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UNIV. OF
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733
THE
OF
THE
jenpri 1ft
OF
EDITED BY
FREDERICK J, FUKNIYALL.
.*r i *•-
S ~ '^- « /V-rxJ-O-3* *
TUBLISHT FOE, THE CHAUCER SOCIETY
BY K TRUBNEB & CO., 57 & 59, LUDGATE HILL.
1868-1879.
{The Hcngn-rt Collection mas left fry its oicncr to hit friend Mi\
William W. E. Wynne of Peniarth, Towijn, Merioneth.}
/
/*
Jirst Series,
CLAY AND TAYLOK, THE CHAUCER PRESS, BXINOAY.
DEDICATED
m. Hailtm tfbteh lEpw,
OF PENIARTH,
BY WHOSE KIND LEAVE
THIS HENGWET MS IS PRINTED.
Christmas, 1868.
CONTENTS OF THE HENGWET MS.
Six-Text
Group Pages
A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE l ... ... 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 Trumpington
Miller and Cambridge Clerks) 113
§ 7. REEVE-COOK LINK ... ... 125
§ 8. Cook's Tale (of the London Victual
ler's Apprentice) (unfimsht)2 127
D. § 1. Wife of Bath's Preamble (of her 5
Husbands, &c.) 334
§ 2. Wife of Bath's Tale (of what Women
most desire) ... ... ... 359
§ 3. WIPE-FRIAR LINK 371
§ 4. Friar's Tale (of the Sum'ner's car-
rying-off to Hell) 372
§ 5. FRIAR-SUM'NER LINK ... ... 383
§ 6. Sum'ner's Tale (of the Friar being
trickt) 385
Hengwrt
Pages
26
89
'J2
111
113
125
127
129
154
166
167
178
180
197
200
225
227
B.§11. MELIBE-MONK LINK ... ... 253
§ 12. Monk's Tale3 (of Men fallen from
high estate) 256
§13. MONK— NUN'S-PRIEST LINK ... 281
§ 14. Nun's Priest's Tale (of the Cock
and Fox) 283
{For B, § 15, NUN'S PRIEST'S END-LINK, see
Appendix 2, p. 27*, after, p. 652, Heng.]
1 This is the only MS. of the Six-Text which has the two
explanatory lines 252 &, c, p. 8, about the Friar's renting from his
monastery the ' limit ' or district in which he had the sole right
of begging.
2 For Appendix to Group A, the spurious Tale of Gamelyn, see
Appendix 1, p. l*-26*, after p. 652 Heng.
3 The " modern instances " — Peter the Cruel of Spain, Peter of
Cyprus, Barnabo Visconti of Milan, and Count Ugolino of Pisa —
are wrongly put at the end of the Tale, p. 221 — 224 Heng., instead
of after Zenobia, 1. 3564, p. 212 Heng.
VI 11
CONTENTS.
Six-Text
Group
H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK ... 576
§ 2. Manciple's Tale (of the Crow) ... 580
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. 270 H; Pt. Ill,
p. 157 S-T, p. 285 H.) ... 132
Latin Side-Notes to the Man-of-
Law's Tale 133
[For Group B, § 3, MAN-OF-LAW-
SHIPMAN LINK, see Appendix 3,
p. 29*, after p. 652 Heng.~\
[For Group F, § 1, The SQUIRE'S
HEAD-LINK, see below, and p. 351
He-tiff.-]
F. § 2, Squire's Tale unfinislit (of the Magic
Horse, &c, and the Falcon) 479
§ 3. SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK (wrongly
as SQUIRE-MERCHANT LINK) 498
[For Group E, § 3, CLERK-MERCHANT
LINK, see Appendix 4, p. 29*, after
p. 652 Heng,~\
E. § 4. Merchant's Tale (of January and
May)
§ 0, MERCHANT'S END-LINK ...
Latin Side-Notes to the Merchant's
Tale
F. § 1. SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK (wrongly as
FRANKLIN'S HEAD-LINK)
[For F, § 2, 3, see SQUIRE'S TALE,
&c, p. 479 S-T, p. 295 H. above.]
§ 4. Franklin's (Proem and) Tale1 (of
Dorigen, Arviragus, and Auril-
ius)
443
476
477
478
500
Hengwrt
Pages
245
249
257
260
261
295
314
316
349
350
351
352
378
G. § 1, Second Nun's Tale (of St. Cecile) 527
[Group G, § 2, the Second-Nun 's- Ca
non's- Yeoman Link, § 3 the Ca
non's- Yeoman's Preamble, § 4 the
Canon's- Yeoman's Tale, are not now
in the Hengwrt MS, but are given
in Appendix 5, p. 30*-57*, from the
Lichfield Cathedral MS.]
1 It has not the lines F 1455-6, 1493-8, known only in the
Ellesmere MS.
CONTENTS. IX
Six-Text
Group Pages
Latin Side-Notes to the Clerk's Tale 402
•E. § 1. CLERK'S HEAD-LINK 403
§ 2. Clerk's Tale 405
Appendix to E, § 2 : 1 0riginal,
but rejected CLERK'S END-LINK 477
[For Group E, § 3, CLERK-MEKCHANT
LINK, see Appendix 4, p. 29*, after
p. 652 Heng.]
[For E, § 4, 5, MERCHANT'S TALE and
END-LINK, see above, and p. 316
Heng.']
C. § 1. Doctor's Tale 303
§2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK ... 312
§ 3. Pardoner's Preamble 314
§ 4. Pardoner's Tale 318
Hengwrt
Pages
398
400
402
439
[For B, § 1, 2, see above, and p. 257
Henq. ; and for B, § 3, Appendix 3,
p. 28* ]
B. § 4. Shipman's Tale ... ... 168
§ 5. SHIPMAN-PRIORESS LINK ... 181
§ 6. Prioress's (Proem and) Tale ... 182
§ 7, PRIORESS-THOPAS LINK 190
§ 8. Chaucer's Tale of Sir Thopas (un-
finisht} 191
§9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK 199
§ 10. Chaucer's prose Tale of Melibe ... 201
[For B, § 11 — 14, see above, and p.
197—227 Heng.; and for B, § 15,
see Appendix 2, p. 27*. after p.
652 Heng.'}
440
449
451
455
470
483
484
492
493
501
503
I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK 589
Contents of the Parson's Tale ... 592
§ 2. Parson's Tale, in prose1 (Pt. II, p.
612 S-T, p. 579 Heng.; Pt. Ill,
p. 679 S-T, p. 646 Heng.;
Leave-Taking, p. 684 S-T, p.
651 Heng.) 593
555
558
560
The Hengwrt MS. has lost its leaves after leaf 250, p. 633 S-T,
p. 600 Heng. The text is thenceforward filled up from the Christ-
Church MS., Oxford, to its end, p. 680 S-T, p. 647 Heng., and
thence (and from p. 665 S-T to p. 671) from Addit. MS. 5140,
British Museum, to the end, p. 685 S-T, p. 652 Heng.
CONTENTS.
Group
1. Appendix to Group A. The Spurious
Tale of Gamely 'ii, from Harl. MS. 1758
2. The genuine Nun's -Priest' s End -Link,
from Addit. MS. 5140, Brit. Mus. ...
3. The genuine Man-of-Law-SJiipman Link
(tho* calid Squire's Prologue), from the
lloyal MS. 18 C ii, Brit. Mus.
4. The genuine Clerk-Merchant Link, from
Shirley's Harl. MS. 7333, Brit. Mus.
5. The genuine
G. § 2. Second-Nun-Canon' s-Yeoman Link,
G. § 3. Can on-Yeoman's Preamble,
G. § 4. Canon-Yeoman's Tale,
(from the Lichfield Cathedral MS.).
6. Drawings of the 23 ZWJers o/ the 24 Ccw-
terlury Tales} copied from the Ellesin.
MS., and cut on wood by Mr Hooper
7. Drawings of 6 Tellers of 6 Canterbury
Tales, and 6 allegorical Figures, from
the Cambridge Univ. MS. Gg. 4. 27
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.
Six-Text
Pages
Heiigwrt
Pages
l*-26*
l*-26*
301
27*
i
. 167
28*
i
442
29-
, 547
30*
552
35*
560
43*
Six-Text Order. Ellesmere MS. Order.
Group.
Group
1. Knight i
1. Knight ">
2. Miller 1
2. Miller 1
3. Reeve ["-
3. Keeve f
,. A
4. Cook J
4. Cook j
5. Man of Law
5. Man of Law
.. B,
6. Shipman
6. Wife of Bath ^
7. Prioress
7. Friar |>
.. D
8. Chaucer
\ B
8. Sum'ner J
9. Monk
9. Clerk 1
10. Nun's Priest J 10. Merchant/ "' •
.. E
11. Doctor 1
12. Pardon erj
c
11. Squire "\
12. Franklin / "' '
.. F
1 3. Wife of Bath i
13. Doctor ~\
14. Friar
...D
14. Pardoner J
.. C
15. Sura'ner
j
15. Shipman "j
16. Clerk *t
16. Prioress
17. Merchant j
E
17. Chaucer [ ...
.. B*
18. Squire ^
18. Monk
19. Franklin /
19. Nun's Priest j
20. Second Nun \
21. Canon's Yeoman /"• G
20. Second Nun "\
21. Canon's Yeoman j
.. G
22. Manciple
23. Parson ...
H
I
22. Manciple
23. Parson
.. H
. I
GROUP A. FRAGMENT I.
§ 1. GENEEAL PEOLOGUE.
HENGWET MS.
Here bygynneth the Book of the tales of Caunterbury.
fHan that Auerylle with his shoures soote [leaf 2]
The droghte of March / hath perced to the roote
And bathed euery veyne in swich lycour
Of which vertu engendred is the flour 4
Whan zephirus eek1 with his sweete breeth
Inspired hath in euery holt1 and heeth
The tendre croppes / and the yonge sonne
Hath in the Earn / his half cours yronne 8
And smale foweles / maken melodye
That slepen al the nyght1 with open lye
So priketh hem nature / in hir corages
Thanne longen folk1 to goon on pilgrymages 12
And Palmeres for to seeken straunge strondes
To feme halwes / kouthe in sondry londes
And specially / from euery shyres ende
Of Engelond! / to Caunterbury they wende 1 6
The holy blisful martir / for to seke
That hem hath holpen whan ]>at they weere seeke
Bifel J>at in that sesozm on a day
In Southwerk* at the Tabard1 /as .1. lay 20
Eedy to weenden / on my pilgrymage
To Caunterbury / with ful deuout corage
At nyght was come / in to that hostelrye
Wei .xxix. in a compaignye 24
Of sondry folk / by auenture yfalle
In felaweshipe / and pilgrymes weere they alle
That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde
1 HENGWRT 1
2 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWlt MS,
The chambres and the stables / weeren wyde
And wel we weeren esed / at the beste
And shortly whan the sonne was to reste
So hadde I spoken with hem euerichoon
That I was of hir felaweshipe anoon
And maade forward / erly for to ryse Deaf 2, backj
To take oure wey / ther as .1. yow deuyse
^f But nathelees / while .1. haue tyme and space
Er that I ferther / in this tale pace 36
Me thynketh it1 acordant to resozoi
To telle yow / al the condiciown
Of eech of hem / so as it seemed me
And whiche they weere and of what degree 40
And eek1 in what array / J>at they weere Inne
And at a knyghtf thanne wol I first bigynne
*[[ A knyght ther was / and that a worthy man Knyght/
That fro the tyme / J>at he first bigan 44
To ryden out1 he loued chiualrye
Trouthe and honour / fredom and curteisye
fful worthy was he / in his lordes werre
And ther to hadde he ryden / no man ferre 48
As wel in cristendom / as hethenesse
And euere honured / for his worthynesse
^f At Alisaundre he was / whan it was wonne
fful ofte tyme / he hadde the bord bigonne 52
Abouen alle nacions / in Pruce
In lettow / hadde he reysed / and in Ruce
~No cristen man so ofte / of his degree
In Gernade at the seege eek hadde he be 56
At Algizir / and ryden in Belmarye
At lyeys was he / and at Satalye
Whan they weere wonne / and in the grete see
At many a noble armee / hadde he bee 60
^f At mortal batailles / hadde he been fiftene
And foghtcn for oure feyth / at Tramyssene
In lystes thryes / and ay slayn his foo
HENGWIIT 2
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HeilgWrt MS. 3
•fl" This like worthy knyghtf hadde been also 64
Somtyme / with the lord of Palatye
Agayn another hethen in Turkye
And cue-re moore / he hadde a souereyn prys
And thogh Jj<%t he weere worthy / he was wys 68
And of his poort1 as meke / as is a mayde
Ne neuere yet1 no vileynye he sayde
In al his lyf1 vn-to no manere wight
He was a verray pernt1 gentil knyght1 72
But for to tellen yow / of his array [leaf 3]
Hise hors weere goode / but he ne was nat gay
Of ffustian / he wered a gypon
Al bismotered / with his haubergeon) 76
ffor he was laate / conlen from his viage
And wente / for to doon his pilgrymage
^[ With hym / ther was his sone a yong1 Squyer Squyer.
A louere / and a lusty Bachiler 80
"With lokkes crulle / as they weere leyd in presse
Of .xx. yeer / he was of age I gesse
Of his stature / he was of euene lengthe
And wonderly delyuere / and of greet strengthe 84
And he hadde been som tyme / in chiuachye
In fflaundres / in Artoys / and Picardye
And born hym wel / as in so litel space
In hope / to stonden / in his lady grace 88
^[ Embrouded was he / as it weere a meede
Al ful of fresshe floures / white and reede
Syngynge he was / or floytynge al the day
He was as fressh / as is the Monthe of May 92
Short was his gowne / with sleues / longe & wyde
Wel koude he sitte on hors / and faire ryde
He koude songes wel make / and endite
luste and eek daunce /and wel portreye and write 9.6
So hoote he loued / that by nyghtertale
He slepte namoore / than dooth a nyghtyngale
Curteys he was / lowely / and seruysable
HENGWKT 3
4 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HcngWlt MS.
And carf biforn his fader / at the table 100
^[ A Yeman he hadde / and seruantz namo Yeman.
At that tyme / for hym liste ryde so
And he was clad / in coote and hood of greene
A sheef of Pecok arwes / bright1 and keene 104
Vnder his belt1 he bar ful thriftily
Wei koude he dresse his takel yemanly
His arwes drowped noghf with fetheres lowe
And in his hand / he bar a myghty bowe 108
A not heed hadde he / with a brouii visage
Of wodecraft / koude he wel al the vsage
Vp on his arm / he bar a gay bracer
And by his syde / a swerd and a Bokeler
And on that oother syde / a gay daggere peaf3,back)
Harneysed wel / and sharpe / as poynt1 of spere
A Cristofre on his brest1 of siluer sheene
An horn he bar / the bawdryk1 was of greene 116
A fforster was he / soothly as I gesse
^[ Ther was also / a Nonne a Prioresse Prioresse.
That of hir smylyng1 was ful symple and coy
Hir gretteste ooth / was but by Seint Loy 120
And she was clepyd / madame Eglentyne
fful wel she soong1 the seruyce dyuyne,
Entuned in hir nose / ful semely
And frenssh" she spak1 ful faire and fetisly 124
After the scole / of Stratford at the Bowe
ffor frenssh of Parys / was to hire vnknowe
At mete / wel ytaught1 was she with alle
She leef no morsel / from hir lyppes falle 128
"Ne wette hir fyngres / in hir sauce deepe
Wel koude she carye a morsel / and wel keepe
That no drope / fille vp on hir brisf
In curteisye / was set muchel hir list1 132
Hir ouer lyppe / wyped she so cleene
That in hir coppe / ther was no ferthyng1 seene
Of grece / whan she dronken hadde hir draghte
HENGWBT 4
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWlt MS. 5
fful semely / after hir mete she raghte 136
And sikerly / she was of greet1 desport1
And ful plesaunt1 and amyable of port1
And peyned hire / to countrefete chiere
Of Court1 and been estatlich of manere 140
And to been holden / digne of reuerence
But for to speken / of hir conscience
She was so charitable / and so pitous
She wolde wepe / if ]?at she sawe a Mous 144
Caught in a trappe / if it weere deed / or bledde
Of smale houndes / hadde she / ]>at she fedde
"With rested flessn / or mylk / and wastel breed
But soore wepte she / if oon of hem weere deed 148
Or if men smoot1 it / with a yerde smerte
And al was conscience / and tendre herte
fful semely / hir wympel pynched was
Hir nose tretez / hir eyen / greye as glas 152
Hir mouth ful smal / and ther to / softe and reed [leaf*]
But sikerly / she hadde a fair forheed
It was almoost1 a spanne brood I trowe
ffbr hardily / she was nat vndergrowe 156
fful fetys was hir cloke / as I was war
Of smal Coral / aboute hir arm she bar
A peyre of bedes / gauded al with greene
And ther on heeng1 a brooch of gold ful sheene 160
On which / was first writen / a crowned .A.
And after / amor vincit1 omnia.
•Jf Another Nonne / with hire hadde she, Nonne Chap-
That was hire Chapeleyne / and preestes thre. thre prestes.
^f A Monk ther was / a fair for the maystrye Monk/.
An outrydere / that1 louede venerye
A manly man / to been an Abbot able
fful many a deyntee hors / hadde he in stable 168
And whanne he rood / men myghte his brydel heere
Gyngle in a whistlynge wynd / as cleere
And eek1 as loude / as dooth the Chapel belle
HENGWRT 5
6 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWlt MS.
There as this lord / is kepere of the selle 172
The rule of seint Maure / or of seint Beneyt1
By cause J?at it was oold / and som deel streyt1
This ilke Monk / leet oolde thynges pace
And heeld / after the newe world the space 176
He yaf noght of that text1 a pulled hen
That seith / \a\> hunterys been none holy men
ISTe ]?at a Monk1 . whan he is recchelees
Is likned / til a fissh / Jwt is waterlees 180
This is to seyn / a Monk1 out of his Cloystre
But thilke text1 heeld he nat worth an Oystre
And I seyde / his opynyon was good
What sholde he studie / and make hym seluen wood 184
Vp on a boot in Cloystre alwey to poure
Or swynke with his handes / and laboure
As Austyn bitf . how shal the world be serued
Lat Austyn heue his swynk1. to hym reserued 188
Ther fore / he was a prykasour aryght1
Grehoundes he hadde / as swift1 as fowel in flyght1
Of prikyng1 and of huntyng1 for the haare
Was al his lust1, for no cost wolde he spaare 192
I saugh his sleues / pwrnled at the hond* [leaf 4, back]
With grys / and that the fyneste of a lond?
And for to festne his hood / vnder his chyn
He hadde / of gold / wroght a ful curious pyii 196
A loue knotte / in the gretter ende ther was
His heed was balled / that shoon as any glas
And eek his face / as he hadde been enoynt1
He was a lord ful fat1 and in good poynt1 200
Hise eyen steepe / and rollynge in his heed
That stemed / as a fourneys of a leed
Hise bootes souple / his hors / in greet estaat1
Now certeynly / he was a fair prelat1 204
He was nat paale / as is a forpyned goost1
A fat swan / loued he / best of any roost1
His palfrey / was as broun as any berye
HENGWRT ft
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWlt MS. 7
Tf A frere ther was / a wantowne and a merye, f ffrere.
A lymytour / a f ul solempne man 209
In alle the ordres foure / is noon \a\> kan
So muche of daliaunce / and fair langage
He hadde maked / ful many a manage 212
Of yonge wommen / at his owene cost*
Vn to his ordre / he was a noble post1
fFul wel biloued / and famylier was hee
With ffrankeleyns / oner al in his contree 21 G
And eek1 with worthy wommen / of the town
ffor he hadde / power of confessioun
As seyde him self / moore than a curaat1
fFor of his ordre / he was licenciaafr 220
fful swetely / herde he confessiown
And plesanf . was his absoluciown
He was an esy man / to yeue penaunce
Ther as he wiste / to haue a good pitaunce 224
fFor vn to a poure ordre / for to yeue
Is signe / that a man / is wel yshryue
fFor if he yaf1 he dorste make auaunt1
He wiste / pat a man was repentaunt1 228
ffor many a man / so hard is of his herte
He may nat weepe / thogh $at he soore smerte
Ther fore / in stede of wepynge / and preyeres
Men moote yeue siluer / to the poure freres 232
Tf His typet1 was ay farsed ful of knyues Deaf 5]
And pynnes / for to yeuen faire wyues
And certeynly / he hadde a murye noote
Wel koude he synge / and pleyen on a roote 236
Of yeddynges / he bar outrely the prys
His nekke whit was / as the flour delys
Ther to he stroong* was / as a Champioun
He knew the tauernes wel in euery town 240
And euery hostiler / and Tappestere
Bet / than a lazer / or a beggestere
ffor vn to swich a worthy man / as he
HENGWRT 7
8 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWTt MS.
Acorded nat / as by his facultee 244
To haue / with syke lazers aqueyntaunce
It is nat honeste / it may noght auaunce
if or to deelen / with no swich poraille
But al with riche / and sellerys of vitaille 248
And ouer al / ther as profit sholde aryse
Curteys he was / and lowely of seruyse
Ther was no man / nowheer / so vertuous
He was the beste beggere / of his hous 252
And yaf a certeyn ferme / for the grauntt 252 &
IsToon of his bretheren / cam ther in his haunt1 252 c
ffor thogh a wydwe / hadde noghtf a sho 253
So plesanfr was his In principle
Yet wolde he haue a ferthyng1 er he wente
His purchaas / was wel bettre than his rente 256
And rage he koude / as it weere right a whelpe
In louedayes / koude he muchel helpe
ffor there / he was nat lyk1 a Cloystrer
With a threedbare cope / as is a poure scoler 260
But he was lyk a maister / or a Pope
Of double worstede / was his semycope
And rounded as a belle / out of the presse
Somwhat he lypsed / for his wantownesse 264
To make his englyssh / sweete vp on his tonge
And in his harpyng^ whan \ai he hadde songe
Hise eyen twynkled / in his heed aryghf
As doon the sterres / in the frosty nyghf 268
This worthy lymytour / was cleped Huberd?
^T A Marchant was ther / with a forked berd? Marchawnt.
In Motlee / and hye on hors he sat1 [leaf 5, back]
Yp on his heed / a fflaundryssfr Beuere hat1 272
His bootes clasped / faire and fetisly
Hise resons / he spak ful solempnely
Sownyng1 alway / thencrees of his wynnyng1
He woolde / the see weere kept1 for any thyng1 276
Bitwixen MyddelburgB / and Orewelle
HENGWET 8
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HdlgWTt MS. 9
"Wei koude he / in eschaunge / sheeldes selle
This worthy man / ful wel his wit bisette
Ther wiste no wightt. that he was in dette 280
So estaatly was he / of his gouernaunce
With his bargaynes / and with his cheuysaunce
ffor soothe / he was a worthy man with alle
But sooth to seyn / I noot how men hym calle 284
^[ A Clerc1 ther was / of Oxenford also n Clerc/ of Oxenforde.
That vn to logyk1 . hadde longe ygo
As leene was his hors / as is a rake
And he was noght right fat1 1 vndertake 288
But looked holwe / and ther to sobrely
fful threedbaare / was his ouereste Courtepy
ffor he hadde / geten hym yet1 no benefice
]STe was so worldly / for to haue office 292
For hym was leuere / haue at his beddes heed
Twenty bookes / clad / in blak / or reed
Of Aristotle / and his Philosophye
Than robes riche / or ffithele / or gay Sautrye 296
But al be / that he was a Philosophre
Yet hadde he / but litel gold in Cofre
But al that he myghte / of his frendes hente
On bookes / and on lernynge / he it spente 300
And bisily / gan for the soules preye
Of hem / that yaf hym / wher with to scoleye
Of studye / took he moost cure and moost heede
Noght oo word spak1 he / moore than was neede 304
And that was spoke / in forme / and reuerence
And short1 and quyk1 and ful of heigh sentence
Sownynge in moral vertu / was his speche
And gladly wolde he lerne / and gladly teche 308
^[ A Sergeaunt of lawe / waar / and wys 1 Sergeaunt of Lawe.
That often / hadde been at the Parvys
Ther was also / ful ryche of excellence [leaf 6]
Discreet he was / and of greet reuerence 312
He seemed swich / hise wordes weeren so Wyse
HENGWRT 9
10 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HdlgWrt MS.
Justice he was / ful often in Assise
By patente / and by pleyii commissiown
ffor his science / and for his heigh renown 316
Of fees and robes / hadde he many oon
So greet a purchasour / was nowher noon
Al was fee symple / to hym / in effect1
His purchasyng1 myghte nat been infect1 320
Nowher so bisy a man as he / ther nas
And yet he seemed / bisyer than he was
In termes / hadde he caas / and doomes alle
That from tyme of kyng william / weere falle 324
Ther to / he koude endite / and make a thyng*
Ther koude no wight1 pynchen at his writyng1
And euery statut1 . koude he pleyn by roote
He rood but hoomly / in a medlee coote 328
Girt with a ceynt of sylk1 . with barres smale
Of his array / telle I no lenger tale
^[ A ffrankeleyn / was in his compaignye f ffrankeleyn.
Whit was his berd / as is the dayesye 332
Of his complexcion / he was sangwyn
Wei loued he by the morwe / a sope in wyn
To lyuen in delyt1 was euere his wone
ffor he was / Epicurus owene sone 336
That heeld opynyon) / pat pleyn delit
Was verray / felicitee parfif
An housholdere / and that a greet was hee
Seint lulyan he was / in his contree 340
His breed / his ale / was alweys after oon
A bettre envyned man / was neuere noon
With outeu bake mete / was neuere his hous
Of fresshe fisshe / and flesshe / and that so plentevous 344
It snewed in his hous / of mete and drynke
Of alle deyntees / ]>ai men koude bithynke
After / the sondry sesons / of the yeer
So chaunged he / his mete / and his soper 348
fful many a fat partrych / hadde he in Muwe
HENGWRT 10
GEOUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWrt MS. 11
And many a breem / and many a luce in Stuwe
"Wo was his Cook1 / but if his Sauce weere [leaf 6, back]
Poynaunf and sharpe / and redy al his geere 352
His table dormaunf in his halle alway
Stood redy couered / al the longe day
At sessions / ther was he / lord and sire
fful ofte tyme / he was knyght of the Shire 356
An Anlaas / and a Gipser / al of Sylk1
Heeng1 at his girdel / whit as morne mylk1
A Shirreue hadde he been / and Countour
Was nowheer / swich a worthy vauasour 360
^F An haberdasshere / and a Carpenter rHaberdasshew
' Carpenter.
A Webbe / a Dyere / and a Tapycer
And they weere clothed aUe / in oo lyueree
Of a solempne / and a greet fraternytee 364
fful fressfi. and newe / hir geere apyked was
Hir knyues weere chaped / noght with bras
But al with siluer / wroght ful clene and wel
Hir girdles / and hir pouches / euerydel 368
Wel seemed eech of hem. / a fair Burgeys
To sitten in a yeldehalle / on a deys
Euerych / for the wisdom / bat he kan
Was shaply / for to been an Alderman 372
ffor catel / hadde they ynogh / and rente
And eek hir wyues / wolde it wel assente
And ellis certeyn / they weere to blame
It is ful fair / to been yclepyd madame 376
And goon to vigilies / al bifore
And haue a Mantel / realliche ybore
^[ A Cook they hadde with hem / for the nones Cook/.
To boille the chiknes / with the Marybones 380
And poudre marchauntt . tart1 and / Galyngale
Wel koude he knowe / a draghte of london ale
He koude rooste / and seethe / and broille / & frye
Maken Mortreux / and wel bake a pye 384
But greet harm was if as it thoughte me
HEN G WET 11
12 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HcngWlt MS.
That on his Shyne /a Mormal hadde he
ffor Blankmanger / that maade he with the beste
^[ A Shipman was ther / wonyng fer by weste Shipman.
ffor aught I woof he was of Dertemouthe 389
He rood vp on a K-ouncy / as he kouthe
In a gowne of faldyng1 to the knee Deaf 7]
A daggere hangynge on a laas / hadde he 392
Aboute his nekke / vnder his arm adown
The hoote Somer / hadde maad his hewe al brown
And certeynly / he was a good felawe
fful many a draghte of wyn / hadde he drawe 39 G
ffro Burdeuxward? / whil J>at the Chapman sleeps
Of nyce conscience / took he no keepe
If fat he faghtf and hadde the hyer hond?
By watre he sente hem hoom / to euery lond? 400
But of his craft1 to rekene wel his tydes
His stremys / and his daungers hym bisydes
His herberwe and his moone / his lodmenage
Ther was noon swich / from hulle to Cartage 404
Hardy he was / and wys to vndertake
With many a tempest1 hadde his beerd been shake
He knew alle the hauenes / as they weere
ffro Gootlond / to the cape of ffynysteere 408
And euery cryke / in Britaigne / and in Spaigne
His barge / y-clepyd was the Mawdelayne
*tf With vs / ther was / a Doctour of Phisyk1 Doctor of
In al this world / ne was ther noon hym lyk1
To speken of Phisyk1 and of Surgerye 413
ffor he was grounded / in Astronomye
He kepte his pacienf a ful greet deel
In houres / by his magyk natureel 416
Wel koude he fortunen / the ascendent1
Of hise ymages / for his pacient1
He knew the cause / of euery maladye
Weere it1 of hoot1 or coold / or moyste / or drye 420
And where it engendred / and of what humour
HENGWRT 12
GROUP A. § 1. GENEEAL PROLOGUE. HengWTt MS. 13
He was a verray / perfit practisour
The cause yknowe / and of his harm the roote
Anooii he yaf / the sike man his boote 424
^[ fful redy hadde he / hise Apothecaryes
To senden hym / his drogges / and his letuaryes
ffor eech of hem / maade oother for to wynne
Hir frendshipe / was noght newe to bigynne 428
Wei knew he / the oolde Esculapyus
And Discorides / and eek1 Kusus
Olde ypocras / Haly / and Galyen [leaf 7, back]
Serapion / Razis / and Avyccn 432
Auerroys / Damascien / and Constantyn
Bernard / and Gatesden / and Gilbertyn
Of his diete / mesurable was hee
ffor it was / of no superfluytee 436
But of greet norissynge / and digestible
His studye / was but litel on the Bible
In sangwyn and in Pers / he clad was al
Lyned with Taffata / and with Sendal 440
And yet he was / but esy of dispence
He kepte / J?at he wan in pestilence
ffor gold in Phisyk1. is a Cordial
Ther fore / he loued gold in special 444
Tf A good wyf was ther / of bisyde Bathe ofWs^SBathe!
But she was som del deef1 and that was scathe
Of clooth makynge / she hadde swich an haunt1
She passed hem / of Ipres / and of Gaunt1 448
In al the parysshe / wyf ne was ther noon
That to the offrynge / bifore hire sholde goon
And if ther dide / certeyn / so wrooth was shee
That she was / out of alle charitee 452
Hir Couerchiefes / ful fyne weere of grownd?
I dorste swere / they weyeden. ten pownd?
That on a Sonday / weeren vp on hir heed
Hir hosen weeren / of fyn Scarlet reed 456
fful streyte yteyd / and shoes / ful moyste & newe
HENGWRT 13
14 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWlt MS.
Boold was hir face / and fair and reed of hewe
She was a worthy woraman / al hir lyue
Housbondes at chirehe dore / she hadde fyue 460
With outen oother contpaignye / in yowthe
But ther of / nedeth noght1 to speke as nowthe
And thries / hadde she been at Jerusalem
She hadde passed / many a straunge strein 464
At Rome she hadde been / and at Boloyne
In Galyce at Seint lame / and at Coloyne
She koude muchel / of wandrynge by the weye
Gattothed was she / soothly for to seye 468
Yp on an Amblere / esily she sat1
Ywympled wel / and on hir heed an hat1
As brood as is / a Bokeler / or a Targe [leaf 8]
A foot mantel / aboute hir hypes large 472
And on hir feet1 a peyre of spores sharpe
In felaweshipe / wel koude she laughe. and carpe
Of remedies of lone / she knew par chaunce
ifor she koude of that art1 the olde daunce 476
If A good man / was ther / of Religioun
And was a poure parson / of a toun Person of a town.
But riche he was / of holy thoght and werk1
He was also / a lerned man a Clerk1 480
That Cristes gospel / trewely wolde preche
His parisshens / deuoutly wolde he teche
Benygne he was / and wonder diligent
And in aduersitee / ful pacient1 484
And swich he was proeued / ofte sythes
iful looth weere hym / to cursen for his tythes
But rather wolde he yeuen / out of doute
Yn to his poure parisshens aboute 488
Of his offrynge / and eek1 of his substaunce
He koude in litel thyng1 haue suffisaunce
Wyd was his parisshe / and houses fer a sender
But he ne lafte noght1 for reyn ne thonder 492
In siknesse / nor in meschief1 to visite
HENGWRT 14
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWTt MS. 15
The ferreste in Ms parisshe / nmclie and lyte
Vp on his feet1 and in his hond a staf1
This noble ensample / to his sheep he yaf1 496
That first he wroghte / and afterward he taughte
Out of the gospel / he tho wordes caughte
And this figure / he added eek ther to
That if gold ruste / what sholde Iren do 500
ifor if a preest be foul / in whom we truste
No wonder is / a lewed. man to ruste
And shame it is / if a preest take keepe
A shiten shepherde / and a clene sheepe 504
Wei oghte a preest1 ensample for to yiue
By his cleniiesse / how fyat his sheep sholde lyue
He sette noght1 . his benefice to hyre
And leet his sheep / encombred in the Myre 508
And ran to London / vn to Seint Poules
To seeken hym / a Chauntrye for soules
Or with a breetherede / to been withhoolde [leaf s, back]
But dwelte at hoom / and kepte wel his foolde 512
So J>at the wolf* ne maade it noght1 myscarye
He was a sheepherde / and noght a Mercenarye
And thogh he hooly weere / and vertuous
He was noght1 to synful men despitous 516
]STe of his speche / daungerous / ne digne
But in his techyng1 discreet1 and benygne
To drawen folk1 to heuene / -wiih fairnesse
By good ensample / this was his bisynesse 520
But it weere / any persone obstynaat1
"What so he weere / of heigh / or lowe estaat1
Hym wolde he snybben / sharply for the nonys
A bettre preest1 1 trowe ther now her noon ys 524
He wayted / after no pompe / and reuerence
Ne maked hym / a spyced conscience
But Cristes loore / and hise Apostles twelue
He taughte / but first1 he folwed it hym selue 528
^ With hym ther was a Plowman / was his broother Plowman.
HENGWRT 15
16 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWlt MS.
That hadde ylad of donge / ful many a ffoother
A trewe swynkere / and a good was lie
Lyuynge in pees / and perfit charitee 532
God loued he best1 with al his lioole herte
At alle tymes / thogh hym gamed / or smerte
And thanne his Neighebore / right as hym selue
He wolde thresshe / and ther to / dyke and delue 536
ffor Cristes sake / with euery poure wight1
With outen hyre / if it laye in his niyghfr
His tythes payde he / ful faire and wel
Bothe of his propre swynk1 and his catel 540
In a Tabard* he rood / vp on a Mere
Ther was also / a Eeue / and a Millere
A Somonour / and a Pardoner also
A Maunciple / and my self ther weere namo 544
^[ The Millere / was a stout carl / for the nones Millere.
fful byg1 he was / of brawen / and eek of bones
That proeued wel / for ouer al ther he cam
At wrastlynge / he wolde haue alwey the Earn 548
He was short shuldred / brood / a thikke knarre
Ther was no dore / that he noolde heue of harre
Or breke it at a rennynge / with his heed [leaf 9]
His beerd / as any so we / or fox / was reed 552
And ther to brood / as thogh it weere a spaade
Vp on the cope right of his nose he haade
A werte / and ther on stood / a tuft1 of heerys
Eeede / as the bristles / of a Sowes eerys 556
Hise nosethirles / blake weere and wyde
A swerd and a bokeler / baar he by his syde
His mouth as greet was / as a greet fourneys
He was a langlere / a Golyardeys 560
And that was moosfr of synne and harlotryes
Wel koude he stelen corn / and tollen thryes
And yet he hadde / a thombe of gold pardee
A whit coote / and a blew hood wered hee 564
A Baggepipe / wel koude he / blowe and sowne
HENGWRT 16
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWTt MS. 1 7
And ther with al / he broghte vs out of towne
^[ A gentil Maunciple / was ther / of a Temple Mauncipie.
Of which / Achatours myghte take exemple 568
ffor to "been wyse / in byynge of vitaille
ffor wheither Jjat he payde / or took by taille
Algate he wayted so / in his achaaf
That he was ay biforn / and in good staat1 572
If Now is nat that of god / a ful greet grace
That swich a lewed mannes wif shal pace
The wysdom / of an heepe / of lerned men
Of Maistres hadde he mo / than thryes ten 576
That weeren of lawe / expert1 and curious
Of whiche / ther weere a dozeyne / in that hous
Worthy / to been stywardes / of rente / and lond?
Of any lord / that is in Engelond? 580
To make hym lyue / by his propre good
In honour dettelees / but if he weere wood
Or lyue as scarsly / as hym lyst desire
And able / for to helpen al a Shire 584
In any caas / that myghte falle or happe
And yet this Maunciple / sette hir aller cappe
•|f The Eeue / was a sclendre coleryk1 man Reue
His beerd was shaue / as neigh as euer he kan 583
His heer was by his eerys / ful rownd yshorn
His tope was dokked / lyk1 a preest byforn
fful longe weere hise legges / and ful leene Deaf 9, back]
Ylik a staf1 . ther was no calf yseene 592
Wei koude he keepe / a Gerner and a Bynne
Ther was noon Auditour / koude on hym wynne
Wei wiste he / by the droghte and by the reyn
The yeldynge / of his seed / and of his greyn 596
His lordes sheepe / his neet / his dayerye
His swyn / his hors / his stoor / and his pultrye
Was hoolly / in this Eeues gouemynge
And by his couenanf . yaf the rekenynge 600
Syn that his loord / was twenty yeer of age
2 HENGWRT 17
18 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWTt MS.
Ther koude no man / brynge hym in arrerage
Ther nas Baillyf< . hierde / nor oother hyne
That he ne knew / his sleyghte / and his couyne 604
They weere adrad of hyin / as of the deeth
His wonyng1 was fid faire vp on an heeth
With greene trees / shadwed was his place
He koude bettre / than his lord purchace 608
fful riche / he was astoored pryuely
His lord / wel koude he plesen subtilly
To yeue / and leene hym / of his owene good
And haue a thank1, and yet a coote and hood 612
In youthe /he lerned hadde / a good Mister
He was a wel good wrighte / a Carpenter
This Eeue sat1 vp on a wel good Stofr
That was a Pomely gray / and highte Scot1 616
A long Surcote of Pers / vp on he haade
And by his syde / he baar a rusty blaade
Of Xorthfolk was this Eeue / of which I telle
Bisyde a town / men clepyn Baldeswelle 620
Tukked he was / as is a ffrere aboute
And euere he rood / the hyndreste of oure route
^[ A Somonour / was ther with vs / in that place Somonour.
That hadde / a fyr-reed Cherubynnes face 624
ffor Sawceflewm he was / with eyen narwe
And hoot he was / and lecherous as a Sparwe
AVith scaled browes blake / and pyled herd*
Of his visage / children weere afercJ 628
Ther nas quyk1 siluer / lytarge / ne Brymstcon
Borace / Ceruce / ne Oille of Tartre noon
Xe oynemenf . that wolde dense and byte peafio]
That hym myghte helpen / of his whelkes whyte 632
!Nor of the knobbes / sittynge on his chekes
"Wel loued he garlek* oynons and eek lekes
And for to drynke strong wyn / reed as blood
Thanne wolde he speke / and crye as he were wood 636
[
HENGWRT 18
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWlt MS. 19
£ no gap in the MS.]
A fewe tmnes hadde he / two / or thre
That he hadde lerned / out of som decree 640
No wonder is / he herde it al the day
And eek ye knowe wel / how \a\> a lay
Kan clepen watte / as wel as kan the Pope
But who so koude / in oother thyng hym grope 644
Thanne hadde he spent* al his philosophic
Ay Questio quid iuris wolde he crye
^f He was a gentil harlot1 and a kynde
A bettre felawe / sholde men noght fynde 648
He wolde suflte / for a quart of wyn
A good felawe / to haue his concubyn
A twelf monthe / and excusen hym at the fulle
fful pryuely / a fynch eek koude he pulle 652
And if he foond owher / a good felawe
He wolde techen hym / to haue noon awe
In swich caas / of the Ercedeknes curs
But if a mannes soule / were in his purs 656
ffor in his purs / he sholde ypunysshed be
Purs is the Ercedeknes helle / seyde he
^[ But wel I woof he lyed right in dede
Of cursyncH oghte ech gilty man [to] drede 660
ffor curs wol sle / right as assoillyng* sauyth
And also / war hym of a signincauit /
^[ In daunger hadde he / at his owene gyse
The yonge gerles / of the diocise 664
And knew hir conseil / and was al hir reed
A gerland / hadde he set vp on his heed
As greet1 . as it were / for an Ale stake
A bokeler / hadde he maad hym of a cake 668
^[ "With hym ther rood / a gentil Pardoner Pardoner.
Of Rouncyual / his freend / and his comper
That streight was coinen / fro the Court of Rome
fful loude he soong1 com hyder loue to me 672
This Somonowr baar to hym / a styf burdoun [leaf 10, back]
HENGWRT 19
20 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWrt MS.
Was neuere trompe / of half so greet a soun
^[ This Pardoner / hadde heer / as yelow as wex
But smothe it heeng1 as dooth a stryke of flex 676
By ounces / henge his lokkes }>at he hadde
And ther with / he his shuldres ouerspradde
But thynne it lay / by colpons- oon and oon
But hood for lolitee / wered he noon 680
ffor it was trussed vp / in his waletf
Hym thoughte / he rood al of the newe let*
Discheuele saue his cappe / he rood al bare
Swiche glarynge eyen / hadde he as an hare 684
A vernycle / hadde he sowed / vp on his cappe
His walefr [lay] biforn hym / in his lappe
Bretful of pardon / comen from Borne al hoot1
A voys he hadde / as smal / as hath a Goot1 688
No berd hadde he / ne neuere sholde haue
As smothe it was / as it were late yshaue
I trowe he were a geldyng1 or a Mare
But of his craft1 . fro Berwyk in to Ware 692
Ne was ther / swich another Pardoner
ffor in his Male / he hadde a pilwe beer
Which Ipat he seyde / was oure lady veyl
He seyde he hadde / a gobet of the seyl 696
That seint Peter hadde / whan ]?at he wente
Vp on the see / til Ihesu Crist hym hente
He hadde a cros of laton) / ful of stones
And in a glas / he hadde pigges bones 700
But with thise relykes / whan £at he foond
A poure parson / dwellyng vp on lond
Vp on a day / he gat hym moore moneye
Than Jjat the parson) gat / in Monthes tweye 704
And thus / with feyned flaterye and Tapes
He made the parson / and the peple his apes
But trewely / to tellen at the laste
He was in chirche / a noble Ecclesiaste 70S
Wei koude ho / rede a lesson / and a Storie
HENGWRT 20
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HcngWTt MS. 21
But alderbesf lie soong an Offertorie
fibr wel lie wiste / whan fyat soong was songe
He moste preche /and wel affyle hys tonge 712
To wynne siluer / as he ful wel koude Peaf 113
Ther fore he soong1 the muryerly and loiide
^f Now haue I toold yow / soothly in a clause
Thestaat / tharray / the nombre / and eek the cause 716
Why J?at assembled was this compaignye
In South werk1 . at this gentil hostelrye
That highte the tabarcfe / faste by the belle
But now is tyme / to yow for to telle 720
How J?at we baren vs / that ilke nyght1
Whan we weere / in that hostelrye alyghfr
And after wol I telle / of oure viage
And al the remenanf of oure pilgrymage 724
^[ But first I pray yow / of youre curteisye
That ye narette it / noght my vileynye
Though Jjat I pleynly speke / in this rnatere
To telle yow / hir wordes / and hir cheere 728
Ne thogh I speke / hir wordes p?*oprely
ffor this ye knowen / also wel as I
Who so shal telle a tale / after a man
He moot reherce / as neigh as eu^re he kan 732
Euerich a word / if it be in his charge
Al speke he / neuer so rudeliche and large
Or ellis / he moot telle his tale vntrewe
Or feyne thyng1 or fynde wordes newe 736
He may noght spare / althogh he weere his brother
He moot as wel / seye o word / as another
Crist spak hym self1 ful brode in holy writ
And wel ye woof no vileynye is it 740
Ek Plato seith / who so kan hym rede
The wordes / mote be cosyn / to the dede
Tf Also I pray yow / to foryeue it me
Al haue I nat set folk / in hir degree 744
Here in this tale / as fat they sholde stonde
HENGWET 21
22 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. HengWTt MS.
My wit is short1 ye may wel vnderstonde
^[ Greet cheere / made cure hoost vs euerichon
And to the souper / sette he vs anon 748
He serued vs / with vitaille / at the beste
Strong was the wyn / and wel to drynke vs leste
A semely man / oure hoost was with alle
ffor to been / a Marchal in an halle 752
A large man he was / with eyen stepe [leaf 11, back]
A fairer burgeys / was ther noon in Chepe
Boold of his speche / and wys / and well ytaught1
And of manhode / hym lakked right naught1 756
Eke ther to / he was right a murye man
And after souper / pleyen he bigan
And spak of murtlie / amonges othere thynges
Whan J?at we hadde maad oure rekenynges 760
And seyde thus / now lordes trewely
Ye been to me / right wel come hertely
ffor by my trouthe / if Jjat I shal nat lye
I seigh noght this yeer / so mury a compaignye 764
At ones in this herberwe / as is now
ffayn wolde I doon yow myrthe / wiste I how
And of a myrthe / I am right now bithoght1
To doon yow ese / and it shal coste noght1 768
^[ Ye goon to Caunterbury / god yow spede
The blisful Martir / quyte yow youre mede
And wel I woof as ye goon by the weye
Ye shapen yow / to talen and to pleye 772
ffor trewely / confort / ne murthe is noon
To ryde by the weye / domb as stoon
And ther fore / wol I maken yow desport1
As I seyde erst1 and doon yow som confort1 776
And if yow liketh alle / by oon assent1
ffor to stonden / at my luggement1
And for to werken / as I shal yow seye
Tomorwe / whan ye ryden by the weye 780
Now by my fader soule / pat is deed
HENGWRT 22
OROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Hengwrt MS. 23
But ye be murye / I wol yeue yow myn heed
Hoold vp youre hondes / with onten moore speche
If Onre conseil / was nat longe for to seche 784
Ys thoughte / it was nat worth / to make it wys
And graunted hym / with outen moore avys
And bade hym seye / his voirdit1 as hym leste
^f Lordynges quod he / now herkneth for the beste 788
But taketh it noght1 1 pray yow in desdeyn
This is the poynt1 to speken short and pleyn
That ech of yow / to shorte with cure weye
In this viage / shal tellen tales tweye 792
To Caunterburyward? / I mene it so peaf 123
And homward / he shal tellen othere two
Of auentures / J?at whilom haue bifalle
And which of yow / ]>at bereth hym best of alle 796
That is to seyn / that telleth in this cas
Tales of best sentence / and moost solas
Shal haue a Souper / at oure aller cost1
Here in this place / sittynge by this post1 800
Whan that we come agayn / fro Caunterbury
And for to make yow / the moore mury
I wol my self1 goodly wit[h] yow ryde
Eight at myn owene cost1 and be youre gyde 804
And who so wole / my luggement with seye
Shal paye / al that we spende by the weye
And if ye vouche sauf / ]>at it be so
Tel me anoon / with outen wordes mo 808
And I wol erly / shape me ther fore
^[ This thyng was graunted / and oure othes swore
"With ful glad herte / and preyden hym also
That he wolde vouche sauf / for to do so 812
And that he wolde been / oure goue?*nour
And of oure tales / luge and reportour
And sette a souper / at a certeyn prys
And we wol ruled been / at his deuys 816
In heigh and logh / and thus by oon assent1
HENGWRT 23
24 GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Hengwrt MS.
We been acorded / to his luggement1
And ther vp on / the wyn was fet anoon
"We dronken / and to reste wente echon) 820
With outen / any lenger taryynge
^f A morwe / whan fyat day bigan to sprynge
Vp roos oure hoost1 and was oure aller cok1
And gadred vs / togydres in a flok1 824
And forth we ryden / a litel moore than pas
Vn to the watery ng1 of Seint Thomas
And there oure hoost1 bigan his hors areste
And seyde / lordes / herkneth if yow leste 828
^[ Ye woot youre forward / and it yow recorde
If euensong / and morwesong1 acorde
Lat se now / who shal telle the firste tale
As euere mote I drynke wyn / or Ale 832
Who so be rebel / to my luggenient1 [leaf 12, back]
Shal paye / for al / that by the wey is spent
Now draweth cut1 er J?at we ferrer twynne
He which J>at hath the shorteste / shal bigynne 836
^[ Sire knyght quod he / my mayster and my lord
Now draweth cut1 for that is myn acord
Cometh neer quod he / my lady Prioresse
And ye sire Clerc1 . lat be your shamefastnesse 840
Ne studieth noght1 ley hond to / euery man
•fl" Anoon to drawen / euery wight bigan
And shortly / for to tellen / as it was
Were it by auenture / or sort1 or cas 844
The sothe is this / the Cut fil to the knyght1
Of which ful blithe and glad was euery wight1
And telle he moste his tale / as was resoun
By forward / and by composiciomi 848
As ye han herd / what nedeth wordes mo
And whan this goode man / sawgh Jjat it was
As he / Jjat wys was / and obedient1
To kepe his forward / by his free assent1 852
He seyde / syn I shal bigynne the game
HENGWRT 24
GROUP A. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. Hengwrt MS. 25
What wel come be the Cufr in goddes name
Now lat vs ryde / and herkneth what I seye
And with that word / we ryden forth oure weye 856
And he bigan / with right a murye cheere
His tale anoon / and seyde as ye may heere
HENGWRT 25
26 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
^[ Iamq?t<? doinos patria Scitliice post aspcra gentis
prelia laurigero.
Here bigynnetli the knyghtes tale.
hilom / as oldo stories tellen vs
Tlicr was a due* Jjat liiglite Theseus 860
Of Attheiies / he was lord and gouernour
And in his tyme / swich a conquerour
That grettcr was ther noon vnder the sonne
fful many a riclie contree / hadde he wonnc 86-i
What with his wysdom / and his chinalrye
He conquered / al the regne of femenye
That whilom / was ycleped Scithiu [leaf is]
And wedded / the queene ypolita 868
And broglite hire hom with hym / in his contree
With muchel gloric / and greet solempnitee
And eek / hir yonge suster Eniclye
And. thus with victorie / and with melodye 872
Lete I this noble dutf to Attheues ryde
And al his lioost1. in arines hym bisyde
IT And ccrtes / if it iiere to long1 to heere
I wolde liauc toold / fully the manere 876
How / wonnen was the regne of ffemenye
By Theseus / and by his Chiualrye
And of the grete bataille / for the nones
Bitwixeii Atthenes / and Amazoncs 880
And how asscgeged was ypolita
The faire hardy queene of Scithia
And of the feste / Jjat was at hir weddynge
And of the tempest1 at hir hom coniynge 884
But al that thyng / I moot as now forbore
I haue god woot / a large feeld to ere
And wayke / been the oxen in my plogh
The remenant of the tale / is long ynogh 888
I wol nat letten eek / noon of this route
HENGWUT 20
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 27
Lat euery felawe / telle his tale aboute
And lat se now / who shal the souper Wynne
And ther I lefte / 1 wol ayein bigynne
finhis due / of Whom I make mencion)
-*- Whanne he was come / almoost to the town
In al his wele / and in his mooste pryde
He was war / as he caste his eye asyde 896
Wher fat ther kneled / in the heighe weye
A compaignye of ladyes / tweye and tweye
Ech after oother / clad in clothes blake
But swich a cry and swich a wo they make 900
That in this woild / nys creature lyuynge
That herde / swich another waymentynge
And of this cry / they nolde neuere stenten [leaf is, back]
Til they / the reynes of his brydel henten 904
1T What folk been ye / \a\, at myn horn comynge
Perturben so my feste / with cryynge
Quod Theseus / haue ye so greet envie
Of myn honour / that thus compleyne and crye 908
Or who hath yow mysboden / or offended
And telleth me / if it may been amended
And why J?at ye / been clothed thus in blak/
The eldeste lady / of hem alle spak1 912
Whan she hadde swowned / witli a deedly cheere
That it was routhe / for to seen and heere
IF She seyde / lord / to whom ffortune hath yiuen
Victorie / and as a Conquerour to lyuen 916
Noght greueth vs youre glorie / and youre honour
But we biseken / mercy and socour
Haue mercy on oure wo / and oure distresse
Som drope of pitee / thurgh thy gentillesse 920
Vp on vs wrecched wommen / lat thow falle
ffor certes lord / ther is noon of vs alle
That she ne hath been / a duchesse / or a queene
Now be we caytyues / as it is wel seene 924
Thanked be ffortune / and hir false wheel
HENGWRT 27
28 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
That noon estaaf assureth to been weel
Now certes loxd / to abiden youre presence
Heere in this temple / of the goddesse clemence 928
We haue been waytynge / al this fourtenyghfr
Now help vs lord / syth it is in thy myghf
1T I wrecche / which fat wepe and waille thus
Was whilom wyf / to kyng1 Cappaneus 932
That starf at Thebes / cursed be the day
And alle we / fat been in this array
And maken / al this lamentacioun
We losten alle oure housbondes / at that town 936
Whil fat the sege / ther aboute lay
And yet now / the olde Creon) weylaway
That lord is now / of Thebes the Citee
ffulfild of Ire / and of Iniquitee 940
He for despit / and for his tyrannye
To doon / the dede bodyes vileynye
Of alle oure lordes / whiche fat been slawe [leaf 14 1
Hath alle the bouyes / on an heepe ydrawe 944
And wol nat suffren hem / by noon assent1
Neyther to been yburyed / nor ybrenf
But maketh houndes / ete hem in despit1
And with that word / with outen moore respit1 948
They fillen gruf1 and cryden pitously
Haue / on vs wrecched wommen / som mercy
And lat oure sorwe / synken in thyn herte
IT This gentil due1 doun from his courser sterte 952
With herte pitous / whan he herde hem speke
Hym thoughte / fat his herte wolde breke
Whan he saugh hem / so pitous / and so maaf
That whilom weren / of so greet estaat1 956
And in hise armes / he hem alle vp hente
And hem conforteth / in ful good entente
And swoor his ooth / as he was trewe knyghtf
He wolde doon / so ferforthly his mygBf 960
Vp on the tiraunt Creon / hem to wreke
HENGWBT 28
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Sengwrt MS. 29
That al the peple of Grece / sholde speke
How Creon) was / of Theseus yserued
As he fat hadde his deeth / ful wel disserued 964
And right anoon / with outen moore abood
His baner he desplayeth / and forth rood
To Thebesward / and al his oost bisyde
No neer Atthenes / wolde he go ne ryde 968
Ne take his ese / fully half a day
But onward in his wey / that nyght he lay
And sente anoon / ypolita the queene
And Emelye / hir yonge suster sheene 972
Vn to the town of Atthenes / to dwelle
And forth he ryt1 ther nys namoore to telle
IT The rede statue of Mars / with spere and targe
So shyneth / in his white Baner large 976
That alle the feeldes / glitren vp and doun
And by his Baner / born was his penoun
Of gold ful ryche / in which ther was ybete
The Mynotaur / which fat he wan in Crete 980
IT Thus ryt this due* . thus ryt this conquerour
And in his oost / of Chiualrye the flour
Til fat he cam to Thebes / and alighte [leaf u, back]
ffaire in a feeld / ther as he thoghte fighte 984
5T But shortly / for to speken of this thyng1
With Creon) / which fat was of Thebes kyng1
He faughtf and slow hym manly / as a knyghf
In pleyn bataille / and putte the folk1 to flyght1 988
And by assaufr he wan the Citee after
And rente adoun / bothe wal / and sparre / and rafter
And to the ladyes / he restored agayn
The bones / of hir freendes / fat were slayn 992
To doon obsequies / as was tho the gyse
But it weere al to long1 for to deuyse
The grete clamour / and the waymentynge
That the ladyes made / at the brennynge 996
Of the bodies / and the grete honour
HENGWRT 29
30 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
That Theseus / the noble Conquerour
Booth to the ladys / whan they from hym wente
But shortly / for to telle is myn entente 1000
11 Whan Jjat this worthy duc< this Theseus
Hath Creon) slayn / and wonne Thebes thus
Stille in that feeld / he took al nyght his reste
And dide with al the / contree / as hym leste 1004
H To ransake in the taas / of bodies dede
Hem for to strepe / of harneys / and of wede
The pilours / diden bisynesse / and cure
After the bataille / and disconfiture 1008
And so bifel / in the taas they founde
Thurgh girt1 with many a greuous blody wownde
Two yonge knyghtes / liggynge by and by
Bothe in oon armes / wroght ful richely 1012
Of whiche two / Arcita highte that oon
And that oother knyght1 highte Palamon
Nat fully quyk / ne fully deed they weere
But by hir Cote armures / and by hir geere 1016
The heraudes / knewe hem best in special
As they jjat weren / of the blood roial
Of Thebes / and of sustren two yborn
Out of the taas / the pilours han hem torn 1020
And han hem caryed / softe vn to the tente
Of Theseus / and he ful soone hem sente
To Atthenes / to dwellen in prison Deaf is]
Perpetuelly / he nolde no raunsofi 1024
IT And whan this worthy due / hath thus ydoon
He took his oost / and horn he ryt anoon
With laurer corouned / as a conquerour
And there he lyueth / in ioye / and in honour 1028
Terme of his lyf / what nedeth wordes mo
And in a tour / in angwissh and in wo
Dwellen this Palamon / and eek Arcite
ffor euere moore / ther may no gold hem quyte 1032
IF This passeth yeer by yeer / and day by day
HENGWRT 30
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 31
Til it fil ones / in a morwe of May
That Ernelye / Jjat fairer was to seene
Than is the lilie / vp on his stalke greene 1036
And fressher than the May / with noures newe
ffor with the Kose colour stroof hir hewe
I noot which was / the fairer of hem two
Er it were day / as was hir wone to do 1040
She was arysen / and al redy dighf
ffor May wol haue / no slogardye a nyghfr
The seson) pryketh / euery gentil herte
And maketh it1 out of his sleep to sterte 1044
And seith arys / and do thyn obseruance
This maketh Einelye / haue remembrance
To doon honour to May / and for to ryse
Yclothed was she fressh / for to deuyse 1048
Hir yelow heer / was broyded in a tresse
Bihynde hir bat a yerde long I gesse
And in the gardyn / at the sonne vp riste -
She walketh vp and doun / and as hir liste 1052
She gadreth noures / party white and rede
To make a subtil gerland for hir hede
And as an Aungel / heuenysshly she soong1
IT The grete tour / ]>at was so thikke and strong1 1056
Which of the Castel / was the chief dongeon)
Ther as the knyghtes / weren in prison)
Of whiche I tolde yow / and tellen shal
"Was euene ioynant / to the gardyn wal 1060
Ther as this Emelye / hadde hir pleyyng1
Bright was the sonne / and cleer / in that momyng"
And Palamon / this woful prisoner deaf is, back]
As was his wone / by leue of his Gailler 1064
Was risen / and romed in a chambre an heigh
In which / he al the noble Citee seigh
And eek the gardyn / ful of braunches gree-ne
Ther as / the fresshe Emelye the sheene 1068
Was in hir walk / and romed vp and down
HENGWRT 31
32 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHTS TALE. HcngWlt MS.
This sorweful prisoner / this Palamon)
Gooth in the chambre / romyng to and fro
And to hym self / compleynyng1 of his wo 1072
That he was born / ful ofte he seyde alias
And so bifel / by auenture / or cas
That thurgh a wyndow / thikke of many a barre
Of Iren greet1 and square as any sparre 1076
He caste his eye / vp on Emelya
And ther with al he bleynte / and cryde .A.
As thogh / he stongen weere / vn to the herte
f And with that cry / Arcite anoon vp sterte 1080
And seyde cosyn myn / what eyleth thee
That art so pale / and deedly on to see
Why cridestow / who hath thee doon offence
ffor goddes lone / tak al in pacience 1084
Oure pn'son / for it may noon oother be
ffortune hath yeuen vs this aduersitee
Som wikked aspect1 or disposicion)
Of Saturne / by som constellacion) 1088
Hath yeuen /s this / al thogh we hadde it sworn
So stood the heuene / whan Jjat we were born
We mote endure it1 this is the short and playn
This Palamon) answerde / and seyde agayn 1092
IF Cosyn for sothe / of this opinion
Thow hast1 a vayn ymaginacion)
This prison) / caused me noght to crye
But I was hurt right now / thurgh out myn lye 1096
In to myn herte / that wol my bane be
The fairnesse / of that lady Jjat I se
Yond in the gardyn / romen to and fro
Is cause / of al my cryyng1 and my wo 1 100
I noofr wher she be womman / or goddesse
But Yenus / is it soothly as I gesse
And ther with al / on knees down he fil [leaf 16]
And seyde / Venus if it be thy wil 1 1 04
Yow in this gardyn / thus to transfigure
HENGWRT 32
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 33
Bifore me / sorweful wrecched creature
Out of this prison) / help pat we may scape
And if so be / my destynee be shape 1108
By eterne word / to dyen in prison)
Of oure lynage / haue som compassion)
That is so lowe ybroghtf by tirannye
IT And with that word / Arcite gan espye 1112
Where as this lady / romed to and fro
And with that sighte / hir beautee hurte hym so
That if pat Palamon / was wounded soore
Arcite is hurt1, as muche as he / or moore 1116
And with a syk /. he seyde pitously
The fresshe beautee / sleeth me sodeynly
Of hire / pat rometh in the yonder place
And but I haue / hir mercy / and hir grace 1120
That I may seen hire / at the leeste weye
I nam but deed / ther nys namoore to seye
IF This Palamon / whan he tho wordes herde
Despitously he loked / and answerde 1124
\Yheither seistow this / in ernest1 or in pley
IT Nay quod Arcite / in ernest by my fey
God help me so / me list ful yuele pleye
This Palamon / gan knytte his browes tweye 1128
1T It were to thee quod he / no greet honour
ffor to be fals / ne for to be traytour
To me / that am thy cosyn and thy brother
Ysworn ful depe / and ech of vs til oother 1132
That neuere / for to dyen in the peyne
Til pat the deeth / departe shal vs tweyne
Neither of vs / in loue to hyndre oother
Ne in noon oother caas / my leeue brother 1136
But pat thow sholdestt trewely forthre me
In euery caas / and I shal forthren thee
This was thyn ooth / as myn also certeyn
I woot right wel / thow darst it nat withseyn 1140
Thus artow of my conseil / out of doute
3 HENGWRT 33
M GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt M&
And now / thow woldest falsly been aboute
To loue my lady / whom I lone and seme neafie, backj
And euere slial / til $ai myn herte sterue 1144
Now certes false Arcite / thow shalt nat so
I loned hire first1 and tolde thee my wo
As to my conseil / and my brother sworn
To fortlire me / as I haue told biforn 1148
ffor whicli / thow art ybounden / as a knyghtf
To helpe me / if it laye in thy myght1
Or ellis artow fals / I dar wel sayn
This Arcite / ful proudly spak agayn 1152
IT Thow shalt quod he / be rather fals than I.
And thow art fals / I telle thee outrely
ifor paramour / I loued hire first or thow
What wiltow seyn / thow woost nat yet ROW 1156
Wh.eith.er she be a womman / or goddesse
Thyn is / affecciori) of holynesse
And myn is loue / as to a creature
ffor which / I tolde thee myn auenture 1160
As to my cosyn / and my brother sworn
I pose / that thow louedest hire biforn
Wostow nat wel / the olde clerkes sawe
That who shal /yeue a louere any lawe // Quislegemdet amantibzw.
Loue is a gretter lawe / by my pan
Than may be yeue / to any erthely man
And therfore / posityf lawe / and swich decree
Is broke al day for loue / in ech degree 1168
A man moot nedes loue / rnaugree his heed
He may nat fleen it / thogh he sholde be deed
Al be she mayde / wydwe / or ellis wyf
And eek1 it is nat likly / al thy lyf< 1172
To stonden in hir g?-ace / namoore shal .1.
ffor wel thow woost1 thy self verraily
That thow and I / been dampned to prison
Perpetuelly / vs gayneth no raunson 1 176
We stryue / as dide the houndes for the boon
HENGWRT 34
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS, 35
They foghte alday / and yet hir part was noon
Ther cam a kyte / whil J?«t they were so wrothe
That bar awey the boon / bitwix hem bothe 1180
And therfore / at the kynges court my brother
Ech man for hym self / ther is noon oother
Lone if thee lest1, for I lone / and ay shal [leaf 173
And soothly / leue brother this is al 1184
Heere in this prison) / moote we endure
And euerich of vs / take his auenture
IT Greet was the stryf / and long bitwix hem tweye
If fat I hadde leyser for to seye 1188
But to theffect / it happed on a day
To telle it yow / as shortly as I may
A worthy due1, jjat highte Parotheus
That felawe was / vn to due Theseus 1192
Syn thilke day / J>at they were children lyte
Was come to Atthenes / his felawe to visite
And for to pleye / as he was wont to do
ffor in this world / he loued no man so 1196
And he loued hym / as teiidrely agayn
So wel they loued / as olde bookes sayn
That whan ]>at oon was deed / soothly to telle
His felawe wente / and soghte hym down in helle 1200
But of that storie / list me noght to write
Due Perotheus / loued wel Arcite
And hadde hym knowe at Thebes / yeer oy yere
And finally / at requeste and prayere 1204
Of Perotheus / with outen any raunson)
Due Theseus / hym leefr out of prison)
fFrely to goon / wher ]>at hym Kste ouer al
In swich a gyse / as I yow tellen shal 1208
This was the forward / pleynly for tendite
Bitwixe Theseus / and hym Arcite
That if so weere \a\> Arcite weere yfounde
Euere in his lyf / by day / or nyghf or stounde 1212
In any contree / of this Theseus
IIENGWRT 35
36 GROUP A. § 2, KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And lie weere caught1, it was acorded thus
That with a swerd / he sholde lese his heed
Ther nas noon oother / remedye ne reed 1216
But taketh his leue / and homward he hym speckle
Lat hym be war / his nekke lyth to wedde
IT How greet a sorwe / suffreth now Arcite
The deeth he feeleth / thurgh his herte smyte 1220
He wepeth / wayleth / cryeth pitously
To sleen hym self / he wayteth pryuely
He seyde alias / the day fat I was born [leaf 17, back}
Now is my prison) / worse than biforn 1224
Now is me shape / eternally to dwelle
Noght in purgatorie / but in helle
Alias / fat euere knew I Parotheus
ffor ellis / hadde I dwelled with Theseus 1 2 28
Yfettred in his prison) eueremo
Thanne hadde I been in blisse / and nat in wo
Oonly the sighte of hire / whom fat I serue
Thogh fat I neuere / hir grace may disserue 1232
Wolde haue suffised / right ynogh for me
IT 0 deere cosyn / Palamon / quod he
Thyn is the victorie / of this auenture
fful blisfully in pn'son maystow dure 123-6
In prison ? / nay certes / but in paradys
Wei hath ffortune / yturned thee / the dys
That hast the sighte of hire / and I thabsence
ffor possible is / syn thow hast hire presence 1240
And art a knyght1 a worthy and an able
That by som caas / syn ffortune is chaungeable
Thow mayst to thy desir / som tyme atteyne
But I / that am exiled and bareyne 1244
Of alle grace / and in so greet despeyr
That tlier nys Erthe / water / fyr / ne Eyr
Ne creature / that of hem maked is
That may me helpe / or do confort in this 1248
Wei oghte T sterue / in wanhope / and distresse
HENGWRT aS
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 37
ffarwel my lyf / my lust1 and my gladnesso
^f Alias why pleynen folk so / in commune
On purueiance of god / or of ffortune 1252
That yeueth hem ful ofte / in many a gyse
Wei bettre / than they kan hem self deuyse
1T Som man desireth / for to haue richesse
That cause is ofte / of his moerdre / or gret siknesse 1256
And som man wolde / out of his prison fayn
That in his hous / is of his meynee slayn
Infinite harmes / been in this matere
We woof naf what thyng1 ]>at we pray en heere 1260
We fare as he / jjat dronke is as a Mous
A dronke man woot wel / he hath an hous
But he noot / which the righte wey is thider [leaf 133
And to a dronke man / the wey is slider 1264
And certes / in this world / so faren we
We seken faste / after felicitee
But we goon wrong1 ful ofte trewely
Thus may we seyn alle / and nameliche .1. 1268
That wende / and hadde a greet opinion)
That if I myghte / scapen fro prison)
Thanne hadde I been in ioye / and parfii heele
Ther now / 1 am exiled fro my wele 1272
Syn }?at / I may nat seen yow Emelie
I nam but deed / ther nys no remedie
1T Yp on that oother syde Palamon
Whan ]>at he wiste / Arcite was agon 1276
Swich sorwe he maketh / Jjat the grete tour
Resowneth / of his yowlyng* and clamour
The pure fettres / of his shynes grete
Were / of his bittre salte teeris wete 1280
Alias quod he / Arcita cosyn myn
Of al cure stryf / god woof the fruyt is thyn
Thow walkest now / in Thebes at thy large
And of my wo / thow yeuest litel charge 1284
Thow maystf syn thow hast wisdom / and manhede
HENGWRT 37
38 GKOUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Assemblen / al the folk1 of oure kynrede
And make a werre / so sharp / on this Citee
That by som auenture / or som tretee 1288
Thow mayst haue hire / to lady and to wyf
ffor whom / Ipak I moste nedes lese my lyf
iFor as by wey / of possibilitee
Sith thow art1 at thy large / of prison) free 1292
And art a lord / greet is thyn auantage
Moore than is myn / that sterue here in a cage
ffor I moot wepe / and wattle wliil I lyue
With al the wo / Ipai prison may me yeuo 129G
And eek wiili peyne / J?at lone me yeueth also
That doubleth / al my torment1 and my wo
Ther with / the fyr of Jalousie vp sterte
With Inne his brest1 and hente hym by the herte 1300
So woodly / Ipai he lyk was to byholde
The Boxtree / or the Asshen dede / and colde
^ Thanne seyde he / o crewel goddes/]>at gouerne [leaf is, back]
This world / with byndyng1 of youre word eteme 1304
And writen / in the table of Atthamafit
Youre parlement /. and youre eterne grant1
What is man kynde / moore vn to yow holde
Than is the sheepe / J)at rowketli in the folde 1308
ffor slayn is man / right as another beest1
Vnd dwelleth eek1 in prison and arrest1
And hath siknesse / and greet aduersitee
And ofte tymes / giltlees pardee 1312
^[ What gouernance / is in this prescience
That giltlees / tormenteth Innocence
And yet1 encreeceth this / al my penance
That man is bounden / to his obseruance 1316
ffor goddes sake / to letten of his wille
Ther as a beest1 may al his lust fulfille
And whan a beest is deed / it hath no peyne
But man after his deeth / moot wepe and pleyne 1320
Thogh in this world / he haue care and wo
HENGWRT 38
<moup A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 39
With outen doute / it moot stonden so
The answere of this / lete I to diuynys
But wel I woof ]>at in this world / greet pyne is 1324
*}[ Alias / I se a serpent1 or a theef1
That many a trewe man / hath doon mescheef1
Goon at his large / and where hym lust may turne
But I moot been in prison / thurgh Saturne 1328
And eek thurgh Juno / lalous / and eek wood
That hath destroyed / wel neigh al the blood
Of Thebes / with his waste walles wyde
And Yenus / sleeth me / on that oother syde 1332
ffor Jalousie / and feere / of hym Arcite
^[ ISTow wol I stynte / of Palamon alite
And lete hym / in his prison) stille dwelle
And of Arcita / forth I wol yow telle 1336
*[[" The Somer / and the nyghtes longe
Encreecen / double wise / the peynes stronge
Bothe of the louere / and the prisoner
I noofr which hath / the sorvvefuller myster 1340
ffbr soothly for to seyii / this Palamon
Perpetuelly / is dampned to prison)
In cheynes / and in fettres / to been deed [leaf 19]
And Arcite / is exiled / vp on his heed 1344
ifor euere mo / as out of that contree
Ne neueremo / ne shal his lady see
5F Yow loueris / axe I now / this question)
Who hath the worse / Arcite / or Palamon) 1348
That oon may seen his lady / day by day
But in pn'son) / moot he dwelle alwey
That oother where hym list1 may ride or go
But seen his lady / shal he neuere mo 1352
Now demeth as yow list1 ye J>«t kan
fibr I wol telle forth / as .1. bigan
IIENGWRT 39
40 «}ROUP A, § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
1T Whan f #t Arcite / to Thebes comen was
fful ofte a day / he swelte / and seyde alias 1356
ffor seen his lady / shal he neuere mo
And shortly / to concluden al his wo
80 muchel sorwe / hadde neuere creature
That is or shal / whil fat the world may dure 1360
IT His sleepe / his mete / his drynke / is hym biraft1
That leene he weex / and drye as is a shaft1
Hise eyen holwe / and grisly to biholde
His hewe falow / and pale as asshen colde 1364
And solitarie he was / and euere alloone
And waillynge al the nyght*. makynge his moone
And if he herde / soong1 or Instrument1
Thanne wolde he wepe / he myghte nat be stent1 1*368
So feble eek were his spiritz-/ and so lowe
And chaunged so / f at no man koude knowe
His speche / no* his voys / thogh men it herde
And in his gere / for al the world he ferde 1372
Nat oonly / lyk the loueris maladye
Of Hereos / but rather lyk Manye Mania
Engendred / of humour malencolyk1
Biforn his Celle fantastyk1 1376
And shortly / turned was / al vp so down
Bothe habit1 and eek disposicioun
Of hym / this woful louere daun Arcite
t "What sholde I al day / of his wo endite 1380
Whanne he endured hadde / a yeer / or two
This cruel torment1 and this peyne and wo
At Thebes in his contree / as I seyde [leaf 19, back]
Vp on a nyghtt in sleep / as he hym leyde 1384
Hym thoughte / how fat the wynged god Mercurye
Biforn hym stood / and bad hym to be murye
His slepy yerde / in honde he bar vp riglite
An hat he wered / vp on his herys brighte 1 388
HENGWRT 40
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 41
Arrayed was this god / as he took keepg
As he was / whan J>at Argus took his sleeps
And seyde hym thus / to Atthenes shaltow wende
Ther is thee shapen / of thy wo an ende 1392
^f And with that word / Arcite wook and sterte
Now trewely / how sore Jjat me smerte
Quod he / to Atthenes right now wol 1 fare
Ne-for the drede of deeth / shal I nat spare 1396
To se my lady / Jjat I loue and serue
In hir presence / I recche nat to sterue
IT And with that word / he caughte a greet Mirowr
And saugh / jxat chaunged was al his colour 1400
And saugh his visage / al in another kynde
And right anoon / it ran hym in his mynde
That sith his face / was so disfigured
Of maladie / the which he hadde endured 1404
He myghte wel / if Ipat he bar hym lowe
Lyue in Atthenes / eueremoore vnknowe
And seen his lady / wel ny / day by day
And right anoon / he chaunged his array 1408
And cladde hym / as a poure laborer
And al allone / saue oonly a Squyer
That knew his pryuetee / and al his cas
Which was disgised / pourely as he was 1412
To Atthenes / is he goon / the nexte way
And to the Court1 he wente vp on a day
And at the gate / he profreth his seruyse
To drugge and drawe / what so men wol deuyse 1416
Tf And shortly / of this matere / for to seyn
He fil in office / with a Chambreleyn
The which / J?at dwellyng was with Emelye
ffor he was wys / and koude soone espye 1420
Of euery seruantt which ]>at serueth here
"Wel koude he / hewen wode / and water bere
if or he was yong1. and myghty for the nones [leaf 20]
And ther to / he was strong1 and byg1 of bones 1424
HENGWRT 41
42 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
To doon / what any wight1 kan hym deuyso
A yeer / or two / lie was in this sernyse
Page of the chambre / of Emelie the brighte
And Philostrate / he seyde \>ai he highte 1428
IT But half so wel biloued a man / as he
JN"e was ther nenere in Court1 of his degree
Ho was so gentil / of condicion)
That thurgh out al the Court1 was his rcnoii) 1432
They seiden / Ipat it were a charitee
That Theseus / wolde eiihauncen his degree
And putten hym / in worshipful seruyse
Ther as he myghte / his vertu excercise 1436
And thus with Inne a while / his name is spronge
Bothe of his dedes / and his go ode tonge
That Theseus / hath taken hym so nor
That of his chambre / he made hym a Squier 1440
And gaf hym gold / to mayntene his degree
And eek men broghte hym / out of his contree
ffro yeer to yeer / ful pryuely his rente
But1 honestly / and sleighly / he it spente ' 1444
That no man wondred / how ]pat he it haddo
And thre yeer in this wise / his lyf he ladde
And bar hym so / in pees / and ek in werre
Ther was no man / that Theseus hath derre 1448
And in this blisse / lete I now Arcite
And speke I wole / of Palamon alite
1T In derknesse / and horrible / and strong1 pmon)
This seuen yeer / hath seten Palamon) 1452
fforpyned / what for wo / and for distresse
Who feeleth / double soor / and heuynesse
But Palamon / that loue destreyneth so
That wood out of his wit1 he gooth for wo 1456
And eek ther to / he is a prisoner
Perpetuelly / nat oonly for a yer
Who koude ryme / in englissh proprely
His martirdom / for sothe it am noght I 1460
HENGWRT 42
GEOUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 43
Ther fore I passe / as lightly / as I may
IF It fil / ]>at I in that Seuenthe yeer of May
The thridde nyght1 . as olde bokes seyn deaf 20, back]
That al this storie / tellen moore pleyn 1464
Were it by auenture / or destynee
As whan a thyng is shapen / it shal be
That soone after the mydnyght1 Palamon)
By helpyng of a freend / brak his prison) 1468
And fleeth the Citee / faste as he may go
ffor he hadde yeue / his Gailler drynke so
Of a Clarree / rnaad of certeyii wyn 1471
With Nercotikes / and opye / of Thebes fyn // Opium Thebaicum.
That al that nyght1 . thogh Ipat men wolde hym shake
The Gailler sleeps / he myghte noght awake
^[ And thus he fleeth / as faste as euere he may
The nyght was short1 and faste by the day 1476
That nodes cost1 he moste hym seluen hyde
And til a groue / faste ther bisyde
With dreedful foot1 thanne stalketh Palamon)
ifor shortly / this was his opynyon) 1480
That in that groue / he wolde hym hyde al day
And in the nyght1 thanne wolde he take his way
To Thebesward / his freendes for to preye
On Theseus / to helpe hym to werreye 1484
And shortly / outher he wolde lese his lyf1
Or wynnen Emelie / vn to his wyf
This is theffect1 and his entente pleyn
^[ Now wol I turne / to Arcite ageyn . 1488
That litel wiste / how neigh ]>ai was his care
Til jjat ffortune / hadde broght hym / in the snare
^[ The bisy larke / messager of day
Salueth in hir song1 the morwe gray 1492
And firy Phebus / riseth vp so brighte
That al the Orient1 . laugheth of the lighte
And w?'t/i his stremes / dryeth in the greues
The siluer dropes / hangynge on the leues 1496
HENGWRT 43
44: GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And Arcita / that in the Court roial
With Theseus / Squyer principal
Is risen / and looketh on the murye day
And for to doon / his. obseruance to May 1500
Remembrynge / on the point of his desir
He on a Courser / startlynge as the fir
Is riden in to the feldes / hym to pleye [leaf 21]
Out of the Court1, were it a myle / or twcye 1504
And to the groue / of which J?at I yow tolde
By auenture / his wey he gan to holde
To maken hym / a gerland of the greues
Were it of wodebynde / or hawethorn leues 1508
And loude he soong1 . ayein the sonne shene
May / with alle thy floures / and thy grene
Wei come be thow / faire fresshe May
In hope / Jj^t I som grene gete may 1512
And from his courser / with a lusty herte
In to the groue / ful hastily he sterte
And in a path / he rometh vp and doun
Ther as by auenture / this Palamon) 1516
Was in a bussh / J?#t no man myghte hyni se
ffor score afered / of his deeth was he
]STo thyng knew he / Jwt it was Arcite
God woof he wolde haue trowed it ful lite 1520
But sooth is seyd / go sithen many yeris
That feeld hath eyen / and the wode hath erys
It is ful fair / a man to bere hym euene
ffor alday meeten men / at vnset steuene 1524:
fful litel woot Arcite / of his felawe,
That was so neigh / to herkneii al his sawe
ffor in the bussh / he sitteth now ful stille
1F Whan pat Arcite / hadde romed al his fille 1528
And soiigen al the roundel lustily
In to a studie / he fil sodeynly
As doon thise louerys / in hir queynte gerys
Now in the crope / now down in the brerys 1532
HENGWRT 44
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 45
Now vp / now down / as boket in a welle
Eight as the friday / soothly for to telle
Now it shyneth / now it reyneth faste
Eight1 so / kan gery Venus ouercaste 1536
The hertes of hir folk1 . right as hir day
Is gerful / right so chaungeth she array
Selde is the friday / al the wike ylike
IT Whan \a\> Arcite hadde songe / he gan to syke 1540
And sette hym down / with outen any moore
Alias quod he / that day / Jpai I was bore
How longe Lino / thurgh thy crueltee [leaf 21, baci<j
Woltow werreyen / Thebes the Citee 1544
Alias / ybroght is to confusion)
The blood roial / of Cadme and Amphion)
1F Cadmus I which J>at was the firste man
That Thebes bulte / and first bigan 1548
And of the Citee / first was crowned kyng1
Of his lynage am I / and his of-spryng1
By verray ligne / as of the stok roial
And now I am / so caytyf and so thral 1552
That he Jjat is / my mortal enemy
I seme hym / as his Squyer pourely
And yet dooth luno / me wel moore shame
ffor I dar noght1 biknowe myn owen name 1556
But ther as I was wont1 to highte Arcite
Now highte I Philostrate / noght worth a myte
IT Alias thow felle Mars / alias Juno
Thus hath youre Ire / oure lynage al fordo 1560
Saue oonly me / and wrecchid Palamon)
That Theseus / martireth in prison)
And ouer al this / to sleen me outrely
Loue hath his firy dart1 so brennyngly 1564
Ystiked / thurgh my trewe careful herte
That shapen was my deeth / erst than my sherte
Ye sleen me with youre eyen / Emelye
Ye been the cause / wherfore ]>ai .1. dye 1568
HENGWET 45
45 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Of al the remenant1 of myn ootlier care
Ne sette I noght1 . the mountaunce of a tare
So fat I koude doon aught1 . to youre plesaimce
And with that word / he fil down in a traunce 1572
A longe tyme / and afterward he vp sterte
IF This PalamorD / that thoughte / fat thurgh his herte
He felte a coold swerd / sodeynly glyde
ifor Ire he quook1. no longer wolde he byde 1576
And whan fat he had herd / Arcites tale
As he were wood / with face deed and pale
He stirte hym vp / out of the buskes tliikke
And seyde Arcite / false tray tour wikke 1580
ISTow artow henf that louest my lady so
ffor whom fat I haue / al this peyne and wo
And art my blood / and to my conseil sworn [leaf 22]
As I ful ofte / haue toold thee her biforn 158-1
And hast byiaped here / due Theseus
And falsly / chaunged hast thy name thus
I wol be deed / or ellis thow shalt dye
Thow shalt1 noght / loue my lady Emelye 1588
But I wol loue hire oonly / and namo
'ffor I am Palamon / thy mortal foo
And thogh fat I / no wrepne haue in this place
But out of prison) / am astert by grace 1592
I drede noght1 fat outher thow shalt dye
Or thow ne shalt1 noght louen Emelye
Chees which thow wolf or thow shalt1 noght asterte
H This Arcite / with ful despitous herte 1596
Whan he hym knew / and hadde his tale herd
As fiers as Icon) / pulled out his swerd
And seyde thus / by god fat sitteth aboue
Nere it fat thow art syk1 and wood for loue 1600
And eek1 fat thow / no wepne hast in this place
Thow sholdest neuere / out of this groue pace
That thow ne sholdest1 dyen of myn hond
ffor I diffye / the seuretee and the bond 1 604
HEN GW RT 46
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt M3. 47
Which ]>at thow seisfr ]>ai I haue maad to thee
"What verray fool / thynk wel ]>at loue is free]
And I wol loue hire / maugree al thy myght*
^T But for as muche / as thow art a worthy knyght1 1608
And wilnesfr to darreyne hire by bataille
Haue here my trouthe / tomorwe I nyl nat faille
With outen wityng1 of any oother wight1
That here / I wol be foundeii / as a knyghf 1612
And bryiigen harneys / right ynogh for thee
And chees the beste / and leef the worste to me
And mete and drynke / this nyght wol I brynge
Ynqgh for thee / and clothes for thy bcddynge 1616
And if so be / jjat thow my lady wynne
And sle me in this wode / ther I am Inne
Thow mayst wel haue thy lady / as for me
^F This Palamon answerde / I graunte it thee 1620
And thus they been departed / til amorwe
Whan ech of hem / hadde leyd his feith to borwe
0 Cupide / out of alle charitee [leaf 22, back]
0 regne / that wolde no felawe haue to thee 1624:
fful sooth is seyd / J>at loue ne lordshipe
Wol noght his thankes / haue no felaweshipe
Wel fynden that1 Arcite and Palamon
^[ Arcite / is riden aiioon / vn to the town 1628
And on the morwe / er it were dayes lyght
fful pr/uely / two harneys hath he dyghf
Bothe sumsaunt1 and mete to darreyne
The bataille in the feeld / bitwix hem tweyne 1632
And on his hors / allone / as he was born
He carieth al this harneys / hym biforn
And in the groue / at tyme and place yset
This Arcite / and this Palamon been met1 1636
IF To chaungen / gan the colour' in hir face
Eight as the hunterys / in the regne of Trace
That stonden at the gappe / with a spere
Whanne hunted is / the leon) or the Bere 1 640
HENGWRT 47
48 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And hereth hym / come russhynge in the greues
And breketh / bothe bowes / and the leues
And thynketh / here cometh my mortal enemy
"With oute faille / he moot be deed / or .1. 1644
ffor outher / I moot sleen hym / at the gappe
Or he moot sle me / if J?at me myshappe
So ferden they / in chaungyng1 of Mr hewe
As fer / as euerich / oother of hem knewe 1648
IF Ther nas no good day / ne no saluynge
But streight1 with, outen word / or rehersynge
Euerich of hem / heelp for to arrnen oother
As frendly / as he weere / his owene brother 1652
And after that / with sharpe speres stronge
They foynen / ech at oother / wonder longe
Thou myghtest wene / ]>at this Palamon)
In his fightynge were a wood leon) 1656
And as a crewel Tygre / was Arcite
As wilde boores / gonnen they to smyte
That frothen / whit as foom / for Ire wood
Vp to the Anclees / foghte they in hir blood 1660
And in this wise / I lete hem fightyng dwelle
And forth I wole / of Theseus yow telle
^[ The destynee / Ministre general Oaf 23]
That executeth / in the world oner al 1664
The purueiance / that god hath seyn biforn
So stroong* it is / fat thogh the world hadde sworn
The contrarie of a thyng1 by ye / or nay
Yet som tyme / it shal fallen on a day 1668
That falleth nat eft / with Inne a thousand yeer
ffor certeinly / oure appetites heer
Be it of werre / or pees / or hate / or loue
Al is this ruled / by the sighte aboue 1672
^[ This mene I now / by myghty Theseus
That for to hunten / is so desirus
And namely / at the grete hert in May
That in his bed / ther daweth hym no day 1676
HENGWRT 48
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 49
That lie nys clad / and redy for to ryde
With hunte and horn / and houndes hym bisyde
if or in his huntyng1 hath he swich delif
That it is / al his ioye and appetit1 1680
To been hym self / the grete hertes bane
ffor after Mars / he serueth now Diane
IT Cleer was the day / as I haue told er this
And Theseus / with alle ioye and blys 1684
With his ypolita / the faire queene
And Emelie / clothed al in greene
On huntyng* be they riden roially
And to the groue / that stood ful faste by 1688
In which ther was an hert1 as men hym tolde
Due* Theseus / the streighte wey hath holde
And to the launde / he rideth hym ful right1
ffor thider was the hert1 wont haue his flight1 1692
And ouer a brook / and so forth on his weye
This due* wol han a cours at hym / or tweye
With houndes swiche / as Jjat hym list comaunde
And whan this due1, was come vn to the launde 1696
Vnder the sonne he looketh / and anon
He was war / of Arcite and Palamon)
That foghten breme / as it were boles two
The brighte swerdes / wenten to and fro 1700
So hidously / that with tlie leeste strook1
It semed / as it wolde felle an ook1
But what they weere / no thyng he ne woof [leaf 23, back]
This du# his courser / with the spores smoof 1704
And at a stert1 he was bitwix hem two
And pulled out a swerd / and cryed Hoo
jNamoore / vp on peyne / of lesyng of youre heed
By myghty Mars / he shal anon be deed 1708
That smyteth any strook / jjat I may seen
But telleth me / what myster men ye been
That been so hardy / for to fighten heer
With outen luge / or oother officer 1712
4 HENGWRT 49
50 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
As it weere in a lystes roially
^f This Palamon / answerde hastily
And seyde / sire / what nedeth wordes mo
We haue the deeth disserued / bothe two 1716
Two woful wrecches been we / two caytyues
That been encombred / of cure owene lyues
And as thow art1 a rightful lord and luge
Ne yif vs / neither mercy ne refuge 1720
Eut slee me first1 . for seinte charitee
But slee my felawe eek / as wel as me
Or slee hym first* . for thogh thow knowe it lite
This is thy mortal foo / this is Arcite 1724
That fro thy lond / is banysshed on his heed
ifor which / he hath deserued to be deed
ffor this is he / J?at cam vn to thy yate
And seyde / Jwt he highte Philostrate 1728
Thus hath he iaped thee / ful many a yeer
And thow . hast maked hym / thy chief Squyer
And this is he / ]>at loueth Emelye
ifor sith the day is come / ]>ai I shal dye 1732
I make pleynly / my confession)
That I am / thilke woful Palamon)
That hath thy prison) / broken wikkedly
I am thy mortal foo / and it am I 1736
That loueth so hoote / Emelye the brighte
That I wol dyen / present in hir sighte
Wherfore I axe deeth / and my luwise
But slee my felawe / in the same wise 1740
fFor bothe haue we / deserued to be slayn
^f This worthy dutf answerde anoon agayn
And seyde / this is a short conclusion) [leaf 243
Youre owene mouth / by youre confession) 1744
Hath dampned yow / and I wol it recorde
It nedeth noghtt to pyne yow with the corde
Ye shul be deed / by myghty Mars the rede
If The queene anoon / for verray wommanhede 1748
HENGWRT 50
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 51
Gan for to wepe / and so dide Emelye
And alle the ladies / in the compaignye
Greet pitee was it / as it thoughte hem alle
That euere swich a chaimce / sholde falle 1752
ffor gentil men they weere / of greet estaat
And no thyng but for loue / was this debaat1
And sawe / hir blody wowndes / wide and soore
And alle cryden / bothe lasse and moore 1756
Haue mercy lord / vp on vs wommen alle
And on hir bare knees / adown they falle
And wolde haue kist his feet1 ther as he stood
Til at the laste / aslaked was his mood 1760
ffor pitee / renneth soone in gentil herte
And thogh he first1 for Ire quook and sterte
He hath considred / shorthly in a clause
The trespas of hem bothe / and eek the cause 1764
And al thogh jjat his Ire / hir gilt accused
Yet in his reson) / he hem bothe excused
IF As thus / he thoghte wel ]>at euery man
Wol helpe hym self in loue / if J>at he kan 1768
And eek / deliuere hym self / out of prison)
And eek / his herte hadde compassion)
Of wommen / for they wepten euere in oon
And in his gentil herte / he thoghte anoon 1772
And softe vn to hym / self he seyde fy
Vp on a lord / that wol haue no mercy 1 nota
But be a leon) / bothe in word / and dede
To hem / that been in repentaunce and drede 1776
As wel / as to a proud despitous man
That wol mayntene / that he first bigan
That lord / hath litel of discrecion)
That in swich caas / kan no dyuysion 1780
But weyeth pryde / and humblesse / after oon
And shortly / whan his Ire is thus agoon
He gan to loken vp / with eyen lighte [leaf 24, back]
And spak thise same wordes / al on highte 1784
HENGWRT 61
52 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
1F The god of loue / a benedicitee
How myghty / and how greet a lord is he
Agayns his myght1 . ther gayneth none obstacles
He may be clepid a god / for his miracles 1788
ffor he kan maken / at his owene gyse
Of euerich herte / as ]>at hym list deuyse
IT Lo here / this Arcite / and this Palamori)
That quitly were / out of my prison) 1792
And myghte haue lyued in Thebes roially
And witen / I am hir mortal enemy
And J)«t hir deeth / lyth in my myght also
And yet hath loue / maugree hir eyen two 1796
Broght hem hyder / bothe for to dye
Now looketh / is nat that1 an heigh folye
11 Who may been a fool / but if he loue
Bihoold for goddes sake / ]?at sit aboue 1800
Se how they blede / be they noght wel arrayed
Thus hath hir lord / the god of loue ypayed
Hir wages / and hir fees / for hir seruyse
And yet they wenen to be ful wyse 1804
That seruen loue / for aught )>«t may bifalle
But this is yet1 the beste game of alle
That she / for whom / they haue this lolitee
Kan hem ther fore / as muche thank as me 1808
She woot namoore / of al this hoote fare
By god / than woot1 a cokkow of an hare
But al moot been assayed / hoot and coold
A man moot been a fool / or yong1 or oold 1812
I woot it by my self / ful yoore agoon
ffor in my tyme / a seruant was I oon
And ther fore / syn I knowe of loues peyne
And woot how soore / it kan a man distreyne 1816
As he J)<2t hath been caught1 ofte in his laas
I yow foryeue / al hoolly this trespas
At requeste of the queene / J>at kneeleth heere
And eek of Emelye / my suster deere 1820
H-ENGWRT 52
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 53
And ye shal bothe anoon / vn to me swere
That neuere mo / ye shal my contree dere
NQ make werre vp on me / nyght nor day [leaf 253
But been my freendes / in al that ye may 1824
I yow foryeue / this trespas euerydel
And they hym sworen / his axing faire and wel
And hym of lordshipe / and of mercy preyde
And he hem graunteth grace / and thanne he seyde 1828
1F To speke of roial lynage / and richesse
Thogh Jxzt she weere a queene / or a princesse
Ech of yow bothe / is worthy doutelees
To wedden whan tyme is / but nathelees 1832
I speke / as for my suster Emelye
ffor whom / ye haue this stryf and lalousye
Ye woot your self . she may nat wedden two
Atones / thogh ye tighten eueremo 1836
That oon of yow / al be hym looth / or lief
He moot* go pipen / in an yuy leef1
This is to seyn / she may nat now haue bothe
Al be ye iievere so lalous / ne so wrothe 1840
And for thy / I yow putte in this degree
That ech of yow / shal haue his destynee
As hym is shape / and herkneth in what wyse
Lo here youre ende / of that I shal deuyse 1844
flf My wyl is this / for plat conclusion)
With outen any replicacion)
If that yow liketh / take it for the beste
That euerich of yow / shal goon where hym leste 1848
ffrely / with outen raunson) / or daunger
And this day fifty wykes / fer ne neer
Euerich of yow / shal brynge an hundred knyghtes
Armed for listes / vp at alle rightes 1852
Al redy / to darreyne hire by bataille
And this bihoote I yow / with outen faille
Yp on my trouthe / and as I am a knyghf
That wheither of yow bothe / J>at hath myghf 1856
HENGWRT 53
54 GROUP A. § & KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
This is to seyn / J>at wheither he or thou
May with his hundred / as I spak of now
Sleen his contrarie / or out of lystes dryue
Thanne shal I yeue / Emelye to wyue 1860
To whom J)«t ffortune / yeueth so fair a grace
The lystes / shal I maken in this place
And god so wisly / on my soule re we [leaf 25, back]
As I shal / euene luge been and trewe 1864
Ye shul noon oother ende / with me maken
That oon of yow ne / shall be deed / or taken
And if yow thynketh / this is well ysayd
Sey youre auys / and holdeth yow apayd 1868
This is youre ende / and youre conclusion)
T Who looketh lightly now / but Palamon)
Who spryngeth vp for ioye / but Arcite
Who koude telle / or who koude it endite 1872
The ioye / that is maked in the place
Whan Theseus / hath doon so fair a grace
But doun on knees / wente euery maner wight1
And thonken hym / with al hir herte and myght1 1876
And namely the Thebans ofte sythe
And thus with good hope / and herte blythe
They take hir leeue / and homward gonne they ryde
To Thebes / with olde walles wyde 1880
Explicit1 prima pars
Incipit1 pars secunda &
T trowe / men wolde deme it necligence
-*- If I foryete / to tellen the despence
Of Theseus / that gooth so bisily
To maken vp the lystes / roially 1884
That swich a noble Theatre / as it was
I dar wel seyn / in this world ther nas
The circuit1 a myle was aboute
Walled of stoon / and dyched al with oute 1888
Bound was the shape / in manere of compas
HENGWRT 54
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 55
ffal of degrees / the heighte of sixty paas
That whan a man / was set1 on o degree
He letted noghf his felawe for to see 1892
•JT Estward ther stood a gate / of Marbul whit
Westward / right swich another / in the oposif
And shortly to concludeii / swich a place
Was noon in erthe / as in so lite a space 1896
ffor in the lond / ther was no crafty man [leaf 203
That Geometrye / or Ars metrik kan
Ne purtreyour / ne keruere of ymages
That Theseus / ne yaf mete and wages 1900
The Theatre / for to maken and deuyse
And for to doon / his ryte and sacrinse
He Estward hath / vp on the gate aboue
In worship of venus / goddesse of loue 1904
Doon maad an Auter / and an oratorie
And on the westward / in memorie
Of Mars /he maked hath right swich another
That coste largely / of gold a fother 1908
And Northward / in a tourefr on the wal
Of Alabastre whitt and reed Coral
An oratorie / riche for to see
In worships / of Diane of chastitee 1912
Hath Theseus / doon wroghf in noble Wise
IF But yet hadde I forgeten / to deuyse
The noble keruyng / and the purtreitwres
The shape /the contenance / and the figures 1916
That weren / in thise oratories thre
IT ffirst / in the temple of Venus / maystow se
Wroght on the wal / ful pitous to biholde
The broken slepes / and the sykes colde 1920
The sacred teerys / and the waymentynge
The firy strokes / of the desirynge
That loues seruantz / in this lyf enduren
The othes / that hir couenantz assuren 1924
Plesance / and hope / desir / foolhardynesse
HENGWRT 55
56 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Beautee and youthe / baudrye / richesse
Charmes and force / lesynges / flaterye
Despense / bisynesse / and lalousye 1928
That wered / of yelowe gooldes a gerland1
And a Cokkow / sittyng on hir hand
ffestes / Instrumentz / caroles / daunces
Lust and array / and alle the circumstaunces 1932
Of lone / whiche fat I rekned / and rekno shal
By ordre / weren peynted on the wal
And mo than / I kan make of mencioii)
flbr soothly / al the Mount of Citheron) 1936
Ther Venus / hath hir p?*mcipal dwellynge [leaf 26, back]
"Was shewed on the wal / in purtreyynge
With al the gardyn / and the lustynesse
Nat was foryeten / the porter ydelnesse 1940
Ne Narcisus the faire / of yoore agon
Ne yet / the folie / of kyng Salomon
Ne yet1 the grete strength e of Ercules
Thenchantementz / of Medea and Circes 1944
"Ne of Turnus / with the hardy fiers corage
The ryche Cresus / caytif in seruage
^[ Thus may ye seen / J>at wisdom ne richesse
Beautee / ne sleighte / strengthe hardynesse 1948
Ne may with Venus / maken champartie
ifor as hir lusfr the world than may she gye
Lo all this folk / so caught were in hir laas
Til they for wo / ful ofte seyde alias 1952
Suffiseth heere ensamples / oon or two
And though / I koude rekne a thousand mo
ad vid
^[ The statue of Venus / glorious for to see
.i. mare
"Was naked / fletyng1 in the large See 1956
And fro the nauele doun / al couered was
With wawes grene / and brighte as any glas
A Citole in hir right hand / hadde she
And on hir heed / ful semely for to se 1960
A rose gerland / fressh / and wel smellynge
HENGWRT 56
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 57
Aboue hir heed / hir dowues flikerynge
Biforn hire stood / hir sone Cupido
Yp on his shuldres / wynges hadde he two 1964
And blynd he was / as it is ofte seene
A bowe he bar / and Arwes brighte and keene
IT Why sholde I nat as wel / eek telle yow al
The purtreyture / \a\> was vp on the wal 1968
With Inne the temple / of myghty Mars the rede
Al peynted was the wal / in lengthe and brede
Lyk to the eestres / of the grisly place
That highte the grete temple / of Mars in Trace 1972
In thilke colde / frosty Region)
Ther as Mars / hath his souereyn mansion)
^[ ffirst on the wal / was peynted a fforest1
In which ther dwelleth / neither man ne best* 1976
With knotty / knarry / bareyne trees olde [leaf 27]
Of stubbes sharpe / and hidouse to biholde
In which / ther ran a rombul / in a swougR
As thogh a storm / sholde bresten euery bough" 1980
And downward on an hil / vnder a bente
Ther stood the temple / of Mars armypotente.
Wroght al of burned steel / of which the entree
Was long and streyt1 and gastly for to see 1984
. i . impetw*
And ther out cam a rage / and swich a veze
That it made / al the gate for to rese
The Northren light1 in at the dores shoon
ffor wyndow on the wal / ne was ther noon 1988
Thurgh which men myghten / any light discerne
The dore was al / of Athamant eterne
Yclenched / ouerthwarf and endelong/
With Iren togh / and for to make it strong* 1992
Euery piler / the temple to sustene
Was tonne greet1 of Iren bright and shene
^f Ther say I first1 . the dirke ymagynynge
Of felonye / and al the compassynge 1996
The cruel Ire / reed as any gleede
HENGWRT 57
58 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
The pike purs / and eek the pale drede
The smylere / with the knyf vnder the cloke
The shipne brennyng / with the "blake smoke 2000
The treson) / of the mordryng in the bed
The open werre / with woundes al bibled
Contek / with blody knyf1 and sharpe manace
Al ful of chirkyng* was that sory place 2004
*§ The sleere of hyni self / yet saugh I ther
His herte blood / hath bathed al his heer
The nayl ydrynen / in the shode a nyght1
The colde deeth / with mouth gapyng vp right1 2008
Amyddes of the temple / sat meschaunce
With disconforfr and sory contenaunce
^[ Yet saugh I woodnesse / laughyng in his rage
Armed cornpleyntt out hees / and fiers outrage 2012
The caroyne in the bussh / with throte ycorue
A thousand slayn / and noght of qualm ystorue
The tiraunt1 with the praye / by force yraftt
The town destroyed / ther was no thyng laff 2016
*[[ Yet saugh I brent1 . the shippes hoppesteres [leaf 27, back]
The hunte strangled / with the wilde beres
The sowe freten the child / right in the Cradel
The Cook yscalded / for al his longe ladel 2020
5f Naught was forgeten / by the Infortune of Marte
The Carters / ouer ryden / with his Carte
Vnder the wheel / ful lowe he lay adown
Ther were also / of Martes deuysioun 2024
The Barbowr / and the Bochier and the Smyth
That forgeth sharpe swerdes / on his styth
^[ And al aboue / depeynted in a tour
Saugh I Conquest1 sittyng1 in greet honour 2028
With the sharpe swerd / ouer liis heed
Hangynge / by a subtil twynes threed
If Depeynted was / the slaghtre of lulius
Of grete Nero / and of Anthonius 2032
Al be / pat thilke tyme / they were vnborn
HENGWRT 58
traoup A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 59
Yet was hir deeth / depeynted ther biforn
By manacynge of Mars / right by figure
So was it shewed / in that purtreyture 2036
As is depeynted / in the Sertres aboue
Who shal be slayn / or ellis deed for loue
Suffiseth oon ensample / in stories olde
I may nat rekne hem alle / thogh I wolde 2040
^[ The Statue of Mars / vp on a Carte stood
Armed / and loked grym / as he were wood
And ouer his heed / ther shynen two figures
Of sterres / pat been clepyd in Scriptures 2044
That oon Puella / that oother Eubeus
This god of armes / was arrayed thus
A wolf ther stood / bifore hym at his feet1
With eyen rede / and of a man he eet 2048
With subtil pencel / was depeynted this storie
In redoutynge of Mars / and of his glorie
^[ Now to the temple / of Diane the chaste
As shortly as I kan / I wol me haste 2052
To telle yow / al the discripsioun
Depeynted been the walles / vp and doun
Of huntyng1 and of shamefast chastitee
Ther saw .1. / how woful Calistopee 2056
Whan pat Diane / agreued was with here [leaf 28]
Was turned / fro a womman / til a Bere
And after was she maad / the lode sterre // Vrsa maior
Thus was it peynted / I kan seye yow no ferre 2060
Hir sone is eek a sterre / as men may see
Ther saw I Dane / yturned to a tree
I mene nat / the goddesse diane
But Penneus doghter / which pat highte Dane 2064
5f Ther saw I Attheon / an hert ymaked
ffor vengeaunce / pat he saw Diane al naked
I seigh / how pat hise houndes haue hym caught1
And freten hym / for pat they knewe hym naught 2068
^[ Yet peynted was / a litel ferther moor
HENGtVRT 59
60 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
How Atthalante / hunted the wilde boor
And Meleagree / and many another mo
if or which Diane / wroghte hym care and wo 2072
Ther saw .1. many another wonder storie
The whiche / me list nat drawen to memorie
11 This goddesse on herfr ful hye seefl
With smale houndes / al aboute hir feet* 2076
And vnder nethe hir feet1 . she hadde a moone
Wexinge it was / and sholde wanye soone
In gaude grene / hir statue yclothed was
"With bo we in honde / and arwes in a cas 2080
Hir eyen caste she / ful lowe adown
Ther Pluto / hath his dirke Eegioun
A womman trauailyng1 was hir biforn
But for hir child / so longe was unborn 2084
fful pitously / lucina gan she calle
And seyde help / for thow mayst best of alle
"Wei koude he peynte lyfly / that it wroghte
With many a floryn / he the hewes boghte 2088
IF Now been thise listes maad / and Theseus
That at his grete cost1 arrayed thus
The temples / and the Theatre euery del
Whan it was doon / hym liked wonder wel 2092
But stynte I wole / of Theseus alite
And speke of Palamon / and of Arcite
If The day approcheth / of hir retournynge
That euerich / sholde an hundred knyghtes brynge 2096
The bataille to darreyne / as I yow tolde [leaf 28, back
And til Atthenes / hir couenant for to holde
Hath euerich of hem / broght a hundred knyghtes
Wel armed for the werre / at alle rightes 2100
And sikerly / ther trowed many a man
That neuere sithen / pat the world bigan
As for to speke / of knyghthod of hir hond
As fer / as god hath maked see and lond 2104
Nas of so fewe / so noble a compaignye
HENGWRT 60
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS, 61
fibr euery wight1 fat loued chiualrye
And wolde his thankes / han a passant name
Hath prayd / that he myghte been of that game 2108
And wel was hym / fat ther to chosen was
ffor if ther fille / tomorwe swich a cas
Ye knowen wel / fat euery lusty knyght/
That loueth paramours / and hath his myghf 2112
Were it in Engelond / or ellis where
They wolde hir thankes / wilnen to be there
To fighten for a lady / benedicitee
It were a lusty sighte / for to see 2116
IT And right so / ferden they with Palamon
"With hym ther wenten / knyghtes many oon
Som wol ben armed / in an haubergeon)
And in a Brestplate / and in a light gypon) 2120
And som wol haue / a piere plates large
And som wol haue / a Pruce sheeld / or a targe
Som wol been armed / on his legges weel
And haue an Ax / and som a Maas of steel 2124
Ther nys no newe gyse / fat it nas oold
Armed were they / as I haue yow toold
Euerich / after his opinyon)
IT Ther maystow seen / comynge with Palamon) 2128
Lygurge hym self1 the grete kyng of Trace
Blak was his beerd / and manly was his face
The cercles of his eyen / in his heed
They gloweden / bitwixen yelow and reed 2132
And lyk a griffon) / loked he aboute
With keempe herys / on his browes stoute
His lymes grete / his brawnes / harde and stronge
Hys shuldres brode / hise armes rounde and longe 2136
And as the gyse was / in his contree [leaf 29]
fful hye / vp on a Chaar of gold stood he
With foure white Boles / in the trays
In stide of Cotearmure / ouer his harnays 2140
With nayles yelwe / and brighte as any gold
HENGWRT 61
62 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
He liadde a Berys Skyn / colblak / for old
His longe heer / was kembed bihynde his bak*
As any Eauenes fetthere / it shoon for blak1 2144
A wrethe of gold / greet of huge wighte
Yp on his heed / and fill of stones brighte
Of fyne Eubyes / and of dyamawntz
Aboute his Chaar / they wente white Alauntz 2148
Twenty and mo / as grete as any Steer
To hunten at the leon) / and the deer
And folwed hym / with mosel faste ybounde
Colered of gold / and turrettes filed rounde 2152
An hundred lordes / hadde he in his route
Armed ful wel / with hertes stierne and stoute
IF "With Arcita / in stories as men fynde
The grete Emetrius / the kyng of Inde 21 5 6
Vp on a Steede bay / trapped in steel
Couered in a clooth of gold / dyapred weel -
Cam ridynge / lyk the god of Armes Mars
His cote armure / was of clooth of Tars 2160
Couched with perlys white / and rounde and grete
His sadel was / of brend gold newe ybete
A Mantelet1 vp on his shulder hangynge
Bretful of Eubies reede / as fyr sparklynge 2164
His crispe heer / lyk rynges was yronne
And that was yelow / and glitred as the sonne
His nose was heigh / hise eyen bright Citryn
His lyppes rounde / his colour was sangwyn 2168
A fewe fraknes / in his face yspreynd
Bitwixen yelow / and som del blak ymeynd
And as a leon) / he his lookyng caste
Of .xxv. yeer / his age I caste 2172
His beerd / was wel bigonne for to sprynge
His voys / was as a trompe thonderynge
Yp on his heed / he wered of laurer grene
A gerland fressR / and lusty for to seene 2176
Yp on his hand / he bar for his deduyf [leaf 29, back]
HENGWRT 62
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. G3
An Egle tame / as any lilie whyt1
An hundred lordes / hadde he with hym there
Al armed sane hir heddes / in al hir gere 2180
fful richely / in alle manere thynges
ffor trusteth wel / J>at dukes / Erles / kynges
Were gadred / in this noble compaignye
ffor loue / and for encrees of chiualrye 2184
Aboute this kyng1 ther ran on euery part1
fful many a tame leon) and leopart1
If And in this wise / thise lordes alle and some
Been on the Sonday / to the Citee come 2188
Aboute pryme / and in the town alight1
IF This Theseus / this due1 this worthy knyght1
Whan he hadde broght1 hem / in to his Citee
And Inned hem / euerich at his degree 2192
He festeth hem / and dooth so gret labour
To esen hem / and doon hem al honour
That yet men wenen / fat no mannes wit1
Of noon estaaf ne koude amenden it/ 2196
IF The Mynstralcye / the seruyce / at the feeste
The grete yiftes / to the meeste and leeste
The ryche array / of Theseus Paleys
Ne who sat first1 or last1 vp on the deys 2200
What ladyes fairest been / and best daunsynge
Or which of hem / kan daunse best and synge
~Ne who moost feelyngly / speketh of loue
What haukes sitten / on the perche aboue 2204
What houndes lyggen / on the floor adown
Of al this / make I now no mencioun
But al theffect1 that thynketh me the beste
Now comth the poinf and herkneth if yow leste 2208
IT The Sonday nyght1 er day bigan to sprynge
Whan Palamon / the larke herde synge
Al thogh it nere nat day / by houres two
Yet soong the larke / and Palamon right tho 2212
With holy herte / and with an heigh corage
HENGWRT 63
64 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
He roos / to wenden on Ms pilgrymage
Vn to the blisful / Scitherea benygne
I mene Venus / honurable and digne 2216
And in hir hour / he walketh forth a paas [leaf soj
Vn to the lystes / ther hir temple was
And down he kneleth / and with humble cheere
And herte soor / he seyde as ye shal heere 2220
^[ ffaireste of faire / o lady myn Venus
Doghter of loue / and spouse to Vulcanus
Thow gladere / of the mount of Cytheron
ffor thilke loue / thow haddest to Adoon 2224
Haue pitee / of my bittre teerys smerte
And taak myn humble prayere at thyn herte
^f Alias I ne haue no langage to telle
Theffecte . ne the tormentz of myn helle 2228
Myn herte / may myne harmes nat biwreye
I am so confus / ]>ai I kan noght seye
Bat mercy lady bright1 ]>at knowest wele
My thoghtf and seest what harmes J>at I feele 2232
Considre al this / and rewe vp on my soore
As wisly / as I shal for euere moore
Emforth my myght1 thy trewe seruant be
And holden werre / alwey with chastitee 2236
That make I myn avow / so ye me helpe
I kepe noght1 of armes for to yelpe
Ne I ne axe noght / tomorwe / to haue victorie
Ne renoun in this cas / ne veyne glorie 2240
Of prys of armes / blowen vp and down
But I wolde haue / fully possessioun
Of Emelye / and dye in thy seruyse
ffynd thow the manere / how / and in what wyse 2244
I recche nat1 but it may bettre be
To haue victorie of hem / or they of me
So fat I haue / my lady in myn armes
ffor thogh so be / \a\> Mars is god of armes 2248
Youre vertu is so greet1 in heuene aboue
HENGWRT 64
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. G5
That if yow list1 1 shal wel haue my lone
IT Thy temple / wol I worshipe eue?*e mo *
And on thyn Auter / wher I ryde or go 2252
I wol doon sacrifice / and fyres beete
And if ye wol noght so / my lady sweete
Thanne praye I thee / to morwe with a spere
That Arcita / me thurgh the herte bere 2256
Thanne rekke I noghf whan I haue lost my lyf [leaf 30, back]
Thogh jjat Arcita / wynne hire to his wyf1
This is theffect1 and ende of my prayere
Yif me my loue / thow blisful lady deere 2260
^[ Whan the orison was doon / of Palamon
His sacrifice he dide / and that anon
fful pitously / with alle circumstances
Al telle I nat as now / his obseruances 2264
But at the laste / the Statue of Venus shook1
And made a signe / wher by ]>at he took*
That his prayere / accepted was that day
ffor thogh the signe / shewed a delay 2268
Yet wiste he wel / f>at graunted was his boone
And with glad herte / he wente hym hoom ful soone
^[ The thridde hour in equal / Jjat Palamon
Bigan / to Venus temple / for to gon 2272
Vp roos the soone / and vp roos Emelye
And to the temple of Diane / gan hye
Hir maydens / fat she thider with hire ladde
fful redily with hem / the fyr they hadde 2276
Thencens / the clothes / and the remenant al
That to the sacrifice / longen shal
The homes ful of Mede / as was the gyse
Ther lakked noghf to doon hir sacrifise 2280
TT Smokynge the temple / ful of clothes faire
This Emelye / with herte debonaire
Hir body wessn" / with water of a welle
But hou she dide hir ryte / I dar nat telle 2284
But it be / any thyng1 in general
5 HENGWRT 65
66 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And yet1 it were a game / to heren al
To hym fat meneth wel / it nere no charge
But it is good / a man be at his large 2288
5[ Hir brighte heer was kembed / vntressed al
A corone / of a grene ook1 cerial
Vp on hir heed was set* ful fair and meete
Two fyres / on the Auter gan she beete 2292
And dide hir thynges / as men may biholde
In Stace of Thebes / and othere bokes olde
Whan kyndled was the fyr / with pitous cheere
Vn to Diane / she spak / as ye may heere 2296
^[ 0 chaste goddesse / of the wodes grene [leaf 313
To whom / bothe heuene / and erthe / and See is seene
Queene of the regne of Pluto / derk and lowe
Goddesse of maydenes / fat myn herte hast knowe 2300
fFul many a yeer / and woost what I desire
As keepe me / fro thy vengeance and thyn Ire
That Attheon) / aboghte crewelly
Chaste goddesse / wel wostow fat I 2304
Desire / to been a mayden / al my lyf1
NQ neuere wol I be / no loue / ne wyf1
I am thow woost1 yet of thy compaignye
A mayde / and loue huntyng1 and venerye 2308
And for to walken / in the wodes wilde
And noght to been a wyf / and be with childe
Noght wol I knowe / compaignye of man
Now help me lady / sith ye may and kan 2312
ifor tho thre formes / fat thow hast in thee
And Palamon / fat hath swich loue to me
And eek Arcite / fat loueth me so soore
This grace I praye thee / with oute moore 2316
As seend[e] loue and pees / bitwix hem two
And fro me / turn) awey / hir hertes so
That al hir hote loue / and hir desir
And al hir bisy torment1 and hir fyr 2320
Be queynt1 and turned in another place
HENGWRT 66
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 67
And if so be / thow wolt noght do ine grace
Or if my destynee / be shape so
That I shal nedes / haue oon of hem two 2324
As seend me hym / $at moost desireth me
Bihoold goddesse / of clene chastitee
The bittre teerys / $at on my chekes falle
Syn thow art mayde / and kepere of vs alle 2328
My maydenhode thow kepe / and wel conserue
And whil I lyue / a mayde I wol thee seme
^[ The fyres brenne / vp on the Auter cleere
Whil Emelie / is thus in hir prayere 2332
But sodeynly / she seigh a sighte queynte
ffor right anon / oon of the fyres queynte
And quyked agayn / and after that anon
That oother fyr was queyntf and al agon 2336
And as it queynte / it made a whistlynge [leaf si, back]
As doon thise weete brondes / in hir brennynge
And at the brondes ende / out ran anoon
As it were / blody dropes many oon 2340
ffor which / so soore agast was Emelye
That she was wel neigh mad / and gan to crye
ffor she ne wiste / what it signyfied
But oonly for the feere / thus hath she cryed 2344
And weepe / J?at it was pitee for to heere
1T And ther with al / -Diane gan appeere
With bowe in honde / right as an hunteresse
And seyde doghter / stynt thyn heuynesse 2348
Among' the goddes hye / it is affermed
And by eterne word / writen and conformed
Thou shalt be wedded / vn to oon of tho
That han for thee / so muche care and wo 2352
But vn to which of hem / I may noght telle
ffare wel / for I ne may no lenger dwelle
The fires / which Jjat on myn Auter brenne
Shul thee declaren / er J>at thow go henne 2356
Thyn auenture of loue / as in this cas
HENGWRT 67
68 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And with that word / the Arwes in the Caas
Of the goddesse / clateren faste and rynge
And forth she wente / and made a vanysshynge 2360
ifor which / this Emelye astoned was
And seyde / what amounteth this alias
I putte me / in thy proteccion)
Diane / and in thy disposicion) 2364
And hooni she gooth anoon / the nexte weye
This is theffecfr ther nys namoore to seye
IT The nexte houre of Mars / folwynge this
Arcite / vn to the temple walked is 2368
Of fierse Mars / to doon his sacrifise
With alle the rytes / of his payen wise
With pitous herte / and heigh deuocion)
Eight thus to Mars / he seyde his orison) 2372
IF 0 stronge god / fat in the regnes colde
Of Trace / honoured art1 and lord yholde
And hast in euery regne / and euery lond
Of armes / al the brydel in thyn hoiid 2376
And hem fortunest1 as thee list deuyse [leaf 321
Accepte of me / my pitous sacrifise
If so be / fat my youthe may disserne
And fat my myghfr be worthy for to seme 2380
Thy godhede / fat I may be oon of thyne
Thanne praye I thee / to rewe vp on- my pyne
ffor thilke peyne / and thilke hote fyr
In which / thow whilom brendest for desir 2384
Whan fat thow vsedest the beautee
Of faire yonge / fresshe Venus free
And haddest hire in armes at thy wille
Al though thee ones / on a tyme mysfille 2388
Whan Vulcanns / hadde caught thee in his laas
And foond thee lyggyng1 by his wyf alias
ffor thilke sorwe / fat was in thyn herte
Haue routhe as wel / vp on my peynes sme/'te 2392
I am yong / and vnkonnyng1 as thow woost/
HENGWRT 68
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 69
And as I trowe / with, loue offended moosfr
That euere was / any lyues creature
ffor she ]>at dooth me / al this wo endure 2396
!N"e reccheth neuere / wher I synke or fleete
And wel I woof er she me mercy heete
I moot with strengthe / wynne hire in the place
And wel I woot1 with outen help and grace 2400
Of thee / ne may my strengthe noght auaille
Thanne help me lord / tomorwe in my bataille
ffor thilke fyr / jjat whilom brende thee
As wel as thilke fyr / now brenneth me 2404
And do Ipai I tomorwe / may haue victorie
Myn be the trauaille / and thyn be the glorie
Thy souereyn temple / wol I moost honouren
Of any place / and alwey moost labouren 2408
In thy plesaunce / and in thy craftes stronge
And in thy temple / I wol my baner honge
And alle the armes / of my compaignye
And euere mo / vn til Jj«t day I dye 2412
Eterne fyr / I wol bifore thee fynde
And eek to this auow / I wol me bynde
My berd / myn heer / ]>at hangeth long adown
That neuere yet1 ne felte offensioun 2416
Of Easour / nor of Shere / I wol thee yiue (leaf 32, back]
And been thy trewe seruanf whil I lyue
Now lord haue routhe / vp on my sorwes soore
Yif me the victorie / I axe thee namoore 2420
IT The prayere stynfr of Arcita the stronge
The rynges / on the temple dore J>at honge
And eek1 the dores / clatereden ful faste
Of which Arcita / som what hym agaste 2424
The fires brende / vp on the Auter brighte
That it gan al the temple for to lighte
A swete smel / anoon the ground vp yaf1
And Arcita / anoon his hand vp haf1 2428
And moore encens / in to the fyr he caste
HENGWRT 69
70 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
With othere rytes mo / and at the laste
T| The statue of Mars / bigan his hauberk1 rynge
And with that sown / he herde a mwmurynge 2432
fful lowe and dym / and seyde thus / Victorie
ffor which / he yaf to Mars / honour and glorie
^T And thus with ioye / and hope / wel to fare
Arcite anoon / vn to his In is fare • 2436
As fayn as fowel / is of the brighte sonne
11 And right anoon / swich stryf ther is bigonne
ffor thilke grauntyng1 in the heuene aboue
Bitwixe Yenus / the goddesse of loue 2440
And Mars / the sterne god armipotente
That luppiter / was bisy it to stente
Til fat the pale / Saturnus the colde
That knew so manye / of auentures olde 2444
ffoond in his olde experience / an art1
That he ful soone / hath plesed euery part1
As sooth is seyd / elde hath greet auantage
In elde / is bothe wisdom and vsage 2448
Men may the olde atrenne and nat atrede
Saturne anoon / to stynten stryf and drede
Al be it / ]>ai it is agayn his kynde
Of al this stryf1 he kan remedie fynde 2452
^[ My deere doghter Venus / quod Saturne
My cours / that hath so wyde for to turne
Hath moore power / than woot any man
Myn is the drenchyng1 in the See so wan 2456
Myn is the prison / in the derke cote [leaf 33]
Myn is the stranglyng1 and hangyng by the throte
The murmur / and the cherles rebellynge
The groynyng1 and the pryuee empoysonynge 2460
I do vengeance / and pleyn correccion)
Whil I dwelle / in the signe of the leon)
Myn is the ruyne / of the heighe halles
The fallyng1 of the toures / and of the walles 2464
Vp on the Mynour / or the Carpenter
HENGWRT 70
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 71
I slow Sampson / shakyng the piler
And myne be / the maladies colde
The derke tresons / and the castes olde 2 40 8-
My lookyng1 is the fader of pestilence
Now weep namoore / I slial doon diligence
That Palamon / that is thyn owene knyght1
Shal haue his lady / as thow hast hym hight4 2472
Thogh Mars shal helpe his knyght1 yet nathelees
Bitwixe yow / ther moot be som tyme pees
Al be ye noght1 of o complexion)
That causeth al day / swich diuision) 2476
1 am thyn Aiel / redy at thy wille
"Weepe now namoore /I wol thy lust fulfille
IT Now wol I stynten / of the goddes aboue
Of Mars / and of Venus / goddesse of lone 2480
And telle yow / as pleynly as I kan
The grete effect1 . for which fat I bigan
[No gap in tlie MS.]
^T Greet was the feeste / in Atthenes that day
And eek the lusty seson) / of that May 2484
Made euery wight1 to been in swich plesaunce
That al that monday / lusten they and daunce
And spenden it1 in Yenus heigh seruyse
And by the cause / \a\, they sholde ryse 2488
Erly / for to seen the grete sight1
Yn to hir reste / wente they at nyghf
And on the morwe / whan the day gan sprynge
Of hors and harneys / noyse and claterynge 2492
Ther was in hostelryes / al aboute
And to the paleys / rood ther many a route
Of lordes / vp on steedes and palfreys
Ther maistow seen / deuysynge of harneys 2496
So vnkouth / and so ryche / and wroght so weel [leaf ss, back]
Of Goldsmythrye / of Broudyng1 and of steel
HENGWRT 71
72 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
The sheldes brighte / testers / and trappures
Goldhewen helmes / hauberkes / cote armures 2500
Lordes in parementz / on hir coursers
Knyghtes of retenue / and eek Squyers
Nailynge the speres / and the helmes bokelynge
Gyggynge of sheeldes / with layners lasynge 2504
Ther as nede is / they were no thyng ydel
The fomy steedes / on the golden brydel
Gnawynge / and faste the Armurers also
With fyle and hainer / prykyng to and fro 2508
Yemen on foote / and co??imunes many oon
With shorte staues / thikke as they may goon
Pipes / trompes / Nakers / Claryounes
That in the bataille / bio wen blody sownes 2512
The paleys ful of peples / vp and down
Heer thre / ther ten / holdynge hir questioun
Deuynynge / of thise Thebans knyghtes two
Somme seyde thus / so??zme seyden it shal be so 2516
Somme helden with hym / with the blake berd
So??zme with the balled / so?ftme 'with the thikke herd
Somme seyde / he looked grym / and he wolde fighte
He hath a Sparth / of .xx. pound of wighte 2520
Thus was the halle / ful of deuynynge
Longe after / ]>at the sonne gan to sprynge
^[ The grete Theseus / J>at of his sleepe awaked
With mynstralcye / and noyse fat was maked 2524
Held yet the chambres / of his paleys ryche
Til \>at the Theban) knyghtes / bothe yliche
Honoured /. weren in to the paleys fet
IF Due Theseus / is at a wyndow sef 2528
Arrayed / right as he weere a god in Trone
The peple preeseth / thiderward ful soone
Hym for to seen / and doon heigh reuerence
And eek / to herkne his heste / and his sentence 2532
Tf An heraud on a Scaffold / made an .00.
Til al the noyse / of the peple was ydo
HENGWRT 72
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 73
And whan he say the peple / of noyse al stille
Thus shewed he / the myghty dukes wille 2536
*jf The lord hath / of his heighe discretion) [leaf 343
Considred / }>at it were destruccion)
To gentil blood / to fighten in the gyse
Of mortal bataille / now in this emprise 2540
Wher fore / to shapen / j>at they shal noght dye
He wole / his firste purpos rnodifie
IF No man ther fore / vp on peyne / of los of lyf*
No manere shot1 ne polax / ne short knyf1 2544
In to the lystes sende / or thider brynge
Ne short swerd for to stoke / with point bitynge
No man ne drawe / ne bere it by his syde
Ne no man / shal vn to his felawe ryde 2548
But o cours / with a sharp ygrounde spere
ffoyrie if hym list on foote / hym self to were
And he J>at is at meschief / shal be take
And noght slayn / but be broght vn to the stake 2552
That shal been ordeyned / on eyther syde
But thider he shal bi force / and ther abyde
And if so falle / the Chiefteyn be take
On outher syde / or ellis sleen his make 2556
No lenger / shal the tourneying laste
God spede yow / go forth and ley on faste
With long swerd / and with mace / fighteth your fille
Go now youre wey / this is the lordes wille 2560
IF The voys of peple / touched the heuene
So loude cryde they / with loude steuene
God saue swich a lord / that is so good
He wilneth / no destruccion) of blood 2564
^F Vp goon the trompes / and the melodye
And to the lystes / ryt the compaignye
By ordinance / thurgh out the Citee large
Hanged with clooth of gold / and noght with sarge 2568
IF fful lyk a lord / this noble due gan ryde
Thise two Thebans / vp on eyther syde
HENGWRT 73
74 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And after rood the queene / and Emelye
And after that1 another conipaignye 2572
Of oon and oother / after hire degree
And thus they passen / thurgh out the Citee
And to the lystes / coome they bityme
It nas nat of the day / yet fully pryme 2576
^[ Whan set was Theseus / ful ryche and hye [leaf si, back]
Ypolita the queene / and Emelye
And othere ladyes / in degrees aboute
Vn to the setes / preeseth al the route 2580
.i. sub Marte
And westward / thrugh the gates vnder Marte
Arcite / and eek the hundred of his parte
With baner reed / is entred right anon
^[ And in that selus moment1 Palamon) 2584
Is vnder Yenus / Estward in the place
With baner whit1 / and hardy cheere and face
In al the world / to seken vp and down
So euene / with outen variacioun 2588
Ther nere / swiche compaignyes tweye
ffor ther was noon so wys / ]>ai koude seye
That any hadde / of oother auantage
Of worthynesse / ne of estaat ne age 2592
So euene / were they chosen for to gesse
And in two renges / faire they hem dresse
IT Whan ]>at hir names / rad were euerichon
That in hir nombre / gyle were ther noon 2596
Tho were the gates shef and cryd was loude
Do now youre deuoir / yonge knyghtes proude
*j[ The heraudes / lefte hir prikyng1 vp and down
Now ryngen trompes loude / and Clarioun 2600
Ther is namoore to seyn / but west1 and Est1
In goon the speres / ful sadly in the aresf
In gooth the sharpe spore / in to the syde
Ther seen men / who kan luste / and who kan ryde 2604
Ther shyueren shaftes / vp on sheeldes thikke
He feeleth / thurgh the herte spoon the prykke
HENGWRT 74
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 75
Yp spryngeth speres / twenty foot on highte
Out goon the swerdes / as the siluer brighte 2608
The helm.es they tohewen / and to-shrede
Out brest the blood / with sterne stremys rede
"With myghty maces / the bones they tobreste
He thurgh the thikkesf of the throng gan threste 2612
Ther stomblen steedes stronge / and doun gooth al
He rolleth vnder foot1 as dooth a bal
He foyneth on his feet1 with his tronchoun
And he hym hurteth / with his hors adoun 2616
He thurgh the body is hurt1 and sithen ytake [leaf ss]
Maugree his heed / and broght vn to the Stake
As forward was / right there he moste abyde
Another / lad is on that oother syde 2620
Tj" And som tyme / dooth hem Theseus to reste
Hem to refresshe / and drynken if hem leste
fful ofte a-day / haue thise Thebans two
Togydre ymet1 and wroght his felawe wo 2624
Vnhorsed hath ech oother / of hem tweye
Ther nas no tygre / in the vale of Galgopheye
Whan ]>ai hir whelp is stole / whan it is lyte
So cruel on the hunte / as is Arcite 2628
ifor lalous herte / vp on this Palamon)
Ne in Belmarye / ther nys so fel Icon)
That hunted is / or for his hunger wood
Ne of his praye / desireth so the blood 2632
As Palamon / to sleen his foo Arcite
The lalous strokes / on hir helmes byte
Out renneth blood / on bothe hir sydes rede
IT Som tyme an ende ther is / of euery dede 2636
ffor er the sonne / vn to the reste wente
The stronge kyng Emetrius / ga'n hente
This Palamon / as he faught with Arcite
And made his swerd / depe in his nessfr to byte 2640
And by the force of twenty / is he take
Vnyolden / and ydrawen to the stake
HENGWRT 75
76 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And in the rescous / of this Palamon)
The stronge kyng lygarge / is born adoun 2644
And kyng Emetrius / for al his strengthe
Is born out of his sadel / a swerdes lengthe
So hitte hym Palamon / er he were take
But al for noght1 he was broght to the stake 2648
His hardy herte / myghte hym helpe naught1
He moste abyde / whan Ipft he was caught1
By force / and eek by composicion)
1F Who sorweth now /' but woful Palamon) 2652
That moot namoore / goon agayn to fighte
And whan ]pat Theseus / hadde seen this sighte
Vn to the folk1 / that foghten thus echon
He cryde / hoo namoore / for it is doon 2656
I wol be trewe luge / and nat partye [leaf 35, back i
Arcite of Thebes / shal haue Emelye
That by his fortune / hath hire faire ywonne
Anon ther is a noyse of peple bigonne 2660
ffor ioye of this / so loude and heigh with alle
It semed / \a\> the lystes sholde falle
IF What kan now faire Venus / doon aboue
What s.eith she now / what dooth this queene of loue 2664
But wepeth so / for wantyng of hir wille
Til \ai hir teerys / in the lystes fille
She seyde / I am ashamed doutelees
^f Saturnus seyde / doghter hoold thy pees 2668
Mars hath his wyl / his knyghf hath al his boone
And by myn heed / thow shalt been esed soone
*f The trompours / with the loude Mynstralcye
The heraudes / ])at ful loude yelle and crye 2672
Been in hir wele / for ioye of daun Arcite
But herkneth me / and stynteth noyse a lite
Which a myracle / ther bifel anon
IT This fierse Arcite / hath of his helm ydon 2676
And on a Courser / for to shewe his face
He priketh / endelong1 the large place
IIENGWRT 76
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 77
Lookyng vpward / vp on this Emelye
And she agayn / hym caste a freendly eye 2680
. , . . ; . . . . no gap in the MS.]
And she was al his cheere / as in his herte
Out of the ground / a furye Infernal sterte 2684
ffrom Pluto sent* at requeste of Saturne
ffor which his hors / for feere gan to turne
And leep asyde / and foundred as he leepe
And er ]>at Arcite / may taken keepe 2688
He pighte hym / on the pomel of his heed
That in the place / he lay as he were deed
His "brest to brosten / with his Sadel "bowe
As blak he lay / as any col / or crowe 2692
So was the blood / yronnen in his face
Anon he was yborn out of the place
With herte soor / to Theseus Paleys
Tho was he coruen / out of his harneys 2696
And in a bed ybroghf ful faire and blyue
ifor he was yet1 in memorie and alyue
And alwey cryinge / after Emelye rieafse]
IF Due Theseus / with al his compaignye 2700
Is comen hoom / to Atthenes his Citee
"With alle blisse / and greet solempnytee
Al be it1 J>&t this auenture was falle
He nolde noght1 disconforten hem alle 2704
^f Men seyde eek1 Arcite / shal nat dye
He shal been heelyd / of his maladye
And of another thyng J they were as fayn
That of hem alle / was ther noon yslayn 2708
Al were they soore yhurt1 and namely oon
That MvitJi a Spere / was thirled the brest1 boon
IF To oothere woundes / and to broken armes
Somme hadden salues / and somnie hadden charmes 2712
ffermacyes of herbes and eek saue
They dronken / for they wolde hir lymes haue
HENGWRT 77
78 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
ffor which this noble due / as he wel kan
Conforteth / and honoureth euery man 2716
And made reuel / al the longe nyghfr
Yn to the straunge lordes / as was right*
IF NQ ther was holden to disconfitynge
But as a lustes / or a tourneyinge 2720
ffor soothly / there was no disconfiture
fFor fallyng1 . nys nat "but an auenture
!N"e to been had by force vn to the stake
Vny olden / and with twenty knyghtes take 2724
A persone allone / with outen mo
And haryed forth / by arm / foot1 / and to
And eek his steede / dryuen forth with staues
With footmen / bothe yemen and eek knaues 2728
It nas arretted hym / no vileynye
Ther may no man / clepe it cowardye
51 fFor which anoon / Due Theseus leet crye
To stynten / al rancour and enuye 2732
The gre / as wel of oo syde as of oother
And eyther syde ylyk1 as otheres brother
And yaf hem yiftes / after hir degree
And fully heeld a feeste / dayes three 2736
And conueyed / the kynges worthily
Out of his toun / a iournee largely
And hoom wente euery man / the righte way [leaf se, back]
Ther was namoore / but fare wel haue good day 2740
Of this bataille / I wol namoore endite
But speke of Palamon / and of Arcite U break in the MS. witK]
I 1 Explicit secunda
O welleth the brest of Arcite / and the soore ^ g™^. pars ^^
U Encreese that his herte / moore and moore & vltma
The clothered blood / for any lechecraff
Corrupteth / and is in his bouk / ylaft1
That neyther veyne blood / ne ventusynge
Ne drynke of herbes / may been his helpynge 2748
The vertu expulsyf / or animal
ffro thilke vertu / clepyd natural
HENGWRT 78
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 79
N"e may the venym / voyden'ne expelle
The pipes of his longes / gan to swelle 2752
And euery lacerte / in his brest adown
Is shenfr with venym and corrupcioun
Hym gayneth neither / for to gete his lyf
Yomyt vpward / ne downward laxatyf* 2756
Al is to brosten / thilke regioun
Mature / hath no dominaciouii
And certeinly / ther nature wol nat werche
ffare wel Phisyk1. go ber the man to cherche 2760
This al and som / ]>ai Arcita moot dye
ffor which / he sendeth after Emelye
And Palamon / fat was his cosyn deere
Thanne seyde he thus / as ye shal after heere 2764
fl" Nat may the woful spirit in myn herte
Declare a point1 of alle my sorwes smerte
To yow my lady / Ipat I loue moosfr
But I byquethe / the seruice of my goosf 2768
To yow / abouen euery creature
Syn ]>at my lyf / may no lenger dure
Alias the wo / alias the peynes stronge
That I for yow haue suffred / and so longe 2772
Alias the deeth / alias myn Emelye [leaf 37]
Alias / departyng1 of oure compaignye
Alias myn hertes queene / alias my wif
Myn hertes lady / endere of my lyf 2776
What is this world / what axeth men to haue
Now with his loue / now in his colde graue
2780
no gap in the MS.]
^[ I haue heer / with my cosyn Palamon)
Had stryf and rancour / many a day gon) 2784
ffor loue of yow / and for my lalousye
And luppiter / so wys my soule gye
HENGWRT 79
80 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
To speken / of a seruaunt proprely
With circumstaunces alle / trewely 2788
That is to seyn / trouthe / honour / knyghthede
Wisdom / humblesse / estaat / and heigh kynrede
ffredom / and al / that longeth to that art1
So luppiter / haue of my soule part1 2792
As in this world / right now ne knowe I non
So worthy to been loued / as Palamon
That serueth yow / and wol doon al his lyf1
And if 1p at enere / ye shal been a wyf1 2796
fforyet nat Palamon / the gentil man
And with that word / his speche faille gaii
ffor from his feet1 vp to his brest was come
The coold of deeth / fat hadde hym overcome 2800
And yet moore oner / for in his armes two
The vital strengthe / is lost1 and al ago
Oonly the Intellect1 with oute moore
That dwelled in his herte / syk and soore 2804
Gan faillen / whan the herte felte deeth
Dusked hise eyen two / and fayled breeth
But on his lady / yet caste he his eye
His laste word / was mercy Emelye 2808
His spirit chaunged hous / and wente ther
As I cam neuere / I kan nat tellen wher
Therfore I stynte / I nam no dyuynystre
Of soules / fynde I nat in this Eegistre 2812
Ne me ne lyst1 thilke opynyons to telle
Of hem / thogh pat they writen wher they dwelle
Arcite is coold / ther Mars his soule gye
Now wol I speken / forth of Emelye 2816
^[ Shrighte Emelye / and howleth Palamon [leaf 37, back]
And Theseus / his suster took anon
Swownynge / and baar hire fro the corps away
What helpeth it1 to tarien forth the day 2820
To tellen how she weepe / bothe eue and morwe
ffor in swich caas / wommen haue swich sorwe
HENGWRT 80
GROUP A- § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 81
Whan \a\> hir housbondes / been from hem ago
That for the moore part1 they sorwen so
Or ellis fallen / in swich a maladye
That at the laste / c^rteinly they dye
1T Infinite / been the sorwes and the teerys
Of olde folk1 . and folk of tend re yeerys
In all the town for the deeth of this Theban
ffor hym ther wepeth bothe child a[nd] man
So greet wepyng1 was ther noon certayn
Whan Ector was broght1 al fressh yslayn
To Troye / alias the pitee J>at was ther
Cracchynge of chekes / rentyng eek of heer
Why woldestow be deed / thise wo?ranen crye
And haddest gold ynow / and Emelye
IT No man / myghte glaclen Theseus
Sauyng* his olde fader Egeus
That knew / this worldes transmutacioun
As he hadde seyn it chaungen / bothe vp and down
loye after wo / and wo after gladnesse
And shewed hem / ensample and lyknesse
11 Right as ther deyed neuere man / quod he
That he ne lyued in erthe / in som degree
Bight so / ther lyued neuere man he seyde
In al this world / ]>«t som tyme he ne deyde
This world nys but a thurghfare / ful of wo
And we been pilgrymes / passynge to and fro
Deeth is an ende / of euery worldly soore
And ouer al this / yet seyde he muchel moore
To this effect* ful wysly / to enhorte
The peple / that they sholde hem reconforte
^f Due Theseus / with al his bisy cure
Caste now / wher that the sepulture
Of goode Arcite / may best ymaked be
And eek moost honurable / in his degree
And at the laste / he took conclusion)
That ther / as first1 Arcite and Palamon)
6 HENGWET 81
2328
2332
2836
2840
Argnmentum.
2844
2848
2852
2856
[leaf 38]
82 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Uadden for lone / the bataille hem bitwene
That in the selue groue / swoote and grene 2860
Ther as he hadde / hise amorouse desires
His compleinte / and for loue his hote fyres
He wolde make a fyr / in which the office
ffuneral / he myghte al acomplice 2864
And leet anoon comaimde / to hakke and hewe
The okes olde / and leyen hem on a re we
In colpons / wel arrayed for to brenne
Hise officers / with swifte feet they renne 2868
And ryde anoon / at his comandemenf
And after this / Theseus hath ysenf
After a Beere / and it al ouerspradde
With clooth of gold / the richeste Ipat he hadde 2872
And of the same suyte / he cladde Arcite
Vp on his handes / his gloues white
Eek on his heed / a coroune of laurer greene
And in his hand / a siverd ful bright and keene 2876
He leyde hym bare the visage / on the beere
Ther with he weepe / Ipat pitee was to heere
And for the peple / sholde seen hym alle
Whan it was day / he broghte hym to the halle 2880
That roreth / of the cryyng1 and the sown
Tho cam / this woful Theban -Palamoii)
With flotry berd / and ruggy asshy heerys
In clothes blake / ydropped al with teerys 2884
And passyng1 othere / of wepyng Emelye
The rufulleste / of al the compaignye
In as muche / as the seruyce sholde be
The moore noble / and ryche in his degree 2888
Due Theseus / leet forth thre steedes brynge
That trapped weren in steel al gliterynge
And couered with the armes / of daun Arcite
Vp on thise steedes / grete and whyte 2892
Ther seten folk / of which oon baar his sheeld
Another his spere / vp on his hondes heeld
HENGWRT 82
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 83
The thridde bar with hym / his bowe Turkeys
Of "brend gold / was the caas / and eek the harneys 2895
And ryden forth a paas / with sorweful cheere [leaf ss, back]
Toward the groue / as ye shul after heere
The nobleste of the Grekys / Ipat ther were
Vp on hir shiildres / carieden the beere 2900
With slakfe] paas / and eyen rede and weete
Thurgh out the Citee / by the maister streete
That sprad was al with blak1 and wonder hye
Right of the same / is the strete ywrye 2904
Vp on the right hand / wente olde Egeus
And on that oother syde / Duc< Theseus
With vessels in hir hand / of gold ful fyn
As ful of hony / melk / and blood and wyn 2903
Eek Palamon / with ful greet compaignye
And after that / cam woful Emelye
With fyr in hande / as was that tyme the gyse
To do the office / of funeral seruyse 2912
^F Heigh labour / and greet apparaillynge
Was at the seruyce / and the fyr makynge
That wz'tft his grene tope / the heuene raughte
And twenty fadme of brede / the armes straughte 2916
This is to seyn / the bowes / were so brode
Of stree first1 ther was leyd many a lode
But how the fyr was maked vp on highte
!N"e eek the names / how the trees highte 2920
As ook / ffyrre / Birch / Asp / Alder / holm / popler
Wylow / Elm / Plane / Assh / Box / Chestayn / lynde / laurer
Mapul / Thorn / Beech / hasyl / Ew / Whippultree
How they were feld / shal nat been told for me 2924
NQ how the goddes / ronnen vp and doun
Desherited / of hir habitacioun
In which they woneden / in reste and pees
Nymphes / ffawnes / and Amadrides 2923
Ne how the beestes / and the bryddes alle
ffledden / for fered / whan the wode was falle
HENGWBT 83
84 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Xo how the ground / agast was of the lyght1
That was nat wont1 to seen the sonne bright1 2932
Ne how the fyr / was couched first with stree
And thanne with drye stikkes / clouen a three
And thanne with grene wode / and spicerye
And thanne with clooth of gold / and with perrye 2936
And gerlandes hangynge / ful of many a flour [leaf 393
The Mine / thencens / with al so greet sauour
Ne how Arcite / lay among al this
Ne what richesse / aboute the body is 2940
Ne how that Emelye / as was the gyse
Putte in the fyr / of funeral seruyse
Ne how she swowned / whan men made the fyr
Ne what she spak1 ne what was hir desir 2944
Ne what luels / men in the fyr caste
Whan Ipai the fyr was greet' and brente faste
Ne how somme caste hir sheeld / and sowme hir spere
And of hir vestimentz / whiche Ipat they were 2948
And coppes fulle of Milk / and wyn and blood
In to the fyr / Ipak brente as it were wood
Xe how the Grekys / with An huge route
Times ryden / al the fyr aboute 2952
Vp on the left hand / with a loud shoutynge
And times / with hir speres claterynge
And times / how the ladyes gonne crye
And how pat lad / was hornward Emelye 2956
Ne how Arcite / is brent to Asshen colde
Ne how that lychwake / was yholde
Al thilke nyghtf ne how the grekys pleye
The wake pleyes / ne kepe I noght to seye 2960
Who wrastleth best naked / with oille enoynt1
Ne who Ipat baar hym best1 in no disioynfr
I wol nat tellen al / how [that] they goon
Hoom til Atthenes / whan the pleye is doon 2964
But shortly to the poynt1 than wol I wende
And maken / of my longe tale an ende
HENGWRT 84
GEOUP A. § 2. KXIGHI'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 85
IF By prices / and by lengths of certeyn yerys
Al stynt is / the moornynge and the terys 2968
Of Grekys / by oon general assent1
Tlianne semed me / ther was a parleinent1
At Atthenes / vp on a certeyn point1 and caas
Among the whiche pointes / y-spoken was 2972
To haue / with certeyn contrees alliance
And haue fully / of Thebans obeisance
ffor which this noble Theseus anon
Leet senden / after gentil Palamoii 2976
"Vnwist of hym / what was the cause and why [leaf 39, back]
But in his blake clothes / sorwefully
He cam at his comandement / in hye
Tho sente Theseus / for Emelye 2980
IT Whan they were set1 and hast was al the place
And Theseus / abiden hath a space
Er any word / cam from his wise brest/
His eyen sette he ther as was his lest1 2984
And with a sad visage / he siked stille
And after that1 right thus he seyde his wille
11" The firste moeuere / of the cause aboue Nofo
"Whan he first made / the faire cheyne of loue 2988
Greet was theffect1 and heigh was his entente
Wei wiste he why / and what ther of he mente
ffor with that faire cheyne of loue he boond
The fyr / the Eyr / the water / and the loond 2992
In certeyn boundes / Ipat they may nat flee
That same Prince / and that moeuere quod he
Hath stabliced / in this wrecched world adoun
Certeine dayes / and duracioun 2996
To al / that is engendred / in this place
Ouer the which day / they may nat pace
Al mo we they yet / tho dayes abregge
Ther nedeth / noon auctoritee to allegge 3000
ffor it is proued / by experience
But J>at me list1 declaren my sentence
HEXGWBT 85
86 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Thanne may men wel / by this ordre discerne
That thilke moeuere / stable is and eterne 3004
Wel may men knowe / but it be a fool
That euery part1 . is diryued from his hool
ffor nature / hath nat taken his bigynnyng*
Of no partie / or of cantel of a thyng^ 3008
But of a thyng1 . that parfit is and stable
Descendynge so / til it be corrumpable
And ther fore / for his wise purueiaunce
He hath / so wel biset his ordinaunce 3012
That specis of thynges / and progressions
Shullen enduren / by successions
And noght eterne / with outen any lye
This maistow vnderstonde / and seen at lye 3016
^[ Loo the ook / that hath so long a norisshynge [leaf 401
ffro the tyme / that it first gynneth sprynge
And hath so long a lyf / as ye may see
Yet at the laste / wasted is the tree 3020
1f Considreth eek / how fat the harde stoon
Vnder oure foot1 on which we ryde and goon
It wasteth / as it lyth by the weye
The brode Eyuer / scm tyme wexeth dreye 3024
The grete townes / se we wane and wende
Thanne se ye / fat al this thyng hath ende
Of man and womman / se we wel also
That nedeth / in oon of thise termes two 3028
This is to seyn / in youthe / or ellis age
He moot be deed / the kyng1 as shal a page
Som in his bed / som in the depe see
Som in the large feeld / as ye may se 3032
Ther helpeth noght1 al gooth that ilke weye
Thanne may I seyn / fat al this thyng moot deye
What maketh this 9 but luppiter the kyng1
That is Prince / and cause of alle thyng1 3036
Conuertyng / al vn to his propiB welle
ffrom which he is diryued sooth to telle
HENGWRT 86
GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 87
And heer agayns / no creature on lyue
Of no degree / auailleth for to stryue 3040
^[ Thanne is it wisdom / as it thynketh me
To niaken vertu / of necessitee
And take it wel /fiat \ve may nat eschue
And nameliche / that to vs alle is due 3044
And who so gruccheth oght1 he dooth folye
And rebel is / to hym J?at al may gye
And certeinly / a man hath moost honour
To dyen / in his excellence and flour 3048
Whan he is siker / of his goode name
Thanne hath he doon / his freend ne hym no shame
And gladder oghte / his freend been of his deeth
"Whan with honour / yolden is vp his breeth 3052
Than whan his name / apalled is for age
ffor al forgeten is his vasselage
Thanne is it best1 as for a worthy fame
To dyen / whan he is best of name 3056
IT The contrarie of al this / is wilfulnesse
Why grucchen we / why haue we heuynesse
That goode Arcite / of chiualrie flour [leaf 40, back]
Departed is / with duetee / and with honour 3060
Out of this fonle prison / of this lyf
Why gruccheth heere / his cosyn and his wyf/
Of his welfare / \>ai loueth hem so weel
Kan he hem thank1? nay good woot neuer a deel 3064
That bothe his soule / and eek hem self offende
And yet they mowe / hir lustes nat amende
IT What may I conclude / of this longe serye
But after wo / I rede vs to be merye 30t>8
And thanken luppiter / of al his grace
And er we / departen from this place
I rede we make / of sorwes two
0 par-fit loye / lastynge euere mo 3072
And loketh now / wher moost sorwe is her Inne
Ther wol I first1 ainenden and bigynne
HENGWRT 87
83 GROUP A. § 2. KNIGHT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT Suster quod lie / this is my ful assent1
With al thauys / hcor of my parlement 3076
That gentil Palamon / youre owene knyghtf
That serueth yow / -with wyl and herte myghfr
And euere hath doon / syn ye first hym knewe
That ye shal of youre grace vp on hym rewe 3080
And taken hym / for housbond and for lord
Leen me youre liond / for this is oure acord
Lat se now / of youre wo??mianly pitee
He is / a kynges brother sone parclee 3084
And thogh he were / a poure Bachiler
Syn he hath serued yow / so many a yeer
And had for yow / so greet aduersitee
It moste been considred / leueth me 3088
ffor gentil mercy / oghte to passen right1
If Thanne seyde he thus / to Palamon the knyghtf
I trowe / ther nedeth litel sermonyng1
To make yow / assente to this thyng1 3092
Com neer / and taketh youre lady by the liond
Bitwixe hem / was maad anon the bond
That highte matrymoigne / or mariage
By al the conseil / and the Baronage 3096
And thus / with alle blisse / and melodye
Hath Palamon / ywedded Emelye
And god / that al this world hath wroght [ieaf4i]
Sende hym his loue / that hath it deere aboghtf 3100
ifor now is Palamon / in alle wele
Lyuynge in blisse / in richesse / and in heele
And Emelye / hym loueth so tendrely
And he / hir serueth so gentilly 3104
That was ther no word hem bitwene
Of Jalousie / or any oother teene
Thus endeth Palamon / and Emelye
And god saue / al this faire compaignye Amen fa 3108
T Here is ended the Knyghtes tale fa
HENGWRT 88
GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. Hengwrt MS. 89
^[ The prologe of the Milleres tale &
fHan that the knyght1 hadde thus his tale ytoold
In al the compaignie / nas ther yong ne oold
That he ne seyde / it was a noble Storie
And worthy / for to drawen to memorie 3112
And namely / the gentils euerichon
IT Oure hoost lough / and swoor so moot I gon
This gooth aright1 vnbokeled is the male
Lat se now / who shal telle another tale 3116
ffor trewely / the game is wel bigonne
Now telleth ye sire Monk / if Ipat ye konne
Som what / to quite with the knyghtes tale
IF The Millere / that for-dronken was a pale 3120
So that vnnethe / vp on his hors he sat
He nolde aualen / neither hood ne hat
Ne abiden no man / for his curteisye
But in Pilates voys / he gan to crye 3124
And swoor by armes / and by blood and bones
I kan a noble tale / for the nones
With which / I wol now quite the knyghtes tale
11" Oure Hoost saugh / pat he was dronke of ale 3128
II And seyde / abyde Eobyii leeue brother [leaf «, back]
Som bettre man / shal telle vs first another
Abyde / and lat vs werken thriftily
IT By goddes soule quod he / that wol naf I 3132
ffor I wol speke / or ellis go my wey
1T Oure Hoost answerde / tel on a deuele wey
Thow art a fool / thy wit is ouercome
IT Now herkneth quod the Millere / alle and some 3136
But first1 1 make a protestacioun
That I am dronke / I knowe it by my sown
And therfore / if jxzt I mysspeke / or seye
Wite if / the ale of Southwerk1 1 preye 3140
7 HENGWRT 89
90 GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. Hengwrt MS.
ffor I wol telle / a legende and a lyf
Bothe of a Carpenter / and of his wyf
How fat a clerk1 hath set the wrightes cappe
IT The Eeue answerde / and seyde stynt thy clappe 3144
Lat be / thy lewed dronken harlotrye
It is a synne / and eek a greet folye
To apeyren any man / or hym diffame
And eek to bryngen wyues / in swich fame 3148
Thow mayst ynow / of othere thynges seyn
1F This dronken Millere / spak ful soone ageyn
And seyde / leeue brother Osewold!
Who hath no wyf / he is 110 Cokewold? 3152
But I seye nat ther-fore / fat thow art oon
Ther been ful goode wyues many oon
......... no gap in the MS.] 3156
Why artow angry / wit my tale now
I haue a wyf pardee / as wel as thow
Yet nolde I / for the oxen in my plough
Take vp on me / moore than ynough 3160
As demen of my self / fat I were oon
I wol bileeue wel / fat I am noon
An housbonde / shal noght been Inquisityf/
Of goddes pryuetee / nor of his wyf1 3164
So he may fynde / goddes foyson there
Of the remenant1 nedeth noght1 enquere
IT What sholde I moore seyn / but this Millere
He nolde his wordes / for no man forbere
But tolde his cheiies tale / in his manere
Me athynketh / that I shal reherce it heere
And ther-fore / euery gentil wight I preye [leaf 42]
Demeth noght1 for goddes loue / fat I seye 3172
Of yuel entente / but for I moot reherse
Hir tales alle / be they bet or werse
Or ellis falsen / som of my matere
And ther-fore / who so list it noght yhere 3176
HENGWRT 90
GROUP A. § 3. MILLER'S PROLOGUE. Hengwrt MS. 91
Turne ouer the leef / and chese another tale
ffor he shal fynde ynowe / grete and smale
Of storial thyng* that toucheth gentilesse
And eek moralitee / and holynesse 3180
Blameth noght me / if \a\> ye chese amys
The Millere is a cherl / ye knowe wel this
So was the Eeue eek1 and othere mo
And harlotrye / they tolden bothe two 3184
Auyseth yow / and put me out of blame
And eek1 men shal noghtt maken ernest of game
[Slight break in the MS.]
HENGWRT 91
92 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
^[ Here bigynneth tlie Millerys tale fa
fhilom ther was dwellyng at OxenforcH
A riche gnof* that gestes heeld to bord* 3188
And of his craft1 he was a Carpenter
With hym. ther was dwellynge a poure Scoler
Hadde lerned art1 but al his fantasie
Was turned / for to leere Astrologie 3192
And koude / a certeyn of conclusions
To demen / by interrogacions
If j>at men axed hym / in certein houres
Whan J)«t men sholde haue droghte / or ellis shoures 3196
Or if men axed hym / what shal bifalle
Of euery thyng / I may nat rekene hem alle
5f This clerk / was clepyd hende Nicholas
Of derne loue he koude / and of solas 3200
And ther-to he was sleigh / and ful pryuee
And lyk a mayde meke / for to see
A chambre hadde he / in that hostelrie
Allone / with-outen any compaignye 3204
fful fetisly dight / with herbes swoote
And he hym self1 as sweete as is the roote
Of lycorys / or any Cetuale [leaf 42, back]
His Almageste / and bookes grete and smale 3208
His Astrelabye / longynge for his Art1
His Augrym stones / layen faire a part1
On shelues couched / at his beddes heed
His presse / ycouered with a ffaldyng reed 3212
And al aboue / ther lay a gay Sautrye
On which / he made a nyghtes melody e
So swetely / J?at al the chambre roong1
And Angelus ad virginem / he soong^ 3216
And after that1 he soong the kynges note
fful often blissed was / his murye throte
HENGWRT 92
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 93
And thus this swete clerk / his tyme spente
After his freendes fyndyng1 and his rente 3220
IT This Carpenter / hadde wedded newe a wyf
Which J?at he louede / moore than his lyf
Of .xviij. yeer / she was of age
lalous he was / and heeld hire narwe in Cage 3224
if or she was wilde and yong / and he was old
And demed hyni self / been lyk a Cokewold?
He knew nat Catofi / for his wit was rude
That bad / uSln sholde wedde his similitude 3228
Men sholde wedden / after hir estaat
ffor youthe and Elcle / is often at debaat
But sith \>at he / was fallen in the snare
He moste endure / as oother folk* his care 3232
1T ffair was this yonge wyf / and ther with al
As any wesele / hir body gent and smal
A ceynt she werde / barred al of sylk/
A barmclooth / as whit as morne Mylk1 3236
Vp on hir lendes / ful of many a goore
Whit was hir smok1 and broyden al bifoore
And eek bihynde / on hir coler aboute
Of col blak silk / with-Inne and eek w*'M-oute 3240
The tapes / of hir white voluper
Were of the same sute / of hir coler
Hir filet brood of sylk1 and set ful hye
And sikerly / she hadde a likerous lye 3244
fful smale ypulled / were hir browes two
And tho were bent / and blake as is a slo
She was ful moore / blisful on to see [leaf 43]
Than is the newe / Pereionette tree 3248
And softer / than the wolle is of a wether
And by hir girdel / heeng a purs of lether
Tasseled with silk / and perled with latoun
In al this world / to seken vp and doun 3252
Ther nys no man so wys / J?«t koude thenche
So gay a Popelote / or swich a wenche
HENGWRT 93
94 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
fful brighter was /,the shynyng of hir hewe
Than in the Tour / the noble y forged iiewe 3256
But of hir soong1 it was as loude and yerne
As any swalwe / sittyng on a Berne
Ther-to / she koude sldppe / and make game
As any kyde / or Calf / folwynge his dame 3260
Hir mouth was sweete / as Bragot1 or the meeth
Or hoord of Apples / leyd in hey or heeth
Wynsynge she was / as is a ioly Colt1
Loong as a Mast / and vprighte as a bolt1 3264
A brooch she baar / vp on hir loue coler
As brood / as is the boos of a Bokeler
Hir shoes were laced / on hir legges hye
She was a Prymerole / a piggesnye 3268
ifor any lord / to leggen in his bedde
Or yet1 for any good yeman to wedde
^F Now sire and eft sire / so bifel the cas
That on a day / this heiide Nicholas 3272
ffil with this yonge wyf / to rage and pleye
"Whil Ipat hir housbonde / was at Osneye
As clerkes been / ful subtil and ful queynte
And pryuely / he caughte hire by the queynte 3276
And seyde ywys / but if ich haue my wille
ifor derne loue / of thee lemman I spille
And heeld hire harde / by the haunche bones
And seyde lemman / loue me al atones 3280
Or I wol dyen / al so god me saue
And she sproong1 as a Colt dooth in the Traue
And with hir heed / she wryed faste awey
She seyde I wol nat kisse thee by my fey 3284
AVy lat be quod ich / lat be Nicholas
Or I wol crye / out harrow and alias
Do wey youre handes / for youre curteisye clears, back]
^[ This Nicholas / gan mercy for to crye 3288
And spak so faire / and profred hym so faste
That she hir loue / hym graunted atte laste,
HENGWRT 94
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 95
And swoor hir ooth / by Seint Thomas of Kent1
That she wolde been / at his comaundement 3292
Whan J?at she may / hir leyser wel espie
Myn housbonde / is so ful of Jalousie
That but ye waite wel / and been pryuee
I woot right wel / I nam but deed quod she 3296
Ye moste been ful derne / as in this cas
IT Nay ther of / care thee noght quod Nicholas
A clertf hadde lutherly / biset his while
But if he koude / a Carpenter bigyle 3300
And thus they been acorded and y-sworn
To waite a tyme / as I haue told biforn
Whan Nicholas / hadde doon thus euerydel
And thakked hire / vp on the lendes wel 3304
He kiste hir sweete / and taketh his sautrye
And pleyeth faste / and maketh melodye
1T Thanne fil it thus / \>ai to the parissh chirche
Cristes owene werkes / for to wirche 3308
This goode wyf / wente on an haliday
Hir forheed shoon / as bright as any day
So was it wasshen / whan she leet hir werk1
IT Now was ther of that chirche a parissh clerk1 3312
The which / Ipat was yclepid Absolon
Crul was his heer / and as the gold it shoon
And strouted as a ffanne / large and brode
fful streight and euene / lay his ioly shode 3316
His rode was reed / hise eyen greye as goos
With Poules wyndow / coruen on his shoos
In hoses rede / he wente fetisly
Yclad he was / ful smal and proprely 3320
Al in a kirtel / of a light waget
fful faire and thikke / been the pointes set l [i set later]
And ther vp on / he hadde a gay surplys
As whit1 as is the blosme vp on the rys 3324
A murye child he was / so god me saue
Wel koude he laten blood / and clippe and shaue
HENGWRT 95
96 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And maken a chartre of lond / or Aquitaunce [leaf 44]
On twenty manere / koude he trippe and daunce 3328
After the scole / of Oxenford tho
And with his legges / casten to and fro
And pleyen songes / on a smal Rubible
Ther-to he soong som tyme / a loud quynyble 3332
And as wel / koude he pleye on a gyterne
In al the town / nas Brewhous ne Tauerne
That he ne visited / with his solas
Ther any gaylard tappestere was 3336
But sooth to seyn / he was som del squaymous
Of fartyng / and of speche daungerous
^[ This Absolon / J?«t ioly was and gay
Gooth with a sencer / on the haliday 3340
Sensynge the wyues / of the parisshe faste
And many a louely look / on hem he caste
And namely / on this Carpenters wyf
To looke on hire / hym thoughte a murye lyf 3344
She was so propre and sweete and likerous
I dar wel seyn / if she hadde been a Mous
And he a cat1 he wolde hir hente anon
This parisshe cleric1 this ioly Absolon » 3348
Hath in his herte / swich a loue longynge
That of no wyf / ne took he noon offrynge
ffor curteisye / he seyde he wolde noon
The Moone / whan it was nyghf ful brighte shoon 3352
And Absolon / his gyterne / hath ytake
ffor paramours / he thoghte for to wake
And forth he gooth / iolyf and amorous
Til he cam / to the Carpenters hous 3356
A litel after the cokkes hadde ycrowe
And dressed hym vp / by a shot wyndowe
That was / vp on the Carpenters wal
He syngeth / in his voys / gentil and smal 3360
Now deere lady / if thy wille be
I prey yow / ]>at ye wol rewe on me
HENGWRT 96
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 97
fful wel acordanf to his giternynge
This Carpenter awook1 and herde hym synge 3364
And spak1 vn to his wyf / and seyde anon
What Alison / herestow noght Absolon
That chaunteth thus / vnder oure boures wal Deaf 44, back]
^[ And she / answerde hir housbonde / ther with al 3368
Yis god woot lohii / I here it euerydel
This passeth forth / what wol ye bet than wel
ffro day to day / this ioly Absolon
So woweth hire / Ipat hym is wo bigon 3372
He waketh al the nyghf and al the day
He kembed his lokkes brode / and made hym gay
He woweth hire by meenes / and brocage
And swoor / he wolde been hir owene page 3376
He syngeth brokkyng* as a nyghtyngale
He sente hir pymenfr Meeth / and spiced Ale
And wafres pipyng hoot / out of the gleede
And for she was of towne / he profred meede 3380
ffor som folk / wol be wonnen for richesse
And som for strokes / and som for gentilesse ICM>™ $•£&*£
Som tyme to shewe / his lightnesse and maistrye
He pleyeth Herodes / vp on a scaffold hye 3384
Bat what auailleth hym / as in this cas
She loueth so / this hende Nicholas
That Absolon / may bio we the Bukkes horn
He ne hadde for his labour / but a scorn 3388
And thus she maketh / Absolon hir Ape
And al his ernest / turneth til a Tape
fful sooth is this prouerbe / it is no lye
Men se'th right thus / alwey the neighe slye 3392
Maketh / the ferre leeue to be looth
ffor thogh Ipat Absolon / be wood or wrooth
By cause / ]>at he fer was from hir sighte
This neighe Nicholas / stood in his lighte 3396
IT Now bere thee wel / thow hende Mcholas
ffor Absolon / may waille / and synge alias
HENGWRT 97
98 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT And so bifel if on a Saterday
This Carpenter / was goon til Osenay 3400
And hende Nicholas / and Alison)
Acorded been / to this conclusion)
That Nicholas / shal shapen hem a wile
This sely lalous housbonde / to bigile 3404
And if so be / this game wente aright1
She sholde slepen / in his arm al nyghtt
ffor this was hir desir / and his also [leaf 45]
And right anoon / with-outen wordes mo 3408
This Nicholas / no lenger wolde tarie
But dooth ful softe / vn to his chambre carie
Bothe mete and drynke / for a day or tweye
And to hir housbonde / bad hir for to seye 3412
If Jjat he axed / after Nicholas
She sholde seye / she nyste wlier he was
Of al that day / she seigh hym nought wii/i lye
She trowed / ]>at he was in maladye 3416
ffor / for no cry / hir mayde koude hym calle
He nolde answere / for no thyng Ipat myghte i'alle
If This passeth forth / al thilke Saterday
That Nicholas / stille in his chambre lay 3420
And eef and sleepe / or dide what hym leste
Til Sonday / Ipat sonne gooth to reste
If This sely Carpenter / hath greet meruaille
Of Nicholas / or what thyng myghte hym aille 3424
And seyde / I am adrad / by Seint Thomas
It stondeth nat aright1 with Nicholas
God shilde / \>at he deyde sodeynly
This world is now / ful tikel sikerly 3428
I seigh to day a corps / born to chirche
That now a monday last1 I seigh hym wirche
Go vp quod he / vn to his knaue anoon
Clepe at his dore / or knokke with a stoon 3432
Looke how it is / and tel me boldely
IT This knaue gooth hym vp / ful sturdily
HENGWRT 98
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 99
And at the chambre dore / whil j?at lie stood
He cryde and knokked / as jjat he were wood 3436
What how / what do ye maister Mcholay
How may ye slepen / al the longe day
But al for noghtt he herde nat a word
An hole he foond / ful lowe vp on a bord 3440
Ther as the Cat / was wont In for to crepe
And at that hole / he looked In fnl depe
And atte laste / he hadde of hym a sighte
IF This Nicholas / sat enere capyng vp-righte 3444
As he hadde kiked / on the newe moone
Adown he gooth / and tolde his maister soone
In what array / he saw this ilke man [leaf 45, back]
1T This Carpenter / to blessen hym bigan 3448
And seyde / help vs seinte ffrideswyde
A man woot litel / what hym shal bityde
This man is falle / with his Astromye
In som woodnesse / or in som Agonye 3452
I thoghte ay wel / how J>at it sholde be
Men sholde noght knowe / of goddes pn'uetee
Ye blissed be alwey / a lewed man
That noghtt but oonly his bileue kan 3456
So ferde another clerk1 with Astromye
He walked in the feeldes / for to prye
Vp on the sterres / what ther sholde bifalle
Til he was / in a Marie pit y falle 3460
He saw nat thaf but yet by Seint Thomas
Me reweth sore / for hende Nicholas
He shal be rated / of his studiyng1
If ]>ai I may / by Ihesus heuene kyngH 3464
Get me a staf / jjat I may vnder-spore
Whil ]?at thow Robyn / heuest vp the dore
He shal out of his studyyng1 as I gesse
And to the chambre dore / he gan hym dresse 3468
His knaue / was a strong carl / for the nones
Aod by the haspe / he haaf it vp atones
HENGWRT 99
100 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
In to the floor / the dore fil anoon
This Nicholas / sat ay as stille as stoon 3472
And euere caped vp / in to the Eyr
This Carpenter / wencle he were in despeyr
And hente hym / by the sholdres myghtily
And shook hym liarde / and cryde spitously 3476
What Nicholay / what how looke acloim
Awake / and thenk on Cristes passioun
I crouche thee / from Elues and fro wightes
Ther-with the nyght spel / seyde he anon rightes 3480
On foure halues / of the hous aboute
And on the thresshfold' / on the dore with-oute
Ihesu crisf and Seinf Benedight1
Blesse this hous / from euery wikked wightf 3484
ffor the nyghtesuerye / the white Pater noster
Where wentestow / seinte Petres suster
And at the laste / this hende Nicholas [leaf 46]
Gan for to sike score / and seyde alias 3488
Shal al the world / be lost eft soones now
IT This Carpenter answerde / what seistow
What thenk / on god / as we doon men J>#t swynke
IT This Nicholas answerde / fecche me drynke 3492
And after / wol I speke in pryuetee
Of certein thyng / J>at toucheth me and thee
I wol telle it / noon oother man certayn
IF This Carpenter gooth doim / and comth agayn 3496
And broghte of myghty ale / a large quart1
And whan jjat eech of hem / hadde dronke his part1
This Nicholas / his dore faste shette
And doun the Carpenter / by hym he sette 3500
And seyde / lohn / myn hoost1 lief and deere
Thou shalt vp on thy trouthe / swere me heere
That to no wight1 thou shalt this conseil wreye
ifor it is cristes conseil / that I seye 3504
And if thou telle it1 man thou art forlore
ffor this vengeaunce / thow shalt haue ther fore
HENGWRT 100
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 101
That if thow wreye me / thow shalt be wood
1T Nay Crist forbede it / for his holy blood 3508
Quod tho this sely man / I nam no labbe
And thogh I seye / I nam nat lief to gabbe
Sey what thow wolf I shal it neuere telle
To child ne wyf / by hym that harwed helle 3512
^F Now lohfi quod Nicholas / I wol noght lye
I haue yfounde / in myn Astrologye
As I haue looked / in the moone bright*
That now a monday next1 at quarter nyght1 3516
Shal falle a reyn / and that so wilde and wood
That half so greet1 was neuere Nowels flood
This world he seyde / in lasse than in an hour
Shal al be dreyntt so hidous is the shour 3520
Thus shal man-kynde drenche / and lese hir lyf
IF This Carpenter answerde / alias my wyF
And shal she drenche / alias myn Alisoun
ffor sorwe of this / he fil almoost adoun 3524
And seyde / is ther no remedie in this cas
IF Why yis for gode / quod hende Nicholas
If thow wolt werken / after loore and reed [leaf 46, back]
Thow mayst noght werken / after thyn owene heed 3528
ffor thus seith Salomon / Jj&t was ful trewe
Werk al by conseil / and thow shalt noght rewe
And if thow werken wolf by good consayl
I vndertake / with-outen mast1 or sayl 3532
Yit shal I saue hire / and thee and me
Hastow nat herd / how saued was Noe
Whan J>at oure lord / hadde warned hym biforn
That al the world / with water sholde be lorn 3536
1T Yis quod this Carpenter / ful yore ago
1T Hastow nat herd / quod Nicholas also
The sorwe of Noe / with his felaweshipe
Er J>at he myghte / gete his wyf to shipe 3540
Hym hadde leuere / I dar wel vndertake
At thilke tyme / than alle hise wetheres blake
HENGWRT 101
102 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
That she hadde had a shipe / hir self allone
And ther-fore / wostow what is best to done 3544
This axeth haste / and of any hastyf thyng1
Men may noght preche / or maken tariyng1
Anoon go gete vs faste / in to this In
A knedyng trogh / or ellis a kymelyn 3548
ffor eech of vs / but looke Ipat they be large
In whiche we mowen swymme / as in a barge
And han ther-Inne / vitaille suffisaunfr
But for a day / fy on the remenaunf 3552
The water shal aslake / and goon away
Aboute pryme / vp on the nexte day
But Eobyn may nat wite of this / thy knaue
Ne eek1 thy mayde Gille / I may nat saue 3556
Axe noght why / for thogh thou axe me
I wol noght1 tellen goddes pryuetee
Suffiseth thee / but if thy wittes madde
To han as greet a grace / as Noe hadde 3560
Thy wif shal I wel sauen / out of doute
Go now thy wey / and speed thee heer aboute
But whan thou hast / for hire and thee and me
Ygeten vs / thise knedyng1 tubbes thre 3564
Thanne shaltow hangen hem / in the roof ful hye
That no man / of oure purueiance espye
And whan thow thus hast doon / as I haue seyd [leaf 47]
And hast oure vitaille / faire in hem yleyd 3568
And eek an Ax / to smyte the corde atwo
Whan J)#t the water cometh / j>at we may go
And breke an hole / an heigh vp on the gable
Vn to the gardynward / ouer the stable 3572
That we may frely / passen forth oure wey
Whan J?cit the grete shour / is goon awey
Thanne shaltow swymme / as murye I vndertake
As dooth the white doke / after his drake 3576
Thanne woltow clepe / how Alison / how Io!m
Be murye / for the flood wol passe anon
HENGWRT 102
. GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 103
And thou wolt seyn / hail maister Mcholay
Good morwe / I see thee wel / for it is day 3580
And thanne shal we be lordes al oure lyf/
Of al the world / as Noe and his wyf/
But of o thyng / I warne thee fill right
Be wel auysed / on that ilke nyght1 3584
That we been entred / in to shippes bord
That noon of vs / ne speke noght a word
Ne clepe ne crye / but been in his prayere
ffor it is / goddes owene heste deere 3588
Thy wyf and thow / mote hange fer atwynne
ffor ]pat bitwix yow / shal be no synne
Namoore in lookyng / than ther shal in dede
This ordinaunce is seyd / go god thee spede 3592
Tomorwe at nyght1 whan men been alle aslepe
In to oure knedyng1 tubbes / wol we crepe
And sitten there / abidyng goddes grace
Go now thy wey / I haue no lenger space 3596
To make of this / no lenger sermonyng1
Men seyn thus / seend the wise and sey no thyng1
Thow art so wys / it nedeth thee nat teche
Go saue oure lyf1 and that I thee biseche 3600
U This sely Carpenter / gooth forth his wey
iful ofte he seyde / alias and weylaway
And to his wyf / he tolde his pn'uetee
And she was war / and knew it bet than he * 3604
What al this queynte cast1 was for to seye
But nathelees / she ferde as she wolde deye
And seyde alias / go forth thy wey anon [leaf 47, back]
Help vs to scape / or we been dede echon 3608
I am thy trewe / verray wedded wyf1
Go deere spouse / and help to saue oure lyf
IF Lo which a greet thyng / is affeccion)
Men may dyen / of ymaginacion) 3612
So depe / may impression) be take
This sely Carpenter / bigynneth quake
HENGWRT 103
104 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Hym thynketh verrailiche / ]pat he may se
Noes flood / come walwyng as the see 3616
To drenchen Alison) / his hony deere
He wepeth / waileth / maketh sory cheere
He siketh / w^t/i fill many a sory swogli
And gooth / and geteth hym a knedyng* trogh 3620
And after / a tubbe and a kymelyn
And prynely / he sente hem to his In
And heeng hem / in the roof in pn'uetee
His owene hand / he made laddres thre 3624
To clymben / by the ronges and the stalkes
Vn to the tubbes / hangyng1 in the balkes
And hem vitailed / bothe trogh and tubbe
With breed and chese / and good ale in a Iiibbu 3628
Suffisynge right ynogh / as for a day
But er Ipat he hadde maad / al this array
He sente his knaue and / eek his wenche also
Vp on his nede / to london for to go 3632
And on the monday / whan it drogh to nyght1
He shette his dore / with-outen candel lyghfr
And dressed alle thyng1 as it sholde be
And shortly / vp they clomben alle thre 3636
They seten stille / wel a furlong way
Now Pater noster / clom seyde Nicholay
And clum quod lohii / and clum seyde Alison)
This Carpenter / seyde his deuocion) 3640
And stille he sit1 and biddeth his prayere
Awaitynge on the reyn / if he it heere
1F The dede sleepe / for wery bisynesse
ml on this Carpenter / right as I gesse 3644
Aboute corfew tynie / or litel moore
ffor trauaillyng of his goost1 he groneth soore
And eft he routeth / for his heed myslay [leaf 48]
IF Doun of the laddre / stalketh Mcholay 3648
And Alison) / ful softe adoun she spedde
With-outen wordes mo / they goon to bedde
HENGWRT 104
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 105
Ther as the Carpenter / is wont to lye
Ther was the reuel / and the melodye 3652
And thus lyth Alison) / and Nicholas
In busynesse of myrthe / and in solas
Til that the belle of laudees / gan to rynge
And freres in the chauncel / gonne synge 3656
1T This parissh" clerk1 this amorous Absolon)
That is for lone / alwey so wo bigon
Yp on the monday / was at Osneye
With compaignye / hym to disporte and pleye 3660
And axed vp on caas / a Cloistrer
fful pryuely / after John the Carpenter
And he drogh hym a part1 out of the cherche
And seyde I noof I saugh hym here noght werche 3664
Sith Saterday / I trowe pat he be went
ffor tymber / ther oure Abbot hath hym sent1
ffor he is wont1 for tymber for to go
And dwellen atte graunge / a day or two 3668
Or ellis / he is at his hous certeyn
Where jjat he be / I kan noght soothly seyn
IF This Absolon / ful iolyf was and lyghf
And thoghte / now is tyme to wake al nyghtf 3672
ffor sikerly / I saugh hym noght stirynge
Aboute his dore / syn day bigan to sprynge
So mote I thryue / I shal at Cokkes crowe
fful pn'uely / knokken at hys wyndowe 3676
That stant ful lowe / vp on his boures wal
To Alison / now wol I tellen al
My loue longyng1 . for yit I shal nat mysse
That at the leeste wey / I shal hir kisse 3680
Som manere confort1 / shal I haue parfay
My mouth hath icched / al this longe day
That is a signe of kissyng1 atf the leeste
Al nyght me mette eek / I was at a feeste 3684
Ther-fore I wol go slepe / an houre or tweye
And al the nyght1 than wol I wake and pleye
8 HENGWRT 106
106 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IF Whan J>at the firste cok1 hath crowe anon [leaf 48, back]
Vp rist / this ioly louere Absolon 3688
And hym arrayeth gay / at point deuys
But first / he cheweth grayn and likorys
To smellen swete / er he hadde kembd his heer
Vnder his tonge / a trewe loue he beer 3692
ffor ther by / wende he to be gracious
He rometh / to the Carpenters hous
And stille he stanf vnder the shot wyndowe
Yii to his brest1 it raughte / it was so lowe 3696
And ofte he cogheth / with a semy sown
What do ye hony comb / swete Alisoun
My faire bryd / my swete cynamone
Awaketh lemman myn / and speketh to me 3700
Wei litel thynken ye / vp on my wo
That for youre loue / I swete ther I go
No wonder is / thogh J?at I swelte and swete
I moorne / as dooth a lamb / after the tete 3704
Ywis lemman / I haue swich loue longyng1
That lyk a turtle trewe / is my moornyng1
I may nat ete / namoore than a mayde
IF Go fro the wyndow / lakke fool she sayde 3708
As help me god / it wol nat be com pa me
I loue another / and ellis I were to blame
Wei bet than thee / by Ihesu Absolon
Go forth thy wey / or I wol caste a stoon 3712
And lat me slepe / a twenty deuele wey
II Alias quod Absolon / and weilawey
That trewe loue / was euere so yuel biset1
Thanne kys me / syn )>at it may be no bet1 3716
ffor Ihesus loue / and for the loue of me
11 Woltow thanne / go thy wey ther- with quod she
IF Ye certes lemman / quod this Absolon
1F Thanne make thee redy quod she / I come anon 3720
.......... no gap in the MS.]
IF This Absolon / doun sette hym on his knees
HENGWUT 106
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 107
And seyde / I am a lord / at alle degrees 3724
ffor after this / I hope ther cometh moore
Lemman thy grace / and swete bryd thyn oors
IF The wyndow she vndooth / and that in haste
Haue do quod she / com of and speed thee faste 3728
Lest ]pat oure neghebores / thee espye peaf 49]
IF This Absolon / gan wipe his mouth ful drye
Derk was the nyght1 as pych / or as the cole
And at the wyndow / out she putte hir, hole 3732
And Absolon / hym fil no bet ne wers
But with his mouth / he kiste hir naked crs fa NO«« maium quid
fful sauouiiy / er he were war of this
Abak he sterte / and thoghte it was ainys 3736
ffor wel he wiste / a womman hath no berd
He felte a thyng al rogh / and longe y-herd
And seyde fy alias / what haue I do
IF Te hee quod she / and clapte the wyndow to 3740
And Absolon / gooth forth a sory paas
5F A berd / a berd / quod hende Nicholas
By goddes corpus / this gooth faire and wel
5F This sely Absolon / herde euery del 3744
And on his lippe / he gan for anger byte
And to hym self / he seyde I shal thee quyte
IF Who rubbeth now / who froteth now his lippes
With dust1 with sond / with straw / with clooth/wM chippes
But Absolon / ]>at seith ful ofte alias
My soule / bitake vn to Sathanas
But me were leuere / than al this town quod he
Of this despit1 awreken for to be 3752
Alias quod he / alias I ne hadde ybleynfr
His hote loue was coold / and al yqueynt
ffor fro that tyme / }>at be hadde kist hir ers
Of paramours / he sette noght a kers 3756
ffor he was heelyd / of his maladye
fful ofte paramours / he gan defye
And weep / as dooth a child J?at is ybete
A softe paas / he went.ouer the strete 3760
HENGWRT 107
108 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Vn til a smyth / men clepen daun Gerueys
That in his forge / smythed plogh harneys
He sharpeth shaar / and cultour bisily
This Absolon / knokketh al esily 3764
And seyde / vndo Gerueys and that ano<Jn
1F What who artow^/ it am I Absolon /
What Absolon / what Cristes swete tree
Why rise ye so rathe / ey benedicitee 3768
What eyleth yow / som gay gerl / god it woot1 Deaf 49, back]
Hath broght yow thus / vp on the viritoot1
By Seinte note / ye woot wel what I mene
IT This Absolon / ne roghte nat a bene 3772
Of al his pley / no word agayn he yaf*
He hadde nioore tow / on his dystaf1
Than Gerueys knew / and seyde freend so deere
That hoote cultour / in the chymenee heere 3776
As lene it me / I haue ther-with to doone
I wol brynge it thee / agayn ful soone
II Gerueys answerde / certes were it gold
Or in a poke / nobles al vntold 3780
Thow sholdest haue / as I am trewe Smyth
Ey Cristes foo / what wol ye do ther-with
H Ther-of quod Absolon / be as be may
I shal wel telle it thee / another day 3784
And caughte the cultour / by the colde stele
fful softe / out at the dore he gan to stele
And wente / vn to the Carpenters wal
He cogheth first1 and knokketh ther with al 3788
Yp on the wyndow / right as he dide er
IF This Alison answerde / Who is ther^
That knokketh so / I warante it a theef1
IT Wy nay quod he god woot1 my swete lief1 3792
I am thyn Absolon / my derelyng1
Of gold quod he / I haue thee broght a ryng1
My moder yaf it me / so god me saue
fful fyn it is / and ther-to wel ygraue 3796
HENGWRT 108
GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 109
This wol I yeuen thee / if thow me kisse
IF This Nicholas / was risen for to pisse
And thoghte / he wolde amenden al the lape
He sholde kisse his ers / er fat he scape 3800
And vp the wyndow / dide he hastely
And out his ers / he putteth pryuely
Ouer the buttok / to the haunche bon
IT And ther-with / spat this clerk1 this Absolon 3804
Spek swete herte / I noot noght wher thow art1
This Nicholas / anoon leet fle a fart1
As greet1 as it hadde been a thonder dent1
That with the strook1 he was almoost yblenf 3808
And he was redy / with his Iren hoot1 [leaf so]
And Nicholas / in the ers he smoot1
Of gooth the skyn / an handbrede aboute
The hoote cultour / brende so his toute 3812
That for the smert1 he wende for to dye
As he were wood / for wo he gan to crye
Help water / water / help for goddes herte
IT This Carpenter / out of his slomber sterte 3816
And herde oon cryen water / as he were wood
And thoghte alias / now cometh ISTowelys flood
He sette hym vp / with-oute wordes mo
And with his ax / he smoot the corde at wo 3820
And down gooth al / he foond neither to selle
Ne breed ne ale / til he cam to the Celle
Vp on the floor / and there aswowne he lay
11 Yp stirte :hire / Alison and Mcholay 3824
And cryden out and harrow / in the Strete
The neghebores / bothe smale and grete
In ronnen / for to gauren on this man
That aswowne lay / bothe pale and wan 3828
fibr with the fal / he brosten hadde his arm
But stonde he moste / vn to his owene harm
ffor whan he spak / he was anon bore doun
With hende Nicholas and Alisoun 3832
HENGWRT 109
110 GROUP A. § 4. MILLER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
They toldeii euery man / Ipat he was wood
He was agast so / of ISTowelys flood
Thiirgh fantasie / Jj$t of his vanytee
He hadde yboght hym / knedyng tubbes tlire 3836
And hadde hem hanged / in the roof aboue
And J>at he preyde hem / for goddes loue
To sitten in the roof / par compaignye
IF The folk gan laughen / at his fantasye 3840
In to the roof / they kiken and they cape
And turned al his harm / vn to a Tape
ffor what so / ]>ai this Carpenter answerde
It was for noght1 no man his reson herde 3844
With othes grete / he was so sworn adoun
That he was holden wood / in al the toun
ffor enery clerk / anon right heeld with ootlier
They seyde / the man was wood / my leeue brother 3848
And euery wight1 gan laughen at this stryf1 [leaf 50, back]
Thus swyued / was the Carpenters wyf1
ffor al his kepyng1 and his lalousye
And Absolon / hath kist hir nether lye 3852
And Nicholas / is scalded in the toute
This tale is doon / and god saue al the route
fa ^[ Here is ended / the Millerys tale.
[No gap in the MS.]
HENGWRT 110
GROUP A. § 5. REEVE'S PROLOGUE. Hengwrt MS. Ill
fa K The prologe / of the Reues tale
fHan folk hadde laughen / at this nyce cas
Of Absolon / and hende Nicholas 3856
Diuerse folk / diuersely they seyde
But for the moore part1 they lowe and pleyde
NQ at his tale I seigh no man hym greue
But it were oonly / Osewold the Keue 3860
By-cause he was / of Carpenters craft1
A litel Ire / is in his herte ylaftt
He gan to grucche / and blamed it a lite
So the ik quod he / ful wel koude I thee quyte 3864
With bleryng1 of a proud Millerys lye
If jjat me liste / speke of rybaudye
But ik am oold / me list no pleye for age
Gras tyme is doon / my fodder is now forage 3868
This white tope / writeth myne olde yerys
Myn herte / is also mowled / as myne herys
But if ik fare / as dooth an Openers
That ilke fruyt1 is euer lenger the wers 3872
Til it be roten / in Mollok / or in stree
We olde men / I drede so fare we
Til we be roten / kan we noght be rype
We hoppe alwey / whil pat the world wol pipe 3876
ffor in oure wil / ther stiketh ever a nayl
To haue an hoor heer / and a grene tayl
As hath a leek / for thogh oure myght be goon
Oure wil desireth folie / euere in oon 3880
ffor whan we may noghf doon / than wol we speke
Yet in oure asshen olde / is fyr yreke
ffoure gleedes haue we / whiche I shal deuyse [leaf 51]
Auauntyng1 lyyng1 Anger Coueitise 3884
Thise foure sparkles / longen vn to eelde
Oure lymes / mowe wel been vnweelde
HENGWRT 111
112 GROUP A. § 5. REEVE'S PROLOGUE. Hengwrt MS.
But wil ne shal noglit faillen / that is sooth
And yet I haue alwey / a coltes tooth 3888
As many a yeer / as it is passed henne
Syn J>at my tappe of lyf / bigan to renne
ffor sikerlik1 whan ik was bore anon
Deeth drogh the tappe of lyf / and leet it goon 3892
And euere sith / hath so the tappe yronne
Til J>at almoost / al empty is the tonne
The streem of lyf / now droppeth on the chymbe
The sely tonge / may wel rynge and chymbe 3896
Of wrecchednesse / ]>ai passed is ful yoore
With olde folk / saue dotage is namoore
IT Whan J>at oure boost1 hadde herd this sermonyng1
He gan to speke / as lordly as a kyng1 3900
He seyde / what amonnteth al this wit
What shal we speke al day / of holy writ
The deuel made / a Keue for to preche
Or of a Soutere / a Shipman / or a leche 3904
Sey forth thy tale / and tarie noght the tyme
Lo Depeford / and it is half wey pryme
Lo Grenewych / ther many a sherewe is Inne
It were al tyme / thy tale to bigynne 3908
^T Now sires / quod this Osewold the Keue
I pray yow alle / fat ye noght yow greue
Thogh I answere / and som del sette his howue
ffor leueful is / with force / force of showue 3912
This dronken Myllere / hath y to old vs heer
How fat / bigiled was a Carpenter
Perauenture in scorn / for I am oon
And by youre leue / I shal hym quyte anon 3916
Right / in his cherles termes / wol I speke
I pray to god / his nekke mote to-breke
He kan wel / in myn eye / seen a stalke
But in his owene / he kan noght seen a balke 3920
[No gap in the MS.]
HENGWET 112
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 113
AT Trompyngton / nat fer fro Cantebrygge Narrate
Ther gooth a brook / and oner that a brygge
Yp on the which brook / ther stant a Melle [leaf 51, back]
And this is -verray soothe / Ipai I yow telle 3924
A Millere was ther dwellyng many a day
As any Pecok1 he was proud and gay
Pipen he koude / and fisshe / and nettes beete
And torne coppes / and wel wrastle and sheete
And by his belt1 he baar a long Panade
And of a swerd / ful trenchaunt was the blade
A ioly poppere / baar he in his pouche
Ther was no man / for peril dorste hym touche 3932
A Sheffeld? thwitel / baar he in his hose
Bound was his face / and camuse was his nose
As piled as an Ape / was his simile
He was a Market betere / atte fulle 3936
Ther dorste no wight1 hand vp on hym leggt,
That he ne swoor / he sholde anon abegge
A theef he was for sothe / of corn and mele
And ]>at a sleigh / and vsant for to stele 3940
His name was hoten / deynous Symkyn
A wif he hadde / comen of noble kyn
The person of the toun / hir fader was
With hire he yaf / ful many a panne a bras 3944
ffor pat Symkyn / sholde in his blood allye
She was yfostred / in a Nonnerye
ffor Symkyn / wolde no wyf as he sayde
But she were wel ynorissed and a mayde 3948
To sauen / his estaat of yemanrye
And she was proud / and peert as is a pye
A ful fair sighte / was it vp on hem two
On halidayes / biforn hire wolde he go 3952
HENGWRT 113
114 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
With his tipef wounden aboute his heed
And she cam after / in a gyte of reed
And Symkyn / hadde hosen of the same
Ther dorste no wight1 clepen hire but dame 3956
Was noon so hardy / fat wente by the weye
That with hire / dorste rage / or ones pleye
But if he / wolde be slayn of Symkyn
With panade / or with knyf* or boydekyn 3960
If or lalous folk / been perilouse euereino
Algate / they wolde hir wyues wenden so
And eek / for she was som del smoterlich Cleaf »2]
She was as diyne / as water in a dich 3964
And ful of hoker / and of bismare
Hir thoghte / fat a lady sholde hir spare
What for hir kynrede / and hir nortelrye
That she hadde lerned / in the Nonnerye 3968
A doghter hadde they / bitwix hem two
Of twenty yeer / with outen any mo
Sauyng a child / fat was of hal[f] yeer age
In Cradel it lay and was a propre page 3972
This wenche / thikke and wel ygrowen was
With camuse nose / and eyen greye as glas
With buttokes brode / and brestes rounde and hye
But right fair was hir heer / I wol nat lye 3976
IT The person of the toun / for she was so feir
In purpos was / to maken hire his heir
Bothe of his catel / and his Mesuage.
And straunge he made it1 of hir mariage 3980
His purpos was / for to bistowe hir hye
In to som worthy blood of Auncetrye
ffor holicherches good / moot been despended
On holicherches blood / fat is descended 3984
Ther-fore he wolde his holy blood honoure
Thogh fat he / holy chirche sholde deuoure
IT Greet sokne / hath this Millere out of doute
With whete and malt1 of al the lande aboute 3988
HENGWRT 114
GROUP A. § 6. VREEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 115
And nameliche / ther was a greet Collegge
Men clepeth / the soler halle of Cantebregge
Ther was hir whete / and eek hir malt ygrounde
And on a day / it happed in a stounde 3992
Syk was this maunciple / on a maladie
Men wenden wisly / ]>ai he sholde dye
ffor which this Millere / stal bothe mele and corn
An hondred tyme / moore than biforn 3996
ffor ther biforn / he stal but curteisly
But now /he was a theef outrageously
ffor which the wardeyn / chidde and made fare
But ther-of / sette the Millere noght a tare 4000
He craked boost / and swoor it was noght so
Thanne were ther / yonge poure scolers two
That1 dwelten in the halle / of which I seye [leaf 52, back]
Testyf they were / and lusty for to pleye 4004
And oonly / for hir myrthe and reuerye
Vp on the wardeyn / bisily they crye
To yeue hem leue / but a litel stounde
To go to Mille / and seen hir corn ygrounde 4008
And hardily / they dorste leye hir nekke
The Millere / sholde noght stelen hern half a pekke
Of corn by sleighte / ne by force hem reue
And atte laste / the wardeyn yaf hem leue 4012
lonn highte that oon / and Aleyn highte that oother
Of oon town were they born / Jjat highte Strother
ffer in the JSTorth / I kan noght telle where
This Aleyn / maketh redy al his gere 4016
And on an hors / the sak he caste anon
fforth gooth Aleyn the clerk/, and also lohn
With good swerd / and with bokeler by his syde
lolin knew the wey / hym neded no gyde 4020
And at the Mille / the sak adoun he layth
IT Aleyn spak first1 al hayl Symkyn in fayth
How fares thy faire doghter /and thy wyf
1T Aleyn wel come / quod Symkyn by my lyf 4024
HENGWRT 115
116 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And lohn. also / how now / what do ye here
1F By god quod John'/ Symond nede has na peere
Hym bihoues seme hym self / ]pat has na swayn
Or ellis / he is a fool / as clerkes sayn 4028
Oure maunciple / I hope he wol be deed
Swa werkes ay / the wanges in his heed
And ther-fore is I come / and eek Alayii
To grynde oure corn / and carie it heem agayn 4032
I pray yow / speed vs heythen / what ye may
IT It shal be doon / quod Symkyn by my fay
What wol ye doori / whil J>at it is in hande
By god / right by the hoper / wol I stande 4036
Quod lohn / and. se how the corn gas In
Yet saw I neuere / by my fader kyn
How ]>at the hoper / wagges til and fra
IT Aleyn answerde / lohan wiltow swa 4040
Thanne wol I be byneth / by my crown
And se / how pat the mele falles down
In to the trogh / that sal be my desport1 [leaf 53]
if or lohn in faith / I may been of youre sortH 40 4 4
I is as ille a Millere / as ar ye
11" This Millere / smyled of hir nycetee
And thoghte / al this nys doon / but for a wyle
They wene / \ai no man may hem bigile 4048
But by my thrift / yet shal I blere hir lye
ifor al the sleighte / in hir Phislophye
The moore queynte crekys / Ipat they make
The moore wol I stele / whan I take 4052
In stede of flour / yet wol I yeue hem bren
The grettest clerkes / been noght the wisest men
As whilom to the wolf1 thus spak the mare
Of al hir art1 counte I noght a tare 4056
Out of the dore / he gooth ful pryuely
Whan ]>ak he saugh his tyme / softely
He looketh vp and doun / til he hath founde
The clerkes hors / ther as it stood ybounde 4060
HENGWRT 116
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 117
Bihynde the Mille / vnder a leefsel
And to the hors / he gooth hym faire and wel
He strepeth of the bridel / right anon
And whan the hors was laus / he gynneth gon 4064
Toward the fen / ther wilde mares renne
And forth with wehe / thurgh thikke and thenne
This Millere gooth ayein / no word he seyde
But dooth his note / and with the clerkes pleyde 4068
Til J?at hir corn / was faire and wel ygrounde
And whan the mele / was sakked and ybounde
IF This lofm gooth out and fynt his hors away
And gan to crye / harrow and weilaway 4072
Oure hors is lost1 . Alayii for goddes banes
Step on thy feet / com of man al atanes
Alias oure wardeyn / has his palfrey lorn
11 This Alayn al forgaf bothe mele and corn 4076
Al was out of his mynde / his housbondrye
What whilk wey is he gane / he gan to crye
IT The wyf cam lepyng* Inward with a ren
She seyde alias / youre hors gooth to the fen 4080
With wilde mares / as faste as he may go
Ynthank come on his hand / J?«t boond hym so
And he J>at bettre / sholde haue knyt the reyne [lenf :>s, back]
1T Alias quod lolin / Aleyn for Cristes peyne 4084
Lay doun thy swerd / and I wol myn alswa
I is ful wight / God waafr as is a ra
By god herf he sal nat scape vs bathe
Why ne had thow / pit the capil in the lathe 4088
II hail / by god Alayn / thow is a fonne
IT This sely clerkes / haan ful faste yronne
Toward the fen / bothe Alayn and eek lohn
And whan the Millere seigh / J>at they were gon 4092
He half a busshel / of hir flour hath take
And bad his wyf / go knede it in a cake
He seyde I trowe / the clerkes were aferd
Yet kan a Millere / maken a clerkes berd 4096
HENGWRT 117
118 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
ffor al his art1 ye lat hem goon hir weyo
Lo where he gooth / ye lat the children pleye
They gete hym noght so lightly / by my croun
1F Thise sely clerkes-./ rennen vp and doun
With keep / keep / stand / stand / lossa warderere
Ga whistle thow / and I sal kepe hym heere
But shortly / til J>at it was verray nyght1
They koude noght1 thogh they dide al hir myght1 4104
Hir capyl cacche / he ran alwey so faste
Til in a dych / they caughte hym at the laste
IF Wery and weet1 as beest is in the reyn
Comth sely lohn / and with hym comth Aleyn
Alias quod lohn / the day jjat I was born
Now ar we dryuen / til hethyng and til scorn
Oure com is stole / men wil vs foolis calle
Bothe the wardeyn / and oure felawes alle 4112
And namely the Millere / weilawey
IF Thus pleyneth lohn / as he gooth by the wey
Toward the Mille / and Bayard in his hond
The Millere / sittyng by the fyr he fond 4116
ffor it was nyght1 and ferther myghte they noght1
But for the loue of god / they hym bisoght1
Of herberwe and of ese / as for hir peny
IF The Millere seide agayn / if ther be eny 4120
Swich as it is / yet shal ye haue youre part1
Myn hous is streyt1 but ye han lerned art1
Ye kan by argumentz / make a place [leaf 5C
A myle brood / of twenty foot of space 4124
Lat se now / if this place may suffise
Or make it rowin with speche / as is youre gyse
IF Now Symond seyde this lohn / by seint Cutberd*
Ay is thou myrie / and that is faire answerd 4128
I haue herd seye / men sal tak1 of twa thynges
Swilk as he fyndes / or tak1 bwilk as he brynges
But specialy / I pray thee hoost deere
Get vs som mete and drynke / and make vs cheere 4132
HENGWRT 118
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 119
And we wol payen / trewely atte fulle
With empty hand / men may none haukes tulle
Lo heere oure sillier / redy for to spende
IF This Millere in to town / his doghter sende 4136
ffor ale and breed / and rosted hem a goos
And boond hir hors / it sholde namoore go loos
And in his owene chambre / hem made a bed
With shetes and with chalons / faire yspred 4140
ISToght from his owene bed / but ten foot or twelue
His doghter hadde a bed / al by hir selue
Right in the same chambre by and by
It myghte be no bet* and cause why 4144
Ther was no rowmer herberwe / in the place
They soupen / and they speken / hem to solace
And drynken euere stroong ale / at the beste
Aboute mydnyght / wente they to reste 4148
Wei hath this Millere / vernysshed his heed
fful pale he was for-dronke / and noght reed
He yexeth / and he speketh thurgh the nose
As he were / on the quakke / or on the pose 4152
To bedde he goth / and with hym goth his wyf
As any lay / she light was and iolyf
So was hir ioly whistle / wel ywefr
The Cradel / at hir beddes feet is set 4156
To rokken / and to yeue the child to sowke
And whan £at dronken / al was in the Crowke
To bedde wente / the doghter right anon
To bedde gooth Aleyn / and also lohn 4160
Ther nas namoore / hem neded no dwale
This Millere / hath so wisly bibbed ale
That as an hors / he snorteth in his sleepe [leaf 54, back]
Ne of his tayl bihynde / he took no keepe 4164
His wyf bar hym / a burdon / a ful strong1
Men myghten hir routyng1 heren a furlong*
The wenche / routeth eek par compaignye
1F Aleyn the clerc< that herde this melodye 4168
HENGWRT 119
120 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
He poked lolin / and seyde slepestow
Herd thow euere / slyk a sang er now
Lo swilk a conplyng / is ymel hem alle
A wilde fyr / on thair bodyes falle 4172
"Wha herkned euere / swilk1 a ferly thyng1
Ye they sal haue / the flour of il endyng1
This lang1 night1 ther tydes me na reste
But yet na force / al sal be for the beste 4176
ffor lofcn seyde he / als euere moot I thryue
If Ipat I may / yon wenche wol I swyue
Som esement / has lawe shapen vs
ffor lohn / ther is a lawe / \>ai says thus 4180
That gif a man / in a point be agreued
That in another / he sal be releued
Cure corn is stoln / soothly it is na nay
And we han had / an ille fit to day 4184
And syn I sal / haue naan amendemenfr
Agayn my los / I wil haue esement*
By goddes saule / it sal naan other be
1T This lohn answerde / Aleyn auyse thee 4188
The Millere / is a perilous man he sayde
And if fyai he / out of his sleep abrayde
He mighte doon vs bathe / a vileynye
11 Aleyn answerde / I counte hyni noght a flye 4192
And vp he rist / and by the wenche he crepte
This wenche lay vp righte / and faste slepte
Til he so neigh was / er she myghte aspie
That it hadde been / to late for to crie 4196
And shortly for to seyn / they were at oon
Now pley Aleyn / for I wol speke of lofrn
1F This lofin lith stille / a furlang wey or two
And to hym self1 he maketh routhe and wo 4200
Alias quod he / this is a wikked Tape
Now may I seyn / Jjat I is but an ape
Yet has my felawe / som what for his harm [leaf 55]
He has the Milleris doghter / in his arm 4204
HENGWRT 120
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 121
He auntred hym / and has his nedes sped
And I lye / as a draf sak / in my bed
And whan this iape / is told another day
Lsal ben halden / a daf a Cokenay 4208
I wil arise and auntre if by my fayth
Vnhardy is vnsely / thus men sayth
^T And vp he roos / and softely he wente
Vn to the Cradel / and in his hand it hente 4212
And baar it softe / vn to his beddes feet1
Soone after this / the wyf hir routynt leet
And gan awake / and wente hir out to pisse
And cam agayn / and gan hir Cradel mysse 4216
And groped heer and ther / but she foond noon
Alias quod she / I hadde almoost mysgoon
I hadde almoost1 goon to the clerkes bed
Ey benedicite / thanne had I foule ysped 4220
And forth she gooth / til she the Cradel fond
She gropeth alwey / forth er vriili hir hond
And foond the bed / and thoghte noght but good
By cause / ]>ai the Cradel by it stood 4224
And nyste wher she was / for it was derk1
But faire and wel / she creep in to the clerk1
And lyth ful stille / and wolde haue caught a sleepe
With-Inne a while / this Tohn the clerk vp leepe 4228
And on this goode wyf / he leyth on soore
So murie a fyfr ne hadde she nat ful yoore
He priketh harde and depe / as he were mad
This ioly lyf / han thise two clerkes lad 4232
Til J?at / the thridde cok1 bigan to synge
1T Aleyn wax wery / in the dawenynge
ffor he hadde swonken / al the longe nyghfr
And seyde / fare wel Malyn swete wight 4236
The day is come / I may no lenger byde
But eueremo / wher so I go or ryde
I is thyn awen clerk1 so haue I sel
^[ Now deere lemman quod she / go fare wel 4240
9 HENGWRT 121
122 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
But er thow go / o thyng1 I wol tliee telle
Whan that thow wendest / horn ward by the Melle
Eight at the entree / of the dore bihynde neaf 55, baeki
Thow shalt a Cake / of half a busshel fyiide 4244
That was ymaked / of thyn owene mele
Which Jjat I heelp / my sire for to stele
And good lemman / god thee sane and kepe
And with that word / almoost he gan to wepe 4248
IF Aleyn vp rist1 and thoghte er Jjat it dawe
I wol go crepen In / by my felawe
And fond the Cradel / with his hond anon
By god thoghte he / al wrang I haue mysgoii 4252
Myn heed is toty / of my swynk to nyghtf
That maketh me / J>«t I go noght arighfr
I woot -wel by the Cradel / I haue mysgo
Here lyth the Millere / and his wyf also 4256
And forth he gooth / 011 twenty deueleway
Vn to the bed / ther as the Millere lay
He wende haue cropen / by his felawe lohn
And by the Millere / In he creep anoon 4260
And caughte hym by the nekke / and softe he spak1
He seyde thou lohn / thow Swyneshed awak1
ffor cristes saule / and here a noble game
ffor by that lord / fat called is Seint lame 4264
As I haue thries / in this shorte nyglit
Swyued the Milleris doghter / bolt vp-right
Whil thow hast1 as a coward been agast1
IT Ye false harlot1 quod the Millere hast1 4268
A false traytour / false clerk1 quod he
Thou shalt be deed / by goddes dignytee
Who dorste be so bold / to disparage
My doghter / that is come of swich lynage 4272
And by the throte bolle / he caughte Alayn
And he hente hym / despitously agayn
And on the nose / he smoot hym with his fest1
Doun ran the blody streem / vp on his brestf 4276
HENGWRT 122
GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 123
And on the floor / with nose and mouth tobroke
They walwen / as doon two pigges in a poke
And vp they goon / and doun agayn anoon
Til Jjat the Millere / sporned on a stoon 4280
And doun he fil / bakward vp on his wyf
That wistfi no thyng* of this nyce stryf
ffor she was falle aslepe / a litel wight1 [leaf 56]
With lonn the clerk / that waked hadde al nyghf 4284
And with the fal / out of hir sleepe she brayde
Help holy cros of Bromholm / she sayde
In manus tuas / lord to thee I calle
Awake Symond / the feend is on me falle 4288
Myn herte is broken / help I nam but ded
Ther lyth oon vp on my wombe / and vp myn hed
Help Symkyn / for the false clerkes fighte
IT This John sterte vp / as faste as euere he myghte 4292
And graspeth by the walles / to and fro
To fynde a staf / and she sterte vp also
And knew the estres / bet than dide this lohil
And by the wal / a staf she foond anon 4296
And saugh / a litel shymeryng of a light
ffor at an hole / in shoon the moone bright1
And by that light1 she saugh hem bothe two
But sikerly / she nyste who was who 4300
But as she saugh / a whit thyng in hir lye
And whan she gan / this white thyng espye
She wende the clerk1 hadde wered a voluper
And with the staf / she drow ay ner and nei 4304
And wende han hit / this Aleyn atte fulle
And smoot the Millere / on the piled skulle
That doun he gooth / and cryde harrow I dye
Thise clerkes bette hym wel / and lete hym lye 4308
And greithen hem / and tooke hir hors anon
And eek hir mele / and on hir wey they gon
And at the Mille / yet they toke hir cake
Of half a busshel flour / ful wel ybake 4312
HENGWRT 123
124 GROUP A. § 6. REEVE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IF Thus is the proude Millere / wel ybete
And hath ylosfr the gryndyng of the whete
And payed, for the souper / euerydel
Of Aleyn / and of lonii / that bette hym wel 4316
His wyf is swyued / and his doghter als
Lo which it is / a Millere to be fals
And ther-fore this prouerbe / is seyd ful sooth
Hym thar nat wene wel / Ipak yuele dooth 4320
A gilour shal hym self / bigiled be
And god / that sitteth heighe in magestee
Saue al this compaignie / grete and smale [leaf 56, back]
Thus haue I quyt the Millere / in my tale 4324
H Here endeth the Eeues tale, fa
[Small Ireak in the MS.~\
HEN0W11T 124
GROUP A. § 7. COOK'S PROLOGUE. Hengwrt MS. 125
5f The prologe of the Cookes tale fo
THe Cook1 of London / whil the Eeue spak1
fifor ioye hym thoughte / he clawed hym on the bak1
Haha quod he / for Cristes passion)
This Millere / hadde a sharps conclusion) 4328
Vp on his argument1 of herbergage
Wei seyde Salomon / in his langage
Ne bryng nat euery man / in to thyn hous
ffor herberwyng1 by nyghte is perilous
Wei oghte a man / auysed for to be
Whom )>at he broghte / in to his pn'uetee
I pray to god / so yeue me sorwe and care
If euer sith / I highte Hogge of ware 4336
Ilerde I a Millere / bettre yset awerk/
He hadde a iape of malice / in the derk1
Me
But god forbede / that we stynten heere
audire
ffor if ye / vouche sauf to heere 4340
A tale of me / that am a poure man
I wol yow telle / as wel as euere I kan
A litel iape / that fil in oure Citee
1T Oure hoost answerde / and seyde I graunte it thee 4344
Now tel on Eoger / looke that it be good
ffor many a pastee / hastow laten blood
And many a lakke of Douere / hastow soold
That hath been twies hoot1 and twies coold 4348
Of many a pilgrym / hastow Cristes curs
ffor of thy persle / yet they fare the wors
That they han eten / with thy stubbul goos
ffor in thy shoppe / is many a flye loos 4352
Now tel on / gentil Eoger / by thy name
But yet I praye thee / be nat wrooth for game
A man may seye ful sooth / in game and pley
IT Thow seist ful sooth / quod Eoger by my fey 4356
HENGWRT 126
126 GROUP A. § 7. COOK'S PROLOGUE. Hengwrt MS.
But sootli pley quade pley / as the fflemyng seith [leaf 57]
And ther-fore herry Bailly / by thy feith
Be thou nat wrooth / er we departen heer
Thogh Jrat my tale / be of an hostiler 4360
But nathelees / I wol nat telle it yit
But er we parte / ywis thow shalt be quytf
And ther with al / he lough / and made cheere
And seyde his tale / as ye shal after heere 4364
[Small break in the MS.]
HENGWRT 128
GROUP A. § 8. COOK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 127
^f Here bigynnetli tlie Cook his tale.
Aprentis / whilom dwelled in oure Citee
And of a craft1 of vitailiers was he
Gaillard he was / as goldfynch in the shawe
Broun as a berye / a propre short1 felawe 4368
With lokkes blake / ykembd ful fetisly
Dauncen he koude / so wel and iolily
That he / was clepyd Perkyn Eeuelour
He was / as ful / of loue and paramour 4372
As is the hyue / of bony swete
Wel was the wenche / ]pat witJi hym myghte meete
At euery bridale / wolde he synge and hoppe
He loued bet the Tauerne / than the Shoppe 4376
ffor / whan ther any ridyng1 was in Chepe
Out of the shoppe / thider wolde he lepe
Til ]>at he hadde / al the sighte yseyn
And daunced wel / he wolde noght come ageyn 4380
And gadred hym / a meynee of his sort1
To hoppe and synge / and maken swich disport1
And ther / they setten steuene / for to meete
To pleyen at the dees / in swich a streete 4384
ffor in the town / nas ther no Prentys
That fairer / koude caste a paire of dys
Than Perkyn koude / and ther-to he was free
Of his dispense / in place of pryuetee 4388
That foond his maister wel / in his chaffare
ffor ofte tyme / he foond his box ful bare
ffor sikerly / a prentys reuelour
That haunteth dees / ryot1 or paramour 4392
His maister / shal it in his shoppe abye Peaf 57, back]
Al haue he / no part of the Minstralcye
ffor thefte and riot / they been conuertible
Al konne he pleye / on Giterne / or Rubible 4396
HENGWRT 127
128 GROUP A. § 8. COOK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Reuel and trouthe / as in a lowe degree
They been ful wrothe al day / as men may see
•[[ This ioly Prentys / with his Maister "bood
Til he were neigh / out of his prentishood
Al were he snybbed / bothe eiiy and late
And som tyme / lad with reuel to Newgate
But atte laste / his maister hym bithoghte
Vp on a day / whan he his papir soghte
Of a prouerbe / that seith this same word
Wei bet is roten appul / out of hoord
Than Jjat it rotte / al the remenaunt1
So fareth it / by a riotous seruaunfr 4408
It is ful lasse harm / to lete hym pace
Than he shende / alle the seruantz in the place
Ther fore / his maister gaf hym acquitaunce
And bad hym go / with sorw / and with meschaunce 4412
And thus this ioly prentys / hadde his leeue
Now lat hym riote / al the nyght1 or leeue
And for ther nys no theef / with-oute a lowke
That helpeth hym / to wasten and to sowke 4416
Of that he brybe kan / or borwe may
Anon / he sente his bed / and his array
Yn to a compeer / of his owene sort1
That loued dees / and reuel / and disport1 4420
And hadde a wyf / that heeld for contenaunce
A shoppe / and swyued for Mr sustenaunce
Of this Cokes tale
maked Chaucer na
moore [in the left margin]
[Rest of the page blank.]
HENGWRT 128
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
APPENDIX TO GROUP A.
[THE SPUKIOUS TALE OF GAMELYN.]
Her endeth o tale of the Cooke and CMS Reg. 17 D^XV.
her folowyth a nother tale of the same cooke
T ythen) and listenejje and harkenejie Arighte
•^ And ye schulne here of1 A doughty knyghte
Sir lohan. of1 Boundis was his name
He couf>e of1 norture And mocheft of1 game 4
Thre sonnes £e knyghte hadde with his bodye wonne
The eldeste was a mocche schrewe And soone he bigonne
His brejjerne louede wele her ffadre And of1 hym^ were Agaste
The eldeste desaruede his ffaders Curse And hadde hittf atte
The gode knyghte his ffadre lyuede so ^ore tt6 laste
That dejje was hym5 comen) And handelede hym5 ffulle sore
The gode knyghte carede sore syke Jjere he laye
How his chyldron) schulde lyuen) Affter his daye [leaf 67] 12
He hadde bene wy de where buttenon husbande he was ^*-^D;
Aft the londe that he hadde it was purchas. ^^8]'1®af*i'
ifayn he wolde it were dressid among1 hem alle .
That eche of hem had his part as it myght falle . 1 6
Tho sent he in to contre after'1 wise knyghtis . [> rN i»/orr/i
To helpe delen his londis and dressen hem to rightis .
He sent hem word bi le^res thei schulde hye blyue .
Yf thei wolde speke with hym while he was on lyue . 20
HARLEIAN 1758. 1
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
Tho the knyghtis herden sike that he lay .
Had thei no rest nether*1 nyght ne day. VNB. aii
Tift thei come to hym ther* he lay stille .
On his detfr bed to a-bide goddis wille . 24
Then seide the good knyght sike ther* he lay .
Lordis I yow warne for sothe with-out nay .
I may no longer1 lyuen here in this stoimde .
ffor thorough goddis wift deth drawes me to grou^de . 28
Ther1 nas non of hem alle that herde hym a right .
That thei ne had routhe of that ilke knyght .
And seiden sir/ for goddis lone ne dismay you noght .
God may done bote of bale that is now wrought . 32
Than spake the good knyght sike there he lay .
Bote of bale god may sende I wot it is no nay .
But I beseke you knyghtis for the loue of me .
Goth and dressitrl my londis among1 my sones thre . 36
And for the loue of god delith not hem a mys .
And foryeteth not Gamelyn my yong1 sone that is .
Taketh hede to thpt one as weft as to that other .
Seeld ye seen any heier1 helpen his brother/./ 40
Tho leten thei the knyght lyen that was not in hele .
And wentyn in to cou^seile his londis for to dele .
ffor to delen hem alle to oon that was here thoght .
And for Gamelyn was yongist he schulde haue. noght . 44
Aft the londe that ther* was thei dalten it in two .
And letyn Gamelyn the yong with-outen lond go .
And eche of hem seide to other1 fuft lowde .
His brethren myght yeue hym londe when he good cowde .
When thei had delid the londe at here wille . 49
Thei comen to the knyght there he lay stille .
And tolde hym a-non how thei had wroght .
And the knyght theij he lay likid it right noght . 52
IT Than seide the knyght be seynt Martyn .
ffor aft that ye haue don yet is the londe myn .
ffor goddis loue neighboris stondith stille .
And I wift delyn my lond right after1 my wille . 56
HARLEIAN 1758. 2
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758,
lohn my eldist sone schatt haue plowes fyue .
That was myn fadris heritage while he was on lyue .
And my myddlist sone fyue plowes of londe .
That I halp for to gete with my right honde . 60
And aft myn other1 purchas of londis and ledis . [leaf 46, back]
That I be-quethe Gamelyn and aft my good stedis .
And beseke you good men that lawe con of londe .
ffor Gamely ns lone that my quest1 stonde . 64
Thus dalt the knyght his londe bi his day .
Eight on his deth bed sike ther1 he lay .
And sone aftirward he lay stoon stille .
And died whan tyme come as it1 was cristes wille . 68
A-noon as he was deed and vndir1 gras graue .
Sone the eldir1 brother1 giled the yong knaue
He toke in to his honde his londe and his lede .
And Gamelyn hym self to clothen and to fede . 72
He clothed hym and fedde hym yuett and eke wrothe .
And lete his londis for-fare and his housis bothe
His parkes and his wodis and dide no thyng1 welle .
And sithen he it a-bought on his owne felle . 76
So long1 was Gamelyn in his brothris halle .
ifoy the strongest of good witt thei doutedyn hym alle .
Ther1 was none ther1 yn nether* yong1 ne olde .
That wolde wrath Gamelyn were he neuyr1 so bolde . 80
fl" Gamelyn stood on a day in his brothers yerde .
And bigan with his honde to honditt his berde .
He thought on his londis that lay vnsawe .
And his faire okis that doune were drawe . 84
His Parkis were broken and his dere reuyd .
Of aft his good stedis noon was hym bi-leuyd ./
His housis were vn-hiled and futt yuett dight
Tho thought Gamelyn it went not a-right . 88
Aftir'-warde cam his brother* walkyng1 thare .
And seide to Gamelyn is our1 mete yare .
Tho wrathed hym Gamelyn and swore bi goddis book .
Thou schalt go bake thi self I wift not be thi Cook . 92
HARLEIAN 1758. 3
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758,
Now brother* Gamelyn how vnswarest thou now .
Thou spakest neuyr* suche a worde as thou dost now .
Be my feith seide Gamelyn now me thynketh nede .
Of alle the harmes that I haue I toke neuyr* yet hede , 96
My parkis/ ben broken and my deer* bi-reuyd .
Of myn armes and my stedis noght is me bileuyd .
Aft that my fadir* me bi-quath aft goth to schame .
And therfbre haue thou goddis curs brother* be thyn name ./
Than spake his brother1 that rape was of rees . 101
Stonde stille gadlyng and holde thi pees .
Thou schalt be fayn to haue thi mete and thi wede .
What spekesf thou gadlyng1 of londe or of lede . 104
Than seide Gamelyn the childe that was yeng1 .
Cristes curs mote he haue that clepeth me gadlyng .
I am no worse gadlyng1 ne no worse wight .
But borne of a lady and geten of a knygfrt . [leaf 47]
Ne dorst he not to Gamelyn neue?' a foot go . 109
But clepid to hym his men and seide to hem tho .
Goth and betith this boy and reueth hym his witte .
And lete hym lerne a nother5 tyme to vnsware me bette .
Then seide the childe yong1 Gamelyn . 113
Cristis curs mote thou haue brother* art thou myn .
And if I schaft algate be betyn a-noon .
Cristes curs mote thou haue but thou be that oon . 116
And a-non his brother* in that grete hete .
Made his men to fette staues Gamelyn to bete .
When euery of hem had a staff1 nomen .
Gamelyn was ware tho he sigh hem comen . 120
Tho Gamelyn sigh hem comen he lokid ouer aft .
And was war* of a pesteft stood vndir* the waft./
Gamelyn was light and tinder* gon to lepe .
And droff alle his brethers men right sone on an hepe 124
And lokid as a wilde lion and leide on good wone .
Tho his brother* sigh that he began to gone .
He neigh vp in to a lofte and schette the dore faste .
Thus Gamelyn with his pesteft made hem alle a-gaste .128
HARLEIAN 1768. 4
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
Some for Gamelyns loue and some for eie .
Alle thei drowhen hem to halues tho he gan to pleie .
What now seide Gamelyn euytt mote ye the .
Witt ye begynne contek* and so sone fle . 132
Gamelyn sought his brother1 whither5 he was flowe .
And saugh where he loked oute at a wyndowe .
Brother1 seide Gamelyn come a litett nere .
And I witt teche the to pleie at the bokelere . 136
His brother* hym answerde and seide be seynt Eichere .
While that pestett is in thi honde I wift come no nere .
Brother1 1 witt make thi pees I swere bi cristes ore
Cast a-weie the pestett and wrath the no more . 140
I most nede seide Gamelyn wrath me at ones .
ffor thou wolde make thi men to breke my bones .
Ne had I had mayn and myght in myn armes .
To haue putte hem fro me thei wolde haue do me harmes .
IT Gamelyn seide his brother1 be thou not wroth . 145
ffor to seen the haue harme me if were right1 loth .
I ne dide it noght brother1 but for a fondyng .
ifor to loken if1 thou art strong and art so yeng . 1 48
Come a-doune then to me and graunt me my bone .
Of oo thyng1 I witt the axe and we schutt saught sone .
Doune than come his brother1 that fekitt was and felle .
And was swithe sore a-ferd of the pestette . 152
He seide brothir1 Gamelyn axe me thi bone .
And loke thou me blame but I it graunt sone ./
Than seide Gamelyn brother1 y-wis, [leaf 47, back]
1F And we schutt be at one thou muste graunte me this .
All that my fadir1 me by-quath while that he was on lyue .
Thou muste do me it haue yef we schutt not stryue . 158
That schalt thou haue Gamelyn I swere be cristes ore .
Att that thi fadir1 the by-quath though thou woldest haue
Thi londe that lieth leye wett it schatt be sowe . [more .
And thyn housis reisid vp that ben leide futt lowe .
Thus seide the knygnt to Gamelyn with mouth .
And thought on falsnes as he wett couth . 164
HARLEIAN 1758. 5
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harlclan 1758,
The knyght thought on treson and Gamelyn on noon .
And wente and kissed his brother and whan thei were at
Alias yong Gamelyn no thyng he ne wiste .
With suche fals treson his brother1 hym kiste 168
1F Lyitheneth and listeneth and holdith your1 tonge .
And ye schutt here talkyng of Gamelyn the yonge .
Ther1 was ther1 be siden cried a wrastlyng1
And therfore ther1 was sette a Earn and a Ryng1 ./ 172
And Gamelyn was in wilt to wende therto .
ffor to preuyn hys myght what he coude do .
Brother1 seide Gamelyn be seynt Eichere .
Thou moste lene me to nyght a litett cursere . 176
That is fresch to the sporis on for to ride .
I most on an erand a litett here be side .
Bi god seide his brother1 of stedis in my stalle .
Go and chese the the best spare noon of hem alle . 180
Of stedis and of cursers that stonden hem be side .
And telle me good brother1 whider1 thou wilt ride .
Here be side brother1 is cried a wrastlynge .
And there fore schatt be set a Ram and Rynge . 184
Moche worschip it were brother1 to vs alle .
Might I the Ram and the Ryng1 bryngen home to this halle ./
A stede ther1 was sadelid smertly and skete .
Gamelyn dide a peire of sporis faste on his fete . 188
He sette his foot in the stirop the stede he bi-strood .
And toward the wrastlynge the yong1 child e rood .
Tho Gamelyn the yonge was riden oute at gate .
The fals knyght his brother* loked yet aftir1 thate . 192
And besought ihesu crist that is heuyn kyng1 .
He myght breke his nekke in that wrastlyng1 .
As sone a Gamelyn come there the place was .
He light downe of his stede and stood on the gras . 196
And there he herde a ifrankeleyn welaweie syng1 .
And bi-gan bitterly his hondis for to wryng1 .
Gode man seide Gamelyn whi makist thou this fare .
Is ther1 no man that may you helpen out of care . 200
HAELEIAN 1758. 6
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
Alias seide the ffrankeleyn that euyr5 1 was bore .
ffor twey stalworth sones I wene that I haue lore . [leaf 48]
A Champion is in the place that hath wrought me sorowe .
ffor he hath slayne my two sones but yef god hem borowe .
I wott yeue ten pounde bi ihesu criste and more.
With the nones that I fonde a man to handle hym sore .
Gode man seide Gamelyn wilt thou wett done .
Holde my hors while my man drawetfr of my schone . 208
And helpe my man to kepe my clothes and my stede.
And I wilt in to place gone to loke if I may spede .
By god seide the ffrankeleyn if schaft be done .
I witt my self be thi man to drawe of thi schone . 212
And wende thou in to place ihesu criste the spede .
And drede not of thi clothis ne of thi good stede .
Barfoot and vngirt Gamelyn yn cam .
Alle that were in the place hede of hym thei nam . 216
How he dorste auntre hym to done his myght .
That was so doughti a Champiou7^ in wrastlyng and in fight .
Vp sterte the Champion rapeli a-noon .
Toward yong1 Gamelyn he bi-gan to goon . 220
And seide who is thi fadir5 and who is thi sire .
ffor sothe thou arte a gret foott that thou come here .
IT Gamelyn answerde the Champion tho .
Thou knewe welt my fadir while he couthe go . 224
Whiles he was on lyue be seynt Martyn .
Sir* Ion of Boundis was his name and I Gamelyn .
ffelawe seide the Champion so mote I thryue .
I knewe weft thi fadir1 whiles he was on lyue . 228
And thi self Gamelyn I wift that thou it1 here .
While thou were a yong1 boy a moche schrewe thou were .
Than seide Gamelyn and swore bi cristes ore .
I^o w I am older1 wax thou schalt1 fynde me a more . 232
By god seide the Champion wett come mote thou be .
Come thou ones in my honde thou schalt neuer the .
IT It was welt with-yn the nygRt and the mone schone .
When Gamelyn and the Champion to gider1 gon gone. 236
HARLEIAN 1758. 7
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
The Champion cast tomes to Gamelyn that was prest .
And Gamelyn stood and bade hym done his best .
Than seide Gamelyn to the Champioiw .
Thou art fast a-boute to bryng1 me a-doim . 240
Now I haue proued mony tornes of thyne .
Thou most he seide proue oon or two of myne .
Gamelyn to the Champion yede smertly a-none .
Of aft the tornes that he couthe he schewid hym but one .
And kest hym on the lift side that thre ribbes to-brake .
And therto his one arme that yaf a gret crake .
Than seide Gamelyn smertly a-noon .
Schait it be holde for a cast or ellis for noon . 248
By god seide the Champion whether* it be . [leaf 48, back]
He that cometh ones in thi honde schalt he neuyr1 the .
Than seide the ffrankeleyn that had his sones there .
Blessid be thou Gamelyn that euyr5 thou bore were . 252
The ffrankeleyn seide to the Champion on hym stood hym
This is yong< Gamelyn that taught the this pleye . [noon eye •
A-yen vnswarid the Champion that liked no thyng weft .
He is alther5 maister1 and his pleie is right felt . 256
Sithen I wrastlid first it is gone yore .
But I was neuyr1 in my lyf handelid so sore .
Gamelyn stood in the place a-non with-out serke .
And seide if ther* be mo lete hem come to werke . 260
The Champion that payned hym to wirke sore .
Hit semeth bi his contenauwce that he wilt no more .
Gamelyn in the place stood stilt as stoon .
ffor to a-bide wrastlyng1 but ther1 come noon. 264
Ther1 was non with Gamelyn that wolde wrastle more .
ffor he handlid the Champion so wondirly sore .
Two gentilt men yemed the place .
Come to Gamelyn god yeue hym good grace . 268
And seide to hym do on thi hosen and thi schoon .
fforsothe at this tyme this faire is doon ./
And than seide Gamelyn so mote I welt fare .
I haue not yet hauyndeft sold my ware . 272
HAELEIAN 1758. 8
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
II Tho seide the Champion so brok I my swere .
He is a foott that thereof bieth thou sellest it so dere .
Tho seide the frankeleyn that was in moche care .
ffelaw he seide whi lakkest thou this ware . 276
Be seynt lame in Gales that mony man hath soght .
Yet is it to good chepe that thou hast boght .
Tho that wardeyns were of that wrastlyng .
Come and brought Gamelyn the Earn and the Ryng1 . 280
[
no gap in tJte MS.']
A Gamelyn thought it was a faire thyng .
And went with moche ioye home in the mornyng1 . 284
His brother5 sigh where he came with the gret route .
And bad schit the gate and holde hym with-oute .
The porter1 of his lord was sore a-gastt .
And sterte a-noon to the gate and lokked it fast. 288
IT Now lithe]? and listeneth bothe yong and olde .
And ye schuli here garnyn of Gamelyn the bolde .
Gamelyn come to J)e yate for to haue come yn .
Than was it schit fast with a pyn . 292
Than seide Gamelyn porter5 vndo the yate .
ffor a gode mannes sone stonde]? ther'-ate .
Than answarde the porter* and sware bi goddis berde .
Thou ne schalt Gamelyn come in to this yerde . 296
Thou lixt1 seide Gamelyn so broke I my chyn .
He smote the wiket with his foot and brake a-waye the pyn .
The porter* sign tho it myght no better1 be .
He sette foot on erthe and be-gan to flee . 300
Be my fay seide Gamelyn that traueile is lore .
ffor I am on foote as lignt as thou haddist it swore
Gamelyn ouer-toke the porter5 and his tene wrake .
And girt hym in the nekke that the boon to-brake . 304
And toke hym by that one arme and threwe hym in a welle ./
.Vij.a fadome it was depe as I haue herd telle .
Whan Gamelyn the yong1 thus had pleide his plaie .
Alle that in the yeerde were drowen hem a-waie . 308
10 HAKLEIAN 1758. 9
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harlcian 1758.
Thei dredyn hym fuft sore for werke that1 he wrought .
And for the faire companye that he tinder* brought .
Gamelyn yede to the yate and lete it vp wide .
He lete yii alle that gone wolde or ride . 312
And seide ye be welcome with-out1 any greue .
ffor we wilt be maisters here and axe no man leue .
Yestirday I left seide yong1 Gamelyne .
In my brother* seler1 fyue toun wyne . 316
I witt not1 this companye parten on twyn .
And ye wilt don aftir1 me while sope is ther'-yn .
And if my brother5 gruche or make foule chere .
Other1 of spence of mete and drynke that we spende here .
I am our1 catour1 and bere our1 alther1 purs .
He schalt haue for his grucchyng1 seynt Marie curs .
Mi "brother* is a nygon I swere be cristes ore.
And we wilt spende largely that he hath sparid yore . 324
And who that maketll grucchyng that we here dwelle .
He schalt to the porter1 in to the draw welle .
Vij. daies and .vij. nyght Gamelyn helde his fest .
With moche solace was there and non chest . 328
In a litelt toret his brother1 lay steke .
And sigh hem waste his good and dorst not speke .
IF Erly in a mornyng on the .viij. day .
The gestis come to Gamelyn and wolde gone here way . 332
Lordis seide Gamelyn wilt ye so hye .
All the wyne is not1 yet1 dronke so broke I myn eye .
Gamelyn in his herte was futt wo .
When his gestis toke here leue fro hym for to go . 336
He wolde thei had dwellid lenger1 and thei seide nay .
But bi-taught Gamelyn god and good day .
Thus made Gamelyn his fest1 and brought1 it1 weft to ende .
And after1 his gestis toke leue to wende . 340
IT Litheth and listenyth and holdith your1 tonge .
And ye schult here gamen of Gamelyn the yonge .
Herkenyth lordyngis and listneth a-right .
When alle gestis were gone how Gamelyn was dightf ./ 344
HARLEIAN 1758. 10
II *•
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
Att the while that Gamelyn helde his mangerie . [leaf 49, back]
His brothir* thought on hym be wreke with his trecherie .
Tho Gamelyns gestis were riden and gone .
Gamelyn stood a-none allone frend had he none . 348
Tho aftir* felt sone with-yn a litilt stonde .
Gamelyn was taken and futt hard bonde .
fforth come the fals knyght out of the solere .
To Gamelyn his brother* he yede fult nere . 352
And seide to Gamelyn who made the so bolde .
ffor to stroien my stour* of my housholde .
Brother* seide Gamelyn wrath the right noght .
ffor it is mony day gone sith it was boght . 356
ffor brother3 J>e profite/ thou hast had be seynt Eichere .
Of .xv. plowes of londe this sixtene yere .
And of alle the bestis thou hast forth bredde .
That my fadir* me bi-quath on his deth bedde . 360
Of alt this sixtene yere I yeue the the prowe .
ffor the mete and the drynke that1 we haue spendid iiowe .
Than seide the fals knyght1 euytt mote he the .
Herken brother* Gamelyn what I wilt yeue the . 364
ffor of my body brother* here geten haue I non .
I wilt make the myn eire I swere bi seynt lolin .
Parfay seide Gamelyn and it1 so be .
And thou thynkist as thou seist god yelde it the . 368
No thyng1 wist Gamelyn of his brother* gile .
Therfore he hym bi-giled in a litilt while .
Gamelyn seide he oo thyng I the telle .
Tho thou threwe my porter* in the drawe welle. 372
I swoor in that1 wrath and in that gret moote.
That thou schuldistf be bouwde both hond and foote .
......... no gap in the MS.} 376
ffor to holden myn a- vow as I the bi-hote .
To ben myn heire of1 londe hous and cote .
Brother* seide Gamelyn as mote I the .
Thou schalt not be for-swore for the loue of me . 380
HAELEIAN 1758. 11
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
Tho maden thei Gamelyn to sitte for lie schulde not stonde .
Tilt thei had hym bouwde bothe foot and honde .
The fals knyght his brother* of Gamelyn was a-gast .
And sent aftir5 feters to feteren hym fast . 384
His brother made lesyngis on hym there he stood .
And tolde hem that comen yn that Gamelyn was wood .
Gamelyn stode to a post bou?zden in the halle .
Tho that comen yn loldd on hym alle . 388
Euer stood Gamelyn euyn vp right1 .
But mete ne drynke had he non neither1 day ne nyght.
Than seide Gamelyn brother5 "be niyi hals .
.Now I haue a-spied thou art a parti fals . 392
Had I wist1 the treson that thou hast fou?zde ./
I wolde haue yeue strokis or I had be bouwde . [leaf 503
Gamelyn stoed bouwde stille as ony stoon .
Two daies and two nyghtis mete had he noon. 396
Than seide Gamelyn that stoed y-bouwde strong1 .
Adam spenser5 me thynketh I fast to long1 .
Adam spenser5 now I beseche the .
ffor the moche loue my fadir5 loued the . 400
Yf thou may come to the keys lese me out1 of bond .
And I witt parte with the of my fre lond .
Than seide Adam that was the spenser5 .
I haue seruyd thi brother5 this .xvj. yere . 404
Yf I lete the goon out of his boure .
He wolde saie aftirwarde I were a traitoure ./
Adam seide Gamelyn so brok I myn hals .
Thou schalt fynde my brother5 at the last fals . 408
Therfore brother* Adam lose me out of bondis .
And I wift parte with the of my fre londis .
Yp suche forward seide Adam y-wis .
I wift do thereto all that in me is . 412
Adam seide Gamelyn as mote I the .
I witt holde the couenauwt and thoii wift helpe me .
A-noon as Adams lord to bedde was goon .
Adam toke the keyes and lete Gamelyn out a-noon . 416
HABLEIAN 1758. 12
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
He vnlokked Gamelyn botlie hondis and feet1 .
In hope of auauwcement that he hym bi-heef .
Than seide Gamelyn thankid be goddis sonde
Now I am lose bothe foot and honde . 420
Had I now eten and dronken a-right ./
Ther1 is noon in this hous schulde bynde me this nyght .
Adam toke Gamelyn as stille as ony stoon .
And lad hym in to spense raply a-noon . 424
And sette hym to soper1 right in a pryue stede .
He bad hym do gladly and Gamelyn so dide .
A-noon as Gamelyn had eten weft and fyne .
And therto dronken weft of the rede wyne . 428
Adam seide Gamelyn what is now thi reed .
Or I go to my brothel and gird of his heed ./
Gamelyn seide Adam it schaft not be so .
I con teche the a rede that is worth the two . 432
I wote weft for sothe that this is no nay .
"We schuft haue a mangerie right on sonday .
Abbotes and priours mony here schaft be .
And other1 men of holy chirche as I telle the . 436
Thou schalt stonde vp bi the post as thou were bouwd fast .
And I schaft leue hem vn-loke that a-weie thou may hem
"Whan that thei haue eten and waschen here hondis . Lcas* 7
Thou schalt biseke hem alle to bryng1 the out of bondis .
And if thei witt borow the that were good game . [leaf 50, back]
Than were thou out of prison and I out of1 blame .
And if eche of hem saie to vs nay .
I schaft do a nother/ I swere be this day . 444
Thou schalt haue a good staf and I will haue a nother/
And cristes curs haue that oon that faileth that other/
Ye for god seide Gamelyn I say it for me .
If I faile on my side yueft mote I the . 448
Yf we schuft algate assoile hem of here synne .
"Warne me brother1 Adam whan we schuft be-gynne .
Gamelyn seide Adam be seynt charite .
I witt warne the biforne whan it schaft be . 452
HAKLEIAN 1758. 13
APPENDIX TO GKOUP A. GAMELYN. Harlelan 1758.
Whan I wynk on the loke for to gone .
And cast a-weie thi feters and come to me a-none .
Adam seide Gamelyn 'blessid be thy bones .
That is a good coimseile yeuen for the nones . 456
Yf thei warne me to bryng me out of bendis .
I wilt sette good strokes right on here lendis .
Tho the sonday was comen and folke to the feste .
ffaire thei were welcomed bothe leste and meste . 460
And euer as thei at halle dore come yn .
Thei cast here ye on yong1 Gamelyn .
The fals knyght his brother1 fuft of trecherie .
Alle the gestis that thei0 were at the mangerie . 464
Of Gamelyn his brother1 he tolde hem with mouth .
Aft the harme and the schame that he telle couth .
Tho thei were seruyd of messis two or thre .
Than seide Gamelyn how serue ye me . 468
It is noght weft seruyd bi god that aft made .
That I sitte fastyng and other1 men make glade .
The fals knyght his brother1 ther1 as he stood .
Tolde alle gestis that Gamelyn was wood . 472
And Gamelyn stood stille and vnswared right noght .
But Adams wordis he helde in his thoght .
Tho Gamelyn gan speke deolfully with alle .
To the gret lordis that seeten in the halle . 476
Lordis he seide for cristes passion .
Helpe to bryng Gamelyn out of prison .
Than seide an Abbot sorow on his cheke .
He schaft haue cristes curs and seynt maries eke . 480
That the out of prison beggith or borow .
But euer worth hym weft that doth the moche sorow .
Aftir1 that abbot1 than spake a nother1 .
I wolde thyn heed were of theigh thou were my brother1 .
Alle that the borow fonle mote hem falle . 485
Thus thei seiden alle that were in the halle .
Than seide a priour1 euyft mote he preue .
It is gret sorow and care boy thou art on lyue . Deaf 513
HAELEIAN 1758. 14
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harlcian 1758.
Ow seide Gamelyii so "broke I my bone . 489
Now I haue spied that frercdis haue I none .
Cursed mote he worth both flesch and blood .
That euer doth priour1 or Abbot any good . 492
Adam the spenser* toke vp the cloth .
And loked on Gamelyn and sigh that he was wroth .
Adam on the pantrie lititt thoght .
But two good staues to the halle dore he broght . 496
Adam loked on Gamelyn and he was ware a-none .
And cast a^weie the feters and bi-gan to gone .
Tho he cam to Adam he toke the oon staf .
And bigan to worche and good strokes yaf . 500
Gamelyn come in to the halle and Adam spenser* bothe .
And lokid hem a-boute as thei had ben wrothe .
Gamelyn spreyneth holi water1 with a Oken spire .
That some that stood vp right felt in the fire . 504
Ther1 was no lewid man that in the halle stood .
That wolde do Gamelyn any thyng1 but good .
But stodyn be siden and lete hem both wirche .
if or thei had no reweth of men of holi chirche . 508
Abbot or priotir1 Monk1 or Chano?/n .
That Gamelyn ouertoke a-noon thei yeden doiin .
Ther1 was non of alle that with his staf mette .
That he made hem ouerthrowe and quyt hem his dette . 512
Gamelyn seide Adam for seynt charite .
Paie good lyueray for the loue of me .
And I wift kepe the dore so euer here I masse ./
Er> thei ben assoiled ther1 schaft noon passe . 516
Doute the noght seide Gamelyn while we ben in fere .
Kepe thou weft the dore and I wift worche here .
By-stere the good Adam and let ther1 non fle .
And we schuft telle largely how mony that thei0 be . 520
Gamelyn seide Adam do hem but good .
Thei ben men of holy chirche drawe of hem no blood .
Saue weft the crowne and do hem no harmes .
But breke both her' leggis and sithen her* armes . 524
HAKLEIAN 1758. 15
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
Thus Gamelyn and Adain wroght right fast .
And pleide with the monkis and made hem a-gast .
Tinder1 thei come rydyng1 ioly with swaynes .
And home a-yen thei were lad in cartis and waynes ./ 528
Tho thei hadden alle y-doo. then seide a gray ffrere .
Alas sir1 Abbot what dide we now here .
Tho that we comen hider/ it was a colde reede .
Vs hadde ben better1 at home with water1 and with breede .
"While Gamelyn made ordris of monkis and frere . 533
Euyr1 stood his brother1 and made fonle chere .
Gamelyn vp with his staf that he weft knew . [leaf 51, back]
And girt1 hym in the nek that he oner threw . 536
A litift a-boue the girditt the rigge boon to-brast .
And sette hym in the feters ther1 he satt arst .
Sitte there brother1 seide Gamelyn .
ffor to colen thi body as I dide myn . 540
As swithe as thei haddyn wroken hem 011 her1 foon .
Thei asked water1 and waschen a-noon .
What some for her1 loue and some for her1 awe .
Alle the seruaimtis serueth hem of the best lawe . 544
IF The Schereue was thenne but fyue myle .
And att was tolde hym in a litett while .
How Gamelyn and Adam haden doone a sory res .
Bounden and wounden men a-yens the kyngis pes . 548
Tho bi-gan sone strif for to wake .
And the Schirene a-boute Gamelyn for to take .
IT ISTow lithe]; and listneth so god yeue you good fyne .
And ye schuft here good game of yong Gamelyne . 552
ifoure and twenti yong1 men that helden hem fuft bolde .
Come to the schireue and seide that thei wolde .
Gamelyn and Adam fette bi her1 fay .
The Schirreue yeue hem leue soth for to say . 556
Thei hyeden fast wolde thei not lynne .
Tilt thei come to the gate there Gamelyn was ynne .
Thei knokkeden on the gate the porter1 was nyghe .
And lokid out at an hole as man that was slighe . 560
HARLEIAN 1758. 16
n
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleiau 1758.
The porter* had biholde hem a litult while .
He louyd weft Gamelyn and was drad of gile .
And lete the wiket stond fult stille .
And asked hem. with-oute what was here wille. 564
1F ffor alle the gret companye than spak but oon .
Yndo the gate porter1 and lete vs yn goon .
Than seide the porter1 so brouke I my chyn .
Ye schult sale your1 erand yer1 ye come yn . 568
Sale to Gamelyn and Adam yf theire wili be
We wilt speke with hem two wordes or thre .
ffelaw seide the porter stonde there stille .
And I wilt wende to Gamelyn to wite his wille . 572
In weiite the porter1 to Gamelyn a-noon .
And seide sir1 I warne you here be comen your1 foon .
The Schereuys men ben atte the gate .
ffor to take you both schult ye not scape , 576
Porter1 seide Gamelyn so mote I welt the .
I wilt allow the thi wordis when I my tyme se .
Go a-geyn to the gate and dwelle with hem a while .
And thou schalt se right sone porter1 a gile . 580
Adam seide Gamelyn loke the to gone .
We haue foo-men atte yate and frendis neuer one . [leaf 52]
Hit ben the Schereuys men that hider1 ben come .
Thei be swore to-gider1 that we schalt be norne . 584
Gamelyn seide Adam hye the right blyue .
And if I faile the this day euylt mote I thryue .
And we schult so welcome the Schereuys men .
That some of hem schalt make here beddis in the fen . 588
At a posterne gate Gamelyn out went .
And a good cartstaf in his honde hent .
Adam hent sone a nother1 gret staf .
ffor to helpen Gamelyn and good strokis yaf . 592
Adam felt tweyne and Gamelyn felt thre .
The other1 sette feet on erthe and bi-gan to fle .
What seide Adam so euyr1 here I masse
I haue right good wyne drynke or ye passe . 596
HARLEIAN 1758. 17
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleiaii 1758.
Nay bi god seide thei thi drynke is not good .
It wolde make a mannes brayn to lyen in his hood .
Gamelyn stood stille and lokid hym a-bonte .
And seide the schereue cometh with a gret route . 600
Adam seide Gamelyn what ben now thi redis .
Here cometh the schereue and wift haue our' hedis .
Adam seide to Gamelyn myn rede is now this .
A-bide we no lenger* lest we fare a-mys . 604
I rede that we to wode gone or that we be founde .
Better1 is there louse than in towne be bounde .
Adam toke bithe honde yong1 Gamelyne./
And euery of hem drank a draught of wyne ./ 608
And after* token her* cours and wenten her5 way .
Tho fonde the schereue nest but non ay .
The schereue light doun and wente in to halle .
And fonde the lorde feterid fast with alle . 612
The schereue vnfeterid hym right sone a-noon .
And sent aftir* a leche to hele his rigge boon .
IT Lete we now the fals knyght lie in his care .
And talke we of Gamelyn and loke how he fare . 616
Gamelyn in to the wode stalkid stille .
And Adam spenser* liked this ille .
Adam swore to Gamelyn be seynt Eichere.
"Now I se it is mery to be a spensere . 620
That leuyi0 me were keies to bere .
Than walken in this wilde wode my clothis to tere .
Adam seide Gamelyn dismay the right nought .
Mony a good mannys childe in care is brought . 624
As thei stood talkyng1 bothen in fere .
Adam herde talkyng of men and nygh hem thought thei
Tho Gamelyn vndir1 wode lokid a-right . [were .
Seuyn score of yong men he sigh weft dight . 628
Alle sate at the mete compas a-boute . [leaf 52, back]
Adam seide Gamelyn now haue I no doute .
After* bale cometh bote thorogh goddis myght .
Me thynke of mete and drynke I haue a sight . 632
HARLEIAN 1758. 18
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
Adam loked tho vndir5 wode "bough .
And tho he say mete and he was glad y-nough .
ffor he hoped to god to haue his dele .
And he was sore a-longed after* a good mele . 636
As he seide that worde the maister5 outlawe .
Saugh Adam and Gamelyn vndir5 wode schawe .
Yonge men seide the maister5 bi the good rode .
I am war1 of gestis god sende vs gode . 640
Yonde ben two yonge men weft a-dight .
And perauenture ther5 ben more who so lokid a-right .
A-riseth vp yong1 men and fette hem to me .
It is good that we witen what men thei be . 644
Yp ther5 stertyn seuene fro the dyner5 .
And metten with Gamelyn and Adam spenser5 .
Whan thei were nyghe hem than seide that one .
Yeldeth vp yonge men your5 bowes and your1 flone . 648
Than seide Gamelyn that yong was of elde .
Moche sorow mote thei haue that to you hem yelde .
I course non other5 but right my selue .
Thei ye fette to you fyue than be ye twelue . 652
Tho thei herde bi his worde that myght was yn his arme .
Ther5 was non of hem that wolde do hem harme .
But seide to Gamelyn myldely and stille .
Come a-fore our5 maister5 and say to hym thi wille . 656
Yonge men seide Gamelyn be your5 lewte .
What man is your5 maister5 that ye with be .
Alle thei aiiswerde with-oute lesynge .
Our5 maister5 is crowned of outlawis kynge . 660
Adam seide Gamelyn go we in cristes name .
He may neither5 mete ne drynke werne vs for schame .
Yf ,that he be hende and come of gentitt blood . 663
He witt yeue vs mete and drynke and do vs some good .
Be seynt lame seide Adam what harme that I gete ,
I wilt auenture me that I had mete .
Gamelyn and Adam went forth in fere .
And thei grette the maister / that thei fonde there . 668
HARLEIAN 1758. 19
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
1T Than seide the inaister / kyng of outlawes .
What seke ye yonge men vndir1 wode schawes .
Gamelyn answerde . the kyng with his crowne . 671
He most nedis walke in felde that may not walke in towne .
Sire we walke not here non harme to do .
But if we mete a deer1 to schete thereto .
As men that ben hungry and mow no mete fynde .
1T And ben hard be-stad vndir1 wode lynde. [leaf 53] 676
Of Gamelyn wordis the maister5 had reuthe .
And seide ye schaft haue y-nogh haue god my treuthe .
He bad hem sitte douw for to take reste .
And bad hem ete and drynke and that of the beste . 680
As thei eten and dronken weft and fyne .
Than seide oon to a nether5 this is Gamelyne .
Tho was the maister1 outlawe in to comzseile nome ./
And tolde how if was Gamelyn that thider1 was come .681:
A-non as he herde how it was be-falle .
He made hym maister1 vndir* hym ouer hem alle .
With-yn the thrid wike hym come tithyng1 .
Tho the maister5 outlawe that was her* kyng1 . 688
That he schulde come home his pees was made .
And of that good tithyng1 he was fuft glade .
Tho seide he to his yong1 men soth for to telle .
Me ben comen tithynges I may no longer* dwelle/ . 692
Tho was Gamelyn a-non with-oute tariyng1 .
Made maister5 outlawe and crowned her' kyng1 .
Tho was Gamelyn crowned kyng of outlawes .
And walkid a while vndir5 wode schawes . 696
IT The fals knyght his brother1 was schereue and sire .
And lete his brother5 endite for hate and for hire .
Tho were his bonde-men sory and no thyng1 glade . 699
When Gamelyn her1 lorde wolfes heed was cried and made .
And sent out of his men where thei myght hym fynde .
ffor to go seke Gamelyn vndir5 wode lynde .
To telle hym tithyng the wynde was went .
Aft his good reuyd and alle his men schent . 704
HARLEIAN 1758. 20
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
Whan thei hadden hym founde on knees thei hern setten .
And a-dourc with here hood and her5 lorde gretten .
Sir1 wrath yow nought for the good rode .
ffor we han brought you tithyng but thei be not gode . 708
"Now is thi brother5 schereue and hath the baillie .
And hath endited the and wolfes heed doth the crie .
Alias seide Gamelyn that euer I was so slak1 .
That I ne had broke his nekke tho I his rigge brak . 712
Goth greteth well bo]>e/ housbonde/ and wif .
I witt be at the next schire haue god my lyf .
Gamelyn cam redy to the next schire .
And ther1 was his brother1 both lorde and sire . 716
Gamelyn boldely come in to the mote halle .
And put a-douw his hood amonge the lordis alle .
God saue you lordynges that here be .
But broke bak schereue euyft mote thou the . 720
Wbi hast thou do me that schame and vilonye .
ffor to late endite me and wolfesheed do me crie ./
Tho thought the fals knyght for to ben a-wreke . [leaf 53, back]
And let1 Gamelyn most he no thyng1 speke . 724
Might1 ther1 be no grace but Gamelyn at the last .
Was cast in prison and feterid fast ./
Gamelyn hath a brother/ that hight sir1 Ote .
As a good a knyght and hende as myght gon on fote . 728
A-non yede a messaged to that good knyght .
And tolde hym aft to-gider1 how Gamelyn was dight .
A-non as sire Ote herde how Gamelyn was dight .
He was right sory was he no thyng light . 732
And lete sadift a stede and the way he name .
And to his tweie bretheryn right sone he came .
Sire seide sir1 Ote to the schereue tho .
We ben but thre bretheren schuft we neuer be mo . 736
And thou hast prisoned the best of vs alle .
Suche a nether1 brother1 euyft mote hym bi-falle .
Sir1 Ote seide the fals knyght late be thi curs/.
By god for thi wordis he schaft fare the wurs . 740
HAKLEIAN 1758. 21
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
To the kyngis prison he is y-nome .
And there he schalt a-bide tilt the iustice come .
Parde seide sir* Ote bettir1 it schali be .
I bid hym to maympris that thou grauwte me . 744
Tilt the next sittyng of delyueratmce .
And late than Gamelyn stonde to his chauwce .
Brother* in suche a forwarde I take hym to the .
And by my fadris soule that the bigat and me . 748
But he be redy whan the iustice sitte ./
Thou schalt bere the iugement for ait thi gret witte .
I graimte welt seide sir1 Ote that it so be .
Late delyuer1 hym a-non and take hym to me . 752
Tho was Gamelyn delyue?*ed to sir1 Ote his brother1 .
And that nyght dwellicl the oon with the other1 .
On the morowen seide Gamelyn to sir1 Ote the hende .
Brother1 he seide I mote for sothe fro you wende . 756
To loke how my yong men leden here lyf .
Whethir1 thei lyuen in ioy or ellis in strif .
By god seide sir1 Ote that is a colde rede .
Now I see that alle the carke schalt fait on my hede . 760
ffor whan the Justice sitte and thou be not foimde .
I schalt a-non be take and in thi stede y-bou?zde .
Brother1 seide Gamelyn dismaie the noght .
ffor bi seynt lame in Galis that mony man hath soght . 764
Yf that god Almyghty holde me my lyf and my witte .
I wilt be redy whan the iustice sitte .
Than seide sir1 Ote to Gamelyn god schilde the fro schame .
Come when thou seist tyme and bryng1 vs oute of blame .
Litheth and listneth and hold yow stille ./ 769
And ye schult here how Gamelyn had his wille . deaf 54]
Gamelyn wente vndir1 wode rys .
And fonde ther plaiyng yong1 men of prys . 772
Tho was yong1 Gamelyn right glad y-noghe .
When he fonde his men vndir1 wode boghe .
Gamelyn and his men talkeden in fere .
And thei had good game here maister1 to here . 776
HAELEIAN 1758. 22
-2-
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
His men tolde hym of auenturis that thei had fouwde .
And Gamelyn hem tolde a-yen how he was fast boimde .
While Gamelyn was outlawe had he no cors .
Thef was no man that for hym ferde the wors . 780
But Abbotis and priours monk and Chanon .
On hem left he noght when he myght hem nome .
While Gamelyn and his men made myrthes ryue .
The fals knyght his brother* euyft mote he jjryue . 784
ffor he was fast a-boute bothe day and other .
ffor to hire the quest1 to hangen his brother/
IT Gamelyn stood on a day and behelde .
The wodis and the schawis and the wilde filde . 788
He thought on his brother* how he hym be-hette .
That he wolde be redy whan the iustice sette .
He thought welt he wolde with-oute delay .
Come a-fore the iustice to kepen his day. 792
And seide to his yong men dighteth you yare .
ffor whan the iustice sitte we moste be thare .
ffor I am vndir* borow tilt that I come .
And my brother1 for me to pn'son schali be nome . 796
Be seynt lame seide his yong men and thou rede therto .
Ordeyne how it1 schaft be and it schaft be do .
While Gamelyn was comyng thei0 the iustice satte .
The fals knyght his brother* for-yate he not that . 800
To hire the men on his quest to hangen his brother* .
Thogh thei had not the oon thei wolde haue the other* .
Tho come Gamelyn fro vndir* the wode rys .
And broght with hym yong1 men of prys . 804
I se welt seide Gamelyn the Justice is sette .
Go a-forn Adam and loke how it spette .
Adam went in to the halle and loked aft a-boute .
He sigh ther* stonde lordis grete and stoute . 808
And sir* Ote his brother* feterid fuft faste .
Tho went Adam oute of halle as he were a-gaste .
Adam seide to Gamelyn and to his felawis alle .
Sir* Ote stant feterid in the mote halle ./ 812
HAELEIAN 1758. 23
APPENDIX TO GROUP A. GAMELYN. Harleian 1758.
.......... no gap in the
Yf god yeue vs grace weft for to do .
He schaft it a-bigge that it "brought thereto . 816
Than seide Adam that lokkes had hore./
Cristes curs mote he haue that hym bond so sore .
And thou wilt1 Gamelyn do aftir1 my rede . [leaf 5*. back]
Ther1 is non in the halle schaft bere a-wey his hede . 820
Adam seide Gamelyn we wift not do so .
We wilt sle the giltif and late the other* go .
I wift in to the halle and with the Justice speke .
On hem that ben giltif I wift ben a-wreke . 824
Lete non scape at the dore take yong men yeme
ffor I wift be lustice this day domes to deme .
God spe-le me this day at my newe werke .
Adam come with me for thou schalt be my clerke . 828
His men viiswareden hym and bad hym done his beste .
And if thou to vs haue nede thou schalt fynde vs preste .
We wift stonde with the while that we may dure .
And but we wirken manly pay vs non hure . 832
Yonge men seide Gamelyn so mote I weft the ./
As trusti a maister1 ye schalt fynde me .
Eight there the lustice satte in the halle
In went Gamelyn amongis hem alle . 836
Gamelyn lete vnfeter his brother1 out of bende .
Than seide sir1 Ote his brother1 that was hende .
Tiicu haddist almost Gamelyn dwellid to longe .
ffor the quest is oute on me that I schulde be honge . 840
Brother / seide Gamelyn so god yeue me good rest .
This day thei schuft ben hanged that ben on the quest .
And the lustice bothe that is the luge man .
And the schereue bothe thorgh hym it be-gan . 844
IF Than seide Gamelyn to the lustice .
Now is thi power1 done thou most nedis rise .
Thou hast yeuyn domyb that ben yuett dight .
I wift sitten in thi sete and dressen hem a-rightf . 848
HARLEIAN 1758. 24
GKOUP D, FKAGMENT V.
§ 1. WIFE OF BATH'S PREAMBLE.
HENGWRT MS.
^ Here bigynneth the prologe of the tale of Deaf58]
the Wyf of Bathe .
Experience / thogh noon Auctoritee
Were in this world / is right ynogh for me
To speke of wo / that is in mariage
ffor lordynges / sith ]>at I twelf yeer was of age 4
Thonked "be god / that is eterne on lyue .
Housbondes atte chirche dore / I haue had fyue
If I so ofte / myghte han wedded be
And alle were worthy men / in hir degree 8
But me was told certeyn / noght longe agon is
That sith fat Crist1 ne wente neuere but onys
To weddyng1 in the Cane of Galilee
That by the same ensample / taughte he me 12
That I ne sholde / wedded be but ones
1F Herke eek / lo / which a sharp word for the nones
Bisyde a welle / Ihesus / god and man
Spak/ in repreeue of the Samaritan 1 6
1T Thow hast yhad / fyue housbondes quod he
And that ilke man / which that now hath thee
Is nat thyn housbonde / thus he seyde certeyn .
What that he mente ther-by / I kan nat seyn 20
But ]>at I axe / why Jwrt the fifthe man
Was noon housbonde / to the Samaritan
How manye / myghte she han in mariage
Yet herde I neuere / tellen in myn age 24
10 HENGWRT 129 (6-T. 334)
335 SIX-TEXT
130 GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
Vp-on this nombre / diffynycioun
Men may dyuyne / and glosen vp & doun
But wel I woot expres / with-outen lye
God bad vs / for to wexe and multiplye 28
That gentil text1 kan I wel vnderstonde
IT Eek wel I woof he seyde jjat myn housbonde
Sholde lete / fader and moder/ and take to me
But of no nombre / mencion) made he 32
Of Bigamye / or of Octogamye
Why sholde men thanne / speke of it vileynye
1F Lo here / the wise kyng1 Dann Salomon
I trowe / he hadde wyues many oon 36
As wolde god / it leueful were to me [leaf 58, back]
To be refresshed / half so ofte as he
Which yifte of god hadde he / for alle hise wyuys
~No man hath swich / that in this world alyue is 40
God woof this noble kyng1 as to my wit
The firste nyght1 hadde many a murye fit
With ech of hem / so wel was hym on lyue
Blessed be god / that I haue wedded fyue 44
Wel come the sixte / whan ]>ai euere he shal
ffor sith I wol nat kepe me / chaast in al
Whan myn housbonde / is fro the world agon
Som cristen man / shal wedde me anon 48
ifor thanne thapostle seith / fat I am free
To wedde a goddes half / where it liketh me
He seith / that to be wedded is no synne
Bet is to be wedded / than to brynne 52
What rekketh me / theigh folk/ seye vileynye
Of shrewed Lameth / and his bigamye
I woot wel / Abraham was an holy man
And lacob eek* as fer as euere I kan 56
And ech of hem / hadde wyues mo than two
And many another /holy man also
IF Where kan ye seye / in any maner age
That heighe god / defended mariage 60
HENGWRT 130 (6-T. 33o)
336 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIPE'S PREAMBLE. HCBLgWTt MS. 131
By expres word / I pray yow telleth me
Or where comanded he virgynytee
I woot as wel as ye / it is no drede
Thapostle / whan he speketh of maydenhede 64
He seyde / that precept ther-of / hadde he noon
Men may conseille a womman / -to be oon
But conseillyng* nys no comandemenfr
He put it1 in oure owene luggement1 68
ffor hadde god / comanded maydenliede
Thanne hadde he dampned weddyng1 with the dede
And certes / if ther were no seed ysowe
Virgynytee thanne / wher-of sholde it growe 72
Poul dorste nat comanden / at the leeste
A thyng1 of which / his mayster yaf noon heeste
The dart/ is set vp for virgynytee
Cacche who so may / who renneth best lat se 76
But this word / is noght take of euery wighfr [leaf 59]
But ther as god / list yeue it of his myght1
I woot wel / that thapostle was a mayde
But nathelees / thogh ^>at he wroof or sayde 80
He wolde / that euery wight1 were swich as he
Al nys but conseil / to virgynytee
And for to been a wyf / he yaf me leue
Of Indulgence / so nys it no repreue 84
To wedde me / if that my make dye
With-outen excepcion of bigamye
Al were it good / no womman for to touche
He mente / as in his bed / or in his couche 88
ffor peril is / bothe fyr and tow tassemble
Ye knowe / what this ensample may resemble
This al and som / he heeld virgynytee
Moore parntf than weddyng in freletee 92
ffreletee clepe I / but if J?at he and she
Wolde leden / al hir lyf* in chastitee
I graunte it wel / I haue noon enuye
Thogh maydenhede / preferre bigamye . 96
HENGWBT 131 (6-T. 336)
337 SIX-TEXT
132 GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
It liketh hem to be clene / in body and goosf
Of myn estafr ne wol I make no boost1
ffor wel ye knowe / a lord in his houshold
!Ne hath nat euery vessel / al of gold 100
Somme been of tree / and doon hir lord seruyse
God clepeth folk to hym / in sondry wyse
And euerich / hath of god a propre yifte
Som this / som that1 as hym liketh shifte 104
Virgynytee / is greet perfeccion
And continence eek* with deuocion
But Crist1 that of perfeccion / is welle
Bad nat euery wight1 he sholde go selle 108
Al that he hadde / and yeue it to the poore
And in swich wise / folwe hym and his foore
He spak to hem / that wol lyue parfitly
And lordynges / by youre leue / that am nat I 112
I wol bistowe / the flour of al myn age
In thactes / and in fruyt of mariage
IT Telle me also / to what conclusion quests
Were membres maad / of generacion 116
And of so pa-rfit1 wys a wight ywroght / [i«if so, bacio
Trusteth right wel / they were nat maad for noghtf
Glose who so wole / and seye bothe vp and douii
That they were maad / for purgacioun 120
Of Vryne / and oure bothe thynges smale
Was eek to knowe / a femelle/ from a male
And for noon oother cause / sey ye / no ?
Thexperience / woot wel it is noght so 124
So that the Clerkes / be nat with me wrothe
I sey this / J>at they maked been for bothe
That is to seyn / for office and for ese
Of engendmre / ther we nat god displese 128
Why sholde men ellis / in hir bokes sette
That man shal yelde / to his wyf hir dette
Now wherwith / sholde he make his paiement
If he ne vsed / his sely Instrument1 132
HENGWRT 132 (6-T. 337)
338 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS. 133
Thanne were they maad / vp-on a creature
To purge vryne / and eek for engendrure
^T But I seye noght1 fat euery wight is holde
That hath swich harneys / as I to yow tolde 136
To goon / and vsen hem in engendrure
Thanne sholde men take / of Chastitee no cure
Crist was a mayde / and shapen as a man
And many a Seyntf sith that the world bigan 140
yet lyued they euere / in parfit Chastitee
I nyl envie / no virgynytee
Lat hem be breed / of pured whete seed
And lat us wyues / hote Barlybreed 144
And yet with Barlybreed / Mark telle kan
Oure lord Ihesu / refresshed many a man
In swich estafr as god hath clepyd vs
I wol perseuere / I nam nat precius 148
In wifhode / wol I vse myn Instrument1
As frely / as my makere hath it sent1
If I be daungerous / god yeue me sorwe
Myn housbonde / shal it han / bothe eue and morwe 152
Whan that hym lisf com forth and paye his dette
And housbonde / wol I haue / I wol nat lette
Which shal be / bothe / my dettour and my thral
And haue / his tribulacion / with-al 156
Vp-on his flessfr / whil that I am his wyf [leafeo]
I haue the power / duryng al my lyf
Vp-on his propre body / and nat he
Eight thus / thapostle / tolde it vn-to me 160
And bad oure housbondes / for to loue vs wel
Al this sentence / me liketh euery del
V p stirte the Pardoner / and that anon
Now dame quod he / by god and by Seint loftn 164
Ye been a noble Prechour / in this cas
I was aboute / to wedde a wyf alias
What* sholde I bye it / on my flessh so deere
Yet hadde I leuere / wedde no wyf to yeere 168
HENGWRT 133 (6-T. 338)
339 SIX-TEXT
134 GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
IT Abyd quod she / my tale is riat bigonne
JS"ay / thow shalt drynken / of another tonne
Er fat I go / shal sauoure wors than Ale
And whan that I / haue toold thee forth my tale 172
Of tribulacion / in maryage
Of which I am expert1 in al myn age
This is to seye / my self hath been the whippe
Thanne maystow / chese / wheither fat thow wolt sippe
Of thilke tonne / that I shal abroche ] 77
Be war of it / er thow to neigh approche
ffor I shal telle ensamples / mo than ten
Who so fat nyle / be war/ by othere men 180
By hym / shal othere men corrected be
Thise same wordes / writeth Protholome
Rede in his Almageste / and take it there
IT Dame I wolde pray yow / if youre wyl it were 184
Seyde this Pardoner / as ye bigan
Telle forth youre tale / spareth for no man
And techeth vs yonge men / of youre praktyke
1F Gladly quod she / syn it may yow lyke 188
But that I praye / to al this compaignye
If that I speke / after my fantasye
As taketh nat agrief / of that I seye
ffor myn entente / nys but for to pleye 192
JJfow gire / thanne wol I telle yow forth my tale
As euere / moot I drynke / wyn or Ale
I shal seye sooth / tho housbondes fat I hadde
As three of hem were goode / and two were badde 196
The thre men / were goode / and ryche / and olde [leaf eo, back]
Vnnethe myghte they / the Statut holde
In which / that they were bounden vn-to me
Ye woot wel / what I mene of this pardee 200
As help me god / I laughe whan I thynke
How pitously / a nyght I made hem swynke
And by my fey / I tolde of it no stoor
They hadde me yeuen / hir land and hir tresoor 204
HENGWRT 134 (6-T. 339)
340 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS. 135
Me neded natt do lenger diligence
To wynne hir lone / or doon hem reuerence
They loued me so wel / by god aboue
That I ne tolde / no deyntee of hir loue 208
A wys womman / wol bisye hire / euere in oon
To gete hir loue / ye ther as she hath noon
But sith I hadde hem / hoolly in myn hond
And sith that they / hadde yeuen me al hir lond 212
What sholde I take kepe / hem for to plese
But it were / for my profit1 and myn ese
I sette hem awerk1 by my fey
That many a iiyghfr they songen weylawey 216
The bacon / was nat fet for hem I trowe
That som men han / in Essexe at Donmowe
I gouerned hem / so wel after my lawe
That ech of hem / ful blisful was and fawe 220
To brynge me / gaye thynges fro the ffeyre
They were ful glad / whan I spak to hem feyre
ffor god it woof I chidde hem spitously
IF Now herkneth / how I bar me proprely 224
ye wise wyues / that konne vnderstonde
Thus sholde ye speke / and bere hem wrong on honde
ffor half so boldely / kan ther no man
Swere and lye / as a womman kan 228
I sey nat this / by wyues J)«t ben wyse
But if it be / whan they hem mysauyse
A wys wyf / if that she kan hir good
Shal bere hym an hond / the Cow is wood 232
And take witnesse / of hir owene mayde
Of hire assent1 but herkneth how I sayde
1F Sire olde kaynard / is this thyn array
Why is / my Neghebores wyf so gay 236
She is honoured / ouer al ther she goth Deaf ei]
I sitte at hoom / I haue no thrifty cloth
What dostow / at my neghebores hous
Is she so fair / artow so amorous 240
HENGWRT 135 (6-T. 340
341 SIX-TEXT
136 GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
What rowne ye with oure mayde / benedicite
Sire olde lechour / lat thy lapes be
And if I haue / a gossib / or A freend
With-outen gilt1 ye chiden as a feend 244
If that I walke / or pleye vn-to his hous
Thow contest hoom / as dronken as a mous
And prechest on thy bench / with yuel preef
Thow seyst to me / it is a greet mescheef 248
To wedde a poure womman / for costage
And if that she be ryche / of heigh parage
Thanne seistow / that it is a tormentrye
To suffre / hir pryde / and hir malencolye 252
And if fat she be fair / thow verray knaue
Thow seist1 that euery holour wol hire haue
She may no while / in chastitee abyde
That is assayled / vp-on ech a syde 256
^F Thow seyst1 som folk/ desiren vs for richesse
Somme for oure shape / and somme for oure fairnesse
And somme / for she kan outher synge / or daunce
And somme / for gentillesse / and dalyaunce 260
Somme for hir handes / and hir armes smale
Thus goth al to the deuel / by thy tale
Thow seyst/ men may nat kepe a Castel wal
It may so longe / assay lied been ouer al 264
And if that she be foul / thow seyst fat she
Coueiteth euery man / that she may se
ifor as a Spaynel / she wol on hym lepe
Til that she fynde / som man hir to chepe 268
Ne noon so grey goos / goth ther in the lake
As seistow / wol be with-oute make
And seyst1 it is an hard thyng/ for to wolde
A thyng/ that no man wol his thankes holde 272
Thus seistow lorel / whan thow goost to bedde
And that no wys man / nedeth for to wedde
Ne no man / that entendeth vn-to heuene
With wilde thonder dynt1 and firy leuene 276
HENGWRT 136 (6-T. 341)
342 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIPE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS. 137
Moote thy welked nekke / be to-broke [leaf ei, back]
Thow seysfr that droppyng houses / and eek smoke
And chidyng wyues / maken men to flee
Out of hir owene houses / a benediciteef 280
What eyleth / swich an old man for to chide
Thow seyst1 we wyues / wil oure vices hyde
Til we be fast/ and thanne we wol hem shewe
Wei may that be / a prouerbe of a shrewe 284
Thow seist1 ]>at Oxen / Asses / hors / and houndes
They been assayed / at dyuerse stoundes
Bacynes / lauours / er that men hem bye
Spoones / stooles / and al swich housbondrye 288
And so be pottes / clothes / and array
But folk/ of wyues / maken noon assay
Til they be wedded / olde dotard shrewe
And thanne seistow / we wil oure vices shewe 292
Thow seist also / that it displeseth me
But if that thow / wolt preise my beautee
And but thow powre / alwey vp-on my face
And clepe me faire dame / in euery place 296
And but thow make a feeste / on thilke day
That I was born / and make me fressh and gay
And but thow do / to my norice honour
And to my chambrere /• with-Inne my bour 300
And to my fadres folk / and his allyes
Thus seistow / olde barel ful of lyes
And yet1 of oure Apprentice / lankyn
ffor his crispe heer / shynyng1 as gold so fyn 304
And for he squyereth me / bothe vp and doun
Yet hastow caught* fals suspecioun
I wil hym nat1 thogh thow were deed to morwe
1T But tel me this / why hidestow with sorwe 308
The keyes of thy Cheste / awey fro me
It is my good / as wel as thyn pardee
What wenestow / make an ydiote of oure dame
Now by that lord / that called is Seint lame 312
HENGWRT 137 (6-T. 342)
343 SIX-TEXT
138 GROUP D. § I. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
Thow shalt noght bothe / thogh ]>ak thow were wood
Be maister / of my body / and my good
That oon thow shalt forgo / maugree thyne eyen
What helpeth if of me enquere and spyen 316
I trowe / thow woldest1 lok me in thy chiste [leaf 62]
Thow sh oldest seye / wyf/ go wher thee liste
Taak youre disport1 1 nyl leue no talis
I knowe yow / for a trewe wyf/ Dame Alis 320
We loue no man / that taketh kepe / or charge
Wher J?at we goon / we wol been at oure large
Of alle men / yblessed moote he be
The wise Astrologen / Daun Protholome 324
That seith this prouerbe / in his Almageste
Of alle men / his wisdom is hyeste
That rekketh nat1 who hath the world in hond
By this prouerbe / thow shalt vnderstonde 328
Haue thow ynogh / what thar thee rekke / or care
How myrily / that othere folkes fare
ffor certes / olde dotard / by youre leue
Ye shal han queynte / right ynogh at eue 332
He is to greet a nygard / that wil werne
A man to lighte a candle / at his lanterne
He shal han / neuer the lasse light pardee
Haue thow ynogh / thee thar nat pleyne thee 336
IF Thow seist also / that if we make vs gay
With clothyng1 and with precious array
That it is peril / of oure chastitee
And yet with sorwe / thow most enforce thee 340
And seye thise wordes / -in thapostles name
In habit1 maad with chastitee and shame
Ye wo?wmen / shal apparaille yow quod he
And nat in tressed heer / and gay perree 344
As perlys / ne with gold / ne clothes ryche
After thy text1 ne after thy rubryche
I wol nat werke / as muche / as is a gnat1
Thow seydest this / Jjat I was lyk a Cat1 348
HENGWRT 138 (6-T. 343)
344 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIPE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS. 139
ffor who so wolde senge / a Cattes skyn
Thanne wolde the Cat1 wel dwellen in his In
And if the Cattes skyn / be slyk1 and gay
She wol nat dwelle in house / half a day 352
But forth she wole / er any day "be dawed
To shewe hir skyn / and goon a Caterwawed
This is to seye / if I be gay sire shrewe
I wol renne out1 my borel for to shewe 356
Sire olde fool / what helpeth thee tespyen [leaf 62, back]
Thogh thow preye Argus / with his hundred eyen
To be my wardecorps / as he kan best
In feith / he shal nat kepe me / but me lest 360
Yet koude I make his berd / as mote I thee
IT Thow seydest eek1 ]>at ther ben thynges three
The whiche thynges / troublen al this erthe
And that no wight1 may endure the f erthe 364
0 leeue sire shrewe / Ihesu shorte thy lyf
Yet p?fechestow / and seist an hateful wyf
Yrekened is / for oon of thise myschaunces
Been ther / noone othere resemblaunces 368
That ye may likne / youre parables to
But if a sely wyf1 be oon of tho
IT Thow liknest eek / woramanes loue to helle
To bareyne lond / ther water may nat dwelle 372
Thow liknest it also / to wilde fyr
The moore it brenneth / the moore it hath desyr
To consumen euery thyng1 pat brent wol be
Thow seist1 right as wormes shende a tree 376
Eight so a wyf / destroyeth hir housbonde
This knowen they / that been to wyues bonde
1F Lordynges / right thus / as ye han vnderstonde
Bar I stifly / myne olde housbondes on honde 380
That thus they seyden / in hir dronkenesse
And al was fals / but that I took witnesse
On lankyn / and on my Nece also
0 lord / the pyne I dide hem / and the wo 384
HENGWRT 139 (6-T. 344)
345 SIX-TEXT
140 GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
fful giltlees / by goddes swete pyne
nor as an hors / I koude byte and whyiie
I koude pleyne / and I was in the gilt
Or ellis / often tynie / I hadde been spilfr 388
Who so that first to Mille comth / first grynt1
I pleyned first* so was oure werre stynfr
They were ful glad / to excusen hem ful blyue
Of thyng1 of which they neuere agilte hir lyue 392
Of wenches / wolde I bern hem on honde
Whan that for syk1 they myghte vnnethe stonde
Yet tikled I his herte / for that he
Wende that I hadde had of hym / so greet chiertee 396
I swoor / that my walkyng1 out by nyghte [leaf es]
Was for to espye / wenches that he dighte
Vnder that colour / hadde I many a myrthe
ffor al swich wit1 is yeuen vs in oure birthe 400
Deceite / wepyng1 spynnyng1 god hath yeue
To wommen kyndely / whil they may lyue
And thus / of o thyng* I auante me
At ende / I hadde the bet in ech degree 404
By sleighte / or force / or by som maner thyng1
As by continuel murmur / or grucchyng1
Namely abedde / hadden they meschaunce
Ther wolde I chide / and do hem no plesaunce 408
I wolde no lenger / in the bed abyde
If that I felte his arm / ouer my syde
Til he hadde maad / his raunceon vn-to me
Thanne wolde I suffre hym / do his nycetee 412
And ther-fore / euery man / this tale I telle
Wynne who so may / for al is for to selle
With empty hond / men may none haukes lure
ffor wynnyng1 wolde I al his lust endure 416
Ajid make me / a feyned appetit1
And yet in bacon / hadde I neuere delit
That made me / that euere I wolde hem chyde
For thogh the Pope / hadde seten hem bisyde 420
HENGWRT 140 (6-T. 345)
346 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIPE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS. 141
I wolde noght spare hem / at hir owene bord
ffor by my trouthe / I quytte hem / word for word
As help me / verray god omnipotent
Togh I right now / sholde make my testament1 424
I ne owe hem nat a word / that it nys quyfr
I broghte it so aboute / by my wit
That they moste yeue it vp / as for the beste
Or ellis / hadde we neuere been in reste 428
ffor thogh he looked / as a wood leon
yet sholde he faille / of his conclusion
IT Thanne wolde I seye / good lief taak keepe
How mekely / looketh Wilkyn oure scheepe 432
Com neer my spouse / lat me ba thy cheke
Ye sholden be / al pacient/ and meke
And han / a swete spyced conscience
Sith ye so preche / of lobes pacience 436
Suffreth alwey / syn ye so wel kan preche [leaf 63, back]
And but ye do / certeyn we shal yow teche
That it is fair / to han a wyf in pees
Oon of vs two / moste bowen doutelees 440
And sith a man / is moore resonable
Than womman is / ye mosten been suffrable
What eyleth yow / to grucche thus and grone
Is if for ye wolde haue / my queynte allone 444
Wy taak it al / lo haue it euery del
Peter I shrewe yow / but ye loue it wel
ffor if I wolde selle / my bele chose
I koude walke / as fressh as is a rose 448
But I wol kepe it* for youre owene tooth
Ye be to blame / by god I sey yow sooth
Swiche manere wordes / hadde we on honde
Now wol I speke / of my ferthe housbonde 452
JJly ferthe housbonde / was a reuelour
This is to seyn he hadde a paramour
And I was yong* and ful of ragerye
Stibourne and strong1 and ioly as a pye 456
HENGWRT 141 (6-T. 346)
347 SIX-TEXT
142 GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS,
How koude I daunce / to an harpe smale
And synge ywys / as any nyghtyngale
Whan I hadde dronke / a draghte of swete wyn
Metellyus / the foule cherl the swyn 460
That with a staf / birafte his wyf hir lyf
ffor she drank1 wyn /. though I hadde been his wyf
JSe sholde naf han daunted me fro drynke
And after wyn / on Venus moste I thynke 464
ffor also siker / as coold engendreth hayl
A likerous mouth / moste han a likerous tayl
In womman vynolent / is no defence
This knowen lechours / by experience 468
But lord crisfr whan fat it remembreth me
Vp-on my youthe / and on my iolytee
It tikeleth me / aboute myn herte roote
Vn-to this day / it dooth myn herte boote 472
That I haue had my world / as in my tyme
But age alias / that al wole enuenyme
Hath me biraft1 my beautee / and my pith
Lat go farwel / the deuel go ther-with 476
The flour is goon / ther is namoore to telle [leaf 6*1
The bren as I best kan / now moste I selle
But yet* to be right murye / wol I fonde
!N"ow wol I tellen / of my ferthe housbonde 480
IF I seye I hadde in herte gret despit
That he / of any oother had delit
But he was quyf by god and by Seint loce
I made hym / of the same wode a troce 484
Nat of my body / in no foul manere
But certeynly / I made folk swich chiere
That in his owene grece / I made hym frye
ffor angre / and for verray lalousye 488
By god / in erthe / I was his purgatorie
ffor which I hope / his soule be in glorie
ffor god it woof he sat ful ofte and soong1 .
Whan Ipat his shoo / ful bitterly hym wroong1 492
HENGWRT 142 (6-T. 347)
348 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS. 143
Ther was no wight/ saue god and he / jjat wiste
In many wise / how score I hym twiste
He deyde / whan I cam fro leiusalem
And lyth ygraue / vnder the roode beem 496
Al is his toumbe / noght so curyus
As was the sepulcre / of hym Daryus
Which that Appellus / wroghte subtilly
It nys but wast1 to burye hym preciously 500
Lat hym fare wel / god gyue his soule reste
He is now / in his graue / and in his cheste
N ow / of my fifthe housbonde / wol I telle
God lat his soule / neuere come in helle 504
And yet was he to me / the mooste shrewe
That feele I / on my rybbes al by rewe
And euere shal / vn-to myn endyng day
But in oure bed / he was so fressfr and gay 508
And tber with al / so wel koude he me glose
Whan that he wolde / han my bele chose
That thogh he hadde me befr on euery bon
He koude wynne agayn / my loue anon 512
I trowe I loued hym best1 for that he
Was of his loue / daungerous to me
We wommen han / if that I shal nat lye
In this matere / a queynte fantasye 516
Wayte what thyng1 we may nat lightly haue [leaf 64, back]
Ther after / wol we crye al day / and craue
fforbede vs thyng1 and that desiren we
Preesse on vs faste / and thanne wol we fle 520
With daunger / oute we / al oure chaffare
Greet prees at Market / maketh deere ware
And to greet cheepe / is holden at litel prys
This knoweth euery womman / that is wys 524
1T My fifthe housbonde / god his soule blesse
Which J?at I took for loue / and no rychesse
He som tyme / was a clerk of Oxenford
And hadde laft scole / and wente at horn to bord 528
HENGWRT 143 (6-T. 348)
349 SIX-TEXT
144: GROUP D, § 1. WIFE'S PEEAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
With my gossyb / dwellyng in oure town
God haue hir soule / hir name was Alisoun
She knew myn herte / and eek my pryuetee
Bet than oure parysshe preesfr as mote I thee 532
To hire biwreyed I / my conseil al
ffor hadde myn housbonde / pissed on a wal
Or doon a thyng1 / that sholde haue cost his lyf
To hire / and to another worthy wyf 536
And to my JS'ece / which ]>ak I loued wel
I wolde han toold / his conseil euery del
And so I dide / ful often / god it woof
That made his face / often reed and hoot 540
ffor verray shame / and blamed hym self for lie
Hadde toold to me / so greet a pryuetee
IT And so bifel / that ones in a lente
So often tymes / I to my gossyb wente 544
ffor euere yefr I louede to be gay
And for to walke / in March / Auerylle / and May
ffrom hous to hous / to here sondry tales
That lankyn Clerk/ and my gossyb dame Alys 548
And I my self / in to the feeldes wente
Myn housbonde was at london / al that lente
I hadde / the bettre leyser for to pleye
And for to se / and eek for to be seye 552
Of lusty folk1 what wiste I wher my grace
Was shapen for to be / or in what place
Ther-fore / I made my visitacions
To Vigilies / and to processions 556
To prechyng1 eek / and to thise pilgrymages [leaf es]
To pleyes of myracles / and to manages
And wered vp on / my gaye scarlet gytes
Thise wormes / ne thise moththes / ne thise Mytes 560
Yp-on my peril / frete hem neuer a del
And wostow / why / for they were vsed wel
1F ISTow wol I tellen forth / what happed me
I seye / that in the feeldes walked we 564
HENGWKT 144 (6-T. 349)
350 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS. 145
Til trewely / we hadde swich daliaunce
This clerk/ and I / that of my pwrueiaunce
I spak to hym / and seyde hym / how that he
If I were wydewe / sholde wedde me 568
ifor certeynly / I seye for no bobazmce
Yet was I neuere / with-outen purueiawnce
Of mariage / nof othere thynges eek /
I holde a mouses herte / noght worth a leek1 572
That hath but oon hole / for to sterte to
And if that faille / thanne is al y-do
[I bar him on honde / he had enchaunted me tCaj^ ^g- MS
My Dame taught me / that sotilte leaf™> back> li™ 21^
[Not in B. M. Ad-
And eke I seide / I mette of him al nyght Haf^lff'^
He wold han slayn me / as I lay vp right ^/^^"sioalf'
ATI i -i / PIP 1-11 1685, 0-110, Z*;
And al my bed / was ful of verray blod MS Reg. is ca,
1 J Z/112 ; Sloane
But ;et I hope / that 3e shuln do me good ^'<SK?L
ffor blod bytokenetfc gold / as me was taught JSaSU/JJ
And al was fals / 1 dremed of it right nought wss o VnotJ*n1'
Camb. Univ. MS
But as I folwed ay / my dames loore Mm 2- 5-]
As wel of that / as of othere thynges more.] CCan*b- Dd; S24
' J o J extract stops]
But now sire / lat me se / what shal I seyn
A .ha. by god / I haue my tale ageyn
5T Whan that my fourthe housbonde / was a beere
I weep algate / and made sory cheere 588
As wyues mooten / for it is vsage
And with my cou<?rchief / couered my visage
But for that I was / purueyed of a make
I wepte but smal / and that I vndertake 592
f To chirche was myn housbonde / born a morwe
With neghebores / that for hym maden sorwe
And lankyn oure clerk / was oon of tho
As help me god / whan that I saw hym go 596
After the beere / me thoughte he hadde a payre
Of legges and of feet1 so clene and fayre
That al myn herte / I gaf vn-to his hoold
He was I trowe / twenty wynter oold 600
11 HENGWRT 145 (6-T. 350)
351 SIX-TEXT
146 GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
And I was fourty / if I shal seye sooth
But yit I hadde alwey / a coltes tooth
Gat tothed I was / & that bicam me weel
I hadde the preente / of Seynt Yenus seel 604
As help me god I was a lusty oon
And fayr/ and ryche / and yong1 and wel bigoon
And trewely / as myne housbondes tolde me [leaf 65, back]
I hadde the beste quonyam / myghte be 608
Fffor certes I am / al Venerien [Cambr.TJniv.MSDa,4.24,z/74,z^s]
L ' [Not in Addit. 5140,
In feelyng / and myn hert is Marcien) ws&'if&?ro?sioane
Venus me }af my lust / my likerousnesse \fcul}f\i*bk?ff'
Anil,- <> i T T i T «Stoo«e'l686,y'128;
And Mars ^af me / my sturdy hardynessej or cambr. Mm. 2. 5.3
Myn ascendent1 was Taur / and Mars ther-Inne
Alias / alias / that euere loue was synne
I folwed ay / myn Inclinacion
By vertu / of my constellacion 616
That made me / I koude noght withdrawe
My chambre of Yenus / from a good felawe
[3et haue I Mars mark / vp-on my face
And also / in a nother pryue place
ffor god so wysely / be my sauaciouw
I louede neuere / by no discreciourc
, 1686, // 128; or Cambr. Mm.
J3ut euere lolwed / myn appetifr 2. 5.]
Al were he short / long blak or whi^t 624
I toke no kepe / so that he liked me
How poore he was / ne eke of what degree! £MS Dd- *• 24 ex'
' tract stops]
IF What sholde I seye / but at the Monthes ende
This ioly clerk / lanky n J>at was so hende 628
Hath wedded me / with greet solempnytee
And to hym yaf I / al the lond and fee
That euere was me yeuen / ther bifore
But afterward / repented me ful sore 632
He nolde suffre / no thyng of my list1
By god / he smoot me ones / on the lysf
ifor that I rente / out of his book a leef
That of the strook/ myn ere weex al deef 636
HENGWRT 146 (6-T. 35l)
352 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS. 147
Stibourne I was / as is a leonesse
And of my tonge / a verray langleresse
And walke I wolde / as I hadde doon biforn
ffrom hous to hous / al-thogh he hadde it sworn 640
ffor which / he often tymes / wolde preche
And me / of olde Bomayn gestes teche
How he Symplicius Gallus / lafte his wif
And hire forsook1 for terme of al his lif1 644
JSToghfr but for open heueded he hir say
Lokynge out at his dore / vp-on a day
IT Another Romayn / tolde he me by name
That for his wyf / was at a Someres game 648
With-outen his wityng1 / he forsook hire eke
And thanne wolde he / vp-on his Bible seke
That ilke prou&rbe / of Ecclesiaste
Where he comandeth / and forbedeth faste 652
Man shal nat suffre his wyf / go roule aboute
Thanne wold he seye right thus / with-outen doute
Who so fat buyldeth his hous / al of salwes
And priketh his blynde hors / ouer the falwes
656
And suffreth his wyf / to go seken halwes
Is worthy / to ben hanged on the galwes
But al for noght1 1 sette noght an hawe i>af66]
Of his prouerbe / nof his olde sawe 660
Ny wolde nat1 of hym corrected be
I hate hym / fat my vices telleth me
And so doon mo / god woot of vs than I
This made hym / with me wood al outrely 664
I nolde noght forbere hym / in no cas
IT Now wol I sey yow sooth / by Seint Thomas
Why fat I rente / out of his book a leef
ffor which / he smoot me so / fat I was deef 668
He hadde a book/ fat gladly nyght and day
ffor his disport1 he wolde rede alway
He clepyd it1 Valerie and Theofraste
At which book/ he logh alwey ful faste 672
HENGWRT 147 (6-T. 352)
353 SIX-TEXT
148 GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
And eek ther was / som tyme a clerk at Rome
A Cardynal / that highte Seint lerome
That made a book1 agayn lovinian
In which hook1 eek ther was Tertulan 676
Crisippus / Trotula / and Helowys
That was Abbesse / nat fer fro Parys
And eek the parables / of Salomon
Ouydes art1 and bokes many on 680
And alle thise were bounden / in o volume
And euery nyght and day / was his custume
Whan he hadde leyser / and vacacion
ffrom oother / worldly ocupacion 684
To reden in this book1 of wikked wyues
He knew of hem / mo legendes and lyues
Than been of goode wyues in the Bible
ffor trusteth wel / it is an inpossible 688
That any clerk1 wol speke good of wyues
But if it be / of holy seintes lyues
Nof noon oother womman / neuer the mo
"Who peynted the leon) / tel me who 692
By god / if wo?wmen / hadden writen stories
As clerkes han / with-Inne hir oratories
They wolde han writen of men / moore wikkednesse
Than al the mark of Adam may redresse 696
The children / of Mercurie and Yenus
Been in hir wirkyng/ ful contrarius
Mercurie loueth / wysdam and science [leaf GG, back]
And Venus loueth / Riot and dispence 700
And for hir diuerse / disposicion
Ech faileth / in ootheres exaltacion
And thus god woof Mercurie is desolat
In pisces / wher venus is exaltat1 704
And venus faileth / ther Mercurie is reysed
Ther-fore no womman / of no clerk is preysed
The clerk* whan he is old / and may noght do
Of venus werkes / worth his olde sho 708
HENGWRT 148 (6-T. 353)
354 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS. 149
Thanne sit he doun / and writ in his dotage
That wommen / kan nat kepe hir manage
IT But now to purpos / why I tolde thee
That I was beten / for a book pardee 712
Vp-on a nyght1 lankyn ]>at was oure sire
Kedde on his book/ as he sat by the fire
Of Eua first/ jjat for hir wikkednesse
Was al mankynde / broght to wrecchednesse 716
[fforwhicn that ihesu crist/him self was slayn f
That bought vs / with his hert blod a-gayn
T , ,, , p i bk; jffor/.1758,//96;
Loo heere expres of wommen / may 2e fynde
Thatwomraanwas the losse/of al mankynde] isse, if 129, &*.]
IT Tho redde he me / how Sampson loste his herys
Slepynge / his lemman kitte it with hir sherys
Thurgh which treson / loste he bothe hise eyen
IT Tho redde he me / if that I shal nat lyen 724
Of hercules / and of his Dianyre
That caused hym / to sette hym self a fyre
IF No thyng forgat he / the sorwe and wo
That Socrates / hadde with his wyues two 728
How Xantippa / caste pisse vp-on his heed
This sely man sat stille / as he were deed
He wipte his heed / namoore dorste he seyn
But er that thonder stynte / comth a reyn 732
IF Of Phasifpha / that was the queene of Crete
ffor shrewednesse / hym thoughte the tale swete
fly spek namoore / it is a grisly thyng1
Of hire horrible lust1 and hir likyng1 736
1T Of Clitermystra / for hir lecherye
That falsly / made hir housbonde for to dye
He redde if with ful good deuociown
1T He tolde me eek* for what occasumn 740
Amphiorax / at Thebes loste his lyf
Myn housbonde / hadde a legende of his wyf
1T Exiphilem / that for an Ouche of gold [leaf e?]
Hath pnuely / vn-to the grekys told 744
HENGWRT 149 (6-T. 354)
355 SIX-TEXT
150 GROUP D. § 1. WIPE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
Wher ]>ai hir housbonde / hidde hym in a place
ffor which. / he hadde at Thebes sory grace
IT Of lyma tolde he me / and of lucie
They bothe / made hir honsbondes for to dye 748
That oon for loue / that oother was for hate
Lyma hir housbonde / on an euen late
Empoysoned hath / for ]>ai she was his fo
Lucya likerous / loued hir housbonde so 752
That for he sholde alwey / vp-on hir thynke
She yaf hym / swich a manere loue drynke
That he was deed / er it were by the morwe
And thus algates / housbondes han sorwe 756
IF Thanne tolde he me / how \a\> oon latumyus
Compleygned / vn-to his felawe Arrius
That in his gardyn / growed swich a tree
On which he seyde / how J>at hise wyues thre 760
Honged hem self / for hertes despitus
IF 0 leeue brother / quod this Arrius
yif me a plante / of thilke blessed tree
And in my gardyn / planted shal it be 764
IF Of latter date of wyues / hath he red
That somme han slayn / hir housbondes in hir bed
And lete hir lechour / dighte hire al the nyght1
Whan ]>at the corps / lay in the floor vp ryght1 768
IF And somme / han dryuen nayles in hir brayn
Whil J?at they sleepe / and thus they han hem slayn
1F Somme han hem yeuen poysown / in hir drynke
He spak moore harm / than herte may bithynke 772
And ther with al / he knew of mo prouerbes
Than in this world / ther growen gras or herbes
Bet is quod he / thyn habitaciown
Be with a leon) / or a foul dragown 776
Than -with a womman / vsyng for to chide
Bet is quod he / hye in the roof abyde
Than with an angry wyf / down in the hous
They been so wikked / and contrarious 780
HENGWRT 150 (6-T. 355)
356 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS, 151
They haten / that hir housbondes loueth ay
He seyde / a womman / cast hir shame away
Whan she cast of hir smok1 and forther mo [leaf 67, back]
A fair womman / but she be chaast also 784
Is lyk a gold ryng1 in a sowes nose
Who wolde wene / or who wolde suppose
The wo / that in myn herte was and pyne
1T And whan I say / he wolde neuere fyne 788
To reden / on this cursed book al nyghfr
Al sodeynly / thre leues / haue I plyghft
Out of his book1 right as he radde / and eke
I with my fist1 so took [him] on the cheke 792
That in oure fyr/ he fil bakward adown
And he vp stirte / as dooth a wood leoun
And with his fest/ he smoot me on the heed
That in the floor / I lay as I were deed 796
And whan he say / how stille J?at I lay
He was agasfr and wolde haue fled his way
Til atte laste / out of my swowgh I brayde
0 hastow slayn me / false theef I sayde 800
And for my land / thus hastow niordred me
Er I be deed / yet wol I kisse thee
1F And neer he cam / and kneled faire adown
And seyde / deere suster Alisoun 804
As help me god / I shal thee neuere smyte
That I haue doon / it is thy self to wyte
fforyeue it me / and that I thee biseke
And yet eft soones / I hitte hym on the cheke 808
And seyde theef/ thus muchel am I wreke
Now wol I dye / I may no lenger speke
IT But at the laste / with muchel care and wo
We fille acorded / by vs seluen two 812
He yaf me / al the brydel in myn hond
To han the gouernance / of hous and lond
And of his tonge / and his hond also
And made hym brenne his book1 anon right tho 816
HENGWRT 151 (6-T. 356J
357 SIX-TEXT
152 GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
And whan that I hadde / geten vn-to me
By maistrye / al the soueraynetee
And }>at he seyde / myn owene trewe wyf
Do as thee lust1 the ierme of al thy lyf 820
Keepe thyn honour / and keepe eek myn estaat
After that day / we hadde neuere debaat/
God help me so / I was to hym as kynde [leaf 68]
As any wyf / from Denmark1 vn-to Inde 824
And also trewe / and so was he to me
I pray to god / that sit in magestee
So blesse his soule / for his mercy deere
Now wol I seye my tale / if ye wol heere 828
[The Wrangle between the Summoner and Friar.]
L he frere logh / whan he hadde herd al this
Now dame quod he / so haue I ioye / or blys
This is a long preamble / of a tale
And whan the Somnour / herde the frere gale 832
IF Lo quod the Somnour / goddes armes two
A frere / wol entremette hym eue?*e mo
Loo goode men / a flye / and eek a frere
Wol falle in euery dyssh and matere 836
What spekestow / of preambulacioun
What amble / or trotte / or pees / or go sit doun
Thow lettest oure disport1 in this manere
11 Ye woltow so / sir Somnour / quod the frere 840
Now by my feith / I shal er that I go
Telle of a Somnour / swich a tale / or two
That al the folk/ shal laughen in this place
11 Now ellis frere / I wol bishrewe thy face 844
Quod this Somnour / and I bishrewe me
But if I telle tales / two or thre
Of freres / er I come to Sydyngborne
That I shal make / thyn herte for to morne 848
HENGWRT 152 (6-T. 357)
358 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 1. WIFE'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS. 153
ffor wel I woof thy pacience is gon
IT Oure hoosf cryde pees / and that anon
And seyde / lat the womman / telle hir tale
Ye fare as folk/ that dronken ben of Ale 852
Do dame / tel forth youre tale / and that is best1
1T Al reddy sire quod she / right as yow lest1
If I haue licence / of this worthy frere
IT Yis dame quod he / tel forth / and I wol heere 856
^T Here endeth the prologe of the Wyf of Bathe (J)
HENGWRT 153 (6-T. 358)
359 SIX-TEXT
154 GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
H Here bigynneth the tale / of the Wyf of Bathe &
[leaf 68, back]
IN tholde dayes / of the kyng Arthour
Of which that Britons / speken greet honour
Al was this land / f ulnld of fiairye
The Elf queene / with hir ioly compaignye 860
Daunced ful ofte / in many a grene mede
This was / the olde opynyon) / as I rede
I speke / of many hundred yerys ago
But now kan no man / se none Elues mo 864
ffor now the grete charitee / and prayeres
Of lymytours / and othere holy freres
That serchen / euery lond and euery streem
As thikke / as motes in the sonne beem 868
Blessynge halles / chambres / kichenes boures
Citees / Burghes / Castels / hye Toures
Thropes / Bernes / Shipnes / dayeryes
This maketh / J?at ther been no fairyes 872
ffor ther as wont1 to walken was an Elf
Ther walketh now / the lymytour hym self
In vndermelys / and in morwenynges
And seith his matyns / and his holy thynges 876
As he gooth / in his lymytacioun
"Wommen / may go saufly vp and down
In euery bussh / or vnder euery tree
Ther is noon oother Incubus / but he 880
And he ne wol doon hem / but dishonour
IT And so bifel / that this kyng Arthour
Hadde in his hous / a lusty Bachiler
That on a day / cam ridyng fro Ryuer 884
HENGWRT 154 (6-T. 359)
360 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 155
And happed that allone / as he was born
He say a mayde / walkynge hym biforn
Of which mayde / anoon maugree hir hed
By verray force / he rafte hir maydenhed 888
ffor which oppression / was swich clamour
And swich pursuyte / vn-to the kyng Arthour
That dampned was this knyght/ for to be deed
By cours of lawe / and sholde han lost his heed 892
Par auenture / swich was the statut tho [leaf 69]
But that the queene / and othere ladyes mo
So longe preyden / the kyng of grace
Til he his lyf / hym graunted in the place 896
And yaf hym to the queene / al at hir wille
To chese / wheither she wolde / hym saue or spille
The queen thanked the kyng with al hir might
And after this / thus spak she to the knyght 900
Whan that she saw / hir tyme vp-on a day
Thow standest yet quod she / in swich array
That of thy lyf / yet hastow no suretee
I graunte thee lyf / if thow kanst tellen me 904
What thyng is it1 ]?at wommen moost desiren
Be war / and keepe thy nekke boon from Iren
And if thow kanst nat / tellen me anon
Yet1 wol I yeue thee leue / for to gon 908
A twelf monthe and a day / to seche and lere
An answere suffisant1 in this mater e
And seuretee wol I han / er that thow pace
Thy body / for to yelden / in this place 912
^F Wo was this knyght/ and sorwefully he siketh
But what1 he may nat doon / al as hym liketh
And atte laste / he chees hym for to wende
And come agayn / right at the yeres ende 916
With swich answere / as god wolde hym pzmieye
And taketh his leue / and wendeth forth his weye
He seketh euery hous / and euery place
Where as he hopeth / for to fynde grace 920
HENGWKT 155 (6-T. 360)
361 SIX-TEXT
156 GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
To lerne / what thyng1 wommen loue moost
But he ne koude / arryuen in no coosfr
Where as he myghte fynde / in this matere
Two creatures / acordyng1 in feere 924
IT Somme seyden / wommen louen best richesse
Sorame seyde honour / somme seyde lolifnesse
Somme riche array / somme lust abeddo
And ofte tyme / to be widwe and wedde 928
Somme seyde / that oure herte / is moost esed
Whan that we been / yflatered and yplesed
He gooth ful ny the sothe / I wol nat lye
A man shal wynne vs best / with flaterye 932
And with attendaunce / and with bisynesse [leaf 6», back]
Been we ylymed / bothe moore and lesse
11 And somme seyn / J?at we louen best
ffor to be free / and do as vs lest1 936
And that no man / repreue vs of oure vice
But seye J?at we be wise / and no thyng nyce
ffor trewely / ther is noon of vs alle
If any wight1 wolde clawe vs on the galle 940
That we nyl like / for he seith vs sooth
Assay / and he shal fynde it1 that so dooth
ffor be we / neuer so vicious / with-Inne
We wol be holden wise / and clene of synne 944
H And so?7ime seyn / that greet delit hail we
ffor to be holden / stable and eek secree
And in o purpos / stedefastly to dwelle
And nat biwreye thyng1 that men vs telle 948
But that tale / is nat worth a Eake stele
Pardee / we wommen / konne no thyng hele
Witnesse on Mida / wol ye heere the tale
IT Ouyde / amonges othere thynges smale 952
Seyde / Mida / hadde vnder his longe herys
Growynge vp on his heed / two Asses erys
The which vice he hidde / as he best myghte
fful sotilly / from euery mannes sighte 956
HENGWRT 156 (6-T. 36l)
362 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. §2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 157
That saue his wyf / ther wiste of it na mo
He loued hire moostf and trusted hire also
He preyed hire / that to no creature
She sholde teUen / of his diffigure 960
IF She swoor hym nay / for al this world to wynne
She nolde do / that vileynye / or syn
To make hir housbonde / han so foul a name
She nolde nat telle if for hir owene shame 964
But nathelees / hir thoughte ]>at she dyde
That she so longe / sholde a conseil hyde
Hir thoughte / it swal so soore aboute hir herte
That nedely / som word / hir moste asterte 968
And sith / she dorste nat telle it to no man
Doun to a Marys / faste by she ran
Til she cam there / hir herte was a fyre
And as a Bitore / bombleth in the Myre 972
She leyde hir mouth / vn-to the water down pear 70]
Biwrey me nat1 thow water with thy sown
Quod she / to thee I telle it and namo
Myn housbonde / hath longe Asses erys two 976
Now is myn herte al hool / now it is oute
I myghte no lenger / kepe it out of doute
Heere may ye see / thogh we a tyme abyde
Yet out it moot1 we kan no conseil hyde 980
The remenant of the tale / if ye wol heere
Eedeth Ouyde / and ther ye may it leere
11" This knyghtt of which my tale is specially
"Whan that he say / he myghte nat come ther by 984
This is to seye / what wommen louen moost1
With-Inne his brest1 ful sorweful was the goost
But horn he gooth / he myghte nat soiorne
The day was come / that homward moste he torne 988
And in his wey / it happed hym to ryde
In al this care / vnder a fforest syde
Wher as he say / vp on a daunce go
Of ladyes .xxiiij. and yet mo 992
HENGWRT 157 (6-T. 362)
363 SIX-TEXT
158 GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Toward the whiche daunce / he drow ful yerne
In hope / that som wisdom sholde he lerne
But certeynly / er he cam fully there •
Vanysshed was this daunce / he nyste where 996
No creature say he / that bar lyf
Saue on the grene / he say sittynge a wyf
A fouler wight1 ther may no man deuyse
Agayn the knyght1 this olde wyf gan ryse 1000
And seyde sire knyght1 heer forth ne lyth no wey
Tel me / what ]>at ye seken by youre fey
Par auenture / it may the bettre be
This olde folk1 konne muchel thyng quod she 1004
If My leeue moder / quod this knyght certeyn
I nam but deed / but if that I kan seyn
What thyng it is / that wommen moost desire
Koude ye me wisse / I wolde wel quyte youre hyre 1008
II Plight me thy trouthe / here in myn hand quod she
The nexte thyng1 that I requere thee
Thow shalt it do / if it lye in thy myght1
And I wol telle it yow / er it be nyght1 1012
IT Haue here my trouthe / quod the knyght I graunte [if 70, bk]
1T Thanne quod she / I dar me wel auaunte
Thy lyf is sauf/ for I wole stonde ther by
Vp-on my lyf/ the queene wol seye as I 1016
Lat see / which is the prouddeste of hem alle
That wereth on / a couerchief / or a calle
That dar seye nay / of that I shal thee teche
Lat vs go forth / with-outen lenger speche 1020
Tho rowned she / a pistel in his ere
And bad hym to be glad / and haue no fere
IF Whan they be comen to the Court1 this knyght1
Seyde / he hadde holde his day / as he had hight1 1024
And redy was his answere / as he sayde
fful many a noble wyf1 and many a mayde
And many a widwe / for Jjat they ben wise
The queene hir self / sittyng as lustise 1028
HENGWRT 158 (6-T. 363)
364 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 159
Assembled been / this answere for to here
And afterward / this knyght was bode appere
To euery wight1 comanded was silence
And that the knyght1 sholde telle in audience 1032
What thyng1 that worldly wommen louen best1
This knyght1 ne stood nat stille as dooth a best1
But to his question / anon answerde
"With manly voys / that al the court it herd 1036
IT My lige lady / generally quod he
Wommen desire / to haue souereyntee
As wel / ouer hir housbonde / as hir loue
And for to been in maistrie / hym aboue 1040
This is youre mooste desir / thogh ye me kille
Dooth as yow list1 1 am here at youre wille
IF In al the Court1 ne was ther wyf ne mayde
Ne wydwe / that contraryed that he sayde 1044
But seyden / he was worthy han his lyf
IT And with that word / vp stirte that olde wyf
Which that the knyght1 say sittyng on the grene
Mercy quod she / my souereyn lady queene 1048
Er that youre Court departe / do me right1
I taughte this answere / vn-to the knyght1
ffor which / he plighte me his trouthe there
The firste thyng1 1 wolde hym requere 1052
He wolde it do / if it laye in his myght1 [leaf 71]
Bifore the court1 thanne preye I thee sire knyght1
Quod she / that thow me take vn-to thy wyf
ffor wel thow woost1 that I haue kept thy lyf 1056
If I seye fals / sey nay vp-on thy fey
IT This knyght answerde / alias and weilawey
I woot right wel / that swich was my biheste
ffor goddes loue / as chees a newe requeste 1060
Taak al my good / and lat my body go
IT Nay thanne quod she / I shrewe vs bothe two
ffor thogh J>at I be foul / old / and poore
I nolde for al the metal / ne for core 1064
HENGWBT 159 (6-T. 364)
365 SIX-TEXT
160 GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
That vnder erthe is graue / or lith aboue
But if thy wyf I were / and eek thy loue
1F My loue quod he / nay my dampnacioii
Alias / that any of my nacion 1068
Sholde euere / so foule disparaged be
But al for noghfr thende is this / that he
Constreyned was / he nedes moste hir wedde
And takethhis olde wyf/ and goth to bedde 1072
IT Now wolden som men / seye par auenture
That for my necligence / I do no cure
To tellen yow / the ioye / and al tharray
That at the feste / was that ilke day 1076
To which thyng1 shortly / answere I shal
I seye / ther nas no ioye / ne feste at al
Ther nas but heuynesse / and muche sorwe
ffor prmely / he wedded hire on morwe 1080
And al day after / hidde hym as an Owle
So wo was hym / his wyf looked so foule
H Greet was the wo / the knyght hadde in his thoghfr
Whan he was with his wyf / a bedde ybroght1 1084
He walweth / and he turneth to and fro
His olde wyf/ lay smylyng euere mo
And seyde / o deere housbonde benedicite
ffareth euery knyght thus with his wyf/ as ye 1088
Is this the lawe / of kyng Arthures hous
Is euery knyght of his / thus daungerous
I am youre owene loue / and youre wyf
I am she / which that saued hath youre lyf 1092
And certes / yet ne dide I yow neuere vnrighfr [leaf 71, back]
Why fare ye thus with me / this firste nyghtt
Ye faren lyk a man / hadde lost his wit
What is my gilt/ for goddes loue tel it 1096
And it shal ben amended / if I may
IF Amended quod this knyght1 alias nay / nay
It wol nat ben amended neuere mo
Thow art so loothly / and so old also 1100
HENGWRT 160 (6-T. 365)
366 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 161
And ther-to comen / of so lowe a kynde
That litel wonder is / thogh I walwe and wynde
So wolde god / myn herte wolde breste
IT Is this quod she / the cause of youre vnreste 1104
1F Ye certeynly quod he / no wonder is
H Now sire quod she / I koude amende al this
If that me liste / er it were dayes thre
So wel ye myghte / here yow vn-to me 1108
IF But for ye speken of swich gentillesse f Nota bene .
As is descended / out of old richesse
That therfore / sholden ye be gentil men
Swich errogance / is nat worth an hen 1112
Looke who \a\> is / moost vertuous alway
Pryuee and aperft and moost entendeth ay
To do / the gentil dedes / Jxxt he kan
Taak hym / for the gentileste man 1116
Crist/ wol we clayme of hym oure gentilesse
Nat of oure eldres / for hir old richesse
ffor thogh they yeue vs / al hir heritage
ffor which we clame / to been of hir parage 1120
Yet may they nat biquethe / for no thyng*
To noon of vs / hir vertuous lyuyng1
That made hem / gentil men ycalled be
And bad vs / folwen hem in swich degree 1124
1T Wel kan / the wise poete of fflorence
That highte Dantf speken in this sentence
Lo / in swich manere rym / is D antes tale
fful selde vp riseth / by his branches smale 1128
Prowesse of man / for god of his prowesse
Wole /. that of hym / we clayme oure gentilesse
ffor of oure eldres / may we no thyng clayme
But temporel thyng1 that man may hurte and mayme 1132
Eek euery wighf woot this as wel I [leaf 72]
If gentilesse / were planted naturelly
Vn-to a certeyn lynage / doun the lyne
Pryuee and aperf thanne wolde they neuere fyne 1136
12 HENGWRT 161 (6-T.
367 SIX-TEXT
162 GROUf D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
To doon / of gentilesse / the faire office
They myghte do / no vileynye or vice
IT Taak fyr / and bere it in the derkeste hous
Bitwix this/ and the mount of kaukasous 1140
And lat men shette the dores / and go thenne
Yet wol the fyr / as faire lye and brenne
As twenty thousand men / myghte it biholde
His office naturel / ay wol it holde 1144
Vp peril of my lyf1 til that it dye
Here may ye se wel / how ]?at genterye
Is nat annexed / to possession)
Sith folk1 ne doon hir operacion) 1 148
Alwey / as dooth the fyr lo in his kynde
ffor god it woofr men may wel often fynde
A lordes sone / do shame and vileynye
And he fat wol han prys / of his gentrye 1152
ffor he was born / of a gentil hous
And hadde hise eldres / noble and vertuous
And nyl hym seluen / do no gentil dedis
JSTe folwen his gentil Auncestre / that deed is 1156
He nys nat gentil / be he due1 or Erl
ffor vileynes synful dedes / maken a cherl
ffor gentilesse / nys but renomee
Of thyne Auncestres / for hir hye bourctee 1160
Which is straunge thyng* for thy persone
Thy gentilesse / cometh fro god allone
Thanne comth / oure verray gentilesse of grace
It was no thyng1 biquethe vs / with oure place 1164
Thenketh how noble / as seith Valerius
Was thilke / Tullius hostillius
That out of pouerte / roos to heigh noblesse
Redeth Senek1 and redeth eek Boece 1168
Ther shul ye seen expres / J>at no drede is
That he is gentil / that dooth gentil dedis
And ther-fore / leue housbonde / I thus conclude
Al were it1 that myne Auncestres weren rude 1172
HENGWRT 162 (6-T. 367)
368 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 163
Yet may the hye god / and so hope I / (leaf 72, back]
Graunte me grace / to lyuen vertuously
Thanne am I gentil / whan ]>at I bigynne
To lyuen veKuously / and weyue synne 1176
^T And ther as ye / of pouerte me repreue
The hye god / on whom fat we bileue
In wilful pouerte / chees to lyue his lyf
And certes euery man / may den / or wyf 1180
May vnderstonde / jjat Ihesus heuene kyng*
Ne wolde nat chese / a vicious lyuyng*
Glad pouerte / is an honeste thyng certeyn
Thiswol Senek1 and othere clerkes seyn 1184
Who so J>at halt hym payd / of his pouerte
I holde hym riche / al hadde he nat a sherte
He that coueiteth / is a poure wight1
ffor he wolde han / that is nat in his myghf 1188
But he ]>at noght hath / ne coueiteth haue
Is riche / al thogh we holde hym but a knaue
Yerray pouerte / is synne proprely
luuenal seith / of pouerte myrily 1192
1F The poure man / whan he gooth by the weye
Biforn the theues / he may synge and pleye
Pouerte is hateful good / and as I gesse
A ful greet bryngere / out of bisynesse . 1196
A greet amendere eek1 of Sapience
To hym / that taketh it in pacience
Pouerte is thyng1 al thogh it seme elenge
Possession / that no wight wol chalenge 1 200
Pouerte ful often / whan a man is lowe
Maketh hym self/ and eek his god to knowe
Pouerte / a spectacle is / as thynketh me
Thurgh which he may / his verray freendes se 1204
And ther-fore sire / syn J?at I noght yow greue
Of my pouerte / namoore ye me repreue
IT Now sire / of elde ye repreue me
And certes sire / thogh noon auctoritee 1208
HENGWRT 163 (6-.T. 3G8)
369 SIX-TEXT
164 GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Were in no book/ ye gentils of honour
Seyn / fat men an old wight1 sholde doon fauour
And clepe hym fader / for youre gentilesse
And Anctours / shal I fynden / as I gesse 1212
IT Now ther ye seye / that I am foul and old [leaf 73]
Thanne drede yow noghf to been a Cokewold
ffor filthe and elde / al-so mote I thee
Been grete wardeyns / vp-on chastitee 1216
But nathelees / syn I knowe youre delit/
I shal fulfille / youre worldly appetif
1T Chees now quod she / oon of thise thinges tweye
To han me foul and old / til that I deye 1220
And be to yow / a trewe humble wyf
And neuere yow displese / in al my lyf
Or ellis / ye wol han me / yong and fair
And take youre auenture / of the repair 1224
That shal be to youre hous / by cause of me
Or in som oother place / may wel be
Now chees yo1^ seluen / wheither ]>at yow liketh
IF This knyght auyseth hym / and score siketh 1228
But atte laste / he seyde in this manere
My lady and my loue / and wyf so deere
I putte me / in youre wise gouernance
Cheseth youre self1 which fat may be moost plesance 1232
And moost honour to yow / and me also
I do no fors / the wheither of the two
ffor as yow liketh / it suffiseth me
1T Than haue I gete / of yow maistrye / quod she 1236
Syn I may chese / and gouerno as me lest1
IT Ye certes wyf quod he / I holde it best*
IF Kys me quod she / we be no lenger wrothe
ffor by my trouthe / I wol be to yow bothe 1240
This is to seyn / ye bothe fair and good
I pray to god / that I mote steruen wood
But I to yow / be al so good and trewe
As euere was wyf/ syn fat the world was newe 1244
HENGWRT 164, (6-T.
370 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 2. WIFE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 165
And but I be to morn / as fair to sene
Ay any lady / Emperice / or Queene
That is tiitwix the Esf and eek the West1
Do with my lyf/ and deth / right as yow lest1 1248
Cast vp the Curtyn / looke how \a\, it is
And whan the knyghfr say verraily al this
That she so fair was / and so yong ther-to
ffor ioye he hente hire / in his armes two 1252
His herte bathed / in a bath of blisse [leaf 73, back]
A thousand tyme a rewe / he gan hir kisse
And she obeyed hym / in euery thyng*
That myghte do hym plesance / or likyng1 1256
And thus they lyue / vn-to hir lyues ende
In parfit ioye / and Ihesu crist vs sende
Housbondes meke / yonge / and fressft a bedde
And grace / touerbyde hem that we wedde 1260
And eek/ I praye Ihesu shorte hir lyues
That noght wol be gouerned / by hir wyues
And olde / and angry nygardes of dispence
God sende hem soone / verray pestilence 1264
^[ Here endeth the Wyues tale of Bathe
HENGWKT 166 (6-T. 3?0)
371 SIX-TEXT
166 GROUP D. § 3. WIFE-FRIAR LINK. Hengwrt MS.
^[ The prologe of the ffreres tale [on ieafiz, back]
This worthy lymytour / this noble frere
He made al wey / a manere louryng cheere
Vp on the Somnour / but for honestee
No vileyns word / as yet to hym spak he 1268
But atte laste / he seyde vn-to the wyf
Dame quod he / god yeue yow right good lyf
Ye han heer touched / al so mote I thee
In scole matere / greet difficultee 1272
Ye han seyd muche thyng1 right wel I seye
But dame / here as we ryden by the weye
Vs nedeth nat1 to speken / but of game
And lete Auctoritees / on goddes name 1276
To prechyng1 and to scole of clergye
Butt if it like / to this compaignye
I wol yow / of a Somnour telle a game
Pardee / ye may wel knowe by the name 1 280
That of a Somnowr / may no good be sayd
I praye / that noon of yow / be ypayd
A somnour / is a rennere vp and doun
With mandementz / for fornicacioun 1284
And is ybett at euery townes ende
II Oure hoost tho spak / a sire / ye sholde be hende
And curteys / as a man of youre estaatt [leaf 743
In compaignye / we wol no debaat1 1288
Telleth youre tale / and lat the Somnottr be
If Nay quod the Somnowr / lat hym seye to me
What so hyin listt whan it conith to my lot*
By god / I shal hym quyten euery grot1 1292
I shal hym telle / which a gret honour
It is / to be a flaterynge lymytour
And of/ many another manere cryme
Which nedeth nat rehercen / for this tyme 1296
And his office / I schal hym telle ywys
IF Oure hoost answerde / pees namoore of this
And after this / he seyde vn-to the frere
Tel forth youre tale / leeue maister deere 1 300
Here endeth the prologe of the ffrere
HENGWRT 166 (6-T. 37l)
372 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D, § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 167
and bigynneth his tale
WHilom / ther was dwellynge in my contree
An Erchedekne / a man of hy degree
That boldely / dide execucion
In punysshynge of ffornicacion 1304
Of wicchecraft1 and eek of Bawderye
Of diffamacion / and auoutrye
Of chirche Eeues / and of testamentz
Of contractes / and eek of lakke of sacramentz 1 308
Of vsure / and of Symonye also
But certes / lecchonrs / dide he grettest wo
They sholde synge2n if that they were henf
And smale tyth2eres were foule yschenf
If any person /2 wold vp-on hem pleyne
Ther myghte2 asterte hym no pecunial peyne
ffor smale2 tithes & for smal offryng1
He made the2 peple ful pitusly to syng* 1316
ifor er the2 bysschop caght hem wlih hys hooc
They were2 in the erchdeknys book/
And thanne2 had he thurgR hys lurisdiccion
Power / to2 do on hem correccion 1320
He hadde a Somnowr / redy to his hond [leaf 74, back]
A slyer boy / nas noon in Engelond
flfor subtilly / he hadde his espiaille
That taughte hym / wher hym myghte auaille 1324
He koude spare / of lecchours / oon or two
To techen hym / to foure and twenty mo
ffor theigh this Somnowr / wood were as an hare
To telle his harlotrye / I wol nat spare 1328
HENGWRT 167 (6-T. 372)
373 SIX-TEXT
168 GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
ffor we been / out of his correccion
They han of vs / no lurisdiccion
Ne neuere shullen / terme of hir lyues
IT Peter / so been the wommen of the styves 1332
Quod this Somnour / yput out of my cure
IT Pees with myschaunce / and with mysauenture
Thus seyde oure hoost / and lat hym telle his tale
Now telleth forth / thogh fat the Somnowr gale 1336
Ne spareth nat1 myn owene mayster deere
1F This false theef this Somnowr / quod the frere
Hadde alwey / baudes redy to his hond
As any hauk1 to lure in Engelond 1340
That tolde hym / al the secree fat they knewe
ifor hire aqueyntance / was nat come of newe
They weren / hise Approwours pryuely
He took hym self / a greet profit ther by 1344
His maister knew nat alwey / what he wan
With-outen mandementt a lewed man
He koude somne / on peyiie of cristes curs
And they were glade / for to fille his purs 1348
And make hym / grete festes atte nale
And right as ludas / hadde purses smale
And was a theef/ right swich a theef was he
His maister / hadde but half his duetee 1352
He was / if I shal yeuen hym his laude
A theef / and eek a somnour / and a baude
He hadde eek wenches / at his retenue
That wheither fat sir Eobert / or sire hewe 1356
Or lakke / or KauF or who. so that it were
That lay by hem / they tolde it in his ere
Thus was the wenche and he / of oon assent1
And he wolde fecche / a feyned mandemenf 1360
And somne hem to Chapitre / bothe two [leaf 75]
And pile the man / and lete the wenche go
IT Thanne wolde he seye / freend I shal for thy sake
Do stryke hire / out of oure lettres blake 1364
HENGWRT 168 (6-T. 373)
374 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 169
Thee thar namore / as in this cas trauaille
I am thy freend / ther I thee may auaille
Certeyn / he knew of bryberyes mo
Than possible is / to telle in yeres two 1368
ffor in this world / nys dogge for the bowe
That kan an hurt deer / from an hool knowe
Bet than this Somnowr / knewe a sly lecchour
Or an Auouter / or a paramour 1372
And for that was / the fruyt of al his rente
Ther-fore on it1 he sette al his entente
1F And so bifel / that ones on a day
This Somnour / euere waityng on his pray 1376
ffor to somne an old wydewe / a Eibibe
ffeynynge a cause / for he wolde brybe
Happed / that he say / bifore hym ryde
A gay yeman / vnder a fforest syde 1380
A bowe he bar / and arwes brighte & kene
He hadde vp-on / a courtepy of grene
An hat vp-on his heed / with frenges blake
IT Sire quod this Somnowr / hayl / and wel atake 1384
IT Wel come quod he / and euery good felawe
Where ridestow / vnder this grene shawe
Seyde this yeman / wiltow fer to day
IT This Somnour hym answerde / and seyde nay 1388
Here faste by quod he / is myn entente
To ryden / for to reysen vp a rente
That longeth / to my lordes duetee
1F Artow thanne a Bailly? / ye quod he 1392
He dorste naf for verray filth e and shame
Seye Jjat he was a Somnowr / for the name
1F Depardieux quod this yeman / deere brother
Thow art a bailly / and I am another 1396
I am vnknowen / as in this contree
Of thyn aqueyntance / 1 wolde praye thee
And eek of bretherhede / if J?at yow leste
I haue gold / and siluer/ in my cheste 1100
HENGWRT 169 (6-T. 374)
375 SIX-TEXT
170 GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
If that thee happed to come in oure shire [leaf 75, back]
Al shal be thyn / right as thow wolt desire
IF Graunt mercy quod this Somnowr / by my feith
Euerich in ootheres hond / his trouthe leyth 1404
ffor to be sworn bretheren / til they deye
In daliaunce / they ryden forth and pleye
IF This Somnour / which ]>at was / as ful of langles
As ful of venym / been thise waryangles 1408
And euere enqueryng1 vp-on euery thyng1
Brother quod he / where is now youre dwellyng1
Another day / if J?at I sholde yow seche
This yeman hym answerde / in softe speche 1412
IF Brother quod he / fer in the North contree
Where as I hope / som tyme I shal thee see
Er we departe / I shal thee so wel wisse
That of myn hous / ne shaltow neuere mysse 1416
IF Now brother quod this Somnowr I yow preye
Teche me / whil J)«t we ryden by the weye
Syn Jjat ye been a Baillyf / as am I
Som subtiltee / and tel me feithfully 1420
In myn office / how I may moost wyniie
And spareth nat1 for conscience ne synne
But as my brother / tel me how do ye
1F Now by my trouthe / brother deere / seyde he 1424
As I shal tellen thee / a feithful tale
My wages been / ful streyte / and ful smale
My lord is hard to me / and daungerous
And myn office / is ful laborous 1428
And therfore / by extorcions I lyue
ffor sothe I take / al that men wol me yeue
Algate / by sleighte / or by violence
ffro yeer to yeer / I wynne al my dispence 1432
I kan no bettre tellen / feithfully
1F Now certes quod this Somno^£r / so fare I
I spare nat to taken / god it woof
But it be to heuy / or to hoot1 1436
HENGWRT 170 (6-T. 375)
376 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 171
"What I may gete / in conseil pn'uely
No manere conscience / of that haue I
Nere myn extorcion / I myghte nat lyuen
Ne of swiche lapes / wol I nat be shryuen 1440
Stomak1 ne Conscience / ne knowe I noon [leaf 76]
I sherewe / thise Shryftes-fadres euerychon
Wei be we met1 by god / and by Seint lame
But leeue brother / tel me thanne thy name 1444
Quod this Somnour / in this mene whyle
This yeman / gan a litel for to smyle
IT Brother quod he / woltow jjat I thee telle
I am a feend / my dwellyng1 is in helle 1448
And here I ryde / aboute my purchasyng1
To wite / wher men wol yeue me any thyng*
My pwrchas / is theffect of al my rente
Looke how thow rydesfr for the same entente 1452
To wynne good / thow rekkest neuere how
Eight so fare I / for ryde wold I now
Vn-to the worldes ende / for a preye
IT A quod this Somnowr / benedicite what sey ye 1456
I wende / ye were a yeman trewely
Ye han a mannes shape / as wel as I
Han ye a figure thanne / determynat
In helle ther ye been / in youre estat 1460
1T Nay certeynly quod he /ther haue we noon
But whan vs liketh / we kan take vs oon
Or ellis make yow seme / we ben shape
Som tyme / lyk a man / or lyk an Ape 1464
Or lyk an Aungel / kan I ryde or go
It is no wonder thyng1 theigh it be so
A lousy logelour / kan deceyue thee
And pardee yet kan I / moore craft than he 1468
IT Whi quod this Somnour / ryde ye thanne or goon
In sondry shape / and nat alwey in oon
1T ffor we quod he / wol vs swiche formes make
As nioost able is / oure preyes for to take 1472
HENGWRT 171 (6-T. 376)
377 SIX-TEXT
172 GROUP D. § 4, FRIAR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT What maketh yow / to han al this labour
IT fful many a cause / leue sire Somnour
Seyde this feend / but alle thyng hath tyme
The day is short/ and it is passed pryme 1476
And yet1 ne wan I no thyng1 in this day
I wol entende / to wynnyng/ if I may
And nat entende / oure wittes to declare
ffor brother myn / thy wit is al to bare 1480
To vnderstonde / al-thogh I tolde hem thee [leaf 76, back]
But for thow axesfr why labouren we
ffor som tyme / we been goddes Instrumentz
And meenes / to doon his comandementz 1484
Whan that hym list/ vp on his creatures
In diuers art1 and in diuerse figures
With-outen hym / we han no myght certayn
If that hym lystf to stonde ther agayn 1488
And som tyme / at oure preyere / han we leue
Oonly the body / and nat the soule greue
Witnesse on lob / whom Jjat we diden wo
And som tyme / han we myght of bothe two 1492
This is to seyn / of soule and body eke
And som tyme / be we suffred for to seke
Vp-on a man / and do his soule vnreste
And nat his body / and al is for the beste 1496
Whan he with-standeth / oure temptacion
It is / a cause / of his sauacion
Al be if that it was / nat oure entente
He sholde be sauf*but Jjat we wolde hym hente 1500
And som tyme / be we seruanfr vn-to man
As to the Erchebisshope / Seint Dunstan
And to the Apostles / seruant eek was I
IT Yet tel me / quod the Somnow feithfully 1504
Make ye yow newe bodyes / thus alway
Of Elementz £ / the feend answerde nay
Som tyme we feyne / and som tyme we aryse
With decle bodyes / in ful sondry wyse 1508
HENGWRT 172 (6-T. 377)
378 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 173
And speke as renably / and faire and wel
As to the Phitonissa / dide Samuel
And yet wol som men seye / it was nat he
I do no fors / of youre dyuynytee 1512
But o thyng warne I thee / I wol nat lape
Thow wolt algates wite / how we be shape
Thow shalt her afterwardes / my brother deere
Come there / thee nedeth nat of me to lere 1516
ffor thow shalt1 by thyn owene experience
Konne in a chayer / rede of this sentence
Bet than Virgile / whil he was on lyue
Or Dant also / now lat vs ryde blyue 1520
ffor I wol holde / compaignye with thee [leaf 77]
Til it be so / that thow forsake me
IT Nay quod this Somncmr / that shal nat bityde
I am a yeman / knowen is ful wyde 1524
My trouthe wol I holde / as in this cas
ffor theigh thow were / the deuel Sathanas
My trouthe wol I holde / to thee my brother
As I am sworn / and ech of vs til oother 1528
ffor to be trewe brother / in this cas
And bothe we goon / abouten oure purchas
Taak thow thy part1 what jjat men wol thee yeue
And I shal myn / thus may we bothe lyue 1532
And if that any of vs / haue moore than oother
Lat hym be trewe / and parte it with his brother
U I graunte quod the deuel / by iny fey
And with that word / they ryden forth hir wey 1536
And right at the entryng" of the townes ende
To which this Somnour / shoop hym for to wende
They saye a Cart1 that charged was with hey
Which that a Cartere / droof forth in his wey 1540
Deep was the wey / for which the Carte stood
This Cartere smoof and cryde as he were wood
Hayt Brok1 hayt Scot1 what spare ye for the stones
The feend quod he / yow fecche body and bones 1544
HENGWRT 173 (6-T. 378)
379 SIX-TEXT
174 GROUP D. §4. FRIAR'S TALE. Heugwrt MS,
As ferforthly / as euere were ye foled
So muchel wo / as I haue with yow tholed
The deuel haue al / bothe hors / and Cart1 and hey
1T This Somnow seyde / heer shul we han a pley 1548
And neer the feend he drogh / as noght we were
fful pryuely / and rowned in his ere
Herkne my brother / herkne by thy feith
Herestow nat1 how pat the Cartere seith 1552
Hent it anon / for he hath yeue it thee
Bothe hey / and Cart1 and eek his caples thre
IT Nay quod the deuel / god woof neuer a del
It is nat his entente / trust thow me wel 1556
Axe hym thy self/ if thow nat trowest me
Or ellys stynt a while / and thow shalt se
IT This Cartere / taketh his hors vp-on the croupe
And they bigonne / drawen and to stoupe 1560
Heyt now quod he / ther Ihesu crist yow blesse [leaf 77, back]
And al his handes werk1 bothe moore and lesse
That was wel twight1 myn owene lyard boy
I pray god saue thee / and Seint loy 1564
Now is my Cart1 out of the slow pardee
IT Lo brother quod the feend / what tolde I thee
Heere may ye se / myn owene deere brother
The Carl spak o thyng1 but he thoghte another 1568
Lat vs go forth / abouten oure viage
Heere wynne I no thyng vp-on cariage
H Whan that they comen / som what out of towne
This Somnour / to his brother gan to rowne 1572
Brother quod he / here woneth an old rebekke
That hadde al-moost1 as leef to lese hir nekke
As for to yeue a peny / of hir good
I wol han .xij. pens / thogh that she be wood 1576
Or I wol somne hire / vn-to oure office
And yet god woof of hire knowe I no vice
But for thow canst nat1 as in this contree
Wynne thy cost1 taak heer ensample of me 1580
HENGWRT 174 (6-T. 379)
380 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 175
This Somnour / clappeth at the wydwes gate
Com out quod he / thow olde viritrate
I trowe thow hast1 som frere / or preest with thee
IT Who clappeth seyde this wyf / benedicitee 1584
God saue yow sire / what is youre swete wille
1T I haue quod he / of somonce a bille
Vp peyne of cursyng1 looke that thow be
To morn / bifore the Erchedeknes knee 1588
Tanswere to the court1 of certeyn thynges
IT Now lord quod she / crist Ihesu kyng of kynges
So wisly helpe me / as I ne may
I haue been syk* and that ful many a day 1592
I may nat go so fer quod she / ne ryde
Eut I be deed / so priketh it in my syde
May I nat axe a libel / sire Somnour
And answere there / by my procutour 1596
To swiche thyng1 as men wole opposen me
IT Yis quod this Somnour / pay anon lat see
Twelf pens to me / and I wol thee acquyte
I shal no profyt han ther by / but lyte 1600
My Maister hath the profit / and nat I [leaf 78]
Com of / and lat me ryden hastily
Yif me .xij. pens / I may no lenger tarye
^T Twelf pens quod she / now lady Seinte Marie 1604
So wisly help me god / out of care and synne
This wyde world / thogh that I sholde wynne
Ne haue I nat .xij. pens / with-Inne myn hoold
Ye knowen wel / that I am poure and oold 1608
Kythe youre almesse / on me poure wrecche
^T Nay thanne quod he / the foule feend me fecche
If I thexcuse / theigh thow shul be spilt1
IT Alias quod she / god woot I haue no gilt1 1612
IT Pay me quod he / or by the swete Seinte Anne
As I wol bere awey / thy newe panne
ffor dette / which thow owest me of oold
Whan ]>at thow madest / thyn housbonde cokewold 1616-
HENGWRT 175 (6-T. 380)
381 SIX-TEXT
176 GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
I payde at horn / for thy correccion
1T Thow lyxt quod she / by my sauacion
Ne was I neuere er now / wydwe ne wyf*
Somoned vn-to youre court1 in al my lyf / 1620
Ne neuere I nas / but of my body trewe
Vn-to the deuel / blak1 and row of hewe
Yeue I thy body / and my panne also
1F And whan the deuel / herde hire cursen so 1624
Yp-on hir knees / he seyde in this manere
Now Mabely / myn owene moder deere
Is this youre wyl in ernest/ \at ye seye
II The deuel quod she / so fecche hym er he deye 1628
And panne and al / but he wol hym repente
11 Nay olde stott that is nat myn entente
Quod this Somnour / for to repente me
ffor any thyng1 that I haue had of thee 1632
I wolde I hadde thy smok / and euery clooth
1F Now brother quod the deuel / be noght wrooth
Thy body and this panne / been myne by right
Thow shalt with me to helle / yet to nyght1 1636
Wher thow shalt knowen / of oure pryuetee
Moore / than a maister of dyuynytee
And with that word / this foule feend hym hente
Body and soule / he with the deuel wente 1640
Wher as that Somnours / han hir heritage [leaf 78, back]
And god / that made after his ymage
Mankynde / saue / and gyde vs alle and some
And leue thise Somnowrs / goode men to bicome 1644
If Lordynges I koude han told yow / quod the frere
Hadde I had leyser / for this Somnow heere
After the text/ of crisf Poul and John
And of oure othere doctours / many oon 1648
Swich peynes / that youre hertes myghte agryse
Al be it so / no tonge may it deuyse
Thogh that I myghte / a thousand wynter telle
The peynes / of thilke cursed hous of helle 1652
HENGWRT 176 (6-T. 38l)
382 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 4. FRIAR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 177
But for to kepe vs / fro that cursed place
Waketh / and preyeth Ihesu. for his grace
So kepe vs / fro the temptour Sathanas
Herketh this word / beth war as in this cas 1656
The leon) sit1 in his awayt alway
To sle the Innocent1 if that he may
Disposeth ay youre hertes / to withstonde
The feend / that yow wolde maken thral and bonde 1660
He may nat tempte yow / ouer youre myghtt
ffor crist1 wol be youre champion and knyghfr
And prayeth / that this Somnows hem repente
Of hir mysdedes / er that the feend hem hente 1664
If Here endeth / the freres tale
13 HENGWRT 177 (6-T. 382J
383 SIX-TEXT
178 GROUP D. § 5. FRIAR-SUMMONEB LINK. HcngWTt MS.
f The Prologe / of the Somnours tale fo [pn if&, IK\
This Somnour in his Stiropes / hye he stood
Vp-on this frere / his herte was so wood
That lyk an Aspen lief / he quook for Ire
IF Lordynges quod he / but o thyng I desire 1668
I yow biseke / that of youre eurteisye
Syn ye han herd / this false frere lye
As sufFreth me / I may my tale telle
This frere bosteth / that he knoweth helle 1672
And god it woot1 that it is litel wonder
ffreres and feendes / been but lyte a sender
ffor pardee / ye han ofte tyme herd telle [leaf 793
How that a frere / rauysshed was to helle 1676
In Spirit ones / by avisioun
And as an Aungel / ladde hym vp and down
To shewen hym / the peynes ]>at ther were
In al the place / say he nat a frere 1680
Of oother folk/ he say ynowe in wo
Vn-to this Angel / spak the frere tho
IT Now Sire quod he / han freres swich a grace
That noon of hem / shal come to this place 1684
H Yis quod this Aungel / many a Milioun
And vn-to Sathanas / he ladde hym doun
And now hath Sathanas / seith he a tayl
Brodder / than of a Carryk is the sayl 1688
Hold vp thy tayl / thow Sathanas quod he
Shewe forth thyn ers / and lat the frere se
Where is thee nest of freres / in this place
And er J>at / half a furlong wey of space 1692
HENGWRT 178 (6-T. 383)
384 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 5. FRIAR-SUMMONER LINK. HcngWlt MS. 179
Eight so as bees / out swarmen from an hyue
Out of the deueles ers / ther gonne dryue
Twenty thousand freres / on a route
And thurgh-out helle / swarmeden aboute 1696
And comen again / as faste as they may gon
And in his ers / they crepten euerychon
He clapte his tayl agayn / and lay ful stille
This frere / whan he looked hadde his fille 1700
Vp-on the tormentz / of this sory place
His spirit1 god restored of his grace
Yn-to his body agayn / and he awook1
But nathelees / for fere yet he quook1 1704
So was the deueles ers / ay in his mynde
That is his heritage / of verray kynde
God saue yow alle / saue this cursed frere
My prologe / wol I ende / in this manere 1 708
^T Here endeth the prologe of the Somnows tale g)
HENGWRT 179 (6-T. 384)
385 SIX-TEXT
180 GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
5f Here bygynneth the Somnours tale rS [leaf 79, back]
Lordynges / ther is in Yorkshire / as I gesse
A Merssh contree / called Holdernesse
In which / ther wente a lymytour aboute
To preche / and eek to begge / it is no doubte 1712
And so bifel / that on a day this frere
Hadde preched at a chirche / in his manere
And specially / abouen euery thyng1
Excyted he the peple / in his prechyngi 1716
To trentals / and to yeue for goddes sake
"Wher-with men myghte / holy houses make
Ther as dyuyne serai ce / is honoured
Nat ther / as it is wasted and deuoured 1720
Ne ther / it nedeth nafr to be yeue
As to possessioners / that mowen lyue
Thanked be god / in wele and habundance
Trentals seyde he / deliuereth from penaunce 1724
Hir freendes soules / as wel olde as yonge
Ye / whan that they / been hastily ysonge
Nat for to holde a preesfr loly and gay
He syngeth natf but o masse in a day 1728
Deliuereth out quod he / anon the soules
fful hard it is / with flessh-hook/ or with oules
To been y-clawed / or to brenne / or bake
Now spede yow hastily / for cristes sake 1732
And whan this frere / hadde seyd al his entente
With qui cum patre / forth his wey he wente
Whan folk in chirche / hadde yeue hym / what hem leste
He wente his wey / no lenger wolde he reste 1736
HENGWRT 180 (6-T. 385)
386 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 181
With scryppe and typped staf / y-tukked hye
In euery hous / he gan to poure and prye
And beggeth Mele / and chese / or ellis corn
His felawe hadde a staf / typped with horn 1740
A peyre of tables / al of yuory
And a poyntel / polysshed fetisly
And wroot the names / alwey as he stood
Of aUe folk / that yaf hem any good 1744
Ascaunces / that he wolde for hem preye [leaf so]
Yif vs a busshel whete / Malt1 or Eeye
A goddes kechyl / or a trype of cheese
Or ellis what yow lysfr we may nat chese 1748
A goddes half peny / or a masse peny
Or yif vs of youre brawn / if ye haue eny
A dagon of youre Blanket1 leeue dame
Oure suster deere / lo heere I write youre name 1752
Bacon / or boef / or swich thyng as ye fynde
A sturdy harlot1 wente ay hem bihynde
That was hir hostes man / and baar a sak1
And what men yaf hem / leyde it on his bak< 1756
And whan tliai he was out at dore anon
He planed awey / the names euerichon
That he biforn / hadde writen in his tables
He serued hem / with nyfles and with fables 1760
^F Nay ther thow lixfr thow Somnowr quod the frere
1T Pees quod oure hoosf for cristes moder deere
Tel forth thy tale / and spare it nat at al
1T So thryue I quod this Somnowr / so I shal 1764
So longe he wente / hous by hous / til he
Cam til an hous / ther he was wont to be
Refresshed moore / than in an hundred placis
Syk lay the goode man / whos the place is 1768
Bedrede vp-on a couche / lowe he lay
Deus hie quod he / 0 Thomas freend good day
Seyde this frefe / curteisly and softe
Thomas quod he / god yelde yow ful ofte 1772
HENGWRT 181 (6-T. 386)
387 SIX-TEXT
182 GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Haue I vp-on this bench / faren ful wel
Heere haue I eten / many a murye mel
And fro the bench / he droof awey the cat*
And leyde adoun / his potente and his hat1 1776
And eek his scrippe / and sette hym softe adown
His felawe / was go walked in to town
fforth with his knaue / in-to that hostelrye
Wher as he shoope hym / thilke iiyght to lye 1780
1T 0 deere maister / quod this syke man
How han ye fare / sith that March bigan
I say yow noghfr this fourtnyght1 or moore
U God woot quod he / laboured I haue ful soore 1784
And specially / for thy sauacion Deaf so, back]
Haue I seyd / many a precious orison
And for oure othere freendes / god hem blesse
I haue to day / been at youre chirche at messe [Jj^gjj-f in a
And seyd a sermon / after my symple wit
Nat al / after the text1 of holy writ
ffor it is hard to yow / as I suppose
And ther-fore / wol I teche yow al the glose 1792
Glosyng* is a glorious thyng certeyn
ffor lettre sleeth / so as we clerkes seyn
Ther haue I taught hem / to be charitable
And spende hir good / ther it is resonable 1796
And ther I say oure dame / a where is she
•[[ Yond in the yerd / I trowe fat she be
Seyde this man / and she wol come anon
IT Ey maister / wel come be ye / by Seint lohn 1800
Seyde this wyf / how fare ye hertely
f The frere ariseth vp / ful curteisly
And hire embraceth / in hise armes narwe
And kiste hir swete / and chirteth as a Sparwe 1804
With his lippes / Dame quod he / right wel
As he / that is youre seruanfr euery del
Thanked be god / that yow yaf soule and lyf
Yet say I nat this day / so fair a wyf 1 808
HENGWRT 182 (6-T. 387)
388 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 183
In al the chirche / god so saue me
1T Ye god amende defautes / sire quod she
Algates / wel come be ye / by my fey
1T Graunt mercy dame / this haue I founde alwey 1812
But1 of youre grete goodnesse / by youre leue
I wolde pray yow / that ye nat yow greue
I wol with Thomas / speke a litel throwe
Thise Curatz / been ful necligenf and slowe 1816
To grope tendrely / a conscience
In shrift1 in prechyng1 is my diligence
And studie / in Petres wordes / and in Poules
I walke / and fisshe / cristen mennes soules 1820
To yelden Ihesu crist1 . his propre rente
To sprede his word / is set al myn entente
1F Now by youre leeue / o deere sire quod she
Chideth hym wel / for Seinte Trinitee 1824
He is as angry / as a Pissemyre [leaf si]
Thogh that he haue / al that he kan desire
Thogh I hym wrye a nyghfr and make hym warm
And on hym leye / my leg1 outher myn arm 1828
He groneth lyk oure boor / lyth in oure Sty
Oother disport1 right noon of hym haue I
I may nat please hym / in no maner cas
IT 0 Thomas le vcus dy / Thomas /--Thomas 1832
This maketh the feend / this moste been amended
Ire is a thyng1 that hye god defended
And ther-of / wol I speke / a word / or two
1T Now maister quod the wyf / er Jjat I go 1836
What wol ye dyne / I wol go ther aboute
IT Now dame quod he / now le vous dy sanz doute
Haue I nat of a Capon / but the lyuere
And of youre softe breed / nat but a shyuere 1840
And after that1 a rested pigges heed
But j>at I nolde / no beest for me were deed
Thanne hadde I with yow / homly suffisaunce
I am a man / of litel sustenaunce 1844
HENGWRT 183 (6-T. 388)
389 SIX-TEXT
184 GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
My Spirit* hath his fostryng1 in the bible
The body is ay / so redy and penyble
To wake / that my stomak1 is destroyed
I pray yow dame /ye be nat anoyed 1848
Thogh I so freendly / yow my conseil shewe
By god / I wolde nat telle it1 but a fewe
IT Now sire quod she / but o word / er I go
My child is deed / with-Inne thise wykes two 1852
Soone after that ye wente / out of this town
1F His deeth say I / by reuelacioun
Seith this frere / at horn in oure dortour
I dar wel seyn / that er fat half an hour 1856
After his deeth / I say hym born to blisse
In myn avision / so god me wisse
So dide oure Sexteyn / and oure ffermerer
That han been trewe freres fifty yeer 1860
They may now / god be thanked / of his lone
Maken hir lubilee / and walke allone
And vp I roos / and al oure Couent eke
With many a teere / triklyng on my cheke 1864
"With-outen noyse / or clateryng of belles [leaf si, back]
Te Deum was oure song1 and no thyng elles
Saue that to crist / I seyde an orison
Thankynge hym / of his reuelaciofi 1868
ffor sire and dame / trusteth me right wel
Oure orisons / been wel nioore effectuel
And moore we seen / of cristes secree thynges
Than bureH folk* al thogh fat they were kynges 1872
"We lyue in pouerte / and in abstinence
And bureH folk1 in richesse and dispence
Of mete and drynke / and in hir foul delifr
We han this worldes lust1 al in despit 1876
Lazar and Diues / lyueden diuersly
And diuerse gerdon) / hadde they ther-by
Who so wol praye / he moot faste and be clene
And fatte his soule / and make his body lene 1880
HENGWRT 184 (6-T. 389)
390 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 185
"We fare as seith thapostle / clooth and foode
Sumseth vs / thogh they be nat ful goode
The clennesse / and the fastyng1 of vs freres
Maketh / that crist accepteth oure prayeres 1884
IF Lo Moyses / fourty dayes / and fourty nyght1
ffasted / er that the heighe god of myght1
Spak with hym / in the mountayne of Synay
With empty wombe / fastynge many a day 1888
Eeceyued he the lawe / that was writen
With goddes fynger / and Elye wel ye witen
In Mount Oreb / er he hadde any speche
With hye god / that is oure lyues leche 1892
He fasted longe / and was in contemplaunce
Aaron / that hadde the temple in gouernaunce
And eek/ that othere preestes euerichon
In-to the temple / whan they sholde gon 1896
To preye for the peple / and do seruyse
They nolden drynken / in no maner wyse
No drynke / which that myghte hem dronke make
But there in abstinence / preye and wake 1900
Lest that they deyden / tak hede what I seye
But they be sobre / that for the peple preye
War that I seye namoore / for it suffiseth
Oure lord Ihesu / as holy writ deuyseth 1904
Yaf vs ensample / of fastyng/ and prayeres [leaf 82]
Ther fore / we mendynantz / we sely freres
Been wedded / to pouerte and continence
To charitee / humblesse and abstinence 1908
To persecucion / for rightwisnesse
To wepyng1 misericorde and clennesse
And ther-fore may ye se / that oure prayeres
I speke of vs / we mendinantz / we freres 1912
Be to the hye god / moore acceptable
Than youres / with youre festes at the table
ffro Paradys first1 if I shal nat lye
Was man out chaced / for his glotonye 1916
HENGWKT 185 (6-T. 390)
391 SIX-TEXT
186 GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And chaast was man / in Paradys certeyn
1T But herkne Thomas / what I shal seyn
I ne haue no text1 of it1 as I suppose
But I shal fynde it1 in a maner glose 1920
That specially / oure swete lord Ihesus
Spak this by freres / whan he seyde thus
Blessed be they / that poure in Spirit been
And so forth / in the gospel / may ye seen 1924
Wher it be likker / oure profession
Or hire / that swymmen in possession
ffy on hir pompe / and hir glotonye
And for hir lewednesse / I hem diffye 1928
Me thynketh / they been lyk louynyan
ffat as a whale / and walkyng as a swan
Al vynolenfr as Botel in the Spence
Hir prey ere is / of ful greet reuerence 1932
Whan they for soules / seye the psalm of Dauit
Lo buf they seye / cor meum eructauit1
Who folweth cristes gospel / and his foore
But we that hu?>ible been / and chaast/ and poore 1936
Werkers of goddes word / nat Auditours
Ther fore / right as an hauk / vp at a sours
Yp spryngeth in-to theyr / right so prayeres
Of charitable / and chaste bisy freres 1940
Maken hir sours / to goddes erys two
Thomas / Thomas / so mote I ryde or go
And by that lord / that clepid is Seint yue
Nere thow oure brother / sholdestow nat thryue 1944
[In1] oure chapitre / praye we day and nyght1 [leaf 82, back]
To crist1 that he thee sende / heele and myghtf
Thy body / for to welden hastily
5T God woot quod he / no thyng ther-of feele I 1948
As help me crist1 as I in fewe yeres
Haue spended / vp-on diue?*se manere freres
fful many a pound / yet fare I neuere the bet
Certeyn / my good haue I almoost bisef 1952
HENGWRT 186 (6-T. 39l)
392 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 6, SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 187
ffarwel my gold / for it is al ago
IF The frere answerde / o Thomas doostow so
What nedeth yow / diuerse freres seche
What nedeth hym / that hath a parfit leche 1956
To sechen / othere leches in the town
Youre inconstance / is youre confusioun
Holde ye thanne me / or ellis oure Couent1
To preye for yow / been insufficient1 1960
Thomas / that Tape / nys nat worth a myte
Youre maladye / is for we han to lyte
A yif that Couent/ half a quarter otes
A yif that Couent1 .xxiiij. grotes 1964
A yif that frere a peny / and lat hym go
ISTay nay Thomas / it may no thyng be so
What is a ferthyng worth / parted in twelue
Lo / ech thyng/ that is oned in hym selue 1968
Is moore strong1 than whan it is to-scatered
Thomas / of me / thow shalt nat been yflatered
Thow woldest han oure labour / al for noght1
The hye god / that al this world hath wroght1 1972
Seith / that the werkman / worthy is his hire
Thomas / noght of youre tresor I desire
As for my self / but that al oure Couent
To praye for yow / is ay so diligent1 1976
And for to buylden / cristes owene chirche
Thomas / if ye wol lernen for to wirche
Of buyldyng vp of chirches / may ye fynde
If it be good / in Thomas lyf of Inde 1980
Ye lye heere ful of Anger and of Ire
With which / the deuel set youre herte afire
And chiden heere / the sely Innocent/
Youre wyf/ that is so meke and pacienf 1984
And ther-fore Thomas / trowe me if thee leste [leaf ss]
NQ stryue nat with thy wyf/ as for thy beste
And bere this word awey / now by thy feith
Touchynge swich thyng1 lo what the wise man seith 1988
HENGWRT 187 (6-T. 392)
393 SIX-TEXT
188 GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IF With-Inne thyn hous / ne be thow no leon
To thy subgitz / do noon oppression
Ne make thyne aqueyntances / nat for to flee
And Thomas / yet eft soones I charge thee 1992
Be war from hire / that in thy bosom slepeth
War fro the serpent1 that so sleighly crepeth
Vnder the gras / and styngeth subtilly
Be war my sone / and herkne paciently 1996
That twenty thousand men / han lost hir lyues
ffor stryuyng1 with hir leminans and hir wyues
Now sith ye han / so holy meke a wyf
What nedeth yow Thomas / to maken stryf/ 2000
Their nys ywis / no serpent so cruel
Whan man tret on his tayl / ne half so fel
As womman is / whan she hath caught an Ire
Vengeance is thanne / al that they desire 2004
Ire is a synne / oon of the grete of seuene
Abhomynable / vn-to the god of heuene
And to hym self / it is destruccion
This euery lewed viker / or parson 2008
Kan seye / how Ire engendreth homicide
Ire is in sooth / executour of pryde
I koude of Ire / seye so muche sorwe
My tale / sholde laste til to morwe 2012
And ther-fore praye I god / bothe day and nyght
An Irous man / god sende hym litel myght1
It is greet harm / and certes greet pitee
To sette an Irous man in heigh degree 2016
WHilom / ther was an Irous potestaf
As seith Senek1 that durynge his estafr
Vp-on a day / out ryden knyghtes two
And as ffortune wolde / that it were so 2020
That oon of hem cam horn / that oother noghtf
Anon the knyght1 bifore the luge is broghfr
That seyde thus / thow hast thy felawe slayn
ffor which / I deme thee to the deeth certayn 2024
HENGWRT 188 (6-T.
394 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 189
pAnld to another knyght1 comanded he [leaf ss, back]
u J C1 Rats]
Go leed hym to the deeth / I charge thee
And happed / as they wente by the weye
Toward the place / ther he sholde deye 2028
The knyght cam / which men wenden had be deed
Thanne thoghten they / it were the beste reed
To lede hem bothe / to the luge agayn
They seyden / lord / the knyght ne hath nat slayn 2032
His felawe / heere he stant hool alyue
1F Ye shul be deed quod he / so moot I thryue
This is to seyn / bothe oon and two and thre
And to the firste knyght1 right thus spak/ he 2036
IF I dampned thee / thou most algate be deed
And thow also / most nedes lese thyn heed
ffor thow art cause / why thy felawe deyth
And to the thridde knyght1 right thus he seith 2040
Thow hast nat doon / that I comanded thee
And thus he dide / do sleen hem alle thre
5T Irous Cambyses / was eek dronkelewe
And ay delited hym / to been a shrewe 2044
And so bifel / a lord of his meynee
That louede / vertuous moralitee
Seyde on a day / bitwix hem two right thus 2047
1T A lord is 2lost if* he be vicius2 [2— 2 »« « later hanci]
And dronkenesse / is eek a foul record
Of any man / and namely in a lord
Ther is ful many an eighe / and many an ere
Awaityng on a lord / he noot nat where 2052
ffor goddes loue / drynk moore attemprely
Wyn maketh man / to lesen wrecchedly
His mynde / and eek his lymes euerychon
H The reuers shaltow se / quod he anon 2056
And preue it1 by thyn owene experience
That wyn ne dooth to folk1 no swich offence
Ther is no wyn / bireueth me my myght1
Of hond ne foot* ne of myne eyen sight1 2060
HENGWRT 189 (6-T. 394)
395 SIX-TEXT
190 GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
And for despif he drank M muchel moore
An hundred part1 than he hadde doon bifore
And right anon / this Irons cursed wrecche
bifore hym Leet this knyghtes sone / fecche 2064
Comandynge hym / he sholde bifore hym stonde [leaf 84]
And sodeynly / he took his bowe in honde
And vp the streng1 he pulled to his ere
And with an arwe / he slow the child right there 2068
Now / wheither haue I / a siker hand or noon
Quod he / is al my myght and mynde agoon
Hath wyn byreued me / myn eye sight
f What sholde I telle / thanswere of the knyglif 2072
His sone was slayn / ther is namoore to seye
Beth war ther fore / with lordes how ye pleye
Syngeth Placebo / and I shal if I kan
But if it be / vn-to a poure man 2076
To a poure man / men sholde bis vices telle
But nat to a lord / thogh he sholde go to helle
IT Lo Irous Syrus / thilke Percien
How he destroysd / the ryuer of Gysen 2080
ffor that an hors of his / was dreynt ther-Iniie
Whan that he wente / Babiloyne to wynne
He made / that the Eyuer was so smal
That wommen / myghte wade it ouer al 2084
Lo what seyde he / that so wel teche kan
Ne be no felawe / to an Irous man
Ne with no wood man / walke by the weye
Lest thee repente / I wol no ferther seye 2088
IF Now Thomas leeue brother / lef thyn Ire
Thow shalt me fynde / as lust1 as is a Squyre
Hoold nat the deueles knyf / ay at thyn herte
Thyn angre dooth thee / al to soore smerte 2092
But shewe to me / al thy confession
IT Nay quod the sike man / by Seint Symon
I haue be shryuen this day / at my Curatf
I haue hym toold / hoolly al myn estat1 ' 2096
HENGWRT 190 (6-T. 39o)
396 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 191
Nedeth namoore to speke of it seith he
But if me list1 of myn humylitee
IF Yif me thanne of thy gold / to make oure cloystre
Quod he / for many a Muscle / and many an Oystre 2100
Whan othere men / han been ful wel at eyse
Hath been oure foode / oure Cloystre for to reyse
And yet god woof vnnethe the fundement/
Parfourned is / ne of oure pauemenfr 2104
[JN]ys iiat a tyle / yet1 with-Inne oure wones VRats. leaf 84, bk]
By god / we owen fou'rty pound for stones
Now help Thomas / for hym J?«t harwed heJle
Or ellis mote we / oure bookes selle 2108
And if yow lakke / oure predicacion
Thanne gooth the world / al to destruccion
ffor who so / fro this world / wolde vs bireue
So god me saue / Thomas by youre leue 2112
He wolde bireue / out of the world the sonne
ffor who kan teche / and werchen as we konne
And that is natf of litel tyme quod he
But sith Elie was / or Elize 2116
Han freres been / that fynde I of record
In charitee / thonked be oure lord
Now Thomas / help for Seinte charitee
And down anon / he set hym on his knee 2120
1T This sike man / weex wel neigh wood for Ire
He wolde / that the frere / hadde been afire
With his false dissimulacion
Swich thyng/ as is in my possession 2124
Quod he /J that may I yeue and noon oother
Ye sey me thus / how that I am youre brother
IT Ye certes quod the frere / trusteth wel
I took oure dame / oure lettre with oure sel 2128
1F Now wel quod he / and som what1 shal I yeue
Yn-to youre holy Couenfr whil I lyue
And in thyn hand / thow shalt it han anon
On this condicion / and oother noon 2132
HENGWRT 191 (6-T. 396)
397 SIX-TEXT
1 92 GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
That thow departe it so / my deere brother
That euery frere / haue as muche as oother
This shaltow swere / on thy profession
With-outen fraude / or cauelacion 2136
H I swere it quod this frere / vp-on my feith
And ther with al / his hand in his he leith
Lo here my feith / in me / shal be no lak
1T Now thanne put thyn hand / down by my bak1 2140
Seyde this man / and grope wel bihynde
Bynethe my buttok1 there shaltow fynde
A thyng1 that I haue hyd in pryuetee
IF A thoghte this frere / that shal go with me 2144
And down his hand / he launcheth to the clifte [leaf 85]
In hope / for to fynde there a yifte
And whan this sike man / felte this frere
Aboute his tuwel / grope there and heere 2148
Amydde his hand / he leet the frere a fart1
Ther is no capul / drawyng in a Carfr
That myghte han late a fart1 of swich a sown
IT The frere vp sfcirte / as dooth a wood leoun 2152
A false cherl quod he / for goddes bones
This hastow for despifr doon for the nones
Thow shalt abye this fart1 if fat I may
His meynee / which that herden this affray 2156
Cam lepyng In / and chaced out the frere
And forth he gooth / with a ful angry cheere
And fette his felawe / ther as lay his stoor
He looked / as he were a wilde boor 2160
He grynt with his teeth / so was he wrooth
A sturdy paas / doun to the court he gooth
Wher as ther woned / a man of greet honour
To whom /' that he was alwey confessour 2164
This worthy man / was lord of that village
This frere cam / as he were in a rage
Where as this lord / sat etyng1 at his boord
Vnnethe / myghte the frere speke a woord 2168
HENGWRT 192 (6-T. 397)
398 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D. § 6, SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 193
Til atte laste / he seyde / god yow see
IF This lord gan looke / and seyde benedicitee
What frere John / what manere world is this
I se wel / that som thyng1 ther is amys 2172
Ye looken / as the wode were ful of theuys
Sit doun anon / and tel me what youre grief is
And it shal been amended / if I may
IF I haue quod he / had a despit to day 2176
God yelde yow / adown in youre village
That in this world / ther nys so poure a page
That he nolde haue / abhomynacioun
Of that1 1 haue receyued in youre toun 2180
And yet/ ne greueth me / no thyng so soore
As that this olde cherl / with lokkes hoore
Blasphemed hath / oure hooly Couent eke
IF Now maister quod this lord / I yow biseke 2184
No maister sire quod he / but seruytour [leaf ss, back]
Thogh I haue had in scole / that honour
God liketh natt that Eaby men vs calle
Neither in Market1 nyn youre large halle 2188
IF No force quod he / but tel me al youre grief
IT Sire quod this frere / an odious meschief
This day bityd is / to myn ordre and me
And so par consequens / to ech degree 2192
Of holy chirche / god amende it soone
IF Sire quod the lord / ye woot what is to doone
Distempre yow noght1 ye be my confessour
Ye been the salt of therthe / and the sauour 2196
ffor goddes loue / youre pacience ye holde
Tel me youre grief/ and he anon hym tolde
As ye han herd biforn / ye woot wel what
The lady of the hous / ay stille sat1 2200
Til she hadde herd / what the frere sayde
IF Ey goddes moder quod she / blisful mayde
Is ther aught ellis / tel me feithfully
1F Ma dame quod he / how thynketh yow ther by 2204
14 HENGWRT 193 (6-T. 398)
399 SIX-TEXT
194 GROUP D. § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT How fat me thynketh quod she / so god me spede
I seye / a cherl / hath doon a cherles dede
What sholde I seye / god lat hym neuere thee
His sike heed / is ful of vanytee 2208
I holde hym / in a manere frenesye
II Madame quod he / by god I shal nat lye
But I / on oother wise / may be wreke
I shal diffame hym / ouer al wher I speke 2212
The false blasphemour / that charged me
To parte / that wol nat departed be
To euery man yliche / with meschaunce
II The lord sat stille / as he were in a traunce 2216
And in his herte / he rolled vp and down
How hadde this cherl / ymaginacioun
To shewe swich a probleme / to the frere
Neuere erst er now / herde I swich matere 2220
I trowe the deuel / putte it in his mynde
In Arsmetrik1 shal ther no man fynde
Bifore this day / of swich a question
Who sholde / make a demonstracion 2224
That euery man sholde han / ylike his part/ [leaf 86]
As of a soun / or sauour / of a fart1
0 nyce prowde cherl / I shrewe his face
II Lo sires quod the lord / with harde grace 2228
Who euere herde / of swich a thyng1 er now
To euery man ylike / tel me how
It is an inpossible / it may nat be
Ey nyce cherl / god lat hym neuere thee 2232
The rumblyng of a fart1 and euery soun
Nys but of Eyr / reuerberacioun
And there it wasteth / lite and lite awey
Ther nys no man / kan deme by my fey 2236
If that it were / departed equally
What lo my cherl / lo yet how shrewedly
Yn-to my confessour / to day he spak/
1 holde hym certeynly / demonyak1 2240
HENGWIIT 194 (6-T. 399)
400 SIX-TEXT
GROUP D, § 6. SUMMONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 195
Now ete youre mete / and lat the cherl go pleye
Lat hym go hange hym self/ a deuel weye
[The Solution of the " Prolleme " by the Lord's Squire-
and-Carver. No break 'in the MS.]
11 Now stood / the lordes Squyer at the boord
That carf his mete / and herde word by woord 2244
Of alle thyngi of which I haue yow sayd
IT My lord quod he / be ye nat yuele apayd
I koude telle / for a gowne clooth
To yow sire frere / so ye be nat wrooth 2248
How that this fart sholde euene y deled be
Among youre Couent1 if it liked me
IF Tel quod the lord / and thow shalt haue anon
A gowne clooth / by god and by Seint lohn 2252
IF My lord quod he / whan that the weder is fair
With-outen wynd / or perturbynge of Air
Lat brynge a Cartwheel / heere in-to this halle
But looke that it haue / his spokes alle 2256
Twelf spokes / hath a Cartwheel comunly
And brynge me thanne twelf freres / woot ye why
For thrittene / is a Couent1 / as I gesse
Youre confessour heere / for his worthynesse 2260
Shal parfourne vp / the nombre of this Couent*
Thanne shal they knele adown / by oon assent1
And to euery spokes ende / in this manere
iful sadly / leye his nose / shal a frere 2264
Youre noble Confessour / ther god hym saue [leaf 86, back]
Shal holde his nose / vp right vnder the Naue
Thanne shal this cherl / with baly / stif and toghtf
As any tabour / hider been ybroght1 2268
And sette hym on the wheel / right of this Cart1
Vp on the Naue / and make hym lete a fart1
And ye shal seen / on peril of my lyf
By proue / which that is demonstratyf 2272
HENGWKT 195 (6-T. 400)
401 WX-TEXT
196 GBOUP D. § 6. gTMHoyEB'a TALE, Hengwrt MS.
That equally / the soon of it wol wende
And eek the stynk/ vn-to the spokes ende
Sane / that this worthy man / yonre ConfeMoar
By cause / he is a man of greet honour 2276
Shal han the firste fruy? as reson is
The noble rsage of item / jet is this
The worthy men of hem / shul first be serned
And eerteynly / he hath it wel disserued 2280
He hath to day / taught1 TS so mnehel good
With preehyng1 in the pulput* ther he stood
That I may vouehe gauf / I seye for me
He hadde the firste smel / of fartes thre 228 i
And so wolde / al his Couent hardily
He bereth hym / so faire and holily
5" The lord / the lady / ech man / sane the frere
Seyden / that lankyn spat in this matere 2288
As wel / as Ecclyde / or Protholomec
Tonchynge the cherl / they seyde subtflfe*
And hy wit? made hym sj^ke / as he spak
He nys no fool / nc no demonyak1 2292
And lankyn hath y-wonne / a newe gowne
My tale is doon / we been ahnoost at towne
Here endeth the Sonmonra tale ^JJ
[A ttar£ lea/foOzies in ft* M8.]
MB3TOWKT 1M (f-T. 401)
253 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 11. MELIBEUS'S END-LINK. HongWTt MS. 197
5f Here bigynneth The Prologe of the Monkes ta [le '] .
[' Bitten ctff'Uu ratt,}
WHan ended was my tale / of Melibee [leaf 88]
And of Prudence / and hire benygnitee 3080
Oure hoost seyde / as I am feithful man
And by / that precious corpus Madrian
I hadde leuere / than a barel Ale
That goode lief my wyf / hadde herd this tale 3084
She nys no thyng1 of swich pacience
As was / this Melibeus wyf Prudence
By goddes bones / whan I bete my knaues
She bryngeth me / the grete clobbed staues 3088
And crieth / slee the dogges euerichon
And breke hem / bothe bak and euery bon
And if J>«t / any neighebore / of myne
Wol nat in chirche / to my wyf enclyne 3092
Or be so hardy / to hire to trespace
Whan she cometh / she raumpeth in my face
And crieth / false coward wrek thy wyf
By corpus bones / I wol haue thy knyf 3096
And thow shalt haue my distaf/ and go spynne
ffro day to nyghtf right thus she wol bigynne
Alias she seith / Jjat euere \ai I was shape
To wedden a Milksops / or a coward Ape 3100
That wol been ouer-lad / of euery wight*
Thow darst nat stonden / by thy wyues right1
This is my lif« but if J>at I wol fighte
And out at dore / anoon I moot me dighte 3104
Or ellis I am but lost1 but if J>at I
Be lyk a wilde leofl / fool hardy
I woot wel / she wol do me sle som day
Som neighebore / and thanne go my way 3108
ffor I am perilous / with knyf in honde
Al be it1 that I dar nat hire withstonde
HENGWRT 197 (6-T. 263)
254 SIX-TEXT
198 GROUP B. § 11. MELIBEUS'S END-LINK. HengWrt MS,
ffor she is big in armes / "by my feith
That shal he fynde / jjat hire mysdooth / or seith 3112
But lat vs passe awey / fro this matere
IT My lord the Monk quod he / be myrie of cheere
ffor / ye shul telle a tale trewely [leaf ss, back]
Lo / Eouchestre / stant heer fasteby 3116
Ride forth myn owene lord / brek nat oure game
But by my trouthe / I knowe nat youre name
Wher shal I calle yow / my lord Dann lohn
Or dann Thomas / or ellis Dann Albon) 3120
Of what hous be ye / by youre fader kyn
I vow to god / thbw hast a ful fair skyn
It is a gentil pasture / ther thow goosfr
Thow art nat lyk1 a penanntt or a goostt 3124
Yp-on my feith / thow art som Officer
Som worthy Sexteyn / or som Celerer
ffor by my fader soule / as to my doom
Thow art a maister / whan thou art at horn 3128
No poure Cloistrer / ne no novys
But a gouernour / wily and wys
And ther with al / of hrawnes & of bones
A wel farynge persone / for the nones 3132
I prey god / ye lie hym confusion
That first thee broghte / vn-to Religion
Thow woldest han been a tredefoul aright1
Haddestow / as greet a leue as thow hast myghtt 3136
To perfourne / al thy lust in engendrure
Thow haddest bigeten / ful many a creature
Alias / why werestow so wyd a cope
God yeue me sorwe / but and I were a Pope 3140
Nat oonly thow / but euery myghty man
Thogh he were shore / ful hye vp on his pan
Sholde haue a wyf1 for al the world is lorn
Religion / hath take vp al the corn 3144
Of tredyng1 and we borel men been shrympes
Of feble trees / ther comen wrecched ympes
HENGWRT 198 (6-T. 254)
255 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 11, MELIBEUS'S END-LINK. HengWTt MS. 199
This maketh / fat cure heires beth so sklendre
And feble / fat they may nat wel engendre 3148
This inaketh / fat oure wyties wole assaye
Eeligious folk / for ye mowe bettre paye
Of Venus paiementz / than may we
God woof no lussheburgh payen ye 3152
But be nat wrooth my Lord / thogh fat I pleye
fful ofte in game / a sooth I haue herd seye
1F This worthy Monk / took al in pacience [leaf 89]
And seyde / I wol doon al my diligence 3156
As fer / as sowneth in to honestee
To telle yow a tale / or two / or three
And if yow list1 to herkne hiderward
I wol yow seyn / the lyf of Seint Edward 3160
Or ellis first1 tragedies wol I telle
Of whiche / I haue an hundred in my Celle
Tragedie is to seyn / a certeyn storie
As olde bokes / maken vs memorie 3164
Of hym / Jjat stood in greet prosperitee
And is yfallen / out of heigh degree
In to myserie / and endeth wrecchedly
And they been / versified comunly 3168
Of .vj. feet1 whiche men clepyn Exametron
In prose eek1 been endited many oon
And eek in metre / in many a sondry wise
Lo this declaring1 oghte ynogh suffise 3172
IT Now herkneth / if yow liketh for to heere
But first1 1 yow biseke / in this matere
Though I by ordre / telle nat thise thynges
Be it of Popes / Emperours / or Kynges 3176
After hir ages / as men writen fynde
But telle hern / som bifore / and som bihynde
As it now cometh / vn-to my remembrance
Haueth me excused / of myn ignorance 3180
HENGWRT 199 (6-T. 25o)
liM MIX-TBXT
•JOO <motJi'B, §12, MONK'H TAUC. Hongwrt MS,
11 lloro liitfynnuMi Mm Monkon lulu.
I'VVol hiwuillo / in munoro of Trugwlio
Thfl linriii of lit in I i li.it titoodo in hoi^h doffvoo
And hi!' n MO / lli.il Hi. -i ii. i . no i. MI. .Ii.-
To bryn^o nnm / °'d' "I lii i''1 Adiiorniloo HI 81
11(11' OOl'l.oyn / Nvllllll |wl H'orhlllO HM|. to lion
I'l" i limy no in. in j ill. . .-in . of ini withhuldu
I iiil no 111. i ii Lrinto / on ))ltynd [)/*NH])orituo
I1-, ili war / l)ty iln .«• .-n ,m|.l. h.-\\.- iuul <-l.l«- :'. iss
| /.//,•(/>'*'. |
AT Incilor / Mu^l» lu» un Ann^vl worn lUmrHii.iwok]
An. I n. ii n, in. in / ill. li\ in I \vol IT- \ MM.'
IVor iliogli IVorl.iino / nuiy nnon Amidol \\\\v\\
IVroni lioigli dt\grt)0 / y^l 111 lu» lor IHM s^'iuio JilD'J
I '"mi in l.o 11.11. I whoro as Ii. \. i i.s Inno
() Luc i for / brigliltwt of Atmgols ullo
Now tirtow SiitlittniiM / Hi. 1 1 m.i\ i nut twyiuin
Out of MintM-io / in whirli |vil, Miou nrl, lidlo JUDO
l,o Aduin in tlio fold of Diun.yHHono L'SIvfi'S*!! M£ '*"
W/U K.M|OH owno rVnKor wrowt w.m lin . . IM
.And mill l\ygo!,on of inunnoH npomu^ vnolono . .
.And wollo id pumdiiH Niuiyng o troo ..
Hud nonor wordly innn HO hoy do^ro ..
AM Adam til ho for inyH^o
\\'UH dryno owt of his hoy
To labour timl to lidlo .m.l
IIKNtiN Ii I' VOd H« I
257 SIX-TBXT
GROUP B. § 18. MONK'B TALK. Hengwrt MS, 201
[Sampson.]
Lo Sampson / which that \vaa anunoiaf Sampson.
\\y th<> Anngol longo rr his natiniteo
Ami was to god ulmyghty rons.vrat'
Ami stood in nobl.'sso / \vliil thai, ho mvghto siv 3208
WMH nouoro sNvii'h anothor / as was ho
To spoko of slronglho / and MUM- \v/l// hardy nosso
Hut, to hiso wyuos I toldo ho his Hoorou
Thurgh wliioh / ho alow hym nolf for wrocchodnoaso
U Siunpsou / this nohlo almyghl.y olnunpioft
With-outen wt>pno / nauo hiso houdea twoyo
Ht^ slow / and al to-rtwto tho loofl
Toward his wotUlyn^1 walkyngtt by tho woyo 321G
His (also \vyf / koiulo hym so ploso and proyo
Til sho his consoil know / and sho vntrowo
Vn-to his foos / his oonswl gan biwroyo
And hym forauuk/ and took another uowo 3220
5f Thro hniulivd foxoa / took Sampson for Iru
And allo hir tayloa / ho togydro bond
Anil si^lto tho 1'oxos taylos /llll^^ on liro
IVor l^t^ on oiuM-y iavl / Iwddo knyt a brond 3224
And thoy brondu / allo tho tuvrnos in that Lond
And allt^ hiiv» Olyuoris / ami Vynos oko
A thousand mon / ho slow with his bond
A 11. 1 haddi' no wopno / but an Assos rlu^ko 3228
11 Whan tlioy wiM-o slavn / so Huirsl<>i! hym / \>,i(. lu«
Was \v«-l ny lorn for \\liich lu< :';an to pivyc
That god / woldo on his peyne / hftiio som pitoo
And Ni-ndi' hvm drynko or ollis mos|i» |u> dt<^^^ 3232
And of Ihis Asses ••boko / (hut was dr«»yo
( Mil of .1 \\ang' (ootb / sprang anon a \\vllo
Of whirh lio drank ynogh short l\ to soyo
I'liu .. lu'i'lp hym j-.od as liidirmn kan toll«« :\'2'M
MI \UWRT 901 (0-T, 9ft7)
258 SIX-TEXT
202 GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
If By verray force / at Gazan / on a nyghtt [leaf 90]
Maugree Philistiens / of that Citee
The gates of the toun / he hath vp plight
And on his bak1 ycaried hem hath he 3240
Hye on an hitt / where as men myght hem se
O noble almyghty Sampson / leef and deere
Had thow nat toold / to wommen thy secree
In al this world / ne hadde been thy peere 3244
1T This Sampson / neuere Ciser drank ne wyn
Ne on his heed / cam Rasour noon ne shere
By precept1 of the Messager deuyn
ffor alle his strengthes / in his herys were 3248
And fully .xx. wynter / yeer by yere
He hadde of Israel / the gouernance
But soone / shal he wepe many a teere
ffor wommen / shul hym bryngen to meschaunce 3252
H Vn-to his lemman Dalida / he tolde
That in his herys / al his strengthe lay
And falsly / to his fomen she hym solde
And slepynge in hir barm / vp on a day 3256
She made to clippe / or shere his heer away
And made his fomen / al this craft espien
And whan J?#t they / hym fond in this array
They bounde hym faste / and putten out his eyen 3260
IF But/ er his heer / was clipped or yshaue
Ther was no bond / with which / men myghte hym bynde
But now is he / in prisone in a Caue
Where as they made hym / at the querne grynde 3264
0 noble Sampson / strengest of mankynde
0 whilom / luge in glorie / and in richesse
Now / maystow wepen / with thyne eyen blynde
Sith thow fro wele / art falle in wrecchednesse 3268
HENGWRT 202 (6-T. 258)
259 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 203
IT The ende of this caytif* was as I shal seye
His fomen / made a feste vp-on a day
And made hym as hire fool / bifore hem pleye
And this was / in a temple of greet array 3272
But atte laste / he made a foul affray
ffor he two pilers shook / and made hem falle
And doun fil temple and al / and there it lay
And slow hym self / and eek his fomen alle 3276
11 This is to seyn / the Prynces euerychon [leaf 90, back]
And eek thre thousand bodies / were ther slayn
With fallyng* of the grete temple of stoon
Of Sampson / now wol I namoore sayn 3280
Beth war by this ensample / old and playn
That no men / telle hir conseil / til hir wyues
Of swich thyng1 as they wolde han secree fayn
If J?at it touche / hir lymes / or hir lyues 3284
\_HerculesJ\
Qf hercules / the souereyn conquerour If Hercules .
Syngen hise werkes / laude and heigh renoun
if or in his tyine / of strengthe he was the flour
He slow / and rafte the skyn fro the leoun 3288
He of Centauros / leyde the boost adown
He Arpies slow / the cruel briddes felle
The golden Apples / rafte of the dragoun
He drow out Cerberus / the hound of helle 3292
1T He slow the cruel tyrant1 Busirus
And made his hors / to frete hym flessh and bon
He slow the firy serpent venymus
Of Achilois two homes / he brak oon 3296
And he slow Cakus / in a Caue of stoon
He slow the geant1 . Anthews the stronge
He slow the grisly boor / and that anon
And bar the heuene / on his nekke longe 3300
HENGWRT 203 (6-T. 259)
260 SIX-TEXT
204 GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
f Was neuere wight1 sith J?at this world bigan
That slew so manye monstres / as dide he
Thurgh-out this wide world / his name ran
What for his strengthe / and for his heigh bouwtee 3304
And euery Eeawme / wente he for to se
He was so strong1 J)#t no man myghte hym lette
At bothe the worldes endes / seith Trophee / t Jjjj^^heus"
In stede of boundes / he a piler sette 3308
1F A lemman / hadde this noble champion
That highte Dian[i]ra / fressh as May
And as thise clerkes / maken mencion)
She hath hym sent a sherte / fressh and gay 3312
Alias this sherte / alias and weylaway
Enuenymed was / so subtilly with alle
That er fat he / hadde wered it half a day
It made his nessh / al from hise bones falle 3316
IF But natheles / so??ime clerkes hire excusen
By oon ]>at highte ]N~essus / ]>ai it maked
Be as be may / I wol hire noght accusen
But on his bak1 the sherte he wered al naked 3320
Til jjat his nessh / was for the venym blakecl
And whan he say / noon oother remedie
In hote coles / he hath hym seluen raked
ffor with no venym / deigned hym to dye 3324
IF Thus starf / this worthy myghty Hercules
Lo who may truste on ffortune / any throwe
ffor hym J>at folweth / al this world of prees
Er he be war / is ofte yleyd ful lowe 3328
fful wys is he / fat kan hym seluen knowe
Beth war / for whan J>at ffortune list to glose
Thanne waiteth she / hir man to ouerthrowe
By swich a wey / as he wolde leest suppose 3332
HENGWRT 204 (6-T. 260)
261 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS, 205
\_Ne buchadnezzar. ]
The myghty trone / the precious tresor / Nabugodonosor
The glorious ceptre / and roial maiestee
That hadde / the kyng Nabugodonosor
With tonge / vnnethe / may discryued be 3336
He twies / wan Jerusalem the Citee
The vessel of the temple / he with hym ladde
At Babiloigne / was his souereyn see
In which / his glorie / and his delit he hadde 3340
IT The faireste children / of the blood roial
Of Israel / he leet do gelde anon
And maked ech of hem / to been his thral
Amonges othere / Danyel was oon 3344
That was /the wiseste child of euerychoon
ffor he the dremes / of the kyng expowned
Ther as in Chaldeye / clerk/ ne was ther noon
That wiste / to what fyn his dremes sowned 3348
IT This proude kyng1 leet make a Statue of gold
Sixty cubites long1 and Seuene in brede
To which ymage / he bothe yong1 and old
Comanded to loute / and haue in drede 3352
Or in a fourneys / ful of flambes rede
He shal be brend / that wolde noght obeye
But neuere / wolde assente to that dede
Danyel / ne hise yonge felawes tweye 3356
IT This kyng of kynges / proud was and elaf [leaf 91, back]
He wende / that god / Jjat sit in magestee
Ne myghte hym nat bireue / of his estat
But sodeynly / he loste his dignytee 3360
And lyk a beestf hym semed for to be
And eet hey as an Oxe / and lay ther oute
In reyn / with wilde beestes walked he
Til certeyn tyme / was ycome aboute 3364
HENGWRT 205 (6-T. 26l)
262 SIX-TEXT
206 GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
IT And lyk an Egles fetheres / wax hise herys
Hise nayles / lyk a briddes clawes weere
Til god relessed hym / a certeyn yerys
And yaf hym wif and thanne vrith many a teere 3368
He thanked god / and euere his lyf in feere
Was he to doon amys / or moore trespace
And til that tyme / he leyd was on his beere
He knew / that god / was ful of myght & grace 3372
IF His sone / which that highte Balthasar / Balthasar /
That heeld the regne / after his fader day
He by his fader / koude noght be war
ffor proud he was / of herte and of array 3376
And eek an ydolastre / was he ay
His hye estat / assured hym in pryde
But ffortune caste hym down / and ther he lay
And sodeynly / his regne gan dyuyde 3380
IT A feste he made / vn-to hise lordes alle
Vp-on a tyme / and made hem blithe be
And thanne hise Officers / gan he calle
Gooth bryngeth forth / the vessels quod he 3384
Whiche that my fader / in his prosperitee
Out of the temple of Jerusalem / birafte
And to oure hye goddes / thanke we
Of honour / that oure eldres / with vs lafte 3388
IF His wyf / hise lordes / and hise concubynes
Ay dronken / whil hire appetites laste
Out of thise noble vessels / sondry wynes
And on a wal / this kyng* hise eyen caste 3392
And say an hand armlees / that wroot ful faste
ffor feere of which / he quook / and siked soore
This hand / $at Balthasar so soore agaste
Wroot1 Mane techel phares / and namoore 3396
HENGWRT 206 (6-T. 262).
263 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 207
1F In al that land / Magicien was noon [leaf 92]
That koude expounde / what that lettre mente
But Danyel / expowned it anoon
And seyde / Kyng1 god to thy fader lente 3400
Glorie / and honour / regne / tresor / rente
And he was proud / and no thyng god ne dradde
And ther-fore / god greet wreche vp-on hym sente
And hym birefte / the regne ]>at he hadde 3404
IT He was out cast1 of mannes compaignye
With Asses / was his habitacion
And eet hey as a "beesfr in weet and drye
Til ])at he knew / by grace / and by resofi 3408
That god of heuene / han domynacion
Ouer euery regne / and euery creature
And thanne / hadde god of hym compassion
And hym restored / his regne and his figure 3412
IF Eke / thow that art his sone / art proud also
And knowest1 Alle thise thynges verraily
And art rebel to god / and art his fo
Thow drank eek / of his vessel boldely 3416
Thy wyf eke / and thy wenches synfully
Dronke of the same vessels / sondry wynys
And heriest false goddes cursedly
Therfore to thee / yshapen ful greet pyne is 3420
1F This hand was sent fro god / that on the wal
Wroot Mane techel phares / truste me
Thy regne is doon / thow weyest noght at al
Dyuyded is thy regne / and it shal be 3424
To Medes and to Perses / yeuen quod he
And thilke same nyght1 this kyng was slawe
And Darius / occupieth his degree
Though he ther to / hadde neither right ne lawe 3428
HENGWRT 207 (6-T. 263)
264 SIX-TEXT
208 GEOUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
1F Lordynges / ensainple heer-by may ye take
How that in lordshipe / is no sikernesse
ffor whan ffortune / wol a man forsake
She bereth awey / his regne and his richesse 3432
And eke hise freendes / bothe moore and lesse
ffor what man /fat hath freendes thurgh ffortune
Mishape / wol make hem enemys I gesse
This prouerbe / is ful sooth / and ful commune 3436
[Zenobia.']
vEnobia / of Palymerie queene [leaf 92, backj
As writen Perciens / of hir noblesse
So worthy was in Armes / and so keene
That no wight1 passed hire in hardynesse 3440
Ne in lynage / ne oother gentilesse
Of kynges blood of Perce / is she descended
I sey nat1 fat she hadde moost fairnesse
But of hir shape / she myghte nat been amended 3444
IF ffrom hire childhede / I fynde fat she fledde
Office of wommen / and to wode sne wente
And many / a wilde hertes blood she shedde
With Arwes brode / that she to hem sente 3448
She was so swift1 fat she anoon hem hente
And whan fat she was elder / she wolde kille
Leons / Leopardes / and Beres al torente
And in hir Armes / welde hem at hir wille 3452
1F Sche dorste / wilde beestes dennes seke
And rennen in the montaynes / al the nyght1
And slepen vnder the bussh / and she koude eke
Wrastlen / by verray force / and verray myght1 3456
With any yong man / were he neuer so wight1
Ther myghte no thyng1 in hir armes stonde
She kepte hir maydenhede / from euery wight1 .
To no man / deigned hire to be bonde 3460
HENGWRT 208 (6-T. 264)
265 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 12, MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 209
IT But atte laste / hir freendes lian hire maryed
To Onedake / a prynce of that contree
Al were it so / that she hem longe taryed
And ye shal'vnderstande / how \a\> he 3464
Hadde swiche fantasies / as hadde she
•tend
But nathelees / whan they weere knyt in feere
They lyued / in ioye / and in felicitee
ffor ech of hem / hadde oother lief and deere 3468
11 Saue o thyng1 that she wolde neuere assente
By no wey / that he sholde by hire lye
But ones / for it was hir pleyn entente
To haue a child / the world to multiply e 3472
And also soone / as that she myghte espye
That she was nat with childe / with that dede
Thanne wolde she suffren hym doon his fantasye
Eft soone / and noght but ones / out of drede 3476
IF And if she were with childe / at thilke cast1 [leaf 98]
Namoore / sholde he pleyen thilke game
Til fully / .xl. dayes weren past1
Thanne wolde she ones / suffre hym do the same 3480
Al were this Onedake / wilde / or tame
He gat namoore of hire / for thus she seyde
It was to wyues / lecherie and shame
In oother cas / if J>at men with hem pleyde 3484
1T Two sones / by this Onedake hadde she
The whiche she kepte / in vertu and lettrure
But now / vn-to oure tale turne we
I seye / so worshipful a creature 3488
And wys ther-with / and large witJi mesure
So penyble in the werre / and curteis eke
Ne moore labour / myghte in werre endure
Was noon / thogh al this world men sholde seke 3492
15 HENGWRT 209 (6-T. 265)
266 SIX-TEXT
210 GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT Hir riche array / ne myghte nat be toold
As wel in vessel / as in hire clothyng1
She was al clad / in perree and in gold
And eek she lafte noght1 for noon huntyng* 3496
To haue / of sondry tonges ful knowyng1
Whan Jxzt she leyser hadde / and for to entende
To lerne bookes / was al hir likyng*
How she in vertu / myghte hir lyf despende 3500
IT And shortly / of this storie for to trete
So doughty was hire housbonde / and eek she
That they conquered / manye regnes grete
In thorientt with many a fair Citee 3504
Appertenantf vn-to the magestee
Of Rome / and witft, strong hond / heeld hem ful faste
Ne neuere myghte / hir fomen / doon hem flee
Ay / whil that Onedakes dayes laste 3508
IT Hir batailles / who so list hem for to rede
Agayn Sapor the kyng/ and othere mo
And how / ]?at al this proces / fil in dede
Why she conquered / and what title ther to 3512
And after / of hire meschief and hire wo
How that she was / biseged and ytake
Lat hym / vn-to my maister Petrak go
That writ ynow of this / I vndertake 3516
^1 Whan Onedake was deed / she myghtily Deaf 93, back]
The regnes heeld / and with hire propre hond
Agayns hir foos / she faught so cruelly
That ther nas kyng» ne Prince in al that lond 3520
That he nas glad / if he J>at grace fond
That she ne wolde / vp-on his land werreye
With hire / they made alliance by bond
To been in pees / and lete hire ryde and pleye 3524
HENGWRT 210 (6-T. 266)
267 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. §12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 211
IT The Emperour of Rome / Claudius
Ne hym biforn / the Romayn Galien
Ne dorsten neuere / been so corageus
Ne noon Ermyn / ne noon Egipcien 3528
No Surryen / ne noon Arabien
With-Inne the feeldes / J>at dorste with hire fighte
Lest ]j«t she wolde / hem. with hir handes slen
Or with hire meynee / putten hem to flighte 3532
IT In kynges habit1 wenten hire sones two
As heires / of hir fadres regnes alle
And Hermanno / and Thymalao
Hir names weere / as Persiens hem calle 3536
But ay fortune / hath in hire hony galle
This myghty queene / may no while endure
ffortune / out of hir regne made hire falle
To wrecchednesse / and to mysauenture 3540
11 Aurelian / whan Jrat the gouernance
Of Eome / cam in-to hise handes tweye
He shoope / vp-on this queene / to doon vengeance
And with his legions / he took his weye 3544
Toward Cenobie / and shortly for to seye
He made hire flee / and atte laste hire hente
And fettred hire / and eek hire children tweye
And wan the land / and hoom to Eome he wente 3548
IT Amonges othere thynges / that he wan
His Chaar / J?at was wzt/i gold wroght & perree
This grete Romayn / this Aurelian
Hath with hym lad / for Jxzt men sholde it see 3552
Biforn his triumphe / walketh she
With gilte cheynes / on hire nekke hangynge
Corowned was she / as after hire degree
And ful of perree / charged hir clothynge 3556
HENGWRT 211 (6-T. 267)
268, 271 SIX-TEXT
212 GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT Alias ffortune / she that whilom was Deaf 94
Dredeful / to kynges / and to Emperoures
Now gawreth al the peple / on hire alias
And she that helmed was / in starke stoures 3560
And wan by force / townes stronge and toures
Shal on hire heed / now were a vitremyte
And she ]>at bar / the Ceptre ful of floures
Shal bere a distaf* hire cost1 for to quyte 3564
{The modern instances which should come here, are at the end of the Tale in this MS.]
[Nero.]
Al though / that Nero were vicius / De Nerono
As any feend / that lyth ful lowe adown 3654
Yet he / as telleth vs Swetonius
This wide world / hadde in subieccioun 3656
Bothe Esf and West* North / and Septemtrioun
Of Eubies / Saphires / and of perles white
Were alle hise clothes / browded vp and doun
ffor he in gemmes / greetly gan delite 3660
1T Moore delicaf moore pompous of array
Moore proud / was neuere Emperour than he
That ilke clooth / that he hadde weryd o day
After that tyme / he nolde it neuere see 3664
Nettes of gold threed / hadde he greet plentee
To fisshen in Tybre / whan hym liste pleye
Hise lustes were al lawe / in his decree
ffor ffortune / as his freend / hym wolde obeye 3668
H He Rome brende / for his delicacie
The Senatours /he slow vp-on a day
To heere / how fat men wolde wepe & crye
And slow his brother / and by his suster lay 3672
His moder he made / in pitous array
ffor he hire wombe slytte / to biholde
Where he conceyued was / so weilaway
That he so litel / of Ids moder tolde 3676
HENGWRT 212 (6-T. 268, 27l)
271, 272 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 213
1F No teere out of hise eyen / for that sighte
Ne cam / but seyde / a fair womman was she
Greet wonder is / how J?at he koude / or myghte
Be domesman / of hire dede beautee 3680
The wyn to bryngen hym / comanded he
And drank anoon / noon oother wo he made
Whan myght1 is ioyned / vn-to crueltee
Alias to depe / wol the venym wade 3684
[1T] In youthe / a maister hadde this Emperour [leaf 94, back]
To teche hym lettrure / and curteisye
ffor of moralitee / he was the flour
As in his tyme / but if bookes lye 3688
And whil this maister / hadde of hym maistrye
He maked hym / so louyng* and so souple
That longe tyme it was / er tirannye
Or any vice / dorste in hym vncouple 3692
H This Seneca / of which J?at I deuyse
By cause Nero / hadde of hym swich drede
ffor he fro vices / wolde hym ay chastise
Discretly / as by word / and nat by dede 3696
Sire wolde he seyn / an Emperour moot nede
Be vertuous / and hate tirannye
ffor which he in a bath / made hym to blede
On bothe hise armes / til he moste dye 3700
1F This Nero / hadde eek/ of acustumance
In youthe / agayns his maister for to rise
Which afterward / hym thoughte a greet greuance
Ther-fore / he made hym dyen in this wise 3704
But nathelees / this Seneca the wise
Chees / in a bath / to dye in this manere
Rather than han / another tormentrise
And thus hath Nero / slayn his maister deere 3708
HENGWRT 213 (6-T. 271, 272)
272, 273 SIX-TEXT
214 GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
1T Now fil it so / that ffortune liste no lenger
The hye pride of Nero / to cherice
ffor thogh J>at he was strong/ yet was she stronger
She thoghte thus / by god I am to nyce 3712
To sette a man / that is fulfil d of vice
In heigh degree / and Emperour hym calle
By god / out of his sete I wol hym trice
Whan he leest weneth / sonnest shal he falle 3716
1T The peple roos / vp on hym / on a nyghf
ffor his defaute / and whan he it espied
Out of his dores / anon he hath hym dight1
Allone / and there he wende han been allyed 3720
He knokked faste / and ay the moore he cryed
The faster shette they / the dores alle
ffor drede of this / hym thoughte J?at he dyed
And wente his wey / no lenger dorste he calle 3724
IF The peple cryde / and rombled vp and doun [leaf 953
That -with hise erys / herde he / how they seyde
Where is this false tirant1 this Neroun
ffor fere almoostt out of his wit he breyde 3728
And to hise goddes / pitously he preyde
ffor socour / but it myghte noght bityde
ffor drede of this / hym thoughte Jjat he deyde
And ran in to a gardyn / hym to hyde 3732
IT And in this gardyn / foond he cherles tweye
That seten by a fyr / greet1 and reed
And to thise cherlis two / he gan to preye
To sleen hym / and to girden of his heed 3736
That to his body / whan fat he were deed
Were no despit ydoon / for his defame
Hym self he slow / he koude no bettre reed
Of which / ffortune / lough and hadde a game 3740
HENGWRT 214 (6-T. 272, 273)
273, 274 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 215
[Holofernes.]
11 Yi as neuere Capitayn / vnder a kyng1 / De Oloferno
That regnes mo / putte in subieccioun
Ne stronger was in feeld / of alle thyng*
As in his tyme / ne gretter of renoun 3744
Ne moore pompous / in heigh presumpcioun
Than Oloferne / which ffortune ay kiste
So likerously / and ladde hyin vp and doun
Til J>at his heed was of / er that he wiste 3748
1f Nat oonly / that this world hadde hym in awe
ffor lesynge / of richesse / or libertee
But made euery man / reneyen his lawe
Nabugodonosor / was god seyde he 3752
Noon oother god / sholde adoured be
Agayns this heste / no wight dorste trespace
Saue in Bethulia / a strong Citee
Where Eliachym / a preest was of that place
1T But tak kepe / of the deeth of Oloferne
Amydde his oostt he dronke lay a nyghtt
"With-Inne his tente / large as is a berne
And yet1 for al his pompe / and al his myght1 3760
ludith a womman / as he lay vpright1
Slepynge / his heed of smootf and from his tente
fful pryuely she stal / from euery wight"
And with his heed / vn-to hir toun she wente 3764
[Antiochus.]
'What nedeth if of kyng Anthiochus Deaf 95, back]
To telle / his hye Roial magestee
His hye pryde / hise werkes venymus
ffor swich another / was ther noon as he 3768
Reed which that he was / in Machabee
And reed / the proude wordes / fat he seyde
And why he fil / fro heigh prosperitee
And in an Hille / how wrecchedly he deyde 3772
HENGWRT 215 (6-T. 273, 274)
274, 275 SIX-TEXT
216 GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IF ffortune / hym hadde enchaunted so in pride
That verraily / he wende he myghte attayne
Vn-to the sterres / vp on euery syde
And in balance / weyen ech montayne 3776
And alle the floodes / of the see restrayne
And goddes peple / hadde he moost in hate
Hem wolde he sleen / in torment and in payne
Wenynge / that god ne myghte / his pryde abate 3780
IT And for that Nichanore / and Thymothe
Of lewes / weren venquysshed myghtily
Vn-to the lewes / swich an hate hadde he
That he bad greithe his Chaar fid hastily 3784
And swoor / and seyde ful despitously
Yn-to Jerusalem / he wolde eft soone
To wreken his Ire / on it ful cruelly
But of his purpos / he was let ful soone 3788
1F God for his manace / hym so soore smoot1
With invisible wounde / ay incurable
That in hise guttes / carf it so and boot1
That hise peynes / weren inportable 3792
And certeinly / the wreche was resonable
ffor many a mannes guttes / dide he peyne
But from his purpos / cursed and dampnable
ffor al his smerf he wolde hym nat restreyne 3796
1f But bad anon / apparaillen his hoost
And sodeynly / er he was of it war
God daunted / al his pride / and al his boost1
ffor he / so soore fil / out of his char 3800
That it hise lymes / and his skyn totar
So ]>at / he neither myghte go ne ryde
But in a chayer / men aboute hym bar
Al forbrused / bothe bak and syde 3804
HENGWRT 216 (6-T. 274, 275)
275, 276 SIX-TEXT
GEOUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 217
1F The wreche of god / hym smoot so cruelly [leaf 96]
That thurgh his body / wikked wormes crepte
And ther with al / he stank so horribly
That noon / of al his meynee J>at hym kepte 3808
Wheither so he wook/ or ellis slepte
Ne myghte noght1 for stynk of hym endure
Is this meschief / he wayled and eek wepte
And knew god / lord of euery creature 3812
11 To al his hoostt and to hym self also
fful wlatsom / was the stynk of his careyne
No man / ne myght hym bere to ne fro
And in this stynk1 and this horrible peyne 3816
He starf ful wrecchedly / in a monteyne
Thus hath this Kobbour / and this homycide
That many a man / made to wepe and pleyne
Swich gerdon / as bilongeth vn-to pryde 3820
[Alexander the Great.]
The Storie of Alisandre / is so commune / De Alexandra
That euery wight1 J>at hath discrecion
Hath herd som-whaf or al / of his fortune
This wide world / as in conclusion 3824
He wan by strengthe / or for hys hye renon
They were glad / for pees vn-to hym sende
The pryde / of man and beestt / he leyde adoun
Where so he cam / vn-to the worldes ende 3828
11" Comparison / myghte neuere yet ben maked
Bitwixe hym / and another Conquerour
ffor al this world / for drede of hym hath quaked
He of knyghthod / and of fredom flour 3832
ffortune hym made / the heir of hire honour
Saue wyn and wommen / no thyng myghte aswage
His hye entente / in armes and labour
So was he ful / of leonyn corage 3836
HENGWRT 217 (6-T. 275, 276)
276, 277 SIX-TEXT
218 GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
IT What prys were it to hym / thogh I yow tolde
Of Darius / and an hundred thousand mo
Of kynges / Prynces / Dukes / Erles bolde
Whiche he conquered / and broghte hem in-to wo
I seye / as fer / as man may ride or go
The world was his / what sholde I moore deuyse
ffor thogh I write / or tolde yow euere mo
Of hi^ knyghthode / it myghte nat suffise
3840
3844
[TJwelf yeer he regned / as seith Machabee [leaf 96, back]
Philippes sone of Macidoyne / he was
That first was kyng1 in Grece the contree
0 worthy / gentil Alisandre alias 3848
That euere / sholde fallen swich a cas
Empoysoned / of thyn owene folk1 thow weere
Thyn sys / ffortune hath turned in-to Aas
And for thee / ne weep she neuer a teere 3852
1T Who shal me yeue teeris / to compleyne
The deeth / of gentilesse / and of franchise
That al this world / weldid in his demeyne
And yet hym thoughte / it myghte nat suffise 3856
So ful was his corage / of heigh emprise
Alias / who shal me helpe to endite
ffalse ffortune / and poyson to despise
The whiche two / of al this wo I wyte 3860
[Julius Ccesar.]
By wisdom / manhede / and by greet labour / De lulio
ffrom humble bed / to Eoial magestee Cesare
Vp roos / he lulius the Conquerour
That wan al the Occident* by land and see 3864
By strengthe of hond / or ellis by tretee
And vn-to Eome / made hem tributarie
And sith of Eome / the Emperour was he
Til that ffortune / weex his Aduersarie 3868
HENGWRT 218 (6-T. >27f, 277)
277, 278 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. §12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 219
IT 0 myghty Cesar / that in Thessalie
Agayn Pompeus / fader thyn in lawe
That of thorient1 hadde al the chiualrie
As fer / as fat the day bigynneth dawe 3872
Thow / thurgh thy knyghthod / hast hem take & slawe
Saue fewe folk1 ]>at with Pompeus fledde
Thurgh which / thow puttest al Thorient in Awe
Thanke ffortune / that so wel thee spedde 3876
1T But now a litel while / I wol biwaille
This Pompeus / this noble gouernour
Of Eome / which J>at neigh at this bataille
I seye / oon of hise men / a fals traitour 3880
His heed of smoot/ to wynnen hym fauour
Of lulius / and hym the heed he broghte
Alias Pompeie / of Thorient conquerour
That ffortune / vn-to swich a fyn thee broghte 3884
H To Eome agayn / repaireth lulius [leaf 97]
With his triumphe / lauriat ful hye
But on a tyme / Brutus Cassius
That euere hadde / of his heighe estat enuye 3888
fful pryuely / hath maad conspiracie
Agayns this lulius / in subtil wise
And caste the place / in which he sholde dye
With Boydekyns / as I shal yow deuyse 3892
1T This lulius / to the Capitolie wente
Vp-on a day / as he was wont to goon
And in the Capitolie / anon hym hente
This false Brutus / and hise othere foon 3896
And stiked hym / with Boydekyns anon
With many a wounde / and thus they lete hym lye
But neuere gronte he / at no strook but oon
Or ellis at two / but if his storie lye 3900
HENGWRT 219 (6-T. 277, 278)
278, 279 SIX-TEXT
220 GROUP B, § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
1F So manly / was this lulius of herte
And so wel / louede estatly honestee
And thogh hise deedly woundes / so sore smerte
His mantel ouer his hipes / caste he 3904
ifor no man / sholde seen his pryuetee
And as he lay / of dyyng in a traunce
And wiste verraily that1 deed was he
Of honestee / yet hadde he remembraunce 3908
IT Lucan . / to thee this storie I recomende
And to Sweton / and to Valerius also
That of this storie / writen word & ende
How that1 to thise grete Conquerours two 3912
ifortune / was first freend / and siththe a foo
ISTo man ne triste / vp-on hire fauour longe
But haue hire / in awayt1 for euere mo
Witnesse / on alle thise Conquerours stronge 3916
[Cresus.]
This riche Cresus / whilom kyng of Lyde [Cresus]
Of which Gresus / Cirus soore hym dradde
Yet was he caught1 amyddes al his pryde
And to be brent/ men to the fyr hym ladde 3920
But swich a reyn / doun fro the welkne shadde
That slow the fyr / and made hym to escape
But to be war / no grace yet he hadde
Til ffortune / on the galwes made hym gape 3924
[l Whjanne he escaped was / he kan nat stente VRat». if 97, bk]
ffor to bigynne / a newe werre agayn
He wende wel / for Jjat ffortune hym sente
Swich hape / that he escaped thurgh the rayn 3928
That of his foos / he myghte nat be slayn
And eek a sweuene / vp-on a nyght he mette
Of which / he was so proud / and eek so fayn
That in vengeance / he al his herte sette 3932
HENGWUT 220 (6-T. 278, 279)
279, 280, 268 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 221
IT Yp on a tree he was / as J>at hym thoughte
Ther luppiter hym wessft. / "bothe bak and syde
And Phebus eek/ a fair towaille hym broughte
To drye hym with / and ther-fore wax his pryde 3936
And to his doghter / that stood hym bisyde
Which that he knew / in heigh sentence habounde
And bad hire telle hym / what it signyfide
And she his dreem / bigan right thus expounde 3940
IT The tree quod she / the galwes is to mene
And luppiter / bitokneth snow and reyn
And Phebus / with his towaille so clene
Tho been / the sonnes stremes for to seyn 3944
Thow shalt an hanged be / fader certeyn
Eeyn shal thee wasshe / and sonne shal thee drye
Thus warned hym / ful plat and ful pleyn
His doghter / which J?at called was Phanye 3948
IF An hanged was Cresus / the proude kyng1
His Roial trone / myghte hym nat auaille
Tragedies noon oother manere thyng*
Ne kan in syngyng/ crye ne biwaille 3952
But )>at ffortune / alwey wole assaille
With vnwar strook/ the regnes ]>at been proude
ffor whan men trusteth hire / thanne wol she faille
And couere hire brighte face / with a clowde 3956
[These & modern instances ought to follow 'Zenobia,' p. 268.1
[Peter the Cruel, of Spain.]
0 noble / o worthy Petro / glorie of Spayne De Petro
Whom ffortune heeld / so heighe in magestee Ispannie
Wei oghten men / thy pitous deeth complayne
Out of thy land / thy brother made thee flee 3568
And after at a sege / by subtiltee
Thow were bitraysed / and lad vn-to his tente
Where as he / with his owene hand slow thee
Succedynge / in thy regne and in thy rente 3572
HENGWRT 221 (6-T. 279, 280, 268)
268, 269 SIX-TEXT
222 GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IF The feeld of snow / with thegle of blak ther-Inne [leaf 98]
Caught with the lymrod / coloured as the glede ^iS.] du
He brew this cursednesse / and al this synne
The wikked nest1 was werkere of this nede 3576
Noght Charles Olyuer / J>at took ay hede
of trouthe and honour / but of Armorike o/SS«««f f^
Genylon Olyuer / corrupt for mede
Broghte this worthy kyng1 in swich a brike 3580
[Peter of Cyprus.^
0 worthy Petro / kyng of Cipre also De Petro de
That Alisaundre wan / by heigh maistrie Cipro
fful many an hethen / wroghtestow ful wo
Of which / thyne owene liges hadde envie 3584
And for no thyng1 but for thy chiualrie
They in thy bed / han slayn thee by the morwe
Thus kan ffortune / hire wheel gouerne and gye
And out of ioye / brynge men to sorwe 3588
\Bernabo Visconti, of Milan.]
Of Melaii / grete Barnabo Viscounte / De Barnabo /
God of delitt and scourge of Lumbardye
Why sholde I noght1 thyn Infortune acounte
Sith in estat/ thow clombe were so hye 3592
Thy brother sone / that was thy double allye
ffor he thy Nevew was / and sone in lawe
With-Inne his prison / made thee to dye
But why ne how / noot .1. that thow were slawe 3596
[UgoUno, Count of Pisa .]
Of the Erl Hugelyn of Pize / the langour / De hugelyn)
Ther may no tonge / tellen for pitee Comite de Pize
But litel out of Pize / stant a tour
In which[e] tour / in prison put was he 3600
And with hym been / hise litel children thre
The eldeste scarsly / fyue yeer was of age
Alias ffortune / it was greet crueltee
Swiche briddes / for to putte in swich a cage 3604
HENGWRT 222 (6-T. 268, 269)
269, 270 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 223
1T Dampned was lie / to dyen in that prison
ffor Eoger / which. J>#t bisshope was of Pize
Hadde on hym maad / a fals suggestion
Thurgh which the peple / gan vp on hym rise 3608
And putten hym to prison / in swich wise
As ye han herd / and mete and drynke he hadde
So smal / that wel vnnethe it may suffise
And ther with al / it was ful poure and badde 3612
f1 A]nd on a day bifel / Jjat in that hour [i Rats, leaf 98, back]
Whan J>at his mete / wont was to be broghtt
The Gayler / shette the dores of the tour
He herde it wel / but he spak / right noghtf 3616
And in his herte / anon ther fil a thoght
That they for hunger / wolde doon hym dyen
Alias quod he / alias J>at I was wroghtf
Ther with / the teeris fillen from hise eyen 3620
1T His yonge sone / J>at thre yeer was of age
Yn-to hym seyde / fader / fader / why do ye wepe
Whanne wol the Gayler / bryngen oure potage
Is ther no morsel breed / J>#t ye do kepe 3624
I am so hungry / that I may nat slepe
Now wolde god / jjat I myghte slepen euere
Thanne sholde noght hunger / in my wombe crepe
Ther is no thyng but breed / \a\> me were leuere 3628
1T Thus day by day / this child bigan to crye
Til in his fadres barm / adoun it lay
And seyde / farewel fader / I moot dye
And kiste his fader / and deyde the same day 3632
And whan the woful fader / deed it say
ffor wo / hise armes two / he gan to byte
And seyde / alias ffortune and weylaway
Thy false wheele / my wo al may I wyte 3636
HENGWRT 223 (6-T. 269, 270)
270 SIX-TEXT
224 GROUP B. § 12. MONK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT Hise children wende / that it for hunger was
That he hise armes griow / and nat for wo
And seyden fader / do nat so alias
But rather / ete the flessh vp-on vs two 3610
Oure flessh thow yaf* taak oure flessh vs fro
And ete ynow / right thus they to hym seyde
And after that1 with-Inne a day / or two
They leyde hem / in his lappe adoun / and deyde 3644
IF Hym self despeired / eek/ for hunger starf
Thus ended is / this myghty Erl of Pize
ffrom heigh estatt. ffbrtune awey hym carf1
Of this tragedie / it oghte ynogh suffise 3648
Who so wole it heere it* in a lenger wise
Eedeth / the grete Poete of Ytaille
That highte Dantt. for he kan al deuyse
ffro point to point1 nat o word wol he faille 3652
Here is ended the Monkes tale
HENGWRT 224 (6-T. 270)
281 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 13. MONK'S END-LINK. Hengwrt MS. 225
Ueaf99]
1[ This is the Prologe / of the Nonne Frees [tes1] ^tale.
HO quod the knyght1 good sire namoore of this
That ye han seyd / is right ynow ywis
And muchel moore / for litel heuynesse
Is right ynow / to muche folk I gesse [no gap in nengwrt] 3960
[I seye for me hit is a grete disese [MS Beg. 18 cu, leaf '226]
where as men han ben in grete weljje & ese
To heren of her sodeyn fal alias
And J?e contrarie is ioye and grete solace 3964
As whan a man haj? be in pore estate
And clymbeth vp and wexeth fortunate
[And ther/ a-bideth in prosperite .] [HarL 1758, y 192, bK]
Suche J)ing is gladsom as hit ]?inketh me 3968
And Jjough suche Jring were goodly forto telle
3e quod oure Oste by seynt poules belle
3e seie right soth jjis monk1 he clappeth loude
He spak* how fortune couered in a cloude 3972
I not neuere what & also of a treiadie
Right now 36 herde and parde no remedie
It is for to be-wayle ne complayne
That that is doon and also hit is a payne 3976
As 36 han saide to here of heuynesse
Sire monk1 nomore of ])is so god 3011 blesse
3oure tale annoyeth aft J>is companye
Suche talkyng* nys not worth a butterflye] JJS&sT
Youre tales / doon vs no desport ne game
Wher-fore sire Monk/ o . daun Piers by youre name
I prey yow hertely / telle vs som what ellis
ffor sikerly / nere clynkyng of youre bellis 3984
16 HENGWRT 226 (6-T. 28l)
282 SIX-TEXT
226 GROUP B. § 13. MONK'S END-LINK. Hengwrt MS,
That on youre bridel hange / on euery syde
By heuene kyng1 Tpai for vs alle dyde
I sholde er this / haue fallen doun for sleeps
Al thogh the slow / hadde neuere ben so deepe 3988
Thanne hadde youre tale / al be toold in veyn
ffor certeynly / as ]>at thise clerkes seyn
Where as a man / may haue noon audience
Naught helpeth it1 to tellen his sentence 3992
And wel I woof the substance is in me
If any thyng1 shal wel reported be
Sire / sey som what of huntyng1 1 yow preye
IT Nay quod this Monk1 1 haue no lust to pleye 3996
Now lat another telle / as I haue toold
IF Thanne spak oure hoosfr with rude speche & boold
And seyde / vn-to the Nonnes preest anon
Com neer thow preest1 com hider thow sir lohn 4000
Telle vs swich thyng* as may oure hertes glade
Be blythe / though thow ryde vp-on a lade
What1 though thyn hors / be bothe foul and lene
If he wol serue thee / rekke nat a bene 4004
Looke / that thyn herte / be murye euere mo
1T Yis sire quod he / yis hoost so mote I go
But I be murye / ywis I wol be blamed
And right anon / his tale he hath attamed 4008
And thus he seyde / vn-to vs euerichon
This sweete preestt this goodly man sir lofrn
Explicit1 (ft
HENGWRT 226 (6-T. 282)
283 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 227
IT Here bigynneth the Nonnes preestes tale of the Cok/
and Hen / Chawntecler & Pertelote / Deaf 99, back]
Apoore widwe / som del stape in age
was whilom dwellynge / in a narwe cotage 4012
Biside a groue / stondyng in a dale
This widwe / of which I telle yow my tale
Syn thilke day / J>at she was last a wyf
In pacience / ladde a ful symple lyf 4016
fibr / litel was hire catel and hire rente
By housbondrye / of swich as god hire sente
She foond hire self / and eek hire doghtren two
Tlire large sowes / hadde she and namo 4020
Thre kyn / and eek a sheepe / J?at highte Malle
fful sooty was hire hour / and eek hire halle
In which she eef ful many a sklendre meel
Of poynant sawce / hir neded neuer a deel 4024
No deyntee morsel / passed thurgh hir throte
Hir diete / was acordant1 to hir cote
Eepleccion / ne made hire nenere syk1
Attempree diete / was al hire phisyk1 4028
And excercise /and hertes sumsaunce
The gowte / lette hire no thyng for to daunce
Napoplexie / shente nat hire heed
~No wyn ne drank she / neither whit ne reed 4032
Hire bord was seraed / nioost with whit and blak1
Milk and broun breed / in which she foond no lak
Seynd bacon / and som tyme an Ey / or tweye
ffor she was / as it were / a maner deye 4036
A yeerd she hadde / enclosed al aboute
With stikkes / and a drye dych wM-oute
In which / she hadde a cok/ heet Chantecler
In al the land / of crowyng nas his peer 4040
HENGWRT 227 (6-T. 283)
284 SIX-TEXT
2.28; GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
His voys was murier / than the myrie Orgon
On massedayes / fat in the chirche gon
Wei sikerer / was his crowyng in his logge
Than is a Clokke / or any Abbey Orlogge 4044
By nature / he knew ech ascencion
Of equinoxial / in thilke town
ffor whan degrees .xv. / were ascended fieaf 1003
Thanne krew he / fat it myghte nat ben amended 4048
His komb / was redder / than the fyn coral
And batayled / as it were a Castel wal
His byle was blak1 and as the leet1 it shoon
Lyk Asure / were hise legges and his toon 4052
Hise nayles whitter / than the lylye flour
And lyk the burned gold / was his colour
This gentil cok/ hadde in his gouernaurcce
Seuene hennes / for to doon al his plesauwce 4056
Whiche were hise sustres / and his paramours
And wonder lyke to hym / as of colours
Of whiche / the faireste hewed on hire throte
Was clepid / faire damoysele Pertelote 4060
Curteys she was / discret/ and debonaire
And compaignable / and bar hir self so faire
Syn thilke day / fat she was seuen nyght oold
That trewely / she hath the herte in hoold 4064
Of Chafitecler / loken in euery lyth
He loued hire so / fat wel was hym ther with
But swich a ioye was it1 to here hem synge
Whan fat / the brighte sonne gan to sprynge 4068
In swete acord / my leef/ is faren in londe
ffor thilke tyme / as I haue vnderstonde
Beestes / and briddes / kouden speke and synge
And so bifel / fat in a dawenynge 4072
As Chafitecler / among hise wyues alle
Sat on his perche / that was in the halle
And next hym sat1 this faire Pertelote
This Chafitecler / gan gronen in his throte 4076
HENGWRT 228 (6-T. 284)
285 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 229
As man / J>at in his dreem / is drecched soore
1T And whan Jjat Pertelote / thus herde hym rore
She was agast/ and seyde herte deere
What eyleth yow • to grone in this manere 4080
Ye ben a verray slepere / fy for shame
IT And he answerde / and seyde thus / madame
I prey yow / J?at ye take it nat agrief*
By god me mette / I was in swich meschief* 4084
Right now / Jjat yet myn herte is soore afrighf
Now god quod he / my sweuene recche aright1
1 [A]nd kepe my body / out of foul pn'soun u Rai».\eat ioo,bk]
Me mette / how that I romed vp and doun 4088
With-Inne oure yeerd / where as I say a beestf
Was lyk an hound / and wolde han maad arestt
Vp-on my body / and han had me ded
His colour / was bitwixe yelow and red 4092
And tipped was his tayl / and bothe hise erys
With blak1 vnlik the remenant of hise herys
His snowte smal / with glowyng eyen tweye
Yet of his look* for fere almoost I deye 4096
This caused me / my gronyng doutelees
1T Avoy quod she / fy on yow hertelees
Alias quod she / for by that god aboue
Now han ye lost1 myn herte and al my loue 4100
I kan nat loue a Coward / by my feith
ifor certes / what so any womman seith
We alle desiren / if it myghte be
To han housbondes / hardy / wise and fre 4104
And secree / and no nygard / ne no fool
Ne hym / J>#t is agast of euery tool
Ne noon auauntour / by that god aboue
How dorste ye seyn / for shame / vn-to youre loue 4108
That any thyng1 myghte make yow aferd
Haue ye no mannes herte / and han a berd
Alias / and konne ye ben agast of sweuenys
No thyng god woot1 but vanytee in sweuene is 4112
HENGWRT 229 (6-T. 285)
286 SIX-TEXT
230 GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Sweuenes / engendren of replexions
And ofte / of fume / and of complexions
Whan humours / ben to habundant in a wight1
Certes this dreem / which ye han met to nyghtt 4116
Comth / of the grete superfluitee
Of youre rede Colera pardee
"Which causeth folk / to dreden in hir dremes
Of Arwes / and of fyr w^ rede lemes 4120
Of rede bestes / that they wol hem byte
Of contek1 and of whelpes grete and lyte
Eight1 as the humour / of Malencolie
Causeth ful many a man / in sleepe to crie 4124
ifor fere of blake beres / or boles blake
Or ellis / blake deueles wol hem take
Of othere humours / koude I telle also [leaf 101]
That werken many a man / in sleep ful wo 4128
But I wol passe / as lightly as I kan
Lo Caton which fat was so wys a man
Seyde he nat thus / ne do no fors of dremes
Now sire quod she / whan we fle fro thise bemes 4132
ffor goddes loue / as taak som laxatif
Vp peril of my soule / and of my lif
I conseile yow the beste / I wol nat lye
That bothe of Colere / and of Malencolye 4136
Ye purge yow / and for ye shal nat tarye
Thogh/ in this town / is noon Apothecarye
I shal my self / to herbes techen yow
That shul ben / for youre heele and for youre prow 4140
And in oure yerd / tho herbes shal I fynde
The whiche han / of hire propretee by kynde
To purge yow / bynethe and eek1 aboue
fforyet nat this / for goddes owene loue 4144
Ye ben ful colerik* of complexion
"Ware the sonne / in his Ascencion
Ne fynde yow nat replefr of humours hote
And if it do / I dar wel leye a grote 4148
HENGWRT 230 (6-T. 286)
287 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 231
That ye shul haue / a feuere terciane
Or an Agew / Jwt may be youre bane
A day / or two / ye shul han degestyues
Of wormes / er ye take youre laxatyues 4152
Of Lauriol / Centaure and ffumetere
Or ellis of Ellebor / that groweth there
Of Katapuce / or of Gaytrys beryls
Of herbe yue growyng in oure yerd / they merye is 4156
Pekke hem vp right as ther growe / and ete hem In
Be myrie housbonde / for youre fader kyn
Dredeth no dreem / I kan sey yow namoore
IF Madame quod he / grant mercy of youre loore 4160
But nathelees / as touchyng1 dann Catoun
That hath of wisdom / swich a gret renoun
Thogh }?at he bad / no dremes for to drede
By god men may / in olde bokes rede 4164
Of many a man / moore of auctoritee
Than euere Caton was / so mote I thee
J[T]hat al the reuers seyn / of his sentence p£at».lM£ioi,bk]
And han wel founden / by experience 4168
That dremes / ben signyficacions
As wel / of ioye / as tribulacions
That folk enduren / in this lyf present*
Ther nedeth / make of this noon argument1 4172
The verray preue / sheweth it in dede
IT Oon of the gretteste Auctour / ]pat men rede
Seith thus / jjat whilom two felawes wente
On pilgrymage / in a ful good entente 4176
And happed so / they coomen in a town
Where as ther was / swich congregacioun
Of peple / and eek1 so streit of herbergage
That they ne founde / as muche as o cotage 4180
In which they bothe / myghte ylogged be
Wherfore / they mosten of necessitee
As for that nyghfr departe compaignye
And ech of hem / gooth to his hostelrye 4184
HENGWBT 231 (6-T. 287)
288 SIX-TEXT
232 GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And took his loggyng1 as it wolde falle
That oon of hem / was logged in a stalle
ffer in a yeerd / with oxen of the plow
That oother man / was logged wel ynow 4188
As was his auenture / or his fortune
That vs gouerneth alle / as in co?ftnmne
And so bifel / J?at longe / er it were day
This man mette in his bed / ther as he lay 4192
How Jjat his felawe / gan vp-on hym calle
And seyde alias / for in an Oxes stalle
This nyght1 1 shal be mordred ther I lye
Now help me deere brother / or I dye 4196
In alle haste / com to me / he sayde
1T This man / out of his sleepe / for feere abrayde
But whan jjat he was wakned / of his sleep
He turned hym / and took of this no keepe 4200
Hym thoughte / his dreem nas but a vanytee
Thus twies / in his slepyng dremed he
And atte thridde tyme / yet his felawe
Cam as hym thoughte / and seyde I am now slawe 4204
Bihoold my blody woundes / depe and wyde
Arys vp erly / in the morwe tyde
And atte Westgate of the town quod he [leaf 102]
A Carte ful of donge / ther shaltow se 4208
In which / my body is hyd ful prmely
Do thilke Cart1 aresten boldely
My gold caused my mordre / sooth to seyn
And tolde hym euery poynfr how he was sleyn 4212
With a ful pitous face / pale of hewe
And truste wel / his dreem he fond ful trewe
ffor on the morwe / as soone as it was day
To his felawes In / he took the way 4216
And whan J>at he cam / to this Oxes stalle
After his felawe / he bigan to calle
IT The hostiler / answerde hym anon
And seyde / sire / youre felawe is agon 4220
HENGWRT 232 (6-T. 288)
289 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 233
As soone as day / he wente out of the town
IT This man / gan fallen in suspecioun
Remembrynge / on hise dremes fat he mette
And forth he goth / no lenger wolde he lette 4224
Vn-to the westgate of the town / and fond
A dong Carte / went as it were to donge lond
That was arrayed / in that same wise
As ye ban herd / the dede man deuyse 4228
And with an hardy herte / he gan to crye
Vengeauwce / and Justice / of this felonye
My felawe / mordred is / this same nyghtt
And in this Cart heere / he lyth gapyng vp-rightt 4232
I crye / on the Mynystres / quod he
That sholde kepe / and rulen this Citee
Harrow / alias / heere lyth my felawe slayn
"What sholde I moore / vn-to this tale sayn 4236
The peple vp sterte / and caste the Cart to grounde
And in the myddel of the dong1 they founde
The dede man / J?at mordred was al newe
IF 0 blisful god / Jwt art so lust and trewe 4240
Lo / how ]?at thow biwreyestt mordre alway
Mordre wol out* that se we day by day
Mordre / is so wlatsom / and abhomynable
To god / that is so lust and resonable 4244
That he ne wod nat suffre it helyd be
Though it abyde / a yeer / or two / or thre
1 [M]ordre wol out1 this my conclusioun ll Rat*, leaf 102, back]
And right anon / Ministres of that town 4248
Han hent the Cartere / and so score hym pyned
And eek1 the hostiler / so sore engyned
That they biknewe / hire wikkednesse anon
And were anhanged / by the nekke bon 4252
Heere may men sen / jjat dremes ben to drede
1T And certes / in the same book I rede
Right1 in the nexte Chapitre / after this
I gabbe nat1 so haue I ioye or blys 4256
HENGWRT 233 (6-T. 289)
290 SIX-TEXT
234 GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Two men / Jjat wolde lian passed ouer see
ffor certeyn cause / in-to a fer contree
If J?at the wynd / ne hadde ben contrarie
That made hem / in a Citee for to tarie 4260
That stood ful myrie / vp on an hauen syde
But on a day / agayn the euen tyde
The wynd gan chaunge / and blew right as hem leste
lolif and glad / they wenten vn-to reste 4264
And casten hem / ful erly for to sayle
But herkneth / to that o man / fil a gret meruaille
IT That oon of hem / in slepyng1 as he lay
Hym mette a wonder dreem / agayn the day 4268
Hym thoughte / a man stood / by his beddes syde
And hym comanded / ]>at he sholde abyde
And seyde hym thus / if thow tomorwe wende
Thow shalt be dreyiif my tale is at an ende 4272
IT He wook / and tolde his felawe what he mette
And preyde hym / his viage to lette
As for that day / he preyde hym to byde
1T His felawe / J>at lay / by his beddes syde 4276
Gan for to laughe / and scorned hym ful faste
ISTo dreem quod he / may so myn herte agaste
That I wol lette / for to do my thynges
I sette nat a straw / by thy dremynges 4280
fFor sweuenes ben / but vanytees and lapes
Men dreme al day / of Owles / or of Apes
And of many a maze / ther with al
Men dreme of thyng1 J?at neuere was ne shal 4284
But sith I see / J?at thow wolt here abyde
And thus forslewthen / wilfully thy tyde
God woot it reweth me / and haue good day [leafios]
And thus / he took his leue / and wente his way 4288
But er J>at he / hadde half his cours yseyled
Noot I nat why / ne what meschaunce it eyled
But casuelly / the shippes botme rente
And shipe and man / vnder the water wente 4292
HENGWRT 231 (6-T. 290)
291 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 235
In sighte of othere shippes / it bisyde
That with hem seyled / at the same tyde
And therfore / faire Pertelote so deere
By swiche ensamples olde / maystow leere 4296
That no man / sholde ben to recchelees
Of dremes / for I sey thee doutelees
That many a dreem / ful soore is for to drede
IT Lo / in the lyf1 of Seint Kenelm I rede 4300
That was Kenulphus sone / the noble Kyng»
Of Mertenrike / how Kenelm mette a thyng1
Alite / er he was mordred / on a day
His mordre / in his auysion he say 4304
His norice / hym expowned euery del
His sweuene / and bad hym for to kepe hym wel
ffor trayson / but he nas but .vij. yeer old
And therfore / litel tale hath he told 4308
Of any dreem / so holy was his herte
By god / I hadde leuere than my sherte
That ye hadde rad his legende / as haue I
Dame Pertelote / I sey yow trewely 4312
Macrobeus / that writ the Auysion
In Affrike / of the worthy Cipiofi
Affermeth dremes / and seith Jjat they ben
Warnynge of thynges / Ipat men after sen 4316
IT And forther moore / I pray yow looketh wel
In the olde testament1 of D any el
If he heeld dremes / any vanytee
IT Rede eek of loseph / and there shul ye see 4320
Wher dremes be som tyme / I sey nat alle
"Warnynge of thynges / Ipat shul after falle
IF Looke of Egipte / the Kyng Daun Pharao
His bakere / and his butiller also 4324
Wher they ne felte / noon effect in dremes
Who so wol seke / Actes of sondry Remes
1 [M]ay rede of dremes / many a wonder thyng1 pRatt. if 103, bio
^T Lo Cresus / which Ipat was of Lyde kyng1 4328
HENGWRT 235 (6-T. 29l)
292 SIX-TEXT
236 GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Mette he nat1 J>at he sat vp-on a tree
Which signyfide / he sholde an hanged be
1T Lo here Andromacha / Ectores wyf
That day that Ector / sholde lese his lyf 4332
She dremed / on the same nyght biforn
How Jjat the lyf of Ector sholde be lorn
If thilke day / he wente in-to bataille
She warned hym / but it myghte nat auaille 4336
He wente for to fighte / nathelees
And he was slayn anon / of Achilles
But thilke tale / is al to long1 to telle
And eek / it is ney day / I may nat dwelle 4340
Shortly I seye / as for conclusion
That I shal han / of this auysion
Aduersitee / and I seye forther moor
That I ne telle / of laxatyues no stoor 4344
ffor they ben venymes / I woot it wel
I hem deffie / I loue hem neuer a del
II Now lat vs speke of myrthe and stynte al this
Madame Pertelote / so haue I blys 4348
Of o thyng1 god hath sent me large grace
ffor whan I se / the beautee / of youre face
Ye ben so scarlet reed / aboute youre eyen
It maketh / al my drede for to deyen 4352
ffor also siker / as In principio
Mulier / est hominis confusio
Madame / the sentence / of this latyn is
Womman / is mannes ioye and al his blys 4356
ffor whan I feele a nyght1 youre softe syde
Al be if J?at I may nat on yow ryde
ffor J>at oure perche / is maad so narwe alias
I am so ful / of Ioye and of solas 4360
That I deffie / bothe sweuene and dreem
And with that word / he fley doun fro the beern
ffor it was day / and eke hise hennes alle
And with a chub he gan hem for to calle 4364
HENGWRT 236 (6-T. 292)
293 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 237
ffor he hadde founde a corn / lay in the yerd
Real he was / he was namoore aferd
He fethered Pertelote / twenty tyme [leaf 1043
And trad as ofte / er it was pryme 4368
He looketh / as it were a grym leoun
And on hise toos / he rometh vp and doun
Hym deyned nat/ to sette his foot to grounde
And chukketh / whan he hath a corn yfounde 4372
And to hym rennen thanne / hise wyues alle
Thus real / as a Prince is in his halle
Leue I this Chauntecler / in his pasture
And after / wol I telle his auenture 4376
^1 Whan that the Monthe / in which the world bigan
That highte March / whan god first maked man
Was complef and passed were also
Syn March bigan / 30. dayes and two - 4380
Bifel / ]?at Chauntecler / in al his pryde
Hise seuene wyues / walkyng him bisyde
Caste vp hise eyen / to the brighte sonne
That in the signe of Taurus / hadde yronne 4384
xx. degrees and oon /• and som what moore
And knew by kynde / and by noon oother loore
That it was pryme / and krew with blisful steuene
The sonne he seyde / is clomben vp on heuene 4388
40 . degrees and oon / and moore ywis
Madame Pertelote / my worldes blys
Herkneth thyse blisful bryddes / how they synge
And se the fresshe floures / how they sprynge 4392
iful is myn herte / of reuel and solas
But sodeynly / hym fil a sorweful cas
ffor euere the latter ende of ioye / is wo
God woof jjat worldly ioye / is soone ago 4396
And if a Rethor / koude faire endite
He in a Cronycle / saufly myghte it write
As for a souereyn notabilitee Petrus Comestor
Now euery wys man / lat hym herkne me 4400
HENGWRT 237 (6-T. 293)
294 SIX-TEXT
238 GROUP B. § 14. , NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
This storie / is also trewe I vndertake
As is the book/ of Launcelot de Lake
That wommen holde / in fill gret reuerence
Now wol I / tome agayn to my sentence 4404
IT A Coif ox / ful of sley Iniquitee
That in the groue / hadde woned yeres thre
1 [By] heigh ymaginacion / forncast1 pRata. leaf 101, back]
The same nyghfr thurgh-out the hegges brasf 4408
In-to the yerd / ther Chauntecler the faire
"Was wont* and eek hise wyues to repaire
And in a bed of wortes / stille he lay
Til it was passed / vndren of the day 4412
Waitynge his tyme / on Chauntecler to falle
As gladly doon / thise homycides alle
That in awayt liggen / to mordre men
0 false mordrour / lurkynge in thy den 4416
O newe Scariott newe Genylon)
ffalse dissimilour / o greek Synon
That broghtest Troye / al outrely to sorwe
0 Chauntecler / acursed be that morwe 4420
That thow in-to the yerd / flaugh fro the bemys
Thow were / ful wel y-warned by thy dremys
That thilke day / was perilous to thee
But1 what fat god forwoofr moot nedes be 4424
After the opynyon of certeyn clerkis
Witnesse on hym / fat any parfit clerk is
That in scole / is gret altercacion
In this matere / and gret disputison 4428
And hath ben / of an hundred thousand men
But I ne kan / nat bulte it to the bren
As kan / the holy doctour Augustyn
Or Boece / or the Bisshope Bradwardyn 4432
Wheither / fat goddes worthy forewityng1
Streyneth me nedely / for to doon a thyng/
Nedely clepe I / symple necessitee
Or ellis / if fre choys / be graunted me 4436
HENGWRT 238 (6-T. 294)
295 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 239
To do that same thyng1 or do it noghtt
Though god forwoot1 it/ er J?at I was wroghtt
Or if his wityng1 streyneth neuer a del
But1 by necessitee / condicionel 4440
I wol nat han to do / of swich matere
My tale is of a Cok1 as ye may heere
That took his conseil / of his wyf/ with sorwe
To walken in the yerd / vp-on that morwe 4444
That he hadde met the dreem / ]>at I yow tolde
Wommens conseils / be ful ofte colde
Woramannes conseil / broghte vs first to wo [leaf 105]
And made Adam / fro Paradys to go 4448
Ther as he was / ful myrie and wel at ese
But for I noott to whom it myghte displese
If I conseil of wommen / wolde blame
Passe ouer / for I seyde it in my game 4452
Rede Auctours / where they trete of swich matere
And what they seyn of wommen heere
Thise ben the Cokkes wordes and nat myne
I kan noon harm / on no womman deuyne 4456
IT ffaire in the Sond / to bathe hire myrily
Lyth Pertelote / and alle hire sustres by
Agayn the sonne / and Chauntecler so free
Song myrier / than the Mermayde in the see 4460
ffor Phisiologus / seith sikerly
How Jjat they syngen / wel and myrily
IT And so bifel / that as he caste his eye
Among the wortes / on a Boterflye 4464
He was war of this fox / )>at lay ful lowe
No thyng1 ne liste hym thanne for to crowe
But cryde anon / cok1 cok1 and vp he sterte
As man / Jjat was affrayd in his herte 4468
ffor naturelly / a beest desireth flee
ffro his contrarie / if he may it see
Though he neuere erst1 hadde seye it with his eye
This Chauntecler / whan he gan hym espye 4472
HENGWRT 239 (6-T. 29o)
296 SIX-TEXT
240 GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
He wolde han fled / but fat the fox anon
Seyde gentil sire / alias wher wol ye gon
Be ye affrayd / of me fat am youre freend
3^o w certes / I were worse than a feend 4476
If I to yow / wolde harm / or vileynye
I am nat come / youre conseil for tespye
But trewely / the cause of my comynge
Was oonly / for to herkne how fat ye synge 4480
ffor trewely / ye han as myrie a steuene
As any Angel hath / fat is in heuene
Ther with / ye han in Musyk1 moore feelynge
Than hadde Boece / or any fat kan synge 4484
My lord youre fader / god his soule blesse
And eek youre moder / of hire gentillesse
1 [Ha]n in myn hous yben / to my gret ese L1 Rats, leaf 105, back]
And certes sire / ful fayn wolde I yow plese 4488
1[ But for men speke of syngynge / I wol seye
So mote I browke wel / myne eyen tweye
Saue ye / I herde neuere man so synge
As dide youre fader / in the morwenynge 4492
Certes / it was of herte / al that he song1
And for to make his voys / the moore strong1
He wolde so peyne hym / fat with bothe hise eyen
He moste wynke / so loude he wolde cryen 4496
And stoiiden on his typton / ther with al
And strecche forth his nekke / long and smal
And eek/ he was of swich discrecion
That ther nas no man / in no Region 4500
That hym in song / or wisdom myghte passe
I haue wel rad / in daun Burnelle the Asse
Among hise vers / how fat ther was a cok*
ffor a preestes sone / yaf hym a knok1 4504
Vp-on his leg1 whil he was yong and nyce
He made hym / for to lese his benefice
But certeyn / ther nys no comparison
Bitwix the wisdom / and discrecion 4508
HENGWRT 240 (6-T. 296)
297 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 241
Of youre fader / and of his subtiltee
Now syngeth sire / for seynte charitee
Lat se / konne ye youre fader countrefete
IT This Chauntecler / hise wynges gan to bete 4512
As man fat koude / his trayson nat espie
So was he rauysshed / with his flaterie
IT Alias ye lordes / many a fals flatour
Is in youre court1 and many a losengeour 4516
That plesen yow wel moore / by my feyth
Than he / fat soothfastnesse vn-to yow seith
Eedeth Ecclesiaste / of flaterye
Beth war ye lordes / of hir trecherye 4520
1F This Chauntecler / stood hye vp on his toos
Strecchynge his nekke / and heeld hise eyen cloos
And gan to crowe / lowde for the nones
And daun Eusselle the fox / stirte vp atones 4524
And by the gargaf hente Chauntecler
And on his bak / toward the wode hym beer
ffor yet1 ne was ther no man / fat hym sewed [leaf ioe]
IT 0 destynee / fat mayst nat ben eschewed 4528
Alias fat Chauntecler / fly fro the bemes
Alias / his wif/ ne roghte nat of dremes
And on a friday / fil al this meschance
1T 0 Venus / fat art goddesse of plesance 4532
Syn fat thy seruant1 was this Chauntecler
And in thy seruyce / dide al his power
Moore for delit1 than world to multiplie
Why woldestow suffre hym / on thy day to dye 4536
IT 0 Gaufred / deere maister souerayn
That whan / thy worthy kyng Richard was slayn
With shot1 compleynedest1 his deth so soore
Why ne hadde I now / thy sentence and thy loore 4540
The friday for to chide / as diden ye
ffor on a ffriday / soothly slayn was he
Thanne wolde I shewe yow / how fat I kowde pleyne
ffor Chaunteclerys drede / and for his peyne 4544
17 HENGWRT 241 (6-T. 297)
298 SIX-TEXT
242 GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
H" Certes / swich cry / ne lamentaciofi
Was neuere of ladyes maad / whan ylion
Was wonne / and Pirrws / with his streite swerd
Whanne he hadde hent1 kyng Priam by the herd 4548
And slayn hym / as seith vs Eneydos
As maden / alle the hennes in the cloos
Whan they hadde seyn / of Chauntecler the sighte
But souereynly / dame Pertelote shrighte 4552
fful louder / than dide Hasdrubales wyf
Whan fat hire housbonde / hadde ylost his lyf
And ]>at the Eomayns / hadden brend Cartage
She was / so ful of torment1 and of rage 4556
That wilfully / vn-to the fyr she sterte
And brende hir seluen / wz't/? a stedefast herte
IT 0 woful hennes / right so cry den ye
As / whan fat Nero / brende the Citee 4560
Of Rome / cry den the senatours wyues
ffor fat hir housbondes / losten alle hire lyues
With-outen gilt1 this Nero hath hem slayn
Now wol I turne / to my tale agayn 4564
IF The sely widwe / and eek hire doghtres two
Herden thise hennes crye / and maken wo
a[And] out at dores / stirten they anon i^Rats. leaf IOG, back]
![A]nd seyen the fox / toward the groue gon 4568
And bar vp-on his bak/ the cok/ away
And criden / out1 harrow and weilaway
Ha / ha . the fox / and after hym they ran
And eek with staues / many another man 4572
Ran Colle oure dogge / and Talbot1 and Gerlande
And Malkyn / with a distaf in hire hande
Ran Cow and calf / and eek the verray hogges
So fered / for berkynge of the dogges 4576
And showtynge of the men / and wowmen eek1
They ronne so / hem thoughte hire herte breek1
They yelleden / as fendes doon in helle
The dokes cryden / as men wolde hem quelle 4580
HENGWRT 242 (6-T. 298 )
299 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 243
The gees for feere / flowen ouer the trees
Out of the hyue / cam the swarm of bees
So hydous was the noyse / a benedicite
Certes / he lakke Straw / and his nieynee 4584
Ne made neuere showtes / half so shrille
Whan ]>at they wolden / any flemyng kille
As thilke day / was maad vp-on the fox
Of bras / they broghten bemys / and of box 45S8
Of horn / of boon / in whiche they blewe and powped
And ther with al / they skryked and they howped
It semed / as J?at heuene sholde falle
Now goode men / I prey yow herkneth alle 4592
Lo / how ffortune / turneth sodeynly
The hope / and pryde eek of hire enemy
This cok1 fat lay vp-on the foxes bak
In al his drede / vn-to the fox he spak1 4596
And seyde sire / if J?at I were as ye
Yit sholde I seyn / as wys god helpe me
Turneth ayein ye proude cherles alle
A verray pestilence / vp-on yow falle 4600
Now I am come / vn-to this wodes syde
Maugree youre heed / the cok shal here abyde
I wol hym ete in feith / and that anon
1T The fox answerde / in feith it shal be don 4604
And [as] he spak that word / al sodeynly
This cok / brak from his mouth delyuerly
And hye vp on a tree / he fley anon [leaf 107]
IT And whan the fox say / J?at he was gon 4608
Alias quod he / o Chauntecler Alias
I haue to yow quod he / ydon trespas
In as muche / as I maked yow aferd
Whan I yow hente / and broghte in-to this yerd 4612
But sire / I dide it in no wikke entente
Com doun / and I shal telle yow what I mente
I shal seye sooth to yow / god help me so
II Nay thanne quod he / I shrewe vs bothe two 4616
HENGWRT 243 (6-T. 299)
300 SIX-TEXT
244 GROUP B. § 14. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And first I shrewe my self / bothe blood and bones
If thow bigile me / any ofter than ones
Thow shalt namoore / thurgh thy flaterye
Do me to synge / and wynken with myn eye 4620
ffor he J?at wynketh / whan he sholde see
Al wilfully / god lat hym neuere thee
IT Nay quod the fox / but god yeue hym meschance
That is / so vndiscret/ of gouernance 4624
That langleth / whan he sholde holde his pees
11 Lo swich it is / for to be recchelees
And necligenfr and truste on flaterye
But ye / ]>at holden this tale a folye 4628
As of a fox / or of a cok and hen
Taketh the moralitee / goode men
ffor Seint Poul seith / J>at al that writen is
To oure doctryne / it is ywrite ywis 4632
Taketh the fruyfr and lat the chaf be stille
Now goode god / if pat it be thy wille
As seith my lord / so make vs alle goode men Dominua Archie.
And brynge vs / to his heye blisse Amen S Cantu"
Here is ended / the Nonnes Preestes tale (JJ)
[The Manciple's Prologue follows in the MS.~\
HENGWRT 244 (6-T. 300)
GKOUP H, FRAGMENT IX.
§ 1. THE MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK.
HENGWRT MS.
[oMZea/107]
^[ And here folweth the Prologe of the Manciples tale /
Woot ye nat where / tlier stant a litel town
Which J)«t cleped is / Bobbe vp and down
Vnder the Blee / in Caunterbury weye
Ther gan oure hoost1 for to iape and pleye 4
And seyde sires / what / Don is in the Myre
Is ther no man / for preyere ne for Hyre
['Th]at wole awake / oure felawe al bihynde [lRats. if IDS, bk]
A theef myghte hym / ful lightly robbe and bynde 8
Se how lie nappeth / se how for Cokkes bones
That he wol falle / from his hors atones
Is that a Cook of london / with meschance
Do hym come forth / he knoweth his penance 1 2
tfor he shal telle a tale / by my fey
Al thogh / it be nat worth a botel hey
Awake thow Cook quod he / god yeue thec sorwe
What eyleth thee / to slepe by the morwe 16
Hastow had fleen al nyghf or artow dronke
Or hastow with som quene / al nyght yswonke
So / that thow mayst nat holden vp thyn heed
IF This Cook/ J?at was ful pale / and no thyng1 rede 20
Seyde to oure hoost/ so god my soule blesse
As ther is / falle / on me swich heuynesse
Noot I nat why / J?«t me were leuere slepe
Than the beste galon wyn in Chepe 24
18 HENGWRT 245 (6-T. 576)
577 SIX-TEXT
GROUP H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Hengwrt MS,
f Wei quod the Manciple / if it may don ese 25
To thee air Cook/ and to no wight displese
Which J>«t here rideth / in this compaignye
And J>at oure hoost/ wole of his curteisyo 28
I wole as now / excuse thee of thy tale
ffor in good feith / thy visage is ful pale
Thyne eyen daswen eek/ as fat me thynketh
And wel I woofr thy breth ful soure stynketh 32
That sheweth wel / thow art nat wel disposed
Of me certeyn / thow shalt nat "ben yglosed
Se how he ganeth / lo this dronken wight
As though he wolde / swolwe vs anon right1 36
Hoold cloos thy mouth / man by thy fader kyn
The deuel of helle / sette his foot ther yn
Thy cursed breeth / infecte wol vs alle
ffy stynkynge swyn / fy / foule mote thee falle 40
A taketh hede sires / of this lusty man
!N~ow swete sire / wol ye lusten atte flan
Ther-to me thynketh / ye ben wel y-shape
I trowe / fat ye dronken han wyn Ape 44
And that is / whan men pleyen with a straw
And with his speche / the Cook wax wroth & wraw
And on the Manciple / bigan he nodde faste [leafios]
ffor lakke of speche / and doun the hors hym caste 48
Wher as he lay / til fat men vp hym took
This was / a fair chyuachee of a Cook*
Alias / he nadde yholde hym / by his ladel
And er fat he / agayn were in his sadel 52
Ther was gret showuyng1 bothe to and fro
To lifte hym vp / and rnuchel care and wo
So vnweldy / was this sory palled goost1
And to the Manciple / thanne spak oure hoost1 56
IT By cause // drynke hath domynacion
Vp on this man / by my sauacion
I trowe he lewedly / telle wolde his tale
ffor were it wyn / or old / or moisty Ale 60
HENGWKT 246- (6-T. 577)
578 SIX-TEXT
GROUP H. § 1. MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Hengwrt MS.
That he hath dronke / he speketh in his nose 6 1
And fneseth faste / and eek1 he hath the pose
He hath also to do / moore than ynow
To kepen hym / and his capil / out of the Slow 64
And if he falle / from his capil eft soone
Than shal we alle / haue ynow to doone
In liftynge vp / his heuy dronken cors
Telle on thy tale / of hym make I no fors 68
But yet Manciple / in feith thow art to nyce
Thus openly / repreue hym of his vice
Another day / he wole -par Auenture
Reclayme thee / and brynge thee to lure 72
I mene / he speke wole / of smale thynges
As for to pynchen / at thy rekenynges
That were nat honeste / if it cam to preef
II No quod the Manciple / that were a gret mescheef 76
So myghte he lightly / brynge me in the snare
Yet hadde I leuere / payen for the Mare
Which he rit on / than he sholde wa't/t me stryue
I wol nat wrathe hym / also mote I tliryue 80
That1 J?at I spak1 I seyde it in my bourde
And wite what1 I haue here in a gourde
A draughts of wyn / ye of a rype grape
And right anon / ye shul seen a good lape 84
This Cook/ shal drynke ther of1 if I may
Vp peyne of deeth / he wol nat seye me nay
[xAn]d certeynly / to tellen as it was psati. leaf ios, back]
Of this vessel / the Cook drank faste / alias 88
What neded it1 he drank ynow biforn
And whan he hadde / powped in this horn
To the Manciple / he took the gourde agayn
And of that drynke / the Cook was wonder fayn 92
And thanked hym / in swich wise as he kowde
IF Thanne gan oure hoosfr to laughen wonder lowde
And seyde / I se wel it is necessarie
Where J>at we goon / good drynke we -with vs carye 96
IIENGWIIT 247 (6-T. 578)
579 SIX-TEXT
GIIOUP H. § 1, MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. Hengwrt MS.
ffor that wol turne / rancour and disese 97
Tacord and loue / a[nd] many a wrong Appese
5F 0 Bacus / yblessed be thy name
That so kanst1 turnen / ernest in to game 100
"Worships and thank1 be to thy deitee
Of that matere / ye gete namoore for me
Telle on thy [tale] Manciple / I the preye
Wei sir quod he / now herkneth what I seye 104
[Note to 1. 147,7;. 581.]
p. 581, 1. 147. *[[ Verum quid prodest/ diligens custodia cum
vxor impudica seruarl non possit pudica non debeat/ feda eniw
custod[ia] est castitatis necessitas / pulcra certe adamat?^' / feda
facile concupiscit. Difficile custoditw quam plures amant. [MS.
leaf 109.]
HENGWRT 248 (6-T. 579)
580 SIX-TEXT
GROUP H, § 2, MANCIPLE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
[on Jeer/ 108, &acfr]
*J[ Here bigynneth the Manciples tale / of the Crowe /
Whan Phebus / dwelled here / in this crtlie adoun
As olde bokes / maken mencioun
He was / the mooste lusty bachiler
In al this world / and eek the beste Archer 108
He slow Phiton the serpent1 as he lay
Slepynge agayn the sonne vp on a day
And many another / noble worthy dede
He w^ his bo we wroghte / as men may rede 112
Pleyeii he koude / on euery Mynstralcye
And syngen / J?at it was a melodye
To heren / of his clere voys / the soun
Certes / the kyng of Thebes Amphioun 116
That -sftiih his syngyng1 walled that Citee
Koude neuere syngen / half so wel as he
Ther-to / he was the semelieste man
That is / or was / sith J?at the world bigan 120
What nedeth it1 hise fetures to discryue
ffor in this world / was noon so fair on lyue
He was ther with / fulfild of gentillesse
Of honour / and of parfit worthynesse 124
IT This Phebus / pat was flour of Bachelrye [leaf 109]
As wel / in fredom as in Chiualrye
ffor his desporfr in signe eek of Victorie
Of Phiton / so as telleth vs the storie 128
Was wont to beren / in his hand a bowe
Now hadde this Phebus / in his hous a Crowe
Which in a Cage / he fostred many a day
And taughte it speke / as men teche a lay 132
HEN G WET 249 (6-T. 580)
581 SIX-TEXT
GROUP H. § 2, MANCIPLE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
"Whit was this Crowe / as is a Snow whit Swan 133
And contrefete / the speche of eueiy man
He kowde / whan he sholde telle a tale
Ther-with in al this world / no nyghtyngale 136
3STe koude / by an hondred thousand deel
Syngen / so wonder myrily and weel
IF Now hadde this Phebus / in his hous a wyf/
Which J)«t he louede / moore than his lyf 140
And nyght/ and day / dide euere his diligence
Hire for to plese / and doon hire reuerence
Sane oonly / that the sothe / if I shal sayn
lalous he was / and wolde han kept hire fayn 144
ffor hym were looth / byiaped for to be
And so is euery wight1 in swich degree
But al for naught/ for it auaileth noght1 [Latin note, p. 579]
A good wyf/ that is clene in werk and thoghfr 148
Sholde nat be kept1 in noon awayt certayn
And trewely / the labour is in vayn
To kepe a shrewe / for it vvol nat be
This holde I / for a verray nycetee 152
To spille labour / for to kepe wyues
Thus writen olde clerkes in hir lyues
1F But now to purpos / as I first bigan
This worthy Phebus / dooth al that he kan 156
To plesen hire / wenynge for swich plesance
And for his manhode / and his gouernance
That no man / sholde han put hym from hire gracQ
But god it woof ther may no man embrace 160
As to destreyne a thyng1 which J)at nature
Hath naturelly / set in a creature
IT Take any bryd / and put it in a Cage
And do al thyn entente / and thy corage 164
pTo] fostre it teiidrely / with mete and drynke P^Mk]16*'
Of alle deyntees / J>at thow kanst bithynke
And kepe it1 al so clenly as thow may
Al though his Cage / of gold / be neuer so gay 168
HENGWRT 250 (6-T. 68l)
582 SIX-TEXT
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Yet hath this bryd / by .xx. thousand fold 169
Leuere in a fforesfr Jjat is rude and cold
Gon ete wormes / and swich wrecchednesse
fFor euere this bryd / wol doon his bisynesse 172
To eschape out of his Cage / if he may
His libertee / this bryd desireth ay
IT Lat take a Cat1 and fostre hym wel with Milk4
And tendre flessh / and make his couche of silk* 176
And lat hym seen a Mous / go by the wal
Anon he weyueth / Milk / and llessh and al
And euery deyntee / jj«t is in that hous
Swich appetit hath he / to ete a Mous 180
Lo / heere hath lust his domynacion
And appetit1 flemeth discrecion
^T A she wolf hath also / a vileyns kynde
The lewedeste wolf/ j?«t she may fynde 184
And leest of reputaciofi / that wol she take
In tyme / whan hire lust1 to han a make
1T Alle thise ensamples / speke I by thise men
That ben vntrewe / but no thyng by wommen 188
ffor men han euere / a likerous appetit
On lower thyng1 / to p«rformen hir delit
Than on hire w}'ues / be they neuer so faire
~Ne neuer so trewe / ne so debonaire 192
filessh is so newfangel / with meschance
That we ne konne / in no thyng han plesance
That sowneth in to vertu / any while
1T This Phebus / which ]>ai thoughte vp on no gile 196
Deceyued was / for al his iolitee
ffor vnder hym / another hadde she
A man / of litel reputacion
Nat worth to Phebus in comparison 200
The moore harm is / it happeth ofte so
Of which ther cometh / muchel harm and wo
And so bifel / whan Phebus was absent*
His wyf anon / hath for hire lemman sent1 204
HENGWRT 251 (6-T. 582)
583 SIX-TEXT
GROUP H, § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Hir lemmaii / certes this a knauyssh speclie [leaf no]
ifbryeueth it me / and that I yow biseche
The wise Plato seith / as ye may rede
The word moot nede / acorde with the dede 208
If men shal telle / p?-oprely a thyng1
The word / moot cosyn be to the werkyng1
I am a boystous man / right thus seye I
Ther nys no difference / trewely 212
Bitwix a wyf/ pat is of heigh degree
If of hire body / desboneste she be
And a poore weiiche / ootlier than this
If it so be / they werke bothe amys 216
But pat the gentile / in estat aboue
She shal be clepid his lady / as in loue
And for that oother / is a poore womman
She shal be clepid / his wenche / or his lemnian 220
And god it woot/ myn owene deere brother
Men leyn pat oon / as lowe as lyth that oother
sine titulo
IT Eight so / bitwix a titlelees tirant
And an Outlawe / or a theef errant 224
The same I seye / ther is no difference
To Alisandre / was told this sentence
That for the tirant / is of gretter myghtt
By force of meyne / for to sleen doun right? 228
And brennen hous and hoom / and make al playn
Lo / ther fore / is he clepid a Capitayn
And for the Outlawe / hath but smal meynee
And may nat doon / so gret an harm as he 232
Ne brynge a contree / to so gret meschief
Men clepen hym / an Outlawe or a theef/
But for I am a man / noght textuel
I wol noght telle of textes / neuer a del 236
I wol go to my tale / as I bigan
IT Whan Phebus wyf/ hadde sent for hire lemman
Anon they wroghte / al hire lust volage
The white Crowe / pat heng ay in the Cage 240
HENGWRT 252 (6-T. 583)
584 SIX-TEXT
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
Biheld hir work/ and seyde neuer a word 241
And whan that hoom was come / Phebus the lord
This Crowe sang1 Cokkow / Cokkow Cokkow
1T What bryd quod Phebus / what song1 syngestow 244
pNJe were thow wont1 so myrily to synge L1 sat». leaf no, back]
That to myn herte / it was a reioysynge
To here thy voys / alias what song is this
IT By god quod he / I synge nat ainys 248
Phebus quod he / for al thy worth ynesse
ffor al thy beautee / and thy gentillesse
ffor al thy song1 and al thy Mynstralcye
tibr al thy waityng1 blered is thyn eye 252
With oon / of litel reputacion
Nat worth to thee / in comparison
The montance of a gnat1 so mote I thryue
ffor in thy bed / thy wif I sey hym &,c,etera 256
What wol ye nioore / the Crowe anon hym tolde
By sadde toknes / and by wordes bolde
How Jjat his wyf/ hadde doon hire lecherye
Hym to gret shame / and to gret vileynye 260
And tolde hym / ofte he say it with hise eyen
^T This Phebus / gan aw ey ward for to wry en
And thoughte / his sorweful herte brast at wo
His bo we he bente / and sette ther-Inne a no 264
And in his Ire / his wyf1 thanne hath he sla'yn
This is theffect/ ther nys namoore to sayn
ffor sorwe of which / he brak his Mynstralcye
Bothe harpe / and Lute / and Gytmie / and Sawtrye 268
And eek he brak/ his arwes / and his bowe
And after that/ thus spak he to the Crowe
IT Traytour quod he / with tonge of Scorpion
Thow hast me broght1 to my confusioii 272
Alias J)«t I was wroght1 why nere I ded
O deere wyf/ 0 gem me of lustihed
That were to me / so sad / and eek so trewe
Now lystow ded / with face pale of he we 276
HENGWRT 253 (6-T. 584)
585 SIX-TEXT
GROUP H, § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
fful giltlees / that dorste I swere ywys 277
0 rakel hand / to doon so foule amys
0 trouble wit/ o Ire recchelees
That vnauysed / smytest giltlees 280
0 wantrust1 ful of fals suspecioii
Where was thy wit1 and thy discrecion
0 euery man / be war of rakelnesse
Ne trowe ye no thyng1 \riih outen strong witncsse 284
Smyt nat to soone / or Jj«t ye witen why [leaf 111]
And beth auysed / wel and sobrely
Er ye do / any execucion
Vp on youre Ire / for suspecioii 288
IT Alias / a thousand folk/ hath rakel Ire
f fully fordoon / or broght hem in the Myre
Alias / for sorwe / I wol my sclucn sle
1F And to the Crowe / o false theef seyde he 292
1 wol thee quyte anon / thy false tale
Thow songe whilom / lyk a nyghtyngale
Now shaltow false theef/ thy song forgoii
And eek* thy white fetheres euericlion 296
Ne neuere in al thy lyf/ ne shaltow speke
Thus shal men / on a traytour ben awreke
Thow and thyn offspryng1 euere sliul be blake
Ne neuere / swete noysc shul ye make 300
But euere crye / agayn tempest1 and rayn
In tokenynge / )>«t thurgh thee my wyf is slayn
And to the Crowe he stirte / and that anon
And pulled / hise white fetheres euericlion 304
And made hym blak1 and refte hym al his song*
And eek his speche / and out at dore hym slong1
Vn to the deuel / which I hym bitake
And for this cas / ben alle Crowes blake 308
IT Lordynges / by this ensample / I yow preye
Beth war / and taketh kepe what I seye
Ne telleth neuere / no man in youre lyf
How }>«t another man / hath dight his wyf 312
HENGWRT 254 (6-T. 58o)
586 SIX-TEXT
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
He wol yow liaten / mortally certeyn 313
IT Daun Salomon / as wise clerkes seyn
Teclieth a man / to kepen his tonge wel
But as I seyde / I nam nat textuel 316
But nathelees / thus taughte me my Dame
My sone / thenk on the Crowe a goddes name
My sone / keep wel thy tbnge / and kepe thy freend
A Avikke tonge / is worse than a feend 320
My sone / from a feend / men may hem blesse
My sone / god / of his endelees goodnesse
Walled a tonge / with teeth / and lippes eke
ffor man sholde liyin auyse / what he speeke 324
[lMy sjone / ful ofte / for to muche speche [' Rats, inn, bk]
[1H]ath many a man ben spilt1 as clerkes teche
But for litel speche / auysely
Is no man shenf to speke generally 328
My sone / thy tonge / sholdestow restreyne
At alle tymes / but whan thow doost thy peyne
To speke of god / in honour and prayere
The firste vertu sone / if thow wolt leere 332
Is to restreyne / and kepe wel thy tonge
Thus lernen children / whan J?«t they ben yonge
My sone / of muchel spekyng1 yuele auysed
Ther lasse spekyng1 hadde ynow suffised 336
Comth muchel harm / thus was me told & taught*
In muchel speche / synne wanteth naught1
Wostow wher of/ a rakel tonge serueth
Right as a swerd / forkitteth and forkerueth 340
An arm at wo / my deere sone right so
A tonge / kitteth frendship al atwo
A langlere / is to god abhomynabJe
Rede Salomon / so wys and honurable 344
Rede Dauid in his psalmes / rede Senekke
My sone / spek noghtf but wz't/i thyn lied thow bekke
Dissimule as thow were deef/ if J?at thow heere
A langlere speke / of perilous matere 348
HENGWRT 256 (6-T. 586)
587 SIX-TEXT
GROUP H. § 2. MANCIPLE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
If The flemyng seith / and lerne if if thee leste 349
That litel langlyng* causcth muchel reste
My sone / if thow / no wikked word liast seyd
Thee thar nat drede / for to be biwreyd 352
But he J)«t hath mysseyd / I dar wel sayn
He may by no wey / clepe his word agayu
Thyng that is sayd / is seyd / and forth it gooth
Though hym repente / or be hym leefH or looth 356
He is his thral / to whom ]>ai he hath sayd
A tale / of which he is now yuele apayd
My sone be war / and be noon Auctour newe
Of tidynges / wher they ben false / or trewe 300
Wher so thow come / amonges heye / or lowe
Kepe wel thy tonge / and thynk vp on the Crowe 3G2
^f Hero is ended /the Manciples tale / of the Crowe fo
HENtfWRT 256 (6-T. 687)
GROUP B, («• FRAGMENT II.)
§ 1. MAN OF LAWS HEAD-LINK.
HENGWRT MS.
OThe proheinie of the Mannes tale of Lawe.
vre hoost saw wel / that the brighte sonne [leaf 112]
The ark1 of his artificial day hath ronne
The ferthe part1 and half an hour and moore
And thogh he were nafr depe ystert in loore 4
He wiste / it was the xviifl16 day
Of April / that is messager to May
And saw wel / J>«t the shadwe of eue?*y tree
Was as in lengthe / the same quantiteo 8
That was the body erect1 that caused it
And therfore by the shadwe / he took his wifr
That Phebus / which J?at shoon so cleer and brighte
Degrees was .xlv. clombe on higlite 12
And for that day / as in that latitude
It was ten at the Clokke / he gan conclude
And sodeynly / he plighte his hors aboute
IT Lordynges quod he / I warne yow al this route 16
The ferthe party / of this day is goon
Now for the lone of god / and of Seint lotin
Leseth no tynie / as ferforth as ye may
Lordynges the tyme / it wasteth nyghtf and day 20
And steleth from vs / what pryuely slepynge
And what thurgh necligence /in cure wakynge
As dooth the streem / \>ai turneth neuere agayn
Descendynge / fro the montaigne in to playn 24
Wel kan Senec1 and many a Philosophre
Biwaillen tyme / moore than gold in cofre
ffor los of catel / may recouped be
But los of tyme / shendeth vs quod he 28
HENGWRT 257 (6-T. 129)
130 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 1. MAN OP LAW'S HEAD-LINK. HeilgWrt MS,
It wol nat come agayn / with outen drede
Namoore / than wol Malkyns maydenhede
Whan she hath lost it / in hir wantownesse
Lat vs nat mowlen thus in ydelnesse 32
IT Sire man of lawe quod lie / so haue ye blys
Tel vs a tale anon / as forward is
Ye been submitted thurgh youre free assent1
To stonden in this cas / at my luggementt 36
[AJquiteth yow now / of youre biheste [leaf 112, back]
Thanne haue ye doon youre deuoir atte leeste
U Hoost1 quod he depardieux ich assente
To breken forward / is nat myn entente 40
Eiheste is dette / and I wol holde fayn
Al my biheste / I kail no bettre sayn
Jfor swich lawe / as a man yeueth another wight/
He sholde hym self / vsen it by right1 44
Thus wol oure text / but nathelees certein
I kan right now / no thrifty tale seyn
That Chaucer / thogh he kan but lewedly
On metres / and on rymyng craftily 48
Hath seyd hem / in swich englissh as he kan
Of olde tyme / as knoweth many a man
And if he ne haue nat seyd hem / leeue brother
In o book1 he hath seyd hem in another 52
ffor he hath toold / of loners vp and doun
Mo than Guide / made of mencioun
In his epistle's / J>«t been ful olde
What sholde I tellen hem / syn they been tolde 56
In yowthe he made / of Ceys and Alcione
And sithen / hath he spoke of euerychone
T-hise noble wyues / arid thise loueres eke
Who so ]>at wole / his large volum seke 60
Clepyd / the Seintes legende of Cupide
Ther maystow seen /. the large woundes wyde
Of Lucresse / and of Babilan Tisbee
The swerd of Dido / for the false Enee C4
HENGWUT 258 (6-T. 130)
131 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK. HengWrt MS.
The tree of Phillis / for hir Demophon
The pleinte of Dianire / and of hermyoii
Of Adriane / and of ysiphilee
The barayne He / stondynge in the See 68
The dreynte leandre / for his Erro
The terys of Eleyne / and eke the wo
Of Brixseyde / and of the Ladomea
The crueltee / of the queene Medea 72
The litel children / hangyng by the hals
ffor thy lason) / that was of lone so fals
0 Ypermystra / Penolopee / Alceste
Youre wifhod / he comendeth with the beste 76
But ce?'teinly / no word ne writeth he [leaf mi
Of thilke wikke ensample / of Canacee
That1 loued / hir owene brother synfully
Of swiche cursed stories / I sey fy SO
Or ellis / of Tyro Appollonius
How J?at / the cursed kyng Antiochus
Birafte his doghter / of hir maydenhede
That is / so horrible a tale for to rede 84
"When he hir threw / vp on the pauement
And ther fore / he of ful auisemerifr
Nolde neuere write / in noon of his sermons
Of swiche / vnkynde abhominacions 88
Ne I wol noon reherce / if fat I may
But of my tale / how shal I doon this day
Me were looth / be likned doutelees
To Muses / fat been clepyd Pierides 92
Methamorphosios / woot what I mene
But nathelees / I recche noght a bene
Thogh I come after hym / with hawe bake
I speke in prose / and laf hym rymes make 90
And with that word / he with a sobre cheere
Bigan his tale / as ye shal after heere 98
[No break in the
HEiNGWRT 259 (6-T, 13l)
132 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PROL. HcngWlt MS.
II Here bigyniieth the tale.
[THE PROLOGUE.']
0 hateful harm / condicion of pouerte 99
With thursf with cold / vrith hunger so confoundid
To axen help / thee shameth in thyn herte
If thou noon axe / with nede artow so wouiidid 102
That verray nede / vnwrappeth al thy wouiide hid
Maugree thyn heed / thou most for Indigence
Or stele / or begge / or borwe thy despence 105
Thow blamest Crist1 and seist ful bitterly
He mysdeparteth / richesse temporal
Thy neghebore / thow witest synfully
And seist1 thow hast to lite / and he hath al 109
'Parf-dj seistow / som tyme he rekne shal
Whan ]>ai his tayl / shal brennen in the gleede
ffor he noght helpeth / nedefulle in hir nede 112
[' Hejrke / what is the sentence of the wise [' Rats, leaf us, bk]
Bet is to dyen / than haue Indigence
Thy selue neghebor / wol thee despise
If thow be pouere / fare wel thy reut'mice 116
Yet of the wise man / tak1 this sentence
Alle the dayes / of pouere men been wikke
Be war ther fore / er thow come to that prikke 1 1 9
IF If thou be pouere / thy brother hateth thee
And alle thy freendes / fleen from thee alias
0 riche Marchauntz / ful of wele been ye
0 noble / 0 prudent folk1 / as in this cas 123
Youre bagges / been noght filled vriih ambcs as
But with sys cynk1. that renneth for youre chaunce
At Cristemasse / murye may ye daunce 126
HENGWRT 260 (6-T. 132)
133 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. PROL. HeilgWrt MS.
Ye seken lend and see / for youre wjnnyngcs
As wise folk1 ye knowen al thestat1
Of regnes / ye been fad res of tid}'nges
And tales / bothe of pees and of debate ICO
I were right now / of tales desolaf
Nere \a\> a Marchaunt / goon is many a yere
Me taughte a tale / which J>at ye shal 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 lin"s
to which they refer.
1. 161. ^[ Europa est trrcia pars mundi. [MS, leaf 114.]
1. 197. Ceptm phoronoi / fratnw discordia Thebe
fflaw/rnaw Phetontis Decalionis aque
In stellis IV/anii species audacia IVrni
Sensus vlixews / herouleusqwe vigor. [MS, If 114, bk.]
1. 295. ^[ Vnde Ptholomeus libro .i" capitul/m g[. . primi]
motus celi duo sunt / quorum, vn//s est qui [movet totum] celu/w /
semper ab Oriente in Occidentew/- vno [modo] supr;;' orbes &c / Ita
aliter vero motws est qwi mo[vet] orbem stellar////?, currenciuw /
contra motu/« primu?// videlicet ab Occidente in Oriente ni sup^r
alios duos polos &c. [MS, leaf 116.] [The MS is partly gnan-n
away by ratsj\
1. 309. ^[ Omwes concordat! sunt/ quod elecc/owes sint/ de-
biles nisi in diuitib?/.? / habent eni?» isti licet debilitent///- eorum
eleccJo»es radicem .i. nanuitates eorum que confortat omne/// /
planetam / debilem in itinere &c. [MS, leaf 116.]
1. 421. ^[ note de iwopinato dolore ^[ Semper mundane leticie /
tristicia repentina succedit / Mundana igit///- felicitas multis ama-
ritudinib?/.? est resp<??-sa extrema gaudij luctw.9 occupat / Audi
ergo salubre consiliuw in die bonor/m ne inmemor sis nialor///?/.
[MS. leaf 117, back.]
1. 771. ^[ Quid t///-pius ebrioso / cui fetor in ore / tremor in
corpore / qui p?-0mit stulta / prodit occulta / cui mens alienat?//' /
facies t/vmsformatw/1 / nullu/w enim latet secretuw vbi regnat
ebrietas. [MS, leaf 122, back.]
1. 925. ^[ O. extrema libidinis turp[itudo] que nou solu/M men-
iem effemi[nat] set eciam corpus eneruat/ se[mper] sequnt?/r
dolor & penitencia post &[c]. [MS, leaf 125.]
1. 1132. ^[ A mane vsque [ad vesperam mu]tabit?/r tempus /
t[eneut tympa]nu?^ & gaudent ad s[onum organi]. [MS, leaf
128.] [MS is gnawn away by rats.~]
1. 1136. ^1 Quis vnq?<«m vnica?w/ diem totaw [duxit] in sua
dilecc/o/ie iocuwdam / que/w [in alijqua p«?-te diei reat?/* con-
sciencie / v[el] impetw* ire / vel mot//.? cowcupiscen f tie] now tur-
bauerit/ que?» liuor Inuidie vel ardor auaricie /vel tumor suptvbie
non vexauerit / quern aliqua iactura vel offensa / vel passio nori
co/wmoue/'it &c. [M S, leaf 1 28.] [1'ke MS is partly gnawn away.}
19 IIENGWUT 261 (6-T. 133)
134 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2, MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
[THE TALE.]
51 In Surrye whilom / dwelte a compaignye
Of chapmen riche / and ther-to sadde and trewe
That wyde where / senten hir spicerye
Clothes of gold / and Satyns riche of heAve 137
Hir cheffare / was so thrifty and so ne\ve
That enery wight1 hath deyntee to cheffare
With hem / and eek to sellen hem hir wave 140
11 Now fil it / that the maistres of that sort1
Han shapen hem / to Rome for to wende
Were it1 for chaphod / or for desporf
Noon oother message / wolde they thider sende 144
But coomen hem self to Home / this is the ende
And in swich place / as thouglite hem auauntage
ffor hir entente / they take hir herbergage 147
11 Soioz£?-ned han thise Marchauntz / in that town
A certein tyme / as hi to hir plesaunce
But so bifel / J>«t ^ne excellent renoun
Of the Emperours doghter / dame Custaunce 151
Reported was / with euery circumstauncc
Vn to thise Surryen Marchauntz / in swich wise
ffro day / to day / as I shal yow deuyse 154
1T This was the cownnune voys / of euery man
Oure Emperour of Rome / god hym se
A doghter hath / J>at syn the world bigan
To rekne as wel / hir goodnesse as beautee 158
Nas neuere swich another / as is she
I pray to god / in honour hir sustene
And wolde she were / of al Europe the queene \_Lutin nott, p. iss.j
HENGWRT 262 (6-T. 134)
135 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2, MAX OF LAW'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT In hire is heigh beantee / with oute pryde
Youtlie / with outen grenehede / or folye
To alle hir werkes / vertu is hir gyde
Huniblesse / hath slayn in hire al tirannye 165
She is Mirour / of al curteisye
Hir herte / is verray chambre of holynesse
Hir hand Ministre / of fredam / for almesse 168
IT And al this voys was sooth / as god is trewe
But now to purpos / lat vs come agayn
Thise Marcliauntz / han doon fraught hir shippes newe
And whan they han / this blisful mayden sayn 172
Horn to Surrye / been they went fid fayn
And doon hir nedes / as they han doon yoore
And lyuen in wele / I kan sey yow namoore 1 75
5T l^ow fil it1 that thise Marcliauntz stode in grace
Of hym / that was the Sowdan of Surrye
ffor whan they coome / from any straimge place
He wolde / of his benygne curteisye 179
Makeii hem good clieere / and bisily espye
Tidynges / of sondry regnes for to leere
The wondres / that they myghte seen or heere 182
IT [Amjonges othere thynges specially [leaf m, back]
Thise Marchauntz han hym told / of dame Custaunce
.i. ceriose
So greet noblesse / in ernest ceriously
That this Sowdan / hath caught so greet plesaunce 186
To han hir figure / in his remembratmce
That al his lust / and al his bisy cure
Was for to loue hire / whil his lyf may dure 189
IF Parauenture / in thilke large book^
Which Jwt men clepe the heuene / ywriten was
With sterres / whan \>ui he his birthe took/
That he for loue / sholde han his deth alias 193
HKNGWRT 263 (6-T. 135)
136 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. 31 AN OF LAW'S TALE. HeilgWl't MS.
ifur in the sterres / clerer than is glas
Is writen god woof who so koude if rede
The deeth of euery man / with outcn drede 196
1F In sterres / many a wyiiter / ther biforn {.Latin note, p. iss.]
Was writen the deeth / of Ector / Achilles
Of Pompei / lulius / er they were born
The stryf of Thebes / and of Hercules 200
Of Sampson / Turnus / and of Socrates
The deeth / but inclines wittes been so dulle
That no wighf kan wel rede it atte fulle 203
If This Sowdan / for his pmiee conseil sente
And shortly / of this mature for to puce
He hath to hem / declared his entente
And seyde hem certein / but he myghte haue grace 2i)7
To hail Custaunce / with lime a litel space
He nas but deed / and charged hem in hyc
To shapen / for his lyf som remedy c 210
5F Diuerse men / diuerse thynges seyden
They argumenten / casten vp and doun
Many a subtil reson / forth they ley den
They speken of Magyk/ and Abusioun 214
But finally / as in conclusion!!
They kan nat seen / in that noon Auauntage
Ne in noon oother wey / saue manage 217
IT Thanne sawe they ther Inne / swich difficultee [leaf IIBJ
By wey of reson / for to speke al playn
By cause / Jwrt ther Avas swich dinersitee
Bitwene hir bothe lawes / ]>ai they sayn 221
They trowe / Jxzt no cristen Prince wolde fayn
Wedden his child / vnder oure lawes svvete
That vs Avas tauglif by Mahoun oure prophets. 224
II-ENGWRT 26'4 (6-T. 1.36).
137 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HeilgWrt MS.
5T And he aiiswerde / rather than I lese
Custaunce / I wol be cristned doutelees
I moot ben hires / I may noon oother chese
I pray yow / hold youre argumentz in pees 228
Saueth my lyf / and beth noght recchelees
To geten hire / J>«t hath my lyf in cure
ffor in this wo / I may nat longe endnre 231
II What nedeth / gretter dilatation
I seye / by tretys / and embassadrye
And by the Popes l mediation V ™jt%£ ™£eitf- a)ld byshop
And al the chirche / and al the chiualrie 235
That1 in destmccioii) of Mawmetrie
And in encrees / of Cristes lawe deere
They been acorded j so as ye shal lieere 238
IT How Jw&t the Sowdan / and his Baronage
And alle his liges / sholde ycristned be
And he shal han / Custaunce in mariage
And c^yteyn gold / I noot what quantitee 242
And heer to / founden sufficient scuretee
This same acord / was sworn on either syde
Now faire Custaunce / al myghty god theo gydc 245
5T Now wolde som men / waiten as I gesse
That I sholde telleii / al the puraeiaiuice
That Themperour / of his grete noblesse
Hath shapen for his doghter / dame Custaunce 249
Wei may men knowen / ]>at so greet ordinannce
May no man telleii / in a litel clause
As was arrayed / for so heigh a cause 252
[Bis]shopes been shapen / with hire for to wende {leaf nr>, bk]
Lordes / ladies / knyghtes of renoun
And oother folk ynowe / this is thende
And notified is / thurgh out the town 256
HENGWRT 265 (6-T. 137)
138 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HengWrt MS.
That euery wight1 with greet deuocioun
Sholde preyen crist1 ]?«t he this manage
Beceyue in gree / and spede this viage 259
1T The day is comen / of hir departynge
I seye / the woful day fatal / is come
That ther may be / no longer taryynge
But forthward they hem dresse / alle and some 263
Custannce / that was with sorwe all ouercorne
fful pale arisf and dresseth hire to wende
ffor wel she seeth / ther nys noon oother ende 266
IF Alias / what wonder is it/ thogh she wepte
Tliat shal be sent1 to straunge nacion)
ffro freendes / ]>at so tendrely hir kepte
And to be bounden / vndur subieccion) 270
Of oon / she knoweth noght his condicion)
Housbondes been alle goode / and han been yoore
That knowen wyues / I dar sey vow namoore 273
11" ffader she seyde / thy wreeched child Custaunce
Thy yonge doghter / fostred vp so softe
And ye my moder / my souereyn plesaunce
Ouer alle thyng / outtaken crist on lofte 277
Custaunce youre child / hir recomaundeth ofte
Vn to your grace / for I shal to Surrye
Ke shal I neuere / seen yow moore with eye 280
1F Alias / vn to the Barbre nacion
I moste anon / syn Jjat it is youre wille
But crist1 that starf for oure redempcion
So yeue me g?-«ce / hise hestes to fulfille 28 4
I wrecche womman / no fors thogh I spille
Wommen are born / to thraldom and penaunce
And to been / vnder mannes gonrniaunce 287
HENGWHT 266 (6-T. 138)
139 SIX-TEXT
GUOUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HcngWlt MS.
11 I trowe at Troye / whan Pirrus brak1 the wal [leaf lie]
Or Ylion / brent hadde Tliebes the Citee
Nat Rome / for the harm thurgh Hanybal
That Romayns / hath venquysshed tymes thre 291
Nas herd / swich tendre wepyng for pitee
As in the chambre was / for hir departynge
But forth she moofr wher so she wepe or synge 294
f 0 firste moeuer / cruel firmament [Latin note, P. 1:53.]
With thy diurnal sweigh / j?«t crowdest ay
And hurlest al / fro Est / til Occident
That naturelly / wolde holde another way 298
Thy crowdyng / set the heuene in swich array
At bigynnyng1 of this fiers viage
That cruel Mars / hath slayn this mariage 301
1T Infortunat ascendent1 tortuous
Of which the lord / is helplees falle alias
Out of his angle / in to the derkest hous
O. Mars / o. Atazir / as in this cas 305
O fieble Moone / vnhappy been thy pas
Thow knyttest thee / ther thow nart nat receyued
Ther thow were wel / fro thennes artow weyued 308
IT Inprudent Empe?*our of Rome / alias [£*«* note, p. 133.]
Was ther no Philosophre / in al thy town
Is no tyme bet than oother / in swich cas
Of viage / is ther noon eleccioun 312
Namely / to folk of heigh condicioun
Nat whan a roote / is of a burthe yknowe
Alias / we been / to lewed or to slowe 315
11 To shipe is broghf this woful faire inayde
Solempnely / with euery circumstaunce
Now Ihesu crist1 be with yow alle / she seyde
Tlier nys namoore / but fare wel faire Custaunce 319
HENGWKT 26? (6-T. 139)
140 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
She peyneth hire / to make good contenaimce
And forth I lete hir Sayle / in this nianere
And turne I wole / agayn to my matere 322
IT [T]he moder of the Sowdan / welle of vices [leaf no, wio
Espied liath / hir sone's pleyn entente
How lie wol lete / his olde sacrifices
And right anon / she for hir conseil sente 32 G
And they ben come / to knowen what she mente
And whan assembled was / this folk in feere
She sette hir down / and seyde as ye shal heere 329
5F Lordes quod she / ye knowen eiwychon
How \>ai my sone / in point is for to lete
The holy lawes / of oure Alkaron
Yeuen by goddes message1 Makomete [l afg* ""'ffo>' er '" aefr
But oon avow / to grete god I hete
The lyf shal rather / out of my body sterte
Than Makometes lawe / out of myn hertu 336
IT What sholde vs tiden / of this newe lawe
Eut thraldom to oure bodies / and penaunce
And afterward / in helle to be drawe
fibr we reneyed /' Mahoun oure creaunce 340
But lordes / wol ye maken assuraunce
As I shal seyn / assentyng to my loore
And I shal make vs sauf / for eiwe moore 343
^f They SAVoren / and assenten euery man
To lyue vfith hire and dye / and by hir stonde
And euerich / in the beste wise he kan
To strengthen hire / shal alle hise freendes fonde 347
And she hath / this emprise ytake on honde
Which ye shal heren / ]>ai I shal deuyse
And to hem alle / she spak right in this wise 350
HENGWRT 268 (6-T. 1 10)
141 SIX-TEXT
OBOUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HcngWTt MS.
IF We shul first feyne vs / cristendorn to take
Coold water / shal nat greue vs but a lite
And I shal / swicli a feste / and reuel make
That as I trowe / I shal the Sowdan qnyte 354
ffor thogh his wyf / bo cristned nciifr so whyte
She shal haue nede / to wasshe awey the rede
Thogh she / a font ful water with hir lede 357
^[ 0 Sowdanesse roote of Iniqnitee [leaf 117]
Virago / thow Semyrame the secounde
0 Serpent/ vnder femynynytee
Lyk to the Serpent/ depe in lielle ybonnde 361
0 feyned womman / al that may confounde
Vertu and Innocence / tlmrgh thy malice
Is bred in thee / as nest of euery vice 364
51 0 Sathan ennyous / syn thilke day
That thow were chaced / from onre heritage
Wei knowestow to wommen / the olde way
Thow madest Eua / brynge vs in seruage 308
Thow wolt fordoon / this cristen mariage
Thyn Instrument1 so weylawey the while
Makestow of wommen / whan thou wolt bigile 371
5T This Sowdanesse / whom I thus blame and warye
Leet pryuely hir conseil / goon his way
What sholde I in this tale / lenger tarye
She rideth to the Sowdan / on a day 375
And seyde hym / ]>ai. she wolde reneye hir lay
And cristendom / of preestes handes fonge
Repentynge hire / she hethen was so longe 378
1F Bisekyng hym / to doon hire that honour
That she moste han / the cristen folk to feste
To plesen hem / I shall do my labour
The Sowdan seith / I wol doon at youre heste 382
HEXGWRT 269 (6-T. 14l)
142 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAX OF LAW'S TALE. HeilgWrt MS.
And knelynge / thanketh hire of that requeste
So glad he was / he nyste what to seye
She kiste hir sone / and horn she gooth hir weye .1
[PAST IT.}
5F Arryued been this cristen folk to londe
In Surrye / with a gret solempne route
And hastily / this Sowdan sente his sonde
ffirst to his moder / and al the regne aboute 389
And seyde his wyf / was comen out of doute
And preyde hire / for to ryde agayn the queene
The honour / of his regne to sustene 392
IF Greet was the prees / and riehe was tharray [leaf 117, back]
Of Surryens / and Romayns met yfeere
The moder of the Sowdan / riche and gay
Eeceyueth hire / with also glad a cheere 39 G
As any moder / myghte hir doghter deere
And to the nexte Oitee / ther bisyde
A softe paas / soleinpnely they ryde 399
IF Naught trowe I / the triumphe of Julius
Of which fat lucan / maketh swich a boost1
Was roiallour / ne moore curyus
Than was the assemblee / of this blisful oost 403
But this scorpion / this wikked goost1
The Sowdanesse / for al hir flaterynge
Caste vnder this / ful mortally to stynge 406
*F The Sowdan cometh hym self / soone after this
So roially / \>at wonder is to telle
He welcometh hire / with alle ioye arid blys
And thus in myrthe and Ioye / I lete hem dwelle 410
HEXGWRT 270 (6-T. 142)
143 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
The fruyt of this matere / is j?«t I telle
Whan tyme cam / men thoughte it for the besto
That reuel stynte / and men go to hir reste 413
H The tyme cam / this okle Sowdanesse
Ordeyned hath this feste / of wliich I tolde
And to the feste / cristen folk hern dressc
In general / ye bothe yonge and olde 41 7
Heer may men feste / and roialtee biholde
And deyntees mo / than I kan yow denyse
But al to deere / they boghte it er they ryse 420
If 0 sodeyn wo / that euerc art Successour [Lat.;n note*, p. iss.]
To worldly blisse / spreynd with bittmiesse
The ende of the ioye / of oure worldly labour
Wo ocupieth / the fyn of oure gladnesse 424
Herke this conseil / for thy sikernesse
Vp on thy glade day / haue in thy mynde
The vnwar wo / or harm / pat comth bihynde 427
IT ffor shortly / for to tellen / at a word [leaf us]
The Sowdan / and the cristen euerychone
Been al to-hewe / and stiked at the bord
But it were oonly / dame Custaunce allone 431
This olde sowdanesse / cursed krone
Hath with hir freendes / doon this cursed dede
ffor she hir self / wolde al the contree lede 434
1T Ne ther nas Surryen noon / jj«t was conuoled
That of the conseil / of the Sowdan wootf
That he nas al tohewe / er he asterte;!
And Custaunce / han they take anon foot hoot1 438
And in a ship / al sterelees / god woof
They han hir set1 and bidde hir lerne Sayle
Out of Surrye / ogaynward to Itaille 441
HEXGWRT 271 (0-T. 143)
144 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HcngWlt MS.
^ A cet-teiu tresor / that she thider lad do
And sooth to seyn / vitaille gret plentee
They han hir yenen / and clothes eek she; hadde
And forth she sayleth / in the suite see 44")
0 my Custaunce / ful of benygnytce
0 EmptTOiirs / yonge doghter deere
He }?«t is lord of ffortune be thy steere 448
IT She blisseth hire / and with ful pitous voys
Vn to the cros of Crist/ thus seyde she
O clerc / o weleful Auter / holy croys
Reed of the lainbes blood / ful of pitee 452
That wesshc the world / fro the olde Ini<[uitee
Me fro the feend / and fro his clawes kepe
That day / jx/t I shal drenchen in the depe 4")")
IT Victorious tree / proteccion of trewe
That oonly / worthy were for to bere
The kyng of heuene / with his woundes newe
The white lamb / that hurt was w/t// a spere 459
iflemere of feendes / out of hym and here
On which thy lymes / feithfully cxtenden
Me kepe / and yeue me myghf my l}Tf tamenden 462
[Yejres and dayes / fleet this creature [leaf us, buck]
Thurgh out the see of Grece / vn to the Strayte
Of Marrok1 as it was hir auenture
O many a sory meel / now may she bay to 4CG
After hir deth / ful often may she wayte
Er J?rtt the wilde wawes / wol hir dryue
Vn to the place / ther she shal arryue 469
Men myghten axen / why she was noght slayn
Eek at the feste / who myghte hir body sane
And I answere / to that demaunde agayn
Who saued Danyel / in the horrible Caue 473
HKNGWRT 272 (6-T. 144)
145 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HcngWlt MS.
Ther euery wight saue he / maister and knaue
Was with the leon) frete / er he asterte
IS"o wight but god / Ipat he bar in his herte 476
5F God liste to shewe / his wonderful miracle
In hire / for we sholde seen / his niyghty werkes
Crist/ which ]>at is / to euery harm triacle
By certein menes ofte / as knowen clerkes 4 -SO
Booth thyng for certein ende / J>at ful deik is
To mannes wit1 J>c*t for oure ignoraunce
ISye konne noght knowe / his prudent p^/'iieiaunce 483
1T Xow sitli she was nat / at the feste yslawe
Who kepte hire / fro the dreiichyng in the see
Who kepte lonas / in the fisshes inawe
Til he / was spowted vp at iNynyuee 487
Wei may men knowe / it was no wight but heo
That kepte peple Ebrayk1 / from hir drenchyng*
With drye feet1 thurgh out the see passyng1 490
IT Who bad / the foure Spiritz of tempest*
That power han / tanoyen loud and See
Lothe ISTorth and South / and also west and Esf
Anoyeth neither / See / ne land / ne tree 4'Ji
Soothly / the comaundour of that Avas hee
That fro the tempest1 ay this womman kepte
As wel / whan she wook1 as whan she slepie 497
myghte this womma// / mete and drynke haue [if n»j
Thre joei and moore / how lasteth hir vitaille
Who fedde the Egipcien Marie / in the Caue
Or in desert / no wight but cristf sanz faille 501
ffyue thousand folk1 / it was as greet meniaille
With loucs fyue / and fisshes tAvo to fede
God tscnte his foyson / at hir grete nede £0-4
HENGWRT 273 (6-1.. 145).
146 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HcngWTt Mb,
IT She dryuetk forth / in to oure Occian
Thurgh out the wilde see / til at the laste
Ynder an hoold / J)dt nempnen I ne kan
ffer in Northumberland' / the \vawe liir caste 508
And in the sond / hir shipe stiked so faste
That thennes wolde it noght1 of al a tyde
The wyl of cristf was fat she sholde abyde 5 1 1
IT The Constable of the Castel / down is fare
To seen this wrak1 and al the shipe he soglite
And foond this wery womrnan ful of care
He foond also / the tresor J>at she broghte 515
In hir langage / mercy she bisoghte
The lyf / out of hir body for to twynne
Hir to deliuere / of wo that she was Inne 518
11 A manere latyn corrupt1 was hir speche
But algates / ther by was she vnderstonde
The Constable / whan hym liste no lenger seche
This woful womman / broghte he to the londe 522
She kneleth doun / and thanketh goddes sonde
But what she was / she wolde no man seye
tfor foul ne fair / tliogh Ipat she sholde deye 525
1f She seyde / she was so mazed in the See
That she forgat hir mynde / by hir trouthe
The Constable / hath of hire so greet pitee
And eek his wyf / that they wepten for routhe 529
She was so diligent1 with outen slouthe
To serue and plese / euerich in that place
That alle hir louen / that looken on hir face 532
This Constable / and dame Hermengyld his wyf [leaf 119, back]
Were payens / and that contree euery where
But hermengyldf / loued hire right as hir lyf
And Custaunce / hath so longe soiourned there 536
HENGWRT 274 (6-T. 146)
147 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2, MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HcngWTt MS.
In orisons / with many a bitter teere
Til Ihe*u / hath connected thurgh his grace
Dame hermengyld? / Constablesse of thilke place 530
IF In al that land / no cristeu dorste route
Alle cristen folk/ been fled fro that contree
Thurgh Payens / J>«t conquereden al aboute
The plages of the North / by land and see 543
To Walys / fledde the cristianytee
Of olde Britons / dwellyng in this lie
Ther was hir refut1 for the niene while 546
IT But yet1 nere cristen Britons / so exiled
That ther nere somme / \ai in hir pryuctee
Honoured crist1 and hethen folk bigiled
And neigh the Oastel / swiche ther dwelten thre 550
That oon of hem / was blynd and myghte nat se
But it were / with thilke eyen of his mynde
With whiche men seen / after jjat they been blynde 553
1T Bright was the sonne / as in that Some/'es day
fFor which the Constable / and his wyf also
And Custaunce / han ytake the righte way
Toward the see / a furlong wey / or two 557
To pleyen / and to romen to and fro
And in hir walk1 this blynde man they mette
Croked and old / with eyen faste yshette 530
11 In name of Crist1 cryde this blynde Britoun
Dame Hermengyld / yif me my sighte agayn
This lady / weex affrayed of the sown
Lest J>at hir housbonde / shortly for to sayn 564
"Wolde hire / for Ihesu cristes loue han slayn
Til Custaunce made hir boold / and bad hir wirche
The wyl of Crist1 as doghter of his chirche 567
HENGWllT 275 (6-T. 147)
118 HIX-TKXT
B, § 2. MAN OK LAW'S T.M.I-:. Hengwrt MS.
U Thf Constable / \\vox nluiNslu'il of Mint si^ht,' ['.MI i -:«|
And seide / \Yliat amountelh nl Mii.s fun'
Otslauneo answonlu / .sire it is ('risles iny^lit1
Thai, lielpelli loll; / out of tin- I'ecndes snare ,r'7 I
And NO leHorlh / she ^an onre lav deelare
Tlml Him Mm Constable / IT )w! il. \VIIM eue
('oiuurtcMi / and on (Vint made IIVIH liilrin- -r>7 I
11 ThiN ConstaNc / was u<> Mi\ n,",' lord «.|' MIJM |.)nr.-
( H' \\ Ilicll I :.|M',-k' I In I lie < 'u Loin. I'ctid
I'.nt Ke|»le il. .sl.l-onyjy / IllMllV \vy lll.rr fi|»!irr
N'uder Alia / Kyn- <>!' a! N(.rMiiiinlM.| lund' ,P«7S
Thai \va.M 1'id \\\M / and \vocMiy of In lioiid'
A^ayn Mie SeoMi-M / as men may \\el lieere
l>iit iiirne I \vole / a;',ayn lo my malere .r»M
II Sal.liail / Jv^l, eiuve VH waileMi In l»i;p,ile
San^li of ( 'iiMlannee / al liir pr/Teeeinii
Alld < .1 !•• aiintl / lm\V lie in\'dilc' (jllile lin \\liilr
Ami made a ynii;; kliyghl.1 )"H d\\ellc in lli.il Invvn r»ST>
I .one liiiv Imlr ;' n|' I'ntd llHeeeimin
I li >l VelTnily / li\ in Minil;dile lie itlmldi' |nll'
I'.nl. lie of liiir / m\;;lile niirM dalle liiit \\ille [(HH
II II- \Vn\VeMl Ilil'e / I,, it il, aiiadleMi ,,,- -i,l
Slx^ wnlde do lio Myniie / l»y no vveye
Aiid lor dcMpili1 lie ninipn.HNcd in In Ilioj^hl,1
'I'o IN il - n liiiv I on Hlialliel'ld deelll In deye M)j
Me \vaylelli / wlian I lie (loiiMluMo wan uweyc
And p/'/ne|y / vji on a ny^lil. lie uvpln
III Met nien^'ildeH eliain l»fe j \vllil nlte Hle|i|i\ ,r>(,),'>
If Wnry for wiiked / in liir OI-JHOIIH
Slepeth ( 'iiMliiilliee / mid liei'lneii^ild ulno
ThiM kn.vKlil,' Miur^li MiiMnuiH ((MiiplucioiiH
A I Holldy / i* |.o MIC Led yun M)l>
IIKNdWHT 270 (H-T. UN)
1 11) MIX-THXT
uitoui' B. § 2, MAN OF I.AW'M TALK. Iloiigwrt MS,
And kitl.0 Mio thro to / of Mormongilil ul.wo
Ami loydo tho blody knyf / by diiinu CiiHtuuiico
Ami \vonto hi.s woy / MUM- god ymo hym nirsrhaunrn (iOli
[Hojouu aflor/ roniolh this ( 'otiMtuhlo II.MII in jay n |i<<ui !•:(>. iudi|
Ami «M»U Alia / HIM!, Kynj-j \va:t ol' Mini. loud.
And HM\V his wyl'/ doMpitoiisly ynhvyu
ll'or wliirh fill oflo / lu^ WIM^K' and NVTOII^ IUM homl (5(>()
And in Mm bed / Iho Mody Kiiyl' lu^ l\>ml
Uy daiuo UuHttuuiuu / nllaM what luyj^htu slu< srvo
ll'or vtM'ray \vo / hir \vit \va;i al a\vi\vo (10!)
II To Kyu;1; Alia / \VJIM told al MUM mrsrliaumv
Ami ot»k Mio tyiuo / and \vhrr«< / and in \\hat \visi\
That in a nlii^1 / WMM fonndo Mu's Cuslanm-o
A" lior biforn / j'l^t y»* han hord d(Miv:u> (ilii
Tin1 Kyn^oH lu»rto / of jult^o ^'iiu Mj^rv.^o
\\'lian lit* saw / so houygiuv u rroalnn>
Hallo in disoso t' and in niysamMitnri> (»1(»
11 (Vor as Mio loinh / loxvard his tlooth is l»rogli(.'
>So tttnnt this IIUUMMMII.' hiforo Mio \\y\\g*
Tldrt lulso kuyght* |>»ft hath this troson wn^lit'
UoroMi hivfou hond / |>«rt sht» hath doon tin's thyn^1 (>-()
Hut uatholotvs / tlior NVJUS gn^ot nioornyng1
Among Mio j»oplo / and soyn ihoy kuu nut
That sho hud doon / so givot u wikkoilntvaso
1f iVor thoy Imn »oyu hiiv / CU^A^ so \vrtuous
And louyng llonnoiigiM / right us hir lyf
Of this l>uar witnosso / ouorioh in thai hoiw
Sauo ho J>»it llonuongild / slow with his knyf1 0^7
This gonlil kyng' Imth ounght u givt uioiyf
Of this wituosso / and thoghto ho woldo eiiquoro
in this / a tivntho t\»r tv> loiv r>:'>0
SO UKNUWttt 377 (0-T, 14»)
150 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HcngWlt MS,
IF Alias Custaunce / thow nast no champion
Xe fighte kanstow noghf so weilawey
But he J>at starf / for oure redempcioii
And bond Sathan. / and yet lyth ther he lay 634
So be thy stronge champion this day
ffor but if Crist / open miracle kythe
With outen gilt1 thow shalt been slayn as swythe 637
^F She sette hir down on knees / and thus she sayde [leaf 121]
Immortal god / that sauedest Susanne
ffro fals blame / and thow merciful mayde
Marie I mene / doghter to Seint Anne 641
Biforn whos child / Aungels synge Osanne
If I be giltlees / of this felonye
My socour be / for ellis shal I dye 644
IF Haue ye nat scyn som tyme / a pale face
Among a prees / of hym Jj«t hath be lad
Toward his deeth / wher as hym gat no grace
And swich a colour / in his face hath had 648
Men myghte knowe his face / pat was bistad
Amonges alle the faces / in that route
So stant Custance / and looketh hire aboute 651
IF 0 Queen es / lyuynge in prosperitee
Duchesses / and ye ladies euerichon)
Haueth som reuthe / on hir aduersitee
An Emperours doghter / stant allone 655
She hath no wight1 / to whom to make hir mono
O blood roial / that stondest in this drede
ffer be thy freendes / at thy grete nede 658
1F This Alia kyng1 hath swich compassioun
As gentil herte / is fulfild of pitee
That from his eyen / ran the water doun
Now hastily / do fecche a book / quod he 662
HENGWRT 278 (6-T. 150)
151 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HcngWlt MS.
And if this knyghtf. wol sweren how J)«t she
This wo??iman slow / yet wol we vs auyse
Whom |>at we wole / that shal been cure lustise G65
A Briton book1 writen with Euawngiles
Was fef and on this book he swoor anon
She gilty was / and in the mene whiles
An hand hym smoott vp an the nekke bon 669
That doun he fel / atones / as a stoon
And bothe hise eyen / broste out of his face
In sighte / of euery body in that place 672
[A vo]ys was herd / in general audience [leaf 121, back]
And seyde / thow hast disclaundred giltlces
The doghter of holy chirche / in heigh presence
Thus hastow doon / and yet I holde my pees 676
Of this me?*uaille / agast was al the prees
As mazed folk / they stoden euerychone
ffor drede of wreche / saue Custance allone 679
IT Greet was the drede / and eek the repentaunce
Of hem / Jjat hadden wrong suspecioii
Yp on / this sely Innocent Custauiice
And for this miracle / in conclusion 683
And by Custaunces mediacion
The kyng1 and many another in that place
Conuerted was / thanked be Cristes grace 686
IT This false knyght was slayn for his vntrouthe
By luggement of Alia hastily
And yet Custaunce / hadde of his deeth greet routhe
And after this / Ihesus of his mercy 690
Made Alia / wedden ful solernpnely
This holy mayden / J?«t is so bright and shene
And thus hath Crist1 maad Custance a queene 693
HENGWRT 279 (6-T. 15l)
152 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT But who was woful / if I slial nat lye
Of this weddyng1 but Donegild and namo
The kynges moder / ful of tirannye
Hir thoughte / hir cursed herte brast at wo 697
She wolde noghfr hir sone had doon so
Hir thoughte a despit1 $ak he sholde take
So straunge a creature / vn to his make 700
^T Me list nat1 of the chaf / ne of the stree
Maken so long a tale / as of the corn
What sholde I tellen / of the realtee
At mariages / or which cours gooth biforn 704
"Who bloweth in trompe / or in an horn
The fruyt of euery tale / is for to seye
They ete and drynke / and daunee / & synge & pleye 707
^F They goon to bedde as it was skile and right1 [leaf 122]
ffor though pat wyues / been ful holy tliynges
They moste take / in pacience at nyghfr
Swich manere necessaries / as been plesyngcs 711
To folk / that han y wedded hem with rynges
And laye a lite / hir holynesse asyde
As for the tyme / it may noon oother bityde 714
IT On hire / he gat a knaue child anon
And to a bisshope / and his Constable eke
He took his wyf to kepe / whan he is gon
To Scotlond'ward / his foomen for to seke 718
]STow faire Custaunce / ]>ai is so hu?/ible & meke
So longe is goon with childe / til J?at stille
She halt hir chambre / abidyng1 cristes wille 721
IT The tyme is come / a knaue child she beer
Mauricius at the font stoon / they hym calle
This Constable / dooth forth come a Messager
And wroot vn to his kyng1 J>at clepyd was Alle 725
HENGWRT 280 (6-T. 152)
153 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
How Ipat / this blisful tidynge is bifalle
And othere tidynges / speedful for to seye
He tath the lettre / and forth he goth his weye 728
IT This Messager / to doon his auauntage
Vn to the kynges moder / rideth swithe
And salueth ful faire / in his langage
Ma dame quod he / ye may "be glad and blithe 732
And thanketh god / an hundred thousand sithe
My lady queene / hath child with outen doute
To ioye and blisse / of al this regne aboute 735
5F Lo here the lettres / seled of this thyng1
That I moot here / with al the haste I may
If ye wol aughfr vn to youre sone the kyng*
I am youre seruaunf bothe nyght and day 739
Donegild answerde / as now at this tyme nay
But here al nyght1 I wol thow take thy reste
To morwe / wol I seye thee what me Icste 742
[Thi]s Messager / drank sadly ale and wyn [leaf 122, back]
And stolen were / his lettres pryuely
Out of his box / whil he sleep as a swyn
And countrefeted / was ful subtilly 746
Another lettre / wroght ful synfully
Yn to the kyng direct* of this matere
ffro his Constable / as ye shal after heere 749
IT The lettre spak/ the queene deliuered was
Of so horrible / a fendlich creature
That in the Castel / noon so hardy was
That any while / dorste ther endure 753
The moder was an Elf / by auenture
Yeomen / by charmes / or by sorcerye
And euerich / hateth hir compaignye 756
HENGWRT 281 (6-T. 153)
154 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HengWTt MS.
5T Wo was this kyng1 whan he this lettre hadde seyn
But to no wight1 he tolde his sorwes soore
But of his owene hond / he wroot ageyn
Welcome the sonde of Crist / for euere moore 7GO
To me / ]pat am now lerned in his loore
Lord / welcome be thy lusfr and thy plesaunce
My lust1 1 putte al in thyn ordinaunce 7G3
IF Kepeth this child / al be it foul or feir
And eek my wyf / vn to myn horn comynge
Crist whan hym list1 may sende me an heir
Moore agreable than this / to my likyngc 7G7
This lettre he seleth / pryuely wepynge
Which to the Messager / was take soone
And fortli he goth / ther is namoore to doone 770
H 0 Messager / fulfild of dronkenesse [Latin note, P. isa.]
Strong is thy breeth / thy lymes faltren ay
And thow biwreyesf al secrenesse
The mynde is lorn / thow ianglest as a lay 774
Thy face is turned / in a newe array
Ther dronkenesse regneth / in any route
Ther is no conseil hid / with outen doute 777
IF 0 Donegild / I ne haue noon englissh digne Deaf 123]
Vn to thy malice / and thy tirannye
And ther fore / to the feend I tliee resigne •
Lat hym enditen / of thy traitorie 781
ffy mannyssh f y / o nay by god I lye
fly fendlich spirit1 for I dar wel telle
Thogh thow heere walke / thy spirit is in helle 784
IT This Messager / comth fro the kyng agayn
And at the kynges modres Court he lights
And she was / of this Messager ful fayn
And plesed hym / in al that euere she myghte 788
HENGWRT 282 (6-T. 154)
155 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN or LAW'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
He drank / and wel his girdel vnder pighte
He slepeth / and he fnorteth in his gyse
Al nyght1 til the sonne gan aryse 791
IF Eft were his le^res / stolen euerichon
And countrefeted lettres / in this wyse
The kyng comaundeth / his Constable anon
"Vp peyne of hangyng1 and on heigh luyse 795
That he ne sholde suffren / in no wyse
distance / in with his regne for tabyde
Thre dayes / and a quarter of o tyde 798
H But in the same Shipe / as he hir fond
Hire and hir yonge sone / and al hir geere
He sholde putte / and crowde hir fro the lond
And charge hire / J>at she neuere eft coome there 802
O my Custaunce / wel may thy goost haue fere
And slepyng in thy dreem / been in penaunce
Whan Donegild / caste al this ordinaunce 805
IT This Messager / on morwe whan he wook1
Yn to the Castel / halt the nexte wey
And to the Constable / he the lettre took1
And whan J>at he / this pitous lettre sey 809
fful ofte / he seyde alias and weilawey
Lord crist quod he / how may this world endure
So ful of synne / is many a creature . 812
[0] myghty god / if that it be thy wille [leaf 123, back]
Sith thow art rightful luge /how may it be
That thow wolt suffren / Innocentz to spille
And wikked folk / regnen in prosperitee 81 G
0 goode Custaunce / alias so wo is me
That I moot be thy tormentour / or deye
On shames deeth / ther nys noon oother weye 819
HENGWHT 283 (6-T. 155)
156 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HengWlt MS,
51 "Wepen bothe yonge and olde / in al that place
Whan }>at the kyng1 this cursed lettre sente
And distance / with a dedly pale face
The fertile day / toward hir shipe she wente 823
But nathelees / she taketli in good entente
The wyl of Crist / and knelyng on the Stronde
She seyde lord / ay wel come be thy soncle 82 G
51 lie J>at me kepte / fro the false blame
Whil I was on the lond / amonges yow
He kan me kepe / fro harm and eek fro shame
In salte see / al thogh I so noght how 830
As strong as euere he was / he is yet now
In hym triste I / and in his moder deere
That is to me / my Sayl and eek my steere 833
51 Hir litel cliild J lay wepyng in hir arm
And knelyng1 pitously to hym she seyde
Pees litel sone / I wol do tliee noon harm
With that hir couerchief1 / oner hir lied she breyde 837
And ouer his litel eyen / she it leyde
And in hir arm / she lulletli it ful faste
And in to lieuene / hir even vp she caste 840
51 Moder quod she / and mayden bright Marie
Sooth is / fyat thurgh wommans eggcment1
Mankynde was lorn / and dampned ay to dye
if or which thy child / was on a croys yrent1 844
Thy blisful eyen / sawe al his torment1
Thanne is ther / no comparison) bitwene
Thy wo / and any wo man may sustene 847
51 Thow saw thy child / yslayn bifor thyne eyen [leaf 124]
And yet now / lyueth my litel child parfay
Now lady bright1 to whom alle woful cryen
Thow glorie of wommanhod / thow faire may 851
HEXGWRT 284 (6-T. 156)
157 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HcngWlt MS.
Thow liauen of refufr brighte sterre of day
Rewe on my cliild / that of thy gentillesse
Rewesfr on euery rewful in distresse 854
1T 0 litel child / alias what is thy gilt1
That neuere wroghtest synne / as yet pardee
Why wil thyn harde fader / han thee spilf
O mercy deere Constable / quod she 858
As lat my litel child / dwelle here with thee
And if thow darst noghfr sauen hym for blame
So kys hym ones / in his fader name 8G1
^F Ther with she looketh / bakward to the londe
And seyde / fare wel housbonde routhelees
And vp she ristt and walketh doun the Stronde
Toward the shipe / hir folweth al the prees 8G5
And euere / she preyeth hir child / to holde his pees
And taketh hir leue / and with an holy entente
She blesseth hire / and in to shipe she wente 8G8
IT Vitailled was the shipe / it is no drede
Ilabundantly for hire / ful longe space
And othere necessaries / Ipat sholde node
She hadde ynow / heryed be goddes grace 872
ffor wynd and weder / almyghty god purchace
And brynge hir horn / I kan no bettre seye
But in the see / she dryueth forth hir wcye 875
[PART III.]
^1 Alia the kyng1 comth horn soone after this
Tn to his Castel / of the which I tolde
And axeth / where his wyf /and his child is
The Constable / gan aboute his herte colde 879
HENGWIIT 285 (6-T. 157)
158 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. IlCIlgWrt MS.
And pleynly / al the manere he hym tolcle
As ye han herd / I kan telle it no bettre
And sheweth the kvng1 his seel and his lettre 882
o
[ A]nd seyde lord / as ye comaunded me Oaf 124, back]
Vp peyne of deeth / so haue I do certein
This Messager / tormented was / til he
Moste biknowe / and tellen plat and pleyn 886
ffro nyght to nyghf in what place he had leyn
And thus by wit1 and subtil enquerynge
Ymagined was / by whom this harm gan sprynge 889
IT The bond was knowe / f «t the lettre wroott
And al the venym / of this cursed dede
3;>ut in what wise / certeynly I noot1
Theffect is this / }>at Alia out of drede 893
His moder slow / that may men pleynly rede
ffor that she traytour was / to hir ligeaunce
Thus endeth olde Donegild -with meschaunce 896
11 The sorwe fat this Alia /' nyght and day
Maketh for his wyf / and for his child also
Ther is no tonge / that it telle may
But now wol I / vn to Custaunce go 900
That fleteth in the See / in peyne and wo
ffyue yeer and moore / as liked Cristes sonde
Er fat hir shipe / approched vn to londe 903
IT Vnder an hethen Castel / atte laste
Of which the name / in my text noght I fynde
Custaunce and eek hir child / the see vp caste
Almyghty god / that saueth al mankynde 907
Haue on Custaunce / and on hir child som mynde
That fallen is / in hethen hand eft soone
In point to spille / as I shal telle yow soone 910
HENGWRT 286 (6-T. 158)
159 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HengWlt MS.
IT Down fro the Castel / comth tlier many a wight1
To gauren on this Shipe / and on Custaunce
But shortly from the Castel / on a nyghfr
The lordes Sty ward / god yene hym meschaunce 914
A theef / that hadde reneyed oure creaunce
Cam in to shipe allone / and seyde he. sholde
Hir lemman be / Avher so she wolde or nolde 917
^T Wo was this wrecched womman tho bigon [leaf 125]
Hir child cryde / and she cryde pitously
But Llisful Marie / heelp hire right anon
If or with hir strogelyng1 wel and myghtily 921
The theef / fil oner bord / al sodeynly
And in the see / he dreynte for vengeannce
And thus hath Crist1 vnwemmed kept Custaunce 924
^1 0 foule lust of luxurie / lo thyn ende [Latin note, p. 133.]
Nat oonly / J>at thou fayntest inannes mynde
But ve?-raily / thow wolt his body shende
Thende of thy werk/ or of thy lustes blynde 928
Is compleynyng1 how many oon may men fynde
That noght for werk1 som tyme / but for thentente
To doon this synne / been outlier slayn or shente 931
*!T How may this wayke womman / han this strengthe
Hir to defende / agayn this renegafr
0. Golias / vnmesurable of lengthe
How myghte dauid / make thee so maat 935
So yong1 and of armure so desolat1
How dorste he looke / vp on thy dredful face
Wel may men seen / it was but goddes g?Y*ce 938
^F Who yaf ludith / corage / or hardynesse
To sleen hym Olofernus / in his tente
And to deliueren / out of wrecchednesse
The peple of god / I sey for this entente 942
HENGWRT 287 (O-T. loO)
160 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HengWTt MS.
That right as god / spirit of vigour senie
To hem / and saued hem / out of meschaunce
So sente he myght1 and vigour to Custaunce 945
H fforth gooth hir shipe / thurgh out the narwe mouth
Of lubaltare / and Septe / dryuyng ay
Som tyme West1 and som tyme North and South
And som tyme Esf ful many a wery day 949
Til Cristes moder / blissed be she ay
Hath shapen / thurgh hir endelees goodnesse
To make an ende / of al hir heuynesse 952
[N]ow lat vs stynte of Custaunce / but a throwe [leaf 125, bk]
And speke we / of the Eomayn Emperour
That out of Surrye / hath by lettres knowe
The slaughtre of cristen folk / and dishonour 956
Doon to his doghter / by a fals tray tour
I mene / the cursed wikked Sowdanesse
That at the feeste / leet sieen bothe moore and lesse 959
IT ffor which this Emperour / hath sent anon
His Senatour / with Eoial ordinaunce
And othere lordes / god woot many oon
On Surryens / to taken heigh vengeaunce 963
They brennen / sleen / and brynge hem to meschaunce
if ul many a day / but shortly this is thende
Homward to Eome / they shapen hem to wende 966
5T This senatour / repaireth with Yictorie
To Eomeward / saylynge ful Eoially
And mette the ship dryuynge / as seith the stori
In which Custaunce / sit ful pitously 070
No thyng ne knew he / what she was / ne why
She was in swich array / ne she nyl seye
Of hir estaat1 thogh she sholde cleye 973
HEXGWRT 288 (6-T. 160)
161 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HcngWlt MS.
IT He bryngeth hire to Borne / and to his wyf
He yaf hire / and hir yonge sone also
And with the Senatour / she ladde hir lyf
Thus kan oure lady / bryngen out of wo M*ȣ m ater^ji^virt u-
"Woful Custaunce / and many another mo
And longe tyme / dwelled she in that place
In holy weikes euere / as was hir grace R wryne 980
[in the same late hand]
1T The senatours wyf / hir Aunte was
But for al that1 she knew hir neuer the moore
I wol no lenger / taryen in this cas
But to kyng Alia /' which I spak of yoore 984
That for his wyf1 / wepeth and siketh soore
I wol retourne / and lete I wole Custaunce
Viider the Senatours gouernaunce 987
IT Kyng Alia / which jjat hadde his moder slayn [leaf 125]
Vp on a day / fil in swich repentaunce
That if I shortly / tellen shal and playn
To Borne he coineth / to receyuen his penaunce 991
And putte hym / in the Popes ordinaunce •-
In heigh and logh / and Ihesu Crist bisoghte
fibryeue / his wikked werkes Ipat he wroghte 994
IT The fame anon / thurgh Borne town is born
How Alia kyng1 shal comen in pilgrymage
By herbergeours / that wenten hym biforn
ffor which the Senatour / as was vsage 998
Bood hym agayns / and many of his lynage
As wel to she wen / his heighe magnyficence
As to doon / any kyng a reuerence 1001
IF Greet cheere / doth this noble Senatour
To kyng Alia / and he to hym also
Euerich of hem / dooth o other greet honour
And so bifel / Ipat in a day / or two 1005
HENGWRT 239 (6-T. 101)
162 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HcngWlt MS.
This Senatour / is to kyng Alia go
To feste / and shortly / if I shal nat lye
Custaunces sone / wente in his conipaignye J 008
IF Som men wolde seyn / at requeste of Custaunce
This Senatour / hath lad this child to feste
I may nat tellen / euerich circumstaunce
Be as be may / ther was he atte leste .1012
But sooth is this / J>at at his modres heste
Biforn Alia / duryng1 the metes space
The child stood / lookynge in the kynges face 1015
II This Alia kyng1 hath of this child greet wonder
And to the Senatour / he seyde anon
"VVhos is that faire child / that stondeth yonder
I noot quod he / by god and by Seint lohn 1019
A moder he hath / but fader hath he non
That I of woot/ and shortly in a stounde
He tolde Alia / how ]>at this child was founde 1022
[Bu]t god woot1 quod this Senatour also [leaf 126, back]
So vertuous a lyuere / in my lyf1
Ne saw I neuere as she / ne lierde of mo
Of worldly wommen / mayde ne of wyf 1026
I dar wel seyn / hir hadde leuere a knyf1
Thurgh out hir brest/ than been a womman wikke
Ther is no man / koude brynge hire to that prikke 1029
IT Now was this child / as lyk1 vn to Custaunce
As possible is / a creature to be
This Alia / hath the face in remembraunce
Of dame Custaunce / and ther on mused he 1033
If J>at the childes moder / were aught she
That is his wyf / and pryuely he sighte
And spedde hyni fro the table that he inyghte 1036
HENGWRT 290 (6-T. 162)
163 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OP LAW'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
IT Pa?fay thoughte he / fantome is in myn heed
I oghte deme / of skilful lugemenf
That in the salte see / my wif is deed
And afterward / he made his argument1 1040
What woot I / if j?at Crist hath hider sent1
My wif by see / as wel as he hir sente
To my contree / from thennes J>«t she wente 1043
IT And after noon / horn with the Senatour
Goth Alia / for to seen this wonder chaunce
This Senatour / dooth.Alla greet honour
And hastily / he sente after Custaunce 1047
But tristeth wel / hir liste noght to daunce
Whan that she wiste / wher fore was that sonde
Vimethe / vp on hir feet1 she myghte stonde 1050
IT Whan Alia saugh his wyf / faire he hir grette
And weepe / that it was routhe for to se
ffor at the firste look / he on hir sette
He knew wel verraily / jjat it was she 1054
And she for sorwe / as domb stant as a tree
So was hir herte shett in hir distresse
Whan she remembred / his vnkyndenesse 1057
IT Twies she swowneth / in his owene sighte [leaf 127]
He weepe / and hym excuseth pitously
Now god quod he / and his halwes brighte
So wisly on my soule / as haue mercy 1061
That of youre harm / as giltlees am I .
As is Maurice my sone / so lyk youre face
Ellis the feend / me fecche out of this place 1064
IT Long was the sobbyng1 and the bitter peyne
Er J>at / hir woful hertes myghte cesse
Greet was the pitee / for to heere hem pleyne
Thurgh whiche pleintes / gan hir wo encresse 1068
HENGWRT 291 (6-T. 163)
164: SIX-TEXT
GJROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'b TALE. HcngWlt MS.
I pray yow / al my labour to release
I may nat telle hir wo / vii til to morwe
I am so wery / for to speke of sorwe 1071
IF But finally / whan J>at the sooth is wist/
That Alia / giltlees was of hir wo
I trowe / an hundred tymes been they kistf
And swich a blisse / is ther bitwix hem two 1075
That saue the ioye / Jjat lasteth eueremo
Ther is noon lyk / jj«t any creature
Hath seyn / or shal / whil ]>at the world may duro 1078
II Tho preyde she / hir housbond mekely
In relief / of hir longe pitous pyne
That he wolde praye / hir fader specially
That of his magestee / he wolde enclyiie 1082
To vouche sauf / som day with hym to dyno
She preyde hym eek1 he sholde by no weye
Yii to hir fader / 110 word of hir seye 1085
IT Som men wolde seyn / how ]>at the child Mauryce
Dooth this message / vn to this Emperour
But as I gesse / Alia was noght so nyce
To hym Jj#t was / of so souereyn honour 1089
As he fat is / of cristen folk the flour
Sente any child / but it is bet to dome
He wente hym self and so it may wel seme 1092
[Thi]s Emperour / hath graunted gentilly Peaf 127, back]
To come to dyner / as he hym bisoghte
And wel rede I / he looked bisily
Vp on this child / and on his doghter thoghte 1096
Alia gooth to his In / and as hym oghte
Arrayed for this feste in euery wise
As ferforth / as his konnyng may suffise 1099
HEXGWRT 292 (6-T. 16 1)
165 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 2. MAX OF LAW'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
51 The morwe cam / and Alia gan liym drcsse
And eek liis wyf / this Emperour to meete
And forth they ryde / in loye and in gladnesse
And whan she say / hir fader in the Street© 1103
She lighte doun / and falleth hym to feete
ffacler quod she / youre yonge child Custaunce
Is now ful dene / out of youre remembraunce 1105
H I am yonre doghter distance / quod she
That whilom ye han sent1 / vn to Surrye
It am I fader / that in the salte See
Was put allone / and dampned for to dye 1110
Now goode fader / mercy I yow crye
Seend me namoore / vn to noon hethenesse
But thonke my lord heere / of his kyndenesse 1113
IT Who kan the pitous loye / tellen al
Bitwix hem thre / syn they be thus ymetto
But of my tale / make an ende I sliat
The day goth faste / I wol no lenger lette 1117
This glade folk1 to dyner they hem sette
In ioye and blisse / at mete I lete hem dwelle
A thousand fold / wel moore than I kan telle 1120
IT This child Maurice / was sithen Emperour
Maad by the Pope / and lyued cristenly
To cristes chirche / he dide greet honour
But I lete / al this storie passen by 1124
Of Custaunce / is my tale specially
In the olde Romayn gestcs / may men fynde
Maurices lyf / I bere it noght in mynde 1127
II This kyng Alia / whan he his tyme say [leaf iksj
With his Custaunce / his holy wif so swete
To Engelond / been they com the righte way
Wher as they lyue / in ioye and in quiete 1131
21 IIENGWKT 293 (6-T. 16o)
1GG SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 2. MAN OF LAW'S TALE. HeilgWlt MS.
But litel while it lasteth I yow heete [Latin note, p. 133.1
loye of this world / for tyme wol nat abyde
ifro day to nyght1 it cliaungcth as the tyde 1134
II Who lyued euere / in swich delit / a day
That hym ne moeued / outlier Conscience \iMt\n note, p. 133.]
Or Ire / or talent1 or som kyn affray
Enuye / or pryde / or passion / or offence 1138
I ne seye / but for this ende this sentence
That litel while / in ioye / or in plesaunce
Lasteth the blisse of Alia with Custaunce 1141
1T ffor deeth that taketh / of heigh and logli his rente
"Whan passed was a veer / euene as I gesse
Out of this world / this kyng Alia he hente
ffor whom Custaunce / hath fill greet heuyncsse 1145
Now lat vs prayeii god / his soule blesse
And dame distance / fynally to seye
Toward the town of Home / gooth hir weye 1148
IF To Home is come / this holy creature
And fyndetli hir freendss / hoole and sownde
Now is she scaped / al hir auenture
And whan that she / hir fader hath yfownde 1152
Doun on hir knees / falleth she to grownd
Wepynge for tendrenesse / in herte blytlie
She herieth god / an hondred thousand sytlie 1155
1T In vertue / and holy almes-dede
They lyuen alle / and neuere asonder wende
Til deeth departeth hem / this lyf they lede
And fareth now wel / my tale is at an ende 1159
Now Ihesu crist1 that of his myght may sende
Ioye after wo / gouerne vs in his grace
And kepe vs alle / that been in this place Amen. 1162
If Here is ended / the tale / of the man of Lawe.
HENGWRT 294 (6-T. 166)
479 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F, § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
If Here bigynneth / the Squiers tale fa [leaf 120]
AT Sarray / in the land of Tartarye
Ther dwelte a kyng1 that werreyed Russye
Thurgh which / ther deyde many a doglity man
This noble kyng1 was clepid kambynskan1 C1 ? MS kambyuskan]
Which in his tyme / was of so greet renoun
That ther nas nowher in 110 Regioun
So excellent a lord / in alle thyng1
Hym lakked noght1 J>at longed to a kyng1 1 6
As of the secte / of which J>at he was born
He kepte his lay / to which J>«t he was sworn
And ther to / he was hardy / wys / and riche
Pietous and lust1 and euere moore yliclie 20
Sooth of his word / benigne and honurable
Of his corage / as any Centre stable IT Centrum circuli.
Yong1 fressh / and strong1 in armes desirous
As any Bachiler / of al his hous 24
A fair p6rsone he was / and fortunaf
And kepte alwcy / so wel Eoial estaf
That ther nas no wher / swich another man
IT This noble kyng / this Tartre Cambynskan 28
Hadde two sones / on Elfeta his wyf1
Of whiche / the eldeste highte Algarsyf/
That oother sone / was clepid Cambalo
A doghter hadde / this worthy kyng also 32
That yongest1 was / and highte Canacee
But for to telle yow / al hir beautee
It lyth nat in my tonge / nyn my konnyng1
I dar nat vndertake / so heigh a thyng1 36
HENGWRT 295 (6-T. 479)
480 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Myn englyssS. eek / is insufficient
It moste been / a Kethor excellent1
That koude his colours / longyng1 for that Art1
If he sholde hire / discryuen euery part1 40
I am noon swich / I moot speke as I kan
And so bifel / that whan this kambynskan
Hath .xx. wynter / born his dyademe
As he was wont1 fro yeer to yeer I deine 44
[He leet l] the feste / of his Natiuitee C1 Rats, leaf 129, back]
^Dojn crien / thurgh out Sarray his Citee
The laste Idus of March / after the yeer
Phebus the sonne / ful iolyf was and cleer 48
ffor he was ny his exaltacion)
In Martes face / and his mansion)
In Aries / the Coleryk hote signe
fFul lusty was the weder / and benygne 52
ffor which the foweles / agayn the sonne sherie
What for the sesoil / and the yonge grene
fiul loude songen / hir affeccions
Hem semed / ban geten hem proteccions 56
Agayn the swerd of wynter / kene and cold
IT This Cambynskan / of which I haue yow told
In Eoial vestymenf sit on his deys
With dyademe / ful bye in his paleys 60
And halt his feste / solempne and so riclie
That in this world / ne was ther noon it liclie
Of which / if I shal tellen al thai-ray
Thanne wolde it ocupie / a someres day 64
And eek1 it nedeth nat/ to deuyse
At euery cours / the ordre of hir seruyse
I wol nat tellen / of hir straunge sewes
2s"e of her swannes / ne of hir heron) sewes 68
Eek in that land / as tellen knyghtes olde
Ther is som mete / J>at is ful deyntee holde
That in this land / men recche of it but smal
Ther nys no man / J>at may reporten al 72
HENGWRT 296 (6-T. 480)
4:81 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
I \vol nat tarien yow / for it is pryine
And for it is no fruytt but los of tyine
Vn to my firste / I wol liaue my recours
IT And so bifel / J>at after the thridde Cours 70
Whil ]?at this kyng1 sit thus / in his nobleye
Herknynge his Mynstrals / hir thynges pleye
Biforn hym at the bord / deliciously
In at the halle dore / al sodeynly 80
Ther cam a knyghfr vp on a Steede of bras
And in his hand / a brood Mirour of glas
Vp on his thombe / he hadde / of gold a ryng*
And by his syde / a naked swerd hangyng1 84
And vp he rydeth / to the heighe bord [icafiso]
In al the halle / ne was ther spoke a word
ffor me?'ueille of this knyghfr hym to biholde
iful bisily / they way ten / yonge and olde 88
^1 This straunge knyghf that cam thus sodeynly
Al armed saue his heed / ful richely
Salueth kyng1 and queene / and lordes alle
By ordre / as they seten in the halle 92
"With so heigh reuerence / and obeisances
As wel in his speche / as in his contenances
That Gawayn / with his olde curteisye
Thogh he were come agayn / out of ffairye 96
Ne koude hym nat amende / with a word
And after this / biforn the hye bord
He with a manly voys / seyde his message
After the forme / vsed in his langage 100
With outen vice / of silable / or of lettre
And for his tale / sholde seme the bettre
Acordant to his wordes / was his cheere
As techeth art1 of speche / hem j>at it leere 104
Al be / ))at I kan nat sowne / his style
Ne kan nat clymben / ouer so heigh a style
Yet seye I this / J?«t as to co?7raiune entente
Thus muche amounteth / al that euere he mente 108
HENGWRT 297 (6-T. 481)
482 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
If it so be / J>«t I haue it in my mynde
IT He seyde / the kyng of Arabe / and of Inde
My lige lord / on this solempne day
Salueth yow / as he best kan and may 112
And sendeth yow / in honour of yourc feste
By me / that am al redy / at youre heste
This Steede of bras / that esily and weel
Kan in the space / of o day naturel 116
This is to seyn / in .xxiiij. houres
Wher so yow list/ in droghte / or ellis shoures
Beren youre body / in to euery place
To which youre herte / wilneth for to pace 120
With outen wem of yow / thurgh foul or fair
Or if yow list1 to flee as hye in the Ayr
As dooth an Egle / whan hym list to soore
This same Steede / shal bere yow euere moore 124
[With1] outen harm / til ye be ther yow leste E1 Rats, if iso, bk]
[* Thjough ]?rtt ye slepen / on his bak / or re.ste
And turne agayn / with writhyng of a pyn
He }>at it wroghte / koude many a gyn 128
He wayted / many a const ellacion
Er he hadde doon / this opemciofi
And knew ful many a seel / and many a bond
IT This Mirour eek/ that I haue in myn hond 132
Hath swich a myght1 Jj«t men may in it see
Whan ther shal fallen / a.ny aduersitee
Yn to youre regne / or to your sel also
And openly / who is youre freend / or fo 136
IT And ouer al this / if any lady bright1
Hath set hir herte / on any maner wight1
If he be fals / she shal his trayson see
His newe loue / and al his subtiltee 140
So openly / pat ther shal no thyng hyde
Wher fore / agayn this lusty Someres tyde
This Mirour and this ryng/ ]>at ye may see
He hath sent1 to my lady Canacee 144
HENGWRT 298 (6-T. 482)
483 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F, § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
liic
Youre excellente doghter/ J>at is heere
1T The vertn of the ryng1 if ye wol heere
Is this / J>at if hir list it for to were
Yp on hir thombe / or in hir purs it bere 148
Ther nys no fowel / J>at fleeth vnder the heucno
That she ne shal wel / vnderstonde his steuene
And knowe his menyng1 openly and pleyii
And answere hym / in his langage ageyn 152
And euery gras / jjat groweth vp on roote
She shal eek knowe / and whom it wol doon boote
Al be his woundes / neuer so depe and wyde
11 This naked swerd / J?«t hangetli by my syde 15G
Swich vertu hath / $at what man so ye smyte
Thurgh out his armure / it wol kerne and byte
Were it as tliikke / as is a braunched ook1
And what man / \ai is wounded with the Strook1 160
Shal neuere be hool / til J>«t yow lust of grace
To stroke hym with the platte / in thilkc place
Ther he is hurt1 this is as muche to seyn
Ye moote / with the platte swerd ageyn 164
Stroke hym in the wounde / and it wol close [leaf 131]
This is a verray sooth / with outen glose
It failleth nat1 / whiles it is in youre hold
And whan this knyght1 hath thus his tale ytold 168
He rideth out of halle / and doun he lighte
IF His Steede which J?at shoon / as sonne brighte
Stant in the Court1 stille as any stoon
This knyght1 is to his chambre lad anon 172
And is vnarmed / and to mete yset1
The presentz / been ful realliche yfet1
This is to seyn / the swerd and the Mirour
And born anon / in to the heighe tour 176
With certein Officers / ordeyned ther fore
And vn to Canacee / the ryng is bore
Solempnely / ther she sit1 at the table
But sikerly / with outen any fable 180
HENGWRT 299 (6-T. 483)
484 SIX-TEXT
GLIOUP F, § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Eeng'wrt MS.
The liors of bras / ]?at may nat been remewed
It stanf as it were / to the ground y glowed
Ther may no man / out of the place it dry tie
ffor noon engyn / of wyndas or polyue 184
And cause why / for they kan nat the craft1
And ther fore / in the place / they him it laftt
Til Jjat the knyghtt hath taught hem the manere
To voyden hym / as ye shal after heere 188
H Greet was the prees / that swarmeth to and fro
To gauren on this hors / that stondeth so
flbr it so heigh was / and so brood and long1
!So \vel proporcioned / for to ben strong1 192
Itight as it were / a Steede of lumbardye
Ther-with so horsly / and so quyk of eye
As it a gentil Poyleys courser weere
it'or certes / fro his tayl / vn to his eere 19G
Mature / ne art1 ne koude hym nat amende
In no degree / as ai the peple wende
5T But euere moore / hir mooste wonder Avas
How ]>ai it koude goon / and was of bras 200
It was a ffairye / as the peple seined
Dyuerse folk/ dyuersely han domed
As many heuedes / as many wittes ther been
They murmured / as dooth a swarm of been 204
[And1] maden skiles / after hir fantasies ['£«*». leaf isi, back]
Eehersynge / of thise olde Poetries
And seyden / it was lyk the Pegasee .1. equs Pegaseus.
The hors / j)«t hadde wynges for to flee 208
Or ellis it was / the Grekys hors Syiioil
That broghte Troye / to destruccion
As men / in thise olde gestes rede
IT Myn herte quod oon / is euere moore in drede 212
I trowe / som men of armes been ther Inne
That shapen hem / this Citee for to wynne
It were right good / }>ak al swich thyng were knowe
IF Another rowned / to his felawe lowe 216
IIEXGWTxT 300 (6-T. 484)
485 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F, § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
And seyde lie lyeth / for it is rather lykH
An apparence / ymaad by som magyk1
As logelours pleyen / at tliise festes grete
Of sondry doutes / thus they iangle and trete 220
As lewed peple / demeth comimly
Of thynges / fat been moore maad subtilly
Than they kan / in hir lewednesse comprehende
They demen gladly / to the badder ende 224
11 And somme of hem / wondren on the Mirour
That born was vp / vn to the maister tour
How men myglite in it/ swiche thynges se
11 Another answerde / and seyde it myglite wel be 228
Naturelly / by composicions /
Of anglis / and of sly reflexions
And seiden / fat in Rome was swich oon
They spoke of Alocen / and Vitulon 232
Of Aristotle /Ipat writen in hir lyues
Of queynte Mirours / and of p^rspectyues
As knowen they / fat han hir bookes herd
IF And oother folk/ han wondred on the swercl • 236
That wolde percen / thurgh out euery thyng1
And fille in speche / of Thelophus the kyng1
And of Achilles / for his queynte spere
If or he koude with it/ bothe heele and dere 240
Right in swich wise / as men may / with the s'.verd
Of which right now / ye han your seluen herd
1F They speeke / of sondry hardyng of metal
And speke of medicynes / ther with al 244
And how / and whanne / it sholde yharded be [leaf 132]
Which is vnknowe / algates vn to me
H Tho speeke they / of Canacees ryng1
And seyden alle / fat swich a wonder thyng* 248
Of craft of rynges / herde they neuere non
Saue fat he Moyses / and kyng Salomon
Hadde a name of konnyng* in swich art1
Thus seyn the peple / and drawen hem a part1 252
HENGWRT 301 (6-T. 48o)
486 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
*il But nathelees / sowme seyden fat it was
Wonder / to maken of fern asshen glas
And yet is glas / nat lyk asslien of fern
But for they han / knowen it so fern 256
Therfore / cesseth hir lariglyng and liir wonder
IF As score wondren somme / on cause of thonder
On ebbe and flood / on gossomer / and on mysf
And alle thyng1 til fat the cause is wist1 260
Thus langleii they / and demen and deuyse
Til that the kyng1 gan fro the bord aryse
5F Phebus hath laftf the angle Meridional
And yet1 ascendyng is / the beest roial 264
The gentil Icon / with his Aldiran
Whan fat this tartre kyng Cambynskan
Boos fro his bord / ther as he sat ful hye
Biforn hym gooth / the loude Mynstralcye 268
Til he cam / to his chambre of parementz
There as ther sownen / diuerse Instrumentz
That it is lyk1 / an heuene for to heere
Now dauncen / lusty Venus children deere 272
ffor in the fissh" / hir lady sat ful hye
And looketh on hem / with a freendly eye
5T This noble kyngH is set vp on his trone
This straunge knyghtH is fet to hym ful soone 276
And on the daunce he gooth / with Canacee
Here is / the reuel / and the lolitee
That is nat able / a dul man to deuyse
He moste han knowe / loue and his seruyse 280
And been a festlich man / as fresstt as May
That sholde yow deuysen / swich array
If Who koude telle yow / the forme daunces
So vnkouthe / and swiche fresshe contenaunces 284
pSwJich subtil lookyng* and dissimulynges \}Rat$. leaf 132, back]
ffor drede / of lalous mennes aperceyuynges
No man but launcelof and he is deed
Ther fore I passe / of al this lustiheed 288
HENGWIIT 302 (6-T. 486)
487 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
I sey namoore / but in this lolynesse
I lete hem / til men / to the soupe?* dresse
IT The Styward / byt Spices for to hye
And eek the wyn / in al this melodye 292
The vsshers / and the Squyers / been ygon
The Spices and the wyn / is come anon
They ete and drynke / and whan this hadde an ende
Yn to the temple / as reson was they wende 296
IT The seruyce doon / they soupen al by day
What nedeth yow / rehercen hir array
Ech man woot wel / jj«t at a kynges feste
Hath plentee / to the meeste / and to the leeste 300
And deyntees / mo than been in my knowyng1
At after souper / gooth this noble kyng1
To seen this hors of bras / with al a route
Of lordes / and of ladyes / hym aboute 304
^T Swich wondryng was ther./ on this hors of bras
That syn the grete sege / of Troye was
Ther as men wondreden / on an hors also
Ne was ther / swich a wondryng* as was tho 308
But finally / the kyng axcth this knyght1
The ve?-tu of this Courser / and the myghtf
And preyed hym / to telle his gouernaunce
IT This hors anon / gan for to trippe and daunce 312
Whan jj«t this knyght1 leyde hand vp on his reyne
And seyde sire / ther nys namoore to seyne
But whan yow list1 to ryden any where
Ye moten trille a pyn / stant in his ere 316
Which I shal yow telle / bitwixe vs two
Ye mote nempne hym / to what place also
Or to what contree / ]>at yow list to ryde
And whan ye come / ther as yow list abyde 320
Byd hym descende / and tryl another pyn
ifor ther Inne lyth / theffect of al the gyn
And he wol doun descende / and doon youre wille
And in that place / he wol abiden stiUe 324
HENGWBT 303 (6-T. 487)
488 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Theigh al the world / the contrarie hadde yswore Deaf iss]
He shal nat thennes / be y-drawe nor ybore
Or if yow list1 / bidde hym thennes gon
Trille this pyn / and he wol vanysshe anon 328
Out of the sighte / of euery manor wight*
And come agayn / be it day or nyght*
Whan jjat yow list1 to clepen hym ageyn
In swich a gyse / as I shal to yow seyii 332
Bitwixen yow a-nd me / and that ful soone
Kyd whan yow lust* ther is namoore to doone
IT Enformed / whan the kyng was of that knyglit*
And hath conceyued / in his wit aright* 336
The manere / and the forme / of al this thyng*
fful glad and blythe / this noble doghty kyng1
Eepeireth to his reuel / as biforn
The brydel is / vn to the tour yborn 340
And kept among* his Jewels / lief and deere
The hors vanysshed / I noot in which manere
Out of hir sighte / ye gete namoore for me
But thus I lete / in lust and lolitee 344
This Cambynskan / his lordes festeyynge
Til wel neigh / the day bigan to sprynge
U Explicit prima pars fa
If Incipit* pars secunda fa
The norice of digestion) / the sleepe
Gan on hem wynke / and bad hem take keepe 348
That muche drynke and labour / wol haue reste
And with a galpyng mouth / hem alle he keste
And seyde / that it was tyme / to lye adoun
ffor blood / was in his domynacioun 352
Cherisseth blood / natures freend quod he
They thanken hym galpynge / by two / by thre
And euery wight* gan drawe hym to his reste
As sleepe hem bad / they take it for the beste 356
HENGWRT 304 (6-T. 488)
489 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
5F Hir dremes / sliul nat now be toold for me
fful were liir heuedes / of fumositee
pThat caujseth dreem/ of which ther nys no charge ^fjf**
[' The]y slepen / til that it was prynie large 360
The mooste part1 but it were Canacee
She was ful mesurable / as wommen be
ffor of hir fader / hadde she take leue
To goon to reste / soone after it was eue 364
Hir liste naf apalled for to be
NOT on the morwe / vnfestlich for to se
And slepte hir firste sleep / and awook1
ffor swich a ioye / she in her herte took1 368
Bothe of hir queynte ryng1 and hir Mirour
That .xx. tyme / she chaunged hir colour
And in hir sleepe / right for impression
Of hir Mirour / she hadde a vision 372
"Wher fore / er J>«t the sonne gan vp glyde
She clepyd / vp on hir maistresse / hir bisyde
And seyde / jjat hir liste for to ryse
11 Thise olde womnien / J>«t been gladly wyse 376
As is hir maystresse / answerde hir anon
And seyde / madame / winder wolde ye gon
Thus erly / for the folk been alle on reste
IT I wol quod she aryse / for me leste 380
No lenger for to slepe / and walke aboute
Hir maistresse / clepith womnien / a gret route
And vp they ryseii / wel an .x. or .xij.e
Vp riseth / fresshe Canacee hir selue 384
As rody and bright1 as dooth the yonge sonne
That in the ram /is .4. degrees vp roiine
Noon hyere was lie / whan she redy was
And forth she walketh / esily a pas 388
Arrayed / after the lusty seson soote
Lightly for to pleye / and walke on foote
Nat but with .v. or .vj. of hir meynee
And in a trench / forth in the park1 goth sl*e 392
IIEXGWRT 305 (6-T. 489)
490 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
1F The vapour / which fat fro the erthe glood
Made the sonne / to seme rody and brood
But nathelees / it was so fair a sighte
That it made / al hir liertes for to lighte 396
What for the seson / and the morwcnynge
And for the fowles / that she herde synge
ffor right anon / she wiste what they mente [leaf 134]
Eight by hir song1 and knew al hir entente 400
IT The knotte / why / that eu^ry tale is told
If it be taryed / til fat1 lust1 be cold
Of hem / fat han it after herkned yoore
The sauour passeth / euer longer the moore 404
ffor fulsoiimesse / of his prolixitee
And by this same reson / thynketh me
I scholde / to the knotte condescende
And inaken of hir walkyng1 soone an ende 408
^T Amydde a tree / for drye as whit as chalk/
As Canacee / was pleyynge in hir walk1
Ther sat a fiawkon / ouer hir heed ful hye
And with a pitous voys / so gan to crye 412
That al the wode / resowned of hir cry
ybeten hadde she hir self / so pitously
with bothe hir wynges / til the rede blood
Kan endelong the tree / ther as she stood 416
And euere in oon / she cryde alwey and shrighte
And with hir beek1 hir seluen so she prighte
That ther nys tygre / ne so cruel beest1
That dwelleth / outlier in wode / or in fforesf 420
That nolde han wept1 / if fat he wepe koude
ffor sorwe of hire / she shrighte alwey so loude
IT ffor ther nas neuere man / yet on lyue
If fat I koude / a ffaukon wel discryue 424
That herde of swich another / of fairnesse
As wel of plumage / as of gentillesse
Of shape / of al that myghte yrekened be
A ffaukon peregryn / thanne semed she 428
HENGWRT 306 (6-T. 490)
491 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F, § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Of fremde land / and euere moore as she stood
She swowned now and now / for lakke of blood
Til wel neigh / is she fallen / fro that tree
^T This faire kynges doghter Canacee 432
That on hir fynger / baar the queynte ryng1
Thurgh which / she vnderstood wel euery thyng1
That any fowl / may in his ledne sayn
And koude answere hym / in his ledne agayn 436
Hath vnderstonden / what this ifaukon seyde
And wel neigh for the routhe / almoosf she deyde
[l And t]o the tree / she goth ful hastily psati. leaf 134, back]
[xA]nd on this ffaukon / looketli pitously 440
And heeld hir lappe abrood / for wel she wiste
The ffaukon / moste fallen fro the t wiste
Whan J»at it swowneth nexfr for lakke of blood
A long while / to way ten hir she stood 444
Til at the laste / she spak / in this manere
"Vn to the hauk1 / as ye shal after heere
IT What is the cause / if it be for to telle
That ye been / in this furial pyne of helle 448
Quod Canacee / vn to this hauk aboue
Is this for sorwe of deeth / or los of loue
ffor as I trowe / thise been causes two
That causen moost/ a gentil herte wo 452
Of ootlier harm / it nedeth nat to speke
ffor ye your self1 / vp on yow self yow wreke
Which proeueth wel / fat outlier Ire or drecle
Moot been encheson / of youre cruel dede 456
Syn J>at I se / noon oother wight yow chace
ffor loue of god / as dooth your seluen grace
Or what may been youre help / for west nor Esfr
Ne saw I neuere er now / no bryd ne beestf 460
That ferde / with hym self so pitously
Ye sleen me / with youre sorwe verraily
I haue of yow / so greet compassioun
ffor goddes loue / com fro the tree adoun 464
HENGWRT 307 (6-T. 49l)
492 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 2, SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And as I am / a kynges dogliter trewe
If ]>ai I verraily / the cause knewe
Of youre disese / if it laye in my mygfit
I wolde amende if er that it were nyghf 468
As wisly help me / grete god of kynde
And her"bes / shal I right ynowe fynde
To heele with / youre hurtes hastily
H Tho shrighte this ffaukon / yet moore pitously 472
Than euer she dide / and fil to ground anon
And lyth aswowne deed / and lik a ston
Til Canacee / hath in hir lappe hir take
Vn to that tyme / she gan of swowne awake 476
And aftere / that she of swow / gan abreyde
Eight in hir haukes ledne / thus she seyde
That pitee renneth soone / in gentil herte [>«f iss]
ffeelynge his similitude / in pe) nes smerte 480
Is proued al day / as men may it see
As wel by werk/ as by auctoritee
ffor gentil herte / kitheth gentilesse
I se wel / J?at ye han of my distresse 484
Compassion / my faire Canacee
Of verray / wommanly benygnitee
That nature / in youre principles hath set/
But for noon hope / for to fare the bef 488
But for to obeye / vn to youre herte free
And for to maken othere / ywar by me
As by the whelpe / chasted is the Icon)
Eight for that cause / and for that conclusion 492
Whil fat I haue / a leyser and a space
Myn harm / I wol confessen / er I pace
And euere / whil J?at oon / hir sorwe tolde
That oother weep / as she to water wolde 49 G
Til J>«t the ffaukon / bad hir to be stillo
And with a syk/ right thus she seyde hir wille
1T Ther I was bred / alias that ilke day
And fostred in a Rocli / of Marbul gray 500
HENGWRT 308 (6-T. 492)
493 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
So tendrely / ]>ai no thyng eyled me
I nyste natt what was aduersitee
Til I koude fle / ful hye vnder the sky
Tho dwelte a tercelefr me faste by 504
That semed welle / of alle gentillesse
Al were he ful / of tray son and falsnesse
If was so wrapped / vnder humble cheere
And vnder hewe of troutlie / in swich man ere 508
Vnder plesaunce / and vnder bisy peyne
That 110 wight wolde han wend / he koude feyne
So depe in greyn / he dyed his colours
Eight as a serpent1 hit hym vnder iloures 512
Til lie iv: ay se his tyme / for to byte
Right so / this god of loucs ypocrite
Dooth so his cerymonijs / and bbeysaiices
And kepeth in semblant1 alle hise obseruances 516
That sownen / in to gentilesse of loue
As on a Tombe / is al the faire aboue
[1An]d vnder is the cors / swich as ye woof G^back]16**
Swich was this ypocrite / bothe cold and hoot1 520
And in this wise / he serued his entente
That saue the feend / noon wiste what he mente
Til he so longe / hadde wopezi and compleyned
A many a yeer / his seniice to me feyned 524
Til that myn herte / to pitous and to nyc-e
Al Innocent1 of his crowned malice
ifor-fered of his deeth / as thoiighte me
Vp on his othes / and his seuretee 528
Graunted hym loue / vp on this eondicioun
That euere mo / myn honour and renoun
Were saued / bothe pryuee and aperf
That is to seyn / that after his desert1 532
I yaf hym al myn herte / and my thoghf
God woot and he / Jwt oother wise noght*
And took his herte / in chaunge of myn for ay
But sooth is seyd / goon sithen many a day 536
22 HENGWRT 309 (6-T. 493)
494 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
A trewe wight and a theef / thynketh nat oon
1F And wlianne lie saw the thyng1 so fer ygon
That I hadde graunted hym fully my loue
In swich a gise / as I haue seyd aboue 540
And yeuen hym / my trewe herte as fre
As he swoor / he yaf his herte to me
Anoon this tygre / ful of doublenesse
ffil on his knees / with so deuout humblesse 544
With so heigh reuerence / and as by his cheere
So lyk a gentil louere / of manere
So rauysshed / as it semed for the ioye
That neuere lasoii / ne Parys of Troye 548
lason certes I ne noon oother man
Syn Lameth was / J>«t alderfirst bigan
To louen two / as writen folk biforn
Ne neuere / syn / the firste man was born 552
.Ne koude man / by twenty thousand part1
Countrefete / the Sophymes of his art1
Ne were worthy / vnbokele his galoche
Ther doublenesse / or feynyng sholde approche 556
Ne so koude thanke a wight4 as he did me
His manere / was an heuene for to see
Til any womiuan / were she neucr so wys [leaf ise]
So peynted he / and kembde at poynt deuys 560
As wel his wordes / as his contenaunce
And I so loued hym / for his obeisaunce
And for the trouthe / I denied in his herte
That if so weere / that any thyng hym smerte 564
Al were it neuer so litel / and I it wiste
Me thoughte / I felte deeth myn herte twiste
And shortly / so ferforth this thyng is went*
That my wyl / was his willes Instrument1 568
This is to seyn / my wyl obeyed his wil
In alle thyng1 as fer as reson fil
Kepynge the boundes / of my worship euere
Ne neuere hadde I thyng1 so lief ne leuere 572
HENGWRT 310 (6-T. 494)
495 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. §2, SQUIEE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
As hym god woofr ne neuere shal namo
IT This laste lenger,/ than a yecr / or two
That I supposed of hym nat but good
But finally / thus a the laste it stood 576
That ffortime wolde / \>a\> he moste twynne
Out of that place / which ]>at I was Inne
Wher me was wo / that is no question
I kan nat make of it descripsion 580
fFor o thyng* dar I tellen boldely
I knowe what is / the peyne of deeth ther by
Swich harm I felte / for he ne myghte bileue
So on a day / of me he took his leue 584
So sorwefully eek/ that I weude verraily
That he hadde feelyd / as muche harm as I
Whan that I horde hym speke / and saw his hewe
But nathelees / I thoughte he was so trewe 588
And eek/ that he repeyre sholde agayn
With Inne a litel while / sooth to sayn
And reson wolde eek1 \>at he moste go
fFor his honour / as ofte happeth so 592
That I made / vertu of neeessitee
And took it wel / syn Jjat it moste be
As I best myghte / I hidde from hym my sorwe
And took hym by the hand / Seint lofrn to bonve 596
And seyde thus / lo I am youres al
Beeth swich / as I to yow haue been and shal
[What he1] answerde / it nedeth nat reherse [' Rats, mm, bk]
[Who1] kan seyn bet than he / who kan doon werse 600
^W]han he hath al wel seyd / thanne hath he doon
Ther fore bihoued hire / a ful long spoon
That shal ete with a feend / thus herde I seye
So at the laste / he moste forth his weye 604
And forth he fleeth / til he cam ther hym leste
1T Whan if cam hym / to purpos for to reste
I trowe he hadde / thilke text in mynde
That alle thing* repeiryng to his kynde
HENGWRT 311 (6-T. 495)
43G SIX-TEXT
GROUP F, § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Grladeth hym self j thus seyn men as I gesse
Men louen of propre kynde / BTewfangelnesse
As bryddes doon / that men in Cages feede
ffor theigh thow / nyght and day / take of hem liede 612
And strawe hir Cages / faire / and softe as sylk/
And yeue hem sugre / hony / breed / and Milk
Yet right anon / as jwt his dore is vppe
He with his feet1 wol sporne doun his cuppe 610
And to the wode he wole / and wormes ete
So newfangel / been they of hir mete
And louen nonelries / of pyopre kynde
No gentilesse of blood / may hem bynde 620
IT So ferde this gentil tercelet1 alias the day
Thogh he were gentil born / and fressli and gay
And goodlich for to seen / and humble and free
He saw vp on a tymc / a kyte ilee 624
And sodeynly / he loued this kyte so
That al his loue / is clone fro nie ago
And hath his trouthe / falsed in this wise
Thus hath the kyte / my loue in hir seruyse 628
And I am lorn / with outen remedye
And with that word / this fiaukon gan to crye
And swowned eft/ in Canacees barm
IT Greet was the sorwe / for the haukes harm 632
That Canacce / and alle hir wommen made
They nyste / how fat they myghte the ffaukon glade
But Canacee / horn bereth hire / in hir lappe
And softely / in piastres gan hir wrappe 636
Ther as she with hir beek/ hadde hurt hir selue
IT Now kan nat Canacee / but herbes delue
Out1 of the grownd / and maken Saues newe [leaf 137]
Of herbes preciouse / and fyn of he we 640
To heelen with this hauk / fro day to nyght1
She dooth hir bisynesse / and al hir myght1
And by hir beddes heed / she made a Muwe
And couered it / with veluettes blue 644
HENGWRT 312 (6-T. 496)
497 SIX-TEXT
F. § 2. SQUIRE'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
In signe of trouthe / that is in wommcn sene
And al with outc / the Muwe is peyuted grene
In which were peynted / alle thise false fowles
As been thise tydyues / terceletz / and Owlcs 648
Right for despifr were peynted hem bisyde
And Pyes / on hem / for to crye / and cliyde
51 Thus lete I Canacce / hir hauk kepyng1
I wol namoore as now / spoke of hir ryng1 652
Til it come eft to purpos for to seyn
How that this ffaukoii / gat hir lone ageyn
Kepentant / as the storie telleth vs
By mediacion / of Cambalus 656
The kynges sone / of which I to vow tolde
But hennes fort1 I wol my prices holde
To speke of 'auenturos / and of batailles
That neuere yet1 was herd / so greet menuiilles 660
IT ffirst wol I telle yow / of Cambynskan
That in his tyme / many a Citee wan
IT And after / wol I speke / of Algarsyf1
IIo\v that he wan / Theodora to his wyf 664
Ifor whom ful ofte / in gret peril he was
Ke hadde he been liolpen / by the Steede of bras
5T And after / wol I speke of Cambalo
That faught in lystes / with the bretheren two 668
ilbr Canacee / er that he myghte hir wynne
And thcr I lefte / I wol ayein bigynne
^j Explicit1 secunda pars ^
A
InCl] pit1 terCia pars -J) [> Head-line, leaf 137, back]
ppollo whirleth vp / his Char so Lye
Til that / the god Mercuries hous the slye 672
HENGWUT 313 (6-T. 497)
498 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 3, SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK. HeilgWTt MS.
51 The prologe / of the Marchantes tale ^ [leaf 137, bm-K]
IN" feith squyer/ thow hast thee wel yquytf
And gentilly / I preise wel thy wit
Quod the Marchant1 considerynge thy youthe
So feelyngly thow spekesf sire I allowthe C76
As to my doom / ther is noon J>at is heere
Of eloquence / \>cd shal be thy peere
If fat thow lyue / god yeue thee good chaimcc
And in vertu / sende thee continuaunce G80
ffor of thy speche / I haue gret deyntee
I haue a sone / and by the Trinitee
I hadde leuere / than .xx.li pound worth lond
Thogh it right now ./ were fallen in myn hond 684
He were a man / of swich discreciofi
As J>at ye ben / fy on possession
But if a man / be vertuous with al
I haue my sone snybbed / and yit shal 688
ffor he to vertu / lusteth nat entende
But for to pleye at dees / and to despende
And lese al that he hath / is his vsage
And he hath leuere / talken with a page 692
Than to commune / with any gentil wight1
Where he myghte lerne / gentillesse aright1
^[ Straw for youre gentillesse / quod cure hoost
What Marchant / pardee sire wel thow woost 696
That ech of yow / moot tellen atte leeste
A tale / or two / or breken his biheste
5T That knowe I wel sire / quod the Marchant certeyn
I prey yow / haueth me nat in desdeyn 700
HENQWIIT 314 (6-T. 498)
499 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 3. SQUIRE-FRANKLIN LINK. HdlgWTt MS. 315
Thogh to this man / I speke a word or two
1F Telle on thy tale / with outen wordes mo
IT Gladly sire boost quod he / I wol obeye
Vn to youre wyl / now herkneth what I seye 704
I wole yow nat contrarien / in no wise
As fer / as j>at my wittes wole suffise
I prey to god / that it may plesen yow
Tbanne woot I wel / that it is good ynow 708
Explicit1
HENGWHT 315 (6-T. 499)
443 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
[For the Latin side-notes to the Merchant's Tale, tec p. 350 at the end of the Talc.1
If Here bigyrmetli / the Marchantes tale. [>af i;sj
Whilom / ther was dwellynge in Lumbardye
A worthy knyghfr / that born was of Pauye
In which he lyuede / in greet prosperitee
And .lx. yeer / a wiilees man was he 1248
And folwed ay / his bodily delitf
On wommen / ther as was his appetit
As doon thise fooles / that been seculer
And whan that he / was passed .lx. ycer 1252
.Were it for holynesse / or for dotage
I kan nat seye / but swich a greet corage
Hadde this knyghtf to been a wedded man
That day and nyglit1 / he dooth al that he kan 1256
Tespien / where he myghte wedded be
Prcyynge oure lord / to grauiiteii liym / j?«t he
Mighte ones knowe / of tliilkc blisful lyf
That is / bitwix an housbonde and his wyf 1260
And for to lyue / viider that holy bond
With which / J?at god / man and womman boond
^"oon oother lyf seyde he / is worth a bene
ifor wedlok1 is so esy / and so clene 1264
That in this world / it is a Paradys
Thus seyde this olde knyghf J>at was so wys
IF And certeynly / as sooth as god is kyng1
To take a wyf / it is a glorious thyng1 1268
And namely / whan a man is old and hoor
Thanne is a wyf / the fruyt of his tresor
Thanne sholde he take/ a yong wyf and a feir
On which he myghte / engendren hym an heir 1272
HENGWRT 316 (6-T. 443)
444 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And lede his lyf* in ioye / and in solas
Wher/ as thise Bachilers / synge alias
Wlian j)«t they fynde / any aduersitee
In loue / which nys but childissh vanytee 1276
And trewely / it sit wel to be so
That Bachilers / haue ofte peyne and wo
On brotil ground they bilde / and brotilnesse
They fynde / whan they wene sikernesse 1280
[They Iy1]ue / but as bryd / or as a beesf C1 Rata. leaf m, back]
[In PJibertee / and vnder noon arest1
[T1]her as a wedded man / in his estaf
Lyueth a lyf / blisful and ordynaf 1284
Ynder this yok1 of manage ybounde
Wel may his herte / in ioye and blisse habounde
tfor who kan be / so buxom as a wyf
Who is so trcwe / and eek so ententyf" 1288
To kepe hyni syk and hool / as is his make
ifor wele or wo / she wol hym nat forsake
She nys nat wery / hym to lone / and serue
Thogh J)«t he ly bedrede / til he sterue 1292
And yet1 som clerkes seyn / it is nat so
Of whiche / he Theofraste / is oon of tho
What force / thogh. Theofraste liste lye
^1 Ne tak no wyf quod he / for housbondrye 1296
As for to spare / in houshold thy dispence
A trewc seruantf dooth moore diligence
Thy good to kepe / than thyn owene wyf
ffor she wol clay me / half part al liir lyf 1300
And if thow be syk / so god me sane
Thy verray freendes / or a trewe knaue
Wol kepe thee bet than she / that wayteth ay
After thy good / and hath do many a day 1304
And if thow take a wyf / l she wole destroye ^SiS^SfiSSS
Thy good substance / and thy body annoye l [? 8j)urlou#\
1T This sentence / and an hundred thynges worse
Writeth this mail'/ ther god his bones curse 1308
HENGWRT 317 (0-T. 444)
445 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Kengwrt MS.
But tak no kepe / of al swich vanytee
Ditfye Theofraste / and herke me
IF A wyf is goddes yifte verraily [Latin note, p. 477]
Alle othere manere yiftes hardily 1312
As londes / rentes / pasture / or comune
Or moebles / alle been yiftes of fortune
That passen / as a shadwe vp on the wal
But dreed nat1 if pleynly speke I shal 1316
A wyf wol laste / and in thyn hous endure
Wei lenger than thee lysfr perauenture
IF Manage / is a ful greet sacrament4
He / which \>ai hath no wyf1 I holde hym slienf 1320
He lyueth helplees / and al desolafr [leans?]
I speke of folk/ in seculer estatt
IF And herke why / I sey nat this for noghf
That woniman is / for mannes helpe ywroght4 1324
The hye god / whan he hadde Adam maked
And seigh hym allone / bely naked
God of his grete goodnesse seyde than [*,««« note, p. 477]
Lat vs now make an help / vn-to this man 1328
Lyk to hym self and thanne he made hym Eue
Here may ye see / and here may ye preeue
That wyf is mannes helpe / and his confort*
His Paradys terrestre / and his disport1 1332
So buxom / and so vc/'tuous is she
They moste nedes lyue in vnytee
O flessh they been / and o flessh as I gosse | K**
Hath but oon herte / in wele and in distresse j
IF A wyf / a Seinte Marie benedicitee
How myghte a man / han any aduc?*sitee
That hath a wyf / certes I kan nat seye
The blisse / which J>#t is bitwix hem tweye 1340
Tlier may no tonge telle / or herte thynke
If he be poure / she helpeth hym to swynke
She kepeth his good / and wasteth neuer a del
Al that hir housbonde lusf hir liketh wel 1344
HENGWRT 318 (6-T. 44o)
446 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
She seith nat ones nay / whan he seith yee
Do this seith he / al redy sire seith she
IT 0 blisful ordre / o wedlok p?-ecious
Thou art so murye / and eek so vertuous 1348
And so co?ranended / and approued eek1
That any man / that halt hyin worth a leek1
Vp on his bare knees / oghte al his lyf*
Thanken his god / that hym hath sent a wyf 1352
Or ellis preye to god / hym for to sende
A wyf/ to laste vn to his lyues ende
ffor thanne his lyf / is set in sikernesse
He may nat be / deceyued / as I gesse 1356
So that he werke / after his wyues reed nex^i^6
Thanne may he boldely / kepen vp his heed are chaucer'gl
They been so trewe / and ther with al so wyse
ffor which / if thow wolt werken as the wyse 1 360
[Do aPJwey so / as wommen wol thee rede pRatt. ifiag.bk]
[L 1]o how that lacob / as thise clerkes rede [Latin note, p. 477]
By good conseil / of his moder Kebekke
Boond the kydes skyn / aboute his nekke 1364
ifor which / his fadres benyson he wan
IT Lo ludith / as the storie eek telle kan
By good conseil / she goddes peple kepte 1367
And slow hym Olofernus / whil he slepte [Lot™ note, p. 477]
H Lo Abigayl / by good conseil / how she iLatiu note, p. 477J
Saued hir housbonde Nabal / whan Jpai he
Sholde han ben slayn / and looke Ester also {.Latin note, p. 477]
By good conseil / delyuered out of wo 1372
The peple of god / and made hyrn Mardochee
Of Assuere / enhaunced for to be
^[ Ther nys no thyng1 in gree supe/iatyf 1375
As seith Senec1 / aboue an humble wyf [Latin note, P. 477]
IF Suffre thy wyues tonge / as Caton byf
She shal comaunde / and thow shalt suffren it/ [fitin H0te> P-
And yet1 she wol obeye of curteisye
H A wyf / is kepere of thyn housbondryo 1 380
HENGWRT 319 (6?T. 445)
447 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Wei may the sike man / biwaille and wepe
Ther as ther is no wyf/ the hous to kepe
I warne thee / if wisly thow wolt wirche [.Latin note, P. 477]
Loue wel thy wyf/ as Crist loued his chirche [Latin note, p. 477]
If thow louest thy self / thow louest thy wif 1385
No man hateth his flessh / but in his lyf/
He fostreth ifr and tiler-fore bidde I thee
Cherisse thy wyf1 or thow shalt neuere thee 1388
Housbonde and wyf1 what so men laye or pleye
Of worldly folk/ holden the siker weye
They "been so knyf / ther may noon harm bityde
And namely / vp on the wyues syde 1392
ffor which this lanuarie / of whom I tolde
Considered hath / inwith his dayes olde
The lusty lyf / the vertuous quyete
That is in manage / hony swete 1396
And for his freendes / on a day lie scnto
To tellen hem / theifect of his entente
II With face sad / this tale lie hath hem told
He seyde freendes / I am lioor and old 1 400
And almoost god woot1 on my pitte-s brynke [leaf 140]
Vp on my soule / som what moste I thynke
I haue my body / folily despended
Blissed be god / ]>di it shal been amended 1404
Ifor I wol be certeyn / a wedded man
And that anon / in al the haste I kan
Vn to som mayde / fair and tendre of age
I pray yow / shapeth for my mariage 1408
Al sodeynly / for I wol nat abyde
And I wol fonde / tespien on my side
To whom I may / be wedded hastily
But for as muche / as ye been mo than I. 1412
Ye shullen rather / swich a thing espien
Than .1 / and where me beste were to allien
U But o thyng warne I yow / my freendes deere
I wol noon old wyf han / in no nianere 1416
HENGWIIT 320 (6-T. 447}
448 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
She shal nat passe / .xx. yer certeyn
Old fissli / and yong flessfi. / wol I haue feyn
Bet is craod he / a Pyk / than a Pykerel
And bet than old boef1 / is the tendre vel 1420
I wol no womman / xxx". yeer of age
It is but bene straw / and greet forage
And eek thise olde widwes / god it wootH
They konne so inuche craft1 on Yv7ades boot1 1424
So niuchel broken harm / whan hem leste
That with hem / sholde I neuere lyuc in reste
ffor sondry scoles / maketh subtile clerkis
Womman of many scoles / half a clerk is 1428
But certeinly / a yong thyng may men gye
Right as men may warm wex / w/t/i handes plye
Wherfore / I sey yow pleynly in a clause
I wol noon old wyf han / right for this cause 1432
ffor if so were / T hadde swich meschaunce
That I in hire / ne koude han no plesaunce
Thanne sholde I lede my lyf / in avoutrye
And go streight to the deuel / whan I dye 1436
ISTe children sholde I none / vp on hir geten
Yet were me leuere / houndes hadde me eten
Than that myn heritage sholde falle
In strannge hand / and this I telle yow.alle 1440
[ll d]ote nat/ I woot the cause why p Rat*, leafuo.back]
Men sholde wedde / and ferther moore woot I
Tlier speketh many a man of mariage
That Avoot namoore of it/ than woot my page 1444
ffor whiche causes / man sholde take a wyf
If he ne may nat lyue / chast his lyf
Take hym a wyf/ with greet deuocion
By cause / of leueful procreacion 1 448
Of children / to thonour of god aboue
And nat oonly / for paramour or loue
And for they sholde / lecherye esehue
And yelde hir dette / whan \>ai it is due 1452
HENGWllT 321 (6-T. 448)
449 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Or for fat ech of hem / sliolde helpen oother
In meschief1 as a Suster shal the brother
And lyue in chastitee / fill holily
But sires by youre leue / that am nat I 1456
ffor god be thanked / I dar make auant
I feele my lymes / stark and suffisant
To do / al that a man bilongeth to
I woot my self best1 what I may do 1460
51 Thogh I be hoor / I fare as dooth a tree 5T Isrofa
That blosmeth / er the fruyt ywoxen. be
And blosmy tree / nys neither drye rie deed
I feele me nowher hoor / but on myn heed 1464
Myn herte / and alle my lymes / been as grene
As laurer thurgh the veer is for to sene
And syn fat ye han herd al myn entente
I pray yow / to my conseil ye wol assente 1468
If Byuerse men / diuersely hym tolde
Of mariage / manye ensamples olde
So»mie blamed it1 so??ime preised it certeyn
But at the laste / shortly for to seyn 1472
As alday / falleth altercaeion)
Bitwixe freendes / in disputison)
Ther fil a stryf< bitwix his bretheren two
Of whiche / that oon was clepid Placebo 1476
lustinus sooth ly / called was that oother
IF Placebo seyde / o lanuarie brother
iful litel nede / hadde ye my lord so deere
Conseil to axe / of any that is heere 1480
But fc/t ye l>een / so ful of Sapience [leafui]
That yow ne liketh / for youre heigh prudence
To weyuen / fro the word of Salomon
This word seyde he / vn to vs euerichon 1484
Werk alle thyng by conseil / thus seyde he
And thanne shaltow nat repenten thee
But thogh f at Salamon / spak swich a word
Myn owene deere brother / and my lord 1488
HENGT7RT 322 (6-T. 449)
450 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
So wisly / god my soule brynge at resto
I holde / your owene conseil is the beste
ffor brother myn / of me tak this motyf
I liaue now been / a Court man al my lyf 1492
And god it woof thogh I vnworthy be
I haue stonden / in ful greet degree
Abouten lordes / in ful greet estat
Yet hadde I neuere / with noon of hem debut 1 406
I neuere hem contraryed / trewely
I woot wel / ]>at my lord kan moore than I
What that he seith / I holde it ferm and stable
I seye the same / or ellis thyng semblable 1 500
A ful greet fool / is any conseillour
That serueth any lord / of heigh honour
That dar presume / or ellis thenken if
That his conseil / sholde passe his lordes wit 1504
Nay / lordes be no fooles by my fay
Ye han your seluen / shewed heer to day
So heigh sentence / so holily and weel
That I consentc / and confermc euery deel 1508
Youre wordes alle / and you re opynyoun
By god / ther nys no man in al this toun
Ne in Ytaille / koude bet han ysayd
Crist halt hym of this conseil / ful AVC! apayd 1512
And trewely / it is an heigh corage
Of any man / that stapen is an age
To take a yong wyf / by my fader kyn
Youre herte hangeth / on a iolyf pyn 1516
Booth now in this matere / right as yow leste
ffor fynally / I holde it for the beste
^1 lustinus / that ay stille sat and herde
Eight in this wise / he to Placebo answerde 1520
[Kb'Jw brother myn / be pacient I preye [» *af». lean «, back]
[S1]yn ye han seyd / and herkneth what I seye
Senetf amonges othere wordes wise
Seith / Jjat a man / oghte hym right wel auyso 1524
HEXGWRT 323 (6-T. 450)
451 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
To whom / lie youetli his lond / or his catel
And syn I oghte / auysen me right wel
To whom I yeeue my good / away fro me
"YVel muchel moore / I oghte auysed be 1528
To whom I yeeue my body / for alwey
I warne yow wel / it is no childes pley
To taken a wyf1 withouten auysement1
Men moste enquere / this is myii assent1 1532
Wher she be wys and sobre [ or dronkelewe
Or prond/ or ellis oother weys a shrewe
A chidester / or wastour of thy good
Or riche / or poure / or ellis mannyssn wood 1536
Al be it so / ]>ai no man fynden shal
^N~oon in this world / that trotteth liool in al
iSTe man ne beest1 swieh as men koude deuyse
But nathelees / it oghte ynogh suffise 1540
With any wyfH if so were ]?«t she hadde
Mo goode thewes / than hir vices badde
And al this axeth leyser / for teiiquere
ffor god it woot1 I haue wept many a teere 1544
fful pryuely / syn J>«t I hadde a wyf
Preyse who so wole / a wedded mannes lyf
Certeyn I fynde in if but cost and care
And obseruances / of alle blisses bare 1548
And yet god woot1 my neghebores aboute
And namely / of wommen many a route
Seyn J?at I haue / the mooste stedefast wyf
And eek the mekeste / that bereth lyf1 1552
But I woot best1 where wryngeth me my sho
Ye mowe for me / right as yow liketh do
Auyseth yow / ye been a man of age
How Ipai ye entren / in to manage 1556
And namely / with a yong wyf and a feir
By him )>at made water / erthe arid Eir
The yongest man / }>at is in al this route
Is bisy ynow /to bryngen it aboute 1560
HENGWRT 324 (6-T. 451)
452 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
To han his wyf allone / trusteth me Deaf 112]
Ye sluil nat plesen hire / fully yeres thre
This is to seyn / to doon hire ful plesance
A wyf axeth / ful many an obseruance 1564
I pray yow / \>ai ye be nat yuele apayd
IT Wei quod this lanuarie / and hastow y-sayd
Straw for thy Senec1 and for thy prouerbQS
I counte nat/ a panyer ful of herbes 1568
Of Scole tenn.es / wiser man than thow
As thow hast herd / assenteden right now
To my purpos / Placebo what sey ye
IF I seye / it is a cursed man quod he 1572
That letteth matrymoigne sikerly
And with that word / they risen sodeynly
And been assented fully / that he sholde
Be wedded whan hym liste / and wher he wolde 1576
U Heigh fantasie / and curious bisynesse
ffro day to day / gan in the soule irapresse
Of lanuarie / aboute his manage
Many fair shape / and many a fair visage 1580
Ther passeth thurgh his herte / nyglit by nyght1
As Avho so tooke a Mirour / polisshed bright
And sette it1 in a co??zmune Market place
Thanne sholde he se / ful many a figure pace 1584
By his Mirour / and in the same wise
Gan lanuarie / in with his thoght deuyse
Of maydens / whiche j?«t dwelten hym bisyde
He wiste nat1 wher J>«t he myghte abyde 1588
ffor if Jxit oon / haue beautee in hir face
Another stant so / in the peples grace
ffor hir sadnesse / and hir benygnytee
That of the peple / grettest voys hath she 1592
And so??ane were riche / and hadden badde name
But nathelees / bitwene ernest and game
He atte laste / apoynted hym on oon
And leet alle othere / from his herte goon 1596
23 HENGWHT 325 (6-T. 452)
453 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And chees hire / of his owene auctoritee
ffor loue is blynd alday / and may nat see
And whan that he / was in his bed ybroghfr
He purtreyde / in his herte / and in his thoghf 1600
[Hir1] fresshe beautee / and hir age tendre p Ran. ifH2, bkj
[Ha]ir myddel smal / hir armes longe and sklendre
Hir wise gouernance / hir gentilesse
Hir wommanly beryng1 and hir sadnesse 1604
And whan J>at he on hire / was condescended
Hym thoughte / his choys myglite nat ben amended
ffor whan ]pat he hym self/ concluded hadde
Hym thoughte / ech oother mannes wit1 Avas badde 1608
That impossible / it weere to replye
Agayn his choys / this was his fantasie
IT His freendes sente he to / at his instance
And preyde hem / to doon hym that plesance 1612
That hastily / they wolden to hym come
He wolde abregge hir labour alle and some
Nedeth namoore / for hym to go ne ryde
He was apointed / ther he wolde abyde 1616
H Placebo cam / and eek his freendes soone
And alderfirsfr he bad hem alle a boone
That noon of hem / none arguments make
Agayn the purpos / which J>at he hath take 1620
"Which purpos / was plesant to god seyde he
And verray ground / of his prosperitee
IT He seyde / ther was a mayden in the toun
Which J?at of beautee / hadde greet renoun 1624
Al were it so / she were of smal degree
Suffiseth hyin / hir youthe and hir beautee
Which mayde he seyde / he wolde han to his wyf
To lede in ese / and holynesse his lyf 1628
And thanked god / J>at he myghte han hire al
That no wightf his blisse parten shal
And preyde hem / to labouren in this nede
And shapen / fat he faille nat to spede 1632
HENGWRT 326 (6-T. 453)
454 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
ffor thanne he seyde / his Spirit was at ese
Thanne is quod he / no thyng may me displese
Saue o thyng1 priketh in my conscience
The which I wol reherce in youre presence 1636
1F I haue quod he herd seyd / ful yoore ago
Ther may no man / han pa?-fite blisses two
This is to seye / in erthe and eek in heuene
ffor thogh he kepe hym / fro the synnes seuene 1640
And eek from euery branche / of thilke tree [leaf us]
Yet is ther / so parfit felicitee
And so greet ese / and lust in mariage
That euere I am agastf now in myn age 1644
That I shal lede now / so murye a lyf
So delicat1 with outen wo and stryf
That I shal han myn heuene / in erthe heere
ffor sith J>at verray heuene / is boght so deere 1648
With tribulacions / and greet penance
How sholde I thanne / that lyue in swich plesance
As alle wedded men / doon with hir wyuys
Come to the blisse / that Crist eterne on lyue is 1652
This is my drede / and ye my bretheren tweye
Assoileth me / this question I preye
^1 lustinus which J>«t hated his folye
Answerde anon / right in his iaperye 1656
And for he wolde / his longe tale abregge
He wolde / noon auctoritee allegge
But seide sire / so ther be noon obstacle
Oother than this / god of his hye myracle 1660
And of his mercy / may so for yow werche
That er ye haue / your right1 of holy cherche
Ye may repente / of wedded mannes lyf
In which ye seyn / ther is no wo ne stryf 1664
And ellis god forbede / but he sente
A wedded man / hym grace to repente
Wei ofte / rather than a sengle man
And ther fore sire / the beste reed I kan 1668
HENOWRT 327 (6-T. 454)
455 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4= MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Dispeire yow iioght1 but haue in youre memorie
Paraunter / she may be youre purgatorie
She may be goddes mene / and goddes whippe
Thanne shal your soule / vp to heuene skippe 1672
Swifter / than dooth an arwe / out of a bowe
I hope to god / heer after ye shul knowe
That1 ther nys / noon so greet felicitee
In manage / lie neuere mo shal be 1676
That yow shal lette / of youre saluacion
So that ye vse / as skile is and resoii
The lustes of youre wyf / attemprely
And fat / ye plese hire / nat to amorously 1680
[AnT]d that ye kepe yow eek/ from oother synne [Iffi*^1™*
My tale is doon / for my wit is thynne
Beth nat agast her-of / my brother deere
But lat vs waden / out of this niatere 1684
The wyf of Bathe / if ye han vnderstonde
Of mariage / which we han on honde
Declared hath ful wel / in litel space
tfareth now wel / god haue yow in his grace 1688
1f And with that word / this lustyn and his brother
Han take hir leue / and ech of hem of oother
ffor whan they sawe / fat it moste nedes be
They wroghten so / by sly / and wys tretee 1692
That she this mayden / which that Mayus highte
As hastily / as euer fat she myghte
Shal wedded be / vn to this lanuarie
1F I trowe / it were to longe yow to tarye 1696
If I yow tolde / of euery scrit and bond
By which / fat she was feffed / in his loud
Or for to herknen / of hir riche array
But finally / yeomen is that day 1700
That to the chirche / bothe be they went
ffor to receyue / the holy sacrament
Tf fforth comth the preesf with stoole aboute his nekke
And bad hire be lyk / Sarra and Rebekke 1704
HENGWllT 328 (6-T. 455)
456 SIX-TEXT
GKOUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
In wisdom / and in trouthe of mariage
And seyde his orisons / as is vsage
And croucheth hem / and bad / god sholde hem blesse
And made al siker ynow / with holynesse 1708
5T Thus been they wedded / with solempnitee
And at the laste / sitteth he and she
With oother worthy folk/ vp on the cloys
Al ful of ioye and blisse / is the paleys 1712
And ful of Instrumentz / and of vitaille
The mooste deynteuous / of al Ytaille
Bi-forn hem stoode swiche Instrumentz of swich soun
That Orpheus / nof Thebes Amphioun 1716
Ne maden neuere / swich a melodye
At euery cours / thanne cam loud mynstralcye
That neuere tromped / loab / for to heere
Xe he Theodomas / yet half so eleere 1720
At Thebes / whan the Citee was in doute peaf 1443
Bacus / the wyn hem shenketh al aboute
And Venus laugheth / vp on euery wight*
nor lanuarie / was bicome hir knyghf 1724
And wolde / bothe assayen his eorage
In libertee / an<l eek in mariage
And with liir firbi-ond / in hir hand aboute
Daunceth bifore the bryde / and al the route 1728
And certeinly / I dar right wel seye this
Ymeneus / that god of weddyng is
Say neuere his lyf / so imirye a wedded man
Hoold thow thy pees / thou Poete Marcian 1732
That writest vs / that ilke weddyng murye
Of hire Philologie / and he Mercuric
And of the songes / that the Muses songe
To srnal / is bothe thy p-enne / and eek thy tonge 1736
ffor to discryuen / of this mariage
Whan tendre youthe / hath, wedded stoupyng age
Ther is swich murthe / that it may nat be writen
Assayeth it your self/ than may ye witen 1740
HEXGWRT 329 (6-T. 456)
457 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
If that I lye or noon / in this matere
IT Mayus that sit1 with so benygne a cheere
Hir to biholde / it semed fiairye
Queene Ester / looked neuere w/t/f swich an eye 1744
On Assuer / so meke a look hath she
I may yow nat deuyse / al hir beautee
But thus muche / of hir beautee / telle I may
That she was lykH the brighte morwe of May 1748
ifulfild / of alle beautee and plesazmce
1T This lanuarie / is rauysshed in a traunce
At euery tyme / he looked on hir face
But in his herte / he gan hir to manace 1752
That he that nyghfr in arnies wolde hir streyne
Harder than euere / Parys dide Eleyne
But nathelees / yet hadde he gret pitee
That thilke nyght* oifenden hire moste he 1756
And thoghte alias / o tendre creature
Now wolde god / ye myghte wel endure
Al my corage / it is so sharpe and kene
:I am agasfr ye shul it nat sustene 1760
[ffor1] god forbede / that I dide al my myght1 VRats. inii.bk]
Now wolde god / that it were woxen nyght1
And jjflt the nyght1 wolde laste euere mo
I wolde / that al this peple wera ago 1764
And fynally / he dooth al his labour
As he best myghte / sauyng his honour
To haste hem fro the mete / in subtil wise
The tyme cam / fat reson was to rise 1768
And after that1 men daunce / and drynken faste
And Spices / al aboute the hous they caste
And ful of ioye and blisse / is euery man
Al but a Squyer / highte Damyan 1772
Which carf biforn the knyghtf ful many a day
He was so rauysshed / on his lady May
That for the verray peyne / he was ny wood
Almoost he swelte / and swovvned as he stood 1776
HENGWRT 330 (6-T. 457)
458 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
So sore hath Venus / hurt hyin with hir brond
As that she baar it1 dauncyng in hir hond
And to his bed / he wente hym hastily
Namoore of hym / at this tyme speke .1 1780
But ther I lete hym / wepe ynow and pleyne
Til fresshe May / wol rewen on his peyne
IT 0. perilous fyr / that in the bed straw bredeth Auctor
0. famulier foo / that his seruice bedeth 1784
0. scruant traytour / false homly hewe
Lyk to the Neddre in bosom / sly vntrewe
God shilde vs alle / from youre aqueyntance
O laimarie / dronken in plesance 1788
In mariage / se how thy Damyan
Thyn owene Squyer / and thy born man
Entendeth / for to do thee vileynye
God grante thee / thyn homly fo espye 1792
ffor in this world / nys worse pestilence
Than homly fo / alday in thy presence
IT Parfourned hath the sonne / his Ark1 diurne ^^'7* note>
No lenger / may the body of hym soiurne 1796
On thorisonte / as in that latitude
Night with his mantel / that is derk and rude
Gan ouersprede / Themysperies aboute
ffor which / departed is / this lusty route 1800
'ffor lamiarie / with thank on euery syde [leaf 145]
Horn to hir houses / lustily they ryde
Wher as they doon hir thynges / as hem leste
And whan they say hir tyme / go to reste 1804
11 Soone after Jjaf this hasty lanuarie
Wol go to bedde / he wol no lenger tarie
He drynketh Ypocras / Clarree and Vernage
Of Spices hoote / tencressen his corage 1808
And many a letuarie / hadde he ful fyn
Swich as the cursed Monk/ daun Constantyn
Hath writen / in his book1 De coitu
To eten hem alle / he nas no thyng eschu 1812
HENGWRT 331 (6-T. 458)
459 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And to his pryuee freendes / thus seyde lie
ffor goddes lone / as soone as it may be
Lat voyden al this hous / in curteis wise
And they hail doon / right as lie wol deuyse 1816
Men drynkeii / and the trauers drawe anon
The bryde was broglit a bedde / as stille as stoon
And whan the bed / was with the preest yblessed
Out of the chambre / hath euery wight liyni dressed 1820
And laiiuarie / hath faste in armes take
His fresshe May / his Paradys / his make
He lulleth hire / he kisseth hire / ful ofte
With thilke bristles / of his berd vnsofte 1824
Lyk to the Skyii of houndfyssli / sharps as brere
ifor he was shaue al newe / in his nianere
He rubbeth hire / aboute hir tendre face
And seyde thus / alias I moot trespace 1828
To yow my Spouse / and yow gretly offende
Er tyme come / J?at I wol doun descende
But natheles / considereth this quod he
Ther nys no werkman / what so euere he be 1832
That may bothe / werke wel and hastily
This wol be doon / at leyser pariitly
It is no fors / how longe J>wt we pleye
In trewe wedlok1 coupled be we tweye 1836
And blessed be the yokH / ]>at we been lime
ffor in [oure] actes / we mow do no synne
A man / may do no synne with his wyf
Ne hurte hym seluen / with his owene knyf/ 1840
[ffor *] we han leue / to pleye vs by the lawe E1 Rats, leaf 145, bk]
1 [T]hus laboureth he / til that the day gan dawe
And thanne / he taketh a sope in fyn Clarree
And vp right in his bed / thanne sitteth he 1844
And after that1 he song ful loude and clere
And kiste his wyf / and made wantown cheere
He was al coltyssh / ful of ragerye
And ful of largon / as a flekked pye 1848
HENGWRT 332 (e-T. 459)
460 SIX-TEXT
GEOUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
The slakke skyn / aboute his nekke shaketh
Whil fat he song/ so chaunteth he and craketh
But god woof what J>at may thoghte in hir herte
Whan she hym saw / vp sittyng in his sherte 1852
In his nyght cappe / and with his nekke lene
She preiseth nat1 his pleyyng worth a bene
Thanne seyde he thus / my reste wol I take
Now day is come / I may no longer wake 1856
And doun he leyde his heed / and sleep.? til pryine
And afterward / whan fat he saw his tyme
Vp riseth lanuarie / but fresshe May
Heeld hir chambre / vn to the fourthe day 1860
As vsage is of wyues / for the beste
ffor euery labour / som tyme moot han reste
Or ellis / longe may he nat endure
This is to seyn / no lyues creature 1864
Be it fissh / or brjd / or beesf or man
Now wol I speke / of woful damyan
That langwissheth for loue / as ye shul heere
Ther fore / I speke to hym / in this manere 1868
IT I seye / o sely Damyan alias Auctor
Answere to my demaunde / as in this cas
How shaltow / to thy lady fresshe May
Telle thy wo / she wol alwey sey nay 1872
Eek if thow speke / she wol thy wo biwreye
God be thyn helpe / I kan no bettre seye
This syke damyan / in Venus fyr venus . God of loue./
ci i J.T- / .LI j. i i JT f i [in a later hand.]
80 brenneth / that he dyetn for desyr
fFor which / lie putte his lyf in auenture
No longer myghte he / in this wise endure
But pn'uely / a penner gan he borwe
And in a lettre / wroot he al his sorwe 1880
In manere of a compleynt1 or a lay [leaf uej
Vn to his faire / fresshe lady May
And in a purs of sylk1 heng on his sherte
He hath it pufr and leyd it at his herte 1884
1IKNGWRT 333 (6-T. 460)
46 1 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT The moone fat at Noon / was thilke day
That lanuarie / hath wedded fresshe May
In two of Taur / was in to Cancre gliden
So longe hath Mayus / in hir chambre abyden 1888
As custume is / vn to thise nobles alle
A bryde / shal iiat eten in the halle
Til dayes foure / or thre dayes atte leeste
Ypassed ben / thanne lat hir go to feste 1892
IT The fourthe day complete fro noon to noon
Whan fat the heighe masse / was y-doon
In halle / sit this lanuarie and May
As fressh / as in the brighte Someres day 1896
And so bifel / how that this goode man
Kemembred hym / vp on this Damyan
And seyde / Seynte Marie how may it be
That Damyan / entendeth nat to me 1900
Is he ay syk / or how may this bityde
IF Hys Squyers / whiche f «t stooden ther bisyde
Excused hym / by cause of his siknesse
Which letted hym / to doon his bisynesse 1904
Noon oother cause / myghte make hym tarye
IF That me forthynketh / quod this lanuarye
He is a gentil Squyer / by my trouthe
If fat he deyde / it were harm and routhe 1908
He is as wys / discrete and eek secree
As any man / I woot of his degree
And ther-to manly / and eek smiysable
And for to be a thrifty man / right able 1912
But after mete / as soone as euere I may
I wol my self visite hym / and eek May
To do hym / al the confort1 fat I kan
And for that word / hym blessed euery man 1916
That of his bou?ztee / and his gentilesse
He wolde so / conforten in siknesse
His Squyer / for it was a gentil dede
IT Dame quod this lanuarie / tak good hede 1920
HENGWRT 334 (6-T. 46l)
462 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
[At af T]ter mete / ye with youre wommen alle
rWh1]an ye han ben in chambre / out of this halle C1 Rats, it
L J J ' 146, back]
[ln]hat alle ye go / to this Damyan
Dooth hym disport1 he is a gentil man 1924
And telleth hym / J>at I wol hym visite
Haue I no thyng1 but rested me a lite
And spede yow faste / for I wol abide
Til that ye slepe / faste by my syde 1928
And with that word / he gan to hym to calle
A Squier / that was Marchal of his halle
And tolde hym certein thynges / what he wolde
IT This fresshe May / hath streight hir wey yholde 1932
With alle hir wommen / vn to Damyan
Doun by his beddes syde / sit she than
Confortyng hym / as goodly as she may
IT This Damyan / whan Jjat his tyme he say 1936
In secree wise / his purs and eek his bille
In which / )>at he ywriten hadde his wille
Hath put in to hir hand / with oute moore
Saue ]?<7,t he siketh / wonder depe and soore 1940
And softely to hire / right thus seyde he
Mercy / and ]>at ye nat discouere me
ffor I am deed / if Jjat this thyng be kyd
This purs hath she / in with hir bosom hyd 1944
And wente hir wey / ye gete namoore of me
But vn to lanuarie / yeomen is she
That on his beddes syde / sit ful softe
And taketh hire / and kisseth hire ful ofte 1948
And leyde hym doun to slepe / and that anon
She feyned hire / as J>at she moste gon
Ther as ye woof that euery wight moot nede
And whan she of this bille / hath taken hede 1952
She rente it al to cloutes / at the laste
And in the pryuee / softely it caste
^1 Who studieth now / but faire fresshe May
Adoun / by olde lanuarie sh > lay 1956
HEKGWET 336 (6-T. 462)
463 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
That sleepe / til J>at the coghe hath hym awaked
Anon he preyde / strepen hire al naked
He wolde of hire he seyde / han som plesanee
He seyde / hir clothes / dide hym encombrance 1960
And she obeyeth / be hir lief or looth Deaf UT]
But lest j?at precious folk/ be wiih me wrootli
How Jjat he wroghte / I dar nat to vow telle
Or wheithir / it thoughte Paradys / or helle 1964
But heere I lete hem werken / in hir wise
Til euensong rong1 and J>at they moste arise
Were it by destynee / or by auenture
Were it by Influence / or by nature 1968
Or constellacion / that in swich estat1
The heuene stood / that tyme fortunaf
As for to putte a bille / of Venus werkes
ifor alle thyng hath tyme / as seyn thise clerkes 1972
To any womman / for to gete hir lone
I kan nat seye / but grete god aboue
That knoweth / J5«t noon Act1 is causelees
He deme of al / for I wol holde my pees 1976
II But sooth is this / how J>at this fresshe May
Hath taken / swich imp?*<3ssion that day
Of pitee / on this syke Damyan
That from hir herte / she lie dryue kan 1980
The remembrance / for to doon hym ese
Certeyn thoghte she / whom j)«t this thyng displese
I rekke nat1 for here I hym assure
To loue hym best1 of any creature 1984
Thogh he namoore hadde / than his sherte
Loo / pitee renneth soone / in gentil herte
IT Heere may ye se / how excellent franchise
In womrnen is / whan they hem narwe auyse 1988
Som tirant is / as ther be many oon
That hath an herte / as hard as is a stoon
Which wolde / han leten steruen / in the place
Wei rather / than han graunted hym hir grace 1992
IIENGWRT 336 (8-T. 463)
464 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And hem reioysen / in hir cruel pryde
And rekke naf to been an homycide
IT This gentil May / fulfilled of pitee
Eight of hir hand / a lettre maked she 1996
In which she graunteth hym / hir verray grace
Ther lakketh noght oonly / hut day and place
Wher that she myghte / vn to his lust suffise
ffor it shal be / right as he wol deuyse 2000
[And *] whan she saw hir tyine / vp on a day E1 Rats, if w, bk]
[To 1] visite this Damyan / goth May
And subtilly / this lettre doun she threste
Vnder his pilwe / rede it if hym leste 2004
She taketh hym by the hand / and harde hym twiste
So secrely / that no wight of it wiste
And bad hym be al hool / and forth she wente
To lanuarie / whan J>at he for hir sente 2008
IT Yp riseth Damyan / the nexte morwe
Al passed was / his siknesse and his sorwe
He kembeth hym / he prayncth hym and pyketh
He dooth / al that his lady lust and lyketh 2012
And eek to lanuarie / he goth as lowe
As euer dide / a dogge for the bowe
He is so plesantt vn to euery man
If or craft is al / who so jjat do it kan 2016
That euery wight1 is fayn to speke hym good
And fully / in his ladyes grace he stood
Thus lete I Damyan / aboute his ncde
And in my tale / forth I wol precede 2020
11 Somme clerkes / holden J>at felicitee
Stant in delit1 and therfore certeyn he
This noble lanuarie / with al his myghf
In honeste wise / as longeth to a knyght 2024
Shoope hym to lyue / ful deliciously
His housyng1 his array / as honestly
To his degree / was maked / as a kynges
Amonges othere / of his honeste thynges 2028
HENGWllT 337 (6-T. 46i)
465 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
He made a gardyn / walled al with stoon
So fair a gardyn / woot I nowher noon
ffor out of doute / I verraily suppose
That he / fat wroot the Eomance of the Rose 2032
Ne koude of it1 the beautee wel deuyse
Ne Priapus / ne myghte nat suffise
Thogh he be god of gardyns / for to telle
The beautee / of the gardyn and the welle 2036
That stood vnder a laurer / alwey grene
fful ofte tyme / he Pluto and his queene
Proserpina / and al hir ffairye
Disporten hem / and maken melodye 2040
Aboute that welle / and daunced as men tolde [leaf us]
This noble knyghf this lanuarie the olde
Swich deyntee hath / in it to walke and pleye
That he wol no wight1 suffre bere the keye 2044
Saue he hym self1 for of the smal wykett
He bar alwey / of siluer a Clyket1
"With which / whan fat hym leste / he it vnshette
And whan he wolde / paye his wyf hir dette 2048
In somer seson / thider wolde he go
And May his wyf/ and no wight but they two
And thynges / whiche fat were nat doon abedde
He in the gardyn / parfourned hem and spedde 2052
And in this wise / many a murye day
Lyued this lanuarie / and fresshe May
But worldly ioye / may nat alwey dure
To lanuarie / ne to no creature 2056
11 0. sodeyn hape / o. thow ffortune vnstable Auctor.
Lyk to the Scorpion / so deceyuable
That flaterest with thyn heed / whan thow wolt stynge
Thy tayl is deeth / thurgh thyn enuenymynge 2060
0. brotil ioye / o. swete venym queynte
0. Monstre / that so subtilly kanst peynte
Thy yiftes / vnder hewe of stedefastnesse
That thow deceyuestf bothe moore and lesse 2064
HENGWJIT 338 (6-T. 465)
466 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Why hastow lanuarie / thus deceyued
That haddest hym / for thy fulle freend receyued
And now thow hast biraft hym / bothe his eyen
ffor sorwe of which / desireth he to dyen 2068
Alias / this noble lanuarie free
Araydde his lust1 and his p?*osperitee
Is woxen blynd / and that al sodeynly
He wepeth / and he waileth pitously 2072
And ther with al / the fyr of lalousye
Lest that his wyf/ sholde falle in som folye
So brente his herte / ]>at he wolde fayn
That som man / bothe hire and hym had slayn 2076
ffor neither after his deeth / ne in his lyf
Ne wolde he / J>at she were lone ne wyf
But euere lyue as wydwe / in clothes blake
Soul as the turtle / that lost hath hir make 2080
[Bu^t atte laste/ after a Monthe or tweye [lRats. leaf us, bk]
[H 1]is sorwe gan aswage / sooth to seye
ffor whan he wiste / it may noon oother be
He paciently / took his aduersitee 2084
Saue out of doute / he may nat forgoon
That he nas lalous / euere moore in oon
"Which lalousye / it was so outrageous
That neither in halle / ne in noon oother hous 2038
Ne in noon oother place / neuer the mo
He nolde suffre hire / for to ryde or go
But if J)at he / hadde hond on hir alway
ffor which ful ofte / wepeth fresshe May 2092
That loueth Damyan / so benygnely
That she moot1 outher dyen sodeynly
Or ellis / she moot han hym as hir leste
She wayteth / whan hir herte wolde breste 2096
IF Yp on that oother syde / Damyan
Bicomen is / the sorwefulleste man
That euere was / for neither nyght ne day
Ne myghte he speke a word to fresshe May 2100
HENGWRT 339 (6-T. 466)
467 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
As to his purpos / of no swich matere
But if j>at lanuarie / moste it heere
That hadde an hand / vp on hire enerc, mo
But nathelees / by writyng to and fro 2104
And pryuee signes / wiste he what she mente
And she knew eek / the fyn of his entente
IF 0' lanuaire / what myghte it thee auaille
Thow myghtest se / as fer as Shippes saille 2108
ffor as good / is blynd deceyued be
As to be deceyued / whan a man may se
Lo Argus / which jjat hadde an hundred cyen
ffor al that euere / he koude poure or pryen 2112
Yet was he blent1 and god woot so been mo
That weneth wisly / that it be nat so
Passe ouer is an ese / and sey namoore
IT This fresshe May / that I spak of so yoore 2116
In warm wex / hath printed the Clyket1
That lanuarie bar / of that smale wykef
By which / in to his gardyn / ofte he wente
And Damyan / that knew al his entente 2120
The Clykett countrefeted pryuely [leaf iwj
Ther nys namoore to seye / but hastily
Som wonder / by this Cliket shal bitydc
Which ye shal heren / if ye wol abyde 2124-
IT 0 noble Ouyde / wel sooth seistow god woot1
What sleighte is it/ thogh it be long and hoot1
That he nel fynde it out1 in som manere
By Pyramws and Thesbe / may men lere 2128
Thogh they were kept ful longe / streyte ouer al
They been acorded / rownyng thurgh a wal
Ther no wight koude / han founde out swich a sleighte
But now to purpos / er that dayes eighte 2132
Were passed / er the Monthe of luyl bifille
That lanuarie / hath cauglit so greet a wille
Thurgh eggyng of his wyf/ hym for to pleye
In his gardyn / and no wight but they tweye 2136
1IENGW11T 310 (8-T. 467)
468 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
That in a morwe / vn to his May seitli he
Eys vp my wyf/ my loue /my lady free
The Turtles voys is herd / my dowue swete
The wynter is goon / with reynes wete 2140
Com forth now / with thyne eyen Cohmbyn
How fairer been thy brestes / than is wyii
The gardyn / is enclosed al aboute
Com forth my white spouse / out of doute 2111
Thow hast me wounded in myn herte / 0 wyf
No spot of thee / ne knew I al my lyf
Com forth / and lat vs taken cure desport1
I chees thee / for my wyf/ and my conforf 2148
IT Swiche olde lewed wordes / vsed he
On Damyan / a signe made she
That he sholde go biforn / with his Clykott
This Damyan thanne / hath opned the wykefr 2152
And in he stirte / and that in swich manere
That no wight myghte it se / neither yheero
And stille he sit / vnder a bussh anon
IF This lanuarie / as blyiid as is a stoon 2156
With Mayus in his hand / and no wight mo
In to his fresshe gardyn / is ago
And clapte to / the wyket sodeynly
Now wyf quod he / here nys but thow and .1. 2160
[Th 1]at art the creature / that I best loue C1 Rats, leaf 149, bkj
ffor by that lord / that sit in heuene aboue
Leuere ich hadde / to dyen on a knyf
Than thee ofFende / trewe deere wyf 2164
ffor goddes sake / thenk how I thee chees
Noghfr for no coueitise doutelees
But oonly / for the loue I hadde to thee
And thogh J?at I be old / and may nat see 2168
Beth to me trewe / and I wol telle yow why
Thre thynges certes / shal ye wynne ther by
IT ffirst loue of Crist1 and to your self honour
And al myn heritage / toun and tour 2172
24 HENGWRT 341 (6-T. 468)
469 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
I yeue it yow / maketh chartres as ye leste
This shal be doon to morwe / er sonne reste
So wisly / god my soule / brynge in blisse
I pray yow first1 in couenant ye me kisse 2176
And thogh ]>at I be lalous / wyt me noght1
Ye been so depe / emprmted in my thoght1
That whan J>«t I / considere youre beautee
And ther with al / the vnlikly elde of me 2180
I may noght certes / thogh I sholde dye
fforbere / to been out of youre compaignye
ffor verray loue / this is with outen doute
Now kys me wyf1 and lat vs rome abouto 2184
IT This fresshe May / whan she thise wordes herde
Benygnely / to lanuarie answerde
But first and forward / she bigaii to wepe
I haue quod she / a soule for to kepe 2188
As wel as ye / and also myn honour
And of my wif hod / thilke tendre flour
"Which J>at I haue / assured in youre hond
Whan J?«t the preest1 to yow my body bond 2192
Wher fore / I wol answere in this manere
By the leue of yow / my lord so deere
I pray to god / Jjat neuere dawe the day
That I ne sterue / as foule as womman may 2196
If euere I do / vn to my kyn that shame
Or ellis / I empeyre so my name
That I be fals / and if I do that lakke
Do strepe me / and put me in a sakke 2200
And in the nexte Ryuer / do me drenche [leaf iso]
I am a gentil womman / and no wenche
Why speke ye thus / but men been euere vntrewe
And wommen haue reproue / of yow ay newe 2204
Ye han / noon oother contenance I leue
But speke to vs / of vntrustf and repreue
IF And with that word / she saw wher Damyan
Sat in the bussn / and coghen she bigan 2208
HENGWRT 342 (6-T. 469)
470 SIX-TEXT
GEOUP E, § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
And with hir fynger / signes made she
That Damyan / sholde clymbe vp on a tree
That charged was with fruyt1 and vp he wente
ffor verraily / he knew al hir entente 2212
And euery signe / fat she kou.de make
Wei Let than lanuarie / hir owene make
ffor in a lettre / she hadde told hym al
Of this matere / how he werken shal 2216
And thus I lete hym sitte / vp on the purye
And lanuarie and May / romynge murye
IT Bright was the day / and blew the firmament1
Phebus hath of gold / his stremys doun ysentt 2220
To gladen euery flour / with his warmnesse
He was that tyme / in Geminis as I gesse
But litil / fro his declynacion
Of Cancer / louis exaltacion 2224
And so bifel / that brighte morwe tyde
That in that gardyn / in the ferther syde
Pluto / that is the1 kyng1 of ffairye [J the later]
And many a lady / in his compaignye 2228
ffolwynge his wyf / the queene Proserpyne
2 Whos answers hath doon many a man pyne2 [2— * in a later hand]
IF Whil that she gadrede / floures in the mede
In Claudyan / ye may the stories rede 2232
How in his grysly Carte / he hir sette
This kyng of ffairye / thanne adown hym sette
Vp on a bench of turues / fressh and grene
And right anon / thus seyde he to his queene 2236
5F My wyf quod he / ther may no wight sey nay
Thexperience / so proueth euery day
The treson / which $ai womman dooth to man
Ten hundred thousand / tellen I kan 2240
[N3]otable / of youre vntrouthe and brotelnesse [?Rat». if i5o,bk]
0 Salomon wys / and richest of richesse
ffulfild of Sapience / and of worldly glorie
fful worthy been thy wordes / to memorie 2244
HENGWRT 343 (6-T. 470)
471 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
To euery wight1 that wit and resort kan
Thus preyseth he yet1 the bontee of man
IF Amonges a thousand men / yet foond I oon
But of wommen alle / foond I noon 22
1F Thus seith the kyng1 fat knowetli youre wikkednesse
And Thesus filius SyrakH as I gesse
!N"e speketh of yow / but selde reuerence
A wilde fyr / and corrupt pestilence
So falle vp on youre bod yes / yet to nyghf
Ne se ye noght1 this honurable knyghf
By cause alias / Ipat he is blynd and old
His owene man / shal make hym Cokewold 2256
Lo where he sit1 the lechour in the tree
Now wol I graunten / of my magestee
Yn to this olde / blynde worthy knyglif
That he shal haue ayein / his eyen syglif 2 2 GO
Whan fat his wyf1 wolde doon hym vileynye
Thanne shal he knowen / al hir harlotry e
Bothe in repreue of hire / and othere mo
IF Ye shal quod Proserpyne / wol ye so 2264
Now by my modres sires soule / I swore
That I shal yeuen hire / suffisant an s were
And alle wommen after / for hir sake
That thogh they be / in any gilt ytake 2268
With face bold / they shul hem self excuse
And bere hem doun / that wolde hem accuse
ffor lakke of answere / noon of hem shal dyen
Al hadde man seyn a thyng1 with bothe his eyen 2272
Yet shal we wommen / visagen it hardily
And wepe and swere / and chide subtilly
So that ye men / shul been as lewed as gees
What rekketh me / of youre auctoritees 2276
11 I woot wel / fat this lew / this Salomon
ffand of vs wommen / folyes many oon
But thogh fat he / ne fand no good womman
Yet hath ther founde / many another man 2280
HENGWRT 344, (6-T. 471)
472 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Wommen fill trewe / ful goode and vertuous [leaf mi
Witnesse on hem / that dwelle in Cristes hous
With martirdom / they proued hir constaunce
The Komayn geestes / eek maken remembraunco 2284
Of many a verray / trewe wyf also
But sire ne be nat wrooth / al be it so
Thogh £at he seyde / he foond no good womman
I pray yow / taak the sentence of the man 2288
He mente thus / ]>ai in souerayn bontee
Nys noon but god / but neither he ne she
IF Ey for verray god / that nys but 0011
What make ye / so muche of Salomon 2292
What1 thogh / he made a temple goddes hous
What1 thogh he were riche and glorious
So made he eek/ a temple / of false goddys
How myghte he do a thyng1 J>at moore forbode is 2296
Pardee / as faire / as ye his name emplastre
He was a lechour / and an ydolastre
And in his elde / he verray god forsook1
And if god ne hadde / as seitli the boot 2300
Yspared hym / for his fadres sake / he sholde
Haue lost his regne / rather than he wolde
I sette right noght1 of al the vileynye
That ye of wommen write / a Boterflye 2304
I am a womman / nedes moot I speke
Or ellis swelle / til myn herte breke
ffor sithen he seyde / ]>at we been langleresses
As euere hool / I mote brouke my tresses 2308
I shal nat spare / for no curteisye
To speke hym harm / jjat wolde vs vileynye
IT Dame quod this Pluto / be no lenger wrooth *
I yeue it vp / but sith I swoor myn ooth 2312
That I wolde graunten hym / his sighte ayein
My word shal stonde / I warne yow certeyn
I am a kyng1 it sit me noght to lye
IT And I quod she / a queene of Ifairye 2316
HENGWRT 345 (6-T. 472)
473 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4, MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Hir answere shal she haue / I vndertake
Lat vs namoore wordes / her of make
ffor sothe / I wol no lenger yow contrarie
1T Now lat vs / turne agayn to lanuarie 2320
[Th^at in the gardyn / with his faire May [' Rats, if 151, bk]
Syngeth ful murier / than the Papeiay
Yow loue I best1 and shal and oother noon
So longe / aboute the Aleyes is he goon 2324
Til he was come / agayns thilke pirye
Wher as this Damyan / sitteth ful myrye
An heigh / among the fresshe leues grene
IF This fresshe May / that is so bright and shene 2328
Gan for to syke / and seyde alias my syde
Now sire quod she / for aught fat may bityde
I moste han / of the perys fat I se
Or I moot dye / so sore longeth me 2332
To eten / of the smale perys grene
Help for hir loue / fat is of heuene queene
I telle yow wel / a womman in my plit
May han to fruyt/ so gret an appetit 233G
That she may dyen / but she of it haue
1T Alias quod he / fat I ne hadde here a knaue
That koude clymbe / alias alias quod he
ffor I am blynd / ye sire no fors quod she 2340
II But wolde ye / vouche sauf / for goddes sake
The pirye inwith youre armes / for to take
ffor wel I woof fat ye mystruste me
Thanne sholde I clymbe / wel ynow quod she 2344
So I my foot1 myghte sette vp on youre bak
1T Certes quod he / ther on shal be no lak1
Mighte I yow helpen / with myn herte blood
He stoupeth doun / and on his bak she stood 2348
And caughte hir by a twiste / and vp she goth
Ladys I pray yow / fat ye be nat wroth
I kan nat glose /.la rude man
And sodeynly / anon this Damyan 2352
HENGWRT 346 (6-T. 473)
474 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Gan pullen vp the smok / and in he throng1
IT And whan Jjat Pluto / saugh this grete wrong1
To lanuarie / he yaf agayn his sighte
And made hym see / as wel as euere he myghte 2356
And whan that he / hadde caught his sighte agayn
Ke was ther neuere man / of thyng so fayn
But on his wyf/ his thoght was euere mo
Vn to the tree / he caste his eyen two 2360
And say J>at Damyan / his wyf had dressed [leaf 152]
In swich manere / it may nat ben expressed
But if I wolde speken / vncurteisly
And vp he yaf/ a roryng and a cry 2364
As dooth the moder / whan the child shal dye
Out help / alias / harrow / he gan to crye
0. stronge lady stoore / what dostow
IT And she answerde / sire what eyleth yow 2368
Haue pacience and reson / in youre mynde
I haue yow holpe / on bothe youre eyen blynde
Vp peril of my soule / .1 shal nat lyen
As me was taught1 to heele with youre eyen 2372
"Was no thyng bet* to make yow to se
Than strugle with a man / vp on a tree
God wootH I dide it in ful good entente
IT Strugled quod he / ye algate In it wente 2376
God yeue yow bothe / on shames deth to dyen
He swyued thee / I saw it with myne eyen
And ellis / be I hanged by the hals
II Thanne is quod she / my medicyne al Ms 2380
ffor certeinly / if j)at ye myghte se
Ye wolde nat seyn / thise wordes vn to me
Ye han som glymsyuge / and no parfit sighte
11 I se quod he / as wel as euere I myghte 2384
Thonked be god / with bothe myne eyen two
And by my trouthe / me thoughte he dide thee so
H Ye maze maze / goode Sire quod she
This thank haue I / for I haue maad yow se 2388
HENGWHT 347 (6-T. 474)
475 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 4. MERCHANT'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
Alias quod slie / fat euere I was so kynde
Now dame quod he / lat al passe out of mynde
Com doun my lief/ and if I liaue myssayd
God help me so / as I am yuele apayd 2392
But by my fadres soule / I wende haue seyn
How fat this Damyan / hadde by thee leyn
And ]>at thy Smok / hadde leyn vp on his brysf
IT Ye sire quod she / ye may wene as yow lyst1 239G
But sire / a man that waketh out of his sleepe
He may nat sodeynly / wcl taken keepe
Vp on a thyng1 ne seen it parfitly
Til that he be / adawed verraily 2400
[1 R.ig]ht so a man / that longe hath blynd ybe P Rot*, leaf
may nat sodeynly / so wel yse
ffirst whan his sighte / is newe come ageyn
As he fat hath / a day or two yseyn 2404
Til fat youre sighte / ysatled be a while
Ther may ful many a sighte yow bigile
Beth war I pray yow / for by heuene kyng*
fful many a man / weneth to se a thyng1 2408
And it is al another / than it semeth
He fat mysconceyueth / he mysdemeth
And with that word / she lepte doun fro the tree
IF This lanuarie / who is glad but he 2412
He kisseth hire / and clippeth hire ful ofte
And on hir wombe / he stroketh hire ful softe
And to his Palays / horn he hath hire lad
Now goode men / I pray yow to be glad 2416
Thus endeth here / my tale of lanuarie
God blesse vs / and his moder Seinte Marie . Amen .2418
^[ Here is ended the Marchantes tale / of lanuarie
HENGWRT 348 (6-T. 47o)
476 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 5. MERCHANT'S END-LINK. Hengwrt MS.
[leaf 1531
^1 Here folwen the Wordes of the Worthy Hoost1 to
the ffrankeleyn.
[Blank of ten lines in the MS.]
EY goddes mercy / seyde oure Hoost1 tho
Now swich a wyf / I prey god kepe me fro 2420
Lo whiche sleightes'/ and subtiltees
In wommen ben / for ay as bisy as bees
Ben they / vs sely men for to deceyue
And from a sooth / euere wol they weyue 2424
By this Marchantes tale / it preueth weel
But doutelees / as trewe as any steel
I haue a wyf / thogh ]>ai she poore be
But of hir tonge / a labbyng shrewe is she 2428
And yit she hath / an heep of vices mo
Ther-of no fors / lat alle swiche thynges go
But wite ye -what1 in conseil be it seyd
Me reweth soore / I am vn to hire teyd 2432
ffor and I sholde / rekenen euery vice
"Which Ipat she hath / ywis I were to nyce
And cause why / it sholde reported be
And toold to hire / of so?ftine of this meynee 2436
Of whom s/ it nedeth nat for to declare
Syn wommen / konnen oute swich chaffaro
And eek my wit/ sufnseth nat ther to
To tellen al / wher-fore my tale is do 2440
[No IrcaJt in tlie MS.]
HENGWRT 349 (6-T. 476)
477 SIX-TEXT
SIDE-NOTES TO THE MERCHANT'S TALE. HengWlt MS.
SIDE-STOTES TO THE MERCHANT'S TALE.
[As there is no room in, this print for the Latin notes in the
margin of the MS, they are pat here, with the numbers of the lines
(and pages of the Six-Text} to which they refer. ~]
p. 445, 1. 1311. ^[ vxor est diligenda / quia donuw dei est The.ws
films Syrac i domus & diuicie dant?/r a parentibws / a domino autein
proprie / vxor bona vel prudens. [MS, leaf 138, back.]
p. 445, 1. 1327. ^[ ffaciamws ei adiutoivmi / & ex[t?Y?cta costa dej
corpore Ade fecit Euam / & dix[it pro vxore] relmquet homo
patrem & matrem & [adherebit &c.] et erunt duo / in carne vna.
[MS, leaf 139.]
p. 445, 1. 1335. Vna caro vnuw Animu?n, in om»i Adversitate
cogitat/. [MS, leaf 139, in a later hand.']
p. 446, 1. 1362. ^[ lacob enim per consiliu?;t mains sue Rebecce
kcetera. [MS, leaf 139, back.]
p. 446, 1. 1368. ludith kcetera / de manib?a Oioferni. [MS,
leaf 139, back.]
p. 446, 1. 1369. *([ Et Abigail per suum bonuw consiliu?;? / viruwj
suum Nabal / ab ira dauid lib«s/-auit/. [MS, leaf 139, back.]
p. 446, 1. 1371. ^[ Ester Stcetera ludeos per bonum consilinw
simul cu/;i Mardocheo in regno Assueri Sccetera. [MS, If 139, bk.]
p. 446, 1. 1376. ^[ Seneca / sicut nichil est sup^/'ius benigna
coniuge / ita nichil est crudelius infesta muliere. [MS, If 139, bk.]
p. 446, 1. 1378. ^f Cato // vxoris liuguam / si frugi est/ ferre
memento/ [MS, leaf 139, back.]
p. 447, 1. 1383. f Apostoliia Paulus Ad Ephm«»o* // Diligite
vx«/'es v^^ras sicut christus dilexit ecctesiam kcetera. [MS, leaf
139, back.]
p. 447, 1. 1384. Apostolus // Ita viri debent diligc?re vx^res suas
vt corpora sua / quia qui suam vxo?-em diligit se ip#um diligit/ nemo
vnq?/.«m carnem suam odio habmtf set nutrit & fouet earn / et
^[ postea / vnusqwisqwe sua?M vxorem sicut ^[ se ip^wm diligat.
[MS, leaf 139, back.]
p. 458, 1. 1795. [Ar]ke diurne . qwida-m c/rc?/lus [....]
meto vocatw Zodiac?/^ [•••]•• 80^ c°tidie cressit. [MS. leaf 145,
back, in a later hand and faint ink.']
HENGWRT 350 (6-T. 477)
GKOFP F. FEAGMENT VII,
§ 1, THE SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK.
HENGWRT MS.
IF Sire ffrankeleyn / com neer/ if it youre wille be [on 7/153]
And sey vs a tale / for certes ye
konnen ther on / as muche as any man
f Nay sire quod he / but I wol seye as I kan 4
f1 W]ith hertly wyl / for I wol nat rebelle L1 Rats, leaf 153,
Agayns youre wyl / a tale wol I telle
Haue me excused / if ]>ai I speke amys
My wyl is good / and lo my tale is this ^
U" Explicit fo
SIDE-NOTES TO THE FRANKLIN'S TALE.
[As there is no room in this print for the Latin notes in the
margin of the MS, they are ptit here, with the numbers of the lines
(and pages of the Six- Text) to which they refer. ~]
p. 500, 1. 722. ^[ Vnde Per&ius «[ Nee f[onte] caballino . . .
pornaso meme. [MS, leaf 154.]
p. 518, 1. 1369. ^[ 30* Atheniensiuw tiranni [cum Phidonem]
necassent/ in cowuiuio filia[s eius virgi]nes ad se venire iusseru/it/
& s[cotorum mo]re nudari J ao super pauimentu[m patrisj
sang?/ine cruentatas inpudicis ge[^tibus] ludere / que paulisp^/'
dissimulate [dolo^re / cum tumulentos co/tuiuas cerneren[tj
quasi ad requisita nature egredientes inuicem se co?wplexe precipi-
tauenm[t] in putemn- vt virginitate morte seruaren[t], [MS, leaf
162.]
p. 519, 1. 1395. ^ Singulas has historias & plur[es] hanc
materiam concernentes reci[tat] be-atus leronimws contra louiui-
an[um] in primo suo libro, c&pitulo .39. [MS, leaf 162.]
HENGWRT 351 (6-T. 478)
500 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
^[ Here bigynneth the ffrankeleyns tale [o» ieaf\m, MJ
T[THE PROEM]
Hise olde gentil Britons / in hir dayes
Of diuerse auentures / maden layes
Rymeyed / in hir firste Briton tonge
Whiche layes / with hir Instrumentz they songe 712
Or ellis redden hem / for hire plesance
And oon of hem / haue I in remembrance
Which I shal seyn / with good wyl as I kan
11 But sires / by cause I am a burel man 716
At my bigynnyng1 first I yow biseche
Ilaue me excused / of my rude speche
I lerned neuere / Retliorik1 certeyn
Thyng ]>at I speke / It moot be bare and pleyn 720
I sleepe neuere / in the Mount of Pczmaso pear is i]
Ne lerned / Marcus Tullius Scithero [Latin note, p. 499]
Colours ne knowe I none / with outen drede
But swiche colours / as growen in the mede 724
Or ellis swiche / as men dye / or peynte
Colours of Kethoryk1 they ben to queynte
My Spirit1 feeleth nat of swich matere
But if yow list1 my tale shul ye heere 728
[THE TALE.]
IN Armorik1 that called is Britayne f jSarraf
Ther was a knyght1 J>at louede & dide his payne
To serue a lady / in his beste wise
And many a labour / many a gret emprise 732
HENGWRT 352 (6-T. 500)
501 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
He for his lady wroghte / er she were wonne
ifor she was / oon the faireste vnder Sonne
And eek ther to / come of so heigh kynrede
That wel vnnethes / dorste this knyght for drede 736
Telle hire his wo / his peyne / and his distresse
But atte laste / she for his worthynesse
And namely / for his meke obeysance
Hath swich a pitee caught1 of his penance 740
That pn'uely / she fel of his acord
To taken hym / for hir housbonde & hir lord
Of swich lordshipe /-as men han ouer hir wyues
And for to lede / the moore in blisse hir lyues 744
Of his fre wyl / he swoor hire as a knyght
That neuere in al his lyf1 he day ne nyght1
]STe sholde vp on hym take / no maistrye
Agayn hir wyl / ne kothe hire lalousye 748
But hire obeye / and folwe hir wyl in al
As any louere / to his lady shal
Saue / ]pat the name of soueraynetee
That wolde he haue / for shame of his degree 752
11 She thonked hym / arid with ful gret liuwiblesse
She seyde sire / sith of youre gentillesse
Ye profre me / to haue so large a reyne
Ne wolde neuere god / bitwix vs tweyne 756
As in my gilt/ were outher werre / or stryf
Sire I wol be / youre humble trewe wyf
Haue heer my trouthe / til that myn herte breste
Thus been they bothe / in quiete and in reste 760
[ffor1] o thyng sires / saufly dar I seye pnatt. leaf 154, back]
[Tjhat freendes / euerich oother moote obey
If they wol longe holden compaignye
Loue wol nat1 be constreyned by maistrye 764
Whan maistrie comth / the god of loue anon
Beteth his wynges / and farwel he is gon
Loue is a thyng1 as any spirit free
Wommen of kynde / dcsiren libertee 768
HENGWRT 353 (6-T. 50l)
502 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And nat to been constreyned / as a thral
And so doon men / if I sootli seyn slial
Looke / who pat moost/ is pacient in lone
He is / at his auantage al aboue 772
Pacience / is an heigh vertu certeyn
flbr it venquysseth / as thise clerkes seyn
Thyuges / that rigour sholde neue?*e atteyne
ffor euery word / men may nat chide or pleyne 776
Lerneth to suffre / or ellis so moot I gon
Ye shul it lerne / wher so ye wole or non
ffor in this world / certeyn ther no wight is
That he ne dooth / or seith som tyme amys 780
Ire / siknesse / or constellacion
Wyn / wo / or chaungyng of complexion
Causeth ful ofte / to doon amys or speken
On euery wrong1 a man may nat be wrekeii 784
After the tyme / moste be temperaunce
To euery wight1 pat kan on gouernaunce
And therfore / hath this wise worthy knyght/
To lyue in ese / suffrance hire bihighfr 788
And she to hym / ful wisly gan to swere
That liQuere, / sholde ther be defaute in here
IF Here may men seen / an humble wys acord
Thus hath she take / hir seruant and hir lord 792
Seruant in loue / and lord in mariage
Thanne was he bothe / in lordshipe & seruage
Seruage nay / but in lordshipe aboue
Sith he hath / bothe his lady and his loue 796
His lady certes / and his wyf also
The which / pat lawe of loue acordeth to
And whan he was / in this prosperitee
Horn with his wyf1 he gooth to his contree 800
Nat1 fer fro Pedmark1 ther his dwellyng was [leaf 155]
Wher as he lyueth / in blisse and in solas
1F Who koude telle / but he hadde wedded be
The ioye / the ese / and the prosperitee 804
HENGWRT 354 (6-T. 602)
503 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
That is / bitwix an housbonde / and his wyf
A yeer and moore / lasted this blisful lyf
Til ]>ai the knyght1 of which I speke of thus
That of Kairrud / was clepid Arueragus 808
Shoope hym to goon / and dwelle a yeer or twayne
In Engelond / that clepid was ek Britayne
To seke in armes / worships and honour
ffor al his lust1 he sette in swich labour 812
And dwelled ther two yeer / the book seith thus
IF JN"ow wol I stynte / of this Arueragus
And speke I wole / of Dorigene his wyf
That loueth hir housbonde / as hir hertes lyf 816
ffor his absence / wepeth she and siketh
As doon thise noble wyues / whan hem liketh
She moorneth / waketh / waileth / fasteth / pleyneth
Desir of his presence / hir so destreyneth 820
That al this wide world / she set at noght
Hir freendes whiche J>at knowe / hir heuy thoghf
Conforten hire / in al that euer they may
They prechen hire / they telle hire nyght and day 824
That causelees / she sleeth hir self alias
And euery confortf possible in this cas
They doon to hire / with al hir bisynesse
Al for to make hire / leue hir heuynesse 828
IT By proces / as ye knowen euerichoon
Men may so longe / grauen in a stoon
Til som figure / ther Inne emprmted be
So longe / han they conforted hire / til she 832
Eeceyued hath / by hope and by reson
The empHntyng* of hir consolacion
Thurgh which /hir grete sorwe gan as wage
She may nat alwey / duren in swich rage 836
IT And eek Arueragus / in al this care
Hath sent hire lettres horn / of his welfare
And that he wole / come hastily agayn
Or ellis hadde this sorwe / hir herte slayn 840
HENGWRT 355 (6-T. 503)
504 SIX-TEXT
GIIOUP P. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
[Hire1] freendes sawe hir sorwe gan to slake psaa. ifi55,bk]
pAn]d preyde hire on knees / for goddes sake
To come / and romen hire in compaignye
Awey to dryue / hir derke fantasye 844
And finally / she graunted that requeste
ffor wel she saw / fat it was for the beste
IF Now stood hir Castel / faste by the See
And often / with hir freendes walketh she 848
Hir to disporte / vp on the bank an heigh
Wher as she / many a Shipe and Barge seigh
Seillynge hir cours / wher as hem liste go
But thanne was that1 a parcel of hir wo 852
ffor of hir self/ ful ofte alias seith she
Is ther no shipe / of so manye as I se
Wol bryngen horn my lord / thanne were myn herte
Al warisshed / of-hise bittre peynes smerte 85 G
H Another tyme / there wolde she sitte and thynke
And caste hir eyen / downward fro the Brynke
But whan she seigh / the grisly Eokkes blake
ffor verray fere / so wolde hir herte quake 860
That on hir feet1 she myghte hir noglit1 sustene
Thanne wolde she / sitte adoun vp on the grene
And pitously / in to the See biholde
And seyn right thus / with sorweful sikes colde 8G4
IF Eterne god / that thurgh thy purueiance
Ledest the world / by certeyn goueraance
In ydel as men seyn / ye no thyng make
But lord / thise grisly / feendly Eokkes blake 8G8
That semen rather / a foul confusion
Of werk / than any fair creacion
Of swich a parfitt wys god and a stable
Why han ye wroghf this werk vnres-onable 872
ffor by this werk1 SoutH / North / ne west1 ne Est1
Ther nys yfostred / man / ne bryd / ne beestt
It doth no good to my wit1 but anoyeth
Se.,ye nat lord / how mankynde it destroyeth 876
HENGWllT 356 (6-T. 504)
505 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
An hundred thousand bodies / of mankynde
Han Eokkes slayii •/ al be they nat in raynd
Which mankynde / is so fair part of thy werk1
That thow it madesfr lyk to thyn owen merk1 880
Thanne seined it1 ye hadde a greet chiertee [leaf i5c]
Toward mankynde / but how thanne may it be
That ye swiche menes make / it to destroyen
Whiche menes do no good / but euc?-e anoyen 884
I woot wel / clerkes wol seyn as hem Icste
By argumentz / that al is for the beste
Thogh I ne kan / the causes nat yknowe
But thilke god / j?«t made wynd to blowe 888
As kepe my lord / this my conclusion
To clerkes / lete I al disputison
But wolde god / f«t alle thise liokkes blake
Were sonken in to helle / for his sake 892
Thise Rokkes sleen niyn herte / for the feere
Thus wolde she seyn / with many a pitous teere
IT Hir freencles sawe / that it was no disport1
To roinen by the See / but disconfortt 896
And shopen / for to pleyen / som wher ellys
They led en hire / by Ryuers and by welly s
And eek1 in othere places delitables
They dauncen / and they pleyen at Ches & tables 900
II So on a day / right in the morwe tyde
Vn to a gardyn / that was ther bisyde
In which / that they hadde maad hir ordinance
Of vitaille / and of oother purueiance 904
They goon and pleye hem / al the longe day
And this was / on the sixte morwe of May
Which may hadde peynted / with his softe shoures
This gardyn / ful of leues / and of floures 908
And craft1 of mannes hond / so curiously
Arrayed hadde / this gardyn trewely
That neuere was ther gardyn / of swich piys
But if it were / the verray Paradys 912
25 HENGWRT 357 (6-T. 505)
506 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
The odour of floures / and the fresshe sight
Wolde han maked / any herte lighte
That euere was born / but if to greet siknesse
Or to greet sorwe / helde it in destresse 916
So ful it was / of beautee with plesaunce
At after dyner / gonne they to daunce
And synge also / saue Dorigen allone
Which made alwey / hir compleynt and hir mone 920
[affo]r she ne saugh hym / on the daunce go pRats. if i56,bk]
That was hir housbonde / and hir loue also
But nathelees / she moste a tyme abyde
And with good hope / lete hir sorwe slyde 924
IT Vp on this daunce / amonges othere men
Daunced a Squier / bifore Dorigen
That fressher was / and lolier of array
As to iny doom / than is the Monthe of May 928
He syngeth / daunceth / passyng any man
That is / or was / sith fat the world bigan
Ther with he was / if men sholde hym discryue
Oon of the beste farynge man / on lyue 932
Yong1 strong1 right vertuous / and riche and wys
And wel biloued / and holden in gret prys
And shortly / if the sothe I telleii slial
Vnwityng1 of this Dorigen at al 936
This lusty Squier / seruant to Venus
Which / that yclepid was Aurelius
Hadde loued hire / best of any creature
Two yeer and moore / as was his auenture 940
But neue?-e dorste he tellen hire / his greuance
With outen coppe / he drank al his penance
He was despeyred / no thyng dorste he seye
Saue in his songes / som what wolde he wreye 944
His wo / as in a general compleynyng1
He seyde he louede / and was biloued no thyng1
Of which matere / made he many layes
Songes / compleyntes / roundels / vy relay es 948
UENUWRT 358 (6-T. 506)
507 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
How \a\> he dorste nafr his sorwe telle
But langwissheth / as a fuyre dooth in lielle
And dye he moste he seyde / as dide Ekko
ffor JNarcisus / that dorste nat telle hir wo 952
In oother manere / than ye heere me seye
~NQ dorste he nat to hire / his wo biwreye
Saue that parauenture / som tyme at daunces
Ther yong folk / kepen hir obseruaunces 956
It may wel be / he looked on hir face
In swich a wise / as man ]>ai asketh grace
But no thyng wiste she / of his entente
Nathelees it happed / er they tliennes wente 960
IT By cause / that he was / hir neghebour [leaf 157]
And was a man / of worships and honour
And hadde yknowen hym / of tyme yoore
They fille in spechc / and forth moore and moore 96-4
Yn to this purpos / drough Aurelius
And whan he saugh his tyme / he seyde thus
^[ Madame quod he / by god that this world made
So J?at I wiste / it myghte youre herte glade 968
I wolde that day / ]>at youre Arueragus
Wente ouer the See / that I Aurelius
Hadde went/ ther neuere I sholde haue come agayn
ffor wel I woot1 my seruyce is in vayn 972
My gerdon is / but brestyng of myn herte
Madame reweth / vp on my peynes smerte
ffor with a word / ye may me sle or saue
Here at youre feet1 god wolde J?at I were graue 976
I ne haue as now / no leyser moore to seye
Haue mercy swete / or ye wol do me deye
^[ She gan to looke / vp on Aurelius
Is this youre wil quod she / and sey ye thus 980
Neuere erst quod she / ne wiste I what ye niente
But now Aurelie / I knowe youre entente
By thilke god / that yaf me soule and lyf
Ke shal I neuere / been vntrewe a wyf 984
H^NGWRT 359 (6-T. 507)
508 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
In word ne werk1 as fer as I haue wyf
I wol been liys / to whom fat I am knyf
Taak this for fynal / as of me
But after that1 in pleye thus seyde she 988
II Aurelie quod she / by heighe god abouc
Yet wolde I graunte yow / to been yourc loue
Syn I yow se / so pitously complayne
Looke what day / fat endelong Britayiie 992
Ye remoeue alle the Eokkes / stoon by stoon
That they ne lette / shipe lie Boot1 to goon
I seye / whan ye han maad / the coost so clene
Of Eokkes / that ther nys no stoon ysene 996
Thanne wol I loue yow / best of any man
Haue heer my trouthe / in al that ouero I kan
^F Is ther noon oother grace / in yow quod he
51 No by that lord quod she / that maked me 1 000
[ifor1] wel I woof that it shal ncuere bityde VRata. ifisy.bkj
['L]at swiche folies / out of youre herte slyde
What deyntee / sholde a man han his lyf
ffor to loue / another mannes wyf 1004
That hath hir body / whan so that hym liketh
1F Aurelius / ful ofte soore siketh
Wo was Aurelie / whan fat he this horde
And \vith a sorweful herte / he thus answcrde 1008
IT Madame quod he / this were an inpossible
Thanne moot I dye / of sodeyn deth horrible
And with that word / he turned hym anon
Tho coome / hir othere freendes many oon 1012
And in the Aleyes / romeden vp and doun
And no thyng wiste / of this conclusion!!
But sodeynly / bigonne reuel newe
Til that the brighte sonne / loste his hewe .. 1016
ffor thorisonte / hath reft the Sonne his lighf
This is as muche to seye / as it was nyghf
And horn they goon / in ioye and in solas
Saue oonly / wrecched Aurelius alias 102Q
HENGWRT 360 (6-T. 608)
509 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F, § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
He to his lious is goon / with sorweful herte
He seeth / he may nat from his deeth asterte
Hym semed / that he felte his herte colde
Vp to the heuene / hise hondes he gan holde 1024
And on his knowes bare / he sette hym doun
And in his rauynge / seyde his orisoun
ffor verray wo / out of his wit he breyde
He nyste what he spak1 but thus he seyde 1028
"WiHt pitous herte / his pleynt hath he bigonne
Yn to the goddes / and first vn to the sonne
^T He seyde Appollo / god and gouernour
Of euery plaunte / herbe / tree / and flour 1032
That yeuest1 after thy declyiiacion
To ech of hem / his tyme and his seson.
As thyn herberwe / chaungeth / lowe or heighe
Lord Phebus / cast thy merciable eighe 1036
On wrecche Aurelie / which J>«t am but lorn.
Lo lord / my lady hath my deeth ysworn
With outen gilt1 but thy benygnytee
Vp on my dedly herte / haue som pitee 1040
ffor wel I woof lord Phebus / if yow lest/ Deaf 156]
Ye may me helpen / saue my lady best1
Now voucheth sauf / Ipat I may yow deuyse
How )>at I may been holpe / and in what wyse 1044
5T Youre blisful Suster / lucyna the shene
That of the See / is chief goddesse and queene
Thogh Neptun?£S / haue cleitee in the See
Yet Empiresse / abouen hym is she 1048
Ye knowen wel lord / that right as hir desir
Is / to be quyked / and lighted of youre fyr
ffor which / she folweth yow / ful bisily
.Right so the See / desireth naturelly 1052
To folwen hire / as she J)«t is goddesse
Bothe in the See / and Eyuers moore and lesse
Wherfore lord Phebus / this is my requeste
Do this myracle / or do myn herte breste 1056
HENGWRT 361 (6-T. 509)
510 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
That now next/ at this opposicion
"Which in the signe / shal be of the Lion)
As preyeth hire / so greet a flood to brynge
That fyue fadme at the leeste / it ouer sprynge 1060
The hyeste Rot in Armoryk1 Britayne
And lat this flood / endure yeris twayne
Thanne certes / to my lady / may I seye
Holdeth youre heste / the Eokkes been aweye 1064
IT Lord Phebus / dooth this myracle for me
Pray hire / she go no faster cours than ye
I seye this / prayeth youre Suster/ jj«t she go
No faster cours than ye / thise yeris two 1068
Thanne shal she been euene / at the fulle alway
And spryng flood lasten / bothe nyght and day
And but she vouche sauf/ in swich manere
To graunte me / my souerayn lady deere 1072
Pray hire / to synken euery Rok/ adown
In to / hir owene dirke Regioun
Vnder the ground / ther Pluto dwelleth Inne
Or neuere mo / shal I my lady wynne 1076
Thy temple in Delphos / wol I barfoot seke
Lord Phebus / Se the teerys on my cheke
And of my peyne / haue som compassioun
And vrith that word / in swowne he fil adoun 1080
[And1] longe tyme / he lay forth in a traunce p JZa<«. if 15*, bk]
[l H]is brother / which that knew of his penaunce
Vp caughte hym / and to bedde he hath hym broght1
Despeired / in this torment1 and this thoght 1084
Lete I / this woful creature lye
Chese he for me / wher he wol lyue or dye
IT Arueragus / with heele / and greet honour
As he ]>at was / of Chiualrie the flour 1088
Is comen horn / and othere worthy men
O blisful artow now / thow dorigen
That1 hast thy lusty housbonde / in thyn armes
The fresshe knyght1 the worthy man of armes 1092
HENGWRT 382 (6-T. 610)
511 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
That loueth tliee / as his owene hertes lyf
'No thyng list hym / to been ymagynatyf
If any wight hadde spoke / whil he was oute
To hire of lone / he ne hadde of it no doute 1096
He noght enteiideth / to no swich mate re
But daunceth / lusteth / maketh hir good cheere
And thus in ioye and blisse / I lete hem dwelle
And of the Syke Aurelius / wol I telle 1100
IT In langour / and in torment furyus
Two yeer and moore / lay wrecche Aurelius
Ei1 any foot1 he myghte on erthe gon
.Ne confort in this tyme / hadde he 11011 1104
Saue of his brother / which ]?at was a Clerk
He knew of al this wo / and al this werk
ffor / to noon oother creature certeyn
Of this matere / he dorste no word seyn 1108
Viider his brisf he baar it moore seeree
Than euere dide Panfil?^ / for Galathee
His brist was hool / with oute for to sene
But in his herte / ay was the anve kene 1112
And wel ye knowe / J?«t of a Sursanure
In Surgerye / is perilous the cure
But men myghte touche the arwe / or come therby
His brother / weepe and wayled pryuely 1116
Til at the laste / hym fil in remembrance
That whils he was / in Orliens in ffrance
As yonge clerkes / that been lykerous
To reden Aries / that been curious 1120
Seken / in euery halke / and euery herne D«f 159]
Particuler Sciences / for to lerne
He hym remembred / J?«t vp on a day
At Orliens in Studie / a book he say 1124
Of Magyk nature! / which his felawe
That was that tyme / a Bachiler of la we
Al were he ther / to lerne another craft4
Haclde pnuely / vp on his desk* ylal'f 1128
HEXGWRT 363 (0-T. 511)
512 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Which book spak muchel / of the operacions
Touchynge / the .xxviij. mansions
That longen to the Moone / and swich folye
As in oure dayes / is nat worth a flye 1132
flbr holy cliirclies feith / in oure bileue
!Ne sufFreth / noon illusion vs to greue
And whan this book1 was in his remembrance
Anon for ioye / his herte gan to dance 113G
And to hym self / he seyde pryuely
My brother / shal be warisshect hastily
ffor I am siker / Jj«t ther be sciences
33y whiche / men make diuerse apparences 1140
Swiche / as thise subtile / Tregettours pleye
ffor ofte at festcs / haue I wel herd seye
That Tregettours / with lime an halle large
Haue maacl come In / a water / and a barge 1144
And in the halle / rowen vp and doun
Som tyme hath semed / come a grym leoun
And som tyme floures sprynge / as in a mede
Som tyme a vyne / and grapes white and rede 1148
Som tyme a Castel / al of lyin and Stoon
And whan hem lyked / voyded it anoon
Thus semed it1 to euery mannes sighte
IT Now thanne conclude I thus / J?«t if I myghte 1152
At Orliens / som old felawe yfynde
That hadde / this Moones mansions in mynde
Or oother Magyk* naturel aboue
He sholde wel / make my brother han his loue 1156
ftbr with an apparence / a clerk may make
To mannes sighte / ]pat alle the Rokkes blake
Of Britaigne / were yvoyded euerichon
And Shippes / by the brynke / comen and gon 1160
[And1] in swich forme / enduren a day or two JJaf ^9) back]
Thanne were my brother / warisshed of his wo
Thanne moste she nedes / h olden hir biheste
Or ellis / he shal shame hire / at the leeste 1164
HENGWRT 364 (6-T. 512)
513 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4, FBANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
fi What sholde I make / a longer tale of this
Yn to his brotheres bed / he comen is
And swich confort1 he yaf hyin for to gon
To Orliens / that he vp stirte anon 1168
And on his wey forth ward / tlianne he is fare
In hope / for to been lissed of his care
^F Whan they were come / almoost to that Citee
But if it were / a two furlong or Hire 1172
A yong clerk1 / romynge by hym self they mette
Which Jj«t in latyn / thriftily hem grette
And after that/ he seyde a wonder thyng1
I knowe quod he / the cause of youre comyng1 1176
And er they ferther / any foote wente
lie tolde hem / al that was in hir entente
*ff This Briton clerk1 hym asked of felawes
The whiche Ipat he hadde knowe / in olde dawes 1180
And he answerde hym / J?at they dede were
ffor which / he weepe ful ofte many a teere
5F Doun of his hors / Aurelius lighte anon
And with this Magicien / forth he is gon 1184
Horn to his hous / and maden hem wel atese
Hem lakked no vitaille / fat myghte hem plese
So we4 arrayed hous / as ther was oon
Aurelius in his lyf / saw neuere noon 1188
*ll He shewed hym / er he wente to soper
fibrestes / Parkes / ful of wilde deer
Ther saw he hertes / with hir homes Lye
The gretteste / J>«t euere were seyn wzt/i eye 1192
He say of hem / an hundred slayn w«t/i houndes
And sorame with arwes blede / of bittre woundes
IT He saw / Avhan voyded were thise wilde deer
Thise ffawconers / vp on a fair Kyuer 1196
That with hir hawkes / han the heron slayn
IF Tho saugh he knyghtes / lustyng in a playn
And after this / he dide hym this plesaunce
That he hym shewed / his lady on a daunce 1200
HENGWRT 365 (6-T. 513)
514 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
On which hym self / he damiced as hym thoughte [leaf ieo]
And whan this maister / fat this magyk wroughte
Saugh it was tyme / he clapte his hancles two
And farwel / al our reuel was ago 1204
And yet remoeued they neuere / out of the hous
Whil they sawe / al this sighte merueillous
But in his studie / ther as his bookes be
They sitten stille / and no Avight1 but they thre 1208
H" To hym this maister / called his Squyer
And seide hym thus / is redy cure soper
Almoostt an houre it is / I vndertake
Sith I yow bad / oure soper for to make 1212
Whan that thise worthy men / wenten vrith me
In to my studie / ther as my bookes be
IT Sire quod this Squyer / whan it liketh yow
It is al redy / thogh ye wol right now 1216
Go we thanne soupe quod he / as for the beste
This amorous folk1 som tyme mote han hir reste
1T At after soper / fille they in tretee
What somme sholde / this Maistres gerdofi be 1220
To remoeuen / alle the Rokkes of Britayne
And eek from Gerounde / to the mouth of Sayne
He made it straunge / and swoor so god hym saue
Lasse than a thousand pound / he wolde nat haue 1224
Ne gladly for that somme / he wolde nat gon
IT Aurelius / with blisful herte anon
Answerde thus / fy on a thousand pound?
This wyde world / which fat men seye is round! 1228
I wolde it yeue / if I were lord of it1
This bargayn is ful dryue / for we ben knyfr
Ye shal be payed trewely / by my trouthe
But looketh now / for no necligence or slouthe 1232
Ye tarie vs heer / no lenger than tomorwe
51 Nay quod this clerk1 haue heer my feith to borwe
IT To bedde is goon Aurelius / whan hym leste
And wel neigh al that nyght/ he hadde his reste 1236
HENGWRT 366 (6-T. 614)
515 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
What for his labour / and his hope of blisse
His woful herte / of penaunce hadde a lisse
IT Vp on the morwe / whan jj«t it was day
To Britayne / tooke they the righte way 1240
pAurJelius / and this Magicien bisyde pRati. ie. f ieo, back]
And been descended / ther they wolde abycle
And this was / as thise bookes me remembre
The colde / frosty seson of decembre 1244
5T Phebus wax old / and hewed lyk laton
That1 in his hote declynacion
Shoon as the burned gold / vrii/i stremys briglite
But now in Capricorn / adoun he lighte 1248
Where as he shoon ful pale / I clar we! seyn
The bittre frostes / with the sleet and reyn
Destroyed hath the grene / in euery yercB
lanus sit by the fyr / with double beixl? IT lanus biceps.
And drynketh / of his bugle horn the wyn
Biforn hym stant brawen / of the tusked swyn
And Nowel / crieth euery lusty man
IT Aurelius / al J>at euere he kan 1256
Dooth to this maister / cheere & reuerence
And preyeth hym / to doon his diligence
To bryngen hym / out of his peynes smerte
Or with a swerd / Jjat he wolde slytte his herte 1260
IT This subtil clerk1 swich routhe hadde of this man
That nyght and day / he spedde hym that he kan
To way ten a tyme / of his conclusion
This is to seyn / to make illusion 1264
By swich an apparence / or logelrye
I ne kan / no termes of Astrologye
That she and euery wight1 sholde wene and seye
That of Britayne / the Rokkes were aweye 1268
Or ellis / were sonken vnder grounde
So at the laste / he hath his tyme yfounde
To maken his lapes / and his wrecchednesse
Of swich / a supersticious cursednesse 1272
HENGWRT 367 (6-T. 515)
516 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
His tables tolletanes / forth, he broght1
fful wel corrected / ne ther lakked noght1
Neither his collect1 ne his expans yeris
Ne hise rootes / ne hise othere geris 127G
As been his centris / and hise argumentz
And hise proporci oriels conuenientz
ffor hise equacions / in euery thyng
And by his .8. speere / in his wirkyng1 1280
He knew ful wel / how fer Alnath was shoue [leaf m]
ffro the heed / of tliilke fixe Aries aboue
That in the .9. speere / considered is
fful subtilly/ he kalkuled al this 1234
IT "Whan he hadde founde / his firste mansion
He knew the remeiiaunfr by proporcion
And knew the arisyng1 of his Moone wel
And in whos face / and tmne / and euery del 1288
And knew ful wel / the Mo ones mansion
Acordaunt / to his operacion
And knew also / hise othere obseruaunces
ffor swiche illusions / and swiche meschances 1292
As hethen folk vseden / in thilke dayes
ffor which no lenger / rnaked he delayes
But thurgh his niagyk1 for a wyke or tweye
It senied/ that alle the Rokkes were aweye 1236
IT Aurelius / which 'fat yet despeired is
Wher he shal han his lone / or fare amys
Awaiteth nyght and day / on this myracle
And whan he knew / that ther was noon obstacle 1300
That voyded were / thise Rokkes euericlion
Doun to his maistres feet* he fil anon
And seyde / I woful wrecche Aurelius
Thonke yow lord / and lady myn Venus 1304
That me han holpen / fro my cares colde
And to the temple / his wey forth hath he holde
AVher as he knew / he sholde his lady se
And whan he saw his tyme / anon right he 1308
HENGWllT 368 (6-T. 516)
517 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
With dredful herte / and with ful humble cheere
Salued hath / his souerayn lady deere
IT My righte lady / quod this woful man
"Whom I nioost drede / and lone as I best kan 1312
And lothest were / of al this world displese
Nere it1 Jpai I for yow haue swich disese
That I moste dyen heer/ at youre foot anon
Noght wolde I telle yow / how me is wo bigon 1316
But certes / outher moste I dye / or pleyne
Ye sleen me giltlees / for verray peyne
But of my deeth / thogh ]>at ye haue no routhe
Auyseth yow / er that ye broke your trouthe 1320
pRepenJteth yow / for thilke god aboue ['««&. leaf IGI, back]
Er ye me sleen / by cause that I yow lone /
ffor madame / wel ye woof what ye han hight1
Nat J>flt I chalange / any thyng of right1 1321
Of yow my souereyn lady / but youre grace
But in a gardyn yond / at swich a place
Ye woot right wol / what ye bihighten me
And in myn hand / your trouthe plighten ye 1328
To loue me best1 god woot ye seyden so
Al be / J>at I vnworthy am ther to
Madame I speke it / for the honour of yow
Moore than to saue / nryii hertes lyf right now 1332
I haue do so / as ye comaunded me
And if ye vouche sauf /ye may go se
Booth as yow list1 haue youre biheste in mynde
ffor quyk/ or deed / right ther ye shal me fynde 1336
In yow lyth al / to do me lyue or deye
But wel I woot1 the llokkes been aweye
IT He taketh his leue / and she astoned stood
In al hir face / nas a drope of blood 1340
She wende neuere haue come / in swich a trappe
Alias quod she / £«t euere this sholde happe
ifor wende I neuere / by possibilitee
That swich a Monstre / or rnmieille myghte be 1314
HENGWKT 369 (fi-T. 517)
518 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
It is agayns / the proces of nature
And horn she gooth / a sorweful creature
ffor verray feere / vnnetlie may she go
She wepeth / wayleth / al a day or two 1348
And swowneth / that it routhe was to se
But why it was / to no wight tolde she
ffor out of towne / was goon Arueragus
But to hir self/ she spak and seyde thus 1352
With face pale / and with ful sorweful cheere
In hir compleinte / as ye shal after heere
1F Alias quod she / on thee ifortune I pleyne
That vnwar / wrapped hast me in thy cheyne 1356
ffor which tescape / woot I no socour
Saue oonly / deeth / or deshonour
Ooii of thise two / bihoueth me to cliese
But nathelees / yet haue I leuere to leso 13GO
My lyf / than of my body to haue a shame/ [leaf IB*]
Or knowen my seluen fals / or lase my name
And with my deetli / I may be qnyt ywis
Hath ther nafr many a noble wyf er this 13G4
And many a mayde / yslayn hir self alias
Rather / than with hir body doon trespas
H" Yis certes / lo thise stories beren witnesse
Whan .xxx. tirauntz / ful of cursednesse 1368
Hadde slayn Phidon / in Atthenes atte feste [Latin note, p. 4993
They comaunded / his doghtren for tareste
And bryngen hem / biforn hem in despit
Al naked / to fulfille hir foul delit 1372
And in hir fadres blood / they made hem daunce
Yp on the pauemenf god yeue hem meschaunce
ffor which / thise woful may dens / ful of drede
Rather / than they wolde lese hir maydenhede 1376
They pryuely / been stirtf in to a welle
And dreynte hem seluen / as the bokes telle
IT They of Mecene / leete enquere and seke
Of Lacedomye / fifty maydens eke 1380
HENGWRT 370 (6-T. 518)
519 SIX-TEXT
GROUP J?\ § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
On whiclie / they wolden doon hir lechery e
}]ut was ther noon / of al that compaignye
That she nas slayn / and with a good entente
Chees rather for to dye / than assente 1384
To been oppressed / of hir maydenhede
Why sholde I thanne / to dye been in drede
IT Loo eek / the tiraunt Aristoclides
That loued a mayden / liighte Stymphalides 1 388
Whan Ipai hir fader / slayn \vas on a nyghtt
Vn to Dianes temple / gooth she right
And liente the ymage / in hir handes two
ffro which ymage / wolde she neuere go 1392
j^o wight ne inyghte / hir handes of it arace
Til she was slayn / right in the selue place
Now sith Ipat maydens / hadden swich despit [.Latin note, p. 499]
To been defouled / with mannes foul delitH 1396
Wei oghte a wyf/ rather hir seluen sle
Than be defouled / as it thynketh me
IT What shal I seyn / of Hasdrubales wyf
That at Cartage / birafte hir self hir lyf 1400
[IFor1] whan she saw / that Komayns wan the town 1{P? ^j
pSJhe took hir children alle / and skipte adown
In to the fyr / and chees rather to dye
Than any Romayn / dide hire vileynye 1404
IT Hath nat Lucresse / yslayn hir self alias
At Borne / whan she oppressed was
Of Tarquyn / for hir thoughte it was a shame
To lyuen / whan she hadde lost hir name 1408
11" The .vij. maydens / of Milesie also
Han slayn hem self/ for verray drede and wo
Bather than folk/ of Gawle / hem sholde opp?-esse
Mo than a thousand stories / as I gesse 1-112
Koude I now telle / as touchyng this matere
IT Whan habradace was slayn / his wyf so deere
Hir seluen slow / and leet hir blood to glyde
In Habradaces woundes /' depe and wyde 1416
HENGWRT 371 (6-T. 519)
520 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And seyde / my body / at the leeste way
Ther shal no wight1 defouleii if I may
1F What sholde I mo ensamples / her of sayn
Sith that so manye / ban hem seluen slayn 1420
Wei rather / than they wolde defouled be
I wol conclude / that it is bet for me
To sleen my self1 than ben defouled thus
I wol be trewe / vn to Arueragus 1424
Or rather sle my self1 in soin manere
As dide / democienis doghter deere
By cause / 'pat she wolde nat defouled be
IF 0 Cedasus / it is ful gret pitee 1428
To reden / how thy doghtren deyde alias
That slowe hem self1 for swich maner cas
IF As greet a pitee was it1 or wel moore
The Theban mayden / that for Nychanore 1432
Hir seluen slow / right for swich manere wo
IF Another Theban mayden / dide right so
.ffor oon of Macedonye / hadde hire oppressed
She with hir owene deeth / hir maydenhed redressed 1436
IF What shal I seyn / of Nyceratis wyf
That for swich cas / birafte hir self hir lyf
IF How trewe eek / was to Alcebiades
His loue / that rather for to dyen checs 1440
Than for to suffre / his body vnburyed be [leaf 103]
IF Lo which a wyf / was Alceste quod she
1F What Omer / of goode Penolopee
Al Grece / kno \veth of hir chastitee 1444
^F Pardee of Laodomya / is writen thus
That whan at Troye / was slayn Prothcselaws
No longer wolde she lyue / after his day
1F The same / of noble Porcia telle I may 1448
With oute Brutus / koude she nat lyue
To whom she hadde / al hool hir herte yeue
IF The profit wif hod / of Arthemesye
Honoured is / thurgh al the Barbarye 1452
HENGWRT 372 (6-T. 520)
521 SIX-TEXT
OKOUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT 0 Teuta queene / thy winy chastitee
To alle wyues / may a Mirour bee
r [Not i>i Rea. IS C ii,
I //154, bk; or Sloane
no gap in the MS.] S/^Vfe or
Her*.' 78X5, V 151,6* ;
1F Thus pleyned Dpneene / a day or tweye orjrarj.7:m,//856*,
r J J col. 2 ; or Sloane 16*6,
Purposynge euere J>at she wolde deye
IT But nathelees / vp on the thridde nyghtf
TT / -i • -, -i i Sod!-. MS, or Christ-
Hom cam Arueragus / this worthy knyghf church.}
And asked hire / why Ipat she weepe so soore 1461
And she gan wepen / euer lenger the moore
IT Alias quod she / \>at euere was I born
Thus haue I seyd quod she / thus haue I sworn 1464
And tolde hym al / as ye han herd bifore
It nedeth nat1 reherce it yow namoore
IT This housbond with glad cheere / in frendly wise
Answerde and seyde / as I shal yow deuyse 1468
IF Is ther oght ellis dorigen / but this
H Nay nay quod she / god help me so as wys
This is to muche / and it were goddes wille
IT Ye wyf quod he / lat slepen that is stille 1472
It may be wel perauenture / yet to day
Ye shul youre trouthe holden / by my fay
ffor god so wisly / haue mercy vp on me
I hadde wel leuere / ystiked for to be fj 1476
ffor verray loue / which J>at I to yow haue
But if ye sholde / youre trouthe kepe and sane
Trouthe is the hyeste thyng1 fat man may kepe
But w^t/i that word / he brast anon to wepe 1480
And seyde I yow forbede / vp peyne of deeth
That neuere wh.il thee lasteth / lyf ne breeth
[To no1] wight tel thow / of this auenture ilRats. ifies.bk]
[As1] I may best / I wol my wo endure 1464
JSTe make /no contenance of heuynesse
That folk of yow / may demen harm or gesse
IT And forth he clepyd / a Squyer and a maydo
Goth forth anon with Dorigen / he sayde 1488
26 HENGWRT 373 (6-T. 521)
522 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And bryngeth hire / to swich a place anon
They toke hir leue / and on hir wey they gon
But they ne wiste / why they thider wente
He nolde to no wight1 tellen his entente 1492
r [.Not in Reg. 18 C ii,
L leaf 155 ; or Sloane
1685, 7/156; or Hart.
7335, //152; or Harl.
1758, /eof 135, bk ; or
Harl. 7333, If 86, col.
1 ; or Sloane 1686, //
205, bk ; or Reg. 17
D xv, If 189; leaf out
of Harl. 1239.
/. 1493-8 known only
,_-,,. in the Elletmere XS.]
no gap in the MS.]
^T This Squyer / which J>c<t highte Aurelius
On Dorigen / J>«t was so amorus 1500
Of auenture / happed hir to meete
Amydde the town / right in the quykkest strete
As she was boun / to goon the wey forth right
Toward the gardyn / ther as she had hightt 1504
And he was / to the gardynward also
ifor wel he spyed / whan she wolde go
Out of hir hous / to any maner place
But thus they meete / of auenture or grace 1508
And he salueth hire / with glad entente
And asked of hire / whiderward she wente
H And she answerde / half as she were mad
Yn to the gardyn / as myn housbond bad 1512
My trouthe for to holde / alias / alias
IT Aurelius / gan wondren on this cas
And in his herte / hadde greet compassion
Of hire / and of hir lameiitacion 1516
And of Arueragus / the worthy knyghtt
That bad hir holden / al that she had hight1
So looth hym was / his wyf sholde breke hir trouthe
And in his herte / he caughte of this greet routhe 1520
Considerynge the beste / on euery syde
That fro his lust yet were hym leuere abyde
Than doon so heigh / a cherlyssh wrecchednesse
Agayns franchise / and alle gentillesse 1524
HENGWRT 374 (6-T. 522)
523 SIX-TEXT
GKOUP P, § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
ffor which in fewe wordes / seyde he thus
IF Madame / seyeth to youre lord Arueragus
That sith I se / his grete gentillesse
To yow / and eek I se wel youre distresse 1528
That hym were leuere han shame / and that were routhe
Than ye to me / sholde breke thus your trouthe
I haue wel leuere / euere to suffre wo
Than I departe the lone / bitwix yow two 1532
I yow relesse madame / in to youre hond
Quyt euery seremenf and euery bond
That ye han maad to me / as her biforn
Sith thilke tyme / which J>«t ye were born 1536
My trouthe I plighte / I shal you neuer repreue
Of no biheeste / and here I take my leue
As of the treweste / and the beste wyf
That euere yet I knew / in al my lyf 1540
But euery wyf / be war of hir biheste
On Dorigene / remembreth at the leste
Thus kan a Squyer / doon a gentil dede
As wel as kan a knyght1 with outen drede 1544
^1 She thonketh hym / vp on hir knees al bare
And horn vn to hir housbond / is she fare
And tolde hym al / as ye han herd me sayd
And be ye siker / he was so wel apayd 1548
That it were inpossible / me to write
What sholde I lenger / of this cas endite
1F Arueragus / and Dorigene his wyf
In souereyn blisse / leden forth hir lyf 1552
Keuere eft1 ne was ther angre hem bitwene
He cherisseth hire / as thogh she were a queene
And she was to hym trewe / for euere moore
Of thise two folk/ ye gete of me namoore 1556
IT Aurelius / that his cost1 hath al forlorn
Curseth the tyme / that euere he was born
Alias quod he / alias that I bihighte
Of pured gold / a thousand pound of wighte 15GO
HENGWRT 375 (6-T. 523)
524 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4. FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Vn to this Philosophre / how shal I do
I se namoore / but that I am for-do
Myn heritage / moot I nedes selle
And been a beggere / here may I nat dAvelle 1564
And sliamen al my kynrede / in this place
But I of hym / may gete bettre grace
But nathelees / I wol of hym assaye
At certeyn dayes / yeer by yeer to paye 1568
[And1] thonko hym / of his grete curteisye ps-ata. if i6i,bk]
PM]y trouthe wol I kepe / I nel nat lye
IF With herte soor / he goolh vn to his cofre
And broghte gold / vn to this Philosophre 1572
The value / of fyue hundred pound I gesse
And hym bisecheth / of his gentillesse
To graunten hym dayes / of the remenanf
And seyde Maister / I dar wel make aiuint1 1576
I fayled neuere / of my trouthe as yifr
ffor sikerly / my dette shal be quyf
Towardes yow / how euere ]>at I fare
To goon abegged / in my kirtel bare 1580
But wolde ye vouche sauf1 vp on seuretee
Two yeer or thre / for to respiten me
Thanne were I wel / for ellis moot I selle
Myn heritage / ther is namoore to telle 1584
If This Philosophre / sobrely answerde
And seyde thus / whan he thise wordes herde
Haue I nat1 holden couenant vn to thee
IF Yis ce?-tes / wel and trewely quod he 1588
IT Hastow nat had / thy lady as thee liketh
IT No no quod he / and sorwefully he siketh
IT What was the cause / tel me if thow kan
IT Aurelius / his tale anon bigan 1592
And tolde hym al / as ye han herd bifore
It nedeth nat1 to yow reherce it moore
H He seyde / Arueragus / of gentillesse
Hadde leuere dye / in sorwe and in distresse 1596
ilENGWRT 376 (6-T. 524)
525 SIX-TEXT
GROUP F. § 4, FRANKLIN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Than J>at his wyf/ were of hir trouthe fals
The sorwe of dorigen / he tolde hym als
How looth hir was / to ben a wikkecl wyf1
And ]>ai she leuere had losf that day hir lyf1 1600
And J?at hir trouthe / she swoor thurgh Innocence
She neuere erst1 hadde herd speke / of apparence
That made me han of hire / so greet pitee
And right as frely / as he sente hir me 1604
As frely sente I hire / to hym agayn
This al and som / ther is nainoore to sayn
IT This Philosophre answerde / leeue brother
Euerich of yow / dide gentilly til oother 1608
Thow art a Squyer / and he is a knyght1 [leaf 105]
But god forbede / for his blisful myghtf
But if a clerk1 koude doon a gentil dede
As wel as any of yow / it is no drede 1612
11 Sire I relesse thee / thy thowsand pound
As thow right now / were cropen out of the ground
~N& neuere er now / ne haddest knowen me
ffor sire / I wol nat take a peny of thee 1616
ffor al my craft1 ne noglit for my trauaille
Thow hast ypayed wel / for my vitaille
It is ynogh / and fare wel haue good day
And took his hors / and forth he goth his way 1620
1T Lordynges / this question / than wol I aske now
Which was the mooste free / as thynketh yow
Now telleth me / er that ye ferther wende
I kan namoore / my tale is at an ende 1624
^T Here endeth the ffrankeleyns tale fa
[No more text on this page of the MS.]
HENGWRT 377 (0-T. 52o)
GROUP G. FRAGMENT VIII,
§ 1. THE SECOND NUN'S TALE.
HENGWRT MS.
[THE PROEM.}
The Nonne 5, \head-Une\ [leaf 165, baofc]
(i)
THe Ministre / and the norice vn to vices 1
Which that men clepeth in englissh ydelnesse
That porter at the gate is / of delices
To eschuen / and by hir contrarie hire opp?*esse 4
That is to seyn / hy leueful bisynesse
Wei oghte we / to doon al oure entente
Lest that the feend / thurgh ydelnesse vs hente 7
(2)
11 ffor he / that with his thousand cordes slye 8
Continuelly / vs wayteth to biclappe
Whan he may man / in ydelnesse espye
He kan so lightly / cacche hym in his trappe 11
Til that a man / be hent right by the lappe
He nys nat war / the feend hath hym in honde
Wei oghte vs werche / and ydelnesse withstonde 14
(3)
11 And thogh men dradden / neuere for to dye 1 5
Yet seen men wel / by reson doutelees
That ydelnesse / is roten slogardye
Of which ther neuere comth / no good nencrees 18
And seen that Slouthe / hir holdeth in a lees
Oonly for to slepe / and ete and drynken
And to deuouren / al that othere swynken 21
HENGWRT 378 (6-T. 627)
528 SIX-TEXT
GROUP Gr. § 1, SECOND NUN*S TALE. HcngWTt MS.
(4)
IF And for to putte vs / from swich ydelnesse 22
That cause is / of so greet confusion
I haue here doon / my feithful bisynesse
After the legende / in translacion 25
Eight1 of thy glorious lyf/ and passion
Thow with thy gerland / wroght of rose & lilie
Thee mene I / mayde and rnartir Seinte Cecilie 28
(5)
And thow / that flour of virgines art alle m "S!° aa
Of whom that Bernard / list so wel to write
To thee / at my bigynnyng1 I first calle
Thow confort of vs wrecches / do mendite 32
Thy maydens deeth / that wan thurgh hir merite
The eternal lyf/ and of the feend victorie
As man may after / reden in hir Storie 35
^F Thow mayde and moder / doghter of thy sone [leaf K;G]
Thow welle of mercy / synful soules cure
In whom that god / for boimtee chees to wone
Thow humble and heigh / ouer enery creature 39
Thow nobledestf so ferforth oure nature
That no desdaign / the makere hadde of kynde
His sone / in blood & flessli / to clothe & wynde 4 2
(7)
IF With Inne the Cloistre blisful / of thy sydis 43
Took mannes shape / the eternal loue and pees
That of the tryne compas / lord and gyde is
Whom erthe and see / and heuene out of relees 46
Ay heryen / and thow virgyne wemmeles
Bar of thy body / and dweltest mayde pure
The creatonr / of euery creature 49
HENGWRT 379 (6-T. 528)
529 SIX-TEXT
GKOUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. HcngWTt MS.
(8)
Assembled is in thee Magnificence . 50
With mercy / goodnesse / and swich pitee
That thow that art the sonne of excellence
Nat oonly / helpest hem J>at pray en theo 53
But ofte tyme / of thy benygnytee
fful frely / er that men / thyn helpe biseche
Thow goost bif'orn j and art hir lyues leche 50
(9)
Now help thow meke / and blisful faire maycle 57
Me flemed wrecche / in this desert of galle
Thynk on the womman Cananee / that sayde
That whelpes eten / sowme of the crommes alle 60
That from hir lordes table / been yfalle
And thogh that I / vnworthy sone of Euo
Be synful / yet aecepte my bileue 63
(10)
IT And for that feith is deed / with outen werkis 64
So for to werken / yif me wit and space
That I be quyt/ from thennes / that moost derk is
O thow / that art so fair / and fid of grace 67
Be myn Aduocate / in that heighe place
Ther as with outen ende / is songe Osanne
Thow cristes moder / doghter deere of Anne 70
pAnjd of. thy light1 my soule in prison lighte [» Rat». if lee, bk]
That troubled is / by the contagion
Of my body / and also by the wighte
Of erthely lust1 and fals affeccion 74
0. hauene / o. refuf o. sauacion
Of hem / that been in sorwe and in distresse
Now help / for to my werk I wol me dresse 77
HENGWRT 380 (6-T. 529)
530 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
(12)
IT Yet praye ich yow / jwt reden that I write 78
iForyeue me / that I do no diligence
This ilke storie / subtilly tendite
ffor bothe haue I / the wordes and sentence 8J
Of hym / that at the Seintes reuemice
The storie wroof and folwen hir legende
And pray yow / that ye wol my werk amende 84
(13) [THE TALE.]
First wolde I yow / the name of Seinte Cecilie ^Sfs^Sie-
Expowne / as men may in hir storie se teTiuE^iiT-
,.,. nuensis in le-
It is to seyn on englissh / heuenes line
ifor pure chastnesse / of virginitee 88
Or for she whitnesse hadde of honestee
And grene of conscience / and of good fame
The swote sauour lilie / was hir name 91
(14)
IT Or Cecile is to seyn / the wey to blynde 92
ffor she ensample was / by good techynge
Or ellis Cecile / as I writen fynde
Is ioyned / by a manere conioignynge 95
Of heuene / and lia / and here in figurynge
The heuene is set1 for thoght of holynesse
And lia / for hir lastynge bisynesse 98
(15)
1T Cecile may eek be seyd in this manere 99
Wantynge of blyndnesse / for hir grete light*
Of Sapience / and for hir thewes clere
Or ellis lo / this maydenes name bright1 102
Of heuene and leos comth / for which by right1
Men myghte hire wel / the heuene of peple calle
Ensample of goode / and wise werkes alle 105
HENGWRT 381 (6-T. 630)
531 SIX-TEXT
GROUP GK § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. HeSgWlt MS.
(16)
11 For leo« / peple in englissh is to seye peaf 107]
And right as men may / in the heuene see
The sonne and moone / and sterres euery \veye
Right so men goostly / in this mayderi free 103
Sayen / of feith / the magnanymytee
And eek the cleernesse hool of Sapience
And sondry werkes / brighte of excellence 112
(17)
IF And right so / as thise Philosophres write 113
That heuene is swift and round / & eek breimynge
Eight so / was faire Cecile the white
fful swift and bisy / euere in good werkynge 116
And round & hool / in good perseuerynge
And brennyng/ euere in charite / ful brighte
Now haue I yow declared / what she highte 119
Note to 1. 120. If gregorius in registro [Epist.] \\hro .10. Ad Enlogium pa^riarcham
scribit/ . Indicanws prcelere[;i] quia grauem hie interpretum rlifficultatem patlmwr/
dum enim non sunt qui aensum de sensu exprimant/ set tronsferre semper verborum
propnetatem volunt omnem ductorum sensum coiit'undunt/ itcetera. [Miyne, Patro-
loffia, vol. "7, col. 1099.]
T(18)
his mayde bright Cecilie / as hir lyf seith S£SSm?°
Was come of Romayns / and of noble kynde ''Jjfjjjj^
And from hir Cradel / vp fostred in the feith
Of crist1 and baar his gospel in hir mynde 123
She neuere cessed / as I writen fynde
Of hir prayere / and god to loue and drede
Bisekyng hym / to kepe hir maydenhede 126
(19)
IT And whan this mayden sholde / vn til a man 127
Ywedded be / that was ful yong of age
"Which that ycleped was Valerian
And day was comen / of hir mariage 1 30
She ful deuout1 and humble in hir corage
Vnder hir robe of gold / that sat ful faire
Hadde next hir flessli / yclad hire in an haire 1 33
HENGWKT 382 (6-T. 63l)
532 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. HcngWTt MS.
(20)
IT And whil that the Organs / maden melodie lot
To god allone / in hir herte / thus soong she
O • lord my soule / and eek my body gye
Vnwemmed / lest that I confounded be 137
And for his loue / that deyde vp on the tree
Euery seconde / and thridde day she faste
Ay biddyng1 in hir orisons ful faste 140
(21)
['Thje nyght cam / and to bedde moste she gon j^f 2:k-|leaf
With hire housbonde / as ofte is the manere
And pn'uely / to hym she seyde anon
0 swete / and wel biloued spouse deere 144
Ther is a conseil / and ye wolde it heere
Which that right fayn / I wolde vn to yow seyo
So that ye swere / ye shul it nat biwreye 147
(22)
IT Valerian gan faste / vn to hir swere 148
That for no cas / ne thyng ]?«t myghte bo
He sholde neuere mo biwreyen here
And thanne at erst/ to hym seyde she 151
1 haue an Anngel / which that loueth me
That with gret loue / wher so I wake or slepe
Is redy ay / my body for to kepe 154
(23)
H And if that he / may feelen. out of drede loo
That ye me touche / or loue in vileynye
He right anon / wol sleen yow with the dede
And in youre youthe / thus ye shullen dye 158
And if that ye / in clene loue me gye
He wol yow loue as me / for youre clennesse
And she we to yow / his ioye and his brightnesse 161
HENGWRT 383 (6-T. 532)
533 SIX-TEXT
GROUP Gr. § 1. SECOND NUN*S TALE. HeilgWrt MS.
(24)
H This Valerian / corrected as god wolde 162
Answerde agayn / if I shal trusten thee
Lat me that Aungel seen / and hym biholde
And if that it/ a verray Aungel be 1 65
Thanne wol I doon / as thow hast prayed me
And if thow lone another man / for sothe
Eight with this swerd / than wol I sle yow bothe 168
(25)
H Cecile answerde / right in this wise 169
If that yow list1 the Aungel shal ye se
So that ye trowe on crist1 and yow baptise
Goth forth to Via Apia . quod she 172
That fro this town / ne stant but Milys thre
And to the poure folkes / that ther dwellen
Sey hem right thus / as that I shal yow tellen 175
(26)
11 Telle hem / that I Oecile / yow to hem sente [leaf IGSJ
To shewen yow / the goode Vrban the olde
ffor secree nedes / and for good entente
And whan that ye / Seint Vrban han biholde 179
Telle hym the wordes / whiche I to yow tolde
And whan that1 he / hath purged you fro synne
Thanne shal ye seen that Aungel / er we twynne 182
(27)
11 This Valerian / is to the place gon 183
And right as hym was taught* by his lernynge
He foond / this holy olde Vrban anon
.1. Utitantem.
Among the Seintes buryels lotynge 186
And he anon / with outen tariynge
Dide his message / and whan that he it tolde
Vrban for ioye / hise handes gan vp holde 1 89
HENGWRT 384 (8-T. 533)
534 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'tJ TALE. HengWTt MS.
(28)
IT The teerys from hise eyen / leet lie falle 190
Almyghty lord / o Ihesu crist quod he
Sowere of chaast conseil / hierde of vs alle
The fruyf of thilke seed / of chastitee 193
That thow hast sowe in. Cecilie / taak to thee
Lo lyk a bisy bee / with outen gyle
Thee serueth ay / thyn owne thral Cecile 196
(29)
IF ffor thilke spouse / that she took but now 197
fful lyk a fiers leon) /. she sendeth heere
As meke / as euere was any lamb to yow
And with that word / anon ther gan appeere 200
An old man / clad in white clothes cleere
That hadde a book1 with letfae of gold in hoiide
And gan / biforn Valerian to stonde 203
(30)
H Valerian as deed / fil doun for drede 204
Whan he hym say / and he vp hente hyni tlio
And on his book1 right thus he gan to rede
0. lord / o. feith / o. god with oute mo 207
O. cristendom / and fader of alle also
Abouen alle / and oueral euery where
Thise wordes / al with gold ywriten were 210
(31)
pWjhan this was rad / thanne seyde this olde man 1/1Iftf'1J'j
Leuestow this thyng1 or no / sey ye / or nay
I leue al this thyng* quod Valerian
ffor sother thyng than this / I dar wel say 214
Vnder the heuene / no wight thynke may
Tho vanysshed this olde man / he nyste where
And pope2 Vrban / hym cristned right there [2 blotted ont]
HENGWRT 385 (6-T. 534)
535 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. HcngWlt MS.
(32)
IT Valerian goth hom / and fynt Cecilie 218
In with his chambre / with an Aungel stonde
This Aungel hadde / of Roses and of lilie
Corones two / the whiche he bar in honde 221
And first to Cecile / as I vnderstonde
He yaf that oon / and after gan he take
That oother / to Valerian hir make 2_'4
(33)
IT With body clene / and with vnwemmed thoghf 225
Kepeth ay wel / this© corones quod he
ifro Paradys / to yow / haue I hem broghfr
Ne neuere mo / ne slial they roten be 228
Ne lese hir swote sauour / trusteth me
Ke neuere wighft shal seen hem vrith his eye
But he be chaast / and hate vileynye 231
(34)
IT And thow Valerian / for thow so soone 232
Assentedesf to good conseil also
Sey what thee list1 and thow shalt han thy boone
I haue a brother / quod Valerian tho 235
That in this world / I loue no man so
I pray yow / that my brother may han grace
To knowe the trouthe / as I do in this place 238
(35)
1F The Aungel seyde / god liketh thy requeste 239
And bothe / with the palm of martirdom
Ye shullen come / \n to his blisful feste
And with that word / Tiburce his brother coom 242
And whan that he / the sauour vndernoom
Which }>at the Roses / and the lilies caste
With Inne his herte / he gan to wondre faste 245
HENGWRT 388 (6-T. 530)
536 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'g TALE. HcngWft MS.
(36)
IT And seyde / I vvondre this tyme of the yere [leaf ieo]
Whennes / that swote sauour / cometh so
Of Rose and lilies / that I smelle heere
ffor thogh I hadde hem / in myne handes two 249
The sauour myghte in me / no depper go
The swete smel / that in myn herte I fynde
Hath chaunged me / al in another kynde 252
(37)
1F Valerian seyde / two corones han we 253
Snow white and Rose reed / J?at shynen clere
Which $ai thyne eyen / han no myght to se
And as thow smellest hem / thurgh my prayere 256
So shaltow seen hem / leue brother deere
If it so be / thow wolt/ with outen slouthe
Bileue aright1 and knowen verray trouthe 259
(38)
5T Tiburce answerde / seystow this to me 260
In soothnesse / or in dreem I herkne this
In dremes quod Valerian / han we be
Vn to this tyme / brother myn ywys 263
But now at erst/ in trouthe oure dwellyng is
How wostow this quod Tiburce / in what wyse
Quod Valerian / that shal I thee deuyse 266
(39)
If The Aungel of god / hath me the trouthe y taught 267
Which thow shalt seen / if that thow wolt reneye
The ydoles / and be clene / and ellis naught1
And of the myracle / of thise corones tweye 270
Seint Ambrose / in his preface / list to seye
Solempnely / this noble doctour deere
Cowmendeth it1 and seith in this manere 273
HENGWKT 387 (6-T. 536)
537 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. HeilgWlt MS.
(40)
1F The palme of martirdom / for to receyue 274
Seinte Cecile / fulfild of goddes yifte
The world / and eek hir chambre gan she weyue
Witnesse Tiburces / and Cecilies shrifte 277
To whiche / god of his bou/ztee wolde shifte
Corones two / of floures wel smellynge
And made his Aungel / hem the corones brynge 280
(41)
[1Th]e mayde hath broght men / to blisse aboue 5oJ°£ckjeaf
The world hath wist1 what it is worth certeyn
Deuocion / of chastitee to loue
Tho shewed hym Cecile / al open and pleyn 284
That alle ydoles / nys but a thyng in veyn
ffor they been dowmbe / and ther to they been deue
And charged hym / hise ydoles for to leue 287
(42)
IF Who so J>«t troweth nat this / a beest he is 288
Quod tho Tiburce / if that I shal nat lye
And she gan kisse his bresfr that herde this
And was ful glad / he koude trouthe espye 291
This day I take thee / for myn allye
Seyde this blisful / faire mayde deere
And after that1 she seyde as ye may heere 294
(43)
11 Lo right so / as the loue of Crist quod she 295
Made me thy brotheres wyf / right in that wise
Anon for myn allie / heere take I thee
Syn that thow wolt/ thyne ydoles despise 298
Go with thy brother now / and thee baptise
And make thee clene / so J>at thow mo we biholde
The Aungeles face / of which thy brother tolde 301
HENGWRT 388 (6-T. 537)
538 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 1, SECOND NUN*S TALE. HcngWTt MS, 389
(44)
51 Tiburce answerde / and seyde brother deere 302
ffirst tel me whider that I shal / and to Avhat man
To whom quod he / com forth with right1 good cheere
I wol thee lede / vn to the pope' Vrban ^^^f
Til Vrban / brother myn Valerian
Quod tho Tiburce / woltow me thider lede
Me thynketh / that it were a wonder dede 308
(45)
5F Ne menestow nat Vrban / quod he tho 309
That is so ofte / dampned to be deed
And woneth in halkes / alwey to & fro
And dar nat ones / putte forth his heed 312
Men sholde hym brennen / in a fyr so reed
If he were founde / or fat men myghte hym spyo
And we also / to here hym compaignye 315
(46)
IT And whil we seken / thilke diuinytee [leaf no]
That is yhyd / in heuene prraely
Algate / ybrend in this world shul we be
To whom Cecile / answerde boldely 319
Men myghten dreden / wel and skilfully
This lyf to lese / myn owene deere brother
If thys were lyuyng oonly / and noon oother 322
(47)
If But tlier is bettre lyf / in oother place 323
That neuere shal be lost1 ne drede thee noghf
Which goddes sone / vs tolde thurgh his grace
That fadres sone / hath alle thynges wroghtf 326
And al that wroght is / with a skilful thoghtf
The goost that fro the fader / gan procede
Hath souled hem / with outen any drede 329
27 HENGWRT 389 (6-T. 538)
539 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
(48)
IF By word and by myracle / he goddes sone 330
Whan he was / in this world / declared heere
That tlier was oother lyf / ther men may wone
To whom answerde Tiburce / o suster deere 333
JSre seydestow right now / in this manere
Ther nys but o god / lord in sothfastnesse
And now of thre / how may stow bere witnesse 336
(49)
1T That shal I telle quod she / er I go 337
Right as a man / hath sapiences thre
Memorie / engyn / and intellect also
So in o beynge / of diuinytee 340
Thre persones / may ther right wel be
Tho gan she hym / ful bisily to preche
Of cristes come / and of his peynes teche 343
(50)
IT And manye pointes / of his passion 344
How goddes sone / in this world was w/t/iholde
To doon mankynde / pleyn remission
That was ybounde / in synne / and cares colde 347
Al this thyng1 she vn to Tiburce tolde
And after this / Tiburce in good entente
With Valerian / to pope1 Yrban he wente ty
(51)
rrbanus
[2Th]at thanked god / and with glad herte and light1
He cristned hym / and made hym in that place
Parfit in his lernyng1 goddes knyght1
And after this / Tiburce gat SAvich grace 354
That euery day / he say in tyme and space
The Aungel of god / and euery maner boone
That he god axed / it was sped ful soone 357
HENGWRT 390 (6-T. 539)
540 SIX-TEXT
GIIOUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Hfengwrt MS.
(52)
11 It -were ful hard / by ordre for to seyn 358
How many wondres / Ihesus for licm wroghte
But at the laste / to tellen short/ and pleyn.
The sergeantz / of the town of Rome hem soghte 361
And hem biforn Almache / the Prefect1 broghte
Which hem opposed / and knew al hir entente
And to the ymage of lubiter / hem sente 364
(53)
1T And seyde / who so wol nat sacrifise 365
Swape of his heed / this is my sentence heer
Anon thise martirs / that I yow deuyse
Oon Maximws / that was an Officer 368
Of the Prefectes / and his Corniculer
Hem hente / and whan he forth the Seintes ladde
Hym self he weep / for pitee that he hadde 371
(54)
^T Whan Maximws / hadde herd the Seintes loore 372
He gat hym / of the tormentours leue
And ladde hem to his hous / with oute moore
And with hir prechyng1 er that it were cue 375
They gonnen / fro the tormentours to reue
And fro Maxime / and fro his folk echone
The false feith / to trowe in god allone 378
(55)
1T Cecile cam / whan it was woxen nyght 379
With preestes / that hem cristned alle yfeere
And afterward / whan day was woxen light
Cecile hym .seyde / with a ful stedefast cheere 382
Now cristes owene knygntes / leue and deere
Cast al awey / the werkes of derknesse
And armeth yow / in armure of brightnesse 385
I1ENGWRT 391 (6-T. 540)
541 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
(56)
IF Ye han for sothe / ydoon a greet bataille [leaf 171]
Youre cours is dooii / youre feith han ye conserued
Gotli to the corone of lyf/ that may nat faille
The rightful luge / which that ye han serued 389
Shal yeue it yow / as ye han it disserued
And whan this thyng was seyd / as I deuyse
Men ledde hem forth / to doon the sacrifise 392
(57)
f But whan they weren / to the place broght 393
To tellen shortly / the conclusioun
They nolde eiicense / ne sacrifice right noghf
But on hir knees / they setten hem adoun 396
With humble herte / and sad deuocioim
And losten / bothe hir heuedes / in the place
Hir soules wenten / to the kyng of grace 399
(58)
IT This Maxim as / that say this thyng bityde 400
With pitous teerys / tolde it anon right1
That he hir soules / saugh to heuene glyde
With Aungeles / ful of cleernesse / and of light1 403
And with his word / conue?'ted many a wight*
ffor which Almachius / dide hym so bete
With whippe of leed / til he his lyf gan lete 405
(59)
f Cecile hym took / and buryed hym anon 407
By Tiburce and Valerian softely
With Inne hir buryyng place / vnder the stoon
And after this / Almachius hastily 410
Bad hise Ministres / fecchen openly
Cecilie / so fat she myghte in his presence
Doon sacrifice / and lubiter encense 413
HENGWEl 392 (6-T. 541)
542 SIX-TEXT
GROUP GK § 1. SECOND NUN*S TALE. HengWTt MS,
(60)
IF But they connected / at hir wise loore 414
Wepten ful sore / and yauen ful credence
Vn to liir word / and cryden moore & moore
Crist goddes sone / with outen difference 417
Is verray god / this is al oure sentence
That hath so good a seruant / hym to seme
This with o voys / we trowen / thogh we sierue 420
(61)
['Almjachius / that herde of this doynge VRats. ifni,bk]
Bad fecchen Cecilie / that he myghte hir se
And alderfirst lo / this was his axynge
What maner womman / artow. quod he 424
I am a gentil womman born / quod she
I axe thee quod he / thogh it the greue
Of thy religion) / and of thy bileue 427
(62)
IF Ye han bigonne / youre question folily 428
Quod she / that wolden two ausweres conclude
In o demande / ye axed lewedly
Almachie answerde / vn to that similitude 431
Of whennes comth / thyn answeryng so rude
Of whennes quod she / whan that she was freyned
Of conscience / and of good feith vnfeyned 434
(63)
IF Almachius seyde / ne takestow noon hede 435
Of my power / and she answerde hym / this
Youre myght quod she / ful litel is to drede
ffor euery / mortal mannes power nys 438
But lyk a bladdre / ful of wynd ywis
ffor with a nedles point1 whan it is blowe
May al the boost of if be leyd ful lowe 441
HENGWRT 393 (6-T. 642)
543 SIX-TEXT
GROUP 0. § 1, SECOND NtiN'8 "TALE. HcngWrt MS.
(64)
f fful wrongfully / bigonne thow quod he 442
And yet in wrong4 is al thy perseverance
Wostow naf how / oure myghty princes free
Han thus comanded / and maad ordinance 445
That euery cristen wight1 shal han penance
But if that he / his cristendom withseye
And goon al 'quyf if he wol it reneye 448
(65)
IT Youre Prynces erren / as youre nobleye dooth 449
Quod tho Cecile / and with a wood sentence
Ye make vs gilty / and is nat sooth
flbr ye J>at knowen wel / oure Innocence 452
ffor as muche / as we doon a reuerence
To crist1 and for we here a cristen name
Ye putte on vs / a cry me / & eek a blame • 455
(66)
^ But we that knowen / thilke name so [leaf 172]
flbr vertuous / we may it nat withseye
Aim ache answerde / chees oon of thise two
Do sacrifice / or cristendom reneye 459
That thow mowe now / escapen by that weye
At which / this holy / blisful faire mayde
Gail for to laughe / and to the luge she sayde 462
(67)
IT 0 luge eoni'us / in thy nycetee 463
"VViltow / that I reneye Innocence
To maken me / a wikked wighf quod she
Lo / he dissimuleth heere in audience 466
He stareth and woodeth / in his aduertence
To whom Almachius / vnsely wrecche
Ne wostow natt how fer my myght may strecche 469
HENGWRT 394 (6-T. 543)
544 SIX-TEXT ;
GROUP Or. § 1, SECOND NUN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
(68)
^T -Han noght oure myghty princes / to me yeuen 470
Ye bothe power / and auctoritee
To maken folk / to dyen or to lyuen
Why spekestow so prowdly / thanne to me 473
I speke noglifr but stedefastly quod she
Nat proudly / for I seye / as for my. syde
We haten dedly / thilke vice of prydo 476
(69)
nudlrc
IT And if thow drede nat1 a sooth to here 477
Thanne wol I shewe / al openly by right1
That thow hast maad / a ful greet lesyng here
Thow seist1 thy princes / han thee yeuen myghf 480
Bothe for to sleen / and for to quyken a wight1
Thow that ne mayst1 but oonly lyf byreue
Thow hast noon oother power / ne no leue 483
(70)
II But thow mayst seyn / thy prmces han thee maked 484
Ministre of deeth / for if thow speke of me
Thow lyest1 for thy power is ful naked
Do wey thy boldnesse / seyde Almachius tho 487
And sacrifice / to oure goddes / er thow go
I recche nat1 what wrong1 that thow me profre
ffor I kan suffre it/ as a Philosophre 490
(71)
[But1] thilke wronges / may I nat endure [l Rats, leaf 172, backj
[JT]hat thow spekest1 of oure goddes here quod he
Cecilie answerde / o nyce creature
Thow seydest no word / syn thow spak to me 494
That I ne knew ther-with thy nycetee
And that thow were / in euery maner wise
A lewed Officer / a veyn lustise 497
HENGWRT 395 (6-T. 544)
545 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. HeilgWTt MS.
(72)
exUiioribws oculil
IF Ther lakketh no thyng1 to thyne outter eyen. 498
That thow nart blynd / for thyng fat we seen alle
That is a stoon / that men may wel espien
That like stoon / a god thow wolt it calle 501
I rede thee / lat thyn hand vp on it falle
And taste it wel / and stoon thow shalt it fynde
Syn that thow seesf nat / with thyne eyen blynde 504
(73)
*F It is a shame / that the peple shal 505
So scornen thee / and laughe at thy folye
ffor comenly / men woot it wel ouer al
That myghty god / is in hise heuenes hye 508
And thise ymages / wel thow mayst espye
To thee / ne to hem self / mowe noght profite
ffor in effect* they be nat worth a my te 511
(74)
IF Thise / and swiche othere / seyde she : 512
And he weex wrooth / and bad men sholde hir lede
Hoom til hir hous / and in hir hous quod he
Bren hire / right in a Bath of flambes rede 515
And as he bad / right so was doon the dede
ffor in a Bath / they gonne hire faste shetten
And nyght and day / greet fyr they vnder betten 518
(75)
IF The longe nyght1 and eek a day also 519
ffor al the fyr / and eek the Bathes hete
She sat al coold / and feeled no wo
It made hir nat1 o drope for to swete 522
But in that Bath / hir lyf she moste lete
ffor he Almachius / with a ful wikke entente
To sleen hire in the Bath / his sonde sente 525
HENGWRT 396 (6-T. 645)
546 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 1. SECOND NUN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
(76)
IF Thre strokes in the nekke / he smoot hire tho
The tormentour / but for no maner chaunce
He myghte noghfr smyte al hir nekke atwo
And for ther was / that tyme an ordinaunce 529
That no man / sholde doon man swich penannce
The ferthe strook to smyten / softe or score
This tormentour / ne dorste do namoore 532
(77)
IT But half deed / with hir nekke ycoruen there 533
He lefte hir lye / and on his wey he went1
The cristen folk1 whiche \a\> aboute hire were
With shetes / han the blood ful faire yhent1 536
Thre dayes / lyued she in this torment1
And neuere cessed / hem the feith to teche
That she hadde fostred / hem she gan to preche 539
(78)
11 And hem she yaf / hir moebles / and hir thyng) 540
And to the Pope1 Yrban / bitook hem tho b{i^,,S°0i-^1
And seyde / I axed Jjis of heuene kyngj
To han respif thre dayes / and namo 543
To reco??zmende to yow / er that I go
Thise soules / lo / and pat I myghte do werche
Here of myn hous / perpetuelly a cherche 546
(79)
11 Seint Vrban / with hise deknes pryuely 547
The body fette / and buryed it by nyghte
Among hise othere Seintes honestly
Hir hous / the chirche of Seinte Cecilie highte 550
Seint Yrban halwed it/ as he wel myghte
In which / in to this day / in noble wyse
Men doon to crisf and to his seinte seruyse . 553
^ Here is ended / the Nonnes tale fo
HENGWRT 397 (6-T. 646)
402 SIX-TEXT
SIDE-NOTES TO THE CLERK'S TALE. HengWTt MS.
SIDE-NOTES TO CLERK'S TALE, HENGWRT MS.
(From Petrarch's Latin original: see the Society's Originals and
Analogues of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.)
\_As there is no room in this print for the Latin notes in ihe
margin of the MS, they are put here, n'ith the numbers of the lines
(and pages of the Six-Text) to which they refer.]
p. 404, 1. 44. ^[ Est ad ytalie lat??s occichnm vesul?/* [ex Appe-
nini] lugis mons altissimw* qui vertice nu[bila superjans liquido
sese ingerit etheri / Mons [suapte] nobilis natura / padi ortu no-
bilissim?/* qu[i latere] fonte laps?/* exiguo orientew contra solewi
fert[ur &c.] [MS, leaf 173, back.]
p. 405, 1, 57. ^[ Inter cetera ad radice/M Vesuli terra, Saluciar??wt
\\cis & castelK*. [MS, leaf 174.]
p. 412, 1. 282. *[[ vt expedites curis alijs ad visenduw/- do mini sui
sponsam cum puellis comitib?/* prope/'aret. [MS, leaf 177, back.]
p. 412, 1. 295. ^[ qwwm Walter?/.* cogitabundus incedens eawq??e
cowpellans nomine. [MS, leaf 177, back.]
p. 414, 1. 337. *[[ Et insolito tanti hospit?'* aduentu stupidam
inuenit/ [MS, leaf 178.]
p. 414, 1. 344. ^[ Et patri tuo placet inquid & michi vt vxor raea,
sis / et credo idip*?/m tibi placeat / set habeo ex te querere &cctera:
[MS, leaf 178, back.]
p. 414, 1. 356. ^[ Sine vlla frontis aut verlri impngnacione.
[MS, leaf 178, back.]
p. 414, 1. 358. ^[ Nil ego vnqw#m sciens neduw. facia m set ecia???.
cogitabo quod cont?'« aniniu?;?, tuuw. sit/ nee tu ali(]uid facies / et
si me mori iusseris quod moleste ferarn. [MS, leaf 178, back.]
p. 415, 1. 372. ^[ dehinc ne quid reliquiar?m fortune vett'/'is
nouam inferat in domu?/t / nudari earn iussit/ [MS, leaf 178, back.]
p. 416, 1. 400. //Aiqne apwd omnes supra fidem cara & vene;-a-
bilis fac^a est/ vix qnod hijs ipsis qui illius originem nouerant/
pcrsuaderi posset lanicule nata?^ esse t&ntws vite / tant?/s mor?////
decor ea verborum grauitas atq?^e dulcedo quib?/s omnium awiwos
nexu sibi magni amoris astrinx^rat/ [MS, leaf 179.]
p. 416, 1. 421. ^[ Sic Walter??* humili quidem set insigni ac
prospero matrimonio honestatis su???ma dei in pace Stcetera. [MS,
leaf 179, back.]
p. 416, 1. 425. ^[ Quodque eximiam virtutew tanta sub inopia
latitante?/?. tarn perspicacity^ deprendisset vulgo prudentissinv?/*
habebat?/r. [MS, leaf 179, back.]
HENGWRT 398 (6-T. 402)
402 SIX-TEXT
SIDE-NOTES TO THE CLERK'S TALE. HcngWTt MS.
p. 416, 1. 428. Neqwe vero solers sponsa muliebria tantum ac do-
mestica/ set vbi res posceret publica ecia??t subibat officia. [MS,
leaf 179, back.]
p. 417, 1. 435. ^[ viro absente lites pafrie / nobilium discordias
dirimens atqwe Cflwponens tarn gvv/uibws responsis/ tantaq?/./? raaturi-
tate & ludicij equitate vt omwes ad salutew/. publicaw demissawi
celo few main pmlicarent. [MS, leaf 179, back.]
p. 417, 1. 449. ^[ cepit [ut fit inte/'dum Walterum ciw] iam
[ablactata esset infantula] mirabilis q[uedam qwam laudabilis]
eupiditas sat[/.s expertam care fidem] cowiugis expmen[di alcius
& itmim] &tque iterum retem[ptandi]. [MS, leaf 180.]
p. 422, 1. 603. ^[ Par alacritas atqwc sedalitas solituwt obsequiuw//
idem amor nulla filie mencio. [MS, leaf 182.]
p. 422, 1. 610. ^[ t?'ansiu<??'ant hoc/ in statu anni .4. dum ecce
grauida bcvtera. [MS, leaf 182.]
p. 423, 1. 624. ^[ Et olim ait audisti populu??? men?M egre nos
trum ferre connubiuw* &cetera. [MS, leaf 182, back.]
p. 424, 1. 659. ^[ ffac sen[ten]ciam tibi placere qwod moriar
volens moriar. [MS, leaf 183.]
p. 426, 1. 722. ^[ ceperit sensi[m de Waltero] decolor fama [cre-
brescere.] -[MS, leaf 184.]
p. 436, 1. 1037. vnu'/M. bona fide pwcor ac moneo / ne bane/ illis
aculeis agites / quibws alt<??-am agitasti namq?/<? & iunior & delicacius
nutrita est/ pati quantim ego vt reor non valeret/ [MS, leaf 188,
back.]
p. 439, 1. 1142. *f bane historian stilo nuwc alto retexere vis[um
fuit] non turn ideo / vt matronas nostri temporis [ad] imitanda/»
hui?/.s vxoris pacienciawi que mich[i] inimitabilis videt?//1 / qua/«
vt legentes ad imitanda?M. saltew fewiwe constancia?;< excitaren-
tur
^[ vt qiie hec viro suo prestitit/ boc prestare deo nostro atideat
quilibet/ vt lacobus ait Apostolusj / Intemptator sit malorw/// &
ipse newiiwem temptat/ probat tamen et sepe nos multis ac gy«ui-
bws flagellis excerceri sinit / non vt animuw nostrum, sciat/ quew
sciuit anteq?«zm crearem?/?1 kcetera. [MS, leaf 190.]
IIENGWRT 399 (6-T. 402)
GKOTJP E. FEAGMENT VI.
§ 1. THE CLERK'S HEAD-LINK.
HENGWRT MS.
U The Pwhemie of the Clerkys tale of Oxen ford?
[leaf 173, back]
Sire clerk of Oxenford / oure hoost sayde
Ye ride as coy / and stille as dooth a mayde
Were newe spoused / sittyng at the bord
This day ne herde I / of youre tonge a word 4
I trowe ye studio / aboutc som Sophyme
But Salomon seith / euery thyng hath tyme
IF ffor goddes sake / as beth of bettre cheere
It is no tyme / for to studien heere 8
Tel vs som murie tale / by youre fey
ffor what man / that is entred in a pley
He nedes moot/ vn-to the pley assente
But p?'echeth nat/ as freres doon in lente 12
To maken vs / for oure olde synnes wepe
Ne that thy tale / make vs nat to slepe
IF Tel vs / som murye thyng of auentures
Youre termes / youre colours / and youre figures 1 G
Kepe hem in stoor / til so be ye endite
Heigh stile / as whan \>ai men to kynges write
Speketh so pleyn at this tyme / we yow preye
That we may vnderstonde / what ye seye 20
IT This worthy clerk/ benygnely answerde
Hoost quod he / I am vnder youre yerde
Ye han of vs / as now the gouernance
And therfore / wol I do yow obeisance 24
HENGWRT 400 (6-T. 403)
404 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 1. CLERK'S HEAD-LINK. Hengwrt MS.
As fer / as reson asketh hardily
I wol yow telle a tale / which that I
Lerned at Padwe / of a worthy Clerk1
As proued / by his wordes and his werk< 28
He is now deed / and nayled in his Cheste
I pray to god / so yeue his soule reste
IF ifraunceys Petrak1 the lauryat poete
Highte this clerk1 whos Rethoryk swete 32
Enlumyned al Ytaille / of Poetrie
As Lynyan dide / of Pliilosophie
Or lawe / or oother art paHiculer
But deth / ]>at wol nat sniFre vs dwellen her 36
But as it were / a twynldyng of an eye (.leaf 174]
Hem bothe hath slayn / and alle shul we dye
II But forth to tellen / of this worthy man
That taughte me this tale / as I bigan 40
I seye ]>ai first1 with heigh stile he enditeth
Er he / the body of his tale writeth
A prohemie / in which discryueth he
Pemond / and of Saluces the contree {.Latin note, p. 402] 44
And speketh of Appenyn / the hilles hye
That been the boundes / of west lumbardye
And of Mount Yesulus / in special
Wher as the Poo / out of a Avelle smal 48
Taketh his firste spryngyng / and his cours
That Estward / ay encresseth in his cours
To Emeleward / to fferare / and Venyse
The which / a long thyng were to deuyse 52
And trewely / as to my luggement1
Me thynketh it1 a thyng inpertinentf
Saue Jjat he wole / convoien his matere
But this his tale / which J>«t ye shal heere 56
HENGWKT 401 (6-T. 404)
405 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
1" Here bigynneth the tale fo
Ther is / at the west syde of Ytaille 57
Doun at the roote / of Vesulus the colde r-Ll%"^te*
A lusty playne / habundant of vitaille i grata pianieies
Wher many a tour and town / thow inayst biholde 60
That founded were / in tyme of fadres olde
And many another / delitable sighte
And Saluces / this noble contree highte 63
IT A Markys whilom / lord was of that lone? 64
As were his worthy eldres hym bifore
And obeysant1 ay redy to his hond
Were alle his liges / bothe lasse and moore 67
Thus in delit he lyueth / and hath doon yoore
Biloued and drad / thurgh fauour of {fortune
Bothe of his lordes / and of his commune 70
[Th1]er with he was / to speke as of lynage [' Rats, if 174, bk]
The gentileste / yborn of Lumbardye
A fair persone / and strong1 and yong of age
And ful of hoiioMj1 / and of curteisye 74
Discret ynogh / his contree for to gye
8aue in some thynges / fat lie was to blame
And Walter / was this yonge lordes name 77
IF I blame hym thus / that he considered noghtf 78
In tyme comynge / what myghte hym bityde
But on his lust present1 was al his thoght1
As for to hauke / and hunte on euery syde 81
Wei neigh / alle oothere cures leet he slyde
And eek he nolde / and that was worst of alle
Wedde no wyf/ for noght fat may bifalle 84
1IKNGWKT 402 (8-T. 405)
406 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE.. Hengwrt MS.
1T Oonly that point* his peple bar so soore &5
That flokmele on a clay / they to hym wente cateruatim.
And oon of hem / ]>ai wisest was of loore
Or ellis / Jjat the lord / best wolde assente 88
That he sholde telle hym / what his peple mente
Or ellis koude he / shewe wel swich matere
lie to the Markys seyde / as ye shal heere 91
•
IT 0 noble Markys / youre humanitee ^SUfjS^S10"^
Assureth vs / and yeueth vs hardynesse
As ofte / as tymc is of necessitee
That we to yow / moAve telle oure heuynesse 95
Aocepteth lord / now of youre gentillesse
That we with pitous herte / vn to yow pleyne
And lat youre erys / noght my voys disdeyne 98
5T Al haue I noght to doone / in this matere 99
Moore than another man / hath in this place
Yet for as muche / as ye my lord so deere
Han alwey shewed me / fauour and grace 102
I dar the bettre / aske of yow a space
Of audience / to shewen oure requeste
And ye my lord / to doon right as yow leste 105
IT ffor cartes lord so wel vs liketh yow [leaf 175] 106
And al youre werk1 and euere han doon / J?«t we
!N"e kouden nat vs self / deuysen how
We myghte lyuen / in moore felicitee 109
Saue o thyng lord / if it youre wille be
That for to been a wedded man / yow leste
Thanne were youre peple / in soue?-eyn hertes reste 112
1F Boweth youre nekke-/ vnder that blisful yob 113
Of souereyntee / noght of seruyse
Which that men clepe / spousaille / or wedlok1
And thenketh lord / among youre thoghtes wise 116
HENGWRT 403 (6-T. 406)
407 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
How Jjat oure dayes passe / in sondry wyse
ffor thogh we slepe / or wake / or renne / or ryde
Ay fleeth the tyme / it nel no man abyde 119
IT And thogh youre grene youthe / floure as yitf 120
In crepeth age alwey / as stille as stoon
And deth / manaceth euery age and smytt
In ech estafr for ther escapeth noon 123
And also certeyn / as we knowe echon
That we shal dye / as vncerteyn we alle
Been of that day / whan deth shal on vs falle 12G
H Accepteth thanne of vs / the trewe entente 127
That neue?'e yet1 refused en thyn heste
And we wol lord / if fat ye wol assente
Chese yow a wyf/ in short tyme at the leeste 130
Born of the gentileste / and of the meeste
Of al this lond / so Jjat it oghte seme
Honour / to god and yow / as we kan deme 133
IT Delyuere vs / out of al this bisy drede 134
And tak a wyf / for heighe goddes sake
ffor if so bifelle / as god forbede
That thurgh youre deeth / youre ligne sholde slake 137
And that a straunge Successour / sholde take
Youre heritage / o. wo were vs alyue
Wher fore / we pray yow / hastily to wyue 140
[Hir1] mcke prayere / and liir pitous checre >j Rati. if 175, bk]
Made the Markys herte / han pitee
Ye wol quod he / myn owene peple deere
To that I neuere erst thoglite / streyne me 144
I me reioysed / of my libertee
That selde tyme / is founde in mariage
Ther I was free / I moot ben in seruage 147
HENGWKT 404 (6-T. 407)
408 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT But natlielees / I se youre trewe entente 148
And truste vp on youre wit1 and haue doon ay
Wher fore / of my free wyl / I wol assente
To wedde me / as soone as euere I may 151
But ther as ye / han profred me to day
To cliese me a wyf/ I yow relesse
That choys / and pray yow of that prof re cesse 154
IT ffor god it woofr Jxrd; children ofte ben 155
"Vnlyk/ hir worthy eldres hem bifore
Bountee comth al of god / nat of the stren
Of which / they been engendred and ybore 158
I triste in goddes bouwtee / and ther fore
My mariage /and myn estat and reste
I hym bitake / he may doon as hym leste 161
IT Lat me allone / in chesyng of my wyf 162
That charge vp on my bak1 I wol endure
But I pray yow / and charge vp on youre lyf
That what wyf ]>ai I take / ye me assure 165
To worshipe hire / whil Jjat hir lyf may dure
In word and werk/ bothe here and euerywhere
As she / an Emperours doghter were 168
51 And ferther moore / this shal ye swere / j>«t ye 169
Agayn my choys / shal neither grucche ne stryue
ffor sith / I shal forgoon my libertee
At your requeste / as euere mote I thryue 172
Ther as myn herte is set/ ther wol I wyue
And but ye wol assente / in swich manero
I pray yow / speketh namoore of this matere 1 75
U With hertly wyl / they sworen and assenten Oaf 170]
To al this thyng1 ther seyde no wight nay
Bisekynge hym of grace / er J>at they wenten
That he wolde / graunten hem a certein day 179
28 II EN G WET 405 (6-T. 408)
409 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Of his spousaille / as soone as euere I may
ffor yet alwcy / the peple som what dredde
Lest that the Markys / no wyf wolde wedde 182
IF He graunted hem a day / swich as hym leste 183
On which / he wolde be wedded sikerly
And seyde / he dide al this at hir requeste
And they / with humble entente buxomly 186
Knelynge vp on hir knees / ful reuerently
Hym thanken alle / and thus they han an ende
Of hir entente / and horn agayn they wende 189
And her vp on / lie to his officers 190
Comaundeth / for the feste to purueye
And to his pryuee knyghtes and Squyers
Swich charge yaf / as hym liste on hem loyo 193
And they / to his comandement obeye
And ech of hem / dooth al his diligence
To doon / vn-to the feste reucrence 196
^[ Explicit prima pars fo
^f Incipit pars secunda fo
NOght fer / fro tliilke paleys honorable 197
"VVher as this Markys / shoope his manage
Ther stood a Throope / of site delitable
In which fat poure folk / of that village 200
Hadden hir bestes / and hir herbergage
And of hir labour / token hir sustenance
After that the erthe / yaf hem habundance 203
[A1]mong this poure folk / ther dwelte a man [ ] Rats, if 17
Which Ipak was holden / pourest of hem alle
But heighe god / som tyme senden kan
His grace / in to a litel Oxes Stalle 207
lanicula / men of that Throope hym calle
A doghter hadde he / fair ynogh to sighte
And Grisildis / this yonge mayden highte 210
HENGWRT 406 (6-T. 400)
410 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT But for to speke / of vertuous beautee 21 1
Tlianne was she / oon the faireste vnder the sonne
ffor poureliche / yfostred vp was she
K"o likerous lust1 was tlmrgh hir kerte yronne 214
Wei ofter of the welle / than of the tonne
She drank1 and for she wolde vertu plese
She knew wel labour / but noon ydel esc 217
IT But thogh this mayde / tendre were of age 218
Yet in the brest1 of hir virgiiiitee
Ther was enclosed / rype and sad corage
And in grot reuerence / and charitee 221
Hir olde poure fader / fostred she
A fewe sheepe / spynnynge / on feld she kepte
She wolde noght been ydel / til she slepte 224
1T And whan she homward cam / she wolde brynge 225
Wortes / or otliere herbes / tymes ofte
The whiche she shredde / and seeth for his lyuynge
And made hir bed ful harde / and no thyng softe 228
And ay she kepte / hir fadres lyf on lofte
With euery obeysance / and diligence
That child may doon / to fadres reuerence 231
IT Vp on Grisilde / this poure creature 232
fful ofte sithe / this Markys sette his eye
And he / on huntyng rood per auenture
And whan it fil / pat he myghte hire espie 235
He noght1 wit wantowne lookyng of folye
Hise eyen caste on hire / but in sad wyse
Vp on hir cheere / he wolde hym ofte auyse 238
11 Commendynge in his herte / hir wommanhede [leaf 177]
And eek hir vertu / passyng any wight*
Of so yong age / as wel in cheere as dede
ffor thogh the peple / hath no greet insight1 242
HENGWRT 407 (6-T. 410)
411 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
In vertue / he considered fill right1
Hir Loimtee / and disposed fat lie wolde
Wedde hire oonly / if euere he wedden sholdo 245
IT The day of weddyng cam / but no wight kan 2-16
Tclle what womman / fat it sholde "be
ffor which merueille / wondrcd many a nian
And seyden / whan they were in pmietce 249
"VVol nat onre lord / yet leue his vanytee
Wol he nat wedde / alias the while
Why wol he thus / hym self and vs big vie 252
^F But nathelecs / this Markys hath doon make 253
Of gemmes / set in gold and in Asure
Broches and rynges / for Grisildis sake
And of hir clothyng1 took he the mesurc 256
Of a mayde / lyk to hir stature
And eek of othere / aournementes alle
That vn-to swich a weddyng1 sholde falle 259
IT The tyme of vndren / of the same day 20'0
Approcheth / fat this weddyng sholde be
And al the palays / put was in array
Bothe halle and chambres / ech in his degree 263
Houses of office / stuffed with plentee
Ther maystow seen / of deynteuous vitaille
That may be founde / as fer as last Ytaille 266
IT This Koial Markys / richeliche arrayed 267
Lordes and ladys / in his compaignye
The which e / fat to the feste were yprayed
And of his retenue / the Bach il rye 270
With many a sown / of sondry melodye
Vn to the village / of the which I tolde
In this array / the righte wey han holde 273
HENGWRT 408 (6-T. 41 1)
412 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
[Gri^silde of this / god woot ful Innocent1 psaa. leafm, bm-k]
[T^hat for hire shapen was / al this array
To fecchen water / at a welle / is went1
And cometh horn / as soone as euer she may 277
ffor wel she liadde herd seyd / J>at thilke day
The Markys sholde wedde / and if she myghte
She wolde fayn han seyn / som of that sighte 280
IT She thoghtc / I wole w/t/i othere maydens stoiido 281
That been my felawes / in oure dore and se [Latin note, p. 40-2]
The Markisesse / and therfore wol I fonde
To doon at horn / as soone as it may be 284
The labour / which jj«t longeth vn to me
And thanne I may / at leyser hir biholde
Yf she this wey /.vn to the Castel holde 287
IT And as she wolde / ouer the thresshfold gon 288
The Markys earn / and gan hire for to calle
And she sette doun / hir water pot anon.
Bisyde the thresshfold / in an Oxes Stalle 291
And doun vp on hir knees / she gan to falle
And with sad contenance / kneleth stille
Til she hadde herd / what was the lordes wille 294
IT This thoghtful Markys / spak vn to this mayde ^a^lote'
fful sobrely / and seyde in this manere
Where is youre fader / o. Grisildis he sayde
And she with reue?'ence / in humble cheere 298
Answerde / lord he is al redy heere
And she goth / with outen lenger lette
And to the Markys / she hir fader fette 301
IT He by the hand / than took this olde man 302
And seyde thus / whan he hym hadde asyde
lanicula / I neither may ne kan
Lenger / the plesance of myn herte hyde 305
HENGWRT 409 (6-T. 412)
413 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
If that thow vouclie sauf / what so bityde
Thy doghter wol I take / er that I wende
As for my wyf/ vn to my lyues encle 308
If Thow loucst me / I woot it wel certeyii [leaf 178] 309
And art1 my feithful lige man ybore
And al that liketli me / I dar wel seyn
It liketli thee / and specially ther fore 312
Tel me that point/ that I liane seyd b if ore
If that thow woltH vn to that purpos drawe
To take me / as for thy sone in lawe 315
H The sodeyn cas / this man astoneyd so 31 G
That reed he weex abayst1 and al quakyng1
He stood / vnnethe seyde he wordes mo
But oonly this / lord quod he / my willy ng1 319
Is as ye wole / ne ayeins youre likyng1
I wol no thyng1 ye be my lord so deere
Right as yow list/ gouerneth this matere 322
f Yet wol I / quod this Markys / softely 323
That in thy chambre / .1. and thow . and she
Haue a collacioii / and wostow why
ffor .1 wol aske / if it liir wille be 326
To be my wyf / and rule hire after me
And al this shal be doon / in thy presence
I wol noght speke / out of thyn audience 329
IT And in the chambre / whil they were aboute 330
Hir tretys / which as ye shal after heere
The peple cam / vn to the hous with oute
And wondred hem / in how honeste manere 333
And tentifly / she kepte hir fader deere
But outrely / Grisildis wondre myghte
ffor neuere eft1 ne saw she swich a sighte 336
IIENGWRT 410 (6-T. 413)
414 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
1f ISTo wonder is / thogli Jjat she were astoned iLxtin note, P. 402]
To seen so greet a gesf come in to place
She neue?'e was / to swiche gestes woned
ffor which she looked / with ful pale face 340
But shortly / forth this matere for to chace
Thise arn the wordes / J>«t this Markys sayde
To this benygne / verray feithful mayde 343
[Gri^silde he seyde /ye shal wel vnclerstonde &Kt%\Jt™'}$
It liketh to youre fader / and to me
That I yow wedde / and cek it may so stonde
As I suppose / ye wol J>«t it so Le 347
But thise demandes / aske I first quod lie
That sith it shal be doon / in hastif wyso
Wol ye assente / or ellis yow auyse 350
IF I sey this / be ye redy / with good herte 351
To al my lust1 and ]>ai I frely may
As me best thynketh / do yow laughe or sm<??-te
And neuere ye to grucche it/ nyglit ne day 354
And eek whan I sey ye / ne sey nat nay
Neither by word / ne frownyng contenance {Latin note, p. 402]
Swere this / and heere I swere oure alliance 357
IT Wondrynge vp on this word / quakyng for drede [,zj$j note>
She seyde lord / vndigne / or vn worthy
I am / to thilke honour / pat ye me bede
But as ye wol your self/ right so wol I 361
And heere I swere / that neue?*e willyngly
In werk ne thoghtf I nel yow disobeye
ffor to be deed / thogh me were looth to deye 364
II This is ynough / Grisilde myn quod he 365
And forth he goth / with a ful sobre cheere
Out at the dore / and after that cam she
And to the peple /he seyde in this manere 368
IIENOWRT 411 (6-T. 414)
415 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
This is my wyf quod he / that standeth heere
Hoimreth hire / and loueth hire I preye
Who so me loueth / there is namoore to seye 371
*[[ And for J?at no thyng1 of hir olde gere [.Latin note, p. -102] 372
She sholde brynge in to his hous /he "bad
That wommen / sholde dispoylen hir right there
Of which / thise ladys / were noglit right glad 375
To handle hir clothes / wher Iiine she was clad
But nathelees / this mayde bright of he we
ifro foot to heed / they clothed lian al newe 378
11 Hir herys han they kembd* / that laye vntressed [u«if i?»]
fful rudely / and with hir fyngres smale
A coroune on hir heed / they han ydressed
And sette hire ful Nowches grete and smale 382
Of hir array / what sholde I make a tale
Vnnethe the peple hir knew / for hir fairnesse
Whan she translated was / in swicli richesse 38 ")
IT This Markys / hath hire spoused with a ryng 386
Broght for the same cause / and thanne hir sette
"VTp on an hors snow whyfr and wel amblyng1
And to his palays / er he lenger lette 389
With ioyful peple / J>at hir ledde and mette
Convoied hire / and thus / the day they spende
In reuel / til the sonne gan descende 392
11 And shortly / forth this tale for to chace 393
I seye / ]>ai to this newe Markysesse
God hath / swich fauour sent hire of his grace
That it ne semed nat1 by liklynesse 39G
That she / was born and fed in rudenesso
As in a cote / or in an Oxes Stalle
But norissed / in an Emperours halle 399
HENGWRT 412 (6-T. 415)
416 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IF To euery wiglit1 she woxen is so deero {Latin note, p. 402] 400
And worshipful / J>«t folk* ther she was bore
That from hir burthe / knewe hire yeer by yeere
Ynnethe trowed they / but dorste han swore 403
That to lanicle / of which I spak biibre
She doghter were / for as by coniecture
Hem thoughte / she was another creature 40G
IT ffor thogli jjat euere / virtuous was she 407
She was encressed / in swich excellence
Of thewes goode / yset in heigh bouwtee
And so discreet1 and fair of eloquence 410
So benygne / and so cligne of reuerence
And koude so / the peples herte embrace
That ech hir louede / that looked on hir face 413
[N:]oght oonly / of Saluce in the town p Rats, leal 179, back]
Publissed was / the bowntee of hir name
But eek bisyde / in many a Regiouri
If oon seyde wel / another seyde the same 417
So spradde / of hir heighe bowntee the fame
That men and wommen / as wel yonge as olde
Goon to Saluce / on hire to biholde 120
^[ Thus Walter lowely / nay but roially [Latin note, p. 402] 421
Wedded / with fortunat honestetee
In goddes pees / lyueth ful esily
At horn / and outward grace ynow hath he 424
And for he saugh / J>at vnder lowe degree [Latin note, p. 402]
Was ofte vertu hyd / the peple hym helde
A prudent nian / and that is seyn ful selde 427
IT Noght oonly / this Grisildis / thurgh hir wit C^2J°*'
Koude al the feef of wifly humblenesse
But eek1 whan Tpat the cas required it
The co?mnune profit* koude she redresse 431
HENGWllT 413 (6-T. 416)
417 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Ther nas discord / rancour / lie heuynesse
In al that land / fat she ne koude apese
And wisly / brynge hem alle in reste and ese 434
^1 Thogh fat hir housbond absent were / anon [.Latin ?zo^,p.402]
If gentil men / or othere of hir contree
Were wrothe / she wolde bryngen hem aton
So wise / and rype wordes hadde she 438
And luggementz / of so greet equytee
That she from heuene sent was / as men wemle
Peple to saue / and euery wrong tamende 4 -J 1
H Nat longe tyme after thaf this Grisild' 4 12
Was ywedded / she a doghter hath ybore
Al hadde hir leuere / haue had a knaue child
Glad was the Markys / and the folk ther fore 445
ffbr thogh a mayde child / coome al bifore
She may / vn to a knaue child atteyne
By liklyhede / syn she nys nat bareyne 448
Explicit secuiida pars fa
Incipit/ pars tercia.
r^r^IIer fil / as it bifalleth tymes mo [leafiso. Latin note, p. 402]
-JL Whan fat this child / hath souked but a thro we
This Markys / in his herte longeth so
To tempte his wyf/ hir sadnesse for to knowe 452
That he ne myghte / out of his herte throwe
This merueilous desir / his wyf tassaye
I^edelees god woot1 he thoghte hire for tafraye 455
^[ He hadde assayed hire / ynow bifore 456
And fond hir euere good / what neded it1
Hir for to tempte / and alwey moore & moore
Thogh som men preyse it1 for a subtil wit 459
But as for me / I seye fat yuele it sit
Tassaye a wyf / whan fat it is no nede
And putten hire / in angwyssfr and in drede 4G2
HENGWRT 414 (6-T. 417)
418 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
ffor which / this Markys / wroghte in this manere 463
He cam allone a nyght1 ther as she lay
With steerne face / and with ful trouble cheere
And seyde thus / Grisilde quod he that day 4GG
That I yow took1 out of youre poure array
And putte yow in estate of heigh noblesse
Ye haue nat1 that forgeten as I gesse 4G9
IF I seye Grisilde / this p?*esent dignitee 470
In which fat I haue put yow / as I trowe
Maketh yow / nat foryetful for to be
That I yow took1 in poure estat ful lowe 473
ffor any wele / ye mote your seluen knowe
Tak hede of euery word / fat I yow seye
Ther is no wight1 fat hereth it but we tweye 47 G
IT Ye woot your self wel / how fat ye cam heere 477
In to this hous / it is nat longe ago
And thogh to me / fat ye be lief and deere
"Vn to my gentils / ye be no thyng so 480
They seyii / to hem / it is greet shame & wo
ffor to be subgitz / and been in seruage
To thee / that born art1 of a smal village 483
1T [An']d namely / sith thy doghter was ybore I^MC'IO leaf
Thise wordes / han they spoken doutelees
But I desire / as I haue doon bifore
To lyue my lyf with hem / in reste and pees 487
I may nat1 in this cas be recchelees
I moot doon with thy doghter / for the beste
Nat as I wolde / but as my peple leste 490
H And yet god woot1 this is ful looth to me 491
But nathelees / with outen youre wityng*
I wol nat doon / but this wol I quod he
That ye to me assente / as in this thyng* 494
IIENGWTIT 415 (6-T. 418)
419 SIX-TEXT
GKOUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
She we now youre pacience / in youre wirkyng1
That ye me highte / and swore in yone village
That day / Ipat maked was oure mariage 497
IT Whan she hadde herd al this / she noght ameued 498
Neither in word / or cheere / or contenance ^eTvuitu° mota l
ITor as it semed / she was nat agreued
She seyde lord / al lith in youre plosance 501
My child and I / with hertly obeisance
Been youres al / and ye mowe sane or spillo
Youre owene thyng1 werketh after youre wille 504
^1 Ther may no thyng1 god so my soule saue 505
Liken to yow / ]>ai may displesen me
Xe I ne desire / no thyng for to haue
Ke drede for to lese / saue oonly thee / vcl ye 508
This wyl is in myn herte / and ay shal be
~No lengthe of tyme / or deth may this deface
Ne chaunge my corage / to oother place 511
IT Glad was this Markys / of hir answeryng1 512
But yet he feyned / as he ^vere nat so
Al drery was his cheere / and his lookyng*
Whan ]>at he sholde / out of the chambre go 515
Soone after this / a furlang wey or two
He pryuely / hath told al his entente
Yn to a man / and to his wyf hym sente 518
11 A manor sergeant/ was this pn'uee man [leafisi] 519
The which J>at feithful ofte / he founden hadde
In thynges grete / and eek swich folk wel kan
Boon execucion / in thynges badde 522
The lord knew wel / that he [hy]m loued and dradde
And whan this sergeant1 wiste his lordes wille
In to the chambre / he stalked hym ful stille 525
HEXGWRT 416 (6-T. 419)
420 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT Madame he seyde / ye mote foryeue it me 526
Thogh I do thyng1 to which I am constreyned
Ye ben so wys / J?at ful wTel knowe ye
That lordes hestes / mowe nat ben yfeyned 529
They mowe wel been / biwailled / or compleyned
But men mote nede / vn to hir lust obeye
And so wol I / ther is namoore to seye 532
51 This child / I am comaunded for to take 533
And spak namoore / but out the child he hente
Despitously / and gan a cheere make
As thogh he wolde / han slayn it er he wente 536
Grisildis moot al suffre / and al conscnte
And as a lamb / she sitteth meke and stille
And leet this crewel sergeant1 doon his wille 539
f Suspecious was / the diffame of this man ^ Su^pecta vh-i fama.
T Suspecta fades.
Suspect his lace / suspect his word also ^ suspecta hora.
Suspect/ the tyme / in which he this bigan T suspecta eratoracto.
Alias hir doghter / ]>ai she loued so
She wende / he wolde / han slayn it right tho
But nathelees / she neither weepe no syked
Conformynge hire / to that the Markys liked 546
IF But at the laste / speken she bigan 547
And mekely / she to the sergeant preyde
So as he was / a worthy gentil man
That she moste kisse hir child / er ]pat it deyde 550
And on hir barm / this litel child she leyde
With ful sad face / and gan the child to blesse
And lulled it1 and after gan it kesse 553
IT [A!]nd thus she seyde / in hir benygne voys [81^*k] leaf
ffare wel my child / I shal thee neuere see
But sith I thee / haue marked with the croys
Of thilke fader / blessed mote he be 557
HENGWRT 417 (6-T. 420)
421 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
That for vs deyde / vp on a croys of tree
Thy soule litel child / I hym bitake
ffor this nyghfr shaltow dyen for my sake 560
IT I trowe / that to a Noiice in this cas 561
It hadde been hard / this routlio for to se
Wei myghte a moder / liaue cryd alias
But nathelees / so sad stedefast was she 564
That she endured / al aduersitee
And to the Sergeant1 mckely she sayde
Haue here agayn / youre litel yonge mayde 567
11 Goth now quod she / and doth my lordes lieste 568
But o thyng1 wol I pray yow / of youre grace
That but my lord / forbad yow at the leeste
Burieth this litel body / in som place 571
That bestes / ne no bryddes / it to-race
But he no word / wol to that purpos seye
But took the child / and wente vp on his weye 574
^[ This sergeant1 cam / vn to his lord agayn 575
And of Grisildis wordes / and hir cheere
He tolde hym poynt for poynt1 in short and playn
And hym presenteth / with his doghter deere 578
Som what this lord / hadde routhe in his manere
But nathelees / his purpos held he stille
As lordes doon / whan they wol han hir wille 581
IT And bad this Sergeant1 J>at he pryuely 582
Sholde this child / softe wynde and wrappe
With alle circumstances tendrely
And carie it in a cofre / or in a lappe 585
But vp on peyne / his heed of for to swappe
That no man sholde knowe / of this entente
!N"e whennes he cam / ne whider ]>ai he wente 588
HEXGWRT 418 (6-T. 42 1)
422 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT But at Boloigne / he to his suster deere [leaf 182]
That thilke tyme / of Pauyk was Countesse
He sholde it take / and shewe hire this matere
Bisekynge hire / to doon hir bisynesse 592
Tliis child to fostre / in alle gentilesse
And whos child J?at it was / he bad hire hyde
ffrom euery wight1 for aught \a\> may bityde 595
f The Sergeant goth / and hath fulfild this thyng* 59G
But to this Markys / now retourne we
ffor now goth he / ful faste ymagynyng1
If by his wyues cheere / he myghte se 599
Or by hir word aparceyue / that she
Were chaunged / but he neuere hir koude fynde
But euere in oon / ylike sad and kynde GO 2
51 As glad / as humble / as busy in seruyse [/*»«» note, p. 4021
And eek in loue / as she was wont to be
Was she to hym / in eucry maner wise
Ne of hir doghter / noght a word spak she GOG
Noon accident1 for noon aduersitee
Was seyn in hire / ne neuere hir doghter name
Ne nempned she / in ernesf ne in game GOO
^[ Explicit tercia pars fa
Tf Incipit pars quarta /g)
IN this estafr ther passed ben .4. yeer [Latin note, p. 402] G10
Er she with childe was / but as god wolde
A knaue child she bar / by this Walter
fful gracious / and fair for to biholde 613
And whan J?at folk/ it to his fader tolde
Nat oonly he / but al his centre merye
Was for this child / and god they thanke and heryo GIG
11 Whan it was two yeer old / and fro the bresf [leaf 182, back]
Departed of his Norice / on a day
This Markys / caughte yet another lesf
HENGWRT 419 (6-T. 422)
423 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
To tcmpte his wyf / yet ofter / if lie may G20
0 nedelees / was she tempted in assay
But wedded men / ne knowe no mesuro
Whan pat they fynde / a pacient creature 623
*[[ Wyf quod this Markys /' ye han herd er this [Latin note, p. -102]
My pcple / sikly berth this mariage
And namely / sith my sone yborn is
Now is it worse / than euere in al onre age 627
The murmur sleeth myn herte / and my corage
ffor to myne erys / comth the voys so smerte
That it wel neigh / destroyed hath myn herte 630
IF Now sey they thus / whan Walter is agon 631
Thanne shal / the blood of lanycle succede
And been oure lord / for oother haue we noon
Swiche wordes / seith my peple out of drede 634
Wel oghte I / of swich murmur taken hede
ffor certeinly / I drede swich sentence
Though they nat pleyn / speke in myn audience 637
If I Avolde lyue in pees / if pat I myghte 638
Wherfore / I am disposed outrely
As I his suster / serued by nyghte
Right so thenke I / to serue hym prmely 641
This warne I yow / pat ye nat sodeyiily
Out of your self / for no wo sholde outraye
Beth pacient1 and ther of I yow praye 644
IT I haue quod she seyd thus / and euere shal 645
1 wol no thyng1 ne nyl no thyng certeyn
But as yow list1 noght greueth me at al
Thogh that my doghter / and my sone be sleyn 648
At youre comandement1 this is to seyn
I haue nat had no part1 of children tweyne
But first siknesse / and after wo and peyne 651
HENGWRT 420 (6-T. 423)
424 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
1T Ye ben oure lord / dooth vritfi youre owene thyng1 [leaf issi
Right as yow list1 axeth no reed of me
ffor as I lefte at horn / al my clothyng1
Whan I first cam to yow / right so quod she 655
Lefte I my \vyl / and al my libertee
And took youre clothyng/ wherfore I yow preye
Dooth youre plesance / 1 wol youre lust obeye G58
IT And certes / if I hadde prescience {.Latin note, p. 402] ; 659
Youre wyl to knowe / er ye youre lust me tolde
I wolde it doon / with outen necligence
But now I woot youre lust/ and what ye wolde 6G2
Al youre plesance / ferm and stable I holde
ffor wiste I / ]>ai my deeth / wolde doon yow ese
Eight gladly wolde I dyen / yow to plese 6G5
II Deeth may nat make / no comparisown 666
Vn-to your love And whan this Marqys say
The Constance of hys wyf / he caste adoun
Hise eyen two / and wondreth Ipat she may 669
In pacience / suffre al this array
And forth he goth / with drery contenance
But to his herte / it was ful gret plesance 672
IT This vggly sergeant1 in the same wyse 673
That he hir doghter caughte / right so he
Or worse / if men worse kan deuyse
Hath hent hir sone / jjat ful was of beautee 676
And euere in oon / so pacient was she
That she / no cheere made of heuynesse
But kiste hir sone / and after gan it blesse 679
IT Saue this she prayde hym / pat if he myghte 680
Hir litel sone / he wolde in erthe graue
His tendre lymes / delicat to sighte
ffro foweles / and fro bestes / hem to saue 683
29 HENGWRT 421 (6-T. 424)
425 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
But she noon answere / of hym myghte haue
He wente his wey / as hym no thyng roghte
But to Boloigne / he tendrely it broghte 686
[T1]his Markys wondreth / euer lenger the mooro [y/^j lc!lf
Vp on hir pacience / and if fat he
Ne hadde soothly / knowen ther bifoore
That parfitly / hir children loued she 690
He wolde haue wend / fat of som subtiltee
And of malice / or of cruel corage
That she hadde suffred this / with sad visage 693
IF But wel he knew / fat next hym self certayn 694
She loued hir children best1 in euery wise
But now of wommen / wolde I asken fayn
If thise assayes / myghte nat suffise 697
What koude a sturdy housbond / moore deuyse
To proue hir wifhod / and hir stedfastnesse
And he contynuynge / euere in sturdynesse TOO
IF But ther ben folk / of swich condicioii 701
That whan they haue / a certeyn purpos take
They kan nat stynte / of hir entencion
But right* as they were bounden to that stake 704
They wol naf of that firste purpos slake
Right so this Markys / Mliche hath purposed
To tempte his wyf / as he was first disposed 707
IF He wayteth / if by word / or contenance 708
That she to hym / was chaunged of corage
But neuere / koude he fynde variance
She was ay oon / in herte and in visage 711
And ay the ferther / fat she was of age
The moore trewe / if fat were possible
She was to hym in loue / and moore penyble 714
HENGWBT 422 (6-T. 425)
420 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Eengwrt MS.
^f ffor which it seined thus / fat of hem two 715
Ther nas but o wyl / for as Walter leste
The same lust1 was hir plesance also
And god be thanked / al fyl for the beste 718
She shewed wel / for no worldly vnreste
A wif1 as of hir self no thyng ne sholde
Wille in effect1 but as hir housbond wolde 721
IT The sclaundre of Walter / ofte and wyde spradde [leaf is i]
rrn , P i i , i -I i -M [Latin note, p. 402]
lhat of a cruel herte / he wikkedly
ffor he / a poure womman / wedded hadde
Hath mordred / bothe his children pryuely 725
Swich murmur / was among hem comunly
No wonder is / for to the peples ere
Ther cam no word / but fat they mordred were 728
IT ffor which / wher as his peple ther bifore 729
Hadde loued hym wel / the sclaundre of his diffame
Made hem / that they hym hated therfore
To ben a mordrere / is an hateful name 732
But natheles / for ernesf ne for game
He / of his cruel purpos nolde stente
To tempte his wyf / was set al his entente 735
^1 Whan that this doghter /.xij. yer was of age 736
He to the court of Rome / in subtil wise
Enformed of his wil / sente his message
Comaundynge hem / swiche bulles to deuyse 739
As to his cruel purpos / may suffise
How fat the pope / as for his peples reste
Bad hym to wedde / another if hym leste 742
H I seye / he bad they sholde contrefete 743
The popes bulles / makyng mencion
That he hath leue / his firste wyf to lete
As by the popes dispensacion 746
HENGWRT 423 (6-T. 426)
427 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
To stynte rancour / and dissencion
Bitwix his peple and hym / thus seyde the bulle
The which / they han publissed at the fulle 749
IT The rude peple / as it no wonder is 750
"Wenden ful wel / J>at it hadde ben right so
But whan thise tidynges / cam to Grisildis
I dome / that hir herte was ful wo . 753
But she / ylike sad for euere mo
Disposed was / this humble creature
Thaduersitee of ffortune / al tendure 756
II Abidynge euere / his lust and his plcsance [icafisi, back]
To whom Jjat she was yeuen / herte and al
As to hire / verray worldly suffisance
But shortly / if this storie I tellen shal 760
This Markys / writen hath in special
A lettre / in which / he sheweth his entente
And secrely / he to Boloigne it sente 763
IT To the Erl of Pavyk* which fat hadde tlio 764
Wedded his suster / prayde he specially
To bryngen horn agayn / his children two
In honurable estafr al openly 767
But o thyng1 he hym prayde outrely
That he to no wight1 th[o]gh men wolde enquere
Sholde nat tellen / whos children f«t they were 770
IF But seye / the mayden sholde y wedded be 771
Vn to the Markys of Saluce / anon
And as this Erl was prayd / so dide he
if or at day set1 he on his wey is gon 774
Toward Saluce / and lordes many oon
In riche array / this mayden for to gyde
Hir yonge brother / ridyng hir bisyde 777
HENGWRT 424 (6-T. 427)
428 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IF Arrayed was / toward liir mariage 778
This fresshe mayde / ful of gemmes clere
Hir brother / which J>at seuen yeer was of age
Arrayed eek* ful fressh in his manere 781
And thus in gret noblesse / and with glad cheere
Toward Saluces / shapyng hir iourney
ffro day to day / they ryden in hir wey 784
T Explicit quarta pars fo
^ Incipit1 pars qinta / H The Cler[kes Tale] [icanssi
Among al this / after his wikke vsage 785
This Markys yet1 his wif to tempte moore
To the outreste preue / of hir corage
ffully to han / experience and loore 788
If that she were / as stedefast as bifore
He on a day / in open audience
fful boystously / hath seyd hire this sentence 791
IF Certes Grisilde / I hadde ynogh plesance 792
To han yow to my wyf / for youre goodnesse
And for youre trouthe / and for youre obeysance
Noght for youre lynage / ne for youre richesso 795
But now knowe I / in verray sothfastnesse
That in gret lordshipe / if I wel auyse
Ther is gret seruitute / in sondry wyse 798
IF I may nat do / as euery Plowman may 799
My peple / me constreyneth for to take
Another wyf / and cryen day by day
And eek the pope / rancour for to slake 802
Consenteth it1 that dar I vndertake
And trewely / thus muche I wol yow seye
My newe wif / is comynge by the weye 805
f Be strong of herte / and voyde anon hir place 806
And thilke dowere / ]>at ye broghten me
Tak it agayn / I graunte it of my grace
HENGWRT 425 (6-T. 428)
429 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Retourneth / to youre fadres hous quod lie 809
"No man may / alwey han prospmtee
With euene herte / I rede yow tendure
The strook / of ffortune / or of auenture 812
11 And she agayn / answerde in pacience 813
My lord quod she / I woot and wiste alway
How Jjat bitwixen / youre magnificence
And my pouerte / no wight kan ne may 816
Maken comparison / it is no nay
I ne heeld me neuere digne / in no manere
To be youre wyf/ no f ne youre chambrere 819
And in this hous / ther ye me lady made [lean 85, back]
The heighe god take I / for my witnesse
And also wisly / he my soule glade
I neuere heeld me lady / ne maistresse 823
But humble seruanfr to youre worthynesse
And euere shal / whil ]>at my lyf may dure
Abouen / euery worldly creature 826
II That ye so longe / of youre benygnytee 827
Han holden me / in honour and nobleye
Where as I was / noght worthy for to be
That thonke I god and yow / to whom I preye 830
fForyelde it yow / ther is namoore to seye
Vn to my fader / gladly wol I wende
And with hym dwelle / vn to my lyues ende 833
1T Ther I was fostred / of a child ful smal 834
Til I be deed / my lyf ther wol I lede
A wydewe clene / in body / herte / and al
ffor sith / I yaf to yow / my maydenhede 837
And am youre trewe wyf / it is no drede
God shilde / swich a lordes wyf to take
Another man / to housbond / or to make 840
HENGWRT 426 (6-T. 429)
430 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT And of youre newe wyf / god of his grace 841
So graunte yow / wele and prospe?itee
ffor I wol gladly / yelden hire my place
In which / fat I was blisful wont to be 844
ffor sith it liketh yow /my lord quod she
That whilom weren / al myn hertes reste
That I shal goon / I wol goon whan yow leste 847
IF But ther as ye / me profre swich dowaire 848
As I first broghte / it is wel in my mynde
It were my wrecched clothes / no thyng faire
The whiche to me / were hard now for to fynde 851
0 goode god / how gentil / and how kynde
Ye semed / by youre speche / and youre visage
The day / that maked was oure niariage 854
^T But sooth is seyd / algate I fynde it trewe [leafisej 855
ffor in effect1 it proued is on me
Loue is noght old / as whan J>«t it is newe
But certes lord / for noon aduersitee 858
To dyen in this cas / it shal nat be
That euere in word or werk/ I shal repente
That I yow yaf myn herte / in hool entente 8G1
IT My lord ye woof J)«t in my fadres place 862
Ye dide me strepe / out of my poure wede
And richely / me cladden of youre grace
To yow broghte I / noght ellis out of drede 865
But feith / and nakednesse / and maydenhede
And here agayn / my clothyng I restore
And eek* my weddyngryng1 for euere moore 868
IT The remenant of youre lewels / redy be 869
In with youre chambre / dar I saufly sayn
Naked / out of my fadres hous quod she
1 cam / and naked moot I turne agayn 872
HENGWRT 427 (6-T. 430)
431 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Al yoiire plesance / wol I folwen fayn
But yet I hope / it be nat youre entente
That I smoklees / out of youre palays wente 875
IT Ye koude nat doon / so dishoneste a thyng1 876
That thilke wombe / in which youre children leye
Sholde biforn the peple / in my walkyng*
Be seyn al bare / wher fore I yow preye 879
Lat me / nat lyk a worm / go by the weye
Kemembre yow / myn owene lord so deere
I was youre wyf / thogh I vnworthy weere 882
IT Wher fore / in gerdon) of my inaydenhcde 883
Which Jat I broghte / and noght agayn I bere
As voucheth saufH to yeue me to my mede
But swich a smok1 as I was wont to were 886
That I ther with / may wrye the wombe of here
That was youre wyf / and here take I my leeue
Of yow myn owene lord / lest I yow greeue 889
IT The smok quod he / that thow hast on thy bak/ [if isc, bk]
Lat it be stille / and bere it forth with thee
But wel vnnethes / thilke word he spak1
But wente his wey / for routhe and for pitee 893
Biforn the folk/ hir seluen strepeth shee
And in hir smok/ with heued & feet al bare
Toward hir fader hous / forth is she fare 896
IT The folk hir folwen / wepynge in hir weye 897
And ffortune / ay they cursen as they goon
But she fro wepyng1 kepte hir eyen dreye
Ne in this tyme / word ne spak she noon t 900
Hir fader / that this tidynge herde anon
Curseth the day and tyme / \<A nature
Shoope hym / to been a lyues creature 903
HENGWIIT 423 (6-T. 43 1)
432 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT ffor out of doute / this olde poure man 904
Was euere / in suspect1 of hir mariage
ffor euere lie denied / sith jjat it bigan
That whan the lord / fulfild hadde his corage 907
Hyni wolde thynke / it were a disparage
To his estat1 so lowe for talighte
And voyden hire / as soone as euere he myghte 910
11 Agayns his doghter / hastiliche goth he 911
ffor he by noyse of folk / knew hir comynge
And with hir olde cote / as it myghte be
He couered hire / ful sorwefully wepynge 914
But on hir body / myghte he it nat brynge
ffor rude was the clooth /and she moore of age
By dayes fele / than at hir mariage 917
IF Thus with hir fader / for a ce?*tein space 918
Dwelleth this flour / of wifly pacience
That neyther / by hir wordes / ne hir face
Biforn the folk/ ne eek in hir absence 921
Ne shewed she / J>at hir was doon offence
NQ of hir heighe estat1 no remembrance
Ne hadde she / as by hir contenance 924
11 No wonder is / for in hir grete estat1 [leafisT] 925
Hir goost was euere / in pleyn humylitee
No tendre mouth / noon herte delicat1
No pompe / no semblant of realtee 928
But ful / of pacient benygnytee
Discreet1, and pridelees / ay honurable
And to hir housbonde / euere meke & stable 931
H Men speke of lob / and moosf for his hu??zblenesse 932
As clerkes whan hem lest1 konne wel endite
Namely of men / but as in soothfastnesse
Thogh clerkes / preyse wommen but a lite 935
HENGWRT 429 (6-T. 432)
433 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Ther kan no man / in humblesse hym acquite
As wommen kan / ne kan be half so trewe
As wommen been / but it be falle of newe 938
[PART VL]
IF ffro Boloigne / is this Erl of Pavyk come 939
Of which the fame vp sprong1 to moore & lesse
And to the peples erys / alle and some
Was kouth eek/ fat a newe Markisesse 942
He w-it/i hym broghte / in swich pompe & richesse
That neuere was ther seyn / with mannes eye
So noble array / in al westlumbardye 945
^[ The Markys / which fat shoopc / and knew al this 94G
Er that this Erl was come / sente his message
fibr thilke / sely / poure Grisildis
And she with humble herte / and glad visage 949
Nat with no swollen thogh.fr in hir corage
Cam at his heste / and on hir knees hir sette
And reuerently / and wysly she hym grette 952
IF Grisilde quod he / my wil is outrely 953
This mayden / fat shal wedded been to me
Eeceyued be tomorwe / as really
As it possible is / in myn hous to be 956
And eek/ that euery wight1 in his degree
Haue his estate in sittyng and seruyse
And heigh plesance / as I kan best deuyse 959
[I1] haue no wommen sumsant certayn pitats. ifi8?,bk] 9 GO
The chambres for taraye / in ordynance
After my lust1 and ther fore wolde I fayn
That thyn were / al swich manere gouernance 9G3
Thow knowest eek of old al my plesance
Though thyn array be badde / and yuel biseye
Do thow thy deuoir / at the leeste weye 9G6
1IENGWRT 430 (6-T. 433 )
434 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT Nat oonly lord / that I am glad / quod she 967
To doon youre lust* but I desire also
Yow for to serue / and plese in my degree
With outen feyntyng1 and shal euere mo 970
£Te neuere / for no wele / ne no wo
Ne shal the goost1 with Inne myn herte stente
To loue yow best1 with al my trewe entente 973
11 And with that word / she gan the hous to dighte 974
And tables for to sette / and beddes make
And peyned hire / to doon al that she myghto
Preyynge the chambreres / for goddes sake 977
To hasten hem / and faste swepe and shake
And she / the mooste seruysable of alle
Hath euery chambre arrayed / and his halle 980
IT Abouten vndren / gan this Eii alighte 981
That with hym broghte / thise noble children tweye
ffor which the peple / ran to seen the sighte
Of hire array / so richely biseye 984
And thanne at erst/ amonges hem they seye
That Walter was no fool / thogh ]>at hym leste
To chaunge his wyf/ for it was for his beste 987
IF ffor she is fairer / as they demen alle 988
Than is Grisilde / and moore tendre of age
And fairer fruyt1 bitwene hem sholde falle
And moore plesanfr for hire heigh lynage 991
Hir brother eek / so fair was of visage
That hem to seen / the peple hath caught plesance
Commendynge now / the Markys gouernance 994
IT 0. stormy peple / vnsad / and euere vntrewe [leaf iss] 995
Ay vndiscreetf and chaungyng1 as a vane
Delitynge euere in rumbel / j?at is newe
ffor lyk the moone / ay wexe ye and wane 998
HENGWRT 4,31 (6-T. 434)
435 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Ay ful of clappyng1 deere ynow a lane
Youre doom is fals / youre Constance yuele preueth
A ful greet fool is he / that on yow leueth 1001
IF Thus seyden sadde folk/ in that Citee 1002
Whan that the peple / gazed vp and doun
ffor they were glad / right for the noueltee
To han / a newe lady / of hir town 1005
Namoore of this / make I now mencioun
But to Grisilde agayn / wol I me dresse
And telle hir Constance / and hir bisynesse 1008
11 fful bisy was Grisilde / in euery thyng1 1009
That to the feste / was apertinenfr
Eight noght was she abayst1 of hir clothyng1
Thogh it were rude / and somdel eek to-rent1 1012
But w/t/i glad cheere / to the yate is she went1
Wit/* oother folk/ to greete the Markysesse
And after that/ dooth forth hir bisynesse 1015
IT With so glad cheere / his gestes she receyueth 1016
And so konnyngly / euerich in his degree
That no defaute / no man aparceyueth
But ay they wondren / what she myghte be 1019
That in so poure array / was for to se
And koude swich honour / and reuerence
And worthily / they preysen hir prudence 1022
IT In al this mene while / she ne stente 1023
This mayde / and eek hir brother to co??imende
With al hir herte / in ful benygne entente
So wel / j>at no man koude hir prys amende 1026
But at the laste / whan J>at tfrise lordes weude
To sitten doun to mete / he gan to calle
Grisilde / as she was bisy in his halle 1029
HENGWRT 432 (6-T. 435)
436 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
^T Grisilde quod lie / as it were in his pley [leaf iss, back]
How liketh thee my wyf / and hir beautee
Eight wel quod she my lord / for in good fey
A fairer / saw I neuere noon / than she 1033
I prey to god / yeue hire prosperitee
And so hope I / ]>ai he wol to yow sende
Plesance ynough / vn to youre lyues ende 1036
H 0 thyng1 biseke I yow / and warne also [Latin note, p. 4021
That ye ne prike / with no tormentynge
This tendre mayden / as ye han do mo
ffor she is fostred / in hir norissynge 1040
Moore tendrely / and to my supposynge
She koude natt aduersitee endure
As koude / a poure fostred creature 1043
IT And whan this Walter / saw hir pacience 1044
Hir glad cheere / and no malice at al
And he so ofte / had doon to hire offence
And she ay sad / and constant as a wal 1047
vbiqHt.
Continuynge euere / hir Innocence ouer al
This sturdy Markys / gan his herte dresse
To re wen / vp on hir wyfly stedfastnesse 1050
IT This is ynogh / Grisilde myn quod he 1051
Be now namoore agast1 ne yuele apayed
I haue thy feith / and thy benygnytee
As wel / as euere womman was . s assayed 1054
In greet estat1 and poureliche arrayed
Now knowe I deere wyf / thy stedfastnesse
And hire in armes took / and gan hir kesse 1057
IT And she for wonder / took of it no keepe 1058
She herde natf what thyng he to hir seyde
She ferde / as she hadde stirf out of a sleepe
Til she / out of hir mazednesse abreyde 1061
HENGWRT 433 (6-T. 436)
437 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Grisilde quod he / by god fat for vs deyde
Thow art my wyf / noon oother I haue
Ne neuere hadde / as god my soule saue 1064
1T This is thy doghter / which thow hast supposed [leaf iso]
To be my wyf / that oother faithfully
Shal be myn heir / as I haue ay supposed
Thow bare hym / in thy body trewely 10G8
At Boloigne / haue I kept1 hem prmely
Tak hem agayn / for now maistow nat seye
That thow hast lorn / noon of thy children tweye 1071
1F And folk / fat oother weys / han seyd of me 1072
I warne hem wel / fat I haue doon this dede
ffor no malice / ne for no crueltee
But for tassaye in thee / thy wommanhede 1075
And nat to sleen my children / god forbede
But for to kepe hem / pryuely and stille
Til I thy purpos knewe / and al thy wille 1078
1T Whan she this herde / / aswowne doun she falleth 1079
ffor pitous ioye / and after hir swownynge
She bothe hir yonge children / vn to hire calleth
And in hir armes / pitously wepynge 1082
Embraceth hem / and tendrely kissynge
fful lyk a moder / with hir salte terys
She batheth / bothe hir visage and hir herys 1085
II 0 which a pitous thyng1 it was to se 1086
Hir swownyng* and hir humble voys to heere
Grant mercy lord / god thanke it yow / quod she
That ye han saued me / my children deere 1089
Now rekke I neuere / to been ded right heere
Sith I stonde in youre loue / and in youre grace
No fors of deeth / ne whan my spirit pace 1092
HENGWRT 434 (6-T. 437)
438 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
1F 0 tendre / o deere / o yonge children myne 1093
Youre woful moder / wende stedefastly
That cruel houndes / or som foul vermyne
Hadde eten yow / but god of his mercy 109G
And youre benygne fader / tendrely
Hath doon yow kept1 and in that same stounde
Al sodeynly / she swapte adoun to grounde 1099
IT And in hir swogri / so sadly holdeth she [leaf iso, back]
Hir children two / whan she gan hem tembrace
That with greet sleghte / and greet difficultee
The children from hir arm / they gonne arace 1 103
0. many a teer / o many a pitous face
Doun ran / of hem J?at stoden hir bisyde
Vnnethe aboute hire / myghte they abyde HOG
IF Walter hir gladeth / and hir sorwe slaketh 1 107
She riseth vp abaysed / from hir traunce
And euery wight1 hir ioye and feste maketh
Til she / hath caught agayn hir contenaiice 1110
Walter hir dooth / so feithfully plesance
That it was deyntee / for to seen the cheere
Bitwix hem two / now they ben met yfeere 1113
IF Thise ladies / whan ]>ai they / hir tyme say 1114
Han taken hire / and in to chambre goon
And strepen hire / out of hir rude aray
And in a clooth of gold / fat brighte shoon 1117
With a coroune / of many a riche stoon
Yp on hir hed / they in to halle hir broghte
And ther she was / honured as hir oghte 1120
1F Thus hath this pitous day / a blisful ende 1121
ffor euery man and womman / dooth his myght1
This day / in murthe and reuel to dispende
Til on the welkne / shoon the sterres lyght1 1124
HENGWRT 435 (6-T. 438)
439 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E, § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
ffor moore solempne / in euery mannes syght1
Tliis feste was / and gretter of costage
Than was / the reuel of hir mariage 1127
IT fful many a yeer / in heigh prosperitee 1128
Lyuen thise two / in concord and in reste
And richely / his doghter maried he
Vn to a lord / oon of the worthy este 1131
Of al Ytaille / and thanne in pees and reste
His wyues fader / and his court he kepeth
Til that the soule / out of his body crepeth 1134
IT His sone / succedeth in his heritage [leafioo] 1135
In reste and pees / after his fader day
And fortunaf was eek his mariage
Al putte he nat his wyf1 in gret assay 1138
This world is nat so strong1 it is no nay
As it hath been / in olde tymes yore
And herkneth / what this Auctour seith therfore 1141
IF This storie is seyd / nat for fat wyues sholde ^JJJj note> p>
ffolwen Grisilde / as in humylitee
ffor it were importable / thogh they wolde
But for fat euery wight1 in his degree 1145
Sholde be constant1 in aduersitee
As was Grisilde / therfore Petrak writeth
This storie / which he with heigh stile enditeth / 1148
IT ffor sith a womman / was so pacienf 1149
Yn to a mortal man / wel moore vs oghte
Keceyuen al in gree / that god vs sent
ffor gret skile is / he preue that he wroghte 1152
But he ne tempteth / no man fat he boghte
As seith Seint lame / if ye his pistel rede
He preueth folk al day / it is no drede 1155
HENGWRT 436 (6-T. 439)
440 SIX-TEXT
GROUP £ § 2, CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IF And suffreth vs / as for oure exercise 1156
With, sharpe scourges / of aduersitee
fful ofte to be bete / in sondry wise
JSTat for to knowe ourc wyl / for certes lie 1159
Er we were born / knew al oure freletee
And for oure beste / is al his gouernance
Let vs thanne lyuo / in virtuous suli'rance 1162
11 But o word lordynges / lierkneth er I go 1163
It were ful hard / to fynde now a dayes
In al a town / Grisildis thre or two
ifor if Jwt they were putt to swiclie assayes 1166
The gold of hem / hath now so badde alayes
With bras / that thogh the coigne / be fair at eye
It wolde rather / breste at wo than plye 1169
IT ffor which heere / for the wyues lone of Bathe Deaf 190, back]
Whos lyf/ and al hir secte / god mayntene
In heigh maistrie / or ellis were it scathe
I wol with lusty herte / fressll and grene 1173
Seye vow a song1 to glade yow I wene
And lat vs stynte / of ernestful matere
Herkneth my song1 that seith in this manere 1176
T[ Here is ended the tale / of the clerk of/ Oxenfordl fa
^[ Leuuoy de Chaucer fo
GEi silde is deed / and eek hir pacience
And bothe atones / buryed in Ytaille
ffor which I crye / in open audience 1179
~No wedded man / so hardy be tasssaille
His wyues pacience / in trust to fynde
Grisildis / for in certein he shal faille 1182;
30 IIENGWRT 437 (6-T. 440)
441 SIX-TEXT
GROUP E. § 2. CLERK'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT 0 noble wyues / ful of heigh prudence
Lafc noon humilitee / youre tonge nayle
Ne lat no clerk / haue cause or diligence 1185
To write of yow / a storie of swich meruaile
As of Grisildis / pacient and kynde
Lest Chichyuache / yow swelwe in hir entrayle 1188
IT ffolweth Ekko / that holdeth no silence
But euere answereth / at the countretaile
Beth nat bidaffed / for youre Innocence 1191
But sharply / tak on yow the gouernaile
Emprmteth wel / this lesson in youre myncle
ffor commune p?*ofit/ sith it may auaile 1194
IT Ye Archewyues / stoudcth at defense Qeaf 101]
Syn ye be strong1 as is a gret Camaile
]N"e suffreth nat1 j?at men yow doon offense 1197
And sklendre wyues / fieble as in bataile
Beth egre / as is a tigre yond in Ynde
Ay clappeth as a Mille / I yow consaile 1200
IT Ne dreed hem nat* dooth hem no reuerence
ffor tliogh thyn housbond / armed be in maile
The arwes / of thy crabbed eloquence 1 203
Shal perce his brestf and eek his auentaile
In lalousie / I rede eek thow hym bynde
And thow shalt make hym couche / as dooth a Quaile
1T If thow be fair / ther folk ben in presence
Shewe thow thy visage / and thyn aparaile
If thow be foul / be fre of thy dispence 1209
To gete thee freendes / ay do thy trauaile
Be ay of cheere / as light1 as leef on lynde
And lat hym care and wepe / and wrynge & wayle 1212
t Explicit1 <g)
HENGWRT 438 (6-T. 44l)
477 SIX-TEXT
? ORIGINAL CLERK'S END-LINK. Hengwrt MS.
APPENDIX TO GROUP E, § 2t
[? Original, but rejected, End-Link to the Clerk's Tale,
perhaps following 1. 1162, with which the paraphrase of
Petrarch's Latin ends, or I. 1169.]
his worthy Clerk1 whan ended was his tale
Oure hoost seyde / and swoor by goddes bones
Me were leuere / than a barel ale
My wyf at horn / had herd this legende ones
This is / a gentil tale for the nones
As to my purpos / wiste ye my wille
But thyng that wol nat be / lat it be stille
HKXGWRT 439 (6-T. 477)
GEOTJP C. FEAGMENT IV,
§ 1. THE DOCTOR'S TALE.
HENGWRT MS.
1[ Here bigynneth / the Pliisiciens tale . [leaf 191, back]
THer was / as telletli Titus Liuius
A knyght/ that called was Yirginius
ifulfild of honour / and of worthynesse
And strong of freendes / and of greet richesse 4
11 This knyght1 a doghter liadde by his wit'
Ne children liadde he mo / in al his lif
ffair was this mayde / in excellent beautee
Abouen euery wight1 fat man may see 8
ffor Mature hath / with souereyn diligence
Yformed hire / in so greet excellence
As thogh she wolde seyn / lo I nature
Thus kan I forme / and peynte a creature 12
Whan J>#t me list1 who kan me countrefete
Pigmalion noghf thogh he ay forge and bete J^" ^Jj "3 Metha*
Or grave / or peynte / for I dar wel seyn
Apelles Zanzis / sholde werche in veyn
Outlier to graue / or peynte / or forge / or bete
T f. . , . ,, . li&ro .6? de zanze
If they p?-esiimeden / me to countretete
ilbr he that is / the formere principal
Hath maked me / his vicaire general 20
To forme and peynten / erthely creaturis
Right as me list1 and ech thyng in my cure is
Vnder the Moone / that may wane and waxe
And for my werk* right no thyng wol I axe 24
HENGWRT 440 (6-T. 303V
304 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
My lord and I / been ful of oon acord
I made hire / to the worshipe of my lord
So do I / alle myne othere creatures
What colour J?at they han / or what figures 28
Thus semeth me / that nature wolde seye
This mayde of age / xij. yeer was and tweye
In which ]>ai nature / hadde swich delit
fFor / right1 as she kan peynte a lilye whit1 32
And reed a Eose -/ right with swich peynture
She peynted hath / this noble creature
Er she were born / vp-on hir lymes free
Wher as by right1 swiche colours sh olden be 36
And Phebus / dyed hath hir tresses grete [leaf 192]
Lyk to the stremys / of his burned hete
And if Jjat excellent* was hir beautee
A thousand fold / moore vertuous was slie 40
In hire / ne lakkecl no condicioii
That is to preyse / as by discrecioii
As wel in goost1 as body / chaast was she
ffor which / she floured in virginitee 44
With aH humilitee / and abstinence
With aH: atemp6?*ance / and pacience
With mesure eek / of beryng and array
Discreet she was / in answeryng alway 48
Thogh she were wise Pallas / dar I seyn
Hir facound eek/ ful wommanly and pleyn
No conntrefeted termes / hadde she
To seme wys / but after hir degree 52
She spak/ and alle hir wordes / moore and lesse
Sownynge in vertu / and in geritilesse
Shamefast she was / in maydens shamefastnesse
Constant in herte / and euere in bisynesse 56
To dryue hire out1 of ydel slogardye
Bacus hadde of hir mouth / right no maistrye
ffor wyn and youthe / dooth Venus encresse
As men in fyr / wil casten oille / or gresse 60
HENGWRT 441 (6-T. 304)
305 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And of hir owene vertu / vnconstreynecl
She hath ful ofte tyme / syk hir feyned
ffor fat she wolde / fleen the compaignye
Where likly was / to treten of folye 64
As is at festes / reuels / and at daunces
That been occasions / of daliaunces
Swich thyng1 maken children for to be
To soone rype / and boold / as men may se 68
Which is fnl perilous / and hath be yoore
ffor al to soone / may they lerne loore
Of boldnesse / whan she woxe is a wyf/
II And ye Maistresses / in youre olde lyf 72
That lordes doghtres / han in goumiance
ISTe taketh of my wordes / no displesance
Thenketh / fat ye been set1 in gouernynges
Of lordes doghtres / oonly for two thynges 76
IF Owther / for ye han kept1 youre honestee [leaf 192, back]
Or ellis / ye han falle in freletee
And knowen wel ynow / the olde daunce
And han forsaken fully / swicli meschaunce 80
ffor euere mo / therfore / for Cristes sake
To teche hem vertu / looke fat ye ne slake
IT A theef of venyson / that hath forlaft1
His likerousnesse / and al his olde craft1 84
Kan kepe a fforest1 best of any man
Now kepeth wel / for if ye wole ye kan
Looke wel fat ye / vn-to no vice assente
Lest ye be dampned / for youre wikke entente 88
ffor who so dooth / a tray tour is certeyn
And taketh kepe / of that1 fat I shal seyn
Of alle treson / souerayn pestilence IT nota
Is / whan a wight* bitrayseth Innocence 92
H Ye fadres / and ye modres eek also
Thogh ye han children / be it 0011 or mo
Youre is the charge / of al hir surueance
Whil fat they been / vnder youre gouemance 96
HENGWRT 442 (6-T. 30o)
306 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Beth war / if by ensample of youre lyuynge
Or by youre necligence / in chastisynge
That they perisse / for I dar wel seye
If Jjat they doon / ye shul it deere abeye 1 00
Yncler a Shepherde / softe and necligentf
The wolf* hath many a sheepe / and lomb to-renfr
Suffiseth oon ensample / now as heere
ffor I moot1 turne agayn to my matere 1 04
51 This mayde of which / I wol this tale expresse
So kepte hir self hir neded no maistresse
ffor in hir lyuyng1 maydens myghten rede
As in a book1 euery good word / or dede 108
That longeth / to a mayden vertuous
She was so prudent1 and so bounteuous
ffor which the fame out sproong on euery syde
Bothe of hir beautee / and hir boimtee / wyde 112
That thurgh that land / they pveysed hire echone
That loued vertu / saue enuye allone
That sory is / of oother mennes wele IT Augustinus .
And glad is / of his sorwe / and his vnheele 116
The doctor / maketh this discripcioun peafi93]
Tbis mayde / yp-on a day / wente in the toun
Toward a temple / with hir moder deere
As is / of yonge maydens the manere 120
5F Now was ther thanne / a Justice in that toun
That gouernour was / of that Regioun
And so bifel / this luge hise eyen caste
Vp-on this mayde / auysynge hym ful faste 124
As she cam forby / ther as this luge stood
Anoon his herte chaunged / and his mood
So was he caught1 with beautee of this mayde
And to hym self / ful pryuely he sayde 1 28
This mayde shal be myn / for any man
Anon the feend / in-to his herte ran
And taughte hym sodeynly / )?at he by slyghte
This mayden / to his purpos^. wynne myghte 1 32
HENGWRT 443 (6-T. 306)
: S"
307 SIX-TEXT
GROur C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
ifor certcs / by no force / ne by no meecle
Hym thougbte / lie was nat able for to speede
ffor she was strong of freendes / and eek she
Conformed was / in swich souerayn bouwtee 136
That wel he wiste / he myghte hir iieutre wynne
As for to make hire / with hir body syime
ffor which / by greet deliberacioun
He sente after a cherl / was in the town 1 40
Which ])ctt he knew / for subtil and for bold
This Inge vn-to this cherl / his tale hath told
In secree wise / and made hym to ensure
He sholde telle if to no creature 144
And if he dide / he sholde lese his heed
"Whan J>«t assented was / this cursed reed
Glad was this luge / and maked hym gret cheere
And yaf hym yiftes / preciouse and deeve 148
IT Whan shapen was / al hir conspiracie
ffro point to point1 how fat his lecherie
Pa?-fourned sholde been / ful subtilly
As ye shul heere it1 after openly 152
IF Horn goth the cherl / that highte Claudius
This false luge / that highte Apius
So was his name / for this is no fable
But knowen / for historial thyng notable 156
The sentence of if sooth is out of doute Deaf m, back]
This false luge / gooth now faste aboute
To hasten his delit1 al that he may
And so bifel / soone after on a day 160
This false luge / as telleth vs the storie
As he was wont1 sat in his Consistorie
And yaf his domes / vp-on sondry cas
1F This false cherl cam forth / a ful gret pas 164
And seyde / lord if fat it be youre wille
As dooth me right1 vp-on this pitous bille
In which / I pleyne vp-on Yirginius
;And if J>«t he wol seyn / it is nat thus 1 68
HENGWJIT 414 (G-T. 307)
308 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
I wol it preue / and fynde good witncsse
That sooth is / that my bille wol expr<?sse
^f This luge answerde / of this in his absence
I may nat yeue / diffynytif sentence 172
audire
Lat do hym calle / and I wol gladly heere
Thow shalt haue al right* and no wrong heere
Virginius cam to wite / the luges wille
And right anon / was rad this cursed Lille 170
The sentence of it1 was as ye shul heere
If To yow my lord / sire Apius so deere
Sheweth / youre poure seruant Claudius
How Ipat a knyglitt called Virginius 180
Agayns the lawe / agayn al equitee
Holdeth expres / agayn the wyl of me
My seruant1 which Jwt is my thral by right1
Which fro myn hous / was stole vp-on a nyght1 184
Whil that she was ful yong1 this wol I preue
By witnesse lord / so J>#t it nat yow greue
She nys his doghter nat1 what so he seye
Wher to yow / my lord the luge I preye ] 88
Yeld me my thral / if J)«t it be youre wille
Lo / this was al the sentence / of his bille
^1 Virginius / gan vp-on the cherl biholde
But hastily / er he his tale tolde 192
And wolde haue proued it1 as sholde a knyghf
And eek1 by witnessynge / of many a wight1
That it was fals / that seyde his Adu<??-sarie
This cursed luge / wolde no thyng tarie 196
Ke here a word / moore of Virginius [leaf 101]
But yaf his luggement1 and seyde thus /
^[ I deme anon / this cherl / his seruant hatio
Thou shalt no lenger / in thyn hous hir saue £00
Go bryng hir forth / and put hire in oure warde
The cherl shal han his thral / this I awarde
^[ And whan / this worthy knyght Virginius
Thurgh sentence / of this Tustice Apius 201
IIENGWKT 445 (fl-T. 308)
309 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C, § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Mbste by force / his deere doghter yeuen
Vn-to the luge / in lecherie to lyuen
He goth hym horn / and sette hym in his halle
And leefr anoon / his deere doghter calle 208
And with a face deed / as asshen colde
Yp-on hir humble face / he gan biholde
With fadres pitee / stikyng thurgh his herte
Al wolde he / from his purpos nat.conuerte 212
^f Doghter quod he / Virginia by thy name
Ther been two weyes / outher deeth / or shame
That thow most sufTre / alias Ipai I was bore
fFor iieue?-e / thow deseruedesfr wherfore 216
To dyeu / with a swerd / or with a knyf
0 deere doghter / endere of my lyf
"Which I haue fostred vp / with swich plesancc
That thow were neuere / out of my remembrance 220
O doghter / which that art my laste wo
And in my lyf1 my laste ioye also
O gemme of chastitee / in pacience
Tak thow thy deeth / for this is my sentence 224
ifor loue / and nat for hate / thow most be deed
My pitous hand / moot smyten of thyn heed
Alias / ]pat euere Apius thee say
Thus hath he falsly / lugged thee to day 228
And tolde hire al the cas / as ye bifore
Han herd / nat nedeth for to telle it moore
11 0 mercy deere fader / quod this inayde
And with that word / she bothe hir armes layde 232
Aboute his nekke / as she was wont to do
The teeris borste / out of hir eyen two
And seyde / goode fader / shal I dye
Is ther no grace / is ther no remedye 236
IT No certes / deere doghter myn quod he [leaf 194, back]
IT Thanne yif me leyser / fader myn quod she
My deeth for to compleyne / a litel space 239
ffor pa?*dee lepte / yaf his doghter grace f ludicuwz cap.o xj.°
HENGWRT 4*6 (6-T. 309)
310 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
ffor to compleyne / er he liir slowe alias
And god it woof no thyng was hir trespas
But for she ran / hir fader for to se
To welcome hym / with greet solempnytee 244
And with that word / she fil aswowne anon
And after / whan hir swownyng is agon
She riseth vp / and to hir fader sayde
Blessed be god / }at I shal dye a mayde 248
Yif me my deeth / er J>at I haue a shame
Booth with youre child / youre wyl a goddes name
And with that word / she preyed hym fill ofte
That with his swerd / he wolde smyte softe 252
And with that word / aswowne doun she fil
If Hir fader / with ful sorweful herte and wil
Hir heed of smoott and by the tope it hente
And to the luge / he gan it to presente 256
As he sat yeti in doom / in Consistorie
^1 And whan the luge it saw / as seith the storie
He bad to take hym / and anhange hym faste
But right anon / a thousand peple In thraste 260
To sane the knyghfr for routhe and for pitee
ffor knowen was / the false Iniquitee
5F The peple anon / hadde suspect1 in this thyng1
By manere / of the cherles chalangyng* 264
That it was / by the assent of Apius
They wisten wel / ]>at he was lecherus
ffor which / vn-to this Apius they gon
And caste hym in a pn'son / right anon 268
Ther as he slow hym self1 / and Claudius
That seruant was / vn-to this Apius
Was denied / for to hange vp on a tree
But that Yirginius / of his pitee 272
So preyde for hym / that he was exiled
And ellis certes / he hadde been bigyled
The remenant were anhanged / moore and lesse
That were consentanf of this cursednesse 276
HENGWRT 447 (6-T. 310)
311 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 1. DOCTOR'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT Heere may men seen / how synnc hath liis merite [leaf 19:,]
Beth war / for no man woof whom god wol smyte
In no degree / ne in which manere wise
The worm of conscience / may agrise 280
Of wikked lyf / thogh it so pryuee be
That no man woot ther of / but god and he
ifor be he lewed man / or ellis lered
He noot how soone / that he shal been afered 284
Ther-fore I rede yow / this conseil take
fforsaketh synne / er synnc yow forsake
* Here endeth the Phisiciens tale ,£)
HENGWRT 448 (6-T. 31 1)
312 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK. HdlgWrt MS.
5f The myry talkyng1 of the Hoost1 to the Phisicien fib
and the Pardoner
Oure Hoost gan to swore / as he were wood
Harrow quod he / by nayles and by blood 288
This was a fals cherl / and a fals lustise
As shameful deeth / as herte may deuyse
Come to thise luges / and hir Aduocatz
Algate this sely made / is slayn alias 292
Alias / to deere boghte she beautee
Wherfore I seye alday / }>rtt men may se
That yiftes of ffortune / and of nature
Been cause of deeth / to many a creature 296
........ no gap in the MS,]
Of bothe yiftes / J>«t I speke of now
Men han ful ofte / moore for harm than prow 300
IT But trewely / myn owene maister deere
This is a pitous tale / for to heere
But nathelees passe ouer / is no fors
I pray to god / so saue thy gentil cors 304
And eek thyne vrynals / and thy lurdones
Thyn Ypocras / and eek thy galyones
And euery boyste / ful of thy letuarie
God blesse hem / and oure lady Seinte Marie 308
So mote I then / thow art a propre man
And lyk a prelat / by Seint Eonyan
Seyde I nat wel / I kan nat1 speke in tenne [leaf 105, back]
But wel I woof thow doost myn herte to erme 312
That I almoosf haue caught1 a Cardynacle
By corpus bones / but if I haue triacle
Or ellis a draghte / of moyste and corny ale
Or but I heere anon / a murye tale 316
HENGWRT 449 (6-T. 312)
313 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 2. DOCTOR-PARDONER LINK. HcngWlt MS.
Myn herte is lost1 for pitee of this mayde
IT Thow beel amy / thow Pardoner he sayde .
Tel vs som myrthe / or Tapes right anon
IT It shal be doon quod lie / by \Seint Eonyou 320
But first quod he / heere at this ale stake
I wol bothe drynke / and eten of a Cake
1F And right anon /"thise gen tils gonne to crye
Nay lat hym telle vs / of no ribawdye 324
Tel vs som moral thyng1 / jjat we may leere
Som wit / and thanne wol we gladly heere
IT I graunte ywis quod he / but I moot thynke
Vpon som honeste thyng1 whil J>at I drynke 328
HENGWET 450 (6-T. 313)
314 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
If Radix omnium malorwm / est Cupiditas // Ad
Thimotheuw . 6°. &
Tf Here bigynneth the Prologe of the Pardoners tale (J)
LOrdynges quod he / in chirches whan I preche
I peyne me / to han an hauteyn speche
And rynge it out1 as round as gooth a belle
ffor I kan / al by rote that I telle 332
My theme is alwey oon / and euere was
Radix malorwm / est cupiditas
1T ffirst I pronounce / whennes J>at I come
And thanne my bulles / shewe I alle & some 336
Oure lige lordes seel / on my patents
That shewe I first1 my body to warente
That no man be so boold / ne preest ne clerk*
Me to destourbe / of Cristes holy werk1 340
And after that1 thanne telle I forth my tales
Bulles of Popes / and of Cardynales
Of Patriarkrs / and Bisshopes I shewe Oaf wej
And in latyn / I speke a wordes fewe 344
To saffron with / my predicacioii
And for to stire hem / to deuocioii
IT Thanne shewe I forth / my longe cmtal stones
Ycrammed ful / of cloutes and of bones 348
Relikes been they / as wenen they echon
Thanne haue I in a laton / a shulder bon
Which J>at was / of an holy lewes sheepe
Goode men I seye / tak of my wordes keepe 352
If pat this boon be wasshe / in any welle
If cow / or calf* or sheepe / or Oxe swelle
That any worm hath ete / or worm ystonge
Taak water of that welle / and wasshe his tonge 356
HENGWRT 451 (6-T. 314)
315 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
And it is liool anoon / and fortlier moor
Of pokkes / and of Scabbe / and euery soor
Shal eue?y sheepe be hool / fat of this welle
Drynketh a draughte / taak kepe eek what I tello 360
1f If fat the goode man / fat the bestes oweth
Wol euery wike / er Ipat the cok hyin croweth
flastynge / drynken of this welle a draghte
As thilke holy lew / oure eldres taglite 364
Hise bestes and his stoor / shal multiplie
And sire also / it heeleth lalousie
ffor thogh a, man / be falle in lalous rage
Lat maken with this water / his potage 368
And neuere shal he inoore / his wyf mystriste
Thogh he the soothe / of hir defaute wiste
Al hadde she / taken preestes / two or thre
1T Heere is a Miteyn eek / fat ye may se 372
He fat his hand / wol putte / in this Mitayn
He shal haue / multiplyyng1 of his grayn
Whan he hath sowen / be it whete or Otes
So fat/ he / offre pens / or ellis grotes 376
IT Goode men and wommen / o thyng warne I yow
If any wight1 be in this chirche now
That hath doon synne horrible / that he
Dar nat for shame / of it yshryuen be 380
Or any wommaii / be she yong or oldl
That hath ymaked / hir housbond Cokewold?
Swich folk/ shal haue no power / ne no grace [leaf 196, back]
To offren to my Eelikes / in this place 384
And who so fyndeth hym / out of swich blame
He wol come vp / and offre a goddes name
And I assoille hym / by the auctoritee
Which fat by bulle / ygraunted was to me 388
IF By this gaude / have I wonne / yeer by yeer
An hundred mark1 sith I was Pardoner
I stonde lyk a Clerk/ in my pulpett
And whan that lewed peple / is doun ysef 392
HENGWRT 452 (6-T. 315)
316 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS,
I preche so / as ye han lierd bifore
And telle / an hundred false Tapes more
Tlianne peyne I me / to strecche forth the nekke
And Est and west1 vp-on the peple I bekke 3(J6
As dooth a dowue / sittyng on a berne
Myne handes / and my tonge goon so yerne
That it is ioye / to se my bisynesse
Of Auarice / and of swich cursednesse 400
Is al my prechyng1 for to make hem free
To yeuen hir pens / and namely vn-to me
ffor myn entente is nat1 but for to wynne
And no thyng1 for correcciouw of synne 404
I rekke neuere / whan Ipat they been beryed
Thogh ))rtt hir soules / goon a blakeberyed
ffor certes / many a prddicacion
Comth ofte tyme / of yuel entencion 408
51 Som for plesance of folk1 and flaterye
To been auanced / by ypocrisie
And som for veyne glorie / and som for hate
ffor whan I dar / noon oother weyes debate 412
Thanne wol I stynge hym / -with my tonge smcrte
In prechyng1 so Ipat he shal nat asterte
To been diffamed falsly / if ]>at he
Hath trespased / to my bretheren / or to me 416
ffor though I telle noghf his p?-opre name
Men shal wel knowe / that it is the same
By signes / and by othere circumstances
Thus quyte I folk1 that doon vs displesances 420
Thus spete I out1 my venym vnder hewe
Of holynesse / to seme holy and trewe
But shortly / myn entente I wol deuyse [leaf w]
I preche of no thyng1 but for coueitise 424
Ther-fore my theme is yet1 and euere was
Radix malcmtm / est Cupiditas
IT Thus kan I p?'eche / agayn that same vice
Which J>at I vse / and that is Auarice 428
31 HENGWRT 453 (6-T. 316)
317 SIX-TEXT
GKOUP C. § 3. PARDONER'S PREAMBLE. Hengwrt MS.
But though my self1 be gilty in that synne
Yet kan I make / oother folk to twynne
flrom Auarice / and soore to repente
But that is nat1 my principal entente 432
I preche no thyng1 but for coueitise
Of this inatere / it oghte ynow suffise
IT Thanne telle I hem / ensamples many oon
Of olde stories / longe tyme agoon 436
ifor lowed peple / louen tales olde
Swiclie thyngcs / kail they wel reporto & holde
"What trowe ye / ]>a\> whiles I may pwche
And wynne / gold and siluer / for I teche 440
That I wol lyue in pouerte / wilfully
Nay nay / I thoghte it nouo'o trewcly
ifor I wol prcche / and begge / in sondry landes
I wol nat do no labour / w/t/t myne handes 444
Ne make baskettes / and lyue ther by
By cause / I wol nat beggen ydelly
I wol / none of the Apostles countrefete
I wol haue moneye / wolle / chese / and whete 448
Al were it yeuen / of the pouerest page
Or of the pouereste widwe / in a Village
Al sholde hir children / stnrue for famync
Nay I wol drynke / licour of the vync 452
And haue a ioly wenche / in euery toun
But herkneth lordynges / in conclusioun
Youre likyng is / ]>at I shal telle a tale
Now haue I dronke / a draghte of corny Ale 456
By god I hope / I shal yow telle a thyng1
That shal by reson / been at youre likyng*
Ifor thogh my self be / a ful vicious man
A moral tale / yet I yow telle kan 460
Which I am wont to preche / for to wynne
Now holde youre pees / my tale I wol bigynne
HENGWRT 454 (6-T. 317)
318 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
[H] ere bigynneth / the Pardoners tale (JJ)
IX fflandres / whilom was a compaignye [leaf 107, backj
Of yonge folk* that liaunteden folye 46-4
As Riofr hasard / Stewes / and Tauernes
Where as witli harpes / lutes / and gyternes
They daunce / and pleyen at dees / bothe day & iiyglif
And ete also and drynke / oucr hir myght1 468
Thurgh which / they doon the deuel sacrifise
With-Inne that deueles temple / in cursed wise
By supe?-fluytee / abhomynable
Hir othes been so grete / and so dampnable 472
That it is grisly / for to heere hem swere
Oure blissed lordes body / they to-tere
Hem thoughte / that lewes / rente hym noght ynougli
And eech of hem / at otheres synne lough 476
And right anon / thanne coomen Tombesteres
iFetys and smale / and yonge ifrutesteres
Syngeris with harpes / Baucles / waufereres
Whiche been / the verray deueles Officers 480
To kyndle and blowe / the fyr of lecherye
That is annexed / vn-to glotonye
The holy writ take I / to my witnesse
That luxure / is in wvn / and dronkenesse f Noiitc inebnan
vino in quo est
IT Lo how J>at dronken loth / vnkyndely
Lay by his doghtres two / vnwityngly
So dronke he was / he nyste what he wroghte
Herod es / who so wel the stories soghte 488
no spurious lines in this MS.]
HENGWRT 455 (6-T. 318)
319 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Eengwrt MS.
Whan lie of wyn was replet1 at his fcste 489
Right at his owene table / he yaf his heste
To sleen the Baptist1 John / ful giltelees
Senec< seith a good word doutelees 492
IF He seith / he kan no difference fynde 1 Note
Bitwix a man / that is out of his mynde
And a man / which fat is dronkelewe
But that woodnesse / yfallen in a sljerewe 496
Perseuereth lenger / than dooth dronkenesse
O glotonye / ful of curscdnesse
0 cause first1 of cure confusion
0 original / of oure dampnacion 500
Til Crist hadde boght vs / with his blood agayn
Lo how deere / shortly for to sayn
Aboght was / thilke cursed vileynye [leaf 198]
Corupf was al this world for glotonye 504
Adam oure fader/ und his wyf also
ffro Paradys / to labour and to wo
Were dryuen for that vice / it is no drede
ffor whil fat Adam fasted / as I rede 508
He was in Paradys / and whan fat he /^ffiSrJ/QSSdiu
Eet of the fruf defended on a tree ^fffuft^medit &
. ,. eiectug est . sta[tim] duxit
Anon he Avas out cast1 to wo and peyne vxorem.
O glotonye / on thee wel oghte vs pleyne 512
IF 0 wiste a man / how manye maladies
ffolwen of excesse / and of glotonyes
He wolde been / the moore niesurable
Of his diete / sittyng at his table 516
Alias the shorte throte / the tendre mouth
Maketh / fat Est1 and West1 and North and South
In erthe / in Eyr / in Water / men to swyiike
To gete a gloton / deyntee mete and drynke 520
Of this matere / o Paul / wel kanstow trete
Mete vn-to wombe / and wombe eek vn-to mete gt fen* ™<Ss
Shal god destroy eri bothe / as Paulus seith hn^c™ ma»»
Alias a foul thyng1 is it by my feith
HENGWRT 456 (6-T. 319)
320 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
To seye this word / and fouler is the dede 525
Whan man so dryriketh / of the white & rede
That of his throte / he maketli his pryuee
Thurgh / thilke cursed superfluite 528
IT The Apostle wepyng1 seith ful pitously c^l ™penses
Ther walken manye / of whiche yow toold haue I
I seye it now wepyng1 with pitous voys
Ther been enemys / of Cristes croys 532
Of whiche the ende is deth / wombe is hir god
0 wombe / o bely / o stynkyng cod
ifulfilled of dong1 and of corrupcioun
At either ende of thee / foul is the soun 536
How greet labour / and cost1 is thee to fynde
Thise Cokes / how they stampe / & streyne / & grynde
And turnen substance / in-to accident1
To fulfillen al / the likerous talent1 540
Out of the harde bones / knokke they
The mary / for they caste nat awey
That may go thtirgh the golet1 softe and soote [leaf IDS, back]
Of Spicerie / of lief / and bark/ and roote 544
Shal been his Sauce / ymaked by delit
To make hym yet1 a newer appetifr
But certes / he that haunteth swiche delices Js^SS/^ortuS
Is deed / whil ]>at he lyueth in tho vices est^
IT A lecherous thyng is wyn // and dronkenesse <\^1xuur^iosares/
Is ful Of Stryuyng1 and Of WreCchedneSSe 1 et contumeliosa ebrietas
0 dronke man / disfigured is thy face
Sour is thy breeth / foul artow to embrace 552
And thurgh thy dronke nose / semeth the soun
As thogh thou seydest ay / Sampsouw Sampsoun
And yet god woof Sampson drank neuere no wyn
Thou fallest1 as it were a stiked swyn 556
Thy tonge is lost1 and al thyn honest cure
ffor dronkenesse / is verray sepulture
Of mannes wit1 and his discrecion
In whom J?at drynke / hath domynacion SCO
HEXGWRT 457 (6-T. 320)
321 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
He kan no conseil kepe / it is no drede
Now kepe yow / fro the white and fro the rede
And namely / fro the white wyn of lepe
That is to selle / in ffisshstrete / or in Chepe 564
This wyn of Spaigne / crepeth subtilly
In othere wynes / growynge faste by
Of which / ther riseth swich fumositee
That whan a man / hath dronken draghtes thre 568
And wenetli J>at he be / at horn in Chepe
He is in Spaigne / right at the toune of lepe
Nat at the Rochel / ne at Burdeux toun
And thanne wol he seyn / Sampson Sampsoun 572
1F But herkneth lordynges / o word I yow preye
That alle the sonereyn actes / dar I seye
Of victories J in the olde testament1
Thurgh verray god / that is omnipotent1 576
Were doon in abstinence / and in prayere
Looketh the Bible / and ther ye may it leere
^[ Looke Attilla / the grete conquerour
Deyde in. his sleepe / with shame and dishonoz^r 580
Bledyng at his nose / in dronkenesse
A Capitayn / sholde lyue in sobrenesse
1F And oner al this / auyseth yow right wel [leaf 199]
"What was comaunded / vii-to Lamwel f Noiivinuwdare&c. 584
Nat Samuel / but Lamwel seye I
Redeth the Bible / and fynd it expr^sly
Of wyn yeuynge / to hem J>at han lustise
Namoore of this / for it may wel suffise 588
1F And now / that I haue spoken of glotonye
Now wol I / yow defende hasardrye
Hasard / is verray moder of lesynges S^^^S^
And of deceite / and cursed forswerynges m'dter est Alea-
Blaspheme of Crist1 manslaughtre / and wast1 also
Of catel / and of tyme / and forthermo
It is reproue / and contrarie of honour
ffor to ben holden / a cowmune hasardour 596
HENGWRT 458 (6-T. 32l)
322 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And euere the hyer / he is of estaatf
The moore is he holden desolafr
If J>at a Prynce / vseth hasardrye
In alle gouernance / and policye 600
He is / as by commune opynyon
Yholde / the lasse in reputacion
IT Stilbon / that was a wys Embassadour
Was sent to Corynthe / in ful gret honour 604
ffro lacedoniye / to make hire alliawnce
And whan he cam / hym happed par chaunce
That alle the gretteste / ]?at were of that lond
Pleiynge at the hasard / he hem fond 608
ffor which as soone / as it myglite be
He stal hjnn horn agayn / to, his contree
And seyde / ther wol I nat lese my name
]Sy wol nat take on me / so greet defame 612
Yow for to allie / vn-to none hasardours
Sendeth / othere wise Embassadours
ffor by my trouthe / me were leuere dye
Than I yow sholde / to hasardours all ye 616
ffor ye that been / so glorious in honours
Shal nat allye yow / with hasardours
As by my wyl / ne as by my tretee
This wise Philosophre / thus seyde he 620
1T Looke eek / that to the kyng Demetrius
The kyng of Parthes / as the book seith vs
Sente hym a paire of dees / of gold in scorn [leaf 199, back]
ffor he hadde vsed / hasard ther biforn 624
ffor which / he heeld his glorie / or his renoun
At no value / or reputacioun
Lordes may fynden / o other mane?*e pley
Honeste ynow / to dryue the day awey 628
IT Now wol I speke / of oothes false and grete
A word or two / as olde bokes trete
IF Greet sweryng* is a thyng abhomynable
And fals sweryng1 is yet* moore repreuable 632
HEXGWRT 459 (6-T. 322)
323 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
The heighe god / forbad sweryng at al
WitneSSe On MatheW / bllt in Special TNbliteiurareomwinoMathei.y
Of sweryng1 seith the holy leremye Siulido&4in8t?dabl8lnveritate
Thow shalt swere sooth thyne othes / & nat lye 636
And swere in doom / and eek in rightwisnesse
But ydel sweryng1 is a cursednesse
IT Bihoold and se / J>«t in the firste table
Of heighe goddes hestes honurable 640
How J?at the seconde heste of hym / is this
Take nat my name / in ydel or amys
Lo rather he forbedeth * swich sweryng1
Than homycide / or many a cursed thyng1 644
I seye / J>at as by ordre / thus it standeth
This knoweth / that hise hestes vnderstandeth
How that the seconde heste of god / is that1
And forther ouer / I wol thee telle al plat1 648
That vengeance / shal nat parten from his hous
That of hise othes / is to outrageous
By goddes precious herte / and by his nayles
And by the blood of Crist1 that is in hayles 652
Seuene is my chance / and thyn is cynk & treye
By goddes armes / if thow falsly pleye
This dagger / shal thurgh out thyn herte go
This frut cometh / of the bicche bones two 656
fforsweryng1 / Ire / falsnesse / homycide
Now for the loue of Crist1 that for vs dyde
Lete youre othes / bothe grete and smale
But sires / now wol I / telle forth my tale 660
II Thise Biotours thre / of which I telle
Longe erst1 er Pryme ronge of any belle
Were set hem / in a Taumie to drynke [leaf 200]
And as they sat1 they herde a belle klynke 664
Biforn a cors / was caryed to his graue
That oon of hem / gan callen to his knaue
Go bet quod he / and axe redily
What cors is this / that passeth heer forby 668
HENGWRT 460 (6-T. 323)
324 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And looke / J?at thow reporte his name wel
IF Sire quod this boy / it nedeth neutr a del
It was me told / er ye cam heer two houres
He was pardee / an old felawe of youres 672
And sodeynly / he was yslayn to nyght1
ffordronke / as he sat on his bench vp right1
Ther cam a prmee theef* / men clepeth deeth
That in this contree / al the peple sleeth 676
And with his spere / he smoot his herte atwo
And wente his wey / with-outen wordes mo
He hatli / a thousand slayn this pestilence
And maister / er ye come in his presence 680
]\[e thynketh / that it were necessarie
fibr to be war / of swich an Aduersarie
Beeth redy / for to meete hym eiiere moore
Thus taughte me my dame / I sey namoore 684
1F By Seinte Marie / seyde this Taueruer
The child seith sooth / for he hath slayn this yer
Henne oner a myle / with-Inne a greet village
Bothe man and woniman / child and hyne & page 688
I trowe / his habitacioii be there
To been auysed / greet wisdom it were
Er that he elide / a man a dishonour
IT Ye goddes armes / quod this Eiotour 692
Is it swich peril / with hym for to meete
I shal hym seke / by wey / and eek by Strete
I make avow / to goddes digne bones
Herkneth felawes / we thre been al ones 696
Lat ech of vs / holde vp his hand to oother
And ech of vs / bicome ootheres brother
And we wol sleen / this false tray tour deeth
He shal be slayn / he )>at so manye sleeth 700
By geddes dignytee / er it be nyghtt
IT Togidres han thise thre / hir trouthes plyght1
To lyue and dyen / ech of hem with oother [leaf 200, back]
As thogh he were / his owene ybore brother 704
HENGWRT 461 (6-T. 32 1)
325 SIX-TEXT
GHOUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And vp they stirte / al dronken / in this rage
And forth they goon,-/ towardes that village
Of which the Taue?'nner / hadde spoke biforn
And many a grisly ooth / thanne han they sworn 708
And Cristes blessed body / they to-rente
Deeth shal be deed / if they may liym hente
51 Whan they han goon / nat fully a myle
Right as they wolde / han treden oner a style 712
An old man and a poure / with hem mette
This olde man / ful mekely hem grette
And seyde thus / now lordes god yow se
IT The proudeete / of thise Riotours thre 716
Answerde agayn / what carl with sory gr«ce
Why artow al forwrapped / sane thy face
Why lyuestow so longe / in so greet age
H This olde man / gan looke in his visage 720
And seyde thus / for I ne kan nat fynde
A man / thogh Ipat I walked in-to Inde
Neither in Citee / ne in no village
That wolde chaunge / his youthe for myn age 724
And ther-fore moot I han / myn age stille
As longe tyme / as it is goddes wille
IF Ne deeth alias / ne wol nat haue my lyf
Thus walke I / lyk a restelees eaytyf* 728
And on the ground / which is my modres gate
I knokke with my staf/ bothe erly and late
And seye / leeue moder leet me In
Lo how I vanysshe / flessh" £ blood & skyn 732
Alias / whan shal my bones / been at reste
Moder / with yow / wolde I chaunge my cheste
That in my chambre / longe tyme hath be
Ye for an heyre clowt1 to wrappe me 736
But yet to me / she wol naf do that grace
ffor which ful pale / and welked is my face
But sires / to yow / it is no curteisye
To speken / to an old man vileynye 740
HENGWRT 462 (fi-T. 32o)
32G SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
But he trespass in word / or ellis in dede
In holy writ1 ye may your self wel rede
IT Agayns an old man / hoor vp-on his heed ^^ cajit°e°™™
Ye shal arise / wher-fore I yeue yow reed
Ne dooth vn-to an old man / noon harm now 745
Namoore than J?at ye wolde / men dide to yow
In age // if J>at ye so longe abyde
And god be with yow / wher ye go or ryde 748
I moot go thider / as I hane to go
II Kay olde cherl / by god thow shalt nat so
Seyde / this oother hasardour anon
Thow pwtest nat so lightly / by Seint lohn 752
Thow speeke right now / of thilke traytour deeth
That in this contree / alle oure freendes sleeth
Haue here my trouthe / as thow art his espye
Tel wher he is / or thow shalt it abye 756
By god / and by the holy sacrament
ftbr soothly / thow art 0011 of his assent1
To sleen vs yonge folk1 thow false theef/
1T Now sires quod he / if )>«t yow be so leef1 7GO
To fynde deeth / turn vp this croked wey
ffor in that groue / I lafte hym by my fey
Viider a tree / and ther he wol abyde
Nat for youre boost1 he wol hym no thyng hyde 764
Se ye that ook1 right ther ye schal hym fynde
God saue yow / that boghte agayn man-kynde
And yow amende / thus seyde this olde man
IT And euerich / of thise Riotours ran 7C8
Til he cam to that tree / and ther they founde
Of floryns fyne / of gold / ycoyned rounde
Wel ny an .viij. busshels / as hem thoughte
No lenger thanne / after deeth they soughte 772
But ech of hem / so glad was of the sighte
ffor J>#t the floryns / been so faire and brighte
That doun they sette hem / by this precious hoord
The worste of hem / he spak the firste word 776
HENGWRT 463 (C-T. 326)
327 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
H Bretheren quod he / taak kepe / what ]>«t I seye
My wit is greef thogh J>«t I bourde and pleye
This tresor hath ffortune / vn-to vs jeuen
In myrthe and iolitee / oure lyf to lyuen 780
And lightly as it cometh / so wol we spende
Ey goddes precious dignytee / who wende
To day / that we sholde han / so fair a grace [leaf 201, back]
But myghte this gold / be caried fro this place 784
Hoom to myn hous / or ellis vn-to youres
ffor wel ye woof that al this gold is oures
Thanne were we / in heigh felicitee
But trewely / by daye it may nat be 788
Men wolde seyn / Jj«t we were theues stronge
And for oure owene tresor / doon TS honge
This tresor / moste ycaried be by nyghte
As wisly / and as sleyly / as it myghte 792
Therfore I rede / that1 cut amonges vs alle
Be drawe / and lat se / wher the cut1 wol falle
And he J?«t hath the cuf with herte blithe
Shal renne to towne / and that ful swithe 796
And brynge vs / breed / and wyn / ful pn'uely
And two of vs / shal kepen subtilly
This tresor wel / and if he wol nat tarye
Whan it is nyghf we wol this tresor carye 800
By oon assenf wher as vs thynketh besf
That oon of hem / the cut broghte in his fesf
And bad hem drawe / and looke wher it wol falle
And it fel / on the yongeste of hem alle 804
And forth toward the town / he wente anon
And also soone / as jjat he was agon
That oon of hem / spak thus vn-to that oother
Thow knowest wel / thow art my sworn brother 808
Thy profif wol I telle thee anon
Thow woost wel / ]>at oure felawe is agon
And heere is gold / and that ful greet plentee
That shal departed been / among vs thre 812
HEXGWRT 464 (6-T..327)
328 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
But nathelees / if I kan shape it so
That it departed were / among vs two
Hadde I nat doon / a freendes torn to thee
11 That oother answerde / I noot how that may be 816
He woof J>«t the gold / is with vs tweye
What shal we doon / what shal we to hyin seye
11 Shal it be conseil / seyde the firste shrew e
And I shal telle / in a wordes fewe 820
What we slml doon / and brynge it wel aboute
1F I graunte quod that oother / out of doute
That by my trouthe / I wol thee nat biwreye [leaf 202]
IF Now quod the firste / thow woost wel we be tweye 824
And two of vs / shul stronger be than oon
Looke whan J?at he is set1 that right anon
Arys / as though thow woldestf with hyin pleye
And I shal ryue hym / thurgh the sydes tweye 828
Whil that thow strogelest with hym / as in game
And with thy daggere / looke thow do the same
And thanne shal / al this gold departed be
My deere freend / bitwixe thee and me 832
Thanne may we bothe / oure lustes al fulh'lle
And pleye at dees / right at oure owene wille
And thus acorded been / thise sherewes tweye
To sleen the thridde / as ye han herd me seye 836
IF This yongeste / which that wente to the toun
fful ofte in herte / he rolleth vp and doun
The beautee of thise floryns / newe & brighte
0 lord quod he / if so were j>at I myghte 840
Haue al this tresor / to my self allone
Ther is no man / }>at lyueth vnder the trone
Of god / that sholde lyue / so myrie as I
And at the laste / the feend oure enemy 844
Putte in his thoghf J?at he sholde poyson beye
With which he myghte sleen / his felawes tweye
ffor why / the feend foond hym / in swich lyuynge
That he hadde leue / hym to sorwe brynge 848
HENGWRT 465 (6-T. 328)
329 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
ffor this was outrely / his ful entente
To sleen hem bothe / and neuere to repente
IT And forth lie goth / no longer wolde he tarve
In to the toun / vn-to Apothecary o 852
And preyed hym / Jj«t he liym wolde selle
Som poyson) / that he myghte his rattes rjuelle
And eek ther was / a polcaf in his hawe
That as he seyde / his capons hadde yslawe 856
And fayn he wolde / wreke hym if he myghte
On vermyii / that destroyed hym by nyghte
11 The Pothecarie answerde / and thow shalt haue
A tbyng1 that also god / my soule sane 8GO
In al this world / ther is no creature
That ete / or dronke / hath of this confiture
Nat but the montance / of a corn of whete [leaf 202, back]
That he ne shal his lyf / anoon for-lete 864
Ye sterue he shal / and that in lasse while
Than thow wolt goon a pass / nat but a myle
The poyson / is so strong/ and violent1
This cursed man / hath in his hand yhent1 868
This poyson in a box / and sith he ran
In-to the nexte Strete / vn-to a man
And borwed hym / large Botels thre
And in the two / his poison poured he 872
The thridde / he kepte clene for his drynke
ffor al the nyght1 he shoope hym for to swynke
In cariyng1 of the gold / out of that place
And whan this Riotour / with sory g?'ace 876
Hadde filled with wyn / hise grete Botels thre
To hise felawes / agayn repaireth he
11 What nedeth it1 to sarmone of it moore
ffor right as they / hadde cast his deeth bifore 880
Right so / they han hym slayn / and that anon
And whan this was doon / thus spak that oon
Now lat vs sitte and drynke / and make vs rnerye
And afterward / we wol his body berye B84
HENGWRT 466 (6-T, 329)
330 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And with that word / it happed hym par cas
To take the Botel / ther the poyson was
And drank/ and yaf his felawe drynke also
ffor which anon / they storaen bothe two 888
IF But certes I suppose / that Auycen
Wroot neuere in no Canon / ne in no fen
Mo wonder signes / of empoysonyng1
Than hadde thise wrecches two / er hir endyng< 892
Thus ended been / thise homicides two
And eek/ the false empoysonere also
1F 0 ' cursed synne / of alle cursednesse
0 ' tray tours homicide / o wikkednesse 896
0 • glotonye / luxure / and hasardrye
Thou blasphemour of Crist1 with vileynye
And othes grete / of vsage / and of pryde
Alias mankynde / how may it bityde 900
That to thy Creatour / which J?at thee wroghte
And with his precious herte blood / the boghte
Thow art so fals / and so vnkynde alias [leaf 203]
IF JSTow goode men / god foryeue yow youre trespas 904
And ware yow / fro the synne of Auarice
Myn holy pardon / may yow alle warisse
So that ye offre nobles / or starlynges
Or ellis sillier broches / spones / rynges 908
Boweth youre heed / vnder this holy bulle
Cometh vp ye wyues / offreth of youre wolle
Youre name I entre / here in my rolle anon
In-to the blisse of heuene / shul ye gon 912
1 yow assoile / by myn heigh power
Ye J>at wol offre / as clene and eek as cler
As ye were born / and lo sires thus I preche
And Ihesu crisfr that is oure soules leche 916
So graunte yow / his pardon to receyue
ffor that is best1 1 wol yow nat deceyue
IF But sires / o word / forgat I in my tale
I haue Relikes and pardon in my male 920
HEXGWRT 467 (6-T. 330)
331 SJX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4. PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
As faire / as any man in Engelond
Whiche were me yeuen / by the Popes liond
If any of yow / wol of deuocion
Olfren / and han myn absolucion . 921
Com forth anon / and kneleth here adoun
And mekely / receyueth my pardoim
Or ellis / taketh pardon as ye wende
Al newe and fressh / at euery myles eiide 928
So ]>«t ye offreii alwey / newe and newe
Nobles / or pens / whiche J?«t been good & trcwe
It is an honour / to euerich that is heer
That ye mo we haue / a suffisant pc/rdoner 932
Tassoile yow / in contree as ye ryde
ffor auentures / whiche J?«t may bityde
Parauenture / ther may falle oon or two
Doun of his hors / and breke his nekke atwo 936
Looke swich a seuretee is it to yow alle
That I am / in youre felaweship y-falle
That may assoille yow / bothe moore & lasse
Whan J>«t the soule / shal fro the body passe 940
I rede / that oure hoost1 shal bigynne
ffor he is moosf envoluped in synne
Com forth sire hoost / and offre first anon [leaf 203, back]
And thow shalt kisse / the Relikes euery chon 944
Ye for a grote / vnbokele anon thy purs
II Nay nay quod he / thanne haue I Cristes curs
Lat be quod he / it shal nat be so thee ich
Thow w oldest1 make me kisse thyn olde breech 948
And swere it were / a Relyk of a Seinf
Thogh it were / with thy fondement depeyntt
But by the croys / which ]>ai Seint Eleyne foond
I wold I hadde / thy coylons in myn hond 952
In stide of Relikes / or of Seintuarie
Lat cutte hem of / I wol thee hem carie
They shul be shryned / in an hogges toord
IT This pardoner / answerde nat a word 956
HENGWRT 468 (6-T. 33l)
332 SIX-TEXT
GROUP C. § 4, PARDONER'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
So wrooth he was / no word no wolde lie seye
IT Now quod oure boost* I wol no longer pleye
With thee / ne with noon oother angry man
5f But right anon / the worthy knyght bigan 960
Whan Jjat he saugh / Ipat al the peple lough
iNamoore of this / for it is right ynough
Sire Pardoner be glad / and murye of cheere
And sire boost1 that been to me so deere 964
I pray yow / )>at ye kisse the Pardoner
And Pardoner / I pray thee / drawe thee neer
And as we diden / lat vs lawe and pleye
Anon they kiste / and ryden for]) hir weye 968
Here is ended the Pardoners tale
32 HENGWRT 109 (G-T. 332)
GKOUP B, 0- FEAGMENT III.)
§ 4. THE SHIPMAN'S TALE.
H" Here bigynneth the Shipmannes tale
A[Hengwrt MS, leaf 204]
Marchant whilom / dwelled at Seint Denys
That riche was / for which men helde hym wys
A wyf he hadde / of excellent beautee
And compaignable / and reuelous was she
Which is a thyng* that causeth moore dispence
Than worth / is al the cheere and reuerence 1196
That men hem doon / at festes and at daunces
Swich salutacions / and contenances
Passen / as dooth a shadwe vp on the wal
But wo is hym / that payen moot for al 1 200
The sely housbonde / algate he moot paye
He moot vs clothe / and he moot vs arraye
Al for his owene worships / richely
In which array / we dauncen iolily 1204-
And if thai he noght may / parauenture
Or ellis / list no swich dispense endure
But thynketh / it is wasted and y-lost1
Thanne moot another / payen for oure cost1 1208
Or lene vs gold / and that is perilous
This noble Marchant1 heeld a worthy hous
ffor which / he hadde alday / so greet repair
ffor his largesse / and for his wyf was fair 1212
"What wonder is / but herkneth to my tale
Amonges alle hise gestes / grete and smale
IT Ther was a Monk1 a fair man and a bold
I trowe / a thritty wynter / he was old 1216
That euere in oon / was drawyng1 to that place
This yonge Monk* that was so fair of face
HENGWRT 470 (6-T. 168)
169 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Aqueynted was so / with the goode man
Sith that1 hir firste knewliche bigan 1220
That in his hous / as famulier was he
As it is possible / any freend to be
And for as muchel / as this goode man
And eek this Monk* of which J?at I bigan 1224
Were bothe two yborn / in o village
The Monk1 hym claymeth / as for cosynage
And he agayn / he seith nat ones nay [leaf 204, back]
But was as glad ther of / as fowel of day 1228
ffor to his herte / it was a gret plesance
Thus been they knytf with eterne alliance
And ech of hem / gan oother / for tassure
Of bretherhede / whil J>at hir lyf may dure 1232
1T ffree was daun Tohn / and manly of dispence
As in that hous / and ful of diligence
To doon plesance / and also greet costage
He nat forgatt to yeue the leeste page 1236
In al that hous / but after hir degree
He yaf the lord / and sith al his meynee
Whan fyat he cam / som manere honeste thyng1
ffor which / they were as glad of his comyng1 1240
As fowel is fayn / whan \ai the sonne vp riseth
Namoore of this as now / for it suffiseth
IT But so bifel / this Marchant1 on a day
Shoope hym / to make redy his array 1244
Toward the town of Brugges / for to fare
To byen there / a porcion of ware
ffor which he hath / to Parys sent anon.
A messager / and preyed hath daun John 1248
That he sholde come / to Seint Denys and pleye
With hym / and with his wyf1 a day or tweye
Er he to Brugges wente / in alle wise
^F This noble Mont of which I yow deuyse 1 252
Hath of his Abbot* as hym list licence
By cause he was a man / of heigh prudence
HENGWRT 471 (6-T. 16»)
170 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And eek an Officer / out for to ryde
To seen hir granges / and liir bernes wyde 1256
And vn to Seint denys / lie comth anon
Who was so welcome / as my lord daim lolin
Cure deere cosyn / ful of curteisye
With hym broghte he / a Iub"be of Maluesye 1260
And eek another / ful of fyn vernage
And volatil / as ay was his vsage
And thus I lete hem / ete and drynke and pleye
This Marchanf and this Monk / a day or tweye 1264
IT The thridde day / this Marchant vp ariseth
And on his nedes / sadly hym auyseth
And vp / in to his Countour hous goth he [leaf 205]
To rekene with hym self / wel may be 1268
Of thilke yeer / how J>«t it with hym stood
And how J?at he / despended hadde his good
And if that he / encressed were or noon
Hise bokes / and his bagges / many oon 1272
He leyth biforn hym / on his Countyng bord
fful riche was his tresor / and his hord
ifor which ful faste / his Countour dore he shette
And eek he nolde / ]>ai no man sholde hym lette 1276
Of his acountes / for the mene tyme
And thus he sit / til it was passed prime
5F Daun loRn was risen / in the morwe also
And in the gardyns / walketh to and fro 1280
And hath his thynges seyd / ful curteisly
If This goode wyf / cam walkyng pr/uely
In to the gardyn / ther he walketh softe
And hym salueth / as she hath doom ofte 1284
A mayde child / cam in hir compaignye
Which as hir list1 she may gouerne and gye
if or yet1 vnder the yerde was the mayde
IT 0 deere cosyn myn / daun lohn she sayde 1288
What eyleth yow / so rathe for to ryse
IT Nece quod he / it oghte ynow suffise
.HENGWRT 472 (6-T. 170)
171 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
ffyue houres / for to slepe / vp on a nyghf
But it were / for an old apalled wight1 1292
As been thise wedded men / ]>at lye and dare
As in a forme / sit a wery hare
Were al forstraughf with houndes grete & smale
But deere Nece / why be ye so pale 1296
I trowe certes / that oure goode man
Hath yow laboured / sith the nyght bigan
That yow were nede / to resten hastily
And with that word / he lough ful myrily 1 300
And of his owenc thoghf he weex al reed
1T This faire Avyf / gan for to shake hir heed
And seyde thus / ye god woot al quod she
Nay cosyn myn / it stant nat so with me 1304
ffor by that god / that yaf me soule and lyf
In al the Reawme of ffrance / is ther no wyf
That lasse lust hath / to that sory pley Deaf 205, back]
ffor I may synge j alias and weilawey 1308
That I was born / but to no wight1 quod she
Dar I nat telle / how J>«t it stant with me
Wher fore I thynke / out of this land to wende
Or ellis / of my self / to make an ende 1312
50 ful am I / of drede / and eek of care
51 This Monk bigan / vp on this wyf to stare
And seyde / alias / my J^ece god forbede
That ye / for any sorwe / or any drede 1316
ffordo your self / but telleth me youre grief
Parauenture / I may in youre meschief1
Conseille / or helpe / and therfore telletli me
Al youre anoy / for it shal been secree 1320
ffor on my Porthors / I make an oth
That neue?-e in my lif / for lief / or loth
Ne shal I / of no conseil / yow biwreye
IT The same agayn to yow / quod she I seye 1 324
By god / and by this Porthors / I swere
Thogh men me wolde / al in to peces tere
HENGWRT 473 (6-T. I7l)
172 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Ne shal I neuere / for to gon to helle
Biwreye a word / of thyng ]>at ye me telle 1328
Nat for no cosynage / ne alliance
But verraily / for lone and affiance
Thus been they sworn / and her vp on they keste
And ech of hem / tolde oother what hem leste 1332
IT Cosyn quod she / if J>«t I hadde a space
As I haue noon / and namely in this place
Thanne wolde I telle / a legende of my lyf
What I haue sutfred / sith I was a wyf 1336
With myn housbonde / al be he youre cosyn
IT Nay quod this Monk1 by god and Seint Martin
He is namore / cosyn vn to me
Than is this leef1 J?«t hangeth on the tree 1340
I clepe hym so / by Seint Denys of ffrance
To han / the moore cause of aqueyntance
Of yow / which I haue loued specially
Abouen alle wommen / sikerly 1344
This swere I yow / on my profession
Telleth youre grief / lest |?«t he come adoun
And hasteth yow / and goth awey anon [leufsocj
^f My deere loue quod she / o my daun lohn 1348
fful lief were me / this conseil for to hyde
But out it moot1 I may namoore abyde
U Myn housbonde is to me / the worste man
That euere was / sith Ipat the world bigan 1352
But sith I am a wyf / it sit nat me
To tellen no wight1 of oure pn'uetee
Neither abedde / ne in noon oother place
God shilde / I sholde it tellen for his grace 1356
A wyf ne shal nat seyn / of hir housbonde
But al honour / as I kan vnderstonde
Saue vn to yow / thus muche I tellen shal
As help me god / he is noght worth at al 1360
In no degree / the value of a flye
But yet1 me greueth moost his nygardye
HENGWRT 474 (6-T. 172)
173 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And wel ye woo \>ai wommen naturelly [.Late note, P. MO.]
Desiren thynges .vj. as wel as I 1364
They wolde / Jj«t hir housbondes sholde be
IF Hardy and wise /and riche / and ther-to free 11 no/a
And buxom vn to his wyf / and fressh abedde
But by that ilke lord / that for vs bledde 1368
fFor his honour / my self for to array e
A sonday next1 1 moot nedes paye
An hundred frankes / or ellis am I lorn
Yet were me leuere / J>at I were vnborn 1372
Than me were doon / a sclaundre / or vileynye
And if myn housbonde eek/ myghte it espye
I nere but lost1 and ther fore I yow preye
Lene me this sowme / or ellis moot I deye 1376
Daun lohn I seye / lene me thise hundred frankes
Pardee I wil noghfr faile yow my thankes
If J?at yow list1 to doon / that I yow praye
ffor at a certeyn day / I wol yow paye 1380
And doon to yow / what plesance and seruyse
That I may doon / right as yow list deuyse
And but .1. do / god take on me vengeance
As foul / as euere hadde Genelon) of ffrance 1384
IF This gentil Monk* answerde in this manere
Now trewely / myn owene lady deere
I haue quod he / on yow so gret a routhe
That I yow swere / and plighte yow my trouthe 1388
That whan youre housbonde / is to fflandres fare [leaf 206, back]
I wol deliuere yow / out of this care
ffor I wol brynge yow / an hundred frankes
And with that word / he caughte hire by the flankes 1392
And hire embraceth harde / and kiste hire ofte
Goth now youre wey quod he / al stille and softe
And lat vs dyne / as soone / as J>at ye may
ffor by my chilyndre / it is Pryme of day 1396
Goth now / and beth as trewe as I shal be
IF Now ellis / god forbede sire quod she
HENGWRT 475 (6-T. 173)
174 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And forth she goth / as iolif as a pye
And bad the Cokes / fat they sholde hem hye 1400
So fat men myghte dyne / and that anon
Yp to hir housbonde / is his wyf ygon
And knokketh at his Countour / boldely t1 y« interlined by a
1 J late hand]
1T Who > ther quod he / Peter it am I .qi la. 1404
Quod she / what sire / how longe wol ye faste
How longe tyme / wol ye rekene and caste
Youre sonimes / and youre bokes / and youre thynges
The deuel haue part1 on alle swiche rekenynges 1408
Ye haue ynogh pardee / of goddes sonde
Com doun to day / and lat youre bagges stonde
]STe be ye nat ashamed / that daun lohii
Shal fastynge / al this day elenge gon 1412
What lat vs here a masse / and go we dyne
IF Wyf quod this man / litel kanstow deuyne
Ths curious bisynesse / that we haue
ffor of vs chapmen / also god me saue 1416
And by that lord / that clepid is Seint Yue
Scarsly amonges .xij. x. shul thryue
Continuelly / lastyng vn to oure age
We may wel make cheere / and good visage 1420
And dryue forth the world / as it may be
And kepen oure estat1 in pryuetee
Til we be dede / or ellis that we pleye
A pilgrymage / or goon out of the weye 1424
And ther fore / haue I gret necessitee
Vp on this queynte world / tauyse me
ffor euere mo / we mote stonde in drede
Of hap and fFortune / in oure chapmanhede 1428
IT To fflandres wol I go / tomorwe at day [leaf 207]
And come agayn / as soone as euere I may
ffor which my deere wyf / I thee biseke
As be to euery wight1 buxom and meke 1432
And for to kepe oure good / be curious
And honestly / gouerne wel oure hous
HEXGWHT 478 (6-T. 174)
175 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 4, SHIPMAN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Thow hast ynow / in euery manere wise
That to a thrifty liousliold / may suffise 143G
Thee lakketh noon array / ne no vitaille
Of siluer in thy purs / shaltow nat faille
And with that word / his Countour dore he shette
And doun he goth / no lenger wolde he lette 1440
But hastily /' a masse was ther seyd
And spedily / the tables were yleyd
And to the dyner / faste they hem spedde
And richely this Monk1 the chapman fedd 1444
IF At after dyner / daun lofin sobrely
This chapman took a part1 and pn'uely
He seyde hym thus / cosyn it standeth so
That Avel I se / to Brugges wol ye go 1448
God and Seint Austyn / spede yow and gyde
I pray yow cosyn / wysly pat ye ryde
Gouerneth yow also / of youre diete
Atemprely / and namely / in this hete 1452
Bitwix vs two / nedeth no strange fare
ffarewel cosyn / god shilde yow fro care
And if J?at any thyng1 by day or nyght
If it lye in my power / and my myght1 1456
That ye me wol comande / in any wise
It shal be doon / right as ye wol deuyse
1F 0 thing er Jjat ye goon / if it may be
I wold preye yow / for to lene me 1460
An hundred frankes / for a wyke or tweye
ffor eerie jn bestes / J>at I moste beye
To store with a place / that is oures
God help me so / I wolde it were youres 1464
I shal nat faille / seurely of my day
Nat for a thousand frankes / a myle way
But lat this thyng be secree / I yow preye
ffor yet to nyght1 thise bestes moot I beye 1468
And fare now wel / myn owene cosyn deere [leaf 207, back]
Grant mercy / of youre cost1 and of youre cheere
HENGWRT 477 (6-T. 175)
176 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT This noble Marehant1 gentilly anon
Answerde and seyde / o cosyn myn daun loRn 1472
Now sikerly / this is a smal requeste
My gold is youres / whan ]>ai it yo\v leste
And nat oonly my gold / but my chaffare
Tak what yow list1 god shilde ]>ai ye spare 1470
But o thyiig is / ye knowe it wel ynow
Of Chapmen / that hir moneye is hir plow
We may creance / whil we han a name
But goldlees for to been / it is no game 1480
Pay it agayn / whan it lyth in youre ese
After my myght1 ful fayn wol I yow plese
11 Thise hundred frankes / he fette forth anon
And pn'uely / he took hem to daun lohn 1484
No wight in al this world / wiste of this lone
Sauyng1 this Marchant1 and daun John allone
They drynke / and speke / and rome a while & pleye
Til that daun lohn / rideth to his Abbeye 1488
IT The morwe cam / and forth this Marchant rydeth
To fflandres ward / his Prentys wel hym gydeth
Til he cam / in to Brugges murily
Now goth this Marchant1 faste and bisily 1492
Aboute his nede / and byeth and creaficeth
He neither / pleyeth at the dees / ne daunceth
But as a Marchant1 shortly for to telle
He let his lyf / and ther I lete hym dwelle 1496
IF The sonday next / the Marchant was agon
To Seint denys / yeomen is daun lohn
With crowne and berd / al fressfr & newe shaue
In al the hous / ther nas so litel a knaue 1500
Ne no wight ellis / ]>at he nas ful fayn
That my lord daun lohn / was come agayn
And shortly / to the poynt1 right for to gon
This faire wyf1 accorded with daun lohn 1504
That for thise hundred frankes / he sholde al nyght1
Haue hire in his armes / bolt vpright1
HENGWRT 478 (6-T. 176)
177 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 4. SHIPMAN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
And this acord / pa?-fourned was in dede
In myrthe al nyghf a bisy lyf they lede 1508
Til it was day / that daun lofrn wente his way [leaf 208]
And bad the meynee / fare wel haue good day
ffor noon of hem / ne no wight in the town
Hath of daun John / right no suspecioun 1512
And forth he rydeth horn / til his Abbeye
Or where hym list1 namoore of hym I seye
IT This Marchant1 whan J?at ended was the faire
To Seint Denys / he gan for to repaire 1516
And with his wyf / he maketh feste and cheere
And telleth hire / that chaffare is so deere
That nedes / moste he make a cheuyssance
ffor he was bounden. / in a reconyssance 1520
To paye / twenty thousand sheelde anon
ffor which / this Marchant1 is to Parys gon
To borwe / of ce?*teyne freen'des / that he hadde
A ce?'teyn frankes / and so?7^me with hym he ladde 1524
And whan fat he was come / in to the town
ffor greet chiertee / and greet affeccioun
Vn to daun lolin / he first goth / hym to pleye
Nat for to axe / or borwe of hym moneye 1528
But for to wite / and seen of his welfare
And for to tellen hym / of his chaffare
As freendes doon / whan they been met yfeere
Daun lohn / hym maketh feste / and murye cheere 1532
And he hym tolde agayn / ful specially
How he hadde / wel yboghfr and graciously
Thanked be god / al hool his marchandise
Saue J)«t he moste / in alle maner wyse 1536
Maken a cheuyssance / as for his beste
And thanne he sholde been / in ioye and reste
IF Daun lohn answerde / certes I am fayn
That ye in heele / ar comen horn agayn 1540
And if ]?at I were riche / as haue I blisse
Of twenty thousand sheeld / sholde ye nat mysse
HENGWRT 479 (6-T. 177)
178 H1X-TKXT
B. § 4. NIIIPMAN'H TALK. Hengwrt MS.
ilor yo so kyndoly / this oothor day
Lento mo gold / and sis I Ivan ami may 1544
1 thilllko yow / by god / and by Sciut lame
.lint natholoca / I look vn to on re dame
Yowro \vyf at bom / tin1 same gold agayn
A'p on yomv bench / she wool, it wel eerlayn IMS
1>V (vrloyn toknes / that 1 kan yo\v Idle |i«'»r "us, I.-I.-KI
.Now by youro lono / I may no lender dwelle
(hire Abl>ot' \vol out of tin's town anon
And in bis r.ompaignyo / moot I gon 15.VJ
(Jrcrt W(>1 ouiv dame / myn owcm* Xcrc swdc
And lar(v wcl dcviv cosyn / Id we mrrte
51 Tins IMarcliant1 whicb Jv/t was fnl war and wys
(^rcanc.cd liatb / and payed cck in 1'avys l.r),r)(5
To (vvteyn loiubanlca / redy in bir bond
'I'bc soinino of gold / a.nd gat of bcm bis bond i; .i-oMi^'Hom-m.
And lioom lu» goo til / mnryc as a, I'apyniay
ll'or wcl In- knew / he slood in swicb array 1500
That notion mosto bo wynnc / in that vijigo
A thousand frankos / nbouon al his costago
51 His wyl' 1'nl rcdy / ujollo hym at tbo g«il,«?
As sho was wont1 of old ysngc algato l.")(»l
And al that nygbl.1 in myvtbo thov biscttt*
ilov lu> was i-iclu^ / and rlrcrly out of dctto
51 AYhan it was day / this Marrh.'int gan embrace
Jlis wyfal newe / and kisle biiv on bir lace 1508
And vj> IK» gol-b / and makoth it f'ul tongli
iNaiuooni (juod sbo / by god ye bane ynongli
And wantownoly agayn / with by in she ploydo
Til at tbo, lasto / this Man-haul, soydo 1572
5T By god (piod ho / 1 am a litol wroth
With yow my \vyf / al thogh it bo me looth
And woot yo why / by god as Jwt I g(»sse
That yo han maad / a manoro strangonosse 1570
lUtwixon mo / and my cosyn ilann lolin
Yo sholdo han warned mo / or I had gon
HKNQWUT 480 (0-T. 178)
179 SIX-TKXT
GROUP B, § 4. SHIPMAN'H TALK. Hengwrt MS.
That he yow haddo / a hundred frankes payed
By redy tokne / and heeld hym yuele apayed 1580
ffor that I. to hym / spak of cheuyssance
Me Bomod HO / as by his contenance
But nathelees / hy god oure heuene kyng1
I thoghto natf to axe of hym no thyng1 1584
I pray thee wyf1 rie do iiamoore HO
Tel me alvvey / er that I fro thee go
If any dettour / hath in myri absence
ypayed thee / lest thurgh thy necligence 1588
I myghte hym axe / a thyng1 fril he hath payed [leaf 200]
5T 111 is wyf / was nat afered ne afrayed
lint boldely she seydo / and tliat anon
Marie I diffyo / the false Monk1 daun loliu 1592
I k(!pe nat of his toknes / WAWT a del
Ho took me oertoyn gold / this woot I wel
What yuel thedain / on his Monkos snowte
ffor god it woot1 J wende with outen dovvte 1596
That he haddo yeue it me / hy cause of yow
To doon tlier with / niyn honour and my prow
ffor coHynago / and oek for bole eheere
That IKJ hath had / ful ofte tyrriOH heero 1600
IT But sith I so / it slant in tliis disioyntt
I wole answere yow / shortly to the poynt1
Ye han mo slakker dettours / than am I
ffor I wol paye yow / wel and redily 1604
JIVo day to day / and if so he I fayle
I am youre wyf / score it vp on my tayle
And I shal paye / as soone as euere I may
ffor by my trouthe / I haue on myn array 1608
And nat in wastt bistowed Query del
And for I haue / bistowed it so wel
ffor youre honour / for goddes sake I seye
As bo nat wrooth / but lat vs laughe & pleyo 1612
Ye shal / my ioly body han to weddo
By god / I wol noght paye yow but a beddo
HENGWRT 481 (6-T. 179)
180 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 4, SHIPMAN'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
iforgytie it me / myn owene spouse deero
Turn hiderward / and maketh bettre cheere 1616
IT This Marchanf saugli / ther was no remedye
And for to chide / it nere but folye
Syn that the thyng1 may nat amended be
Now wyf he seyde / and I foryeue it thee 1620
But by thy lyf / ne be namoore so large
Keepe bet thy good / this yeue I thee in charge
Thus endeth my tale / and god vs sende
Taillynge ynough / vn to oure lyues ende . 1624
*[ Here endeth / the Shipmannes tale (5b
[As there is no room in this print for the notes in the margin
of the MS, they are put here, with the numbers of the lines to which
they refer.'}
1. 1363. A woman wolld haue her husband / to be hardye /
wyse / Ryche free / buxom / that is to saye gentell / and to be
freshe in bed / these / syxe things a woman dothe desyre / as Mr
Chaucer dothe wryte.' [MS, leaf 206.] [In a late hand.']
1. 1770. ^[ legam?/s Apocalipsim Ioha?wis / et ibi reperimits
agnu?tt super niontew syon & cum illo .Cxliiij. Milia signatonm &c
qui cantant canticm/z. nouum Sec.
^[ Isti suwt qui cum mulierib?a se non coinquinauenmt virgines
autewi permanserunt /. Hii sunt qui secuntur agmm quocumque
vadit &c. [MS, leaf 211, back.]
1. 1817. ^[ Rachel plorans filios suos noluit consolari &c.
1. 1828. // de puero qui cantauit/ de gl^riosa virgine
// de maria qwicquid sciuit ) Mat,,nam in iam
puer cantans
// hunc iMdeus neqiamstrauit ) Diram Inuidiam
domo sua quew humauit J
// Mater quereas huno vocauit ) ,
hie m terra recantauit J I
II Puer liber mox exiuit ) T , . (
Mortis reos lex puniuit ) il > [MS, If 212, bk.]
HENGWRT 482 (6-T. 180)
181 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 5. SHIPMAN-PRIORESS LINK. HcngWlt MS.
IT Herke the myrie Wordes / of the Worthy Hoosf fa
[leaf 209, 1 ack]
WEI seyd / by corpus dominus / quod oure Hoosf
Now longe / moote thow saille by the coost1
Thow gentil Maister / gentil Maryner
God yeve the Monk / a thousand last quaad yeer 16:2 8
A .ha. felawes / beth war of swich a lape
The Monk putte / in the mannes hood an Ape
And in his wyues eek / by Seint Austyn
Draweth no Monkes / moore in to youre In 1632
11 But now passe ouer / and lat vs seke aboute
Who shal now telle first1 of al this route
Another tale / and with that word he sayde
As curteisly / as it hadde been a mayde 163G
My lady Prioresse / by youre leue
So that .1. wiste / I sholde yow nat agreue
I wolde demen / that ye telle sholde
A tale next1 if so were that ye wolde 1 6 4-0
Now wol ye vouche it sauf1 my lady deere
IT Gladly quod she / and seyde as ye shal heere .
HENGWRT 483 (6-T. 181)
182 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Hengwrt BIS.
\ The proheme of the Prioresse tale (g>
Domine dominus noster fa
Olord oure lord / thy name how memeilous
Is in this large world / ysprad quod she
ffor nat oonly / thy laude precious
Parfourned is / by men of dignytee 1646
But by the mouth of children / thy bowztee
Parfourned is / for on the brest soukynge
Som tyme / shewen they thyn heryynge 1649
IF Wher fore in laude / as I best kan or may
Of thee / and of the white lilye flour
Which ]>ai the bar / and is a mayde alway
To telle a storie / I wol do my labour 1653
Nat1 that I may / encressen hir honour
ffor she hir self / is honour / and the Eoote
Of bou?^tee next hir sone / and soules boote 1656
^T 0. moder mayde / o mayde moder free [leaf 210]
0. bussli vnbrenf brennyng in Moyses sighte
That rauysedesfr doun / fro the deitee
Thurgh thyn humblesse / the goost/ Jjat in thalighte 1660
Of whos vertu / whan he thyn herte lighte
Conceyued was / the fadres sapience
Help me / to telle it in thy reuerence 1663
IT Lady thy bouwtee / thy magnificence
Thy vertu / and thy grete humylitee
Ther may no tonge expresse / in no science
ffor som tyme lady / er men praye to thee 1667
Thow goost biforn / of thy benygnytee
And getesf vs / the light of thy prayere
To gyden vs / vn to thy sone so deere 1670
HENGWRT 4,84, (6-T. 182)
183 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 6, PRIORESS'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
5T My konnyng is so wayk1 o blisful queene
ffor to declare / thy grete worthynesse
That I ne may / the weighte nat sustene
But as a child / of twelue month old/ or lesse 1 674
That kan vnnethe / any word expresse
Eight so fare I / and ther fore I yow preye
Gideth my song1 that I shal of yow seye 1677
If Explicit prohemium (jj)
^[ Here biggynneth the Prioresse tale of
^[ Alma redemptoris mater
Ther was in Asye / in a greet Citee
Amonges cristen folk1 a lewerye
Sustened / by a lord / of that contree
ffor foul vsure / and lucre of vileynyeturpe lucrum ^ggl
Hateful / to Crist4 and to his compaignye
And thurgh the strete / men m[ygh1]te ryde & wende
ffor it was free / and o[ . . '] C1 MS torn] 1684
IT A litel scole / of cristen folk ther stood [leaf 210, back]
Doun at the ferther ende / in which ther weere ,
Children an heepe / yoomeii of cristen blood
That lerned in that scole / yeer by yere 1688
Swicli manere doctrine / as men vsed there
This is to seyn / to syngen and to rede
As smale children doon / in hir childhede 1691
IT Among thise children / was a wydwes sone
A litel clergeon / .vij. yeer of age
That day by day / to scole was his wone
And eek also / wher as he say thy mage 1695
Of Cristes moder / hadde he in vsage
As hym was taught1 to knele adoun and seye
His Aue Marie / as lie goth by the weye 1698
33 IIENGWRT 485 (6-T. 183)
184 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
1F Thus hath this wydwe / hir litel sone ytaught1
Oure blisful lady / Cristes moder deere
To worshipe ay / and he forgat it naught1
ffor sely child / wol alwey soone lere 1702
"But ay / whan I remembre / of this matere
Seint Nicholas / stant euere in my p?*esence
ffor he so yong1 to Crist dide reuerence 1705
IT This litel child / his litel book lernynge
As he sat in the scole / at his prymer
He Alma redemptoris / herde synge
As children / lerned hir Antiphoner 1709
And as he dorste / he drow hym ner and ner
And herkned ay / the wordes and the note
Til he the firste vers / koude al by rote 1712
Nat wiste he / what this latyn was to seye .
ffor he so yong1 and tendre was of age
But on a day / his felawe gan he preye
Texpounden hym this song1 in his langage 1716
Or telle hym why / this song was in vsage
This prayde he hym/ [. . . 1]struen and declare
[ 1Jre i1 MS is torn away']
11 His felawe / which \a\, elder was than he [leaf 211]
Answerde hym thus / this song1 I haue herd seye
Was maked / of oure blisful lady free
Hir to salue / and eek hire for to preye 1723
To been oure helpe / and socour / whan we deye
I kan namoore / expounde in this matere
I lerne song1 1 kan but smal gramere 1726
IT And is this song1 maked in reuerence
Of Cristes moder / seyde this Innocent1
Now certes / I wol do my diligence
To konne it al / er Cristemasse is went1 1730
HENGWRT 486 (6-T. 184)
185 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
Thogh ]>at 1 1 for my Prymer shal be slient1
And shal be beten / thries in an houre
I wol it konne / oure lady for to honoure 1733
IT His felawe taughte hym / horn ward prmely
ffro day to day / til he koude it by rote
And thanne he soong1 it / wel and boldely
ffro word to word / acordyng with the note 1737
Twyes a day / it passed thurgh his throte
To scoleward / and homward / whan he wente
On Cristes nioder / set was his entente 1740
As I haue seyd / thurgh out the luerye
This litel child / as he cam to and fro
fful murily / wolde he synge and crye
O Alma redemptoris / euere mo 1744
The swetnesse / his herte perced so
Of Cristes moder / that to hir to preye
He kan nat stynte / of syngyng by the weye 1747
11" Oure firste foo / the Serpent Sathanas
That hath in lewes herte / his waspes nest1
Vp swal and seyde / o Hebrayk peple alias
Is this to yow / a thyng1 that is honest1 1751
That swich a boy / shal walken As hym lest*
Inyoure despit1 and synge of [. . .!]h sentence L1 MS ton,]
Which is agayns / oure 1[ l] 1754
1T ffro thennes forth / the lewes han conspired [leaf 211, buck]
This Innocent1 out of this world to chace
An homycide / ther-to han they hired
That in an Aleye / at a pn'uee place 1758
And as the child / gan for by for to pace
This cursed lew / hym hente / and heeld hym faste
And kitte his throte / and in a pit hym caste 1761
HENGWRT 487 (6-T. 18o)
186 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 6, PRIORESS'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT I seye / that in a wordrobe / they hyrn threwe
Wher as thise lewes / purgen hir entraille
0 cursed folk1 of herodes / al newe
What may / youre yuel entente yow auaiile 1765
Mordre wol out / certeyn it wol nat faille
And namely / ther as thonour of god shal sprede
The blood out cryeth / on youre cursed dede 1768
IT 0 martir sonded to virginitee
Now maystow syngen / folwyng euere in oon [.Latin note, p. isoj
The white lamb celestial quod she
Of which / the grete Euawngelist Seint lohn 1772
In Pathmos \vroot1 which seith fat they fat gon
Biforn this lamb / and synge a song al newe
carnalitcr
That neuere fflesshly / womman they ne knewe 1775
1F This poure wydwe / awaiteth al that nyghf
After hir litel child / but he cam noght1
fibr which as soone / as it was dayes lyght1
With face pale / of drede and bisy thoghtf 1779
She hath at scole / and ellis where hym soglit
Til fynally / she gan so fer espie
That he last seyii was / in the lewerie 1782
IT With modres pitee / in hir brest enclosed
She goth / as she were half out of hir mynde
To euery place / wheras she hath supposed
By liklyhede / hir litel child to fynde 1786
And euere / on Cristes moder / meke and kynde
She cryde / and at the laste [. . . .l] she wroghte VMS torn]
[ ijghte 1*89
She frayneth / and she prayeth pitously [leaf 212]
To euery lew / that dwelte in thilke place
To telle hire / if hir child / wente oght forby
They seyde nay / but Ihesn of his grace 1793
HENGWKT 488 (6-T. 186)
187 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
Yaf in hir thought1 in with a litel space
That in that place / after hir sone she crydo
Wher he was casten / in a pit bisycle 1796
IT 0 grete god / that prtrfournest thy laude
By mouth of Innocentz / lo here thy myghf
This gemme of chastitee / this Emeraude
And eek of raartirdom / the Ruby bright1 1800
Ther he with throte ycoruen / lay vprightf
He Alma redemptoris / gan to synge
So loude / that al the place gan to rynge 1803
^T The cristen folk4 that thurgh the strete wente
In coomen / for to wonclre vp on this thyng*
And hastily / they for the Prouost sente
He cam anon / with outen tariyng1 1807
And herieth Crist' that is of heuewe kyng1
And eek his moder / honour of mankynde
And after that1 the lewes leet he bynde 1810
1T This child / with pitous lamentaciofi
Vp taken was / syngynge his song alway
And with honour / of greet precession
They cavien hyin / vn to the nexte Abbay 1814
His moder swownyng* by his beere lay
Vnnethe myghte / the peple that was there
This newe Rachel / bryngen fro his beere if^tin note, p. w«]
^[ With torment1 and with shameful deth echon
This Prouost1 dooth thise lewes for to sterue
That of this mordre wiste / and that anon
He nolde / no swich cursednesse obserue
Yuel shal haue / that yuel wol disserue
Ther fore with wilde hors [he dil]de hem drawe
And after that* he [ ....... l]
1IEXGW11T -189 (6-T. 187)
1821
VMS torn]
1824
188 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT Vp on his beere / ay lyth this Innocent1 [
Biforn the chief Auter / whil the masse laste
And after that1 the Abbot1 with his Couent1
Han sped hem / for to buryen hym ful faste 1828
And whan they / holy water/ on hym caste
Yet spak this child / whan spreynd was holy water
And song1 0 alma redemptoris mater 1831
II This Abbot1 which pat was an holy man
As monkes ben / or ellis oghten be
This yonge child / to coniure he bigan
And seyde / o deere child I halsen thee 1835
In vertu / of the holy Trinitee
Tel me / what is thy cause for to synge
Sith pat thy thro'e is kit* to my semynge 1838
U My throte is kit1 vn to my nekke boon
Seyde this child / and as by wey of kynde
I sholde haue dyed / ye longe tyme agoon
But Ihmi crist1 as ye in bokes fynde 1842
Wol pat his glorie laste / and be in mynde
And for the worships / of his moder deere
Yet may I synge / 0 alma / loude and clere 1845
5T This welle of mercy / Cristes moder swete
I loued alwey / as after my konnynge
And whan pat I my lyf1 sholde forlete
To me she cam / and bad me for to synge 1849
This Anthem e / verraily in my deiyrige
As ye han herd / and whan pat I had songe
Me thoughte / she leyde a greyn vp on my tonge 1852
IT Wherfore I synge / and synge moot certeyn
In honour / of that blisful mayden free
Til fro iny tonge / of taken is the greyn
And after that1 thus seyde she to me 185G
HENGWRT 490 (6-T. 188)
189 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 6. PRIORESS'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
My litel child / now wil I fecche thee
Whan fyat the greyn is f[rom tx]hy tonge ytake p MS torn-]
Benatagf T] 1859
IF This holy monk1 this Abbot1 hym mene I [leaf 213]
His tonge out caughte / and took awey the greyn
And he / yaf vp the goost ful softely
And whan this Abbot1 hadde this wonder seyn 1863
Hise salte teerys / trikled doun as reyn
And gruf he fil / al flat vp on the grounde
And stille he lay / as he had leyn ybounde 1866
IT The Couent eek/ lay on the pauement
Wepynge / and heryen cristes moder deere
And after that they ryse / and forth been went*
And toke awey this martir / from his beere 1870
And in a toumbe / of Marbilstoiies cleere
Enclosen they / this litel body swete
Ther he is now / god leue vs for to meete 1873
51 0 yonge Hugh of Lyncoln / slayn also
With cursed lewes / as it is notable
ffor it is / but a litel while ygo
Preye eek for vs / we synful folk vnstable 1877
That of his mercy / god so merciable
On vs / his grete mercy multiplie
ffor reuerence / of his moder Marie. Amen. 1880
f Here endetli / the Prioresse tale.
HENGWRT 491 (6-T. 189)
190 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 7. PRIORESS-THOPAS LINK. HcngWlt MS.
^[ Bihoold the myrie talkyng/ of the Hoost/. to
Chaucer ^
WHan seyd was al this myracle / euery man
As sobre was / that wonder was to se
Til that oure hoost1 iapen he bigan
.i. Chaucer
And thanne at erst1 he looked vp on me 1884
And seyde thus / what man artow quod he
Thow lookest1 as thow woldest fynde an hare
ffor etiere vp on the ground / I se thee stare 1887
IT Approche neer / and looke vp myrily [leaf 21 3, back]
Now war yow sires / and lat this man haue place
He in the wast1 is shape as wel as I
This were a popet1 in an arm tenbrace 1891
ffor any womman / smal and fair of face
He semeth eluyssh / by his contenance
ffor vii to no wight1 dooth he no daliance 1894
H Sey now som what1 syn oother folk han sayd
Telle vs a tale / of myrthe / and that anon
Hoost quod I / ne beth nat yuele ypayd
ffor oother tale / certes kan I noon 1898
But of a rym / I lerned longe agoon
Ye that is good quod he / noAv shul we heere
Som deyntee thyng1 me thynketh by his cheere 1901
HENGWRT 492 (6-T. 190)
191 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Hengwrt MS,
Tf Here bigynneth Chaucers tale of Thopas
[Fit 7.1
[Each third line is on the right of its couple, in the MS,
and there are no breaks between the stanzas.]
Listetli lordes / in good entent1
And I wil telle v^rrayment1
Of myrthe / and of solas 1904
Al of a knyghfr was fair and gent1
In bataille / and in tornamenfr
His name / was sir Thopas 1907
IT Yborn he was / in fer contree
In fflaundres / al biyoncle the see
At Popery ng1 in the place 1910
His fader was / a man ful free
And lord he was / of that contree
As it was / goddes grace 1913
If Sir Thopas wax / a doghty swayn
Whit was his face / as Payndemayn
His lippes reed as Rose 1916
His rode is lyk / scarlet in grayn
As I yow telle / in good certayn
He hadde a semely nose 1919
1F His heer / his berd / was lyk Safrown
That to his girdel / raughte adown
Hise shoon / of Cordewane 1922
Of Brugges / were his hosen brown
His Robe was / of syklatown
That coste many a lane 1925
HENGWRT 493 (6-T. 191)
192 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 8, SIR THOPAS. Hengwrt MS,
11 He koude lumte / at wilde deer
And ride an hawkyng* for Kyuer
With grey goshauk on honde 1928
Ther-to lie was / a good Arcliier
Of wrastlyng1 was ther noon his pier
Ther any Earn shal stonde 1931
IT fFul many mayde / bright in bour [leaf au]
They moorne for hym / par amour
Whan hem were bet to slep[e] 1934
But he was chaast1 and no lechour
And sweete / as is the brambel flonr
That bereth the rede hepe 1937
H And so it fel / vp on a day
ffor sothe / as I yow telle may
Sir Thopas / wolde out ryde 1940
He warth vp on / his Steede gray
And in his hand / a launcegay
A long swerd / by his syde 1943
IT He priketh thurgh / a fair fforestt
Ther Inne / is many a wilde best*
Ye bothe / bukke and hare 1946
And as he priketh / North & Est1
I telle it yow / hym hadde almest1
bitydde / a sory care 1949
IT There spryngen herbes / grene & smale
The licorys / and Cetewale
And many a clowe Gylofre 1952
And notemuge / to putte in Ale
Wheither it1 be moyste or stale
Or / for to leye in cofre 1955
HENGWRT 494 (6-T. 192)
193 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Hengwrt MS.
IT The bryddes synge / it is no nay
The Sperhauk1 and the Popyniay
That ioye / it was to here 1958
The Thurstelock / made eek his lay
The wodedowue / vp on the spray
She sang1 ful loude & clere 1961
IT Sire Thopas fil / in loue longynge
Al whan he herde / the thmstel synge
And pryked / as he were wood 1964
His fayre Steede / in his pr/kynge
So svvatte / J>«t men myghte hym wrynge
His sydes / were al blood 1967
IT Sir Thopas eek/ so wery was
ffor prikyng/ on the softe gras
So fiers / was his corrage 1970
That doun he leyde hym / in the plas
To make his Steede / som solas
And yaf hym / good forage 1973
IT 0 Seinte Marie / benedicite
What eyleth / this loue at me
To bynde me / so soore 1976
Me dremed / al this nyght pardee
An Elf queene / shal my lemman be
And slepe / vnder my gore 1979
IF An Elf queene / wol I haue y wys
ffor in this world / no womman is
Worthy to be my make // 1982
in towne
Alle othere wommen / I forsake
And to an Elf1 queene / I me take
by dale / and eek by downe 1986
HENGWRT 495 (6-T. 193)
191 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 8. SIR THOPAS. Hengwrt MS.
IF In to his Sadel / he clamb anoon
And priketh oner / style and stoon
An Elf queene / for tespye 1989
Til he so longe / hath riden & goon
That he foond / in a pryuee woon
The contree of ifairye // 1992
So wylde ?
ifor in that contree / was ther noon [leaf 211, back]
[ no gap in the MS.~\
Neither wyf / ne childe 1996
H Til J?«t ther cam / a greet geanntt
His name was j sire Olifaimt1
A perilous man of dedo 1999
He seyde cliild / by Termagaunft
But if thow pryke / out of myn haunt1
Anon I sle thy Steede 2002
1F Avith Mace
1T Heere is this queene / of ffairye
With harpe & pipe / & Symphonye
dwellyng in this place
11 The child seyde / als mote I thee
Tomorwe / wil I meete thee /
Whan I haue myn Armowre 2009
*f[ And yet I hope / par ma fay
That thow shalt1 with this launcegay
Abyen it ful sowre 2012
II Thy Mawe
Shal I percen / if I may
Er it he fully pryme of day
ffor here shaltow ben slawe 2016
HENGWRT 496 (6-T. 104)
195 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Hengwrt MS.
1F Sire Tliopas / drow abak ful faste
This geantf at liym stones caste
Out of -a fel staf slynge 2019
IF But faire escapeth / child Thopas
And al it was / thurgh goddes graas
And thurgh his fair berynge 2022
3et lesteth lordes / to my tale
Murier than the nyghtyngale
I wol yow rowne 2025
How sire Thopas / with sydes smale
Prikyng1 oner hyH and dale
, Is come agayn to towne 2028
IT Hys murye men / comanded he
To make hym / bothe game and glee
ffor nedes moste he fighte 2031
"With a geant1 with heuedes thre
ffor paramour / and lolitec
Of oon / that shoon ful brighte 2034
5[ Do come he seyde / my Mynstrales
And Gestours / for to tellen tales
Anon / in myn Armyng* 2037
Of romances / that been reales
Of Popes / and of Cardynales
And eek/ of loue likyng 2040
5T They fette hym first1 swete wyn
And Mede eekH in a Maselyii
And real Spicerye 2043
Of gyngebred / that was ful fyn
And lycorys / and eek Comyn
With Sugre / that is trye 2046
HENGWRT 497 (6-T. 19o)
196 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. HcngWlt MS,
IT He dide next1 his white leer
Of clooth of lake / fyn & cleer
A breech / and eek a Sherte 2049
And next his Sherte / an Aketon
And oner that1 an haubergeon
ffpr percyng1 of his herte 2052
1F And oner that1 a fyii hauberk1
Was al y wroght1 of lewes werk1
fful strong it was of plate 2055
And ouer that / his cote Armour [leaf 215]
As whit as is / a lilie flour
In which / he wol debate 2058
IF His sheeld was al / of gold so reed
And ther Inne was / a bores heed
A Charbocle / by his syde 2061
And there he swoor / on Ale and breed
How J>«t the geant / shal be deed
Bityde / what bityde 2064
11 Hise lambeux were / of quyrboily
His swerdes shethe / of Yuory
His helm / of laton bright1 2067
His Sadel was / of Eewel bon
His brydel / as the sonne shon
Or as the moone light1 • 2070
IT His spere was / of fyn Cipres
That bodeth werre / and no thyng pes
The heed / ful sharpe ygrounde 2073
His Steede was / al dappel gray
It goth an Ambel / in the way
fful softely / and rounde // 2076
HENGWRT 498 (6-T. 196)
197 SIX-TEXT
GBOUP B. § 8. sm THOPAS. Hengwrt MS.
In londe
IT Lo lordes myne / here is a fit1
If ye wole / any moore of it1
To telle it wol I fonde 2080
[Fit IL]
n Ow hoold youre mouth per cliaritee
Bothe knyght1 and lady free
And herkneth to my spelle 2083
1F Of bataille / and of chiualry
And of ladyes / loue drury
Anon / I wol yow telle 2086
IT Men speken / of Romances of pris
Of Hornchild / and of Ypotys
Of Eeves and Sir Gy 2089
Of Sire lybeux / and playn da.rn.our
But sire Thopas / he bereth the flowr
Of real Chiualry 2092
^F His goode Steede / al he bystrood
And forth vp on his wey he glood
As Sparcle / out of the bronde 2095
11 Vp on his Creesf he bar a tour
And ther Inne stiked / a lilie flour
God shilde / his cors fro shonde 2098
1T And for he was / a knyght auntrous
He nolde slepen / in noon hous
But liggen in his hode 2101
His brighte helm / was his wonger
And by hym / bayteth his destrer
Of herbes / fyne and goode 2104
HENGWRT 499 (6-T. 197)
198 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 8. SIR THOPAS. Heiigwrt MS.
IT Hym self / drank water of the weH
As dide the knyghtt Sire PercyueH
So worly vnder wede
Til on a day 2108
HENGWRT 500 (6-T. 196)
199 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 9. THOPAS-MELIBE LINK. HeilgWrt MS.
^] Here the hoost/ stynteth Chaucer of his tale of
Thopas / and biddeth hym / telle another tale.
Namoore of this / for goddes dignytee
Qwod oure Hoost1 ibr thow makest me
So wery / of thy verray lewednesse [leaf 215, bacio
That also wisly / god my soule blesse 2112
Myne erys aken / of thy drasty speche
Now swich a rym / the deuel I biteche
This may wel be / rym dogerel quod he
fl" Why so quod I / why wiltow lette me 2116
Moore of my tale / than another man
Syn that it is / the beste rym I kan
IF By god quod he / for pleynly at o word
Thy drasty rymyng1 is nat worth a tord 2120
Thow doost noght ellis / but despendest tyme
Sire at o word / thow shalt no longer ryme
Lat se / wher thow kanst tellen aught in geste
Or tel in Prose / som what at1 the leeste 2124
In which ther be som myrthe / or som doctrine
IT Gladly quod I / by goddes swete pyne
I wol yow telle / a litel thyng in prose
That oghte like yow / as I suppose 2128
Or ellis certes / ye be to daungerous
It is a moral tale ve?*tuous
Al be it toold som tyme in sondry wise
Of sondry folk / as I shal yow deuyse 2132
1T As thus / ye woof J>at euery Eucmngelist1
That telleth vs / the peyne of Ihmi Crist1
Ne seith nat alle thyng1 as his felawe dooth
But nathelees / hir sentence is al sooth 2136
And alle acorden / as in hir sentence
Al be ther / in hir tellyng difference
34 HENGWRT 501 (6-T. 199)
200 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 9. THCPAS-MELIBE LINK. Hengwrt MS.
tfor sommB of liem seyn moore / & so???.me seyn lesse
Whan they / his pitous passion expresse 2140
I mene / of Mark / Mathew / Luk1 and lolin
But doutelees / hir sentence is al oon
IT Therfore / lordynges alle / I yow biseche
If ]>ai ye thynke / I varie / as in my speche 2144
As thus / thogh J)«t I telle somwhat moore
Of prouerbes / than ye han herd bifore
Comp?-ehended / in this litel tretys heere
To enforcen with / theffect of my matere 2148
And thogh I natf the same wordes seye
As ye han herd / yet to yow alle I preye
Blameth me iiat / for as in my sentence [leaf 210]
Shul ye / nowhcr / fynden difference 2152
ffro the sentence / of this tretys lite
After the which / this myry tale I write
And therfore herkneth / what J>«t I shal seye
And lat me tellen / al my tale I preye 2156
HENGWRT 602 (6-T. 200)
201 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
[ There are no line-numbers or breaks bettveem- the paragraphs in
the MS. Tyrwhltt's breaks are kept here to prevent slight
differences in the Six Texts throwing out many lines, || stands
for a triangular pause-mark in the MS.']
[Hengwrt MS, on leaf 216.]
^f Here bigynnetli cliaucers tale of Melibeus (JJ)
A ["57]
yong1 man whilom / called Melibeus myghty and riche/
bigat vp on his wif / j?«t called was Prudence / a
doghter / which ^>at called was Sophie ||
[2158] vp on a day bifel / Ipat he for his desporf
is went in to the feeldes / hym to pleye / [2159] his wif
& eek his doghter / hath he laft inwith his hous / of
which the dores weren faste yshette / [2160] thre of his
olde foos / han it espied / & setten laddres / to the walles
of his hous / and by wyndowes ben entred / [2161] &
betten his wif / & wounded his doghter / with fyue
mortal woundes in fyue sondry places / [2162] this is to
seyn / in hir feet/ in hir handes / in hir erys / in hir
nose / and in hir mouth / and leften hire for deed &
wen ten awey
[2163] Whan Melibeus retourned was in to his
hous / & seigh al this meschief / he lyk a mad man
rentynge his clothes / gaii to wepe / and crye
[2164] Prudence his wyf / as ferforth as she dorste /
bisoughte hym / of his wepyng1 for to stynte / [2165] but nat
for- thy / he gan to crye & wepen euere lenger the moore
[2166] 1T This noble wif Prudence remembred hire /
vp-on the sentence of Ouyde / in his book1 J>at cleped is / the f oaidi«t de
remedie of loue / wher as he seith / [2167] he is a fool /
that destourbeth the moder / to wepe / in the deth of hir
chilcf / til she haue wept1 hir fille / as for a certeyn tyme /
[2168] and thanne shal man doon his diligence with
amyable wordes / hire to reconforte / and preye hire / of
HENGWRT 603 (6-T. 20l)
202 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B.
§ 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
L--'J n oca
[«5] quarter
li\efus christ us
fleuit propter
mortem la/ari.
hir wepyng for to stynte / [2169] for which reson / this
noble wyf Prudence / suffred hir housbonde / for to wepe
& crye / as for a ccrtcyn space/ [2170] and whan she
say hir tyme / she seyde hym in this wise IF Alias my
lord quod she / why make ye your self1 for to be lyk a
fool / [2171] for sothe / it aperteneth nat to a wys man /
to maken swich a sonve / [2172] yowre doghter / with
the g?v/ce of god / shal warisshe and escape [2173] J And al
were it so / Jwt slie right now were deed / ye ne oghte
nat1 as for hir deth / yonre self destroye [2174] 51 Senec1
seith / tlie wise man shal nat take to greet disconfort1 for
the deth of his children/ [2175] but certes / he sholde
suffren it in pacience / as wel / as he abideth the deth /
of his owene propre persone
[2176] 11 This Melibeus / answerde anon & seyde
IT What man quod he / sholde of his wepyng stynte / that
hath so gret a cause for to wepe || [2177] Ihe.su cr/st/
onre lord hym self / wepte / for tlie deth / of lazarus his
freend [2178] 11 Prudence answerde H Certes Avel I woof
attempree wepynge / is no tliyng defended / to hym Jjat
sorweful is / amonges folk in sonve /• but it is rather / grainit-
ed hym to wepe [2179] If The Apostle Poul / vn to the
Eomayns writeth || Man shal reioysse with hem J?at maken
ioye / and wepen / with swich folk as wepen || [2180] but
thogh attempree wepyng be graunted / outrageous
wepyng1 certes is defended || [2181] Mesure of wepyng1
sholde be considered / after the loore J>«t techeth vs Senec
[2182] IT Whan Jjat thy freend is deed quod he / lat nat
thyne eyen / to moyste ben of terys / ne to muche drye / al
thogh the teerys come to thyne eyen / lat hem nat falle /
[2183] And whan thou hast forgoon thy freend / do dili
gence / to geten another freend / and this is moore wysdom /
than for to wepe for thy freend / which Tpat thou hast lorn /
for ther-Inne / is no boote / [2184] And ther-fore / if ye
gouerne yow by sapience / put awey sorwe / out of youre
herte / [2185] IT Remembre yow / j?«t Thesus Syrak* seith ||
HENGWKT 504 (6-T. 202) f1 leaf 2 16, Lack]
203 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBKUS. Hcngwrt MS.
A man ])at is ioyous and glad in herte /. it hyin con-
serueth florisshynge in his age / but soothly / sorweful herte/
maketh his bones drye || [2186] He seitli eek thus /.
jjat sorwe in herte / sleeth ful many a man || [2187] Sa
lomon seith / that right as Moththes in the Sliepes flees /
anoyejj to the clothes / and the smale wormes to the tree /.
right so anoyeth sorwe to the herte / [2188] wher-fore /
vs oghte as wel in the deth of cure children / as in the
losse of oure goodes temporels / haue pacience ||
[2189] Eemembre yow / vp on the pacient lob /
whan he hadde lost his children / and his temporal sub
stance and in his body endured & receyued ful many a
greuous tribulacion / yet seide he thus Jj [2190] Oure
lord / hath [sente it me / oure lord hath] biraft it me /
right so as oure lord hath wold / right so it is doon / yblessed
be / the name of oure lord [2191] 1F To thise forseyde
thynges / answerde Melibeus / vn to his wif Prudence ||
Alle thy wordes quod he been sothe / & ther to pro
fitable / but trewely / myn herte is troubled with this sorwe /
so greuosly J?at I noot what to dooii [2192] IF lat calle
quod Prudence / thy trewe freendes alle / & thy lynage /
whiche \>ai 1ben wise / telleth youre cas / & herkneth
what they seye in conseylynge / & yow gouerne / after Lir
sentence [2193] 1F Salomon seith / Werk alle thy thynges
by conseil / & thow shalt neuere repente //
[2194] Thanne by the conseil of his wyf Prudence /
this Melibeus leefr callen a greet congregacioii of folk /
[2195] as Sirurgiens / Phisiciens / olde folk and yonge / &
somme of hise olde enemys reconsiled / as by hir semblantt
to his loue / & in to his grace / [2196] And ther-with-al /
J?er coomen spmme of hise neghebores / jjat diden hym
renerence / moore for drede than for loue / as it happeth
ofte || [2 1 97] 1T Ther coomen also/ ful manye subtile flaterers/
and wise Aduocatz lerned in the lawe /
[2 198] And whan this folk / togydre assembled weren /
this Melibeus in sorweful wise / shewed hem -his cas /
IIEN'GWRT -505 (6-Tr 203) [» leaf 2171
204 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
[2199] and by the manere of his speche / it seined
Jjat in herte / he baar a cruel Ire / redy to doon venge
ance vp on his foos / and sodeynly desired / Jwt the
werre sholde bigynne / [2200] but nathelees / yet axed he
hir conseil vp on this matere || [2201] A Sirurgien / by
licence and assent1 of swiche as were wise / vp roos / & vii
to Melibeus / seyde as ye may heere
[2202] 11 Sire quod he / as to vs Sirurgiens aperteneth
that we do to euery wight/ the beste \ai we kan / where as
we be withholden / and to oure pacientz / Jjat we do no
damage / [2203] wher fore / it happeth many tyme & ofte /
Jwt whan twey men han euerich wounded oother / o
same Sirurgien heelelh hem bothe / [2204] wher-fore vn to
oure Art1 it is nat pertinent1 to norice werre / ne pm*ties
to supporte / [2205] but cartes / as to the warisshynge of
youre doghter / al be it so / ]>at she perilously be
wounded / we shullen do so ententif bisynesse fro day to
nyghf ]>ai vrith the grace of god / she shal be hool &
sound / as soone as is possible [2206] 51 Almoosf right
in the same wise / the Phisiciens answerden / saue J>at
they seyden / a fewe wordes moore || [2207] that right
as maladyes ben cured by hir contraries / right so shal
man warisshe werre by vengeance [2208] IF hise neglie-
bores ful of enuye / hise feyned freendes / J?«t semeden
reconsiled / hise flaterers [2209] maden semblant
of wepyng1 . and empeyred / & agrcgged muchel of this
matere / in preisynge gretly Melibe / of myghtf of power /
of richesse / & of freendes / despisynge / the power of hise
Aduersaries / [2210] and seyden outrely / ]>at he anon /
sholde wreke hym on hise foos / and bigynne werre
[2211] IF Vp roos thanne an Aduocat j>at was wys /
by leue & by conseil / of othere ]>«t weren wise / and seyde ||
[2212] Lordynges / the nede. for the which we ben assembled
in this place / is ful heuy thyng< and an ' heigh matere /
[2213] by cause of the wrong1 & of the wikkednesse / that
hath be doon / and eek by reson of the grete damages / J>«t
HENGWRT 506 (6-T. 204) C1 leaf 217, bads]
205 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
in tyme corny nge been possible to fallen / for the same
cause / [2214] And ek by reson /of the grete richesse.&
power of the parties bothe / [2215] for the which e resons /
it were a ful greet peril to erren in this matere [2216]
11 wherfore Melibeus / this is oure sentence || we conseile
yow abouen alle thyng'. J>at right anon thow do
diligence in kepynge of thy propre persone / in swich a
wise / ]>ai thow ne wante noon espye / ne wacche / thy body
for to sane [2217] IT And after ]>ak we conscille / J)«t in
thyn hous / thow sette suffisant garnyson / so Jwt they may
as wel /thy body / as thyn hous defende [2 2 1 8] IF But certes/
for to moeue werre / ne sodeynly for to doon vengeance /'
we may nat deme in so litel tyme / J>«t it were profit-
able / [2219] Wherfore / we axen leyser & espace / to haue
deliberacion in this cas to deme / [2220] for the commune
prouerbe seyth this / he J>at soone demeth / soone shal
repente [2221] 1F And eek men seyn / J>at thilke luge is
wys / \>ai soone vnderstondcth a matere / & luggeth by
leyser / [2222] for al be it so J>at al taryyng* be anoyful /
algates it is nat to repreue / in yeuyng of luggemenf / ne in
vengeance takyng1. whan it is suffisant and resonable /
[2223] and that shewed oure lord Ihesu crisf by en-
sample / for whan Jjat the womman Jj«t was taken in
auoutrye / was broght in his presence / to knowen / what
sholde be doon with hir persone / al be if Jjat he wiste
wel hym self/ what J?at he wolde answere / yet ne wolde he /
nat answere sodeynly / but he wolde haue deliberacion / and
in the ground / he wroot twies / [2224] and by thise
causes / we axen deliberacion / and we shul thanne / by
the grace of god conseille thee / thyng1 that shal be
p?Y>fitable /
[2225] IT Yp stirten thanne / the yonge folk atones / and
the mooste pa?'tie of that compaignye/ han scorned / this olde
wise man / and bigonnen to make noyse / & seyden / that
[2226] right so / as whil Jjat Iren is hoof men sholde
sinyte 9 right so sholde men / wreken hir wronges / whil
UENGWRT 507 (6-T. 205)
206 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
fat they been / fresslie & newe / and w/t/i loud voys / they
criden . Werre . werre ||
[2227] Vp roos tho. oon of thise olde wise / &
w/t/i his hand made contenance / fat men sliolde
L olden hem stille / and yeuen liym audience [2228]
1F Lordynges quod he / tli'er is ful many a man fat
crieth werre . werre . fat woot ful litel / what werre
amounteth || [2229] Werre at his bigynnyng1 hath so greet
an entree & so large Jfat eucvy wight1 may entre
whan hym liketh / & lightly fynde werre || [2230] But
certes what ende / fat ther-of shal falle / it is noght light
to knowe || [2231] for soothly / whan fat werre is ones
Ligonne / ther is ful many a child / vnborn of his moder /
fat shal sterue yong-' by cause of thilke werre / or ell is
lyue in sorwe / & dye in wrecchednesso / [2232] and
ther fore / er fat any werre be bigonne / men moste hauo
gref conseil / & gret deliberaciofi [2233] 1T And whan
this olde man / wende to enforcen his tale by resons /
wel neigh alle atones / bigonne they to rise / for to breken his
tale / and beden hym ful ofte / hise wordes for to abregge /
[2234] for sothly / he fat precheth to hem / fat listen
nat heren hise wordes / hys sarmon / hem anoyeth [| [2235]
ifor Ihcsus SyrakH seith / . That Musyk1 in wepynge / is
a-noyous thyng* This is to seyn / As muche auaileth / to
speken bif 01*11 folkH to which e his speche anoyeth / as it is /
to synge biforn hym fat wepeth || [2236] And whan this wise
man say J>at hym wanted audience / al shamefasf
he sette hym doun agayn || [2237] ffor Salomon seith / ther
as thow / ne mayst haue non audience / enforce thee nat
to speke [2238] 1F I so wel quod this wise man / fat the
comune prouerbe is sooth || that good conseil wanteth /
whan it is moost nede //
[2239] Yet hadde this Melibcus / in his conseil many
folk / fat praiely in his ere / conseiled hym certeyn thyng1 .
and conseiled hym the contrarie / in general audience
[2240] 1T Whan Melibeus hadde herd / fat the gretteste
HENGWRT 508 (6-T. 206) [Ueaf218]
207 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
party of his conseil / were acorded / fat lie sholde make
werre / anon he consented / to liir conseilyng1 & fully
affermed hir sentence / [2241] IT Thanne dame Prudence /
whan fat she say / how fat hyr housbonde / shoope hym /
for to wreke hym on his foos / & to bigynne werre / she
in ful humble wise / whan she say hir tyme / seyde
hym thise wordes [2242] IT My lord quod she / I you
biseche / as hertely as I dar & kan / ne haste yow nat to
faste / and for alle gerdons / as yif me audience ||
[2243] ffor Piers Alfonce seith /. who so fat dooth to
thee / outher good / or harm / haste thee nat1 to quiten it / for
in this wise / thy freend wol abyde / and thyn enemy / shal
the lenger lyue in drede || [2244] The prouerbe seith / he
hasteth wel / fat wysly kan. abide / and in wikked haste /
is no profit*
[2245] ^ This Melibe/answerde vn to his wyf Prudence |[
I purpose nat quod he / to werkeii by thy conseil / for
many causes and resons / ffor certes euery wight1 wolde
holde me thanne a fool / [2246] this is to seyn / If I
for thy conseilyng1 wolde chauuge 1thynges fat ben
ordeyned / & aifermed / by so manye wise [2247] IT Sec-
oundly I seye / fat alle wowimen beii wikke / and noon
good of hem alle / for of a thousand men / seith Salomon /
I foond o good man / but certes of alle wommen / good
wowman fooncl I netiere [2248] ^ And also ce?'tes / if I
gouerned me by thy conseil / it sholde seme / fat I hadde
yeue to thee oner me the maistrie / and goddes forbode / fat
it so were / [2249] ffor Ihesus Syrak seith / that if the
wyf haue maistrie / she is contrarious / to hir housbonde
[2250] H And Salomon seith / Neuere in thy lyf / to thy
wyf / ne to thy child / ne to thy freend / ne yif no power
ouer thy self / ffor bettre it were / fat thy children axen
of thy persone thynges fat hem nedeth / than thow see
thy self1 in the handes of thy children [2251] IF And also /
if I wolde werke by thy conseilyng1 certes my conseil /
moste som tyme be secree / til it were tyme / fat it moste be
HENGWIIT 509 (6-T. 207) I1 leaf 2 18, back]
208 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Heiigwrt MS,
knowe / and this ne may nat be [2252. Car il est
escript : la jenglerie des femmes ne puet riens celer fors ce
qu'elle ne scet. [2253] Apres, le philosophe dit : en mauvais
conseil les femmes vainquent les homines. Pour ces raisons
je ne doy point user de ton conseil. MS of the first half of
the 15tll century in 'LeMenagierde Paris/ i. 193, ed. 1846.]
[2254] IF Whan dame Prudence fill debonairly &
Vfith gret pacience hadde herd / al that hir housbonde
liked for to seye / thanne axed she of hym / licence for to
speke / and seyde in this wise [2255] IT My lord quod she /
as to youre firste reson / certes it may lightly been
answered / for I seye j>at it is no folie to chaunge
conseil / whan the thyng is chaunged / or ellis / whan
the thyng semeth oother weys / than it was biforn
[2256] 11" And moore oner I seye / J>«t thogh )>«t ye han
sworn & bihight1 to pa?-fourne youre emprise / &
nathelees ye weyue to parfourne thilke same emprise
by iuste cause / men sholde nat seyn therfore J>«t ye were
a lyere / ne forsworn / [2257] for the book seith / Jwt the
wise man / maketh no lesynge whan he turneth his corage to
the bettre / [2258] And al be it so / J>«t youre empr/se be
establissed & ordeyned / by gret multitude of folk / yet
thar ye nat accomplice thilke same ordinance / but yow like /
[2259] for the trouthe of thyngcs & the profit1 ben
rather founde in fewe folk / fat ben wise & ful of
reson / than by gret multitude of folk || ther cuery man
crieth & clatereth what fat hym liketh / soothly
swich multitude / is nat honeste [2260] 51 And to the seconde
reson / where as ye seyn / fat alle wo??imen ben wikke /
saue youre grace / certes ye despise alle wo?>?men in this
wyse / and he fat al despiseth / al displeseth / as seith the
book1 . [2261] and Senec1 seith / that who so wole haue Sapi
ence / shal no man dispreise / but he shal gladly teche / the
science fat he kan / wtt/^oute p?*esumpcion or pn'de /
[2262] and swiche thynges / as he noght lie kan / he
shal nat ben ashamed to lerne hem & enquere lof lasse
HENGWRT 610 (6-T. 208) [Mcaf210J
209 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
folk than hym self [2263] *fF And sire / pat tlier liath
be ful many a good wo???man / may lightly be preued /
[2264] for certes sire / oure lord Ihesu crist wolde
neuere han descended / to be born of a womman / if alle
wowmien hadde be wikke / [2265] And after that1 for
the grete botmtee pat is in wommen / oure lord Thesu crist
whan he was risen fro deth to lyf / appered rather to a
womman / than to his apostles / [2266] And though
pat Salomon seith / pat he ne foond neuere womman
good / it folweth nat therfore /'"pat alle wommen ben
wikkc / [2267] for thogh pat he ne foond no good
wo?mnan / certes many another man / hath founde
many a wo?/mian ful good and trewe || [2268] Or ellis
per auenture / the entente of Salomon / was this / pat as in
soue?*eyn bouwtee / he foond no womman / [2269] this is to
seyn / pat ther is no wight1 pat hath souereyn bouwtee /
sane god allone / as he hym self recordeth / in his Eiunm-
gelie / [2270] for ther nys no creature so good / pat hym
ne wanteth som what1 of the perfeccion of god / pat is his
makere [2 2 7 1] 11 Youre thridde reson is this / ye seyn / pat if
ye goumie yow by my conseil / it sholde seme / pat ye
hadde yeue me the maistrie and the lordshipe / ouer youre
persone [2272] Sire sauf youre grace / it is nat so / for
if so were / pat no man sholde be conseiled / but oonly
of hem / pat hadde lordshipe & maistrie of his persone /
men wolde nat ben conseiled so ofte / [2273] for soothly
thilke man \>at axe]) conseil of a purpos / yet hath lie
free choys / wheither he wole werke' by that conseil / or
noon [2274] ^f And as to youre fer]?e reson / ther ye
seyn pat the langlerye of wommen / kan hide thynges that
they woot nat / as who seith / pat a womman kan nat
hide that ]>at she woot1. [2275] Sire thise wordes been
vnderstonde of wommen pat ben langleresses & wikked /
[2276] of whiche wo??? men men seyn / pat thre thynges /
dryuen a man out of his hous / that is to seyn / Smoke /
droppyng of reyn / & wikked wyues / [2277] and
HENGWRT'611 (6-T. 209)
210 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwit MS.
of svviclie wowmen seith Salomon / fat it were bettre dwellen
in desert1 than with a womman fat is riotous / [2278] and
sire by youre leue / fat am nat .1. / [2279] for ye han ful
ofte assayed / my grete silence & my grete pacience / and
aek how wel fat I kan hiden & hele thynges / fat
men oghtett secrely to hyde [2280] H And soothly / as to
youre iifthc reson / wher as ye seyn / fat in wikked con-
seil / wommen venquysse men / god woot1 thilke reson /
stant heere in no stede || [2281] ffor vnderstond now /. ye
axen conseil / to do wikkednesse / [2282] and if ye wol
werke wikkednesse / and youre wyf restreynef filke
wikked 1pw>-pos / & ouercoineth yow by reson and by
good conseil / [2283] certes youre wyf oghte rather be
preysed / than yblamed || [2284] Thus sholde ye vnder-
stonde the Philosophre / f«t seith / In wikked conseil /
wowimen venquyssen. hir housbondes [2285] IT And ther
as ye blanien allo wowmen / & hir resons / I slial shewe
by manye ensamples / Jwt many a womman Lath
be ful good / and yet ben / & hir conseils holsom
& p?'ofitable [2286] 1T Eke som men han seyd / fat the
conseilyng of wowmen / is outher to deere / or ellis to
litel of prys || [2287] but al be it so / fat ful many a
wo?wman is badde / & hir conseil vile & noght worth f
yet han men founde / ful many a good wo???man & ful
discrete & wys in conseilynge [2288] IF Lo Jacob / by
conseil of his moder Eebekka / wan the beneyson of
Ysaak his fader / and the lordshipe oner alle his broth eren
[2289] IT Judith by hir good conseil f deliuered the Citee of
Bethulye in which she dwelled / out of fe handes of
Olofernus fat hadde it biseged / & wolde it al destroye
[2290] ^f Abigail / deliu6?*ed Nabal hir housbonde / fro
Dauid the kyng f«t wolde han slayn hym / & apaised
the Ire of the kyng1 by hir wit1 & by hir good conseil-
yng< [2291] ^[ Hester by hir good conseil / enhaunced
gretly the peple of god in the regne of Assuerus the kyng1.
[2292] And the same bowntee in good conseilyng1 of
HENGWUT 512 (6-T. 210) [' leaf 2 1 9, back]
211 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. HengwrtMS.
many a good womman / may men telle [2293] IT And moore
oner / whan \ai oure lord / hadde creat Adam oure formo
fader / lie seyde in this wise / [2294] It is nat goode to be / a
man allone / make we to hym an help / semblable to hyni
self / [2295] IT Heere may ye se / J>at if J>at wommen
were nat goode / & hir conseil / good & profitable /
[2296] oure lord god of heuene / wolde neither han wroglit
hem / ne called hem help of man / but rather / confusion of
man || [2297] And ther seyde ones a clerk1 in two vers
1H What is bettre than gold / laspre / What is bettre than
laspre / wisdom || [2298] And what is bettre than
wisdom / Wom-Hian / and what is bettre than good
Womman / no thyng [2299] IF And sire / by manye of othere
resons may ye seen / J?ot manye wo??? men ben goode /
& hir conseil good & profitable! [2300] And ther fore
sire / if ye wol truste to my conseil / I shal restore yow
youre doghter / hool & sound / [2301] and eek / I wol doon
to yow so muche / fiat ye shul haue honour in this cause f
[2302] 1T Whan Melibe hadde herd the wordes / of his
wyf Prudence / he seyde thus [2303] ^T I se wel / Jxjt the
word of Salomon / is sooth ||. he seith / \>ai wordes Jjat
ben spoken discretly by ordinance / beth honycombes /
for they yeue swetnesse to the soule / & holsomnesse
to the body || [2304] And wyf / by cause of the swete
2 wordes / and eek1 for I haue assayed & preued / thy grete
sapience & thy grete trouthe / I wol gouerne me by thy
conseii / in alle thyng1
[2305] 5T 2sTow sire / quod dame Prudence / and syn ye
vouche sauf/ to been gouerned by my conseil / I wol
enforme yow / how ye shal gouerne yow self/ in chesynge
of youre conscilowrs [2306] IT Ye shal first in alle youre
werkes / mekely biseken to the heighe god / ]>at he wol
be youre conseillour / [2307] & shapeth yow to swich
entente / ]>ai he yeue yow conseil / & confort1 as taughte
Thobie his sone || [2308] At alle tymes / thow shalt blesse
HENGWRT 613 (6-T. 21l) P leaf 220]
[' Note at bottom ofleafZlQ : — Auro quid nrielins . / iaspis ' quid iaspis . sensus.
Sensu quid . / Mulier i iuid Mul'ere . / irichil 5
212 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
god & praye hym to dresse thy weyes / and looke fat
alle thy conseils ben in hym for euere moore [2309] IF Seint
lame eek seith || If any of yow / haue nede of Sapience / axe
it of god / [2310] and afterward thanne shal ye take
conseil in your self / & examyne wel yonre thoghtes / of
swiche thynges as yow thynketh / fat is best for youre profit
[2311] and thanne shal ye dryue fro youre herte / thre
thynges / that been contrariouse to good conseil / [2312]
that is to seyn / Ire / Coueitise / & hastynesse
[2313] 51 ffirsfr he fat axeth conseil of hym self / cartes
he moste be with-outen Ire / for many causes [2314]
U Tlie firste is this || he fat hath greet Ire & wrathe in
hym self / he weneth alwey fat he may do thyng1 fat lie
may nat do || [2315] And sccoundly / he fat is Irons
& wrof / he ne may nat wel derne / [2316] and he
fat may nat wel clerae / may nat wel conseille |j [2317] The
thridde is this / that he fat is Irous & wrof as seith
Senek1 ne may nat speke / but blameful thynges / [2318]
and with hise viciouse wordes / he slireth oother folk to
angre / & to Ire // [2319] And eek sire / ye moste dryue
coueitise / out of youre herte / [2320] ifor the Apostle seith /
fat Coueitise / is the roote of alle harmes / [2321] and trust
wel / fat a coueitous man ne kan nat deme / ne thenke /
but oonly to fulfille the ende of his coueitise / [2322] &
certes / that ne may neue?fe been acompliced / for euere
the moore habundance fat he hath of richesse / the moore
he desireth [2323] IF And sire / ye moste also / dryue oui;
of youre herte / hastifnesse / for certes [2324] ye may
nat deme for f e beste / a sodeyn thoghf fat falleth in
youre herte / but ye moste auyse yow on it1 ful ofte
[2325] for as ye herde her biforn / the comune prouerbe is
this / that he / fat soone demeth / soone repenteth
[2326] Sire ye ne ben nat alwey / in lyke disposicion /
[232 7] for certes / som thyng1 fat som tyme semeth to
yow / fat it is good for to do / another tyme / it semeth
to yow the cont?*arie /
HENGWRT 614 (6-T. 212)
213 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Hcngwrt MS.
[2328] whan ye han taken conseil in your self/ and
han denied by good deliberacion/ swich thyng/ as yow
semeth best1 [2329] IT Thannc rede I yow / pat ye kepe it
secree / [2330] biwrey nat youre conseil / to no persone /
but if so be pat ye wenen 1 sikeiiy / pat thurgh yowre
bywreyyng1 youre condicion shal ben to yow moore
profitable [| [2331] ffor Ihesus Syrak seith || Neither to thy
foo ne to thy freend / discouere nat thy secree / ne thy folie /
[2332] for they wol yeue yow audience / & lokyng1 &
supportacion in thy presence / & scorne thee in thyn
absence [2333] IT Another clerk seith /pat scarsly shaltow
fynden any persone / pat may kepe conseil secrely
[2334] 1T The book seith / whil pat thow kepest thy conseil
in thyn herte / thow kepest it in thy pn'son / [2335] And
whan thow biwreyest thy conseil to any wight1 he holdeth
thee in his snare / [2336] And therfore yow is bettre to
hide youre conseil in youre herte / than prey en hym / to
whom ye haue biwreyed youre conseil / pat he wol kepen
it1 cloos & stille [2337] IT ffor Seneca seith / If so be /
pat thou ne mayst nat1 thyn owene conseil hyde / how
dorstow preyen any oother wight1, thy conseil secrely to
kepe || [2338] But nathelees / if thow wene sikerly / pat
thy biwreyyng1 of thy conseil to a persone / wol maken thy
condicion / to stonden in the bettre plytt thanne shaltow
telle hym thy conseil / in this wise [2339] IT ffirst thow
shalt make no semblant/ wheither thee were leuere / pees or
werre / or this / or that / ne shewe hym nat thy wyl &
thyn entente / [2340] for trust wel pat comunely / thise
conseillours ben flattrers / [2341] namely / the conseillours
of grete lordes / [2342] for they enforcen hem alwey /
rather to speke plesante wordes / enclynynge to the lordes
lust1 than wordes pat ben trewe / or profitable / [2343] And
therfore men seyn / pat the riche man hath selde good con
seil / but if he haue it of hym self / [2344] And after that1
thow shalt considere thy freendes / & thyne enemys /
[2345] And as touchynge thy freendes / thow shalt con-
HENGWIIT 515 (6-T. 213) I1 leaf 220, back]
214 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELJBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
sidere / whiche of hem fat been moost feithfulle / & inoost
wise / & eldest1 & inoost approued in conseillyng*
[2346] and of hem / shaltow axe thy conseil / as the
cas requyreth
[2347] IT I seye / 'fat first ye shul clepe to youre con-
seyl / youre freendes / fat ben trewe || [2348] ffor Salomon
seith /fat right1 as the herte of a man / deliteth in sauour
fat is sootef right so the conseil of trewe freendes /
yeueth swetnesse to the soule / [2349] H He seith also / ther
may no thyng be likned to the trewe freend / [2350] for
certes / gold ne siluer / ben noght so muche worth / as the
goode wyl / of a trewe freend || [2351] And eek he seith /
]>ai a trewe freend is a strong defense / who so fat
it fyndeth / certes he fyndeth a gret tresor
[2352] IF Thanne shnl ye eek consiclere / if fat youre
trewe freendes been discrete & wise / for the book
seith |j Axe alwey thy conseil / of hem fat been wise /
[2353] And by this same Jreson / shul ye clepen to youre
conseil / of yowre freendes / fat ben of age / swiche as han
seighen / & ben expert1 of manye thynges / & ben
approued in conseilynges / [2354] ifor the book1 seif /
fat in olde men is the sapience / and in longe tyme
the prudence [2355] 11 And Tullius seith / fat grete
thynges / ne ben nat ay acompliced by strengthe / ne by
delyuernesse of body / but by good conseil / by Auctoritee
of persones / & by Science / the whiche thre thynges / ne
been nat fieble by age / but certes they enforcen / and en-
cressen day by day [2356] And thanne shal ye kepe
this / for a general rule || ffirst shal ye clepe to youre
conseil / a fewe of youre freendes / fat ben especiale ||
[2357] ffor Salomon seith / manye freendes / haue thow /
but among a thousand / chees thee oon / to be thy conseil-
lour / [2358] for al be it so / fat thow first ne telle thy
conseil / but to a fewe / thow mayst afterward telle it to
mo folk1 if it be nede / [2359] but looke alwey fat thy
conseillours haue thilke tbre condicions / fat I haue seyd
HENGWRT 616 (O-T. 214) [Ucaf221]
215 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MBLIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
bifore / that is to seye / J?at they be trewe / wise / and
of old experience / [2360] And werk nat alwey in euery
nede / by o conseillour allone / for som tyme bihoueth
it1 to be conseiled by manye / [2361] for Salomon seith /
Saluacion of thynges / is wher as tlier ben manye
conseilours
[2362] IF Now sith }>ai I haue told yow / of which folk
ye sholde be conseillcd / now wol I teche yow / which
conseil ye oghte eschue [2363] 1F ffirst1 ye shul eschue /
the conseillyng of fooles / for Salomon seith / take no con
seil of a fool / for he ne kan nat conseille / but after his
owene lust1 and his affeccion / [2364] IF The book seith /
that the propretee of a fool is this |j he trowejj lightly /
harm of euery wight* & lightly troweth alle bouwtee in
hym self // [2365] Tow shalt eek eschue / the conseillyng
of alle flaterers / swiche as enforcen hem rather to preise
youre persone by flaterye / than for to telle yow the sooth-
fastnesse of thynges
[2366] 11 Wherfore Tullius seith / Among alle the
pestilences J>at been in frendshipe / the gretteste is
flaterye / And therfore is it moore nede / ]>at thow eschue
& drede flaterers / than any oother peple j| [2367] The
book seith / thow shalt rather drede & flee fro the
swete wordes / of flaterynge preiseres / than fro the egre
wordes of thy freend / that seith thee thy sothes [2368]
IT Salomon seith / that the wordes of a flaterere / is a Snare
to cacchen Innocentz || [2369] He seith also / J?at he \>ai
speketh to his freend / wordes of swetnesse / and of
'plesance / setteth a Net biforn his feet1 to cacchen hym ||
[2370] And therfore / seith Tullius || Enclyne nat thyne
erys to flatereres / ne tak no conseil / of wordes of
flaterye [2371] IT And Caton seith || Auyse thee wel / &
eschue wordes of swetnesse & of plesance
[2372] IT And eek thow shalt eschue / the conseillyng of
thynne olde enemys Jj«t ben reconsiled || [2373] The
book seith / that no wight retourneth saufly in to the
35 HENGWRT 517 (6-T. 216) C1 leaf 221, back]
216 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. HELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
grace of his olde enemy || [2374] And Ysope seith / ]STe
trust nat to hem / to whiche/thow hast had som tyme werre /
or enemy tee / ne telle hem nat thy conseil || [2375] And
Seneca / telleth the cause why || It may nat be seith he /
that where as greet fyr / hath longe tyme endured / fat
ther ne dwelleth som vapour of warmnesse || [2376] And
ther fore seith Salomon || In thyn olde foo / trust neuere /
[2377] for sikerly / t.hogh thyn enemy be reconsiled /
& maketh thee / cheere of humylitee / & louteth to thee
•with his heed / ne trust hym neuere / [2378] for certes/
he maketh thilke feyned humylitee / moore for his profit1
than for any loue of thy persone / by cause fat he dem-
eth / to haue victorie ouer thy pe?*sone / by swich feyned
continance / the which victorie / he myghte nat haue / by
strif1 or werre [2379] 1F And Peter Alfonce seith || Make no
felaweshipe / with thyne olde enemys / for if thow do hem
bou?ztee / they wol pe?*ue?*ten it in to wikkednesse
[2380] IF And eek1 thou most eschue / the conseillyng1 of hem
fat ben thy seruantz / & beren thee gret reuerence / for
p<??*auenture / they seyn it moore / for drede than for loue /
[2381] & therfore / seith a Philosophre / in this
wise || Ther is no wight pe?'iitly trewe / to hym / fat he to
soore dredeth || [2382] And Tullius seith / Ther nys no
myght so gret / of any Emperour / fat longe may endure /
but if he haue moore loue of the peple than drede
[2383] IF Thou shalt also eschue the conseillyng1 of folk
fat ben dronkelewe || for they ne kan no conseil hyde ||
[2384] ffor Salomon seith / Ther is no prnietee / ther as
regneth dronkenesse [2385] IF Ye shal also han in suspect1
the conseilyng of swich folk1 as conseile yow a thyng
prniely / & conseille yow / the cont?-arie openly || [2386]
ifor Cassiodorie seith / That it is a manere sleighte to
hyndre / whan he sheweth to doon a thyng openly / and
werketh pryuely the contrarie [2387] IF Thow shalt also
haue in suspect* the conseilyng1 of wikked folk || ifor the
book seith / The conseilyng of wikked folk1 is alwey ful
HENGWRT 518 (6-T. 216)
217 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Heiigwrt MS.
of fraude || [2388] And Dauid seith || Blisful is that man /
fat hath nat folwed the conseilyng of sherewes [2389]
IF Thow shalt also eschue Hhe conseilyng1 of yong folk /
for hir conseil is nat rype
[2390] IF Now sire / sith I haue shewed vow / of which
folk1 ye shul take youre conseil / and of which folk1 ye schul
folwe the conseil || . [2391] now wol I teche yow / how ye
shul examyne youre conseil / after the doctrme of Tullius
[2392] IT In the examynynge thanne of youre conseillour /
ye shul considere many thynges // [2393] Alderfirst / thou
shalt considere / ]>at in thilke thyng1 J?at thow pvrposest1 /
& vp on what thyng1 thow wolt haue conseil / }>at ve?*ray
trouthe / be seyd & conserued / this is to seyn / telle
trewely thy tale / [2394] for he jjat seith fals /may nat
wel be conseiled / in that cas / of which he lyeth [2395]
5F And after this / thow shalt considere / the thynges J>at
acorden / to that thow pz^rposest for to do / by thy conseil-
lours / if reson acorde ther to / [2396] and eek1 if thy
niyght1 may atteyne ther to / and if the moore part1 & the
bettre part* of thy conseillours / acorde ther to / or 110
[2397] IF Thanne shaltow considere / what thyng shal
folwe of that conseilyng1 as hate / pees / werre /
grace / profit1 or damage / & many othere thynges /
[2398] And in. alle thise thynges / thow shalt chese the
beste / and weyue alle othere thynges [2399] 1F Thanne
shaltow considere / of what roote is engendred the matere
of thy conseil / and what fruyt it may conceyue &
engendre [2400] ^F Thow shalt eek considere alle thise
causes / from whennes they ben sprongen || [2401] And
whan ye haue examyned youre conseil / as I haue seyd /
& which partie is the bettre & moore profitable / &
han approued it / by manye wise folk1 & oldef [2402]
thanne shaltow considere / if thou mayst parforme it / &
maken of it1 a good ende [2403] ^F ffor reson wol nat1
J>at any man sholde bigynne a thyng1 . but if he myghte
parforme it / as hym oghte || [2404] Ne no wight sholde
HEN G WET 619 (6-T. 217) C1 leaf 222]
218 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
take vp on hym so heuy charge / fat lie myglite nat beren
it || [2405] ffor the prouerbe seith /. he fat to muche
embraceth / destreyneth litel || [2406] And Caton seith /
Assay to do swich thyng1 as thow hast power to doon /
lest fat the charge / oppresse thee so soore / fat thee
bihoueth / to weyue thyng1 fat thow hast bigonne ||
[2407] And if so be / fat thow be in doute / wheither thow
inayst pa/'foz/rne a thyng / or noon i chees rather to suffre /
than bigynne / [2408] || And Peter Alfoiice seith ^1 If
thow hast niyght to doon a thyng1 of which thow most
repente / it is bettre / nay / than ye / [2409] this is
to seyn / fat thee is bettre / to holde thy tonge stille / than
for to speke [2410] IT Thanne may ye vnderstonde by
stronger resons / fat if thow hast power / to ^arforme a
werk1 of which thow shalt repente / thanne is it bettre
fat thow suffre / than bigynne || [241 1] wel seyn they / fat
defenden euery wight1 to assaye / a thyng1 of which he is
in doute / wheither he may parforme it1 or no [2412]
5T And after / whan ye haue examynecl youre conseil / as I
haue seyd biforn / & kiioweii wel fat ye may par-
forrne youre emp?7se / conferme it thanne sadly / til it be at
an ende
[2413] IT Now it is resofi and tyme / fat I shewe yow /
whanne & wherfore / fat ye may chaimge youre conseil-
lours / Vfith oute youre reproue || [2414] Soothly / man
may chaungen his purpos / and his conseil / if the cause
cesseth / or whan a newe cas bitideth || [2415] for the
la we seith /fat vpon thynges / fat newely bitideth / bihoueth
newe conseil [2416] IT And Seneca seith || If thy conseil
is come / to the erys of thyn enemy / chaunge thy cowseil
[2417] 1T Thow mayst also chaunge thy conseil / if so be
fat thou fynde fat by errour / or by oother cause /
harm / or damage / may bityde [2418] IF Also / if thy
conseil be deshoneste / or ellis cometh of deshoneste cause /
chaunge thy conseil || [2419] for the lawes seyn / that
alle bihestes / fat ben deshoneste / ben of no value /
HENGWRT 620 (6-T. 218) [' leaf 222, back]
219 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS,
[2420] And eek if it so be / J>at it be inpossible / or may
nat goodly be performed / or kept1 ||
[2421] And take this / for a general rule || That euery
conseil / j?at is afFermed so strongly / J?at it may nat be
chaunged / for no co?zdicion) / ]pat may bityde / .1 seye that
thilke conseil is wikked
[2422] ^ This Melibeus / whan he hadde herd / the doc-
tn'ne of his wyf/ Dame Prudence / answerde in this wise
[2423] ^T Dame quod he / as yet in to this tyme / ye
han wel & couenably taught me / as in general / how I
shal gouerne me / in chesynge / & in the w/t/iholdyng1
of my conseillours || [2424] But now wolde I fayn / ]>at
ye wolde condescenden in especial / [2425] & telle me
how liketh yow / or what serneth yow / by oure conseillours /
fat we han chosen in oure present nede
[2426] My lord quod she / I biseke yow / in al hiini-
blesse / Jpat ye wol nat wilfully / replye ayein my resons /
ne distempre youre herte / thogh I speke thyng1 J>at
yow displese / [2427] for god woott ]?at as in myn entente /
I speke it for youre beste / for youre honowr / & for youre
profit eke / [2428] And soothly I hope / Jjat youre be-
nygnytee / wol taken it in pacience [2429] ^T Trusteth me
wel quod she / J>at youre conseil / as in this cas / ne sholde
nat as to speke proprely / be called a conseilyng1 but a
inocion or a moeuyng of folie / [2430] in which conseil /
ye han erred / in many a sondry wise
[2431] IT ffirst & forward / ye han erred / in the assem-
blyng1 of youre conseillours / [2432] for ye sholde first
han clepid a l fewe folk/ to youre conseil / and after / ye
inyghte han shewed it1 to mo folk1 if it hadde be nede
[2433] IT But certes / ye han sodeynly clepid to youre con
seil / a gret multitude of peple / ful chargeant/ & ful
anoyous for to heere [2434] H Also ye han erred / for
ther as ye sholde oonly / han clepid to youre conseil /
youre trewe freendes / olde / & wise / [2435] JQ nan yclepid
straunge folk1, yong folk1 / false flatereres / & enemys
HENGWRT 521 (6-T. 219) ['leaf 223]
220 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
reconsiled / & folk/ ]>at doon yow reuerence witliouten
loue [2436] 1F And eek also / ye han erred / for ye han
broght -with yow / to youre conseil ./ Ire / Coueitise / &
hastifnesse /. [2437] the whiche tlire thynges / ben contra-
riouse / to euery conseil honeste / & profitable /. [2438] the
whiche thre thynges / ye han nat anientissed / or destroyed
hem / neither in youre self1 ne in youre conseillours / as ye
oghte / || [2439] IF Ye han erred also / for ye han shewed to
youre conseillours / youre talent1 & youre affeccion / to
make werre anon / & for to do vengeance / [2440] they han
espied by youre wordes / to what thyng1 ye ben enclyned |j
[2441] And ther-fore / han they conseilled yow / rather / to
youre talent1 than to youre profit1 [2442] H Ye han erred
also / for it semeth / J>at yow suffiseth / to han ben con
seilled / by thise conseilozws oonly / & 'with litel auys /
[2443] wher as in so gret1 & so heigh a nede / it hadde
ben necessarie / mo conseilours / & moore deliberacion) / to
performe youre empn'se [2444] IT Ye han erred also / for
ye ne han nat examyned youre conseil in the forseyde
manere / ne in due manere / as the cas requyreth [2445] IT Ye
han erred also / for ye han maked no diuision) bitwixe
youre conseilours / this is to seyn / bytwixe youre trewe
, freendes / & youre feyned conseilours / [2446] ne ye ne haue
nat knowe the wyl / of youre trewe freendes / olde / and wise /
[2447] but ye han cast alle hir wordes / in an hochepott
& enclyned youre herte / to the moore part1 & to the
gretter nombre / & ther be ye condescended || [2448]
And sith ye woot wel / ]>at men shal alwey fynde / a
gretter nombre of foolis / than of wise men / [2449] and
therfore / the conseils Jjat ben at congregacions / and mul
titudes of folk/ ther as men take moore reward / to the
nombre / than to the sapience of persones / [2450] ye se wel /
j>rtt in swyche conseillynges / foolis han the maistrie [2451]
IT Melibeus answerde agayn / and seyde / I graunte wel fat
I haue erred / [2452] but ther as thow hast toold me her
biforn / J?at he ne is nat to blame / J>at chaungeth his con-
HENGWRT 622 (6-T. 220)
221 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. HCDgWlt MS.
seillours / in certeyn cas / & for certeyne luste causes /
[2453] I am al redy / to chaunge my conseilours / right
as thow wolt deuyse || [2454] The prouerbe seith / that
for to do synne / is mannyssh / but certes / for to perseuere
longe in synne ' is werk of the deuel
[2455] IF To this sentence / answerde anon dame Pru
dence / & seyde || [2456] Examyneth quod she youre con-
seil / & lat vs se / the whiche of hem / han spoken
moost resonably / & taught yow best conseil / [2457]
And for as muche / as ]>at the examinacion is necessarie /
lat vs bigynne / at the Sirurgiens / and at the Phisiciens /
J>at first speeken in this matere || [2458] I sey yow \ai the
Sirurgiens & Phisiciens / han seyd yow in youre con
seil / discretly / as hem oghte / [2459] And in hir speche /
seyden ful wysly / that to the office of hem / aperteneth / to
doon to euery wight1 honour & p?*ofitf. and no wight1
to anoye / [2460] and after hir craft1 to doon gret diligence
vn-to the cure of hem / whiche j?at they han in hir gouern-
ance [2461] IT And sire / right as they han answered
wysly & discretly / [2462] right so rede .1. / J?at they
be heighly & souereynly gerdoned / for hir noble
speche / [2463] and eek for they shullen / do the moore
ententif bisynesse / in the curacion of thy doghter deere ||
[2464] ffor al be it so / that they ben youre freendes /
therfore shal ye nat suffren / J?at they serue you for
noght1. [2465] but ye oghte / the rather gerdone hem / &
she wen hem youre largesse || [2466] And as touchy nge the
proposicion / which Ipai the Physiciens / encresceden in this
cas / this is to seyn / [2467] that in maladies / that a
contrarie / is warisshed / by another contrarie [2468] I
wolde fayn knowe / how ye vnderstande thilke text1 &
what1 is youre sentence [2469] IF Certes quod Melibeus / I
vnderstonde it1 in this wise || [2470] that right1 as they han
doon me a contrarie / right so / sholde I / doon hem another /
[2471] for right1 as they han venged hem on me / &
doon me wrong1 right so / shal I venge me vp-on hem /
HENGWRT 623 (6-T. 22l) C1 leaf 223, back]
222 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hexigwrt MS.
& doon hem wrong1 [2472] & thanne haue I cured / a
contrarie by another
[2473] ^ Lo / lo / quod dame Prudence / how lightly is
euery man enclyned / to his owene desir / and to his owene
plesance || [2474] Certes quod she / the wordes of the
Phisiciens / ne sholde nat han ben vnderstonden / in that
wise || [2475] f°r certes wikkednesse / is nat contrarie
to wikkednesse / ne vengeance / to vengeance / ne wrong1
to wrong1 but they ben semblable || [2476] And ther-
fore / .o. vengeance is nat warisshed / by another venge
ance / ne .o. wrong1 by another wrong1 [2477] but
euerich of hem encresceth / & aggreggeth oother [2478]
IT But certes / the wordes of thise Phisiciens / sholde ben
vnderstonde / in this wise || [2479] ff°r good & wikked
nesse / ben two contraries / and pees & werre / venge
ance & suffrance / discord & acord / and many
othere thynges || [2480] But certes / wikked / shal be
warisshed by goodnesse / discord, by acord / werre. by pees/
and so forth of othere thynges || [248 1] And her to / acordeth
Seynt1 1Poul the Apostle / in many places / [2482] he
seith / Ne yeldeth noght harm for harm / ne wikked speche /
for wikked speche / [2483] but do wel / to hym Jpat dooth
to thee harm / & blesse hym / J>at seith to thee harm / [2484]
And in manye othere places / he amonesteth pees &
acord [2485] 1T But now wol I speke to yow / of the con-
seil / which J?at was yeuen to yow / by the men of lawe /
& the wise folk1 [2486] J)at seyden alle by oon acord /
as ye han herd bifore || [2487] That ouer alle thynges / ye
shal do youre diligence to kepe youre persone / &
to warnestore youre hous / [2488] & seyden also / $at
in this cas ye oghten for to werke / ful auysely / &
with greet1 deliberacion [2489] 1T And sire / as to the firste
point1 that toucheth / to the kepyng of youre persone /
[2490] ye shul vnderstonde / that he )>at hath werre / shal
euere moore deuoutly & mekely / preyen / byforn alle
thynges / [2491] fat Ihesus crist of his mercy / wol
HENGWET 624 (6-T. 222) [Meaf224]
223 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. 3IELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
han hym in his proteccion) / & ben his souereyn helpyng1
at his nede [2492] IF for certes in this world / ther is no
wight1 ]>at may be conseilled ne kept suffisantly / vrOh
oute the kepyng1 of oure lord Ihesu Crist1 [2493] ^T To this
sentence / acordeth the prophete Dauid / that seith / [2494]
If god ne kepe Citee / in ydel / waketh he J>at it kepeth
[2495*] 1F Now syre / thanne shul ye / committe the kepyng1
of y oure persone / to youre trewe freendes/J?«t been approued
and yknowe / [2496] & of hem / shul ye axen help / youre
persone for to kepe || ffor Caton seith / If tliou hast
nede of helpe / axe it of thy freendes / [2497] for ther nys
noon so good a Phisicien / as thy trewe freend [2498]
11 And after this / thanne shul ye kepe yow / fro alle
straunge folk1 & fro lyeres / & haue alwey / in suspect1
hir compaignye [2499] IT ffor Piers Alfonce seith / Ne
taak no compaignye / by the wey / of a straunge man / but if
so be / ]>at thow haue knowe hym / of a lenger tyme / [2500]
And if so be / J?at he falle in-to thy compaignye / par--
auenture / wM-outen thyn assent1. [2501] enquere thanne /
as subtilly as thow mayst1 of his conuersacion / & of his lyf
bifore / And feyne thy wey / Sey J?at thow wolt go thider /
as thow wolt nat go / [2502] And if he bereth a spere /
hoold thee on the right syde / And if he bere a swerd /
hoold thee on the left1 syde [2503] IT And after this /
thanne shal ye kepe yow wysly / from al swich manere
peple / as I haue seyd bifore / & hem & hir conseil
eschewe [2504] II And after this / thanne shal ye kepe yow
in swich manere / [2505] that for any presumpcion of youre
strengthe / fat ye ne despise nat1 ne attempte nat1 the
myght of youre Aduersarie / so lite / ]>at ye lete / the
kepyng1 of youre persone / for youre presumpcion / [2506]
for euery wys man / dredeth his enemy [2507] And
Salomon seyth l H Weleful is he / ]>at of alle hath drede ||
[2508] ffor certes he J>at thurgh the hardynesse of his
herte / & thurgh the hardynesse of hym self1 hath to
gret presumpcion / hym shal yuel bityde [2509] IT Thanne
HENGWRT 625 (6-T. 223) C1 leaf 224, back]
224 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
shal ye euere mo countrewayte einboyssementz & al
espiaille [2510] ^[ ffor Senek seith / fat the wise man
fat dredeth harmes / escheweth harmes / [2511] ne he ne
falleth in-to perils / fat perils escheweth / [2512] And al
be so / fat it seme / fat thow art in siker place f yet
shaltow alwey do thy diligence / in kepyng1 of thy persone /
[2513] this is to seyn / ne be nat necligent1 to kepe thy
persone / nat oonly fro thy grettest enemys / but fro thy
leeste enemy [2514] H Senek seith || A man fat is
wel auysed / he dredeth his leste enemy || [2515] Ouyde
seith || that the litel wesele / wol slee the grete Bole / & the
wilde hert [2516] 1T And the book seith /a litel thorn
may prikke a kyng1 ful soore / And an hound / wol
holde the wilde boor || [2517] But nathelees / I sey nat/
thow shalt be so coward / fat thow doute / ther / wher as is
no drede || [2518] The book1 seith/ that som folk haue
gret lust1 to deceyue / but yet they dreden hem / to be de-
ceyued / [2519] yet shaltow drede / to been empoysoned /
& kepe thee / from the compaignye of scorneres / [2520]
IT ffor the book seith / with Scorneres / make no compaignye/
but flee hire wordes / as venym
[2521] 11 Now as to the seconde point1 where as youre
wise conseilours / conseiled yow / to warnestore youre hous
•with gret diligence f/ [2522] I wolde fayn knowe / how fat
ye vnderstonde thilke wordes / & what is youre sentence
[2523] IF Melibeus answerde & seyde || Certes / 1 vnder
stonde it1 in this wise / that I shal warnestore myn hous /
Vfith toures / swiche as han Castelles / & othere manere
edifices / & armure / & Artelries / [2524] by whiche
thynges / I may my persone & niyn hous / so kepen &
defenden / fat myne enemys shul been in drede / myn
hous for to approche
[2525] 1T To thys sentence / answerde anon Prudence ||
Warnestoryng1 quod she of heighe toures / & of grete
edifices / \appartiennent aucunefoiz a orgeul [2526] Aprez
lenfait les tours et les edifices (MS Reg. 19 C xi, If 58, col. 2)]
HENGWRT 626 (6-T. 224)
225 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. HcngWlt MS.
vfiih grete costages /& with gret trauaille/and whan Jjat they
been accompliced / yet be they nat worth a stree / but if they
been defended / by trewe freendes / that been oolde/ and wise
[2527] 1F And vnderstonde wel / \ai the gretteste / and the
strengeste garnyson / j?at ryche man may haue / as wel / to
kepen his persone / as his goodesf is [2528] Jjat he be biloued
with his subgetz and with his neighebores [2529] IT ffor
thus seith Tullius / that ther is a manere garneson / j>at
no man may venquyse ne discomfite / and ]pat lis / [2530]
a lord / to be biloued / of his Citezeins / and of his peple
[2531] IT Now sire / as to the .iije poynt1 wher as
youre olde and wise conseilours / seiden / J>at yow ne
oghte nat sodeynly / ne hastily / proceden in this nede /
[2532] but J?at yow oghte pwrueien and apparailen yow
in this cas / with greet diligence and greet deliberacion f
[2533] trewely / I trowe Ipat they seyden right wisely /
and right sooth [2534] H ffor Tullius seith || In euery
nede / er thow bigynne it1 apparayle thee / with greet
diligence || [2535] thanne seye I / J?at in vengeance
takynge / in werre / in bataile / and in warnestorynge /
[2536] er thow bigynne / I rede \>at thow apparaile thee
ther-to / and do it1 with greet deliberacion [2537] IT ffor
Tullius seith / that long apparailynge biforn the bataile /
maketh short victorie || [2538] And Cassidorus seith / the
garneson is strenger / whan it is long tyme auysed
[2539] •([ But now lat vs speke of the conseil J?at was
acorded by youre neighebores swiche as doon yow
reuerence/ with-outen loue / [2540] youre olde enemys recon-
siled / youre flaterers / [2541] Jjat conseileden yow cer-
teyne thynges pryuely / and openly conseileden yow the
contrarie || [2542] The yonge folk1 also / J?at conseileden
yow / to venge yow / and make werre anoonf [2543] And
certes sire / as I haue seyd biforn j| ye han greetly erred /
to han clepid swich maner folk/ to youre conseil / [2544]
whiche conseilours been ynow repreued bi the resons
foreseyd / [2545] but nathelees / lat vs now descende to
HENGWET 627 (6-T. 225) P leaf 2251
226 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
the special IF Ye shuln first proceden after the doctryne of
Tullius || [2546] Certes / the trouthe of this matere / or of
this conseil / nedeth nat/ diligently enquere / [2547] for it
is wel wist1 whiche they been / that han doon to yow / this
trespas and vileynye / [2548] and how manye trespasours /
and in what manere / they han to yow doon al this
wrong1 and al this vileynye [2549] IF And after this /
thanne shulle ye examyne the .ij? condicion / which
fat the same Tullius addeth in this matere/ [2550] for
Tullius put a thyng/ which pat he clepeth consentynge / this
is to seyn / [255 1] who been they and whiche been they / and
how manye J)«t consenten to thy conseil in thy wilfulnesse /
to do hastif vengeance / [2552] And lat vs considere
also / who been they and how manye been they / and whiche
been they / pat consenteden / to youre Adversaries [2553]
IT And certes / as to the firste poyntt it is wel knowen whiche
folk1 been they / pat consenteden / to youre hastif wilful
nesse / [2554] for trewely alle tho / ]>at conseil eden yow
to maken sodeyn werre / ne been nat youre freendes || [2555]
Lat vs now considere whiche been they pat ye holde
so greetly youre freendes / as to youre persone / [2556] for
al be it so / pat ye be myghty and ryche f certes / ye ne
been / but l allone / [2557] for certes / ye ne han no child
but a doghter / [2558] ne ye ne han bretheren / ne cosyns
germayns / ne noon oother ney kynrede / [2559] wherfore /
pat youre enemys / for drede sholden stynte / to plede with
yow / or destroye youre persone [2560] ^F Ye knowe
also / fat youre richesses / moten be despended in
diuerse parties/ [2561] and whan pat euery wight hath
his parf they ne wollen take but litel reward / to venge
thy deeth || [2562] but thyne enemys / been .iijf and
they han manye children /bretheren / cosyns / and oother ney
kynrede / [2563] and thogh so were / thow haddest
slayn of hem .ij° or .iij® yet dwellen ther ynowe / to wreken
hir deeth / and to sle thy persone || [2564] and thogh so
be / pat youre kynrede be moore syker and stedefasf than
HENGWRT 628 (6-T. 226) [Meaf 225, back]
227 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
the kyn of youre aduersarie f / [2565] yet nathelees / youre
kynrede / nys but a fer kynrede / they been / but litel syb
to yow / [2566] and the kyn of youre enemys / been ney syb
to he??* / and certes as in that1 hir condicion / is bet than
youres [2567] IT Thanne / lat vs considere also / if the
conseilynge / of hem J>at conseileden yow to taken sodeyn
vengeance / wheither it acorde to resonf [2568] And
certes / ye knowe wel nayf [2569] for as by right and
reson / ther may no man take vengeance on 110 wight1 but
the luge ]>«t hath the lurisdiccion of it1 [2570] whan it is
ygraunted hym to take thilke vengeance hastily / or at-
temprely / as the lawe requereth [2571] 1T And yet more
ouer / of thilke word / that Tullius clepith / consentynge f
[2572] thow shalt considere / if thy myght and thy power
may consente and suffise / to thy wilfulnesse and to thy
conseilours / [2573] And certes / thow mayst wel seyn /
that nay / [2574] for sikeiiy as for to speke proprely /
we may do no thyng1 but oonly swich thyng1 as we may
do rightfully / [2575] and certes / rightfully ne mo we ye
take no vengeance / as of youre propie, auctoritee / [2576]
thanne mowe ye seen / that youre power ne consenteth
nat/ ne acordeth naf with youre wilfulnesse [2577] 1T Lat
vs now examyne the .iij.e poynt1 that Tullius clepith
Consequent || [2578] Thow shalt vnderstande / that the
vengeance jjat thow purposest for to taken / is the conse
quent1 [2579] and ther-of1 folweth another vengeance /
peril / and werre / and othere damages with-oute nombre /
of whiche / we been nat waar / as at this tyme [2580] IT And
as touchynge the .iiij.e poynt1 that Tullius clepith en-
gendrynge / [2581] thow shalt considere / that this wrong1
which that is doon to thee / is engendred / of the hate of
thyne enemys / [2582] and of the vengeance takynge vp-on
that1 wolde engendre another vengeance / and muchil sorwe /
and wastynge of richesses / l as I seyde
[2583] 1T Now sire / as touchynge to the poynt1 that1 Tul
lius clepith causes /which J>at is the laste poynt1 f [2584] thow
HENGWRT 629 (6-T. 227) [> leaf 226]
228 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
shalt vnderstonde / Jjat the wrong1 J>at thow hast receyued /
hath certeyne causes / [2585] whiche ]pat clerkes clepen
Oriens and Efficiens / and Causa longinqua / and causa
propinqua / this is to seynf the fer cause / and the ny
cause / [2586] the fer cause / is almyghty god that is
cause of alle thynges || [2587] the neer cause / is thy
thre enemys / [2588] the cause accidental / was hate /
[2589] the cause material / been the .v. woimdes of
thy doghter / [2590] the cause formal / is the manere of
hir werkynge / that broghten laddres and clomben In at
thy wyndowes / [2591] the cause final / was for to sle thy
doghter/ it lettyd nat/ in as muche as was in hem was|| [2592]
but for to speke of the fer cause i as to what ende they
shul come / '. or what shal finally bityde of hem in this
cas '. ne kan I nat deme / but by coniectynge and by
supposynge / [2593] for we shuln suppose / that they shul
come to a wikked ende / [2594] by cause / fat the book
of decrees seith IT Selden / or with greet peyne been causes
ybroghtf to good ende / whan they been baddely bigonne
[2595] 51 Now sire / if men wolden axe me / why Ipat
god suffrede men to do yow this vileynyef certes I kan
nat wel answere / as for no soothfastnesse || [2596] for
the Apostle seith / that the sciences and the lugementz of
oure lord god almyghty / been ful depe / [2597] ther may
no man comprehende ne serchen hem sumsantly [2598]
11 Nathelees / by certeyne presumpcions and coniectynges /
I holde & bileue / [2599] that god / which J>«t is ful of
Justice and of rightwisnesse / hath suffred this bityde / by
luste cause resonable
[2600] 1f Thy name is JSIelibe / this is to seyn / a man
that drynketh hony / [2601] thow hast y-dronke so muchil
hony / of swete temporel richesses and delices and hon
ours of this world / [2602] that thow art dronken / and
hast forgeten Ihesu cmtf thy creatour / [2603] thow ne
hast nat doon to hym / swich honour and reuerence as thee
oghtef [2604] ne thow ne hast nat wel taken kepe / to
HENGWRT 630 (6-T. 228)
229 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
the wordes of Ouyde || that seith / [2605] vnder the hony
of the goodes of thy body f is hyd the venym / that sleth
the soule [2606] IF And Salomon seith || If thow hast
founden hony / ete of if that suffiseth / [2607] for if thow
ete of it out of mesure f thow shalt spewe / and be nedy
and poore / [2608] and perauenture / Crist hath thee in
despit and hath torned awey fro thee his face / and his
erys of misericorde / [2609] and also he hath suffred /
J?at thow 'hast been punysshed in the manere ]>ai thow
hast ytrespasedf [2610] IT Thow hast doon synne agayn
oure lord Crist || [2611] for certes / the .iij.e enemys of man-
kynde / that is to seyn / the flessh / the feend / and the
world / [2612] thow hast suffred hem / entre in to thyn
herte wilfully / by the wyndowes of thy body / [2613] and
hast nat defendid thy self / suffisantly agayns hir assautes
& hir temptacions / so ]>ai they han woundid thy
soule. in .v. places |[ [2614] this is to seyn / the dedly
synnes / ]>at been entred in to thyn herte by thy .v.
wittes || [2615] And in the same manere / oure lord Crist
hath wold & suffred / J>at thy .iij.e enemys been entred
in to thyn hous by the wyndowes / [2616] and han
ywoundid thy doghter in the forseyde manere
[2617] IT Certes quod Melibe / I se wel / j?c?t ye en
force yow muchil by wordes to ouercome me in swich a
manere / J>at I shal nat venge me of myne enemys / [2618]
shewynge me the perils & the yueles / ]pai myghten
falle of this vengeance || [2619] But who so wolde considere
in alle vengeances / the perils and yueles J>#t myghten sewe
of vengeance takyngef [2620] a man wolde neuere take
vengeance / and that were harm / [2621] for by the venge
ance takynge / been the wikked men disseuered / fro the
goode men / [2622] and they ]>at han wil to do wikked-
nesse / restreyne hir wikked purpos / whan they seen the
punysshynge & chastisynge of trespassours ||
[2623] [A ce respond dame Prudence : certes, dist-elle,
je VOKS octroie que de vengence vient moult de biens ;
HENGWRT 531 (6-T. 229) [Meaf 226, back]
230 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10, MBLIBEUS. HCHgWlt MS.
[2624] mais faire vengence it 'appartient pas a un chascun,
fors seulement aux juges et a ceulx qui ont la jurisdiction sur
les malfaiteurs. (Le Menagier de Paris, i. 214, eel. 1846.)]
[2625] And yet seye I moore / that right as a singuler
persone synneth / in takynge vengeance of another man f
[2626] right so synneth the luge / if he do no vengeance
of hem that it han disserued || [2627] ffor Senek seith
thus || That maister he seith is good / J?at preueth shrewes ||
[2628] And as Cassidore seith || A man dredeth to do
outrages / whan he woot & knoweth / ]>ai it displeseth /
to the luges and the souereyns || [2629] And another seith ||
The luge Jjat dredeth to do right1 maketh men shrewes ||
[2630] And Seint Poul thapostle seith in his epistle
whan he writeth vn-to the Eomayns / That the luges beren
iiat the spere / wz't/i-outen cause / [2631] but they beren it1
to punysshe the shrewes & mysdoers / & for to defende
the goode men [2632] IF If ye wol thanne take vengeance
of youre enemy s f ye shul retourne / or haue youre recours
to the luge ]>ai hath the lurisdiccion vp-on hem / [2633]
& he shal punysshe hem / as the lawe axeth & requereth
[2634] IF A quod Melibe / this vengeance liketli me
no thyng1 [2635] I bithenke me now & take hede /
how fortune hath norisshed me / fro 1my childhode /
& hath holpen me / to passe many a strong paasf [2636]
Isrow wol I assayen hire / trowynge with goddes helpe
]>at she shal helpe me / my shame for to venge /
[2637] IF Certes quod Prudence / if ye wol werke by my
conseil f ye shul nat assayen fortune / by no wey / [2638] ne
ye shul nat lene / or bowe vn-to hire / after the word of
Senek || [2639] for thynges J>at been folily doon / &
Jjat been in hope of fortune! shullen neuere / come to good
ende / [2640] And as the same Senek^ seith || The moore
cleer & the moore shynynge J>at fortune is / f the moore
brotil & the sonner broke she is / [2641] trusteth nat
in hire / for she nys nat stedefast ne stable / [2642] for
whan thow trowesf to be moost seur or syker of hir
HENGWBT 532 (6-T. 230) [Mcaf227]
231 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
lielpe / she wol faile thee & deceyue thee [2643]
where as ye seyn / that fortune hath norisshed yow fro youre
childhodef [2644] I seye / j?at in so muchil / shul ye
the lasse truste in hire & in hir wit1 || [2645] ^OI Senek
seith || What man )>«t is norisshed by fortune i she maketh
hym to greet a fool / [2646] IT Now thanne syn ye desire /
& axe vengeance / & the vengeance / J>at is doon after
the la we / & bifore the luge / ne liketh yow nat/ [2647]
& the vengeance / J>at is doon in hope of fortune / is pevil-
ous & vncerteynf [2648] thanne haue ye noon oother
remedie / but for to haue youre recours / vn-to the souereyn
luge / J>at vengeth / alle vileynyes & wronges / [2649]
and he shal venge yow / after that hym self witnesseth /
where as he seith || [2650] leueth the vengeance to me /
and I shal do it1
[2651] IT Melibe answerde || If I ne venge me nat1 of
the vileynye / £at men hail doon to mef [2652] I. somne /
or warne hem / J?at han doon to me that vileynye / & alle
othere / to do me another vileynye / [2653] for it is writen /
If thow take no vengeance of an old vileynye f thou som-
nest thyne Aduersaries / to do thee a newe vileynye || [2654]
And also / for my suffrance / men wolden do me so
muchil vileynye / }>at I myghte neither bere it1 ne sus-
tene / [2655] and so sholde I been put1 & holden ouer
lowe || [2656] ffor men seyn / I muchil suffrynge / shul
manye thynges falle vn-to thee / whiche yow shalt nat
mowe sulfre
[2657] IT Certes quod Prudence / I graunte yow / J>«t
ouer muchil suffrance / is nat good / [2658] but yet1 ne
folweth it nat ther of / J>at euery persone / to whom men
don vileynye / take of it vengeance / [2659] for that aper-
teneth & longeth al oonly to the luges / for they shul
venge the vileynyes & iniuries / [2660] and therfore /
tho two auctoritees / Ipat ye han seyd aboue / been oonly /
vnderstonden in the luges f [2661] lfor whan they suffren
one?* muchil / the wronges & vileynyes to be doon.
36 HENGWRT 533 (6-T. 23l) [> L>af 227, back]
232 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. Heiigwrt MS.
w/t/i-outen punysshynge f [2662] they somne nat a man al
oonly / for to do newe wronges / but they comanden it
[2663] IT Also / a wys man seith / That the luge / pat cor-
recteth nat the Synneref comandeth & biddeth hym do
synne || [2664] And the luges & souereyns / myghten in
hir land so muchil suffre of the slirewes & mysdoerys /
[2665] pat they sholden by swich suffrance by prices of
tyme / wexen of swich power & myghf pat they sholden
putte out1 the luges & the souereyns / from hir places /
[2666] & at the laste / maken hem lese hir lordshipes
[2667] IT But lat vs now putte / pat ye Imue leuo to
venge yow / [2668] I seye / ye be nat of myglit &
power/ as now to venge yow/ [2669] for if ye wol maken
comparison / vn-to the myght of youre Aduersaries f ye shul
fynde in manye thynges pat I haue shewid yow er this i
pat hir condicion / is bettre than youres / [2670] and
therfore seye I / pat it is good as now / pat ye suffre &
be pacienf
[2671] IT fforther-moore / ye knowen wel / that after the
comunQ sawe i it is a woodnesse / a man to stryue with a
strenger / or a moore myghty man / than he is hym self /
[2672] & for to stryue / with a man / of euene strengthe /
that is to seyn / with as strong a man as he is f it is peril /
[2673] and for to stryue with a wayker man / it is folye ||
[2674] and therfore / sholde a man fle stryuynge / as
muchil as he myghte || [2675] n?or Salomon seith || It is a
greet worshipe to a man / to kepen hym fro noyse &
stryf || [2676] And if it so bifalle / or happe / pat a man
of gretter myght1 & strengthe / than thow art1 do thee
greuance f [2677] Studie & bisie thee rather / to stille
the same greuance / than for to venge thee || [2678] ffor
Senek seith / That he putteth hym in greet peril / pat
stryueth with a gretter man / than he is hym self1 || [2679]
And Caton seith || If a man / of hyer estaatf or degree / or
moore myghty than thow / do thee anoy / or greuance f
suffre hym / [2680] for he pat ones hath greued thee /
HENGWUT 534 (6-T. 232)
233 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
may another tyme / releue thee & helpef [2681] IT Yet
sette I cas / ye haue bothe myght & licence for to
venge yowf [2682] I seye / J)«t ther be fill manye
thynges / jjat shul restreyne yow / of vengeance takynge /
[2683] &'make yow / for to enclyne to suffre & for
to han pacience / in the wronges / J?at han been cloon to
yow [2684] IT ffirst & foreward / If ye wol considere
the defautes/ J>at been in youre owene persons f [2685]
for whiche defautes / god hath suffred yow haue this
tribulacion / as I haue seyd yow / her biforn || [2686] ffor
the Poete seith / That we oghten paciently taken / the tribu-
lacions ]>ai comen to vs / whan J?atwe thynken & consideren /
J)«t we han disserued to haue hem || [2687] And 1 Seint
Gregorie seith / That whan a man / considereth wel / the
nombre of his defautes and of his synnes f [2688] the
peynes & the tribulacions j>at he suffreth / semen the
lesse vn-to hym / [2689] And in as muche as hym thynk-
eth / his synnes / moore heuy & greuousf [2690] in so
muche / semeth his peyne the lighter and the esier vn f to
hym [2691] IT Also / ye owen / to enclyne & bovve youre
herte / to take the pacience / of oure lord Ihesu crisf . as
seith Seint Peter / in hise Epistles || [2692] Ihmi crist he
seith / hath suffred for vs / & yeuen ensample to eue?y
man / to folwe & sewe hym / [2693] for he dide neuere
synne / ne neuere cam ther a vileynous word / out of his
mouth / [2694] Whan men cursed hym / he cursed hem
noght1 And whan men betten hym / he manaced hem
noghf [2695] IT Also / the grete pacience / which
Seintes / )?at been in Paradys / han had / in tribulacions \>ai
they han y-suffred / wzt/i-outen hir desert1 or gilt1 [2696]
oghte muchil stire yow to pacience [2697] ^T iforther
moore / ye sholde enforce yow to haue pacience / [2698]
considerynge / J>«t the tribulacions of this world / but
litel while endure / & soone passed been & goon /
[2699] And the ioye ]>«t a man seketh to haue by
pacience in tribulacions f is perdurable / after that1 the
HENGWRT 636 (6-T. 233) [i leaf 228]
234 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS,
Apostle seith / in his Epistle / [2700] The ioye of god he
seith / is perdurable / that is to seyn / euere lastynge [2701]
1T Also / troweth & bileueth stedefastly / j?«t he nys noght
wel ynorisshed ne wel ytaughfr fat kail nat haue pacience /
or wol nat receyue pacience || [2702] ffor Salomon seith ||
That the doctrine & the wit of a man / is knoweii by
pacience || [2703] And in another place he seith / That lie
fat is pacient? gouerneth hym by greet prudence || [2704]
And the same Salomon seith || The angry & wrathful
man / maketh noyses / And the pacient man / attempreth
hem & stilleth || [2705] he seith also || It is moorc
worth to be pacient1 than for to be right strong1 [2706] And
he fat may haue the lordshipe of his owene licrtef is
moore to preyse / than he fat by his force / or strengthe /
taketh grete Citees || [2707] And ther-fore / seith Seint
lame in his Epistle / That pacience / is a greet vertu of
perfeccioii
[2708] H Certes quod Melibe / I graimte yow / Dame
Prudence / f «t Pacience / is a greet vertu of perfeccion /
[2709] but euery man / may nat haue the perfeccion / fat ye
seken / [2710] ne I nam nat of the nombre / of right par
tite men / [2711] for myn herte / may neuere be in
pees / vn-to the tyme / it be vengid || [2712] And al be it
so / fat it was greet peril to myne enemys / to do me a
vileynye / in takynge vengeance vp-on mef [2713] l yet
token they noon hede of the peril / but fulfilden / hir
wikked wyl & hir corage || [2714] And therfore me
thynketh / men oghten nat repreue me / thogh I putte me
in a litel peril / for to venge me / [2715] & thogh I do
a greet excesse / that is to seyn / fat I venge / oon outrage
by another //
[2716] A. quod dame Prudence / ye seyn youre wil
& as yow liketh || [2717] But in no caas of the world / a
man sholde nat do outrage ne excesse / for to vengen
hym || [2718] ffor Cassidore seith || That as yuele / dooth
he fat vengeth hym by outrage / as he / f at dooth the
HENGWHT 536 (6-T. 234) [* leaf 228, back]
235 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS*
outrage || [2719] And ther-fore / ye shul venge yow / after
the ordre of right || that is to seyn / by the lawe / and nat
by excesse / ne by outrage || [2720] And also / if ye wol
venge yow / of the outrage of youre Aduersaries in oother
manere than right1 comandethf ye synnen || [2721] And
therfore seith Senek|| That a man shal neuere venge /
shrewednesse / by shrewednesse / [2722] And if ye seye /
J>at right axeth a man / to defende violence by violence /
and fightynge by fightynge f [2723] Certes / ye seye sooth /
whan the defense / is doon anon / wM-outen interualle / or
•m't/i-outen taryynge / or delay / [2 724] for to defenden hym /
& nat for to vengen hym [| [2725] And it bihoueth /
J>at a man putte swich attemperance in his defense /
[2726] Ipat men / haue no cause / ne matere / to repreuen
hym Jxtt defendeth hym / of excesse & outrage || \_Car
autrement ce seroit contre droit et contre liaison. (Reg. 19
C 7)] [2727] Pardee ye knowe wel / J>at ye maken no
defense as now / for to defende yow / but for to venge
yow / [2728] and so seweth it1 J>at ye han no wyl / to
do youre dede attemprely / [2729] and therfore / me
thynketh / that pacience is good || ffor Salomon seith || That
he / J?«t is nat pacienfr shal haue greet harm /
[2730] IF Certes quod Melibe / .1. graunte yow / Jjat
whan a man / is inpacient1 & wrooth / of that1 pat toucheth
hym nat1 and Jjat aperteneth nat vn-to hym / thogh it
harme hym / it is no wonder |j [2731] ffor the lawe seith /
That he is coupable/jwt entremetteth hym/ or medleth/w^t/i
swich thyng1 as apertenet nat vn-to hym [2732] IT And
Salamon seith That he Ipat entremeteth of the
noyse / or stryf / of another man i is lyk to hym / J?at taketh
an hound by the erys / [2733] for right as he /that taketh
a straunge hound by the erys / is outher while / biten with
the hound f [2734] right in the same wise is it reson / ]>at
he haue harm fat by hys inpacience medleth hym / of
the noyse / of another man /where / as it aperteneth nat vn-to
hym || [2735] But ye knowe wel ]>at this dede / that
HENGWKT 637 (6-T. 235)
236 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
is to seyn / my grief and my desese 1 toucheth me right
ny / [2736] And therfore / thogh I be wrooth / and in-
pacient1 it is no meruaille / [2737] and sauynge youre
grace / I kan nat se / J?at it myghte greetly harme me /
thogh I tooke vengeance / [2738] for I am richere &
moore myghty / than myne enemys "been / [2739] and wel
knowen ye / fyat by moneye & by hauynge grete posses
sions / been alle the thynges of this world gouerned || [2740]
And Salomon seith || That alle thynges obeyen to
moneye
[2741] IT Whanne Prudence / hadde herd hir housbonde
auanten hym / of his richesse & of his moneye f dispreis-
ynge / the power of his Aduersaries f she spat & seyde in
this wise || [2742] Certes deere sire / I graunte yow / \a\>
ye been / riche & myghty / [2743] & fat the richesses
been goode / to hem / fat han wel ygeten hem / & f«t
wel konne vsen hem || [2744] ifor right as the body of a
man / may nat lyue wit7*-oute the soule '. namoore may it
]yue / with-oute the temporel goodes / [2745] and by rich-
esses / may a man gete hym grete [frendes] || [2746] IT And
therfore / seith Pamphilles || If Anetherdes doghter / he
seith / be riche ' she may chese / of a thousand men /which
she wol take to hir housbonde || [2747] for
of a thousand men f 0011 wol nat forsaken hire / ne refusen
hire || [2748] And this Pamphilles seith also || If thow be
right happy / that is to seyn / If thow be right riche '. thow
shalt fynde / a greet nombre of felawes & freendes / [2749]
and if thy fortune chaunge / that thow wexe poore i far-
wel freendshipe & felaweshipe / [2750] for thow shalt been /
al allone / with-outen any compaignye / but if it be / the
compaignye of poore folk1 [2751] 1T And yet1 seith this
Pamphilles moore ouer || That1 they fat been / thralle &
bonde of lynage / shuln be maad / worthy and noble by
the richesses / [2752] and right so as by richesses / ther
comen inanye goodes f right so by pouerte / come ther
manye harnies & yueles || [2753] for greet pouerte / con-
HENGWRT 538 (6-T. 236) [Meaf229]
237 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
streyneth a man / to do manye yueles || [2754] And ther-
fore clepeth Cassidore / poueHe / the moder of Kuyne /
[2755] that is to seyn / the moder of oue?'throwynge / or
fallynge down [2756] 1F And therfore / seip Piers Alfonce ||
Oon of the gretteste Aduersitees of this world / is / [2757]
whan a free man by kynde / or of burthe / is constreyned
by pouerte / to eten / the almesse of his enemy || [2758] And
the same seith Innocent1 in oon of his bookes || he seith /
That1 sorweful & myshappy / is the condicioii of a poore
beggere / [2759] for if he axe nat his metef he dyeth for
hungir / [2760] 1And if he axe / he dyeth for shame /
and algates necessitee constreynep hym to axe || [2761]
And therfore seith Salomon || That bettre is to dye / than
for to haue swich pouerte || [2762] And as the same Salo
mon seith / Bettre it is / to dye of bitter deeth / than for to
lyuen in swich wise [2763] IT By thise resons / pat I
haue seyd vn-to yow / and by manye othere resons / pat I
koude seye / [2764] I graunte yow / pat richesses been
goode / to hem pat geten hem wel / and to hem / pat wel
vsen tho richesses || [2765] And ther-fore wol I shewe
yow / how ye shul haue yow / and how ye shul bere yow
in gaderynge of richesses / and in what manere ye shul
vsen hem
[2766] 11 ffirst1 ye shul geten hem / w/t/^-outen greet
desir by good leiser sekyngly and nat ouer hastily i
[2767] ffor a man pat is to desirynge to geten richesses /
abandoneth hym first to thefte / & to alle othere yueles ||
[2768] And therfore seith Salomon || he pat hasteth
hym to bisily to wexe riche/ shal be noon Innocent1 1| [2769]
He seith also / that the richesse / J)at hastily cometh to
a man f soone & lightly gooth and passeth from a man ||
[2770] But that richesse pat cometh litel & litel /
wexeth alwey & multiplieth || [2771] And sire /ye shullen
gete richesses by youre wit1 & by youre trauaille vn-to
youre profit1 / [2772] and that with-outen wrong1 or harm
doynge / to any oother pe?*sone || [2773] fifor the lawe
HENGWRT 539 (6-T. 237) [Ueaf 229, back]
238 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
seith || that ther maketli no man hym self richef if he do
harm / to another wight1 || [2774] this is to seyn / that
nature defendeth & forbedeth by right1 J?«t no man
make hym self riche / vn-to the harm of another persone
[2775] 11 And Tullius seith / that no sorwe / ne no drede
of deeth / ne no thyngH J?at may falle vn-to a man / [2776]
is so mucliel ageyns nature / as a man / to encresse bis
owerie protiti to the harm of another man i [2777] And thogh
the grete men and the myglity men geten ricliesses . moore
lightly than thow i [2778] yet shaltow nat be ydel ne
slow / to do thy profit1 for thow shalt in alle wise / fle ydel-
nesse || [2779] ifor Salomon seith || that ydelnesse techeth
a man to do manye yueles || [2780] And the same Salomon
seith / that he J?«t trauaileth & bisiej? hym / to tilien
his londf shal ete breed / [2781] but [he] ]>ai is ydel and
casteth hym to no bisynesse lie ocupacioii / shal falle in-to
pouerte and dye for hunger / [2782] And he J>«t is
ydel & slow f kan neuere fynde couenable tyme / for to
do his profit || [2783] ffor ther is a versifiour seith || that
the ydel man excuseth hym in wynter / by cause of the
grete coold / and in somer / by encheson of the hete ||
[2784] ifor thise causes seith Caton || waketh / and enclineth
yow nat ouer mychel / for to slepe || for ouer mychel ] reste /
norissheth and causeth manye vices || [2785] And therfore /
seith Seint lerome H Dooth somme goode dedes / ]>ai the
deuel / which is oure enemy / ne fynde yow nat vnocupied /
[2786] for the deuel / ne take]? nat lightly / vn-to his werk-
ynge / swiche as he fyndeth ocupied in goode werkes
[2787] IT Thanne thus / In getynge richesses / ye
mosten fle ydelnesse / [2788] and afterward ye shul vse
the richesses whiche ye haue geten / by youre wit and by
youre trauaille / [2789] in swich a manere / J?at men
holde yow nat1 to scars / ne to sparynge / ne to fool large /
that is to seyn / ouer large a Spendere || [2790] ffor right1 as
men blamen an Auarous man / by cause of his scarsitee
& chyncherief [2791] in the same wise is he to blame /
HENGWRT 640 (6-T. 238) [Meaf230]
239 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
fat spendeth ouer largely / [2792] and therfore seith
Catouw || Yse he seith thy richesses / fat thow hast ygeten /
[2793] in swich a maiiere / fat men haue no matere lie
cause / to calle thee / neither wrecche ne chynche / [2794]
for it is greet shame to a man / to haue a poore herte
and a riche purs || [2795] He seith also / the goodes fat
thow hast ygeten / vse hem by mesure / that is to seyn /
spende mesurably / [2796] for they / fat folily wasten
and despenden /the goodes fat they ban f [2797] whan
they han namoore propre of hir owene 1 they shapen hem /
to take the goodes of another man || [2798] I seye thanne /
that ye shal He Auarice / [2799] vsynge youre richesses
in swich manere / fat1 men seye nat/ fat youre richesses
been ybiryed / [2800] but fat ye haue hem in youre
myght1 and in youre weldynge || [2801] fFor a wys man /
repreueth the Auaricious man & seith thus / in two
vers || [2802] Wher-to and why / biryeth a man his
goodes by his grete Auarice / and knoweth wel / fat nedes
moste he dye '. [2803] for deeth / is the ende of euery man /
as in this present lyf / [2804] And for what cause / or
encheson ioyneth he hym / or knytteth he hym / so faste
vn-to his goodes / [2805] fat alle hise wittes / mowen nat
disseueren hym / or departen hym fro hise goodes /
[2806] and knoweth wel / or oghte knowe / fat whan he
is deed / he shal no thyng bere witli hym out of this
world || [2807] And ther-fore / seith Seint Austyn || That
the Auaricious man / is likned vn-to helle / [2808] fat the
moore it swolweth / the moore desir it hath to swolwe &
deuoure / [2809] And as wel / as ye wolde eschewe to be
called an Auaricious man or chynche f [2810] as wel
sholde ye kepe yow & gouerne yow in swich a wise /
fat men calle yow nat fool large || [2811] Ther-fore seith
Tullius || The goodes he seith of thyn hous / sholde
nat been hidde ne kept so cloosf but fat they myghte
been opned by pitee & debonairetee / [2812] that is to
seynf Ho yeue hem part1 fat han greet1 nede / [2813]
IIENGWHT 611 (6-T. 239) C1 leaf 230, back]
240 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 10, MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
ne thy goodes sholden nat be so open / to be euery
mannes goodes [2814] IF Afterward / in getyng1 of youre
richesses / and in vsynge hem ' ye shul alwey / haue thre
thynges in youre herte || [2815] that is to seyn / oure lord
god / Conscience / and good name [2816] 1T ffirst ye shul
haue god in youre herte / [2817] and for no richesse / ye
shullen do no thyng1 which may in any manere displese
god / that is youre Creatour & makere j| [2818] ffor after
the word of Salomon / It is bettre to haue a litel good /
with the loue of god/f [2819] than to haue mychel good
& tresor / and lese the loue of his lord god || [2820]
And the prophete seith i That bettre it is to been a
good man / & haue a litel good / and tresor /'. [2821] than to
be holden a shrewe / & haue grete richesses || [2822]
And yet seye I farther moore / that ye sholden alwey
doon youre bisynesse / to gete yow richesses / [2823] so ])at
ye gete hem / with good conscience || [2824] And thapostle
seith / that ther nys thyng in this world / of which / we
sholden haue so greet ioye / as whan oure conscience / bereth
vs good witnesse || [2825] And the wise man seith || The
substance of a man / is ful good / whan synne is nat in
mannes conscience [2826] IT Afterward / in getynge of youre
richesses / & in vsynge of hemf [2827] yow moste haue
greet bisynesse & greet diligence / J>«t youre goode
name / be alwey kept1 & conserued || [2828] ffor Salo
mon seith || that bettre it is & moore it auaileth a man /
-to haue good name / than for to haue grete richesses /
[2829] And therfore / he seith in another place || do greet1
diligence seith Salomon in kepynge of thy freend / and of
thy goode name / [2830] for it shal lenger abyde with
thee / than any tresor / be it neuer so precious || [2831]
And certes / he sholde nat1 be called a gentil man / that
after god & good conscience / alle thynges left1 ne dooth
his diligence & bisynesse / to kepen his goode name ||
[2832] And Cassidore seith / that it is signe of a gentil
herte / whan a man/loueth & desire th/ to haue a good name||
HENGWKT 542 (6-T.
241 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
[2833] And therfore seith seint Austyn || that ther
been two thynges / J)«t arn necessarie & nedefulle /
[2834] and that1 is good conscience / & good loos || [2835]
that is to seyn / good conscience / to thyn owene persone
inward / and good loos for thy neighebore outward ||
[2836] And he / j>at trusteth hym so muchil in his goode
conscience / [2837] J>at he displeseth / and setteth at
noght1 his goode name or loos / and rekketh noght1 thogh
he kepe nat hys goode name f nys but a cruwel cherl
[2838] 1F Sire / now haue I shewed yow / how ye shul
do / in getynge richesses / & how 1ye shullen vseii hem /
[2839] And I se wel / J^t f°r the trust1 ]?at ye han in
youre richesses / ye wol moeue werre & bataille /• [2840]
I conseile yow / ]>at ye bigynne no werre / in trust of
youre richesses for they ne suffisen rioght1 werres to mayn-
tene / [2841] And therfore seith a Philosophre / That
man ]>ai desireth / and wole algates han werre f shal
neuere haue suffisance / [2842] for the richer Jjat he isf
the gretter despenses moste he make / if he wol haue wor-
shipe & victorie || [2843] And Salomon seith / That the
gretter richesses fyat a man hath / the mo despendours he
hath || [2844] And deere sire / al be it so / J>at for youre
richesses / ye mowe haue muchel folk f [2845] yet bihoueth
it nat1 ne it is nat good / to bigynne werre / where as ye
mowe / in oother manere haue pees vn-to youre worships
& profit || [2846] for the victorie of batailles J?at been
in this world / lyth naf in greet nombre / or multitude of
peple / ne in the vertu of man / [2847] but it lyth in
the wyl / & in the hand / of oure lord god almyghty /
[2848] and ther-fore ludas Machabeus / which was
goddes knyght1 [2849] whan he sholde fighte ageyn his
Aduersarie / \>ai hadde a gretter nombre & a gretter mul
titude of folk/ and stronger than was the peple /of this Macha-
bef [2850] yet he reconforted his litel compaignye / and
seyde / right in this wise || [2851] Als lightly quod he /
may oure lord god almyghty / yeue victorie to fewe folk1
IIENGWRT 543 (8-T. 24l) [> leaf 231]
242 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
as to manye folk/ [2852] for the victorie of abataile cometh
nat1 by the grete nombre of peple / [2853] but it come /
fro oure lord god of heuene || [2854] And deere sire / for
as nmchel as ther is no man certeyn / if it be worthy / f «t
god yeue hym victorie / [ne plus quil sect se U eat dines de
1 amour de dieu (MS Eeg. 19 C vii, If 142, bk)] or might* after
that Salomon seith f [2855] therfore eueryman/sholdegreetly
drede / werres to bigynne || [2856] And by cause fat in
batailles / fallen manye perils / [2857] & happeth outher
while / jjc/t as soone is the grete man slayn / as the litel
man / [2858] And as it is ywriten / in the seconde book of
kynges || The cledes of batailles / been Auenturouse & 110
thyng ce?'teyne / [2859] for as lightly / is oon hurt with a
spere / as another [2860] IT And for ther is greet peril in
werre '. therfore sholde a man / fle & eschewe werre / in
as muchel / as a man may goodly || [2861] (for Salomon
seith / he ]>at loueth peril / shal falle in peril
[2862] IT After fat dame Prudence / hadde spoken in
this manere / Melibe answerde & seyde [2863] IT I se
wel dame Prudence that by youre faire wordes & by
youre resons / fat ye han shewed me '. ]>at the werre / liketh
yow no l thyng1 [2864] but I haue nat yet herd youre con-
seil / how I shal do in this nede
[2865] IT Certes quod she / I conseile yow / f«t ye
acorde with youre Aduersaries / & fat ye / haue pees
with hem || [2866] ffor Seint1 lame seith / in hise epistles /
That by concord & pees / the smale richesses / wexen
grete / [2867] & bydebaat and discord /the grete richesses
fallen doun / [2868] And ye knowen wel / fat oon of the
gretteste & moost souereyn thyng1 fat is in this world /
is vnitee & pees / [2869] And therfore seyde oure lord
Ihe.su crist1 to hise Apostles / in this wise || [2870] Wel
happy & blessed been they / \>ai louen / & pwrchacen
pees / for they been called children of god [2871] IT A quod
Melibe now se I wel / fat ye louen nat myn honur
lie my worshipe || [2872] Ye knowen wel / fat myne
HENGWRT 544 (6-T. 212) [Meaf 231, back]
243 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
Aduersaries han bigonnen this debaat and brige by hire
outrage / [2873] & ye se wel / pat they ne requeren ne
preyen me nat of pees / ne they asken nafr to be reconsiled f
[2874] wol ye thanne / pat I go meke me &
obeye me to hem & crye hem mercy f [2875] f°r sothe /
that were nat my worships || [2876] ffor right as men seyn /
pat ouer greet homlynesse / engendreth despisyngef so
fareth if by to greet humylitee / or mekenesse /
[2877] 1F Thanne bigan dame Prudence / to maken sem-
blant of wrathe & seyde || [2878] Certes sire / sauf
youre grace / I loue youre honur & youre profit/ as I do
myn owene / & euere haue doon / [2879] ne JG I ne noon
oother / syen neuere the contrarie || [2880] And yet if I
hadde seyd / pat ye sholde han pwchaced the pees &
the reconsiliacion f I ne hadde nat muchel my stake me /
ne seyd amys || [2881] ffor the wise man seith [| The dis
sension / bigynneth by another man / & the reconsilyng1
bigynneth by thy self || [2882] And the p?*ophete seij) /
fflee shrewednesse / & do goodnesse / [2883] seke pees &
folwe if as muchel as in thee is || [2884] yet seye I nat1
pat ye shul rather pursue to youre Aduersaries for pees /
than they shuln to yow f / [2885] for .1. knowe wel / pat ye
been so hard hcrted / pat ye wol do / no thyng1 for me ||
[2886] And Salomon seith / That he pat hath oner hard an
herte / atte laste / he shal myshappe & mystyde
[2887] IF Whanne Melibe hadde herd dame Prudence /
make semblant of wrathe / he seyde in this wise || [2888]
Dame / I pray yow / pat ye be nat displesed / of thynges
pat I seye / [2889] for ye knowe wel / pat I am angry &
wrooth / & that is no wonder / [2890] and they pat
been wrothe / witen nat wel what they doon / ne what they
seyn || [2891] Therfore / the prophete seith / That
troubled eyen / han no cleer sighte / [2892] but seieth
& conseileth me / as yow liketh / for I am redy / to do /
right as ye wol desire / [2893] & if ye repreue me of my
folie ' I am the moore holden ' to loue yow / & to preise
HENGWRT 545 (6-T. 243) [> leaf 232]
244 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
yow || [2894] ffor Salomon seith || That lie fat repreueth
hym fat dooth folief [2895] he shal fynde gretter grace /
than he fat deceyueth hym by swete wordes
[2896] IF Thanne seyde dame Prudence / I make no
semblantf of wrathe ne of angir / but for youre grete profit \\
[2897] ffor Salomon seith || he is moore worth / fat re
preueth / or chideth a fool / for his folie / shewynge hym
semblant of wrathe f [2898] than he fat supporteth hym
& preiseth hym / in his mysdoynge / & laugheth at his
folie || [2899] And this same Salomon seith afterward ||
That1 by the sorweful visage of a man / that is to seyn / by
the sory & heuy contenance of a manf [2900] the fool
correctef & amendeth hym self
[2901] IF Thanne seyde Melibe /I shal nat konne an-
swere / vn-to so manye resons / as ye putten to me &
shewen / [2902] seieth shortly / youre wil & youre con-
seil / & I am al redy / to fulfille & perfourne it
[2903] 1F Thanne /dame Prudence / discouered al hir wyl
vn-to hym / & seyde || [2904] I conseile yow quod she /
abouen alle thynges / fat ye make pees bitwene god &
yow / [2905] & beth reconsiled vn-to hym & to his
grace / [2906] for as I haue seyd yow heer biforn f god
hath suffred yow / to haue this tribulacioii & disese / for
youre synnes / [2907] and if ye do / as I seye yow / god wol
sende youre Aduersaries vn-to yow / [2908] & maken hem
falle at youre feet1 redy to do youre wyl & youre com-
andementz || [2909] ffor Salomon seith / whan the con-
dicion of man / is plesantf & likynge to godt [2910] he
changeth the hertes of the mannes Aduersaries / & con-
streyneth hem / to biseken hym of pees & of grace /
[2911] and I pray yow / lat me spoken with youre Aduer-
saries /in pryuee place/ [2912] for they shal nat knowe/f at it
be of youre wyl / or youre assent1 . [2913] and thanne / whan
I knowe hir wyl & hir entente f I may conseille yow /
the moore seurly
[2914] IF Dame quod Melibe / dooth youre wyl / &
HENGWRT 546 (6-T. 244)
245 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELLBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
youre likynge / [2915] for I putte me hoolly / in youre
disposicion & ordinance
[2916] U Thanne dame Prudence / whan she say the
goode wyl of hir housbonde f she delyueride / & took auys in
hir self/ [2917] thynkynge / how she myghte brynge this
nede / vn-to a good conclusion & to a good ende ',
[2918] And whan she saugh hir tyme / she sente for thise
Aduersaries to come vn-to hire / in to a pn'uee place /
[2919] & shewed wysly vn-to hem / the grete goodes /
)>at comen of pees / [2920] & the grete harmes &
perils / \>ai been in werre / [2921] & seyde to hem / in
a goodly maneref / how J>at hem oghten haue greet re
pentance / [2922] of the Iniurie & wrong1 Ipat they
hadden doon / to Melibe hir lord / & vn-to hire / & to
hir doghter //
[2923] And whan they herden / the goodliche wordes / of
dame Prudence f [2924] they weren so supprised &
rauysshed / & hadden so 'greet ioye of hire / J>at wonder
was to telle || [2925] A lady quod they / ye han shewid
vn-to us / the blessynge of swetnesse / after the sawe of
Dauid the p?'ophete || [2926] ffor the reconsilynge / which
we ne been nat worthy to haue in no manere / [2927] but we
oghten requeren if yriih greet contricion & humylitee f
[2928] ye of youre grete goodnesse/ haue presented vn-to vs ||
[2929] Now se we wel / fat the science / & the konnynge
of Salomon / is ful trewe / [2930] for he seith / That
swete wordes / multiplien & encressen freendes / &
maken shrewes / to be debonaire & meke
[2931] Certes quod they / we putten oure dede &
al oure matere / & cause / al hoolly / in youre goode wyl /
[2932] & been redy to obeye vn-to the speche & comande-
mentt of my lord Melibe || [2933] And therfore deere
& benygne lady / we preyen yow / & biseken yow / as
mekely / as we konne & mo wen / [2934] \>at it like / vn-to
youre grete goodnesse / to ful-fille in dede / youre good
liche wordes / [2935] for we consideren & knowelichen /
HENGWET 647 (6-T. 24o) [> leaf 232, back]
246 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
fat we han ofFendid & greued / my lord Melibe / out of
mesure / [2936] so ferforth / fat we been nat of power / to
maken his amendes || [2937] & ther-fore / we oblige &
bynde vs & oure freendes / for to do al his wyl & his
comandementz || [2938] but perauenture / he hath swich
heuynesse & swich wrathe to vsward / by cause of oure
offense / [2939] fat he wole enioyne vs / swich peyne /
as we mowe nat bere / ne sustene || [2940] And ther-fore
noble lady / we biseken to youre wommanly pitee / [2941]
to taken swich auisement in this nede / fat we ne oure
freendes / be nat desherited &r destroyed / thurgh oure
folie
[2942] ^F Certes quod Prudence / it is an hard thyng1 &
right perilous / [2943] fat a man putte hym al outrely
in the arbitracioii & luggemcnt/ and in the myght &
power of hise enemys || [2944] ifor Salomon seithf leeueth
me / & yeueth credence / to that1 fat I shal seynlf I seyequod
he / ye peple / & gouernours / & gouernours of holy chirche /
[2945] to thy sone / to thy wyf / to thy freend / ne to
thy brother / [2946] ne yeue thow neuere myght1 no
maistrie of thy body / whil yow lyuest1 || [2947] Now /
sithen he defendeth / fat man sholde nat yeue to his
brother / ne to his freend / the myght of his bodyf
[2948] by a strenger reson / he defendeth & forbedcth a
man / to yeue hym self1 to his enemy / [2949] And nathe-
lees I conseille yow / fat ye mystruste nat my lord /
[2950] for I woot wel & knowe verraily / fat he is
debonaire & meke / large / curteys / [2951] & no
thyng desirous / ne coueitous / of good / ne richesse / [2952]
for ther nys no thyng in this world fat he desireth /
saue oonly / worships & honour [2953] 11" fforther moore
I knowe wel & am right seur / fat he shal no thyng
do in this nede / w/t/i-outen my conseil / [2954] and I
shal so werken in this l cause / fat by the grace of oure lord
god / ye shul be reconsiled vn-to vs
[2955] IT Thanne seyden they with o voys || Worshipful
HENGWRT 648 (6-T. 246) [» leaf 238]
247 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS,
lady / we putten vs & oure goodes al fully / in youre wyl
& disposicion / [2956] & been redy to come / what
day jjat it like vn-to youre noblesse / to lymyte vs / or assigne
vs / [295 7] for to maken /oure obligacion & boond /as strong1
as it liketh vn-to youre goodnesse / [2958] Ipai we mowe
fulfille / the wyl of yow / & of my lord Melibe
[2959] IF Whanne Dame Prudence / hadde herd the an-
sweres of thise men f she bad liem go agayn pmiely /
[2960] & she retourned / to hir lord Melibe / & toldo
hym / how she fand hise Aduersaries ful repentant1 [2961]
knowelichynge ful lowely / hir synnes & trespas / & how
they weren redy / to suffren al peyne / [2962] requerynge &
prayynge hym / of me?*cy & pitee
[2963] ^F Thanne seyde Melibe |j he is wel worthy / to
haue pardon & foryifnesse of his synne / J5«t excuseth nat
his synne / [2964] but knowelicheth & repenteth
hym / axinge Indulgence || [2965] fFor Senek seith || There
is the remission & foryifnesse / where as the confession is /
[2966] for confession / is neighebore to Innocence || [2967]
And he seith / in another place [a blank in tlie MS. . .]
that hath shame of his synne & knowelicheth it ||
And ther-fore / I assente & conferme me to haue pees f
[2968] but it is good / Jpat we do it nat w/t/i-outen thassent*
& wil of oure freendes
[2969] IT Thanne was Prudence / right glad & ioyeful /
& seyde || [2970] Certes sire quod she / ye han wel &
goodly answerd / [2971] for right as by the conseil /
assent/ & help / of youre frendes / ye han ben stired /
to venge yow / & make werref [2972] right so / with-
outen hire conseil / shul ye nat acorde yow / ne haue
pees with youre Aduersaries || [2973] ffor the lawe seith ||
Ther nys no thyng so good / by wey of kynde / as a thyng1
to been vnbounde / by hym }>at it was ybounde ||
[2974] And thanne Dame Prudence / w^t/i-outen delay /
or taryynge / sente anon messages / for hir kyn / & for
hire olde freendes / whiche Jjat were trewe & wise / [2975]
37 HENGWRT 549 (6-T. 247)
248 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
and tolde hem by ordre / in the presence of Melibe / al
this matere / as it is aboue expressed & declared / [2976]
& preyde hem / J>at they wolde yeuen hire auys & con-
seil / what best were to do / in this nede || [2977] And
whan Melibees freendes / hadde taken hire auys & deliber-
acion of the forseyde matere / [2978] & hadden examyned
it1 by greet bisynesse & greet diligence f [2979] they yaue
fill conseil / for to haue pees & reste / [2980] & J?at
Melibe / sholde receyue -with good herte / hise Aduersaries /
to foryifnesse & mercy ||
[2981] And whanne Dame Prudence / hadde herd the
assent1 of hir alord Melibe / & the conseil of his freendes /
[2982] acorde with hire wyl and hire entencion f [2983]
she was wonderly glad in herte / & seyde || [2984]
Ther is an old prouerbe quod slie / seith || that the
goodnesse Jj«t thow maist do this day / do it1 [2985] &
abide nat1 ne delaye it nat1 til tomorwe / [2986] And
therfore I conseille / ]>ai ye sende youre messages / swiche
as been discrete & wise [2987] vn-to youre Aduersaries /
tellynge liQin on youre bihalue / [2988] Jjat if they wol
trete of pees & of acord / [2989] J?at they shape hem /
•wit/i-outen delay or taryynge / to come vn-to vs / [2990]
which thyng1 parfowned was in dede / [2991] and
whanne thise trespassours & repentynge folkH of hir
folies / that is to seyn / the Aduersaries of Melibe / [2992]
hadden herd / what thise messagers seyden vn-to hem f
[2993] they weren right glad & ioyeful / & answereden
ful mekely & benygnely / [2994] yeldynge graces &
thankynges / to hire lord Melibe & to al his compaignye /
[2995] & shopen hem wit/z-oute delay to go with the
messagers / & obeye to the comandemenf of hire lord
Melibe /
[2996] And right anon they tookeii hire wey / to the
court of Melibe / [2997] & tooke with hem so?rane
of hir trewe freendes / to make feith for hem / & for to
been hire borwes || [2998] And whan they were come / to
IIENGWRT 560 (6-T. 248) ['leaf 233, back]
249 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10, MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
the p?*esence of Melibe '. lie seyde hem thise wordes
[2999] IT It standeth thus quod Melibe & sooth it1 is /
Jjat ye [3000] causelees & w/t/^-outen sidle & resoii /
[3001] han dooii grete Iniuries & wronges to me / &
to my wyf Prudence / & to my doghter also / [3002] for
ye han entred in-to myn hous "by violence / [3003] & haue
doon swich outrage / fat alle men knowen wel / fat ye han
deserued the deeth || [3004] And therfore wol I knowe
& wite of yow / [3005] wheither ye wol putte the
punysshynge & chastisynge / & the vengeance of
this outrage / in the wil of me / & of my wyf1
or ye wol nat
[3006] U Thanne the wiseste of hem thre / answerde for
hem alle / & seyde || [3007] Sire quod he / we knowen
wel / fat we been vnworthy / to comen vn-to the court1
of so greet a lord & so worthy / as ye been / [3008] for
we han so gretly mystaken vs / & han offendid & gilt1
in swich a wise / ageyn youre hey lordshipe / [3009] fat
trewely / we han deserued the deeth / [3010] but yet1 for
the grete goodnesse & debonairetee / fat al the world /
witnesseth of youre persone /f [3011] we submitten vs / to
the excellence & benygnytee of youre gracious lordshipe /
[3012] & ben redy tobeye / to alle youre comandementz /
[3013] bisekynge yow / fat of youre merciable pitee / ye
wol considere oure grete repentance & lowe submission /
[3014] & graunten vs foryeuenesse / of oure outrageous
trespas & offense / [3015] for wel we knowen / fat youre
liberal grace & mercy / strecchen ferther/ in-to good
nesse / than l doon oure outrageouse giltes & trespas in-to
wikkednesse / [3016] al be it1 fat cursedly & damp-
nablely / we han agilt1 ageyn youre hey lordshipe
[3017] IF Thanne Melibe / took hem vp fro the ground
ful benygnely / [3018] & receyued hir obligacions & hir
bondes by hir othes / vp-on hir plegges & borwes / [3019]
& assigned hem a certeyn day / to retourne vn-to his
court1 [3020] for to accepte & receyue / the sentence &
HENGWET 651 (6-T. 249) [i leaf 234]
250 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS,
lugemenfr fat Melibe wolde comande / to be doon on hem /
by the causes aforeseyd || [3021] whiche thynges ordeyned f
euery man retowrned to his hous ||
[3022] And whanne fat dame Prudence saugh hir
tyme / she f[r]eyned / & axed hir lord Melibe / [3023] what
vengeance he thoghte to taken of hise Aduersaries i
[3024] 51 To which / Melibe answerde & seyde || Cortes
quod he .1. thynke & purpose me fully / [3025] to dis-
herite hem / of al fat euere they han / and for to putto
hem in exil / for cue-re
[3026] IFCertes quod Dame Prudence/ this were a cruel
sentence / & muchel ageyn reson / [3027] for ye been richo
ynow & han no nede of oother mennes good / [3028]
& ye myghten lightly in this wise / geten yow a coueitous
name / [3029] which is a vicious thyng1 & oglite been
eschewid of euery man / [3030] for after the sawe of the
word of thapostle || Coueitise / is roote of alle harmes /
[3031] And therfore / it were bettre for yow / to lese so
mychel good of youre owene / than for to take of hire good / in
this manere / [3032] for bettre it is / to lese good with wor-
shipe / than it is / to wynne good with vileynye & shame /
[3033] And euery man / oghte do his diligence & his bisy-
nesse / to geten hym a good name/ [3034] and yet1 shal he nat
oonly bisien hym in kepynge his goode name! [3035] but
he shal also / enforcen hym alwey / to do som tliyng1 by
which he may renouelle his goode name || [3036] ffor it is
writen / That the olde goode loos / or good name of a man /
is soone goon & passed / whanne it is nat newed / ne re-
noueled || [3037] & as touchynge fat ye seyn / ye
wol exile youre Aduersaries f [3038] that thynketh me /
muchel agayn reson / & out of mesure / [3039] con
sidered the power / fat they han yeuen yow vp-on hem self ||
[3040] And it is writen / that he is worthy to lesen his
pnuilege / fat mysvseth / the myghft] & the power fat
is yeuen him / [3041] And I sette cas / ye myghte enioyne
hem that peyne / by right & by lawe / [3042] which I
HENGWHT 652 (6-T. 250)
251 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B. § 10. MELIBETJS. Hengwrt MS.
trowe ye mowc nat do / [3043] I seye / ye myglite nat
putte it to execucion per auenture / [3044] & tlianne
were it likly / to retorne to the werre / as it was biforn /
[3045] And ther-fore / if ye wole / fat men do yow obeis
ance f yow 1moste deme moore cnrteisly / [3046] this is to
seyn / ye moste yeue / moore esy sentences & Ingementz ||
[3047] ffor it is writen / that he / fat moost curteisly
co?7miandeth / to hym / men moste obey en / [3048] & ther-
fore .1. pray yow / fat in this necessitee / & in this nede /
ye caste yow to ouercome youre herte || [3049] ffor Senek
seith || that he fat ouercomef his herte f ouercome})
twies || [3050] And lullius seith || ther is no thyng so
commendable in a greet lord / [3051] as whan he is debon-
aire & meke / & apeiseth hym lightly || [3052] And I pray
yow / fat ye wol forbere now to do vengeance [3053] in
swich a manere / fat youre good name / may be kept &
consented / [3054] & fat men mowe / haue cause &
matere / to preise yow / of pitee & of mercy / [3055] &
fat ye haue no cause / to repente yow of thyng1 fat ye doon||
[3056] ffor Senek seith || He ouercometh / in an yuel
manere fat repenteth hym / of his victorie || [3057] "Wher-
fore / I prey yow / lat mercy be in youre
herte / [3058] to theffect & entente / fat god
almyghty haue merci on yow in his laste lugement || [3059]
ffor Seint lame seith / in his epistle || lugement vrith-
oute mercy / shal be doon to hym / fat hath no mercy / of
another wight1
[3060] H Whanne Melibe hadde herd / the grete skiles
& resons of dame Prudence / & hir wise Informacioiis
& techynges / [3061] his herte gan enclyne to the wyl of
his wyf/ considerynge hir trewe entente / [3062] con
formed hym anon & assented fully / to werken after hir
conseil / [3063] & thonked god / of whom procedeth al
ve?-tu / & al goodnesse / fat hym sente a wyf1 of so greet
discrec^fon || [3064] And whanne the day cam / fat hise Ad-
uersaries / sholde appieren / in his presence f [3065] he spak
HEKGWRT 553 (6-T. 25l) [Meaf 284, back]
252 SIX-TEXT
GROUP B, § 10. MELIBEUS. Hengwrt MS.
to hem fill goodly / & seyde in this wise || [3066] Al be
it so / fat of youre pride & by presumpcion & folie /
& of youre necligence & vnkonnynge / [3067] ye haue
mysborn yow / & trespased vn-to me f [3068] yet for as
muchel / as I se & biholde youre grete humylitee /
[3069] & fat ye been sory & repentant1 of youre giltes i
[3070] it constreyneth me / to do yow grace & mercy /
[3071] Wherfore I receyue yow to my grace / [3072] &
foryeue yow outrely alle the offenses / Iniuries & wronges /
fat ye haue doon / ageyns me & myiie / [3073] to this
effect1 & to this ende / fat god/ of his endelees me?-cy /
[3074] wole atte tyme of cure dyynge / foryeuen vs oure
giltes fat we han trespassed to hym / in this wrecched
world / [3075] for doutelees / if we be sory & repentant1
of the synnes & giltes / whiche we han trespased / in the
sighte of oure lord god i [3076] he is so free & so merci-
able [3077] fat he wole foryeuen vs oure giltes / [3078]
& bryngen vs to the blisse / that neuere hath ende .
<[ Here is endid / Chaucers tale / of Melibe <ft
HENGWRT 554 (6-T. 252)
GEOUP I. FEAGMENT X.
§ 1. THE BLANK-PARSON LINK.
[This is 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's copiers, though not meant for it.']
HENGWET MS,
T The Prologe / of the Persons tale / fa [leaf 2353
C1— i over an erasure"}
BY that the ! Manciple l hadde his tale al ended
The Sonne / fro the South lyne is descended
So lowe / that he nas nat to my sighte
Degrees .29. as of highte 4
Ten of the Clokke / it was / so as I gesse
ffor .xj. foot1 and litel moore / or lesse
My shadwe was / at thilke tyme as there
Of swich feet/ as my lengthe parted weere 8
In .6. feet equal / of proporcion
Ther with / the Mones exaltacioii
I mene Libra / alwey gan ascende
As we were entryng* at a Thropes ende 12
ffor which oure hoost1 as he was wont to gye
As in this cas / oure loly compaignye
Seyde in this wise / lordynges euerichon
Now lakkcth vs / no tales / mo than oon 16
ffulfild is my Sentence / and my decree
I trowe / ]>ai we han herd of ech degree
Almoost1 fulfild is al myn ordinaunce
I pray to god / so yeue hym right good chaunce \ 20
That telleth this tale / to vs lustily
Sire preest quod he / artow a Vicary
Or arte a person / sey sooth by thy fey
Be what thow be / ne breke thow nat oure pley 24
HENGWRT 555 (6-T. 589)
590 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK. HengWlt MS.
flor euery man sane thow / hath toold his tale 25
Vnbokele / and shewe vs / what is in thy Male
ffor trewely / me thynketh by thy cheere
Thow sholdest/ knette vp wel a greet matere 28
Telle vs a fable anon / for Cokkes bones
1F This person / answerde al atones
Thow getest fable noon / ytoold for me
ffor Poul / that writeth vn to Thymothe 32
Eepreueth hem / jjat weyuen Soothfastnesse
And tellen fables / and swich wrecchednesse
"Why sholde I sowen draf/ out of my fest1
Whan I may sowen whete / if ]>at me lest1 36
ffor which I seye / J?«t if yow list to heere [leaf 235, kick]
Moralitee / and vertnous matere
And thanne / j)at ye wol yeue me Audience
I wole ful fayn / at Cristes reuerence 40
Do yow plesance / leueful / as I kan
But trusteth wcl / I am a Southren man
I kan nat geste / rom / ram / ruf / by lettre
Ne god woot/ rym lioldo I but litel bcttre , 44
And ther fore if yow lest/ I wol nat glose
I wol yow telle / a myrie tale in prose
To knytte vp al this feste / and make an ende
And Ihcsu for his grace / wit me sende 48
To shewe yow the wey / in this viage
Of thilke parfifr glorious pilgrymage
That highte lerusalem celestial
And if ye vouche sauf/ anon I slial 52
Bigynne vp on my tale / for which I prcye
Telle youre auys / I kan no bettre seye
But nathelees / this meditaciofi
I putte it ay / vnder correcciofi 56
Of clerkes / for I am nat textuel
I take but the sentence / trusteth wel
Ther fore / I make protestacion
That I wol stonde / to correccion 60
HENGWRT 556 (6-T. 590)
591 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 1. BLANK-PARSON LINK. HcngWTt MS.
1F Vp on this word / we han assented soone 61
ftbr as it semed / it was for to doone
To enden / in som ve?'tuous sentence
And for to yeue hym / space and audience 64
And bede oure boost1 he sholde to hym seye
That alle we / to telle his tale hym preye
II Oure hoostf hadde the wordes for vs alle
Sire preest quod he / now faire yow bifallu 68
Sey what yow list1 and we wol gladly heere
And with that word / he seyde in this manere
Telleth quod he / youre meditacion
But hastcth yow / the sonne wole adoun 72
Beth fructuous / and that in litel space
And to do wel / god sende yow his grace 74
^[ Explicit1 prohemium fa
38 HENGWRT 557 (6-T. 69l)
592 SIX-TEXT
CONTENTS OF 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 v^rray 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) 'whemies that syunes spryngen' (p. 612 — 15).
b. 'how they encreesseu' (p. 615-16; 672-74).
c. 'whiche they been' (p. 616—672).
l.o. Sin sprang from the fall of Adam (p. 612) . The legend of
Adam and Eve told (p. 613). From Adam we took Original
Sin, and were born sons of eternal damnation ; but Baptism
rescues us ; though we keep liability to temptation, or Con
cupiscence (p. 613-14).
Concupiscence, or the nourishing and occasion of sin. St Paul
and St Jerome's temptations (p. 614-15).
1.6. How Sin 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, /8. 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).
P. 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. /3. 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 hi harm done),
8. Insolence, 9. Elation, 10. Impatience, 11. Contumacy, 12,
(Foil HENGWRT 568 a)
592 SIX-TEXT
CONTEXTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PART II.
Presumption, 13. Irreverence, 14. Pertinacity, 15. Vain-glory,
!(>'. 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. The
'outrageous array of Women' (p. 623).
j3. 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).
S. 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 :
4 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 brittlenass of popular praise6 (p. 626).
The Remedy against Pride.
Humility or Meekness, and its 3 kinds: in 1. heart, 2. mouth,
3. works. 4 kinds of each of these (p. 626-27).
ii. ENVY (p. 627-30) : denned by the Philosopher and St Augustine.
It springs from Malice (p. 627).
Malice; 2 kinds of : 1. hardness of heart, or recklessness; 2. op
posing truth (p. 627).
The 2 kinds of Envy (p. 628) : 1. sorrow at other men's prosper
ity ; 2. joy at other men's harm : whence comes
Backbiting ; 5 kinds (p. 628) : 1. praise with a but at the end; 2.
turning well-meant things upside down to ill ones ; 3. lessening
a neighbour's goodness ; 4. putting one man above another ; 5.
glad listening to scandal (p. 628).
Grudging or murmuring (p. 628) : 1. against God (p. 629) ; 2.
Murmuring from avarice, 3. from pride, 4. from envy ; 5. among
Servants, who say 'the Devil's Paternoster'; 6. Murmuring
from ire or hate : thence, a. Bitterness of Heart, b. Discord,
c. Scorning; d. Accusing (p. 629) ; e. Malignity (p. 630).
The Remedy against Envy (p. 630-31).
Love of God and one's neighbour. How a man shall love his
neighbour. How an enemy is included in the name 'neigh
bour' (p. 630). 3 Remedies of Love, against 3 deeds of Hate
(p. 631). Love is the medicine that casts out the venom of
Envy from man's heart (p. 631).
iii. IRE or ANGER (p. 631-42), and its 2 kinds : a. good Ire or Wrath
(p. 632) ; b. wicked Ire, and its 2 kinds : sudden ire, and ire
of malice aforethought (p. 632-33).
Three Shrews that forge in the Devil's furnace: Pride, Envy,
and Contumely (p. 633).
1 Melibe-Monk Link, B. § 11 ; and General Prologue, A.
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
the monks and friars, &c., in the Prologue and middle Tales. If this is not change of
man, it's change of mood.
* Chaucer must have seen plenty of these when he was page, valet, and squire.
SIX-TEXT 592
CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PART IL
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 CD chanters 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).
i). Giving wicked Counsel
(p. 641).
10. Sowing and making Dis
cord (p. 642).
11. Double tongue (p. 642).
12. Betraying of Counsel (p.
642).
13. Menace.
14. Idle words.
1 5. Jangling (chattering) (p. 642) .
16. Japing (joking) (p. 642-43).
The Remedy against Anger (p. 643-5). Debonairtee and Patience
(p. 643). Four kinds of grievances, and their remedies: 1.
wicked words, 2. loss of goods, 3. harm of body, 4. outrageous
labour (p. 644).
Incentives to Patience. Story of the Philosopher and Child
(p. 644-45). Obedience comes from Patience (p. 645).
iv. ACCIDIE, or SLOTH (Discontent, Ennui) (p. 645-49), is an enemy
to the 3 states of man,— 1. innocence (p. 645), 2. prayer (p. 646),
3. grace;— and to one's livelihood. Its 12 bad consequences (p.
646) : 1. Sloth (and its remedy) ; 2. Dread to begin good works
(p. 646) ; 3. Wanhope, or Despair (and its Remedy) (p. 647) ; 4.
Somnolence (p. 648), and 5. Negligence, or 6. Recklessness, and
the Remedy for each ; 7. Idleness ; 8. Tarditas, or tarrying
before turning to God (p. 649); 9. Lachesse, or giving up a
good work begun ; 10. Coldness; 11. Undevotion; 12. Worldly
sorrow (p. 649).
The Remedy against Accidie (p. 650-51) : Fortitude or Strength,
and its 5 kinds. 1. Magnanimity2 or great Courage ; 2. Faith
or Hope; 3. Assurance; 4. Magnificence; 5. Constancy (p.
651).
1 Does Chaucer here refer to his former wife?
2 Miswritteii 'Magnificence' in Ellesmere and Lansdowue MSS..
(FOR HENGWRT 559)
SIX-TEXT 592
CONTENTS OF PARSON'S TALE. PART II.
v. AVARICE (p. 651-57). The difference between Avarice and Covet-
ousness (p. 651) ; and between an Idolater and an avaricious
man (p. 652). Of Covetousness, and lords' extortion from their
bondmen : "humble folk been Cristes freendes" (p. 652-53). The
Duty of lords to their thralls or churls. Of those that pillage
Holy Church (p. 653-54) ; lords who plunder the poor are like
wolves (p. 654). Of Deceit between Merchant and Merchant
(p. 654). Of honest bodily Merchandise (the surplus of one
country may be sent to help another) (p. 654). Of spiritual
Merchandise, or Simony, and its 2 kinds (p. 655), — thieves that
steal Christ's souls get livings (p. 655-56) ; — Hasardry or Games
of Chance (p. 656). Other outcomes of Avarice (p. 656) : 1. Lying,
2. Theft (bodily and spiritual) (p. 656-57), 3. False Witness,
4. False Oaths (p. 657).
The Remedy against Avarice (p. 657) : Mercy and Pity, and reason
able Liberality (p. 658). Of foolish largess (p. 658).
vi. GLUTTONY (p. 658-59), and its 5 kinds (p. 659) : 1. Drunkenness,
or the burial of man's reason ; 2. a troubled spirit ; 3. bad way
of eating ; 4. distemperd bodily humours ; 5. forgetfulness. Or,
as St Gregory says, 1. eating too soon ; 2. eating too delicate
food ; 3. taking too much ; 4. troubling too much about cooking
food ; 5. eating greedily : these are the 5 fingers of the devil's
hand (p. 659).
The Remedy against Gluttony (p. 660) : Abstinence, and its fellows.
Temperance, Shame, Content with plain food, Moderation, So
berness, Sparing (p. 660).
vii. 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 :
«. breaking of faith ; b. theft (of the wife's body from her hus
band (Joseph and Potiphar's wife), and of her soul from Christ) ;
c. breaking God's commandment, and defouling Christ (p. 664).
Of Harlots and Bawds (p. 665). Adultery is set between Theft
and Manslaughter. More kinds of Adultery : 1. by Men bound
by Religious Vows, &c. ; 2. those in Holy Orders (p. 665).
Lecherous Priests are like a free Bull in a town, and they eat
raw flesh of folk's wives and daughters (p. 666) ; 3. by man and
wife copulating for pleasure only (p. 667) ; 4. copulation with
kinsfolk, spiritual (or godchildren) or fleshly (blood relations).
5. the abominable unmentionable sin ; 6. Pollution, of 3 kinds :
1. too rank humours: 2. weakness (p. 667); 3. evil thoughts
(p. 668).
The Remedy for Lechery (p. 668) : I. Chastity and Continence.
1. in Marriage. (The true effect of Marriage. One husband to
have one wife (p. 668). How a man should behave to his wife
(p. 669). How the wife should be subject to her husband (p.
669), and be moderate in behaviour, discreet in words, &c. (p.
669-70). The 3 causes for which man and wife may copulate
(p. 670) : a. begetting of children ; b. to pay the mutual debt of
their bodies; c. to avoid lechery (p. 670). The 4th cause,
pleasure, is deadly sin (p. 670-71).)
2. In Widowhood; 3. Virginity (p. 671).
II. Special avoidance of causes of lechery : a. eating and drink
ing ; long sleeping ; b. the person who'd tempt you (p. 671-72).
(I wish I could tell you the Ten Commandments ; but it's
too high doctrine (p. 672).) [End of Confession, § 1, c.]
Sin is in heart, mouth, deed, by the 5 Wits (p. 672).
(FOR IIENGWRT 559 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 hi 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 : f. that it be
well thought over ; a. the greatness and number of sins must
be understood ; h, the sinner must be contrite, and i. avoid
occasions of sins.
3. Shrift must be made to one man, not more (p. 676).
True Shrift, and its 10 Conditions (p. 677) : 1. that it be of free
will ; 2. that it be lawful (both sinner and priest, Popish) ; 3.
that it be not despairing of Christ's mercy; 4. that a man
accuse himself only, and not another; 5. that it be not lying
(accusing oneself of 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
priest ; 9. that the shrift be not made for vain-glory, but for
fear of Christ; 10. that the shrift be not made suddenly, for a
joke (p. 678). You may be shriven more than once for the same
sin ; and should be houseld once a year (p. 679).
PART III (no. v. continued, and no. vi.).
SATISFACTION (THE 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 Christ s mercy (p. 683). 4. Wanhope, or Despair
of Mercy ; its 3 kinds : x. from great and long continued sin ;
y. from falls-back into sin ; z. from not being able to persevere
in goodness (p. 683).
The fruit of Penance (p. 683-4).
EPILOGUE.
The Author's Leave-taking, and Lament over, and Withdrawal of,
his Sinful Books, &c. (p. 684-85).
(FOR IIENGWRT 559 Z>)
593 SIX-TEXT
560 GEOUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
[Hengwrt MS, leaf 236.]
\There are no paragraph-breaks in the MS, "but Tyrwhittfs ar#
kept in the print for convenience sake. The sidenotes are all
in a later hand.~\
IT Here bigynneth / the Persons tale fa
leremie. 6°. || State super vias / & videte & interrogate
de semitis antiquis / que sit via bona / & ambulate in ea /
& inuenietis refrigeriu?^ ammab&s vestris, &&
[75]
Ovre swete lord / god of heuene / that no man wole
perisse / but wole pat we comen alle to the
knoweliche of hym / and to the blisful lyf /
fat is perdurable / [76] amonesteth vs / by the
prophete leromie / that seith in this wise
[77] Stondeth vp on the weyes / and seeth / and axeth
of olde pathes / that is to seyn / of olde sentences /
which is the goode wey / [78] and walketh in that wey /
and ye shal fynde refresshynge for youre soules &&
[79] 1F Manye been / the weyes espirituels / that leden folk /
to oure lord Ihu crist1 and to the regne of glorie /
[80] of whiche weyes / ther- is a ful noble wey and a
ful couenable / which may nat faile / to man ne to
womman / fat thurgh synne hath mysgoon / fro the righte
wey of Jerusalem celestial / [81] and this wey / is clepid
Penitence / of which / men sholde gladly herknen and
enquere with al his herte / [82] to wite / what is peni
tence / and whennes / it is clepid penitence / and in how
manye maneres/been the accions/or werkynges of penitence/
[83] -and how manye spices / ther ben of penitences / and
whiche thynges / apertenen & bihouen to penitence /
whiche thynges / destourben penitence.
HENGWRT 660 (6-T. 693)
594 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 561
[84] IF Seint Ambrose seith || that penitence / is the
pleynynge of man / for the gilt1 fat he hath doon / and na-
moore to doon any thyng1 for which hym oghte to pleyne
[85] IF And som doctour seith || Penitence / is f e wayment-
ynge of man / fat sorweth for his synne / and pyneth
hym self / for he hath mysdoon j| [86] Penitence / vrith
certeyne circumstances / is verray repentance of a man / fat
halt hym self in sorwe / & oother peyne for hise giltes /
[87] and for he shal be verray penitent* he shal first
biwailen / the synnes / fat he hath doon / and stedefastly
pwrposen in his herte / to haue shrift1 of mouthe / and to
doon satisfaecion / [88] and neuere to doon thyng1 for which
hym oghte moore to biwaile / or to compleyne / and to con
tinue in goode werkes / or ellis / his repentance may nat
auayle [89] 1ffor as seith Seint Isydre || He is a lapere / and
a gabbere / and no verray repentant1 fat eft soone dooth
thyng1 for which hym oghte repente || [90] "Wepynge /
and nat for to stynte to do synne / may nat auaile || [91] But
nathelees men shal hope / fat at euery tyme ]?at man
falleth / be it neuer so ofte / fat he may arise f urgh peni
tence / if he haue grace / but certeynly / it is greet dowte /
[92] for as seith Seint Gregorie || Ynnethe ariseth he out
of his synne / that is charged / with the charge of yuel vsage /
[93] and ther fore / repentant folk/ fat stynte for to
synne / & forlete synne / er fat synne forlete hem / holy
chirche / halt hem siker of hire sauacion / [94] and
he fat synneth / & verraily repenteth hym in his laste /
holy chirche / yet hopeth his sauacion) by the grete
mercy of oure lord Ihu crist1 for his repentance / but
tene certum
taak the siker wey /
[95] And now / sith fat I haue declared yow / what
thyng is penitence / now shul ye vnderstonde / fat ther
been .iii. acciouns of penitence / [96] II The firste PU-
penitence :
is / fat if a man be baptised / after fat he hath
synned || [97] Seint Augustyn seith / but he be penitent /
for his olde synful lyf / he may nat bigynne / the newe
HENGWRT 561 (6-T. 594) p leaf 236, back]
595 SIX-TEXT
562 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
clene lyf / [98] for certes / if he be baptised with oute
penitence of his olde giltf / he receyueth the markH of
baptesme / but nat the grace / ne the remission of hise
synnes / til he haue repentance verray [99] H Another
defaute is this / that men doon deedly synne / after fat
they han receyued baptesme / [100] H The thridde defaute
is || that men fallen in venyal Synnes after hire baptesme /
fro day to day || [101] ther of seith seint Augustyn ||
That penitence / of goode and of humble folk1, is the
penitence of euery day.
epeciea
[iij. spieces of [IO2] ^ The speces of penance / been .iij. || that oon
of hem / is solempne || Another is commune || and the
thridde is priuee [103] U Thilke penance fat is so
lempne / is in two maneres / as to be put out of holy
chirche in lente / for slaughtre of children / and swich
manere thyng1 [104] 11 Another is / whan man
hath synned openly / of which synne / the fame is openly
spoken in the contree / and thanne holy chirche / by luge-
ment destreyneth hym / for to doon open penance || [105]
Commune penance is/that preestesenioynen men communly/
in certeyn cas / as for to goon perauenture naked in
pilgrymage / or barefoot1 [106] II Pryuee penance / is
thilke fat men doon al day for pn'uee synnes / of whiche /
we shryue vs pryuely and receyue pryuee penance
[wii at] bihoueth [IO7] ^ Now shaltow vnderstande / what bihoueth
and is necessarie to verray perfit penitence / and this
stant/ on .iij. thynges || [108] Contricion of herte || Con
fession of Mouth / and Satisfaccion || [109] for which /
seith seint lohn Crisostonms J1T Penitence destreyneth man /
to accepte benygnely euery peyne / fat hym is enioyned /
with contricion of herte / & shrift of Mowthe / with satis-
faccion / and in wirkynge of alle manere humylitee / [no]
And this is fruytful penitence agayn .iij. thynges / in whiche
we wrathe oure lord Ifru crisf || [m] this is to seyn /
by delit1 in thynkynge / by recchelesnesse in spekynge /
by wikked synful wirkynge / [112] And agayns thise /
HENGWRT 562 (6-T. 595) [Meaf237]
596 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 563
wikkede giltes is penitence / that may be likned vn to a tree /
[113] U The roote of this tree is contricion / fat hideth
hym in the herte of hym / fat is verray repentant1 right as
the roote of a tree hideth hym in the erthe || [114] Of the
roote of Contricion spryngeth a stalke fat bereth branches /
and leues of confession / and fruyt of satisfaccion || [115]
for which / crist seith in his gospel || Booth digne fruyt of
penitence / for by this fruyt1 may men knowe this
tree / and nat by the roote / that is hyd / in the herte
of man / ne by the branches / ne the leues of Confession ||
[116] And therfore / oure lord Ifcu crist1 seith thus |] by
the fruyt of hem / shul ye knowe hem || [117] Of this
roote eek1 spryngeth a seed of grace / the which Seed / is
moder of Sikernesse / and this Seed / is egre and hoot1 ||
[118] the grace of thys Seed / spryngeth of god thurgh re
membrance on the day of dome / & on the peynes of
helle j| [119] Of this matere / seith Salomon || that in the
drede of god / man forleteth his synne || [120] the hete
of thys seed / is the loue of god / & the desirynge of the
loye perdurable / [121] this hete / draweth the herte of
man to god & dooth hym hate his synne / [122] for
soothly / ther is no thyng1 fat sauoureth so wel to a child /
as the mylk of his norice / ne no thyng is to hym moore ab-
homynable / than thilke mylk/ whan it is medled w^'t7i
oother mete || [123] right so the synful man / fat loueth
his synne / hym semeth / it is to hym moost swete of
any thyng || [124] but fro fat tyme / fat he loueth sadly
oure lord Ifiu crist/ & desireth the lyf perdurable / ther
nys to hym / no thyng moore abhomynable / [125] for
soothly / the lawe of god / is the loue of god || for which /
Dauid the prophete seith IT I haue loued thy lawe & hated
wikkednesse & hate/he fat loueth god/kepethhis lawe & his
word f [126] this tree saugh the prophete daniel in spirit1
vp on the auysion of Nabugodonosor / whanne he con-
seiled hym / to do penitence! [127] Penance / is the tree
of lyf / to hem fat it receyuen / & he fat holdeth hym
HENGWBT 563 (6-T. 696)
597 SIX-TEXT
564 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
in verray penitence / is blessed / after the sentence of
Salomon
[128] H In this penitence or Contricion / man shal vn-
derstonde iiij. thynges / that is to seyn / what is Contricion /
and whiche ben the causes / Ipat moeuen a man to Con
tricion / and how he 1sholde be contrit/ and what Con
tricion auaileth to the soule || [129] thanne it is thus/.
that Contricion is the verray sorwe / J?at a man receyueth
in his herte for hise synnes / with sad purpos to shryue
hym & to do penance & neuere moore to do synne /
[130] and this sorwe / shal ben in this manere / as seith
Seint Bernard |j It shal ben heuy and greuous & ful
sharpe & poynant in herte || [131] first/ for man hath
agilt his lord & his Creatour / and moore sharp &
poynant1 for he hath agilt1 his fader celestial / [132] and
yet moore sharps & poynant/ for he hath wrathed &
agilt1 hym J?at boughte hym / fat with his p?*ecious blood /
hath delyuered vs fro the bondes of synne / & fro the
creweltee of the deuel / & fro the peynes of helle
[vj. clauses to [*33] ^ The causes / \a\> oghten moeuen a man to Con-
ineue a [ma]n to
triciofi / been .vj. / mrst/ a man shal remembren hym ot
hise synnes / [134] but looke \a\> thilke remem
brance ne be to hym no delit1 by no wey / but gret1 shame
& sorwe for his gilt || for lob seith / Synful men / doon
werkes worthy of Confession / [135] And therfore / seith
Ezechie || .1. wol remembre me alle the yeris of my lyf /
in bitternesse of myn herte || [136] And god seith in the
Apocalipes / Remembre yow / fro whennes ]>at ye ben
falle / for biforn that tyme ]pat ye synned / ye were the
children of god / and lymes of the regne of god / [137] but
for youre synne / ye ben woxe / thral & foul and
membres of the feend / hate of Aungeles / Sclaundre of holy
chirche / & foode of the false serpent1 perpetuel matere /
of the fyr of helle / [138] And yet moore foul and abhom-
ynable for ye trespasen so ofte tyme / as dooth the hound /
}a* retorneth to ete his spewyng12 [139] & yet
HENGWRT 564 (6-T. 697) [Ueaf 237, back]
598 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 565
TDC ye fouler / for youre longe contynuynge in synne and
youre synful vsage / for which / ye been roten in youre
synne as a beest in his donge / [140] Swiche manere of
thoughtes / maken a man haue shame of his synne
& no delit1 as god seyth by the prophete Ezechiel /
[141] ye shal remembre yow of youre weyes / and they
shullen displese yow soothly / Synnes been the weyes J>at
leden folk to helle
[142] H The seconde cause / pat oghte make a man. 2.
to han desdeyn of synne / is this / that as seith Seint
Peter || who so J?at dooth synne / is thral of synne / &
synne put a man in greet thraldam / [143] And ther-
fore / seith the prophete Ezechiel / I wente sorweful / in
desdayn of my self? II Certes wel oghte a man /
haue desdayn of synne & with drawe hym fro that
thraldom & vileynye || [144] And lo / what seith Seneca
in this matere / he seith thus / though I wiste fat god /
neither god ne man / ne sholde neuere knowe it/ yet1
1wolde I. haue desdayn / for to do synne [145] H And the
same Seneca also seith || .1. am born to gretter thynges /
than to be thral to my body / or than for to maken / of my
body a thral / [146] ne a fouler thral may no man ne
wowman make of his body / than for to yeue his body
to synne / [147] al were it the fouleste cherl / or the
fouleste womman fat lyueth and leest of value / yet is he
thanne moore foid & mOore in seruitute / [148] euere
fro the hyer degree fat man falleth / the moore is he
thral and moore to god & to the world vil & abhomyn-
able [149] U 0 goode god / wel oghte man haue greet des
dayn of synne / sith fat thurgh synne / ther he was fre /
now is he maked bonde / [150] And ther fore / seith Seint
Augustyn U If thow hast desdayn of thy seruant1 if he
agilte or synne f haue thow thanne desdayn / fat thow
thy self sholdest do synne / [151] take reward of thy
value / fat thow ne be to foul to thy self || [152]
Alias / wel oghten they thanne haue- desdayn / -to ben
HENGWRT 665 (6-T. 598) P leaf 238]
599 SIX-TEXT
566 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
seruauntz & thralles to synne / & score ben ashamed
of hem self/ [153] pat god of his endelees goodnesse /
hath set hem in heigh estatt or yeuen hem wit1 strengthe
of body / heele / beautee / prosperitee / [154] and
boghte hem fro the deeth with his herte blood i pat
they so vnkyndely agayns his gentilesse / quyten hym so
Water-] nota de yileynsly to slawghtre of hir owene soules Ti^l U 0
pwlcrttudnie Mu- L JJJ
goode god / ye woramen // pat been of so greet beautee /
remembreth yow / of the prouerbe of Salomon || he seith /
[156] likneth a fair womman pat is a fool of hire body /
lyk to a ryng of gold / pat were in the groyn of a Sowe /
[157] for right as a Sowe wroteth in euerich ordure i so
wroteth she hire beaute in stynkynge ordure of synne
[J5^] ^ The thridde cause / pat oughte moeue a man
to Contricion / is drede of the day of dome / and of the
horrible peynes of helle / [159] ffor as Seint lerome seith /
At euery tyme / pat me remembreth of the day of dome / I
quake / [160] for whan I ete and drynke / or what so pat I
do / euere semeth me / pat the trompe sowneth in myii ere /
[161] Riseth ye vp pat ben dede & cometh to the
lugement [162] 11 0 goode god / muchel oghte a man to
drede swich a lugement/ ther as we shullen ben alle /
as seith Seint Poul / biforn the Sete / of oure lord Ifru
crist/ [163] where as he shal maken / a general con-
gregacion / where / as no man may ben absent1 [164] for
certes / there ne auaileth noon essoyne / ne excusacion /
[165] and nat oonly / pat oure defautes shullen be
luged / but eek pat alle oure werkes / shullen openly
be knowe / [166] And as pat seith Seint1 x Bernard / ther ne
shal no pletynge auaile / ne no sleighte H we shullen yeue
rekenynge of euerich ydel word / [167] there shul we han
a luge / pat may nat ben deceyued / ne corrupt1, and why i
for certes / alle oure thoghtes / ben descouered as to hym /
ne for prayere / ne for mede / he wol nat ben corrupt1
[168] and therfore seith Salomon || the wrathe of god
[ . no gap in the MS.]
HENGWRT 666 (6-T. 699) [Meaf 238, back]
600 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 567
ne wol nat spare no wight/ for prayere / ne for yifte / And
th erf ore / at the day of dome / ther nys noon hope to escape ||
[169] Wherfore / as seith Seint Anselme || fful gret
anguisse / shullen the synful folk haue / at that tyme /
[170] ther shal the stierne & wrothe luge / sitte aboue /
and vnder hym / the horrible pit of helle open to de
stroy e hym J>#t moot biknowen hise synnes / whiche
synnes / openly ben shewed biforn god / and biforn
euery creature / [171] and on the left syde / mo deueles
than herte may bithynke / for to harye and drawe
the synful soules / to the pyne of helle / [172] and with
lime the hertes of folk/ shal be the bityng conscience /
& with oute forth / shal be the world al brennynge /
[I73] "Winder shal thanne / the wrechched synful man fle
to hyde hym / certes / he may nat hyde hym / he moste
come forth and she we hym || [174] for certes / as seith
Seint lerome / the erthe shal caste hym / out of hym /,
and the See also / & the Eyr' also / J>at shal ben / ful of
thonder clappes & lightnynges || [175] Now soothly /
who so wel remembreth hym of thise thynges / I gesse
that his synne shal nat torne hym*in delit/ but to gret
sorwe / for drede of the peyne of helle || [176] And ther-
fore / seith lob to god || Suffre lord / J>at I may awhile
biwayle / & wepe er I go / with oute returnynge to the
dirke lond / couered / with the derknesse of deeth / [177]
to the lond of mysese & of derknesse / where as is the
shadwe of deeth / where as ther is / noon ordre / or
ordinance / but grisly drede fat euere shal laste [178]
II Lo here may ye seen / Jxzt lob preyde respit awhile /
to biwepe and wayle his trespas / for soothly / o day of
respit/ is bettre than al the tresor of this world / [179] And
for as muche / as a man may acquyte hym self biforn god
by penitence in this world / and nat by tresor // therfore
sholde he preye to god / to yeue hym respit awhile / to
biwepe & biwaylen his trespas / [180] for certes / al
the sorwe J>at a man myghte make fro the bigynnyng
HENGWRT 567 (6-T. 600)
601 SIX-TEXT
568 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
of the world / nys but a litel thyng1 at regard of the sorwe
of helle [181] U The cause / why pat lob clepeth helle /
the lond of derknessef [182] vnderstondeth 1that he
clepeth it lond / or erthe / for it is stable & neuere shal
faile / dirk1, for he fat is in helle / hath defaute of
light material / [183] for certes the derke light1 pat shal
come out of the fyr pat euere shal brenne / shal turne
hyrn al to peyne / pat is in helle / for it sheweth hym / to the
horrible deueles / pat hym tormenten / [184] couered with
the derknesse of deeth || that is to seyn / pat he pat is in
helle shal haue defaute of the sighte of god / for certes
the sighte of god / is the lyf perdurable || [185] The derk
nesse of deeth / ben the synnes pat the wrecched man
hath doon / whiche pat destourben hym / to se the face
of god / right as a dirk clowde bitwixe vs and the
sonne [186] H Lond of myseise / by cause pat ther ben
.iij. manere of defautes agayns .iij. thynges / pat folk
of this world han in this present lyf || that is to seyn /.
honours /. delices /. and ry chesses || [187] Agayns honowr/
han they in helle / shame & confusion) [188] for wel ye
•woof pat men clepen honour / the reuerence / pat man
dooth to man / but in helle / is noon honour ne reuerence /
for certes / namoore reuerence / shal be doon to a
kyng1 than to a knaue || [189] for which / god seith / by
the prophete leremye || thilke folk1 pat me despisen / shulle
ben in despit1 [190] If Honowr is eek clepid greet lord-
shipe / ther shal no wight seruen oother / but of harm and
torment1 1| Honour is eek clepid / greet dignytee & heigh-
nesse / but in helle shul they ben al fortroden of deueles ||
[191] As god seith || the horrible deueles / shullen goon &
comen vp on the heuedes of dampned folk || And this
is / for as muche as the heyere pat they were in this present
lyf / the moore shulle they ben abated and defouled in
helle [192] U Agayns the richesse of this world / shul
they han myseyse of pouerte / and this pouerte shal be
in .iiij. thynges / [193] In defaute of tresor / of which
HENGWRT 568 (6-T. 60l) [i leaf 239]
602 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Eengwrt MS. 5 09
J>«t dauid seitli || the riche folk1 J>«t embraceden & oneden
al liir herte to tresor of this world / shulle slepen / in the
slepynge of deeth / and no thyng1 ne shal they fynden in
hire handes / of al hire tresor || [194] And moore oner / the
Misayse of helle / shal ben. in defaute of mete &
dry-like / [195] for god seith thus by Moyses || they shul
ben wasted with honger / and the bryddes of helle / shul
deuouren hem / Vflth bitter deeth / and the galle of the
dragon / shal ben hire drynke / and the venym of the
dragon / hire morsels || [196] And forther ouer / hire
Miseyse / shal ben / in defaute of clothyng1 for they shullen
ben naked in body / as of clothyng1 saue the fyr / in which
they brenne & o there filthes / [197] and naked shul
they ben of soule / of alle manere verities / which J>at
is / the clothyng of soule / where * ben thanne the gaye
robes / & the softe shetes / & the smale shertes [198]
U Lo / what seith god of hem / by the prophete Ysaye ||
that vnder hem / shul ben strawed Moththes / & hire
couertures / shullen ben of wormes of helle [199] U And
forther ouer / hire myseyse / shal ben in defaute of
frendes / for he is nat pouere / J?at hath goode frendes /
but there is no freend / [200] for neither god / ne no
creature shal ben freend to hem / and euerich of hem /
shal haten oother / wiih deedly hate || [201] the sones &
the doghtren / shullen rebellen agayns fader & moder /
and kyiirede agayns kynrede / and chiden & despisen /
euerich of hem oother / bothe day & nyght || as god seith /
by the prophete Michias [202] U And the louynge children
Jjat whilom loueden so flesshly euerich oother / wolden
euerich of hem eten oother / if they myghte || [203] for how
sholde they louen hem togidre / in the peyne of helle /f whan
they hateden euerich of hern oother /in the prosperitee of this
lyf / [204] for truste wel / hire flessrily loue / was dedlyhate /
as seith the prophete dauid f who so fat loueth wikked-
nesse / he hateth his soule' / [205] and who so hateth
his owene soule / certes / he may loue noon oother wight
39 HENGWRT 569 (6-T. 602) [i leaf 239, back]
G03 SIX-TEXT
570 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
in no manere / [206] and th erf ore / in helle is no solas /
ne no frendshipe / but euere / the moore flesshly kynredes
fat ben in helle / the moore cursynges / the moore chid-
ynges / and the moore dedly hate / ther is among hem
[207] 11 And forther oner / they shul haue defaute / of alle
manere delices / for certes / delices ben after the appetites
of the .v. wittes / as Siglite /. Herynge /. Smellynge /. Sauor-
ynge /. and touchynge/[2o8] but in helle/hire sighte/shal be
ful of dirknesse & of smoke i and therfore ful of
teerys / and hire herynge / ful of waymentynge and of
gryntynge of teeth / as seith Ifru cri'st1 [209] Hire nose-
thirles / shul ben ful of stynkynge stynk1 || And as seith
Ysaye the prophete || hire sauorynge / shal be ful of bitter
galle / [210] & touchynge of al hir body / ycouered
Vfiili fyr fat neuere shal quenche / & with wormes /
fat neuere shul dyen / as god seith / by the mowth of
Ysaye || [211] And for as muche / as they shul nat wene /
fat they may dyen for peyne / and by hire deeth fle fro
peyne / that may they vnderstonde in the word of lob ||
that seith / there as is the shadwe of def / [212] U Certes /
a shadwe / hath the liknesse of the thyng* / of which it is
shadwe / but shadwe / is nat the same thyng* of which it is
shadwe || [213] right so / fareth the peyne of helle / it is
lyk deeth / for the horrible angwissfr / and why / for it
peyneth 1hem eue?'e / as thogh men sholde dye anon / but
certes they shal nat dye / [214] for as seith Seint
Gregorie / to wrecche kaityues / shal be deeth with oute
deeth / & ende with outen ende / & defaute with oute
failynge / [215] for hire deeth / shal alwey lyuen / & hire
ende shal euere mo bigynne / & hire defaute / shal nat1
faile / [216] And therfore / seith Seint lohii the
Euawngelist || they shullen folwe deeth / & they shal
nat fynde hym / & they shul desiren to dye / and deeth
shal fle fro hem || [217] And eek lob seith / fat in helle /
is noon ordre of rewle / [218] and al be it so / fat god hath
creat alle thynges in right ordre / & no thyng with
HENGWRT 670 (6-T. 603) [Meaf240]
604 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 571
outen ordre / but alle thynges / be?^ ordeyned & nom-
bred / yet natheleos they J?«t ben dampned / ben no
thyng1 in ordre / ne holden noon ordre / [219] for the
erthe ne shal bere hem no fruyt || [220] for as the prophete
dauid seith / god shal destroye / the fruyt of the erthe / as
fro hem / ne water / ne shal yeue hem no moysture / ne
the Eyr no refresshyng1 ne fyr no light || [221] for as
seith Seint Basile || the brennynge of the fyr of this
world / shal god yeuen in helle / to hem J>«t ben dampned /
[222] but the light1 & the cleernesse / shal he yeuen in
heuene to hise children / right as the goode man / yeueth
flessh to hise children / & bones to hise houndes / [223]
and for they shullen haue noon hope to escape / seith Seint
lob / atte laste / Jjat ther shal horrour & grisly drede
dwelle with outen ende // [224] Horrour is alwey drede
of harm Jjat is to come / & this drede shal euere dwelle
in the hertes / of hem £at ben dampned / and therfore f
han they lorn al hire hope / for .vij. causes || [225] ffirst1
for god ]?at is hir luge / shal be wit/i oute mercy to
hem / ne they may nat plese hym / ne noon of hise
halwes / ne they ne may yeue no thyng1 for hire raunson /
[226] ne they haue no Voys / to speke to hym /'ne they
may nat fle fro peyne / ne they haue no goodnesse in
hem that they may shewe / to delyuere hem fro peyne /
[227] And therfore seith Salomon || the wikked man
die]) & whan he is deed / he shal haue noon hope / to
escape fro peyne [228] IF Who so thaiine wolde wel vn-
derstonde thise peynes & bithynke hym wel / \a\> he
hath disserued thilke peynes for hise synnes / certes he
sholde haue moore talent4 to siken & to wepe / than for
to syngen & to pleye || [229] for as J?at seith Salomon /
who so \a\, hadde the science to knowe the peynes jjat
ben establised & ordeyned for synne / he wolde make
sorwe / [230] thilke science / as seith Seint Augustyn /
maketh a man / to waymente in his herte /
[2^1! U The .iiiie. poynt that 1oghte make a man The .iiy.« mev
L J J to contriciown.
HENGWRT 571 (6-T. 604) [Meaf 240, back]
G05 SIX-TEXT
572 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
hauo contncion / is the sorweful remembrance of the
good / fat he hath left to doon here in erthe / &
eek / the good f«t he hath lorn / [232] Soothly / the goode
werkes fat he hath left1 either they ben the goode
werkes fat he wroghte er he fil in to deedly synne /
or ellis / the goode werkes ]>at he wroghte / whil he lay
in synne / [233] Soothly / the goode werkes fat he dido
biforn fat he fil in synne / ben al mortefied / & astoned /
& dulled / by the ofte synnynge / [234] That othere
goode werkes fat he wroghte / whil he lay in dedly
synne / they ben outrely dede / as to the lyf / perdurable in
lieuene || [235] thanne tliilke goode werkes fat ben
mortefied by ofte synnyng1 whiche goode werkes he dido
while he was in charitee / ne mowe neuere quyken agayn /
with oute verray penitence / [236] And ther of seitli god /
by the mowth of Ezechiel / that if the rightful man re-
turne agayn from his rightwisnesse / & werke wikked-
nesse/shal he lyuef / [237] nay /for alle the goode werkes
]pat he hath wroghf ne shulle neuere ben in remembrance /
for he shal dye / in his synne / [238] and vp on tliilke
chapitre / seitli Seint Gregorie thus || that we shul vnder-
stonde this / principally / [239] that whan we doon dedly
synne / it is for nawght thanne to reherse / or drawen in to
memorie / the goode werkes fat we han wroght1 biforn
[240] IT for certes / in the werkynge of the dedly synne /
ther is no trust to no good werk1 fat we han doon biforn /
that is to seyn / as for to haue ther by / the lyf per
durable in heuene / [241] but nathelees / the goode
werkes quyken agayn and comen agayn & helpen &
auaylen / to haue the lyf perdurable in heuene / whan we
han Contricion / [242] but soothly the goode werkes fat
men doon / whil fat they been in dedly synne / for as muche /
as they weren doon in dedly synne / they may neuere quyken
agayn / [243] for certes / thyiig fat neuere hadde lyf / may
neuere quyken / and natheles / al be if fat they ne
auayle noghf to han the lyf perdurable / yet auaylen
HENGWRT 572 (6-T. 605)
606 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 573
they / to abreggen of the peyne of helle / or ellis / to gete
temporal richesses / [244] or ellis / ]>at god wole the
rather enlumyne & lighte / the herte of the synful
man to han repentance f [245] And eek they auailen /
for to vsen a man to doon goode werkes / Jjat the feend /
haue the lasse power of his soulo / [246] and thus the
curteys lord Ihu crist1 ne wole \a\> no good werk
be lost1 for in som what1 it shal auayle / [247] but for as
muche as the goode werkes / J?at men doon whil they
ben in good lyf/ ben al amortised by synne folwynge '. /
and eek sith J?at alle the 1 goode werkes pat men doon /
whil they ben in dedly synne / ben outrely dede /
as for to han / the lyf perdurable / [248] wel may J)«t man /
J>«t no good werk ne dooth / synge thilke newe frenshe song1
lay tout perdu / mon temps & mon labour || [249] ffor
certes synne bireueth a man / bothe goodnesse of nature /
& eek the goodnesse of grace / [250] for soothly /
the grace of the holy goosf fareth lyk fyr / J>at may nat
ben ydel / for fyr faileth / anon / as it forleteth his werk-
ynge / and right so grace faileth / anon as it forleteth his
werkynge / [25 1] thanne leseth the synfulman/the goodnesse
of glorie / that oonly / is bihight to goode men ]?at labouren
and werken / [252] Wel may he be sory thanne \>ai
oweth al his lyf to god / as longe as he hath lyued / and
eek as longe as he shal lyue / ])«t no goodnesse ne hath /
to paye with his dette to god / to whom he oweth al his
lyf / [253] for truste wel / he shal yeue acountes as seith
Seint Bernard / of alle the goodes j)ot han ben yeuen hym
in this present lyf / and how he hath hem despended /
[254] nat so muche / J?at ther shal nat perisse an heer
of his heed / ne a moment of an houre ne shal nat perisse
of his tyme / Ipat he ne shal yeue of it a rekenynge
[255] U The .v.the thyng* pat oghte moeue a man toThe.v>«
Contricion / is remembrance of the passion Ipat oure lord
Iliu crist1 suffred for oure synnes / [256] for as seith
Seint Bernard / Whil J>at I lyue I shal haue remem-
HENGWRT 573 (6-T. 606) [i leaf 241]
607 SIX-TEXT
574 GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
brance of the trauailes fat oure lord Ifru crist1 suffred / in
prechynge / [257] his werynesse in trauailynge / hise tempt-
acions whan he fasted / hise longe wakynges whan he
preyed / hise teerys whan fat he weep for pitee of
good peple / [258] the wo / and the shame / & the
filthe fat men seyden to hym / of the foule spittyng1
fat men spitte on his face / of the buffettes that men
yaue hym / of the fowle Mowwes & of the re-
preues fat men to hym seyden / [259] of the nayles /
"vritJi whiche he was nayled to the croys / and of al the
remenant of his passion / fat he suffred for my synnes /
and no thyng for his gilt || [260] And ye shal vnder-
stonde / fat in mannes synne / is euery manere ordre
of ordinance / turned vp so down / [261] for it is soof
fat god /. and reson /. and sensualitee. & the body of man /
ben so ordeyned / fat euerich of thise .iiij. thynges /
sholde haue lordshipe ouer that oother / [262] as thus /.
god sholde haue lordshipe ouer reson / & reson ouer
Sensualitee / & Sensualitee ouer the body of man /
[263] but soothly / whan man synneth / al this ordre / or
ordinance / is turned vp so down / [264] and therfore
1thanne / for as muche as the reson of man / ne wol nat be
subget ne obeisant1 to god / fat is his lord by right / i ther
fore leseth it the lordshipe / fat it sholde haue in
Sensualitee / & eek ouer the body of man / [265] and
why / for Sensualitee rebelleth tlianne agayns reson / and
by that wey / leseth reson the lordshipe ouer Sensualitee
& ouer the body / [266] for right1 as reson is rebel to
god / right so is bothe sensualitee rebel to reson &
the body also || [267] and certes this desordinafice &
this rebellion / oure lord Ihu crist aboghte / vp on his
precious body ful deere / and herkneth in which wise ||
[268] for as muche thanne / as reson is rebel to god / ther
fore is man worthy to haue sorwe / and to be deed /
[269] this suffred oure lord Ihu crist for man / after fat
he hadde be bitraysed of his disciple and destreyned &
HENGWRT 574 (6-T. 607) [' leaf 241, back]
608 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 575
bounde so / pat the blood brast out at euery nayl of hise
handes / as seith Seint Augustyn || [270] And fortlier ouer
for as muchel as reson of man ne wol nat daunte sensu-
alitee when it may f / therfore / is man worthy to ban shame /
and this suffrede oure lord Ihii crist1 for man whan they
spette in his visage || [271] and forther ouer / for as
muche tbanne / as the kaytif body of man / is rebel /
bothe to reson & to sensualitee / therfore / it is worthy the
deeth / [272] and this suffred oure lord Ihu cr/st for man
vp on the croys / where as ther nas no part of his body
free with oute gret peyne & bitter passion / [273]
and al this suft'red Ihu crist? pat neue?'e forfeted |j
[
no gap in the MS.] to muchel am I peyned for the
thynges pat I neuere deserued and to muche defouled
for shendshipe / pat man is worthy to haue || [274] And ther
fore / may the synful man wel seye / as seith Seint Bernard /
Acursed be the bitternesse of my synne / for which / ther
moste be suifred so muche bitternesse / [275] for certes
after the diuerse discordances of oure wikkednesses /
was the passion of Ihu crist ordeyned in diuerse thynges ||
[276] As thus || Certes synful mannes soule is bitraysed
of the deuel by coueitise of temporel prosperitee &
scorned by deceyte / whan he cheseth flesshly delites / and
yet is it tormented by inpacience of Aduersitee / and byspef
by seruage & subieccion of synne / and atte laste / it is
slayn fynally || [277] for this desordenance of synful man/
was Ihu crist1 first bitraysed / and after that was he bownde /
pat cam for to vnbynde vs / of Synne & of peyne || [278]
thanne was he biscorned / pat oonly sholde ben
honoured in alle thynges of alle thynges / [279]
thanne was his visage pat oghte be desired to be seyn
of alle mankynde in which visage Angels desiren to
looke / vileynsly bispet1 / [280] thanne was he skourged /
pat no thyng hadde agiltf and fynally / thanne was he
crucefied & slayn || [281] thanne was acomplPced the
HENGWRT 575 (6-T. 608J [* leaf 242]
609 SIX-TEXT
570 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
word of Ysaie || He was wounded for
cure mysdedes / & defouled by oure felonyes [282]
IT Now sith fat Iliu crist1 took vp on hym self the
peyne of alle oure wikkednesses f / nmchel oglite synful
man wepe & biwayle / fat for liise synnes / goddes sone
The.vj.tiie of heuene / sholde al this peyne endure [283] U The .vj.tho
con[tricio«n] thyiig1 fat oglite moeue a man to Contricioii / is the hope
of .iij. thynges / that is to seyn / foryeuenesse of synnc /
and the yifte of grace wel for to do / and the glorie of
heuene / -with which god shal gerdone man for hise
goode dedes (| [284] And for as muche / as Ilm crisf
yeueth vs tliise yiftes of his largesse & of his souereyn
boufttee / therfore is he clepid Ihus Nazarenus rex
ludeorum [285] H I'hu is for to seyn / Saueour / or Sa-
uacion / on whom men shal hope / to haue foryifnesse of
synnes / which fat is proprely / Sauacioii of synnes /
[286] and therfore / scyde the Azmgel to Joseph || thow shalt
clepe his name Ilius / fat shal saue his peple of hire
synnes / [287] And heerof / scith Scint Peter |j ther is
noon oother name vnder heuene fat is yeue to any man /
by which a man may be saued / but oonly Ihus [288]
H Nazarenus / is as muche for to seye / as florissynge / In
which a man shal hope / fat he / fat yeueth hym remission
of synnes / shal yeue hym eek1 grace wel to do / for
in the flour/ is hope of fruyt1 in tyme comynge / and in
foryifnesse of synnes / hope of grace wel to do [289] U I
was at the dore of thyn herte seith Ihus / & clepede for to
entre / he fat opneth to me / shal haue foryifnesse of
synne / [290] I wol entre in to hym by my grace / and
sowpe with hym / by the goode werkes fat he shal doon /
whiche werkes / ben the foode of god / and he shal sowpe
vrith me / by the grete ioye fat I shal yeue hym || [291]
thus shal man hope / fat for hise werkes of penance /
god shal yeue hym his regne / as he byheteth hym in tlio
In what raanere gOSpel.
[292] U Now shal man vnderstonde / in which
HENGWRT 576 (6-T. 609)
610 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 577
manere shal ben his contricion / I seye / that it shal
ben vniuersal and total / this is to seyn / a man shal be
verray repentant/ for alle hise synnes J>at he hath doon / in
delit of his thoght1. for delit is ful perilous / [293] for thcr
ben two manere of consentynges / that oon of hem / is
clepid / consentyrige of affeccion whan a man / is moeued
to do synne/and thannedeliteth hym longe / for to thynke on
that synne / [294] and his reson / aperceyueth wel Jwt
it is synne / agayns the lawe of god / and yet his reson
refreyneth nat his fool delit/ or talent1 though he seeth wel
apertly / J?at it is agayns the reuerence of god / al though
his reson / ne consente nat / to doon the l synne in dede /
[295] yet seyn somme doctonrs / J>«t swich delit f>at
dwellej) longe / it is ful perilous / al be neuer so lite /
[296] and also / a man sholde sorwe / namely / for al
that euere he hath desired agayn the lawe of god / with
pwrfit consentynge of his reson / for ther of is no doute /
fat it is dedly synne / in the consentynge / [297] for certes
ther is no dedly synne / Jjat it nas first* in mannes
thoght1 & after that1 in his delit1 & so forth / in to
consentynge & in to dede / [298] Wherfore I seye / Jj«t
many men ne repenteii hem neuere of swyche thoghtes &
delites / ne neuere shryuen hem of it1 but oonly / of the
dede of grete synnes outward [299] H Wher fore I seye /
]>ai swiche wikked delites & wikked thoghtes / ben
subtil bigyleris of hem Jjat shullen ben dampned [300]
U Moore ouer / man oghte to sorwen for hise wikked
wordes / as wel / as hise wikked dedes / for certes /
the repentance of a singuler synne & nat repente of alle
hise othere synnes || or ellis repente hym of alle hise
othere synnes / and nat of a synguler synne / may nat
auayle / [301] for certes / god almyghty / is al good / and
therfore / outher he foryeueth al / or ellis right noght/ [302]
Andherof seithSeint Augustyn U Iwootcerteynly/ [303] J?at
god is enemy to euerich synnere / And how thanne / he
Jjat obserueth o synne / shal he haue foryeuenesse of the
HENGWRT 577 (6-T. 610) [i leaf 242, back]
Cll SIX-TEXT
578 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
remenanfr of liise otliere synnes f nay i [304] IT And forther
ouer Contricion / sholde be wonder sorweful and ang-
uissous / and ther fore / yeueth hym god / pleynly his
mercy / and tlierfore / whan my soule was anguissous
with Inne me / I hadde remembrance of god / fat
my prayere myghte come to hym [305] IT fforther ouer
Contn'cion moste be continuel / and fat man haue stede-
fast p?/rpos to shryue hym / & for to amende hym of
his lyf / [306] for soothly / whil Contricion lasteth / man
may euere haue hope of foryeuenesse / And of this / cometh
hate of synne fat destroyeth synne / bothe in hym self1
& eek in othere folk1 at his power / [307] for which
seith Dauid / ye fat louen god / hateth wikkednesse / for
trusteth wel / to loue god / is for to lone that he loueth /
& hate that he hateth
[308] IT The laste thyng1 fat men shal vnderstonde in
Contricion / is this / wher of auaileth Contricion IT I seye /
fat som tyme / Contricion delyuereth man fro synne /
[309] of which fat Dauid seith || I seye quod Dauid /
that is to seyn / I. purposed fermely to shryue me / &
thow lord relessedest my synne / [310] and right so
as Contricion auaileth nat / with outen sad purpos of
shrifte / if man haue oportunytee e. right1 so / litel worth is
shrifte / or satisfaccion / with oute Contricion / [311] And
moore / Contricion destroyeth the prison of helle
1and maketh wayk* & feble / the strengthes of the
deueles / & restoreth the yiftes of the holy goostf &
of alle goode vertues / [312] and it clenseth the soule of
synne & delyuereth the soule fro the peyne of helle /
& fro the compaignye of the deuel / and fro the seruage
of synne / & restoreth it1 to alle goodes espirituels &
to the compaignye co??^munyon of holy chirche / [313]
and forther ouer/ it maketh hym / fat whilom was
sone of Ire / to be sone of grace / and alle thise thynges /
be preued by holy writ / [314] and therfore / he fat
wolde sette his entente / to thise thynges / he were f ul
HENGWRT 578 (6-T. 61l) ^ leaf 243]
612 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 579
wys / for soothly / he ne sholde nat thanne in al his lyf /
haue corage to synne / but yeue his body & al his herte /
to the seruyce of IIlu crisf & ther of doon hym
ho??image / [315] for certes / oure swete lord Iliu crist
hath sparid vs so debonairly in oure folies / fat if he ne
hadde pitee of mannes soule / a sory song we mygbten alle
synge .........
^[ Explicit prima pars penitencie '• ^[ Et incipit
secunda, pars eiusdein . . .
THe seconde partie of Penitence / is Confession /
that is signe of Contricion [317] U Now shul ye
vnderstonde / what is Confession / & wheither
it oghte nedes be doon / or noon / & whiche
thynges ben couenable to verray Confession
[318] U ffirst1 shaltow vnderstonde / fat Confession is
verray shewynge of synnes to the preest1 [319] this is to
seyn verray / for he moot confesse hym of alle the
condicions }>ai bilongen to his synne / as ferforf as he
kan / [320] al moot be seyd / & no thyng excused / ne
hid / ne forwrapped / & nat auance hym of hise goode
werkes || [321] And forther ouer / it is necessarie to vnder
stonde / whennes fat synnes spryngen / & how they
encressen / & whiche they ben
[322]U Of the spryngynge of Synnes /as seith Seint Paul
in this wise || that right as by a man / synne entred first1
in to this world / and thurgh that synne deth /' right so
thilke deth entred in to alle men fat synneden / [323]
and this man was Adam / by whom synne entred in to
this world / whan he brak* the comandementz of god /
[324] and therfore / he fat first was so myghty / fat he
sholde nat haue deyed / bicam swich oon / fat he moste
nedes dye wheither he wolde or noon / & al his progenye
f atisinthis world/fat in thilke man synneden [325] ULooke
fat in thestat of Innocence / whan Adam & Eue /
HENGWRT 579 (6-T. 612)
613 SIX-TEXT
580 GROUP I. § 2. PAKSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
naked weren in Paradys l and no thyng1 ne hadden shame
of hir nakednesse / [326] how fat the serpent1 fat was
moost wily of alle othere bestes fat god hadde maked /
seyde to the wowwnan || why comanded god to yow /
ye sholde nat eten of euery tree in Paradys i \\ [327] the
womman answerde / Of the fruyt quod she of the trees
in Paradys / we f eden vs / but soothly / of the fruyt of the
tree fat is in the myddel of Paradys / god forbad vs
for to ete / ne nat touche it/ list per auenture we sholde
dyen || [328] the serpent seyde to the womman / nay /
nay / ye shul nat dyen of deth / for sothe god woot1 fat
what day fat ye eten ther of / youre eyen shulle opne /
& ye shul ben as goddes / konnynge good & harm ||
[329] the womman saugh / fat the tree was good
to fedynge / and fair to the eyen / & delitable to
sighte /' she took of the fruyt1 of the tree & eet it &
yaf it to hire housboiide / & he eet1 & anon the eyen of
hem bothe opnede / [330] and whan fat they knewe
fat they were naked / they sowed of ffyge leues in manere
of breches / to hiden hire membres ]| [331] Here may ye
seen / fat dedly synne / hath first1 suggestion of the
feend / as sheweth heere by the Naddre / and afterward?
the delit of the flessli / as sheweth heere by Eua / and
after that1 the consentynge of resofi / as sheweth heere by
Adam / [332] ffor truste wel / thogh so were / fat the
feend tempted oon / that is to seyn the flessh" / and the
flessh hadde delit in the beautee of the fruyt1 deffended /'
yet certes til fat reson / that is to seyn Adam / con
sented to the etyng of the fruyt1 yet stood he / in the estat
of Innocence [333] U Of thilke Adam / toke we thilke
synne original / for of hym / nesshly descended be we alle
& engendred / of vile & corrupt matere / [334] and
whan the soule / is put in oure body / right anoon is con
tract1 original synne / and that / fat was erst1 but oonly
peyne of concupiscence / is afterward / bothe peyne &
synne / [335] And ther fore be we alle yborn sones of
HENGWRT 680 (6-T. 613) p leaf 213, back]
G14 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 581
wraththe & of dampnaciofi perd arable / if it nere baptesme /
\a\> we receyuen / which bynymej? vs the culpe / but for
sothe / the peyne dwelleth with vs as to temptaciofi / which
peyne / highte concupiscence / [336] and this concupiscence /
whan it is wrongfully disposed / or ordeyned in man / it1
maketh hym coueite by couetise of flessh" / flesshly synne /
by sighte of hise eyen / as to erthely thynges / And
eek1 coueitise of heynesse by pryde of herte
[337] H Now as to speke of the firste coueitise /
that is concupiscence / after the lawe of oure membres
]>ai weren lawefulliche ymaked & by rightful luge-
ment of god / [338] I seye / for as muche / as man is nat
obeisantf to god that is his lord / therfore / is the flessfi to
hym desobeisanfr 1thurgh concupiscence / which p«t yet is
clepid norissynne of synne & occasion1 of synne /
[339] therfore / al the while J>«t a man hath in hym the
peyne of concupiscence / it is impossible / but he be
tempted som tyme & moeued in his flessh to synne /
[340] and this thyng may nat faile as longe as he lyueth /
it may wel wexe feble and faile by vertu of baptesme
& by the grace of god / thurgh penitence / [341] but
fully ne shal it neuere quenche / Jjat he ne shal som-
tyme / be moeued in hym self/ but if he were al refreided by
siknesse / or by malefice of sorcerye / or colde drynkes /
[342] ffor lo / what seith Seint Paul || the flessh" coueiteth
agayn the spirit / & the spirit agayn the flessh" / they
ben so contrarie & so stryuen / pat a man may nat
alwey do as he wolde [343] U The same Seynt Paul /
after his grete penance in water & in londe / in water
by nyghtf & by day in gret peril & in gret peyne
in londe / in famyn & thursfr in cold and clothlees
& ones stooned almoost to the deth / [344] yet seyde he /
Alias .1. kaytif man / who shal delyuere me fro the prison
of my kaytif body || [345] And Seint lerom / whaime he
longe tyme hadde woned in desert1 where as he hadde no
compaignye / but of wilde bestes / where as he hadde
HENGWRT 581 (6-T. 614) [i leaf 244]
G15 SIX-TEXT
582 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
no mete / but lierbes / & water to his drynke / ne no bed /
but the naked erthe / for which his flessh was blak as an
Ethiopen for hete & ney destroyed for cold /. [346]
yet seyde he / fat the brennynge of lecherye / boylede in al
his body [347] II Wherfore I woot wel sikerly / fat they
ben deceyued / fat seyn / they fat ne be nat tempted in
hire body / [348] "Witnesse 011 Seint Tame the Apostel /
that seith / that euery wight is tempted in his owene con
cupiscence / that is to seyn / that euerich of vs / hath matere
& occasion / to be tempted / of the norissynge of synne.
fat is in his body || [349] And therfore / seith Seint lohn
the Euawngelist || If fat we seyn / fat we be vriih oute
synne / we deceyuen vs selue and trouthe is nat in vs /
[350] 11 Now shul ye vnderstonde in what manere /
fat synne wexeth & encresceth in man H the firste
thyng1 is thilke norissynge of synne / of which I spak
biforn / thilke flesshly concupiscence / [351] and after
that1 comth the subieccion of the deuel / this is to seyn
the deueles bely / with which he bloweth in man / the fyr
of flesshly concupiscence / [352] and after that1 a man by-
thynketh hym / wheither he wol doon or no / thilke thyng
to which he is tempted / [353] and thanne / if fat a
man with stonde *and wayue the firste entisynges of his
flessfr / & of the feend / thanne is it no synne / and if
so be / fat he do nat so / thanne feeleth he anon a flawmbe
of delit/ [354] and thanne is it good / to be war and kepe
hym wel / or ellis he wol falle anon in to consentynge of
synne / & thanne wol he do it/ if he may haue tyme
& place || [355] And of this matere seith Moyses / by
the deuel / in this manere U The feend seith || I wol
chace & p?^rsue the man / by wikked suggestion /
and I wol hente hym / by moeuyng1 or stiryng of
synne / & .1. wol departe my prise / or my preye by de-
liberacion / & my lust shal ben acompliced in delit ||
I wol drawe my swerd in consentynge / [356] for certes /
right as a swerd departeth a thyng in two peces / right
HENGWRT 682 (6-T. 615) [Ueaf 244, back]
6 1C SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS, 583
so eonsentynge / departeth god fro man / and thanne
wol I sle hym -with myn hand in dede of synne |[ thus
seyth the feend / [357] for certes / thanne is a man al
deed in soule / and thus is synne acompliced / by temp-
tacion / by delitf & by eonsentynge / & thanne is the
synne clepid actuel
[358] U ffor sothe / synne is in two maneres / outlier
it venyal / or dedly synne || Soothly / whan man loueth
any creature / moore than Ihu crist oure creatour / thanne
is it dedly synne / and venial synne is it1 if man loue
Iliu crist lasse than hym oghte / [359] for sothe / the
dede of this venial synne is ful perilous / for it amenuseth
the loue J>at men sholde han to god moore & moore /
[360] and therfore / if a man charge hym self w^t/i nianye
swiche venial synnes / certes / but if so be / J>#t he soni
tyme descharge hym of hem by shrifte / they mowe ful
lightly amenuse in hym / al the loue / ]>at he hath to Ihu
crisf [361] and in this wise skippetli Venial / in to Dedly
synne / for ce?*tes / the moore ]?at a man chargeth his soule /
Vfith venial synnes / the moore is he enclyned to falle in
dedly synne / [362] And therfore / lat vs nat be necligentt to
deschargen vs of venial synnes / for the pnmerbe seith /
that manye smale maketh a greet || [363] And herkne
this ensample || A greet wawe of the See / comth som tyme /
VfitJi so greet a violence / that it drencheth the Shipe /
and the same harm / doon som tyme / the smale dropes
of water / J>at entreth thurgh a litel creuesse in to the
Thurrok/ & in the botme of the shipe / if men be so
necligentt J?«t men ne descharge hem nat by tyme /
[364] and therfore / al thogh ther be a difference / bitwixe
thise two causes of drenchynge / algates the Shipe is
dreynt [365] U right so fareth it som tyme of dedly
synne / & of anoyouse venials synnes / whan they
multiplie in a man so gretly / J>at thilke worldly thynges
J)at he loueth / thurgh ' which he synneth venially / is
as gret in his herte / as the loue of :god / or moore / [366]
HENGWRT 683 (6-T. 616) [Ueaf245]
G17 SIX-TEXT
584 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
and therfore / the loue of euery thyng1 fat is nat byset in god /
ne doon principally for goddes sake / al fat a man
loue it lasse than god / yet is it venial synne / [367] &
dedly synne / whan the loue of any thyng1 weyeth
in the herte of man / as muche / as the loue of god / or
raoore [368] U Dedly synne / as seith Seyntt Augustyn
is / whan man turneth his herte fro god / which that is
verray souereyn bowntee / fat may nat chaunge / &
yeueth his herte / to a tliyng/ fat may chaunge & flitte /
[369] and certes / that is euery tbyng1 saue god of heuene /
for sooth is / fat if a man yeue his loue / the which fat
he oweth al to god with al his herte / vn to a creature /
certes as muche of his loue as he yeueth to thilke
creature / so muche he bireueth fro god / [370] and ther
fore / dooth he synne / for he f at is dettour to god / lie
yeldetli nat to god al his dette / that is to seyn / al the
loue of his herte /
[371] 11 Xow sith man vnderstondeth generally / which
is venial synne / thanne is it couenable / to telleii specially
of synnes / whiche fat many a man per auenture ne
demeth hem nat synnes / & ne shryueth hym nat1 of the
same tliynges / & yet nathelees they been synnes /
[372] and soothly / as thise clerkes writen / this is to seyn/
fat euery tyme fat man eteth or drynketh / moore than
suffiseth to the sustenance of his body / in certeyn he dooth
synne || [373] and eek / whan he speketh moore than
it nedeth / it is synne || eek1 whan he herkneth nat be-
nygnely fe cowpleynte of the pouere || [374] eek1 whan
he is in heele of body / and wol nat faste / whan oother folk1
fasten / with outen cause resonable || eek/ whan he slepeth
moore than nedeth / or whan he comth by thilke encheson /
to late to chirche / or to othere werkes of charitee || [375]
eek/ whan he vseth his wyf / with oute souereyn desir
of engendrure / to honour of god / or for the entente /
to yelde to his wyf the dette of his body || [376] eek1
whan he wol nat visite the syke / & the prisoner / if he may ||
HENGWRT 584 (6-T. 617)
618 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 585
eek / if he lone wyf or child / or oother worldly
thyng1 moore than reson requereth || eek1 if he flatre / or
blandise moore than hym oghte / for any necessitee ||
[377] eek* if ne amenuse / or withdrawe the almesse of
the pouere || eek1 if he apparaileth his mete / moore
deliciously / than nede is / or ete it to hastily / by likerous-
nesse || [378] eek/ if he tale vanytes '/ at chirche / or
at goddes seruyce / or Jjat he be a talkere of ydel wordes /
of folye / or of vileynye / for he shal yelde acounte of
it1 at the day of dome || [379] eek / whan he biheteth /
or assureth to do thynges / pat he ne may nat perfourne ||
eek/ whan J?at he / by lightnesse / or folye / mysseyth /
or scorneth his neighebore [380] 1eek) whan he hath any
wikked suspecion of thyng1 ther he ne woot of it no sooth-
fastnesse || [381] thise thynges / & mo with oute nombre
ben synnes / as seith Seint Augustyn /
[382] II Now shalmen vnderstonde / J?at al be it so /
J)«t noon erthely man may eschewe alle veniale synnes / yet
may he refreyne hem by the brennynge loue J>at he
hath to oure lord Inu crisf and by preyeres & confession /
& othere goode werkes / so / fat it shal but litel greue ||
[383] for as seijj Seint Augustyn || If a man loue god
in swich manere / ]>at al that euere he dooth / is in the
loue of god / or for the loue of god verraily for he
brenneth in the loue of god / [384] looke / how muche J>at
a drope of water Jjat falleth in a furneys ful of fyr/
anoyeth / or greueth /' so muche / anoyeth a venial
synne vn to a man / ]>at is perfif in the loue of Ifru
crist || [385] Men may also / refreyne venial synne /
by receyuynge worthily / of the precious body of
IlLu crisf [386] by receyuynge eek/ of holy water /
by almes dede / by general confession / of Confiteor /
at masse & at Complyn / & by blessynge of
Bisshopes / & of preestes / & by othere goode werkes
40 HENGWRT 685 (6-T. 618) [Meaf 245, back]
619 SIX-TEXT
586 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
II De Septem peccatis mortalrtws- fa
[387]
IVTOw is it bihouely thyng* to telle / whiche ben
-L 1 dedly synnes / that is to seyn / chief taynes
of synnes / alle they renne in o lees / but in
dyuerse manere / now ben they clepid chieftaynes /
for as muche as they ben chief / and sprynge of alle
othere synnes [388] 11 Of the roote of thise .vij. synnes /
thanne is pryde / the general roote of alle harmes / for of
this roote / spryngen certeyn branches / as Ire /. Enuye /.
Accidie / or Sleuthe /. Auarice / or Coueitise /. to conmune
vnderstondynge /. Glotonye /. and lecherye |j [389] and
euerich of thise chief synnes / hath hise branches and hise
twigges / as shal be declared / in hire chapitres folwynge /
[De] Superbia «?SS?Sl%
[390] and though so be / fat no man kan outrely tellen
[The] branches the nombre of twigges & of the harmes fat comen of
Pryde / yet wol I shewe a partie of hem / as ye shul
vnderstande [391] H Ther is / Inobedience / Auantynge /
Ypocrisye / Despitf Arrogazmce / Inpudence / Swellynge of
herte / Insolence / Elacion / Inpacience / Stryf /Contumacie/
Presumpcion / Inreuerence / Pertinacie / Yeyne glorie / and
many another twig1 fat I kan nat declare [392] 11 In-
[inojbedience: obedient is he / fat desobeieth for despit / to the coinande-
mentz of god / & to hise souereins / & to his goostly
[Auan]tyng. fader [393] U Auantour / is he fat bosteth / of the 1harm /
or of the bowntee fat he hath doon [394] U Ypocrite is
he / that hideth / to shewe hym / swich as he is / and
Dc[8Pitous] sheweth hym / swich as he nawght is / [395] U Despitous
is he / that hath desdeyn of his neighebore / that is to
seyn / of his euenecristen / or hath despit/ to doon / that
Arrogant] hym oghte to do [396] U Arrogant is he fat thynketh /
fat he hath thilke bountees in hym / fat he hath nat/ or
HENGWRT 686 (6-T. 619) p leaf 246]
620 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 587
weneth ]>at he sliolde liaue hem / by hise desertes / or
ellis lie demeth / j?at he be that he nys nat / [397] U Im
pudent is he ]?at for his pryde / hath no shame of his impudent
synne [398] IT Swellynge of herte is / whan man swelling of
reioyseth hym of harm J>at he hath doon / [399] IT Inso- insolent.
lent1 is he / that despiseth in his lugement alle oother
folk/ as to regard of his value / & of his konnynge / & of
his spekynge / & of his berynge [400] 11 Elacion is / whan Eiaciown.
he ne may neither suffre to haue maister ne felawe [401]
IT Inpacient is he / J)at wol nat ben ytaughf ne vnder- inpacient.
nome of his vice / & by stryf/ werreieth trouthe wityngly
& defFendeth his folye / [402] II Contumax is he / j?at Contumax.
thurgh his Indignation / is agayns euerich auctoritee / or
power / of hem J?at ben hise souereyns / [403] IT Pre-
sumpcion is / whan a man vndertaketh an Emprise / pat Presumpciowi
hym oghte nat do / or ellis ]>at he may nat do / and that
is called Surquydie U Inreuerence is / whan men do nat inreuerenoe.
honour / ther as hem oghte to doon / and waiteth / to be
reuerenced [404] H Pertinacie / is whan a man deffendeth Pertynacie.
his folye / & trusteth to muche to his owene wit / [405]
Veyne glorie is / for to haue pompe & delif in thise veyn giorye
temporel heynesses & glorifie hem / in worldly
estatz [406] IT langlynge is / whan a man speketh to langiynge
muche biforn folk1 & clappeth as a Melle / & taketh no
kepe / what he seith
[407] IT And yet is ther a pryuee spice of pryde / that Desirof
waiteth / first to be salewed / er he wole salewe / al be he WC
lasse worthy / than that oother is pa?- auenture / and eek he
wayteth / or desireth / to sitte / or ellis /to goon aboue hym in
the weye / or kisse pax / or ben ensensed / or goon to
offrynge biforn his neighebore / [408] and swiche semblable
thynges / agayns his duetee per auenture / but jjat he hath /
his herte and his entente in swich a proud desir '/ to be
magnyfied & honoured / biforn the peple
[409] U Now ben ther / two maneres of pryde / that .y. manors of
oon of hem / is with Inne the herte of man ./ and that
HENGWRT 687 (6-T. 620)
621 SIX-TEXT
588 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
oother is with oute / [410] of whiche soothly / thise for-
seyde thynges / & mo than I haue seyd aperte1nen to
pryde / J?at is in the herte of man / And that othere speces
of pride ben with oute / [411] but natheles / that oon
of thise speces of pride / is signe of that oother / right
as the gaye leuesel atte Tauerne / is signe / of the wyn /
J>at is in the Celer || [412] And this is in manye thynges /
as in speche & contenance / & in outrageous array of
clothyng1 [413] for certes / if ther ne hadde be no synne
in clothyng1 crist wolde nat so soone haue noted & spoke of the
clothyng1 of thilke riche man in the gospel |j [414] And
as seith Seint Gregorie / that precious clothyng1 is cow-
pable / for the derthe of it1 & for his softnesse / &
for his strangenesse & degisynesse / and for the super
nuitee / or for the inordinat scantnesse of it || [415]
Alias / may man nat seen as in oure dayes / the synful
costlewe array of clothynge / & namely in to muche
supernuitee / or ellis in to desordinat scantnesse
[416] IT As to the firste synne / that is in supernuitee of
clothynge / which fat maketh it so deere to harm of the
peple / [417] nat oonly / the cost of enbrawdynge /
the degyse / endentynge / or barrynge / owndynge / palynge /
or bendynge / & semblable wast1 of clooth
in vanytee || [418] but ther is also the costlewe furrynge in
hire gownes / so muche pownsonynge of chisel / to maken
holes / so muche daggynge of sheris / [419] forth / with
the supernuitee / in lengthe of the forseyde gownes trail-
ynge in the dong1 & in the Myre on horse / & eek on
foote / as wel / of man / as of womman / jjat al thilke
trailynge / is verraily as in effect1 wasted / consumed / thred-
bare / & roten with donge rather/ than it is yeuen to
the pouere / to gret damage / of the forseide pouere folk /
[420] and that in sondry wise / this is to seyn / J?at the
moore J?at clooth is wasted / the moore moot it coste to
the peple for the scarsnesse / [421] and forther ouer /
if so be / fat they wolde yeue swiche pownsonyd &
HENGWRT 588 (6-T. 62l) P leaf 246, back]
622 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 589
dagged clothynge to the pouere folk/ it is nat coraienientf
to were / for hire estaf ne suffisant to beete hire necessitee /
to kepe hem / fro the destemperance of the firmament1
[422] H Yp on that oother syde / to speke of the horrible
desordynat scantnesse of clothyng1 as ben thise kutted
sloppes / or hanselyns / ]>at thurgh hire shortnesse / lie
keuere nat1 the shameful membres of man to wikke
entente / [423] Alias / somme of hem shewen the shape &
the boce of hire horrible swollen membres / fiat semeth
lik the maladie of hirnia / in the wrappynge of hire hoses
[424] and eek the buttokes of hem / pat faren as it were
the hyndre part of a she Ape / in the fulle of the Moone ||
[425] And moore ouer / the wrecched swollen membres /
])«t they shewe thurgh degisynge / in departynge of
hire hoses in whit and reed / semeth / j>at half hire shame
ful pryuee membres weren flayn / [426] II 1 And if so be / ]?at
they departen hire hoses in othere colours / as is whit
& blew / or whit1 & blak / or blak & reed / & so
forth / [427] thanne semeth it1 as by variance of colour /
j)at half the partie of hire pryuee membres / ben corrupt4
by the fyr of Seint Antony / or by cancre / or othere
swiche meschances [| Yet [428] of the hyndre part of hire
buttokes / it is ful horrible for to se / for certes in that
partie of hire body / ther as they purgen hire stynkynge
ordure / [429] that foule partie / shewe they to the peple
proudly in despit of honestetee / which honestetee J>at
Ihu crist1 & hise frendes obseruede to shewew in his
lyue [430] 11 Now / as of the outrageous array of wowmen /
god woof pat thogh the visages of somme of hem / seme
ful chaste & debonaire /' yet notifie they in hire array of
atyr / likerousnesse & pride [431] IT I seye naf pat
honestetee in clothynge / of man or womm&n / is vncouen-
able / but certes the superfluitee / or the desordinat skantitee
of clothynge is reprouable / [432] U Also / the synne of
Aornement/ or of apparaille / as in thynges pat apertenen PJ-MC in thinge
to ridynge / as in to manye delicat horses pat ben holden to rydyn[gej
HENGWRT 589 (6-T. 622) [Meaf247j
623 SIX-TEXT
590 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
for delifr \a\> they ben so faire / fatte / & costlewe / [433]
and also many a vicious knaue mayntened l»y
cause of hem / and in to curious harneys / as in Sadeles / in
croupers / peytrels / and brydles couered with precious
clothyng1 & riche barres & plates of gold & of
siluer / [434] for which / god seith / by Zakarie the
prophete /HI wol confounde / the ryderes of swiche horses ||
[435] thise folk1 taken litel reward / of the ridynge of
goddes sone of heuene / & of his harneys / whan he rood
vp on an Asse / & ne hadde noon oother harneys / but
the pouere clothes of hise disciples / ne we ne rede nat1
J>at euere he rood on oother beest1 [436] I speke this
for the synne of superfluitee / & nat for resonable
honestetee / whan reson it requereth [437] H And forther
ouer / certes pride is gretly notified in holdynge of gret Meynee /
whan they ben of litel profit / or of right no profit1
[438] and namely / whan that Meynee /is felonous & darnage-
ous to the peple / by hardynesse of hey lordshipe / or by
wey of offices / [439] for certes swiche lordes / sellen
thanne hir lordship / to the deuel of helle / whan they
sustenen / the wikkednesse of hire meynee / [440] or ellis /
whan thise folk1 of lowe degree / as thilke $at holden
hostelries / sustenen the thefte of hire hostelers /
& that is / in many manere of deceites /
[441] thilke manere of folk ben the flyes / J?at folwen
the hony / or ellis the houndes / jjat folwen the careyne /
Swich forseide folk/ stranglen spiritually hire lordshipes /
\ratormousa [442] for which thus 1seith dauid the prophete U "Wikked
told deth / mote come vp on thilke lordshipes / and god yeue / Ipak
..*... 7. estnener they mote descende in to helle adown / adown / for in
! o'rkuf [zVtTUre hire houses / been Iniquitees & shrewednesses / and nat god
of heuene / [443] and certes / but if they doon amende-
ment/ right so as god yaf his benyson to Pharao by the
seruyce of lacob / & to Laban by the seruyce of Joseph /
right so / god wol yeue his malison to swiche lordshipes /
as sustenen the wikkednesse of hire seruantz / but they
HENGWRT 690 (6-T. 623) [Meaf 247, back]
624 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 591
come to amendementt [444] pride of the table apeerej) [Pride] of the
eek* ful ofte / for certes riche men ben clepid to festes /
and pouere folk1 ben put awey & rebuked / [445] 11 Also
in exces / of diuerse metes & drynkes / and namely [Excesise of met*
swiche manere bake metes & disshmetes brennynge of
wilde fyr & peynted & castelled with papir / &
semblable wast / so fat it is abusion for to thynke || [446]
And eek1 in to gret preciousnesse of vessel / & curiositee
of Mynstralcie / by whiche / a man is stired the moore / to
delices of luxure [447] H If so be J>at he sette his herte
the lasse / vp on oure lord Ihu crist1 certeyn it is a
synne / & certeynly the delices / myghte ben so grete And yf them
in the cas / fat man myghte lightly fallen by hem in to ytwere Coneng tc
T ' / r /-.-I «r m lerne [in a third
dedly synne / [448] H The especes that sourdren of pride / hawX]
soothly whan they sourden of malice ymagyned & auysed /
& forncastf or ellis of vsage / ben dedly synnes / it is
no doute / [449] and whan they sourde by freletee / vn-
auysed sodeynly / & sodeynly / withdrawe agayn / al be
they greuouse synnes / I gesse / that they ne be nat
dedly [450] U Now myghte men axe / wher of bat pryde [Whe]r of
. cometh pryde.
sourdetn & spryngeth / And I seye som tyme it
spryngeth of the goodes of nature / and somtyme of
the goodes of fortune / & som tyme / of the goodes of
grace / [451] IT Certes the goodes of nature / stonden
outher in goodes of body / or goodes of soule || [452] [gioo
Certes / goodes of body / ben heele of body /
strengthe / delyuernesse / beautee / genterie / franchise
[453] ^ goodes of nature of the soule ben good wit1 [goodies of
sharpe vnderstondynge / subtil engyn / vertu naturel / good
memorie [454] U goodes of fortune / ben richesses /[goodies of
hey degrees of lordshipes / preisynges of the peple [455]
U goodes of grace / ben Science / power to suifre
spiritual trauaille / benygnytee / virtuous contemplation /
withstondynge of temptacion 51 and semblable thynges /
[456] of whiche forseyde goodes / certes it is a ful gret
folie a man to pryden hym in any of hem alle / [457]
HEXGWRT 591 (6-T. 624)
625 SIX-TEXT
592 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
IT Now as for to speke of goodes of nature / god woot1 pat
som tyme we han hem in nature / as niuche to oure
damage / as to oure profit [458] IT As for to speke of
heele of Jbody / certes it passeth ful lightly / & eek1 it
is ful ofte encheson / of the siknesse of the soule / for
god woot1 the flessh is a ful greet enemy to the soule /
and therfore / the moore pat the body is hool / the moore
be we in peril to falle || [459] Eke for to pryde hym in
hys strengthe of body / it is an heigh folye / for certes /
the flessh coueiteth agayn the spirit / & ay the moore
strong pat the flessh is / the sorier may the soule be /
[460] and ouer al this / Strengthe of body & worldly
hardynesse / causeth ful ofte many man / to peril &
meschance || [461] Eke / for to pryde hym of his
genterye / is ful gret folie / for ofte tyme / the genterie of the
body / bynymeth the genterie of the soule / & eek / we
ben alle / of .0 fader & of o moder / & alle we ben
of o nature roten / and corrupt1 bothe riche & pouere /
[462] for sothe / o manere gentilrye / is for to preise /
that apparayleth mannes corage vriih vertues / & moralitees /
& maketh hym cristes child / [463] for truste wel / pat
oner what man pat synne hath maistrye / he is verray
cherl to synne
[464] 51 Now / ben ther general signes of gentilesse /
as. eschewynge of vice / or rybaudye & seruage of
synne / in word / in werk / and contenance / [465] &
vsynge vertu / curteisye / & clennesse / & to be
liberal / that is to seyn / large by mesure / for thilke that
passeth mesure / is folye & synne || [466] Another is /
to remembre hym of bounte / pat he of oother folk hath
receyued || [467] Another is / to ben benygne / to hise goode
subgetz / wher fore as seith Senek* ther is no thyng moore
couenable to a man of heigh estat/ than debonairetee
& pitee / [468] and therfore thise flyes / pat men
clepe bees / whan they maken hire kyng1 they chesen
oon pat hath no prikke / wher with he may stynge || [469]
HENGWRT 592 (6-T. 625) [i leaf 248]
626 SIX-TEXT .
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 593
Another is / a man to haue a noble herte & a diligent1
to attayne to hye vertuouse tliynges [470* see after 474
no gap in the MSJ\
[471] Certes also / who J>at prydeth hym in the goodes of
fortune / he is a ful gret fool / for som tyme / is a man a
gret lord by the morwe / Jjat is a kaytif & a wrecche /
er it be nyghfr [472] and som tyme / the richesse of a man
is cause of his deeth / somtyme the delices of a man / ben
cause of the greuous maladie / thurgh which he dyeth [|
[473] Certes / the co?mnendacion of the peple / is som
tyme ful fals / & ful brotil for to triste / this day they
preise / to morwe they blame / [474] god woof desir to
haue the commendacion eek of peple / hath caused deth / to
many a bisy man [*47o] H Now certes
a man to pn'de hym in the goodes of grace / is eek an
outrageous folye / for thilke yiftes of grace / that sholde
haue turned hym to goodnesse *and to medicine turneth
hym to venym & to confusion / as seyth Seint Gregorie.
[475] U Now sith J?at so is / ]>at ye han
vnderstonde / what is pryde / & whiche ben the speces of
it / & whennes pryde sourdeth & spryngeth ||
[476] Now shul ye vnderstonde / which is the remedie
agayns pride / and that is humylitee / or
mekenesse / [477] that is a vertu / thurgh which / a man
hath verray knoweleche of hym self / & holdeth of hym
self/ no pris ne deyntee / as in regard of hise desertes /
considerynge euere his freletee [478] U Now ben ther .iij. [»j] manors of
maneres of humylitee / As humylitee in herte 11 Another
humylitee / is in Mouth H the thridde in hise werkes
[479] U The humylitee in herte / is in .iiij. maneres H that
oon is / whan a man holdeth hym self as naught1 worth /
biforn god of heuene || Another is / whan he ne despiseth
HENGWRT 593 (6-T. 626) [i leaf 248, back]
627 SIX-TEXT
594 GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
noon other man [480] U the thridde is / whan he ne
rekketh nat1 thogh men holde hym noght worth || the
ferthe is / whan he nys nat sory of his humyliacion [481]
U Also the humylitee of Mouth / is in .iiij. thynges H In
Atempree speche 11 and in humblesse of speche || And
whan he biknoweth with his owene Mouth / fat he is
swich / as hym thynketh fat he is in his herte II Another
is whan he preiseth the bountee of another man / and
nothyng ther of amenuseth [482] If Humylitee eek in
werk1 is in .iiij. maneres || the firste / is whan he putteth
othere men biforn hym U the seconde is / to chese the
loweste place ouer al || The thridde is / gladly to assente
to good conseil || [483] the ferthe is / gladly to
stonde to the award of his souereyn / or of hym / fat is hyer
in degree / certeyn / this is a gret werk of humylitee
fo f Inuidia fa
[484]
After pryde / wol I speke / of the foule synne of Enuye /
which fat is / as by the word of the philosophre
Sorwe of oother mannes prosperitee / and after the
word of Seint Augustyn / it is sorwe of oother mennes
wele / and ioye of oother mennes harm [485] U This
foule synne / is platly agayns the holy goost1 al be it so
fat euery synne / is agayn the holy goost1 yet nathelees
for as muche as bountee aperteneth proprely to
holy goost1 & enuye cometh proprely of malice / ther
fore is proprely agayns the bountee of the holy goost1
[486] 11 Now hath malice .ij. speces / that is to seyn /
hardnesse of herte in wikkednesse / or ellis the flessh of
a man is so blynd l fat he considereth nat1 fat he is in
synne / or rekketh nat1 fat he is in synne / which
is / the hardnesse of the deuel [487] IT That other
spece of Enuye / is whan fat a man werreyeth trouthe /
whan he woof fat it is trouthe / & eek1 whan
he werreyeth / the grace fat god hath yeue to his
HENGWRT 594 (6-T. 627) ['leaf 249]
628 SIX-TEXT -
GROUP I, § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 595
neighebore / & al this / is by enuye / [488] Certes /
thanne is enuye / the worste synne Jjat is / for soothly /
alle othere synnes / ben som tyme / agayns o special
vertu / [489] but certes / enuye is agayns alle vertues /
& agayns alle goodnesses / for it is sory of alle the
bountees of his neighebore / & in this manere / it is
dyuers from alle othere synnes / [490] for wel vnnethe /
is ther any synne / j?at it ne hath / som delit in hym self /
saue oonly enuye / Ipat euere hath in hym self / angwissfi. &
sorwe [491] U The speces of Enuye ben thise H Ther is The speces of
first1 sorwe of oother mennes goodnesse and of hire pros-
peritee / and prosperitee / is kyndely matere of loye /
thanne is Enuye / a synne agayns kynde [492] 11 The
seconde spece of Enuye / is loye of oother mannes harm /
and that is proprely lyk to the deuel that euere reioyseth
hym of mannes harm [493] IT Of thise .ij. speces comth.Bakbitynga
bakbitynge / and this synne of bakbitynge / or detraccion /
hath certeyn speces / as thus || Som man preiseth his
neighebore / by a wikked entente / [494] for he maketh
alwey a wikked knotte atte laste ende / alwey he
maketh a .but1, at the laste ende / ]>ai is digne of moore
blame / than worth is al the preisynge [495] U The Seconde
spece is / ]>at if a man be good / & dooth / or seith a
thyng1 to good entente / the bakbitere wol turne al thilke
goodnesse vp so down / to his shrewede entente [496]
11 The thridde / is to amenuse / the bountee of his neighe
bore [497] 11 The ferthe spece of bakbitynge / is this ||
that if men speke goodnesse of a man / thanne wol the
bakbitere seyn / par fey / swich a man / is yet bet than he
in despreisynge / of hym J?at men preise [498] U The
fifthe spece is / for to consente gladly / and herkne
gladly / the harm Jjat men speke of oother folk1 / this
synne is ful greet1 & ay encreseth / after the wikked
entente of the bakbitere [499] U After bakbitynge comth
grucchynge or Murmuracion / and som tyme / it spryngeth Grucchyng*.
of Inpacience agayns god / & som tyme agayns man
HENGWET 595 (6-T. 628)
[Bitt]ernesse.
[Dis]corde.
[Sco]rnynge
[Acjcusinge
629 SIX-TEXT
596 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS,
[500] U Agayns god is it1 whan a man gruccheth agayn
the pyne of helle / or agayns pouerte / or los of catel /
or agayn reyn / or tempest1 or ellis gruccheth / J?at shrewes
han prosperitee / or ellis / for fat goode men han ad-
uersitee / [501] and alle thise thynges / sholde men suffre
paciently / for they comen by the rightful lugement1 &
ordinance l of god [502] II Som tyme / cometh grucchynge of
Auarice / as ludas grucched agayns the Magdeleyiie / whan
she enoynte the heued of oure lord Ihu crisf witJi hire
precious oynement || [503] this manere of mwrmure is swich
as whan men grucchen of goodnesses fat hem selue
doon or fat othere folk doon / of hire owene catel [504]
H Som tyme comth Mumiure of pryde / as whan Symon.
the pharisee / grucched agayn the Magdeleyne / whan
she approched to Iliu crist1 & weepe at his feet1 for hire
synnes || [505] And som tyme / it sourdeth of
Enuye / whan men discoueren a mannes harm fat was
pryuee / or bereth hym on hand thyng fat is fals / [506]
U Murmwr eek is ofte amonges seruantz / fat grucchen /
whan hire souereyns bidden hem to doon leueful thynges /
[507] and for as muche as they dar nat openly vrith seye
the comandementz of hire souereyns / yet wol they seyn
harm & grucche & mwrmure pryuely for verray
despit/ [508] whyche wordes / men clepe the deueles
pater noster / though so be / fat the deuel ne hadde
neuere pater noster/ but fat lewed folk / yeuen it swich
a name [509] U Som tyme it comth of Ire / or
pryuee hate / fat norisseth rancour in herte / as afterward
I shal declare [510] IT Thanne comth eek1 bitternesse of
herte / thurgh which bitternesse / euery good dede of his
neighebore senieth to hym bitter/ and vnsauoury [511]
II Thanne comth discord / fat vnbyndeth alle manere
of frendshipe U Thanne comth scornynge of [
. . . . . . . . no gap in the MS.~\ his neighe
bore al do he neuer so wel [512] U Thanne comth
accusynge / as whan man seketh occasion to anoyen his
HENGWRT 596 (6-T. 629) C1 leaf 249, back]
630 SIX- TEXT
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 597
neighebore / which ]>at is lyk1 the craft of the deuel /
]>at wayteth bothe nyght & day to accusen vs alle /
[513] H Thanne comth Malignitee / thurgh which a man [Mjaiigm
anoyeth his neighebore pryuely if he may / [514] and if he
nat ne may / algate / his wikked wil ne shal nat wante /
as for to brennen his hous pryuely / or enpoysone / or sleen
hise bestes & semblable thynges /
[The Remedy against Envy. (No break in M '8.)"]
[5 1 5] *[T Nbwwol I spekenof the remedyeagayns this foule remedies
synne of Emiye 11 first1 is the loue of god
principal / and louynge of hym self / & of his neighebore /
for soothly / that oon ne may nat ben with outhen that
oother / [516] and truste wel / J)&t in the name of thy
neighebore / thow shalt vnderstonde / the name of thy
brother / for certes / alle we haue o fader flesshly & o
moder / that is to seyn Adam and Eue / & eek o fader
spirituel / that is god of heuene / [517] thy
neighebore artow holden for to loue & wilne hym alle
goodnesse / and ther fore seith god / loue thy neighebore as
thy self / that is to seyn / to sauacion / bothe of lyf/ and
soule / [518] & laoore 1ouer / thow shalt loue hym in
word / & benygne amonestynge / & chastisynge /
& conforte hym / in hise anoyes & preye for hym with
al thyn herte || [519] And in dede / thow shalt loue hym
in swich wise / J)#t thow shalt doon to hym in charitee /
as thow woldesfr J?at were doon to thyn owene persons /
[520] and therfore / thow ne shalt doon hym no damage
in wikked word / ne harm in his body / ne in his catel /
ne in his soule by entisynge of wikked ensample [521]
U Thow shalt nat eek/desiren his wyf* ne none of hyse thynges
U Ynderstoond eek1 fat in the name of neighebore / is com
prehended his enemy / [522] certes man shal loue his
enemy for the comandement of god / and soothly / thy
freend shaltow loue in god || [523] I seye / thyn
enemy shaltow loue for goddes sake / by his comande-
HENGWRT 697 (6-T. 630) [Ueaf250]
631 SIX-TEXT
598 GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
mentt / for if it were reson / fat man sholde hate his
enemy / for sothe / god nolde nafr receyuen vs to his loue
fat ben hise enemys / [524] II Agayns .iij. manere of
wronges fat his enemy dooth to hym / he shal doon .iij.
thynges / as thus / [525] || Agayns hate & rancour of herte /
he shal loue hym in herte / || Agayns chidynge & wikked
wordes / he shal preye for his enemy || Agayns the wikked
dede of his enemy / he shal doon hym bountee / [526] for
crist seith / loueth youre enemys / & preieth for hem /
fat speke yow harm / & eek for hem / fat yow chacen
and pursuen / and dooth bountee / to hem fat yow haten
U Lo thus comandeth vs oure lord Ihu crisis to do
to oure enemys / [527] for soothly / nature dryueth vs
to louen oure frendes / & parfey oure enemys / han
moore nede to loue / than oure frendes / & they fat
moore nede haue / certes to hem shal men doon good-
nesse / [528] and certes in thilke dede haue we remem
brance of the loue of Ihu crist1 fat deyde for hise
enemys / [529] and in as muche as thilke loue is the
moore greuous to parfourne / so muche is the moore
gret the merite / and therfore the louynge of of oure
enemy / hath confounded the venym of the deuel /
[530] for right / as the deuel is desconfited by humylitee /
right so is he wownded to the deth / by the loue of oure
enemy / [531] certes thanne is loue the medicyne fat
chaceth out1 the venym of enuye fro mannes herte [532]
the speces of this pas shullen ben moore largely declared / in hire
chapitres f olwynge
f Ira
[533]
After Enuye / wol I discryuen the synne of Ire / for
soothly / who so fat hath enuye vp on his neighebore
1anon he wole communely fynde hym matere of
wraththe / in word or in dede / agayns hym / to whom
he hath enuye / [534] and as wel / comth Ire of pride /
HENGWRT 698 (6-T. 63l) [i leaf 250, back]
632 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS. 599
as of enuye / for soothly / he J?at is proud or enuyous /
is lightly wroth
[535] ^ This synne of Ire / after the discryuyng of
Seint Augustyn / is wikked wil to ben auenged / by
word / or by dede [536] U Ire after the philosophre / is
the feruent blood of man / yquyked in his herte / thurgh
which / he wole harm / to hym ]>at he hateth / [537] for
certes the herte of man / by eschawfynge & moeuynge of
his blood / wexeth so trouble / J?at he is out of alle
lugement of resoii // [538] But ye shal vnderstonde /
J>at Ire is in two maneres || that oon of hem is good &
that oother is wikke || [539] the goode Ire is / by
lalowsie of goodnesse / thurgh which / a man is wrooth
•with wikkednesse & agayns wikkednesse / and ther-
fore seith a wys / that Ire is bet than pley || [540]
this Ire is with debonairetee / & it is wroth with
oute bitternesse / nat wroth agayns the man / but
wroth / with the mysdede of the man / as seith the
prophete Dauid II Irascimini & nolite peccare [541] U Now
vnderstondeth / J?at wikked Ire / is in .ij. maneres ||
that is to seyn / sodeyn Ire or hastif Ire with oute
auysement1 & consentynge of his reson / [542] the Menyng
& the sens of this is / )>at the reson of a man ne con-
sente nat1 to thilke sodeyn Ire / and thanne is it venyal ||
[543] Another Ire / is ful wikked / ]>at comth of
felonye of herte auysed / & cast bifore with wikked wil
to do vengeance / & ther to his resofi consenteth / and
soothly / this is dedly synne [544] U this Ire / is so dis-
plesant to god / ]>at it troubleth his hous / & chaceth the
holy goost1 out of mannes soule / and wasteth & de-
stroyeth the liknesse of god / that is to seyn / the vertu /
J?at is in mannes soule / [545] & put in hym / the lik
nesse of the deuel / & bynymeth the man fro god / J?at
is his rightful lord || [546] this Ire / is a ful gret
plesance to the deuel / for it is the deueles forneys /
jjat is eschawfed with the fyr of helle / [547] for certes /
HENGWRT 699 (6-T. 632)
633 STX-TEXT
600 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Hengwrt MS.
right so as fyr is moore myghty to destroye erthely
thynges / than another Element i right so Ire is myghty / to
destroye alle spirituel thynges || [548] Looke / how J?at
fyr of smale gleedes / J?at ben almoost dede vnder the Asshen
wolen quyke agayn / whan they ben touched vtiih
brymstonf right so / Ire wole euere mo quyke agayn /
whan it is touched by the pryde fat is couered in
mannes herte / [549] for certes / fyr ne may nat come
out of no thyng1 but if it were first1 in the same thyng
naturelly / as fyr is drawen out of flyntes with Steel /
[550] and right so / as pryde is ofte tyme matere of Ire
right so is rancour norice & kepere of Ire [551] H Ther is
[i__i catchwords, a manere tree *as seith Seint ysidre1 [2that whan men
uengwrt MS. is maken f uyr of thilke tree / & couere the coles of it with
[° Christ church asshen soothly the fuyr of it wole lasten alle a yere or more /
MS, leaf 262] [552] And right so fareth it of rancour whan it is
ones receyued in the hertes of sorame men i certeyn it wole
lasten parauenture. from oon Ester Day vnto anojjer
Ester day & more / [553] But certes thilke man
is ful fer fro the mercy of god alle thilke while //
[554] In this forseide deuels f orneys . ther
forgen .iij. shrewys. Pride, that ay bloweth & encresith
the fuyr by chidynge & wikked wordes // [555] Thanne
stante enuye . and holdeth the hote Iren vpon the herte
of man wit a peyre of longe tonges of longe rancour /
[556] Thanne stant the synne of Contumelie. or
strife & chest/ & batereth & forgith by vileyns
repreuynges [557] Certes this cursed synne anoyeth
bothe to the man hym selfe. & eeke to his neighebore.
For soothly almoste al the harme that a man
doth to his neighebore cometh of wrath / [558] For
certez outrageous wrath dooth al that euer the
deuel hym commaundeth / For he ne spareth neyther
criste ne his moder / [559] And in his out-
ragreows anger and Ire. alias ful many oon
at that tyme felith in his herte ful wikkedly
CHHISTCHUKCH (for Hengwrt eoo) (6-T. 633)
634 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christen., forHeng.MS. 601
botho of criste & eke his halewys . [560] Is
nat thys a cursed vice f yis certes alias . It bynemeth
from man his witte & his reson & alle his debonaire
lyfe spirituel . that shulden kepe his soule // [561]
Certes yt bynemeth eke goddis dewe lordeshipe / and
that is mannes soule . and the loue of his neighebores //
It stryueth eke alday agayn treuthe . It reueth hym the
quiete of his herte . & subuerteth his soule //
[562] Of [I]re comen these stynkyiige engendrares /
Fir[s]te hate . that is oldee wrath / discorde thurgh whiche
a man forsaketh his olde frendee full
longo / [563] And thanne cometh werro & euery
maner of wronge that man doth to his neighebore in
body or in catel || [564] Of this curscdde synne of' Iro
cometh eke manslaughter / And vndirstonde wele that
homycy de that is manslaughter . is in diuerse wise . Som manor
of homycyde is spirituel. & som is bodely . [565]
Spirituel manslaughter is [i]n .vj. thynges. First by
hate . as seyth seint lohn) that he thafr hateth his brother
is homycyde // [566] homycyde is eke by bakbytynge / of
whiche bakbiteris seith Salomon / that they han .ij.
swerdes with wiche they sleen hire neighbores. For
sootly as wikke is . to by nyme hym his good name / as
his lyfe // [567] homycide is eke. in yeuynge of wikked
counseile 1by fraude / or for to yeue counseile1 / to arreyse p— i repeated in
TLfO -I
wrongeful custumes & tailages . [568] of whiche seith
serwt 2 Salomon / leon rorynge & bere hungry ben lyke to
the Cruel lordshipes in with holdynge or abreggynge of the
shipe . or the hire . or of ye wages of seruawntes / or ellys in
vsure . or in withdrawynge / of the Almesse of the pouere f olke .
[569] For whiche the wise man seith. Fedith hyrn. that
almoost dieth for hunger / For sothly . but if thow fede hym.
thow sleyst him // And alle these ben deedly synnes // [570]
Bodely manslaughter is . whan thow sleyst hym with thy
tunge // In other manere . as wharc thow cowmaundest to
slen a man or ellys yeuest hym counseile to slen a
CHRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 601) (6-T. 634) C2 leaf 262, back]
41
635 SIX-TEXT
602 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. ChristcL,forHeng.MS.
man // [571] Man slaughter in dedcf is in .iiij. maners /
That oon is by lawe Eight as a Justice dampncth
hym that is coupable to the deeth But late the Justice
be ware that he do it rightfully / And that he do it nat
for delyte to spille blood / but for kepynge of ^twys-
nesse // [572] A nother homycyde is doon for
necessite . as whan a man sleith a nother in his defendaunt.
& that ho ne may noon other wise escape from his
owne deeth / [573] But certeynly. if he may escape with-
oute slaughter of his aduersarie and sleeth hymf
he dooth synne & he shaH bere penawnce as for deedly
synne // [574] Eke if a man by caas or aventure shete
an arwe or caste a stoon with whiche he sleith a manf
ho is homycyde // [575] Eke if a woman by necligenco
ouerlyth hire childe in hire slepynge. it is homycyde &
deedly synne // [576] Eke whan man destorbeth con-
ccpc^fon of a childe / & maketh a woman other barayne
by drynkynge venemous drynkes . thurgh whiche she may
nat conceyue / Or sleeth a childe by drynkes or
ellys putteth" certeyn material thynges in hire secre
places to slee the childe [577] or ellys doth vnkyndely
synne. by whiche man or woman shedeth hiij nature
in manere or in place ther as a childe may nat be con-
ceyued Or ellys if a woman hath nat conceyued / & hurte
hire selfe & sleth the childe / yet is it homycyde //
[578] what sey we eke of wymmen thai mordren
hire children for drede of wordely shame . Certes an
horrible homycyde //. [579] homycyde is eke if a man ap-
procheth to a won^ be desire of lecherie thurgh whiche the
childe is perisshed or ellys smyteth a woman wityngly
thurgh whiche she leseth hire childe / Alle these ben homy-
cydes . and horrible dedly synnes // [580] yet comen ther of
Ire many mo synnes as wele in worde . as in thought And
in dede / as he that arettith vpon god. or blameth god
.of thywge of whiche he is hym selfe gylty. or dispisith
god . & alle hise halewis as doon these cursed hasardours
! ..- . CHRISTCHIJRCH (for Hengwrt 602) (G-T. 635)
636 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christen., for Heng. MS. 603
in dyuers cuntres / [581] This curside synne doon they
whan they felen in hire herte / ful wikedly of god and
hise halewes // [582] Also whan they treten. viireuerently
the sacrement of the holy auter thilke synne is so greet
that vnnethe may it ben relessed . but that the mercy of
god passeth alle his werkys it is so grete & he so
benynge // [583] Than) cometh of Ire attry answer /
1 whan a man is sharply a-monested in his shrifte / to for-
loto synnee [584] thanne wole ho be Angry &
answero hokrcly / And angrely or deffcnde or excusen
his synne by vn-stedefastnesse of fleisshe / or ellys ho
dide it for to holde companye with hise felawys / or
ellys he seith the fende entyced hym / [585] or ellys he
dyde it for his youthe . or ellys his complexioun . is so
corageous that he may nat forbore / or ellys it ys his
destyne as he seith / vnto a certeyn age or ellys ho
seith it comyth hym of gentilesse of his Auncestres.
& semblable thywges [586] Alle these manere of folko
so wrappen hem in hire synnes that they no wole nat
delyuere hem selfo / for soothly no wight that excnseth
hem selfe wilfully of hys synne . may nat be delyuered of his
synne til that he mekely byknoweth his synne // [587]
Aftir this than cometh sweryng1 that is expresso
agayn the commaundement of god/ And this byfalleth ofte
of Angir & of Ire / [588] God seith. thow shalt nat
take the name of thy lorde god in veyn . or in ydel / Also
oure lord criste seith by the worde of seint Mathewo
Mathee 5to. Nolite iurare omnino. [589] NQ wolde ye
nat swere in alle manere . neither by
heuene f For it is goddis trone / Ne by erthe f For it is the
benche of his feet f Ne by lerwsalem f for it is the Cite of
a grete kynge. !N"e be thyn heedf For thow maist nat
make an here white ne blake. [590] But seyth by youro
word? ye yef and nay nay. And what that is more
it is of yuel. thus seyst crist/ [591] For cristes sake ne swerith
nat so synfuHy in dismembrynge of Criste by soule /
CHRISTCIIURCH (for Hengwrt 603) (6-T. 636) P leaf 263]
637 SIX-TEXT
604: GROUP I, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christen., for Heng. MS.
herte / ' bones / & body / For certes it semeth /
that cursed lewis ne dismembred nat
ynow the precious persone of criste. but ye dismembre
hym more. [592] And if so be that the lawe com-
pelle yow to sweref thaw rewle yow aftir the lawe of
god in youre swerynge. as seith Jeromye .4to. c°.
lurabis/ in uerita in iudicio & in iusticia. Thow
shalt kepe .iij. condiczons. Thow shalt swere in trouthe
In doom, and in rightwysnesse . [593] This is to seyn /
Thow shalt swere soth / For euery lesynge is agayns criste/
For crist is verrey trouthe / And thynke wele thys . thai
euery grete swerer nat compelled lawefully to sweref
the wounde shal nat departe /from his hous. while ho
vseth swiche vnlefull swerynge / [594] Thow shalt swere
eke in doom . whan thow art constreyned by thy domes-
man to witnesse the treuthe || [595] Eke thow shalt
nat swere for enuye / ne for fauour / ne for mede ;
but for rightwysnesse for declaracioun of it. to
worshepe of god/ and helpynge of thyn euen
cristen / [596] And therfore euery man that
taketh goddis name en ydel / or falsly swereth for
his mouth or ellys taketh on hym the name of cn'st
to be called a cristen man / and lyuyth agayns cristes
lyuynge & his techynge / alle they taken goddes name
in ydel // [597] looke eke what seith seint Petir
Aciuum. 4to. Non estt aliud? nomen sub celo. Ther
is noon) other name seith seint Petir vnder heuen
yeuen to men in whiche they mowe be saued . that is to
seyn. but in the name of Ihesu criste / [598] Take kepe eeke.
how that the precious name of criste as seith seint Poule
Ad Philipenses .2 . In nomine ihesu && that in the
name of ihesu 1 euery knee of heuenly creatures / or
erthely / or of belief sholde bowe / For it is so holy
& so worshepfuH that the cursed feend in helle sholde
tremblen to here it nempned // [599] Than
semeth it. that men that sweren so horribly / by hys
CHRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 604) (6-T, 637) C1 leaf 263, back]
638 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christch.,forHeng.MS. 605
Mossed name / that they despice it more boldely.
than dide the cursed iewys / or ellys the Deuel that
trembleth whaii he hereth his name //
[600] Now certis sith that swerynge. but if it bo
lawefully doon. is so hily deffended / myche worse is
for swerynge falsely & yet needles //
[60 1 ] what seye we eke of hem that Delyte hem
in swerynge or holden it a gentire or a manly dede to
swere grete othes // And what of hem that of verray
vsage . ne cesse nat to swere grete oothes / al be the cause
nat woorth a straugh" / certis this is horrible synne // [602]
[ no gap in the
MS.] [603] But late vs goo now to thilke horrible sweryng1
of adiuracioun & corauracioun / As doon these fals en-
chaunteour . or Nygromanciens in bacyns futt of water . or
in a bright swerde in a sercle or in a fuyr . or in the sholder
boon of a sheepe / [604] I kan natte seyn / but that they
doon cursedly & dampnably agayns criste and alle the
feith of holy chirche //
[605] what sey we of hem. that by-leeuen on
dyuynayles / as by flyght or by noyse of bryddes or of
beestes/orbysort. // Bygeomancye/bydremes/bychirkynge
of houses/ by gnawynge of rattes.
& whiche manere wrecchednesse [606] certes aft this
thynke is defended by god & holichirche / For
whiche they accursed til they come to amendement.
that on swiche filthe setten here byleue // [607] Charmes
for woundes or maladie of men / or of bestes / if they
taken any effecte . it may be parauenture that god suffreth
it. for folke sholde yeue the more feith & reuerence to
his name //
[608] Now wole I speke of lesynges / whiche gener
ally / is fals signifiaunce of worde in entente to desceyuen
his euen cristene // [609] Som lesynge is of whiche
there cometh noon aucmntage to no wight1 And som lesynge
turneth to ye ease or profite of a man / And to
CHRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt cos) (G-T. 638)
639 SIX-TEXT
COG GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Christch.,forHeng.MS.
damage of a nother man [610] // Another lesynge
for to saueft his lyfe or his catel comyth
of delyte for to lye / in whiche delyte they wille forge a longe
tale & peynte it with alle cireumstannces . where
alle the grounde of the tale is fals // [6n] Som lesyngo
cometh for he wole sustene his worde Som lesynge
cometh of rechelnesse / wit outen avisement and seni-
blable thynges //
[612] late vs now touche the vice of Flateriwg1
whiche ne cometh nat gladly but for drede . or for couetise //
[613] Flaterie is generally wrongful! preysyngc // Flatcr-
ies ben the deuels norices / that norissen hise children .
with Melke of loscngerie / [614] For sothe . Salomon seith .
that flaterie is wors than detraccwuw For somtyme de-
traccion maketh an hauteyn man be the More humble /
for he drcdeth detraccion // But certes flaterie that maketh
a man to enhaunsen his herte & his countenauwce //
[615] Flatercrs ben the deuels enchauntours . For
they make a man to wene of1 1hym selfe by lyke that he
rs nat lyke . / [6 1 6] They ben lyke ludas that bytraised
[ no gap in the MS.] a man to selle hym.
to his ennemye. that is the deuels // [617] Flaterers ben
the deuels Chapeleyns that syngen euer placebo.
[6 1 8] I rekene flaterers in the vices of Ire / for of to
tyme . if oo man be wrooth with a nother / than) wole
he llatere som wight1 to sustene hym in his quarelle //
[6 1 9] Speke we now of swiche cursynge / as comyth of
Irous herte / Malysouw generally may be seyd euery
maner power of harme swiche cursynge 2byreueth man fro
the reigne of god / As seith seint Poule // [620] And of-
tyme swiche cursynge3 wrongfully retorneth agayn to
hym that curseth. as a brid retorneth agayn to his
owne neste / [621] and ouer alle thynges men ought
to eschewe to cursen hire children / & yeuen to the deuel
here engendrure / as ferforth as in hem is / certes it is
grete perille & grete synne // *— » wrongly repeated in MS., aft«r»
CHRISTCHURCII (for Hengwrt 606) (6-T. 639) C1 leaf 264]
640 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christcli.,forHeng.MS. 607
l, [622] late vs thanne speke of chidynge & reproches
whiche ben fuli grete woundes in mannes herte . For
they vnsowen the semes of Frendeshippe in manner herte .
[623] For certes vnnethes may a man ben
accorded with hym that hath hym opywly reuyled &
repryued . & desclaundred This is a fuH grymly synne
as criste seith in the gospel / [624] And take kepe now.
that he that repreueth his neighebore / outlier he repreueth
hym by som harme of peyne that he hath on his body /
as Mesel Croked harlote . or be som) synne that he doth //
[625] Now if he repreue hym by harme of peyne f
than turneth the repref to Ihesu Criste for peyne is
sente by the rightwis sondc of god / And by his suffraunce /
be it Meselrie . or Mayme or Maladie // [626] And if he
repreue hym vncharitably of synne / as thowe dronke-
lewe harlot & so forth // thanne aperteyneth that
to the reioysynge of the dcuel / that euer hath ioy
that men don synne / [627] And certes chidynge may
nat come but out of a vyleyns herte . For after the
habundcmnce of the herte f speketh the mouth fuli ofte
[628] And ye shulle vndirstonde / that loke by any way.
whan any man shall chastice a nother . that he be ware .
from chydynge or repreuynge For trewly but if he be
ware f he may futt lyghtly quyken the fuyr of angre & of
wrath whiche that he sholde quenche & parauenture
sleeth hym that he myght chastice with benyg-
nyte [629] For as seith seint Salomon . The Amiable tunge is
the tree of lyfe that is to seyn. of lyfe espirituel / and
soothly a deslaue tunge sleeth the spirites of hym that
repreueth / and eke of hym that is repreued / [630] lo
what .seyth seint Augustyn / ther is no thynge so lyke ye
deuels childe. As he that ofte chideth Seint Poule seith
eeke I serua-zmt of god / byhoueth nat to chide . [631] And
how that chidynge be a veleyns thynge bytwixe alle
maner folke . yet is it certes J moste vncouenable
bitwixe a man & his wyfe. For ther is neuer reste
CHRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 607) (6-T. 640) P leaf Ml, back]
G41 SIX-TEXT
COS GROUP I, §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christch., for Heng, MS,
And therfore seith Salomon / An hous that is vnkouered .
& droppynge / & a chidynge wyfe. Iben lyke /
[632] A man that is in a droppynge hous in many
places . thow he eschewe the droppynge in oo place .
it droppeth on hym in a nother place // So fareth it by
a chydynge wyfe . but she chide hym in oo place / she
wole chide hym in a nother // [633] And therfore bettre is
a morsel of brede witJi ioye than an housfufr of
delices with chidyngee seith Salomon // [634] Seynt
Poule seith. o ye / women be ye subiettez to youre
housboncles / as byhoueth in god . And ye men / loueth
youre wyfes . Ad Colonisenses 3°. //
[635] Aftirwarde speke we of scornynge. whiche is a
wikked synne . And namely whan) he scorncth a man / for
hise goode werkys / [636] For certes swiche scorneris
faren lyke the foule tode that may nat endure to
smelle the swote sauour of the vyne whaw it
iloresseth. [637] These scorners ben partynge felawes
with the deuel For they han ioye'. whan the deuel
wynneth. & sorwe whan he leseth. [638] For they ben
aduersaries of Ihesu criste . For they hateii that he loueth
that is to seyn sauacion of soule /
[639] Speke we now . of wikked counseille / For he that
wikked counseille yeueth is a traitour For he deceyueth
hym that trusteth in hym . Vt Achitofel ad Absolonem .
But natheles. yet is his wikked counseille /furste agayws hym
selfe . [640] For as seith the wise man . euery fals
lyuynge hathe his proprete in hym selfe that he that
wole anoye another man he Anoieth firste hym selfe /
[641] And men shulle vndirstonde that ma^ shalle nat
take his counseile of fals folke ne of Angry folke or
greuous folke that louen specially to myche hire owne
profite ne to moche wordly folke / namely in counseillynge
of soules //
[642] Now com* the synne of hem that sowen &
maken discorde amonges folke whiche is a synne that
cimisTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 608) (6-T. 6ll)
642 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I, §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christch,,forHeng.MS. 609
crist hateth outrely // And no wonder ys for he deydo
for to make concorde / [643] And more shame done they to
criste than dide they that hym cracyfied/ For god
loueth bettre that frendshepe be amonge folke than
he dide hys owne body whiche that he yaf for vnyte.
therfore ben they lykned to the deuel / that euer is
aboute to make discorde //
[644] Now cometh thee synne of dowble tonge . swicho
as speken faire byforn folke and wikkedly byhynde / or
elles they maken semblaunfr as thoughe they speke of
good entencioun. or ellys in game & ploy & yette they
speke of wikked entente //
[645] Now cometh bywreyng of counseille thurgh
whiche a man is defamed/ certes vnneth may he restore the
damage //
[646] Now comyth Manace that is an open foly ./ For
he that often manaceth he threteth more, than he may
performe ful of te tyme //
[647] No we cometh ydel wordes that is with onto
profite of hym that speketh thoo wordes [
no gap in the MS.] Or elles ydel wordes ben
thoo that ben neodelees or with outcn entente of naturel
p?-ofite [648] And alle be it that ydel wordes ben som-
tyme venial synne f yet sholde men doute hem. for we
shulle yeue rekenynge of hem byfore god //
[649] Now cometh langlynge f that may nat ben with-
oute l synne . And as seith Salomon . it is a signe of a-perte
folye / [650] And therfore A Philosphre seyde whan
men asked hym . how that men sholdee please the people /
And he answerde / Doo many good werkys and spek1 fewe
langles //
[651] After this cometh the synne of laperis. that
ben the deuels Apes / For they make folke to laughen at
hire laperie as men doon at the gaudes of an ape /
Swiche iapes defendith seint Ponl [652] loke how
that vertuous wordes & holy conforten hem
CIIRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 609) (6-T. 642) C1 leaf 265]
643 SIX-TEXT
610 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christen,, for Heng. MS.
that trauaillen in the seruyse of cristef so conforten
the vileyns wordes & knakkys of laperis hem that
trauaillen in the seruice of the deuel / [653] These ben
the synnes that comen of the tonge . that comen of Ire
& of other synnes moo
Remedium contra iram .
[654]
The Remedie agayns Ire is a vertue that men
clepen Mansuetude / that is debonairete And
eke another vertue that men calleth pacience / or
suffrance /
[655] debonaireto wxt/idrawith & refreyneth
the sterynges & the meouynges of mannes corage in his
herte in swicho mancre/ that they ne skippe nat oute by
angre ne by Ire. [656] Suffraunce suffrith swetely alle
the Anoyaunces & the wronges that men doon to man
outwarde [657] Seint lerome seith thus of debonairete
that it dooth noon harme to no wight ne seith ne for non
harme that men doon ne seyn. he ne eschawfeth nat
agayns his reson // [658] This vertue somtyme cometh of
nature . /For as seith the Philosophre / A man is a quykke
thynge by nature debonaire & tretable to goodnesse //
But whan debonairete is eiiformed of grace than is
it the more worth //
[659] Pacience that is a nother remedie agayns Ire
is a vertue that suffereth swetely euery mannes godenesse /
& nat wrooth for noon harme that is doon to hym //
[660] The Philosophre seith that paeience is thilke
vertue that suffreth debonairly alle the outrages of
aduersite. & euery wikked worde // [66 1] This vertue
maketh a man lyke to god & makyth hym his
owne dere childe as seith criste / This vertue discomfiteth
thyn enemy And therfore seith the wyseman / If thow
wolte venquysshe thm enemy . lerne for to suffre / [662] And
thow shalte vndirstonde that marc suffreth .iiij. manere
CHRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 610) (6-T. 643)
644 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christen., for Heng. MS. Gil
of greuerancez & outward thinges/ agayns tlic whiche .iiij.
he mote haue .iiij. manere of paciences /
[663] The firsto greuaunce is of wikked wordes.
thilko sufFred Ihesu criste with outen grucchynge futt
paciently whan the iewes despised hym & repreued hym
fuH ofte / [664] Suffre thow therfore paciently / For the
wise man seith . If thow stryue with a fool . though
the fool be wrooth or thow he laugh / Algate
thow shalte haue no reste [665] // That other greucwnce
outwarde is to haue damage of thy catel / Ther agayns
suffrid criste fuH paciently whan he was dispoilled of alle
that he hadde in this lyfe / And that nas but of his clothes
[666] // The thrid greuawnce is a man to haue harme in
his body that suffred criste ful l paciently in alle his
passion [667] // The fertile greucmnce is in outrageous
labour in werkys wherfore I sey that folke that
maken hire seniawntez to trauaillen to greuously / or oute of
tyme / as on halidaies f soothly they don) grete synno //
[668] here agayns suffred criste fuH paciently and
taught vs pacie?zce. whan he bare vppon) his blyssed
sholdre the croys / vpon) whiche he shulde sufFro
dispitous deth // [669] here may men lerne to be
pacient . For nat oonly cristen men ben pacicnt
for loue of Ih<?su criste & for gerdon of the blysfuH
lyfe that is pardurable // But certcs the olde payens that
neuer were cristene . co?mnenden & vseden the vertue
of pacience
[670] A Philosophre vpon a tyme that wolde haue
beten his disciple for his grete trespas For whiche he was
gretly amoeued . and broughte a yerde to scourge the
childe / [671] And whan the childe saugh the yerde he
seide to his maister [
. . no gap in the MS.] for thy correccioun . [672] For sothe
qwod the childe / ye oughte firste correcte youre selfe that
han loste al youre pacience / for the gilte of a childe /
[673] Forsoth q?/od the maister al wepyngef thow
CHRISTCHUIICH (for Hengwrt 611) (6-T. 644) p leaf 265, back!
645 SIX-TEXT
612 GROUP!, §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christcli,,forHeng.MS.
seist sooth f haue thow the yerde my dere sone &
correcte me for myn impacience // [674] Of pacience cometh
obedience thurgh whiche a man is obedient to criste &
to alle hem to whiche he ought ben obedient to criste //
[675] And vndirstonde wele that obedience is parfite
whan that a man dooth gladly & hasty ly with good!,
herte entierly. al that he shold! doo. [676] Obedience
generally is to performe the doctrine of god &
of his souereyn to whiche hym ougte to ben obeissaunt
in alle rightwisnesse
. De accidia ./
[677]
Aftyr the synne of Envye and Iref now wole I
speke of thee synne of Accidie. For Enuye
blyndeth the herte of a man & Ire trobleth a
_ .__. man . And Accidie maketh hym heuy thoughtfull
& wrawe . [678] Enuye & Ire maken bitternesse in herte /
which bitternesse is moder of accidie / And bynemeth hym
the loue of alle goodnesse / Thanne is accidie the
Angwisshe of troubled herte . As seith seint Austyn seith /
It is anoye of goodnesse . & anoye of harme [679] / Certes
this is a dampnable synne / for it dooth wronge to ihesu
criste in as moche as it bynemeth the seruyce that men
oughte doon to ihesu criste with alle diligence, as seith Salo
mon //[68o] But Accidie dooth no swiche diligence, he dooth
aH thynge with a noy. and with wrawnesse. And
excusacioun. And with ydelnesse & vnluste / For
whiche the book seith / A-cursed be he . that dooth the
seruyce of god necligently [68 r] Thanne is Accidie
enemy to euery estaat of man. For certes thestaat of
man is in .iij. maners // [682] Outher it is thestaat of
Innocence / as was thestaat of Adam byforn that he felle in-to
synne / in whichee estaat he was holden too wirche / as in
heringe / And Adowrynge of god // [683] Another estaat
is thestaat of synfuH men / in whiche estat men ben holden
CHEISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 612) (6-T. 645)
646 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christcli.,forHeng,MS, 613
to labour in preynge to god for amendement of hire
synnes / & that he wole graunte hem to ryse oute of hire
synnes [684] JA nother estaat is the estaat of grace, in
whiche estaat he is holde to werkes of penytence / And
certes to alle these thynges . is Accidie enemye & con-
trarie. For he loueth no besynesse at al // [685] Now
certes this foule synne / Accie is eke a ful grete enemye
to the lyfLode of the body / For it ne hath noo purueaunco
agayns temporel necessite For it forslewith & for-
sluggeth & destroieth alle goodes temporels by
rechelesnesse //
[686] The .iiij. thynge is that Accidie is lyke hem /
that ben in the peyne of helle . by cause of hir sleuthe /
& of hire heuynesse / For they that ben dampned ben
so bounde/ that thay may neyther wele doo no
thynke // [687] Of Accie cometh first that a man is
anoyed & encombred for to do any goodnesse / &
maketh that god hath abhomynaciou?* of swicho
Accidye //
[688] Now cometh sleuth that wil nat suffre. non
hardnesse ne no penemnce / For soothly slouthe ys so
tendre & soo delicate . as seith Salomon / that he wole nat
suffre noon hardnesse / ne penaunce / And therfore he
shendeth al that he dooth [689] agayns this roten
herted synne of Accidie & slouthe sholde men
exercise hem selfe & vse hem selfe to don) good werkes / and
manly & vertuously cacchen corage wele to doon thenk-
ynge that oure lord Ihesu criste quyteth euery good
dede / be it neuer so lite [690] vsage of labour, is a
greet thynge . for it maketh as [s]eith Seint Bernarde the
laborer to haue stronge armes & harde synwes / &
slouthe makith hem feble & tendre // [691] Than) cometh
drede to begynne to werke any good werkes / for
certes he that is enclyned to synne / hym thiwketh it
is so greet an Emprise for to vndirtake to doon werkes
of goodnesse / [692] and casteth in his herte that the
CHRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 613) (6-T. 646) p leaf 266]
647 SIX-TEXT
614 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. ChristcL,forHeng,MS.
circumstaunces of goodnesse ben so greuouse & so
chargeaunt for to suffre / that he dar nat vndirtake to
do werkes of goodnesse As seith seint Gregorie
[693] Now cometh wanhope that is despeire of the
mercy of god that comyth somtyme of to moche out
rageous sorwe / And somtyme of to moche drede ymagen-
ynge that he hath do so myche synne. that it wolo
nat auaille hym though he wolde repente hym / &
forsake synne / [694] thurgh whiche despaire or drede /
ho habawndonethalle his herte to cue ry maner synne /As seith
seint Augustyn / [695] whiche darapnable synne / if that
it contynue vnto his ende / it is cleped synnywg in the
holy goost // [696] This horrible synne is so perilous,
that he that is despeired / ther nys no felonye no no synne
that he douteth for to doo / As shewed wele be Judas /
[697] certes a bouen alle synnes. than is this synno
mostedisplescrant to criste & moste & moste1aduersarie [698]
Sothely / he that despeireth hym. is lyke the cowarde
Champion recreaunt that seith creant with oute nede /
Alias alias. . nedeles is he recreaunt1
& nedeles despeired / [699] Certes the mercy of god is
over redy to ye penytent And is . a-botien alle his werkys .
[700] Alias kan nat a man by-thynken hym on the gospel
of seint luke .15. Where as criste seith / that as wele shalle
ther be ioye in heuene vpon a synfutt man that dooth
penitence / than vpon. 90 & 19 rightfull men that
[. . .no gap in the MS.] neden noo 2penitence / [701]
loko forther in the same gospel / the ioye & the
f este of thee good man that hadde loste his' sone / whan)
his sone with repentaunce was retourned to his fader
[702] kan they nat remembre hem eke that as seith
seynt luke .23. how that the theef / that was hanged
by syde Ihesu criste seyde / lorde remembre of me . whan
thow comest into thy reigne. [703] For sothe seydo
criste I sey to the. to day shalt thow be with me in
paradys / [704] Certes ther is noon so horrible synne of
CHBISTCHUKCH (for Hengwrt 614) (6-T. 647) C2lf26G,bk]
648 SIX-TEXT
GROUP!, §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christch,,forHeng,MS. 615
man that it ne may in his lyf e be destroied by penitence .
thurgh vertue of the passions & of the deeth of c?^'st
[705] Alias what nedeth man thanne to ben despeircd.
sith that his mercy so redy is & large / axe & haue //
[706] Thanne cometh sompnolense . that is sluggy
slombrynge whiche maketh a man be heuy & dulle in
body & in soule // & this synne cometh of sleuth /
[707] And certes the tyme that by wey of reson men
sholde nat slepe that is by the morwe / but if there were
cause / resonable [708] for soothly the morwe tyde is
moste couenable / a man to sey his preiers and for
to thynke on god / & to honour god / & to
yeuen almesse to the poore / that firste cometh in the name
of criste / [709] loo what seith Salomon / who so wolo
by the morwe a-wake & seke me / he shalle fyndo
[710] Thanne cometh neclygence or rechele[s]nesse .
that rekketh of no thynge /. and how that ignoraunco be
moder of alle harme / certes necligence is the JSTorice /
[711] Necligence ne doth noo force whan he shall doon
a thynge whether he do it wele or baddely //
[712] Of the remedye of these twoo synnes as seith
the wyse man that he that dredeth god / he spareth nat
to doon that hym oughte doon. [713] & he that loueth
god '. he wole doon diligence to plese god to his werkis and
a-bawndone hym self e with alle his myght wele for to doon /
[714] Than cometh Idelnesse that is the yate of alle
harmes / An ydel man is lyke a place that hath no
wallys the deuels may entre on euery syde / or sheet
at hym ad diskouerte by temptacion on euery syde /
[715] This ydelnesse is the Thurrok/ of alle wikked and
vileyns . and of alle langles trufles / and of
alle ordure / [716] Certes the heuen is yeuen to hem that
wole labouren & nat to ydel folke / Eeke Dauid seith
that they ne be nat in the laboure of men ne they shulle
nat be whipped with men that is to seyn in purgatorie /
CHRISTCHT3RCH (for Hengwrt 616) (6-T. 648)
649 SIX-TEXT
616 GROUP! §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christch., for Heng. MS.
[717] certes thanne semeth it they simile be turmentyd
with the del in helle . but if they doo penitence /
[718] Than cometh the synne that men clepe
Tarditas / as whan a man is to laterede or tariynge er
he wole turne to god / And certes that is a grete folye /
he is lyke to hym that falleth in the diche / & wole nat
aryse / [719] And this vice comyth of a fals hope / that
he thynketh / that he shalle lyue longe / but thai hope
f ailleth ful ofte //
[720] Thanne cometh lacchesse / that is he / that whaw he
begynneth any good werke anoon he shalle forlete it and
stynte as doon they that han any wight to gouerne /
and ne taken of hym no more kepe / Anoon as they fynden
any contrarie / or any anoye // [721] These ben the newe
shepehurdes that leten hire shipe wytyngly to renne to
the wolfe that is in the breris /or do no force of hire owno
goue^naunce / [7 2 2] Of this cometh pouerte / and destruccion
bothe of spirituelle & temporelle thynges / Thanne cometh
a maner cooldnesse that freseith alle the herte of man //
[723] Than comyth vndeuocion thurgh whiche a man is
blente As seith seint Bernard / & hath swiche langour in
soule that he may neither rede ne synge in holy chirche .
ne here ne thynke of noo deuocion ne trauaille with
his handes in noo good werke that it nys to hym vnsauory /
And alle appalled / [724] thanne waxeth he slow &
slombry / And so is enclyned
to hate & to Enuye // [725] thanwe comyth the synne of
wordly sorwe. swiche as is cleped Tnsticia. that sleeth
man as seith seint Poule / [726] For certes swiche sorwe
wercheth to the deeth of the soule / and of the body also /
For ther of cometh / that a man is anoyed of his owne lyfe /
[727] wherfore swiche sorwe shorteth ful ofte the lyfe of
a man er that his tyme by come by wey of kynde
CHRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 616) (6-T, 649) C1 leaf 267]
650 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christen., for Heng.MS, 617
A
Eemedium contra peccafoem accidie
gayns this horrible synne of Accidie & the braun-
- ches of the same that is a vertue that is called
Fortitudo. or strenght that is an affeccion thurgh
whiche aman despiseth a noyous thynge // [729] This
vertue is so myghty and so vigorous / that it dar withstonde
myghtely & wisely kepe hym from pmles that ben
wikked / and wrastle agayns the assawtes of the deuel /
[730] for it enhaunceth & enforceth. the soule right as
Accidie a-batith it and maketh it feble / For this Fortitude
may lowg endure by longe sufferance, the trauailles that ben
couenable //
[731] This vertu-e hath many spices // The
fiirste is cleped magnanymite / that is to seyn grete corage
[ ..... no gap in the MS.] agayns Accidie / leste
that it ne swolwe the soule / by the synne of sorwe . or
destroye it by wanhope / [732] This vertue maketh
folke vndirtake harde thynges & greuouse thynges
by hire owne wille . wisely and resonabely / [733] And for
as mychel as the deuel fy^tteth agayns a man. more by
queyntyse and by sleight than by streght f therfore men
shalle withstande hym by witte & by resoii &. by dis-
crecfon [734] Thanne Arn) there the vertues of Feith &
hope in godf and in his semt} to acheue & complice
the good werkys whiehe he purposeth fermely
to contynue // [735] Thanne cometh seuerte or sikernesse
& that is wha?i a man ne douteth no trauaille in tyme
comynge of the good werkes that a man hath bygonne
// [736] Than) cometh magnificence / that is to seyn whan
a man dooth & peHiourrneth grete werkes of goodnesse
And that is the ende why that men sholde doo gode
werkys / For in the Accomplysynge of grete gode
werkys. lyth the grete gerdoun [737] Thanne is there
Constaunce that is stablenesse of corage / And this sholde
ben in herte by stedeuast feith / And in mouth / and in
42 CHKISTCHURCH (for Heiigwrt 617) (6-T. GSO)
(J51 SIX-TEXT
G18 GROUP!, §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christen., for Heng. MS.
berynge & in chere / & in dede / [738] Eke ther ben
more special remedies agayns Accidie in dyuers werkys.
And in consideracions of the peynes of helle aand of the
ioyes of heuene / And in the truste of the grace of the holy
goosfr that wole yeue hym myght to performe ys good
entente
A
De Auaricia
[739]
ftyr Accidie wole I speke of Anarice / & of
coueitise / of whiche synne / seith seint Poule /
that the rote of alle harmes ys couetise / Ad
Thimoth.6to. [740] For soothly whan the herte of
mar is confounded in it selfe & trowble / and that the
soule hath loste the comfort of god than seketh he an
ydel solace of wordly thynges
[741] // Auarice aftir the descripcioun / of seint Augustyn
is lykerous in herte to haue erthely thynges /
[742] som other folke seyn) thai auarice is for to
purchace many erthely thynges . & no thynge yeue
to hem that han nede // [743] And vndirstonde that
Auarice ne stant nat in londe ne catel. but som-
tyme in science & in glorie . & in euery maner
outrageous thynge . is Auarice & couetise / [744] And
the difference bitwix Auarice & couetise is this / Couetise is
this / Couetise is for to coueit svviche thynges as thow
haste nat / And Auarice is for to with-holde & to kepe swiche
thynges as thow haste with oute rightful nede/ [745] Soothly
this Auarice is a synne that is full dampnable / For alle holy
writte curseth it / And speketh agayns that vice . For it dooth
wronge to Ihesu criste / [746] For it byreueth hym the loue
that men to hym owen. & turneth yt bakwarde agayns
alle reson. [747] and makith that the Auaricious man
hath more hope in his catel. than in Ihesu criste. and
doeth more obserurmnce & kepynge of his tresore than)
hedoth to the seruyseof Ihesu criste/ [748] And therfore seith
CHHISTCHURCII (for Hengwrt 618) (6-T. 651) [* leaf 2G7, back]
652 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I, §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christen,, for Heng.MS. CIO
seint Poul Ad Ephesios .5to. that an auaricious man is
the thraldom of ydolatrie
[749] What difference is bitwixe an ydolastre / and
an auaricious man / but that an ydolastre parauenture
lie hath but oo mawment or twoo And the Auaricious man
hath manye / For certes euery Floryn in his Coffre / is hys
Mawment / [750] And certes the synne of Mawmientn'e is
the firste thynge / that god deffended in the ten comniaund-
emewt as berith witnesse in Exodi c°. 20. [751] Thow
shalte haue no fals goddis bifore me / ne thow shalte make
to the noo graue thynge Thus is an Auaricious man that
loueth his tresore byforn) god and ydolastre [752] thurgh
his cursed synne of Auarice // Of Couetise comen his
harde lordshipes. thurgh whiche men ben destreyned
by taylages / customes & cariages moore than hire
duete or resonn is / And eke take they of hire bonde
men Amercymentz whiche niyghte moore rightfully ben
cleped extorcions than Mercymentz [753] Of whiche
mercymentz and raunsonynge of bonde men / so??zme
lordes sty wardes . seyera that it is rightfuH / for as myche as
a cherle hath no temporel thynge that it ne is his lordes
as they seyn // [754] But certes these bysshops don)
1wronge that byreuen hire bonde folke thynges that they
neuer yaf hem Augustinus de civitate liltro .9°. // [755]
Sooth is that the condicion of thraldom . & the firste
cause of thraldom is for synne Genesis .9°.
[756] thus may yee sen that the gilte disserued
thraldom / but nat nature / [757] wherfore these lordes
ne sholde nat myche glorifie hem in hire lordeships
sith that be naturel condicion they ben nat lordes ouer
thralles / but that thraldome comyth firste by the diserte of
synne // [758] And forther ouer / ther as the lawe seith
that temporel godes of bonde folke ben the goodes
of hire lordshipes / ye that is for to vndirstonde the godes
of the Emperour / to deffenden hem in here right . but nat
for to robben hem ne reuen hem / [759] And therfore
CHRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 619) (6-T. 652) [' leaf 268]
G53 SIX-TEXT
620 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christen., for Heng. MS.
seith Seneca / Thy prudence shulde lyue benignely with
thy thralles [760] [ no gap in the MS.]
ben goddes peple / For humble f olke / ben cristes freendes .
they ben contubernial with the lorde //
[761] Thenke eke that of swiche seed [
. . . no gap in the MSJ\ springen lordes / as wele may
the cherle be saued as the lorde / [762] [
. no gap in the MS.~\ wherfore I
rede do right so with thy cherle . as thow woldest that
thy lorde dide with thee / if thow were in his plyght //
[763] Euery synfutt marc is a cherle to synne / I rede
thee certes that thow lorde werke in swiche wise with
thy cherles. that they rather loue the than drede // [764]
I woot wele ther is degre a-boue degree . as reson
is and skille is that men do hyre deuoire ther as it is dewe /
But certes extorcions & despite of youre vnderlynges is
dampnable //
[765] And forther oner vnderstonde wele that
conquerours or tirauntz maken ful ofte thralles of
hem that ben borne of as roial blood as ben they that
hem conqueren / [766] This name of Cherldom was
neuer erste kouthe til that Noe seide that his sone
Canaan sholde be thralle to hise bretheren for his synne //
[767] What seye we thanne of hem thatte pilen & doon
extorcions to holy chirche / Certes the swerde thatte
men yeuen firste to a knyght . whanne he is newe dubbed
signifieth that he sholde deffende holy chirche / and
nat robbe it ne pile it And whoo so dooth is traitour
to criste / [768] And as seith seint Augustyn. they ben
the deuels wolues that stra[^]glen the sheepe of ihesu
criste. And doon worse than wolues/ [769] For soothly
whanne thee wolfe hath fuH his wombe . he stynteth to
strangle his sheepe But soothly the pilours and destroi-
ours of holy chirches godes . ne doo nat soo . For they ne
stynte neuer to pille haue they neuer so myche [7 70] Now as I
haue seide . sith so is that synne was firste cause f of thraldom f
CHRISTCHURCH (for Herigwrt 620) (e-T. 653)
654 SIX-TEXT
a-BoupI. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christcli.,for Heng.MS, G2i
than is it thus that thilke tyme . that alle this world was in
synnef than was al -this world? thraldom & subiecciouii)
[771] but certes sith the tyme of grace cam / god
ordeyned / that som folke sholde be more highe in estaat
& in degree . and some folke more lowh / and that
eueriche sholde be serued in estaat [. . no gap in the MS.]
[772] And therfore in som cuntres ther they bien
thralles whan they han turned hem to the feythf they make
hire thralles free oute of thraldom / And therfore certes
the lorde oweth to his mani that the man that the man oweth
to his lorde / [773] The pope calleth hym. selfe serucwmt
of the seruerantez of god f but for as moche as the estate of
lioly chirche no myghte nat han be / ne the comune
profite myght nat han be kepte ne pees & reste in
erthe but if god hadde ordeyned that som man had
hier degree & som men lower. [774] therfore was
souereynete ordeyned to kepe & mayntene. and def-
fende hire vnderlynges or hire subgetz in reson / as fer-
forth as lieth in here power / And nat to destroy hem /
ne confounde / [775] "VYh erf ore I seye of thilke lordes.
that ben like wolues that deuonren the possessions or
the catel of pouere folke wrongfully . with outen mercy or
mesurei [776] they shulle receyuen by the same mesure
that they han mesured to pouere folke the mercy of Ihesu
criste but if it be amended // [777] JSTow comyth deceite
betwix Merchaunt & Merchcrant . And thow shalte vndir-
stonde / that merchandise is in many maners / that oon
is bodely / and that other is gostely // That oon is honeste
& leuefuH & that other deshoneste & vnleuefuH: //
[778] Of thilke bodely merchaundise that is leuefuli and
iioneste is this / that there as god hath ordeyned that a
regne / or a cuntre is suffisaunt to hym selfe f than is it
honeste & leuefuH / that of habundaunce of this cuntre
that men helpe another cuntre that is more nedy //
[779] And therfore ther mote ben Merchauntz to
forynge fro that oo cuntre to that other hire Merch-
CHRISTCIIUllCH (for HengWl't 621) (6-T. 654) F leaf 268, back]
655 SIX-TEXT
622 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christch.,forHeng'.]SfS.
aundisez // [780] That other Merchandise that men
haunte with fraude or trecherie & deeeite with
lesynges & fals oothes. is cursed & dampnable //
[781] Espirituel Merchaundise is proprely Symonye
that is ententyfe desire to "bye thynge espirituel / that is
thynge that aperteneth to the seintuarie of god & to
emre of the soule / [782] This desire if so be that a
man dcte his diligence to performe it / al be it that his
desire ne take noon effecte yet is it to hym a deedly
aynne / and if he be ordred . he is irreguler // [783] Certes
Symonye is cleped of Symond Magus that wolde han
boughte for temporel catel the yefte that god hadde yeuen
by the holy goost to seint Peter and to the Apostles.
[784] And therfore vndirstonde . that bothe he that
selloth. & he that bieth thynges espirituels. ben
cleped Symony als / be it by catel . be it be procurynge
or be fleisshly preiere of hise frendis /
or espirituel frendes / [785] Fleisly in two manors
as by kyn-rede . or other frendes / Sothly if they praye
for hym that is nat worthy and able / it is symonye . if he
take the benefice / & if he be worthy and able! ther
nys noon // [786] That other mane;- is. whan man or
woman praien for folke to auazmcen hem oonly. For
wikke fleisshly affeccioun l that they han vnto the persones /
And that is foule Symonye / [787] but certez in seruyse
for whiche men yeuen thyng espirituel. vnto hire
seruauntz. it mote ben vndi[r]stande / that the seruise
mote be honeste & ellys / nat / And eke that it be
with oute bargaynynge / and that the persone be able /
[788] For as seith seint Damasye / alle the synnes of the
worlde at regarde of this synrie / arn as a thynge of naught
for it is ye gretteste synne that may be . after the synne
of lucyfer & of Antecriste [789] for by this synne god
forleseth the chirche & the soule thai he bought with
his precious blood by hem that yeuen chirches to hem
that ben nat digne / [790] For they putten . In thevys that
CHRISTCHUUCU (for HengWl't 622) (6-T. 655) L1 leaf 269]
656 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christen,, for Heng, MS, 623
stelen the soules of ihesu criste & destroien his patri-
moygne [791] by swiche vndigne prestes & curatz
halewed men han the lesse reuerence of the sacrementz of
holy chirche & swiche yeueris of chirches putten oute
the children of criste and putten into the chirche the
deuels owne sone / [792] they sillen the soules
that lambes shulde^ kepen to the wolfe that strangleth
hem // And therfore shulle they neuer han partc
of the pasture of lambes thai is the blysse of
heuene // [793] Now comyth hasardrie with hise apur-
tenmmces. as tables. Eafles. of which deceite
fals oothes / chidynges / and alle rauynes / blasphemynge
& reneiynge of god / and hate of his neighebores / waastc
of goodes / mysdespendynge of tyme / & somtym) man-
slaughtre // [794] Certes hasardours ne mowe nat ben
with outen grete synne // [. . . no (jap in the MS.] [795]
Of Auarice / comen eke lesy nges / thef te & fals witnesse and fals
oothes/ And ye shulle vndirstonde that these ben grete synne.
& expresse agayn the co?nmaundementz of god as I haue
seyd [796] Fals witnesse is in worde & eke in dede .
In worde f as for to bireue thy neighebores good name
by thy fals witnessynge or birefe hym his catel or his
heritage by fals witnesseng» whan thowe for ire or
for mede. or for enuye birefte fals witnesse / or accusest
hym or excusest hym by thy fals witnesse / or ellys ex-
cusest thy self falsly / [797] Ware yow questemongers and
Notaries . Certes thurghe fals witnessyng was Susanna in ful
grete sorwe and peyne . & many a nother moo // [798] The
synne of thefte is eke expresse agayns goddis heste. & that in
two maners / corporel or spirituel [799] [Corporel]
as for to take thy neighebores catel agayns his wille /
by it by force / or by sleighte / be it by mete or by mesurc
[800] by stelynge eke of fals enditementz vpon hym. &
in borwynge of thy neighebores catel / in entente neuer
to paie. & semblable thy nges // [80 1] Es-
pirituel thefte is sacrilege that is to seyn hurt-
CHRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 623) (6-T. 656)
C57 SIX-TEXT
C24 GROUP I, §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christen,, for Heng. MS.
ynge of holy tliynges or of thynges sacred to criste in twop
inaneris by reson of the holy place, as chirches or
chirchehawes . [802] For whiche euery vyleyns synne that
men doon in swiche places may "be cleped sacrilege or
euery violence in the semblable places // Also they that
•withdrawe falsly the rightes that longen to holy
chirche [803] & pleinly & gene?*ally sacrilege
is to reue holy thynge fro holy place / or vnholy
thynge oute of holy l place / or holy thynge oute of vnr
holy place
Eemedium contra peccatum auaricie
NOw shulle ye vndirstonde / that the releuynge of
Auarice / is misericorde & pite largely taken /
And men myght axe why that misericorde & pite
is releuynge of auarice // [805] Certes the Auari-
cious man sheweth no pite ne misericorde to the nedefutt
man. For he deliteth hym in kepynge of hise tresore.
and nat in the rescowynge ne releuynge of hys euene
cristene / And therfore speke I firste of Misericorde //
[806] Thanne is misericorde as seith the Philosophre
a vertue . by whiche the corage of a man is sterid by the
my seise of hym that is myseised / [807] vpon whiche
Misericorde folwith pite in perfourmynge of charitable
werkys of Misericorde / [808] And certes thise
moeuen man to the Misericorde of ihesu criste that yaf
hym self for onre gilte & suffred deeth for Misericorde .
& forgaf vs original synnes / [809] and therby
relessed vs fro the peyne of helle. & amenused thee
peyne of purgetorie. by penitence / And yeueth grace
wele to doo and at the laste . the ioy of heuene // [810] The
spices of Misericorde ben as for to lene. & for to
yeue. & eke for to yeue & relesse. & for to hair
pite in herte. & compassion of the myschefe of his
CHRISTCHUHCII (for Hengwrt 624) (6-T. 657) C1 leaf 269, back]
658 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christch., for Heng.MS, 625
euene cn'stene / and eke chastise ther as nede is //
[811] A nother maner of remedie agayrcs Auarice is
resonable largesse / But soothly here byhoueth the con-
syderacion of the grace of ihesu criste. and of his
temporel goodes eke & of the goodes perdurables
that criste yaf vs / [812] & eke to han remembraunce of
the deeth that1 he shal receyue. he noot whanne.
& eke that he shal forgoon al that he hath,
sane oonly that he hath despended in good werkys //
[813] But for as niyche as som folke ben vn Mesur-
able. men oughte eschewe fool largesse that men
clepen waaste // [814] Certes he thai is fool large, ne
yeueth nat his catel but he leseth his catel / Soothly
what thynge that he yeueth for veyn glorie / as to
Mynstrals / & to folke for to beren his renoun in the
worlde / he hath synne & noon) almesse /
[815] certes he leseth firste hys godes. that ne seketh
with the yefte of his good / nothynge but synne /
[8 1 6] he is lyke to an hors that seketh rather to drynke
drouy or trowble water than for to drynkee water of the
clere welle / [8 1 7] And for as myche as they yeuen . there
as they shulde nat yeuen . to hem ape?*teyneth thilke
malison that criste shaH yeue at the day of dome to
hem that shullen be da?wpned
A
.De .Qula./
[818]
fterA
'ter Auarice comyth Glotonye . whiche is expresse Gula
ekea-geyn the commaundement of god //Glotonye
is vnmesurable appetyte to ete or to drynke. or ellys
to doon y-now to the vnmesurable appetyt & desordeyne
couetise to ete or to drynke / [819] This synne JThis synne
corrumped al this world / as is wele shewed in the synne of
Adam & of Eue. loo eke what seith seint Poule of
glotonye / [820] Many seith seint Poule goon / of whiche
CHRISTC1IURCII (for HengWll 625) (6-T. 658) t1 leaf 270]
659 SIX-TEXT
626 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christch.,for Heng.MS.
I haue efte seyde to yow / And now I seye it wepynge
/ that ben the eneniys of the croys of criste / of
whiche the ende is deeth / and of whiche hire wombe is
hire god . and hir glorie / & in confusion of hem / that so
deuouren erthely thynges / [821] he that is vscrant to
this synne of glotonye i he ne may no synne withstonde /
he mote ben in seruage of alle vices / for it is the deueles
horde / ther he rideth hym & resteth / [822] this
synne hath many spices // The firste is dro/ikenesse
that is the horrible sepulcre of mannes reson / And ther-
fore whan) a man is drunken . he hath loste his reson . and
this is deedly synne / [823] But soothly whan that a
man is nat wonte to stronge drynke. & perauenture ne
knoweth nat the strenghthe of the drynke or hath fublesse
in his heed or hath trauailled / thurgh whiche he drynketh
the more . al be he sode^ly caught with drynke . it is no
deedly synne / but venial // [824] The secounde spice of
glotonye is f that the spirite of a man wexeth alle treble
for drorckenesse bireueth hym the discrecioun of his witte //
[825] The thridde spice of glotonye is. whan a man
devowreth his mete . & hath no rightful} maner of etynge
[826] The ferthe is. whanne thurgh the grete habun-
daunce of his mete / the humours in his body ben des-
tempered // [827] The fifte is. foryetilnesse be to mychel
drynkynge . for whiche somtyme a man forgeteth er the
morwe // what he dyde at euen or on the nyght byfore //
[828] In other maner ben distynte the spices of
Glotonye aftir seint Gregorie // The firste is for to ete bi-
foren tyme to ete // The secounde is whan a man gete hym
no delicate mete or drynke // [829] The thridde is. whan
men taken to myche ouer mesure // The fourthe is
Curiosite / with grete entente to make & apparaillen
his mete // The fifte is for to ete to gredely // [830] These
ben the v. fyngers of the deuels hande / by whiche
he drawith folke to synne
CHRISTCHURCII (for Hfcngwrt 626) (6-T. 659)
660 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christch., for Heng. MS. 627
A
Remediuw contra peccafomi gule
gayns glotonye is the remedie. Abstynence as
seith Galien . but that holde I nat meritorie . if
. he do it oonly for hele of the body / Seint
Augustyn wole that Abstinence doon for vertue &
with pacience / [832] Abstynence he seith. is litelle woorth .
but if a man haue good wille therto / and but it be enforced
by pacience & by charite & that men doon it for
goddis sake & in hope to haue the blysse of heuene //
[833] The felawes of Abstinence / ben atfcemper-
aunce that holdeth the mene in alle thynges / Eke
shame that escheweth alle deshoneste / Suffi.stran.ce that
siketh no riche metes ne dry?^kes ne dooth no fors of to
outrageous apparaillynge of metis / [834] Mesure also
that restreyneth by reson the deslauee appetit of etynge /
Sobrenesse also that restreyneth the outrage of drynke /
[835] Sparynge also that restreineth the delicate ease to
sitte longe at his mete . and sof tely / wher fore somme folke
stonden at hire owne wille to eten atte lasse leyser
1.De luxuria ./
[8361
After Glotonye . tha?zne cometh leccherie / For these
two synnes ben so nygh Cosyns that ofte tyme
they wole nat departe / [837] God? wote this
synne is ful displesaunt to god / for he seide hym
selfe . doo no leccherie / And therfore he putte grete peynes
agayns thys synne in the olde testament . [838] If wom
an thralle. were taken in this synne. she sholde be
beten with staues to the deth / And if shee were a gentil-
woman. she sholde be slayn with stones / And if she
were a bisshopes doughter. she sholde be brente by
goddes co?ftmatmdement // [839] Portlier ouer by the
synne of leccherie god dreinte alle the worlde . at the
CHRISTCHURCH (for HengWl't 627) (6-T. 660) L1 leaf 270, back]
661 SIX-TEXT
628 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christen,, for Heng. MS.
diluge / And aftir that he brente .v. Citees wiih thonder
lyght . & sonke hem into helle //
[840] Now late vs speke thanne of thylke stynkynge
synne of leccherie that men clepe avoutrie of weddide
folko that is to seyn. if that oon of hem be weddyd.
or ellys bothe [841] Seint lohn) seyth / that auowtiers
shullen ben in helle in a stanke brennynge of fuyr &
of brymstoon [ no gap in the MS.] for the
stynke of hire ordure // [842] Certes the brekynge of
thys sacrement . is an horrible thynge . It was rnaked of
god hyin selfe in paradys . and conformed by Ihesu criste as
witnesseth seint Mathew in the gospel .19. A man shal lete
Fade?* & Moder & takyn hym to his wyfe . & they
shuhi) ben twoo in oo fleissh" [843] This sacrament betoke-
neth the knyttynge to-gidre of criste & of holy chirche .
[844] And nat oonly that god forbade avoutrie in dede .
but eke he commaunded / that thow sholdest nat coueite thy
neighebores wyfe [845] In this heste seith seint
Augustyn. is forboden alle manere couetise to doon
lecherie/ loo what seith seint Mathewe .v°. in the gospel /that
who seeth a woman to couetise of hys Inste he hath
doon lecherie with hire in his herte . [846] here may ye
sen / that nat oonly the de dede of this synne is forboden /
but eke the desire to doon that synne // [847] Thys cursed
synne anoieth greuously hem that it haunten And firste
to hire soule / For he obligeth it to synne & to peyne of
deth that is perdurable / [848] vnto the body anoieth
it greuously also / For it drieth hym & wasteth / and
shente hym / and of his blood he maketh sacrifice to the
fende of helle / It wasteth eke his catel / and his substaunce
[849] and certes yef it be a foule thynge a man to wasten
his catel on wommen f yet is it a fouller thynge whan that
for swiche ordure wommen despenden vpon men hire catel
& substaunce // [850] Thys synne as seith the prophete
byreueth man & woman hire good fame & alle hire
honour . And it is full plesaunt to the deuel / For therby
CHRISTCHURCH (for HeilgWl't 628) (6-T. 66l)
662 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christch,,forHeng,MS. 629
wynneth he the moste partie of this worlds /
[851] And right as a Merchaunt deliteth hym moste
in chafare that he hath moost aucmntage of/ right
so deliteth the fende in this ordure /
[852] This is that other [hond] of the deuel with .v.
fyngers to cacche the peple to this vileynye // [853] The
firste fynger is the fool lokynge of the fool wo??iman .
and of the fool man that sleeth right as the basilicok/
sleth folke / by the venym of hys l syght for the couetise
of the eyen / folwen the couetyse of the herte // [854] The
secound fynger is the vyleyns touchynge in wicked
manere / And therfore seith seint Salomon . that who so
toucheth and handleth a woman he fareth lyke hym
that handleth the Scorpion that sty?igeth & sodeinly
sleeth thurgh his enuenemynge / as who so touchith
warrne piche. hit shent hise fingres // [855] The thridde is
fool wordes. that farith lyke fuyr that right anoon
brenneth the herte // [856] The ferthe fynger. is the
kyssynge / And trewely he were a greet fool that wolde
kysse the Mouth of a brennynge Ouene . or of a Forneis
[857] And more fooles ben they that kyssen in vileynye /
For that Mouth is the Mouthe of helle / And namely this
olde Dotardes holors yet wole they kysse f thogh
they may nat doo. & smatre hem / [858] Certes they
ben lyke to houndes / For an hounde whan he cometh by
the roser or by other beautes . thogh he may nat
pisse / yet wole he heue up his legge and make koii-
tenawnce to pisse / [859] And for that many man weneth
that he may nat synne for no lykerousnesse that he doth
with his wyfe certes that opynyon is fals / god woot a
man may slen hym selfe with his owne knyfe / & make
hym selfe dronke of his owne tonne / [860] Certis
be it wyfe or childe. or any wordly thynge that he
loueth byf orn god / it is his mawment . & he is an ydolastre /
[86 1 ] A man sholde louen his wyfe by discrecion /
paciently and attemprely. and thanne is she as it were
CHRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 629) (6-T. 662) P leaf 271]
663 SIX-TEXT
630 GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christch.,for Heng.MS.
hys syster // [862] The fyfthe fyfthe fynger of the deuels
hand / is the stynkynge dede of lecchery [863] Certes the .v.
fyngres of glotonye the f ende putte in the wombe of a man .
& with his .v. fyngers of lecherie he gripeth hym by
the reynes for to throwe hym into the forneys of
helle / [864] ther as they shalle han the fuyr and the wormes
that ever shulle lasten and wepynge & waylyng/
sharpe hunger & thurste / grymlynesse of the deueles
that shullen alle to treden hem withoute respyte . and with
outen ende // [865] Of lecherie as I seyde sourden
dyuerse spices. As fornicacion. that is bitwixe man
& woman that ben nat maryed/ and this is deedly
and agayns nature / [866] al that is enemy and
destruccioun to nature . is agayns nature / [867] Parfay the
reson of a man telleth hym eke wele that it is deedly
synne / For as myche as [go]d forbade lecherie / And seint
Poule yeueth hem the regne/£7iat [MS. torn] deweto no wight
but to hem thatdoon deedly synne [868] [MS. torn] her synne
of lecherie of is for to bireuea maiden, of hire may[denh]ode//
For he that soo dooth i certes he casteth a maiden out
[MS. torn\Q hiest degree that is in this present lyfe [869] &
bireueth hire thilfke preci]ous fruyt that the book clepith
the hundrid fruyt I ne kan [nat seye] it noon other weyes in
englysshe. but in latyn it hight Cen[tesim]ws fructus /
[870] Certes he that so dooth. is cause of many
damages [and vile]ynyes . moo than any man kan rekene /
Eight as he somtyme is cause of alle the damages that beestes
don in the felde. that brekyth Hhe hegge or the closure /
thurgh whiche he destroieth that may nat be?i restored /
[871] For certes no more may maydenhede be re
stored thanne an arme that is smyten fro the body may
retorne a-gayn to wexe / [872] she may haue mercy, thys
woot I wele if shee do penitence / but neuer shal it
be . that she nas corrupt . [873] And alle be it so that I
haue spoke somwhat of avoutrie . it is good to shewe moo
perils that longen to avoutrye for to eschewe that foule
CHRISTCHURCH (for HengWlt 630) (6-T. 663) [Meaf 271, back]
664 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christch,,for Heng.MS. 631
synne / [874] Auowtrye in latyn is for to seyne aprochynge
of oother mannes bedde thorgh thoo that whilom
were o fleyssh abawdone hir bodyes to othere persones
[875] Of this synne as seyth the wise man folwen
many harmes / First brekynge of feyth And certes in
feith is the keye of Cristendome / [876] And whan that
fey[th] is broke & lorne. soothly Cristendome stant
veyne & with outen fruyt [877] This synne is eke a
thefte / For thefte genially to speke is for to reue a wight his
thynge agayns his wille / [878] Certis this is the fouleste
thefte that may be whan a woman stelyth hire body from
hire housbande-. & yeueth it to hire holour to defoule
hire . & stelyth hire soule fro criste and yeueth it to
the deuel / [879] this is a fouler thefte . than for to breke a
chirche & stele the Chalice // For these avoutiers
brel<^ te temple of god spirituelly. & stolen the vessel
of grace that is ye body & the soule . For whiche criste
shal destroien hem as seyth seint Poule. [880] Soothly
of this thefte . douted gretly Joseph . whan that hys lordes
wyfe preyed hym of vylenye whan he seyde / loo my lady
how my lorde hath take to me vnder my warde / al that he
hath in this worlde. ne no thynge of of hise thynges is oute of
my power but oonly ye that ben his wyfe / [88 1] And
how sholde I thanne do this wikkednesse & synne so
horribly agayns god / and agayns my lorde god it forbede /
Alias alto lyte ys swiche treuth now yfounde // [882] The
thridde harm is the filthe. thurgh whiche they breken
the commaundement of god . and defoulen the Auctour of
hire Matrimony that is criste . [883] For certes in so mycho
as the sacrament of mariage is so noble & so digne so
myche it is grete synne for to breke yt For god
makyd mariage in Paradys in the staat of Innocence to
multiplie mankynde to the seruyce of god [884] and
therfore is the brekywg the more greuous of whiche
brekynge ^omen fals eires ofte tyme that wrongfully
occupien folkes heritages / And therfore wole [m'st] put
CHRISTCHURCII (for Hengwrt 631) (6-T. 664)
665 SIX-TEXT
632 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Chr.&Add.,forHeng.MS.
hein oute of the reigne of heuene that is heritage to good
[folke] [885] Of thys brekynge corny th eke ofte tyme that
folk vnware [wed]den or synnen with hire owne . kynrede .
and namely thilke hafrlotes] that haunten bordels / of these
fool wymmen that mowe b[e lykened] to a comyn gonge .
where as men pourgen hire ordure [886] // w[hat se]y wee
eke of putours that lyuen by the horrible synne of pute[rie
[and] constreyne wymmen to yelden hem a certeyne rente
of hire bo[dely] Puterie / ye somtyme his owne wyfe or
his childe . as doon [these] bawdes / certes these ben cursed
»iea£272-s is out] synnes // [887] vndirstonde eke1 [2that Advowtre is sette
iitt^iaif^'isi e^-e in ^e -x' ccjmmatmdementts betwexe'thefte and man-
slauhter / for hit is lyke gretist thefte that may be / ffor hit
is theft of body and of soule / [888] and hit is like aii
homycide ffor hit kervith a too hem
that first1 wer made oo flesshe And therfore by the olde
lawe of god he sholde be sleyne / [889] But nevir the lesse bi
the lawe of Ihu Crist that/ is the lawe of pite / whan he
seide to the woman that was founder]) in Advowtre
and sholde haue bene sleyne with stones after the will of the
lewes as was her lawe / go quod. Ihu Crist and haue no
more witt to do synne or witt no more to do synne /
[890] Sothely the vengiaurace of Advowtre is awarded
to peynes off helle but1 yff1 hit be disturberid
bi penitence // [891] yet ben ther mo spices of this cursed
synne / as whan the tone of hem is religious or bothe /
or of folke that ar enterid in the ordure of subdekyn
or prest/ or hospitulers / and evir the hiher that
he is in ordure the grettir is the synne / [892] The
thynges that gretly grogen her synne is to breken
her avowe of chastite / whan he hath recey ved the ordour /
p leaf 348, tick] [893] and ferthere ovir soth it is / that hooly 3ordur is cheeff
off alle tresoure of god and his special! signe and marke
of chastite to shewe that they be loyned to chastite
which that is most precious liffe that is [894] And
thes ordred? folke bene specially tytelid to god And off the
CHR. en. & AUDIT. 5140 (for Hengxvrt 632) (6-T. 665)
CG6 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Addit, for Heng. ^S. G33
specyatt meynye of god / ffor whiche whan thei done dcedly
synne thei bene the speciall traitours of* god and off his
poeple/ffor the lyvenoff the poepleand pray en for the poeple/
and whil thei be suche traitours / her prayours availe
nat to the poeple / [895] Prestes bene Atmgellis as bi
the dignyte of mysterie / but sothely seynt poule / ra
seitfi. that Sathanas transformyth" hym in Aungel of
lint / [896] Sothely the prest that hauntitS. deedly
synne he may be lykened to the AungeH: of1 derkenes
transformed in the AungeH: of light / he semyth" an AungeH:
of liht / but forsotne he is an aungeli off derkenes /
[897] Suche prestes bene the sonnes of belial as
sheweth" in the booke of kynges / that thei were the / In
sones of1 beliaH. that is the deviH / [898] Eeliatt is to seyn
w^t/iouten luge and so fare thei that1 thynken
thei be fre / and! haue no luge no more than doth" a fre
boH that taketh suche a Cowe as hym lyketh in the
towne / [899] so fare they by women For riht as a
fre boH is InouJi for alle a toune / riht so is a wicked?
presto corrupciown Inowfr for att a paryssne or for alle a
contreie / [900] Thes prestes as seitfi. the booke ne
co??ime not to the mysterie of presthode to the poeple neto god
lie knowe thei not ne the holde hem not apayed as seith.
the booke of1 suche flesshe that was to hem offerid / but thei
take bi force the flesshe that is rawe / [901] Certes so
thes olde shrewes holde hem not apayecf of rostid flesshe
and sode flesshe / with whiche the poeple feden hem on
grete reverence but thei wiH haue rawe flessiL of folkes
wyves and her douhteris [902] And certes thes
women that consentyn to her harlotry done gret
wrorige to Crist and holy Chirche and alle halows / and
to alle sowles / ffor thei berevyn hym alle thes that sholde
worship crist and hooly chirche and pray for cristen
sowles / [903] And therfore haue l suche prestes and her
lemans eke that consentyn to her lecherye the malison
off alle cristen courte tille thei come to Amendement //
43 ADDIT. 6140 (for HengWli 633) (6-T. 666) L1 leaf 349]
GG7 SIX-TEXT
634 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Addit, for Heng. MS,
[904] The .iij. spice of Advowtre is some tyme betwene
a man and his wiff / that is whan thei take no rewarde
to her assembelynge but onely to her flesshly delite as
scith Seynt lerome [905] and ne reken of1 no thyng / but
that1 [ no gap in the MS."] they ben marled?
alle is good Inough. as thynketh to them / [906] but in suche
folke hath the deviH power as seith" the Aungett Eaphael
to Tobye / For in her assembelynge that thei put Ihe
crist oute of1 her herte and yeve hem silf to alle ordoure //
[907] The .iii}. spice i» of1 the semble of hem that bene
of her kynred or of affinite or
els with them / with whiche her faders or her kyndred
haue delid in the synne of lecherye / this synne maketh
hem like to houndes that take no kepe to kyndred? /
[908] And certes parentail is in .ij. maners eyther
gostly or nessly / Gostlye as for to delyn 'with her
gosseppis / [909] ffor riht so as he that engenderith a childe
is his nessly fader / riht so is god fadir his
spmYuaH fader / ffor whiche a woman may in no lesse synne
assemblyn with hir gossep than witJi hir owne flesshly
broder // [910] The .v. spice is thilke abhominable
synne of whiche no man vnnetii spekitli ne
writeth / nevir the lesse it is openly reherced in holy writte /
[911] this cursidnes doth men & women in dyverse
entente or [ .... no gap in
the MS.~\ horrible synne / Certes hooly writte may nat be
defouled no more than the sonne that shynetfi. on the
dongehille// [912] Another syrme apperteynetfr to lechery Jjat
cometli in slepyng / and this synne cometS ofte to hem
that bene maydens and eeke to them that bene corrupte
and this synne men cleepe pollucion) that co?raneth in .iij.
maners / [913] some tyme off langwisshyng of1 body / for
the humours bene to rank and habundaunt in the bodie
of* man / some tyme for infirmyte 1- for the febilnes of1 the
vertu retentiff as phisik inaketh" mencion) / some tyme for
sorfett of mete and drynke / [914] And some tyme of»
ADDIT. 5140 (for Hengwrt 634) (6-T. 667) L1 leaf 519, back]
C68 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Addit, for Heng. MS. 635
vilons thouhtes that ben enclosed in mannes thount
whan he gotn to slepe whiche may nat ben wMouten
synne / fFor whiche men most kepe hem wiselye or ells
men mowe synne right greuously &#
Remedium contra peccatum Luxurie .
[9i5]
"IVTowe co??imetn the remedie ageyns Lecherye that*
-i- 1 is generally Chastite and continence that re-
streyneth alle disordeynet moevyng that commeth"
of flesshly talent/ [916] And evir the grettir meritc
shaft he haue that most restreyneth the wicked enchaw-
fyng or ardure of this synne / And this is in .ij.
maners that is to seye chastite of manage and chastite
of1 widdowhode / [917] ISTowe shallt thou vndirstonde that
matrymonye is leefuH asseniblynge of1 man & of
woman that receyven bi vertu of1 the sacrement the
bonde / thoruh whiche thei mowe not be departed in alle her
liff< / that is to seyne while that thei lyven here botn
[918] as seith the booke is fulle grete sacrement /
god made hit in paradise as I haue seide bif orne and wolde hym
silf1 be borne in rnariage / [919] [. . no gap in the MS.]
he was at weddyng where as he tornyd watyr in to
wyne / whiche was the first miracle that he wroiint in
erthe bif ore his discipules [920] Trewe effecte of1
manage clensitS. fornicacion) & replenisshitH holy
chirches of good fFor hit is the ende of1 manage
ffor hit chaungith deedly synne in to veniali synne bitwexte
hem that bene I-weddid and maketh her hertes alle one
that bene I-weddid as weft as the bodyes /
[921] this is verrey mariage that was enstabilisshid by
god or synne biganne / xwhan natural lawe was in the
rishtt poynte in paradise / & hit was ordeyned that one man No*a qware vna
0 ^ J mulier adherebi
sholde haue but one womane and one woman sholde haue but vm viro & e
one man as seith seynte Austyne / by many reasowns /
[922] ffirst for mariage is first figured' bitwex crist and
ADDIT. 5140 (for HengWlt 635) (6-T. 668) P leaf 850]
669 SIX-TEXT
636 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Addit., for Heng. MS.
holy cherche / and the other is for a man is hede of*
a woman / algate bi ordinance hit sholde be so /
[923] ffor yff wome?a had mo men than one
[ no gap in the MS.] and that were an
horrible thynge bifore god / and eke a woman cowde
nat plese to many folke at ones / and also
ther sholde nevir be pease nor rest amonge hem ffor
everiche wolde axe his owne thynge / [924] And
ferther ovir no man sholde knowe his en-
gendure nor who sholde haue his heritage and the
woman sholde be the lasse bilevid fro the tyme that
she were coniuncte to many men //
[925] Nowe commeth ho we a man sholde bere hym
to his wiffe in .ij. thynges / that is to
seye in sufferaunce and reuerence as shewid crist1
whan he made first woman / [926] for he ne made her
not of1 the hede Adam for she sholde nat cleyme to
grete lordship / [927] for ther as the woman hath the
maistre she maketh to moche defray ther nedith none /
Ensauwples of this the experience day bi day
ouht to suffice / [928] Also certes god ne made not
woman off the foot of1 Adam ffor she ne shulde not be
holden to lowe for she can nat paciently suffyr / but god
made woman of the rybbe of Adam / ffor woman sholde
be felaw vnto man / [929] man sholde bere hym vnto his
wiff in feith and in trouth and in love as seith Seynt
Poule / that man sholde love his wiff as crist1 lovitfi.
hooly cherche / that lovid it so wel that he dyed? for hit /
so sholde a man for his wiff1 yf1 hit were nede //
[930] Nbwe han a woman sholde be subiecte /
that tellitB. Seynt Petyr fyrst in obedi
ence [931] as seith the deere / A woman that
is a wiff / as longe as she is a wiff1 she hath none
auctorite to swere nor to bere witnes w?t^oute leve off
hir housbonde that is hir lorde / Algate she sholde be so
by reason) [932] * She sholde eke serve hym in alle
ADDIT. 6140 (for Hengwrt 636) (6-T. 669) [Ueaf 350, back]
670 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Addit, for Heng. MS. 637
honeste and ben attempre of hir array© / I wot wel
that thei sholde sette her entente to please her hous-
bondes but nat bi her quayntes of1 Array e / [933] Seynt
lerome seitR that wyfes that bene apparellid in selke
in precious purpiH lie mowe nat clotS hem in Ihesu
Crist Loo what seith Seynt lofrn eeke in this mater
[934] Seynt Gregory eeke seitfi. that no wiRt seekith"
precious arraye but onely for vayne glorye / the more to be
honoured biforne the poeple [935] hit is a grete
folye a woman to haue a fayre array outeward? and in
her silf1 foule inwarde // [936] A wiffe sholde eke be
mesurable in lookyng and beryng and in langage
and discrete in alle hir wordes and in hir dedes / [937] and
above alle thynges she sholde love hir housbonde
with alle hir herte and to hym to be trewe of* her bodye /
[938] so sholde an housbonde eke to his wiff /
For sith" that1 alle the bodye is the housbondes / so sholde
hir herte ben / or ellis bituexte hem too as in
that is no parfite mariage / [939] Then shuH ye vndir-
stonde that for .iij. thynges a man and his wiff flesshly
mayo assemble / The first is the entente of1 engen-
dure of1 child erne to the service of god / For certes that is
the cause fynalle of matrimonye [940] Another cause is to
yelden eueryche of1 hem to other the dette of her bodye /
for neyther of hem hath" power of his owne body /
The .iijde. is for to eschewe lechere and vilanye /
the iiij. is forsoth" deedly synne / [941] As to the
first hit is meritory / the secounde also as seith" the
decre / that she hath" meryte of* chastite that1 yeldith" to
her housbonde the dette of hir bodie / ye thouh" hit be
ayeii her lykyng atte the lust of hir hert // [942] The
.iij. man ere is veniaH: synne and trewly skarsly may
any of thes be wit/toute veniatt synne for the
corrupcion) and the delite // [943] The .iiijth.
inaner is for to vndirstond as is thei that assembelith" onely for
Amorous love / and for none of the 1 foreseide causes / but
ADDIT. 5140 (for Hengwrt 637) (6-T. 670) [UeafSSl]
671 SIX-TEXT
638 GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Add.&Chr,,forHeng.MS.
for to complysshe thilke "brennynge delyte they reke
nevir howe /ofte / sothlye it is dedely synne and yet with"
sorvve .some folke wott peyne hem more to do then
to the appetite sufncitfi /
[944] The secounde maner off chastite is to be
a clene widdowe and eschewe the enbrasynges of1 a man1]
Ban(^ desiren the embrasynge of Ihesu criste . [945] These
|}en £noo that [^h]an ben wyues. & han forgoon hir hous-
bondes. and eke women that han doon leccherie & ben
releued by penitence / [946] And certes if that a wife
koude kepen hire att chaste by licence of hire housbonde. so
that shee nere noon occasion that he agiltef it
were to hire a grete merite / [947] These manere
women that obseruen chastitee most be clene in herte.
as wele as in body. & in thought1. & mesurable in clothynge .
& in countencrance // Abstinent in etynge and
drynkynge in spekyng & in dede / And thanne is she the
vesseH. or the boiste of the blessed Mawdelene . that
fulfilleth holy chirche futt of good odour // [948] The .iij.c
manere of chastite is virginite . and it behoueth that she
be holy in hert & clene of body / and than is she
spouse to Ihesu criste and she is the lyfe of Aungels /
[949] she is the preisyng of this world/, and she is as
the} Martirs in egalite / she hath in hire that tunge may
nat telle / [950] virginite bare oure lorde
criste / & virgyn was hym //
[951] A nother remedie agaywst leccherie is/ specially
to withdrawe swiche thyngis as yeuen occasion to thilke
vylenye as ease . etyng & drynkynge . For certes whan
the potte boilleth strongely . the best remedye is to with
drawe the fuyr [952] Slepynge longe in grete quiete
is eke a grete norise to leccherie //
[953] A nother remedye agayns leccherie . is that a
man or a woman eschew the compa?igny of hem of
whiche he douteth to be tempted / For alle be it so . that .the
dede be withstands f yet is there grete temptacion.
ADDIT. 5140 & CHR. CB. (for Hengwrt 638) (6-T. 67l)
672 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Christch. , for Heng. MS, G'39
[954] Soothly a whyt wal. al thogh it ne brenne nat
fully by stynkywg of a Candle i yet is the walle blakke of the
light [955] fuii ofte tyme I rede that no man triste in
his owne perfeccioii . but he be stronger than Sampson . or
holier than Dauid/ or wiser than Salomon //
[956] Now after that I haue declared yow as I kan .
the seuen deedly synnes . & som of hire braunchis &
hire remedies soothly if I coude . I wolde telle yow the
x corainaundenientes [957] But so hye a doctrine I lete to
dyuynes / natheles I hope to god they ben touched in this
tretys . eueryche of hem alle
De confessione
Nt958]
Ow for as moche as for the secounde party e of peni
tence stant in confession of mouth . as I began in
the second chapitre I sey seint Augustyn seith /
[959] synne is euery word/ & euery dede / And alle that
men coueiten agayn the law of Ih&Ai criste / & this is
for to synne in herte / in mowth / & in dede / by thi v.
wittys / that ben sight . huryng . smellynge tastynge .
or sauorynge and felynge // [960] Now is it good to
vndirstonde the circumstaunces that aggreggen muchel euery
synne //[96i] Thowshalte considere. what thowart thatdoist
synne. whether thow be male or female, yonge or/
olde gentell/ or thralle . free / or seruaimt . hole / or syke /
wedded/ or sengle / ordred or vnordred . wis or fool .
clerk e / or seculer / [962] if she be of thy 1kynrede bodely
or gostely / or noon / if any of thy kynrede haue synne[d]
with hire or noon //
[963] Another circurastaunce is this / whether it bo
[done] in fornicacioun) . or in avoutrie. or Incest or
noon / Mayden or noon . in manere of homycyde or noon .
orrible grete synnes . or smale . and how longe thow haste
contynued in synne // [964] The tliridde circumstaunce / is
the place / where thow haste doon synne / whether in other
CHBISTCUURCH (for Hdlgwrt 639) (6-T. 672) [l leaf 27*, back]
C73 SIX-TEXT
640 GROUP I. §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christen., for Heng, MS,
inennes hous / or in thyn owne . in felde or in cliirche .
or in cliirche hawe / in cliirche dedicat or noon /
[965] For if the chirche be hale wed . and man or woman
spilde his kynde inwith that place by wey of synn[e] or by
wikked temptacion f the chirche is entredited . til it
be reconsiled by the bysshope / [966] and the
preest sholde be entredited that dideswichea vilenyeto terme
of alle his lyfe he sholde nomore synge masse/ & if hedidef he
sholde doondeedlysynne. at every ty me that he songe masse//
[967] The ferthe circumstance is be whichc mcdiat-
ours . as by messageris . or for enticement . or for
consentement to bere compaignye [
no gap in the MS.] wole goo the
deuel of helle [968] for they that egge[n] or con-
senten to the synne f ben prisoners to the synne . &
of the damnacion of the synnere //
[969] The fyfthe is how many tymes
that he ha[th] synned if it be in his mynde . & how ofte
that he hath falle . [970] For he that ofte falle^ in synne i
he despised the mercy of god. & encresseth his synne
& is vnkynde to criste / & he wexeth the more febl[e]
to withstonde 3301110. & synneth the more lightly.
[971] & the latter aryseth . & is the more eschewe for
to schryue hym . and namely to hym that hath ben his con-
fessour / [972] For whiche that folke whan that they fallen
agayn in hire olde foly es . other they leten hire olde co?zfessours
al outrely . or they departen hire shryfte in dyue?*s
places / but soothly swiche departed shrifte deserueth no
mercy of god of his synnes // [973] The sixte circum-
staunce is . why that a man synneth . a[s] by whiche tempta
cion. & if hym selfe procure thilke temptaciouw or by the ex-
citynge of other folke / or if he synne with a woman [b]y
force / or by hire owne assente . [974] or if the woman)
maugre hire hed[e] hath be aforced or noon this
shalle she telle / for couetise / or for pouerte / &
if it was hire p?*ocurynge or noon / & swiche maner
i (for Hcngwrt 640) (G-T. 673)
G74 SIX-TEXT
GROUP!, §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christch,,forHeng>,MS. C41
harneys // [975] The seuenthe circumstaunce is in what
xnaner he h[ath] doon his synne / & how that she hath
suffred that folke han [doon] to hire / [976] The same shalle
the mantellen pleynly with alle[eir]cumstaunces. & whether
he hath synned with comoun) bordefl] women or "noon /
[977] or doon his synne in holy tymes or noon /
or by forn his shrifte / or after his lattere
shryfte / [978] & hath parauenture broken therfore his
pencmnce enyoyned / by whoos helpe & whoos counseile . bi
sorcerie or crafte al moste be tolde / [979] Alle these
thynges after that they ben grete or smale . engreggcn the
conscience of man. & eke the preest . that is
thy luge may the better ben auysed of hise lugement . in
yeuynge of thy penaunce . and l [t]hat is after thy contriciouw /
[980] For vnderstonde wele tliat after tyme that a man
hath defouled his bapteme by synne . if he wole come to
sauaciouw . ther is noon other wey . but be penitence and
shrifte & be satisfaccioun / [981] & namely by the twoo //
If ther be a co?zfessour to whiche he may shryue hym /
And the Thridde if he haue lyfe to performe it /
[982] Thanne shalle men loke & considere if he
wole make a trewe & profitable confessiounf ther
moste ben iiij. con.dicwu.ns // [983] Firste it mote ben in
sorwefuH bitternesse of herte / As seide te kynge Ezechiel to
god / I wole remembre me alle the yeres of my lyfe in
bitternesse of myn herte / [984] This condicion of bitter
nesse hath .v. signes // The firste is that confession
moste be shamefaste nat for to kouere ne hide his synne /
but for he hath agilte his god & defouled his soule /
[985] And here of seifch seint Augustyn / The herte
trauailleth for shame of his synne / And for he hath grete
shame-fastnesse / he is digne to haue grete mercy of god /
[986] Swiche was ye confessions of the publican . that
wolde nat heue vp his eyen to heuen. For he hadde
offended god of heuen / For whiche shamefastnesse f he
had a noon the mercy of god / [987] And therfore seyth
CHRJSTCHURCH (for HengVVl't 641) (6-T. 674) P leaf 275]
075 SIX-TEXT
642 GROUP I. §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christch.,forHeng.MS.
seint Augustyn that swiche shamefaste folke ben nexte
foryefnesse & remission // [988] Another signe is
humylite of Confession / Of which seith seint Petir :
humbleth yow vnder the myght of god / the hond of god
is myghty in confession i For therby god foryeneth the
synnes For he allone hath the power / [989] And this
humylyte shaft ben in hert & in signe outwarde / For
right as he hath humylyte to god in hertf right so
sholde he humble his body outwarde to the preest thatte sitte
in goddis place / [990] For whiche in no maner sith that
criste ys souereyn & the preest mene & mediatour bi-
twixe criste & the synnere / & the synner is the laste
by wey of reson / [991] thanne sholde nat the synner sitte
as hye as his confessours . but knele byforn hym . or at
his feet . but if maladye distorbed it / For he shalle nat take
kepe who sitte there . but in whoos place that he sitteth //
[992] A maw that hath trespased to a lorde / & cometh for to
axe mercy & maken his acorde & setto hym doun
by the lorde f men wolde holden hym outrageous & nat
worthy so sone for to haue remission ne mercy [993] The
thridde signe is . that thy shrifte sholde be fuH of teeris . if
men may . & if he may nat wepe with his bodely eyen f
late hym wepe in his herte / [994] swiche was the confession
of seint Petir / For after that he hadde forsake ihesu criste '
he wente oute & weepe bitterly [995] The fertho
signe is / that he ne lette nat for his shame to shewe
his confession / [996] Swiche was the confession of the
Mawdeleyne that ne spared for no shame of hem that weren
atte feste for to goo to oure lorde ihesu criste & byknowe
to hym hir synne // [997] The fifte signe is that a man
or woman be obeissaunt to receyue the penaunz that
hym is enyoyned / For certes Ihesu criste for
the giltes of o marc xwas obedient to his deeth /
[998] The seconde condic^on of verrey confession
is that it be hastely don / For certes if a man hadde a
dedly wounde . euer the lenger that he tarieth to warisse
CHKISTCHURCH (for Hcilgwrt 642) (6-T. 675) [Meaf 275, back]
676 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Christen,, for Heng, MS, 643
hym selfe the more wolde it corrupte & haste hym to
his deeth / and eke ye wounde woude be the werse for to
hele / [999] And right so farith synne . that longe
tyme is in a man vnshewid / [1000] Certe a man ough[t]
hastely shewyn his synnes For many causes . as for drede
of deth that ofte sodeynly . And in no certeyne what
tyme it shal be ne in what place / & eke the drecchyng
of o synne draweth in a no^[er] [1001] And eke the lenger
he tarieth f the f orther he is fro criste . And if he abide
vnto his laste day i scarsly may he shryue hym or re-
menibre hym of his synnes. or repente for the
greuous malad[ye] of his deeth . [1002] And for as myche as
he hath nat in his lyfe herkened Ihesu. criste [
no gap in the MS.] at his laste
day & scarsly wole he herkene hym [1003] And
vndirstonde that this condic^'on moste haue .iiij. thynges //
// Thy shrifte moste be purueyd by-forn and auysed /
For wikked haste dooth noo profite . And that a man konno
shryue hym of his synnes. be it of pride or enuye. &
so forth, with the spices & circumstaunces / [1004] and that
he haue comprehended in his mynde the nornbre & the
grettenes of his synnes and how longe that he hath leyn
in synne [1005] & eke that he be contryte of hise synnes
and in stedefaste purpos by the grace of god neuer eft to
falle in synne // And eke that he drede . & countrewaite
hym selfe & that he flee the occasions of synne to whiche he
is enclyned// [1006] Also that thow shalte shryue the of alle
thy synnes to oo man // And nat a parce[l] to oo man . &
nat a parcel to a nother . that is to vndirstonde in entewt
to departe thy confessioun as for shame or drede / For it
nys butte stranglynge of thy soule / [1007] For certis Ihesu
criste is intierly al good & in hym is noon inperf eccion / And
therf ore outher he foryeueth alle parfitly . or elles neuer a
dele. [1008] I sey nat that if thow be assigned to the
penitauncer for certeyn synne / that thow arte bounde too
shewe hym alle the remenaunt of thy synnes of whiche
CHKISTCHUllCH (for Hcngwrt 613) (6-T. 676)
677 SIX-TEXT
644: GROUP I, §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christch,,forHeng.MS,
thow haste be shreuen of thy curate / but if it lyke the
of thyn humylite this is noo departynge of thy shrifte.
[1009] NQ I ne sey nat ther&s I speke of dyuiysiouw of confes
sion, that if thow haue lice?^ce for to shryue the to a discreet
& an honest preest where thee lyketh / & eke by the licence
of thy ciirat that thow ne maiste wele shryue the to hym
of alle thy syimes / [1010] but late noo blot byhynde /
lie late noo synne vntoolde . Asfer as thow hastee remem-
braunce / [ion] And whan thow shalte be shryue to thy
curafr. telle hym alle thy synne that thow haste doon /
sith thowe were laste y-shryuen / Al this is no wikked intente
of dyuysion of shrifte //
[1012] Also the verrey shrifte axeth certeyne con-
dicions l [FJyrste that thow shryue the by thy free wille
nat constrayned . ne for shame of f olke . ne for maladie
or swiche thynges / For it is reson that he that trespaseth
by his free wille f he mote be his free wille confesse his
trespace / [1013] Noon other man shalle tellen his synne
but he hym selfe / Ne he shal nat naite or denye his synne .
ne wrath hym agayn the preest for hise amonestynge
to lete synne // [1014] The secound condicion is / that thy
shryfte be laweful . that is to seyn that thow that shryuest
the & eke the preste that hureth thy confession be
verrely in the feith of holy chirche [1015] And that a
man lie be nat despeired of the mercye of Ihesu criste as
kaym or ludas / [1016] And eke a man mote accuse
hym selfe of his owne trespace / & nat1 a nother / but he
shalle blame . and . wite hym selfe & his owne malice of his
synne & noon other / [1017] But natheles but if
a nother man be occasion or enticere of his synne or that the
estate of a persone be swiche . thurgh whiche his synne is
agreggyd/ or ellys that he may nat pleynly shryue hym
hym but he telle the persone with whiche he hath synned i
than may he telle it. [1018] so that his entente be nat
to bakbite the .persone. but oonly to declaren his con
fession /
CHRISTCHURCH (for HengWl't 644) (6-T. 677) C1 leaf 276]
678 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. §2. PARSON'S TALE. Cliristch.,forHeng.MS, 645
[1019] Thow ne shalte natte eke make no lesynges in
thy confessioun for humylite / parauenture to seyn
that thow haste doon) synnes . of wlriche thow were
neuer gilti // [1020] For seint Augustyn seith. yf
thow be cause of humylite makest lesynges
on thy selfe thogh that thow ne were nat in synne byforn i
yet arte thow thanne in synne thurgh thy lesynges // [102 1]
Thow moste eke shewe thy synnes by thyn owne propre
Mouth / but if thow be woxen dombe. & nat be no
lettre // for thow haste doon the synne f thow shalte haue
the shame // [1022] [TJhow shalte nat eke
peynte thy confession by faire subtile wordes [to] kouere
the moore thy synne / For thanne bygyleste thow thy selfe
[a]nd nat the preest / Thow most telle it platly. be it
neuer so foule ne so horrible // [1023] Thow shalte eko
shryue the to a preest / that is discrete to counseile the // And
eke thow shalt nat shryue thee for veyn glorie . ne for
ypocrisie . ne for no cause . but only for the doute of
Ihesu criste & the hele of thy soule // [1024] Thow
shalt nat eke renne to the preest sodeynly to telle hym
lyghtly thy synne . as who so telleth a Tape / or a tale / but
auysely & with grete deuocion / [1025] and generally
shryue the ofte. if thow ofte fallef ofte thow aryse be
confession / [1026] And though thow shryue the ofter
thanne ones of synne of whiche thow haste be shryuen . it is
the more meryte / And as seith seint Augustyn). thow
shalt haue the more lightly relesyng & grace of god
bothe of synne & of peyne / [1027] And certes oones in a
yere atte leste weye it is lawefull / for to ben housled / for
soothly onys a yere . alle thynges renouellen .
[1028] Now haue I tolde of verrey corc[fes]sion
that is the seconde partie of penitence
CHRISTCHURCH (for Heilgwrt 645) (6-T. 678)
G79 SIX-TEXT
646 GROUP I, §2, PARSON'S TALE. Christen., for Heng, MS.
lDe tercia parte penitencie
T[l029]
he thridde partie of penitence is Satisffaccion . And
that staiit generally in almesse . &
bodely peyne // [1030] Now ben there .iij.
maner of Almesses. Contricion) of herte. where a man
ofFreth hym selfe to god /. Another is to haue pite of
his neighebores / The thridd[e] is in
yeuynge good counseile & comfort goostly & bodyly where
men han nede . and namely in sustenemnce of mannes foode //
[1031] And take kep[e] a man hath nede of these
thynges . generally he hath nede of fode // h[e] hath nede of
clothynge & herberwe / he hath nede of charitable
cowseile & visytynge in prison . & Maladie . &
sepulture of his dede body / [1032] And if thow rnaist nat
visite the needfutt with thy personee visite hym by thy
message and thy yeftes / [1033] These ben general
almesses or werkys of charite of hem that han temporel
rechesse or discrecion in conseillynge / Of these werkes
shaltow heren at the day of dome //
[1034] These Almesses shaltow doon of thynne owne
propre thynges & hastyfly and priuely if thow maiste /
[1035] But natheles if thon maist nat do pryuelyf
thow shalt nat forbere to doon thyn almesse . though men se
it . so that it be nat doon for thanke of ye worlde but
oonly for thanke of Ihesu criste. [1036] For as witnesseth
seifiit] Mathew .5to. A cite may nat ben hydde
that is sette on a Mountayne ne men lyght nat a lanterne. &
putte it vnder a busshel . but men . se[t] it on a Candel-
styke to lyghten the men in the hous // [1037] Eyght
soo shal youre lyght lighten byforn men . that they may
sen youre good werkys & glorifien youre fader that is in
heuene //
[1038] Now as to speke of bodyly peyne it stante in
praieris in wakynges in fastynges & in v[er]tuouse
CHRISTCHURCH (for Hengwrt 646) (6-T. 679) p leaf 276, back]
680 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Chr. & Add,, for Heng. MS. 647
techynges of orisons // [1039] ye shulle vndirstonde
that orison[s] or preiers is for to seyn . a pitous wille of
lierte that redresse [MS. toni] god & expressith it by worde
outwarde to remoeue harmes. & t[o] han thynges
cspirituel & durable, and somtyme temporel thynges /
[of] whiche orisons, cortes in the orison of the Pater iiostcr.
hath Ihesu criste enclosed moost thynges // [1040] Certes
it is pn'uelegged of .iij. thywges in his dignite / for whiche
it is more digne / thanne any other praier for Ihesu
criste hym selfe raaked it/ [1041] And it is short For it sholde
"be koude the more lightly / And forto witholde it the
more esely in herte / & helpen hym selfe the oftere with
the orison / [1042] & for a man sholde be the lasse wery
to sey it / And for a man may nat excuse hym to lerne
it . it is so shorte . & so esy / And for it comprehendeth in it
sel[f] alle gode preiers / [1043] The exposicion of this
holy praiere / that is so excellent & digne I be-take to
the maistris of theologie . saues thus moch wole I seyn .
that whan thow praiest that god sholde foryeue th[e] thy
giltes . as thow foryeuest hem that agilten to the f be fuH
wele ware . that thow ne be nat oute of charite / [1044] This
holy orisofnl1 Pamenysshith eke veniaH synnes and therfore f1 Christchurch
L J L KS. has lost 10
hit apperteynetfi specially to penitence / leaves.']
[1045] this prayer most be trewly seide and in 5140^0! ?w
verrey feyth / and that men pray en to god ordinatly and dis- back]
cretely and devoutly And aft wey a man shall put his wille
to be subiecte to J>c wiH of god / [1046] this orisone
most4 eeke be seide with gret humblenes and furl pure /
honestly and not to the anoyaunce of any man or woman
hit1 most eeke be contynued with the workes of1 charite /
[1047] hit avayleth eeke ageyne the vices of the soule / For as
seyth" Seynt lerome / bi fastynge bene savid the vices of1 the
flesshe / and by prayer the vices of the soule //
[1048] Aftyr this thou shalt vnderstonde that
bodely peyne stondith in wakynge for Ihesu Crist seith" /
waketh and prayeth \>ai ye ne enter in wicked
CHRISTCH. & ADDIT. 5140 (for HcngWl't 647) (6-T. 680)
681 SIX-TEXT
648 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Addit., for Heng. MS.
temptacioiw / [1049] ye shal vndirstonde that fast-
jng stondith also in iij thynges/in forberyng of bodely metes
& drynkes and in forberyng of woiidelye iolite / and in for-
beriftge of1 dedely synne [
. . . no gap in the MS.] 'with his mygfr /
[1050] And thou shalf vndirstonde that god
ordeyned fastyng / and to fastynge apparteynetft .iiij.
thynges / [1051] largenes to pore folke / gladnes of
herte / spwvtuaH not to Anggrie / ne anoyed? ne
gruche for he fastitfr / and alle for semblable houre for to
ete by mesure / that is for to seye A man sholde nat ete in
vntyme ne sitte no lenger at his table to ete for he
fasteth //
[1052] Then thou shalt vnderstond! that1 bodely
peyne stonte in disciplyne or techyng bi worde or bi
wrytyng or bi ensauwple / Also in werynge of1 heyres or
of stamyn or of habergions on her naked flesshe for cristes
sake And suche maner of penaimces / [i 053] but ware the wel
that suche maner of penaunces on thy flesshe ne make not
thyn herte bittyr or l Angre or noyed of thy silf1 / for bettir is
to cast awaye thyn heire than for to cast the swet-
nes of ihesu crist [1054] And therfore seitli Seynt Poule /
cloth" you as they that bene chosyn of god in herte of
misericorde debonarite sufferaunce / and suche maner of
clothyng of whiche Ihesus Crist is most apayed? than of
his here or of his habourgiouw or hawberkes //
[1055] then is disciplyne eke in knockyng of
thy brest in scourginge with yerdes / in knelynges / in
tribulacioims / [1056] in suffering paciently wronges that*
bene done to hym/and eke in pacient sufferaunce of maladye/
or lesynge of worldely CateU / or of* wiff or children / or
other freendes /
[1057] Then shalt thou vndirstonde whiche thynges
distourbyn pencmnce / and this is in .iiij. maners that is
drede shame hope and wanhope that is disperaciouw /
[1058] & for to speke first of drede for whiche he
ADDIT. 5140 (for Hengwrt 648) (6-T. 681) P leaf 856]
682 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Addit, for Heng, MS, 649
wenitfi. that he may suffre no penawnce / [1059] There
ageyns is remedie / for to thynke J>at bodye penawnce is
but shorte and litel at regarde of J>e peyne of helle / that
is cruel! and so longe that it lastith withoute eende /
[1060] Nowe ageyns the shame that a man hath" to
shryve hym and namely thes ypocrytes that wolde
beholde so parfite that they haue no nede to shryve
hem / [1061] ageyns that shame sholde a man thynke that
by waye of reasouw that he that hath nat bene shamed to
do foule thynges Certes hym ouht nat to be ashamed to
do fayre thynges / and that is confessions // [1062] A man
sholde eeke thynk that god seetfi and wot alle thy
thouhtes and alle thy workes / Fro hym may no thynge be
hide ne coverid / [1063] Men sholde eke remembre
hem of the shame that: is to come atte the daye of dome to
hem that1 be nat penitent and shryven in this present
lyff / [1064] For ali the creaturs in ertfre and in helle
shuH seene appertely alle that he hydeth" in this worlde /
[1065] ^Tow for to speke of the hope of hem }?at
bene negligent and slowe to shryve hem / hit stont in
.ij. maners / [1066] the tone is fat he hopith for to lyve
longe / and for to porchace 1moche riches for his delyte /
and then he wolde shryve hym & as he seitn" he
may as hyw semytli than tyme InouR for to come to shrifte /
[1067] Another is surquedre that1 he hatfi in cristis
mercye [1068] Ageyne the fyrst vice / he shall thynke
that our1 lyff is in no sekyrnes / and eke that alle the
riches in this worlde ben in aventure and passen as a
shaddowe in the walle [1069] as seitfi. Seynte Gregorie
that hit perteynitn" to the grete riStwousnes of* god! / that
nevir shaH the peyne stynte of hem that nevir
wolde witfidrawe hem from synne and rancour but
aye contynue in synne / For thilke perpetual wille to done
synne they shuli haue perpetuaH peyne //
[1070] Wanhope is in .ij. maners / the fyrst wan-
hope is in the mercie of Crist / that othir is that they
44 ADDIT. 5140 (for HengWl't 649) (6-T. 682) C1 leaf 856, back]
683 SIX-TEXT
650 GROUP I, § 2. PAKSON'S TALE. Addit, for Heng. MS.
thynke that they ne myght not longe preserve in good-
nes / [1071] The fyrst wanhope co/ftmeth of1 that1 he
demyth that he hath synned so gretely / and so ofte / and so
longe lyen in synne fat he shall not be savid /
[1072] Certes ageyns this cursid wanhope sholde he
thynke that* the passiou?i of our lorde Ihesn Crist1 is more
stronge for to vnbynde than synne is stronge/ [no gap in MS.]
[1073] Ageyns fe secounde wanhope he shall thynke
that as ofte as he fallith he may arrise ageyne by penitence /
and thouh he nevir so longe haue leyne in synne / the
rnercie of1 god is allwey redye to receyve hyrn to mercie /
[1074] Ageyns that wanhope that he demeth that he
sholde not longe persevere in goodnes / he shall thynke
the febylnes of the deviH may no thynge done but
men woft suffyr hym [1075] & eke he shaH haue strength
of the help of god and of alle holy chirche and of the
protecciouw of alle auiigells yff1 hym lyst //
[1076] Then shuH men vndirstonde what is the
rewarde of penaunce and aftir the worde offlhesu Criste hit is
the endeles blysse of hevyne [1077] ther ioye hath no
contrarie of no wo ne grevance / there alle harmes bene
passid of this present lyff1 / there as is sykernes frome
the peyne off helle / there as the blissidfuH companye that
1reioysen evirmore eueryche of others ioye / [1078] there
as the bodye of1 a man that whilom was foule and dyrke is
more clerer than the sonne / there as the bodye was whilom
seke frel febytt and mortal! / is inmortaH and
so stronge and so hole that there may no thyng apayre
hit / [1079] ther as is neithyr hungyr nor thurst ne colde /
but euery soule replenysshid? with the sight of the partite
knowynge of1 god / [1080] This blessid regne mo we men
purchace by poverte espirituatt and? the glorie bi lowly-
nes / The plente of1 ioye by hungyr and? thurst/ and the
reste by traveH / and the lyff by dethe and mortificaciouw off
synne Amen ./
ADDIT. 5140 (for Heilgwrt 660) (6-T. 683) P leaf 857]
684 SIX-TEXT
GROUP I. § 2, PARSON'S TALE. Addit, for Heng. MS. 651
H
ic capit Autor licenciam ./
[1081]
IVTowe I praye to them alle that herken this litel tretys
-L 1 or redyn that yff ther be any thynge in hit ]>at lyketfr
hem / that therof1 thei thanken oure lord ihesu
crist of whom proceeditn" alle witte and alle goodnes /
[1082] And yf< ther be any thynge that displesetfr them / I
praye them also erecte it to the diffaute off myu
vnkonnynge / and nat to my wili / that wolde feyne haue
done bettir yif1 I hadde had konwynge [1083] For oure
booke seitfi. Alle that is wryten / is writen for oure
doctryne and that is myn entent / [1084] Wherfore I
beseche you mekely for the mercye of1 god that ye pray for
me / that crist haue mercie on me and forgyff me my
giltes [1085] and namely of1 myn translacaouws and of1 myn
enditynge of worldely vanytes the whiche I revoke in my de-
tracciouws / [1086] As the book off Troilys / The booke
also of Fume / The booke of .xxv. ladies / The
booke of the Duchesse / The booke of* Seynt Valentynes
day / And the parlement ofH byrdes /The Talys of Cauwter-
bury Hhilke that soun)den vnto synne / [1087] The booke
of1 the leon / And many anothir booke yff they were in my
remembraunce And many a songe / And many a lechourous
lay / Crist for his grete mercie foryeve me the synne //
[1088] But off the translaciourc off Boes consolaciou?&
And othir bookes of legendis and off Seyntes / And of1 Omelies /
And moralite / And deuociourc / [1089] that thanke I oure
lord Ihesu Crist and his blysfuti moder / and alle the
Seyntis in hevyn / [1090] beseekyng them / that thei from
hens forth vnto my lyves eende / sende me grace off
. . . .no gap in the MS.] verray penauwce Con-
ADDIT. 5140 (for HengWTt 651) (6-T. 684) P leaf 367, back]
685 SIX-TEXT
652 GROUP I, § 2. PARSON'S TALE. Addit, for Heng. MS.
fessioiw and Satisfacciouw / to done in this present lyff /
[1091] thoruh the benygne grace of* hym that is kyng of
kynges / and preste off alle preestis / that bouht vs
with the precious bloode off his herte / [1092] For that I mot
bene oone of* hem att the laste daye off dome that shall be savid?
Qui cum deo patre & spiritu. sancto viuis & regnas deus
Per omwia secula Amen
Explicit narracio Rectoris et ultima inter nar-
raciones huius libri de quibus composuit
Chaucer ./ cuius Anime propicietur deus / AMEN .
[Follows, in Brit. Mus. Addit. 5140, Lydgate's Siege of
Thebes, incomplete:
Incipit ultima de fabulis Cantuarie translata
et prolata per Dompuum lohannem Lidgate
monachuw in redeundo a Cantuaria . Incipit pro-
logus./]
ADDIT. 5140 (for Hengwrt 652) (6-T. 686)
653
HENGWET APPENDIX
OF PIECES AND CUTS NOT IN THE HENGWET MS.
PAGB
1. Appendix to Group A : the spurious Tale of
Gamelyn, from Harleian MS. 1758 (the first
13 lines from MS. Eeg. 17 D xv, in the
British Museum) 1*-2G*
[J^*- TJie reader is asftt to put a * to the nrs. of tlie
pages."}
2. The genuine Nun's-Priest's End-Link, Group B,
§ 15, p. 301 Six-Text, from Addit. MS. 5140,
Brit. Mus. It would have followd p. 244
above, had this lArik been in the Hengwrt
MS.1 27*
3. The genuine Man-of-Laiv-Shipman Link1 (tho'
calld Squire's Prologue), Group B, § 3, p. 167
Six-Text, from the Eoyal MS. 18 C ii, Brit.
Mus. It would have followd p. 294 above,
had it been in the Hengwrt MS 28*
4. The genuine Clerk-Merchant Link,lQro*ap E, § 3,
p. 442 Six-Text, from Shirley's Harleian MS.
7333 (Brit. Mus.). It would have been sub
stituted for the Clerk's End-Link on p. 439
above, had it been in the Hengwrt MS. ... 29*
5. The genuine
G. § 2. Second-Nun — Canon's- Yeoman Link.
G. § 3. Canon- Yeoman's Preamble.
G. § 4. Canon- Yeoman's Tale.
p. 547-574 Six-Text, from the Lichfield
Cathedral MS. They'd have followd
p. 397 above, had they been in the
Hengwrt MS. ... 30*-57*
1 The best >l-type MSS. reject this Lint.
654 APPENDIX.
6. Drawings of the 23 Tellers of the 24 Canterbury
Tales, copied from the Ellesmere MS., and
cut on wood by Mr Hooper.
7. Drawings of 6 Tellers of 6 Canterbury Tales — the
Reeve, Cook, Monk, Pardoner, Wife of Bath,
and Manciple — and 6 allegorical Figures —
Wrath and Mercy, Gluttony and Abstinence,
Lechery and Chastity, — from the Cambridge
University MS., Gg. 4. 27, cut by Mr Hooper.
SIX-TEXT 301
GROUP B. § 15. NUN'S PRIEST'S END-LINK. Addit, 5140, 27*
THE NUN'S PRIEST'S END-LINK.
[Addit. MS 5140, Brit. Mus., leaf 282, back (paper).]
plnctptt prologus fafcule secuntie montafe
Sir Nvnnys preest / our* host seide anoon
I-blessid be thi breche / and every stoon
This was • a mery tale / of Chan)tecleei)
But bi my trouth / yiff thou were seculer* 464:0
Thou woldist ben / a trede foule a riht
ffor yff thou coragge / as thou hast my lit
The were neede / of hennys as I weene
ya . mo than vij tymes / seventene 4644
See suche brawne / hath this gentil preest
So grete a neck / and such a large breest
He lookith as a sparhawk / with his eyen
Hym needith nat / his colour* for to dyen 4648
With brasiH ne with greyn / off portyngal
Now sire fair falle you / for your1 tale
And aftir that / he with fuH mery cheer5 4651
Seid vnto the Nuwiie / as ye may heer1] [Addit. MS extract stops}
[Group H (the Manciple) follows in the MS.]
27* (6-T. 301J [this page, Addit. 5140]
167 SIX-TEXT
28* GR. B, § 3, MAN-OF-LAW SHIPMAN LINK. Roy. MS. 18 C U.
3.
THE MAN-OF-LAW— SHIPMAN LINK.
Royal MS 18 G ii, leaf W (Brit. Mus.).
The prolog of the squyers tale
OWre cost vp on his stiropes stood a-non
And saide godemen herkeneth euerichon
This was a thrifty tale for Jie nones
Sire parisshe preest quod he for goddes bones 1166
Telle vs a tale as was thi forward yore
I se wel that1 ye lernede men in lore
Can moche good by goddes dignete
The person him Answered benedicite 1170
What eyleth the man so synfully to swere
Owre ooste answerd 0 lanekyn be ye there
I smelle a lollere in the wynde quod he
How goodmen quod owre oosfr herkeneth me 1174
A-bideth for goddes digne passioun
ffor we shal haue a predicacioun
This lollere here wil prechen vs som what
Nay by my fader sowle that shal he nat 1178
Seide J>e squier here shal he nat preche
He shal no gospel glosen here no teche
He leuej) alle in the grete god he
He wolde so wen som difficulte 1182
Or springen Cokkel in owre clene corn
And ther-fore hoosfr y warne }>e byforn
Mi loly body shal a tale telle
And I shal klynken yow so mery A belle 1186
That I shal waken, al this compaignye
But1 it1 shal not ben of philosophic
Ne phislyas ne termes queynte of lawe
Ther is but litel latyn in my mawe 1190
Here endyth the the prolog //
HENQWBT 28* (6-T. 167) [this page, Eoyal MS 18 C ii]
SIX-TEXT 442
GROUP E. § 3. CLERK-MERCHANT LINK. Harl. 7333. 29*
4.
[Harl. MS 7333, on leaf 68, back, col. 2.]
[And here beginnitlie J>e Marchaundis tale /
WEping & wayling Care ancP oj?ere sorowe
I know Inow bothe evin & Eke on) morowe
Quod' the marchaunt & so dothe ojjere moo
That weddide be I trowe that it be soo 1216
ffor wel wote I it ffarithe so be me
I have a wyf quod he the worst that may be
ffor thowhe the fende Covpelid? to hir were
She wolde him ouer-macke I dare wel swere 1220
What shade yewe reherce in special
her hi^e malice she is a shrew at Alle
Ther is A longe & A large difference /
Be-twyxt gresildes gret paciens 1224
And* of my wyfe the passyng Crueltee
Were I vnbounde Also mut I thee
I wolde neuer Efte Come in that snare
We weddid* men leve in sorow & Care 1228
A-say who-so wolle And? he shall fynde
That I sey sothe by seint Thomas of ynde
As for the more part I sey not Al
God* shilde it that it so shulde be-falle 1232
0 goode sir hoste I have I-weddid? be
Thes monthes too And* no more parde
And' yit I trowe he hathe Alle his lyf
Wyfles be thow that men wolde him Kue 1236
Into the hert ne Coude in no manere where
Tellyn so muche sorow as I nowe here
Coude telle of my wyfes Cursid?-nesse/
Nowe quod, owre Ost marchande so god? yowe blesse 1240
Synne ye so mekyH Con) of that Arte
fful hertly I pray yowe telle vs parte /
Gladly quod? he but of myn) owne sore
ffor sory herte I tell[e] may nomore] [Harl. 7333 extract ends]
HENGWRT 29* (6-T. 442) [this page, Harl. 7333]
547 SIX-TEXT
30* GROUP G. §2, 2ND NUN-CANON-YEOMAN-LINK. LichfieldMS,
5.
[Lichfield MS, leaf 172, I. 3.]
[and now
begynneth the prologe of the Chanons yoman .
Whan ended was / the tale of1 seint Cecyle
Er we fully / had rid en fif1 myle
At Boughton . vnder the blee / vs gan a take
A man that clothed was / in clothes blake 557
And vnder fat1 / he had a whit1 surplys
His hakeney that1 was / al pomel grys
So swette / that1 it wonder was to see
Hit1 semed he had / priked myles three 561
The hors eke / that1 his yoman rood vpon
So swette / J>at vnnethe mi^te he goon
Aboute the peytrel / stood the foom ful hi^o
He was of fome / al flekked as a pye 565
A male twifold / vpon his croper lay
It semed pat he caried / litel aray
Al light1 for somer / rood pis worthy man
And* in myn herte / wondren I bigan 569
what1 pat he was / til pat1 1 vnderstood
How pat his cloke / was swed to his hood
ffor which whan I longe / had a-vised me
I demed him / som chanon for to be 573
his hat heeng1 at his bak1 / doun by laas
ffor he had riden / more than trot1 or paas
He had ay priked / lyk as he were wood
A clote leef / he had vnder his hood 577
ffor swoot1 / and for to kepe his hede fro hete
But it1 was ioye / for to seen him swete
His forhed dropped / as a stillatorie
were ful of plannteyn / and of peritorie 581
HENGWET 30* (6-T. 547) [this page, Lichfield MS.]
548 SIX-TEXT
GROUP Gr. § 2. 2ND NUN-CANON-YEOMAN LINK. LicMeld MS.
And whan ]?at he com / he gan to crie 582
God saue quod, he / this ioly companie
ffaste haue I priked / quod he for 3 oure sake
Be cause J>at I wolde / 3ow ouertake 585
To ryden / in j?is mery companie
His yoman eke / was ful of curtesie
And sire now // in the morwe tyde
Out of* ^oure Hostery / I saugfi. 30 w ryde [/e«/i72, baa^ 589
And warned here / my lord and my souerayn
which J>at to ride / with }ow is ful fayn
ffor his disport1 / he loueth daliaunce
And for J?i warnyng1 / god ^eue Jie good chaunce 593
Saide oure hoost / certes it wolde seme
Thy lord were wys . and so I may wel deme
He is ful iocunde / also dar I leye
Can he ought1 telle / a mery tale or tweye 597
with whiche / he glade . may J)is companye
who sire my lord / ^e ^e withoute lye
He can of merthe / and eek of iolyte
Nbu^t1 but1 ynogh / also sire trusteth me 601
And ^e him knewe / as wel as do I
3e wolde wondre / how wel and thriftily
He couthe werke / and fat1 in sondry wise
He hath taken on him / many greet apprise 605
Whiche were ful hard / for any J?at is here
To "bringe aboute / but1 J?ei of him it lere
As homely as he rit / amonges $ow
3if ye him knewe / it wolde be 3oure prow 609
3e wolde not forgoon / his aqueyntance
ffor moche good / I dar leye in balance
Al ]>ai I haue / in my possession
he is a man / of higfr discreciofi 613
I warne $ow wel / he is a passinge man
Wel quod oure hoost1 1 pray J?e tel me Jjan
Is he clerk or noon / tel what1 he is
Kay he is gretter / than a Clerk ywis 617
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 548)
549 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 2, 2ND NUN-CANON-YEOMAN LINK. Lichfield MS.
Seide the 30111011 ) and in wordes fewe 618
Hoost of his craft / somwhat1 I wol 3ow shewe
I say my lord / can such a sotilte
But al his craft1 / 30 may not wite at me 621
And somwhat1 helpe I ^it / to his worchyng1
That al fis grounde / fat we ben on ridyng
Til fat we come / to Cauntebury toun
He coude al clene / turne vp so doun 625
And paue it al / of sillier and of goold*
And whan f is 3oman / had f us y-toold'
II Yn to oure hoost1 / he saide benedicite [/ea/m]
This f ing / is wonder . meruaillous to me 629
Sitthe f i lokf / is of so high prudence
Be cause of which / men shulde him reuerence
That1 of his worships / rekketh . he so lyte
His oner sloppe / is not1 worth a myte 633
As in effeete / to him so mote I go
It is al baudy / and to-tore also
Why is f i lord / so sluttish I the prey
And is of power / better clof es for to bey 637
3if fat his dede / accorde with f i speclie
Tel me that/ and fat I the beseche
IT Whi quod f is joman / wherto aske 30 me
God helpe me so / for he shal neuer ythe 641
But I wol not / avowe that I say
And therfore kepe it secre / I yow pray
He is to wys / in feith as I beleue
That1 fat is ouerdone / it wol not preue 645
And right as clerkes seyn / it1 is a vice
"Wherfore in fat / I holde him lewed and nyce
ffor whan a man / hath ouer greet a wit
fful ofte him happeth / to misvsen it 649
So doth my lord / and that1 me greueth sore
God it amende / I can say 3ow no more
IF Ther-of no fors / goode yoman qwod oure hoost
Sitthen of the cumiynge / of f i lord f ou woost 653
LICHFIEI/D MS FOR HENGWKT APPENDIX (6-T. 549)
550 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 2. 2ND NUN-CANON-YEOMAN LINK. Lichfield MS.
Telle how he dotR / I pray the hertely 654
Sitthen jjat he is / so crafty . and so sly}
where dwelle $e / $if it tolle be
In the subarbe / of a town quod [he] 657
Lurkynge in hernes / and in lanes blynde
where thise robbers / and theefs be kyiide
Holden her priue / and ferful residence
As ]?ei ]?<2t dar not/ shewen her presence 661
So fare we / ^if I shal say the sothe
}it quod oure hoost / lat me talke to the
Why art fou / discoloured on thy face
Petre quod he / god $eue it harde grace 665
I am so vsed / in the fyre to blowe
That it hath chaunged / my colour as I trowe Liea/ns, back-]
I am not1 wont1 in no myrour to prie
But swynke sore / and lerne to multiplie 669
we bloundren euere / and pouren in the fyr
And for al Jjatt we faylen / of oure desyr
ffor euere we lakken / oure conclusion
To moche folk we be / but illusion 673
And borwe gold / be it a pound or two
Or ten or twelue / or many sommes mo
And make hem wene / atte leste weye
That of a pound / we coude make tweye 677
3it* is it1 fals / and ay we han good hope
It for to done / and after it we grope
But Jjaf science is / so fer vs biforn
we may not / al pogh . we had it sworn 681
It ouertake / it slit awey so faste
It wol vs make / beggers atte laste
IT Whiles this 3omaii / was Jms in his talkyng1
This chanon drow him nere / and herde al Jjyng1 685
which J?at Jns ^oman spak / for suspecion
Of mennes speche / euere had this chanon
ffor caton seith / he jjaf gilty is
Demeth al Jnng / of him be spoke ywis 689
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 550)
551 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 2, 2ND NUN-CANON-YEOMAN LINK. Lidlfield MS.
By cause of that / he gan so nygh to drawe 690
his 3oman / and herde al his sawe
And thus he seide / vn to his ^omafn] tho
Hold now thy pees / and spek wordes no mo 693
ffor }if J>ou doost / ]?ou shalt it1 de[re] abye
Thou sclaundrest me here / in this companye
And eke discouerest fat fou shuldest hyde
:$e quod oure hoost / tel on what so be-tyde 697
Of al his thretenyng / recche fe nat a myte
In feith quod he / no more I do but lyte
And whan this chanon / saugh it wolde not be
But fat his yoman / wolde telle his pn'uite 701
he fledde a wey / for verray sorwe and shame
A quod f e 3oman / here shal rise a game
Al fat I can / anoon wol I telle
Syn he is goon / f e foule feend him quelle 705
ffor neuere here after / wol I with him mete [lea/nt]
ffor peny ne for pound / I the beheete^
he that me broi^te / first vn-to fat game
Er fat he deye / sorwe haue he and shame 709
ffor it is ernest1 to me by my feith
That fele I wel / what so eny man seith
And $it for al my smert/ and al my greef
ffor al my sorwe / labour and mescheef 713
I couthe neuere / leue it in no wise
Now wolde god / my wit myght suffise
To tellen al / that longeth to that art 716
[But natheles $it wol I telle 3ou part] [Beg. is c u, leafi&S]
Syn fat my lord is goon / I wol not spare
Swich Jjing as I knowe / I wol declare
If Thus endeth J>e prologe/
LICHFIELD MS FOB HENQWET APPENDIX (6-T. 65l)
552 SIX-TEXT
GROUP GK § 3, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Lichfield MS.
[THE PREAMBLE.}
[on lea/ m-] and begynneth the tale
W^ith this chanon / dwelled haue I .vij. 3616
And of his science / am I neuere Jje nere
Al Jjat I hadde / haue I lost ther by
And god woot/ so haue many mo J?an I.
Ther I was wont/ to be right fressfr and gay
Of clothing / and of good aray 725
Now may I were / an hose vpon myn heed
And where my colour / was bothe fressh and reed
Now is it wan / and of leden hewe
who so it vse / sore shal him rewe 729
And of my swynk ./ }it blered is rnyn ye
Lo which aummtage / it is to multiplye
That slidynge science / hath me maad so bare
That I haue no good / where J?at euere I fare 733
And ^it I am / endetted so ther by
Of gold?/ j>at I haue borwed trewely
That while I lyue / I shal it quite neuere
Lat eue?y man / be war by me . for euere 737
What maner man / that casteth him ther to
3if he contynue / I holde his thrifte ydo
ffor so helpe me god / J?er-by shal he not wynne
But empte his purs / and make his wittes thynne 741
And whan he / Jmrgh his madnesse and folie
hath lost his owne good / Jjurgfi. lupartie
Than he exciteth / other men ther-to
To lese her good / as him self hath do yeafiu, back] 745
ffor vn-to shrewes / ioye it* is and ese
To haue her felawes / in peyne and disese
LICHFIELD MS FOB HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 662)
553 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 3, CANON'S- YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Lichfield MS,
Thus was I ones/ lerned of a clerk1
Of jjat no charge / I wol speke of oure werk1 749
1F Whan we be jjere / as we shul exercise
Oure eluyssh" craft1 / we seme wonder wise
Oure termes be / so clergeal and so queynte
I blowe j>e fire / til J>at inyn herte feynte 753
what shulde I telle / eche proporcion
Of thinges whiche / J>at we worchen on
As of fyve or sixe vnces / it may wel be
Of siluer / or of som o)>er quantite 757
And besie me / to telle 30 w the names
Of orpemenf/ brentH bones . yren squames
That in to pouder / grounde be ful smal
And in an erthen pot / how it put is al 761
And salt yput in / and also papire
Bifore thise pouders / that I speke of here
And wel y-couered / with a lampe of glas
And of moche other thing / what* that ther was 765
And of the pot/ and glas englutyng*
That of the eyre / myghtf passe no thyng1
And of the esy fire / and smart also
Whiche J>at were made / and of the care and wo 769
That we had / in oure maters sublymynge
And amalgamynge / and calcenynge
Of quic siluer / y-cleped mercurie crude
ffor alle oure sleightes/ we can not1 conclude 773
Oure orpemenf / and sublymed* mercurie
Oure grounde litarge / eke on the porphirie
Of eche of ])ise / of vnces a certayn
Not helpeth vs / oure labour is in vayii 777
ISTe eke oure spirites / ascensiown
Ne eke oure mater / that lyn al fixe adown
May in oure werching / no thing vs avayle
ffor lost is al oure labour / and trauayle 781
And al the cost/ on twenty deuel way
Is lost also / which we vpon it lay
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 653)
554 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 3. CANON'S- YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Lichfield MS.
Ther is also / many another thing [tea/ 175]
That is to oure craft1 / apertenyng 785
Though I by ordre hem here / ne reherse can
Be cause that I am / a lewed man
3it wol I telle hem / as J?ei come to mynde
Though I ne can / sette hem in her kyiide 789
As boole amoniak / verdegres boras
And sondry vesselles / made of erthe and glas
Oure vrinals / and oure descensories
Yioles crescellettes / and sublymatories 793
Coiicurbites / and alembikes eke
And othere / dere ynogS. a leke
Not nedeth it1 / to rehersen hem alle
Watres rubifiynge / and boles galle 797
Arsenyk1 . sal armoniak1 ./ and brymston
And herbes / coude I telle eek many on
As egremoyne / valerian and lunarie
And other suche / 3if fat me lust tarie 801
Oure lampes brennynge / bothe nyght and day
To bringe aboute / oure craft $if fat we may
Oure fourneis eke / of calcinacion
And of oure watres / albificacion 805
Ynslekked lyme ./ chalk . and gleyre of an ey
Poudres diuerse / asshes dong pisse and cley
Cered pokettes / sal petre and vitriole
And diuerse fires / made of wode and cole 809
Sal tartre / alcaly and salt preparat
And combust1 materes and coagulat1
Cley made with horses . or mannes heer and oyle
Of tartre / alumglas . berme wort and argoyle 813
Reysalgar / and othere materes enbibynge
And eke of oure materes / encorporinge
And of oure siluer / citrinacion
Oure fermenting* and fermentacion 817
Oure Ingottes / testes and many mo
I wol $ow telle / as was me tau^t also
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 554;
555 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 3. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Lichfield MS.
The foure spirites / and the bodies seuene
By ordre as I haue herd / my lord neuene 821
The first spirit1 / quik siluer called is Oa/i75, bacj^
The secunde orpement / the thridde ywis
Sal armoniak / and the fourthe brymston
The bodies seuene / eek loo hem here anoon 825
Sol gold is / and luna sillier we threpe
Mars yren / Mecurie quik sillier we clepe
SaturnMs leed / a[nd] lupiter is tyn
And venws copir / by my fader kyn 829
This cursed craft / who so wol excercise
He shal no good han / that may suffise
ffor al the good / he spendeth ther aboute
he lese shal / ther-of haue I no doute 833
Who so that lust / to outen his folie
lat him come forth / and lerne multiplie
And euery man / ]>«t hath au^t in his cofre
lat him appere / and wexe a philosophre 837
Ascaunce that craft / is so light to lere
Nay nay god woot / al be he monk or frere
Freest or chanon / or eny- other wight
Though he sitte at his book/ boj>e day and nyght 841
In lernyng of this eluissK. nyce lore
As is in veyne / and parde moche more
Is to lerne a lewed man / this sotilte
ffy spek not J>er-of / for it wol nott be 845
Al coude he lettrure / or coude he noon
As in effecte / he shal fynde it1 al oon
ffor bothe two / by my saluacion
Concluden in multiplicacion 849
yliche wel / whan ])ei han al ydo
This is to say / ]>e fayle bothe two
3it format I to moche rehersaille
Of watres corosif / and of lymaille 853
And of bodies / mollificacion
And also / of her induracion
LTCHFIELD MS FOE HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 556)
556 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 3. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Lichfield MS,
Gyles ablucion / and metal fusible
To tellen al / wolde passen eny bible 857
That ougher is / werfore . as for the beste
Of alle Jrise names / now wol I me reste
ffor as I trowe / I haue ^ow told ynogh
To reisen a feend / loke he neuere so rogfr [>a/i76] 861
A nay lat be / thy philosophies stoon
Elixir cleped we / sechen faste echoon
ffor had we him / than were we siker ynow
But vn-to god / of heuene I make a vow 865
ffor al oure craft / whan we haue al y-do
And al oure sleighte / he wol not come vs to
he hath vs made / spende moche good ;
ffor sorwe of which / almost wexe wood 869
But that good hope / crepeth in oure herte
Supposinge euere / thogh we sore smerte
To be releued / by him afterward
Supposing and hope / is sharp and hard 873
I warne ^ow wel / it is to seken euere
That future temps / hath made men disseuere
In trust ther of / from al jjat euere jjei hadde
^it of that art / J>ei coude not wexe sadde 877
ffor vn to hem / it1 is a bitter swete
So semeth it / for ne had J?ei but a shete
which J>ei myghte / wrappe hem in a nyght
And a bak to walken in / by day light 881
They wolde hem selle / and spenden on the craft1
They can not stinte / til no thing be laftt
And euere more / where Jjat euere J>ei goon
Men may hem knowe / by smel of brimstoon 885
ffor al the world / jjei stynken as a goot
he[r] sauowr is / so rammyssfi. and so hoot
That though a man / from hem a myle be
The sauowr wol infecten "him trusteth me 889
Loo )ms bi smellyng / and thred bare aray
3if that men liste / this folk J>ei knowe may
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWET APPENDIX (6-T. 666)
557 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 3, CANON'S- YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Lichfield MS.
And 3 if a man / wol aske hem pn'uely
Why J>ei be clothed / so vntriftily 893
Right anon jjei wol / rownen in his ere
And sey / }if Jjei aspied were
Men wolde hem sleen / bicause of her science
Loo thus ]>is folk / betray en innocence 897
Passe oner j)is / I go my tale vn to
Er J?at jje pot / be on jje fire ydo
Of metalles /• with a cerfceyn qwcmtite 900
My lord hem tempreth / and no man but lie yea/m, back]
Now he is gon / I dar say boldely
ftbr as men sayn / he can do craftily
Algate I woot wel / he hath such a name
And jit1 ful ofte / he renneth in the blame « 905
And wete how / ful ofte it happeth so
The pot to-breketh / and farewel al is go
Thise metals ben / of so greet violence
Oure walles may not / make hem resistence 909
Bu[t] 3if they be wrou^t1/ of lyme and stoon
They percen so / and thurgh the wal ]?ei goon
And som??ze of hem / sinken in to the grounde
Thus haue we lost / be tymes many a pounde 913
And sofwrne are scatered / al the floor aboute
Somme lepen in to ]>e roof / withoute doute
Though that ]>e feend / nat in oure sight1 him shewe
I trowe J>at he / be with vs . J>at shrewe 917
In helle wher he is / lord and sire
Ne is ther no more wo / ne anger ne ire
IT Whan that oure pot is broken / as I haue sayd
Euery men chit / and halt1 him euele payd 921
Somme seide if was long1 on the fire makyng
Somme seide nay / it was long on the blowyng
Than was I ferd / for \a\> was myn office
Strawe quod the thride / je be lewed and nyce 925
It was not1 tempred / as it oujt be
Nay quod the ferthe / stinte and herkene me
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 657)
558 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 3, CANON'S- YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Lichfield MS
By cause oure fire / was not made of beech"
That is the cause / noon other so theecfr 929
I can not telle / wher on it is along
But wel I woot / greet1 strif is vs among
What quod my lord / ther is no more to done
Of thise periles / I wol be war eft sone 933
I am right siker / ]>ai the pot was erased
Be as be may / be 36 no thing amazed
As vsage is / lat swepe the floor as swithe
Plucke yp 3owre herte / and be 36 glad and blithe 937
The mollok on an heep / yswopen is
And on the flore / cast a canevas
And al this mollok / in sive y thro we o«/m]
And sifted and y-plucked / many a throwe 941
Parde quod oon / somwhaf of oure metaH
Yit is ther here / J?ogh we haue not1 ail
And thogh this thing / mishapped hath now
Anojier tyme / it may be wel ynow 945
Vs muste putte / oure good in auenture
A marchant parde / may nat ay endure f
Trusteth me wel / in his prosperite
Somtyme his good / is drowned in J)e see 949
And somtyme cometh it sauf / vn-to the loude
Pees quod my lord?/ J>e nexte tyme I wol fonde
To bringe oure craft / al in another plyte
And but I do sires / lat me haue the wyte 953
Ther was defaute / in somwhat1 wel I woot
And othere seide / the fire was ouerhoot1
But be it hoot or coold? / I dar wel say this
That we conclude / eueremore amis 957
We failen of that / which we wolde haue
And in oure madnesse / eueremore we raue
And whan we been / to-geder euerychon
Euery man semeth / as wys as Salomon 961
But al thing1 / which ]>at semeth golde
Is nat1 gold / as I haue herd tolde
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 568)
559 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 3, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S PREAMBLE. Lichfield MS.
Ne euery appel / that1 is fayre at eye
Ne is not1 good / what so men clappe or seye 965
Right* so loo fareth it1 / amonges vs
He that1 semeth / the wisest by Ihesus
Is moost fool / whan it cometh to the preef
And he that semeth trewest / is ]>e moste ]>eef 969
That shuti ye knowe / er J?at I fro yow wende
By that I of my tale / haue made an ende
[No break in the MS.]
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 659)
560 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 4. OANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS,
[THE TALE.]
Ther is a Chanon / of Eeligiown
Amonges vs / wolde enfecte al a toufi 973
Thogh" it as greet ware / as was Niniue
Home Alisaundre / Troye and other thre
His sleightes / and his infinite falsnesse
Ther cowthe no man / writen as I gesse 977
ThogB. that he myghte / lyven a Jiousand yeer
In al this world / of falsnesse nis his peer iieafw, &«*]
ffor in his termes / he wol him so wynde
And speke his wordes / in so sligfi a kynde 981
Whan he commune shal / with eny wight
What . he wol make him / dote anon right
But1 it the feend be / as him self is
fful many a man / hath he begiled er this 985
And wole }if that he may / lyuen a while
And $it men riden / and goon ful many a myle
Him for to seke / and haue aqueyntance
Nought knowynge / of his fals gouernance 989
And ^if 36 lust / to 3eue me audience
I wol it telle / here in 3oure presence
But worschipeful Chanon / Keligious
Ne demeth not / J?at I sclaundre 3oure hous 993
Al thogfi. my tale / of1 a chanon be
Of euerj ordre / som shrewe is parde
And god forbede / that al a companye
Shulde rewe / a singuler mannes folie 997
To sclaundre ^ow / is not myn entent
But to correcten / }>at is wis ywent
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 660)
C
LI **
561 SIX-TEXT
GROUP GK § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS.
This tale was not oonly / told for 3ow
But eke for other mo / 30 woot wel how 1001
That1 amonges / cristes aposteles twelue
Ther was no traitow / but ludas him selue
Than why sholde ]>e remenant / alle haue blame
That gilteles were / by ^ow sey I the same 1005
Sauf only this / $if 30 wole herkne me
3if any ludas / in ^oure couent be
Remeweth him by tyme / I 3ow rede
3if shame or losse / may causen any drede 1009
And beth no J)ing displesed / I ^ow pray
But in this caas / herkeneth what I say
IN london was a preest / an aunueler
That Jjerynne dwelled / had many a 3eer 1013
which was so plesant / and so seruisable
Vn to the wyf / where he was at table
That1 she wolde suffre him / no J>ing for to paie
ffor bord? nojxsr clothing1 wente he neuere so gaye 1017
And spending1 siluer / hadde he right ynow^ [zea/m]
Ther-of no force / I wol precede as now
And telle forth my tale / of the Chanon
That broghte Jris preest/ to confusion 1021
f This false Chanon / com vpon a day
Vn-to the prestes chambre / there he lay
Besechinge him / to lene him a certeyn
Of gold / and he wolde . quit him a-geyn 1025
Leneth me a marc / quod he but dayes thre
And at my day / I wol it quite the
And 3if so be / ]>ou fynde me fals
Another day / hange me by the hals 1029
This prest him toke / a marc & J?at as swithe
And this Chanon / him thanked ofte sithe
And toke his leue / and wente forth his weye
And atte thridde day / brou3te his moneye 1033
And to the preest / he took J>is gold ageyn
Ther-of ]>is preest / was glad and fayn
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 66l)
562 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 4, CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfleld MS.
Certes quod he / no J>ing anoyeth me
To lene a man a noble / or two or J>re 1037
Or what thing were / in my possession
whan he so trewe is / of condicion
That in no wise / he breke wol his day
To swich a man / I can neuere say nay 1041
What quod Jjis Chanon / shulde I be vntrewe
Nay that were Jjing / fallen al of newe
Truthe is a thing / that I wol euere kepe
Vn to the day / in which J?at I shal crepe 1045
In to my graue / and ellis god forbede
Beleeueth Jjis / as siker as the crede
God thanke I / and in good tyme be if sayd!
That ther was neuere man jit euel appayd 1049
ffor gold ne siluer / that he to me lente
Ne neuere falshede / in myn herte I mente
And sire quod he / now of my pn'uite
Syn 30 so goodly / haue ben to me 1053
And kythed to me / so grett gentilnesse
Somwhat to quiten with / ^oure kyndenesse
I wol $ow shewe / and $if ^ow lust to lere [fea/ns, bacjci
I shal it shewe / to $ow anon right here 1057
How I can worchen / in philosophic
Taketh good heede / }e schul wel seen afr y^e
That I wol done / a maystrie or I goo
3ee quod the preest / }ee sire and wol $e so 1061
Marie ther of / I pray ^ow hertely
At ^oure commaundement/ sire trewely
Quod the Chanon / and ellis god forbede
Loo how Jris theef / couthe his seruice bede 1065
fful soth it is / Jjat such profred seruice
Stinketh / as witnessen thise olde wise
And thatt ful sone / I wol it1 verifie
In this Chanon that is / roote of al treccherie 1069
That eueremore / delite hath and gladnesse
Suche feendly thou^tes / in his herte empresse
LICHFIELD MS FOE HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 662)
uf*
563 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfleld MS,
How cristes peple / he may to mescheef bringe
God kepe vs / from his fals dissimulinge 1073
What wiste this preesf / with whom Jat1 he delte
Ne of his harme comynge / no thing he felte
0 sely preest / o sely Innocent*
With couetise anoon / Jou shalt be blent1 1077
0 graceles / ful blynd is Ji conceyt
IsTo Jing1 artow war / of the deceyt
Which that Jis fox / shapen hath to the
His wily wrenches / Jou mayst not flee 1081
Wherfore to go / to the conclusion
That1 referreth / to Ji confusion
Ynhappy man / anoon I wol me hie
To telle thyn vnwitte / and Ji folie 1085
And eke the falsnes / of Jat other wrecche
As ferforth / as my connynge wol strecche
This Chanon was my lord / 36 wolde wene
Sire ofte in feith / and by the heuene queue 1089
It was a nother Chanon / and nou}t he
That can an hundred fold more sotiltee
He hath betrayed foltf many tyme
Of his falsnesse / it dulleth me to Eyme 1093
Euere whan I speke of his falshede
ffor shame of him / my chekes wexe rede
Algates Jei begonne / for to glowe [/ea/i79]
ffor reednesse haue I now / right wel y-knowe 1097
In my visage / for fumes diuerse
Of metalles whiche / ^e han herd me reherse
Consumed and wasted / han my reednesse
Now take heede of this / Chanons cursednesse 1101
1T Sire quod he to the preest / lafr ^oure marc goon
ffor quicsiluer / that we it hadde anoon
And lat him bringe / vnces two or three
And whan he cometh / as faste shuH 30 see 1105
A wonder Jing / which $e say neuere ar this
Sire quod the preest / it shal be done ywis
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 663)
564 SIX-TEXT
GROUP GK § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS.
He bad his seruant / fecchen him ]>is Jung1
And he al redy / was at his bidding 1109
And wente him forth / and com anoon ageyn
with this quicsiluer / shortly for to seyn
And toke thise vnces thre / to the Chanozm
And he it leide / fayre and wel adown 1113
And bad the serucmnt / coles for to bringe
That he anoon / inyghte go to his worchinge
The coles right1 anoon / were yfette
And this Chanon / toke out a crosselette 1117
Of his bosome / and shewed it the preest
This Instrument qwod he / which J>at jjou seest
Tak in thin hond / and put J)i self jjerynne
Of J?is quic siluer an vnce / and here begymie 1121
In the name of cristf to wexe a philosophre
Ther ben ful fewe / whiche \>at I wolde profre
To shewe hem thus moche / of my science
tfor 36 shuH see / here by experience 1126
That J?is quicsiluer / I wol mortefie
Right in ^oure sight / anon w^t^oute lie
And make it as good siluer / and as fyn
As ther is eny in ^oure purs / or in myn 1129
Or elliswhere / and make it1 malleable
And ellis hold me / fals and vnable
Amonges folc / euere to appere
I haue a powder here / J>at coste me dere 1 133
Shal make al gold / for it is cause of aH
My cunnynge / which that I :jow shewe shaH [leaf 179, back]
Voydetfi. ^oure man / and lat him be \er oute
And shitte the dore / whiles we ben aboute 1 137
Oure pnuete / that no man // vs espie
1 whiles we werken / in this philosophie 1 \}~ l over an eraiure]
Al as he bad / fulfilled was in dede
This ilke seruemnt / anoon right* out 3ede 1141
And his mayster / shette the dore anoon
And to her labour / speedly they goon
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX ('6-T. 564)
565 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS.
This preest/ at this cursed chanons biddyng
Vpon the fire / anoon sette this thyng 1145
And blewe J?e fire / and besied him ful faste
And Jjis chanon / in to the crosselet caste
A powder not I wher of / that it was
Ymade / outher of chalk1 / or of glas 1 149
Or somwhat ellis / was not worth a Hie
To blynde with Jris preest / and bad him hie
The coles for to cowche / al aboue
The crosselet / for in tokene that I the loue 1153
Quod this Chanon / thyn hondes two
ShuH werke al Jringe / which as shall be do
Gmuntmercy quod the preest / and was ful glad
And couched coles / as the Chanon bad 1157
And whiles he besy was / Jjis feendly wrecche
This fals Chanon / ]?e foule feend him fecche
Out1 of his bosome / took a bechen cole
In which ful sotilly / was maad an hole 1161
And ther Inne put1 was / of siluer lymayle
An ounce / and stopped was w^oute fayle
This hole with wex / to kepe the lymayle in
And vnderstondeth / \a\> J>is false gin 1165
Was not maad there/, but if was maad bifore
And o]?ere thinges / as I shall telle more
Here afterward? / which \a\> he with him brou3te
Ar he com there / to begile him he thou^te 1169
And so dide / or J>ey wente a twynne
Til he had torned him / coude he not blynne
It dulleth me / whan Jjat I of him speke
On his falshede I fayn wolde me awreke 1173
3if I wiste how / but he is here and there \ieaf\w\
He is so variant / he abideth nowhere
But taketh heede / now sires for goddes loue
He toke his cole / of which I spak aboue 1177
And in his hond / he bar it pn'uely
And whiles J)e preest1/ couched besily
LICHFIELD MS FOE HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 565)
566 SIX-TEXT
GEOUP GK § 4, CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS
The coles / as I tolde ^ow er this
Tliis chanon seide / freend 36 done amis 1181
This is not1 couched / as it ou^te be
But sone I shal / amenden if quod he
Now lat me medle with it / but a while
ffor of 3ow haue I pite / by seint Gile 1185
3e be right1 hoot1 / .1 see wel how 36 swete
haue here a cloth / and wype a-wey the wete
And whiles J?e preest / him wyped haas
This Chanon toke his cole / I shrewe his faas 1189
And leyde if vpon / aboue the midward?
Of the crosselet / and blewe wel afterward
Til that1 the coles / gonne faste brenne
Now 3eue vs drynke / quod the Chanon thenne 1193
As swithe / al shal be wel I vndertake
Sitte we down / and lat vs mery make
And whan the Chanons / bechen cole
was brent / al ]?e lymayle out at J?e hole 1197
In to the crosselet1 / anoon fil adoun
And so it1 muste /-nedes by resown
Syn it so euene / aboue couched was
But ther-of wiste / no Jring1 J?e preest alias 1201
He demede alle the coles lyche goode
ffor of the sleighte / no Jnng he vnderstoode
And whan ]>is Alkamystre / sagS. his tyme
Eiseth vp sire presf / and stondeth by me 1205
And for I woot wel / Ingot haue 30 noon
Goth walketh forth / and bring a chalk stoon
ffor I wol make it / of the same shappe
That is an Ingot / 3if I may haue happe 1 209
And bringe with 3ow / a bolle or a panne
fful of water / and see shuH 36 thanne
How j?at oure besynesse / shal happe & preue
And 3it for 36 shul haue / no misbileue [wiso, &ac*] 1213
Ne wrong conceyt of me / in 3oure absence
I wol not ben / out of 3oure presence
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 666)
567 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS.
But go with ^ow / and come with ^ow a-geyn
The chambre dore / shortly for to seyn 1217
They opened and shette / and wente forth her weye
And forth with hem / J>ei caried the keye
And comen ageyn / withoute eny delay
What sholde I tarie / al j?e longe day 1221
He took J?e chalk / and shoop if in the wise
Of1 an Ingot1 / as .1 shal 3ow deuise
I say he took out / of his owne sleue
A teyne of siluer / euele mote he cheue 1225
which }at was / but1 an ounce of weighte
And taketh heede now / of J)is cursed sleighte
he shoop his Ingot / in length e and brede
Of the teyne / w^oute eny drede 1229
So slighly / pat Jje prest it not espide
And [in] his sleue / ageyn he gan it hide
And from J?e fire / took vp ]?e matere
And in to the Ingot1 / it putte with mery chere 1233
And in to the water vessel he it caste
whan \a\> him liste / and bad the preest as faste
loke what there is / put in thyn hand and grope
Thou shalt fynde there / siluer as I hope 1237
what deuel of helle / shulde it ellis be
Shauyng of siluer / siluer is parde
he putte in his hond / and toke vp a teyne
Of siluer fyn / and glad euery veyne 1241
[glad] was ]>is preest / whan he sagfc it was so
Goddes blessing / and his modres also
And alle halwes / haue $e sire Chanon
Seide the preest / and I her malison 1245
But1 and $e vouchesauf/ to teche me
This noble craft1 / and J>is sotilte
I wol be 3oure in al J>at euere I may
Quod the Chanon / $it wol I make assay 1249
The secounde tyme / that 30 may take hede
And' ben expert of this / and in $oure nede
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 667)
568 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS
Another day / in myn absence
This discipline / and Jns crafty science 1253
1F Lat1 take anojjer ounce quod he tho
Of quik siluer / withoute wordes mo
And do therwith / as 36 haue done er J>is
With J?at other / ]>at now siluer is 1257
This preest him besieth / in al Jjat he can
To done as ]?is Chanon / ]?is cursed man
Co?ftmaundeth him / an faste blew ]?e fire
ffor to come to the effecte / of his desire 1261
And this chanon / right in jje mene while
Al redy was / Jjis preest eft to begile
And for a countenance / in his hond? he bar
An holgfr stikke / take hede and be war 1265
In f>e ende of which / an ounce and no more
Of siluer lymayle / put was al bifore
As was his cole / and stopped with wax wel
ffor to kepe in / his lymayle euerydeel 1269
And? whiles J)is preest/ was in his besynesse
This Chanon with his stikke / gan him dresse
To him anoon . and his pouder cast In
As he dide er / J?e deuel out of his skyn 1273
him torne / I pray to god? / for his falshede
ffor he was euere fals / in word and dede
And with his stikke / aboue )>e crosse[le]tte
That was ordeined / with fat1 false gette 1277
He stereth the coles / til relente gan
The wax a-geyn the fire / as euery man
But1 it a fool be / woot wel and moot nede
And al that in the hole was / out" }ede 1281
And in to the crosseletf / hastely if fel
The preest1 supposed / no J>ing but wel
But besied him faste / and was wonder fayn
Supposinge noght but trouthe / sotfi.e for to sayn 1285
He was so glad / I can it not expresse
In no manere / his merthe and his gladnesse
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 568)
569 SIX-TEXT
GROUP GK § 4. CANON'S-TEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS.
And to the Chanon / he profred eft sone
Body and good / 36 quod the Chanon sone 1289
Thogh pouere I be / crafty Jjou shalt me fynde
I warne the / ^itf is ther more behynde iiea/m, sactj
Is ther ony coper / here-yiine seide he
3e sire quod the preest / I trowe ther be 1293
Ellis go bye som / and fat asswithe
Now sire go forth j>i way / and hythe
He wente his way / and with J?is coper he cam
And this chanon / in hand it nam 1297
And of Jjat coper / weyed out but an ounce
Al to symple is my tunge / to pronounce
his monstre / and his witte . J?e doublenesse
Of this chanon / rote of cursednesse 1301
He semede freeiidly / to hem that knewe him noght
But he was feendly / bothe in werk and thoght
It* werieth me to telle / of his falsnesse
And natheles / y.i wole I it1 expresse 1305
To that* entente / j?at men may be war jjer by
And for noon other cause trewely
He putte this ounce of coper / in J?e crosselet
And on the fire / asswithe he hath it set 1309
And caste in pouder / and made jje preest to blowe
And in his worching / for to stoupe lowe
As he dide erst / and al was but1 a iape
Eight1 as him liste / jje preest he made his ape 1313
And afterward / in to the Ingot he it caste
And in the panne / putte it atte laste
Of water / and in he putte his owne hand
And in his sleue / as 36 bifore hand 1317
herde me telle / he had a siluer teyne
he slighly toke it1 out/ Jns cursed heyne
Vnwetinge Jns preesf of his false craft
And in the pannes botme / he hath it1 laft 1321
And in the water/ rombleth to and fro
And wonder pnuely / took it vp also
LICHFIELD MS FOE HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 669)
570 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS.
The coper teyne / not knowynge fis preest
And hidde it / and hente him by the breest 1325
And to him spak / and thus seide in his game
Stoupeth a down / by god $e be to blame
helpeth me now / as I dide yow whiler
Put1 in :$oure hand / and loketh what is ther 1329
This preest took1 vp / ]>is siluer teyne anoon o?a/i82]
And fan seide the chanon / lat vs goon
And thise thre teynes / whiche as we haue wroght
To som goldsmyth / to wete 3if it be ou}t 1333
ffor by my faith / I nolde for myn hood
But }if f ei were siluer fyn and good
And fat asswithe / preued shall it be 1336
[Vnto fe goldsmyth with fise teynes free P^rT^i18^"'
They wente and pitte fise teynes in assay
To fyr and hamer my^te no man sey nay
But f ei were as hem oghte be]
This sottid preest / who was gladder fan he 1341
Was neuere brid / gladder ageyn the day
Ne nightyngale / in f e seson of May
Was neuere noon / that1 liste better synge
NQ lady lusty er / in carolynge 1345
And for to speke of Loue / and womanhede
Ne knyght in armes / to done an hardy dede
To stonde in grace / of his lady dere
Than hadde fis preest/ fis craft for to lere 1349
And to f e Chanon / f us he spak and seide
ffor f e loue of god / fat for vs alle deyde
And as I may / deserue it1 vn-to }ow
What shal fis Eeceyt coste / telleth now 1353
By oure lady quod the Chanon / it is dere
I warne ^ow forsothe / sauf I and a frere
In Engelond / ther can no man it1 make
]STo fors quod he / now sire for goddes sake 1357
What shal I paye / telle me I f e pray
ywis quod he / it is ful dere I say
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T> 670)
571 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS.
Sire at1 oo word? / ^if J?at }e lest it haue
3e shuH paie fourty pound / so god me saue 1361
And ne were the frendshipe / J?at $e dide er this
To me / ^e shulde paie more ywis
This preest Jje somme / of fourty pound anoon
Of nobles fette / and toke hem euerychoon 1365
To J?is Chanon / for this ilke receyt
Al his worching1 was fraude and deceyt
Sire preest he seide / I kepe to haue no loos
Of my craft1 / for I wolde it were kept cloos 1369
And as $e loue me / kepeth it secree
ifor and men knewe / al my sotilte
By god men wolde haue so greet envie
To me by cause / of my philosophie iieafisz, »«*] 1373
I shulde be ded / ther were noon o]>er weye
God forbede quod j?e preest/ what sey^e
3it had I leuere spenden al the good
which J?at I haue / and elles wexe I wood 1377
Than J>af 36 shulde / falle in such meschief
ffor ^oure good wil / sire haue 36 right good preef
Quod the Chanon / and sire fare wel grawnt mercy
He wente his way / and neuere ]?e preest him sey 1381
After Jjat day / and whan J>is preest sholde
Maken assay / at such tyme as he wolde
Of J>is Receyt/ fare wel it wolde not be
Loo Jms byiaped / and bygiled was he 1385
IF Thus maketh he / his introduction
To bringe folk / to her destruction
Considereth sires / how ]?at in eche astate
Betwixe men and gold ther is debate 1 389
So ferforth / J?at vnnethes is ]?er oon
This multiplying/ blendeth so many oon
That in good feith / I trowe Jjat it be
The cause grettest / of ]?is grete scarste 1393
Thise philosophres / speken so mistily
In J?is craft / j?at men can not come ]>erby
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T, 671)
572 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 4. CANON'S- YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS.
ffor eny witte / pat men haue now a dayes
They may wel chitren / and ianglen as done iayes 1397
And in her termes / sette lust and peyne
But to her purpos / shul thei neuere atteyne
A man may lightly lerne / }if he haue oght
To multiplie / and bringe his good to noght 1401
Loo such a lucre / is in pis lusty game
A mannes merthe / it wol torne al to grame
And empten also / grete and heuy purses
And make folk / to purchace curses 1405
Of hem pat han per to / her good ylent
0 iy for shame / pei pat haue be brent
Alias can pei not flee / pe fires hete
3e pat it vsen / I rede that 30 lete 1409
Lest 36 lesen al / for bet pan neuere is late
Neuere to thryue / were to long a date
Thogh 36 prolle ay / 36 shuH it neuere fynde oa/iss]
3e ben as bolde / as is bayard the blynde 1413
That blundreth forth / and perile casteth he noon
he is as bold / to renne ageyn a stoon
As for to go besides / in the weye
So fare 36 / pat multiplie I seye 1417
3if pat oure eyen / can not seen a-right
Loke pat 30111-6 mynde / lakke noght his sight
ffor thogn 30 loke / neuere so brode and stare
3e shuH not wynne / a myte in pat chaffare 1421
But wasten al / pat 30 may rappe and renne
WttMrawe the fire / lest it to faste brenne
Medletfi. no more / with pat art I mene
ffor 3if 30 done / 3oure thrifte is goon ful clene 1425
And as swithe / I wol 3ow telle here
what pat the philosophies / seyn in pis matere
Loo thus seitfi Arnold / of the newe toun
As Ms Eosarie / maketh mencioun 1429
He seith right thus / without eny lye
Ther may no man / mercurie mortifie
LICHPJELD MS FOB HENGWRT APPENDIX (6-T. 572)
r ^
b 3
573 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G. § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS.
But it be with / his brotheres knowelechyng
How J>at he / which first seide this thyng 1433
Of philosophies / fader was hermes
He seith how J>at / the dragon douteles
Ne dyeth not / but ^if he be slayn
"With his brother / and ]>at is for to sayn 1437
By the dragon / mercurie and noon other
He vnderstood / J)«t bremston were his brother
That out of sol / and luna were y-drawe
And ]?erfore seide he / take hede to my sawe 1441
lat no man besie him / this art1 for to seche
But he / that the entencion and speche
Of philosophres / vnderstonde can
And }if he do / he is a lewed man 1445
ffor J?is science / and ]>is cunnynge quod he
Is of j>e secre / of secrees parde
Also }er was a disciple of plato
That on a tyme / saide his maister to 1449
As his book sonier / wol bere witnesse
And this was his demande / in sothfastnesse [fca/iss, ftacfr]
Tel me the name / of the pn'ue stoon
And plato answerde / vn to him anoon 1453
Tak the stoon / that1 titanos men name
which is J>at quod he / Magnesia is J?e same
His disciple seide / 36 sire and is it1 thus
This is ignotum / per ignotius 1457
What is magnesia / good sire I pray
It is a water / that is mad I say
Of elementes foure / quod plato
Tel me the Eoche / goode sire quod he tho 1461
Of that1 water / }if it1 be $oure wille
Nay nay quod plato / certeyn jjat I nylle
The philosophres / were sworn ecchon
That J)ei shulde discouere it/ to no mon 1465
Ne in no book / it write in no manere
ffor vn to god / it was so leef and dere
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWET APPENDIX (6-T. 673)
574 SIX-TEXT
GROUP G, § 4. CANON'S-YEOMAN'S TALE. Lichfield MS.
That he wol not1 / \a\> it discouered be
But where it liketh / to his deyte 1469
Man to enspire / and eke for to defende
whom that him liketh / loo ]>is is Ipe ende
IT Than conclude I thus / syn fyat god of heuene
wol not / that the philosophres nevene 1473
how that a man / shal come vn to ]?is stoon
I rede as for the beste / lat it goon
ffor who so maketh god his aduersarie
And for to worche eny thing in contrarie 1477
Vn to his wilf certes neuere shal he thryve
ThogS. J?at he multiplie / terme of his ly ve
And there a poynt for ended is my tale
God sende euery trewe man bote of his bale 1481
Prologus
1T Thus endetfi. the tale of the Chanons yoman / ]
[Lichfield extract ends]
LICHFIELD MS FOR HENGWHT APPENDIX (8-T. 574)
0~
DRAWINGS OF THE 23 TELLERS
OF THE
24 CANTERBURY TALES,
COPIED FROM THE ELLESMERE MS,
AND CUT ON WOOD,
BY
JWr JfflL 5L Sooper,
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 poets ; 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 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 MILLERE.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 38, back.
JL
THE REVE.
EHesmere MS, leaf 46.
4
THE COOK.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 51.
THE MAN OF LAWE.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 54, back.
THE SHIPMAN.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 147, back.
\
THE PRIORE8SB.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 152, back.
G
CHAUCER.
Ellesmere MS, leaj 157, buck.
THE MONK.
EHesmere MS, leaf 173.
THE NONNES FREEST.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 183.
THE DOCTOR.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 137.
THE PARDONER.
Etlesmere MS, leaf 142.
0
THE WYF OF BATHE,
Ellesmere MS, leaflb.
THE SOMONOUR.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 85, back.
THE CLERK OF OXENFORD.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 92.
THE MERCHANT.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 106, I
THE SQUIRE.
Ellfimere MS, leaf 119, back.
THE FRANKLIN.
Eflesmere MS, leaf 127, back.
THE SECOND NUN.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 191.
THE CANON'S YEOMAN.
Ellesmere MS, leaf 198.
THE MANCIPLE.
Elletmere MS, leaf 207.
THE PARSON.
Ellwmere MS, leaf 210, lack.
[These coloured figures in the Ellesmere MS have evidently
been drawn by two different persons. The little pieces of ground
on which the later hand places his figures, mark those done by
him.
His drawing is not so good as the first hand's ; and his colours
are badly ground, and of poor quality.— W. H. HooPEK.]
PR Chaucer Society, London
1901 cPublications3
A3
no. 3, 9
etc.
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