
And as I may deserue it1 vnto 3ow
What1 schal fis receyt1 coste tellef now / 1353
By oure lady quod f e chanon it1 is deere
I warne 3ou for saue I and a frere /
In Erigelond f er can no man it make
No fors quod he now sire for goddes sake 1357
What1 schal I paye tel me I 3011 pray
I-wys quod, he it/ is ful deere I say
CORPUS 420 (6-T. 670)
SIX-TEXT 571
GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Sire at1 oo word if1 fat1 f e list1 it haue
36 schulle paye fourty pound so god me saue 1361
And ne were f e frendschipe f af 30 dide er fis
To me 30 scholde paye more y-wys
This prest1 f e somme of1 .xl. pound anon .
Of1 nobles fette and took1 hem euerychon) 1365
To fis chanon for fis ilke receyt1
Al his worchinge was fraude and deceyf
Sire prest1 he seyde I kepe for to haue no loos
OF my craft* for I wolde it were kept1 cloos 1369
And as 36 louef me kepef if secre
ffor and men knewen al my subtilte
By god men wolde haue so grefr envye
To me by cause of my philosophie 1373
I scholde be deed f er were non of er weye
God it1 forbede quod f e preesf what* seye
3efr hadde I leuer spenden al jje good
Which J>af I haue and elles waxe I wood 1377
fan jjat1 30 schulde falle in such mescheef1
ffor 3oure good wil sire haue 30 right1 good preef1
Quo]? J>e chanon and sire wol gmunt mercy
he wente his way and neuer J>e prest1 he sey 1381
After jjatt day and whan fat J>is prestt scholde
maken assay at1 swich tyme as he wolde
Of* J)is receyf far wel if wolde not1 be
lo Jms byiaped and bygyled was he 1385
jms make}) he his introduccion
To bringe folk1 to here destruccion [leaf isa, back]
Considerej) sires how fat1 in eche astate
Bitwixe men and gold Jjer is debate 1389
So ferforj) fat1 vnnefes J>er is non
This multiply3ing1 blendef so many oon
fat1 in good faif I trowe fat1 it1 be
fe cause grettest1 of1 fis skarsete 1393
This philosophises speken so mystily
In fis craft1 fat1 men can not1 come f erby
CORPUS 421 (6-T. 571)
SIX-TEXT 572
GROUP GK § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS,
ffor ony witte fat men ban now a dayes
fey may wel chitre and Tangle as don fis layes 1397
And in here termes sette lust1 and peyne
But1 to here pwrpos schul fey neuer atteyne
A man may lightliche lerne if1 he haf ought
To multiplye and brynge his good to nou^tt 1 101
lo such a lucre is in Jus lusty game
A mannes merf e it wol tome alle to grarne
And empte also grete and heuye purses
And make folk1 to purchacen curses 1405
Of1 hem fat han f erto here good y-lenf
O fy for schame fey fat1 haue be brent
Alias can fey nat1 fle f e fyres hete
$e fat1 it1 vsen I rede 36 it1 lete 1409
lest1 36 lese al for bet* fan neuer is late
Neuer to f riue were to longe a date
jjougB. ^e prolle ay 36 schulle it neuer fynde
^e ben as bolde as is bayard J?e blynde 1413
J?att blundreth for]? and peril castejj he non
he is as bold to renne a-gayn a stoon
As for to go bysydes in j)e weye
So fare 36 J)af multiplie I seye 1417
If1 J>af 3oure y3en may not1 seen aright
lokej? jjat1 3 cure niynd lakke nought1 his sight
ffor Jjough 36 loke neuer so brode and stare /
36 schulle nat1 wynne a myte in j^afr chaffare 1421
But1 wasten al fat1 36 may Eappe and renne
Wifdrawe f e fir lest1 it1 so faste breime [leaf 190]
Medlef nomore wij) fat1 art1 I mene
ffor if1 30 doon 3our frift1 is gon ful clene / 1425
And right1 as swithe I wol 3ou telle heere
What1 fat1 f e philosophres sein in f is rnatere
lo f us seif arnold of1 f e newe toun
As his Rosarie makef mencioun 1429
he seif right1 f us wif outen eny lye
f er may no man mercurie mortifie
CORPUS 422 (6-T. 672)
SIX-TEXT 573
<JROUP Gr. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS,
But" if1 it1 be wif his brof eres knowleching1
how fat1 he which fat first1 seyde fis fing1/ 1433
Of1 Philosophies fader was hermes /
he saif how fat1 f e dragon douteles
Ne dye]) not1 "but1 if he be slayn
Wif his brofer and pat1 is for to sayn 1437
By f e dragon mercurie and non ofer
he vnderstood fat1 bremston were his brof er
fat1 on of1 Sol and lima were y-drawe
And f erf ore sayde he tak1 heed to my sawe 1441
lat1 no man busye him fis art1 for to seche
But1 he fat1 f e entencion and f e speche
Of1 philosophres vnderstonde can
And if1 he do he is a lewed man 1445
ffor fis science and fis connyng1 quod he /
Is of1 jje secre of1 Secrees parde
Also J>er was a disciple of1 Plato
That1 on a tyme sayde his mayster to 1449
As his book1 Somer wil bere witnesse
And j>is was his demaunde in sojjfastnesse
Telle me j?e name of1 J?e pryuy stoon
And plato answerde vnto him anon 1453
Tak1 J?e stoon fat1 titanos men name
Which is fat1 quod he magnasia f e same /
Seyde Plato 366 Sire and is it Jms
This is ignotum per ignocius 1457
What1 is magnasia goode sire I pray
It1 is a water fat1 is maad I say [leaf 190, back]
Of1 elementes foure quod Plato
Tel me fe roche goode sire quod he fo 1461
Of1 fat1 water if1 it1 be $our wille
Nay nay qtiod. Plato certeyn fat1 1 nylle.
f e Philosophres were sworn echon
fat1 fey scholde discouere it to no mon 1465
Ne in no book1 it1 write in no manere
ffor vnto crist1 it1 is so leef1 and deere
CORPUS 423 (6-T. 673)
SIX-TEXT 574
GROUP G. § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
fat1 he wil nat fat1 it1 discouered be
But1 where it1 like]) to his deite 1469
Man to enspire and eek1 for to defende
Whom fat1 him like]? lo f is is f e ende /
Thanne conclude I f us sif ens fat1 god of heuene
Ne wole nat fat1 fe Philosophres neuene 1473
how fat1 a man schal come vnto f is stoon
I rede as for f e beste lat1 it1 goon
ffor who so maketh god his aduersarie
As for to worche eny fing1 in contrarie / 1477
vnto his wille certes neuer schal he f riue
f ough" fat1 he multiplie terme of1 his lyue
And fere a poynt for ended is my tale
God sende euery trewe man boote of1 his bale amew 1481
CORPUS 424 (6-T. 574)
GKOUP C, FRAGMENT
§ 1, THE DOCTOR'S TALE.
CORPUS MS.
If The doctour of1 phisik'
THer was as tellej) vs Titus lyueus
A knight1 Jjat1 cleped was v^rgineus
ffulfilled of honoures and worj>inesse
And strong1 of1 frendes and of1 grett richesse 4
A doughter he hadde by his wyf1
And neuere hadde he mo in alle his lyf1
ffair was Jns mayde in excellent1 beaute
Abouen euery wight1 Jjat1 man may se 8
ffor nature hajj with souerein diligence
fformed hire in so gret1 excellence
As Jjough sche wolde say lo I nature
Thus can I forme and peinte a creature 12
Whan J>atf me list1 who can me countrefete [leaf 1913
Pigmalion nou^t1 jjough he alwey forge and bete
Or graue or peynte for I dar wel sayn
Apollus 3ephirus schulde worche in vayn 16
To graue or paynte or forge or bete
^if1 J>ey presumede me for to countirfete
ffor he J>af is J>e formour principal
ha]) maad me his viker general 20
To forme and peynte ech erjjely creature
Right1 as me lyst1 for al Jjing1 is in my cure
•vnder ]>e moone fat1 may wane and waxe
And for my werke no Jnng1 wol I axe 24
30 CORPUS 425 (6-T. 303)
SIX-TEXT 304
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
My lord and I ben fully at1 acord
I made hire to J?e worschip of1 my lord
So do I alle myn ofre creatures
Of1 what1 colour J?ey be or what* figures 28
Thus seme]) me fat1 nature wolde say
This mayde was of1 age .xij. ^eer and tway
In which fat1 nature haf such delyt1
ffor right1 as sche can paynte as lily whit1 32
And rody as rose right1 wif such peynture
Sche peynted haf f is noble creature /
Er sche was born vppon hire lymes fre
Were also bright1 as such colours scholde be / 36
And Phebus dyed haf his tresses grete
like to f e stremes of1 his boornyd hete
And if1 Jmt1 excellent1 was hire beaute
A f ousend fold more vertuous was sche 40
In hire ne lakkef no condicion
fat1 is to preise as by discrecion
As wel in body as gostf chaste was sche
ffor which sche floured in virginite 44
Wif alle humilite and abstinence
Wif alle attemperance and pacience
Wif mesure eek1 and beryng1 of1 array
Discret1 sche was in answering1 alway 48
fough sche were wys as Pallas dar I seyn [leaf 191, back]
hire faucond eek1 ful woramanly and pleyn
None counterfeted termes hadde sche
To seme wys but1 after hire degre 52
Sche spak1 and alle hire wordes more and lesse
Sownyng1 in vertue and in gentillesse
Schamefast1 sche was in maydens schamefastnesse
Constant1 in herte and euere in busynesse 56
To dryue hire oute of1 hire slogardye
Bachus hadde of1 hir mou]) no maystrie
ifor will and fought1 doon venus encrece
As men in fyr wol casten oyle or grece / 60
CORPUS 426 (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 305
GROUP C, § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS,
And of1 hire owne vertue eonstreyned
Sche haf ful ofte tyme hire seek1 feyned
ffor fat1 sche wolde flee f e company e /
Wher likly was to treten of1 folye 64
As is at1 festes . Reueles . and at1 Daunces
That1 ben occasions of dalyaunces
Suche f inges maken children for to be
To sone rype and bolde as men may se 68
Which is ful perilous and ha]? ben 3 ore
ffor al to sone may sche lerne lore /
Of1 boldenesse whan sche is a wijf1
And ^e maystresses in ^oure olde lyf1 72
fat1 lordes doughtres han in gouernance /
"Ne take]? of1 my word no displesance
f inges fat1 ben sette in gouernynges
Of1 lordes doughtres only for tuo Jnnges 76
Ouf er for 36 han kept1 ^our honeste /
Of er ^e han falle in frelete
And knowen wel ynough f e olde daunce
And konne forsake fully meschaunce 80
fFor euermo f er-fore for cristes sake /
kepe)> wel f o fat1 30 vndertake
A f eef1 of1 venyson fat1 haf forlaft1
his likorousnesse and alle his theues craft1 84
Kan kepe a forest1 best1 of1 ony man [leaf 102]
Now kepef hem wel for and 30 wil 30 can
lokef wel to no vice fat1 36 assente
lest1 36 be dampned for joure yuel entente 88
ffor who so dof a tretour is certayn
And takef heed of1 fat1 fat1 1 schal sayn
Of1 alle tresoun suffreyn pestilence
Is whan a wight1 betrayef Innocence 92
30 fadres and 30 modres eek1 also
f ough 3e haue children be it oon or mo
3oure is f e charge of1 alle here sufferance
"VVhil fey ben vnder 3oure gouernance 06
CORPUS 427 (6-T. 305)
SIX-TEXT 306
GROUP C. § 1, DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS,
Bef war fat1 by ensample of* 301116 lyuynge
Owfer by necligence in chastysynge
fat1 fey ne pmssche I dar wel seye
If1 fat1 fey don ^e schulle ful sore abeye 100
vnder a schepperde softe and necligent
f e wolf1 haf many a sclieep and lamb torenfr'
Sufficeth oon ensample now as heere
flbr I moot1 torne a^en to my mateere / 104
This mayde of1 which I telle my tale expresse /
Sche kepte hir self* hir needed no maistresse
ffor in hire lyuyng1 may dens mighte rede /
As in a book1 euery good word and dede 108
fat1 longef to a mayde verfcuous
Sche was so prudent1 and so bountyuous
ffor which out1 sprong1 f e fame on euery syde
Bof e of1 hire beaute and of1 hire bounte wyde 1 12
fat1 f urgh" f e loiid fey preised hire echone
That* louede vertu saue envye alone
fat1 sory is of1 of er mennes wele
And glad is of1 his sorwe and vnheie 116
The doctour makef f is discripcion
f is mayde wente on a day in-to f e toun
Toward f e temple wif hire mooder deere
As is of1 ^onge maydens fe maneere 120
Now was f er a Justice in f e toun [leaf 192, back]
That1 gouernour was of1 fat1 region
And so bifelle f is luge his yhen caste
vppon fis mayde hire ful faste 124
As sche cam forthby f er f e luge stood
Anon his herte chaungef and his mood
So was he caught1 wif beaute of1 fis mayde /
And to himself1 ful priuely he sayde / 128
This mayde schal be mjn for ony man
Anon f e feend in-to his herte ran
And taught1 him sodeynly by what1 sleighte
fe inayde to his purpos wynne he mighte 132
COKPUS 428 (6-T. 306)
SIX-TEXT 307
GROUP C, § 1, DOCTOR'S' TALE. Corpus MS.
ffor certes by no force ne by no meede
him fought/ he was not1 able for to speede /
ffor he was strong1 of* frecndes and eek1 sche
Cdnfermed was in such souereyn beaute 13G
f afr wel he wiste he might1 hire neuer wynne
As for to make hire wif liire body synne
ffor which wif gref deliberacion
he sente after a clerk1 in-to fe toun 140
The which he knew for subtil and for bold
This luge vnto fis clerk1 his tale haf told
In secre wise and made him to assure /
he scholde telle it1 to no creature 144
And if1 he dide he scholde leese his heed
Whan assented was fis cursed reed
Glad was f e luge and made glad cliere /
And }af him 3iftes precious and deere / 148
Whan schapen was al fis conspiracie
ffrom poynt1 to poynt1 how fat1 his leech erie
Parformed schulde be ful subtilly
as 36 schal here aftirward openly 152
horn gof fis clerk1 fat1 highte Claudius
fis false luge fat1 highte Apius
So was his name for it is no fable /
But1 knowen for an historial fing1 notable 156
The sentence of4 it1 so)) is out* of1 doute tieaf 193]
J)is false luge go)) now faste aboute
To hasten his delyt1 al fat1 he may
And so bifell<? sone after on a day 1GO
fis false luge as telle J) vs J>e story
As he was woned sat1 in his consistory
And 3af1 his domes vpon sondry cas
This false clerk1 cam for)) a wel good paas 164
And seyde lord if1 fat1 it1 be }our wille /
As dof me right1 vpon fis pitous bille
In which I pleyne vppon virginius
And if1 fat1 he wol seyn it1 is not1 fus 168
CORPUS 429 (6-T. 307)
SIX-TEXT 308
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
I wol proue it1 and fynde good witnesse
That1 sof is fat1 my bille wol expresse
f e luge answerde of* pis in his absence
I may not1 jiue diffinityf1 sentence 1", 2
let1 don him calle and I wol gladly heere
Thou schalt1 haue right and no wrong heere
Virginius cam to wite f e luges wille
And right1 anon was rad fis cursed bille / 176
The sentence of1 it1 was as 30 schul heere
To 3ou my lord sire Apius so deere
Schewef ^oure pouere seruant Claudius
how fat1 a knight1 called v^rginius 180
A^ens f e lawe a^eins alle equite
holdef expres a^eins f e will of1 me
my seruaunt1 which fat is my f ral by right
Which from my?i hous was stolen on a night 184
Whils sche was ful ^ong1 1 wol it1 preue
By witnesse lord so fat1 36 $ou not1 greue
Sche is nought1 his doughter what1 so he say
"Wherfore my lord fe luge to }ou I pray 188
^elde me my f ralle if1 fat1 it1 be 30111- wille
lo f is was al f e sentence of1 f e bille
Virgineus gan vpon f e clerk1 biholde
But1 hastily er he his tale tolde / 192
he wolde haue defended it1 as scholde a knight ['-cat n s, back]
And by witnesse of1 many a trewe wight
That1 al was fals fat seyde his aduersarie
This cursed luge wolde no lenger tarie / 196
Ne here a word more of1 v/rgineus
But1 ^af1 his luggement and seyde f us
I deme anon f is clert his sernaunt haue
]>ou schalt1 no lenger in fin hous hire saue 200
Go bring1 hire forth and put1 hire in oure warde
f is clerk1 schal haue his f ral f us I awarde /
And whan fis worf i knight1 vzVgineus /
furgh fe assent1 of1 f e luge apius 204
CORPUS 430 (6-T. 308)
SIX-TEXT 309
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Moste by force his deere doughter ^yuen
vnto pe luge in lecchorie to lyuen
he goj) him horn) and sette him in his halle
And leet1 anon his deere doubter calle / 208
And with a face deed as ayssches colde
vppon hire humble face he gan biholde
Wip fadres pite stiking1 porugh his herte
Al wolde he not1 from, his purpos conuerte 212
Doughter quod he virginea by py name
per ben tuo weyes oper dep or schame
That1 pou most* suffre alias fat1 1 was bore
ffor neuer pou deseruedest1 wherfore 216
To deyen with a swerd or wip a knyf1
0 deere doughter endere of1 my lijf1
Which I haue fostred vp wip such plesaunce
pat1 pou ne were out1 of1 my remembrance / 220
0 doughter which pat1 art1 iny laste wo /
And in my lijf1 my laste ioye also
0 gerame of1 chastite in pacience
Tak1 pou pi dep for pis is my sentence / 224
ffor loue and nat/ for hate pou most1 be deed
My pitous hond moot1 smyten of1 pin heed
Alias pat1 euer Apius pe say
pus hap he falsly iugged pe to day 228
And tolde hire al pe cas as $e bifore Deaf 194]
han herd it1 nedep not1 to telle it more
Mercy deere fader quod pis mayde
And wip pat1 word sche hope hire armes layde 232
Aboute his necke as sche was woned to dc
pe teeres barsten out1 of1 hire eyen tuo
And sayde goode fader schal I dye
Is per no grace is per no remedye 236
No certes deere doubter mjn quod he
panne 31^ me leue fader myn quod sche
My dep to compleigne a litel space
ffor p«?-de leffa ^af1 his doubter grace 240
CORPUS 431 (6-T. 309)
SIX-TEXT 310
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ffor to coinpleyne ar lie hir slough alias
And god it* wot1 noping1 was hire trespas
But* pafr sche ran hire fader first1 to see
To welcome him wip grefr solempnite 244
And wip pat1 word sche felle on swown anon)
And after whan hir swownyng1 was agon
Sche rise]) vp and to hire fader sayde /
Blessed he god pat1 I schal deye a mayde 248
^if1 me my deth er pat1 1 haue a schame
Do]) wip ^our child ^our wil a goddes name
And wip pat1 word sche prayej) him ful ofte
pat1 wip his swerd he schulde hir smyte softe 252
And wij) pat1 word on swoune doun sche fel
hir fader wij) ful sorweful herte and fel
hire heed of1 smoott and by pe top if hente
And to pe luge he ^ it1 to presente 256
As he sat* in his doom in consistory
Whan J>e luge it1 say as saip J)e story
He had take him and honge him also faste
But1 right anon al J>e poeple in J)raste 260
To saue pe knight for roupe and for pite
ffor knowen was pe fooles Iniquite
The poeple anon hadde suspecte in pis ping1
By maner of pis clerkes chalangyng1 264
That* it1 was by passenfr of Apius [leaf 194, back]
They wisten wel pat1 he was lecchorous
ffor which vnto pis Apius pey gon
And casten him in prison right1 anon 268
Wher as he slough himself1 and Claudius
pat1 seruant1 was vnto pis Apius
Was demed for to honge vpon a tre
But/ virgineus of1 his grete pite 272
Prayde for him pat1 he was exiled
And elles certes he hadde be bygyled
The remenant1 were honged more & lesse
paf consented were to his cursednesse 276
CORPUS 432 (6-T. 310)
SIX-TEXT 311
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOJl's TALE. CorpUS MS.
Here may men se how synne liaj) his meryt /
Be war for noman wot1 how god wol smyt1
In no degre ne in which maner wise
The worm of1 conscience wol arise 280
Of* wicked lyf1 J>ough it1 so preuy be
Jmt1 noman woof of1 it1 but1 god and he
Whejjer he be lewed man or lered
he not1 how soone J?att he may ben afeered 284
]?er-fore I rede 3011 J>is counseil take
fforsakej) synne er synne 3011 forsake
COBPUS 433 (6-T. 311)
SIX-TEXT 312
GROUP C. § 2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK. Corpus MS.
[on leaf 194, back]
Prologus
288
Owre oost1 gan for to swere as he were wood
harrow qwod he by nayles and by blood
This was a cursed f eef1 a fals Instise
As schamful def as herte can deuyse
So falle vpon his body and his bones [*]
f e deuyl I bekenne him al at ones [*] 292
Alias to deere boughte sche hire beaute
Wherfore I say fat1 alle men may se
That1 $iftes of1 fortune or of1 nature
Be]) cause of1 def of1 many a creature 296
hire beaute was hire def I dar wel sayn
Alias so pitously as sche was slayn
But* her of1 wil I not1 precede as now \8puriouti\
Men haue ful often more harm fan prow 300
But1 trewely myii owne mayster deere [leaf 105]
This is a pitous tale for to heere
But1 naf eles passe ouer is no fors
I pray to god so saue fin gentil cors 304
And fin vrynals and fin lurdanes
Thyn ypocras and fin Galianes
And euery box ful of1 fin letuarie
God blesse hem and oure lady seinte marie 308
So mote I f e f ou art1 a propre man
And ylike a prelat1 by seint Runyan
Sayde I nou^t1 wel can I nou^fr speke in terme
But1 wel I woot1 fou dost1 my^ herte to erme 312
That1 I almost1 haue caught a Cardyacle /
By Corpus bones but1 if1 1 haue triacle
Of er elles a draught1 of1 moyste and corny ale /
Or but1 I heere anoon a merye tale / 316
CORPUS 434 (6-T. 312)
SIX-TEXT 313
GROUP C. § 2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK. CoipUS MS.
Myn herte is lost1 for pite of1 J>is mayde
J>ou belamy lofin Pardoner he sayde
es right anon
•< eint Eunyon 320
re at1 Jns ale stake
.2 nke and eten of1 a Cake
£ J?ise gentils bygonne to crye
£Q lie vs of1 no rybaudye 324
s
^ ortal Jring* pai^ we may leere
Jj* Jjenne wol we gladly heere
o*
1g wys qiiod he but I moot ]>ynke
(^ honest1 jjing1 whil fat1 I drinke 328
CORPUS 435 (6-T. 313)
SIX-TEXT 314
GROUP C, § 3. PARDONERVS PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
1bygynne)) fe Pardoneres tale folwynge
Cm xvj?
LOrdynges quod he in chirches whan I preche
I peyne me to hane an hauteyn speche
I ryng1 it* out1 as round as gof a belle
ffor I can al by rote fat1 I telle 332
My teeine is alway oon and euer was
est1 Cupiditas E1 ^ «{« ^ '•
fat1 1 come
A fenne my bulles schewe I alle and some [leaf 195, back]
Oure liege lordes seal is my patent
f afr schewe I first* my body to warant
That1 no man be so bolde ne prest1 ne clerk1
me to destourbe of1 cristes holy werk1 340
And after fat1 telle I forf my tales
Bulles of1 Popes and of1 Cardinales
Of1 Patriarkes and bisschoppes I schewe
And in latyn I speke wordes a fewe 344
To saffran wif my predicacion
And for to stere men to deuoicon
fanne schewe I forf my lange cristal stones
I-crammed ful of1 cloutes and of1 bones 348
Relikes fey ben as wenen fey echone
fan haue I in latoun a schulder bone
Which fat1 was of1 an holy iewes scheep
Goode men say I takef of my wordes keep 352
If1 fat1 f is bon be waisshe in any welle
If1 kow or calf1 scheep or oxe swelle
That1 eny worme haf y-bite or stronge
Touche he f is boon anon he schal be sounde 356
CORPUS 436 (6-T. 314)
SIX-TEXT 315
GROUP C. § 3, PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
And ^ifr also I seye forfermore
Of pokkes ofH scabbes and of1 euery sore
Schal euery scheep be hool J>afr of Jns welle
DrinkeJ) a draught1 and take keep what I telle 360
Wole euery wight1 er fat1 fe cok1 him crowef
And do fing1 fat1 him owe])
ffastynge drinke of1 f is welle a draught
As filke holy iewe oure eldre ous taught 364
his bestes and his store schal multiplye
And sires also it1 helef lelousie
And fey a man be falle in gelouse rage
Let1 make wif fis water his potage 368
And neuer schal he more his wijf1 mystreste
fey he in sof e a defaute by hire wiste
Al had sche taken prestes tuo or f re
heer is a myteyn eek1 as $e may see [leaf IDG] 372
he fat1 his bond wol putte in fat1 myteyne
he schal haue multiplyyng1 of his greyne
When he haf sowen be it whete or ootes
So Jjatt of pens o)>er elles of grootes 376
And men and wowmen o jjing1 warne I 3011
If any wight1 be in j?is chirche now
That1 haj? don synne orrible fat1 he
Dar nought1 for schame schriuen be 380
Or eny womman be sche ^ong1 or old
fat1 ha]? y-maad hire housbonde kokewold
Such folk* schuln haue no power ne grace
To offre to my relikes in Jns place 384
And who so fyndej) him out of such blame
jjey wole come vp and offre in goddes name
And I assoile him by J?e auctorite
Which J>af by bulle was y-graunted me 388
By J)is gande haue I wonne euery ^ere
An hundred mark1 serenes I was pardonere
I stande lik1 a clerk1 in many a pulpette
And. sche we lewed poeple and doun fey sette 392
CORPUS 437 (6-T. 315)
SIX-TEXT 316
GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
I preche so as ^e haue herd byfore
And telle an hundred Tapes more /
jjenne peyne I me to strecche forj) my nekke
And Est1 and west1 vpon J>e poeple I bekke 396
As do]? a dowfe sittyng1 vpan a berne
myn handes and my tonge gon so 3 erne
Jjat1 is if ioye to se my busynes
Of1 auarice and such oj>er cursednes 400
Is al my prechinge to make hem fre
To ^iue here pans and namely vnto me
ffor myn entent1 is nou^t1 but1 for to wynne
And noting1 for correccion of1 synne 404
I rekke neuer whan pat1 fey ben beried
Jjough Jjat1 here soules gon a blake beryed
ffor certes many a predicacion
SowneJ? ofte tyme of1 yuel intencioii [leaf 1%, back] 408
Sowme for plesaunce of1 folk1 and for flaterie
To ben auaunced by ypocresye
And sorame for veynglorie and somme for hate /
ffor whan I dar no^t1 o]>erwise debate 412
Jjarine wil I stynge hem with my tonge smerte
In preening1 so fat1 J>ei schal no^tt asterte
To be diffamed falsly if1 ])at he
hajj trespassed to my bre]?eren oj)er to me 416
ffor Jjough I telle nou^t1 his propre name
Men schal wel knowe J?att if is J>e same
By symony and by ojjer circumstaunces
Jjus quyte I folk1 J>af doj? vs displesaunces 420
J?us spitte I out my venym vnder hewe
Of1 holynesse to seme holy and trewe
But1 schortly my ft en tent I wil deuyse
I preche of1 no Jung1 but1 of1 coueytise 424
Jjerfore my teeme is jitt and euer was
Eadix malomm est1 cupiditas /
Thus gan I preche a^eins J?e same vice
Such Jjat1 I vse and pat1 is auarice 428
CORPUS 438 (6-T. 316)
SIX-TEXT 317
GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Corpus MS.
That1 Jjough I mj self1 be gulty in J>af synne
^.it1 kan I make o]>er folk1 for to wynne
ffrom auarice and sore to repente
But1 Jmt1 nys nought my principal entente 432
I preche no jnng1 but1 for coueityse
Of1 Jns matiere I ought1 ynough suffise
Jjenne telle I of1 ensamples many on
Of1 olde stories longe tyme agon 436
ffor lewed poeple louen tales olde
Whiche jjinges can jjey wel reporte and holde
What trowe 30 whiles jjat1 I may preche
And wynne gold and siluer for I teche 440
That1 1 wol lyue in pouert1 wilfully
Nay nay I jjought1 it1 neuer trewely
ffor I wol preche and begge in sondry landes
ffor I wole do no labour wijj my/t handes [leaf 197] 444
And make basketes and lyue jjerby
By cause I wol not1 beggen ydelly
I wole none of1 ]>e aposteles countrefete
I wole haue money chese and whete 448
Al were it1 ^euen of1 ]?e porest1 page
Ojjer of1 J>e porest1 wydewe in a village
Al scholde here children sterue for famyne
Nay I wol drynke J?e likour of1 J?e vyiie 452
And haue a loly wenche in euery toun
But1 herknej) lordynges in conclusion
^oure liking1 is Jjat1 I schal telle a tale
Now I haue drunke a draught1 of1 corny ale 456
By god I hope I schal telle }ou a Jung1
J^at1 schal by resoun ben at1 ^our liking*
ffor )>ough my selue be a vicious man
A more-ille tale ^it1 1 $ou telle can 460
Which I am wont1 to p?-eche for to wynne
Now holde ^oure pees my tale I wol begynne
CORPUS 439 (6-T. 317)
SIX-TEXT 318
GBOUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
I
N fflaundres whilom was a companye /
OF 3ong< folk1 pat1 haunteden folye 464
As Ryot1 hasard stewes and tauernes
1 t1-1 /« a
1 Where as why]? harpes lutes and gyternes
They daunce and pleye at dyse bojje day and night1
And eeten also and drunken ouer al here might1 468
Jjorugh which J?ey doon }>e deueles sacrifise
Wijjinne ]?e deueles temple in cursed wyse
J>e Superflues abhominable
here o]?es ben so grete and dampna[b]le / 472
fat1 it1 is grisly for to here hem swere
Oure blessed lordes body they to-tere
hem Jjoughte lewes rent/ him nought ynough
And ilke of1 hem at1 ojjer synnes lowh 476
And right1 anon J?enne come tomblisteres
ffetys and smal 3ong) fruytesteres /
Syngers with harpes bawdes wafereres
Suche ben verray ]?e deueles officers [leaf 197, ba-k] 480
To kyndle and blowe J?e fyr ofH leccherie /
That1 is annexed to glotonye /
The holy writ1 take I to witneSSe / If Nolite hiebriari vino in
That1 leccherie is in wyn and drunkenesse if quo eat luxuria
Lo how fat1 drunken loth vnkyndely 485
lay by his doughtres tuo vnwetyngly
So drunke he was he nyste what1 he wrought1
And ferfore sore repente him oughte [spurious] 48 7 b
heroudes who so wole fe stories seche * 488
Jjer may 36 lerne and by ensample teche [spurioui] 4886
CORPUS 440 (6-T. 318)
SIX-TEXT 319
GROUP C, § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,
Whan he of wyn was replet1 at1 his feste 489
Right1 at4 his owen table ^af his heste
To slen f e Baptist1 lob/m fill gulteles
Senek1 saif eek1 goode wordes douteles 492
he sei]j he can no difference fynde
Bitwix a man fat/ is out of his mynde
And a man fat1 is drunkelewe
But* fat1 wodnesse is fallen in a schrewe 496
Perseueref lenger fan dof drunkenes
0 glotenye fill of1 cursednes
0 cause fersf of1 oure confusion
0 original of oure dampnacion 500
Til crist1 hadde brought1 out1 wif his blood agayn
lo how deere and schortly was to sayn
Aboute was f e cursed vilanye /
Corrupte was al fis world furgh glotenye 504
Adam oure fader and his wyf1 also
ffro paradys to labour and to wo
"Were dryuen for fat1 vice it1 nys no drede
ffor whiles fat1 adam fasted as I rede 508
He was in paradys and whan fat1 he /
Ete of f e fruyte defended on a tre
Anon he was out1 cast1 to woo and pleyne
0 glotonye on fe wel oughte ous pleigne 512
0 wiste a man how many maladyes
ffolwef of excesse and of glotenyes [leaf IDS]
he schulde be f e more mesurable
Of his diete sittyng1 at1 fe table 516
Alias f e schorte f rote f e tendre mouf
Makef fat1 Est1 and West1 north and souf
In erf e in aier in water men to swynke /
To gete a glotoun mete and drynke 520
Of f is matiere o poule wel canst1 f ou entrete
Mete vnto wombe and wombe eek1 vnto mete
Schal god discryuen bof e as poule saif
Alias a foul f ing1 is it1 by my faif / 524
31 CORPUS 441 (6-T. 319)
SIX-TEXT 320
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
To say >is word and fouler is >e dede
When men so drynke]? of J?e white and Jje rede /
fat1 of his J?rote he make]? his pryue
jmrgh' jjilke cursed superfluite 528
The apostel wepyng1 saij) ful pitously
Ther walken many of1 which ^ou told haue I
I say it now wepyng1 wijj pitous voys
Ther ben enemys of1 cristes croys 532
OfH which Jje ende is dej> Jje wombe is here god
0 wombe o holy o styiikynge kod
ifulfilde of1 dunge and of1 corupcion
At1 eyfer ende of1 J?e foule is fe soun 536
How gret1 cost1 and labour is to fynde
J?ise cookes how ]?ey scampe and streyne and grynde /
And turnen substaunce in-to accident
To fulfille al J>y likerous talent1 540
Out1 of1 ]>e harde bones knokken Jmy
J?e mary for jjay caste nought1 away
J?af may go jjurgh" J>e golet1 softe and swoote
Of1 spicerie of* leues bark1 and roote 544
Schal ben his sause y-maad by delyte
To make him ^it1 a newer appetite
But1 certes he J>af hauntejj suche delices
Is deed whiles Jmf he lyuej) in J>e vices 548
A leccherous ping1 is wyn and drunkenes /
Is ful of1 stryuyng1 and of1 wrecchednes [leaf 198, back]
0 drunken man disfigured is J?i face
ffoul is J?i bre|) foul art1 j>ou to embrace 552
And Jmrgh )?in drunken nose seme]? ]?i soun
As fough jjou seydest1 ay Sampson Sampson
And ^it1 god woot1 Sampson drank1 neuer no wyn
Thow fallest1 as it1 were a stiked swyn 556
Thyn tunge is lost1 and alle J>in honeste cures
fibr drunkenes is verray sepultures
Of1 mannes wit1 and his discrecion
In whom fat1 drynke haj? dominacion 560
CORPUS 442 (6-T. 320)
SIX-TEXT 321
Gitoup C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,
He can no counseil kepe it1 is no drede
Now kepe 3011 fro ]?e white and fro Jje rede
Namly fro fe white wyn of* lepe
fat1 is to selle in ffischstret1 or in Chepe / 564
This wyn of1 Spayne crepe)? subtilly
In ojjer wynes growyng1 faste by
Of1 which ])er rysej? such fumosite
fat1 whan a man haf drunken draughtes fre / 568
And weiiej? fat1 he be at1 home in chepe
he is in spayne right1 at1 f e toune of1 lepe
Nought1 at1 f e Eochel ne at1 Burdeux toun
And fenne wolen fey sayn Sampsoun Sampsown 572
But1 herknef lordinges o word I $ou prey
That1 all f e souerein actes dar I say
Of1 victories in f e olde testament*
fat1 jjurgh verray god J)att is omnipotent1 576
Were don in abstinence and in pray ere
lokej? Jje bible and J?ere 30 may it leere
lokej? attyla j?e grete conquerour
Deyed in his sleepe wij> schame and dishonour 580
Bledyng1 ay at1 his nose in drunkenes
A Capitayne schulde lyue in sobernes /
And ouer al Jns avise ^ou right1 wel
"What1 was comaunded vnto lamuel 584
Nought1 Samuel but lamuel say I /
liedej) ]?e bible and fyndej) it1 expressely [leaf 199]
Of1 wyn 3euynge to hem Jjat1 han iustice
Nomore of1 J)is for it1 may wel suffice 588
AJSTd now Jjat1 1 haue spoke of1 glotonye
Now wole I defende ^ou hasardye
hasard is verray mooder of1 lesynges
And of1 disceipt1 cursed forswerynges 592
Blaspheme of1 crist1 and mansleynges also
Of1 batayle of1 tyme and of1 o]>er mo
It1 is repreff1 and contrarie to honour
fifor to be holde a comune hasardour 596
CORPUS 443 (6-T. 321)
SIX-TEXT 322
GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,
And euer pe hyer he is of* astate
]>e more he is y-halden desolate
If1 fat1 a prince vse hasardrye
In alle gouernaunce and alle polesye 600
he is as by comun opynyon
y-halde f e lasse in reputacion
[Stilbon that1 was holde . a wise ambassatow
"Was sent1 in-to Corynthy . with ful grete honour]
fFro Calydonye to maken him alleaunce
And whan he cam him happede fis chaunce
fat1 alle f e grettesf fat1 were of* f is lande
Pleying1 at1 f e hasard he hem fande COS
ffor which as sone as fat1 mighte be
he stal him home a^ein to his cuntre
And sayde f er I wol nought lese my name
I ne wol nought1 take on me so gret1 diffame 612
3011 to alleye to none hasardoures
Sendef of erwise embassetoures
ffor by my trouf e me were leuer deye /
fan I to ^ou schulde hasardoures alleye / 616
ffor 36 fat1 ben so glorious in honoures
Schal nou^t1 aleye ^ou wij? hasardoures
As by my wille ne as by my trete
))is wise Philosophre sayde to me 620
loke jjou vse no pley of1 dees in Jmi hous
loke eek1 fat1 to fe king1 Demetrus
Sente him a payre of1 dees of1 gold in scorn
ffor he hadde vsed hasardye }>er byforn [leaf 199, back] 624
ffor which he helde his glorie and his renown
At1 no value of1 reputaciown
lordes mighten fynden oj>er manor pley
honeste ynough to dryue fe day awey 628
w wol I speke of1 ofes false and grete
A word or tuo as ofer bookes entrete
Gret1 sweryng1 is a fing1 abhominable
And fals swerynge is more reprouable 632
CORPUS 444 (6-T. 322)
SIX-TEXT 323
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
pe hihe god forbad sweryng1 at1 al
Witnesse at1 Matthew but1 in special
Of1 sweryng1 saip pe holy leromie
pou schalt1 swere so]) pin. opes and nought1 lye / 636
And swere in doome and eek1 in rightwisnesse
But1 ydel sweryng1 is a cursednesse
Bihold and see pat1 in pe ferste table /
Of1 heyhe goddes hestes honurable / 640
how pafr pe secounde heste of1 him is pis /
Take nought1 my name in ydelnesse amys /
lo raper he forbedep such sweryng1
Or Omycyde or eny oper cursed ping1 644
I say as by ordre pus it1 standep
This knowep pat1 his hestes vnderstandej)
how pat1 pe secounde heste of1 god is pat1
And forpermore I wol pe telle al plat1 648
•'fat1 vengeaunte schal nou^t1 parte fro his hous
pat* of1 his othis is so outrageous
By goddes precious herte and his nayles
And by his blood pat1 is in hayles 652
Seuen is -my chaunce and pin is fyue and Jrre /
By goddes armes if1 pou falsly pleye me
pis dagger schal purgh pin herte go
pis fruyt1 comep of1 pe bicched bones tuo 656
fforsweryng1 Ire falsnes homicyde
Now for pe loue of1 crist1 pat1 for vs dyde
leuep ^oure opes bope grete and smale
ffor cristes sake and herkne to my tale [leaf 200] 660
pise ryetoures pre of1 which I telle
longe er pryme ronge eny belle
Were sette hem in a tauerne for to drynke /
And as pey sate pey herde a belle clynke / 664
Byforn a corps was caryed to his graue
pat1 oon of1 hem gan calle to his knaue /
Go bet1 quop he and axe redyly
"What1 corps is pis pat1 passep faste by / 668
CORPUS 445 (6-T. 323)
SIX-TEXT 324
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And loke pat1 pou reporte his name wel
Sire quod pis boye it1 nedep neuer a del
It1 was me told er }e came here to oures
He was parde an old felawe of1 ^oures 672
Al sodeynly was he slayn to night /
ffor-drunke as he sate vp his benche vpright1
Ther came a pryue peef1 men cleped dep
pat1 in his cuntre al pe poeple slep 676
And with his spere he smof his herte a tuo
And went1 his way wipouten wordes mo
And maister er ^e come in his p?-esence / 680
he ha)) a pousend slain pis pestilence / 679
Me pinkep it1 were necessarie /
ffor to be war of1 such an aduersarie /
Bep redy for to mete him euermore /
pus tauglite me my dame I say no more / 684
By seinte mary seyde pis tauernere
pe child saip sop for he ha]) slayn to ^ere
Hens ouer a myle wipinne a gref village
Bo]?e man and womman child and page 688
I trowe his habitacion be pere /
To ben auysed grefr wisedom it were /
Er pat1 he dede a man dishonour
3e goddes armes quod pis ryetour 692
Is it/ such peril wip him for to mete
I schal him seeke by wey and eek1 by strete
I make avow to goddes digne bones
Herkne felawes we pre ben alle ones Qeat 200, back] 696
let1 eche of1 vs halde vp his hand to oper
And eche of1 vs bycome operes broper
And we woln slee pis false traytour dep
He schal be slayn he pat1 so many slep 700
By goddes dignite er it1 be night1
To-gidre haue pese pre here hertes hight
To lyue and deye ilk1 of1 hem to oper
As pough he were his owen sworne broper 704
CORPUS 446 (6-T. 324)
SIX-TEXT 325
GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,
And vp fey sterte al drunken in f is rage
And for]? fey gon toward pat1 village
Of1 which f e tauerner haf spoke byforn
And many a grisly of f enne haue fey sworn 708
And cristes blessed body fey torent
Deth schal be deed if1 fat1 we may him hent/
Whan fey han goon nought fully a myle /
Eight1 as fey wolde haue treden ouer a style 712
And olde and a pore man with hem mette
f is olde man ful rnekely hem grette
And seyde f us now lordes god }ou se
fe proudest1 of1 fese ryettoures fre 716
Answered agayn what1 carle wif harde grace
Why art1 f ou al forwrapped saue f y face /
Why lyuest1 f ou so longe in so gret1 age /
fis olde man gan loke in his visage / 720
And sayde f us for I can nought1 fyiide /
A man f ough fat1 I walked in-to ynde /
Neyf er in Cite ne in village
That1 wol chaunge his }oufe for myrc age 724
And f erfore moot1 1 haue myn age stille
As lange tyme as it1 is goddes wille /
Ne def alias nel nought1 haue my lyf1
Jms walke I lyk1 a resteles kaytyf1 728
And on f e ground which is my moodres gate /
I knokke wif my staff1 erly and late
And saye leeue mooder lete me Inne
Lo how I wanse fleisscfr and blood and skyn [leaf 201] 732
Alias whan schullen myne bones ben at1 reste
Moder with 3011 wolde I chaunge my cheste
That1 in my chambre lange tyme haue be
$e for an here clout/ to wrappe me 736
But1 ^itt to me sche wole nou^t1 do fat/ grace
ffor which ful hale and welked is my face
But1 sires to $ou it nys no curtesye
To speken vntil an olde man vilenye 740
CORPUS 447 (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 326
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
But' he trespace in word of er elles . in dede
In holy wryt1 36 may ^oure self1 wel rede /
A^eins an olde man hoor vpon his heede /
36 schullen aryse wherfore I ^iue ^ow rede 744
Ne do]? nou^t1 to an olde man non harrne now
No more fat1 men dede to 3ow
In age if* f afr 30 so longe abyde
And god "be wif 3011 whef er 36 go or ryde 748
I mot1 go f ider f er as I haue to go
Nay olde cherl by god f ou schalt1 no^f so
Sayde f is olde hasardour anon
fou fartest1 nought1 so lightly by seint1 Ion 752
fou spake right1 now of1 f ilke traitour def
fat1 in f is cuntre alle oure frendes sleef
haue heer my trouf e as fou art1 his aspye /
Telle wher he is or fou schalt1 abye 756
By god and by f e holy sacrament/
ffor so]?ly jjou art1 on of1 his assent1
To slen vs 3onge folk1 jjou false ]?eef*
Now sires if1 jjat1 it be to 3ou so leef1 760
To fynde dejj turne vp )>is croked wey
ffor in fat1 groue I lafte him by my fey
vnder a tre and J?ere he wole abycle
Ne for 3oure bost1 he nyl him no fing1 hyde 764
Se 36 fat1 Oke right1 fere 36 schuln him fynde
God saue }ou fat1 bo^t1 a3ein mankynde.
And 3ou amende f us sayde f is olde man)
And euery of1 f ise ryetoures ran [leaf 201, back] 753
Til fey came to f e tree and f er fey founde
Of1 floryns fyne of1 gold y-coyned rounde
Wel neih a seuen buscheles as hem fought1
No lenger fenne after def fey sought1 772
But1 eche of1 hem so glad was of1 f e sight1
ffor fat1 f e floryns so faire ben and bright1
That1 doun fey sette hem by f e precious horde
The worste of1 hem he spak/ fe firste worde 776
CORPUS 448 (6-T. 320)
SIX-TEXT 327
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Bref eren quod he take keepe what1 I say
My witte is gret1 f ough fat1 I bourde and play
f is tresour ha]) fortune to vs ^iuen
In merfe and lolyte oure lijf* to lyuen 780
And lightly as it1 come)) so wole we spende
Ey goddes precious dignite who wende
To day fat1 we schulde haue so fair a grace
But1 mighte ])is golde be caryed fro J)is place 784
home to myn hous oj)er elles vnto 3oures
])anne mighte we seye fat1 it/ were al oures /
f enne were we in heih felicite
but1 trewely by day it1 may nought1 be / 788
Men wolde say fat1 we were f eues stronge
And for oure oughne tresour don vs honge
J)is tresour nioste y-karied be by night1
As wysly and as sleighly as hit1 might1 792
Wherfore I rede let1 loke among1 vs alle
Be drawe and let see wher j)e cutte wol falle
he fat1 haf f e cutte wif herte blythe
Schal renne to toune and fat ful swythe 796
To brynge vs breed and wyn ful pryuyly
And tuo of1 ous schuln kepe ful subtilly
f is tresour wel and if1 he wol noughtt tarien
Whan fat1 it1 is night1 we woln fy tresour carien 800
By on assent1 wher as vs luste best
fat1 oon of1 hem broughte in his feste
And bad hem drawe and loke on whom it wol falle
And it1 fille on f e ^ongeste of1 hem alle [leaf 202] 804
And forf toward f e toun he wente anon
And also soone as he was y-gon
fat1 on of1 hem spak1 f us vnto fat1 of er
f ou wost1 wel fat1 foil art1 myn owen sworne brof er 808
Thyn prophyte wol I telle f e anon
f ou wost1 wel fat1 oure felawe is gon
And heere is gold and fat1 ful gret1 plente
That1 it1 schal departed be among1 vs fre 812
CORPUS 449 (6-T. 327)
SIX-TEXT 328
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
But* naf eles if1 1 can schape it/ so
fat1 it1 departed were among1 vs tuo
had I nougRt1 don a frendes turne to f e
fat1 ofer answerde I not1 how fat mighte be 816
I woot1 wel fat1 f e gold is oure tuo
What1 schulde we seye what1 schulde we do
Schal it1 be counseil sayde f e firste schrewe /
And I schal telle in wordes fewe 820
What1 we schulii doon and bringe it1 wel aboute
I graunte quod fat1 of er out of1 doute
fat1 by my trewjje I wol f e no^t1 bewreye
Now quof f e firste fou wost1 wel we be tweye 824
And tweyne of1 vs schuln strenger ben fan oon
loke whenne he is sette and j?anne anon
Aryse as fou woldest1 wif him pleye
And I schal renne him f urgh f e sydes tweye 828
Whiles fat1 fou struggelist1 wif him in game
And wif f y dagger loke fou do f e same
And f enne schal al f is gold departed be
My deere freend bitwixe fe and me 832
f enne may we bof e oure lustes fulfille
And pleye atte dys right1 at1 oure owen wille
And f us accorded ben f ese schrewes tweye
To sleen f e f ridde as $e herde me seye 836
f is 3ongest1 which fat1 wente to f e toun
fful ofte in herte he rollef vp and doun
f e beaute of1 f ese floreynes newe and bright1
O lord quof he if1 so were fat1 1 might1 [leaf 202, back] 840
Al f is tresour wynne to my self1 allone
f er nys no man fat1 lyuef vnder f e trone /
Of1 god fat1 scholde lyue as mery as I
And at1 fe laste fe feend oure enemy 844
Putte in his f ou^t1 fat1 he schulde poyson beye
With which he mighte sleen his felawes tweye
fifor why f e feend fand him in such lyuyng1
That1 hadde leue him to sorwe brynge 848
CORPUS 450 (6-T. 328)
SIX-TEXT 329
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ffor pis was vtterly his entent1
To slen hem bope and neuer to repent
And for]? he go]) no leiiger nolde he tarye
In-to ])e toun vnto a potycarie / 852
And preyde him pat1 he him wolde selle
Som poysoun fat1 he might1 his rattes quelle
And eek1 per was a polkat1 in his hawe
pat1 as he sayde his Capons had y-slawe / ^ 856
And sayde he wolde wreken him if1 he might1
Of1 vermyn pat1 distroyed him by night1
pe apotykaries answerde pou schalt1 haue
A ping1 fat1 als god my soule sane 860
In al ])is world per nys no creature
pat1 eten or drunken ha]) of1 ])is confecture
Nought1 but1 pe mountaimee o£ a corn of1 whete
pat1 he ne schal his lylH anon forlete 864
36 sterue he schal and pat1 in lasse while /
penne pou wolt1 gon a pace nought1 but1 a myle
pis poysoun is so strong1 and so vyoleiit1
pis cursed man hap in his hand y-hent1 868
pis poysoun in a box and sepenes he ran
In-to pe nexte strete vnto a man
And borwed him large botelles pre
And in pe tweyne pis poyson poured he 872
pe pridde he keped clene for his drynke
ffor al pe night1 he schop him to swynke
In karying1 of1 pe golde out1 of* pat1 place
And whan pis ryetour wip sory grace [leaf 203] 876
had felled wip him his grete botelles |>re
To his felawes a^ayn repayrep he
What1 nedep it1 to sermone per-of1 more
ffor right1 as pay hadde cast1 his dej? afore 880
Right1 so pey haue him slayn and pat1 anon
And wheime pat1 pis was don pen spak1 pat1 oon
Now let1 vs drynke and sytte and make vs mery
And afterward we wolen his body bery 884
CORPUS 451 (6-T. 329.)
SIX-TEXT 330
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And aftirward it1 happed hem per cas
To take j?e hotel jjer-in J>e poyson was
And drank1 and ^af1 his felawe drynke also
fFor which anon J?ey storuen bo]?e tuo 888
But1 certes I suppose Jmt1 Auycenne
Wrot1 neuer in no Canoun ne in no fenne
Mo wonder sorwes of1 enpoysonyng1
Thus hadde Jjise wrecches tuo here endynge 892
Thus ended hen Jns Omycides tuo
And eek1 J?e false enpoysonere also
0 cursed synne ful of1 cursednes
0 traytours Omycyderes o wikkednes 896
0 glotenye o luxurie 0 hasardye
J>ou hlasphemer of1 crist1 wij> vilenye
And o}>es grete of1 vsage and of1 pryde
Alias mankynde how may it hetyde 900
ferto jrin creatour / which Jjat1 J?e wrought1
And wij) his precious blood j>e bought1
]>ou art1 so fals and so vnkynde alias
Now goode men god for^iue ^oure trespas 904
And ware $ou fro J>e synne of1 auarice /
Myn holy pardoun may ^ou alle warische
So jjat1 ^e offre nobles or sterlinges
0))er elles seluer spones broches and rynges / 908
BoweJ) ^oure hed vnder fis holy bulles
Come)) vp ^e wyues offre]? ^oure wulles
3oure name I entre here in my rolle anon)
In-to ]?e blisse of1 heuen schul ^e gon [leaf 203, back] 912
1 ^ou assoille by myn heih powere
36 jjat1 woln offre as clene and eek1 as cleere
As ^e were born and sires lo jms I preche
And Ihesn crist1 Jiat1 is oure soules leche 916
So graunte 3ou his pardoun to resceyue
ffor jjat1 is best1 I wol 3ou nou3t disceyue
But1 sires o word forgat1 I in my tale
I haue reliqes and pardon in my male 920
CORPUS 452 (6-T. 330)
SIX-TEXT 331
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,
As faire as eny man in Engelond
"Whiche were me y-^oue by f e popes hond
IfH eny of1 ^ou wole of deuocion
Offren and haue myn absolucion 924
Come]? for]? anon and knelef doun heere
And 36 schuln haue my pardon fat1 is deere
Of er elles take]) pardoun as 36 wende
Al newe and freissche at1 euery tounes ende 928
So fat1 36 offren alway newe and newe /
Nobles and pens which fat1 ben good and trewe
It1 is an honour to euerich fat1 is heere
fat1 36 may haue a suffisaunt1 pardonere 932
To assoille 3ou in cuntre as I ryde
ffor auentures which fat1 may betyde
ffor peraduenture f er may falle on or tuo
Doun of1 his hors and breke his necke a tuo 936
loke which a suerte it1 is to 3011 alle
fat1 1 am in 3our felaschipe y-falle
fat1 may assoille 3ou bof e more and lasse
Whan fat1 fe soule schal fro fe body passe / 940
I rede fat oure hooste schal begynne
ffor he is most1 envoluped in synne
Comef forf sire Ost1 and offref first1 anon
And fou sehalt1 kisse fe relikes euerychoon 944
30 for a grote vnbokel anon f y purs
Nay nay quod he fenne haue I cristes curs
Let1 be quod he it1 / schal noi^t1 be so f eche
fou woldest1 make me kesse fin olde breche [leaf 2043 948
And swere it1 were a relyk1 of a seint1
f ough it1 were wif fyn foundement1 depeynt
But1 by f e Crosse which fat1 seint1 Eleyne fand
I wolde I hadde fine coyllons in myn hand 952
In stede of1 relikes of er of1 seintuary
let1 cutte hem of1 1 wol f e helpe hem cary
fey schuln be schryned in an hogges tord
fis pardoner answerde nou^t1 a word 956
CORPUS 453 (6-T. 331)
SIX-TEXT 332
GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Corpus MS,
So wrof he was he nolde no word say
Now quod oure Oost1 I wil no lenger play
Wif fe ne with non ojjer angry man
But1 right1 anon fe worjjy knight4 bygan 960
Whan fat1 he saugh fat1 al f e poeple l[ough]
Komore of1 J>is for it is right1 ynough
Sire pardoner be mery and glad of1 cheere
And }e sire Oste J?af ben to me so deere 964
I pray 3011 fat1 }e kisse fe pardoneere
And pardoner I pray J?e fat1 fou drawe fe neere
And as we dide let1 vs laughe and pleye 967
Anon fey kisse and ryden forf here weye IF Explicit1, fabula.
Pardonarii
CORPUS 454 (6-T. 332)
GROUP B, 0- FRAGMENT III)
§ 4. THE SHIPMAN'S TALE.
If Here bygynne]> J?e schipmannes tale
AMarchaunt1 whilom dwelled at1 Seint1 Denys Cam
That1 riche was for which men heelde him wys XV1J *
A wyf1 he hadde of1 excellent1 beaute
And compynable and reuerent1 was sche
Which is a Jnng1 fat1 cause]) more dispence
fen worf is alle fe cheere and reuerence 1196
That1 men haue doon at1 festes and at1 daunces
Suche salutaciouns and contynances
Passef as do]) f e schadewe on a wal
But woo is him fat1 paye moot1 for al 1200
])e sely housband algates he moste paye
he moot1 vs clof e and vs arraye
As for his owen worschipe richely
In which aray we daunce lolyly 1 204
And if1 fat1 he nou^t1 may per aduenture [leaf 204, back]
Or elles luste no suche spenses endure /
But1 JjenkeJ) it1 is waste and y-loste /
Thenne moot1 anof er payen for oure coste 1 208
Or lene us golde and fat1 is perilous
])is noble marchand held a noble hous
fifor which he hadde alday gret1 repayre
ffor his largenesse and for his wyf1 was fayre 1212
fat1 wonder is but1 herkenej) to my tale
Amonges aH his gestes grete and smale /
fer was a monk1 a fair man and a bolde
I trowe a J)ritty wynter he was olde / 121G
That1 euer in oon was drawyng1 to J)e place
Jns ^onge monk1 fat1 was so fair of1 face
CORPUS 455 (6-T. 168)
SIX-TEXT 169
GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
A^ueynted was so wif f is goode man
Sifenes fat1 here firste knowleche bygan 1220
That1 in his hous as ffamuler was he
As it is possible eny frend to be
And for as mekel as f e goode man
And eek1 fis monk1 of which fat1 1 bygan 1224
Were bof e tuo y-born in o village
The monk1 him claymef as for cosynage
And he a^ein he saif nought1 ones nay
But1* was as glad fer of1 as foul of day 1228
ffor to his herte it was a gref plesaunce
fus ben fay knitte wif eterne alliaunce /
And ilke of1 hem gan of er for to assure /
Of broferhode whiles fat1 here lyf may dure 1232
fire was daun lohn and namely of dispense
As in fat1 hous and ful of diligence
To do plesaunce and also grefr costage /
he nought1 forgat1 to ^iue fe leste page / 1236
In al fat1 hous but1 after here degre
He 3af f e lord and sejnns al his meyne /
Whan fat1 he came som maner honest1 f ing1
ffor which fey were al glad of his comyng1 1240
As foul is fayn whan sonne vp arise]? [leaf 205]
Namore of fis as now for it1 suffisef
But1 so bifeH fis marchaund vpon a day
Schop him to make redy his array 1244
Toward fe toun of Bruges for to fare
To byen fere a porcioun of ware
ffor which he haf to Parys sent1 anon)
A messanger and preyed haf doun Ion 1248
That1 he schulde come to seint1 Denys and pleye
Wif him and with his wyf a day or tweye
Or he to Bruges wente in aH wyse
This noble monk1 of which I $ou deuyse 1252
haf of his abbot1 as him lust1 licence
By cause he was a man of heih prudence
CORPUS 456 (6-T. 169)
SIX-TEXT 170
GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And eek1 an officer out1 for to ryde
To see here graunges and here bernes wyde 1256
And vnto seynt1 Denys he come]? anon
Who was so welcome as my lord daun lohn
Oure deere cosyn ful of1 curtesye
Wip him brought1 he a lobbe of1 maluesye 1260
And eek1 ano]>er ful of1 good vemage
And volatille as ay was his vsage
And pus I lete hem ete and drynke and pleye
This marchand and pis monk1 a day or tweye / 1264
The pridde day pis marchand vp arise})
And on his needes sadly him avisep
And vp in to his countourhous go]) he /
To rekne wij) himselue wel may be 1268
Of* pilke }eer how pat1 it1 with him stood
' And how pat1 he despended hadde his good
And if1 fat1 he encresed were or non
his bokes and his bagges many oon 1272
he ley]) bifore him on his countyng1 bord
fful riche was his tresour and his hoord
ffor which ful faste his counterhous dore he schette
And eek1 he nolde noman schulde him lette 1276
Of1 his acountes for pe mene tyme [leaf 205, back]
And J)us he sitte til it1 was passed pn'me
Daun lohn was rysen in J)e morne also /
And in J)e gardyn walke]) to and fro 1280
And ha]) his pinges sayde deuoutely
pis goode wyf1 cam walkynge pryuely
In to J)e gardyn per he walkep softe
And him salueth as sche hap don ofte 1284
A mayden childe came in hire companye
Which at hire luste may gouerne and gye
ffor }it vnder pe ^erde was pe mayde
0 deere Cosyn myn daun lohn sche saydo / 1288
What1 eylep $ou so rape to aryse
c[uod he it1 aughte ynough suffise
32 CORPUS 457 (8-T. 170)
SIX-TEXT 171
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ffyue houres for to slepen on a nyght
But1 it1 were for an olde palled knight 1292
As ben fese wedded men fat1 lye and dare
As in a forme sitte alway an hare
Were al forstraught1 wif houndes grete and smale
But1 deere neece why "he 36 so pale / 1296
I trowe certes fat1 oure goode man
haf 3ou laboured serenes f e night1 bygan
fat1 3ou were neede to resten hastily
And wif fat* word he lough ful meryly 1300
And of1 his owne fought he wax al reed
This fayre wyf1 gan to schake hire heed
* And sayde f us 36 god wot1 al quod sche
Kay cosyn myn if stant1 nou^t1 so wif me / 1304
ffor by fat1 god fat1 3aff/ me soule and lyf*
In aH f e rewme of ffraunce is f er no wyf *•
That1 lasse lust1 haf to fat1 sory pley
ffor I may synge alias and welawey 1 308
fat1 1 was born but1 to no wight1 quod sche
Dar I nou^t1 telle how it stant1 wif me
Wherfore I f enke out1 of1 f is lond to wende
Or elles of1 myself1 to make an ende / 1312
So ful am I of1 drede and of1 care (leaf 200]
This monk1 bygan vpon f is wyf1 to stare
And sayde alias my neece god it1 forbede
That1 36 for eny sorwe or ony drede 1316
ffordo 3oure self1 but1 tellsf forf 3oure greef1
Peraduenture I may in 3our rnescheef1
Counseile or helpe and f erfore tellef me
AH 3oure annoye for it1 schal be secre 1320
ffor on my portos I make an oth
fat1 neuer in my lijf1 for leef1 ne lof
!Ne schal I of1 no counseil 3ou bewreye
The same a3ein to 3ou quod sche I seye 1324
By god and by f is portos I swere
fey men wolde me al to peeces tere
CORPUS 463 (6-T. I7l)
SIX-TEXT 172
GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Ne schal I neuer for to go in to helle
Bewreye a word of1 jnng1 fat1 30 me telle / 1328
Nought1 for no cosynage ne alliaunce
But1 verreily for loue and affiaunce
Thus ben fey swore and her-vpon y-kiste
And ilk1 of hem tolde ofer what1 hem liste 1332
Cosyn quod sche if I hadde a space
As I haue non and namely in fis place
fanne wolde I telle a legende ofH my lyf1
What1 1 haue suffred sethens I was a wyf» 1336
Wif myra housband and feign he be ^our cosyn
Nay quod fis monk1 by god and by seint1 Martyn
he nys no more cosyn vnto me
fan is fis leef1 fat1 hangef on fe tre 1340
I clepe him so by seintf Denys in ffmunce
To haue f e more cause of acqueyntaunce
Of1 3ou which I haue loued specially
Abouen aH: wommen sikerly 1344
This were ynougfr on my profession
TelleJ? ^oure greef1 lestH J?af he come a-doun
And hastef $ou and go]) 3oure wey anon
My deere loue quod sche 0 daun lohn 1348
fful leef* me were ])is counseil to hyde Reaf 206, back]
Buf out* it1 mot1 it1 may no lenger abyde
myn housbond is to me J>e worste man
fat1 euer was sifenes fe world bygan 1352
But1 sij>enes I am a wyf* it1 sit nou^t me
To telle no wight1 of1 oure pryuyte
Neyfer a bedde ne in non ojw place
God schilde I scholde telle it1 for his grace 1356
A wyf1 ne schal nat1 seyn of1 hire housband
But1 all honour1 as I can vnderstande
Saue vnto }ou Jms moche telle T schal
As help me god he nys nou^t1 worj) at1 al 1360
In no degre )>e value of1 a flye
But1 3 it me greuej) most1 his nyggardye
CORPUS 459 (6-T. 172)
SIX-TEXT 173
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And wel 3 e woot1 pat1 wowmen naturelly
Desyren pinges seuen as wel as I 1364
pey wolden pat1 here housbandes scholde be
hardy and wys riche and per-to fre
And buxum to his wyf1 and freissch a bedde
But1 by pat1 like lord pat1 for vs bledde 1368
fibr his honour my selue to arraye
A sonday next1 1 moste paye
An hundred ffrankes or elles am I lorn
3ef were me leuer fat1 1 were vnborn 1372
penne me were don a sclaunder or vilenye
And if1 myn housbande eeke might aspye
I nere but1 lost1 and perfore I ^ou preye
lene me pis somme and elles mot1 1 deye 1376
Daun lohn I say lene me pese hundred frankes
Par de I wol not1 fayle pe my pankes
If1 pat1 3ou luste to do fat1 1 3ou pray
ffor at1 a certein day I wole 3011 pay 1380
And do to 3ou what1 plesaunce and seruise
That1 I may do right1 as 3ou lust1 deuyse
And but1 1 do god take on me vengaunce
As foule as hadde genylofi of ffraunce 1384
This gentil monk1 answerde in pis manere [leaf 207]
Kow trewely myn owen lady deere
I haue quod he on 3ou so gret1 a roupe
That1 1 3ou swere and plighte 3ou my troupe 1388
That1 whan 3oure housbonde is to fflaundres fare
I wol delyuer 3ou out1 of1 pis worldes care /
ffor I wol bringen 3ou an hundred frankes
And wip pat1 he caught1 hir by pe schankes 1392
And hire enbraced harde and kissed ofte
Gop now 3oure weye quod he al stille and softe
And let1 vs dyne as sone as euer 30 may
5 ffor by my chilyndre it1 is pn'me of1 pe day 1396
Gop now and bep as trewe as I schal be /
Now elles god forbede sire quod sche
CORPUS 460 (6-T. 173)
SIX-TEXT 174
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And for]? sche gof as gelous as a pye
And bad f e cokes Jatf fey sclmlde hem hye 1400
So fat1 men niighte dyne and fat anon
vp to hir housbonde is f is wyf1 y-goii
And knokkef at his countour* boldely
Quy la quod he peter it1 am I 1404
Quof sche what1 how longe wol 36 faste /
how longe tyme wol 36 rekne and caste
3oure sommes }oure bokes and ^oure Binges
fe deuyl haue part1 on aH suche rekenynges 1408
3e han ynough parde of1 goddes sonde
Come doun to day and lete 3oure bagge stonde
Ne be $e nought1 aschamed fat1 Daun lohii
Schal fastyng1 al fis day elenge gon 1412
What1 lete vs heere masse go we dyne
Wyf1 quod fis man ful lytel canstow dyuyne
The curious busynesse fat1 we haue
ffor of1 vs chapmen so god me saue 1416
And by fat1 lord fat1 called is seint1 yue
Skarsly amonges twelue tweye schuln f riue
Continuelly lastyng1 vnto oure age
We may wel make chere and good visage 1420
And dryue forf f e world as it may be Oeaf 207, back]
And kepen oure estate in priuite
Til we be deed or elles fat1 we pleye
A pylgrymage or gon out1 of1 fe weye 1424
And f erfore haue I gret1 necessite
vpon f is queynte worlde to auyse me
ffor euermore we mote stande in drede
Of1 happe and fortune in oure chapmanhede 1428
To fflaundres wol I go to morne at1 day
And come a3ein as sone as euer I may
ffor which my deere wyff1 I f e beseke
As be to euery wight1 buxom and meke 1432
And for to kepe oure good be curious
And honestly gouerne wel oure hous
CORPUS 461 (6-T. 174)
SIX-TEXT 175
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
fou hast1 ynough in every maner wyse
That1 to a thrifty housbonde may suffise 1436
The lakkef non array ne no vitayle
Of* Siluer in ])i purs fou mayst1 nou^t1 fayle
And wif fat1 word his countour dore he schette
And doun he go]) no lenger nolde he lette 1440
And hastyly a masse was f er sayde
And speedly f e tables were layde
And to f e dyner faste fey hem speede
And richely fis monk1 fe Chapman fedde 1444
And after dyner daun John soburly
This Chapman took1 a part1 al pryuyly
he seyde him f us cosyn it1 standef so
fat1 wel I see to Bruges wolle 36 go 1448
God and seinf austyn spede 3011 and gyde ,
I pray ^ou Cosyn wysly fat1 36 ryde
Gouernef 30U also of* ^oure dyete
And temperally and namely in Jns hete 1452
Bytwixe vs tuo needef no straimge fare
fFare wel cosyn god schilde 3ou fro care
If1 eny f ing1 f er be by day or by niglit1
If1 it1 ligge in my power and my might1 1456
That1 $e me wol comaunde in eny wyse [leaf 208]
It1 schal be doon right1 as 36 wil deuyse
0 Jnng1 er fat1 36 gon if1 Jjaf it1 may be
1 wolde preye 3ou for fe loue of1 me 1460
An hundred frankes for a wyke or tweye
ifor certeyn bestes pat1 1 moste beye
To store with a place fat1 is owres
God helpe me I wolde fat1 it1 were 3owres 1464
I schal nought1 fayle suerly of1 my day
Nought1 for a f ousand frankes a myle way
But1 lete f is f ing1 be secre I 3ou preye
3e schulle be payed wher fat1 1 lyue or deye 1468
And fare now wel myn owen cosyn dere
Graunt1 mercy of1 3oure cost1 and of1 3oure chere
CORPUS 462 (6-T. 175)
SIX-TEXT 176
GROUP B. § 4, SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
This noble marchaunt1 gentilly anon
Answerde and sayde 0 Cosyn daun lohn 1472
Now sikerly pis is a smal requeste
My gold is ^oures whan pat1 euer ^ou leste
And nought1 oonly my gold but1 my chaffare
Tak1 what1 ^ou leste god schilde pat1 ^e spare 1476
But1 o ping1 is 36 knowe it wel ynougn"
Of1 chapmen pat here monee is here plough
We may creaunce whiles we haue a name /
But1 goldles for to be it1 is no game 1480
Pay it1 a3ein whan it1 lip in ^our ese
After my might1 ful fayn wolde 1 3ou plese
pise hundred frankes he fette forp anon
And pryuyly he took1 hit1 to daun lohn 1484
No wight1 in al pis world wist of1 jris lone
Sauyng1 pis marchaunt1 and daun lohn allone
fey dranken and roined out1 to pleye
Til patf daun lohn ryde)) to his abbeye 1488
pe morne came and for]) pis marchaunt1 rydep
To fflaundres ward his prentys wel him gyde]>
Til he cam in to Bruges meryly
Now go}) pis marchaunt1 faste and bysyly 1492
Aboute his neede and byep and creauncep [leaf 208, back]
he neyper pleyep at1 j)e dys ne daunce})
But1 as a marchand schortly for to telle
he leetf his wyf1 and per I lete him dwelle 1496
pe sonday next1 pe marchaunt1 was agon
To seint1 Denys I-comen is Daun lohn
"Wip croune and berde freissch and newe schaue
In al pe hous per nas so lite a knaue 1500
Ne no wight1 elles pat1 he nas fayn
ifor pat1 my lord doun lohn was come agayn)
And schortly to here poynt1 for to gon)
pis fayre wyf1 acordep to daun lohn 1504
And for pis hundred ffrankes he schulde al night1
haue hire in his armes bolt1 vprighf
CORPUS 463 (6-T. 176)
SIX-TEXT 177
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And pis acorde parfourmed was in dede
In myrpe al night1 / a busy lyfH pey lede 1508
Til if was day pat1 daun lofin went1 his way
And bade pe meyne far wel haue good day
ffor non of1 hem ne no wight1 in pe touii
hap of1 daun lohn right1 non suspecioun 1512
and for]) he rydep home to his abbay
Or wher him luste no more of1 him I say
This marchauntt whan pat1 ended was pe ffayre
To seint1 Denys he gan for to repayre 1516
And wip his wyf1 he make)) feste and chere
And tellep hire pat1 chaffare is so deere
pat1 needes moste he make a Cheuesaunce
ffor he was bounden in a reconysaunce 1520
To paye xx pousand scheldes anon
.ffor which pis marchaunt1 is y-wont1 to gon
To borwe of1 certeiii frendes pat1 he hadde
A certeyn frankes and some wip him he ladde 1524
And whan pat1 he was come in to pe toun
ffor gret1 chierte and gret/ affeccioun
vnto daun lohn he ferst1 him go]) to pleye
Nought1 for to borwe of1 him no money e 1528
But1 for to wite and se of1 his welfare [leaf 209]
And for to tellen him of1 his chaffare
As frendes don when pey ben mette in feere
Daun lohn him make]) feste and mery cheere 1532
And he him tolde a^ein ful specially
how he hadde brought1 ful wel and graciously
Ranked be god al hool his marchaundise
Saue pat1 he moste in aH maner wyse 1536
Maken a cheuysance as for his beste
And penne he schulde be in ioye and reste
Daun lohn answerde certes I am fayn
pat1 36 in hele be come home agayn 1540
And if1 pat1 1 were riche as haue I blisse
Of1 twenty pousand scheldes scholde 36 nou^t* misse
CORPUS 464 (6-T. 177)
SIX-TEXT ITS
GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ffor 36 so kyndely pis oper day
Lente me golde as I can and may 1544
I J>anke 3011 by god and by seint1 lame
But1 napeles I took1 vnto oure dame
3oure wyf1 at1 home pe same gold a3ain
vpon 3oure benche sche wot1 it1 wel certain 1548
By certein toknes pat1 I can hire telle /
Now by 3oure leue I may no lenger dwelle
Cure abbot1 wol out1 of1 pis toun anon
And in his companye mot1 I gon 1552
Gret1 wel oure dame myn owen nece swete
And fare wel dere cosyn til we mete
This marchaunt1 wip pat1 was ful war and wys
Oeaunsed hap and eek1 payed in Parys 1556
To certein lumbardes redy in here hand
J)is so?7wne of gold and gat1 of1 hem pe band
And home he go]? mery as popyngay
ffor wel he knew he stood in such aray 1560
pat1 needes moste he wynne in such a viage
A pousend frankes abouen al his costage
his wyf1 ful redy rnette him atte gate
As sche was wont of1 old vsage algate 1564
And al pat1 night1 in niirpe pey besette / [leaf 209, back]
ffor he was riche and clerly out1 of1 dette
Whan it1 was day pis marchant1 gan enbrace /
his wyf al newe and kissed hire on hire face 1568
And vp he gop and makep it1 wonder tough
No more quod sche by god 36 haue ynough
And wantounly a3ein wip him sche pleyde
Tille atte laste pat1 pis marchant1 seyde 1572
By god quod he I am a litel wrop
Wip 3ou my wyf1 pough it1 be me loth
And wote 30 why by god as pat1 1 gesse '
ffor ye haue made a maner straungenesse 1576
Bytwixen me and my cosyn daun lohn
$e schulde haue warned me er I hadde gon
CORPUS 485 (6-T. 178)
SIX-TEXT 179
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
fat1 lie hadde 3011 an hundred frankes payed
By redy tokne and he him held yuel payed 1580
for fat* I to him spak1 of* cheuysaunce
Me semed so as by his contynaunce
But1 naf eles by god and heuen king1
I foughte nought1 to axe of1 him) no fing1 1584
I pray f e wyf1 ne do no more so
Telle me alway er fat1 1 fro f e go
If1 eny dettour haf in myn absence
I-payed fe leste furgh fin necligence 1588
I might1 him axe a f ing1 fat1 he haf payed
fis was nas nough affered ne affray ed
But1 boldely sche seyde and fat1 anon
Mary I diffye fat1 false monk1 daun John 1592
I kepe nought1 of1 his tokenes neuer a deel
he tok1 me certein gold f is wot1 1 wel
What1 euele f edam on his monkes snowte /
ffor god it1 wot1 1 wende wifouten doute / 1596
fat1 he hadde 3oue it1 me by cause of1 $ou
To do fer wif myn honour and my prow
ffor cosynage and eek1 for bele chere
fat1 he haf had fulofte tyme heere l
But1 sefins I see I stonde in such disioynt1 [leaf 211]
I wol answere ^ou schortly to f is poynt1
3e haue mo slakker dettours fen am I
ffor I wol paye }ow wel and redily 1604
ffro day to day and if1 so be I fayle
I am 3our wyf1 score it1 vpon my tayle
And I schal paye as sone as euer I may
ffor by my troufe I haue on myrc array 1608
And nought1 on waste bestowed euery del
And for I haue bestowed it1 so wel
To 3oure honour for goddes sake I say
As.be nought1 wrof but1 lete vs laughe and play 1612
3e schuln my ioly body haue to wedde /
By god I nyl nought1 paye 3ou but1 a bedde
CORPUS 466 (6-T. 179)
SIX-TEXT 180
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Corpus MS.
fibr^iue it* me myn owen spouse deere /
Turne hiderward and make]) bettre cheere 1616
This marchaunt* seyh J?er was no remedye
And for to chyde it* nere but* folye /
Sejnns fat1 fe J?ing* may nought* amended be
Now wyf* he sayde and I for^iue if J?e 1620
But* by J>in lyf1 ne be no more so large
kepe bet* my good J>is 3iue I ]>e in charge /
Jms endef now my tale and god vs sende
Toylyng*'ynough vnto oure lyues ende 1T Explicit* 1624
Here endef }>e schipmannes tale
COKPTJS 467 (6-T. 180)
SIX-TEXT 181
GROUP B, § 5. SHIPMAN-PRIORESS LINK. CoipUS MS.
|i/%/ El seyde by corpus domiuus
T T JSTow lange mote f ou sayle by fe coste
Sire gentil mayster gentil marynere /
God 3iue j?e monk1 a fousand last1 quade 3ere / 1628
A ha felawes bef war of* such a Tape /
f e monk1 putte in ]>e mannes hood an ape /
And in his wyues eek1 by seint1 austyn
Drawef no monkes more in to ^oure In 1632
But1 now passe ouer and let1 vs seke aboute
Who schal now telle ferst1 of1 al J>is route
Anojjer tale and wij? fat1 word he sayde
As curteysly as if hadde ben a mayde r^af 211, back]
My lady prioresse by ^our leue
So fat1 1 wiste I schulde ^ou nought1 greue /
I wolde deme fat1 ^e telle schulde
A tale next1 if1 so were fat1 36 wolde 1640
Now wole 36 fouche sauf1 my lady deere /
Gladly quof sche and sayde in f is manere
CORPUS 468 (6-T. 181)
SIX-TEXT 182
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.
[No gaps between the stanzas.']
, Here begynneth f e tale of1 Alma redemptoris
f e prioresses Tale. If Prologe
OIF Domine doraim/s noster
lord oure lord fin name how merueilous
Is in f is large word y-spredde qiiod she
ffor nought1 only fyn laud precious
Parfourned is by men of1 dignite 1646
But1 by f e mouth of1 children fin bounte
Parformed is for on oure brest1 soukynge
Som tynie schewen fey fin heryynge 1649
IT Wherfore in laude as I can best1 or may
Of1 f e and of f e white lyly flour
Which fat1 f e bar and is a mayde alwey
To telle a story I wol don my labour 1653
Nought1 fat1 I may encrece hire honour
ffor sche hireself1 is honour and f erto roote /
Of bounte next1 hire sone of1 soules boote 1656
IF 0 mooder mayde 0 mayde moder fre
O busch vnbrent1 brennyng1 in moyses sight1
That1 rauyschej? doun fro j?e deytele
Jmrgh fin humbles ]?e gost1 fat1 in J>e alight1 ] 660
Of1 whos vertu whan he in fin herte alight1
Conceyued was J?e fadres sapience
Help me to telle it1 in fin reuerence 1663
IF Lady fin bounte and fin magnificence
fin vertu and fin gret1 humilite
Ther may no tonge expresse in no science
ffor som tyme lady er men preye to fe 1667
f ou gost1 biforn and fin benignite
And getest1 vs to light1 f urgh fin prayere
To gyden vs vnto fin sone so clere [leaf 212]
CORPUS 469 (6-T. 182)
SIX-TEXT 183
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.
My connyng1 is to wayk1 o blisful queene
ffor to declare fin grete worf inesse
That1 1 ne may f e weighte nought1 susteene /
But1 as a childe of1 xij nionthe elde or lesse 1674
That1 can vnnef es any word expresse /
Right* so fare I and f erfore I 3011 preye
Gydef my song1 fat1 1 schal of 3011 seye 1677
[THE TALE.]
Ther was in a cite in a gref cite
Amonges cristen folk1 and lewerye
Susteyned by a lord of fat1 cuntre
ffor foule vsure and lucre of* vilanye 1681
hatful to crist1 and to his companye
And furgli )>e strete men mighte ryde or wende
ffor if was fre and open at1 euery ende 1684
A lytel scole of1 cristen folk1 f er stood
Doun at1 f e furf er ende in which f er were
Children an heepe y-come of1 cristes blood
That1 lered in fat1 scole 3ere by 3eere 1688
Such maner doctrine as men vsed fere
This is to say to syngen and to rede
As smale children don in here childhede 1691
Among1 f is children was a wydewes sone
A litel clergoun vij 3er of age
That1 day by day to scole was his wone /
And eek* also wher he saugn" the ymage / 1695
Of cristes mooder hadde he in vsage
As him was taught1 to knele a doun and seye
his aue marie as he gof by fe weye 1698
CORPUS 470 (6-T. 183)
SIX-TEXT 184
GROUP B. § 6, PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Thus haj> J>is wydewe hire litel child y-tau^t1
Oure "blisful lady cristes mooder deere /
To worschipe ay and he forgat1 it1 nought1
fFor sely child wol alday sone lere 1702
But1 ay whan I remembre me on ]>is matere
Seynt1 Nicholas stant1 euer in my p?*esence
iFor he so 3onge to crist1 dede reuerence 1705
1T This child his litel book1 lernynge [leaf 212,
As he sat1 in J>e scole at1 his primere
he alma redemptoris herde synge /
As children lerned here antiphoner 1709
And as he durste he drough" him ner and neer
And herkned ay Jje wordes and Jje noote /
Til he j?e firste vers coupe at by roote / 1712
wiste he what1 pe latyn was to say
ffor he so ^ong1 and tender was of1 age /
But1 on a day his felawe gan he preye
. To expounen him pis song1 in his langage / 1716
Or tellen him why pis song1 was in vsage /
This preyde he him to construe and declare /
fful ofte tyme vpon his knees bare / 1719
his felawe which pat1 elder was pan he
Answerde him pus pis song1 1 haue herd say
Was maked of1 oure blisful lady fre
hire to salue and eeke hire for to pray 1723
To ben oure helpe and socour whan we deye
I can no more expounde in pis matiere
I lerne song1 1 can but1 smale gramere / 1726
IF And is pis song1 ymade in reuerence
Of1 cristes mooder sayde pis Innocent
Now certes I wol don my diligence
To konne it1 er Cristemas be went1 1730
CORPUS 471 (6-T. 184)
SIX-TEXT 185
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.
f ougft fat1 I for my prymer schal be schent
And schal [be] beten fries in an houre
I wol it1 konne oure lady to honoure 1733
5F his felawe taught1 him homward pryuyly
ffro day to day til he couf e it by roote
And f enne he sang1 it1 wel and boldely
ffro word to word acordyng1 to fe note / 1737
fries on a day it1 passef f urgh his f rote /
To scoleward and homward whan he went1
On cristes moder sette was his entent/ 1740
As I haue sayde f urghoutt f e lewerie
This litel childe as he came to and fro [leaf 213]
iful meryly fen wolde he synge and crye /
On alma redemptoris euermo 1744
The swetnes haf his herte perced so
Of1 cristes mooder fat1 to hure to preye
He can nought1 stynte of1 syngynge by fe weye / 1747
IF Oure firste foo f e serpent1 Sathanas
That1 haf in lewes his waspes neste
vp swalle and sayde 0 Ebrayke poeple alias /
Is fis a fing1 to $ou fat1 is honeste / 1751
fat1 suche a boy schal walken as him leste /
In ^oure despite and syngen of1 such sentence
Which is a,3ein oure lawes reuerence / 1754
IT ffro f ennes forth f e lewes han conspired
This Innocent1 out1 of fis world to chace
In homicidie f er-to han fey hyred
fat1 in an aley had a pryue place i758
And as f e childe gan forby for to pace
fis cursed lew him hente and heeld faste
And cutte his frote and in a putte him caste/ 1761
CORPUS 472 (6-T. 185)
SIX-TEXT 186
GROUP B, § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.
1T I say fat1 in a wardrobe fey him drewe /
Wher as f ise lewes purgen entraille
0' cursed folk1 of1 heroudes al newe /
What1 may ^oure euyl entent1 3011 auayle / 1765
Mordre wole out1 certain it1 wol nought1 fayle
And namely fere honour of1 god schulde sprede
fe blood out1 cryef on 3our cursed dede 1768
IF 0 martyr sonded to virginite
Now maystow syngen folwyng1 euer in oon
The white lanibe celestial quod he /
Of1 which fe grete eutmngelist1 seint1 lohn 1772
In Pathmos wrot1 which seif fey fat1 gon
Byforn f is lambe and synge a song1 al newe
fat1 neuer fleisschly wowmen fey knewe 1775
IF f is pore wydewe waytef al fat1 night1
After f is litel childe but1 horn cam he not^f
ffor whom as sone as it1 was dayes light1 [leaf 213, back]
Wif face pale for drede and busy fought 1779
Sche haf at1 scole and elles wher him sought1
Til fynally sche gan so fer aspye
fat1 he was seyn last1 in fe lewerye 1782
IT With moodres pyte in hire brest1 enclosed
Sche gof as f ougfi. sche were half1 out1 of*1 mynde /
To euery place where sche^haf supposed
By lyklyhede hire childe for to fynde 1786
And euer on cristes moder meke and kynde
Sche cryed and at1 f e laste f us sche wrought1
Among1 fe cursed lewes sche him sought1 1789
Sche freynef and sche preyef pitously
To euery lewe fat1 dwelt1 in filke place
To telle hire if1 hire child went1 hem by
They sayden nay but1 fiiesus1 of1 his grace [' MS i
33 CORPUS 473 (6-T. 186)
SIX-TEXT 187
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.
in hire fought1 wif -in a litel space
fat1 in fat1 place after hire sone sche cryede
fer he was caste in a putte besyde 1706
IF 0 grete lord fat1 performed fin laude
By mouf of1 Innocence lo here J>y might1
This gemme of1 chastite f is Emeraude
And eek1 of1 martirdome fe ruby bright1 1800
fer he wif f rote y-korue lay vpright1
he alma redemptoris gan to synge
So loude fat1 al fe place gan to rynge 1803
IT The cristen folk1 fat1 f urgh f e strete went
In comen for to wondren on f is f ing*
And hastely fey for f e prouost1 sent
he came anon wif outen eny taryyng1 1807
And herief crist1 fat1 is of1 heuen king1
And eek1 his mooder honour of1 mankynde
And after fat1 fe lewes let1 he bynde 1810
This childe wif pitous lamentacion
vp taken syngyng1 his song1 alway
And with honour and gret procession /
They carien him to fe next1 abbay [leaf 214]
his moder swownyng1 by f e bere lay
vnnef es mighte f e poeple fat1 was fere
This newe rachel bringe fro his bere 1817
Wif torment1 and with schameful def ilkon
This prouost1 dof f is lewes for to sterue
That1 of1 f is moerdre wiste and fat1 anon
he nolde non such cursednesse obserue / 1821
Euel schal haue fat1 euel wol deserue
f erfore with wilde hors he dede him drawe
And after fat1 he hynge him by fe lawe 1824
.. CORPUS ,471 (6-T. 187)
SIX-TEXT 188
GROUP B, § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IF Vpon f is beere ay lif f is Innocent1 ,
Biforn f e chief1 auter whiles masse last1
And after fat1 f e abbot1/ wif his couent
hadde spedde him for to burye him als fast 1828
And whan fey halywater on him cast1
3itf spak1 f e child when spreynt1 was f e holy water
And sang1 0 alma redemptoris mater 1831
IF This abbot1 which fat1 was an holy man
As monkes be?^ or elles oughten to x be C1 ? to later-]
This ^onge childe to coniure he bigan
And sayde 0 deere childe I hailse fe 1835
By vertu of* f e holy trinite
Telle me what1 is f y cause for to synge
Sifenes fat1 fy frote is kutte at my semynge 1838
1F My Jjrote is cutte vnto my nekke bon
Sayde fis childe and as by way of1 kynde
I schulde haue deyed 36 long1 tyme agon
But1 iliesu crist1 as 36 in bookes fynde 1842
Wol fat1 his glorie laste and be in mynde
And for fe worschipe of1 his moder deere /
3etf may I synge 0 alma lowde and cleere 1845
1F This welle of1 mercy crystes mooder swete
I loued alwey as after my konnyng1
And whan fat1 1 my lyff1 schulde Icte
To me sche cam and bad me for to synge 1849
This anteme verraily in my mynde deynge [leaf 211, back]
as 30 haue herd and when fat1 1 hadde songe
Me fought1 sche leyde a greyn vpon my tonge / 1852
IF Wherfore I synge and synge moot1 certein
In honour of1 f e blisful martir fre
Til of1 my tonge of* taken is f e greyn
And after fat1 sayde sche fus to me 185G
CORPUS 475 (6-T. 188)
SIX-TEXT 189
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Corpus MS.
My litel childe now wol I fecclie pe .
Whan pat1 py grein is fro J)y tonge y-take
Be nought1 a-gast1 I wol pe nought1 forsake 1859
IT pis holy monk1 pis abbot1 him mene I
his tunge out1 caught1 / and took1 awey pe greyn
And he 3af1 up pe gost1 ful softely
And when pis abbot / hadde pis wonder seyn 1863
his salte teeres stiyked doun as reyn
And gruff* he fell al plat1 vnto pe grounde
And stille he lay as he hadde ben y-bounde / 1866
IF pe couent1 eek1 lay vppon pe pauyment1
Wepyng1 and herying1 cristes moder deere
And after pat1 pay ryse and for ben went1
And toke awey pis martir fro his bere / 1870
And in a tombe of1 marbiH stones clere
Enclosen pey his litel body swete
Ther he is now god leue vs for to inete 1873
1F 0 $onge hewe of1 lincolle slayn also
Wip cursed lewes as it1 is notable
ffor if nys but1 a litel while ago
Preye eek1 for vs we synful folk1 vnstable 1877
That1 of1 his mercy god so merciable
On vs his grete mercy multiplye
fFor reuerence of1 his mooder marie AnieN 1F Explicit1 //
CORPUS 476 (6-T. 189J
SIX-TEXT 190
GBOUP B. § 7. PRIORESS-THOPAS LINK. CoipUS MS.
M W 7 ban seyde was ]>is tale euery man
%/%/ As sober was pat1 wonder was to se
T T Til Jjafr owre Oste Tape J?o bygan
And fenne at1 erst1 be loked vpon me 1F Chaucere
And sayde ]?us what1 man art1 J?ou quod be
Thou lokest1 as J>ou woldest1 fynde an hare / [leaf 215]
ffor euer vpon J?e ground I se Jje stare 1887
>
Approche ner and loke meryly
Now ware $ou sires and let1 J)is man ban place
be in Jje waste is schapen as wel as I
This were a popetf in armes to embrace 1891
ffor any womman smal and fair of1 face
he seme]) eluyssch by his contynaunce
ffor vnto no wighf doj> he dalyaunce 1894
Say now somwhat1 sejjins oj>er folk1 ban sayd
Telle vs a tale of1 merj>e and pat1 anon
Oste quod I ne be nought1 yuel a-payde
ffor oj?er tale certes can I non 1898
But1 of1 a Ryme I lerned longe agon
3e Jjat1 is good quod he schuln we here
Som deynte Jring1 me J>inkeJ> by his cheere . 1901
CORPUS 477 (6-T. 100)
SIX-TEXT 191
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. CoipUS MS.
[No gaps between the stanzas in the
Here bygynneth J>e tale of1 Chaucer of1 sire Thopas
Cam xixra
[Fytte L]
LEsteneJ) lordes in good entenfr
And I wol telle verramenf
Of1 miracle and solace 1904
Al of1 a knight1 was fayr and genf
In bataille and in tornament1
His name was sire Thopace 1907
I-born he was in ferre cuntre
In fflaundres al be3onde J>e se
At1 poperyng1 in J?e place 1910
his fader was a man ful fre
And lord he was of1 fat1 centre
As if was goddes grace 1913
Sire Thopas was a doughty swayn
Whyf was his face as Payndemayn
his lyppes reed as Rose 1916
his robe is like Scarlet1 en grayn
And I 3011 telle in good certayn
he hadde a semely nose 1919
his herd his heer was lik1 saffroun
That1 to his gurdel straughtf a-doun [leaf 21?, back]
his schoon of1 Cordewayne / 1922
Of1 Bruges were his hosen broun
his robe was of Ciclatoun
That1 coste many a layne 1925
CORPUS 478 (6-T. 19 1)
SIX-TEXT 192
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. CorpUS MS.
he cou]>e hunte at1 wylde deer
And Eyde an haukynge by ]?e ryuer
WiJ> gray goshauk1 on honde 1928
Ther to he was a good archer
Of1 wrastlyng1 was J?er non his peer
Ther any man schulde stonde 1931
fful many a mayde bright1 in bour
They mourne for him paramour
When J>ey were bet1 to slepe 1934
But1 he was chaste and no lecchour
And swete as is Jje bremble flour
J?af bere]> pe rede hepe 1937
11 And so byfeH vpon a day
ffor sojje as I $ou telle may
Sire Thopas wolde out1 ryde 1940
he worj?e vpon his steede gray
And in his hande a launcegay
A long1 swerd by his syde 1943
he prikej) jmrglL a fair forest1
Ther Inne is many a wilde beest1
3e boj>e bucke and hare 1946
And as he prikej) north and Est1
I telle 3ou him hadde almestf
Betydde a sory care 1949
Ther springen herbes grete and smale
The lycoris and ]>e Setuale
And many a clowe Gylofre 1952
And notemuges to put1 in ale
Whejjer it1 be moyst1 or stale
Or for to leye in Coffre 1955
CORPUS 479 (6-T. 192)
SIX-TEXT 193
GROUP B, § 8. SIR THOPAS. CoipUS MS.
The briddes syngen it1 is nou^t1 nay
The sperhauk1 and J?e popyngay [leaf 210]
That1 loye it1 was to heere / 1958
The Jjrostilkok made eek1 his lay
The woode dowfe vpon ]>e spray
Sche sang1 fill loude and cleere 1961
Sire Thopas feli in loue longyng1
And whan he herde J?e prustel syng1
And priked as he were wood 1964
his faire steede in his prikynge
So swette Jjaf men might him wrynge
his sydes were al blood 1967
Syre Thopas eek1 so wery was
ffor prykyng1 on J?e softe gras
So fers was his corage 1970
That1 doun he leyde him in Jjat1 place
To maken his steede som solace
ffor he was so sauage 1973
0 seynt1 mary benedicite
What* eylejj fis loue at1 me
To bynde me so sore 1976
Me dremed al J>is night1 parde
An elf1 queen schal my lemman be
And slepe vnder my gore 1979
An Elf1 queene wol I loue ywys
ffor in pis worlde no man is
Worjjy to be my make 1982
in toune
AH oj?re wowmen I forsake
And to an elf1 queen I me bytake
By dale and eek1 by downe 1986
CORPUS 480 (6-T. 193)
SIX-TEXT 194:
GROUP B, § 8. SIR THOPAS. Corpus MS,
In to his sadel lie cam anon
And prikejj ouer stile and ston
And elf1 queene for to aspie 1989
Til he so longe haj> ryden and gon
That1 he fond in a priue woon
The cuntre of fayrye 1992
IT So wylde
fibr in J>af cuntre nas J?er non [leaf 216, back]
[ no gap in the MS.]
wijf1 ne childe / 1996
Til him J>er cam a loly geaunt1
his name was cleped sire Olyphaunt
A perilous man of1 dede 1999
he seyde child by Termagaunt
But1 if1 J?ou prike out1 of1 myn haunt*
Anon I slee ]>in steede 2002
1F WiJ> mace
here is Jje queene of* fayerye
WiJ> harpe and pype and Synphonye
dwellynge in J>is place / 2006
The childe seyde so mote I )>e
To morne wol I meeten J?e
When I haue myn armure 2009
And 3itf I hope par ma fay
That1 j?ou schalt1 wij> J)is launcelay
Abeyen it1 ful sore 2012
1T J?urg£ Jjine mawe /
Schal I perce if1 1 may
Or it1 be fully pryme day
ffor heere feu schalf be slawe / 2016
CORPUS 481 (6-T. 194)
SIX-TEXT 195
GROUP B, § 8. SIR THOPAS. CoipUS MS.
Sire Thopas drow a bak1 ful faste
J?is geaunt1 at* him stones caste /
Out1 of1 a felle staf1 slynge
But1 faire askapej? child Thopas
And al it1 was jmrgn" goddes gras
And Jmrgh his faire berynge
2019
2022
^it1 lestenej) lordes to my tale/
Murier J?en ]?e nightyngale
ffor now I wole 3ou roune /
how sire Thopas with sydes smale /
Prykyng* ouer downe and dale /
Is come a}ain to toune
2025
2028
his mery men comaunded he /
To maken him bojje game and glee
ffor needes moste he fight1
Wij) o geaunt1 with hedes ]>re
ffor paramowr and lolyte •
Of1 on fat1 schon ful bright1
2031
[ffo back to leaf 210
2034
Do come he seyde myne menstrales
And gestours for to telle vs tales /
Anon in myn armyng1
Of1 Romances fat1 ben realles /
Of* popes and of1 Cardynalles /
And eek1 of1 loue lykyng*
2037
2040
They fette him fersf fe * swete wyn
[ ...... C^^^««/
in a later Hand,
c1 wrongly dotted under \
.]
..... Tio gap in the MS.]
And lycoryus and eek1 comyn
sucre J?af is trye
CORPUS 482 (6-T. 196)
2046
SIX-TEXT 196
GROUP B. § 8, SIR THOPAS. CoipUS MS.
He dede next1 his white leere
Of1 cloj> of1 lake fyn and clere
A breche and eek1 a scherte 2049
And next* his scherte an aketoun)
And ouer Jjat1 an habergoim
ffor persyng1 of* his herte 2052
And ouer Jjat1 a fyn hauberk1/
Was al y-wrought1 of1 lewes werk1
fful strong1 if was of plate 2055
And ouer Jjat1 his cote armure /
As whyt1 as is a lyly flour
In which he wole debate 2058
his schelde was al of1 gold so red
And Jjer Inne was a boores heed
A charbokil him 1 besyde jyjwj Jg^ 2061
And J?er he swore on ale and breed
That1 J?e geaunt1 schulde be deed
betyde what1 betyde 2064
his lambes were of1 quyrboyly
his swerdes scheme of1 yuory
his helme of1 latoun bright1 2067
his sadel was of1 ruel bon
his bridel as J>e sonne schon
Or as J>e mone so light1 2070
his spere was of1 fyn Cypres
That1 bedej) werre and no fing1 pees [>*<* 0/^/210]
The heed ful scharpe y-grounde 2073
his steede was al dappel gray
It1 go]) an ambel by Jje way
fful softely and rounde 2076
CORPUS 483 (6-T. 196)
SIX-TEXT 19 i
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Corpus MS.
In londe
Lo lordes myne heere1 a fytte p ys, put in by a. later hand]
If* 30 wole eny more of* hitte
To telle if wol I fonde 2080
[Fytte II.}
Now halde 301110 moupe par charite
Bo}>e knight* and lady fre
And herknej? to my spelle 2083
Of* bataile and of* cliiualry
And of1 ladyes lone drery
Anon I wol 3011 telle 2086
Men speke of Eomance of* prys
Of1 horn child? and of1 ypotys
Of* Beuys and sire Gy zo&b
Of* sire libeus and pleyndamour
But* sire Thopas he here]? jje flour
Of* real chiualry 2092
his goode steed al he bestrod
And forj> upon his way he glod
As sparcles out* of* J?e bronde 20y5
vpon his crest* he bar a tour
And \er Inne styked a lily flour
God schilde his corps fro schonde 2098
And for he was a knight* aunterous
he nolde slepen in non hous
But* liggen in his hood ziui
his brighte helme was his wanger
And by him baytej) his destrer
Of* herbes fyne and goode 2104
CORPUS 484 (6-T. 107)
SIX-TEXT 198
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Corpus MS.
elle
. . . . no gap in the MS.] 2108
COHPUS 485 (C-T. 198)
SIX-TEXT 109
GROUP B. § 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK. Corpus MS,
~"1k ~T~0 more of1 Jns for goddes dignite {.on leaf 210,
\^ Quo]) oure hoste for J?ou makesf me
-i^- 1 So wery of1 ]?y lewednes
That* also wisly god me bles 2112
Myn eres ake of1 fin darsty speche l> <>» <° ^«/2i?]
Now such a rymere Jje deuel y beteche
This may be wel rym dogereH quod he
Why so quod I why wilt1 j>ou lette me 2116
More of1 my tale fan anofer man
Sevens it1 is J?e beste Kym I can
By god quod he pleynly I j?e say
jjou schalf no lenger rymen heere to day 2120
Thow dosf nought1 elles but1 dispendesf tyme
Sire at1 0 word J?ou schalt1 no lengere ryme
Let1 se whefer fou canst1 telle ought1 in geste
Or telle in prose somwhat1 at1 ]>e leste 2124
In which J>er be som merfe and som doctrine
Gladly quod I by goddes swete pyne
1 wol 3ou telle a litel fing1 in prose
Jjaf oughte like ^ou as I suppose / 2128
Or elles certeyn 36 ben to daungerous
If is a moral tale vertuous
Al be if tolde somtyme in sondry wyse
Of1 sondry folk1 as I schal 3ou deuyse 2132
As ]>us 30 wote euery euawngeliste
Thaf tellejj vs of1 ihesu criste
Ne saij? nou3f al fing1 as his felawe doj>
Buf natheles here sentence is al soj> 2136
And aH acorden as in here sentence
Al be fer in here tellyng1 difference
CORPUS 486 (8-T. 199)
SIX-TEXT 200
GROUP B. § 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK. COIpUS MS.
ffor some of1 hem seyn more and some lesse
Whan J?ey his pytous passioun expresse 2140
I mene of1 mark1 matheu luke and lohn
But1 douteles here sentence is al on
Therfore lordinges all I 3011 beseche
If1 fat1 30 Jnnke I varie in my speche 2144
As Jms if1 jjaf I telle somwhat1 more
Of1 prouerbis jjen 30 haue herd byfore
Comprehendit1 in Jjis litel tretis heere
To enforce with Jjeffecte of my matiere 2148
And pough I nadde1 J>e same wordes saye p ,£f*i J1 JiJ^JJ^]
As 36 han herd 3^ to alle 3ou I praye
Blame J? me nought1 for as in my sentence
3e schal nought1 fynde mochil difference / 2152
ffro ]>e sentence of1 J?e tretys lyyte 2 [2 nte in a later AUM]
After ]?e which )?is mery tale I wryte
And3 herkene what1 1 schal seye ^Ksrfnaanofh^hS\in
And let1 me telle my tale I 3011 preye / 2156
CORPUS 487 (6-T. 200)
SIX-TEXT 201
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS,
[There are no line-numbers or breaks between the paragraphs in
the MS. Tyrwhitt's breaks are kept here to prevent slight
differences in the Six Texts throwing out many lines.~\
[Corpus MS, on leaf 217, back.]
If Cm. xxm.
Here bygynnep Chauceres tale of1 Melibe and
his wyf1 Prudence and his doughter Sapience
[2157]
A^ong1 man whilom called Melibe mighty & riche
bigate vpon his wyf1 fat1 called was Prudence . a
doughter which J?att cleped was Sapience
[2 1 58] IT vpon a day felle fat1 he for his disporte
is went1 in to fe feeldes him to pleye [2159] his wyf1
and eek1 his doughter haj> he lefte wijrinne his hous
of1 which J>e dores weren faste schette . [2160] ffoure of* his
olde foos han it aspyed . and setten ladderes to }>e walles
of* his hous and by fe wyndowes ben y-entred [2 161] 51" and
beeten his wyf1 and wounded his doughter with fyue
mortaille woundes in .v. sondry places. [2162] jjis is to
say in hire feet1 in hire hand, in hire eeres in hire
nose in hire mouj> 1F and laften hire for deed and
wenten here wey
[2163] 51 When Melibews retourned was a^ein in-til his
hous and sawe al J>is meschief1 IT he y-like a mad man
rendyng1 his elopes gan to weepe and crye
[2164] 1F Prudence his wyf1 as ferforj? as sche dorste
bysought1 him of1 his weepyng'for tostynte [2 165] IF but nou^f
for-J>y he gan to wepe and crye euer lenger fe more
[2166] IT This noble wyf1 prudence remembred hire
on J?e sentence of1 Ovide in his bok1 J?af cleped is J?e
remedy of1 loue where he saijj [2167] he is a fool
Jjat1 distourbej) ]>e mooder for to wepe in fe de]> of1 hire
childe til sche haue wepte hire fille as for a certein tyme
[2168] Then schal man don his diligence -wiih
amyable wordes hire to comforte and to prcye hire of1
CORPUS 488 (6-T. 201)
SIX-TEXT 202
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
hire wepyng1 for to stynte [2169] IF ffor which" resoun fis
noble prudence suffred hire housbond for to weepe
and crye as for a certeyn space [2170] IF And when sche
saugh hire tyme sche seyde him in fis wyse IF Alias my
lord quod sche why make 30 ^oure self for to be ylike a
fool [2171] ffor sofe it1 apertynef nou^t1 to a wise man
to maken such a sorwe [2172] IT 3oure doughter wif fe
grace 1of god schal be warisshed and askape [2173] IT And
alle were it1 so fat1 sche right1 now were deed f 30 oughte
nou^fr as for hire def 3oure self1 to destryue [21 74] 1F Senek1
saif f e Wiseman schal nou^t1 take to gret1 discomfort1 for
fe def of1 his children [2175] but1 certes he schulde
suffre if in pacience as wel as he abydef fe dej)
of* his owen propre persone
[2176] 1F This Melibeus answerde anon and sayde
1F What1 man quod he schulde of1 his wepyng1 stynte fat1
haf so gret1 a cause for to weepe [2177] IF Ihesws cn'st1
cure lord himself" wepte for J?e dej? of1 lazarus his
freend [2178] 1F Prudens answerde 1F certes wel I woof
a-tempre weepyng* is nou^t1 defendid vnto him Jjaf
sorwful is among1 folk1 in sorwe 5F Buf it1 is rafer y-graunted
him to wepe [2179] IF The apostel Poule . vnto Jje
Eomayns write]? . Man schal reioyse wij> hem fat1 maken
ioye IF And weepen wij? suche folk1 as wepen [2180] 1F But
Jjough a-tempre wepynge be y-gmunted Outragous
weepyng1 certes is defended [2181] IF Mesurable wepyng1
schulde be considered after J?e lore Jjat1 techej) vs Senek f Senek/
[2182] IF Whan fat1 J>i freend is deed let1 nought1
fin yen to moyste ben of1 teeres ne to druye *{[ Al
fough f e teeres comen of1 fin eyen let1 hem nou^t1 fallen
[2183] IF And whan fou hast1 forgoii fi frende I rede fou
do f y diligence to gete f e anof er . and f is is more wiser
fan for to wepe for f yn freend f e which fat1 fou hast1 lore
*[ ffor fer-in is no boote [2184] 1F And ferfore if1 fou
lust1 gouerne f e by Sapience f putte awey sorwe of1 3oure
herte. [2185] 1F Kemembref 3011 fat1 Ihesus Cyrak1 / seif 5 ih«t»
34 CORPUS 489 (6-T. 202) C1 leaf 218]
SIX-TEXT 203
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. COIpUS MS.
a man fat1 is loyous and glad in herte hit1 him con-
seruef florisching1 in his age IF But1 sofly sorwful herte
make]) his bones dryue [2186] IF he saif eek fus
U fat1 sorwe in herte slef ful many a man) [2187] Sa-
lamon. seif fat1 right1 as moughtes in fe schepes flees
annoyef to f e clof es and f e smale wormes of1 f e trees
IT Eight1 so anoyef sorwe to fe herte [2188] IF Wherfore
we ou3t as wel in f e def of1 oure children as in fe
losse of1 oure good haue pacience
tiob [2189] IF Eemembref ^ow vpon fe pacient1 loh.
whan he hadde lost* his children and his temperel sub
stance / In his body endured and suffred many a
greuous temptac?'on IF 36^ sayde he ]?us [2190] 1F Oure
lord quod he haj) }oue it1 me 5F Oure lord ha]) byreft1 it me
Eight1 so as oure lord ha]) wolde right1 so be it don. y-blessed
be J?e name of oure lord [2191] 1F To )>ese afore
finges Melibeus answerde to his wyf1 dame Prudence /
Alle fine wordes quod he ben sofe and ferto pro-
ffitable 5F But1 trewly myn herte is troubled wij? Jns sorwe
so greuously fat1 1 not1 what1 to done [2192] IF let1 calle
qwoc? Prudence fin trewe frendes alle and fin lynage
whiche fat1 ben wise Telle hem f yn [caas] l and herkne what1
fay say in counseillynge and 3ou gouerneth f er after here
Salomon sentence [2193] Salomon saif werk1 alle fing1 by counseil
and f ou schalt1 neuer repente f e
[2194] IF Thenne by fe counseil of1 his wyf1 dame Pru
dence f Melibezte' let1 callen a gret1 congregaciofi of folk1
[2195] [...... no gap] olde and 3onge and
some of1 his olde enemys reconsiled as by here semblant
in to his loue and in to. his grace [2196] 1F And fer-wif-al
f er come somme of his olde neyghebo^rs and fat1 deden him
reuerence more for drede fan for loue as it1 happef
ofte [2197] 1F Ther comef also ful many subtile flaterers
and wyse aduocatis lerned in f e lawe
[2198] And whan fis folk / togidre assembled were '.
This Melibews in sorwful wise schewed hem fis caas
CORPUS 490 (6-T. 203) [i leaf 218, back]
SIX-TEXT 204
GROUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.
[2199] IF And by fe manere of* fis speche he bar
in his herte a cruel yre redy - to don venge-
aunce vpon his foos And sodeynly desired fat1 fe
werre schulde begynne [2200] 1F But1 nafeles jit1 asked he
here counseil vpon fis matere [2201] A Surgien by
licence and assent of1 suche as were wyse vp ros vii-
to Melibeus and sayde as 36 may heere
[2202] Sire quod he as to vs surgiens aperteynef
to euery wight1 fe beste fat1 we can were as
we ben wif holde IT And to oure paciences fat1 we do no
damages [2203] f erf ore it happef many tymes and ofte
fat1 when tuo men haue euerich wounded ofer 0
same Surgien helej) hem bofe [2204] 1T Wherfore vnto
oure art1 it1 nys nou^t1 pertynent1 to norische werre ne parties
to supporte [2205] IT But* certes as to fe warisshyng1 of1
^our doughter be it1 so fat1 sche is perilously
wounded f we schulde do so ententyfly busynes fro day to
night1 fat1 wif f e grace of1 god sche schal be sound and
hool as sone as it1 is possible [2206] IT Alle men
in fis same wyse answerden and f e Phisiciens . saue fat1
fay say den a fewe wordes more [2207] fat1 right1
as maladies ben heled by fe contraries Right1 so schal
men warissche werre by vengaunce [2208] his neyghe-
burs fulle of1 enuye his feynede freendes fat1 semed
reconsiled his flaterers [2209] maden sernbla?mt
of1 wepyng1 enpeyred and engregged meche of1 his
matiere in preysynge gretly Melibeus of1 might1 of1 power
of1 riches and of1 frendes despysynge fe power of1 his
aduersaries [2210] and sayden outrely fat1 he anon)
schulde awreken him on his enemys and begynne werre
[2211] IT Vp ros fanne an aduoket1 fat1 was wys and
sayde by leue and by counseil of1 of ere fat1 were wyse 1T And
sayde [2212] lordynges the neede for f e which we t>en) as
sembled in f is place is a ful heuy f ing1 and an heigh matiere
[2213] by cause of1 fe wrong1 and of1 fe wikkednesse faf
haf ben don and eeke by resoun) of1 fe grete damage /
CORPUS 491 (6-T. 204)
SIX-TEXT 205
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
in tyme comynge ben possible to 1falle for fis same
cause [2214] and eek1 by resoun Of1 fe grete richesse and
power of* fe parties bofe [2215] IF ffor fe whiche resouns
it1 were a grefr perile for to erren in fis matiere // [2216]
wherfore melibeus fis is oure sentence we counseile
$ou abouen alle finges fat1 right1 anon fou do fi
diligence in kepyng1 of1 fi propre person© in suche a
wyse fat fou ne wante none aspye ne wacche fi body
for to saue [2217] IF And after fat1 we counseile fat f ou sette
in fin hous sumsauntt garnysoun IF So fat1 fey may
as wel fy body and fin hous defende [2218] IF But1 certes
for to meve werre ne sodeinly for to do vengeance
IF We may nou^t1 deme in so litel tyme fat1 it1 were profit
able [2219] wherfore we asken leysir and space to haue
deliberacion in fis cas to deme [2220] for fe commune
prouerbe saif f us . he . fat1 sone demef sone schal
repente [2221] IF And eek» men say fus faf filke luge is
wys fat1 sone vnderstandef a matiere and lugef by
leysyr [2222] IF ffor al be it1 so fat1 alle taryynge be anoyful f
algates if nys nou^t1 to reproue in ^euyng1 of luggementz ne in
vengaunce takynge whanne it1 is suffisaunt1 and resonable .
[2223] and fat1 schewed oure lord ihesus crist1 by en-
sample IF ffor when fat1 fe wowman was taken in
aduoutrye was brought1 in his presens to knowe what1
schal ben don with hire person© ^[ Al be it1 so fat1 he wiste
wel himself1 what1 fat1 he wolde answere ' ^it1 ne wolde he
nou^t1 answere sodeinly but1 he wolde haue deliberacion and
in fe ground© he wrot1 twyes [2224] ^F And by fis
cause we axen deliberacion And we schullen fanne by
fe grace of1 god counseile fe finge fat1 schal be
profitable
[2225] ^f Vp sterte fenne fe 3onge folk1 atones f
and f e moste partye of1 fat1 company haue scorned fis olde
wise ma?z and bygonne to make noyse and sayden
[2226] right1 so IT as whiles fat1 yren is hoot men schulden
smyte IF Eight1 so men schulden wreken here wronges whiles
COlirUS 492 (6-T. 205) [Ueat'219]
SIX-TEXT 206
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.
fay ben freissche and newe IT And with lowde voys fey
cryden werre werre
[2227] vp ros fe on of1 fe olde wise and
with his hande he made a contynaunce fat1 fey schulde
halden hem stille and ^iuen hem audience [2228]
IF lordynges quod he fer is ful many a man fat1
crief werre werre fat1 wot1 ful litel what* fat1 werre
amountef [2229] IF werre at1 his bygynnyng1 haf so gret1
an enteryng1 and so large IF That1 euery wight1 may entre
when him likef . and lightly fynde werre [2230] ^f But1
certes to what1 ende fat1 schal f er-of1 bifalle it1 nys nou^t1
lightly to knowe [2231] 1F whan fat1 werre is ones
bygonne f er is ful many a childe vnborne of1 his moder
fat1 schal sterue 3ong1 by cause of1 filke werre Of er elles
lyue in sorwe and deye in wrecchednesse [2232] IF And
ferfore er fat1 eny werre be bygonne men rnosten Jhan
gret1 counseil and good deliberacioii [2233] 1F And when
fis olde man wende to enforcen his tale by resofi
wel neih alle at1 ones bygonne for to ryse for to breken his
tale / and beden him fuloften of1 his wordes for to abregge
[2234] ^[ ffor sofly he fat1 prechef to hem fat1 luste
nought1 his wordes ne his sermon hem annoyef [2235] -
IF ffor Ihesus Cirak1 saif fat1 musyke in wepynge is «j ih*mi cirak /
annoyous f ing1 f us moche is to sayn as moche annoyef to
speke bifore folk1 to whiche his speche annoyef f as it1 is
for to syngen byforn him fat1 wepef [2236] IF And when fis
wise man saugh fat1 him wantede audience f al schamfast1
he sette him doun a^ein . [2237] ffor Salomon seif . fer ^ Salomon
as f ou mayst1 haue non audience f enforce f e iiou^t1
to speke [2238] IF I se wel quod fis wyse man fat1 fe
commune prouerbe is sof fat1 good counseil wantef .
whan it is most1 nede
[2239] IF 3ifr hadde fis Melibeus in his counseilL? many
folk1 fat1 priuely in his eere counseled him certein f ing1 .
and counselled him f e contrary in general audience
[2240] *j[ When Melibeus hadde herd fat1 fe gretteste
CORPUS 493 (6-T. 206) [i leaf 219, back]
SIX-TEXT 207
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.
party of1 his counseil were acorded pat1 lie schulde make
werre i anon he consentede to here counseilyng IT and fully
affermed to here sentence [2241] 1F Thannedame Prudence
whan pat1 sche saugh" how pat1 hire housbonde schope him
for to wreke him on his foes and to begynne werre IF Sche
in ful humble wyse whan sche saugh" hire tyme / seyde
him in pise wordes [2242] IF My lord qiwd sche I 3011
beseche as hertely as I dar and can U ~N& haste ^ou nou^fr1 to
faste IF And afore alle guerdouns 31^ me audience
[2243] ^ ff°r Pieres Alphons. saip 1F 0 who so dop to
pe good oper harme haste pe nought* to quyten hit IF ffor
in pis wise py frend wole abyde and 1pm enemy schal
pe lengere lyue in drede [2244] 1F The prouerbe saip pat1 he
haste]? him wel pat1 wisly can abyde IF and in wicked haste
is no profyte
[2245] ^ This melybe answerde to his wijf1 IF ^F Prudence
I purpose nought1 quod he to werke by py counseille for
many causes and resons 1F ffor certes euery wight1 wolde
halde me fenne a fool [2246] IF This is for to say IF If1 1
for Ipj counseillyng1 wolde chaunge Jnnges pat1 ben
ordeynf and affermed by so many wyse [2247] 1F Sec-
oundly I say pat1 alle wommen ben pikke and none
goode of1 hem alle ffor of1 a Jjousend men saip Salomon
I fand a good man But1 certes of alle wommen fond
I neuer good womman [2248] 1T And also certes if I
gouerned me by j>y counseil it1 schulde seme pat1 I hadde
30110 to ]?e ouer me pe maystrie 1F and god forbede pat1
it1 so were [2249] 1F ffor Ihems Cyrak1 'saip. pat if1 pin
wijf1 haue maistrief sche is contrarious to hire housebonde
[2250] IF and Salomon saip IF Neuer in py lyf1 to py
wyf1 ne to py childe ne to py freende ne 3iue no power
ouer pi self1 1F ffor bettre it1 were pat1 pin children asken
of py persone pinges pat hem needep 1F pen pou [be]
pi self1 in pe handes of1 pin children [2251] 1F And also if1 1
wole wirche by pi counseylyng1 f certes my counseille
moste som tyme be secree til it1 were tyme pat1 it1 moste be
CORPUS 494 (6-T. 207) ['leaf 220]
SIX-TEXT 208
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.
knowe and fis ne may nought be doo [2252. For it is
written, ' f e langelry of wo?ranen can huyde Binges
fat1 fey wot1 nou^f [2253] Furthermore, the philosopher
saith, ' in wikked counseil, wommen venquysshef men ; '
and for these reasons I ought not to make use of thy
counsel. (See Prudence's answers to Reasons 4^5, 'below.)']
[2254] 1F When dame Prudence ful debonerly and
wif alle pacience hadde herde alle fat1 hire housbonde
liked for to say : Then asked sche of1 him licence for to
speke and sayde in fis wise [2255] IF My lord qiiod sche .
as to 3oure ferste resoun it1 may lightly ben
answerde IT ffor I say fat1 it1 nys foly to chaunge
counseille when f e f ing1 is chaunged Of er elles when
fe fing1 semef ofer weyes fenne if semef aforn
[2256] 1F And more ouer I say fay fat1 30 haue
sworn and behight1 to parfourme ^oure emprise \_et tu
la laissoies a fa ire (Le Menagier de Paris, i. 193)]
by iuste cause f men schulde nou^t seyn f erfore fat1 ^e were
a lyere ne forsworn [2257] IT ffor fe book1 seif fat1 fe
wise man makef no lesynge when he tornef his corage / to
fe bettre [2258] IT And if1 it1 be so fat1 ^oure emprise be
establissht1 and ordeyned by gret1 multitude of1 folk 1F ^et1
far f e nought1 acomplyse filke ordyiiaunce but1 $ou like
[2259] IF ffor fe troufe of1 finges and for profite ben
raf er founde . in fewe folk1 fat1 ben wise / and fulle of1
reson fen by gret1 multitude of1 folk1 fer eue?y man
cryef and clateref when him likef 1T sofly such
multitude nys nought honeste [2260] and as to fe secounde
reson wher as ^e sayn fat1 alle wommen ben wikke f
Saue 3oure grace ffor certes ^e despysef alle wommen in f is
wise, and he fat alle despisef all dispysef as seif fe
book1 [2261] IT And Senek1 seif fat1 who so wole haue sapi
ence . schal no man dispreyse 1F But1 he schal gladly teche f e
science faf he can wifouten presumpsioun or pryde
[2262] and suche finges fat1 he nought1 ne can he
schal nou^t1 be asshamed to lere him) and to enquere of1 lasse
CORPUS 495 (6-T. 208)
SIX-TEXT 209
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.
folk1 pan of1 himself1 [2263] IT And sire pat1 per hap
ben ful many a good womman may lightly be proued
[2264] 1F certes sire oure lord ihesu crist1 nolde
neuer han descended to be borne of1 a womman if1 alle
womnien hadde be wicke [2265] 1T And after pat
for pe grete bounte pat1 is in wowmen oure lord Thesus
when he was rysen fro dep to lyfe appered raper to
womman pan to his apostels [2266] 1F and pough
pat1 Salomon saip pat1 he ne fond neuer womman
good it1 ifolwep nought perfore pat alle wommen ben
wikke [2267] IF For pough pat1 he ne fonde no good
womman Certes many anoper man hap founden
many a womman ful good and trewe [2268] Or elles
perauenture pe entent1 of1 Salamorc was pus pat1 as in
souereyn bounte he fande no womman [2269] This is to
say pat1 per nys no wight1 pat1 hap parfyt1 bounte
saue god allone as he himself1 recordep in his euaun-
gelist1 [2270] 1T For per nys no creature so good that1 him
ne wantep som what/ of1 pe perfeccion of1 god pat1 is his
makere [2271] IF The pridde resoun is pis 30 say pat1 if1
36 gouerne 3011 by my counseil hit1 schulde seme pat1 30
hadde 3oue me pe maystry And pe lordschip of1 3oure
persone // [2272] Sire saue 3oure g?-ace hit nys nought1 so
IT For if1 so were pat no man schulde be counseled but1 oonly
of1 hem pat1 hadde lorschipe and maystrye of1 his persone
men nolde nought be counseiled so ofte. [2273] For soply
pilke men pat1 askep counseil of1 a purpos IF 36^ hap he
free wille wheper he wol do after pat1 counsel or
no [2274] IF And as to 3oure fourpe reson per as 36
sayn pat1 pe langelry of wommen can huyde pinges pat1
pey wot1 noi^t1 IF As who saip pat1 a wo?nman can nought1
huyde what1 sche wot1 [2275] 1F Sire pese wordes ben vnder-
stonde of1 wo??imen pat1 ben langleresses and wicked
[2276] of1 whiche wommen men sayn pat1 pre pinges
dryuep a man out1 of1 his hous . That1 is to say Smoke
droppyng1 of1 Rayn and wickidde wyfes [2277] And
CORPUS 496 (6-T. 209) C1 leaf 220, back]
SIX-TEXT 210
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
swiclie woramen saij> Salamo??/ fat1 he were bettre to dwelle
in desert1 fan with, a womman fat is ryetous [2278] And
sire by ^oure leue fat1 am nought* I [2279] IT For 36 haue ful
ofte assayed my grete Cilence and my grete pacience and
eek1 how wel fat he can huyde and hele finges fat1
men oughten secrely to huyden [2280] 11" and so]) as to
3oure fifte * reson wher as 30 say fat1 in wikked coun-
seil wowmen venquysshef men 11 God wot1 filke reson
stant1 heere in no stede [2281] If For vnderstandeth now 30
axeth counseil for to do wikkednes [2282] and if1 36 wolen
werke wikkednesse and ^onre wijf1 restreynejj filke
wikked p^rpos and ouercome 3011 by reson and by
good counseil i [2283] certes 3oure wyf1 oughte rafer to be
preysed fen to be blamed [2284] If This scholde 36 vnder-
stande fe philosophre fat1 saif In wicked counseil
wowmen venquysshen here housebondes [2285] IT and Jjere
as 36 blamen alle wommen & here resons f I schal schewe
3011 by many .ensamples Jjat1 many wo?nmew han
ben fill goode and 36^ ben and here counsel holsome
and profitable [2286] IF eeke some men han sayde fat1 J>e
counselyng1 of1 wo??zmen is eyfer to deere or elles to
lytel of1 pris [2287] H But1 al be it1 so fat1 ful 'many
womman is badde and here counseil vile & noi^tt worj) f
3ef han men founde many a good wo??iman and ful
discret1 and wys in counselyng1 // [2288] lo Jacob jnirgh fe
goode counseil of* his moder Eebekka wan jje benyson ofH
his fader and J>e lordschipe ouer alle his breferen .
[2289] ludith jmrgh hire goode counseil delyuered ]?e Cite of1
Buphelye in which sche dwelte out1 of1 )?e lande of*
Olyuerne fat1 hadde it1 al byseged and wolde han al destruyet1
it1 [2290] IF Abegayle delyuered Nabal hir housbonde fro
Dauid J>e king1 fat1 wrolde han slayn him and appaysede
]>e yre of1 ]>e king1 by hire witte and by hire goode counseil-
yng1 [2291] 1T1[ Ester by hire counceil enchaunced
gretly fe poeple of1 god in fe Regne of1 Assueres ]>e king1
[2292] and fe same bounte. in good counselling* of1
CORPUS 497 (6-T. 210) P leaf 221]
SIX-TEXT 211
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CorpllS MS,
many a wownian may men telle [2293] IF And furfermore
whan fat1 oure lord had created Adam oure forme fader '.
he sayde in fis wise / [2294] If nys nought1 good to be a
man allone IT Make we an helper semblable to him
self. [2295] IF Here may 36 see fat1 if fat1 wowman
were nou^t1 good and hire counseil good and profitable f
[2296] Oure lord god of1 heuene ne wolde neuer han y-wroujtt
hem ne called hem f e helper of* man [ . . . . - . , . . -«
no gap."] [2297] ^F And fer sayde ones a clerk1 in tuo vers /
what1 is bettre fan a good laspre [
* V; . no gapJ\ wisdom [2298] And what1 is bettre fan
wisdam woraman and what1 is bettre fan wowman fat1 is a
good womman no fing1 [2299] IF And sire by many of1
of er resons may 36 seen fat1 many wo?wmen ben goode and
eek1 here cou?*seil good and profitable [2300] 1F And f erfore
sire if1 30 wiln truste to my counseil f I schal restore ^ou
3oure doughter hool and sound [2301] 1F And eek1 fat1 1 wol
to 3011 don so moche fat1 36 schuln haue honour in f is caas
[2302] IF When melybe had herde fe wordes of1 his
wijf* Prudence f he sayde fus [2303] fat1 fe
wordes of1 Salamon is sof 1F For he saif fat1 wordes fat1
"ben' spoken .discretly by ordynauwce ben hony combes
ffor fey 3iuen swetnesse to fe soule and holsomnes
to fe body [2304] IF And wyf1 by cause of1 fine swete
wordes and eeke for I haue y-proued and sayd fin grete
sapience and fin grete troufe I wol gouerne me by fyn
counseyl in alle f ing1
[2305] 1F Now sire qiwd dame Prudence and sefenes 30
fouche sauf1 to be gouerned by my counseil f I wol
enforme 3011 how fat1 30 schuln gouerne 3oure self1 in chesyng1
of1 3oure counseilowrs [2306] 1F 30 schuln ferst1 fourme alle
^oure wekes mekely bysekeii to f e hihe god fat1 he wol
ben 3our counseilour [2307] And schapef 3011 to such
entent1 fat1 he 3iue 3011 counseil and confort as tanghte
Thobye Ho his sone [2308] at alle tymes. thou schalt/ blesse
CORPUS 498 (6-T. 21l) [i leaf 221, back]
SIX-TEXT 212
GEOUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS, CoipUS MS.
god and preyen him to dresse / pine weyes . and loke also pat1
pine counseiles ben in him for euermore [2309] 1F Seint1
lame saip IF If1 any of1 3ou haue neede of1 Sapience f aske
it1 of1 god [2310] IF And afterward penne schnllen 36 take
counsel in 3oure self1 and examyn wel ^oure owne pou^tes of1
swiche pinges as 3011 penkep pat1 is best1 for ^oure profyt
[2311] f And penne schulle 36 dryue fro ^oure hertes
pinges pat1 ben contrarious to good counseil [2312]
pat1 is to say . Ire . Coueytise . and hastynes .
[2313] ffirst1 he pat1 askep counseil of himself1' certes
he moste be wipouten Ire [ [23T4]
no gap in the MS."] and wrappe in
himself1 he wenep alwey pat1 he may do ping pat1 he
may not do [2315] IF And secoundly he pat1 is Irous
and wrop he [ [231^] no gap
in the MS.'] may nought1 wel counseille [2317] IF The
pridde is pis. pat1 he pat1 is Irous and wrop as saip
Senek1 ne may nought1 speke but1 blameful pinges [2318]
And with pilke vicious wordes he sterep oper folk1 to
anger and to Ire [2319] And eek1 sire 30 moste drede
coueytise out1 of1 3oure herte . [2320] ffor pe apostel seip
pat1 coueytise is pe roote of1 alle harmes. [2321] And trusteth
right1 wel pat1 a coueytous man ne can nought1 deme ne penke
but1 only to fulfille pe ende of1 his coueytise. [2322] and
certes pat1 ne may neuer be acomplised . ffor euer
pe more habundance pat1 he hap of1 richessef pe more
he desirep [2323] IF And sire 36 moste also driue out*
of 3owr hertes hastynes [2324] IF For certes 36 may
nou3t1 deme for pe beste a sodeyn pought1 pat1 fallep in
3oure herte 1F But1 36 moste avise 3ou on hit ful ofte
[2325] 1F ffor as 36 haue herd here biforn pe comune proverbe
is pis That1 he pat1 sone demep sone repentep //
[2326] Sire 30 ne be no^t1 alwey in ylike disposicion
[2327] ffor certes soni ping1 pat1 some tynie semep to
3011 pat1 is good for to do . Anoper tyme it1 semep
to 30U pe COntrarie . [^ great Ut ?« now omitted in Corpus.']
CORPUS 499 (6-T. 212)
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS.
SIX-TEXT 213
Corpus MS.
[Laud MS 600,
leaf 233]
[2328] [When ye lian taken couwseile in jour self1 And
han denied bi good deliberacion siche fing as you
semi]) best [2329] IF fanne rede I / you that ye kepe it
secre / [2330] bewrie not jour counseile to no pe?*sone.
bot it so be. fat ye wene sikerli fat furgh jour
bewrieng / jour condicion shal be to you pe more
profitable [2331] IF For Ihesus Sirac saip IF K"eifer to fi
foo ne to f i frende . discouer not f i secre ne f i foli .
[2332] for fai wol yeue you audience and loking and
supportacion in pi presence and scorne in pi
absence. [2333] IF Anoper clerc saif fat scarsli shalt fou
finde any persone fat mai ,kepe counseil secreli .
[2334] ^ The book saij) while fou kepest fi counsail
in fin hert fou kepist it in fi prison / [2335] and
whan fou bewriest f i courasaile to any wight / he holdef
f e in his snare ./ [2336] And ferfore you is better
hide jour counsaile. in jour hert / fan p?'«ien him to
whom ye haue bewried jour counseil fat he wol kepe
it clos and stille . [2337] IF For Seneca saif if so be.
fat fou ne maist not . fin owne counseile hide . How
darst fou praien any of er wight / f i counseil secreli to
kepe. [2338] IF Bot nafeles if fou wene sicurli / fat
fi bewriyng1 of fi cou/zsaile to a pe?*sone wol make fi
condicion to stonde in a better plite . Then shalt fou
tellen him fi counseil in pis wise [2339] 1F First fou
shalt make no semblant / where fe were leuer werre or
pees . or f is . or pat . ne shew him not f i wille / and
fin entent [2340] IF For trust wel fat comurcli fise
couwseilows . ben Caterers And [2341] namely fe counseil-
lours of grete lordes. [2342] for fei enforcen hem alwei.
rafer to speke plesant wordes. enclynyng to fe lordes
p Laud MS, leaf lust1 fan wordes fat ben trewe . and profitable . [2343] ' IF And
ferfore men sai fat fe riche man haf selden good co\in-
saile / bot he haue it of himself [2344] IF And aftir fat
fou shalt considre f i frendes and f i enemyes . /
[2345] And as touching fi frendes. pou shalt con-
CORPUS 600 (6-T. 213) [this page, Laud coo]
233, back]
SIX-TEXT 214
1 GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
sidre whiclie of hem. beth most faijjful and most [LaudMseooj
wise, and eldest and most approued in couwseilyng
[2346] and of hem shalt J>ou axe J?i cour^saile as j^e
caas requireth
[2347] IT I / sal ]>at first ye shul clepe to youre COUTI-
saile / youre frendes Jat ben trewe./ [2348] For Salamoii
sai)> / for right as J?e hert of a man delitij? in sauowr.
J>at is soote / right so ]>e courcsaile of your1 trewe frendes /
yeuej? swetnes to J?e soule [2349] ^1 He saij? also per
mai noting be likned to J>e trewe frende / [2350] 1T For
certes gold ne siluer be not so moche worj? . as J?e
good wille of a trewe frende / [2351] and eke he saij?
j>at a trewe frende . is a stronge defence / who pat
it findej? . certis he findep a gret tresowr
[2352] 1F pene shul ye eke considre / if }>at youre
trewe frendes ben discrete and wise / for pe book
saip . axe pi counsaile alwai of hem pat ben wise .
[2353] And bi pis same resoun. shul ye clepe to youre
counsaile of youre frendes J)at ben age. siche as haue
sai sightes and ben expert in mony pinges. and ben
approued in counseling . [2354] for ])e book saij?
Jjat in olde men is ]>e sapience, and in longe time
)>e prudence [2355] H And tullius saij) j?at grete
Binges ben not ' aye accompleed bi streng]?e ne bi
delyuernes of bodi. bot bi good counsail. bi auctorite
of persones and bi science. J?e whiche J?re Binges
ben not feble bi age./ bot certes Jmi enforcen to en-
cresen dai by dai. [2356] and jmn shul ye kepe
j>is for *a general rewle IT First shul ye clepe to youre
couwsaile a fewe of jour frendes jjat ben especial
[2357] ^ F°r Salamon saij? mony frendes haue J)ou.
bot among a J?ousand chese ]?e on to be J)i conseil-
lour I [2358] For al be it so }>at Jjou first ne telle ]?i
counseil bot to a fewe. fou maist aftirward telle it to
moo folk / if it be nede. [2359] bot loke alwey pat Jn
courcseilours haue ]>i[l]k fro condiciourcs . fat I / haue said
CORPUS 501 (6-T. 214) [this page, Laud 600.]
GROUP B,^§ 10. MEL1BEUS.
SIX-TEXT 215
MS.
[laud MS]
[Laud MS ex
tract ends]
[Corpus MS, on
Iecif221, back]
before, fat is to sai fat fei be trewe and olde. and
of wis experience. [2360] 1F And wirke not alwey in euery
nede / bi on counsellor/1 allone. For somtyme behouef
it be counseilid bi many. [2361] IT For Salamon sai]?.
Saluacion of f inges is . where as f er ben many
couttselers .]
[2362] Now haue I tolde ^ou of1 which folk1
^e scholde be counseled NOw wol I teche $ou which
counseil ^e owe to eschewe [2363] fferst1 30 schuln eschewe
f e counseilyng1 of1 fooles . Salomon sai]? take no coun
seil of1 a fool ffor he wol cownseile but1 after his
owne luste and his affections [2364] ^F The book/ sai]?
fat1 ]?e proprete of1 a fool is ]?is ^T he trowef lightly
harme of1 euery wight1 and lightly trowe]? a bounte in
himself1 [2365] IF Thou schalt1 eke eschewe fe counseling1
of1 alle flaterers whiche enforcen hem rafer to preysen
^oure persoiie by flaterye fan for to telle ^ou fe sof-
fastnesse of1 f inges
[2366] IF Wherfore Tullius sai]? among1 alle fe
pestilence xj?at ben in frendschipe fe grettest1 is
flaterie 1F And ferfore is it1 more nede fat1 f ou eschewe
and drede flaterers fan any ofer poeple / [2367] The
book1 saif fou schalt1 rafer [drede and] fle fro fe
swete wordes of1 flaterynge & preysyng1 fen fro f e egre
wordes of1 fy frend fat1 saif fe fin sofes [2368]
Salomon saif fat1 fe wordes of1 a flaterer is a snare
to cacche Innocence [2369] IF he saif also . he
fat1 spekef to his frend wrordes of1 swetnes and of1
plesance '. settef a nette biforn his feet1 to cacche him
[2370] IF And f erf ore Tullius saif Enclyne nou^t1 fin
eeres to flaterers Ne take no counseil of1 wordes of1
flaterie / [2371] and Catori saif IF Avise fe wel and
eschewe fe wordes of1 swetnes and of1 plesaunce
[2372] IF And eet fou schalt1 eschewe fe counsellyng1 of1
fine olde enemys fat1 be reconsiled [2373] The
book1 saif fat1 no wight1 retournef saufly in to fe
CORPUS 602 (6-T. 215) ['leaf 222]
SIX-TEXT 216
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.
grace of1 his olde enemy [2374] IT And Isope saif ^1F Ne
truste nou^t1 to hem to whiche som tyme fou hast1 had werre /
or enmyte ne telle hem no^t1 fi cownseille [2375] IF And
Senek1 tellef f e cause why it1 may nought1 be saith he
fat where long1 tyme fuyr haf endured fat1
fer dwellef som tyme vapour of1 hete [2376] IF And
f erfore saif Salamon) in fin olde foo truste fou neuwe
[2377] ffor sikerly fough fin enemy be reconsiled
and makef fe chere of* humilite and lowtef to fe
wif his heed ne truste him neuere [2378] ffor certes
he makef filke feyned humilite more for his profyt1
fan for eny humilite or for eny loue of1 fin persone by
[ no gap] such
feyned contynance The which victory he might1 haue by
stryf1 or werre [2379] And Petre Alfouns saif. make no
felaschipe wif fine olde enemyesf ffor if1 fou do hem
bounte fey wollen peruerten hit1 to wickednesse
[2380] And eeke fou most1 eschewe f e counseilyng1 of1 hem
fat ben fin seruantz and beren the gret1 reuerence ffor
perauenture fey seyn it1 more for drede fan for loue
[2381] IT And f erfore saif a Philosophre in fis
wise 1F Ther nys no wight1 parfytly trewe to him f af he to
sore dredef [2382] ^F And Tullius saif 1F Ther nys no
wight1 so gret1 of1 eny emperowr fat1 longe may endure /
but1 if1 he haue loue of1 fe poeple and drede
[2383] IF Thow schalt1 eschewe also fe counseiling1 of1 folk1
fat ben drunkelewe for fey ne can no counseile huyde.
[2384] Salamon saif fer nys no pryuyte fer as
regnef drunkenes [2385] IF 36 schullen han also in suspecte
to f e counseling1 of1 such folk1 as counseile $ow a fing1
priuily and counseile 3011 a f ing1 fat1 is contrarie openly *
[2386] ffor Cassidory saif fat it1 is a maner sleighte to
hyndre his enemy when xhe schewef to don a fing1 openly
and werkef priuily f e contrarie [2387] IF Thou schalt1 haue
also in fin suspecte f e conselynge of1 wikked folk1 [, . ,
. . . .no gap] fat is alwey ful
CORPUS 603 (6-T. 216) C1 leaf 222, back]
SIX-TEXT 217
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.
of1 fraude [2388] and Dauid saip pat1 blisful is pe man
pat1 ha]) nought1 folwed pe counseling1 of* schrewes [2389]
1T Thow schalt1 also eschewe pe cownseilling1 of1 3ong1 folk1
ffor here counseilyng1 nys nougf rype as Salomon saip
[2390] IT Now sire scenes I haue schewed ^ou of1 which
folk4 36 schuln take counsel and of1 which folk1 30 schuln
folwe pe counsel / [2391] Now wol I teche ^ou how 36
schuln examyn ^oure counsel after the doctrine of1 Tullius
[2392] in pe examynyng1 penne of1 ^oure counseilo?/r
36 schuln considere many pinges [2393] IT Alj>er first1 pou
schalt1 considere pilke ping1 pat1 pou pzwposest1
and vpon what1 ping1 pou wolt1 han counseH pat1 verray
troupe be sayde and conserued pis is to say telle
trewly pin tale [2394] 11 For he pat1 saip fals may [not]
wel be counselled in pat caas of1 which [he lyeth] [2395]
^1 And after pis pou schalt1 consideren pe pinges pat
acorden to pat1 pou pz^rposest1 for to be by pin counseil-
ours if1 reson acordep perto [2396] 1T And eek1 if1 pi
might1 may atteyne perto IT And if1 pe more part1 and pe
bettre part1 of1 $oure coimseilours acorden perto or no .
[2397] pen schalt1 pou considere what1 ping1 schal
folwe of1 here counseilinge . as hate pees werre
grace profyt1 other damage and many oper pinges
[2398] And in alle pinges pou schalt1 chese pe
beste and weyfe alle oper pinges [2399] IF Thenne
schalt1 pou considere of1 what1 roote it is engendred pe matier
of1 pin counseil and what1 fruyt1 it1 may conceyue and
engendre [2400] pou schalt1 eek1 considre alle pese
causes for pe whiche pey ben spronge [2401] 1T and
whan 36 haue examyned ^oure counseil as I haue sayde
and which partie is pe bettre and more profitable and
hast1 aproued it1 by many wise folk1 and olde [2402]
panne schalt1 pou considere if1 pou mayst1 performe hit1 and
make of1 hit1 a good ende [2403] IF For certes reson wol no^fr
pat any man schal begynne a ping1 but1 if1 he inighte
performe hit1 as him ow3te [2404] If NQ no wight1 schulde
CORPUS 604 (6-T. 217)
SIX-TEXT 218
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS,
taken vpon him so heuy a charge fat1 he mighte [not] bere
it1 [2405] 5F For fe prouerbe saif he fat1 to mochel
enbracef distreynef litel [2406] IF And Caton saif
IF Assay such fing1 as fou hast1 power to done
leste fe charge oppresse fe to sore fat1 fe
bihouej) to weyue fing1 fat1 fou hast1 bygonne
'[2407] IT And if1 so be fat1 fou be in doute. wher fou
maist1 performe a fing1 or nonf chese rafer for to suffre
fan for to bygynne [2408] IF And Pieres alphouns saith If1
fou hast1 might1 to don a fing1 of1 which fou most1
repente it is bettre [ [2409] , ••;'•£.
wo 0rap] halde fi tunge 1stille fan
for to speke [2410] IF Then may I vnderstonde by
stronger resouns fat1 if1 fou hast1 power to performe a
werk1 of1 which fou schalt1 repente fe IF Thenne is it1 bettre
fat1 fou suffre fan bygynne [2411] wel seyn fey fat1
defenden euery wight1 to assaye a f ing1 of1 which he is
in doute wher he may performe it or non [2412]
1F And after when ^e haue examynd ^oure conseiH as I
haue sayd biforn and knowe wel fat1 36 may per
forme 3oure emprise f conferme it f enne sadly til it be at1
an ende
[2413] IF Now is it1 reson and tyme fat1 I schewe 3ou
whenne and where-fore fat1 ^e may chaunge ^oure counsel-
owrs wifouten ^oure reprofe [2414] IF Sofly man
may chaunge his purpos and his counseili if1 fe cause
cesseth or whan a newe cause betydef [2415] 1F For fe
lawe seif vpon finges fat newely betyden) bihouef
newe cofiseiU [2416] 1F And Senek1 saif IF If1 fin counseil
come to fe eeres of1 fin enemysf chaunge fi conseiH
[2417] [Apres, Ten pent changier son conseif] if1 so be
fou fynde fat1 by errour or by ony ofer
cause harme or damage may betyde [2418] IF Also of1 fin
counsel be dishoneste ofer elles come of1 dishoneste cause f
chaunge fin counsel [2419] IF For fe lawe saif/ fa#
alle bihestes fat1 ben dishoneste ne ben of1 no value .
35 CORPUS 505 (6-T. 218) I1 leaf 2231
SIX-TEXT 219
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS, CoipUS MS,
[2420] and eek1 if1 so be fafr it be impossible ofer may
no^t1 gladly be performed ofer kepte
[2421] And take fis for a general reule / fat euery
counsel fat1 is enformed so strongly fat1 it1 may nought* be
chaunged for no condition fat1 may betydef I say fat1
like consel is wicked.
[2422] 1F Melibeus whan he hadde herd fe doctrme of1
his wijf1 dame prudence f he answerde in fis wyse .
[2423] Dame quod he as ^ef vnto fis tyme 36
han wel taught1 me as in generalle how I schal
gouerne me and in fe chesyng1 and in fe wifholdyng1
of my counseilo&rs . [2424] But1 now wolde I fayn fat1
36 wolde condescende in special [2425] and telle me
how fat1 like]) 3ou or how fat1 semef 3ou by oure counseil-
lowrs fat1 we haue chose in fis present1 neede
[2426] IT My lord quod sche I beseche 3ou in al humbles
fat1 36 wolde nought1 wilfully reproeuen a3ein myn resons
ne distempre 3oure herte fough I speke fing1 fat1 3ou
displese [2427] IT fFor god woot1 as in myn entent1 I
speke it1 as for fe beste for 3oure honoz^r and for 3our
profyt1 eeke [2428] IF And sofly I hope fat1 3oure be-
nignite wol take it1 in pacience [2429] IF and trustef to me
wel fat1 3oure counsel in fis cas ne scholde no^t1
as to speke proprely be called a counselynge but1 a
mocioun or a meuyng1 of1 folye [2430] In which counseil
36 haue herde in many a sondry wise
[2431] 1T fferst1 and forfward 36 han herd in f e assem-
blyng1 of1 3our counsellours [2432] IT fFor ferst1 30 schulde
haue cleped 1a fewe folk1 to 3oure counseille IT And after fat1
36 might1 haue schewed it1 to mo folk1 if1 it1 hadde be rieede .
[2433] B11^ certes sodeinly 36 han cleped to 3oure coun
seil a gret1 multitude of1 poeple fulle chargaunt1 and ful
annuyous for to heere [2434] IT And also 36 haue herde
furthere as 30 schulde only haue cleped to 3oure counselle
3oure trewe frendes olde & wise [2435] ^ 3e nan cleped
also straunge folk1 3ong1 folk1 fals flaterers and enemys
CORPUS 506 (6-T. 219) C1 leaf 223, back]
SIX-TEXT 220
GKOUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
recoiisiled and folk1 J?at don ^ou reuerence wipouten
loue / [2436] and eek1 also 30 haue herd for 36 han
brought wij) ^ou to 3oure counseil. Ire. coueytise and
hastines [2437] J>e whiche j?re Jjinges "ben contrary
to euery good counseil and honest1 & profitable [2438] J)e
whiche J)re Jnnges 36 han noi^tf anyntesched oj?er destruyed
hem neyjjer in 3oure self1 ne in 3oure / counceillours as 36
aughte [2439] 1T 3® han herde also for 36 han schewed to
3oure counseillours 3oure talent1 3oure affeccion to make
werre anon for to do vengeauiice [2440] And Jjey haue
aspied by 3oure wordes to what1 fing1 36 ben enclyned
[2441] IF and perfore haue j)ey rafer counseled 3ou to
3oure talent1 jjan to 3oure profyt1 [2442] 36 han herde
also for seme]) it / suffice)) to han ben coun-
celed by J)is counceillowrs oonly and wij) litel auyse
[2443] where as in so grete and in so heih a neede it1 haj)
be necessarye mo counselors and mo deliberacions to
parforme 3oure emprise [2444] IF 3® ha11 ner(l also f°r
36 han herd nought1 3oure counsel in f>e forseyde
manere ne in dewe manure as })e cas requyre)) [2445] 1F 36
haue herd also for 36 haue maad no dyuysion betwixe
^ ........... no gap] 3oure trewe
frendes and 3oure feyned coiicelozirs [2446] ^T Ne 30 haue
nou3t1 knowe J)e wille of1 3oure trewe freendes olde and wise .
[2447] but1 36 haue cast1 alle here wordes in an hoche potte
and enclyned 3oure herte to J)e more part1 and to J)e
grettere nombre [ [2448]
no gap
in the MS.] of fooles J)enne of1 wise men. [2449] 1T And
j)erfore jje counselynge ^at1 ben at congregacions and mul
titudes of1 folk1 J)er as men take more reward to J)e
nombre J)en to Sapience of persones f [245.0] 30 seen wel
fat in suche councelynges fooles haue J>e maystrie [2451]
IT Melybe answerde and sayde a3ein I graunte wel jjaf
I haue herd [2452] IT But1 ))er as J)ou hast1 tolde me J>er
biforn fat1 he nys nought1 to blame J>at chaungej) his coun-
CORPUS 607 (6-T. 220)
SIX-TEXT 221
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
ceiloures for certein caas and for certein and iuste cause
[2453] I am. al redy to chaunge myne counceilours right1
as f ou woldesfr deuyse [2454] IF ffor f e prouerbe saith fat1
for to don synne is mannyssch But1 certes for to perseueren
longe in synne is werkes of1 f e deuel .
[2455] 1To fis sentence answered anon dame Pru
dence and sayde . [2456] examynef quod sche 3oure coii-
selle and let1 vs se fe which of* hem haf spoke
more resonably and taught1 3011 best1 conseil [2457]
IF And for as moche as fat1 examinaczon is necessary.
let1 vs begynne at1 surgiens and at phisiciens fat1
first1 spaken of1 fis matiere [2458] IT I say fat1
Phisiciens & surgiens haue sayd ^ou in ^oure cofisel
discretly as hem oughte [2459] & in here speche
sethens ful wisly fat1 to f e office of1 hem apperteynef to
don to euery wight1 honour and profyt1 and noujf for
to ennoye [2460] and after here crafte to don gret1 diligence
vnto f e cure of1 hem whiche fat1 fey haue in here gouern-
aunce [2461] and sir right1 as fey han answered
wisly and discretly f [2462] Eight1 so. rede I fat1 fey
ben heighly and souereynly guerdount1 for here noble
speche [2463] and eek1 for fey schulleii more do fe
ententyf1 busynes in f e curacion of1 fin doughte?* deere
[2464] IF ffor al be it so fat1 fei ben ^ourc freendes f
ferfore schuln 30 nou^t1 suffre fat1 fey serue ^ou for
nought [2465] IF But1 36 aughte f er after guerdon hem and
payen hem here largesse [2466] IF and as touchynge fe
proporcion which fat1 fe phisiciens encreseden in fis
caas IF This is to sayn [2467] fat1 in maladyes is fat1 a
contrary is warisshed by anofer contrarie [2468] IF I
wolde fayn knowe how 36 vnderstode filke text1 and
what1 is 3oure sentence [2469] *fi" Certes quod Mellibew* I
vnderstande it in fis wise. [2470] Eight1 as fey haue
done me a cont?*ary f so schuld I don hem anof er
. [2471] 1F ffor right1 as fey haue venged hem vpon me i and
don me wrong1 ' Eight1 so wol I venge me vpon hem)
CORPUS 508 (6-T. 221) [i leaf 224]
SIX-TEXT 222
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.
and don hem wrong1 [2472] and fenne haue I cured a
contrary by anof er
[2473] ^ 1° 1° quod dame prudence how lightly is
euery man enclyned to his owne desir to his
plesaunce [2474] ^T Certes quod sche fe wordes of1 fe
phisicien ne schulde nou^tt be vnderstande in fat1
wise [2475] ff°T certes wikkednesse is noujtt contrary
to wickednes ne vengeance is noujtt contrary to veng-
aunce ne wrong1 to wrong1 [mats sont semblabhs . [2476]
Et pour ce, vengence par vengence, ne injure par in
jure, n'est pas cure (Men. i. 206-7)] [2477] But1 euery
of1 hem encrese]) and engreggef ofer [2478] IT But1
certes J)e wordes of1 J?e phisicien schullen ben vnder-
stonde in fis wise [2479] ^ ®°r g00^ an(^ wicked-
nesse ben tuo contrarious IT And pees and werre venge
ance and sufferance discord and acord and many
ofer finges [2480] IT But1 certes wickednesse schal ben
y-warisched by goodnes . discord by acord . werre by pees
and so for]) and ofer Binges [2481] IT And herto acordef
seinf Poule ]?e appostel and in many place [2482] he
saij) 1F Ne ^eldej) nou^t1 harm for 1 harm ne wicked speche
[pour mesdit] [2483] But1 do wel to hem pat1 don
j)e harme and blesse hem Jjat1 saij? to fe harme [2484]
And many o]>er places he amonysschef pees and
acord [2485] ^T But* now wol I speke of1 fe coun-
seil which was y^oue vnto 3ou by men of1 lawe fe wise
folk1 and olde folk1 [2486] fat1 sayden alle by on acorde
as 36 haue herde biforn [2487] IT That1 oner alle finges 30
schullen don ^oure diligence to kepe 3oure persone and
to warmstore ^oure hous [2488] IF And fay sayden also fat1
in fis caas 30 oughten to wirchen ful avisily and
wif gret1 deliberacion [2489] IT And sir as to fe first
poynt1 fat1 touchef vnto fe kepyng1 of" 3oure persone
[2490] 36 schullen vnderstande fat1 he fat1 haf werre schal
euermore deuoutely and mekely preyen biforn alle
finges [2491] fat1 Ihesus crist1 of1 his mercy wole
CORPUS 609 (6-T. 222) [i leaf 224, back]
SIX-TEXT 223
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS,
haue him in his proteccion and ben his souerein helpynge
at1 his neede [2492] ffor certes in fis world nys no
wight1 fat1 may be counseled ne kepte sufficiauntly wif-
outen fe kepyng1 of* oure lord ihesus crist1 [2493] To fis
sentence aecordef f e prophete dauid pat1 saif . [2494]
If* god ne kepe fe cite in ydel wakef he fat1 it1 kepef
[2495] IF Now sir fenne schnlle 30 quyte fe kepyng1 of1
3oure pe?'sone to pure trewe frendes fat1 ben aproved
and y-knowe [2496] and of1 hem schuln 36 asken helpe pure
persone for to kepe 1F ffor Caton saif ^F If1 fou hast1
neede of helpe '. aske it1 of1 fin frendes [2497] ffor fer nys
non so good a phisicien as fin trewe freend [2498]
and after fis fenne schulle 36 kepe 3011 fro alle
straunge folkH and fro lyeres And haue alway in suspecte
here companye [2499] IF ffor pieres alphouns saif IF Ne
take no companye by fe way of1 straunge man but it
so be fou haue knowe him of1 lengere tyme . [2500]
and if1 so be fat1 he falle in to fin company per-
aduenture wifouten fin assent1 [2501] enquere fenne
as subtilly as fou canst1 of1 his conu6?-sacion and of1 his lyf*
byfore and feyne fy way seynge fou woldest1 go f ider
as fou woldest1 noi^t go. [2502] and if1 he beref a spere
holde f e on f e right1 syde of1 him . and if1 he beref a swerde
holde fe on fe left1 syde of1 him. [2503] and
fenne schul 36 kepe 3011 wisly fro alle such manere of1
poeple as I haue saydepu here bifore and hem and here coun
sel eschewe [2504] And after fis fenne schulle 36 kepe 3ou
in such manere [2505] fat1 for any presumpcioun) of1 pure
bodily strengf e fat1 36 ne dispise nought1 ne accounts nou3t
fe might1 of1 3oure aduersary so lyte fat1 30 lete fe
kepynge of1 3oure pe?*sone for 3oure presumpcion [2506]
ffor euery wysman dredef his enemy [2507] IF And
Salamon saif wel fool is he fat1 of1 al haf drede
[2508] 1F ffor l certes he fat1 furgh hardynesse of1 his
herte and furgh fe hardynes of1 himself1 haf so
gret1 presumpcion him schal yuele betyde [2509] 1F Thenne
CORPUS 510 (6-T. 223) ['leaf 225]
SIX-TEXT 224
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipllS MS,
schuln 36 euermore encountrewayte enbusschement3 and alle
espyaile . [2510] ffor as saif fe wise man
[ no gap in the MS '.] [25ii]hene
fallef in to no periles fat1 periles eschewef [2512] ^F And al
be it/ so fat1 fou seme fat1 fou be in secre place ^ef
schalt1 fou alwey don diligence in the kepynge of fin persone
[2513] fis is to say. Ne be nou^t1 necligent1 to kepe fin
persone nought1 only fro fin grettest1 enemy . but1 only fro
fin leste enemy [2514] Senek1 saif a man fat1 is
wel auysed he dredef his leste enemy [2515] Ovide
seif fat1 fe lytel wesel wol sle ]?e grete bole and jje
wilde hert1 [2516] And }?e prouerbe sal]) fat1 a luytel forne
may greeue a king1 ful sore IT And a litel hound wol
holde fe wilde bore [2517] 1T But1 nafeles I say nought1
Jjou schalt1 be so coward fat1 fou doute wher as is no
drede [2518] IT The bok1 saif that1 some men haue
gret1 lust1 to disceyue but1 31^ fey drede to be de-
sceyued [2519] [ no gap in the MS.]
And kepe fe fro fe company of1 Scorners [2520]
IF ffor f e book1 saif fat1 scorners ne makef no companye
but1 flee here word as venym
[2521] f Now as to fe secounde poynt1 where as 3oure
wise counceilowns counseiled 3ou to warmstore 3oure houses
wif gret1 diligence [2522] II I wolde fayn knowe how fat1
36 vnderstande f ilke wordes and what1 is 3oure sentence .
[2523] Mellibeus answerde and sayde Certes I vnder
stande in fis wise fat1 I schal warmstore myn hous
wif toures suche as haue castelles .and ofer maner
of1 edifices & armure and archers [2524] betwen which
f ing1 if1 I may my persone and myn hous so kepe and
defende fat1 myn enemys schuln be in drede myw
hous for to approche .
[2525] to fis sentence answerde anon prudence
warnysshing1 qiiod sche of1 heihe toures and of1 heihe edifices
appertynef somtyme to pryde [2526] And eek1 men make
heihe toures [et les grans edifices a grant travail et a grans
CORPUS 511 (6-T. 224)
SIX-TEXT 225
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Corpus MS,
is, et quant elles sont faites, elles ne valient riens
se elles ne sont defendues par sages et par bons amis
loyaux, et a grans missions (Le Menagier, i. 209)] [2527]
1F And vnderstande wel fat1 f e grettest1 and f e strongest1
garnyson fat1 riche man may haue / as wel to kepen his
persone and his goodes is [2528] fat1 he [be] biloued
TTTuiiiws wif his subiectes and with his neihebours [2529] 1F ffor
fus saif Tullius That1 \er is a maner garnyson fat1
no man may venquysschen ne discomfite and fat1 is [2530]
a lord to tbe loued of1 his cite3eins and of1 his poeple
[2531] ^F Now sire as to fe fridde poynt1 where as
3oure olde and wise counseiloures sayden IF fat1 3ou ne
oughte nou3t1 sodeinly ne hastely proceden in f is neede
[2532] But1 fat1 30 oughten purueyen and apparayle 3ou
in f is caas wif gref diligence and with gret1 deliberacion
[2S33] ^ Trewely I trowe fat1 fay sayden right1 wisly
tTuiiiiw. and right1 sof [2534] IF ffor Tullius saif In euery
neede er fou begynne it appcwayle fe with gret1
diligence. [2535] fenne say I fat in vengaunce
takyng1 in werre in 1bataille and in warnestoringe
[2536] er fou bygynne ^F I rede fat fou apparayle fe
fer to IF And do it1 wif gret1 deliberacion [2537] IF ffor
fTuiiiw*. Tullms saif. fat1 lange apparaylinge biforn fe bataile
f Cassidonw makef schort1 victory [2538] tF And Cassidorus saif fe
garnyson is stronger whan it1 is long1 tyme avised
[2539] But1 now lete vs speke of1 fe counseil fat1 was
acorded by oure neyheboures suche as don 3ou
reuerence wifouten loue [2540] 3oure olde enemys recon-
siled 1F 3oure flaterers [2541] fat1 counceleden 3ou cer-
teyn finges pnuely and openly counseileden 3ou fe
contrarie [2542] IF The 3onge folk1 also fat1 counselled
}ou to vengen }ou and to maken werre anon . [2543] IF And
certes sire as I haue sayde byforn f 30 haue gretly y-erred
to han y-cleped suche maner of1 folk1 to 3oure counselle [2544]
IF Whiche counseiloures / ben ynough reproued by f e resons
aforn sayde [2545] 1F But1 nafeles let1 vs now descende to
CORPUS 512 (8-T. 225) P leaf 225, back]
SIX-TEXT 226
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.
pe special 36 schuln ferst1 proceden after pe doctrme of1
Tullius [2546] IT Certes the troupe of1 pis inatier eyper of1
pis counseil nedep not1 diligently enqueren [2547] 5T ffor it1
is wel wiste whiclie pey ben fat1 doon 3011 pis
trespas & vilenye [2548] and how many trespasoures
and in what* manere pey han don to 3011 al pis
wronge and alle pis vilanye [2549] IT And after pis
panne schullen 30 examine 36 secounde condicion pe which
pat1 Tullius addeth in pis matiere [2550] IT ffor
Tullius puttep a ping1 which pat1 he clepep consentynge pis
is to say [2551] who ben pay and whiche ben pay and how
many pat1 consenten to pin counseil in pin willefulnesse
to don hasty vengeance [2552] 1F And let1 vs concidre
also who ben pay and how many ben pay [
. . . no gap] pat1 consenten to ^oure aduersaries [2553]
And certes as to pe ferste poynt IT hit1 is wel knowen whiche
ben pay pat1 consenten to oure hastyf1 wilful-
nesse [2554] 1T ffor trewely alle po pat1 counselen ^ou
to maken sodeyn werre ne ben nought1 3oure frendes [2555]
1T let1 se now whiche ben pey pat1 ^e holden
so gretly ^oure frendes as to ^oure persone [2556] IF ffor
al be it1 so pat1 ^e ben mighty and rychef certes 30
ben but1 allone [2557] 1F ffor certes 30 ne han no childe
but1 a doughter [2558] ne 36 han no breperen ne cosyns
germayns ne non oper neih kynrede [2559] IT Wherfore
3oure enemys scholden stinte to plede wip
^ou ne to destruye 3oure persone. [2560] 36 knowen
also pat1 3oure richesse moot1 ben dispended in
diuerse partyes [2561] & when pat1 euery wight1 liap
his partel pey woln take but1 litel rewarde to vengen
py dep [2562] 1T But1 pin enemys ben pre and
pey haue many children breperen cosyns and oper neyh
kynrede [2563] 1T And pough" so were pat1 pou haddest1 slayn
of1 hem two oper .iij. 30^ dwellen pere ynowe to l awreken
here dep and to slen pin persone [2564] 1T And peih so
be pat1 3oure kynrede be more siker and stedefast1 pen
CORPUS 513 (6-T. 226) [Ueaf226j
SIX-TEXT 227
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.
pe kyn of1 ^oure aduersary [2565] 1F ^et1 neuer pe les
kynrede is but* after kynrecle pey ben but1 litel sibbe
to 3011 [2566] ^F And pe kyn of1 ^oiire enemys ben neigh sibbe
to hem IF And certes as in pat1 lie condicion is bettre pen
is ^oures [2567] IF penne let1 vs consideren also of1 pe
counseilynge of1 hem pat1 counseleden }ou to taken sodeyn
vengeance wheper it1 acorde to reson or non . [2568] and
certes ^e knowen wel nay. [2569] ffor as by right1 and
reson per may no man take vengaunce of1 no wight IF But1
pe lugge pat1 hap lurdixion of1 hit [2570] whan it1 is
graunted him to take pilke vengeaunce hastely or at-
temperelly as pe lawe requyrep [2571] ^F And ^et1 more
ouer of1 pilke worde pat1 Tullius clepep consenting1 f
[2572] pou schalt1 consente if1 pin mighte & pin power
may consente and suffice to pin wilfulnesse and to pin
counseiloures [2573] IF And certes pou mayst1 wel say
pat1 nay [2574] IF ffor sikerly as for to speken proprely
we may do no ping1 but1 oonly such ping1 as we may
doon rightfully [2575] 1F And certes rightfully ne may $e
take no vengawnce as of1 ^oure propre auctorie [2576]
IF Then may $e seen pat1 ^oure power ne co?zsentep
nou^t1 ne acordep nou^t1 with ^our willefulnesse [2577] Now
lete vs examine pe pridde poynt1 p«f Tullius clepep
consequent [2578] Thou schalt1 vnderstanden pat1 pe
vengaunce pat1 pou p^rposest1 for to take is conse
quent1 [2579] And perfore fallep anoper vengaunce .
Peril . and werre and opre damages wttftontoi nombre
of1 whiche we ben nou^ Avarre as at1 pis tyme [2580] IF And
as touchinge pe forpe poynt/. pat Tulliw* clepep en-
gendrynge [2581] 1F pou schalt1 considere pat1 pis wrang1
which pat1 is don to pe is engendred of1 pe hate of1
pin enemys [2582] and of pe vengeance takynge IF And vpon
pat1 wolde engendre anoper vengeance and mochel sorwe
and wastyng1 of1 richesse as I sayde er
[2583] IF Now sir as touchinge to pe poynt1 pat Tullius
clepep causes which pat1 is pe laste poynt [2584] IF Thou
CORPUS 514 (6-T. 227)
SIX-TEXT 228
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
schalt1 vnderstande j^at1 ]?e wrong1 j?af Jjou hast1 receyued
ha]? certein causes [2585] whiche J>afr clerkes clepen
Oriens- et1 Officiens and causa longinqua and causa
propinqua 1F This is to sayn J>e ferre cause [et la prou-
chaine ; [2586] la loingtaine est Dieu qiti est
cause de toutes causes [2587] la promlicdne, est tes
trois ennemis (Le Men. i. 212)] [2588] accidental was hate
[2589] The causes material ben J?e .v. woundes of1
J?in dorter [2590] IF The cause formale is J?e inaner of1
here worchinge fat1 brou^ten laddres and clomben in at1
Jjine wyiidowes / [2591] 1F The cause final was for to slee jnn
doubter it1 latted nought1 in as moche as in heni was [2592]
^F But1 for to speken of1 J?e ferre cause as 1whatl ende J>ey
schullen come Or what1 schal betyden of1 hern in Jns
caas ne can I nou^t1 deeme . but1 by coniectyng1 and by
supposynge [2593] ffor we schuln suppose \yiCi1s
avendronf] to a wicked ende. [2594] by cause J?e book1
of1 decrees saith IF Selden or wij? gref peyne ben causes
bro^tf to an ende when J>ey ben baldly bygonne
[2595] Now sir if1 men asked me why }?af
$e suffren men to don $ou ])is vilenye Certes I can
not1 wel answere as for no sojrfastnes [2596] ITor
J>e appostel sai)) jjaf Jie sciences and J?e luggementz oi1*
oure lord god ben mighty and deepe [2597] IF Ther may
no man co?wprehende ne serche hem sufficiently [2598]
1F ISTaJjeles by certeins presumpcions & coniectynges
I halde and bileeue [2599] J^at1 god Jjat is ful of1
Justice and of1 rightwisnesse haj> sufficed ]?is bytyde by
iuste cause resonable
[2600] ^F ]?in name is mellibe })is is to say a man
Jjatf drinkej) hony [2601] IF Thou hast y-drunke so meche
hony of1 J?e swete temperel richesses and delices & hon-
ures of1 ]>is world [2602] jjat1 J>ou art1 drunken and
hast1 for^eten oure lord ihu crist1 Jnn creatour [2603 1 IF Thou
hast1 nou^t1 don to him such honow as f>e
oughte [2604] 1F Ne ))ou hast* nou^t1 wel take heede to
CORPUS 616 (6-T. 228) [Meaf 226, back]
SIX-TEXT 229
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS,
fe wordes of1 Ovide fat1 saif [2605] vnder fe hony
of1 fe goodes of1 fin body is hyd f e venyni fat1 sleef
fe soule [2606! IF And Salcwwn saif 1F If1 fou hast1
founden liony ete of1 hit1 what1 suffice]? [2607] ^F ffor if1 foil
ete of* hit1 out of mesure / f ou schalt1 spewe and be needy
and pore [2608] ^F And peraduenture cr/st1 hath fe in
spite and haf turned away fro fe his face and his
eres of1 misericorde [2609] and also he haf suffred
fat1 fou hast1 ben y-punyssht/ in fe maner fat1 fou
hast1 y-trespast1 [2610] IF Thow hast1 don synne a^eins
oure lord ihu cmt [2611] IF ffor certes f e fre enemys of1 man-
kynde fat1 is to say fe neisscfL . fe ffeend. and fe
worlde [2612] IF fou hast1 suffred hem to entre in fin
herte wilfully by fe wyndowes of1 fy body [2613] and
hast1 nou^t1 defended fe sufficeaiitly a^eins here defautes
and here tewptacions So fat1 fay haue wounded fi
soule in fyue place. [2614] 1F this is to sayn fe deedly
synnes fat1 ben entrede in to fin herte by fine .v.
wittes [2615] And in fe same manere oure lord ihesn crisf
haf and wolde and haf suffred fat1 fine fre enemys ben entred
in to fin hous by fe wyndowes [2616] and han
wounded fine doughtres in f e forseyde manere
[2617] IF Certes quod Mellibe I se wel fat1 fat1 ^e en
force }ou mochel by wordes to ouercome me in such
a manere fat1 1 schal now vengen me of1 mjn enemys [2618]
Schewynge me f e pe/iles and fe eueles fat1 mighten
ffalle of1 fis vengeance [2619] IF But1 who so wolde considere
in alle vengances J f e periles and eueles fat1 mighte sewe
of1 vengance takynge f [2620] a man wolde neuere take
vengance and fat1 were harmef [2621] ffor by fe veng-
aunce takynge ben fe wickede men disseuered fro f e
goode men [2622] IF And fo fat1 han wille to don wicked-
nesse restreynen here wickede purpos whan fey seen f e
punysschyng1 and f e chastysing1 of1 trespasours
[2623] [And to this answered dame Prudence : ' Certes/
said she, '1 grant you that from vengeance come many
CORPUS 616 (6-T. 229) [i leaf 227]
SIX-TEXT 230
GKOUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.
benefits as well as many evils : [2624] yet vengeance be-
longeth not to " a singuler persone," but only to the judges,
and to those "Who have jurisdiction over evil - doers.']
[2625] If And ^it1 say I more fat1 right1 as a singuler
persone synnef in takinge vengance of1 anof er man f
[2626] Eight1 so synnef fe lugge if1 he take no vengance
of hem fat1 it1 han desserued // [2627] ffor Senek1 saif
fus fat1 mayster is good fat1 reproeuef schrewes
[2628] 1f And as Cassidory saif. A. man dredeth to don
outrages '. whan he woof and knowef fat1 if displesef
fe luge and f e soueraignes [2629] 5f And anofer saif f e
lugge fat1 dredeth do don right1 make]? schrewes
[2630] 1f And seint1 Poul fe appostel saij) in his epistle
whan he write]? vnto f e Eomayns that1 f e luges beren
nought J?e spere wifouten cause. [2631] but1 fay beren it
to punysschen f e schrewes and f e mysdoers and for to de-
fende f e goode men [2632] If If1 30 woln f enne take vengance
of1 3oure enemys f 36 schuln retourne or haue ^oure recours
to fe luge fat1 haf fe lurdexion vpon him [2633]
& he schal punyssche hem as f e lawe axef and requyref
[2634] If A quod Mellibe fis vengance likef me
nofing1 [2635] If I befinke me now
how fortune haf norisched me fro my childhode
and haf holpen me to passe many a straunge pas [2636]
If Now wol I assayen here trowynge w^t/i goddes grace and
helpe fat1 sche schal helpe me my schame for to venge
[2637] If Certes quod Prudence if1 36 woln worche by my
counseillef 36 schuln nou3t assaye fortune by no way. [2638]
Ne 36 schuln nought1 lene ne borwe vnto hire after f e word
of1 Senek1 [2639] ffor finges fat1 ben folily doon and
fat1 ben in hope of1 ffortune schulu neuere come to a good
ende [2640] If and as fe same senek* seif If The more
clere and f e more schynynge fat1' fortune is i f e more
brutel and fe sonnere y-broke sche is [2641] If trustef no^t1
in hire for sche nys nof ing1 stedefast1 ne stable [2642] ffor
when f ou trowest1 to be most1 siker or seure of1 hire
CORPUS 517 (6-T. 230)
SIX-TEXT 231
GROUP B. § 10. MBLIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
helpef sche wol fayle fe and disceyue fe [2643] ^ And
wher as $e sayn fat1 fortune haf norisslied ^ou fro £oure
childhode [2644] I say $ou fat1 in so mochel scliuln 30
f e lasse trusten in hire and in hire witte [2645] ^ ^Of Senek1
saif that1 what man is norisched by fortune f sche make])
him to gret1 a fool [2646] IF Now fenne sevens 36 desire
and aske vengance IF And f e vengance fat is doon after
fe lawe and biforn fe lugge ne like]) ^ou nought1 [2647]
and J)e vengance fat1 is don in hope of1 fortune is peril
ous and vncerteyn [2648] IF Thenne haue ^e non ofer
remedy e but1 for to haue ^oure recours vnto fe soueraign
luge fat1 vengef alle vilanyes and wronges [2649]
IF And he schal venge ^ou after fat1 fin self1 witnessef
[ ] [2650] leuef fe vengance to me
and I schal don hit1
[265 1 ] 11 Mellibe answerde 11 If1 1 ne venge me nou^t1 of1
fe wrong1 fat1 men han doon to me [2652] 5F I schal sompne
or warne hem fat1 han don fis vilanye to me and alle
ofre to don me anofer vilanye [2653] IF ffor it is writen
IT If1 f ou take no vengance of1 an olde vilanye '. f ou somp-
nest1 fin aduersarie to don fe a newe vylanye [2654]
[Et ainsi, par souffrir Ten me feroit tant de villeides
de toutes pars] fat1 I mighte neyf er bere it1 lie .sus-
tene [2655] and so schulde I be ouersette and halden ouer
lowe [2656] IF ffor men sayn 1F In mochil suffrynge schullen
many finger falle vnto fe whiche fou schalt1 not1
mowe suffre
[2657] IF Certes quod Prudence I graunte fat1
ouer mochil suffrance / is nought1 good [2658] IF But1 ^et1 ne
folwef it1 nou^t1 fer-of fat euery pe?-sone to whom men
don vilanye take of1 it1 vengance [2659] ffor fat1 apper-
tenef and longef al only to fe luges ffor fey scliuln
venge fe vilenyes and fe iiiiuries [2660] and ferfore
fo tuo auctoritees fair ^e han sayde aboue ben oonly
vnderstanden in fe luges [2661] 1F ffor whan fey suffren
ouer mochil fe wronges and vilanyes ben don
CORPUS 518 (6-T. 23l) C1 leaf 227, back]
SIX-TEXT 232
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
wifouten punysscliinge [2662] fay sompne nou^t a man
only for to do iiewe wronges but1 fay comaunden it1
[2663] 1F Also a wise man saif fat1 fe luge fat1 cor-
rectef no^t f e synnere cornaundef and biddef him to do
synne [2664] IT And f e souerains and f e luges / mighten in
here lande so mochel suffren of1 Jje schrewes and mysdoers
[2665] fat1 fey schulden "by such suffraunce / by proces of1
tyme wexen of1 suche power and might1 fat1 fey schulde
putte oute f e luges and f e soueraignes from here places
[2666] and at1 f e laste maken hem leesen here lordschipes
[2667] 1F But1 let1 vs now putte fat1 36 han leue to
vengen 3011 [2668] IF If1 36 ben nou^t1 of1 might1 and
power as now to vengen ^ou [2669] ffor if 36 woln maken
comparison vnto f e might1 of1 3oure aduersaries IF 36 schullen
fynden in many f inges fat1 I haue schewed 3ou ben f is
fat1 here condicion is bettre pan 3oures [2670] IF And
jjerfore say I fat it1 is good as now fat1 36 suffre and
be pacient1
[2671] IF fferfermore 36 knowen fat1 after fe
commune sawe it is a woodnesse a man to streyne1 a^eins a
stryue]
stronger or a more mighty man fen is himself1
[2672] IF And for to stryue wif a man of1 euene strengfe
fat1 is to say 2wif a strong1 man as he is it1 is peril
[2673] IF And for to stryue wif a waykare man it1 is folye .
[2674] and f erf ore schulde a man fle stryuyng/ as
mochel as he mighte [2675] ^[ As Salomon saith IF It1 is a
gret1 worschipe to kepyn him fro noyse and
stryf1 [2676] IF And if1 it1 so bifalle or happe fat a man
of1 grettere might1 and strengfe fan fou art1 do fe
greuaunce [2677] study and busy fe rafer to stille
fe same greuaunce fan for to venge fe [2678] IF ffor
Senek1 saif fat1 he puttef him in gret1 perils fat1
stryuef wif a gretter man fan he is himself1 [2679]
^F And Catoun saif if1 a man of1 heyer astate or degre or
more mighty fen fou do fe annoye or greuance
Suffre him [2680] for he fat1 ones haf greued fe
CORPUS 519 (6-T. 232) [t leaf 228J
SIX-TEXT 233
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.
may anofer tyme releue fe and helpe fe [2681] IF ^it*
sette I cas 36 han bofe might1 and licence to
vengen 3011 [2682] I say fat1 fer ben many
finges fat1 schuln restreynen ^ou of1 vengannce takinge
[2683] and make 3011 for to encline and for to suffice and for
to haue pacience in fe wronges fat1 han be don to
3011 [2684] IF ffirste and forfward if1 36 woln concider
fe defautes fat1 ben in 3oure owne persone [2685]
for whiche defautes god ha]? suffred 3ou to haue fis
tribulacion as I haue sayde 3ou here byforn . [2686] IF ffor
fe Poete saif fat1 we oughten paciently taken fe tribu-
lacioiis fat1 come]? / to vs when we f enken and consydren
fat1 we han disserued to han hem [2687] IF And seint1
Gregory saij> 1F fat1 whan a man consideref wel fe
nombre of1 his defautes and of1 his synnes [2688] fe
peynes and fe tribulacions fat1 he suffref semen fe
lasse vnto him [2689] 1F And in als mochel as him fenk-
ef his synnes fe more heuy and greuous. [2690] IF In so
moche semef his peyne fe lighter and fe esyer vnto
him [2691] IF Also 36 owen to encline and to bowen 3oure
herte to taken fe pacience of1 oure lord Ihmi crisf as
saif seinfr Petre in his Epistles [2692] 1F Ihesu crisf he
saif haf suffred for vs and 3euen ensample vnto euery
man to folwe and to sewe him [2693] ffor he dede neue?*
synne ne neuere ne came a vileyns word out1 of his
mouf [2694] when men cursed him he cursed hem
nought1 IF And when men beten him he manased hem
nought1 [2695] ^ Also fe grece pacience whiche
seintes fat1 ben in paradys . han had in tribulacions fat1
fey han suffred wifoute^ eny desert1 or gilte [2696]
aughte mochel to stere 3ou to pacience [2697] [Apres,
moult te doit endiner a patience] [2698]
considerynge fat1 fe tribulacions of1 fis worlde but1
litel while enduref and soone passed ben and goon
[2699] IF And fe loye fat1 man sekef to haue by
pacience in tribulacion is perdurable / after fat1 fe
CORPUS 520 (6-T. 233)
SIX-TEXT 234
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.
apostel saif in fe epistle [2700] *H The ioye of* god he
seif is perdurable fat1 is to sayn 1euer lastynge [2701]
IF Also trowef and belieuej) stedefastly fat1 he is nought1
wel ynorissht1 ne wel y-taughf fat1 can nou^t1 haue pacieiico
[ no gap\ [2702] IF ffor salamon saif
fat1 fe doctrine of1 fe witte of1 man is knowen by
pacience [2703] IF And in anofer place he saif IF he
fat1 is pacient1 gouernef him by gret prudence [2704]
IF And ^et1 Salamon saif fe angry and fe wrafful
man makef noyse 1F And fe pacient1 man attempereth
him and stillef him. [2705] he saif also IF It1 is more
worf to be pacient1 fen to be right1 strong1 [2706] And
he fat1 may haue fe lordschipe of1 his owne herte is
more to prayse fen he fat1 by his force and strengf e
takef grete cites [2707] IF And ferfore seif seint1
lame in his Epistle fat1 pacience is a gret1 vertu of1
perfection
[2708] IF Certes quod Mellibe I graunte ^ou dame
Prudence and pacience is a gret1 vertu of1 perfeccion
[2709] IF But1 euery man may not1 haue fe perfection fat1 36-.
sechen [2710] ne I am nought1 of1 fe nombre of right1 par-
fyt1 men [2711] IF ffor myn herte may neuer ben in
pees vnto f e tyme it1 be venged [2712] IF and al be if so
fat1 it1 was gret1 peril to myn enemys to don a
vilanye in takinge vengaunce vpon me [2713] IF ^ett
token fey non heede of1 f e perille IF But1 fulfilleden here
wikkede wille and here corage . [2714] and ferfore me
f enkef fat1 men ou^ten not1 to reproue me f ough I putte me
in-to a litel peril for to auenge me [2715] 1F And fough I do
a gret1 excesse fat1 is to say f ough I do a vengance outrage
by anofer
[2716] 1F A quod dame prudence 30 seyn $oure wille
and as $ou likef [2717] IF But1 in no caas of1 f e world a
man ne scholde nou^t don outrage ne excesse for to vengen
him [2718] ^F ffor Cassidory saif fat1 as euel dof
he fat1 auengef him by outrage as he fat1 dof fe
36 CORPUS 621 (6-T. 23-4) [» leaf 228, back]
SIX-TEXT 235
GKOUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS,
outrage [2719] and ferfore 30 schullen vengen 3011 after
f e ordre of1 right1 fat1 is to sayn by f e lawe and [nought]
by excesse ne by outrage [2720] IF Also if* 30 woln
vengen 3011 of* fe outrage of1 3oure aduersaries in o]>er
manere fenne riglit comaundef f ^e synnen [2721]
^F Therfore saif Senek1 fat1 a man schal neuer vengen
schrewedenesse [by schrewedenesse] // [272 2] And if1 36 say
fat1 right1 axef to defende violence by violence
and fightynge by fyghtynge [2723] 1F Certes 36 say so])
when f e defens is don right1 anon wif outew interualle or
wifoutew taryenge or delay [2724] for to defenden him
and nought1 for to vengen him [2725] 1F And it1 bihouef
fat1 a man putte such attemperance in his defense
[2726] fat men han no cause ne matier to reproeuen
him fat1 defende]) him of1 excesse and of1 outrage [ . . .
no gap.] [2727] IF Par de 30 knowe wel
fat1 30 make?i non deffense / as now for to defende 3ou
But1 for to venge 3ou [2728] and so sewef it1 fat 30
haue no wille to do 3oure deede attemperelly [2729] and
ferfore me fenkif Jfat pacience is good IF ffor Salamoii
saif fat1 he fat1 is nought1 pacient1 schal haue gref
harme
[2730] IF Certes quod Mellibe 1F I g?'«unte wel fat*
whan a man is vnpacienf and wrof of1 fat1 fat1 touchef
him no^t1 and fat1 appertienef nought1 vnto him f ough hit
harme him it1 is no wonder [2731] IF ffor fe lawe saif
fat1 he fat1 is coupable fat1 entermetef him or medelef him wif
suche fing1 as apperteynef no^t1 vnto him [2732] 1F And
Salomon saith fat1 he fat1 entremetef him of1 fe
noyse or f e stryf1 of1 anof er man is ylike to him fat1 takef
an hound by fe eeres [2733] 1F ffor right1 as he fat takef
a straunge hounde by f e eeres is of erwhile y-byten wif
f e hounde / [2734] Right1 in f e same wyse is fe reson fat1
he haue harme fat1 by his inpacience medlef Jiim of1
f e noyse of1 anof er man wher as it apperteynef nou^t1 vnto
him [2735] IF But1 30 knowen wel fat fis dede fat
CORPUS 522 (6-T. 235) [' leaf 229]
SIX-TEXT 236
GEOUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS,
is to sayn my grief1 and my^ disese touclie)) me rigfrtt
neigli [2736] and perfore pough I be wrop and in-
pacienf it1 is no meruaylle [2737] IT And sauynge ^oure
grace I can nou}f se paf it1 mighte gretly liarme
pougll I toke vengance [2738] IF ffor I am richer and
more mighty pen myn enemys ben [2739] ^ And we^-
knowe 30 pat1 by monye and by hauyng1 grete posses
sions ben alle pe pinges of1 pis world gouernede [2740]
^F And SalamoT?. saip . alle pinges obeyen to
moneye
[2741] IF "Whan Prudence hadde herd hire housbande to
auaunten him of1 his richesse and of* his moneye and dispreys-
inge of1 power and his aduersaries IF IF Sche spake and sayde
on pis wise [2742] IF Ceitis deere sir I graunte 3011 pat1
36 ben riche and mighty [2743] IF And pat1 pe richesses
ben goode to hem pat1 han wel y-geten hem and pat1
wel can vsen hem [2744] IF ffor right1 as pe body of1
man may nought1 lyue wipoute pe soule ^F No more may if
lyue wz't/^outen tempe?'ele goodes [2745] and by rich
esse may a man geten him grace [2746] ^F And
perfore saip Pamphilles If1 eny gaddes doughter he saip
be riche . Sche may cheese he saip of1 a pousand men [which
she will for her husband [2747] and of the
thousand] IF oon wol nought1 forsaken hire lie refusen
hire [2748] 1F And pis Pamphilles saith also IF If1 pou be
ri3f happy IF pat1 is to say . If* pou be right1 riche pou
schalt1 fynden a gret nombreof1 felawes and frendes [2749]
IF And if1 pin fortune chaungep pat1 is if1 pou wexe pore f ffare
wel frendschipe and felaschipe [2750] 1F ffor pou schalt1 ben
allone wipoutew any companye but1 if1 if be pe
companye of1 good folk1 [2751] IF And 3if saip pis
Pamphilles more ouer / pat pey pat ben pralle &
bonde of1 linage schuln ben maad worpy and noble by
J>e richesses. [2752] 1F And righf so as "by richesses per
comen many goodes IF Righf so by pouerf comep
many harmes and eueles. [2753] ffor gret pouerf con-
COKPUS 623 (6-T. 236)
SIX-TEXT 237
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
streignef 1a man to don many eueles . [2754] And fer-
fore clepef Cassidore Pouert1 . fe mooder of1 ruyne
[2755] J^tt ig ^0 saJ lp& moder of ouerf rowing1 or
fallyng1 doun [2756] IF And f erf ore saith Pieres alphouns
1F On of1 fe grettest1 aduersary of* fis world is [2757]
when a freo by kynde or of1 birfe is constreigned
by pouert1 to eten fe almes of1 his enemy [2758] IF And
fe same saif Innocent1 in oon of1 his bookes.
fat1 sorwfulle and myshappy is f e condicion of1 a pouere
begger [2759] 1F if or if1 he axe nought1 his mete he deyef for
hunger [2760] ^f And if1 he axe he deyef for scliame
IT And algates necessite constreignef him to axe [2761]
^T And ferfore saij) Salamon j^at1 bettre is to deye Jmi
to haue such pouerf [2762] ^F ^et1 saij? Sala
mon fat1 bettre is to deye of1 bitter dej? J?an for to
lyue in suche wyse [2763] IF By J>ese resons fat1 I
haue sayde vnto }ou and by many of er resons fat1 I
koufe say [2764] 1F I graunte 3011 fat1 richesse ben
good to hem fat1 geten hem wel and to hem fat1 wel
vsen fe richesses [2765] ^F And f erf ore wol I schewe
3ow how 30 schuln haue 3ou [en acquerant
Rid i esses et en amassant icelles (MS Eeg. 19 C vii,
leaf 140, back.)]
[2766] 1F fferst1 30 schuln geten hem wifouten gref
desire by good leysir sokyngly and no^t1 ouer hastily
[2767] IF ffor a man fat4 is to desyringe to gete richesse f
abandonef him ferst1 to fefte and to alle ofer eueles
[2768] IT And ferfore saif Salanio?*"1F he fat1 hastef
him ouer busyly to waxe ryche schal ben non Innocent [2769]
1F he saif also faf }?e richesse fat1 hastely comef to
a man 1F sone and lightly gof and passef fro a man
[2770] 1F But1 fat1 richesse fat1 comef lytel and litel
waxef alwey and multiplief [2771] And sir 36 schuln
gete richesse ynough" by 3oure witte and by 3oure trauayle
vnto 3oure profyt/ [2772] and fat1 wifoute^ wrang1 or harme
doynge to ony ofer persone [2773] ^F ffor fe lawe
CORPUS 624 (6-T. 237) [i leaf 229, back]
SIX-TEXT 238
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.
saip pat1 per make]? no man himself1 ryche if1 lie do
harm to anope/' wight1 [2774] [car la loy dit que
mil ne se face riche au dommage cPautruy
(Le Menagier de Paris, tome i. page 222)]
[2775] ^ And Tulliws saip IF pat1 no sorwe ne no drede
of1 dep ne no ping1 pat1 may falle vnto man) [2776]
is so mochil a3eins nature IF as a man to encresce his
owne profyt1 to pe harme of anoper man [2777] IF And pou$
pe grete men and pe riche men geten richesse more
lightly pen pou [2778] 36^ schalt1 pou no^t1 ben ydel ne
slowe to don pin profyt IF fFor pou schalt1 in alle wise flee
ydelnesse [2779] IF fFor Salamon saip pat1 ydelnesse techep
man to don many eueles [2780] IF And eek1 he
saip pat1 he pat1 trauaylep and busyep him to tylyen
his lande schal eten breed [2781] but he pat1 is ydel and
castep him nought1 to no busynesse ne occupacion schal falle
in-to pouert1 and deye for hunger [2782] IF and he pat1 is
ydel & slowh can neuer fynde couenable tyme for to
doon his profyte [2783] fFor * per is a versifiour pat1 saip pat1
pe ydel man excusep him in wynter by cause of1 pe
grete colde IF And in somer by cause of1 pe grete hete
[2784] IF ifor pise causes saip Caton IF wakep and enclynep
3ou nought1 ouer mochil for to slepe ^F fFor ouermoche reste
norisshep and causep many vices [2785] IF And perfore
saip Seint1 lerom) IF Dop some goode deedes pat1 pe deuyl
which is oure enemy ne fynde ^ou vnoccupied
[2786] IF fFor pe deuel ne takep no^t1 lightly vnto his worch-
inge suche as he fyndep y-occupyed in goode werkes
[2787] IF Thenne pus IF In getynge riches f 30
mosten flee ydelnesse [2788] •[[ and afterwarde 36 schuln vse
pe richesses pe whiche 30 han geten by 3oure witte and by
3oure trauayle [2789] in suche a manere pat1 men
halden 3ou not1 to scars ne to sparynge ne to fool large
pat1 is to say oner large a spender [2790] IF fFor right1 as
men blamen an auerous man by cause of1 his skarste
and pinking1 [2791] in pe same wyse is he to blame
CORPUS 625 (6-T. 238) C1 leaf 230]
SIX-TEXT 239
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.
fat1 spendef ouer largely [2792] IF And ferfore saif
Caton IT vse fine riches fat1 fow hast1 y-geten
[2793] in such manere fat1 men han no matiere ne
cause to clepe fe wrecche ne chynche [2794]
IF ffor it is gret1 schame to a man to haue a pouere herte
and a riche purse [2795] ^ ne saty a-^so J76 goodes fat1
f ou haste y-geten vse hem by mesure fat1 is to sayn
spende mesurably [2796] IF ffor fey fat1 folily wasten
and dispenden fe goodes fat1 fey han [2797] whan
fay haue no more propre of1 here owne f fey schapen hem
to take fe goodes of1 anofer man [2798] IF I say fanno
fat1 he schal flee auarice [2799] vsynge ^oure richesso
in suche a manere that men say not fat1 ^oure richesses
ben y-buried [2800] but* fat1 30 han hem in ^oure
might1 and in ^oure weldynge [2801] ffor a wise man
reprouef fe auerous man and saif fus in tuo
vers [2802] IF wherto and why burief a man his
goodes by his auarice and knowef wel fat* needes
moste he dye [2803] 1F ffor def is f e ende of1 euery man
as in fis present1 lyf1 [2804] IF And for what1 cause or
encheson ioignef he him or knettef he hem so faste
vnto his goodes [2805] fat1 alle his wittes mowen nou^t1
disseueren him or departen him fro his goodes.
[2806] and knowef wel or owghte to knowe fat1 whan he
is deed he schal no^t1 bere out1 of1 fe
world wif him [2807] IF and ferfore saif seint1 Austyn fat1
fe auerous man is likned vnto helle [2808] IF fat1 fe
more it1 chewef fe more desir it1 haf to swelwe and
deuoure [2809] IF And as wel alle 30 wolde eschewe to ben
y-cleped an auerous man or a chynche [2810] 1F As wel
schulde 30 gouerne ^ou and kepe ^ou in such a wyse
fat1 men clepe 3ou no^t1 to large [2811] 1F ferfore
Tulliws asaif IF The goodes he saif of1 fin hous schulde
not1 ben hydde ne kepte in cloos but1 fat1 fay mighte
ben opened wif pitee and with debonairtee [2812] fat1 is to
say to 3euen hem part1 fat han gret1 neede [2813]
CORPUS 626 (6-T. 239) [i leaf 230, back]
SIX-TEXT 240
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.
1F l^e fine goodes schullen not1 ben so opene to ben eue?y
mannes goodes [2814] 1F afterward in getynge of1 ^our
richesses IF And in vsynge hem 30 schuln alway haue f re
finges in ^oure herte [2815] [c'est assavoir, Dieu, conscience,
et bonne fame, et renommee. [2816] Tu dois doncques avoir
Dieu en ton cuer (Le Menagier, i. 224)] [2817] 1F And for no
richesse $e schuln doon no f ing1 f af may be displesaunce to
god fafr is ^oure creatour and ^oure maker [2818] 11 ffor after
f e word of1 Salamow IF hit1 is bettre to haue a luytel good
wif fe loue of1 god. [2819] fan to haue mochil good
and tresour and lese fe loue of1 his lord god [2820]
IF And fe prophefe saif . fat» better it is to ben a
good man and haue lytel good and tresour. [2821] fan to
be halden a schrewe and to haue gret1 richesse [2822]
IF ^ef say I * forfermore ]>«f ^e schuln
don ^oure busynesse to geten ^ou richesse [2823] So fatf
^e geten hem wij> good conscience [2824] IF And J?e appostel
saijj jjaf Jjer is no J?ing< in ]>is world of1 which we
schulden haue so gret1 ioye f as when oure conscience here})
vs good witnesse [2825] IF And J?e wise man saij? IF The
substaunce of1 a man is ful good when synne is nought in
mannes conscience [2826] IF Aftirward in getyng1 of1 ^oure
Richesses and in vsynge of1 hemf [2827] }e moste haue
grett busynesse and gretf diligence that1 3oure goode
name be alwey kepte and conserued [2828] IF ffor Sala-
mow saij) 1F faf better it is and more auaylejj a man
to haue good name J?en to haue grete richesses
[2829] IF And ]?erfore he saijj in anojjer place *[[ Do gret1
diligence saij) Salamon in kepyng1 of1 fin frende and of1
J?in goode name [2830] 1F ffor it schal lenger abyde with
J?e fan eny tresour be it* neuer so precious [2831]
1F And certes he schulde no^t1 be cleped a gentil man fat1
after god and good conscience alle f inges lefte fat1 he ne dof
his busynesse 'ne diligence to kepen his good name
[2832] IF And Cassidorie saif fat1 it1 is signe of1 a good
herte whan a man louef and desyref to haue a good name
CORPUS 627 (6-T. 240)
SIX-TEXT 241
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. COIpUS MS,
[2833] ^ ^-n(i foibre seif seint1 austyn fat1 \er
ben tuo finges fat1 ben necessary and needfulle
[2834] 1F And fat1 is good consciens [2835]
to fin owne persone
inward and good loos ffor fin neyhebour outward
[2836] IF And he fat1 trustef him so mechel in his goode
conscience [2837] fat1 he displesef and settef it1 at1
no^t1 his good name or loos and rekkef nou^t1 fat
he kepef nou^t1 his good name nys but1 a cruel cherle
[2838] IF Sire now haue I schewed ^ow how 36 schuln
doon in getynge of1 richesse and how 36 schuln vsen hem
[2839] IF And I se wel fat1 for fe truste fat1 36 han in
richesse 36 wollen moeue bataile xand werre [2840]
IF I counsele 3ou fat1 36 begynne no werre in truste of1
3oure richesses IF ffor fey sufficen nou3f werres to meyn-
tene [2841] 1T And ferfore saif a Philosophre 11 That1
a man desiref and wol algates han werre schal
neuer haue sufficaunce [2842] IF ffor fe richere fat1 he is
f e gretter despenses moot1 he make if1 he wole haue wor-
schipe and victory [2843] IF And Salamon) saith fat1 f 6
grettere richesse fat1 a man haf f e more dispendoures he
haf [2844] IF And deere sir al be it1 so fat1 for 3oure
richesses 36 may han moche folk1 [2845] IF 36^ byhouef
it1 nought1 ne it1 is no^t1 good to begynne werre wher as 30
may in ofer manere haue pees vnto 3oure worschipe
and profyt1 [2846] 1F ffor fe victories of1 Batailles pat1 ben
in fis world lif nou3f in gret1 nombre of1 multitude of1
poeple ne in fe vertu of1 rnanf [2847] but1 it1 lith in
fe wille and in })e hande of1 our lord ihesu crist1 //
[2848] And ferfore ludas Makabeus which was
goddes knight1 [2849] when he schulde fighten a3eins his
aduersaries fat1 hadde a gretter nombre & a gretter mul
titude of1 folk1 and strenger fen was f e poeple of1 Macha-
bee [2850] 1T 3efr he recomforted his litel companye and
sayde right1 in fis wise [2851] IF As lightly quod he
may our lord god almighty 3eue victory to fewe folk1
CORPUS 628 (6-T. 24l) [i leaf 231]
SIX-TEXT 242
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
as to many folk1 [2852] ^F ffor fe victory of* bataile comef
nou3t by gret1 nombre of1 poeplef [2853] but1 it1 conief
fro oure lord of heuene // [2854] 1F And deere sire for
as mocliil as fer is no man certein if* it1 be worfy faf
god 3eue him victory [ •'•».'.
no gap in the MS.] or not^f . after
fat1 Salo?fton seif [2855] IF f erf ore euery man scliulde gretly
drede werres to begynne [2856] 1T And by cause fat1 in
batailles scliuln fallen many periles [2857] 1F And happef
of erwhile fat1 as sone is f e grete man slayn as f e litel
man [2858] IF And as if is writen in fe seconde book1 of1
kynges IF The deedes of1 batailles ben aduenturous and
vncertein [2859] fFor as lightly as is oon y-hurt1 wif a
spere as anofe?*. [2860] and ferfore is gret1 perile in
\verre IF Therfore schuldew men flee and eschewe werre in
as mechel as a man may goodly [2861] 1F ffor Salanio?i
saij) IF he fat1 louef perill f schal falle in perille
[2862] IF After fat1 dame prudence hadde spoken in
fis mane?'e IF Mellibe answerde and sayde [2863] IF I se
wel dame Prudence fat1 by 3 oure faire wordes and by
3 oure resoiis fat1 \vous mettez avant, que] f e werre lykef ^ou
nofing1 [2864] 1F But1 1 haue not1 ^ifherde 3oure wyse coun
sel how I schal do in fis neede .
[2865] Certes c^uod sche I counseile }ou fat1 30
acorde wif ^oure aduersaries and fat1 30 haue pees
wif hem [2866] IF ffor seint1 lame saif in his Epistles
fat1 by concord and pees fat1 smale richesses waxen
grete [2867] IF And by debat1 and discord f e grete richesses
fallen !doun [2868] IF And 30 knowen faf oon of1 fe
grettest1 and most1 souerayn fing1 fat1 is in fis world
is vnite and pees [2869] ^f And f erf ore sayde oure lord
Ihesu cmt1 to his appostles in fis wyse [2870] 1F Wel
happy and blessed ben fay faf louen and purchacen
pees ffor fey ben cleped f e children of1 god [2871] IF A quod
Mellibe now I se wel fat1 30 louen nou3f mjn hono?t?'
ne my worschipe [2872] IF 30 knowe wel fat1 my»
CORPUS 629 (6-T. 212) [l leaf 231, back]
SIX-TEXT 243
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS,
aduersaries han bygonne fis debaat and brigge by here
outrage [2873] IF And 36 seen wel fat1 fey neuer queren no
preyen me nought1 of1 peesNe fey ask en me nou^t1 to be recon-
silede [2874] IF Wole 36 fanne fat1 I go meke me and
obeye me to hem . and crye hem mercy f [2875] ff°r so)>e
fat* were not1 my worschipe [2876] IF ffor right1 as men sayn
fat1 ouer greft homlynesse1 engendref despysyng So
fare]? it1 by to gret1 humilite and mekenesse c1 corrected]
[2877] 1T Then bygan dame prudence to make sem-
blaunt1 of1 wraffe and sayde [2878] 1F Certez sire saue
3our grace IF I loue ^our honour and ^our profyt1 as I do
myn owne and euer haue doon [2879] ne 3e ne noon
of er ne saugh neuer f e contrarye [2880] 1F And ^ef if1 I
hadde sayd $e schulde haue purchaced J>e pees and
fe reconsiliacion f I nad nought1 mochel mystaken me
ne y-sayde amys [2881] 1T ffor J?e wise ma?i saith. ]?e dis-
sencion bygynnej? by anojjer man and ]>e reconsilynge
begynne]) by finself [2882] IT And J?e prophe^e saij>
IF fflee schrewednesse and do goodnesse [2883] 1T Seche pees
andfolwe it1 as mechil as in ]?e is / [2884] IT jet1 saij? he nought
IT 3ef schuln ^e ra]?er pursewe to ^our aduersaryes for pees
pan J?ey schuln to $ou [2885] IF ffor I knowe wel fat1 30
ben so harde y-herted pafr 36 wolen don no ping1 for me
[2886] IF And Salamow sai]> f" fat he fat1 haj? euer an hard
herte f atte laste he schal myshappe and mystryde
[2887] 1F Whan Mellibe hadde herde dame Prudence
make semblant of1 wraffe IF he sayde in fis wyse [2888]
*[F Dame I pray 3ou fat1 36 ben nou3^ displesed of1 f inges
fat1 1 say 3ou [2889] ffor 30 knowe wel fat1 1 am angry and
wrof and fat1 is no wonder [2890] 1F and fo fat*
ben wrof witen not1 wel what1 fey doon ne what1 fay
sayn [2891] ^F Wherfore fe prophefe saif fat1 /
troubled eyen han no cleer sight1 [2892] IF But1 sittef
and counseilef me right as 3ow liste . ffor I am redy to doon
right1 as 36 woln desire [2893] f And if1 30 reproeuenmeof1 my
folye IF I am f e more halden to loue 3ow and to preysen
CORPUS 630 (6-T. 243)
SIX-TEXT 24:4
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS,
3ou [2894] 1F fFor Salamorc saif IF lie fat1 reprouef
him fat doof folye f [2895] lie schal fynden grettere grace
fan he fat1 disceyuef him hy wordes
[2896] 1T Then sayde dame Prudence IF I make no
semblaunt1 of* wraf f e/ lie of1 anger but1 for 301110 owne profyt1
[2897] IT ffor Salo?fton saif IT he is 1more worf fat re-
prouef or chidef a fool for his folye schewing1 him
semblant1 of* wraffef [2898] fan he fat1 supportef him /
[ .... no gap\ in his mysdoynge & laughef at1 his
folye [2899] IT And fis same Salomon saif afterward
fat1 by fe sorwful visage of1 man fat1 is to say by
sory and heuy contynaunce of1 a man [2900] fe folk1
correctef and amendef him self*
[2901] IF Than sayde Mellibe IF I schal nou^t1 konne an-
swere vnto so many resons as 36 puttef to me and
schewef [2902] Sayef schortly ^our wille and 3oure coun-
seil and I am al redy to fulfille and parforme
[2903] IF Thenne dame Prudence discouered al hire wille
vnto him and sayde [2904] 1F I counseile }ou quod he
abouen alle fing1 fat* 30 maken pees betwixen god and
3ou [2905] and bef reconsiled vnto him and vnto his
grace [2906] IF ffor as I haue sayde 3ou here-byforn god
haf suffred 3ou to haue fis tribulacion and disese for
3oure synnes [2907] and if1 36 doon as I say 3ou god wol
sende 3oure aduersaries vnto 3011 [2908] and maken 3oure
aduersaries fallen at1 3oure feet1 . redy to doon 3our wille and
3oure comaundeme?zt [2909] ^Ffifor Salomon saif whan f econ-
diciofl of* man is plesaunt1 and likinge vnto god // [2910] he
chaungef fe hertes of1 mannes aduersaries and con-
streignef hem to besechen him of1 pees and of1 grace
[2911] 1F And I pray 3ou let1 me speke wif 3our aduersaries
in priue place [2912] IF ffor fey schuln nou}^ knowe fat1 if
be 3oure wille or 3oure assent1 [2913] and fenne whan
I knowe here wille and here assent1 IF I may counsel 3ou
f e more seurly
[2914] IF Dame quod Mellibe dof 3oure wille and
CORPUS 631 (6-T. 244) [Meaf232]
SIX-TEXT 245
GKOUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Corpus MS.
ijoure likynge [2915] 51 fFor I putte me holly in 301110
disposicioii and ordinance
[2916] IF Thenne dame Prudence whan sche saugft pe
goode wille of hire housbonde sche delyuered and took1 a-vys
in hire self1 [2917] penking1 how sche mighte bringe pis
neede. vnto a good conclusion and to a good ende
[2918] IF And whan sche saugh hire tyme sche sente for pe
aduersaries to come vnto hire in-to a priue place
[2919] and schewed wysely vnto hem pe grete goodnesse
pat1 come]) of pees [2920] and pe* grete harmes and
pmles fat1 ben in werre [2921] IF And sayde to hem in
a goodly manere hou pat1 hem 1F aughte to haue gret1 re-
pentaunce [2922] of pe Iniury and wrong1 pat1 pey
hadden doon to Mellibe hire lord and vnto hire and vnto
hire doughter
[2923] IF And when pey herd en pe goode wordes of
dame Prudence. [2924] pey weren so supprised and
rauysscht1 and hadden so gret1 ioye of hire pat1 wonder
was to telle [2925] ^[ A lady quod pay 36 han schewed
vnto vs pe blessyng1 of swetnesse after pe sawe of
dauid pe prophete [2926] IF fFor pe reconsilyng1 which
we ne ben nou^f worpy to haue in no manere [2927] ^F But1
we oughten requiren hit1 wip gret1 contricion & 1humilite
[2928] ^e of ^oure grete goodnesse han presented vnto vs
[2929] ^" Now se we wel pat1 pe science and pe connynge
of Salomon is ful trewe . [2930] fFor he saip pat1
swete wordes multiplyen and encrescen freendes and
maken schrewes to be debonaire and meeke
[2931] IF Certes quod pay we putten oure dede and
aH oure matiere and cause al holly in ^oure goode wille
[2932] and ben redy to obeye to pe speche of pe comaunde-
me?2f of my lord Mx3llibe [2933] IF And perfore deere
and benigne lady we preyen 3ou and besechen 3011 as
mekely as we conne and mowen [2934] pat1 it1 like vnto
^oure grete goodnesse to fulfille in dede ^oure goode
wordes [2935] ^F fFor we considren and knowlechen
CORPUS 632 (6-T. 215) [Meaf 232, back]
SIX-TEXT 246
GROUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
fat1 we han offended and y-grened my lord Mellibe out1 of1
reson and mesure [2936] so f erf or]) jjaf we be nou^t1 of1 power
to maken him amendes [2937] ^F And ferfore we oblige
vs and oure frendes for to don alle his wille and his
comaundeme^it [2938] IF But1 perauenture he haf such
heuynesse and such wraff e to vs ward by cause of1 oure
offense [2939] IF That1 woln enioygne vs such peyne
fat1 we may not1 bere ne sustene [2940] IF And ferfore
noble lady we beseche to ^oure woimmanly pite [2941]
to taken such avisemewt/ in fis neede fat1 we ne oure
freendes ne "ben nou^t1 disherited Jmrgh oure
folye
[2942] 1F Certes quod Prudence 1F It1 is an hard f ing1 and
right perilous [2943] fat1 a man putte him al outrely
in fe arbitracioii and luggemefzt1 and in fe might &
power of1 his enmys [2944] IF ffor Salamorc saif IF leeuef
me and ^euef credence to fat fat1 I schal sayn
IF I say yeuere peple and gouernours of1 holy chirche
[2945] to fin sone to fin wyf1 [a ton frere] and to
fin freende [2946] [ne donne puissance sur toy
en toute ta vie [2947] Se il a doncques deffendu
que Ten ne donne . . . a frere ne a ami
(Le Menagier, i. 230)] fe might1 of1 his body
[2948] IF By a strenger reson he defendef and forbedef a
man to }iue himself1 vnto his enemy [2949] IF And nafe-
les I counseile $ou fat1 30 mystruste nou^t1 my lord
[2950] 1F ffor I wot1 wel and knowe wel fat1 he is
debonaire and meke large & courteys [2951] and no
fing1 desirous of1 good ne coueytous to hauerichesse [2952]
1F ffor fer is no fing1 in fis world fat1 he desiref
saue worschipe and honour [2953] 1F fforfermore
I knowe wel and I am right1 seur fat1 he schal nofing1
do in fis neede wz't/iouten my counseil [2954] IF And I
schal so worchen in fis cause by fe g?-ace of1 oure lord
god fat1 30 schuln ben reconsiled vnto vs
[2955] IF fenne sayden fey wif oo voys IF Worschipful
CORPUS 638 (6-T. 246)
SIX-TEXT 247
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.'
lady we putten vs and oure goodes al fully in ^oure wille
and disposicioii [2956] and [been] redy to come what1 [day]
3011 like]? vnto ^oure noblesse to lymyten vs or to assignen
vs [2957] for to maken oure obligation and bond as strong*
as it1 like]? vnto ^oure goodnesse [2958] fat1 we may
fulfille )>e wille of1 ^ou and of1 my lord Mellibe
[2959] 1F Whan dame Prudence hadde herd J>e an-
sweres of1 Jjese men f sche bad hem gon ayayn pryuyly
[2960] 1F And sche l retourned a^ein to hire lord Mellybe and
tolde him how sche fond hisaduersariesful repentaunt1 [2961]
and knowlechinge ful reuerently and lowely here synnes and
here trespaces and how fey weren redy to suffre alle peyne .
[2962] requyrynge and preyng1 him of1 mercy and pite
[2963] IF Thenne sayde Mellibe : he is wel worfy to
haue pardon and for^euenesse [qui ne - excuse point
son pechie, [2964] mais le recongnoist et s'en repent et
demande indulgence; [2965] car Seneque dit la est
remission (Le Menagier, i. 231)] wher as confession is
[2966] 1F ffor confession is neighebor to Innocence [2967]
IT And he saith in anof er place 1F he fat1 haf schame for
his synne and knowlechef it [...... no gap\
1F And f erf ore I assente and conferme to haue pees
[2968] IF But1 it* is good fat1 we do it1 110113 fr wijjouten ]>e
assente and wille ofH oure freendes
[2969] IF Then was Prudence right1 glad and loyeful
and sayde [2970] 1F Certes sire qiiod sche ^[ ^e han goodly and
wel answered [2971] IF ffor right1 as by counseil
assent and helpynge of1 ^oure frendes ^e han ben styred
to vengen $ou and make werre i [2972] Eight1 so wi£-
oute?z here counseil schulle^e nought1 acorde )?ougli ^e ne haue
pees wij> ^oure aduersaries [2973] IF ffor }>e lawe saith
^F J?er is no jjin.g1 so good by way of1 kynde as Jnng1
to ben vnbounden by hym jjat1 it was y-bounde
[2974] IF And fenne dame Prudence wij>outen delay
or taryinge sent anon messagers for hire kyn and for
hire olde frendes whiche fat were trewe and wyse [2975]
CORPUS 634 (6-T. 247) [Ueaf233]
SIX-TEXT 248
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpllS MS.
1F and tolde hem "by ordre in f e presence of1 Mellybe al
fe matiere as if is abouen expressed and declared [2976]
1F and prey den hem fat1 fey wolden yeuen hire a wyse coun-
seille H what1 "best1 were to doon in f is matiere [2977] IF And
whan mellibeus counseil hadde taken here avys and good de-
liberaczon oFf eforsayde matiere [2978] and hadden examyned
it1 by gret1 busynesse and gret1 diligence [2979] fey ^euen
ful counseil for to haue pees and reste [2980] And fat1
Mellibe schuldereceyue hit1 with good herteof his aduersaries
to for^iuenes and mercy
[2981] 1F And whan dame Prudence hadde herde fe
assent1 of1 hire lord Mellibe and f e counseil of1 hire frendes
[2982] acorded wif hire wille and entencion [2983]
sche was wonderly glad in herte and sayde [2984]
IF Ther is an olde prouerbe qitod sche saif fat1 fe
goodnesse fat1 fu mayst1 do fis day do it1 [2985] and
abyd it/ nought1 ne delay it1 nought1 tiltomorwe [2986] 1F And
ferfore I counseile fat1 ^e sende ^oure messagers whiche
fat1 ben discrete and wise [2987] vnto ^oure aduersaries /
tellynge hem in ^oure bihalue [2988] if1 fey wolen
trete of1 pees and acorde [2989] fat1 fey schapen hem
wifouten delay or taryynge comynge to vs [2990]
IF which fing1 performed was in dede [2991] and
whan fese trespasoures and repentynge folk1 of1 here
folyes fat1 is to say fe aduersaries of1 Mellibe [2992]
hadden herde what1 fese messangeres J sayden vnto hem ;
[2993] fey weren ful glad and ioyfulle and answerden
ful mekely and benygnely [2994] ^eldynge graces and
fankes to here lord Mellibe and to alle his companye
[2995] IF and schopen hem wifouterc delay to go wif fe
messangeres and obeye to f e comaundement of1 here lord
Mellibe
[2996] IF And riglif anon fey token here wey to
Mellibe [2997] f And toke fe so?rane of1 here trewe
wordes and frendes to maken feif for hem and for to
"ben here borwes [2998] IF And whanne fey comen to
CORPUS 635 (6-T. 248) [l leaf 233, back]
SIX-TEXT 249
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
])Q presence of1 Mellibe 1F he seycle hem Jjese wordes
[2999] IT It1 .stant1 Jms quod Mellibe and soj) if is
j>af 30 [3000] causeles and wifouten skile and reson
[3001] han don grete Iniuries and wronges to me and
to my wyf Dame Prudence and to my^ doughter also [3002]
IT ffor 36 han entred in-to niyn hous by vyolence [3003] and
han doon suche outrage J}af alle men knowen wel pat1 30 han
disserued J?e dep [3004] IF And perfore wil I knowen
and wyten of1 ^ou [3005] wheper pat1 36 wollen putte pe
punysscheme^t1 and chastisyng1 and pe vengauwce of*
pis outrage in pe wille of1 me and my wyf1 dame Prudence
or ^e wolii nou^f
[3006] IT Thenne J?e wisest1 of hem J?re answerde for
hem alle and sayde [3007] sir quod he we knowen
wel J>af we ben vnworjjy to come to ^oure court1
of1 so grefr a lord and of1 so worj>y as 30 ben [3008] ffor
we han so gretly mystaken vs and han offended and agult1
in such a wise a^eins ^our heighe lordschipe . [3009] ^at1
trewly we han deserued J?e deth [3010] IT But1 ^it1 for
)>e grete goodnesse and debonairte pat alle pe world
witnessejj of1 ^oure persone [3011] IT we submitten vs to
]?e excellence and benignite of1 ^oure gracious lordschipe
[3012] and ben redy to obeye to alle ^our comaundementz
[3013] besechynge 3011 Jmt1 of1 ^oure mercyable pite. 30
woln considre oure grete repentaunce and lowe submission
[3014] and to graunte vs for^euenesse of* oure outragous
trespas and offence [3015] 1F ffor wel we knowe fat1 ^oure
liberalle grace & mercy strecchej) fer]?er in-to good
nesse J?an don oure outrageous gultes and trespaces in-to
wickednesse. [3016] al be hit1. Jjat1 cursedly and damp-
nably we han gult1 a3eins 3 oure hey he lordschipe
[3017] IF Thenne Mellibe took1 him vp fro J?e grounde
ful benygnely [3018] and receyued here obligations and here
bandes by here o]?es vppon here plegges and here borwes [3019]
and assigned hem a certeyn day to retournen vnto his
courtes [3020] IT ffor to accepte and receyue J?e sentences and
CORPUS 536 (6-T. 249)
SIX-TEXT 250
GROUP B. § 10, JIELIBEUS. CoipUS MS.
f e luggementesf afr Mellibe woldecomande to ben don on hem
by f e causes a-forn sayde / [302 1] whiche f inges ordeyned f
euery man retournede l to his hous
[3022] 1F And when fat1 dame Prudence saugh" hire
tyme sche f[r]eyned and axede hire lord mellibe [3023] what1
vengance he f o^fr to take of* his aduersaries
[3024] To which mellibe answerde and sayde 1F Certez
quod he I fenke and pz^rpose fully [3025] to dis-
herite hem of1 al fat1 fay han ^F And for to putten
heni in exile for euere
[3026] IF Certes quod Dame Prudence fis were a cruel
sentence and mochel a^eins reson [3027] IF fior 36 ben riche
ynougfr and han no neede of1 ofer mennes good [3028]
and 36 mighte lighfrly geten ^ou a coueytous
name [3029] which is a vicious ping1 and ougiite
[be] eschewed of1 euery man [3030] 1F ffor after fe sawe
of1 fe appostel Coueitise is roote of1 alle harmes
[3031] 1F And ferfore it were bettre to lese so mochel
good of* 3oure owne fan for to take of* here good in pis
manere [3032] ^F ffor better it1 is to leese good wij? worschipe
Jjenne it is good to wynne worschipe wij> vilanye and schame
[3033] IF And euery man oughte to don his busynesse and
to geten him a good name [3034] IF and 3ef schal he nou3t*
only kepen him in kepyng1 of1 his good name [3035] 1F But1
he schal also enforcen him alwey to don som ping1 by
which he may renouelle his good name [3036] ^F ffor it1 is
write fat1 f e olde goode loos or good name of1 a man
is sone goon and passed when it is no^t1 newed and re-
nouelled [3037] IF And as touchinge fat1 36 sayn fat1 30
woln exile 3oure aduersaries [3038] fat1 fenkef me
mochil a3eins reson and out1 of1 rnesure [3039] IF Con-
sideref fe power fat1 39 han 3ouen 3ou vpon hemself1
[3040] and it1 is writen. fat1 he is worfy to lesen his
priuilege fat1 misvsef it1 IF The might1 and f e power fat1
is 3ouen him . [3041] And I sette caas fat1 30 might1 annoye
hem fat1 peyne by right1 and by lawe [3042] which I
37 CORPUS 637 (6-T. 250) [i leaf 234]
SIX-TEXT 251
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.
trowe 36 may noti^t do [3043] I say ne ne mighte
putte it1 to execucion perauenture [3044] and peime
were it1 likly to retorne to pe werre as it1 was byfom
[3045] 1F And perfore if* 36 woln fat1 men do 3011 obeis-
sance f 30 moste deme more curteisly [3046] pis is to
sayn 36 moste ^iue more esy sentences and lugementz
[3047] 1F for it is writen pat1 he fat1 most1 courteisly
comaundeth f to him men most1 obeyen [3048] IF And per-
fore I pray 3011 pat1 in pis necessite and in pis neede f
30 casten perfore to ouercome 3oure herte [3049] IF ffor Senek1
saip 1F he pat4 oones ouercomep his herte f ouercome]?
twyes [3050] 1F And Tullius saij) IT Ther is no ping1 so
comendable in a gret lord [3051] as whan he is debon-
aire andmeekeand appesejjhimmeekely [3052] IF And I pray
3011 Jjat1 30 woln forbere now to do vengance [3053] in
such a manere . pat1 3oure goode name may be kepte and
conserued [3054] and J>af man may haue a cause and
matiere to preyse 3ou of1 pite and of1 mercy [3055] and
Jjaf 36 han no cause to repente 3ou of1 ping1 pat1 36 doon)
[3°56] ^T ffor Senek1 seip f he ouercomep in euel
manere pat1 repentep him of1 his victory [3057] U Wher-
fore I pray 3ou let1 mercy be in 3oure
herte [3058] to peffecte and pe entenf paf god
almighty haue mercy vpon 3ou in his laste luggemewt [3059]
[Car saint Jacques dit en son epistre: jugement2] IF wip-
oute^ mercy schal be to him pat1 hap no mercy of1
anoper wight1 [a Le M6n. i. 235]
[3060] IF Whan mellibe had herde pe grete skiles
and resons of1 Dame Prudence and of1 hire wise informacions
and techingesf [3061] his herte gan enclyne to pe wille of*
his wyf1 consyderyng1 to pe trewe entent1 [3062] cow-
formed him anon IF And assented fully to worchen after hire
counseil . [3063] and pankep god of/ whom procedeth all
goodnesse pat1 him sente a wyf1 of1 so gret1
discrecion [3064] IF And when pe day came pat1 his aduer-
saries schulde apperen in his presence f [3065] he spake
CORPUS 538 (6-T. 251) [i leaf 234, back]
SIX-TEXT 252
GROUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. CorpUS MS.
to hem ful goodly and sayde to liem in pis wise/ [3066] 1F Al
be it1 so fat1 of 301116. pruyde and by presumption and folye
11 and of1 3oure necligence and vnkiwnynge [3067] 36 han
mysborn 3011 and trespassed to me /./ [3068] 3ef for as
meche as I se and byholde 3oure grete humilite
[3069] and J>att 36 ben sory and repentauntt of1 3oure gultes f
[3070] it1 constreignetli me to do 3011 grace and mercy
[307 1] 1F Wherfore I receyue 3011 vnto my grace/ [3072] and
fo^iue 3011 outrely alle j?e offenses Iniuries and wronges
j>at 30 han doon a3eins me and myne [3073] to J>is
efFecte and to ]?is ende / pat1 god of1 his endeles mercy
[3074] wol at1 pe tyme of1 oure deyinge fo^iuen oure
gultes pat1 we han trespastf vnto him in pis wrecchede
world // [3075] II ffor douteles if4 we ben sory and repentauntf
of1 pe synnes and gultes pe whiche we han trespassed in pe
sight1 of1 oure lord god f [3076] he is so fre and so mercy-
ful [3077] pat1 he wol fo^iuen vs oure gultes [3078]
and bryngen vs to Jnlke blisse fat1 neuer haj> ende .
To which blisse he vs bringe That blood on crosse for vs
gan springe Qui cum pafre /
IT Here ende]) Chaucers tale of Mellibe //
CORPUS 539 (6-T. 252)
SIX-TEXT 253
GROUP B. § 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK. CoipUS MS.
Prologus Monaclii
Ion tea/ 234,
Whan ended was J>e tale of1 Mellibe
And of1 Prudence and hire benignite 3080
Cure hoost1 sayde as I am feyjjful man
And By J?e precious corpus Madryan
I hadde leuer j?an a barel ale
Thai? goode leef1 my wyf1 had herd J)is tale 3084
ffbr sche nys no ping1 of1 such pacience
As was J?is Mellibeus wyf1 Prudence
By goddes bones whan I bete my knaues . [leaf 235]
Sche bringej) me J?e grete clobbed stanes 3088
And cryej) sle fe dogges euerychon
And breke bojje bak1 and bon
And if1 Jjat1 any neyghebour of1 myne
Wol nou^t1 in chirche to my wif1 enclyne 3092
Or be so hardy to hire to trespace
Whan sche come]> home sche rumpeth me ]>e face
and cryef false coward wreke J?in wyf*
By corpus bones I wol haue J?y knyf1 3096
And Jjou schalt1 haue my distaf1 and go spynne
ffro day to nighf right1 fus sche wol begynne
Alias sche saijj fat1 euer I was y-schape
To wedde a melksop or a coward ape / 3100
That1 wil ben ouerled wij> euery wight
Thou darstt nou^t1 stonde by J>y wyf1 aright1
This is my lyf1 but1 if1 J>atf I wolde fight1
And out1 at1 J>e dore anon I mot1 me dight1 3104
Or elles I am lost1 but if1 Jmf I
Be like a wilde leon fool hardy
I wot1 wel sche wol do me slee som day
Som neihebore and Jjanne I go my way 3108
ffor I am perilous wij? knyf1 on honde /
Al be it1 J>af I dar hire noi^t1 wifstonde /
CORPUS 540 (6-T. 253)
SIX-TEXT 254
GROUP B. § 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK. CoipUS MS.
ffor sche is bigge in armes by my feip
That1 sclial lie fynde pat hire mysdop or seip 3112
But1 lat1 vs passe away fro pis matiere /
My lord sire monk1 he saip be mery of1 cheere /
ffor ye schul telle a tale trewely
Lo Eouchestre stant1 here faste by 3116
Ryd for]) myn) owne lord brek1 no^t1 our game
But1 by my troupe I knowe nou^t1 ^oure name /
Wheper I schal calle $ou my lord daun lohn
Or Daun Thomas or elles Daun Albon 3120
Of1 what1 hous be $e by your fader kyn
I vowe to god pou hast1 a ful fayr skyn
It1 is a gentil pasture per pou gost1 [leaf 235]
Thou art1 no^t1 like a penant1 or a gost 3124
Yppon my feip pou art1 som officer
Som worpy Sexteyn or som Celerer
ffor by my fader soule as to my dome
Thou art1 a maister whan pou art at1 home 3128
No pouer cloysterer ne no pouer novys
But1 gouernour wyly and wys
And per-with-al of1 brawnes and of1 bones
A wel faryng1 persone for pe nones 3132
I pray to god ^iue him confusion
That1 ferst1 J?e brought1 in to religion
Thou woldest1 haue ben a tredefoul aright1
Haddest1 J>ou as gret1 leue as j>ou hast1 might1 3136
To perfourme al J?y lust1 in engendure /
Thou haddest1 bygeten many a creature
Alias why werest1 J?ou so wyd a Cope
God ^if1 me sorwe and I were a Pope 3140
Nou^t1 oonly J>ou but1 euery mighty man
Though he were schore heyhe vpon his pan
Schulde haue a wyf1 for al pis world is lorn
Religion hap take vp al pe corn 3144
Of1 tredyng1 and we borelle men ben schrimpes
Of1 feeble trees per comep wrecched ympes
CORPUS 641 (6-T. 254)
SIX-TEXT 255
GROUP B. § 11. MELIBE-MONK LINK. CoipUS MS.
This make]? Jjat1 oure heires ben so sclendre
And feble fat1 fay may not1 wel engendre 3148
This make]? fat1 oure wyfes wol assay
Eeligious folk1 for fey may bettre pay
Of1 venus payement1 fen mowen we
God woof no lussheburghes paye 36 3152
But1 bef nought1 wrof my lord f ough f af I play
fful ofte in game a sof I haue herd say
This worf y monk1 took1 al in pacience
And sayde I wil do al my diligence 3156
As fer as sownef in to honeste
To telle ^ou a tale or tuo or f re
And if* }ou liste herkne hiderward [leaf 2.%]
I wol ^ou seyn fe lyf1 of1 seinf Edward 3160
Or elles tregedys first1 wol I telle
Of1 whiche I haue an hundred in my selle
Tregedye is for to telle a certein story e
As olde bookes maken memorie 3164
Of1 hem fat1 stood in gret1 prosperite
And is y-falle out1 of1 heigh degre
In-to miserie and endej) wrecchedly
And j>ey ben vercefyed comenly 3168
Of1 sixe foote whiche jjat1 men clepen examytron
In proce eek1 ben endited many oon
And eek1 in metre in many a sondry wyse
Lo ]?is aughte }ou ynough suffyse 3172
Now herkne]) if1 $ou liste for to heere
But1 first1 1 3ou beseche in ]>is mateere /
Jjough I by ordre telle no^t1 fese Jjinges
Be it1 of1 Popes Empenwrs or Kynges 3176
And after here ages as men writen fynde
But1 telle hem some bifore some behinde
As it1 come]) now to my remembrance
Haue]) me excused of1 myn ignorance ^f Explicit
prologue mcwttchi
CORPUS 642 (6-T. 255)
SIX-TEXT 256
GROUP B. § 1.2. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Here tellef J)e monk1 // De casibws virorwm illustriu?n
H C'n xxj'»
[No breaks between the stanzas in the MS.]
I Wol bewayle in maner of1 Tregedye
The harme of1 hem }?af stande)} l in heih degre ^afer in ihe
And fellen so Jjaf )?er nas no remedye margin}
To bringen hem out1 of1 here aduersite 3184
ffor certein when fat1 fortune lust1 to fle
Ther may no man of1 hire j>e cours wijjholde /
[2Lat nonis truste on blyn[d] prosperity 2] p-* later, in mar gin]
Be)) war by J}is ensamples 3ong1 and olde 3188
[Lucifer.]
At1 lucifer J>ough he an aungel were IF Pn'mo de lucifero
And nought a man at1 him I wol begynne
ffor ]?eigh fortune may non aungel dere
ffrom heih degre 3ef felle he for his synne 3192
Doun in-to helle wher as he 36^ is Inne
0 lucifer brightest1 of aungeles alle
Now art* J}ou Sathanas jjat mayst not1 twynne [leaf 236, back-i
Out1 of1 rniserie which j?ou art1 y-falle 3196
De Adamo [in margin.]
[LO Adam in the felde of/ Damascene . [Hari. MS 1758, z<?a/is4]
With goddis/ owne finger/ wroght/ was/ he .
And not bi getyng/ of/ mannes/ sperme vnclene .
And welte aH Paradis/ sauyng/ oo tre . 3200
Had neuyr/ worldly man so hye degree .
As/ Adam had tilt he for his/ gouernaunce .
Was/ dryuen out/ of/ his/ hye prospmte .
To labour/ an to helle & to myschaunce .] [Hari. extract ends]
CORPUS 643 (6-T. 266)
SIX-TEXT 257
GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
[Sampson.]
IT Lo Sampson which was anniweiate
By ]?angel long1 er his natiuite /
And was to god almighty consecrate
And stood in nobles whiles he mighte se 3208
Was neuer such anojjer as was he
To speke of1 streng^e and Iperio hardyncs
But1 to his wyues tolde he his secre
Thurgh which he slougli himself1 furgfi. wrecchednes 3212
1T Sampson f is noble and mighty champion
WiJ?outen wepen sauf1 his handes tweye
he slough and al to-rente £e leoun
Toward his weddyng1 walkyng1 by J>e weye 3216
his false wyf1 cou]?e him so plese and preye /
Til sche his counseil knewe and sche vntrewe
Ynto his foos his counseil gaii bewreye
And him forsok1 and took1 anojjer newe 3220
IT An hundred foxes tok1 Sampson for Ire
And alle here tayles he togyder bond
And sette ]>e foxes tayles alle on fuyre
ffor he in euery tail haj? putt1 a brond 3224
And J?ey brent1 alle jje cornes in J>af lond
And eek1 here Olyues and here vynes eeke
A ))ousend men eek1 he slough wij> his hond
And hadde no wepne but1 an asse cheeke 3228
IF Whan ]>ey were slayn so )?ursted him Jjat1 he
Was wel neigh lorn for which he gan to preye
That1 god wolde of1 his peyne haue som pite [leaf 237]
And sende him drinke or elles most1 he deye / 3232
And of1 Jns asse cheeke jjat1 was so druye
Out1 of1 a wang1 too]) sprang1 anon a welle
Of1 which he drank1 ynough schortly to seye
Thus hilpe him god as Indicium can telle 3236
CORPUS 544 (6-T. 257)
SIX-TEXT 258
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
1f By verray force at* Gasan on a night1
Maugre philistiens of1 Jmt1 Cite
The gates of1 J>e toun he ha]> vp plight1
And on his bakke y-karyed hem ha|) he 3240
heighe on an hille where as men mighte se
O noble almighty Sampson leef1 and deere
That1 strong1 and noble ha]? be /
In alle ]>is world ne hadde ]?er ben J?y peere 3244
IT This Sampson neuer cyder drank1 ne wyn
Ne on his heed came Kasour non ne scheere
By precepte of1 J>e messanger deuyn
if or alle his strengfe was in his here 3248
And fully twenty ^eer by 3ere
he hadde of Israel J>e gouernafice
But1 after soone schal he wepe many a teere
ffor wommen schuln bringe him to meschance 3252
1T Vnto his lemman Dalida he tolde
That1 in his heeres alle his streng])e lay
And falsly to his fomen sche him solde
And slepyng1 vpon hire barme vpan a day 3256
Sche made to clippe or schere his here away
And made his foomen alle his crafte aspyen
And whan Jjat1 J>ay him fond in such aray
They bonde him faste and putte out1 his eyen 3260
IT But1 er his heer was y-clipped or y-schaue
Ther was no bond Jmt1 might1 him bynde
Buf now is he in prisoun putte in a Caue
Where as Jjey made him at1 ]>e querne grynde 3264
0 noble Sampson strongest1 of1 mankynde
0 whilom lugge in glorie and in richesse
Now maystow wepe with }>in eyen blynde [leaf 237, back]
Sepenes J?ou art1 fro wele falle in to wrecchidnesse 32C8
CORPUS 545 (6-T. 258)
SIX-TEXT 259
GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
^F The ende of1 Jns Caytiffe was as I schal seye
his foomen made a feste vp-on a day
And made him as here fool biforn hem pleye
And jjis was [in] a temple of1 gref aray 3272
But1 at1 J?e laste he made a foul affray
ifor he tuo postes schook1 and made hem falle /
And doun fel temple and al J?er if lay
And slough himself1 and eek1 his foomen alle 3276
IF This is to say J>e princes euerichon
And eek1 a fousand bodyes were fey slayn
Wi]> fallyng1 of1 fe grete temple of1 stoon
Of1 Sampson) ne wol I no more sayii . 3280
Be]? war of1 Jns ensample olde and playn
That1 noman telle here counseil to here wyues
Of1 such fing1 as fay wolde haue secre fayn
If1 faf it touche here lymes or here lyues 3284
[Hercules. .]
IF Of1 Ercule pe soueraign) conquerour IF De Ercule
Syngen his werkes lewede and heih renown
ffor in his tyme of1 strengfe he bar J?e flour
he slough and rafte fe skyn fro J?e leown 3288
he of1 sent1 arwes leyde J?e boost1 a doun
he arpyes slough fe cruel briddes felle
he golden apples rafte J?e dragoun
he drough out1 Serberois J?e hound of1 helle 3292
IF He slough Jje cruel tyraunt Buserus
And made his hors to frete him fleissh and boon
He slough J>e verray serpent1 venymous
Of1 Achilles tuo homes brark1 he oon 3296
And he slough Cacus in a Cave of1 ston
He slough J>e geaunt1 Anteus ]?e stronge /
He slough j>e grisly boor and faf anoon
And bar j>e heed vpon his necke longe 3300
CORPUS 646 (6-T. 259)
SIX-TEXT 260
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IT Was neuer wigh"f sif en f e world bygan
f af slough so many monstres as dede he
Thurgh" out1 fis wilde world his name ran [leaf 238]
What1 for his strengfe and for his bounte 3304
And euery Reeme went he for to see
He was so strong1 fat1 no man might1 him lette
And bof e f e worldes ende saith trophe /
In stede of1 bowndes he a piler sette 3308
1F A lewman hadde fis noble Campion
Thaf highte Deianyre freissh as may
And as f e clerkes maden mencion
Sche haf him sent a scherte freisch and gay 3312
Alias fis scherte and weylaway
Enuenymed was subtily wif alle
Thaf or f af he had wered it half1 a day
If made his boones fro his fleissch to falle / 3316
IF Buf naf eles some clerkes hire exusen
By oon f af highte Nessus f af if maked
Be as be may I wol hire nougfrf accusen
Buf on his bakke fe scherte he weres al naked 3320
Tille f af his fleissh was fro f e venym blaked
And whan he saugh non of er remedye
In hote coles he haf himself1 y-raked
ffor wif no venym deyned he to dye 3324
1T Thus starf1 f is worf y mighty hercules
Lo who may truste on fortune ony f rowe
ffor him f af folwef alle f is world of1 prees
Er he be war is ofte y-leyd ful lowe 3328
fful wys is he f af himself1 can knowe
Bef war for when f af fortune lusf to glose /
Than waytef sche hire man doun to Jjrowe
By such a way as he wolde lesf suppose // 3332
CORPUS 647 (6-T. 260)
SIX-TEXT 261
GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
[Nebuchadnezzar.]
IF The mighty trone )>e precious tresor II De Eege Nabu-
The glorious septir and realle mageste godonosore
That1 hadde j>e king1 Nabugodonosor
WiJ) tunge vnnefie may discryued be 3336
he twyes nam Ihemsalem ]>e cite /
The vessel of1 J?e temple he wijj him ladde
1T At1 Babiloyne was his souerain see / [leaf 233, back]
In which his glorie and his delit1 he hadde / 3340
The fayrest1 children of1 fe blood royalle
Of lertisalem he dede do gylde anon
And maked eche of1 hem to ben his j^ralle
Among1 alle o)>er Daniel was oon 3344
That1 was fe wisest1 childe of1 euerychon
ffor he )>e dremes of1 j?e king1 expowned
"VVher as in Caldey clerk1 was fer non
That1 wiste to what1 fyn his dremes sowned 3348
1T This proude king1 leet1 make a statue of1 golde
Sixty cubites longe and seuen in brede
To which Image bo]?e ^onge and olde
Comaunded he to lowte and haue in drede / 3352
Or in a fourneys ful of1 na??zmes rede
He schal be brent1 Jjat1 wolde nought1 obeye
But neuere wolde assente to Jjat1 dede
Danyel ne his 3onge felawes tweye - 3356
^[ This king1 of kynges proude and elatt
he wende god Jjat1 sitte in mageste
Ne might1 him nought1 byreue of1 his estate
But1 sodeinly he lost1 his dignite 3360
And like a beeste him seemed for to be
And ete hey as an oxe and lay J?er oute
In reyn wij) wilde bestes walked he
Til a certein tyme was come aboute 3364
CORPUS 648 (6-T. 2Cl)
SIX-TEXT 262
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS
11 And ylike an Egles fef eres were his heres
And nayles like briddes clawes were /
God releeued him at1 certeyn 3eeres
And ^af1 him witte and fanne wif many a tere ' 3368
he f ankede god and euer his lyf1 in feere
Was he to don amys or more trespas
And or fat1 y-leyd was on his beere
he knew wel fat1 god was ful of* might1 and grace 3372
\Bclshazzar. ~\
his sone which fat1 highte Baltyzar IF De Ealtazar dz'cft
f af heeld be regne after his fader day Ee^'5 ^abugodo-
nosor filio
he by his fader coufe nou^t1 be war
ffor prowd he was of1 herte and of1 array 3376
And eek1 an ydolatre was he ay
his heilie astate asseured him in pryde
But1 fortune caste him doun and f er he lay
And sodeinly his regne gan deuyde / 3380
IT A feste he made vnto his lordes alle
vpon a tyme he made hem blif e be /
And f enne his officeres gan he calle
Goode bringeth forth fe vesselles qtiod he 3384
Which fat1 my fader in his prosperite
Out1 of1 Jje temple of1 lerwsalem byrafte
And to oure heihe goddes fanke we
Of1 honour fat oure eldres wif vs lafte 3388
IF His wyf1 his lordes and his concubynes
Ay drunken whiles here appetyte laste /
Out1 of1 fis noble vesseles sondry wynes /
And on a wal fis king1 his eyhen caste 3392
And saugtl an hande armies fat/ wrot1 ful faste
ffor feer of1 which he quook1 and siked sore
This hande fat Baltazar made so sore agasf
Wrot1 mane techel pharos and no more 3396
CORPUS 649 (6-T. 262)
SIX-TEXT 263
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
11 In al pat1 lond inagicien was per non
That1 coupe expoune what1 pis lettre ment1
But1 Daniel expouned it1 anon
And sayde king1 god to pi fader sent1 3400
Glory and honour Kegne tresor and rent
And he was prowde and no ping1 god ne dradde /
And perfore god gret1 wreche vpon him sent
And him byrafte pe regne pat1 he hadde 3404
IF He was out1 cast1 of mannes companye
Wip asses was his habitacion
And eete hey as a beeste in wete and drye
Til pat1 he knew by grace and by resoun 3408
That1 god of1 heuen hap domynacion
Ouer euery regne and euery creature
And penne hadde god of1 him compassion [leaf 239, back]
And him restored his regne and his figure 3412
IF Eke pou pat1 art1 his sone art1 proud also
And knowest1 alle pis pinges pryuyly
and art1 rebell to god and art1 his foo
Thou drank1 eeke of1 his vessels boldely 3416
Thy wyf1 eek1 and py wenche synfully
Drank1 of1 pe same vessels sondry wynes
And heryed false goddes cursedly
Ther fore to pe schapen gref pyne is / 3420
IF This hand was sent fro god pat on pe wal
Wrot1 mane techel phares truste me
Thin regne is doon pou weyest1 not1 at1 al
Deuyded is py regne and it1 schal be 3424
To Medes and to Perses ^euen quod he
And pilke same night1 pe king1 was slawe
And Daryus occupieth his degre
They he pe?*to nad neype?- right1 ne lawe 3428-
CORPUS 660 (6-T. 263)
SIX-TEXT 264
GJIOUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IT Lordynges lier-by ensample may }e take
How fat1 in lordschipe is no sikernesse
ffor whan fortune wole a man forsake
He berej? a-wey his regne and his richesse / 3432
And eek1 his freendes bo)>e more and lesse
And what1 man hajj freendes Jmrgh fortune
Mishap wole make hem enemys I gesse
This prouerbe is ful so]) and ful co?7imune 3436
[Zenobia.~\
IT Cenobya of1 Palymere J>e queene IF De Cenobia Paly-
As writen Persiens of* hire noblesse nierie regina
So worjjy was in armes and so keene
That1 no wight1 passed hire in hardynesse / 3440
lie in lynage ne in oj>er gentillesse /
Of1 kinges blood of1 Pe?*ce sche descended
I saye fat1 sche nad no^t1 most1 fairnesse
But1 of1 hire schap sche might1 nought1 ben amended 3444
IT ffro hire childhode I fynde fat1 sche fledde
Office of1 wommen and to woode sche wente
And many a wilde hertes blood sche schedde [leaf 240]
With arwes brode Jjat1 sche to hem sente / 3448
Sehe was so swyfte Jjat1 sche anon hem hente
And whan fat1 schs was elder sche wold kille
Leouns luperdes and beres alto-rent1
And in hire armes welde hem at1 hire wille 3452
IF Sche dorste wilde bestes dennes seeke
And rennen in J>e mounteinz al J?e night1
And slepe vnder a bussche and sche coujje eeke
Wrastlen by verray force and verray might1 3455
Wijj any }ong< man were he neuer so wight1
Ther mighte no Jnng1 in hir armes stonde
Sche kepte hir maydenhed fro euery wigfrt1
To no man deyned hire to be bonde / 34(50
CORPUS 651 (6-T. 264)
SIX-TEXT 265
GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
1F But1 atte laste hir freendes lian hire maryed
To Odenake a Prince of1 fat1 Citfe
Al were if so fat sche hem longe taryed
And }e schuln vnderstonde how fat1 he 3464
Hadde suche fantasies as hadde sche
But naf eles whan fey were knette in feere
They lyueden in ioye and in felicite
ffor sche of1 hem hadde of er leef1 and deere / 3468
[Saue oo thyng/ that/ sche wolde neuyr/ assente .] I?*"1- Ms
By no wey fat1 he schulde by hire lye
But1 ones for it/ was hire pleyne entent
To haue a childe f e world to multiplye 3472
And al so sone as sche might aspye
That1 sche nas no^t1 wif childe wif fat1 dede
Thanne wolde sche suffre him don his fantasye
Eftsone and nou^t1 but ones out1 of1 drede / 3476
IF And if1 sche were wif childe at1 f ilke caste
No more schulde he pleye f ilke game
Til fully fourty dayes were paste
Thenne wolde sche ones do suffre him fe same 3480
Al were fis Odenak1 wilde or tame
he gat1 nomore of1 hire for f us sche sayde
It1 was to wyfes lecchery and schame /
In ofer caas if1 fat1 men with hem playde [leaf 2*0, back]
IF Tuo sones by fis Odonak1 had sche
The whiche sche kepte in vertu and lettrure
But1 now vnto oure tale turne we /
I saye fat1 worschipful creature 3488
And wys f erwith and large wif mesure
So penyble in f e werre and curteys eeke
No more laboure mighte in werre endure
Was non fey alle fis world men schulde seke 3492
CORPUS 652 (6-T. 265)
SIX-TEXT 266
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
1T Hire riche aray mighte nought1 be told
As wel in vessel as in hir clofinge
Sche was al cladde in perry e and in goolde
And eek1 sche lefte nought1 for non huntynge 349(>
To haue of4 sondry tonges folk1 knowynge
Whan fafr sche leyser hadde and for to entende
To lerne bookes was al hire likynge
How sche in vertu might1 hir lyf dispendo 3500
[And schortly of/ this/ storie for to entrete .]
1T So doughty was hire housebande as sche
That1 fey conquered many regnes grete
In f e orient1 wif many a fair Cite 3504
Apportienant vnto f e mageste
Of1 Rome and with strong1 hand heeld hem faste
Ne neuer might1 here fomen don hem fle
Ay whiles fat1 Oedenak1 dayes laste 3508
IF Here batayles who so luste hem for to ride •
Agayn Sapor f e king1 and of er mo *
And how fat1 al f is prices felle in • dede •
Why sche conquered and what title had ferto 3512
And after of1 hire meschief1 and hire woo
how fat sche was beseged and y-take
let1 him vnto my mayster Petrarke go
That1 writ of1 fis ynougS. I vndertake 3516
1T Whan Odenake was deed sche mightily
The regnes huld and wij) hir propre hand
Agayn hire foos sche faught1 trewely
That1 Jjer nas king1 ne Prince in al Jjat land 3520
That he nas gladde if1 fat1 he grace fand [leaf 241]
That sche ne wolde vpon his land werrey
With hire fey made alleyance by band
To ben in pees and lete hir ryde and pley 3524
38 CORPUS 653 (6-T. 266)
SIX-TEXT 267
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IF The Emperour of Rome Claudius
Ne him byforn J?e Remain Galien
Ne dorste neuer be so coragius
Ne non Ermyne ne non Egipcien 3528
Ne Surrien ne non arabien
Wijnnne fe feeld fat1 dorste with hire fight
Lest1 fat1 sche wolde hem wif hir handes sleen
Or with hire meyne putten hem to flight 3532
[IN kynges/ abite wente hir/ sones/ two .]
As Eyres of1 here regnes alle
And hermanno and Thymalao
Here names were as Perciens hem calle 3536
But1 ay fortune haf ay in hir hony galle
This mighty queene may no while en-dure
{fortune out1 of1 hire regne made hire falle
To wrecchednes and to mysauenture 3540
1T Aurelion whan fat1 f e gouernance
Of1 Rome cam in-to his handes tweye
he schoop vpon )>is queen to do vengance
And wij) his legiouns he took1 his weye 3544
Toward Cenobye and schortly for to seye
He made hir flee and at1 J>e last1 hir bent
And fetered hire and eek1 hir children tweye
And wan jje lond and home to Rome fey went 3548
1F Among1 Jjese o]?er jnnges fat1 he wan
hire char J>af was wij> gold wrought and perre
This grete Romayn Jjis aurelian
Ha]j wij) him ladde for fat1 men schulde se 3552
Byforn his tryumphe walkej) sche
"Wif gilte cheynes on hire necke hangyng1
Corouned sche was as after hire degre
And ful of1 perre charged hire clofing1 3556
CORPUS 654 (6-T. 267)
SIX-TEXT 268
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS,
^T Alias fortune sche fat1 whilom was
Dredful to kynges and to empmmres • [leaf 241, back]
Now gauref al pe poeple on hire alias •
And sche fat1 helmed was in starke stoures • 3560
And wan by force townes strong1 and toures •
Schal on hire heede were a vytremyte
And sche fat1 bar f e septre ful of1 floures
Schal bere a distaff1 hir costes for to quyte 3564
[Peter the Cruel, of Spain.]
11F 0 noble o worfy petre glorie of1 Spayne ^f De Petro
Whom fortune helde so heyh in mageste ^27ne
^j Kege
Wei oughte men fin pitous def complayne \\ wrongly marktbm
, , -, n margin, by a later
Thy bastard brober made be to fle corrector, to follow a
(De nero &c).
And after at a sege by subtilte
fow were betrayed and lad to his tent1 3570
Wher as he wif his owen hand slough f e
Succedyng1 in fy regne and in fin rent' 3572
IF The feeld of1 snow wif f e egle blak1 f er-Imie ^[ Bertheuw
Caught1 wif f e lymrodde coloures as f e gledes Clayky^
he brew fis cursednes and al fe synne Mawirtr
The wicked neste was werker of1 bis needes ^ertranddu Guescim,
& his cousin Sir Oliver
Nought Charles Olyuer fat1 ay tootgod heede de Mauny> h 3579']
Of1 troufe and honour but of1 armorekke 3578
Genyloun Olyuer corupte for meede
Broughtest1 fis worfi king1 in such a brekke 3580
[Peter of Cyprus.']
11 Worfy Petre king1 of1 Cypre also IT De petro regis
fat1 alisaundre wan by heigh maystrie IF Cypri
fful many an hef en wroughtest1 jjou ful wo
Of1 which fin owen liege had enuye 3584
And for no f ing1 but1 for fin Chiualrie
They in fin bedde han slayn f e by f e morwe
Thus gan fortune gouerne and gye
And out1 of1 ioye bringe men in-to sorwe 3588
CORPUS 555 (6-T. 268)
SIX-TEXT 269
GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
[Bernabo Visconti, of Milan.]
IT Of Melane greti barnabo viscounte ^f De Barnabo
God of delite and scourge of lumbardye vicecoimYe
-trru v ij ^ T f j? * / H Mediolano /
Why schulde nou^t1 1 pin fortune acounte /
Seppen in estaat1 pou clombe were so hilie 3592
Thin broper sone pat1 was pin double allye
ffor he fin neuew was and sone in lawe [leaf 242]
Wipinne his prison made pe to deye
But why ne how wot1 1 pat1 pou were slawe // 3596
\Ugolino, Count of Pisa J\
1F Of pe erl hugelyne of1 Pyse pe langour ^f De hugylyno
Ther may no tunge telle for pite Comite Pisano-
But1 lytel out* of1 pyse stanf a toure
In Avhich toure in prison putte was he 3600
And wij? him ben his litel children fre
The eldest1 skarsly .v. ^er was of age
alias fortune it1 was gret1 cruelte
Suche briddes for to putte in such a kage 3604
H Dampned he was to deyen in ]?at prison
ffor Roger which pat1 bisschop was of pyse
Hadde on him maade a fals suggestion
Thurgh which J>e poeple gan on him aryse 3608
And putten him to pryson in swich wyse
As 36 haue herde and mete and drynk1 he hadde
[ no gap in the MS.]
And J?er-wi]>-al it1 was ful pore and badde 3612
IF And on a day bifelle fat1 in J?at oure
Whan pat1 his mete was wont1 to be brought*
The Gailler schutte fe dores of J>e toure
He herde it wel but1 he saugh it nought1 3616
And in his herte anon per felle a pought
J?af pey for hunger wolde don him deyeii
Alias quod he alias pat1 1 was wrought1
j)er-wi]> pe teeres felle fro his eyen 3620
CORPUS 556 (6-T. 269)
SIX-TEXT 270
GROUP B. . § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IT his $onge sone jjat1 Jjre ^eer was of1 age
vnto him sayde fader why do 36 wepe
When wil j?e Gaylere bringen oure potage
Is J?er no morsel bred pat1 $e do kepe 3624
I am so hungry Jjafr I may nought* slepe
Now wolde god pat I might1 slepen euer
Thanne schulde non hunger in my wombe crepe
)>er nys no ping1 sauf1 bred pat me were leuer 3628
IT Thus day by day pis childe gan to crye
Til in his fadres barme a doun it lay
And sayde fare wel Fader I mot1 deye peaf 242, back]
And kissed his fader and deyde pe same day 3632
And whan pe woful fader ded him say
ffor wo his armes tuo he gan to byte /
And sayde alias fortune and welaway
Thyn fals wheel my wo I may al wyte 3636
H His children wende pat1 it1 for hunger was
pat1 he his armes gnowe and nought for wo
And sayde fader do nou^t1 so alias
But* raper ete pe fleissch vpon ous tuo 3640
Oure fleissch pou ^af1 vs take oure flessch vs fro
And ete ynough right1 pus to him pay sayde /
And after pat1 wipinne a day or tuo
They leyde hem doun right1 in his lappe and deyde / 3644
Himself1 dispeyred eek1 for hunger starf4
Thus ended is J)e mighty erl of* Pyse
ffro heih estate fortune fro him karf1
Of1 J)is tregetrye it1 ought1 ynough suffise/ 3648
Who so wol heere it1 in a lenger wise
Redej> J>e grete poete of1 ytayle /
That1 highte daunte for he can if deuyse
ffro poynt1 to poynt1 nou^t1 o word wol he fayle 3652
CORPUS 557 (6-T. 270)
SIX-TEXT 271
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
[Nero.]
1 IF Al pougli pat1 Nero was as vicious De nero
A e j i j_. 1-1 f i i i C1 uyonoty markt .a. &# a
AS eny leend bat1 lib fill lowe adOMn later corrector, to go before
J Peter of Spain.]
3ef ne as tellep vs Swetheneus
This wilde world hap in Subiecciown 3656
Bope Est1 and west1 and Septemptriown
Of1 Rubies Saphires and of perlis white
Were alle his elopes brouded vp and doun
ffor he in gewmes grete gan delyte 3660
1F More delicate more pompous of" array
More proud was neuer emperour pan he
Jjat1 ilke clop pat1 he had wered a day
After pat1 tyme he nolde it neuer se 3664
Nettes of4 golde pred hadde he gref plente
To fissche in Tybre when him leste to pleye
his lustes were as lawe in his degre iieaf243]
ffor fortune as his freende wolde him obeye 3668
IT He Rome b rente for his delicacye
The senatoures he slougli vpon a day
To heere how pat1 men \rolde weepe and crye
And slougli his broper and by his suster lay 3672
His mooder made he in pitous aray
ffor he hire wombe slitte to byholde
Where he consceyued was so weylaway
Jjat1 he so litel of his moder tolde 3676
IF No teere out1 of his eyhen for pat1 sight1
Ne came but1 sayde a fair womman was sche
Gret1 wonder is pat1 he coupe or might1
Be domesman) of1 hire ded beute 3680
The wyn to brynge po comaiided he
And drank1 anon . non oper wo he made /
Whan might1 is ioygned vnto cruelte
Alias to deepe wole pe venym wade 3684
CORPUS 558 (6-T. 27l)
SIX-TEXT 272
GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IF In ^oujje a mayster hadde pis empez-our
To teche him lettrare and curtesye
ffor of1 moralite lie was jje flour
As in his tyme but1 if1 bookes lye 3688
And whiles his mayster hadde of* him maystrye
He made him so konnyng1 and so souple /
That1 longe tyme it1 was or tyrannye
Or any vice dorste in him vncouple 3692
If This Seneka of which I deuyse
By cause nero hadde of1 him such drede
ffor he for vices wolde him chastise
Discretly as by word and nought by drede 3696
Sire wolde he sayn an Emperour moot1 neede
Be vertuous and hate tyrauntrye
ffor which he him in bathe made to blede
In bojje his armes til he moste dye 3700
IT This nero hadde eek1 of a costummance
In pupe a3eins his mayster for to ryse
Which aftirward him fought a gret1 greuaunce [leaf 243, back!
Therfore he made him deye in ]>is wise 3704
But1 naj?eles pis Seneke )>e wise /
Chees in a bathe to deye in pis manere /
Raper pan han anoper tormentrye
And pus ha]) Nero slayn his mayster deere 3708
IT Now felle if so Jjat1 fortune lust1 no lenger
Jje heihe pryde of1 nero to cherissche
ffor jjough he were strong1 ^et1 was sche strenger
Sche jjoughte Jms by god I am to nyse 3712
To setten a man fat1 is fulfilde of1 vice
In heigh degre and emperour him calle
By god out1 of1 his sete I wol him tryce
When he lest1 wenej> sonnest1 schal he falle 37 1C
CORPUS 659 (6-T. 272)
SIX-TEXT 273
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
5F The poeple ros vpon him on a night1
fibr his defaute and whan he if aspyed
Out1 of1 his dores anon he haf him dighfr
Allone and fer he wende han ben allyed
he knokked faste and ay f e more he cryed
f e faster schutten fey f e dores alle
Tho wiste he wel he hadde himself1 begyled
And went1 his way no lenger dorste he calle /
IT The poeple cryed and romhled vp and down
fat1 wif his eeres herde he how fey sayde
Wher is f is false tyraunt1 f is Neroun
ifor fere almost1 out1 of1 his witte a brayde
And to his goddes pitously he sayde
ifor socour but1 it1 mighte nought1 betyde
ifor drede of1 f is him f oughte fat1 he deyde
and ran in to a gardyn him to huyde
5F And in f is gardyn fond he cherles tweye
And saten by a fuyre ful grete and rede
And to f e cherles twey he gan to preye
To slen him and to gurden of1 his hede
That1 to his body whan fat1 he were dede
Were no despite y-done for his deffame /
Himself1 he slough he coufe no better reed
Of1 which fortune lough and hadde a game
3720
3724
3728
3732
3736
[leaf 244]
3740
[Hoi of ernes.]
IF Was neuer Capitayn vnder a king1 ^[ De Olipherno
fat1 regnes mo putte in subieccio?m
!Ne strenger was in feeld of1 alle f ing1
As in his tyme ne gretter of1 Renown 3744
Ne more pompous in heigh presumpciown
Then Olyferne which fortune ay keste /
So likerously and ladde him vp and down
Til fat1 he hed was er fat1 he wiste / 3748
CORPUS 660 (6-T. 273)
SIX-TEXT 274
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
1F Bought1 oonly fat1 f is world had of* him awe /
ffbr lesyng1 of1 Richesse and liberte
But1 he made euery man reneye his lawe /
Nabugodonosor was lord sayde 3752
.Non of er god schulde honoured be
A^eins his heste no wight1 dar trespace /
Saue in Bethulya a strang1 Cite
Where Elyachim a prest1 was of1 fat1 place 3756
If But1 take keepe of1 f c def ofH Olypherne
Amydde his hoste he drunke lay a nyght1
Wif inne his tente large as is a berne /
And ^et1 for alle his pompe and alle his might1 3760
ludith a wo?ftman as he lay vpright1
Slepyng1 his heed of1 smot1 and fro his tent /
fful pryuyly sche stal fro euery wight
[ .... ^ . . no gap in the MS.] 3764
[AntioclmsJ\
IT What1 needejj it1 of1 king1 antiochus ^f De antiochio
To teUe his heihe and real mageste illustn.
his heighe pmyde his werkes venymous
fFor such anojjer nas neuer non as he 3768
RedeJ) which Jjat1 he was in Machabe
And rede]) fe proude wordes Jjat1 he sayde
And why he felle fro his prosperite
And in an hulle how wrecchedly he deyde 3772
IF ffortune him hadde enhaunced so in pruyde
fat1 verrayly he wende he mighte atteyne
vnto J?e sterres vpon euery syde 3775
And in a balaunce to weye vche mountayne / [leaf 241, back]
And alle J?e floodes of1 fe see restreyne
And goddes poeple hadde he most1 in hate
Hem wolde he sle in torment1 and peyne /
Wenyng1 fat1 god ne might1 his pruyde abate 3780
CORPUS 561 (6-T. 274)
SIX-TEXT 275
GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
^T And for fat1 Mchamour and Thymothee
Wif lewes were venquyscht* mightily
Vnto f e lewes swich an hate hadde he
That1 he hadde greythed his chaar ful hastily 3784
And swor and sayde ful dispitously
•vnto lemsalem he wolde eft1 sone /
To wreke his Ire on hit1 ful cruelly
But1 of1 his purpos he was lette ful sone / 3788
IT God for his manace him so sore smot/
Wif inuisible wounde ay vncurable/
That1 in his guttes karf1 so and bote
That1 his peynes were importable 3792
And certeynly f e wreche was resonable
ffor many mannes guttes dede he payne
But1 fro his pourpos cursed and dampnable
ffor alle his smerte he nolde him nought1 restreyne 3796
H But1 bad anon apparaylen his Oste
And sodeinly er he was of1 hit/ ware
God daunted alle his pruyde and alle his boste
ffoi he so sore felle out1 of1 his chare 3800
That1 hurt1 his lymes and his skyn totare
So fat1 he ne mighte go ne ryde
But1 in a Chayer men aboute him bare
Al forbrused bofe bak1 and syde 3804
IT The wreche of1 god him smot1 so cruelly
That1 in his body wickede wormes crepte
And f er-wif-al he stank1 so orribly
That1 non of alle his meigne fat him kepte / 3808
Whef er so fat1 he wook1 or elles slepte /
Ne mighte nought/ fe stynk1 of1 him endure
In f is meschief1 he weyled and eek1 wepte /
And knewe god lord of1 euery creature [leaf 245] 3812
CORPUS 562 (6-T. 275)
SIX-TEXT 276
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
1F To alle his host1 and to himself* also
fful wlatsom was ]?e stynke of1 J?is Careyne
No man ne mighte him bere to ne fro
And in his stynke and in his horible peyne 3816
He starf ful wrecchedly in a mounteyne
Thus haj? Jjis robbour and Jjis homicide
That many a man made to weepe and pleyne
Such guerdon as bilonge)) vnto pruyde / 3820
[Alexander the Great.]
, r
Kegis Macedonia
IT The story of1 alisaundre is so commune ^[ De alexandro
Thaf euery wighf faf ha> discreciown
. . „ . . .
haj) herd somwhat1 or al or his fortune
This wilde world as in conclusion 3824
He wan by streng]?e or for his heigh renown
They weren glad for pees vnto him sende
The pruyde of1 man and beste he leyde a doun
Wher so he cam vnto j?e worldes ende 3828
IT Comparison might neuer jit/ be maked
Betwix him and anoj^er conquerowr
ffor alle fis worlde for drede of him ha]) quaked
he was of1 knighthede and of1 fredam flour 3832
ffortune him made ])e heier ofH hure honour
Saue wyn and wommen no fing1 might1 aswage /
His heihe entenf in armes and labour
So was he fulle of louynge corage 3836
IT What1 pite were it1 to him J>ey I 3011 tolde
Of darius and an .C. ]>ousand mo
Of kinges princes dukes eerles bolde
Which he conquered and broujf hem in-to woo 3840
I say as fer as man may ryde or goo
)3e worlde was his what1 schulde I more deuyse
ffor J)ough I write or tolde jou euermo
Of his knignthode he mighte nought* suffise 3844
CORPUS 663 (6-T. 276)
SIX-TEXT 277
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IT Twelf1 ^eer lie regned as sai]? Machabe
Philippes sone of1 Macedo he was /
That1 first1 was king1 of1 Grece J>e Centre /
0 wor])y gentil alisandre alias [leaf 245, back] 3848
fat1 euer schulde falle such a caas
Enpoysoned of1 Jnn folk1 J?ou were
Jjyn . S fortune ha]> torned in-to an aas
And jet1 for J)e ne weep sche neuer a tere 3852
If Who schal men ^eue teeres to compleyne
The dej? of1 gentilesse and of fraunchise
jjat1 alle )>e world weeldid in his demeygne /
And ^et1 him jjoughte it1 might1 not suffise / 3856
So ful was his corage of1 heigh emprise
Alias who schal me helpe to endite
ffals fortune and poyson to despise
J>e whiche tuo of1 al Jns wo I wite 3860
[Julius Caesar.]
IT By wisedom manhede and by labour ^f De lulio Cesare.
ffro humbleheed and fro Royal mageste
vp ros he lulius ])e Conqueror?*
That alle fe Occident by land and fee 3864
By streng]?e of hand or elles by tretee
And vnto Rome made hem tributarie
And serenes of Rome J>empmwr was he
Til j^at1 fortune wax his adueraarie 3868
IF 0 mighty Cesar fat1 in Tessalye
A3ens Pompeus fader j?in in lawe
That1 of1 ]>e Orient1 hadde al J?e chiualrye
as ferre as jjat1 ]?e day begynnej) dawe 3872
J?ou J?orugh fip. knighthode ]?ou hast1 hem take and slawe /
Saue fewe folk1 j?af wij? Pornpeus fledde /
Jmrgh which Jiou puttest1 al )>e Orient in awe
Thanke fortune fat1 so wel J?e spedde 3876
CORPUS 661 (6-T. 277)
SIX -TEXT 278
GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
IF But now a litel while I wol bewayle /
J>is Pompeus J?is noble goueniour
Of1 Rome which J?afr fleigh at1 J?is batayle
I say on of1 his men a fals tiaytour 3880
His heed of* smoot/ to wynne him fauowr
Of1 lulius and him J?e heed broughte
Alias Pompeye of1 J?e Orient1 conquerowr
That fortune vnto such a finye broughte Deaf 246] 3884
IF To Rome a^ein repayrej? lulius
WiJ? his triumphe laureate ful hey^e
But1 on a tyme Brutus Cassius
That1 euer had of1 his heigh estaat1 enuye 3888
fful priuily had maad conspiracie
Ageing j)is lulius in subtil wise
And caste J?e place in which he schulde deye
WiJ? boydekyiines as I schal 3011 deuyse 3892
IT J3is lulius to J>e Capi thole went
vppon a day as he was wont1 to goon
And in J?e Capitolye anon him hentt
This false brutus on his foule foon 3896
And stiked him wij> boydekynnes anon
WiJ) many a wounde and J?us ]?ey leet/ him lye
But1 neuer gronte he at1 no stroke but oon
Or elles at1 tuo but1 if1 his story lye 3900
IT So manly was J)is lulius of1 herte
And so wel loued estaatly honeste
That1 jjough his dedly woundes so sore smerte
His mantel ouer his hepes caste he 3904
ffor noman schulde seen his pn'uyte
And as he lay as deyinge in a traunce
And wiste vm'ily Jiat1 deed was he
Of1 honeste ^et1 hadde he remembrance 3908
CORPUS 665 (6-T. 278)
SIX-TEXT 279
GROUP B, § 12, MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS,
^[ Lucane to ])is story I recomende
And to S weton and to Valerius also
That* of ]?is story write]? word and ende
how Jjat1 Jjese grete conqueroures tuo
ffortune was ferst1 freend and sipen a foo
No man ne truste vpon his fauour longe
But1 haue hire in awayte for eueremo
Witnesse on alle )>ise conqueroures stronge
[Cresus.]
IT This riche Cresus whilom king1 of lyde
Of1 whiche Cresus Cyquus sore him dradde
3etf was he caught* amyddes alle his pryde
And to be brent1 men to J>e fuyre him ladde
But1 such a reyn doun fro J?e walken schadde
J?att slough j)e fuyr and made him to askape
But1 to be war 36^ no grace he hadde
Til fortune on J>e galwes made him gape
IF Whan he askaped was he can not1 stynte
ifor to begynne a newe reyne a^eiii
he wende wel for fatf fortune him sente
Such happe ^at1 he escaped Jmrgh J>e rayn
That1 of* his foos he mighte not1 be slayn
And swich a swefne vppan a night1 he mette
Of which he was so proud and eek1 so fayn
That1 in vengaunce he alle his herte sette
H Ypon a tree he was as Jjat1 him jjoughte
There lubiter him wisshe boj?e halse and syde
And Phebus eek1 a fair towayle him broughte
To druye him wij) and Jjerfore wax his pryde
And to his doughter ]?at stood him besyde
Which Jjat1 he knew in heigh sentence abounde
lie bad hire telle him what1 it1 signefyed
And sche his dreemes bygan right1 ]?us expounde
CORPUS 666 (6-T. 279)
3912
3916
Cresus.
3919
[leaf 246, back]
3924
3928
3932
3936
3940
SIX-TEXT 280
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Corpus MS.
1F The tree quod ache J?e gahves is to mene
And lubiter bitoknej? snow and rayn
And Phebus wij? his towayle so clene
Tho be j?e sonne stremes for to sayn 3944
Thou schalf an honged be fader certayn
Reyn schal jje waissche and sonne schal £e druye
J?us warned him ful platte and ful playn
His doughter Jjatf called was Phanye / 3948
IF An honged was Cresus ]>e proude king1
His roial trone might* him nought auayle
Tegedie is non o]>er maner Jnng1
Ne can synnynge crye ne by-wayle 3952
But1 J?afr fortune alway wol assayle /
"Wijj vnwar strook* ]?e regnes that* ben proude
ffor whan men trustej) hire ]?an wol sche fayle
And couere hire brighte face wij> a cloude [leaf 247] 3956
IF Explicit/
CORPUS 567 (6-T. 280)
SIX-TEXT 281
GROUP B. § 13. MONK-NUN'S-PRIEST'S LINK. Corpus MS.
IT Here begynnej) j)e prologe of1 J?e nonne prestes tale
[on tea/ 247]
HO quod J?e knighf goode sire nomore of* fis
jjaf ^e han sayde is right1 ynougfi ywis
And meche more for litel heuynesse
Is right1 ynough to meche folk1 as I gesse / Ll°0^s'^fsf 3960
[I sey for me . if is a grete disease CMS Reg. HD.XV, if275,bk"\
Where as men han bien . in grete welth and ease
To here of1 theyr sodayn falle alas
And the contrary is loy . and grete solas 3964
And whan a man hath bien in pouer estate
And clymbitli vp . and wexith fortunate
And ther abyditfi. * in prosperite \ieajmi
Swiche thyng1 is gladsom . as it1 thynkyth me 3968
And of1 swiche thynges . were goodely for to telle
Ya quod oure host1 . be seynf poulis belle
Ye say right soth . this monk* be clappid lowde
He spak1 how fortune . was coue?'ed? with a clowde 3972
I not1 neuer what1 . and als of1 a tregedye
Eight1 now ye herd . and parde no remedye
Is if for to be-wailen . and compleyn
Thaf . thaf is don . and als if is a peyn 3976
As ye have saycJ . to here of1 hevynesse
Sir monke nomore of1 this . so god? yow blisse
Yowre tale anoyeth . al this company
Swiche thyng1 is naf worth a boterflye] [MS Reg. extract ends]
^oure tales don vs no desporf ne game
Wherfore sir monk1 Doun Pieres by $our name
I pray 3011 hertely telle vs som whaf elles
ffor siker nere clynkyng1 of1 $oure belles / 3984
CORPUS 568 (6-T. 281)
SIX-TEXT 282
GKOUP B. § 13. MONK-NUN'S-PRIEST'S LINK. Corpus MS.
fat1 on 3oure brydel hangef on eue?y syde /
By heuene king1 fat1 for vs alle dyde
I schal for f is falle down for slepe /
Al f ough f e slough hadde neuer ben so depe 3988
fan hadde ^oure tale be told in vayn
ffor certeinly as f ese clerkes sayn
"Wher as a man may han non audience
Nought1 helpef it to tellen his sentence 3992
And wel I woot1 f e substance is in me /
If1 eny f ing1 schal wel reported be
Sire say somwhat1 of1 huntyng1 1 }ou pray
Nay quod j?e monk1 1 haue no lust1 to play 3996
Now lete anojjer telle as I haue tolde
Jjanne spak* oure Ost< wij) ruyde speche and bolde
And sayde vnto jje nonnes prest1 anon
Come ner sire presf com hider sir lohn 4000
Telle vs such ping1 as may oure hertes glade
Be mery J>ough J>ou ryde vpon a lade /
What1 Jjough fin hors be hagged foul or lene
If1 he wol serue f e rekke f e nought1 a bene 4004
Loke fat1 fin herte be mery euermo
}is Ost1 quod he so mote I ryde or go
But1 1 be mery I-wys I wil be blamed
And right1 anon he haf his tale tamed 4008
And f us he seyde to vs euerychon
This swete prest1 f is goode man sir lofin . IT Explicit
prologus
39 CORPUS 669 (6-T. 282)
SIX-TEXT 283
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Cam xxijin
IT Here begynnej) )>e nonnes prestes tale of1 J?e kokke &
his vij. hennes
Pouere wydewe somdel stope in age [leaf 247, buck]
Was whilom dwellyng1 in a narwe cotage 4012
Besydes a groue standyng1 in a dale
This wydewe of1 which I telle 3011 my tale
Sejjins Jnlke day fat1 sche was last/ a wyfH
In pacience ladde a ful simple lyf1 4016
ffor litel was hire catelle and hire rent
By housbondrye of1 such as god hire sent1
Sche fand hire self1 and eek1 hire doughtren tuo
)>re large sowes hadde sche and nomo 4020
Thre kyn and eek1 a scheep J>afr highte malle
fful sooty was hire bour and eek1 hire halle
In which sche eet1 ful many a sklender mel
Of1 poynanf Sause hire needed neuer a del 4024
No deynte morsell passed hire prote
Hire dyete was acordant to hire cote
Eeplecion ne made hire neuere seeke
A-tempree diete was alle hire Phiseke 4028
And excersise and hertes suffisance
The gowte letted hire no Jjing1 to daunce
Ne Poplexie ne schente not hire heed
No wyn ne drank1 sche neyjjer whit ne reed 4032
Hire bord was serued most1 wij) whit and blak
Milk1 and brown breed in which sche fond no lak
Seynd bacon and somtyme an ey or tweye
ffor sche was as it1 was a maner deye 4036
A gardyn sche hadde enclosed alle aboute
"Wij? stikkes and a druye diche wifoute
In which sche hadde a cokk1 j?afr highte Chaunteclere
In alle J>e land of1 crowyng1 nas his peere 4040
CORPUS 670 (6-T. 283)
SIX-TEXT 284
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
his voys was merier pan pe mery Orgon
On masse dayes pat1 in pe chirche gon
Wei sikerer was pe crowyng1 in his logge
pan is a clokke or eny abbay orlogge 4044
By nature he knew eche assenciOn
Of1 equinoxial ofH pilke toun
ffor whan degrees .xv. were discendid [leaf 218]
penne knew he pat1 it1 might nought ben amended 4048
His cambe was redder fen pe fyn coralle
And batailled as it1 were a castel walle
Ylike asure were his legges and his toon
His byle was blak1 and as pe let1 it1 schon 4052
His nayles whitter pen pe lily flour
And ylike burnysscht1 gold was his colour
This gentil cokke hadde in his gouernance /
.vij. hennes for to doon his plesance 4056
Whiche weren his sustres and his paramoures
And wonder ylike to him as of* coloures
Of* which pe fairest1 hewed on pe prote
"Was cleped faire damisel pertelote 4060
Curteys sche was discrete and debonaire
And companable / and bar hire self1 so faire
Sipens pilke day pat1 sche was seuenyght olde
fat1 trewely sche haj> )?e herte in holde 4064
Of1 chaunteclere loken in euery lij>
He loued hire so )>atf wel was him jjerwith
But1 such a ioye as if was to heere hem synge
Whan pat1 J>e brighte sonne gan to springe 4068
In swete acorde my leef1 is fare in londe /
fFor Jjilke tyme as I haue vnderstonde
Beestes and briddes coupe speke and synge
And so bifelle pat1 in a dawenynge / 4072
As Chaunteclere among1 his wyfes alle
Satte on his perche pat1 was in pe halle
And next1 him sat1 pis faire Pertelote
pis Chaunteclere gan gronen in his prote 4076
CORPUS 571 (6-T. 284)
SIX-TEXT 285
GROUP B. § 14, NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
As a man fat4 is in his dreme drecched sore
And when fat1 Pertelote ]ms herde him rore
Sche was agast/ and sayde herte deere
"What1 eylef 3011 to grone in f is manere 4080
36 ben a verray sleper fy for schame /
And he answerde and sayde f us ma dame /
I pray 3011 fat1 36 take it not1 to greef1 [leaf 2*8, back]
By god me mette fat1 1 was in such mescheef1 4084
Eight1 now fat1 $et myn herte is sore afright
Now quod he my sweuene reed aright1
And keepe my body out1 of1 foul pn'sozm
Me mette fat1 1 romed vp and down 4088
Wif inne oure 3erde wher as I saugh a beeste
Was lik1 an hound and wolde han made areste /
vpon my body and wolde han had me deed
His colour' was betwixe whit1 and reed - 4092
And tipped was his tail and bof e his eeres
Wif blak1 vnlik1 f e remenant of1 his heeres
his snowte smal with glowyng1 eyen tweye
3etf of1 his look1 for feer almost1 1 deye 4096
This caused me my gronyng1 douteles
Avoy quod sche // ffy on 3ou herteles
Alias quod sche f ffor by fat1 god aboue
Now haue 36 lost1 mjn herte and al my loue 4100
I can nought1 loue a coward by my feif
ffor certes what1 so eny wo?7iman seif
We wolle alle desyren if1 it mighte be
To haue housbondes hardy wise and fre 4104
And secre ne no nyggard ne no fool
Ne him fat1 is agast1 of1 euery tool
Ne non auauntour by fat1 god aboue
How dorste 30 say for schame vnto 30111-6 loue / 4108
That1 eny f ing1 might1 make 3ou aferd C1 not in Reg. is c 2, 7/228]
Han 30 no mannes herte and han a herd
Alias and konne 30 be agast1 of1 sweuons
[Nothyng1 god wote . but vanite in sweuene is !] ^
CORPUS 572 (6-T. 285)
SIX-TEXT 286
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Sweuenes engendren of1 replexiones p not in Reg. is c 2]
[And off of* synne . and of1 complexiouns l] [MS Reg. 17 D xv]
When humowrs ben to habundaunt in a wight
Certes ]?is dreme which 36 han herd to nyght 4116
Cometh of1 J>e grete superfluite
Of1 3oure reede colre sire parde
Which cause]? folk1 to dremen here dreemes
Of1 arwes and of1 fuyre with reede leemes 4120
Of1 reede bestes j>af woln hem byte [leaf 24,9]
Of1 Contelle and of1 whelpes grete an lyte
Right1 as he humour malencolie
Cause]? many a man in slepe to crye 4124
ffor feere of1 beres and of1 boles blake
Or elles blake deueles woln hem take
Of* o]?er humours cou]?e I telle also
J?att worken many a man in sleep ful woo 4128
But I wol passe as lightly as I can
Lo Caton which j?afr was so wys a man
Sayde he nou^tt J?us ne do no force of* dremes
JSTow sire quod sche whan we^flee fro J?e beemea 4132
ffor goddes loue as take]? som laxatif*
Vp pml of1 my soule and of1 my lyf1
I counceile ^ou j?e beste I wol not1 lye
j?af bo]?e of1 colre and of1 malencolye 4136
36 purge 3ou and for 30 schuln nought tary
]?ough ]?af in J?is toun is non apotecary
I schal my self to herbes techen 3ou
That1 schal ben 3oure hele and 3oure prow 4140
And in ]?e gardyif J?o herbes schal I fynde
The whiche han of1 here proprete by kynde
To purgen 3ou byne]?e and eek1 aboue
ffo^ete]? nou3t1 J)is for goddes owne loue 4144
36 ben ful Colrik1 of Compleccion
Were ]?e sonne in his ascencion
Ne fynde 3ou replete and 3oure humors hote
and if1 it1 do I dar wel leye a groote 4148
CORPUS 673 (6-T. 286)
SIX-TEXT 287
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS,
That1 ^e schuln haue a feuer terciane
Or an agu fat1 may ben ^oure bane
A day or tuo 30 schuln haue digestyues
Of* wormes er 36 take ^oure laxatyues 4152
Of* laureole Centure and of1 fumytere
Or ellis of1 Ellebore Jjat1 growe)> J>er&
Of1 Catapuce or of* gaytres buryes
Of1 herbe yue growyng1 in oure ^erde J>er mery is 4156
Pek" hem vp right1 as fey growe and ef hem In [leaf 249, back]
Be mery housbande for 3oure fadres kyn
Dredef no dreem I can say ^ou no more
Ma dame quod he gramercy of1 ^oure lore 4160
But* na)>eles as touching1 dann Catown
That1 haj? of1 wisdom such a grefr renown
By god men may in olde bookes reede
Oon of1 fe'grettest1 auctour out1 of1 drede 4164
Of1 many a man more of1 auctorite
fenne euer Caton was so mote I Jje
That1 alle fe reuers sein of1 his sentence
And han wel founden by experience 4168
fat1 dreemes ben significacions
As wel of1 ioye as of1 tribulac^ons
fat1 folk1 enduren in J)is lyf1 present
Ther needej) nou^t1 to make of1 J)is non argument1 4172
The verray preef1 schewej? it in dede
On of1 J>e grettest1 auctour J?af men rede
SaiJ? jjus Jjat1 whilom tup felawes went
On pylgrimage in a ful good entenf 4176
And happed so fey camen in-to a toun
Wher as ]?er was such congregacion
Of1 poeple and eek1 of1 streight1 herburgage
That1 J?ey ne fand as moche as a cotage / 4180
In which Jjey bo)>e might1 y-logged be
Wherfore ]?ey mosten of1 necessite
As for Jjat1 night1 departe of1 companye
And vche of1 hem go]) vnto his ostelrye 4184
CORPUS 674 (6-T. 287)
SIX-TEXT 288
GROUP B, § 14, NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And took1 his loggynge as it1 wolde falle
That1 oon of* hem was logged in a stalle
fferre in a ^erde wi]> oxen of1 J?e plough
faf o]?er man was logged wel ynough 4188
As was his aduentnre or his fortune
Jjat1 vs gouernej? alle as in comune
And so bifelle it1 lange er it was day
jjis man mette in his bedde \er as he lay 4192
how Jjat1 his felaw gan on him to calle [leaf 250]
And sayde alias for in an oxe stalle
This night1 schal I be mourdred per I lye
Now help me deere broker er I dye 4196
In alle haste come to me he seyde
This man out1 of1 his sleep for feere abrayde
But1 whan jjat1 he was wakened out1 of his slepe
he turned him and tok1 of1 Jns no kepe / * 4200
Him fought1 his dreem was nought/ but1 vanyte
Jms twyes in his sleping1 dremed he
And at1 J?e Jjridde tyme ^et1 his felawe
Came as him fought1 1 am now y-slawe 4204
Byholde my bloody woundes deepe and wyde /
Arys vp erely in fie morne tyde /
And at1 Jje west1 gate of1 pe toun quod he
A carte fulle of1 dunge Jjere schalt1 )>ou se / 4208
In which my body is hidde ful pryuyly
Do J>ilke carte aresten boldely
My golde caused my murdre sojj to sayn
And tolde him euery poynt1 how he was slayn 4212
WiJ? a ml pitous face pale of1 hewe
And truste wel his dreem he fand ful trewe
ifor on J>e morwe as sone as it1 was day
To his felawes In he tok1 J>e way 4216
And whan he com vnto J?is Oxe stalle
After his felawe he bigan to calle
The Ostiler answered him anon
And sayde sire ^oure felawe is y-gon 4220
CORPUS 675 (6-T. 288)
SIX-TEXT 289
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
As sone as day he wente out* of1 fe toun
This man gan falle in gret1 suspecion
Remembryng1 on his dreemes fat1 he mette
And for]? he go]) no lenger wolde he lette 4224
Ynto f e west* gate of1 fe toun and fonde
A dung1 carte as he wente to dunge fe londe /
fat1 was arrayed in fe same wyse
As ^e han herde fe deede man deuyse 4228
And wij? an hardy herte he gan to crye £ieaf 250, back]
Vengaunce and Justice of1 Jris felonye
My felawe murdred is fis same night
And in Jns cart1 he lyf gapyng1 vprighf 4232
PCrie oute on be mynistris quod he CM7S ^1. 7333 (Shirley's),
* J leaf 113, col. 1. AW w
»at shulde kepe and rewle fis citee %£&
Harrow alias here lith my felaw slayn) ka/285.]
What shuld I more vn-to this tale sayn) 4326
};e peple out sterte / & caste fe carte to grounde
And in the medil of the donge J>ei fozmde] [Hari. extract ends]
The deede man J?att murdred was al newe
0 blisful god Jjat1 art1 so iuste and trewe / 4240
Lo how Jjat1 J?ou bywreyest1 murdre alway
Murdre wole out1 fat1 se we day by day
Mordre is so wlatsom and abhomiriable
To god Jjaf is so iuste and resonable 4244
That1 he wol not1 sunre it1 hiled be
They itt abyde a 3eer or tuo or fre
Mordre wole out1 Jris is my conclusion
And right1 anon ministres of1 J>e toun 4248
And hente )>e cartere and sore him pyned
And eek1 fe osteller so ferre engyned
That ]>ey beknewe here wickednesse anon
And weren hanged by J>e nekke boon 4252
Heer may men see fat1 dreemes ben to drede
And certes in J>e same book1 1 rede
Eight1 in fe nexte chapitre I rede of1 fis
1 gabbe nouglit/ so haue I ioye & blis 4256
CORPUS 676 (6-T. 289)
SIX-TEXT 290
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Tuo men fat1 wolde han passed f e see
ffor certein cause in-to a ferre cuntre
If1 fat1 f e wynde nad y-be contrary
J^at1 made hem in a Cite for to tary 4260
That1 stood ful mery vpon an hauen side
But1 on a day a^ens f e euen tyde
The wynd gan chaurige and blowen as him leste
lolyf1 and glad fey wenten vnto reste ~- 4264
And casten hem ful erly for to seyle
But1 herkne fat1 oo man felle in gret1 pereyle
That1 oon of1 hem in slepyng1 as he lay
Him mette a wonder dreme a^eins f e day 4268
Him fought1 a man stood by his beddes syde
And him comanded fat1 he schulde abyde
And seyde him fus if1 f ou to morwe wende Oeaf25i]
Thou schalt1 be draynt1 my tale is at1 an ende 4272
he awook1 and tolde his felawe what1 he mette
and prayed him his viage for to lette
As for fat1 day he prayde him to abyde
his felawe fat1 lay by his beddes syde 4276
Gan for to laughe and scorned him ful faste
No dreme quod he may myrc herte agaste
Jjat1 1 wol lette for to do my f inges
I sette nou^t1 a straw by f y dremynges 4280
ffor sweuenes ben but1 vanytes and Tapes
Men dreme alway of1 owles and of1 apes
And of1 many a mase f er-wif-aH
Men dremen of1 f ing1 fat1 neuer was ne schal 4284
But1 sifenes I se fat1 fou wolt1 here abyde
And fus forslowf en wilfully f e tyde
God wot1 it1 rewef me and haue good day
And thus he took1 his leeue and went1 his way 4288
And er fat1 he hadde half1 his cours y-sayled
Not1 1 nought1 why ne what1 meschaunce it1 ayled
But1 casuelly f e schippes botme rent1
And schip and man vnder f e water went1 4292
CORPUS 677 (6-T. 290)
SIX-TEXT 291
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
In sight1 of1 of er schippes him besyde
fat1 wif him seyled at1 f e same tyde
And f erfore he seyde Pe?*telote so deere
By suche ensamples olde maist1 f ou leere 4296
fat1 no man schulde be to recheles
Of1 dremes for I say f e dowteles
That1 many a dreem fol sore is for to drede
Lo in f e lyf1 of1 Seinf kenelme I rede 4300
fat1 was kenulphes sone f e noble king1
Of1 Mertenrike how kenelme met1 a ping1
A litel er was nmrdred on a day
His murdre in his avision he say 4304
His norice him expouned eury del
His sweuene and bad him for to kepe him wel
ffor treson but1 he was seuen ^eer old [leaf 251, back]
And f erfore litel tale haf he told 4308
Of1 eny dreem so holly was his herte
By god I hadde leuer fan my scherte
fat1 ^e hadde herde his legende as haue I
Dame pertelote I say 3011 trewely 4312
Macrobeus fat1 writ1 f e avisioun
In affryke of1 f e worf y Cyprioun
Affermef dremes and saif fat1 fay ben
"Warnyng1 of1 finges fat1 men after seen 4316
And furf ermore I pray 3011 lokef wel
f e olde testament of1 Daniel
If1 he heeld dreemes of1 any vanyte
Eeede eek1 of1 loseph and f er schuln ^e see 4320
Whef er dremes ben som tyme I say not1 alle
Warnyng1 of1 finges fat1 schuln after falle
Loke of1 Egypt1 f e king1 Daun Pharao
His baker and his botiler also 4324
Wher fey ne felten noon eifecte in dremes
Who so wol seche f e acte of1 sondry Eemes
May rede of1 dreemes many a wonder f ing1
Lo Cresus which fat1 was of1 lyde king1 4328
CORPUS 678 (6-T. 29l)
SIX-TEXT 292
GROUP B. § 14, NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS,
Mette lie 110113^ Jjafr he sat1 on a tree
Which signified he schulde anhanged be
Lo here adromacha Ectores wiff1
That1 day fat1 Ector schulde lese his lyff1 4332
Sche dreemed on fe same night1 byforn
How fat1 f e lyff1 of1 Ector schulde be lorn
If1 filke day he went1 in-to Eatayle
Sche warned him but1 it might1 nou^t1 auayle 4336
He wente for to feighten neuer fe les
But1 he was slayn of1 oon achilles
But1 jnlke tale is al to long1 to telle
And eek1 it is neigh day I may no^t1 dwelle 4340
Schortly I say as for conclusion
fat1 1 schal haue of1 jns auision
Of1 aduersitees and I say forfermore [leaf 252]
That1 1 nel telle of1 laxatifs no store 4344
ffor fey ben venymous I wot1 right1 wel
I hem diffye I lone hem neuer a del
Now let1 vs speke of1 myrf e and stynte al f is
Madame pertelote so haue I blis 4348
Of1 o f ing1 god me haf sent1 large grace
ffor when I se f e beaute of1 $our face
36 ben so skarlet1 reed aboute 3oure eyen
It1 make]) alle my drede for to deyen 4352
ffor al so siker as In principio
Mulier est1 howwVds confusio
Ma" dame ]>e sentence of1 f is latyn is
'Wowiman is mannes ioye and al his blys 4356
ffor whan I feele a night1 ^oure softe syde
Al be it fat1 1 may nought on ^ou ryde
ffor Jjat1 oure perche is maad so narwe alias
I am so fulle of1 ioye and solas 4360
That1 1 diffye boj>e sweuen and dreeni
And wij> fat1 word he neigh" doun fro fe beem
ffor it1 was day and eek1 his hennes alle
And wij> a chukke he gan hem for to calle 4364
CORPUS 679 (6-T,. 292)
SIX-TEXT 293
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS,
IFor lie had founde a corn lay in pe }erde
Real he was nomore aferde
He feperede pertelote twenty tyme
And tradde as ofte er it were prime 4368
He lokep as it1 were a grym lyotm
And on his toos he romed vp and down
Him deygned nou^fr to sette his feet1 on grounde
Ay chukked he whan he hadde a corn y-founde 4372
And to him panne ranne his wyfes alle
))us real as a prince in his halle
leue I pis Chaunteclere in his pasture
And after wol I telle of1 his aduenture 4376
When pe monpe in which pe world bigan
pat1 highte march when god ferst1 made man
"Was complete and passed were also [leaf 252, back]
Sepins marche bygan pritty dayes and tuo 4380
Bifelle pat1 Chaunteclere in alle his pryde
his seuen wyues walkyng1 him bysyde
Caste vp his eyen to pe brighte sonne
That1 in pe signe of Taurus was y-ronnef 4384
Twenty degrees . and oon and somwhaf more
He knew by kynde and by non oper lore
That1 it1 was pryme and crew wip blisful steuene
The sonne he sayde is clumben vp on heuene 4388
xl. degrees and oon and more y-wys
Madame pertelote my worldes blys
Herkne how pese blisful briddes synge
and see pe freisshe floures how pay springe 4392
iful is mjn herte of1 Reuel and solace
But1 sodeinly him fel a sorwful case
ffor euer pe latter ende of1 loye is sone ago
And comunly often tyme it1 fallep so 4396
And if1 a Rethor coupe faire endite
He in a Croniqwe mighte saufly write
As for a souereyn notabilite /
Now euery wise man herkene to me 4400
CORPUS 580 (6-T. 293)
SIX-TEXT 294
GKOUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
This story is also trewe I vndertake
As is J?e book1 of launcelot1 J?e lake
J?at* wowmen heelde in ful grefc1 reuerence
Now wol I torne a^ein to my sentence 4404
A kolle fox ful of1 sleigfrte and iniquite
T.iafr in fe groue had woned ^eeres jjre
By heih ymaginacion aforn caste
fe same night1 jmrghout1 J?e hegges braste 4408
I:\-to J?e yerde J>er Chaunteclere J>e faire
"Was wont1 and eek1 his wyfes to repayre
And in a bedde of1 worstes stille he lay
Til it1 was passed vndern of* j?e day 4412
Wayting1 his tyme on chaunteclere to falle
As gladly doon J?ese homicydes alle [leaf 253]
That1 in awayte ligge to murjjre men
O false murdrour roukyng1 in ]>y den 4416
O newe scariote and newe Genyloun)
ffals dissimulour 0 greke Synon
That1 broughtestf Troye outrely to sorwe
O Chaunteclere acorsed be j^at1 niorwe 4420
Jjat1 )?ou in J?e ^erde fley^e fro ]?e beemes
Thou were ful wel y-warned by fin derems
That1 ]>ilke day was perilous to J>e
But1 pat1 at1 god afore wot1 moot1 needes be 4424
After ]?e opynyon of certein clerkes
Witnesse on him fat1 any clerk/ is
That1 in scole gret1 altercacion
In ]ns matiere and gret1 disputeson 4428
And hajj ben of1 an hundred fousand men
But I ne can nou^t1 bulte it to ]?e bren
As can fe holy doctour augustyn
Or Boece or J>e Bisschoppe Bradwardyn 4432
Whejjer jjat/ goddes wille afore wetyng1
StreyneJ) me needely for to don a Jnng*
Needly clepe I simple necessite
Or elles if1 J>e free choys be gmunted me / 4436
CORPUS 681 (6-T. 294)
SIX-TEXT 295
GROUP B, § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
To do fat1 same ping1 or to do it nou^t
f ough god forwot1 it1 er it1 was y-wrought1
Or of1 his wetyng1 streignef neuer a del
But1 by necessite condicionel 4440
I wol not1 haue to doone of1 such matiere
My tale is of1 a cokk1 as }e schuln after heere
That1 took1 his counseil of1 his wyf1 wif sorwe
To walke in-to fe ^erd vppon f e morwe 4444
That1 he had mette f e dreem as I ^ou tolde
Wowmens counseiles ben ful ofte colde
"Wommans counseil brought1 vs ferst1 to wo
And made adam fro paradys to go 4448
f er as he was ful mery and wel at1 ese /
But1 for I not1 whom if might1 displese [leaf 253, back]
If1 1 councel of1 wommen wolde blame
Passe ouer I seyde it1 in my game 4452
Eede auctours wher fey trete of1 such matiere
And what1 fay sein of1 wommen 36 may heere
These ben f e cokkes wordes and nought myne
I can non harme of1 no wowman devyne 4456
ffayre in f e sande to baf e hire merily
lif pertelote and alle hire sustres by
A^ein J>e sonne and Chaunteclere so fre
Sange meriere fan )>e mere-may de in fe see 4460
ffor Physyalogus saij> witteiiy
How fat1 fey sungen wel and merily
And so bifelle as he cast1 his ye
amonges f e wortes vpon a butterflye 4464
He was war of1 f is ffox fat1 lay ful lowe
1F !N"o f ing1 ne luste him f anne for to crowe
But1 cryed anon kok1 kok1 and vp he sterte
As man fat1 was affray ed in his herte 4468
ffor naturelly a beste desire f to fle
ffro his contrarye if1 he may it1 se
fey he neuer hadde seye it erst1 wif his ye
This Chaunteclere when he gan him espye 4472
CORPUS 682 (8-T. 296)
SIX-TEXT 296
GROUP B, § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS,
he wolde han fledde but1 fat1 Jje fox anon
Sayde gentil sire alias what* wol 36 doon
Been 36 affrayed of1 me pat1 am ^oure freende
Certes sire fen be 36 vnheende 4476
IfH I. to 3011 wolde harme or vilanye
I am nought1 come 3oure councel to aspie
But1 trewely f e cause of1 my comynge
Was oonly to herkne how fat1 36 synge / 4480
ffor trewely 36 han as mery a steuene
As any aungel ha]) pat1 is in heuene
Ther-with 36 han in Physike more felynge
fat1 hadde boys or eny fat1 can synge 4484
My lord 3oure fader god his soule blesse
And eek1 3oure mooder of1 hire gentilnesse [leaf 254]
han in mjn hous I-ben ful wel at eese
and certes sire ful fayn wolde I 3ou pleese 4488
But1 for men speken of1 syngyng1 1 wolde seye
So mote I brouke myne eyen tweye
Saue 3ou I ne herde neuer man so synge
As dide 3oure fader in fe niorwenynge 4492
Certes it was of* herte al fat1 he sange
And for to make his voys f e more strange
He wolde so peyne him fat1 wif bof e his eyen
He moste wynke so lowde he dide cryen 4496
And standen on -his typtoos fer-wif-al
And strecche for]? his nekke long1 and smal
And eek1 he was of1 such discrecion
That* f er was no man in no region 4500
That him in song1 or wisdam mighte passe
I haue wel rad daun burnelle the asse
Among his vers fer was a kok1
ffor a prestes sone 3af) him a knok1 4504
Ypon his legges whil he was yong1 and nyce
He made* him for to leese his benefice
But1 certein f er is no comparison
BetAvixe fe wisdam and discrecion 4508
CORPUS 683 (6-T. 296)
SIX-TEXT 297
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Of1 ^oure fader and of1 his subtilte
Now syngef sire for seinte Charite
Let1 see conne 36 $oure fader countrefete
fis Chaunteclere his wynges gan to bete 4512
As man fat1 couf e his treson not1 aspye
So was he rauysscht1 wif his flaterye f Note bene
IF Alias 30 lordes many a fals flatour
Is in 3oure Court1 and many a losengour 4516
fat1 pleasen }ou more by my feif
Then he fat1 sof fastnesse vnto ^ou seif
Redef ecclesiastre of1 flaterie
Bef war 36 lordes of1 here treccherie 4520
This Chaunteclere stood heye vpon his toos
Strecching1 his necke and huld his eyen clos [leaf 254, back]
And gan to crowe lowde for f e nones
And daun Russel sterfr vp al at1 oones 4524
And by fe gargage hente Chaunteclere
And on his bak1 toward the woode him bere
ffor ^efr was pere noman J?atH him sewed
0 destyne fat1 mayst not1 ben eschewed 4528
Alias fat1 Chaunteclere fel fro J>e bemes
Alias his wyf1 ne roughte nought1 of1 dremes
And on a friday felle al fis nieschaunce
0 venus fat1 art1 goddesse of1 plesawnce 4532
Sef ines fat f i seruant was f is Chaunteclere
And in fin seruise dede al his powere /
More for delite fan f e world to multiplie
Why woldestow suffre him / on fin day to dye 4536
O Gaufrede deere maister souerayn
That1 whan f y worf y king1 Eichard was slayn
Wif schotte compleynedest1 his def so sore
Why ne hadde I now fin sentence and fin lore 4540
The friday for to chyde as deden 30 /
ffor on a ffriday schortly slayn was he
f enne wolde I schewe 3ou how fat1 1 couf e pleyne
ffor Chaunteclere and for his peyne 4544
CORPUS 684 (6-T. 297)
SIX-TEXT 298
GROUP B. § 14, NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS,
Certes such cry ne lamentacion
"Was of1 ladyes* maade whan yleon
Was wonne and Purris wif his streighte swerd
Whenne he hente king1 Pryam by fe herd 4548
And slayn him as seyde Enneydos
As maden alle f e hennes in f e cloos
Whan fey hadde seye of1 chaunteclere f e sight*
But1 soueraynly dame Pertelote schright1 4552
fiul lowder fen dede hasdrubaldes wyff1
Whan fat1 hire housbonde hadde lost1 his lyff1
And fat1 f e Eomayns had berud Cartage
Sche was so fulle of torment and of1 Rage 4556
fat1 wilfully in to f e fuyr sche sterte
And brend hir selue wij> a stedefast1 herte [leaf 255]
O wofulle hennes right1 so cryede $e
As whan fat1 Nero brende f e Cite 4560
Of1 Rome cryden f e Senatowrs wyfes
ffor fat1 here housbondes schulde leese here lyues
Wi]?outen gilte Nero haj? hem slayn
1T Now wole I turne vnto my tale agayn 4564
This seely widewe and hire doughtres tuo
Herden J?e hennes crien and make woo /
And out1 at1 J?e dore sterten pay anon
And sawe Jje fox toward Jje groue goon 4568
And bar vpori his bak1 J?e kok1 away
And cryden out harrow and weloway
A ha J>e fox and after him fay ran
And eek1 with staues many anofer man 4572
Ran colle oure dogge Talbot1 and Garlond
And Malkyn wij> hire distaf* in hire hond
Ran cow and calf1 and eek1 Jje verrey hogges
Sore aferde for berkyng1 of1 J?e dogges 4576
And schowtyng1 of1 men and of1 wommen eeke
fey ronne so her hert1 fey fought tobreeke
They yelleden as feendes don in helle
The dokes cryden as men wolde hem quelle 4580
40 CORPUS 685 (G-T. 298)
SIX-TEXT 299
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Out1 of1 f e huyues come f e swarm of1 bees
f e gees for feere flowen oner f e trees
So hidous was f e noyse a benedicite
Certes he lakke strawe and his meynee 4584
Ne maden neuere schoutes half1 so schrille
Whan fat1 fay wolden eny flemyng1 kille
As fat1 like day was maad vpon f e ffox
Of1 bras fey bronghte beemes and of1 Box 4588
Of1 home and boon in whiche fey pouped
And f er-wif al fey schriched and fey schouted
It1 semed as fat1 heuen schulde falle
Now goode men I pray ^on herknef alle 4592
Lo how fortune turnef sodeinly
The hope and eek1 fe pruyde of1 here enuye [leaf 255, back]
This Cok1 fat1 lay vpon f is foxes bak1
In alle his drede vnto fe fox he spak1 4596
And sayde sire if1 1 were as 36
3ett schuld I say as wis god helpe me
Turnef a^ein 36 proude cherles alle
A verray pestilence vpon $ou falle 4600
Now am I come vnto f is woodes syde
Maugre 3our heed f e cok1 schal here abyde
I wole him ete in feif and fat1 anon
The ifox answerde in feif it1 schal be don 4604
and [as] he spak1 fat1 word al sodeinly
This Cok1 brak1 fro his mouf delyuerly
An heigh vpon a tree he Heigh anoon
And whan f e fox saugh fat1 he was goon 4608
Alias qiiod he 0 Chaunteclere alias
I haue quod he don to 3ow a trespas
In als moche as I made 3ou afferd
"When I 3ou hente and brought out1 of1 fe 3crd 4612
But1 sire I dede it nought in no wicked entent1
Come doun and I schal telle 3ou what I ment
I schal 3ou seye sof god helpe me so /
Nay fanne <\uod he I schrewe vs bofe tuo / 4616
CORPUS 686 (6-T. 299)
SIX-TEXT 300
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Corpus MS.
And ferst1 I schrewe my self1 bo]>e blood and bones
If1 jjou begile me ofter fan ones /
Thou schalt1 nomore wif fin flaterye
Do me to synge and wynke wif myn ye 4620
ffor he fat1 wynke)) whan he schulde se
As wisly god let1 him neuer f e
Nay quod f e fox god }iue him meschaunce
That1 is so vndiscret1 of1 gouerna^nce 4624
fat1 ianglef whan he schulde haue pees
Lo suche it is for to be recheles /
and necligenf and trustef on flaterye
But1 30 fat1 halden f is tale a folye 4628
As of1 a fox and of1 a colt1 and an hen
Take]) J>e moralite goode men [leaf 256]
ffor seint1 poule saij) / alle fat1 writen is
To oure doctrine / it is y- writen y-wis 4632
Take]) J)e fruit/ and letej) J?e chaff be stille
Now goode god if1 J>af it1 be J)in wille /
As seif my lord so make vs alle goode men
And bringe vs alle to his heihe blisse ameN 4636
Here endej) fe Nonne prestes tale
CORPUS 587 (6-T. 300)
GEOUP H. FEAGMENT IX,
§ 1, THE MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK.
CORPUS MS.
[o« zea/256] Here folwef fe P/ologe of1 fe man-
1F ciples tale Cam xxiij"3
WOt1 30 not1 wher fer stant/ a litel toun
Which fat1 is cleped Bobbe vp and down
vnder f e Blee in Caunterbery way
Ther gan oure Oste for to lape and play 4
And sayde syres what1 donne is in f e myre
Is no man for preyer ne for huyre
That1 wole awake oure felawe be-hynde /
A f eef1 might1 him ful lightly robbe and bynde 8
Se how he nappef se for goddes bones
J)af he wol falle fro his hors at1 ones
Is fat1 a Cook1 of1 london wif meschance
Do him come forth he knowef his penance ^. 12
ffor he schal telle a tale by my fey
Al fough it be nought1 worj) a hotel hey
Awake ]?ou Cook1 quod he god ^iue ])e sorwe
What eylej) )>e to slepe by jje morwe 16
hast1 J?ou had fleen al night1 or art1 jjou drunke
Or hast1 jjou wij> som quene al night1 y-swunke
So fat1 Jjou mayst1 nought1 holden vp ]?in heed
This Cook1 fat1 was ful pale and no fing1 reed 20
Seyde oure Ost1 so god my soule blesse
As fer is falle on me such heuynesse
Not1 I nou3t1 why me were leuer to slepe
Then fe beste galon of1 wyii in Chepe 24
CORPUS 588 (6-T. 576)
SIX-TEXT 577
GROUP H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Corpus MS.
Wei qiiod J?e maunciple if1 it1 Jje may don ese 25
To ]?e sir Cook1 and to no wight1 displese
Which Jmt1 heer rydejj in J)is companye /
And Jjat1 oure host1 wole of1 his curtesye 28
I wole as now excuse Jje of1 J>in tale [leaf 256, back]
ffor in good feij) ]?i visage is ful pale
Thin eyen dasewen sojjly as me j>inke]?
And wel I woot1 J?i brej? ful soure stinkej) 32
That1 schewejj wel pou art1 nought1 wel disposed
Of1 me certeyn ])ou schalt1 nought1 ben y-glosed
Se how he goneth lo his drunken wight1
As Jjough he wolde vs swolwe anon right1 36
hald clos Jjin mou]? man by pyn fader kyn
The deuyl of1 helle sette his foot1 ]?erin
This cursed breth wol infecte vs alle
ffy stynkynge swyn fy foule mote j?e falls 40
Take)} heede sires of1 Jus lusty man
Now sweete sire wole 36 iuste at1 Jje van
Ther-to me penkej? 36 ben wel y-schape
I trowe Jjat1 36 haue drunken wyn ape 44
And Jjat1 is whan men pleye wijj a straw /
And wij) his speche Jje Cooke wax alwraw
And on J>e maunciple bygan he nodde faste
ffor lakke of1 speche and doun jje hors him caste 48
Wher as he lay til pat1 men him vp took1
This was a fayr Chiuacheef1 of1 a cook1
Alias he ne hadde holde him by his ladel
And er Jjat1 he a3ein were in his sadel 52
Ther was a gret1 schowuyng1 bo]?e to and fro
To lifte him vp and mochil care and woo
So vnweldy was ]>is sely pallede goste
And to Jje maunciple Jjenne spak1 oure Oste 56
By cause jjat1 drynke haj> dominacion
Vpon Jjis man by my Sauacion
I trowe he lewedly wolde telle Ms tale
ffor were it1 wyn or olde or moysty ale 60
CORPUS 689 (6-T. 577)
SIX-TEXT 578
GROUP H, § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Corpus MS,
That1 lie haf drunke he spekejj so in his nose / 61
And fnesej) faste and eek1 he ha]) fe pose
lie hath also to don more fan ynough
To kepe him and his capel out* of1 J>e slougn" 64
And if1 he falle fro his capil eft1 sone / Peaf 257]
Thenne schulle we alle haue ynough to doone
In liftyng1 vp his heuy drunken cors
Telle on fin tale of1 him make I no fors 68
But1 ^it1 maunciple in feif f ou art1 to nyce
Thus openly to reproue him of1 his vice
Anof er day he wole perauenture
Eeclayme f e and bringen f e to lure 72
I mene he speke wole of1 smale f inges
And for to pynchen at1 fine rekenynges
That* were not1 honeste if1 it1 come to pref1
No qiiod f e maunciple fat1 were a gret1 meschief1 76
So might1 he "bringe me in to f e snare
Yet1 hadde I leuer payen for f e mare
Which he ryt1 on fan he schulde wif me stryue
I wol not1 wraf f e him so mote I jjryue 80
fat1 Jjat1 1 spak1 1 seyde it1 in my "bourde
And wite $e wel I haue heer in my gourde
A draught1 of1 wyn ye of1 a rype grape
And right1 anon 36 schullen seen a good lape * 84
This Cook1 schal drynke J>er-ofH if1 1 may
vp peyne of1 my lyf1 he wol not1 say nay
And certeinly to tellen as it/ was
Of1 ]>is vesseH J?e Cook1 drank1 faste alias 88
"What1 needej) it1 he drank1 ynough aforn
And whan he hadde pouped in his horn
To ]>e maunciple he took1 J?e gourde again
And of1 Jjat1 drynke J?e cook1 was wonder fayn 92
And jjanked him in such wise as he cowde
Then gan oure Oste to lawhe wonder lowde
And sayde I se wel it1 is necessarie
Where fat1 we goon good drink1 wij> vs to carie 96
CORPUS 590 (6-T. 578)
SIX-TEXT 579
GROUP H, § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Corpus MS.
flbr Jjatt wol tourne rancour and disese 97
To acord and lone and many a word to peese
O Bachus y-blessed be Jjy name
J?at so canstf tome ernest1 in to game 100
Worschipe and Jjonke be to ]>y deite [leaf 257, back]
Of* Jjafr matiere ne gete 36 nomore of1 me
Tel on j)i tale J?ou manciple I J?e preye
Wei sire quod he now kerknej? what1 I seye IF Explic/t
prologus
CORPUS 691 (6-T. 679)
SIX-TEXT 580
GROUP H, § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS,
w
[on fee/257, &o<*] Incipzfr fabwla
"han phebus dwelde heer in )>is er]?e adoun
As olde booke maken menciozm 106
he was J?e moste lusty bachiler
Of/ alle Jje world and eek* fe best1 archeer
he slough Phyton J?e serpent/ as he lay
Slepyng1 agayn f e sonne vpon a day
And many anofer noble worjjy dede /
He wij? his bo we brought as men nowe rede 112
Pleyen he coujje of1 euery menstralcye
And syngen fat1 it was a melodye
To heeren of* his cleere voys J)e soun
Certes Jje king1 of* Thebes amphyown 116
That1 wif his syngyng1 walled jjat1 Cite
Cowde neuer syngen half1 so wel as he
Therto he was ]?e semlyeste man
Jjafr is or was si])en }>e world bygan 120
What1 needej) it1 his fetures to discryue
ffor in ]?is world was non so fair on lyue
he was J>er-wiJ) fulfild of1 gentilnesse
Of1 honour and of parfyte worjjinesse 124
This Phebus fat1 was flour of* Bachelrye
As wel in freedam as in Chiualrie
ffor disporte in signe eek1 of1 victorie
Of1 Phyton so as tellej) vs J>e storye 128
Was worjjy to beren in his hond a bowe /
Now hadde J>is Phebus in his ho us a crowe
Which in a cage he fostred many a day
And taught1 it1 speke as fat1 men teche a lay 132
CORPUS 592 (6-T. 680)
SIX-TEXT 581
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
was Jris Crowe as is a snow whit1 swan 133
And countrefeted j?e speche of* euery man
he cowde when he schulde telle a tale
Ther-wijj in al J?e world no nightyngale 136
Ke cou]>e by an hundred jjousend deel [leaf 258]
Syngen so wonderly meryly and weel
Now hadde J>is Phebus in his hous a wyf1
Which j>af he loued more pan his owne lyfH 140
And nighf and day dyd euer his diligence
Hir for to plese and don hire reuerence
Saue oonly if* Jje soj) J?af I schal sayn
Gelous he was and wolde haue kept1 hire fayn 144
ffpr him were lo]> by-lap ed for to be
And so euery wight1 in such degre
But1 al for nou^t1 for if auaylej? nou^t1
A good wyff1 jjat is clene of1 werk1 and fought 148
Schulde nought1 be kepte in non awayte certain
And trewely J>e labour is in vayn
To kepe a schrewe for it wol nou^t1 be
This halde I for a verray nycete 152
To spille labour for to keepe wyues
Thus writen olde Clerkes in here lyues
But1 now to purpos as I first1 bigan
This wor)>y Phebus do]? al j?afr he can 156
To plesen hyre wenyng1 by such plesance
And for his manhode and his gouemance
That1 no man schulde haue put him fro hir grace
But1 god it1 woot/ jjer may no man enbrace 160
As to distreyne a Jnng1 which jjat nature
Haj) naturelly sette in a creature
Take eny bryd and put it1 in a kage
And do al ])in entent and )>y corage 164
To fostre it tendrely wij) mete and drinke
Of1 alle deyntees jjat1 J>ou canst1 by))inke
Arid keepe it/ also clenly as jjou may
Al Jiough his cage of1 golde be neuer so gay 168
CORPUS 693 (6-T. 681)
SIX-TEXT 582
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
^et1 haj) J>is bridde by .xx. fousand folde • 169
Leuer in a fforest1 Jjat1 is wilde and colde
Gon ete wormes and such wrecchedenesse
ffor euer jjis bridde wol doon his busynesse 172
To eskape out1 of1 his cage when he may [leaf 253, back]
his liberte ]?e bridde desire]) ay
Let1 take a catte and fostre him wel wij? melk1
An tendre fleissch and make his couche of1 selk1 176
And let1 him seen a mous go by J>e walle
And anon he weyuej? milke fleissche and alle
And euery deynte fat1 is in fat1 hous
Such appetyt1 haf sche to ete a mous 180
Lo he[re] haf luste his dampnacion
And appetyt1 flemyth diserecion
As f e wolf1 haf also a vyleyns kynde
The lewedeste wolf* fat1 sche may fynde 184
Of1 lest1 of1 reputacion J?atf wol sche take
In tyme whan hire luste to haue a make
Alle Jjise ensamples speke I by ]>ese men
That1 ben vntrewe and noting1 by wommen 188
ffor men han euere a likerous appetyfr
On lowere Jjing1 to parforme here delytt
Then on here wyfes ben fay neuer so fayre
Ne neuer so trewe ne so debonaire 192
ffleissche is so newefongul wij? meschance
That1 we ne konne in no Jung1 han plesance
That1 sowne)) in to vertu eny while
This Phebus which Jjat1 fought1 vpon no gile 196
Desceyued was for alle his lolite
ffor vnder him anofer hadde sche
A man of1 litel reputacion
Nought1 worj) to Phebus in comparison 200
The more harm it1 is it1 happej) ofte so
Of1 which Jjer come]? mochil harme and wo
And so bifelle whan Phebus was absent1
His wif1 anon haj> for hir lemman sent1 204
CORPUS 594 (6-T. 682)
SIX-TEXT 583
GROUP H, § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS,
Hire lemman certes f is is a kauissch speche 205
ffor^iuef it me and fat1 1 30 u beseche
The wyse Plato saif as ^e may rede
f e worde moot1 need acorde wif f e dede 208
^if1 men schal telle proprely a fing1 [leaf 259]
The word moot1/ cosyn be to f e workyng1
I am a boystous man riht1 f us say I
Ther is no difference trewely 212
Betwix a wyf1 fat1 is of* heih degre
If1 of* hire body dishoneste sche be
And a pouere wenche othir fan f is
If1 it1 so be fey werke bo)?e amys 216
But1 fat1 f e gentil is in staaf aboue
Sche schal be cleped his lady as in loue
And for fat1 of er is a pouer womman
Sche schal be cleped his wenche or his lemman 220
And god it1 woot1 rnyrc owne deere brof er
Men leyn fat1 oon as lowe as lijj fat1 o]>er
Eight1 so betwixe a titles tyraunt1
And an outlawe or a feef1 erraunt1 224
The same I say fer is no difference /
To alisaundre was tolde fis sentence /
That1 for fe tyraunf is of1 grettere might
By force of1 meyne for to sleen down right1 228
And brenne hous and home and make al playn
Lo ferfore is he cleped a Capitayn
1F And for fe outlawe haf but1 smal nieigne
And may not1 doon so gret1 an harm as he 232
Ne bringe a Centre to so gret1 mescheef1
Men clepen him an outlawe or a feef1
But1 for I am a man not1 texted wel
I wol not1 telle of1 Tytus neuer a deel 236
I wol go to my tale as I began
Whan Phebus [wyf] hadde sent1 for hire lemman
Anon fey wroughten alle here lust1 volage
This white crowe fat1 heng1 ay in f e kage 240
CORPUS 596 (6-T. 683)
SIX-TEXT 584
GKOUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
Bihelde hire werk* and seyde neuer a word 241
And whan J?at home was come Phebus ]?e lord
This crowe sange cokkow cokkow cokkow
What1 bryd quo]* Phebus what* song1 syngest* foil 244
Ne were f ou wont1 so meryly to synge [leaf 259, back]
fat* to mjn herte it1 was a reioisschinge
To here f i voys alias what1 song1 is f is
By god quod he I synge nought amys 248
Phebus quod he for al f i worj)inesse
ffor alle f y beaute and f yn gentilnesse
ifor alle f i song1 and al f i menstralcye
ffor al fi waytyng1 blered is fin ye 252
Wif on of1 litel reputacion
Nought1 worf to f e as in comparison
f e mountance of* a gnatte so mote I f riue
ffor on f y bed fy wyff / I say him swyue 256
What* wole 30 more ]>e crowe anon him tolde
By sadde tokenes and by wordes bolde
How fat* his wyf* hadde doon hire leccherie
him to gret* schame and to gret* vilanye 260
And tolde him ofte he say it* wij> his eyen
J?is Phebus gan awayward for to wryen
him fought* his sorwful herte brast a tuo /
His bowe he bente and sette ]?er-Inne a floo 264
And in his Ire J?an haj) he his wif* y-slayn
This is J?effecte J>er is nomore to sayn
ffor sorwe of* which he brak* his mynstralcye
Boj>e harpe and lewte gyterne and Sawterye 268
And eek* he brak* his arwes and his bowe
And after J?at* J)us spak* he to ])e crowe
Traytour qiwd he wi]) tonge of* Scorpion
Thou hast* me brought to my confusion 272
Alias J?at* I was wrought* why nere I ded
0 deere wyf* o gemme of* lustyhed
That* were to me so sadde and eek* so trewe
Now lyes j)ou deed wijj face pale of* he we / 276
CORPUS 696 (6-T. 684)
SIX-TEXT 585
GROUP H. § 2, MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
fful gulteles fat1 durst1 1 swere ywys 277
O rakel hound to don so foule amys
0 trouble witte .0. Ire recheles
That1 vnauysed smytest1 gulteles / 280
0 wan-truste ful of1 fals suspecion. [leaf 2603
Where was f y witte and f i discrecion
0 euery man be war of1 rekelnesse
Kev trowe noting1 wif outen strong1 witnesse 284
Smyt1 no^t1 to sone er fat1 f ou wite why
And be auysed wel and soburly
Or 36 doon eny execucion
Ypon 3oure Ire for suspecion 288
Alias a J>ousand folk1 han rakel Ire
ffully fordoon or brought1 hem in f e myre
Alias for sorwe I wil my selue slee
And to fe crowe 0 false feef1 sayde he 292
1 wol f e quyte anon f y false tale
f ou songe whilom lyk1 a nightyngale
Now schalt1 f ou false f eef1 f i song1 forgon
Eeke fin white feferes euerichon 296
!Ne neuer in alle f i lyue schalt1 f ou speke
Thus schal men on a traitour ben awreke
Thou and fin hospreinge euere schuln be blake
Ne neuere swete noyse schul }e make / 300
But1 euer crye agayn tempest1 and reyn
In toknyng1 fat1 f urgh f e my wyf1 was slayn
And to f e crowe he sterte and fat1 anon
And pulled his white feferes euerychon 304
and made him blak1 and reft1 him alle his song1
And eek1 his speche and out1 at1 f e dore him slonff
vnto f e deuel which I him betake /
And for f is caas ben alle crowes blake 308
Lordynges by f is ensample I 3ou preye
Bef war and takef keepe what1 fat1 30 seye
Ne tellef neuer no man) in 3 our lyfF/
how fat1 anofer man haf dight1 his wyf1 312
CORPUS 697 (6-T. 585)
SIX-TEXT 586
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
He wole }ow haten mortelly certein 313
Daun Salomon as wise clerkes sein
Techep a man to kepe his tonge wel
But1 as I sayde I am nought text1 wel 316
But napeles Jms taughte me my dame [leaf 250, back]
My sone penk1 on pe erowe a goddes name
My sone keepe wel pi tonge and kepe py frende
A wikked tonge is worse pan a feende 320
My sone ffrom a feend men may hem blesse
My sone god of1 his endeles goodnesse /
Walled a tonge wi]> teep and lippes eeke
ffor man schulde him auyse what1 he speeke 324
My sone ful ofte for to mochel speche
ha]? many a man be spilt1 as clerkes teche
But* for litel speche auysily
Is no man schent1 to speke generally 328
My sone py tonge schuldest1 pou restreigne
At1 alle tyme but1 whan pou dost1 py peyne
To speke of* god in honour and preyere
The ferste vertu sone if1 pou wolt1 lere 332
Is to restreyne and kepe wel pi tunge
Jjus lernen children whanne pey ben ^onge
My sone of mochel spekyng1 euel auysed
Ther lasse spekyng1 hadde ynougfr suffised 336
Comep mochil harm pus was me told and taught
In mochil speche synne wantep naught
Wostow wher-of1 a rakil tonge seruep
Eight1 as a swerd forkuttep and forkeruep 340
An arm a tuo my deere sone right so
A tunge kuttep frendschipe al a tuo
A ianglere is to god abhominable /
Eede Salamon so wys and honorable / 344
Rede Dauyd and his psalmys red senekke
My sone speek1 nought* but1 wip pin heed pou bekke
Dissimule as pou were defe if1 pat1 pou heere
A Tangier speke of1 perilous mateere / 348
CORPUS 598 (6-T. 586)
SIX-TEXT 587
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Corpus MS.
J?e flemyng1 sai]> and lerne it if1 Jje leste 349
Jjat lytel langelynge cause]) mechel reste
My sone if* ]?ou no wickede word hast1 seyd
]>e far no^t1 drede for to be bywreyd 352
But1 he fat1 ha]) myssayd I dar wel sayn [leaf 26i]
he may by no way clepe his word agayn
Thing1 fat1 is sayde is sayde and for]) it1 go])
Though him repente or be him iieuer so loj) 356
he is his fralle to whom faf he ha]) sayd
A tale of1 which he is now yuele payd
My sone be war and be nou^t auctour newe
Of tydynges whefer fay ben fals or trewe 360
Wher so fou come amonges heihe or lowe
Kepe wel fy tunge and fenk1 vpon J)e crowe Explicit1
fab?da rnawcipii
CORPUS 599 (6-T. 687)
GKOUP I. FKAGMENT X.
§ 1. THE BLANK-PAKSON LINK.
[.This it really a link between some unwritten Tale and the Parson's. It has been
made into the Manciple-Parson Link (or Yeoman-Parson by the Christ-Church MS)
by Chaucer' » copiers, though not meant for it.']
CORPUS MS.
Here bygynnef fe prologe of1 fe parson [
By fat1 f e maunciple hadde his tale ended Cam xxiiijm
The sonne fro f e souf syde is descended
So lowe fat1 he was nought4 to my sight
Degrees xxix as of1 highte / 4
Ten of1 f e clokke it1 was so as I gesse /
ffor xj foote a lytel more or lesse
My schadwe was at1 filke tyme as fere /
Of1 suche feet1 as my lengf e parted were / 8
In six foote equal ofH proporcion
Ther-wif f e mones exaltacion
I mene libra alwey gan ascende
As we were entryng1 at* a thropes ende 12
ffor wij> oure Oste as he was wont1 to gye
As in f is caas oure ioly companye /
Sayde in f is wise lordynges euerychon
Now lakkef vs no tale more fan 0011 16
ffulfild is my sentence and my degre
Who wile now telle a tale let1 se
Almost1 fulfilled is mjn ordynaunce
I pray to god so 3iue him right1 good chance 20
fat1 tellef f is tale to vs lustely
Sire prest1 quod he art1 f ou a vicary
Or art1 f ou a person say sof by f y fey
Be what1 foil be ne breke nought1 oure pley 24
CORPUS 600 (6-T. 589)
SIX-TEXT 590
GROUP I, § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK. Corpus MS.
ffor euery man saue f ou haf told his tale 25
ynbokele and schewe vs what1 is in f y male [leaf 201, back]
ffor trewely me f enkef ~by f y cheere
Thou scholdest1 knette vp wel a grot1 matiere 28
Telle vs a fable anon for cokkes bones
This person answered al at1 oones
Thou getesfr fable non y-tolde for me
ffor Poule fat1 write J? vnto Thimothe 32
Repreuef hem fat1 wayuen sof fastnesse
And tellen fables and such wrecchednesse
Whi schulde I schewen draff1 out1 of* my feste /
Whan I may schewen whete if1 fat1 me leste 36
ffor which I saye if1 fat1 foil luste to heere
Moralite and vertuous matiere
And f enne fat* }e woln $iue me audience
I wol ful fayn at1 cristes reuerence / 40
Don ^ou plesaunce lefful as I can
But1 trustef wel I am a sothryn man
I can nought geste rom ram ruf1 by lettrc
Ne god wot1 rym holde I but1 lytel bettre 44
And f erfore if1 3011 luste I wol nought1 glose
I wol $ou telle a mery tale in prose
To knitte vp al f is feste an ende
And ihesii for his grace witte me sende 48
To schewe 3ou f e wey in f is visage
Of1 f like pc^'fyt1 glorious pilgrimage
That1 highte lerusalem Celestial
And if1 30 vouche sauf1 anon 30 schal 52
Bygynne vpon my tale for which I preye
Telle $oure avis I can no bettre seye
But1 naf eles fis meditacion
I putte it ay vnder correction 56
Of1 clerkes for I am nought text1 wel
I take but1 f e sentence trustel wel
f erfore I make protestacion
That1 1 wol stonde to correction 60
41 CORPUS 601 (6 T. 590)
SIX-TEXT 591
GROUP I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK. CoipUS MS.
Vppon fis word we han assented sone C
[for as hit semed / hit was for to doone gj^]1- Seld- B- H>
to enden / in som ve/'tuous sentence
and for to yeve him space / and audience 6r4
and bad oure Oste / he shulde to him say
that alle we / to telle his tale him pray
oure Oste had the wordes / for vs alle
sir prest quod, he / now faire yow befalle 68
sey what yow luste / and we wol gladly here
and with that worde / he seide in this nianere
telleth qwod he / youre meditacioun
but hasteth yow / the sonne wol a-doun 72
beth fructuous / and that in litel space
and to do wel / god sende yow his grace .
Here endith the person his prolog] ^f^Ao' B l*
CORPUS 602 (6-T. 691) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
592 SIX-TEXT
CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PART I.
THE PARSON'S TALE.
A TREATISE ON PENITENCE, IN 3 PARTS :
Part I. On Penitence, and its 1st requisite Contrition (A) (p.
593-612).
Part II. On its 2nd requisite, Confession (B) (p. 612—679).
Part III. On its 3rd requisite, Satisfaction (C) (p. 679 — 684), with
the Writer's Leave-taking and Retractations (p. 684-85).
PART I. (p. 593—612).
ON PENITENCE, AND ITS IST REQUISITE, CONTRITION.
Proem on Jeremiah vi. 16. The Tale is to be on Penitence as a full
noble way to lead folk to Christ, and is to treat of
i. 'what is Penitence' (p. 594).
ii. ' whennes it is cleped Penitence '. [not in the Tale."]
iii. ' in how manye maneres been the acciowns or werkynges of
Penitence' (p. 594-5).
iv. ( how many speces ther been of Penitence ' (p. 595).
v. ' whiche thynges apertenen and bihouen to Penitence' (p. 595 —
682 : nearly all Parts I and III, and all Part II).
vi. 'whiche thynges destourbe/i Penitence' (at end of Part III,
p. .682) (p. 593).
i. Penitence defined, by a. St Ambrose ; b. 'som doctour' ; c. the
writer. Its requisites : 1. bewailing of sins ; 2. purpose to
have shrift, to do satisfaction, never to sin again, to continue
in good works (p. 594).
[ii. not given.]
iii. The 3 actions of Penitence : 1. Baptism after sin ; 2. not to do
deadly sin after baptism ; 3. not thus to do venial sin (p. 594-95).
iv. The 3 speces or kinds of Penitence : 1. Solemn (to be put out of
church, or do open penance) ; 2. Common (to go naked on pil
grimage) ; 3. Private (p. 595).
v. The 3 necessities or requisites for Penitence (p. 596—682) :
A. Contrition of heart (p. 596—612).
B. Confession of mouth (Part II, p. 612—679).
C Satisfaction (Part III, p. 679—682).
Penitence avails against 3 things, by which we wrath Christ (p. 595).
A. Contrition is the root of Penitence, whose stem bears branches
and leaves of Confession, and fruit of Satisfaction.
Contrition also bears a seed of grace, whose heat draws men to
God. (Simile of the child and his nurse's milk.)
Penance is the tree of life (p. 596).
Four Points to be known about Contrition :
1. What it is ; 2. the causes that move a man to it ; 3. how to
be contrite ; 4. what it avails the soul (p. 597).
2. The 6 Causes that should move a man to Contrition :
a. Remembrance of Sins (p. 597-8).
b. Whoso does sin is the Thrall of Sin (p. 598-99).
c. Dread of the Day of Doom and the Pains of Hell (p. 599 — 604).
These described : the Doom (p. 599-600) ; Job's < lond of
mysese and of derknesse' (p. 600-1) ; the 3 shames in hell
against (1) ' Honours, (2) delices, and (3) richesses' (p. 611) ;
poverty in 4 things : no treasure, food, clotliing, or friends
(p. 602) ; and no delights of the 5 senses. The pain shall be
eternal (p. 603). Hell is orderless (p. 603-4). The 7 causes
why the damnd have lost all hope (p. 604).
d. Remembrance of the good works we've left undone, and the
loss of the good works done while we were in sin (p. 604-6).
Deadly sin wipes out all good works formerly done (p. 605) ;
and no good works can be done hi deadly sin (p. 605-6).
The new French song, J'ai tout perdu mon temps (also
quoted in Chaucer's late poem of Fortune}.
43 (FOR CORPUS eoa)
592 SIX-TEXT
CONTENTS OP PARSON'S TALE. PART II.
e. Remembrance of Christ's suffering for our sins (p. 606). In
man's sin. every ordinance is turnd up-so-down (p. 607).
For this disorder Christ sufferd (p. 608).
/. The hope of 3 things : 1. Forgiveness of Sins, 2. the Gift of
Grace to do well, 3. the Glory of Heaven (p. 609).
3. How to be contrite. Contrition must be universal and total :
for sins of thought, for desires against God's law, for wicked
words as well as wicked deeds (p. 610). Contrition must be
angwishous and continual (p. 609-11).
4. How Contrition helps the soul. It sometimes delivers a man
from sin ; destroys the prison of hell ; cleanses the soul ;
changes the son of Wrath to the son of Grace (p. 611-12).
PART II (no. v. continued).
B. CONFESSION (THE 2ND REQUISITE FOR PENITENCE)
(p./612— 679).
B. Confession. § 1. (1. 317) 'what is confession' (p. 612).
§ 2. ' wheither it oghte nedes be doon or noon ' (p. 672-9).
§ 3. 'whiche thynges been couenable to \eway Confession' (p.
674-79).
CONFESSION, § 1.
1. * Confession is verray shewynge of synnes to the preest'
(1. 318) (p. 612). We must understand too
a. (1. 321) * whennes that synnes spryngen ' (p. 612 — 15).
b. 'how they encreessen' (p. 615-16; 672-74).
c. 'whiche they been' (p. 616—672).
l.o. Sin sprang from the fall of Adam (p. 612). The legend of
Adam and Eve told (p. 613). From Adam we took Original
Sin, and were born sons of eternal damnation ; but Baptism
rescues us ; though we keep liability to temptation, or Con
cupiscence (p. 613-14).
Concupiscence, or the nourishing and occasion of ski. St Paul
and St Jerome's temptations (p. 614-15).
1.6. How Shi grows in a man. 1. by Concupiscence; 2. Subjec
tion to the Devil; 3. Hesitation; 4. Doing, the Sin be
coming Actual (p. 615-16).
I.e. Sin is a. venial, /3. deadly (or mortal).
a. 1. Venial Sin denned. It skips into Deadly Sin. (Simile
of the drops of water into a vessel's hold drowning
the ship ;) (p. 616).
ft. 1. Deadly Sin defined (p. 617).
a. 2. Of divers small venial sins, hardly thought sins (p. 617-
18) ; eating, drinking, talking, top much ; using your
wife too much ; not visiting the sick (p. 617) ; talking
vanities at church, &c. (p. 618). Cure of venial sins
by love to Christ, prayer, confession, good works, re
ceiving the Sacrament, holy- water, &c. (p. 618).
I.e. j3. 2. The Seven Deadly Sins. The Chieftains, head and
spring, of all other Sins (p. 619).
i. Pride (p. 619-26), and its Remedy (p. 626-8).
ii. Envy (p. 628-30), and its Remedy (p. 630-1).
iii. Ire or Anger (p. 631-42), and its Remedy (p. 642-5).
iv. Accidie or Sloth (Discontent, Ennui) (p. 645-49), and
its Remedy (p. 650-1).
v. Avarice or Covetousness (p. 651-7), and its Remedy
(p. 657-8).
vi. Gluttony (p. 658-9), and its Remedy (p. 660).
vii. Lechery (p. 660-8), and its Remedy (p. 668-72).
i. PRIDE (p. 619—626). Its 16 (and more) Twigs. 1. Disobedience,
2. Boasting, 3. Hypocrisy, 4. Despite, 5. Arrogance (p. 619),
6. Impudence, 7. Swelling of Heart (rejoicing in harm done),
8. Insolence, 9. Elation, 10. Impatience, 11. Contumacy, 12.
(FOR CORPUS 603 a)
592 SIX-TEXT
CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PART II.
Presumption, 13. Irreverence, 14. Pertinacity, 15. Vain-glory,
16. Jangling (chattering).
A private kind of pride (the Host's Wife's and Wife of Bath's1),
wanting to go to offering first, &c. (p. 620).
Two kinds of Pride, a. ' within man's heart ', b. without ; b. being
the sign of a., 'as the gaye leefsel atte Taverne is sign of the
wyn that is in the Celer'2 (p.^620-21), b. outside pride.
a. in dear clothing, 1. superfluity of it : its cost, furring, chisel-
holes, dragging in the dung, waste of material (p. 621), un-
fitness for giving to the poor : 2. scantness of it : showing
men's privy members, and buttocks (like a she-ape's rump),
and the former as half-flayd, in parti-colourd hose3. Tne
'outrageous array of Women ' (p. 623).
/3. in horses (p. 623), and vicious grooms to tend 'em; plate-
harness, &c.
y. in household : keeping too many retainers or servants, who
oppress the poor (p. 624).
8. in table : not asking the poor to feasts ; having burning and
ornamented dishes4; too costly cups, &c., and too choice
minstrelsy (p. 624).
What Pride sins are deadly, and what venial (p. 624).
The Sources of Pride (p. 624) : goods of Nature, Fortune, Grace
(p. 624). The Folly of Pride in any of these goods of Nature :
1 we ben alle of o fader and of o mooder, and . . of o nature ' 5.
The general signs of Gentleness. (The flies calld 'bees', and
their stingless king) (p. 625) ; 3 gifts of Grace ; 3 of Fortune.
The brittleness of popular praise6 (p. 626).
The Remedy against Pride.
Humility or Meekness, and its 3 kinds: in 1. heart, 2. mouth,
3. works. 4 kinds of each of these (p. 626-27).
ii. ENVY (p. 627-30) : defined by the Philosopher and St Augustine.
It springs from Malice (p. 627).
Malice ; 2 kinds of : 1. hardness of heart, or recklessness ; 2. op
posing truth (p. 627).
The 2 kinds of Envy (p. 628) : 1. sorrow at other men's prosper
ity ; 2. joy at other men's harm : whence comes
Backbiting ; 5 kinds (p. 628) : 1. praise with a but at the end ; 2.
turning well-meant things upside down to ill ones ; 3. lessening
a neighbour's goodness ; 4. putting one man above another ; 5.
glad listening to scandal (p. 628).
Grudging or murmuring (p. 628) : 1. against God (p. 629) ; 2.
Murmuring from avarice, 3. from pride, 4. from envy ; 5. among
Servants, who say 'the Devil's Paternoster'; 6. Murmuring
from ire or hate : thence, a. Bitterness of Heart, b. Discord,
c. Scorning; d. Accusing (p. 629) ; e. Malignity (p. 630).
The Remedy against Envy (p. 630-31).
Love of God and one's neighbour. How a man shall love his
neighbour. How an enemy is included in the name 'neigh-
631). Love is the medicine that casts out the venom of
bour' (p. 630). 3 Remedies of Love, against 3 deeds of Hate
(p. 631).
Lnvy from man's heart (p. 631).
iii. IRE or ANGER (p. 631-42), and its 2 lands : a. good Ire or Wrath
(p. 632) ; b. wicked Ire, and its 2 kinds : sudden ire, and ire
of malice aforethought (p. 632-33).
Three Shrews that forge in the Devil's furnace : Pride, Envy,
and Contumely (p. 633).
1 Melibe-Monk Link, B. § 11 ; and General Prologue, A.
2 Chaucer's father no doubt had a sign outside his wine-shop or tavern in Thames
Street, London.
3 The outspoken and somewhat coarse abuse of the new fashions in dress is a great
change from Chaucer's admirable Third-Period chaff of the moral short-comings of
tlie monks and friars, &c., in the Prologue and middle Tules. If this is not change of
man, it's change of mood.
* Chaucer must have seen plenty of these when he was pnge, valet, and squire.
s Compare Chaucer's Gentleness, &c. 6 Compare Clerk's Tale, Part VI, st. 135.
(FOR CORPUS 603 I)
SIX-TEXT 592
CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PART II.
"Wrath takes away a man's wit and spiritual life (p. 634).
Fruits of Wrath : 1. Hate. 2. War and wrong. 3. Manslaughter,
a. spiritual ; b. bodily (p. 634).
a. The 3 kinds of spiritual Manslaughter (3, calld 6 in MSS.
p. 634) : 1. by Hate. 2. by Backbiting. 3. Giving wicked
Counsel, by Fraud (p. 634).
b. bodily Manslaughter : slaying with your tongue, giving
orders or counsel to slay a man (p. 634).
Manslaughter in deed : its 4 (that is, 7) kinds (p. 635) : 1. by law :
a Justice condemning a man to death; 2. justifiable homicide,
in defence of one's own life ; 3. by misadventure : shooting an
arrow, &c. ; 4. a woman overlying her child ; 5. a man making
a woman barren by drinks, &c. , killing the foetus within her,
shedding his seed in the wrong place ; a woman killing the child
in her womb ; 6. a woman killing her child (after birth)* for
shame; 7. a man by lechery or blows killing a foetus.
(Sixteen) other sins coming from Ire or Anger.
1. blaming or despising God, as hazarders do (Cp. Pardoner's
Tale) (p. 635) ; and those who treat of the Sacrament of
the altar irreverently (p. 636).
2. Attry anger : making angry false excuses for sin.
3. Swearing, which dismembers Christ (p. 636).
a. Of lawful Swearing, before a Judge : its 3 conditions, and
its motives ; b. God's name and Christ's, not to be taken
in vain (p. 637) ; c. swearing for gentility or manliness
(p. 638) ; d. swearing suddenly; e. of Adjuration and
Conjuration by enchanters and necromancers ; /. of
Divination by Dreams, &c. ; g. of Charms for Wounds
and Maladies (p. 638).
4. Lying (p. 638), and its 6 kinds.
5. Flattering. How Flatterers are the Devil's Nurses, his
Enchanters and Chaplains (p. 639).
6. Cursing that comes of irous heart : Malison.
7. Chiding and Reproach (p. 640); (specially a chiding wife1)
(p. 640-41).
8. Scorning (p. 641).
9. Giving wicked Counsel
(p. 641).
10. Sowing and making Dis
cord (p. 642).
11. Double tongue (p. 642).
12. Betray ing of Counsel (p.
642).
13. Menace.
14. Idle words.
15. Jangling (chattering) (p. 642) .
16. Japing (joking) (p. 642-43).
The Remedy against Anger (p. 643-5). Debonairtee and Patience
(p. 643). Four kinds of grievances, and their remedies: 1.
wicked words, 2. loss of goods, 3. harm of body, 4. outrageous
labour (p. 644).
Incentives to Patience. Story of the Philosopher and Child
(p. 644-45). Obedience comes from Patience (p. 645).
iv. ACCIDIE, or SLOTH (Discontent, Ennui) (p. 645-49), is an enemy
to the 3 states of man, — 1. innocence (p. 645). 2. prayer (p. 646),
3. grace;— and to one's livelihood. Its 12 bad consequences (p.
646) : 1. Sloth (and its remedy) ; 2. Dread to begin good works
(p. 646) ; 3. Wanhope, or Despair (and its Remedy) (p. 647) ; 4.
Somnolence (p. 648), and 5. Negligence, or 6. Recklessness, and
the Remedy for each ; 7. Idleness ; 8. Tarditas, or tarrying
before turning to God (p. 649) ; 9. Lachesse, or giving up a
good work begun ; 10. Coldness; 11. Undevotion; 12. Worldly
sorrow (p. 649).
The Remedy against Accidie (p. 650-51) : Fortitude or Strength,
and its 5 kinds. 1. Magnanimity2 or great Courage ; 2. Faith
or Hope; 3. Assurance; 4. Magnificence; 5. Constancy (p.
651).
1 Does Chaucer here refer to his former wife ?
2 Miswritten ' Magnificence ' in Ellesmere and Lansdowne MSS.
(FOR CORPUS 604)
SIX-TEXT 592
CONTENTS OF PARSON^ TALE. PART II.
v. AVARICE (p. 651-57). The difference between Avarice and Coyet-
ousness (p. 651) ; and between an Idolater and an avaricious
man (p. 652). Of Covetousness, and lords' extortion from their
bondmen : "humble folk been Cristes freencles" (p. 652-53). The
Duty of lords to their thralls or churls. Of those that pillage
Holy Church (p. 653-54) ; lords who plunder the poor are like
wolves (p. 654). Of Deceit between Merchant and Merchant
(p. 654). Of honest bodily Merchandise (the surplus of one
country may be sent to help another) (p. 654). Of spiritual
Merchandise, or Simony, and its 2 kinds (p. 655), — thieves that
steal Christ's souls get livings (p. 655-56) ; — Hasardry or Games
of Chance (p. 656). Other outcomes of Avarice (p. 656) : 1. Lying,
2. Theft (bodily and spiritual) (p. 656-57), 3. False Witness,
4. False Oaths (p. 657).
The Remedy against Avarice (p. 657) : Mercy and Pity, and reason
able Liberality (p. 658). Of foolish largess (p. 658).
vi. GLUTTONY (p. 658-59), and its 5 kinds (p. 659) : 1. Drunkenness,
or the burial of man's reason ; 2. a troubled spirit ; 3. bad way
of eating ; 4. distemperd bodily humours ; 5. f orgetfulness. Or,
as St Gregory says, 1. eating too soon ; 2. eating too delicate
food ; 3. taking too much ; 4. troubling too much about cooking
food ; 5. eating greedily : these are the 5 fingers of the devil's
hand (p. 659).
The Remedy against Gluttony (p. 660) : Abstinence, and its fellows.
Temperance, Shame, Content with plain food, Moderation, So
berness, Sparing (p. 660).
vii. LECHERY (p. 660). Its punishment in the Old Testament (p.
660). Adultery, and the desire of it (p. 661-62).
The 5 fingers of the Devil's other hand (p. 662) ; 1. foolish look
ing ; 2. villainous touching ; 3. foul words ; 4. kissing (old do
tards, and dry dogs at a rose-tree (p. 662) ; and how a man should
love his wife) ; 5. the stinking deed of lechery (p. 663). Its
kinds : 1. Fornication. Taking a maid's maidenhead, or 100th
fruit (p. 663). 2. Adultery, defined. 3. Harms following from it :
a. breaking of faith ; b. theft (of the wife's body from her hus
band (Joseph and Potiphar's wife), and of her soul from Christ) ;
c. breaking God's commandment, and defouling Christ (p. 664).
Of Harlots and Bawds (p. 665). Adultery is set between Theft
and Manslaughter. More kinds of Adultery : 1. by Men bound
by Religious Vows, &c. ; 2. those in Holy Orders (p. 665).
Lecherous Priests are like a free Bull in a town, and they eat
raw flesh of folk's wives and daughters (p. 666) ; 3. by man and
wife copulating for pleasure only (p. 667) ; 4. copulation with
kinsfolk, spiritual (or godchildren) or fleshly (blood relations).
5. the abominable unmentionable sin ; 6. Pollution, of 3 kinds :
1. too rank humours ; 2. weakness (p. 667) ; 3. evU thoughts
(p. 668).
The Remedy for Lechery (p. 668) : I. Chastity and Continence.
1. in Marriage. (The true effect of Marriage. One husband to
have one wife (p. 668). How a man should behave to his wife
(p. 669). How the wife should be subject to her husband (p.
669), and be moderate in behaviour, discreet in words, &c. (p.
669-70). The 3 causes for which man and wife may copulate
(p. 670) : a. begetting of children ; 6. to pay the mutual debt of
their bodies; c. to avoid lechery (p. 670). The 4th cause,
pleasure, is deadly sin (p. 670-71).)
2. In Widowhood; 3. Virginity (p. 671).
II. Special avoidance of causes of lechery : a. eating and drink
ing ; long sleeping ; b. the person who'd tempt you (p. 671-72).
(I wish I could tell you the Ten Commandments ; but it s
too high doctrine (p. 672).) [End of Confession, § 1, (?.]
Sin is in heart, mouth, deed, by the 5 Wits (p. 672).
(FOR CORPUS 604 a)
SIX-TEXT 592
CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PARTS II AND III.
§ 1.6. (see p. 615-16.) The 7 Circumstances that encrease or aggravate
sins (p. 672). 1. the person who sins (male or female, &c.) ;
2. the kind of sin (fornication or homicide) ; 3. the place it
was committed in (as in a church, by a priest) (p. 673) ; 4. for
what motive ; 5. the number of times it was committed ; 6.
by what temptation ; 7. how it was committed ; and all other
circumstances (p. 674).
CONFESSION, § 2, § 3 (p. 674-79).
Profitable Confession, and its 4 (=. 3) Conditions (p. 674) :
1. sorrowful bitterness of heart (p. 674») ; its 5 signs: a. shame-
fastness (like the Publican's) (p. 675) ; b. humility; c. fulness
of tears (p. 675) ; d. no hesitation (like the Magdalen) for
shame; e. obedience to receive penance laid on you (p. 675).
2. speedy Confession (p. 676) ; its 4 Conditions : /. that it be
well thought over ; g. the greatness and number of sins must
be understood ; h. the sinner must be contrite, and i. avoid
occasions of sins.
3. Shrift must be made to one man, not more (p. 676).
True Shrift, and its 10 Conditions (p. 677) : 1. that it be of free
will ; 2. that it be lawful (both sinner and priest, Popish) ; 3.
that it be not despairing of Christ's mercy; 4. that a man
accuse himself only, and not another; 5. that it be not lying
(accusing oneself of sins never committed) (p. 678) ; that it be
by one's own mouth, and not by letter ; 7. that the sin be not
painted with fair words ; 8. that the shrift be to a discreet
Eriest ; 9. that the shrift be not made for vain-glory, but for
3ar of Christ ; 10. that the shrift be not made suddenly, for a
joke (p. 678). You may be shriven more than once for the same
sin; and should be houseld once a year (p. 679).
PART III (no. v. continued, and no. vi.).
SATISFACTION (THE 3RD REQUISITE FOR PENITENCE)
(p. 679—684).
In a. Alms. /3. bodily punishment.
a. Alms and its three kinds (p. 679) : 1. Contrition of heart. 2.
Pity for one's neighbour's faults. 3. Giving good counsel to
other's souls and bodies (food, visits in prison, burial). These
Alms should be done privily, if possible (p. 680).
(3. Bodily Punishment (Penance}, of 4 kinds: 1. Prayers
(chiefly of the Paternoster, whose expounding I leave to Mas
ters of Theology) (p. 680). 2. Watching, and its 3 kinds:
forbearing, a. meat and drink, b. worldly jollity, and c.
deadly sin (p. 681). 3. Fasting, and its 4 kinds : Liberality to
poor folk ; spiritual gladness of heart ; not grudging at fasting ;
reasonable eating. 4. Virtuous teachings, or Discipline : a.
by word, writing, or example ; b. by wearing hairshirts., &c.,
next your skin, scourging yourself, taking evils and injuries
patiently (p. 682). [End of no. v, in Part i ; p. 593.]
vi. The 4 Things that disturb Penance [no. vi, or last §, of p. 593
at foot] (p. 682). 1. Dread, and its remedy. 2. Shame, and
its remedy. 3. Hope : a. of long life, and b. consequent over-
confidence in Christfs mercy (p. 683). 4. Wanhope, or Despair
of Mercy ; its 3 kinds : x. from great and long continued sin ;
y. from falls-back into sin ; z. from not being able to persevere
m goodness (p. 683).
The fruit of Penance (p. 683-4).
EPILOGUE.
The Author's Leave-taking, and Lament over, and Withdrawal of,
his Siuful Books, &c. (p. 684-85).
(FOR CORPUS G04£)
SIX-TEXT 593
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS, 605
[There are no breaks in the MS. TyrwhitVs are kept here to
prevent slight differences in the texts throwing the Six-Text
out of gearj]
[Arch. Seld. B. 14, leaf 268, Bodleian Library.]
[And
next folowyng bigynneth his tale.
[75]
L75J
0
kure swete lord god of heuen / that no man wol
perisshe / but wol that we come alle to the
knewleche of him / and to the blisful liff
that is perdurable / [76] amonestetfi vs bi the
prophete lerome that seith in this wise / f Jerome . Btate
[77] stonditfr vppon the weyes and seetfi and axetfc
of olde pathes / that is to seie *of olde sentences /
whiche is the good weye / [78] and walketB in that weye /
and ye shulle fynde refresshynge / for youre soules //
[79] Many ben the weyes spiritual that leden folke
to oure lord ihesu criste and to the regne of glorie //
[80] Of whiche weyes ther is a ful noble weye / and a
ful couenable weye / whiche may not fayle to man ne to
woman / that thorugh synne hath mysgoon / fro the right
weye of Jerusalem celestial / [81] and this weie is cleped
penaunce / of whiche men shulde gladly herken and
enqueren / with al here herte / [82] to wete what is pen
aunce / and wherfore it is clepect penaunce / and in how
many manere ben the accions of worchinge of penaunce /
[83] and how many spicis ther ben of penaunce / and
whiche thinges apperteyne and bihoven to penaunce / and
whiche thinges distorben penarace /
A-RCII. SELD. B. 14 (for Corpus 605) (6-T. 503)
SIX-TEXT 5*J4
606 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
f Ambroses. [84] Seint Ambrose seith that penaunce is the
pleynynge of man for the gilt that he hath don and no
more to do any thing / for whiche him aught to pleyue /
[85] And som Doctor seith / penaunce is the weyment-
ynge of man that sorowith. for his synne / and peynetfr
him-selff for he hath mys-doiw / [86] penaunce with"
certeyne circurnstaunce / is verry repentaunce of man that
halt him-selff in sorow and other peyne for his giltes /
[87] And for he shal be verry penitent / he shal first
biwailen the synne that he hath dourc / and stedf astly
purposen in his herte to haue shrifft of mouthe / and to
don satisfaccion / [88] and neuere to do thing for whiche
him ought more to waile / or to compleyne / and to con-
tenue in goode werkes / or ellis his repentaunce may nat
Tisodorua. availe / [89] For as seint Isidor seith / he is a laper and
a gabber and no verry repentaunte / that efft-sone doth
thing / for whiche him ought to repent [90] weping /
and nought for to stinte to do synne / may not availe [91] but
natheles men shulde hope / that at euery tyme that a man
f alleth be it neuere so offt / that he may arise thorugh pen
aunce if he haue grace / but certeynely Jit is grete doute /
t Gregorie [92] ffor as seith seint Gregory / vnnethes ariseth he oute
of his synne / that is charged with the charge of euel vsage /
[93] And ther-fore repentyng folke that stinte for to
synne / and forlete synne / or synne for-lete hem / Holy
ciiirche holt hem seker of here saluaciouft [94] And
he that stinteth and verrily repenteth him in his last
ende / Holy chirche yit hopeth his saluacion bi the grete
mercy of oure lord ihesu for his repentaunce / but
taketh the seker weye that is certeyne //
[95] And now sithen I haue declared yow whatS.
thinge is penaunce / Now shulne ye vnderstonde that ther
ben thre accions of penaunce / [96] The first is
if a man be baptized after that he hath don
f Austyne synne / [97] seint Austyn seith / but he be penitent
for his olde synful liff / he may nat bigynne / the newe
ARCH. SELD. B. 14 (for Corpus 606) (6-T. 594) [l leaf 209]
SIX-TEXT 595
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. 607
clene liff / [98] for certes if he be baptised withoute
penaunce of his olde gilte he resceivith the marke of
baptime / but not the grace ne the remission of his
synnes / til he haue verry repentaunce // [99] Another
defaute is this / that men don dedely synne / after that
thei haue received baptime / [100] The thrid defaute
is / that men fallen in venial synnes / affter here baptime /
•jAustyne fro day to day / [101] therof seith Seynt Austyne /
that the penaunce of goode and humble folke is the
penaunce of euery daie //
[102] The spices of penaunce ben thre / that oon
of hem is solempne / Another corawne / And the
thride prive / [103] Thilke penaunce that is so
lempne is in two maners / as is to be put out of holy
chirche in lente for slaughter of children / and suche
manere thinge / [104] Another is whan a man
LI Seiden extract hath synned openly1] 2of* which synne J?e fame is openly
["corpus begins] spoken in J?e contre U And Jjenne holy chirche by lugge-
merat1 destreignej? him for to do penance open. [105]
Som penance is fat1 prestes enioygnen me communly in
certein caas as for to gon perauenture naked in
pylgrimage or bare foot* [106] H Pruie penaunce is
J>ilke j>atf men don alday for priue synnes of1 whiche
we schryuen vs pryuyly and resceyuen priue penance
[107] U Now schalf J>ou vndersta?ide what1 byhouej?
and is necessarie to verray perfyte penawnce H and J>ese
standen on j)re Jjinges [108] U Contn'cion of1 herte 11 Con
fession of mou)> // and Satisfaccion [109] 11 ffor which
fGresostomw* saijj lohn Gresostomz«5 H Penitence destreignej) man
to a^cepte benignely euery peyne fat1 is him enioyned
wijj contric^on of* herte and schrift1 of1 mow]) wij? satis-
faccion and in werching1 of* alle maner humilite [no]
H And J?is is fruytful penytence a^ein J?re Binges in whiche
we wraj>)>en oure lord ihesu cn'st1 [in] ])is is to sayn
by delyt/ in Jinking1 By rechelesnesse in speking1
H By wicked synful worching1 [112] H And a^eins fise
ARCH. SELD. B. 14, AND CORPUS 607 (6-T. 695) [2 Corpus, leaf 262]
SIX-TEXT 596
608 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.
wikkede gultes is penitence faf may be likened vnto a tre
[113] U The rote of* Jus tre is contricion fat* huydef
him in f e herte of* him faf is verray repentant* Eight* as
fe roote of* a tree huydef him in fe erfe [114] H Of1 fe
roote of* contricion springef a Btalke fat* beref braunches
and leues of* confession and fruyt* of* satisfaccion [115]
U ffor whiche crisf saif in f e gospelle Dof digne fruyt* of*
penitence U ffbr by fis fruyte may men knowe fis
tree and nou$f by f e roote fat* is hidde in f e herte
of* a man) ne by f e braunches ne by f e leeues of* confession
[I][6] ^ And f erf ore oure lord ihesu cn'sf saif fus U By
fe fruyf of* hem schuln 30 knowe hem. [117] of* fis
roote springef a seed of* grace fe which seed is
mooder of* sikernesse and fis seed is egre and hoof
[118] II fe grace of* fis seed springef of* god forough fe re
membrance of* fe day of* doome and on f e peynes of*
helle [119] U Of* fis matiere saif Salamon 1T fat* in fe
drede of* god man forletef his synne [120] IT The hete
of* fis seed is fe loue of* god and fe desirynge of* fe
ioye perdurable [121] fis hete drawef fe herte of*
man to god and dof him hate his synne [122] U ffor
sofly fer is no fing1 fat* sauouref so wel a childo
as f e mylk1 of* his norice If ne no f ing* is to him more abhom-
inable fen filke mylk* whan it is medled wif
ofer mete [123] 11 Eight* so synful man fat* louef
his synne him semef fat* if is to him mosf sweete / of*
any fing* [124] U buf fro faf tyme faf he louef sadly
oure lord ihesu cn'sf and desiref fe lyff perdurable fer
nys to him more abhominable [125] U ffor
sofe f e lawe of* god is f.e loue of* god U ffor which
.dam'd. fe prophete saif H I haue loued fy lawe 1and hated
wikkednesse & haten. he faf louef god kepef his lawo
and his word [126] H This tree saugh" fe prophete Danyel
in spirif vpon f e auysion of* Nabugodonosor when he coun
selled him to do penitence [127] U Penaunce is fe tre
of* lyf* to hem faf if resceyuen And he faf haldef him
CORPUS 608 (6-T. 696) [Ueaf 202, back]
SIX-TEXT 597
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS, 609
rerray penitent1 is blessed after fe sentence of1 Salomon.
Salomon
[128] H In fis penitence or contricion man schal vn-
derstonde .iiij. fingesf fat1 is to say what1 is cowtricion
And whiche ben fe causes fat1 meuen a man to con
tricion and how he schulde be contrite and what1 con
tricion avayled to fe soule [129] fanne it1 is fus
fat1 contricion is fe verray sorwe fat1 a man resceyuef
in his herte for his synnes wif sadde purpos to schryuen
him) and to do penaunce / and neuer more to don synne
[130] and fis sorwe schal ben in fis maneres as saif
Seint1 Bernard U hit1 schal be greuous and heuy and ful Bernard™
scharp and poynant1 in herte [131] U ffirst1 for a man haf
agilt1 his lord and his creatour 11 And more scharp and
poynant1 for he haf agult1 his fader celestial [132] U And
3ett more scharp and poynant U ffor he haf wraf f ed and
agilt1 him fat1 bought1 him fat1 with his precious blood
haf deliuered vs fro fe bandes of1 synne and fro fe
cruelte of1 f e deuel and fro f e peynes of1 helle
[133] U These causes fat1 oughten to rneuen a man to con
tricion ben yj 11 ffirst1 a man schal remembre him of1 .vj. causes
his synnes [134] but1 loke fat filke remem
brance be to him no delyte by no wey : but1 gret1 schame
& sorwe for his gulte H ffor lob saif U Synful men don lob
werkes worfy of1 coni essioun) . [135] II And f erf ore saif
Ezechie U I wol remembre me alle f e ^eres of1 my lyff1
in bitternesse of1 myn herte U [136] And god saif in
f apocalips U Kemembref $ow fro whennes fat1 30 ben
falle II ffor biforn fat1 tyme fat1 36 synned 30 were fe
children of1 god and lymes of1 fe regne of1 god [137] U But1
for ^oure synne 30 ben waxe fralles and foule and
membres of1 f e feende / hate of aungeles sclaundre of1 holy
chirche and foode of1 f e false serpent* perpetuel mateere
of1 f e furye of1 helle [138] 11 and fat1 more foul and abhom-
inable ffor 30 trespassen so often tyme as dof fe hound
fat1 tornef to eten his spuyng1 [139] and 3ef
CORPUS 609 (6-T. 597)
SIX-TEXT 598
610 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.
ben 36 foulere for ^oure longe continaunce in synne and
3oure synful vsage for whiche 36 ben roten in ^oure
synne as a beeste in his dnnge [140] Suche manor of1
fortes maken a man haue schame for his synne
•ehiei and no delite as god saif by fe prophete Ezechiel
[141] 1T 36 schuln remembre ^ow of1 $oure weyes and fey
schuln displese $ow sof ely U Synnes ben f e weyes fat1
leden folk4 to helle
[142] H The seconnde cause that1 oughte to make a man
to haue disdeyne of1 synne is fis fat1 as saij> seint1
Pet™, petre who so Jdof synne is fralle of1 synne and
synne puttef a man in gret1 fraldom [143] and fer-
fore saif fe prophete Ezechiele I wente sorwful in
desdeyn of1 myself* Certes wel aughte a man
haue disdeyne of synne and wifdrawe him fro fat1
Seneka fraldom and vilenye [144] 1T And lo what1 saif Seneca
in fis matiere he saif fas Though I wiste fat1 neyf er god
ne ma?z ne schulde neuere knowen it/f ^et1
wolde I haue disdeyne for to do synne. [145] And fe
same Seneka seif H I am born to grettere finges
fan to be f ralle to my body .
[146] More fralle may no man ne
no womman make of1 his bodyf fan ^eue his body
to synne [147] U And were it1 fe foulest1 cheerl or fe
foulest1 wowmaft faf lyuef and lest* of value ^et1 is he
changed and most1 foule and more in seruitute [148] euer
fro fe heiher degre fat1 man fallef fe more is he
fralle and more vnto god and to f e worlde vile and abhomin-
able [149] H 0 goode god wel aughte men haue disdeyne
of1 synne. seffen fat1 furgh synne fer he was free
now is he maked bonde / [150] and f erf ore seif seint1
austyn U If1 fou haue desdeigne of1 fy seruant/ if1 he
agilt1 or synned . haue fou f anne disdeyne fat1 fou
fi self1 schuldest1 do synne [151] Take reward of1 fy
value fat1 fou ne be to foul to fin value ne self1 [152]
H Alias wel oughten fey fanne haue disdeyn to be
CORPUS 610 (6-T. 698) P leaf 263]
SIX-TEXT 599
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. Gil
seruant} and fralle to synne and sore ben aschamed
of1 hemself* [153] H fat1 god of1 his endeles goodnesse
haf set1 hem in heih astate or ^euen hem wif strengfe
of1 body hele. beaute. prosperite / [154] and
bought* hem fro fe deth wif his herte blood fat1
fay so vnkyndely a^eihs his gentilnesse quyten him so
vileynesly to slaughter of1 here owne soules [155] IT 0
goode god ^e woramen fat* ben of* so gret* beaute
Remembreth }ou of* f e prouerbe of* Salamon II he seif
[156] he likenef a fair woraman ])at* is a fool of* hire body
y-like to a rynge of* golde fat* werith in f e groyne of* a sowe
[157] If ffor right* as a sowe wrote]? in Query ordure so
wrote]? sche hire beaute in stynkynge ordure of* synne
[158] IT The fridde cause fat* oughte to meuen a man t iij» caw««
to contricion is drede of* fe day of* doome and of* f e
horrible peynes of* helle [159] H ffor as seinf lerom sai]?
U At* euery tyme ]?at* me remembrej) of* ]?e day of* doome I
quake. [160] ffor whan. I ete or drinke or do what* so I
do f euere seme]? me ]?at* pe trompe sownej? in myw eere .
[161] Eise]) vp fat* ben deede and come]) to J?e
luggemewt* [162] of* goode god mechel aughte a man to
drede such a luggemewt* fere as we schuln ben alle
as seif seint* Poule byfore fe strete of* oure lord ihesu
crist* [163] wher as he schal maken a general con-
gregacion wher as no man may ben absent* [164] ffor
certes fere ne auaylef non essoyne ne excusacion
[165] 'And noi^t1 only fat* oure defautes schullen ben
y-Iuged IT but* eek* fat* alle oure werkes schuln openly
ben knowen [166] and as fat* saif Seint* bernard. fer ne
schal no pledynge auayle ne no sleighte we schullen 3euen
rekenyng* of* euery ydel word [167] 11 Ther schuln we haue
a lugge fat* may nought / be deceyued ne corupt*. And why f
ffor certes alle oure foughtes ben discouered as to him
ne for prayere. ne for meede he wil not* ben corrupte
[168] U And f erf ore saith Salamow 11 The wraffe of* god
wol nought* ben corrupte And f erf ore saith Salamow f ewreche
CORPUS 611 (6-T. 599) C1 leaf 263, back]
SIX-TEXT 600
612 GROUP I, § 55. PARSONS TALE. CoipUS MS,
of1 god ne wol nought1 spare no wight1 for praier nc for ^ifte
U And perfore at1 pe day ofH doom per nys non hope to eskape
Anseimw* [x^9] Wherfore as sei|) Anselme U fful gret1
anguyssche schuhi pe synful folk1 haue at* pat1 tyme
[i 70] U Ther schal be pe sterne and pe wroth luge sitte aboue
And vnder him pe orrible putte of1 helle to de-
struye him pat1 mot1 byknowe his synnes whiche
synnes openly ben schewed byforn god and biforn
euery creature [171] and on pe lift1 syde moo deeueles
fan pe herte may pinke for to harye and to drawe
pe sinful soules to pe pyne of1 helle [172] and with
Inne pe hertes of1 folk1 schal be pe bytyng1 Conscience
U And wipoute for]) schal be pe world al brennyng1
[173] 11 Whider schal penne pe wrecched synful soule fflee
to huyde him f Certes he may nou3f huyde him . he moste
come forp and schewe him [174] 1T ffor certes as saip
seint1 lerom // The erpe schal caste him out1 of1 him
and pe see also and pe aier also pat1 schal ben ful of1
pondir clappes and lightenynges [175] IT Now soply
who so wol remembre him of1 pese pingesf I gesse
pat1 his synnes schal nought1 turne him in to delyte but1 to gret1
sorwe for drede of1 pe peyne of1 helle [176] and per-
.iob. fore saip lob to god If Suffre lord pat1 I may a while
byway le and wepe er I go and weepe wipouten retournyng1 to
pe derke lande couered wip pe derknesse of1 dep [177]
to pe land of1 mysese and of1 derkenesse where as is
schadewe of1 deth wher as per nys non op<?r or
dinance but1 grisly drede pat1 euer schal laste [178]
U Lo heere may 30 seen pat1 lob p?*eyede respite a while
exenwium to bywepe and wayle his trespas U ffor sooply oo day of1
respite is bettre pan alle pe tresour of pis world [179] IT And
for as moche as man may quyte himself1 biforn god
by penitence in pis world and nought1 by tresour IT perfore
schulde he preye to god to ^iue him respyt1 a while to
byweepen and byweylen his trespas // [180] IT ffor certes al
pe sorwe pat1 a man mighte make fro pe Begynnyng1
CORPUS 612 (6-T. 600)
SIX-TEXT 601
GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS, 613
of* f e world nys but1 alytel f ing1 at1 f e regarde of1 f e sorwo
of1 hello [181] If The cause why fat1 lob clepef helle
fe lond of1 derknessesf [182] vnderstondet/fc fat1 he
clepejj it1 lande of1 erf e IT ffor it is stable and neuer schal
faile 1derknes H ffor he fat1 is in helle haf defaute of1
light1 material [183] If ffor certes fe derke light1 fat1 schal
come out1 of1 f e fuyre fat1 euer schal brenne schal turne /
him al to peyne IT fat1 is in helle ffor it1 schewef him to f e
Orible deueles fat1 him tormenten [184] couered wif
f e derknesse of1 def [ .............
no gap in the MS.] ben f e synnes fat1 f e wrecchede man
haf don whiche fat1 distourben him to se fe face
of1 god Right1 as a derk1 clowde bitwixen hous and f e
sonne- [186] lond of1 myssese by cause fat1 fer ben
fre maneres of1 defautes a^eins fre finges fat folk1
of fis world han in fis present lyf1 fat1 is to say
honoures delices and richesse [187] a3eins honour
han fey in helle / schame and confusion [188] 11 ffor wel 30
wite fat* men clepen honour fe reuerence fat1 men
don to man IT But1 in helle is non honour ne reuerence
11 ffor certes nomore reuerence schal be do to a
king1 fan to a knaue [189] IT ffor which god saif by textwa
f e prophet e lerem/e U Thilke folk1 fat1 me despysen schuln leremie /
ben in despite [190] II Honour is eek1 cleped gret1 wor-
schipe f er schal no wight1 seruen of er U But1 of1 harme and
torment, honowr is eek1 cleped gret1 dignite and heigh-
nesse U But1 in helle schullen fey ben alle fortrodenof1 deueles
[191] as god saif U fe Orrible deueles schuln gon &
comen vpon fe heedes of1 dampned folk1 11 And fis
is for as meche as f e heyer fat1 fey weren in fis present1
lyff/f fe more schuln fey ben abated and defouled in
helle [192] U a3eins fe riche of1 fis world schullen
fey haue mysese of1 pouerte and fis pouert1 schal bo
.iiij. finges [193] IT In defaute of1 tresour of1 which
CORPUS 613 (G-T. OOl) lHeaf264]
SIX-TEXT 602
614 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.
dominits per
moysen
da«id
Dauid saif IT The riche folk? fat* enbraceden and Oneden
in al here herte to tresour ofH f is world schullen slepe / in f e
slepyng1 of1 def as no fing1 schuln fey fynden in
here handes of1 alle here tresour [194] II And more ouer fe
myseyse of1 helle schal ben in defaute of mete &
drinke [195] ffor god saif fus by moyses 11 fey schuln
be wasted wif hunger and fe briddes of helle schuln
deuoure him wif bitter def and fe galle of fe
dragon [ .......... no gap in the MS.}
here morselte [J96] and forfer ouer here
mysayse schal ben in defaute of clof ing1 H ffor fey schuln
be naked in body as of clofing1 saue f e fuyre in whiche
fey brenne and ofer filfes [197] and naked schuln
fey ben of soule of alle maner vertues which fat*
is fe clofing1 of soule U Where be fenne fe gay
robes and fe softe schetes and fe smale schertes. [198]
lo what saif god of hem by fe prophete. Isaye
H That1 vnder hem schuln be strawed mouthes 11 and here
couertours schuln ben of wormes of helle [199] 1T and
furfer ouer here mysayse schal ben in defaute of
freendes U ffor he is nought1 pouere fat1 haf goode freendes
U But1 fer is no freend [200] U ffor neifer god ne
creature schal be frend to hem and euerych of hem
schal haten ofer xwif dedly hate [201] U fe sones of
fe doughtren schullen rebellen a^eins fader and mooder
and kynredes a^ein kynrede and chyden and despisen
euerich of hem ofer bofe day and nighfr as god saif
by fe prophete. Michias. [202] and fe louynge children
fat1 whilom loueden so fleissly euerich ofer U Wolden
euerich of hem eten ofer if fay mighte [203] U ffor how
scholde f eylouen hem to gydere in f e peynes of belle U Whan
fey hateden euerich of hem ofer in f e prosperite of f is lyf
[204] U ffor truste wel here fleisschly loue was deedly hate
as saif f e prophet .dauid. . U Who so fat1 louef wikked-
nesse he hatef his soule [205] U And who so hatef
his owen soule U certes he may loue non ofer wigfrf
CORPUS 614 (6-T. 602) [i leaf 264, back]
SIX-TEXT 603
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. 615
in no manere [206] U And f erf ore in helle is no
freiidschipe U but1 euer fe more fleisshly kynredes
faf ben in helle f fe more cursyng1. fe more chyd-
yng1 and fe more dedly hate fer is among1 hem
[207] II and furfer ouer fey schullen haue defaute of* alle
maner delites U ffor why delices ben fe appetites
of1 fe .v. wittes U as sight1, heeryng1. smellyng1. Sauor-
yng1 . and touching1 . [208] but1 in helle here sighte schal be
ful of1 derknesse and of1 smoke and ful of1
teeres and here heerynge ful of1 waymentynge and of1
gruntynge of1 teef as saif ihesu cn'sf [209] here nose
frillies schuln ben ful of1 stynke IT And as saif
Isaye f e prophefe 11 here sauorynge schal be ful of1 bitter
galle [210] and touching1 of1 here body ycouered
wif fuyre fat1 neuer schal be quenched And wif wormes
fat1 neuere / schullen deyen as god saif by f e mouj? of1
Isaye [211] U And for as moche as fey schuln nou3f wene isayo
fat4 fey may deyen for peyne and by here def flee fro
peyne fat1 may fey vnderstonde in fe word of1 lob
fat1 saif . fer as is fe schadewe of1 def [212] 1T Certes
a schadewe haf fe liknes of1 fe fing1 of1 which it / is
schadewe 11 buf schadewe nys nought1 f e same fing1 of1 which if
is schadewe [213] II right1 so faref fe peyne of1 helle hit1 is
y-like def for f e anguyssche orrible And why H ffor if
peynef hem euere as f ough men schullen deyen) anon But1
certes fey schuln nought1 deyen [214] U fFor as saif seinf
Gregory to wrecchede Caytyf s synful schal ben def wif outen
def and ende wifouten ende H And defaute wifouten
faylinge [215] H ffor here def schal alway lyue IT And hero
ende schal eueremorebegynne. and here def ante schal nought1
faile [216] U And f erf ore saif Seint lohn ioha«n«» euown-
euawngelist1 U They schullen folwe def and fey schuln
nought1 fynden him U and fey desiren to deye and def
schal flee fro hem [217] U And eek1 lob saif fat* in helle lob
is non ordre of1 reule. [218] and al be if so faf god haf
created alle fing1 in right ordre and no fing1 wif-
43 CORPUS 616 (6-T. 603)
SIX-TEXT 604
GIG GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.
outen ordre U But1 alle finges ben ordeigned 1and nom-
bred U jet nafeles fey fat1 ben dampned ben no
fing1 in ordre ne holden non ordre [219] U ffor fe
erfe schal bere hem no fruyt1 [220] ffor as fe prophefo
saij) Dauid. god schal destruye fe fruyt1 of1 fe erthe as
fro hem NQ water schal jeue hem no moysture ne
fe aier no refreissching1 . ne fuyr no light1 [221] 11 ffor as
saif seint1 Basile U The brennyng1 of1 fe fuyr of1 fis
world schal god jeuen in helle to hem fat1 ben dampned
[222] U But1 fe light and fe clernesse schal be jouen in
to heuene to his children U Right1 as f e goode man Belief
fleissfi to his children and bones to his houndes [223]
U And for fey schullen haue non hope to eschape saif
Iob lob. at1 fe laste fat fer schal horrour and grisly drede
dwelle wif outen ende [224] II horrour is alway drede
of1 harme fat1 is to come . and fis drede schal euere dwello
in fe hertes of1 hem fat1 ben dampned U And ferfore
han fay lorne alle here hope for .vij. causes [225] U ffirst1
for god fat1 is here luge schal be wifoutera mercy to
hem. ne fey may nought1 please him ne non of1 his
halwes ne fey may $yue no fing1 for here raunson
[226] ne fay haue no voys / to speke to him. ]STe fey
may nou^fr flee fro peyne . ne fay haue no goodnesse in
hem fat1 fay may schewe to delyuere hem fro peyne
Salomon [227] And f erf ore saif Salomon H The wikkede man
deyef . and whan he is deed f he schal haue non hope to
eskape fro peyne [228] H Who so schame wel wolde vn-
derstande fese peynes and befinke him wel fat1 he
haf disserued filke peynes for his synnes Certes he
schulde haue more talent1 to syke and to wepe. fen for
to syngen and to pleye [229] U ffor as seif Salomon
U Who so fat1 hadde f e science for to knowe f o peynes fat1
ben establissched and ordeyned for synne f he wolde make
sorwe. [230] filke science as seif seint1 austyn
makef a man to weymenten in his herte
[231] U The .iiijc. poynt1 fat1 oughte make a man
CORPUS 61G (6-T. 604) [Meaf2G5J
SIX-TEXT C05
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. 617
haue contricion is f e sorweful remembraunce of1 f e
good fat/ he haf lost/ to doon heere in erfe and
eek1 fe good fat* he ha]? lorn [232] U Sofly fe goodo
werkes fat1 he haf losttf eyfer fey ben fe goode
werkes fat1 he wrought1 er he felle in to dedly syiino
U Or elles f e goode werkes fat1 he wrought1 whil he lay
in synne [233] U Sofly fe goode werkes fat1 he dide
biforn fat1 he fylle in synne ben alle mortefied and astonyed
and dulled by fe ofte synnynge // [234] fat1 ofer
goode werkes fat1 he wroughte whiles he lay in
synne fey ben outerly deede as to f e lyff1 /perdurable in
heuene [235] U fenne filke goode werkes fat1 ben
mortefyed by often synnyng1 whiche goode werkes he dide
whiles he was in charite ne mowen neuere quyken a^ein
wifouten verray penytence [236] II And ferof1 saith god
by fe mouf of1 Ezechielle fat1 is Jfe rightful man re-
tourne a^ein from his rightwisnesse and to wirche wikked-
nesse schal he lyue [237] nay. ffor alle fe goode werkes
fat1 he haf wrou^t / ne schuln neuer ben in remembrance
ffor he schal deye in his synne [238] H And vpon filke
chapitre seif Seint1 Gregori fus fat1 we schulde vnder-
stande fis principally [239] fat1 whenne we doon deedly
synne it1 is for nought farcne to reherse or drawe in to
memorie f e goode werkes fat1 we han wrought1 byforne
[240] U ffor certes in fe werkinge of1 dedly synne
/ f er is no triste / to no good werk1 fat1 we han don toforne
fat1 is to sayn as for to haue ferby fe lyff1 per
durable in heuene [241] [ . . ,
no gap in the MS.] whan we
han contncion [242] U But1 sofely fe goode werkes fat1
men don whiles fat1 fey ben in dedly synne for as mocho
as fey weren don in dedly synne fey may neuer quiken
a3ein [243] H ffor certes fing1 fat1 neuer haf lyff1 may
neuere quyke U And nafeles al be it1 fat1 fey ne
auailen nought1 to han fe lyff1 perdurable? ^et1 auailen
CORPUS 617 (6-T. 605) [» leaf 265, back]
SIX-TEXT 606
€18 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.
fey to abreggen of f e peyne of1 helle or elles to geten
tempers! richesse [244] U Or elles fat1 god wol fe
rafere enlumyne and lightne fe herte of1 fe synful
maw to han repentance. [245] and eek1 fey auaylen
for to vsen a man to doon good werke fat1 fe feende
haue fe lesse power of1 Ms soule [246] U and fus fe
curteyse lord ihesu cn'st1 ne wol fat1 no good werk1
be loste II ffor in somwhat1 it* schal auayle [247] If But1 for as
moche fe goode werkes fat1 men don whiles fey
ben in good lijf1 ben al mortefyed by synno folwynge
II And eek1 sef enes alle f e goode werkes fat1 men doon
whiles fey ben in dedly synne ben outrely deede
as for to haue f e lyff1 perdurable f [248] wel may fat man
fat1 no good werk1 ne dof Synge f ilke newe f reissche song1 .
lay tout* perdu mon temps & mon labour [249] U ffor
certes synne byreuef a man goodnesse and nature
and eek1 fe goodnesse of1 grace [250] If ffor sofe
f e grace of1 f e holy gost1 faref as fuyr fat1 may nou^t1
ben ydel ffor fuyr faylef anon as it forlesef his wirch-
inge [ no gap
in the MS.] [251] fenne lesef fe synful man fe goodnesse
of1 glory fat1 oonly is benight1 to goode men fat1 labouren
and werken [252] 11 Wel may he be sory fenne fat*
oweth alle his lyf f1 to god as lange as he lyueth haf lyued and
eek1 als longe as he schal lyue fat1 no goodnesse ne haf
to paye wif his dette to god to whom he owef alle his
lyff1 [253] U ffor truste wel he schal 3iue acountes as saif
seint1 Bernard of1 alle f e goodes fat1 han ben ^ouen him
in f is . present1 lyff1 ,/ and how he haf hem dispended
[254] nought1 so moche f at1 /fer schal nought1 perissche an heer
of1 his heede ne a moment of1 an houre ne schal not1 perissche
of1 his tyme fat1 he ne schal ^iue of1 hit1 a rekenyng1
[255] U The vte. fing1 fat1 oughte meue a man Jto
contricion is remembrance of1 fe passion fat1 oure lord
ihesu crist1 suffred for oure synnes [256] H ffor as saif
seint1 Bernard U Whil fat1 I lyue I schal haue remeni-
COllPUS 618 (6-T. 606) [MeafHWJ
SIX-TEXT 607
GROUP 1, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. 619
brance of* f e trauailes fat1 oure lord ihesu mst1 suffred in
prechinge [257] his werynesse in trauaillynge. his tempt-
acions whan he fasted his longe wakinges when he
prayed his teeres when fat1 he wepte for pite of1
good peple [258] If fe woo and fe schame and fe
filthe fat1 men seyden to him ofte foulo spittyng*
fat1 men spitten on his face U of* fe buffettes pat* men
^euen him U of* fe foule mouthes and of1 fe re-
preues pat* men to him say den [259] II Of1 fe nayles
wif fe whiche he was nayled to fe cros and of1 alle f e
remenantf of1 his passion fat1 he suffrede for my synnes
and no fing< for his gilte [260] IT And 30 schuln vnder-
stonde fat1 in mannes synne is euery maner ordre
of1 ordinance turned vp so doun [261] ffor it is sop
fat1 god and reson and sensualite and fe body of1 man
ben so ordeyned fat1 euerich of* fise. .iiij. finges/
schulde haue lordschipe ouer fat1 ofer [262] and fus
god schulde haue lordschipe ouer reson and reson ouer
sensualite and sensualite ouer fe body of1 man
[263] U And sofly whan man synnef f al fis ordre of*
ordinance is turned vp so don [264] IT And f erf ore
f anne for as moche as f e reson of1 man wol nought1 be
subget1 ne obeissant1 to god fat1 is his lord by right1 f f er-
fore leesef it1 fe lordschipe fat1 it1 schulde haue in
sensualite and eeke ouer fe body of1 man [265] IT And
whi U ffor sensualite rebellef fanne a^ein reson And
by fat1 wey lesef reson his lordschipe ouer sensualite
and ouer fe body [266] U ffor right1 as reson is rebelle to
god Eight1 so is bofe sensualite rebel to reson and
fe body also [267] U And certes fis ordinance and
fis rebellion oure lord ihesu m'st1 aboughte vpon his
precious body ful dere herkenef in which wise
[268] H ffor as meche fanne is resoun rebelle to godf fer-
fore is man worfi to haue sorwe and to be deed
[269] 11 This sufired oure lord ihesu for man after fat1
he hadde be betrayed of1 his disciple and destreyncd &
CORPUS 619 (6-T. 607)
SIX-TEXT 608
620 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS.
bounde so fat* fe blood brasf out1 at* euery nayl of1 his
handes as seij> seint1 Austyn [270] U And forfe?-more
for as moche as resoii of1 man wol nought1 daunte sensu-
alite whenne it* may H Therfore is man worf y to haue schame
and f is suffrede oure lord ihesu cn'st* for man when fey
spetten in his visage / [271] U And furfer more for as
moche fanne as fe caytiff* body of1 man is rebello
bof e to reson and to sensualite U fe?ibre it1 is worfy f o
def [272] U And fis suffred oure lord ihesu cn'st* for man
vppon f e crosse where as f er was no part1 of1 his body
fre wifouten gret* peyne and bitter passion / [273]
and al fis suffrede ihesu cmt* fat1 neuer forfeted
[
. . no gap in the MS.] U To mechil am I peyned for fo
same finges 1fat) I neuer deserued and to mochil defouled
for frendschipe fat* man is worfy to haue. [274] And fer-
fore may fe synful man wel say as saif seint Bernard.
Acursed be f e bitternes [
. . . . » . . no gap in the MS.] [275] U ffor certes
after fe diuers discordaunces of1 oure wikkednesse
was f e passion of* Ihesu cn'st* y-ordeyned in diuerse f inges
[276] as fus Certe} synful mannes soule bytraysed
of* fe deuel by coueytise of* temperel prosperite / and
scorned by disceyte when he chesef flesschly delites / and
$et* is he tormented by inpacience of aduersite U And bispette
H By seruage in subiectiown of* synne U And atte laste if is
slayn fynally [277] for this disordynance of* synful man
was ihesu cn'st* first* by trayed U And after fat* was he bounde
fat1 came for to vnbynde vs of* synne and of* peyne [278]
U Thanne was he by-scorned fat* only schulde be
honoured in alle f inges of* alle finges [279]
fenne was his visage fat* oughte be desired to be seyn
of* alle mankynde in which visage aungeles desiren to
loken. vileynesly byspette [280] U Thenne was he scourged
fat* nofing* hadde gilt* U and fynally fenne was he
crucified & slayn [281] U Thenne was he acompliced fe
CORPUS 620 (6-T. 608) C1 leaf 266, back]
SIX-TEXT 609
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Corpus MS. 621
wordes of1 Isaye U he was wounded for
cure mysdedes and defouled by oure vileynies [282]
U Now sefenes fat1 ihesu msfr took1 vpon himself1 fe
peyne of1 alle oure wickednesses! Mochil oughte synful
ma??, bywepe and bywayle fat1 for his synnes goddes sone
of1 heuene schulde alle fis peyne endure [283] U The sixte
f ing1 fat1 oughte meue a man to contn'cion is f e hope vj» ca«m do con-
of1 .iij. finges. fat1 is to sayn. for^euenes of1 synne
[. ...... . no gap in the MS.] and fe glorie of1
heuene wif fe which god schal guerdon man for his
goode deedes* [284] H and for as moche as ihesu cmt*
$euef vs fese ^iftes of1 his largesse and of1 his souereyn
bountef f erf. ore is he cleped Ihesus nazarenws rex
iudeorwra [285] Ihesus is for to sayn sauyowr of1 sa-
uacion on whom men schuln hope to haue for^euenesse of1
synnes which fat1 is proprely sauacioun of1 synnes
[286] H And f erf ore sayde fe aungel to loseph U fou
clepest1 his name ihesus fat1 schal saue his poeple of1 hero
synnes [287] U And her of1 seif seint1 Petre U Ther nys
non ofer name vnder heuene fat1 is ^oue to any man
by which a man may be saued but1 only by ihesus [288]
nazerenws is as moche to seyn as florissching1 in
which a man schal hope fat1 he fat1 ^euef him remission
of1 synnes schal }iue also him grace wel to do IT ffor
in fe flour is hope of1 fruyf in tyme comynge. and in
for^iuenesse of synnes is hope of1 grace wel to do [289] H I
was at1 f e dore of1 fin herte / saif ilic and cleped for to
entre U he fat1 openef to me schal haue for^iuenesse oF
synne / [290] I wol entre to him by my grace and
soupe wif him by fe goode werkes fat he schal doon
whiche werkes ben fe foode of1 god and he schal soupe
with1 [2me bi the grete ioye / that1 shal be yove to him || [29 1] [i Corpus MS.
Thus shal man hope for his werkes of penaunce / [f Arch. Seia. B.
god sholde yeve him his regne as he bihoteth him / in the J
gospel /
[292] Now shal man vnderstonde / in which
CORPUS, p. 621, AND SELDEN B. 14 (6-T. 609)
SIX-TEXT 610
622 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
manere shal be his contricion || I seie that hit shal
be vniuersale & totale / this is to seine a man shal be
verry repentaunt / 1for alle his synnes that he hath done / in
delite of his thought for delite is ful perilous / [293] ffor ther
ben two manere of consentynges / that oon of hem is
cleped consenting of affeccioura / whan a man is meved
to do synne / & deliteth him longe for to thenke on
that synne / [294] he hath reson that perceivetfc wel that
hit is synne ageynste the lawe of god / [ . . . ., . .
no gap in the MS.] al though
his reson ne consente nat to do the synne in dede /
[295] yit seine somme doctours / that suche delite that
duellith longe is ful perilous / al be it neuer so lite /
[296] And also a man sholde sorowe for al
that euer he hath desired ayeines the lawe of god with
perfite consentynge of resouw / ffor ther-of is no doute /
that hit is dedly synne / in consentynge / [297] ffor certes
ther is no dedly synne / but hit is first in man-is
thoughte / & after that in his delite / and so forthe in-to
consentynge / & in-to dede / [298] wherfore I seie that
many men repente hem neuere of suche thoughtes / &
delites / ne neuere shriven hem of hit / but only of the
dede || of grete synnes outwarde || [299] wherfore I seie
that suche wikked delites / & wikked thoughtes / ben
subtile begillours of hem that shullen be dampned / [300]
More-ouere a man oughte to sorowe for his wikked
wordes / as wel as for his wikked dedes || ffor certes
the repentaunce of a singuler synne / and nought repent of al
his other synnes or ellis repente him of alle his
other synnes / & nat of a singuler synne / may nought
availe || [301] ffor certes almyghti god is al good / And
therfore he for-yevith al / or elles right nought / [302]
Austyne. And herof seith seint Austyne / 1 wote certeynly [303] that
god is enemy to euery synne / And how than he
that observith . oo synne shal he haue foryeuenesse of tho
SELDEN (for Corpus 622) (6-T. 610) P leaf 276]
SIX-TEXT 611
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 623
remenaunt of his other synnes / Nay f [304] And f either
ouere contricion sholde be wonder sorowful / & ang-
uysshous / & therfore yevith him god pleynly his
mercy / And therfore whan my soule was anguysshous
withinne me / I had remembraunce of god / that
my pray ere myghte come to him / [305] fforther ouere
contricion must be contenuel / & that man haue sted-
fast p^£rpos to shriven him / & for to amende him of
his liff / [306] ffor sothely whiles contricion lasteth man
may 1haue hope of foryeuenesse / And of this cometh
hate of synne / that distroyeth synne in him selff /
& eke in other folke / as to his powere / [307] ffor whiche
seith Dauid / ye that louen god / hateth wikkednesse / ffor
trusteth wel to love god / is for to love that he loueth /
& hate that he hatetft ||
[308] The laste thing that men shulle vnderstonde in
contricion is this / wherof avayleth" contricion / I seye
that somtyme contricion delyuereth" a man from synne /
[309] off whiche that Dauid seith / I seye quod. Dauid
that is to seie / I purposed fermely to shrive me and
thow lord relesedist my synne / [310] And right so
as contricion availeth nought withoute sadd pwrpos of
shriffte / [ no gap in the MS.]
or satisfaccion withoute contricion / [311] And
more-ouere contricion distroyeth the prison of helle /
& maketh weyke & febleth" the strengethes of the
deueles / & restoreth" the yifftes of the holy goste &
of alle goode vertues / [312] & clensith the soule of
synne / & delyuereth the soule fro the peyne of helle /
& fro the companye of the deuel / & fro the seruage
of synne / & restoreth to alle goodes espirituels / &
to the companye of communyon of holy chirche / [313]
And ferther-ouere hit makyth him that was whilom the
sone of synne / & Ire / to ben the sone of grace / & alle these
thinges ben prevecl bi holy writte / [314] And therfore he that
wol sette his entent to these thinges / he were ful
SELDEN (for Corpus 623) (6-T. 61l) C1 leaf 276, back]
SIX-TEXT 612
624 GROUP I, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
wise / ffor sothe he sholde nought than in al his liff
haue corage to synne / but yeve his "body / & al his herte
to the sendee of Ihesu criste / & therof don him
homage / [315] ffor sothly oure swete lord Ihesu criste
he sparith vs so dehonerly in oure folies / that if he ne
had pite of man-is soule / a sori songe myghte we alle
synge /
Explicit prima pars penitencie / If & seqwitur secwida.
T
Ihe secunde parte of penaunce / is confession /
that is signe of contricion / [317] Now shulle ye
vnderstonde what is confession / And whether
hit oughte nedes to ben or noon / & whiche
thinges ben couenable to verry confession /
[318] ffirst shalt thow vnderstonde that confession is
verry shewynge of synnes to the preste / [319] That is to
sey verry / that he mote confessen him / of alle the
condicions that be-longen 1 to his synne / as f erf orth as he
can / [320] al mote be seide / & no thircg excused ne
hidde / ne for-wrapped / & nought auaunte him of his goodo
werkes / [321] And fer-ther-ouere it is necessarie to vnder
stonde / whens that synnes springen / & how thei
encresen / and whiche they ben
f Pouie. [322] of the springyng of synnes / as seith seint Poule
on this wise / That right as bi a man synne entred
in-to this world first / & thorugh that synne deide / right so
thilke deth entreth in-to alle men that synneden [323]
And this man was Adam / bi whom the synne entred in-to
this world / whan that he breke the commaundemeftt of god /
[324] And therfore he that first was so myghti / that he
sholde nat haue deide / bi-cam suche oon that he most
nedes deye / whether he wolde or noon / & al his progenye
that is in this worlde / that in thilke manere synnen 1 1 [3 2 5 ] Loke
that in the estate of innocence / whan Adam & Euo
SELDEN (for Corpus 624) (6-T. 612) P leaf 277]
SIX-TEXT 613
GROUP I. §2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 625
naked were in paradise / & nothing ne hadden shame
of here nakednesse / [326] how that the serpent that was
moste wyly of al other bestes that god had maked
seide to the womman || Commaunded god to yow /
ye sholde nought eten of euery tre in paradise / [327] The
woman answerde / of the fruyte quod she of the trees
in paradise we feden vs / but sothly of the fruyte of the
tre that is in the myddel of paradise / god forbede vs /
for to eten ne to touche it / lest perauenture we sh olden
deye / [328] The serpent seide to the woman / nay
nay / ye shol not deye of deth / ffor sothe god wote / that
what day ye eten therof youre eyghen shul open /
& ye shul be as godes knowynge goode & harme /
[329] The woman saw that the tre was goodo
to fedynge / & faire to the eyghe / & dilectable to the
sighte / she toke of the fruyte of the tre & ete of it || &
yaf it to hir housbond & he ete / And anoon the eyghen of
hem bothe opened / [330] And whan that they knewe /
that thei weren naked / thei sowed of fyge leves in nianero
of breches to hiden here membres || [331] Here may ye
so that dedly synne hath first suggestion of the
fende / as shewitB. here bi the adder / & affterward
the delite of the flesshe / as shewith here bi Eua / And f Adam,
affter that the consentinge of the reson / as shewith bi
Adam / [332] ffor trusteth Jwel though so were that the
fende tempted oon / that is to seie / the flesshe /And the
flesshe had delite in the beaute of the fruyte defended ||
yit certes til that reson / that is to seie Adam con
sented to the etyng of the fruyte / yit stode thei in the higfte state
of Innocence || [333] Off thilke Adam toke we thilke
synne origynal / for of him flesshely discended ben we alle /
& engendred of vile & corrupte matire / [334] And
whan the soule is put in-to oure body / right anoon is con-
tracte original synne / And that was erst but only
peyne of concupiscence / is afterward both peyno &
synne / [335] And therfore ben we alle I-borne sones of
SELDEN (for Corpus 625) (6-T. 613) C1 leaf 277, back]
SIX-TEXT 614
626 GROUP I, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
wrathe & of dampnacion perdurable / if it nere baptymo
that we receiven / whiche bynemytll vs the culpe / but for
sothe the peyne dwellitn" with vs / as the temptacion / whiche
peyne hight concupiscence / [336] And this concupiscence
whan it is wrongfully disposed / or ordey ned in man / hit makith
him coueite couetise of flesshely synne bi sight of his
eyghen/and toerthely thinges/And ekecoueitiseof highnesso
bi pride of herte /
[337] Now as for to speke of the first coueitise /
that is concupiscence after the lawe of oure membres /
that weren lawfully maked / & bi rightful iuge-
ment of god / [338] I seie for-asmeche as man is nought
obeisaunt to god / that is his lord / Therfore is his flesshe to
him disobeisaunte / thorugh concupiscence / [
[339] ....'.'..'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.
. . . . no gap in the MS.] hit is impossible but he be
distempered somtyme / & noyede in his flesshe to synne /
[340] & this thing may nought faile / as longe as he leuetfi. /
it may wexe feble & faile / bi vertu of baptime /
& bi the grace of god / thorugh penaunce / [341] but
fully shal it neuere quenche / that he ne shal so?ft-
tyme be meved in him silff || but if he were refreynede bi
p «vj sikenesse / 1 of bi malifice of sorcerie / or colde drynkes /
frouie. [342] fior what seith seint Poule / The flesshe coueiteth
ayeine the spirit / & the spirit ayeine the flesshe / thei
ben so contrarie / & so striven / that a man may nought
don alwey / as he wolde / [343] The same seith seint Poule /
after his grete penaunce in water & in lande / In water
bi night & bi daie in grete perile / & grete peyne /
In lande in famyne / thruste / in colde and in 2 clothes
wantynge/& ones stoned almost tothedethe [344] yit seide he
alas I caytiff man / who shal delyuer me fro the prison
•fierome of my caytiff body / [345] And seint lerome whan he
longe tyme had woned in deserte / where as he had no
companye but bestes / where as he had
SELDEN (for Corpus 626) (6-T. 614) [2 leaf 278]
SIX-TEXT 615
GROUP! §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 627
no mete but erbes / & water to his drinke / ne no bedde
but the naked erthe / ffor whiche his flesshe was blak as an
Ethiopen for hete & nygh distruyed for colde / [346]
yit seide he that the brennynge of lecherie boiled in al
his body / [347] wherfore I woote wel sekerly that thei
ben disceived / that seine / that thei ne ben nought tempted in
here body / [348] wittenesse of seint lame thappostel /
that seith that euery wight is tempted in his owne con
cupiscence / that is to seie / that eueryche of vs hath matire
& occasion to be tempted / of the norisshinge of synne
that is in his body || [349] And therfore seith seint lohn %iohnEua«g.
the Euangelist if that we seyne that we ben withouten
synne we disceiven oure silff / & trouthe is nought in vs /
[350] Now shol ye vnderstonde in what manere
synne wexeth & encreseth in man || The first
thing is the norisshinge of synne / of which I spak
of biforne thilke flesshely concupiscence / [351] And after
that cometh the suggestion of the Deuel / this is to seie
the deuel-is bely / with which he blowitfi. in man / the fire
of flesshely concupiscence / [352] And after that a man bi-
thinketh him / whether he wol do or noon thilke thinge /
to which he is tempted || [353] And than if a
man with-stande / & weive the firste entisinge of his
flessh / & of the fende / than is hit no synne / And if
so be that he do nat so / than felith he anoon / a flamme
of delite / [354] & than is hit goode to be- ware & kepe
him wel / or elles he wol falle anoon / in-to consentynge of
synne / & than wol he do hit / if he may haue tyme
and place |[ [355] And of this matire seith Moyses bi
the deuel in this manere / The fende seith I wol
chace & pursue man bi wikked suggestiones /
& I wol hente him / bi movynge or sterynge of
synne / And I wol departe my prise or my preye bi de-
liberacion / & my lust shal be accomplesshed in delite /
I wol drawe my swerde in consentynge / [356] ffor 'certes
right as a swerde depa?*tcth a thinge in two peces || Right
SELPEN (for Corpus G27) (6-T. 615) [i leaf 278, back]
SIX-TEXT GIG
628 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
so consentynge departeth" god fro man / And than
wol I sle him with myn honde / in dethe of synne / thus
seith the fende / [357] ffor certes than is a man al
dede in soule / and thus is synne complesshed bi teinpt-
acion / bi delite / & bi consentinge / and than is
synne cleped actuel /
[358] Ffor sothe synne is in two maneres / outlier
it is venial synne / or dedly synne / Sothely whan man louotli
any creature / more than ihesu criste oure creatoure / than
is it dedly synne / And venial synne is if man loue
ihesu criste lesse than him oughte || [359] ffor sothe the
dede of this venial synne / is f til perilous / ffor hit amennseth"
the loue that men sholde haue to god more & more /
[360] And therfore if a man charge more him silff / with many
suche venial sinnes / certes but if it so be / that he som-
tyme discharge him of hem bi shriffte / thei may ful
lightly amennse in him al the loue / that he hath to ihesu
criste / [36 1] & in thiswise skippith venial synne / in-to dedly
synne || ffor certes the more that a man chargeth his soule
with venial synnes / the more is he enclyned to falle in
dedly synne / [362] And therfore lat vs not be necligent to
prouerbium . discharge vs of venial synnes / tfor the prouerbe seith
That many smale makith a grete / [363] And herke^
this ensample / A grete wawe of the see / cometh somtyme
with so grete a violence / that hit drenchith the shippe /
. [in And the same harme doth somtyme / the smale dropes
n lute /iuttti.~\
of water / that entren thorugh a litil crevise / in-to the
thurroke / & in-tq the botme of the shippe / if men be so
necligent / that men ne discharge hem nought be tyme ||
[364] And therfore al-though ther be a difference bitwene
these two causes of drenchynge / algates the shippe is
dreynte || [365] Right so farith hit somtyme of dedly
synne / & of anoyous venial synnes / whan thei
multiplie in a man so gretly / that thilke worldly thinges
that he louetfr / thorugh whiche he synneth venially / is
as grete in his herte / as the loue of god or more / [366]
SELDEN (for Corpus 628) (6-T. 616)
SIX-TEXT 617
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 629
And therf ore the loue of euery thinge / that is not bisette in
god / ne don principally for godis sake / al-though a man
loue it lasse than god / yit is it venial synne / [367] And
dedly synne is / whan the loue of any thinge Jweyeth
in the herte of a man / as meche as the loue of god or
more / [368] Dedly synne as seith seint Austyne f Austyno
is whan a man turnetn" his herte from god / whic[h]e that is
verry souereyne "bounte / that may nat chaunge / &
yevith his herte to a thinge that may chaunge / & flitte ||
[369] And certes that is euery thinge saue only god of heuen ||
fibr sothe is / if that a man yeve his loue / the whiche that
he owith al to god / with al his herte / vn-to a creature /
certes as meche of his loue as he yevith [....] to that
creature / so meche he birevith from god / [370] & ther-
fore doth" he synne / ffor he that is dettour to god / ne
yeldeth nought al his dette to god / that is to seine al the
loue of his herte /
[371] Now sithen that a man vnderstondeth generally
whiche is venial synne || Than is it couenable to tellen of special
sinnes whiche that many a man perauenturo
denietn" hem no synnes / ne shriven hem nat of the
same thinges / & yit natheles thei ben synnes /
[372] sothely as these clerkes writen / this [is]2 to seine / [2 a word (is?)
erased here.]
that euery tyme that a man etetfi. or drinketB more than
sufficeth to the sustenaunce of his body / in certeine he doth"
synne / [373] And eke whan he speketfi. more than
hit neditfi. / it is sinne || Eke whan he herkeneth nought
mekely the compleynte of the pore || [374] Eke whan
he is in hele of body & wol nought faste / whan other men
faste withouten cause resonable || Eke whan he slepetfr
more than him nedith || or whan he cometfi bi thilke encheson
late to chirche / or to other good werkes of charite / [375]
Eke whan he vsith his wiff / withouten souereyne desire
of engendrure to the honour of god / or for thentent
to yelde to his wiff the the (sic) dette of his body / [376] Eke
whan he wol nought visite thesike/or prisoners whan he may ||
SELDEN (for Corpus 629) (6-T. 617) C1 leaf 279]
SIX-TEXT 618
630 GROUP I, §2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
Eke if he loue wiff or cliilde or any worldly
thinge / more than reson requirith / Eke if he fiatre or
blandisshe / more than him oughte / for any necessite ||
[377] Eke if he amennsetli or withdrawith the almes of
the pore || Eke if he apparaileth his mete more
deliciously than nede is / or ete hit to hastily bi likerous-
nesse || [378] Eke if he telle vanitees at the chirche or
tydeiwordes. in godes seruise / or that he be a talker of ydel wordes
of folie / or of vilonye / for he shal yelde accou[m]ptes of
it at the daie of dome / [379] Eke whan he biheteth
or assureth" to do thinges / that he may not * performe ||
Eke whan that bi lightnesse of folie misseietrl
or scorneth his neighbour / [380] Eke whan he hath any
susspecion of thinge / there as he woote of it no soth-
fastnesse || [381] These thiwges & mo withouten nombre
t Austyne. ben synnes as seith seint Austin
[382] Now shul men vnderstonde that al be it so /
that noon erthely man may eschewe al venial synnes / yit
may he refreyne him bi the brennynge loue that he
hath to oure lorde Thesu criste / & bi praiere / & bi confession /
& other goode workes / so that it shal but litel greve /
[383] ffor as seith seint Austyne || If a man loue god /
in suche manere / that al that euere he dothe is in the
loue of god / or for the loue of god verrily || ffor he
brennethinthe loue of god || [384] loke howmeche meche that
a drope of water that fallith in a furneys ful of fire
anoyeth or grevith / so meche a venial
synne isvn-toaman/thatis perfite intheloveof ourelordihesu
criste || [385] Men may also refreyne venial synne /
bi the resseivinge of the precious body of
ihesu criste / [386] bi resseivinge eke of holy water /
bi almes-dede / bi the general confession of the Confiteor
at the masse / & at the Complyne / and bi blissinge of
Busshopes / and of prestes & bi other goode werkes /
SELDEN (for Corpus 630) (6-T. 618) C1 leaf 279, buck]
SIX-TEXT 619
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 631
De septem peccatis mortalibi^s & eorwm &c
[387]
w is it bihouely thinge / to tellen whiche ben
the .vij. dedly synnes / that is to seyne cheveteynes
of synnes / but alle thei renne in Ooles / but in
dyuers maners / Now ben thei cleped cheveteynes /
for-as-meche as thei ben cheff / & of hem springen alle
other synnes / [388] of the rote of these .vij. sinnes /
than is pride the general rote of alle harmes / ffor of
this rote springen certeine branches / as Ire / Enuye /
accidie / or slouthe / Auarice / or couetise to comune
vnderstondiwg / Gloteneye / & Lecherie / [389] And
eueryche of these cheff synnes hath his branches & his
twigges / as shal be declared in here chapitres folwynge /
[Of Pride, and its Twigs.1]
[390] And though so be that no man can vtterly telle
the nombre of the twigges & of the harmes that comyn of
pride / yit wol I shewe a parte of hem as ye shul
vnderstonde [391] || There is Inobedience || Avauntynge /
Ypocrisie || Despite || Arrogaunce/ Imprudence || Swellinge of
herte || Insolence || Elacion || [
. . . no gap in the MS.] Partinacie || Veynglorie || &
many a-nother twigge that I can nat declare || [392] Ino-
bedient is he / that disobeyetfc for dispite to the commaunde- «f inobedient
ment of god / & to his souereynes / & to his gostly
fader || [393] Auauntour is he that bosteth of the harme f Auauntour
or of the bounte / that he hath don / [394] ypocrisie is
he that hideth him / to shewe him / suche as he is / and
shewitfi him suche as he is not || [395] Dispitous t Dispitous
is he that hath disdeine of his neighbours / that is to
seine / of his euen cristen / or hath dispite to do / that
him oughte to do || [396] Arrogaunt is he / that thinketh if Arrogaunt.
that he hath thilke bounte in him / that he hath nought / or
44 SELDEN (for Corpus 631) (6-T. 619) [Ueaf280]
herte .
TI lusoicnt .
1 Eiacion
t impacient
IContymax
T[ Presumption
t irreuerent
f pertynacy
•I vayngiorie
SIX-TEXT 620
632 GROUP!, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
wenetR that he sholde haue hem bi his desertes / or
ellis that he weneth that he be that he nys nought / [397] In-
pudent is he that for his pride hath 'no shame for his
synne || [398] Swelling of herte is he / whan a man
reioyseth him / of harme that he hath don || [399] Inso-
lent is he / that dispisetfi. in his iugement alle other
folke / as to the regarde of his value / & of his coimynge / & of
his spekynge / & of his berynge || [400] Elacion is / whan
he may neither suffre to haue maister ne felawe || [401]
Impacient is he / that wol nought be taughte ne vnder-
nome of his vice / & bi striff werreth trouthe wetingly /
& maynteneth his folie || [402] Contymax is he that
thorugh his indignacion / is ayeins eueryche autorite or
power of hem that ben his souereynes || [403] Pre-
sumpcion is he / whan a man taketh an emprise / that
him ought not to do / or ellis he may it not do / & that
is called surquidrie || Irreuerent is whan a man doth not
honour / there-as him oughte to do / & waiteth to be
reuerensed || [404] Pertynacy is whan a man defehditn"
his folie / & trusteth to meche his owne witte || [405]
Vayneglorie is for to haue pompe / & delite in
temporel richesse / & glorifieth hem in worldly
estates || [406] langelynge is / whan a man speketh to
meche r/ to fore- folke- & clappeth" as a Mille / & taketh no
kepe what he seith
1[4°7] an(^ yit *s there a prive spice of pride / that
waiteth first to be halowed / er he wol be saluwed / al be he
lasse worth than that other is perauenture / & eke
waiteth or desireth" to sitte or to go above / him in
the weie / or kisse pax / or be ensensed / or go to
offringe / to fore his neighboure || [408] & suche [ . . .
» ..... no gap in the MS.] a proude desire to be
magnified / & honoured bifore the peple ||
[409] Now ben ther two maners of pride / that
oon of hem is withinne the herte of man / & that
SELDEN (for Corpus 632) (6-T. 620) C1 leaf 280; buck]
SIX-TEXT 621
GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 633
other is withoute / [410] off whiche sothely the for-
seide thinges & mo than I haue seide ape?-tynent to
pride / that is in the herte of man / And therto other spices
of pride ther ben withoute / [411] but natheles oon
of these spices of pride is signe of that other || Eigh.t
as the gay levesel at the tauernes is signe of the wyne /
that is in the seler || [412] And this is in many thinges /
as in speche / & in contena?zces / & in outrageous aray of
clothinge / [413] ffor certes if it nadde be no synne /
in clothinge /Criste wold nought so soone haue noted & spoke of
the clothinge / of thilke riche man in the gospel || [414] And
as seint Gregorie seith That precious clothe is cou- fGregorie,
pable / for the derth of hit / & for his softenesse / &
for his strangenesse / & for his disgisinesse / & for the super-
fluyte / or for the inordynaunte scantnesse / [. . . [415]
no gap in the MS.]
[416] As to the first synne /that is in superfluyte of
clothing whiche that makith hit so dere / to harme of the
peple / [417] nat onely the coste of enbroudyng /
the degise endentyng or barryng / owndyng / palyng /
or bendynge / & semblable waste of clothynge /
in vanite || [418] But ther is also costlewe furrynge in
here gownes / so meche pounsyng of cheseles to make
hooles / so meche daggynge of sheres / [419] forth with
the superfluyte in lengthe of the forseide gownes / trail
ing in the donge / & in the myre / on hors & eke on
foote / as wel of man / as of womman / that al thilke
trailynge is verrily as in effecte wasted & consumed / thred-
bare & roten / with donge / rather than it is yoven to
the pore / to grete damage of the forseide pore folke /
[420] & that in sondry wise || this is to seie / the
more that clothe is wasted / the more mot hit coste to
the peple /for the scarsenesse || [421] *And forther-oue/!
if it so be that thei wolde yeven suche pounsed &
SELDEN (for Corpus 633) (6-T. 62l) C1 leaf 281]
SIX-TEXT 622
634 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
dagged clothinge / to the pore folke / it is nought conuenient
to were for here estate / ne sufficeaunt to bete here necessite /
to kepe hem from thedistemperaunce of the colde firmament ||
[422] On that other side to speke of the
disordinat scantnesse of clothing / as ben these cutted
sloppes or hanse lynes that thorugh" here shortnes ne
coueren not there shameful membres of man / to wikked
entent / [423] Alias some of hem shewen the shappe & the boce /
of the orrible swollen membres / that semetft
I-like to the maladie of hirnya in the wrapping of here hoses/
[424] and eke the buttokes of hem that faren / as it were
the hinder parte of a she Ape / in the ful of the moone /
[425] And more-ouer the wreched swolle membres /
that thei shewe thorugh disgisyng / in departynge of
here hoses white & rede / semeth that halff here
privy membres were flayne / [426] And if so be that
thei departen here hoses in other colours / as is white
& black / or white & blewe / or blak & rede / & so
f orthe / [42 7] than semeth hit as bi variaunce of coloure /
that halfF the partie of his priue membres ben corrupte /
bi the fire of seint Antoriye or bi Cancre / or bi suche other
meschaunces / [428] Yit of the hinder parte of here
buttokes / it is ful orrible to se / ffor certes in that
partie of here bodie / there as thei purgen here stinkynge
ordure / [429] that foule parte shewe thei vnto the peple /
proudely / in dispite of honeste / whiche honeste
Ihesu crist & his frendes obserued to shewe in his
liff / [430] Now as to outrageous aray of wommen /
god woot though" the visages of hem semen
ful chaste / & debonayre / yit notefien thei in there araye / in
atire of likerousnesse & pride / [431] I seie nat that
honeste in clothinge of man / & woman is vncouen-
able / But certes the superfluyte / or the disordinat scantnesse
of clothinge / is reprovable / [432] Also the synne of
an ornement / or apparaile / as in thinges that apperteynen
to ridynge / as in to many delicate horses that ben hold-
SELDEN (for Corpus 634) (6-T. 622)
SIX-TEXT 623
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 635
en for delite / that ben so faire fatte / and costelewe / [433]
And also many a vicious knave I-mayntened 1bi-
cause of hem // And in to curious harneyse / as in sadels
cropers / peitresles / bridles couered with precious
clothinge & riche barres / & plates / of golde & of
siluer / [434] ffor whiche god seith bi Zakarie the
prophete / I wol confounde the riders of suche horses /
[435] This folke taken litel rewarde of the ridynge of
god-is sone of heuen / & of his harneys whan he rode
vppon the Asse / & had noon othir harneys but
the clothes of his pore disciples / NQ we rede nat
that euer he rode on other beste / [436] I speke thus
of the sinne of superfluite / & nat for the resonable
honeste / whan reson it requirith // [437] And forther
ouere / certes pride is gretely notefied in holdynge of grete
meyne / whan thei ben of litel profite / or right of no profite /
[438] & namely whan meyne is vileynous & damage-
ous to the peple / bi hardynesse of high lordshippe or bi
wey of office // [439] ffor certes suche lordes sellen
than here lordshippes to the deuel of helle / whan thei
sustene the wikkednesse of here meyne // [440] Or elles
whan these folke of lowe degre / as tho that holden
hosteleries / & that is many manere of folke / that susteynen
theffte / for here Ostelers / & that is in manere of disseites /
[441] thilke manere of folke ben the flyes of felonye that fole-
wen the hony/ or elles the houndes that folowen the careyne /
suche forseide folke strangelen spmYuely here lordshippes
// [442] ffor whiche thus seith Dauid the prophete wikked
dethe mote come to thilke lordshippes / & god yeue that
thei mo we descende a-doun) in-to helle / ffor in here
houses ben iniquitees & shrewdenesse & not god
of heuen / [443] And certes but if thei do amende-
ment / right so as god yaff his beneson to kyng Pharao bi the
service of lacob / and to Laban bi tho seruise of Joseph
right so god wol yeue his malison to suche lordshippes /
as susteyne the wikkednesse / of here seruauntes / but thei
SELDEN (for Corpus 635) (6-T. 623) [' leaf 281, back]
SIX-TEXT 624
636 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
coine to amendement // [444] Pride of the table apperetfi
eke ful offte / for certes riche men ben cleped to festes
& pore folke ben put aweye / & rebuked [445] also
in excesse of diners metes & drinkes / & namely
suche manere of bake l metes & dissli metes / brennynge in
wilde fire / & peynted & castelled with papire / &
in semblable waste / so that hit is abusion for to thenke / [446]
& eke in the grete preciousnesse of vessel & curiousite
of mynstralcie / bi the whiche a man is stered the more to
delites of luxurie / [447] if so be that he sette his herte
the lasse on oure lord Ihesu criste / certeyne it is
sinne / And certeynely the delites myghten be so grete
in this case that men myghte lightly falle bi hem in-to
dedly synne // [448] The espices that sourden of pride /
sothely whan thei sourden of malice ymagened / avised
or a fore caste / or elles of vsage ben dedly synnes it is
no doute / [449] And whan thei sourden bi freelte vn-
avised sodenly / & sodenly withdrawe ageyne / al be
thei greuous synnes / I gesse that thei ben nought
dedly / [450] Now myghte men axe / wherof that pride
sourdeth & springeth / & I seie somtyrne hit
springetfi. of the goodis of nature / & somtyme of
the goodis of fortune / and somtyme of the goodis of
grace / [451] Certes the goodis of nature / stonder,
in the goodis of bodye / or goodis of soule / [452]
Certes the goodis of bodye / ben hele of bodie /
strengthe / delyuernesse / beaute / genterie / ^franchises /
[453] Goodis of nature of the soule / ben goodis with
sharpe vnderstondynge / subtile engyne / vertu naturel / good
memorie / [454] Goodis of fortune ben richesse /
high degrees of lordshippes / preisinges of the peple // [455]
U Goodis of grace. Goodis of grace ben scienses / power to suffre /
Bpm'ftiel travaile / benyngnitees / ve?*tuous contemplacion /
with-stonding of temptacion / & semblable thinges /
[456] of whiche foreseide goodis / certes hit is a ful grete
folie a man to pride him in any of hem alle // [457]
SELDEN (for Corpus 636) (6-T, 624) C1 leaf 282]
^| Goodia of
nature.
f Goodis of
fortune
SIX-TEXT 625
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 637
Now as for to spcke of godis of nature / god wot that
somtyme we haue hem in nature / als meche to oure
damage / as to oure profite [458] And for to speke of
hele of bpdie / certes it passeth ful lightly / & eke hit
is ful offte encheson of sikenesse of the soule / ffor
god woot the flessh is a ful grete enemy to the soule /
and therfore the more the bodie is hoole / the more
ben we in perel to falle / [459] Eke for to pride him / in
his strengthe of bodie / hit is an highe folye / ffor certes
the flesshe coueiteth ageine the spirit / *and ay the more
stronge the flessh is / the soriere may the soule be /
[460] And ouer al this / strengthe of bodie / & worldly
hardinesse / causith ful offte many a man to perel &
meschaunce / [461] Eke for to pride him in his
gentrie / is a ful grete f olie / ffor often tyme the gentrie of the
bodie / bigynneth the gentrie of the soule / and eke we
alle ben of on fader & of on moder / & alle we beii
of oo nature roten & corrupte / riche & pore /
[462] ffor sothe a manere of gentrie it is to preiso
that apparellith mannes corage / with vertues & moralitees /
& makith him cristes childe / [463] ffor trusteth wel that
oner what man / that synne hath maistrie / he is verry
chorle to synne /
[464] Now ben ther general thinges of gentillesse /
as eschewynge of vices / or rebaudrie '/ & s^ruage of
synne / In worde / in werke / & contenaunce / [465] &
vsyng vertu / curtesie / and clennesse / & to bo
liberal / that is to seie large bi mesure / ffor that
that passith mesure / is folie & synne / [466] Another is
to remembre him / of bounte / that he of other folke hath"
receivede / [467] Another is to be benigne / to his goode
subiectes / wherfore as seith Seneca / ther nys nothing more f Seneca,
couenable to a man of high estate / than debonarte
& pite / [468] And there [ no gap in
the M8.] bees whan thei chese hem a kyng / thei chesen
him that hath" no prikke to stynge with // [469]
SELDEN (for Corpus 637) (6-T. 625) C1 leaf 282, back]
SIX-TEXT 626
638 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
Another is a man to haue a noble herte / & a diligent
to atteyne to highe vertues thinges / [470* see after 471 ;
and note the transposing of the clauses in 472 . . . .
• •'•*» no gap in the MS.]
[471] Certes also who that prideth him / in the goodes of
fortune / he is a ful grete foole / ffor somtyme is a man a
fill grete lorde bi the morowe / that is a wrecche
& a caitiff / or it be night / [*47o] Now ce?*tes
a man to pride him in the goodes of grace / is eke
outragious folie / ffor the yifftes of grace / that shold
haue turned him to goodnesse / & to medicyne / turneth"
1 Gregorie . hi?ft to venym & to confusion / as seith" seint Gregorie /
[472] And somtyme the delites of man ben the cause
of his grete maladie of whiche he deyeth" /
And somtyme the riches of a man is cause of his dethe /
[473] Certes the commendacion of the peple is sum-
tyrne ful fals / & f ul brotel for to truste also / this daie thei
preise to morne thei lakke / [474] God woote desire to
1haue commendacion eke of the peple hath caused deth to
many a besy man / [475] Now sithens that so is that ye haue
vnderstonden what is pride / & whiche ben the spices of
it / & whence pride sourdeth" & springeth"
. Remedium contra peccatum superbie.
Ow shal yevnderstonde/whic[h]eis theremedieayeines
JL i the synne of pride and that is humilite or
mekenesse / [477] that is a vertu / thorugti whiche a man
hath verry knewleche of him silff / & holdith" of him
silff / no pris ne deynte / as in regarde of his desertes
considring euere his freelte // [478] Now ben ther thre
maners of humilite / as humilite in herte / Another
humilite is in mouthe / The thride is in werkes /
[479] The humilite in herte / is in foure maners / that
on is whan a man ne holdith him silff nought worth
bifore god of heuen / Another is whan he dispisitix
SELDEN (for Corpus 638) (6-T. 626) C1 leaf 283]
SIX-TEXT 627
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 639
noon other man / [480] The thride is / that he
rekketh nat though men holde him nought worthe / The
ferthe is whan he is nat sory / of his huniyliacion / [481]
Also the humilite of mouthe is in foure thinges / In
attempre speche / & in humble speche / and
whan he biknowith with his owne mouth that he is
suche / as him thinketh that he is in his herte / another
is whan he preisith the bounte of another man / &
no thing therof amennsith [482] humilite / Eke humilite in
werkes is in foure manors / the firste is whan he puttetH
other men biforne him / the seconde is / to chese the
loweste place oner al / the thrid is gladly to assente
to good counsaile / [483] the fourthe is gladly to stonde to
the worde of his soueraignes / or of him that is in highere
degre than he / & this is a grete werke of humylite //
De inuidia .
[484]
Affter pride wol I speke of the foule synne of envie /
whiche that is / as bi the wordes of the Philosophre
sorovve of other mannes prosperite / and after the
worde of seint Austyne / hit is sorowe of other mennes lAustyne,
wele / & ioye of othe[r] men-is harme / [485] This
foule synne is platly ayeine the holy goste / [ . . . . ,
no gap in the MS.] yit natheles
for-asmeche that bounte apperteyneth" properly to the
holy gost / And envie cometh properly of malice / ther-
fore it is properly ayeines the bounte of the holy goste //
[486] Now hath malice two l spices / that is to seie
hardnesse / & wikkednesse / or elles the flesshe of
a man /that is so blindethat he considreth nought that he is in
synne / [ no gap in the MS.] whiche
is the hardnesse of the deuel // [487] That other
spice of malice is / whan that a man werreieth" trouth /
whan that he woote that hit is trouth / & eke whan
he werreieth the grace that god hath yive / to his
SELDEN (for Corpus 639) (6-T. 627) [' leaf 288, back]
SIX-TEXT 628
640 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
neighbour / and al this is bi envie / [488] Certes
than is envie the worste synne that is / ffor sothely
alle other synnes ben sumtyme ayeines .0. special
vertu I [489] but certes envie is ayeines alle special vertues /
& ayeines al goodnesse / for it is sory of al the
bountees of his neighbour / And in this manere it is
diuerse from al other synnes / [490] ffor wel vnnethe
is ther any other synne / that hit ne hath sum delite in him silf F /
saue only envie / that euer hath in him selff angvisshe &
sorowe / [491] The spices of envie ben these / ther is
first sorowe / of other mennes / goodnesse / & of here pros-
perite / whiche is kindely matire of ioye /
than is envie a synne ayeins kynde / [492] The
secounde spice of envie / is ioye of other men-is harme /
& that is properly like to the Deuel / that euer reioyseth"
him of man-is harme / [493] Of these two spices cometB.
bagbitynge /[.... no gap in the MS.~\ or detraccion
hath twey spices / as thus / Somme man preisith his
neighbour / bi a wikked entente / [494] for he makitH
alwey a wikked knotte at the laste ende / alwey ho
makith a butte at the laste ende / that is digne of more
blame than worth is al the preisinge / [495] The secounde
spice is / that if a man be good / & doth & seith al
£hing ,to .good entente / The bagbiter wol turne al the
goodnesse vp so doun / to his shrewede entente / [496]
The thride is to amennse the bounte of his neigh
bour / [497] The ferthe spice of bagbityng is this /
That if men speke goodnesse of a man / than wol the
bakbiter seie perfay / suche a man is better than he /
in dispreisinge of him that men preise / [498] The
.v. spice is this / for to consente gladly & herken
the harme that men speke toft other folke / this
is ful grete / & ay encresetfi. after the wikked
entente of the bakbiter || [499] Affter bakbityng cometn"
grucchinge or murmuracion / & somtyme it springetJi
Jof inpacience ayeines god / & somtyme ayeines man /
SELDEN (for Corpus 610) (6-T. 628) P leaf 284]
SIX-TEXT 629
GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 641
[500] ayeines god it is / whan a man / groccheth ayeines
the peyne of helle / or ayeines pouerte / of losse of catel /
or ayeines reyne or tempest / or ellis grucchen for shrewen
haue prospmte / or good men ad-
uersite / [501] & al these thinges sholde men suffre
paciently / for thei comen bi the rightful rugement and
ordynaunce of god / [502] Somtyme cometh" grocching of
avarice as ludas grucched ayeines the Magdaleyne / whan
she anoynted the hede of oure lorde Ihesn criste / with hir
precious oynement / [503] This manere murmur is suche /
as whan men grocchen of goodnesse / that hem silff
don / or that other folke don / of here owne catal / [504]
Somtyme cometh mwrmur of pride / as whan Symon
the Phareseie grucched ayeines the Magdaleyne / whan
she approchede to Ihesu criste / & wepte at his feete for hir
synnes / [505] And somtyme hit sourdeth" of
envie / whan men discoueren a man-is harme / that was
priue / or bereth him on honde thinge that is fals // [506]
Murmur is eke offte amonge seruauntes / that grucchen
whan here souereynes bidden hem to don leueful thinges /
[507] and for als meche as thei dar nat openly ayeine seie
the commaundement of here souereignes / yit wol thei seie
harme / & grucche / & murmur priuely for verry
dispite / [508] whiche wordes men clepen the Deuels
Pater noster / though so be that the deuel had
neuere Pater nostei / but that folke yeve hit suche
aname // [509] Somtyme hit cometh of Ire / or
of pride & hate / that norishethrankour in herte / as afterward
I shal declare / [510] Than cometh eke bitternesse of
herte / thorugh whiche bitternesse euery good dede of his
neighbour / semeth to him bitter & vnsauerie / [511]
than cometh discorde / that vnbindeth al manere
of frendeship^d / Than cometh scornynge of [
; . . no gap in the MS.] his neigh
bour / al do ho neuere so wel / [512] Than Cometh"
accusynge as whan a man sekith occasion to anoyen his accusyngo.
SELDEN (for Corpus 641) (6-x.
SIX-TEXT 630
642 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
neighbour / whiche that is like the craffte of the deuel /
that waiteth both day & night to accusen vs alle //
[513] Than cometh malignite / thorugh whiche a man /
1anoyeth his neighbour priuely if he may / [514] & if he
may nat algate his wikked wil ne shal nat wante /
as for to brenne his hous priuely / or openly / or slen
his bestes / and semblable thinges
Remedium contra peccatum Invidie.
wol I speke of the remedie ayeines this foule
synne of envie / ffirst is the loue of god
principal / And louynge of his neighbour as him silff / ffor
that on may nat be withouten that
other / [516] And trusteth wel / that in the name of thi
neighbour thow shalt vnderstonde the name of thi
brother / ffor certes alle we haue but 0 fader flesshly & O
moder / that is to seine Adam & Eve / And eke 0 fader
spirituel that is to seie god of heuen / [517] thi
neighbour artow holden to loue & willen al
goodnesse / And therfore seith god / loue thi neighbour as
thi silff / that is to saluacion bothe of bodie & of
soule / [518] And more-ouere thow shalt loue him in
worde / & in benigne amonesshing & chastising /
& comfort him in his anoyes / & pray for him with
al thin herte / [519] and in dede thow shalt loue him
in suche wise / that thow shalt do to him in charite /
as thow woldist hit were don to the in thin owne persone /
[520] And therfore thow ne shalt do to him no damage
in wikked worde / ne harme in his bodie / ne in his catel /
ne in his soule / bi entisinge of wikked ensample / [521]
thow shalt [not] desire his wiff / ne noon of his thinges /
vnderstonde eke that in the name of thi neighbour is com
prehended his enemy / [522] Certes a man shal loue his
enemy for the commaundement of god / & sothly thi
frende shalt thow loue in god / [523] I seie thin
enemy shalt thow loue for godis sake / bi his commaunde-
SELDEN (for Corpus 642) (6-T. 630) [Meaf 284, back]
SIX-TEXT 631
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 643
ment / ffor if hit were reson that man sholde hate his
enemy / ffor sothe god wolde nat receive vs to his lone /
that ben his enemyes / [524] ayeines thre manere of
wronges that his enemy doth to him / he shal do thre
thinges / as thus / [525] ayeines hate & rankour of herte /
he shal lone him in herte / ayeine chiding & wikked
wordes / he shal praie for his enemy / ayeine the wikked
dede of his enemy / he shal don him bounte // [526] ffor
criste 1seith / loue youre enemyes / & praye for hem
that speke yow harme / & eke for hem that yow chasen /
& pursewen / & doth bounte to hem that yow haten /
Lo thus commaundeth vs oure lorde Ihesu criste / to do
to oure enemyes / [527] ffor sothe nature drivetK vs
to loue oure frendes / And perfay oure enemyes han
we more nede to loue / than oure frendes / And thei that
more nede haue / certes to hem shulde men do more good-
nesse / [528] And certes in thilke dede haue we remem-
braunce of the loue of Ihesu criste / that deyed for his
enemyes / [529] And for-asmeche as that loue is the
more grevous to performe / so meche is more
the grete merite // And therfore the louynge of oure
enemyes hath confounded the venym of the Deuel /
[530] ffor right as the Deuel is discomfited bi humilite /
Eight so is he wounded to the dethe / bi the loue of ouro
enemyes / [531] Certes than is loue the medicyne that
chaseth out the venym of envie / from man-is herte / [532]
the spices of this pas shulne be more largely declared in here
chapetles folowynge /
De Ira.
[533]
Affter envie wol I declare the synne of Ire / for
sothely who that hath envie vppon his neighbour
anoon comunely he wol fynde him a matire of
wrathe / in worde or in dede / ayeines him to whom
he hatfc envie // [534] And as wel cometti Ire / of pride
SELDEN (for Corpus 643) (6-T. 63l) C1 leaf 285]
SIX-TEXT 632
644 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
as of envie / ffor sothely lie that is proude or envious /
is lightly wrothe /
[535] tnis synne of Ire after the discrivyng of
f Austyne seint Austyne / Is wikked wil / to ben avengede / hi
worde / or hi dede / [536] Ire after the Philosophre / is
the feruent blood of a man / I-quiked in his herte / thorugh
whiche he wolde harme to him that he hateth / [537] ffor
certes the herte of a man / bi enchaufynge & mevynge of
his bloode / wexeth so trouble / that he is out of al
iugement of reson / [538] But ye shul vnderstonde
that Ire is in two maners / that on of hem is goode /
that other is wikked / [539] The goode Ire is / bi
lelousie of goodnesse thorugh the whiche a man is wrothe /
with wikkednesse / & ayeins wikkednesse / And ther-
fore seith th[e] wise man / that Ire is bett than pleye / [540]
this Ire is with debonairte and hit is wrothe / with-
outen bitternesse / nought wroth l ayeines the man / but
wrooth" with" the rnisdede of the man / as seith the
1 Dmiid. prophete Dauid / Irascimini & nolite peccare / [541] Now
Iniscimini &
noiite pecc»re &c vnderstonditfi. that wikked Ire is in two maners /
that is to seine / sodeyne Ire / & hastiff Ire withouten
avisement / & consentyng of reson / [542] the menywg
and the sens / of this is that the reson of a man ne co?i-
sente nat to that sodeyne Ire / & than is hit venial /
[543] Another Ire is ful wikked / that cometh" of
vilony of herte avised & cast biforne / with wikked wille
to do vengeaunce / &* therto his reson consentith / &
sothely that is dedly synne / [544] This Ire is so dis-
plesaunt to god / that hit troublyth his hous / & chasith the
holy goste out of mannys soule / & wasteth" & di-
stroieth the likenes of god / that is to seie / the vertu
that is in man-is soule / [545] & putteth in him the like
nes of the Deuel / & bynemeth the man from god that
is his rightful lord / [546] This Ire is a ful grete
plesaunce to the Deuel / for hit is the deuels furneys /
that is enchafed with the fire of helle / [547] ffor certes
SELDEN (for Corpus 644) (6-T. 632) [Meaf 285, buck]
SIX-TEXT 633
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 645
right so as the fire is more myghti to distroye erthely
thinges / than eny other element / Eight so is Ire myghti to
distroye alle spirituel thinges / [548] Loke how that
fire of smale gledes / that ben almoste dede vnder asshen
wolne quiken ayeine / whan thei ben touched with
brymston / Eight so wol Ire euer more quiken ayeine /
whan hit is touched bi the pride that is couered in
man-is herte / [549] ffor certes fire ne may not come
out of nothinge / but if hit were first in the same thing
naturelly / As fire is drawe out of flyntes with steeli /
[550] And right so as pride is offten tyme mater of Ire /
Eight so is rancoure / norice & keper of Ire / [551] Ther is
a manere tre as seitfi. seint Isodre / that whan men
make fire of that tre / & couere the coles of hit with
asshen / sothly the fire of hit wol lasten al a yere / or more /
[552] And right so farith hit of rancoure / whan he is
ones conceived in the hertes of som men / certes hit wol
laste perauenture from on Esterday / til another
[. . no gap in MS.] or more / [553] But certes that man
is ful fer from the mercy of god / al thilke while ||
[554] In 1this foreseide deuels fforneys / thei
forgen .iij. shrewis Pride that ay blowith & encresitR
the fire bi chidinges & wikked wordes / [555] Than
stondeth Envie & holdeth the hote Iren vppon the herte
of man / with a peire of longe tonges of longe rancour /
[556] And than stondeth the synne of contumelie or
striff / & cheste / & bateretn, & forgeth bi vileynes
reprovynges / [557] Certis this cursed synne anoyetfr
both the man him-silff / & eke to his neighboure /
ffor sothly al-moste al the harme / that any man
doth to his neighboure / cometh of wrathe / [558] ffor
certis outrageous wratthe doth al / that euer the
deuel him commaunditH / ffor he ne sparith" neither
criste / ne his swete moder / [559] And in his out
rageous anger & Ire / alias alias / ful many on
that tyme felith in his herte ful wikkedly /
SELDEN (for Corpus 645) (6-T. 633) C1 leaf 286]
SIX-TEXT 634
646 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
both of criste / & of alle his halowes / [560] Is
nat this a cursed vice / yis certis alias / hit bynemeth
from man his witt / & his reson / & al his debonayre
liff spirituel / that shulde kepe his soule / [561]
Certes hit bynemeth eke god-is diwe lordshippe / &
that is man-is soule / & the loue of his neighboure /
hit strivith eke alday ayeines trouthe / hit reuyeth him the
quiete of his herte / & subuertethe his soule /
[562] Off Ire comen these stinkynge engendrures /
ffirst hate that is olde wratthe / discorde thorugh which
a man forsaketh his olde frende / that he hath louede ful
longe // [563] And than cometh werre / & eue?y
manere of wronge that man doth to his neighboure in
body or in cateH [564] Off this cursed synne of Ire
cometh eke manslaughter / And vnderstondeth wel that
homycide that is manslaughter / is in diuerse wise / Some
nianere of homicide is spirituel / & some is bodily / [565]
Spirituel manslaughter is in .vj. thinges / ffirst bi
H lohn . hate as seith seint lohn / that he that hateth his brother
is an homicide // [566] homicide is eke bi bakbityng / of
•R Salomon. whiche bakbiters seith Salomon / that thei haue two
swerdis with the whiche thei slen here neighboures / for
sothly as wikked it is to byneme him his good name / as
his liff / [567] Homicide is eke in yevinge of wikked
consail bi fraude / as for to yeve consail to 1areise
wrongfully custurnes & tallages / [568] of whiche seith
H Salomon Salomon / Lyoun rorynge / Bere hungry / ben like to
cruel lordshippes / in withholdyng or abreggyng of the
sheepe / or of the hyre/orof the wages of seruauntes / orellisin
vsure / or in withdrawynge of almesse / fro the pore folke /
[569] for which the wise man seith / ffedith him that
almoste deyeth for hungre / for sothly but if thow fede him /
thow sleest him / And alle these ben dedly synnes / [570]
Bodyly manslaughter is whan thow sleest him with thi
tonge / in other manere as whan thow commaundist to
ele a man / or ellis yevist him consail to sle a
SELDEN (for Corpus 64.6) (6-T. 634) C1 leaf 286, back]
SIX-TEXT 635
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 647 ,
man / [571] Manslaughter in dede is in .iiij. maners /
that on is bi lawe / right as a lustice dampnetn"
him that is coupable / to the dethe / but lat the lustice
be war that he do hit rightfully / & that he do it nat
for delite to spille bloode / but for keping of rightwis-
nesse / [572] Another homicide is don for
necessite / as whan a man sleeth another in his defendaunt /
& that he ne may non otherwise escape from his
owne deth / [573] but certis if he may escape with-
outen deth of his aduersarie / & sleeth him
he doth synne / & he shal bere penaunce / as for dedly
sinne / [574] Eke if a man bi caas or auenture shete
an arowe / or cast a ston / with the whiche he sleeth a man
hit is homicide / [575] Eke if a woman bi necligence
ouerlithe hir childe in hir slepinge hit is homicide &
dedly synne / [576] Eke whan a man distourbeth the con-
cepcion of a childe / or maketh a woman bareyne
bi drinkyng of venemous herbes thorugh whiche she may
nat conceive / or sleeth a childe bi drynkes / or
ellis putteth certeyne material thinges in hir secre
place to sle the childe / [577] or ellis doth vnkyndly
synne / bi the whiche man or woman shedith there nature
in manere or in place / there as a childe ne may nat be con
ceived / or ellis if a woman haue conceived / and hurt'
eth hir silff & sleeth hir childe / yit is it homicide /
[578] what seie we eke of women that mordren
there children for drede of worldly shame / certes an
horrible homicide / [579] Homicide is eke if a man ap-
procheth to a woman bi desire : of lecherie bi the whiche the
childe is perisshed / or ellis smyteth a woman wetingly /
thorugh whiche she lesith hir childe / alle these ben homi
cides & horrible dedly synnes / [580] yit cometh ther of
Ire many mo synnes / as wel in worde / as in thought / &
in dede / as he that arecceth vppon god / or blameth god
of thinge / of whiche he is him-silff gilty / or dispisitB.
god & alle his halowes / as don these cursed hasardours /
4£ SELDEN (for Corpus 647) (6-T. 635) [Meaf287J
SIX-TEXT 636
648 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
in diuerse centres / [581] this cursed synne don thei /
whan thei felen in here herte ful wikkedly of god &
his halowis / [582] Also whan thei treten vnreuerently
the sacrament of the auter / Thilke syiines ben so grete /
that vnnethes may hit ben relessed but that the mercy of
god / passith his workes / hit is so grete / & be so
benygne / [583] Than cometh of Ire attrie anger /
whan a man is sharply amonesshed in his shriffte to for-
lete synne / [584] than wol he be angry and
answere hokerly / & angerly / or defende & excuse
his synne bi vnstedfastnesse of his flesshe / or ellis he.
dide hit / for to holde companye with his felowes / or
ellis he seith the fende entised him / [585] or ellis he
dide hit for his youthe / Or ellis his complexion is so
coragious / that he may nat forbere / Or ellis hit is his
destenye / as he seith \n-to a certeyne age / Or ellis he
seith hit cometh him of gentilnes of his auncetres /
& semblable thinges / [586] Alle these manere of folke
so wrappen hem / in here syiines / that thei ne wol nought
delyueren hem-silff / ffor sothly no wigfrte that excusith"
him of his synne wilfully / may not be delyuered of his
synne / til that he mekely biknowe his synne / [587]
Affter than cometh sweringe / that is expresse
ayeines the commaundement of god / & this bifallith offte
of anger & of Ire / [588] God seith thow shalt not
take the name of thi lord god in veyne ne in ydel / Also
cure lord ihesu seith bi the wordes of seint Mathewe /
[ no gap in the MS.~\ [589] Ne wille ye
nought to swere in no manere / neither bi
heuen for it is godis trone / Ne bi the erthe for hit is the
benche of his feete / Ne bi lerusalem for it is the Cite of
a grete kynge / Ne bi thin hede / for it 1 is nat thin owne / for
thow maist nat make an heere white rie blak / [590] but seith
bi youre ye / ye & nay / nay / And what that is more
it is euel / thus seith criste / [591] ffor cristes sake ne swerith
nought so synfully / in dismembringe of criste / bi soule
SELDEN (for Corpus 648) (6-T. 636) [Ueaf 287, back]
SIX-TEXT 637
GROUP!, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 649
herte / bones / & body / ffor certes it semeth that ye
thenke the cursed lewes dismembred him nought
I-nough / [ . . no gap in the MS.] but ye dismembren
him more / [592] And if so be the lawe coni-
pelle yow to swere / than shul ye reule yow after the lawe of
god in youre swerynge / As seith seint lerome in .iiij.the chap- n Jerome,
itle / [ no gap in the MS.] Thow
shalt kepe .iij. condicions / thow shalt swere in trouthe /
in dome / & in right wisnesse / [593] this is to seyne
thow shalt swere sooth / for euery lesing is ayeines criste /
ffor criste in verray trouthe / And thenke wel this / That
euery grete swerer / nat compelled lawfully to swere /
tfre wounde shal nat departe from his hous / whiles he
vsith suche vnlawful swerynge / [594] Thou shalt swere
eke in dome / whan thow art constreyned bi the Domes-
man to wittnesse the trouthe / [595] Eke thou shalt
nat swere for envie ne for fauour / ne for mede /
but for trouthe & rightwisnesse the declaracion of hit to
the wourshippe of god / & to helpinge of thin euen
cristen / [596] And therfore euery man that
taketh the name of god in ydel / or falsly swerith with
his mouthe / or ellis taketh on him the name of criste
to be called a cristen man / & levith ayeins cristes
levynge & his techinge / alle thei taken godis name
in ydel / [597] Loke eke what seith seint Peter fpetms.
Actuum .iiijto. Non est aliud nomen sub celo / Ther act .inj'°.
nys noon other name seith seint Peter vnder heuen /
I-youen to men in whiche thei mo we be saued / that is to
seine / but in the name of Ihesu criste / [598] [ . . . .
no gap in the MS.] As seith seint Poule / n Pauie.
[ no gap in the MS.] that in the
name of Ihesu euery kne of heuenly creatures / or
erthely / or of helle shulle bowe / for hit is so higfc
& so wourshipful / that the cursed fende in helle sholde
tremble for to hire hit nempned / [599] Than
semeth hit that men that sweren so horribly bi his
SELDEN (for Corpus 649) (6-T. 637)
SIX-TEXT 638
650 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
Missed name / that thei dispisen it more boldely
than diden the cursed lewes / or ellis the deuel that
tremblith whan he hyrith his name /
[600] Now certis sithe that sweringe "but if hit be
lawfully don / is so highly defended / meche xwors is
forsweryng falsly / And yit nedeles
[601] what seie ye of hem / that deliten hem
in swering / & holde hit a gentrie / or a manly dede / to
swere grete oihes / And what of hem that of verry
vsage ne sease nat to swere grete othes / al be the cause
nought worthe a strawe / certes this is an horrible synne/ [602]
swering sodonly withoute avisement is eke a
synne / [60 3] No w lat vs go to thilke horrible & cursed swering /
of adiuracion & coniuracion / as don these false en-
chauntours / & nigromansours in basins ful of water / or
in a bright swerde / in a cercle / or in a fire / or in a shelder-
bon of a shepe / [604] I can not seyne but that thei
don cursedly / & dampnably / ayeines criste / & al the
feith of holy chirche /
[605] what seie we of hem that bileven on
divynailles / as bi flight or bi noyse of briddes / or of
bestes / or bi sorte bi nigromancie / bi dremes / bi chirkyng
of doores / bi gnawynge of rattes / or crakyng of housus /
& suche manere of wrecchednesse / [606] certis al this
thinge is defended bi god & holy chirche / for
whiche thei ben acursed til thei come to amendement /
that in suche filthe setten here bileve / [607] Charmes
for woundes / of maladie of men or of bestes / if thei
take any effecte / hit may be perauenture / that god suffrith
hit / for folke sholde yeve the more feith & reuerence to
his name /
[608] Now wol I speke of lesinges / whiche gener
ally is fals signifiaunce of wordes / in entente to disceiven
his euen cristerc [609] Some lesinge is of whiche
ther cometh noon auantage to no wighte / And some lesinge
turneth to the ease and profite of a man / & to
SELDEN (for Corpus 650) (6-T. 638) P leaf 288]
SIX-TEXT 639
«ROUpI. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 651
damage of another man / [610] Another lesinge is
for to saue his liff / or his catel / Another lesing conieth
of delite for to lye / in whiche delite thei wolne forge a longe
tale / & peynte hit with al circumstaunces / wher
al the grounde of the tale is fals / [611] Some lesinge
cometh for he wol sustene his worde / Some lesinge
cometh of rechelesnesse withouten avisement / & sem-
blable thinges /
[612] Late vs now touche the vice of flaterynge / 1 fflaterynges .
the whiche ne come thnat gladly/but fordrede/orforcouetise/
[613] fnaterie lia genially wrongeful preisynge / fflater-
ers ben the deuelis norices / that norisshen his children
with my Ike of losengerye / [614] ffor soth Salomon seith t Salomon,
that flaterie is worse than detraecion / ffor somtyme de-
traccion maketh an havteyne man / to be the more humble /
for he dredith detraecion // But ceries flaterie makith
a man to enhansen his herte & his contenaunce /
[6 1 5] fflaterers ben the deuelis enchauntours / for
thei maken a man to wene of him selff be like / that he
is nat like / [616] thei ben like to ludas that bitrayed
[. . . * . . no gap in the MS.] a man to selle him
to his enemy / that is to the deuel / [617] fflatrers ben
the deuels Chapeleynes . that singen euere Placebo /
[6 1 8] I reken flaterie in the vice of Ire / ffor offt
tyme if a man be wroth with a-nother than wol
he flatere som wight to sustene him in his quarel /
[6 1 9] Speke we now of suche cursinge as cometh T cm-synge
out of Irons herte / Malison may be seide generally / euery
maner powere of harme / suche cursing birevith a man fro
the regne of god / As seith seint Poule [620] thattPouie.
suche cursinge wrongef ully / retorneth of tyn tyme ayeine to
him that cursith / as a bridde retorneth ayeine to his
ow[ne n]este / [621] And ouer al thing men oughte [MS. rubbed.]
to eschewe to curse here children / & yeven to the deuel
there engendrure / as fer forth as in hem is / certis hit is
a grete perille & a grete synne //
SELDEN (for Corpus 661) (6-T. 639) E1 leaf 288, back]
SIX-TEXT 640
652 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
•If Chidynge. [622] Late vs now speke of chidynge & reproclie
whiche ben grete woundes in man-is herte for
thei vn-sewen the seemes of frendeshippe in inennes lierte /
[623] ffor certis vnnethes may a man ben pleynly
accorded with him / that hath him openly reviled / &
reproued & disclaundred / this is a ful grysely synne /
as criste seith in the gospel / [624] And take kepe now
that he that reprovith his neighbour / outher he reprovith
him bi some harme of peyne that he hath in his body /
As Mesel . Croked harlott / or bi some synne that he dothe //
[625] Now if he reprove him bi harme of peyne /
than turneth the repreff to Ihesu criste / for peyne is
sent bi the rightwis sonde of god / & bi his sufiVraunce /
be it Meselrie or mayme / or maladie. [626] And if he
reprove him vncharitably / of synne / as thow holour thow
dronkelewe harlott / & so forth / than apperteyneth that
to the reioysing of the deuel / that euer hath ioye
that men don synne / [627] And certis chidynge may
not come but of a vileyns herte / ffor after the
f ex habundancia habundaunce of the herte speketh the mouthe ful offte /
' [628] And ye shul vnderstonde that loke bi any wey /
whan any man shal chastise another / that he be war
of chidinge or reproving / ffor truly but he be
wer / he may ful lightly queken the fire of anger & of
wratthe / whiche that he sholde quenche / and pe?'auenture
sleth him that he myghte chastise with benyg-
f Salomon. nite / [629] ffor as seith Salomon the amyable tonge / is
the tree of liff / that is to seyne of liff espirituel / And
a dislave tonge / sleth the spirites of him that
reprovith / and eke of him that is reproved / [630] Lo
what seint Austyne seith / ther is nothing so like the
f Pauie. deueles childe as he that offte chideth / seint Poule seith
eke / I seruaunt of god bihove nought to chide / [631] And
how that chiding is a vileyns thing bitwix al
mane?*e folke / 3it is hit ce?'tis most vncovenable
bitwixe a man & his wiff / for there is neuer reste /
SELDEN (for Corpus 652) (6-T. 640) [i leaf 289]
SIX-TEXT 641
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 653
And therfore seith Salomon / An hous that is vncou<sred
in rayne & droppinge / & a chidynge wiff ben I-like
[632] a man that is in a droppinge hous in many
places / though he eschewe the droppinge in o place /
yit it droppetfi. on him in a-nother place / so farith hit bi
a chidinge wiff / but she chide him in o place / she
wol chide him in another / [633] And therfore better is
a morssel of brede with ioye / than an hous ful of
delites with chidinge / seith Salomon [634] seint l Salomon
Poule seith / 0 ye women be ye subiectes to youre
housbondes / as bihovith in god / And ye men lovith youre
wives / as Colonisences .iii°. IF Ad coiomsen-
ses .iij«.
[635] Affterward speke we of scornynge / whiche is a
wikked synne / and namely whan he scornyth a man for
his goode workes / [636] ffor cartes suche scorners
faren I-like the foule toode that may nat endure to
smelle the swete sauoure of the vyne / whan it
flourith / [637] l These scorners ben partynge felawes
with the deuel / for thei haue ioye whan the deuel
wynneth / &sorowe whan he leseth" /that istoseyesauacionof
soule / [638] thei benaduersaries to oure lord ihesu criste / for
thei haten that he loveth / that is to seie sauacion of soule /
[639] Speke we now of wikked consail / ffor he that
wikked consail yeuetfr is a traytoure / for he disceivitfr IF wikked con-
saille .
him that trusteth in him / vt Achitofel de Absone /
But natheles yit is his wikked counsail first ayens him
selff / [640] ffor as seith the wise marc Euery fals
levyng man hath this properte in him selff / that he that
wol anoye another man / he anoyeth first him selff /
[641] And men shul vnderstonde / that man shal nat
take his counsail of fals folke / ne of to angry folke / ne of
grevous folke / ne of folkethat louen to meche specially here
owne profite / ne to meche wordly folke / & namely in con-
saillynge of soules /
[642] Now cometh the synne of hem that sowen &
maken discorde / amonges folke / whiche is a synne that TDiscorde.
SELDEN (for Corpus 653) (6-T. 61l) C1 leaf 289, back]
SIX-TEXT 642
654 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
criste hateth vtterly / and no wonder is / for he deyed
to make concorde / [643] & more shame do thei to
criste / than dide thei that him crucified / ifor
loueth better that frendeshippe be amonges folke / than
he dide his owne body / whiche that he yaff for vnitees /
therfore ben thei likened to the Deuel / that euere is
a-boughte to make discorde /
\Doubietonge. [644] Now cometh the synne of double tonge / suche
as speken faire bifore folke / & wikkedly be-hynde / or
ellis thei maken sembelaunt / as though thei spake of
goode entencion / or elles in game & pleye / & yit thei
speken of wikked entent /
f bi-wreiynge. of [645] Now conieth biwreiynge of consail / thorugh" the
consaille .
whiche a man is defamed / certes vnnethe may he restore the
damages /
t Manace [646] Now cometh" manas that is an open folye / ffor
he that offte manassith / he thretith more than he may
do ful offt tyme /
1 ydel wordes. [64 7 J Now cometh ydel wordes / that is withouten
profite / of him that speketh the wordes / & eke of him
that herkeneth the wordes / or ellis ydel wordes ben
tho that be nedeles / 1or withouten entente of naturel
profite / [648] And al be hit that ydel wordes ben som-
tyme venial synne / yit sholde men doute hem / for we
shul yeue rekenynge of hem / biforne god /
[649] Now cometh langelynge that may nat be with
outen synne / as seith Salomon hit is a signe of aperte
folye / [650] And therfore a Philosophre seide / whan
a man asked him how men sholde please the peple /
And he answerde & seide / do many goode workes / & speke f e we
langelynges /
[651] And after this cometh the synne of Tapes that
ben the deuels Apes / for thei maken folke to laughe at
here iaperye / as folke don at the gaudes of an Ape /
suche iapes defenditB. seint Poule // [652] Loke how
that vertuous wordes & holy / conforten hem
SELDEN (for Corpus 654) (6-T. 642) C1 leaf 290]
f lapes.
SIX-TEXT 643
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 655
that travaile in the seruiee of criste / Right so conforten
the vileyns wordes & knakkes of iapers hem / that
travailen in the seruice of the deuel / [653] these ben
the synnes that comen of the tonge / that comen of Ire /
And other synnes many mo .
Kemedium contra peccatum Ire .
[654]
rilHe remedie ayeines Ire / is a vertu that men
JL clepen Mansuetude that is debonairte / &
eke another vertu that men clepen Pacience / or ellis
sufferaunce /
[655] Debonairte withdrawith & refreynetS
the sterynges & the mevynges of man-is corage in his
herte / in suche manere that thei ne skippe nought out bi
anger / ne bi Ire / [656] Suffraunce suffreth swetly alle
the anoysaunces / & the wronges / that men don to a man
outwarde / [657] seint lerome seith thus of Debonairte
that hit doth noon harme to no wighte / ne seith for noon
harme that men him don ne seyne / he ne eschaungeth nat
ayeines his resoii / [658] This vertu cometh somtyme of
nature / ffor as seith the Philosophre / a man is a quike
thinge bi nature / debonaire & tretable bi goodenesse /
But whan debonairte is enformed of grace / it
is the more worthe /
[659] Pacience that is another remedie ayewst Ire /
hit is a vertu that suffreth swetly euery mannys goodnesse /
& is nat worthe for noon harme / that is don J vnto him /
[660] the Philosophre seith that Pacience is that
vertu that suffreth debonairly alle the outrages of
aduersite and euery wikked worde / [66 1] this vertu
maketh a man I-like to god & maketh him his
owne dere childe as seith criste / This vertu disconfiteth
thin enemy / And therfore seith the wise man / If thow
wolt venquysshe thin Enemy lerne to suffre / [662] And
thow shalt vnderstonde / that a man suffreth .iiij. manere
SELDEN (for Corpus 655) (6-T. 643) C1 leaf 290, back]
SIX-TEXT 644
656 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
of greuaunces in outwarde thinges / ayeines the whiche .iiij.
he mote haue .iiij. manere of paciences /
[663] The first greuaunce is of wikked wordes /thilke gre-
naunce suffred oure lord ihesu. criste/ withouten grucchinge f ul
paciently / whan the lewes dispised him & reproued him
ful offte / [664] suffre thow therfore paciently / ffor the
wise man eke seith / If thow strive with a fool / though
the fool be wroth or though he laughe algate
thow shalt haue no reste // [665] That other grevaunce
outwarde is / to haue damage of thi catel / There ayeines
suffred criste ful paciently / whan he was dispoyled of al
that he hadde in this liff & that nas nought but the clothes /
[666] The .iij. greuaunce is to a man to haue harme in
his body / that suffred criste ful paciently in al his
passion / [667] The ferthe greuaunce is an outragious
labour in werkes / wherfore I seie that folke that
maken here seruauntes to travaile to grevously or out of
tyme / as on halydayes / sothly thei don grete synne /
[668] Here ayeines suffred criste ful paciently &
taught vs pacience / whan he bare vppon his blessed
shildres the croys vppon the whiche he sholde suffre
dispitous deth / [669] Here may men lerne to be
paciente / ffor certes nought onely cristen men ben pacient /
for the loue of ihesu criste & for guerdon of the blisse
of heuen / & of the blisful liff that is perdurable / But
certes the olde paynemes that neuere were cristen com-
menden & vsen the vertu of pacience /
[670] A Philosophre vppon a tyme that wolde haue
beten his disciple for his grete trespace / for whiche he was
gretly ameved / & brought a yerde to scoure the
childe / [671] And whan the childe sawe the yerde / he
seide to his maister / Jwhat wol ye don / I wol bete
the qwod the maister for thi correccz'on / [672] ffor sothe
quod the childe ye oughte firste correcte youre silff / that
haue lost youre pacience for the gilte of a childe /
[673] ffor sothe quod, the maister al weping thow
SELDEN (for Corpus 656) (6-T. 614) P leaf 291]
SIX-TEXT 645
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 657
seist sothe / haue thow the yerde my dere sone &
correcte me for myn impacience/ [674] Off pacience cometli
obedience thorugh the whiche a man is obedient to criste / &
to alle hem to whiche he oughte to be obediente in criste /
[675] And vnderstonde wel that obedience is perfite /
whan men doon gladly and hastyly with good
herte entirely al that he shulde don / [676] Obedience
generally is to performe the doctryne of god / &
of his soueraignes to whiche him oughte to be obeissaunt
to al manere of right wisnesse /
De accidia .
[6?7j
Affter the synnes of Envie & Ire / now wol I
speke of the synne of accidie / for envie
blyndeth the herte of a man / And Ire troubletfr
a man / And accide maketh him he vie / thoughtful,/ &
wrawe / [678] Envie & Ire maken bitternesse in herte /
whiche bitternesse is moder of accidie / & bynemeth him
the loue of al goodnesse / than is accidie the
anguysshe of a troubled herte / And seint Austyne seith /
It is anoye of goodnesse / & anoye of harme / [679] certis
this is a dampnable synne / for it doth" wronge to Ihesu
criste / in-asmeche as hit bynemeth the seruice that men
don to criste with al diligence / as seith Salomon / H Salomon .
[680] But accide dottL no suche diligence / he doth"
al thing with anoy / & wrawnesse / slaknesse
& excusacion / & with ydulnesse & vnlust / ffor
whiche the booke seith / Acursed be he that doth the
seruice of god necligently / [68 1] than is accidie
Enemy to euery estate of man / ffor certis thestate of
man is in .iij. maners / [682] The first estate is the estate of
Innocencie as was thestate of Adam bifore or he fel in-to
synne / in whiche estate he was holden to werche / as in
heriyng & honouryng of god / [683] Another estate
is the estate of synful men / in whiche estate men ben holden
SELDEN (for Corpus 657) (6-T. 645)
SIX-TEXT 646
658 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
to laboure / in praiyng to god for amendeinent of here
synnes / & that he wol graunte hem to arise out of here
1synnes / [684] Another estate is thestate of grace/ in
whiche estate he is holde to do workes of penaunce / &
certis to alle these thinges is accidie enemy & con-
trarie / for he loueth no besynesse at al / [685] Now
certis this foule synne accidie is eke a ful grete enemy
to the liflode of the body / for it hath no purviaunce
ayeines temporel necessite / for hit is for
sleuthed / for slougged & distroyed alle goodes temporelles bi
rechelesnesse /
[686] The fourthe thing is / that accide is like hem
that ben in the peyne of helle / bicause of here slouthe /
& of here hevynesse / ffor thei that ben dampned ben
so bounde / that thei ne mow nat wel do / ne wel
thenke / [687] Off accide cometh" first / that a man is
anoyed / & encombred to do any goodnesse / &
maketh that god hath abhomynacion of suche
accide as seith seint lohn) /
IT siouthe. [688] Now cometh sleuth, that wol nat suffre noon
hardenesse / ne no penaunce / ffor sotfr slouth. is so
tender & so delicate / as seith Salomon that he wol
suffre noon hardnesse ne penaunce /And therfore he
shendith al that he doth [689] ayeines his roten
herted synne of accide / And slouth sholde men
excersise & vse hem selff to don good workes & manly /
& vertuously cacchen corage wel to don / thenk-
yng that oure lord ihesu criste quiteth euery goode
dede / be it neuere so lite / [690] vsage of labour is a
f Bernard grete thing / ffor hit maketh as seith seint Bernarde / the
laborer to haue stronge armes / & harde senowes / &
slouth maketh a man feble & tendre / [691] Than cometh
drede to bigynne any goode workes / ffor
certes he that is enclyned to synne him thenketh it
is so grete an emprise / for to vndertake to do workes
of goodnesse / [692] and casteth in his herte that the
SELDEN (for Corpus 658) (6-T. 646) C1 leaf 291, buck]
SIX-TEXT 647
GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 659
circunstaunces of goodnesse ben so grevous & so
chargeable for to suffre / that lie dar nat vndertake to
don workes of goodnesse / as seith seint Gregorie /
[693] Now cometh wanhope / that is dispeire of the IF wanhope .
mercy of god / that cometh somtyme of to meche out-
ragious sorow / And somtyme of to meche drede / ymagen-
ynge l that he hath don so meche synne / that hit wold
nat availe him / though he wolde repent him / &
for sake synne & do good / [694] thorugh whiche dispeire or
drede /he habundith his herte to euery manere synne /as seith
seint Austyne / [695] whiche *dampnable synne if
it contenue vn-to his ende / hit is cleped synnynge in the
holy gost / [696] this orrible synne is so perilous /
that he that is dispeired ther is no felonye ne no synne
that he douteth for to do / as shewed wel bi ludas /
[697] Certes abouen alle synnes / than is this synne
most displesaunce to crist / & most aduersarie [698]
to god / sothly he that dispeirith him / is like the cowarde
Champion recreant / & seith creant withouten nede /
Alias alias nedeles is he recreant /
& nedeles dispeired / [699] ffor certes the mercy of god is
euere redy to the penitente / & is above alle his workes /
[700] Alias can nat a man bi-thinke him on the gospel
of seint Luke . xvmo. where as criste seith / That as wel shal 1 luce .xvm°.
ther be loye in heuen vppora a sinful man / that doth
penaunce / than vppon nynety & nyne . that
[. . . . no gap in the MS.] nedith no penaunce / [701]
loke ferthermore in the gospel / the loye & the
feste of the goodman that had lost his sone / whan
his sone with repentaunce was retourned to his fader /
[702] Can thei nought remembre hem that as seith
seint luke . xiij°. Capitwlo / how that the theff seide that was f luce .xiij°. c°.
honged bi-side ihesu cristes side / lord remembre on me whan
thow comest vn-to thi kingdome / [703] ffor sothe seide
criste / to day thow shalt be with me in
Paradise [704] Certes ther is noon so orrible synne of
SELDEN (for Corpus 659) (6-T. 647) C1 leaf 292]
SIX-TEXT 648
660 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
man / that it ne may in his liff be distroyed bi penaunce /
thorugfr vertu of the passion & the dethe of criste /
[705] Alias what nedith a man than to be dispeired /
sitheii that his mercy so redy is / & so large / Aske & haue /
U sompnoieneia [706] Than Cometh" soinpnolence that is sloggy
slombrynge / whiche maketh a man hevy & dul in
body / & in soule / & this synne cometh of slouthe /
[707] And certes the tyme that Jbi wey of reson men
sholde nought slepe bi the morowe but if ther were
cause resonable / [708] ffor sothely on the morowe tide is
most couenable a man to seie his prayeres / & for
to thenke on god / & for to honoure god / & to
yeve almes to the pore that first comen in the name
of criste / [709] Lo whath seith Salomon who so wol
bi the morowe awake & seke me / he shal fynde
fneciigenoe me / [710] Than cometh necligence or rechelesnesse- /
that recketh of nothinge / And how that ignoraunce is the
moder of al thing /that toucheth harrne/Certes necligence is the
norice / [711] necligence doth no force whan he shal do
a thinge / whether he do it wel or badly /
[712] Off remedy of these two synnes / as seith
the wise man / That he that dredith god / sparetS. not
to don / that him oughte to don / [7 1 3] & he that loueth
god / he wol do diligence to please god / bi his workes /
and habunden him selff with al his niyghte wel for to don /
tydeinesse. [714] Than cometh ydelnesse / that is the yate of al
harme / An ydel man is like to a place that hath no
walles / there As deuels may entren bi euery side / or shete
at him at discouert bi temptacion on euery side /
[715] this ydelnes is the Thorroke of alle wikked &
vileynes thoughtes / & of alle Tanglis / triflis / & of
al ordure / [716] Certes the heuen is yeven to hem that
f Dauid wol laboure & nought to ydel f olke / Eke Dauid seitfr /
thei ne be nat in the laboure of men / ne thei ne shal
nat be whippede with men / that is to seie in purgarie /
SELDEN (for Corpus 660) (6-T. 648) Pleaf 292, backj
SIX-TEXT 649
GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 661
[717] Certes than seineth hit that thei shul be turmented /
with the deuel in helle / but if thei don penitence /
[718] Than cometh the synne that men clepen
tarditas / as whan a man is to latrede or to tariyng / or f tarditas
he wol turne to god / & certis that is a grete folye /
he is like him that fallith in the diche & wol nought
arise / [719] as this vice cometh of fals hope that
he thenketh that he shal leve longe / bu[t] that hope
failith f ul offte /
[720] Than cometh laches that is he/ that whan he IT Laches,
bigymieth any goode werke / a-non he wol forlete it &
stynte / as don thei that haue any wight 1to gouerne /
& ne taken of him no more kepe / anoon as thei fynde
any contrarie or any anoye / [721] these ben the newe
shepperdes that laten here shepe renne weti[n]gly to
the wolff that is in the breres / or don no force of here owne
gouernaunce / [7 2 2] Of this cometh pouerte / and distruccion
bothe of spirituel & of temporel thinges / Than cometh
a mane?*e of coldnesse / that f resith at the herte of man / T coidenesse .
[723] Than cometh vndevocion/thorugh the whiche a man is
blente / as seith seint Bernarde and suche langour in
soule / that he ne may neither rede ne synge/in holy chirche /
ne hire ne thenke of no deuocion / ne travaile with
his hondes in no goode workes / that hit nys to him vnsaverie /
& al appalled / [724] than wexeth he sore & slowe &
slombri & soone wol be wrothe / & soone is he enclyned
to hate & to envie [725] Than cometh the synne of
wordly sorowe / whiche that is cleped tristicia / that sletR
a man as seint Poule / [726] ffor certis suche sorowefPouie
wercheth to the dethe of the soule & of the bodie also /
fforther ouere than cometh. that a man is anoy ed of his owneliflf /
[727] wherfore suche sorowe shortetfi ful offte the liff of
men / or that here tyme come bi wey of kynde /
SELDEN (for Corpus 661) (6-T. 649) ['leaf 293]
SIX-TEXT 650
662 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
[728]
Remediuw contra peccatum Accidie .
geyns this orrible synne of accidie / & the
branches of the same / ther is a vertu that is cleped
1 ffortitudo.. ffortitudo / or strengthe / that is an affeccion thorugh
whiche / a man dispisith al maner of noyous thinges / [7 2 9] this
vertu is so myghti & so vigorous / that hit dar withstoiide
myghtily & wisely kepe him selff from perellis that ben
wikked / and wrestle ayeines the assavte of the deuel /
[730] ffbr hit enhaunseth & enforseth the soule / right as
f ffortitudo. accidie abateth hit / & makith hit feble / for this ffortitudo
may endure bi longe suffraunce / the travailes that ben
couenable /
[731] this vertu hath many spices [. . no gap in MS.]
The first is cleped / Magnany my te / that is to seie l grete corage /
ffor certis ther bihoueth grete corage ayeines accidie / lest
that hit swolowe the soule / bi the synne of sorowe / or
distroye hit bi wanhope / [732] this vertu maketh
folke to vndertake harde thinges / & grevous
bi here owne wille / wisely & resonably / [733] And for-
asmeche as the deuel ntetfi. ayeines man / more bi
queyntise & bi slighte / than bi strengthe / therfor* a man
sholde with-stonde him / bi witt / & bi reson & with dis-
Iffidesspes. cression / [734] Than ben ther the vertues of feith / &
hope in god / & in his seintes / to atcheuen & accomplisshe
goode werkes / in the whiche he purposeth fermely
1 securitas to contenue / [735] Than cometh" surete or sekernesse /
& that is / whan a man ne doutetfr nat to travaile in tyme
comyng to performe the grete workes of goodnesse / that he
t Magnificencia hath bigonne/ [736] Than cometh magnificence/that is to seie/
whan a man doth & performeth grete werkes /
& that is the ende / whi that men sholde do goode
werkes / for in the accomplisshircg of grete & goode
werkes lithe the grete guerdoun / [737] Than is ther
t constancia. Constaunce / that is stablenesse / of corage / & this sholde
be in herte / bi stedefast feith / & in
SELDEN (for Corpus 662) (6-T. 653) [Ueaf 293, tyick]
SIX-TEXT 651
GROUP I. §2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 663
the nioovthe / & in berynge / in chere / & in dede / [738] Eke
ther ben mo special thinges / & remedies / ageyns accidie in
diuerse werkes / & in consideracion of peynes of helle / & of the
ioyes of heuen / & in the truste of the grace of the holy
goste / that wol yeve him myght to performe his goode
entente /
De Auaricia .
[739]
Affter accidie wol I speke of avarice / & of
couetise / of the whiche synne / as seith seint Poule /
that the rote of alle synnes is couetise / Ad
Tymotheum .vj.to [740] ffor sothely whan the herte of a
man is confounded in hit selff / & troubled / and that the
soule hath loste the comforte of god / than seketh he an
ydel solace of wordly thinges /
[741] Avarice after the discripcion of seint Augustyne / T Austyne,
Is a likerousnesse in herte to haue erthely thinges /
[742] Somme other folke seie / Hhat auarice is / for to
purchase many erthely thinges / & nothing yeve
to hem that haue nede / [743] And vnderstondith wel that
auarice nys nat onely in londe ne in eatel / but som-
tyme in science / and in glorie / & in euery manere of
outragious thinges / is auarice & couetise / [744] And
the difference bitwixe auarice & couetise is this /
Couetise is for to coueite suche thinges as thow
hast nought / And auarice is to withholde & kepe /. suche
thinges as thow hast withouten rightful nede / [745] sothely
this auarice is a synne that is ful dampnable / ffor al holy
writt curseth hit / & speketh ayeines that vice / ffor it dothe
wronge to Ihesu criste / [746] for it bireueth him the loue
that men to him owen / and turnetfi. hit bakwarde ayeines
al reson / [747] & maketh" that the auericious man /
hath more hope in his catel thaw in Ihesu criste / &
doth more obseruaunce in keping of his tresour* / than
he doth to the seruice of ihesu criste [748] And therfore seitH
46 SELDEN (for Corpus 663) (6-T. 661) C1 leaf 294, back]
SIX-TEXT 652
664 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS,
Puule
^ Exodi c°.
seint Paule / Ad Ephecios / v.to tliat an auarious man is
thral to ydolatrie /
[749] what difference is bitwixe an ydolastre / &
an auarous man / But that an ydolastre perauenture
ne hath but oon mavmet or two / And the auarous man
hath many / ffor certis eueryfloreyne or noble in his cofre is his
Mavmet / [750] And certis the synne of Mavmetrie is
the first thing / that god defendith in the ten commaund-
ementes/as berith witnesse in Exodi c° (blank] [751] thow
shalt haue no fals godis / bifore me / ne thow shalt make
to the no grave thinge / thus is than an auarous man that
loueth" his tresour* bif orne god / An ydolastre [752] thorugh
his synne of avarice / & of couetise / comen these
harde lord-shippes / thorugh whiche men ben distroyed /
bi tallages Custumes & cariages / more than here
duete or reson is / and eke take thei / of here bonde-
men amersementes / whiche myghte more resonably be
1cleped extorcions than mercymentes / [753] of whic[h]e
mercimentes & raunsons of bondemen / some
lordis Stewardes seyne that hit is rightful / for-asmeche as
a Cherle hath no temporel thing / that hit ne is here lordes
as thei seie / [754] But certis thes lordes don
wronge / that thei bireve here bonde folke thinges / that thei
1 Austyne neuer gaff hem / Augusti[n]%s de Ciuitate dei libro nono / [7 5 5 ]
sothe is that the condicion of thraldom / & the first
1 Genesi« qu*nto cause of thraldom is for synne / Genesis quinto /
[756] thus may ye se that the gilte deservith
thraldom / but nat nature / [757] wherfore these lordes
ne shulde nat meche glorifie hem in here lord-shippes /
sithen that bi naturel condicion thei ben lordis ouer
thrallis / but for that / that thraldom cam first bi deserte of
synne / [758] And ferther oner there as the lawe seith /
that temporal goodes of bonde folke / ben the goodes
of here lordshippes / ye that is to vnderstonde / the goodes
of the Emperour5 to defenden hem in here right / but nat
for to robben hem ne reven hem / [759] And therfor1
SELDEN (for Corpus 664) (6-T. 652) [* leaf 294, back]
SIX-TEXT 653
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 665
seith Seneca / Thi prudence sholde leve benygnely with Ifseneca.
thi thrallis / [760] thei that thow clepest tlii thrallis /
ben godis peple / ffor humble folke ben cristes frendes /
thei ben contubernyal with the lorde /
[761] Thenke eke that of suche seede as Cherles
springen / of suche seede springen lordes / as wel may
the Cherle be saued / as the lorde / [762] The same dethe that
takeththe Cherle / the same dethe takith the lorde /wherf ore I
rede do right so with thi cherle / as thow woldest
thi lord dide with the / if thow were in his plighte /
[763] Euery sinful man is a cherle to synne / I rede IT Consiiium .
the lorde thow werche in suche wise / that
thi cherles rather loue the than drede the / [764]
I wot wel ther is degre / aboue degre / as reson
is / & skele that if that men don here devoyre there as hit is due //
But certes extorcions & dispites of youre vnderUynges is
dampnable /
[765] and therfore vnder-stondith wel / that
conquerou[r]s or tirauntes maken ful offt thralles of
hem that ben borne / of as roial blood / as ben thei that
hem conqueren / [766] This name of thraldom was
neuere erst couthe / til that Noye seide / that his sone
Cayme shulde be thral to his brother for his synne / n Cayme cause of
[767] what seie we than of hem that pelyn & don
extorcions to holy chirche / Certes the swerde that
men yeveii first to a knyght whan he is newe dubbed /
signefieth that he sholde defende holy chirche / &
nought robbe it / & who so doth is traitour
to criste / [768] as seith seint Austyne / thei ben
deuels wolvis that strangelyn the shepe of ihesu
criste / & don worse than wolves / [769] ffor sothly
whan the wolff hath ful his wombe / he stintetE. to
strangelyn shepe / but sothely the pilours & the distroy-
ours of holy chirche goodes ne don nat so / for thei ne
stinte neuer to pilen / [770] Now as I haue seide / sithen so
is that sinne was first cause of thraldom / than is it
SELDEN (for Corpus 666) (6-T. 653) C1 leaf 295]
T semus smio-
rum
1 Disceite.
SIX-TEXT 654
666 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
thus / that thilke tyme that al the world was in synne /
than was al the worlde in thraldom & subieccion) /
[771] But certis sithen the tyme of grace cam / god
ordeyned / that some folke shold be more high in estate
& degre / than some / and some folke more lowe / And that
eueryche sholde be serued in his estate / & in his degre /
[772] And therfore in some contrees there they ben
thrallis / whan thei haue turned hem to the feitft / thei maken
here thralles free / out of thraldom / And therfore certis
the lord owitfi. to his man / that the man owith to
his lorde / [773] The Pope clepeth him silff seruaunt
of the seruauntes of god / But for-asmeche as the estate of
holy chirche / ne myghte nat haue be kept / ne the comen
profite ne myght nat haue be kept ne pees ne reste / in
erthe / but if god had ordeyned that some men hadde
higher degre / & some men lower1 / [774] And therfore was
souereynte ordeyned / to kepe and mayntene / & de-
fende here vnderlircges / & here sub1iectes in reson / as fer-
forthe as it lith in here powere / and nat to distroye hem /
ne confouiide / [775] wherfore I seie / that suche lordes
as ben like wolves / that devoured the possessions or
the catel of pore folke wrongefully withouten me?*cy or
mesure / [776] thei shullen resceiven bi the same mesure /
that thei haue mesured to pore folke / the mercy of Ihe-su
criste / but if hit be amended / [777] Now cometh disceite
bitu[i]xe marchaunt & marchaunt / And thow shalt vnder-
stonde that marchaundise is in many maners / that oon
is bodily & that other is gostly / that oon is
leful & honest / that othere is dishoneste & vuleful /
[778] Of thilke bodyly marchaurcdise that is leful &
honest is this / that there as god hath ordeyned / that a
Eegne or a contre is sufficiaunt to him silff / than it is
honest & leful / that of the abundaunce of this contre /
that men helpe another contre that is more nedye /
[779] And therfore ther mote be marchauntes to
bringe from that oon contre / to that othere / here march-
SELDEN (for Corpus 666) (6-T. 654) C1 leaf 295, backj
SIX-TEXT 655
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 667
aundise / [780] That other marchaundise is that / that men
haunte with fraude / & trecherie / & disceite / with
lesinges / & fals othes / is cursed & dampnable /
[781] Espirituel marchaundise is properly Symonye /
that is ententiff desire to bye thinge espirituel / that is
thinge that apperteyneth to the seintuarie of god / & to
the cure of soule / [782] This desire if it so be / that a
man do his diligence to performe hit / al be it though his
desire ne take noon effecte / yit is it to him a dedly
synne / & if be ordrede he is irregulere / [783] Certis
Symonye is cleped of Symon Magus / that wolde haue 1 Symon Magua
bought with the temporal catel / the yifftthat god hadde yeuen
bi the holy gost / to seint Peter / & to thappostles /
[784] And therfore vnderstondith / that both he that
sellith & he that bietfr thinges espirituels ben
cleped symonyals / be hit bi catel be hit bi procuryng /
or bi flesshly praiere / of his frendes / or of his spmftiel
frendes / [785] 3nesshely frendes / in two maners / as bi
kynrede / or as bi other frendes / or of spmYuel frendes /
Sothely if thei praie for him that is nat able / & worthi it
is symonye / iff he take that benefice / & if he be worthi &
able hit nys noon / [786] The other manere is whan a man
or a woman praie for folke to avaunce hem / onely for
wikked flesshely affeccion / that thei haue vn-to the persones/
& that is in soule Symonye / [787] but certes in seruices
for whiche men yeven thinges espw'^uels vn-to here
seruauntes / hit mot ben vnderstonde / that the seruice
mot be honeste / & elles nat / And eke that hit be
withouten barganynge / & that the persone be able /
[788] ffor as seith seint Damasie / Alle the synnes of the 1T
worlde / at the regarde of this sinne / ben as thinge of nought /
ffor it is the grettest sinne that may be / after the sinne
of Lucifer & of Antecriste / [789] ffor bi this sinne god
forlesith the chirche & the soule / that he bougfite with
Ms precious bloode / bi hem that yeuen chirches to hem
that ben nat digne / [790] ffor thei putten in theves that
SELDEN (for Corpus 667) (6-T. 655) I1 leaf 296]
SIX-TEXT 656
668 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
stelen the soule of Ihesu criste / & distroyen his patry-
moigne / [791] By suche vndigne prestes / & curates
haue men the lasse reuerence of the sacramentes of
holy chirche / And suche yeuers of chirches putten out
the childerne of criste / & putten in-to the chirche the
deuels owne sones / [792] thei sellen the soules /
the lomhes thei kepen to the wolff that strangelith"
hem / and therfore shul thei neuer haue parte
of the pasture of the lombes / that is in the blisse of
thasardrie. heuen / [793] Now cometh hasardrie / with his appur-
tenaunce / as tahles / Eavfles / of whiche comen disceite /
& flas othes / Chidinges / & al ravynges / blasphemynge /
& reuyynge of god / & hate of his neighbours / wastynge
of goodes / misspendynge of tyrne / & somtyme man
slaughter / [794] Certis hasardours ne mowe nought be
withouten gretesynne/ whiles thei hauntenthatcraffte/[795]
Off Avarice cometh eke lesinges / thefft / f als witnesse l ffals
othes /and ye shul vnderstonde / that these ben grete synnes /
& expresse ayeines the commaundeme/ites of god as I haue
seide / [796] ffals witnesse is in worde & in dede eke /
In worde / as for to bireve thi neighbors good name /
bi thi fals wittnesse / or bireve him his catel / or his
heritage bi thi fals wittnessinge / whan thow for Ire / or
for mede / or for envie / berest fals witnesse / or accusest
him / or excusest him bi thi fals wittnesse / or *ellis ex-
f waryow cusest thi selff falsly // [797] "War yow questemongeres &
questernongeres . . ~
notories / Certis for fals wittnessinge was busanna in
grete sorowe & peyne & many another mo / [798] The
sinne of thefft is eke expresse ayeines godis heeste / & that in
two maners / Corporel & spmYuel / [799] [Corporel]
as for to take thi neighboris catel / ayeines his wil /
be hit bi force / or bi slighte / be it bi mette or bi mesure /
[800] bi stelinge eke of fals enditementes vppon him / And
in borowynge of thi neighboris catel / in that entente neuere
to pay / & semblable thinges / [80 1] Es-
pm'fuel thefft is sacrilege / that is to seie in hurt-
SELDEN (for Corpus 668) (6-T. 656) P leaf 296, back]
SIX-TEXT 657
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 669
ynge of holy thinges / or of thinges sacrede to criste / in two
maners / bi reson / of the holy place / as chirches or
chirchehawes / [802] ffor eue?*y violente sinne that
men don in suche places may be cleped sacrilege / or
euery violence in semblable place / Also thei that
withdrawen falsly the rightes that longen to holy
chirche / [803] And playnly & generally is sacrilege
to yeve holy thinge / fro holy place / and vn holy
thinge out of holy place / Or holy thinge out of vn-
holy place /
Eemedium contra Auariciam.
NOw shul ye vnderstonde / that the relevynge of
Auarice is .mesericorde / & pite largely taken /
And men myght axe whi / that misericorde & pite /
is the releuynge of Auarice / [805] Certes the auarouse
man / shewith no misericorde ne pite / to the nedeful
man / ffor he delitetB. him in the kepinge of his tresoure /
& not in the restoringe ne relevinge of his euen
cristen / & therfore speke I first of misericorde
[806] 1Than is misericorde as seith the Philosophre
a vertu bi whiche the corage of a man is stored / bi the
mysese of him that is mysesed / [807] vppon the whiche
misericorde folwitE. pite / in performynge of charitable
workes / of misericorde / [808] And certes this
mevitfi. man to misericorde of Ihesu criste / that yaff
him silff for oure gult / & suffred dethe / for misericorde /
& foreyaff vs oure original sinnes / [809] & therbi
relesed vs fro the peyne of helle / & amennshed the
peyne of purgatorie bi penaunce / And yevitS. grace
wel to do / And at the laste the ioye of heuen / [810] the
spices of misericorde ben as for to leue / & for to
yeve / & eke for to foryeve / & relese & haue
pite / in herte / & to haue compassion of the mischeff of thi
SELDEN (for Corpus 669) (6-T. 657) C1 leaf 297]
SIX-TEXT 658
670 GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
euencristen / & eke chastice there as nede is /
[811] Another manere reinedie ayeins auarice is
resonable largesse / but sothely here bihovith the con-
sideracion of the grace of Ihesn criste / & of his
temporel goodes / & eke of the goodes perdurable
that criste yaff vs / [812] & eke to haue remembraunce of
the dethe that he shal resceive he note whanne /
& eke that he shal forgon al that he hath /
saue only that / he hatE. dispendid in goode workes /
[813] But for-asmeche as sorame folke ben vnmesur-
able / men oughten eschue foole largesse that men
clepen waste / [814] Certis he that is foole large ne
yevith nought his catel / but he leseth his catel / Certes
what thinge that he yevith for vaynglorie / as to
mynstralles / & to folke for to bere his renoun in the
worlde he hath don synne & noon almes /
[815] Certis he leseth foule his goode / that ne seketh"
nothinge with his goode but synne /
[8 1 6] he is like an hors that seketh rather to drynke
droupy water or troubly / than for to drinke water of the
clere welle / [817] And for-asmeche as thei yeuen there
as they shulde nat yeuen / to hem apperteyneth that
malison that crist shal yeue at the day of dome to
hem that shulle be dampnede
A'
De gula.
[8 1 8]
ffter auarice cometli glotenye / whiche is expresse eke
ayeines the commaundementes of 1god / glotenye is
vnmesurable appetite to ete / or to drinke / or ellis
p appetite em***] to don I-noughe / to the vnmesurable 2 & discorde
covetise to ete & ,to drinke / [819] This sinne cor-
rumppeth al this worlde / as is wel shewed in the synne of
ITPauie Adam & of Eue / Lo eke what seith" seint Paule / of
gloteneye / [820] Many folke of whiche
SELDEN (for Corpus 670) (6-T. 668) P leaf 297, back]
SIX-TEXT 659
GROUP! §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 671
I haue oft seide to yow / & now I seie it wepinge /
to hem that ben enemyes of the croyce of criste / of
whiche the ende is dethe / and of whiche here wombe is
here god / & here glorie in confusion of hem that sc
devouren erthely thinges / [821] he that is vsante to
this synne of glotenye / he ne may no synne with-stande /
he moste be in the seruage of alle synnes or vicis / for it is the
deuels horde there he hideth him inne & resteth" / [822] this
synne hath many spices / The first is dronkenesse /
that is the sepulture of manis reson / & ther-
fore whan a man is dronke he hath loste his reson / &
this is dedly synne / [823] but certis whan a
man is nought wonte to stronge drmke / ne perauenture ne
knowith. nat the strengthe of the drinke / or hath feblenesse
in his hede/or he hath travailled thorugh whiche hedrynketh
the more / al be he so sodenly caughte with drynke / it is no
dedly synne but venial / [824] The seconde spice of
gloteneye is / whan the spirite of man waxeth al trouble
for dronkenesse / & birevith him the discresion of his witt /
[825] The thride spice of glotenye is whan a man
devoureth his meete / & hath 110 rightful manere of etynge /
[826] The ferthe is whan thorugh the grete abund-
aunce of his meete / the humores of his body ben dis-
temperede / [827] The .v. is foryetefulnesse / bi to mechel
drynkynge / for whiche somtyrne a man for-yetith bi the
morowe / what he dide at eve or on the night biforne /
[828] In other manere ben discrived the spices of
glotenye / affter seynt Gregorie / The first is for to ete
fore tyme / The .ij.de is whan a man geteth him
to delicate meete / [829] The .iij.de is whan
a man taketh to mechel ouere mesure / The .iiij. Jis
the curiouste / with grete entente to make & apparaille
his meete / The .v. is to ete to gredily / [830] These
ben the .v. fyngeris of the Deuels honde / bi the whiche
he drawith folke to synne /
SELDEN (for Corpus 671) (6-T. 659) ['leaf 298]
SIX-TEXT 660
672 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
Kemedium contra gulam.
p3i]
Ageynes glotenye is remedie / the abstinence of his body /
as seitfc Galienus / but that holde I nat meritorie / if
he do hit onely for helthe of the bodie / seint
Austyne wolde that abstynence were don for vertu / &
with pacience / [832] Abstinence he seith is litil worthe /
butif aman haue goode willetherto/ And but if he be enforced
bi pacience and bi chaste / & that men do it for
godis sake / & in hope to haue the blisse of heuen /
[833] The felowes of abstinence ben Attempe?*-
aunce / that holditn" the ineene in al thinges Eke
shame that eschewith" al dishoneste / Suffisaunce that
seketh no riche metes / ne drinkes / ne doth no fors of noon
outrageous apparaillynge of meete / [834] Mesure also
that restreyneth bi reson the dislave appetite of etinge /
Sobernessealso that restreyneth the outrageousnesse of drinke/
[835] Sparynge also that restreyneth the delicate ease to
sitte longe at his meete / & sofftly / wherfore somme men
stonden of here owne wil / to eten here meete at the lasse leyser /
De luxuria.
[836]
Affter glotenye / than cometh lecherie / ffor these
two sinnes ben so nygh cosyns / that often tynie /
thei wil nat departen / [837] god woot this
sinne is ful displesaunt to god / for he seide him
selff / do no lecherie / And there he putte grete peynes
ayeines this sinne in the olde la we / [838] yff a wo
man thral were taken in this sinne // she sholde be
beten with stanes to the dethe / And if she were a gentil-
woman she sholde be sleyne with stones / And if she
were a busshopes doughter / she sholde be brente / bi
godis commaundement / [839] fforther-ouere / for the
synne of lecherie god dreynte al the worlde at
SELDEN (for Corpus 672) (6-T. 660)
SIX-TEXT 661
GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 673
dilivio / And after that he brente .v. Citees / with thonder
lighte / and 1sanke hem in-to helle /
[840] Now lete vs speke than / of thilke fonle stinkyng
synne of lecherie / that men clepen advoutrie / of wedded
folke / that is to seie if that oon of hem be wedded
or ellis bothe / [841] seint lohn seith that advoutrers IT seint lohan ,
shulle ben in helle / in a stynkynge brennynge fire
of brymston / for here lecherie / In brernston for the
stinkynge of there ordure / [842] Certes the brekynge of
this sacrament is an horrible thinge / hit was made of
god him selff in paradise / & conformed bi Ihesu criste / as
seith seint Mathew in the gospel! / A man shal lete ^Mathewe.
fader & moder / & take him to his wiff / & thei
shul be two in oo flesshe / [843] this sacrament bitoke-
neth the knyttynge to geder of criste / and of holy chirche /
[844] And nat onely that god forbade advoutrie in dede /
but eke he commaunded that thow shuldist nat coveite thi
neighbors wiff / [845] in this heeste seith seint
Austyne is forboden al manere of couetise to do
lecherie / Lo what seith seint Mathew quinto capitulo / in the T Mathewe.
gospeH / That who so seeth a woman to couetise of his luste / he
hath don lecherie with hir / in his herte / [846] here may ye
sen / that nat onely the dede of this synne / is forboden /
but eke the desire to don) that synne / [847] This cursed
synne annoyeth greuously hem that hit haunteth / & first
to here soules / ffor he obligeth hit to synne & to the peyne of
detfr / that is perdurable / [848] vn-to the body annoyeth
it greuously also / for hit drieth him / & wasteth him / &
shendetfi. him / & of his blode he maketh sacrifice to the
f ende of helle / hit wasteth eke his catel / & his substaunce /
[849] And certis if it be a foule thinge / a man to wasten
his catel on a woman / yit is it a fouler thinge / whan that
for suche ordure / wemmen dispenden vppon men here catel
& here substaunce / [850] this sinne as seith the prophete
birevith man & woman here gode fame / & al here
honour / And it is ful plesaunt to the deuel / for therby
SELDEN (for Corpus 673) (6-T. 661) C1 leaf 298, back]
SIX-TEXT 662
674 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
wynneth he the most partie of 1this worlde /
[851] And right as a Marchaunt deliteth him moste
in chaffare that he Jiath most auantage of / Eight
so deliteth the f ende in this ordure /
[852] this is that other honde of the Deuel / with .v.
fyngeres to that kaccheth the peple to his vilonye / [853] The
first fynger is the fool lokyng of the fool man /
& of the fool woman / that sleth / Eight as the Basilicok
sleth folke bi the venym of his sight / for the couetise
of the eyghen folwith the couetise of the herte/ [854] The
.ijde. fynger is the vileynes touchinge in wikked
f Salomon. manere / and therfore seith Salomon / that who so
toucheth & handelith" a woman / he farith I-like him
that handelith the Scorpion that stingetS. & sodenly
sleth / thorugh his envenymynge / And who so toucheth
warme picche/hit fouleth his fyngers/[855]The.iij. fyngeris
foule wordes that farith like fire that anoon
brenneth the herte / [856] The iiij. fynger is the
kissinge / & trewely he were a grete foole that wolde
kisse the mouthe of a brennynge Oven / or of a forneys /
[857] & more fooles ben thei that kissen in vilanye /
for that mouth is the mouthe of helle / & namely these
olde dotardes houlours / yit wol thei kisse / though
thei may nat do & smater hem / [858] Certis thei
ben I-like houndes / if or an hounde whan he cometh bi
the rosiere / or bi other beautees / though he may nought
pisse / yit wol he lifft vp his legge / & make a con-
tenauwce to pisse / [859] And for that many men wene
that thei may nat synne / for no licorousnesse that he dothe
with his wiff / Certis that oppinioii is fals / god wote a
man may sle him selff with his owne knyff / & maken
him dronken with" his owne tonne / [860] Certes
be it wiif / be it childe / or any other erthely thinge / that he
loueth bif ore god / hit is his mavmet / & he is an ydolastre /
[861] A man sholde loue his wiff bi discresion
paciently & attemporally / & than is she 2as it
[Meaf299] SELDEN (for Corpus 674) (6-T. 662) [2 leaf 299, back]
SIX-TEXT 663
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 675
were his suster / [862] The .v. fynger of the deuels
honde is the stingkyng dede of lecherie / [863] Certes the .v.
fyngers of glotenye the fende putteth in the womb e of a man/
And with the .v. fyngers of lecherie he gripeth him M
the reynes for to throwe him in to the furneys of
helle / [864] there as thei shul haue the fire & the wormes
that euere shal laste / & wepinge / & wailynge /
sharpe hunger / & thruste / griselynesse of deuels /
that shullen al to treden hem withouten respite / & with-
outen ende / [865] Off lecherie as I seide sourden
diuerse spices / as fornicacion that is "bitwix man
& woman / that ben nat maried / & this is dedly
sinne & ayeines nature / [866] Al that is enemy &
distruccion to nature / is ayeines nature / [867] Pe?-fay the
reson of a man tellith him wel that it is dedly
synne / for-asmeche as god forbade lecherie / And seynt
Paule seith / yeueth him the regne that is due to no wight U
but to hem that don dedly synne / [868] Another syime
of lecherie is / to bireven a maiden of hir maidenhede /
ffor certis he that so dothe / he taketh a maiden out
of the highest degre that is in this present liff / [869] &
birevith hir thilke precious fruyte / that the booke clepetfr
the hundrede fruyte / 1 can nat seie it / in noon other wise in
englissh / but in latyn hit hight / Centes[i]mus fructus / IT Centes[i]mus
fructus •
[870] Certes he that so dothe / is cause of many
damages & vilonyes mo than any man can reken /
Eight as he sonityme is cause of al the damages that bestes
don in the felde / that breken the hegges or the clausure /
thorugh whiche he distroyeth that may nat be restorede /
[871] ffor certis no more may maidenhede be re
stored / than an arme that is smeten from the body / may
retorne ayeine to wexe / [872] she may haue mercy this
woote I wel / if she do penaunce / but neuere shal hit
be / that she nas corrupte / [873] And al be it so that I
haue spoken somwhat of advoutrie/ 1it is goode to she wen mo
perilles that longen to aduoutrie / fifor to eschewe the foule
SELDEN (for Corpus 675) (6-T. 663) C1 leaf 800]
SIX-TEXT 664
676 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
synne of [874] aduoutrie/in latyn it is for to seie/approching
of other menis wivis / thorugh" whiche tho that whilom
were first oo flesshe / abunden here bodies to other persones/
p75] Off this synne / as seith the wise man / folowen
many harmes / ffirst brekyng of feitfr / & certis in
the feitfc is the keye of cristendom / [876] & whan that
feith is broke & lorne / certis cristendom stondith in
vayne & withouten fruyte / [877] this sinne is eke a
theffte / for theffte generally is / to reve a wighte his thinge
ayeines his wille / [878] Certes this is the fouleste thefft
that may be / whan a woman stelith hir body from
hir housbond / & yivith hit to hir holour to defoule
hir / & stelith hir soule from criste / & yivith hit to
the deuel / [879] this is a fouler thefft than forto breke a
chirche &• stele the chaleys / ffor these aduoutres
breken the temple of god spiritually / & stelen the vessel
of grace / that is the body & the soule / ffor whiche criste
IPouie. shal distroien hem as seith seint Poule / [880] sothely
of this thefft dovted gretely Joseph" / whan that his lordis
wiff praide him of vilonye / whan he seide lo my ladi
how my lorde hath taken to me vnder my warde al that he
hath in this worlde / ne nothing of his thinges is out of
my power / but onely ye that ben his wiff / [88 1] and
how sholde I than do this wikkednes / & synne so
orrible ayeines god / & ayeines my lorde / god hit forbede /
Alias al to litel is suche troutfi. now I-founde / [882] The
thridde harme is the filthe thorugh whiche thei breken
the commaundement of god / & defoulen the auctor of
here matrymoigne that is criste / [883] ffor certis in-so-meche
that the sacrament of mariage is so noble / & so digne / so
meche hit is the gretter synne to breke hit / ffor god
made mariage in Paradise in the state of Innocence / to
multiplie 1mankynde to the sendee of god / [884] &
therfore is the brekyng therof the more greuous / of whiche
breking cometh" fals heires ofte tyme / that wrongefully
occupien other menis heritage / & therfore wol criste put
SELDEN (for Corpus 676) (6-T. 664) I!1 leaf 300, back]
SIX-TEXT 665
GROUP I, §2. PAKSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 677
hem out of the regne of heuen / that is heritage to goode
folke / [885] Of this brekyng cometfr oftyn tyme / that
folke vnwar weddew or synnen / with here owne kynrede /
& namely thilke harlottes that haunten bordels / of these
foole wemmen that mowe be likened to a comune gouge /
where as men purgen there ordure / [886] what seie we
eke of poytowrs that leven bi the horrible synne of putrie
& constreinen wommen to yelde hem a certeyne rente
of here bodily putrie / y somtyme of his owne wiff / or
his childe / as don these baudes / Certes these ben cursed
synnes / [887] Vnderstondith eke that advoutrie is sette
gladly in the ten commaundementes / bituexe theffte & man
slaughter / ffor it is the grettest theffte that may be / ffor it
is the theffte of body & of soule / [888] & hit is like
homycide / for it kerveth a-two & breketh a-two hem
that first were made Oo flesshe / & therefore bi the olde
lawe of god / thei sholde be sleyne / [889] But natheles bi
the lawe of ihesu criste that is the lawe of pite / whan he
seide to the womman that was founden in advoutrie /
& sholde haue ben sleyne with stones / after the wil of the
lewes / as was there lawe / Go quod ihesu criste & haue no
more wille to synne / or willen to do no more no synne /
[890] sothely the vengeaunce of advoutrie is awarded
to the peyne of helle / but if it be distorbled
bi penaunce / [891] yit ben ther mo spicis of this cursed
synne / as whan that oon of hem is religious / or ellis both /
or of folke that ben entred in-to order / as subdiacone /
& deken / or preste / or hospitelers / & euer the higher that
he is in order / the gretter is the synne / [892] The
thinges that gretly agregen here synne / is the brekyng
of here avo we/ of chastite/ that thei made whan thei resceivede
order / [893] And forther ouere sotfi. it is / that holy order is
tresour acheff of god / & his especial signe & marke
of chastite / to shewe that thei ben loyned to chastite /
whiche that is the most precious liff that is / [894] And
eke these ordred folke ben specially entitled to god / & of the
SELDEN (for Corpus 677) (6-T. 666) P leaf 301]
SIX-TEXT 666
678 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
special meyne of god / ffor whiche whan thei don dedly
synne / thei ben the special traytours of god / & of his
peple / ffor thei leven of the peple / to praie for the peple /
And while they ben suche traitours / here praiers availen
nat to the peple / [895] H Prestes ben as Aungels / as bi
fpauius. the dignite of here misterie / but for sothe seint Poule
seith. / that Sathanas transformeth him in an Aungel of
light / [896] sothely the preste that haunteth dedly
synne / he may be likened to the Angel of derkenesse /
transformed / in the Angel of light / he semeth an Angel
of light / & but for sothe he is an Angel of derkenesse /
[897] suche prestes ben the sones of Belye as
she with in the boke of kynges / that thei weren the
sones of Belial / that is the deuel / [898] Belyal is to seyne
withouten lugge And so faren thei / hem thenketh
thei ben fre / & han no lugge / no more than hath a fre
Boole / that taketh whiche kow that him liketh in the
towne / [899] Eight so faren thei bi wommen / ffor right as a
fre Boole is I-nouglL for al a toune / Eight so is a wikked
preste corrupt / I-nough for al a parissh / or for al a
centre / [900] these prestes as seitB. the booke / ne
conne nat the mynysterie of presthode to the pepel / ne god
knowith hem nought / thei holde hem nat a-paide as seith
the booke / of soden flessh" that was to hem offred / but thei
toke bi force the flessfr that is rawe / [901] Certes right so
these olde shrewis/ ne holde hem nat a-paide of rested flessh/
& soden flessh / with the whiche the peple feden hem with
f prestes woi grete reuerence / but thei wol haue rawe flessh / as men-is
haue raweflesshe. ....
wivis & here doughtrera / [902] And certis these
women that consenten to here harlotries / don grete
wronges to criste /& to holy chirche / And to alle halowes / &
to alle soules / ffor they 1bireven him alle these that sholden
wourshipe criste / & holy chirche / & pray for alle cristen
soules / [903] And therefore haue suche prestes & here
lemmans eke that consenten to here lecherie / the malison
of al • cristen courte / til thei come to amendement /
SELDEN (for Corpus 678) (6-T. 666) L1 leaf SOI, back]
SIX-TEXT GG7
GBOUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 679
[904] The thride spice of advoutrie / is bitwene
a man and his wiff / & that is whan thei take no rewarde
in here assemblynge / but onely to here flesshly delite / as
seith seint lerome / [905] and rekken of nothings butfierome.
that thei ben assembled / bi-cause that thei ben I-mariede
al is good I-nougfr / as thenkith to hem / [906] but in suche
folke the deuel hath power1 / as seide the Aungel Eaphael
to Tobye / ffor in al here assemblynge thei putten oute ihesu
criste of here herte / & yeven hem selff to al ordoure /
[go^JThe.iiij. spice of advoutrie is the assemblyngof hem that
ben of here kynrede / or of them that ben of oon affinite / or
ellis with hem with whiche hir fader or here kynrede
hath deled in the synne of lecherie / this synne maketfi
hem I-like to houndes / that taken no kepe to kynrede /
[908] And certis perentela is in two maners / outher
gostly outher flesshly / gostly is to delen with here
gossebes / [909] ffor right so as he that engendreth the childe
is the flesshly fader /right so is his gossebe his spirituel fader/
ffor whiche a woman may no lasse synne
assemble with hir gosseb / than with hir owne flesshely
brother / [910] The .v* spice is that abhomynable
synne of whiche that no man vnnethes oughte to speke ne
write / natheles hit is openly rehersed in holy writte /
[911] this cursednes don men & women in diners
entente / & in diuers manere / but though that holy writte
speke of orrible synne / certis holy writte may nat be
defouled / no more than the sonne that shyneth on the
mexen / [9 1 2] Another synne peHeyneth vn-to lecherie / that
cometh in sleping / & this synne cometh offte to hem
that 1ben maydens / & eke to hem that ben corrupte /
& this synne men clepen pollucion / that cometh in .iiij.
maners / [913] somtyme of a languysshinge of body for
the humours ben to ranke / & to habundaunte in the bodie
of a man / Somtyme for the infirmite & for the feblenes of the
vertu retentiff / as phisike maketh mension / Somtyme for
surfete of mete & drinke / [914] And somtyme of
47 SELDEN (for Corpus 679) (6-T. 667) [Meaf302]
SIX-TEXT 668
680 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
violent thoughtes that ben enclosed in man-is mynde
whan he gooth" to slepe / whiche may nat be withouten
synne / ffor the whiche men muste kepe hem wisely / or ellis
thei may synne greuously
^[ The remedie ayeines lecherie
Ow cometli the remedie ayeinest lecherie / & that
is generally chastite / & continence / that re-
streynetn" al the disordeine mevynge that cometli
of flesshly talentes / [916] & euer the gretter merite
shal we haue / that moste restreyneth the wikked enchau-
fynges / or ordour of this synne / And this is in two
maners / that is to seie chastite of mariage / & chastite
of widewhode / [917] Now shalt thow vnderstonde that
matrymouye is lefful assemblynge of man & of
woman / that receiven bi vertu of sacrament / the
bonde thorugh" whiche thei may nat be departed in al there
liff / that is to seyn whiles that thei leven bothe /
[918] This is as seith the booke a ful gret sacrament /
god made hit as I haue seide in Paradise / & wolde him
selff be borne in mariage / [9 1 9] And for to halowen manage/
he was at a wedding / whereas he torned water vn-to
wyne / whiche was the firste miracle that he wrougHte here in
erthe / bifore his disciples / [920] Trewe effecte of
mariage clensith fornicacion / & replesshitfi. holy
chirche of good lynage / for that is the ende of mariage /
& hit changith dedly synne / in-to venial synne / bitwex
hem that ben wedded / & makith the hertes al oon /
of hem / [. . .no gap in the MS.] as wel as the bodies /
[921] this is verry mariage that was established bi
god or that synne bigan / whan naturel lawe / was in his
right po^nte in Paradise/ And hit was ordeyned that oo man/
sholde haue butoo woman/ And oo woman sholde haue butoo
H Austyne . man / as seith- seint Austyne bi many resons /
[922] ffirst for that mariage is figured bitw[i]x god &
SELDEN (for Corpus 680) (6-T. 668) [Meaf 302, back]
SIX-TEXT 669
GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 68 i
holy chirche / And that other is / for that a man is the hede of
the woman / algate bi ordinaunce hit sholde be so /
[923] ffor if a woman had mo men than oon / than
sholde she haue mo hedes than oon / & that were an "
oriibla thing^ bifore god / And eke oo woman
inyghte nat please to many folke attones / And al&o
there shulde neuere be pees ne reste / amonges hem / ffor
eueryche wolde axe his owne thinge / [924] And
ferther oner no man shulde knowe his owne en-
gendrure / ne who sholde haue his heritage / And the
woman sholde be the lesse biloued fro the tyme that
she were comune to many men /
[925] Now coineth how that a man sholde bere him
with his wiff / And namely in two thinges / that is to
seie / in suffraunce & in reuerence / & that shewed criste
whan he made first woman / [926] ffor he made hir
nought of the hede of Adam / ffor she sholde nat cleyme to
grete lordship^e / [927] ffor there as the woman hath the
maistrie / she makith to meche disaray / there nedetR noon
ensamples of this / thexpmence day bi day
oughte I-nough suffice / [928] Also certis god ne made nat
woman of the foote of Adam / ffor she sholde nat be
holden to lowe / ffor she can nat paciently suffre / but god
made woman of the ribbe of Adam / ffor woman sholde
be felowe vn-to man / [929] A man sholde bere him to his
wiff / In feith / In trouthe / & in love / as seitfr seint
Poule / that a man sholde love his wiff / As criste loueth f Pouie
holy chirche / that loued hit so wel that he deyede for hit /
so sholde a man for his wiff If hit were nede /
[930] Now how that a woman sholde be subiecte
to hir housbonde / that tellitfr seint Peter / ffirst in obedi-
ence / [931] and eke as seitft the Deere / A woman
as longe *as she is a wiff / she hatR noon
auctorite to swere / ne to bere wittnesse / withoute leve of
here housbondes / that is here lorde / algate he sholde be so
bi reson / [932] She sholde eke serve him in al
SELDEN (for Corpus 681) (6-T. 669) [MoafSOS]
SIX-TEXT 670
682 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
honeste / & ben attempre of hir array I woot wel
that thei shulde sette al here entente to please here hous-
bondes / but nat bi queyntise of here array / [933] seint
tierome. lerome BeitS. that wives that ben apparelled in silke &
in precious purpul / ne mowen nat clothen hem in ihesu
liohon. criste / Loke what seitfi. seint John eke in this matere
IGregorie. [934] seint Gregorie seitfr eke that no wight seketfc
precious array but onely for vaynglorie to ben
honoured the more biforn the peple / [935] hit is a grete
folie a woman to haue feire array outwarde / &
hir silff to be foule inwarde / [936] A wiff sholde eke be
mesurable in lokynge / & eke in berynge / & in laughynge /
& discrete in al hir wordes / & in hir dedes / [937] And
aboven al wordly thinge she sholde loue hir housbonde
with al hir herte / & to him be trewe of hir bodie /
[938] so sholde an housbonde eke be trewe of his bodie to his
wiff/ffor soth al the bodie of the wiff is the housbondes/so sholde
hir herte be / or ellis ther is bitwex hem two / as in
that no perfite mariage / [939] Than shal a man vnder-
stonde / that for thre thinges a man & his wiff mowe flesshly
assemble The first is / in entente to engen-
drure of children to the seruice of god / for certis that is
the cause fynal of matrymony / [940] A-nother cause is / to
yelden eueryche of he?w to other the dette of here bodies /
for neither of hem hath powere of his owne bodie /
The thirde cause is to eschewe lecherie / & vilonye /
The ferthe for-soth is dedly synne / [941] As to the
first it is meritorie / the seconde also / ffor as seith the
Deere / that she hath the merite of chastite / that yeldeth to
hir housbonde the dette of hir bodie / ye though hit be
ayeinst hir likyng & the lust of hir herte / [942] The
thride manere is venial synne / & trewly scarsly may
any of these ben withoute venial synne / for the
corupc^on & for the delite / [943] The ferthe
manere is/ for to vnderstonde 1as is the assemble onely for
amorous loue / & for noon of the forseide causes / but
SELDEN (for Corpus 682) (6-T. 670) C1 leaf 303, back]
SIX-TEXT G71
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 683
for to accomplissh thilke brennyng delite / & thei recke
neuere how offte / sothly hit is a dedly synne / And yit witn"
sorowe some folke wol peyne hem to do more than
here appetite suffisith /
[944] The secounde manere of chastite is to be
a clene wedowe & to eschewe thenbrasing of man /
& desire thenbrasing of ihesu criste / [945] these
ben tho that haue ben wives & haue forgon there hous-
bondes / And eke women that haue don lecherie / & ben
releued bi penaunce / [946] And certes if that a wiff
couthe kepe hir chaste in al / bi licence of hir housbonde / so
that she neuere yaff noon occacion that he agilt hit
were to hir a grete merite / [947] these manere
of women that observen chastite moste be clene in herte /
as wel as in bodie / & in thought / & mesurable in clothinge /
and in contenaunce / abstyneftte in etynge / &
in drinkinge / in spekyng<? / & in dede / & than is she the
vessel or the boiste / of the blissed Magdaleyne / that
fulfilled holy chirche ful of good odoure / [948] The thredde
manere of chastite / is virginite / & hit bihovith that she
be holy in herte / & clene in bodie / than is she
spouse to ihesu criste / & she is the liff of aungels /
[949] she is the preising of this world / & she is as
these martirs in Regalite / she hath in hir that no tonge may
telle / [950] virginite bare oure lorde /
ihesu criste / & virginite he was him selff /
[951] A-nother remedie ayeines lecherie / is specially f
. , , iii- • i contra luxuriam,
to withdrawe suche thinges / as yeven occasion to that
vilonye / as is ease / & etynge / & drinkinge / if or ceHis whan
the pot boylith" strongelie / the beste remedie is / for to with- 1 noto b«n«
drawe the the (sic) fire/ [9 5 2] sleping longe in grete quiete
is eke a grete norice to lecherie /
[953] Another remedie a-yeines lecherie is that a
man or a woman eschue the companye of hem bi
whiche he douteth to be tempted / ffor al be it so that the
dede be with-stonde / yit is ther grete temptacion /
SELUEN (for Corpus 683) (6-T. 671)
SIX-TEXT 672
684 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE, Selden, for Corpus MS.
T Sampson ,
T Dnuid .
T[ Salomon .
[954] sothely a white wal / al-though it brenne nat
fully / bi stik^nge of a candel / yit is the wal blak of the
ligfite [955] 1ful offte tyme / I rede that no man truste in
his owne perfeccion / but he be stronger than Sampson / or
holiere than Dauid / & wisere than Salomon /
[956] Now that I haue declared yow as I can
the .vij. dedly synnes / & some of here braunches / &
here remedies / sothely if I couthe I wolde telle yow the
ten comaundemetttes [957] but so high adoctryne I lete to
divines / but natheles I hope to god thei ben touched in this
litil tretise eueryche of hem alle /
De secunda parte penitencie .
[95^]
IVTOw for-asmeche as the seconde partie of penauwce
JL l stonte in confession of monthe / as I bigan in the
chapitre / I seie seint Austyne seith" /
[959] synne is euery worde / & euery dede / & al that
men coveiten ayeines the lawe of ihesu criste / And this is
for to synne in herte / in mouthe / & in dede / bi the .v.
wittes / that ben / sighte / hirynge / smellynge / tasty nge
1 prima circum- or sauerynge / & felynge / [960] Now is hit good to
stuncia peecttti
vnderstonde the circumstances that aggregen mechel euery
synne / [961] thow shalt considre what thow arte that doist
the synne / whether thow be male or female / y[o]nge or
olde / gentil or thral / fre or smiaunte / hoole or sike /
wedded or sengle / ordred or vnordred / wise or foole /
clerke or seculere / [962] if she be of thi kynrede bodily
or gostly or non / if any of thi kynrede haue synned
with hir or non / & many mo thinges /
[963] That other circunstaunce is this / whether hit be
don in fornicacion / or in aduoutrie or non / or in ceste or
non / maiden or non / in manere of homicide or non /
orrible grete synne or smale / & how longe thow hast
contenued in synne / [964] The thride circunstaunce is
the place where as thow hast don synne / whether in other
SELDEN (for Corpus 684) (6-T. 672) [HeafSOl]
SIX-TEXT G73
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE, Selden, for Corpus MS, 685
men-is hous or in thin owne / in felde or in chirche
or in chirchehawe / in chirche dedicate or non /
[965] ffor if the chirche be halo wed / & a man or a woman
spilt his kynde bi wey of synne with-inne that place / or bi
wikked temptacion the chirche were enterdited / til it were
reconsiled bi the 1busshoppe / [966] And if he were a
preste that dide suche a vilonye / the terme of al his liff he
shulde neuere singe masse / & if he dide / he shulde IT war ye preste
do dedly synne at euery tyme that he songe masse /
[967] The ferthe circunstaunce is / bi suche mediat- f quarta.
ours / as be messangers as for enticement / or for
consentement / to bere company with felowshippe / ffor
many a wrecche for to bere cowpanye / wil go to the
deuel of helle / [968] ffor they that eggen / or con-
senten to the synne / ben partyners of the sinne / &
of the dampnacion of the synne /
[969] The .v is how many tymes f quinta .
he hath synned / if it be in his mynde / & how offte
that he hath falle / [970] ffor he that oft fallith in synne /
dispisith the mercy of god / & encresith his synne /
& is vnkynde to god / & he wexetfr the more feble
,to withstonde synne / & synnetfr the more lightliere /
[971] & the latter arisith / & is the more eschue
to shriven him / & namely to him that hath be his con-
fessour / [972] ffor which e that folke whan that they falle
ayeine in here olde folies / outher thei forleten here olde
conf essours / al vtterly / or ellis thei departen here shrifft / in
diuers places / but sothely such departed shrifft deservith no
mercy of god of his synnes / [973] The .vj. circun- f Sexta.
staunce is this / whi that a man synneth as bi temptacion /
& if him selff procure that temptacion / or bi the ex-
ityng of other folke / or if he synne with a woman bi
force / or bi hir owne assente / [974] or if the woman
mavgre hir hede hath be enforsed or noon / this
shal she telle / ffor couetise or for pouerte / &
if hit was hir procurynge or non / & suche manere
SELDEN (for Corpus 685) (6-T. 673) C1 leaf 304, back]
SIX-TEXT 674
686 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
jseptima. harneys / [975] The .vij. circunstaunce is / in what
manere he hath don his synne / & how that she hath
suffred folke to don to hir / [976] & the same shal
the man telle pleynly / al circunstaunces / & whether
he hath synned with conrnne bordel women or non /
[977] or don his synne in holy tymes or non / In fast-
ynge tymes or non / or biforn his shriffte or after his latter
shriffte / [978] & hath pe?*auenture / broken Hher-fore his
penaimce enioyned / bi whos helpe / & whos consaille / bi
sorcerie & craffte / al moot be tolde / [979] al these
thinges after that thei ben grete & smale engregen the
conscience of man / And eke the preste that is
thi lugge may the better ben avised in his iugement / & in
yevinge of thi penaunce / & that is after thi contricion /
[980] ffor vnderstondeth wel / that after the tyme that a man
hathe defouled his baptyme bi synne / if he wil come to
saluaeion / ther is noon other wey but bi penau?zce
& shrifft / & bi satisfaccion / [981] And namely bi tho two /
if ther be a confessour to whiche he may shrive him /
& the thridde if he may haue liff to performe hit /
[982] than shal a man loke & considre / if he
wol make a trewe & profitable confession / ther'
moste be .iiij. condiciones therinne/ [983] ffirst hit most be in
t Ezecinei sorowful bittemes of herte / As seith the kyng Ezechiel To
god I wol remembre me alle the dayes & yeres of my liff in
bitternesse of myn herte / [984] This condicion of bitter-
nesse hath .v. signes / The first is that confession
mote be shamefaste / nat for to couere ne to hide his sinwe /
but for he hath agilt his god / & defouled his soule /
^Austyne [985] & here-of seith seint Austyne / the herte
travaileth for shame of his synne / & for he hath grete
shamefastnes / he is digne to haue grete mercye of god
[986] Suche was the confession of the Puplicane that
wolde nat heve vp his eighen to heuen / for he had
offended god of heuen ifor whiche shamefastnes he
had anoon the mercy of god / [987] And therfore seitfr
SELDEN (for Corpus 686) (6-T. 674) P leaf 305]
SIX-TEXT 675
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS, 687
seint Austyne / that suche shamefast folke / ben next
for-yevenesse & remission / [988] That other signe is
humylite of confession / of which seith seint Peter /IT Peter.
humbleth yow vnder the myght of god / the honde of god
is myghti in confession / ffor ther-bi god foryevith the
tlii synnes / for he alone hath the power / [989] & this
humylite shal be in herte / & in signe outwarde / ffor
right as he hath humilite to god in his herte / Eight so
sholde he humble his body outwarde to the preste that sitteth
in godis place / [990] ffor l whiche in no manere / sithen that
criste is souereyne / and the preste meene & mediatour1 bi-
twex criste & the synnere / & the synnere is the laste
bi wey of reson / [991] than sholde nat the synnere sitte
as highe as his confessour / but knele biforn him / or at
his feete / but if maladie distorbe hit / ffor he shal nat take
kepe who sitte there / but in whos place that he sitteth /
[992] A man that hath trespased to a lorde/and cometh to
axe niercy / & maketh his accorde/Andhe sette him doun) anoon
bi the lorde / men wold holde him outrageous / & nat
worthi so sone to haue remission ne mercy / [993] The
.iij. signe is that thi confession shulde be ful of teres if
ye may / & if ye may nat wepe with youre bodily eyghe /
lete thin herte wepe / [994] suche was the confession
of seint Peter ffor after that he had for-sake ihesu criste / TPetrus.
he went out & wept ful bitterly / [995] The .iiij.
signe is that he lett nat for his shame to shewe
his confession / [996] suche was the confession of the
Magdaleyne / that spared for no shame of hem that were 1 Magdaieyne.
at the fest for to go to oure lorde ihesu criste / & biknowe
to him hir synne / [997] The .v. signe that a man
be obeisaunt or a woman to resceive the penaunce that
is to him enioyned / ffor certis ihesu criste / for
the giltes of oo man was obediente to the deth //
[998] The secunde condicion of verray confession /
is that hit be hastily don) / ffor certis if a man had a
dedly wounde / euer the lenger that he tarieth to warisshe
SELDEN (for Corpus 687) (6-T. 675) C1 leaf 305, back]
SIX-TEXT 670
688 GKOUP! §2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
him-selff / the more wold hit corupte / & haste him to
his dethe / & eke the wounde wolde be the wers to
hele / [999] And right so faritfr hit bi synne / that longe
tyme is in a man vnshewed // [1000] Certis a man ought
hastily to shewe his synnes / for many causes / As for drede
of dethe that cometh offte sodeynly / & is in no certeyne what
tyme hit shal be / ne in what place / And eke the drecching
of oo synne / drawith in another synne / [1001] 1and eke the
lenger that he tarieth / the ferther is he from criste / & if he
abide in-to his laste day /ful scarsly may he shrive him / or re-
membre him on his synnes / or repente him / for the
grevous maladie / of his dethe / [1002] And for-asmeche as
he hath na in his liff / herkened ihesn criste / whan he
hath spoken vn-to him /he shal crienvn-to oure lord ihesucrist
at his laste day/ & scarsly wol he herken to him / [1003] And
vnderstonde that this condicion most haue .iiij. thinges /
thi shrifFt moot be purveide biforn) & avised /
for wikked haste doth no profite / & that a man can
shrive him of his synnes / be hit of pride or of envie / &
so forth with the spices & the circurastaunces / [1004] & that
he haue comprehended in his mynde / the nombre & the
gretnesse of his synnes / & how longe that he hath leyne
in synne / [1005] & eke that he be contrite / of his synnes /
& in stedfast purpos bi the grace of god / neuere effte to
falle ayeine in synne / & eke that he drede & contrewaite
him-selff / that he fle the occaciouws of synne / to whiche he
is enclyned / [1006] Also that thow shalt shrive the of alle
thi synnes to oo man & nat a parcel to oon / &
a parcel to another / that is to vnderstonde / in entente
to departen thi confession / as for shame or drede / for hit
is nought but strangelyng1 of thi soule/ [1007] ffor certis Thesn
criste is al good / in him is noon imperfeccion / &
therfore outher he foryevith al pe?*fitly / or ellis neuera-
dele // [1008] I seie nat if thow be assigned to thi
penitencere / for certeyne synne that thou art bounde to.
shewe to him / al the remanent of thi synnes / of whiche
SELDEN (for Corpus 688) (6-T. 676) [J leaf 306]
SIX-TEXT G77
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 689
thou hast be shriven to thi curate / but if it like the
of thin humilite / this is no departing of shrifft /
[1009] ne I seie nat there as I speke of diuision of confes
sion / if that thou haue licence for to shrive the to a discrete /
& an l honest preste / & where the liketh" / bi the licence
eke of thi curate / that thou ne maiste wel shrive the /
of al thi synnes / [1010] but lat no blot be bihynde /
lete no synne be vntolde / as fer as tho\v hast remem-
braunce / [ion] And whan thow shalt be shriven to thi
curate / telle him eke of al thi synne that thou hast don /
sithen that thou were last I-shriven / this is no wikked entente
of division of shrifft /
[1012] And also the verray shrifft axeth" certeyne con-
dicwms / mrst that thou shrive the bi thi fre wil /
nat constreyned / ne for shame of folke ne for maladie /
or suche thinges / ffor it is reson that he that trespaceth
with his fre wil / he moot bi his fre wil confesse his
trespace / [1013] noon other man shal telle his synne
but he him selff / ne hene shal nat nay it ne denye his synne /
ne wretthe him ayeines the preste / for his amonesshynge
to lete his synne / [1014] The secunde condicion is / that thi
shrifft be lawful that is to seie / that thou that shrivist
the / & eke the preste that hireth" thi confession / ben
verray in the feith of holy chirche // [1015] And that a
man be nought dispeired / of the mercy of ihesu criste / as
Cayme or ludas / [1016] and eke a man most accuse
him of his owne trespace & nat another / but he
shal blame & witen him-selff of his owne malice / & of his
synne / & noon other / [1017] but natheles if that
another man be occacion of his synne / or entiser of his synne /
or if the estate of a persone be suche / thorugh whiche his synne
is aggreged / or that he ne may nat pleynly shriven him /
but he telle the persone / with whiche he hath" synned /
than may he telle it [1018] so / that his entente be nat
to bagbite the persone but onely to declare his con
fession /
SELDEN (for Corpus 689) (6-T. 677) L1 leaf 306, back]
SIX-TEXT 678
690 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS,
[1019] Thow shalt nat eke make no maner lesinges in
thi confession / for humilite perauenture to seie
that thou hast don synnes / of whiche thou were
fAustyne. neuere gilti / [1020] if or seint Anstyne seitfc if
thow bi cause of humilite makest lesinges
of 1thi selff / though thow ne were nat in synne biforne
yit art thow than in synne thorugfc thi lesinges [1021]
Thow most eke shewe thi synne / bi thi nowe propre
mouthe / but if thou be wexe dome / & nat bi no
letter / ffor thou that hast don the synne / thou shalt haue
the shame in confession / [1022] Thow shalt nat eke
peynte thi confession / bi faire & subtile wordes / to couere
the more thi synne / ffor than bigilest thou thi selff &
nat the preste / thou most telle it platly be it
neuere so foule / ne so orrible / [1023] Thow shalt
shrive the eke to a preste that is discrete / to counsaile the / And
eke thou sha[l]t nat shrive for vaynglorie / ne for
ypocresie / ne for no cause but onely for the dovte of
Ihmi criste / & the hele of thi soule / [1024] Thow
shalt nat eke renne to the preste al sodeynly to telle him
thi synne / as whos tellith" a lape or a tale / but
avisily / & with grete deuocion / [1025] And generally
shrive the offte / if thou offte falle / offte' arise bi
confession / [1026] And though thou shrive the offter
than ones of thi synne / of whiche thow hast be shriven it is
lAustyne. the more merite / And as seith seint Austyne / thou
shalt haue the more lightly relesynge / & the grace of god /
both of synne & of peyne / [1027] And certis ones a
yere at the leste weye hit is lawful for to be houselede / ffor
certenly ones a yere alle thinges renovellen /
Be satisfaccione .
[1028]
l^TOw haue I tolde of verry confession that is the
-L 1 secunde parte of penaunce /
SELDEN (for Corpus 690) (6-T. 678) L1 leaf 307]
SIX-TEXT 679
GBOUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 691
[1029] the .iij. parte of penaunce is satisfaccion / &
that stant most generally in almes & in
bodily peyne / [1030] Now ben ther .iij.
manere of almes / Contricion of herte / that a man
openeth. him selff to god / Another is to have pete of
the defaute of his neighbours / And the thride is in
y evyng good counsaile / & comforte gostly & bodily / where men
haue nede / & namely in sustenaunce of man-is foode /
[1031] & to take kepe of that 1 that a man hath nede of / off
these thinges generally he hath nede / of foode / of
clothing / & herborugh / he hath nede also of charitable
counsaille / & visityng in prison / & maladie / &
sepulture of his dede bodie / [1032] and if thou maist nat
visite the nedeful with thi persone / visite hem bi thi
massage / & thi yifftes / [1033] these ben the general
almes & workes of charite / of hem that han temporal
riches / or discrecion in counsaillyng / Off there workes
shalt thow hyre at the day of dome /
[1034] these almesses shaltow don of thin owne
propre thinges / & hastily & privily if thow maiste /
[1035] but natheles if thou maiste nat don hit priuily /
thou shalt nat f orbere to do almes neuer a dele though men se
hit / so that it be nat don for thanke of the world / but
onely for to haue the thanke of oure lorde ihesucriste / [1036]
ffor as wittnessith Seint Mathew. quinto c&pitulo I A Cite
Capitwlo .
may nat be hidde that on a mountayne sette / ne men lighte nat
a lanterne & put it vnder a busshel / but men sette hit on a
candelstike / to lighten the men in the hous / [1037] Eight
so shal youre lighte lighten a-forne men that thei mowe
seen youre goode workes / & glorifie / youre fader that is in
heuen /
[1038] Now as for to speke of bodily peyne / it stonte in
praieres / in wakynges / in ffastinges / & in vertuous
SELDEN (for Corpus 691) (6-T. 679) L1 leaf 307, back]
SIX-TEXT 680
692 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
techinges of orisons / [1039] ye shul vnder-stonde
that orisons / or praiers is for to seie / a pitous wil of
herte / that redressith hit in god / & expressith it "bi wordes /
outwarde to renewe harmes / & to haue thinges
espirituel & durable / & somtyme temporal thinges /
f Pater nostev . off whiche orisons / certis in the orison of the Pater noster /
hath ihesu criste enclosed most thinges / [1040] Certis
it is privileged of thre thinges in his dignite / ffor whiche
it is more digne / than any other praiere / ffor that ihesu
criste him selff maked / [1041] and it is shorte / for it sholde
be couthe more lightly 1and for to withholde hit the
more esily in herte / & helper hem selff the offter / with
the orison / [1042] And for a man sholde be the lasse wery
to seie hit / And for a man may nat excuse him to lerne
hit / for it is shorte & so esie / And for hit comprehendith in hit
selff / alle good praiers / [1043] The exposicion of this
holy praiere / that is so excellent & digne / I bitake
these maistres of Theologie / saue thus meche wol I seyne /
that whan thou praieste that god sholde foryeve the thi
giltes as thou foryeuest hem that agilten the / Be ful
wel war / that thou be nat out of charite / [1044] This
holy orison amennsith eke venial synne / & therfore
hit apperteyneth specially to penaunce /
[1045] This praiere most be trewly seide / & in
verry feith // & that men praie to god / ordinatly / dis-
cretly / & devoutely / And alwey a man shal putte his wil /
to be subiette to the wil of god / [1046] this orison
most eke be seide / with grete humblesse / & ful pure /
honestly & nat to the anoysaunce of any man or woman /
hit most eke be contenued with the workes of charite /
[1047] hit availeth eke ayeines the vices of the soule / ffor as
TI lerome seith seint lerome / bi fastynge ben saued the vices of the
flesshe / & bi praiers the vices of the soule /
[1048] Affter this thow shalt vnder-stonde / that
bodily peyne stonte in waking / for ihesu criste seith /
waketli and praietft / that ye ne entre in to wikked
SELDEN (for Corpus 692) (6-T. 680) P leaf 308]
SIX-TEXT 681
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 693
temptacion / [1049] ye shul vnder-stonde eke that fast-
ynge stonte in thre thinges / in forberynge of bodily meete /
and drinke / & in forberinge of worldly iolitees / And in f or-
beringe of dedly synne / this is to seie / that a man shal
kepe him fro dedly synne / with al his myght /
[1050] And thou shalt vnderstonde eke that god
ordeyned fastinges / & to fastinges apperteynen .iiij.
thinges [1051] largenesse to pore folke / gladnesse of
herte espirituel / nat to be angry / ne anoyed / ne
to grucche for he fasteth / & also at resonable houre for to
eete bi 1mesure / that is for to seie / A man shulde nat eten in
vntyme / ne sitte the lenger at his table to ete / for he
fastetfc /
[1052] Than shalt thou vnderstonde that bodily
peyne stante in disciplyne or teching / bi worde / or bi
writynge / or bi ensample / also in weryng* of heires or
of stamyne / or of haberions on here naked flesshe / for cristes
sake / & suche manere penaunces / [1053] but war the wel
thatsuche penaunces on thi flessh / ne make nought thin herte
bitter/ or angery / or anoyed / of thi selff / ffor better it is to caste
awaie thin heire / than for to caste a-wey the swettnesse of oure
lorde ihesu criste / [1054] And therfore seit[h] seint Poule /
Clothetfi. yow as thei that ben chosen of god / in herte of
misericorde / debonairte / suffraunce / & suche manere of
clothinge / of whiche ihesu criste is more apaiede / than of
heire / or of haberiou'/i /
[1055] Than is his disciplyne / in knokkynge of
thi breste / in schourginge with yerdes / in knelynges / in
tribulacions / [1056] in sufferinge paciently wronges / that
ben don to him / And eke vnpacient sufferaunce of maladies /
or lesinge of worldly catel / or of wiff / or childe / or
other frendes /
[1057] Than shalt thou vnderstonde / whiche thinges
distourben penaunce / and that is in .iij. maners / And that is
drede / shame / & wanhope / that is desperacion /
[1058] And for to speken first of drede / ffor whiche he
SELDEN (for Corpus 693) (6-T. 68l) C1 leaf 308, back]
SIX-TEXT 682
694 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS.
wenetS that he may suffre no penaunce / [1059] there
ayeines is remedie / for to thenke that bodily penaunce is
but shorte / litel / at the regarde of the peyne of helle / that
is cruel & so longe /that it lasteth withouten ende /
[1060] Now a-yeines the shame that a man hath to
shriven him / and namely these ypocrites / that wolden
be holde so perfite / that thei haue noon nede to shriven
hem / [1061] Ayeines that shame / shal a man thenke / that
bi wey of reson / that he / that hath nat ben a-shamed / to
do foule thinges / Certis him oughte nat to ben a-shamed to
don faire thinges / & goode thinges / & that is confessions /
[ 1 06 2] A man shulde eke thenke / that god seetfi. & woot wel thi
thoughtes / 1& al thi workes / to him may nothing1 be
hidde ne couered / [1063] men shulde eke remembre
hem of the shame that is to come at the day of dome to
them that ben nat penitente / ne shriven in this present
liff / [1064] ffor alle the creatures in heuen erthe & in helle /
shulle se appertely al that they hiden in this worlde /
[1065] Now for to speke of the hope of hem that
ben so necligent & slowe to shrive hem / hit stante in
two maners / [1066] that on is that he hopetfr to live
longe / & for to purchase meche riches for his delite /
& than he wol shrive him / & as seitfr
he may as him semetfr tymely I-nough come to shriffte /
[1067] Another is of the surquidrie that he hath in the hope of
cristes mercy / [ i o 6 8] And ayeines the first vice he shal thenke /
that oure liff is in no sekernesse / & eke that al the
riches in the worlde is in auenture & passinge as a
shadowe on a wal // [1069] And as seitfi. seint Gregorie /
that hit apperteynetfc to the grete rigritwisnesse of god / that
neuere shal the peyne stinte of hem / that neuere
wolde withdrawe hem fro synne here thankes but
euer contenue in synne / for that perpetual wil to do
synne / shullen thei haue perpetual peine //
[1070] Wanhope is in two maners / The first wan-
hope is in the merci of criste / That other is that thei
SELDEN (for Corpus 694) (6-T. 682) C1 thoughtes repeated; leaf 309]
SIX-TEXT 683
GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Selden, for Corpus MS. 695
thenke / that thei myghte nat longe perseuere in good-
nesse / [1071] The first wanhope cometh of that he
demeth that he hath synned so gretly / so offte / & so
longe lien in synne / that he shal nought be sauede /
[1072] Certis ayeines that cursed wanhope he shulde
thenke / that the passion of ihesu criste is more stronge for
to vnbynde / than synne is for to bynde /
[1073] Ayeines the seconde wanhope [
[1074] . . no gap in the MSJ\ that he demeth that he
shulde nat longe perseuere in goodnes / he shal thenke
that the febelnesse of the Deuel may nothing don but if
men wil suffre him / [1075] & e^e ne s^al have strengthe
of the helpe of god / & of al holy chirche & of the
protections of Aungels / if hem luste //
[1076] Than shul men vnderstonde what is the
f ruyte of penaunce l as after the worde of ihesu criste / hit is
the endeles blisse of heuen / [1077] there ioye hath no
contrariouste of woo / ne greuaunce / there al harmes ben
passed of this present liff / there as is the sekernesse from
the peyne of helle / there as is the blisful companye that
reioysen hem euermore / eueryche of otheris Ioye / [ i o 7 8] there
as the body of man that whilom was foule & derke is
more clere than the sonne / there as whilom the bodi
was sike freyle feble & mortal / is immortal / &
so stronge & so hole / that there may nothings empeire
it / [1079] there as neither is hungre / thrust / ne colde /
but every soule replenesshed with the sight of the perfite
knowynge of god / [1080] this blisful regne may man
purchace bi pouerte espirituel / & the glorie bi lowe-
nesse / the plente of ioye bi hungre & thruste / & the
reste bi travaile / & the liff bi deth / & mortificacion of
synne /
[i leaf 309, back, and last]
48 SELDEN (for Corpus 695) (6-T. 683)
SIX-TEXT 684
696 GROUP! §2, PARSON'S TALE. Seld.&Hatt.,forCorp.MS.
To thilke liff lie vs bringe that bought vs with his pre
cious bloode . Amen /
Here enden the talis of Caunturbury / And next
thautour taketh leve.
[1081
N
^1081]
'Ow preye I to hem alle that herken this litil tretis
or reden / that if ther be any thing in hit that liketn"
hem / that therof thei thanke oure lord ihesu
criste / of whom procedetfi. al witte & al goodnesse /
[1082] And if ther be any thing that displesen hem / I
preie hem also that thei a-recte hit / to the defaute of myne
vnconnynge / & nat to my wil that wolde ful fayne haue
seide better if I hadde connynge / [1083] ffor oure
booke seith / al that is writen is writen for oure
doctryne / & that is myne entent / [1084] wher-fore I
biseke yow mekely for the mercy of god / that ye preie for
me / that criste haue mercy on me / and foryeve me my
gultes / [1085] & namely of my translaciones / & endit-
ynges of worldly vanytees / the which I revoke in my re-
traccions / [1086] As is the booke of Troylus / the booke
also of ffame / the booke of .xxv. ladies / the
booke of the Duchesse / the booke of seint Valenty
pHattonHS.1, [xday of pe parlement of briddes // The Tales Caunter-
Ieaf275,back]
of ]>e leon) / And many anofer boke if thei were in my
remembraunce / & many a songe / & many A lecherous
tayl . IT Of J>e which Crist for his grete mercy for-yeue me ]>e syn .
[1088] IT But of the translac^on of Boece de consolacion
and o)>er boke} of legendes of Seintes & Omelies /
And moralite & deuoc^on / [1089] That thank I oure
lorde lesu Crist & his blisful moder and al the
seinte} in heuen [1090] Biseking hem fat J>ei fro
hen forthe vnto my lyres ende send? me grace to
"bewaile my giltes / And to stodieu) to ]?e sauaciourc of my
soule IT And graunte me space of verrey penitence IT Con-
SELDEN AND HATTON (for Corpus 696) (6-T.
SIX-TEXT 685
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hatton, for Corp. MS. 697
fessioiw and satisfaccioiw to don in this present life
[1091] J?orgh pe benigne grace of him Jjat is king of
kinges & prest ouer alle prestes . jjat bought vs
with the precious blode of his hert / [1092] so )?at I may
ben oon of hem at ))e day of dome . J?at shullen be saued?
And he that wrote this boke also / Amen. Qui cum
patre &C.1] P Hatton
extract ends.}
-E-
[late hand'] 0 Mater Dei T I H Memento Mej
[late han^ Pertinet Thoma Heed ciuis Londoniar1
[late hand} EleiSOn
[Two blank leaves scribbled over.]
End of Selden MS.
HATTON (for Corpus 697) (6-T. 686)
SIX-TEXT 301
GROUPS. §15. NUN 's PRIEST'S END-LINK. Chr.Ch,, for Corpus.
APPENDIX (to Group B, p. 587).
[Christ Church MS. 152.]
f Sire Nonnes preest oure boost seyde a none
y-blessed be thy breth & euery stoone
Tbis was a mery tale of Chaunteclere
But be my trouthe if tfiou. were seculere
Thow woldeste bene a tredefoul a rigbt
ffor if tbow haue corage as tho\i haste mygbt
The were nede of hennes as I wene
Ye moo than .vij. tymes seventene
See whiche braunnes hath this gentel preeste
So grete a nekke & so large a breeste
He loketh as a Sparhauke with his yen
Hym nedeth nat his colour for to dyen [leaf 174, sign. k. 8]
with Brasile ne with Greyne of Portyngale /
JSTow sire faire falle yow for youre tale
And af tir he with futt mery chere
Saide vnto a nother as ye shulle here
Here is ended the Nonnes prestes tale
And folowitfc the prologe of the Maunciples tale
CHKISTCHURCH (for Corpus 608) (6-T. 301)
699
COKPUS MS. APPENDIX
OF SECTIONS, WOODCUTS, ETC., NOT IN THE CORPUS MS.
PAGE
1. End of the Merchant's Tale, Group E, § 4, 1.
2319-2418, from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14,
Bodleian Library. (See p. 350 above.) ... l*-3*
2. The Merchant's End-Link, Group E, § 5, from
MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14, Bodleian Library.
('Twould have followd p. 350 (or p. 3*) above,
had it been in the Corpus MS.) ... ... 4*
3. The Clerk-Merchant-Link, Group E, § 3, p. 442
Six-Text, from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14.
('Twould have followd p. 320 above, had it
been in the Corpus MS.) ... ... ... 5*
4. The Squire's Head-Link, Group E, § 1, p. 478
Six-Text, from MS. Arch. Selden, B. 14.
('Twould have come next before p. 194,
instead of the Merchant-Shipman Link, p.
193, had it been in the Corpus MS.) ... 6*
5. The Squire-Franklin Link, Group E, § 3, p. 498-9
Six-Text, from the Laud MS. 600, Bodleian
Library. ('Twould have followd p. 212 above,
had it been in the Corpus MS.) 7*
6. Woodcuts of the 23 Tellers of the 24 Canterbury
Tales, from the Ellesmere MS.1
7. Woodcuts of 6 Tellers of Canterbury Tales, the
Cook, Reeve, Wife of Bath, Pardoner, Monk,
and Manciple — and of 6 Allegorical Figures
in the Parson's Tale — Wrath and Mercy,
Gluttony and Abstinence, Lechery and Chast
ity, from MS. Gg. 4, 27 in the Univ. Libr.,
Cambridge.
1 The Ellesmere cuts can be arrangd either in their order in the
Ellesmere MS., or in the Six-Text order of the Tales. In the latter
they '11 be easier to find. See these two orders on p. 700.
700
Six-Text Order
of Tales.
Ellesmere MS. Order.
Group
Group
1. Knight 1
1. Knight i
2. Miller
2. Miller 1
3. Reeve [ '"
...
3. Reeve j
. A
4. Cook j
4. Cook j
6. Man of Law "
5. Man of Law ...
. B.
6. Shipman
6. Wife of Bath -j
7. Prioress
B
7. Friar j>
. D
8. Chaucer
• • • • • • -D
8. Sum'ner J
9. Monk
9. Clerk \
10. Nun's Priest J
10. Merchant/
. E
11. Doctor 1
12. Pardoner/
C
11. Squire |
12. Franklin /
. F
13. Wife of Bathi
13. Doctor j
14. Friar
\ ...D
14. Pardoner/
. C
15. Sum'ner
j
15. Shipman "1
16. Clerk \
16. Prioress
17. Merchant j
17. Chaucer > ... .
. Bz
18. Squire 1
18. Monk
19. Franklin /
19. Nun's Priest j
20. Second Nun
1
20. Second Nun ^
21. Canon's Yeoman j "*
21. Canon's Yeoman j '
22. Manciple
H
22. Manciple
. H
23. Parson ...
I
23. Parson
. I
SIX-TEXT 473
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Arch. Seld, B. 14. 1*
1.
END OF THE MERCHANT'S TALE.
[for sotfi. I wol no lenger yow contrarie
now lete vs turne ageyne to lanuarie 2320
that in the gardeyne / with his fresshe May
syngeth ful meryere / than the popyngay
^[ yow loue I beste / and shal and other noon
so longe aboute the aleyis / is he goon 2324
til he was comyn / ageyns the Perye
where as this Damyan / sitteth ful merye
an high amonge the fresshe levis grene
this fresshe May / that is so bright and shene 2328
gan for to sike / and seide alias my side
now sir quod, she / for augftt that may bitide
I moste haue of the perys / that I se
or I mot dye / so sore longeth me 2332
to eten of the smale peris grene
helpe for hir loue / that is of heuen quene
I telle yow wel / a woman in my plighte
may haue to fruyte / so grete an appetite 2336
that she may dye / but she hit haue
alias quod he / that I nad here a knaue
that coude clymbe / alias alias quod he
that I am blynde / ye sir no fors quod she 2340
but wolde ye vouchesaff / for godis sake
the pery with-inne youre armes to take
for wel I woot / that ye mystrute me
than shulde I clymbe / wel I-now quod she 2344
so I my fote myght sette / vppon youre bak
for soth quod he / in me shal be no lak
myght I yow helpen / with myn herte bloode
he stoupitfi. down / and on his bak she stoode 2348
and caughte hir bi a twiste / and vp she goothe
ladyes I pray yow / be ye not wroothe
I can not glose / I am a rude man Oa/iso, back]
and sodeynly / anoon this Damyan 2352
CORPUS i* (e-T. 473) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
474 SIX-TEXT
2* GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Arch. Seld, B. 14,
gan pulle vp the smok / and in he thronge CMS Arch. Seia. B. H:
and whan that Pluto saw / that grete wronge
to lanuarie he gaff ageyne / his sight
and made him se / as wel as euer he myght 2356
and whan that he / had his sight agayne
ther was neuer man of thing / so fayne
but on his wiff / his thought was eue?'mo
vp to the tre / he caste his eyghen two 2360
and saw how Damyan / his wiff had dressed
in suche manere / hit may not ben expressed
but if I wolde speke / vncurteysly
and vp he gaff / a roryng and a cry 2364
as doth the moder / whan the childe shal dye
oowte helpe alias / harrow he gan crye
0 stronge lady stoure / what doist thow
and she answerde / sir what eylith yow 2368
haue pacience and resouw / in youre mynde
1 haue yow holpen / on bothe youre eyghen blynde
vp perel of my soule / I shal not lyen
as me was tavght / to hele with youre eygSen 2372
was nothing bet / to make yow se
than strogle with a man / vppon a tre
god woot I did hit / in ful good entente
stride quod he / ye algate in hit Wente 2376
god yeve yow both / on shames deth to dien
he did the so / I sigh it with myn eyghen
and ellis be I honged / by the hals
than is quod she / my medicyne al fals 2380
•for certeynly if that ye myghten see
ye wolde not seye / tho wordis vn-to me
ye han som glymsyng / and no parfite sight
I se quod he as wel / as euer I myght 2384
thonked be god / with both myn eyghen two
and bi my trouthe me thoughte he did the so
ye mase mase goode sir / quod she [^a/isi]
this thanke haue I / for I haue made yow se 2388
CORPUS 2* (6-T. 474) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
SIX-TEXT 475
GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Arch. Seld. B, 14. 3*
alias quod, she / that euer I was so kynde [MS Arch. Seld. B. 14]
now dame quod he / lete al passe out of mynde
com down my lef / and if I haue myssaide
god helpe me so / as I am euel apaide 2392
but bi my fader soule / I wende haue seyne
how that this Damyan / had bi the leyne
and that thi smok / had leyne vppon thi brest
ye sir quod she / ye may wene as yow lest 2396
but sir a man / that wakith out of his slepe
he may not sodeynly / ne wel taken kepe
vppon a thing / ne sen hit parfitly
til that he ben a-dawed / verrily 2400
right so a man / that longe hath blynde I-be
ne may not sodeynly / so wel I-se
first whan his sight / is newe com ageyne
as he that hath / a day or two I-seyne 2404
til that youre sight / I-stabled be a while
ther may ful many a sight / yow bigile
beth war I pray yow / for bi heuen kyng
ful many a man wenyth / to se a thing 2408
and hit is al another / than hit semeth
he that mysconceivith / mys demeth
and with that worde / she lepe doun fro the tre
this lanuarie / who is glad but he 2412
he kissith hir / and clippith hir / ful ofte
and on hir wombe / he stroketh hir ful soffce
and to his paleys hoom / he hath hir lad
now goode men I pray yow / to be glad 2416
thus endith here my tale / of lanuarie
god blesse vs / and his moder seynt Marie . Amen .2418
Here enditS the Marchauntis tale of lanuarie and May.]
CORPUS 3* (6-T. 475) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. u]
476 SIX-TEXT
4* QKOUP E, § 5, MERCHANT'S END-LINK. Arch. Seld. B. 14.
[Arch. Seld. MS B 14, on leaf 131.]
[and bigynneth the Squyers prologe
By godis mercy / seide oure ost tho
now such a wiff / I pray god kepe vs fro 2420
lo whiche slighthis / & sotilteis [z«a/isi, »ac*]
in women ben / for thei be besy as beis
to vs sely men / for to disseive
and fro a sotlL / euer wol thei weive 2424
bi this marchauntis tale / hit previth wele
but douteles as trewe as any stele
I haue a win0 / though" she pore be
but of hir tonge / a labbyng shrewe is she 2428
and yit she hath an hepe / of vicis mo
therof no force / lete al such thingis go
but woot ye what / in consail be hit seide
me re with sore / I am to hir I-teyde 2432
for & I sholde reken / euery manere vise
whiche that she hath / I-wis I were to nyse
and cause whi / hit sholde reported be
and tolde to hir / bi some of this mayne 2436
bi whom it nedith not / to declare
syn women conne outere suche cheffare
and eke my witt / sumsith" not ther-to
to tellen al / ther-fore my tale is do] 2440
CORPUS 4* (e-T. 476) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
SIX-TEXT 442
GROUP E. § 3. CLERK-MERCHANT LINK. Aich. Seld. B. 14. 6*
3.
[MS. Arch. Seld. B. 14, leaf 114, lack.}
[And next folwith the Marchauntis prolog
Weping and waylyng / care and other sorowe
I knowe I-now on even / and on morowe
quod, the marchaunte / and so done other mo
that wedded be / I trowe that hit be so 1216
for wel I woot / hit farith so bi me
I haue a wiff / the worst that may be
for though" the fende / to hir coupled were
she wolde him ouer-macche / I dar wel swere 1220
what shulde I yow rehers in special
hir high malice / she is a shrewe at al
ther is a longe / and a large difference
bitwixe Gresildis grete pacience 1224
and of my wiff / the passing cruelte
were I vnbouwden / also mot y the
I wolde neuer efte comyn / in the snare
we wedded men liven / in sorowe and care 1228
a-say who so wol / and he shal fynde
that I sey sothe / bi seint Thomas of ynde
and for the more parte / I sey not alle
god shilde that it sholde / so bi-falle 1232
a goode sir oste / I haue wedded be
this monthes two / and more not parde
and yit I trowe / he wolde al his live
wiveles han ben / though men wolde him rive 1236
in-to the herte / ne coude in no manere Oa/iisj
tellen so meche sorowe / as I now here
couthe telle / of my wivis cursidnesse
now qwod oure oste marchaunt / so god yow blesse 1240
syn ye so mechel knowen / of that arte
ful hertely I pray yow / telle vs parte
gladly q?wd he / but of myn owne sore
for hevy herte / I telle may no more 1244
Here endith the Marchaunt is prolog
CORPUS 5* (6-T. 442) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
478 SIX-TEXT
6* GROUP F. § 1. SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK. Arch, Seld. B. 14.
THE SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK.
[MS. Arch. Seld. B. 14, on leaf 131, bach]
[Sqiiyer com nere / if that youre wille be
and sey somwhat of loue / for certis ye
konne theron / as mecli as any man
nay sir quod he / but I wol sey as I can
with herty wil / for I wol not rebelle
ageyne youre lust / a tale wol I telle
haue me excused / if that I speke a-mys
my wil is good / & lo my tale is this
Here endith the Squyers prolog]
CORPUS 6* (6-T. 478) [this page, Arch. Seld. B. 14]
SIX-TEXT 498
GROUP F. § 3, SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK. Laild MS. 600. 7*
5.
[Laud MS 600, leaf 171.]
[Here begyimejj j?e prolog of }>e frankeleyn
In faijj squier )>ou hast j>e wel I-quytt
And gentilli I praise wel J?i witt
Qwod jje frankeleyn considering ]?i you]?e
So felyngli jjou spekest sir I aloujje 676
As to my dome ]>er is noon jjat is here
Of eloquence shal be ]>i pere
[yf J>at J)0u lyve / god yeve J>e gode chaunce [Haistweii MS]
And in vertue / send1 the contynuaunce] 680
ffor of J>i speche I haue gret deynte
I haue a sone and bi J?e Trinite
I had leuere pan xxti pounde worj? lond
|)ough it right now were fallen in my honde 684
Ye ar a man of suche discrecion
As ]mt ye ben fy vpon possession
But if1 a man be vertuous w/tA-a]
I haue my sone snybbed and yut shal 688
ffor he to vertu listej) not entende
But for to pleie at dies and to despende
And lese al jjat he haj> is his vsa,ge
And he haj> leuere talke wij> a page 692
))an to commune wi]> any gentil wight
Where he might lerne gentilnesse a-right
Strawe for youre gentilnesse qwod our host
What frankeleyn parde wel J>ow wost Frankeleyn 696
J5at eche of1 oF (sic) you mot tellen atte leste
A tale or too / or breken his beheste Ueafm, &a<*]
JOat knowe I wel q?/od J>e ffrankeleyn certeyn Frankeleyn
I praie you not hauej? me in desdeyn 700
CORPUS 7* (6-T. 498) [this page, Laud 600]
499 SIX-TEXT
8* GKOUP F. § 3. SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK. Laud MS. 600.
}2ow to Jns man I speke a worde or too
Telle on Jji tale wifouten wordes moo
Gladli sir host qwod he I wol obeie
Vn-to youre wille now herkenej? what I seie 704
I wil you not contrarie in no wise
As ferre as fat my wittes wil suffise
I praie to god fat it mai plesen you
Jpan wot I wel fat it is good Inow] 708
CORPUS 8* (6-T. 499) [this page, Laud GOO]
DRAWINGS OF THE 23 TELLERS
OF THE
24 CANTERBURY TALES,
COPIED FKOM THE ELLESMERE MS,
AND CUT ON WOOD,
BY
JHr OTL f&. Cooper,
In this first issue, 1871, only 14 of the Cuts are given.
The other 10 will follow in 1872. When the print of each
MS is bound, the cut of each Teller of a Tale can be put
at the beginning of his Tale, as in the Ellesmere MS, or
by his description in the General Prologue, to contrast the
artist's hand with the poet's ; or, all the cuts can be put
together before or after the Prologue, or at the end of the
volume (as not part of the MS), according to the fancy
of each Member.
THE MILLERS.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 88, back.
CM)
THE KNYGHT.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 14.
(The brand on the horse's hip— M, ? for Miles—
is in ink, and probably by a later hand.)
THE COOK.
Elfesmere MS, leaf 51.
THE REVE.
Elletmere MS, leaf 4f>.
THE WYF OF BATHE.
Ellesmere J/S, tea/76.
CO
THE MAN OP LAWE.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 54, back.
THE FRERE.
Ellegmere MS, leaf 80, back.
THE SOMONOUR.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 85, back.
(JO
THE CLERK OF OXENFORD.
E Ilex-mere MS, leaf 92.
THE SHIPMAN.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 147, back.
THE PBIORESSE.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 152, back.
CHAUCER.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 157, back.
THE MONK.
Kllp»mrre MS, Ifiif 17:;.
THE NONNE8 FREEST.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 188.
PR Chaucer Society, London
1901 cPublicationsD
A3
etc.
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